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THURSDAY Vol. XXXVI No. 9995 February 11, 2016 Jumada I 2, 1437 AH

GULF TIMES www. gulf-times.com 2 Riyals Qatar, Pakistan In brief

QATAR | Offi cial Rent freeze for sign long-term commercial outlets HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani yesterday ratified Cabinet Decision No 6 of 2016 on the extension of leases of premises and parts thereof that are leased LNG agreement for non-residential purposes, governed by the provisions of Under the terms of the agreement, Law No 4 of 2008 regarding Qatargas 2 will supply 3.75mn property leasing and are in force tonnes a year of LNG to PSO for on 14/02/2016, for one year starting a period of 15 years with the first from 15/02/2016, unless the lease cargo expected to be delivered in provides for a longer period or the March 2016. lessee does not intend to renew the lease, provided that the lessee is atargas 2 has signed a long- occupying the leased premises. term agreement to supply Pa- The decision is eff ective starting Qkistan State Oil Company Lim- from February 15 this year. ited (PSO) with liquefi ed natural gas (LNG). The sales and purchase agreement QATAR | Cabinet (SPA) was signed by Saad Sherida al- HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani receiving Pakistan Prime Minister Move to regulate Kaabi, Qatar Petroleum president and Nawaz Sharif ahead of their talks at the Emiri Diwan yesterday. CEO, and chairman, Qatargas board of heavy transport sector directors and Sheikh Imran ul Haque, sion for Qatargas as we continue to play Port Qassim as part of the Elengy LNG The Cabinet yesterday reviewed managing director and CEO of PSO. a key role as a world leader in the supply terminal, Pakistan’s fi rst LNG import a recommendation on creating Under the terms of the agreement, of clean, reliable energy to global mar- terminal. a database of heavy transport Qatargas 2 will supply 3.75mn tonnes HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, HH the Deputy Emir Sheikh kets. Qatargas 2, a joint venture between owners in the country. Several a year of LNG to PSO for a period of 15 Abdullah bin Hamad al-Thani and Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif witnessing “After delivering the commissioning Qatar Petroleum, ExxonMobil and To- other recommendations were also years with the fi rst cargo expected to be the signing of an agreement yesterday. cargo in April last year, we are delighted tal which started production in 2009, is made in a report prepared by a delivered in March 2016. that our discussions with PSO regard- committed to reliable supplies of clean, committee set up to regulate the Al-Kaabi described the agreement as countries around the world meet their this opportunity to register my sincere ing a long-term agreement have come safe and highly effi cient source of en- heavy transport sector, the off icial “a very important milestone in Qatar’s growing energy needs.” appreciation to Sheikh Khalid bin Kha- to fruition. Taking this opportunity, we ergy. Qatar News Agency reported. Page 4 standing as a reliable energy supplier as He said he was “very proud to wel- lifa al-Thani, Qatargas chief executive thank the team at PSO for their hard One of the key strengths of Qatargas it marks the fi rst direct long term agree- come Pakistan to our customer port- offi cer, and his team for their excellent work and we look forward to a strong has been the development of consider- ment between the two companies”. folio” and thanked Pakistan Minister of work to fi nalise this important agree- and enduring partnership with PSO able expertise in supporting the com- WORLD | Science Al-Kaabi said: “The State of Qatar, Petroleum and Natural Resources Sha- ment.” and Pakistan.” missioning of new LNG Receiving Ter- New window under the leadership and guidance of hid Khaqan Abbasi, “who along with On his part, Sheikh Khalid said: In April 2015, Qatargas delivered minals globally. HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Ha- the leadership in Pakistan, have been “Emanating from our vision to estab- the fi rst commissioning cargo to PSO To date, the company has helped on universe mad al-Thani, is constantly looking to instrumental in achieving this impor- lish new markets with a new portfolio onboard the LNG vessel, Excelerate commission 17 LNG terminals across The first-ever detection of expand and enhance its LNG market tant milestone”. of customers, the signing of this agree- Exquisite, the Floating Storage and the Americas, Europe and Asia. gravitational waves, which share while at the same time helping Al-Kaabi said: “I would like to take ment represents a momentous occa- Regasifi cation Unit (FSRU), moored at Pages 8, 9 scientists could announce in Washington, Paris and London today, would open a new window on the universe and its most violent phenomena. Page 28 Qatar condemns suicide attacks

REGION | Appointments QNA In a statement, the Foreign Minis- UAE names minister Doha try said that such criminal acts, which target innocent people, violated all for happiness humanitarian values, ethics and prin- The United Arab Emirates atar has strongly condemned ciples. yesterday named women to the twin suicide attacks waged by The Foreign Ministry reiter- newly-created posts of state Qthe Boko Haram movement on ated its “fi rm stance denouncing ministers for happiness and a camp for displaced persons in north- violence in all its forms and mani- tolerance, and a 22-year-old female ern Nigeria. More than 60 people were festations whatever it motives and for youth aff airs. Page 12 killed in the attacks. justifi cations”. European MPs receive assurance on labour rights

By Ramesh Mathew Staff Reporter

seven-member European Parliamentary (EP) delega- A tion has expressed the hope that Qatar will adhere to its com- mitments to international labour forums on the protection of human rights of migrant workers in the country. “Qatari offi cials have given us con- crete assurances on the issue and we Andrej Plenkovic, second from right, explaining a point as Jozo Radros, head of EU are optimistic that the human rights Secretariat Armelle Douaud and EU ambassador to Saudi Arabia Adam Kulach look on. and living conditions of the work- ers will be adequately taken care of Saifi ( from France), Afzal Khan (the also at diff erent levels in Asia, Islamic by the authorities,” the delegation’s UK), Pier Antonioc Panzeri (Italy) and world and globally. leader, Andrej Plenkovic, said in Doha Mark Demesmaeker (Belgium). Plenkovic said the European Par- yesterday. The Croatian MP said the local liament had enormous concerns on “Qatar has informed us about the authorities and the team members the developments in Syria which cost improvements made in respect to shared a similar point of view on a the lives of more than 100,000 peo- the legislative framework in order to host of issues, including the refugee ple and triggered the unprecedented guarantee better working standards crisis in Europe and the happenings in refugee crisis. and human rights,” he explained. Syria, Yemen, Iraq, Libya and Egypt. When asked about the amend- The delegation met HH the Emir “We also discussed latest develop- ments eff ected by EU members to Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, ments in Iran,” said Plenkovic, while facilitate visa on arrival to UAE citi- Shura council chairman HE Mohamed replying to questions on the team’s zens, the head of the delegation said bin Mubarak al-Kholaifi and Qatar Cen- visits to Saudi Arabia and Qatar. the European Union rules pertaining tral Bank chairman HE Sheikh Abdullah Plenkovic said that the European to such issues were very cumbersome bin Saoud al-Thani, among others. Parliament and European Union had and a lot of deliberations and proce- Besides Plenkovic and Jozo Rados, enormous respect for Qatar as the dures were needed to be carried out both MPs from Croatia, the team con- country is positioned itself as “a vi- before granting similar facilities to sisted of Arnaud Danjean and Tokia tal player” not only in the region but other GCC nationals. Page 4

Gulf Times 4 Thursday, February 11, 2016 QATAR

Emir meets European Parliament delegation

HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani met the Chairman of the Foreign Aff airs Committee of the European Parliament Andrej Plenkovic and the committee members, at the Emiri Diwan yesterday. Talks covered the latest developments in the region. HE the Speaker of the Advisory Council Mohamed bin Mubarak al-Khulaifi attended the meeting.

Cabinet reviews recommendations to regulate heavy transport sector

he Cabinet yesterday model for contracts to hire order to open the fi eld for committed to teach the Ara- reviewed a recom- heavy equipment. private investment, encour- bic language in all science- Tmendation on cre- The committee was set age competition and pro- and knowledge-related ating a database of heavy up to examine all matters vide universal, high-quality matters. transport owners in the related to heavy transport, postal services to individu- The Cabinet also ap- country. Several other rec- which included studying als and businesses across proved a proposal by the ommendations were also the means of regulating the the country at reasonable Ministry of Interior to made in a report prepared sector, proposing practical rates, QNA reported. amend certain provisions of by a committee set up to and appropriate mecha- In October last year, as re- Cabinet Resolution No 3 of regulate the heavy transport nisms for the same, framing ported by Gulf Times, Q-Post 2003 establishing a perma- sector, the offi cial Qatar rules for the nationalisation had announced that it would nent committee to manage News Agency reported. of heavy transport activities launch several new services the Abu Samra port. In this regard, the Cabi- and identifying frameworks to augment the e-commerce Further, it approved a net reviewed the opinions for related mechanisms in market in the country. draft air services agreement of the Ministry of Interior, co-ordination with the au- The Cabinet yesterday between the governments Ministry of Transport and thorities concerned. approved a draft law on the of Qatar and the Kyrgyz Re- Communications and Qatar After the regular weekly protection of the Arabic lan- public, and a draft memo- Chamber on the fi rst quar- Cabinet meeting chaired by guage. The draft law provides randum of co-operation terly report, from January to HE the Prime Minister and that ministries, offi cial insti- between the Ministry of March 2015, prepared by the Interior Minister Sheikh Ab- tutions, public educational Transport and Commu- committee. dullah bin Nasser bin Kha- institutions (all levels) and nications in Qatar and the The report addressed is- lifa al-Thani at Emiri Diwan municipalities are commit- International Maritime Or- sues studied by the panel yesterday, HE the Deputy ted to use the Arabic language ganisation on the State’s and the recommendations Prime Minister and Minis- in everything that emanates involvement in the review it made, including the es- ter of State for Cabinet Af- from their systems, includ- plan of the member-states tablishment of a database fairs Ahmed bin Abdullah ing instructions, documents, of the organisation. for all owners of heavy bin Zaid al-Mahmoud said contracts, transactions, cor- The cabinet also reviewed transport - individuals, the Cabinet reviewed a study respondence, labels, pro- a letter by the National companies and commercial prepared for the develop- grammes, publications and Committee on Arms Em- institutions, registration of ment of the postal sector. advertisements. bargo about the 33rd report transportation and heavy This comes within the National public univer- of the committee’s work machinery and equipment framework of the develop- sities and institutions of during the period extending owned by citizens, and the ment of Qatar Postal Serv- higher education, overseen from September 1 to to De- development of a unifi ed ices Company (Q-Post) in by the government, are also cember 31, 2015. Gulf Times Thursday, February 11, 2016 5 QATAR

NHRC chief meets Georgian envoy

Chairman of the National Human Rights Committee (NHRC) Dr Ali bin Samikh al-Marri holding talks with the Georgian ambassador to Qatar Ekaterine Meiering-Mikadze in Doha yesterday. The meeting reviewed co-ordination on issues of mutual interest in relation to human rights and the exchange of experiences and expertise.

Qatar to continue its eff orts to promote social development

QNA in the framework of the and Social Rehabilitation, spheres, it took the initia- New York third item “Rethinking and Family Consulting Centre, tive to hold the Doha Youth Strengthening Social Devel- Qatar Foundation for the Forum on Crime Prevention opment in the Contempo- Care of the Elderly and the and Criminal Justice in April he State of Qatar has rary World”. Shafallah Centre for Chil- 2015, as well as the Youth reaffi rmed its com- Sheikha Alia said in the dren with Special Needs. Consultation organised by Tmitment to continue statement that Qatar gave According to the state- Reach Out To Asia (Rota) its eff orts to promote social special importance to the ment, the 2015 Human De- in co-ordination with the development in the world, social development repre- velopment Report issued Ministry of Foreign Aff airs whether through its mem- sented in Qatar National Vi- by the UN Development in August 2015 as part of the bership in the UN Commis- sion 2030. Programme has listed Qa- ongoing preparations for the sion for Social Development Qatar has a unique experi- tar as the fi rst Arab coun- World Humanitarian Sum- or working with partners in ence in the fi eld of strength- try with very high human mit to be held in Istanbul in the international community ening the institutional development in the light of May 2016. to ensure a decent life for all. structure for Social Devel- the progress that has been The statement said that This came in Qatar’s opment which crystallised achieved in the areas of eco- Qatari Silatech Foundation statement delivered by in the establishment of the nomic, social and environ- has also developed pro- ambassador Sheikha Alia Qatar Foundation for Social mental development. grammes to provide suit- Ahmed bint Seif al-Thani, Action which undertakes Qatar’s statement deliv- able work opportunities for the Permanent Representa- the supervision and obser- ered by Sheikha Alia added youth in the region in order tive of Qatar to the United vation of many institutions that from the basis of Qa- to improve their situation, Nations before the 54th concerned with social de- tar’s belief in the role of as well as seminars to solve session of the UN Commis- velopment such as the Qatar youth and the importance the phenomena of extrem- sion for Social Development Foundation for Protection of their participation in all ism and terrorism. Gulf Times 6 Thursday, February 11, 2016 QATAR Jewellery show to feature new events his year’s edition of the Doha Visitors can witness the applica- Jewellery and Watches Exhi- tion of the skills and detailed atten- Tbition (DJWE) will feature a tion that go into the creation of each series of add-ons including on-the- watch and item of jewellery, gaining Quality Group chairman Shamsudheen Olakara switching on the fully automatic food spot gem certifi cation, live work- a unique understanding of the time, packing unit as other off icials look on. shops, special watch and pearl routes, eff ort and personal expertise each ex- private viewing rooms and educa- quisite object embodies. tional seminars, an offi cial said. In particular, collectors and afi cio- Organised by Qatar Tourism Au- nados of crafted timepieces and Qatar’s thority and delivered by Elan Group, darling gemstone, the pearl, are treated Food packing unit opened the fi ve-day event will take place at this year to special routes through the the Doha Exhibition and Convention DJWE’s increasing expanse of glittering Centre from February 23 to 27. Nico D’Haemer Jaber al-Ansari displays to allow them to focus on their uality Group International, a lead- Gulf region and the latest in Qatar. The “We are delighted to invite our areas of special interest. ing business group in Qatar, inau- packing unit is equipped with a highly ad- visitors to look out for a wide range of mobile diamond jewellery testing give an approximate verbal grade of For even more concentrated and Qgurated their fully automatic food vanced multi-head and incline conveyor. new activities introduced to enhance laboratory to provide potential buyers any diamond-studded jewellery.” close-up examination of the exhibi- packing unit at the retail food distribution The system will fi nish the entire process their experience of DJWE 2016,” said with on-the-spot, world-respected He noted that this will enable con- tion’s unique creations, DJWE 2016 centre in Doha Industrial Area. automatically, including feeding, weigh- Elan Group CEO Jaber al-Ansari. accreditation of the quality of each sumers to make more informed deci- now off ers the opportunity for brand Group chairman Shamsudheen Olakara ing, bag fi lling, sealing and fi nished product “This year’s expansion will include and every gem exhibited. Certifi cates sions when purchasing diamond jew- representatives and premium cli- switched on the machine in the presence of conveying. specially designed elements around our provided by IGI are based on an inter- ellery in the future. ents to make use of designated pri- senior offi cials from various departments The machine with 14 heads can pack 50 visitors’ educational, certifi cation and nationally-recognised system, con- “DJWE visitors can also avail vate rooms. These are situated below of the company. to 60 bags of 5kg in a minute. Barcode, the specialist interests - an exciting devel- stituting ‘quality passports’ for indi- themselves of information on profes- DJWE’s VIP area for a secluded and “Quality Group is going to import high date of production, country of production, opment in the story of the exhibition.” vidual gemstones or items of jewellery. sional courses off ered by IGI’s School individual viewing experience. quality food products to Qatar and will dis- expiry and other details related to the prod- The International Gemological “We decided to set up this unique of Gemology, including globally-rec- DJWE 2016 off ers a number of tribute them under the brand name Q-fi ne ucts will be printed by the machine. Institute (IGI), the world’s largest mobile laboratory at DJWE 2016 to ognised programmes for profession- educational seminars outlining the with a reasonable price,” he said. “High accuracy with less manpower is independent gem certifi cation and create more awareness among con- als, designers and discerning con- fundamental knowledge needed by The hi-tech machine imported from the salient feature of this most advanced appraisal institute for diamonds, col- sumers,” said Nico D’Haemer, man- sumers,” D’Haemer added. anyone for a working understanding Taiwan is described as a rare model in the equipment,” Olakara added. oured gemstones and jewellery, will aging director of IGI Dubai. “We can Further increasing the knowledge of what constitutes good quality in be attending the event. provide free verbal consultations on base at DJWE 2016, selected exhibitors jewellery and watches, how to choose IGI will bring Doha’s fi rst-ever site to consumers and retailers, and will off er live discovery workshops. them, and how to maintain them.

Traffi c diversion near QNCC

raffi c for nearly 1.7km opposite side of Al Luqta Street distance between the Qa- (from Bani Hajer to Doha east- Ttar National Convention bound) will not be aff ected. Centre and the eastern U-turn at The closure is required to fa- Bani Hajer detour on the direc- cilitate the construction works of tion from Doha to Dukhan will the proposed Dukhan Road (East be closed for 22 months starting Contract) as part of the Dukhan tomorrow. Road East project which includes During this period, traffi c on the construction of an 11km road the closed section of Al Luqta with four lanes in each direction, Street will be diverted to Ghar- as well as upgrading the service rafat Al Rayyan Street and Al roads including seven multi-lev- Terhab Street. The traffi c on the el interchanges, and landscaping.

Jeweller launches campaign

n keep- ing Iwith the festive season, Sky Jew- ellery has launched under its brand ‘Be- love’ 14 designs in diamonds starting from QR549. A campaign titled ‘14 Days to Fall in Love with Diamonds’ has also been unveiled by the jeweller. “Sky Jewellery once again leads the season with the perfect value for money designs for eve- ryone who wants to give a gift to his or her loved one,” said managing di- rector Babu John.

Strong winds expected today

Strong winds are expected in some parts of the country by this evening, the Qatar Met department has said. Offshore areas, too, are likely to see strong winds along with high seas by midday. The forecast for inshore areas says it will be misty to foggy at places at first, followed by slightly dusty conditions and moderate temperatures during the day. Scattered clouds are also expected, along with a cold night. The wind speed in these areas may go up to 22 knots by the evening. Offshore areas will remain partly cloudy, with the wind speed reaching a high of 30 knots by midday. The sea level, meanwhile, may rise to 9ft. The minimum and maximum temperatures in the country today are expected to be 12C and 23C, respectively, with the forecast for Doha being 13C and 23C.

Gulf Times 8 Thursday, February 11, 2016 QATAR Qatar and Pakistan sign accords

By Umer Nangiana Staff Reporter

atar and Pakistan yes- terday signed memo- Qrandums of understand- ing (MoUs) on co-operation in the fi elds of radio & television, health and academic research. These are in addition to the long-term agreement sales and purchase agreement signed by the two sides to supply liquefi ed natural gas. HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani and Pa- kistan’s Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif witnessed the signing of the MoUs. The fi rst MoU on co-operation between the two countries in ra- dio & television was signed by HE the Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohamed bin Abdulrahman al- Thani and Pakistan’s Special As- sistant to the PM on Foreign Af- fairs, Syed Tariq Fatemi. Under the MoU on academic research, signed by ambassador Shahzad Ahmad from the Paki- HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani and Pakistan’s Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif witnessing the signing of MoUs for academic research and health. stani side, the National Defence University of Pakistan and Cen- tre for Strategic Studies of the Qatar Armed Forces will co-op- Emir, Sharif hold offi cial talks erate in academic research, said an offi cial from the embassy of HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin and HE the Prime Minister Pakistan. Hamad al-Thani and Pakistan’s and Minister of Interior Sheikh Another MoU was signed for Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif held Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa co-operation between the two a round of off icial talks at the al-Thani also attended the talks countries in the health sector. Emiri Diwan yesterday. session. The agreement-signing cer- The talks dealt with the promo- On the Pakistani side, the talks emony was also attended by HH tion of investment opportuni- were attended by the members of the Deputy Emir Sheikh Abdul- ties and broadening bilateral the off icial delegation accom- lah bin Hamad al-Thani and HE co-operation in energy, economy panying Prime Minister Nawaz the Prime Minister and Interior and military fields. Sharif. Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin In the political sphere, the two Later, the Emir hosted a luncheon Nasser bin Khalifa al-Thani, sides discussed a number of banquet in the honour of Prime besides a number of other min- regional and international issues Minister Nawaz Sharif and the isters. of mutual concern, particularly delegation accompanying him. Earlier, Sharif was accorded a the latest developments in the HE the Prime Minister and Interior warm welcome on his arrival for Middle East. Minister attended the banquet the two-day offi cial visit of Qa- HH the Deputy Emir Sheikh along with a number of other tar. The Pakistani premier was Abdullah bin Hamad al-Thani ministers. received at the airport by HE the Prime Minister and HE the Min- ister of Energy and Industry Dr Natural Resources; Ishaq Dar, On the second day of his Mohamed bin Saleh al-Sada. Minister for Finance; Fatemi; visit today, the Pakistani PM is The Pakistani prime minister’s Air Chief Marshal Sohail Aman, scheduled to meet and interact delegation includes members of Chief of Air Staff , Pakistan Air with prominent members of the his cabinet, Shahid Khaqan Ab- Force; and other government of- Pakistani diaspora and busi- basi, Minister for Petroleum and fi cials. nesspersons living in Qatar. HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani and Pakistan’s Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif holding talks yesterday.

Pakistan’s Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, accompanied by HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, reviews a guard of honour yesterday. HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani meeting members of the Pakistani delegaton yesterday.

In brief

Emir issues two decrees

HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani issued the following decrees yesterday: 1. Decree No 12 of 2016 ratifying an agreement between the governments of Qatar and Japan on Avoidance of Double Taxation and the Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with respect to taxes on income and the annexed protocol signed in Tokyo on 20 February 2015. 2. Decree No 13 of 2016 ratifying a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for co-operation in the legal field between the Ministry of Justice of Qatar and the Ministry of Justice of Croatia signed in Doha on 14 April 2015. Ratification documents issued

HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani issued the following ratification documents: 1. Endorsing the ratification of the agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights’ amendment protocol, which was endorsed in Geneva on December 6, 2005. 2. Endorsing a draft agreement in the field of legal co-operation between Qatar’s Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Justice in Romania, which was signed in Bucharest on October 21, 2015. 3. Endorsing a draft agreement on waiving the visa requirements for holders of diplomatic, special and service passports between the governments of Qatar and Cuba, which was signed in Havana on November 23, 2015. 4. Endorsing the ratification of the unified agreement on investment of Arab capital in Arab countries (amended). 5. Ratification document endorsing a draft agreement on co-operation in the field of combating crime between the governments of Qatar and Bulgaria, which was signed in Doha on May 17, 2015. 6. Endorsing an agreement between the governments of Qatar and Indonesia on waiving visa requirements for holders of diplomatic, service and special passports, which was signed in Doha on September 14, 2015. 7. Ratification document endorsing a memorandum of understanding on consumer protection, economic oversight, and combating commercial fraud between the governments of Qatar and Algeria, which was signed in Doha on November 23, 2014. Gulf Times Thursday, February 11, 2016 9 QATAR PM witnesses aerial display by Pakistani combat aircraft By Umer Nangiana Staff Reporter

n impressive airshow put up by Pakistan Air Force A(PAF) at the old Doha International Airport yesterday was witnessed by HE the Prime Minister and Interior Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa al-Thani and Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. A JF-17 Thunder, a multi-role light combat aircraft indigenous- ly produced in Pakistan in co-op- eration with China, and a Super Mushshak trainer jet presented aerial stunts at the show where pilots demonstrated the two air- craft’s advanced capabilities. After completing its range of aerobatics, the JF-17 Thunder in its sign-off salute impressed The Super Mushshak trainer aircraft demonstrating The JF-17 Thunder in a straight pull-up in a vertical the audience with a spectacular aerial stunts. climb. vertical climb, a straight pull-up followed by aileron rolls pump- ing fl ares in its trail. Air Chief Marshal Sohail Aman, left, briefing HE the Prime Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Air Chief Marshal Sohail al-Thani about the JF-17 Thunder yesterday in Doha. Aman, the Chief of Air Staff , PAF, briefed HE Sheikh Abdul- aviation products,” the Pakistan ing that due to its multi role, af- factured completely in Pakistan lah and Nawaz Sharif on the sa- prime minister said. fordability and capability; many and many friendly countries are lient features and capabilities of The JF-17 Thunder is a light- air forces in the world are seri- operating it. Pakistan also pro- the aircraft. weight, single-engine, multi- ously looking for its induction. vided training to pilots, engineers Nawaz Sharif arrived in Doha role aircraft which can be used for “This joint venture of JF-17 and technicians of the countries yesterday on an offi cial two-day ground attack and air intercept. Thunder, in collaboration with our who have acquired this aircraft. visit on the invitation of HH the The JF-17 can deploy a variety Chinese friends, is no doubt a land- “I am confi dent that close de- Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad of weapons including air-to-air mark achievement and a source of fence co-operation will further al-Thani and HE the Prime Min- and air-to-surface missiles. The pride for the Pakistani nation.” strengthen our strong brotherly ister of Qatar. aircraft is equipped with cutting He said Pakistan is also intro- relations,” Sharif added. “Pakistan highly values its re- edge avionics and weaponry. ducing to the ‘Qatari brothers,’ the Besides a large number of Qa- lations with Qatar. We are ben- “It was during our last govern- Super Mushshak trainer aircraft tari armed forces personnel, the efi ting from each other’s experi- ment that development of the JF- being used back home for decades. show was witnessed by HE Chief ences in various fi elds including 17 aircraft was initiated. In less Almost all PAF pilots who have of General Staff Qatar, Major defence. Pakistan cherishes the than a decade it has made a mark proved their excellence and par- General Ghanem bin Shaheen al- level of co-operation between in fi ghter stream around the ticipated in operations against ter- Ghanem, and other high ranking the two countries and desires to world. Today, there are four PAF rorist hideouts, had initiated their military offi cers from Qatar and further enhance defence collab- Squadrons already operational,” training on this aircraft. offi cials of Pakistan Embassy in oration by off ering indigenous the Pakistani premier said, add- Super Mushaak is being manu- Doha. Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif watching the airshow.

Exam deadline for Filipino engineers

By Joey Aguilar also be required to present a be allowed to take the regis- requires applicants to have Staff Reporter valid Philippine Regulation tration exam, provided they 12 years of basic education, Commission (PRC) licence are able to present a valid Qatar is “in the process of as a mandatory require- licence, among other re- putting together a national ilipino engineers and ment of Qatari Law No.19 quired documents,” he said. qualifi cations framework architects in Qatar of 2005. As of January, the UPDA which will focus more on Fhave been given one The announcement came had only 92 universities and learning outcomes rather year to comply with the re- from the chairman of the colleges on its current list. than the number of years.” quirements to take the qual- Engineers and Consulting Santos said everyone (in- Under this framework, ifying exam, the Philippine Offi ces Accrediting Com- cluding Qataris who stud- Qatar’s Education Minister Embassy in Doha has said. mittee of Qatar’s Urban ied abroad) is assessed on noted that a bachelor’s de- In a circular sent to Planning and Development the basis of 12 year basic gree completed abroad will members of the Filipino Authority (UPDA). education cycle under the be assessed on the basis of a community, ambassador “Applicants whose current assessment process set of criteria and measures Wilfredo Santos noted that schools are on the UPDA list of equivalency in Qatar. rather than the number of the Filipinos concerned will of accredited schools may While the host country years.

UCQ to host International Day on Saturday Dance performances, colourful clothing and delicious food from 22 countries will feature at the annual International Day festival of the University of Calgary in Qatar (UCQ) from 12:30pm to 5:30pm, this Saturday. International Day, held at the university campus, is open to the public, and will host students, faculty, and staff . Entering its fourth year, this tradition aims to enrich students’ learning experience, inviting members of UCQ and the wider community to learn about each other and the world. The event is attended by a number of notable guests this year - including Adrian Norfolk, ambassador of Canada. “Our campus in Qatar is exceptionally diverse with respect to those who learn and teach here. The International Day brings together community members from a large and always expanding group of nations,” emphasised Dr Kim Critchley, dean and CEO, UCQ. Events like International Day not only expose members of the UCQ community to unique perspectives, but also point to the similarities between cultures. Such exchange is especially crucial for nursing students, who will care for patients from across the world during their careers. International Day complements the formal training UCQ provides and reflects a truly holistic approach to education. Gulf Times 10 Thursday, February 11, 2016 QATAR More Sport Day reports: Pages 30 and 31 NSD ‘much-needed break’ for workers

By Joey Aguilar Pamatong said they skipped “We love to stay in these places how, we are thankful to have Staff Reporter their regular chats with their to relax and enjoy the weather. a holiday even just for a day.” families at least for today to We have to make most out of it From 4pm, the number of Employees of Nakilat and its joint ventures took part in a wide range of activities. fi nd time to bond and visit before summer sets in,” stressed bachelors on the Corniche start- he National Sport Day some places. Pamatong, who refuses to go to ed to decrease. Pamatong said (NSD) celebrations not The group, who brought some the park. they have to leave and reach their Tonly provided an oppor- bread and tea, stopped at an area “We terribly missed our fami- accommodations before 7pm. tunity for people to burn calo- where they could see the dhows, lies and to see other children “We have to wake up early and ries but also served as “a much- the Doha skyline and museum playing in those playgrounds work hard again for our families Nakilat celebrates needed break” for thousands of where Ooredoo was holding NSD just makes things more pain- and children,” he added, as he put ‘single’ workers and bachelors. events. ful for us,” he added. “Some- his headset on. Walking in groups, work- ers from various labour camps across Qatar trooped to the National Sport Day Corniche to spend the holi- day with their colleagues and friends going from one place to akilat, the shipping arm Nakilat employees, their fam- Day celebrations, Nakilat aims to another. of Qatar’s liquefi ed nat- ilies and children arrived at the raise awareness on the impor- The whole stretch on Tuesday Nural gas sector and its new Onaiza Park in the morning tance of protecting the values of was packed with a large number joint ventures, Nakilat-Keppel and participated in the fun-fi lled a healthy lifestyle. Such as event of people since early morning, Off shore and Marine (N-KOM), event throughout the day. is part of Qatar’s vision in creat- spilling over to nearby Souq Wa- Nakilat Damen Shipyards Qatar The employees enjoyed a wide ing a healthy community. The qif and the Museum of Islamic (NDSQ) and Nakilat SvitzerWi- array of activities, such as foot- organisation is honoured and Art Park. jsmuller (NSW), celebrated ball matches, volleyball, basket- delighted to have played its part “There is no need to exercise National Sport Day. ball, marathon, table-tennis and in promoting physical educa- today because we already sweat Nakilat aimed to engage its other activities. The celebra- tion, athletics, recreation and a lot during the weekdays,” said employees in healthy activities tion of National Sport Day aims sustainable development among Mark Pamatong, a Filipino work- that can be conducted without to motivate the community of the community in compliance er. He was joined by a number of the need for special equipment Qatar to become more active. with Qatar National Vision Indians and Nepalis. Residents walking along the Corniche on National Sport Day. or knowledge. “As part of the National Sport 2030,” according to a statement.

Qatar First Bank staff on NSD Top executives attend GDI event

Al Meera participates in National Sport Day.

