UAE Paid US Firm for Anti-Qatar News

BUSINESS | Page 1 SPORT | Page 1 Qatar thrash Saudi Arabia

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SUNDAY Vol. XXXVIII No. 10705 January 21, 2018 Jumada I 4, 1439 AH

GULF TIMES www. gulf-times.com 2 Riyals Qatar, US sign deal on anti-terror financing UAE paid US ﬁ rm In brief for anti-Qatar news

ARAB WORLD | Diplomacy he data fi rm whose work for mental FARA fi lings by US lobbyists from a new awareness that a failure to Sudan hails Qatar role in Donald Trump’s campaign at- and public relations fi rms since Special disclose overseas political work could Ttracted the interest of Robert Counsel Mueller charged two Trump lead to federal charges. achieving Darfur peace Mueller’s investigators has recently aides with failing to disclose their lob- In October, Mueller indicted former Governor of Khartoum State fi led paperwork showing it had helped bying work on behalf of foreign coun- Trump campaign manager Paul Man- General Abdul-Rahim Mohamed spread negative information about Qa- tries. afort and his business partner Rick Hussein yesterday expressed tar, NBC News has reported. The number of fi rst-time fi lings like Gates. They have pleaded not guilty. appreciation to Qatar’s role in Qatar was targeted by Saudi Arabia SCL Social Limited’s rose 50% to 102 Former Trump National Security Ad- achieving security and stability in and the United Arab Emirates in a bit- between 2016 and 2017, an NBC News viser Michael Flynn pleaded guilty in Darfur. Hussein highlighted Qatar’s ter propaganda battle in the run-up to analysis found. The number of sup- December to lying to the FBI. Includ- role in sponsoring and supporting their announcement of severing rela- plemental fi lings, which include details ed in his statement of off ence was the negotiations between the Sudanese tions with Doha on June 5 last year, and about campaign donations, meetings fi nding by Mueller’s team that Flynn government and armed groups, they have continued to do so ever since. and phone calls, more than doubled made materially false statements in his which eventually led to the signing The parent company of Cambridge from 618 to 1,244 last year as lobby- FARA fi lings about his work on behalf of the Doha Document for Peace in Analytica fi led documents with the US ists scrambled to avoid the same fate as of Turkey. Darfur. Speaking at a conference for Justice Department’s Foreign Agents some of Trump’s associates and their The $333,000 contract between SCL the National Liberation and Justice Registration Unit disclosing $333,000 business partners. Social Limited and the National Media Party, Hussein said that the party Qatar’s Attorney General HE Dr Ali bin Fetais al-Marri, who is currently visiting in payments by the UAE for a 2017 so- The flood of new filings provides a Council of the UAE included creat- itself was one of the outcomes of the Washington, has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the US cial media campaign linking the Qa- small window into the long-opaque ing multiple ads on Facebook, Twitter, Doha document. Attorney General Jeff Sessions. The MoU aims at strengthening co-operation taris to terrorism. In June, US President industry of foreign lobbying in Wash- YouTube and other social media sites between the Qatari Public Prosecution and the US Department of Justice in Trump showed support to the aggres- ington in which money is spent by with the hashtag #boycottqatar, draw- QATAR | Offi cial capacity-building, as well as co-operation in the fight against terrorism and its sive Saudi and UAE stance against Qa- foreign governments to sway the ing ties between terrorism and Qatar. financing and combating cyber crime. tar, and their decision to cut diplomatic opinions of the American public and SCL Social Limited spread the nega- Initiative to regulate ties. US officials, most often against their tive ads during the United Nations laundry services The fi ling by SCL Social Limited is adversaries. General Assembly meeting in Septem- The Ministry of Economy and one of hundreds of new and supple- The uptick, legal experts say, comes ber. Commerce has announced an initiative to regulate the services of laundries and dry-cleaning shops in Qatar. The move is in accordance Three new private with Circular No. 1/2018 and in line with the ministry’s policy to regulate Turkey opens new front in Syria war commercial activities. According to a statement issued by the ministry, hospitals to be this initiative comes to ensure that Reuters The operation, which the Turks YPG militia and that no civilians had the suppliers comply with their Hassa, Turkey/Beirut dubbed “Operation Olive Branch”, sees been hurt. obligations under Law No. 8 of 2008 Ankara confronting Kurdish fi ghters “In a situation like this our expec- on consumer protection and its built on govt land allied to the United States. tations from everyone and especially executive regulations. Page 2 urkey opened a new front in Syr- “We are carrying out this operation from our allies is that they side with us, ia’s war yesterday, launching air- from land and air,” Foreign Minister not with terrorists,” he said, appearing AMERICA | Politics he Ministry of Public Health investment in the health and medical Tstrikes against a US-backed Kurd- Mevlut Cavusoglu told broadcaster to refer to Washington. One year on, Trump leads (MoPH) has recently announced sector and it provided investors with ish militia in Afrin province that raise the NTV. Some 108 targets had been hit in air- Ta public tender for the private adequate incentives to launch such prospect of worsening relations between He said the attacks were being car- strikes, the Turkish military said. US into govt shutdown sector to build and operate three pri- projects. Ankara and Nato ally Washington. ried out to target the Syrian-Kurdish Page 7 US President Donald Trump vate hospitals on government-owned Khalid al-Emadi, Executive Direc- marked the first anniversary of his land. tor of Al Ahli Hospital, pointed out that inauguration yesterday with his The tender was issued in accordance the move constituted a real partner- government in shutdown, accusing with the decision of the Ministerial ship between both the private and the Democrats of taking Americans Group for the Encouragement and Par- public sector, as the private health sec- hostage with their demands and ticipation of the Private Sector in the tor in Qatar needed further incentives putting immigrants ahead of the Economic Development Projects. and support as was the case with other nation’s military. As the clock An offi cial source told local Arabic business fi elds to grow and expand. struck midnight, in the absence of daily Arrayah that the capital to be in- However, he called for stability in the an agreed spending plan, federal vested in these hospitals would amount required standards, pointing out that services began to come to a halt or to QR1bn. The total space of land al- frequent changes would burden inves- be scaled back. Essential services located to the three hospitals comes to tors with unnecessary extra cost, which and military activity will continue 137,904sq m with a combined capacity might have not been planned when the but many public sector workers of 310 beds. project was fi rst adopted. will be sent home without wages. The source estimated that the Dr Othman Ramadan, Director of Page 11 number of patients visiting the three Doha Clinic Hospital, praised the move hospitals, at the inpatient and outpa- but asked for more fl exibility in process- AFGHANISTAN | Unrest tient clinics together, would be around ing the necessary procedures to issue the 60,000 a year. The new healthcare fa- required licenses and documents. Gunmen attack Kabul’s cilities would considerably enhance Adbularhman al-Emadi, CEO of Al Intercontinental Hotel the quality of the health services in Emadi Hospital, asked that the private A group of as many as four gunmen the country, and it is considered a ma- health sector should be more involved attacked the Intercontinental jor step to support investment in the in the decision-making process by Hotel in the Afghan capital Kabul health sector. MoPH which would ultimately benefi t last night, seizing hostages and Meanwhile, a number of entre- the sector in the country. exchanging gunfire with security preneurs have affi rmed that allocat- Neither the locations nor the dates forces as the building caught fire ing plots of land for the project was a for the completion of the project were and residents and staff fled. proper step towards the expansion of disclosed. Hundreds of fl u cases seen at PECs daily

amad Medical Corporation periencing dangerous or life-threaten- (HMC)’s fi ve Paediatric Emer- ing symptoms, such as a cardiac arrest Hgency Centres (PECs) have re- or convulsions. ported an increase in patients with cold The PECs are equipped to handle a and fl u symptoms in recent weeks, as wide range of conditions – from chron- temperatures continued to drop. ic disease to critical illness; however, Dr Mohamed al-Amri, senior con- patients with minor illnesses are asked sultant for Paediatric Emergency Med- to seek treatment at their local health icine and assistant director of the PECs, centres, with only emergency cases go- said the increase in the number of chil- ing to the PECs. dren coming to PECs since the onset of Dr al-Amri told that the cooler winter also coincides with the start of climate is a “fertile ground” for the the new school term. Dr Mohamed al-Amri spread of viruses. “Winter is the per- “Across all fi ve of the PECs, we see fect season for the spread of viruses around 3,000 cases per day with Al Daayen and Al Shamal receive around such as flu and common cold, and Sadd PEC receiving the highest number 200 patients each day,” Dr al-Amri said. especially for a virus known as respi- of patients at around 1,700 cases per He noted that the number of nurs- ratory syncytial virus (RSV) – a com- day. This is followed by Al Rayyan PEC, ing and medical staff is increased dur- mon and very contagious virus that which sees up to 750 cases daily. The ing times of higher patient volumes. infects the respiratory tract of most Old Airport PEC receives around 300 In treating patients, priority is given to children before their second birthday. cases each day while the PECs in Al critical situations wherein a child is ex- To Page 2 Gulf Times 2 Sunday, January 21, 2018 QATAR MEC initiative to regulate laundry services in Qatar he Ministry of Economy items upon receipt and indicate by the compensation value owed Highlights and Commerce (MEC) has whether the items are defective to the consumer is determined Tannounced an initiative to or damaged, as well as document by calculating the estimated z The initiative grants laundries tion when damage occurs. regulate the services of laundries this condition in the invoice be- monetary value of the item when and dry-cleaning shops a period z The consumer is required and dry-cleaning shops in Qatar. fore the service is provided. the damage occurred and sub- of three months, starting yester- to keep the laundry service The move is based on Circu- Prior to the initiative, laun- tracting from the invoice pur- day, to comply. invoice and to document any lar No 1/2018 and in line with dry shops were not required chase price the depreciation cal- z Consumers must keep an special agreement with the the ministry’s policy to regulate to document the condition of culated based on the value table. invoice of purchased clothes and laundry. commercial activities in accord- items (clothes, carpets and oth- z Calculation of the mone- items delivered to laundries and z The initiative compels laun- ance with applicable laws and ers) upon receipt and before the tary compensation for damaged dry-cleaning shops. dries to advertise the service regulations governing the pro- service was provided. items z The initiative guarantees the delivery period, regular delivery tection of basic consumer rights, z Distinguishing between In this context, the ministry consumer’s right to compensa- prices and urgent delivery prices. the MEC has said in a statement. regular service prices and quick has explained how to calculate The ministry has outlined service prices the monetary value of an item the obligations of laundries and As for the distinction between from the date the damage oc- complaint with the relevant au- laundry, in addition to the date dry-cleaning shops towards the prices and terms for a regular curred as follows: thorities or request compensa- of delivery, and to ensure a sat- consumers as part of the ini- service as opposed to an urgent 1. In case the damage occurred tion before competent courts. isfactory agreement with the tiative, which comes within the service, the initiative compels within three months from the * Compelling laundries to laundry before the delivery of framework of the MEC’s eff orts laundries to announce the serv- date of purchase, the value of draft invoices including points expensive or new items to ensure to control markets and ensure ice delivery period and distin- the compensation shall be 70% of initiative fair compensation in the event of that suppliers comply with their guish between normal and ur- of the value of the item. In case The ministry highlighted the damage. obligations under Law No 8 of gent deadlines and their prices. of damage after three months to right of each laundry to draft the z Predetermined item deliv- 2008 on consumer protection Previously, most laundries did six months from the date of pur- invoice in the manner it deems ery date and its regulations, as well as not announce the diff erence in chase, the value of the compen- appropriate, with an obligation The ministry has urged con- to ensure consumers’ access to price between regular and urgent sation shall be 50% of the value to indicate whether the item is sumers to specify the delivery correct information and data on service delivery. of the item. defective or damaged, and to date of clothing and other items goods and services, the state- z Initiative compels laundries compensation policy regard- laundry, particularly expensive 2. In case the damage occurs document the condition in the in the invoice. The non-comment notes. to preserve clothes for three ing damage to clothing or other items. The compensation must between six months and one invoice before providing the pliance of laundries and dry- The initiative “plays an im- months items amid the lack of a uniform be documented in the invoice year from the date of purchase, service. The laundry must also cleaning shops with the delivery portant role in ensuring numer- Prior to the initiative, the pe- compensation policy. relating to the item as a reference the compensation value is set at note the distinction between deadline is contrary to Law No 8 ous key benefi ts to consumers”, riod for which laundries must re- Within the framework of in case of damage. 30% of the item value. regular and urgent deadline and of 2008 on consumer protection. including informing consumers tain clothing and other items was the MEC’s goal to preserve the Under the second scenario, in 3. If the damage occurs one the service prices, in addition to z Legal deadline to comply of the advertised services that not determined, whereby each rights of consumers by regulat- the absence of an agreement be- year after purchasing the item, preserving clothing and other with regulations are actually provided by the shop had its own policy to de- ing the relationship between the tween both parties the laundry the compensation value is set at items for a three-month period. The MEC has granted laun- laundry. It also compels laun- termine the period during which trader and consumer based on owner shall seek an agreement 20% of the item’s value. The Ministry noted that con- dries and dry-cleaning shops a dries to clearly inform consum- it would be responsible for pre- clear grounds that guarantee the with the consumer on the value 4. In case of mandatory com- sumers must present the pur- three-month deadline, start- ers whether these advertised serving clothes and other items rights of both parties, the ini- of compensation for the damage, pensation in the absence of a chase invoice of an item to obtain ing yesterday, comply with the services are actually off ered at against loss and damage. How- tiative on regulating the services loss, colour change, etc, to end purchase invoice, the consumer compensation according to the terms and conditions of the ini- the same shop, or through an- ever, after the launch of the ini- of laundries and dry-cleaning the dispute without infringing is compensated for the dam- estimated monetary value. tiative. Upon expiration of this other one. This was not the case tiative, all laundry shops are re- shops outlines the compensa- the rights of the consumer while aged items (damage, loss, colour z Retaining invoices ensures period, employees of the com- in the past, when some laundries sponsible for preserving clothes tion mechanisms, which include taking into account the condi- change, etc.) at 15 times the cost consumers ‘right to compensa- petent department will monitor advertised services that they did and other items for three months. agreed-upon compensation and tion, price and date of purchase of the service provided to the tion’ the compliance of laundries and not provide or off ered through z Clear mechanisms and mandatory compensation. of the items concerned by refer- consumer by the seller. The MEC has urged consum- dry-cleaning shops with the pro- other shops without the con- principles that guarantee both z Agreed-upon compensa- ring to the purchase invoice or The MEC has explained that ers to retain the purchase invoice visions of the initiative and take sumer’s knowledge, the MEC parties’ rights tion through other means, the MEC the gradual compensation of clothes and items delivered to legal action against violators. said. Other benefi ts of the initiative The ministry has outlined two statement explains. mechanism provides fl exibil- laundries and dry-cleaning shops The MEC has urged consum- In addition, the new initiative include compelling laundries scenarios with respect to the * Mandatory compensation ity, allowing the consumer and to ensure their rights to compen- ers to report any violations compels laundries to provide to develop uniform and bind- agreed-upon compensation. As for mandatory compensa- laundry to fi nd the best solu- sation when some damage occurs. through the call centre: 16001, proof of the condition of clothing mechanisms to compensate The fi rst scenario is that both tion, the MEC has said it includes tion to end the dispute. If the It is also necessary to retain e-mail: [email protected], Twit- ing and other items upon receipt consumers in the event of dam- parties agree on the compensa- paying compensation based on consumer believes the off ered the laundry service invoice to ter: @MEC_Qatar, Instagram: by the laundry. In this context, age, loss, change of colour or tion value before the provision the estimated monetary value compensation based on these document the condition of the MEC_Qatar and the ministry’s laundry shops are required to other damage to the item. Previ- of the service and the delivery (provided the purchase invoice mechanisms is inappropriate, he clothes upon delivery or any mobile app for Android and iOS: inspect the condition of the ously, each laundry had its own of clothing or other items to the of the item is presented), where- or she reserves the right to fi le a special agreement with the MEC_Qatar

Hundreds of cold and ﬂ u cases seen at PECs daily Mobile medical centre

From Page 1 spread of illness by being ob- for workers sought RSV is characterised by high servant and recognising symp- temperature, cough and sore toms of illness, such as high throat. It appears in newborns temperature, and then ensure ome construction work- coming years as well, according in the form of bronchitis and can prompt communication with ers living on the northern to sources. also cause children to feel lethar- the child’s parents. He also rec- Sfringes of Doha have sug- Workers, mainly residents of gic,” he explained. ommends schools promote the gested that mobile health clinics labour accommodation units Dr al-Amri warned against the importance of good personal could be operated in the Umm in the area, have long been de- excessive use of antibiotics in hygiene, such as hand washing, Salal area. manding the setting up of a treating children with high tem- especially, when a child is sick. These and other expatriates workers’ health centre there as perature. “Antibiotics should be He noted that it is better to keep have been seeking the establish- they need to travel either to Al given only in cases of bacterial sick children at home for at least ment of a workers’ health centre Khor or Mesaimeer to meet their infection or ear infections. An- two days and prevent them from “somewhere in the Umm Salal health requirements. tibiotics are not eff ective in the having contact with other chil- municipal area” for long, it is To do so, they say considerable treatment of viral infections as dren, especially newborns. found. time is consumed to reach either they destroy beneﬁ cial bacteria The PEC has a dedicated 24- There has been a “signiﬁ cant” centre and hence they are asking in the digestive system. It is also hour telephone hotline, managed rise in the number of expatriate for a workers’ medical centre in important for parents to know by registered nurses, which aims workers in the area owing to the the Umm Salal area. that cough inhibitors are strictly to provide “quick and appropri- rapid and large-scale construc- It has been reported that “no prohibited for newborns and ate advice” about common pae- tion work going on there over the less than 30,000 workers” are should not be given to children diatric health conditions, HMC past 4-5 years. staying in the camps in Umm under six years of age as they said. The hotline can be reached at Work on a number of new Salal, Khartiyat and their neigh- could aff ect their nervous sys- 44396011 and 44396066. roads and other infrastructure bouring areas. More workers’ tem,” he cautioned. “We receive about 200 calls development projects has also camps are relocating to such He said that teachers and per month on our hotline, most been reported from places sur- places because of the better other school staff can play an of which are related to medica- rounding Umm Salal, and more and cheaper availability of land PECs provide ‘high-quality, safe and compassionate’ clinical care. important role in preventing the tions,” he added. projects are expected in the there. International media professionals to visit NU-Q

group of distinguished ment and educational leaders tives; Elizabeth Heller Allen, degrees from Medill. The pro- journalism and media and visit Al Jazeera, among other senior counsellor for Pulse- gramme leads to careers as jour- Aprofessionals will be vis- venues. Point Group; Andrea Cunning- nalists, editors and strategic iting Qatar as part of a delega- The group will also have an ham, founder and president of communicators. In addition, tion to Northwestern University opportunity to explore NU-Q’s Cunningham Collective and many of the school’s graduates in Qatar (NU-Q). new building, which features who worked with Steve Jobs in continue their academic careers The group, which includes key “one of the most technologi- helping launch the Apple Mac- at top international universi- members of Northwestern’s Me- cally advanced newsrooms in the intosh; David Louie, business ties, including Oxford, Harvard, dill School of Journalism, Media, world along with other cutting- editor and tech reporter for the Northwestern and Columbia. Integrated Marketing Commu- edge technology”, according to a ABC affiliate in San Francisco; Medill is consistently ranked nications’ board of advisers, will press statement by NU-Q. and Thomas Schaffner, princi- as one of the top schools of jour- spend time in Education City to Members of the Medill board pal, founder, Schaffner Com- nalism in the US and its alumni learn more about the university’s of advisers who will be visiting munications Inc. include Pulitzer Prize winners, international campus. NU-Q are Al From, a commu- In addition to the members national correspondents for ma- “We’re pleased to welcome nications expert who founded of the advisory board, other jor networks and publications, this distinguished group of the Democratic Leadership members of the delegation are and leaders in the ﬁ eld of strate- media leaders from the Medill Council, which The New York Abe Peck, professor emeritus in gic communication. School,” said Everette E Dennis, Times called one of the “…most service and director of business “Students who graduate from dean and CEO, NU-Q. “Their influential think tanks in his- to business communications at NU-Q beneﬁ t from being part visit reinforces an already strong tory”; Rance Crain, president Medill, as well as Medill staff ers of Northwestern’s wider com- relationship between NU-Q and and editorial director of Crain Julie Fraha, Josephine Goldberg munity of alumni who hold ma- Medill. As the leading journal- Communications; Patricia and Beth Moellers. jor positions with organisations ism school in the United States, Blackburn, an award-winning NU-Q, the 12th school of around the world,” said Dennis. having Medill’s leadership meet corporate communications ex- Northwestern University, of- “Through various cross-campus with faculty and students from ecutive; Sue Bohle, president fers degrees from the univer- initiatives, the university con- the Journalism and Strategic of The Bohle Company; Scott sity’s School of Communication tinuously seeks opportunities Communication Programme.” Klug, managing director, pub- and the Medill School. Students to bridge the gap between Qa- While in Qatar, the delegation, lic affairs for Foley & Lardner enrolled in the Journalism and tar and Evanston, and visits like led by Medill’s Dean Brad Hamm, LLP and a former member of Strategic Communication Pro- these are examples of this com- will meet with media, govern- the US House of Representa- gramme at NU-Q receive their mitment.” The NU-Q newsroom. Gulf Times Sunday, January 21, 2018 3 QATAR Commercial Bank hosts members of Sadara

ommercial Bank re- your trust and satisfaction.” cently hosted its key Sadara Wealth relation- CSadara members to ship managers also attended build customer relationships the dinner, using the time to and thank them for their loy- help demonstrate the many alty at a dinner held for female ways the bank’s international clients in Doha. reach and local expertise can Commercial Bank AGM, enhance customers’ fi nan- head of Sadara Wealth Man- cial requirements locally and Artwork from ‘Qatar Cares’ events will be displayed at the Bayt Aman residential villa. agement, Bouchra Sebbata, abroad, Commercial Bank said said: “It’s been more than 40 in a statement. years since Commercial Bank More events are set to be was incorporated and our organised throughout the year main interest has always been as Commercial Bank seeks to and will always be you, our fully establish its premier Sa- loyal clients, and our aim is to dara proposition in Qatar, the search for the best practices statement notes. to fulfi l your fi nancial needs to The annual dinner is a your satisfaction. strategic initiative to bring HMC, IAD promote “We strive to build more on the bank’s clients together to our strategy to serve you at identify the challenges and fi - any time and from anywhere nancial needs for women-led with what suits you, and businesses. It also provided dedicating a specialised team opportunities for sharing to serve our esteemed Sadara valuable client feedback in a health through art members that aims to gain friendly atmosphere. amad Medical Corpo- “Since opening in July 2016, abilities on December 3, 2017. efi ts that this partnership with them on their journey of recov- ration (HMC), in col- numerous patients have ben- A series of events, organised IAD can bring to our patients. ery,” explained Willy Kempel, Hlaboration with Inter- efi ted from their time at Bayt with the slogan ‘Qatar Cares’, We are committed to providing IAD chairman and ambassador national Artists of Doha (IAD), Aman. We believe it is very will also run until May this year. a calm and healing environment of Austria to Qatar. has launched a six-month pro- important to help these pa- All artwork resulting from for our residents so that we can Bayt Aman, a residential villa gramme aimed at harnessing tients recover fully so that the events will remain the maximise their recovery poten- in Al Thumama, can accommo- the power of art to enhance the they can begin living a nor- property of Bayt Aman and tial before they return home,” date up to 12 guests at a time and health and well-being of resi- mal daily life before returning be displayed for residents to said Dr al-Yazeedi. is staff ed 24 hours a day, seven dents at the former’s Bayt Aman home,” explained Dr Wafa al- enjoy. The project will end “IAD believes that art can days a week by a charge nurse residential facility. Yazeedi, chairperson of Qatar with a public exhibition in a have a real positive impact on and patient care attendants. Bayt Aman provides a safe and Rehabilitation Institute. renowned art gallery in De- the health and well-being of in- Guests being cared for at Bayt restorative environment for ex- Formal activities between cember, marking the Inter- dividuals and society. We hope Aman no longer need the clinical patriate workers who have com- HMC and IAD began with an national Day of Persons with that our partnership with HMC supervision provided at HMC’s pleted medical treatment and art workshop to mark Interna- Disabilities 2018. can bring positive energy to the rehabilitation and long-term are waiting to return home. tional Day of Persons with Dis- “I am excited about the ben- residents of Bayt Aman and help care units. Bank off icial with Sadara members during an interaction event. ibq, Visa off er chance to attend FIFA World Cup in Russia

nternational Bank of companion of their choice “With over 60 years of Qatar (ibq) has teamed and runs until March 31. operations in the country, Iup with Visa to launch The winner will be contact- ibq continuously strives an exclusive promotion. ed in April when the draw to innovate in ways to For every QR250 spent takes place, ibq has said in a strengthen customer re- with the ibq Visa Platinum statement. lationships, which are at or ibq Visa Signature credit Hassan al-Mulla, AGM – the heart of what we do. I card, the bank’s custom- head of retail banking at ibq, would like to thank Visa for ers will get a chance to win said, “Tickets to the 2018 their trust and we wish our an exclusive trip to attend FIFA World Cup in Russia, customers the best of luck the 2018 FIFA World Cup in in partnership with Visa, to win a wonderful football Russia. Hassan al-Mulla showcase our commitment experience in Russia.” The package includes to excellence in customer Both existing and new two roundtrip tickets from two persons, as well as two service and uniqueness in ibq Visa credit card holders, Qatar to Russia and a ﬁ ve- tickets to one match. customer experience by of- Qataris and residents, are day, four-night accommo- The promotion is off ered fering the most unexpected eligible to participate in the dation in a deluxe hotel for to one ibq customer and one and exclusive promotions. promotion. Mannai GMC sponsors Ride of Champions

atar’s exclusive GMC dealer, Mannai Trading, wheeled in two Qnew vehicles as part of backing the Ride of Champions Festival. Mannai Trading was the offi cial automotive sponsor of the mass participation event, which seeks to promote cycling and build a sporting and healthy legacy for families and within the wider community. The Ride of Champions took place on November 24, 2017 at Qatar Foun- dation in the Ceremonial Court, in the GMC vehicles at the event. presence of delegates from embassies and Qatar ministries. “Qatar has gained recognition over to event-goers by off ering two off ers The event follows Qatar’s hosting recent years as a location for inter- on the Acadia and Terrain brands, of the 2016 UCI Road Cycling World national cycling events and Mannai available at QR2,422 a month (Acadia) Championships, which attracted Trading is delighted to be sponsoring and QR1,555 (Terrain), respectively, 1,000 cyclists. this year’s campaign.” according to a press statement. The event comprised three catego- Dr Abdulaziz al-Kuwari, president The GMC Campaign gives custom- ries of distances to be covered by the of Qatar Cyclists Centre, the event ers an in-house ﬁ nancing option to cyclists: 48km, 78km and 137. 5km. organisers, said: “We are very grate- make a low down-payment, with the The day also included a festival of cy- ful to Mannai Trading for supporting remaining amount being paid within cling for families and new riders to the the event; the GMC support vehicles those three years or more. sport at Qatar Foundation. played a crucial role in leading rid- In-house credit is available, and Mannai Trading displayed the GMC ers on their experience and helped to the remaining balance after three Terrain and Acadia during the event, ensure the safety of the event. GMC’s years can be loaned and paid for an- and gave away special gift prizes support, stand and prizes added to the other period of two to three years. during the event to lucky individuals. overall community feel of the event and There are also leasing programmes Mohamed Helmy, Group general we hope to work with them in coming with zero down-payment options, the manager at Mannai Automotive Group, years to make the event bigger and bet- statement notes. said: “As a business, we wanted to ac- ter. It’s fantastic they are continuing Both the GMC Terrain and Acadia tively support sport and health projects their support with special off ers for include three years’ comprehensive within the community, and the Ride of participants and cyclists in Qatar.” insurance, three years’ service pro- Champions is a fantastic opportunity to During the event, Mannai Automo- gramme and three years’ registration help put back into the community. tive extended the new GMC Campaign package. Gulf Times 4 Sunday, January 21, 2018 QATAR QRCS provides food aid for famine victims in S Sudan

