BUSINESS | Page 1 SPORT | Page 1

Commercial Al Ain seal Bank records fi nal spot at 9-month the expense INDEX net profi t of DOW JONES QE NYMEX QATAR 2-11 COMMENT 30, 31 QR491mn REGION 12 BUSINESS 1-7, 13-16 of fi ghting 18,161.94 10,484.09 50.36 ARAB WORLD 12, 13 CLASSIFIED 8-12 +75.54 +58.20 +0.42 INTERNATIONAL 14-29 SPORTS 1-12 Jaish +0.42% +0.56% +0.84% Latest Figures published in QATAR since 1978

WEDNESDAY Vol. XXXVII No. 10246 October 19, 2016 Muharram 18, 1438 AH

GULF TIMES www. gulf-times.com 2 Riyals

In brief Pedestrian safety

QATAR | Event in focus at Qatar Minister inaugurates hospitality expo HE the Minister of Economy and Commerce Sheikh Ahmed bin Jassim bin Mohamed al-Thani yesterday transport forum inaugurated the three-day Qatar Hospitality 2016 exhibition. The The survey, whose findings were the nearest signal in order to cross a road. event, being held at the Doha discussed at the Qatar Transport The offi cial also informed that 35% of Exhibition and Convention Center, Safety Forum 2016, revealed that a the accident sites had pedestrian fences provides a platform for businesses The World, the first of the 32 ships to dock at the Doha Port during the 2016/2017 majority of road mishaps involving along the median while speed radars such as hotels, restaurants, cafes cruise season, arriving yesterday. PICTURES: Noushad Thekkayil pedestrians took place on weekend could be found in 39% of the locations. and franchise investors to display evenings Meanwhile, a study of traffi c between their products and exchange their 4.45pm and 5.45pm in front of a popular expertise in their respective fields. By Ramesh Mathew mall in West Bay found that more than “We have witnessed during the Staff Reporter 62% of pedestrians were not using the past few years the development of zebra crossing there. Only 251 pedestri- tourism and hospitality sectors. That ans used the facility during this period development was driven by the huge The World survey on accidents involv- to cross the road. Also, some 2,860 ve- interest that the State of Qatar has ing pedestrians has highlighted hicles were found passing in one direc- expressed towards this sector, and Athe need for better facilities for Mohamed Kharbache speaking at the tion in the area over the one-hour pe- that was reflected in the National walkers as well as proper road usage Transport Safety Forum yesterday. riod, the study showed. Strategy for the Tourism sector awareness among them. A total of 2,233 road traffi c accident 2030,” Sheikh Ahmed said. Page 11 comes to Doha The survey, whose fi ndings were dis- gineering and director of QTTSC. deaths were recorded between 2005 cussed at the Qatar Transport Safety Overall, 32% of pedestrian accidents and 2014, it was observed. The high- AMERICA | Discussions By Joey Aguilar increase compared to the last season’s Forum 2016 in Doha yesterday, revealed taking place over the week occurred in est of 246 was registered in 2013, with Staff Reporter fi gure. As it expects an increase in the that a majority of road mishaps involv- the evening – between 6pm and 9pm, the fi gure coming down to 222 in 2014. Qatar attends anti-IS number of tourists from various parts ing pedestrians took place on weekend the study revealed. While there were 26 road fatalities per coalition conference of the world in the coming months, evenings. It was conducted by the Qatar Further, the study showed that 10% 100,000 people when the population Qatar has participated in a he largest private residential QTA has vowed to work hard in making Transportation and Traffi c Safety Cen- of accidents involving walkers took was 1.042mn in 2006, the number de- conference of army chiefs of staff in ship on the planet, “The World”, their stay in Qatar a memorable one. tre (QTTSC) at Qatar University (QU). place on Mondays, 11% on Tuesdays, clined to 10/100,000 in 2014 even as the the international coalition against IS, Tdocked at Doha Port yesterday, Tourism offi cials are also closely Addressing the forum, QTTSC fac- 11% on Wednesdays and 13% on Sun- number of residents rose to 2.235mn. which was held at Andrews Air Force marking the start of Qatar’s 2016/2017 co-ordinating with their partners to ulty member Mohamed Kharbache said days, respectively. These four days col- At the same time, the study found Base in US Maryland. HE the Chief cruise season. ensure visitors get a taste of authentic data gathered over the past three years lectively accounted for 45% of the total that there were 1,509 injuries in road of Staff of the Qatari Armed Forces Qatar Tourism Authority (QTA) of- Qatari hospitality. showed that 55% of pedestrian mishaps accidents in a week. traffi c accidents in 2005 (population: Major General Ghanim bin Shaheen fered a traditional welcome to the pas- Citing that its overseas offi ces in the took place from Thursdays to Saturdays, Kharbache said visits to several loca- 906,117), but the fi gure rose to 7,245 in al-Ghanim headed the Qatari sengers who live on board the luxury UK, France, Germany, Italy, Turkey, generally between 6pm and 9pm. tions where accidents had taken place 2014 (population: 2.235mn). delegation to the conference. The cruise ship as it travels to various parts Singapore, America and the GCC are “While Fridays accounted for 20% over the past three years revealed that While 95,186 road accidents were re- conference discussed anti terrorism of the world. It will stay in Doha for doing very well, QTA expressed confi - (of the accidents), Thursday and Sat- while 77% of these sites were close to ported in 2005, the number shot up by eff orts and developing clear two days before sailing to Muscat. dence that more cruise passengers from urday had fi gures of 16% and 19%, re- traffi c signals, not a single one had a pe- more than 2.5 times to reach 327,239 in strategies and joint mechanisms In a press statement, QTA said pas- these countries will visit Qatar soon. spectively,” said Kharbache, who pre- destrian bridge in the vicinity. He noted 2014. A total of 2.129mn road accidents to fight IS. On the sideline of the sengers of The World will be the fi rst During the 2015/2016 cruise season, pared the report along with Dr Khalifa that pedestrians needed to walk for a were registered during the decade. conference, Major General al-Ghanim to receive a “seamless tourist expe- more than 4,000 tourist visas had been al-Khalifa, dean of QU’s College of En- minimum of 800m on an average to reach To Page 11 met with the Commander of United rience” during their visit to Qatar’s issued to cruise passengers from the 10 States Central Command General tourist destinations. ships, which docked at Doha Port. Joseph Leonard Votel. During the The new entry procedure provides The Japanese “Peace Ship”, German meeting, the two sides reviewed tourists with ease in disembarking as MS Artania, and the American MV aspects of military co-operation they arrive at Doha Port so they can Seabourn Sojourn are among the ships between Qatar and the US. maximise the enjoyment of their trip that made their maiden voyages to Qa- in the country. tar last season. ARAB WORLD | Battle QTA explained that The World is QTA’s chief tourism development home to 165 residences with patrons offi cer Hassan al-Ibrahim said that Iraq makes gains from 45 countries staying in most cruise tourism forms an important in Mosul off ensive ports for several days. Some residents part of their strategy to increase the Tens of thousands of Iraqi forces live on board full time while many of number of visitor arrivals to Qatar. were making gains on the Islamic them visit occasionally throughout the Part of this strategy is to build and State group in Mosul yesterday in year. develop more tourism infrastructures an off ensive US President Barack The residential yacht is one of the in the country to welcome visitors. Obama warned would be a “diff icult 32 ships registered to arrive at Qatar’s “That is why we are placing great fight”. With the crucial battle in its shores for this cruise season from Oc- emphasis on streamlining all processes second day, Iraqi commanders said tober to April next year, carrying more related to cruise as well as develop- progress was being made as fighters than 50,000 passengers. ing the sector’s capacity to welcome a pushed on two main fronts against According to QTA, the number of large number of passengers,” the offi - the militants’ last stronghold in Iraq. cruise ships represents a three-fold cial added. Page 13

Cruise passengers enjoying a warm Qatari welcome at Doha Port yesterday.

Unesco resolution condemns Israeli actions

AFP quarters in Paris, after being approved is one of few international organisations Paris at the committee stage last week. that recognises Palestine as a member Referring throughout to “the oc- state. cupying power,” it condemns Israel for Israel suspended its co-operation with he UN cultural agency yester- restricting Muslims’ access to the Al- Unesco last week in response to the draft day adopted an Arab-sponsored Aqsa mosque compound – Islam’s third resolution and its ambassador, Carmel Tresolution condemning Israel’s holiest site – and criticises damage by Shama Hacohen, accused the Palestin- actions at a fl ashpoint holy site in East security forces to the site and nearby ians of playing “games” yesterday. Jerusalem. excavations. Israel is furious that the resolution The Unesco resolution on “occupied It is the latest episode in a series of refers to the Old City site in Jerusalem Palestine” was endorsed yesterday by rows at Unesco, which is responsible for by its Muslim name, Al-Aqsa or Al- the agency’s executive board at its head- protecting important heritage sites and Haram al-Sharif. Page 12 Gulf Times 2 Wednesday, October 19, 2016 QATAR

HE the Minister of Justice Dr Hassan Lahdan Saqr al-Mohannadi addressing the opening session of the second International Arbitration Conference yesterday. HE the Minister of Justice Dr Hassan Lahdan Saqr al-Mohannadi and other dignitaries attending the International Arbitration Conference in Doha yesterday. Justice Minister opens arbitration conference

QNA presented his ministry’s vision cial organs as examples. ards and related developments, a decade of QICCA, said arbitra- seminars and training courses It focuses on six main sub- Doha and strategy in the fi eld of arbi- He said that the Ministry of pointing out that this law is ex- tion is not just an alternative so- that qualifi ed a large number of jects: a review of the Qatari ar- tration, saying that arbitration is Justice puts arbitration at the pected to be issued in the near lution to resolving disputes, but arbitrators in several fi elds. bitration texts and related court playing a key and growing role at forefront of its priorities by cre- future. the easiest and shortest way to The second International Ar- rulings, the role of GCC arbi- nder the patronage of the local and international levels ating eff ective national arbitra- Al-Mohannadi added that reach quick solutions in accord- bitration Conference is being tration centres in developing an HE the Prime Minister as an alternative dispute resolu- tion system that meets inter- they also include holding train- ance with legal frameworks and organised by QICCA at Qatar investment-friendly environ- Uand Minister of Interior tion method. national standards in the fi eld ing programmes to prepare na- regulatory rules. Chamber in collaboration with ment, modern trends in arbitra- Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin HE al-Mohannadi said that of arbitration, adding that the tional cadres in the arbitration Sheikh Khalifa bin Jassim said the Ministry of Justice. tion, updating Qatari legislation Khalifa al-Thani, HE the Minis- Qatar has been using the system ministry has developed an ambi- fi eld through the Centre for Le- QICCA has managed to take ar- The second edition of the in- to create an attractive ground ter of Justice Dr Hassan Lahdan of arbitration in civil and com- tious plan for the development gal and Judicial Studies at the bitration in Qatar from free arbi- ternational conference aims to for investments, integration Saqr al-Mohannadi opened yes- mercial matters, both legislative of arbitration and will imple- Ministry of Justice, in collabo- tration to regulated institutional enhance the exchange of experi- between Qatari laws and inter- terday the second International and practical. ment this plan in co-operation ration with specialised national arbitration that relies on global ences and good practices in the national treaties to protect the Arbitration Conference, which At the legislative level, the with all national partners and and international institutions. basics and principles stemmed fi eld among global and regional rights of Qatari investors abroad coincides with the 10th anniver- provisions of Part 13 of the Civil centres of arbitration, lawyers Meanwhile, chairman of Qa- from the rules of United Nations experts who are taking part in and the role of the national judi- sary of the launch of Qatar Inter- and Commercial Procedure and arbitrators. tar Chamber and president of Commission on International the event. ciary in supporting and control- national Centre for Conciliation Law No 13 of 1990 (amended) The elements of this plan, he the Qatar International Center Trade Law (UNCITRAL). Besides, it will be a good op- ling commercial arbitration and and Arbitration (QICCA). The regulates arbitration in civil and said, include strengthening na- for Conciliation and Arbitration He added that the centre has portunity to promote the use implementation of the arbitra- conference brought together a commercial matters. tional legislative structure in the (QICCA), Sheikh Khalifa bin Jas- helped in achieving a qualitative of commercial arbitration as a tors’ rulings. number of legal experts, lawyers At the practical level, Qatar area of arbitration through the sim al-Thani, expressed hope leap in terms of the consolida- practical means to settle dis- The fi rst edition of the confer- and specialists in the fi eld of ar- made tangible achievements in preparation of a new draft law that the second International tion of arbitration in Qatar, and putes outside of the court, in an ence was held in Doha in 2008, bitration. the fi eld of arbitration, citing the in the fi eld of arbitration in civil Arbitration Conference, ad- contributed to the dissemina- attempt to speed up the process with the participation of the In a speech during the opening launch of QICCA and the estab- and commercial matters to keep dressing the opening session of tion of the arbitration culture in and help businesses avoid the heads of commercial arbitration session, the Minister of Justice lishment of the QFC and its judi- pace with international stand- the conference and to celebrate the Qatari private sector through troubles and costs involved. centres around the world. Gulf Times Wednesday, October 19, 2016 3 QATAR

QRCS personnel providing relief to the needy in Afghanistan. QRCS inaugurates major aid projects in Afghanistan

QNA Doha

delegation of Qatar Red Crescent Soci- Aety (QRCS) has visited Afghanistan to inaugurate a number of development projects completed by QRCS’s mission there over the past few months, in the fi elds of educa- tion, water, and healthcare. During the visit, meetings were held with representa- tives of partners like the Af- ghan Red Crescent Society (ARCS), the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), the World Health Organisation (WHO), the A tent colony built by QRCS in Afghanistan. Offi ce of the United Nations High Commissioner for port education in remote schools in Zurmat and Mir- have 2,868 students. Refugees (UNHCR), and the areas of the country. zaka Districts of Paktia. In Khost Province, the Afghan Ministry of Health. In partnership with the The $376,780 aid includ- delegation visited two Also, the delegation vis- Ministry of Education and ed classroom tents, desks, healthcare units covered by ited Paktia Province to open the Afghan Charitable seats, textbooks, station- a programme to operate 100 two new schools built as Foundation, educational aid ery, and lighting for the two health centres for two years, part of a programme to sup- was distributed to several schools, which together with a budget of $901,837. Gulf Times 4 Wednesday, October 19, 2016 QATAR

Some of the participants of the walkathon. HMC, ALF hold walkathon to promote heart health

s part of its ongoing mitment towards health recognise the signs and “Heart attacks are one of heart health cam- in Qatar, “The Al Faisal symptoms of a heart at- the biggest causes of death Apaign, Hamad Medi- Without Borders Founda- tack and provides advice on in Qatar each year, with over cal Corporation (HMC) in tion is proud to support what to do if a heart attack is 20,000 patient admissions partnership with the Al this walkathon and HMC’s suspected. to the Heart Hospital in 2015 Faisal Without Borders valuable heart health cam- It also provides the pub- for this and other heart re- Foundation (ALF), organ- paign. This walkathon is lic with tips on how to im- lated conditions – yet by ised a walkathon for mem- the latest example of our prove their heart heath by following healthy lifestyle bers of the public at City partnership with HMC, sharing information about habits, people can signifi - Center Doha recently. including the two very heart conditions and the cantly reduce their risk of The event was open to important health focused importance of maintaining heart disease,” explained members of the public and campaigns that we jointly a healthy heart. al-Naama. highlighted the importance launched earlier this sum- “For those who took part The heart health cam- of regular exercise and its mer: the Ramadan Vol- in the walkathon around paign highlights the leading role in preventing cardio- untary Blood Donation City Center Doha, the event risk factors that contribute vascular disease and other campaign and the National reinforced the need to make to heart disease. Inactiv- health disorders. Organ Donation cam- time in our daily routines for ity, being overweight, an HE Sheikh Faisal bin paign.” exercise and physical activ- unhealthy diet, smoking Qassim al-Thani, chair- Launched in September, ity,” said Mohammad al- and high blood pressure or man, the board of trus- HMC’s heart health cam- Naama, executive director cholesterol all increase an tees of ALF, explained paign is currently educat- and deputy CEO of HMC’s individual’s chances of car- the Foundation’s com- ing the public on how to Heart Hospital. diovascular disease.

Gulf Times 6 Wednesday, October 19, 2016 QATAR

First phase of Rota Youth Challenge Edutainment zone to be from Oct 26 to 29

each Out To Asia (Rota) with the right skills and tools to set up at Mall of Qatar announced yesterday that do so,” said Alistair Routledge, Rthe fi rst phase of its annual president and general manager he Gulf Organisation for Rota Youth Challenge: Leader- for ExxonMobil Qatar. Research and Develop- ship Training programme will The Rota Youth Challenge Tment (GORD) signed a take place from October 26 to 29. will put participants through memorandum of understand- More than 45 youth, male and real life challenges to equip ing yesterday with KidzMondo female, are to take part in the them with the skills to make to establish a sustainability- programme that runs from Oc- a meaningful impact in their themed edutainment zone in the tober 2016 to March 2017 under communities. Mall of Qatar. the sponsorship of ExxonMobil The programme will also help GORD founding chairman Dr Qatar. young people chart their career Yousef Alhorr and Kidz Holding The objective is to provide paths, and prepare them to be- chairman Ali Kazama signed the young people aged 16 - 26 in Qa- come qualifi ed ambassadors for MoU in the presence of Kidz- tar with the know-how to play Qatar and Rota at international Mondo-Doha general manager an active role in developing their conventions. Nabil Barakat and senior offi - communities. Rota’s community develop- cials from both sides. Participants will gain core ment manager Abdulla al-Bakri “GORD, which leads the sus- leadership, project and commu- said an enthusiastic group of tainability drive in the Mena nity service campaign manage- youth has enrolled in the pro- region, aims to promote a noble ment skills, and leverage their gramme, eager to develop their cause of educating the young goal setting capacities while net- skills and learn all they can from generation by infusing the prin- working with peers. the initiative. ciples of sustainability into their Throughout the programme, Rota, a member of Qatar Foun- souls and hearts,” Alhorr said on participants will work in groups dation for Education, Science the occasion. to complete a series of assigned and Community Development, The indoor theme park’s tasks and projects. will showcase distinguished GORD activity tackles yet an- “Qatar’s youth have the ca- projects following the successful other pillar of the Qatar Na- pacity to become leaders who completion of the programme at tional Vision 2030, while further can inspire and mobilise others. the Empower Youth Conference enriching children’s learning ex- They just need to be equipped in March 2017. perience. GORD Junior at Kidz- Mondo aims to educate chil- dren about sustainability and responsible use of resources Dr Yousef Alhorr, Ali Kazama and other off icials at the MoU signing ceremony yesterday. through fun-fi lled, interactive activities and games. video about the harmful eff ects ergy concepts in diff erent places home such as LED lights and so- sustainability best practices “The fascinating interac- of CO2 emissions on the over- with demo panels for CO2 emis- lar panels. throughout KidzMondo through tive activities will enable them all environment and how they sions and electricity generated. A GORD mascot, Greeno, will certifi cation plaques. to learn about concepts such as can (along with GORD) help to In waste management, kids also join the KidzMondo charac- GORD is also hosting Green energy or water preservation, save the environment in the long will collect scrap paper from ters Kozmo, Ëena, Dogzilla and Expo Forum 2016 from Novem- making sustainable structures, term. around the city, mix it in a mixer Leeloo to educate children about ber 7 to 9 at Ritz-Carlton Doha, and protecting the environ- Green Qatar 2030 challenge is machine, and add it to a recy- sustainability and environment with the support of Qatari Diar ment,” Alhorr said. a game that will make kids walk/ cling machine for paper to be protection through his stories. and the Supreme Committee for KidzMondo features a self- run around the theme park try- made out of it. They will receive By completing the edutain- Delivery and Legacy. suffi cient city built for and man- ing to make Qatar cleaner by a sheet of real recycled paper ment activities at GORD Junior, Renowned experts in vari- aged by children aged 2-14 who looking for sources of emissions which they will then use to write children will be able to earn a ous fi elds of sustainability are can assume the roles of over 80 and opportunities for carbon a letter to their parents. Green Advocate Certifi cate and expected to speak at the forum, professions and public services off -settings. The concept fol- In green home, kids will learn trained to reinforce green liv- which features Carbon & Cli- in a real life setting. lows the idea of searching for why energy saving bulbs are ing practices at their homes and mate Change Summit on No- On arrival at the GORD Jun- the (Green) treasure and collect- more environmentally friendly. spread the messages to their vember 7 and Sustainable Built ior station, children will be in- ing Carbo dollars. It will involve They will also learn about the families and friends too. Environment Conference on Off icials announce the first phase of the annual Rota Youth Challenge. troduced to GORD with a short installing several renewable en- elements that make up a green GORD will also promote November 8 and 9.

St Regis voted among top 100 hotels

he St Regis Doha was recently voted among Tthe top 100 hotels at the Condé Nast Traveller 2016 Read- ers’ Travel Awards, making it the only Qatar-based hotel to be included on the list and only the third in the region. The awards are a look back at the “best of the best that the travel world has to off er,” as vot- ed for by Condé Nast’s readers across various criteria, includ- ing service, design, culture and value for money, according to a press statement. Tareq Derbas, general man- ager of The St Regis Doha, said: “For The St Regis Doha to be voted among the top 100 hotels across the world at the Condé Nast Traveller 2016 Readers’ Travel Awards is a huge honour and we are immensely proud to be the only hotel in Qatar to have been featured on this prestigious list. It is a testament to the hard work and dedication of The St Regis Doha at every single level, and we look forward to retaining our place as the fi nest address in The St Regis Doha: top honour Qatar.” Gulf Times Wednesday, October 19, 2016 7 QATAR

Healthcare professionals head to breast cancer conference

By Joseph Varghese Staff Reporter

ver 2,500 healthcare profes- sionals from Qatar have al- Oready registered for the Qatar International Breast Cancer Confer- ence to be held on October 28-29, said Dr Sheikh Khalid bin Jabor al-Thani, chairman of Qatar Cancer Society. “The registration is continuing and we have also invited about 200 inter- national delegates,” he told a press con- ference yesterday. According to Sheikh Khalid, the main focus of the conference will be on the latest development in the treatment of breast cancer as well as the preventive steps to be taken against breast cancer. “The conference will provide a proc- ess that promotes quality health care for breast cancer patients and access to the latest developments of prevention, early detection, diagnosis and treat- ment information,” he highlighted. “There will be a number of work- shops on these aspects. Dr Sheikh Khalid bin Jabor al-Thani In addition, the conference will fo- cus on two areas mainly; psychological Age-wise incidence is more as people to be done in conquering it. There have support for the patients as well as early getting older and they are aff ected by been rarely any cases of male breast detection. the disease. There are also environ- cancer with only three in the last 15 It will discuss various methods of mental and lifestyle issues which are years.” treatment including the new develop- responsible for the disease. The conference is also approved by ments in breast cancer immunothera- “However, it is not alarming. It is still the Qatar Council for Healthcare Pro- py,” he explained. within control and just like any another fessionals for CPD points valid for 7.25 Sheikh Khalid observed that the in- country in the world, it is one of the credit hours. cidence of breast cancer is still on the leading types of cancer in Qatar. The registration fee for doctors is rise in the country.“The major factor “We have made great progress in QR150 and QR 100 for other healthcare is the increase of population in Qatar. combating the disease but still a lot has professionals.

Ford recalls 3 models Over 1,800 apply for camping permits he Ministry of Economy and Commerce, in col- he Ministry of Munici- process is progressing smooth- laboration with AlMana Motors, has announced pality and Environment’s ly, whether at the various gov- Tthe recall of Ford Expedition, F150 and Mustang, T(MME) Department of ernment centres or through model year 2011-2012, over a potential defect in the re- Environment Protection, Pro- MME website. programming of the powertrain control module. tectorates and Wildlife received “Al Mazrouah and the Sealine The MEC said the recall campaign comes within 1,866 requests from Qataris Areas are the most preferred ar- the framework of its ongoing eff orts to protect con- for the winter camping season eas,” he said while adding that sumers and ensure that car dealers follow up on ve- (2016- 2017) until yesterday after registering and paying the hicle defects and repairs. The MEC will co-ordinate afternoon. required deposit, applicants with the dealer to follow up on the maintenance and Saad Ibrahim al-Kaabi, gen- should go to the concerned unit repair works and communicate with customers to eral co-ordinator of the winter to fi nalise the necessary proce- ensure that the necessary repairs are carried out. camping, said the registration dures for camping. Gulf Times 8 Wednesday, October 19, 2016 QATAR Minister holds meetings in Tashkent Qatar attends OIC meeting in Tashkent

QNA Tashkent

atar participated in the 43rd session of the Coun- Qcil of Foreign Ministers of HE the Minister of State for Foreign Aff airs Sultan bin Saad al-Muraikhi yesterday met Ivory Coast Organisation of Islamic Co-op- Foreign Minister Abdullah Albert Toikeusse Mabri and Kyrgyz Foreign Minister Abdyldaev Erlan eration (OIC), which is being held on the sidelines of the 43rd session of the Council of Foreign Ministers of Organisation of Islamic in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. Co-operation (OIC), which is being held in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. Bilateral relations and means of Qatar’s delegation was headed developing them in addition to issues of common concern were reviewed. by HE the Minister of State for Foreign Aff airs Sultan bin Saad al-Muraikhi. The ministerial meeting dis- cussed the latest developments in Islamic countries, international issues of common concern, the fi ght against terrorism, disarma- ment and countering Islamopho- bia along with other topics. Minister al-Muraikhi yester- day met Maldives Foreign Min- ister Mohamed Asim on the side- lines of the 43rd session of the OIC council, which is being held in Tashkent in Uzbekistan. During the meeting, the two sides reviewed bilateral relations between the two countries and means of boosting and develop- ing them in addition to a set of issues of mutual interest. ‘Qatar supports eff orts to QFD signs pact to support promote international law’

QNA of Assistance in the Teach- ing Qatar’s belief in the ing, Study and Wider Ap- importance of this pro- Syrian White Helmets New York preciation of International gramme and the role played Law. by the Legal Codifi cation QNA resented by the Fund, seeks atar has paid par- Al-Qahtani said that Division. Doha to support the Syrian people ticular attention to Qatar supports all eff orts Al-Qahtani also ex- and provide eff ective re- Qthe promotion of that help the programme to pressed appreciation for sponse plans to crises that the international law and continue its task and pro- the eff orts of the United atar Fund for Devel- aff ect civilians, noting at the the rule of law at the na- vides fi nancial resources Nations Programme to as- opment, in collabo- same time to the continua- tional and regional levels. to achieve this, whether sist in the teaching, study, Qration with Qatar tion of the Fund’s work for In this context, Qatar was through the regular budg- dissemination and wider Red Crescent, has signed a the entry of relief and devel- keen on involving diplomats et or direct support from appreciation of Interna- grant agreement to support opment aid to the besieged and specialists in interna- States for the regional ses- tional Law and commend- Syrian Civil Defence Or- and aff ected areas. tional law in the sessions sions of the programme to ed the report of the Secre- ganisation ‘White Helmets’ He also expressed inter- of the United Nations Pro- enable the two laws and tary General on the issue. in order to provide it with est in partnership with the gramme of Assistance in the those concerned to inter- He stressed that the es- the heavy machinery and Qatar Red Crescent, which Teaching of International national law to participate, tablishment of the United equipment that are neces- oversees the implementa- Law, as it has continued to particularly from develop- Nations marked the begin- sary for the work of the civil tion and follow-up of the provide fi nancial support for ing countries that need to ning of a new era in inter- defence in the areas of con- grant provided to the Syrian the programme, based on its provide fi nancial resources national relations based fl ict which are witnessing Civil Defence, calling on all policy in which the interna- for the participation of on international law and military clashes. partners around the world tional law is one of its basic their candidates to those the rule of law, in order to Qatar Fund for Develop- to contribute to the recon- pillars. sessions. ensure the achievement ment said in a statement yes- struction of Syria and res- This came in a state- He stressed in the state- of the UN objectives, par- terday that this assistance for cue civilians. ment delivered by member ment that Qatar will con- ticularly the international the Syrian Civil Defence Or- The role of the White of Qatar’s delegation at the tinue to provide all possible peace and security. ganisation aims to enhance Helmets Organisation of 71st session of the United support for the United Na- He said there was a need their service capacities and to the Civil Defence of Syria Nations General Assembly tions Programme to assist to increase awareness of provide urgent assistance to represents in providing pro- Saud Meqbel al-Qahtani in the teaching of the In- the importance of interna- those aff ected. Off icials exchange documents after signing the agreement. tection to civilians from the before the UN Programme ternational Law, express- tional law. It also aims to support dangers of military actions their tasks in the delivery tools and to reduce the rate importance in helping the reconstruction projects of the and accelerate the process of aid to the needy fami- of environmental diseases Syrians and alleviate the dis- devastated areas. of recovery from the direct lies who suff er from the resulting from the fi res due astrous consequences of the For his part, Director eff ects of these actions, at ravages of armed confl ict, to shelling, the statement crisis on civilians, committed General of the Qatar Fund a time the organisation is reduce the severity of dam- added. to provide all forms of sup- for Development Khalifa suff ering many diffi culties age through the purchase of The statement emphasised port to save the lives of in- bin Jassim al-Kuwari said during the performance of necessary equipment and that the Fund attaches great nocent people and to support that the State of Qatar, rep- its duties.

Al-Kuwari arrives in Rome for Unesco campaign HBKU to hold community talk HE Dr Hamad bin Abdulaziz al-Kuwari, adviser at the Emiri Diwan and Qatar’s candidate for on breast cancer awareness the post of director general at the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural n support of Breast Can- covery to Biology and Treat- measures women can take tion. This is very impor- Organisation (Unesco), arrived cer Awareness Month, ment” tomorrow at 1pm at to reduce risk of the disease. tant because in the earlier yesterday in Rome. IHamad Bin Khalifa Uni- the HBKU Student Centre in Dr Decock, a researcher stages, breast cancer can The visit comes as part of the versity (HBKU) is organis- the Education City. investigating breast cancer be relatively easily treated, Qatari candidate’s ongoing ing a number of community The University will immunotherapy at QBRI, but this becomes very dif- election tours as he continues outreach initiatives to shed also set-up informational commented: “This aware- fi cult towards the end.” meetings with Italian off icials light on the importance of booths at the HBKU Stu- ness-raising campaign Breast cancer is the sec- that he started in September. prevention, early detection, dent Centre, the Gulf Mall helps people better under- ond highest cause of can- Dr al-Kuwari is also set to give and treatment. on October 21 and 22, and stand how diet and envi- cer-related deaths among a lecture tomorrow before the HBKU’s Qatar Biomedi- Qatar University on Octo- ronment contribute to the women worldwide and Mediterranean Universities cal Research Institute (QBRI) ber 24, where members of development and progres- among Qatari women, it is Union Forum at the invitation of scientists Dr Manale Karam the community can learn sion of cancer, and helps the most common cancer the union, during which he will and Dr Julie Decock, will be more about the prevalence make the public more with projections of a 60% explain his electoral programme holding a community talk on of breast cancer in Qatar aware of the benefi ts of increase in newly diagnosed that bears the slogan ‘Toward a “Breast Cancer: From Dis- and the region, as well as screening and early detec- cases over the next six years. New Momentum’ and his vision.

Katara, Omani Cultural Club Doha criminal court reviewing theft case sign agreement Doha Criminal The victim reported to watches were found Then, he travelled The Cultural Village Foundation- Court has reviewed the police the robbery and with him when he was abroad and sold some Katara has signed a cultural Athe case of a young police investigation led to searched upon his arriv- of the jewellery he had co-operation agreement with man accused of stealing the defendant, who was al, in addition to a sum of grabbed for QR36,000 to the Omani Cultural Club. The jewellery, luxury watches, outside Qatar after the in- QR9,700. pay off some of his debts. agreement comes within the cash and other valuables cident. During interrogation, He also told the police framework of Katara’s strategy estimated to be worth An arrest warrant was the defendant admitted the whereabouts of the aimed at providing an integrated QR5mn from a safe in his issued and he was arrested breaking into the house of other stolen things, which and ideal climate to promote neighbour’s house, local while entering the country his neighbour and stealing the victim later identifi ed. cultural and artistic movement in Arabic daily Arrayah re- through the airport. many valuable things from The case continues at the Qatari society. ported yesterday. Two of the stolen his safe. the court. Gulf Times Wednesday, October 19, 2016 9 QATAR

The all-new Mercedes-Benz E Class at the packed launch event. Right: The E Class positioned at the showroom. PICTURES: Noushad Thekkayil Mercedes-Benz V-Class, all-new E-Class launched asser Bin Khaled (NBK) “While the E-Class celebrates people and exemplary function- class include: Drive Pilot, Pre- Automobiles, the au- its new model for 2017, the V- ality with the high-class appeal, Safe, and Pre-Safe Plus, Active Nthorised distributors of Class comes to Qatar for the fi rst comfort, effi cient driving pleas- Brake Assist and Active Blind Mercedes-Benz in Qatar, has time marking to serve the de- ure and safety that distinguish Spot Assist. marked the launching of the all- mands of the individuals, fami- automobiles bearing the An all-new infotainment gen- new E-Class and the country de- lies and the corporate, thanks three-pointed star.” eration is making its debut in the but of the V-Class. to its multi-purpose usage and The all-new E-Class marks E-Class equipped with Comand NBK Holding chairman Sheikh Nawaf Nasser bin Khaled flanked by dignitaries at the launch event The grand launch event at capabilities,” he said. the world premiere of numerous Online. Its highlights, along- (supplied picture). St Regis Doha was in the pres- “The E-Class, at the core of technical innovations that ena- side the double display, include ence of NBK Holding chairman Merceds-Benz brand, in the past ble comfortable, safe driving on a the touch-sensitive controls ence. High-quality materials to off er optional 4-way lumbar armrests in two seat rows. They Sheikh Nawaf Nasser bin Kha- has repeatedly redefi ned the new level, plus a new dimension on the steering wheel and the with a pleasant touch and feel support and active seat ventila- can be folded forward intuitively led, diplomats, businessmen and standards in the executive-class in driver assistance. It is distin- new, intelligent graphic design and a harmonious colour con- tion with reversing fans to ensure to aff ord fast and easy access to other dignitaries. segment. Now it carries this guished with its good looking, of the Multifunction Telephony. cept, intricate details as well as a a consistent relative humidity at the rear. As an option, a folding Welcoming the guests, NBK tradition into the future with a appealing and with exceptional It allows mobile phones to be progressive and sensuous design the contact area with the leather table can be installed general manager Khalid Sha’aban wealth of top-class innovations exterior design, matched only charged and, at the same time, idiom convey outstanding high- seat for driver and front passen- between the single seats. said the new launches are in line that take safety, stress relief and by its exclusive interior style and connected to the vehicle’s exte- class appeal in the segment. ger. Established in 1957, NBK Au- with NBK Automobiles strat- comfort to a new level. high quality workmanship. rior aerial – with absolutely no The V-Class also sets new The seating in the rear allows tomobiles is Qatar’s exclusive egy to provide the Qatari market “The V-Class Mercedes- Some of the highlights of the need for cables or a telephone standards in comfort and vari- numerous confi gurations to meet distributor of three of the world’s with the latest Mercedes-Benz Benz, which is redefi ning the optional Driving Assistance holder. ability with a host of innova- any requirements. As standard, most respected, iconic brands: cars, off ering customers a wide multi-purpose vehicle (MPV), package that make the E-Class The interior of the V-Class is tions. The Mercedes-Benz MPV the MPV is equipped with four May Bach, Mercedes-Benz and range of choices and solutions. combines room for up to eight the most intelligent sedan in its a completely new MPV experi- is the only vehicle in the segment individual luxury seats with AMG.

