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INDEX revive DOW JONES QE NYMEX QATAR 2, 16 COMMENT 14, 15 QCB to track US rates as ARAB WORLD 3 BUSINESS 1-12 BMI sees another 0.25% Australia 20,824.44 10,925.40 54.45 INTERNATIONAL 4-12 CLASSIFIED 8 +48.84 -27.26 +0.86 ISLAM 13 SPORT 1-8 hike in Qatar this year +0.24% -0.25% _+1.60% Latest Figures published in QATAR since 1978

FRIDAY Vol. XXXVIII No. 10374 February 24, 2017 Jumada I 27, 1438 AH

GULF TIMES www. gulf-times.com 2 Riyals Emir visits jewellery and watches exhibition UN urges In brief Syria rivals QATAR | Diplomacy Emir receives Niger president’s message HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim to end the bin Hamad al-Thani yesterday received a written message from President of the Republic of Niger, Mahamadou Issoufou, pertaining to bilateral relations between the two countries and means of boosting and developing them. ‘nightmare’ Niger’s ambassador to Doha Hassan Embarak Boubacar handed over the Accept historical responsibility, “I’m not expecting miracles. We face message to HE the Minister of State says de Mistura as peace talks an uphill task. It will not be easy,” he for Foreign Aff airs Sultan bin Saad al- begin said, adding all sides know “what will Muraikhi during a meeting. Page 2 HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani admires a collection of pearls during a visit to Doha Jewellery and Watches happen if we fail again: more death, Exhibition at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Centre yesterday. Agencies more suff ering.” REGION | Terrorism Geneva The ground – both in territory and diplomatically – has shifted since the Woman injured last UN-sponsored talks broke up in in Manama blast he UN’s Syria envoy called on the April 2016, and the rebels are in a sig- A “terrorist blast” slightly injured country’s rival sides to accept nifi cantly weaker position. a woman near the Bahraini capital Tthe “historical” responsibility The army has recaptured the rebel yesterday, the Interior Ministry of seeking to end the six-year confl ict, bastion of eastern Aleppo and the Unit- said on its Twitter account, in the Iraqi forces capture while accepting “miracles” were unlike- ed States, once staunchly opposed to latest in a series of explosions in ly at peace talks which started yesterday Assad, has said it is reassessing every the kingdom. The ministry said the in Geneva. aspect of its Syria policy under Presi- explosion happened in the village Staff an de Mistura said regime and dent Donald Trump. of Sanabis, west of Manama and opposition negotiators, gathered for a The latest truce was brokered in late that police were at the scene but Mosul airport from IS fourth round of UN-sponsored talks, December by opposition supporter gave no further details. On February had a duty to lead Syria out of its bloody Turkey and regime-backer Russia ahead 5, another bomb exploded on the Reuters than 100 civilians fl eeing towards Iraqi vent them regrouping,” said federal “nightmare”. of separate negotiations in Kazakhstan outskirts of Manama, damaging cars Baghdad security forces from the district of al- police captain Amir Abdul Kareem, “I ask you to work together. I know that also involved Iran. but causing no injuries, in what the Mamoun. whose units are fi ghting near Ghozlani it’s not going to be easy to end this hor- The deal has reduced violence but Interior Ministry also described as a Some of them were wounded. military base. rible confl ict and lay the foundation for fi ghting fl ared again this week includ- terrorist act. S-backed Iraqi security forces “Daesh fl ed when counter terror- “It’s the best way to knock them a country at peace with itself, sovereign ing a government bombing campaign on captured Mosul airport yes- ism Humvees reached al-Mamoun. down quickly.” and unifi ed,” Mistura told the delegates rebel territory around Damascus. ARAB WORLD | Politics Uterday, state television said, We were afraid and we decided to Western advisers supporting Iraqi sitting opposite each other on a raised A bitter dispute over Assad’s fate also in a major gain in operations to drive escape towards the Humvees,” said forces were seen some 2km away from platform in a UN assembly hall in Ge- continues to divide the camps. League chief insists on Islamic State from the western half of Ahmed Atiya, one of the escaped ci- the frontline to the southwest of Mo- neva. The opposition’s High Negotiations two-state solution the city. vilians said, referring to IS by its Ara- sul, a Reuters correspondent said. After his opening address, de Mistura Committee (HNC) has insisted he must Arab League Secretary-General Elite Counter Terrorism forces ad- bic name. Iraqi forces last month ousted IS shook hands with both sides. It was not leave offi ce as part of any deal, while Da- Ahmed Abo al-Ghait yesterday vanced from the southwestern side “We were afraid from the shell- from eastern Mosul and embarked on clear when talks would resume or if the mascus has said the president’s future is warned against backtracking on and entered the Ghozlani army base ing,” he added. Federal police and an a new off ensive against the militant two sides would meet for direct nego- not open for negotiation. the two-state solution in Palestine along with the southwestern districts elite interior ministry unit known as group in densely-populated western tiations. At the last Geneva talks, 10 De Mistura’s offi ce has said that the as it would drive the region into of Tal al-Rumman and al-Mamoun. Rapid Response had battled their way Mosul this week. months ago, de Mistura had to shuttle talks remain focused on “political tran- more violence and extremism. His Losing Mosul could spell the end of into the airport as IS fi ghters fought The campaign involves a between the delegations who were never sition”. statement came after he met Chief the Iraqi side of militants’ self-styled back using suicide car bombs, a Reu- 100,000-strong force of Iraqi troops, together in the same room. For the UN, that term can include a Palestinian Negotiator Saeb Erekat. caliphate in Iraq and Syria, which IS ters correspondent in the area south of Kurdish fi ghters and Shia militias and “This is our solemn responsibility... a broad range of scenarios but the opposi- He added that the two-state solution leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi declared Mosul airport said. has made rapid advances since the historical responsibility not to condemn tion sees it as implying Assad’s removal. was the only one acceptable by from the city after sweeping through Police offi cers said the militants had start of the year, aided by new tactics the future generations of Syrian chil- Forcing the Syrian president from Palestinians, in the Arab World and vast areas of Iraq in 2014. also deployed bomb-carrying drones and improved co-ordination. dren to long years of bitter and bloody power had been the stated goal of Barack globally. Iraqi forces hope to use the airport against the Iraqi Counter Terrorism US special forces in armoured vehi- confl ict,” he said. Obama’s administration but Trump’s as a launchpad for their campaign to Forces advancing from the southwest- cles yesterday positioned near Mosul “The Syrian people desperately want election has muddied the US stance. AMERICA | Migration drive the militants from Iraq’s second ern side of the city. airport looked on as Iraqi troops ad- an end to this confl ict and you all know Trump has said that Washington’s largest city. “We are attacking Daesh from mul- vanced and a helicopter strafed sus- it... they are awaiting for a relief from top priority in the region was defeating US promises Mexico A Reuters correspondent saw more tiple fronts to distract them and pre- pected IS positions. suff ering and dream of a new road out of IS and that the US would be narrowly no mass deportations this nightmare,” he added. focused on American interests. US Homeland Security Secretary “This is a mediation process. My job For the Syrian opposition there is ur- John Kelly promised yesterday “no Rain, strong winds forecast today is to be a mediator,” he told reporters, gency. mass deportations” or military force speaking after his opening address. “We hope to see something achieved against immigrants in the United Persistent violence and deadlock over here in Geneva 4 because there is no way States despite a crackdown on those A wet weekend is in store as the Met A warning has also been issued 25 knots in some places at times. Syria’s political future are clouding the Syrians will be moving to Geneva 5 with in the country illegally. “There will department has forecast thundery rain for off shore areas today, where Off shore, winds may attain a top speed of start of “Geneva 4,” the fourth round this cost they are paying in Syria,” said be no, repeat no mass deportations”, in some places today along with strong thundershowers, windy conditions and 30 knots during thundery rain, with the of UN-sponsored talks on the confl ict an HNC spokesman. Kelly told a news conference in winds in parts of the country by midday. high seas are expected. sea level rising to 12ft . which has killed more than 310,000 “We hope to end it right now here.” Mexico City after meeting with It may rain in the early hours of the day Light, scattered rain was reported from Cloudy conditions will prevail in inshore people since 2011. Between meetings De Mistura took Mexican ministers. “There will be no and then again at night, which may be some places – including Doha – yesterday. areas and there could be scattered rain in On the eve of the talks, Russia called time yesterday to talk to a group of Syr- use of military force for immigration thundery at times, the weather offi ce has In the aft ernoon, the Met department the early hours and then again at night. on Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to ian women with family members de- operations.” The meetings aimed said. Doha is among the places where tweeted that the chances of rain would The rain may be thundery at times in stop bombing during the discussions. tained in Syria. to calm diplomatic tensions with rain is likely today and thundershowers improve over the next few hours and a some places. Off shore areas will see hazy But de Mistura, who had already “I am here as a sister of two prisoners, Mexico, which has been targeted by have been forecast tomorrow too as the thunderstorm was expected at night. and cloudy conditions and scattered warned he is not expecting a break- we as Syrian families we want to know President Donald Trump with a hard country experiences a spell of ‘unsettled Meanwhile, the detailed forecast for rain is likely there as well, which could be through at the talks, warned again yes- the fate of our people?” Bayan Sharbaji line on trade and immigration. weather’. today says the wind speed may go up to thundery occasionally. terday of the challenge facing them. said after meeting the UN envoy. MoI cautions public after arrest of eight pickpockets

he Criminal Investigation De- operate with security agencies if such of fraudsters trying to rob people after QR22,500 after a man spat on him and partment (CID) has arrested thefts occur or if they witness any such spitting on them along Doha’s streets. then off ered to wipe off the spittle, all Teight Africans on charges of incident. Such incidents have been reported the while apologising for the act. The pickpocketing, especially in crowded Recently, a number of money ex- from a number of areas in the city, in- victim, a businessman, was returning areas. change houses in Doha advised cli- cluding the vicinity of Souq Waqif, Al from an exchange house when the inci- The Ministry of Interior (MoI) said ents to be extra cautious while visiting Hilal and others. dent occurred. in a statement yesterday that a special their premises in order to avoid falling Residents also started sharing their In yet another case, as reported security team was formed to catch the prey to pickpockets operating in their personal experiences on social media, in Gulf Times, a resident said he was culprits after the CID received com- vicinity. In particular, as Gulf Times expressing concern over the growing robbed by a person in the Fereej Abdel plaints of repeated incidents of per- reported recently, such incidents saw trend and calling for swift and stringent Aziz area. The incident occurred soon sonal valuables being stolen by pick- a spike during weekends, when a large action against the culprits. after he withdrew money from an ATM pockets. number of people headed to exchang- In one of the cases, an expatriate there and was walking in the direction A thorough investigation and search es to remit money or conduct other was robbed of QR7,500 by a man who of the Jaidah fl yover. followed, which led to the arrest of a transactions. spat on him before stealing his wal- Recollecting his experience, an- number of suspects and recovery of Sources said most of the complaints let containing the money near Souq other expatriate said he lost his wallet valuable items from them, the MoI came from Al Ghanim – which houses Waqif recently. A similar attempt was containing nearly QR1,000 at a busy said. The suspects were referred to the a number of exchanges – while another The eight suspected pickpockets who were arrested by the CID. Picture courtesy of MoI made on another resident in Hilal while Najma location a few months ago. authorities concerned. area of concern was the Najma-Man- he was walking towards his car after The modus operandi was similar – a The MoI has called upon the public soura-Bin Dirham belt. These areas warning customers to be more care- member at an exchange. withdrawing money from an ATM. His person spat on him and then started to take care of their belongings, espe- generally remained crowded, especially ful during visits. “We are aware of this The incidents of pickpocketing alertness saved him and the fraudster’s apologising and wiping the spit. Af- cially in crowded areas such as markets on weekends. alarming trend and have asked clients came to light even as many residents bid was foiled. ter a while, the victim realised he had and public transport stations, and co- One exchange had put up a board to exercise due caution,” said a staff complained of a related trend – that Earlier, a person reportedly lost been robbed. Gulf Times 2 Friday, February 24, 2017 QATAR PM tours Kahramaa park facilities

QNA Doha

E the Prime Minister and Interior Minister Sheikh HAbdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa al-Thani yesterday vis- ited the Kahramaa Awareness Park, part of Qatar General Elec- tricity and Water Corporation (Kahramaa) in Al Hilal. During the visit, the Prime Minister was briefed on the important facilities in the park and the programmes and serv- ices off ered to the visitors as a centre for science, knowledge, plans and future goals. He was also given a presentation on the services and technologies of- fered by the park as a platform for science and its role in cre- ating awareness and providing entertainment. The Prime Minister was also briefed on the techniques and regulations of electricity and water consumption rationalisa- HE the Prime Minister and Interior Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa al-Thani visiting the facilities in Kahramaa Awareness Park yesterday. tion, which refl ects Kahramaa’s role in the social responsibility to portance of water and energy. Virtual Reality Technology, cli- given an explanation about its He then toured the external energy sources. of the society in rationalising support the state’s development He also listened to an explana- mate change and water areas. importance in the diversity of yard of Awareness Park, which The Prime Minister and In- consumption of electricity and of in accordance with Qatar Na- tion for the life cycle of a drop The tour also included a visit energy sources and the reduc- includes many supportive terior Minister Sheikh Abdullah water and preserving environ- tional Vision 2030. of water and how to get and to the Islamic corner, which tion of carbon emissions. Inte- models of sustainability and bin Nasser bin Khalifa al-Thani ment, and directed them to The Prime Minister and save it. showcases the role of Islam in grated models to create sustain- renewable energy such as, the praised Kahramaa’s offi cials for strengthen the role of the park in Minister of Interior toured the HE Sheikh Abdullah bin Nass- achieving sustainability, and able buildings through advanced solar, wind and thermal ener- their role and the eff orts they the community in collaboration park and the Dana Dome, which er bin Khalifa al-Thani also vis- to the research and renew- techniques were also shown to gy. It is the only building in the have made in raising the aware- with various state’s entities to screens 3D film about the im- ited the power station that uses able energy area, where he was the Premier. state that uses three different ness about the various segments achieve its goal.

OFFICIAL Message for Emir Emirates to unveil enhanced A380 ‘Onboard Lounge’ at ITB Berlin Emir sends cables mirates will launch a series of new cabin products and of congratulations Eenhancements this year to Brunei sultan for both its A380 and Boeing 777 fl eet. HE the Minister of State for Foreign Aff airs Sultan bin Saad The multi-million dollar cab- HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin al-Muraikhi with Niger’s ambassador to Qatar Hassan in interiors upgrade programme Hamad al-Thani, HH the Deputy Embarak Boubacar in Doha yesterday. HE al-Muraikhi was includes an enhanced ‘Onboard Emir Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad handed a message to HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Lounge’ for its fl agship Airbus al-Thani and HE the Prime Hamad al-Thani from Niger’s President Mahamadou A380 aircraft. Minister and Interior Minister Issoufou, pertaining to bilateral relations between Qatar The new Emirates A380 On- Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin and Niger and means of developing them. board Lounge will make its fi rst Khalifa al-Thani have sent cables public appearance at the ‘Emir- of congratulations to Sultan ates Infi nite Possibilities’ stand Hassan al-Bolkiah of Brunei during the forthcoming ITB Ber- Darussalam on the anniversary of lin. his country’s Independence Day. Emirates Airline president Tim Clark said, “The A380 On- PM greets board Lounge is hugely popular NUQ gets grant to with our customers, and has be- Somalia’s new come an iconic feature of Emir- premier ates’ A380 off ering. Particu- larly on long-haul fl ights, our research migrant customers tell us they appreciate HE the Prime Minister and the opportunity to stretch their Minister of Interior Sheikh legs and mingle in the relaxed, Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa yet classy lounge area. Inspired by private yacht cabins, Emirates’ next generation A380 Onboard Lounge off ers a “luxurious” al-Thani sent Thursday a cable workers’ health “Since we fi rst launched the space for socialising or relaxing. of congratulations to Hassan Ali product in 2008, our A380 On- Khaire on the occasion of his board Lounge has gone through board Lounge is currently being world and limited edition fi ne 2,500 channels of movies, TV appointment as prime minister of grant to research mi- to health resources in Qatar small but successive enhance- installed onto one of Emirates’ spirits, as well as signature programmes, music and pod- Somalia. grant workers’ health by investigating the habitual ments in line with customer brand new A380 aircraft at Air- cocktails prepared by the bar- casts. Meanwhile, Qatar participated Aand sports activities patterns that migrant workers feedback to increase the amount bus’ facilities, and will make its tender. Emirates fl ies the A380 to in the inaugural ceremony of has been awarded to North- engage in, ie how they may at- of space for our customers to in- operational debut in July 2017. Aside from the Onboard some 46 cities in fi ve continents. President of Somalia Mohamed western University in Qatar tempt to use health resources teract in the lounge. In our latest All of Emirates’ 93 A380s Lounge, the Emirates A380 is It is the world’s largest operator Abdullahi Mohamed Farmajo faculty and students. and what they do during their revamp, we have taken inspira- currently in service feature the also renowned for its indus- of the A380 aircraft with some which was attended by a Susan Dun, assistant pro- leisure time. tion from private yacht cabins, Onboard Lounge. The enhanced try-leading ‘First class pri- 93 of these double-decked air- number of heads of state, senior fessor; Amy Sanders, associ- Working closely with a local and amongst other thoughtful lounge product will be similarly vate suites’ and ‘shower spas’; craft in service, and a further 49 off icials and representatives ate professor; and six NU-Q company, the second phase of touches, we have increased the located on the upper deck of the “luxurious” lie-fl at business on order. of international and regional students received the Under- the study will include the de- seating space, and also made it aircraft, for First and Business class pods with personal mini- Testimony to the popularity organisations. graduate Research Experience sign and implementation of a more intimate and conducive Class passengers. bars; spacious and quiet cabins; of the aircraft amongst travel- Qatar was represented at the Programme (UREP) grant from messaging campaign, which for our passengers to socialise or At the lounge, customers can onboard Wi-Fi; and Emirates’ lers, Emirates has carried nearly inaugural ceremony by Acting the Qatar National Research will be developed based on the enjoy our lounge service.” enjoy gourmet canapés, hand- multi-award winning ‘ice’ dig- 70mn passengers on its fl agship Charge d’Aff aires at Qatar’s Fund (QNRF). interview outcomes. The new Emirates A380 On- picked wines from around the ital widescreen with more than aircraft since 2008. embassy in Somalia, Hassan bin “Northwestern University “I think this project is im- Mohammed Hamza Asad. in Qatar has made research a portant to investigate be- primary focus of its mission in cause it helps us fi nd ways to Qatari envoy Doha,” said Everette E. Dennis, explain how migrant workers meets Sudan’s dean and CEO. “We are com- can maximise their access to Recognition for Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Doha mitted to ensuring that our healthcare,” said Amal Ali, one chief of staff students’ experience at NU-Q of the student researchers. includes engagement in schol- Another student researcher, Sudanese Chief of Staff , arly activity to develop their Maha al-Marzoqi, said she Lieutenant General Emadeddine intellectual curiosity. The is looking forward “to creat- Mostafa Adawi, met Qatar’s continued support of QNRF ing a well-being campaign to ambassador to Sudan Rashid in this endeavour benefi ts our improve the migrant workers’ bin Abdulrahman al-Nuaimi in faculty and students, as well as utilisation of health resourc- Khartoum yesterday. the wider Qatar community.” es. In the past 20 years, Qatar During the meeting, the two The goal of UREP funding is started massive development sides reviewed bilateral relations to foster and develop a culture plans, requiring hundreds of and means of boosting and of research as an important el- thousands of migrant work- developing them in addition to ement of undergraduate edu- ers. Labour is a critical part issues of mutual interest. cation. Students – and also of Qatar’s population. I look their faculty mentors – have forward to playing a role in Qatar attends the ability to build their re- helping them utilise the health workshop on search and experience portfo- information and resources to lio through such programmes. improve their well-being.” human rights “The proposal for this In the past 20 cycles of the grant,” Dun said, “is related to UREP programme, NU-Q has Qatar participated yesterday in my research on the 2022 World received 10 grants, off ering a workshop on terrorism and Cup in Qatar and the eff ects NU-Q students and faculty protecting human rights. on the host country, especially the opportunity to immerse The event took place at the Arab on health, physical activity, in innovative pedagogical League Council’s headquarters. and sports participation. The methods and produce widely Qatar’s delegation included students participating in this published journal articles and assistant director of the human research project will learn by reports. rights department at the Ministry doing and this grant will al- The grants have been used Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Doha has been recognised for its ‘stellar performance’ in 2016, winning five awards at the annual Rolls-Royce of Foreign Aff airs HE Sheikh low them to be involved in all to investigate ways of cultivat- Regional Dealer Awards for Middle East and Africa, held recently in Dubai, the UAE. In a press statement yesterday, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Mohamed bin Youssef Jassim aspects of the project, from ing a science-based commu- Doha, the sole authorised dealer of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars in Qatar, picked up accolades for outstanding achievement in after-sales and al-Thani and assistant director of drafting the proposal via col- nity in Qatar, Qatari women best after-sales marketing initiative. In addition to these, two certificates of excellence were awarded for outstanding achievement, one in the international co-operation lecting and analysing data to majlis, driving behaviours in marketing and another in public relations – with the dealer achieving this award for the third time running. All of these have helped department at the Ministry of extrapolating results.” the country, Qatar’s foreign contribute towards Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Doha’s ongoing success, the statement notes. “This regional recognition is testament to Rolls- Interior Brigadier Nasser Youssef The project will address a aid strategy, as well as the Royce Motor Cars Doha’s commitment to delivering phenomenal results across all verticals of its Rolls-Royce Motor Cars business. Rolls- al-Mal, who is also a member of gap in the literature regard- development of the Qatar na- Royce Motor Cars Doha has had a strong start to 2017 so far and looks forward to another successful, promising year ahead,” it added. the country’s national committee ing migrant workers access tional identity. for combating terrorism. Gulf Times Friday, February 24, 2017 3 REGION/ARAB WORLD 10 fi nalists nominated for Global Teacher Prize

