BUSINESS | Page 1 SPORT | Page 12 History beckons Lawrie, INDEX DOW JONES QE NYMEX QATAR 2, 3, 20 COMMENT 18, 19 Grace REGION 4 BUSINESS 1 – 6, 8 – 12 16,466.30 9,272.01 33.56 ARAB WORLD 5 CLASSIFIED 7, 8 Ooredoo investing more +396.66 +292.51 +0.34 INTERNATIONAL 6 – 17 SPORTS 1 – 12 +2.47% +3.26% +1.02% in Myanmar this year Latest Figures published in QATAR since 1978

SATURDAY Vol. XXXVI No. 9983 January 30, 2016 Rabia II 20, 1437 AH

GULF TIMES www. gulf-times.com 2 Riyals Qatar and Bosnia seek to strengthen relations Hundreds In brief

QATAR | Weather undergo Cold spell set to continue One of the lowest maximum and minimum temperatures recorded in Qatar this winter, 14C and 9C, respectively, are forecast today training at Abu Samra. The maximum and minimum yesterday were 16C and 10C, respectively. Strong wind and poor visibility due to blowing dust are expected across the country today. The highest temperature for today, 17C, is forecast at Mesaieed, Wakrah and in CPR Doha, followed by 16C at Al Khor and 15C at Ruwais and Dukhan. A minimum The campaign concludes today temperature of 10C is expected at HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani meeting with Bosnia and Herzegovina Presidential Council chairman Dr with indoor training at the malls Mesaieed, Wakrah, Doha and Al Khor, Dragan Covic and Presidential Council members Bakir Izetbegovic and Mladen Ivanic at the presidential palace in Sarajevo followed by 11C at Dukhan and 12C at yesterday. The meeting reviewed bilateral relations and ways to develop them on all fronts, particularly the economic one, in By Joseph Varghese Ruwais. addition to opening prospects for joint investment and expanding trade and industrial exchange between the two countries. Staff Reporter Views were also exchanged on a number of regional and international issues of mutual interest. The Emir left Sarajevo SPORT | Football yesterday evening after concluding his one-day off icial visit to Bosnia and Herzegovina. The Emir had arrived in Sarajevo after concluding a three-day off icial visit to Italy. undreds of people underwent Qatar team loses out on Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation fi nal place to Olympics H(CPR) training yesterday across Qatar failed to qualify for their first Qatar when Hamad Medical Corpora- Olympics since 1992 after losing 2-1 tion launched a two-day awareness to Iraq in Doha yesterday in a sudden campaign. death AFC Under-23 football match to The demonstration was held mainly A child undergoing CPR training. decide which team would go to Rio. at the Doha Corniche where 50 stations Iraq won in extra time after only forcing with two trainers each and mannequins “We might make this campaign an the additional 30 minutes thanks to an and mattress had been set up. There annual feature. We have plans to reach 86th minute headed equaliser from were also demonstration and training out to more people in the coming days. Mohannad Abdulraheem. Substitute sessions at the Wakrah Corniche, Katara We intend to take the campaign to stu- Aymen Hussein secured the victory with - Cultural Village, City Center Doha, dents by visiting the schools and giving another header in the 109th minute. Landmark Mall, The Gate Mall and Gulf them training on CPR. This will help in Hosts Qatar had taken the lead in the Mall. equipping the younger generation with 27th minute through Ahmed Alaa. Sport The campaign concludes today with this important skill,” he added. Page 1 indoor training at the malls. One of the trainers at Doha Corniche, Dr Khalid Abdulnoor Saifeldeen, di- Jilson who works for Qatar Petroleum WORLD | Study rector of Hamad International Training Air Ambulance, said that the present Centre, (HITC), said he was encour- norm in administering CPR is to give Breastfeeding best for aged by the turnout to witness the 120 chest compressions in a minute by a babies and economy demonstration as well as to undergo trained person. Breastfeeding more babies for longer the training at various stations of the “If a person, without proper CPR could save the global economy some campaign. training fi nds an individual suff ering $300bn in a single year, simply by “This is a great occasion to spread the from cardiac arrest, check his breathing yielding smarter and higher-earning importance of this training to save lives. and inform 999 immediately. Then start off spring, researchers said yesterday. It We expect a large number of people to administering CPR by giving compres- would also prevent more than 800,000 benefi t from this training and make use sions by holding both the hands together child deaths, and about 20,000 breast of it in case an emergency occurs,” he and pressing on the chest. An untrained cancer deaths every year. “Breastfeeding said. person may give 70-100 compressions saves lives and money in all countries, The offi cial pointed out that the rst fi per minute. However, it must be con- rich and poor alike,” said Cesar Victora 10 minutes after a cardiac arrest are the tinuous until the ambulance service or from the Federal University of Pelotas in most important to save life. other medical aid arrives.” Brazil, one of the authors of a research “In most cases, during this time, Niranjan, an employee of Kahramaa series published by The Lancet medical HH the Emir attending the Open Day activities held for the Bosnian orphans by Qatar Charity (QC) at Hotel Bristol Sarajevo. there may not be any medical help avail- who had visited one of the CPR training journal. He watched a documentary about the activities of QC in Bosnia and Herzegovina and charitable eff orts being rendered in the able as most of the cardiac cases happen stations along with his family, said he Bosnian territory. The children expressed thanks and gratitude to HH the Emir for his support and patronage. They also voiced outside the medical environment. Every found the training very useful. QATAR | Diplomacy their gratitude to the State of Qatar, its leadership, government and people, wishing the Emir good health and happiness and the minute after a cardiac arrest, there is “It might be benefi cial to save the Qatari people further progress and prosperity. Page 3 10% reduction in survival possibility lives of a number of people as the cases FM receives call from if there is no instant medical help. Ad- of cardiac arrest are on the rise every- Turkish counterpart ministering CPR, probably, is the only where. I have been in this country for HE the Foreign Minister Sheikh option to support such patients until about two years and I fi nd the healthcare Mohamed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani medical help arrives,” he said. system here extremely good.” yesterday received a telephone call from Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu. They reviewed relations Qatar condemns bomb attack between the two countries and ways to develop them in addition to a set of issues of common concern. on mosque in Saudi Arabia AMERICA | Release ‘Top secret’ e-mails QNA Foreign Ministry said “this criminal act The Saudi interior ministry said two Doha is contrary to all moral and humanitarian worshippers and two policemen were on Clinton server values and principles and the heavenly killed in the attack. The State Department said yesterday religions”, expressing confi dence “in the Ministry spokesman Mansur al-Turki that material that should have been atar expressed its strong con- ability of the Saudi security services to said a suicide bomber blew himself up marked “Top secret” has been found demnation and denunciation monitor and foil such criminal acts and outside the mosque when police stopped in seven e-mail chains from former Qof the bombing that targeted Al bring the criminals to justice”. him from entering the premises. secretary of state Hillary Clinton’s private Rida mosque in Al-Mahasen district The statement stressed Qatar’s Another would-be suicide bomber server. Spokesman John Kirby said of Al Ahsa governorate in Saudi Arabia backing for Saudi Arabia and full sup- was arrested after he was injured in a the e-mails, which he described as “22 yesterday. port for all actions taken to promote se- shootout with security forces outside documents covering 37 pages”, would Four people were killed and 18 curity and stability. the mosque. therefore not be released publicly along wounded in the suicide attack as wor- It expressed Qatar’s sincere condo- Al Jazeera reported that an attacker, with other e-mails from the Democratic shippers were leaving the mosque after lences to families of the victims, the wearing an explosives belt, shot at wor- White House candidate’s controversial Friday prayers Saudi government and people, wishing shippers inside the mosque before he Dr Khalid Abdulnoor Saifeldeen, third left, along with other HMC off icials at one of archive. In statement issued yesterday, Qatar’s speedy recovery to the injured. was arrested. Page 4 the CPR training stations on the Corniche yesterday. Main opposition group to attend Syria peace talks in Geneva

DPA agreed to send a team to the talks. internal talks held in Saudi Arabia. mands, the opposition noted, saying could best discuss the humanitarian which started as peaceful anti-govern- Geneva The opposition’s absence at the The opposition team would come af- it was “testing the seriousness” of the concerns in Geneva. ment protests in 2011. scheduled start had cast doubt over the ter it received support from key inter- talks. Samir al-Nashar, a member of the op- It has since spiralled into a multi- potential of the talks to make progress national powers, including the US, that Syrian government representative position Syrian National Coalition, told sided civil war that has claimed more N-sponsored negotiations on toward ending the fi ve-year war that has it would be able to discuss humanitarian Bashar al-Jaafari met with special en- DPA there was “tremendous pressure” than 250,000 lives and driven more than the Syrian conflict began in claimed a quarter of a million lives. concerns, including an end to airstrikes voy Staff an de Mistura at the UN of- from some Western powers on the op- 11mn people from their homes, accord- UGeneva yesterday with only The decision by the Higher Nego- and sieges by government troops, a fi ces in Geneva for the fi rst session of position to go to Geneva. ing to UN estimates. the government delegation taking tiations Committee (HNC) represent- statement said. the talks. World powers hope that the Geneva The Islamic State terrorist militia has part, but the main opposition group ing diff erent factions fighting President Real negotiations, however, would De Mistura said he had received the negotiations will initiate a political taken advantage of Syria’s strife and has announced later that it had finally Bashar al-Assad came after four days of still depend on implementing these de- opposition demands and believes they process to resolve the Syrian confl ict, seized large areas of the country. Page 5 Gulf Times 2 Saturday, January 30, 2016 QATAR

GCC man Minister meets envoy accused of 7% rise in thyroid embezzling QR132mn patients at HMC GCC expatriate man, who used to work as a he number of patients of thyroid gland disorders. The down (hypothyroidism). Arepresentative of a well- seeking treatment at radiotherapy technique will Hyperthyroidism and hy- known businessman in Qatar, Tthe newly-opened thy- be used post-operatively for pothyroidism are common and has misappropriated a sum of roid unit at Hamad Medical patients with thyroid cancer are normally treated by medi- Kyrgyz Minister of Agriculture and Land Reclamation Turdunazir QR132mn from his employ- Corporation increases about 5 where there is a large spread of cations. Signs and symptoms Bekboev yesterday met with Qatar’s ambassador to the er, local Arabic daily Arrayah to 7% each year. tumours throughout the body, of hyperthyroidism can include Kyrgyz Republic, Mohamed bin Arrar al-Nuaimi. Talks during reported yesterday. “About 70% of the pa- to kill any cancer cells that heart palpitations, appetite the meeting in Bishkek dealt with bilateral relations and ways The fraud came to the atten- tients have thyroid nodules, may remain after surgery. change, increased sweating, to promote them. tion of the businessman when he in particular benign (non- The thyroid is a butterfl y- unexplained weight loss, mus- received notifi cation of a travel cancerous) nodules,” said Dr shaped gland located in the cle weakness, nervousness and ban issued by a court, preventing Mohamed Salem al-Hassan, base of the neck, just below mental disturbances. him from leaving the country. head, thyroid unit, Hamad the Adam’s apple. The thyroid Symptoms of hypothy- It turned out that his former General Hospital. Dr Mohamed Salem al-Hassan, is responsible for producing roidism can include fatigue, representative had conducted The unit has contributed head, thyroid unit, HGH. hormones that help the body weakness, muscle cramps a number of business transac- greatly to prompt diagnosis regulate its metabolism. It con- and aches, memory loss and HMC holds workshop tions in his name without his and eff ective treatment for the thyroid gland. This lump trols the rate of use of energy weight gain. Untreated thy- knowledge. The representative the growing number of pa- may appear in the throat or even sources, protein synthesis, and roid disorders can lead to other had used cheque books entrust- tients with thyroid disorders, in the front of the neck. Thyroid controls the body’s sensitivity health problems such as obes- on diabetes care at home ed by the businessman for the according to Dr al-Hassan. nodules are managed by partial to other hormones, by produc- ity and diabetes. deals. “Thyroid nodules can aff ect or complete surgical removal of ing thyroid hormones. Early detection of thyroid The accused faked the sig- both male and female of dif- the thyroid,” he added. When the thyroid does not disorders is important as early amilies and caregivers of weight changes, blurred vision nature of the businessman to ferent ages. A thyroid nodule is The thyroid unit is planning work properly, it can cause access to treatment can pre- patients have attended a and fatigue. Short-term diabetic a great degree of accuracy that an abnormal growth of thyroid to soon introduce a radiothera- the body’s system to speed vent the development of addi- Fworkshop at Hamad Medi- complications can include hy- very few people doubted. The cells that forms a lump within py service for the management up (hyperthyroidism) or slow tional health problems. cal Corporation (HMC) on car- poglycemia (low blood sugar) and representative used to buy hous- ing for diabetics at home. The hyperglycemia (high blood sug- es and precious items at higher workshop was organised by a ar),” added the offi cial. than market prices and paid only QU student conducts polymer study to promote environmental sustainability team of HMC’s homecare service According to Hussein, signs with cheques due to be paid only department, comprising phy- of hypoglycemia can include ex- after two months. Student Ruqaiah Nasser from and funded by Qatar University. placing it in the soil. He stated further: “The project is sicians, nurses, pharmacists, treme hunger, dizziness, head- Then, he would sell such Qatar University’s Materials The biopolymer is compatible Commenting on the research, an important step in the direction health educators and dietitians. ache, cold sweat, fast heartbeat things through agents and get Sciences and Technology with the environment and Ruqaiah said: “By harnessing the of green plastic development and “Homecare patients we are car- and weakness, while signs of hy- the money for himself. (Mats) Master’s programme can be composted in gardens latest technologies, we were able I believe that the current research ing for are aged 30-80 years, and perglycemia can include nausea, The process went on undis- has conducted an innovative without harming the ecosystem. to study this biopolymer.” will give a clear idea about the as 60% of them are diabetic, we frequent urination, increased covered for a while as his em- research study in which Unlike synthetic polymer, it Dr Elzatahry noted that in Qatar, mechanism of degradation held this workshop to educate and thirst, and dry and itchy skin. ployer spent some time outside biocompatible polymer is degrades by biological processes about 400 tonnes of waste and the prospective industrial train their families, other caregivers “Diabetes can cause long-term the country. In due course, the produced from protein extracted during composting to yield is added to the landfills daily application and its findings and attending nurses on the proper complications such as poor vi- representative claimed that he from natural resources. carbon dioxide, water and and only 50% of the plastics is will have a huge impact on the way to use a glucometer administer sion, nerve damage, reduced was travelling to his country on The main objective of the study inorganic compounds which are recovered for recycling. “The Qatari environment within the medications and insulin injections, blood fl ow and skin problems.” a short leave but never returned is to promote environmental environmentally-safe. The major packaging industry is using more next two years.” Dr Ahmed also and provide foot care, as well as how To prevent the development to Qatar. sustainability, a key component constituent of this biopolymer and more bioplastics, which noted that students in the Mats to prepare a healthy diet for diabet- of diabetes-related complica- The victim, who was surprised of Qatar’s national development is sodium caseinate which gives can off er new recovery options programme are also provided ics,” said Nada Hussein, a diabetes tions, patients should follow by a number of jail sentences and strategies. Ruqaiah was mentored it its unique transparency and towards reducing CO2. In fact, with opportunities to enhance educator at the homecare service their prescribed treatment plan, court orders against him in ab- by Mats department associate biodegradability. biodegradable plastics off er the their skills in communication, department. including taking their medica- sentia, appealed the case at the professor Dr Ahmed Elzatahry An important phase of the same qualities as conventional problem-solving, teamwork and The workshop provided in- tions as prescribed, observing Court of Appeal claiming that all and Centre for Advanced project included placing samples plastics but with even more leadership. formation on the types of dia- a proper diet and ensuring they the cheques signed in his name Materials (Cam) research fellow of the biocompatible polymer recovery options”, he explained, Dr Hassan said: “This type of betes and risk factors, including get adequate physical exercise were counterfeited by his rep- Dr Mohamed Hassan. The study films in a compost medium adding, “the implementation degradable polymer will support hereditary and lifestyle factors. and maintain a healthy weight. resentative, who ran away to his was conducted in collaboration of controlled humidity and of this type of polymer will plastic waste management in “Diabetes signs and symptoms They should also undergo regu- country after stealing the money. with Dr Imane Belyaman and Dr temperature. Positive results significantly reduce the Qatar - it has great potential can include severe thirst, fre- lar check-up of their eyes, skin The case is still being reviewed Frederic Prochazka from Jean recorded the plastic having environmental pollution caused to be used for food packaging quent urination, impaired sensa- and feet to ensure early detection by the court. Monnet Saint Etienne University disappeared within five days of by synthetic polymers”. applications.” tion, delayed healing of wounds, and treatment of any problems. Gulf Times Saturday, January 30, 2016 3 QATAR Emir, Bosnian president hold talks

QNA Ognjen Tadic and several minis- Sarajevo ters. An offi cial reception cere- mony was held for HH the Emir H the Emir Sheikh upon his arrival at the presiden- Tamim bin Hamad al- tial palace in Sarajevo. HThani held offi cial talks The Emir later attended the with the Chairman of the Presi- Open Day activities held for the dency of Bosnia and Herze- Bosnian orphans by Qatar Char- govina, Dr Dragan Covic, at the ity (QC) at Hotel Bristol Sarajevo. presidential palace in Sarajevo He watched a documentary yesterday afternoon. about the activities of QC in The talks dealt with co-oper- Bosnia and Herzegovina and ation in various fi elds and ways charitable eff orts being rendered of developing and promoting it, in the Bosnian territory, in addi- especially in politics, economy, tion to Islamic songs performed investment, culture and tour- by children to celebrate the ism. Emir’s presence. The two sides also discussed The children expressed thanks the regional and international and gratitude to HH the Emir for developments and exchanged his support and patronage. They views on them. also voiced their gratitude to the The session of talks was at- State of Qatar, its leadership, tended by members of the of- government and people, wishing fi cial delegation accompanying the Emir good health and happi- the Emir. ness and the Qatari people fur- HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani and Bosnia and Herzegovina Presidency The Emir at the Open Day activities held for the Bosnian orphans by Qatar Charity On the Bosnian side, it was ther progress and prosperity. Chairman Dr Dragan Covic walking during a welcome ceremony in Sarajevo yesterday. at Hotel Bristol Sarajevo yesterday. attended by Presidency Coun- The Emir left Sarajevo yester- cil members Bakir Izetbegovic day evening after concluding his appreciation for the warm re- friendship and co-operation be- jevo after concluding a three-day govina Foreign Minister Igor to Qatar, Tarik Sadovic, a number and Dr Mladen Ivanic, Prime one-day offi cial visit to Bosnia ception and hospitality that he tween the two countries and the offi cial visit to Italy. Crnadak, Qatar’s ambassador to of heads of Arab diplomatic mis- Minister Denis Zvizdi, House of and Herzegovina. and the accompanying delega- exchange of views on issues of Upon his arrival at Sarajevo In- Bosnia and Herzegovina, Rashid sions accredited to Bosnia and Representatives Speaker Borjana The Emir sent a cable to Dr tion had received and express- common concern. ternational Airport, the Emir was bin Mubarak al-Kuwari, Bosnia Herzegovina, senior offi cials and Kristo, House of Peoples Speaker Covic, voicing his gratitude and ing his pleasure to have reviewed The Emir had arrived in Sara- welcomed by Bosnia and Herze- and Herzegovina’s ambassador members of the Qatari embassy. Qatar, Italy sign several MoUs

QNA education, culture and prospects signing of a number of agreements between the two governments. Rome to promote investment between and memoranda of understanding The Emir and the Italian prime the two countries. The talks also between the two countries. minister also attended the sign- dealt with international devel- The two sides signed a memo- ing of an agreement for the H the Emir Sheikh opments, especially in the Mid- randum of understanding (MoU) establishment of a joint fund Tamim bin Hamad al- dle East, and the importance of for co-operation in the fi eld of between the Qatar Investment HThani and Italian Prime concerted international commu- energy between Qatar’s Ministry Authority and Italy Strategic HH the Emir and Prime Minister Renzi witnessing the signing of an agreement. Minister Matteo Renzi held offi - nity’s eff orts to restore security, of Energy and Industry and the Fund and another one on cul- cial talks at Palace Villa Madama peace and stability in the whole Italian ministry of economy and tural and scientifi c co-operation The Emir left Rome yesterday Qatar, Guido De Sanctis; and mem- The Emir expressed his pleasure in Rome on Thursday evening. world. development, a memorandum between Qatar University and morning, after a three-day of- bers of the Qatari embassy. over the exchange of views and re- During the session, HH the The talks were attended by of understanding in the fi eld of University of Rome Tor Vergata. fi cial visit to Italy on his way to The Emir sent cables to Presi- view of the relations of friendship Emir and the Italian premier re- members of the offi cial delega- climate change between Qatar’s Later, the Emir attended a Bosnia and Herzegovina. dent Sergio Mattarella and Prime and co-operation between the viewed the strong bilateral rela- tion accompanying the Emir and, Ministry of Municipal and Envi- dinner banquet hosted by Prime He was seen off on departure at Minister Renzi, in which he ex- two countries, wishing the Italian tions and ways to boost them in on the Italian side, by ministers ronment and the Italian ministry Minister Renzi at Rome Villa Ciampino military airport by senior pressed sincere thanks and ap- president and the prime minister various fi elds. and senior offi cials. Following of environment, land and seas Palazzo Madama. The banquet Italian offi cials, Qatar’s ambassa- preciation for hospitality accord- continued good health and happi- The two sides discussed co- the talks, the Emir and the Ital- and an Executive Programme for was attended by Italian ministers dor to Italy, Abdulaziz bin Ahmed ed to him and the accompanying ness and the Italian people further operation in energy, economy, ian prime minister witnessed the Cultural Co-operation Agreement and senior offi cials. al-Maliki; Italian ambassador to delegation throughout the visit. progress and prosperity. Gulf Times 4 Saturday, January 30, 2016 REGION

Sky show Suicide attack kills four at Saudi mosque The incident follows a string to hide, Ahmadi said. several people lay still on a of shootings and bombings “Eventually the worshippers carpet, surrounded by broken claimed by the Islamic State attacked him and took away glass. group his gun and took off his suicide One man could be seen ap- belt. We tied him up using our plying a tourniquet to the thigh AFP ‘shemaghs’ and held him till of a victim whose white robe Riyadh police came,” he said, referring was soaked with blood. to a traditional cloth head cov- “People were so angry,” and ering. apprehended one of the alleged Kuwaiti Air Force pilots show their skills during the launch of the Hala shopping festival in Kuwait City yesterday. suicide bomber at- Yesterday’s incident follows a suspects themselves, the resi- tacked a mosque in string of shootings and bomb- dent said, asking for anonymity. A eastern Saudi Arabia ings claimed by the Islamic “Police started shooting in during Friday prayers, killing State (IS) group. the air so they could take him four people before worship- The interior ministry said away.” pers disarmed and tied up his two suicide bombers were Another resident said Ma- accomplice who had fired on prevented from entering the hasen is a mostly Sunni neigh- them. mosque by security personnel. bourhood, and the mosque that The state Al Ekhbariya news “When security approached was attacked “is a house that US, UK ‘hacked into Israeli channel quoted an interior to intercept them, one of them they turned into a mosque”. ministry spokesman as saying responded by blowing him- IS has claimed several deadly four people died and 18 were self up at the mosque entrance attacks since late 2014. wounded. while an exchange of fi re took In October, a gunman fi red on drones keeping eye on Iran’ An initial ministry toll said place with another,” it said. people in the Qatif area, killing two people were killed and The ministry said the second fi ve before police shot him dead. seven hurt in the attack at the suspect was injured, and ar- In June, four people died pre- AFP “From the documents it of the Jewish state’s surveillance Israel’s foreign ministry de- Al Rida mosque in Mahasen, a rested with help from citizens. venting a suicide bomber from Jerusalem emerges that Israel operates a of Iran but it shows what are pur- clined to comment but Yuval neighbourhood in the eastern “A suicide belt was found in entering the hall of Al Anoud large fl eet of unmanned aerial portedly the fi rst published im- Steinitz, minister of energy and a Al Ahsa region. his possession,” it said, adding mosque in Dammam city. vehicles,” the paper wrote. ages of armed Israeli drones. former intelligence minister, said “We started to pray, and that automatic weapons were Days earlier, 21 people were S and British intelligence “They collect intelligence in It also tells of Anarchist’s pen- he was disappointed. then we were surprised to hear also recovered. killed in another mosque agencies for years hacked the Gaza Strip, the West Bank etration of F16 fi ghter pilots’ “We are not surprised. We know shooting,” said Mohamed bin Since deadly attacks claimed bombing in Eastern Province. Uinto Israeli drones carry- and throughout the Middle East heads-up display, in one case that the Americans spy on every- Salman al-Ahmadi, 25, who by IS last year against Shia Groups claiming affi lia- ing out surveillance to prepare for and were even used according to showing the aircraft tracking a one including us, their friends,” he was slightly injured in the at- mosques in the kingdom’s east, tion with IS said they carried a potential strike on Iran, Israeli the editors (of the Snowden fi les) target on the ground. told Israeli army radio. tack. security has been increased and out those blasts and the Qatif daily Yediot Aharonot reported for gathering intelligence to plan “It’s as if they sat with them in “It’s disappointing nonethe- “We rushed and closed the community guards now inspect shooting. yesterday. the bombing of Iran.” the cockpit,” the paper wrote. less because of the fact that for doors. After that they shot at visitors to houses of worship. In 2014, gunmen killed Citing documents leaked by Snowden, who had worked “It’s a look into the secret Is- decades we haven’t spied or the door trying to break in. The Yesterday’s attack happened seven worshippers, includ- rogue US intelligence contractor for the NSA, leaked a hoard of raeli combat world,” it said. “Po- gathered intelligence or broken suicide bomber blew himself up in an area largely populated by ing children, in the eastern Edward Snowden, Yediot said that documents in 2013 revealing a tential targets, aims, priorities codes in the United States.” and the door fl ew open.” employees of the state-owned town of Al Dalwa. The interior the operation, codenamed “An- worldwide US surveillance pro- and capabilities, from Israel’s After the 1985 arrest in Wash- Power inside went out, Saudi Aramco oil company, a ministry said the suspects had archist”, began in 1998 at a British gramme. view of its enemies. The United ington of US Navy intelligence leaving the mosque in dark- resident said. links to IS. facility in the Troodos mountains The Yediot report, which the States and Britain profi ted from analyst Jonathan Pollard, for ness and filled with smoke as A video circulated on social The group has also claimed of Cyprus and a US National Secu- paper says was submitted to the Israel’s superb intelligence abili- passing US secrets to Israel, the a second attacker “randomly” media purportedly showed the deadly attacks on Saudi secu- rity Agency (NSA) site at Menwith Israeli military censor before ties and saw everything that Is- Jewish state pledged never to spy shot at worshippers, who tried aftermath of the attack, where rity forces. Hill, in northern England. publication, does not give details rael saw.” on its ally again. Khomeini grandson to appeal against poll bar

AFP hamed Reza Pahlavi—said he would Tehran appeal the decision even if he be- lieved it would be in vain. “If the gentlemen couldn’t es- assan Khomeini, grandson tablish I am qualified through the of the founder of the Islamic testimonies of grand ayatollahs, and H Republic of Iran, said yes- my lectures and writings, then it’s terday he would appeal being barred unlikely they will in the future,” he from running in polls for its power- said. ful Assembly of Experts. But he would appeal “at the re- Khomeini, a cleric who has ties quest of the public” and some reli- to reformist politicians, is among gious and political figures, he said. hundreds who have been excluded Khomeini, who failed to attend a from elections next month for the qualifying exam, said other candi- assembly, which monitors the work dates had been vetted even without of Iran’s supreme leader. taking the test. The Guardian Council, a conserv- The rejected candidates have until ative-dominated committee that today to appeal. decides who can run for public of- So far 80 have appealed, state tel- fice, said only 166 of 800 candidates evision quoted an official as saying were approved. yesterday. “It’s a surprise to me and to many Voting for the 88-member assem- others that some of the honourable bly will take place on February 26, gentlemen in the Guardian Council the same day as parliamentary polls. couldn’t establish I am qualified,” The Guardian Council said last Khomeini said on his official web- Hassan Khomeini: disqualified week that 60% of 12,000 candidates site. for those elections had been exclud- The 43-year-old—grandson of 1979 Islamic revolution that ended ed. Only 1% of reformist hopefuls Ayatollah Khomeini who led the the reign of US-backed Shah Mo- won approval.