The new Mercedes-Benz V-Class. NBK general manager Khalid Sha’aban addressing the launch event. Ooredoo’s online ‘safety campaign’ reaches families across Qatar

arly interest in Ooredoo’s ance between ensuring people can ing ‘Snapkidz’. Unlike Snapchat, online safety campaign has access the educational and com- the kid-friendly version of the Edemonstrated that fami- munity benefi ts of global social app only allows children to take lies in Qatar are looking for ways media channels, while still being photos and draw on their pic- to ensure a positive experience protected from stumbling across tures, but stops them from shar- online for themselves and their negative content. ing or receiving images, their families, the telecommunications To date, Ooredoo said the cam- location, and other sensitive provider has said. paign has covered some of ma- information. The campaign, hosted on Oore- ensure that parents and children solutions to protect our users from jor social media sites, including As well as top social media tips, doo Community (http://commu- know how to combat explicit con- the dark side of the Internet. The Snapchat and Instagram. Top tips the Ooredoo Community posts nity.ooredoo.qa), has posted three tent and stay safe when using their online safety campaign comple- for users include avoiding the ‘dis- off ers information for parents on topics related to online security computer. ments this investment, by provid- cover’ section, as well as a guide to how to educate children on cyber- and recorded more than 13,000 Fatima Sultan al-Kuwari, direc- ing people with the tools to screen customising privacy settings and security, as well as how to spot views in its fi rst three weeks, as tor, community and public rela- out inappropriate content across more. fraud calls and more. A new post is well as generating momentum via tions at Ooredoo, said: “Ooredoo a broad range of the most popular The online safety post for published weekly via the Ooredoo the company’s social media pages. believes in preserving Qatar’s social media sites.” Snapchat also recommends that Community, and will be available Ooredoo launched the online traditions and upholding its laws, With this campaign, Ooredoo parents with children under the in both English and Arabic, Oore- safety campaign in September to which is why we invest in the latest said it is looking to strike a bal- age of 13 ensure their child is us- doo said. Gulf Times 10 Wednesday, October 19, 2016 QATAR Agreement boost for ‘Health Changes to curriculum in Workplace’ programme at schools he Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) has signed Tan agreement with the General Electricity & Water Cor- poration (Kahramaa) to imple- ‘requires ment the “Health in the Work- place” Programme. The MoU aims to strength- en the co-operation between MoPH and Kahramaa with a approval’ view to carrying out the events and activities of “Health in the Workplace” programme to pro- chools have to get prior and review their educational mote the employees’ health and approval from the Pri- resources and make sure they to raise their awareness about Svate Schools Offi ce at are not in violation of the Qa- adopting a healthy lifestyle. the Ministry of Education and tari religious and social val- The agreement was signed by Higher Education before in- ues. Schools are accountable Sheikha Dr Anoud bint Moham- troducing any changes to the for this, and any violation will ed al-Thani, director, Health approved curriculum, local be dealt with accordingly by Promotion and Non-Commu- Arabic daily Arrayah reported the Ministry of Education and nicable Diseases, MoPH and yesterday. Higher Education. Abdul Rahman Ali al-Nemaah, The Education Institute at Private schools should teach director, Health, Safety and En- the Ministry of Education and Qatari history within their vironment Department, Kah- MoPH and Kahramaa officials at the signing ceremony. Higher Education has issued curriculum for one hour a ramaa. new regulations for private week from classes one to nine, Sheikha Anoud welcomed private institutions, and stressed Workplace” is one of the distin- about ways to overcome the tion that enjoys better health. schools in the country for aca- in addition to the Arabic lan- Kahramaa in joining the other that its success will contrib- guished programmes to enhance daily work pressure,” added al- The programme is also a part demic year 2016-2017. guage for Arab and Qatari stu- corporations and organisations ute to the promotion of healthy the employees’ health. Nemaah. of the National Nutrition and The Arrayah report ex- dents with four lessons a week participating in the programme, lifestyle among the employees, “Kahramaa is seeking to en- The “Health in the Work- Physical Activity Action Plan plained that the regulations from classes one to 10. These noting that the number of these as well as providing a safe and courage the employees to adopt place” programme comes as part 2011-2016 which includes lots specifi ed 10 main points for schools also have to teach Is- institutions currently exceeds healthy environment for them. healthy lifestyles in their daily of MoPH’s eff orts to promote the of important projects at the na- the academic mechanism in lamic religion to all Muslim 20, both from public and private Al-Nemaah said that the life, such as healthy nutri- employees’ health and to achieve tional level in line with NHS goal accordance with the condi- students in accordance with sectors. signing of the agreement with tion, physical activity inside the National Health Strategy 3 “Preventive Healthcare”, such tions of granting the operation a curriculum approved by the She added that MoPH is tar- MoPH comes within Kahramaa’s and outside the workplace, 2011-2016 goals to contribute to as reducing the prevalence rate license for educational insti- Ministry. geting the implementation of concern about the employees’ smoking cessation, in addi- the promotion of people’s health of chronic diseases and its re- tutes in the country. the programme at all public and health, noting that ‘Health in the tion to raising the awareness as well as building a new genera- lated deaths. Private schools should im- Private schools should plement the approved stand- implement the approved ards of either an international standards of either an or national curriculum and international or national register this through an of- curriculum and register fi cial written document. All this through an offi cial such schools should properly written document Qatar Airways service to Seychelles use the basic educational re- sources issued by the Ministry Schools should also pro- of Education, and make a wise vide each student an original selection of the supporting re- copy of the educational re- sources to better implement sources of such subject issued will ‘open up holiday haven’ their accredited curriculum. by the Ministry, and the an- All private schools have to nual school plan for these three abide by the religious prin- subjects should be approved by atar Airways will launch daily business and leisure destinations around travelling with Qatar Airways, we ensure Seychelles Tourism Board CEO Sherin ciples, and provisions of the the Ministry. fl ights from Doha to the Seychelles the world via the airline’s hub in Doha. that our passengers’ dream holiday starts Naiken added: “The Seychelles Tourism local Qatari heritage and so- In general, private schools Qon December 12, providing trav- The airline’s “expanding global reach and with an extraordinary journey on board, Board is very happy to welcome Qatar Air- cial and cultural values while have to abide by conditions, ellers with “greater access to the idyllic modern fl eet” will take travellers to places where they truly experience the warmth ways. We are looking forward to building a selecting their educational circulars and regulations is- white sand beaches and turquoise waters” around the world, including new destina- of Middle Eastern hospitality, world- partnership with the airline that will foster resources. Besides, they have sued by the Ministry of Edu- of the popular tourist destination in the tions launched in 2016: Adelaide, Atlanta, class service, award-winning cuisine and the development of tourism and growth of to ensure their textbooks and cation and Higher Education Indian Ocean. Birmingham, Boston, Helsinki, Los An- in-fl ight entertainment.” local business.” other materials do not confl ict regarding the approved edu- “Travellers wishing to explore the beau- geles, Marrakech, Pisa, Ras Al Khaimah, Seychelles minister of tourism and cul- Passengers fl ying to the Seychelles from with such provisions, espe- cational resources and sign an ty of the Seychelles will enjoy convenient Sydney, Windhoek and Yerevan. ture Alain St Ange said: “It gives me great any of Qatar Airways’ destinations around cially in photos, illustrations affi davit indicating that their fl ights and award-winning service when Qatar Airways Group chief execu- pleasure to see Qatar Airways serving the the world “will enjoy a quick and conven- and other related things. textbooks and resources are travelling with Qatar Airways,” the Doha- tive Akbar al-Baker said: “Over recent Seychelles. Our partnership has always ient transfer” at the airline’s hub, Hamad Schools have also to revise free from any violations. based carrier said in a press statement yes- years, Qatar Airways has seen signifi cant been a very positive one. I know that the International Airport, which off ers more terday. growth, expanding its worldwide foot- airline is very popular with the local com- than 100 retail and dining options as well Residents of the Seychelles will also print to provide more opportunities for munity and we all look forward to many as services such as a 25m swimming pool, benefi t from the opportunity to connect global leisure travellers to premium des- more years of fruitful co-operation and hotel and spa, designed exclusively for to the airline’s network of more than 150 tinations such as the Seychelles. When increased tourism business to our shores.” those in transit. Lebdaya Shop closed roundabout for good by to be shut

he Public Works Au- users can turn right at the thority, Ashghal, has Lebdaya Roundabout onto Al municipality Tannounced it will close Beday Street and travel north the Lebdaya Roundabout before turning left onto the new (known as Sheikh Mubarak Al Al Maqareen Street. Motor- l Khor and Al Thakhira safety is our top priority’. Thani Roundabout) to intro- ists will need to travel along Al Municipality has closed Doha Municipality yester- duce a newly built rounda- Maqareen Street before turning Aa commercial shop per- day closed three restaurants – bout and diversion routes to right onto Huwar Street. Driv- manently for operating with- one at Madinat Khalifa South the south east of the existing ers from Al Gharrafa to Doha out license at Umm Birka Area. for ten days, and two others route. Also to be closed is the can follow the same route listed The shop was also found at Najma Area for one month roundabout exit from Huwar above in the opposite direction displaying expired food prod- each, for preparing and serv- Street to Al Rayyan Al Qadeem to reach their destination. ucts and meat with uniden- ing foods in unhygienic condi- Street, as shown on the map. Doha to Bani Hajer: Road tifi able source of production. tions. The decision was issued The two-year diversion, users can turn left at the Leb- The administrative decision to by Doha Municipality director which has been implemented daya Roundabout and travel close the place was issued by Jamal Matar al-Nuaimi. in co-ordination with the south before turning right onto Juma Khamis al-Muraikhi, di- Al Shamal Municipality beIN will have access to hit series such as Arrow. Traffi c Police Department, Al Rayyan Al Jadeed Road and rector of Al Khor and Al Tha- Gardens Sector has planted the will be operational from Friday continuing towards Bani Hajer. khira Municipality. area in front of the Municipal- (October 21). Road users travelling from In the past few months, the ity building and put fl ower ba- The diversion is required to Bani Hajer to Doha will be un- municipality has closed four sins on a 165m stretch. enable Ashghal to commence aff ected, as they can continue other food facilities for op- Also, Al Khor and Al Tha- beIN Mena signs long-term deal construction of essential mul- to travel eastbound along Al erating without license. The khira Municipality has de- ti-level junctions as part of the Rayyan Al Jadeed Road. closure was made as part of the signed and erected a heritage Al Rayyan Upgrade Project C2. Ashghal has said a signifi - inspection campaign on food tower at Hazm Al Jaltah garden for content with Warner Bros As shown on the map, Ash- cant section of Al Rayyan Al outlets within the munici- at the eastern entrance of Al ghal has established several al- Qadeem Street will remain pality, under the motto ‘Your Khor City. ternative routes for road users open for residential and local long-term, multi-year rights” to Warner Bros theatri- of one of the most well-round- to follow to reach their respec- use, and U-turns will be pro- deal has been announced cal features. ed pay-TV networks in Middle tive destinations. vided at each end to facilitate Aby beIN and Warner Bros From 2019, beIN will become East & North Africa with over Doha to Al Gharrafa: Road transit to and from the area. International Television Distri- the exclusive home of Warner 75 channels broadcasting mov- bution that will enable beIN to Bros’ fi rst-run programming, ies, series, sports, kids’ and gen- acquire premium content from series and “1st Pay window” fea- eral entertainment content,” the the leading Hollywood studio. ture fi lms. In addition to the pay statement noted. The announcement was made TV window, beIN has acquired Al-Obaidly said “beIN is con- yesterday by Yousef al-Obaid- catch-up rights as well as access stantly trying to achieve lead- ly, deputy CEO of beIN Media to the rich library of content from ership position within the en- Group, and Jeff rey R Schlesin- Warner Bros. tertainment space and this deal ger, president of Warner Bros While beIN is the premium with Warner Bros will help us be- Worldwide Television Distribu- entertainment market leader in come the number one choice for tion. Mena, Warner Bros Worldwide movies and entertainment lovers The deal represents “one Television Distribution is a lead- in Mena”. of the most comprehensive ing distributor of feature fi lms, Schlesinger added: “We are content acquisition deals for television programmes and ani- pleased that our feature fi lms and beIN”, according to a press mation in the international TV television series will have a home statement. Starting this year, marketplace across beIN’s channels in the beIN will have access to hit “This is a landmark deal for Middle East and Africa, with our series such as Arrow, Gotham beIN, which made its foray into content making its regional de- and Originals, and will acquire entertainment content segment but across these channels start- The heritage tower at the eastern entrance of Al Khor City. the exclusive “2nd Pay window just last year. beIN now boasts ing in 2019.” Gulf Times Wednesday, October 19, 2016 11 QATAR

Call for more median barriers on roads

By Ramesh Mathew Staff Reporter

ore roads across Qa- tar need median bar- Mriers to enhance road traffi c and pedestrian safety, a senior Ashghal offi cial sug- gested yesterday at Qatar Transport Safety Forum. Fabian Marsh speaks at Qatar Ashghal’s road safety en- Transport Safety Forum yesterday. gineer adviser Fabian Marsh said 48% of the roads across In the remaining 76% loca- country, including Doha and tions, only 30% places have a its neighbourhoods have no centre line, 26% have physi- median barriers. cal medians of 1 to 5m width, Along with head on crashes, 15% have physical medians of rollovers, crashes at intersec- 5 to 10m and 3% have physical tions and pedestrian fatalities medians of less than one metre The Minister of Economy and Commerce, HE Sheikh Ahmed bin Jassim bin Mohamed al-Thani led the ribbon-cutting ceremony at the exhibition at DECC yesterday. PICTURES: Shaji Kayamkulam contributed to a major per- width. centage of deaths on the coun- Of the places having passen- try’s roads. ger side hazard risks, 29% have The reports were based on no protection at all. While 6% studies the teams from Ashghal have safety barriers made from carried out on Expressways, and concrete, 4% locations have other major roads, including metal safety barriers. three-lane/per side roads and Speaking later on Pedestrian even two-lane per side roads. Evaluation Review System, an Similarly 44% of the inter- offi cial from the Ministry of Minister inaugurates sections where traffi c fl ows at Transport and Communica- 60 km/hour or more have no tion said the ministry recently roundabouts and 48% of the carried out a survey of 650 roads with considerable pe- residents at such locations as destrian movement and traf- Safari Mall, Museum of Islamic fi c fl ows at the rate of 40 km/ Art grounds and Souq Waqif hour have neither medians or and surroundings. Only 25% roundabouts. said there is adequate protec- hospitality exhibition The speaker also said his tion for pedestrians on the road studies have found 55% of the while the rest were united in By Joey Aguilar IFP Qatar general manager form, product demonstration, and roads have unprotected road their demand for better safety Staff Reporter George Ayache stressed that the a series of certifi ed workshops. side hazards on the passenger and protection for pedestrians event’s success was due to the Workshops set from 3pm to side. across Doha and outskirts. continuous support of the gov- 7pm today include Qatar’s hotel Only 24% of the locations She said there is greater de- he Minister of Economy ernment, “which played a ma- and tourism market overview, where head-on collisions were mand for pedestrian facilities and Commerce, HE Sheikh jor role in putting together this (Tri Consulting hotels, leisure, reported, had any kind of safe- such as zebra crossings and TAhmed bin Jassim bin Mo- memorable event.” and real estate); GSAS and Green ty barriers in the middle. Of signals near Souq Waqif as hamed al-Thani, inaugurated the “During its two editions, the Hotels (Gulf Organisation for these, while 10% places have there is a considerably large three-day Hospitality Qatar 2016 exhibition proved its role as Qa- Research and Development); metal safety barriers, only 8% pedestrian movement in its yesterday at the Doha Exhibition tar’s leading hospitality exhibi- main role of the hospitality in- have concrete safety barriers surroundings owing to in- and Convention Centre. tion, bringing together a large dustry in the process of achiev- and 6% wire rope barriers. creasing tourist arrivals there. Sheikh Ahmed led the ribbon- number of local, regional and in- ing the objectives of the Qatar cutting ceremony and toured ternational decision makers and National Vision 2030 (Qatar diff erent pavilions at the event, industry professionals,” he said Tourism Authority); Challenges participated by more than 10 in a press statement. and opportunities for hotels in countries and hundreds of ex- Ayache added that this year’s Qatar to become more sustaina- Pedestrian safety hibitors and brands. A vegetable and fruit carving competition at Hospitality Qatar 2016. edition, organised by IFP Qatar ble; and cooking with Micheline “We have witnessed during the and authorised by Qatar Tour- starred Chef/WACS World as- past few years the development of international touristic destina- expertise with professionals in ism Authority, also provides an sociation of Chefs Societies From Page 1 the annual growth in injuries tourism and hospitality sectors. tion proud of its cultural roots,” the hospitality sector. opportunity for hospitality and Judging seminar (Qatar Culinary Figures of road accidents from road traffi c accidents was That development was driven by the minister noted, confi rming Al Sraiya Holding Group vice hotels, restaurants, and cafe professionals). fell between 2006 (210,323) approximately 13%. the huge interest that the State that “the hospitality and tour- chairman Rashed Nassir Sraiya professionals to explore the Qa- Salon Culinaire is also in full- and 2007 (156,390) and also There was a nearly 130% of Qatar has expressed towards ism sector represents one of the al-Kaabi reiterated that the ex- tari market. swing with more than 250 chefs between 2009 (207,200) and growth in the number of vehi- this sector, and that was refl ected basics of the Qatari economy.” hibition features all aspects of The event has attracted a and sculptors competing to re- 2010 (184,521). Since 2010, the cles in Qatar between 2005 and in the National Strategy for the Described as a “high profi le the hotel and franchise market in record level of interest and par- ceive top honours in one of the 17 number of cases has been stead- 2014. While there were 451,388 Tourism sector 2030,” Sheikh expo,” Hospitality Qatar gives the Gulf region. ticipation from across the in- categories. ily increasing, it was reported. vehicles in 2005, the number Ahmed said in a press statement. suppliers, hoteliers, Horeca He noted that Hospitality Qa- dustry and some of the hospi- Hospitality Qatar also plays a The average annual rate of rose to 1,037,067 in 2014. “The strategy was set to be (hotel/restaurant/cafe) sup- tar achieved its aim of provid- tality-related disciplines present major role in enhancing the role growth in the number of ve- Recently, the Ministry of adapted as a road map towards pliers, buyers, and investors an ing regional and international at this year’s show include retail of Qatar, as the country emerges hicles between 2005 and 2014 Municipality and Environ- developing the tourism indus- opportunity to showcase their agents, dealers, and buyers a investors and businesspersons. as a major player in the hospi- was 16.42% while accidents ment announced plans to set try during the next decades, newest products, technological chance to network in a fi tting This year’s exhibition will also tality investment market in the increased by 14.37%. While fa- up 15 pedestrian bridges in and transforming Qatar into an advancements, and exchange and professional environment. feature B2B matchmaking plat- Mena region. talities grew at a rate of 5.61%, Doha and beyond. Etihad Airways awarded highest Skytrax 5-star rating

tihad Airways has an- Academy in Abu Dhabi, the UAE. researchers also noted the level clearly the best in class.” The ex- nounced that it has re- Peter Baumgartner, Etihad of detail in the Etihad Airways tensive audit commended “the Eceived the Skytrax Certi- Airways CEO, said: “This rating service, which “few are able to exemplary staff , fi ne-dining ap- fi ed 5-Star Airline Rating. marks the culmination of over a achieve – combining discipline proach, innovative seating and Panellists in the first plenary session yesterday, discussed the roles and experiences of non-governmental Achieving the “most coveted decade of hard work and contin- with spontaneity and a genuine products in all classes and at organisations during wars and conflicts. quality standard in the airline in- uous innovation – a milestone on interest in customer welfare”. signature airport lounges”, the dustry further strengthens the the Etihad Airways journey. This Edward Plaisted, CEO of Sky- statement added. airline’s position as a leader in in- could not have been achieved trax, added: “Achieving a 5-Star Etihad Airways has won sev- novative guest experience, service without the passion and com- rating is testament to this air- eral Skytrax awards for its First and hospitality”, Etihad Airways mitment of our people – from line’s dedication to innovation, Class and Business Class prod- has said in a press statement. frontline staff at airports, cabin high-quality service and com- ucts, most recently receiving the Conference discusses The rating follows a three- crew in fl ight to those who work fort. Of particular note is Eti- accolades for the World’s Best month audit of the airline’s glo- behind the scenes in Abu Dhabi had’s attention to detail and a First Class Airline, World’s Best bal product and service off ering and around the world.” meticulous approach to design, First Class Onboard Catering ways to safeguard Arab by the London-based research In the comprehensive audit, which has brought us – among and World’s Best First Class Air- consultancy. The announcement high praise was reserved for the other unique products – the air- line Seat for its Airbus A380 First was made at a special event held airline’s staff , noting their pride line’s revolutionary Airbus A380 Apartment at the annual Skytrax families during confl icts at Etihad Airways’ Innovation in the company and product. The and Boeing 787 cabins, which are World Airline Awards.

he Doha International Family Institute “Only through raising awareness of these is- (DIFI) Conference on Family Research and sues, and through further research and educa- TPolicy concluded yesterday after shedding tion, can we hope to infl uence and inform future light on numerous topics relating to the break- policies to protect the rights of children in con- down of the family structure as a result of wars fl ict areas,” Abdelmoneium said. and confl icts. Delegates from Save the Children, Arab Ren- Leading local and international researchers aissance for Democracy and Development and and policymakers examined the most eff ective Amel Association International tackled how the means of preserving the family unit during times changing nature of both confl ict and humani- of instability and civil unrest, the experience and tarian relief has transformed the role of non- changing role of NGOs in war zones, post-war governmental organisations from the traditional family transition and resettlement of refugees in role of mitigating the eff ects of confl ict into per- the region. forming new roles, including confl ict prevention Azza Abdelmoneium, senior associate re- and peace building eff orts. In the ‘Health Conse- searcher, DIFI, focused on the plight of internally quences of Wars and Confl icts’ parallel session, displaced children in Khartoum in Sudan during guest speaker Jocelyn DeJong, American Uni- the ‘Impact of Wars and Confl icts on Women, versity Beirut, delivered a presentation entitled, Men and Children’ parallel session. ‘Eff ects of Confl ict on Reproductive, Maternal, “These children are displaced due to several Neonatal, and Child Health – A Case Study’. reasons including migration, breakdown of fami- DeJong explored the lack of data in address- lies, confl icts and natural disasters, and are then ing the health challenges in confl ict areas while forced to work under very harsh conditions and noting how these can be overcome by encourag- are subject to many forms of violence from their ing collaborations across humanitarian agencies, employers.” government bodies and academic institutions. Etihad Airways staff pose with the certification along with off icials from the airline and Skytrax. Gulf Times 12 Wednesday, October 19, 2016 REGION/ARAB WORLD UN announces truce in new bid to end Yemen war AFP tration welcomed the ceasefi re. Saudi-led Arab coalition began Saudi Foreign Minister Adel Jubeir implementation of this cessation, each side blaming the other for The US then hit radar sites Aden A cessation of hostilities that a campaign against the rebels in also said Riyadh was in favour of a call on them to sustain it, and violations. in rebel-controlled territory in fi rst went into eff ect in April March 2015. truce if the rebels respect it, the strongly encourage its uncondi- It collapsed as the talks ended Washington’s fi rst direct action would “re-enter into force at The United States, Britain and daily Asharq al-Awsat reported. tional renewal.” in August with no breakthrough, against the insurgents. he United Nations has an- 23:59 Yemen time (2059 GMT) on the UN peace envoy on Sunday US Secretary of State John Ker- Unicef’s representative in prompting intensifi ed fi ghting. But de-escalation swiftly fol- nounced a new ceasefi re in 19 October 2016, for an initial pe- urged the warring parties to de- ry hailed the announcement. Sanaa, Mohamed al-Assadi, said An October 8 air raid on a fu- lowed as the coalition on Saturday Twar-ravaged Yemen from riod of 72 hours, subject to renew- clare a ceasefi re. “This cessation requires all on Sunday “10mn” children in neral ceremony in Sanaa killed acknowledged one of its war- early tomorrow, after a week of al”, UN special envoy for Yemen, Yemeni Foreign Minister Ab- parties to implement a full and Yemen need “water, food, medi- 140 people and wounded 525, planes had “wrongly targeted” the escalated fi ghting sparked new Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed, said dulmalek al-Mekhlafi said the comprehensive halt to military cine, social protection, and gen- drawing severe criticism of the Sanaa funeral based on “incorrect international calls to end the con- late Sunday. truce would be extended if the activities of any kind, and help fa- eral services”. coalition which is backed logisti- information”. fl ict. Yemen has been rocked by war rebels adhere to it, activate a cilitate the delivery of humanitar- This is the sixth attempt to es- cally by the US. It announced disciplinary President Abd-Rabbu Mansour since the Shia Houthi rebels and truce observing committee, end ian assistance to Yemenis across tablish a Yemen ceasefi re. In a rapid escalation, Washing- measures, compensation for the Hadi’s government and its Saudi allied forces loyal to ousted presi- a months-long siege of Taiz and the country,” Kerry said in a state- The April truce declared in ton accused the rebels of targeting families of victims and an eas- backers said they would support dent Ali Abdullah Saleh overran allow the city “unrestricted” hu- ment. conjunction with the start of American warships in the Red Sea ing of the air blockade to allow the truce. Sanaa in September 2014. manitarian aid. “We ask the parties to take all peace talks in Kuwait was hardly on October 9 and 12 with missiles the most seriously wounded to be Yemen’s Houthi-run adminis- The confl ict escalated after a Before the UN announcement, steps necessary to advance the observed on the ground, with that fell short. evacuated. Unesco adopts resolution on Aqsa mosque

AFP in response to the draft resolu- Since 2011 when Palestine was Paris tion and its ambassador, Carmel admitted to Unesco, the body Shama Hacohen, accused the has been the scene of numerous Palestinians of playing “games” diplomatic spats resulting from he UN cultural agency yesterday. resolutions condemning Israel, yesterday adopted an Ar- Israel is furious that the reso- most recently in April but also in Tab-sponsored resolution lution refers to the Old City site October last year. condemning Israel’s actions at in Jerusalem by its Muslim name, The East Jerusalem site is a a fl ashpoint holy site in East Je- Al-Aqsa or Al-Haram al-Sharif. 14-hectare (35-acre) rectangular rusalem, deepening anger in the It is considered holy by Mus- esplanade at the southeast cor- HE the Qatari Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohamed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani meeting yesterday in Brussels with EU High Representative for Jewish state. lims, Christians and Jews. ner of the Old City which was oc- Foreign Aff airs and Security Policy (HR) Federica Mogherini. The Unesco resolution on “oc- Jews refer to it as the Temple cupied by Israel during the 1967 cupied Palestine” was endorsed Mount. war and later illegally annexed in yesterday by the agency’s execu- While acknowledging the im- a move never internationally rec- tive board at its headquarters in portance of the Old City to “the ognised. The Palestinians want Qatar, EU Paris, after being approved at the three monotheistic religions” the eastern sector as capital of committee stage last week. – Islam, Judaism and Christian- their future state. Referring throughout to “the ity – the resolution focuses on The atmosphere before the Russia, Syria forces discuss occupying power,” it condemns Israeli restrictions on Muslims vote yesterday was soured fur- Israel for restricting Muslims’ accessing the mosque. ther by threats received by tel- access to the Al-Aqsa mosque It also includes condemnation ephone and on social media last Syria crisis compound – Islam’s third holi- of Israel’s blockade of Gaza and week following a vote on the est site – and criticises damage “constant aggressions by the Is- draft resolution, a Unesco offi - halt Aleppo strikes QNA by security forces to the site and raeli settlers” in the West Bank. cial said. Brussels nearby excavations. Deputy Palestinian ambassa- The text had created unease It is the latest episode in a se- dor to Unesco, Mounir Anastas, at the top of the organisation, AFP six corridors and prepares the stopped following the Russian ries of rows at Unesco, which is welcomed the decision yesterday. with Michael Worbs, who chairs Moscow evacuation of the sick and in- announcement. E the Qatari Foreign Min- responsible for protecting im- “This resolution reminds Israel Unesco’s executive board, saying jured from eastern Aleppo,” People in the city’s east- ister Sheikh Mohamed portant heritage sites and is one that they are the occupying power he would have liked more time to he said, adding that it would ern neighbourhoods were out Hbin Abdulrahman al- of few international organisa- in east Jerusalem, and it asks them work out a compromise. oscow announced also guarantee safe passage for searching for food yesterday, Thani met yesterday in Brussels tions that recognises Palestine as to stop all their violations, espe- The resolution was voted on yesterday that Rus- armed rebels to leave eastern the photographer saw. with EU High Representative for a member state. cially in the fi elds of competence last Thursday at the committee Msian and Syrian air Aleppo. As the weather grows Foreign Aff airs and Security Poli- Israel suspended its co-op- of Unesco such as the excava- stage, with 24 votes in favour, six forces have stopped bomb- The UN said it was wait- colder, fewer vegetables have cy (HR) Federica Mogherini. eration with Unesco last week tions,” he told reporters. against and 26 abstentions. ing Aleppo ahead of a brief ing for safety assurances from been available – even pars- They discussed the latest de- truce, a move the Kremlin said all sides before going in with ley, which had been one of the velopments in the region and showed “goodwill” as it faces “critical humanitarian assist- easiest foods to fi nd. the EU’s position on the crisis in Saudi prince mounting criticism for back- ance” for Aleppo’s desperate Air strikes are still be- Syria. They also discussed ways executed ing a brutal regime off ensive. population. ing conducted in the broader to support a political solution It comes a day after Russia Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Aleppo region, however, the in light of the shelling of Aleppo for murder said there would be an eight- Peskov hailed the halt as a Britain-based monitoring and Russia’s ceasefi re announce- hour “humanitarian pause” “manifestation of goodwill” group Syrian Observatory for ment, held to allow delivering A Saudi prince was executed in Riyadh in the battered city, a move and denied it was meant to Human Rights said. humanitarian aid to the people yesterday after a court found him guilty welcomed by the United Na- assuage Western critics who Over 250,000 people are living in the Syrian city. of shooting dead a fellow Saudi, off icial tions and the European Union have accused Moscow of per- under government siege in They also discussed develop- media reported, in a rare example of a which nevertheless said the petrating potential war crimes the city that was once Syria’s ments in Iraqi city of Mosul and ruling family member subjected to the ceasefi re needed to be longer in Syria’s second city. thriving commercial hub. agreed that it was important to death penalty. to allow the delivery of aid. “It is exclusively a manifes- Yesterday’s halt in bombing guarantee the return of refugees Prince Turki bin Saud al-Kabir had However, the US State De- tation of goodwill by the Rus- came just hours after Russian after the deterioration of human- pleaded guilty to shooting Adel al- partment voiced scepticism sian military,” he said. warplanes pounded Aleppo’s itarian conditions there. Mohaimeed after a brawl, the ministry of regarding Moscow’s latest ini- While the Kremlin hailed its rebel-held districts, killing a On the political agreement in interior said in a statement on state news tiative while welcoming a halt move, US State Department couple and their three chil- Libya, they both expressed their agency SPA. in the bombing. spokesman John Kirby re- dren, the Observatory said. support to implementing it with “The government is keen to keep order, The West has expressed mained cautious about Mos- On Monday, dozens of ci- the participation of all segments stabilise security and bring about increasing alarm at the situ- cow’s initiative. vilians including 12 members of the Libyan people. justice through implementing the rules ation in Aleppo, saying the “It’s a little too soon to tell of the same family were killed The foreign minister also met prescribed by Allah...,” said the ministry ferocious Russian-backed on- how genuine this is and how in strikes against Aleppo, the in Brussels yesterday with the statement. slaught on the rebel-held east long it’s going to last,” Kirby monitor said. Chief of European Parliament’s Meanwhile, Saudi police have arrested a could amount to a war crime. told CNN. The brutal government of- Delegation for Relations with the man on public order charges after he was “Strikes in the Aleppo re- “We’ve seen these kinds of fensive against eastern Aleppo Arab Peninsula Michele Alliot- accused of cross-dressing online, a report gion by the Russian and Syrian commitments and promises – which has destroyed hos- Marie. said late on Monday. air forces are stopping today before. And we’ve seen them pitals and other civilian in- During the meeting, they dis- Police in Qassim, northwest of the capital starting at 10am,” Russian De- broken. We’re watching this frastructure – has plunged cussed regional developments Riyadh, “arrested a famous Snapchat fence Minister Sergei Shoigu very carefully.” Syria into some of the worst and the importance of promoting personality who appeared in video clips said in a televised briefi ng. An AFP photographer in violence of the fi ve-year war security in the Arab Gulf in addi- dressed like women,” the Sabq online “This guarantees the secu- eastern Aleppo said air strikes that has claimed over 300,000 tion to regional and international newspaper reported. rity of civilians’ exit through in the rebel-held area had lives. issues of common concern. Gulf Times Wednesday, October 19, 2016 13 ARAB WORLD Inside Mosul, tense wait under the clouds of war