Food aid atar Red Crescent fi cult to access drought- Society (QRCS) has stricken areas, leaving thou- Qannounced that it sands at risk of death if food has launched, in response to aid is not immediately se- the alarming humanitarian cured, the statement notes. situation in South Sudan, The programme is in line a relief intervention to help with a memorandum of un- the victims of famine in the derstanding signed between war-torn country, at a total QRCS and WFP in April cost of $300,000. 2017 to secure technical and Co-implemented by Ku- logistical services through wait Red Crescent Society the UN Humanitarian Re- (KRCS) and the World Food sponse Depots network, a Programme (WFP), the ini- preparedness tool that sup- tiative involves delivering ports the strategic stockpil- 187 tonnes of popular food ing eff orts of the wider hu- items such as maize, cereals manitarian community. and vegetable oil, QRCS said Having commenced its op- in a press statement. erations there in 2013, QRCS The food supplies were has conducted several health, procured from neighbour- water and sanitation projects ing countries and stored at A QRCS delegate in South Sudan with funding WFP’s warehouses, in co- from Qatar Fund for Develop- ordination with the local cessible areas, where a team and KRCS representatives. already have severe malnu- ment. Among the achieve- authorities. of WFP is stationed to collect More than 100,000 people trition. According to interna- ments are digging water wells, The fi rst batch of aid was and distribute them among the are facing widespread fam- tional reports, 5mn people are building toilets and promoting airdropped by United Nations benefi ciaries. The distribution ine in several parts of South in dire need of help. environmental hygiene, the aircraft to the worst-hit, inac- will be supervised by QRCS Sudan, and 270,000 children Insecurity makes it dif- statement adds. QC launches urgent relief campaign for Yemen

QNA In the fi eld of the healthcare, the tive Directorate of International Op- the worst humanitarian disaster in Doha campaign will provide medical sup- erations at Qatar Charity, said: “The Yemen if everyone does not unite to plies and medicines to displaced humanitarian crisis that Yemen has stop this tragedy urgently, especially Yemenis. been experiencing for years has ex- since the harsh winter increases the atar Charity (QC) has launched Due to the scarcity of clean water acerbated the humanitarian situa- suff ering of thousands of Yemeni an urgent relief campaign for and the near total lack of environ- tion in various fi elds, especially af- families. Qthe aff ected people of Yemen mental sanitation, which has be- fecting the daily lives of citizens. Al-Yafei urged Qatari and expatri- because of the worsening humanitar- come a source of danger for more These include non-availability ate philanthropists to donate to the ian situation there. than 8mn Yemenis, the campaign of water, lack of food, and almost campaign in order to alleviate the The campaign called “urgent re- will contribute to the provision of complete collapse of medical serv- suff ering of the people of Yemen, lief for Yemen”, aims to provide care potable water to most of the regions ices due to lack of medicines and the pointing out that the exceptional and support to more than 18mn and governorates there. paucity or lack of medical consuma- situation that Yemen has been going Yemenis in urgent need of various As more than 4mn Yemeni refu- bles. This has resulted in internal on for many years. forms of assistance including shel- gees struggle to survive the harsh displacements from major cities to Qatar Charity (QC) has carried ter, food, medicine, drinking water winter cold, the campaign will rural areas, increasing human suf- out several previous relief cam- and heating supplies. In the fi eld provide blankets, mattresses and fering”, he added. paigns for the aff ected people of of food, food baskets are also made clothes for diff erent ages. He pointed out that interna- Yemen between 2008 and 2017 in up of eight main food items, with a Khalid al-Yafi e, Director of tional reports sounded the alarm areas of healthcare, food, shelter, value of QR300. Project Management at the Execu- that in 2018 the world may witness and various projects.

Gulf Times 6 Sunday, January 21, 2018 QATAR Children with diabetes Joyalukkas holds promotion draw learn self-management skills at Al Bawasil camp

he 18th Al Bawasil regional diabetes calendar, parents of children with serve as a platform to teach Diabetes Camp, according to a statement. diabetes who, in return, diabetes self-manage- Torganised by Qa- Dr Abdulla al-Hamaq, encourage their kids to ment skills. The fi ve-day tar Diabetes Association executive director, QDA, participate in the camp to programme will feature (QDA), a member of Qatar said: “The mission of our improve their health and topics such as blood glu- Foundation, held its open- camp is to focus on children enhance their self-confi - cose monitoring, recog- ing ceremony under the with diabetes and facilitate dence as participants.” nition and management patronage of HE Sheikh their experience in a medi- The QDA initiative, held of hypo-/hyperglycae- Mohamed bin Hamad bin cally safe environment. In in collaboration with As- mia and ketosis, insulin Khalifa al-Thani. addition, the programme pire Academy, brings to- types and administration The camp, which runs enables children with dia- gether 55 children from techniques, carbohydrate until January 25 at Aspire betes to meet and share several countries, includ- counting, healthy lifestyles Academy, is open to boys their experiences with one ing Sudan, Morocco, Pa- issues – including integra- and girls aged seven to 11 another while they learn to kistan, Lebanon, Iran, Ku- tion of healthy eating and years who have diabetes. It be more responsible about wait, Palestine, Oman and physical activity, problem- is now in its 18th year and their condition. Iraq. solving skills for caring for has grown to become one “Each year, we provide The Al Bawasil Diabe- diabetes at home versus of the key events on the support and advice to the tes Camp is designed to camp, and life skills for independent living. Additionally, the camp will incorporate simple The draw for the Joyalukkas ‘Shop & Win’ promotion for an Audi car and 200gm gold promotion has been held at sports activities with Joyalukkas Jewellery, Barwa Village, in the presence of an off icial from the Ministry of Economy and Commerce. entertainment events, where the children’s ar- tistic and creative talents will be explored. There will also be a number of visits to local recreational and cultural sites of interest in Qatar, including QNL staff ers complete Qatar National Library and Oxygen Park in Edu- cation City The Al Bawasil Dia- betes Camp is run by a leadership programme team of professionals and made up of six commit- tees, comprising Medical, wo librarians at Qatar National Library (QNL), a member of Qatar Foundation, Nutrition, Activities & recently completed a two-year course to improve their librarianship skills and Programmes, Commu- Tknowledge through the International Network of Emerging Library Innova- nication, Media & Infor- tors-Mena programme (Ineli-Mena). mation, and Finance and Abeer Saad al-Kuwari, research and learning director at QNL, and Amal al-Sham- Organising Personnel. mari, Information Services librarian at QNL, were selected through a competitive A number of skilled process for the opportunity to become future library and information services leaders. medical and event staff will Participants in the programme attended sessions in Germany and Egypt, where be available round the clock they worked on collaborative projects, identifi ed issues and challenges facing public to ensure optimal safety libraries in the Arab region, learned about the functioning of public libraries in de- and an integrated educa- veloped countries and discussed the possibility of applying unifi ed Arab standards in tional experience during public libraries. Children get to know each other at the Al Bawasil Diabetes Camp. the initiative. The programme also included library visits in Ber- lin and Hamburg, Germany. Al-Kuwari’s group’s fi nal project, on establishing a ‘Human Library’, was awarded second place among the programme participants. “This was a wonderful experience that ena- bled both of us to establish a lasting professional network with our fellow librarians in the Mena region,” said al-Kuwari. “We also gained important librarianship skills and knowledge, which we will defi nitely put to use at Qatar National Library, whether in promoting literacy on a local level or helping researchers worldwide to better understand Qatar and the region.” Throughout the programme, which is an initiative of the Bill and Melinda Gates Founda- tion, the pair also took part in a series of training mod- ules where they learned about building successful teams, innovation, risk and change management, confl ict resolution, library advocacy, and library development. “It’s been a pleasure to work with my colleagues over the last two years to improve our professional and leadership skills, as well as promote co-operation between libraries,” said al-Shammari. “QNL aims to be a beacon of learning not only for Qa- tar, but also for the wider region. An important aspect of that vision is working closely with other institutions to promote knowledge-sharing and best practices.” Dr Sohair F Wastawy, executive director of QNL, said: “QNL is committed to continuous investment in the professional development of all our staff , and particularly our young librarians, who are em- bracing the opportunity to strengthen the culture of reading and learning in Qatar. By completing the rigorous Ineli-Mena programme, Abeer and Amal have demonstrated strong professional growth and made connections throughout the region that will enable QNL to continue its role as an active leader in establishing Qatar as a knowledge hub.” Gulf Times Sunday, January 21, 2018 7 REGION/ARAB WORLD Air strikes pound Syria’s Afrin as Turkey targets Kurdish militia

Reuters they seek autonomy as part of Hassa, Turkey/Beirut Syria, not secession. The Turk- ish military said its Afrin operation was to provide safety for urkey opened a new front Turkey’s border and to “elimi- in Syria’s war yester- nate terrorists... Tday, launching air strikes and save friends and brothers, against a US-backed Kurdish the people of the region, from militia in Afrin province that their cruelty.” raise the prospect of worsening “We will destroy the terror relations between Ankara and corridor gradually as we did in Nato ally Washington. Jarabulus and Al-Bab opera- The operation, which the tions, starting from the west,” Turks dubbed “Operation Olive Turkey’s Erdogan said, refer- Branch”, sees Ankara confront- ring to previous operations in ing Kurdish fi ghters allied to the northern Syria designed to push United States at a time when ties out Islamic State and check the between Turkey and Washington YPG’s advance. — both members of the coalition Earlier yesterday, the military against Islamic State — appear said it hit shelters and hideouts dangerously close to a breaking used by the YPG and other Kurd- point. ish fi ghters, saying Kurdish mili- The attacks could also com- tants had fi red on Turkish posi- plicate Turkey’s push to improve tions inside Turkey. its relationship with Russia. But the US-backed Syrian Moscow will demand in the Democratic Forces — which the United Nations that Turkey halt YPG spearheads — accused Tur- the operation, RIA news report- key yesterday of using crossed, citing a member of the Rus- border shelling as a false pretext sian parliament’s security com- to launch an off ensive in Syria. mittee. A picture taken yesterday, from the Syrian village of Atme in the Diff erences over Syria policy The Syrian government con- Smoke billows on the Syrian side of the border at Hassa near Hatay, southern Turkey yesterday as Turkish northwestern province of Idlib, shows a makeshift refugee camp near have further complicated Tur- demned what it called Turkish jet fighters hit the People’s Protection Units (YPG) positions. the fortification, built by the Turkish government along its border. key’s already diffi cult relation- aggression and said Afrin was an ship with Nato ally the United intrinsic part of Syrian land. in air strikes, the Turkish mili- Rojhat Roj, a YPG media of- ton. Many of them are displaced Turkey considers the YPG to They also said that thousands States. Washington has backed “We are carrying out this op- tary said. fi cial in Afrin, said warplanes from other areas. be an extension of the outlawed of pro-Turkey civilians had es- the YPG, seeing it as an eff ec- eration from land and air,” For- A Turkey-backed rebel group pounded parts of Afrin city and Reuters cameramen in Hassa, Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), caped the YPG-controlled areas tive partner in the fi ght against eign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu in Syria, the Free Syrian Army, villages around it, while there near the border with Syria, heard which has carried out a deadly, in an attempt to reach Aleppo. Islamic State. told broadcaster NTV. was also providing assistance to were skirmishes with Turkish the sound of heavy bombard- three-decade insurgency in Tur- However, the Syrian Observa- A US State Department offi cial He said the attacks were being the operation in Afrin, a senior forces and their rebel allies at the ment and saw thick plumes of key’s mainly Kurdish southeast. tory for Human Rights, a UK- on Friday said military interven- carried out to target the Syrian- Turkish offi cial said. edge of Afrin. smoke rising from the Syrian Turkey has been particularly based monitoring organisation tion by Turkey in Syria would Kurdish YPG militia and that no The YPG said the attacks left it Hevi Mustafa, a top member of side of the border. outraged by an announcement said it was not true that people undermine regional stability and civilians had been hurt. with no choice but to fi ght back, the civilian administration that The warplanes appeared to be that the United States planned were fl eeing en-masse. would not help protect Turkey’s “In a situation like this our saying Ankara had hit civilian governs Afrin, said people were striking from the Turkish side of to train 30,000 personnel in a The YPG’s growing strength border security. expectations from everyone and neighbourhoods and a number holed up in shelters and homes the border, one of the camera- part of eastern Syria under the across large parts of north- Instead, the United States has especially from our allies is that of people had been wounded. and several wounded people had men said. control of the YPG-spearheaded ern Syria has alarmed Ankara, called on Turkey to focus on the they side with us, not with ter- “We will defeat this aggres- arrived in hospitals. The attacks follow weeks of Syrian Democratic Forces. which fears the creation of an fi ght against Islamic State. An- rorists,” he said, appearing to re- sion, like we have defeated other Authorities in the Afrin region warnings against the YPG in Turkish offi cials have said the independent Kurdish state on its kara accuses Washington of us- fer to Washington. such assaults against our villages and war monitors say at least a Syria from President Tayyip Er- operation is likely to continue southern border. ing one terrorist group to fi ght Some 108 targets had been hit and cities,” the YPG said. mn people live in the Afrin can- dogan and his ministers. toward Manbij, further east. Syrian Kurdish leaders say another in Syria. Russia-led ‘peace talks’ set for Jan 30: negotiator

AFP talks behind closed-doors in a So- The war has displaced mil- Moscow chi hotel, Russian news agencies lions of people and is estimated to reported.“I consider the meeting have claimed the lives of at least went well. We managed to agree on 340,000 people since 2011. ussian-led peace talks on lists of participants of the forum,” Moscow said it hopes the UN Syria will be held on January Lavrentyev said. will send its special envoy on Syr- R30 in the Black Sea resort of He said invitations would be ia, Staffan de Mistura, to the Sochi Sochi, Russia’s chief negotiator sent within a few days, quoted by forum. Aleksandr Lavrentyev said yes- RIA Novosti news agency. He said that the United States terday, quoted by Interfax news Russian Foreign Minister Sergei was also expected to attend as an agency. Lavrov said at a press conference observer. Russia, a steadfast supporter of in New York on Friday that Mos- The January talks were an- Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, cow had invited around 1,500 rep- nounced during negotiations in is set to co-host the summit with resentatives of the Syrian people Kazakhstan in December spon- regime ally Iran and rebel backer “including sheikhs, tribal leaders sored by powerbrokers Russia, Turkey with the aim of setting up and representatives of civil soci- Turkey and Iran. a new constitution for post-war ety”. A joint statement said the con- Syria. The talks will come after the lat- gress would include “all segments Organisers had said earlier that est round of UN-sponsored nego- of Syrian society”. the peace talks were planned for tiations in Geneva ended in failure Moscow had earlier said talks January 29 and 30, but Lavrentyev in December. would be held in Sochi in Novem- said that the participants would “We want to launch the process ber last year. arrive on January 29 and “the fo- of political settlement in order to Turkey said Russia had post- rum itself will take place on Janu- breath life into the Geneva proc- poned the event because it met ary 30”. ess,” Lavrentyev said. with a cool reception from Ankara Diplomats from Russia, Turkey The United Nations itself will and its Western allies, but Russia and Iran have been holding dis- host a new round of peace talks on said the date had not been official- cussions on how to organise the Syria next week in Vienna. ly announced.

Houthis ﬁ re missile toward Saudi Arabia

Reuters military base. There were no reports of casualties or dam- Dubai age. The Houthis have launched scores of missiles at the kingdom. While causing little serious damage, they have deepened tensions between Riyadh and Tehran. emen’s Houthi movement fi red a ballistic missile A Saudi-led military coalition intervened in the confl ict toward the southern Saudi province of Najran yes- in March 2015 after the movement drove Yemeni President Yterday, the group’s offi cial al-Masirah TV reported, Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi into exile. and a Saudi military spokesman said air defence forces had The confl ict has killed more than 10,000 people, intercepted the missile. displaced over 2mn and unleashed a wave of hunger The TV channel said the short-range missile targeted a and disease.

Germany weighs new Iran sanctions

Reuters reported yesterday. The report cited Europeans is to prevent the United Berlin diplomats in Brussels as saying that States from terminating the nuclear Germany was pushing for new sanc- agreement sealed in 2015, as repeat- tions together with Britain and France edly threatened by Trump, Der Spiegel ermany is lobbying among to show the United States that Euro- reported. European allies to agree new pean allies were taking Trump’s criti- Iran said last week it would retali- Gsanctions against Iran in an at- cism against Iran seriously. ate against new sanctions imposed by tempt to prevent US President Donald A German foreign ministry spokes- Washington after Trump set an ul- Trump from terminating an interna- woman and another government timatum to ﬁ x “disastrous ﬂ aws” in tional deal curbing Tehran’s nuclear spokesman both declined to comment a deal curbing Tehran’s nuclear pro- programme, Der Spiegel magazine on the report.Above all, the aim of the gramme. Gulf Times 8 Sunday, January 21, 2018 ARAB WORLD

Iraqi and Tripoli airport reopens after Kurdish fi ghting suspended fl ights PMs try AFP services resumed with Buraq Air military air base, was evacuated Tripoli fl ying to the eastern city of To- on Monday after militiamen at- to resolve bruk and Libyan Airlines leaving tacked it in an attempt to free for Tunis. detainees at a jail there. he airport serving the One local carrier, state-owned The health ministry of Lib- bitter row Libyan capital resumed Afriqiyah Airways, however, has ya’s UN-backed Government Tfl ights yesterday follow- yet to resume operations be- of National Accord (GNA) said ing a fi ve-day suspension after cause its planes were damaged 20 people were killed and 63 AFP deadly clashes around the facil- in Monday’s fi ghting in which wounded in the violence. Baghdad ity that also damaged planes on at least 20 people were killed, he The GNA condemned what it the tarmac. said. Since the closure, fl ights called a “premeditated” attack Lotfi Khalil, the director gen- had been diverted to Misrata, a by gunmen trying to free “ter- raqi Prime Minister Haider Passengers disembark from their plane after landing at Mitiga airport a few days after militiamen attacked eral of Mitiga airport on the city 200 kilometres east of the rorists” belonging to the Islamic al-Abadi met Kurdish re- it in an attempt to free colleagues held at a jail there, on the outskirts of the Libyan capital Tripoli, yesterday. eastern outskirts of Tripoli, said capital. Mitiga airport, a former State group and Al Qaeda. Igional government counter- part Nechirvan Barzani for the fi rst time yesterday since the autonomous northern region’s failed attempt to secede. Since Kurdish voters returned a resounding “yes” in a refer- US still backs two-state solution: Pence endum on independence last September 25, the federal government in Baghdad has taken Reuters confl ict will only come through the Jerusalem decision during retaliatory measures. Cairo negotiations based on a two- their public remarks in front of These include an air blockade state solution, and Egypt would reporters. of international fl ights to the spare no eff ort to support this,” Egypt has faced security Kurdish region’s two main air- S Vice President Mike a statement from the Egyptian problems, including attacks by ports, to remain in eff ect until Pence yesterday told presidency said. Islamic State militants in the the end of February. UEgypt’s leader the Unit- The vice president kicked off North Sinai region. Abadi has also sent Iraqi ed States would support a two- a trip to the Middle East yes- Trump has made the fi ght troops to retake areas disputed state solution for Israelis and terday with the visit to Egypt, against Islamic State a top pri- between Baghdad and Kurdish Palestinians if the two sides where he also pledged fi rm US ority. regional capital Arbil, including agreed, seeking to reassure a key backing in the nation’s fi ght From Cairo, Pence heads to oilfi elds from which the Kurds Arab ally over President Donald against militants. Jordan, where he will meet with derived the bulk of their rev- Trump’s decision to recognise Pence said ties between the King Abdullah, a close US ally. enue. Jerusalem as Israel’s capital. two countries had never been Abdullah warned against After a months-long frosty “We heard President al-Sisi stronger after a period of “drift- declaring Jerusalem as Israel’s standoff , the two sides are now out,” Pence told reporters af- ing apart” and Trump sent his capital, saying it would have a talking again and Kurdish of- ter their meeting, saying the gratitude to Sisi for implement- dangerous impact on regional fi cials including a minister have Egyptian leader described his ing economic reforms. stability and obstruct US eff orts visited Baghdad. objection to Trump’s decision “We stand shoulder to shoul- to resume peace talks. Yesterday, Barzani, accompa- as a “disagreement between der with you in Egypt in the Many people in Jordan are nied by his deputy premier and friends.” fi ght against terrorism,” Pence descendants of Palestinian ref- the chief of staff of the Kurds’ Pence said he assured Sisi said. ugees whose families left after former president Massoud that the United States was com- Sisi said the two men dis- the creation of Israel in 1948. Barzani, “discussed the politi- mitted to preserving the status cussed ways to eliminate the Pence will end his trip in Is- cal and security situation and quo of holy sites in Jerusalem “disease and cancer” of terror- rael, where he will be warmly ways of settling disputes” with and had come to no fi nal resolu- ism and called Trump a friend. welcomed in the aftermath of Abadi, the Iraqi premier’s offi ce tion on boundaries for the two Pence is on a three-country Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi meets with US Vice President Mike Pence at the Presidential Trump’s decision. said. parties. tour that also includes stops in Palace in the capital Cairo, yesterday. He plans to meet Prime Min- Abadi had strongly opposed “My perception was that he Jordan and Israel. ister Benjamin Netanyahu, ad- the Kurdish referendum, insist- was encouraged by that mes- This is the highest-level visit capital. That decision, which Jerusalem from Tel Aviv, upset for peace. Pence, a conserva- dress the Israeli legislature and ing on Iraqi unity and govern- sage,” Pence said. from a US offi cial to the region reversed decades of US policy leaders in the Arab world and tive Christian who was one of visit the Western Wall. ment control of airports and “(Sisi) noted that a solu- since December, when Trump and set in motion the process prompted Palestinians to reject the driving forces behind the Pence is not scheduled to border posts in Kurdistan. tion for the Palestinian-Israeli recognised Jerusalem as Israel’s of moving the US embassy to the United States as a broker move, and Sisi did not discuss meet Palestinian leaders.

Parliament postpones vote on election date

Reuters in Baghdad, Parliamentary Speaker statement on Thursday. Washington Baghdad Salim al-Jabouri, expressed hope that had shown understanding for Abadi’s parliament would be able to vote on move in October to dislodge Kurd- an election date by tomorrow, state TV ish ﬁ ghters from the oil rich north- raq’s parliament failed yesterday reported. ern region of Kirkuk, even though to approve May 12 as the election Abadi is seeking re-election, build- the Kurds are traditional allies of the Idate, as suggested by the governing on a surge in his popularity among United States. Tens of thousands of ment, as lawmakers demanded a de- Iraq’s majority community after lead- Kurds were displaced as a result of the lay to allow hundreds of thousands of ing the three-year ﬁ ght against Islamic takeover of the ethnically mixed areas war-displaced people to return home. State militants, supported by a US-led of Kirkuk and its surroundings by Iraqi Politicians, including Prime Minis- coalition. forces supported by Iranian-backed ter Haider al-Abadi, insist on holding “Postponing the elections would set paramilitary groups. the election as planned on May 12, say- a dangerous precedent, undermining The United Nations estimates the ing a delay would be against the con- the constitution and damaging Iraq’s total number of people who remain stitution. long-term democratic development,” displaced in Iraq at 2.6mn, from areas Speaking after yesterday’s session the US Embassy in Baghdad said in a previously controlled by Islamic State.

Former armed forces chief to challenge Sisi A former Egyptian armed forces chief of staff said yesterday that he will challenge fellow military man Abdel Fattah al-Sisi for the presidency in March. General Sami Anan’s announcement came just hours after Sisi publicly confirmed he would seek a second term in the March 26-28 election, the third since the 2011 overthrow of longtime strongman Hosni Mubarak. In a video posted on Facebook, Anan said he would seek to correct the “wrong policies” that had been adopted since Sisi ousted elected president Mohamed Mursi when commander in chief in 2013. He said Egypt faced multiple challenges after the long years of turmoil, including deteriorating living conditions and a militant insurgency in the Sinai Peninsula. “This is all the result of wrong policies which have put all the responsibilities on the armed forces without rational policies that would enable the civilian sector of the state to carry out its role in full, alongside the role of the armed forces,” he said. Anan said he had already put in place a team of civilians to support his bid, including Hisham Geneina, a former head of Egypt’s anti-corruption watchdog who was sacked by Sisi in 2016 after publishing a damning report that put the losses from graft at more than $100bn. Gulf Times Sunday, January 21, 2018 9 AFRICA Weah seeks to reassure ahead of Liberia inauguration

By Jennifer O’Mahony, AFP He said he had faced similar dis- ing president Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Monrovia belief from his countrymen when topped the list. he left Liberia in the late 1980s, but “Peace is the order of the day, to went on to play for a string of top- unite our people, and then we will ncoming Liberian president fl ight European teams before being start our programmes,” he said, re- George Weah yesterday sought crowned the world’s best player by maining vague on policies that are Ito dispel accusations he is ill- FIFA in 1996. believed to include a focus on edu- prepared to take the reins of his “I told them that when I work cation and agriculture in a country fragile west African country, and hard I believe what I believe in and where less than half of children fi n- said his priority would be maintain- I showed I could persevere,” he said, ish school, according to Unicef. ing peace. sporting a red jersey and captain’s The handover represents Libe- Former international football- armband. ria’s fi rst democratic transfer of er Weah played a friendly match Critics including outgoing Vice power since 1944, and cements im- against the Liberian Armed Forces President Joseph Boakai, who lost pressions Liberia has fi nally moved side, fronting his All Stars team of a presidential election last year to on from a war that killed around a former national players and friends, Weah, have zoomed in on the fact quarter of a million people between two days before his inauguration. that he dropped out of high school 1989 and 2003. Ahead of the game which his to concentrate on football, and they “Every kid wanted to be like team won 2-1, aided by an early goal say just over three years serving as a him,” reminisced Brigadier-General from the former AC Milan and Paris senator is not enough to learn how Charles Johnson, Deputy Chief of Saint-Germain striker, Weah told to govern. Staff of the Liberian Armed Forces, journalists that criticism of his po- Expectations are sky-high he will who captained the opposing team. litical career was misplaced. raise living standards in a nation “He’s already started to hear “You want to look at me as a that ranks near the bottom of inter- some of the challenges that we are former footballer but I am a human national development rankings. experiencing, and we are hoping being, I strive to be excellent, and I When asked by AFP about his that...he will get the understand- can be successful,” said the senator fi rst priorities once he is inaugurat- ing and more support for the armed for Montserrado, a county which ed tomorrow, Weah said maintain- forces of Liberia,” he added, making includes the nation’s capital, Mon- ing the peace enjoyed by Liberians reference to chronic underfunding George Weah speaks to the press prior to taking part in a football match between Weah all stars team and army football team in rovia. for the last 12 years under outgo- of the country’s security forces. Monrovia yesterday.

