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Friday 29 December 2017 | 11 Rabia II I 1439 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com Volume 22 | Number 7390 | 2 Riyals
Emir, President 17 road projects of Turkmenistan to be carried review ties mir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani Ereceived a phone call from President of Turkmen- out next year istan, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow, yesterday. The Peninsula Talks during the conversation dealt with the bilateral rela- he road networks in The illegal siege on tions and means of enhancing the country will get Qatar had no impact mutual cooperation, in addi- further boost next on the infrastructure tion to exchanging views on year as Public Works works as over 60 the various developments on Authority (Ashghal) the regional and international Twill start implementing 17 road percent of works arenas. The President also projects in 2018. achieved in 2017 by invited H H the Emir to visit A traditional Qatari band enthrals the crowd with their performance at Al Ahmed Square in The illegal siege on Qatar Turkmenistan, and the Emir Ashghal was carried Souq Waqif yesterday as part of the Souq Waqif Spring Festival. Pic: Abdul Basit / The Peninsula had no impact on the infra- out after June. welcomed the invitation. structure works as over 60 percent of works achieved in Qatar denounces 2017 by Ashghal was carried out after June, said the Authority Souq Waqif tours to let visitors explosion in yesterday in a statement. Doom Street, Muaither Street Dr Eng Saad bin Ahmad Al And Al Shafi street. St Petersburg Muhannadi, President of Ash- The plan will also include experience Qatari way of shopping ghal, said the keenness and the turning roundabouts to signal- support by Prime Minister and ised junctions. atar expressed its Interior Minister H E Sheikh During 2018, more than Raynald C Rivera Shop Qatar, which is organ- of maximum 15 people through strong condemnation Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khal- 210km of cycle ways will be The Peninsula ised by Qatar Tourism Authority the Souq, stopping along the Qand denunciation of ifa Al Thani given to the completed in expressways. A (QTA) for the second year, has a way to sample and learn about the explosion that targeted a authority and its projects main expressway project will xpatriates and tourists who number of new features which spices, incense, traditional food, supermarket in the Russian strengthens the determination be opened for tender during want to experience the include providing authentic art and clothes. city of St Petersburg and left to carry out Ashghal’s mission 2018, that will reduce traffic Etraditional Qatari way of shopping experiences to people The Men’s, Women’s and a number of people injured. with the highest quality and congestion in 22-February shopping will have the chance through tours of Souq Waqif, the Family tours will take different In a statement issued yester- according to the planned Road. through Souq Waqif shopping most popular traditional mar- routes where tourists can day, the Foreign Ministry schedules. Regarding drainage tours organised for the first time ket in the country. explore more about the items reiterated Qatar’s firm stance The Prime Minister had vis- projects, the President pointed as part of the upcoming Shop “We do whatever we can to they are interested in, said Al in rejection of violence and ited the headquarters of out that drainage work of 279 Qatar 2018. help residents and tourists know Shammari. terrorism no matter what the Ashghal on Wednesday. locations in different areas had The shopping tours will be more about Qatar by coming up Through the souq tours, motives and causes were. During the visit a compre- been accomplished in 2017 to conducted in partnership with with creative ideas to show Shop Qatar also shows support → See also page 10 hensive review of Ashghal’s reduce storming water there. Embrace Doha, a Qatari com- them what Qatar is,” said Al to local entrepreneurs. Thirty achievements in the current “Four new projects dedi- pany specialising in cultural Shammari. pop-up shops will be set up in Qatar condemns year and plan for projects in cated for pumping stations, events and sessions. “We don’t want to just pro- Mall of Qatar where small busi- 2018 was presented to the sewage treatment and Al Kara- “The Souq Waqif tours will vide information, we want nesses can showcase their Prime Minister. ana wastewater landfill let expatriates and tourists expe- people to experience Qatar and products and benefit from the Kabul bombings Ashghal President thanked reclamation and rehabilitation rience shopping the Qatari way. one way to do this is through the high footfall generated by the all Ministries and service insti- will go ahead in 2018, along We will teach them about the tours,” explained Al festival, while providing the atar expressed its tutions for their support and with the completion of other souq itself, about certain stations Shammari. mall’s visitors with an authen- strong condemnation cooperation in the implemen- three projects”, the President in the souq, what to buy and Individuals interested in tic Qatari experience. Qand denunciation of tation of its projects. added. from where, how to bargain - learning how to find their way Shop Qatar is also partner- the two bombings that tar- He stated that, in 2018, Ash- For building projects, the things that Qataris are interested through the traditional market- ing with Qatar Development getted a local news agency ghal will start implementing 17 President revealed that Ashghal in,” Amal Al Shammari, CEO of place can join either the Bank (QDB) to provide several and a cultural centre in the road projects, including Al Fur- had concluded the construction Embrace Doha, told The Women’s, Men’s or Family tours of the 30 pop-up shops to SMEs Afghanistan capital of Kabul ousiya Street, A-Ring Road, of 14 mosques, three health Peninsula. that will run between 5pm and incubated and supported by the and left a number of people B-Ring Road, Wholesale Mar- centres and 16 schools in 2017. “We’ll try to show them the 6.30pm on Thursdays, Fridays Bank. killed and injured. ket Street, Al Maadeed Street, Qatari side of shopping. This is and Saturdays. Al Khufoos Street, Umm Al → Continued on page 3 the main idea,” he said. The tours will guide groups → Continued on page 3 → Continued on page 3 Diplomats, visitors praise Mahaseel Festival Ministry releases list of 156 The Peninsula varsities for distance education THE MINISTRY of Education and Higher Education released yes- he second edition of the Mahaseel Fes- terday a list of 156 universities based in United States of America, tival, which is located in the southern United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand. The details of the list Tareaof the Cultural Village Foundation could be gained from www.edu.gov.qa . The students wishing to apply - Katara, continues to receive huge number will be required to obtain advance approval from the Certificates of visitors including ambassadors and Attestation and Equivalency Section. dignitaries. → Full report on page 3 Yesterday, Indonesian Ambassador Muhammad Basri Sidehabi, Moroccan Ambassador Nabil Zniber; Iraq Embassy Al Jazeera expresses solidarity with Charge d’Affaires Dr. Abdulsattar H Al Janabi; Kuwaiti Ambassador Hafiz Mohammad Al detained journalists in Myanmar Ajmi; Omani Ambassador Najib bin Yahya Al Balushi, Indian Ambassador P. Kumaran and l Jazeera Media Network Brand and Communications Yahya Bin Saeed Al Nuaimi, Assistant Under- condemns the arrest of stated, “Attacks on individual Secretary for Commerce Affairs at the Ministry AReuters reporters Wa journalists, media organisations, of Economy and Commerce visited the fes- Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo and and press freedom are at a crit- tival. The dignitaries were received by Katara expresses its solidarity with Reu- ical point. The endeavour of General Manager Dr. Khalid bin Ibrahim Al- ters and its journalists. The two uncovering the truth is under Sulaiti. They took a tour of the fair which they detained journalists worked on assault everywhere and every praised for the quality and variety of local reporting the military crackdown measure must be taken to ensure Katara General Manager Dr. Khalid bin Ibrahim Al Sulaiti accompanying Kuwait produce and products on display. against the Rohingya Muslims in journalists’ freedom and safety. Ambassador Hafiz Mohammad Al Ajmi and Oman Ambassador Najib bin Yahya Al The festival also saw a number of schools the Rakhine state of Myanmar. We call upon the Myanmar including a delegation of the Nomas Center Balushi during a tour of the fair at the Mahaseel Festival. According to Reuters, the authorities to release Wa Lone from Kuwait. The students enjoyed the activ- exact whereabouts of the two and Kyaw Soe Oo and we stand ities and workshops where they acquired in order to support and introduce the public and natural juices have also put up stalls at reporters is still unknown. in solidarity with our colleagues invaluable knowledge on agriculture. to local products. Qatari food companies spe- the festival. Abdulla AlNajjar, Executive at Reuters and elsewhere across Mahaseel hosts many local companies, cialising in the production of dates, milk, dairy → Continued on page 3 Director of Al Jazeera’s Global the world.” 02 HOME FRIDAY 29 DECEMBER 2017
Change of traffic on Orbital Road Al Muraikhi meets Indian Ambassador
The Peninsula Orbital Road and Salwa Road to enable the construction of the southern Orbital Road and Dukhan New Orbital Highway and Truck he Public Works Authority, Road towards Lusail. The detour Route, one of Ashghal’s Express- ‘Ashghal’, will change traffic will be in effect on Sunday, Decem- way Programme projects. Ton northbound main car- ber 31, and last for 12 months. During the detour, travelers riageway of the Orbital Road onto The traffic shift, proposed in heading for Lusail from Mesaieed a parallel route, running from the collaboration with the General and Salwa Road via the Orbital intersecting points of northern Directorate of Traffic, will Road can use the next route for a distance of approximately 13.5km, to stretch from Interchange 24 on Salwa Road to prior to Umm Al Juwashin Interchange, as illus- trated on the map The parallel road is made up of two lanes replacing the three- lane Orbital Road main carriageway, with no change for speed limit at 80 kph. The Public Works Authority will install road signs advising motorists of the detour. ‘Ash- Minister of State for Foreign Affairs H E Sultan bin Saad Al Muraikhi met with Ambassador ghal’ requests all road users to of the Republic of India to the State of Qatar, P Kumaran. The meeting discussed bilateral abide by the speed limit at 80 relations and ways to boost and develop them, in addition to promoting cooperation kph, and follow the road signs between both countries and topics of common interest. to ensure their safety.
1,679 register Aspire Academy holds ‘Secrets to Excellence’ session for International
children and help them become bet- change, this is an essential tool to the Falcon and “New researches indicate ter student-athletes at the Aspire development of the brain of our chil- Dr Jamil unveiled the Hunting Festival Academy in future years who perform dren.” Attendees received presentations that brain cells don’t stop to their best”, Dr Abdulrahman Al Har- from three of Qatar’s most prominent Academy’s ongoing QNA development at a certain ami said. Pedagogical and Psychological experts, efforts to apply the latest age as they continue to Muhammad Al Anzi also discussed including the educational advisor and human brain research ome 1,679 falconers were evolve. This demonstrates brain development and its role in the radio presenter Dr Abdulrahman Al Har- findings on increasing registered for the vari- growth of athletes, saying: “New ami; Muhammad Al Anzi, Psychological Sous festival competitions that human beings should researches indicate that brain cells don’t Consultant at Aspire Academy; and Dr both the academic and of the 9th Qatar International not stop learning and stop development at a certain age as they Jamil Babli, Head of Academic Support sports performance of Falcon and Hunting Festival developing and should continue to evolve. This demonstrates that Department at Aspire Academy. student-athletes. (Marmi Festival), the Organ- always remain active. As human beings should not stop learning During the interactive session, par- ising Committee announced. and developing and should always remain ents had the chance to engage with the research findings on how positive behav- The festival will kick off for the positive behaviour active. three experts and ask questions about the ioural changes can motivate the on January 1 and will run until change, this is an essential “As for the positive behaviour sessions and head about the latest performance of their children. the 27 January at Sabkhat tool to the development of Meanwhile, Dr Jamil unveiled the Marmi in Sealine. the brain of our children.” Academy’s ongoing efforts to apply the Ali bin Khatem Al Meh- latest human brain research findings on shadi, Chairman of the increasing both the academic and sports Organising Committee of performance of student-athletes. Marmi Festival and Chairman The Peninsula He said that the Academy is currently of Al Gannas Society, said yes- implementing models that track and ana- terday that the number of spire Academy organised an inno- lyse brain signals. Based on the results of registered entries in Haddad El vative interactive session for this analysis, neurologists structure a pro- Tahadee competition reached Aparents yesterday under the theme tocol in collaboration with educators and 685 — the most popular cate- of the “Secrets to Excellence” to demon- coaches that leads to the development gory of the competition. strate how positive behaviour changes and improvement of student-athlete’s The festival is aimed at can stimulate brain development and attention spans and emotional stability promoting the preservation enhance performance in student-athletes to help them eventually achieve of wildlife, protection of fal- and young people. excellence. cons and maintaining “We all believe that in order to pos- Aspire Academy promotes responsive falconry as an important itively change the behaviour of our educational environments and intercul- aspect of Qatari tradition students we need involvement and tural experiences to develop the passed from one generation commitment from both parents and student-athletes’ academic potential. to another. Considered one of teachers. The turnout today demon- Through personalised learning pro- the largest in the region, the strates the common understanding grammes and 21st century technology, festival also aims to promote among us. We hope that everyone who the Academy develops responsible learn- excellence in falconry and attended took something away with ers as it inspires every student-athlete to hunting as well as the shar- them that will help them positively Dr Abdulrahman Al Harami speaks during the session as Dr Jamil Babli, (left) make valued contributions to the local ing of experiences among change the behaviour of their own and Muhammad Al Anzi look on. and global community. falconers in the region. Youth Forum bags appreciation awards for upholding culture of humanitarian values
The Peninsula Youth Forum organises various activities award presented to the elected youth who and programs in the field of arts, sports and had rendered outstanding services in their outh Forum, the organisation of Indian social engagements, in close coordination with respective fields, Doha Ramadan Meet in expatriate youth in Qatar, received government entities. association with Qatar Charity underlining YAward of Appreciation from the Office Youth Forum has succeeded in focusing the message of mutual harmony and co- Experts during the symposium. of Minister of Culture and Sports, H E Salah primarily on expat youth, creatively utilis- existence, Qatar-Our Second Home, bin Ghanem bin Nasser Al Ali. ing their artistic and innovative abilities for Indo-Qatar fusion show program in associ- The award was in recognition of the the goodness of the country and social ation with Bridge Qatar representing the GU-Q hosts symposium forum’s active role in upholding the culture of welfare. solidarity of the Indian community in Qatar humanitarian values that Qatar represents and The Youth Live program, a cultural to this country and its Emir H H Sheikh encouraging social fraternity, amity and resistance against sectarianism and intoler- Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani during the ini- on gender equality respect among the various communities in ance conducted in coordination with DICID, tial days of blockade, and other notable Qatar. Youth Icon Award a recognition programs during the last five years of Youth The Peninsula influence gender equality. Forum earned the recognition Award from “Gender is an issue that is the Minister. cholars and activists gath- situated at the heart of ques- The awards were distributed during ered at Georgetown tions of power, culture, and the Qatar National Day Celebrations hosted SUniversity in Qatar (GU-Q) politics,” said Professor Rogaia by Youth Forum at the College of North recently for a two-day sympo- Abusharaf, who organised the Atlantic, Dr Latifa Ibrahim Al Houty sium on gender justice. The event. “This symposium aimed auditorium. event focused on the promises to contribute to our under- The program was inaugurated by Dr and challenges of gender equal- standing by considering the Mohammed Ali Al Ghamidi, member of ity across different cultures, predicament and the promise Board of Directors, DICID, and Executive political landscapes, and pivoting around gender poli- Director, Qatar Charity. The Cultural Minis- societies. tics,” said Professor try’s awards and certificates for Firose S A, Held under the theme of Abusharaf. President Youth Forum and Saleel Ibrahim, ‘Gender Justice at the Intersec- A number of scholars Chairman Bridge Qatar, were presented by tions of Legal Practices and based in Qatar and abroad Salah Al Mulla, Director of Theatre Affairs, Sociopolitical Transformation’, presented their research at the Qatar National Theatre under the Ministry the symposium featured discus- symposium, including GU-Q of Culture. sions on the experiences of faculty and alumni. The dele- Yousuf Al Harami, Public Relations women in a range of contexts gates’ expertise ranged from Officer - Qatar National Theatre, Youth and countries in the Middle East athropologology to politics, Forum representatives Bilal Harippad, Aslam and beyond. The event aimed gender studies, and history, Salah Al Mulla presenting the awards to Firose S A (left) and Saleel Ibrahim. Erattupetta and Muneer Jalaludheen also to explore how laws, citizen- allowing for broad-ranging addressed the audience. ship, traditions, and modernity analysis. FRIDAY 29 DECEMBER 2017 HOME/MIDDLE EAST 03 Turkey, US restore visa services
Washington when US consulate staffer Metin investigation” and that “local AFP The Turkish mission Topuz was formally charged staff of our embassy and consu- with espionage and seeking to lates will not be detained or he United States and in Washington overthrow the Turkish govern- arrested for performing their Turkey yesterday said: “Within the ment — accusations the US official duties,” a State Depart- turned the page on a framework of embassy in Ankara has said are ment official said. visa crisis triggered the principle of “wholly without merit.” Turkish authorities will also nearly three months Topuz, a Turkish citizen, is inform the US “in advance” if Tago by the arrest of a staff mem- reciprocity, the accused of links to a group led they intend to arrest any local ber at the American mission in restrictions placed by Pennsylvania-based Mus- staff member in the future. Ankara, but relations between from our side on the lim cleric Fethullah Gulen, But US authorities added: the Nato allies remain tense. visa regime for US whom Ankara suspects of “We continue to have serious The two sides announced the ordering last year’s failed coup concerns about the existing alle- Indonesian Ambassador Muhammad Basri Sidehabi visiting resumption of full visa services citizens are being in Turkey. gations against arrested local the fair. for each other’s citizens, but lifted simultaneously.” Gulen, who has lived in self- employees of our mission in their statements revealed linger- imposed exile in the US since Turkey.” ing misgivings between the 1999, denies any involvement in Reflecting the language of Diplomats, visitors praise countries, who are partners in immediately, a department offi- the attempted overthrow of the American statement, Ankara the fight against the Islamic State cial said. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. said it continued to have “seri- Mahaseel Festival (IS) group. Shortly thereafter, the Turk- In November, the US said it ous concerns” regarding cases Washington said it had won ish mission in Washington said: had resumed limited visa serv- involving Turkish citizens in the Continued from page 1 assurances from Ankara that no “Within the framework of the ices, a move matched by United States. Qatari Arab Dairy Company (Ghadeer), Dandy Qatar Dairy further legal proceedings would principle of reciprocity, the Turkey’s missions in the US. In March, a Turkish Company, Rawia Dairy Company and Baladna are displaying their be launched against its staff, restrictions placed from our side But the services were so employee at the US consulate in products which include milk, butter, margarine, yoghurt, and nat- though the Turkish embassy in on the visa regime for US citi- limited that the first interview the southern city of Adana was ural fruit juices. the US capital insisted “no such zens are being lifted appointments for Turks seek- arrested on charges of support- High quality Qatari dates of different varieties on offer at assurances have been given.” simultaneously.” ing most types of US visas were ing the outlawed Kurdistan Mahaseel have also been very popular among visitors. The dates Nevertheless, the State The US decision to stop only available from January Workers’ Party (PKK). which conform to quality specifications and standards are also Department said it was “confi- handing out visas was imple- 2019, causing uproar on social And US authorities also available in new products such as those mixed with chocolate, dent that the security posture mented from October 8 and was media. expressed concern about other nuts and dried fruits. has improved sufficiently to followed by a tit-for-tat move Washington says it is now US citizens arrested in Turkey There has been growing interest among visitors to buy the allow for the full resumption of by Turkey to stop giving visas to confident that there are “no under a state of emergency nicely packaged date products offered by the local farms, espe- visa services in Turkey.” Americans. additional local employees of declared in the wake of the July cially since dates occupy a special place in Qatar’s social The US move is effective The crisis was triggered our mission in Turkey under 2016 coup attempt. heritage.