Americans cautioned over travel to Iran

Reuters in particular dual nationals” since the Another American citizen, Siamak Washington nuclear deal was signed in July. Namazi, who was detained by Iran’s In his first appearance since re- Revolutionary Guards in October, was turning to the United States, one also not part of the swap. Kerry told S citizens travelling to Iran, of the prisoners freed in the swap, reporters on January 17, a day after the particularly Iranian-Ameri- Washington Post reporter Jason Re- swap was announced, that he had com- Ucans, risk arrest and detention zaian, thanked US Secretary of State mitments from Iran that Namazi’s case in the Islamic Republic, the US State John Kerry on Thursday for negotiat- will be resolved and he will be freed. Department said in a travel warning ing his release after 18 months in an z An unarmed Iranian drone fl ew di- yesterday. Iranian jail. rectly over a US aircraft carrier operat- The notice, which largely echoes an Rezaian received a standing ovation ing in international waters in the Gulf August warning, was issued days af- from foreign dignitaries, journalists this month in a move that was “abnor- ter fi ve Americans, including four dual and family members at a ceremony for mal and unprofessional”, the US mili- Iranian nationals, were released by Iran the opening of the Washington Post’s tary said yesterday. in a prisoner swap coinciding with the new offi ces in Washington. “The UAV was unarmed and posed lifting of economic sanctions on Iran as In brief but emotional remarks, he no risk to the carrier’s fl ight opera- the implementation of a deal to curb its thanked the Washington Post leader- tions,” said navy spokeswoman Lieu- nuclear programme began. ship, US offi cials, and his family for ad- tenant Commander Nicole Schweg- The warning aims to “reiterate and vocating on his behalf. man in an e-mailed statement. “While highlight the risk of arrest and deten- Kerry told the attendees US offi - the Iranian UAV’s actions posed no tion of US citizens, particularly dual cials are continuing to try to fi nd out danger to the ship, it was, however, ab- national Iranian-Americans, in Iran”, what happened to Robert Levinson, a normal and unprofessional.” the State Department said. former FBI agent who went missing in The incident happened on January “Various elements in Iran remain Iran eight years ago and was not part of 12, and both the American and French hostile to the United States,” it said, the swap. His family said in a statement carriers were operating in international adding that Iran has “continued to this month they were “devastated” and waters in the Gulf at the time, Schweg- harass, arrest, and detain US citizens, that Levinson had been “left behind”. man said. Gulf Times Saturday, January 30, 2016 5 ARAB WORLD

Dutch to join Syria Opposition air strikes

AFP The Hague absent as owing to US demands, the Dutch government an- Bnounced yesterday it will take part in US-led air strikes in Syria against the Islamic State group, extending its current air support mission over Iraq. “In order to make the fi ght Syria ‘peace against ISIS in Iraq more effi cient, it has been decided to carry out air strikes against ISIS in eastern Syria,” the foreign and defence ministries said in a statement. Late last year in the wake of the November Paris attacks, the Dutch government received a talks’ start request from allies the United States and France to broaden its The talks, backed by all the meet with de Mistura, with the The Geneva negotiations, if campaign against the Islamic external powers embroiled in Americans, but the programme they happen properly, would not State (IS) militant group. the war, are the biggest push is not clear yet,” Fuad Aliko said. be face-to-face between the re- “The recent terrorist attacks yet to end the conflict “But not as negotiators.” gime and its opponents. Instead in Paris, Istanbul and Jakarta Neither de Mistura nor Syria’s they are “proximity talks” where clearly show that ISIS is a danger AFP UN ambassador Bashar al-Jaa- go-betweens shuttle between for our security and our way of Geneva fari commented to reporters as the diff erent participants. life,” Dutch Prime Minister Mark they began discussions inside They are part of an ambitious Rutte told journalists yesterday. Geneva’s Palais des Nations, the plan launched in Vienna in No- “We are going to deploy the UN-led push to chart a European UN headquarters. vember by a raft of key actors Syrian ambassador to the UN and head of the government delegation Bashar al-Jaafari (left) shakes hands F-16s above Syria, in particular way out of Syria’s tangled The talks, backed by all the including Russia, the United with UN envoy Staff an de Mistura at the opening of the talks in Geneva yesterday. to stop the pipeline leading from Acivil war got off to a shaky external powers embroiled in States, Gulf states, Iran and Tur- Syria into Iraq,” he said, referring start yesterday, with only repre- the war, are the biggest push yet key that foresees elections with- shouldn’t keep the talks from The HNC and its Saudi and “Assad is feeling stronger and to the movements of IS fi ghters. sentatives of Bashar al-Assad’s to end a confl ict that has killed in 18 months. moving forward.” Turkish backers have also ob- stronger so is being infl exible,” The Netherlands is already regime attending the fi rst day of more than 260,000 people and Despite Western pressure, the The HNC, which engaged in a jected to the participation of she said. participating in the coalition by supposed peace talks in Switzer- facilitated the meteoric rise of HNC umbrella group has been fourth day of talks in Riyadh on Syrian Kurdish groups that Iranian President Hassan carrying out air strikes in Iraq land. the extremist Islamic State (IS) refusing to show up in Swit- whether to attend, has also asked have made key advances against Rouhani, whose country also with four F-16 aircraft specialis- The main umbrella body rep- group. zerland before an agreement is for “clarifi cations” after the UN IS in northern Syria in recent backs Assad, said during a visit ing in close air support of ground resenting the myriad opposition The confl ict has also forced reached on aid reaching hun- issued invitations to other oppo- months. to Paris on Thursday that the operations by Iraqi forces. and rebel groups in the fi ve- millions of Syrians from their dreds of thousands of people sition fi gures. Russia, however, which has process would take time. But it had insisted in the past year-old confl ict was refusing to homes, many of them into stuck in besieged towns. De Mistura reportedly issued helped the regime of President “We hope that these talks that it would not extend the air take part at the start of what are neighbouring states and further The US State Department said individual invitations to a list of Assad make inroads against will succeed as soon as possible. strikes over Syria without a UN meant to be six months of intra- afi eld, causing a major political on Thursday these demands fi gures opposed to the regime rebels with air strikes since Sep- But I would be surprised if they mandate. But Rutte said yester- Syrian negotiations in Geneva. headache for the European Un- were “legitimate” but called on but who are thought to have tember, says Kurdish involve- succeed very quickly because in day: “I do believe it is important A member of this group, the ion which received more than the opposition to take part in closer ties to Moscow and have ment is essential. Syria there are groups who are at as a coalition that we are active High Negotiations Committee 1mn migrants in 2015. what it called “an historic op- limited infl uence on the ground. France-based Middle East war with the central government in the whole area.” (HNC), told AFP however that De Mistura issued an emo- portunity”. Randa Kassis, a member of analyst Agnes Levallois said the and also amongst themselves,” The four Dutch F-16 jet fi ght- a small, low-level team of three tional video message on Thurs- “And we still believe they that list, told AFP in Geneva opposition was growing increas- French media quoted him as say- ers which have been pounding IS spokesmen were en route for Ge- day to Syrians both inside and should do so without pre- yesterday that despite the un- ingly frustrated that the ques- ing. militants in Iraq since October neva where they might meet UN outside the country saying that conditions,” spokesman Mark certainty on who would attend, tion of Assad’s fate, a key stum- “There is interference in the 2014 would “remain active until envoy Staff an de Mistura. after previous failures, this new Toner said. “We believe these “something has to start. We have bling block in previous talks, was internal aff airs of Syria,” he add- July 1 over the enlarged zone”, the “The media delegation... might eff ort “cannot fail”. demands, while legitimate, to think of the Syrian people.” being put off . ed. government statement said. Hamas is ready to fi ght Israel again: Gaza chief

AFP Gaza City

amas is ready for a new con- frontation with Israel thanks Hin part to the reconstruction of tunnels to fi ght the Jewish state, the Islamist Palestinian movement’s Gaza chief said yesterday. Ismail Haniya said the Ezzedine Al Qassam Brigades—Hamas’s military wing—were preparing “for any future clashes with the Zionist (Israeli) enemy”. “East of Gaza City, underground heroes build tunnels” along the border with Israel, while west of the city they are “testing rockets every day”, said Haniya. He was speaking to thousands of mourners gathered at the Great Omari Hamas fighters parade in Gaza City yesterday during the funeral of seven Mosque in Gaza City for the funeral of comrades killed in a tunnel collapse this week. seven Al Qassam fi ghters killed this week in a tunnel collapse. ing and acquiring “all the means to Israel through a cross-border tunnel, Al Qassam Brigades said the seven fi ght and resist”. seized Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit and had been preparing “for fi ghting with Israel has been accusing Hamas of took him back to Gaza. the enemy”. rebuilding tunnels destroyed dur- He was then held for fi ve years and Wrapped in green Hamas fl ags, ing the 2014 Gaza war with the aim of eventually returned in a prisoner ex- the seven bodies were carried to the launching fresh attacks against it. change which saw over 1,000 Pales- mosque while crowds chanted slogans The 50-day war in July-August 2014 tinians released. calling for violence against Israel. killed 2,200 Palestinians, 73 people on Gaza has remained largely calm In a rare move, several Hamas chiefs the Israeli side, and destroyed or dam- since a wave of Palestinian knife, gun went to the cemetery located near the aged thousands of homes in the be- and car-ramming attacks began in Oc- border with Israel to place fl owers by sieged Gaza Strip. tober in the West Bank, Jerusalem and the graves of the seven fi ghters. The tunnels have been used in the across Israel, though a number of peo- Haniya described the tunnels as a past to store weapons or stage attacks. ple have been killed by Israeli forces “strategic weapons” against Israel, In June 2006, a group of Hamas during violent protests along the Gaza and said Hamas fi ghters are also train- fi ghters and other militants entered border. France may recognise Palestinian state: FM

Reuters that Paris intended to launch this con- Israeli prime minister went so far as Paris ference by the summer. to reproach the UN secretary general The Middle East peace process has for encouraging terrorism on the basis stalled because of diff erences over that he had reminded of colonisation’s rance said yesterday it intended borders and settlements. There have illegality and asked that it cease,” Fa- to make another push at trying been no serious moves to resume the bius said. Fto resolve the Israeli-Palestinian peace talks between Israel and Pales- UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon confl ict and warned that if its eff orts tinians. on Tuesday described Israel’s set- failed, it would recognise a Palestinian If this last attempt at fi nding a solu- tlements as “provocative acts” that state. tion hits a wall, “well ... in this case, raised questions about its commit- “France will engage in the com- we need to face our responsibilities by ment to a two-state solution, nearly 50 ing weeks in the preparation of an recognising the Palestinian state”, Fa- years after occupying lands the Pales- international conference bringing bius said. tinians seek for a state. together the parties and their main As a permanent member of the UN The United States, European Un- partners, American, European, Security Council, Fabius added that ion and the United Nations have is- Arab, notably to preserve and make France had a responsibility to try to sued unusually stern criticism of Is- happen the two-state solution,” keep up eff orts to fi nd a solution be- rael, provoking a sharp response from Foreign Affairs Minister Laurent Fa- tween Israel and the Palestinians. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu bius said. “We see that unfortunately coloni- and raising Palestinians’ hopes of A French diplomatic source added sation continues and that recently, the steps against their neighbour . Gulf Times 6 Saturday, January 30, 2016 AFRICA Child suicide bomber kills 10 in Nigeria market

AFP They said a huge blast erupted girls in April 2014. edge of the market. Haram attacks, with the most re- several others,” he said. ing to establish a hardline Islamic Kano at around midday in the crowded Nigeria’s President Muham- “Many of us rushed to the scene cent taking place in March 2015. “The attack was believed to state in mainly Muslim northern market in Gombi in Adamawa madu Buhari last month declared and we found carnage. People Adamu Ahmed, a security have been carried out by a boy of Nigeria, has killed at least 17,000 state, one of the worst-hit in the that the Islamic State group af- were scattered everywhere. guard at the market, gave a similar around 12. Today is market day people since its campaign began child suicide bomber blew seven-year Boko Haram insur- fi liate had been “technically” de- “I can say over 10 people died in account to Jalo, saying the bomb- in Gombi and the market attracts in 2009. himself up in a market in gency. feated but there has been no let- the explosion. I can’t give precise er was believed to be a boy aged thousands of people from the dis- At the same time, more than Anortheast Nigeria yester- The blast came after three up in suicide and bomb attacks. number of the injured but there around 12. trict.” 2.6mn others have fl ed their day, killing at least 10 people, wit- suicide bombers killed at least In the latest attack, trader are many.” “There was a suicide explosion Following the blast, the market homes. Some 2mn have been nesses said, the latest bloodshed 14 people in town of Chibok on Mustapha Jalo told AFP: “I heard Gombi, which lies about 120km at the grain section of the market closed down and all the traders re- displaced within Nigeria, with to hit the region, which is plagued Wednesday, where Islamist gun- a huge explosion coming from from the state capital, Yola, has around midday. The explosion turned home, he added. the others fl ed into neighbouring by Islamist violence. men kidnapped more than 200 the grain section, which is at the been hit several times by Boko killed at least 11 people and injured Boko Haram, which is look- Cameroon, Chad and Niger. Court shown footage of killings at Gbagbo trial

AFP fi re on unarmed women, leaving The Hague bloodied bodies on the streets. Seven women were killed and three others injured. ramatic video footage of “These women were unarmed. armed clashes in Abidjan They only carried tree branches,” Dand bloodied corpses lin- MacDonald said. ing the streets yesterday opened He played yet more videos in- the second day of the landmark cluding one of the alleged shelling trial of former Ivorian president of the Abobo market quarter on Laurent Gbagbo. March 17, 2011 in which at least 40 The prosecution accuses Gbag- people died. bo, 70, and his former youth mili- Several bodies were seen tia leader Charles Ble Goude, 44, sprawled on tables and next to UN High Commissioner for Human Rights spokesman Rupert Colville (left) and interim director of the UN Information Service in Geneva Ahmed Fawzi brief the press yesterday of orchestrating a plan to ensure market stalls. in Geneva on new claims of child abuse by foreign troops in Africa. the west African strongman re- “Mr Gbagbo failed to take all mained in power despite being the necessary measures to pre- narrowly defeated by his bitter ri- vent these crimes and investigate val Alassane Ouattara in Novem- them,” MacDonald said. ber 2010 elections. “On the contrary, the evi- Pro-Gbagbo forces “shot at dence will show that Mr Gbagbo the crowds... causing death and made attempts to cover up these grievous bodily injuries”, ICC crimes.” senior trial lawyer Eric MacDon- Closing his opening statement, UN alarm at new claims ald told the three-judge bench at MacDonald told the judges the the International Criminal Court prosecution would call six ma- (ICC). terial witnesses when it starts “They were shot simply for presenting its evidence—likely showing Ouattara support,” he sometime next week. added. “We will call six Ivorian men Gbagbo on Thursday became and women ... who will tell their of child abuse by troops the fi rst ex-head of state to stand stories of suff ering,” MacDonald trial at the world’s only perma- said. So far a total of 26 cases European Union operation”, Zeid the hands of the contributing the French were aged seven and He also insisted that “peace- nent war crimes tribunal. “The prosecution’s evidence in involving peacekeepers in Ra’ad al-Hussein said, adding he States”, EUFOR added. nine respectively at the time of keeping forces have played an He and Ble Goude have denied this case, and nothing else, will the UN force in the Central was “extremely alarmed at con- Georgia pledged to examine the alleged attacks. important role” in the strife-torn four charges of crimes against hu- speak for itself.” African Republic have been tinuing allegations”. the case. “The girl said she had per- country. manity for his role in deadly post- Wearing a black suit, white reported “Two of the girls interviewed “Each and every one of us, at formed oral sex on French soldiers So far a total of 26 cases in- election violence that prosecutors shirt and dark striped tie, Gbagbo said they were raped by EUFOR both national and international in exchange for a bottle of water volving peacekeepers in the UN’s say killed some 3,000 people. sat motionless as the videos were AFP soldiers, and the two other girls levels, must do everything pos- and a sachet of cookies. Both she MINUSCA force have been re- Prosecutors are focusing on played, but calls of disbelief rang Geneva said they were paid to have sexual sible to ensure that those indi- and the nine-year-old boy said ported. four specifi c incidents in a fi ve- out from the public gallery where relationships with other EUFOR viduals committing such crimes that other children were abused “As more and more cases month orgy of violence in the some of his supporters had gath- soldiers,” the statement said. are held responsible,” Georgia’s in a similar fashion in repeated emerge, implicating more and world’s top cocoa producer until ered for a second day. he UN rights chief yes- “While the nationalities of defence ministry said in a state- incidents involving several French more national contingents, it is Gbagbo’s eventual arrest in April At the end of proceedings, terday expressed alarm at some of the soldiers remain ment. soldiers,” the statement said. also clear that all foreign military 2011. Gbagbo smiled and waved to the Tnew allegations of child unclear, three of the girls said “It makes no diff erence as to “These are extremely serious forces, whether UN or non-UN, One incident focuses on a supporters, who sang the Ivo- abuse by foreign peacekeepers in they believed their abusers were who they are, which country accusations and it is crucial that must employ much stronger and march on a pro-Gbagbo television rian national anthem, many with the troubled Central African Re- members of the Georgian EU- they represent and what lan- these cases are thoroughly and more eff ective actions to prevent station in December 2010 during clenched fi sts. public, including cases involving FOR contingent. The four girls guage they speak,” it said. urgently investigated,” Zeid said. further abuse and exploitation - which 45 people were killed and 16 “We don’t care what so-called European Union troops. were aged between 14 and 16 at Zeid said UN human rights “Far too many of these crimes and not just in CAR,” Zeid said. women and girls were raped. evidence gets presented,” said one Reports of sex abuse by sol- the time of the alleged abuse.” staff also interviewed two chil- continue to go unpunished, with The UN has not said which A video shot on December 16, who declined to be named. diers serving with French and The alleged abuse took place dren allegedly abused in 2014 by the perpetrators enjoying full nationalities were involved nor 2010, shows a loud explosion fol- “In the end our president UN missions in the country al- at a sprawling camp for displaced soldiers from the French Sangaris impunity. This simply encourag- how many troops were accused, lowed by more shots. Gbagbo will walk free,” the man ready surfaced last year, but the people at M’Poko, near Bangui’s force deployed to contain brutal es further violations,” he added. but sources allege soldiers from “Two people were killed by said. latest charges detailed in a UN airport. sectarian violence. Rupert Colville, spokes- Gabon, Egypt and Morocco were a hand grenade. Get an ambu- The defence is set to give its statement are said to date back to Reacting to the allegations, Fourteen soldiers from the man for the United Nations to blame. lance!” one protester calls out opening statement on Monday in 2014 but to have been discovered EUFOR said in a statement “the French force are under investi- High Commissioner for Human UN Secretary General Ban as limp and bloodied bodies are the trial likely to last three to four in the last weeks. EU takes these allegations very gation in France over allegations Rights, said that “just in 2014 ... Ki-moon fi red the head of the dragged out of the line of fi re. years. Of the several girls interviewed seriously”. they forced children to perform there were more than 2,500 re- 10,000-strong MINUSCA force Another video of a women’s Ble Goude has indicated he by UN offi cers, four “said their But the “responsibility for sexual acts in exchange for food. ported cases of sexual violence last year over the mounting march in the northern Abobo wants to make a statement, but it abusers were attached to con- any investigation, disciplinary The girl and boy interviewed and rape” in the Central African number of cases, but the allega- suburb on March 3, 2011, shows was unclear whether Gbagbo will tingents operating as part of the or criminal action remains in by the UN in the cases linked to Republic. tions have continued to surface. how pro-Gbagbo forces opened also address the courtroom. S African TV judge in Bujumbura releases racism row wins case

AFP would “address the blacks of 2 foreign journalists Johannesburg South Africa as monkeys”. The Johannesburg court ruled against Idols television broad- AFP them,” French ambassador Gerrit lashnikov rifl e and pistols were white judge on the South caster M-Net after Cliff argued Bujumbura Van Rossum said, but added they seized in the raid in Nyakabiga, a African version of the glo- that his employment contract had had not been given their equip- Bujumbura suburb and anti-gov- Abally-successful TV talent been unfairly broken. ment and notebooks back. ernment protest hotspot. show Idols won a court case yes- “We are very pleased about this, wo foreign journalists Burundi has been in crisis Moore, 34, has won wide- terday to be reinstated after he was we are thrilled,” Cliff said as he working in Burundi and since April when President Pierre spread recognition for his pho- sacked in a dispute over alleged emerged from the courtroom. Tarrested during a raid were Nkurunziza ran for a controver- tographs of confl icts in eastern racism. “We’ve always been confi dent released one day later yesterday, sial third term, sparking street Democratic Republic of Congo as Gareth Cliff , an outspoken about the case,” his lawyer Eric on the eve of a key Africa summit protests, a failed coup, regular well as Libya, Somalia and Syria. radio host, was thrown off the Mabuza added. “This case indi- where the troubled nation tops killings and a nascent rebellion. Remy, 49, has won several show when he sent a tweet say- cates that everyone is equal before the agenda. Despite Burundi’s rejection, awards, including the 2013 Prix ing “people really don’t under- the law... We do not have black The journalists, Jean-Philippe African leaders are expected to Bayeux-Calvados for his cover- stand free speech” amid an In- human rights, or white human Remy, Africa bureau chief for vote at AU headquarters in Ethi- age of the war in Syria. ternet furore over a woman who rights.” French daily Le Monde, and Brit- opia this weekend on sending The Burundi government has compared black people to mon- M-Net was not immediately ish photojournalist Phil Moore, 5,000 peacekeepers to Burundi, cracked down on the press, forc- keys. available for comment. were arrested on Thursday af- to end months of the violence ing independent media to shut South Africa has been roiled by Before the case, it said that ternoon during a raid in which the journalists were reporting on down and driving some journal- a series of bitter racial arguments “whether intended or not, the 15 others were also held, police when arrested. ists into exile. on social media that have exposed tweet was widely perceived to be said. The Foreign Correspond- While the offi cial theme of deep divisions more than two in defence of Sparrow’s right to Both journalists have covered ents’ Association of East Africa the African Union meeting is decades after the end of white- make racist and derogatory state- the region for years winning sev- (FCAEA), which described the human rights, leaders from the minority apartheid rule. ments”. eral awards for their work. Their reporters as “consummate pro- 54-member bloc will once again Anger peaked earlier this “Cliff demonstrated a clear arrest sparked widespread con- fessionals”, said that while their confront a string of crises across month when Penny Sparrow, lack of empathy for the history of demnation from rights groups release was “a big relief... the the continent when they open a white realtor, complained on South Africa and M-Net did not and diplomats. incident bodes ill for our work in two-day talks at AU headquar- Facebook about black people wish to participate in fuelling fur- “They were released, no Burundi”. ters in the Ethiopian capital to- littering beaches and said she ther racially-based divisions.” Cliff arrives at the court in Johannesburg yesterday. charges were brought against Police said a mortar, a Ka- day. Gulf Times Saturday, January 30, 2016 7 AMERICAS