en fi nalists for the Global tant role teachers’ play in society. Begum is headteacher at El- MacDonnell teaches at Ikusik teachers around the world on the the Canadian Arctic to Kenya and Education and Skills Forum in Teacher Prize 2017, award- By unearthing thousands of ementary College for Women School, Kativik School Board, Ca- day the top ten fi nalists were an- Pakistan. But there’s one thing Dubai on March 19, 2017. Ted under the patronage of stories of heroes that have trans- Gilgit, Pakistan. Calle, from Ma- nadian Arctic; and Silburn is a sci- nounced. Prince Harry said: “In they all have in common – they Sunny Varkey, founder of the Sheikh Mohamed bin Rashid al- formed young people’s lives, the drid, Spain, is the founder and ence teacher at Casula High School, addition to reading, writing and spark curiosity within a child Varkey Foundation, hoped the Maktoum, the Vice President and prize hopes to bring to life the creator of the Unicoos educa- south-west Sydney, Australia. arithmetic, the very best teachers and nurture the dreams that can stories of the ten fi nalists will Prime Minister of the UAE and exceptional work of millions of tional website. Yang Boya teaches psychology go beyond the pages of textbooks change our world for the better.” inspire those looking to enter Ruler of Dubai, were announced teachers all over the world. Nogueira is a science teacher at The Affi liated Middle School of to teach young people about de- The top ten have been nar- the teaching profession and also yesterday at www.globalteach- The ten fi nalists for the Varkey at the Escola Antônio dos San- Kunming Teachers College, Yun- termination, aspiration, resil- rowed down from 20,000 nomi- shine a powerful spotlight on the erprize.org Foundation Global Teacher Prize tos Neves in Boa Esperança, Bra- nan province, China; Wamaya is ience and compassion. We will all nations and applications from incredible work teachers do all Now in its third year, the $1mn 2017 are Salima Begum, David zil, while Jahromi is a physical a dance teacher from Mathare, face setbacks and challenges in 179 countries around the world. over the world every day. award is the largest prize of its Calle, Wemerson da Silva Nogue- education, maths and German Nairobi, Kenya, while Chambers our lives and our teachers play a By highlighting their stories the “The thousands of nomina- kind, and was set up to recognise ira, Marie-Christine Ghanbari teacher at Gesamtschule Gescher is a computer science teacher vital role in preparing us for these Varkey Foundation hopes that tions and applications we received one exceptional teacher who has Jahromi, Tracy-Ann Hall, Maggie school, Gescher, Germany. from Brooke Weston Academy in ups and downs. the public will be able to join in from every corner of the planet is made an outstanding contribu- MacDonnell, Ken Silburn, Yang Hall is an automotive technol- Corby, Northamptonshire, UK. “The fi nalists for this year’s passionate debates about the im- testimony to the achievements of tion to the profession as well as to Boya, Michael Wamaya, and Ray- ogy teacher at Jonathan Grant High In a video message, Prince Global Teacher Prize are from portance of teachers. The winner teachers and the enormous im- shine a spotlight on the impor- mond Chambers. School in Spanish Town, Jamaica; Harry paid tribute to the work of every corner of the world – from will be announced at the Global pact they have on all of our lives.” Syria rebels Bargain hunt! say Al-Bab is cleared of IS militants AFP Anadolu had earlier reported tion it said targeted not only IS Beirut that rebels had surrounded the but also US-backed Kurdish town to “break” IS’s will but had fi ghters whom it regards as ter- held off on storming the centre rorists. urkish-backed Syrian “with the aim of preventing ci- The battle for Al-Bab has been rebels said yesterday they vilian casualties”. the bloodiest of the campaign Thad fully captured the The Syrian Observatory for with at least 69 Turkish soldiers town of Al-Bab from the Islamic Human Rights, however, said killed there. State group, marking a key defeat IS fi ghters were still present in The town was also seen as a for the extremists after weeks of parts of the town and that rebels prize by Syrian President Bashar heavy fi ghting. were in control of less than half al-Assad’s forces, who had ad- As Ankara said its allies now of it. vanced to just 1.5km from Al-Bab had “near complete control”, the Rebels launched an off ensive in recent weeks. Vendors show their goods to tourists in a popular tourist area named ‘Khan el-Khalili’ in the Al Hussein and Al Azhar districts of old rebel announcement came on the to capture Al-Bab last year with “Al-Bab is important, insofar Cairo. opening day of peace talks be- the support of Turkish ground as its taking from IS will deprive tween the Syrian opposition and troops, artillery and air strikes. the group of a tax base and an regime in Geneva. Al-Bab was IS’s last remaining area where it was able to congre- Al-Bab, just 25km south of the stronghold in Aleppo province, gate and plot attacks against Syr- Turkish border, was the last IS after a US-backed alliance of ians and the West,” said Aaron stronghold in the northern Syr- Kurdish and Arab fi ghters seized Stein, a senior fellow at the US- ian province of Aleppo. the town of Manbij in August. based Atlantic Council. “We are announcing Al-Bab The extremist group still con- “For Turkey, the mission, as 13 Europe-bound migrants completely liberated, and we are trols a scattering of smaller vil- was defi ned back in 2016, is now now clearing mines from the resi- lages and towns in the province. complete: Turkish forces have dential neighbourhoods,” said Ah- Field commanders from two forced IS from the border and cut mad Othman, a rebel commander. other rebel factions in the town the overland route between the “After hours of fi ghting, we also claimed the capture of Al- two Kurdish cantons” in north- suff ocate in Libya container chased out the last remaining IS Bab to AFP. ern Syria, he told AFP. rank and fi le that were collapsing “Yesterday (Wednesday), we Syria’s Kurds have managed after the fi erce shelling of their captured the city centre, which autonomous administrations in AFP The migrants were found early Tuesday in Fawzi Abdel Ali, a Red Crescent spokesman positions,” he added. was IS’s security zone...The swathes of the country’s north Tripoli the coastal town of Khoms, east of the Lib- in Khoms, told the IFRC that “when volunteers Turkish Defence Minister Fikri extremists collapsed, and this since 2012, and Al-Bab falls be- yan capital Tripoli, Mohamad al-Misrati, a arrived, they provided fi rst aid, psychological Isik said rebels had “near com- morning around 6am (0400 tween the “cantons” of Kobane Red Crescent spokesman in Libya, told AFP. fi rst aid, food and blankets for the 56 survivors, plete control” of Al-Bab. GMT) we completed the opera- and Afrin. he bodies of 13 migrants, including They were from diff erent African nation- among them a fi ve-year-old girl called Aisha”. “When the search and comb- tion,” said Saif Abu Bakr, who “However, Turkey will now two teenagers, who died of suff oca- alities and included 13 bodies, including On Wednesday, about 750 migrants were ing operations are over, we will heads the Al-Hamza rebel group. have to grapple with the ques- Ttion in a shipping container bound for those of a girl, 13, and a 14-year-old boy. rescued off the Libyan coast after seven res- be able to say that Al-Bab has Abu Jaafar, another rebel fi eld tions of prolonged occupation Europe have been found in Libya and 56 sur- A Khoms resident, on condition of ano- cue operations mounted by the Italian coast been completely cleared of Daesh commander, said he expected of a foreign country and help to vivors rescued, aid offi cials said yesterday. nymity, told AFP that the container had guard and an international aid group. Most (IS) elements,” he said, quoted by clearing up operations would be oversee the transition to civilian The International Federation of the Red been on a truck headed for a beach in of them were also from sub-Saharan Africa. state-run Anadolu Agency. wrapped up within hours. rule, a tall task for any foreign Cross and Red Crescent (IFRC), citing the Khoms, from where the migrants were ex- People smugglers have taken advantage of Isik reaffi rmed that Turkey “Dozens of IS fi ghters were military,” Stein added. Libyan Red Crescent, said on its website that pected to board a boat for Europe, when it the chaos gripping Libya since its 2011 revo- was now ready to join any op- killed and we evacuated more More than 310,000 people the African migrants had been trapped for was stopped and searched at a checkpoint. lution that toppled and killed dictator Mua- eration by international coalition than 50 families from inside Al- have been killed since Syria’s “four days” in the metal container. The Red Crescent branch at Khoms said mmar Gaddafi to boost their lucrative trade. forces to take the Syrian city of Bab,” Abu Jaafar said. confl ict broke out in March 2011 Some of the 56 who survived were “suf- on its Facebook page that the survivors and Most departures take place from the west Raqa, the extremist group’s de- Turkey sent troops into Syria with protests against Assad that fering from various injuries and fractures the 13 bodies were found “dumped” outside of Libya, usually heading for Italy 300km facto capital. in August last year in an opera- spiralled into all-out war. and needed immediate medical attention”. a detention centre for migrants in the town. away across the Mediterranean.

Friendly ties Drone from Gaza is shot down

Agencies disclosed, was questioned by the police before Jerusalem being released, Samri said. Other staff members could be questioned, she added. n Israeli fi ghter jet yesterday shot down On its Facebook page the school said it housed a drone belonging to the Islamist group more than 250 students. AHamas that had taken off from the Gaza It denounced the “barbaric and unexpected Strip, the military said. decision” as part of a “fi erce attack” by Israeli The interception prevented “an immediate intelligence based on unfounded allegations. threat of infi ltration” into Israeli airspace and “We are going to fi ght to the end to defend the the drone fell into the Mediterranean sea, the school which got all the (necessary) permits at military’s statement said. the beginning of the school year,” it added. No Hamas comment was immediately avail- In December, Hamas, which controls Gaza, able. blamed Israel for killing one of its drone experts In a separate development, Israeli police said in Tunisia. Israel had no offi cial comment. yesterday they had closed a private Palestinian Israel has in the past voiced concern that school in annexed east Jerusalem, accusing its armed groups in Gaza and Lebanon would use offi cials of belonging to the Islamist movement drones carrying explosives inside its borders in Hamas. a future war. The Al Nkhba School in the Sur Baher dis- Hamas and other Islamist militias have fi red trict had already been ordered to close by the thousands of rockets at militarily superior Israel Israeli education ministry, a decision ratifi ed by in previous confl icts but have made scant use of a court. drones. But its director reopened it without authori- The last Israeli interception of a drone that sation, Israeli police spokeswoman Luba Samri took off from Gaza was in September. said in a statement. During the 2014 Gaza war, a US-supplied School offi cials are “Hamas members,” she Israeli Patriot missile destroyed an unmanned said. Hamas aircraft over the southern Israeli port Hamas, which controls the Gaza Strip, is city of Ashdod. considered a terrorist organisation by Israel, the Israel is itself a world leader in drone tech- Lebanon’s President Michel Aoun (right) hosts Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas at the presidential place in Baabda, Lebanon. United States and the European Union. nologies and has used the vehicles extensively The school principal, whose name was not in combat. Gulf Times 4 Friday, February 24, 2017 AFRICA SA struggles to put down xenophobic attacks

AFP to stop “xenophobic attacks” Johannesburg on its citizens in South Africa, claiming 20 Nigerians were killed last year. he South African gov- South African authorities ernment yesterday dismiss such numbers, say- Tcalled for calm after a ing many violent deaths in the wave of xenophobic violence country are due to criminal ac- in which dozens of shops and tivity rather than anti-immi- houses owned by immigrants grant sentiment. have been torched and looted. The UN’s International Or- Attacks against foreigners ganization for Migration (IOM) and foreign-run businesses has said it was “very con- have erupted regularly in recent cerned” about the march on years in South Africa, fuelled by Friday. the country’s high unemploy- “We condemn the attacks, ment levels and dire poverty. looting and burning of prop- In the last week, more than erty owned by foreign nationals Nigerian students shout slogans against South Africa as they protest outside the South African Digital Satellite TV’s (DSTV) Nigerian headquarters in Abuja against the recent spike 20 shops have been targeted in and call on citizens to refrain in attacks targeting foreign nationals in South Africa. Atteridgeville, outside Pretoria, from...taking the law into their while residents in Rosetten- own hands,” it said. ville, south of Johannesburg, “There is no evidence that attacked at least 12 houses. foreign nationals are respon- Many locals have alleged sible for the rise in crime and that their targets were broth- unemployment.” els and drug dens being run Gigaba said that South Af- by migrants from elsewhere in rican authorities were in talks Africa, including Nigeria and with organisers of today’s Zimbabwe. march, and that the police Nigerian protesters A march protesting against would ensure there was no vio- migrants is due to be held in lence. The Right2Know civil Pretoria today, raising fears of action group and other cam- violence in the city centre. paigns have called for the event “I wish to appeal to all South to be cancelled. Africans to desist from rhetoric In 2008, South Africa expe- or actions that are xenophobic,” rienced its worst bout of xeno- Home Aff airs Minister Malusi phobic violence, which left 62 vandalise MTN offi ce Gigaba told a press conference. people dead. “There are renewed inci- In 2015, at least seven people There have been xenophobic asked not to be identifi ed because dents of violence against for- died in similar unrest in Johan- attacks in South Africa of security fears. eign nationals in Rosettenville nesburg and Durban as African on immigrants from “Surprisingly, they did not and Pretoria West,” he admit- immigrants were hunted down neighbouring nations kidnap the two female German ted, blaming a lack of jobs and and attacked by gangs. colleagues of the men. alleged “drug peddling and On Wednesday, Finance Reuters They fi red shots into the air to prostitution” involving for- Minister Pravin Gordhan said Abuja scare off the villagers before ab- eigners. that 35% of the labour force ducting the Germans. Nigeria this week called for was unemployed or has given “Two village hunters who de- the African Union to step in up looking for work. igerian protesters at- cided to go after the abductors tacked and vandalised were shot dead.” Nthe head offi ce of South The kidnapping took place African mobile phone giant MTN near the road linking Kaduna in Abuja yesterday in apparent airport, which lies to the north retaliation for anti-Nigerian vio- of the state capital, Kaduna city, Anglophone regions lence in South Africa, an MTN with the capital Abuja. spokesman said. Safety on the road has come “They are protesting against under intense scrutiny in recent in Cameroon offl ine the xenophobic attacks on Ni- weeks since the federal govern- gerians in South Africa. It’s our ment announced the closure of regional head offi ce in Abuja. Abuja’s only airport for essential AFP kicked off a campaign against That’s where we have our cus- Nigerian security forces take position outside the DSTV Nigerian headquarters in Abuja. runway repairs. Yaounde “fake news” on social media. tomer care centre,” the MTN All domestic fl ights will be “Internet is still cut in the spokesman said. Nigeria and South Africa, the Africa’s envoy to raise its con- “I can confi rm to you the ab- diverted to Kaduna airport from city of Bamenda,” the regional “They vandalised equipment, continent’s two largest econo- cerns over “xenophobic attacks” duction of two Germans at Jenje- March 8 for six weeks but inter- nternet has been cut for capital of the Northwest re- stole customer phones and I- mies and pre-eminent diplo- on Nigerians, other Africans and la village in southern Kaduna on national carriers have refused to over a month in Cameroon’s gion, a university professor told Pads. Some customers too were matic and military powers, enjoy Pakistanis. Wednesday,” state police spokes- re-route their services. IEnglish-speaking regions, AFP. attacked.” a volatile relationship. South Africa’s mobile opera- man Usman Aliyu told AFP. Questions have been raised believed to be a record in Afri- “Sometimes, if there’s an A South African government This week, at least 20 shops tor MTN Group said yesterday it Aliyu said the men had been about the airport’s ability to han- ca, following anti-government emergency or work-related e- source described the attack as believed to belong to immigrants was concerned over the violence working at the site in Kaduna dle long-haul fl ights as well as protests by the country’s lin- mails to send, I end up having to serious.” were looted in South Africa’s against its property in Nigeria, state for more than 10 years and security on the Abuja road after a guistic minority, a watchdog travel to the neighbouring West This wasn’t just some people capital although police refused to where protesters attacked and had been assigned security per- wave of kidnappings. said. region,” he told AFP. on the street throwing stones. say if the attackers were specifi - vandalised its head offi ce. sonnel because of a spate of kid- There has also been a renewal “Internet is completely una- Internet Without Borders’ They broke into the building and cally targeting foreigners. “Reacting to recent events nappings in the area. of deadly violence between Fu- vailable, unless one invests Owono said the blackout was stole things and broke things,” Anti-immigrant violence that appear to be directed against But he said they had instead lani herdsmen and farmers over in satellite material, which is costing Cameroon dearly. the source said. fl ares sporadically in South Af- non-nationals both in South Af- used local villagers as escorts. land and grazing rights in south- extremely expensive,” said Ju- “The Internet blackout in the The incident coincided with a rica, fuelled by persistent 26% rica and Nigeria, MTN Group Residents said two women, ern Kaduna that has killed at lie Owono, a lawyer for French two English-speaking regions visit by MTN chairman Phuthu- unemployment and a belief that expresses concern over the vio- also thought to be German, were least 200 people since December. NGO Internet Without Bor- may have led to losses for Cam- ma Nhleko to the Nigerian capi- African foreigners, some of them lence,” the group said in a state- with the men when they were at- The German nationals were ders. eroon of $1.35mn,” she said. tal to see Vice-President Yemi illegal immigrants, are taking ment. tacked. working in collaboration with the “This has been the conti- “It may also deepen the rifts Osinbajo, who has been in charge jobs from locals. Two Germans have been kid- “The abductors came wielding Nigerian National Commission nent’s longest blackout,” she between English and French- for the last month in the absence Responding to attacks on the napped while working at an ar- guns and machetes and asked the for Museum and Monuments on told AFP in Paris late Wednes- speakers,” she added. on sick leave of President Muha- shops, Nigeria’s foreign minis- chaeological site in northern Ni- two Germans to follow them into the relics of the Nok, an early Iron day. Free speech activists have madu Buhari. try said it would summon South geria, police said yesterday. the bush,” said one resident, who Age population, the police said. English-speakers in Cam- kicked off a campaign on behalf eroon have long complained of of the two regions under the discrimination and of not get- hashtag #Bringbackourinter- ting a fair share of the west Af- net. rican nation’s wealth. Edward Snowden has backed Since November there have the campaign, tweeting in Jan- been protests in the two main uary: “This is the future of re- pression. Somali president appoints oil English-speaking regions, northwest and southwest If we do not fi ght it there, it Cameroon, to press for a federal will happen here.” state while some secessionists Cameroon’s journalists’ un- have even called for independ- ion, the SNJC, on Tuesday con- demned what it described as fi rm executive as premier ence. The majority French-speak- government pressure on media ing country, home to 22mn outlets and journalists report- Reuters ing Somalia’s oil ministry nearly corruption campaigner Moham- order “to help rebuild” the con- people, is headed by President ing on English-speakers’ de- Mogadishu $600,000 to protect an 2013 en- ed Mubarak. fl ict-ridden East African nation. Paul Biya, 83, who has been in mands. ergy exploration contract. The new government’s fi rst “I ask anyone in Al Shebaab, power since 1982. Three members of the Eng- The accusation triggered an priority will be tackling Islam- especially the brainwashed On January 19, Cameroon’s lish-speaking opposition were omalia’s newly elected investigation by Britain’s Serious ist insurgent group Al Shebaab, youngsters, internet providers informed arrested in January and face president yesterday ap- Fraud Offi ce, but last December which wants to impose strict to come back and join us, and clients in the anglophone re- terrorism charges at a military Spointed the country direc- authorities concluded there was Shariah law and has carried out we are ready to open our hearts to gions that services had been court. Their charges are pun- tor of British fi rm Soma Oil and insuffi cient evidence to pros- increasingly deadly bomb attacks you and welcome you,” Farmajo, cut, after the government ishable by death. Gas as the new prime minister, ecute. in the capital and southern parts who was elected on February 8, raising questions about possible Khaire had resigned from his of Somalia. said in his inaugural speech on confl icts of interest in the Horn job as the executive director for Around 22,000 regional Wednesday. 16 killed in Congo fighting of Africa country. Hassan Ali Khaire Africa, to allow him to take up peacekeeping troops under Afri- The president addressed some President Mohamed Abdullahi the job of prime minister, Soma can Union command have clawed 120 foreign guests, including the Sixteen fighters from the of March 23 — was formed in Mohamed, known as “Farma- has promised to tackle hunger, Oil said in a statement yesterday. back territory from the insur- leaders of Kenya, Ethiopia and reactivated Congolese rebel early 2012 when nearly 300 jo”, named Hassan Ali Khaire as corruption and violence in So- He had also given up all his gents in recent years, but Soma- Djibouti, during his inauguration movement M23 have been killed Congolese soldiers turned prime minister, state radio web- malia, which has been mired in shares in the fi rm, it added. lia’s own armed forces are crip- ceremony, which was held under during two days of fighting against the government, site Radio Muqdisho.net said. civil war for a quarter of a cen- The president’s offi ce told Re- pled by corruption. tight security at the airport in the with the army in the east of the accusing it of reneging on a “The president has requested tury. uters Khaire had “automatically” Soldiers say they have not been capital Mogadishu. country, a military spokesman 2009 peace deal. The United Somali citizens to work with the Khaire, his new prime minis- resigned from Soma after he was paid in months. Al Shebaab’s decade-long bat- said yesterday. Five rebels Nations estimated that the prime minister,” the statement ter, is a dual Norwegian citizen appointed prime minister, al- Aid workers say a prolonged tle against the government has were also captured and 58 fighting displaced more on Radio Muqdisho.net said. who once worked as a primary though his nomination must still drought means 6.2mn Somalis claimed thousands of lives. surrendered in the Rutshuru than 100,000 people.M23 Mohamed took offi ce peace- school teacher in Norway and be confi rmed by legislators. will need aid this year, more than The group has frequently tar- territory of North Kivu province. surrendered in 2013, but it has fully this month after legislators also for the Norwegian Refugee “New PM means there will be half the country’s population. geted government buildings and One government soldier was again started staging attacks selected him from 21 possible Council before joining Soma Oil absolutely no accountability for Somalia’s newly elected hotels in Mogadishu. wounded, army spokesman in recent months, joining the candidates. and Gas. 4yrs of corruption. And status President Mohamed Abdullahi On Sunday, a suicide truck Guillaume Ndjike Kaiko said. dozens of armed groups that A dual US-Somali citizen with In 2015, UN sanctions experts quo will continue. Disappoint- Farmajo asked Islamist terrorist bomb killed at least 35 people at M23 — short for Movement operate in eastern Congo. a reputation as a technocrat, he accused the company of pay- ed,” tweeted prominent anti- group Al Shebaab to surrender in a market in the capital. Gulf Times Friday, February 24, 2017 5 AMERICAS