Illegal vendors told to quit Harare streets

Reuters Harare

imbabwe has given illegal vendors and pirate taxis 48 hours to leave Harare’s streets, failing which it Zwill forcibly remove them with the military’s help, a cabinet minister said, as President Emmerson Mnangagwa seeks to restore order in cities. Once prided as the “sunshine city” of the southern Af- rican nation, Harare is home to thousands of hawkers who sell everything from fruits, roasted food and clothes on pavements, which authorities say causes a health hazard. July Moyo, minister of local government, was quoted by the offi cial Herald newspaper saying he spoke to Vice Pres- ident Constantino Chiwenga, a retired general, “to seek his assistance so that security agencies can work with the mu- nicipalities” to end the illegal activities. “You are directed to cease forthwith your activities within the next 48 hours, failure of which you have no one but yourselves to blame,” Moyo said, referring to illegal vendors and unregistered taxis. Army spokesman Colonel Overson Mugwisi said he could not immediately comment, while Chiwenga was un- reachable for comment. The military, under Chiwenga’s command, in November staged a defacto coup that it dubbed “Operation Restore Legacy”, which forced former president Robert Mugabe to resign and paved the way for the rise of Mnangagwa. Under Mugabe’s 37-year rule, the rate of unemployment rose to more than 80%, forcing many people to eke out a living by hawking on the streets. With the unpopular police under orders not to harass citizens, pirate taxis have taken advantage and daily ﬂ out traffi c regulations and endanger other road users. Moyo said pirate taxis had turned Harare into a “hazard- ous jungle.” In the midst of the rainy season, the local authority fears that illegal vending of food and fruits could lead to an out- break of cholera. Four people died this week from cholera in Chegutu town, 100km west of Harare. DR Congo activists could be ‘tortured’

AFP Kinshasa

pro-democracy movement has called for the release of fi ve of its activists detained in the Democratic ARepublic of Congo, saying it fears they could be tortured. The activists from the Filimbi movement, whose name means “whistle” in Swahili, are accused of “insulting the head of state and inciting a revolt”, according to their lawyer, Chris-Sam Kabeya. Four of the activists were arrested in Kinshasa on De- cember 30 while trying to organise a protest march against the 17-year rule of President Joseph Kabila for the next day, New Year’s Eve. All were “detained in total secret since January 1, 2018... at the National Intelligence Agency (ANR) where they would be tortured,” according to a statement from the pro- democracy movement received yesterday by AFP. The fi fth activist was held a week earlier in the eastern town of Kindu by the military intelligence service where he “was tortured”, said the statement. “To this day, it is diffi cult for us to confi rm that they are still alive. We condemn with the utmost energy these barbaric acts and demand the unconditional release of our activists.” The New Year’s Eve anti-Kabila protest descended into violence after the authorities cracked down on demonstrators. Protest organisers said 12 people were killed, while the United Nations gave a toll of at least fi ve dead — a fi gure that it said could be “far higher,” as its investigators had been barred from visiting morgues, hospitals and detention centres. An AFP reporter at a demonstration in the central city of Kananga saw a man shot in the chest by soldiers who opened fi re on worshippers. Members of the Filimbi movement have repeatedly been arrested by the authorities in DR Congo, often for speaking out against Kabila. The new arrests are another sign of rising tensions in the vast central African nation, where the opposition does not want the president’s grip on power to continue. Under a Church-brokered 2016 deal, Kabila was allowed to stay in offi ce provided new elections were held in 2017. After months of silence, the authorities said the vote would be held in December 2018 — a postponement that has angered democracy activists and Western nations. Gulf Times 10 Sunday, January 21, 2018 AFRICA

African National Congress to force Zuma to quit as South African president

Reuters planned to force Jacob Zuma to whose presidency has been taint- An anonymous member of eNCA also said authorities Zuma, whose second term is Asked about the reports that Johannesburg quit as president, as its leaders ed by a series of corruption alle- the newly-elected NEC — which would within 24 hours name a due to run until 2019, has de- Zuma would be asked to resign, gather to outline the party’s pro- gations — to resign. met for the fi rst time under new new head of troubled power util- nied any wrongdoing, as have the an ANC spokeswoman said: gramme for the coming year. If he refused, he would be ANC leader Cyril Ramaphosa on ity Eskom, which has been at the Guptas. “We can’t confirm rumours of outh Africa’s ruling African Broadcaster eNCA said the forced to step down by the party’s Thursday and Friday — was quot- heart of allegations of illegality The NEC made no mention of things that we don’t know. The National Congress (ANC) ANC’s National Executive Com- six-strong leadership group, the ed by online news site News24 as and undue infl uence in award- Zuma’s possible early exit in a state- NEC has issued a statement on Syesterday declined committee (NEC) had resolved the channel said, without naming its saying the decision to force Zuma ing tenders to the Gupta family, ment it issued after the fi rst two the totality of discussions yes- ment on a report its executive previous day to ask Zuma — sources. to resign had been unanimous. friends of Zuma. days of what is a four-day meeting. terday.” Gulf Times Sunday, January 21, 2018 11 AMERICAS

Trio acquitted of negligence US government shuts down as in Canada rail disaster

Trump feuds with Democrats By Jacques Lemieux, AFP Montreal

Reuters ue, while federal law enforcement offi c- Washington ers also would remain on duty. Canadian jury on Fri- Trump’s administration also said it day cleared three railway planned to keep national parks open Aworkers of criminal neg- he world’s most powerful gov- with rangers and security guards on ligence in one of the nation’s ernment shut down yesterday af- duty. worst train disasters, which Tter President Donald Trump and The parks were closed during the killed 47 people in Lac-Megan- the US Congress failed to reach a deal on last shutdown in 2013, which upset tic, Quebec in 2013. funding for federal agencies, highlight- many tourists and resulted in the loss Former Montreal, Maine & ing America’s deep political divisions. of $500mn in visitor spending in areas Atlantic (MM&A) train conduc- For the fi rst time since October 2013 around the parks and at the Smithso- tor Thomas Harding, operations — when a similar standoff that lasted 16 nian museums. manager Jean Demaitre, and rail- days kept only essential agency opera- But without a quick deal, most day- way traffi c controller Richard tions running — federal workers were to-day operations in the federal gov- Labrie, faced 47 counts of criminal being told to stay at home or in some ernment will be disrupted. negligence — one for each death. cases to work without pay until new Hundreds of thousands of govern- After an almost four-month funding is approved. ment employees will be put on tempo- trial, the jury struggled over nine Republican and Democratic leaders rary unpaid leave, including many of the days to reach a verdict, asking were expected to renew negotiations White House’s 1,700 workers. the presiding judge on several over the weekend in the hope of restor- Tomorrow, government employees occasions for clarifi cations on ing government fi nancing before to- ranging from fi nancial regulators and matters of law, raising concerns morrow. tax collectors to scientists and civilian they might have become dead- The shutdown began a year to the day staff at the Pentagon will have to stay locked. after Trump was sworn in as president. away from work. The three accused could have His inability to cut a deal despite hav- McConnell yesterday off ered up a faced life in prison, if convicted. ing a Republican majority in both hous- new plan. Instead of the February 16 end “Mr Harding is too emotional es of Congress marks arguably the most date for the temporary spending bill, he to give a coherent account of debilitating setback for his administra- proposed February 8. how he feels,” his lawyer Thomas tion. Senate Democrats had argued this Walsh told reporters after the In Twitter posts early yesterday, week for an extension of just four or fi ve verdicts were handed down. Trump blamed Democrat lawmakers. days to force both sides into serious ne- “But I think he feels relieved,” “This is the One Year Anniversary gotiations on the immigration issue. he said. “It’s been four and a half of my Presidency and the Democrats A sign announces the closure of the Statue of Liberty due to the US government shutdown yesterday. Open-air parks and monuments re- years that he’s carried this on his wanted to give me a nice present,” he mained open in the US capital and on shoulders, so he’s happy to fi nal- said. migrants known as “Dreamers” and The shutdown was cemented when predicament. “What we’ve just wit- the National Mall preparations were ly turn the page.” “Democrats are far more concerned Trump would get more money for a the Senate, meeting late into Friday nessed on the fl oor was a cynical deci- under way for a second multi-city Demaitre echoed the senti- with illegal immigrants than they are border wall and tighter security to stem night, blocked a bill to maintain the sion by Senate Democrats to shove aside women’s rights march. ment upon exiting the court- with our great military or safety at our illegal immigration from Mexico. federal government’s funding through millions of Americans for the sake of Some tourists appeared unaware of room, while Labrie burst into dangerous southern border,” he said. By early evening, however, that plan February 16. irresponsible political games,” McCon- the shutdown while others expressed tears as he tried to read a brief “They could have easily made a deal was dead. The vote was 50-49, well short of the nell said. frustration at lawmakers’ failure to statement. but decided to play shutdown politics The source said Trump had spoken 60 needed in the 100-member chamber Schumer said his party took sig- reach a deal. He said he hoped the trial had instead.” with conservative Republicans and to vault the bill over a procedural hur- nifi cant steps to reach a deal, including “It’s ironic that they get paid — provided some answers to the Trump said the shutdown showed the been hit with their objections to the dle. raising the possibility of funding for meaning Congress — and the rest of friends and families of the vic- need to win more Republican seats in deal with Schumer. Four Republicans joined most Demo- Trump’s proposed wall along the US the government doesn’t,” said Dawn tims about what really happened 2018 mid-term elections. Last week, Trump rejected a bipar- crats in killing the measure. border with Mexico, which they have Gaither, 57, a Washington teacher. the night of the crash and why. “We can then be even tougher on tisan Senate deal that would have pro- A fi fth Republican, Senate Majority ardently opposed. “That’s what we need to do, kick This had been “a long, hard Crime (and Border), and even better to tected the Dreamers as well as hand the Leader Mitch McConnell, voted “no” “It’s almost as if you were rooting these guys in the tail and get them to process, but now it’s over,” our Military & Veterans!” he tweeted. White House $2.7bn in new money for too, but only as part of a parliamentary for a shutdown,” Schumer said in com- work.” Labrie said. There had been modest hope on Fri- immigration enforcement at America’s manoeuvre to make it easier to bring ments aimed directly at Trump. Elke Schmacker, 65, a retired govern- In addition to the casual- day when Democratic Senate Leader borders. another bill to the fl oor. The immediate impact of the government worker, said she was worried her ties, more than 30 buildings in Chuck Schumer went to the White In a statement issued minutes before The breakdown ended a long day of ment shutdown was eased somewhat by pension payments and health insurance Lac-Megantic were completely House to talk with Trump. Friday’s midnight deadline for a funding closed-door meetings in Congress and its timing, starting on a weekend when would be cut off . destroyed on July 9, 2013 when One person familiar with the events deal, Trump’s White House said: “We at the White House. most government employees normally “I don’t know what’s going to happen a 72-car train derailed and ex- said the two men agreed to seek a grand will not negotiate the status of unlawful Even as they promised to work on do not work anyway. if I have to pay out of pocket,” she said, ploded. deal in which Democrats would win immigrants while Democrats hold our getting the government back up again The Defense Department said its adding that she had continued to work It was carrying 7.7mn litres protections from deportation for some lawful citizens hostage over their reck- as soon as possible, Republicans and combat operations in Afghanistan and during the last shutdown under the of shale oil from the US state 700,000 young undocumented im- less demands.” Democrats blamed each other for the other military activities would contin- Obama administration. of North Dakota to a refi nery in easternmost Canada when it came loose in the middle of the Kentucky man to plead night and rolled downhill, un- manned. guilty of attacking Women’s protest More than 2,000 people — or a Senator Rand Paul People take part in third of the residents — had to be the Women’s March in evacuated from the picturesque Kentucky man accused of at- Manhattan in New York lakeside town about 250km east tacking US Senator Rand Paul City yesterday. Protesters of Montreal. A outside his home has agreed to across the United States Firefi ghters needed two days plead guilty to a charge of assaulting took to the streets to put out the inferno. a member of Congress, but has told yesterday for women’s After the crash, US-head- investigators his action was not po- marches, one year after quartered Montreal, Maine & litically motivated, officials said on President Donald Trump’s Atlantic declared bankruptcy. Friday. inauguration prompted Charges against the company are The Republican Paul’s neighbour, mass demonstrations. still pending. Rene Boucher, 58, was charged with as- Marchers turned out Transportation Safety Board saulting a member of Congress result- in force in New York, investigators blamed poor safety ing in personal injury, which is a felony Washington and Los standards and a lack of regula- under federal law. Angeles, in an echo tory oversight for the crash. Federal prosecutors will ask a judge to of last year’s event, In a 191-page report they impose a sentence of 21 months in pris- which saw hundreds of listed contributing factors in- on in connection with the November 3 thousands of women and cluding improper brake tests, a attack at a gated community in Bowl- men brandishing signs highly fl ammable cargo in sub- ing Green, Kentucky, court documents supporting women’s standard tanker cars and a curve showed. rights and decrying in the tracks at the bottom of a Boucher could have faced up to 10 Trump’s policies, and slope. years behind bars. wearing pink “pussy “Take any one of them out of the Paul was wearing headphones while hats,” inspired by a lewd equation and this accident may not mowing his lawn when Boucher became remark made by Trump have happened,” TSB chair Wendy angered by seeing the 55-year-old sena- before he took off ice. Tadros said at the time. tor stack brush near Boucher’s property, Harding, who was not at the the US Department of Justice said in a train’s helm at the time of the statement. accident, was accused of failing Boucher had “had enough” and he to apply enough brakes on the ran onto Paul’s yard and tackled him, cars. the statement said, causing Paul to suf- Firefi ghters responding to a fer multiple fractured ribs as well as small locomotive fi re later that complications that meant he contracted night shut off power to the lo- pneumonia. comotive, inadvertently causing The attack raised questions about the air brakes to gradually lose whether Paul had been targeted because pressure. of his politics. Left unattended overnight, But Boucher, who like Paul is a physi- the train started to roll downhill, cian, told investigators that was not the reaching a top speed of 105kph. case, the statement said. Many Canadians looked to Boucher’s attorney, Matthew Baker, Facebook to let users rank ‘trust’ in news sources the criminal trial for closure, said the pair had a long-standing dis- but others felt the three accused pute over property maintenance. should never have been charged “Dr Boucher is a very meticulous sort AFP media enables people to spread infor- sations that are only trusted by their from trusted sources,” David Chavern, and that the shortline MM&A of fellow,” Baker said. “He continues to San Franciso mation faster than ever before, and if readers or watchers, from ones that are head of industry group News Media railway was at fault for cutting be a very regretful and very remorseful. we don’t specifi cally tackle these prob- broadly trusted across society. Alliance, said in a statement. corners on maintenance and I know that he wishes that it had nev- lems, then we end up amplifying them.” “This update will not change the “This would be positive for con- employee training, and on the er happened.” acebook announced Friday it will The new “trusted sources” ranking, amount of news you see on Facebook,” sumers, as well as help to address ‘fake government for ignoring safety A spokesman for Paul declined to ask its 2bn users to rank their which starts next week, would aim to he said. “It will only shift the balance news’ issues.” concerns. comment on the federal charge. Ftrust in news sources, in its latest “make sure the news you see is high of news you see towards sources that The group will watch how the Face- The TSB agreed, citing the Josh Minkler, US Attorney for the attempt to combat the spread of mis- quality” and “helps build a sense of are determined to be trusted by the book ranking changes are implement- company’s “weak safety culture” Southern District of Indiana, said as- information on the social network. common ground” rather than sow di- community.” ed and whether they deliver on the so- and a “largely unchecked” boom saulting a member of Congress was an The change comes as the online gi- vision, Zuckerberg said. The latest move comes a week after cial network’s stated goals, according in rail shipments of oil from 500 off ence that the authorities take very ant seeks to address charges that it has To do so, he said, Facebook decided Facebook announced a major update to Chavern. in 2009 to 160,000 in 2013. seriously. failed — along with Google and Twitter to rely on member surveys as the most to its user feed that highlights what “My hope is that this update about “We can’t hold people crimi- Minkler was assigned to the case fol- — to prevent the spread of bogus news, “objective” way to rank trust in news friends and family share on the net- trusted news and last week’s update nally responsible for not being lowing the recusal of the US Attorney’s most strikingly ahead of the 2016 US sources. work, over advertisements, celebrity about meaningful interactions will perfect,” defence lawyer Charles Offi ce for the western district of Ken- presidential election. “We could try to make that decision and media posts. help make time on Facebook time well Shearson told the court during tucky, where the assault occurred. In a Facebook post, co-founder and ourselves, but that’s not something The company cast the change as spent,” Zuckerberg said. the trial. No date has been set for the taking of chief executive Mark Zuckerberg said we’re comfortable with,” Zuckerberg part of a refocus on “community” — Known for annual personal goals In the aftermath of the dis- Boucher’s guilty plea and sentencing. the network would seek to “prioritise said. “We considered asking outside prioritising social interactions and re- ranging from killing his own food to aster, authorities announced Boucher had previously pleaded not news that is trustworthy, informative, experts, which would take the decision lationships — while acknowledging it learning Chinese, Zuckerberg’s stated tougher rail safety rules, includ- guilty to a misdemeanour assault charge and local.” out of our hands but would likely not would likely result in people spending mission for this year is to “fi x” the so- ing the phasing out or retrofi t- that was brought by local prosecutors in “There’s too much sensationalism, solve the objectivity problem.” less time on the platform. cial network. ting of substandard tanker cars Kentucky in connection with the inci- misinformation and polarisation in the The new ranking system, he said, “For some time, we have argued that He plans to target abuse and hate, used to transport fl ammable dent. world today,” Zuckerberg said. “Social would hopefully separate news organi- Facebook should give priority to news and interference by nation states. liquids. Gulf Times 12 Sunday, January 21, 2018 ASIA/AUSTRALASIA

Nearly 200 rescued as China says US warship ﬁ res rage in Sydney

Agencies ‘violated’ its sovereignty Sydney AFP 17 without alerting Beijing, the sels “under grave threat”, for- ment released earlier this month ics to intimidate its neighbours waters of the South China Sea Beijing foreign ministry said, refer- eign ministry spokesman Lu on the Navy’s website. while militarising features in islands and reefs.” he Royal National Park ring to the shoal by its Chinese Kang said. Its mission in Asia involves the South China Sea”, the docu- Beijing asserts sovereignty has been closed and hun- name. China’s defence ministry said “security co-operation, build- ment says. over almost all of the resource- Tdreds of people escorted eijing yesterday said it Also known as Scarborough in a separate statement that a ing partner capacity, and per- China’s defence ministry rich South China Sea despite ri- to safety yesterday, as fi refi ght- had dispatched a warship Shoal, the ring of reefs lies Chinese frigate “immediately forming routine operations dismissed those claims yester- val claims from Southeast Asian ers battled two out-of control Bto drive away a US missile about 230 kilometres from the took actions to identify and within the area”. News of the day, saying “the situation in neighbours and has rapidly built bushfi res near Wattamolla in destroyer which had “violated” Philippines in the South China verify the US ship and drove it encounter follows Friday’s re- the South China Sea has stead- reefs into artifi cial islands capa- Sydney’s south. its sovereignty by sailing close Sea, where Beijing’s claims are away by warning” it. lease of a new US national de- ily stabilised,” in comments ble of hosting military planes. Two hundred people were to a shoal in the disputed South hotly contested by other na- The USS Hopper recently en- fence strategy that says America attributed to spokesman Wu China seized Scarborough evacuated from Wattamolla China Sea. tions. The US vessel “violated tered the US Navy’s 7th Fleet is facing “growing threats” from Qian. Shoal in 2012 after a brief Road to Bundeena by NSW Rural The USS Hopper sailed with- China’s sovereignty and se- area of operations, where the China and Russia. But it added, “the United stand-off with the Philippine Fire Service and NSW Police in in 12 nautical miles of Huangyan curity interests”, and put the ship is on an “independent de- China is a “strategic compet- States has repeatedly sent war- navy. The shoal is also claimed the afternoon, while other visi- Island on the night of January safety of nearby Chinese ves- ployment”, according to a state- itor using predatory econom- ships illegally into the adjacent by Taiwan. tors were advised to “head to the beaches,” Sydney Morning Her- ald reported. “They’re providing the best protection given the fact a lot of the escape routes are through the middle of the bushland Myanmar which isn’t safe at the moment given the intensity of the fi re,” a spokesman for NSW RFS said. Private boat owners alongside NSW Surf Life Saving, fi nalises NSW Police and Marine Rescue NSW vessels at Garie Beach had evacuated up to 80 people by the evening. “There are a number of boats Rohingya being utilised by surf lifesav- ers, NSW Police Force and some private citizens that are picking some people up from beaches in the area,” the spokesman said. repatriation More than 100 fi refi ghters were on the ground working to control the fi res burning along Reuters Bangladesh will provide Sir Bertram Stevens Drive at Flat Yangon an advance list of prospec- Rock and south of Wattamolla tive returnees with forms Road. attesting to their residency By evening, 236 hectares of yanmar was mak- in Myanmar, the newspa- land had been burnt through. ing fi nal prepara- per said. Mtions to take back Some returnees will the fi rst batch of Rohingya cross over by land and oth- Muslims who had fl ed con- ers via a river along the fl ict in troubled Rakhine border, it said. state, state media said Rohingya refugees at Detained yesterday, despite grow- the sprawling Kutupalong ing doubts about the plan camp in Bangladesh are among refugees and in the balking at going back un- leader United Nations. til Myanmar can guarantee Rakhine state Chief Min- their safety, among other ister Nyi Pu “insisted on demands listed in a petition rejects new completion of the fi nishing drawn up by camp leaders touches on buildings, med- and shown to Reuters. Even Boonchai Bach (centre), an alleged kingpin in Asia’s illegal trade in endangered species is handled by Thai policemen in Bangkok after his arrest, yesterday. ical clinics and sanitation as Myanmar gets ready to movement infrastructures” during a start receiving the Rohingya visit to repatriation camps next week, more of them in the state on Friday, the are fl eeing continued mili- Reuters Global New Light of Myan- tary operations in Rakhine, Phnom Penh mar newspaper said. newly arrived refugees It published a photo of camp have told Reuters. Thai police arrest ‘kingpin’ his delegation standing by More than 100 Rohingya ambodia’s detained op- a long, wooden house that Muslims from northern position leader Kem will be used to house re- Rakhine fl ed into Bangla- CSokha has declined to join turnees at the camp near desh and scores more were a new movement, founded by the town of Maungtaw. waiting to cross the Naf in Asian wildlife traffi cking prominent exiles following a ban A wire-mesh fence river that forms the border, on the main opposition party, his topped by barbed wire ap- they said. AFP horn from the quarantine section Phanom in northeast Thailand, nouncement of Boonchai’s arrest. lawyer said yesterday. pears in the background of Some said yesterday the Bangkok to a nearby apartment. bordering Laos — linchpin players They are believed to work along- The Cambodia National Res- the photo. repatriation plan was “not The horn was smuggled into in a multi-million-dollar trade in side Vixay Keosavang, a Laotian cue Movement (CNRM) was Over 655,500 Rohingyas acceptable” and “the Bur- Bangkok by a Chinese man who illegal wildlife. dubbed “the Pablo Escobar of announced on July 13 by Prime fl ed to Bangladesh after the mese terrorist government hai police have arrested an was arrested a day before on ar- The town is a pivot point in animal traffi cking”, who orches- Minister Hun Sen’s veteran foe Myanmar military cracked is deceitfully and crook- alleged kingpin in Asia’s rival from Johannesburg, South Asia’s wildlife traffi cking chain, trates a major wildlife traffi cking Sam Rainsy following the disso- down in the northern part edly off ering Rohingya ref- Tillegal trade in endangered Africa. The police sting led to in part because it is the narrowest ring from the Communist state, lution of the Cambodia National of Rakhine in response to ugees to settle down in so- species, dealing a blow to a fam- Boonchai, who fi nanced the net- neck of land for smuggled goods bribing offi cials to allow him to Rescue Party (CNRP) last year attacks on security forces called temporary camps”. ily-run syndicate that smuggles work. “This is a major smug- to transit through Thailand, into operate. and the arrest of its leader, Kem on Aug 25. The United Na- Burma is the former name elephant ivory, rhino horn and gling syndicate and Boonchai is a Laos and onto Vietnam, a major Laos has long been a top transit Sokha. tions described the opera- of Myanmar. tiger parts to Chinese and Viet- ringleader,” General Chalermkiat market for animal parts used in hub for smuggling wildlife prod- Signs of division emerged tion as ethnic cleansing of “Repatriated Rohingya namese dealers. Srivorakan, deputy national po- traditional medicine. ucts, with widespread corrup- among CNRP members over the the Rohingya, which My- refugees from Bangladesh Boonchai Bach, 40, a Viet- lice chief, told reporters yesterday Freeland, a counter-traffi cking tion and weak law enforcement CNRM, of which Sam Rainsy anmar denies. will never be able to settle namese national with Thai citi- after the suspect arrived at Su- organisation which works closely allowing the criminal activity to said could launch appeals to the Myanmar will start re- down in their own ancestral zenship, was arrested on Friday varnabhumi airport ahead of his with Thai police, said the Bach fl ourish. China and Vietnam are people to organise peaceful pro- ceiving Rohingya refu- lands and villages, rather evening over the smuggling of 14 remand. family are part of a sprawling among the world’s biggest mar- tests, to workers to go on strike gees from Bangladesh at than spending not only the rhino horns worth around $1mn “Boonchai admitted he was in- Southeast Asian crime organisa- kets for parts from endangered or and to the armed forces to join two reception centres and rest of their lives but also from Africa to Thailand. volved,” Chalermkiat said, adding tion dubbed “Hydra”. protected species including tigers, them. the temporary camp near the lives of their next gen- His downfall follows the De- he faces up to four years in jail for The Bachs have “long run the elephants, rhino and pangolins. Kem Sokha’s lawyer Pheng Maungtaw starting on erations to come in those cember 12 arrest of Nikorn Won- smuggling parts of protected ani- international supply chain of il- The traditional medicine mar- Heng said yesterday that the op- Tuesday and continuing concentration camps,” the gprachan, a Thai National Parks mals. licit wildlife from Asia and Africa ket fl ourishes despite the total position leader had declined to over the next two years, un- Arakan Rohingya Salva- and Wildlife Conservation offi - For years Boonchai and the to major dealers in Laos, Viet- lack of scientifi c evidence as to join the CNRM, saying that he der an agreement the two tion Army (ARSA) said in a cial, at Bangkok’s main airport as Bach family are believed to oper- nam and China,” Freeland said their effi cacy and government will continue to work under the countries signed this week. statement on Twitter. he attempted to smuggle the rhino ated with impunity from Nakhon in statement following the an- campaigns to end the trade. CNRP. Hundreds of police block anti-junta march