Gulf Drilling International (GDI) participated in National Sport Day at the main Qatar First Bank staff and their families celebrated the National Sport Day through a series hall of Ali Bin Hamad Al-Attiyah Arena where many sporting activities took of recreational, competitions and sport activities including mini football tournament and place. The event was attended by GDI chief executive off icer and managing rowing competition. director Mubarak Awaida al-Hajri, managers and staff . Al Meera holds

Oryx GTL takes part in Sport Day cycling contest Oryx GTL celebrated National Sport - have been off ered to ensure Day at Al Kharaitiyat Sports Club. the safety of all participants. An l Meera Consumer The company organised a area has also been allocated for Goods Co (Al Meera) number of sports events and conducting medical checkups, Acelebrated Qatar’s activities on the occasion, in including tests for blood pressure, fi fth National Sport Day with co-operation with Al Kharaitiyat sugar level and body mass index. its staff at this year’s fes- Sports Club, which were attended “Oryx GTL is proud of its tive cycling event, “We Ride by employees of the company eff ective contribution to National for Doha 2016”, at Qanat and their families. Sport Day and its participation Quartier, The Pearl-Qatar. These events include activities in pushing the wheel of The event was led by Qatar for senior and junior employees development by being a part Olympic Committee (QOC) of the company, their families of these sports activities. The president HE Sheikh Joaan and inhabitants of the district, company believes that such bin Hamad al-Thani and QOC such as soccer, volleyball, events enhance the eff orts of the HE Dr Mohamed bin Saleh al-Sada and Abdulrahman Ali al-Abdulla join players and attendees in celebrating secretary-general Dr Thani Dr Mohamed bin Nasser basketball, cricket and table State, whose purpose is to spread National Sport Day. Abdulrahman al-Kuwari. al-Qahtani, deputy CEO, Al tennis, in addition to several awareness of sports among As a partner of the “We Meera. sporting activities for children. members of the society so that Muntajat organises football games, fun exercises Ride for Doha 2016” event, Moreover, support services - such they can enjoy a better life,” Al Meera’s workforce helped Al Meera, said: “Qatar Na- as medical and security services according to a statement. Muntajat (Qatar Chemical and day of sports activities that raise are proud to partner for the first create a memorable experi- tional Sport Day is not only Petrochemical Marketing and awareness on the importance of time with the Doha Rugby Football ence for the participants in a wonderful opportunity Distribution Co) marked National maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Club and for a third year in a row the spirit of National Sport to renew one’s vigour and Sport Day with football games and HE the Minister of Energy and with the Qatar Flag Football Club Day’s message of healthy and a friendly reminder of the fun exercises for its employees and Industry Dr Mohamed bin Saleh in organising a dynamic and active active living for all, according role sports should play in their families at Aspire Park. al-Sada attended the event and sports day for our employees. to a statement. our lives, but also a catalyst For a third year in a row, Muntajat commended Muntajat on their “We were able to reinforce our The company’s participa- for developing healthy and hosted an American football in eff orts. dedication towards promoting a tion in the celebrations comes active pioneers for a better collaboration with the Doha Rugby The Minister also joined the healthy and active lifestyle among as part of its ongoing eff orts future. We at Al Meera are Football Club and Qatar Flag Muntajat team for a American our employees.” to have a positive social and proud to be a part of that, Football Club “Mad Camels.” football game as he reiterated Muntajat’s National Sport Day event environmental impact on the and we do our best to en- Muntajat employees and their the spirit of teamwork among the included a number of exercises and community, the statement courage all members of the families joined members of the Doha attendees. American Football themed activities adds. community to invest in their Rugby Football Club and the Qatar Abdulrahman Ali al-Abdulla, chief in addition to fun games for children Dr Mohamed bin Nasser wellness and retain their A soccer match in progress. Flag Football team to enjoy a whole executive off icer, Muntajat, said: “We from the age of five and above. al-Qahtani, deputy CEO, vitality all year long.” Gulf Times Thursday, February 11, 2016 11 QATAR

The face and back of the coins (not to scale). Patient full of praise for Heart Hospital long-time resident of Qa- “I was sure that I was going to Machado will start his reha- tar has thanked the staff at die. Even after I was discharged bilitation once he has suffi ciently Athe Heart Hospital – part from the Intensive Care Unit and recovered from the surgery. of the Hamad Medical Corpora- admitted to the ward, I was con- “I am already managing most tion – for their clinical expertise stantly experiencing ventricular of my daily needs myself and I and compassionate care. tachycardia attacks, which feels am getting used to carrying the Kiran Machado, a 39-year-old like extreme palpitations. I was LVAD device. I live on batteries!” Indian, has lived all his life in Qa- very sick,” explained Machado. he laughed. QCB releases 2016 tar. “It was then that I had a con- “It does take getting used to, In 2014, he sensed that some- sultation with Dr Abdulaziz but I am alive,” Machado added. thing was wrong with him – he al-Khulaifi , the chair of Cardi- “During my stay in the Heart had backache, suff ered chest othoracic Surgery at the Heart Hospital – almost four months – version of coins pains and had a persistent cough. Hospital. He reviewed my case I got to know the team there very Machado sought medical ad- and told me that he had a solu- well and they were like family to vice at private clinics in Qatar and tion– a surgically-inserted pump me. They cared for me with com- he Qatar Central Bank (QCB) has released the 2016 versions in India, and was given medica- to help my heart to keep blood passion and even prayed for me. of coins in fi ve denominations – Dh1, Dh5, Dh10, Dh25 and tion that exacerbated his symp- fl owing around my body,” he re- Dr al-Khulaifi with Machado. “I want to let people know how TDh50. toms, which resulted in a 10-day counted. great the Heart Hospital is and These coins will be in circulation from the “second half” of this stay at the Heart Hospital. “He explained everything opathy and his heart had stopped to stay in the body for life – pro- how the team members put in an month, a QCB announcement said yesterday. In August, Machado collapsed clearly to me, and I knew that three or four times. The Left viding a long-term solution for amazing eff ort to help their pa- The new coins will be in “circulation side by side” with current once at home and then a second this was my best chance. Dr Ab- Ventricle Assist Device (LVAD) patients,” he said. tients.” coins. time while out with friends. dulaziz also arranged for another was defi nitely the best option for “We also inserted an Implant- The Heart Hospital has an- The QCB said: “These coins will have the same specifi cations of His friends took him to the patient, who is living with one him. The device is inserted in the able Cardioverter Defi brillator nounced that they are setting up the currently-used coins with minor amendments.” Heart Hospital Emergency De- of these pumps, to explain to me heart and is connected to a power into Kiran’s chest to regulate the a specialist heart failure team of The amendments include English letters for numbers on the partment where the clinical team what it was like, which was very and management pack that is ex- heart’s rhythm,” Dr al-Khulaifi a cardiologist, a surgeon and a top of the coin, change in font for the coin value and change in the did the initial assessment and helpful,” Machado continued. ternal to the body, by a tube that continued: “This is an extremely physician that will be available English font (State of Qatar) on the back of the coin. found his potassium levels were After examining him, Dr al- exits through the patient’s stom- complicated surgery – in fact it is for patients 24 hours a day to On the face of the coin, the year of production has been men- very low. Khulaifi knew that this operation ach. The LVAD does 95% of the highly specialized, and it is avail- provide the safest, most eff ective tioned on top and there is a change in the Arabic font (State of Qa- He was told that he was expe- was necessary to save his life. heart’s work. The type of LVAD able in Qatar, at the Heart Hos- and most compassionate care to tar). riencing heart failure. “Kiran had acute cardiomy- that we use in Qatar is designed pital.” patients.

HBKU holds Open House on graduate programmes

he Hamad Bin Khalifa Uni- had the chance to hear about only to talk about what we teach neering, and Master of Science attracted many world-class fac- versity (HBKU), a member the university’s diverse multi- in our programmes but to actu- (MSc) degrees in Bioengineering, ulty to share their knowledge Tof the Qatar Foundation disciplinary programmes, and ally show how we teach.” Cybersecurity, and Data Science with our growing student body. for Education Science and Com- were off ered the chance to attend The Graduate Open House of- and Engineering. By off ering sample lectures at munity Development, held a sample lectures by professors. fered attendees the chance to Prospective students also our Graduate Open House, we Graduate Open House for pro- Dr Imed Gallouzi, a professor learn about four programmes learnt about the HBKU’s portfo- wanted to give attendees a small spective students on Monday at of life sciences at the HBKU, said: that the HBKU plans to launch lio of graduate programmes. glimpse of the work being done the HBKU Student Centre. “These events are important be- in the future: a Doctorate (PhD) HBKU provost Dr Khaled Ben by our professors in educating Attendees at the Open House cause they give us the chance not in Computer Science and Engi- Letaief commented: “We have tomorrow’s leaders.” One of the presentations at the Graduate Open House. Gulf Times 12 Thursday, February 12, 2016 QATAR/REGION Khomeini grandson loses appeal to stand in polls

Reuters ists and conservatives stirred by leaving a fi eld mostly of conserva- they are the guardians of his legacy the Islamic Republic’s sworn ene- child from catching cold,” Rou- Dubai a deal with world powers that tives. while his grandson feels his views mies,” the Council said in a state- hani was quoted as saying by the lifted economic sanctions against Under pressure from the gov- mirror his grandfather’s values. ment published on its website. state news agency IRNA on Sun- Tehran as part of a nuclear agree- ernment, the Council overturned The Council said that Hassan “The Council would stand fi rm day. he grandson of Ayatol- ment. hundreds of bans on parliamen- Khomeini “has not enough Islam- to protect people’s rights and the In the same appeal, the former lah Khomeini, founder of Hardliners fear Iranian vot- tary candidates last week, rekin- ic knowledge to distinguish the Islamic Republic’s values.” Iranian president and the leader of TIran’s Islamic Republic, ers will now be more inclined to dling the hopes of reformists and next Supreme Leader,” a family President Rouhani has criti- Reformist movement, Mohamed will not be allowed to stand in this reward reformist and moderate moderates. member was quoted by the ISNA cised moves by the Guardian Khatami, asked Iranians not to month’s election in Iran, the cler- candidates in Feb. 26 elections to But the fi nal list of candidates news agency as saying. Council to exclude thousands of be disappointed by the Guardian ical vetting body said yesterday, in the 290-seat parliament and the for the Assembly of Experts, pub- Ayatollah Khamenei is 76, so candidates from the election, say- Council’s decision. a blow to reformist forces in the 88-seat Assembly of Experts, the lished yesterday, makes it clear the new assembly is expected to ing the decision could undermine “Despite disqualifi cation of country. body responsible for choosing the that the Guardian Council intends play a signifi cant role in choosing the vote’s legitimacy. However, many prominent and competent Hassan Khomeini, 43, the fi rst next Supreme Leader. to keep reformists and moderates his successor since its members he appealed to the nation to par- candidates, there are still skilled member of the Khomeini family The Guardian Council, a cleri- away from this crucial clerical are only elected every eight years. ticipate in the election and choose and knowledgeable fi gures who to register for polls and an ally of cal vetting body responsible for body. Reformist and moderate candi- from the remaining candidates. can serve the nation due to their Hassan Khomeini, grandson of President Hassan Rouhani, lost an overseeing all elections, exclud- Ayatollah Khomenei led a revo- dates have accused the Guardian “If a shop does not have the loyalty to the values of Revolution Ayatollah Khomeini: loses an appeal to the body against a ban. ed thousands of parliamentary lution that saw the overthrow of Council of eliminating rivals. ideal clothes you want to buy for and reformist movement,” Khata- appeal against being barred from The setback comes at a time of hopefuls and hundreds of candi- the Shah in 1979 and creation of an “The Guardian Council is now your child, you will still buy the mi said in a statement published running for powerful Assembly of growing rivalry between reform- dates for the Assembly of Experts, Islamic Republic. Hardliners say more than ever under pressure by best one available to prevent your on his website on Tuesday. Experts elections. UAE names Celebrating National Sport Day ministers for happiness, tolerance

AFP Mohamed, who is also the ruler groups have criticised as paving Dubai of Dubai. the way for a crackdown on dis- Shamma al-Mazroui, 22, was sent of all sorts. appointed state minister for Citizens make up a small mi- he United Arab Emirates youth, while Lubna al-Qassimi, a nority of the UAE’s population Milaha celebrated Qatar’s National Sport Day by hosting a variety of activities ranging from soccer, volleyball, cricket, and basketball yesterday named women veteran minister of international of 9mn which is overwhelmingly to sumo wrestling, human foosball and the ‘first real-life Angry Bird Challenge’ in Qatar. Employees from across the Milaha group Tto the newly created posts co-operation and development, made up of foreign workers. participated in the activities along with their families. About 1,500 adults and children enjoyed the day out at Qatar Racing Club in of state ministers for happiness was handed the new post of state The female ministers include Doha. Taking part in the activities, Milaha’s president and chief executive off icer Abdulrahman Essa al-Mannai said the annual and tolerance, and a 22-year-old minister for tolerance. also Noura al-Kaabi, as Minister National Sport Day is a confirmation of Qatar’s promotion of a healthy lifestyle and its strong presence in the world sport arena. female for youth aff airs. The cabinet has eight new of State for the Federal National Prime Minister Sheikh Mo- ministers, including fi ve new Council, or parliament, Jamila hamed bin Rashid al-Maktoum women, with an average age of al-Muhairi, as Minister of State named eight women as he re- 38, WAM state news agency said. for Education, and Najla al-Awar vealed his latest cabinet line- Last year UAE rulers sought as Minister of Community De- up of 29 ministers in a series of to widen the country’s nascent velopment. tweets. democratic credentials with Reem al-Hashimi was moved Ohoud al-Roumi, who had about a quarter of its 1mn citi- to the post of State Minister for served as director of the council zens given the right to vote. International Co-operation Af- of ministers’ offi ce, was appoint- Eighty-seven of the 330 can- fairs, while Maitha Alshamsi kept ed “minister of state for happi- didates were women, who play her post as a state minister. ness”. an important role in public life in Several key ministries re- “Happiness is not just a wish the UAE. mained in the hands of members in our country. There will be But the authorities have been of the ruling families. plans, projects, programmes and deeply cautious and in 2014 in- Sheikh Saif bin Zayed al- indices. It will be part of the job troduced sweeping new counter- Nahyan, a son of the late founder of all ministries,” tweeted Sheikh terrorism legislation that rights of the UAE and a member of Abu Dhabi’s ruling family, has kept the portfolio of interior. His brother Sheikh Abdul- lah stayed at the helm of the ministry of foreign aff airs, now merged with the portfolio of in- ternational co-operation, while his other brother Sheikh Man- sour remains vice prime minis- ter and minister of presidential aff airs. Sheikh Mohamed bin Rashid Elan Group has celebrated Qatar’s National Sport Day by organising a series of activities for employees and their families in Doha. himself kept hold of the defence The “Sports bring us together” day witnessed a variety of sporting competitions between Elan employees. Jaber al-Ansari, CEO of portfolio and his brother Sheikh Elan Group, said: “This year’s National Sport Day was filled with excitement as we planned various sports activities for our employees Hamdan stayed as minister of and their families. We consider physical activities and health procedures as priorities for Elan Group. Qatar National Sport Day seeks Ohoud al-Roumi, who was Shamma al-Mazroui, 22, who fi nance. to emphasise the importance of physical activities in people’s lifestyle as well as raise a healthy and productive community, being all appointed as the UAE’s new state was appointed as the UAE’s new Oil Minister Suhail al-Maz- part of Qatar’s 2030 vision.” minister for happiness. minister for youth. roui remained in offi ce. Family of fi ve killed MEC mobile App wins award

he Ministry of Economy ternational standards. Mohamed bin Rashid al-Mak- ness of the application (40%), and Commerce’s (MEC) The mobile App, which is toum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai, ease of access (40%), and inno- in strike on Sanaa Tmobile App has been rec- available on both Apple and an- recognises government agencies vation (20%). ognised with the “Best Mobile droid devices, off ers a basket of for their eff orts in terms of pro- The m-Government award AFP bodies of a woman and young controlled Sanaa since 2014. Government Service Award” unique electronic services like moting economic development, aims to motivate government Sanaa girl, according to an AFP photog- The channel itself said on its across the Arab world during the issuance or renewal of com- streamlining business incorpo- agencies to provide innova- rapher at the site. website that four family mem- the fourth edition of the World mercial permits, access to com- ration procedures, the issuance tive solutions in the fi elds of It was not immediately clear bers were killed in an air strike Government Summit held in mercial company records, and and renewal of permits and li- smartphone applications and ive members of the same if there were any other people in but did not mention Hakimi or Dubai. the submission of complaints. cences, and the registration of ensure round-the-clock access family were killed when the building when it was hit. confi rm that the victims were The award, which falls under Users can also access a variety intellectual property rights, in to government services through Fa Saudi-led coalition air The dead father was identi- members of his family. the economy and trade catego- of economic indicators and fi - addition to the recruitment of streamlined, highly effi cient, strike hit their home in Yemen’s fi ed by neighbours as Mounir The building is located near ry, comes in recognition of the nancial reports, in addition to employees and the launch of and transparent procedures that rebel-held capital Sanaa, rescuers al-Hakimi, a programme direc- the rebel-controlled presidential MEC’s eff orts to reinforce a di- the latest news from the minis- commercial activities. meet customer needs and re- and neighbours said yesterday. tor at the Yemen Today televi- headquarters in central Sanaa, versifi ed economy and promote try, administrative closures, and The award, which also recog- quirements. The bodies of a father and sion channel, which is owned by which was struck by a missile a competitive business environ- recall campaigns besides local, nises government services that Participants include govern- two of his children were still un- former president Ali Abdullah overnight. ment. Launched mid-last year, regional, and international eco- help improve business and com- ment entities from the UAE and der the rubble of the destroyed Saleh. A car repair garage and a near- the mobile App is an innovate nomic news. mercial activities, is presented the Arab region, as well as in- building while rescue workers Saleh’s supporters are allied by private school were also hit, initiative implemented in ac- The award, bestowed by to the based on several criteria, in- ternational government entities managed to pull out the dead with Houthi rebels who have causing damage. cordance with the highest in- MEC by Sheikh Maktoum bin cluding effi ciency and eff ective- and university students. ‘Art for Tomorrow’ conference to be held in March he second New York Times yassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Taking place at the W Doha relationships between the digital introduce delegates to important The 2016 edition of the con- sessions, delegates will join in- “Art for Tomorrow” con- al-Thani. Hotel, the conference will bring world and the creative process, insights into the changing shape ference has been expanded into teractive roundtable discussions Tference will be held in The conference will be intro- together some of the world’s the nature of creativity, its im- of Qatar’s arts and culture scene, a four-day programme aimed at about specifi c art sector issues, Doha from March 12 to 15. duced by HE Sheikha Al Mayassa leading artists, curators, art pact on developing cities and na- the growing maturity of its crea- delivering an informative and as well as take in a number of af- The event is organised under and Arthur O. Sulzberger, Jr., collectors and museum direc- tions, and what goes into making tive community and its develop- rich creative experience for par- fi liated events, from live drawing the patronage of Qatar Muse- chairman and publisher of The tors. a city ‘creative’. ment as a progressive and artistic ticipants. classes to visits to working art- ums and HE Sheikha Al Ma- New York Times Company. They will explore the complex “Art for Tomorrow” will also hub. In addition to traditional panel ists’ studios. Gulf Times Thursday, February 11, 2016 13 ARAB WORLD

HEALTH LABOUR COURT CORRUPTION AVIATION Four swine flu deaths Moroccan unions call Netanyahu’s wife abused Tunisia makes $500mn British firm to review in Lebanon this winter for strike on Feb. 24 household staff : verdict from Ben Ali’s assets Sharm airport security

Swine flu has killed four people in Lebanon Morocco’s four largest labour unions have called for Benjamin Netanyahu’s wife Sara insulted and Tunisia has made nearly half a billion dollars A British firm hired to review security at Egypt since the beginning of the winter season in a 24-hour general strike by both public- and private- raged at household staff , creating an abusive from the sale of assets confiscated from ousted airports after the October crash of a Russian November, health off icials said yesterday. sector workers on Feb. 24 to protest government working environment at the Israeli prime president Zine El Abidine Ben Ali and his allies, a plane will begin its work at the weekend, the Walid Ammar, the general director of reforms of pensions and subsidies, the unions said minister’s off icial residence, a labour court ruled minister said yesterday. In the months following civil aviation minister said yesterday. The Lebanon’s health ministry, said there were in a statement yesterday. More than its neighbours yesterday. Allegations of mistreatment levelled Ben Ali’s flight to Saudi Arabia after the January global consultancy firm Control Risks will begin “four confirmed H1N1 deaths this winter in North Africa, Morocco has been praised by by Meni Naftali, a former chief caretaker at the 2011 revolution that ended his rule, the cash- “assessing security procedures at the Sharm season.” “The cases that needed emergency international lenders for progress in controlling the Jerusalem home, were dismissed by the Prime strapped country seized hundreds of businesses, El Sheikh airport from Sunday,” Civil Aviation care this winter season is up 20% compared high public spending. It has ended fuel subsidies Minister’s Off ice as “evil, skewed gossip” when the properties, luxury cars and jewellery belonging Minister Hossam Kamal said. The A-321 airliner to last winter,” partly due to a more eff icient and frozen public-sector hiring. Last month, the civil lawsuit was filed in 2014. But the court said to him, his family and his allies. “Since 2011, we operated by Russia’s Metrojet and bound for referral system between the hospitals and government moved into another sensitive area, testimony by Naftali and other former household made around 1.5bn dinars (of which) around Saint Petersburg broke up mid-air over the the health ministry, he said. Health Minister when it adopted a bill last month outlining planned employees about Mrs Netanyahu’s alleged abusive 1bn ($500mn) went into the state’s coff ers,” Sinai, minutes after take-off from the Red Sea Wael Abu Faour said the four fatal cases were pension reforms. Unions have vowed to block the behaviour towards them was credible. The court Finance Minister Slim Chaker said. “The other tourism hub of Sharm El Sheikh. The London- a child aged three, a 31-year-old woman, a reforms. The walkouts are the second general strike ordered the state to pay Naftali 80,000 shekels 500mn dirhams went to paying off debts,” he based Control Risks, a specialist in protecting 36-year-old pregnant woman, and a 58-year- against the Islamist-led government that the four ($21,000) for emotional distress and another said. Revenues from the sales have boosted the organisations in hostile environments, was hired old man. biggest unions intend to organise. 75,000 shekels over unfulfilled promises of tenure. national budget. by Egypt after the crash that killed all 224 people. ‘500 killed’ in regime’s assault in Aleppo

AFP Turkey, already hosting 2.7mn They are living on the roads. They Beirut Syrian refugees, has so far refused don’t have any place to stay,” to let a new wave into the country, said Abdul Karim Bahloul, who instead providing humanitar- crossed into Turkey yesterday Russian-backed regime ian assistance over the border in morning. onslaught in northern Syria. Ankara is on alert for fi ght- The Mosul Dam on the Tigris River, around 50km north of the Iraqi city of Mosul. The risk of Iraq’s largest dam collapsing and unleashing a ASyria was reported yes- Many are sleeping in tents or ers infi ltrating its territory, after huge wave onto Mosul is aff ecting plans to retake the city from militants. terday to have killed more than the open, with emergency camps a series of attacks on its soil that 500 people this month, as Turkey already full. the government blamed on the faced mounting pressure to open Medical aid group Doctors Islamic State (IS) militant group. its border to people fl eeing the Without Borders (MSF) said yes- The Turkish security forces violence. terday that the healthcare system said yesterday they had seized ex- The UN has called for Russia to around the war-torn town of Azaz plosives and four suicide vests in end its air strikes in Syria ahead in Aleppo province was “close the baggage of a group of suspects Iraq: risk to Mosul Dam of fresh peace eff orts including a to collapse” due to intensifying stopped at the border east of the 17-nation meeting today in Mu- fi ghting in the area. Oncupinar crossing. nich aimed at getting the troubled Since Saturday, an MSF hospi- Fighting yesterday raged process back on track. tal near Azaz has seen an increase around Tamura, north of Aleppo The Syrian Observatory for Hu- of about 50% in its outpatient city, with intense Russian air raids aff ecting anti-IS drive man Rights said 506 people had department. Many are suff ering on several nearby villages, the died since the regime launched a respiratory tract infections. Observatory said. AFP pletely overwhelmed the au- “If the attack on Mosul goes sibility to guarantee the protec- major off ensive against rebels in “Azaz district has seen some Pro-regime forces have made Baghdad thorities. well, there is a nightmare sce- tion of this dam.” Aleppo province on February 1. of the heaviest tolls of this brutal a series of gains this month in “If the dam busts, the cen- nario that Daesh (an Arabic ac- Iraq has awarded a contract to They include 23 children who war, and yet again we are see- Aleppo province, severing rebel tre of Mosul goes under water ronym for IS) could itself strike Italy’s Trevi to repair and main- were killed in Russian air strikes, ing healthcare under siege,” said supply lines. he risk of Iraq’s larg- by about a 40-50ft wave (12 to the dam as they withdraw from tain the dam. according to the British-based Muskilda Zancada, the head of Last week, UN envoy Staff an est dam collapsing and 15m),” the adviser said, speaking Mosul,” the adviser said. “We need to speed up the ar- monitor, which relies on a net- MSF’s Syria mission. de Mistura suspended Syria peace Tunleashing a huge wave on condition of anonymity. He said the US-led coalition, rival of this company in Iraq and work of sources on the ground. Those who have fl ed the of- talks until February 25 amid op- onto Mosul is aff ecting plans to “It just disappears, so whose primary role in retak- also to guarantee the security Tens of thousands of Syrians fensive tell of scenes of terror and position protests about the retake the city from militants, 500,000 people (are) killed ing Mosul would be to carry out of its technicians and workers,” were still stranded yesterday at suff ering. bombing, and the Munich meet- an adviser to the premier’s of- within a few hours”. air strikes, is concerned that a said Abadi. the Oncupinar border crossing, “Children are dying under ing aims to pressure the sides to fi ce said. He said another dam in Sa- major bombing campaign could Italian Prime Minister Matteo which remained closed. bombs and from hunger and cold. return to the table. The army is deploying thou- marra, hundreds of miles down- have an impact on the dam. Renzi, who has said Rome would sands of soldiers to a northern stream, would also burst. It is “They are worried about it, deploy some 450 troops to protect base in preparation for opera- estimated the wave would still they are thinking carefully about the dam, stressed yesterday that tions to recapture the city, the be several metres high when it what kind of munitions they use Iraq and Italy were “working to- largest urban centre in the Is- reaches Baghdad. in the Mosul operation,” he said. gether for the security of the area.” lamic State group’s self-pro- A US assessment published on Colonel Steve Warren, the “When the Italian force Saudi ready to send forces claimed caliphate. Monday on the Iraqi parliament’s spokesman for the international comes in, the Italian force is re- Concern has grown that a website said Mosul Dam was “at anti-IS operation, said the dam sponsible for the security of the failure of the unstable dam, a signifi cantly higher risk of fail- was far enough from Mosul for dam, so there’s no dispute over which is about 40km northwest ure than originally understood.” strikes not to be a threat to its who’s responsible,” and Kurd- to Syria if coalition decides of the city, could wipe out much High-level contacts have integrity. ish forces who hold the dam will of Mosul and fl ood large parts of taken place between the US ad- Another concern as Iraq be- withdraw, the adviser said. Reuters special forces since he met US President Barack Obama, anx- Baghdad. ministration and Baghdad, with gins deploying troops southeast He said Abadi hoped the con- Rabat Secretary of State John Kerry in ious to avoid being sucked into The Americans “frequently Washington pushing for repair of the city is a mounting eco- tract - estimated at 284.5mn Washington on Monday for talks another Middle East confl ict refer to Katrina” and say a col- work to be undertaken urgently. nomic crisis. euros (around $320mn) - would on the war in Syria and the crisis after the long and costly wars in lapse of the Mosul Dam would Since the dam’s completion The government of Iraq’s au- be signed within two weeks. The audi Arabia would be will- in Yemen. Afghanistan and Iraq, has been be “a thousand times worse”, in 1984, Iraq has sought to shore tonomous Kurdistan region is World Bank is helping to fi nance ing to commit special “We will discuss details with deeply reluctant to commit US the adviser to the offi ce of Prime up the foundation by injecting struggling to pay its peshmerga it. Sforces to Syria should the experts from the countries in- ground forces in Syria. Minister Haider al-Abadi told mortar-like grout into cavities forces, who currently control A warm winter could lead international coalition decide to volved to decide on the nature of But four months of Russian air reporters. that develop under the structure. the dam and will likely play a to early snow melt and Trevi is deploy ground troops against Is- the participation,” Foreign Min- strikes in Syria - which Moscow Hurricane Katrina ravaged Regular minor seismic activ- signifi cant part in any Mosul as- expected to swiftly begin work lamic State, the country’s foreign ister Adel al-Jubeir told report- says are targeting Islamic State - the US city of New Orleans in ity in the area is now seen as a sault. with a seven-month phase to minister said yesterday. ers during a visit to Morocco. He have helped President Bashar al- 2005, killing nearly 2,000 peo- potential threat. Speaking in Rome yesterday, repair the dam’s lower gates. It was the Saudi minister’s has declined to give any specifi c Assad claw back territory from ple and leading to a wave of There are also fears that IS Abadi said “we have a moral re- Another 18 months are needed second reference to sending numbers. rebel fi ghters. violence and looting that com- could weaponise the dam. sponsibility, a national respon- for the rest of the major work. Attacks keep millions away from Egypt tourist sites

AFP Peninsula on October 31, killing stand dejected for hours on end expect them to visit our region?” Tourist arrivals fell sharply in Cairo all 224 people on board, mostly as visitors, snapping pictures asked Merdash Ghanem, owner 2015 to about 9.3mn, from 15mn Russian tourists. standing next to them, turn down of a wholesale souvenir shop near in 2010. The Islamic State (IS) militant rides across the scenic desert the pyramids. Revenues from tourism aid Ramadan has lost count group claimed it downed the jet plateau. “Before Daesh became known, slumped 15% year-on-year to of how much he’s borrowed with a bomb on board. “There was a time when I made I had groups of tourists visit- $6.1bn in 2015, with the last Sjust to stay afl oat while Tourist arrivals, already dwin- a thousand (Egyptian) pounds ing my shop every day, but now quarter hit by the Russian and other vendors at Giza’s pyramids dling since the turmoil triggered ($125) a day. Now I’m lucky if I I hardly receive three or four,” he British fl ight bans, the tourism have already lost hope, as mili- by the 2011 ouster of longtime earn a hundred,” said Ibrahim said, referring to IS with its Ara- ministry said. tant attacks bring Egypt’s tourist dictator Hosni Mubarak, plum- as an Egyptian couple photo- bic acronym. In November and December, industry to its knees. meted after the plane crash. graphed his camel. The Russian plane crash dealt the tourism sector lost E£2.2bn “I have no money to buy The thousands of foreigners Dozens of men, speaking fl u- the heaviest blow, he said. ($280mn) a month. clothes for my children ... I who used to jostle shoulder-to- ent English, Italian or Russian, The Saint Petersburg-bound “Regional turmoil in Iraq, hardly make any money as so few shoulder while passing through canter up and down the plateau plane crashed minutes after tak- Syria and Libya is also impacting tourists are coming,” Ramadan, the metal detectors of the famed on horseback, off ering cheap Street vendors wait for customers near the Giza pyramids in the ing off from the Red Sea resort of tourism here, and if Russians and 42, said at his dilapidated one- pyramids and Great Sphinx com- rides but with barely any takers. southern Cairo. Since the ouster of Mohamed Mursi in 2013, a deadly Sharm el-Sheikh. Britons don’t return, tourism in storey brick house near the world plex each day have simply van- Buses, which previously fer- insurgency led by the Islamic State militant group has kept away Moscow barred all Russian Egypt will be wiped out,” said Ib- heritage site. ished. ried about 50 tourists at a time, millions of tourists. carriers from fl ying to and from rahim El-Ghitany, a researcher at Since Egypt’s then army chief Now, visitors to the more than now drive in with just fi ve or six Egypt afterwards, and Britain the Cairo-based Regional Center and now President Abdel Fat- 4,600-year-old monuments are visitors. ist vehicles to park far from the a neighbourhood near the pyra- suspended air links with Sharm for Strategic Studies. tah al-Sisi ousted Islamist leader mostly Egyptian college stu- Many tourist hotels near the complex to prevent attacks. mids. El Sheikh. In the shadow of the pyramids, Mohamed Mursi in 2013, a deadly dents or families from outside pyramids, which boasted 100% Dozens of plainclothes police- An Egyptian affi liate of IS “What we need is Russian, Ibrahim the camel handler looked insurgency led by the Islamic Cairo. occupancy before the 2011 upris- men mingle with visitors in the claimed responsibility for the British and American tourists, dejected even as he tried to put on State militant group has kept On a rocky path leading to the ing, are all but empty. complex, making random checks. blast in the capital’s Al-Haram and they’re not coming,” said Ra- a brave face. away millions of tourists. pyramids, vendors display mini- Gun-toting policemen now Seven people, including fi ve district which houses several madan as he rushed to try to in- “For generations we’ve worked Tourism in Egypt was dealt a ature statues depicting Egypt’s stand guard behind iron bar- policemen, were killed in Janu- tourist hotels. terest a group of Chinese tourists with tourists. This is all what we body blow when a Russian airlin- pharaonic era, but sales are rare. ricades at the entrances to the ary in a bomb blast when a team “When tourists see people in miniature statues of King Tu- know. We just have to wait for er blew up mid-air over the Sinai Dozens of camel handlers pyramids, forcing private tour- of offi cers raided an apartment in killing each other, how do you tankhamun and Queen Nefertiti. things to improve,” he said. Gulf Times 14 Thursday, February 11, 2016 AFRICA Captured LRA rebel Religious rite was top commander AFP identity had been confi rmed 100,000 people and abducted ductions, Odek may have surren- known as the Popular Front for Kampala by himself and by “certain ele- 60,000 children in a bloody re- dered rather than been captured. the Renaissance of Central Africa ments” who had surrendered. bellion against Kampala that be- On its website, the NGO sug- (FPRC) also claimed to be behind He was handed over to US gan in 1986. gests that perhaps Odek was the arrest of another wanted LRA commander in Uganda’s forces on Monday by a faction of Odek was kidnapped by the afraid that “Kony had given or- commander Dominic Ongwen a notorious Lord’s Resist- the Seleka rebels in CAR. LRA as a child around eight years ders to have him killed,” an action year ago. Aance Army (LRA) captured The trasnfer followed re- old in the Gulu region of north- the LRA chief has taken in the Ongwen was transferred to by rebels in the Central African cent LRA attacks in the east and ern Uganda, a bastion of the re- past against commanders who The Hague war crimes court Republic has been identifi ed as northeast of the country result- bellion. fall out of favour. shortly after he unexpectedly Okot Odek, a key fi gure in the ing in at least one death and doz- He later rose to be LRA lieu- It also said that messages from surrendered to US special forces. group, a local police source told ens of abductions. tenant-colonel, running militia Odek calling on LRA fi ghters in Ledio Cakaj, an analyst who AFP yesterday. Odek was a senior commander forces in the Garamba national CAR and the DRC to surrender has long monitored the LRA, said “We have a list of LRA chiefs and former key bodyguard for park in northeastern Democratic were ready to be broadcast on lo- that in terms of weakening of the who are wanted and considered LRA chief Joseph Kony, an in- Republic of Congo (DRC). cal radio. rebels, Odek’s capture or defec- dangerous... and the one who has dicted war criminal who contin- The US-based Enough Project, The LRA fi nally crossed into tion is “far more important than just been handed over to Ameri- ues to evade a years-long inter- which has long monitored the southeastern CAR in March (that of) Ongwen.” can forces is commander Okot national manhunt, though much LRA, called Odek in 2010 “one of 2008, profi ting from widespread The areas of CAR infi ltrat- Odek,” said the police source in of his force has been dispersed (the) LRA’s most able command- unrest there that led the Se- ed by the IRA lie largely out- Obo, a city in eastern CAR where by African Union troops with US ers”. leka rebel alliance to overthrow side the control of the UN’s Ugandan and US forces tracking support. According to a US non-govern- former president Francois Bozize 10,000-strong MINUSCA A Kenyan Catholic applies ash during a Lent mass at the the LRA are based. According to UN estimates, mental group, Invisible Children, in March 2013. peacekeeping mission stationed Holy family Basilica in Nairobi yesterday. The source added that Odek’s the LRA slaughtered more than created to fi ght against LRA ab- A remnant of the Seleka group in the main cities.