Trump revokes gender Deportation plans cast toilet rules at public pall on US-Mexico talks schools Reuters will take all the measures legally Mexico City possible to defend the human rights of Mexicans abroad, es- AFP pecially in the United States,” Washington exico will relay its anger Videgaray said. to senior US offi cials The visit, which will include Mabout a bid by Presi- meetings with Mexican Presi- he White House has over- dent Donald Trump to deport dent Enrique Pena Nieto, as well turned protections for non-Mexican illegal migrants as military, fi nance and interior Ttransgender students that south across the border, the lat- offi cials, is supposed to focus required public schools to al- est point of tension between the on border security, law enforce- low them to use bathrooms and two neighbours. ment and trade, according to the locker rooms matching the gen- The US government is seek- state department. der with which they identify. ing to deport many illegal immi- Slapping tariff s on US goods With the move, President grants to Mexico if they entered would be a “plan B” for Mexico Donald Trump – who indicated the United States from there, if renegotiations over a new mu- during his campaign that he regardless of their nationality, tually-benefi cial trade deal fail, might protect LGBT rights – has prompting a fi ery response from Mexican Economy Minister Il- sided with social conservatives Mexican offi cials. Videgaray: (Mexico) will take all the measures legally possible to defonso Guajardo said yesterday Tillerson and Kelly (right) are on a key issue at the centre of a Calling the measure “uni- defend the human rights of Mexicans abroad, especially in the morning ahead of the talks. expected to ‘talk through the broader cultural battle between lateral” and “unprecedented”, United States. Guajardo said he expected implementation’ of Trump’s conservatives and liberals. Mexican Foreign Minister Luis North American Free Trade executive order. By lifting federal guidelines is- Videgaray said the new US im- nomenal” and that Treasury The Mexican side plans to seek Agreement (Nafta) negotiations sued by the Obama administra- migration guidelines would top Secretary Steven Mnuchin made more information on Trump’s with both the United States and Jason Marczak, director of the tion – interpreting Title IX, the the agenda of meetings in Mex- conciliatory comments yester- executive orders at the summit, Canada to begin this summer Atlantic Council’s Latin Amer- federal law banning sex discrim- ico City with US Secretary of day about trade. according to notes from a senior and conclude by the end of this ica Economic Growth Initiative ination in schools, to include State Rex Tillerson and Home- Asked about Videgaray’s re- offi cial that outlines Mexico’s year. said. gender identity – the Trump land Security Secretary John jection of Trump’s bid to deport planned talking points at the However, Treasury Secretary Pena Nieto abruptly cancelled administration is leaving it up Kelly. non-Mexican illegal migrants to meeting. Mnuchin said yesterday that he a planned January summit with to states and school districts to Washington has tried to Mexico, Spicer said he expected Offi cials plan to say “We are did not see any changes to Nafta Trump after the real estate mo- Trump has also threatened to decide whether students should downplay the tensions, which Tillerson and Kelly will “talk worried about the consequences in the short-term. gul suggested the Mexican lead- rip up the trade deal between the have access to bathrooms that do follow arguments between the through the implementation of that these can have for Mexican But hopes for a thawing in er should not come if he refused United States and Mexico if he not refl ect their biological sex. United States and Mexico over the executive order”. nationals” in the United States, relations are low, after a series to pay for a border wall. cannot renegotiate it to favour The justice and education de- Trump’s vow to build a wall on The stakes are high for the US, the notes show. of botched meetings last month And Trump signed his fi rst American interests. partments said in a joint state- the border and his attempts to since Mexico has warned that a As part of its response, Vide- deepened tensions between the executive orders to punish Trump’s administration also ment late on Wednesday that browbeat Mexico into giving breakdown in relations could af- garay said Mexico’s foreign min- historic allies. sanctuary cities and build the plans to hire 15,000 more immi- they “withdrew guidance for concessions on trade. fect its extensive co-operation istry would get involved in legal “The relationship ... is at such wall, which could cost around gration and border agents, while educational institutions, issued White House spokesman Sean on the fi ght against narcotics cases in the United States where a historic low that it would be $21.6bn, the fi rst time Videga- subjecting immigrants who can- in 2015 and 2016, that took the Spicer told reporters on the eve and on stemming the fl ow of it considered the rights of Mexi- wishful thinking to assume that ray travelled to Washington to not show they have been in the position that the prohibitions of the meetings that the US rela- Central American migrants that cans had been violated. new concrete agenda items to negotiate with counterparts last country for more than two years in Title IX of the Education tionship with Mexico was “phe- reach the US border. “The Mexican government advance will come at this point,” month. to “expedited removal”. Amendments of 1972 and imple- menting regulations against dis- crimination on the basis of sex require access to sex-segregated facilities on the basis of gender identity rather than biological Muslims raise $91,000 for vandalised Jewish cemetery sex”. In a two-page guidance let- ter to public schools, the White Reuters Right: A child cleans a received an anonymous bomb House said that the existing New York headstone during a clean-up threat but was later given the guidance did not “contain ex- eff ort on Wednesday at the all-clear. tensive legal analysis or explain Chesed Shel Emeth cemetery in New York Governor Andrew how the position is consistent uslim Americans have University City, Missouri. Cuomo ordered state police to with the express language of Ti- helped raise more than investigate and work with fed- tle IX, nor did they undergo any M$91,000 to repair van- Below: Vice-President Pence is eral and local law enforcement. formal public process”. dalised headstones at a Jewish seen during a news conference In a statement, Cuomo said The decision comes after a cemetery in St Louis, Missouri, at the Chesed Shel Emeth the threats were “now a national reported disagreement over according to an online fund- cemetery. Governor Eric crisis” because of their regular- the language between Attorney raising page, amid attacks and Greitens and Pence were on ity. General Jeff Sessions, a major threats against Jewish institu- hand to speak to more than Trump condemned the pre- opponent of the lesbian, gay, bi- tions. 300 volunteers who helped in vious threats as anti-Semitism sexual and transgender (LGBT) US Vice-President Mike the clean-up eff ort after recent for the fi rst time on Tuesday af- rights movement, and Education Pence visited the graveyard on vandalism. ter repeatedly declining to do so Secretary Betsy DeVos, who is Wednesday and told clean-up when asked by journalists last said to support LGBT rights and volunteers, state offi cials and week. had to sign off on the move. reporters that there was no place Some Jewish organisations DeVos said in a statement on in America for hatred, violence, have criticised his approach. Wednesday that “the depart- anti-Semitism or acts of preju- The fundraising eff ort was ment’s Offi ce for Civil Rights re- dice. launched by Linda Sarsour, a lib- mains committed to investigat- “I must tell you the people of eral political activist, and Tarek ing all claims of discrimination, Missouri are inspiring the na- El Messidi, the founding director bullying and harassment against tion by your love and care of this of Celebrate Mercy, a non-profi t those who are most vulnerable in place, for the Jewish community organisation that teaches the our schools”. in Missouri and I want to thank public about the Prophet Mu- Wednesday’s decision revers- you for that inspiration,” Pence hammad. es memos issued by the Obama said. the vandalism and threats as the Sarsour was a supporter of US administration during the past About 170 headstones were latest evidence that anti-Semit- his disavowals of them. More than 3,000 people had ported a surge in bomb threats, Senator Bernie Sanders in his bid two years saying that prohibiting toppled or damaged at the cen- ic groups have been emboldened “Muslim Americans stand donated $91,583 by late Wednes- all of which have so far proved to to become the Democratic Par- transgender students from using tury-old Chesed Shel Emeth by the election of Donald Trump in solidarity with the Jewish- day afternoon. be hoaxes. ty’s presidential candidate, and facilities that refl ect with their Society cemetery over the week- as US president. American community to con- Cemetery staff declined com- On Wednesday the Anti-Def- was one of the organisers of the gender identity violates federal end, according to cemetery His campaign last year drew demn this horrifi c act of dese- ment on the fundraising. amation League, a Jewish ad- Women’s March on Washing- anti-discrimination laws. management. the support of white nationalists cration,” the fundraisers said on Jewish community centres vocacy group, said its national ton on January 21, the day after The memos came after the Some Jewish groups described and right-wing groups, despite their website. across the United States have re- headquarters in New York City Trump’s inauguration. state of North Carolina passed a law requiring transgender people to use restrooms corre- sponding to the gender on their Polls show Trump has historically low birth certifi cates in schools and approval ratings but carries clout government buildings. Ecuador to hold run-off in That action prompted the Donald Trump has historically low approval ratings, but would still “bathroom wars” issue over have voters’ support in a row with Congress, polls suggested on transgender identity and a boy- Wednesday. cott of the state by companies, tense presidential election A Quinnipiac University poll reported 38% of voters think Trump is sports teams and others. doing a good job. Fifty-five per cent believe he is doing a bad job. Wednesday’s decision That is unparalleled for a modern president so early in his term. prompted a fl ood of criticism. AFP est leftist-run country in Latin suggest Moreno faces a tough Perhaps worse for the White House, 63% of voters said Trump is not Mara Keisling, the executive Quito America to shift to the right. challenge in the second round level-headed and 55% said he is not honest. director of the National Centre It could also determine the since conservative voters from Many in Washington are already looking toward Congressional for Transgender Equality, told immediate fate of WikiLeaks other parties are likely to rally Lasso: only won 28.1% of the elections in 2018, which present a challenge for incumbent reporters that the move was cuador will hold a run-off founder Julian Assange, who behind Lasso. vote, but conservative voters Republicans. “simply and dangerously wrong presidential election in has been holed up in Ecuador’s “Any party could beat the from other parties are likely to Against that backdrop, Republicans may be stuck between an and incorrect”. EApril after a hard fought embassy in London since 2012 governing one in the second rally behind him. unpopular president and public opprobrium. “Revoking the guidance shows and inconclusive fi rst round, the to avoid going to Sweden to face round because there is major A Pew Research poll released on Wednesday showed rank-and-file that the president’s promise to electoral commission said on rape charges. resistance to and rejection of away from the current govern- Republicans are still likely to back Trump in an argument with party protect LGBT rights was just Wednesday. In voting on Sunday, ruling the government,” said political ment’s tax-and-spend policies. lawmakers. empty rhetoric,” American Civil The voting is being watched party leftist candidate Lenin scientist Paolo Moncagatta of He has also said he will move “About half of Republicans and Republican-leaning independents Liberties Union (ACLU) LGBT closely to see if oil-producing Moreno fi nished fi rst but fell Quito’s San Francisco University to end Assange’s asylum in Ec- (52%) say that if Trump and Republican congressional leaders Project director James Esseks Ecuador will become the lat- short of the margin needed to before Sunday’s vote. uador’s embassy in London. disagree on an issue, they would be more likely to trust Trump,” said in a statement. “But the avoid a run-off . Correa however remained de- That protection has shielded Pew said. “About a third (34%) say they would trust GOP leaders if bottom line is that this does not He will face a run-off on April fi ant that his side could win and Assange from arrest for possible they have a disagreement with the president.” undo legal protections for trans 2 against his conservative rival extend leftist rule after his dec- extradition to the United States students, and school districts Guillermo Lasso. ade in power. for leaking diplomatic cables Argentine researcher tumbles into can and must continue to pro- With 99.5% of the votes “Everything indicates that we that embarrassed Washington. tect them and all students from counted, Moreno, a former will win in the second round,” he Correa on Wednesday de- active volcano in Nicaragua discrimination.” vice-president under President said. nounced the idea of ejecting As- “School districts that recog- Rafael Correa, garnered 39.3% Lasso alleged fraud in the vote sange as a breach of his rights. An Argentine volcanologist and a Nicaraguan guide who fell into an nise that should continue doing of the votes, against 28.1% for count, but the electoral council Moreno has said he will allow active volcano were in good health Wednesday after being rescued the right thing; for the rest, we’ll Lasso, a former banker, the Na- denied the accusation. Assange to stay in the embassy. by firefighters, off icials in Nicaragua said. see them in court,” he added. tional Electoral Council said. His supporters rallied in pro- The election is a test of the The 60-year-old researcher, Rodolfo Alvarez, and his specialised The US Supreme Court is set Under Ecuadoran law, in the test at the delay in publishing legacy of Correa, an outspoken guide, Adriac Valladares, 25, fell into the crater of Masaya Volcano next month to consider the case fi rst round the winner needs full results outside the council’s critic of the United States. just south of the capital on Tuesday. of a 17-year-old in Virginia who at least 40% of the votes and headquarters, where scuffl es A victory for Lasso would The two slipped down the inside the active volcano when their rope was born a female but identifi es a margin of victory of at least broke out with police on Mon- mean a fresh setback for the left broke. as a male and fi led suit to be able 10 percentage points to avoid a day. in Latin America, after similar Firefighters used ropes and harnesses to climb down to save them. to use the boys’ bathroom at his Moreno: garnered 39.3% of the run-off . Lasso has vowed to cut swings to the right in Argentina, Both men were in “good condition and stable”, the government high school. votes. Opinion polls and analysts spending and taxes, shifting Brazil and Peru. said. Gulf Times 6 Friday, February 24, 2017 ASIA/AUSTRALASIA

CONSERVATION SUCCESSION STANDOFF BIRD FLU DEFAMATION Japanese prince signals Thai police file charges China’s premier urges BBC journalist faces five readiness to ascend against fugitive monk poultry markets to shut years jail for reporting

Japanese Crown Prince Naruhito made a public Thai police filed two new arrest warrants China’s Prime Minister urged local authorities to A British journalist with the BBC faces up to expression of support for his father, Emperor against an influential former abbot of Thailand’s shut down live poultry markets in places aff ected five years in a Thai jail after a lawyer brought Akihito, yesterday, a statement interpreted as biggest Buddhist temple yesterday after a by the H7N9 bird flu virus which killed 79 people a criminal defamation case against him over Naruhito signalling his readiness to ascend the week-long standoff there between security in January, a statement from China’s cabinet said. an investigation into fraud on a popular tourist throne. “I would like to continue to pray for, forces and monks. Phra Dhammachayo, the Chicken prices sank to their lowest level in more island. Rights groups say the case exposes always stand by, and share joys and sorrows former abbot of Dhammakaya Temple, is than a decade last week and concerns about H7N9 how Thailand’s defamation and computer with the people,” as done by the emperor and accused by police of money laundering. The deepened after global health authorities said the crime laws scupper investigative journalism. Empress Michiko, the crown prince said in new arrest warrants are for encroaching on strain had evolved into a more severe form for The prosecution was sparked by a 2015 report comments to mark his 57th birthday. Naruhito national park land in Phang Nga Province, birds. Premier Li Keqiang, who hosted a weekly by Jonathan Head, the BBC’s Southeast Asia is first in line to the country’s Chrysanthemum southern Thailand, police spokesman Kissana cabinet meeting yesterday, highlighted the rising correspondent, looking at how two foreign US-born giant female panda Bao Bao walks Throne and is expected to succeed his father, Phatanacharoen said. death toll and asked local provincial leaders to retirees were scammed out of their properties at her new home, Chengdu Research Base of Akihito. Emperor Akihito indicated his apparent They bring to 13 the total number of arrest close poultry markets as soon as infected birds in Phuket. Head appeared in a Phuket court on Giant Panda Breeding, in Chengdu, Sichuan desire to abdicate, following several periods of ill warrants. Temple supporters say all the charges were discovered. China would increase monitoring Thursday alongside one of the victims, British province, China. health in recent years. are politically motivated. of bird flu and the transportation of live poultry. national Ian Rance. Both pleaded not guilty.

Italian president in Beijing N Korea lashes out at Malaysia over Kim killing

AFP Seoul

orth Korea’s state media broke a 10-day silence Nyesterday on the murder of Kim Jong-un’s half-brother, launching a ferocious assault on Malaysia for “immoral” han- dling of the case and for playing politics with the corpse. In its fi rst comments on the airport assassination of Kim Jong-nam, KCNA said Malay- sia bore responsibility for the death, and accused it of con- spiring with South Korea. “Ma- laysia is obliged to hand his body to the DPRK (North Korea) side as it made an autopsy and fo- rensic examination of it in an il- legal and immoral manner,” the A Malaysian policeman cordons off the area outside the North Korean Embassy in Kuala Lumpur North’s Korean Jurists Commit- ahead of a protest by the United Malays National Organization (UMNO) Youth activists. Malaysian tee said, in comments carried by detectives probing the assassination of Kim Jong-nam admitted yesterday that they cannot force a the state-run news agency. wanted North Korean diplomat to answer their questions. Malaysia has not released the corpse “under the absurd pre- proached by two women who Kwang Song. But Malaysia’s top youth wing of Malaysia’s ruling text” that it needs a DNA sample appear to put something in his policeman acknowledged yes- party handed in a letter to diplo- from the dead man’s family, it face. Moments later he is seen terday that unless Hyon, second mats denouncing Pyongyang’s said. “This proves that the Ma- asking for help from airport secretary at the North Korean “impermissible attitude and laysian side is going to politicise staff , who direct him to a clinic. mission, volunteers himself, rudeness” and urging the North the transfer of the body in utter Malaysian police said he suf- they will be unable to speak “to reconsider its aggressive ap- disregard of international law fered a seizure and died before to him. “We will adhere to the proach”. and morality and thus attain a he reached hospital. rules of immunity,” Khalid Abu It was reported South Ko- sinister purpose,” it said. An autopsy has ruled out Bakar said. “We cannot go in- rea is using giant loudspeakers Throughout its lengthy dis- heart failure, with investigators side the embassy.” to blast news of the dramatic patch, KCNA avoided any refer- focusing on the theory that a Malaysian police think four assassination across the bor- ence to the dead man’s identity, toxin was applied to his face, in North Korean suspects may der with its reclusive northern calling him only “a citizen of what South Korea has insisted have fl ed to Pyongyang imme- neighbour. the DPRK bearing a diplomat- was a targeted assassination. diately after the killing. A small Seoul employed its banks of ic passport”. North Korea has Malaysian detectives are group of protesters descended high-decibel loudspeakers to never acknowledged him as the holding three people – women on North Korea’s embassy yes- ensure details of the death of Chinese Premier Li Keqiang (right) and Italian President Sergio Mattarella shake hands during their estranged brother of its leader. from Indonesia and Vietnam, terday, with many carrying Jong-nam, once believed to be meeting at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing yesterday. Mattarella is in China for an off icial visit Leaked CCTV footage from and a North Korean man – but signs reading “Respect Malay- the North’s likely heir, reverber- from February 21 to 26. the brazen attack last Monday want to speak to seven oth- sia”. ated through the border area, shows the portly Kim being ap- ers, including diplomat Hyon Demonstrators from the Seoul’s MBC TV station said.

Indonesian President Widodo set for state Ex-PM Rudd slams Netanyahu visit to Australia for ‘torpedoing’ peace process AFP territory in the sea, unlike other Jakarta Asian nations, China’s claims DPA Hundreds protest overlap Indonesian waters near Sydney against Netanyahu the Natunas. Ties between the ndonesian President Joko neighbours have been rocky in re- Several hundred pro-Palestinian Widodo will head to Austral- cent years due to Jakarta’s execu- ormer Australian premier protesters demonstrated in Iia this weekend for his fi rst tion of Australian drug smugglers Kevin Rudd has accused Sydney yesterday against the visit as head of state to a key ally and Canberra’s policy of turning FIsraeli leader Benjamin first visit to Australia by an whose relationship with Jakarta migrant boats back to Indonesia, Netanyahu of “torpedoing” Israeli prime minister, branding has been repeatedly strained in but improved after Turnbull took peace negotiations in the Mid- Benjamin Netanyahu a “war recent years. Widodo, accompa- offi ce in 2015. dle East. Netanyahu is on an of- criminal”. nied by several cabinet ministers, “This visit is very important fi cial visit to Australia, the fi rst A police helicopter hovered will be in Sydney on Saturday and for us because it shows how close by a sitting Israeli prime minis- over the city as speakers Sunday for the state visit, dur- we are as neighbours,” foreign ter. slammed Canberra’s strong ing which he will hold talks with ministry spokesman Arrmanan- Netanyahu had criticised support of Netanyahu and his Australian Prime Minister Mal- tha Nasir said yesterday. Rudd on Wednesday for ad- government. “We are here to colm Turnbull, the foreign min- Widodo had originally been vocating that Australia recog- oppose Australia’s support for istry in Jakarta said. scheduled to visit in Novem- nise a Palestinian state, saying Israel, for a racist apartheid It is his fi rst offi cial trip to ber but was forced to cancel the it would be a state that “calls nation,” pro-Palestinian author Australia since being elected trip to deal with the aftermath for Israel’s destruction” and and Australian lawyer Randa president in 2014. Ahead of the of a violent mass demonstration “whose territory will be used Abdel-Fattah told AFP. visit, Widodo reportedly said he against Jakarta’s governor. immediately for radical Islam.” “It’s disgusting to see that would discuss joint patrols of Turnbull will host a private In a scathing response on Fa- some of our Australian leaders Indonesian and Australian ves- dinner for Widodo and Indone- cebook, Rudd said Netanyahu have rolled out the red carpet sels in the hotly contested South sian fi rst lady Iriana Widodo, said had sabotaged peace talks “by and welcomed a war criminal China Sea with Turnbull during Nasir. Other issues on the agenda changing the goalposts” at “fi ve into Australia,” she said. the trip. include investment, terrorism minutes to midnight.” Pro-Palestinian protesters demonstrate against the visit to Australia by Israel’s Prime Minister “But there are so many Austral- He told The Australian news- and cyber-security. Rudd said the “boundaries, Benjamin Netanyahu, in Sydney. Netanyahu is in Sydney for a four-day off icial visit and will hold talks ians who are against this and paper that he saw joint patrols, Widodo will also meet with internal security, external secu- with Australian off icials on bilateral and international issues. we are raising our voices loudly potentially around Indonesia’s Australian businessmen living in rity, public fi nance and govern- and clearly today, to say (Prime Natuna Islands at the southern Sydney. ance of a Palestinian state have policies, he said. “The state of passports had apparently been colm Turnbull wrote an op-ed Minister) Malcolm Turnbull, and edge of the waters, as “very im- The latest row between the been elaborated in detail in mul- Israel and Mr Netanyahu are not used by suspects in the killing of defending Israel against the (Foreign Minister) Julie Bishop, portant” so long as they did not neighbours erupted in January tiple negotiations with the US” co-defi nitional. That is why I a top Hamas leader in Dubai. “one-sided” UN resolutions ‘not in our name’,” she added. raise regional tensions. Indone- when Indonesia announced it by various administrations and beg to diff er on this and other Rudd’s then government had condemning settlements. A large banner was unfurled sian and Chinese vessels clashed was suspending some military Netanyahu knows them “like aspects of Mr Netanyahu’s poli- expelled an Israeli diplomat. A UN Security Council reso- depicting Netanyahu with a repeatedly in waters around the co-operation after teaching ma- the back of his hand.” cies,” Rudd said. “No apology has ever been re- lution condemned as illegal Is- moustache as Hitler and the Natunas last year. terials deemed off ensive to Ja- Support for the state of Israel He also referred to a 2010 ceived for that action,” he said. rael’s settlement expansion in word “Fascist” written under- While Jakarta does not have karta were found at an Australian does not mandate automatic diplomatic incident when it was To mark Netanyahu’s visit, occupied territories in the West neath. any disputes with Beijing over army base. support for all of Netanyahu’s revealed that four Australian Australian Prime Minister Mal- Bank and East Jerusalem. Gulf Times Friday, February 24, 2017 7 BRITAIN/IRELAND

ELECTION MEDICAL AVIATION CONTROVERSY LAW AND ORDER ‘Breakthrough’ in hunt MPs face criticism for Pressure on May over Call to arm more police for cure for common cold Heathrow runway plans bomber’s £1mn payout off icers with Tasers

Researchers yesterday claimed a breakthrough in Ministers were accused of giving the green light Theresa May was urged to tell the public whether Scotland Yard’s newly appointed commissioner the search for a cure for the common cold. They to a third runway at Heathrow on a “wing and a any of the £1mn compensation given to British Cressida Dick is to face immediate calls for said they were closer to cracking the “Enigma prayer” that it will not breach EU toxic air rules. suicide bomber Jamal al-Harith is funding Islamic more off icers to be armed with Taser to protect code” of the virus — paving the way for a single The Commons environmental audit committee State. Ex-home secretary David Blunkett said against violent attacks. Rank-and-file off icers are drug to treat colds within a decade. Professor demanded the government set out how another May needed to address the question of whether demanding an increase in the number of frontline Reidun Twarock, a mathematical biologist at runway could be built at the airport without al-Harith’s payout — given for his incarceration in off icers equipped with the stun gun amid a rise in the University of York, said: “The common cold increasing the number of serious breaches of air Gitmo — had evaded money laundering controls the number of assaults on police and the threat infects more than 2bn people annually, making quality limits. The committee’s Labour chairwoman and been used to finance terror operations in Syria. of a terror attack. Ken Marsh, the chairman of the it one of the most successful viral pathogens, so Mary Creagh said: “At the moment we can’t see Blunkett said he was “surprised” the government Met Police Federation, which represents rank and we are excited to make this crucial step forward.” how the third runway can be built and run without had not “clarified this already” and that a “logical, file off icers, said he would seek an urgent meeting United Kingdom Independence Party (Ukip) The research, funded by the Wellcome Trust and exceeding the legal limits on air pollution and rational response” was needed from ministers to with the new commissioner to ask for more off icers leader Paul Nuttall leaves after casting his vote published in journal Nature Communications, breaching the UK’s carbon budgets. It’s a huge allay public concerns. He added May should also to be armed with Taser. He said: “It is a matter in the Stoke central by-election in Stoke-on- looked at the workings of a “hidden code” within project. It can’t be built just on a wing and a prayer clarify whether al-Harith was being monitored of protection for our off icers. We are in a more Trent, Britain, yesterday. the genome of human parechovirus. and hoping that something will turn up.” when he disappeared overseas to join IS. dangerous society today than we have ever been.” Net migration to UK falls sharply after Brexit vote

Guardian News and Media niche to a mainstream activity” London since the Brexit vote. Work continues to prove the main driver for near-record lev- et migration to Britain fell els of immigration, particularly by 49,000 to 273,000 last from within the EU, whose citi- Nyear, according to offi - zens accounted for 180,000 of the cial fi gures that include the three 294,000 who came to Britain to months after the Brexit vote. work in the year to September. The latest quarterly migra- Some 190,000 people moving tion fi gures from the Offi ce for to the UK – the highest ever pro- National Statistics show that portion at 65% – had a defi nite immigration fell by 23,000 to job to go to, including 113,000 596,000 in the 12 months to last from Europe. A total of 104,000 September while emigration rose people, including 51,000 from the North bound traff ic queues on the A9 following snowfall near Perth in Scotland, Britain, yesterday by 26,000 to 323,000. EU, came looking for a job. The fall in annual net immigra- Immigration from the EU tion to below 300,000 is the fi rst included a 19,000 rise in the substantial drop in the politically number of Romanians and Bul- sensitive fi gure for more than four garians coming to live in Britain, years and will come as a relief to to 74,000, the highest number in Theresa May, who has recently a single year. This was partially One dead as renewed her target to get it below off set by a 12,000 increase in the 100,000. number of Poles and other eastern A key component in the un- Europeans “going home to live”. expected fall was an estimated The rise in emigration could 41,000 drop in the number of be linked to the highly publicised international students coming to spike in hate crime during and study in Britain, to 134,000, the immediately after the referendum storm hits UK lowest level since 2002. campaign. The number of peo- Home Offi ce fi gures show that ple from eastern Europe leaving Agencies as Doris battered London Dozens of fl ights in and out the number of EU nationals in the UK rose by nearly a third, to Broad Haven, Wales with gale force winds of up to of Heathrow were subject to Britain who had their applications 39,000. 60mph and was offi cially de- cancellations and delays, with processed for UK residence docu- The majority of international clared a “weather bomb”. the airport fl agging 77 fl ights ments to secure their individual students arriving in Britain were woman was killed by Parts of the capital were as cancelled on its website. status more than doubled from from outside Europe – 87,000, fl ying debris yesterday placed on amber alert by Met Gatwick was also hit by de- 92,289 in 2015 to 201,287 in 2016. down 31,000. However, the ONS Aas storm Doris battered Offi ce forecasters and the Lon- lays while Aer Lingus cancelled A fallen tree brought down by high winds from storm Doris lies More than 140,000 were success- said the number of visas issued Britain and Ireland, disrupting don Fire Brigade was called to almost all services to the UK across a main road in Isleworth in London yesterday. ful. to non-EU students over the travel and leaving thousands a number of weather-related from Ireland. The surge in applications con- same period had risen by 2%, to without power as it swept in incidents yesterday morning A Heathrow spokesman tinued in the last three months 141,000. from the Atlantic. with a tree falling on a house said: “Strong winds and poor of 2016 with 92,000 outstand- The fi gures also show the fi rst The woman died from se- in Chiswick. There were no re- weather across the UK have re- ing applications listed as “work annual fall in asylum applications rious head injuries when she ports of serious injury. sulted in approximately a 10% in progress” on January 3 – about being made in Britain since 2010, was hit by debris falling into Train operators Chiltern, reduction to Heathrow’s fl ight the same level as in the previous with 38,517 claims lodged, a fall the street in the Midlands city Gatwick Express, Southern, schedule. With Heathrow op- snapshot, on September 30. of 1,451 over the previous year. of Wolverhampton, emergency Southeastern, South West erating at more than 99% ca- The detailed fi gures show that A further 4,369 refugees were services said. Trains and Thameslink all re- pacity, there are no gaps in the more than 40,000 applications brought to Britain under the Syr- In Cambridgeshire, eastern ported varying degrees of dis- schedule that can be used for for British residence documents ian resettlement scheme. England, 11 people were taken ruption with London Midland delayed fl ights and as a result from EU nationals and their Immigration Minister Robert to hospital with minor injuries and the East Coast Main Line some passengers may experi- family members were refused Goodwill gave a cautious welcome when a double-decker bus was also aff ected. Services from St ence disruption to their jour- in 2016. EU citizens need fi ve to the drop in net immigration, al- blown onto its side. Pancras suff ered delays and neys today.” years’ continuous residence to though the ONS said the fall was Doris brought winds of up cancellations yesterday morn- The Met Offi ce offi cially de- qualify. not statistically signifi cant. to 94 miles per hour in Wales, ing after damage to overhead clared the storm a “weather A further 19,000 applicants Goodwill said: “The fall in net heavy snow forced school clo- cables in the St Albans area. It bomb”, or “explosive cyclogen- were told their applications were migration is encouraging. But this sures in Scotland and power was a second successive day of esis” — a meteorological phe- invalid. Home Offi ce offi cials is just one set of statistics and we was cut to thousands of homes travel chaos for many following nomenon when pressure falls have said they are overhauling must not get carried away. We in Ireland. staff walkouts on Wednesday rapidly. the application process, including will continue to make progress to Scores of trains and fl ights on Southern Railway and parts Today was set to be calm and Pedestrians have their hair blown as they walk during strong moving it online, saying applying bring down net migration to the were cancelled and delayed of the Tube. sunny. winds in London. for residence has turned from “a tens of thousands.” ‘Noxious fl uid’ thrown OBE for actress Dying man robbed of phone and watch