Teacher held over helping Trump sits out debate California inmates but still upstages event pull off Reuters jailbreak Des Moines ven in boycotting a debate with his Republican ri- AFP Evals for the White House, Los Angeles front-runner Donald Trump managed to upstage the event on Thursday with a typical dra- alifornia police have ar- matic fl ourish. rested a prison English Instead of attending a sev- Cteacher accused of being enth debate, the former reality a key accomplice to three men TV star held a competing event who used bed sheets to rappel across town that he said raised Trump introduces his Republican presidential candidate rivals from the jail roof and are consid- $6mn for US military veterans. Mike Huckabee (left) and Rick Santorum at his veteran’s rally in Des ered highly dangerous. In doing so, he cast a shadow Moines. The woman, Nooshafarian over his rivals, who frequently Ravaghi, 44, had given classes tossed barbs his way. Bush and New Jersey Governor Donald Trump portion out of at the Santa Ana jail to Hossein Trump’s gamble that he could Chris Christie found themselves the way.” Nayeri, 37, one of the trio who leave the battlefi eld to his rivals with more room to make their Bush, who has been a fre- escaped last week and the sup- for one night appeared to pay off , case to voters seeking a more quent target of Trump’s attacks, posed mastermind, sparking a with just days to go before Iowa mainstream candidate. turned a question about reli- manhunt that has so far failed to holds the fi rst nominating con- Both men have an eye on the gious tolerance into an attack on unearth the men. test of the 2016 election season. February 9 fi rst-in-the-nation Trump’s proposed temporary About 10 people have now No one appeared to emerge as primary in New Hampshire, ban on Muslims entering the been arrested in connection with a central challenger to him dur- which comes on the heels of the United States. the spectacular jail bust, author- ing the two-hour face-off in Des Iowa caucuses on Monday and “Donald Trump, for example ities say. Moines. where an establishment Repub- – I mentioned his name again if Republican Presidential candidates (from left) New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, retired neurosurgeon Lieutenant Jeff Hallock, of the Trump’s refusal to participate lican like them might have a bet- anybody was missing him – Mr Ben Carson, Texas Senator Ted Cruz, Florida Senator Marco Rubio, and former Florida governor Jeb Orange County Sheriff ’s Depart- in the debate out of anger that ter chance of standing out. Trump believed in reaction to Bush go to their podiums after posing for a group picture at the Republican Presidential debate ment, a suburb of Los Angeles, Fox News anchor Megyn Kelly Senator Ted Cruz from Texas people’s fears that we should ban sponsored by Fox News at the Iowa Events Centre in Des Moines. tweeted of Ravaghi: “Believed to was a moderator prompted a and Senator Marco Rubio from all Muslims. Well, that creates an have been key accomplice.” fl urry of last-minute phone calls Florida, the two top challeng- environment that’s toxic in our insulted him at a debate in Au- $1mn from Trump himself. the fi rst half of the debate, ac- Ravaghi has been speaking with Fox News chairman Roger ers to Trump in Iowa, engaged in own country,” Bush said. gust and that a statement from His campaign, in a statement, cording to data from social me- with police and denied provid- Ailes that failed to resolve their squabbles over immigration and Cruz, after a series of ques- the network earlier this week said the funds would go to 22 dif- dia analytics fi rm Zoomph. ing the escapees with anything dispute. national security and did not ap- tions, said: “If you ask me one belittled him. ferent groups it listed online. He was by far the most- beyond maps. A Fox News statement said pear to threaten Trump’s lead. more mean question, I may have Two other Republican candi- Trump, with just one day’s searched-for candidate on Investigators believe the men that Trump requested that Fox He holds the edge over Cruz in to leave the stage.” dates, Rick Santorum and Mike notice on a weeknight, was able Google during the fi rst half of must have had “outside help” in contribute $5mn to his charities polls of Iowa Republicans. In a swipe at both Trump and Huckabee, joined Trump on to fi ll to capacity a Drake Univer- the debate, at one point outpac- obtaining cutting tools for the in exchange for his attendance, Trump’s rivals mocked his de- Cruz, Rubio chimed in: “Don’t stage after participating in a de- sity hall that holds 700. ing the second-most-searched- jailbreak. which the network turned down. cision to sit out the debate and worry, I’m not going to leave the bate of low-polling candidates. “I didn’t want to be here, to be for candidate, Rubio, by nearly The sheriff of Orange County, The debate was the type of found ways to criticise him. stage no matter what you ask Not so former Virginia gover- honest, I wanted to be about fi ve four-to-one, according to Sandra Hutchens, said that Nay- event Republicans would rou- “I’m a maniac and everyone me.” nor Jim Gilmore. minutes away” at the debate, Google Trends data. eri – charged with kidnapping tinely have without the fl am- on this stage is stupid, fat and With his veterans’ event “I’m not about to go across Trump told the crowd. “When Trump’s support in opinion and torture after setting his vic- boyant Trump on stage, and it ugly, and Ben, you’re a terrible drawing live TV news coverage town tonight to carry the coat you’re treated badly, you have to polls, much of it from blue- tim on fi re, then pouring bleach lacked the electricity that he surgeon,” Cruz told his rivals, on Fox News competitors CNN for some billionaire,” he said at stick up for your rights – wheth- collar men, has not wavered for on him and chopping off his pe- brings to the party’s search for including Ben Carson, a retired and MSNBC, Trump had plenty the “undercard” debate. er we like it or not.” months despite him insulting nis – was the brains behind the a nominee for the November 8 neurosurgeon, as the debate of media attention. There was initially some mys- Trump dominated social me- Mexican immigrants and Mus- escape and had fl ed jail before. election. opened. He clung to his insistence that tery as to which veterans’ groups dia during the debate, leading lims and clashing with Repub- Authorities are focusing their Without Trump on stage, His next sentence began: Fox News had treated him badly. would receive the money raised the entire Republican pack in lican establishment fi gures like search on the Vietnamese com- former Florida governor Jeb “Now that we’ve gotten the He has complained that Kelly at the event, which included Twitter mentions throughout Senator John McCain. munity because one of the trio, Jonathan Tieu, 20, who was be- hind bars on a murder charge, is a Vietnamese gang member. Bac Duong, 43, who is charged with attempted murder, was the Oregon occupiers hold their ground third escapee. The men are believed to be liv- ing out of a utility van they stole after their breakout. after FBI releases shooting video The Federal Bureau of Inves- tigation (FBI) has off ered a re- ward of $20,000 for information Reuters fi ght against federal land policy Authorities said Finicum was He could not be reached for leading to their recapture, and Burns, Oregon in court. armed when he was killed. reaction to the FBI video release. the sheriff ’s department has also The takeover began on Janu- Video from a law enforce- Macfarlane said one of the off ered $30,000 – $10,000 for ary 2 when Bundy and at least a ment aircraft shows him fl ee- sources for his view was the each fugitive. our anti-government mil- dozen followers occupied build- ing from authorities in a white version of events from Victoria The three prisoners had ap- itants held their ground at ings at the refuge in a fl are-up truck, nearly striking an offi cer Sharp, who says she was at the parently accessed the jail’s Fan Oregon wildlife refuge in the so-called “Sagebrush Re- while trying to evade a police scene and watched Finicum die. plumbing system, used tools to yesterday, a day after the FBI re- bellion”, a decades-old confl ict barricade, then barreling into a Sharp said in an interview cut through metal bars and made leased a video of the fatal shoot- over federal control of millions snowbank and exiting the car. with Reuters that Finicum was a rope from bed sheets to escape ing of one of the protesters at a of acres in the West. The grainy footage shows shot with his gun in his holster through the prison roof, offi cials Members of the media watch and take notes at a news conference traffi c stop. The FBI took the unusual step Finicum raising his hands and and his hands in the air, shout- said. showing a video of the death of LaVoy Finicum, in Burns, Oregon. As the stand-off with federal on Thursday of releasing aerial then turning and fl ailing his ing and walking toward police. authorities neared the end of video footage of the shooting of arms. Neither state nor federal law its fourth week, Greg Bretzing, 54-year-old Robert LaVoy Fini- He then lowers his arms to his enforcement would comment special agent in charge of the cum, a rancher from Arizona body and is shot by Oregon State on whether Sharp was at the Three Canadians Federal Bureau of Investigation who had acted as a spokesman Police troopers, according to the scene or on her description. infected by Zika (FBI)’s Portland offi ce, said on for the occupiers. FBI. Reuters was not able to inde- Tremors caused by Thursday night that authorities The video was shown at a Bretzing said that Finicum pendently confi rm her version Three Canadians who are were trying to negotiate with news conference hours after a can be seen reaching for his of the events. infected with the Zika virus the four holdouts. lawyer for Finicum’s family said jacket pocket, where offi cers Bundy and the protesters ar- sonic boom: navy travelled to Colombia and They are holed up at the Mal- other evidence may exist that found a handgun. But the lack of rested with him are being held El Salvador before their heur National Wildlife Refuge, shows the protester was not focus in the video makes it hard without bail and are due to ap- illness, a government health 30 miles (48km) from Burns, a threatening authorities. to discern Finicum’s precise pear for a detention hearing in Reuters The sound waves can hit spokeswoman said yesterday. small ranching community in On Tuesday, some of the movements before the shooting. federal court in Portland, Or- New York the Earth and cause shaking, Two are from the province of the state’s rural southeast. group’s most recognisable “Based on some things that egon. which is sometimes mistaken British Columbia and one is an The occupation’s jailed lead- members, including Bundy, I’ve seen, I think there is poten- A legal defence fund for Bun- for an earthquake, according to Alberta resident, said Rebecca er, Ammon Bundy, has issued were stopped by the FBI and Or- tially a completely diff erent side dy that was set up online by his wo fi ghter jets from a US the USGS. Gilman of the Canadian health two messages through his at- egon State Police as they headed to the story compared to what lawyers this week and aims to Navy base in Maryland Two days ago, residents in department. Gilman could not torney urging the remaining to a speaking event. is being represented,” Finicum raise $100,000 had received to- Tmay have caused a series Charleston, South Carolina, say when the people travelled or protesters to stand down, saying They were arrested, while family attorney Todd Macfar- tal donations of about $2,000 of sonic booms on Thursday also reported feeling tremors, returned to Canada. the group would continue their Finicum sped from the scene. lane told Reuters. by yesterday morning. near the New Jersey coast that likely caused by sonic booms prompted hundreds of resi- from F-18 fi ghter jets on a dents to report earthquake- training run from a nearby mil- like tremors. itary base, according to media A spokeswoman for Na- reports. val Air Station Patuxent River In New York, seismologists Trudeau visits remote community after deadly shooting said an F-35C and an F-18 were at the Lamont-Doherty Earth conducting routine fl ight test- Observatory at Columbia Uni- ing over the Atlantic Ocean on versity confi rmed no earth- Reuters A 17-year-old boy has been charged in will rebuild. We will get better together,” Thursday afternoon, which quake had occurred in the re- La Loche, Saskatchewan the shootings. the post read. may have caused sonic booms. gion on Thursday. Local media said the teen had been La Loche is not an aboriginal reserve but People from New Jersey to The observatory measured taunted about his large ears, and during one is nearby. Connecticut posted on social vibrations and low-frequency esidents of the remote Canadian the shooting spree dared people to tease Its population of 2,600 is about 90% media and called local police sound waves consistent with town of La Loche, having softened him about his ears, sparing students who Metis and Dene, and the Dene language is departments to report a series about eight sonic booms from Rfrozen cemetery ground with bon- had been kind to him. widely spoken in addition to English. of tremors starting just before approximately 1.20pm to fi res, prepared to bury their loved ones as Two brothers and two teachers were Guns are widely available in rural and 1.30pm. 2.40pm, said Won-Young Kim, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau travelled killed in the shooting. aboriginal communities where hunting The US Geological Survey a research professor there. yesterday to the site of Canada’s worst Trudeau has promised a “nation-to- and trapping is common, although gun (USGS), which monitors earth- He said residents on the mass shooting in a decade. nation relationship” with Canada’s abo- violence in Canada is rare compared to the quake activity, said no quake ground likely would not have Trudeau’s visit comes a week after a riginals and his visit to La Loche is ex- United States. had struck. heard the booms but would shooter killed four people and wounded pected to focus on both the immediate and The shooting has sparked a national The agency reported at least have experienced 15 to 20 sec- seven at a home and high school and a day longer-term needs of the impoverished debate about how to improve living condi- nine sonic booms had been re- onds of shaking during each before funerals were to begin in the isolat- towns and communities like it. tions in communities like La Loche, where corded over 90 minutes start- one. ed aboriginal Saskatchewan town, which He was scheduled to meet privately suicide, addiction, and unemployment ing at 1.24pm near Hammon- The tremors produced nu- has been plagued by violence and poverty with community leaders and families of rates are high. ton, New Jersey, about 35 miles merous emergency calls to lo- for decades. the victims. “If we really want to end the violence (56km) southeast of Philadel- cal police departments, some Trudeau, elected in October, has In a note on the Dene high school’s Fa- and depravation that plagues Canada’s re- phia. of which took to Twitter to pledged to repair relations with Canada’s cebook page, staff wrote that they missed mote aboriginal communities, we need to A sonic boom is produced ask residents not to fl ood their 1.4mn aboriginals, who make up 5% of the students while the school remained help them (aboriginals) leave these com- when an airplane travels faster lines with more reports. the population but are disproportionately closed. munities, forever,” Scott Gilmore, a former than the speed of sound, or No serious damage was im- victims of violent crime, addiction and in- “We are supporting each other so we diplomat, wrote this week in news maga- Trudeau: has promised a ‘nation-to-nation 768mph (1,236kph). mediately reported. carceration. can help support you. We will be back. We zine Maclean’s. relationship’ with Canada’s aboriginals. Gulf Times 8 Saturday, January 30, 2016 ASEAN Chinese ship to join Australia-led search for MH370

Australia where the plane is believed undertake search operations in the covered 85,000 square kilometres of AFP Debris found on Malaysia’s east coast not from flight Sydney to have crashed after diverting from its southern Indian Ocean,” Deputy the 120,000 square kilometres search fl ight path. Prime Minister Warren Truss said in zone —in late February, Truss added. Carrying 239 passengers and crew, a statement. Australian authorities have said Aviation off icials said yesterday a metal object recovered from Malaysia’s east Chinese ship is set to join the the plane disappeared during a Kuala “The total value of the contri- that if after the 120,000 square kilo- coast a day earlier was not from missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370. It was search for Malaysia Airlines Lumpur-Beijing fl ight on March 8, bution by the People’s Republic of metres is scoured and there are no the second time in a week authorities have dismissed speculation that wreckage AMH370, Australia’s deputy 2014. China, including the ship, is around new leads to pinpoint the location of from the jet had been found, after a similar piece of ocean debris recovered from prime minister said yesterday, as the So far, only a two-metre-long fla- Aus$20mn ($14mn).” the missing aircraft, the search zone a beach in Southern Thailand on Jan 23 proved not to be from MH370. jet’s fate remains a mystery almost two peron wing part that washed up on a Truss said the Chinese vessel would not be expanded. Malaysia’s transport minister Liow Tiong Lai said the two-metre-long object found years after it vanished. beach on the Indian Ocean island of would be equipped with a six-kil- Relatives of those aboard MH370 in the eastern state of Terengganu on Thursday had been examined by off icials The Dong Hai Jiu 101 will join three Reunion in July has been confirmed ometre long towed sonar system, have bitterly criticised the airline and from the ministry, the Department of Civil Aviation and Malaysia Airlines. other vessels contracted from Dutch to have come from aircraft. which searchers will use to take a the Malaysian government for failing “The assessment found that the debris does not match those of a Boeing 777, fi rm Fugro — Fugro Discovery, Fugro “The ship, offered to Prime Min- closer look at the rugged seabed. to provide answers, while the disap- thus confirming that the debris is not from MH370,” he said in a statement. Equator and Havila Harmony — cur- ister Malcolm Turnbull by Premier Dong Hai Jiu 101 is set to depart pearance has become one of avia- Flight MH370 disappeared with 239 people on board on its way from Kuala rently scouring the depths of the Li Keqiang of the People’s Repub- Singapore for Australia tomorrow tion’s greatest riddles and spawned Lumpur to Beijing in March 2014. southern Indian Ocean off Western lic of China in November 2015, will and join the hunt — which has so far numerous conspiracy theories. Critics warn Tropical Asia gets ready for new draft mosquito-borne Zika virus Malaysia says virus charter will could “spread quickly” if introduced; Thailand has average of five cases a year deepen Reuters Bangkok/Kuala Lumpur

ropical Southeast Asian countries said yesterday Thai crisis Tthey were bracing for the mosquito-borne Zika virus, with AFP The revised charter con- Malaysia saying it could “spread Bangkok tains many of the same con- quickly” if introduced, but Thai- troversial points that saw the land appeared to be bucking the last draft voted down. trend with just a handful of cases new draft charter meant A major sticking point a year. to soothe Thailand’s among politicians of all Zika, linked to severe birth Acaustic political divi- stripes is a provision to allow defects including babies born sions was unveiled yester- for the parliament to choose with abnormally small heads, is day but swiftly shot down by an unelected prime minister wreaking havoc in Brazil where the toppled government who to lead the country. the government has deployed warned it would only deepen The draft wants to establish more than 200,000 troops to the kingdom’s crisis. a proportional representation eradicate mosquitoes. The draft is the junta’s sec- voting system, something The World Health Organisa- ond stab at crafting a new the junta say will make every tion (WHO) said on Thursday constitution since former ballot count but large parties that the virus was “spreading army chief Prayut Chan-O- have balked at that provision explosively” and could infect as Cha ousted an elected civilian fearing they may struggle to many as fourmn people in the government in May 2014. make a clear majority. Americas. No treatment or vac- Prayut says he was forced Critics say other elements cine is available. into a coup to restore order are openly anti-democratic, In Thailand, where just one following months of mass including a provision for a case of Zika has been reported street protests. 200-member unelected sen- so far this year, the likelihood The junta touts its new ate. of Zika spreading was low, of- charter as the only way to clip In a statement rejecting the fi cials said, partly because of the wings of powerful politi- draft, the toppled Puea Thai better access to health care and cians and expunge corrup- Party said it hoped the junta because Thailand was dealing tion. is “aware of the damage that with a smaller area. “Thailand But critics say it is a brazen will occur if the constitution is a medium-sized country with A worker sprays insecticide for mosquitoes at a village in Bangkok. attempt to limit the influ- is enacted”. a good public health system and ence of billionaire ex-premier The party, whose leader easy-to-access medical facili- about Zika but that it was “only posed to the virus. circulated in the region “it can but the government said there Thaksin Shinawatra whose Yingluck Shinawatra — Thak- ties,” Amnuay Gajeena, director- a matter of time” before more Amnuay said there was “no be anticipated that the virus will was a high risk of transmission populist parties have won all sin’s sister — was removed by general of the Disease Control cases were reported. technical evidence” of wide- emerge”. if cases were imported to Singa- elections since 2001, unset- a court just before the coup Department, told Reuters. Thailand has confi rmed one spread immunity in Thailand Malaysia’s Health Ministry pore, a regional travel hub. tling the Bangkok-centric and is now on trial warned Thailand detected its fi rst Zika case of the virus so far this year. but individuals exposed to the said Zika had not yet been de- In the Western Pacifi c, Zika elite. the document may become case in 2012 and has recorded an Earlier this month, Taiwan re- virus would “of course develop” tected. “If it is introduced by an was fi rst reported in Micro- The junta’s first effort at a “the core cause of crisis in the average of fi ve cases a year, ac- ported one case of Zika infection antibodies as with other viruses. infected Malaysian or by a visi- nesia in 2007. It was reported charter was voted down by a future”. cording to the Ministry of Public in a man from northern Thai- The Zika virus is spread tor to Malaysia, it could spread in French Polynesia in October military-appointed commit- A finalised version of the Health. land. through the Aedes aegypti mos- quickly,” said Lokman Hakim 2013, and since then, a number tee late last year, effectively charter is due to go to a refer- Kriengsak Limkittikul, assist- The WHO said on Sunday quito — responsible for dengue, Sulaiman, Malaysia’s Health of Pacifi c Island countries have starting the drafting process endum vote this August. ant professor at the Department the rapid spread of Zika in the yellow fever and other tropical Ministry deputy director-gen- reported cases, including New anew and postponing elec- But political expression or of Tropical Medicine at Mahidol Americas was due to a lack of diseases. The WHO’s Western eral. Caledonia, Cook Islands, Solo- tions for over a year. gatherings remain banned in University in Bangkok, said there immunity among a population Pacifi c Region Offi ce in Manila Neighbouring Singapore has mon Islands, Vanuatu, Fiji and Analysts said that move Thailand and it is unclear if was inadequate information that had not been previously ex- said as long as Aedes mosquitoes not detected any Zika infections Samoa. Pages 14, 18 was engineered to extend the opponents will be at all able military government’s rule to discuss their concerns. over Thailand, which has seen “In some sense, the new 12 successful army takeovers document gives lip service since absolute monarchy was to democracy while only en- Singapore shipping firm fined for North Korea-linked arms abolished in 1932 and 20 con- shrining a hollow variant of stitution rewrites. it,” said Paul Chambers, a A Singapore shipping firm was fined yes- the intercepted vessel. Chinpo Shipping freighter, Chong Chon Gang, through the MiG-21 fighters, air defence systems, mis- The next few weeks will be Thailand-based academic. terday for its role in an attempt to smuggle “transferred financial assets or resources Panama Canal. siles and command and control vehicles, dedicated to gathering feed- Thailand’s nearly century- Soviet-era weapons and fighter jets from that may reasonably be used to contribute The Singapore court also convicted buried under 200,000 bags of sugar. back on the fresh charter, long struggle with democracy Cuba to North Korea in 2013. to the nuclear-related programmes or Chinpo Shipping of a second charge of Cuba had argued that the weapons were drafting committee chairman has seen 19 charters come and Chinpo Shipping Company Pte Ltd was activities of” North Korea, a charge sheet conducting a remittance business without “obsolete” which the communist island Meechai Ruechupan told re- go, with power swinging back found guilty by a Singapore district court said. This was in breach of UN sanctions a licence. had sent to Pyongyang for repair. But the porters. and forth between military of paying for a North Korean freighter to aimed at curbing North Korea’s nuclear The ship, bound for North Korea from find raised concerns about Cuba’s military “We are ready to reason- rulers and quasi-democratic transit through the Panama Canal, in viola- programme. Cuba, was intercepted and searched while co-operation with North Korea. ably adjust the constitution legislatures. tion of UN sanctions. Chinpo Shipping was found guilty in navigating the Panama Canal on July 10, In June last year, a court in Panama jailed as it will be enforced for the Prayut this week said elec- A UN report quoted in 2014 said Chinpo December of wiring $72,000 to a ship- 2013. two of the ship’s North Korean off icers entire nation to benefit the tions will be held in July 2017, Shipping had acted as an agent for a ping agent in Panama on July 8, 2013 to Authorities discovered 25 containers of for 12 years in relation to the smuggling public,” he said, launching irrespective of the outcome of Pyongyang-based company that operated facilitate the passage of the North Korean military hardware, including two Soviet-era attempt. the document. referendum.

DISTRESS Cold snap in Suu Kyi braces for power as her party comes to parliament Vietnam kills 8,000 livestock

Reuters capital, Naypyidaw. “I am very also said they would not push mained a closely guarded NLD Nearly 8,000 livestock died in the Naypyidaw excited to be here. I will work for an immediate overhaul of the secret. One of the most public coldest weather for decades in very hard to promote female constitution. faces of the transition, parlia- northern Vietnam over the past rights and to create more op- “If they agree to amend the ment speaker Shwe Mann urged week, authorities said yesterday. fter sweeping a historic portunities for our women,” said constitution earlier, it would the military and the NLD to Dead cattle, goats, horses and election in November, Myint Myint Soe, a newly elect- show their faith in the country work together. pigs were reported in six northern AMyanmar’s democracy ed NLD member of parliament. and their sympathy towards the The former third most sen- provinces, while nearly 11,000 champion Aung San Suu Kyi Even though the politicians people,” said Tin Oo, one of the ior member of the junta who hectares of paddy fields and yesterday bid farewell to outgo- are generally optimistic, the party’s most respected leaders. became a Suu Kyi ally, said he farms were also damaged, the ing lawmakers and prepared to months ahead are likely to be “But the NLD policy towards expected the Nobel Peace Prize Department of Livestock Produc- form the country’s fi rst demo- tense. the military for now is not to put laureate to “use me well” in the tion (DLP) said. Son La was the cratically elected government A junta-drafted constitu- any pressure on them,” he said. new administration. hardest-hit province, it said. since the 1960s. Chairperson of the National League for Democracy (NLD) Aung San tion bars Suu Kyi from becom- The new lawmakers will pick Over the next few weeks, the The past week’s cold spell in The parliament dominated by Suu Kyi attends the last day of the Union parliament regular session ing president, gives the military parliamentary speakers next upper house, the lower house northern Vietnam was the worst in members of her National League in Naypyidaw yesterday. control over three security min- week and the chamber will then and the military bloc in par- 39 years, according to the Vietnam for Democracy — which won istries and a quarter of seats in turn to elect a president. liament will put forward one National Centre for Hydro-Meteor- about 80% of elected seats last formation of a government after the end of the fi rst term of par- parliament, which will force the Suu Kyi has already said she presidential candidate each. The ological Forecasting. Temperatures year— will convene for the fi rst decades-long struggle against liament, the outgoing and in- NLD into constant negotiations would defy the constitution by combined houses will then vote in downtown Hanoi reached six time on Monday, in another step the junta that had ruled Myan- coming lawmakers from all par- with the armed forces. staying “above the president”, on the three candidates. degrees Celsius, the coldest in more of what has surprised experts as mar for 49 years. In 2011, it gave ties, as well as a military bloc, NLD leaders have reassured and leading the country. The winner will become pres- than 20 years. Yesterday, tempera- a remarkably stable — if drawn way to the semi-civilian govern- performed traditional dances, the army, stressing their focus is This has started speculation ident and form a government tures rose to 10 degrees in northern out— transfer of power. ment of President Thein Sein. shared food and took pictures on the future and the will to put over who would be nominated and assume power by the end of Vietnam, signalling an end to the Suu Kyi’s camp will start the Celebrating the transition and in an emotional ceremony in the the past behind them. They have for president. But that has re- March. cold spell, the Centre said. Gulf Times Saturday, January 30, 2016 9 AUSTRALASIA/EAST ASIA Japan N Korea activity revives talk of missile defence military Reuters threat of an increasingly ad- Thursday that there was in- 28,500 military personnel in the ploying THAAD in South Korea. missile defence system. Seoul vanced North Korean missile creased activity at a North Ko- country, a legacy of the 1950-53 Kim said there was internal Both China and Russia, which on alert programme. rean missile site suggesting Korean War, which ended in a discussion in the US government are among the fi ve international “If THAAD is deployed by the preparations for a possible rocket truce and left the two Koreas in a about deploying the system to its powers that have sought to ne- outh Korea indicated in- US military in Korea, it will be launch as UN Security Council technical state of war. military based in South Korea. gotiate with North Korea to per- Reuters creased willingness to host helpful for our security and de- members discuss fresh sanctions China is North Korea’s lone The system has radar that can suade it to abandon its nuclear Tokyo San advanced US anti-mis- fence,” South Korean defence against North Korea after it con- major ally. But in recent years track multiple ballistic missiles weapons, have spoken against sile defence yesterday as activity ministry spokesman Kim Min- ducted its fourth nuclear test on South Korea has forged increas- up to 2,000km (1,200 miles) stationing the THAAD system in detected at a North Korean mis- seok said. January 6. ingly strong ties with China. away, a range which would reach South Korea. apan has put its military on sile site revived talk of deploying Previously, South Korea was The offi cials cited intelligence “We believe that any country, deep into China and Russia. North Korea last conducted alert for a possible North Ko- a system opposed by China and reluctant to openly discuss the suggesting movement of com- when striving for its own secu- The THAAD system is built by a long-range rocket launch in Jrean ballistic missile launch Russia. possibility of the deployment, as ponents and propellant at North rity, should also consider other Lockheed Martin Corporation, late 2012, sending an object it after indications it is preparing US military offi cials have said it tried to walk a fi ne line between Korea’s Sohae satellite launch countries’ security interests and and costs an estimated 1tn won described as a communications for a test fi ring, two people with the sophisticated system called its closest ally, the United States, facility. regional peace and stability,” for- ($885.6mn) apiece. satellite into orbit. Western and direct knowledge of the order Terminal High Altitude Area and its biggest trade partner, A test could take place within a eign ministry spokeswoman Hua Some THAAD opponents in Asian experts said it was part of told Reuters yesterday. Defence (THAAD) was needed China. couple of weeks, they said. Chunying told a briefi ng when South Korea itself propose in- an eff ort to build an ICBM (inter- “Increased activity at North in South Korea, which faces the US offi cials told Reuters on The United States maintains asked about the possibility of de- stead developing an indigenous continental ballistic missile). Korea’s missile site suggests that there may be a launch in the next few weeks,” said one of the sources, both of whom declined to be identifi ed because they are not authorised to talk to the me- dia. Tension rose in East Asia this month after North Korea’s fourth nuclear test, this time of what it said was a hydrogen Miners bomb. A missile test coming so soon after the nuclear test would raise concern that North Korea plans to fi t nuclear warheads on its missiles, giving it the capability to launch a strike against rival South Korea, Japan and possi- rescued bly targets as far away as the US West Coast. Japan’s Minister of Defence Gen Nakatani has ordered Aegis destroyers that operate in the Sea of Japan to be ready to tar- get any North Korean projectiles heading for Japan, the sources after said. A defence ministry spokes- man declined to say whether PAC-3 batteries and the Aegis destroyers had been deployed to respond to any threat from North Korea Nakatani, asked in a press 36 days briefi ng whether Japan would shoot down any North Korean AFP face structural instability of the missile, said: “We will take steps Hong Kong tunnel and falling rocks. to respond, but I will refrain The incident was the lat- from revealing specifi c measures est deadly accident in a coun- given the nature of the situa- our miners who had been try where safety rules are often tion.” trapped underground for fl outed to cut costs. A trapped miner is lifted from a collapsed coal mine after 36 days of being trapped underground, in Pingyi, Shandong province. F36 days in a collapsed Chi- The mine owner drowned nese gypsum mine have been himself at the scene soon after Australian schools rescued, state media reported the collapse while he was helping yesterday. in rescue eff orts, Xinhua report- evacuated after The operation to save the men ed previously. bomb ‘threats’ trapped more than 200m under- The cause of the collapse is ground took two hours as each under investigation, but indus- Thousands of students were China jails three rights was hauled up to the surface one trial safety regulations are often evacuated from schools in two by one, according to state broad- fl outed in China and corruption Australian states yesterday caster CCTV. enables bosses to pursue profi ts following hoax bomb threats, Dramatic footage released at the cost of worker safety. with local media saying that they by CCTV showed rescue crews Four offi cials in Pingyi, where could be linked to similar scares activists in Guangzhou applauding as the men were the mine is located, including the in Europe. brought to the surface in Shan- county’s party chief and head of Several schools in New South dong province, in eastern China, government, were removed from Wales (NSW), home to Australia’s Reuters power” as well as publishing them away, while journalists citizens of China and to God one by one on a narrow capsule. their posts in the wake of the ac- largest city Sydney, and Victoria Guangzhou, China books on democracy. were blocked from fi lming by for justice. The men were shown being cident. reportedly received bomb threats The trio were known as offi cers wielding umbrellas. “Their peaceful and legiti- wrapped in military blankets, The gypsum pit and other and were either evacuated or the “three gentlemen of “This verdict is unaccept- mate work never threatened and put in ambulances. mines in its vicinity were ordered locked down. Chinese court jailed Guangzhou”, part of a once vi- able,” said Tang’s wife, Wang state security, this is solely The four were among 29 to stop production in October by On Thursday more than 20 three rights activists for brant network of activists in Yanfang, outside the court. about the authorities arbitrar- trapped when the mine collapsed local authorities because of a risk schools in France, Italy and Aup to fi ve years yester- the city. “They violated no laws, and the ily silencing government crit- on December 25. of sinkholes, but it kept operat- Britain were placed on alert after day, lawyers said, on charges Human rights groups and charges are politically motivat- ics,” Patrick Poon, a researcher Of the 29 miners, 11 were res- ing secretly, the Beijing Times receiving threatening phone calls. including inciting subversion, some Western countries have ed ... They were only trying to at Amnesty International, said cued the following day and one reported earlier. On Tuesday six Paris schools and amid what critics see as an in- expressed repeated concern help society.” in a statement. was pronounced dead while 13 Accidents linked to lax indus- 14 in Britain were evacuated after tensifying crackdown on dis- about a widening campaign to The Guangzhou intermedi- As part of the indictment, remained unaccounted for fol- trial safety enforcement have hoax bomb threats. sent under President Xi Jin- quash dissent among academ- ate court could not be reached the men were accused of dis- lowing the rescue, CCTV said. seen hundreds of people killed “Victoria Police can confirm it is ping. ics, journalists and social ac- for a response to accusations tributing books by Gene Sharp, Rescuers fi rst detected signs of in China this year, including this treating the threatening phone The Guangzhou Intermedi- tivists. the men were not granted a fair a US academic who promotes life on December 30. month’s landslide in the south- calls received by a number of ate People’s Court sentenced China rejects any criticism trial. systems of non-violent action The four were named by CCTV ern commercial hub of Shenzhen Victorian schools today as a human rights lawyer Tang Jin- of its human rights record, say- It had not released any in- to build democracy. as Hao Zhicheng, aged 50, Li and chemical blasts in the indus- hoax,” Victoria Police said in a gling and two other activists, ing that it is a country ruled by formation about the trial on its Authorities also accused Qiusheng, aged 39, Guan Qingji, trial city of Tianjin in August. statement, without naming the Yuan Xinting, 44, and Wang law and that it opposes external website or Weibo feed by late Tang of inciting people to join aged 58, and Hua Mingxi, aged China is the world’s largest schools or stating how many Qingying, to fi ve years, three- interference in its domestic af- afternoon. a “Citizen Non-Co-operation 36. coal producer and offi cial data were aff ected. and-a-half years and two- fairs. One of the lawyers defend- Movement”, to try to overthrow Rescuers managed to contact showed colliery accidents killed Victoria Police added that there and-a-half years imprison- Scores of police fenced off ing the men, Ge Yongxi, said the socialist system. the miners on January 8, the 931 people last year. was no immediate threat to ment, respectively, according the court’s perimeter, pre- Tang would not appeal because Tang repeatedly denied the broadcaster reported, and sent The government has said that schools and the threats were not to their lawyers. venting two foreign diplomats, it would be “meaningless in the charges, insisting his rights down food, clothes and lamps the number of fatalities is de- terrorism-related. Tang, 44, a prominent rights from the United States and face of a court that is acting il- and legal work and advocacy through a tunnel. clining, but some rights groups A NSW Police spokesman told activist in the southern city of Germany, attending the trial. legally”. of reforms were meant to bol- However, complicated geo- argue the actual fi gures are sig- AFP that they were investigating Guangzhou, was charged with Police bundled several sup- He said Tang told the court ster social justice and the rule logical conditions made the res- nifi cantly higher due to under- the matter. “inciting subversion of state porters into vehicles and took he would only appeal to the of law. cue diffi cult with crews having to reporting. Taiwan air crash report Turnbull sets elections for highlights safety risks second half of this year AFP premier Tony Abbott in a Sep- dangers from higher and higher Melbourne tember coup calling for bet- federal spending, which has hit Reuters behind the crash, which led to the That resulted in the deaths of The ASC also recommended ter management of Australia’s 25.9% of national income. Taipei/Singapore deaths of 48 of the 58 passengers 43 passengers and crew. that Taiwan’s Civil Aeronautics economy, said that there would Australia’s resources-driven and crew. The fi nal report into this inci- Administration (CAA), the regu- confi dent Australian be no spending hikes as the economy has enjoyed more Among other things, they mis- dent has not been released. lator, step up its “surveillance” Prime Minister Malcolm government tackles a booming than two decades of growth but ransAsia Airways should judged the aircraft’s altitude and The ASC recommended yes- of TransAsia to ensure that the ATurnbull said yesterday structural defi cit. is presently struggling to as an review its safety protocols, failed to follow the proper proto- terday that the airline should en- airline complies with procedures. that elections would be held “This is not going to be a unprecedented mining invest- Tpilot training programme cols, said the ASC. sure that fl ight crew comply with The CAA should also “imple- between August and October fi stful-of-dollars election cam- ment boom wanes, commodity and hiring practices to reduce “Flight crew co-ordination, standard operating procedures. ment a more robust process to but, after a period of political paign,” he said. “My view is that prices slump and tax receipts “imminent risks”, Taiwan’s avia- communication, and threat and Rules should be implemented identify safety-related short- turmoil, warned he would not the Australian electorate are drop. tion safety agency said yesterday. error management were less than to prevent pilots from violating comings” among Taiwan’s air- hand out sweeteners for voters. very well attuned to the diffi cult Abbott’s Liberal-National These were among the 10 eff ective. That compromised the procedures or engaging “in un- lines to ensure that they meet The Liberal leader is expected fi nancial situation that the gov- coalition swept to power in recommendations made by the safety of the fl ight,” it added. safe behaviour”, it added. and maintain the required stand- to win the vote, which must be ernment faces, and the fact that September 2013, ending years Aviation Safety Council (ASC), The report casts a spotlight It should also hire staff to ards, the ASC added. held by late January 2017, and it is in defi cit.” of chaotic Labor rule, only to which published the fi nal report once again on pilot training and overcome a shortage of pilots, In a statement, the CAA said consolidate his power in Can- “It will certainly be a tight fail to push swingeing budgets into its investigation of the June decision-making at TransAsia, personnel in the fl ight training that it will work to ensure fl ight berra after Australia changed budget,” added the former in- cuts through parliament and 2014 crash of Flight GE222. which also lost an ATR 72-600 in department, and those with ex- safety with an “aggressive and prime minister fi ve times in as vestment banker, whose coali- plunge in the polls amid a series The incident took place while another crash on February 2015. pertise in safety management, open” attitude. many years. tion government enjoys a strong of gaff es. the pilots of the ATR 72-500 tur- In the second incident, the air- said the ASC. It has asked TransAsia to in- “There will be an election ... poll lead over the opposition Before him the country was boprop aircraft were attempting craft crashed soon after taking In response to the ASC’s fi nd- crease pilot training, reviewed in August, September, October, Labor party. led by Labor’s Julia Gillard, to land during a thunderstorm on off from Taipei after one engine ings, TransAsia plans to work the airline’s training pro- in the latter part of the year,” the The interview came a day af- who had ousted her own leader Magong island after a fl ight from failed and the captain mistakenly with a local fl ight training centre grammes, and supervised the self-made millionaire told 3AW ter Treasury Secretary John Fra- Kevin Rudd in a ruthless power Kaohsiung. switched off the only working to step up pilot training, among precautionary measures that it commercial radio. ser called for substantial struc- grab, before being knifed herself Pilot error was the main factor engine. its plans to address fl ight safety. has taken, the CAA added. But Turnbull, who ousted tural savings and warned of the by Rudd ahead of a 2013 vote. Gulf Times 10 Saturday, January 30, 2016 BRITAIN/IRELAND