Souq Waqif tours to let visitors Qatar secures first rank in Arab world for voluntary contributions to UNHCR experience Qatari way of shopping Continued from page 1 “Shop Qatar is an ideal platform to achieve our goals of sup- porting home-based projects, motivating young entrepreneurs to access the Qatari market, engaging with competitors, identifying the mechanism of the market and gaining practical experience that helps them develop their business, and exploring new busi- ness opportunities. Our participation in Shop Qatar is part of many initiatives, programs and competitions offered by QDB to support and encourage new projects and creative ideas,” Khalid Al Manaa, Executive Director of Business Finance at QDB said in a statement. Scheduled from January 7 to February 7, Shop Qatar 2018 will offer mall-goers something new each week with a variety of themes celebrating cultural diversity including Arabian Week, Bollywood Week and International Weeks. There will be a new set of concerts, fashion shows, master classes, pop-up workshops and other shows and activities based on the theme of the week. “In its second edition, Shop Qatar invites residents and visi- tors to explore and embrace diversity through its differently themed weeks. The growing involvement and participation of partners from the private sector and local businesses is key to ensuring that our festivals reflect Qatar’s culture, and the economic and social needs of its citizens and residents,” Mashal Shahbik, Director of Festivals & Tourism Events at QTA commented. 17 road projects to be carried out next year Continued from page 1 “There are other underway projects to be accomplished in 2018, featuring 9 general, educational and health facilities. More- over, Ashghal will embark on new works, including anti- fire school expansions, Al Jameaa Health Centre, the new HMC emergency building and the revamp of the corniches of Doha, Al Khor and Al Wakra,” Al Muhannadi added. To encourage the local manufacturers and contractors and raising their share in the projects, the President of Ashghal stated Ministry releases list of 156 varsities for distance education that new projects for small business people will be put out, not- ing that 47 factories and 54 local products had been qualified and The Peninsula The Department will start system, Dr Al Hurr added. ratified as part of Ta’heel initiative since its launching last July, receiving applications from stu- Students applying for The approval of enrollment aimed at giving priority to Qatari manufacturers and national he Ministry of Education dents looking for opportunities distance education in such programs needs that the product. “Fresh necessary measures will be taken to stimulate the and Higher Education to continue their education in these courses should not require will be required local consultants to share in the project supervision contracts, as Treleased yesterday a list of these universities starting from physical presence and should well,’’ Al Muhannadi added. 156 universities based in United January 1, 2018 said Dr Khalid to obtain advance only be taught in distance, said Qatar condemns Kabul bombings States of America, United King- Al Hurr Director of High Educa- approval from the Director of Higher Education dom, Australia and New tion Institute at the Education the Certificates Institute Continued from page 1 Zealand. Ministry. Attestation and The selection of the disci- The students wishing to The students will study on pline-based list of approved In a statement issued yesterday, the Foreign Ministry reiter- apply for distance education in their own expenses and they Equivalency Section. universities took into account ated the State of Qatar’s firm stance in rejection of violence and these universities will be are required to present their the terms and conditions applied terrorism regardless of the motives and reasons. required to obtain advance documents to attestation systems of higher education and to distance education, Al Hurr The statement expressed the State of Qatar’s condolences to approval from the Certificates section. many distinguished interna- outlined. The details of the list the families of victims as well as the government and people of Attestation and Equivalency Distance education has tional universities are could be gained from www.edu. Afghanistan. It also wished speedy recovery to the injured. Section. become one of the mainstream introducing courses through this gov.qa 109 civilians dead in Saudi-led coalition raid on Yemen, says UN
Geneva Jamie McGoldrick called the Al Hayma sub-district of civilians and injured 43 over the punished as part of a futile at least 10,000 people had Reuters fighting futile and absurd, an Attazziah in Taiz governorate on past 10 days. military campaign by both been killed. unusually direct criticism of the Tuesday, killing 54 and injuring “These incidents prove sides,” McGoldrick said. The United Nations says Saudi-led coalition fight- war in which the coalition, 32. the complete disregard for Under international law, the Yemen is the world’s worst ing in Yemen has killed backed by the United States, Brit- Eight of the dead and six of human life that all parties, warring sides must spare civil- humanitarian crisis, with about A109 civilians in air strikes ain and others, is fighting the the injured were children, including the Saudi-led Coa- ians and civilian infrastructure, 8 million people on the brink in the past 10 days, including 54 Iran-allied Houthi armed according to the reports. lition, continue to show in he added. of famine, a cholera epidemic at a crowded market and 14 movement. On the same day an air this absurd war that has only The United Nations has no that has infected 1 million peo- members of one family in a farm, Citing initial reports from the strike on a farm in Attohayta resulted in the destruction of up-to-date estimate of the ple, and economic collapse in the top UN official in the coun- U N human rights office, a state- district of Hodeidah governo- the country and the incom- death toll in Yemen, having what was already one of the try said yesterday. ment by McGoldrick said air rate killed 14, and air strikes mensurate suffering of its said in August 2016 that Arab world’s poorest UN Resident Coordinator strikes hit a crowded market in elsewhere killed a further 41 people, who are being according to medical centres countries. 04 ISLAM FRIDAY 29 DECEMBER 2017 Gratitude holds a high rank in Islam
ratitude is the greatest way of the grateful. He Says (what means): bestowed upon one. to live for those who possess “If you disbelieve – indeed, Allah is Free 2) To utilise these favours in His high ranks of righteousness, from need of you. And He does not obedience. and such people did not approve for His servants disbelief. And People fall into three categories with reach these lofty ranks if you are grateful, He approves [i.e. regards to the favours from Allah: Gexcept through their gratitude; this is likes] it for you…” [Quran 39: 7] The 1. Those who are grateful and praise because belief is comprised of two grateful people mentioned in the verse Allah for bestowing them upon them. halves; One half is gratitude and the are those who remain steadfast upon 2. Those who are ungrateful and do other is perseverance. belief during trials and who do not not mention them. Gratitude is to acknowledge being retreat or recant on their belief. 3. Those who express that they are treated well by Allah; it is also to praise Some people verbally thank Allah worthy of them, when in fact they cer- the One who has done one many favours. during times of ease, but during trials tainly are not. It also entails displaying the effect of the they give up their faith. The truly grate- An-Nu’maan ibn Al-Basheer (May favours of Allah upon a person by believ- ful are those who express the true Allah be pleased with him), said: “He ing with one’s heart, uttering praise and condition of their hearts during trials by who does not thank Allah for small glorifications of Allah by ones tongue, and remaining steadfast and continuing to favours will not thank Him for great to use one’s limbs in the worship and obe- thank Allah by their tongues, hearts and ones; and he who does not express grat- dience of Allah. If only a few favours are limbs. Additionally, this verse clarifies itude to people (for doing him favours) worthy of a great deal of gratitude, how that the pleasure of Allah is achieved by will not express gratitude towards Allah. would the case be when favours are abun- being grateful to Him. Appreciating and mentioning the favour dant? People are either grateful or Allah did not make the reward for bestowed upon one from Allah is grat- ungrateful. the grateful subject to any condition, as itude, and not doing so expresses Gratitude holds a high rank in Islam. He did for other acts of worship, which ingratitude.” [Ahmad] Allah parallels it with His mention. He He conditioned to His will; rather, Allah This should be done in front of peo- Says (what means): “So remember Me; immediately mentions their reward; He ple and between a person and himself I will remember you. And be grateful to Says (what means): “…And Allah will (i.e., to himself) but if people are of the Me and do not deny Me”. [Quran 2: 152] reward the grateful.” [Quran 3: 144] and envious type, then one should conceal Allah parallels it with belief. He Says also (what means): “…And We will such favours, and he would not be (what means): “What would Allah do reward the grateful.” [Quran 3: 145] ungrateful in this case, because he is with [i.e., gain from] your punishment Allah informs us that one of Satan’s simply concealing them in an attempt if you are grateful and believe?...” [Quran primary objectives is to prevent humans to prevent an evil from befalling him, 4: 147] Meaning, if you fulfil the rights from being grateful; He Says (what such as an evil eye or an evil plot from due to Allah and the reason for which means): “[Satan said] ‘Then I will come the envious, and it must be known that He has created you by gratitude and to them from before them and from to prevent harm from afflicting man is belief, He will not punish you. behind them and on their right and on an objective set forth by the Islamic Those who practice gratitude to their left, and You [i.e., Allah] will not Shariah. Allah are those who are chosen to be find most of them grateful [to You].” and he was not of those who associate few in number. There is no way one can do anything granted His favours. He Says (what [Quran 7: 17] others with Allah. [He was] grateful for Gratitude results in more favours to repay the favours bestowed upon him means): “And thus We have tried some Allah describes His grateful slaves His favours. He [i.e., Allah] chose him from Allah. by Allah, except that he should continue of them through others that they [i.e., to be few in number; He Says (what and guided him to a straight path.” Gratitude is having ones heart to praise and thank Allah for having the disbelievers] might say, ‘Is it these means): “…And few of My servants are [Quran 16: 120-121] devoted to loving the One bestowing the bestowed them upon him, as well as uti- whom Allah has favoured among us?’ grateful.” [Quran 34: 13]The reason being Therefore, gratitude is one of the favours, having the limbs continuously lising these favours for the pleasure of Is not Allah most knowing of those who that many people enjoy blessings and objectives that man is commanded to obedient to Him and having the tongue Allah. are grateful?” [Quran 6: 53] bounties from Allah, but fail to practice accomplish. repeatedly mentioning Him, praising What is our duty towards Allah with Allah has classified people into being gratitude to Allah. Imaam ibn Al-Qayyim (May Allah Him and glorifying Him. Gratitude regards to the favours He bestows upon either grateful or ungrateful; the worst Allah praised the first prophet sent have mercy upon him) mentioned that entails the following three things: us? matter in the scale of Allah is ingrati- to man on earth, Prophet Noah (May gratitude is one of the ranks of belief, 1. One should realise the favours • Being submissive to Allah. tude whilst the dearest things to Him Allah exalt his mention), due to him which can be extracted from the fifth bestowed upon him and have it present • Loving Allah. are gratitude and the grateful. Allah Says being grateful. Allah Says (what means): verse of Surah Al Faatihah, (what in his mind constantly, because this • Acknowledging that He is the (what means): “Indeed, We guided him “O descendants of those We carried [in means): “It is You we worship and You leads him to remember the Bestower of Bestower of all favours. [i.e., man] to the way, be he grateful or the ship] with Noah. Indeed, he was a we ask for help.” Then he (May Allah favours and therefore being grateful to • Praising Him. ungrateful” [Quran 76: 3] grateful servant.” [Quran 17: 3] This is have mercy upon him) mentioned the and loving Allah, who is of course the • Utilising these favours in a way that Allah tests His slaves in order to see as an indication that we should imitate following additional points regarding Bestower of favours. This would there- pleases Him. who will practice gratitude and who will him, may Allah exalt his mention. gratitude: fore make one exert more effort in Does the way of expressing grati- not. Allah informs us about what Prophet Gratitude is the first instruction It is one of the highest ranks of worshipping Allah. tude towards Allah differ, just like the Sulaymaan (May Allah exalt his men- given to man as soon as he begins to belief. 2. One should receive favours with favors themselves differ? tion), said when He Says (what means): comprehend. Allah Says (what means): It is higher than the rank of con- humility and express his need to Allah Yes; gratitude can be expressed by “…This is from the favour of my Lord to “And We have enjoined upon man [care] tentment; and nobody can be content and mention that he is unworthy of the the heart, the tongue and the limbs. test me whether I will be grateful or for his parents. His mother carried him, without being grateful. favours bestowed upon him, and that it Expressing gratitude by the heart:This ungrateful. And whoever is grateful – [increasing her] in weakness upon Allah praises the grateful. is only due to the Grace and Kindness is by knowing that Allah is the Bestower his gratitude is only for [the benefit of] weakness, and his weaning is in two Allah promises the grateful the best of Allah that such favours were of these favours, and this is something himself. And whoever is ungrateful – years. Be grateful to Me and to your par- of rewards. bestowed. that is very important when cultivating then indeed my Lord is Free of need and ents; to Me is the [final] destination.” Allah makes gratitude a reason for 3. One should praise Allah and this children, so that they know where favors Generous.” [Quran 27: 40] [Quran 31: 14] attaining more of His bounties. is done in two ways: come from, as Allah Says (what means): Allah promises increased favours for Allah specified it as one of the main It is a means to preserve the favors 1) Generally: To describe Allah as “O Mankind, remember the favor of those who are grateful. He Says (what qualities of a person who sets himself of Allah upon a person. being generous and kind. Allah upon you. Is there any creator means): “And [remember] when your as a good example for others to follow. It is one of the main objectives that 2) Specifically: To mention His other than Allah who provides for you Lord proclaimed, ‘If you are grateful, I He says regarding Prophet Ibraaheem a slave must accomplish. favours upon one. from the heaven and the earth? There will surely increase you [in favour]; but (May Allah exalt his mention), (what It is extracted from Ash-Skakoor, There are two points regarding the is no deity except Him, so how are you if you deny, indeed My punishment is means): “Indeed, Ibraaheem was a which is one of the Names of Allah, and issue of mentioning and talking about deluded?” [Quran 35: 3] severe.’” [Quran 14: 7] [comprehensive] leader, devoutly obe- which implies gratitude. favours from Allah: Allah loves gratitude and the deeds dient to Allah, inclining toward truth, Those who are grateful are very 1) To mention all that Allah Has www.islamweb.net Importance of time in the life of a Muslim