Main man Zimbabwe’s Contender pledges President Robert Mugabe addresses the ZANU-PF party’s top decision- Idi Amin museum making body, the Politburo, in Harare AFP rule was characterised by buff oonery and yesterday. Kampala brutality, helping his name become a short- Mugabe, the hand for African dictatorship and violent only leader that misrule. Zimbabwe has top challenger in next week’s Ugandan Museveni, believed to be at least 71, and ever known, presidential election has promised to who took power in 1986 after Milton Obote turns 92 this Arepatriate the remains of dictator Idi and Tito Okello were toppled, is eyeing a fi fth month amid Amin and build a museum in his honour, his term in the elections. escalating spokeswoman said yesterday. “We must bring an end to the labelling tensions within Amama Mbabazi, a former prime minister of Ugandans that those are Amin’s people, his ruling and ex-ruling party stalwart now challeng- those are Obote’s people and those are Mu- ZANU-PF party ing veteran President Yoweri Museveni in seveni’s people,” Mbabazi said, according to over who will the February 18 polls, made the pledge while the state-owned New Vision newspaper. eventually visiting Amin’s ancestral home in north- Mbabazi is the second presidential candi- succeed him. west Uganda, where he was welcomed by the date to vow to repatriate Amin’s remains and former dictator’s uncle. erect a museum in his honour if he wins. Josephine Mayanja-Nkangi, Mbabazi’s Abed Bwanika, a three-time election loser spokeswoman, said “one of the critical who garnered less than one% of the vote in building blocks” of the party was “reconcili- 2006 and 2011, made the same declaration ation” to help “the process of forgiveness for during a campaign visit to Amin’s homeland. any real or perceived wrongs in the past” that “Amin is very good for our tourism in once divided Uganda. Uganda,” Bwanika told AFP. “Let’s have his “The issue of Idi Amin is one of them,” she remains here, so tourists who just hear about Shebaab planning attacks in ‘peacekeeper’ garb told AFP. him can actually come and see where he was Amin died in exile in Saudi Arabia in 2003 born and bred.” Amin had multiple children, where he is buried and had lived since being and some of them are believed to be running Reuters force said on its Twitter account. 6 killed in twin Cameroon suicide attack s overthrown in 1979. His eccentric eight-year as parliamentary candidates. Nairobi “These uniforms were accessed from AMISOM camps in the past and At least six people were killed and 30 One of the off icials said the at- disguised as such, Shebaab are organ- injured in northern Cameroon yester- tack in Nguetchewe, about 10km Ghana manager killed in riot over illegal mining frican peacekeepers said ising to carry out atrocities,” it added. day by two Islamist suicide bombers east of the Nigerian border, is the yesterday they had informa- Kenyan soldiers serving with at a Muslim funeral gathering, two first known Boko Haram strike in ngloGold Ashanti said yesterday its leader Samuel Dwamenah said from Obuasi. Ation that Al Qaeda-linked AMISOM suff ered heavy losses off icials in the region said. Cameroon at a funeral gathering, head of corporate aff airs in Ghana “Local police are patrolling the mine. Per- militants were planning to launch when Shebaab launched a dawn The attackers were from Boko although the militants have made an Awas killed last Saturday during a riot sonnel have been asked to work from home attacks in Somalia disguised in raid on their camp in the southern Haram, the group based in neigh- attack on a baptism in the past. among illegal miners at its Obuasi mine, and the underground part of the mine is their uniforms. Islamist fi ghters Somali town of El Adde on Jan. 15. bouring Nigeria that has stepped up The US military refers to Boko which is currently idle as the company closed,” he told Reuters. from Somalia’s Al Shebaab group The militants said they killed cross-border attacks in Cameroon’s Haram as the “most lethal” extremist waits for a partner for the operation. “We Africa’s top gold producer said earlier it had taken some uniforms from more than 100 soldiers at the base far north despite the setting up of group in the world and thousands are can confi rm that John Owusu was killed on would not look for a new joint venture part- camps run by the African Union near Somalia’s border with Kenya, a roughly 9,500-strong regional thought to have been killed during Saturday,” AngloGold Johannesburg-based ner for Obuasi until it had an investment AMISOM force, offi cers said. though Nairobi has not released an military task force. their more than six-year insurgency. spokesman Chris Nthite said. agreement with the government. Randgold “AMISOM has information that offi cial death count. Owusu died when a dispute between arti- Resources in December pulled out of a joint due to panic Shebaab have plans to Shebaab has in the past year sanal miners working on part of the Obuasi venture with AngloGold to redevelop Obua- masquerade as AMISOM and dress staged multiple strikes against Af- of a guerrilla campaign to expel version of Islamic law across the site and pressing for access to a larger portion si, a decision that could spell closure for one in AMISOM troop’s uniforms,” the rican Union bases in Somalia, part foreign troops and impose its harsh Horn of Africa nation. of the mine escalated into a riot, senior union of Ghana’s most important mines. In Rift Valley, blood and bulls mark gateway to manhood

By Siegfried Modola, Reuters However in this remote region, waiting for the morning’s initia- Baringo County, Kenya ceremonies such as Sapana still tion rite. hold sway. As the sun rises, the young The ritual allows men to sit man walks towards the bull, fi xes n an isolated region in Kenya’s with local elders and take part his aim and pierces the animal Rift Valley, young men spear a in their community’s decision- with a spear on its right side. Ibull in a ceremony that marks making. According to tradition, the bull a gateway to adulthood. Sapana also gives improved must be speared several times Far from the bustling capital access to marriage, once the man before death as a way to respect of Nairobi, locals gather at dawn, and his family have accumulated its life - to consider that a single men on one side, women on an- a dowry of cattle. blow could fell a bull would be to other, to witness the event in a A man as old as 30 can also un- dishonour the animal. community where cattle play a dergo the rite. The initiate’s age Village men open up the central part in life. depends in part on when he and slaughtered animal, taking it in The men, aged between 18 and his family can aff ord to spare a turns to eat clots of blood. Most 20, are part of a small Pokot com- bull for the killing in a commu- of the blood is kept in a container munity of herdsmen who tend nity where cattle are precious. to be mixed later with milk, a tra- cows, goats, sheep, camels and The Pokots can have several ditional delicacy to be shared. donkeys in Baringo County. wives, and men are allowed to Men take their place in a semi- The initiation is called Sapana marry women many years their circle and wait for the choicest in the Pokot language. junior. parts of the animal to be cooked “In our culture, Sapana is the Livestock are everything for and served to them. Women and most important rite for a man to the Pokots, representing wealth children await their turn at a dis- be able to gain authority within and social status. And in an iso- tance. Every single part of the his community,” says Hassan lated region with no permanent animal is eaten or put to use. Tepa, an elder. police presence, elders deal with In one of the most important, It is a jolting, three-hour drive disputes. fi nal stages of the ceremony, a to this region from the low- Those who have broken the respected elder smears the con- land town of Marigat, close to law are often required to pay a tents of the animal’s stomach on Lake Baringo. Kenya has about fi ne in the form of animals. the initiate. 620,000 Pokots, the 2009 cen- The Sapana ceremony begins As Tepa explains, this con- sus statistics show, and some the day before, usually at dusk, cluding rite seals the young also live in neighbouring Ugan- when locals gather and fi res are man’s entrance to adulthood, da’s Karamoja region. lit for the night. Then begins the conferring a new status on him. As Kenya develops and more dancing, singing and drinking of “Only then will he be able to people migrate to the cities in fermented local wine. Many stay speak to elders,” he says. “In re- search of work, such traditional awake through the night. turn (he will) be listened to and practices are on the wane. The young men stay at home, respected.” Pokot women dance in celebration the day before an initiation ceremony for young men in Baringo County, Kenya. Gulf Times Thursday, February 11, 2016 15 AMERICAS Sanders courts US black vote after New Hampshire win The minority vote is critical to any jubilant volunteers for Bernie Sanders without college degrees, and among each donated on average $27, totalling White House aspirant could not contain their excitement over gun owners and non-gun owners. $3.7mn. his double-digit victory in the New Clinton was ahead only among His campaign has a popular win- Reuters Hampshire primary -- and the tough whites, families earning over $200,000 ning slogan — “Feel the Bern” has been New York battle ahead with Hillary Clinton. a year and voters 65 and older, US me- printed on countless T-shirts, badges, “Bernie, Bernie, Bernie,” they dia reported. magnets and key rings. screamed at the senator’s victory He appealed for unity within the The donations point to a grassroots S Democratic presidential can- party late Tuesday, projecting an en- Democratic party and urged Ameri- popularity perhaps matched in this didate Bernie Sanders courted ergy matched only by supporters of cans across socio-economic and ethnic primary season by Trump, who packs Uthe African-American vote the night’s Republican winner, Donald groups to join the cause. thousands into big-venue rallies na- yesterday after thrashing former secre- Trump. “It will bring together blacks and tionwide and who won the Republican tary of state Hillary Clinton in the New “Celebrate the Bern, baby!” said Sara whites, Latinos, Asian-Americans, Na- New Hampshire primary. Hampshire primary election and giv- Stuart, 56, a teaching assistant and tive Americans, straight and gay, male “The people want real change,” said ing his anti-establishment campaign a local campaign volunteer covered in and female, people who were born in Sanders. “Together, we have sent the major lift. Bernie badges. “It is huge!” America and people who immigrated message that will echo from Wall Street Civil rights leader reverend Al Sharp- Sanders won 60 percent of the Dem- here,” he said. to Washington, from Maine to California.” ton met Sanders, a democratic social- ocratic vote compared to 38% for Clin- It was an extraordinary moment for a The decisive test will come in Ne- ist and US senator from Vermont, for ton, the former secretary of state who campaign that pundits initially thought vada and South Carolina, more racially breakfast at a restaurant in New York Bernie Sanders meets Al Sharpton at Sylvia’s restaurant in the Harlem section of commands one of the biggest political would barely dent a smooth cruise to a diverse states in the west and south, City’s Harlem neighbourhood. New York yesterday. machines in the country. Clinton coronation. where Clinton’s support among blacks It was an attempt to chip away at Just months ago, the grumpy But on Tuesday, in a state that chose and Latinos is expected to defeat Sand- Clinton’s strong support from African- history a black family will be moving liked Sanders’ populist proposals to 74-year-old grandfather promising a her over the ultimately victorious ers this month. American voters, who will be crucial at out of the White House. I do not want break up big banks and have the gov- “political revolution” was written off Barack Obama in 2008, Clinton con- “This was the fi rst time that the the next Democratic primary, in South black concerns to be moved out with ernment pay for free college tuition. as a joke. ceded defeat. movement actually spoke to me,” said Carolina on February 27. them. We must be front and center and But he might struggle to win support But a gathering grassroots campaign “I know I have some work to do, par- Sarah Stevens, 28, a New Hampshire The two men hugged when they met not marginalised. And senator Sand- from Democrats outside liberal north- and message of addressing profound ticularly with young people,” she said. substitute teacher involved in politics outside Sylvia’s soul food restaurant ers coming here this morning further eastern states. inequality has stirred up liberal voters “Even if they are not supporting me for the fi rst time, with her boyfriend. then sat alone for breakfast at a table makes it clear that we will not be ig- Sanders said late on Tuesday that his — and Sanders is giving Clinton a run now, I support them.” “I do think he can go all the way. I near the window. They left a short time nored,” Sharpton, a Baptist minister victory over Clinton, a former fi rst lady, for her money. Although most analysts believe Clin- think it comes with the momentum and later. and television talk show host, told re- showed “we have sent the message that “It’s really history in the making,” ton will secure the Democratic nomi- educating people about what demo- Sharpton and Barack Obama met at porters afterwards. will echo from Wall Street to Wash- said Eric Packer, 64, a Wall Street- nation thanks to support from the party cratic socialism is.” the same restaurant during the then- Sanders coasted to victory in Tues- ington, from Maine to California, and trained investment adviser from Mas- establishment and ethnic minorities, The Republican party establishment, candidate’s 2008 successful presiden- day’s primary on a wave of voter anger that is that the government of our great sachusetts who switched from backing Sanders is putting his Scandinavian- who will have to contend with the dra- tial campaign - a piece of symbolism at traditional US politicians. New York country belongs to all of the people and Clinton in favour of Sanders last year. inspired anti-Wall Street, poverty- matic win by their own usurper Trump, for Sanders as he tries to connect with billionaire Donald Trump swept the not just a handful of wealthy campaign “I think this helps to set the stage busting agenda on the map. was quick to throw salt in Clinton’s minority voters. The election on No- Republican contest in the same state. contributors”. for the potential for Bernie to be taken The Clinton campaign admitted that wounds. vember 8 is followed by the inaugura- The results testifi ed to the sizable Clinton now looks wounded. She more seriously.” Sanders raised $5mn more than them “The prospect that Democrats could tion of Obama’s successor early next share of American voters upset at US trailed Sanders by 60% to 38% in New Exit polls showed Sanders beat last month, underlining his growing nominate a self-avowed socialist is year. economic conditions and willing to Hampshire with 92% of precincts re- Clinton among virtually every group sway. growing more probable by the day,” de- “My concern is that in January of send a shockwave to Washington. porting. — among women and men, in all age Sanders often extols the fact that clared Republican National Committee next year for the fi rst time in American Young voters in New Hampshire In a school gymnasium in Concord, groups under 45, among those with and more than one million Americans chairman Reince Priebus. Trump rides wave to thumping win

Reuters ment politicians they perceive as Manchester, NH being part of the problem. At his victory rally, Trump congratulated other candidates epublican Donald Trump in the race but promised to soon and Democrat Bernie return to his pugnacious ap- RSanders coasted to vic- proach. tory on a wave of voter anger in “Tomorrow: boom, boom,” he the New Hampshire presiden- Donald Trump during his victory said, shadow boxing while his tial nominating contest, thrash- speech. supporters cheered. ing traditional US politicians in The New Hampshire Repub- a display of anti-establishment ing on February 1 to Cruz in the lican race confi rmed that Trump power. fi rst nominating contest, the is being helped by the lack of a Sweeping wins by Trump, a Iowa caucuses. His win showed strong establishment contender New York billionaire, and Sand- pundits were wrong to think against him. ers, a democratic socialist, on he would quickly self-destruct Bush, the son and brother of Tuesday testifi ed to the sizable based on his penchant for in- former presidents, lived to fi ght share of American voters upset sults and imprecise plans for the another day after a poor per- at US economic conditions and presidency. formance in Iowa. willing to send a shockwave to Clinton campaign manager “While the reality TV star is Washington in the November 8 Robby Mook said in a memo doing well, it looks like you all presidential election. that the Democratic nomination have reset the race,” Bush told New Hampshire’s verdict sets would “very likely” be decided in supporters. “This campaign is up a tough fi ght for Republicans March, with the support of black not dead.” in South Carolina’s February 20 and Hispanic voters key to victo- Bush told CNN his brother, Supporters react to television predictions of Sanders winning the Democratic New Hampshire primary at the candidate’s New Hampshire primary for Democrats there on ry. In addition to South Carolina, former president George W Primary Night watch party in Concord, New Hampshire. February 27. Some of the most a primary race is set for Nevada Bush, would campaign for him in monumental campaign battles in this month. South Carolina. elections past have been fought “It will be very diffi cult, if At a polling station in Man- in the state that holds the fi rst not impossible, for a Democrat chester, Joan and Roland Mar- primary election of the American to win the nomination without tineau said they voted for the two South. strong levels of support among candidates they believed they Ohio Governor John Kasich African-American and Hispanic could trust to shake things up. won a spirited fi ght for second voters,” Mook wrote. Joan, 68, went for Sanders. “I Court blocks president’s like this views, I like the way he in the Republican fi eld in New Some 73% of American voters Hampshire, with US senator Ted say they think the US is on the speaks, I think I can trust him,” Cruz of Texas, former Florida wrong track and these disaff ect- she said. governor Jeb Bush and US sena- ed people make up a majority of Roland, 73, a registered Re- tor Marco Rubio of Florida fi ght- the support bases for Trump and publican, went for Trump, a man carbon emissions plan Sanders, according to a Reuters/ he said was more honest than ing for third place. All four are now headed to South Carolina. Ipsos poll. other candidates. But he said he Reuters “We remain confi dent that we take the case after a lower court edented regulation until judicial For Trump, New Hampshire They are worried about the would back Sanders over Trump Washington will prevail on the merits,” the issues a decision on the legality review is complete”. showed he has staying power economy, terrorism and income in the general election in Novem- White House said, adding that of the regulations and ultimately For Obama, executing his do- and can take a punch after los- inequality and distrust establish- ber. the Environmental Protection would strike it down. mestic and international climate he US Supreme Court yes- Agency will continue to work As recently as June, the high change strategy would be a key terday delivered a major with states that want to co-op- court ruled 5-4 against the legacy accomplishment as he Tblow to President Barack erate and that it will continue to Obama administration over its nears the end of his time in offi ce Obama by putting on hold fed- take “aggressive steps” to reduce eff orts to regulate mercury and in January 2017. eral regulations to curb carbon carbon emissions. other toxic air pollutants. House of Representatives UN chief Ban to welcome Canada dioxide emissions mainly from The plan was designed to lower The states, led by coal pro- Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi coal-fi red power plants, the carbon emissions from US power ducer West Virginia and oil pro- said, “The supreme court’s deep- centrepiece of his administra- plants by 2030 to 32 percent be- ducer Texas, and several major ly misguided decision to stay the back to world stage during visit tion’s strategy to combat climate low 2005 levels. It is the main business groups in October implementation of the Clean change. tool for the United States to meet launched the legal effort seek- Power Plan will enable those The court voted 5-4 along ide- the emissions reduction target ing to block the Obama admin- states that deny climate science AFP ment’s policies. eral context, working with the ological lines to grant a request it pledged at UN climate talks in istration’s plan. The states said to slow progress in reducing the Toronto UN offi cials say Ban is hoping UN on the global agenda,” a sen- by 27 states and various compa- Paris in December. the emissions curbs would have carbon pollution that threatens to enlist Canada as a solid ally in ior UN offi cial told AFP on Tues- nies and business groups to block A senior administration offi cial a devastating impact on their the health of all Americans”. the months ahead as he pushes day. During former prime minis- the administration’s Clean Power told reporters on Tuesday night economies. House Republican leader N secretary general Ban for concrete action on climate ter Stephen Harper’s nine years Plan, which also mandates a shift that despite the court’s “proce- West Virginia attorney general Kevin McCarthy welcomed the Ki-moon travels to Can- change, beefi ng up UN peace- in power, Canada suff ered a loss to renewable energy away from dural decision,” the United States Patrick Morrisey described the Supreme Court’s move, saying Uada this week to applaud keeping and creating more safe of status at the United Nations fossil fuels. can deliver those commitments supreme court action on Tuesday it “has now stopped this ille- Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s havens for refugees. as the government focussed on The highly unusual move by the and take “new and additional as a “historic and unprecedented gitimate abuse of power after 27 stance on welcoming Syrian ref- The UN chief will be accompa- its domestic agenda, diplomats justices means the regulations will steps” to lead internationally on victory” over the EPA. states revolted against the presi- ugees and to encourage a return nied by two senior UN offi cials -- said. not be in eff ect while a court battle climate change. Tom Donahue, chief execu- dent’s anti-energy agenda”. to international peacekeeping. head of UN peacekeeping Herve Ban will be keen to hear Tru- continues over their legality. The court’s action casts doubt tive offi cer of the US chamber of The court action also means Ban will visit Ottawa and Ladsous and aid chief Stephen deau outline his new commit- The White House on Tuesday on the long-term future of the US commerce, said the high court that, with Obama leaving offi ce Montreal today and tomorrow, O’Brien — for talks that will ments to fi ght climate change, night said it disagrees with the Environmental Protection Agen- stay “will ensure that America in January 2017, the next presi- three months after Trudeau took touch on Canada’s re-engage- an issue that is shaping up as a court decision but said it expects cy’s rule because it increases the will not be forced to make costly dent will have a say on whether offi ce and declared “Canada is ment with the United Nations. priority for the UN chief in his the rule will survive the legal chances that the conservative- and irreversible implementation to continue defending the regu- back,” signalling a break with “We want Canada back on the fi nal 10 months in offi ce, the of- challenge. leaning Supreme Court would decisions based upon an unprec- lation. the former conservative govern- world stage, but in this multilat- fi cial said. Gulf Times 16 Thursday, February 11, 2016 ASEAN Cambodia orphanage director jailed for abusing children

AFP Home orphanage in Phnom Penh, has to run the Our Home orphanage, a total of $7,500 to five of his victims. “It is very unjust. I did not com- Cambodia launched a drive in 2003 Phnom Penh been in custody since his arrest last where the alleged abuses took place. Seila Samleang, the current direc- mit the allegations,” he told reporters to shed its reputation as a haven for year on charges of abusing 11 children. His former colleagues at APLE helped tor of APLE, said the organisation at the court before being returned to foreign paedophiles. He was formerly a director of a the police probe into him. was happy at the conviction but dis- jail. Dozens of foreigners have since court yesterday jailed a Cam- prominent NGO called Action Pour The Phnom Penh municipal court mayed at the “lenient” sentence. During his trial last year, Vibol been jailed for child sex crimes or bodian orphanage director who Les Enfants (APLE), which hunts yesterday afternoon sentenced him “It is shocking that such case hap- claimed the accusations against him deported to face trial in their home Aonce crusaded against child down suspected paedophiles ac- to three years in prison for “indecent pened... because he worked actively had been made maliciously. countries. abuse for three years for committing tive in Cambodia — an impoverished acts against 11 minors aged under 15 to protect children’s rights for many The Our Home orphanage was shut But campaigners say sentences “indecent acts” against children in his country with a reputation for at- years old”. years,” he added. down after Vibol’s arrest last March are still too short and many foreign care. tracting foreign child sex offenders. He was also fined about $2,000 Vibol denied the allegations and and some 60 children were moved to paedophiles operate with relative Hang Vibol, 46, the director of Our Vibol left the organisation in 2004 and ordered to pay compensation of said he would appeal the conviction. other care centres. impunity. Volunteers’ Day parade Five dead in Myanmar military plane crash

AFP craft passenger plane took Naypyidaw off from the Naypyidaw air- field in the mid-morning on a routine patrol, but burst ll fi ve crew died when into flames soon after leav- a Myanmar air force ing the runway, according to Aplane crashed in the an airport official, who asked capital Naypyidaw yesterday, not to be named because the bursting into fl ames soon after incident involved a military take off and smashing into a aircraft. nearby fi eld, the military said. The Ministry of Informa- One man was pulled alive tion earlier published a series from the blazing wreckage of pictures of the remains and taken to hospital but of the aircraft showing just later died of his injuries, ac- one wing intact and a thick cording to a rare news state- stream of smoke rising into ment on the official Myan- the air. mar army Facebook page. Myanmar has a busy avia- “Naypyidaw airport au- tion sector, partly to com- Thai territorial division volunteers parade during a ceremony marking ‘Volunteers’ Day’ in Thailand’s restive southern province of Narathiwat yesterday. thorities, the fire brigade, pensate for the country’s air force personnel and local poor road and rail infrastruc- residents all worked together ture. to extinguish the fire,” the While news of military air statement said, adding the crashes is relatively rare, there cause of the crash was under have been several incidents investigation. involving commercial planes Hundreds of people gath- in recent years. ered in the area as officials In July, an Air Bagan ATR 72 sifted through the smoul- twin-engine turboprop car- dering wreckage of the pro- rying 49 passengers skidded Thailand cops bust gang peller plane, according to off the runway after landing an AFP reporter at the scene during heavy rain at Yangon linked to fake passports earlier yesterday. The Beech- International Airport.

AFP cated forgeries from his home in then sent via private courier lice press release. Five Pakistani hub for human traffi ckers and Bangkok Chachoengsao province east of companies or delivered to clients middlemen were also arrested smugglers. Two Uighur men Bangkok, they said. in Thailand by middlemen, who in raids in and around Bangkok awaiting trial for planting a “He (Jafary) produced pass- ensured that Jafary never met for assisting the forgery ring, deadly bomb in Bangkok last Au- hai police have broken up ports for people from countries customers directly. which sold the passports for up gust have also been accused by a major fake passport ring including Iran, Syria and Af- It was not immediately clear to 80,000 baht ($2,300). police of running a crime group Tled by an Iranian known ghanistan who were escaping if “The Doctor” provided pass- Some of the nearly 200 travel that helped illegal migrants ob- as “The Doctor” which sent wars and wanted to enter Eu- ports to people fl eeing to Europe documents found in a Monday tain counterfeit documents. hundreds of passports to Mid- rope,” according to immigration during the current migrant cri- raid on Jafary’s home were com- The pair are currently being dle Eastern customers trying to police commander Lieutenant sis. pletely forged, while others had held in a military prison. enter Europe, authorities said General Nathathorn Prousoon- Jafary’s fake passports were been stolen from tourists and In 2014, the spotlight also yesterday. torn. the “best quality in the market”, doctored, police said. swung onto the Thai-based The kingdom has long been a “The Doctor” confessed to the although he was unable to copy The raid also uncovered a la- trade when two mystery pas- hub for a forged document in- crime and could face a decade in the latest microchipped travel ser engraving machine, rolls of sengers boarded the doomed dustry serving human traffi ckers jail if convicted, he added. documents, Natthorn said. ribbon, thin leather for passport Malaysia Airlines fl ight MH370 and other criminals. Clients e-mailed the Iranian “He himself used six diff erent covers as well as metal plates and using European passports stolen Five years of investigation forger their photos and speci- passports -- three from Brazil, stamps from various countries. in Thailand. culminated in Monday’s arrest fi ed the country for which they and one each from Peru, Portu- Thousands of passports are In 2010, Thai authorities took of the alleged Iranian master- wanted a passport, the com- gal and New Zealand,” the offi cer reported missing annually in part in an international police mind Hamid Reza Jafary who mander said, adding that Ja- added. Thailand, where forged docu- sting that saw two Pakista- had learnt his skill from his late fary guaranteed his top-quality “The Doctor” was wanted by ments of every variety can be nis and a Thai woman arrested father, police said. counterfeits would not be de- security agencies in several for- purchased on the streets. in Thailand for providing fake Myanmar army off icials inspect the wreckage of a military The 48-year-old had for many tected by border offi cials. eign countries, especially in the The fl ourishing market has passports to groups behind glo- passenger plane which crashed in a field near the airport in the years been crafting sophisti- The forged documents were EU and Japan, according to a po- helped establish Thailand as a bal terror attacks. capital of Naypyidaw yesterday.

Four die in Rapidly ageing nation tells businesses to hire more elderly

Indonesian Reuters 1,000 baht a month ($17-$28), many Bangkok Thais have no choice but to keep work- ing. “It is tiring but we just have to keep jet crash going. There isn’t anyone to take care of ornsak Bowornsrisuk pulls an me,” said Pranom, who used to work as umbrella towards him to shield a cleaner and became a bus conductor DPA Phis head of thick grey hair from after her husband died. Jakarta the blazing sunshine at the Bangkok Nearly 40% of the 10mn Thais who bus terminal he manages. are above the mandatory retirement “You’ve got to be damned tough to age of 60 are still in the workforce, said our people were killed do this job,” says the 63-year-old, who Anusan Thienthong, head of the De- yesterday when a military records bus arrivals and departures, partment of Older Persons. Fplane crashed into a resi- and tots up fares collected from jour- The government is considering ex- dential area in Indonesia’s East neys across Thailand’s capital. tending the retirement age for some Java province, the Air Force said. Septuagenarian bus conductor Plang Pansaior, a 66-year-old bus driver, waits for passengers while working in downtown Bangkok, Thailand. Right: Sunisa occupations, he said. The Embraer Super Tucano Pranom Chartyothin moves nimbly to a Hongaroon, a 67-year-old accountant, works in a transportation company in Bangkok. Just outside the Thai capital, the Cho attack aircraft was on a test fl ight door to guide students off the vehicle. Heng Rice Vermicelli Factory Co, says after routine maintenance when She waves at the driver, 66-year-old reasons it is ageing more quickly than Thailand will have to boost produc- related issues. The Bangkok Transport more and more older people are seek- it went down in the town of Ma- Plang Pansaior, who glances in his rear its neighbours. tivity to foot the bill for supporting Co, which employs Pornsak, Pranom ing jobs. lang. Air Force chief Air Marshall view mirror before pulling away. An eff ective contraception pro- the elderly, Bank of Thailand Governor and Plang, is embracing the change. “We’re getting more calls asking if Agus Supriatna said the pilot Such scenes will only become more gramme in the 1970s also played a part, Veerathai Santiprabhob told Reuters in Around 13% of its workforce is over 60. we accept old applicants,” said factory and a technician on board as common in Thailand as its population said Sutayut Osornprasop, a human an interview in January. The fi rm likes older staff as they can owner Varatus Vongsurakrai, adding well as two people on the ground rapidly ages, unlike its neighbours with development specialist at the World “Everyone has to be able to earn keep their cool in Bangkok’s bumper- that 62 of his 1,600 workers are over were killed. more youthful populations. The World Bank in Thailand. more to be able to shoulder the cost of to-bumper traffi c, said the director retirement age. He said he valued older Earlier, an Air Force spokes- Bank estimates the working-age popu- Thailand’s fertility rate dropped to our ageing society,” he said. Phatharawadee Klomjaroon. workers for their reliability and expe- man listed the technician as lation will shrink by 11% by 2040, the 1.5 in 2013 from 5.6 in 1970, according The state paid 61.37bn baht ($1.73bn) “Bangkok’s streets are jammed,” she rience. One of those is Darunee Kam- missing. fastest contraction among Southeast to UN data. in 2015 in pensions and the cost is ex- said. “Young employees sometimes wong, 72, a cleaner who has fi ve chil- A witness identifi ed as Slamet Asia’s developing countries. The government is urging businesses pected to rise by 16% to 71.23bn baht in still cannot control their temper, but dren and helps pay for the education of said he saw the plane nosediving Thailand’s stage of economic devel- to hire more older people to soften the 2020 the older employees are focused and two of her grandchildren. at high speed. opment, the rising cost of living and impact of the ageing workforce on pro- The government established a De- more mindful. They can keep a calm “I think I’ll work another fi ve years,” “I felt the gust as I ran for my education, and a population waiting ductivity, as well as limit the rise in the partment of Older Persons in March demeanour when it comes to driving.” she said. “I’m old already but I can’t life,” Slamet told Metro. longer to get married are among the cost of its modest pension scheme. 2015 to tackle elderly employment and With monthly pensions of 600- rest just yet.” Gulf Times Thursday, February 11, 2016 17 AUSTRALASIA/EAST ASIA