By Jean Marc Mojon/AFP perched in high places around Baghdad here though and we know they have lots of car bombs ready and have planted roadside bombs s Iraqi forces close in on everywhere,” he said. Mosul, trapped civilians Abu Saif, who is now jobless Areport thick smoke en- and managed to smuggle his veloping the city’s empty streets family out of the city earlier this as their militant rulers attempt year, said the people around him to shield themselves from in- were torn between the prospect tensifying US-led coalition air of being freed from the militants’ strikes. yoke soon and the fear that they After more than two years of will not survive the impending Islamic State group rule, there battle. is hope but also fear of what lies “There is this happiness inside ahead. us besieged people of Mosul, be- Mosul, a large city split by the cause we feel that we are about to Tigris river, is where IS declared be rescued,” he said. its “caliphate” two years ago but “But we are scared that Daesh is now the militants’ last major can still carry out acts of revenge A picture taken yesterday from the village of Shaqouli, about 35km east of Mosul, shows smoke billowing from the city of Nineveh as Iraqi forces take part in an operation against stronghold in Iraq. against the population.” the Islamic State (IS) group militants. With the crucial battle in its second day, Iraqi commanders said progress was being made as fighters pushed on two main fronts against the Abu Saif, a 47-year-old former As the noose has tightened militants’ last stronghold in Iraq. company manager contacted by around Mosul in recent months, AFP, said the streets felt eerie as IS fi ghters have executed count- fi ghters and civilians alike stayed less people, including their own, indoors. over accusations of spying or “The atmosphere in Mosul collaborating with government is strange, the sky is constantly forces. black with smoke from tyres Abu Saif said two people were Daesh (IS) lit everywhere,” he executed near Al-Zuhoor school said yesterday. as recently as Sunday. Iraqi forces make gains “There is also the black “There is also the fear of all smoke from the burning oil in these bombs falling from the sky. the trenches Daesh dug around People have moved back into the the city to hide their members’ old shelters that were used dur- movements. ing the war with Iran in the 80s,” “The streets are empty, the he said. people have been staying at “Many are also living in their in push to retake Mosul home since the strikes started basements, especially in the old yesterday,” said Abu Saif, a resi- part of the city where houses AFP brought the wounded back from IS of the last major Iraqi city under bered, with the US military esti- a million people could be forced dent of the eastern half of Mo- have cellars.” Qayyarah, Iraq the battle. its control, dealing a fatal blow to mating 3,000 to 4,500 militants in from their homes by the fi ghting. sul. Abu Saif said that some fami- Two armoured vehicles bear- the “caliphate” the jihadists de- and around Mosul. “There are real fears that the He said he could hear air lies were moving in together to ing US fl ags drove by, apparently clared two years ago after seizing The US-led coalition said off ensive to retake Mosul could strikes and explosions com- share a single home, in an at- raqi forces were making gains carrying American military per- large parts of Iraq and neighbour- strikes destroyed 52 targets on the produce a humanitarian catastro- ing from Bartalla, a Christian tempt to feel safer and make as tens of thousands of fi ghters sonnel. ing Syria. fi rst day of the operation. phe, resulting in one of the largest town just east of Mosul on which better use of dwindling food and Iadvanced on Mosul yesterday One manning a gun turret Iraqi commanders said IS fi ght- “Early indications are that Iraqi man-made displacement crises Kurdish and federal forces are electricity supplies. in an unprecedented off ensive to fl ashed the victory sign. ers were hitting back with suicide forces have met their objectives in recent years,” warned William advancing. “People are also locking up retake the city from the Islamic Speaking to AFP from inside car bomb attacks but that the of- so far, and that they are ahead of Spindler, spokesman for the UN “It seems a lot of Daesh mem- their belongings, fearing that State group. Mosul, resident Abu Saif said fensive was going as planned. schedule for this fi rst day,” Pen- refugee agency. bers have already left this side of Daesh could steal them as they With the crucial battle in its heavy smoke was hanging over “Many villages have already tagon press secretary Peter Cook Both the Red Cross and the In- the city and crossed to the other flee and also that riots and second day, Iraqi commanders the city as the militants burned been liberated,” said Sabah al-Nu- said. ternational Organisation for Mi- bank of the river,” Abu Saif said. looting could break out after said progress was being made tyres to shield themselves from air man, the spokesman of the elite Most of the coalition’s support gration raised concerns of IS using Military sources have pre- the liberation,” the father of as fi ghters pushed on two main strikes. counter-terrorism service. has come in the shape of air strikes chemical weapons. dicted that east Mosul could be three said. fronts against the militants’ last While the sounds of explosions “Iraqi forces have achieved and training, but US, British and The Red Cross was training signifi cantly easier to retake than Iraqi forces have some way to stronghold in Iraq. could be heard coming from out- their goals and even more, but French special forces are also on healthcare workers and provid- the western half, which is con- go before reaching the city prop- The US military, which is lead- side the city, its streets were ee- we’re careful to stick to the plan the ground to advise local troops. ing equipment to facilities around sidered the jihadists’ real bastion er and senior commanders have ing a coalition providing air and rily quiet, the 47-year-old former and not rush this.” “It could be a long battle, it’s Mosul “that would be able to in the city. warned that the Mosul battle ground support, said Iraqi forces company manager said. The two main fronts are south not a blitzkrieg. It’s a lengthy af- absorb the cases of people con- “They still have a lot of snipers could last weeks or more. even looked “ahead of sched- “The streets are empty, the of Mosul, where forces are moving fair (lasting) several weeks, maybe taminated,” Robert Mardini of ule” but senior Western offi cials people have been staying at home from Qayyarah, and east, where months,” French Defence Minister the group’s Near and Middle East warned the battle would be long since the strikes started yester- another push involving Kurdish Jean-Yves Le Drian told reporters division told reporters in Geneva. and diffi cult. day,” Abu Saif said. Peshmerga fi ghters is under way. in Paris. Iraqi troops and police have Advancing in armoured con- “There is this happiness inside In the south, forces inching France will host an interna- been joined on the battlefront by voys across the dusty plains sur- us because we feel that we are forward along the Tigris river tional meeting tomorrow on the an array of sometimes rival forces, rounding Mosul, forces moved about to be rescued,” he said. were training their sights on a political future of Mosul, while the including the Kurdish peshmerga, into villages defended by pockets “But we are scared that Daesh village called Hammam al-Alil, coalition’s defence ministers will Sunni tribal fi ghters and Iran- of IS fi ghters after intensive aerial (IS) can still carry out acts of re- while units east of Mosul entered meet in Paris next Tuesday to as- backed Shia militia. bombardment. venge against the population.” Qaraqosh, once Iraq’s biggest sess progress on the military front. IS once controlled more than At the main staging base for The long-awaited Mosul of- Christian town. Aid groups are bracing for a a third of Iraq’s territory but its government troops in Qayyarah fensive was launched on Monday, Iraqi forces have signifi cant potentially massive humanitar- self-proclaimed “state” has been south of Mosul, federal police with some 30,000 federal forces ground to cover before reach- ian crisis, with some warning they shrinking steadily. were rotating in and out of the leading Iraq’s largest military op- ing the boundaries of the city, were preparing for the possible Experts warn that the militants front line. eration since the 2011 pullout of which IS is defending with berms, use of chemical weapons by IS. are likely to increasingly turn to As Apache attack helicop- US troops. bombs and burning oil trenches. Mosul is Iraq’s second-largest insurgent tactics as they lose ters fl ew overhead, ambulances Retaking Mosul would deprive IS forces are vastly outnum- city and the UN fears that up to ground. Turkish jets joined in operation: PM

AFP The long-awaited off ensive from Monday that Turkey would he did not know “the operational Erdogan insisted Turkey had a Ankara began on Monday with air and be involved in the operation and details” but said there was agree- historical responsibility to be in ground support from a US-led will be “at the table”. ment “in principle” to be part of Iraq, referring to Mosul’s past as coalition. He warned that anyone taking the coalition. part of the Ottoman Empire. urkish air force jets joined Yildirim said Turkey was steps in the region without tak- In a separate speech in Ankara, “We will be (present) on the in the air operation back- “closely-watching” what was ing Turkey into account would be Erdogan said Turkey did not want ground and we will be at the table,” Ting Iraqi forces and Kurdish happening but did not give details making “big mistakes”. to be party to any sectarian con- Erdogan said. Peshmerga to retake Iraq’s sec- on the nature of the Turkish air While insisting it cannot be fl ict in Iraq, but spoke of his con- Erdogan told the Iraqi govern- ond city of Mosul from militants, support. left out of the operation, Turkey cern for “our Sunni Arab brothers, ment that “rather than acting Prime Minister Binali Yildirim Mosul was captured by Islamic has often spoken of its fears over our Turkmen brothers”. tough with us” it should “deal” said yesterday. State (IS) militants in in June 2014. the potential involvement of Shia Earlier this month, Erdogan and with other extremist groups like “Our air forces took part in the But ahead of the off ensive, Tur- militias and anti-Ankara Kurd- Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al- IS. coalition forces’ air operations in key and Iraq were entangled in a ish militia in the fi ght for mainly Abadi traded barbs over Turkey’s Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavu- Displaced Iraqis from the Bajwaniyah village, about 30km south of Mosul,” Yildirim told his ruling war of words over Turkey’s pres- Sunni Mosul. presence in Bashiqa in northern soglu said an Iraqi delegation was Mosul, who fled fighting in the Mosul area walk towards Iraqi security Justice and Development Party ence in northern Iraq. Pressed by reporters after his Iraq, where, according to Erdogan, due to arrive in Turkey towards the forces yesterday after they liberated the village from Islamic State (AKP) parliamentary group in An- Yildirim repeated President Re- speech if Turkey had indeed taken nearly 700 Turkish soldiers are end of the week, as diplomats try (IS) group militants. kara. cep Tayyip Erdogan’s comments part in air strikes, Yildirim said based. to de-escalate the tensions. Iraq urges coalition to prevent IS escape to Syria

to retake Mosul, Islamic State’s against Islamic State in Syria, and not say what it based its assertion ethnically mixed north. Reuters Obama: IS will be defeated Baghdad last major urban stronghold in there was no immediate comment on. Islamic State militants in Syria Iraq which it captured in 2014. from its representatives in Wash- The assault on Mosul has been have supply routes into Mosul “It is the responsibility of the ington and Baghdad. in preparation since July, and at where they cross into Iraq from US President Barack The United States will raqi Prime Minister Haider al- coalition to cut the road to Syria The Russian-backed Syrian stake for US President Barack territory they control in oil-rich Obama said yesterday that be involved in ensuring Abadi said yesterday it was the for Daesh,” Iraqi state television army is also fi ghting Islamic State Obama is his hoped-for legacy of Deir Zor. extremist group Islamic humanitarian aid for up to Iduty of the US-led coalition quoted Abadi as saying, using an in a separate campaign in Syria. seizing back as much territory as They still control the Syrian State would be defeated a million civilians who may to prevent Islamic State militants Arabic acronym for Islamic State. The army command in Damas- he can from the jihadists before he city of Al-Bukamal, near a border in an operation to retake flee the city, he said at a press from escaping into nearby Syria The Syrian army accused the cus said in a statement yesterday leaves offi ce in January. crossing into Iraq’s Anbar prov- the Iraqi city of Mosul, in conference. from the northern Iraqi city of coalition of planning to allow safe that, under a plan spearheaded US offi cials acknowledge gaps ince and long a major supply and “another step toward their The Iraqi army launched on Mosul. passage into Syria for Islamic State by Washington and Riyadh, roads and risks in the plan, amid wor- communications lines for the ultimate destruction.” Monday what is expected to be The coalition is providing air militants fl eeing the Iraqi city of would be secured to allow the mil- ries that defeat of Islamic State in group between the two countries. Obama said it would be a a lengthy off ensive to dislodge and ground support to Iraqi gov- Mosul, saying it would combat itants to create “new battleground its de facto Iraqi capital could give IS also exploits the tribal links “diff icult fight,” with both the terrorist organisation from ernment and Kurdish forces that this with all forces at its disposal. realities” in eastern Syria. way to sectarian score-settling between Bedouin tribes in both advances and setbacks. the city. launched an off ensive on Monday The US is leading a coalition The Syrian army statement did and land grabs in the country’s Iraq and Syria to its advantage. Gulf Times 14 Wednesday, October 19, 2016 AFRICA Ethnic strife Splits plunge ruling escalates ANC into turmoil in Congo Reuters houses were burned near the AFP Kinshasa town of Kabalo, about 1,000km Johannesburg northwest of Congo’s mining hub of Lubumbashi. ore than a dozen peo- Ngoy said it was unclear what outh Africa’s government has de- ple have died since the sparked this round of violence in scended into open warfare as a clash Mweekend in fi ghting in the remote area. Sbetween President Jacob Zuma and southeastern Congo between Rogatien Kitenge, an advocate his fi nance minister unveils rivalries that Bantus and Pygmies, local activ- for Pygmy rights in the provin- could tip the country into instability. ists said yesterday, in the latest cial capital of Kalemie, said he The ruling African National Congress escalation in a bloody three-year had received reports of between (ANC) party looks set for worsening strife ethnic confl ict. 13 and 16 people killed in tit- as its divided leadership struggles with The Luba, a Bantu ethnic for-tat attacks between the two falling popular support, a weakening group, and the Twa, a Pygmy groups. economy and violent student protests. people who inhabit the Great The provincial governor could Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan, a re- Lakes region, have been in con- not immediately be reached for spected ANC veteran who was heading for fl ict since May 2013 in Demo- comment. a peaceful retirement until his appoint- cratic Republic of Congo’s Ka- Experts say security and hu- ment last year, has emerged as the unlikely tanga region, known for its rich manitarian needs in Congo’s fi gurehead of opposition to Zuma. deposits of copper and other southeast have largely been ne- Gordhan, 67, will next month appear in metals. glected as foreign donors and UN court on criminal charges that he says are a The violence, which has killed troops focus on the eastern Kivu politically-motivated attempt to oust him hundreds of civilians, has been provinces and Ituri province fur- after he stood up to Zuma and alleged cor- fuelled by social tensions be- ther north, which have been rav- rupt associates linked to the presidency. tween Bantu villagers and the aged by two decades of deadly Gordhan’s cause has attracted some Twa, a hunting and gathering confl ict. signifi cant backers – not least Deputy people who have long been de- Heightened political tensions President Cyril Ramaphosa as well as nied access to land and basic over the delay of a presiden- several other ministers. services. tial election from next month “People in the ANC are beginning to David Ngoy Luhaka, a local to April 2018, amid accusations understand the gravity of the crisis that priest and member of the Di- that President Joseph Kabila is the country is in,” Prince Mashele, a po- ocesan Commission for Justice trying to cling to power, have litical analyst based at the University of and Peace, told Reuters that at also raised fears of an upsurge in Pretoria, told AFP. least 16 people had been killed in localised confl icts over ethnicity “These are not just ordinary members, fi ghting since Sunday and many and control of natural resources. but senior members who have now bro- ken ranks, including Ramaphosa – some- thing which I would describe as ground- Hundreds arrested over Ethiopia riots breaking.” Zuma in December reluctantly re- bout 1,000 people have are being investigated for caus- appointed Gordhan, who had served as been arrested in Ethiopia ing the damages,” Sebeta mayor fi nance minister from 2009 to 2014, to Aover anti-government ri- Ararsa Merdesa said. calm panicked markets after sacking two ots, an offi cial said yesterday. Half of the detainees were not fi nance ministers within four days. The detainees were held near local residents, but had come in Gordhan vowed to use the unexpect- Protesters hold banners during a sit-in at the University of Witwatersrand to protest in Johannesburg against the militarisation the capital Addis Ababa, in the from outside, he added. ed opportunity to revive South Africa’s of the campus and racial profiling. Weeks of protests at South African universities have targeted tuition fees – but students say town of Sebeta, where protest- Medersa said the arrests had economy by controlling spending, re- they are also about racism and inequality in a society still plagued by the legacy of apartheid. The demonstrations have tapped ers looted and torched factories, been made before the state of forming loss-making state companies into deep problems in the country, where many black people are unable to get decent education, jobs or housing despite white vehicles and company premises. emergency was declared and that and tackling rampant corruption. minority rule ending more than 20 years ago. The rioting followed the the town had been calm since His work put him in direct confl ict with deaths of more than 50 people in then. Zuma loyalists such as the Gupta busi- Local elections in August produced the reinstate almost 800 corruption charges Zuma’s time in offi ce. It’s very unusual for a stampede sparked by police at- The Oromo, who constitute ness family, who are accused of wielding ANC’s worst-ever poll performance, and against him. cabinet members to speak out.” tempts to disperse protesters at more than 30% of the east Af- huge infl uence over the government. a diffi cult general election looms in 2019. GDP growth is expected to be virtually Zuma appears unable to sack Gordhan an Oromo religious festival near rican country’s 100mn popula- In a carefully-worded statement on “South Africa is in a very dark place,” zero this year, unemployment remains as it would trigger huge withdrawal of the capital on October 2. tion, feel excluded from political Sunday, Ramaphosa said: “I lend my said Mashele.”We have lost that moral stubbornly high at 27%, and public an- investment from South Africa, which al- The government subsequently and economic power. support to Minister Gordhan as he faces high ground that we used to occupy.” ger at lack of progress since apartheid has ready faces the possible loss of its invest- declared a state of emergency on Felix Horne from Human charges brought against him.” Zuma – who retains deep loyalty in most recently erupted through violent ment-grade credit rating in December October 8. Rights Watch told DPA the “si- Adding to the toxic political mix, Zuma many parts of the ANC – is due to leave protests by university students. last year. The Oromia region, which is lencing of independent voices last week went to court to block the re- offi ce in 2019 after serving the maximum “So much damage has been done in “Any move he will make against Gord- populated by the country’s largest and use of brutality by security lease of an offi cial anti-corruption probe two terms, with Ramaphosa and Zuma’s the process of keeping Zuma in power. han now is likely to provoke a massive Oromo ethnic group and includes forces to crush those that peace- into his relationship with the Guptas. former wife Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma Neither the ANC or South Africa are win- backlash,” Ranjeni Munusamy, a com- Addis Ababa, has seen repeated fully protest has led to this crisis, Zuma has survived several major scan- among his possible successors. The pres- ners,” Susan Booysen, a political analyst mentator and former aide to the presi- fl are-ups of anti-government so it’s hard to see how imposing dals during his presidency, but at a cost ident was reprimanded by South Africa’s at the University of the Witwatersrand, dent, wrote on Monday. protests since late last year. even more restrictions to silence to the party that led the long fi ght against highest court in March for using public told AFP. “(He) faces the real danger of being iso- Some of the 1,000 detainees dissenting voices is going to im- apartheid rule and took power under Nel- funds to upgrade his private home, and “We haven’t previously seen this level lated as his comrades and subordinates have been released, but “many prove Ethiopia’s long-term sta- son Mandela in 1994. he is also fi ghting a court order that could of division in the ANC and cabinet during close ranks around Gordhan.” of them are still behind bars and bility.”

Somalian Dakar’s threatened ‘green lung’ troops clash get a reforestation boost with Shebaab By Emmanuelle Landais, shouldn’t be cut and wasted, and ment to continue to protect it, as Reuters/Dakar that it’s important to plant more.” we don’t want to see more parcels Her mother, Christella Elou- of land disappear,” he said. AFP ga, explained that she likes That is particularly important Mogadishu “this sort of initiative because as real estate developers con- ulling away a black plas- nature belongs to all of us”. vince farmers and other land- tic pot, a forest guard “Nobody owns it but we all owners to sell their land to build ighting between Somali troops and Pholds up a short, wispy need it and benefi t from it – es- apartment towers, turning Dakar Al Qaeda-linked Shebaab fi ghters sapling before dozens of peo- pecially Mbao, as the ‘lung of into what he termed “a concrete Fwas ongoing yesterday in the key ple. He shows the crowd how to Dakar,’” she said. jungle”. Urban expansion is a town of Afgoye, some 30km northwest of hold the tree without damaging Planted by the government in threat to the Mbao forest, he said, Yekini ... passing on the baton. the capital Mogadishu, a security source it, then places it in a hole lin- 1908 as part of a reforestation and without it being protected and a witness said. ing a forest path and covers the project to halt land erosion and the capital faces worsening air “There is heavy fi ghting going on at roots with soil before pressing replenish the soil, the forest is quality and other problems. several bases in Afgoye district and one of them down gently. listed as “classifi ed”, a status Despite those concerns, the the bases was attacked with a car loaded Soon all of the crowd are busy that gives it some level of pro- government in 2013 cut 35 hec- Senegal wrestling star throws with explosives,” Abdulakir Ahmed, a lo- planting. tection. tares of forest to allow a toll cal security offi cial, told AFP. “If a tree is cut, one needs Activities such as cutting road to pass through the forest. A Shebaab statement said the group had to be planted in its place. But trees, or removing roots, leaves Fall, however, believes the in loincloth after 24 years recaptured the town, which it evacuated people who cut trees in Senegal or fruit, require government highway has “helped create in May 2012 after coming under attack tend not to replace them as they permission – although that awareness” of the forest. “Now from the Somali army and African Union lack the necessary skills,” said does not always prevent people people drive through it so they AFP Yekini, 42, told gathered press on Monday peacekeepers. Maimouna Seck, one young entering the forest at night, said get a sense of the size of the for- Dakar night that his recent defeat – one of two in “Mujahedeen fi ghters have secured member of the planting crew, as Moussa Fall, a consultant for est even if they have never been his entire career – was not the reason for his control of Afgoye town after heavy fi ght- she wiped away beads of sweat the Ministry of Environment to it,” he said. retirement. ing and they put up the Islamic fl ag over forming on her face. and Sustainable Development. In addition, part of the fund- enegal yesterday paid tribute to retiring “There would only have been me in the the enemy bases,” said the statement. A recent university graduate, Since being planted, the for- ing for the highway – from part- wrestling champion Yakhya “Yekini” arena,” during his 15-year dominance of the “The infi del soldiers who stayed in town she said she learned about the ested area has shrunk to 700 ners including the World Bank SDiop, celebrating a quarter-century of sport if that was every wrestler’s attitude, he have fl ed” and “tens of the enemy forces need for reforestation in school, hectares today, from 815 hec- – has been used by the govern- mesmerising bouts that saw his sport shift joked. have been killed,” it said. and had come out to “fi ll the tares in 1940, as the govern- ment and NGOs to reforest 140 from village amateurs to big-money stars He took his name from 1990s Nigerian There was no independent confi rma- void others have created”. ment has dedicated some areas hectares of land in Mbao forest grappling in sold-out stadiums. football star Rashidi Yekini, known for his tion of the reported capture of the town. In Africa’s Sahel, planting of land to new roads and other with over 58,000 plants of 20 Yekini’s exceptionally long career and un- powerful attack. Residents said the target of the bomb and protecting trees is crucial public works projects, Fall said. diff erent species, such as euca- beaten record from 1997 to 2012 made him Drawn from the Serer people who have attack was the local police station. to maintaining rainfall patterns, Bad roads in the area in the lyptus, cashew and acacia. the face of Senegal’s national sport. produced champion after champion in Sen- “There was a suicide car bomb attack providing cool places for people early 2000s meant garbage Another of the government’s The much-loved 42-year-old star was fi - egalese wrestling, Yakini hails from the targeting the police station and heavy in a hot environment and help- trucks couldn’t access some strategies entails allowing local nally beaten by rival Lac de Guiers 2 on July coastal Saloum region and was named the fi ghting is going on,” said resident Amin ing curb climate change. villages, leading to the forest populations to cultivate parcels 24 after a long absence from competition. best wrestler in 50 years in 2010 by the me- Moalim. On the edge of Dakar, Lead becoming “an uncontrolled of land throughout the forest, “Yekini throws in the loincloth” pro- dia. He said the town had been taken by sur- Senegal, an environmental garbage dump” for waste from which makes them accountable claimed the front page of several Senegalese “I am sure the next champion that the Ser- prise and “people are hiding in their houses NGO, is planting acacia trees the area, Fall explained. for its protection and prevents newspapers yesterday, while a more sober ers produce will be even stronger than me,” and those who stayed outside have fl ed.” to restore the shrinking and An 11km perimeter wall built it from becoming a dumping take from l’Obs daily read: “The curtain falls he told journalists on Monday in a tribute to “I saw wounded civilians and Somali degraded Mbao forest, seen as around the forest in 2004 has ground, Fall said. He estimates on Yekini”. his origins. soldiers as well,” he added. “We don’t Dakar’s “green lung”. reduced dumping and illegal that about 700 people cultivate The most popular form of wrestling in “I’ve lived through the changes in the Sen- know who is controlling the city so far Last month, 150 volunteers logging. 180 hectares of forest land. Senegal unusually allows punches to an op- egalese arenas: how prize money has gone up, because heavy exchange of gunfi re is go- planted 1,000 trees in a day, on But Malick Geye, a spokesman A three-hectare vegetable ponent’s head, and is known for the elaborate how our status has changed, and the birth of ing on.” the opening day of the initiative. for Lead Senegal, believes protec- plot leased to a 22-member rituals undertaken by players in which they new champions,” he added, calling on today’s The Shebaab has fought to overthrow Eight-year-old Katia Elouga tion of the forest must go further. women’s collective generated are splashed with potions containing animal young players to take the professionalisation the internationally-backed government was one of those taking part. “It “This is the only green space the more than 12mn CFA ($20,000) extracts and perform dances. of the sport even further. in Mogadishu since 2007, losing control of is my fi rst time in the forest,” city has left. We are raising the in 2015 from sales of carrots, In recent years, sponsorship and televised Yakini will join the crowds on the other the capital in 2011 before losing other bas- she said, kneeling in the soil. alarm for the population to main- turnips, cabbage and tomatoes, bouts have turned the sport into a multi- side of the barriers as a wrestling promoter, tions such as Afgoye. “Today I learned that trees tain the forest, and the govern- Fall said. million-dollar industry, according to experts. he said. Gulf Times Wednesday, October 19, 2016 15 AMERICAS Iraq refugee admits he attempted to join IS

Reuters municated with a California Houston man who he believed was asso- ciated with the Syrian Islamist rebel group Al-Nusrah, pros- n Iraqi-born man who ecutors said in a statement. entered the United Al-Hardan in 2014 and 2015, AStates as a refugee in discussions with a confi den- pleaded guilty on Monday in tial informant, said he planned Texas to attempting to volun- to travel overseas to support teer to fi ght with Islamic State, Islamic State, prosecutors said. federal prosecutors said. He also said he had taught Omar Faraj Saeed al- himself to make remote deto- Hardan, 24, pleaded guilty in a nators and showed off a circuit First Lady Michelle Obama speaks with Agnese Landini, wife of Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi during a state arrival ceremony at the White House in Washington. federal court in Houston to one board he built as a transmitter, count of attempting to provide prosecutors said. material support, specifi cally Al-Hardan entered the himself, to the militant group, United States as an Iraqi refu- the US attorney’s offi ce for the gee in late 2009, about two southern district of Texas said years before the start of a civil in a statement. war in Syria, after spending Al-Hardan, who most re- time in refugee camps in Jor- cently lived in Houston, faces dan and Iraq, prosecutors said. up to 20 years in prison when He was later granted legal Obama tells Trump he is sentenced on January 17, permanent residence. prosecutors said. The arrest of al-Hardan The case comes during a US gained national media atten- presidential race in which the tion in January, with Texas question of admitting refugees lieutenant governor Dan from the Middle East, espe- Patrick, a conservative Repub- cially Syria, has become a point lican, citing it as an indication of contention between the two of why Texas was seeking to to ‘stop whining’ leading candidates. block the resettlement of Syr- Democratic presiden- ian refugees. President Obama has come out candidate trying to discredit the elections “But their behavior has undermined tion that nearly one in four told an opinion tial nominee Hillary Clinton Islamic State, which con- forcefully to give Hillary Clinton’s and the election process before votes have international norms and international poll they would rather have a giant meteor has called for increasing the trols tracts of land in Iraq and campaign a push even taken place. rules in ways we have to call them out on,” destroy the Earth than see Donald Trump number of Syrian refugees Syria, has claimed credit for It’s unprecedented,” Obama said. Obama said, citing “Russian aggression in or Hillary Clinton in the White House. admitted and said the United a surge in global attacks this AFP “That is both irresponsible — and, by Ukraine” and other actions. The tongue-in-cheek question was in- States can adequately screen summer, even as it has been Washington the way, it doesn’t really show the kind of Russia has been internationally con- tended to gauge young Americans’ level them. hammered by US-led coalition leadership and toughness that you’d want demned for its 2014 annexation of Crimea of unhappiness about their choices in the Republican nominee Donald air strikes. out of a president. from Ukraine and its support of pro-Rus- November 8 election, said Joshua Dyck, Trump has opposed their entry On Monday, Iraqi forces resident Barack Obama yester- You start whining before the game’s sian separatists in eastern Ukraine. co-director of UMass Lowell’s Center for and called for “extreme vet- launched a US-backed off en- day slapped down Donald Trump’s even over?” The US state department is denying that Public Opinion, which conducted the poll ting” of incoming Muslim im- sive to drive Islamic State from Pclaim that the 2016 presidential race “If whenever things are going badly for it sought to infl uence the FBI to change a alongside Odyssey Millennials. migrants. the city of Mosul. is rigged, telling the Republican to “stop you and you lose you start blaming some- security classifi cation on one of Hillary The choice alluded to the Twitter hash- In the Texas case, federal President Barack Obama whining” and get on with his campaign. body else, then you don’t have what it Clinton’s e-mails. tag “#GiantMeteor2016,” a reference to an agents began investigating al- has said refugees are properly In language normally reserved for chas- takes to be in this job.” Documents newly released by the FBI imaginary presidential candidate used to Hardan in 2014 after he com- screened and vetted. tising a stroppy teenager, Obama dis- Obama also slammed Trump’s “fl at- under the Freedom of Information Act express frustration about this year’s elec- carded diplomatic decorum and skewered tery” of Russia’s Vladimir Putin as “un- cite one offi cial from the law enforcement tion choices. the mogul from the Rose Garden in front precedented” and “out of step” with both agency who believed there was a “quid pro Some 53% of the 1,247 people aged 18 to of visiting Italian Prime Minister Matteo Democrats and rank-and-fi le Republi- quo” suggested by a high-ranking state 35 said they would prefer to see a meteor Renzi. cans. department offi cial. destroy the world than have Republican As Trump’s poll numbers have been The Republican presidential nominee The documents are part of the FBI’s in- New York real estate developer Trump in Pipeline fi rm’s dragged down by accusations of sexual has repeatedly voiced admiration for the vestigation into the use of a private email the Oval Offi ce, with some 34% prefer- assault, he has unfurled a litany of com- Russian president — notably calling him server by Clinton, the Democratic presi- ring planetary annihilation to seeing the plaints about the nation’s election system. a better leader than Obama — and advo- dential nominee, when she was secretary Democratic former Secretary of State win. gear set ablaze Democrat Hillary Clinton has widened cated a US rapprochement with Moscow. of state from 2009-13. Some 39% said they would prefer that her lead over Trump nationally and in key Trump’s support for Russia comes at a Her emails have been a persistent issue US president Barack Obama declare him- swing states three weeks before Election time of escalating tensions, as Washing- in the campaign, reinforcing perceptions self president for life than hand over power Reuters resulted in millions of dollars Day. ton and Moscow lock horns over the Syria of Clinton as fl outing rules for personal to Clinton or Trump, with 26% saying the New York in damage.” Bookmakers in Europe — where politi- confl ict, and US offi cials accuse Russia of expedience. nation would do better to select its next The Standing Rock Sioux cal betting is legal — have already begun to directing cyber attacks aimed at interfer- The summary of an interview with an leader in a random lottery. tribe and environmental ac- pay out on a Clinton win. ing in November’s election. unnamed FBI offi cial described his be- Some 23%, nearly one in four, preferred onstruction equipment tivists have been protesting “Of course there is large scale voter Obama said he was troubled that other lief that a “quid pro quo” was off ered by the giant meteor outcome to either Trump for Dakota Access LLC’s construction of the 1,886km fraud happening on and before election Republicans were supporting the Repub- Patrick Kennedy, undersecretary of state or Clinton. Ccontroversial $3.7bn oil pipeline in North Dakota for day,” Trump wrote on Twitter, without of- lican presidential candidate’s positions on for management, to a second FBI offi cial. “Obviously we don’t think that they’re pipeline suff ered about $2mn in several months because they fering corroborating evidence. Russia. The FBI had been seeking permission serious,” Dyck said in a phone interview on damage in an intentionally set say it threatens water supply Obama shot back: “There’s no evidence Saying “Mr. Trump rarely surprises from the state department to station more Tuesday.”The fact that one in four of our fi re over the weekend in Iowa, and sacred sites. that that has happened in the past, or that me these days,” Obama said he was much agents in Iraq, and Kennedy was described young people pick ‘Giant Meteor’ tells you authorities said on Monday. The company, a unit of En- there are instances in which that will hap- more concerned to see support for the as trying to convince the FBI to change its something about the political disaff ection The Jasper County Sheriff ’s ergy Transfer Partners LP, on pen this time.” candidate’s stance on Putin and Russia ruling to classify one of Clinton’s 55,000 that is being shown by American youth.” offi ce said the fi re occurred Monday off ered a $100,000 “And so I’d advise Mr Trump to stop from Republican offi cials who historically e-mails. That contrasts with the surge of partici- late Saturday near the town of reward for information leading whining and go try to make his case to get had been anti-Russia. “Our view is... that there was no quid pation by young voters that helped propel Reasnor, Iowa, near where oth- to an arrest and conviction in votes,” he told a news conference. Historically, Republican politicians pro quo even suggested,” State department Obama into the White House for his fi rst er equipment was set ablaze the case, but it did not imme- The withering riposte comes on the eve have often taken or appeared to take a spokesman John Kirby told broadcaster term in the 2008 election. in August along the pipeline diately respond to a request for of the third and fi nal presidential debate, harder line on Russia’s predecessor, the MSNBC. When asked to choose between the ac- route, which is planned to car- details on the incident. and is just the type of comment that has Soviet Union, the US’ Cold War foe. “There were two conversations. One tual candidates, Clinton easily led Trump ry oil from North Dakota to the Opposition to pipeline con- baited Trump into launching distracting Obama said Russia’s behaviour has un- about the fact that we disagreed with this with 54 % of respondents to 21 % in a two- US Gulf Coast. struction has increased in re- Twitter feuds and campaign speech tan- dermined international norms and said e-mail being classifi ed as secret.... Those way race. State and federal authorities cent years, with activists pro- gents. any suggestion that the United States has conversations were happening at the same In a four-way race also including Lib- are investigating. testing against the Keystone Obama also renewed his eff ort to tether encroached on Russian interests is wrong. time, but they were not linked. There was ertarian Gary Johnson and Green Party Dakota Access said in an XL line that was rejected by the Republicans to Trump’s faltering candida- “We think that Russia is a large, impor- no bargain suggested here.” candidate Jill Stein, Clinton led with 48 % emailed statement it “experi- Obama administration. cy and described his behaviour as an aber- tant country with a military that is second The FBI ultimately did not reclassify the support, to Trump’s 20 %, Johnson’s 10 % enced the intentional burning Last week, climate-change ration in American democratic history. only to ours and has to be a part of the so- email in question, Kirby pointed out. and Stein’s 4 %. In national polls survey- of construction equipment by activists disrupted the fl ow “I have never seen in my lifetime or in lution on the world stage rather than part Young Americans are so dissatisfi ed ing the whole population, Clinton is lead- unknown individuals. of millions of barrels of crude modern political history any presidential of the problem,” Obama said. with their choices in this presidential elec- ing Trump, but not by nearly as much. These illegal actions have from Canada to the US. Town mayor quits Head of police chiefs’ group apologises for ‘mistreatment’ of communities of colour after racist posts Reuters colour,” said Cunningham, who is white. Los Angeles Cunningham, who is police chief in Wellesley, Massachusetts, near Boston, Reuters a telephone interview yesterday. Clint Eastwood holding a noose said it was also important for those critical Pennsylvania Wasko could not immediately in a scene from a Western movie. he president of an organisation rep- of police to “acknowledge that today’s of- be reached for comment. The image carried the caption, resenting US and international po- fi cers are not to blame for the injustice of Wasko had resisted calls to “Barry, this rope is for you. Tlice offi cials apologised on Monday the past.” he mayor of a small Penn- step down earlier this month, af- You wanna bring that empty for the role law enforcement has played According to its website, the IACP, which sylvania town is resigning ter he was accused of racism for chair over here!” Obama used in “society’s historical mistreatment of was founded more than 100 years ago, rep- Tafter sparking outrage by the images on his page. Barry as a nickname when he was communities of colour”. The remarks by resents 20,000 law enforcement profes- posting images on his Facebook The West York Borough Coun- young. Terrence Cunningham, president of the sionals from 100 countries. page comparing president Barack cil voted 7-0 on October 3 to cen- Nooses were used for decades International Association of Chiefs of Po- Attorney general Loretta Lynch. Attorney general Loretta Lynch, speak- Obama and his family to apes and sure him over the posts. in the lynchings of black people lice, come amid a recent string of killings of ing to the IACP conference on Monday, referencing a noose. Mauck said he feared the by white supremacists in the seg- black men and women by offi cers that have nearly a week of protests in El Cajon. called an announcement by the US justice The council of the borough of episode had damaged the com- regated US South. sparked protests across the United States “There have been times when law en- department that in 2017 it would begin col- West York, located about 160km munity’s economy and that he There have been other in- and calls for greater accountability in the forcement offi cers, because of the laws lecting data about law enforcement offi c- west of Philadelphia, voted wanted to repair its reputation. stances across the country of use of deadly force. enacted by federal, state, and local govern- ers’ use of force nationwide “preliminary”. unanimously on Monday to ac- “We’re going to move forward public offi cials spreading racist According to a transcript provided by ments, have been the face of oppression for But Lynch said the moves “represent the cept mayor Charles Wasko’s off er together to do everything we can to images and jokes since Obama the group, Cunningham, speaking at the far too many of our fellow citizens,” Cun- framework for initiatives that will allow all to step down, council president help the community heal,” he said. took offi ce in 2009 as the rst fi group’s convention in San Diego, did not ningham said. of us to gain what we have sorely lacked: an Shawn Mauck said. Wasko posted an image in June black US president. make mention of any particular incident, “For our part, the first step in this accurate picture of what is actually hap- Wasko’s resignation will be- of fi ve orangutans in a wheelbar- For example, a federal judge including the fatal shooting in nearby El process is for law enforcement and the pening out in the fi eld”. come eff ective on October 21, and row with the caption, “Aww... in Montana retired in 2013 after Cajon last month of Ugandan refugee Al- IACP to acknowledge and apologise for Earlier this year, the department also Mauck will fi ll out the rest of the moving day at the Whitehouse acknowledging that he had used fred Olango by offi cers. the actions of the past and the role that outlined a plan for collecting death-in- mayor’s term, which runs until has fi nally arrived.” court email to circulate a racist The shooting death of Olango, 38, in our profession has played in society’s his- custody data from state and local law en- December 31, 2017, Mauck said in Another image showed actor joke about Obama. the parking lot of a taco stand touched off torical mistreatment of communities of forcement agencies. Gulf Times 16 Wednesday, October 19, 2016 AMERICAS Flying into the bend Police probe arson at GoP offi ce