Reuters lese-majeste law, known as person in jail in Thailand under Bangkok Article 112, as well as other re- its computer crimes act. Those strictions placed on freedom who joined the protest include of expression. members from various Thai undreds of police in “We want to tell the junta civil rights groups including Thailand yesterday that you have taken Thailand alternative farming, anti-min- Hblocked protesters back a long way. The people in ing and healthcare networks. planning to march from Bang- the agriculture ministry are all Around 200 police blocked a kok to Khon Kaen in the north- generals. There are just gener- main door of the university to east of the country in a rare als!” said one protest leader. prevent protestors from leav- display of public discontent in “Let’s hold hands! We are ing, according to police. the junta-ruled country. friends!” he said, appealing to “This walk is a friendship Thailand has been ruled by around 200 protesters gath- walk. Over the past four years the military since 2014. ered at the Thammasat Uni- under the coup government Demonstrations have since versity in Rangsit, north of we have no rights in terms of become a rarity, partly because Bangkok. speech, action. of junta orders banning public The demonstration, which We want the junta to hear assembly. was broadcast live on Face- us,” Sangsiri Teemanka, a The United Nations has ex- book, was shared more than leader of People’s Network for pressed concern over what 900 times and viewed by more Welfare, told Reuters. it calls a deteriorating rights than 32,000 times. She added that protesters situation in Thailand, includ- Sharing social media con- would stay put at the univer- People gather to begin a march in Bangkok, Thailand, yesterday in this picture ing harsh sentences for those tent deemed critical of the sity until they were allowed to obtained from social media. convicted of violating the junta or royal family can land a march. Gulf Times Sunday, January 21, 2018 13 BRITAIN

In a ﬁ rst, Sinn Fein to be led Voters ‘should be able to by woman

By Henry McDonald Guardian News & Media change minds’ on Brexit John Bercow says people on “Democracy is not just about serious as Brexit,” he said. that they were “dedicated public inn Fein will be led by a the losing side do not have one vote once every fi ve years or Alison McGovern, a Labour servants” and “never mutineers, woman for the fi rst time to accept their case is lost one vote once on a particular is- MP and leading supporter of the traitors, malcontents nor en- Sin its modern history, with forever sue causing all argument on that Open Britain campaign, said: emies of the people”. the party’s Mary Lou McDonald matter to be considered legiti- “The Speaker is doing his job Those campaigning against a the only candidate to replace By Rowena Mason mately shut down,” he said. when defending the rights of our hard Brexit have been increas- Gerry Adams. Guardian News & Media “That is not the way democ- sovereign parliament and of our ingly hopeful about the prospect The Dublin TD (MP) will be racy works. Democracy is a dy- historic democratic principles. of a second poll after the former unopposed when Sinn Fein del- namic concept. People who are “The will of the people is not Ukip leader Nigel Farage made a egates elect a new president at a peaker in the House of on the losing side are not obliged something that is frozen in time surprise call last week for Britain special conference, Ard Fheis, in Commons John Bercow to accept that their view has and everybody has the right to prepare for another EU refer- February. Shas warned that democ- been lost forever and they are to keep an open mind about endum. McDonald was confi rmed yes- racy is under threat and said perfectly entitled to continue to whether Brexit is the right thing Although he has since back- terday as the only party member those on the wrong side of a ref- argue for it,” Bercow said. for our country when we see tracked, his intervention was to come forward to succeed Ad- erendum result do not have to His suggestion that politi- what the reality looks like.” seized upon by those who be- ams, who is resigning from the accept their case has been lost cal issues are not always settled Kate Green, a Labour MP and lieve another referendum is the post he has held since 1983. forever, in remarks welcomed by by “one vote once” is likely to member of the European scru- best way of overturning the re- The Trinity College Dublin campaigners for people’s right please those pushing for another tiny committee, said: “I agree Bercow: Democracy is a dynamic concept. People who are on the sult, including the former Lib- graduate will also become the to change their mind on Brexit. referendum on the EU and an- with John Bercow. Both the pub- losing side are not obliged to accept that their view has been lost eral Democrat leader Nick Clegg fi rst Sinn Fein leader in modern The Speaker is duty-bound noy Brexit supporters, who ar- lic and politicians are entitled to forever and they are perfectly entitled to continue to argue for it. and the Labour peer Andrew times with no direct association to remain neutral on political gue that the government must argue for what they believe and Adonis. with the Irish Republican Army issues, but his comments ap- respect the June 2016 result. to change their mind. change their minds in light of in the EU if the deal doesn’t live His comments were seen as a (IRA) or its armed campaign peared to make a thinly-veiled Tom Brake, the Liberal Demo- “Indeed, elected members the facts. up to their reasonable expecta- sign that political pressure was during the Northern Ireland reference to the EU referendum, crat MP and Brexit spokesman have a special duty to speak up “Many who voted for Brexit tions.” building for a public vote on the Troubles. defending the right for people to for the party, said that these were for what they believe to be in the for more money, single market Bercow has previously defi nal deal. Adams welcomed McDonald argue for a second vote. “wise words from the Speaker, best interests of their constitu- access and taking control have fended the right of MPs to vote However, Theresa May has in- to a meeting of the party’s ruling He made the speech at a re- who is a staunch defender of our ents and the country.” changed their mind in light of on Brexit in line with their prin- sisted she will not allow another body – the Ard Comhairle – yes- ception on Thursday for Opera- democracy”. Another Labour MP, Geraint growing infl ation, the massive ciples. referendum and the government terday, saying: “Please welcome tion Black Vote in the House of “One vote on one day, in one Davies, said: “John Bercow is divorce bill, threats to jobs and After a band of Tory rebels has refused to release the le- the president-elect of our party, Commons, where he warned year, by a small majority can- right that British democracy is no forward plan. against the government’s Brexit gal advice on whether it is even Mary Lou McDonald.” that there are “threats to repre- not bind the British people for dynamic and not the dictator- “Democracy requires that the policies were labelled “muti- technically possible to reverse He then spoke about a fresh sentative democracy that should eternity. The public is entitled ship of the majority. people have the fi nal say on the neers” in the Telegraph, Bercow article 50, which triggered the round of political negotiations concern us”. to change its mind on an issue as “Voters have the right to Brexit deal and the right to stay told the House of Commons Brexit process. starting on Wednesday aimed at restoring power sharing in Northern Ireland. Sinn Fein and the Democratic Unionists will be the key parties. “We have to challenge ourselves and our support base. We U-turn over disability benefi ts payments also have to challenge union- ism,” Adams said, justifying Sinn Fein’s participation in the talks. By Anushka Asthana mobility component of PIP for “Our intention has always the government has accepted new regulations and ignore the “Whether the upcoming talks Guardian News & Media reasons of “psychological dis- been to deliver the policy in- the high court’s ruling over the view of the courts “time and succeed or not in the short term, tress”. tent of the original regulations, ‘discriminatory’ changes made time again”. there is no merit in Sinn Fein dis- The decision led to an outcry as approved by parliament, and to PIP last year. But she added: “Serious ques- engaging from the conversations p to 160,000 people are from campaigners and many to provide the best support to “This announcement is a vic- tions remain including: how and dialogue with unionists and in line for increased disa- disabled people who lost money. claimants with mental health tory for the many disabled peo- many people have been adverse- others that is necessary – in Ubility benefi ts after min- Individuals with conditions conditions,” she said. ple who have been unable to ac- ly aff ected by the government’s whatever format is appropriate isters gave in to a high court rul- such as severe anxiety and bi- However, she has now asked cess support they are entitled to. reckless decision to oppose the in the time ahead.” ing that said government policy polar disorder warned that they the Department for Work and “The regulations introduced tribunal’s original judgment? McDonald’s rise to power in had been “blatantly discrimina- were scared to leave the house Pensions to begin an exercise last March made crude and un- How much public money has Sinn Fein may make it easier for tory” against people with mental and needed support to walk going through all aff ected cases fair distinctions between those been spent on lawyers, trying other parties in the Irish Repub- health conditions. 200m, but were stripped of pay- in receipt of PIP. with physical impairments and to defend the indefensible? And lic to enter a coalition with a par- In a major U-turn, the new ments because they did not need “We will then write to those mental health conditions.” how quickly will people with ty which for decades had to jus- work and pensions secretary, a stick or a physical aid. individuals aff ected, and all pay- He argued that thousands re- severe mental health conditions tify the IRA’s violent campaign. Esther McVey, said that she A challenge to the high court ments will be backdated to the lied on PIP to live independently receive the support to which Her main focus will be on the would not challenge the Decem- resulted in a judgment before eff ective date in each individual and meet “often substantial they are rightly entitled? next general election in the Re- ber ruling that found changes Christmas last year, in which claim. I hope that by making extra costs” as a result of their “This is yet more evidence of public, which could come as to personal independence pay- Justice Mostyn said: “In my this statement it is clear that condition or impairment. the duplicity and disarray of the early as spring. ments (PIPs) could not be justi- judgment, the 2017 regulations the government is committed McVey: won’t challenge the “While those aff ected by these Tories’ social security policies.” She has been a TD for Dublin fi ed. introduced criteria... which to improving the lives of people December ruling that found misguided changes will now Frank Field, the Labour MP Central in the Dail since 2001 Campaigners called the an- were blatantly discriminatory with mental health conditions,” changes to personal receive the payments they are who chairs parliament’s work and previously served as an MEP nouncement a major victory for against those with mental health she said in a written ministerial independence payments (PIPs) entitled to, the fundamentally and pensions select commit- for the Irish capital. thousands of disabled people impairments and which cannot statement. could not be justified. fl awed PIP assessment process tee, called it a very welcome In the 1990s McDonald was who had faced “crude and un- be objectively justifi ed.” Offi cials would not put a still needs radically overhaul- fi rst move for McVey, adding briefl y a member of the larger fair distinctions” between those Charities widely expected number on how many people gone for a reassessment during ing so it accurately identifi es the that “hopefully the new broom opposition party in the Republic, with physical impairments and McVey to challenge the decision might be aff ected but a govern- the period since the changes, extra costs disabled people face,” sweeps clean”. Fianna Fail. mental health conditions. but she said the government had ment impact assessment did so will not all receive backdated he added. “I hope she will now put into McVey’s decision overturns decided not to do that, although suggest 159,500 claimants could payments. Labour’s shadow work and place the high court’s ruling for moves by ministers last spring she said ministers did not agree be aff ected by the change to the Mark Atkinson, chief execu- pensions secretary, Debbie Ab- past claimants who may have to stop people qualifying for with some of the detail of the mobility component of PIP. tive of disability charity Scope, rahams, said that the govern- lost out, or are waiting for their enhanced payments within the ruling. However, not all will have said: “It’s absolutely right that ment was wrong to bring in the appeals,” he said. Average UK dinner lasts People with mental illnesses refused access to insurance cover 21 minutes, Insurance firms deny experienced post-traumatic The suspicion is that insurers made them wary of getting fur- discrimination, with 7/7 stress disorder. are cherry-picking customers to ther treatment. survey fi nds victim among those turned She described being turned minimise risk and boost the bot- Insurers say applications for down down as “upsetting” and “wor- tom line. life insurance go through care- rying”, saying that it showed ig- Henson-Webb said: “Some ful assessment and are evidence AFP By Sarah Marsh norance about mental illness. insurers are operating with a based. London Guardian News & Media “I was never given a specifi c total lack of transparency. That They say that when dealing explanation as to why I had been so many people seem none the with customer’s with mental rejected but I have not got any wiser as to why they have been health problems they ask ques- he average British dinner nsurers have been accused physical health issues,” said the declined insurance means they tions such as how long it has lasts just 21 minutes, ac- of depriving access to life woman, who did not wish to be aren’t being given information lasted and how it has been treat- Tcording to a survey pub- Iinsurance and other kinds identifi ed. about how decisions have been ed. lished yesterday, which found of cover to people with depres- “I can see it from the perspec- made. They also ask about any time increasingly busy schedules a sion and anxiety, even for physi- tive of the insurance company; “It looks as though some in- off work or suicide attempts. barrier to eating together. cal conditions unrelated to their they are not going to want to surers are making crude assess- Insurers acknowledge that in A total of 55% of families have mental health. provide cover for mental health ments such as the ‘three strikes’ a small number of cases, mental a smartphone, computer or tel- People who have suff ered even related issues to someone who rule, which could amount to dis- health backgrounds may result evision present when eating to- mild mental health conditions or has had mental health problems. crimination.” in a premium loading or exclu- gether, according to the survey one-off episodes say they have “But I was surprised to be One insurance broker, who sion, or in the most severe cases, for supermarket chain Co-op been refused life insurance alto- rejected for any coverage at all, asked to be anonymous, said: a refusal to off er cover. Food. gether, aggravating their fi nan- particularly given my otherwise “Some insurers target diff erent A spokesman for Royal Lon- People said increasingly busy cial insecurity. good health,” she added. markets and like ‘clean lives’. It don said: “Most mental health lives and confl icting schedules Dozens of complainants have Others say they were penal- Prince William, pictured at the Hyde Park memorial to victims of sounds awful but they are hard- conditions are mild or self-lim- got in the way of dinner. been in touch with the Guardian ised after attending one or two the July 7, 2005 London bombings, has spoken about ending the nosed businesses.” iting, and as a result we are able A total of 57% of respondents about the alleged discrimina- grief counselling sessions fol- stigma surrounding mental illness. He added: “My wife looked to to off er standard rates to more said they do not eat with their tion. lowing a family death, leading to apply for new cover recently and than 90% of customers who in- family every night. Charities and campaigners rocketing premiums. their rights,” he added, The Guardian heard from she had gone to her GP about form us of their condition.” Around half of Britons would described the fi ndings as “ex- Charities warned that gaps Laura Peters, advice manager dozens of people about the mat- work-related stress and the in- An Aviva spokesperson said: like to challenge the status quo, tremely worrying” and showed in the law mean customers have at Rethink Mental Illness, said: ter. surer automatically increase the “We take our responsibility to with 47% saying that they would that insurers were operating little protection against this “What is judged as ‘high risk’ Many of them were rejected premium. comply with the Equality Act like the have a meal at home or based on an outdated under- form of prejudice. seems to be based on an increas- for life insurance but others had “How many people go through 2010 very seriously. The Act in- with family more often. standing of mental illness. “The diffi culty is that the only ingly outdated understanding of problems getting health or travel work related stress? I thought cludes special rules that permit “Families continue to recog- In some cases, insurers appear protection available is to peo- mental illness. This viewpoint insurance. that was ludicrous.” insurers to assess customers in- nise the social importance of to base their refusal on long- ple who are disabled under the is resulting in people ... being They said the reason for their Another respondent, 27-year- dividually and to off er accept- sharing food and identify eat- distant episodes of depression Equality Act and even then there disproportionately penalised for refusal had not been made clear old Cara Lisette from Hamp- ance terms at the standard rate, ing together as an activity that or anxiety, or when customers are certain exemptions for in- their condition with eye-water- but many said the only probable shire, said that she had been de- at an increased premium or to most brings them happiness admit to having had suicidal surance business,” said Michael ing premiums or fl at out rejec- cause was their mental health nied cover but at the same time refuse to off er cover based upon and a sense of togetherness,” thoughts or self-harming noted Henson-Webb, head of legal at tion. Life and health insurance record. her partner who had an eye con- each individual applicant’s risk. said Patrick Alexander from the on their medical records. mental health charity Mind. can be a vital safety net.” Many believed they were dition had been accepted with “We do not refuse to off er Oxford-based Social Issues Re- These customers are then al- “The current defi nition of “It feels to me wholly inap- turned down because of hav- exceptions put in place. cover or off er cover on diff er- search Centre. legedly deemed unsuitable to disability under that Act doesn’t propriate and discriminatory. ing suicidal thoughts or self- “This seems unfair, that he ent terms to people with a dis- The poll was conducted by insure even for circumstances cover everyone with a mental This is something that the gov- harming noted in their medical can get cover that excludes his ability, unless there is statistical market research fi rm Opinion where death is not linked to a health problem and makes it dif- ernment needs to investigate as records, but others said they condition but I cannot get the evidence the condition presents Matters, which quizzed 2,164 mental condition. fi cult for individuals with men- a matter of urgency. We need were told to apply again at a later same,” she said. a higher risk than for someone people over fi ve days earlier this One refused applicant was a tal health problems and their le- to get a fundamental review of date due to having had a recent Many of those who responded who does not have a history of month. victim of the July 7, 2005 who gal advisers to clearly determine these policies,” he said. diagnosis. said that discrimination had the condition.” Gulf Times 14 Sunday, January 21, 2018 EUROPE

Istanbul district Immunity won’t protect bans play

Reuters Istanbul ex-Catalan leader: Spain stanbul authorities have banned a planned perform- AFP “The guarantee of immunity from abroad would be “illegal”. Iance of a play about a dicta- Madrid does not mean that we can’t Echoing remarks he made tor, invoking powers granted un- place him in custody on a court on Monday, Rajoy said Madrid der Turkey’s state of emergency order,” the statement said. “By would maintain its direct control imposed after a failed coup at- atalonia’s ex-leader running away and supporting over Catalonia and will take the tempt against President Recep Carles Puigdemont, cur- acts which culminated in the matter to court if Puigdemont Tayyip Erdogan. Crently exiled in Brussels declaration of independence, sought remote rule. Just a Dictator is an extended after a failed independence bid, (Puigdemont) shows that he The Catalan parliament’s legal monologue delivered by the ruler faces arrest if he returns home persists in his criminal plan.” experts say that any presidential of an unspecifi ed country about despite having parliamentary Prosecutors also pointed to contender has to be physically his rise to power. immunity, Spanish prosecutors the separatist leaders already present, but Puigdemont insists As the dictator speaks, chants said yesterday. behind bars, saying they were he has the legitimate mandate of of angry protesters can be heard Puigdemont, who fl ed to Bel- also detained despite their par- the people to rule. approaching his residence, but gium in late October after Ma- liamentary immunity because He wants to present his can- do little to intimidate him. drid sacked his cabinet over of the “extreme gravity” of the didacy and government pro- Earlier this week authorities their breakaway attempt, is eye- facts. gramme to parliament – a started investigating theatres ing a return to power after scor- Earlier this month, the Su- prerequisite to being voted in around the liberal district of ing big in regional elections in preme Court had decided not to – remotely via videolink or by Kadikoy, asking about the play, December. free former Catalan vice-presi- having someone else read it for theatre offi cials said. But back at home, he risks be- dent Oriol Junqueras, in custody him. On Friday morning police ing detained on charges of re- since November 2. His lawyer Jaume Alonso- notifi ed the theatre that stag- bellion, sedition and misuse of Judges said that there was a Cuevillas said yesterday that all ing the play in any open or en- public funds. risk he would “re-off end as there scenarios were currently being closed space within Kadikoy was Several other separatist law- is no sign that the defendant has considered. banned, citing a law established makers are already in custody any intention of abandoning the “President Puigdemont nev- under the state of emergency de- in Spain over their role in the route he has followed until now”. er dismissed the possibility of clared after the coup attempt in regional parliament unilaterally Junqueras and Puigdemont presenting and submitting his July 2016. declaring independence on Oc- were instrumental in Catalonia’s This file photo taken on December 22, 2017 shows Puigdemont arriving for a press conference in candidacy in person,” the lawyer “It has been evaluated that tober 27. push to break away from Spain Brussels, a day after the Catalonia’s regional election. told Catalonian public televi- the play may aff ect public order “It’s inadmissible that the via a referendum that took place sion, adding that his client was and safety negatively, endanger privilege of parliamentary im- on October 1, despite a court solute majority in regional elec- week that he could govern the due to take place by the end of “aware of the risks he faces”. security and well-being of the munity should be interpreted as ban. tions on December 21. region from Brussels if he is re- January. Alonso-Cuevillas has pre- public and disturb the environ- impunity,” the offi ce of Spain’s In a major blow to the central As the sole candidate from elected president. But Spanish Prime Minister viously said that Puigdemont ment of public peace and trust,” general prosecutor said in a government in Madrid, pro-in- Catalonia’s separatist group- The parliamentary vote to Mariano Rajoy reiterated yes- “could not be arrested” in Bar- said a copy of the notice posted statement. dependence parties won an ab- ing, Puigdemont announced this choose a new Catalan leader is terday that governing Catalonia celona because of his immunity. on Twitter by the theatre. It said that the play was banned emergency rule that Eleven killed in Turkey ski holiday bus crash means “any type of stage play (or) movie showing can be in- Eleven people died yesterday and 46 injured term at the popular Uludag ski resort. spected and banned or stopped”, Paul Bocuse, the ‘Pope’ of when a Turkish intercity bus taking families It said the passengers were on a special to ensure public safety. bound for a skiing trip crashed into trees while promotion off ered by the bus company to spend Human rights groups and travelling on a motorway, local off icials said. the week at the ski resort. Turkey’s Western allies say Er- The bus, which was making an overnight The two drivers, who were both lightly injured, dogan has used the failed 2016 French cuisine, dies at 91 journey from the capital Ankara to the western have been detained, Dogan said. coup as an excuse to quash dis- city of Bursa, crashed in the region of Eskisehir The driver who was at the wheel at the time of sent. amid good road conditions, Eskisehir governor the crash, has denied any wrongdoing. The government says that the By Fiachra Gibbons, AFP Ozdemir Cakacak was quoted as saying by the “I saw a dark shape which I thought was a dog,” crackdown, and the executive Paris Dogan news agency. Dogan quoted him as saying. “I went to the right presidency approved by refer- Dogan reported that the passengers on the bus but the bus went out of control and hit a tree ... endum last April are needed to were mainly families with their children who I was not going fast, I was not sleeping, it was a confront mounting threats to aul Bocuse, one of the were going to Bursa to spend the upcoming half- matter of an instant.” national security. greatest French chefs of all Ptime, died yesterday aged 91 after a long battle with Par- kinson’s disease. Dubbed the “pope” of French cuisine, Bocuse helped shake up Macedonians stuck between patriotism the food world in the 1970s with the Nouvelle Cuisine revolution and create the idea of the celebrity chef. and pragmatism over nation’s name French President Emmanuel Macron led the tributes, calling him a “mythic fi gure who trans- By Jasmina Mironski, AFP formed French cuisine. Chefs are Skopje crying in their kitchens across France”. “He was one of the greatest hen Macedonia defi gures of French gastronomy, clared independ- the General Charles de Gaulle of Wence in 1991, the cuisine,” said French food critic new country chose a name that Francois Simon, comparing him evoked the past glories of its to France’s war-time saviour and most famous claimed son, Alex- dominant post-war leader. ander the Great. A giant in a nation that prides This photo taken on November 9, 2012 shows Bocuse in his kitchen at But nearly three decades on, itself as the beating heart of gas- L’Auberge de Pont de Collonges. the decision to use the name of tronomy, Bocuse was France’s the ancient kingdom ruled by only chef to keep the Michelin With the Gault-Millau guide, te cuisine owed as much to his a general who once conquered food bible’s coveted three-star Bocuse became a driving force showmanship and pioneering half of known civilisation is rating through more than four behind the Nouvelle Cuisine in business sense as it did to his cu- hampering the fl edgling nation’s decades. the 1970s, sweeping away the linary genius. place in the modern world. The heart of his empire, rich and heavy sauces of yester- “His cuisine was built around Macedonia, a former Yu- L’Auberge de Collonges au Mont year in favour of super-fresh in- the classic French repertoire,” goslav republic home to some D’Or, his father’s village inn near gredients and sleek aesthetics. said Simon. “But people came 2.2mn people, has fought since Lyon in food-obsessed south- The term was invented by for the emotion, for his banter, its inception with neighbouring eastern France, earned three Gault-Millau to describe food his personality, his sense of hu- Greece over the name it shares stars in 1965, and never lost a Bocuse helped prepare for the mour.” with a northern Greek province. single one. maiden fl ight of the Concorde “He wasn’t a pain in the arse – Many Greeks fear the use of “Monsieur Paul”, as he was airliner in 1969. unlike some who reckon they are the name suggests Skopje may known, was named “chef of the Slashing cooking times, paring great chefs. And he always played harbour territorial ambitions. century” by Michelin’s rival down menus and paying new at- the part, greeting people with a What started as a tug-of-love guide, the Gault-Millau in 1989, tention to health, Nouvelle Cui- smile. over a 2,400-year-old ruler – a A picture taken on July 23, 2012 shows a bronze statue of Alexander the Great, off icially named ‘Warrior and again by the Culinary Insti- sine was a craze that fi zzled out “And he taught his colleagues source of great pride for both on a Horse’, in Skopje’s central Macedonia Square. tute of America in 2011. but left a lasting legacy. how to get people talking about nations – has morphed into a A great upholder of tradition as Personally, Bocuse preferred to you”, paving the way for today’s charged political dispute hold- are split over whether chang- self, northern-Macedonian? It One outstanding issue is well as an innovator, several of his eat more hearty traditional fare. celebrity chefs, Simon said. ing back Skopje’s eff orts to join ing the name of their homeland doesn’t suit me.” whether the new name would trademark dishes at the Auberge “I love butter, cream and “Chefs had a completely ridic- the European Union and the is too high a price to pay to join Public opinion is hard to ac- be used internationally or just remained unchanged for decades wine,” he said, “not little peas cut ulous image back then,” he said. North Atlantic Treaty Organisa- the world’s largest single market curately gauge but a survey car- domestically, and in offi cial cor- including the black truffl e soup into four.” “The cook was seen as a sim- tion (Nato). and defence alliance. ried out in June 2016 showed respondence or not. he created for French president And he drew the line at some pleton slaving away backstage Athens, a member of both, Macedonia’s ethnic Albanian that more than one-third of Another is the amount of fa- Valery Giscard d’Estaing in 1975, of Nouvelle Cuisine’s excesses, in a greasy kitchen, who would has so far blocked the bids over minority has applauded moves Macedonians want to join both cilities and landmarks named who named him a commander of shunning its extreme minimal- emerge at midnight smelling of the name issue. towards a compromise. the EU and Nato. after Alexander the Great. the Legion of Honour. ism. fi sh.” “There is no other way to join But other Macedonians, However, nearly 65% of those Nano Ruzin, a political scien- Born into a family of cooks Even so, the movement’s in- In 1965, Bocuse left his kitchen Nato without solving the name mainly ethnic Slavs, are less en- polled were against changing tist who served as Macedonia’s since 1765, Bocuse began his ap- sistence on the freshest of infor Japan, the fi rst of many trips issue,” the military alliance’s thusiastic. Macedonia’s name. ambassador to Nato, said Sko- prenticeship at the age of 16 and gredients and the introduction abroad to promote French cu- chief Jens Stoltenberg said this “I’m Macedonian! How can Liljana Stoilova, a 43-year- pje’s international airport would came to epitomise a certain type of technology into the kitchen linary know-how around the week on a visit to the Macedo- something like this (the coun- old vegetable farmer, would ac- probably need renaming after of French epicurean – a lover of helped pave the way for the world. nian capital. try’s name) be changed?” said cept being a citizen of “North- any deal. fi ne wine, food and women. “chemistry set cuisine” which “He’s been hugely infl uential. Known as the Former Yu- Done Stojanoski, a retired shop- ern Macedonia as long as we “Some changes are neces- He slept in the same room now dominates fi ne dining. He trained a lot of chefs, includ- goslav Republic of Macedonia keeper. remain Macedonians and our sary from an aesthetic point of where he was born, and managed “It was a real revolution,” said ing from Japan,” said Jackson. (FYROM) at the United Nations, “Why don’t they change language remains Macedonian”. view,” he said, including several to maintain a relationship with food critic Simon. “They coined From his travels he picked up the country elected a new gov- the name of Americans?” the But in a nation experiencing neo-classical monuments in the his wife Raymonde and at least a concept that came at exactly a fl air for marketing, going on to ernment last year off ering some 67-year-old added. a mass exodus of young pro- capital. two lovers. the right moment – at a time launch an international range of hope of a breakthrough. As Greek nationalist groups fessionals and with an average Ali Amethi, a former leader “I love women and we live too when gastronomy was a bit dull Bocuse branded products and a Replacing a nationalist, mobilise for mass demonstra- monthly salary of €350 ($430), of an ethnic Albanian politi- long these days to spend one’s and heavy and not sexy at all.” successful chain of open-plan right-wing administration, the tions this weekend, a raft of not pragmatism among some Mac- cal party said that some monu- entire life with just one,” Bocuse “Bocuse is respected for the brasseries, setting up catering new ruling Social Democrats re- particularly catchy alternative edonians comes before patriot- ments would need removing told the Daily Telegraph in 2005. fact he kept things in propor- schools and competitions. launched talks with Athens in a names is circulating. ism. entirely. Polygamy was part of his huge tion,” said France-based critic He also gave his name to the bid to settle the dispute. These include: Upper Mac- Accepting the name change While he is in favour of a name appetite for life, he insisted. Rosa Jackson. world’s top international cookery This week a UN envoy said he edonia, Northern Macedonia, “would give us priority to enter change, he believes there should Married to Raymonde since “Good cooking for me is when competition, the annual “Bocuse is “very hopeful” that a solution New Macedonia, or Macedonia- both Nato and EU. Politicians be some red lines. 1946, he also shared his life with you lift up the lid and it smells d’Or”. was in reach, while Macedonia’s Skopje. have to settle this”, said Gani “For (ethnic) Albanians, the Raymonde – with whom he had delicious, and you reach for a In 2007, more than 80 top Prime Minister Zoran Zaev said “No, no!” said Zlatko An- Rahman, 49, an ethnic Albanian names of the Slav Republic or a son – and Patricia, who looked second helping,” Bocuse wrote a chefs fl ew to France from around the row could be ended “by the dreevski, a 32-year-old farmer waiter. the National Republic of Mac- after his image for the last 40 few years before his illness. the world to celebrate his 81st end of the fi rst quarter of 2018”. from the central town of Pri- It is unclear how a name edonia would be unacceptable,” years. His status as the giant of hau- birthday and his legacy. But Macedonians themselves lep. “What would I call my- change would work in practice. Amethi said. Gulf Times Sunday, January 21, 2018 15 EUROPE