verything, when lost, can be provisions from me for if I pass, I do not be pleased with him), that the Prophet regained, except time. If it is lost, return until the Day of Judgment.’” (PBUH) said: “There are two blessings Ethere is no hope to regain it. That - It is the most precious thing that that many people fail to make the most is why time is the most precious thing man can ever own: The preciousness of of: good health and leisure.” that can ever be possessed in this life. time is attributed to the fact that it is the [Al-Bukhari] Islam is a religion that acknowledges container of all deeds. In fact, it is the That is why the predecessors used the importance of time and appreciates real capital of man, whether the indi- to dislike for a man to be free and not its seriousness. Allah Almighty says vidual or the society. Time is not only preoccupied by the matter of his reli- (what means): {Indeed, in the alterna- gold as the common proverb goes, but gion or the matter of his worldly life. tion of the night and the day and [in] it is more precious than gold, pearls, and ‘Umar ibn Al-Khattab (May Allah be what Allah has created in the heavens coral. Time is life. Indeed, man’s life is pleased with him) said: “I dislike that a and the earth are signs for a people who nothing but the time that he is given man is free and not preoccupied by the fear Allah.} [Quran 10: 6] from the day of his birth till the day of matter of his religion or the matter of Islam distributed its great acts of his death. his worldly life.” worship over the parts of the day and Al-Hasan Al-Basri (May Allah have There is no doubt that man loves life the seasons of the year to form an accu- mercy upon him) said: “O son of Adam, and loves to live long, and rather for- rate, precise system that organizes the indeed you are nothing but some days… ever, if he can. Long life is considered Islamic life and measures it with min- whenever a day perishes a part of you per- one of the blessings of Allah Almighty, utes, from the rise of dawn till sunset. his youth – how he consumed it; his one’s regarding of his lifespan as short, ishes.” That is why we should be keen on if one uses it in supporting the truth and Allah Almighty says (what means): {So wealth – from where he earned it and upon death and on the day of Judgment. benefiting from time. ‘Umar ibn ‘Abdul- doing righteous deeds. At-Tirmithi nar- exalted Is Allah when you reach the how he spent it; and his knowledge – Allah Almighty says (what means): {It ‘Azeez (May Allah have mercy upon him) rated that the Prophet (PBUH) was evening and when you reach the morn- how he acted upon it.” will be, on the Day they see it, as though said: “Night and day consume you, so con- asked: “Which among the people is ing. And to Him is [due all] praise Time has characteristics that are spe- they had not remained [in the world] sume them.” Al-Hasan Al-Basri (May Allah best?” He said: “The one who lives a long throughout the heavens and the earth. cific to it. They include the following: except for an afternoon or a morning have mercy upon him) said: “I saw a lot life and does righteous deeds.” And [exalted Is He] at night and when - Its quick passage: Time passes like thereof.} [Quran 79: 46] of people who were keener on their times The truth is that the real life of man you are at noon.} [Quran 30: 17-18] the clouds. No matter how long man - Whatever goes by thereof does not than you are on your money.” is not the years that he spends from the Man’s lifespan is his huge capital lives in this life, his life is short, as death return and cannot be compensated for: Umar ibn Al-Khattab, (May Allah be day of his birth till the day of his death. about which he will be asked on the Day is the end of every living creature. When Every day, hour, or moment that passes pleased with him), used to hit his feet Rather, his real age is determined of Judgment. He will be asked about how Nooh (Noah), (May Allah exalt his men- cannot be regained and thus cannot be with his whip when night came and say according to the good deeds recorded he spent it and how he dealt with it. It tion), was asked: “O the longest living compensated for. This meaning was to himself: “What did you do today?” for him by Allah Almighty. ‘Abdullah ibn was narrated in Jami‘ At-Tirmithi that prophet, how did you find this world?” expressed by Al-Hasan Al-Basri (May From among the blessings which Mas‘ood (May Allah be pleased with him) the Prophet (PBUH) said: “The feet of a He said: “It is like a house that has two Allah have mercy upon him) when he many people are heedless and ungrate- said: “I never regretted something like slave will not move on the Day of Judg- doors. I entered from one of them and said: “Every day calls, saying: ‘O son of ful about, and ignorant of its value, is I regretted a day whose sun has set in ment until he has been questioned about got out through the other.” This is what Adam, I am a new creation and I am a the blessing of leisure. It is narrated on which my life decreased and my good four things: His life — how he spent it; the Quran expressed, by mentioning witness on your deeds, so take the authority of Ibn ‘Abbas (May Allah deeds did not increase.” FRIDAY 29 DECEMBER 2017 ASIA 05 Lok Sabha criminalises instant divorce
New Delhi bill seeks to declare pronounce- IANS The Muslim Women ment of talaq-e-biddat (three pronouncements of talaq at one he Lok Sabha yester- (Protection of Rights go) by Muslim husbands void and day passed a bill that on Marriage) Bill, 2017 illegal in view of the Supreme criminalises triple was passed by a voice Court verdict. talaq or instant divorce vote after rejecting Prasad said while Justice with three years of Rohington Nariman and U U Lalit Timprisonment for Muslim hus- various amendments held in their judgment in August bands after the government moved by opposition that instant divorce was uncon- rejected an overwhelming members. stitutional and the government demand from the Opposition to should look at bringing a law, refer the legislation to a Parlia- Justice Kurian Joseph had mentary standing committee for scheduled close of the House. observed that what is a sin in detailed consideration. Law and Justice Minister Ravi Islamic laws cannot be legal. The Muslim Women (Protec- Shankar Prasad, who introduced The Minister saw no justifi- tion of Rights on Marriage) Bill, the bill and later piloted it in the cation in the demand for Activists of ANHAD (Act Now for Harmony and Democracy) offer sweets to each other as they 2017 was passed by a voice vote Lok Sabha, said history was referring the Bill to a standing celebrate, after the Indian government introduced a bill in Parliament aimed at prosecuting after rejecting a resolution being created today. committee saying the affected Muslim men who divorce their wives through instant divorce, outside their office in Ahmedabad, moved by RSP member NK He said the issue was not of Muslim women were crying for Premachandran that the legis- religion or faith but of “gender justice and were fully backing it. yesterday. lation be circulated for public justice and gender equality” and He said there was contradiction opinion. Various amendments appealed to all the parties to rise in members wanting it to be minor children. in Muslim laws. Nehru was not in favour of Muslim women. The moved by opposition members, above political considerations referred to a standing commit- Intervening in the debate, opposed to reforms of Muslim law must ensure that subsistence including Asaduddin Owaisi and politics of votebank. “Women tee and some arguing why it was Minister of State for External personal laws but merely said the allowance and maintenance to (AIMIM) and Premachandran, are seeing that justice will be done not brought earlier. Affairs MJ Akbar said time was time was not opportune then, the women and the children was were negatived in divisions. to them. Let us speak in one voice The Bill makes the act of pro- now ripe for the passage of the Akbar said. “That time has come not stopped, they felt. Some felt The government’s determi- that we are for gender justice and nouncing talaq-e-biddat legislation in the interest of Mus- now.” that the BJP government was in nation to get the Bill passed could gender equity and pass the Bill punishable offence. There is pro- lim women. He recalled an Though Opposition members, a haste to pass the Bill not because be gauged from the fact that it unanimously,” Prasad said, wind- vision for subsistence allowance instance of a British journalist including from the Congress, sup- of its concern for Muslim women was introduced in the morning ing up the discussion. from the husband for the liveli- interviewing the late Prime Min- ported the legislation, they but because it sees this as a first and taken up for consideration in He said instances of instant hood and daily supporting needs ister Jawaharlal Nehru after the wanted it to be referred to a par- step towards bringing in a uni- the afternoon by suspending rel- triple talaq continue despite the of the wife as also of the depend- passage of the Hindu code Bill liamentary committee so that form civil code. They wanted the evant rules and then passed in the Supreme Court ruling it as uncon- ent children. The wife would also when she asked when would the several lacunae can be removed measure to be given up evening by sitting late beyond the stitutional in August this year. The be entitled to the custody of government introduce reforms and the provisions strengthened immediately.
Hegde apologises for Jordan’s Foreign Minister in India India chides Pakistan ‘constitution’ comments
New Delhi for treatment of IANS nion Minister Anant Kumar Hegde tendered Jadhav’s family an apology in the Lok Sabha yesterday for Uhis statement on changing the Constitution, even as he maintained that his comments were “put New Delhi the meeting as a “propaganda out of context”. Soon after the House met, Hegde AP tool” and violating mutual under- said: “I deeply respect the Constitution, Parliament standings on the meeting. and Babasaheb Ambedkar. The Constitution is ndia lashed out at Pakistan Pakistan army spokesman supreme for me, there can be no question on it, as yesterday for its treatment of Maj. Gen. Asif Ghafoor rejected a citizen I can never go against it.” Ithe wife and mother of an the Indian allegation that no Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge, however, Indian naval officer on death row respect was shown to Jadhav’s said that Hegde had spoken against Ambedkar. for spying during their first meet- family. Ghafoor said Pakistan had Speaker Sumitra Mahajan then urged the mem- ing since his arrest. informed India before the arrival ber to apologise. External Affairs Minister of Jadhav’s wife and mother that “Sometimes in life we feel what we have said is Sushma Swaraj accused Pakistan they would have to undergo right, but others may still get hurt,” she said. Hegde of disregarding the cultural and security clearance before the then extended an apology and said: “My words have religious sensibilities of Kulb- meeting. “Kulbhushan Jadhav is been twisted and presented, I never said all this... Jordan’s Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi (left) shakes hands with his Indian hushan Jadhav’s family under the an established terrorist and his But if someone was hurt, I apologise to those counterpart Sushma Swaraj during a meeting in New Delhi, yesterday. pretext of security precautions, family was allowed to meet with members.” including the removal of bangles him purely on humanitarian and other ornaments as well as grounds,” he said. a change in attire and shoes. Swaraj said the Pakistani Swaraj said in a statement in press was allowed on multiple Parliament that Monday’s meet- occasions to approach family Security for rail commuters on Mumbai foot-overbridges ing in the Pakistani capital could members closely, harass and have proved to be a positive step hector them and hurl accusations Mumbai besides 232 personnel of the on a permanent basis. The women homeguards in improving ties between the about Jadhav. She said this was IANS Maharashtra State Security Cor- The MSSC personnel would would be utilised for queue for- two countries. despite a clear agreement poration (MSSC), another 97 man, control crowds at entry- mations in front of ladies’ coaches A Pakistani military tribunal between the two sides that the aking a lesson from the Sep- women homeguards have also exits and prevent crimes at 34 at Andheri station, and later found Jadhav guilty of espionage media would not be allowed tember 29 stampede that been inducted for ensuring foot-overbridges at 22 stations extended to major stations like and sabotage and sentenced him close access. Tclaimed 23 lives at Elphin- safety, security and well being of — Churchgate, Marine Lines, Bandra, Borivali and Bhayander, to death, but India obtained an Jadhav’s mother was pre- stone Road station here, the the commuters. Charni Road, Grant Road, Mum- Gupta said. order from the International vented from talking to her son in Western Railway yesterday Chief spokesperson for WR bai Central (local), Elphinstone They will also be deployed Court of Justice to halt the exe- their mother tongue, although inducted 232 trained security Ravinder Bhakar said this would Road, Dadar, Mahim, Bandra, with women Railway Protection cution. While India says that this was clearly the natural personnel to man 34 critical foot- be the first time in India that a Khar Road, Santacruz, Vile Parle, Force constables as “Mahila Quick Jadhav is a retired Indian navy medium of communication, overbridges and control crowds specially trained force would Andheri, Jogeshwari, Goregaon, Response Teams” for assisting dis- official, the Pakistan government Swaraj said. Despite her repeated on the suburban network. ensure commuter safety at foot- Malad, Kandivali, Borivali, Mira tressed women commuters, has been describing him as a requests, the shoes of Jadhav’s WR General Manager AK overbridges, besides circulating Road, Bhayander, Nalasopara prevent door-blocking in subur- serving officer. Swaraj accused wife were not returned to her Gupta told media persons that areas of passengers at the stations and Virar, Gupta added. ban trains and other duties. the Pakistan government of using after the meeting, she said.