Climate change S Korea shutters Kaesong ‘forcing’ many species to move

AFP after North Korean rocket Hobart

AFP weapons and long-range missiles”, the arming temperatures are Seoul statement said. As a result, the govern- causing about half of the ment “has decided to completely shut Wworld’s plants and animals to down” the factory complex. move location, an international confer- outh Korea yesterday announced Set up in 2004 as a symbol of inter- ence in Australia heard yesterday, with the total shutdown of a jointly Korean reconciliation, Kaesong lies every major type of species aff ected. Srun industrial park in North Ko- just 10km across the border in North Camille Parmesan, an expert from rea, saying Pyongyang had been using Korea. Home to 124 South Korean Britain’s Plymouth University on how it to fund its nuclear weapons pro- companies, employing about 53,000 climate change impacts wildlife, said grammes. North Korean workers, its closure data on thousands of species found that As well as depriving the cash- marks the demise of the sole remain- many had shifted their ranges towards strapped North of a much-needed ing major co-operation project be- the poles or up mountains over the past source of hard currency, the move tween the two Koreas. century. was a powerful message of intent in The government statement said “The global imprint of warming on response to the North’s nuclear test Kaesong had provided the North with life is evident in hundreds of scientifi c last month and Sunday’s long-range 616bn won ($560mn) in cash over the studies,” Parmesan told the Species on rocket launch. years - including 132bn won in 2015 alone. the Move conference, which is focused During more than a decade of op- Seoul’s unilateral move comes as on how species are responding to cli- erations at the Kaesong estate, Seoul the UN Security Council is still strug- mate change. has never before shut it down - despite gling to agree on how far to go in pun- “While about half of all studied spe- numerous provocations, ranging from ishing the North for its latest nuclear cies have changed their distributions in nuclear tests to the shelling of a South test and rocket launch. response to recent climate change, we Korean border island. The North’s main diplomatic pro- are starting to see negative impacts for In a statement, the government said tector, China, has been resisting pres- the most vulnerable species.” it had been left with no option but sure from the US and its allies for se- Other changes had been observed to take “extraordinary measures” to vere economic penalties. such as plants fl owering earlier or mi- compel the North to abandon its nu- Tokyo - which feels particularly gratory birds arriving sooner in the year clear ambitions. threatened by North Korea’s bellicose than previously, she added. The funds Seoul had poured into moves - unveiled its own fresh sanc- Parmesan said areas most at risk in- Kaesong over the years “have ultimate- tions yesterday. cluded sensitive systems such as polar ly been wrongly harnessed in the serv- These included a ban on North Ko- A man sells balloons on the banks of the Yalu River in the Chinese border town of Dandong opposite to the North Korean regions dependent on sea ice and moun- ice of upgrading North Korea’s nuclear rean ships entering Japanese ports. town of Sinuiju. tainous forests. “Recovering these vulnerable species North Korean army chief of staff executed : reports “Third country” ships that have vis- mained largely immune to turbulent future negotiations”, said Lee In-Bae, under a changing climate may not al- ited the country will also be barred. inter-Korean relations. director of the Seoul-based Korea Pe- ways be possible,” she warned. North Korea’s army chief of staff has party meeting and celebrations over North Korea insists its rocket Even in 2010, when the South ac- ninsula Future Forum. Parmesan said studies showed that been executed, South Korean media Sunday’s rocket launch. launches are part of a peaceful space cused the North of sinking one of its Hong Hyun-Ik of Seoul’s Sejong about half of species have moved their reported yesterday, in what would “The execution... suggests that Kim programme, but most in the interna- warships and imposed punitive sanc- Institute think-tank said Kaesong in geographical ranges poleward and/or amount to the latest in a series of Jong-Un still feels insecure about his tional community see them as dis- tions, Kaesong stayed open. the past “symbolised the clear line be- upward while about two-thirds of spe- purges and executions of top off icials grip on the country’s powerful military,” guised ballistic missile tests. The only exception was in 2013 tween political and military turbulence cies studied have shifted towards earlier by leader Kim Jong-Un. Yonhap quoted the source as saying. In the immediate aftermath of Sun- during a period of heightened cross- and civil and economic co-operation. spring breeding, migrating, or blooming. Ri Yong-Gil, Chief of the Korean “It shows that Kim’s reign of terror day’s launch, the US and South Korea border tensions when Pyongyang ef- “But that line has now been crossed. Every major group has been impacted People’s Army (KPA) General Staff was still persists,” the source was quoted as announced plans to start formal talks fectively shut down the zone for fi ve “I’m afraid of the impact the deci- including trees, herbs, butterfl ies, birds, executed earlier this month for forming saying. on deploying an advanced missile de- months by withdrawing its workers. sion will have on our sovereign rat- mammals, amphibians, corals, inverte- a political faction and corruption, Yon- The National Intelligence Service fence system in the South. Hong Yong-Pyo, Seoul’s unifi cation ings, our economy and our fi nancial brates and fi sh. hap news agency said, citing a source (NIS) in Seoul declined comment on the That drew protests from Russia and minister in charge of cross-border af- systems,” he said. In Australia, tropical mountain areas familiar with North Korean aff airs. report. China, who fear the ‘Terminal High fairs, said the 184 South Korean man- The reaction from the owners of the were home to a range of species which The report came at a time of highly In May last year the NIS said Kim Altitude Area Defence System’ could agers currently working in Kaesong South Korean fi rms in Kaesong was were unique to those regions and vul- elevated tensions on the divided Ko- had his defence chief, Hyon Yong-Chol, target their weapons. had been summoned home. one of outrage. nerable to changing temperatures. rean peninsula following the North’s executed - reportedly with the use of an Moscow yesterday warned the move He demanded that Pyongyang en- While Minister Hong said the shut- “Tree possums have already been recent nuclear test and long-range anti-aircraft gun. could “provoke an arms race in North- sure “the safe return of our citizens” down had been “unavoidable” the heavily impacted by the recent climate rocket launch. Hyon’s fate was never confirmed east Asia and complicate the resolu- - a nod to what analysts said were jus- association representing the owners change and they are expected to be high- Ri was often seen accompanying Kim by Pyongyang but he has never been tion of the nuclear problem on the Ko- tifi able concerns of a possible hostage called it “utterly incomprehensible.” ly vulnerable to climate change,” Parme- Jong-Un on inspection tours, but his seen or heard of since. Some analysts rean peninsula”. situation. “The government gave us no time san told journalists. name was conspicuously missing from have suggested he was purged and Kaesong - a vibrant complex that The North Koreans “may detain one to help minimise our fi nancial damage The professor said that globally there state media reports of a recent major imprisoned. produces labour-intensive goods like or two South Korean nationals and try before announcing the decision,” their were also many species which were una- clothing and kitchenware - had re- to use them as a bargaining chip for statement complained. ble to move, for example when hemmed in by urban development. The University of Tasmania, which is jointly hosting the conference in Hobart with the Institute for Marine and Ant- arctic Studies, said that in Australia heat Failing to close Aboriginal life stress and drought had impacted koalas, Taiwan builder grilled wetland birds and platypus. Conference organiser Gretta Pecl said expectancy gap, says Turnbull in southeastern Australia, sea urchins had also moved south down the east coast while the populations of some fi sh over building collapse AFP and octopus were also observed in great- Canberra er numbers further south. “Populations shift and change natu- AFP rally... and it’s very hard to actually de- Taipei ustralia is failing to close an “unac- termine when a population has had a ceptably wide” gap in life expectancy large move in distribution,” she told the Abetween Aboriginal and non-indig- Australian Broadcasting Corp ahead of aiwan prosecutors yes- enous people, offi cials admitted yester- the conference. terday questioned the de- day, highlighting the devastating impact of “And some of the things we are seeing Tveloper of an apartment drugs and alcohol on the country’s original now are because we’ve started looking. complex that collapsed during inhabitants. “But we do have a signifi cant number an earthquake as prosecutors de- Aborigines have lived on the vast island of data sets that does show conclusively tailed fl aws in the construction continent for at least 40,000 years and that animals are shifting.” of the building where nearly 100 number just 670,000 out of a total popula- A 2013 file photo of Aboriginal elder Max people remain trapped. tion of 23mn. They have long had signifi - Eulo performing a smoking ceremony The prosecutors in the south- cantly lower education, employment and during an off icial function on the foreshore ern city of Tainan launched an life expectancy compared to non-indige- of Sydney Harbour. investigation into Saturday’s nous communities. disaster after photos showed In a bid to tackle the stark diff erences, the to develop local policies and solutions was Zika found in cans and foam had been used to government introduced an annual “Closing key to bridging the gap, an approach em- fi ll parts of the complex’s con- the Gap” report in 2009, the latest edition phasised by both supporters and critics of crete framework. of which was released on Wednesday. the yearly report. mum-to-be in The district court, which ear- Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull hailed “We have heard these words before,” said lier ordered the developer’s ar- progress towards achieving some of its tar- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social rest, said some reinforcing bars gets, including a goal to halve the gap in Justice Commissioner Mick Gooda, who is Australia in the concrete of the 16-storey child mortality by 2018, improvements in the “Closing the Gap” campaign co-chair. structure were too thin or too narrowing the divide in reading and nu- “We take them with good heart but short. meracy, and an increase in the proportion of there’s got to be a carrying-out of that new pregnant woman has been di- The court took developer Lin students completing high school. relationship so I think we’re entitled to be a agnosed with the Zika virus in Ming-hui, and two other people A rescue worker peers into a gap during the search and rescue But noting that the life expectancy gap little bit cynical about it until it starts hap- AAustralia, offi cials said yesterday, connected with the develop- operation at the Wei-Kuan complex in Tainan. remained unacceptable, he admitted there pening.” adding that the disease was acquired ment, into formal custody late was an enormous task ahead, with “real and Indigenous leaders also said steady policy overseas. The Australian government on Tuesday on charges of pro- bars, and the bars were thinner But more than 17 hours later, diffi cult challenges... particularly in isolat- and funding for the health targets was nec- has urged pregnant women to avoid areas fessional negligence resulting in than they were supposed to be. no one has been pulled out. ed communities”. essary as a revolving door of prime minis- where the mosquito-borne Zika virus, death. It said samples from the third Some 175 people have been “The life expectancy gap is still around 10 ters, politicians and bureaucrats was ham- suspected of causing a surge in brain- So far 43 people have been fl oor of the site also showed that rescued, including an eight- years, an unacceptably wide gap, and this pering progress. damaged babies in Brazil, is circulating. confi rmed dead and 95 are still the bars were shorter than re- year-old girl and three others target is not on track,” he told parliament. “It’s turmoil not in Aboriginal and Torres “A woman was diagnosed with the dis- missing after the collapse of the quired. pulled from the rubble Monday. Life expectancy for non-indigenous Strait Islander communities but in this ease in South East Queensland yesterday Wei-kuan complex. “Apparently in this case, there Cranes, drills, ladders, sniff er males was 79.7 years compared to 69.1 for (parliamentary) house here that’s got to be after recently returning from overseas,” It was the only high-rise in were indeed fl aws in the con- dogs and life detection equip- Aborigines in 2010-12, according to offi cial resolved so we have a really consistent pol- Queensland Health said in a statement. Tainan to crumble completely struction of the building,” the ment are being used to locate data released in 2013. icy approach and consistent funding,” Rec- “The woman is pregnant. This is not a when the 6.4 magnitude quake statement said. those buried, with emergency For women, it was 83.1 for the non-in- onciliation Australia co-chair Tom Calma locally acquired case of the virus.” struck before dawn Saturday. Rescuers were using diggers workers and soldiers shoring up digenous population, in contrast to 73.7 for told reporters. It is the third confi rmed case of the “The suspects are being ques- and other heavy equipment to the rubble to avoid further col- Aboriginal people, with a small reduction in He added that wider issues, including virus so far in Queensland this year, al- tioned further today, but as it is remove giant concrete slabs to lapses. the gap of 0.8 years for men and 0.1 years for tackling racism and recognising Aborigi- though one of these cases — a woman underway, details are not likely access the deeper layers of rubble The quake struck two days be- women between 2005-07 and 2010-12. nal and Torres Strait Islander people in the who had recently returned from El Sal- to be made public,” Tainan court where scores of people are feared fore Lunar New Year, when many Turnbull said that while indigenous peo- constitution, needed to be addressed. vador, was later found to have contracted spokeswoman Kuo Jen-shiow buried. people would have been visiting ple made up only around three% of the na- Australia’s founding document, which the virus in 2015. told AFP. The 72-hour “golden window” relatives for the biggest celebra- tion’s population, they represented 27% of was written more than a century ago, fails None of the cases in Australia of Zika, Prosecutors were not immedi- for fi nding survivors passed early tion of the Chinese calendar. the prison population, with the adult incar- to mention the country’s fi rst inhabitants. which normally causes relatively mild ately available for comment. Tuesday. But near midnight, Premier Chang San-cheng or- ceration rate rising. Both Turnbull and Labor opposition fl u-like symptoms and a rash, were local- The city government said it Tainan mayor William Lai of- dered the Taiwanese fl ag fl own at He said drug and alcohol abuse was a key leader Bill Shorten reaffi rmed their com- ly acquired. Scientists suspect that when would seek a court injunction fered fresh hope, saying rescuers half-mast Monday to pay tribute problem. mitment to holding a national referendum Zika strikes a pregnant woman it can next Monday to stop the devel- had detected signs of life. to the victims. “We must be honest about the catastro- on the matter, with Shorten wanting a date cause her foetus to develop microcephaly oper disposing of his assets while “After detecting signs of life, Taiwan lies near the junction phe and violence created by drug and alco- set for the fi rst half of next year. — a condition which causes the baby to facing lawsuits. the rescue team then banged in of two tectonic plates and is reg- hol misuse and confront and respond to the “Recognition cannot be a mere poetic be born with an abnormally small head. According to a court state- the direction of the signs three ularly hit by earthquakes. cries for help, particularly from women and sentence or two, stapled to the front of our There have been a number of reported ment prosecutors found that times, and they got a response The island’s worst tremor in children,” he said in an address to parlia- constitution,” Shorten told parliament. cases of Zika in Australia as a result of the beams and pillars of the fi rst three times. This shows there’s a recent decades was a 7.6 magni- ment in Canberra. “It must be real, it must be substantive travellers infected overseas returning fi ve fl oors on the east side of the living person inside,” the mayor tude quake in September 1999 Turnbull stressed that working with in- change. It must eliminate racism, and signal home but the risk of an outbreak in the building had too few reinforcing told a press conference. that killed around 2,400 people. digenous communities across the country a declaration of national intent.” country is considered low. Gulf Times 18 Thursday, February 11, 2016 BRITAIN/IRELAND

DEFENCE OPINION ENTERTAINMENT OFFBEAT LAW AND ORDER Britain to double Nato Cameron urges Assange to Record year for London Businessman on bail for Fugitive captured after naval deployments in 2016 end ‘sorry saga’ in embassy cinemas as takings rise more than six years five years on the run

Britain will double its Nato naval deployments Julian Assange should leave the Ecuadoran Londoners are spending a record £1mn a day A businessman on bail for more than six A wanted fugitive suspected of being the principal this year to show its enemies it is “ready to embassy in London and bring to an end the on cinema tickets, according to new figures. years for allegedly breaching obscure member of one of Merseyside’s biggest drugs respond to any threat”, Defence Secretary “whole sorry saga”, Prime Minister David The Film Distributors’ Association found telecommunications laws yesterday said his life gangs has been arrested in Belgium. Scott Hughes, Michael Fallon announced yesterday. Britain will Cameron told parliament yesterday. WikiLeaks £366.6mn of tickets were bought in 187 venues has been made “hell” and called for a maximum 35, from Halewood, Merseyside, had been on the play a bigger role in Nato maritime exercises and founder Assange faces a rape allegation in in the capital last year — £46mn more than bail time limit. Daniel Mahony, 41, from Reigate, run since 2011 and was wanted for his alleged activities in 2016, the ministry of defence (MoD) Sweden but has been inside Quito’s mission in 2014. It means London generated almost a Surrey, told how he sold his house to pay legal involvement in the large-scale supply of class A said. “Increasing our Nato deployments sends for more than three-and-a-half years in a bid to third — 29% — of the £1.24bn in UK box office costs and that the case led to the breakdown of drugs throughout Liverpool. The suspected drug a strong message to our enemies that we are avoid extradition. The 44-year-old Australian takings in 2015. The West End’s 55 venues his 12-year relationship. He faces another year traff icker was captured on Monday as he travelled ready to respond to any threat, and defend our fears deportation from Sweden to the US over accounted for nearly £100mn of that sum of waiting for a trial over whether he is guilty for from Dubai to Belgium. He was apprehended allies,” Fallon said. “This year will see a particular WikiLeaks’ release of 500,000 secret military alone. More than 700 films were released in giving customers cheaper phone rates. Mahony following a joint operation between the National focus on the Baltic region with our ships files. A United Nations panel last week found the UK cinemas last year, with three of the biggest was charged in August 2011. He is accused Crime Agency (NCA), Belgian Federal Police and sent there as part of the maritime group, the anti-secrecy campaigner had been arbitrarily — Spectre, Star Wars: The Force Awakens and of profiting from “mobile gateways” — which Merseyside Police. According to the NCA, Hughes mine counter measure group and the Baltops detained by Britain and Sweden. “I think this was Avengers: Age of Ultron — made in studios in convert calls so they are charged at a cheaper was stopped at Brussels Airport and is believed to exercise.” a ridiculous decision,” Cameron said. or around London. rate. have travelled using a fake passport. Residents told to leave homes as Dublin gang war escalates

Guardian News and Media house where Eddie Hutch was Dublin shot nine times by his attackers, the shattered glass door where the killers burst in remained ex- s Ireland’s two major posed while armed offi cers pa- gangs square up to each trolled the streets around. Aother for potentially the Eddie Hutch was selected in biggest crime war in the Re- revenge for the killing of Byrne, public’s history, the Guardian a “soldier” loyal to Christy Ki- has learned that the city council nahan, an Irish gangster living has been told to advise families on the Costa del Sol who runs a linked to one of the factions to multi-million euro drugs empire move out of their homes. from southern Spain and whose The warning centres on the Dublin-based lieutenants are Oliver Bond flats complex in mainly based on the southside of the south inner city as fears the Liff ey river. build that a north Dublin-based Eddie Hutch, a father-of-fi ve gang is about to strike back over in his 50s, was gunned down in Junior doctors and NHS staff hold placards during a strike outside St Thomas’ Hospital in London yesterday. Monday night’s murder of Ed- front of family members at about die Hutch Senior. He was the 7.45pm on Monday night, even brother of Gerry “The Monk” while the Gardai were erecting Hutch, who is blamed for the further checkpoints on routes audacious fatal gun attack at into areas where the two crime the Regency hotel last Friday gangs have their bases. during a weigh-in for a boxing Christy Burke, a local inde- bout in which David Byrne was pendent republican councillor Govt urged to end dispute killed. and former lord mayor of Dublin, The Gardai have set up armed expressed the frustration of lo- checkpoints across the city and cal people over the widespread are now so concerned about a perception that, despite their revenge attack that they ap- patrols, the Irish police cannot proached the city council to pass counter the threat from heav- on advice to some of the tenants ily armed, ruthless and well fi - in the fl ats that they might be nanced crime gangs. as junior doctors strike targets. “The gardai have lost it, in my One council source told the opinion. They don’t have the re- London Evening Standard dispute with the British Medical has to fi nd a way to bring this to industrial action. He is ignoring Junior doctors training as GPs Guardian: “Even if they are re- sources they need and ordinary London Association and could lead to a conclusion. us if he is thinking of imposing said they were prepared to back lated through marriage or they citizens need protecting. There more protests, doctors warned. “What we are saying is four the new contracts.” action opposing what they be- happen to be in some way asso- were armed checkpoints around Picket lines were in place out- years later, with almost 3,000 Labour mayoral candidate lieved were detrimental changes ciated with the rival south-side the city and still this happened,” ospital bosses yesterday side hospitals from 8am across operations cancelled today, we Sadiq Khan posted a picture of to the NHS. gang then they are now targets, Burke said. called for the govern- the capital yesterday as junior can’t carry on like this. If the himself holding a “I support Dr Bea Bakshi, a GP registrar too. Eddie Hutch wasn’t a major South of the Liff ey, there is a Hment to end the bitter doctors went on strike for the BMA won’t accept a fair and #juniordoctors” poster, and in north-west London, told player in The Monk’s gang, he feeling of resignation that The dispute with junior doctors, second time this year. More reasonable off er then, yes, it is tweeted: “The government’s GP Online: “If that means GPs was simply a soft target to get at Monk’s associates will soon hit saying: “We can’t carry on like than 600 planned operations legitimate and sensible for the approach is bad for the NHS, have to be put into a position Gerry Hutch. And the same goes back in similar fashion. this.” were cancelled in London, and secretary of state to consider bad for patients & bad for Lon- where they have to stand up for for anyone connected, either Councillor Mannix Flynn de- They said it would be “legiti- thousands of outpatients were imposition.” don.” themselves, I would support through working as a courier for scribed his native Dublin as a mate and sensible” for Health unable to attend clinics. Beth Goulden, a junior doc- Mark Gregory, a junior doctor that.” the other gang, or even being a “city under siege where a great Secretary Jeremy Hunt to im- Chris Hopson, chief execu- tor protesting outside St Bar- on a picket line outside Queen’s The department of health friend of them - they are now evil is amongst us”. pose contracts with “fair and tive of NHS Providers, which tholomew’s Hospital, said im- Hospital in Romford, said: “We said: “We have agreed the vast targets.” Flynn said the eruption of the reasonable” terms as a 24-hour represents NHS trusts, told the position would damage morale, already work 24 hours a day, majority of the contract detail On Tuesday morning, the north-south Dublin gangland walkout saw almost 3,000 oper- BBC: “The ideal conclusion recruitment and retention. seven days a week. The govern- with the BMA but it’s a great area around the previous night’s war had been inevitable because ations postponed or cancelled. would be for employers to make She said: “ Hunt talks time ment’s plans for a seven-day shame they have broken the shooting - Poplar Row in the Bal- the Irish state and society had But a move to redesignate a fi nal fair and reasonable off er. and time again about the im- NHS will stretch a fi ve-day NHS agreement we made at ACAS to lybough district of north inner- tolerated the existence of the Saturdays and weekday evening If the BMA doesn’t accept it, I portance of front-line staff be- that already has holes in its rota, discuss the outstanding issue of city Dublin - was sealed off , with gangs and the drugs trade for so shifts as “normal hours” would think our members are saying ing able to speak out. Ninety- and make the rota unsafe for pa- Saturday work and pay for un- a large Garda presence. At the long. risk intensifying the four-year to us that the secretary of state eight percent of us voted to take tients.” social hours.”

Vogue exhibition MP unable to make house PM fl ayed over cash for Tory councils deposit despite ‘good pay’ Agencies ister Steve Reed told the Guardian London that Cameron had engaged in a “blatant misuse of public money London Evening Standard is also entitled to expenses to ership is in freefall,” he added. in a shameless attempt to buy London cover the cost of renting a sec- “This is a generation of people avid Cameron has been votes and buy off Tory MPs”. ond home in London and office often on good middle incomes accused of a “shameless “The government is covering up space. MPs are only expected to but still finding the dream Dattempt to buy votes” af- where this money has come from Conservative MP says he cover the cost of a main home of home ownership is out of ter claims that nearly all the extra and won’t explain why almost all has had to move back in themselves. reach.” cash set aside to help councils cope of it is being handed to Tory coun- A with his parents because Wragg, who has a First in He said the Tories claim to with funding changes is going to cils just weeks before council elec- he cannot afford the deposit to History from the University of champion home ownership but Conservative areas. tions across the country,” he said. buy a house. Manchester, qualified as a pri- figures show that fewer people A £300mn package of transi- Transitional funding was an- William Wragg, 28, is among mary teacher in 2014 under the are achieving the dream. “A tional support is being created to nounced after concerns were tens of thousands of Britons in Teach First scheme to attract million more people became soften the impact of reforms that raised that rural areas would lose the “clipped wing generation” top graduates but could only home owners under Labour but will do away with revenue support out under a system more geared of graduates, despite earning afford a rented flat. “When I since 2010 the numbers have grants in favour of a greater reli- towards business rates. £74,000 plus expenses. think how much I spent on rent fallen by 200,000,” he went on. ance on local business rates. A department for communities The ex-primary school in a flat instead of a mortgage I Housing charity Shelter’s Labour analysis shows that 83% and local government spokesman teacher, elected to the Com- think maybe I made the wrong chief executive Campbell Robb of the money will go to Tory-run said: “This long-term funding mons last May, conceded he choice,” he said on The Granada said: “Our drastic shortage of councils, with Surrey, Hamp- settlement for councils is fair and was “paid extremely well” but Debate. affordable homes is leaving shire and Hertfordshire the big- ensures that councils facing the had to move back home with He left teaching after a year young Londoners languishing gest winners. Oxfordshire county highest demand for services con- his mother and father in Man- to go into politics and was in expensive and unstable rent- council, which covers the Prime tinue to receive more funding and chester or face being trapped in elected MP for Hazel Grove, ing, or living with their parents Minister’s Witney constituency, have higher spending power than a rented flat. a prosperous part of Greater well into their thirties.” will receive an extra £9mn over the less deprived authorities. “I am part of that ‘boomer- Manchester, in the Conserva- Research for Shelter says next two years. “The transitional funding has ang generation’ myself,” he re- tive victory last year. He add- that young London couples Labour said that while stretched gone to those councils facing the vealed. “In a few years hopefully ed: “I’m extremely well paid, with a child need to save for 25 A woman looks at an image by Nick Knight of model areas like Middlesbrough, Knows- biggest fall in central government I will have saved up enough for a don’t get me wrong.” years before they can afford to Kate Moss entitled ‘Kate, 1998’ as part of the ‘Vogue ley, Hull, Liverpool and Manches- grant. “The settlement for the fi rst deposit. I know exactly what it Labour housing spokesman buy a home, compared with 12 100 a Century of Style’ exhibition at the National ter would not receive any of the time allows councils to plan with is like. I have complete empathy John Healey said the financial years nationally. Even couples Portrait Gallery in central London yesterday. The cash, the country’s least deprived certainty, with almost £200bn with people in that position.” pressure on young Londoners without children need to save exhibition showcases a range of photography areas, Hart, Wokingham, Chiltern, to spend on local services and a As an MP, he is paid almost who wanted to buy were even for 13 years in London, com- commissioned by British Vogue since it was founded Waverley, Elmbridge, would re- £3.5bn social care funding pack- three times the average annual greater. “Wragg is part of a gen- pared with seven years else- in 1916. ceive a total of £5.3mn. age over the lifetime of this parlia- salary of about £26,000. He eration for whom home own- where. Shadow local government min- ment.” Gulf Times Thursday, February 11, 2016 19 BRITAIN

Briton held in Myanmar jail without charge pleads for help

Guardian News and Media countant from Croydon, was ar- under inhumane conditions in jail. Rasalingam says that to keep in Yangon until April 2015, has ing to set up a small offi ce in the A member of the Indian di- Bangkok rested in December 2014 along- “Life in Insein prison is hell on him detained for months, authori- been helping Rasalingam. country. He said he only knew one aspora in Myanmar confi rmed side three Indian nationals on earth,” he said. “The conditions, ties have transported him to dif- She said she had also cleared the of the three Indian nationals he that the Indian embassy had fi led a suspicion of stealing 25.2mn kyats the corruption and the danger,” he ferent courts around the country transactions as legitimate with the was arrested with through a fam- complaint to the Myanmar foreign 29-year-old accountant (£13,744) using cloned ATM cards said, adding he had been physically every two weeks. This process al- UK police, as pre-paid cards Ras- ily friend. ministry but had not heard back. from Britain has been held in Yangon. assaulted by another prisoner. lows the police to legally keep him alingam bought were from the UK, The legal team for the four men A complaint by Myanmar bank Ain Myanmar’s most noto- Speaking exclusively to the “I have paid to get a bed and detained, he says. Until the Briton and said the money withdrawn have argued that two of the Indian Kanbawza Bank Ltd (KBZ) led to rious jail for 14 months without Guardian in an interview conduct- bedding and friends from the UK is formally charged with a crime, was closer to £970. nationals were not even in Myan- the four men’s arrest, Rasalin- formally being charged with any ed through his legal team, Rasalin- have sent money to me to try to get he cannot defend himself. Rasalingam says he was in My- mar on November 16, when the gam’s legal team says. KBZ did not crime, he has told the Guardian. gam denied the allegations against a few comforts like additional food Susan Garbutt, who worked as anmar as a broker for a holiday crime was allegedly committed, respond to a Guardian request for Niranjan Rasalingam, an ac- him and said that he is being kept and toiletries,” he added. vice consul at the British embassy reservation website and was look- but arrived two days later. comment.

Taxi drivers’ protest No plans to reduce Murdered drink-drive limit, says minister schoolgirl’s

Agencies London

he government has dis- final agony missed reports it is plan- Tning to reduce the drink- drive limit in England and Wales. Road Safety Minister Andrew Jones said: “We have no plans to change the drink-drive limit. There is no review. The govern- revealed ment believes rigorous enforce- ment and serious penalties for London Evening Standard fi eld gave a harrowing account of enough but the news that there drink drivers are a more eff ec- London her fi nal 14 hours. could have been another indi- tive deterrent than changing the The Dowler family said they vidual involved was devastating. drink-driving limit. Britain con- were speaking out because “There are no words to describe tinues to have some of the saf- he family of murdered Bellfi eld had bragged about the the additional torment and pain est roads in the world because we schoolgirl Milly Dowl- crimes to fellow inmates — one we have been going through since crack down on those who break Ter yesterday revealed of whom was about to be re- we were told this information. the law. shocking details of her fi nal leased, which meant there was a We had to remain silent for eight “The government believes hours after chilling confessions risk he could speak about it. months while the police conduct- rigorous enforcement and seri- by killer Levi Bellfi eld. ed their investigation. ous penalties for drink drivers are They told of the 14-hour or- “Finally, when they made the a more eff ective deterrent than deal suff ered by Milly as they arrest of the suspected accom- changing the drink-driving limit.” made a highly emotional public plice, the person was questioned According to reports, Jones statement to expose the “true and released without charge in was to hold talks with his Scottish heinousness” of their 13-year- less than 10 hours as there was counterpart after the legal limit old daughter’s murderer. no evidence found. north of the border was cut to less Parents Sally and Bob Dowler “The pressure this has put us than one glass of wine. Respond- along with her sister Gemma under as a family has been un- ing to a parliamentary question, spoke after Bellfi eld fi nally spoke imaginable and has taken its toll he told MPs: “I am intending to out in harrowing terms about his Milly vanished near on all of us. We have had to fi ght discuss with the Scottish minister crimes. They told of hoping Mil- her home in Walton-on- every step of the way to get this the experience of the lower limit ly’s “soul, at long last, can fi nally Thames, Surrey, as she far. In desperation last Novem- in Scotland and the timescales to rest in peace” now that the triple walked home from school. ber we wrote to the home sec- get access to robust evidence of killer has given his account. retary to tell her of our concerns the road safety impact. “It is im- Bellfi eld would only speak to The statement said: “Bellfi eld and she met us immediately. portant to base our decisions on female offi cers from Surrey Po- told the police that after abduct- “Now we know the fi nal hours evidence and the Scottish experi- lice when he decided to confess ing Milly and assaulting her at of Milly’s life, perhaps her soul, ence will be crucial to that before and gave them disturbing details his fl at a few yards from Walton at long last, can fi nally rest in we consider any possible changes of how he repeatedly raped, tor- station, he then drove her to his peace. “The general public have to limits in England and Wales. tured and murdered Milly. mother’s house. always played a huge part in sup- “This government’s current The ex-bouncer and wheel- “He reversed down a long porting us, for which we are eter- position, however, remains to fo- clamper, 47, was convicted in driveway and then raped her in nally grateful and thankful. We cus resources on enforcing against 2011 of her murder but refused broad daylight. Bellfi eld then believe that they should know the most serious off enders.” to make any admission about his moved her to another location, what Bellfi eld did to our beauti- Data from the department for crime until last month. where the rape and torture con- ful daughter and sister Milly.” transport last week revealed 1,780 He is also serving life terms tinued for a number of hours, The schoolgirl’s body was people died on Britain’s roads in for killing Amelie Delagrange, until the next day, when he fi - found in a Hampshire wood 25 2015, an increase of 49 on 2014. 22, and Marsha McDonnell, 19, nally strangled her to death.” miles from her home in Walton- In 2014 around 240 of the fa- which means he will never be Surrey Police also told the on-Thames. Experts could not talities involved at least one driver released. Yesterday the Dowler family that they were investi- say how she died. being over the drink drive limit, family said they had been told gating a possible accomplice of Bellfi eld, who now calls him- about 14% of the total. nine months ago that Bellfi eld Bellfi eld. Detectives arrested a self Yusuf Rahim, lived 50 yards Currently, having more than had asked to speak to police suspect in his forties last month from where Milly vanished but 80mg of alcohol in 100ml of blood about the murder and abduction but released him after just 10 did not become a suspect until would make a person a drunk of Milly in 2002. hours because there was no evi- 2004 when he was arrested by driver in England and Wales. The schoolgirl vanished dence. London police for the other of- In Scotland, that limit was re- near her home in Walton-on- The family said: “Hearing fences. duced to 50mg in December 2014 Taxi drivers block Whitehall as they demonstrate in central London yesterday. Up to 5,000 taxi Thames, Surrey, as she walked Bellfi eld’s account of how Milly Detectives are now looking bringing it in line with most other drivers protested in central London over threats to passenger safety and deregulation. home from school. spent her fi nal hours before be- into a number of other crimes in European countries. The statement said that Bell- ing murdered was shocking the wake of his shock confession.