Reuters painted on the neighboring Winston-Salem building, police said. They said no one was in the party offi ce at the time, but the olice in North Carolina substance burned furniture sought leads on Monday and charred campaign signs. Pabout a fi re they believe White House spokesman was deliberately set at a lo- Josh Earnest praised the eff orts cal Republican headquarters of self-described Democrats over the weekend and a graffi ti who raised about $13,000 in message warning the political an online GoFundMe campaign party to “leave town or else”. to help Republicans reopen the Investigators are treating the offi ce. incident as arson. “That’s consistent with the The fi re caused heavy dam- values that we lift up in this age to the Orange County country,” he said at a news Republican Party’s offi ce in briefi ng. “There is no justifi ca- Hillsborough, North Caro- tion for the use of violence to lina, about 65km from the state advance a political agenda.” capital of Raleigh. In a tweet on Sunday, Clin- “This is political terrorism,” ton said she was grateful no said Dallas Woodhouse, ex- one was hurt in the attack, ecutive director of the North which she called “horrifi c and Carolina Republican Party. unacceptable”. Both Republican presiden- Trump blamed his Demo- tial nominee Donald Trump cratic opponent’s supporters and Democratic rival Hillary for the crime. Clinton condemned the attack. “Animals representing Hil- North Carolina is consid- lary Clinton and Dems in North ered a battleground state that Carolina just fi rebombed our could play a pivotal role in the offi ce in Orange County be- A falcon flies over the Chisos Basin in the Big Bend National Park in West Texas. Big Bend is a rugged, vast and remote region along the US-Mexico border and includes the November 8 presidential con- cause we are winning,” he said Big Bend National Park. test. on Twitter. “We are taking this incident Registered Democrats far very seriously and have sig- outnumber Republicans in nifi cant resources at the local, Orange County, according to state and federal level com- elections board data. mitted to this investigation,” Republicans said the inci- Hillsborough police chief Du- dent took them by surprise ane Hampton said in a state- but left them undeterred as ment on Monday, asking any- they started clean-up eff orts one with information to come at their strip-mall headquar- forward. ters and worked in a bus being Hillsborough police said used as a temporary mobile Fire-hit Canada city a bottle containing fl amma- offi ce. ble material ignited after be- “We’re not going to be ing thrown through a front cowed,” Woodhouse said. window of the headquarters On Monday, the Arizona Re- between midnight and about publican Party headquarters 9am on Sunday, when a nearby in Phoenix was evacuated for business owner reported the about two hours after a bomb crime. threat was left by phone. struggles to rebuild “Someone has fi rebombed Police said nothing was through the window (of) the found during a search of the Red-tape has hit the pace of rebuilding to deal with Canada’s costliest disaster tion of resident is understandable. owners of fi re-destroyed homes, but many Republican party up here be- premises. in Fort McMurray ever. But he is quick to note that the magni- residents said it was “ridiculous” they side me and sprayed all over the Party offi cials said the call Making the situation worse, the region’s tude of the work after the fi re was enor- were charged in the fi rst place. side of my building, ‘Nazi Re- was received from an adult Reuters harsh winter weather is set to raise con- mous and city offi cials had to follow cer- On average, building permits cost publicans leave town or else,’” male at about 3.15pm local time Calgary struction costs and slow progress in re- tain rules and processes to make sure the C$1,600 ($1,200) to C$2,000, said RMWB the caller told a 911 operator in saying there was a bomb in the building even further, residents say. rebuilding eff ort proceeded properly. spokesman Robin Smith. a call released on Monday. building and for occupants to “People are mad and companies are “We hoped to have a ton of houses start- “Lots of people are frustrated with how A swastika also was spray- get out. ome fi ve months after the wildfi res mad, there have been lawsuits fi led. ed and on the ground but we have had sig- it’s going. that devastated Fort McMurray were Nobody trusts a word the city says,” said nifi cant complexities,” he said. The rebuild is going slower than expect- Sextinguished, anger over red tape Kevin Lewis, a local demolition company With the brutal northern Alberta winter ed, I am not sure if it’s insurance issues and the slow pace of insurance payouts owner who was forced to leave during the on the way, many residents will now have or permits or a mixture of both,” said fi re and permit issuance is fl aring in the re- fi re but came back to fi nd his house still to wait until spring to rebuild their homes. captain Damian Asher, who lost his home mote northern Canadian city. standing. Daytime winter temperatures average while battling the wildfi re in another part Immigration by More than 1,900 structures were de- While most of the oil sands operations minus 12C, but can fall as low as minus of the city. stroyed by the wildfi re last May, which have returned to normal rates, rebuilding 40C. Asher, whose own rebuilding plans were forced the evacuation of about 90,000 eff orts for thousands of homes in Fort Mc- Concrete companies add a winter heat held up at one point while he waited for undocumented residents and shut in more than a mil- Murray, are progressing at a much slower surcharge from October 1 to April 1, which a demolition permit, said he has already lion barrels per day of crude output from pace. boosts the cost of pouring a house’s foun- spent C$12,000 on permits. the area around Canada’s oil capital in the So far just 184 development permits dation by around 10%. While he is making progress on rebuild- children sees rise province of Alberta. have been issued and only around 30 On a Facebook page dedicated to helping ing his home, he understands the emo- Around 80,000 people have returned, houses are putting framework in place, ac- evacuees, a frequent complaint is about tions people are going through as the com- according to Red Cross estimates, but cording to city offi cials. owners of burned houses having to pay munity rebounds. AFP stem the surge, which often most of those who came back to find Marc Fortais, recovery team chief of for demolition, development and building “People that are renting or living with Washington is linked to poverty and gang- their charred houses gutted by the fire staff for the Regional Municipality of permits before they can start work. friends are still sitting on the edge of not related violence in the home have yet to start rebuilding as city offi- Wood Buffalo (RMWB), which governs Last month, the local city council voted knowing whether they will be able to start countries. cials and insurance companies struggle the city and local area, said the frustra- to waive permit fees and issue a rebate to rebuilding or not,” Asher said. The number of unaccompa- In 2014, the US, Guatema- nied children illegally enter- la, Honduras and El Salvador ing the United States across its adopted an ambitious “Alliance southern border spiked 49% for Prosperity” programme over the past year, offi cials in aimed at curbing migration by Washington said on Monday. improving conditions in Cen- The department of home- tral America. Bebe Rexha taps into Albanian land security reported that “Border security alone can- 56,692 children travelling not overcome the powerful without adults were inter- push factors of poverty and cepted at the US border with violence that exist in Central Mexico in the fi scal year ending America. Walls alone can- roots as MTV Europe host in September, compared with not prevent illegal migration,” 39,970 the previous year. Johnson said. Overall, 408,870 adults and “Ultimately, the solution is AFP eral European countries last year with Me, Myself & I, a children were intercepted at long-term investment in Cen- New York collaboration with rapper G-Eazy. She has already en- the border, an increase of 23% tral America to address the joyed a prolifi c career as a songwriter at her young age. over the previous year, accord- underlying push factors in the She was discovered after she won a national contest ing to the DHS. region.” he force behind a string of hits for other artists, pop for teenage songwriters run by the Recording Academy, Homeland security sec- Johnson said the DHS has singer Bebe Rexha was named the host of the MTV which administers the Grammy Awards. retary Jeh Johnson said the tried to enforce the immigra- TEurope Music Awards on Monday before her fi rst Rexha co-wrote The Monster, the chart-topping 2013 number of undocumented im- tion laws “in a fair and humane album has even been released. hit by Eminem and Rihanna, as well as songs for Selena migrants, while on the rise, is a way”. The honour refl ects the 27-year-old’s fast-growing Gomez, Iggy Azalea and Nick Jonas. fraction of the number enter- “But, the reality is the sys- stardom and the connection she feels to Europe. Blessed with a voice that can go into high soprano range ing the United States from the tem is broken, and badly in Born in New York to Albanian parents, Rexha will take yet maintain a soulful texture, Rexha said recording her 1980s through 2008. need of comprehensive immi- centre-stage on November 6 in the Dutch city of Rot- own album was a new experience. “The demographics of ille- gration reform that only Con- terdam for a gala geared to a more global audience than “You need to know when to surrender the album,” she gal migration on our southern gress can provide,” he said. MTV’s signature Video Music Awards. said. border has changed signifi - Johnson also called for the With a sizeable fan base in parts of Europe as well as “It’s very nerve-racking because you want people to cantly over the last 15 years,” creation of a path for the esti- Mexico, Rexha said she always immerses herself in local like it and you want to like it, and sometimes you have to Johnson said in a statement. mated 11mn illegal immigrants music scenes when travelling. put your foot down and say this is what it’s going to be,” “Far fewer Mexicans and currently in the United States In Europe, “it kind of feels that sometimes they’re a she added. single adults are attempting to to “get right with the law”. step ahead, and I think they’re open to diff erent-sounding “I can’t sit here forever – for another 10 years – doing cross the border without au- The DHS report comes three music, and I like that,” she told AFP. this album.” thorisation, but more families weeks ahead of the November The singer said with a mischievous look that she was Bebe Rexha at Staples Center The album was also highly personal for Rexha, who and unaccompanied children 8 presidential election, with practising pranks for the internationally televised awards poured emotion into songs about a breakup. are fl eeing poverty and vio- the immigration issue loom- night, whose performers will include Bruno Mars and But she eventually realised that “the more real you are” “The writing process was very tough,” she said.”What lence in Central America.” ing large – particularly in the Shawn Mendes. the better. you start learning is that to get over a breakup, you kind of For the second time in three campaign of Republican can- “I just want to be myself and be real and be funny,” she “I want to show every part of me, and every colour of have to live through the emotions and not run away from years, more Central Americans didate Donald Trump, who has said. me,” she said. “And I think, growing up Albanian, I wanted it because then it lasts longer.” were caught at the border than vowed to build a wall along the Part of being true to herself is expressing her Albanian to bring that to light.” But the approach is not always cathartic. Mexicans, the agency reported. southwestern border and make heritage. Rexha’s next single will feature a “big drum that has a Performing her early single I Can’t Stop Drinking About The fi rst time that happened Mexico pay for it. While her sound is consistent with R&B-tinged main- very sexy feel to it”, she said, adding that she sees it as an You a year later when another boyfriend split with her, was in 2014. Democrat Hillary Clinton, stream pop, she said there are underlying Albanian infl u- inheritance from Albanian music. Rexha said she would cry on stage. The increase in undocu- by contrast, has called for im- ences, including sounds she heard at weddings. The song comes out ahead of her debut full-length al- “I feel weird – you don’t want to cry on stage!” she said mented immigrants attempt- migration reforms that could “When I was first starting out, I didn’t know how to bum, the cryptically titled A.Y.F., which will be released with a laugh. ing to enter the country comes provide a pathway to legal sta- grasp that, how to intertwine that in my music,” she in January. “The fans are like – what’s happening? But it’s life and I as the US boosts eff orts with tus for many undocumented said. Rexha entered the Top 10 in the United States and sev- can’t be perfect every day.” allies in Central America to immigrants. Gulf Times Wednesday, October 19, 2016 17 ASEAN Vietnam, US launch Danang dioxin clean-up

AFP government has committed to May. “The long-term impact of and much of the 80mn litres Hanoi help clean up toxic land in the the project will be the elimina- of Agent Orange used during communist nation. tion of potential health risks as- “Operation Ranch Hand” was The countries, whose rela- sociated with dioxin exposure mixed, stored and loaded onto ietnam and the United tions have warmed in recent from the site,” the US embassy planes there. States yesterday launched years, yesterday began treating statement said. The airbase is considered a Vthe second phase of a di- 45,000 cubic metres of soil con- Osius and Vietnam’s Vice “dioxin hotspot”, where con- oxin clean-up in Danang, where taminated with dioxin at Danang Minister of National Defence centrations of toxic contami- millions of litres of Agent Orange Airport, a task expected to be Nguyen Chi Vinh switched on a nants from Agent Orange are were stored during the war be- fi nished by mid-2017. thermal treatment system yes- well above the globally-ac- tween the former enemies. “I am encouraged by how this terday at a ceremony in Dan- cepted maximum standard. The US sprayed the defoliant project continues to be a symbol ang, where they were photo- Victims groups say rates of over large swathes of southern of our honesty about the past, graphed before a giant mound cancer, birth deformities and jungle during the Vietnam War dealing with what remains and of covered earth. other dioxin-related diseases to fl ush out Viet Cong guerrillas, turning an issue of contention The thermal technology are higher than the national and Vietnamese victims’ groups into one of collaboration,” US heats the contaminated soil to average around the site. have long blamed the toxic resi- ambassador Ted Osius said at the temperatures high enough to The government says up to due for deformities and disease. scene, according to a statement. break down dioxin into harm- 3mn Vietnamese were exposed Though Washington has dis- The fi rst phase of the clean- less compounds. to Agent Orange, and at least US ambassador to Vietnam Ted Osius (right) shaking hands with Vietnam’s Deputy Defence Minister Gen. puted the link between dioxin up, which also treated 45,000 Danang Airbase was a key site 150,000 children were born Nguyen Chi Vinh as they attend a ceremony marking the start of the clean-up of dioxin contaminated-soil exposure and bad health, the US cubic metres, was completed in in the defoliant programme, with birth defects as a result. in central Danang city. Sky spectacle Military lockdown cuts off UN aid to strife-hit Myanmar region

Reuters hingya population. “Villagers Yangon are scared about their security because their hostile neighbours have a huge population,” said iolence in a Muslim-ma- Khin Maung Than, chairman jority region of Myanmar of the Arakan National Party in Vis stopping aid agencies Maungdaw Township, which from delivering food and medi- has been at the centre of the vio- cines, a United Nations offi cial lence. said yesterday, as security forces He estimated around 5,000 respond to deadly raids that the ethnic Rakhine Buddhists have government says were inspired fl ed their homes, fearing attack by radicals. by Muslim “Bengalis” — a term Troops have been sweep- widely used in Myanmar but ing northern Rakhine state for rejected by the Rohingya them- more than a week, hunting an selves because it implies they are estimated 400 fi ghters who offi - illegal immigrants from Bangla- cials believe are members of the desh. The Red Arrows aerobatic team of Britain’s Royal Air Force flies over the Marina Barrage in Singapore yesterday. The flypast which had previously been delayed twice due mostly stateless Rohingya Mus- Rohingya leaders insist few of to inclement weather finally made their way over Marina Bay for 20-minutes. lim community acting with the the 1.1 mn Rohingya in Rakhine support of radicals abroad. state — many of whom have The Myanmar military has lived there for generations and declared the area an “operation face discrimination and severe zone” and has tightly controlled restrictions on their movements the fl ow of information since in- — believe violence is the solu- surgents seized dozens of weap- tion to their plight. ons in raids on border posts on The offi ce of President Htin Oct 9 in which nine police offi c- Kyaw has named a little-known ers were killed. group, “Aqa Mul Mujahidin”, ‘Social sanctions’ urged UN agencies “don’t have ac- which it says has links to radicals cess to the aff ected areas to as- abroad, as responsible for the sess humanitarian needs”, Pierre Oct 9 attacks. Peron, spokesman for the UN’s International human rights Offi ce for the Coordination of groups have raised concerns that Humanitarian Aff airs, said by civilians are being caught up in a as mobs hunt royal critics email. heavy-handed crackdown. Health clinics and nutrition Amnesty International has AFP done little to tamp down hard- But there has been an uptick programmes in northern Ra- been told that villagers wounded Bangkok line public sentiment by pre- of angry social media calls by khine have been hampered by in the violence have been unable senting the monarchy as under hardline royalists for vigilante movement restrictions imposed to access medical treatment, attack, said David Streckfuss, a action against alleged trans- after the attacks, he said. said Laura Haigh, a researcher hais should “socially Thailand-based expert on the gressors of ‘112’ — the criminal “We hope that the situation for the group. sanction” those who de- monarchy. code that covers the feared law. will improve as soon as pos- A senior Rohingya leader in Tfame the monarchy fol- “They’ve created a sort of On Sunday a woman on sible so that humanitarian or- Maungdaw, who asked not to lowing King Bhumibol Adulya- bunker mentality,” he said, add- Samui island was forced by po- ganisations can restart vital be named because he was afraid dej’s death, the junta’s justice ing that there was no evidence lice to kneel below a portrait programmes to assist all com- of repercussions, told Reuters minister said yesterday, as fresh of a genuine republican move- of King Bhumibol in front of munities in Rakhine state,” Per- he had received reports that as videos emerged of mob justice ment in Thailand to justify such a baying mob after she alleg- on said. many as 9,000 Rohingya have against people accused of in- an approach. edly posted an insulting com- The spike in violence in eth- been displaced from 21 villages. sulting the institution. “The closest thing to any ment about the monarchy on nically divided Rakhine state About 1,200 people, mostly The death on Thursday of the anti-monarchy movement is Facebook.She has since been poses a serious challenge to the ethnic Rakhine Buddhists, are world’s longest reigning mon- just a variety of unconnected charged with lese majeste. six-month-old government led sheltering in a school in north- arch has left the nation bereft individuals who want to be able Similar mobs have formed on by Aung San Suu Kyi, who was ern Rakhine State’s Buthidaung of its key pillar of unity and seen to make public comments about the southern island of Phuket swept to power in an election Township, according to the mass outpourings of grief from the monarchy as it is an impor- and in nearby Phang Nga prov- last year but has faced criticism United Nations. black-clad Thais. tant public institution,” he said. ince, sparked by alleged com- abroad for failing to tackle rights Many more are believed to be But it has also unleashed People mourn the passing of King Bhumibol Adulyadej along the The lese majeste law makes ments. abuses against the Rohingya and staying with relatives in other small but vocal ultra-monar- Grand Palace walls in Bangkok yesterday. detailed discussion or debate Other social media users have other Muslims. parts of the state and about 800 chist forces, including mobs about the monarchy’s role — berated those deemed not to be At least 30 suspected mili- people — mostly women and and online crusaders scouring At 10.30am a video was slapped in the face by commut- and its future after Bhumibol’s mourning suffi ciently deeply or tants and fi ve military personnel children — are packed into small the web and bent on punishing broadcast live on Facebook ers in the presence of police 70-year reign — all but impos- failing to wear black clothes. have been killed in clashes since monasteries in the state capital anyone perceived to have in- showing a mob kicking and over alleged comments. sible. The latter phenomenon the Oct 9 raids. of Sittwe. sulted the monarchy. beating a man and forcing him Thailand’s monarchy is The atmosphere in Bangkok dubbed “black-shaming” has Nearly 120,000 people, most- Moe Thida, 31, journeyed with “There is no better way to to prostrate himself in apology protected by a draconian lese has been overwhelmingly som- been condemned by the junta. ly Rohingyas, were already dis- her four children over mountain punish these people than to for allegedly insulting the mon- majeste law that outlaws criti- bre and calm since the death of Its leader Prayut Chan-O- placed in Rakhine after an out- roads and on a packed ferry to socially sanction them,” Justice archy. cism with punishments of up the king. Cha did not address the mob vi- break of communal violence in reach Sittwe after fi ghting came Minister Paiboon Koomchaya During the beating, which to 15 years in jail for each insult Late Monday Bhumibol’s olence when he briefed report- 2012. within earshot of her home. told reporters yesterday, as he appeared to take place in Chon- uttered. oldest daughter, Princess Ubol- ers yesterday, though he urged Local sources said the latest As with several other dis- vowed to “pursue those people buri east of Bangkok, the man Prosecutions have surged ratana, 65, made a surprise visit Thais not to make infl ammatory violence has displaced thou- placed members of the mostly who violate the law”. cried out: “I didn’t mean to do under the military which seized to well-wishers outside the comments. sands more. Buddhist Rakhine ethnicity who His message comes amid a it, I love the king! It’s my fault.” power two years ago, and Grand Palace. “I ask for co-operation from Ethnic Rakhine political lead- have fl ed Maungdaw, she told growing number of cases of Another video uploaded record-breaking sentences have “We have to work to move public not to broadcast or send ers have proposed that the gov- Reuters she was too afraid to re- vigilantism by royalist Thais to social media late Monday been handed down in some forwards, not backwards,” she such messages as it hurts the ernment arm local militias to turn, although no attacks have against people accused of in- showed an elderly woman on a cases. said according to video upload- feeling of Thai people and is il- fi ght what they see as a grow- been reported on ethnic Rakhine sulting the monarchy. Bangkok bus being berated and The arch-royalist junta has ed by eyewitnesses. legal,” he said. ing violent threat from the Ro- civilians.

OFFBEAT Driverless taxi hits lorry in Hotdogs set for name change in Malaysia Singapore trial A car taking part in the world’s first AFP It follows complaints by Muslim certification with the department. Sirajuddin, who recommended are doing our jobs, by the law,” he public trial of driverless taxis was Kuala Lumpur tourists from overseas, said Sirajud- US pretzel chain Auntie Anne’s, pretzel dogs be called pretzel sausag- said. slightly damaged yesterday when din Suhaimee, director of the halal which has 45 outlets in Malaysia with es, said Aunty Anne’s halal certifica- A company last year introduced it collided with a lorry in Singapore, division from the Department of Is- plans to expand further, said it has tion application is currently being halal bottled mineral water in Malay- its operator said. No one was hurt ood outlets in Malaysia must lamic Development. no qualms about renaming its pret- considered. sia, and Islamic speed dating sessions in the accident in One North, a sub- rename hotdogs or risk being “Any (halal) products that make zel dogs — sausages wrapped with Among the many critics on social — where single women are chaper- urban research campus where the Frefused halal certification, a consumers confused, we have to pretzels — following advice from re- media, one Facebook user remarked: oned — have been embraced. vehicle has been on a limited run government religious authority said change,” he said. ligious authorities. “Please stick to religion...don’t be an A halal convention in Kuala since August, US software firm nu- yesterday. Numerous street vendors and halal “It’s a minor issue. We are fine with English language adviser.” Lumpur last year, which drew thou- Tonomy said in a statement.“None The ruling, which also includes restaurants sell hotdogs in Malaysia. changing the name and are still work- Another posted: “Pet shops please sands of delegates and hundreds of of the people involved was injured. other food items whose name in- Sirajuddin said checks would be ing on it,” said Farhatul Kamilah Mo- rename ur dogs as sausages.” exhibitors, showcased products rang- The nuTonomy car, which was op- cludes the word “dog”, has garnered made “step-by-step” when these hamed Sazali, an executive at Auntie Sirajuddin dismissed as “normal ing from food and cosmetics to colla- erating with two engineers onboard, much ridicule on social media. outlets renew their two-year halal Anne’s Malaysia. reaction” the online criticism.”We gen produced from yaks in Tibet. was travelling at a low speed,” it said. Gulf Times 18 Wednesday, October 19, 2016 AUSTRALASIA/EAST ASIA Australian PM rejects Nauru ‘torture’ claim

AFP policies stopped people dying at sea plications were rejected six times. Sydney on dangerous boat journeys. Canberra last year brought in se- “I reject that claim totally. crecy provisions making it a crime That is absolutely false,” he told for anyone who works for the im- mnesty International’s Australian Broadcasting Corp radio migration department, including claims that Australia’s de- of Amnesty’s charge of systematic contractors, to disclose information Atention of asylum-seekers neglect and cruelty on Nauru. they obtain on the job, which critics on the Pacifi c island of Nauru “The Australian government’s say silences whistleblowers. amounts to torture are “absolutely commitment (to off shore process- A former case manager on Nauru, false”, Prime Minister Malcolm ing of asylum-seekers) is compas- Sandra Bartlett, cried yesterday and Turnbull said yesterday. sionate and it’s strong. said she was terrifi ed about the legal Canberra sends asylum-seekers “As far as Nauru is concerned... consequences of speaking out, but trying to reach Australia by boat there is a very substantial invest- that “more people will die” if action to Nauru and Papua New Guinea’s ment there, to improve the cir- was not taken to remove them from Manus Island, but the camps’ con- cumstances of the people that are the island. ditions have been widely criticised there.” The furore came as the ABC by refugee advocates and medical Amnesty’s senior director for re- broadcast an investigation Monday professionals. search Anna Neistat, who travelled night depicting the plight of refugee The asylum-seekers are blocked to Nauru for the report, said her or- children living on Nauru. from being resettled in Australia ganisation did not “come to these Nauru’s government Tuesday re- even if found to be refugees. conclusions (about torture) easily”. jected the ABC report as “denigrat- Amnesty said in a report Monday “It is the nature of the harm, the ing, racist, false and pure political that asylum-seekers and refugees fact that it is systematic...(and) de- activism” and “an insult to the peo- on tiny Nauru were “driven to ab- liberate, in the sense that it is being ple of Nauru”. solute despair” and were struggling done with a clear purpose to create a The Nauru facility holds just over with an “epidemic of self-harm”, deterrence, to punish,” she told re- 400 men, women and children. adding that their living conditions porters in Sydney yesterday. Just over 800 asylum-seeker men fi t international law’s defi nition of Neistat slammed the veil of se- are held on Manus, with Australia in torture. crecy around the centres, saying August agreeing to close the camp But Turnbull blasted the allega- she had to travel to Nauru in a per- following a PNG Supreme Court tions and said his country’s tough sonal capacity after her offi cial ap- ruling. A Shinto priest leads lawmakers at the Yasukuni Shrine. Military service objectors applaud Japanese lawmakers visit South Korean court ruling

AFP The timing and language of the judgement will pro- controversial war shrine Seoul vide a huge boost for advocates of reforming military service regulations. The Constitutional Court is expected to rule in the AFP Japan’s colonialism and aggression in the More controversial than the shrine it- South Korean appeals court yesterday over- next few months on a complaint that criminalising Tokyo fi rst half of the 20th century, including self is an accompanying museum that turned the convictions of two conscientious ob- conscientious objection violates an individual’s basic China and Korea. depicts Japan as a liberator of Asia and a Ajectors in an unprecedented ruling hailed as a key rights. South Korea in a statement expressed victim of the war. victory by opponents of mandatory military service. The main rationale behind the continuation of man- ozens of Japanese lawmakers “deep concern and disappointment over Abe and other nationalists say Yasu- More than 60 years after the end of the Korean War, datory military service is the threat posed by North Ko- yesterday visited a controversial the fact that (lawmakers) have once again kuni is a place to remember fallen soldiers nearly every able-bodied South Korean man between rea, given that the 1950-53 Korean confl ict ended with Dwar shrine in an annual pilgrim- sent off erings to and paid tribute at the and compare it to Arlington National the ages of 18 and 35 must still complete around two a ceasefi re rather than a peace treaty and left the two age criticised by China and South Korea, Yasukuni Shrine, which glorifi es Japan’s Cemetery in the United States. years of military service. Koreas technically at war. which see it as a painful reminder of To- past war of aggression”. “Every country pays respects to peo- There is currently no alternative community service Amnesty International welcomed yesterday’s ruling kyo’s aggressive past. Seoul called on Japanese politicians to ple who died for his or her country,” said option for conscientious objectors, and anyone refusing and said providing an alternative form of service was The group of about 85 politicians ar- “demonstrate through action their hum- Hidehisa Otsuji, who headed the group of the call-up faces up to two years in jail. “long overdue”. rived at the leafy Yasukuni shrine in cen- ble self-refl ection and sincere remorse for lawmakers. But the appeals court in the southwestern city of “The government needs to act on the ruling and stop tral Tokyo during a four-day autumn fes- Japan’s past wrongdoings”. The site attracts many ordinary visitors Gwangju overturned the convictions and 18-month jail punishing young men who refuse military service on tival. While Japan-China relations have been who come to pay their respects to friends terms handed down by a lower court on two Jehovah’s grounds of conscience,” said its East Asia researcher Led by priests, the dark-suited law- on the mend, Beijing also had a frosty re- and relatives who died in military con- Witnesses, arguing they had genuinely been motivated Hiroka Shoji. makers entered the main shrine building sponse to the lawmakers’ visit. fl icts. by religious convictions in refusing to serve. Every year, hundreds of conscientious objectors in to pray for Japan’s war dead as they bowed “We hope Japan’s politicians can main- “I heard that my grandfather died in “Religious and personal conscience is guaranteed by South Korea — mostly Jehovah’s Witnesses — are put at the threshold. tain a correct view of history, and do more the battlefi eld so I came here to comfort the constitution and cannot be restrained by criminal on trial for defying the draft. The visit comes a day after Prime Min- to promote cooperation with and win the his spirit,” said Kazuya Ono, a 40-year- punishment,” Yonhap news agency quoted the court as Some 12,000 South Korean Jehovah’s Witnesses have ister Shinzo Abe — often criticised for trust of neighbouring Asian countries,” old businessman, who visited Yasukuni saying. been jailed as conscientious objectors over the past six what some see as revisionist views on Ja- said foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua yesterday. “I prayed for him to be well in “The international community is recognising con- decades, and the movement’s South Korean branch ap- pan’s wartime record — sent an off ering Chunying. heaven.” scientious objectors,” it said, while noting that “a con- plauded the court ruling. to the shrine, but avoided a visit. Earlier yesterday, four Chinese coast- Abe visited the shrine in December sensus is shaping in our society on the need for an al- “It is a major step forward toward meeting the inter- Yasukuni honours millions of Japanese guard ships entered Japan’s territorial 2013 to mark his fi rst year in power, a pil- ternative service”. national standard on conscientious objectors,” the na- war dead, but also senior military and waters close to disputed islands that have grimage that sparked fury in Beijing and The judges also rejected prosecutors’ calls to over- tional branch said in a statement. political fi gures convicted of war crimes been a thorn in the side of diplomatic re- Seoul and earned a diplomatic rebuke turn a rare not-guilty verdict on a third conscientious But the defence ministry insisted that the idea of in- after World War II. lations for years. from close ally the United States which objector — also a Jehovah’s Witness. troducing some alternative service required “prudent The indigenous Shinto religious shrine Visits to Yasukuni by senior Japanese said it was “disappointed”. It was the fi rst time an appeals court has ruled against judgement” and warned that it could be “abused as a has for decades been a fl ashpoint for politicians routinely draw an angry reac- He has since refrained from going, the government in such cases. way of avoiding military service”. criticism by countries that suff ered from tion from Beijing and Seoul. sending ritual off erings instead.