Telangana farmers to get free 24-hour power 133rd Foundation Day of Congress party Hyderabad Rao reviewed the prepared- companies spent Rs12,610 2014, the captive generation IANS ness with the officials. It is crore to strengthen the distri- capacity was 6,574 MWs and estimated that with round- bution and supply systems. there was a deficit of 2,700 n a New Year gift to farm- the-clock supply, the demand Authorities supplied MWs. However, five months ers in Telangana, the state will touch 11,000 megawatts 24-hour electricity in three later, the government lifted Igovernment yesterday by March. districts on experimental basis all power cuts and ensured announced free 24-hour elec- Though there are some since June 17. Round-the- 24-hour supply to the domes- tricity supply to them from states that give free power to clock supply to all the pump tic, industrial and commercial January 1. The state electric- the agriculture sector, sets in the state was imple- sectors. ity authorities have made all nowhere in the country the mented on pilot basis from The state procured an arrangements for uninter- power is supplied for 24 hours November 6 to November 20. additional 8,271 MWs in the rupted supply to the 23 lakh uninterruptedly, said a state- To supply 24-hour power last three and half years. pump sets from midnight of ment from the Chief Minister’s to more than 23 lakh pump Telangana today has December 31. Office. The farmers in the sets additionally, there will be 14,845 MWs of captive power Telangana State Genera- state are currently getting a a demand for an additional generation while new plants tion Corporation (TS Genco) nine-hour supply. Chief Min- 1,500-2,000 megawatt and are being set up to add an and Telangana State Trans- ister K Chandrasekhar Rao the electricity organisations additional 13,000 MWs in mission Corporation (TS had promised 24-hour sup- have made arrangements future. By 2022, 28,000 MWs Congress President Rahul Gandhi at the 133rd Foundation Day of the Transco) Chairman and Man- ply in 2014 elections. Transco, accordingly. When Telangana of power will be available in party at its headquarters in New Delhi, yesterday. aging Director D Prabhakar Genco and power distribution state was formed in June the state. 06 ASIA FRIDAY 29 DECEMBER 2017 Over 40 dead in IS attack targetting Shias in Kabul
Kabul health ministry spokesman AFP Yesterday’s attack saw Waheed Majroh told reporters. Kabul has become one of the ore than 40 peo- chaotic scenes at the deadliest places in war-torn ple were killed Istiqlal Hospital where Afghanistan for civilians in and dozens ambulances and police recent months, as the Taliban wounded in a sui- step up their attacks and IS seeks cide blast pick-ups brought to expand its presence in the Mtargetting Shias in Kabul yester- victims, including country. day, officials said, with chaotic women and children. Yesterday’s attack saw cha- scenes at the city’s hospitals as Many of them had otic scenes at the Istiqlal hospital anguished families sought loved where ambulances and police ones. suffered severe burns pickups brought victims, includ- The Sunni Islamic State to their faces and ing women and children. Many Afghan security officials inspect the site after triple blast in Kabul, yesterday. group (IS) claimed responsibil- bodies, as well as of them had suffered severe ity for the gruesome assault on shrapnel wounds. burns to their faces and bodies, A witness saw more than a city, which was also claimed by the pro-Iranian Tabayan cultural as well as shrapnel wounds. dozen badly burned bodies lying IS. On December 18 militants The attack drew centre, the third deadly attack it Visibly distressed relatives on the floor in a room inside the from the group stormed an intel- has claimed in the Afghan capi- same building as affiliated searching for their loved ones hospital and wooden coffins ligence training compound in international tal this month. Afghan Voice Agency (AVA), an inside the medical facility being delivered so families could Kabul, triggering an intense gun- condemnation, with Up to 100 people had gath- anti-IS media outlet. slapped their heads in fury as take away the remains of loved fight with police, two of whom Nato’s Resolute ered at the centre to mark the “The latest figures we have they cried and cursed the gov- ones. were wounded. 38th anniversary of the Soviet from this tragic incident shows ernment for seemingly being Deputy interior ministry The Middle Eastern jihadist Support mission in invasion of Afghanistan. It is 41 people have been killed and unable to end the regular car- spokesman Nasrat Rahimi said outfit has gained ground in Afghanistan describing located in western Kabul, in the a further 84 people injured,” nage on their streets. the attack — the deadliest since Afghanistan since it first it as “heinous”. a Shia mosque bombing in Octo- appeared in the region in 2015, Amnesty International ber that killed more than 50 and has scaled up its attacks in worshippers — was followed by Kabul, including on security said it was further two smaller bomb blasts as vic- installations and the country’s evidence that Kabul tims and survivors were leaving Shiite minority. was not safe. the scene. The attack drew interna- A journalist with AVA, which tional condemnation, with Nato’s is located above the cultural cen- Resolute Support mission in fled,” he told. Mohammad Hasan tre, said that more than a Afghanistan describing it as “hei- Rezayee, a university student hundred people were at the nous”. Amnesty International who was also at the ceremony, event in the building’s basement. said it was further evidence that told Tolo News he had suffered Thursday’s assault comes days Kabul was not safe. A man burns to his face in the blast. “We after a suicide bomber killed six attending the anniversary cere- were inside the hall in the sec- civilians in a Christmas Day mony at Tabayan said he heard ond row when there was an attack near an Afghan intelli- a “big boom”. “When the explo- explosion behind us. I did not see Policemen inspecting the site. RIGHT Two Afghan women weep for their relatives at a hospital. gence agency compound in the sion happened we immediately the bomber,” he said.
Japanese minister to visit Islamabad Legislation for timely polls becomes law in Pakistan
next week Islamabad December 19.Its passage was, his position as head of the days to publish. An official privy publication in the official Internews by no means, an easy one, and PML-N despite being disquali- to the saga explained that as per gazette. Islamabad came after a bitter standoff fied - was signed into law. standard procedure, the house In the case of the delimita- Internews he legislation that will between the ruling Pakistan Throughout the week, of parliament that adopts a bill tion law, the official said, the pave the way for elections Muslim League-Nawaz (PML- observers speculated on the already having been passed by Senate Secretariat forwarded fter a gap of nearly nine Tto be held in a timely man- N) and the Pakistan Peoples reasons behind this delay given the other house sends a sum- the summary to the parliamen- years, a Japanese For- ner in Pakistan has finally been Party (PPP), which was finally the concerns repeatedly voiced mary to the Ministry of tary affairs ministry a day after Aeign Minister will be signed into law after an unex- resolved after Prime Minister by the Election Commission of Parliamentary Affairs, which the bill was passed by the upper visiting Pakistan, in a bid to plained week-long delay. ShahidKhaqan Abbasi convened Pakistan (ECP) that a delay in then forwards it summary to the house and signed by Chairman further “coordinate” bilateral The constitutional amend- a breakfast meeting of parlia- the bill’s passage may put off the prime minister, who in turn Raza Rabbani. relations. ment bill that makes provisions mentary leaders. upcoming elections. advises the president to give the The ministry, in turn, moved Year 2017 sees Pakistan for fresh delimitation of constit- The hold-up in presidential However, a notification final assent. a summary to the prime minis- and Japan celebrating the uencies on the basis of assent for the bill was especially revealed that President Mam- After it is signed, the file ter, who advised the president 65th anniversary of the estab- provisional census results was conspicuous, given the speed noon Hussain had given his comes back to the house of par- to give his assent. In the mean- lishment of diplomatic passed by the National Assem- with which the Elections Act assent to the legislation on Dec liament in question via the same time, President Mamnoon relations. bly on November 16, and then 2017 allowing ousted prime 22, but somehow a notification route and its secretary is sup- Hussain was scheduled to travel Taro Kono, the Japanese cleared by the Senate on minister Nawaz Sharif to retain to this effect took another four posed to forwards it for to Karachi. Foreign Minister is arriving in Islamabad on January 3,for a two day visit at a time when Tokyo says it keeps in mind that, “Pakistan plays an Getting reprieve KP govt spends billions important role for peace and prosperity of the region and that coordination and coop- for facilities at schools eration between two countries should be further promoted”. Peshawar conditional grant programmes There has been a deep lull Internews called ‘the better school initi- in visits by the two sides as it atives’. The initiative found was far back in 2005 when ith fewer facilities that most government schools Japanese Prime Minister pushing children across the province did not Junichiro Koizumi visited Waway from schools, have any facilities for drinking Pakistan and later it was the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa gov- water and were without elec- President Asif Ali Zardari who ernment has over the past five tricity, boundary walls or visited Tokyo in 2011. years sunk millions of rupees latrines. The announcement for in providing key facilities to The government claimed KONO’s visit was made by the students. that once these facilities were Embassy of Japan but so far The Pakistan-Tehreek-e- provided, enrollment in gov- there was no word about it Insaf (PTI) led government has ernment schools improved in from the Ministry of Foreign claimed that since 2013, it has addition to restoring parents’ Affairs here. invested over Rs36bn in pro- confidence in these schools. Pakistan earlier had been viding basic facilities at The documents showed upset and protested an Indo- India fishermen, released from Malir jail, in a train at a railway station in Karachi, yesterday. government schools. that all such conditional grant Japanese joint statement. According to documents, as schemes involved local gov- much as Rs29bn has been ernment representatives, invested in providing facilities teachers and parents. Moreo- such as electricity, water, toi- ver, for the first time in the lets, additional classrooms, history of K-P, the communi- Widespread rights abuses in Mindanao: UN experts boundary walls and installa- ties were empowered to spend tion of solar panels. government funds on their The documents showed local schools. Geneva Duterte has called the island militarisation has displaced some of which are potentially that there were just 10,770 The quality of construction Reuters a “flashpoint for trouble” and for thousands of the Lumad people irreversible,” the pair said in a public schools in the province work - to build additional atrocities by Islamist and com- and some have been killed, said statement late on Wednesday. which had such facilities. How- classrooms and boundary Muslim indigenous com- munist rebels. Lawmakers this Victoria Tauli-Corpuz and The Philippines was obliged ever, the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa walls - was monitored using munity on the Philippine month overwhelmingly backed Cecilia Jimenez-Damary, the UN by international law to protect (K-P) government’s reforms - third-party monitoring A island of Mindanao has his plan to extend martial law Human Rights Council’s special indigenous peoples and ensure implemented with the help of systems. suffered widespread human there through 2018, which rapporteurs on the rights of human rights abuses were halted its developmental partners - The government pointed to right abuses that could intensify would be the country’s longest indigenous peoples and inter- and prosecuted. “This includes had helped provide these the migration of students from with President Rodrigo Duterte’s period of such emergency rule nally displaced people. killings and attacks allegedly facilities at 73,418 schools in private to public schools as a extension of martial law there, since the 1970s era of strongman “They are suffering massive carried out by members of the the province. strong indicator for the UN appointed experts said. Ferdinand Marcos. The abuses of their human rights, armed forces,” they said. One such initiative was the improvement. FRIDAY 29 DECEMBER 2017 ASIA 07 China’s military activity causing instability: Taiwan
Taipei presidential elections last year. Sea and the Sea of Japan, are the Chinese military and take has given a high profile to images Reuters Beijing suspects her of pushing routine and not aimed at any appropriate actions when of Chinese jets flying close to the “In this period of time, for the island’s formal independ- third party. Tsai, speaking to sen- needed to guarantee the safety island. Tensions rose this month hina’s frequent mili- the frequent military ence, a red line for China. Tsai ior military officers in Taipei, of the country and region.” when a senior Chinese diplomat tary activity is causing activities of mainland says she wants peace with the said the island wanted peace but Chinese Defence Ministry threatened that China would regional instability, mainland, but that she will could “not have a single day spokesman Ren Guoqiang, invade Taiwan if any US war- Taiwan President Tsai China in East Asia defend Taiwan’s security and without combat preparedness”. speaking in Beijing, said that the ships made port visits there. Ing-wen said yester- have already affected way of life. “In this period of time, the fre- drills would not have any nega- Taiwan is well-equipped Cday, adding that the island’s safety and stability in China’s air force has carried quent military activities of tive impact upon the region and with mostly U.S.-made weapons, forces have been keeping a close the region to a certain out 16 rounds of exercises close mainland China in East Asia have that the military’s training would but has been pressing Washing- eye on what they are up to. to Taiwan in the past year or so, already affected safety and sta- continue and become regular. ton to sell more advanced China considers self-ruled extent,” Tsai said. Taiwan’s defence ministry said bility in the region to a certain “China’s military develop- equipment. Proudly democratic and democratic Taiwan to be its in a white paper this week. Chi- extent,” Tsai said. ment is a force for peace and Taiwan has shown no interest in sacred territory and has never na’s military threat was growing “Our country has always stability in the region,” Ren told being run by autocratic China, renounced the use of force to hostile stance towards Taiwan by the day, it warned. been a contributor to safety and reporters. and Taiwan’s government has bring what it views as a wayward since Tsai, from the island’s pro- Beijing has repeatedly said stability in the region, this is why China has warned Taiwan accused Beijing of not under- province under Chinese control. independence Democratic its drills, which have also taken the national army has to keep an against “using weapons to refuse standing what democracy is China has taken an increasingly Progressive Party, won place in the disputed South China eye on movements of reunification” and its state media about when it criticises Taipei.