10,000 Italians bid to be Germany’s SPD leaders M5S poll candidates upbeat on coalition talks DPA Reuters told Welt am Sonntag newspa- Rome Berlin per. “Nevertheless, I ask everyone in my party to take responsibility: Please consider the ome 10,000 people have enior members of Ger- consequences if this govern- put their name forward many’s Social Democrats ment option fails.” Sto run for parliament for S(SPD) said yesterday that Speaking to reporters in Bul- Italy’s populist Five Star Move- they are confi dent that the party garian capital Sofi a, Merkel said ment (M5S), the party’s prime would approve the start of for- she hoped the SPD would ap- ministerial candidate said on mal coalition talks with Chan- prove the start of formal coali- Thursday. cellor Angela Merkel’s conservation talks. The M5S held an online vote tives at a special congress today. “We will wait for the SPD on Tuesday and Wednesday, in The upbeat comments came party congress and then hope- which its registered supporters after the SPD’s biggest regional fully start coalition talks,” Mer- were asked to pick candidates for branch in North Rhine-West- kel said. March 4 general elections. phalia recommended its mem- A negative vote by the SPD “10,000 candidates have tak- bers vote in favour of entering today would prolong politi- en part, and they were selected negotiations, on condition that cal deadlock in Europe’s largest in a strict manner,” M5S leader party leader Martin Schulz push economy, which has been with- Luigi Di Maio told the Radio 24 for more concessions on labour, out a government since the Sep- broadcaster, rejecting criticism health and migration policies. tember 24 election that weak- about the procedure. Around 600 SPD delegates ened both blocs. The winners are due to be an- vote today on whether their Possible scenarios then would nounced today. leaders should push ahead with include new elections or a mi- The online vote covered the coalition talks on renewing an nority government for what two-third of parliament seats alliance with the conservatives would be the fi rst time in Ger- due to be elected via a propor- that has governed Germany many’s post-war era. tional system. since 2013. SPD general secretary Lars The remaining third, elected The two groups struck a pre- Klingbeil told regional newspa- via a majoritarian system, are liminary deal last week but per Neue Osnabruecker Zeitung to be picked by Di Maio and his Schulz is facing a strong back- that he expected the delegates aides. lash from the SPD’s left and to approve the start of coalition Several hopefuls, includ- youth wings, which argue that talks. ing a couple of outgoing M5S that blueprint does not bear “The SPD knows very well lawmakers, said that they were enough of the party’s hallmarks. what it wants, what it does not barred from the online contest They say the SPD would be want and what is good for the A picture taken yesterday shows the stage at the World Conference Centre in the western city of Bonn, a day before an extraordinary with no explanation. better off in opposition after people in the country,” he said. congress of the Social Democratic Party (SPD). Another reject vowed to take scoring its worst election result Michael Groschek, leader the matter to court. since Germany became a federal of the SPD’s biggest regional wants a fi nal coalition agree- allow family reunions for asy- jection could plunge the country cluded in the fi nal coalition deal. There were reports about the republic in 1949. branch in NRW, said he also ment to include a call to abolish lum-seekers suff ering unusual into a severe political crisis. “We’ll still be talking about online system crashing, but the SPD parliamentary leader An- expected a positive outcome, Germany’s dual public-private hardship. However, Thomas Strobl, details – but basic things that party insisted that all was well. drea Nahles said she still expect- though the fi nal coalition deal health insurance system in fa- Merkel’s conservatives and party deputy of Merkel’s Chris- are not already in the blueprint “The chaos that newspapers ed formal talks to happen. would “for certain” have to look vour of a single citizen’s insur- leading business associations tian Democrats (CDU), rejected won’t be added during coalition are blathering about did not “I expect a majority to back diff erent from the blueprint. ance, to scale back temporary have urged the SPD delegates to the SPD’s latest demands for negotiations,” Strobl told Funke happen,” the M5S said on its coalition negotiations,” Nahles The SPD branch in that region employment contracts and to back coalition talks, saying a re- more policy changes to be in- media group. blog. One M5S voter, Alfi o Mas- simino, wrote in the blog’s com- Ministers call ment section: “Today I managed to vote, it took more than three for better welfare hours but I voted. But I have to Valletta is offi cially Europe’s Capital of Culture for farm animals say this kind of delay is certainly not justifi ed.” Greater attention should be given According to polls, the M5S is DPA three main themes: Island to the welfare of farm animals Italy’s most popular party with Valletta Stories, Future Baroque, and and to reducing the use of about 28% of the votes, but is Voyages. growth-enhancing medications, running behind a conservative Valletta has undergone a agriculture ministers meeting in coalition led by former prime iny Malta is once massive transformation in Berlin said yesterday. minister Silvio Berlusconi, on again prepared to the past few years, with the There is a global need to improve 37%. Tpunch above its once-derelict capital being animal health and animal weight, Prime Minister revived to showcase its ar- welfare by promoting good Joseph Muscat said yester- chitecture. animal husbandry management day, as Valletta was offi cially The European title also practices, biosecurity and inaugurated as the European sparked a number of key biosafety and knowledge Police Capital of Culture. infrastructural projects, exchange, said a communique Around one-fi fth of Mal- among them a new museum after the 10th Berlin Agriculture ta’s 450,000-strong popu- of art, and a revamped Strait Ministers’ Conference. to fi ght lation was expected to fl ood Street, an infamous narrow The ministers said more the streets of the historic street popular with British international co-operation is capital for the ceremony. sailors during World War II necessary “in order to make ‘fake news’ “We did not have to start when the island was under livestock production and animal from scratch. We simply had siege. husbandry more sustainable, to look around us and tidy Not everybody on the is- responsible and eff icient”. ahead of up those buildings and pre- land is greeting the event Ministers undertook to give pare our home to welcome with enthusiasm – many greater consideration to animal our visitors,” the prime took to social media to say health and animal welfare in election minister told the opening that Malta has no reason training programmes. ceremony at the Mediter- to celebrate as it still reels Animal health and the connection ranean Conference Centre, in shock after journalist with human health is another key DPA originally built as a hospital Daphne Caruana Galizia issue, said German Agriculture Rome in the 16th century by the was murdered in a car bomb Minister Christian Schmidt. Knights of St John. attack in October. “This is especially clear with More than 140 projects The Maltese capital is (animal diseases which can be talian police have set up a and 400 events have been sharing the role with Leeu- transmitted to humans) and new service for citizens con- planned for the so-called warden, a city in the Neth- the problem of resistance to Icerned about online fake “Valletta 2018” around erlands. Aerobatic dancers perform during final rehearsals for the opening of Valletta 2018. antibiotics.” news, as the country gears up for March 4 general elections. Using an online form, citizens can ask police experts to verify news, which could then lead to them being offi cially proven Tens of thousands gather for Dutch far-right supporters wrong by offi cial police statement, or even taken down from websites. “It is an absolutely transpar- anti-graft rally in Bucharest protest ‘discrimination’ ent and legitimate tool,” Interior Minister Marco Minniti said as the initiative was launched late DPA AFP dam, in the Netherlands,” said Dutch fl ags and carried placards on Thursday. Bucharest Rotterdam Wilders. reading “Stop the Islamisation “We do not want to create a “Here it’s our rules that of Europe” and “Keep the Dutch Big Brother,” Italian police chief count. I want to tell you that culture, traditions, norms and Franco Gabrielli added, rul- n estimated 30,000 peo- undreds of right-wing the Netherlands is not an Is- values!” ing out the possibility that free ple gathered yesterday demonstrators crowded lamic country, do you agree?” Police – who were out in speech could be endangered. Aevening in Bucharest to Ha main square at Rotter- he said to loud applause, speak- force – formed a line between The leftist Free and Equals demonstrate against Romania’s dam’s central station yesterday ing through a megaphone and right-wing demonstrators and (LeU) party was sceptical. leftist-liberal government and to protest what they describe as sporting his trademark peroxide a handful of anti-demonstra- “I wonder in which demo- its controversial justice reform. the “discrimination against or- hairdo. tors led by two MPs of the left- cratic state it is possible to give Scuffl es were reported be- dinary Dutch citizens” in favour He left the demonstration ist Denk Party, which draws its to [police] the power to decide tween protesters and police, of immigrants and Muslims. a short while later after safety support mainly from Turkish autonomously what is true and with security reinforcements The protest by around 700 concerns when his vehicle be- and Moroccan communities. what is not,” LeU lawmaker Gio- reportedly brought in from out- right-wing supporters comes came boxed in by a throng of “This (Wilders’ message) is a vanni Paglia said on Friday. side the capital early in the rally. as Dutch political parties gear supporters and journalists. message of hatred and division The ruling Democratic Party A march to the parliament up for local government elec- Wilders, 54, is often called and we’re against it. We have a (PD) has often accused the pop- building was planned for later. tions in March, with issues such the “best protected” man in message of unity and solidar- ulist Five Star Movement (M5S) Demonstrations were called as immigration and integra- the country and lives under 24- ity,” Denk leader Tunahan Kuzu and the far-right League party over a law passed last month tion again expected to feature hour security. told AFP. of spreading fake news on social which could lessen the power of among its 13mn illegible voters. His anti-Islam views have Wilders’s PVV will compete media to discredit the govern- the DNA anti-graft authority to Some of the people taking part in the protest against corruption in “The Netherlands is our seen him receive death threats in around 30 of the 335 local ment. prosecute corrupt offi cials. Bucharest last night. country, it’s not (Prime Min- including from terror groups governments in the March 21 There have also been reports Romania last week saw its ister) Mark Rutte’s country,” such as the Islamic State group vote, with the party battling to about Russia spreading fake second prime minister resign in ernment, due to a previous con- Sorin Grindeanu in June last populist Dutch politician Geert and Al Qaeda. fi nd candidates to represent it in news to help the M5S and the 13 months because of wrangling viction for electoral fraud. year and Mihai Tudose on Mon- Wilders, who led the demon- He is currently appealing a other local constituencies. League. over corruption within the rul- Dragnea nonetheless insists day. stration, told the protesters. 2016 conviction for discrimi- The PVV, however, will com- The two opposition parties ing Social Democrats (PSD). on pulling the strings in gov- Viorica Dancila, a close ally of “We live here, not in Mo- nation against Moroccans in a pete in Rotterdam, where it have denied any illicit connec- PSD chief Liviu Dragnea can- ernment, which has led to the Dragnea, has since been desig- rocco, we don’t live in Turkey or speech at a 2014 election rally. would face-off against Kuzu’s tion with Moscow. not take on the top job in gov- resignations of prime ministers nated to lead the government. in Saudi Arabia, but in Rotter- Many of the protesters waved Denk party, among others. Gulf Times 16 Sunday, January 21, 2018 INDIA Six get death Remembered ... in Maharashtra honour killings

IANS Haryana proposes death for rapists of minors Nashik The Haryana government said yester- “I urge the media not to create day it will enact a law to provide for capi- sensation by publishing reports on rape court yesterday send six men tal punishment for those found guilty of incidents without verifying acts. Figures to the gallows in the honour raping girls aged 12 years or below. suggest that 25% of the rape complaints Akillings of three Dalit youths in The state government would make a registered at police stations last year Ahmednagar district fi ve years ago. request for setting up fast-track courts were fake. Earlier, complainants had to On January 15, Nashik District and for dealing with rape cases to ensure face a tough time filing an FIR even after Sessions Court Judge Rajendrakumar R speedy justice to the victims, Chief Min- repeated requests. But today, not even a Vaishnav pronounced six of the seven ister Manohar Lal Khattar said in Karnal single person can claim non-registration Students wear the face masks and attire of scholar-monk Swami Vivekananda at a rally yesterday in Chennai to mark accused guilty for the brutal murder after laying the foundation stone for a of FIR in any case by the police,” the his birth anniversary. of Sachin S Gharu and two others on new sugar mill. chief minister said. January 1, 2013. Expressing anguish and concern over Usually, relatives and near and dear Special Public Prosecutor Ujjwal the recent incidents of rapes in the state, ones of the victim had been found to Nikam said the convicts have also been Khattar said although the police were be involved in about 75% rape cases, he ordered to pay a fi ne of Rs 20,000 each dealing with such cases as required pointed out. and directed the government to com- under the law, it had been decided to “Besides the police, it is also the pensate the victims’ families. make provisions for harsher punishment responsibility of the society to come Some of the compensation has al- for rape. forward and generate awareness among AAP to approach president ready been paid. “A law will be enacted soon to hang the people against such (perverse) Those who have been awarded the those convicted of raping a girl aged 12 mentality,” Khattar said after remaining capital punishment include Popat V or younger,” Khattar told the gathering silent for four days after brutal rapes Darandale, Ganesh P Darandale, Pra- in Karnal, around 125km from Chandi- and murders of minors rocked the state over disqualifi cation of MLAs kash V Darandale, Ramesh V Daran- garh. in the past week. dale, Ashok S Navgire and Sandeep M However, instead of pulling up the He also assured people that the police Kurhe. Haryana Police for its repeated failure in were working actively to solve the IANS out giving them a hearing was “un- “Not even a single vehicle or a sin- Gharu, 24, had fallen in love with an maintaining law and order, Khattar, on recent cases of rape and those involved New Delhi constitutional” and they were asking gle bungalow or not even an offi ce upper caste Maratha girl of the Daran- this occasion, chose to blame the media in Faridabad rape case had already been for an appointment with the president was taken by the MLAs. They used to dale family from Sonai village. for sensationalising the rape incidents. arrested. to present their case before him. spend their own money and use their The lovers planned to marry against eputy Chief Minister and sen- “We will appeal to the president to own vehicles. They did not draw any her family’s wishes. ior Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) ask the Election Commission to review salary,” he said. The convicts include the girl’s fa- caste boy, her family called the three While Nikam argued that it was “a Dleader Manish Sisodia said yes- all proofs that the MLAs have and give Sisodia said this was not the fi rst ther, Popat V Darandale, her brother Dalit youths to their home on New rarest of rare cases as it was a very gory terday the party will meet President them a hearing,” Sisodia said and add- attack on the party, as in the past Ke- Ganesh, other relatives and friends of Year, ostensibly to clean their septic and gruesome crime and with larger Ram Nath Kovind against a recom- ed that the MLAs would also inform jriwal’s house had been raided by the the family. tank. ramifi cations for society”, defence mendation of the Election Commis- the President about the “EC’s biased CBI, fake FIRs were lodged against All six would be hanged for various First the girl’s family eliminated lawyer S S Adas pleaded for leniency. sion (EC) to disqualify 20 party MLAs opinion”. their MLAs and even eff orts were crimes including murder and criminal Gharu. They chopped his head and Judge Vaishnav observed that the for holding offi ce of profi t. “The principle of natural justice was made to buy AAP MLAs. conspiracy. limbs off the body with a sickle and manner in which the convicts had On Friday, the EC recommended not followed in the process,” the Dep- He said all this was being done by One of the co-accused in the case dumped the pieces inside the septic killed the three victims, “they had for- to the president to disqualify 20 AAP uty Chief Minister said. the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) as they Ashok R Phalke was acquitted for tank. gotten to understand the feelings of MLAs for holding offi ce of profi t as A party volunteer told IANS that were scared of the AAP government lack of suffi cient evidence, which was Then they attacked Thanvar and others”. parliamentary secretaries, triggering Sisodia’s comments came after a entering its fourth year and added that handed over to the state CID by the Kandhare with spades. “Such people have no right to live calls for the resignation of Chief Min- meeting of the 20 MLAs with Kejri- the latest attack was a conspiracy to then state Home Minister, the late R R They took their bodies outside the in society and hence hanging them till ister Arvind Kejriwal. wal and Sisodia at the Chief Minister’s bring down their government. Patil. village where they were buried in a dry death is the only way to save the soci- However, the president does not en- residence in the evening. Sisodia said the BJP was doing all Besides Gharu, his friends Sandeep well. ety,” Judge Vaishnav ruled. joy much of discretion in such matters Sisodia said they were positive that this to derail the development works Thanvar, 25, and Rahul Kandhare, 20, After the three suddenly “disap- Making a forceful argument for and it is almost sure that he would go the MLAs would get relief from the taking place in the city. were also killed and their bodies dis- peared”, on the basis of complaints death sentence for all the convicts, by the poll panel’s recommendation. court and added that they were also “In 20 states, BJP and Congress have posed off . registered by their families, the police Nikam said that the “girl’s family, Addressing media persons yester- not afraid to contest election. appointed parliamentary secretar- Gharu, Thanvar and Kandhare, who launched a search and fi nally recovered which opposed the inter-caste aff air day, Sisodia said the Commission’s He said that none of the MLAs took ies and they are drawing hundreds of belonged to the Mehtar caste, worked Gharu’s rotting body pieces from the hatched a conspiracy and brutally decision to disqualify the MLAs with- a profi t of one paisa. thousands of rupees as salary,” he said. as conservancy staff ers in Trimurti Pa- septic tank after more than 24 hours, killed the three Dalit youths”. wan Pratisthan’s High School and Jun- and the remains of the other two after “The judgement by the court is very ior College, in Newasa, around 30km 72 hours. important. The prosecution argued the from Sonai, the investigation report A total of 54 witnesses were exam- entire case based on circumstantial said. ined during the trial, lasting nearly fi ve evidence since there were no eyewit- On learning of the love-aff air of the years in one of the most high-profi le nesses. Yet, we managed to link the se- girl, who was a student, with a lower- cases of honour killings in Maharashtra. quence of events,” said Nikam. Mani hits back at CPI in Kerala

IANS Mani told media persons here. saying that other political parties are Kottayam In August 2016, Mani’s KC(M) left the on ventilator. The CPI, if acting alone, Martial art United Democratic Front, of which the will not win even a single seat in Kera- party was a constituent for close to over la. At the moment, we are not looking day after CPI State Secretary three decades, as he held a section of the for entry into any front in the state. Let Kanam Rajendran ﬂ ayed the Congress responsible for the UDF rout me make it clear that I am not going to AKerala Congress (Mani), vet- in the May 2016 assembly polls. join any front, but will cooperate with eran legislator K M Mani yesterday The Kerala Congress (Mani) has six those who share our ideology,” said hit back at the Left party dubbing it as legislators in the present assembly Mani, who set a record last year by “lying in the graveyard”. and acts as an independent bloc in the completing 50 years as legislator from “The Communist Party of India (CPI) house. Mani’s son Jose K Mani is the Pala constituency. has always been known for its stalwarts, Lok Sabha member from Kottayam. A by-election today has been neces- but at present leaders like Rajendran On Friday, CPI leader Rajendran said sitated for Chengannur seat after the have brought a bad name to it. The CPI that the Left Democratic Front is not a death of CPI-M legislator K K Ram- is scared of losing its present status and ventilator for parties on the death bed. achandran. The CPI-M knows Mani’s hence attacking us. We have not applied “It’s strange that a party like the party has a good hold in the assembly for entry to any political front in Kerala,” CPI, which is lying in the graveyard, is constituency and could be of use.

Police abandon accident victims, fearing blood staining their van Two teenaged boys died in northern motorbike in the Setia Vihar area of citing eyewitnesses. India after a team of policemen alleg- Saharanpur late Friday when they hit An unverified video of the incident edly refused to take them to hospital an electric pole and fell into a deep shared on WhatsApp shows a young fearing their injuries would stain their drain alongside the road, additional man crying and pleading with the police vehicle seats, off icials and news reports superintendent of police Prabal Pratap to take the accident victims to hospital, said yesterday. Singh said. with the off icers refusing and then The incident comes amid calls for Hearing the teenagers’ screams, local leaving. police reform in India where an over- residents rushed to the scene, pulled “Where will we sit the whole night burdened and poorly trained force has them out and dialled the emergency if our vehicle gets dirty?” one of the been accused of being insensitive to number for police. policemen is heard asking on the video. victims they need to assist. “It came to our notice that PRB 970 “Brother, his body is getting cold, “Three personnel have been sus- (police patrol vehicle) reached the spot please do something,” the friend is pended pending an enquiry into the in- and refused to take the youth to the heard saying. cident,” KS Emmanuel, deputy inspector hospital. An inquiry has been ordered,” “We will take disciplinary action as general of police in India’s Uttar Pradesh Singh said. soon as the enquiry report comes in,” Sikh participants perform ‘Gatka’, an ancient form of Sikh martial art, during a competition in Amritsar yesterday. state, said. The locals took the boys to hospital Singh said. “In the interim, three police- Gatka is a traditional Indian martial art by Sikhs in which wooden sticks are used to simulate swords in sparring Two boys, thought to be around 17 in an auto-rickshaw but they died on men deployed with the 100 helpline matches. years old, were returning home on a the way, the Hindustan Times reported have been suspended.” Kerala Travel Mart receives enthusiastic response

By Ashraf Padanna this year due to heavy levies on houseboats and homestays par- lar tourism gathering over the tember 27 coinciding with the The Agenda 9 mainly calls for improve the visitors’ experience. Thiruvananthapuram food and accommodation under ticipate in the three-day event. years,” said an elated president World Tourism Day. measures to tackle waste man- This year’s event also coincides the new Goods and Services Tax They showcase a wide array of of the Kerala Travel Mart Society, Three days of business-to- agement, promote organic farm- with the opening of Kannur Inter- (GST) regime. products and services. The ninth Baby Mathew. business meetings will follow. ing, effi cient use of energy and national Airport, the second corpo- he Kerala Travel Mart It received 485 applications edition held in 2016 had seen “We expect a record number “Off ering a wide array of op- extensive use of local produce rate airport in Kerala after Cochin (KTM) 2018, a biennial from domestic and 105 interna- some 100,000 business meet- of registrations this edition. The portunities, the meet will be a and products. promoted by the state government Tsummit of stakeholders tional buyers so far for partici- ings. With 265 stalls over an ex- business-to-business meets perfect conduit for buyers and Other key areas which will with private participation. hosted by the southern state, has pating in the buyer-seller-meet pansive venue, there were 1,380 contribute to a great extent at- sellers to expand their business come up for deliberations are With improved air connectiv- received close to 600 registra- to be held in September. The reg- foreign and Indian delegates. tracting potential buyers.” territories,” he said. rainwater harvesting, reducing ity, the state hopes to promote in tions in just four days. istration closes on July 28. “The huge initial response Claimed as the most signifi - “We have started implement- the use of plastics and improving a big way northern Kerala, listed Organisers say the response Tourism and trade offi cials, is a clear indication of a larger cant gathering of tourism in- ing a comprehensive nine-point greenery, he said. by the Lonely Planet as the third has been overwhelming despite tour operators, travel agents, number of tourism stakehold- dustry stakeholders in India, the charter which focuses on making They aim to project Kerala as a best destination in Asia for holi- fears of a slump in tourist arrivals hoteliers and owners of resorts, ers getting attracted to the stel- KTM will open in Kochi on Sep- Kerala a sustainable destination.” sustainable modern destination and daymakers to visit this year. Gulf Times Sunday, January 21, 2018 17 INDIA 9 killed in Cultural festival Pakistani fi ring in two days IANS Around 10,000 residents of border vil- Jammu lages in Jammu, Samba and Kathua dis- tricts have migrated, leaving behind their homes, fi elds and cattle. ine persons, including three se- “Makeshift accommodation has been curity personnel, were killed and arranged for these people in government Nover 40 others injured in esca- buildings and schools in R S Pura, Samba lated violence along the LoC and the In- and Hiranagar,” provincial administra- ternational Border between India and Pa- tion offi cials here said. Artistes perform during the closing ceremony of Shilpgram Mahotsav 2018 in Guwahati yesterday. kistan in Jammu and Kashmir in the past Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti ex- two days, police said yesterday. pressed concern over the loss of civilian “One soldier and four civilians were lives. killed today in Pakistani shelling and fi r- “Distraught to hear of three more civil- ing along the Line of Control and the In- ians caught in the crossfi re on the border. ternational Border while one soldier and The people of Jammu and Kashmir are one Border Security Force trooper and the worst victims of the acrimony be- Two bombs found near temple in Bodh Gaya two civilians were killed on Friday,” police tween the two neighbouring countries. I said here. pray that the hostility on the borders ends “From Akhnoor to R S Pura, Pakistan soon,” she tweeted. IANS According to district offi cials, a A senior police offi cial in Bodh “We have given all the informa- Rangers carried out indiscriminate shell- Defence sources said Sepoy Man- Patna low intensity bomb blast had taken Gaya said three suspected persons tion to the NIA team. If it requires ing and fi ring to target civilian and secu- deep Singh was killed yesterday in Paki- place near the site where the two have been found roaming in Bodh more information, the state police rity facilities for two days,” police said. stani fi ring in the Krishna Ghati Sector crude bombs were recovered on Fri- Gaya. Police will identify them soon, will provide it,” a senior police offi cer Over 40 others, including civilians and of Poonch district while Jammu district wo crude bombs have been re- day night. he said. camping in Bodh Gaya said. security personnel, were injured. The in- authorities confi rmed the deaths of four covered near the Mahabodhi Police denied media reports that The NIA team is to defuse the two Security of foreign monasteries jured have been shifted to various hos- civilians along the International Border. Ttemple in Bihar’s Bodh Gaya claimed the bombs were found inside crude bombs, police said. and other sensitive places has also pitals. Over a dozen cattle too perished “Pakistan ceasefi re violations on the district, where Tibetan spiritual the revered Mahabodhi temple. “A team of NIA reached Bodh Gaya been beefed up and additional secu- in heavy shelling of civilian facilities by LoC started at 8.20am. They used small leader the Dalai Lama is camping, “The explosive materials were and visited the Mahabodhi temple to rity forces deployed. Pakistan Rangers. arms and automatics to target Indian po- prompting authorities to heighten found in the vicinity of the Kalach- probe the incident,” a district police Thousands of the Dalai Lama’s BSF sources said Indian troops in- sitions. Our troops retaliated eff ectively. security. An NIA team was at the site akra ground near the temple and kept offi cial said. devotees and hundreds of foreign fl icted heavy damage on Pakistani troops, However, Sepoy Mandeep Singh, 23, be- yesterday to probe the incident. The far away from the temple,” Inspector A forensic team from Patna was tourists have been staying in Bodh killing seven Rangers and destroying four longing to Punjab, was grievously injured. bombs were found on Friday night, General of Police, Patna Zone, N H also in Bodh Gaya to investigate the Gaya, where it is peak tourist season border posts of Pakistan across the inter- He later succumbed to his injuries,” De- police said. Khan said. matter. now. national border. fence Ministry offi cials said.