Half-blind driver got away Footballer pleads with killing couple: family guilty to sex charge

Agencies from the Premier League and London Evening Standard Sanders was acquitted of ond parents to us. Their London has since made four appear- London causing death by dangerous house backed on to ours, and ances in an injury-hit start to driving on Tuesday, hav- they’d come and see us every the season. ing admitted two counts of day. underland and England Johnson entered two guilty he family of an elderly causing death by careless “It has destroyed us as a footballer Adam John- pleas when the charges were couple hit and killed driving. family.” Sson has pleaded guilty to read out to him by the court Tby a half-blind lorry The judge handed him The Maskells’ fathers were kissing a 15-year-old school- clerk. driver said “it just doesn’t a nine-month prison sen- good friends who served to- girl after grooming her over the Johnson is accused of groom- make sense” that he avoided tence, suspended for two gether in World War I. The Internet. ing the teenager between De- jail. years, after hearing he would couple met as children, The 28-year-old midfi elder cember 30, 2014, and February Darren Sanders, 44, was not be able to complete com- started dating at 15 and mar- admitted one count of sexual 26, 2015, and having met with “not concentrating” when munity service because of ried in 1957. They lived in activity with a child and one of her to carry out sexual activ- he hit Vera, 80, and George his bad eyesight. Ashford, Surrey, and Vera grooming at Bradford crown ity knowing that she was under Maskell, 81, as they walked He was banned from driv- Maskell worked at St Peter’s court. He denies two other 16, the age of consent. Standing home from a shopping trip in ing for 18 months. Yesterday Hospital in Chertsey. counts of sexual activity with a in the dock, Johnson answered Sunbury Cross, the Old Bai- the Maskells’ granddaugh- Sanders knocked them child and is due to go on trial on “guilty”. ley heard. ters Megan, 22, and Gemma down at about 10.40am Friday. In a second count, Johnson The driver, who is blind Kyrionymou, 19, said Sand- on July 16, 2014, as he ap- The midfi elder, from Castle is charged with intentionally in one eye and losing his ers had “basically got away proached the end of his waste Eden, County Durham, had his touching the complainant in a eyesight in the other, failed with it”. collection round, turning case moved from Durham. sexual way knowing that she to notice the couple, who They said: “For us this is from a service road into a Born in Sunderland, Johnson was under 16. He briefl y con- “froze” in the road as his a life sentence and for him cul-de-sac. He was driving began his career at Middles- sulted his legal team before an- truck approached. he is just out and walking 7mph over the 5mph speed brough before moving to Man- swering “guilty, yeah”. Maskell, a retired BT engi- around. We were shocked to limit on the service road and chester City and then to Sun- A panel of prospective jurors neer, was pushing a shopping learn that he had problems had the couple in view for al- derland for £10mn in 2012. were sworn in after Johnson en- trolley and grabbed his wife with his eyesight and was most three seconds. Johnson was suspended by tered his pleas. Before they were of 57 years’ hand in a last- still able to drive. Judge Richard Marks QC the north-east club following released, the judge, Jonathan second bid to save her. “It’s wrong that his eye- told Sanders, who had an his arrest on March 2 last year Rose, said: “This is a case you He was knocked to the sight is so bad he can’t do “unblemished” driving but that was lifted when his bail may see referred to in the press. ground while his wife was community service and yet record: “You were not pay- was extended by fi ve weeks a You must try this defendant on trapped beneath the wheels. he was able to drive. It just ing proper attention ... I’m fortnight later. the evidence heard in this court- They suffered skull fractures doesn’t make sense. Our satisfied you are absolutely Sunderland soccer player Adam Johnson arrives with his girlfriend Stacey He went on to feature in the room, not anything else. That is and died from their injuries. grandparents were like sec- devastated by what you did.” Flounders at Bradford Crown Court in Bradford. side that survived relegation very important.” Gulf Times 20 Thursday, February 11, 2016 EUROPE Top scientists pledge to share fi ndings on Zika

By Kate Kelland, Reuters doing so (have been) ... thrown the signatories wrote. tions and some 4,000 suspected Signatories to yesterday’s ing the New England Journal of known about the virus, how it is London into stark relief by the Ebola and Zika, a viral disease carried by cases in newborn babies of mi- agreement to share the fruits of Medicine, Nature, Science and spread and the possible link with Zika outbreaks,” the agreement mosquitoes, is causing interna- crocephaly, a condition in which that research included the United The Lancet, pledged to “make all microcephaly,” he said. by an unprecedented number of tional alarm as an outbreak in an abnormally small head size States Centres for Disease Con- content concerning the Zika vi- This also meant it was critical hirty of the world’s leading signatories in the Americas, Ja- Brazil has now spread through that can result in developmental trol and Prevention (CDC), the rus free to access”. that as results become available scientifi c research institu- pan, Europe and elsewhere said. much of the Americas. problems. Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Jeremy Farrar, director of the they shared rapidly in a way that Ttions, journals and funders “In the context of a public Much remains unknown about Medical and scientifi c research the World Health Organisation Wellcome Trust and a signatory is equitable, ethical and trans- pledged yesterday to share for health emergency of internation- the virus, including whether it teams around the world have (WHO), France’s Institut Pasteur, of the statement, said research is parent, he added. “This will en- free all data and expertise on the al concern, there is an imperative may cause birth defects or other stepped up eff orts to find out the UK Academy of Medical Sci- an essential part of the response sure that the knowledge gained is Zika virus as soon as they have it. on all parties to make any infor- neurological problems. more about the disease, includ- ences, and the Wellcome Trust to any global health emergency. turned quickly into health inter- “The arguments for sharing mation available that might have Brazil is investigating a po- ing how vaccines or treatments global health charity. “This is particularly true for ventions that can have an impact data and the consequences of not value in combatting the crisis,” tential link between Zika infec- might be developed to fi ght it. Scientifi c journals, includ- Zika, where so much is still un- on the epidemic.” 13mn students Fabius leaves govt in OECD nations ‘fail at 15’: report

AFP ico, Poland, Portugal, Russia, Paris Tunisia, and Turkey. ahead of reshuffl e It found that all of the coun- tries could improve pupils’ Reuters cus on whether former invest- round 13mn pupils in performance, providing they Paris ment banker Emmanuel Macron, OECD countries have take the necessary steps. who has been the face of reforms Afailed to attain a suffi - The OECD’s fi rst recom- for France’s European partners cient level of profi ciency in ei- mendation is that countries rench Foreign Minister but has irritated many of his gov- ther reading, maths or science must prioritise reducing the Laurent Fabius said yester- ernment colleagues, will get a by the time they reach 15, ac- number of low-performing Fday that he was leaving the bigger portfolio. cording to a new study released students, using a “multi- government ahead of a reshuffl e Manuel Valls is set to stay on as by the think-tank yesterday. pronged” approach. President Francois Hollande is prime minister. The fi gure equates to more For example, remedial sup- set to announce in coming days Hollande is expected to largely than one in four of 15-year- port must be provided as early to reshape his team ahead of the stick to his pro-business eco- olds in the 64 countries and as possible in a struggling 2017 presidential elections. nomic policy even if there could economies that took part in child’s school career. The reshuffl e comes at a time be some changes if rebel Social- the 2012 PISA study, the Paris- There is also an onus on gov- when a beleaguered Hollande is ists or Green lawmakers were to based organisation’s compara- ernments to identify low-per- suff ering a fresh drop in popular- join his cabinet in a bid to build tive study of education world- forming schools and attribute ity and deep discontent within a wider left-wing alliance to gear wide. greater funding as quickly as his party over contested plans up for the presidential election. In some countries, 50% of possible. to strip French citizenship from Hollande was to be interviewed students were falling behind in And in a recommendation people convicted of terrorism. on French television this evening, at least one of the key subjects. aimed at countries taking in “I will be leaving offi ce,” Fa- and might give more details. The Organisation for Eco- high numbers of migrants, bius told reporters, adding that a Analysts said that a reshuffl e nomic Co-operation and De- the OECD says special pro- wider reshuffl e, which has been was unlikely to do much to help velopment (OECD) says that grammes must be off ered for in the works for months, would his popularity, which has been fi ghting poor performance at immigrant and minority-lan- be announced later this week. eroded by a debate on stripping school will bring more to the guage students. Fabius, 69, who played a dual nationals of their French countries than it will cost them Germany, which last year prominent role in sealing an in- passports in case of terrorism to introduce the special meas- took in more than 1mn people ternational deal with Iran limit- convictions – one of the key ures needed to combat the fl eeing war and poverty, re- ing its nuclear programme and measures he announced after 130 problem. cently brought in a specially- helped broker a global climate people were killed by Islamist And the wealth of a country tailored programme of lan- change agreement, was picked by militants in Paris on November need not be the main factor. guage learning for immigrant Hollande to head the country’s 13. Fabius (bottom left) acknowledges applause from lawmakers during the session at the National Assembly “It is education policy and pupils. top constitutional court. This is a sensitive time for in Paris yesterday. The French foreign minister announced yesterday that he was leaving the government. practice that can help students But the report also says that While it is unclear how wide- Hollande who, just over a year clear this bar, not just per capi- without the support of parents, spread the reshuffl e will be, ahead of the presidential elec- French passport by 317 votes A third of the Socialist law- mid-1980s, had been widely ex- ta income,” the report says. pupils will fail to consolidate speculation is rife over who could tions, faces an uphill re-election against 199. makers who cast their votes yes- pected to change jobs since the The danger to countries’ fu- their progress. join a revamped government in battle, dogged not only by tense While that will be a relief for terday voted against the measure end of last year. ture economic health cannot It cited progress made in coming days, with Hollande’s debates over security measures the government, the issue is far and some others abstained, high- He said he would enter his new be underestimated – students Japan, where school reforms former prime minister, Jean- but also anger with rampant un- from over as the measure needs lighting divisions over the issue. role in early March. who perform poorly aged 15 “encourage parents and com- Marc Ayrault, or former partner, employment of 10.6%. be approved by the senate and Former president Nicolas He is due to stay on as chair of face a high risk of dropping out munity members to assume Environment Minister Segolene Yesterday the lower house of then by three-fi fths of votes Sarkozy’s conservatives are also UN climate talks until late 2016, of school and when a high pro- some responsibility for man- Royal, tipped as possible replace- parliament endorsed a strongly- from both houses of parliament, divided. monitoring implementation of portion of the population does aging schools and providing ments for Fabius. disputed bill on stripping those a process likely to take several Fabius, who was France’s the agreement to shift from fossil not have basic skills, “long- individualised instruction to A lot of attention will also fo- convicted of terrorism of their weeks. youngest prime minister in the fuels to cleaner energies. term economic growth is se- students during lessons when verely compromised”. necessary”. Between 2003 and 2012, the As a result, in 2012, pupils OECD analysed nine countries reported a stronger sense of that did not manage to reduce belonging, lower rates of tar- the number of pupils failing to diness and better attitudes to- Germany investigates cause of deadly train collision achieve the basic level in maths wards school compared with a – Brazil, Germany, Italy, Mex- decade earlier.

Reuters/AFP jured in the train collision. vestigation, newspaper group Berlin Transport Minister Alexan- RedaktionsNetzwerk Deutsch- Cahuzac tax fraud trial delayed der Dobrindt told rolling news land (RND) said a signal station channel NTV that an automatic worker had manually deactivated The tax fraud trial of France’s disgraced former budget minister erman prosecutors and braking system fi tted on the line the automatic signalling system Jerome Cahuzac was adjourned yesterday to September 5 after his police investigating a underwent routine checks just to let the fi rst train – which was defence challenged the constitutionality of the case. Ghead-on train crash in a week ago and was found to be running late – go past. The 63-year-old former rising star in the French Socialist Party, Bavaria that killed ten people are “fully functional”. That action would have also who stashed millions abroad while cracking down on tax cheats at focusing on the actions of a sig- The trains and track were fi tted shut off the automatic braking home, had gone on trial on Monday. nal controller, a source involved with an automatic brake system system. His ex-wife Patricia Menard, with whom he ran a lucrative hair in the inquiry told Reuters yes- that was introduced across Ger- The second train then forged transplant clinic, is a co-defendant in the case. terday. many after 10 people died near ahead on the same track in the The defence on Monday argued that Cahuzac and Menard had However, investigators said the eastern city of Magdeburg opposite direction, before the already settled their tax debts and penalties and should not be tried it was too early to speculate on in 2011 when a train driver drove fi rst was able to split off where twice over the same matter. the cause and that they have re- through two red signals. the line divides into two, accord- In the criminal trial, both face up to seven years in jail and €2mn covered two of three black boxes Dobrindt added that one of ing to RND. ($2.2mn) in fines if found guilty of tax fraud and money laundering. from the two passenger trains Members of German Federal Agency for Technical Relief work at the three black boxes showed there The infl uential daily Sued- Yesterday court president Peimane Ghaleh-Marzban pointed to that collided at peak commuter site of the two crashed trains near Bad Aibling. was “no technical problem on the deutsche Zeitung also said pre- a recent precedent in a trial involving the Wildenstein art-dealing time on Tuesday morning. line and that the signal handling liminary investigations showed dynasty, accused of hiding hundreds of millions of euros in “The investigations are fo- railway, Deutsche Bahn, which vestigators, salvage workers and of the driver was correct”. a signals controller had switched inheritance money from the taxman. cusing on the controller,” said is responsible for the track, said criminal police were combing Nevertheless, he said that off the safety system and only re- the source, who declined to be the company was working with the site yesterday and working “one cannot rule out any error”, alised his colossal mistake when named. investigating authorities. to recover the carriages that were stressing that data from all three it was too late. Ex-prelate held over €30mn fraud The single track stretch was “We do not want to pre-empt lying on their side in the wooded boxes had to be analysed before Police would not confi rm the opened for both trains, the the results of the investigation,” area with a river on one side of drawing conclusions. reports, and a spokeswoman Italian police have announced the arrest of a retired cleric source said. she said. the track. Two of the three black boxes from the transport ministry suspected of having defrauded investors of €30mn ($34mn) which The source did not name the German Transport Minister The trains, carrying about had been recovered hours after would also not be drawn. they were told would help fund a humanitarian foundation. controller. Alexander Dobrindt, echoing 100 people in all, crashed at high the crash, but investigators were “All possibilities that could Argentinian-born Patrizio Benvenuti, 64, former military chaplain in Reuters was unable to deter- statements from investigators, speed on a 6km stretch of track still searching for the third. have led to this disaster are be- Italy who retired to the Canary Islands, had won the confidence of mine the identity of the control- said that it was too early to iden- between the spa town of Bad “Without the information ing examined. That includes ex- investors due to his work in the Vatican’s legal tribunal. ler or what actions were under tify the cause. Aibling and Kolbermoor, near the from this black box, it is impossi- amining the black boxes, looking He has been placed under house arrest. scrutiny. “We have no knowledge Austrian border. ble to have a complete analysis on at what happened on the tracks, A European arrest warrant has also been issued for one of his In addition, Reuters could not whether this was down to human All bodies had been recovered whether this was a technical fault speaking with witnesses and sig- close collaborators, 54-year-old French Christian Ventisette, a determine if other individuals failure or a technical problem,” he from the wreckage, police said, or human error, or a combination nal workers,” said spokeswoman businessman involved in finance and property. were also under scrutiny. said. adding that 17 people were seri- of both,” he said. Vera Moosmayer. “The investi- The inquiry has identified nine suspected accomplices and nearly A spokeswoman at state-run Co-operating closely with in- ously injured and 63 slightly in- Citing sources close to the in- gations are ongoing.” 300 victims, most of them elderly people living abroad.

Varoufakis launches democracy movement – DiEM25 Farmers snub Tsipras off er for talks on pension reform

Yanis Varoufakis (pictured), who endeavours,” Varoufakis told a Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras said yesterday “We are already doing that with the self-employed ... as Greece’s finance minister last news conference in the packed, that he was willing to talk to protesting farmers over we are aspiring to do the same with farmers, provided year tried to defy German-backed red-walled theatre auditorium. pension reform but said it was essential to overhaul they want to sit down for a dialogue to find a solution,” austerity policies, launched a His remarks contrast sharply with the system to ensure Greeks could continue to receive he told a cabinet meeting. “We have to be clear that the pan-European movement in Berlin his behaviour during last year’s pensions. reform is not optional, or just a conventional obligation on Tuesday that he said aimed to fraught five-month negotations Greeks are furious over the plans, which will entail of the country. It is absolutely necessary for the social “democratise” the continent. over another financial bailout for increased social security and tax payments for many insurance system to have a future.” Varoufakis kicked off his Greece. groups of workers, and the farmers swiftly rebuff ed Without the pensions overhaul, Greece cannot “Democracy in Europe Movement 2025” (DiEM25) Back then, his fiery language alienated many of his Tsipras’ off er of talks, pledging instead to step up their conclude a first assessment of its broader economic at the historic Volksbuehne theatre, a venue well- eurozone colleagues and he frequently clashed blockades of highways. reforms which would pave the way for discussions on known for its leftist political activism and its role in with German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble. Greece’s leftist government has promised to reform sorely needed debt relief. the former East Germany’s peaceful revolution. Varoufakis quit as finance minister last July after the costly pension system as part of a multi-billion euro Elected on a pledge to end austerity only to cave in “We’ve chosen Berlin precisely because nothing refusing to accept the terms of a third bailout for bailout deal with its international creditors, but Tsipras months later, Tsipras is trying to juggle the competing Tsipras: We have to be can change in a progressive direction without Greece which imposed further tough austerity said he was ready to look at helping specific groups demands of Greece’s lenders and voters wearied by clear that the reform is not the full participation of Germany in our European measures. hurt by the changes. years of recession and austerity. optional. Gulf Times Thursday, February 11, 2016 21 EUROPE

EU chiefs agree to Austria’s EU moves toward longer cap on migrant suspension of Schengen levels Reuters each other, renewed its pleas for EU scheme that stipulated the member states reimposing tem- sorted as an emergency. terday to a new set of measures Brussels Greece and Italy to speed up the relocation of at least 160,000. porary border checks. The legal basis for some of Greece must take to remedy mat- establishment of processing cen- “We need urgently to shift The European Commission these expires in mid-May and ters. Reuters tres to register refugees and de- gears,” Avramopoulos told a news said yesterday that returning so the EU has begun a process to Assuming those are formal- Brussels/Vienna uropean Union states took port illegal migrants. conference, saying that he had to internal border controls on a trigger an unprecedented use of ised by governments tomorrow a new step towards a two- Migration Commissioner written to each of the bloc’s 28 systematic and long-term ba- a longer-term derogation within during a fi nance ministers meet- Eyear suspension of their Dimitris Avramopoulos praised interior ministers spelling out sis could cost as much as €18bn the Schengen treaty by that time. ing in Brussels, that will begin he European Union’s ex- open-borders zone yesterday Athens and Rome for a “spectac- what more they needed to do. ($20.15bn) in total direct costs The Commission ruled that an a three-month countdown to a ecutive has proposed to as the bloc’s executive again re- ular” increase in how many ar- The arrival last year of more alone, excluding second-wave inspection in Greece found that deadline few expect Athens can Tsuspend a third of the re- buked them for failing to act on rivals they are fi ngerprinting but than 1.1mn migrants, many eff ects. it was seriously defi cient in pro- meet to put its frontier controls locations of migrants to Austria agreements to stem irregular mi- said they were still falling short. of them refugees from Syria, In an eff ort to at least main- tecting its section of Schengen’s in perfect order. as requested last year by Vienna, gration. He said other member states and their subsequent chaotic tain the structure within its legal external border, a key condition Should it fail, member states which has already taken steps to The European Commission, were also failing to stand by overland journeys across Eu- framework, EU offi cials and dip- for allowing other states to then will then have a right under the cut the number of people it re- in reports ahead of an EU sum- front-line Mediterranean coun- rope, where most have ended lomats are working to give gov- declare a need to impose controls Schengen code to reinstitute ceives. mit next week when leaders will terparts and take in more than up in Germany, has strained the ernments a legal right to extend of their own. border checks within Schengen More than 1mn migrants and again discuss how to resolve a a few hundred asylum-seekers passport-free Schengen zone to temporary internal border checks Envoys from the member for up to six months, renewable refugees crossed the Mediterra- crisis that has set them against from Italy and Greece under an breaking point – with numerous to which Germany and others re- states in Brussels agreed yes- three times. nean into Europe last year. The UN refugee agency says some 74,000 have landed in Greece and Italy so far in 2016 and the infl ux had caused a po- Greece braces itself as Balkan nations plan to block migration route litical crisis in the bloc. The 28-nation union agreed to relocate people from Greece and DPA Sea, then crossed through Balkan limiting their ability to take on Italy, which are struggling under Athens countries such as Macedonia, refugees if the path closes further the infl ux, to share the burden Serbia, Hungary, Croatia and downstream. more evenly between other EU Slovenia intending to reach Aus- Macedonia on Tuesday be- countries. reece is trying to fi gure tria and then Germany and other gan reinforcing and expanding a But the system is barely op- out how it will accom- wealthy European countries. fence along its southern border. erational, with only around 500 Gmodate record numbers Last month, Austria set off a Yesterday Macedonian au- people actually relocated – and of migrants stranded in the EU’s wave of responses from countries thorities began setting up a camp none from within the EU to Aus- southeastern-most country upstream on the Balkan route, for migrants turned back by tria, which had been due to take should countries further along after saying it will limit the infl ux countries further along the route in nearly 2,000 people under the the Balkan migration route block of asylum-seekers to 37,500 this which are also narrowing the bloc’s plan to relocate 160,000 access for refugees trying to year and a total of 127,500 until gates to new entries. people. reach northern Europe. mid-2019. Serbia’s capacity to shelter Last year, however, around Greece is counting on “unilat- Slovenia, Croatia, Serbia and people for a long period of time 700,000 migrants entered Aus- eral moves” from Macedonia, the Macedonia – which are between would be exhausted within three tria outside of the EU’s failing minister in charge of migrants, Austria and Greece on the Balkan days at present arrivals rate, relocation system and some Ioannis Mouzalas, told Greek TV route – responded with a fi lter the UN refugee agency UNHCR 90,000 of them applied for asy- channel Mega yesterday. allowing only Syrians, Afghans warned. lum there. A day earlier he said that clos- and Iraqis to pass to the north. The 17 existing centres for The European Commission’s ing the Balkan borders would Austria’s decision to set a ceil- asylum-seekers and migrants move yesterday therefore has strand tens of thousands of mi- ing on the number of arriving in Serbia are equipped only for a largely political – rather than grants in Greece. asylum-seekers “will have con- emergency shelter, not resi- practical – signifi cance as an at- Around 1mn people, including sequences” on countries further dence, UNHCR offi cials told the tempt to avoid alienating Vienna many refugees from war zones in along the Balkan route, Austrian Belgrade daily Danas. and to prevent more unilateral the Middle East and Central Asia, Foreign Minister Sebastian Kurz In any case, if other countries measures by EU countries that passed along the Balkan route in said in Belgrade during a tour in on the route close their gates, further undermine the bloc’s 2015, most of them in the latter southeastern Europe on Tuesday. Serbia will immediately do the unity. half of the year. Many of the countries along same, Foreign Minister Ivica “Austria in December asked Migrant children search through a bag while being observed by police off icers, at a refugee transit camp They mostly sailed from Tur- the route are primarily equipped Dacic said after meeting Kurz on the Commission to suspend re- in Slavonski Brod, Croatia. key to Greek islands in the Aegean for short-term migrant stays, Tuesday. location to Austria temporarily. So this is the positive reply to the request,” a spokesperson for the Austrian interior ministry said yesterday. Turkey coastguard saves lone Syrian on sinking boat Swiss see The decision means Austria has an additional year, on top of the two years under the initial AFP The incident was widely cov- fewer relocation plan, to host a third of Istanbul ered as it coincided with a visit its allocation of migrants. to Ankara by German Chancellor Angela Merkel. asylum EU warns seven urkey’s coastguard said Hussein was one of just half states for asylum yesterday that it had res- a dozen saved in the search and Tcued a Syrian who clung rescue operation. requests rules breach on alone for several hours to a “He was on the verge of hypo- sinking boat for his life after it thermia, and in a state of shock,” The European Commission went down while seeking to cross the coastguard sergeant who res- Reuters has stepped up the pressure the Aegean Sea to Greece. cued him, Tuncay Ceylan, was Zurich on Germany and six other The coastguard released yes- quoted as saying by Turkish me- EU countries for incorrectly terday dramatic footage of the dia. “I tried to calm him down.” implementing asylum rules, incident on Monday when Syr- “If it had been just a bit later, sylum requests in Swit- giving them two months to ian refugee Pelen Hussein was the boat would have already zerland dipped in Janu- rectify the situation or face the picked up by rescuers off the sunk, most of it was already un- Aary due partly to harsher risk of being referred to the bloc’s Turkish port of Edremit in the derwater,” he said, adding the winter weather but the country top court. western Baliksehir region. Syrian had been holding onto the is bracing for the arrival of at “To better manage the flow of The pictures showed Hussein, boat for several hours before his least as many people this year migrants and secure European looking exhausted, hypothermic rescue. as in 2015, migration authorities borders, all member states shall and desperate, clinging on to the Hussein himself later told the said yesterday. deliver on their commitments, bow of the boat as it was gradu- state-run Anatolia news agency Europe is experiencing its strictly apply the European rules ally sinking vertically into the that as he clung to the boat he did worst refugee crisis since World on asylum and border control, water. not expect to survive the ordeal War II, with more than a million and provide the necessary The coastguard helicopter and was awaiting his death. people arriving during 2015, the support to those member states spotted him and the rescuer “I had been waiting from three majority fl eeing confl icts in Syr- that are the most exposed,” winched down into the water. in the morning until midday,” he A handout picture released by the Turkish Coast Guard shows a migrant, identified as 20-year-old Pelen ia, Iraq and elsewhere and cross- EU Migration Commissioner He urged Hussein in English to said. “I had set out with a friend. Hussein from Syria, standing on top of a capsized boat as he waits to be rescued by members of the ing the Aegean Sea and the Bal- Dimitris Avramopoulos said in a “jump into the water!” and then He was among the dead. From Turkish Coast Guard Air Command in the Aegean Sea off the coast of Edremit, northwestern Turkey. kans to reach western Europe. statement. they were both winched up to the there we were going to go to Ger- “The overall situation in the Estonia, France, Germany, Greece, chopper. many. I did not know the others The Turkish government on the Greek islands daily. Shivering violently, he was im- origin countries hasn’t changed, Italy, Latvia and Slovenia have Pelen Hussein was one of some who died.” struck a deal with the EU in No- The International Organi- mediately put into a waiting am- the circumstances haven’t im- failed to prove that they fully several dozen refugees who set Turkey has become the major vember to halt the fl ow of refu- sation for Migration said the bulance. proved, transit countries are still implemented new rules on issues off in a 10m (30-foot) boat in hub for Syrian, Afghan, Iraqi, Er- gees, in return for €3bn ($3.2bn) number of migrants who per- Hussein told Anatolia that he under stress,” Martin Reichlin, like asylum applications and the hope of reaching EU member itrean and other refugees and mi- in fi nancial assistance. ished in the Mediterranean in had been treated well and was in spokesman for the Swiss State reception standards for asylum- Greece. grants seeking to undertake the But the deal and wintry weath- January alone topped 360. no need of help, except for an in- Secretariat for Migration (SEM), seekers, the commission said. But the boat sank off Edremit risky crossing to the European er in the Mediterranean do not The footage showed Hussein jured foot. told Reuters. They could face hefty fines if and 27 people on board drowned Union in a fl ow that has caused appear to have deterred the mi- being safely taken to shore by “I am thinking of going back to “We don’t expect lower num- referred to court. including 11 children. huge alarm across the continent. grants, with boats still arriving helicopter. Syria,” he said. bers in 2016 than we had last year,” Reichlin said, adding that authorities expected requests to start picking up again in spring. Switzerland registered about Residents of Greek island march against planned migrant facility 40,000 asylum applications last year. In January Switzerland re- AFP controls, the island of 30,000 has challenge, Kos leaders have been lowed by Iraqis, Afghans and improve migrant controls at “Since refugees will continue to ceived 3,618 asylum requests, Kos taken a stand against hosting mi- opposed from the start, argu- other nationalities – of whom Greece’s maritime borders with arrive on Kos it is preferable to down from nearly 5,000 in De- grants, holding up the process. ing that the long-term presence Kos has received a fraction with Turkey, the leftist government of have a humane facility available.” cember, he said, due both to a Three locals were injured last of migrants will undermine the the majority heading to the larger Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras has “The hotspot will create jobs,” deterioration in the weather undreds of people on the week in a scuffl e with riot po- tourism industry which is the is- Lesbos island. pledged to complete hotspots on added Hayoul Michail of human conditions and to the improved Greek island of Kos pro- lice offi cers near the area chosen land’s main source of income. The hotspots in Greece and Kos and the other four islands by rights group Mercy Corps, label- registration of migrants in Htested yesterday against to build the migrant centre, or “In 2015 tourism fell 5% and Italy are meant to screen bona mid-February. ling the protests “negative pub- neighbouring Germany. plans to build a migrant facility hotspot, including a journal- there is a study showing a 30% fi de war refugees – which other Kos is among Greece’s top ten licity” for the island. “(The January dip) is to be there, voicing fears about its pos- ist covering the protest who was fall in reservations this year,” Kos EU states are prepared to accept travel destinations with nearly The Kos council this week de- seen as a seasonal fl uctuation, sible impact on tourism. later detained. deputy mayor David Gerasklis – from economic migrants who 900,000 fl ight arrivals between cided to hold a referendum on the mostly because migration across “No to the hotspot on our is- “We are against the hotspot,” told AFP at yesterday’s demon- are to be repatriated. January and September 2015. issue but the plan was shot down the Mediterranean is becoming land,” read the banner leading shouted conservative Kos Mayor stration. They are also designed to weed Government offi cials say the by the higher-placed regional more diffi cult,” Reichlin said, the demonstration by traders and Yiorgos Kyritsis, who accuses the Since last year, the fi ve Aegean out potential extremists, such as protests are being motivated by a council of the Dodecanese island adding that Germany’s improved tourism business owners, refer- government of “blackmailing” islands have become the princi- the two Islamic State (IS) mili- minority on the island backed by group yesterday. registration had also reduced ring to the migrant registration the islanders, as the demonstra- pal gateway to Europe for more tants who sneaked into Greece far-right hardliners. Visiting Turkey this week, the “backfl ow” of applicants to and short-stay facilities the Eu- tors gathered outside the town than 800,000 people attempting in October posing as Syrian “Most of the residents essen- German Chancellor Angela Mer- Switzerland. ropean Union wants to be built hall. the journey from neighbouring refugees, and carried out deadly tially have no objection,” Yior- kel said Berlin and Ankara would Looking ahead to 2016, he there. While the nearby islands of Turkey to escape war and pov- suicide attacks in Paris a month gos Hartofi lis, member of a lo- ask Nato to help police the Turk- said: “We have to prepare if we With Greece under increasing Lesbos, Leros, Samos and Chios erty. later. cal rights solidarity group, told ish coast and stop migrant traf- don’t want to be surprised by a EU pressure to improve border have grudgingly accepted the Most of them are Syrians, fol- Under European pressure to Efi merida ton Syntakton daily. fi ckers. rapid increase.” Gulf Times 22 Thursday, February 11, 2016 INDIA

JUDICIARY POLITICS CRIME FAREWELL INVESTIGATION CBI to retain papers BJP seeks Kejriwal’s Nine idol smugglers Pet crematorium Woman missing from seized in raid: court resignation over ‘scam’ arrested in Bihar coming up near Kolkata Hyderabad traced

The Delhi High Court yesterday set aside Bharatiya Janata Party’s Delhi unit president Nine people were arrested and an international The West Bengal government is setting up a A young woman techie reportedly ill and the order of a trial court directing the Satish Upadhyay yesterday demanded the idol smuggling racket was busted in Bihar, crematorium that will allow people to give a missing from Hyderabad was traced in Central Bureau of Investigation to release resignation of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, police said. At least three precious Ashtadhatu dignified farewell to their beloved pets. To be neighbouring Medak district yesterday, documents seized during a raid at the off ice following a video clip that showed aid of one statues, coins of Nepal and Bhutan as well constructed at an estimated cost of Rs20mn, police said. P Anushree, an employee with of Rajendra Kumar, principal secretary to of his ministers demanding a bribe. “Kejriwal as arms and ammunitions were seized from the new facility for pets will have electrical Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), was traced Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, on December should resign on moral grounds. Seven MLAs of them in Bhagalpur district, the police said. incinerators. It will come up in Kolkata’s in Patancheru, about 50km from Hyderabad. 15 last. Justice P S Teji said that the CBI will AAP have gone to the jail and approximately 32 “We have arrested nine idol smugglers and neighbourhood of New Town. While there are Police said the 22-year-old was found moving retain the documents. The court’s order (AAP) people have criminal cases against them, recovered three Ashtadhatu statues. They several pet cemeteries in and around Kolkata, in ‘poor health’ and was admitted to a hospital. came on a CBI plea challenging the trial what kind of government is this,” Upadhyay were planning to send these idols outside the they are facing a space crunch. Burial has also The woman, from Bengaluru and working at court’s order directing the agency to release said. “Those who are committing fraudulent state,” Bhagalpur Superintendent of Police become expensive since the demand for a spot for TCS’s Adibatla campus, was reported missing the documents. The Aam Aadmi Party acts in the party have the support of Kejriwal,” Vivek Kumar said. “We are interrogating them a pet’s lasting peace has increased phenomenally. on Tuesday by her father P Prabhakar who government had told the court that the CBI he claimed. The Congress on Tuesday released to collect more information to catch the main This has led many people to simply dump their complained to Gachibowli police station. was trying to give a “political colour” to the a video clip that showed a close aide of Food people behind this racket,” the off icer said. dead pets in dustbins and garbage vats. “The According to Prabhakar, she called him raid and that the agency acted under “political and Supplies Minister Imran Hussain demanding According to police data, 30 idols of Hindu crematorium will provide an inexpensive option to on Monday and said she was not well. He pressure” to indiscriminately seize the a bribe on behalf of the minister from a man deities were stolen in 2011, 62 idols in 2012, and the pet lovers to give a dignified farewell to their immediately left for Hyderabad but found her documents. constructing a house in old Delhi. 65 in 2013. pets,” an off icial said. phone switched off .