Taiwan scraps 200,000 passports Ancient giant
Taipei Online commenters joked Bureau of Consular Affairs AFP that there should now be a vote Agnes Chen and her predeces- on whether Taiwan should sor Kung Chung-chen lost their aiwan has had to scrap become part of the US. posts as they “did not fulfill 200,000 new passports “So desperately want to be their supervisory duties,” the Tafter an embarrassing American... alright, let’s have ministry said in a statement. design blunder mistakenly a referendum,” one user wrote Kung had been Taiwan’s swapped an image of an air- on local media’s Apple Daily’s representative in Canada since port in Washington for the website. last year. island’s main airport. The new generation of bio- The designers behind the The head of consular metric passports were issued passports drew the images for affairs resigned and another Monday with a picture of the inside pages by hand, the official was demoted Wednes- Washington’s Dulles Interna- foreign ministry said. day over the fiasco as online tional Airport on the inner One of the designers had pundits joked Taiwan had pages, instead of Taiwan’s wrongly copied from a picture become the “51st state” of the main Taoyuan International of the Washington airport United States. Airport. The foreign ministry found on the internet, think- The mockery reflects Tai- stopped distribution of the ing it was Taoyuan’s Terminal wan’s delicate political 200,000 new passports One, adding a tower that does situation as a self-ruling island printed, which cost Tw$80 not exist. claimed by China as part of its million ($2.7 million). Taiwan first rolled out bio- territory. It is recalling the 285 that metric passports in 2008 and The US is its main ally and had already been handed out. the new versions have secu- People look at dinosaur models at the first indoor dinosaur theme park ‘Jurassic Park’ in arms supplier, which has In response to the mistake, rity upgrades, including a third China’s Chengdu, yesterday. angered Beijing. the director-general of the image of the passport holder
Spate of animal China pledges support for Cambodia’s 2018 poll deaths spark Phnom Penh dissolved the main opposition the Southeast Asian nation. which includes computers, bal- Beijing’s total investment in alarm in Malaysia AFP party in November -- a move But Beijing -- a top ally and lot boxes and voting booths. the country topped $11.2 billion they said stripped next year’s benefactor -- has stuck by Cam- The official -- who denied in 2016, according to official Kuala Lumpur hina will donate ballot election of any legitimacy. bodia’s side, offering to provide Beijing was filling the gap left by Cambodian data. AFP boxes and voting booths The ruling all but guarantees an array of equipment for the the EU and the US -- said the The flood of Chinese cash has Cfor Cambodia’s 2018 elec- a victory for premier Hun Sen, July 2018 election. Chinese assistance would help significantly cut Hun Sen’s reli- he deaths of two sun tion, an official said yesterday, an authoritarian leader who has “China pledged to give the “ensure transparency, accuracy ance on Western donors, whose bears and a tapir in weeks after Western democra- been methodically sweeping out equipment to serve the election and accountability” in the poll. aid often comes with pressure to TMalaysia sparked fresh cies pulled their support in rivals as he looks to extend his in 2018,” Dim Sovannarum, a China is Cambodia’s biggest safeguard human rights and alarm among activists yester- protest over a crackdown on 32-year run in office. spokesman for Cambodia’s source of foreign aid and regu- democratic institutions. day at the growing number opposition politicians. Western powers and rights National Election Committee larly provides electoral support, Analysts say Beijing’s back- of exotic animals perishing in The US and the European groups have warned that the (NEC), told AFP. including vehicles and other sup- ing has emboldened the the biodiverse country. Union withdrew their backing unprecedented crackdown could He could not confirm the plies worth $11 million for local strongman’s attack on political A sun bear and tapir were after a Phnom Penh court spell the death of democracy in total cost of the donated gear, polls held this year. rivals, civil society and the press. killed in road accidents in the northeast of the country on Christmas Eve, with the tapir skinned by villagers after its carcass was discovered, envi- Risk of diphtheria at Rohingya camps Thailand activist held ronmental group WWF said. A second sun bear was killed and cut up, with its Myanmar for cheap watch stunt parts spotted on the same day Reuters sold openly at a market in Sarawak state on Borneo ealth workers in Bangkok of any corruption. Online island, local media reported. Rohingya refugee camps AFP sleuths have dug up pictures of “Despite all efforts from Hin Bangladesh are strug- Prawit apparently sporting various organisations and gling with a shortage of medics Thai activist was briefly other high-end brands -- government bodies, yet again, able to administer antitoxins to detained yesterday after including Patek Philippe and we as a nation, have failed to patients infected with diphthe- A trying to deliver a cheap Rolex -- ticking off a kingdom stand up for our Malaysian ria that has killed nearly two watch to the junta number two, fed-up with a lack of transpar- wildlife,” said Dionysius dozen people, aid officials said. as the clock ticks down to a ency under the military regime. Sharma, WWF-Malaysia Neighbouring Myanmar’s deadline for the general to “Today I came to bring a Executive Director. military cracked down on Mus- declare his collection of luxury watch as a New Year’s gift to lim Rohingya from Rakhine timepieces. General Prawit who I know is state following Rohingya mili- Activist Ekachai Hongkang- a watch lover,” Ekachai said. N Korean boat tant attacks on an army base wan, whose stunts regularly “But to wear expensive ones and police posts on August 25. skewer the military regime, said these days might get him in skipper ‘charged More than 650,000 Rohingya A Rohingya refugee cooks inside their temporary shelter at he was “dragged” into a Bang- trouble again... So I brought him have fled mainly Buddhist the Kutupalong refugee camp near Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh. kok police booth while trying an old watch, about 1,000 baht over Japan theft’ Myanmar to Bangladesh since to give a $30 watch to Defence ($30), that I don’t use August, on top of more than MSF has called diphtheria a dis- antitoxins anymore,” she said. Minister Prawit Wongsuwan. anymore.” Tokyo 200,000 who fled earlier, ease “long forgotten in most “It’s a double-edged sword. We Prawit’s apparent penchant Cops said they detained the AFP according to latest United parts of the world thanks to need both the human resources for pricey timepieces has cap- activist for a “chat” and would Nations data. increasing rates of to administer it, and we need tivated the Thai public since not file any charges. Ekachai apanese prosecutors Doctors Without Borders vaccination”. more antitoxins at the same earlier this month when he was was released shortly charged a North Korean (MSF), the lead agency dealing MSF has managed to provide time.” Supply of diphtheria anti- photographed with a Richard afterwards. Jfishing boat captain for with an outbreak of the bacte- antitoxins to only around 12 toxin serum has been limited for Mille watch, whose models can Critics say the case of the theft yesterday. The 45-year- rial disease in camps sheltering patients daily due to the lack of many years and the shortage is sell for more than $100,000, general’s watches will likely go old was among 10 N Korean the Rohingya, has treated trained medics, said Crystal van expected to continue through and a diamond ring. the way of other graft scandals “fishermen” spotted aboard a around 2,000 patients in the Leeuwen, an MSF emergency 2017. The British government The photo prompted the under the authoritarian regime tiny wooden boat struggling past few weeks and is receiving medical coordinator now in said on Thursday it was send- country’s anti-corruption -- hold public attention for a in bad weather off the north- around 100 new cases daily. Cox’s Bazar where the refugee ing a team of more than 40 agency to seek an explanation few weeks before vanishing. ern island of Hokkaido in Nov. The World Health Organi- camps are located. doctors, nurses and firefighters for the undeclared bling by Jan- Junta chief Prayut Chan-O- Some of them admitted to sation (WHO) describes “Once we do have enough to Cox’s Bazar for six weeks to uary 8. Cha has stood by his deputy “taking out” some electronic diphtheria as a widespread, people and other organisations deal with the diphtheria out- Prawit has shied away from throughout the scandal, products from a remote Jap- severe infectious disease with start to administer as well, we break following a request by the the press since the scandal recently telling reporters Prawit anese island where they epidemic potential and a mor- may get into a situation where WHO and Bangladesh emerged, saying only in brief is “a soldier and a grown man” landed briefly to take tality rate of up to 10 percent. we don’t have enough government. remarks that he was not guilty who can handle his own affairs. refuge. 08 VIEWS FRIDAY 29 DECEMBER 2017
ESTABLISHED IN 1996
CHAIRMAN SHEIKH THANI BIN ABDULLAH AL THANI
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF DR. KHALID BIN MUBARAK AL-SHAFI [email protected]
ACTING MANAGING EDITOR MOHAMMED SALIM MOHAMED [email protected]
EDITORIAL Leading the way atar is set to complete all infrastructure projects ahead of time in the run-up to host 2022 FIFA World Cup. This was evident when Prime Minister and Interior Minister H E Sheikh Abdullah bin Q Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani paid a visit to the headquarters of the Public Works Authority Guatemala and Honduras sided with (Ashghal) to review the main achievements of the authority in 2017, the progress made in realising the authority’s goals and strategic initiatives, Trump on Jerusalem. Here’s why development of main projects, in addition to reviewing the authority’s executive plan for 2018 for infrastructure projects. The visit was important as it showed the actions last week as more than just government’s determination to complete all projects Joshua Partlow attempts to curry favour with Washing- as per schedule for the benefit of citizens and The Washington Post ton. Both countries have long-standing expatriates residing in the country. Directives were ties to Israel and are facing domestic issued by the Prime Minister and Interior Minister to challenges that are helped by aligning finish the current projects within the scheduled time with conservatives in the United States and Israel. frame, in accordance to the policies of Emir H H Guatemala followed up its Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani of meeting the mid the roar of condemnation over Guatemalan President James requirements of the current and future phases, giving the Trump administration’s stance Morales, a former television comedian UN vote by announcing this priority to the plan of preparing the infrastructure of on Jerusalem, there were bleats of and an evangelical Christian, relies on week that it would follow land owned by the citizens and adding new areas to support from far-flung corners of the support of his country’s influential Trump’s lead and move its that plan, as well as prioritising projects related to the world. evangelical community, which has con- AIn the vote at the United Nations last sistently advocated for Israel’s right to embassy from Tel Aviv to 2022 World Cup. Jerusalem, a decision that Ashghal, outlining its plans, said the it would week on whether to condemn the deci- have Jerusalem as its capital, consider- complete 90 percent of all road projects related to sion to recognise Jerusalem as Israel’s ing it a biblical issue as much as a has caused a backlash in capital, Micronesia sided with the United political one. the 2022 Cup next year in the region and beyond. States along with an archipelago of geo- As the Israeli newspaper Haaretz addition to allocating politically obscure outposts: the Marshall recently noted, Morales’s first visit out- QR21.8bn for the Islands, Togo, Nauru, Palau. And then side the Americas as president, in 2016, authority’s projects in The Prime there was a pair of allies closer to home — was to Israel, where he received an Department recognised Hernandez as 2018. A total of Guatemala and Honduras, the only two honorary doctorate and the two coun- the winner over challenger Salvador Minister and QR11.08bn were countries in Latin America to support the tries signed agreements on agriculture Nasralla, despite calls by the Organisa- Interior Minister’s allocated for establishing US move. and science. In addition, Israel gave tion of American States for a revote. highways, QR8.88bn for visit to Ashghal Guatemala followed up its UN vote by military aid to the government for its The Trump administration is still infrastructure and road announcing this week that it would follow fight against leftist guerrillas during considering whether to deport some headquarters and QR1.84bn for sewer Trump’s lead and move its embassy from Guatemala’s civil war in the 1980s. Con- 57,000 Hondurans living with tempo- showed the pumping stations. The Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, a decision that has servative members of the Guatemalan rary immigration status in the United government’s completion of 60 projects caused a backlash in the region and military remain key supporters of States. Honduras has also received mili- determination since the unjust siege beyond. Jordan’s foreign minister described Morales. tary aid from Israel that has worried its began in June this year it as an “absurd provocation.” Bolivian “He’s trying to please his political neighbors and raised human rights to complete all and the plan to President Evo Morales, a veteran critic of base,” said Fernando Carrera, a former concerns. projects on time. implement 90 percent of the United States, wrote Monday on Twitter Guatemalan foreign minister and Many expect that Honduras could the 2022 World Cup that Guatemala had “sold its dignity to the ambassador to the United Nations. “He’s also announce its intention to move its projects in 2018 proves empire to not lose the crumbs from also trying to close the gap of confi- embassy to Jerusalem. One Latin Amer- that Qatar has overcome USAID.” dence with the United States.” ican diplomat, who spoke on the the blockade. It is worth After the vote on Jerusalem, the US That gap widened over the sum- condition of anonymity because he was mentioning that Ashghal completed 250km of ambassador to the United Nations, Nikki mer when Morales tussled with a not authorised to comment publicly, highway works out of a total of more than 400km in Haley, invited those countries who didn’t US-backed anti-corruption group. said there is a “strong possibility of 2017. condemn Washington to come to a reception Morales’s attempt to expel Ivan Honduras being next.” Ashghal President Eng Saad bin Ahmed Al to thank them for their “friendship to the Velasquez, the head of the Interna- For the embattled leaders of Hondu- Muhannadi recently had said that the slogan of United States.” tional Commission Against Impunity ras and Guatemala, siding with the National Day celebrations — “Promise of Prosperity Guatemala and Honduras have a lot to in Guatemala (known by its initials in Trump administration seems their saf- and Glory” — represented “what we see in terms of lose by upsetting the Trump administration, Spanish, CICIG), who was investigat- est bet. economic, urban and scientific renaissance and as the crackdown on illegal immigration has ing campaign finance issues, caused “It speaks to the isolation of these what we feel in terms of determination to overcome raised the prospect of more deportations, an international uproar. After that, countries and their need to find all the challenges facing us” adding that this is the and regional trade and foreign aid have been Carrera said, Morales was “not consid- friends,” said David Holiday, a Central feeling of the Qatari people, including the Ashghal called into question. But analysts see their ered that credible and trustworthy in America expert at the Open Society team who work hard to complete the state projects Washington.” Foundations. “Any chance they can get to the fullest. “He’s trying to strengthen his posi- to earn Brownie points, they’re going to With work on expressways, infrastructure, tion,” Carrera added. “He wants to push do that.” for an agenda that seems to be very sewage networks and other project in full swing by much in line with the most conservative The writer is The Post’s bureau chief in Ashghal, Qatar has proved once again it remains geopolitical analysts in the world.” Mexico. He has served previously as the unaffected by the blockade in any form and that it On Tuesday, Guatemala’s foreign bureau chief in Kabul and as a correspond- determined to finish all projects at the said time for minister, Sandra Jovel, defended the ent in Brazil and Iraq. the welfare of its people. Guatemala and Honduras have decision to move the a lot to lose by upsetting the embassy and called it Trump administration, as the “a foreign policy deci- QUOTE OF THE DAY sion, therefore crackdown on illegal immigration sovereign.” “What we has raised the prospect of more are doing is being deportations, and regional trade coherent with our for- Our country has always been eign policy and the a contributor to safety and and foreign aid have been called ally we have been for stability in the region, this is into question. But analysts see Israel,” she said. why the national army has to their actions last week as more The president of keep an eye on movements than just attempts to curry Honduras, Juan of the Chinese military and Orlando Hernández, is favour with Washington. Both also in a politically pre- take appropriate actions when countries have long-standing ties carious position and needed to guarantee the safety to Israel and are facing domestic could use the Trump of the country and region. challenges that are helped by administration’s help. Protests have roiled aligning with conservatives in the Honduras for the past Tsai Ing-wen Guatemalan Foreign Minister Sandra Jovel answers Taiwanese President United States and Israel. month after a disputed election. The State questions during a press conference in Guatemala City. FRIDAY 29 DECEMBER 2017 OPINION 09