Emergency egg repair Tasmanian Devils’ milk Tricky ride saves kiwi chick delicate repair job using a spare piece of egg shell and a bit of could fi ght superbugs Amasking tape has saved the life of an endangered kiwi chick after its egg shell was badly damaged more AFP pansion of these peptides in mar- than a week before it was due to hatch. Sydney supials,” University of Sydney PhD The kiwi chick, named Fissure, candidate Emma Peel, who worked hatched from its shell on October 13, on the research published in the 11 days after it was brought to staff other’s milk from the Nature journal Scientifi c Reports, at the Kiwi Encounter centre at the marsupials known as Tas- told AFP. Rainbow Springs nature park. Mmanian Devils could help “Marsupials have more peptides Kiwi Husbandry Manager Claire the global fi ght against increasing- than other mammals. In the Devil Travers said the facility, which is ly deadly “superbugs” which resist we found six, whereas humans part of a national kiwi hatching antibiotics, Australian researchers have only one of this type of pep- programme, had a store of clean, said yesterday. tide. bleached kiwi egg shells on hand for Superbugs are bacteria which “Other research in other marsu- emergency repairs. cannot be treated by current an- pials has shown that tammar wal- Even so, she feared Fissure’s egg tibiotics and other drugs, with a labies have eight of these peptides had been so badly damaged that the recent British study saying they and opossums have 12,” said Peel, chick could not be saved. could kill up to 10mn people glo- adding that studies into koala’s She was over the moon when the bally by 2050. milk had now started. tenacious little kiwi emerged from Scientists at the University of The scientists artifi cially created its patchwork shell. Sydney found that peptides in the the antimicrobial peptides, called “The hatch itself was amazing with marsupial’s milk killed resistant cathelicidins, after extracting the the part of the shell that was taped bacteria, including methicillin- sequence from the devil’s genome, onto the egg actually mimicking the resistant golden staph bacteria and and found they “killed the resistant original shell and cracking in unison enterococcus that is resistant to bacteria...and other bacteria”. as if it was part of the existing egg.” the powerful antibiotic vancomy- They are hopeful marsupial Travers says she tries not to get cin. peptides could eventually be used too emotionally attached to the The researchers turned to mar- to develop new antibiotics for hu- kiwi chicks, which will be released supials like the Devil — which carry mans to aid the battle against su- back into the wild once they reach a their young in a pouch after birth to perbugs. healthy weight. complete their development — be- “One of the most difficult But Fissure may have already sto- cause of their biology. things in today’s world is to try len a piece of her heart. The underdeveloped young have and find new antibiotics for “He has got two beautiful little an immature immune system when drug-resistant strains of bacte- white patches of feathers above his they are born, yet survive growth ria,” the research manager of the eyes so you can tell who he is straight in their mother’s bacteria-fi lled university’s Australasian Wildlife away. He looks a little bit like Albert pouch. Genomics Group, Carolyn Hogg, Experts ride water-powered jet-boards in Yixing, Jiangsu province, China. Einstein, with his big bushy eye- “We think this has led to an ex- told AFP. brows.” Gulf Times Wednesday, October 19, 2016 19 BRITAIN

TfL staff get £102,000 golden goodbyes as Khan eyes cost cuts

London Evening Standard redundancy pot of £5mn. “good but fl abby” and the re- Tory Chris Philp, the MP for “This is profl igate, it’s bad Arbour said: “This is a stagger- Northern and Piccadilly lines in- London City Hall insisted that the dundancies are part of cost-cut- Croydon South, said the pay- management and Sadiq Khan ing waste of public money from a house, which could save at least voluntary redundancy round — ting measures which he claimed off s, revealed by LBC Radio, were should not have allowed these mayor who has already cost TfL £80mn over the next decade. in which 17% of TfL’s top team had delivered £170mn in savings “a catastrophic waste” of public enormous public service pay- hundreds of millions with his TfL is conducting an internal ransport for London exec- departed — would save £40mn so far. money. off s. In government, we’ve leg- disastrous fares freeze.” review of its structure in a bid to utives have been handed over the next fi ve years. TfL is The mayor has promised to “The fact that people are be- islated to stop this happening However, City Hall insisted avoid duplication and will bring Tsix-fi gure “golden good- also saving £1mn a week by not bring in a fares freeze next year, ing paid over £100,000 simply in organisations like the NHS, that the “golden goodbyes” together engineering operations byes” as part of Sadiq Khan’s bid using expensive agency staff and at a cost of £350mn a year, but to leave the organisation is lu- where historically it has been would deliver substantial sav- and IT departments, with a po- to slim down the organisation. has brought in a recruitment critics have questioned how TfL dicrous at a time when traffi c in rife. And yet here is Khan signing ings in the long-term. tential saving of up to £25mn. Up to 50 senior employees have freeze for all but essential roles. will fund it because it will be in- London is in gridlock and or- off £5mn of these payments — Other “effi ciencies” made walked away with average pay- Sadiq Khan has frequently troduced just as the body loses dinary Londoners are trying to over £100,000 per pay-off .” so far include bringing main- off s of £102,000 each, sharing a described the organisation as central government funding. make ends meet,” he said. Tory Assembly member Tony tenance work on the Jubilee,

Maternity Bid to derail Brexit wards to Woolfe quits be rated by safety record Ukip, says

Guardian News and Media London party is in he government is to release new ratings for maternity Twards across England to al- low prospective parents to compare and contrast services in NHS hos- pitals, as part of a drive to reduce instances of stillbirth and brain in- death spiral juries during labour. Maternity data detailing the frequency of acci- Guardian News and Media The declared candidates in- fi ghting, proxy wars between rival dents within clinical commission- London clude Raheem Kassam, Farage’s camps and is run by an NEC (na- ing groups and the health prospects former chief of staff , Bill Eth- tional executive committee) that of expectant mothers – including eridge, a Midlands MEP, and Pe- is not fi t for purpose.” the percentage of smokers, for ex- teven Woolfe, the Ukip lead- ter Whittle, a London assembly His criticisms echo some of ample – will be collated to form ership frontrunner, has quit member. However, Paul Nuttall, a those made by James when she England-wide ratings. Sthe party, saying that the former deputy leader of the party, revealed she would not formally In a major speech yesterday, party has become ungovernable and Suzanne Evans, a former dep- take up the post of Ukip leader be- Hunt also unveiled proposals to and is in “a death spiral” without uty chairman who clashed with cause she did not have the support allow the NHS to off er compen- Nigel Farage at the helm. Farage, may also decide to run. of colleagues for the necessary re- sation automatically to parents of The MEP said he had reconsid- In his statement of resignation, forms she said the party needed. babies left stillborn or brain-dam- ered his ambitions to lead the par- Woolfe said he had come to the Despite reports that police were aged because of poor care. The ty after a public altercation with conclusion that Ukip could not be not involved in his Strasbourg fra- health secretary wants parents of fellow Ukip MEP Mike Hookem held together without the uniting cas, Woolfe said he had made a children starved of oxygen at birth outside a meeting in Strasbourg power of Farage. formal complaint about Hookem no longer to endure a wait of about and subsequent seizures that left He said the incident in Stras- and that he was also seeking legal 11 years for compensation. Woolfe hospitalised. bourg, combined with the “in- advice about Ukip’s investigation At present parents often be- He said he had come to the con- fi ghting and toxicity since the into the incident. come embroiled in lengthy and clusion that Ukip was ungovern- summer”, meant the party was Hookem has strongly denied costly legal action against the able without Farage leading it and in trouble and he did not want to landing a blow and is also threat- NHS, forcing grieving families the referendum cause to unite the lead it. ening legal action against Woolfe to fi ght for months or even years party. He also told the BBC that In the statement, Woolfe said: for defamation, suggesting he before the health service agrees to Ukip had entered a “death spiral, “It was because of the support staged a photograph that showed compensation. of their own making”. from party members that I put my him passed out after having a sei- Bereaved parents often have to With the backing of the major name forward to lead the party in zure. Hookem responded to the instruct solicitors to determine the Ukip donor Arron Banks, Woolfe the summer, and again two weeks resignation news, saying it was cause of their child’s death, with had been the favourite to take over ago following Diane’s resignation. clear Woolfe’s career in Ukip was health bosses sometimes denying the party after Diane James – who However, I could not have fore- already over once it emerged he any liability until they are ordered succeeded Farage – lasted just 18 seen the events that would follow. had “shown disloyalty” by con- to pay compensation by a judge. days in the job. “The events at the meeting in sidering a defection to the Con- Under the new scheme, which He said that without some- Strasbourg led to me later being servatives. was fi rst recommended by Tory one to wrestle it into shape very treated by doctors for two sei- All eyes will now be on whether peer Baroness Cumberlege ear- quickly, Ukip would see “the loss zures, partial paralysis and loss of Nuttall or Evans, who were not in lier this year, an independent rapid of the party, their infl uence, the feeling in my face and body.” the last leadership contest, decide resolution and redress scheme will goodwill that the public have with He said: “Since then, I have to throw their hats into the ring. be set up to investigate tragedies in them”. But Woolfe had been un- spent some time considering my Kassam, one of the declared childbirth, which would quickly der pressure to withdraw after the personal and political future. It is candidates, said he thought decide whether compensation fracas in Strasbourg, which was with deep sorrow and regret that I Woolfe had been “under a lot of should be paid. The launch comes triggered by the revelation that he am aborting my leadership cam- pressure from people negatively as fi gures showed that the cost of had considered defecting to the paign and announcing my resig- campaigning against him inside settling claims with parents whose Conservatives. nation from Ukip with immediate the party” and felt he had been children are damaged at birth has The Ukip leadership contest is eff ect.” “eff ectively pushed out”. reached more than £0.5bn. The now wide open, but there are seri- “The way I was treated by He said: “What some people NHS as a whole pays out more ous doubts about its viability as a members of my own party during have turned Ukip into is unac- than £1bn a year in negligence political force without Farage, the the summer’s leadership cam- ceptable, and it has led to a good, compensation, and reducing that Investment manager Gina Miller (right) returns to the High Court during a break in her legal exodus of supporters to the To- paign and the events that have led decent man having to withdraw cost is seen a key way of mitigat- challenge to prevent Prime Minister Theresa May’s from triggering the United Kingdom’s ries, and questions about whether up to resignation have all contrib- from the leadership race and the ing the fi nancial crisis facing the exit of the EU without Parliament’s consent, in London yesterday. Banks will continue to back the uted to me coming to this conclu- party. They should hang their service. party fi nancially. sion. The party is riddled with in- heads in shame.” Police hunt drunk man for Govt blocks Johnson attacking woman on train aide’s appointment London Evening Standard said the MP. “It is quite irregular.” London The dispute comes after signs London Evening Standard from Stamford Bridge after Chel- ‘Get off me — don’t do that’. that No 10 wants to keep tight London sea’s 3-0 victory over Leicester. “The other girl on the other control over rival ministers and Adams, from Clapham, was side said, ‘Mate, leave her alone’. ory MPs voiced alarm yes- their special advisers. going to see her parents in Milton I tried to fi nd a way out of the terday after Downing Street It emerged yesterday that Wal- young woman was left Keynes when the man sat next to seat but he was over me. Another Tblocked Boris Johnson from den had been working unpaid in feeling “violated” and in her shortly after 6pm on Satur- girl said ‘she doesn’t want your appointing a long-standing aide as Johnson’s offi ce while his official Atears after a drunk pas- day. attention’ and he went ballistic his chief of staff . status was discussed. senger allegedly shoved chips at this girl, talking about Ched One MP said it was “irregular” He off ered to work for a sub- into her mouth after she tried to Witnesses claimed the Evans and calling her a disgust- for No 10 to interfere with the for- stantial salary cut after No 10 ini- ignore him on a train. man pulled a snooker ing rat and a lowlife. eign secretary’s appointments to tially questioned his proposed re- Victoria Adams, 22, said the ball out of his pocket, put “He lunged at her and other his own offi ce, and feared it was a muneration, and then proposed a man abused her when she put her it inside a sock and began men in the carriage were drag- sign of Downing Street throwing reduced title when the objections headphones on and closed her swinging it around inside ging him away. The men pushed its weight around. changed. eyes. the carriage him forwards so I could get out. Will Walden, who was previ- Although he had a Foreign Of- The former parliamentary as- Afterwards I was on the phone to ously Johnson’s £130,000-a-year fi ce pass and accompanied John- sistant said the man began pok- She told the Standard: “He my dad sobbing.” director of communications at son on offi cial trips, he was unable ing her and pulling her scarf kept trying to talk to me, grabbed Adams fl ed to another carriage City Hall, had been expected to be to get a parliamentary pass be- before shoving his chewed-up my phone and asked who I was while a fi ght broke out between confi rmed in a more senior role in cause of the situation. After three takeaway meal in her mouth and messaging. When he started two diff erent groups of men. Whitehall as strategic adviser and months of uncertainty, and with trapping her in her seat. talking to another passenger I put Shaken passengers left the chief of staff . no fi nal response from No 10, he is Male passengers on the Lon- my headphones in and pretended train as it stopped at Tring sta- However, Walden has now understood to have concluded that don Midland train from Euston to be asleep. tion and British Transport Police withdrawn his application after it he was unlikely to be confi rmed to Northampton intervened and “He said I was such a typical offi cers arrived. Adams added: “I became clear that the prime min- and decided to formally withdraw a brawl broke out. Londoner. He started poking me don’t understand his behaviour. ister’s offi ce was refusing to sign it his job application. Witnesses claimed the man and putting food in my mouth He had six cans of beer with him off . Downing Street did not com- A No 10 spokesman said: “Wal- pulled a snooker ball out of his when I was sleeping. I said, ‘Stop as well. Why didn’t anyone stop ment or explain its refusal yester- den has withdrawn his applica- pocket, put it inside a sock and it, leave me alone’. I felt so vio- him getting on the train? day. tion. We have no comment to began swinging it around inside lated someone had put food in “I felt really violated on the A Tory MP said the incident make.” A friend of Johnson said: the carriage in front of terrifi ed my mouth. It was food he had day. It felt surreal — I don’t think would alarm backbenchers. “It is a “Boris wanted Will to stay and children and families. chewed up as well. I’ve processed it. It wasn’t a row- big surprise that the number three fought hard for him. But at the end It is believed the groups who “He started pulling on my scarf dy teenager, it was a man in his in the government is not being al- of the day he had to respect the clashed may have been returning choking me a bit and I screamed, late thirties.” Boris Johnson: setback lowed to appoint his own staff ,” situation.” Gulf Times 20 Wednesday, October 19, 2016 BRITAIN

VERDICT BLUNDER LAW AND ORDER PEOPLE TRAVEL Girl, 15, found guilty Gorilla images shown Attacker grabs woman’s 300 more refugee children More strike misery for of double murder instead of Sturgeon by BBC hijab in new hate-crime to rejoin families in Britain Southern commuters

A 15-year-old girl has been found guilty of BBC presenter Charlie Stayt apologised after A woman had her hijab grabbed in a bid to Up to 300 more refugee children are expected to Commuters suff ered a fresh wave of train misery murdering a mother and daughter. The teenager the broadcaster’s breakfast programme showed snatch it from her head as she walked along arrive in London from the Calais Jungle camp over yesterday as a new round of strikes began on the was 14 when she and her boyfriend stabbed footage of a gorilla instead of Scotland’s First Oxford Street in a new hate-crime assault. the next week to be reunited with their families. beleaguered Southern Railway network. Members Elizabeth Edwards, 49, and her daughter, Katie, Minister Nicola Sturgeon. Host Naga Munchetty The woman, in her forties, was walking alone London Councils, which represents all the town of the RMT union walked out for three days after 13, as they slept at their home in Spalding, was telling viewers they would be joined by the earlier this month when she was approached halls in the capital, has put in place emergency the latest failed attempt to resolve the bitter row Lincolnshire. Jurors heard the victims were politician later in the programme when footage by a man who repeatedly told her to remove measures to make sure the children are looked over the role of conductors. The strike forced the smothered with pillows and repeatedly stabbed in of a gorilla which escaped from its enclosure her hijab. When she refused the man became after. The first 14 to arrive in Croydon on Monday cancellation of hundreds of trains into London, a “cold, calculated and callous” act. A 15-year-old at London Zoo was shown on screen. He said: more aggressive and grabbed the woman’s were said to be teenage boys aged 14 to 17, leading to overcrowding and delays. Southern said boy admitted murder at the start of the trial. The “I’m sorry, we have very clearly run the wrong headscarf, attempting to remove it by force. although some critics claimed the group looked it planned to run 61% of its normal timetable during girl had denied murder but admitted manslaughter pictures over that particular sequence, my He managed to unpin the scarf but did not much older. Many of the children still to come will this week’s action. Some stations were not being on the grounds of diminished responsibility. During apologies there. The story we will be talking succeed in removing it. The woman ran away be younger and include girls. Borough leaders, served by trains. The strike came after Southern the trial, Nottingham Crown Court heard the love- about later, as you probably guessed by the and the man walked off towards Marble Arch. directors of children’s services and social work called for the union to put its latest off er to a struck teenagers’ relationship compared to that of pictures, is about the escaped gorilla at London Scotland Yard said it was treating the attack as teams across London worked over the weekend to referendum, saying a £2,000 lump sum was back US gangsters Bonnie and Clyde. Zoo.” an hate crime. prepare their local areas for the new arrivals. on the table if they do.

Autumn landscape Crackdown on rogue landlords to include new bedroom size

Guardian News and Media up the “fi t and proper person” test London for landlords. The rules only apply to HMOs requiring licences, which are new minimum bedroom shared homes with fi ve or more size and the extension of people from two or more house- Alicensing to thousands holds. The changes would bring more properties are to form part about 174,000 more properties of a government crackdown on into licensing, on top of the exist- rogue landlords who cram ten- ing 60,000. ants into overcrowded homes. The government is also seeking As rents have risen in recent views on whether the licensing years some landlords have at- arrangements for purpose-built tempted to maximise profi ts by student accommodation are ap- squeezing tenants into “rabbit- propriate. hutch” properties. Family homes The Housing and Planning have been divided into bedsits, Minister, Gavin Barwell, said: “In with some landlords letting order to build a country that truly spaces that are just three metres works for everyone we must en- squared, or advertising rooms that sure that everyone has somewhere are shared with other tenants. safe and secure to live. Autumn leaves are reflected in the water of Loch Faskally, in Pitlochry, Scotland. The government’s proposals, “These measures will give which apply only to England, councils the powers they need to include introduction of a mini- tackle poor-quality rental homes mum bedroom size of 6.52 sq in their area. By driving out rogue metres in shared houses classed landlords that fl out the rules of as homes in multiple occupa- business, we are raising standards tion (HMO). The size would be and giving tenants the protection applied for each individual or they need.” couple living in the property, so David Smith, policy director landlords could not squeeze in at the Residential Landlords As- Ministers free to object to bunk beds. sociation, said: “We agree that The Housing Act 1985 speci- tackling criminal landlords must fi es minimum space standards be a priority. We wait to see the but a tribunal case in April 2015 full details, but powers are already caused confusion when it ruled available to tackle overcrowd- that standards could only be guid- ing which is about the number of ance. Following that ruling, Ox- people crammed into a room, not Heathrow decision: May ford city council lost a case against the size of a room. a landlord who wanted to renew a “What is needed is proper en- Guardian News and Media confi rm whether that meant tary, Greg Clark; the Transport ters have long held views on this collective responsibility, but with licence to let a house with a bed- forcement of existing powers.” London ministers would have a free vote Secretary, Chris Grayling; the issue. And in light of that there this special arrangement for a room that was just over fi ve square On Monday, the housing char- in parliament to oppose the deci- Communities Secretary, Sajid would be a certain period of time limited time. She would not con- metres. ity Shelter published research on sion. Javid; the Scottish Secretary, after the committee had taken fi rm if the period would cover the The government said it wanted a new “living home standard”, heresa May will allow The Foreign Secretary, Boris David Mundell; the Environ- its decision where they would timescale for a vote in the Com- to make the standard mandatory drawn up to refl ect what people ministers to express their Johnson, and the Education ment Secretary, Andrea Lead- be able to express those views mons. as part of a package of measures think makes a property a decent Topposition to airport Secretary, Justine Greening, are som; the chief whip, Gavin Wil- and they would not be expected “Once a decision has been it said would help councils bring place to live. More than one in 10 expansion for a period of time vocal opponents of Heathrow liamson; and the party chair, to publicly support the govern- taken, certain ministers who have an end to ruthless landlords who of those surveyed felt their homes after the decision is made next expansion. Crucially, there are Patrick McLoughlin. ment’s decision.” long-held views or particular exploit tenants and charge them did not have adequate space. week, in the strongest signal yet no London MPs on the cabinet During Cabinet discussions, Downing Street said most cab- constituency interests will have extortionate rents to live in poor Since becoming housing min- that the government is prepar- sub-committee that will make which lasted more than an hour, inet members spoke during the some fl exibility to set out their conditions. ister in the summer Barwell has ing to back Heathrow’s bid to the decision next week. The May told colleagues she expected meeting, but there was consensus personal position.” Other proposals in a consulta- indicated the government could build a third runway. other two options under con- any fi nal scheme to be a “boost to that a decision needed to be made No 10 said it was “not the ex- tion paper published yesterday shift its housing focus from The prime minister told col- sideration are the extension of business and competitiveness” as soon as possible. pectation” that ministers would include: extending mandatory homeownership to looking at leagues at a Cabinet meeting yes- an existing runway at Heathrow, and that the decision would be The spokeswoman hinted that be able to actively campaign licensing rules for HMOs to fl ats ways to increase the number of terday that opponents of whatev- or the building of a second run- taken in the national interest. ministers would eventually have against the decision that was tak- above shops and other business homes to rent. er decision was made would have way at Gatwick. Her spokeswoman said: “The to accept the government’s deci- en. Johnson has previously vowed premises; requiring landlords to The plans announced yesterday a “set period” to speak frankly The committee members prime minister wanted to ap- sion. “The decision will be sub- to lie down in front of bulldozers provide decent storage and dis- were originally outlined in a dis- about their opposition. are: May; the Chancellor, Philip proach this in a mature way, rec- ject to the ministerial code, in the if they started work on the third posal of rubbish; and tightening cussion paper in 2015. Downing Street would not Hammond; the Business Secre- ognising that a number of minis- usual way, including the rules of runway.

Film premiere Man claims self-defence in Ofsted warns over antiques dealer’s murder police weaknesses Guardian News and Media police have to play in protecting London our most vulnerable children Guardian News and Media to Greenwood’s home to discuss tacking me.” He said he could not from harm,” wrote Wilshaw in a London buying cheap secondhand books. recall taking Greenwood’s mobile letter to Sir Tom Winsor. “They After an “interesting conversa- phone but accepted he must have he chief inspector of are the ones armed with the tion”, Danaher said he made a done, since it was used to track schools has warned intelligence to identify where man has admitted killing limp joke about another man Danaher’s movements back to Tthat some police forces organised abuse may be taking an antiques dealer at his whom the dealer had been ex- Peterborough after the killing, are failing to “take their child place and to spot emerging pat- Ahome in Oxford, but said pecting. “‘Call it wit ...’ I said to which led to his arrest. protection responsibilities se- terns of criminal activity. he was defending himself after him, ‘Oh, they must have known Danaher previously told the riously”. “I fully appreciate that in the the man suddenly attacked him I was coming.’” – at which point court that a spreadsheet found on In a letter to the chief in- current climate, police forces with a knife when he made a bad he said the dealer had suddenly his laptop entitled “Enterprises”, spector of police yesterday, Sir are facing many competing joke. called him an “obese tosser” and which listed a number of targets Michael Wilshaw, the outgoing pressures and demands on their Michael Danaher, 50, is ac- shoved him like “the angriest for robbery and kidnap including head of the schools inspector- limited resources. However, my cused of murdering Adrian man in Britain”. Greenwood and celebrities Kate ate, said more than half of Of- worry is that if chief constables Greenwood on April 6 after He had wrestled with Green- Moss and Jeff rey Archer, was not sted’s 42 inspections of local fail to give this issue suffi cient drawing up a list of robbery and wood on the fl oor of his hallway created by him but by a mystery authority children’s services in priority, we may see a repeat of kidnap targets on which the deal- in an attempt to defend himself, man whom he would not name. the past year had identifi ed se- the sort of catastrophic failings er featured alongside celebrities he told the jury, before the other He said the unidentifi ed man rious weaknesses in the police’s we saw a few years ago in places and wealthy businessmen. A jury man “just stopped” and lay mo- was also responsible for repeated contribution to safeguarding like Rotherham, Oxford and at Oxford crown court has heard tionless on the fl oor. searches on his laptop for infor- children. elsewhere.” that Greenwood died as a result He told Amjad Malik QC, de- mation about the home address- Inspectors found that po- A review by the National of more than 30 knife wounds fending: “My jokes are not nec- es of other high-profi le fi gures, lice forces were failing to share Crime Agency in April found and multiple blunt force injuries. essarily funny but I have never and that it had been this man, not information about domestic that a catalogue of police fail- Danaher, from Peterborough, had that eff ect on anyone.” him, who had earlier attempted abuse cases in a timely way and ings left criminals free to sexu- told the court that he was respon- Danaher said he was unsure if to force his way into the home of were not notifying social work- ally abuse more than 1,400 sible for Greenwood’s death, but Greenwood was alive or dead but Adrian Beecroft, a wealthy Con- ers quickly enough when chil- children in Rotherham over a denied he had murdered him or after catching his breath he had servative party donor, before be- dren went missing. They also 16-year period. A serious case had gone to his home intending decided to rob him of a number ing foiled. found there were delays by the review in March last year simi- to rob him of a £50,000 fi rst edi- of items including the copy of The unnamed man had taken US actress Cynthia Addai-Robinson (left), US actress Anna police in vetting people to work larly found that Thames Valley tion of The Wind in the Willows, The Wind in the Willows, a cam- his car and mobile phone, which Kendrick and US actor Ben Aff leck pose for photographers with children. police failed to prevent more which the dead man had listed for era and camcorder and the dead is why they were traced to the on the red carpet as they arrive for the European premiere of “I would like to be reassured than 300 young people being sale on eBay eight months earlier. man’s wallet, because “I wanted family’s Hampstead home at the the film The Accountant in London. that every chief constable rec- sexually exploited by gangs of Rather, he said, he had gone to pay him in some way for at- time of the attempt, he said. ognises the vital role that the men in Oxfordshire. Gulf Times Wednesday, October 19, 2016 21 EUROPE

Belgium charges four after EU fears rise of militant morning raids infl ux if IS loses Mosul AFP By Hui Min Neo, AFP itself for more battle-hardened “home” would pose dangers for “caliphate”, “it would force them cant contingent should be taken radicalisation” to set back on Brussels Berlin Islamist militants ready to the West, said Raff aello Pan- into more guerrilla or terrorist in perspective compared to the the right track children who launch attacks back home. tucci, director of International actions”. Chechens for instance”. had been taken by their parents “The retaking of the IS’s Security Studies at the Royal With the retaking of Mosul, “I Thousands of Tunisians have to Syria or Iraq, but who return elgium has charged four urope faces a new infl ux northern Iraq stronghold, Mo- United Services Institute. think we will see a growth of ter- also fought for the IS, making radicalised. people with involvement of Islamic State (IS) mili- sul, may lead to the return to Eu- “Rudderless but without a rorist attacks across North Af- them the biggest group by na- In Germany, which took in Bin terrorism after 15 early Etants if Iraqi forces retake rope of violent IS fi ghters,” the sense of revolutionary purpose, rica and the West”, he said, add- tionality. around 900,000 asylum-seek- morning raids in the northern the group’s stronghold Mosul, EU’s commissioner for security they will present a menace to se- ing that fi ghters could take cover France is particularly jittery ers last year along, scepticism is cities of Ghent, Antwerp and offi cials and analysts warned Julian King told German daily curity offi cials around the world in the routes used by refugees to about potential Islamist return- running high over the newcom- Deinze, the federal prosecutor’s yesterday, adding to fears on a Die Welt. for years to come,” he wrote in slip in. ees, as it has been hit by sev- ers particularly after two attacks offi ce said. continent battered by a string of He thought it was unlikely the Daily Telegraph. A French security source said eral terror attacks, including the in July committed by refugees in “Those persons have been Islamist attacks. that there would be a mass exo- The IS group “has shown a ca- anti-IS coalition forces must do November 13 assault in Paris in the name of the IS group. indicted for participation in the Thousands of Europeans have dus of IS fi ghters from Mosul to pacity to send fi ghters back hid- everything to trap the militants which Islamist militants com- The country’s head of the do- activities of a terrorist group,” a left for Iraq and Syria over the Europe but he stressed that even den among the refugees com- in Mosul, and prevent them from ing back to Europe from Syria mestic spy agency, Hans-Georg statement said. last two years to wage jihad, but a handful of militants returning ing to Europe. If it is threatened seeking refuge elsewhere. claimed 130 lives. Maassen, has raised the spectre “Some of them are suspected after the IS suff ered a string of would pose a “serious threat that in Iraq and Syria it may step up The threat posed by returnees More than 10 offi cers are of another problem – that of the of recruiting people with a view territorial defeats this year in we must prepare ourselves for”. the number of those ‘returnees’ is wider than Europe and ex- needed to monitor each returnee radicalisation of newcomers to to departing to Syria and join- both countries, some of its fi ght- Around 2,500 European fi ght- to establish networks or even tends to Russia as well as North around the clock – resources Germany. ing Islamic State (IS) there,” it ers have begun returning to the ers are still in the confl ict zones, launch attacks”, he warned. African and Southeast Asian na- that overstretched European Some 340 cases have already added. continent. said King. The IS is “entering a new tions, experts said. security agencies simply do not been recorded of Islamists pos- The prosecutor said no arms As Iraqi forces press their of- The IS may become less ap- phase”, said Chris Phillips, A French security source have, security sources said. ing as aid workers to gain access or explosives were found and the fensive in Mosul, the “caliphate” pealing to potential recruits if its managing director of counter- noted that although around French Foreign Minister Jean- to asylum-seekers in shelters, he raids had no immediate connec- declared two years ago by the IS, Iraqi stronghold were to crum- terrorism consultancy Ippso, 400 French nationals are still Marc Ayrault also pointed to said, but noted that the actual tion with the deadly IS-claimed experts urged Europe to prepare ble, but fi ghters left without a adding that as the group loses its in the war zones, “that signifi - the “very diffi cult work of de- number could be far bigger. attacks on the Brussels airport and metro which left 32 people dead in March. In all, 15 people were taken in for questioning initially, the statement added. Terrorism TV show Belgium has been on high Merkel expects ‘no wonders’ terror alert since the March at- tacks which appear to have been puts the verdict into organised and carried out by home-grown Islamist militants. Some of them, who grew up in from four-way Ukraine talks the viewers’ hands central Brussels and were known to the authorities, also took part in the November Paris attacks, Reuters By Coralie Febvre, AFP pull a lever and send the trolley which claimed 130 lives and left Berlin Berlin barrelling into one person on hundreds injured. another track. There has been a series of in- After 9/11, then-US vice- cidents since March despite a erman Chancellor An- military pilot shoots president Dick Cheney said the much increased security pres- gela Merkel said that down a hijacked plane military would have been justi- ence on the streets, the latest G“no wonders” should Awith 164 people on fi ed if they shot down the air- early this month when two po- be expected at talks on a stalled board to save the lives of thou- liners to prevent them crashing lice off ers were stabbed in the peace plan for eastern Ukraine sands in a packed stadium that into the World Trade Centre Schaerbeek area of Brussels. which she will host today with was the target of a terrorist and the Pentagon. Prosecutors charged the sus- the leaders of Russia, France and plot. However, Germany’s con- pect in that case with “attempt- Ukraine. Is he a hero, or guilty of mur- stitutional court ruled in 2006 ed murder in a terrorist context Other top offi cials, includ- der? that such action would violate and participation in the activi- ing Ukrainian President Petro That is the question view- Article One of its Basic Law, ties of a terrorist group”. Poroshenko, also dampened ex- ers were asked to answer in that human dignity is inviola- Two months earlier, two po- pectations of any breakthrough an interactive television show ble. licewomen were wounded in the at the talks in Berlin on ending broadcast late on Monday in In the case of Terror – Your southern city of Charleroi by a confl ict in which more than fi ve European countries. Verdict, viewers in Germa- a machete-wielding man who 9,600 people have been killed Terror – Your Verdict turned ny, Austria, Switzerland, the shouted “Allahu Akbar”. since 2014. couch potatoes at home into a Czech Republic and Slovenia “One mustn’t expect any jury judging the fate of fi ction- were asked to vote guilty or not wonders from tomorrow’s al German air force major Lars guilty online or via a telephone Man in custody meeting but it is worth every Koch, who fi res a missile at the hotline. endeavour on this issue to take Lufthansa passenger jet. The programming chief for over series of eff orts forward,” Merkel told a “If I don’t shoot, tens of German public broadcaster bomb threats news conference yesterday. thousands will die,” he says in ARD, Volker Herres, said that Merkel said that she and the thriller as he takes aim at the audience was invited to be- A Danish court has ordered a French President Francois Hol- an engine of the Airbus A320, come part of the plot. man to be held in custody on lande would also discuss what fl outing the orders of his su- “The viewer is yanked out suspicion of issuing several bomb she called the worsening hu- periors. of the passivity of television threats that led to the temporary manitarian disaster in Syria The plane bursts into fl ames watching,” he told the Bild dai- evacuation of two Danish airports with Russian President Vladimir and comes down in a potato ly. “He is actively called upon and two shopping centres, police Putin. fi eld, killing everyone aboard to become both an aff ected said. “Given this situation, I be- including militants from an Al person and take a decision.” The 31-year-old, who is from the lieve no option – including that Qaeda off shoot who planned to In the end, overwhelming town of Slagelse about 100km of sanctions – can be taken off use the airliner to target a soc- majorities called for Koch to be southwest of Copenhagen, was the table,” the chancellor said, cer match between Germany acquitted, with more than 80% arrested on Monday, hours after adding that the fi rst priority was and England. of viewers in Germany, Austria the threats were made. to alleviate human suff ering in At the Munich stadium ven- and Switzerland fi nding Koch He pleaded innocent and Syria. ue, some 70,000 fans are bliss- not guilty. planned to appeal the Naestved French Foreign Minister Jean- fully unaware that they have An actor playing the presid- district court’s decision to keep Marc Ayrault said that it was been spared death due to the ing judge read out the verdict, him in custody until November 9, important to maintain pressure actions of the young military with both options fi lmed in ad- prosecutor Susanne Bluhm was on Russia over Syria, a theme STILL WAITING: A street vendor waits for customers in central Kiev. pilot. vance. quoted as telling Ritzau news echoed by German Finance In the television show, an The normally prosaic Bild agency. Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble. ble for elections in the Donbass and Russian-backed rebels, but Moscow’s military role in Syria. adaptation of a successful play pointed up the philosophical At the hearing it emerged he was “Yes, we want better rela- region of eastern Ukraine and violence routinely fl ares along a Ayrault, speaking in Paris, by bestselling author Ferdi- thicket revealed by the show a former Danish war veteran who tions, but not at the price that discuss further military disen- demarcation line. said there was no alternative nand von Schirach, Koch sits “pitting eternal natural law suff ered from post-traumatic (the Russians) don’t stick to gagement along the line of con- “Am I very optimistic? Yes. to continuing to work on the in the dock on 164 counts of against the Protestant ethic of stress disorder and other mental the rules,” Schaeuble said in a fl ict. I am very optimistic about the Minsk agreement. “I told the murder. responsibility, which demands issues. speech in which he called for Poroshenko, speaking in future of Ukraine but unfortu- Ukrainians there was no plan The scenario has been de- a conscience-based decision in Bluhm said that he refused to European Union states to pool Oslo, cautioned against setting nately not so much about to- B to the Minsk accords. Some bated since the suicide hijack- every situation”. undergo an evaluation, the report their defence budgets to bet- “very high expectations” for the morrow’s meeting, but I would think there is a plan B, which is ings of September 11, 2001 in Von Schirach, the grandson said. ter counter the Russian mili- meeting. be very happy to be surprised,” confronting Russia, which we the United States as a kind of of Hitler Youth leader Baldur In addition to the threats, he is tary. “We don’t want to fall back The Kremlin has criticised Poroshenko said. don’t want.” modern trolley problem, the von Schirach, is a trained law- suspected of raising false alarms. into the old insanity of reacting Ukraine for not respecting its The talks will take place just Putin’s spokesman Dmitry classic ethical thought experi- yer and one of Germany’s most The threats resulted in the to every provocation, but that obligations under the Minsk over a year after the four leaders Peskov told reporters it made ment. popular crime writers. evacuation of Aarhus and doesn’t mean we will accept the ceasefi re deal. last met in the so-called “Nor- sense to “compare notes” about In that hypothetical conun- The play had already drawn Roskilde airports after police shifting of borders and power A ceasefi re agreed in the Bela- mandy Format”, and against the implementation of the Minsk drum, a person must choose more than 163,000 people to received near-simultaneous with violence.” russian capital Minsk in Febru- backdrop of heightened ten- accord, but it was not possible to between allowing a runaway theatres in cities including threats by telephone, Ritzau Ayrault said that the meeting ary 2015 stemmed heavy fi ght- sions between Russia, Europe talk about any concrete agree- trolley to run over fi ve peo- Berlin, Tel Aviv, Caracas and reported. would aim to establish a timeta- ing between Ukrainian troops and the United States about ments. ple tied to railway tracks, or to Tokyo. Norway releases images of Russian fl eet en route to the Mediterranean