POLITICS LEGAL PROPOSAL PROJECT VERDICT Couple lose civil Irish finance minister ‘Good progress’ being Duo jailed for promoting partnership fight plans contingency fund made on nuke plant: govt Islamic State in London

A heterosexual couple yesterday lost a High Court Ireland’s senior coalition party would build up a The government has said that “good progress” A court sentenced two men to prison yesterday bid to be allowed to have a civil partnership rather contingency fund as a buff er against fiscal shocks was being made on a vast project to construct after they were convicted of promoting Islamic than marry. Rebecca Steinfeld and Charles Keidan if it remains in power after elections expected to be the nation’s first nuclear power plant in decades. State on London’s Oxford Street, one of the claimed they were victims of discrimination held next month, Finance Minister Michael Noonan In October, French energy giant EDF signed a city’s busiest commercial areas. The Old Bailey because the Civil Partnership Act 2004 stipulates said yesterday. Fine Gael’s Noonan said the next historic deal with China General Nuclear Power in London sentenced Ibrahim Anderson, 38, to only same-sex couples are eligible. Dr Steinfeld, government will have about 10bn euros of extra Corporation (CGN) to build a new plant at three years in prison for soliciting support for 34, and Keidan, 39, of Hammersmith, have been money available over the next five years, based Hinkley Point in Somerset, southwest England, a banned organisation while his accomplice, Candidates in the forthcoming mayor of London together since 2010 and have an eight-month-old on current economic growth forecasts, spending with construction costs totalling £18bn. “Good 63-year-old Shah Jahan Khan, was given two elections, Labour party MP, Sadiq Khan, Liberal baby. Justice Andrews rejected their application commitments and demographic pressures, and he progress continues to be made so that Hinkley years in prison for the same off ence. The two Democrat party member Caroline Pidgeon, Ukip for a judicial review but did grant permission would leave a quarter of that in a ‘Contingency and can provide clean, aff ordable and secure energy men from the city of Luton were reported to member Peter Whittle, Green Party member Sian to appeal. The couple have said they intend to Stability Reserve.’ “If there is a shock, externally or that hardworking families and businesses police by two witnesses who photographed Berry, and Conservative MP, Zac Goldsmith, pose appeal. Steinfeld said: “We are very disappointed internally, we’ll have a contingency fund which we can rely on now and in the future,” said a them promoting Islamic State and handing out for a photograph ahead of the ‘London Tomorrow: in the judge’s ruling, which we think undermines will deploy,” Noonan was quoted as saying in an spokesperson for the government’s department leaflets on Oxford Street in December 2014, Shaping Future Cities’ event in London. equality in the United Kingdom.” interview with the Irish Independent newspaper. of energy and climate change. prosecutors told the court. Oxford college Weather warnings issued not to take down Rhodes statue despite protests

AFP campaigned to remove the statue, London said on Facebook that the decision “reminds us that black lives are cheap at Oxford”. statue at Oxford University “Oriel has basically said: Who of 19th century British im- cares about black lives and the Aperialist Cecil Rhodes will concerns of BME (black and mi- not be taken down despite pro- nority ethnic) Oxford students tests, the college at the centre of anyways?” the dispute said yesterday, to the Others have warned against fury of campaigners. taking the statue down, saying “Following careful considera- that to do so would be to rewrite tion, the college’s governing body history. has decided that the statue should South Africa’s last white presi- remain in place,” Oriel College said dent, F W de Klerk, wrote to the in a statement. Times newspaper last month call- But it denied newspaper reports ing the plan a “folly” and adding: that it feared losing donations “If the political correctness of An overturned lorry lies on the hard shoulder of the M9 near Stirling in Scotland yesterday. Severe weather warnings are in place in parts of Scotland as storm Gertrude worth some £100mn if it did take today were applied consistently, rolls in packing winds of up to 144kph. the statue down. very few of Oxford’s great fi gures Rhodes - a white supremacist would pass scrutiny.” like many builders of the British Oriel’s statement said that “the empire - gave his name to the ter- overwhelming message we have ritories of Rhodesia, now Zimba- received has been in support of the bwe and Zambia, and founded the statue remaining in place”. De Beers diamond company. “The recent debate has under- lined that the continuing presence “This is not over. We will be of these historical artefacts is an redoubling our eff orts and important reminder of the com- meeting over the weekend plexity of history and of the lega- Cameron warns new EU to discuss our next actions” cies of colonialism still felt today.” Anti-apartheid veteran Denis The tycoon was also a donor Goldberg, who was jailed along- to Oriel, one of Oxford’s 38 col- side Nelson Mandela in 1964, said leges, and endowed the Rhodes the statue’s fate was trivial. Scholarship, which has helped “Reshape your campaign to ex- non-British students like former pose what Rhodes did and how the deal off er ‘not enough’ US president Bill Clinton and ex- legacy continues in South Africa Australian prime minister Tony today. That’s what you must fi ght,” AFP a so-called “Brexit” from the Asked about the chances of will further try to hammer out freedom of movement. Abbott study at the prestigious he told BBC radio. Brussels 28-nation EU come amid a se- a deal when he meets his EU details. Polish Foreign Minister Wi- university. Removing the Cape Town stat- ries of crises for the bloc in- counterparts next month, Cam- Tusk is expected to table his told Waszczykowski was fi rm Inspired by the Rhodes Must ue “hasn’t changed the systemic cluding the biggest infl ux of eron added: “I can’t be certain proposals for a possible Brit- in his stance against any change Fall campaign which prompted the exploitation. rime Minister David Cam- migrants and refugees to Europe we’ll get there in February but I ish deal on Monday, European to the welfare benefi ts currently removal of the University of Cape “The removal of it takes away eron yesterday warned since World War II. will work as hard as I can to de- sources said. enjoyed by hundreds of thou- Town’s Rhodes statue last year, the right to expose, to debate,” he Pof a lack of progress dur- But Cameron, well known for liver a good deal for the British In a sign of the urgency of sands of Polish workers in Brit- many current students objected added. “We cut into our right to ing talks in Brussels on a deal to his brinkmanship, said it would people.” yesterday’s talks, Cameron ain. to the presence of his statue in the free speech.” curb migrant benefi ts, upping take more work to reach a deal at European Parliament head cancelled a visit to Denmark “I want to stress that Polish heart of the historic English city. The Daily Telegraph newspaper the ante in the battle to keep a crucial summit on February 18, Martin Schulz, who also met and Sweden to hold yesterday’s authorities won’t agree to the The Rhodes Must Fall group reported that Oriel had already Britain in the EU. before a referendum on Britain’s briefly with Cameron, said working lunch with Juncker, infringement of one of the EU’s yesterday called Oriel’s decision seen £1.5mn in donations can- Cameron held a crucial meet- membership of the European he was “optimistic there will the head of the EU’s powerful fundamental rights, namely “outrageous, dishonest, and cyni- celled due to the ambiguity over ing with European Commission Union, probably in June. be a deal in February” but executive, whose appointment its citizens’ right to freedom cal.” the statue and that some alumni chief Jean-Claude Juncker to “We have made some progress warned that the “devil is in Cameron opposed in 2014. of movement within the EU,” “This is not over. We will be re- had cut the college out of their discuss a “migration brake” that today; it’s not enough, it’s going the detail”. Many EU nations, especially Waszczykowski told parlia- doubling our eff orts and meeting wills. But an Oriel spokesman in- would meet his key demand - a to be hard work” he told Sky News The pressure is now on ahead those in central Europe which ment. over the weekend to discuss our sisted: “The fi nancial implications four-year limit before EU work- television after his talks with of a dinner that Cameron will have many nationals working “We won’t accept solutions next actions.” were absolutely not the overriding ers in Britain can claim welfare Juncker. “There is now a pro- host for European Council in Britain, say a benefi ts limit that would result in discrimina- Ntokozo Qwabe, a South Afri- consideration - not even a major payments. posal on the table, it is not good President Donald Tusk in Lon- would be discriminatory and tion against our countrymen in can 2014 Rhodes Scholar who has factor.” The negotiations to prevent enough, it needs more work.” don tomorrow at which they harm the bloc’s core principle of any EU member state.” Blair refuses to answer End of the line James Murdoch back as Sky boss queries on IRA, Gaddafi AFP The paper’s former editor Re- London bekah Brooks was arrested on suspicion of being involved in the Guardian News and Media boost its arsenal. Some of the most to help them gain compensation voicemail interception by journal- London notorious attacks in England in- over IRA attacks where Libyan lobal media magnate ists but was cleared of all charges volved Libyan supplied semtex weapons were used. Rupert Murdoch’s son in 2014. explosives which was used to trig- “What is your response to the GJames will return as chair- Last year she was appointed ony Blair has been chal- ger the huge bombs that devas- argument made by the IRA vic- man of British broadcaster Sky, to head up Rupert Murdoch’s lenged by a Westminster tated Bishopsgate and later Canary tims that you should have pushed the company said yesterday, near- News UK, which owns The Sun, Tgovernment committee to Wharf in London. for their inclusion in the settle- ly four years after he was forced to The Times and The Sunday Times explain why he refused to ask for In their letter to Blair’s offi ce ment reached between the US and leave over a phone hacking scan- newspapers. compensation from the late dic- released this week, the Northern Libya?” dal. James Murdoch is currently tator Muammar Gaddafi for the Ireland aff airs committee chal- The committee also points out “The board has appointed CEO of 21st Century Fox, the jewel victims of Libyan-supplied IRA lenges him to a list of 11 questions to Blair that a criminal compensa- James Murdoch to succeed Ni- in the crown of his father’s media weapons. about his government’s negotia- tion scheme in Northern Ireland cholas Ferguson as chairman,” the empire which owns 39% of Sky. The former prime minister has tions with the former Gaddafi re- for victims of terrorism only ap- company said in a statement to the Shore Capital analyst Roddy refused to be questioned in pub- gime in Tripoli. plies to people in the region and London Stock Exchange. Davidson said Murdoch’s return lic by the Northern Ireland af- They include several questions excludes anyone injured in bombs Analysts said the move will fuel would likely “rekindle speculation fairs committee over his dealings to the former prime minister such that went off in England. speculation that Rupert Murdo- regarding 21st Century Fox’s plans with Gaddafi and negotiations as: “In your evidence to the foreign Blair had incorrectly tried to ar- ch’s News Corporation is prepar- for its 39% stake”. aimed at compensating victims of aff airs committee, you separated gue to the foreign aff airs commit- ing a new takeover bid for Sky - a Murdoch has always seen the the Lockerbie plane bombing as the issue of compensation for the tee, which he did give evidence to deal it abandoned in the wake of aborted deal to takeover Sky as well as the murder of PC Yvonne family of WPC Fletcher and the regarding Libya, that this scheme the hacking scandal. “unfi nished business,” the BBC Fletcher. Lockerbie victims, from the claims would cover compensation for any James Murdoch served as chair- quoted its sources as saying. Blair stands accused of ignor- of the UK victims of IRA terrorism. IRA victims. man between 2007 and 2012 but Sky off ers pay television and ing demands from IRA victims to Why?” In their letter, the MPs and lords quit over a scandal involving the Internet services in fi ve countries: press Gaddafi on compensation In relation to face to face meet- on the committee describe Blair’s The last-ever Land Rover Defender, a vehicle beloved phone hacking of celebrities and Austria, Britain, Germany, Ireland for people both in Northern Ire- ings he held with Gaddafi , the par- reasons for refusing to be ques- by Queen Elizabeth II and featured in Hollywood crime victims by the Murdoch- and Italy. land and Britain who were injured liamentarians also ask Blair: “Was tioned by them as “superfi cial” blockbusters, rolled off the production line in Britain owned tabloid News of the World. “James’s deep knowledge of the or whose loved ones were killed by the issue of compensation for the and “disappointing.” yesterday. Indian-owned carmaker Jaguar Land Rover He had been executive chair- international media industry and Libyan-supplied semtex explo- UK victims of the IRA discussed at They conclude that while the had already announced in late 2013 that the group man of his father’s British news- his passion for supporting Sky’s sives and weaponry. any of these meetings?” committee would prefer if Blair would stop making the legendary Defender at its paper publishing arm. ongoing success will make an even During the Troubles Gaddafi ’s The letter also raises the con- appears in person they would be car plant in Solihull in the West Midlands in central The News of the World weekly greater contribution to our busi- regime sent the Provisional IRA cerns of victims groups who have grateful if he could answer all 11 England. newspaper was subsequently shut ness in the future,” said Jeremy tonnes of arms and explosives to condemned Blair’s alleged refusal questions. down. Darroch, Sky’s chief executive. Gulf Times Saturday, January 30, 2016 11 EUROPE

Authorities say ‘raped’ German-Russian teen No resolution after spent night at friend’s

AFP/DPA defuse the propaganda that had Berlin developed recently around this case”, Frank Henkel, the German capital’s top security offi cial, said Merkel-Renzi talks 13-year-old Russian- in a statement. German girl who ignited Without mentioning Mos- AFP answers to specifi c questions we Merkel, after a decade in pow- face the threat of torture or death fallen from thousands to hun- Aan international row by cow, he said Germany is a “state Berlin sent to the (European) Commis- er, has come under fi erce pres- in their own country. dreds a day in recent weeks amid saying that she was raped by mi- based on the rule of law” and no sion,” he said, adding that once sure to reverse her open-arms Across Europe, debate has harsh winter weather, and the grants was actually sleeping at “political pressure from abroad” there is clarity, “there can be no migrant policy, with emotions raged on how to handle the big- government is desperate to keep a friend’s house on the night in would alter its “constitutional he German and Italian doubt that we will make our con- heightened after a rash of sex- gest migrant wave since World it that way. question, Berlin prosecutors said principles”. leaders pledged yesterday tribution”. ual assaults in Cologne on New War II, with Sweden and Finland “We must seize the window yesterday. The teenager went missing on Tto tackle Europe’s migrant Italy has questioned how much Year’s Eve police blamed mostly announcing plans to deport tens of opportunity that has opened,” Authorities in the German January 11, reportedly on her way infl ux but failed to resolve dis- of the money should come from on North Africans and Arabs. of thousands of failed asylum said Merkel’s migrant policy co- capital said their investigation to school. cord on an EU deal with Turkey the EU budget, and how much She has seen her long-stellar seekers. ordinator Peter Altmaier. “Our had concluded that the account She subsequently returned to limit arrivals, a day after Berlin control the bloc will have over poll ratings slide ahead of three Several eastern European goal must be for refugee numbers of the girl’s kidnapping and sex- and fi led a police report, with moved to tighten asylum rules. how Ankara spends the funds. state elections in March. countries have sealed their bor- not to rise again after the end of ual assault this month by three her parents telling investigators Chancellor Angela Merkel Responding to recent Ger- A poll published yesterday by ders, and Hungary’s hardline the winter storms but for them to men from “southern countries” she was kidnapped by three ap- said that, with 2,000 new asy- man criticism that Italy has been news weekly Focus found that Prime Minister Victor Orban re- keep going down.” had no basis in fact, despite parently foreign men at a railway lumseekers entering the Balkans slow to set up “hotspot” migrant 40% of respondents want Merkel iterated yesterday that “migra- So far this year, more than high-level Russian claims to the station in eastern Berlin and tak- every day, the European Union registration centres, he said that to resign. tion is a security issue”, linking 55,500 people have reached Eu- contrary. en to a fl at where they raped and “urgently” needs to implement Italian police were now “regis- Late on Thursday, Merkel’s co- it to “the threat of terrorism and rope’s shores, the International “Using data from her bro- beat her. a deal that asks Turkey to better tering 100% of refugees” and alition government, after months crime”. Organisation of Migration (IOM) ken mobile phone, we were able German police last week re- protect its borders in return for taking their photos and fi nger- of wrangling, hammered out a Bulgarian Prime Minister Bo- said. to access information about a jected the teenager’s account but fi nancial support. prints. deal to limit migrant numbers by kyo Borisov demanded the clo- Of the total, 244 died on the young German man aged 19 – an nevertheless passed the case to “We must fi ght illegality”, In a diplomatic show of unity blocking some family reunifi ca- sure of the external borders of way to Greece and Italy, a far acquaintance of the 13-year-old the prosecutor’s offi ce. combat human traffi ckers and after Renzi has repeatedly criti- tions and declaring three North the passport-free Schengen area, higher toll than this time last girl,” prosecutor’s offi ce spokes- Berlin prosecutors had said avoid migrant deaths at sea, Mer- cised “German dominance” in African nations “safe countries arguing that rather than spend year, the IOM’s Joel Millman said, man Martin Steltner told AFP. there was no evidence that the kel said at a Berlin press confer- EU aff airs, both leaders said that of origin”. money on migrants, Europe adding that perhaps traffi ckers “The young girl wanted to hide at girl was forced to have sexual ence with Italian Prime Minister the migrant crisis can only be The agreement means citizens should stop them from coming. were rushing as they feared more his house because she was having relations but opened a probe Matteo Renzi. solved if the 28 members of the of Algeria, Morocco and Tunisia With Greece under EU pres- border clampdowns. problems in school.” against at least one man on pos- Renzi, who has stalled on sign- bloc work together. will have little chance of gaining sure to better control the bloc’s “Clearly something has The 19-year-old friend admit- sible statutory rape charges ing off on the €3bn ($3.3bn) EU Renzi added that “for many political asylum, mirroring steps outer borders, Human Rights changed, because these boats are ted that the girl had been with stemming from a separate inci- payment to Ankara and traded years it seemed that the problem Germany took for several Balkan Watch (HRW) said yesterday less seaworthy, and they seem him that night. dent since she was under the age barbs with Brussels, said he was of migration was a purely Italian countries last year. that “turning the country into a to be leaving packed in greater Some of her belongings were of consent (14 in Germany). still seeking clarifi cation about problem. Today we know that Germany will also block fam- warehouse (for migrants) is no numbers,” Millman said. “So that found in his fl at, but there was no Steltner said yesterday that the details from the EU execu- it is a European problem. And I ily reunifi cations for two years solution to Europe’s refugee cri- speaks to perhaps a panic in the evidence of foul play, the spokes- investigators now believe that tive. believe it will last for months, for rejected asylum-seekers who sis”. market that this is not going to man said. the girl had sex with two men in “We are still waiting for the maybe years”. can’t be deported because they In Germany, the infl ow has last much longer.” No charges were lodged their 20s, “a Turkish citizen and against the man, who is now act- a German of Turkish origin” who ing as a witness in the ongoing may now be charged with abus- investigation, the spokesman ing a minor. said. Russia’s foreign ministry said The incident has exacerbated yesterday that confusion over Europol launch own tensions between Germany and the case at a national level could Russia already strained over the have been avoided if Germany confl ict in Syria and European had promptly disclosed the ‘most wanted’ list Union sanctions imposed on case’s details to Russian authori- Moscow over Ukraine. ties. Russian Foreign Minister Ser- “I would like to say that the AFP ture of each of the suspects is gei Lavrov had complained that situation has been very compli- The Hague prominently displayed, along Moscow initially heard about cated since the very beginning,” with a description of the al- the incident not from Germany foreign ministry spokeswoman legations against them and a offi cials “but from the Russian- Maria Zakharova said, accord- uropean police forces phone number of the police speaking community, then from ing to Russian state news agency have launched a “most force hunting for them. the family’s lawyer”. TASS. Ewanted” website of 45 Abdeslam, 26, is “responsi- On Tuesday he tried to lend The incident came to light notorious criminal suspects, ble for the terrorist attacks that credence to the girl’s allegations with Germany in an uproar over including Belgian-born Salah took place in November 2015 in by saying that she had disap- a spate of New Year’s Eve sexual Abdeslam, a key suspect in last France, and more precisely in peared “absolutely for sure” assaults on women in Cologne year’s Paris attacks. Paris”, the website says. against her will and that details allegedly carried out, for the “The website will share in- An international manhunt of the incident had “been hid- most part, by Arab and North Af- formation on high-profi le is underway for Abdeslam fol- den”. rican men, that was initially met internationally-wanted crimi- lowing the Paris attacks. German Foreign Minister with silence from the police. nals, convicted of – or sus- There is one woman on the Frank-Walter Steinmeier on Last year, nearly 1.1mn asylum pected of having committed - list, Cecilia Kettunen, 29, from Wednesday accused Lavrov of seekers arrived in Germany, most serious crimes or terrorist acts Finland, who is accused of “ag- “exploiting” the case of the girl, of them from Syria, Afghanistan in Europe,” Europol said. gravated fraud of signifi cant named as Liza by Russia, and and Iraq, with Chancellor Angela “This is the fi rst initiative on amount of money” without “infl aming” an already heated Merkel under increasing pres- a pan-European level to jointly further details. national debate about migrants. sure over her welcoming stance present a most wanted list on a Another fugitive is Ernesto Yesterday’s fi ndings “clearly toward refugees fl eeing war. common platform,” the Euro- Fazzalari, 45, wanted by the pean police agency added in a Italian police as a “key fi gure of statement. a mafi a clan dubbed Avignone- Judge halts Belgian Syria fighter trial People are encouraged to Zagari-Viola” which is “at war provide tip-off s – anony- with another clan”. A furious Belgian judge has adjourned indefinitely a high-profile appeal mously if they want – at www. Described as a “ruthless hearing with links to the Paris attacks because police had not met his eumostwanted.eu killer”, he is accused of three demands for increased security. The site’s launch comes af- murders. Judge Pierre Saint-Remy on Thursday had suspended proceedings for ter sharp criticism of the co- In a few cases, a reward is of- a day after warning he would call a complete halt unless “satisfactory ordination between European fered for vital information. security measures” were put in place. authorities in the wake of the Some €10,000 ($11,000) is “My directives concerning security were not respected. The case is November 13 jihadist Paris at- off ered for a tip-off leading to adjourned indefinitely,” a visibly angry Saint-Remy said. tacks in which 130 people were the arrest and extradition from Shortly before announcing his decision, the judge had left the chamber killed. Kosovo of Hime Lufaj wanted to berate press photographers and TV crews who had taken pictures of Despite some of the assail- by Austria for the attempted the court room from outside. ants being sought by police murder of a police offi cer in “I said ‘no pictures!’ I regret that the police have failed to follow my they managed to cross into 2009. instructions,” he said, threatening legal action against journalists if they France unnoticed. Some of the unresolved continued. Abdeslam fl ed back across crimes stretch back years. Security concerns have mounted steadily in Belgium since a bloody the border to Belgium hours Romanian “yoga teacher attack on the Jewish museum in central Brussels left four dead in 2014. after the mass killings, af- and spiritual mentor” Grego- The Belgian government then put armed troops on the streets in ter passing through a police rian Bivolaru, 63, is wanted for January last year after breaking up an Islamist cell planning attacks on checkpoint. exploiting children and child Cargo shop ‘Modern Express’ is seen in this picture taken on Thursday and provided yesterday by the police. Europol said the website pornography between 2002 France’s Marine Nationale. The vessel is drifting slowly towards the French coast. Security was increased again after the November Paris attacks that left aimed “at increasing security” and 2004. 130 people dead and hundreds wounded. across the European Union by “Keeping his victim in a state The court had been due to hear appeals by four people against prison having the public “help police of servitude, he recruited an sentences imposed for helping recruit foreign fighters for Syria as part trace Europe’s most wanted fu- under-aged yoga student, for of a ring which included key figures in the Paris attacks, chief among gitives”. sexual exploitation,” the web- Cargo ship listing off France them Abdelhamid Abaaoud. Each of the nations ini- site says. Abaaoud, a Belgian of Moroccan descent, played a leading role in the tially involved – 23 of the 28 Available in 17 languages, the Paris killings which increasingly appear to have been largely organised EU members – will select a website was launched by EN- and co-ordinated from Brussels. number of key fugitives for the FAST1, a Europe-wide police AFP mains under close observation. A French frigate and a tug In July, a court trying 32 people sentenced Abaaoud in absentia to 20 list, which will be regularly up- network specialised in hunting Bordeaux The 164m-long (538-foot) are at the scene and have been years jail for his role in the recruitment network. dated, the agency added. down and arresting fugitives vessel, which was carrying joined by two Spanish tugs On the new website a pic- with Europol’s help. diggers and 3,600 tonnes of sent by the ship’s owners af- Panamanian-registered timber, gave out a distress call ter French authorities warned Police question Disneyland gun-carrier cargo ship was listing on Tuesday when it was situ- them to take action to prevent Princess loses last bid to avoid trial Adangerously more than ated 270km from the northwest the ship posing a danger. Initial questioning of a man arrested with handguns and a Qur’an in his 300km off the western coast of tip of Spain, but it is still not Salvage experts are in the area baggage at the Disney theme park near Paris suggests he had no link Spain’s Princess Cristina, the king’s sister, will face trial for tax fraud France in rough seas yesterday, known why it ran into diffi culty. and will need to board the ship, to any potential militant attack, but he will remain in custody, police and after a court rejected yesterday the defence’s plea for the charges maritime authorities said. The ship does not appear to but a swell of four metres made public prosecutors said yesterday. against her to be dismissed. The decision of the three-judge panel The 22 crew of the “Modern be taking on water for now, au- it impossible “to safely transfer France has been in a state of emergency since Islamist gunmen and was unanimous and cannot be appealed. Express” were evacuated by thorities said. on board the team required to suicide bombers killed 130 people in a wave of jihadist attacks in Paris The 50-year-old sister of King Felipe VI faces embezzlement helicopter in dramatic scenes It is drifting eastwards at a prepare for a possible towing”, on November 13. charges as an accessory to her husband Inaki Urdangarin, 47. on Tuesday, but their ship re- speed of 1.3 knots (2.4kph). the French authorities said. The 28-year-old man, who police said was of European origin, was detained on Thursday as he passed through security scanners at a Disneyland hotel. Two handguns were found in baggage as well as a French-language version of the Qur’an. Police sources said France’s anti-terrorism squad had not so far been Polish senate approves Internet surveillance law change called in to help with the case. The Meaux district prosecutor’s off ice said in a statement that checks on the man and his telephone yielded no indication of militancy and AFP police to access Internet data, The police will no longer have New laws giving the govern- probe into whether the Polish that the only record police had of the man in question was for a driving Warsaw stoking concerns about the state to ask Internet service providers ment control over Poland’s top government is violating the off ence. of democracy in the EU member. for access each time. court, the prosecutor’s offi ce bloc’s democracy rules. A woman who had been accompanying the man was questioned too The new measure will notably It is the latest controversial and public broadcasters have According to the ruling party, after police tracked her down at her home. oland’s senate has ap- give the police direct permanent step taken by the Law and Jus- prompted a series of demon- yesterday’s amendment in- The Meaux prosecutor’s off ice said an inquiry was continuing to proved a controversial access to a whole host of meta- tice party conservatives since strations and harsh criticisms cludes limits on how the police determine whether the man was illegally in possession of the arms in Pamendment making it data regarding the online activ- they swept back to power in Oc- both at home and across Europe. can use the Internet data and for question, a statement that chimed with information from police sources easier for the secret service and ity of Poles. tober after eight years. The EU recently launched a how long. earlier in the day. Gulf Times 12 Saturday, January 30, 2016 INDIA