The assassination that orphaned Pakistani politics
and heads of state, like workers fighting for their rights in Kamal Siddiqi Liaquat Ali Khan and the streets of Karachi. The hope of Al Jazeera Ziaul Haq, whose mur- an equitable society that the party der mysteries haven’t once called for with its slogan been solved. “roti, kapra aur makaan,” (bread, Those same powers clothes and shelter) has been for- here were you when Bena- who have undermined gotten. Only money seems to zir was killed?” is one of the a proper investigation matter, and corruption and nepo- best ways to start a conver- of her murder have tism have spread through the sation in Pakistan. Most also slowly diminished party like a cancer. remember the moment all that she fought for. Zardari has sided with the “when newsW of former Pakistani Prime Minister Basic rights, including army and has undermined PM Benazir Bhutto’s death spread and parts of the women’s rights and Sharif’s test of wills against the country fell into turmoil. personal freedoms judiciary and the generals. It is Ten years later, Bhutto has not been forgotten. guaranteed in the con- likely that the PPP would not be Her name and face frequently appear on billboards stitution, have all been able to recover from this pitfall. and election materials, as candidates continue to curbed under the guise Zardari has also been actively exploit her legacy for votes. Schools, colleges, air- of national security. undermining his son, Bilawal, who ports and hospitals are named after her. There are The civilian politi- has tried to pick up his mother’s social welfare schemes in her name. She even has a cal elite continues to legacy and become a political district named after her — Benazirabad. struggle to bring under leader. So far, Bilawal has been Bhutto was so popular that a crowd of hundreds its control the coun- unable to capture the imagination of thousands greeted her in October 2007, when try’s defence and of Pakistani voters. He struggles she returned from self-imposed exile, just three foreign policies. More with speaking in his mother months before she was assassinated. With the sup- and more it seems that tongue and usually ends up mak- People gather near the shrine of assassinated former Pakistani prime minister port of the United States, she was to negotiate a the military is pulling ing a fool of himself. power-sharing deal with Pakistan’s military ruler Benazir Bhutto to mark her death anniversary in Garhi Khuda Bakhsh. the strings in Pakistan. So today, as Pakistanis remem- General Pervez Musharraf. Mainstream politi- ber Bhutto and her legacy, they It was the second time she had staged a trium- Kabul. She also had a controversial political cal parties, which once had representation on a also mourn the sad state of politics phal return to Pakistan. The first one was in 1986 track record domestically; both of the govern- national level, are now able to garner support in in their country. For a decade now, when after several years in exile, she came back to ments she led in the 1980s and 1990s were one or two provinces only. Religious parties and Pakistan’s political elite, obsessed rally the civilian political forces against the military marred by corruption. She was known to groups have become increasingly aggressive and with self-interest and corrupt dictatorship. A decade earlier, the Pakistani army appoint members of her family to positions in have posed a challenge to the traditional political practices, has been unable to pro- had staged a coup against her father, the late Prime her cabinet, including her mother, Nusrat scene. In the coming elections, it is quite likely that duce a politician with Bhutto’s Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, and had taken power, Bhutto, and her husband, Asif Zardari, who was right-wing parties, including some with links to stature and political acumen who hanging him a year later. known as “Mr 10 percent”. militant groups, will emerge stronger than the could rally the streets of Pakistan Bhutto had a complicated relationship with the Even her staunchest critics, however, admit that mainstream. under progressive and inclusive military. At times, they would be engaged in a dan- Bhutto was a force to be reckoned with and was One of these parties is Pakistan Tehreek-e- slogans. The dream of a Pakistan gerous tug-of-war over political power and at one of the country’s most popular politicians. She Insaf (PTI), whose leader, former cricket star Imran as a thriving, vibrant and modern others, they would cooperate. She supported hard- was doing what others could only dream of. Few Khan, has more than once openly praised the Tali- Islamic democracy under civilian line foreign policy, which the remember how current PM Nawaz Sharif also tried ban for their mode of governance. His party, which rule seems so distant today. military leadership also pushed for. to come back from exile in 2007 only to be is in power in the troubled Khyber Pakhtunkhwa It was during her second premier- deported disgracefully immediately after his province, has re-written school textbooks to erase The writer is the director of the ship in the 1990s that the arrival. what they referred to as “secular teachings”. Center for Excellence in Journalism, a Pakistan-backed Taliban took over On December 27, 2007, Bhutto was assassi- Bhutto’s party, the Pakistan People’s Party regional centre located in Karachi. nated during a political rally in the city of (PPP), has also changed significantly. The party has Rawalpindi. She had just survived another assassi- suffered from the high hand of Bhutto’s spouse — nation attempt in October that year that had killed Zardari, who went on to become co-chairperson Bhutto was so popular that a crowd some 150 people. and was later elected president of the country. He of hundreds of thousands greeted Her death marked a turning point for politics in has appointed his near and dear ones to party and her in October 2007, when she Pakistan. After her departure, the mainstream government positions and has sidelined Bhutto loy- D-RING ROAD returned from self-imposed exile, political forces would never be able to unite against alists. The party’s policies have shifted from social dictatorship again. reforms to self-enrichment. POST BOX: 3488 just three months before she was A symptom of this political decay in Pakistan is The ideology of the party, which once rallied DOHA - QATAR assassinated. the fact that 10 years on, Pakistanis still do not thousands, has been relegated to empty slogans. [email protected] know who killed Bhutto. She joins a line of leaders Gone are the days of student protests or EDITOR-IN-CHIEF OFFICE TEL: 4455 7741 / 767 Climate change cases predicted to make a legal splash in 2018 FAX: +974 4455 7758 MANAGING EDITOR sea levels they blame on climate TEL: 4462 7505 Sophie Hares & Sebastien Malo change. DEPUTY MANAGING EDITOR Reuters “Why should taxpayers and impacted communities alone bear the TEL: 4455 7769 growing costs of climate impacts when fossil fuel companies have played an LOCAL NEWS SECTION clutch of high-profile legal outsized role in making the problem TEL: 4455 7743 cases over responsibility for worse?” said Peter Frumhoff, director the effects of climate change of science and policy at the Union of BUSINESS NEWS SECTION will be fought out in court- Concerned Scientists, after Santa Cruz TEL: 4462 7535 rooms next year as claims city and county both filed lawsuits this stackA up against both governments and month. SPORT NEWS SECTION some of the world’s biggest oil and energy Tracy Hester, a lecturer at the Uni- TEL: 4455 7745 companies. versity of Houston Law Center, said Lawsuits in the United States brought such claims could “redefine the rules of ONLINE SECTION by young activists and several Californian the game”. “They’re essentially not try- TEL: 4462 7501 cities are most likely to make waves, but ing to bring a global claim that’s going [email protected] legal action by a Peruvian farmer in Ger- to lock up all these issues in one court... many and Greenpeace in Norway could they’re different in that they’re seeking PUBLIC RELATIONS also cause ripples, said lawyers and damages,” he said. TEL: 4455 7613 academics. Trump’s move to pull out of the [email protected] “There is a trend towards more litiga- Paris climate change accord and roll tion around climate change, and probably limbo, however, as the government tries to block it back environmental regulations means campaigners ADVERTISING DEPARTMENT the lack of political action in the United from proceeding. are increasingly resorting to litigation, as they did TEL: 4455 7837 / 780 States may increase that trend,” said Lawyers and academics say Juliana builds on under former President George W Bush, said case FAX: 4455 7870 Sophie Marjanac, a London-based lawyer the groundbreaking Urgenda case brought by hun- watchers. [email protected] at non-profit environmental law group dreds of Dutch citizens in 2015, which saw the While climate-related suits are not new, scientific ClientEarth. government ordered by a district court to acceler- advances could bolster plaintiffs as they try to pin respon- CLASSIFIED DEPARTMENT “Where there’s an abdication of lead- ate reductions of greenhouse gas emissions. sibility for climate change on particular polluters. TEL: 4455 7857 ership on climate action, I think the However, that outcome is now being appealed, A German court has agreed to hear evidence in a case [email protected] courts will have a greater role to play,” with a decision likely early next year. brought by Peruvian farmer Saúl Luciano Lliuya against she told the Thomson Reuters Elsewhere, a January judgment is expected in a RWE AG, asking the power giant to pay to reinforce a lake SUBSCRIPTION & DISTRIBUTION Foundation. case brought by Greenpeace Nordic and environ- above his village dangerously swollen by glacial melt he TEL: 4455 7809 / 839 Lawyers and campaigners are closely mental group Nature and Youth against Norway, says is caused by global warming the company contributed FAX: 44557819 watching the looming legal battles they which they claim has breached its pledge to com- to. [email protected] say could set the stage for fresh claims bat climate change by granting oil and gas Yet while there has been a steady rise in cases seeking against major oil and industrial compa- exploration rights. to hold corporations and governments to account, few nies, and pressure governments to ramp Some lawyers and researchers say claims seek- make it to court and legal action is largely limited to richer All thoughts and views up action on climate change. ing specific damages from energy and industrial countries. With US President Donald Trump and companies for actions that may have contributed Despite a few exceptions — including a farmer who expressed in these his cabinet members named as defend- to climate change could have a bigger impact than successfully sued Pakistan’s government in 2015 - mitigat- columns are those of the ants, the Juliana v United States case constitutional cases. ing rather than litigating against climate change is writers, not of the brought by 21 young activists from Ore- A successful ruling against a heavyweight cor- favoured in poorer countries where legal success is less gon is set to be one of the most closely porate could potentially unleash a wave of similar likely, according to Cosmin Corendea, a legal expert at the newspaper. followed in 2018. claims, say case watchers, who reference long- United Nations University in Bonn. In the federal case, scheduled for trial running fights against tobacco, asbestos and But the knock-on effect of rulings on companies and All correspondence in February, the plaintiffs hope to estab- pesticide manufacturers over harm to human governments could eventually be felt around the world, regarding Views and lish that the government’s climate change health. including in countries already struggling with climate policies have failed to protect their con- At least seven Californian cities and counties change impacts. Opinion pages should be stitutional right to live in a habitable have brought lawsuits against major fossil fuel “The decision of the court echoes,” said Corendea. “It’s send to editor-in-chief environment. companies. San Francisco and Oakland are seek- important in climate change litigation to have this kind of office or mailed to the The case remains locked in legal ing billions of dollars to help protect against rising momentum.” [email protected] 10 EUROPE FRIDAY 29 DECEMBER 2017 Terror suspects can be shot on the spot: Putin
Moscow overseen by Russia’s National AFP Anti-Terror Committee even “As you know, an act though authorities initially ussian President of terror took place opened a probe into attempted Vladimir Putin in Saint Petersburg murder. warned yesterday yesterday,” Putin said The committee said the that armed criminals explosion went off after “a crim- could be “liquidated yesterday, adding inal placed an unidentified Ron the spot,” calling the blast that he had ordered the explosive device in a storage tore through a Saint Petersburg nation’s security locker.” supermarket and wounded 14 services to “act Footage posted online by people an “act of terror.” local media showed a man in a On Wednesday evening, a decisively” and green hooded sweatshirt enter homemade bomb placed in a “liquidate bandits on the supermarket with a backpack locker at the supermarket in the spot” if armed and leave without it a short time northwestern Saint Petersburg, militants put up afterwards. Russia’s second city and Putin’s An important cultural venue, hometown, sowing panic among resistance. Saint Petersburg is also home to customers and wounding 14 peo- tens of thousands of migrants ple including a pregnant woman. officials said a total of 14 people many of whom come from “As you know, an act of ter- had been wounded in the blast. majority-Muslim Central Asia. ror took place in Saint Petersburg Six people remained in hospital, Putin’s spokesman Peskov yesterday,” Putin said yesterday, they added, noting the wounded rejected concerns that Saint speaking at a ceremony to award would receive financial aid. Petersburg had become especially officers who took part in Russia’s The bombing came after the vulnerable in the face of terror- Syria campaign. FSB security service said earlier ism. “Terrorism presents a danger He said he had ordered the this month it had prevented a to any populated locality in the An interior view of a supermarket is seen after an explosion in St Petersburg, Russia, in this nation’s security services to “act terror attack on a key Orthodox world,” he told reporters. decisively” and “liquidate ban- cathedral in Saint Petersburg He added that Putin — photo released by Russia’s National Anti-Terrorism Committee yesterday. dits on the spot” if armed with the help of America’s CIA, widely expected to extend his militants put up resistance. which led Putin to thank US Kremlin term to 2024 in a March and claimed by a group linked Authorities have confiscated including a semi-final. His spokesman Dmitry President Donald Trump. presidential election — had every to Al Qaeda which said it was a a large number of explosives Earlier this month Bortnikov Peskov told reporters later that The explosion occurred at intention to “continue consist- message to countries engaged in used to make homemade bombs, said that at least 4,500 Russians the Russian leader was referring around 6.45pm (1545 GMT) as ent and task-oriented work to war with Muslims, a reference automatic rifles, munitions and had left the country to fight with to all those “who harbour plans people geared up to celebrate the fight terrorism.” to Russia’s military campaign in extremist literature. “terrorists” in the Middle East, to carry out acts of terror in our New Year — the country’s big- “The fight is continuing,” he Syria. FSB chief Alexander Bort- North Africa and other regions. country.” gest holiday — followed by added. Earlier this month the FSB nikov has said Russia remains on Over the past 20 years Rus- Putin’s 2015 decision to Russian Orthodox Christmas, In April, a suicide bombing said it had arrested several IS alert for a possible return of sia fought two wars with intervene in Syria militarily on which falls on January 7. killed 15 people and wounded members who had planned to jihadists from Syria ahead of the separatists in Chechnya, leading the side of Bashar Al Assad has Officials said the bomb had dozens on the Saint Petersburg blow up the Kazan Cathedral, World Cup and the March pres- Islamist militants from the North made Russia a priority target for power equivalent to 200 metro. one of Saint Petersburg’s most idential polls. Caucasus to frequently target the Islamic State group. grammes of TNT. That bombing was carried famous landmarks, among other Saint Petersburg will host Russians through suicide bomb- Citing the latest count, The investigation was being out by a national of Kyrgyzstan busy places. several World Cup matches ings and other attacks. Italian PM laments failure Sarajevo prosecutors indict 14 Bosnian Muslims