Leopard captured 17 killed in massive fi re at warehouse in Delhi A young leopard was captured yester- As many as 17 persons were burnt alive or fire was doused after three hours. Student guns down school principal day amid high drama after it remained asphyxiated and 30 others injured yester- “Police as well as fire brigade and trapped for hours in a house in Karna- day in a massive fire in a plastic warehouse ambulances were rushed to F-83 in Sector taka’s Tumakuru town, police said. in west Delhi’s Bawana area, a Delhi Fire 5 of Bawana industrial area. The cause of IANS cumbed to the bullet injuries. The a motorcycle and headed straight “Experts from the Forest Department Services off icer said. the fire is not yet known,” Deputy Commis- Yamunanagar, Haryana armed student was overpowered for the principal’s offi ce. rescued the wild cat by tranquillising “Seventeen bodies have been taken out sioner of Police Rajneesh Gupta said. by school staff and beaten up. He School staff told the police that it around 6pm, over nine hours after it from the godown (warehouse). As many as A man who jumped from the second was later handed over to the police. the student was angered over re- strayed into the house and remained 30 persons, including some women, have floor of the building in a bid to save himself n a shocking incident, a wom- Police said the boy’s father is a cent developments in the school trapped there,” Tumakuru Superintend- reportedly sustained burn injuries. Some later succumbed to injuries at a hospital. an principal of a private school fi nancier and the licensed pistol which led to his expulsion. ent of Police Divya Gopinath told IANS on others are still feared trapped inside,” he The victims were trapped in the base- Iin Haryana’s Yamunanagar used in the incident belonged to The student had been rusti- phone. said, adding that the condition of four ment, first and second floors when the fire town was shot dead yesterday by the father. cated as he had low attendance Tumakuru is about 70km from Ben- persons is critical. spread from the basement to the floors an agitated Class 12 student who “School staff , students and and used to pick fi ghts with other galuru in the state’s southern region. The off icer said the fire in Bawana above, the off icer said. The bodies have had been rusticated. teachers caught the accused while students. “The leopard seems to have strayed industrial area was reported to the control been kept in mortuary for identification. Principal Ritu Chhabra was he was trying to escape and hand- Yamunanagar Superintend- into the town from the rocky terrain on room around 6.20pm, following which 10 Relatives of some of the dead and the shot at thrice allegedly by the ed him over to police,” said a sen- ent of Police Rajesh Kalia said the the town outskirts in search of food and fire tenders were rushed to the spot. The injured have been informed, he added. student in her offi ce at the Swa- ior police offi cer. student has been detained and in- entered the house of Ramaswamy in mi Vivekanand Public School in There was panic in the school vestigations were on. densely populated Jayanagar Colony,” Thapar Colony of Yamunanagar as fi ve gunshots were fi red by the The police have registered a Gopinath said. town, around 110km from Chan- assailant. case against the student. Scared by the presence of the feline, digarh. Police offi cials investigating His father is also likely to be the family members, including Ramas- The victim was rushed to a the case said the assailant came to booked under the Arms Act, po- wamy, ran out from a back door while Ra- Women achievers feted nearby hospital where she suc- the school along with a friend on lice said. maswamy’s wife Vanajakshi and daughter Vinutha rushed into the bathroom and locked themselves in. Amarinder urges farmers not to agitate on farm debt waiver “Fire brigade men rescued the woman and her daughter after breaking the bath- ppealing to the state’s an- the extent to which his government The chief minister sought more room ventilator’s grille around noon.” gry debt-ridden farming had stretched itself to fulfi l this im- time from the farmers to imple- Even as hundreds of curious onlookers Acommunity, Punjab Chief portant promise of the Congress to ment farm debt waiver in toto, gathered outside, the leopard remained Minister Amarinder Singh yester- the farming community. saying his government was work- hidden in the house. day urged them to shun the path The chief minister appealed to ing towards reviving the state’s “Deputy Commissioner Mohan Raj of agitation and said his govern- the farmers not to be misled by the economy so that all sections of alerted Forest Department off icials to ment could not aff ord to waive opposition parties and some kisan the society could be brought back rush in experts with tranquilliser guns off any more of their debts at the (farmers) unions, who he said on the track of development. and a net to the house,” the off icial said. present juncture. were spreading false propaganda “The thrust, at the moment, is Experts spotted the wild cat as it was Reiterating that his government on the issue of farm debt waiver in on helping out the worst aff ect- trying to hide in the kitchen, following was committed to alleviating all order to promote their vested po- ed small and marginal farmers,” which they threw water on the animal to their woes at the earliest, Ama- litical interests. Singh said, adding that all the make it flee outside. rinder Singh said that despite the “Considering the fi nancial farmers would eventually be cov- “One of the experts then shot the ani- severe fi nancial crunch faced by problems which my government ered by the debt waiver scheme, mal with a tranquilliser. The leopard was the state government, Punjab had had inherited from the Akalis, and once the state’s economy starts then netted and brought out,” Gopinath waived off more debts of its farm- also considering the lack of sup- stabilising. said. ers than the other states. port on the issue from the central The Chief Minister said that Ramaswamy and his family members He cited the examples of Ma- government, it is not possible, at only the big ones among the were visibly relieved after the leopard was President Ram Nath Kovind addresses the Women Achievers selected by harashtra (up to Rs150,000), Uttar present, to extend the debt waiv- 1.75mn farming families in the captured alive. the Ministry of Woman and Child Development as Federal Women and Child Pradesh (up to Rs100,000), Rajas- er scheme to more farmers or to state had so far been left out of the “The leopard will be taken to the Ban- Development Minister Maneka Sanjay Gandhi and actress Aishwarya Rai than (up to Rs 50,000), Madhya waive off more than Rs200,000,” waiver scheme, and they were the nerghatta National Park in Bengaluru at Bachchan look on, in New Delhi. Pradesh (up to Rs100,000) and Kar- Amarinder Singh said in a state- ones who were quite capable of night,” a forest off icial told reporters. nataka (up to Rs 50,000) to point to ment here. taking care of themselves. Raja accuses Rai of ‘political murder’, wants him prosecuted

IANS wherein he has presented “my allocated by the Telecom Min- Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) out any friendship with the pro- his ministry at the peak of the 2G ecom operators’ cartel and bring New Delhi side of the story”. istry in 2008, then headed by A had been the biggest benefici- Hindutva party in near future as controversy. down the tariff s. When I went Raja was last month acquitted Raja, were based on 2001 prices, ary of this war. “DMK believes in social secular- “In the then prevailing situa- to see him, he embraced me and by a Central Bureau of Investiga- causing the exchequer a massive Asked why he had not criti- ism” and he could “say it with tion, the prime minister (Man- almost broke down. He realised alling former Comptrol- tion (CBI) court in the alleged 2G revenue loss. cised the BJP or any of its leaders, conviction”. mohan Singh) could not do any- that wrong had been done to A ler and Auditor General spectrum allocation scam. Subsequently, the Supreme including Prime Minister Naren- Raja admitted that he had a thing. I think three things were Raja,” Raja added. Cof India (CAG) Vinod Rai He held Rai guilty of his “po- Court cancelled all the licences dra Modi, scathingly in the book, “grievance” against Congress responsible for it — adverse com- He said that the book should a “murderer”, former federal Tel- litical murder” as it was an ad- issued to telecom companies, an although he conceded that the leaders P Chidambaram and ments from the Supreme Court, be read without any political ecom minister A Raja said yester- verse report by Rai in 2010 as the FIR was lodged by the CBI and BJP had been its biggest benefi ci- Pranab Mukherjee for not com- some Cabinet colleagues fi lling spectacles, with just “reading day Rai should be prosecuted for then CAG that pegged the loss to Raja was jailed along with DMK ary, Raja said: “I have criticised ing out in his defence although, his ears and pressure from the glasses”, to be able to see merit in “cheating”. exchequer due to underselling of patriarch Karunanidhi’s daugh- Arun Jaitley and Murli Manohar though both of them knew the media,” Raja said. his arguments. “There was a big conspiracy spectrum at Rs 17.6tn and which ter Kanimozhi and others. Joshi but why should I jump to “facts”. “But I made it a point to Raja said that his acquittal by that has to be probed. Vinod Rai resulted in massive public anger Raja said in his view the 2G Narendra Modi who was sitting However, Raja bears no ill present the fi rst copy of this book the court had been a “relief” for should be prosecuted for cheat- against the Manmohan Singh- scandal was initially a corpo- in Gujarat?” feeling for then-prime minis- to Dr Manmohan Singh. It was the Congress but a “boon” for ing,” Raja said here at the launch led UPA-II government. rate war which then turned Refuting allegations of go- ter Manmohan Singh who also only through his co-operation his party Dravida Munnetra Ka- of his book 2G Saga Unfolds, Rai’s report said the licences into a political war, and the ing soft on the BJP, he also ruled distanced himself from Raja and that I was able to break the tel- zhagam. Gulf Times 18 Sunday, January 21, 2018 LATIN AMERICA Pope to visit Peru region hard hit by fl oods

AFP litically charged fi rst day in the Many had already begun gath- 2017, which also left at least Bare-chested tribesmen, Thursday afternoon in Peru, cuted indigenous communities. Trujillo, Peru Latin American country where ering there on Friday night in an- 300,000 homeless. their bodies painted and their the second and last leg of a Before his visit to Chile, the he railed against “great business ticipation of the pontiff , despite The leader of the Catholic heads crowned with colourful week-long South American US-based NGO Bishop Ac- interests” for endangering the persistent drizzle. church will later preside over feathers, danced and sang for visit. countability said that almost 80 ope Francis was set yester- Amazon and its tribes. He will then go to the town’s a ceremony in the town square the Pope when he arrived in the During the fi rst part of his members of the Roman Catholic day to hold a huge outdoor The mass will take place on poor “Buenos Aires” neighbour- before some 35,000 followers Peruvian city of Puerto Maldo- visit, in Chile, Francis high- clergy had been accused of sexu- Pmass in a coastal region of a wide swathe of beach able to hood which was especially hard and meet with members of the nado. lighted the plight of vulnerable ally abusing children in Chile Peru struggling to rebuild in the accommodate 500,000 people, hit by fl ooding last April. clergy. Thousands of indigenous immigrants, off ered an apology since 2000. wake of devastating fl oods last in the historic town of Huan- More than 130 people were On Friday, he had sounded a people had travelled to meet to victims of sexual abuse by At the Pope’s first public year. chaco popular with surfers and killed across Peru in heavy rains, stark warning about the future the pontiff from throughout the Catholic priests, prayed with mass in Santiago on Tues- His visit to Trujillo province, known for its distinctive reed fl oods and landslides fuelled by of the rainforest and tribe mem- Amazon basin region of Peru, survivors of Augusto Pinochet’s day, he faced protests over the some 560km north of Lima, will watercraft known as “caballitos the El Nino weather phenom- bers, saying they had “never Brazil and Bolivia. brutal dictatorship, and called church’s handling of decades of be a change of pace after a po- de totora.” enon between January and April been so threatened.” Pope Francis, 81, arrived on for protection of Chile’s perse- sexual abuse. Brasilia closes LatAm’s largest rubbish dump

By Anthony Boadle/Reuters copper wire and anything that criticised precarious conditions Brasilia can be recycled and sold. and child labour at the dump, Generations of pickers have environmentalists made the brought their children to work strongest case for closure, warn- ne thing the designers of in the dusty dump, beneath a ing that it was polluting the wa- Brazil’s modernistic cap- scorching sun and hovering vul- ter table beneath Brasilia, a city Oital Brasilia forgot to map tures, plagued by swarms of fl ies that has already has to ration out in their intricate plans was and the pungent stench of putrid water supplies due to recurrent where to put the rubbish. food and methane gas. droughts. The city’s creators, world fa- Rollemberg’s plan is to em- Populated by well paid gov- mous architect Oscar Niemeyer ploy the pickers at new “triage” ernment employees, Brasilia has and urban planner Lucio Costa, centres in warehouses where the highest per capita income could never have imagined the garbage can be separated for in the country — and affl uent A waste picker, who are known as ‘catadores de lixo’ (garbage collector in Portuguese), searches for recyclable materials at Brasilia’s garbage city’s explosive growth. recycling on conveyor belts in households that produce a lot of dump Lixao da Estrutural, considered as the largest in Latin America. Now, 67 years and 50mn cleaner conditions by workers in garbage. tonnes of garbage later, the uniforms and gloves. More than 1,200 tonnes of Estructural dump is the biggest But scavengers working at the garbage were dumped every day in Latin America. dump on its last day said they at the landfi ll by an endless line Until Friday, that is, when refused to swap their source of of trucks, due to halt at midnight Brasilia’s dirty secret was closed. income for regimented govern- on Friday. Governor Rodrigo Rollem- ment jobs that payed too little to The closure will impact fami- Over half a million Venezuelans berg opened a new landfi ll fur- sustain their families. lies living in Ciudad Estructural, ther out of town to replace it, “I’ll have to start working the an adjacent community started angering thousands of scaven- streets looking through garbage by scavengers that has an esti- gers who make a living from the cans,” said Evando Souza, 32, mated 40,000 inhabitants. fl ed to Colombia during crisis garbage. who has worked at the dump Many will have a hard time “We cannot live with this day-in and day-out for fi ve fi nding alternative jobs as Brazil open wound in the midst of our years. slowly emerges from its worst AFP als to return to Colombia, but medical care and school for all ezuelans who remain in Colom- nation’s capital, a dump where Flanked by his three young recession in decades. Bogota also caused Venezuelans to see Venezuelans,” he said. bia, another 231,000 travelled human beings put their lives at sons, Souza said in a good month Some members of the our country as a means to transit However, he warned that Co- through the country en route to risk seeking a livelihood in an he could take home 3,000 reais 3,000-strong pickers co-opera- to other destinations, to settle or lombia “has limitations if these Ecuador last year. undignifi ed way,” the governor ($937), more than three times tive said they would rather stay ore than half a million to purchase essential products,” migratory processes escalate.” The Colombian government said at the opening of the new the minimum salary. working the dump and not have Venezuelans have tak- said Migration Colombia direc- The migration authority said of President Juan Manuel San- landfi ll. “Today was a lucky day for the cost of a long commute to the Men refuge in Colombia tor Christian Kruger. some 1.3mn people had regis- tos has accused Venezuela’s Since the city was founded us,” he said, polishing a silver new recycling centres. to escape the crippling eco- The South American neigh- tered for a border mobility card socialist President Nicolas Ma- on a cattle ranch on a highland ring they had found and a old “Rollemberg hasn’t off ered nomic crisis in their country, bours share a 2,200km (1,370- which allows them to travel be- duro of installing a dictatorship, plateau, Brasilia has expanded model Nokia cellphone. us a real alternative. We cannot Bogota’s migration authority mile) border. tween the two countries. and has off ered refuge to his op- to become the nation’s fourth- Souza, his head covered with survive on that pay,” said Valdir said on Friday. Finance Minister Mauricio The authority said 37,000 ponents. biggest metropolis with some a dirty T-shirt to protect him Dutra, who said he has scav- It said the number of Ven- Cardenas told foreign corre- people used the card to criss- UN Secretary-General An- 2.5mn inhabitants. from the sun and the fl ies, said enged through the dump’s rub- ezuelans entering the country spondents earlier this week that cross the border on a daily basis tonio Gutteres said on a recent Just 20km from the presiden- he was thinking of returning to bish for 16 years. — 550,000 — had increased by the government has assumed in 2017 to buy food and medi- visit to Colombia that the Unit- tial palace, thousands of scav- his home state of Maranhao in “I’m going to dust off my CV 62% in the last year. the cost of its “policy of open- cine, amid severe shortages in ed Nations was willing to send engers have eked out a living northeast Brazil. and see what job I can fi nd,” he Venezuela’s crisis “has not ness and solidarity” up to now. Venezuela. more aid to help Bogota cope for decades by picking out cans, While human rights groups said with a wry smile. only forced thousands of nation- “We have off ered emergency Apart from the 550,000 Ven- with the infl ux of migrants.

Honduras clashes Mexico deputy finance minister US charges Honduran joins ruling party campaign Mexican deputy finance minister sit on the Banco de Mexico board. Vanessa Rubio has left her post to Espinosa would fill the vacancy congressman with drug join the campaign team of ruling left by newly installed Banco party presidential hopeful Jose de Mexico Governor Alejandro Antonio Meade amid a reshuff le at Diaz de Leon, a former deputy traffi cking conspiracy the ministry, off icials said on Friday. governor who took over the top Rubio, whose departure job at the bank late last year, was announced by Meade’s replacing Agustin Carstens. Reuters fi ed as a major transshipment campaign, is due to be replaced The five-person central bank New York point for drugs being smuggled by Miguel Messmacher, the board is responsible for setting into the United States. deputy minister for revenue, interest rates. Najera helped arrange clan- a ministry off icial familiar with The campaign of the 48-year-old ederal authorities an- destine landing strips, protected the matter said. Meade was in Meade has struggled to gain nounced drug traffi ck- by heavily armed gunmen, for charge of the finance ministry traction and escape the taint Fing and weapons charges aircraft ferrying cocaine into until stepping down to seek the of corruption surrounding the against a congressman from Honduras, the prosecutors said. presidential candidacy for the PRI and Mexico’s unpopular Honduras on Friday, the latest They said the cocaine was Institutional Revolutionary Party president, Enrique Pena Nieto. US case accusing current and then sold to Mexico’s Sinaloa (PRI) in late November. A poll this week showed Meade former offi cials of the Central Cartel and ultimately imported Rubio said on Twitter she would losing ground to leftist front- American country of involve- into the United States. act as Meade’s off ice coordinator. runner Andres Manuel Lopez ment in the drug trade. Najera was also charged with Separately, the finance ministry Obrador, leaving him stuck in Fredy Renan Najera Montoya, taking part in a cocaine traffi ck- confirmed that treasurer Irene third place in the race to win the 41, was charged with conspiring operation that involved pay- Espinosa had been proposed by July election. ing to import “huge quantities of ment of a $50,000 bribe to Fabio President Enrique Pena Nieto as Also joining the finance ministry cocaine” into the United States, Lobo, the son of former Hondu- the next board-member of the is Juan Pablo Newman, who will according to US Attorney Geof- ran President Porfi rio Lobo. Supporters of the presidential candidate for the Honduran Opposition Alliance Against central bank. leave his role as chief financial frey Berman in Manhattan. Prosecutors said in Thursday’s the Dictatorship, Salvador Nasralla, clash with riot police and soldiers in a protest in Espinosa, a former university off icer at state oil company Pemex Najera, who was also charged in indictment that drug traffi ckers Tegucigalpa yesterday. New Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernandez inauguration teacher who has also worked at to head the ministry’s public credit an indictment fi led on Thursday paid bribes to Honduran offi cials, ceremony will take place on January 27. the Inter-American Development unit, according to three people in Manhattan federal court with including members of the nation- Bank, would be the first woman to familiar with the matter. carrying and using machine guns, al congress, to ensure safe passage could not be reached for comment of drugs through the country. and a lawyer for him could not im- Fabio Lobo was arrested in a mediately be identifi ed. DEA sting in 2015, pleaded guilty “We are committed to attack- to conspiring to import cocaine ing the drug trade at every level, into the United States and was Venezuela’s prescription for drug shortage: herbs regardless of a defendant’s sta- sentenced to 24 years in prison tus,” Berman said in a statement. in September. “We look forward to trying Na- US prosecutors have charged AFP knowledge of the old ladies,” will exceed 2,300% in 2018. tral knowledge of my family.” their families marched to the jera on US soil.” several other prominent Hon- Caracas President Nicolas Maduro said Citizens have demonstrated The Coalition of Organisa- embassies of Canada, Costa James Margolin, a spokesman durans with involvement in drug at the presidential palace. against shortages of essential tions for the Right to Health and Rica, the Netherlands and Peru for Berman, said Najera was not in traffi cking. Oil-rich and once one of the goods including medicines. Life has denounced an “abso- to ask those countries to press US custody. He declined to com- Yankel Rosenthal, who served ith an estimated 5% wealthiest countries in Latin The country’s medical union lute and prolonged absence” of Caracas for a “humanitarian ment on whether prosecutors as minister of investment under of needed medicines America, Venezuela has seen estimated Venezuela’s pharma- basic pharmaceuticals to treat channel” for the entry of medi- would seek to have him extradited. current President Juan Orlando Wavailable, Venezuela its economy decimated under ceutical shortage at 95%. diseases including kidney fail- cines to Venezuela. Prosecutors said that between Hernandez, was sentenced to on Friday launched a health Maduro. “I am curing a terrible fl u ure, cancer and multiple scle- Maduro’s government denies 2009 and 2014, Najera assisted two years and fi ve months in plan that relies on herbs and Falling oil prices, deadly pro- that hit me at the beginning of rosis. there is a “humanitarian crisis” in large-scale traffi cking of co- prison on Friday after he pleaded natural remedies. tests, and corruption have co- the year with chamomile, aloe, Antibiotics and drugs to in the country and blames sanc- caine from Colombia and else- guilty to attempting to launder The “100% Natural Health incided with chronic food and lemon and a little honey,” Ma- control blood pressure are also tions imposed by the United where through Honduras, which drug proceeds on behalf of a Plan” seeks the “rescue of his- medicine shortages, and infl a- duro said. scarce. States for aff ecting the impor- US authorities have long identi- Honduran lawyer. toric and patrimonial health, tion which the IMF forecasts “This comes from the ances- In November, patients and tation of food and medicine. Gulf Times Sunday, January 21, 2018 19 PAKISTAN