270mn children Avalanche dewormed in largest survivor health campaign continues to DPA New Delhi

ndia yesterday carried out the world’s largest deworm- Iing campaign on 270mn chil- be critical dren, a drive aiming to prevent parasitic worm infections that Volunteers express is mainly because of his mother’s The appreciation of the fi ght- can impair mental and physical willingness to donate organs prayers,” she said. ing spirit shown by Koppad came development. Koppad’s mother Basavva said even as several military sources Children between one and 19 New Delhi she had always been confi dent criticised the way the top brass years of age were administered Agencies that he would survive. “He came rushed in to express condolences anti-worm tablets by health- to me in my dream, stood beside over the death of all those who workers and teachers at child- me and told me that he will re- were hit by the avalanche. care centres, kindergartens and soldier’s condition deteri- turn. I prayed to my family deity, Meanwhile, Indian Navy’s schools in the nationwide drive, orated yesterday, two days took a vow and she (the goddess) ex-sailor S S Raju has expressed health ministry spokeswoman Aafter his dramatic rescue has saved my son,” the mother willingness to donate any organ Manisha Verma said. from under mounds of snow said. of his body to save the life of the The children who missed out nearly a week after being buried In the fi nancial capital, scores “fellow-brother”. yesterday will receive the dose alive in an avalanche on Siachen of Mumbai’s famous lunchbox “I request doctors at the Army on Monday, she added. glacier, the army said. carriers - known as dabbawal- Hospital to contact me immedi- Hanumanthappa Koppad is lahs - gathered on the streets to ately and I can go to New Delhi... India has the highest “extremely critical” in hospital pray, holding posters with get well I am ready to donate any organ, burden of parasitic worms after he was trapped for six days messages. including liver, kidney... We must in the world, according to when a massive block of ice fell “Nobody survives being bur- save our fellow brother who is the government onto his army post 19,600ft high ied under snow for four days but critical,” said Raju, a resident of in the Himalayas. he still got out alive. The whole Bhayander in Thane district near India began the programme Troops rescued him late Mon- country has come together to pray Mumbai. last year, when nearly 90mn day, days after India said there for him,” one told reporters. A woman from Uttar Pradesh children were given the tablets in was little hope of survivors from In the holy city of Varanasi, too has volunteered to donate a 277 districts. the disaster on the glacier in priests lit large traditional oil kidney. The initiative was scaled up Kashmir. lamps and chanted devotional Nidhi Pandey, a housewife for 2016 to cover a “massive tar- The avalanche killed nine of prayers for Koppad on the banks from Lakhimpur Kheri, 167km get” of 270mn children across Koppad’s colleagues and buried of the Ganges which is revered by from Lucknow, contacted the 536 districts, Health Minister J P him under nearly 25ft of snow in Hindus. helpline of a local news channel Nadda said, making it the world’s temperatures of minus 45 degrees Politicians and celebrities and sought to know how she can largest public health programme. Celsius. poured onto social media, includ- contact the hospital and proceed India has the highest burden Koppad, who was found con- ing Bollywood superstar Amitabh with her wish to donate a kidney of parasitic worms in the world, scious but severely hypothermic, Bachchan who hailed Koppad as to Koppad. according to the government. has pneumonia in both lungs, “our jawan (soldier), our protec- About 150 soldiers, two rescue Parasitic worms in children in- doctors treating him at a New tor”. dogs - Dot and Misha - and some terfere with nutrient uptake, and Delhi military hospital have dis- Cricket legend Sachin Ten- sophisticated radars all were part can contribute to anaemia, mal- covered. dulkar said on Twitter he was of the heroic rescue eff orts at Sia- nourishment and impaired men- “His multi-organ dysfunction “praying for Lance Naik Hanu- chen since February 3, when an ice tal and physical development. state continues unabated. His manthappa. Fighter, braveheart”. wall broke off and fell on the army According to a 2012 govern- condition has deteriorated de- Prime Minister Narendra Modi, post located in northern glacier. ment report, almost half of chil- spite aggressive therapy and sup- who visited the hospital on Tues- The debris covered an area of 800 dren under fi ve were too short for portive care,” the army said in a day, praised “the endurance & x 1,000m. their age, indicating malnour- statement. indomitable spirit of Lance Naik Thed soldiers, including spe- ishment, and just under 20% Bollywood stars, Hindu priests Hanumanthappa”, and called him cialised rescue teams, began were extremely underweight in and politicians were among those “an outstanding soldier.” round-the-clock search opera- relation to their height. holding prayers yesterday for Defence Minister Manohar tion in Siachen, where the day Parasitic infections can be Koppad, whose rescue sparked Parrikar extended prayers to temperature was an average of caused by unclean drinking wa- a wave of patriotism for India’s “Naik Hanamanthappa who mi- minus 30 degrees Celsius and ter and a lack of sanitation and armed forces. raculously survived the avalanche night temperature fell to around hygiene. School children in Karnataka at Siachen”. minus 55 degrees Celsius. A medi- The nationwide drive aims to gathered outside Koppad’s village Army Chief General Dalbir cal aid post was also set up. raise awareness and children will home in Dharwad to off er prayers. Singh spoke of the soldier’s in- The military airlifted rock drills be schooled on the importance of Mahadevi, wife of Koppad, domitable mental robustness and and electrical saws to break the hygiene practices, such as wash- Mumbai’s ‘dabbawalas’ pray for Hanumanthappa Koppad, who was miraculously found alive after termed his survival a ‘rebirth’. “If his refusal to give in to the harsh blue ice that is harder than con- ing hands before meals. remaining under a huge mass of snow, yesterday. he has survived miraculously, it elements. crete.

Wild elephant rampage in Rahul snubs dissidents, village caught on video

A wild elephant went on a discusses poll strategy rampage in a village in West Bengal yesterday, damaging By Ashraf Padanna A section of leaders led by Modi and his Bharatiya Janata around 100 structures, Gulf Times Correspondent Home Minister Ramesh Chen- Party (BJP), but went soft on the villagers said. Thiruvananthapuram nithala, who met Gandhi sepa- CPM, which he believed still fol- Video taken in the village of rately, demanded a “leadership lows an “obsolete ideology be- Ektiasal showed the beast change” before elections amid the longing to the last century”. wandering around and ongress Party vice-pres- “solar” and “prohibition” scams. All senior leaders who spoke at knocking over flimsy huts. ident Rahul Gandhi yes- However, Gandhi shot down the meeting, however, came down The elephant strayed into the Cterday snubbed dissidents the demand as he was convinced heavily on the largest communist village early in the morning in the Kerala unit baying for the of Chandy’s popularity among party saying it was “undepend- and woke up villagers with blood of Chief Minister Oommen party workers. The massive crowd able” and pursuing politics of vio- its roaring. Chandy. gathered on a city beach cheered lence and personal vendetta. “The elephant entered from Showering praise on Chandy at every mention of Chandy as Antony described it as a mu- a nearby forest area. It has government’s achievements in de- Gandhi addressed them, and no seum piece. destroyed many houses velopment and measures ensuring other leader, including A K An- CPM leaders in West Bengal, and people are scared and “protection of poor people,” he said tony, received louder applause. who believe the centralist party helpless,” villager Milan Saha he would not entertain dissenting “I’m pretty confi dent that the leadership had contributed to said. views until at least the elections. Congress is going to win elections its downfall there with its rigid No injuries were reported. Gandhi, who addressed one of in Kerala,” Gandhi told Congress Kerala-driven policies, have been Attacks by elephants have the biggest rallies Kerala has ever leaders during a meeting. pushing for a tie-up with Con- been on the rise in eastern seen, discussed the strategy for “The CPM cannot defeat the gress to oust the Mamata Baner- India. Wildlife experts say the elections two months away. Congress. But Congress can de- jee-led Trinamool Congress. the destruction of animal Almost every leader opposed feat Congress Party. Please hold The Congress leaders in the habitats in the country is the move to ally as a junior part- hands and work together and let eastern state are reportedly di- one of the main reasons for ner with the Communist Party there be a Congress government vided over the alliance proposal as the increase in encounters of India (Marxist) in West Ben- again,” he said. a section wants to ally with Tri- Bystanders watch as a wild elephant with a tranquliser dart on its back walks along a street in Siliguri between wild animals and gal, which also goes to polls along Gandhi continued his tirade namool instead of playing second yesterday. The adult male elephant was tranquilised and captured by wildlife off icials and transported to a villagers in rural areas of with Kerala and four other states. against Prime Minister Narendra fi ddle to the CPM. nearby forest. India. Gulf Times Thursday, February 11, 2016 23 INDIA New anti-traffi cking bill raises penalty for endersoff

Reuters gation agency, a special court to “All these cases are dealt with the bill will propose increasing Act, though some also come working to prevent human fi x these numbers,” Nair said. “At New Delhi deal with traffi cking cases and by various agencies and under the penalty for off enders to up under the Protection of Chil- trafficking have been pushing present investigators, judicial severe penalties for repeat of- numerous diff erent laws,” she to 15 years’ jail from the present dren from Sexual Off ences Act, for comprehensive legislation. offi cers and public prosecutors fenders and the traffi cking of said. four to fi ve years, and will pro- or sections of the Indian Penal The highlight of the draft bill lack training in handling these new bill being drafted in minors, they said. “The Supreme Court of India vide protection for both victims Code and Code of Criminal Pro- is that it gives victims a legal sensitive cases. Under the new India aims to curb the “Human traffi cking in In- felt that all cases, national or in- and witnesses, the offi cial said. cedure, labour laws and overseas right to rehabilitation, making legislation, there will be an em- Asteep rise in human traf- dia has taken on many forms, ternational, should come under In addition, a separate court aff airs, the offi cial said. the state more accountable in phasis on ensuring better justice fi cking by unifying several exist- with people being traffi cked for the purview of one single law. will be established to handle se- “This is a big step forward,” doing so.” for victims.” ing laws, raising the penalties for forced labour, domestic work The new legislation will have a rious crimes committed across Dr P M Nair, a member of the According to National Crime An inter-ministerial commit- off enders and providing for vic- and even begging,” a senior more holistic approach and plug more than one Indian state, she expert committee set up to draft Record Bureau data, 5,466 cases tee will examine the draft bill tims’ rehabilitation, government Women and Child Development the lacunae in the implementa- said. the bill, told the Thomson Reu- of traffi cking were reported in when it is completed and send it offi cials said yesterday. Ministry offi cial working on the tion of anti-traffi cking drives.” At present, human traffi cking ters Foundation in a telephone 2014, an increase of 60% since to parliament, which is expected The bill calls for the creation draft bill told the Thomson Reu- As well as creating an all-em- cases are dealt with largely under interview. 2010. to pass it into law later this year, of an organised crime investi- ters Foundation. bracing law against traffi cking, the Immoral Traffi c (Prevention) “Since 2000, many of us “The new legislation hopes to offi cials said. Meteorite not responsible for killing man: Nasa

Agencies lore, she said, and awarded New Delhi Rs100,000 in compensation to his family. “A meteorite fell within the S space agency Nasa college premises,” she said. yesterday said it was Jayalalithaa has a cult-like Uunlikely a meteorite following in her state, with her was responsible for killing a pictures on prominent display man at a college campus in in the offi ces of her party’s Tamil Nadu last week, as local politicians, as a sign of their scientists continued to exam- unquestioning loyalty. ine the mysterious object re- Since her comments, state covered from the scene. offi cials have been reluctant Authorities in Tamil Nadu’s to discuss publicly what hap- Vellore district had claimed pened. that a meteorite fatally struck A team of scientists from a bus driver and injured three the Indian Institute of Astro- others on Saturday. physics in Bengaluru arrived After reviewing photo- in Vellore on Tuesday to in- graphic evidence, the Nasa spect the 6.56ft-wide crater that they did not believe the and collect the recovered rock object was a meteorite. sample, which is small enough Modi and Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed al-Nahyan wave to the crowd after the Abu Dhabi crown prince arrived at an air force base in New Delhi yesterday. “While more details are to fi t in a hand. forthcoming from local sci- G C Anupama, an astrono- entists, this is unlikely some- my professor at the institute, thing from space,” Dwayne said the probe would focus on Brown, a Nasa spokesman, the chemicals in the debris, as said in a statement. meteorites have high iron lev- “To form a crater the size of els. She declined to comment what has been posted online whether she believed the de- would have required a mete- bris was a meteorite. India, UAE eye deals on orite of at least several kilo- C B Devgun, who has been grams,” he said. tracking meteorites for the last Indian scientists too ex- two decades, said the colour of pressed doubt over the mete- the rock and absence of other orite strike, as the state’s chief particles ruled out a meteor- minister has declared. ite. defence, infrastructure The experts said the small “It cannot be a meteorite,” crater, the absence of a sonic he said. “It was a greenish boom before impact, a lack of colour and no other pieces of Abu Dhabi Crown Prince including from the Gulf nation’s ments on jointly producing and China and is a major sup- Chinese demand slowing. So debris and the green and blue debris were found. Normally Sheikh Mohamed arrives, to sovereign wealth fund. defence equipment, as India plier of oil. far we haven’t seen very much colour of rock recovered from it would be a darkish yellow hold talks with Modi today “The visit takes place after we undertakes a massive mod- The welfare of expatriate In- action by the Indian energy the scene suggest some other or darkish black in colour, just decided to elevate our relation- ernisation of its ageing military, dians in the UAE, numbering companies in the UAE, so (it) cause. like burned coal, with a slight- Agencies ship to a comprehensive strate- Wadhwa said, without specify- around 2.6mn, is also likely to might be interesting to see if “It is highly improbable, ly melted surface.” New Delhi gic partnership during the PM’s ing any deals. come up for discussion, Wadhwa Indian energy companies are but we will only be absolutely Meteors are particles of dust August visit,” India’s foreign India is also seeking to secure said. going to play more of a role sure after a chemical analy- and rock that usually burn up ministry secretary (east) Anil investment in major infrastruc- This is the third visit to India here,” Robin Mills, chief ex- sis,” said V Adimurthy, a as they pass through Earth’s ndia and the United Arab Wadhwa told reporters. ture projects as the government by Sheikh Mohamed and the fi rst ecutive officer of Dubai-based senior scientist at the Indian atmosphere. Emirates are eyeing a string The crown prince, deputy overhauls its dilapidated railway in his capacity as crown prince. Qamar Energy, said. Space Research Organisation Those that do not burn up Iof defence, infrastructure chief of the UAE armed forces, and road networks. Today he will be accorded a Mills said there was a lot of said. completely, surviving the fall and other deals during the visit arrived late yesterday accompa- “A number of new agreements ceremonial welcome at Rashtra- room for investment in the In- The mysterious event has to Earth, are known as mete- of Abu Dhabi’s crown prince nied by a large business delega- and MoUs (memoranda of un- pati Bhavan following which he dian energy sector, particularly triggered an international orites. which stared yesterday, an offi - tion. derstanding) are proposed to be will lay a wreath at Rajghat. in power generation. debate about whether a me- The last reported death cial said. He holds talks with Modi to- signed during the visit of the Sheikh Mohamed will tomor- “A memorandum of under- teorite, space debris, lefto- from a meteorite strike was Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed day. crown prince to expand the areas row leave for Mumbai where he standing already exists between ver explosives or even frozen in 1825, according to a list al-Nahyan will hold talks with Counter-terrorism is ex- of our co-operation,” Wadhwa will visit the Bombay Stock Ex- Abu Dhabi National Oil Compa- waste from a plane passing maintained by International Prime Minister Narendra Modi pected to be on the agenda, with said. change and meet Indian busi- ny (Adnoc), and the Indian Stra- overhead may have killed the Comet Quarterly, a scientific during the two-day trip aimed at India seeking exchanges of in- “This list is still being up- ness leaders. tegic Petroleum Reserve. India is man. journal. bolstering trade which reached formation with the UAE about dated. I cannot give the number UAE state minister for foreign seen as an important customer The meteorite attribution In February 2013 a meteor- $59bn last year. regional security threats. right now but as we speak the aff airs Anwar Gargash said ahead for UAE oil and the co-operation was announced this week by ite plunged over Russia’s Ural The trip comes six months The UAE is part of the US- negotiations are still going on.” of the visit the two countries could stretch to UAE investment Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa. Mountains, creating a shock- after Modi became the fi rst In- led coalition against the Islamic Abu Dhabi is the largest of were seeking to increase trade by in developing energy reserves of The bus driver was killed wave that injured 1,200 peo- dian premier in three decades to State group that has seized parts seven emirates making up the 60% within fi ve years. gas and oil in India,” Gary Dugan, by the meteorite at an en- ple and damaged thousands of visit the UAE, as he seeks to at- of Syria and Iraq. UAE, which is India’s third larg- “India is a growing energy chief investment offi cer at Emir- gineering college in Vel- homes. tract more foreign investment, Delhi hopes to advance agree- est trading partner after the US market particularly with the ates NBD, said. British newspaper ditches PM’s wife at passport office New police weapon: Mumbai, reverts to Bombay chilli-loaded slingshots AFP Rao, who came up with the Chandigarh idea. AFP open to the world,” said Rajan, ashtra, of which Mumbai is the The locally-made sling- London who was born in Kolkata - for- capital. shots are the latest in a series merly known as Calcutta - and Rajan said post-colonial India olice in Haryana will of unconventional measures raised in London. had the “open, secular, pluralist soon use slingshots adopted by security forces in ritish newspaper The In- “If you call it what Hindu and tolerant” tradition of India’s Ploaded with chilli pow- India, which sees daily pro- dependent will switch back nationalists want you to call it, fi rst prime minister Jawaharlal der and marbles to tackle un- tests on a myriad of issues. Bto using Bombay rather you essentially do their work for Nehru and Mahatma Gandhi. ruly protesters, an offi cial said Some quickly escalate out of than Mumbai when referring to them,” the 32-year-old told BBC It also had a “slightly nastier yesterday. control. India’s fi nancial capital, its edi- radio. strain of Hindu nationalism” Not content with water In April last year police tor said yesterday. “As journalists, as someone and it was important to “vener- cannon, tear gas and tradi- in Lucknow said they were Amol Rajan said the move was who edits The Independent, ate the tradition of India which tional wooden sticks or lathis, introducing pepper-spray- a stand against what he said was it’s incredibly important to be shows the best of India - an open the Haryana police will turn ing drones to control “mob the closed-minded view of Hin- specific about our terminol- metropolis”. to the slingshots as a “non- crowds”. du nationalists. ogy. Shiv Sena renamed the city lethal way” to control violent Critics say the marbles The city was officially re- “I’d rather side with the tradi- after the goddess Mumbadevi, crowds. could cause serious injury, but named Mumbai in 1995, a tion of India that’s been open to the protector of fishermen who “Plus it is much better than Rao said they would be used change forced through by the the world, rather than the one were the area’s original inhab- fi ring plastic bullets which sparingly and only after the far-right Shiv Sena party. that’s been closed, which is in itants. can cause pretty bad injuries,” “chilli balls” failed. However, within the city, the ascendance right now,” he said, Marathi speakers had always Inspector General of Police, “And it’s not like we plan old colonial name and the Mar- referring to the ruling Bharatiya called the city “Mumbai”, and the Hisar district, Anil Kumar to use marbles on peaceful athi-language name are often Janata Party. move was popular among that Rao, said. protesters, it’s only meant used interchangeably. Their coalition partner Shiv community, whereas “Bombay” “It will be used only in to control hostile people,” “The whole point of Bombay Sena is strongly pro-Marathi, was an anglicised take on the Jashodaben, wife of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, arrives at emergency cases so that said Rao, whose officers have is of an open, cosmopolitan port the dominant language and eth- Portuguese colonial name “Bom the passport head off ice in Ahmedabad, Gujarat yesterday. we can manage minimum started practising with the city, the gateway of India that’s nic group in the state of Mahar- Bahia”, or “good bay”. collateral damage,” added slingshots. Gulf Times 24 Thursday, February 11, 2016 LATIN AMERICA Fish, other mosquitoes now warriors in Zika battle

AFP Scientists are devising nu- Still others just want a plain said Rafael Gonzalez, 30, a local “Fumigation can be eff ective in fi ghting the Aedes Aegypti coco, yucca, asparagus and po- Brasilia merous ways to try and stamp old toad in their home to gobble fi sherman. in reducing the adult mosquito mosquito,” the species that car- tatoes - a recipe endorsed by the out the mosquitoes whose bites any mosquitoes that buzz in. “Everyone helps out,” adds population, but it is not as eff ec- ries Zika, she said. World Health Organisation. spread the virus, which they In San Diego Beach on the Pa- Marielos Sosa, the initiative’s tive against other forms of the Before Zika hit the region, Natural so-called biolarvi- ith larva-chomping suspect can cause brain damage cifi c coast of El Salvador, fi sher- organiser. mosquito such as larvae,” said Latin American countries had cides “are cheap and non-toxic fi sh and genetically in babies and paralysis in adults. men use fat sleeper fi sh to de- “The young people help catch Carissa Etienne, head of the Pan developed various techniques and can be used by the public,” Wmodifi ed insects, Lat- Some want to wipe out baby vour the mosquitoes while they the fi sh in the estuary. The adults American Health Organisation. for fi ghting these mosquitoes, Ventosilla said. in Americans are deploying le- mosquito larvae in standing wa- are still wingless larvae. keep an eye on the water stocks Fumigation by workers in which also carry fevers such as The treatment devised by her gions of little helpers to destroy ter where the insects breed. Oth- “They are true warriors in the in their homes.” overalls spraying smoke “has dengue and chikungunya. team at Peru’s Cayetano Here- mosquitoes carrying the Zika ers propose to zap the male mos- fi ght against Zika. They eat all This prevents the need to fu- a political impact because it is In Peru, biologist Palmira dia University uses the vegetable virus in the world’s latest mass quitoes with radiation to make the mosquito larvae in the bar- migate homes and water storage visually striking, but we are not Ventosilla in 1992 devised an mixture to nourish and multiply a health scare. them impotent. rels where we store our water,” sites, as many towns are doing. sure whether it is really eff ective organic insecticide made from bacteria that destroys the larvae.

Activist’s Quake rocks region arrest leads Mexico claims to tension between Pope, Macri of missing

Agencies Buenos Aires students being he arrest of a popular community activist in Tnorthern Argentina on charges of corruption has caused tension between Argentina’s new centre-right president burnt rejected Mauricio Macri and another prominent Argentinian: Pope Though remains of 19 had provoked mass protests students’ bodies were suppos- Francis. bodies were found at across the country and sent edly burned. Those recurring The Pope, a former archbish- dump, investigators said President Enrique Pena Nieto’s fi res made it diffi cult to deter- op of Buenos Aires, is an out- no physical evidence popularity plummeting. mine when damage in the dump spoken supporter of Argentina’s supports attorney general’s But the EAAF team concluded was done, while the heat gener- social movements, the associa- claim that students were that the scientifi c evidence did ated was insuffi cient to reduce tions of unemployed workers, incinerated there not support the offi cial ver- human remains to ashes. human rights advocates or en- sion. “From the scientifi c point Evidence from fi rearms such vironmental activists that of- Guardian News and Media of view and the evidence col- as shell casings showed signs ten step in to fulfi l the duties of Mexico City lected and analysed … it is not of being tampered with, while an absent state in the country’s possible that the suspects could the kind of ammunition did not poorer provinces. have burned 43 students in that match the weapons the suspects And no activist leader has ndependent forensic experts place,” the report said. said they used. gained more prominence dur- have rejected the Mexican The EAAF report was the sec- EAAF investigators say they ing the presidency of Macri’s Igovernment’s investigation ond independent investigation found an abundance of human predecessor Cristina Fernandez into the 2014 disappearance of to reject the government’s con- and animal remains in the dump, de Kirchner than Milagro Sala, 43 student teachers, concluding clusions; last year, a team from but distinguishing between the the 52-year-old leader of Tupac that there is no physical evidence the Inter American Commission two was often impossible. At Amaru, an organisation in Ar- to support the attorney general’s of Human Rights concluded that least 19 people were determined gentina’s northernmost prov- claim that the missing students’ the offi cial account of events was to have been buried in the dump; ince of Jujuy whose infl uence bodies were incinerated at a rub- scientifi cally impossible. none, however, were students became so vast that it almost bish dump. Families of the missing teach- from the Ayotzinapa normal rivalled that of the provincial Investigators from the Ar- ers from the training college of school. government. gentine Forensic Anthropology Ayotzinapa expressed satisfac- More than 100 people have Sala’s arrest last month on Team (EAAF) combed through tion with the AEEF report. De- been reported missing in Iguala, charges of fraud, extortion and the dump near the town of Coc- spite the lack of any supporting with most of the cases coming to illicit association has generated ula in the state of Guerrero but evidence, they continue to insist light after the abduction of the concern in Argentina’s Catholic found nothing to suggest a sin- their children are still alive. Ayotzinapa students, the inves- church that Macri and his politi- gle fi re was ignited the night of “This is proof of what we have tigators said. cal allies are determined to take the students’ disappearance. said and what we have always A laboratory at the University on the social movements. And while the remains of 19 known,” said Mario González, of Innsbruck, Austria, identi- “We must be careful not to bodies were found at the dump, whose son, Cesar Manuel, is fi ed a bone fragment found in slip into what Francis calls ‘sub- there was no evidence to con- among the missing. “’The his- the San Juan river as belonging tle xenophobia’ under the noble clude they included the missing toric truth’ has fallen to pieces to student Alexander Mora. The guise of the battle against cor- students, said the team’s report, with this report.” EAAF confi rmed the fi nding but ruption,” wrote Bishop Jorge released in Mexico City. The report follows a year- questioned the chain of custody Lozano, a leading Argentinian The fi ndings further discredit long review of evidence from for the evidence containing the churchman, in a recent news- the Mexican government’s han- the garbage dump, 20km from bone fragment. paper column. The bishop has dling into one of the most noto- Iguala, where the students com- EAAF team member Mer- off ered to mediate with the gov- rious crimes in Latin America’s mandeered the buses in order to cedes Doretti called that bone ernment to secure Sala’s release. recent history. A federal inves- travel to a protest before coming fragment “atypical”, as it was Her arrest will almost cer- tigation claimed the students under fi re from corrupt munici- larger than most of the remains tainly come up when president were killed by criminals before pal police offi cers. Authorities found in the garbage dump and Macri visits the Pope in Rome on their bodies were destroyed on allege the police, acting in ca- did not show injury produced by February 27. a bonfi re of tyres that burned for hoots with organised crime, kid- fi re. Sala and the Pope knew each 60 hours before their ashes were napped the students and turned In September 2015, the Aus- other from Argentina when the thrown into the nearby San Juan them over to criminals, who trian lab also identifi ed remains pontiff – then better known as People sit outside a home for the elderly after a 4.1 magnitude earthquake happened in Masaya river. killed them and burned their likely belonging to a second stu- Jorge Bergoglio – visited poor City, Nicaragua. The earthquake measuring 4.1 on the Richter scale shook the capital Managua The attorney general at the bodies in a garbage dump. dent, Jhosivani Guerrero De la neighbourhoods where Sala’s and other surrounding areas, with no casualties or damages so far, according to local media. A time, Jesus Murillo Karam, de- Investigators say they found Cruz. EAAF investigators say the association provides assistance 6.3 magnitude earthquake also struck off the coast of central Chile on Tuesday evening, the US scribed the conclusion as “the evidence of recurring fi res in the test is insuffi cient to conclusive- to poor families, and she visited Geological Survey said, although there were no reports of major damage. historic truth” in an attempt dump, but nothing to suggest a ly determine if the remains were Francis in Rome in June 2014. close the case on a crime, which single inferno on the night the in fact Guerrero.

Drought threatens millions Facing arrest Farc pledges to end with hunger in Haiti: UN use of child soldiers AFP Yesterday’s announcement Reuters lose their fourth consecutive WFP for their daily meal, and Bogota appeared to be a gesture to Bogota harvest on which they nor- school meals make up the ease negotiations by the Farc, mally depend to feed their largest food safety net in the whose leaders have warned in families,” Wendy Bigham, country. olombia’s Farc rebel recent weeks of lingering ob- round 3.6mn people WFP’s deputy country direc- The WFP has distributed force yesterday prom- stacles to a peace deal. in Haiti are struggling tor in Haiti, said in a state- food aid, including rice, sug- Cised to end recruitment The two sides have signed Ato feed themselves as ment. ar, oil and salt, to 120,000 of all child soldiers to its ranks, deals on four of the six agenda three consecutive years of The main 2015 harvest fell people in drought-hit areas in a further bid to seal a peace items at the talks: justice for drought have ruined har- below average, with losses of since November. deal ending a half-century victims, land reform, a po- vests and raised food prices, up to 70% in some places, the It says it will expand its confl ict. litical role for ex-rebels and worsening hunger among WFP said. “In some areas of programme by providing food At peace talks in Cuba, the fi ghting the drug traffi cking the poor, the UN World Haiti, up to 70% of the popu- and cash to 1mn Haitians fac- leftist guerilla group had al- that fuels the confl ict. Food Programme (WFP) has lation is facing hunger.” ing hunger to help them cope ready pledged to stop recruit- The unsettled issues are said. A recent study by the Hai- with rising food prices. ing fi ghters under 17, but the disarmament and the mecha- The poorest country in tian government and the UN The agency provides Colombian government said nism by which the fi nal accord the Americas, Haiti can- Children’s agency (Unicef) 200,000 Haitians with cash that did not go far enough. will be ratifi ed. not produce enough food for found that “malnutrition in exchange for work on wa- International authorities Disagreement remains its 10.4mn people in nor- rates are above emergency tershed management and soil and rights groups defi ne any over whether the peace deal mal times, and hundreds of levels in several communes,” conservation projects to im- member of a force aged under should be put to a popular thousands of Haitians rely on the WFP said. prove agriculture. 18 as a child soldier. vote or passed by a constitu- international food aid to sur- The food crisis comes at a The drought has gripped “We have communicated ent assembly as the Farc de- vive. time of political uncertainty other parts of the Caribbean to the country our decision to mands. Acute water shortages and social unrest after Michel and Central America, par- end the recruitment of those Colombia’s President Juan caused by prolonged drought, Martelly stepped down as ticularly parts of El Salvador, aged under 18 to the Farc,” Manuel Santos said Monday a made worse by the El Nino president last week without Guatemala and Honduras. a negotiator for the Marxist referendum would be held on weather phenomenon, have an elected successor, leaving a The current El Nino, which rebel force, Victoria Andino, a possible peace deal whether cut food supplies and hit sub- deeply divided country in the began in early 2015, is one of said, reading out a statement. the rebels want a vote or not. sistence farmers hard. Three hands of a disputed interim the strongest on record and Civil war veterans attend a news conference in San Salvador, El The two sides have vowed to Speaking on the National out of four Haitians live on government. has also caused widespread Salvador. Salvadoran police launched a raid to arrest 17 former sign a peace deal by March 23 Liberation Army (ELN), San- less than $2 a day. Nearly 500,000 school- crop losses in countries rang- military personnel, accused of killing six priests in one of the to end fi ve decades of confl ict tos announced that the gov- “Without rain for the 2016 children across Haiti rely on ing from Ethiopia to Papua most notorious atrocities of the country’s bloody civil war. that have left 220,000 people ernment will be intensifying spring season, farmers will school meals provided by the New Guinea. dead. their fi ght against the rebels. Gulf Times Thursday, February 11, 2016 25 PAKISTAN/AFGHANISTAN

SECURITY Residents asked to submit Pakistan court to hear bid to reclaim Koh-i-Noor tenants’ details

AFP Sikh prince to Britain following longed to Punjab province and Notices have been issued to the Islamabad the conquest of Punjab in 1849. was forcibly taken by the British residents of Pakistani capital Islam- Literally translated as “Moun- from the local ruler and should abad who refused to give details tain of Light”, the Koh-i-Noor be returned to Pakistan,” he said, of their tenants to the National Pakistani court is set yes- was recut from its original 189 adding his case was fi xed for to- Database and Registration Author- terday to hear a petition carats in 1852. day after he overcome initial ob- ity (Nadra). A statement issued by Aasking Britain’s Queen It is currently on display in jections. the Interior Ministry on Wednes- Elizabeth II to return the Koh- the Tower of London along with His petition added: “Grab- day stated that on the directives i-Noor diamond more than 150 other precious ornaments that bing and snatching it was a pri- of Interior Minister Ch Nisar Ali years after it was taken from La- comprise Britain’s crown jewels. vate, illegal act which is justifi ed Khan the notices were issued to hore by colonial forces. by no law or ethics. A wrong those who refused to give the The 105.6 carat stone, which “The Koh-i-Noor rightly is a wrong. It does not become details. The statement stated that has also been claimed by a belonged to Punjab righteous or right by passage of the reason behind colleting the group of Indian businessmen in province and was forcibly time or even acquiescence.” details of the people residing in a separate court case, adorns a taken by the British” India, Pakistan’s main rival, Islamabad on rent were to provide crown that was last worn in 1953 has also long claimed the dia- complete and comprehensive se- by Queen Elizabeth the Queen The Lahore High Court will mond. Last November a group of curity to the residents of the city. Mother at the coronation of her today hold a preliminary hearing Indian businessmen and a Bol- “According to law the residents daughter. into the case following a petition lywood actress said they would are bound to submit the details of Originating in the Golconda by Iqbal Geoff rey, a 76-year-old mount a legal bid in an English people residing in their residential mines of central-southern In- Anglo-Pakistani lawyer and ab- court and in the International buildings to police,” the statement dia, it passed through the hands stract painter, whose work has Court of Justice. stated adding that if they failed of conquering Mughal princes, appeared in the Tate Modern and But Britain’s Prime Minister to provide the details, the exit Iranian warriors, Afghan rulers who has been seeking the return David Cameron told NDTV tele- and entry points of the buildings and Punjabi Maharajas before of the diamond since 1958. vision in 2010 “It is going to have A file picture taken on May 19, 2002 shows executive director of Jewels de Paragon Pavana Kishore would be sealed. It further stated being surrendered by a young “The Koh-i-Noor rightly be- to stay put.” holding the Koh-i-Noor diamond on display at an exhibition in India. that over all the residents of the city co-operate with the police and Nadra in submitting the details, but some of them were reluctant.