AFP and seven other vessels were member primed to take over es- battlecruiser, the Vice-Admiral Oslo photographed on Monday in cort duties afterwards, Eikeland Kulakov destroyer and large an- international waters off Nor- said. ti-submarine ships, the defence way, Major Elisabeth Eikeland, “The tone is good” with the ministry in Moscow said. he Norwegian military spokeswoman of the National Russian ships, Eikeland said. Yesterday Moscow an- said yesterday that it had Joint Headquarters in the Nor- Russia announced on Satur- nounced an immediate halt to Ttaken photos of a Rus- wegian army, told AFP. day that the Soviet-era Admiral raids by Russian and Syrian air sian fl eet, including its fl ag- “We have been informed that Kuznetsov, its only aircraft car- forces on Aleppo as a gesture of ship aircraft carrier, which were they are en route to the Medi- rier, was to reinforce Moscow’s “goodwill”. shadowed off its coast as they terranean,” Eikeland said. “It’s military presence in the eastern The Kremlin said this would headed for the eastern Mediter- not every day that so many Mediterranean, where its forces enable the evacuation of ci- ranean. ships sail together off Norway.” are conducting a bombing cam- vilians from rebel-held ar- Based in Severomorsk in The carrier was shadowed paign in Syria. eas of the city, which has been the Barents Sea in the Arctic, by a Norwegian navy frigate, The Admiral Kuznetsov is bombed intensively during the This Norwegian Armed Forces handout image shows the Russian aircraft carrier Admiral Kuznetsov passing the the carrier Admiral Kuznetsov with a vessel from another Nato travelling with the Pyotr Veliky past month. Norwegian island of Andoya in international waters on its way to the Mediterranean. Gulf Times 22 Wednesday, October 19, 2016 EUROPE

French court lifts Court rejects bid to stop teenager’s travel ban

Reuters ‘Jungle’ camp demolition Paris

AFP Lille Muslim convert yesterday won a court order lifting a Atravel ban that she says rench Interior Minister was imposed because of her ul- Bernard Cazeneuve said tra-conservative Salafi st beliefs, Fyesterday the demolition in a case that has exposed deep- of the “Jungle” migrant camp in seated tensions between secular Calais would take place “within France and its Muslim commu- days” after a court rejected a nity. last-ditch bid by charities to The 19-year-old, who was block it. raised as a Catholic, converted Cazeneuve told parliament to Islam two years ago and said that talks with Britain on tak- she had wanted to travel to Saudi ing in some of the hundreds of Arabia to study before her moth- unaccompanied minors living in er alerted the authorities, sus- the camp that want to join rela- pecting her daughter had fallen tives across the Channel were Cazeneuve: talks with Britain on taking in unaccompanied minors into the hands of Islamist mili- “proceeding very smoothly”. living in the ‘Jungle’ who want to join relatives across the Channel tant recruiters. A group of 14 teenagers ar- were ‘proceeding very smoothly’. The travel ban was imposed rived in Britain on Monday, with on anti-terrorism grounds be- dozens more set to follow in Lille rejected their claim that The camp’s demolition will cause the government feared she the coming days as French au- dismantling the Jungle’s maze of remove a source of embarrass- may try to join Islamist militant thorities prepare to bulldoze the shacks and tents was “an attack ment for the Socialist govern- groups fi ghting in Syria and Iraq. camp in northern France. on the fundamental rights” of ment and will be welcomed by The ruling is a victory for Cazeneuve pledged that all the migrants there, mostly Ira- truck drivers and the port op- Salafi sts who say they are un- remaining migrants at the site, qis, Afghans and Sudanese. erator. fairly tarred with the Islamist currently occupied by around The court ruled that the evac- And criminal activity has also A migrant stands near his suitcase before departing the Calais ‘Jungle’ camp to take classes at Lille militant brush in France. 5,700 people according to offi - uation was intended to end the fl ourished in the makeshift set- University. Salafi sm, which is the ba- cial fi gures, would be given “dig- “inhumane and degrading” con- tlement. sis for Islamic State’s ideology, nifi ed” shelter. ditions they endured, by mov- A female interpreter was raped offi ce in nearby Boulogne-sur- that London show more soli- at their impending arrival. says Muslims must return to the Earlier yesterday a group of ing them to shelters around the while working with a television Mer said. darity with minors who make A shelter in Forges-les-Bains, practices of early Islam and shun French charities failed in their country. journalist in the camp on Mon- A search was under way yes- the perilous journey to Europe about 30km (20 miles) south of many aspects of modern West- last-ditch legal bid to block the Under pressure to relieve day night, investigators said. terday for the suspects. alone, in the hope of joining rel- Paris, was torched last month ern life. razing of the camp, which has pressure on Calais, French The pair, who were working The Jungle has also been a atives across the Channel. to try to thwart the arrival of a But most Salafi sts are non- been a magnet for migrants try- President Francois Hollande last for France 5, were attacked by constant source of tension with But the government’s reloca- group of Afghans. violent, analysts say. ing to reach Britain by stowing month vowed to close down the three knife-wielding Afghans, Britain. tion plan still faces challenges at Two other centres – one in the Religious leaders estimate away on trucks heading across Jungle by the end of the year. one of whom forced the woman The pace of transfer of child home, with residents of several southeast of the country and one there are about 15,000 Salafi sts the Channel through Calais. Sources have told AFP the op- – who is also of Afghan origin – migrants to Britain picked up French towns and villages cho- in the west – have been targeted in France. A court in the nearby city of eration could start next week. into having sex, the prosecutor’s this week after Paris demanded sen to host migrants protesting by gunshots this month. Challenging the travel ban, the jilbab-wearing teenager told an administrative court two weeks ago: “I am a Salafi st, but I am not Daesh”, using the Arabic acro- nym for Islamic State. “There is a big diff erence.” On Greek isles, children Yesterday the court ruled that she was a rigorously practising Muslim and had regular contacts with Salafi sts but that “these (facts) are not enough in them- of war hungry for school selves to say she is attached to or close to Islamist terrorism”. “The interior ministry’s deci- By John Hadoulis, AFP “Going to a normal school sion is fl awed because of an error Chios, Greece would provide these children of judgement,” the ruling said. with so much more of a sense of structure, safety and normality,” tanding with a group of the 28-year-old German told Channel Tunnel children outside a refugee AFP outside the school. traff ic resumes Scamp on the Greek island Inside, a teacher can be heard of Chios, little Roza can’t wait to strumming a guitar for young- A child carries a broken blackgammon board in a makeshift camp after shutdown get an early start to her day. sters in class. on the island of Chios. “Good school, good school!” At the makeshift Souda camp, Traff ic through the Channel she beams, her backpack on and 28-year-old Djeneba from Mali Left: Children pretend to go to school as they play in a refugee camp Tunnel between France and pigtails bobbing. is one parent who has agreed to in Chios. Some 270 refugee children are learning English, Britain was stopped in both Roza, a Syrian Kurd, is one send her child to the Swiss vol- mathematics, arts and creative skills with ‘Be Aware and Share’ directions for almost five hours of a small group of children in unteer programme. (BAAS), a Swiss NGO which has been active on Chios since May. yesterday after a power problem, Greece’s island camps fortunate “I want what is best for my before resuming mid-evening, enough to get some schooling. child, she is the reason I’m here,” Below: Children attend an English language class at the managers said, adding that 17 Thousands of others count says the divorced mother, who volunteer-run school in Chios. trains had to be cancelled. education as just another loss in fl ed Mali after her fi rstborn ture, socially-acceptable behav- Both Eurostar passenger the long list of deprivations on daughter died from the eff ects of iour, religious expression and trains and Eurotunnel services, the harrowing road from home. genital mutilation. habits, but it is chiefl y a matter transporting cars and trucks Roza is one of some 270 chil- There are more than 60,000 of hygiene,” it said. through the tunnel, were dren who are learning English, refugees and migrants in Greece. Despite assurances by state suspended from around 1300 mathematics, arts and creative Among them are thousands offi cials that no child will be al- GMT to 1730 GMT, a Eurostar skills with “Be Aware and Share” of children, including around lowed to join the programme spokeswoman said. (BAAS), a Swiss NGO which has 2,000 who are entirely on their without vaccination, objections “The two tunnels are now been active on Chios since May. own – many under the age of have also been raised at a few operating. Work finished around Operating out of a converted eight. other schools on the mainland. 1830 (1730 GMT) and services former restaurant in the island’s More than half of these un- Last week, police had to escort are now resuming,” a Eurotunnel port capital, the 20-strong team accompanied minors – 1,200 in refugee children into a school in spokeswoman added. runs classes for children from all – are staying on the islands of Oreokastro near Thessaloniki No Eurostar or Eurotunnel trains the age of six, as well as work- the eastern Aegean. because around 40 Greek par- were inside the tunnel when the shops for teenagers about cook- According to the UN chil- ents were protesting outside. stoppage began, a Eurotunnel ing or going to the supermarket. dren’s agency Unicef, refugee The education ministry has spokesman said, adding traff ic The school also promotes ac- children in Greece have on aver- said more than 10,000 refugee had been suspended “as a safety ceptance of other national back- age missed 20 months of school. children will enter Greek schools measure” owing to “concern grounds. On the mainland, the Greek on the mainland by the end of about electrical power between And hygiene, including tooth- education ministry last week October. an overhead power line and the brush use. began after-hours classes for Tens of thousands of refugees trains”. “We’re not here to replace some 1,500 refugee children in and migrants who braved a per- mainstream school,” says Ni- 20 schools around the country. ilous sea crossing from Turkey cholas Millet, a British volunteer However, there are currently were left stranded in Greece ear- Man dies after and one of the founders of the no classes on off er at schools on lier this year after several coun- BAAS school. “We provide an several islands housing migrant tries shut their borders, closing hostage drama academic curriculum (but) for camps. off their route to northern and us, this is about children feeling The education ministry says central Europe. A man suspected of an apparent like children again.” that children in island camps, Among them are thousands criminal shooting in the western BAAS project manager Jacob many of whose parents have ap- of Syrians fl eeing war who are German town of Dueren was Rohde says the programme pro- plied for asylum and are waiting waiting for asylum approval or found dead by police special vides “a drop of normality” for to be relocated to the mainland, “These children cannot mill of an Aegean refugee support Earlier this week, parents relocation elsewhere in the EU. forces who also rescued an children who also experience are on hold as their transfer about all day doing nothing ... network which had been nomi- at a Chios school circulated a However, that procedure has injured woman believed to regular outbreaks of violence in could be imminent. this is a very big mistake,” she nated for the Nobel Peace Prize. makeshift questionnaire about been held up by the reluctance have been his hostage, a police the camp. But Matina Katsiveli, a former says. For some, the notion of al- refugee children receiving after- of many European Union states spokeswoman said. But he believes that getting magistrate who helps run a refu- “And keeping them indoors lowing refugees to attend Greek hours classes there, the tone of to accept Muslim refugees af- Police had blocked roads leading children into mainstream Greek gee support group on the island with nothing to do will be diffi - schools, even at diff erent hours which was clear from the pre- ter a spate of Islamist militant to the town centre after shots schools is an “absolute neces- of Leros, says such a procedure cult, especially now that winter from the local children, is diffi - amble. attacks in Belgium, France and were reported at what German sity”. could take up to six months. is coming,” adds Katsiveli, part cult to accept. “(There is) a diff erence of cul- Germany. media said was a hair salon. Germany has been on high alert after two attacks this summer claimed by Islamic State (IS). “Police special forces found the body of a man who was UN: Arrivals of unaccompanied children in Italy soar to record level seriously injured and later died of his injuries. They also found an injured woman who may DPA minors to a record 20,000 so child protection system is over- This year, nine out of 10 mi- from Eritrea and Somalia also in the Unicef statement. have been his hostage,” the Geneva far this year, the UN Children’s stretched”. nors have reached the shores make up major groups. All of these children need pro- spokeswoman said. Fund (Unicef) said yesterday in a During the entire year of 2015 of southern Italy without their “Some of the children are tection and shelter, but “it is just She declined to say if the man statement. that marked the peak of the ref- relatives. deeply distressed from the taking far too long for them”, she had killed himself or whether he ore and more migrant The UN body said in the ugee crisis in Europe, only about Most of the arrivals since Jan- journey, they have witnessed added. had been shot by police. children have been statement in Geneva that “the 12,400 children had reached uary have come from West Af- drownings, some have terrible Some wait for up to a year The local prosecutor’s off ice, Mcrossing the sea to Italy situation of refugee and mi- Italy alone, representing three rican countries such as Gambia, chemical burns from the fuel on until they are assigned a legal which has taken over the without their families, bringing grant children in Italy is increas- quarters of all arriving underage Nigeria or Guinea. the dinghies,” fi eld offi cer Sabri- guardian or until they get legal case, could not be reached for the number of unaccompanied ingly desperate and the Italian migrants. Egyptians and East Africans na Avakian was quoted as saying support, Unicef said. comment. Gulf Times Wednesday, October 19, 2016 23 EUROPE Leftist parties consider teaming up to topple Merkel

DPA assess the chances of teaming up conference in December, where the Forsa poll showed the CDU talised on the unpopularity of to take on the chancellor, should volvement in international mili- Berlin in a new three-party coalition to she is likely to face a vote as party and its Bavarian-based Chris- Merkel’s liberal refugee policy in she indeed decide to run as many tary operations. head off Merkel possibly winning chief. tian Social Union (CSU) allies re- parts of the electorate and ap- political analysts expect. In addition, Merkel and the a fourth term as head of Europe’s The left-leaning SPD, which maining the biggest party in the pears set to enter the Bundestag The failure last week of the CDU are considering their coali- olitical party rivals of biggest economy. is at present the junior member lower house of parliament, the next year. SPD and Die Linke to reach an tion options for after the election Chancellor Angela Merkel “We do not want to decide of Merkel’s ruling coalition, has Bundestag, with 34% of the vote. Still, opinion polls also show agreement on a common nomi- with her conservatives having Pare meeting in Berlin in a anything concrete. It is all about also been gripped by speculation However, the political land- Merkel coming in far ahead of nee for next year’s vote on the been wooing the Greens as pos- bid to forge a new leftist coalition an exchange concerning the situ- about who will be the party’s so- scape and the building of coali- SPD chief and Minister for Eco- largely ceremonial post of Ger- sible new partners. aimed at toppling her conserva- ation,” said Die Linke parliamen- called chancellor candidate at the tion governments in Germany nomic Aff airs Sigmar Gabriel in man president also underlines Opinion polls also show the tive Christian Democrats (CDU) tary leader Jan Korte. “It’s about election, still 11 months away. has dramatically changed since two-way contest between the the diffi culties facing the three pro-business Free Democrats, a from offi ce at next September’s seeing what can come out of it.” Last week’s voter survey from the last election in 2013 follow- two leaders. parties in forging a so-called red- one-time CDU coalition partner general election. Merkel has still not offi cially Berlin pollsters Forsa showed the ing the rise of the right-wing As a result, some SPD members red-green government to end the before they were ousted from the About 90 members of the So- announced whether she will head SPD gaining 22% support, with populist Alternative for Germany have begun to consider Gabriel’s CDU’s reign. Bundestag at the last election cial Democrats (SPD), the hard- the CDU’s election campaign. the Greens garnering 11% and Die (AfD). party colleague and President of There are also diff erences be- in 2013, as possibly returning to left Die Linke and the environ- An announcement is expected Linke on 10%. Founded just three years ago, the European Parliament Martin tween the three parties on other parliament after next year’s bal- mentalist Greens are meeting to closer to the annual CDU party But in line with other surveys, the AfD has successfully capi- Schulz as a possible candidate issues, including Germany’s in- lot. Lawsuit against New Turkey constitution Norway

Reuters Oslo before parliament ‘soon’

wo environmental groups AFP “The necessary constitutional Erdogan has also ridiculed parliament by seats won. fi led a lawsuit yesterday, Istanbul changes off ered by the AKP will complaints that the changes But its support would be Taccusing Norway of vio- be presented to parliament very will make him a dictator, saying enough to allow the referendum lating its pledges under a global soon,” Yildirim told a meeting of that presidential systems exist in to go ahead even if it opposed by agreement to combat climate urkish Prime Minister his party in parliament. France and the United States and the secular Republican People’s change by letting energy fi rms Binali Yildirim said yes- He said that the changes were noting the existing constitu- Party (CHP) and pro-Kurdish explore for oil and gas in the Arc- Tterday that the govern- needed to “eliminate confusion tion was drawn up after the 1980 Peoples’ Democratic Party tic Barents Sea. ment would “very soon” submit from the system”. military coup. (HDP). Greenpeace Nordic and Na- proposals to parliament for con- Erdogan, prime minister since The AKP needs a majority of The political uncertainty has ture & Youth charged that gov- stitutional changes bolstering 2003, was in August 2014 elect- 330 out of 550 seats in the par- increased pressure on the Turk- ernment plans would breach the powers of President Recep ed president, the fi rst time the liament to call the referendum. ish lira after it initially weath- Norway’s commitment to reduce Tayyip Erdogan. Turkish head of state was chosen It currently has 317 seats (316 ered the storm in the wake of the greenhouse gas emissions under The government is seeking by universal suff rage. excluding speaker Ismail Kahra- coup. the 2015 Paris Agreement as well a three-fi fths majority for the He has since transformed man). Yesterday, the lira lost 0.3% as the constitutional right to a proposals in parliament, which what in recent years had become Yesterday MHP leader Devlet against the US dollar and last healthy, safe environment. would allow the calling of a ref- a more ceremonial post, con- Bahceli, whose party controls 40 lost over 4% in value since the “When we know that the oil erendum to let the people have centrating powers in what op- seats in the parliament, gave his start of the month. and gas from existing oil and gas the fi nal say. ponents have said is a violation fi rmest indication yet he could A super majority of two- Yildirim: the changes were needed to ‘eliminate confusion from the fi elds today account for more The chances of the ruling of the existing constitutions. back the referendum. thirds – 367 seats – would ap- system’. than we can use within a 1.5 de- Justice and Development Party AKP offi cials say the consti- He said a “healthy” outcome prove the changes directly with- gree climate budget, it is mad- (AKP) cobbling together such tutional changes are needed to could be achieved if the AKP out a referendum. lar support in the wake of the earliest possible month to hold ness to open new fi elds,” Truls a majority increased yesterday legalise what has become a de submits a proposal to parlia- But with polls looking posi- defeated July 15 coup. referendum is March/April Gulowsen, head of Greenpeace when the leader of the National- facto situation: the president ment that is “sensitive” to the tive, the government appears “Since the parliamentary 2017,” said Ozgur Altug, econo- Norway, told Reuters. ist Movement Party (MHP) indi- becoming the country’s number concerns of the MHP. more than happy to go to a refer- process of such a change will mist at BGC partners in Istanbul Last year, almost 200 nations cated he could back the changes. one executive fi gure. The MHP is the fourth party in endum and seek a show of popu- take time ... we think that the in a note to clients. agreed at a Paris summit to shift from fossil fuels and set a goal of limiting rises in average surface temperatures to “well below” 2° Celsius (3.6° Fahrenheit) above pre-industrial times, ideally be- Hockney unveils A Bigger Book at Frankfurt fair One still low 1.5° C. Norway aims to cut emissions by at least 40% below 1990 Reuters missing levels by 2030 under the Paris Frankfurt Agreement, which has no penal- ties for non-compliance. after fi re Norway already has oil and gas avid Hockney presented the largest book ever de- production from off shore Arctic voted to his art yesterday, a limited-edition vol- fi elds. Dume costing $2,500 that spans more than 60 years at BASF “We demand that the court of work by one of the most infl uential British artists of the declares the licences, which 20th century. were handed out in the Barents David Hockney: A Bigger Book – a collaboration with plant Sea this summer, as invalid,” Gu- publisher Taschen – weighs 35kg (77 pounds), measures lowsen said. 50cm by 70cm (20” by 28”) when closed and comes with its In May, Norway awarded 10 own custom-made stand. AFP new licences in the so-called Such books, valued as physical objects in their own right, Frankfurt 23rd licensing round for new not just for their content – have bucked a years-long trend exploration areas, which for the of decline in print books. fi rst time is granting access to an Hockney, 79, at the opening news conference of the irefi ghters on Monday off shore border zone with Russia Frankfurt Book Fair, spoke however of his new-found pas- evening extinguished a in the Arctic Barents Sea. sion for drawing on the Apple iPad, and before that the Fblaze at a BASF chemical ConocoPhillips, Chevron, iPhone. plant in western Germany where Norway’s Statoil, Russia’s Lukoil “I’ve always liked to draw. The computer doesn’t stop two colleagues were killed in a as well as Sweden’s Lundin Pe- you drawing ... I’ve noticed,” he said, showing speeded-up major blast, a company spokes- troleum were among the licence video of his process of drawing fl owers, friends and the Eif- man said yesterday. winners. fel Tower. “Who would have thought the telephone would A third individual is missing The ministry said the award bring back drawing?” after the incident, whose causes of new licences would not be Book fairs continue to be a driving force in the $105bn remain unknown. unconstitutional and that there global publishing market, which is stabilising after years in “Small but constant amounts” was broad political backing for which ebooks – with their lower production and distribu- of liquefi ed ethylene or propyl- the measures. tion costs – ate into the profi ts of the traditional book trade. ene gas were still leaking from “It was done within applicable This year, more than 7,100 exhibitors from more than at least one breached pipe at laws and regulations in line with 100 countries are expected at the Frankfurt Book Fair, the BASF’s Ludwigshafen home base well-established practice,” said world’s biggest. and hindering cleanup work, site a spokesman from the Oil and Born in Bradford, England in 1937, Hockney studied at manager Uwe Liebelt said. Energy Ministry in an e-mailed the Royal College of Art from 1957-62. City fi re chief Peter Friedrich statement. British artist David Hockney poses with his book A Bigger Book during a press conference in Frankfurt am He cemented his reputation with the “Young Contem- told reporters that fi refi ghters The Oslo District Court will Main, western Germany, ahead the opening of the Frankfurt Book Fair. The world’s largest book fair opens poraries” exhibition in London in 1960, before moving to had swathed the pipework with decide whether to run the case. today and closes on October 23. Los Angeles in 1974. foam coolant to hinder further blazes breaking out. Two members of the plant’s fi re unit were killed in a blast which occurred around 11.30am (0930 GMT) on Monday. New row erupts over plan to demolish Hitler birth house Their team had been called out to a fi re near a dock, where liquids and liquefi ed gases are AFP was based on recommendations Waidbacher, another panel in principle suited to erase the in a dispute with owner and local who continues to net €4,800 transferred into tanks from ships Vienna from an expert committee. member, also said there had place’s ideological connotation resident Gerlinde Pommer. (around $5,300) in rent every on the Rhine, before they were But several of the panel’s 13 been “no mention of demoli- and dissolve the emotional ties Her family has owned the month. caught in the explosion. members denied yesterday that tion” in the report. with Hitler. But ... a historical 800sq m (8,600sq feet) building The expropriation bill, which Six people remain in intensive new row has erupted over the commission had backed the Responding to the criticism, contextualisation remains nec- for more than a century, except includes compensation for care with severe burns. Austria’s plans to raze the push to bulldoze the yellow cor- Sobotka insisted yesterday that essary,” the report read. for a brief period during the Nazi Pommer, was to be debated in The explosion destroyed fi re- Ahouse where Adolf Hitler ner house where Hitler was born the main goal was to destroy any Although Hitler only spent regime. parliament this week. fi ghters’ vehicles and sent a was born, with experts saying on April 20, 1889. “resemblance” to the current the fi rst few weeks of his life at In 1972, the Austrian govern- Sobotka earlier said it could plume of smoke high into the that they opposed the demoli- “The demolition option had house, “especially its outer ap- Number 15 Salzburger Vorstadt ment signed a lease with Pom- enter into force by the end of the sky above the riverside towns of tion only a day after a decision been explicitly mentioned in pearance”. Street, the address has been a mer and turned the premises year. Ludwigshafen and Mannheim. was announced. the (government’s) proposal and Whether this process would persistent thorn in Austria’s into a centre for people with dis- The issue has also sparked A further 17 people were in- After a lengthy legal battle was not approved by us,” said involve an actual demolition side, drawing Nazi sympathisers abilities. debate among Braunau’s 17,000 jured, while one is still missing. with the current owner, Interior Clemens Jabloner, the former could be discussed, he told jour- from around the world. But the arrangement came residents. Firefi ghters from both towns Minister Wolfgang Sobotka said president of Austria’s highest nalists in Vienna. Every year on Hitler’s birth- to an abrupt end fi ve years ago Some want the building to be- and BASF fought to get the on Monday the listed property administrative court, in a joint The government would put day, anti-fascist protesters or- when Pommer refused to grant come a refugee centre, others a fl ames under control until they in the northern town of Braunau statement with historian Oliver the new building design out to ganise a rally outside the build- permission for much-needed museum dedicated to Austria’s were fi nally extinguished late on would be “torn down” to stop Rathkolb. tender, Sobotka added. ing, next to a memorial stone renovation works. liberation from Nazi rule. Monday evening. it from becoming a neo-Nazi Instead, the committee had A copy of the commission’s reading: “For Peace, Freedom The famously elusive owner “Whether the house stays “By tomorrow (Wednesday) shrine. suggested a “profound architec- report showed that the experts and Democracy. Never Again also rejected a purchase off er or not changes nothing in our evening we should be able to be- A new building on the site tural redesign”. had been “against leaving an Fascism, Millions of Dead Warn.” made by the increasingly exas- responsible dealings with his- gin further clearing operations,” would be used by a charity or the “A demolition would amount empty space instead of a build- The dilapidated property in perated interior ministry. tory,” said district commissioner including pumping away the local authorities, he told Aus- to negating Austria’s Nazi past,” ing”. the historic town centre has In July, the government ap- Georg Wojak yesterday. “Braun- fl ammable liquefi ed gases still trian media. the pair said. “A complete transformation been empty since 2011 when the proved a legislation amendment au doesn’t deserve to be reduced leaking from a 300m stretch of Sobotka said the decision Braunau mayor Johannes or removal of the building is government became embroiled to seize the house from Pommer to Hitler’s dictatorship.” pipe, Liebelt said. Gulf Times 24 Wednesday, October 19, 2016 INDIA

TOURISM TRAGEDY JUDICIARY TECHNOLOGY INVESTIGATION Kerala island in list of Two killed in Mumbai Court slams UP govt Now, write e-mails in Two more arrested world destinations apartment blaze over dengue toll eight Indian languages for woman’s death

Kakkathuruthucrows, a tiny island in Two domestic helps died yesterday in a major The Lucknow bench of the Allahabad Marking a revolutionary transformation in e-mail Two more suspects have been arrested for Kerala’s Alappuzha district, has been listed blaze that gutted the apartment of a well-known High Court has slammed Chief Minister communication, an Indian company has launched the death of Jadavpur University alumna Mita in National Geographic’s ‘Around the World industrialist in a residential high rise in Mumbai’s Akhilesh Yadav’s government for poor work the world’s first free “linguistic e-mail service” Mondal, a Criminal Investigation Department in 24 Hours’, a photographic tour of travel- posh Cuff e Parade area, off icials said. According to in controlling the menace of dengue, for in eight Indian languages, under the name (CID) off icial said in Kolkata yesterday. Mita’s worthy spots across the world. The island them, the fire broke out in the duplex apartment not spending central funds and for faking ‘DataMail’, an off icial said yesterday. The DataMail brother-in-law Rahul Mondal was arrested on that can be reached only by boats, was on 20th and 21st floors that belonged to Bajaj statistics on the death toll. At a hearing on will make available e-mail addresses in Hindi, Monday night and her mother-in-law Kalpana captured by the magazine photographers Electricals chairman and managing director Monday the court not only expressed its Gujarati, Urdu, Punjabi, Tamil, Telugu, Bengali and Mondal yesterday morning from a relative’s during the time of dusk when “the shadows Shekhar Bajaj. The cause of the blaze, which was displeasure on the statistics submitted but Marathi. The company is also launching e-mail home in Uluberia of West Bengal’s Howrah lengthen and the sky shifts from pale blue reported around 6.30am, was still being probed. also said it did not trust the data following addresses in three international languages, district, the off icial said. Earlier Mita’s husband to sapphire.” In a graphic description, Eight fire tenders and six jumbo water tankers which it has decided to form its own including Arabic, Russian and Chinese, besides Rana Mondal and father-in-law Dijendra Mondal the magazine said the sunset in Kerala along with sophisticated fire-fighting equipment committee of experts to look into the matter. English, said Ajay Data, founder and CEO of Data were arrested. Mita allegedly committed suicide is greeted by a series of rituals - sari clad were deployed to fight the blaze which was The court directed the state government to XGen Technologies Pvt Ltd. “The linguistic e-mail on Monday after an argument with her husband. women head home in skiff s, fishermen light brought under control within an hour. The firemen, submit a fresh report on the toll of deaths service will allow people from across India to While the in-laws claimed that Mita committed lamps and cast nets into the lagoon and wearing breathing apparatus, climbed on an aerial caused by dengue on October 25 and also communicate in eight regional languages and in suicide, her family and friends said the extensive bats swoop across the horizon snapping up ladder platform, used one small hose line, one suggest the names of people it deems fit to English to provide ease of connect and bridge the injuries on her body showed she was a victim of moths. monitor jet, two lines of risers to battle the blaze. be part of the expert committee. digital divide among Indians,” Data said. domestic violence.