Series on ‘dying’ musical Pakistan closes offi ce of heritage

Internews Islamabad US-funded radio station DPA/AFP/Internews The station was “portraying hardest hit by unrest since 2007, Afghanistan, of backing anti- and some remote areas of Balu- a move designed to force Islam- series on musical instru- Islamabad Pakistan as hub of terrorism and and have seen several large-scale Pakistan militant groups. chistan. abad to halt its alleged support ments on the verge of a safe haven for diff erent mili- operations by Pakistan’s mili- Thomas Kent, Radio Free In December, Pakistani au- for the Afghan Taliban and other Aextinction, titled Saaz tant groups”. tary against religious extremist Europe’s president, said on its thorities asked about a dozen Islamist groups. Kahani: the Story of Musical akistani authorities have The closure notifi cation, groups. website that he is “extraordinar- international groups to wind Pakistan has long denied the Instruments, premiered at Lok ordered a US-funded ra- posted on the RFE website and The notifi cation states that ily concerned by the closure” down their operations within allegation, and in turn accused Virsa in Islamabad yesterday. Pdio station to stop broad- seen by AFP separately, did not the four main themes of the pro- and is “urgently seeking more two months. Washington of dismissing its Each of the programme’s six casting, alleging that its reports identify the agency. grammes aired by Radio Mashaal information about the Pakistani The Open Society Founda- sacrifi ces in the war against ex- episodes is dedicated to a unique portray the country as a “hub of The government further al- are “portraying Pakistan as a authorities’ intentions”. tion and the ActionAid charity tremism. Pakistani musical instrument. terrorism” and a “failed state”. leged that the station was “dis- hub of terrorism and safe haven The Prague-based radio sta- are among the groups that have Radio Mashaal was launched The launch of the series fea- The interior ministry issued torting facts (to) incite the target for militant groups, propagat- tion, Kent said, is a “private been ordered to leave. in 2010 to help undermine reli- tured musical performances an order on Friday to shut down population against the state and ing Pakistan as a failed state in news organisation supported by Relations between the US and gious militants. by renowned folk and classical the Islamabad offi ce of Radio its institutions”, referring to eth- terms of providing security to its the US Congress with no con- Pakistan soured this month after RFE, founded in 1950 to beam singer Wahdat Rameez, Zohain Mashaal, which broadcasts in nic Pashtuns. minorities and Pakhtuns, show- nection to the intelligence agen- US President Donald Trump ac- programmes into the commu- Hassan on the sarangi, Adnan Pashto and is linked to the US- The closure notifi cation spec- ing Pakhtun population of KP/ cies of any country”. cused Pakistan of “lies and de- nist bloc, is funded by a grant Haider on the rabab, and Salman funded Radio Free Europe (RFE), ifi ed Radio Mashaal’s audience Fata and Baluchistan as being “We hope this situation will ceit” in a New Year’s Day tweet from the US Congress, accord- Adil playing the fl ute. on the recommendations of the in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) disenchanted with the state, and be resolved without delay,” he and the State Department said ing to its website. The event was hosted by Tau- country’s Inter-Services Intel- and Baluchistan provinces, and distorting facts to incite people said. it would freeze almost all US se- It currently broadcasts in 25 seeq Haider, who spoke about ligence (ISI) spy agency. the northwestern Federally Ad- against state and its institu- With the strength of 17 edi- curity assistance to the country languages and aims to “serve how Lok Virsa executive direc- The programmes aired by the ministered Tribal Areas (Fata) tions”. torial staff based in Islamabad, until it takes action against ter- as a ‘surrogate’ free press in 23 tor Dr Fouzia Saeed and series radio “are in line with hostile in- along the border with Afghani- Islamabad has accused for- KP, Fata and Baluchistan, Radio rorist groups. countries where the free fl ow director Khawaja Najamul Has- telligence agencies’ agenda”, the stan. eign intelligence agencies, Mashaal is the only radio serv- Trump recently froze up to of information is banned or not san decided to take the step to ministry said. These areas have been the specifi cally those of India and ice broadcasting its voice in Fata $1.9bn in funding to Pakistan in fully developed”. preserve the instruments show- cased in the series. Saeed said: “We focused on instrumental music because vo- cal music still gets attention, but instruments get relegated to a Senior offi cer Concerns raised over secondary place.” Hassan, who traces his musical lineage through six gen- quality, credibility of erations of sarangi players, in- suspended over cluding Ustad Hussain Buksh Amritsari, Ustad Natthu Khan Pakistan’s elections and Ustad Peeru Khan, demonstrated the style of sarangi play- man’s killing in ing his family is known for. Internews political disagreements and The approach uses all four fi n- Islamabad respond to the greater chal- gers on the left hand, as opposed lenges, ranging from poverty, to the more common three-fi n- ‘staged shootout’ unequal distribution of wealth ger approach, allowing players to coalition of more than and resources, erosion of hu- achieve greater speed and agility. four dozen non-gov- man rights and civil liber- Hassan is one of Pakistan’s AFP A government committee in- Aernmental organisa- ties, rise of extremism, social few remaining sarangi players. Karachi terrogated Anwar on Friday and tions has expressed concern confl icts and tensions among According to him, there are recommended the senior police over the quality and credibility organs and institutions of the only four authentic sarangi play- offi cer’s immediate removal “to of upcoming elections, to be state. ers left in the country. akistani authorities have ensure fair and transparent in- held amid political instability There is a need to put an end He said: “It is a matter of grave suspended a senior po- quiry of the incident and inves- and uncertainty in Pakistan. to increasing social and po- concern that this music and Plice offi cer over the killing tigation of the case”, according “The excessive dragging of litical exclusion of women and these musicians are dying out. of a man in an allegedly staged to the offi cial notifi cation seen military and judiciary into the minorities, it added. We need to preserve this music shootout that sparked anger and by AFP. political discourse and disa- Fafen regretted that the and part of the problem is that protests nationwide. The police chief of Sindh greements among all political country’s “political dichot- this is an expensive instrument Senior superintendent Rao province, of which Karachi is actors does not augur well for omy” had undermined state that most people can’t aff ord. Anwar and other offi cers last the capital, has also requested the credibility of future elec- institutions, the Constitu- There are no institutions teach- week killed at least four men a travel ban on Anwar and his tions,” said a declaration issued tion, parliament and judiciary, ing (how to play this) instru- during what they claimed was team so they cannot leave the by the Free and Fair Election the National Action Plan and ment, and we need to teach this a raid on a suspected Taliban country. Network (Fafen) yesterday. above all democratic and hu- free of cost to save it.” hideout in the port city of Ka- Pakistan’s chief justice has It said that the Election man values. One of the oldest bowed in- rachi. ordered the provincial govern- Commission of Pakistan The non-governmental or- struments of the region, the Relatives of one of the dead ment to submit a report into the (ECP), being the custodian of ganisations stressed the need body of the sarangi is hollow and men, who was identifi ed as killing within a week. integrity of elections, should for state institutions to only made of teak wood adorned with Naqeebullah Mehsud, 27, from Anwar, along with some assert its constitutional pow- act within the constitutional- ivory inlays. South Waziristan tribal district, other police offi cers, had been ers reinforced under Elections ly-defi ned limits, and said that Hassan spoke about how Saaz rejected the claim of militant accused of serial fake “encoun- Act 2017 to ensure that the the trichotomy of powers must Kahani came to fruition. links and said he that was an ters”, mostly involving Taliban general elections to be held be preserved. He said the programme has aspiring model who arrived in suspects. this year are transparent, cred- “Let the parliament be su- been made in a simple manner to Karachi in 2008 in search of job Paramilitary forces began a ible and fair to reinforce public preme, let the judiciary act cater to a Western audience and and had been running a shop in sweeping crackdown on sus- confi dence in democracy and independently, let the state younger generations in Pakistan the city. pected militants in Karachi in A demonstrator shouts slogans during a protest in Karachi over the its values. institutions be insulated from who are unfamiliar with this rich The killing led to a national 2013 that has led to a substantial killing of Naqeebullah in a ‘police encounter’. Approved by the coalition’s political interference, and let musical heritage. outcry after Mehsud’s model- decrease in the overall levels of general council, the declara- the law deal with public and The six-minute series promo ling pictures, which posted on violence. extrajudicial killings in staged 20mn and Pakistan’s economic tion urged all democratic forc- elected offi cials transgressing was screened, which gave the social media, went viral, trig- However, rights groups have gunfi ghts, or “encounter kill- hub, is frequently hit by relies to initiate a national dia- their powers and those who are audience an overview of the pro- gering protest rallies in several accused the police and para- ings”. gious, political and ethnic vio- logue to reverse the dangerous involved in corruption,” they gramme. cities. military troops of carrying out Karachi, a port city of some lence. trends of negativism, polarisa- said in the declaration. tion and uncertainty. Fafen also expressed con- It called upon the political cern over the shrinking space parties, media and civil soci- for civil society, media organi- ety organisations, and public sations, and social and po- and state institutions to make litical rights advocates in the Punjab to introduce prompt and conscious ef- country, which it said is being forts to reverse the deepening systematically eroded by the polarisation that had created government through regres- fault lines within society at a sive legislation and regula- alert system to help time when the country is fac- tions, and by forces appearing ing serious internal and exter- to be acting to protect state in- nal challenges. stitutions. The Fafen statement said The space is being allowed locate missing kids that it has become imperative to be occupied by forces of for all political and social ac- extremism, perpetuating vio- tors to put aside their petty lence, added the statement. Internews director Rana Muhammad Arif, Lahore police deputy inspector general Sohail Sukhera, Public Prosecu- tor joint director Hasnain Iqbal, Interior ministry announces visas on he government of Punjab Punjab Safe City Authority dep- arrival for tourists from 24 nations has decided to introduce uty director Umair Ayub, and Tan alert system styled on others. The interior ministry has announced off ering visa on arrival to the US’s Amber (America’s Miss- The committee debated a tourists from 24 countries, including the US and the UK, reversing ing: Broadcast Emergency Re- three-point agenda which looked This picture taken on January 14 shows activists at a protest in Karachi, following the case of the rape and yet another decision taken by former interior minister Chaudhry sponse) system for the safety and into introducing the Amber alert murder of Zainab Ansari in the Punjab city of Kasur. Police have said that seven-year-old is the eighth child Nisar Ali Khan. recovery of lost children. system, formulation of SOPs for to have been raped and murdered in Kasur in the past 12 months. Other countries on the list include Canada, China, Japan, France, After the vulnerability of chil- social behaviours and protection Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, dren in Pakistan was exposed of children, and formulation of plete with details of the child An offi cer of CPWB said that It will later be replicated Greece, Belgium, Austria, Finland, Iceland, Korea, Portugal, due to the Zainab Ansari murder information technology pro- including age, physical features “ignoring and waiting for the re- throughout Punjab, he added. Singapore, Thailand, and Luxembourg. case, Punjab Chief Minister She- tocols for the safety of schools, and area etc. turn of the child” was a common In this regard, a meeting to be According to the immigration wing of the Federal Investigation hbaz Sharif established a sub- parks and public places. The alert would be sent to response in Pakistani society and chaired by the Punjab Chief Sec- Agency (FIA), multiple entry tourist visas valid for 30 days will be committee chaired by the chair- During the meeting, a pres- Punjab Safe Cities Authority, the among fi rst responder law en- retary will be held on January 22. issued to tourists from these countries, if the tour is organised person of the Child Protection entation of the proposed Amber local police, the patrolling police, forcement agencies. According to Amber’s offi cial through designated tour operators. Welfare and Bureau (CPWB). alert system was given to the par- the traffi c police, the Child Pro- Whenever a child would go website, the alert programme is a They have been asked to talk to one of the immigration off icers or He asked the CPWB, the Pun- ticipants. tection and Welfare Bureau, and missing, parents tend to would voluntary co-operation between the designated visa off icer on arrival for additional information and jab Safe Cities Authority, the The focus of the alert system is all broadcast mediums such as fi rst wait for him or her return, law-enforcement agencies, list of tour operators. Punjab Information and Tech- building a mechanism for imme- television and radio. the offi cer said. broadcasters, transport agen- Tourist groups will be required to submit an undertaking to the nology Board (PITB), the Punjab diate response by the authorities, The alert would also be sent When the case is fi nally re- cies and the wireless industry immigration authorities along with some other documents. police, and other departments to proactive collaboration between through e-mails and on mobile ported to police, the authorities to activate an urgent bulletin in formulate SOPs (standard oper- diff erent stakeholders, and com- phone numbers of locals. would also ask parents to wait the most serious child abduction ating procedures) and policies to munity engagement. A single alert will disseminate for some time before registering cases. Model police stations for Islamabad address issues faced by children According to the proposed information about the victim a complaint, the CPWB offi cer The goal of an Amber alert is in Punjab. drafts, software will be devel- to not only the community, but added. to instantly galvanise the entire All police stations in Islamabad would be upgraded with the best In this regard, a meeting was oped by the PITB and provided to PSCA could also spot the child “These initial minutes and community to assist in the search atmosphere to address public complaints on immediate basis and held at Punjab Safe City Authori- stakeholders. through its surveillance system. hours are crucial for child’s re- for and the safe recovery of the as per their satisfaction and law. ty (PSCA) Offi ce in Qurban Lines. Once a child goes missing, In addition, the information covery and safety,” he pointed child. “Seven police stations of Islamabad have been made model police The meeting was chaired by the police would be the fi rst re- would be provided to police of- out. It was initiated in 1996 in the stations, while work would be started to convert the rests into Saba Sadiq and attended by Pun- sponders. fi cers patrolling on the streets He said that the system would US in honour of Amber Hager- model police stations within days. Islamabad would have all model jab University Vice-Chancellor On receiving the information, or roads or those personnel sta- fi rst be initiated as a pilot project man, who was killed after abduc- police stations in one year,” said Islamabad Inspector General of Dr Zakriya Zakir, PITB assistant they would create an alert com- tioned at entry and exit points. in Lahore and Kasur. tion in Texas. Police Sultan Azam Temuri yesterday. Gulf Times 20 Sunday, January 21, 2018 PHILIPPINES Duterte Playtime eyes deal on medicines in India trip

By Llanesca T Panti expected to discuss regional Manila Times and international issues as well as the future course of Asean-India relations under resident Rodrigo Du- the overall summit theme of terte will push for a deal Shared Values and Common Pinvolving cheaper medi- Destiny,” de la Vega added. cines and maritime co-opera- Also scheduled for the 25th tion with India when he visits is the release of the Asean- the former British colony next India commemorative stamps week. portraying the cultural links Assistant Secretary Hellen between each Asean member de la Vega of the Department country and India. of Foreign Aff airs, who also Capping the Asean-India serves as head of the Offi ce of summit is a cultural pro- the Association of Southeast gramme and banquet hosted Asian Nations (Asean), was by Prime Minister Narendra referring to the Asean-India Modi in honour of the Asean Commemorative Summit leaders on the evening of Jan- scheduled for January 24 to 26 uary 25, while a Republic Day — a gathering that will coin- celebration is set on Jan 26 cide with India’s Republic Day wherein Asean leaders have celebration. been invited as chief guests, The president will arrive to witness the grand ceremony in New Delhi on January 24, a and spectacular parade. day ahead of the summit. The Past Republic Day celebra- Asean leaders will be welcomed tion guests include: Queen by India’s President Ram Nath Elizabeth 2nd in 1961, South Kovind during a luncheon. African President Nelson Asean groups the Philip- Mandela in 1995, Russian pines, Cambodia, Laos, My- President Vladimir Putin in Children play in a slum community in Baseco district, Metro Manila, yesterday. anmar, Vietnam, Indonesia, 2007, Japan’s Prime Minister Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand Shinzo Abe in 2014 and United and Brunei. Arab Emirates Crown Prince “The particular schedule Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed is yet to be determined, but al-Nahyan in 2017. certainly, the interest on phar- “For 2018, India has de- maceutical industry is on the cided to invite all 10 leaders agenda. The president will be of Asean which demonstrates discussing it at the leaders’ India’s important attachment level. And when I say about to Asean,” de la Vega added. cheaper medicines, that would India participates in vari- More families escaped also be talking about it in the ous Asean-led mechanisms, context of having co-opera- including the Asean Regional tion among Asean members,” Forum, the East Asia Summit, de la Vega told reporters. the Asean Defence Ministers “For the summit proper, it Meeting Plus, and Expanded will consist of two sessions. Asean Maritime Forum. Like- The retreat session will focus wise, India was also one of the poverty in 2017: survey on maritime co-operation, fi rst non-Asean signatories of while the plenary session is the Treaty of Amity and Co- Manila Times to be poor fi ve or more years ago, found that 12% of Filipino fami- Filipino families fell into pov- most especially about pov- operation in Southeast Asia. Manila while 14% used to be poor one to lies fell into poverty — 6.4% erty,” Palace spokesman Harry erty alleviation, continues to In 2017, India emerged as four years ago. were “usually poor” while 6.0% Roque said in a news conference progress… Our economy will one of Asean’s top fi ve part- “The fi gure for December 2017 were “newly poor.” in Aklan yesterday. certainly become inclusive. ners in development assist- round 31% of Filipino is the highest rate of newly non- SWS noted that 44% consid- “This is the reason why we are Meaning, it will be felt. (Ben- ance with funded projects and families were able to ex- poor families since the 13.8% ered themselves poor, with 31% driven to inclusive development efi ts of improved) economy programmes amounting to Atricate themselves out of recorded when the question of them believing they are “al- to bring lasting positive benefi ts will trickle down (to the poor),” $55.5mn. poverty in 2017, according to the was fi rst surveyed in December ways poor” as they have never to our people. Andanar told government-run In 2016, India also ranked latest Social Weather Stations 2014,” the pollster said. experienced being non-poor. In particular, our target is to dzRB. as the seventh largest source (SWS) survey. The survey found that 25% Responding to the survey re- lift about 6mn Filipinos out of The SWS survey was conduct- of foreign direct investments The poll, conducted from De- described themselves as “always sults, Malacanang reiterated the poverty,” he added. ed using face-to-face interviews with infl ows from India to cember 8 to 16, showed the high- non-poor” since they have never Duterte government’s commit- Presidential Communications of 1,200 adults (18 years old and Asean recorded at nearly est rate of Filipino families that experienced poverty. ment to lift less fortunate Filipi- Secretary Martin Andanar gave above) nationwide. President Rodrigo Duterte $1.5bn. The last Asean-India transitioned out of poverty since A total of 56% was “self-rated nos out of poverty. assurances that President Rod- The survey has a margin of er- is set to push for a deal Commemorative Summit was December 2014. non-poor,” which included the “We take note of the Social rigo Duterte’s anti-poverty drive ror of + or – 3% nationwide, + or involving cheaper medicines last held in New Delhi in 2012 According to the survey, 31% 31% of families who escaped Weather Stations survey show- would continue to make head- – 4% for Luzon, and + or – 6% and maritime co-operation to commemorate the 20th year of families are now considered poverty, SWS said. ing that 31% of Filipino families way to help the poor sector. each for Metro Manila, Visayas with India. of Asean-India relations. “newly non-poor” — 17% used On the other hand, the poll escaped poverty while 12% of “The president’s programme, and Mindanao. Militants free two Troops Faces of leadership in clash Indonesian hostages with

AFP rebels Jolo

Reuters wo Indonesian fi sher- Manila men have been released by Tmilitants after more than a year in captivity in the south- hilippine troops ern Philippines, police said yes- clashed briefl y with terday. Ppro-Islamic State mil- There were no offi cial com- itants in the volatile south ments on the physical condition yesterday, the army said, in of the two who were snatched their fi rst engagement since from their fi shing vessel in the the government retook Ma- waters between the southern rawi city in the country’s Philippines and Malaysia in No- biggest battle since World vember 2016, a police statement War Two. said. Army spokesman Major The two were reportedly Ronald Suscano said six sol- turned over by a “concerned diers were wounded in the citizen” late Thursday to a encounter. former governor on the south- The clash erupted af- ern island of Jolo, a longtime Two Indonesian men (names unavailable) who were freed after ter government forces en- Former presidents, Gloria Macapagal Arroyo (left) and Fidel Ramos shake hands during the haunt of the Abu Sayyaf group, being held hostage for more than a year, in the town of Jolo, Sulu countered about 10 mem- launch of the latest edition of the Philippines Yearbook, titled The Change Generation: Four some of whose members have province on the southern island of Mindanao. bers of the Maute group in Faces of Leadership, at Conrad Hotel in Pasay City. pledged allegiance to the Islam- a district in Lanao del Sur, ic State group, the statement often targetting foreigners. The among the armed groups who a stronghold of the rebel added. group is based in the strife-torn rampaged through the southern group, which has pledged The ex-governor called the southern islands like Jolo but city of Marawi in May, resulting allegiance to Islamic State, police who picked up the two. its members have sometimes in a fi ve-month long battle that Suscano said in a statement. Offi cials would not say if ran- crossed the southern maritime left more than a thousand dead. The military in October som, a frequent motive for such borders to carry out attacks in In another incident in the declared victory over the Doctors, nurses among nine killed abductions, was paid in this Malaysia. southern Philippines, about 10 Maute group, which seized case. This has prompted Malaysia extremists clashed with soldiers control in the southern city The Abu Sayyaf is a loose net- and Indonesia to join forces with before dawn yesterday, the mili- of Marawi on May 23, after Manila Times nurses, while 10 others were in- into a huge Mahogany tree along work of militants formed in the the Philippines in boosting its tary said. killing the remaining mili- Manila jured in separate vehicular acci- the national highway of Alegria 1990s with seed money from sea patrols in the area. There was no confi rma- tants, including a few for- dents in the town of Alegria and in south Cebu at about 12 noon. Osama bin Laden’s Al Qaeda Indonesian embassy offi cials tion of casualties on either eign fi ghters. Danao City, Cebu yesterday. As of press time yesterday, network, and has earned mil- could not be contacted for com- side but troops later recovered More than 1,100 people, ine people were killed, Police said the seven fatalities authorities have yet to confi rm lions of dollars from banditry ment. grenades, rockets and a black including 165 soldiers, died including US-based were on board a van driven by the names of the fatalities and and kidnappings-for-ransom, Abu Sayyaf members were IS fl ag. in the fi ve-month confl ict. NFilipino doctors and Gilbert de la Cruz that smashed the three who were injured. Gulf Times Sunday, January 21, 2018 21 SRI LANKA/BANGLADESH/NEPAL US helps Lanka Lanka president takes counter human traffi cking

Agencies “The US has a strong Colombo commitment to working charge of economy with international partners to tackle the root Maithripala Sirisena takes in the past three years, from the Supreme Court last week. he US government will causes of modern slavery over the responsibility from this month, the president will The UNP has indicated it may grant more than $1.2mn and protect victims and the prime minister and take it over,” his offi ce said in a go it alone in the next general T(Rs183mn) to counter vulnerable populations” will manage the economy statement. election in 2020. human traffi cking in Sri Lanka through a special economic Sirisena joined hands with Sirisena has publicly accused during the next three years, the ILO country director Simrin council headed by him the UNP to topple Mahinda Ra- the UNP of being more corrupt US embassy said yesterday. Singh said this is a timely op- japakse in January 2015, end- than the Rajapakse regime which It said the US State Depart- portunity for the ILO to step AFP ing the strongman president’s they both ousted. ment’s Bureau of South and up eff orts to combat human Colombo decade in power. During his rule, Rajapakse Central Asian Aff airs would traffi cking. But since then their alliance granted himself greater powers award the new project ‘Equip- “Well-known ILO tools on has fractured, with Sirisena over the police, judiciary and ping Sri Lanka to Coun- fair recruitment and the ap- ri Lanka’s president an- clashing with free-market civil servants, excesses which ter Traffi cking in Persons plication of recommendations nounced yesterday that he champion Wickremesinghe over Sirisena pledged to curb upon (EQUIP)’ to the International of ILO Conventions and Pro- Swould take control of the economic policy. his election. Labour Organisation (ILO) tocols on Forced Labour will island’s economy from the prime There was no immediate re- Parliament voted overwhelm- country offi ce for Sri Lanka make a positive dent in tack- minister, as relations worsen be- action from Wickremesinghe ingly in early 2015 to restrict the and Maldives. ling the challenges at national tween the ruling party and its to the decision, which came power of the presidency, restor- US ambassador Atul Keshap and grassroot levels,” she said. main coalition partner. after a heated cabinet meeting a two-term limit and reviv- applauded the eff ort saying EQUIP will directly assist Maithripala Sirisena said ing in which Sirisena accused ing independent bodies to man- the US has a strong commit- Sri Lankan men, women and he would directly manage the the UNP of unleashing a smear age key institutions such as the ment to working with inter- children who are at risk and economy through a special campaign against him, ac- police and the judiciary. national partners to tackle the those who are victims of hu- economic council headed by cording to sources close to the In recent weeks, Sirisena has root causes of modern slav- man traffi cking. “The project him, taking over the respon- president. sought to assert his authority, ery and protect victims and will work closely with policy sibility from Prime Minister Tensions between the coa- reimposing a four-decade-long vulnerable populations. makers, law enforcement, re- Ranil Wickremesinghe and lition partners have escalated ban on women buying liquor, “Through the EQUIP project, cruitment agents, trade un- his United National Party over Sirisena’s eff orts to ex- just days after his ﬁ nance minis- we will continue to support ions and business entities to (UNP). tend his presidential term ter and UNP leader Mangala Sa- the government of Sri Lanka in amplify the impact of inter- “Although the UNP was al- by one more year till 2021, a maraweera lifted the restriction combating the scourge of hu- ventions and achieve lasting lowed to manage the economy move that was shot down by earlier this month. President Maithripala Sirisena ... leading a fractured alliance man traffi cking,” he said. change,” the statement said. Rohingya refugee shot dead Poll-time govt

By Mizan Rahman a leader of block 2 of Tajnimar the attacks on the leaders of the frame for the repatriation of Dhaka Khola Rohingya camp, leaving camps. Rohingya refugees. him critically injured on Friday Meanwhile, a gang of miscre- The repatriation process is framework in due night. ants attempted to shoot another expected to start on January 22. Rohingya refugee has Yusuf was rushed to a nearby leader Arif Ullah of Balukhali More than 655,000 Rohing- been shot dead by un- hospital, where he succumbed to camp-2. yas have crossed into Bang- Aknown assailants at a his injuries. Another leader was Later, local Rohingya chased ladesh since August 25, 2017, refugee camp in Bangladesh’s also reportedly attacked in the the miscreants and caught Mo- escaping a military crack- time, says BNP Ukhiya. same night. hammad Alam along with a down in Rakhine state, which According to sources, a gang The refugees have alleged pistol. many countries and human of miscreants opened fi re on that a group of Rohingya oppos- Bangladesh and Myanmar rights bodies have described as By Mizan Rahman liamentary polls under a neutral dream of holding a 2014-like 35-year-old Mohammad Yusuf, ing repatriation is carrying out have agreed on a two-year time- ‘ethnic cleansing’. Dhaka government, the BNP leader lopsided election by suppress- said the government has con- ing BNP leaders and activists. tinued its repressive acts and “But it won’t be possible to do angladesh Nationalist harassing their party leaders this time.” UN special rapporteur visits Rohingya camp Party (BNP) leader Mirza and activists in ‘false’ cases. He said the BNP will join BAlamgir yesterday said “They’re arresting our lead- the polls, and resist the gov- the government was trying to ers and activists regularly ernment’s move to score in avoid political talks for ‘fear across the country. If such a an empty fi eld. “We’ll wage a of a debacle’ in a credible and situation prevails, how’ll elec- movement, if necessary.” impartial election. tion be held in a fair manner?” The BNP leader urged his “Our position on the next He said no election can be party colleagues to get ready polls is very clear. We’ve been held credibly under Sheikh for both the election and a saying we want a level-play- Hasina and Awami League gov- movement. ing fi eld and neutral admin- ernment as they want to snatch Criticising the government istration to ensure a proper everything by force. “We must for what he said its grow- environment for an inclusive resist their usurping attitude.” ing repressive acts, the ruling election,” he said. BNP senior leader Moudud party has been carrying out an The BNP leader further said, Ahmed yesterday said the election campaign across the “Also, we’ve long been saying country’s political scenario country while BNP is not even for a dialogue over holding the will change fast if their party allowed to indoor programmes. polls under a neutral govern- takes to the streets as the rul- About the prime minister’s ment. But they (government) ing party cannot tackle them recent announcement to form aren’t responding to it as they this time. an election-time government, know it very well that they “I would like to say the he said it is a new scope for won’t be able to come to power country’s political scenario talks on the issue as there is no if people can cast their vote.” will change if BNP takes to the provision in the constitution Alamgir was inaugurat- streets this time. There’ll be for making such a government. ing a medical camp at BNP’s a mass upheaval if we get out “As there’s no provision in Nayapaltan central offi ce ar- on the fi eld and Awami League the constitution to form an ranged by Doctors’ Association won’t be able to stay in power,” election-time government, we of Bangladesh, marking the he said. think the prime minister is now 82nd birth anniversary of party Speaking at a discussion, the considering a measure beyond founder Ziaur Rahman. BNP leader also urged all to re- the constitution. If this is the He also said the BNP will main alert as the government case, we’ll welcome her and come up with the framework will try to foil the next polls to provide her cooperation to work of an election-time supportive hang onto power by force. out steps for holding the next Yanghee Lee, second left, the United Nation’s Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar, visits a Rohingya camp in government at a right time. Moudud, a BNP standing polls in a fair and neutral man- Bangladesh’s Cox’s Bazar yesterday. Justifying their party’s de- committee member, said the ner through an understanding,” mand for holding the 11th par- ruling party has been in a day- Moudud observed. Female Sherpa from Nepal scales new heights

By Paavan Mathema, AFP oxygen at high altitudes. roped her in for an ice-climbing border, but bad weather forced her Kathmandu But in Nepal – home to eight of trip in the Rolwaling Valley. to turn back before the summit. the world’s highest mountains – “It is something else to see that “She was already moving for- climbing remains a man’s job. great a promise of ability in a craft ward to become one of the top hen Dawa Yangzum “This is a challenging fi eld, even that not everybody is good at. And women mountaineers not just in Sherpa fi rst set her sights more so if you are a girl. There she displayed that immediately,” Nepal but in the world, but this Won being a mountain were people who said this is not a Gottlieb said. certifi cate will open many new guide, she was told it was no job girl’s job, that I won’t get work or After racking up a number of opportunities for her,” said Sunar for a girl. Now she has proved her (asked) what will I do if I have kids,” summits of smaller mountains, Bahadur Gurung, president of the doubters wrong, becoming Nepal’s Sherpa said. in 2012 Sherpa was selected to Nepal National Mountain Guides fi rst woman to earn a prestigious Mountaineering is the lifeblood join an expedition organised Association. international qualifi cation. of Sherpa’s home village in Rol- by National Geographic to the “Dawa is very capable but is also Last month, the 27-year-old waling valley, which neighbours world’s highest peak. extremely determined.” completed a rigorous course run Mount Everest, and scores of “Everest used to be my aim. I Sherpa is planning to guide a by the Swiss-based Interna- its residents have summited the used to think that once I scale Ev- team to North America’s highest tional Federation of Mountain 8,848m (29,029ft) peak. erest it will be enough. But climb- peak Denali with Alpine Ascents Guides, often described as a PhD in “I knew what I wanted to do. ing is like an addiction. The more International this June, and will mountaineering. My passion was to be outdoors, to I climbed, the more I wanted to then return home to Nepal where The prestigious qualifi cation climb. And my family did not dis- climb,” she said. she also works as an instructor at has been awarded to around 6,000 courage me,” Sherpa said. It was after returning from that two climbing schools. people worldwide and just 50 men At 17, Sherpa was already guid- successful summit that she signed She hopes that she is just the in Nepal, despite climbing being a ing tourists on trekking routes, up to become a certifi ed mountain fi rst of many women from Nepal major revenue earner for the im- and soon after that scaled her guide. who will look to the fabled peaks of poverished country. fi rst mountain, Nepal’s 5,500m In 2014, she was part of the fi rst the Himalayas for a career. Sherpa belongs to the Himalay- Yala Peak. Nepali women’s team to scale Pa- “I didn’t have anyone to look an ethnic group that has become American climber David Gott- kistan’s K2, considered one of the up to and sometimes doubted if I synonymous with mountain lieb, who works with US-based ex- world’s toughest climbs. could do it,” she said. guiding thanks to their reputation pedition operator Alpine Ascents Last year, she attempted to climb “But hopefully my small success for being strong climbers with a International, remembers Sherpa the world’s third highest peak, will inspire other girls to follow natural tolerance for the lack of showing great promise when he Kangchenjunga on the Nepal-India their dreams.” Dawa Yangzum Sherpa posing with a mountaineering certificate in Kathmandu. Gulf Times 22 Sunday, January 21, 2018 COMMENT