COMMUNITY Pakistan approves draft law on Plan to shift Hindu marriages Pakistan’s National Assembly (NA) committee has approved a draft law on Hindu marriages, paving the way for registering marriages in the minuscule religious minority Bacha Khan of the country, the media has reported. Five Hindu MNAs were Mourners gather around bodies of victims of an accident where a tanker carrying gas collided with a on Monday specially invited to car in Sheikhupura district in Pakistan’s most populous Punjab province yesterday. the deliberations of the Standing Committee on Law and Justice on the Hindu Marriage Bill 2015, Dawn online reported. Though University delaying tactics continued almost Six children die in fi reball as to the last, the committee adopted Internews area was allocated for the uni- plan for shifting the university to the bill unanimously after mak- Islamabad versity campus. the allocated land. ing two amendments to fix the The place had a lot of en- “We will start working on the minimum age of the marrying car, tanker collide in Pakistan croachments which, the HEC project after receiving the mas- male and female at 18 and making he Higher Education chairman said, had been re- ter plan and related documents,” the law applicable to the whole Commission (HEC) of moved. he said. country, instead of just the federal AFP populous Punjab province. dent and number of casualties, TPakistan is studying a HEC spokesman Ayesha Ikram territory. Committee chairman Islamabad “According to initial infor- adding the dead included two proposal to shift the Bacha Khan The BKU was set up in 2012 said that after receiving the doc- Chaudhry Mahmood Bashir Virk mation, a car was making a women. University (BKU) in Charsadda, in a building belonging to uments, the commission would regretted the long-drawn tactical U-turn and struck the tanker,” Heavy fog that descends which came under a gruesome the agriculture department prepare a PC-1 of the project and delay in framing family law for ix schoolchildren were senior local police offi cial Latif upon central and northern Pa- terror attack last month, to a safe then seek funding from the fed- the Hindu community. “It was among at least 10 peo- Gujjar said. kistan in winter is a leading place. The area is a much better place eral government. unbecoming of us Muslims in Sple killed when a fi reball He added that two cars, two cause of road accidents. The proposal was discussed for the campus than the previous The commission team also general and the political leaders in erupted as a tanker carrying rickshaws that were carry- Pakistan also has an appall- during a visit to the university location, according to HEC of- reviewed security measures at particular. We were required to fa- liquefi ed petroleum gas (LPG) ing children to school, and two ing record of fatal traffi c acci- by a delegation of HEC offi cials fi cials. the campus and discussed steps cilitate the legislation, not obstruct collided with a car in eastern motorbikes had been destroyed dents due to poor roads, badly headed by its chairman Profes- They noted that the university required for strengthening the it,” he said. A similar resolution is Pakistan yesterday, engulfi ng and the bodies of the dead were maintained vehicles and reck- sor Dr Mukhtar Ahmed, yester- was currently located near a vil- arrangements and HEC support pending in the Punjab Assembly surrounding vehicles, offi cials badly charred. less driving. day. lage. It is not an ideal place for an in this regard. while not much has been done in said. “The loss of life was mainly More than 4,600 people The BKU was set up in 2012 in educational institution. Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr this regard by Sindh Assembly. The accident, which also in- caused by the tanker fi re,” he were killed in road traffi c acci- a building belonging to the agri- The Higher Education Com- Fazalur Rahim Marwat briefed jured at least 17, happened on a added. dents in 2013, the last year the culture department. mission chairman said that the the HEC delegation on the attack MARKET busy highway in the district of Local rescue offi cial Moham- government released offi cial Later 800 kanals of land near university management had and measures taken to strength- Sheikhupura in Pakistan’s most ed Azam confi rmed the inci- data. the M1 motorway in Charsadda been asked to prepare a master en security. Pakistan stocks extend losses over profit-taking

Islamic conference The Pakistan Stock Exchange Afghan policeman (PSX) extended losses yesterday as investors continued booking profits in the wake of below-expec- tation corporate financial results. killed in fi refi ght The Pakistan Stock Exchange’s (PSX) benchmark KSE 100-Index fell by 0.92% or 299.61 points to 32,144.59 points yesterday when with Nato troops compared with 32,444.20 points recorded on Tuesday, Xinhua reported. AFP Nato forces were injured dur- The KSE All Share Index slumped Kabul ing the incident. by 1.1% or 248.97 points to The assailant later died after 22,359.54 points, the KSE 30-Index n Afghan police offi cer succumbing to injuries at a lo- plunged by 1% or 189.66 points to was killed during a clash cal hospital. 18,774.18 points, the KMI 30-Index Awith Nato forces in the “The interior ministry has slid by 0.79% or 434.99 points to capital Kabul, the country’s ordered Kabul police to inves- 54,620 points, while the Islamic interior ministry said yester- tigate the incident,” the minis- All Share Index plummeted by day. try’s statement added. 0.8% or 122.22 points to 15,191.37 The incident erupted on So-called “green-on-blue” points. During yesterday’s trading Tuesday when the police of- attacks, when Afghan soldiers session, the main index moved fi cer opened fi re on a Nato or police turn their guns on in a narrow band of 357.92 points delegation at the entrance international troops or col- as it touched an intra-day high of Afghanistan’s Ministry of leagues, have been a major of 32,464.31 points as against an Commerce and Industries, the problem during Nato’s long intra-day low of 32,106.39 points. ministry said in statement. years fi ghting alongside local Market volumes swelled by 13.72 The shooter was wounded forces. percent or 20.362mn shares to when Nato soldiers returned The attacks have bred fi erce Grand Mufti of Jerusalem Mohamed Ahmed Hussain addresses the Paigham-e-Islam conference in Islamabad yesterday. Over 5,000 168.801mn shares yesterday when fi re, according to Nato spokes- mistrust between Afghan and Ulema, Mashaikh and scholars attended the Paigham-e-Islam conference, voicing concern over the rise of terrorism. compared with 148.438mn shares man Michael Lawhorn. No foreign troops. posted on Tuesday. Pakistan, Afghanistan civil society groups stress peace

Internews both countries as part of ‘Be- mutual perceptions. The members noted that the possible escalation of violence, Parliamentary panel to craft policy on Afghan ties Islamabad yond Boundaries,’ a major Af- They observed that the funda- mutual misperceptions could the anticipated spring off ensive, Pak Track-1.5 and -II initiative mental human rights of Afghans disrupt the Quadrilateral dia- the politicisation of the refu- in partnership with its Afghan living as refugee in Pakistan logue and bilateral relations and gees issue and sensationalised A parliamentary panel Headed by the ruling Pakistan articipants of Pakistani counterpart DURAN Research should not be ignored while also thus needed urgent attentions reporting. shall formulate policy Muslim League-Nawaz’s and Afghan civil society and Analysis and the Foundation facilitating their voluntary repa- from those at helm of Pakistan The working group members recommendations for the MNA Awaid Ahmed Leghari, Pworking groups in a re- for Integrated Development Ac- triation to their homeland. and Afghanistan. unanimously endorsed taking government on how Pakistan the panel includes former gional workshop have said that tion. They said that cultural and These potentially disruptive indiscriminate action on both should pursue relations with Pakistan ambassador to the peace process should con- The members of the working educational ties between Af- factors mainly include Afghan sides against unconstitutional Afghanistan, particularly the Kabul Ayaz Wazir, security tinue with added transparency group stressed that increased ghanistan and Pakistan should perception of Pakistan support non-state actors. reconciliation process. expert Brig (retd) Assad Munir and in line with globally-accept- bilateral trade and expedi- be promoted by building on ex- to Afghan Taliban. They emphasised on the As a part of formulating and journalist Rahimullah ed fundamental values. tious completion of Pakistani isting historical linkages. Conversely, Pakistan’s per- need to promote cultural ties by recommendations, the National Yousafzai. Giving his Held on February 8 and 9 in infrastructural projects in Af- They hoped that if the proc- ception of Afghanistan’s lack building on existing historical Assembly Standing Committee perspective, ex-ambassador Bhurban, the workshop was or- ghanistan would be conducive ess continued, the Taliban would of action against elements in- linkages organising seminars, on Foreign Aff airs invited a Wazir said Pakistan’s policy on ganised by Centre for Research to improving Af-Pak economic also attend the session as in- volved in subversive activities in cultural and literary events, con- panel of experts on Wednesday Afghanistan should be based in Security Studies as the fi fth relations. terlocutors, and that women’s Pakistan, interplay of ideology certs, exchange of visits of writ- for a detailed briefing on on current ground realities. major round in the series of On the role of media, the perspective would be taken into and money in sponsoring ter- ers, students, opinion makers, Pakistan-Afghanistan relations “We must accept Afghanistan meetings between civil society workshop recognised its eff ec- consideration in the forthcom- rorism, the evolution of radi- developing fi lms and documen- and to find a way forward. as a sovereign country,” he said. and regional security experts of tive signifi cance in improving ing Quadrilateral discussions. cal organisations in the region, taries. Gulf Times 26 Thursday, February 11, 2016 PHILIPPINES

Govt prepared to Roxas’ poor ratings assist OFWs facing job losses

Manila Times therefore staying illegally as of Manila 2015. worry Liberal Party The 7,000 OFWs are part of the more than 45,000 Filipinos By Jeff erson Antiporda Binay got 23% while Roxas got confi dence that Roxas will re- he Philippine govern- working in South Korea under & Joel M Sy Egco 20%. cover in surveys, scoring opposi- ment is fully prepared in the EPS. The EPS with South ManilaTimes But Drilon said he believes tion candidates for taunting the Thelping the more than Korea started in 2004, when that Roxas’ ratings will rise once LP standard-bearer because of 1mn overseas Filipino work- Baldoz was the chief of the Phil- the LP machinery kicks in. his poor survey ratings. ers (OFWs) who would be dis- ippine Overseas Employment enate President Franklin “We have the biggest politi- In his speech before local placed in the Middle East and Administration (POEA). Drilon yesterday said the cal machinery in the country. We leaders in Iloilo City on Tuesday South Korea. Rubio said the feasible plan Sconsistently poor showing have the most credible ‘general night, Aquino took potshots at This was assured by Gerry was based on Baldoz’s order of Manuel “Mar” Roxas, presi- campaign manager’ and that is Binay, saying he regretted that Rubio, head of the Department that will ensure that the job- dential candidate of the Liberal President Benigno Aquino,” he Roxas did not make it as vice of Labour and Employment less OFWs would be employed Party (LP), is a concern, but he told a weekly news forum. president in 2010. Media and External Relations once they decided to return expressed confi dence that the The Senate chief said they “We need leaders who share Centre, saying the DOLE has to the Philippines for various ratings of the former interior expect Roxas’ numbers to go up our same mindset, who loves Fil- a “feasible plan” to ensure reasons. When checked, the secretary will improve with the in the next three months as the ipinos, and will put the country that the OFWs who would be plan entitled Assist Well Pro- help of the ruling party’s ma- ruling party will be maximising before self. They are none other retrenched abroad could get gramme (Assist Welfare, Em- chinery. its political machinery with the than the tandem of Mar Roxas jobs upon their return to the ployment, Livelihood and Legal “Of course it is a concern. No help of local offi cials. and Leni Robredo,” he said. country. Programme) was a general plan question about that,” Drilon, the “We have many governors, “Mar and Leni are candi- The feasible plan is intended of the DOLE for the OFWs who vice chairman of the LP, said. congressmen, mayors who are dates who don’t do deeds to earn for the 10,000 OFWs from the will become jobless in cases of In all the past surveys, Roxas (running) unopposed and there- brownie points with the public, Middle East who reportedly “emergency situations” such consistently trailed his rivals fore, we will have them cam- Manuel Roxas: low ratings concern who have no drama, who have no have been retrenched as a result as civil wars, epidemics and re- in the presidential race. In De- paign for our national candi- gimmick but just all work. With of a huge reduction in the price lated incidents. cember last year, Vice President dates,” Drilon noted. Roxas was reported to be the are not ordinary cases. They will them, we don’t need to hear of oil, the OFWs in the Saudi It contains guidelines on get- Jejomar Binay topped the Pulse He said members of the Cabi- top overall ad spender last year, have a vast impact on our fu- promises because Mar and Leni Arabia who are expected to be ting jobs, livelihood support, Asia survey with 33%, dislodg- net will also campaign for Roxas shelling out P774mn from Janu- ture,” the Senate chief said. have been serving the public es- jobless for the same reason and legal assistance, airport as- ing Senator Grace Poe who got since there is no law prohibiting ary to December 2015. Binay was He maintained that it is within pecially the needy for a long time the 7,000 OFWs in South Korea sistance, stress debriefi ng and 21%. them from doing so. said to have spent P695mn while the High Court’s power to hold now,” the president added. who had been asked by DOLE to other concerns. Rubio said the Results of a survey released Some Cabinet members were Poe paid P694mn for her cam- marathon hearings on cases of Also yesterday, he called on come home instead of illegally feasible plan is a concrete proof by the Social Weather Stations present in the kickoff rally of paign ads. great importance. mayors to support candidates of staying in that country. that the DOLE is not remiss in (SWS) on January 15 also showed the LP in Roxas City, Capiz, on Drilon expressed confi dence “Having oral arguments once the Liberal Party so that the re- DOLE Secretary Rosalinda its job of protecting the labour Binay leading other presidential Tuesday, including Budget Sec- that Roxas will win the presi- a week, that is not giving it the forms that his administration Baldoz is hoping that Seoulwould sector. bets with 31%. Poe placed sec- retary Florencio Abad. dential derby.He also expressed urgency it deserves. I’m not dic- started will continue. hire more than 450 OFWs start- He, however, was not sure if ond with 24%. Roxas got 21%, “Under the law, Cabinet dismay over supposedly slow tating on the court, but it is very “If you think that we were on ing April based on the next batch the jobs would be regular and while Davao City Mayor Rodrigo members are not prohibited resolution of disqualifi cation frustrating because we know the right path for the past six under the Employment Permit pay “good” monthly salary. Duterte had 20%. from campaigning. They can cases fi led against Poe. for certain that the court could years, why change it?” Aquino System (EPS) of South Korea. The DOLE had created more Poe regained the lead in the campaign,” Drilon said, adding “I am not happy with the pace hasten the process by conduct- said in a speech at the League The more than 450 work- than 300,000 jobs in the previ- latest survey released by Pulse that what is prohibited is the use of trial in the Supreme Court. ing marathon hearings but it has of Municipalities of the Philip- ers would be the replacement ous years but Rubio admitted to Asia last week, getting the sup- of government funds for politi- It appears that the High Court chosen not to do so,” Drilon said. pines’ general assembly held at of 7,000 OFWs who have been Manila Times that they were all port of 30% of the people polled. cal purposes. lacks a sense of urgency. These The president also expressed Marriott Hotel. overstaying in South Korea and contractual with low salary. Binay in pledge to Religious gathering ease tax burden

By Reina Tolentino Binay said he will reduce income tax and pro- Manila Times vide free medicine to the poor and school sup- plies to students. “That will be part of the poverty alleviation ice President Jejomar Binay took his cam- programme. Imagine, salaried employees pay paign to Laguna province yesterday and double. There is direct taxation and indirect taxa- Vagain vowed to ease the burden of workers tion,” he told reporters. “So, I am again appealing who he said are being taxed heavily. to Congress to exempt those earning P30,000 and Binay’s fi rst stop was Barangay Landayan in below from paying income tax. The government San Pedro. He visited the Shrine of Jesus in the can do it. There are compensating measures for Holy Sepulchre (Santo Sepulcro Parish) and had it,” the vice president said. his forehead smeared with ashes. He added that the lost revenues from income Sen. Gregorio Honasan, the vice presidential tax can be compensated if the government curbs candidate of Binay’s United Nationalist Alliance smuggling. (UNA) and ER Ejercito, who is again running as Binay next visited Malaban in Binan where governor of Laguna, accompanied Binay. They he gave a brief speech at a covered court before too, joined the Ash Wednesday rites. heading to Santa Rosa. UNA’s senatorial bets took part in the San Men, women and children, young and old, Pedro motorcade. waited under a searing sun for the vice president’s caravan to pass. The UNA caravan also visited Santa Rosa as well as Barangay Marinig in Cabuyao. Its fi nal stop was historic Calamba. Binay will also be campaigning in Cavite and Batangas. In the sorties, UNA gave out t-shirts and candies after speeches were delivered. When asked about his health regimen, Binay told reporters: “I don’t know. I grew up in pov- erty. The others, they only thought of exercising when they grew old. I am used to working.” Binay said he had just completed his annual medical examination and the results were “really good.” “The doctor even said that I can go back to playing badminton again. But I don’t want to. I sustained so many injuries when I was playing badminton. I got hit in the eye and my knees were Filipinos have their foreheads applied with ash during the observance of Ash Wednesday at a church ground in Manila yesterday. The 40-day always swollen. But I’m really in good health,” he period of Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, with Catholics around the world observing the season which culminates in Easter Sunday. Jejomar Binay: assuring tax relief added. Husband to stay away Rebel commander arrested, son killed from palace : Poe By Julmunir I Jannaral the Army’s Special Forces, house in the outskirts of Cota- of the Criminal Investigation vided them vital information & Al Jacinto swooped down on Indal’s bato City since intense mili- and Detection Group in the that led to Indal’s arrest. Manila Times humble and is Manila Times/Cotabato City hideout in Barangay Kalangan tary operations were launched Autonomous Region in Mus- “This is an accomplishment Manila a good father Mother in Cotabato where in- Friday against the rebel group lim Mindanao (CIDG-ARMM), not only of the security forces to their chil- telligence agents tracked him in the town of Datu Salibo, said it took the government but of the entire community dren. he Army’s sixth Infan- down. Maguindanao. forces eight minutes to ex- because Indal was one of the f Senator Grace Poe will be She admit- try Division (6ID) based BIFF spokesman Abu Misri ecute Indal’s arrest. BIFF leaders who continually elected president, her hus- ted that they Tin Camp Siongco in this “This is an accomplishment Mama said the ranking rebel He said that while the law- sowed terror among civilians Iband, Neil Llamanzares, will have discussed province announced the arrest not only of the security leader, who has been suffering men were serving the ar- by planting improvised bombs not play any role in government the possibil- of a high-ranking leader of the forces but of the entire from diabetes, was in the city rest warrant, Ali grabbed an in public places,” he said. functions or events. ity of her hus- outlawed Bangsamoro Islamic community because to seek medical attention. M-16 armalite rifle and tried The continuing military He will not even reside in Ma- band becom- Freedom Fighters (BIFF) during Indal was one of the “That is why he was in to shoot the arresting offic- operations since last week lacanang. Grace Poe ing the First a raid that also killed the rebel’s BIFF leaders who Cotabato City, not hiding…but ers but law enforcers quickly ensued after the MILF separa- Poe, who continued campaign Gentleman son on Tuesday night. continually sowed for medication,” Mama added. responded and shot him dead. tists harassed personnel of an in Toledo City in Cebu yester- and they both agreed that he BIFF Vice Chairman for In- terror among civilians Colonel Ranie Sevilla, com- The raiding team seized an ongoing flood control project day, said her husband will stay in will take care of their chil- ternal Affairs and Fourth Di- by planting improvised mander of the 5th Army Spe- M-16 armalite rifle, cal. 45 in Datu Salibo, where they their home in Quezon City and dren — Hanna,17 and Anika,11. vision Commander Hassan bombs in public places” cial Forces, said Indal’s arrest pistol and fragmentation gre- burned heavy equipment and take care of their children. Their eldest is Brian, 23. Indal, alias Abu Hassan and was made on the basis of a nade. attacked government forces, “First of all, First Gentleman Poe said her husband has no Tambako, is now undergo- “Indal has been involved warrant of arrest issued by the Santos also explained that defusing a bomb planted un- has no offi cial position. But my intention of staying in the presi- ing interrogation after Tues- in different criminalities and local court for various heinous the CIDG had to bring Ali’s der a bridge in the area. husband, even before I entered dential palace since he prefers day’s arrest, 6ID spokesperson atrocities in central Mindan- crimes. remains, to a local funeral par- The skirmishes resulted in politics, has helped raised our to live in their house. “That’s Army Captain Jo-ann Petin- ao since 2010,” Petinglay told “His son resisted arrest and lour here for fingerprinting the death of nine jihadists, in- family as a private individual,” okay with me. But there should glay said. Indal’s son – Ali – Manila Times. traded shots with the law- and data processing. cluding its sub-leader, whom she told reporters. be CCTV there for me to be able died in a gunfight with the law Citing intelligence reports, men,” Sevilla said. Maj. Gen. Edmundo Pan- the military identified only as The senator added that her to monitor him if he is really at enforcers. Petinglay said Indal and his Chief Inspector William gilinan, 6th ID commanding Abu Supian, in Tuesday’s mil- husband has been kind and home,” she said in jest. Policemen, backed by son had been hiding in a safe Santos, officer in charge (OIC) general, said informants pro- itary pursuit operation. Gulf Times Thursday, February 11, 2016 27 SRI LANKA/BANGLADESH/NEPAL Lanka to Stage set for Nepalese review deal PM Oli’s visit to India with Airbus AFP IANS relations coming back on track. prime minister and Nepali Con- Colombo Kathmandu The Madhesi protesters, too, gress president Sushil Koirala on February 8 called off their and her meeting with PM Oli almost six-month-old anti- contributed greatly to the thaw, ri Lanka will review ifting of the almost six- constitution agitation that had offi cials said. a controversial deal month-old blockade of resulted in blockading of cross- According to Gopal Khanal, Sreached by the previ- Lthe Nepal-India border by border transit points and sub- foreign relations adviser to PM ous administration to buy new Madhesi protesters and high- sequent scarcity of essentials Oli, the two sides discussed the Airbus aircraft despite huge level bilateral visits have paved in the land-locked Himalayan upcoming India visit of PM Oli losses at the national car- the way for a much-awaited visit nation. later this month. “We are ea- rier, the prime minister said to India by Nepal Prime Minister And with Oli’s major objec- ger to welcome you in India and yesterday. K P Sharma Oli later this month, tion to an India visit taken care preparation of your India visit is Ranil Wickremesinghe said offi cials say. of, decks were fi nally cleared for underway,” Sushma reportedly SriLankan Airlines could not Oli had raised a question- Nepal and India to get down to told Oli during the meeting. economically operate long- mark over his visit to New Delhi resumption of bilateral meetings Though the two sides are yet to range A350-900 aircraft or- Ranil Wickremesinghe: - his fi rst foreign trip after as- that had been put on the back- announce the dates of Oli’s visit, dered by the previous govern- “SriLankan Airlines needs suming offi ce on October 11 last burner for the past almost six offi cials here said that mending ment, but needed short-haul short-haul planes for its year - when he told senior edi- months. of fences at the political level, planes for its profi table Asian profitable Asian routes.” tors on January 26 that it will not Earlier, under pressure fol- clearing the misunderstand- routes. be appropriate for him to visit lowing more than fi ve months ings between the leaderships of Responding to a question cision if we are going ahead India as long as a blockade of the of unrelenting agitation in the K P Sharma Oli ... decks finally cleared Nepal and India and modality from the opposition, Wick- with the purchase or not.” border continued. country’s southern region by of future bilateral co-operation remesinghe told parliament He said the police Financial Events transpiring earlier this Madhesi protesters, the govern- linguistic attachment and prox- on economic co-operation and were among key points on Oli’s the airline was losing money Crimes Investigation Depart- month, however, indicated that ment allies and the main opposi- imity with India - were the fi rst mending of ruffl ed ties. agenda for the upcoming visit. on every fl ight to Europe and ment was already probing the the fences were being mended tion Nepali Congress on January step in the thawing of Nepal- Nepal’s Finance Minister Pou- Also fi guring prominently adding new planes would only entire aircraft purchase agreed and the freeze in bilateral rela- 23 approved two amendments to India relations. del, who concluded his India during bilateral discussions worsen accumulated losses by the administration of then- tions fi nally thawing. the barely four-month-old con- And the opening of the key visit on Tuesday told reporters would be defi ning projects under now standing at over $650mn. president Mahinda Rajapakse, A visit to New Delhi by Ne- stitution relating to proportion- Nepal-India border point at in Kathmandu that Nepal-India the $1bn line of credit announced “They (the previous gov- which was toppled in January pal Finance Minister Bishnu ate representation and alloca- Raxaul-Birgunj - which sees over relations have reached in a new by India, fi nalising the modality ernment) had agreed to buy 2015 elections. Poudel on February 7-8 and tion of seats in parliament on the 70% of total bilateral trade - fur- height and misunderstanding and projects under another $1bn four A350-900 planes and The initial transaction, in- the customary conferment of basis of population. ther paved the way for Oli’s India between the two countries has credit line announced by India for lease another four,” he said. cluding six A330 planes, was the rank of honorary general The constitutional amend- visit. subsequently diminished. Nepal’s reconstruction following “We have not paid a deposit, estimated at $2.3bn. An airline of the Indian army upon Ne- ments aimed at addressing the The visit by Finance Minister A daylong visit to Kathmandu last year’s devastating earth- but if we default we have to offi cial said all A330 planes pal army’s chief General Ra- grievances of the agitating Mad- Poudel, a close aide of Oli, signi- by India’s External Aff airs Min- quake and implementation of pay a penalty of $12mn.” had been delivered while the jendra Chhetri earlier in the hesis - who also share sentimen- fi es that the Nepal PM’s upcom- ister Sushma Swaraj on Febru- past accords and understanding, “We are stuck. We have to A350 aircraft were due to be month were signs of bilateral tal, cultural, geographical and ing visit to India will be focused ary 9 to off er homage to former the offi cials said. review the deal and take a de- delivered from this year. Thousands attend Koirala’s cremation

Reuters ethnic minority groups under honest leader at a time when Kathmandu the constitution less likely as many politicians are selfi sh and he favoured a more conciliatory corrupt,” said mourner Ramesh approach on the issues. Dahal on the banks of the housands of mourners at- It may also end the Koirala dy- Bagmati River. tended the state funeral of nasty that controlled the Nepali Koirala, head of the centrist Tformer Nepal prime min- Congress party for most of the Nepali Congress party, the big- ister Sushil Koirala yesterday past six decades and produced gest opposition group in par- who was cremated with Hindu four prime ministers. liament, spent years in India rites by the side of a sacred river Nepal, home to 28mn peo- and had close ties with Indian in the capital, Kathmandu. ple, has been in turmoil since leaders. Indian Foreign Minis- Koirala, 78, was a major con- the new constitution was ter Sushma Swaraj fl ew in and tributor in the drafting Nepal’s adopted in September as some paid homage to the leader on fi rst democratic constitution ethnic groups launched of- Tuesday. that, its authors hoped, would ten deadly protests against Thousands of people, many take the Himalayan country the charter saying it failed carrying fl owers, marched in closer to stability and peace to give them a greater role in a funeral procession around after years of confl ict and the government. the capital with Koirala’s abolition of a 239-year-old The leader, who quit as prime body mounted on a truck fes- monarchy. minister in October, died of a tooned with marigold garlands. His death could make the respiratory illness yesterday. Many carried placards with his granting of greater rights to “We have lost a simple and pictures. Nepali Congress workers hold photos and party flags during a rally for Sushil Koirala in Kathmandu yesterday.

End corporal punishment, demands daily Bangladesh ‘Gold Dhaka tough against A leading Bangladeshi daily yesterday called for an end to corporal punishment after a schoolgirl was caned so badly that she fainted, IANS reports Girl’ sells medals for border crimes: offi cial from Dhaka. An editorial “Caned for not wearing a uniform!” in the Daily IANS cials of the Assistant High Com- relations were currently the Star said that the caning of a Agartala, India mission of Bangladesh in Agar- “best ever” compared to the schoolgirl in a government school father’s treatment tala, and reviewed the process past. in Pabna “leaves us disgusted and of machine-readable passports The home secretary said there horrified”. angladesh strongly follows and visas there. was no existence of the Islamic Rojoni was beaten until she By Mizan Rahman her graduation and post- a ‘zero tolerance’ policy He said that before reaching State terror group in Bangladesh. fainted because she was not Dhaka graduation in communication Bagainst the drug menace, Dhaka, he would visit some bor- “There are some fundamen- wearing her school uniform and journalism from Univer- human traffi cking and other der outposts of the Border Guard talist and misguided forces in which her labourer father could sity of Chittagong, works as a border crimes, the country’s Bangladesh and other infra- our country. However, our secu- not aff ord to buy. ahfuza Aktar Shila, part-timer with the Bangla- home secretary Mohammad structure along the borders. rity forces are effi ciently dealing “How can such barbarism be ‘Gold Girl of Bangla- desh navy. She has won a total Mozammel Haque Khan said with them.” allowed in a place where young Mdesh’, who won four of 52 medals in her swimming yesterday. We (India and Khan, who earlier served in minds are supposed to be gold medals in swimming, career, including four gold “Our government policy is Bangladesh) the Bangladesh president and nurtured and taught? How can a including two in South Asian medals in the international ‘zero tolerance’ towards drug are regularly prime minister’s offi ces, said teacher resort to such violence, Games 2016 in India, has been events. menaces, human traffi ck- sharing inputs and that as offi cials in diplomatic especially when the High Court forced to sell two medals to Shila along with her par- ing and other border crimes. information of any missions were overburdened in and government have expressly bear her father’s treatment ents and three siblings lives There is some unauthorised happenings, possible issuing passports and visas, the prohibited corporal punishment cost. in a tin-shed house, with no trespassing along the India- threats and act on Bangladesh government was in all schools?” Shila, who comes from a Mahfuza Aktar Shila electricity connection. Bangladesh border, but this those taking help from outsourcing such work. The daily said that obviously poor family living in Abhay- Afroza Begum, Shila’s elder is being jointly dealt with by each other” “I was told that every day teachers and school authorities nagar sub-district of south- it properly,” Gazi lamented. sister, said, “Shila had won the border guarding forces of on an average, over 100 vi- have “no regard for the western Jessore district, “Shila sold two gold med- the fi rst prize in her fi rst dis- the two countries,” Khan told To a question, he said border- sas are being issued from the government’s directives and bagged two gold medals in the als for treatment of my heart trict level swimming compe- reporters. related incidents have come Assistant High Commission blatantly violate the basic right ongoing SA Games 2016 in disease as I failed to make ar- tition when she was a third “When any kind of security down sharply last year compared of Bangladesh in Agartala to of a child to be protected from 100m and 50m breast stroke rangement for lack of mon- grade student.” and border-related issues arise, to previous year. Bangladesh-bound Indians. physical harm”. by setting up a South Asian ey,” he said with tears rolling Abdul Mannan, a well- a home secretary level meeting Five Indian states - West Ben- We want to give more visas to It added that besides violating Games new record in 50m down his eyes. known swimming trainer of tries to resolve these with mu- gal (2,216km), Tripura (856km), Indians keen to go to Bangla- international conventions and the breast stroke. Karimon Nesa, mother of the district, trained her and tual co-operation. We (India and Meghalaya (443km), Mizoram desh. If more and more peo- law of the land, this teacher has Shila’s father Ali Aham- the gold girl said, “We bear prepared her for the national Bangladesh) are regularly shar- (318km) and Assam (263km) - ple from both sides visit India disgraced his profession. mad Gazi, suff ering from expenses for Shila’s study level, she added. ing inputs and information of share a 4,096km border with and Bangladesh, the relations “...In this case the teacher has heart disease, has become and sports by selling milk and Later, Shila started her any happenings, possible threats Bangladesh. would become closer.” displayed a despicable, sadistic frail due to prolonged illness, taking loan from NGOs and swimming career at Bangla- and act on those taking help “My government has already Bangladesh’s High Commis- streak that is not uncommon in and is desperately struggling locals.” desh Krira Shikkha Protishtan from each other.” announced that Bangladeshi sioner to India Syed Muazzem many of our schools, especially to make ends meet by sell- “My daughter brought (BKSP). Khan, who was accompanied soil will not be allowed to be Ali recently visited the state where children come from poor ing dairy milk and cultivating the country honour by win- During her BKSP days, by diplomats from the Bangla- used by any inimical forces and met various people, besides backgrounds.” land as share cropper. ning medals abroad but no people chipped in for Shila’s desh High Commission in New against India. India is also fol- Chief Minister Manik Sarkar. The editorial wondered why “I started a dairy farm by one tries to understand our study, said Afroza. Delhi, arrived in the capital city lowing same strategy. We are Ali said the Assistant High students of government schools taking loan from an NGO and misery; how we are running “Now, I am hoping that the of India’s Tripura state yesterday helping each other to serve Commission in Agartala who cannot aff ord uniforms are am cultivating others’ land our family or how we support government will come for- morning and left for Dhaka in mutual interest,” the visiting would be elevated to a dep- not provided with such items that to bear expenses of my fam- Shila,” added Karimon Nesa. ward to help this gold girl’s the afternoon. offi cial said. uty high commission in the are part of school regulations. ily but I have failed to run Shila, who has completed family,” said Shila’s mother. He held meetings with offi - He said the India-Bangladesh near future. Gulf Times 28 Thursday, February 11, 2016 COMMENT

Chairman: Abdullah bin Khalifa al-Attiyah Editor-in-Chief : Darwish S Ahmed Production Editor: C P Ravindran What’s holding back