Support for Trump Former IAS offi cer loses Rs300,000 Demand for in ATM fraud Agencies gold falls after Thiruvananthapuram

retired bureaucrat here became a victim of fraud Aafter Rs300,000 were withdrawn using an ATM card in the US. black money C V Ananda Bose, a former Indian Administrative Services offi cer, who held numerous top positions in Kerala and Delhi, had transferred money from Delhi to his son who is in the US. “When my son tried to with- crackdown draw money in the US, he was in- formed that the account had in- Funds illegally deposited in suffi cient balance. I immediately banks outside the country contacted the Federal Bank and account for about 10-30% of Mastercard and I was told there the country’s gold demand were six transactions made,” Bose told reporters here yesterday. Reuters Bose has already alerted the Mumbai Indian embassy in the US and the Federal Bank. Last week, the State Bank ndia’s crackdown on undis- group, which receives 40% of closed foreign assets and in- overseas remittances to Kerala, Icome is curbing demand for blocked thousands of magnetic gold in the world’s second-big- stripe cards following complaints gest consumer, while rising real of unauthorised withdrawals. interest rates and better returns They are being replaced with from other fi nancial markets are secure chip cards with encryp- also hurting purchases, a banker tion protocols to prevent secu- said. rity breaches. Although consumption should Many customers were sur- pick up from now until the end prised to see their cards blocked of the fi nancial year, when In- A woman tries out gold jewellery at a shop in Jaipur. A crackdown on when they tried to withdraw dia buys more for gifting during black money and higher returns from other asset classes have hit the cash from ATMs. festivals and weddings, weak de- demand for gold. Those who contacted the bank mand so far has dragged on the were asked to apply for a new one. global gold price that has shed closed in September disclosed refi neries to cut overseas pur- Several account holders re- nearly 9% from a two-year high nearly $10bn in undeclared in- chases. cently received messages to in July to $1,258 an ounce yester- come. But imports in the second half change their PIN for security day. India’s gold demand has also of India’s fi nancial year to March reasons. “There is a crackdown on black been hit by higher returns from will probably be 25-50% more In August, a Romanian na- money in India and many people other asset classes, Bhandari than the fi rst half, said Sunil tional was arrested in Mumbai who were looking at gold as an said, with returns on equities and Kashyap, managing director for after he and his friends com- investment for unaccounted in- bonds at 12-13% dwarfi ng gold’s global banking and markets at mitted a heist using duplicate come are no longer investing in 0.9% in terms of rupees since Scotiabank. ATM cards after procuring de- gold at all,” Shekhar Bhandari, 2013. “With Diwali just about two tails of the users in Thiruvanan- executive vice-president of Ko- Rising real interest rate due to weeks away from now, demand thapuram. tak Mahindra Bank, said on the declining infl ation is dimming so far looks good. Expectation is They withdrew nearly fringes of an industry meet in gold’s draw as well. that it’ll sustain until the end of Rs500,000 from accounts of Singapore. “The returns on gold in rupees the year,” Kashyap said. more than 20 people who used Unoffi cial estimates suggest is pathetic,” Bhandari said. Gold discounts dropped to the an ATM at the State Bank of funds illegally deposited in banks “I think it won’t be advisable smallest in nearly nine months Travancore branch at the busy outside the country to avoid tax, to invest in gold given current last week as the festive season Althara Junction in Vellayam- known as “black money” in In- levels where investment returns began. balam. dia, account for about 10-30% of are likely to be negative in Indian “If stability of the rupee con- Police identifi ed the fraudsters Members of the rightwing Hindu Sena group shout slogans as they hold placards of the country’s gold demand, said rupees.” tinues and gold prices are sta- from the CCTV footage which Republican US presidential nominee Donald Trump during a protest against what they say Bhandari. India’s gold imports fell for ble, then we can expect positive showed them planting skimmers is a sabotage of his election campaign by Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton, in New Delhi, A tax evasion amnesty scheme, a ninth month in September as trends. But any kind of volatility and a camera to capture the PINs yesterday. led by the government of Prime weak retail demand and higher could hamper gold,” said Scotia- in the ATM kiosk. Minister Narendra Modi, that discounts prompted banks and bank’s Kashyap. Has the Vijayan government fl attered to deceive? hat Communism has been ing for the rest of India to follow, ments from a politician you real- jan had brought on the party, the Of course the media deserves to on its last and spindly leg was ready for an altogether fresh ise how that mind works. Marxists are busy telling everyone be applauded for a good job well Tfor the better part of the experiment by turning a new leaf Nepotism is perhaps worse who would care to listen that the done because the consequences past three decades - the fall of in Marxist ideology itself. Delhi Diary than corruption for two reasons. Vijayan government has set a new of such an act going undetected the Berlin Wall being the defi ning And then it all came crumbling One, you are hand-holding your standard for probity in public life would have been disastrous. moment - is a fait accompli. But down within a matter of days. E P By A K B Krishnan near and dear into a position of by jettisoning a senior minister The main opposition Congress it has been holding fort in India Jayarajan is second only to Chief power by depriving the chance of involved in nepotism. Maybe so. Party was too busy protesting thanks to some very unimagina- Minister Pinaryi Vijayan in the Gulf Times Correspondent someone more deserving. Two, But the question to be asked is, against the hike in medical col- tive and abysmally corrupt rule, new cabinet and his portfolio of the person who you had thus ele- how come Vijayan chose some- lege fee and the Jayarajan fi asco mainly by the Congress Party. industries was a crucial one in the vated could set off a chain of simi- one who could indulge in blatant is a godsend for it. Though it has So, when the Marxist regime scheme of things that Vijayan had programmes and policies, be they impunity and was easily found lar action and could also indulge nepotism to be his minister? its own demons to conquer when fell in West Bengal after 34 years for Kerala. The hardcore Marxist in sports or anything else. How- out. Two of his close relatives, K in corruption about which you In fact, haven’t we heard this it comes to nepotism, it is going of maladministration that saw the in Jayarajan was in abundant dis- ever in hindsight, the Anju inci- P Sudheer Nair and Deepti Nishad will have no knowledge. The web argument elsewhere too? Delhi to make the most of the situation state getting reduced to a basket play when, as minister for sports, dent was the preamble to a con- were catapulted to positions of thus knit could end up swallowing Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal which, from the way it looks, is case, obituaries came thick and the additional portfolio that was certed move by the minister to get managing director and general everything within range. has had to face the shame of three far from over because there are fast. Tripura and, more impor- in his charge, he accused Olym- “his people”- as opposed to “the manager, respectively of two top Now, there are those, Marxist of his ministers getting caught other skeletons in the Vijayan tantly, Kerala were the only bas- pian athlete Anju Bobby George other people”- into positions of government enterprises. In this supremo Sitaram Yechuri included, in one scandal or the other and cupboard that are bursting to tions for the red brigades, but of corruption in the Kerala Sports power and pelf in government- day and age of 24X7 media scru- who laud Jayarajan for his “bold eventually being forced to step come tumbling down. Several there too they had been losing Council of which she had been the controlled agencies and organisa- tiny of any and every action of step” to resign from his ministerial down. Every time Kejriwal will go other appointments, including ground. president. tions. ministers and politicians, the only post and also applaud Chief Min- to town proclaiming how his Aam one pertaining to a close relative As the Congress regime lurched Anju resigned in disgust and It has been an unwritten but word that can describe Jayarajan’s ister Vijayan for his “principled” Aadmi Party is diff erent from oth- of the chief minister himself, are from one scandal to another un- opinion was divided as to who was long-held belief among com- act is ‘stupid’. If he had thought he stand in demanding that Jayarajan er political outfi ts because it takes said to be out of turn or through der Chief Minister Oommen holding the moral high ground. munists that family and party could get these people into such demit his offi ce. Nobody seemed stern action against those found the backdoor. Jayarajan’s, after all, Chandy, the Kerala voter once Anju was quoted as saying that are two separate entities and the positions and nobody would no- to have pointed out to Yechuri and guilty. Big deal, one is tempted to could be a curtain-raiser of sorts. again decided to give the com- Jayarajan told her and others in twain shall never meet. Hence it tice, then that adjective aptly fi ts company that the two actions can- say. If you can’t choose your min- Meanwhile, the social media munists a chance, this time with the council that they were all is that you very rarely see the son him. not be seen in similar light and, isters well, then no point gloating is chock-o-block with ‘Jayarajan an unassailable majority. A new chosen by “the other people,” or daughter or other close relative Not that the minister had not therefore, are not deserving of over their dismissals. humour’. One of the more quota- chief minister, who propounded meaning the previous United of a prominent leader holding any shown earlier what he is capable equal endorsement. If Jayarajan had Perhaps the only silver lin- ble ones went something like this: Keynesian thoughts and capital- Democratic Front government position of importance in the par- of to earn that distinction. When resigned on his own, then Vijayan’s ing for Vijayan in this dark epi- “Once upon a time if you were a ist-sounding ideas in equal meas- of Chandy. This indicated that ty. The Vijayan cabinet, although boxing legend Muhammad Ali principles had no place there and sode is it has happened within six communist, you would be hard- ure, took charge last May even as Jayarajan wanted to bring his own showing signs of departure from died, Jayarajan told a Kerala tel- if the chief minister forced him to months from the start of his reign. put to fi nd a bride. Now prospec- an old comrade of a bygone vin- set of people into the council. the usual rigid Leftist attitude to evision channel that Ali’s demise resign, then you can hardly call There is another four-and-a-half tive parents-in-law are queuing tage was slowly put to pasture. It That in itself was not such a bad governance, was expected to fol- was an irreparable loss to Kerala Jayarajan’s a “bold” move. years to go and memory, wheth- up at your doorstep!” As the No- looked as if Kerala, which had set thing because a new government low this age-old custom. sports! Ignorance is not a crime, In an obvious attempt to de- er it is public’s or media’s, can bel laureate sang: “For the times many a trend in social engineer- would want to implement its own But Jayarajan fl outed it with but when you hear such com- fl ect the opprobrium that Jayara- hardly have that kind of lifespan. they are a-changin…” Gulf Times Wednesday, October 19, 2016 25 INDIA Dams close to glacial lakes in Himalayas under fl ood threat

IANS minimum exposure that hydro- alter water and sediment yields and the lake becomes larger, they mental Sciences, University of 257 HPPs, 177 of which are lo- eral regions in Eastern Nepal and Kolkata power sites in the Himalayas have and compromise livelihoods are susceptible to giving way - Potsdam, Germany, said. cated on potential GLOF tracks. Bhutan also host lakes that could to glacial lake outburst fl oods downstream. unleashing a fl ood that could “Our key result is that the ma- In 56 HPP (one fi fth of 177), give rise to far-reaching GLOFs,” (GLOF) - a type of outburst fl ood The researchers evaluated the threaten HPPs downstream. jority of the projects are current- the volume of fl oodwater may he said. f the 177 hydropower that occurs when the dam con- regional exposure of 257 Hima- “The number of hydroelectric ly planned or constructed where exceed the limit they are de- Strategies for climate change projects (HPP) located taining a glacial lake fails. layan HPPs to GLOFs and as- power projects in the Himala- these uncertainties become rele- signed to withstand,” explained mitigation and adaptation at Oclose to Himalayan gla- Himalayan water resourc- sessed the fl ood risk to them yas has been increasing during vant and potentially dangerous,” Schwanghart. the sub-national level are cur- ciers, over a fi fth - including es attract a rapidly-growing from 2,359 moraine-dammed the last decades and many more he added. The striking factor, said rently prepared by Indian Hima- many in India - could be under number of HPPs to satisfy Asia’s glacial lakes. are planned. This trend has led Most of the sampled hy- Schwanghart, is the density of layan states (State Action Plans threat from fl oods caused by the soaring energy demands. Yet, Moraines are dirt and rock de- to increasing implementation dropower projects are in the dams in Sikkim in northeast India. on Climate Change), and iden- outbursts of glacial lakes, Euro- the projects now operational bris that have been pushed along of the projects on rivers higher Himalayan states of Himachal “Particularly, Sikkim stands tify GLOFs as a major climate pean researchers have warned. or at a planning stage in steep, by glaciers as they move. The up and closer to glaciers,” the Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Sik- out as a region combining abun- change-related threat to hydro- The researchers, from various glacier-fed mountain rivers face moraines form a dam containing study’s lead author, Wolfgang kim, and some in Nepal and dant glacial lakes, long potential power development (Govern- universities, have charted out hazards of GLOFs that can dam- lakes when the glaciers recede. Schwanghart, a geologist at the Bhutan. GLOF tracks, and pronounced ment of Uttarakhand, 2014), the a new method for locating the age hydropower infrastructure, But as glaciers further recede Institute of Earth and Environ- “Our database encompasses hydropower development. Sev- study says. Bollywood star apologises after magazine cover sparks outrage

Reuters gees and migrants fl eeing war, Mumbai poverty and persecution in the Middle East, Africa and else- where arrived in Europe last year, opular Bollywood actress creating the continent’s biggest Priyanka Chopra has apol- migrant crisis since World War II. Pogised for a glossy travel Without safe routes to seek magazine cover after it sparked sanctuary, thousands more have outrage with social media users drowned at sea. accusing her of insensitivity to- “Maybe your editors need wards refugees and migrants. taste editing. I get what you are The 34-year-old former Miss trying to say. But you just trivial- World is featured on the cover ised a serious refugee issue,” said of the October edition of Condé one tweet from @1plur1. Nast Traveller India wearing a “Extremely insensitive in Rescue workers trying help victims of the massive fire at the SUM Hospital in Bhubaneswar. white T-shirt with the words, midst of biggest #refugeecri- “REFUGEE”, “IMMIGRANT” ses. All other options listed are and “OUTSIDER” crossed out forced on people not chosen” in red - leaving only the word said another tweet from @savi- “TRAVELLER”. ta_pawnday. Condé Nast Traveller tweeted Other Twitter users took to the cover photo on October 7 photoshop, changing the struck with the tagline “Bold and fear- out words on the Chopra’s T- less, @priyankachopra makes a shirt to “COMPASSION”, “EM- Bhubaneswar hospital statement on our 6th anniversa- PATHETIC” and “INCLUSIVE” ry issue cover.#WhyWeTravel” - leaving only the word “OF- The message on her T-shirt FENSIVE”. sparked a fl urry of criticism on Condé Nast Traveller said in Twitter, with users accusing Cho- a statement the message was pra of belittling the plight of refu- aimed at challenging stereotypes gees forced to leave their homes. and how the labelling of peo- fi re toll rises to 20 Chopra - who was named ple as immigrants, refugees and as one of Time Magazine’s 100 outsiders is creating a culture of SUM Hospital suspends four “The toll is now 20 as one “There are about 106 people ordered an inquiry into what he President Pranab Mukherjee Most Infl uential people and is xenophobia. staff after deadly blaze more person has succumbed to who are (now) in diff erent private called a “tragic incident.” and Congress Party chief So- an ambassador for the UN chil- “At Condé Nast Traveller, we his injuries,” he said. and government hospitals,” she A government relief fund nia Gandhi expressed grief and dren’s agency Unicef - said the believe that the opening up of Agencies “We can also confi rm that told the NDTV news channel. would bear the cost of their prayed for the injured. message was aimed at address- borders and the breaking down Bhubaneswar four mid-level hospital staff Ahuja said the hospital in treatment, he said on Twitter. “My heart and prayers are ing racism and had been misun- of walls can help us discover the have been suspended prima Odisha had been sealed off and The hospital authorities with bereaved families and in- derstood. world, and open up our minds facie (for) negligence.” a detailed inquiry would be car- meanwhile denied that there jured in the massive hospital “They (Condé Nast) specially and hearts,’ said the magazine. our staff at a hospital in About 40 critically ill patients ried out to establish the cause of were lapses on the manage- fi re in Bhubaneshwar hospital,” got this (T-shirt) made and im- “So, when we had actor Priya- Odisha have been sus- were in the ICU of the hospital the disaster. ment’s part. Mukherjee said in a tweet. plored me to wear it. They said nka Chopra wear a T-shirt we Fpended after a deadly blaze in state capital Bhubaneswar Local television stations “We have put four offi cials Gandhi termed the tragedy they were addressing xenopho- created on the cover of the 6th in the intensive care unit, au- when the fi re broke out. showed images of fi refi ghters under suspension. However, as “most unfortunate”, and in a bia which is a big issue that anniversary issue, we had a thorities said yesterday, as the In all more than 100 were wearing masks smashing glass that does not mean they are statement said: “My thoughts is happening,” Chopra told point to make.” toll from the disaster rose to 20. rescued by fi refi ghters who panes to enter the building. guilty. Only a thorough inquiry and prayers remain with fami- NDTV in an interview. Chopra is one of the Fire broke out on Monday smashed windows to get them Police inspector Sahu said would reveal the actual cause of lies of those bereaved. “So their idea was that. Hindi fi lm industry’s night in the dialysis ward of the out of the burning building. more than 100 fi refi ghters had the incident,” said Amit Baner- Such disasters are relatively And I bought into it, I biggest stars and one of SUM Hospital before quickly “Some patients were evacu- battled the blaze for around fi ve jee, vice chancellor of the SUM common in India, partly be- guess. And I am really, re- only a handful of Indian spreading to other fl oors, kill- ated by breaking a window on hours until it was brought un- Hospital and Medical College. cause of poor safety standards. ally apologetic about the actors who have broken ing 19 seriously ill patients who the fi rst fl oor and then they were der control. Most of the critical Banerjee also announced In 2011 more than 90 patients fact that sentiments into mainstream Hol- were unable to fl ee the blaze. lowered to the ground fl oor. And patients were on ventilators and Rs500,000lakh compensation were killed in Kolkata when a were hurt...The point lywood, starring in the Another patient died in hos- some of them were evacuated died in the blaze, he said. to the families of each deceased. fi re raged through a private hos- the magazine wanted TV series Quantico pital yesterday after being res- through the adjoining operation Odisha Chief Minister Meanwhile, services have re- pital, trapping many people in- to make was actually and in the upcoming fi lm cued from the burning building, theatre which was empty at that Naveen Patnaik said yesterday sumed at the hospital except in side the building. something good.” based on the Baywatch said police inspector Sharat Ku- time,” said Odisha’s health sec- that he had visited the evacu- the ICU, dialysis and emergency Most died from inhaling toxic Some 1.3mn refu- series. mar Sahu. retary Arti Ahuja. ated patients in hospital and wards. gases. Rebel RSS leader slams PM welcomes Suu Kyi Delhi court trashes case against Irani

Parrikar over remarks held in 2004, 2011 and 2014. IANS New Delhi In the last hearing, the Elec- IANS ferent kind of combination. May the state BJP of betrayal, a cam- tion Commission offi cial sub- Panaji be the RSS teaching was at the paign which eventually led to his mitted a certifi cate regarding core.” sacking as the state RSS chief. n a relief to federal min- authentication of the election He said the RSS ideology in- The Manch has now fl oated a ister Smriti Irani, a New affi davits fi led by Irani in the ebel Rashtriya Swayam- spired Prime Minister Narendra new political party with Veling- IDelhi court yesterday dis- 2004 election. sevak Sangh leader Su- Modi and him to carry out the kar as one of its mentors, and missed a plea to issue a sum- The Election Commission Rbash Velingkar yester- September 29 surgical strikes this according to the rebel RSS mons against her for allegedly had earlier submitted docu- day accused Defence Minister across the Line of Control. leaders, has worried Parrikar giving false information about ments that were a copy of the Manohar Parrikar of picking and Velingkar was sacked from the ahead of the Goa polls early next her educational qualifi cations fi le extracted from its offi cial choosing the organisation’s RSS in August this year after he year. in her affi davit to the Election website. teachings according to his con- repeatedly accused Parrikar and “Parrikar is actually worried Commission of India. At that time, the commis- venience and timing. the Goa Bharatiya Janata Party of because of our campaign against The complaint was fi led to sion told the court that Irani’s Velingkar said the former Goa deviating from the Hindu organ- the BJP... The timing of his com- harass the minister, the Patiala original 2004 election affi da- chief minister should cancel isation’s teachings and betraying ment about his RSS teachings House district court said. vit was misplaced, the Khan’s government grants to English the cause of regional languages is therefore suspect,” Velingkar Metropolitan Magistrate lawyer told reporters outside medium primary schools in the by allowing English medium pri- said. Harvinder Singh said the de- the court. state if he really pays heed to the mary schools, most of which are In Lucknow, Bahujan Samaj mand for seeking summons Khan, who fi led the com- Sangh’s values. run by the state’s Roman Catho- Party chief Mayawati said Parri- against Irani “is dismissed”, plaint in April 2015, sought ac- “If Parrikar believes in Sangh’s lic church, get fi nancial grants. kar’s statement that RSS training and observed that the com- tion against Irani on the charge teachings, he should fi rst ensure Parrikar in a cabinet decision inspired Prime Minister Naren- plaint has been fi led after a de- of lying on oath about her edu- that the government grants to in 2012 had allowed continua- dra Modi and him for the surgi- lay of 11 years and because the cational qualifi cations. English medium schools should tion of the state Education Min- cal strikes “is most unfortunate”. original elections affi davit of His lawyer K K Manan and be cancelled,” Velingkar said. istry’s fi nancial grants to English The statement is an attempt 2004 is not available. Anjali Rajput alleged that Parrikar, while addressing an medium primary schools. to take away the credit from the The court was hearing a the Bharatiya Janata Party event at the Nirma University In the run-up to the last as- army, Mayawati said. private complaint fi led by Ah- leader declared herself to be in Ahmadabad, on Monday said: sembly elections, Parrikar had “It is sad that attempts are mer Khan, who accused Irani a 1996-batch graduate from “The prime minister hails from opposed grants to the same being made to score political of submitting varying details Delhi University’s School of Mahatma Gandhi’s home state schools. brownie points over the surgical about her educational quali- Correspondence in her af- and the defence minister comes Velingkar, who is also the co- strikes though it is an act done Prime Minister Narendra Modi shakes hands with Myanmar fi cations in her three affi da- fi davit fi led for the 2004 Lok from Goa which never had a convener of the Bharatiya Bha- by the brave army,” the former State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi during a ceremonial vits fi led before the Election Sabha election, when she con- ‘martial race’. And then take this sha Suraksha Manch, has ac- Uttar Pradesh chief minister reception in New Delhi yesterday. Commission for the Lok Sab- tested from Delhi’s Chandni surgical strike. This was a dif- cused the defence minister and said. ha and Rajya Sabha elections Chowk constituency. Gulf Times 26 Wednesday, October 19, 2016 LATIN AMERICA

PEOPLE LAW AND ORDER MILITANCY WILDLIFE CRACKDOWN Brazil’s embattled Lula Escaped psychiatric Colombian army kills 10,000 endangered Honduras seizes declares innocence inmates still at large ELN rebel days before talks frogs die in Peru property linked to gang

Embattled former president Luiz Inacio Lula Six prisoners yesterday remained at large after a The Colombian army said it had killed an ELN Peru is investigating what killed some 10,000 Honduras has launched an operation to da Silva yesterday insisted he played no role in mass breakout following a riot in the psychiatric rebel and captured four others in an operation Titicaca water frogs, a critically endangered confiscate hundreds of companies, vehicles Brazil’s huge corruption scandal, accusing his wing of a Sao Paulo prison, authorities said. The days before peace talks between the leftist species,” in a river that is feared to be polluted, and other property linked to Mara Salvatrucha, opponents of damaging Brazil’s democracy. Sao Paulo state prison service said that “49 of the guerrillas and the government are set to open. authorities said. Hundreds of the large, wrinkly one of the country’s most notorious gangs. Lula, who faces three corruption-related court 55 fugitives from the Custody and Psychiatric The operation targeted the public order and green frogs have been found floating on the The public prosecutor’s office said the cases that could sink his hopes of returning to Treatment Hospital at Franco da Rocha financial wings of the National Liberation surface of the Coata river in southern Peru in offensive, dubbed Operation Avalanche, was power in 2018 presidential elections, wrote in (penitentiary) have already been recaptured.” The Army (ELN) in the northeastern department of recent days, prompting the National Forestry and the second phase of a crackdown started Folha de Sao Paulo that he was the victim of riot started on Monday in the psychiatric facility, Casanare, the military said in a statement. The Wildlife Service (Serfor) to launch an investigation. in February aimed at delivering “a new “political persecution.” “I can’t keep silent in the with fires set in seven buildings. According to captured rebels included three commanders, “It is believed that more than 10,000 frogs were blow to the criminal structure called Mara face of the abuses committed by agents of the Brazilian press reports yesterday prisoners were one of whom was wounded, it said. A separate aff ected over about 50kms,” Serfor said. The alert Salvatrucha.” It said 60 raids in different parts state,” he wrote. Prosecutors, he said, intend “to protesting the transfer of five inmates to another operation in the western department of Choco was sounded by an environmental group called of the country have resulted in 1,559 assets destroy the basis of democracy in Brazil.” Lula’s facility. Meanwhile a fight erupted between rival resulted in the “demobilisation” of 24 guerrillas, the Committee Against the Pollution of the Coata being confiscated, “including houses, land, declarations came amid persistent rumours of gangs at a prison in Roraima, with 10 inmates the defence ministry said on Twitter. The ELN River, which accused the authorities of ignoring companies and vehicles belonging to senior his possible pre-trial detention. burned or decapitated in the violence. did not immediately comment. the river’s severe pollution. members of the organised crime group.” Brazil’s biggest Argentina minister in Chile dinosaur found after 60 years in cupboard

AFP But he explained that in the Rio de Janeiro 1950s Price and his assistants were pioneers in the fi eld for Brazil, and while “it was certain razil just found its biggest that vertebrae of this size came ever dinosaur - in a storage from a gigantic animal, it needed Bcupboard. to be studied.” In its prime, more than 66mn Campos said money was an years ago, this long necked her- issue holding back research, as bivore was 82 feet long - longer well as a lack of people up to the than an articulated bus - and task. Even today there are only could chomp through trees at a 10 serious dinosaur experts in terrifying rate. the country, he said. By the time the creature was “We were waiting for the found by renowned Brazilian staff ..., for a laboratory that paleontologist Llewellyn Ivor started from nothing to mature,” Price in 1953, only a few hefty, he said. “We made a fi rst eff ort Chile’s President Michelle Bachelet, Argentina’s Transport Minister Guillermo Dietrich (right) and Chilean Minister of Foreign Aff airs, Heraldo Munoz pose for the media fossilised bits of the spine re- with students about eight years at the government house in Santiago, Chile. mained. Researchers knew im- ago and it didn’t succeed.” mediately they’d stumbled on Finally, Campos’ student Ka- something big. mila Bandeira made the myste- They didn’t have the staff or rious monster the subject of her resources to fi gure out how big, doctoral thesis and over the last however, so the dinosaur pieces four years put the pieces of the languished the next six decades puzzle together. in storage at Rio’s ornate Mu- The most spectacular dino- seum of Earth Sciences. saur discoveries come in desert Until now. or largely bare areas, such as the The remains of what has been US southwest, the south of Ar- Ecuador cuts Assange’s named “Austroposeidon mag- gentina or Mongolia, where they nifi cus,” and pronounced Brazil’s are easier to fi nd. The fossilised biggest dinosaur, went on gen- bones of the biggest dinosaur eral public view for the fi rst time known to date - an estimated 40 last week. meters (130 feet) long - were un- A nearly complete spinal ver- earthed in Argentina in 2014. tebra - about the size of a mi- “Austroposeidon magnifi cus” Net access: WikiLeaks crowave oven and entirely petri- was found, like many other di- fi ed - and numerous fragments nosaur remains, by chance dur- Reuters since June 2012, having been Assange remained under gov- Over the last two weeks, aks say they believe WikiLe- of other vertebrae lie on a black ing road building near Sao Paulo. Washington granted asylum there after a ernment protection. Democratic Party offi cials and aks has acquired as many as cloth in an upper room of the The reason only a few fossilised British court ordered him ex- “The circumstances that led US government agencies have 40,000-50,000 e-mails hacked museum. bones were found - and not the tradited to Sweden to face ques- to the granting of asylum re- accused the Russian govern- from the personal accounts of Nearby hangs an enormous whole skeleton - points to the nti-secrecy group tioning in a sexual molesta- main,” Long said in a statement. ment, including the country’s John Podesta, the former White artist’s rendition, done to scale, creature’s unceremonious end, WikiLeaks said that its tion case involving two female The government of left- “senior-most offi cials,” of pur- House advisor who now chairs of what “Austroposeidon mag- Campos says. Afounder Julian Assange’s WikiLeaks supporters. ist President Rafael Correa has suing a campaign of cyber-at- Clinton’s presidential campaign. nifi cus” might have looked like: a “When these animals die, it’s... Internet was shut down by the WikiLeaks said Assange lost long backed Assange’s right to tacks against Democratic Party Despite Assange’s complaint small head, long neck, enormous a huge new source of meat. So all government of Ecuador, de- Internet connectivity on Sun- free speech, though the Wikile- organisations ahead of the No- that his Internet connection body and long tail. A patch of the hunters, the carnivores ate fl ecting blame from the US day night. aks saga has caused some strain vember 8 election. was cut, WikiLeaks posted the reptile’s skin is shown pulled this creature. The fi rst thing they or British governments which “We have activated the ap- in relations with the US, includ- WikiLeaks has been one of the what it said was a fresh batch of back to reveal where the prize ate is the head, because the brain have sparred with Assange for propriate contingency plans,” ing the expulsion of diplomats most prominent Internet out- Podesta’s e-mails. vertebra would have slotted in. must be tasty,” said Campos. releasing sensitive material. added the Twitter message. in 2011. lets to post and promote hacked According to a summary of Museum director Diogenes de “They also broke the long “We can confi rm Ecuador cut People close to WikiLeaks Correa, whose term will end Democratic Party materials. the latest e-mails posted on Almeida Campos said six dec- bones to get at the marrow... off Assange’s internet access say that Assange himself is the next year, has said he is behind While denying any connec- Russia Today, a media outlet ades does sound on the slow side After, came smaller animals and on Saturday, 5 pm GMT, short- principal operator of the web- Democratic candidate Hillary tion with a Russian hacking with close links to the Russian for studying such a big fi nd. nothing was left over. Anything ly after publication of (Hil- site’s Twitter feed. Clinton, who he says he knows campaign, Assange has refused government, highlights include “A friend said to me just yes- that did remain the beetles and lary) Clinton’s Goldman Sachs The Ecuadoran government personally, in the US presidential to disclose WikiLeaks’ sources campaign staff discussions terday, ‘Diogones, what, it took the spiders and the ants fi nished, speechs (sic),” the statement off ered no immediate comment election. “For the good of the US for hacked Democratic Party about “galvanising Latino sup- you 60 years?’,” he recalled with and when there was just bones, from WikiLeaks said. on the question of internet ac- and the world...I would like Hil- messages. port” and about how to handle a wry smile. “It sounds a bit ri- the bacteria came. Finally the Assange has lived and worked cess, but the country’s foreign lary to win,” Correa told broad- Sources close to both the media queries about Clinton’s diculous to say this.” remains sank into the lagoon.” in Ecuador’s London embassy minister, Guillaume Long, said caster Russia Today last month. Democratic Party and WikiLe- “fl ip-fl opping” on gay marriage. Brazil central bank New legal obstacle to expected to start rate cuts Maduro recall vote AFP chaos, with the economy now Caracas in its third year of a deep re- AFP expected to oversee further rate next year. The central bank tar- cession, exacerbated by the Brasília cuts before the year ends. get is 4.5%. plunge in world oil prices. “The Brazilian economy des- The recession has left 12mn enezuela’s Supreme Infl ation is expected to top perately needs lower interest Brazilians out of work, accord- Court has raised an- 700% this year, and ordinary razil’s central bank is to- rates,” wrote Vinicius Torres ing to government statistics, and Vother obstacle to an Venezuelans are struggling day expected to initiate Freire, economics editor at Folha has seen the three main interna- opposition drive for a referen- with widespread shortages of Bthe fi rst in a round of cuts de Sao Paulo newspaper. tional rating agencies cut Brazil’s dum on recalling leftist Presi- food and medicine. to its key interest rate, one of the The central bank publication credit to junk status. dent Nicolas Maduro, who is The opposition Democratic world’s highest at 14.25%. Focus said a survey of econo- Latin America’s biggest econ- blamed for a deepening eco- Unity Roundtable (MUD) has The benchmark Selic rate has mists found expectations of a omy has been hit hard by falling nomic and political crisis. pushed for a recall vote as a been in a holding pattern since year-end Selic rate of 13.5%, world commodity prices and a Proponents of a recall al- constitutionally accepted way the last in a series of hikes in falling to 11% by the end of bitter political struggle that led ready faced a high hurdle: out of the crisis. July 2015, as the central bank 2017. to the impeachment of former they must collect signatures But Maduro keeps a tight struggled to tamp down dou- president Dilma Rousseff , as well from 20% of the electorate — hold on key levers of power, in- ble-digit inflation amid the Market analysts expect a as a massive corruption scandal or about 4mn voters — over a cluding the courts, which have country’s worst recession in a 0.25 to 0.5 percentage point at state fl agship company Petro- three-day period from Octo- backed him in moves aimed at century. cut, although this would bras. ber 26 to 28. neutralising the opposition- Now, with infl ation dipping still leave Brazil’s rate far Rousseff ’s replacement The Supreme Court has now controlled National Assembly in September to 8.48% and the above 10% in Russia or Michel Temer is turning Brazil raised the bar even higher by and heading off a recall. government embarking on eco- 6.25% in India away from her leftist policies making it 20% of the elector- The opposition, meanwhile, nomic reforms to control spend- and last week pushed through ate in each of the country’s 24 is counting on an overwhelm- ing and encourage investment, Brazil’s lowest rates were a bill in an initial lower house states in order to force a recall ing turnout during the three- the bank appears ready to change 7.25% during October 2012 to vote that would cap government vote. day signature drive to pressure gears. April 2013 when the economy spending for 20 years. “The failure to collect that the government to give way. Market analysts expect a 0.25 was growing strongly. The proposal’s approval on its percentage in any of the states “It will be a moral recall,” to 0.5 percentage point cut, al- Last year saw a 3.8% dip in fi rst vote was an important vic- or the capital district would said Jesus Torrealba, MUD’s though this would still leave Bra- GDP and this year the economy tory for Temer, who plans to en- nullify the validity of a presi- executive secretary. The op- zil’s rate far above 10% in Russia is expected to shrink a further act labour and pension reforms dential recall referendum,” the position is pressing for a recall or 6.25% in India, among other 3%. Prices, however, are fi nally next year. Anti-government protesters march against President Michel Temer’s court said. vote before January 10, even emerging giants. on the retreat, with Focus fore- Temer has warned of state constitutional amendment (PEC) 241, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Maduro’s popularity has though the country’s electoral New, market-friendly central casting 7.01% infl ation for the “bankruptcy” if the country Approved by Brazil’s lower house, the constitutional amendment plummeted as his oil-rich authorities say there is not bank governor Ilan Goldfajn is end of 2016, falling to 5.04% does not impose painful reforms. limits budget increases to the rate of inflation for the next 20 years. country has spiralled into time to organise one this year. Gulf Times Wednesday, October 19, 2016 27 PAKISTAN/AFGHANISTAN CPEC could become another ‘East India Company’

Agencies The East India Company we have to bear the entire burden; Planning Commission secre- Authority (Nepra) had approved of Pashtoonkhwa Milli Awami only benefi t the Chinese and Islamabad was the British trading mis- will this [project] be a national de- tary said the Matiari-Lahore tariff for the project, while the Party (PMAP), said Nepra had Punjab governments, not the lo- sion to India, which became velopment or a calamity? What- transmission line project had government’s Private Power In- fixed the power tariff at 71 pai- cal community. the precursor to the British ever loans taken from China will “not been scrapped” and was frastructure Board had fi led a sas/unit, while the Chinese “The people of Balochistan akistani lawmakers have colonial presence in the sub- have to be paid by the poor people being pursued by its Chinese review petition on the tariff in investors were demanding 95 will only get water supply from expressed fears that the continent, eventually gaining of Pakistan,” Mashhadi said. sponsors. order to address the sponsors’ paisas/unit. it,” he said, adding that no elec- P$46bn China-Pakistan power and overthrowing the Highlighting the status of Recently, the country’s Na- concerns. “The government has fi led tricity or railway projects were Economic Corridor (CPEC) Mughals who ruled the coun- CPEC-related projects, the tional Energy Power Regulatory Senator Usman Khan Kakar, an appeal before Nepra, seeking planned for the province under project, termed a “game chang- try at that time. the increase despite the fact that the CPEC. er” by the government, could Following a briefi ng by Plan- the burden will be borne by poor Senator Mandokhail said a turn into another East India ning Commission Secretary China keen to boost ties with Iran on CPEC consumers.” sense of deprivation was being Company if the country’s inter- Yousuf Nadeem Khokhar, com- According to the secretary, instilled in smaller provinces ests were not protected. mittee members said they feared Chinese ambassador to Pakistan Sun Weidong has Islamabad under which China will invest $46bn in the Gadani power plant complex due to the mega corridor project. “Another East India Com- the utilisation of local fi nanc- said Beijing is looking forward to enhance its co- Pakistan. was shelved due to the lack of a “We do not want the CPEC at the pany is in offi ng...national in- ing for CPEC projects, instead operation with Tehran through the China-Pakistan The economic corridor is about 3,000km long dedicated jetty. cost of the federation.” terests are not being protected,” of funding from Chinese or any Economic Corridor (CPEC). If Iran joins the $46bn consisting of highways, railways and pipelines to The 6,000MW project was Since Minister for Planning Dawn online quoted Senator other foreign investment. CPEC project it would be win-win co-operation for connect China’s Xinjiang province to Pakistan’s not part of the CPEC. and Development Ahsan Iqbal Tahir Mashhadi, chairman of the They also expressed concern both Beijing and Tehran, IRNA news agency on Gwadar port. Senator Kakar pointed out was not present in the meeting, Senate Standing Committee on over fi xing of tariff for CPEC- Monday quoted Sun as saying. “CPEC is a win-win co-operation so we are looking that despite the project not be- the Senator urged the secretary Planning and Development, as related power projects by China. According to Sun, Beijing shares very good forward to explore the possibilities of cooperation ing a part of the CPEC, Chinese to ensure the integrity of the saying on Monday. Pakistan Muslim League-Na- relations with Tehran and “we think that Iran can among all the regional countries,” he said. ambassador Sun Weidong re- federation. “We are proud of the friend- waz (PML-N) Senator Saeedul also be a very important country along the Belt Responding to a question if CPEC could be an cently claimed the Gadani plant, Jamaat-e-Islami Emir Senator ship between Pakistan and Chi- Hassan Mandokhail, the lone and Road initiative, so we really look forward to energy line between Iran and China in the future, an under-construction energy Sirajul Haq said the Federally Ad- na, but the interests of the state PML-N senator in attendance, enhance our co-operation with Iran”. In a meeting Sun said: “We can explore such a possibility.” complex in Gadani, Balochistan, ministered Tribal Areas (Fata) and should come fi rst,” Mashhadi of also endorsed the committee between Iran President Hassan Rouhani and There are many projects under the CPEC was not scrapped and was a part Pakistan-occupied Kashmir were the Mutahidda Qaumi Move- member’s ideas. Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in New York framework being implementing or under of the corridor. being neglected in the CPEC. ment (MQM) told the commit- The meeting was informed on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in construction in Pakistan, said the ambassador. “Why is this project, which “There is nothing for both tee when some members raised that a major portion of the CPEC September, Iran had shown willingness to become “There are 16 major projects under construction does not even exist, being count- areas in the CPEC,” he said, the concern that the government depended on local fi nances than a part of the project. and Chinese side has already invested more than ed in our account?” he asked. suggesting that a 35km road be was not protecting the rights and Chinese investment. The CPEC is a mega project between Beijing and $13bn,” he said. He said the infrastructure be- built to link Muzaff arabad to the interests of Pakistani people. “It will be very harmful for us if ing established in Gwadar would CPEC.