ECONOMY CLAIM EDUCATION TRAGEDY LAW AND ORDER FDI to India increased 39% Government diluting Politicians lowered public ‘Depressed’ youth waiting Lawmaker in custody in 18 months: Modi Forest Rights Act: Congress schools’ standard: Sisodia for exam results ends life accused of rioting

Prime Minister Narendra Modi yesterday said Congress leader Jairam Ramesh yesterday Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia A 20-year-old youth, who anticipated poor Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) lawamker Mahinder foreign direct investment (FDI) to India has accused the Narendra Modi-led NDA yesterday claimed before the Delhi High Court results in his Chartered Accountancy (CA) Yadav was yesterday arrested on the charge increased by 39% in the last 18 months even government of “diluting the Forest Rights Act” that many politicians have over the years exam papers, committed suicide by hanging of rioting during a protest in New Delhi, police while falling globally. Modi was speaking at and said his party will launch a nation-wide opened their own private schools in the capital himself at his home, the Gurgaon police said said. Yadav was presented before Metropolitan The Economic Times Global Business Summit, political campaign on the lines of the one it ran and have “purposely” lowered the standard yesterday. Aabir Sen took the extreme step Magistrate Harvinder Singh, who allowed Delhi noting that at present, the global economy is against amendments to the Land Acquisition of the public schools for their benefit. Justice at his house in the upscale DLF-5 area of Police to question Yadav till today. Yadav, who going through a period of uncertainty. Stressing Act. “There will be a national political Manmohan was further informed by Sisodia Gurgaon. Arjun Sen, the father of the youth, represents Vikaspuri constituency of the Delhi that reforms in a country should be linked to campaign on the Forest Rights Act 2006 like that private unaided schools have become a told police that his son was nervous and assembly, was arrested along with four AAP people’s welfare, he said: “True reforms are those we had a national campaign on amendments hub of corruption as they are running admission depressed as he felt he had not fared well in workers for rioting while protesting on Thursday which results in transformation in the lives of to the Land Acquisition Act of 2013,” Ramesh rackets under the garb of management quotas. his CA exams. Sen’s family hails from Dover against the alleged rape of a three-year-old girl in citizens. My goal is reform to transform. Biggest told reporters. He said the campaign would Sisodia, defending his government’s decision to Lane, Kolkata. The young man committed Nihal Vihar area of the city. The alleged rape took beneficiary of any reform should be the poor.” highlight in each state the manner in which the scrap management and some other quota from suicide in his room on Thursday midnight. His place about two days ago. The police said there He said: “New opportunities are like oxygen to implementation of the Forest Rights Act was private school admissions, said management body was first noticed by a family member were about 100-150 AAP supporters in the protest the aspirational citizens.” being destroyed. quota was scrapped to check “unfair criteria”. yesterday. and that they tried to disrupt traff ic movement.

MCD staff announce Chief minister’s extension of strike son involved IANS New Delhi mployees of three Municipal in Kerala solar Corporation of Delhi civic Ebodies announced the ex- tension of their strike for an indef- inite period over the non-payment of dues. The Aam Aadmi Party government termed the entire se- quence of events “an indication scam: accused towards a massive salary scam”. “It was a symbolic strike for IANS She claimed that evidence against him and Power Minister three days but since no one from Kochi pertaining to the relationship Aryadan Mohamed in the scam. the government assured us that between Chandy Oomen and the “I have always believed in my our demands would be consid- woman was in the possession conscience and I fi rmly believe ered, we have decided to boycott aritha Nair, one of the main of the state Minister for Forests that if one has done no wrong, work for an indefi nite time,” San- accused in the solar panel Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan. then nothing wrong can hap- jay Gehlot, president of the Maz- Sscam, having fi rst dragged Nair informed the commis- pen. But if there is even a very door Vikas Sanyukta Morcha, said. Kerala Chief Minister Oommen sion she would not comment on small mistake committed, then “Today we will protest outside Chandy into the case, yesterday rumours involving her and top for that a heavy price would have Delhi assembly speaker Ram Ni- claimed that his son Chandy political leaders - that surfaced to be paid. The truth has and will was Goel’s home in Vivek Vihar Oommen was closely involved in when the scam fi rst came to light always triumph,” he said. (in east Delhi) and dump garbage the scandal. - as these involved her privacy. The chief minister claimed there,” he said. Nair made the disclosure on When Nair asked the commis- that Nair’s new revelations and Over 150,000 workers of three the third day of her deposition sion permission to leave stating the events of the past weeks were civic bodies had begun their before the solar judicial commis- she had some urgent work to at- a deep-rooted conspiracy and three-day strike on Wednesday. sion. She claimed she had met tend to, the government’s coun- indicated this was related to his Earlier in the day the striking the chief minister many times sel objected stating she was in a government’s new liquor policy. employees dumped garbage out- and not just thrice as mentioned hurry to brief the media and put “You wait for some more time, side the residence of Transport by Oommen Chandy before the the government in more trouble the conspiracy will be exposed. Minister Gopal Rai. commission. by airing baseless allegations. Appropriate action will be tak- “We will continue to dump Nair said there was a photo- However, the commission al- en against the conspirators,” he garbage on roads till they (gov- graph of her at a function in Kot- lowed her permission to leave said, adding his government’s ernment) feel ashamed,” a pro- tayam where she met the chief and asked her to return on Mon- decision to close down more tester said. minister. “On that day I was day and Tuesday for further than 700 bars in the state as part The AAP government in a state- talking about a new company deposition. of their plan for total prohibition ment said that the three corpora- to be formed by his son Chandy Earlier Chief Minister Oom- had resulted in ‘the plot’. tions have themselves admitted Oommen. The chief minister men Chandy claimed the alle- “Nair had revealed in the past having received 100% of the non- had agreed to this,” she claimed. gations against him stem from a that the CPI-M (Communist plan funds - Rs892mn for North Nair had on Thursday alleged “deep-rooted controversy” and Party of India - Marxist) had MCD, Rs465mn for East MCD that she gave Rs19mn in bribes said “truth will always triumph” off ered her Rs100mn to make and Rs830mn for South MCD for to the chief minister in two in- He was interacting with re- damaging revelations. Till this the current fi nancial year. stalments through a person porters at his offi cial residence moment, the CPI-M has not said “It is clear that 90% of the non- called Thomas Kuruvilla, based after news the Kerala High Court a word against Saritha’s revela- planned allocation is for payment in Delhi. had stayed a lower court’s order tion,” the chief minister pointed of salaries, then why have the Yesterday, she added that seeking charges be registered out. MCD employees not been paid Oommen Chandy’s son was al- their salaries?” it asked. ways available on Kuruvilla’s Protests across state injures 48 people “The sequence of events in- mobile phone when they dis- dicates a massive salary scam in cussed the solar panel business Forty-eight people were Youth Federation of India, these corporations,” the state- and the formation of a new com- yesterday injured in rioting a wing of the Communist ment added. pany to import solar panels. by left-wing protesters who Party of India (Marxist) that Meanwhile, the Delhi unit of Nair also said there had been accused the Kerala chief is seeking to oust Chandy. the Bharatiya Janata Party wrote speculation about a relation- minister of corruption. Youths Police used baton charges an open letter to Chief Minister ship between her and Chandy hurled bottles and stones and teargas to disperse Arvind Kejriwal on the fi nan- Oommen. However, Nair said at police in several parts of protesters. The protests cial crisis of the municipal cor- the person in question was not the state and called for the disrupted traffic for four porations, with state unit chief her but another woman who was resignation of Chief Minister hours in the state capital of Satish Upadhyay urging him to linked to the company. Oommen Chandy. Among the Thiruvananthapuram, and rise above party politics and dis- Nair said that chief minster’s injured were 31 police and 17 spread from the city of Calicut charge his responsibilities to the son had even made trips with the activists of the Democratic to Alleppey. people of Delhi. Garbage lies on a Delhi road as MCD employees intesify their strike. woman to the Middle East.

Waiting for president Students to intensify stir Woman denies in scholar suicide row being kidnapped IANS woman who is in her early 20s Patna in the past too, residents in- IANS ble for Rohith Vemula’s suicide. will start for Delhi on February formed police. Hyderabad The JAC, an umbrella group- 2. They will march from Mandi Singh, who also appeared at ing of 14 student groups, claimed House to the ministry of human woman, allegedly kid- the Sachivalya police station that the faculty members and resources development on Feb- napped by ruling Con- here, said it was he who had yderabad university stu- students responded to its appeal ruary 4. The next day a protest Agress legislator Sid- persuaded Nidhi and Sharma dents are set to intensify to boycott the classes and joined meet will be organised at Jantar harth Kumar Singh, yesterday to surrender before police. Htheir protest over the su- the protest. Mantar and they will seek an appeared before the police “I was in trouble as charges icide of a Dalit research scholar Tension, however, prevailed appointment to meet President along with his driver Pan- were lodged against me for al- even as the administration yes- at the life sciences block when Pranab Mukherjee. kaj Kumar Sharma whom she legedly kidnapping her. Truth terday claimed that all depart- a group of students and some The JAC also launched a claimed to have married. She is that I had nothing to do with ments have resumed function- faculty members, who wanted “postcard to the president” denied being kidnapped. it,” he said. ing. classes to resume, had argu- campaign. Students, faculty, “Nidhi along with Shar- According to police, Nidhi “All schools, departments and ments with JAC leaders. workers and all concerned in- ma reached the residence of has submitted a petition in the centres are now functioning,” Donatha Prasanth, one of the dividuals on campus and across Patna’s senior superintendent police station seeking security university registrar M Sudhakar four suspended Dalit students, the country will send post cards of police Manu Maharaj to in- as her father Abhay Sharma said. appealed to students to show to the president to demand jus- form him that she had married and brother Rahul Kumar had He said all departments and unity by joining the protest. tice for Rohith. him and legislator Singh was threatened to kill her. schools has begun holding The JAC condemned what it Terming Vemula’s suicide an not involved in it,” a police of- Earlier, the ruling Janata classes and this was a major step called attempts by the admin- “institutional murder”, the JAC fi cial said. Dal-United demanded that towards restoration of normal- istration to create a rift among demanded immediate action Nidhi told police that since the Congress party take ac- cy. “Only the administration the students, faculty members against those already booked her family members were tion against Singh for allegedly block was closed,” the registrar and other staff as it continued for abetment of suicide and for against Sharma and not ready kidnapping the woman. said. its protest for a 12th consecutive violation of Schedule Castes/ to accept their marriage, she felt “The Congress should take The Joint Action Commit- day, demanding action against Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of “forced to elope”, police said. action against its legislator tee (JAC) for social justice shut those responsible for the suicide. Atrocities) Act. In his police complaint, the just like we acted against ours,” down the administrative block Three faculty members sat on A JAC statement said while Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Defence Minister woman’s father accused the JD-U state president Vashsisht demanding immediate resigna- hunger strike as a mark of soli- fi ve people including the vice Manohar Parrikar wait for the arrival of President Pranab Congress legislator of hav- Narain Singh said, referring to tion of Vipin Srivastvata from darity with the students. chancellor and central minis- Mukherjee before the start of the “Beating the Retreat” ing kidnapped his daughter. the suspension this month of the post of interim vice chan- The student’s groups also gave ter Bandaru Dattatreya were ceremony in New Delhi yesterday. The ceremony Singh, who is in his early 30s, Janata Dal-United lawmaker cellor and removal of P Appa a call for a ‘Chalo Delhi’ rally to booked, the accused remained symbolises retreat after a day on the battlefield, and marks has already served a jail term Sarfaraz Alam who was booked Rao from the post of vice chan- press its demand for justice in scot free. It said Appa Rao had the off icial end of the Indian Republic Day celebrations. for murder. for allegedly misbehaving with cellor, holding them responsi- Vemula’s case. The students even left India for his research. He had eloped with the a couple on board a train. Gulf Times Saturday, January 30, 2016 13 INDIA

LAW AND ORDER DECISION LEGAL JUSTICE TRAGEDY Three suspected IS Allotment of land to Court orders by-polls in Kamduni gang-rape Man kills girlfriend, members arrested actress sparks controversy 13 Delhi municipal wards sentencing today commits suicide

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) Allotment of a prime piece of land to Bollywood The Delhi High Court yesterday directed the A Kolkata court will today sentence the six people A man in love with a teenager shot her dead yesterday arrested three Indians, who are actor and BJP lawmaker Hema Malini allegedly state Election Commission to conduct by- convicted in the gang-rape and murder of a early yesterday upon learning of her impending suspected IS supporters after they arrived at at a “throwaway price” by the Maharashtra elections in 13 municipal wards in the national college student in West Bengal’s Kamduni village. marriage, and then turned the gun on himself, the Indira Gandhi International Airport from government yesterday kicked up a storm capital within three months. A division bench The court on Thursday convicted Saiful Ali, Ansar police said. The two deaths occurred in abroad, an official said. The three individuals with state Congress President Ashok Chavan of chief justice G Rohini and justice Jayant Ali and Amin Ali of gang-rape and murder. The Bairyakaji village of Uttar Pradesh’s Jaunpur identified as Sheikh Azhar-Ul-Islam alias accusing the BJP dispensation of violating Nath gave directions to the poll panel while trio could face the death penalty. Three other district. The girl, Pinki Yadav, 18, died of gunshot Abdul Sattar Sheikh, Mohamed Farhan alias rules. The state government has allotted land hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) filed accused-- Sheikh Emanul Islam, Aminur Islam and wounds. Her 35-year-old assailant, Jaihind Mohamed Rafiq Shaikh and Adnan Hussain measuring 2,000 square metres to Hema by 20-year-old law student Sanjana Gahlot Bhola Naskar have been convicted of gang-rape, Maurya, after firing at her, pulled the trigger on alias Mohamed Hussain have been booked Malini’s Natyvihar Kala Kendra. According to after she saw the poor condition of her village criminal conspiracy and causing disappearance of himself and committed suicide. Maurya was under charges of criminal conspiracy. Officials the documents obtained under an RTI query, in west Delhi and later came to know that evidence and face a maximum punishment of life disturbed after he learnt that Yadav was to get of the anti-terror agency said that Azhar hails the actor has been allotted the land located there was no councillor to look after the civic imprisonment. The 20-year-old girl was attacked married in March. An off icial said Maurya had from Jammu and Kashmir while Farhan and in suburban Oshiwara, at the rate of Rs35 per issues. The PIL sought by-elections in 13 wards while returning home from college on June 7, tried to persuade the teenager to turn down the Adnan are the residents of Maharashtra and square metre (total cost Rs70,000) by the to fill casual vacancies in all three Municipal 2013. The BA student was forcibly taken inside a marriage proposal, but when she declined to do Karnataka respectively. Mumbai suburban district collectorate. Corporations of Delhi (MCD). factory where she was gang-raped and killed. so, citing family pressure, he shot her dead. Ex-diplomat Massive whale washes ashore attacked by protesters in Kerala

By Ashraf Padanna/ wing of the Communist Party of Gulf Times Correspondent India-Marxist had vowed to stop Thiruvananthapuram the event at any cost. “Pained at how my father is treated in our home state even tudent activists in Kerala when he is working so hard to yesterday attacked dis- reform the education sector. Stinguished diplomat T P Sickened more by the police who Sreenivasan while protesting stood there and watched. But against the state government’s knowing him, he’ll consider it as ‘commercialisation’ of education just another day at the offi ce,” his by allowing in foreign universities. journalist son Sree Sreenivasan Sreenivasan fell to the ground wrote on Facebook. from the impact of a slap by a “(He) was attacked by thuggish student leader as he was walk- protesters at an educational con- ing up to the venue of the Global ference he’s organising. I spoke to Education Meet in Kovalam near him, and he’s all right now and is Thiruvananthapuram after his carrying on with the conference. Mumbai’s coastline is more used to rubbish washing ashore than dead mammals, but yesterday residents woke to the sight of a nearly 40-foot-long whale on one of its car was blocked. Students Feder- Those of you who know Kerala most popular beaches. Hundreds of people descended on Juhu beach to catch a glimpse of the Bryde’s whale after it washed ashore. “It’s 11.3 metres (37 feet) long and ation of India (SFI) district sec- and India won’t be surprised that weighs around 20 tonnes,” said Makrand Ghodke, an off icial at the Maharashtra forest department who identified the type of whale. “There is no sign of any wounds. We retary Sarat assaulted Sreenivas- “student leaders” in many circles think it died three or four days back and we will conduct an autopsy to determine the cause of death,” he said. an as he walked through a small are lifetime politicians who are crowd who manhandled him and part of big-time political parties.” stood among the police offi cers “(The SFI) is upset at some of stationed there. the eff orts to reform higher edu- Sreenivasan claimed no police cation by my dad. Instead of de- offi cer came to his rescue as he bating issues in a civilised way, walked through a hostile crowd these goons would rather man- and was about to return from the handle their opponents. venue when the leader slapped “My dad and mom, who re- him in the face. tired to Kerala in 2004, instead Sreenivasan, 72, who was In- of Delhi or elsewhere after dip- Mehbooba Mufti ‘unlikely dia’s permanent representative lomatic decades away, have ded- to the UN, currently heads the icated themselves to their home Higher Educational Council ap- state and its people. They estab- pointed by Chief Minister Oom- lished the Kerala International men Chandy to rescue the state’s Center and Karuna Charities, ailing higher education sector. which does exceptional work for to stake claim to power’ “I went there with my wife the needy. This is the thank you (Lekha Sreenivasan), and they they get”. IANS of the alliance agenda have not assume the reins of power in power,” said a party source. people and the aspirations they stopped my car. I sent my wife Kerala Chief Minister Oom- Jammu/Srinagar been implemented during the the state for the last 23 days, Others in the party argue that attached to the stewardship of back and they started attack- men Chandy was among the 10-month period of her father’s it is highly unlikely that she to stake claim to power after an experienced politician like ing me when somebody in the many leaders who condemned rule because the BJP made as- will agree to head the same delaying the matter for nearly Mufti,” said a party source, add- crowd called my name,” he said. the attack while the CPI-M lo- DP president Mehbooba surances without any transla- ruling coalition unless the BJP a month would be giving in to ing she needs assurances on re- “I told them I wanted to greet cal leaders have apologised to Mufti is unlikely to stake tion on the ground. walks the extra mile,” said the the bait thrown by rivals, like sumption of talks with separa- the delegates who arrived on my Sreenivasan. However, the par- Pclaim to power in Jammu “She is worried about the source. the National Conference (NC) tists, vacation of lands occupied invitation. But they didn’t allow ty’s senior leader Pinarayi Vi- and Kashmir in absence of con- promises made by her father Lending credence to this is which has been calling the PDP by the army and return of power me. So I thought of going to my jayan, who is widely seen as the crete assurances from the BJP and the party to the people,” a the PDP’s announcement that decision to take its own time to projects to state ownership. friend’s house nearby and was party’s face in the state elections on the agenda of alliance be- top Peoples Democratic Party no discussions on government decide on future course of ac- If these sources are to be be- waiting among the policemen due this summer, criticised him. tween the two parties and her (PDP) source said. formation will be discussed tion as “theatrics”. lieved, then the state would be when someone hit me.” “Outraged by the attack on @ misgivings over their relation- “Mehbooba has been in deep during the party meeting called “She (Mehbooba Mufti) is not heading for a midterm poll since The GEM was conducted by sreeniv by Communist goons in ship, party sources said yester- introspection since Mufti (Mo- in Srinagar on January 31. someone who jumps to conclu- both the NC and the Congress the council to forge international Kovalam. Sad2c students inca- day. hammad Sayeed) died. She “We shall be discussing party sions under pressure. She has have already shown reluctance tie-ups to improve the education pable of argument, only of vio- “It is not the question of seems to have misgivings on aff airs, strengthening the party a long political career ahead to support any other alliance sector in the state, and several lence,” tweeted Congress leader whether she gets sworn in as the continuation of the alliance at the grassroots level and other which cannot be staked for im- given the present numbers in foreign delegates are attending Dr Shashi Tharoor, former un- new chief minister of the state with the BJP. related issues without taking mediate power unless she ful- the 87-member state legislative the three-day event. The student der-secretary general of the UN. or not. She believes the terms “After resisting the lure to up the issue of staking claim to fi ls the promises made to the assembly. Global brands pledge to Hazy morning Bollywood fi lm Airlift better workers’ conditions irks government AFP el was made into the hit movie New Delhi Slumdog Millionaire - in a re- Thomson Reuters Foundation beds and clean water, and that of supply-chain sustainability at corded video statement. Mumbai workers earned between 95 euros the Centre for Responsible Busi- “And this particular fi lm ($104) and 115 euros per month, ness in Bengaluru, told the Thom- hit Bollywood movie has... taken a lot of artistic just above the offi cial minimum son Reuters Foundation. about the evacuation liberties in the depiction of lothing companies H&M, wage of 93 euros to 103 euros. “This is an area where the Aof more than 170,000 events as they actually hap- Inditex, C&A and PVH Bengaluru, a hub for apparel brands can come together and Indians from Kuwait in 1990 pened in Kuwait in 1990.” Chave committed to im- exporters, is also known as India’s collaborate with a local agency has angered the government The 1990 mission, which proving the lives of workers in Silicon Valley for its numerous and pressurise the industry to with its portrayal of the coun- lasted almost two months and Bengaluru, after a report said information technology compa- improve conditions.” try’s diplomats as selfi sh and required around 500 fl ights, employees lived in appalling con- nies, and draws migrants seeking Dutch clothing retailer C&A, unfeeling. remains India’s biggest air ditions and were denied decent better economic prospects from Swedish retailer H&M and The foreign ministry took the evacuation ever and a source of wages and freedom of movement. its home Karnataka state, as well Spain’s Inditex, which owns the unusual step of issuing a state- pride to its diplomatic corps. Gap Inc., which also sources as from neighbouring Andhra Zara and Massimo Dutti brands, ment on Airlift, a fi ctionalised The foreign ministry de- apparel from Bengaluru, did not Pradesh and Tamil Nadu and the will work together and liaise with account of the real-life rescue cided to issue a statement af- respond to the report by the India country’s north and east. local trade unions to provide mission that was released last ter receiving requests to speak Committee of the Netherlands There are an estimated 1,200 training and address workers’ week to rave reviews. with a “non-existent” diplo- (ICN), according to a statement garment factories in and around grievances, ICN said. Inditex will It shows Indian diplomats mat who was portrayed in the by the Dutch non-governmental Bengaluru, making apparel for evaluate the state of workers at leaving Kuwait soon after the fi lm, a senior offi cial said on group late on Thursday. A draft large global brands. Many of the its suppliers and factories across Iraqi invasion that sparked the condition of anonymity. of the report, Unfree and Unfair, workers are women from poor the country, while PVH Corpora- fi rst Gulf war, and portrays the “Given Bollywood’s hold was presented to the companies backgrounds who do not know the tion, which owns brands includ- foreign ministry in New Delhi over the popular imagination, last November. local language and are unaware of ing Tommy Hilfi ger and Calvin as apathetic to the desperate we thought it would be best to The conditions of garment their rights, making them more Klein, is developing new guide- pleas of Indian migrant work- recount the facts - that it was a workers in South Asia have come vulnerable to exploitation, accord- lines for its suppliers, ICN said. ers stuck there. stellar team eff ort of diplomats, under sharp scrutiny following the ing to the report based on inter- “If the brands commit to “@AirliftFilm: Great en- bureaucrats, Air India pilots and 2013 Rana Plaza disaster in Bang- views with 110 migrant workers at these issues and their plan of tertainment but rather short active citizens in the region that ladesh, in which 1,135 workers were four garment factories in the city. action, we expect that consid- on facts,” foreign ministry ensured the biggest evacuation killed, many of them employed by “Global companies have a re- erable progress can be made in spokesman Vikas Swarup in history,” the offi cial said. suppliers to Western retailers. sponsibility to ensure better con- addressing the working and liv- tweeted late Thursday. Swarup added: “We hope The ICN report said hostels ditions for the workers, as they are ing conditions of young migrant A fishing boat is seen against the backdrop of the Mumbai “Films often take liberties that the fi lm will inspire the run by the Bengaluru factories directly benefi ting from their la- garment workers in Bangalore,” city skyline covered by smoggy haze yesterday morning. with actual events, with facts,” people to read about the actual lacked basic amenities such as bour,” Raphel Jose, vice president ICN said in the statement. said Swarup - whose own nov- events that took place.” Gulf Times 14 Saturday, January 30, 2016 LATIN AMERICA