CHAIRMAN Abdullah bin Khalifa al-Attiyah EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Faisal Abdulhameed al-Mudahka Deputy Managing Editor K T Chacko

P.O.Box 2888, Doha, Qatar [email protected] 44350478 (News), 44466404 (Sport), 44466636 (Home delivery) 44350474 facebook.com/gulftimes twitter.com/gulftimes_Qatar GULF TIMES US govt shutdown may seriously hurt country’s economy

The United States economy will be seriously hurt if the US Federal Government remained in a shutdown following a bitter dispute in the country’s Senate over immigration and border security. The US government offi cially shut down at midnight on Friday, after Democrats and Republicans blocked a House-passed bill to fund the government. In a dramatic late-night session, senators blocked a bill to extend government funding through February 16. The bill needed 60 votes in the 100-member Senate, but fell After a year of Trump, short with only 50 supporting it. Most Democrats opposed the bill because their eff orts to include protections for hundreds of thousands for the young immigrants known as “Dreamers” failed. According to an estimate, a short-term closure of the US Federal Government could erase nearly $25bn in there is still hope economic activity from the world’s largest economy and trim the nation’s gross domestic product by 0.4%. This is because at least 800,000 federal employees By Jill Abramson protected national lands, the poisons governors in record numbers too. The future my granddaughter, Eloise, would Washington that seep into the earth and water do majority of the 79 women running face after the president was done in would be “furloughed” without pay, at least until the lasting damage to the environment. so far (the previous record was 34 in offi ce. crisis is resolved, which Countries that considered the US an 1994) could become the first female “I think none of us, even as we Senators blocked would likely curtail rump,” the man growled, as he ally and protector have already looked governor in their states. Again, most ourselves have been beaten and driving, shopping, pushed by me on the Amtrak elsewhere (or inward) for support. If are Democrats and say their decision brutalised, fully appreciated just how a bill to extend dining out and otherwise regional train last summer. I Trump provokes North Korea and acts to run was spurred by Clinton’s loss, intractable and deeply rooted, with on the threat to use his bigger button, the #MeToo movement and Donald tangles everywhere, all of this would engaging in the kind of Twas travelling with my two- government year-old granddaughter in her stroller, who knows what could happen? Trump’s anti-woman policies and turn out to be,” Elder responded. “If consumer spending that and a suitcase. A conductor had just (“Anything but that.”) remarks. there was a con, it was how steep the funding through fuels growth. told me that we needed to move cars to What is the antidote to despair? “Some of it is absolutely a reaction to climb actually is and how much more Until a funding deal exit at our station. He helped us. But There is, perhaps, one glimmer of hope. President Trump and his policies,” Jean we have to go to get there ... the sad February 16 is worked out, scores when we rolled into the right car, the Trump could provide a positive jolt Sinzdak, of the Centre for American truth is that women still make less than most convenient seat – in the front, to the body politic. His galvanisation Women in Politics, told National Public men, still don’t have equal seating at of federal agencies across the country will be unable to with extra room – was occupied by a of women’s energy may be even more Radio last year. “For others, it is Hillary the power tables in government, in operate, and hundreds of thousands of “non-essential” middle-aged man. profound than if Hillary Clinton had Clinton’s loss, [which] sort of woke corporations, in hospitals, and this federal workers will be put on temporary unpaid leave. The conductor asked him if he would defeated him. them up to the idea that maybe we country. Our country, where we are a As the January 19 midnight deadline passed, senators mind moving to one of the many empty At the time of writing, there are haven’t made as much progress as we majority, just elected someone who kept haggling over whether a funding extension shorter rows nearby. Obviously unhappy, he did 439 women running for Congress in thought.” boasted of using his power to freely as he was asked, but as he passed by me 2018, according to Rutgers University’s There have been solid wins for good abuse women. The climb somehow than the four-weeks passed by the house might provide a he expressed his fury in a single, angry Centre for American Women in men too. In Virginia, the Democrat feels tougher than ever but it’s still true bridge for negotiations. word: “Trump”. The president’s name is Politics, the highest number of female Ralph Northam won the race for that I voted on Tuesday, something my With lawmakers unable to reach an agreement on funding, an epithet. This is the legacy of his fi rst candidates ever. Most, but not all, governor in November, and his fellow grandmother didn’t have the right to agencies set in motion a partial shutdown, one year from the year in offi ce. are progressive Democrats. “We have Democrat Doug Jones stung Roy Moore do.” day President Donald Trump was inaugurated. Congressman John Lewis, an icon of never seen anything like what we in the special Alabama senate election. Elder added this coda: “Eloise the civil rights movement, had a similar have seen over the last 12 months,” In both states the large turnout of black will do more and go higher than her The White House and federal agencies spent Friday tale to tell on a recent podcast. He said Stephanie Schriock, the president women was decisive, which made the very accomplished grandmother and mapping out how to proceed if the deadline passed he had been on a fl ight from Atlanta, of Emily’s List, the largest national results all the sweeter – a rebuke to a mother ever dreamed.” And there without an agreement, a Bloomberg dispatch showed. when a passenger yelled “Trump!” as he organisation devoted to the election of racist president. we have it: even with all he has done Some departments revived shutdown plans from the walked by. Apparently, the word is even female candidates, told the New York On 10 November 2016, I e-mailed a and will do, Trump can’t trample Obama years. The administration wanted as little used as a racist taunt at high school Times, adding: “If you could underline friend and former colleague, the New the hope that things will someday basketball games. The presidential that four times, that’s what I mean.” York Times deputy managing editor, be better. He can’t kill the American disruption as possible. historian Jon Meacham says this is In elections for Virginia’s House of Janet Elder, who like me badly hoped to dream. For instance, mail will continue to be delivered; without precedent: “virgin territory”, he Delegates in November, 11 of the 15 seats see the fi rst woman president elected. airport control towers will be staff ed; and the Interior told the New York Times. fl ipped from Republicans were won by I told her that my daughter, a surgeon, zJill Abramson, a former New York Department hopes to keep the national parks open. So prevalent is the use of Trump’s women. felt shattered and conned by Trump’s Times executive editor, is a Guardian A longer shutdown could have “another nasty surprise” name as a slur that the White House had In 2018, women want to be win, and that I feared for what kind of columnist to issue a formal statement saying the for taxpayers, CBS News reported. president “condemns violence, bigotry “If a shutdown were to begin now and goes on for longer and hatred in all its forms, and fi nds than 10 days, it would also prevent the processing of anyone who might invoke his or any tax refunds by the IRS, which would otherwise be fi led other political fi gure’s name for such beginning in late January, with payments scheduled to go aims to be contemptible”. Of course, what is truly contemptible out from mid-February onwards,” Capital Economics said is his record: the Muslim ban, the in a research note. mooted crackdown on migrants from Federal parks and other services could also be shuttered, “...... countries”, and the attacks on if not immediately, so there would be no revenue from reproductive rights, childcare and these operations. Then there’s the costly problem of maternity programmes. Trump’s fi rst shutting down operations, which could take days for year in offi ce has actually exceeded my worst expectations. On an almost daily some government departments, along with the cost and basis, I look at a prescient and funny time to restart them. New Yorker cover by the Canadian- A bigger problem would be if key federal agencies such born artist Barry Blitt, published days as the Federal Aviation Administration and the Centers after the election. The image shows a for Disease Control (CDC) were eventually forced to send New York City subway rider reading his newspaper. There are giant banner workers home. headlines on the front page saying: “Oh, What impact the US government shutdown will have Please God, no”, “Anything but that”, on global economies in an increasingly inter-connected and “Come on”. world remains to be seen. Every day there are Trump policies, actions and utterances that deserve exactly these reactions. A heinous tax bill: “Oh, Please God, no.” The president To Advertise endorses a Senate candidate facing multiple sexual assault allegations: [email protected] “Anything but that.” The ridiculous Display boast that he is a stable genius: “Come on.” 44466621 44418811 The question at the heart of Trump’s fi rst year isn’t how awful a president he Classified has been, but how long the damage he 44466609 44418811 has done – to the fabric of American life and the country’s standing in the world Subscription – will last. Much of the harm will be [email protected] impossible to erase. The rightwing judges he has appointed, and will appoint, enjoy lifetime tenure. As © 2018 Gulf Times. All rights reserved uranium mining resumes on once Trump - The president’s name is an epithet. This is the legacy of his first year in off ice. Gulf Times Sunday, January 21, 2018 23 COMMENT West’s broken promises on education aid

By Jeff rey D. Sachs has stagnated for years – and actually though parents know that all of their New York declined between 2010 and 2015. children need and deserve a quality According to the most recent OECD education. data, total donor aid for primary Without the skills that a secondary he Global Partnership for and secondary education in Africa education provides, the children who Education, a worthy and amounted to just $1.3bn in 2016. To leave school early are condemned capable initiative to promote put that fi gure in perspective, the US to poverty. Many eventually try to Teducation in 65 low-income Pentagon budget is roughly $2bn per migrate to Europe in desperate search countries, is having what the jargon day. With around 420mn African kids of a livelihood. Some drown on the of development assistance calls a of school age, total aid amounted to way; others are caught by European “replenishment round,” meaning that roughly $3 per child per year. patrols and returned to Africa. it is asking donor governments to refi ll It’s not as if Western governments So now comes the GPE’s its coff ers. Yet the fact that the GPE don’t know that far more is needed. replenishment round, scheduled for is begging for mere crumbs – a mere Several detailed recent calculations early February in Senegal. The GPE $1bn per year – exposes the charade of provide credible estimates of how should be receiving at least $10bn Western governments’ commitment to much external fi nancing developing a year (about four days’ military the global Education for All agenda. countries will need to achieve SDG 4. A spending by the Nato countries) to The United States and the European Unesco study puts the total at $39.5bn put Africa on a path toward universal Union have never cared that much per year. A report by the International secondary education. Instead, the GPE about that agenda. When it comes to Commission on Financing Education is reportedly still begging donors for disease, they have at times been willing Opportunity, led by former UK Prime less than $1bn per year to cover GPE to invest to slow or stop epidemics Minister Gordon Brown, similarly programmes all over the world. Instead like Aids, malaria, and Ebola, both to put developing countries’ external of actually solving the education save lives and to prevent the diseases fi nancing needs at tens of billions of crisis, rich-country leaders go from from coming to their own countries. dollars per year. speech to speech, meeting to meeting, But when it comes to education, Here is the reason why aid is needed. proclaiming their ardent love of many countries in the West are more A year of education in Africa requires education for all. interested in building walls and at least $300 per student. (Note that Across Africa, political, religious, detention camps than schools. the rich countries spend several and civil-society leaders are doing The GPE does excellent work thousand dollars per student per year.) what they can. Ghana has recently promoting primary education around With Africa’s school-age population announced free upper-secondary the world. Donor countries, all of accounting for roughly one-third education for all, setting the pace for which long ago signed on to Education of the total, the per capita fi nancing the continent. As African countries for All, should be clamouring to help requirement is about $100. Yet for a struggle to fund their ambitious one of the world’s most eff ective typical African country, that’s about commitments, new partners, including organisations to achieve that goal. 10% of per capita national income – private companies and high-net-worth Yet generous donors are few and far far more than the education budget individuals, should step forward to between. can cover. External aid can and should help them. Traditional donors, for their This reality extends back to imperial cover the fi nancing gap so that all part, have decades of lost time to make times. When most of Africa and much children can attend school. up for. The quest for education will of Asia were under European rule, That’s not happening. Annual not be stopped, but history will judge the colonisers invested little in basic spending per school-aged child in harshly those who turn their backs on education. As late as 1950, according Sub-Saharan Africa is roughly one- children in need. — Project Syndicate to United Nations data, illiteracy In some primary schools in Malawi, lessons have to be taught outside due to a lack of classrooms. third of the minimum needed. As a was pervasive in Europe’s African result, most kids don’t come anywhere zJeff rey D Sachs, professor of and Asian colonies. At the time of the illiteracy rate in 1950 stood at 95- from seizing this opportunity to make Education for All and Sustainable close to fi nishing secondary school. Sustainable Development and professor independence from Britain, India’s 99%. up for lost time, Europe and the US Development Goal 4, which calls They are forced to drop out early, of Health Policy and Management at illiteracy rate stood at 80-85%, roughly After independence, African and have provided consistently meagre for universal access to pre-primary because there are no openings in public Columbia University, is Director of the same as Indonesia’s illiteracy rate Asian countries pursued massive and assistance for primary and secondary through secondary school. schools and tuition for private school is Columbia’s Center for Sustainable at the time of independence from the largely successful initiatives to raise education, even as they have made Consider the grim data on far too high for most families. Girls are Development and the UN Sustainable Netherlands. In French West Africa, basic education and literacy. Yet, far high-profi le commitments such as development aid for education, which especially likely to leave school early, Development Solutions Network. Fighting cyber crime with neuro-diversity Three-day forecast The problem is that neurologically one of the country’s biggest employers TODAY By Gavin Patterson Maximum Temperature : 210c London exceptional people tend to be of autistic people. disadvantaged by the traditional Of course, an updated approach to Minimum Temperature : 150c interview process, which relies heavily interviewing candidates will not work MONDAY yber security is one of the on good verbal communication for everyone. But it is a start. More Maximum Temperature : 230c defi ning challenges of the skills. As a result, such people often broadly, we must do more not just to Minimum Temperature : 130c digital age. Everyone, from struggle to fi nd employment, and expand the opportunities available to TUESDAY households to businesses to even when they do fi nd a job, their neurologically exceptional candidates, Maximum Temperature : 230c C Minimum Temperature : 140c governments, has a stake in protecting work environment may not be able to but also to ensure that these support them adequately. opportunities are well publicised. our era’s most valuable commodity: Fisherman's forecast data. The question is how that can be The United Kingdom’s National Delivering this change will require achieved. Autistic Society reports that just 16% leadership by – and co-operation WARNING of autistic adults in Britain have full- between – government and business. Inshore : Expected strong wind The scale of the challenge should over most areas and not be underestimated. With attackers time paid employment, and only 32% I am pleased to say that, on this front, poor visibility at places. becoming increasingly nimble and have any kind of paid work, compared BT is already taking a leading role, Offshore : Expected poor visiblity innovative, armed with an increasingly to 47% for disabled people and including by working with the British at paces and strong wind and high sea. diverse array of weapons, cyberattacks 80% for non-disabled people. This government on their Cyber Discovery Inshore : Slight dust to blowing are happening at a faster pace and highlights the scale of the challenge programme, a special initiative dust at places, cold by with greater sophistication than security specialists, it is imperative faced by such candidates, as well as to attract schoolchildren into the night. WIND ever before. The security team of my that we develop new approaches to the vast untapped resource that they cyber industry, and through our own Inshore : Northwesterly 12-22/27 company, BT, a network operator and attracting, educating, and retaining represent. apprenticeship programmes. KT Internet service provider, detects talented individuals, in order to Recognising the potential of In the digital age, neuro-diversity Offshrore : Northwesterly 18-28/35 100,000 malware samples every day – create a deep pool of highly skilled neurological diversity to contribute should be viewed as a competitive KT that’s more than one per second. cyber experts prepared to beat cyber to strengthening cyber security, we advantage, not a hindrance. We now VISIBILITY : 4-8 KM/2 KM or less Creative thinking among cyber criminals at their own game. at BT have reframed how we interact have a chance to invest in talented at places. with candidates during interviews. people who are often left behind when attackers demands creative thinking The key to success is diversity SEA STATE among those of us fending them off . of talents and perspectives. This We encourage them to talk about their it comes to work, benefi ting them, Offshore : 5-10/15 FT Here, the fi rst step is ensuring that includes neurological diversity, such interests, rather than expecting them business, and society as a whole. By there are enough talented and trained as that represented by those with simply to answer typical questions recognising and developing the skills of this widely overlooked talent pool, individuals engaged in the fi ght. After autism, Asperger syndrome, and about their employment goals or to Around the region all, according to a recent survey by the attention-defi cit disorder. People with list their strengths and weaknesses. we can address a critical skills shortage Weather International Data Corporation, 97% Asperger syndrome or autism, for This approach has already been in our economies and enhance our Weather tomorrow of organisations have concerns about example, tend to think more literally applied with great success by the ability to fi ght cyber crime. Such today Max/min Max/min P Cloudy their security skills. By 2022, another and systematically, making them likes of Microsoft, Amazon, and SAP opportunities are not to be missed. – Baghdad Sunny 18/06 19/09 Sunny study estimates, there will be 1.8mn particularly adept at mathematics and in the areas of coding and software Project Syndicate Kuwait City Sunny 19/07 20/09 Sunny vacant cyber security jobs. pattern recognition – critical skills for development, and by the UK’s GCHQ Manama Cloudy 20/13 21/12 Sunny Amid this critical shortage of cyber security. intelligence and security organisation, zGavin Patterson is CEO at BT Group. Muscat Sunny 24/17 22/16 Tehran Sunny 12/03 M Sunny 13/06 Live issues Sound therapy may train the brain to ignore tinnitus

By Lisa Rapaport patients typically heard; an in-ear the volume to match the loudness of therapy, Theodoroff noted. That’s Reuters Health device that let patients select a tinnitus. why researchers focused instead on pre-set sound; or a bedside noise People who got the other in- reducing reactions to tinnitus, she machine. ear device could choose settings said. Around the world sound-emitting device worn After three months of treatment, with white noise, band noise or a The best option for patients with Weather Weather in the ear during sleep may patients with all three types of sound combination of the two. They were tinnitus is to see a doctor, advised Dr today Max/min tomorrow Max/min train the brain to ignore an therapy reported being less bothered asked to select the noise option Jennifer Derebery, a partner at the Athens P Cloudy 16/08 M Sunny 12/06 Aannoying chronic ringing in by ringing in their ears. However, and volume level that felt most House Ear Clinic and a professor at the Beirut P Cloudy 19/14 M Sunny 19/13 the ears, a new study suggests. people with the customised in-ear comfortable. University of California, Los Angeles Bangkok M Sunny 34/26 P Cloudy 34/26 People with the disorder, known device reported a greater reduction Similarly, patients who received David Geff en School of Medicine. Berlin M Cloudy 02/-2 Cloudy 02/-1 as tinnitus, who slept with the in-ear in the perceived loudness of tinnitus the bedside noise machine were asked “They should get their hearing Cairo M Sunny 23/11 Sunny 22/14 devices felt less bothered than patients than other participants. to choose a comfortable sound and checked if they have tinnitus and see if Cape Town P Cloudy 24/18 Cloudy 23/18 who used bedside noise machines, “By listening to this sound while volume. If they shared a bedroom, there is an underlying reason that can Colombo P Cloudy 30/23 P Cloudy 30/24 researchers found in a study funded by sleeping, the idea is the brain will learn they were told it was fi ne to include be identifi ed,” Derebery, who wasn’t Dhaka Fog 26/13 Fog 26/14 the device manufacturer. to ignore the tinnitus,” said lead study their partner in their selection. involved in the study, said by e-mail. Hong Kong P Cloudy 21/18 M Sunny 23/18 Tinnitus is the perception of sound author Sarah Theodoroff , a researcher Both in-ear devices in the study Causes might include grinding Istanbul Rain 12/09 Showers 12/03 that has no source outside the head, at the VA Portland Health Care System were Levo System products. The study the teeth at night or taking certain Jakarta S T Storms 31/25 T Storms 30/24 and it’s often caused by exposure to and Oregon Health and Science was funded by Baker Group LLP, medications like aspirin or certain Karachi Sunny 27/14 Sunny 26/12 loud noise. While sound therapy is one University. which manufactures Levo System anti-infl ammatory drugs, she said. London Rain 09/07 Showers 10/05 of the treatments doctors recommend, “This study lends additional devices. With time, most patients can adjust Manila P Cloudy 32/23 P Cloudy 32/24 research to date has off ered a mixed support that sound-based therapy One drawback of the study is that it to the ringing in their ears to the point Moscow Cloudy -3/-9 P Cloudy -8/-15 picture of how well this works at helps reduce tinnitus distress,” lacked a control group of patients who where it’s no longer an issue or they New Delhi Fog 23/07 Fog 23/11 reducing how much people notice Theodoroff said by e-mail. didn’t receive sound therapy. It also only think about it some of the time, New York P Cloudy 09/04 Showers 09/06 ringing in their ears. With the customised in-ear device, didn’t directly compare sound therapy Derebery added. If sleep is an issue, Paris Rain 08/08 Showers 13/06 For the current study, researchers participants created a tinnitus “sound to other interventions for tinnitus some sound in the room at night, even Sao Paulo S T Storms 29/21 S T Storms 31/21 randomly assigned 60 patients with print” by using software to identify like cognitive behavioural therapy or if it’s just ambient noise, may help Seoul M Sunny 06/-2 Rain & Snow 03/-11 tinnitus to sleep with one of three the sounds that most closely matched hearing aids. people with mild or moderate tinnitus. Singapore S T Storms 31/24 S T Storms 31/24 sound therapy devices: a customised the ringing they heard in their ears. There’s also no way to objectively In-ear devices might help when Sydney Cloudy 28/19 Cloudy 32/21 in-ear device that played sounds These patients were asked to listen to measure whether the loudness symptoms are more persistent or Tokyo Clear 11/04 Cloudy 05/01 matched to the ringing sounds the sound print each night and adjust of tinnitus is reduced by sound severe, Derebery advised. Gulf Times 24 Sunday, January 21, 2018 QATAR Motorists cautioned as strong winds, poor visibility forecast trong winds are expected in most parts of the coun- Stry today along with poor visibility in some places due to dust, the Qatar Met department has said. This comes after visibility dropped sharply yesterday as Doha and other areas experienced dusty conditions. The weather offi ce, as well as the Ministry of Interior (MoI) warned people to exercise caution in the prevailing circumstances. In a tweet yesterday evening, the Met department said the “mass of dust” aff ecting Qa- tar was expected to cross the country late at night. Slight to blowing dust, though, is likely to continue today with warnings of strong winds both inshore and off shore. “Please avoid all marine activities,” the department said. In another tweet, the weather offi ce said yesterday afternoon that visibility had dropped below 1.5km in Dukhan and Al A barely visible Torch Doha due to dust late yesterday afternoon. PICTURE: Shemeer Rasheed Shehaimiya due to dust, and these conditions were expected how to stay safe during dusty becomes very low. Have a safe The Met department has also be partly cloudy, while the to aff ect other areas over the conditions. drive,” it tweeted. issued an off shore warning for sea level may rise to 15ft at next few hours. The MoI, too, noted that low Meanwhile, today’s forecast poor visibility in some places, times. Urging people to avoid direct visibility had been reported says northwesterly winds will strong winds and high seas The minimum temperature contact with dust, especially from some areas due to dusty blow at 12-22 knots inshore, go- today. today is expected to be 13C in the elderly and asthma pa- conditions. “Motorists are ing up to 27 knots in some places Northwesterly winds will Al Khor and 15C in Doha. Yes- tients, the Met department re- urged to exercise caution and at times. Slight to blowing dust blow at 18-28 knots off shore, terday, the minimum was 11C in issued an advisory, prepared not hesitate to stop the vehi- is expected, and it will be cold by reaching a high of 35 knots at Abu Samra, Turayna, Sheehaniya in co-ordination with the cle by the roadside, away from night. Visibility may drop to 2km times. Dusty conditions are and Al Khor, while in Doha it Vehicles make their way through dusty conditions on the Doha Ministry of Public Health, on the carriageway, if visibility or less in certain areas. also expected and it will also was 16C. Corniche. PICTURE: Shaji Kayamkulam Qatar Museums takes part in Sudan heritage festival Dohat Al-Barkal atar Museums (QM), un- Projects Sudan NGO. The overall Qatar Museums’ QSAP project der the auspices of the goal of the festival is to contrib- to empower the people of Su- possible to build visitor facilities involved in the excavation and and cataloguing of archival doc- opportunities for young Suda- QQatar-Sudan Archaeo- ute to intercultural understand- dan to protect and preserve and water tanks. conservation of heritage sites uments that have not previously nese to create jobs in the fi eld of logical Project (QSAP), recently ing and international cultural their heritage through educa- Under the QSAP umbrella that date from the prehistoric era been accessible to researchers in cultural heritage and to improve took part in a novel heritage co-operation. tion and fi nancial and skills- more broadly, Qatar, represent- until the pre-modern period. Sudan and universities abroad, the cultural tourism industry festival in Sudan. The three-week event fea- based support. We have had a ed by QM, has provided more As a result of the funding of- and the presentation of infor- through local communities. The Karmakol Festival tured artists and workshops very successful fi ve years with than $50mn in fi nancial support fered by QSAP, local and interna- mation to the general public, in- As a next step, a roadmap to brought together Sudanese, focused on creating awareness QSAP, helping build knowl- for the archaeological missions tional missions are able to work cluding university students, to jumpstart cultural tourism in Swiss and international art- about the arts and culture of edge and material infrastruc- working in Sudan since 2012. for up to three months, recruit- build local capacity in Sudan, the Sudan to the two World Heritage ists to support Sudanese cul- Sudan. ture to sustain the country’s “This unprecedented investment ing additional experts and using statement notes. sites of Meroe and Jebel Barkal is ture through capacity building, Professor Thomas Leisten, heritage, and are looking for- has provided dramatic change in “innovative and cutting-edge” The work QSAP has done has being developed in accordance knowledge exchange and a series director, international herit- ward to further accomplish- the way research, preservation technologies, including 3D mod- already contributed to increasing with Unesco standards. A mod- of cultural projects. age sites protection, archaeol- ments in the remaining years and education are carried out elling, photography and sophis- the awareness of Sudan’s cultural ern touristic infrastructure has The Karmakol Festival was ogy and conservation division of the initiative.” around Sudan’s historical land- ticated anthropological survey heritage in the Sudanese society already been developed in their launched two years ago with at QM, said: “It was a pleasure As part of its work with QSAP, mark,” QM said in a statement. techniques. through public campaigns and proximity, including two tourist the help of the Sudanese and to take part in the Karmakol QM helped provide essential As part of QSAP, QM is cur- All these activities are sup- the establishment of a series of villages that will serve to house Swiss Commissions for Unesco Festival, something that fi ts logistical infrastructure for the rently funding 42 missions from ported by the dissemination of visitor service centres. In this tourists during their visits in the and Swiss Initiative – Culture perfectly with the mission of Karmakol Festival by making it 25 institutions and 12 countries research results, the digitisation context, the project promotes area.

Mein Schiff 5 visits Doha for fifth time Society distributes medical equipment

Cruise ship TUI Mein Schiff 5 last week arrived at Doha Port on its fifth call during the 2017-18 cruise season, carrying The Qatar Society for Rehabilitation of Special Needs has carried out the distribution of medical equipment and more than 3,500 tourists of diff erent nationalities, Qatar Ports Management Company (Mwani Qatar) tweeted. In total, assistive devices among a group of its members. The event was sponsored by the Social and Sports Activities the mega cruise ship is scheduled to make eight visits to Doha during the season, which began on October 26 and Support Fund and held in the presence of the beneficiaries and their families, alongside a number of senior off icials continues until April 24. from the Society and Fund.