London Evening Standard that for this small reason some- on pupils at playground body would do this. Everyone in London Walthamstow knew him — old London Evening Standard ing” academy school after the sprayed their faces to distract men and young kids. This is what London liquid was sprayed in their faces. them. Apparently, it was thrown young man who was I don’t understand. Offi cers arrested three male in their face and eyes.” stabbed in the chest af- “Mum collapsed when she saw pupils, aged 12, 13, and 15, on sus- Another parent said: “They Ater being ambushed was the body. Dad says he’s lost his hree schoolchildren, in- picion of causing grievous bod- taped off the school and told the robbed of his phone and watch as ‘right hand man’. I know Omar’s cluding a 13-year-old girl, ily harm. They were being ques- kids to go home.” A former pu- he lay dying in the street, his fam- in a good place, I know he’s in Twere taken to hospital after tioned at an East London police pil, 21, whose sister attends the ily said yesterday. peace rather than this hectic life a playground attack in which a station yesterday. school, said: “There were six in- Omar Raza, 23, was set upon — but of course I want justice. “noxious substance” was alleg- Principal Janis Davies said to- jured, with three of them needing after parking his silver BMW con- “He had a good heart, he was edly thrown in their faces. day that the boys involved would medical attention. One girl was vertible in a cul-de-sac in Wood clean. He would joke with eve- Three schoolboys were ar- be expelled. She said: “At lunch- hurt more. She was sent to the Green. ryone. That’s why I was shocked rested after the alleged attack, in time, three boys were involved in medical services inside the school He fl ed on foot into Downhills when they called me — why has which fi ve other pupils also had stupid behaviour, spraying harm- and waited with her face wrapped Park Road, near Turnpike Lane he been killed?” the corrosive substance squirted ful fl uid — and we are not sure in bandages.” station, where he collapsed on a Ali, who works at the Tesco su- into their faces in the “shocking” what that fl uid is. A Met Police spokesman said an doorstep. perstore in Leyton, added: “I’m incident at Sydney Russell School “Three pupils were taken to investigation had been launched Paramedics fought to resusci- smiling now thinking about him, in Dagenham. hospital but are all back home. after “three teenagers were in- tate him for 40 minutes, but he but maybe in two hours I’ll be Three people, believed to be There was no long-term eff ects. jured at an east London school”. was pronounced dead at the scene crying again. But he doesn’t want two girls and a boy, were taken to The boys are not allowed in school He said offi cers were called after last Wednesday. me to cry.” an east London hospital for treat- until a full investigation has taken a “disturbance involving youths Murder detectives yesterday is- A friend of the brothers said: ment, police said. They have all place and, with the facts we have where a noxious substance had sued a fresh appeal for witnesses “Omar was full of life, he was al- been discharged. at the moment, they will not be been used” just after 2pm on as they try to piece together Raza’s ways smiling. Even though we It is alleged that a group of girls returning.” Wednesday. movements in his fi nal hours. never had any money in our pock- were playing together when they A mother whose daughter is A Barking & Dagenham council Ali Raza, his brother, yes- ets, we would always do some- were targeted by pupils armed friends with the most badly in- spokesman said: “The safety of British actress Naomie Harris poses with her medal after terday told of his disbelief that thing. He was a caring guy.” with a bottle containing an un- jured girl said: “The girls were our pupils is always our top prior- being appointed an Off icer of the Order of the British anyone would want to target his Detective chief inspector Matt known substance. playing a game where you toss ity. This is a one-off isolated inci- Empire (OBE) by Queen Elizabeth II at an investiture younger brother. Ali, 27, said: Bonner, of the homicide and ma- Police and paramedics rushed a pound in the air and who- dent within the school and staff ceremony at Buckingham Palace in London yesterday. “They took his phone and watch, jor crime command, appealed for to the Ofsted-rated “outstand- ever grabs it fi rst keeps it. A boy were on the scene immediately.” nothing else. Nobody can believe witnesses to the attack. Gulf Times 8 Friday, February 24, 2017 EUROPE

Pope suggests Youths riot at Paris rally better to be atheist against police brutality than a Reuters Theo, who remains in hospi- showed a confrontation on the hypocrite Paris tal with injuries to his anus and fringes of the rally in the Place head. de la Nation square in the east of One banner at yesterday’s ral- Paris, where riot police in pro- Reuters rench police fi red tear ly read “Revenge for Theo!” tective gear advanced on groups Vatican City gas yesterday at youths He has called for public calm of mostly-hooded youths in side Fwho hurled projectiles and his family has said they have streets. and vandalised property on the faith in the French justice sys- A helicopter fl ew overhead ope Francis delivered an- fringes of a student demonstra- tem. and tear gas clouds rose into the other criticism of some tion against the alleged rape of a The Paris school authority air above that square towards Pmembers of his own young black man by police using said that more than 10 schools the end of the rally. church yesterday, suggesting a baton. had been targeted by youths who The Paris police department that it is better to be an atheist Hundreds of high school stu- piled up rubbish bins and other had warned people to stay away than one of “many” Catholics dents blocked the entrances to objects at the entrance gates. from the protest, saying that who he said lead a hypocritical more than a dozen schools in In one case, a deputy school there was a risk of violent groups double life. Paris during the unauthorised director was injured when pro- causing trouble, as happened In improvised comments in rally which was largely peace- testers hurled a fi re extinguisher. over the last three weeks. the sermon of his private morn- ful aside from the isolated skir- Education Minister Najat Val- Four police offi cers have been ing Mass in his residence, he mishes. laud-Belkacem said she under- suspended pending an inquiry said: “It is a scandal to say one Police made 26 arrests. stood young people’s “emotion” into the February 2 incident. thing and do another. That is a The protest comes two over the Theo case but called for One has been placed under double life.” months before a presidential public calm and denounced the formal investigation for sus- “There are those who say ‘I election in which opinion polls violence. pected rape and three others for am very Catholic, I always go to show far-right leader Marine Le “I am appealing for calm be- unnecessary use of force. Mass, I belong to this and that Pen performing strongly on an cause excesses like this, violence So far the protests have not association’,” the head of the anti-immigration, nationalist and blocking entrances to plac- snowballed to the extent of the 1.2bn-member Roman Catholic platform. es, are not acceptable. The state unrest that 12 years ago drew Church said, according to a Vati- It was the latest in a series of will show considerable fi rm- global attention to the stark can Radio transcript. demonstrations against the al- ness,” she said on Public Senat contrast between wealthy Paris He said that some of these A firefighter tries to extinguish burning dustbins as students gather during a protest yesterday against leged police mistreatment of a TV. and the suburbs that surround people should also say “my life police brutality outside the ‘Lycee Voltaire’ secondary school in Paris. 22-year-old identifi ed only as Video footage on social media it. is not Christian, I don’t pay my employees proper salaries, I ex- ploit people, I do dirty business, I launder money, (I lead) a double life”. “There are many Catholics Ukrainian Wilders halts public activities after security scare who are like this and they cause scandal,” he said. “How many times have we all heard people MP stages AFP tion are known,” Wilders said erals of Prime Minister Mark but that Wilders’ safety “was Flamboyant far-right leader say ‘if that person is a Catholic, The Hague on Twitter, as Dutch politi- Rutte. never in question”. Pim Fortuyn was assassinated it is better to be an atheist’.” cal parties gear up for a crunch On Saturday, Wilders upped However, the matter was just nine days before Dutch Since his election in 2013, kidnap for election on March 15. the tone at the launch of his deemed so serious that Rutte, elections in 2002, shocking the Francis has often told Catho- nti-Islam Dutch MP The fi rebrand member of offi cial campaign, denouncing who is now campaigning for country to the core. lics, both priests and lay people, Geert Wilders and his parliament, who has courted “a lot of Moroccan scum who his own Liberal VVD party met Just two years later in No- to practice what their religion sting op Afar-right Freedom Party controversy with his hardline make the streets unsafe”. Wilders to discuss the issue. vember 2004, fi lmmaker Theo preaches. have suspended all public ac- anti-Islam, anti-immigrant The highly-respected NRC The suspected agent was van Gogh was murdered by a In his often impromptu ser- tivities after a police agent was stance and his incendiary in- daily newspaper reported on released yesterday pending Muslim radical. mons, the Pope has condemned Reuters/DPA arrested for allegedly leaking sults against Moroccans and Wednesday that the agent was the investigation, Dutch news Wilders, 53, has vowed in sexual abuse of children by Kiev information about him to a Mo- Turks, has long been under 24- arrested for allegedly passing agency ANP said. his party’s one-page manifesto priests as being tantamount to a roccan gang. hour police protection. on information about Wilders Netherlands is no stranger to that if elected he would ban “Satanic Mass”, said Catholics in “Very disturbing news. The Tensions are escalating to a Moroccan crime gang. political violence, even though the sale of the Qur’an, close the mafi a excommunicate them- Ukrainian lawmaker kid- Freedom Party is suspending all ahead of the election in which Dutch police chief Erik the small country of just 17mn mosques and Islamic schools, selves, and told his own cardi- napped in the southern public activities until all facts in the Freedom Party is running Akkerboom confi rmed that an people has largely gained a rep- shut Dutch borders and ban nals to not act as if they were Acity of Odessa yesterday connection with the investiga- neck-and-neck with the Lib- investigation had been opened utation for tolerance. Muslim migrants. “princes”. has been found unharmed and his attackers have been detained, the local prosecutor’s offi ce said. Earlier, the head of President Petro Poroshenko’s BPP faction, Ihor Hryniv, told parliament that Amid heightened MP Oleksiy Honcharenko had been kidnapped “in broad day- light” in his native Odessa. “The criminal group has been security, Germany neutralised. Honcharenko is in a safe place,” said Inna Verba, a spokeswoman for the Odessa prosecutor’s offi ce. kicks off carnival Thirty-six-year-old Hon- charenko used to be in the pro- Russian Party of Regions, but Reuters In Mainz, police chief Achim joined Poroshenko’s faction Cologne Zahn appealed to carnival- following the “Maidan” upris- goers to use common sense and ing in 2014, becoming a vocal avoid dressing up as suicide opponent of the Russia-backed evellers in costume and bombers with explosive belts, A reveller takes a separatist movement in eastern wigs kicked off six days the German website Strand selfie at the start of Ukraine. Rof merriment yester- Journal reported. carnival in Cologne. Speaking to Reuters by phone, day with Weiberfastnacht or Donald Trump-style wigs Verba said Honcharenko had “women’s carnival”, tradition- and masks were in high de- Left: A so-called been targeted because of his po- ally the day when women take mand across Germany, where ‘Peitschenschwinger’ litical position. over town halls and symboli- carnival activities traditionally (whip cracker) “They wanted to burn his eyes cally “castrate” men by cutting poke fun at politicians. carnival character with acid and break his knees off their ties. Susanne Mueller, managing parades through so that he suff ered. They didn’t Carnival festivities began director of Festartikel Muel- Mittenwald, southern plan to kill him,” she said. at precisely 11.11am in Co- ler, a Bavarian-based company Germany, at the start Honcharenko told reporters logne and other Catholic parts that makes party costumes, of carnival season. later however that his reported of Germany despite stormy told Reuters that about 30% of According to local abduction in the Odessa region weather and high security after her company’s wig production tradition, revellers was fake, part of a sting opera- an Islamist attack on a Christ- was dedicated to the US presi- can banish evil spirits tion to expose an organised crime mas market in Berlin in De- dent’s orange-blond coiff ure by making lots of Carnival revellers celebrate the start of the festival yesterday in group, state media reported. cember that killed 12 people. this year. noise with cowbells. Duesseldorf, western Germany. Honcharenko, son of a former mayor of the city of Odessa, ex- plained that he went to the region Sweden sentences man for terrorism fund-raising to act as “bait” to catch a group that had been planning a series A Swedish court has sentenced a man to a six- Both individuals have openly supported Islamic of crimes, including against him Report ‘seriously’ on Sweden, month prison term for encouraging fund-raising State and Jabhat al-Nusra, which have been personally, state news agency for groups labelled as terrorist organisations, using labelled as terrorist groups by the UN and EU, the Ukrinform reported. social networking site Facebook. court added. The news agency earlier quot- king urges international media The 34-year-old, who was not named, denied the It was the first time a Swedish court applied a 2010 ed the Odessa regional prosecu- charges during the trial at the district court in law outlawing people from encouraging terrorism tors offi ce as saying that Hon- Malmo, southern Sweden. financing. charenko had been abducted by AFP rious and well-sourced media.” Trump’s remarks touched a One posting made in August 2013 said “help “The prison sentence was motivated by the very a “group of unknown people”. Stockholm Images of the violence spread raw nerve in Sweden, which is us provide our brothers on the front line with serious consequences the act [of encouraging Honcharenko told reporters like wildfi re around the world, idealised by liberals for its social weapons so that they can avenge our siblings”. fund-raising] could have lead to,” Judge Lennart that the “staging of an abduc- blurring Sweden’s response to welfare and immigration poli- The court said the posting also listed telephone Strinas said. tion was conducted” to attract weden’s King Carl XVI Trump and the Fox News chan- cies but also targeted by the al- numbers to two individuals. The man’s attorney said they would study the individuals who wanted to kid- Gustaf has urged news nel’s report linking rising crime ternative right movement. The UN and the EU had previously listed one of the ruling before considering an appeal, Swedish Radio nap the lawmaker to a site where Sorganisations to report to immigration to which he had Trump’s opponents ar- numbers as in use by a terrorist financier. reported. authorities were waiting. objectively on the Nordic na- referred. gue that crime levels have not Honcharenko, a vocal critic tion, after US President Donald The king praised Sweden for surged since Sweden took in of the Russian government, is Trump drew attention to the its research on immigration. the highest number of asylum- German arrested for planning attack on security forces known for publicity stunts. country’s immigration issues. “A lot of good research on seekers per capita in Europe Earlier this month he made In an interview with the Syds- integration issues is being between 2014-2015, and insist German police have arrested a 26-year-old Islamist that could be used to make a bomb. headlines when he spray-paint- venskan newspaper published conducted at the University of that socio-economic factors are who was planning an attack against police off icers The accused is active in Germany’s ultra- ed the German word “Nein” yesterday, three days after a Malmo,” he said after a visit on the real challenge. or soldiers using a homemade explosive device, conservative Islamist scene, the prosecutors (“No”) on a slab of the Berlin riot broke out in a Stockholm Wednesday to Sweden’s third But others see a Sweden authorities said yesterday. added. Wall located at the German em- suburb with a large immigrant city, which is also home to many where foreigners are twice as The German national was arrested on Wednesday Germany is on high alert for militant attacks bassy in Kiev. population, the monarch called immigrants. likely to appear in crime sta- and stands accused of “preparing a serious act of following a string of assaults last year, the deadliest Honcharenko, who has im- for a balanced approach in news “(Sweden) has succeeded tistics, are more likely unem- violence threatening state security”, prosecutors in of which was a December 19 truck rampage munity from prosecution as a reporting. well with education and re- ployed, and more often involved the northern city of Celle said. through a Berlin Christmas market that claimed 12 member of Ukraine’s federal “It’s important for Sweden’s search within these sectors. in underworld settling of scores. “During interrogation, he admitted that he planned lives. parliament, said he committed image in the world to report And it is important to get out “It’s important to not give up. to lure police off icers or soldiers into a trap and kill The attack was claimed by the Islamic State group. the act of vandalism as a protest about the good examples,” the information about the research I’ve been working with this for them with a homemade explosive,” they said. German security services estimate there are against Russian occupation in 70-year-old king told the daily. that’s being conducted,” he more than 40 years,” the king Investigators searching the suspect’s home in around 10,000 radical Islamists in the country, Europe. “It won’t happen without a se- added. said. Northeim, in Lower Saxony state, found chemicals 1,600 of whom are believed to have “terror” links. Gulf Times Friday, February 24, 2017 9 INDIA

VIOLENCE LEGAL CONTROVERSY COMMENT OPINION Three soldiers, civilian die Ex-Arunachal CM’s wife Complaint against model Have become political Amit Shah country’s in Kashmir militant attack withdraws probe plea for swastika tattoo on feet football, claims Mallya ‘biggest Kasab’: Mayawati

Three soldiers and a woman were killed when The Supreme Court yesterday allowed Dangwimsai A police complaint has been filed against model- Fugitive baron Vijay Mallya yesterday said he has Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati militants ambushed a patrol in south Kashmir early Pul, widow of former Arunachal Pradesh chief turned-nun Sofia Hayat for getting a swastika become a “political football” between two major yesterday hit back at BJP president Amit Shah yesterday. An army and police party was returning minister Kalikho Pul, to withdraw a request inked on the soles of both her feet. Defending her political parties in India. Mallya, now in the UK, calling him the “country’s biggest Kasab” or a from a village in the Shopian district when it seeking a probe of her husband’s suicide note, tattoos, the British national of Indian descent says faces money laundering and loan default charges terrorist. A day after Shah coined the acronym came under attack. Four soldiers were wounded which alleged corruption in the judiciary. Kalikho nobody has a right to judge her. The complaint in India. Mallya told business news channel BTVi: “Kasab” to denote the Congress, the Samajwadi in the one-hour firefight, according to police and Pul committed suicide last year and left behind a was filed by RTI activist Asad Patel at the Amboli “It all started with the failure of Kingfisher Airlines, Party and the Bahujan Samaj Party – comparing it witnesses. “Around 2am, we woke up after hearing suicide note naming many Congress politicians police station in Jogeshwari (West) in Mumbai a public company. The government-owned banks with the name of the executed 26/11 attacker Ajmal firing on the road,” the son of the woman said. and “two senior most judges of the Supreme yesterday. A copy of the complaint was circulated are trying to hold me personally responsible for Kasab, Mayawati said the remarks were reflective “Our mother was sleeping upstairs. The firing Court.” A letter Dangwimsai wrote to chief justice J in the media. According to the complaint copy, the failure of India’s largest airline and to repay of the BJP’s “filthy mindset”. “The way Amit Shah stopped after an hour and when we went upstairs, S Khehar was treated as a petition and a case listed Sofia has disturbed the “public peace and public their debts. I have a counter-claim on them as has dubbed the opposition as Kasab is not just we found our mother dead.” Television footage by the court’s registry to be heard as a criminal writ tranquillity and public order” by getting the well.” According to Mallya, the Central Bureau of highly condemnable but also reflects their filthy showed grieving relatives; a red van with shattered petition. Dangwimsai, argued that the appeal to the swastika inked on her feet. Sofia had shared a Investigation had converted a civil case into a mindset,” Mayawati said. “In the country today, windows and shards of glass on the front seat; chief justice was made on the administrative side photograph of her feet with the swastika tattoo criminal one and then charges of defrauding banks there can be no bigger Kasab than Amit Shah, the pools of blood and bullet marks on building walls. and it cannot be handled on the judicial side. on Instagram earlier this week. and money laundering had been added. biggest terrorist,” added the former chief minister.

BJP steals Shiv Sena High drama as thunder in state polls Kerala actor’s IANS Mumbai