DEAL DEMAND DECISION ANNOUNCEMENT ECONOMY Argentina seals Haiti protesters call for Tax reforms only in Farc will be ‘ally’ in Recession-hit Brazil off ers $5bn in bank loans polls to end political crisis second half of year: Santos Colombia war on drugs $20bn in stimulus loans

Argentina’s central bank yesterday sealed a Thousands of supporters of Haiti’s outgoing Presi- Colombia’s government will not propose a package Farc rebels will be an “ally” of the Colombian Brazil’s government said it would off er $20bn deal for a $5bn loan from international private dent Michel Martelly have been taking to the streets of tax reforms to Congress until the second half of government in the war on drug trafficking once worth of special loans to stimulate the recession- banks to bolster its foreign reserves, two sourc- in the capital, demanding speedy elections to end a the year, as it seeks to avoid crowding lawmakers’ they strike a peace deal to end a half century stricken economy. It will extend credit lines of up es at banks involved in the deal disclosed. The crisis of power in the nation. Martelly is due to leave agenda during a brief March session, President Juan of conflict, President Juan Manuel Santos said. to 83bn reals ($20.4bn) for farming, housing and interest rate on the loan will be the Libor rate off ice on February 7 but has no elected replace- Manuel Santos said. Santos’ governing coalition The Marxist guerrillas and Bogota have made infrastructure and for small and medium-sized plus 6.15 points, one of the sources, who asked ment and says he will not leave without a clear path hopes to increase government revenue and stem several key advances in recent months and the companies, Finance Minister Nelson Barbosa said. not to be identified, revealed. “The banks are to succession. “I could not, as president, wake up on tax evasion as the country’s economy continues two sides set a deadline of March 23 to sign The credit will be off ered via public banks and transferring the money right now,” the source February 7 and depart while leaving the country to suff er because of low prices for crude, its larg- a final peace accord - though the Farc have other bodies “using existing resources in the best pointed out. The banks HSBC, JPMorgan Chase in an uncertain situation,” Martelly said. Haiti was est export and source of foreign exchange. “The warned that “substantial” obstacles could get way possible” so as not to weigh on the public & Co. and Santander will contribute $1bn each, due to choose Martelly’s replacement last Sunday, reform will be presented and it will be approved in in the way. “The Farc, once we sign the peace finances, he told a news conference. Brazil, the while Deutsche Bank, BBVA, Citibank and UBS but the runoff vote was postponed indefinitely the second legislature,” Santos said after a meeting deal, will start to help the state instead of fight- world’s seventh largest economy, had a gloomy will lend $500mn each, the source added. The after opposition candidate Jude Celestin refused with business leaders. Off icials had originally said ing it in the substitution of illicit crops with legal start to the year as it prepares to host the sum- Argentina central bank declined to comment to participate over alleged fraud that sparked anti- the government aimed to present the reforms to crops, as well as the elimination of drug traffick- mer Olympic Games in August. Off icial figures on the report. government protests. Congress as soon as possible. ing,” Santos said. showed that 1.5mn jobs were destroyed last year. Rousseff calls for war on Zika-carrying mosquito

Reuters damage to their eyesight and Brasilia possibly their hearing. Half of the 135 babies being evaluated at a rehabilitation cen- razil is losing the bat- tre in the northeastern Brazilian tle against the mosquito city of Recife have limited vision Bspreading the Zika virus, due to deformed optic nerves President Dilma Rousseff said and retinas, and many are cross- yesterday, calling for a national eyed, ophthalmologist Camila eff ort to eradicate the insect. Ventura said. “We do not have a vaccine for “Their eyes are scarred for Zika yet. The only thing we can life,” said Ventura. “Between do is fi ght the mosquito,” she told 40% and 50% of them have seri- reporters during a visit to a com- ous eyesight defects.” mand centre for the Zika crisis. The babies are some of the The virus has been linked to 3,700 cases reported in Brazil thousands of cases of babies since last year of newborns with being born in Brazil with mi- a neurological condition called crocephaly - meaning they have microcephaly that is associated abnormally small heads and with the mosquito-borne Zika brains that have not developed virus sparking a health scare Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro (centre) attends a meeting with ministers at Miraflores Palace in Caracas. properly. across the Americas. Rousseff said tests for the de- Doctors at Recife’s Altino velopment of a vaccine will begin Ventura rehab centre are test- next week at the Butantan Insti- ing the babies’ vision and hear- tute, one of Brazil’s leading bio- ing to determine what they are medical research centres in Sao able to see and hear, before giv- Paulo. ing them therapy to stimulate Experts say it could take years their brains. Opposition leader urges to come up with a vaccine for Daniele Ferreira Santos, 29, Zika given the lack of medi- said her two-month-old son cal knowledge about the virus, Juan Pedro could hear alright though one leading developer but was having diffi culty seeing. said that a vaccine for emergency “I am very distressed. We do not use could be ready before year- know how badly he has been af- end. fected and whether there will be fast action to oust Maduro Rousseff called on Brazilians other problems,” she said, trying to eliminate still water in pud- to calm her agitated crying baby. Reuters resignation, forcing a recall ref- est inflation, a third year of vice-president would take over feat, Maduro, 53, a former bus dles and open storage tanks in Ventura said the babies needed Caracas erendum as allowed half-way economic contraction, and rather than there being a new driver and foreign minister, has their homes where the insect to have therapy to stimulate their through his term, or reforming shortages of basic foods and election if he lost the plebi- taken a hard line, trying to re- breeds. On February 13, more eyesight in the fi rst three to six the constitution to trigger a new medicines causing long lines scite. duce the new assembly’s pow- than 200,000 soldiers will join months of their lives or else their enezuela’s opposition presidential election. nationwide. So a constitutional reform ers and vowing to veto intended a nationwide eff ort to eliminate vision would never improve. must defi ne within weeks “We have to find a common Maduro blames an “economic might be the best way forward, laws such as an amnesty for mosquito infestations. In a letter to the editor pub- Vits strategy for ending position. The clock is ticking war” by foes, plus the global oil Capriles said, explaining that jailed opponents. The Aedes aegypti mosquito lished last week by the British Nicolas Maduro’s presidency ... We can’t wait longer than price plunge, but critics say the would also enable the opposi- “Any denouement has to be that carries Zika also spreads journal The Lancet, Ventura and given the Opec nation’s “mon- the first quarter,” Capriles, a mess is mainly the result of dys- tion to make changes like re- constitutional ... a military in- the dengue virus, which infected her team alerted the medical strous” economic crisis, oppo- state governor who narrowly functional state controls over 17 ducing the current six-year tervention would be the worst 1.65mn people in Brazil last year, community to the eyesight prob- sition leader Henrique Capriles lost a 2013 presidential vote to years of socialist rule. presidential term and thing possible,” said 863 of whom died, in the coun- lems found in Brazilian children believes. Maduro, told Reuters in an in- Capriles, 43, said it was im- prohibiting indefi- Capriles, who was try’s worst outbreak of the tropi- with microcephaly thought to be Having won control of the terview. possible Maduro would step nite reelec- jailed for four cal disease. caused by a Zika infection caught National Assembly last month “We still haven’t seen the full down voluntarily given his tion. months in 2002 Brazil eradicated the mosquito by mothers in the early stages of due to voter ire at Venezuela’s monstrousness of the crisis ... conviction he was the stand- Since the over a protest in the 1950s using chemicals that their pregnancies. punishing recession, the op- Venezuela is heading towards a ard-bearer of “Chavismo” government’s at the Cuban are now banned, offi cials said. The World Health Organisa- position coalition has vowed to denouement this year,” added who must never surrender. December Embassy and Meanwhile doctors said chil- tion (WHO) said on Thursday fi nd a constitutional mechanism Capriles, likely to be a contender Seeking a recall referendum de- now leads dren born with abnormally small that the virus is “spreading ex- to oust Hugo Chavez’ successor in any scenario of a new presi- may be messy, he added, given the opposi- heads and brain defects linked plosively” and could infect as in the fi rst half of 2016. dential election. Maduro-leaning judicial and tion’s more to the outbreak of Zika virus in many as 4mn people across the Options for the multi-faction Opec member Venezuela is electoral institutions could moderate Brazil are also suff ering serious Americas. Page 18 coalition include demanding his suffering the world’s steep- delay it into 2017, meaning his wing.

Mexico cops again linked El Nino rains a threat to mass disappearance to Brazil farmers Reuters 40% of the country’s 200mn- Sao Paulo plus-tonne grain crop. AFP The case has become a symbol the police who were detained Nearly 200 townships in Mexico City of Mexico’s growing number of were charged with kidnapping Brazil’s southern states of Rio “forced disappearances” - a term instead of forced disappearance. razilian grain farmers are Grande do Sul Santa Catarina, used for abductions committed In Veracruz, seven state po- expected to face wetter Parana and Mato Grosso do Sul or more than two weeks, by authorities. lice offi cers, including a regional Bconditions from the lin- have declared states of emergen- the parents of fi ve missing Their plight has been com- commander, have been charged gering eff ects of El Nino as the cy due to fl ooding from recent Fyoung people have been pared to the disappearance of 43 with the forced disappearances bumper harvests of summer soy- rains. living inside a Mexican state students in southern Guerrero of the fi ve young people. beans and corn unfold in the fi rst “Our models see the infl uence prosecutor’s offi ce in an attempt state in September 2014, when The offi cers told investigators half of 2016, weather forecasters of El Nino through May in south- to pressure authorities to fi nd municipal police attacked the that they delivered the fi ve - Su- said. ern Brazil, though it is already their children. young men and delivered them sana Tapia, 16, Bernardo Benitez, Brazil’s sugar cane and coff ee starting to weaken by then,” said The parents spent the fi rst to a drug cartel, which allegedly 25, Jose Benitez, 24, Mario Arturo belt, which only start harvest in Joel Widenor, meteorologist at night sitting on cold plastic killed them. Orozco Sanchez, 28, and Jose Al- the second quarter will benefi t the US Commodity Weather chairs. Then they brought mat- At least 275 complaints of fredo Gonzalez, 25 - to a gang. if a fi nal burst of moisture helps Group. tresses, a microwave oven and a forced disappearances were Last weekend, the local leader crops fi ll out in late stages of crop Meteorologists say that global television set inside the govern- lodged between 2006 and Sep- of the Jalisco New Generation development. But if heavier than weather patterns are expected ment building. tember 2015, according to fi gures drug cartel was arrested in con- usual rains persist after April to enter a transitional period “It’s our home now,” said Co- from the attorney general’s offi ce nection with the case. they will complicate harvest for later in 2016 on their way to a La lumba Arroniz Gonzalez as she obtained through a freedom of The reason behind the disap- the crops. Nina, or cooler than average Pa- heated up some tortillas and soup information request. pearance remains a mystery. The country is entering the cifi c surface temperatures, which for her gaunt-looking husband in It started with four complaints A half-dozen bodies have peak harvest and export period tends to mean slightly drier con- the patio of the prosecutor’s of- in 2006, when the government been found in the search. While for soy, corn, sugar and coff ee ditions for southern Brazil. fi ce in Tierra Blanca, in the east- declared a war against drug traf- none belonged to the fi ve miss- in the coming several months, Meteorologist Graziella Gon- ern state of Veracruz. fi cking, and soared to 68 in 2014. ing young people, the discover- when rains aff ect operations. calves at local forecaster Somar Their son, Bernardo Benitez, 25, There were 41 complaints in the ies highlighted the extent of vio- The global El Nino weather said El Nino tends to have less is among the fi ve young people, fi rst nine months of 2015. lence in Veracruz, a state plagued phenomenon associated with defi ned infl uence beyond the including a 16-year-old girl, who But the attorney general’s of- by cartel turf wars for years. The mother of one of the five youngsters who went missing warmer-than-average Pacifi c south of Brazil, where other fac- disappeared after state police offi c- fi ce has launched only 15 legal The fi ve are now among the shows a picture of her son as she camps at the public surface temperatures off Peru tors such as Amazon moisture ers detained them in gang-plagued proceedings. more than 26,600 people who are prosecutor’s off ice in Tierra Blanca community, Veracruz state, tends to mean wetter conditions levels and the Jet Stream play a Tierra Blanca on January 11. In the case of the 43 students, reported missing across Mexico. Mexico. in southern Brazil, home to about greater role in rainfall. Gulf Times Saturday, January 30, 2016 15 PAKISTAN/AFGHANISTAN

Malala 230 schools, colleges sealed urges funds for education over inadequate security AFP London Internews buildings are safe and are com- Islamabad plying with standard operating procedures. petition launched by No- The Punjab home depart- bel Peace Prize winner ore than 230 educa- ment has already ordered divi- AMalala Yousafzai urging a tional institutions in sional police chiefs across the Syria donors’ conference to give MRawalpindi division, province to increase security millions of dollars for educa- including 138 government-run around educational institutions tional causes had reached over schools and colleges, have been in the light of intelligence re- 70,000 signatures on Thursday. sealed for not having adequate ports that terrorist groups may Addressed to US President security arrangements, offi cials be planning to target them. Barack Obama, the petition, said yesterday. An earlier deadline, given to published on the change.org In addition, as many as 53 educational institutions to im- website, calls for world leaders educational institutions in the prove security arrangements, to commit $1.4bn at the Lon- Rawalpindi division, includ- expired yesterday, but the ad- don conference “to make sure all ing Rawalpindi Medical Col- ministration gave them three Syrian children aff ected by the lege, yesterday received fi nal more days to put all measures confl ict get an education”. notices to improve security ar- in place. Britain, Germany and Norway rangements by Sunday, or “the Acting Commissioner Sajid are co-hosting the event on Feb- head of the institution would be Zafar Dall said that Punjab ruary 4 with the United Nations booked.” Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif, and Kuwait. A string of world In Jhelum, 15 educational in- in a video link meeting, had leaders are expected to attend. stitutions, including 10 govern- ordered that the head of the in- They will discuss how to help ment and fi ve private schools stitution that failed to take ade- 13.5mn people who are either were sealed, Chakwal saw quate security measures should vulnerable or displaced inside four schools sealed and three be booked. Syria, as well as 4.2mn people others were given warnings “At least 22 educational in- who have fl ed to neighbour- by the administration, while stitutions in Rawalpindi, 15 in ing countries like Jordan and in Wah Cantonment, police Jhelum, 10 in Attock and six in Lebanon. said, the principal of a private Chakwal have been sent fi nal British Prime Minister Dav- educational institution was notices,” he said. Special combat police conducting an exercise to repel militant attacks enter Elizabeth High School in Peshawar. id Cameron’s offi ce said on threatened. He said Rescue 1122 and the Wednesday that participating In Attock, police and intel- civil defence department had colleges’ representatives in his offi ce. “I have serious diff erenc- ing that he would ask Punjab FDE had proposed new model countries would be asked to dou- ligence agencies completed started training teaching staff Representatives of 50 of es [with the Punjab govern- and other provinces not to shut schools for Model Town Humak ble the amount of money they are a fresh survey of security ar- in Rawalpindi, Gujar Khan the 80-odd private colleges in ment] over the policy of closing educational institutions. Zimni, PWD Housing Society, giving to tackle the humanitarian rangements at educational and Taxila to deal with any the garrison city attended the schools because of some threats. Plans for new schools in Rawal Town, two schools for crisis. institutions and found 205 untoward situation. meeting. Iqbal said that private We have to give the enemy a deep frize: The Federal Directo- Sector B-17, Ghora Shahan and Last year, UN agencies asked schools and colleges, including They would attend train- colleges had been conveyed message of unity, to fi ght and rate of Education’s proposal for Sector G-15. for $8.4bn from governments 127 government and 78 private ing sessions in their schools the government’s directions defeat the evil of terrorism. We new schools has received a cold The projects were estimated worldwide to fund the Syrian aid institutions, lacking adequate and colleges, adding that simi- and asked to implement them cannot confi ne ourselves to our response from the government. have cost between Rs48.7mn eff ort but received only $3.3bn. security. lar training would be imparted by Sunday. homes out of fear,” he remarked. The directorate sent the pro- and Rs59.6mn each. The costs, Malala now lives in Birming- After the Punjab government to students after their winter In a press conference held He praised the govern- posal to the planning commis- however, are likely to escalate ham, central England, after being ordered educational institu- vacations. yesterday, Interior Minister ment of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa sion and the ministry of capital with delay in approval and exe- shot by the Taliban in her native tions across the province to shut Humayun Iqbal, direc- Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan said (KP), saying they were setting administration and development cution of the projects. These in- Pakistan 2012 and is expected down for fi ve days, they have tor, colleges, yesterday called he was opposed to the recent a good example by not closing division last year but has received stitutes will accommodate 1,760 to take part in the conference, been directed to make sure their a meeting of the private closure of schools in Punjab. schools in the province, add- no response so far, sources said. students combined. according to the BBC. Major power Fate of key MPs hangs in balance

Internews dered verifi cation of votes in not spoil the sanctity of the vote. to NA-122 from other constitu- while it was nearly 2,400 Islamabad NA-125 Lahore constituency that In another important case, the encies before the by-poll to this votes in 2014. breakdown Saad Rafi que had won in 2013 but Supreme Court has also called seat. He also alleged rigging. Yet another major judgement he was unseated by the election for vote verifi cation in the NA- However, it the job of the came from the apex court when ven after 30 months, the tribunal on a petition of the PTI’s 110 Sialkot constituency from EC to transfer votes from one it unseated Iftikhar Cheema of 2013 general election trou- losing candidate Hamid Khan. which Khawaja Asif was elected. constituency to another only the Pakistan Muslim League- Ebles continue to haunt the The railways minister’s appeal is The petition of the PTI’s loser, on the written requests voters Nawaz (PML-N) from NA-101 hits Karachi political landscape with the fate of being heard by the apex court and Usman Dar, had been dismissed concerned, and no contesting Gujranwala. some key members of parliament he is surviving as an MP on the stay by the election tribunal due to candidate has any say in this aff air. It was really embarrassing for (MPs) still hanging in balance. order like many others belonging to his disinterest in pursing it long Aleem Khan has vowed to Cheema for the mere fact that he Reuters least 90% of the city was af- In the majority of cases, the several other political parties. time ago. However, he has got challenge the tribunal ruling in is also a former judge of the Lahore Karachi fected after a transmission line Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) The court has directed the relief from the apex court in the the top court. High Court. It appears that he had tripped because of dense fog. is the challenger. It has won election commission (EC) to sense that votes’ verifi cation has This means that the woes of not paid the due attention while not- K-Electric would be sup- some crucial court battles but send counterfoils of NA-125 bal- been ordered. Ayaz Sadiq are still not over de- ing down personal facts in his nomi- major power break- plied with power through a has also lost some others. lots to the National Database and Another important develop- spite the fact that he has won NA- nation papers otherwise he would down yesterday left separate transmission line, The National Assembly mem- Registration Authority (Nadra) ment took place when an elec- 122 twice in 29 months, once de- have escaped the present chagrin. A90% of Pakistan’s added the offi cial, who asked berships of two key federal min- for verifi cation. tion tribunal dismissed a plea of feating PTI chairman Imran Khan Since Cheema has not been largest and richest city, Ka- not to be identifi ed because he isters - Khawaja M Asif and Kha- Chief Justice Zaheer Jamali, PTI’s Abdul Aleem Khan against in 2013 and then Aleem Khan in disqualifi ed and just unseated, rachi, without electricity and was not authorised to speak to waja Saad Rafi que - have been who headed the bench, asked Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq in 2014 with various margins. he has announced to contest brought much of normal life to the media. put on the line. if conducting the scru- which he had alleged that as many His victory lead was around the byelection to NA-101. He is a standstill. Prime Minister Nawaz The Supreme Court has or- tiny after a long time would as 30,000 votes were transferred 9,000 votes for the fi rst time going to get the PML-N ticket. The sweltering and vio- Sharif rode to power in 2013 on lence-plagued metropolis of a promise to fi x the electricity 23mn people accounts for half crisis, but Pakistan still strug- of Pakistan’s national rev- gles to provide power to its enues and is home to the stock 190mn people and industries. exchange, the central bank The capital, Islamabad, Lahore metro work halted Afghan security forces need and a giant port. was hit by a major blackout The third major outage this month, as were Punjab, of the country’s dilapidated the country’s most popu- Reuters the Orange Line Train Project,” electricity grid within a month lous province, and the north- Lahore Siddique said yesterday. ‘years’ of help: US general forced shops, hospitals and western region of Khyber The United Nations last week businesses to turn to back-up Pakhtunkhwa. called on Pakistan’s government generators as the lights went Power cuts running eight Pakistani court has ordered to halt work on the line. It said AFP out, including those in the hours each day on average construction of the coun- construction, which started last Washington provincial assembly. have crippled an economy al- A try’s fi rst metro train line to year, had led to forced evictions However, stock market ready wrestling with militant stop after campaigners in the city and threatened a large number of trading was not interrupted. violence, a high budget defi cit of Lahore argued that the project Lahore’s protected heritage sites, he American general picked The private utility company and falling exports. endangered historical buildings. historic buildings and minority to head the US-led Nato running the electricity supply Pakistan’s state power com- Lahore High Court issued a places of worship. Tmission in Afghanistan has said high levels of humidity panies are notoriously inef- stay order late on Thursday sus- Independent experts were warned it would take years before tripped a transmission line to fi cient. The government sells pending all work within 200ft puzzled as to why alternative, local forces can independently cause the blackout yesterday power below the cost of pro- (61m) of 11 buildings of histori- less damaging routes were not take charge of what he admitted morning. duction but pays subsidies cal value, said Azhar Siddique, a considered, the UN said. was deteriorating security. “The tripping should not late or not at all. Plants cannot lawyer and petitioner in the case. Part-funded by China, the La- Lieutenant General John “Mick” be attributed to any lack in aff ord fuel. Buildings deemed at risk hore Metro is a rapid mass transit Nicholson is slated to replace the infrastructure, rather it Many infl uential families include the Mughal Fort and system that the government hopes General John Campbell, whose was caused by high levels of refuse to pay their bills while Shalamar Gardens complex - will ease travel in the fast-growing nearly 18-month tour in war-torn humidity,” K-Electric said in the poor often cannot aff ord a Unesco World Heritage Site city, Pakistan’s second largest. Afghanistan is coming to an end. a statement on Twitter, add- to pay. - a 19th century British-built Public transport remains Nicholson praised Afghan ing that power had returned The unpaid bills run right church and the Victorian-era woefully inadequate across troops as “born fi ghters,” but to most of the city by early through the generation chain, General Post Offi ce. most Pakistani cities and a rap- said building aspects of the Af- Lt General John W Nicholson Jr afternoon. infl ating debt, and chipping “I, on behalf of civil society, idly urbanising population has ghan military is slow work, es- An offi cial at the ministry off around 2% of Pakistan’s fi led the petition to save 26 her- left roads choked with traffi c, pecially its air force and casualty security situation is the emergence grow in strength in the com- of water and power said at GDP in the last fi ve years. itage sites from construction of slowing travel times. evacuation capabilities. of Islamic State fi ghters in parts of ing years, describing them as “a “Although we’ve seen im- the country. They are trying to es- force in the making.” provements... in some areas we tablish a base in Nangarhar prov- “So we expect the Afghan Iran coerces Afghans to fight in Syria, says Human Rights Watch have years to go, in particular the ince in eastern Afghanistan, near security forces to be stronger, aviation area,” Nicholson told the Pakistan border. much stronger this season than Iran’s Revolutionary Guards has the New York-based HRW. The Islamic republic denies having in Iran and the rest have been senior US lawmakers at a confi r- Senator John McCain, who they were last season.” recruited thousands of Afghans, “Faced with this bleak choice, some any boots on the ground and insists deemed unqualified for asylum. mation hearing late on Thursday. heads the Senate Armed Serv- Though several senators some by coercion, to fight in of these Afghan men and boys fled its commanders and generals act At least two dozen Afghans Just over a year ago the Nato ices Committee, asked Nichol- enthusiastically endorsed Ni- Syria’s war alongside forces loyal Iran for Europe.” as “military advisers” in Syria and interviewed by the watchdog said mission in Afghanistan transi- son if he agreed that the overall cholson’s nomination, his con- to President Bashar al-Assad, Iran is a staunch supporter of Iraq. they or their relatives had been tioned into an Afghan opera- security situation in Afghani- fi rmation still needs to be ap- Human Rights Watch (HRW) said Assad. However, funerals are regularly recruited or coerced by the Iranian tion with allied nations assist- stan was worsening. proved by the full Senate. yesterday, AFP reports from New Tehran says its Fatemiyoun held across Iran for “volunteer” authorities to fight in Syria. ing training and equipping local “I agree with your assess- President Barack Obama York. Brigade, comprised of Afghan fighters from Iran, Afghanistan, and Six of them said Iranian forces had forces to tackle Taliban insur- ment,” Nicholson conceded, in October announced that “Iran has not just off ered Afghan recruits, are volunteers to defend sometimes Pakistan. trained them or their relatives in gents and other armed groups. adding that the Taliban had 9,800 US forces would remain refugees and migrants incentives sacred sites in Syria and Iraq. Iran hosts an estimated 3mn military camps near Tehran and Since then, the Taliban have gone on the off ensive more in Afghanistan through most to fight in Syria, but several The brigade is backed by the Afghans, many of whom have fled Shiraz in 2015. dealt some stinging blows to intensely than military com- of 2016 - backtracking on an said they were threatened with powerful Revolutionary Guards. persecution and repeated bouts of Two of the six had joined Afghan forces, including a manders had anticipated. earlier pledge. deportation back to Afghanistan But some reports say the Afghans armed conflict in their homeland, voluntarily, while the other four short-lived takeover of the At the Pentagon Defense Numbers would then be unless they did,” said Peter have been off ered residency and a said HRW. said they or their relatives had been northern city of Kunduz. Secretary Ashton Carter said drawn down to 5,500 by Janu- Bouckaert, emergencies director at monthly salary to fight for Iran. Only 950,000 have refugee status coerced or forced to fight. Further complicating the fragile Afghan security forces would ary 2017, under current plans. Gulf Times 16 Saturday, January 30, 2016 PHILIPPINES Transport chief likely to face criminal charges