to pass citizenship law Sarajevo accused of war crimes includ- to a Muslim-Croat vote for inde- prosecutor’s office indicted four Reuters ing murder of several dozens pendence from Serbian-led Bosnian Serb army officers for Serb civilians, both men and federal Yugoslavia, attacked cit- alleged genocide against Mus- Rome can be called, a government arajevo prosecutors women of different age, torture, ies and towns aiming to carve lims who were fleeing the Reuters source said. indicted 14 Bosnian Muslim robbery and persecution of out an ethnically pure Serb state. eastern town of Srebrenica after After the meeting with Gen- Swartime army officers and nearly the whole Serb popula- Bosniaks joined forces with it fell into Serb hands in July talian Prime Minister Paolo tiloni, Mattarella was expected soldiers for alleged murder, tor- tion from the Konjic area.” Croats in regions where they 1995. Gentiloni lamented yester- to summon the speakers of the ture and persecution of Bosnian Bosnian Serbs, Bosniak Mus- were in a majority, such as Kon- Serb forces commanded by Iday his government’s failure two houses and then dissolve Serb civilians around the town lims and Croats alike committed jic, from which they persecuted General Ratko Mladic slaugh- to pass a new law on citizen- parliament. Gentiloni’s cabinet of Konjic during the country’s war crimes during Bosnia’s Serb inhabitants, but they later tered more than 8,000 Muslim ship for the children of will then set the date of the elec- 1990s war. 1992-95 conflict, though the fought each other. men and boys from Srebrenica, immigrants as a flaw on its tion, which is widely expected to Ten of the indicted men are majority of those convicted by More than 100,000 were the worst atrocity in Europe record ahead of elections due be March 4. already in detention, the Sara- local and international war killed and about two million since the Second World War. early next year. Speaking at the prime minis- jevo state prosecutor’s office said crimes courts have been Serbs. driven from their homes during Mladic was jailed for life for the The question of whether ter’s traditional end of year news in a statement yesterday. The war began in 1992 when the war. massacre by a UN war crimes some 800,000 minors who conference, he appealed to polit- “Fourteen defendants are Bosnian Serb forces, in response Also yesterday, the tribunal last month. were born in Italy to foreign ical parties not to spread fear and parents, or who arrived at a make unrealistic promises in the young age, could be declared “imminent” election campaign. citizens under certain condi- “I think it is in the interests of Iraqi migrant tions, became the most divisive the country to have an election The day’s beginning pre-election issue, prompting campaign that limits as much as travels five a scuffle in parliament and possible the spreading of fears exposing deep fissures in the and illusions, these are the risks hours hiding ruling Democratic Party (PD). we have before us,” he said. “The truth is we didn’t man- All Italy’s main parties are under bus age to put together sufficient promising to raise the budget numbers (in parliament) to deficit and slash taxes despite Zagreb approve the law,” Gentiloni told record high public debt, and AFP a news conference. “Not man- immigration is set to be a central aging to do this is a flaw on the theme of the election, with right- young Iraqi migrant government’s record.” wing parties frequently warning sneaked under a bus in Not enough senators attended of a migrant “invasion”. ASerbia and travelled the final sitting of the upper house With opinion polls pointing for five hours clinging to its to vote on the proposal, which to a hung parliament, Gentiloni axle before he was discovered would have allowed children born said Italy should be prepared in Croatia, media reported in Italy to non-Italians who have to deal with instability but yesterday. long-term residency permits, or should not fear it, noting that it The Jutarnji List daily who arrive before their 12th birth- was now common to many quoted officials of the Croatian days and spend at least five years European countries. bus company Cazmatrans as in formal education, to obtain a “We mustn’t dramatise the saying that the 21-year-old passport. risk of instability, we are quite migrant got under the bus trav- Meanwhile, Gentiloni was inoculated against it,” he said, elling from Belgrade to Zagreb meeting President Sergio Mat- in reference to Italy’s frequent on Tuesday. tarella yesterday in the first changes of government, add- It said he risked his life for formal step ahead of the disso- ing that elsewhere in Europe A woman watches the sun rise behind the Shard from Primrose hill in London, Britain, five hours holding on to the lution of parliament which is there has been “an Italianisa- yesterday. axle with his arms and legs. necessary before an election tion of political systems”. “We heard a loud noise under the bus... We called one of the bus drivers and when he heard the unusual sounds he stopped the bus,” one of Austria’s top judge criticises tougher laws on asylum, security the passengers was quoted by the paper as saying. Vienna Party joined forces with the anti- new government’s plans to migration, there is indeed a stac- tightened its asylum rules under As soon as the bus Reuters Islam Freedom Party this month, tighten security were aimless cato-style lining up of new laws. It the previous centrist government stopped near Ivanic Grad, vowing to increase the power of “legislative activism”. cannot work that way because the and some provincial govern- 40km southeast of Zagreb, he outgoing president of the security apparatus, to fight When asked about the new apparatus that is supposed to apply ments have cut social services the visibly shocked young Austria’s constitutional illegal immigration and to com- government’s plans to take away these laws is faced with new rules for refugees - laws that are cur- man crawled out, dirty and Tcourt has criticised ever bat what they perceive as the asylum seekers’ phones and cash every month or half year,” he said. rently under review by the with blood on his hands, the tougher legislation on asylum Islamisation of society. and allow their doctors to break “But sometimes the consist- constitutional court and the passenger said. and security measures, days after Gerhart Holzinger, who has with the rule of medical confi- ent handling and application of European Court of Justice. Croatian police in a state- the conservatives formed a coa- to step down as president of the dentiality, Holzinger said such laws is more tiresome than the Nevertheless, the conserva- ment said they found the lition government with the far constitutional court at the end of issues would certainly end up publication of new party (polit- tive-far right coalition has 21-year-old man at a road- right. this year due to his age, told the with constitutional judges. ical) projects.” promised to introduce these cuts side rest area after being Sebastian Kurz’s People’s newspaper Der Standard the “In the sectors of asylum and Austria had already nationwide. called by the bus driver. FRIDAY 29 DECEMBER 2017 AMERICAS 11
Peru President Tillerson defends quizzed over links to Brazil’s country’s foreign Odebrecht Lima AFP policy record eruvian President Pedro Pablo Kuczynski was Pbeing questioned yes- Washington terday by anti-corruption AFP Tillerson defended prosecutors over his links to Odebrecht, a disgraced Bra- he United States’ top his cuts to the State zilian construction firm that diplomat defended Department and has admitted to bribing offi- his country’s foreign USAID budget, saying cials to secure public works policy record, saying they were designed contracts. progress had been The president’s press Tmade in the last year to rein in to “address root service said: “President Kuc- North Korea’s nuclear ambi- problems that lead zynski is in a reserved tions and to counter the to inefficiencies and meeting with the prosecutors “immense challenges” posed by since 9:30am in the Govern- Russia, China and Iran. frustrations”. ment Palace.” The Supporters of political leader Keiko Fujimori wait outside the prosecutor’s office while she In an opinion piece in the interrogation came a week New York Times, Secretary of continue”. At the same time he responds to questions regarding the Odebrecht corruption case, in Lima, Peru, yesterday. after Kuczynski survived an State Rex Tillerson said some called on China — Pyongyang’s impeachment motion in the 90 percent of Pyongyang’s only major ally — to “do more” opposition-dominated Con- export earnings had been cut to pressure North Korea. Fujimori pardon a ‘slap in the gress over the same matter. off by a series of international Trump’s administration has The motion was launched sanctions after the Trump been dogged by allegations his on accusations that Kuczyn- administration “abandoned the campaign team colluded with ski, a 79-year-old former failed policy of strategic Russia to help him win last face’ for victims: UN experts Wall Street banker, had lied patience”. year’s election. Addressing rela- to cover up his ties to Ode- Tensions have escalated dra- tions with Moscow, Tillerson brecht. After initial denials, matically on the Korean said the Trump administration Geneva politically motivated grounds from prison after suffering low Kuczynski this month admit- peninsula this year after the iso- had “no illusions about the AFP undermines the work of the blood pressure and an irregular ted he had taken money from lated but nuclear-armed regime regime we are dealing with” Peruvian judiciary and the inter- heartbeat. As president, Fujimori Odebrecht for what he and staged a series of atomic and and that they were “on guard wo UN human rights national community to achieve earned respect from many Peru- the Brazilian company intercontinental ballistic missile against Russian aggression”. experts yesterday said that justice,” UN special rapporteurs vians for his ruthless campaign insisted were legitimate con- (ICBM) tests — and as US Presi- But he added that Washing- Tthe pardon of former Agnes Callamard and Pablo de to defeat leftist Shining Path sulting fees. dent Donald Trump and North ton needed to “recongize the Peruvian president Alberto Fuji- Greiff said. guerrillas, but his brutal, illegal The money was received Korean leader Kim Jong-un need to work with Russia where mori was a “slap in the face” to “We are appalled by this methods were also condemned between 2004 and 2013, a traded personal insults. mutual interests intersect” cit- victims of his brutal rule. decision. It is a slap in the face by other parts of Peruvian soci- period during part of which Washington wants North ing Syria civil war where the The decision triggered pro- for the victims and witnesses ety and foreign observers. Kuczynski was economy Korea to abandon its nuclear two countries have backed tests by thousands of angry whose tireless commitment The timing of the pardon minister and head of cabinet programme and has spear- opposing sides but pushed for Peruvians denouncing both the brought him to justice,” the was seen by many in Peru as for then-president Alejandro headed three rounds of UN peace talks. On Iran he struck pardon and current President experts said. suspicious, coming days after Toledo. sanctions against the isolated a less conciliatory tone. Pedro Pablo Kuczynski, who “It is also a major setback for Kuczynski barely survived an Odebrecht has admitted to regime, restricting crucial He also defended his cuts decreed Fujimori’s release on the rule of law in Peru: a human- impeachment motion in the paying millions of dollars in exports of coal, iron, seafood to the State Department and Sunday, three days after nar- itarian pardon has been granted opposition-controlled Congress. bribes to top officials in several and textiles from the cash- USAID budget, saying they were rowly surviving impeachment to someone convicted of seri- It was only because Kenji Fuji- Latin American countries to starved state. Pyongyang has hit designed to “address root prob- on graft allegations thanks to ous crimes after a fair trial, mori convinced some members secure lucrative and inflated out at those sanctions and has lems that lead to inefficiencies Fujimori’s son, Kenji. whose guilt is not in question of a party led by his sister Keiko public works contracts. It has vowed to never give up its and frustrations”. Critics say Fujimori, 79, had been serv- and who does not meet the legal not to support the impeachment paid a record $2.6bn in fines to nuclear programme. Tillerson’s first year in office ing a 25-year prison sentence for requirements for a pardon.” that Kuczynski was not removed the US, Brazilian and Swiss In his piece Tillerson said has seen scores of key diplo- the murder of 25 people by death Kuczynski said his pardon from power. governments. “a door to dialogue remains matic posts go unfilled, squads and other human rights was given on humanitarian “The government should not The company has said it open” for Pyongyang but embassies hampered by cuts abuses committed during his time grounds, based on the former give in to political pressure and paid $20m in kickbacks to warned “until denuclearization and many veteran staff leave in office from 1990 to 2000. president’s ill health. Fujimori, ignore its domestic and inter- Toledo, whom Peru wants occurs, the pressure will the foreign service altogether. “The presidential pardon who has been in a Lima clinic national obligations,” the UN extradited from the United granted to Alberto Fujimori on since Saturday, was transferred special rapporteurs said. States to face charges.