he Shiv Sena fi nished on top of a hung Brihanmum- Tbai Municipal Corporation ‘molester’ (BMC) yesterday but the BJP said it could take control of India’s richest civic body with the back- ing of at least four independents. Shiv Sena activists celebrated earlier in the day as it appeared it was set to take control of the BMC held in court but it fi nished with just 84 of the 227 seats. The BJP came close By Ashraf Padanna saulted her for nearly two hours capture of her friend’s tormen- with 81 seats. Thiruvananthapuram after hijacking her car on Friday tors, reiterated her allegation that Any party or combine will need evening. there was a conspiracy behind the 114 corporators for a simple ma- Chief Minister Pinarayi Vi- abduction and assault which the jority in the BMC house. erala police yesterday ar- jayan and police chief, Loknath suspects apparently fi lmed so as Across Maharashtra, however, rested two men from a Behera, congratulated the po- to blackmail the actor. the Bharatiya Janata Party made Kcourtroom in connection licemen while the opposition Police had earlier arrested four major gains in elections held for with the abduction and sexual Congress and Bharatiya Janata people for helping the main ac- municipal bodies. The Shiv Sena assault of a leading actress in a Party said the government should cused in the crime. victory came in Thane. moving car in Kochi last week. thank the criminals for making Kerala has seen a steep rise Chief Minister Devendra Fad- There was high drama as po- themselves available for arrest. in crimes against women, from navis thanked the electorate, say- lice dragged Sunil Kumar and “The police who allowed the 12,385 in 2015 to 14,061 in 2016, ing they have “reposed complete Vijeesh out of court and bundled suspects to roam around the including 1,644 rapes and 4,035 faith in Prime Minister Narendra them into a vehicle as the duo city even after being alerted to cases of molestation and increas- Modi’s policies of development tried to force their way into the the crime almost immediately ing attacks on children. for all”. Ernakulam additional chief judi- have cut a sorry fi gure again,” Women say they fear going Asked about a tussle for the cial magistrate’s chamber during local legislator P T Thomas told out at night in the state without post of mayor, he said: “The core lunch break even as lawyers tried Gulf Times. It was Thomas who a male companion. The state, in- committee of the two parties will to stop them. helped and encouraged the actor cidentally, boasts of the highest meet and take a decision. We shall The two had sneaked into the to lodge a police complaint literacy and quality of life. respect the verdict of the people.” courtroom in an attempt to sur- “I suspect something fi shy. Governor P Sathasivam, BJP Mumbai president Ashish render before the judge as the The police have always been meanwhile, announced plans for Shelar said the party had bagged court had deferred a decision on maintaining that the culprits a registry of sex off enders, the 81 seats in Mumbai and had the their anticipatory bail to March have left the city. Then how come fi rst-of-its-kind in India. support of four independents and 3 and the police had launched a they could reach the court so “The registry will contain all that it was in a position to claim manhunt. freely today? The mystery has identifi cation details of sex of- the crucial post of mayor. Irked at the police entering the only deepened.” fenders and will be kept in public Adopting a shrill anti-BJP courtroom premises, the judge The Congress leader, who had domain,” Sathasivam said. stance, an aggressive Shiv Sena later directed the police to record been planning a 48-hour fast “It will be the fi rst in the coun- had snapped ties with the BJP the arrest immediately and pro- from today, said the court drama try,” he added. ahead of the municipal elections duce the duo in court within 24 had been scripted by police to He also announced a compre- and its leader Uddhav Thackeray hours. avoid the “dreaded criminals” hensive relief fund for victims of had expected the Sena to win at Kumar, a Perumbavoor native, giving a statement in court that sex crimes. “Though the Nirb- least 100 seats, if not an outright is also known as Pulsar Suni after could embarrass the government. haya cell under the department of majority. stealing a bike at the age of 19. His “It’s hard to believe the police social justice has been function- The BMC, the country’s larg- accomplice hails from the north- claims. The government has been ing commendably in the state, est municipal body, had an annual ern Kannur district. soft-pedalling the investigation Kerala lacked a comprehensive budget of Rs370bn in 2016-17. The horrifying attack shocked right from the onset. The truth victim relief fund,” he said. The Congress trailed at a dis- the state and prompted the fi lm should come out,” he demanded. “Although some of the victims tant third in Mumbai, forcing its industry to hold protests in three “The police chief was alerted get some money, the relief due to city unit chief Sanjay Nirupam to major cities. Others took to social to the crime at 11pm, and when them for the damages they suff er accept moral responsibility. He media to support the actor. They I contacted the city police com- are delayed due to this shortcom- said he has submitted his resigna- also lashed out at the police for missioner at 12.15am, he was not ing. The government will set up a tion to the party high command the delay in arresting the sus- aware of it. They did not arrest comprehensive victim relief fund yesterday afternoon. pects. the suspects even after tracing to provide interim relief for vic- The Maharashtra Navnirman The police have come under the main accused’s cell phone lo- tims of sex crimes, both children Sena (MNS) of Raj Thackeray, Ud- increasing attack for their failure cation,” Thomas claimed. and adults,” he added, blaming dhav’s estranged cousin, fi nished BJP workers celebrate after their performance in the recently concluded BMC polls in Mumbai to catch the suspects whom the Actor Manju Warrier, who the spurt in such crimes on the with seven seats in the BMC. yesterday. 30-year-old actor said had as- expressed satisfaction over the lack of social deterrence. Modi slams Akhilesh Students’ unrest Govt’s note ban was a catastrophe: governor for ‘donkey’ remark IANS He said the rights that were Thiruvananthapuram safeguarded by the Constitu- tion were thrown to the winds IANS his owner. The Uttar Pradesh Chief plete in seven phases on March 8. through a mere executive fi at Lucknow Minister on Monday at his Rae Hundreds of thousands of peo- erala governor P Sathasi- overnight. Bareli rally took a dig at Modi by ple yesterday voted across 53 con- vam yesterday termed de- A former chief justice of the asking megastar Amitabh Bach- stituencies in the fourth phase of Kmonetisation by the Cen- Supreme Court, Sathasivam rime Minister Narendra chan to stop promoting “donkeys assembly elections in the state, of- tre as one of the most devastating also pointed out that 86% of the Modi yesterday returned of Gujarat” – a sarcastic reference fi cials said. catastrophes in India’s fi nancial money in circulation was sucked Pfi re to Uttar Pradesh Chief to a tourism promo on wild asses After a slow start, voting picked history. out in the process. Minister Akhilesh Yadav on his that features the superstar. up in constituency after constitu- The governor’s comment came “The Reserve Bank of India “Gujarat donkeys” jibe, saying The statement invited sharp ency, election commission offi - at the opening address in the fi rst – that has to function as our in- there was no need to be afraid of rebuke from the Bharatiya Ja- cials said. assembly session of the year. dependent monetary authority – the animal that lived thousands of nata Party leaders who said that An estimated 10mn people were “On November 8, 2016, the was also compelled to be a silent kilometres away. faced with an imminent defeat at eligible to vote yesterday. Aver- government of India came out partner acquiescing to this trav- Speaking at an election rally in the hustings, Akhilesh Yadav was age voting in the fi rst four hours with a wildly impulsive version esty,” the governor added. Bahraich, Modi said Akhilesh Ya- speaking “absurd”. ranged from 23% at Kaushambi to of demonetisation that simply He slammed the Centre’s move dav should worry about his state The prime minister yesterday 35% in Allahabad. and selectively took Rs500 and as a “ill-conceived decision”. where under his watch an entire also targeted the Samajwadi Party Other places which saw brisk Rs1,000 notes out of circula- Sathasivam said that the Cen- police force was pressed into ac- government for illegal mining, ris- or high voting included Mahoba, tion,” he said describing the last tre did not weigh its implication tion to fi nd a “lost” buff alo. Modi ing unemployment and poor law Jhansi, Chitrakoot, Lalitpur and four months. on the poor, the lower middle was referring to state cabinet min- and order in the state. Slamming Rae Bareli, the Lok Sabha seat of Criticising the Centre for not class, the salaried and the wage ister M Azam Khan’s lost buff alo. the SP-Congress alliance, Modi Congress president Sonia Gandhi. putting in place a system to re- earners prior to its application. The prime minister, in fact, went said this was an “unholy nexus”, Offi cials also reported long place the scrapped currency, he He said that the Centre did not a step ahead as people cheered him which was stitched up to make a queues of men and women vot- Members of right-wing student group, Akhil Bharatiya called the measure “ostensibly” even consider it worthy of any on and said that he himself drew a last-minute bid to stay in power. ers in Fatehpur, the Lok Sabha Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), shout slogans during a protest put and “bandied about as a serious analysis. lot of inspiration from the Indian “The people deserve a govern- constituency of union minister march at the Delhi University yesterday. Clashes between means to fl ush out black money Credit and debit card hold- wild ass found in the Little Rann of ment which rings in all-round de- Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti, Jalaun and the ABVP and left-leaning All India Students Association in circulation”. ers with access to net banking Kutch in his home state. velopment and not which has let Hamirpur. Skirmishes erupted in broke out at a Delhi University college over a seminar Continuing his attack on the managed to hold up through the Modi said: “The donkey does loose lumpen elements,” he added. Pratapgarh between BJP and Ba- invitation to two student leaders, including one who was Narendra Modi government’s crisis, however, the vast teeming not only work relentlessly without The remarks came amid the hujan Samaj Party (BSP) activists charged with sedition last year for allegedly chanting move, Sathasivam called the majority of less fortunate Indi- a break, it also is very loyal to its hotly contested and bitterly fought and in Mahoba between workers anti-national slogans at a university event which sparked curbs put on money withdraw- ans scrambled from pillar to post owner.” The premier was obliquely Uttar Pradesh elections that start- of the ruling Samajwadi Party and nationwide debate on free speech. als over Rs24,000 per week from for the currency that they needed referring to the people of India as ed on February 11, and would com- the BSP. bank accounts as “draconian”. for their daily existence, he said. Gulf Times 10 Friday, February 24, 2017 PAKISTAN/AFGHANISTAN Eight killed in Lahore bomb blast AFP tal,” Rafique said. carried out airstrikes on mili- Lahore No group has yet claimed re- tant hideouts along the Afghan sponsibility. border. Just over an hour later ru- On Wednesday the military t least eight people were mours of a second blast in an- announced a nationwide anti- killed and 28 injured after other affl uent area nearby sent terrorist operation, which de- Aa bomb ripped through ambulances racing to the scene, fence analyst and retired general Pakistan’s Lahore yesterday, of- though authorities later said the Talat Masood told AFP would fi cials said, the tenth attack in reports were false. “target sanctuaries...of militants just under a fortnight pointing Panic also spread on social in Punjab province and restrict to a resurgence in Islamist vio- media as citizens exchanged their movements”. Pakistan had lence. messages purporting to be warn- vowed to hold the fi nal of its Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim meets with his Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif in Ankara, Turkey, yesterday. The blast, the second to hit the ings from intelligence agencies, hugely popular Pakistan Super provincial capital this month, including one that falsely stated League in Lahore next month crumpled cars and sent panic a general curfew had been or- despite the surge in violence, rippling through the city after dered over Lahore with shoot- promising “head of state level” the wave of attacks across Paki- on-sight orders. security for foreign players tak- stan killed more than 130 people. The rumours underscored ing part. Pakistan committed to strong “My God, my God, I saw so growing nervousness across the Rehman said such vows may many bodies,” said Imtiaz Ali, a country as a series of assaults have amounted to “baiting” barber in a Tony & Guy hair sa- shook Pakistanis emboldened by militants. lon opposite the blast site in the what had been a prolonged lull in “There are so many who feel posh Defence Housing Authority violence. that it invites the wrath of mili- partnership with Turkey: PM suburb of the city, replete with The attacks included a previ- tants unnecessarily,” he said. upscale boutiques and cafes. ous bomb in Lahore on February The city, Pakistan’s second The building where the bomb 13 which killed 14 people, and largest metropolis, was also Agencies went off was under construc- a devastating suicide blast at a the scene of an attack on the Ankara tion in a market crowded with Sufi shrine in Sindh province Sri Lankan cricket team bus in people, including children, the that left 90 devotees dead. 2009. 34-year-old told AFP. The incidents, most of which Pakistan has not hosted high- rime Minister Nawaz “When I came out I fi rst just were claimed by the Islamic State level visiting teams since then. Sharif yesterday said saw smoke and dust...Bikes up- group or the Pakistani Taliban, Much of the uptick in security PPakistan valued its re- turned. Cars destroyed. My own have dented optimism after the across the country over the past lations with Turkey and was colleague’s car windows blown country appeared to be making two years has been credited to an committed to the shared vi- out. My clients’ cars blown out. strong gains in its decade-and- earlier military operation target- sion of a strong economic I was close to fainting.” a-half long war on militancy. ing militants in the tribal areas partnership. Police and administration of- “After some relief over the last along the border with Afghani- Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif fi cials confi rmed it was a bomb year or two, it’s turmoil again, stan. stated this in his one-on-one attack, as the provincial health it’s very troublesome,” Asha’ar Pakistan has accused Afghan- meeting with his Turkish coun- minister Khawaja Salman Rehman, the Lahore editor of istan of harbouring the militants terpart Binali Yildrim held at Rafi que and rescuers supplied leading daily Dawn said. who have carried out the most the Turkish Prime Minister’s the casualty toll. Islamabad launched a crack- recent attacks. Offi ce. “Four people died on the down in the wake of the attacks, Kabul and Islamabad routine- Nawaz Sharif mentioned that spot while another four died saying it has killed dozens of ly accuse one another of giving the current trade volume be- of their wounds in the hospi- “terrorists” in recent days and militants safe haven. tween Pakistan and Turkey was less than $600mn, which was below its true potential. However, he said eff orts should be made to achieve the target of a comprehensive Free Trade Agreement (FTA) at the earliest possible. Sharif said a comprehensive Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim and his Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif review a guard of FTA would provide huge op- honour during a welcoming ceremony in Ankara, Turkey yesterday. portunities for diff erent sec- tors of the two economies and dogan hosted a family dinner in Minister for Commerce Khur- Yildirim will co-chair the HLS- maximise their trade potential honour of Prime Minister Na- ram Dastgir, and PM’s Special CC meeting. in goods, services and invest- waz Sharif. Assistant on Foreign Aff airs A Joint Declaration will be ments. Turkish First Lady Emine Er- Tariq Fatemi. issued at the conclusion of the He said coming to Turkey dogan and Begum Kalsoom Na- “The Prime Minister’s visit meeting and a number of MoUs was like visiting his second waz also joined their spouses at to Turkey and the convening are expected to be signed. home. “Our common bonds of the dinner, held at the residence of the 5th Session of HLSCC The Pakistan premier will faith, culture and history con- of the Turkish president. would further deepen the hold talks with President Er- tinue to deepen and nurture The Prime Minister who ar- time-tested, unparalleled and dogan on bilateral, regional and this relationship,” he said. rived in Turkey Wednesday historic ties between the two international issues. Nawaz Sharif emphasised afternoon will participate in brotherly countries and would PM Sharif will also visit the the frequent exchanges at the the fi fth meeting of High Level impart a strong impetus to their Turkish parliament to reaffi rm highest political level, term- Strategic Co-operation Council fl ourishing co-operation in di- Pakistan’s unequivocal support ing these as hallmarks of their (HLSCC). verse fi elds,” a Foreign Offi ce and solidarity with the gov- multi-faceted ties. The prime minister is ac- statement said. ernment and people of Turkey On Wednesday, Turkish companied by Minister for Pe- PM Nawaz Sharif along with against the failed coup attempt Pakistani off icials move a damaged car from the site after a bomb attack in Lahore yesterday. President Recep Tayyip Er- troleum Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, Turkish Prime Minister Binali in Turkey. Islamabad buying military Germany deports third batch hardware to fi ght terror of Afghan migrants to Kabul AFP Maria Brand, an aid worker lum seekers to help determine Kabul from Upper Bavaria’s city of their identity and country of AFP Despite uncertainty about bi- stan an estimated $170.2mn. ally Administered Tribal Ar- Erding. origin if they claim to have lost Islamabad lateral relations under a new US Pakistan’s original request eas (Fata), and other remote and “There are no secure areas their passport. administration, Pakistan is also included the sale of 1,000 AGM- mountainous areas in all-weath- ighteen Afghans deport- in Afghanistan,” says Nadine While Germany granted safe purchasing weapons from the 114 R Hellfi re II missiles as well. er, day and night environment”. ed from Germany arrived Kriebel of the Bavarian Refu- haven to most people from war- s terrorists re-launched United States. The AH-1Z Viper attack heli- Pakistan will also receive four Ein Kabul yesterday after gee Council, which called for torn Syria, the government has a campaign of terror Last year, the US Congress copters will be equipped with Russian-made Mi-35M attack their asylum pleas were reject- the demonstration. “We want argued that it can safely repat- Aagainst the nation this stopped the sale of eight F-16 H-1 technical refresh mission helicopters in 2017. ed, the third batch to be sent to lodge a protest against these riate people to Kabul and other week, Pakistan too expedited its fi ghter jets to Pakistan but the computers, AN/AAQ-30 tar- The US media noted that the back in recent months as Berlin indiscriminate deportations.” parts of Afghanistan, where eff orts to combat them and is move did not aff ect the weapons get sight systems, 629F-23 ultra Mi-35M was the export version speeds up the expulsions. German troops are part of Nato quietly acquiring equipment and needed to combat terrorists. and very-high frequency com- of the Mi-24 gunship and was Germany Chancellor Angela “An elderly man was forces seeking to create stability. weapons required for combating The US media reported on munication systems, H-764 particularly suited for opera- Merkel’s cabinet approved new among the deportees But the government has militancy. Tuesday that an American aero- embedded global positioning tions in mountainous terrain. measures on Wednesday to ex- and the rest were young faced increasing opposition at The US media reported at space manufacturer, Bell Heli- and inertial navigation systems, Pakistan Army Aviation could pedite the repatriations even as Afghans who arrived the state level against sending least three such deals this week, copter, would deliver three Bell helmet-mounted display and acquire up to 20 Mi-35Ms in the controversy rages over sending in a charter plane from Afghan nationals back home to which involve helicopters and AH-1Z Viper twin-engine attack optimised top owl, APX-117A years ahead. people back to strife-torn Af- Munich” an increasingly dangerous en- military vehicles that would en- helicopters to Pakistan this year. identifi cation friend or foe, AN/ Islamabad is also consid- ghanistan. vironment. hance the military’s capability to This will be the fi rst of a total AAR-47 missile warning sys- ering the Turkish Aerospace “An elderly man was among Nearly 80 Afghans, all men, In early February, 23-year- pursue militants in diffi cult ter- shipment of 12 helicopters. The tems, AN/ALE-47 counter- Industries T-129 attack heli- the deportees and the rest were have so far been sent back after old Atiqullah Akbari suff ered rains. remaining nine will arrive in measure dispenser sets, AN/ copter or the Chengdu Aircraft young Afghans who arrived in their asylum applications were shrapnel injuries in a militant Earlier this week, Pakistan 2018. APR-39C(V)2 radar warning re- Industry Group Z-10 helicopter a charter plane from Munich,” rejected by the German govern- attack in Kabul, two weeks after concluded a deal with an Italian In April 2015, the US State De- ceivers, joint mission planning gunship as an alternative to the Kabul airport offi cial Taimoor ment. he was deported from Germany. aerospace and defence fi rm, partment approved the sale of systems and General Dynamics Mi- 35M. Shah Hamidi said. Berlin is under pressure to act Akbari was picked up by Ger- Leonardo S.p.A. for purchas- 15 AH-1Z Vipers, missiles and M197 20mm cannons. The new gunships would They were part of a third as the migrant infl ux has boost- man police in January from his ing an unspecifi ed number of communication equipment at an Pakistan has already an- slowly phase out Pakistan Army wave of repatriations of Af- ed a right-wing populist and home in Bavaria where he had AW139 helicopters. estimated cost of $952mn. nounced that it will deploy the Aviation’s obsolete fl eet of US- ghans from Germany since anti-immigration movement, sought refuge. “The AW139 is the perfect fi t Pakistan ordered the fi rst helicopters in counterinsurgen- made AH-1 Cobra attack heli- December under a disputed and the number of far-right Afghanistan is plagued by to Pakistan’s operational envi- three helicopters in August 2015 cy operations. copters, the media reported. Afghan-European Union deal hate crimes against foreigners insecurity, poverty and unem- ronment, delivering outstanding and placed an additional order The US Defence Security Pakistan signed another aimed at curbing the infl ux of has soared. ployment, and is increasingly capabilities with hot and high for nine helicopters in April last Cooperation Agency reported $35mn deal with a US fi rm, migrants. Under new measures to overwhelmed by people repat- performance unmatched by any year. in April 2015 that the helicop- Navistar Defence, for manufac- Around 250 protesters ral- speed up repatriations, German riated from Pakistan, Iran and other existing helicopter type A US Department of Defence ters would enhance “Pakistan’s turing 40 mine-resistant am- lied against the deportation on immigration offi cials will be al- Europe along with hundreds of in the same class,” said the fi rm notifi cation said nine AH-1Z Vi- ability to conduct operations in bush-protected MaxxPro Dash Wednesday in Munich. lowed to access smartphones thousands of others displaced while announcing the deal. per helicopters would cost Paki- North Waziristan, the Feder- DXM vehicles. “This is unjustifi able,” says and other digital devices of asy- by war. Gulf Times Friday, February 24, 2017 11 PHILIPPINES Arrest warrant issued for top Philippine drug war critic Senator de Lima has called killing 2,555 drug suspects since urban city of Muntinlupa, where the president a sociopath then, with about 4,000 other several convicted drug lords are people murdered in unexplained serving their sentences. AFP circumstances. When Duterte ran for presi- Manila Amnesty International has dent in 2016, De Lima, who was warned that police actions in the then vying to be a senator, was drug war may amount to crimes one of his staunchest critics, ac- n arrest warrant was is- against humanity. cusing him of human rights vio- sued yesterday for the De Lima, one of the most out- lations. Ahighest-profi le opponent spoken critics of President Rod- Duterte did not waste time to of Philippine President Rodrigo rigo Duterte, was a human rights go after De Lima — who also won Duterte’s brutal war on drugs, activist before she joined the a seat as senator — when he took outraging her supporters who government more than a decade over the presidency in June last said the move was aimed at si- ago. year. lencing her. A lawyer by profession, the He tagged De Lima as a protec- Senator Leila de Lima, 57, a 57-year-old De Lima gave legal tor of drug lords in Muntinlupa lawyer who has spent nearly a representation to members of and labelled her as the highest decade trying to link Duterte to underprivileged sectors such as Philippine offi cial involved in the death squads that have allegedly fi shermen, farmers and the urban illicit trade in the country. killed thousands of people, faces poor in the late 1980s. De Lima vehemently denied drug traffi cking charges that The senator’s political activ- the accusations, saying these could see her jailed for life. ism can be traced to the fact that were all part of a campaign to “I have no plans of fl eeing and her aunt is the wife of the founder discredit and persecute her for I have no plans to go in hiding. I of the rebel group known as the her opposition to Duterte. will face all these charges,” a tear- Communist Party of the Philip- But, in a congressional inquiry ful De Lima told reporters at the pines. dominated by Duterte’s congres- Senate after a Manila court is- De Lima became an election sional allies, several drug lords sued the arrest warrant. lawyer representing opposition serving their sentences in the De Lima said that although the politicians before she was ap- national penitentiary alleged warrant had been issued, it had pointed in 2008 by former presi- they paid her protection money yet to be served on her. dent Gloria Macapagal Arroyo to through her lover and security So she planned to spend the be head of the Commission on aide, Ronnie Dayan. night with her loved ones before Human Rights (CHR).The out- They also alleged that they returning to the Senate today spoken De Lima fi rst crossed path raised funds to support De Lima’s when she would likely be ar- with President Rodrigo Duterte senatorial campaign. rested. when he was still mayor of the The convicted drug lords said She is accused of orchestrating Philippine Senator Leila de Lima is escorted by the Senate’s security personnel after a Regional Trial Court (RTC) ordered her arrest, at the southern city of Davao. Dayan, who was arrested on a drug traffi cking ring when she Senate headquarters in Pasay city, metro Manila. She launched an investigation Thursday on the same charges, was justice secretary in the pre- into alleged extrajuducial killings collected the money for De Lima. vious administration of Benigno referring to the “People Power” “This arrest is purely political that he was defenceless. In her brief comments on and the existence of a rumoured De Lima, who is separated from Aquino. revolution that overthrew dicta- vendetta and has no place in (a) But Duterte said he chose to Tuesday, De Lima said she want- group called the Davao Death her husband and has two sons, But De Lima and her support- tor Ferdinand Marcos in 1986. justice system that upholds the believe the police version that ed to keep speaking out against Squad. admitted her relationship with ers insist she is innocent, and “Now the time has come again rule of law. they were serving an arrest war- Duterte but also signalled fear But she failed to fi nd suffi cient Dayan, but insisted that she was that the charges are trumped up for us to be brave and stand up This is condemnable. rant on Espinosa inside the jail that her life was at risk. proof to charge Duterte in court, not involved in the drug trade and to silence one of Duterte’s most to another criminal dictator and We reiterate that an arrest before dawn and the offi cers shot “To all of you we ask for your although she was convinced all the accusations against her vocal and enduring critics. his evil regime,” De Lima said on based on trumped-up charges is at him in self defence. prayers so I will be safe and se- that alleged extrajudicial kill- were mere fabrications. De Lima this week branded Tuesday. illegal.” Duterte also railed at people cure wherever they want to jail ings happened in the city and the On February 17, state prosecu- Duterte a “sociopathic serial De Lima’s Liberal Party, which The Liberal Party also said it for caring about the death of Es- me,” she said. death squad sanctioned by Du- tors fi led three drug traffi cking killer” as she called for ordinary ruled for six years under Aquino, feared for De Lima’s life once she pinosa. Duterte, 71, won the presi- terte existed. charges against De Lima based on Filipinos to stand up in opposi- voiced deep anger on Thursday at was arrested, citing the killing by “You have here a government dential election last year after De Lima was appointed justice the testimony of the convicted tion to his drug war, which has her imminent arrest. police of another politician, Ro- employee using his offi ce and promising during the campaign secretary in 2010 by then presi- drug lords. seen more than 6,500 people “The Liberal Party reiterates lando Espinosa, inside a jail cell money of government, cooking to eradicate drugs in society by dent Benigno Aquino. Bail is not allowed for those killed since he took offi ce eight that it condemns the political in August last year after he was (illegal drugs) and destroying the killing tens of thousands of peo- As head of the justice de- facing such charges, so she would months ago. persecution of brave administra- arrested on drug charges. lives of so many millions of Fili- ple. partment, she ordered a sweep be detained while her case is be- She said Duterte was mentally tion critic Sen. The National Bureau of Inves- pinos. He immediately launched the targeting alleged drug trade ing heard by the court — a fate unfi t to be president and called for Leila De Lima,” it said in a tigation said the police who broke So what is there for me to say crackdown after taking offi ce in operations inside the national widely seen as part of Duterte’s the cabinet to unseat him, while statement. into the jail murdered him and about it (the death)” he said. June and police have reported penitentiary in the Manila sub- vendetta for her criticisms.