By Jeff erson Antiporda of the Ombudsman found suf- Marcos said he finds it dis- Manila Times fi cient evidence to show that he tressing that the Department conspired with PH Trams Incor- of Transportation and Com- porators for the awarding of the munications (DOTC) proceed- he senate will most like- $11.5mn maintenance contract ed with the awarding of the ly recommend fi ling of without public bidding. Five P3.8bn maintenance contract Tcriminal charges against PH Trams executives were also despite numerous questions Transportation Secretary Joseph charged. over the agreement, including Emilio “Jun” Abaya in connec- Poe noted that based on the its awarding without bidding. tion with the problem-riddled information gathered from a se- “The deal for me is highly Metro Rail Transit (MRT) 3. ries of hearings held by her com- questionable mainly because Senator Grace Poe, chair- mittee, Abaya should have been it was done without bidding. Japan’s Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko bow their heads as they pay tribute to Japanese soldiers who fought during World War Two, at a man of the public services sub- among those charged because he Secretary Abaya justified it by memorial shrine in Cavinti, Laguna, south of Manila yesterday. committee on transportation, signed and approved the con- saying it was because they were said the panel is completing the tract. under an emergency but some report on its investigation into She recently asked the trans- sectors have alleged that it was MRT 3 accidents and malfunc- portation chief to produce the just a scheme to do away with tions. The report is based on the P3.8bn negotiated contract the bidding,” he said. three resolutions fi led by Sena- between the government and The senator said the om- the Korean-Filipino consor- budsman should step in and Akihito pays tributes at tors Juan Edgardo Angara, Paolo Benigno Aquino and Nancy Bi- tium chosen to take charge of determine if the awarding of nay in 2014. the maintenance operations of the contract was legal. “I believe that he (Abaya) is MRT3, after his announcement The ombudsman has the really responsible (for the MRT3 that the fi rm would no longer power to investigate and pros- back out. ecute on its own, any act or Japanese troop shrine mess) and there is a big possi- bility that he will be included in The senator wants to review omission of any public officer the recommendation, but it will the contract with Busan Trans- or employee, office or agency. AFP Akihito, meanwhile, told an- Tens of thousands of Philip- President Benigno Aquino be better if we just wait for the portation Corp to fi nd out the Marcos pointed out that an Caliraya other: “Take care of yourself, pine and allied US troops died gave Akihito a red-carpet wel- committee report,” Poe said at diff erent provisions under the investigation is needed since stay well.” marching to Japanese concen- come and hosted a banquet at a news conference yesterday in deal and to determine if it is still there were also questions over The royals are winding up a tration camps or in confi ne- the presidential palace for him Angeles City, Pampanga. the original contract. the allegedly anomalous main- apanese Emperor Akihito fi ve-day visit to the Philippines ment during Japan’s World War on Wednesday. The sub-committee will Poe said she has been receiv- tenance contracts entered into off ered fl owers yesterday at to celebrate 60 years of diplo- II occupation. “The state visit of their Im- present its report before the 16th ing information that the con- by the DOTC with PH Trams Ja shrine built in the Phil- matic ties as well as to honour An estimated 100,000 Fili- perial Majesties... serves to Congress adjourns in June. The tract has been revised to stop from 2012 to 2013. ippines for Japanese soldiers those who died during the Japa- pinos also died during the strengthen the friendship be- report will include recommen- the contractor from withdraw- The DOTC awarded the killed during Japan’s brutal nese occupation. month-long campaign to liber- tween the Filipino and Japanese dations for fi ling of graft-related ing. P3.8bn three-year mainte- World War II occupation of the Akihito has made honour- ate Manila in 1945, which saw peoples as both nations mark cases against The Senate hearing on MRT3 nance contract for MRT3 with Southeast Asian nation. ing Japanese and non-Japanese aerial bombings and artillery the completion of six decades several transportation offi - was triggered by a series of the joint venture company of The 82-year-old monarch who died in World War II a fl atten the city. of harmonious relationship,” cials. train derailments, including an South Korean group Busan and his wife, Empress Michiko, touchstone of his near three- Akihito’s visit is the fi rst presidential spokesman Her- Poe admitted that she was incident that happened at the Transportation Corp, Edison bowed twice while laying white decade reign — known as Hei- by a Japanese emperor to the minio Coloma said yesterday. disappointed by the exclusion of train system’s Taft Avenue sta- Development and Construc- bouquets at a table in front of sei, or “achieving peace” — and Philippines and comes as the But the visit has been Abaya from the list of individu- tion in Manila that injured 12 tion, Tramat Mercantile Inc, the grey marble shrine, located now in its twilight. two countries strengthen eco- marked by small protests by als charged with graft over an al- passengers. TMI Corp Inc and Castan Corp. in the lake town of Caliraya He has previously journeyed nomic and defence ties, partly women forced to serve as sex legedly anomalous MRT3 main- The MRT3 serves 13 stations But Marcos said several about three hours’ drive from to other Pacifi c battle sites to counter China’s increasingly slaves for Japanese occupation tenance deal. and passes through the cities of groups have questioned the Manila. where Japanese troops and ci- assertive actions in disputed troops who are demanding a While she hailed the fi l- Pasay, Makati, Mandaluyong, competence of the consortium. In a half-hour event aired live vilians made desperate last regional waters. belated apology and compen- ing of criminal charges against San Juan and Quezon. The awarding of the contract in Japan by public broadcaster stands in the name of his father Japan’s perceived failure to sation. former MRT 3 general manager Also yesterday, Senator Fer- was dubbed a midnight deal be- NHK, the imperial couple spoke Hirohito. properly atone for its wartime “The emperor’s visit to the Al Vitangcol and fi ve others, dinand Marcos Jr called on the cause it was entered into in the and shook hands with former On Wednesday he bowed his actions has been a constant shrine is improper. Their sol- she said she was not happy that Office of the ombudsman to in- last few months of the Aquino Japanese soldiers as well as rel- head in sorrow during a sombre source of friction with China diers committed many crimes top transportation offi cials were vestigate the alleged midnight administration and its funding atives of their comrades killed ceremony at the Philippines’ and South Korea. in our country,” Isabelita spared. deal entered into by Abaya for had long been planned and ap- in the Philippines. biggest war cemetery in Manila, But the Philippines has been Vinuya, 84, said as she and Vitangcol was indicted at the the Metro Rail Transit (MRT) propriated under the 2014 and “You have survived diffi cult vowing later never to forget the much more accepting, partly nine other ex-sex slaves held Sandiganbayan after the Offi ce System. 2015 national budgets. times,” Michiko said to one of many Filipinos killed during the because Japan has given billions candles outside the Japanese the the soldiers in attendance. occupation. of dollars in aid. embassy in Manila yesterday. Customs seizes 118mn pesos worth illegally imported rice

Manila Times mediately recommended auction proceedings in Manila order to preserve the value and quality of the con- fi scated rice and contribute to the revenues of the government. he Bureau of Customs (BOC) is not lower- Records showed that the shipment was con- ing its guard down amid insinuations that signed to Calumpit Multi-Purpose Co-operative. Tthe leadership has given the go-signal to The cargo, which arrived at the MICP from Thai- the “everything goes policy” for the remaining fi ve land on separate occasions in November and De- months of the Aquino administration, primarily for cember, was immediately seized for violation of purposes of raising funds for the administration Section 2530 of the Tariff and Customs Code of the candidates in the May 2016 elections. Philippines, as amended, by Republic Act 7651 and “Our bureau’s anti-smuggling drive, as shown for lack of required import permit from the Nation- by the exemplary and strengthened teamwork ex- al Food Authority (NFA). hibited by our intelligence and enforcement groups Verifi cations made through the NFA confi rmed with our new district collectors, should serve as a that no import permit has been issued to the con- reminder to smugglers that illicit trade in the bu- signee. reau will be prosecuted in accordance with the A representative of the consignee wrote to the law. It’s no longer business as usual. The bureau is district collector of the MICP, saying the import working with various government agencies to make permit for shipment was already being processed sure smuggling is addressed with an iron hand,” for its release but the same was refuted by the NFA. Commissioner Alberto Lina said yesterday. Earlier, the BOC also fi led charges before the Jus- Lina issued the warning after seizure of 118 con- tice department against two consignees for illegal tainers of illegally imported Thai rice at the Manila importations of various items such as smartphones International Container Port (MICP) worth at least and tablets and an undetermined number of used P118mn. semi- knockdown Honda Fit vehicles. He ordered immediate investigation to identify The goods were declared as casing thermos Former Filipino “comfort women”, a Japanese euphemism for women who were forced into prostitution and sexually abused at Japanese personalities involved in the illegal importation. and gift boxes but were found to contain assorted military brothels before and during World War Two, light candles during a protest in front of the Japanese embassy in Manila yesterday. MICP Collector Antonio Pascual and MICP Auc- brands of mobile phones, smartphones, tablets and Women’s rights groups and former “comfort women” rallied to demand an apology and compensation from the Japanese government, during tion Division chief Gerardo Macatangay also im- touch screen phones, with total value of P4.2mn. the Japanese Emperor Akihito’s visit to the Philippines. Anti-graft court suspends media board chairman

Manila Times tion with the release of confi scated pi- The defendants were ordered sus- of the resolution as well as of the actual and privileges of their offi ce for ninety (invalidation). Section 13 of RA 3019 or Manila rated discs in 2010. pended from their position “or from date of implementation of the suspen- days immediately upon receipt of this the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices In a seven-page resolution promul- any other government position they sion, along with the expiry of the 90- resolution,” the resolution said. Act provides for the 90-day preventive gated on January 27 and made public may now or afterward hold for a period day period, “so that it shall be deemed The court said the issuance of the suspension of any incumbent public he anti-graft court, Sandigan- yesterday, the court granted the pros- of ninety (90) days, eff ective immedi- automatically lifted at the end of its preventive suspension order under offi cial facing a valid graft charge. bayan’s Fourth Division has or- ecution’s request to suspend Ricketts ately upon receipt and implementation term.” Republic Act (RA) 3019 was warrant- “Under this rule, it becomes man- Tdered the suspension of Optical as well as the head of the Enforcement of this resolution.” “In the meantime, accused Ronaldo ed, considering that the defendants datory for the court to immediately is- Media Board chairman Ronald “Ron- and Inspection division Manuel Man- The court directed the Offi ce of the Naldo Ricketts, Manuel J Mangubat, are incumbent offi cials of the OMB, sue the suspension order upon proper nie” Ricketts and three other OMB gubat, EID investigation agent I Joseph President to implement the preventive Joseph Dineros Arnaldo and Glenn they are being charged for graft, they determination of the validity of the offi cials pending litigation of the graft Arnaldo and EID computer operator II suspension and to inform it of the ac- Sarming Perez are directed to cease and were validly arraigned last July and the information (charge sheet),” the court charge fi led against them in connec- Glenn Perez. tion taken within fi ve days from receipt desist from exercising the functions charge sheet was not subject to quashal said in part. Gulf Times Saturday, January 30, 2016 17 SRI LANKA/BANGLADESH/NEPAL/MALDIVES

Nepal, India propose to Maldives ready to extend build six power Nasheed’s prison leave corridors IANS AFP Azima Shakoor told reporters in question is how and when.” about as a “direct result of the Kathmandu Colombo Colombo. Nasheed became the fi rst threat of sanctions”, said anoth- “If he requests an exten- democratically elected presi- er of his lawyers, Jared Genser. sion of medical leave, he will dent of the Maldives in 2008 But Maldives foreign secretary epal and India propose he Maldives said yes- certainly get it.” and served for four years before Mohamed said yesterday it was to construct at least six terday it could extend Nasheed was accorded a red he was toppled in what he called “unfair” to impose sanctions on Ncross-border power cor- Tthe prison leave granted carpet welcome and received a coup backed by the military his country of 340,000 people. ridors to ensure trading in ener- to former president Mohamed by Prime Minister David Cam- and police. “Those people who are in jail gy between the two close neigh- Nasheed to go to London for eron when he arrived in Britain Last year, a court sentenced are there because they violated bours on a long-term basis. medical treatment after he on January 21 for spinal cord him to 13 years in jail on terror- our laws,” Mohamed said. “The These 400-kV lines will be hinted at delaying his return. surgery. ism charges that were widely Maldives cannot be penalised constructed on the Attariya- Nasheed, who is serving a 13- The 48-year-old told report- seen as politically motivated. for upholding the rule of law.” Uttarakhand, Lamki-Tikuniya, year jail term after being con- ers in London that he had not Maldives foreign secretary Environment Minister Thor- Kohalpur-Rupaidiha, But- victed on controversial terror- yet decided whether to return to Ali Naseer Mohamed said his iq Ibrahim said international wal-Gorakhpur, Muzaff arpur- ism-related charges, arrived in the Maldives after his leave. government did not have an sanctions would aff ect the gov- Dhalkebar and Inaruwa-Bihar London last week. “I know the question you extradition treaty with Britain ernment’s attempts to mitigate corridors. He has hinted he may stay be- all want to ask is will I go back. and would not be able to force the eff ects of climate change A six-member joint technical yond the 30 days’ leave the gov- This has been more eloquently Nasheed to return. on the nation of 1,192 tiny low- team formed to prepare a mas- ernment granted him in a deal answered by The Clash in 1982 Nasheed’s high-profi le law- lying coral islands. ter plan for such power corri- brokered by Sri Lanka, India and when I was doing my A-Levels yer, Amal Clooney, has argued “In the case of sanctions, dors identifi ed the six points on former colonial power Britain. — ‘Should I Stay Or Should I for targeted sanctions including then defi nitely, the work we the Nepal-India border in ac- “Our belief is he would re- Go?’” said Nasheed, who was asset freezes in the European are doing (on climate change) cordance with the Power Trade turn. He is a man of great stat- educated in Britain. Union and United States and will be hampered because we Agreement (PTA) signed in 2014. ure. I don’t think there is a “Let me be clear. I will go to travel bans against leaders in the are also depending a lot on The energy secretaries of question of him not returning,” the Maldives. I will defi nitely Maldives allegedly responsible the international community, Nepal and India met in Kath- the minister for legal aff airs in go to the Maldives, there is no for human rights abuses. apart from our own funding,” Maldives Minister for Legal Affairs Azima Shakoor speaks to mandu on Thursday to approve the president’s offi ce Aishath doubt about that. But only the Nasheed’s release had come Ibrahim said. reporters in Colombo yesterday. the master plan prepared by this technical team, Nepal’s energy ministry said. Nepal has a huge hydropower potential - theoretically esti- mated at 83,000 MW - with the perennial nature of Nepali riv- ers and the steep gradient of the Garment factory safety country’s topography providing ideal conditions for the devel- opment of some of the world’s largest hydroelectric projects in the Himalayan nation. scheme behind schedule India is the closest and natural market for Nepal’s hydel power. By Sarah Butler, GNS creation of two international H&M is one of only a handful of ply chain although they are in Conservative estimates place Dhaka coalitions designed to assess brands to reveal a list of all its the process of being improved Nepal’s economically feasible and help fund improvements to suppliers internationally, and in accordance with new stand- hydropower potential at approx- Sandhya Eknaligoda stands before an image of her husband, building and fi re safety at thou- campaigners have used that to ards. We are in close dialogue imately 42,000 MW - of which missing cartoonist and journalist Prageeth Eknaligoda. ore than half of H&M’s sands of garment factories in check up on its progress. with the suppliers and are fol- it has developed barely 700 MW. top suppliers based in Bangladesh. “We are particularly con- lowing up on the work that re- Offi cials said that these pro- MBangladesh have yet to Most European retailers cerned by the slow pace of mains to be done.” posed lines will transmit elec- install basic fi re-safety meas- signed up to the Accord on Fire those renovations that are most The spokesperson added: tricity to India, in addition to ures more than two years after and Building Safety in Bangla- critical to saving lives in the “We continue to take a very ac- the Karnali-Chisapani (10,800 the Rana Plaza factory collapse desh, which oversees more than case of a fi re,” said the report. tive role within the Accord and MW) and Pancheshwor (6,720 Lankan woman’s spurred an international eff ort 1,600 factories used by stores “The hazards still waiting to be are following the remediation MW) multi-purpose projects to improve safety in the coun- such as H&M, Marks & Spencer addressed are life threatening in plan progress closely. We see that have their own dedicated try. and Primark. nature.” good progress, but to further transmission lines. six-year fi ght to More than a third of H&M’s Anna McMullen, from La- speed up the remediation we are “Synchronisation and instal- top-rated “gold” and “plati- “We are particularly bour Behind the Label, a pres- currently working closely to- lation of energy corridors were num” graded suppliers have concerned by the slow sure group which is part of the gether with [international trade the key intricacies of the PTA not removed sliding doors and pace of those renovations Clean Clothes network, praised union] IndustriALL with full and we have to set up transmis- fi nd her missing collapsible gates, according that are most critical to H&M for revealing its list of transparency to use our com- sion lines fi rst,” Nepal’s energy to a report by workers’ rights saving lives in the case of suppliers enabling third parties bined leverage where needed.” secretary Suman Sharma, lead- groups, including the Clean a fi re” to check progress at the facto- An Accord spokesman said ing the Nepali delegation to the journalist husband Clothes Campaign. ries. But she said: “This huge that it recognised that progress talks, told mediapersons ahead The report adds that 13% of The Accord’s inspectors have collaboration is not delivering in making factories safer had of the meeting. those suppliers have failed to set out structural, electrical and on what it promised to do. Key been too slow and that it had Power secretary Pradeep Ku- By Amantha Perera, GNS forces by alleging that her take the basic step of removing fi re-safety improvement plans brands need to lead the way and hired more than 30 engineers mar Pujari was leading the In- Colombo husband had evidence of use locks from doors which could for the majority of the factories. the biggest bear most responsi- to speed up monitoring. It had dian delegation. of chemical weapons. impede workers escaping a fi re. But more than two and a half bility.” also sent out more than 200 for- At present, a 400-kV trans- Such brickbats aside, Ekna- More than 1,100 workers died years on all but 10% of those A spokesperson for H&M mal warning letters to factories, mission line on the Muzaff ar- andhya Eknaligoda has ligoda said that in the past in the collapse of Rana Plaza in plans are behind schedule and said: “Fire exits are one of the which could entail their being pur-Dhalkebar route is under had a date at court in year, since President Sirisena April 2013. The building housed only two were completed by most fundamental require- struck off as suppliers under the construction. With its comple- SHomagama, a town and his Prime Minister Ranil several factories making cloth- December, the time of the last ments for a supplier, in order legally binding agreement. tion, Nepal will soon be able to in Colombo district, every Wickremesinghe took offi ce, ing for brands including Prima- progress report. to be allowed to produce for Five factories were struck off import 90 MW electricity from month for the past six years. investigations into her hus- rk, Matalan and Benetton. The The Accord’s list of facto- H&M. There have always been in December and one this month, India to ease its own power cri- The 52-year-old counts band’s abduction have made scale of the disaster led to the ries does not reveal the brands. clear escape routes in our sup- taking the total to nine so far. sis. the number of appearances progress. The investigations at more than 90 and they have revealed links to the mili- are aimed at securing one tary and a camp in the north- thing – fi nding her husband. east where the journalist is Journalist and cartoon- suspected to have been trans- Preparing onions for sale ist Prageeth Eknaligoda dis- ported. Bangladesh to amend appeared without a trace It is a far cry from six years on January 24, 2010 after a back, when she fi rst com- mysterious telephone call led plained to police. “I was told war crimes statute him to an equally mysterious that getting abducted was meeting. fashionable and that my hus- Since then not a word has band would soon return. They By Mizan Rahman Huq said the law would been heard from Prageeth, asked me to go home and wait.” Dhaka contain provisions for a con- who was 50 when he disap- Members of the govern- fi scation of the assets of ‘war peared, not even from third ment of the then president criminal organisations’. parties. He worked for website Mahinda Rajapakse also al- angladesh is set to He said, “The fi nance minister Lankae News. leged the missing jour- amend a law to make has already spoken of this. I will The Eknaligoda case is one nalist was domiciled in Bway for trial of politi- talk to him over this. The law has among tens of thousands of a foreign country. cal parties and organisations to be amended with provisions missing persons’ cases that the Lawyers and the Eknaligoda involved in war crimes during for a confi scation of assets.” new government of Maithri- family believe the journalist the 1971 liberation movement. To a question on the possi- pala Sirisena has pledged to was abducted due to his work Law Minister Anisul Huq bility of a law, similar to holo- resolve. A presidential com- in the campaign of then oppo- yesterday said the government caust denial laws in Europe, mission has already recorded sition presidential candidate will amend the International to prevent vilifi cation of the more than 20,000 such cases, General Sarath Fonseka. Crimes Tribunal (ICT) Act next Liberation War and distortion including more than 5,000 The new administration has month to bring to trial politi- of its history, the minister said, security services members. pledged to set up a national of- cal parties and organisations “We’re discussing its draft.” “I will go anywhere, any fi ce for missing persons that involved in war crimes in 1971. Earlier, the Ekattorer time to get information on would undertake tracing and He was speaking to report- Ghatak Dalal Nirmul Com- Prageeth,” says Sandhya. compensation and also change ers after a meeting with the mittee submitted a 12-point And she has – from court national laws to allow for the Ekattorer Ghatak Dalal Nirmul demand to the government, hearings in Colombo to ses- issuance of certifi cates of ab- Committee, a group that vows including enactment of Lib- sions of the UN Human Rights sence. A vendor cleans red onions at his stall at main market in Colombo yesterday. Sri Lanka’s to eliminate killers and collab- eration War Denial Crimes Act Council in Geneva. It is a mar- However, not a single per- consumer prices in January rose 0.9% from a year earlier, slowing from the previous month’s orators of the 1971 war. with provisions of punishment athon endeavour to seek jus- son listed as missing has been 2.8%, data from the department of census and statistics showed yesterday. The minister said, “I had ear- for denial of historically estab- tice for her husband. But it has traced since the new govern- lier mentioned that (the amend- lished facts and settled issues. not endeared her to some. ment took offi ce. Recently, the ment) would be done by March. The committee also de- Last week, as she was leav- prime minister told a public It has been advanced. Now we manded amendment to the ing court, she was accosted gathering in northern Jaff na Bangladesh keen for joint basin management with India are saying it (the amendment) ICT Act 1973 for trying political and allegedly threatened by a that he feared many of those will happen in February.” parties and troops for crimes prominent monk. missing could be dead. Bangladesh is keen to set up a joint capital city of India’s Tripura state. the two countries are rising, Asked if the Jamaat-e-Is- during the Liberation War, en- The monk, Galagodatte A 2011 report by an advisory basin management system with He said: “Pani (water) is our life, our cooperation is broadening.” lami, which was opposed to actment of Witness Protection Gnanasara, heads the nation- panel to UN Secretary General India for equitable use of waters progress, our food and everything. To a question, the visiting envoy Bangladesh’s emergence dur- Act for the witnesses of the war alist movement Bodu Bala Ban Ki-moon, said more than of the common rivers, Bangladesh We are unable to hold the entire said that Bangladesh PM Sheikh ing the Liberation War, would crimes cases and war victims Sena (Buddhist Power Force). 40,000 could have perished in High Commissioner to India Syed water including rain water. Ideal Hasina has already declared that be banned following the adop- compensation law. He had come to court with the last bouts of fi ghting be- Muazzem Ali said yesterday, IANS use of water is necessary for a consortium could be formed to tion of the new law, he said it is The committee has been de- several other monks to off er tween government forces and reports from Agartala. growth. The navigation of the use the Chittagong sea ports and a matter within the jurisdiction manding an enactment of the to be remanded in place of six the Tamil Tigers from 2008 to “Bangladesh government wanted rivers is declining.” other ports by the neighbouring of the court. “What is happen- Liberation War denial crimes security personnel taken into 2009. The domestic advocacy to set up a joint basin management “If India and Bangladesh properly countries including India. ing is an amendment to the law but the demand intensi- custody over the abduction of body, University Teachers for method with India for reasonable exploit the waters, share other “Our prime minister has already ICT Act with the provision to fi ed after the controversial Eknaligoda. Human Rights (Jaff na) put that use of waters of the common products and help each other, announced to restore all railways, try and penalise organisations. remarks of BNP chairperson He accused Sandhya of tar- fi gure as high as 90,000 earlier rivers flowing between the two both neighbours would achieve a road and water connectivity exists The court will say if the Jamaat Khaleda Zia over the number nishing the name of the armed this year. countries,” Ali told reporters in this win-win position. Trade between until 1965 and even before that.” is to be banned or not,” he said. of Liberation War martyrs. Gulf Times 18 Saturday, January 30, 2016 COMMENT

Chairman: Abdullah bin Khalifa al-Attiyah Editor-in-Chief : Darwish S Ahmed Production Editor: C P Ravindran The three fears sinking

P.O.Box 2888 Doha, Qatar [email protected] global stock markets Telephone 44350478 (news), 44466404 (sport), 44466636 (home delivery) Nothing about the Chinese authorities will either act investors are forced into asset fi re sales towards market expectations, not vice Fax 44350474 aggressively to devalue the renminbi or, to meet margin calls. versa. condition of the world more likely, lose control of it through Fortunately, market panic now seems This process, known as “refl exivity”, economy suggests that accidental mismanagement, resulting to be subsiding, as oil prices reach is a powerful force in fi nancial markets, in devastating capital fl ight. the lower part of the $25-50 trading especially during periods of instability a major slowdown or Such a scenario seemed quite range that always seemed appropriate or crisis. To the extent that refl exivity recession is inevitable or plausible for a few weeks last summer, in today’s political and economic works through consumer and business and it reemerged as a threat in the fi rst conditions. confi dence, it should not be a problem GULF TIMES even likely two weeks of this year. Now that oil prices are stabilising at now, because the oil-price collapse is a By the end of January, however, a long-term level, the world economy powerful antidote to the stock-market By Anatole Kaletsky market sentiment had moved back in and non-commodity businesses should decline. London favour of stability in China. benefi t. Low oil prices increase real Consumers are gaining more This calm could be disrupted again incomes, stimulate spending on non- from cheap oil than they are losing Economic woes may if China’s foreign-exchange reserves resource goods and services, and boost from falling stock prices, so the net anuary is usually expected to be show another huge monthly loss and profi ts for energy-using businesses. eff ect of recent fi nancial turmoil on a good month for stock markets, the authorities’ eff orts to manage an Yet, despite these obvious benefi ts, consumption should be positive – and cut short Trudeau’s with new money gushing into orderly economic slowdown will remain most investors now seem to believe stronger consumption should feed Jinvestment funds, while tax- the biggest source of legitimate concern that falling oil prices point to a collapse through to business revenues. related selling abates at the end of the for fi nancial markets for many years in economic activity, which brings us A greater worry is the workings of year. Although the data on investment ahead. to the third fear haunting fi nancial refl exivity within the fi nancial system political honeymoon returns in the US actually show that markets this winter: a recession in the itself. Bankruptcies among small January profi ts have historically global economy or the US. energy-sector companies, which been on only slightly better than The fear about Past experience suggests that oil are of limited economic importance Canada’s new Prime Minister Justin Trudeau faces an the monthly norm, the widespread prices are not a useful leading indicator themselves, are creating pressures early end to his political honeymoon, confronted by an belief in a bullish “January eff ect” has China has subsided, of economic activity. In fact, if oil-price in global banking and reducing made the weakness of stock markets movements have any relevance at all in the availability of credit to healthy economic slump with no easy exit. around the world this year all the more at least for now economic forecasting, it is as a contrary businesses and households that would While voracious demand from China for its shocking. indicator. otherwise be benefi ciaries of cheaper commodities helped Canada escape the worst of the But the pessimists have a point, But, judging by market behaviour Every global recession since 1970 oil. even if they sometimes overstate in the second half of January, the fear has been preceded by a big increase in Fears of a Chinese devaluation that 2008 fi nancial crisis, the communist-run country’s the January magic. According to about China has subsided, at least for oil prices, while almost every decline has not happened (and probably never diminished appetite and a global oil glut have turned into statisticians at Reuters, this year now. greater than 30% has been followed by will) are having the same chilling eff ect started with Wall Street’s biggest fi rst- That cannot be said about the accelerating growth and higher equity on credit in emerging markets. a massive headwind for Canada. week fall in over a century and the 8% market’s second great worry: collapsing prices. The widespread view that Meanwhile, banking regulators The parallel decline of oil prices and the Canadian monthly decline in the MSCI world oil prices. From the moment investors plunging oil prices augur recession is a are continuing to tighten lending dollar, which the central bank governor describes as index made January’s performance stopped panicking about China, in the clear case of the belief that this time is standards, even though economic worse than 96% of the months on second week of January, stock markets diff erent – a belief that typically takes conditions suggest they should be following each other like “railroad tracks”, is bringing record. So, just how worried about the around the world started falling (and hold in fi nancial markets at the peaks easing up. both economic and political pain. world economy should we be? occasionally rebounding) in lockstep and troughs of boom-bust cycles. In short, nothing about the condition With a comfortable majority from last October’s Three fears now seem to be with the price of oil. Finally, what about the falling of the world economy suggests infl uencing market psychology: Unlike the reasonable concern about stock market itself as an indicator of that a major slowdown or recession election, Trudeau’s Liberal government will have no China, oil and the fear of a US or global China, market sentiment seems simply recession risks? One could quote the is inevitable or even likely. But a problem passing laws in Parliament. recession. to have gotten the relationship between great economist Paul Samuelson, who lethal combination of self-fulfi lling China is surely a big enough problem oil and the world economy wrong. In famously quipped in the 1960s that the expectations and policy errors could But his political capital will melt away quickly if he to throw the world economy and equity anything but the very short term, the stock market had “predicted nine of the cause economic reality to bend to the mishandles his fi rst major test over the economy. It markets off the rails for the rest of this correlation between oil prices and stock last fi ve recessions”. dismal mood prevailing in fi nancial would damage provincial allies and the Liberal party’s decade. We saw this in the fi rst four markets should be negative, not positive There is, however, a less reassuring markets. - Project Syndicate days of the year, when the sudden fall – and will almost certainly turn out that answer. prospects in the 2019 election. in the Chinese stock market triggered way in the years ahead. While markets are often wrong in zAnatole Kaletsky is chief economist Trudeau, 44, branded as a lightweight by opponents January’s global fi nancial mayhem. When oil prices plunge by 10% daily, predicting economic events, fi nancial and co-chairman of Gavekal But the Chinese stock market is this is obviously disruptive in the short expectations can sometimes infl uence Dragonomics and the author of in last year’s campaign, will have to ensure that the oil of little consequence for the rest of term: credit spreads in resources and those events. As a result, reality can Capitalism 4.0, The Birth of a New shock does not trigger vulnerabilities such as Canada’s the world. The real fear is that the related sectors explode, and leveraged sometimes be forced to converge Economy. record high household debt levels and long-in-the-tooth housing boom, creating vicious cycle of job losses and further weakness. The central bank’s oft-stated hope that rising non- energy exports would drive the economy and help off set the oil crash has not materialised. This is partly because in the manufacturing centre of Ontario, Trudeau’s political auto companies have capital will melt shifted plants and away quickly if work to lower-cost jurisdictions such as he mishandles Mexico. his fi rst major test In Quebec, the provincial government over the economy bailed out struggling planes and train maker Bombardier Inc for fear of losing 40,000 aerospace sector jobs in the province. “The engines for growth in Canada are really few and far between,” says David Rosenberg, chief economist with Gluskin Sheff + Associates, who predicted the US housing crash while at Merrill Lynch. The Canadian economy, which endured a mild recession in 2015, saw zero growth at the start of the fourth quarter. A government projection in December showed a planned tax hike on the rich will not cover the cost of a promised middle-class tax cut. Brazilian virologist Gubio Soares working at the Science and Health institute in Salvador, Brazil. Soares isolated Zika virus for first time in the country, in April 2015. The Bank of Canada lowered its forecast for 2016 growth yet again this month, to 1.4% from 2.0% in October. Canadian oil sands crude fell 60% from a year earlier Researchers scramble to fi ght Zika virus to trade below $14 a barrel last week , leading to weaker studies on everything from how it Uganda. However, most cases were suggest the virus could be spread business investment and big job losses in the western oil By Kerry Sheridan AFP/Miami spreads to how it causes disease to how mild, resulting in rash, fever, and red through sexual contact- one case in producing provinces of Alberta and Saskatchewan. to control the mosquitoes that spread eyes in a small fraction of cases. which Zika was detected in a man’s it. Health authorities barely took notice semen after it disappeared from his The impact has been felt on the other side of the ika virus is spreading rapidly “NIAID researchers are working until an outbreak on the Micronesian bloodstream, and another in which country, where workers who migrated from Atlantic through the Americas leaving on vaccine candidates to prevent Zika island of Yap in 2007. a man infected in Senegal may have Canada to the oilfi elds return home in droves, researchers scrambling to virus infection,” he added. An outbreak that began last year in infected his wife back in Colorado. understand the very basics, Brazil has been blamed for a surge in However, Schuchat added that unemployed. Z including how to prevent, treat and birth defects in that country, where “the science is very clear to date: that For his part, Trudeau remains upbeat, touting diagnose the emerging mosquito- “The virus is thousands of babies have been born Zika virus is primarily transmitted to borne threat. with small heads, an incurable and people through the bite of an infected economic diversifi cation “after a time in which we had There is no vaccine against Zika, spreading throughout sometimes fatal condition known as mosquito. So that is really where we are put all our eggs in one basket”. which top US health authorities the Americas and microcephaly. putting the emphasis right now.” But it will be a Herculean task. described on Thursday as a “brand “Zika virus’s spread in the Americas Other researchers are calling for new” virus that has expanded swiftly we expect more and its eff ect on pregnancy are new an increased focus on preventing in recent years and been linked to brain developments that we are working mosquito bites, particularly in damage in babies. countries to be with partners to better understand,” impoverished areas. To Advertise No matter how fast the world acts, it said Anne Schuchat, principal deputy “We need to look at historical will be years before a vaccine is widely “It is to our advantage that we director of the US Centers for Disease successes to embark on similar [email protected] available, said Anthony Fauci, head of already have existing vaccine platforms Control and Prevention. programmes in Zika-aff ected Display the National Institute for Allergy and to use as a sort of jumping off point,” he Health authorities are also probing countries,” said Peter Hotez, dean Infectious Diseases (NIAID). said, mentioning two avenues of study an increase in Guillain Barre syndrome, of the National School of Tropical Telephone 44466621 Fax 44418811 “This is a brand-new virus so we, based on prior research into West Nile a rare neurological disorder in which a Medicine at Baylor College of Classified prior to this time, have really not spent and dengue vaccines. person’s own immune system damages Medicine. anything on Zika,” Fauci said. “While these approaches are nerve cells, leading to muscle weakness Hotez called for new studies on Telephone 44466609 Fax 44418811 Nor is there any vaccine on the promising, it is important to and sometimes paralysis, she said. technologies - such as insecticides, Subscription market yet against dengue virus, understand that we will not have a “The virus is spreading throughout genetically modifi ed mosquitoes, bed [email protected] which comes from the same family of widely available, safe and eff ective Zika the Americas and we expect more net use and mass drug treatment with fl aviviruses. vaccine this year and probably not even countries to be aff ected,” warned antiparasitic ivermectin - as potential The US government is appealing in the next few years.” Schuchat. ways to prevent the virus and kill the 2014 Gulf Times. All rights reserved for all kinds of research on Zika and Zika was fi rst identifi ed in 1947, Researchers are also aware of two Aedes aegypti mosquito which carries will draw from a pool of $97mnto fund causing its fi rst human case in 1952 in cases in the past several years which it. Gulf Times Saturday, January 30, 2016 19 COMMENT A trend towards pay-for-success projects