New York City Cold weather in Manhattan Brazil prosecutor challenges murders drop pardons granted by Temer below 300 Sao Paulo politicians have been jailed for Reuters political kickbacks, usually New York involving private enterprises Reuters razil’s top prosecutor has paying billions in bribes to win launched a legal chal- contracts with state-run compa- ew York City is on Blenge against pardons nies, such as the oil firm Petroleo track to record fewer granted by President Michel Brasileiro. Nthan 300 murders in Temer just before Christmas, A spokeswoman for Temer 2017, marking a steep decline saying they are unconstitutional directed questions to the Jus- since the early 1990s when and threaten a probe into the tice Ministry. Justice Minister the annual death toll country’s largest-ever corrup- Torquato Jardim said that after exceeded 2,000 people. tion scandal. discussions with Temer yester- As of Sunday, 284 people The pardons traditionally day morning, the government were murdered in the nation’s granted by the Brazilian presi- would not back down on the largest city, down from 329 in dent around Christmas are decree, according to a report the same period in 2016, applied to criminals meeting on the G1 website of Globo tel- according to New York Police certain conditions, including evision network. The Department (NYPD) data having already served part of government will wait for a deci- released this week. All seven their sentence. sion on the matter from the major crimes tracked by police, But Temer drew sharp crit- president of the Supreme Court, People walk along Sixth Avenue as a cold weather front hits the region in Manhattan, including rape, assault and icism from public prosecutors Carmen Lucia, Jardim told G1. robbery, showed declines. New York, yesterday. and on social media last week Temer’s decree orders that, Barring a spike in the final by making the rules more gen- with some caveats, non-violent, week of the year, the number erous and extending them to first-time offenders who have of murders in the city will drop include people convicted of already served one-fifth of their under the low of 333 in 2014. corruption-related crimes. sentence are eligible for pardon, Police officials emphasized that Prosecutor General Raquel compared to one-quarter previ- murders continued to decline Alabama officials to certify Jones as Dodge said on Wednesday that ously. The decree also eliminates even as the city’s population she is requesting an injunction prior terms that barred prison- swelled to more 8.5 million. to stop parts of the December ers with sentences longer than “The homicide rate per Senate winner despite Moore challenge 21 presidential decree from 12 years from being pardoned. capita is lower than anything going into effect. Jardim wrote in an op-ed we have ever seen,” J. Peter Denver 20,000 votes, or 1.5 percentage election that denied him a “The head of the executive published later in O Globo Donald, an NYPD spokesman, Reuters points, election officials said. chance of victory. His filing on branch does not have unlim- newspaper that Temer was act- wrote on Twitter yesterday. That made him the first Demo- Wednesday in the Montgomery ited power to grant a pardon. ing within constitutional norms Fewer than 13,700 rob- labama’s secretary of crat in a quarter of a century to Circuit Court sought to halt the In the republic, no power is that allow for pardons to be beries have been reported so state said yesterday that win a Senate seat in the state. meeting scheduled to ratify unlimited,” the statement said, granted as acts of mercy. far in 2017, compared with ADemocrat Doug Jones Alabama Secretary of State Jones’ win yesterday. Moore quoting from the legal filings. The decree is aimed at par- 15,500 in 2016 and 100,280 would be certified the winner John Merrill was to meet with declined to concede defeat Dodge said the pardon under- doning criminals like the more in 1990. Serious assaults fell of the state’s US Senate race other members of the state can- despite being urged by Trump mines the separation of powers than 70,000 people jailed for below 20,000, about half the despite a legal challenge by vassing board, Governor Kay to do so. and would grant impunity to theft and not the 50 or so number seen in 1990. Bur- Republican Roy Moore, whose Ivey and Attorney General Steve Janet Porter, a spokes- those guilty of graft in the cor- imprisoned for corruption, only glaries have dipped below campaign was derailed by accu- Marshall, to certify the result. woman for Moore’s campaign, ruption scandal. one of whom is thought be eli- 12,000, compared to 122,055 sations of sexual misconduct “Doug Jones will be certified said in an interview with CNN The nearly four-year inves- gible for pardon under the in 1990. Police had recorded with teenage girls. today,” Merrill told CNN in a that the challenge aimed to tigation into the scandal is known decree, he wrote. The cut-off 1,416 rapes in the year through Jones won the seat, vacated phone call. ensure that votes were properly as Operation Car Wash and has for the pardons is December 25 Sunday, one fewer than the when US President Donald Moore’s challenge alleged counted. “It’s incumbent on the sparked several other major and will not affect those con- same period last year but Trump tapped Jeff Sessions as there had been potential voter Alabama secretary of state to probes. Under Car Wash, dozens victed beyond that date, Jardim above the low in 2009 of 1,205. attorney general, by about fraud in the December 12 make sure,” she said. of powerful businessmen and wrote. 12 CLASSIFIEDS FRIDAY 29 DECEMBER 2017
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CONCEPTIS SUDOKU
08:00 News 08:15 Boy To Man 12:00 The Wild Life Of 13:00 Bunk'd 08:30 Rebel Architecture 09:45 Strip The City Tim Faulkner 15:30 Bizaardvark 09:00 Al Jazeera World 11:00 Auction Kings 12:20 The Wild Life Of 15:55 Duck The Halls: A 10:00 News 11:50 How Do They Do Tim Faulkner Very Mickey... 10:30 Inside Story It? 13:50 Whale Wars 17:00 Tangled: The 11:00 News 12:17 Auction Kings 14:45 Cats 101 Series 11:30 The Stream 13:37 Fast N' Loud 15:40 Wildest Islands 17:50 K.C. Undercover 12:00 News 14:27 Misfit Garage Of Indonesia 18:15 Descendants 12:30 101 East 16:00 Street Customs 16:35 Untamed & Wicked World 13:00 NEWSHOUR 2008 Uncut 18:20 Bunk'd 14:00 News 17:30 Fast N' Loud 17:30 Treehouse 18:45 Hotel 14:30 Inside Story 19:00 Garage Gold Masters Transylvania: The 15:00 Romania: People 20:10 Gold Rush 18:25 Keeping Up With Series Power 21:00 Street The Kruger 20:05 Descendants 16:00 NEWSHOUR Outlaws 19:20 Wildest Africa Wicked World 17:00 News 21:50 Garage 20:15 Cats 101 20:10 Miraculous Tales 17:30 The Stream Rehab 21:10 The Wild Life Of Of Ladybug And Yesterday's answer 18:00 Newsgrid 22:40 Misfit Garage Tim Faulkner Cat Noir 19:30 Artscape - The New 23:30 Gold Rush 22:05 Keeping Up With 20:35 Disney The Conceptis Sudoku: Conceptis Sudoku is a number- African Photography 00:20 Boy To Man The Kruger Lodge placing puzzle based on a 9×9 grid. The object is to 20:00 News 01:10 Street 23:00 Wildest Africa 21:00 Alex & Co. place the numbers 1 to 9 in the empty squares so 20:30 Inside Story Outlaws 23:55 Wildest Islands 21:50 Lolirock that each row, each column and each 3×3 box 21:00 NEWSHOUR 02:00 Garage Of Indonesia 22:40 Evermoor contains the same number only once. 22:30 UpFront Rehab 00:50 Untamed & Uncut Chronicles 23:00 Once Upon a Time in 02:50 Misfit Garage 01:45 Treehouse 23:05 Rolling With The Masters CROSSWORD Punchbowl Ronks BABY BLUES
— SHOWING AT NOVO Pearl VILLAGGIO & CITY CENTER Bleeding Steel (2D/Action) 10:15am, 12:30, 2:00, 2:45, 5:00, 7:00, 7:15, 9:15, 9:30, 11:30, 11:45pm & 12:00midnight Jumanji: Welcome To The Jungle (2D/Action) 10:00, 11:30am, 12:15, 2:30, 4:30, 4:45, 7:00, 9:15, 9:30 & 11:30pm & 12:00midnight Ferdinand (2D/Animation) 10:00am, 12:15, 2:30 & 4:45pm The Greatest Showman (2D/Drama) 10:00am, 2:30, 4:15, 6:30, 7:00, 8:45, 11:00 & 11:30pm Crooked House (2D/Drama) 12:10, 4:40 & 9:10pm Pitch Perfect (2D/Comedy) 10:00am, 12:00noon, 2:00, 4:00, 6:00, 8:00, 10:00pm & 12:00midnight Jackals (2D/Action) 10:15am, 2:30, 6:45 & 11:00pm IP Man 3 (2D/Action) 12:15, 4:30 & 8:45pm Nails (2D/Horror) 10:00am, 2:00, 6:00 & 10:00pm Alaa Wadaakh (2D/Arabic) 12:00noon, 4:00, 8:00pm & 12:00midnight Tiger Zinda Hai (2D/Hindi) 11:00pm Star Wars: The Last Jedi 2 (2D IMAX/Action) 10:15am & 1:15pm
Yesterday's answer MALL Ferdinand (2D/Animation) 2:15pm Alaa Wadaakh (2D/Arabic) 2:15pm Arth: The Destination (2D/Comedy) 3:00pm Tiger Zinda Hai (2D/Hindi) 3:45, 8:30, 10:15 & 11:15pm Jumanji: Welcome To The Jungle (2D/Animation) 4:00 & 6:00pm Pitch Perfect 3 (2D/Comedy) 5:30pm The Greatest Showman (Drama) 6:30pm Ang Panday (2D/Tagalog) 7:15pm Bleeding Steel (2D/Action) 8:00pm IP Man 3 (2D/Action) 9:30 & 11:30pm Balloon (Tamil) 11:30pm
LANDMARK Tiger Zinda Hai (2D/Hindi) 2:30, 8:15 & 11:00pm Crooked House (2D/Drama) 2:45pm Jumanji: Welcome To The Jungle (2D/Animation) 3:00 & 5:00pm Alaa Wadaakh (2D/Arabic) 5:00pm Jackals (2D/Horror) 6:45pm Ang Panday (2D/Tagalog) 5:30pm The Greatest Showman (Drama) 7:00pm Pitch Perfect 3 (2D/Comedy) 7:45pm Bleeding Steel (2D/Action) 9:00pm IP Man 3 (2D/Action) 9:30 & 11:00pm Kalavaadiya Pozhudhugal 11:15pm
ROYAL PLAZA Crooked House (2D/Drama) 2:30pm Jumanji: Welcome To The Jungle (2D/Animation) 2:30 & 6:30pm Tiger Zinda Hai (2D/Hindi) 2:30, 6:30, 10:45 & 11:15pm The Greatest Showman (Drama) 4:30pm Pitch Perfect 3 (2D/Comedy) 4:30pm Balloon (Tamil) 5:30pm Ang Panday (2D/Tagalog) 8:30pm IP Man 3 (2D/Action) 8:00pm Bleeding Steel (2D/Action) 9:15pm Jackals (2D/Horror) 10:00pm ALL IN THE MIND Kalavadiya Pozhudhugal (2D/Tamil) 11:30pm ASIAN TOWN ALBATROSS, BUDGIE, Vimanam (Malayalam) 1:00, 7:00, 8:45, 10:00pm & 01:00am BUZZARD, CANARY, Balloon (Tamil) 4:00pm Velaikkaran (Tamil) 12:30, 3:30, 6:30pm & 12:30am Kalavadiya Pozhuthugal (Tamil) 9:30pm MCA (Telugu) 12:30pm CORMORANT, CRANE, Tiger Zinda Hai (Hindi) 12:30, 3:15, 3:45, 7:00, 10:15pm & 01:15am CROW, DOVE, EAGLE, EMU, FINCH, FLAMINGO, HAWK, HERON, JACKDAW, AL KHOR KESTREL, KOOKABURRA, Pitch Perfect 12:15, 4:45 & 9:15pm We Are All Hostiles 3:15 & 8:30pm LAPWING, LARK, Bleeding Steel 12:45, 6:00 & 11:15pm The Greatest Showman 2:30, 7:00 & 11:30pm Tiger Zinda Hai (2D/Hindi) 12:00noon, 5:45 & 11:30pm Jumanji 3:15 & 9:00pm NIGHTINGALE, OSTRICH, OWL, PARROT, PENGUIN, PIGEON, QUAIL, RAVEN, ROXY ROBIN, SANDPIPER, Ferdinand (2D/Animation) 10:30am, 12:50, 3:10 & 5:30pm Tiger Zinda Hai (Hindi) 3:00, 6:15 & 10:45pm Kalavaadiya Pozhudhugal SEAGULL, SPARROW, 10:30am, 1:30, 4:30, 7:30 & 10:30pm Bleeding Steel 10:30am, 12:50, 3:10, 5:30, STORK, SWALLOW, TERN, 7:50 & 10:10pm Jumanji: Welcome To The Jungle (Animation) 7:50 & 10:20pm TOUCAN, VULTURE. The Greatest Showman 10:30am, 12:45 & 8:30pm FRIDAY 29 DECEMBER 2017 MORNING BREAK 15
PRAYER TIMINGS Exhibit explores reign of China’s first emperor FAJR 04.57am Richmond, Va. and discovered 2,000 years later, SHOROOK 06.18 am AP about a mile east of the emperor’s bur- ial site. ZUHR 11.36 am MAGHRIB 04.55 pm he discovery in China of an “We want visitors to learn who is ASR 02.33 pm ISHA 06.25 pm underground army of nearly the first emperor and what people’s 8,000 life-size terracotta lives looked then, what technology soldiers is considered one of developed during that time and the WEATHER TODAY the greatest archaeological architecture of that time,” said Li Jian, Tfinds of the 20th century. the co-curator. o o More than four decades after they “No matter rich or poor, royal were first seen in modern times, by emperors or commoners, people had 15 C 24 C farmers in Shaanxi province, the Vir- a quest for immortality,” she said. Minimum Maximum ginia Museum of Fine Arts has 10 of “These excavated objects reflect the the majestic figures on display in an people’s lives at the time.” exhibit that explores the history of The first two rooms of the exhibit ancient China and the reign of its first showcase horse and chariot fittings, emperor, Ying Zheng. arms and armor, works of art in gold Although various assortments of and silver, and other cultural relics. the terracotta soldiers have been dis- A bucket-shaped mask with an played previously in museums in New open mouth and cut-out eyes is the York, Philadelphia, Seattle and else- oldest object, dating to 3500 BC, when The sculptures of the Terracotta Army at the Terracotta Warrior Museum where, the exhibit in Richmond also an exorcist would have worn it while in Xian in north China’s Shaanxi province. includes 40 objects never seen in the performing rituals to ward off evil spir- U.S., including ancient jade ornaments, its and misfortune. A necklace of red of war. There’s the armored general, recent weekday afternoon exploring precious jewelry and ceramics. agate beads and white jade pendants with detailed carving depicting a pro- the exhibit with her husband. “Terracotta Army: Legacy of the was a type of jewelry favored by Qin tective leather apron overlaid with “I was expecting them to look like First Emperor of China” is only being nobility. A bronze household lamp plated armor. An infantryman stands a terracotta flower pot, but they’re very shown in Richmond and at the Cincin- would have contained vegetable oil or at attention with both arms at his side. intricate,” she said. “For those of us nati Art Museum, where it goes after animal fat, capable of burning for long A standing archer and a kneeling who couldn’t get to China, this is some- its run in Virginia ends March 11. periods of time in an era before archer depict the Qin military strat- thing very special.” The exhibit explores the life of Ying candles. egy, requiring one group of archers to Her husband, David James, liked Zheng — who declared himself Qin Visitors encounter an imposing stand and provide cover fire while seeing the ancient weapons used by Shihuang, the first emperor — and how sight as they enter the third room: The another group knelt and loaded bolts the warriors. he influenced China during his reign terracotta soldiers, 6 feet tall and into their crossbows. “I wouldn’t have imagined they from 221 to 210 BC. Historians believe weighing between 250 and 400 Connie James, a retired kindergar- would have been used in a cross- he ordered the construction of the ter- pounds each, are positioned in indi- ten teacher from Richmond, bow at that time, but they were,” he racotta army, which was buried in pits vidual open cases, in various poses appreciated the details as she spent a said.
Hazy to misty / foggy over most areas at first becomes moderate temperature with some clouds, cold by night. Giant mural Thai teacher turns to DNA
to prove $1m lottery win HIGH TIDE 02:30 – 12:30 LOW TIDE 07:30 – 19:45
Courtesy: Qatar Meteorology Department Bangkok AFP
DNA test will decide the fate of a near $1m lot- tery prize after a Thai teacher said he lost the A winning tickets which were later claimed by an ex-cop. A bitter legal wrangle unfolded after 50-year-old teacher Preecha Kraikruan filed a complaint that he had lost the five lottery tickets which won a draw last month. Authorities discovered the 30m baht ($920,000) prize had already been collected by retired policemen Charoon Wimon, 62, in western Kan- chanaburi province. With both parties claiming the cash is rightfully theirs, forensic police are now step- ping in to determine whose finger prints match the ticket stubs. “No one has been charged yet in this case as we have to wait for the DNA test results,” Krissana Sapdet, deputy Kanchanaburi provincial police com- mander, said. A forensic official with the justice department said A graffiti mural on a wall in the Jordanian capital Amman. A tiny group of graffiti artists the results are expected next month. The government-run lottery, which is drawn twice are on a mission — daubing flowers, faces and patterns across the capital Amman to bring a month, has a fanatical following in a kingdom where more colour to the lives of its four million inhabitants. nearly all other forms of gambling are banned. Eating broccoli slows down cancer-cells growth
Washington (Sulforaphane) which directly fights On the other hand, it became clear to copper, magnesium, iodine, manga- QNA cancerous tumors and is able to scientists from England that green cau- nese, boron, chromium), as well as folic destroy infected cells by preventing liflower fights the development of acid, thiamine and riboflavin. S scientists discovered great them from reproducing without harm- more common joints disease, because It also removes toxins from the potential for broccoli in the fight ing any of the healthy cells around Sulforaphane slows down destruction body, prevents the development of Uagainst cancer and considered them, scientists at the US University of of cartilage in joints. hardening of the arteries, improves the it the best vegetable to protect humans Michigan said. The findings of the study Broccoli is useful because it is rich work of the heart, strengthens the hair from this disease. showed that the use of broccoli in food in vitamins A, C, E, B1, B2 and PP and and slows down the aging process. Broccoli contains a large propor- periodically reduces the number of contains many minerals (potassium, Scientists advise people to eat tion of the chemical compound cancer cells in the body significantly. calcium, phosphorus, iron, sodium, green cauliflower fresh or boiled. ‘Garbage emergency’ in Bali amid sea of waste
Kuta, Indonesia Often dubbed a paradise on earth, AFP the Indonesian holiday island has become an embarrassing poster child ali’s palm-fringed Kuta beach has for the country’s trash problem. long been a favourite with tour- The archipelago of more than Bists seeking sun and surf, but 17,000 islands is the world’s second nowadays its golden shoreline is dis- biggest contributor to marine debris appearing under a mountain of after China, and a colossal 1.29 million garbage. metric tons is estimated to be produced A rubbish collector clearing trash at Kuta beach near Denpasar in Bali. Plastic straws and food packaging annually by Indonesia. The waves of are strewn between sunbathers, while plastic flooding into rivers and oceans six-kilometre stretch of coast that with each visit to the island. “No one surfers bobbing behind the waves have been causing problems for years included popular beaches. wants to sit on nice beach chairs and dodge waste flushed out from rivers -- clogging waterways in cities, Officials deployed 700 cleaners facing all this rubbish,” he added. Bali’s or brought in by swirling currents. increasing the risk of floods, and injur- and 35 trucks to remove roughly 100 rubbish problem is at its worst during “When I want to swim, it is not ing or killing marine animals who tons of debris each day to a nearby the annual monsoon season, when really nice. I see a lot of garbage here ingest or become trapped by plastic landfill. “People with green uniform strong winds push marine flotsam onto every day, every time,” Austrian trave- packaging. were collecting the garbage to move the beach and swollen rivers wash rub- ler Vanessa Moonshine explains. The problem has grown so bad that it away but the next day I saw the same bish from riverbanks to the coast, “It’s always coming from the officials in Bali last month declared a situation,” said German Claus Dignas, according to Putu Eka Merthawan from ocean. It’s really horrible,” she adds. “garbage emergency” across a who claimed he saw more garbage the local environment agency. 16 HOME FRIDAY 29 DECEMBER 2017