Ex-yoga missionary Chinese inspired by Bhutan minister

AFP ald Recidoro told AFP. defers trip Manila “We’ve had to because our existence is on the line. If she is confi rmed the mining indus- Reuters try is fi nished, we are done.” Manila fter two decades as a yoga mission- If Lopez survives as environment secre- ary, Philippine Environment Secretary tary and gets to serve her full six-year term, ARegina Lopez is unleashing her inner she has much bigger plans for remodelling hina’s commerce minister rage on the mining industry while aiming for the Philippine economy — and she is taking decided at the last minute Bhutan-style gross national happiness. inspiration from the tiny Himalayan nation Cto postpone an offi cial Lopez has in recent months moved global of Bhutan. trip to the Philippines yesterday commodity markets with a campaign to close The Buddhist kingdom famously pursues to sign about 40 joint projects roughly two-thirds of the existing mines in an economic development model of “Gross worth billions of dollars, sources the Philippines, which is the world’s biggest National Happiness”, which aims to balance at the Philippines trade and fi - supplier of nickel ore and a major source of spiritual and material wealth while taking nance ministries said. copper. into account the value of the environment It was not immediately clear For the 63-year-old, her sudden elevation and culture. what was behind the abrupt by fi rebrand President Rodrigo Duterte to “I love the Bhutan model,” Lopez said. postponement of what would Philippines’ Department of Energy and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary Regina Lopez arriving at her off ice for an government last year after a lifetime of spirit- “They know if they kill their air, they kill have been an important develop- interview at the DENR building in Manila. ual and environmental pursuits has presented their water, they will never ever be happy. And ment in a new era of engagement an unexpected chance to bring about radical I fi nd that quite enlightened.” between the two historic rivals change in society. Lopez dreams of a Philippines in which its under President Rodrigo Du- “This is a golden opportunity to do the rich biodiversity is capitalised on. terte, who has praised the lead- right thing,” Lopez, popularly known as Gina, “We have barely begun to scratch the sur- ership of Chinese counterpart Xi Minister says Duterte agrees with told AFP in an interview on Wednesday at her face of what our country can off er the world,” Jinping. bustling Manila offi ce as she explained her she said, citing sea sponges, shells and fruit However, two Philippines of- determination to take on the mining industry. she claimed could cure cancers. fi cials, who asked not to be iden- mining ban in watershed areas “Not everyone has the guts and the where- “And the exciting thing is biodiversity is tifi ed, suggested Beijing may withal to stand on big business’s toes. Right endemic. It is specifi c and exclusive to the have been irked by comments on Reuters supply and quality. Another fi ve mines appointment, saying her recent moves now I have that platform.” Philippines. That sounds like a really good Tuesday by foreign minister Per- Manila were suspended. showed an “undeniable bias” against Lopez casts mining in a sinister light, ac- business deal.” fecto Yasay about China’s robust She also ordered the cancellation of the sector. cusing powerful business fi gures and politi- Lopez has walked an unlikely path to be- activities in disputed areas of the 75 mining contracts, or nearly a third Lopez is among a few cabinet cians involved in the industry of corruption coming one of the most powerful women in South China Sea. he Philippines’ environment of mineral production sharing agree- members who have yet to be con- and rapaciousness. the Philippines. Chinese Commerce Minister minister yesterday said Presi- ments for mines that have yet to go into fi rmed by Congress and her next She insists mining is destroying the South- She belongs to one of the wealthiest fami- Gao Hucheng was due to arrive Tdent Rodrigo Duterte had production, for being located in water- confi rmation hearing is on March 1. east Asian archipelago’s ecosystem, and that lies in the country. in Manila yesterday with a large backed her decision to ban mining in shed areas. Amid the uproar, a government the natural resources on off er can be used in But Lopez exchanged a life of luxury as a delegation but China informed watershed areas at a meeting earlier She reiterated her stance yesterday, inter-agency panel will have its own much more sustainable ways. young lady for one as a yoga missionary with a the Philippines on Wednesday this week, winning his support once saying she would not allow mining at review of the 28 aff ected mines that “We have 7,000 islands and if we rape the spiritual organisation founded in India called afternoon they would not be more for her crackdown on the sector. the expense of the environment and will begin in March and will take islands... and 95% of the wealth goes out of Ananda Marga, or Path of Bliss. coming, the two sources said. Duterte who warned last year that people who depend on seas and farms three months. those islands, we will never see the light of Lopez spent two decades in Africa, India “It was a last-minute deci- the Southeast Asian nation could sur- for their livelihood. The Mining Industry Co-ordi- day,” Lopez said. and Portugal promoting yoga and helping the sion,” said one of the offi cials. vive without a mining sector had sup- Lopez also repeated that her deci- nating Council will engage experts Lopez has ordered the closure or suspen- underprivileged, before returning to the Phil- “We were only informed about it ported Lopez’s decision this month to sions were above board. “Every step of from state universities and other sion of 28 mines which, if implemented, ippines to raise two children. and we’re not privy to any infor- shut over half the country’s mines. the way, I followed due process,” she independent professionals for the would leave just 12 in operation. Back home Lopez earned a reputation as mation about the cancellation.” But he later did not rule out review- said. review. Mining Inc is fi ghting back, with a pub- a passionate advocate for the environment, Philippines Trade Secretary ing her order amid the potential rev- The recent moves by Lopez, a The council will submit its rec- lic relations blitz insisting it is a law-abiding most notably with the charitable arm of her Ramon Lopez told Reuters the enue losses from mining. staunch environmentalist long before ommendations to Duterte who will industry that generates billions of dollars for family’s ABS-CBN media empire. two sides had yet to set a new “He said: ‘I agree with you. she joined Duterte’s cabinet last June, make the fi nal decision on the en- the economy and directly supports 1.2mn In his inaugural state of the nation address, date for the meeting but were Don’t worry, you are my cabinet have angered domestic miners many vironment agency’s closure and people. Duterte described Lopez as a “crusader”. looking at early March. secretary and I also believe that there of whom have appealed their case with suspension orders, Finance Under- It has appealed to Duterte, who has spo- “We share the same paradigm: The interest On Tuesday, Yasay said as should be no mining in watersheds’,” the president. secretary Bayani Agabin said in a ken fi ercely against the industry but also has of the country must come fi rst,” he said. chairman of a meeting of As- Regina Lopez told a media briefi ng, Miners that have fi led appeals with statement on Thursday. many mining fi gures in his cabinet. Many people overseas have a dark view of sociation of South East Asian recalling her meeting with Duterte on Duterte can continue operating unless Still largely underexplored, the It is also lobbying for a congressional com- Duterte for waging a ruthless war on crime. Nations foreign ministers that Monday. he rules otherwise. Philippines’ mining sector contrib- mittee to reject her nomination as environ- Lopez has a diff erent perspective. Asean was unsettled and had Lopez on February 2 ordered the clo- A mining industry group has said utes less than 1% to the overall econ- ment secretary when it conducts a confi rma- “He’s genuine. He’s the real thing,” she “grave concern” about China’s sure of 23 of 41 mines in the world’s top the mining closures and suspensions omy, with only 3% of 9mn hectares tion hearing next month. said. move to militarise manmade is- nickel ore supplier for environmental would aff ect 1.2mn people. identifi ed by the state as having high “This is the fi rst time we have opposed “His love of people, his courage, his humil- lands, including installation of violations, saying many of them were The Chamber of Mines of the Philip- mineral reserves being mined, ac- an appointee of the president,” Chamber of ity, it’s real. And it’s in this dimension that we weapons systems, in the South in watershed zones that threaten water pines last week sought to block Lopez’s cording to government data. Mines of the Philippines vice president Ron- resonate.” China Sea. Gulf Times 12 Friday, February 24, 2017 SRI LANKA/BANGLADESH/NEPAL Bangladesh blocks editor from fl ying off to UK

AFP “It’s very unjust. I’m not ac- Dhaka cusing anybody, but feeling very disappointed. My wife is dying out there and she needs me be- prominent Bangladeshi side her more than ever.” magazine editor on bail Immigration authorities con- Afor charges of plotting to tacted by AFP said they needed kill the prime minister’s son said to verify Rehman’s papers. yesterday he had been stopped “He will be able to catch the from fl ying to London to visit next fl ight once we are done with his sick wife, despite having high the procedure,” a senior police court clearance to travel. offi cial said on condition of ano- Shafi k Rehman, who is also a nymity. British citizen, said he was pre- Rehman, a former speech- vented from boarding a fl ight writer for the country’s main op- from Dhaka to London, where his position leader Khaleda Zia, was wife is receiving treatment for arrested last April on charges of leukaemia. plotting to murder Sajeeb Wazed The 81-year-old was released Joy, who lives in the United Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina receives a crest on the concluding day of the 4th Roll Ball World Cup held at Sheikh Russell Roller Skating Complex in Dhaka yesterday. from jail last September, fi ve States. months after he was arrested on He denies the allegations. charges of plotting to kill Prime He was one of three pro-oppo- Minister Sheikh Hasina’s son, sition editors arrested last year, sparking fears of a media crack- triggering allegations by Human down. Rights Watch of an “organised Authorities returned his seized assault on independent media”. British passport last week after Concerns over free speech the high court granted him per- were already high in the Muslim- Hasina backs new sports mission to visit his ailing wife. majority nation after a spate of “The police asked to see the Islamist killings of secular blog- high court order which I have al- gers and publishers. ready submitted to a lower court. Rehman was a long-time edi- I showed them the order’s pho- tor of Jai Jai Din, a mass-circula- tocopy but they said they were tion Bengali daily. not advised about any clearance He now edits a popular Ben- village in fi tness drive about my fl ight,” Rehman told gali monthly magazine called AFP. Mouchake Dhil. By Mizan Rahman home-grown sports across the country, tural activities to keep them away from Mentioning that Bangladesh is now a Dhaka Hasina urged industrialists, business terrorism, militancy and drug, she said known face in the international sports enterprises and fi nancial institutions to the government has taken the ‘healthy arena, she said, “We’re proud of the come forward with their fi nancial sup- mind in healthy body’ approach to groom success of the U-18 football team and rime Minister Sheikh Hasina said port to promote the local sports. patriotic and ideal citizens. female cricket team in Malaysia. Bang- yesterday a modern high-standard Sheikh Hasina said steps would be tak- The prime minister distributed tro- ladesh is a strong team in the world Bangladesh hikes gas Psports village will be built in the en for world-class training of other peo- phies among the captains of the cham- cricket.” vicinity of the Padma River near Padma ple relating to sports, including trainers, pion and runner-up teams of the tourna- To continue the success in sports, she Bridge with necessary facilities for all referees, doctors and nutritionists. ment. said, the government has given impor- prices in two phases kinds of sports, competitions and train- Planning Minister AHM Mustafa India clinched champion trophy both tance to infrastructural development. ings. Kamal, State Minister for Youth and in men and women categories, while Iran The government has taken it seriously By Mizan Rahman taka for single burner while She also said her government wants to Sports Biren Sikder, Principal Coordina- became runner-up in both groups. to protect the sports fi elds in every village Dhaka 800 taka for double burner in a build an Olympic Complex there. tor on SDGs at the Prime Minister’s Offi ce She also distributed medals among the and town, she added. month. “With this, we want to give more im- and Convenor of the 4th Roll Ball World players of the champion and runner-up Hasina said the government has taken At present, the gas price is 600 portance to sports and games so that we Cup Md Abul Kalam Azad also spoke at teams. initiatives for recruiting players from angladesh has raised gas taka for single burner and 650 could keep our youths away from terror- the function. Hridoy Khan of Bangladesh team re- grassroots level and then giving them prices for all types of con- taka for double burner. ism, militancy and drug addiction. For The prime minister said Bangladesh ceived the medal and cheque from the necessary trainings. Bsumers which will come The same consumers will have this, sports, games and cultural activities Roller Skating Federation for the fi rst prime minister as the best scorer of the All sports federations and district and into eff ect in two phases as per to pay 900 taka and 950 taka for are very much essential, and we’re taking time in the country organised this 4th tournament. sub-district-level sports councils will the decision of the Bangladesh single and double burners re- such steps.” Roll Ball World Cup from February 17 to Pointing out successful arrangements be strengthened by providing suffi cient Energy Regulatory Commission spectively from June 1. The prime minister said this while ad- February 23 with the participation of the of many international events in Bangla- budgets, she said. (BERC). Similarly, the motor vehicle dressing the concluding ceremony of the highest number of 39 countries and some desh over the last few years, she said the The prime minister said her govern- Newly appointed BERC chair- owners using CNG will have to 4th Roll Ball World Cup held at Sheikh 625 players. world community has praised excellent ment is increasing budget allocation for man Monwar Islam, who re- pay 38 taka for per cubic metre Russell Roller Skating Complex in the Although Roll Ball Skating has not got arrangements of those events. sports every year, though the allocation is cently retired as power secretary, from March 1 and 40 taka from capital’s Paltan area. much introduction and popularity in the Sheikh Hasina said all stadiums at not adequate. announced the new gas prices at June 1 this year. Sheikh Hasina also urged those ac- country, Hasina said the authorities con- district level are being renovated while Later, she witnessed a colourful cultur- a press briefi ng yesterday at its The gas prices for other sec- tively involved in sports sector to take cerned would have to take initiatives so project was taken for construction of sta- al programme performed by the country’s offi ce. tors, including power, fertiliser, initiatives to revive and popularise again that this game could spread across the dium at upazila level. Besides, projects famed artistes. In the fi rst phase to be eff ec- industries, commercial ventures the country’s local sports in which people country. were taken for the construction of spe- The prime minister formally inaugu- tive from March 1, household and captive power plants, were used to take part greatly. Noting that there is no alternative to cialised and international standard sta- rated the Sheikh Russell Roller Skating consumers will have to pay 750 also raised. Calling for a new start of local and involving the youths in sports and cul- dium and sports complex in big cities. Complex.

Indian to send 8 water bowsers Hindu festival to drought-hit Hasina to visit India A Hindu holy man Sri Lanka sings and dances at the Pashupatinath Temple in fi rst half of April ndia is to donate eight water on the eve of Shivaratri bowsers or large tanks and 100 festival in Kathmandu Imetric tons of rice to Sri Lanka, yesterday. By Mizan Rahman as well as strengthening cooper- as part of drought relief for the is- Dhaka ation in other sectors for welfare land country which is headed for of the people of the region. one of its worst droughts in 30 When the Indian foreign sec- years. rime Minister Sheikh retary raised the issue of the The assistance was conveyed by Hasina will pay an offi cial eight-nation South Asian Asso- India’s Foreign Secretary S Jais- Pvisit to India in the fi rst ciation for Regional Cooperation hankar who visited Sri Lanka from half of April this year. (SAARC) which now remained last week for bilateral discussions This was announced as vis- stalled, the premier said: “We with Sri Lankan leaders. iting Indian Foreign Secretary should not let it die down.” Reservoirs in Sri Lanka are re- Dr Subrahmanyam Jaishankar While talking about the BBIN ported to be running at 30% or less paid a courtesy call on Prime (Bangladesh Bhutan India Bhu- capacity. Minister Sheikh Hasina at her tan) Motor Vehicle Agreement, According to a recent survey by parliament office in Dhaka Sheikh Hasina underscored the the World Food Programme (WFP) yesterday. need for making eff ective this and the government, the rains last After nearly 30-minute meet- initiative in the greater interest year were 23% less than the 30-year ing, PM’s Deputy Press Secre- of the four nations. average. tary Nazrul Islam briefed re- “The BBIN initiative should The poor rains has also hit sow- porters. be eff ective and we should solve ing. He said the reciprocal visit of any problem regarding the ini- Of 800,000 acres, only a little Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina tiative through discussion,” she above 300,000 was planted with would take place in the fi rst half said. the staple rice crop during the last of April. The Indian foreign secretary harvesting season. “Through the visit, the bi- said his country would take “This is the lowest cultivation lateral ties between India and more development projects in level experienced in Sri Lanka dur- Bangladesh would be strength- Bangladesh as per its (Bangla- ing the last thirty years,” the WFP- ened further,” the Indian foreign desh) need. government joint survey said. India to fund 16 road projects in Nepal secretary told the prime minis- State Minister for Foreign Af- Water bowsers are large water- ter. fairs Mohamed Shahriar Alam, fi lled tanks that can also be fi tted on The visit would mainly focus PM’s Principal Secretary Dr wheels. IANS be consolidated since it was desirable to construction work in Nepal following the on mutual interests and devel- Kamal Abdul Naser Chowdhury, During his visit, Jaishankar called Kathmandu attract quality contractors. Both sides massive earthquake in April 2015. opment initiative side by side Foreign Secretary M Shahidul on President Maithripala Sirisena, also discussed the modalities for the im- Both sides agreed to set up Joint Moni- with connectivity, Jaishankar Haque and Indian High Com- and Prime Minister Ranil Wick- plementation of the Line of Credit for toring Teams to meet on a quarterly basis said. missioner to Bangladesh Harsha remesinghe. ndia has approved 16 road projects to $750mn pledged by India for post-earth- to ensure better monitoring and speedy Pointing out mutual solution Bardhan Shringla were present He also met Minister of Foreign be undertaken through its fi nancial quake reconstruction in Nepal, which is implementation of the projects. of various problems between on the occasion. Aff airs Mangala Samaraweera, Min- Iassistance to the Himalayan country now ready for operationalisation, it said. The meeting reviewed the progress made the two next-door neighbours, Indian Prime Minister Naren- ister of Development Strategies and under the third Line of Credit. The meeting also discussed expediting on projects of $100mn (LoC-I) and $250mn including land boundary and dra Modi visited Bangladesh on International Trade, Malik Samara- The matter was agreed upon here late on of the Rahughat hydroelectricity project, (LoC-II) — the earlier Lines of Credit ex- enclave problems, the prime June 6-7 in 2015. wickrama, and other senior Minis- Wednesday during the 5th bilateral two- Koshi and Solu corridors and Modi-Le- tended by India to Nepal through the Exim minister said, “We could solve Jaishankar arrived in Dhaka ters as well as Secretary to Ministry day Line of Credit (LoC) Review Meeting khnath transmission line projects. Bank of India. Projects approved for im- any problem through discussion yesterday on a two-day tour to of Foreign Aff airs, Esala Weerakoon. between the two governments. Similarly, the meeting also discussed plementation as well as projects for which if we have good intention.” fi nalize the visit of the prime Earlier this month, Pakistan air- The Indian Embassy in Kathmandu said capacity building of the National Re- preparation of Detailed Projects Reports Sheikh Hasina put empha- minister to India and brief her lifted 25 tonnes of rice as relief to Sri the projects — including the Mahakali construction Authority of Nepal, the key are under process, under the Line of Credit sis on increasing connectivity about its preparations, diplo- Lanka as part of drought relief. bridge in far western Nepal — needed to agency responsible for undertaking re- of $550mn (LoC-III) were also discussed. among countries of this region matic sources said. Gulf Times Friday, February 24, 2017 13 THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH Allah burdens not any The importance of Tajweed soul beyond its scope he Noble Qur’an is the literal Qur’an and Hadith scholar of the 9th Hijri words of Allah that He revealed as century, stated in his famous poem that ur understanding of an infallible source of legislation details the rules of Tajweed: religious texts and Tfor mankind to live an organised “And applying Tajweed is an issue of rules of Islamic Law life by. It contains regulations and recom- absolute necessity, Whoever doesn’t apply O(Shari’ah) sometimes mendations about all aspects of life and Tajweed to the Qur’an, then a sinner is he.” causes us to seek to free ourselves references to the Hereafter. Being so im- Hence, applying the rules of Tajweed is from necessary duties and portant, the Qur’an must be read, written, an obligation to keep away from the major responsibilities and lean toward and recited correctly and clearly, so as not mistakes in reciting the Qur’an. neglect, abandonment, and seeking to create any sort of ambiguity or misun- The scholars have divided the types of excuses for ourselves. When derstanding whatsoever. Allah Almighty mistakes one might fall into when reciting we read the words of the Most addressed His Messenger Muhammad, sal- the Qur’an into two: High: Allah burdens not any soul lallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam (may Allah exalt 1. Clear mistakes: which usually change (person) beyond its scope [Soorah his mention), in the Qur’an, Saying (what obvious things and change the meaning. Al-Baqarah 286], we attempt to means): “…And recite the Qur’an with 2. Hidden mistakes: for which one may interpret the aayah as a licence to measured recitation.” [Qur’an 73:4] need to study Tajweed rules. refrain from being burdened with Listening to the Qur’an being recited The majority of scholars agree that obligations so we use it when we correctly is enough to soften even the applying the Tajweed rules of the Qur’an are asked to perform any particular hardest of hearts. Muslims and non- such that the clear mistakes are avoided task. Muslims alike fi nd it a deeply moving is an individual obligation (Fardh ‘Ayn) We make the excuse that it is not experience, even if they do not understand upon every Muslim who has memorised within our ability or power while what is being said. Every Muslim has to part or all of the Qur’an, while applying we forget that the aayah actually recite Qur’an in prayers, but many of us the rules of Tajweed to avoid the hidden obligates us to the utmost of our do not realise that reciting the Qur’an mistakes is a collective obligation (Fardh human capacity. It is a proof upon correctly while observing the rules of Kifaayah) upon Muslims. That is, there the slave (al-’abd) for the necessity recitation is not an advanced science must be some students of knowledge who of expending maximum eff ort for expert reciters alone, rather it is an have knowledge of that. This is because the and capacity to perform all moral obligation upon each and every one of us Qur’an was revealed with the Tajweed rules obligations. All who seek excuse whenever we recite the Qur’an. applied to it, and the Prophet, sallallaahu from performing legal and moral ‘alaihi wa sallam, recited it back to Jibreel obligations look at the relief in the What is Tajweed? in that way and the companions of the aayah for those who are incapable, The Arabic word Tajweed linguistically Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, read but they are blind to what it means “profi ciency” or “doing something it in that way, so it is an established Sunnah obligates up to one’s capacity. well”. It comes from the same root letters (Prophetic tradition or practice). Most remarkable is the (mis) as the word Jayyid, which means “good”. The list below shows the type of understanding of al-war’a. This When applied to the Qur’an, it means mistakes under each category: (al-war’a) has a precise meaning giving every letter of the Qur’an its rights applicable in particular to those and dues of characteristics when we Clear mistakes: who are the most persevering, and recite the Qur’an, and observing the rules Mistakes related to correct forbearing in eemaan (faith) among that apply to those letters in diff erent pronunciation of letters so that letters are the imaams and scholars who situations. We give the letters their rights not mixed up in a way that changes their never fell short in the performance by observing the essential characteristics meaning. Scholars and ordinary Muslims of obligatory duties or even A new mosque in Al Wakrah. of each letter. We give them their dues by alike should avoid these. recommended ones, nor did they observing the characteristics of each letter neglect abandonment of that which be that which would detract from doing that which is similar to and into that and will possibly not do that are present in them some of the time Examples of Clear Mistakes: is disliked or forbidden. They did or mar their righteousness. This is associated with the obligatory or what is truly commendable and as and not present at other times. O Changing one letter into another or so to the point that they left every well and good. However, you will the commendable, and abandoning a consequence end up neglecting The Qur’an was revealed with Tajweed a short vowel (Harakah) into another (e.g. superfl uous deed that had neither not fi nd anything which mars or what is similar to or associated with necessary obligations. rules applied to it. In other words, when changing Fat-hah into Dhammah or the benefi t for the Hereafter or was detracts in doing da’wah or jihaad, the forbidden or the detestable. In The true believer must hold the angel Jibreel (Gabriel), may Allah exalt letter Qaaf into Kaaf, etc) unnecessary for this life. correction or ordering good and the hadeeth related by An-Nu’maan strongly to the Qur’an and possess his mention, recited the words of Allah to O Not observing the elongations (Madd) forbidding evil, giving charity in the Ibn Basheer that is mutafaqun the readiness to act just as much the Prophet Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alaihi at all. Reciting them quickly as if there is The unfortunate result way of Allah or rushing to perform ‘alaihi (agreed upon as authentic as possessing the readiness to wa sallam, he recited them in a certain way no Madd so that they turn into the length This thin defi nition is applied by acts of good and righteousness. One by Al-Bukhari and Muslim), the abandon. Yes, a part of giving and he showed the Prophet, sallallaahu of a vowel. some to the degree that you will fi nd may associate this as a particular Prophet Of Allah (sallallaahu ‘alaihi obedience to Allah involves the slave ‘alaihi wa sallam, the ways in which it was O Making a Madd letter which out of a those who apply abandonment of obligatory duty upon a person. wa sallam) said: Verily the halaal of Allah (al-’abd) relinquishing his permissible to recite the Qur’an. So it is normal Harakah. doing something for fear that it may You may fi nd actions that are not is clear and the haraam is clear, relaxation and comfort with the obligatory upon us to observe those rules so O Stopping or starting at an incorrect possibly be detestable (makrooh) actually commendable however they and between the two are doubtful resulting eff ect of then exerting that we recite it in the way it was revealed. place so that the meaning is spoilt, like in Allah’s sight, harmful, or even may associate them as such. Yet you matters about which not many eff orts in work seeking the pleasure At the time of the Prophet sallallaahu stopping at ‘Laa ilaaha’ (i.e., there is leading to either. However they do don’t fi nd anyone inclined toward people know. and acceptance of Allah ta’alaa and ‘alaihi wa sallam, there was no need for nothing worthy of worship), without not abandon not doing something doing what may be associated with Therefore, whoever fears and getting closer to Him, even if this people to study Tajweed because they completing ‘illallaah’ (except Allah). for a particular reason! Meaning, an obligation or that which may be avoids doubtful matters clears his involves some hardship and toil. talked with what is now known as Tajweed, that a person may be inclined to commendable. Why? deen of fault and whoever falls Action and abandonment are a so it was natural for them. When the Arabs Hidden Mistakes: abandon things that may seem It is because we have come into the doubtful matters falls into part of deen (Islam), and for this started mixing with the non-Arabs and Mistakes which have to do with similar to what is detestable or to prefer sitting and neglect the haraam as the shepherd who reason, ordering good (al-amr as Islam spread, mistakes in the Qur’anic perfecting pronunciation and are not forbidden but they will not lean and lightening burdens and herds his fl ock near a sanctuary is bil-ma’roof) and forbidding evil recitation began to appear, so the scholars obvious. These are known only by those toward acting upon something responsibilities! It has become feared to possibly stray into it... (an-nahy ‘anil-munkar) are at its had to record the rules. Now, because who have studied Tajweed rules or are that may be similar to what is easier for us to not do something out Therefore, whoever does what could root. Ordering the good is a call to the everyday Arabic that Arabs speak has experts in this fi eld. Ordinary Muslims may commendable (mustahabb) or of precaution of harming our deen be considered or associated with the action, while forbidding evil is a changed so much from the Classical Arabic not know such mistakes or perceive them obligatory (waajib). but not easy to act as a means of al- detestable will indeed fall into it in call to cessation and abandonment, with which the Qur’an was revealed, even to be so. war’a or precaution. actuality and consequently possibly and the former (ordering and the Arabs have to study Tajweed. There are many who avoid into the forbidden. Whoever forbidding) is the root of the latter Examples of Hidden Mistakes: particular foods, drinks, clothing or A true defi nition abandons doing what is similar (action and cessation). And Allah The purpose of Tajweed O Not being totally exact with the deeds fearing that within them may The true defi nition of al-war’a is to the commendable will also fall knows best. The Qur’an is the word of Allah, elongation of letters: (Making the Madd and its every syllable is from Allah. Its shorter or longer by a 1/2 or even 1/4 recitation must be taken very seriously. degree, etc.) The purpose of the science of Tajweed, in O Not observing the attributes of each essence, is to make the reciter profi cient letter perfectly: (Slightly rolling the Raa’, or in reciting the Qur’an, observing the exaggerating the ‘N’ sound in Noon etc.) A grain of corn correct pronunciation of every letter with O Not observing the rules with which the rulings and characteristics which to pronounce letters when they are next to “The parable of those who spend their wealth in the The one who spends for the sake of Allah only, and nor in the Last Day. His likeness is the likeness of apply to it, without any exaggeration or each other (like not merging certain letters Way of Allah is that of a grain (of corn); it grows seven not for any worldly profit, is like the one who sows a smooth rock on which is a little dust; on it falls defi ciency. Through this, the reciter can that should be merged (Idghaam) and not ears, and each ear has a hundred grains. Allah gives a grain in a fertile land, free from weeds. The plant heavy rain which leaves it bare. They are not able to recite the Qur’an according to the way of clearly pronouncing those which should be manifold increase to whom He pleases. And Allah is will grow and fructify whether it receives much or do anything with what they have earned. And Allah the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, clearly pronounced (Ith-haar) etc.) All-Suff icient for His creatures’ needs, All-Knower.” little rain, as Allah said: “And the likeness of those does not guide the disbelieving people.” (Qur’an who received it from Jibreel who received it O Making light letters sound heavy and (Qur’an 2:261) who spend their wealth seeking to please Allah and 2:264) from Almighty Allah in the Classical Arabic heavy letters sound light (except if by doing Allah, subhanahu wa ta’ala, compared to the one who to strengthen their souls, is as a garden, high and Allah also said: “Would any of you wish to have a language. this one changes a letter into another; spends for His sake to the one who sows a grain in fertile: heavy rain falls on it and it doubles its yield garden with date-palms and vines, with rivers flowing Each Arabic letter has a Makhraj (an in which case it would be an obvious the ground, this grain grows and multiplies to give of harvest, and if it does not receive heavy rain, light underneath, and all kinds of fruits for him therein, exit or articulation point from which mistake.) seven hundred grains! Allah multiplies the reward for moisture suff ices it.” (Qur’an 2:265) while he is stricken with old age, and his children are it originates) and Sifaat (attributes or Among the proofs that the scholars those who spend in His way just as He multiplies the The mentioning of the heavy rain and the light weak (not able to look after themselves), then it is characteristics). Knowing the Makhraj and bring to show the obligation of Tajweed grain of corn in the ground. moisture is a parallel to the large amount and the struck with a fiery whirlwind, so that it is burnt? Thus Sifaat of each letter is an important part of and its being an established Sunnah is that The reward is multiplied in accordance to the belief little amount of money spent in the way of Allah. does Allah make clear His Ayat (proofs, evidences, Tajweed. Sometimes two letters have very Almighty Allah Says in the Qur’an (what of the person and his sincerity, and in accordance On the other hand, a person who donates in charity verses) to you that you may give thought.” (Qur’an similar exits, which makes mixing them mean): “…And recite the Qur’an with to the benefits resulting from his spending, and in order to be seen by others, and always reminds 2:266) up easy. So, if a person does not know the measured recitation.” [Qur’an 73:4] whether his money was spent in the right place. He them of his generosity, is like a barren rock covered This is an allusion to the person who spends in attributes of each letter, he may change the There are various Prophetic narrations who spends in the way of Allah with assurance, and by a little soil. Rain which usually fructifies good charity, but not for the sake of Allah, he will not get meaning of the words in Qur’an recitation. also showing us the importance of Tajweed. with a stable hand as if the money already does not soil, washes away the little soil and exposes its the reward for his deed while he needs it the most. Observing the rules of Tajweed in reciting Umm Salamah, may Allah be pleased with belong to him, and is happy to give it, will see his nakedness, as Allah, subhanahu wa ta’ala, said: Al Hassan al-Basri said: “This is a parable of which few prevents the reciter from making mistakes her, was asked about the recitation of the reward multiplied. In contrast, he who donates his “O you who believe! Do not render in vain your really grasp the meaning. A man is most in need of in reciting the Qur’an. Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, and money with a trembling hand and a trembling heart, Sadaqah (charity) by reminders of your generosity his garden when he is weak, old and has many young she described it as a recitation: “Clearly- while his eyes are following it wishing he had never or by injury, like him who spends his wealth to children, and by Allah, one of you is most in need of The ruling of reading with Tajweed distinguished, letter by letter”. separated from it, will hardly have the same reward. be seen of men, and he does not believe in Allah, his good deeds when he is leaving this world!” Imaam Muhammad Ibn al-Jazari, may Article source: http://www.islamweb. Allah have mercy upon him, who was a great net/emainpage/ Answers to some soul-searching questions