Pay-for-success pay the investors only if the project That is a big change from traditional Department provided new regulations produces the promised results. privatisation of public services, in to philanthropic foundations that projects mark a radical Though the pay-for-success model which government contractors reap relaxed the perceived barriers to departure from traditional is still in its infancy, dozens of projects profi ts simply by billing for services. It “mission-related investments”. It are now underway. Indeed, the US is also provides relief from the bean- was an important move: Foundations approaches to funding already the largest pay-for-success counting rigidity that comes from oversee some $600bn, but had long solutions to complex social market in the world, with over $100mn policing every dollar that a contractor worried that certain social-impact invested in such transactions. Utah spends. investments might jeopardise their challenges was an early pioneer, launching a novel President Barack Obama’s tax-free status. In October, the pilot project in preschool education administration has been extremely Department of Labor followed up with By Laura D Tyson and Lenny that is funded by $7mn from Goldman active in this area, and it is now a “clarifi cation” that eased worries Mendonca Sachs and the Pritzker Foundation. The doubling down. The White House at pension funds about investing in Berkeley city of Chicago has launched a similar Offi ce of Social Innovation and Civic ventures that produce social as well as but larger project for $17mn, with Participation (SICP) has been working economic returns. upfront funding from some of the same with agencies across the federal Of course, though these changes f you get most of your ideas about investors as in Utah. Massachusetts has government to spur pay-for-success open the way for philanthropic government from speeches by a $27mn project to test a programme eff orts around the country. foundations and pension funds to America’s Republican presidential for reducing recidivism among young The Social Innovation Fund has become major investors in pay- Icandidates, it’s easy to believe that men on probation. provided matching grants to dozens for-success projects, success is not the US federal government is incapable Pay-for-success projects mark a of communities, which are working guaranteed. For example, a project of doing anything right. But not even radical departure from traditional closely with organisations such as to reduce recidivism among juvenile the Republicans actually believe it. approaches to funding solutions to Harvard’s Social Impact Bond Lab and inmates at Rikers Island in New York The proof is just beneath the complex social challenges. The most Third Sector Capital, to identify and City produced disappointing results. surface, where a remarkable bipartisan obvious diff erence is that taxpayers structure promising pay-for-success But that is exactly how the approach consensus is emerging around avoid the upfront fi nancial cost of ventures. The SICP just launched a is supposed to work: risk-conscious an approach to America’s most trying an unproven strategy. competition for a new $10.6mn round investors, rather than taxpayers, serious social problems – including Santa Clara County, California, is of matching grants. assume the upfront fi nancial costs of homelessness, criminal recidivism, introducing a pilot project aimed at If the broad social goals sound innovating. Failed eff orts are not only preschool education and chronic illness reducing the cost of supporting people “Democratic”, the method and strategy inevitable; they are essential to fi nding – that combines the best principles of with acute mental illness. At least 250 are in many ways “Republican.” They real solutions. conservatism and progressivism. people will receive temporary housing rely heavily on the private sector, Americans are generally wary It is a strategy that is playing out in along with “wrap-around” support require tough quantitative evaluation, of “big government”, but they do Republican states such as Utah and and psychiatric services. The goal is to and devolve most of the actual work to want solutions to their country’s Kentucky and Democratic ones like lower public costs by reducing reliance states and localities. biggest social problems. A results- Massachusetts and California. on expensive acute-care hospitals, Call this “progressive federalism”. oriented pay-for-success approach, This nationwide trend is being minimising the number of emergency- The “progressive” component is in based on what we know works well catalysed in part by the federal room visits, and avoiding jail sentences. taking on major social problems. in the private sector, provides an government. But it is being The programme’s eff ectiveness will The “federalism” consists in the ideal opportunity to test bold and implemented mainly at the community be evaluated by a randomised control recognition that states and local innovative solutions, learn from scores level through partnerships among local trial comparing the data of patients communities are the primary sources of competing projects about which governments, community groups, who participated with those who did of bold and eff ective new strategies. work and ramp up those that do.- philanthropic organisations and for- not. Lawmakers in both parties have Project Syndicate profi t investors. The key to success is that the teamed up to introduce a variety of These are, in a sense, pay-for- incentives are based on outcomes, not bills that would encourage and fund zLaura Tyson, a former chair of the success projects, sometimes structured the outfl ow of money. A traditional pay-for-success projects. Meanwhile, US president’s Council of Economic as social impact bonds – formal social programme is usually judged by the Obama administration has pushed Advisers, is a professor at the Haas contracts that tie payments to the volume of services provided, such through two important regulatory School of Business at the University actual results. Private investors and as the number of people trained or changes that could free up billions of of California, Berkeley, and a senior philanthropic organisations fi nance the homeless people sheltered. reaped by government. How many obtained jobs? How much money did dollars in private capital for social- adviser at the Rock Creek Group. upfront costs of the pilot projects, and By contrast, in a pay-for-success additional children were brought up government save as a result of reduced impact investing, including pay-for- Lenny Mendonca, senior fellow at the local or state governments (sometimes model, the returns are based on the to their proper reading level? How prison time or lower safety-net success schemes. Presidio Institute, is a former director of supplemented with federal money) social benefi ts achieved or savings many additional former inmates payments? In September, the Treasury McKinsey & Company.

LEGAL HELPLINE Weather report Three-day forecast

TODAY High: 17 C Low : 10 C Staying the lawsuit Strong wind and high seas

A lawsuit may be stayed as gratuity for the fractions of the year even after expiry of the initial fi ve years, objects have been gained from a per the parties’ agreement in proportion to the duration of your employment contract will be crime but have been gained through a SUNDAY employment. considered as automatically renewed circumstance that leads one to believe High: 19 C for a maximum period of six The employee who has completed for an indefi nite period with the same the illegality of the source thereof, the Low : 12 C months one continuous year in the service of terms and conditions. Gratuity will penalty shall be imprisonment for a Sunny the employer shall be entitled to an be calculated at the last drawn basic term not exceeding six months and a annual leave and shall be also entitled salary. According to Article 54 of the fi ne not exceeding QR3,000, or either MONDAY By Nizar Kochery to a leave for the fractions of the year in Labour Laws, the basic salary at the penalty. High: 21 C Doha proportion to the period of his service. time of termination of employment Article 68 of the Qatar Labour Laws contract will be the basis for Low : 12 C stipulates that the employer shall pay calculation of gratuity. Engineering Sunny QUESTION: I have all my to the worker before the worker takes consultancy documents in my favour in a civil his annual leave the wages to which the case fi led by me. The lawyer of worker is entitled for the work he has Liability Q: We are in the process of Fishermen’s forecast performed up to the date of taking the the other party now suggests me for crime registering an engineering OFFSHORE DOHA to agree on an agreement to stay leave in addition to the leave wages to consultancy company. Our service Wind: NW 24-32 KT the proceedings for six months which the worker is entitled. Q: One of my friend’s room-mates agent suggests that the Qatari Waves: 9 -13 Feet to reach on a settlement. I am was arrested for theft last month partner should not be employed INSHORE DOHA Wind: NW-N 18-25/35 KT conducting the case by myself. Is and after two days my friend was in any place. Is there any law that Waves: 1-3/4 Feet there any provision in law to stay End-of-service also detained, with the police stipulates so? proceedings? Does it aff ect my payment calculation alleging that he had used the theft SD, Doha Around the region case anyways? I am ready to give a property. He was unaware of the Weather Weather chance for settlement. Q: I have been working with a theft but the police have fi led a A: Article 18 of the Professional today Max/min tomorrow Max/min YU, Doha private company for almost eight case against him. Hearing on the Engineers Law stipulates that owners Abu Dhabi P Cloudy 20/14 P Cloudy 22/13 years now but my original contract case is next week. What will be the of engineering consultancy offi ces, Baghdad Sunny 14/02 Sunny 17/04 Dubai P Cloudy 20/16 M Sunny ANSWER: As per Article 83 of the has been for fi ve years. I haven’t maximum punishment for such an their partners and the engineers 22/15 Kuwait City Sunny 14/07 Sunny 17/08 commercial and civil procedure code, been given a new contract. My off ence? employed there are banned from Manama Cloudy 16/12 Sunny 18/12 the lawsuit may be stayed as per the contract gives my basic salary as VF, Doha working at any of the ministries, Muscat P Cloudy 23/17 Sunny 23/15 parties’ agreement for a maximum QR3,650, but my current salary is government departments, public Riyadh Sunny 13/01 Sunny 16/03 period of six months from the date the QR8,400. When I get my gratuity, Q: Article 367 of the Qatar Penal corporations or institutions. Qatari Tehran Sunny 08/0 M Sunny 09/01 court acknowledges such agreement. how will it be computed, based on Law stipulates that any person, university professors with doctoral Such stay shall have no eff ect on any my old salary in the old contract or who knowingly conceals objects degrees and teaching engineering at a defi nite time limit set by the law for on the new salary without a new gained from a crime without having university are exempted from the ban. certain procedure. contract? participated in committing it, shall If the lawsuit is not resumed during JA, Doha be liable for the crime from which he zPlease send your questions by the next 20 days, subsequent to the knows that the objects were acquired. e-mail to: [email protected] expiry of the six-month period, A: By continuing in the employment If the off ender is not aware that the (Mobile:55813105) the plaintiff shall be deemed to have abandoned his lawsuit and the appellant deemed to have abandoned LEGAL SYSTEM IN QATAR his appeal. According to Article 690, seals shall The inventory list shall be drawn up be affi xed on the premises of the in two copies which shall be signed by Computation bankrupt, offi ces, stores, books, the adjudicator or his representative, of gratuity papers and movable property. Upon the receiver and the clerk of the court. A adjudication of bankruptcy, the copy shall be fi led with the court registry Q: My company has terminated adjudicator shall delegate a court and the other shall be kept with the me after seven years of service employee or member of the public receiver. The assets that have not been with it. After fi nding the prosecution department to affi x the sealed or if seals have been removed company’s gratuity and leave seals. An offi cial report of the affixing must be recorded in the inventory list. salary calculation wrong, I have of seals shall be prepared and delivered The assistance of an expert may be approached the HR department. to the adjudicator immediately. required for the making the inventory Around the world The HR people argue that I have Seals shall not be placed on the and for evaluation of the assets. Weather Weather not completed seven years of clothes, movable property and According to Article 694, the public today Max/min tomorrow Max/min service, it’s just six years and nine essential items of the bankrupt and necessary for the operation of the prosecution department shall have Athens Sunny 18/08 P Cloudy 17/09 months and because of that I’m his dependents. Such items shall be place of business if it is decided to the right to attend the preparation Beirut P Cloudy 16/11 Sunny 17/11 M Sunny M Sunny 34/25 of inventory. It may, at any time, Bangkok 34/25 not entitled to any benefi t for the delivered to bankrupt in a list signed continue with its operations. Berlin Rain 09/02 M Cloudy 06/02 incomplete year. Is this legal? by him and the bankruptcy judge. As per Article 692, pursuant to request to inspect all documents and Cairo M Sunny 18/09 M Sunny 19/09 My leave salary is unpaid and the The adjudicator may, ex proprio an application from the receiver, the books related to the bankruptcy and Cape Town Sunny 30/21 Sunny 34/21 company says that it will be given motu or at the request of the receiver, adjudicator shall order the remove the request for clarification of its status, Colombo P Cloudy 34/23 M Sunny 34/22 M Sunny 28/16 along with the gratuity. What is the order to abstain from sealing or seals in order to make an inventory of the progress of its procedures and the Dhaka 26/16 M Sunny Hong Kong P Cloudy 19/16 S Showers 18/14 provision as per law? authorise their removal from the the bankrupt’s assets. The removal method of its administration. Istanbul S Showers 10/04 P Cloudy 11/08 BL, Doha commercial books, negotiable of the seals and inventory shall If the bankruptcy is declared Jakarta S T Storms 32/25 T Storms 32/25 instruments and other instruments begin within five days from the date following the death of the trader or if Karachi Sunny 29/16 Sunny 29/13 A: According to Article 54 of Qatar’s that shall be due for settlement within of adjudication of bankruptcy. The the trader dies before completion of London Showers 08/04 Rain 14/11 Manila S T Storms 32/23 P Cloudy 32/23 Labour Laws, the employer shall a short period or require measures inventory shall be prepared in the the inventory, the list shall be made Moscow Snow 03/01 Rain& Snow 03/0 pay end-of-service gratuity to those to safeguard the rights established presence of the adjudicator or his immediately or shall be completed New Delhi Sunny 26/13 P Cloudy 24/11 employees with one or more years therein; amount of money for representative, together with the in the presence of the heirs or after New York P Cloudy 04/02 P Cloudy 09/05 of continuous service and unless disbursement on urgent necessities of receiver and the Court clerk. The they have been notified to attend. The Paris Rain 11/07 Showers 15/12 P Cloudy P Cloudy 32/19 otherwise agreed a higher rate between the bankruptcy; perishable items or bankrupt and the supervisor appointed heirs may delegate a representative to Sao Paulo 31/20 Seoul M Cloudy 06/-6 Sunny 0/-8 the employer and employee, gratuity items whose value diminishes rapidly by the creditors shall be notified of attend on their behalf therein and in Singapore T Storms 32/26 I T Storms 32/26 shall be calculated at the rate three or items which incur high cost for the date on which of inventory will be default the judge shall select a person Sydney P Cloudy 28/18 Sunny 30/18 weeks’ basic salary per year of service. maintenance; and things which are prepared and they may attend. to represent them. Tokyo ClearSnow 0 5 /02 Cloudy 09/03 The employees shall be entitled to Gulf Times 20 Saturday, January 30, 2016 QATAR

Ferrari cars are among the most appealing sports cars at the event.

The plug-in hybrid BMW i8 was an instant hit at the Qatar Motor Show 2016. PICTURES: Joey Aguilar

Fans, families savour Porsche presents some of its new models. thrills at motor show he Qatar Motor Show lows increased engine effi ciency 2016 continues to thrill without the need for mechanical Tmotor enthusiasts of all modifi cation. ages, as fans and families fl ock The team behind the Turbo to the Doha Exhibition and Con- includes FIM 250 world cham- vention Centre (DECC) to enjoy pion and Grand Prix motorcycle one of the biggest annual auto- road racer, Mario Lega. motive events in the region. Yesterday, motorbike fans Featuring more than 40 in- were also treated to a special ternational brands from lead- parade of big bikes as Harley ing luxury, sport and mid-range Davidson motorbikes rumbled carmakers, there is something through the streets of Doha. for everyone to enjoy. Organised by the Qatar Chap- The show will be open for the ter of the Harley Owners Group Visitors have the opportunity to test their driving skills with car visitors from 1pm to 10pm today, (HOG) and Ladies of Harley, the simulators at DECC. 4pm to 10pm tomorrow and 1pm parade was one in a series of dai- to 8pm on Monday, the last day. ly parades taking place around F1 Simulator on the showroom #QMS2016. The QMS is the On Thursday evening, motor- West Bay throughout the dura- fl oor, exciting QMS goodies, or fi rst in a slew of exhibitions to sport enthusiasts were treated to A view of a drift event staged at Doha Corniche yesterday as part of the Qatar Motor Show. PICTURE: Jayaram tion of the show. can enter the ‘Capture the Mo- be hosted by Qatar Tourism Au- a surprise guest appearance by HOG members also hosted ment’ competition for a chance thority (QTA) as part of its strat- Mohamed Abu Issa, the Qatari Shadi al-Dhaheri and Brian which was unveiled at the open- Verona, Performance Technol- games in the Fanzone for visi- to win a luxury weekend stay at egy to build a thriving business quad bike legend, who thrilled Capper, as well as test drive op- ing of Qatar Motor Show 2016. ogy joins QMS 2016 as a special tors to win goody bags. In addi- the Marriott Marquis City Cent- events industry and triple the fans with an impromptu stunt portunities. A late, but very There is also plenty for mo- guest exhibitor. tion to the Fanzone, parades and er Doha Hotel. number of business tourists. display at the show’s fan zone. popular, addition to the show is torbike enthusiasts to enjoy, With a background in mot- showroom, visitors also have For a chance to win, visi- Later in February, QTA will The outdoor ‘Fanzone’ com- the quintessential vehicle from with international brands such orsport, Performance Technol- the opportunity to win exclusive tors and fans should follow the join hands once again with Elan pletes visitors’ experience with Rolls-Royce, the Phantom. as Harley Davidson, Ducati, Tri- ogy are the brains behind the on-the-spot prizes every hour show via Instagram, Facebook, and Fira de Barcelona to open daily motorbike stunts and dis- The Phantom joins the Wraith umph and KTM on display. Fresh Sport Production 300 Turbo such as priority access to the Twitter, Snap Chat or YouTube, the Doha Jewellery and Watch plays from Red Bull athletes, and the new Rolls-Royce Dawn, from the Motorbike Expo in supercharge for bikes, which al- exhilarating Evotek Technology and use the offi cial hashtag Exhibition 2016. New Lexus GS F steals spotlight

bdullah Abdulghani & Bros (AAB) ticated Adaptive Variable Suspension and Lexus have showcased the lat- System and full-time 4WD featured in Aest vehicles, giving customers in the LX570. Qatar an opportunity to experience the The RX350’s mix of sharp creases and best of Lexus at the sixth Qatar Motor curves represents a bold evolution in the Show at the Doha Exhibition and Conven- model’s styling, sharing the same design tion Centre. DNA with other recently launched mod- Lexus has displayed a variety of vehi- els in the Lexus line-up. cles from its best-selling SUV and sedan Moreover, this perennial best-selling range, including the latest versions of luxury crossover adds advanced new LX570, RX350, NX200t, GS F, GS200t, redesigned powertrains, sophisticated IS200t, GT3, RCF and RC200t. safety technologies, driver aids and wel- HE the Minister of Transport and Communications Jassim Seif Ahmed Abdulrahman Abduljalil al-Ab- comes new convenience and technol- al-Sulaiti tours the Lexus stand. dulghani, vice chairman, AAB, said: ogy features to make this the best Lexus “The Lexus brand has undergone a major sport-utility vehicle offering to date. pendent motoring journalists tracks that can be enjoyed by change in the past year by introducing the AAB vice chairman Abdulrahman Abduljalil al-Abdulghani joins other off icials during the Lexus underlined its significant ap- from leading automotive publi- everyone. The GS F is the first new Lexus line-up, which shares the same launch of Lexus vehicles at the Qatar Motor Show. peal and credentials in the fast-ex- cations throughout the Middle new “F” series sedan model design DNA with the signature Spindle panding compact luxury segment as its East. since the launch of the IS F in Grill. the driver.” He added: “We have the SUV perb off -road capabilities as well as dy- popular luxury crossover, the NX200t, The GS F embodies the phi- 2007. “At Lexus, the engineers are constantly range showcasing the new top of the line namic on-road performance. took home the award for “Best Compact losophy of the “F” series, Lexus International paved its striving to achieve the amazing: amazing LX, the all new RX, and the NX. All have The agile and remarkably comfort- Premium SUV” at the 2015 Middle East which stands for fast dynamic way in Qatar since 1991 through design, amazing engineering, amazing been launched under the new design phi- able on-road handling and performance Car of the Year Awards (MECOTY). response, high efficiency and its relation with AAB, the sole performance, and state-of-the-art tech- losophy in 2015.” is a result of the advanced electronic The Lexus NX200t was chosen for the seamless performance on eve- distributor for Lexus vehicles nology to ensure the car is in sync with The LX570 off ers a combination of su- traction control technologies, sophis- coveted accolade by a jury of 14 inde- ryday roads in addition to race- in Qatar.

Enhanced features in Infi niti QX50 Lincoln models exude ‘quiet luxury’

aleh Al Hamad Al Mana Company, the exclusive incoln and Almana Motors Company plemented by a dramatic design with a agent of Infi niti in Qatar, has unveiled the new In- has launched the MKX midsize luxury modern, contemporary silhouette and well- Sfi niti QX50 at the ongoing Qatar Motor Show 2016. LSUV in Qatar alongside the MKZ sa- balanced proportions. From an exterior design perspective, the QX50 loon at the Lincoln stand at the ongoing Qa- The interior design blends functional- has been enhanced for 2016 with a new front and tar Motor Show 2016 at the Doha Exhibition ity with fl uid, fl owing forms to inspire a rear bumper, and lower front and rear fascia, LED & Convention Centre. sense of luxurious adventure. Powered by daytime running lights, signature Infi niti-style “Exuding ‘quiet luxury’ – a luxury that is the 2.7-litre twin-turbocharged Ti-VCT double-arch front grille, side mirrors with integrat- elegant, eff ortlessly powerful, and serene – EcoBoost V6, the MKX also comes with a ed LED turn signals and updated side sill styling. Lincoln models continue to quietly exceed line-up of innovative features, including a Declan McCluskey, general manager, automotive at customers’ expectations, rather than being revolutionary 360 degree camera and state- Saleh Al Hamad Al Mana Co, said: “The Qatar Motor The 2016 Infiniti QX50 . the loudest statement on the road,” it was of-the-art Revel audio system. Show is one of the premium motor shows in Qatar, as announced in a press release. The MKX midsize luxury SUV alongside the Lincoln’s four-door MKZ saloon includes well as the Middle East region. As such, it provides us creased second row, rear legroom by 109 mm. The Lincoln’s presence at the Qatar Motor MKZ saloon at the Lincoln stand at the key standard equipment such as the 2.0-li- at Saleh Al Hamad Al Mana Co the ideal platform to QX50 also features a host of technological advance- Show highlights the importance the marque ongoing Qatar Motor Show. tre EcoBoost engine, intelligent access with debut the new QX50 in Doha. As the exclusive Infi n- ments that include: streaming audio via Bluetooth places in the region, and by bringing the push-button start, SYNC with MyLincoln iti agent, we are committed to off ering our customers wireless technology, advanced around view moni- new MKX to the stand, it provides “a dis- it’s important that we are part of a buyer’s Touch driver connect technology, and an the best premium motoring experience through our tor which includes front and rear sonar and seven- tinct automotive experience by providing a consideration list, and we think our existing available retractable panoramic roof that product portfolio as well as our customer service.” inch colour display with Infi niti Controller. new, unique, and elegant level of experience line-up, paired with our future products, off ers a 15.2sft glass panel and the larg- Signifi cant inroads have also been made on its Also available is the Infi niti hard drive navigation to the market.” gives us a compelling story to tell,” said Alex est rooftop opening available in the saloon size. The wheelbase increases by 81mm while over- system with a colour touch-screen display that is “We are focused on delivering distinct Schaeff er, head of Lincoln Middle East. class. Producing 277lb-ft of torque at 4,000 all length is boosted by 114 mm. The result is an in- additionally complimented with the Bose Premium products that are engineered around the The exterior of the MKX luxury midsize rpm, Lincoln’s 3.7-litre fully aspirated V6 creased interior volume by 235 litres as well as in- Audio System with 11 speakers. people inside them. Here in the Middle East, SUV embodies elegance in motion, com- engine is also available on the MKZ.