P.O.Box 2888 Doha, Qatar [email protected] the world economy? Telephone 44350478 (news), 44466404 (sport), 44466636 (home delivery) Increasing social The Financial Services Regulatory investment growth remained lower had a hard time managing the sudden Fax 44350474 Relief Act of 2006, which authorised during the post-2008 period than surge of capital fl ows. Very little of transfers during the the Federal Reserve to pay interest in the years prior to the crisis; fi ve it went to fi xed investment. In fact, post-crisis period would on required and excess reserves, thus experienced a decline in investment investment growth in developing undermined the key objective of QE. during 2010-2015. countries slowed signifi cantly during have boosted aggregate Indeed, with the US fi nancial Globally, debt securities issued by the post crisis period. This year, demand and smoothed out sector on the brink of collapse, the non-fi nancial corporations – which developing countries, taken together, Emergency Economic Stabilisation are supposed to undertake fi xed are expected to record their fi rst net GULF TIMES consumption patterns Act of 2008 moved up the eff ective investments – increased signifi cantly capital outfl ow – totalling $615bn – date for off ering interest on reserves during the same period. Consistent since 2006. By Joseph E Stiglitz and Hamid by three years, to October 1, 2008. with other evidence, this implies that Neither monetary policy nor Rashid many non-fi nancial corporations the fi nancial sector is doing what New York borrowed, taking advantage of the it’s supposed to do. It appears Neither monetary low interest rates. But, rather than that the fl ood of liquidity has The tragic policy nor the investing, they used the borrowed disproportionately gone toward even years after the global money to buy back their own equities creating fi nancial wealth and fi nancial crisis erupted in fi nancial sector or purchase other fi nancial assets. QE infl ating asset bubbles, rather than 2008, the world economy thus stimulated sharp increases in strengthening the real economy. fall of West Scontinued to stumble in 2015. is doing what it’s leverage, market capitalisation, and Despite sharp declines in equity prices According to the UN report World fi nancial-sector profi tability. worldwide, market capitalisation as a Economic Situation and Prospects supposed to do But, again, none of this was of much share of world GDP remains high. The 2016, the average growth rate in help to the real economy. Clearly, risk of another fi nancial crisis cannot developed economies has declined As a result, excess reserves held keeping interest rates at the near be ignored. Indies cricket by more than 54% since the crisis. at the Fed soared, from an average zero level does not necessarily lead to There are other policies that An estimated 44mn people are of $200bn during 2000-2008 to higher levels of credit or investment. hold out the promise of restoring unemployed in developed countries, $1.6tn during 2009-2015. Financial When banks are given the freedom sustainable and inclusive growth. It’s mindboggling how West Indies cricket has fallen about 12mn more than in 2007, while institutions chose to keep their money to choose, they choose riskless These begin with rewriting the rules from its pedestal. Three decades ago the players from infl ation has reached its lowest level with the Fed instead of lending to the profi t or even fi nancial speculation of the market economy to ensure since the crisis. real economy, earning nearly $30bn – over lending that would support the greater equality, more long-term the Caribbean at once evoked awe, fear and respect More worryingly, advanced completely risk-free – during the last broader objective of economic growth. thinking, and reining in the fi nancial that made their rivals turn green with envy. Fast countries’ growth rates have also fi ve years. By contrast, when the World Bank market with eff ective regulation and forward to today and the contrast is plainly evident. become more volatile. This is This amounts to a generous – and or the International Monetary Fund appropriate incentive structures. Once the world-beaters, they are now the butt surprising, because, as developed largely hidden – subsidy from the (IMF) lends cheap money to developing But large increases in public economies with fully open capital Fed to the fi nancial sector. And, as a countries, it imposes conditions on investment in infrastructure, of much ridicule and scorn. Their successes on the accounts, they should have benefi ted consequence of the Fed’s interest- what they can do with it. To have the education and technology will also cricket fi eld have been few and far between in all from the free fl ow of capital and rate hike last month, the subsidy will desired eff ect, QE should have been be needed. These will have to be formats of the game and they hardly have a player international risk sharing – and thus increase by $13bn this year. accompanied not only by offi cial eff orts fi nanced, at least in part, by the experienced little macroeconomic Perverse incentives are only one to restore impaired lending channels imposition of environmental taxes, who would walk into a World Eleven. To make matters volatility. reason that many of the hoped-for (especially those directed at small- and including carbon taxes, and taxes worse, they always seem to be at loggerheads with Furthermore, social transfers, benefi ts of low interest rates did not medium-size enterprises), but also on the monopoly and other rents their employers, the West Indies Cricket Board including unemployment benefi ts, materialise. Given that QE managed by specifi c lending targets for banks. that have become pervasive in the (WICB). should have allowed households to to sustain near-zero interest rates for Instead of eff ectively encouraging banks market economy – and contribute stabilise their consumption. almost seven years, it should have not to lend, the Fed should have been enormously to inequality and slow With the Twenty20 World Cup in India looming, the But the dominant policies during encouraged governments in developed penalising banks for holding excess growth. – Project Syndicate players have once again made news for all the wrong the post-crisis period – fi scal countries to borrow and invest in reserves. reasons. They have rejected the WICB’s fi nancial retrenchment and quantitative easing infrastructure, education and social While ultra-low interest rates yielded zThe views expressed here do (QE) by major central banks – have sectors. few benefi ts for developed countries, not refl ect the views of the UN or its terms for the tournament and are in eff ect holding out off ered little support to stimulate Increasing social transfers during they imposed signifi cant costs on member states. for more money. The WICB, blamed by many for the household consumption, investment, the post-crisis period would have developing and emerging-market poor state of cricketing aff airs in the Caribbean, has and growth. On the contrary, they boosted aggregate demand and economies. An unintended, but not zJoseph E Stiglitz, a Nobel laureate threatened to kick out the players. have tended to make matters worse. smoothed out consumption patterns. unexpected, consequence of monetary in economics, is university professor In the US, quantitative easing Moreover, the UN report clearly easing has been sharp increases in at Columbia University and chief Cricinfo.com on Tuesday published a letter from did not boost consumption and shows that, throughout the developed cross-border capital fl ows. Total economist at the Roosevelt Institute. Darren Sammy to the WICB in which the West investment partly because most of the world, private investment did not capital infl ows to developing countries Hamid Rashid is chief of Global Indies captain said the fi nancial terms for the World additional liquidity returned to central grow as one might have expected, increased from about $20bn in 2008 to Economic Monitoring at the UN Twenty20, which starts in India on March 8, were banks’ coff ers in the form of excess given ultra-low interest rates. In 17 of over $600bn in 2010. Department of Economic and Social reserves. the 20 largest developed economies, At the time, many emerging markets Aff airs. unacceptable. “We want to With the represent the West Twenty20 Indies but the fi nancials on off er we can’t World Cup in accept,” Sammy wrote. WICB chief executive India looming, Michael Muirhead’s the players reaction was not at all sympathetic. On the have once again contrary, he went all made news for out on the attack. “The WICB is all the wrong committed to play in reasons the tournament, let me say that fi rst,” Muirhead said on a radio talkshow. “No one will leave the shores of the West Indies without signing a contract and if these players in particular choose not to sign, then I guess we’ll be left with no option but to substitute other players for them.” This is not the fi rst time things have gone out of hand over money. In September 2014, the West Indies, led by Dwayne Bravo, abruptly pulled out of the In this handout image, provided by Caltech/MIT/LIGO Lab, shows a Laser Interferometer Gravitational Wave Observatory (LIGO) optics technician inspecting one of tour of India with one ODI, one T20 and three Tests LIGO’s core optics (mirrors) by illuminating its surface with light at a glancing angle. The first-ever detection of gravitational waves, which scientists could announce remaining to be played. today, would open a new window on the universe and its most violent phenomena. The issue is not about who is right or who is wrong. The question that riles every cricket-lover is how can the stakeholders of West Indies cricket allow matters to reach such a sorry pass. Clearly there is something A new window on universe seriously wrong in the way the game is run in the islands. By Jean-Louis Santini been circulating in the scientifi c com- the rumours credible, even though he at the Cote d’Azur Observatory in West Indies are the 2012 World T20 champions and Washington munity for months that the LIGO team had not yet seen any documentation France, said the detection of these are current ranked second in the format, but with the may have indeed directly detected from LIGO. waves - if confi rmed - would allow gravitational waves for the fi rst time. The ability to observe these gravita- astronomers to probe the interior of World Cup less than a month away, the dispute could he fi rst-ever detection of These waves are produced by dis- tional waves would off er astronomer stars and perhaps resolve the mystery have a negative impact on their preparations. gravitational waves, which turbances in the fabric of space and and physicists a new look at the most of gamma rays, which are among the Even cricketers of modest abilities rake in big bucks scientists could announce time when a massive object moves, mysterious workings of the universe, most powerful explosions in the uni- these days thanks to the proliferation of T20 leagues. Ttoday, would open a new like a black hole or a neutron star. including the fusion of neutron stars verse and whose cause remains poorly window on the universe and its most and the behaviours of black holes, understood. The fl ip side of the T20 rage is that thanks to the violent phenomena. “The driving force which are often found in the centres of “Now we are no longer observing money involved in private leagues many have quit Scientists will hold a press confer- galaxies. the universe with telescopes using playing for their country. In the past such an attitude ence today to discuss the latest in their of the universe is “The driving force of the universe is ultraviolet light or visible light but we hunt for these waves, whose exist- gravity,” said Tuck Stebbins, Gravi- are listening to the noises produced by would have been considered near-blasphemous. ence Albert Einstein predicted in his gravity” tational Astrophysics Lab Chief at the eff ects of the gravitation of celes- theory of general relativity 100 years Nasa’s Goddard Space Flight Center. tial bodies on the fabric of space-time, ago, according to a statement from the Einstein theorised that they would “These waves are streaming to you which could come from stars or black National Science Foundation, which appear like ripples in a pond that form all the time and if you could see them, holes,” she told AFP. To Advertise has funded the research. when a stone is thrown in the water, or you could see back to the fi rst one tril- “And since the star or black hole Scientists from the California like a net that bows under the weight lionth of a second of the Big Bang,” he does not stop these waves, which [email protected] Institute of Technology (Caltech), the of an object placed within - with the told AFP. move at the speed of light, they come Display Massachusetts Institute of Technol- net serving as a metaphor for the “There is no other way for humanity right to us and we can therefore make Telephone 44466621 Fax 44418811 ogy (MIT) and the Laser Interferom- bending of space-time. to see the origin of the universe.” models... to distinguish and detect eter Gravitational Wave Observatory According to the rumours, the Stebbins said he believes “we stand their signatures.” Classified (LIGO) who have been working on the team may have observed the collision at a threshold of a revolutionary pe- Previously, two Princeton scien- Telephone 44466609 Fax 44418811 detection of these waves for years will of two black holes and their fusion - riod in our understanding, our view of tists won the Nobel Prize for Physics participate. leading to the detection of gravita- the universe”. in 1993 for discovering a new type of Subscription Press conferences are also simulta- tional waves. The LIGO detectors - one in Wash- pulsar that offered indirect proof of [email protected] neously scheduled at Paris’s National Science magazine cited Cliff ord ington and one in Louisiana - can the existence of gravitational waves. Centre for Science Research (CNRS) Burgess, a physicist at McMaster Uni- “measure changes of spacetime at the The LIGO team is collaborating and also in London. versity in Canada and also a member level of 1/1000 diameter of a proton”, with a French-Italian team on another 2014 Gulf Times. All rights reserved The announcement of a press of the Perimeter Institute for Theo- he added. detector, called VIRGO, that should conference revived rumours that have retical Physics, as saying he deemed Catherine Man, an astronomer become operational soon. Gulf Times Thursday, February 11, 2016 29 COMMENT The social investment revolution

There is a strong desire The game-changing development For example, one such bond is on the part of many in the is the recognition of a funding gap – a funding an eff ort to enrol and keep “collective failure” of government, girls in school in Rajasthan, India. fi nance industry to make traditional philanthropy and Depending on the programme’s investments that improve commercial investors, in the words attendance rates and success at of the BEC – that creates “a nearly imparting numeracy and language the world impassable valley of death between skills, the Children’s Investment promising concept and viable Fund Foundation will pay a return By Juerg Zeltner product”. to bondholders. Programmes like Zurich No single actor – be it a this, it is hoped, will provide a model government, a university that can be replicated and scaled up research laboratory, an NGO, elsewhere. n 1972, during Richard Nixon’s an entrepreneur, or a group of Another promising opportunity are visit to Beijing, Zhou Enlai, the investors – can solve today’s really investments in the riskiest stage of the fi rst premier of the People’s big problems alone. development process for new drugs: IRepublic of China, was asked It is a gap seen in areas as diverse as the phase between basic research for his view of the impact of the 1789 healthcare, education, and the fi ght and human clinical trials, which has French Revolution. “It is too soon to against climate change. traditionally struggled to attract say,” he is said to have replied. That is why the Chan Zuckerberg funding. Indeed, for every $1mn spent Zhou probably misunderstood Initiative was designed for maximum on this part of the process, some $8mn the question (thinking it referred to fl exibility, allowing funds to be is spent on basic research and another the May 1968 French revolt). But his channelled into non-profi ts, directed $20mn on clinical trials. answer could just as easily be applied into private investments, or used to Quarterly earnings cycles, real- to the revolution that has recently help infl uence policy debates. time pricing, and constant scrutiny shaken the world of philanthropy. The Similarly, the BEC has pledged to by shareholders have pushed implications could be far-reaching – boost the work of others by taking pharmaceutical companies toward but it will take some time before they “a fl exible approach to early stage, projects with clear, immediate payoff s are fully understood. providing seed, angel and Series A – at the expense of more speculative, Philanthropy’s Storming of the investments, with the expectation that but potentially transformational Bastille began in November, when once these investments are de-risked, research. a group of nearly 30 billionaires, traditional commercial capital will With interest rates at record lows in including Amazon’s Jeff Bezos, invest in the later stages”. much of the developed world, major Virgin’s Richard Branson and Alibaba’s Of course, not even billionaires can players in the fi nancial system have Jack Ma, announced the formation of solve the world’s problems on their an opportunity – and, I would add, the Breakthrough Energy Coalition own. Other stakeholders will need to a responsibility – to help bridge this (BEC). play a part in the revolution as well. gap. The BEC promised a “new model” Traditional philanthropies should In addition to providing a robust that would leverage public-private revisit their mandates. social impact, a patient investment partnerships to mobilise investment And governments must do strategy in this area would also off er “in truly transformative energy more to facilitate a greater fl ow of high long-term fi nancial returns. solutions for the future.” private funds into more sustainable There is a strong desire on the part The announcement was closely infrastructure assets. Policymakers of many in the fi nance industry to followed by Mark Zuckerberg and could look at tax incentives, including make investments that improve the Priscilla Chan’s commitment to credits in key areas. Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos: one of the founders of the Breakthrough Energy Coalition. world. The revolution in philanthropy give 99% of their Facebook shares There is an opportunity for the will be truly successful only when (currently valued at some $45bn) fi nance industry to participate, too, This, of course, is more easily said to be careful thinking you can have bonds, in which investors provide we realise that we do not have to be to improving the lives of newborns through so-called impact investing, than done. As Bill Gates, who has your cake and eat it.” fi nancing for development projects, billionaires to make a diff erence. - across the world. They, too, stressed which aims to achieve both social given away more money than anyone That is especially true for those in exchange for returns provided Project Syndicate the importance of “partnering with progress and fi nancial returns high in the history of the world, put it: “So who design fi nancial instruments for by donors, NGOs, or government governments, non-profi ts, and enough to attract mainstream private many things have a social return, but impact investing. Among the most agencies if, and only if, the agreed- zJuerg Zeltner is president of UBS companies”. investors. not a fi nancial return. You really have innovative are development impact upon outcomes are achieved. Wealth Management. Letters Weather report Three-day forecast

TODAY Warning quake in history, in China in 1556 killed and wards in this part of the world, High: 23 C a staggering 830,000 people. that a welder’s son from the state of Low : 13 C Strong wind and high seas by signs A massive quake in China killed Bihar has been selected by Microsoft midday 655,000 people, about 30 years ago. USA to work for them at a starting Please send us Dear Sir, A quake measuring 9 on the Richter salary of $12,250 per month. scale in any of the cities could kill at Vathsalya Singh Chauhan, a your letters FRIDAY There have been four earthquakes least a million people. student of IIT Kharagpur has High: 21 C over the past week in various parts of A FEMA (Federal Emergency achieved glory even before he By e-mail Low : 14 C the world; tremors were experienced Management Agency in the US) started his career. By dint of [email protected] Cloudy in Tokyo, Nepal, Taiwan and Durban. report, released in 2000, identifi ed hard work and showing great Fax 44350474 These are ominous signs that tectonic 15 American cities that could be enthusiasm in his studies, he Or Post plates are on a massive collision devastated in a major earthquake. proved that merit alone plays a Letters to the Editor SATURDAY course. pivotal role in one’s career and Gulf Times High: 22 C The year 2013 witnessed 21 tremors Farouk Araie future development. Low : 13 C P O Box 2888 measuring 6 on the Richter scale, 16 [email protected] His father, Chandrakanth, hailing Sunny measuring 7, and two measuring 8. A 9 from a village, feels elated and proud Doha, Qatar magnitude quake is in the cross-hairs of his son’s great achievement. The as we move towards a disaster of epic A role model for Indian students undergoing studies All letters, which are subject Fishermen’s forecast proportions. The clock is ticking on in the Gulf should understand and to editing, should have the Indian students OFFSHORE DOHA the next big earthquake. And it could appreciate the eff orts put in by name of the writer, address Wind: NW 20-30 KT be a monster. Vathsalya to reach such heights and and phone number. The Waves: 6-9 Feet Scientists predict that over the next Dear Sir, emulate him as a role model. INSHORE DOHA writer’s name and address Wind: NW-NE 12-22 KT 20 years some 25 cities will be hit by a may be withheld by request. Waves: 1-2/3 Feet major earthquake. It is heartening to read the news V Kalyanaraman Earthquakes can be incredibly item which should, in fact, act as an (e-mail address supplied) Around the region deadly and destructive. The deadliest eye opener to several Indian parents Weather Weather today Max/min tomorrow Max/min Abu Dhabi M Sunny 25/14 Cloudy 22/14 Baghdad P Cloudy 19/06 Sunny 19/07 Dubai Sunny 24/17 Sunny 23/15 Kuwait City P Cloudy 18/11 Sunny 19/11 Live issues Manama P Cloudy 23/14 Cloudy 18/14 Muscat Sunny 27/18 Sunny 24/17 Riyadh Cloudy 20/06 Sunny 19/06 Tehran M Cloudy 06/-1 Sunny 11/01 Should I be screened for depression?

By Luisa Dillner aren’t, and may lead to unnecessary London treatment of mild symptoms that could have resolved themselves. SSRIs are linked (as the task veryone over the age of force acknowledges) with increases 18 should be screened for in birth abnormalities and, more depression, says the US significantly, they are also associated EPreventive Services Task Force with an increase in suicidal – and the government-appointed behaviour, especially in under-18s, body really means everyone. Doctors as shown in research in the BMJ last should ask people if they are sad, tired week. or distracted – even if they have come A review of screening for depression in with an ingrown toenail. in the Canadian Medical Journal in The rationale for this is that only 2012 said that there are no good trials half of those in the US who are that show the benefi ts of screening depressed get treatment, yet the World when people are given the same Around the world Health Organisation (WHO) projects treatment, regardless of how they Weather Weather that by 2020, depression will be the were diagnosed. today Max/min tomorrow Max/min second leading cause of disability In the US, where there is more Athens M Sunny 19/13 P Cloudy 18/13 worldwide. collaborative and intensive care for Beirut P Cloudy 16/12 Sunny 17/12 Generally, for a condition to be depression, the results for treating Bangkok P Cloudy 33/23 M Sunny 33/24 Berlin Showers 06/01 S Showers 08/-1 screenable, it should be important, after screening may be better. But Cairo Sunny 21/10 Sunny 24/11 common, treatable and the benefi ts there is also no evidence on how often Cape Town M Sunny 27/19 M Sunny 28/19 of screening should outweigh the you would need to be screened – and Colombo P Cloudy 31/23 P Cloudy 32/23 harms. It shouldn’t have high rates of depression can often return. Dhaka Sunny 29/20 Showers 28/19 S Showers Showers 22/18 false positives (diagnosing someone The task force now also Hong Kong 21/18 Istanbul Showers 12/07 Showers 12/09 without the condition) or false recommends screening in pregnancy Jakarta T Storms 31/24 S T Storms 31/24 negatives (missing someone who does – using a diff erent test – as well as Karachi Sunny 27/13 Sunny 27/14 have it). afterwards, because post-partum London P Cloudy 09/02 Showers 08/03 The task force says screening for depression can actually start before Manila M Sunny 32/22 Sunny 32/22 Moscow M Cloudy 01/-1 S Showers 02/0 depression fulfi ls these criteria and with chronic medical conditions or interest or pleasure in doing things?” the baby is born. New Delhi Sunny 26/10 M Sunny 25/11 that cognitive behavioural therapy and a history of depression) should be aren’t the Americans right? Since post-partum is a known risk New York M Cloudy -1/-7 M Cloudy -1/-5 selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors specifi cally asked about depression? We shouldn’t all be screened period, this does seem sensible. And Paris S Showers 08/02 Showers 06/04 (SSRIs, a type of antidepressant) both Since screening can be as simple because the evidence for doing so isn’t if you ever screen yourself, bear in Sao Paulo T Storms 26/18 P Cloudy 28/17 Seoul M Cloudy 14/04 Rain 11/05 reduce symptoms. as asking two questions: “During good enough. The risks may also be mind that it is just a screening test and Singapore Cloudy 32/26 Cloudy 32/26 So if screening is so good, why the past month have you often been higher than the “none” claimed by the not a proper diagnosis – for that you Sydney M Sunny 27/20 P Cloudy 27/18 do the UK and Canada say that only bothered by feeling down, depressed US task force. Screening may identify should see your personal physician. Tokyo Clear 12 /02 Clear 14/01 people at high risk (for example, those or hopeless?” and “Do you have little people as depressed when they - Guardian News and Media Gulf Times 30 Thursday, February 11, 2016 QATAR Qatar’s UK embassy Qatar Steel staff out employees signal their to forge a commitment to fi tness new look

Denise Marray atar Steel has par- ners. Qatar Steel’s participa- Gulf Times Correspondent ticipated in sporting tion in National Sport Day London Qactivities held at the activities originates from Museum of Islamic Art Park as its belief that attaches high part of the National Sport Day importance to sports and he cold, overcast UK weather did celebrations. its positive eff ect on both not dampen the spirits of Qatar em- A large number of the the individual and the soci- Tbassy staff , diplomats and students company’s employees and ety, according to a statement. who played energetic football to mark the their children took part in Through its participation, Qatar National Sport Day at an outdoor the event. Diff erent activi- Qatar Steel aims to spread a complex in south London on Tuesday. For ties and contests were held sporting culture and aware- the ladies there was a chance to play net- on the occasion, including ness among its employees, ball. sporting and fun activities encouraging them to practice Qatar ambassador to the UK, Yousef for children as well as adults. sports and exercise on a regu- Ali al-Khater talked to Gulf Times at the Prizes were given to the win- lar basis, the statement notes. half –time break. He emphasised that it is important to exercise on a regular basis to build long-term good health. “We need to put this in the mind of everyone; this is not just one day in the year – it should be part of every day in your life to keep fi t and healthy,” he said. Al-Khater noted that today’s lifestyle is too sedentary with negative health im- plications. “Watching TV, sitting on the couch with the phone in your hand – the way of life is too passive - the human body needs energy and needs to be moved all the Qatar ambassador to the UK, Yousef Ali al-Khater, with the embassy staff , diplomats and students during the National Sport Day time.” celebrations in London. He makes a point of building time for exercise into his daily schedule. “I take Cultural attache Mohamed al-Ka’abi, was also a great opportunity for colleagues weather is freezing. But when you do sport at least an hour for walking and if I have who used to play in the Qatar National to get to know each other in a social con- you get warm!” time I will run for a couple of kilometres Youth Football Team until injuries to both text. MBA student Jassim al-Attiyah said he to keep the body healthy. I have in my his knees put paid to his playing days is a “The aim of this day is not just for sport had enjoyed taking on the embassy team. Qatar Steel employees and their families at MIA park. phone an App that tells me how many strong believer in the importance of exer- but to socialise and build the team. It’s nice “It was a great game. We were proud to kilometres I cover every day,” he ex- cise. “From my experience I would advise to meet up with people from the diff erent play with the military attache’s team plained. everyone to run or go to the gym or do any departments,” he said. which won the game against the embassy Qatar is the fi rst country in the world to activity because the real riches in life are He laughed when he noted the diff er- team,” he said. have a National Sport Day with the aim of not money but your health – to be fi t and ence between the weather in the UK and Despite his delight in being in the win- motivating the whole population to par- to be strong,” he said. Qatar. “The weather of course is beauti- ning team, he added: “In the end it is about ticipate in exercise. He added that the National Sport Day ful now in Qatar; not like here where the participating and sportsmanship.” Bedaya Qatar Airways staff have a eldfi day showcases atar’s Minister of Transport and Communi- start-ups cations HE Jassim Seif Ahmed al-Sulaiti and QQatar Airways (QA) Group chief executive Akbar al-Baker joined thousands of airline employ- edaya Centre for En- company in Doha; Oryx – a ees and their families to celebrate the National Sport trepreneurship and company specialised in manu- Day recently. BCareer Development, a facturing sport T-shirts and Participants took part in several fun-fi lled ac- joint initiative by Qatar De- caps; Bushama - a sport cloth- tivities, including football, basketball, and cricket velopment Bank and Silate- ing manufacturer; Reem Cov- tournaments, among others. The NSD was designed ch, introduced at the Nation- ers - a company specialised in to celebrate the values, traditions and benefi ts of al Sport Day (NSD) activities selling phone covers and bags sports. at Katara – The Cultural Vil- designed specifi cally for sport “I am proud that as a nation, sport is celebrated lage, ‘Dukan’, a pop-up shop events; Rashfa – an outlet fo- with a dedicated national holiday,” al-Baker said. that showcased sport and cused on herbal tea and 20 “Our government’s 2030 vision encourages the health start-ups. other types of healthy herbs participation in a variety of cultural and sporting The initiative is directed and JahezBatnek - a food and activities and as an airline, and as a commercial am- at supporting local entrepre- beverages outlet for healthy bassador for my State, we have closely aligned our- neurs and start-ups in the food and crepe. selves to this vision.” fi eld of healthcare and sport. Bedaya Centre general man- “In doing so, and by partnering with key sports Six start-up projects that par- ager Reem al-Suwaidi said sponsorships, we refl ect the values of sports as a ticipated in the Bedaya pop- ‘Dukan’ is an umbrella body to means of bringing people together, something that up shop included: Gate To help promote health and sport is at the core of our own brand message - Going Wellness - the fi rst and only services and products aligned Places Together,” he added. specialised medical tourism with the NSD. QA Group has aligned itself with sporting part- nerships around the world, sponsoring FC Barce- lona, Al Ahli Saudi Arabia FC, Qatar Stars League, Qatar Squash Federation, Pakistan Super Cricket League, and Asia and the Qatar Football Associa- tion. The airline also sponsors the recent Exxon Mobil Tennis Championships and the International Pre- mier Tennis League – Asia. “Qatar National Sport Day is a wonderful op- portunity for Qatar Airways to host a day of fun and activities for our staff and their families,” said QA’s senior vice president of corporate communications and marketing Salam al-Shawa. “Sport sponsorships are part of our global mar- keting image and NSD gives us a great opportunity Qatar’s Minister of Transport and Communications HE Jassim Seif Ahmed al-Sulaiti (centre) and Qatar Airways Group chief to celebrate with our colleagues,” she added. executive Akbar al-Baker take part in the National Sport Day celebrations. Reem al-Suwaidi QRCS uses vital signs to promote healthy living

atar Red Crescent Society QRCS’s corner at Katara saw many (QRCS) marked National Sport activities that included information QDay by providing free medical dissemination stressing the impor- services to visitors at Katara – the Cul- tance of volunteerism and charitable tural Village. work. More than 250 QRCS offi cials, staff QRCS also competed with other and volunteers, including secretary teams in a number of sports activities general Saleh bin Ali al-Mohannadi, such as football matches. encouraged the youth to exercise and Medical offi cers welcomed visi- promote healthy living. tors and distributed health awareness Al-Mohannadi said QRCS is one publications, trained them about fi rst of the Qatari institutions that serves aid and CPR, performed blood sugar/ society and meet its needs across the pressure tests for free, and covered the board, providing humanitarian aid lo- area with ambulance bicycles. cally and abroad. QRCS’ branch in Al Khor also held The QRCS offi cial commended their several health and sports activities at strong partnership with Katara as evi- diff erent locations, including Tawasul dent in many successful joint events Heritage Park, Al Khor Residential and projects. The latest is Katara’s Complex, and Petroleum Residential campaign to provide winterisation aid Complex. for displaced Syrian families on the QRCS deployed some 45 ambulanc- Syrian-Jordanian borders. es and 200 medics at diff erent loca- Competently run by volunteers, tions throughout the day. QRCS provided free medical check ups to visitors. Visitors enjoyed the games at Katara - the Cultural Village. Gulf Times Thursday, February 11, 2016 31 QATAR QIB promotes physical activities among employees

atar Islamic Bank (QIB), importance the State sets on tribution to the winners. the country’s leading Is- sport and healthy nutrition as “We hope celebrating the NSD Qlamic Bank, celebrated pillars of public health for both will encourage our staff to par- the National Sport Day (NSD) citizens and residents of Qatar. ticipate in sport, exercise and with a range of activities for its The programme included sev- healthy activities throughout employees and their families at eral activities such as running the year,” Gamal said. Al Sailiya Sports Club. races for adults and children, Keen on promoting physi- QIB Group CEO Bassel Gamal football tournament and basket- cal activities among its staff and Al Sailiya Sports Club chair- ball competition. members, QIB encourages its man Abdulla bin Saeed al-Edah Many family and children- employees to embrace exercise graced the event. The bank’s oriented activities were also held throughout the year in view of its NSD celebration echoed its throughout the day. Healthy importance in everyone’s lives commitment to an active and meals were also distributed. The and its rewarding eff ects on both healthy lifestyle, refl ecting the event concluded with prize dis- body and mind. QIB employees celebrate National Sport Day. Ezdan Group’s fun-fi lled City Center Rotana events attract good turnout

zdan Holding Group organised an array of sporting events and Doha hosts fi tness Eactivities on the occasion of the National Sport Day in Ezdan Village (11), Ezdan Mall as well as Ezdan Ho- tels on Tuesday. A large segment of the Group’s employees and its subsidiaries in ad- sessions for guests dition to Ezdan tenants, mall visitors and hotel guests took part in the cel- ity Center Rotana Doha (CCRD) side. CCRD provided opportunities ebration. hosted a number of fi tness ac- for high intensity fi tness circuits that All subsidiaries of the Group, in- Ctivities for guests that included helped burn calories. Those interested cluding Ezdan Real Estate Company, dance aerobics, stepper challenge, registered for the stepper challenge as Ezdan Malls and Ezdan Hotels par- summit climb challenge and spinning well as summit climb challenge and to ticipated. classes to celebrate Qatar’s National burn 100 calories in fi ve to seven min- Participants of all ages and nation- Sport Day (NSD) on Tuesday. utes. alities fl ocked to the fun-fi lled events To promote active lifestyles and create Another high intensity cardio fi t- packed with fi tness and educational a healthy community, CCRD’s Bodylines ness programme included ‘spinning’ activities, where sport activities Fitness & Wellness Club provided tailor- classes in the afternoon. In each of ranged between taekwondo, darts, made workout routines. these activities, participants competed table and mental games, in addition “We focused on increasing engage- against each other and the winners re- to face-painting for children. There ment and participation in NSD through ceived gifts. were also team competitions in foot- A martial arts demonstration during the National Sport Day celebrations hosted innovative fi tness programmes. We Hotel guests were also treated to ball, basketball and table tennis. by Ezdan Holding Group. believe that by planning carefully, one start the fi t lifestyle and to revel with- Fruits and fresh juices were dis- can make fi tness a healthy habit that out feeling guilty, by having a healthy tributed to the participants. There sugar and body weight. Expert nutri- create a community that embraces a lasts a lifetime,” said Lana Jwainat, lunch at the Aquarius Restaurant. The was also a booth to conduct medical tionists gave health, medical tips and healthy lifestyle, and practises sport cluster director of Marketing & Com- hotel off ered special room packages, examinations for participants, such guidance. to achieve this goal,” CEO Ali al- munications at CCRD and Oryx Ro- inclusive of healthy breakfast. as measuring blood pressure, blood “Ezdan Holding Group aims to Obaidli said. tana. To further encourage and motivate Hotel guests also had free access to people to opt for a healthier lifestyle, its gym from 6am to 11pm. Dance aero- CCRD is off ering 50% discount on bics was another activity where they personal training, and another 50% enjoyed by exercising to pulse-pound- discount on Bodylines’ gym member- ing music from 8am to 9am at the pool ship in the month of February. City Center Rotana Doha.

Minister’s call to adopt active lifestyles

The Ministry of Energy and Industry, in co-operation with Qatar General Electricity & Water Corporation (Kahramaa), organised a number of activities to mark the National Sport Day on Tuesday. On the occasion, HE the Minister of Energy and Industry Dr Mohamed bin Saleh al-Sada, urged the employees of the ministry and Kahramaa, as well as their families to adopt an active and sporty lifestyle all year round.

Ooredoo in tie-up for new sport app

oredoo and Qatar Sports For All Federation, in co-operation Owith the Ministry of Culture and Sports, launched a new mobile app as part of celebrating the National Sport Day (NSD). The app enables users to easily fi nd the directions to their nearest sports arenas for them to practice their fa- vourite sports and stay fi t 365 days a year. “Living a healthy year-round life- style is really important, which is why we’ve teamed with the Ministry of Cul- ture and Sports to develop the helpful Sport For All App,” Ooredoo’s Com- munity and Public Relations director Fatima Sultan al-Kuwari said. “This year’s NSD event was our most fi tness orientated yet, and we are proud of everyone who turned up, worked out and showed how strong they are.” Brazilian Jiu Jitsu lessons at MIA Park. Thousands of participants took part in Ooredoo’s all-day NSD celebrations the whole community get into shape The celebration also highlighted the at the Museum of Islamic Art Park. with a number of sporting and physi- commitment of Ooredoo, Qatar Sports The event focused on getting visitors cal activities such as Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, For All Federation and the Ministry of to think about their fi tness levels and a walking group, gladiator joust, circuit Culture and Sports to provide support strength this year. training, football, kayaking among oth- and raise awareness on the importance A host of classes and trainers to help ers were a feature of the celebrations. of healthy living. RULE THE ROADS WITH JAGUAR XE FINANCED VEHICLES

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