he Truth constantly provides Qur’an (which is translated as follows): your Lord is Swift in retribution, and surah 84: ayah 6-12. “Even if I bring you better guidance we have submitted (in Islam), And you with a clear view, helps “And I (Allah) Created not the jinns certainly He is Oft-Forgiving, Most than that which you found your fathers whoever seeks a religion other than you to treat the anxiety inside and humans except they should Merciful.” surah 6: ayah 165. Is it enough to follow my following?” They said: “Verily, We Islam, it will never be accepted of him, Tyour soul. The answers for worship Me (Alone), I seek not any parents’ beliefs or the majority of disbelieve in that with which you have and in the Hereafter he will be one of the following questions are from The provision from them. (i.e. provision for What will happen to me after people without thinking whether been sent.” surah 43: ayah 21-24. the losers” surah 3: ayah 84-85. Noble Qur’an. themselves or My creatures) nor do I death? they are in the right path or not? The Almighty Allah said in the Noble What is the clear concept of ask that they should feed Me (i.e. feed The Almighty said in the Noble The Almighty said in the Noble What is the true way for Qur’an (which is translated as follows): God? themselves or my creatures). Verily, Qur’an (which is translated as follows): Qur’an (which is translated as follows): Salvation? “There is no compulsion in religion. The Almighty said in the Noble Allah is the All-Provider, Owner of “O Man! Verily, you are returning “Or have We given them any Book The Almighty said in the Noble Verily, the Right Path has become Qur’an (which is translated as follows): Power, – the Most strong.” surah 51: towards your Lord – with your deeds before this (the Qur’an), to which Qur’an (which translated as follow): distinct from the wrong path. Whoever “Say: He is Allah (the) One. Allah-us- verses 56-58. and actions (good or bad), a sure they are holding fast?, Nay! They “Say (O Muhammad): “We believe disbelieves in Taghut [anything Samad (The Self-Suffi cient Master, What is the purpose of my life returning, – so you will meet (i.e. say: “We found our fathers following in Allah and in what has been sent worshipped other than the Real God whom all creatures need, He neither and my existence? the results of your deeds which you a certain way and religion, and we down to us, and what was sent (Allah)] and believes in Allah, then eats nor drinks). He begets not, nor The Almighty said in the Noble did), Then, as for him who will be guide ourselves by their footsteps. down to Ibrahim (Abraham), Isma’il he has grasped the most trustworthy was He begotten. And there is none Qur’an (which is translated as follows): given his Record in his right hand, He And similarly, We sent not a Warner (Ishma’il), Ishaque (Isaac), Ya’qub handhold that will never break. And co-equal or comparable unto Him.” “And it is He who has made you surely will receive an easy reckoning, before you (O Muhammad) to any (Jacob), and Al-Asbat [the twelve sons Allah is All-Hearer, All-Knower.” surah chapter (surah) 112. generations coming after generations, And will return to his family in joy! town (people) but the luxurious ones of Ya’qub (Jacob)] and what was given 2: ayah 256. replacing each other on the earth. And But whosoever is given his Record among them said: “We found our to Musa (Moses), ‘Iesa (Jesus) and the Why has God – Allah – created He has raised you in ranks, some above behind his back, He will invoke (his) fathers following a certain way and Prophets from their Lord. We make me? others that He may try you in that destruction, And shall enter a blazing religion, and we will indeed follow no distinction between one another The Almighty said in the Noble which He has bestowed on you. Surely fi re, and made to taste its burning.” their footsteps. “(The warner) said: among them and to Him (Allah) Gulf Times 14 Friday, February 24, 2017 COMMENT

Chairman: Abdullah bin Khalifa al-Attiyah Deputy Managing Editor: K T Chacko Production Editor: Three deadly viruses that Amjad Khan

P.O.Box 2888 Doha, Qatar could spawn pandemic [email protected] Telephone 44350478 (news), Bird fl u in China puts 44466404 (sport), 44466636 (home delivery) infectious diseases back in Fax 44350474 the spotlight

By Annie Slemrod GULF TIMES IRIN ird fl u is back. Chinese authorities are closing live poultry markets Bas H7N9 courses through the Syria safe zones country, infecting 192 and killing 79 in January alone. So far, this strain of avian fl u appears to have been transmitted only best way forward through contact with live poultry, but there’s always a fear it will mutate and start passing between humans. That’s what really scares experts: to protect civilians the possibility of a sudden change that triggers faster spread between humans and leads to a pandemic. A disease doesn’t count as a World leaders’ suggestion to establish safe zones in pandemic until it spreads worldwide – Ebola burial teams in Sierra Leone, 2015. Syria in a bid tackle the human tragedy taking place in Ebola killed more than 11,000 people the country reaffi rms Qatar’s long-held position on the across West Africa before it was (sometimes more) succumb to the In reality, we’re far from that. It’s deadly – a reported 36% of brought under control, and that was virus. But the way Nipah got going in patients die – and looks to have come matter. just an epidemic. CCHF is found pretty much real life is paralleled in the fi lm: to humans via bats, again. In fact, Qatar was one of the fi rst countries which The most modern pandemics everywhere south of the 50th parallel Thanks to drought, deforestation and There’s a pattern here: Bats carry proposed “safe havens” and buff er zones for the delivery include the Spanish infl uenza, circa north: Africa, the Balkans, the Middle wildfi re, large fruit bats that carry the a long list of killer viruses and likely of humanitarian aid to the Syrian civilians in places of 1918 (as many as 50mn killed), and East, and Asia. virus found their natural habitats in triggered the Ebola outbreak as well as HIV/Aids (35mn dead). Humans tend to contract the virus Malaysia destroyed. Sars and others. fi ghting. The move is part of Qatar’s diplomatic eff orts As Chinese offi cials attempt to stem through contact with the blood of an So they moved to fruit trees Mers causes fever, cough, shortness in all UN and international forums related to the Syrian the latest bird fl u outbreak, global infected animal (itself having been that happened to be in fairly close of breath, and in more than one third crisis to mobilise the required eff ort for the adoption of public health offi cials are racing to get bitten by infected ticks) – vets, people proximity to pig farms. of patients, death. a political solution. The country has played a prominent ahead of what they call the next “big working in slaughterhouses, and The pigs ate fruit contaminated by A 2015 outbreak in South Korea role by taking part in the meetings of the International one”: a disease that will kill tens of farmers are typically most at risk. bat urine and saliva, the virus spread killed 36, and caused serious panic. millions. Once in humans, the virus can be quickly among livestock, and again Thousands of schools were closed, Syria Support Group which includes 17 countries It’s all about preparedness, and a spread through contact with blood, farm workers were the fi rst hit. and many businesses were hit hard and three international organisations which aims to large part of that is spotting outbreaks secretions, bodily fl uids, and the like. This fi rst outbreak in Malaysia in as people were wary even of going formulate proposals that helps to stop the hostilities, early, so action can be taken to contain It has been contracted in hospitals the late 1990s saw the country cull outside, and many others were transfer humanitarian aid, and fi nd a political solution any situation before it spirals out of thanks to poor sterilisation of more than 1mn pigs: a major hit to the quarantined. control. equipment and reuse of needles. economy. While Mers is deadlier than its in Syria. It’s anyone’s guess when and The virus bothers researchers and In its fi rst appearance, Nipah killed cousin Sars, it is also less contagious. Qatar also participated in the meetings of the where the next major epidemic – or doctors for a number of reasons, one 105 of 256 known infected people. It is spread through close contact “London Group” in September last year, where it called pandemic – might emerge. of them cultural: it’s endemic in some But humans can also get Nipah by with an infected person, and most on the international community to implement the UN It could be a mutated version of Muslim countries where large-scale drinking raw palm date sap, a delicacy transmissions have been in healthcare resolutions to alleviate the suff erings of the Syrian avian fl u, or perhaps something animal slaughter is part of celebrating in Bangladesh. settings. completely unseen before, like the (and feasting) for the holiday of Eid It is believed to be the cause of There’s no real evidence that it’s people and achieve their aspirations for freedom and mysterious illness with Ebola-like al-Adha. regular seasonal outbreaks in that gone airborne – that’s always a major dignity. symptoms that struck out of the blue Doctors in Pakistan, for example, country. fear – but the possibility hasn’t been At the Ministerial Meeting of the Global Coalition to in South Sudan last year. have warned of a potential health When the sap is harvested, it has completely ruled out. Counter Terrorism held in Washington, DC last July, Here are a few more possibilities catastrophe unless slaughtering already been infected by bats in the For now, there’s no reason to panic worth keeping an eye on: practices change, as the feasting trees. about Mers, but it’s always a worry Qatar stressed that the continuation of the crisis in zCrimean-Congo haemorrhagic holiday will be in the summer for the Nipah scares researchers because during the annual Haj pilgrimage to Syria and the absence of a political solution hampers all fever next 10-15 years, coinciding with tick it kills quickly – nausea, fever, and Muslim holy sites in Saudi Arabia, international eff orts to eradicate terrorism. When a patient in Madrid died season and CCHF prevalence. vomiting, patients progress to a coma which sees some 2mn people converge In mid-October last year, HE the Minister of Foreign last September of a disease called There are similar concerns in within 24-48 hours, and then die. in the country with the most cases. Aff airs Sheikh Mohamed Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever, Afghanistan, where public health It has also spread swiftly from rural Like the other diseases mentioned there was no shortage of headlines offi cials have been warning the public areas to cities. here, there’s no vaccine and there’s no bin Abdulrahman about the “new” deadly virus. about using gloves and other protective Once in humans, the virus is found treatment – it’s all about hygiene. The country al-Thani called on But the disease has actually been clothing when handling animals. in saliva, so it can kill caregivers and There are plenty of other scary members of the UN around for years – it got the fi rst part There is no vaccine for Crimean- family members who share utensils killers out there, and researchers are has played Security Council to put of its name when fi rst reported in Congo, and there is no cure, although and glasses, or hug and kiss their sick both tracking the movement of viruses aside their geopolitical Crimea in 1944, and the second thanks antiviral drugs have shown some family members. between species and attempting to a prominent to a 1969 spotting in Congo. promise. zMiddle East Respiratory fi gure out a key plot point: why exactly diff erences and fulfi l The last two words of the disease, zNipah virus Syndrome (Mers) a virus goes airborne. role by taking their obligations to abbreviated as CCHF, speak to the This one’s got a Hollywood hook: Bandied about as the next pandemic One last top tip: keep a particular protect the lives of symptoms: fever, muscle aches, The 2011 fi lm Stephen Soderbergh fi lm possibility for a while, Mers was fi rst eye on infl uenza. part in the civilians, and urged the nausea, diarrhoea, bruising and Contagion is reportedly based on it. reported in Saudi Arabia in 2012, It’s not exotic and everyone knows bleeding (the list goes on), and Spoiler alert. although looking back researchers its name, but some form of the fl u meetings of the Council to establish eventually death in the second week In the movie, Nipah causes a global believe there were cases the same year could easily become the next “big “safe havens” in of illness – about 30 % of patients pandemic. in Jordan. one”. Oh yes, and be careful of bats. International northern and southern Syria and immediately Syria Support impose a no-fl y zone. Group In an article in The New York Times, under the title “How Can The UN Save Aleppo,” the Foreign How to survive the Trump era Minister demanded implementation of Resolution 377A. By Joseph E. Stiglitz of the North American Free Trade solidarity over core values such as As a result, the importance of the Qatar has consistently opposed eff orts to divide Syria. New York Agreement, repeal of the 2010 Dodd- tolerance and equality, sustained rule of law, once an abstract concept Now US President Donald Trump too has called for Frank fi nancial reforms, and much else by awareness of the bigotry and to many Americans, has become establishing safe zones in Syria aimed at stopping the that even his supporters dismissed. misogyny, whether hidden or open, concrete. n barely a month, US President I have, at times, criticised particular that Trump and his team embody. Under the rule of law, if the fl ow of people fl eeing the horrors of war. Donald Trump has managed to aspects and policies of the economic And this solidarity has gone global, government wants to prevent fi rms Trump had earlier criticised the European Union’s spread chaos and uncertainty – and security order created in the with Trump and his allies facing from outsourcing and off shoring, stance on receiving refugees, saying that “safe zones” Iand a degree of fear that would aftermath of World War II, based rejection and protests throughout the it enacts legislation and adopts will be an alternative for asylum and migration outside make any terrorist proud – at a on the United Nations, Nato, the democratic world. regulations to create the appropriate dizzying pace. European Union, and a web of other In the US, the American Civil incentives and discourage undesirable Syrian territories. Not surprisingly, citizens and institutions and relationships. Liberties Union, having anticipated behaviour. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan too has leaders in business, civil society, and But there is a big diff erence between that Trump would quickly trample It does not bully or threaten renewed his call for the establishment of a safe zone government are struggling to respond attempts to reform these institutions on individual rights, has shown that particular fi rms or portray traumatised in northern Syria, an area he says should be free from appropriately and eff ectively. and relationships to enable them to it is as prepared as ever to defend key refugees as a security threat. terrorists and should include a “no-fl y zone.” Any view regarding the way serve the world better, and an agenda constitutional principles such as due America’s leading media, like The forward is necessarily provisional, as that seeks to destroy them outright. process, equal protection, and offi cial New York Times and The Washington “Our objective here is (to establish) an area of at least Trump has not yet proposed detailed Trump sees the world in terms of a neutrality with respect to religion. Post, have so far refused to normalise 4,000, 5,000sq km free from terrorism, to create a safe legislation, and Congress and the zero-sum game. And, in the past month, Americans Trump’s abnegation of American zone,” Erdogan said during a visit to Bahrain, echoing courts have not fully responded to his In reality, globalisation, if well have supported the ACLU with values. similar remarks in the past that the zone would alleviate barrage of executive orders. managed, is a positive-sum force: millions of dollars in donations. It is not normal for the US to have But recognition of uncertainty is not America gains if its friends and allies – Similarly, across the country, a president who rejects judicial the burden of accommodating Syrian refugees. The a justifi cation for denial. whether Australia, the EU, or Mexico companies’ employees and customers independence; replaces the most Turkish president added that the area would also require On the contrary, it is now clear that – are stronger. have expressed their concern over senior military and intelligence a “no-fl y” zone. what Trump says and tweets must be But Trump’s approach threatens CEOs and board members who offi cials at the core of national security With the humanitarian situation in Syria deteriorating taken seriously. to turn it into a negative-sum game: support Trump. policymaking with a far-right media by the day, it is imperative that the global community Following the election in November, America will lose, too. Indeed, as a group, US corporate zealot; and, in the face of North there was near-universal hope that he That approach was clear from leaders and investors have become Korea’s latest ballistic missile test, seriously considers Qatar’s proposal to establish a ‘safe would abandon the extremism that his inaugural address, in which his Trump’s enablers. promotes his daughter’s business haven’ in the war-torn country. defi ned his campaign. repeated invocation of “America fi rst,” At this year’s World Economic ventures. Surely, it was thought, this master with its historical fascist overtones, Forum Annual Meeting in Davos, But when we are constantly of unreality would adopt a diff erent affi rmed his commitment to his ugliest many salivated over his promises barraged by events and decisions To Advertise persona as he assumed the awesome schemes. of tax cuts and deregulation, while that are beyond the pale, it is easy to responsibility of what is often called Previous administrations eagerly ignoring his bigotry – not become numb and to begin looking [email protected] the most powerful position in the have always taken seriously their mentioning it in a single meeting that past major abuses of power at the Display world. responsibility to advance US interests. I attended – and protectionism. still-greater travesties to come. Telephone 44466621 Fax 44418811 Something similar happens with But the policies they pursued Even more worrying was the One of the main challenges in this every new US president: regardless usually were framed in terms of an lack of courage: it was clear that new era will be to remain vigilant and, Classified of whether we voted for the new enlightened understanding of national many of those who were concerned whenever and wherever necessary, to Telephone 44466609 Fax 44418811 incumbent, we project onto him our interest. about Trump were afraid to raise resist. – Project Syndicate image of what we want him to be. Americans, they believed, benefi t their voices, lest they (and their BLOB Joseph E. Stiglitz, a Nobel Subscription But, while most elected offi cials from a more prosperous global companies’ share price) be targeted laureate in economics, is University [email protected] welcome being all things to all people, economy and a web of alliances among by a tweet. Professor at Columbia University and Trump has left no room for doubt that countries committed to democracy, Pervasive fear is a hallmark of Chief Economist at the Roosevelt he intends to do what he said: a ban human rights, and the rule of law. authoritarian regimes, and we are now Institute. His most recent book is 2017 Gulf Times. All rights reserved on Muslim immigration, a wall on the If there is a silver lining in the seeing it in the US for the fi rst time in The Euro: How a Common Currency border with Mexico, renegotiation Trump cloud, it is a new sense of my adult life. Threatens the Future of Europe. Gulf Times Friday, February 24, 2017 15 COMMENT Ensuring Euro-Atlantic security

Initiatives to improve the through a new Nato-Russia Military Crisis Management Group. Euro-Atlantic security This initiative should accompany landscape eff orts to restart bilateral military-to- military dialogue between the US and Russia. By Des Browne, Wolfgang Ischinger, The focus should be on increasing Igor Ivanov, and Sam Nunn transparency and trust on all sides. Munich zWe must reduce the risk of a mid- air incident leading to a political or military confl ict. he chasm between Russia and Increased military activity in areas the West appears to be wider where Nato and Russia both operate now than at any point since now poses an unacceptably high risk Tthe Cold War. to civilian air traffi c. But, despite stark diff erences, Countries that are active in the there are areas of existential common Baltic Sea region, for starters, should interest. exchange “due regard” regulations – As we did during the darkest days of the national operating procedures that the Cold War, Americans, Europeans, state aircraft must follow when in the and Russians must work together proximity of civilians. to avoid catastrophe, including by Technical support for greater air preventing terrorist attacks and transparency would also signifi cantly reducing the risks of a military – or reduce the risk of a mid-air collision. even nuclear – confl ict in Europe. Europe, the US, and Russia are Ever since the historic events of confronting a range of signifi cant 1989-1991 changed Europe forever, issues today. each of us has been involved in Euro- But none should distract attention Atlantic security, both inside and from the important goal of identifying outside of government. a new policy framework, based on Through it all, eff orts to build existential common interests, that can mutual security in the Euro-Atlantic stop the downward spiral in relations region have lacked urgency and and stabilise Euro-Atlantic security. creativity. devastating wars in the Middle East Today, the risk of an accidental or forces on “prompt-launch” status, America, and beyond, it may try to The practical near-term steps that As a result, the Euro-Atlantic space and North Africa. mistaken nuclear ballistic-missile whereby they are ready for immediate acquire and detonate a radiological- we have identifi ed here are the right has remained vulnerable to political, And Western-Russian relations launch is unnecessarily high. launch and can hit their targets within dispersal device, commonly known as place to begin. We need to start now. – security, and economic crises. are dangerously tense, increasing A starting point for minimising minutes. a “dirty bomb.” It is especially urgent Project Syndicate In the absence of new initiatives the risk that an accident, mistake, the threat could be a new declaration The United States and Russia should that the US, Russia, and Europe lead by all parties, things are likely to get or miscalculation will precipitate a by the Russian and US presidents commit to begin discussions on a global eff ort to secure the most zDes Browne, a former British worse. military escalation – or even a new reaffirming that a nuclear war removing a signifi cant percentage of vulnerable nuclear and radiological secretary of state for defence, is Chair Terrorist attacks have struck war. cannot be won and must never be strategic nuclear forces from prompt- materials around the world. of the European Leadership Network. Moscow, Beslan, Ankara, Istanbul, The fi rst step in acting to advance fought. launch status at a later date. In particular, there is an urgent need zWolfgang Ischinger, a former Paris, Nice, Munich, Brussels, our common interests is to identify This would mirror the joint This, together with the declaration to cooperate on securing radiological German deputy foreign minister, is London, Boston, New York, and pursue concrete, practical, near- statement made by former US proposed above, would set a strategic sources. Chairman of the Munich Security Washington, and other cities – and term initiatives designed to reduce President Ronald Reagan and former direction for reducing the nuclear Many facilities using these Conference. those responsible for carrying them risks, rebuild trust, and improve the Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev, threat. materials today are vulnerable, but zIgor S. Ivanov, a former Russian out are determined to strike again. Euro-Atlantic security landscape. which was well received in both zWe must reduce the threat of the estimated date for securing them foreign minister, is President of the Thousands of people have been There are fi ve key areas that such countries, and marked a new eff ort to nuclear and radiological materials globally is 2044. Russian International Aff airs Council. killed in Ukraine since 2013, and more initiatives should cover. improve relations. falling into the wrong hands. zWe must reduce the risks of a zSam Nunn, a former Democratic are dying in renewed fi ghting today. z We must reduce the danger of a zWe must reduce the risks As the Islamic State looks for new military confrontation by improving US senator, is Co-Chairman and CEO Innocent refugees are fl eeing the nuclear weapon being used. associated with keeping nuclear ways to export terror to Europe, North military-to-military communication of the Nuclear Threat Initiative. Weather report Educating Nigeria’s survivors Three-day forecast TODAY High: 24 C By Kevin Watkins With livelihoods collapsing as out of school, more than any other Despite the economic recession, farmers fl ee their lands and the country in the world – and 60% live in the authorities have also pledged to Low : 17 C Abuja Inshore: Partly cloudy to cloudy with economy declines, that number is set the northeast. allocate around $1bn of humanitarian scattered rain at first and night may to rise sharply. Failure to equip these children with support for the northeast. be thunder at times at places. wo-year-old Bintu Mustapha High background poverty rates the opportunities that come with It is critical that it acts on this is the human face behind – already in excess of 50% in the education will trap them in a cycle commitment – and that it puts SATURDAY the hidden humanitarian northeast – exacerbate the eff ects of of poverty, undermining growth, in place the programmes needed High: 22 C catastrophe now unfolding in confl ict and displacement. weakening livelihoods, and creating to end the region’s persistent Low: 15 C T P Cloudy northeast Nigeria. As ever, children are bearing the fertile ground for recruitment by marginalisation. Her body wasted and stomach brunt. militant organisations. Third, the neglect of education distended by hunger, Bintu’s life hangs Those like Bintu Mustapha are the The response to the crisis in must end. by the nutritional drip inserted in her lucky ones. northeast Nigeria has been desperately Borno’s governor, Kashim SUNDAY hand. She was carried for two weeks by inadequate. Shettima, an Islamic scholar and High: 22 C Too weak to move, she is one of 30 her mother to the nutrition clinic Last year, aid donors and UN self-professed beneficiary of what Low: 13 C children being treated at a Save the in Maiduguri from an area recently agencies failed spectacularly to act he describes as “Western education,” M Sunny Children emergency nutrition clinic in liberated from Boko Haram. Many with the urgency the crisis demanded. has made reconstruction of the Maiduguri, the capital of Borno State others don’t make it. Less than half of the UN’s sector the state’s single largest – and the area worst aff ected by the Death rates from hunger, diarrhea, humanitarian appeal was funded. budget priority this year. Fishermen’s forecast Nigerian government’s drive to end and pneumonia are soaring. Almost Meanwhile, the last Nigerian To its credit, the World Bank has OFFSHORE DOHA the Boko Haram insurgency. half a million children are facing government, struggling with an also put in place a $100mn facility Wind: NE-NW 10-20/30 KT As aid donors gather in Oslo for the prospect of severe and acute economic downturn, failed to mobilise to support education recovery in Waves: 3-6/12 Feet a conference aimed at mobilising malnutrition, 300,000 of them in suffi cient resources – and it was slow Nigeria’s northeast. INSHORE DOHA Wind: NW-NE 08-18/25 KT support for northeast Nigeria, the Borno alone. to call for international support. Yet UN agencies and donors have Waves: 1-3/4 Feet stakes could hardly be higher. Famine-like conditions are The Oslo conference provides an eff ectively scripted education out of For tens of thousands of children emerging in some areas. In the absence opportunity to make a new start. the humanitarian appeal. Around the region like Bintu, this is – literally – a life-or- of an eff ective response, some 200 Three urgent priorities stand out. It’s tough to think of a more Weather Weather death moment. children, on average, could die each First, aid donors need to commit shortsighted approach. today Max/min tomorrow Max/min Success in Oslo could bring hope day this year. now to the $1bn needed to reach Given that the denial and Abu Dhabi P Cloudy 28/20 P Cloudy 24/19 and the prospect of recovery for It’s not just nutrition indicators around 7mn of those in need. destruction of economic opportunity Baghdad Sunny 22/06 Sunny 23/07 Dubai Cloudy that are in free fall. Children born in An eff ective humanitarian response has been at the heart of the P Cloudy 29/21 26/21 millions of vulnerable people. Kuwait City Sunny 21/09 Sunny 22/10 Failure will cost lives. northeast Nigeria, especially girls, requires predictable and assured insurgency, there is no better way to Manama Sunny 20/14 Sunny 21/13 The scale of the crisis has yet face some of the world’s most limited funding to underpin the necessary deliver a peace dividend than to invest Muscat M Sunny 28/21 M Sunny 27/21 to register with the international opportunities for education. investments in nutrition, livelihoods in education. Riyadh P Cloudy 18/08 M Sunny 18/08 community. Fewer than half of Borno’s children and food security. That is why the UN’s special envoy Tehran Sunny 13/02 Sunny 14/02 The humanitarian emergency in make it through primary school. Rural As one of the conveners of the for education, Gordon Brown, has northeast Nigeria is the country’s girls in the state average less than two conference, Germany should be rightly called for the creation of a new most serious since the Biafra famine in years of schooling. working with other major donors – global facility to support education in the 1960s. The combination of confl ict, notably the United Kingdom and the confl ict-aff ected countries. As the Nigerian army has pushed destruction of education United States – to broaden and deepen Ensuring that children like Bintu into areas previously controlled by infrastructure (around 1,200 schools humanitarian support. Mustapha survive is the most Boko Haram, more than 2mn people have been destroyed), and Boko Second, the Nigerian government immediate priority. have been displaced. Haram’s attacks on schoolchildren has to step up its eff orts. Giving them a chance to thrive Huge pockets of previously hidden – most notoriously with the 2014 There are encouraging signs. through education is the only sound deprivation are coming into view as abduction of 276 girls from Chibok – President Muhammadu Buhari’s foundation for a lasting peace. – the military retakes territory. has forced half a million students to government has placed one of its most Project Syndicate Over 14mn people are in urgent need abandon their studies. able ministers, Zainab Ahmed, at the of assistance in the states of Borno, This matters for Nigeria’s future. head of the humanitarian response zKevin Watkins is the CEO of Save the Adamawa, and Yobe alone. The country has 10mn children team. Children UK. Live issues

Around the world Weather Weather How to look gorgeous beyond 30s today Max/min tomorrow Max/min Athens Sunny 18/10 S Showers 19/11 Beirut Sunny 18/12 Sunny 19/13 Bangkok S T Storms 32/26 S T Storms 32/26 IANS only are they safer, easier and cheaper, muscle mass so that it doesn’t decline zHydration is the key to flawless Berlin Rain&Snow 04/-2 M Cloudy 07/03 New Delhi but also require much less downtime with age. Get a personal trainer to and radiant skin. Layer up with Cairo Sunny 23/11 Sunny 26/12 than previous solutions. Don’t be help you with the intensity of your hydrating products that penetrate Cape Town M Sunny 25/18 Cloudy 22/16 afraid of minor procedures to defi ne workout. The key is to replace long the skin making it plumper, Colombo P Cloudy 32/24 S T Storms 32/24 Sunny Sunny 29/16 he ravages done unto your your cheekbones and get rid of those easy cardio sessions with short high- younger-looking and leaving you Dhaka 30/16 Hong Kong Cloudy 16/14 Cloudy 15/13 skin by environmental factors ‘parenthese’ lines running from your intensity interval training sessions. with a natural glow from within. Istanbul Sunny 16/10 S Showers 16/06 become visible as you age and nose to the corners of your mouth. Squats, jumping jacks, and stationary We’ve all heard of the Korean Jakarta T Storms 31/24 S T Storms 31/24 dark spots and discolouration zYour 40s are the perfect time to sprints are your best bet. beauty favourite – sheet mask, a Karachi Sunny 32/18 Sunny 33/18 T London P Cloudy 09/04 Cloudy 11/09 begin to appear. But it doesn’t need to give your hair a makeover. Women in zThe best gift you can give your cloth saturated with skin loving Manila S T Storms 31/24 P Cloudy 32/24 be that way, says an expert. their 40s are nothing but self-assured skin is anti-oxidants. Go ahead, fi ll ingredients. Perfect for all skin types Moscow Rain& Snow 05/-3 Cloudy -1/-8 Sapna V Roshni, Cosmetic Surgeon, and at the top of their game. Get a up on nutrient-packed foods which leaving your skin deeply hydrated, it New Delhi Sunny 27/13 Sunny 29/14 Cocoona Centre of Aesthetic haircut to suit this new phase of life. will help you fi ght disease, feel more works as an anti-ageing treatment. New York P Cloudy 18/12 S T Storms 15/04 Transformation, suggests how to Whether it’s a new colour palette you energetic, and even lose weight. The Drink a couple more glasses of water Paris P Cloudy 08/-1 M Sunny 11/05 Sao Paulo T Storms T Storms 28/20 appear younger no matter what your can dress your hair in or a completely best anti-oxidants for your skin every day to keep your body and skin 31/21 Seoul M Sunny 04/-3 Sunny 08/-4 age is: new hairstylist, go for it. are found in colourful fruits and in great shape. Singapore T Storms 32/24 T Storms 32/24 zInjectables, lasers, and radio zThe muscular strength in women vegetables. Eat the rainbow across a zUse an SPF of 30, whether you’re Sydney P Cloudy 26/20 Showers 22/19 frequency address even the smallest peaks between ages 20 and 30. The week and see your skin glowing and relaxing at home or out on a rainy Tokyo Clear 12/05 Cloudy 11/02 age-related changes over time. Not goal for you now is to maintain your body healthy. day. Gulf Times 16 Friday, February 24, 2017 QATAR

Alfardan Jewellery IWC upbeat on set to off er more Qatari market choices for women lfardan Jewellery, one of repertoire of the Vacheron By Ramesh Mathew the main participants at Constantin luxury collections, Staff Reporter Athe ongoing Doha Jew- the jewellery has displayed the ellery and Watches Exhibition brand’s latest watch creation, (DJWE) at the Doha Exhibi- the world’s most sophisticated number of Qatari watch tion and Convention Centre, watch featuring 23 diff erent connoisseurs are not only has several regional and global complications brought exclu- Abrand conscious but also brands in its pavilion. sively to the exhibition. equally rich in their awareness Alfardan Jewellery were the Vacheron Constantin’s area about the unique features of the pioneers of the DJWE as it had sales manager (Middle East), premium and limited edition held independent shows be- Ziad al-Rifai, said that “in a timepieces, said a senior offi cial of tween 1977 and 2002 in Doha, bold move, Vacheron Con- IWC Schaff hausen, one of the top the company said yesterday. stantin unveiled its most com- brands among acclaimed Swiss On show are exclusive col- plicated wristwatch to date to watches. lections from more than 63 the Qatari market with the Les A model displaying a range of items from Alfardan Jewellery. Speaking to Gulf Times yester- Luc Rocherureau is hopeful that IWC Schaff hausen would record international brands includ- Cabinotiers Celestia Astro- day at the ongoing Doha Jewellery impressive growth in coming years in Qatar. PICTURE: Thajudheen ing Chopard, Christian Dior, nomical Grand Complication bold and new look with inspira- Furthermore, Alfardan Jew- and Watches Exhibition (DJWE), Piaget, Vacheron Constantin, 3600 that took around 10 years tional campaigns and off ers for ellery features exclusive pieces IWC Schaff hausen (Middle East) jeweller’s magnifi cent pavilion at Doha,” said Rocherureau. He is Faberge, deGrisogon, Ada- in the making and the work of a the country’s women. by Noudar, courtesy of designer brand director Luc Rocherureau the DJWE. Many unique pieces, equally confi dent of the brand’s mas Milano, Antoine Hakim, single master watchmaker. The group has also an- Noor Alfardan, an award-win- said their brand, which is ‘one of starting from $6,000 to over growth in the local market as well. Chaumet, Corum, Girard Per- Under the leadership of Dana nounced the arrival of many ning Qatari designer who sells the most preferred choices of ce- $100,000 are available during the IWC Schaff hausen, it is learnt, regaux/JR, Khalil Al Sayegh and Alfardan, who was recently ap- new timepieces of the world’s her inspiring jewellery only at lebrities’ from such areas as sport, expo. is also contributing considerably many more. pointed vice-president, the fi nest jewellery brands soon in Alfardan jewellery showrooms fi lms and music, has recorded a The company’s Big Pilot’s to the uplift and welfare of less Among the existing Alfardan jewellery house is set to enjoy a Doha. in Doha. steady growth in the local market watch annual calendar edition fortunate sections such as diff er- over the last several years. ‘Le Petit Prince’ is also among the ently able children as part of their Footballer and manager of models for sale at the exhibition. corporate social responsibility. Visitors embrace the celebrity glamour of Studio Harcourt Arsenal Arsene Wenger, world Not more than 250 pieces of this The company, which is turning record holder Usain Bolt and In- model have been made for sale 150 years soon, was established dian cricketer Rahul Dravid are and this is the fi rst IWC Pilot’s by an American who pioneered Studio Harcourt, the world- the exhibition which can be among the sports ambassadors watch with an annual calendar. sweeping changes in the Swiss famous photographers who treasured for many years. associated with the brand. “There is remarkably good vis- watchmaking industry by calling have told the story of some of “Participation and interest Locally sold by Al Majed Jew- ibility for the watch among lov- people to work from factories in- the greatest film celebrities since in Studio Harcourt has been ellery, IWC displays no less than ers of timepieces in major mar- stead of their homes, which was the 1940s, are giving visitors to overwhelming. So far we have 50 of their top end watches at the kets across the world, including the accepted norm those days. this year’s Doha Jewellery and welcomed hundreds of visitors Watches Exhibition (DJWE) an and we are looking forward to exclusive opportunity to have receiving many more,” Harcourt their portraits taken. Studio general secretary George Recreated for the first time Hayter said. Created in 1934, outside of Paris, Studio Studio Harcourt has exceptional Harcourt gives visitors a unique know-how in the world of Diamond trader on experience in the privacy of its portraits, which has been quiet studio space. transmitted from generation to Drawing its inspiration from the generation. stylish world of black-and-white Renowned for taking the The Studio Harcourt gives DJWE visitors a chance to experience a cinema, and through its unique portraits of a variety of real celebrity moment. a mission to change lighting, Studio Harcourt reveals international icons, from royalty the natural beauty and character to famous rock musicians, Studio quality of the picture. I am very to take part in this exceptional of every sitter. Harcourt off ers visitors to DJWE pleased with the results, and will experience. Visitors to DJWE 2017 have the a rare opportunity to enjoy a be advising friends to go and This premier visitor engagement benefit of Studio Harcourt’s moment of glamour. try it for themselves,” beauty activity held at DJWE 2017 customer perceptions professional make-up artists “I thoroughly enjoyed the Studio blogger Merin Tom said. reinforces the country’s position and expert direction and Harcourt session. It felt like a real The Studio Harcourt portrait as a premium business events guidance, which ensures they Hollywood moment: from the sessions are complimentary destination. The exhibition is By Ramesh Mathew also has a pear-shaped dual piece receive a movie-star portrait red carpet entrance to guidance with no prior booking necessary, brought to its visitors by Qatar Staff Reporter which, he said, costs no less than – an enchanting memento of from the photographer and the welcoming all visitors to DJWE Tourism Authority. $3mn in the diamond market. “It took me more than two years to p and coming diamond get the fi rst piece. The units were merchant from Antwerp, collected from Belgium and the USiddhant Rakyan is on a US. mission. The 30-year-old jewel- There is also a rare American Authenticity defi nes Valentina Callegher DiGo ler is exploring ways and methods blue diamond, which is prized to bring some changes in the per- at $700,000. “I’m amazed by ceptions of the customers across the awareness some of the locals By Joey Aguilar precious stones, its classic line the world. have about diamonds when they Staff Reporter or the semi-precious stones and “That’s why I’m here with visited my booth,” said Rakyan opals from diff erent collections. only diamond stones and not whose family also runs outlets in Minguzzi said their products diamond-studded ornaments,” New York, Mumbai and Dubai. f it is 100% fi ne Italian jew- are presented in diff erent mate- said Rakyan, one of the youngest At the ongoing DJWE, Vitraag is ellery, it must be Valentina rials and in diff erent colours of exhibitors at the Doha Jewellery running a booth at Alfardan Jew- Siddhant Rakyan at DJWE. ICallegher DiGo, claims the the gold such as white, rose, and and Watches Exhibition (DJWE). ellery pavilion. PICTURES: Thajudheen company’s sales & marketing yellow, among others to have A fi rst timer at the DJWE, manager Gian Luca Minguzzi. a new look. Like other famous Rakyan is from an Indian family “It is very important to keep brands, he believes that symbols which has a more than 100-year- this identity: the tradition, cul- and motifs are an inspiration in old tradition in the business of ture, and history are present in jewellery designing. diamonds. The young entrepre- all our business,” he told Gulf “They are attractive for la- neur from Belgium, who repre- Times in the Blue Salon pavilion dies, and 99% we are doing sents his own fi rm Vitraag, is of at Doha Jewellery and Watches jewelleries for ladies. They love the opinion that the jewellery Exhibition yesterday. Valentina Callegher DiGo’s Minguzzi shows some of their to see these motifs from the na- part of diamonds should be left Owned by the Callegher fam- collections. PICTURE: Thajudheen ture such as leaves, butterfl ies, to the customers themselves. ily, the company has a 40-year- they are our fi rst inspiration,” he “Let the collectors buy diamond old factory in Valencia, a town in for others as well. “When we add an extra, new twist, young, stressed. stones and entrust it to their loyal Italy where most of the people study design, we always keep in modern, but simple.” Minguzzi, who fi rst visited craftsmen,” he said. work in the jewellery business. mind that it must be something Valentina takes inspiration Doha in 2004, said he knows Rakyan has brought along nu- According to Minguzzi, Val- unique, even to the smallest de- from the nature, from fl owers to the Qatari market very well — a merous diamond stones cost- entina designs and manufac- tail,” he noted. “When we de- butterfl ies, taking advantage its market that is growing much ing well over $100,000 each. He This pear-shaped diamond pair costs more than $3mn. tures jewellery in this factory sign something classic, we try to tradition of producing jewellery: faster and evolving a lot. Portuguese designer makes an Time workshops provide impact with Qatar-specifi c pieces insight for watch lovers he 14th Doha Jewellery Objectif Horlogerie ticipants in the coming days.” and Watches Exhibition introductory workshops Objectif Horlogerie introduc- By Ramesh Mathew T(DJWE) brought this reveal the secret life of tory workshops reveal the se- Staff Reporter year’s visitors a rare opportu- a timepiece before it cret life of a timepiece before nity to become a watchmaker- reaches the windows of it reaches the windows of the for-a-day with workshops the luxury stores luxury stores … the parts that ortuguese jeweller and de- from world-renowned spe- ensure a smooth mechani- signer Maria Joao Bahia, cialists Objectif Horlogerie. dred participants will have cal movement and the time- Pwho made her debut in the Established in Paris, Objec- received their accredited di- honoured handcrafting that is Qatari market at the last edi- tif Horlogerie’s ‘First Time’ ploma to mark this significant inherent to each piece. tion of the Doha Jewellery and watchmaking classes allow moment of time. They have hosted five to six Watches Exhibition, is a doubly enthusiasts to experience Jean Yves Goldman, Co- complimentary watchmaking confi dent entrepreneur now. the indescribable emotion of founder of Objectif Hor- sessions per day, limited to She has not only studied the mastering time. logerie, said, “I am extremely four participants. real requirements of her Qatari Under the tuition of co- happy to introduce visitors of Reinforcing the country’s customers but has also come out founders, Jean Yves Goldman DJWE to the fascinating world position as a premium busi- with designs and patterns that and Samir Khemici, workshop of watchmaking. Participants ness events destination, the would go down well to win them attendees are observing and are very eager to learn and left annual luxury exhibition over. The jeweller from Lisbon, A diamond necklace with a participating in the watch- happy at their accomplish- welcomes over 500 brands who specialises in both diamonds pendant in the shape of a Qatar maker’s rituals gaining an in- ments. through 40 exhibitors from 10 and pearls, has displayed some of Maria Joao Bahia in her booth at Alfardan Jewellery pavilion. map. PICTURES: Thajudheen sight into the precision and “It is a great pleasure to countries, returning to show- her creations which have a direct complexity of watchmaking. pass on my enthusiasm to case their striking gemstone bearing with the lives of Qataris. signed bearing in mind the tastes con enthusiasts approached the for the making of her collections. These informative work- others at an esteemed event and accessories at Doha Exhi- “Whatever I have exhibited and interests of the Qatari people Portuguese designer to try her “Locally, ornaments made from shops are proving to be ex- such as this.” bition and Conference Center at my booth is unique by all ac- alone,” said the jeweller who ran head equipment on their pet fal- Tahiti pearls are in great demand, tremely popular; classes have He added, “the organisation in the heart of Doha’s business counts,” she said while showing an independent booth outside cons. even among the youngsters,” she good attendance, and all fu- of the event itself, the large district. some of her exhibits at her booth main pavilions last year. Another It has been her 35th year in said. ture classes are now fully space that we have been given Entry to DJWE 2017 is free at Alfardan Jewellery pavilion. Maria creation that caught the the business and the designer is “Whatever designs I have booked! within the venue, allow us to (reserved to visitors above 12) Among the notable pieces on attention of the locals is a head keen on making more Qatari spe- made from sapphire, ruby, em- So far 40 watch connois- ensure that we deliver classes and registration can be com- display at the booth is a necklace, cover for falcons. cifi c pieces for her local clientele. erald and diamonds are wholly seurs have enjoyed taking that everyone can enjoy. pleted at the venue or online which has a pendant shaped like At the start of the proceedings Kesh, South Sea, Akoya and Ta- diff erent from what others have part in the classes and by the “We are looking forward to at www.djwe.qa. The exhibi- Qatar map. “This has been de- yesterday, a couple of Qatari fal- hitis are the pearls mainly used exhibited, “ she insisted. end of the exhibition, a hun- welcoming more keen par- tion concludes tomorrow.