Defence sports competition ‘Taliban restart secret talks with Afghan govt’

Reuters immediately reached for com- in the latest talks, according to Islamabad ment. the Guardian. Previous Pakistan-brokered Relations between the gov- peace talks yielded little progress ernments in Kabul and Islama- he Taliban and the Af- and ground to a complete halt bad have deteriorated over the ghan government re- when the United States killed past year, with Afghanistan and Tstarted secret peace talks former Taliban leader Mullah the United States alleging Paki- in September and have held two Akhtar Mansour in a drone strike stan harbours the Taliban and rounds of discussions in Qatar, in Pakistan in May. was not doing enough to bring Britain’s Guardian newspaper the group to the negotiating ta- reported yesterday, citing anon- A senior American ble. ymous sources. diplomat was present at the Pakistan denies providing the Citing a Taliban offi cial, the meetings in Qatar, where Taliban a safe haven. Guardian said a senior Ameri- the Islamist group has a The Taliban have gathered can diplomat was present at the diplomatic offi ce strength over the past two years, meetings in Qatar, where the carrying out major attacks in Islamist group has a diplomatic Under new Taliban leader Kabul and taking over swaths of offi ce. Haibatullah Akhundzada fi ght- territory for the fi rst time since The newspaper said the talks ing has raged across Afghani- being ousted during the 2001 were attended also by Mullah stan during the summer months, US-led military intervention. Abdul Manan, the brother of with the Taliban attacking the The United States has con- Afghan Taliban founder, Mul- northern city of Kunduz and tinued to provide air power and lah Mohamed Omar, who died threatening Helmand’s provin- other military support to Ka- The Sri Lankan Army team arrives at the opening ceremony of the First International PACES (Physical Agility and Combat Eff iciency in 2013. cial capital Lashkar Gah. bul, preventing the Taliban from System) Competition 2016 in Lahore yesterday. The event will see over 270 participants from the armies of 16 countries competing. Offi cials in Kabul could not be No Pakistani offi cial took part making more ground.

POLITICS Sharif re-elected Bomb attack targets mosque in Karachi Uber begins rickshaw PML-N president Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Reuters service in Lahore Sharif was yesterday re-elected Karachi the President of the Pakistan Mus- lim League-N (PML-N) unopposed Internews and drivers more opportunities as the nomination papers of his t least one child was killed and dozens of peo- Lahore to experience convenience,” said only rival were rejected. ple were wounded in a drive-by bomb attack Uber International Launcher for During scrutiny, the nomination Aat a mosque in Karachi, police said. Middle East and Pakistan Loic papers of another candidate Sard- Police said two men on a motorcycle lobbed the ber Technologies, a global Amado. ar Prince Baloch were rejected bomb as women and children sat outside the mosque taxi dispatch service app, He said auto-rickshaws made by Chief Election Commissioner in the Pakistani port city’s densely populated Li- Uhas formally launched its around 5mn rides a week and Chaudhary Jaff ar Iqbal, The News aquatabad district. new service uberAUTO in Pun- their potential could easily be International reported. “One boy has expired and another boy and a wom- jab’s capital Lahore. seen and brought under the um- Sharif lambasted Pakistan an are in critical condition,” Karachi police chief The move to induct auto- brella of safety, reliability and Tehreek-e-Insaf chief Imran Mushtaq Meher said. rickshaws has come within eight economic opportunity. Khan after being re-elected as No group immediately claimed responsibility for months of Uber’s launch in Pa- “We have got a massive re- the president of the ruling party, the attack. kistan. sponse from Lahore and this is saying the PTI leadership spent its Soon after the blast, Shia men and woman gath- It has added another low-cost why we have once again chosen time on containers (a reference to ered outside the mosque and chanted slogans to pro- product to its service in order to Lahore to start this new service,” Imran Khan making a container test about the lack of security provided to them in capture the unorganised mode of Amado said. his base during an agitation) and the month of Muharram. transportation. For Uber, autos are the most dancing instead of serving Khyber The government pledged to crack down on all “The strong response by the ubiquitous transport option in Pakhtunkhwa. militant groups following the December 2014 mas- Pakistani market has forced the many Pakistani cities and the “Today the people of KP are sacre of 134 children at an army-run school in the company to aggressively pursue company is continuously work- searching for their elected leader. northwestern city of Peshawar. It has reintroduced Pakistani investigators collect evidence after an attack on Imambargah (Shia mosque) its plan to develop its business ing to expand transportation They are searching for those who the death penalty. in Karachi on Monday night. even further and provide riders choices for the people. promised them a ‘Naya Pakistan’ but they are only found on con- tainers,” he said. Senior party leader Raja Zafarul Haq was elected PML-N chairman.

ACCIDENT More than 350,000 Afghan refugees return from Pakistan Pilot killed as air force jet crashes AFP fi ce for the Co-ordination of expect a further 446,000 (both one week,” Danielle Moylan, a refugees are estimated to be in eastern province of Nangarhar. Islamabad Humanitarian Aff airs (OCHA) registered and undocumented) spokeswoman for OCHA, said the country. Many also settle in Kabul. A pilot of the Pakistan Air Force in Afghanistan released updat- Afghans to arrive before year- on Monday. Since 2009, Islamabad has re- The capital already has one of was killed yesterday when the Mi- ed fi gures that also include the end.” The total number of IDPs due peatedly pushed back a deadline the highest population growth rage plane he was flying crashed ore than 350,000 Af- number of undocumented refu- The infl ux of refugees threat- to fi ghting since the start of the for them to return, but fears are rates in the region – some 1,200 near Karachi’s Musharraf Colony, ghan refugees have gees crossing the border. ens to overwhelm Afghanistan, year stands at 323,500. growing that the latest cutoff people every day, according to Dunya news reported. Mreturned to their war- “So far this year, 162,186 with authorities there already For decades Pakistan has pro- date in March 2017 will be fi nal. European Union ambassador An aircraft of the Pakistan Air torn homeland from Pakistan undocumented returnees and warning of a humanitarian cri- vided safe haven for millions of A security crackdown against Franz-Michael Mellbin – and is Force took off from Masroor Base this year, UN data show, with the 207,236 registered returnees sis as hundreds of thousands of Afghans who fl ed their country undocumented foreigners in struggling to accommodate the and crashed during flight at Mush- torrent of people crossing the (369,422) have returned to Af- people fl ee fi ghting within the after the Soviet invasion of 1979. Pakistan coupled with a UN new arrivals, with many forced arraf Colony. The pilot died on border expected to continue. ghanistan from Pakistan,” an country. Pakistan hosts 1.4mn regis- decision announced in June to to shelter in informal settle- the spot, Squadron leader Baqir Earlier in October the UN’s OCHA statement said, noting “Due to hostilities in Kunduz tered Afghan refugees, according double cash grants for voluntary ments on the city’s edge. Ali stated. Pakistan’s armed forces refugee agency UNHCR said the that the majority, some 333,000 and intensifi ed fi ghting across to UNHCR fi gures from earlier returnees to $400, has also seen Many of the returnees to con- have had several air accidents in number of documented Afghan people, have returned since July. the south we have seen a jump this year, making it the third- a surge in returnees. fl ict-torn Afghanistan have lived the past 18 months, including a refugees returning from Paki- “If that sounds like a lot, it is,” of 37,000 IDPs (internally dis- largest refugee hosting nation in OCHA said that the vast ma- in Pakistan for decades and hope crash that killed female jet pilot stan had soared past 200,000. the statement continued. placed people) alone – more the world. jority of undocumented returnees to one day come back to their in another training exercise in But this week the body’s Of- “Based on current trends, we than 10% of the year total in just A further 1mn unregistered claim they intend to return to the adopted country. November last year. Gulf Times 28 Wednesday, October 19, 2016 PHILIPPINES

Beijing ‘may give’ Duterte arrives in China Filipino fi shermen for portentous state visit access to shoal

DPA China has disputes with Brunei, Reuters fi shermen from both coun- Beijing Taiwan, Malaysia and Vietnam. Beijing tries had access to waters near But in the three months since Scarborough Shoal. his election, the 71-year-old If all goes according to hilippine President Ro- Asian strongman has been wa- hina will consider giv- script, fi shery co-operation drigo Duterte touched tering down his country’s claims ing Filipino fi shermen would be one of more than 10 Pdown in Beijing yesterday such that a supreme court jus- Cconditional access to broad framework agreements evening for a portentous four- tice warned him last month it disputed waters in the South the two countries would sign day state visit at the invitation of was an “impeachable off ence” to China Sea after the presidents during Duterte’s visit, the President Xi Jinping. surrender sovereignty. of the two countries meet in sources said, without giving The trip offered “a long Duterte said he would not bar- Beijing this week, two Chinese further details. overdue opportunity for the gain anything away as he could sources with ties to the leader- The Philippine foreign min- two nations, which enjoy long- not give away what was not his, ship said. istry said it had “no comment standing friendship, to heal the but on the other hand, he told Philippine President Rod- at this time”. wounds of the past few years Xinhua on Monday, “there is no rigo Duterte plans to raise the China has overlapping and steer their relationship sense in going to war. plight of Filipino fi shermen claims in the South China Sea back to the right course,” the There is no sense fi ghting over when he meets his Chinese with Brunei, Malaysia, the official Xinhua news agency a body of water. It is better to talk counterpart, Xi Jinping, to- Philippines, Taiwan and Viet- said yesterday. than war.” morrow, a Philippine offi cial nam. Duterte and Xi plan to sign a The top Philippine leader also told Reuters. The United States, along range of bilateral trade and in- extended his gratitude to China China seized Scarborough with Japan and other powers, vestment agreements when they for supporting his war on drugs. Shoal – claimed by Beijing want to ensure Beijing doesn’t meet tomorrow. Mainland China tycoon as Huangyan island and by interfere with free navigation In choosing China for his fi rst Huang Rulun is funding a reha- Manila as Panatag – in 2012, in the strategic South China diplomatic destination outside bilitation centre for thousands denying Philippine fi sher- Sea, which connects the In- South-East Asia, Duterte sig- of drug users who surrender to men access to its rich fi shing dian and Pacifi c Oceans and nalled a fi ssure of global im- police. grounds. through which fl ows $5tn of plications for President Barack Other countries refused to The seizure formed part of trade a year. Obama’s pivot to Asia. help, Duterte complained. a case the Philippines took to US Navy ships have con- Representing a nation where The US, EU, UN and human the Permanent Court of Arbi- ducted “freedom of navi- 93% of people in a Pew Center rights groups have all lambasted tration in the Hague, which in gation” operations around survey expressed a favourable Duterte’s bloody campaign for July rejected China’s territo- artifi cial islands China has opinion of the US, the newly a wave of extra-judicial killings rial claims over much of the been building in the disputed elected Philippine leader has and vigilantism. South China Sea, including its Spratly Islands, which mostly vowed to break with the tradi- “All they had to do was just to assertion of a 320km exclusive consist of coral reefs and tidal tional ally of 65 years. criticise. China never criticises. economic zone around the features in the South China The trip is “a key turning Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte arrives at a hotel in Beijing yesterday. They help us quietly,” Duterte disputed Spratly Islands. Sea. point,” Duterte said on depar- told Xinhua. China immediately declared Chinese Foreign Minister ture. joking about a jet ski and stick- Territorial disputes have in- China Sea and the islands and “My grandfather is Chinese,” the ruling “null and void” but Wang Yi did not answer di- Six months ago, presidential ing a fl ag on contested islands in creased in the region as China rocky outcrops located there. Duterte said, “It’s only China said it was time to get talks rectly, when Reuters asked candidate “Duterte Harry” was the South China Sea. lays claim to much of the South In addition to the Philippines, that can help us.” started again between the yesterday whether China countries directly involved in would off er any concessions the territorial disputes to reach to the Philippines on the South a peaceful resolution. China Sea, including fi shing Filipinos trust Arriving at his hotel in Bei- rights around Scarborough jing, Duterte told reporters he Shoal. United States expected to achieve “plenty “China’s position on the much more than of happiness for my country” South China Sea is clear and Hero’s burial not payback consistent. There is no change during his trip to China. China: survey Asked about the South Chi- and there will be no change. na Sea dispute, he said: “No, This position accords with People in the Philippines still trust that is not one of the topics on historical facts and interna- the United States far more than the agenda. It might crop up tional law,” Wang said at a from leader: Marcos Jr news conference with his New China, an opinion poll showed but it is going to be a soft land- yesterday, despite President Rod- ing for everyone.No imposi- Zealand counterpart. rigo Duterte’s recent outpouring Agencies stopping of the late dictator’s tions.” Wang, however, was upbeat of anti-American rhetoric and his Manila burial at the Libingan ng mga Beijing is now considering about Duterte’s trip. sudden overtures towards old Bayani. making a concession to Du- “This will be a historic visit rival Beijing. Though trust in both Marcos stressed that his terte, whose rapprochement and a new beginning in China- countries had declined slightly ormer Senator Ferdinand father’s burial at the heroes’ with China since taking offi ce Philippines relations,” the for- since the last survey in June, a Marcos yesterday main- cemetery was not a payback on June 30 marks an astonish- eign minister said. Social Weather Stations poll from Ftained that his family only from President Duterte who ing reversal in recent Philip- China’s ambassador to Ma- Sept 24 to 27 showed 55% of gave political support to Presi- made it his campaign promise, pine foreign policy. nila, Zhao Jianhua, said last Filipinos had “little trust” in China, dent Rodrigo Duterte when he saying it would unite the coun- “Everybody can go, but Friday a budding bilateral versus 11% who had doubts ran in the May 2016 national try. there will be conditions,” one friendship could boost chanc- about the US. Just over three- elections, denying reports that Petitioners who sought of the Chinese sources who es of removing one of their quarters, or 76%, of the 1,200 his sister Imee Marcos was a the stopping of Marcos bur- speaks regularly with senior biggest bones of contention in respondents had “much trust” campaign donor. ial tagged Duterte’s move as offi cials told Reuters, referring the South China Sea. in the United States, compared “We have been support- “bayad utang” or payback to Chinese and Filipino fi sher- But on Sunday, Duterte said to 22% who felt the same about ive of him from the beginning for the support the Marcoses men. he would raise the Hague rul- China. The poll did not ask re- and we have been supportive gave to then Davao City may- Asked what the conditions ing and vowed not to surrender spondents to explain their views. of his presidency,” Marcos said or. were, the source said: “The any sovereignty, comments Duterte visits China accompa- in an interview at the Supreme “I don’t know about the two countries would have to that will not sit comfortably nied by a business delegation Court grounds, Philippine Daily campaign fund. As you know form working groups to iron with Beijing. of at least 200, as he looks to Inquirer reported. I was also a candidate. We out details.” Philippine Supreme Court open a new commercial alliance “And I think if there was any (raised) campaign funds and did It was unclear, however, senior associate justice Anto- with Beijing that he says aims to assistance given to then candi- not donate.” Their family sup- if China would agree to joint nio Carpio warned that Du- boost the Philippine economy date Duterte, it was in the form ported the president because coastguard patrols. terte could be impeached if he and diversify a foreign policy too of political endorsement. It is they believed in his capacity to The sources did not say gives up the country’s sover- dependent on Washington. a form of political support,” he uplift the lives of the Filipinos, what, if anything, China might eignty over the Scarborough He has railed ferociously about added. Former senator and vice-presidential candidate Ferdinand he said. demand from Manila in ex- Shoal, according to Philippine the longtime ally and former The younger Marcos, who “Bongbong” Marcos Jr (centre right) and his younger sister Irene “I do not think the president change for the fi shing conces- media. colonial power and questioned lost to Leni Robredo in the vice Marcos-Araneta (centre left), children of the late dictator Ferdinand makes his judgments that way. sion. China’s objective is to jointly its loyalty.He has complained presidential race, said that “it is Marcos, wave to supporters as they arrive at a vigil in front of the I think he makes his judgments “It will be a return to the develop resources in the South of being dictated to about his a natural part of the campaign. I Supreme Court in Manila yesterday. as I think you already know, Arroyo days,” the second Chi- China Sea with its neighbours, deadly war on drugs by Presi- don’t think it is unusual in any based on law. He’s very much a nese source said, referring to said Lu Xiang, an international dent Barack Obama, whom he way.” ers of his family who staged an But the high court yester- lawyer and he very much bases the administration of former relations expert at the Chinese told to “go to hell”. He arrived at the Supreme overnight vigil as they waited day extended the status quo his decisions and positions on President Gloria Macapagal Academy of Social Sciences, a Court to thank the support- for a decision. ante ordering the temporary law,” he said. Arroyo (2001-2010), when government think-tank. Americans in Philippines jittery as president rails against US

Reuters of colonialism, wars, rebellion, helping,” he said. He said three aircraft for humanitarian and charitable activities and...we Olongapo aid and deep economic ties. trade delegations representing maritime security operations. feel the appreciation. Don’t give That could change as Du- American technology, fi nan- However, Duterte has said that up on us,” he said. terte’s three-month-old admin- cial services and manufacturing agreement will be reviewed and The mayor of the city of n a bar along the Philip- istration re-examines the rela- companies had cancelled trips to he insists that the Philippines, 220,000, Rolen Paulino, said his pines’ Subic Bay owned by an tionship. the Philippines in recent weeks. the third-largest Asian recipient people were “pro-American” IAmerican military veteran, In a series of confl icting state- At least two American com- of American military aid after but that he supports Duterte’s the main topic of conversation ments, Duterte has insulted US panies have opted to do business Pakistan and Afghanistan, can shift in foreign policy. is not the upcoming US election President Barack Obama and in Vietnam instead “because of do without assistance. “If the president wants to in- despite the Donald Trump coff ee the US ambassador in Manila for the president’s anti-American Philippine government offi - vite Russia and China...I will mugs, photographs and caps on questioning his war on drugs, sentiment”. Hinchliff e declined cials have sought to play down teach my people Russian and display. which has led to the deaths of to name the companies or give Duterte’s comments. Chinese because we have to The talk is of Philippines Pres- more than 2,000 suspected us- further details. “Where the president is com- adapt,” Paulino said. ident Rodrigo Duterte’s tensions ers and pushers. The United States eff ectively ing from is that he wants to But many in the business with Washington and his court- He told Obama to “go to hell” ruled the Philippines from 1898, encourage the Filipino people community have labelled Du- ing of China, which is worry- and alluded to severing ties with when it acquired the country to be more independent,” said terte’s rhetoric as largely bluster ing the bar’s mostly American Washington. from Spain, until recognising its government spokesman Ernesto and take comfort in the fact that clients who have settled in the Then, after weeks of anti- independence in 1946. Abella.”It’s not so much an anti- he has yet to translate it into ac- vicinity of the huge Subic Bay American rhetoric, Duterte said About 4mn people of Philip- American relationship as a pro- tion. The business process out- base, a former US navy installa- the Philippines would maintain pine ancestry live in the United Philippine sentiment.” sourcing (BPO) sector – expect- tion. its existing defence treaties and States, one of its largest minori- Still, the mood was sombre at ed to account for 9% of GDP this “The biggest fear is that one its military alliances. ties, and about 220,000 Ameri- Former US marine Richard Haulet, 64, speaks during an interview with Dynamite Dick’s bar in Olongapo year – remains largely optimistic day he’s going to wake up and say The comments have left cans, many of them military vet- Reuters, in a bar he owns, frequented by other American veterans, in when a Reuters reporter dropped about growth in the Philippines. ‘everybody from the US, get out Americans and US businesses erans, live in the Philippines. Olongapo city in the Philippines. in recently. “Suffi ce to say, there are ques- of town’ and we’d have to leave in the Philippines jittery about An additional 650,000 visit Edward Pooley, a former tions that are being asked be- our loved ones behind,” said Jack their future, said Ebb Hinchliff e, each year, according to US State strong nationalistic movement China over the territorial dispute Marine colonel who has lived cause of (Duterte’s) statements,” Walker, a retired Marine sergeant executive director of the Ameri- Department fi gures. that has questioned the US alli- in the South China Sea, the Phil- in the Philippines for nearly said Danilo Reyes, country man- who has lived in Olongapo, the can Chamber of Commerce. According to a Pew Research ance. ippines signed an Enhanced De- 30 years, said Duterte’s words ager of Genpact, one of the big- town around the base, for fi ve “Every time he opens his Centre study last year, the Phil- In 1991, the government asked fence Co-operation Agreement were “heartbreaking” but he gest American BPO companies years. mouth and says something ippines is the most pro-US Washington to vacate the Subic (EDCA) with the United States remained optimistic about the in the country. “But it does not For more than a century the negative about America, that country in the world. Bay naval facility and the nearby in 2014 that grants Washing- bilateral relationship in the long really translate to actions, we Philippines and the United hurts me personally...and from Despite the shared history, Clark Air Base. ton increased military presence term. continue to expand.” States have had a shared history a business standpoint, it’s not though, the Philippines has a But as tensions increased with through rotation of ships and “We’ve always done a lot of Gulf Times Wednesday, October 19, 2016 29 SRI LANKA/BANGLADESH/NEPAL Financers of Dhaka cafe attack identifi ed Two of the three – a retired against the local militant group Chowdhury, a Canadian citizen rorism is a template for other ious steps her government had army off icer and a former that left 40 members dead. of Bangladesh origin, was shot countries on how to tackle ter- taken in the wake of the Holey banker – were killed in anti- Dhaka police counter-terror- dead in a gunfi ght in August. ror, Prime Minister Narendra Artisan (Bakery cafe) terror militant raids while the third ism chief Monirul Islam said two The JMB, long dormant after Modi has said, IANS reports attack in Dhaka in July. – a retired paediatrician – has suspected militants, including their top leaders were executed from Goa. Hasina told Modi how her ad- left for Syria to join IS a retired army major, have been in March 2007, has recently re- He made the comments dur- ministration contacted all the Maqbul Ahmed identifi ed as funding the JMB. grouped with young and univer- ing bilateral talks with his Bang- districts of Bangladesh to get AFP They were killed in police raids sity-educated extremists taking ladesh counterpart, Indian everybody on the same page to Dhaka last month. the helm. external aff airs ministry spokes- unite against terror and took on Islam said a doctor also fund- Bangladesh has been reeling person Vikas Swarup said. board all the imams to raise their ed the group, donating 8mn taka from a wave of recent attacks Swarup told reporters that voice against terror. angladesh police said yes- ($10,000). The ex-army offi cer with targets including foreign- Modi also spoke in favour of “She said that now public Bangladesh terday they have identifi ed gave his retirement benefi ts and ers, rights activists and members meeting leaders in the South awareness is very high in Bang- Bthree people as fi nancial the other militant handed over of religious minorities. Asian region more regularly and ladesh against terrorism. (Modi) backers of a group blamed for a the proceeds of an apartment Critics say Prime Minister with minimal protocol. totally agreed and said ter- deadly attack on a cafe, includ- sale. Sheikh Hasina’s administra- “He (Modi) commended rorism can only be contained ing a doctor who joined Islamic “The doctor has gone to Syria tion is in denial about the na- Shaikh Hasina for the very with strong public support,” Islamist State jihadists in Syria. to join the Islamic State. The ture of the threat posed by Is- strong action that she was tak- Swarup said. Gunmen raided the cafe in a other two were killed during lamist extremists. They accuse ing to counter terrorism in “(Modi) said he wants (lead- smart Dhaka neighbourhood on anti-militant raids last month,” her of trying to exploit the at- Bangladesh. ers of) countries of our region July 1 and killed 20 mostly for- a Dhaka police spokesman also tacks to demonise her domestic “In fact, he said that ‘your bat- should be able to visit each other eign hostages, the deadliest in a said. opponents. tle against terrorism was yield- at very short notice without pro- party elects series of such attacks which have Local media have reported In August, US Secretary of ing very positive results. You tocol considerations coming in blighted Bangladesh in the last that the paediatrician, who had State John Kerry said during a vis- have shown us all a new template the way. three years. worked at a state-run children’s it to Dhaka that evidence existed on how to fi ght terrorism so suc- “That is a message the prime The IS group claimed re- hospital, and his family went to link the extremists behind the cessfully’,” Swarup said. minister has also been raising in sponsibility for the carnage but missing months before the cafe attacks in Bangladesh to IS. Modi and Hasina met at the the Saarc context, just as lead- new leader the government blamed a new attack. Indian PM hails terror beach village of Benaulim in ers in Europe and leaders in East faction of the Jamayetul Mu- Police have named former crackdown: Bangladesh Prime south Goa. Asia for instance are able to meet jahideen Bangladesh (JMB). It JMB leader Tamim Chowdhury Minister Sheikh Hasina’s com- Swarup said Hasina made a regularly at a fairly short notice,” AFP party is looking to break from launched a major crackdown as the mastermind of the attack. prehensive crackdown on ter- detailed presentation on the var- Swarup said. Dhaka its past policies. “He is an experienced lead- er and a very good organiser,” Bangladeshi Islamist said Abul Asad, the editor of party allied to the op- the pro-Jamaat Bengali daily Lanka PM in Brussels Aposition has elected a Sangram. new chief untainted by war “He has said he wants to Lanka destroys crime allegations, seeking to forget the pains and sorrows turn the page after the ex- of the past and wants to look ecution of several of its top forward.” leaders. Jamaat, Bangladesh’s larg- Jamaat-e-Islami said in a est Islamist party, was barred seized bird nests statement late Monday it had from contesting the 2014 gen- sworn in former school teach- eral election, eff ectively dis- er Maqbul Ahmed as its leader enfranchising millions of its after a secret ballot of party supporters. members. The main opposition Bang- destined for soup Ahmed takes over from Mo- ladesh Nationalist Party – al- tiur Rahman Nizami, who was lied to Jamaat – subsequently hanged in May after a contro- boycotted the polls, which AFP Chinese medicine were also versial tribunal convicted him became a one-horse race held Colombo destroyed yesterday, to- of murder during the coun- against a backdrop of violent gether with the edible nests, try’s 1971 war of independence protests. at a Colombo cemetery’s with Pakistan. Many observers believe the ri Lankan custom offi cers crematorium. Four other top leaders, in- lack of genuine democracy in yesterday destroyed 45kgs The nests are the main in- cluding the party’s secretary the country has contributed S(99 pounds) of rare bird gredient in bird’s nest soup, general, its two joint secre- to a recent upsurge in Islamist nests that are considered a deli- considered a delicacy in China taries and its main fi nancier, violence, including a deadly cacy in China and have a street and other Asian countries. But have been executed since 2013 siege at an upmarket Dhaka value of nearly half a million removing, owning or export- following trials that rights cafe in July. dollars. ing birds is outlawed under Sri groups have condemned as Jamaat opposed Bangla- The offi cers burnt the pile Lanka’s strict fl ora and fauna unfair. desh’s independence from of swallows’ nests confi scated regulations. They were tried by the same Pakistan, but denies its lead- mainly from passengers’ airport The cup-shaped collections war crimes tribunal set up ers were involved in genocide, luggage and postal parcels in- of twigs are held together by by the secular government of murders and rapes during the tended for overseas delivery over dried swiftlet saliva, which Prime Minister Sheikh Hasi- nine-month long confl ict. the past four years. is made into a gelatinous na, which said Jamaat leaders The conviction and ex- “We destroyed this stock to soup credited in China with had to be prosecuted to heal ecution of Jamaat offi cials demonstrate our commitment everything from alleviating the wounds of the war. plunged Bangladesh into one to protect endangered species,” asthma to arresting the ageing Sources close to Jamaat of its worst crises in 2013, customs spokesman Dharmasena process. said Ahmed, believed to be in when tens of thousands of Is- Kahandawa said. In January, Sri Lankan cus- his early seventies, had been lamist activists clashed with “There may be a street value toms offi cers publicly destroyed chosen from a panel of three police in protests that left of up to $10,000 for a kilo of the country’s biggest ever ille- senior party offi cials who some 500 people dead. birds’ nests, but for us it has no gal ivory haul – more than 350 had not been tainted by war In the same year the govern- value at all because this is an il- tusks weighing about 1.5 tonnes crimes. ment launched a nationwide legal trade.” – in what offi cials said was an In his debut speech he paid crackdown on Jamaat activists Another 40kgs of feath- attempt to show poachers that Sri Lanka’s Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, left, shaking hands with European Council Presi- tribute to Hasina’s father, who in which tens of thousands of ers from exotic birds and the island would not tolerate the dent Donald Tusk upon his arrival at the European Council in Brussels. led the war of independence Islamists were either detained other animal parts used in illegal trade. against Pakistan, in a sign the or charged over the protests. Nine Lanka districts hit by drought Meeting with Modi, Thomson Reuters Foundation Sri Lanka’s southern, north- months later drought hit. government agencies handling who are the mercy of changing Mahasenpura ern, northeastern and south- While weather experts and water to balance the needs of rainfall patterns, have had lit- eastern Uva provinces have policy makers increasingly see farmers, hydropower suppli- tle help in learning to manage Xi pleasant: been hit by drought. Accord- the worrisome pattern, poten- ers and household users, said S water better, though it is crucial n this village in southern Sri ing to the national Disaster tially eff ective national inter- L Weerasinghe, director gen- to their economic well-being, Lanka’s Hambantota district, Management Centre, by mid- ventions are not yet in place, eral of the national irrigation experts say. Nepal PM Iwater sales are big business. October over 875,000 peo- experts say. department. Poddibanda, like most farmers Pushpa Kamal Dahal Beset by a prolonged dry spell ple were being provided with “Right now there is very little in water-short Lankapura, waits and day-time temperatures government tanker water in “We need a much co-ordination between various until he believes rains are close to IANS hal said, “It was, however, a reaching above 36 degrees Cel- these areas. more cohesive water entities handling water, from arriving to prepare his paddy rice Kathmandu matter of pride for me”. sius (97 degrees Farenheit), the The worst hit area, where over management policy to power to agriculture. We need a plot for cultivation – and he ex- Dahal’s joint meeting with village has seen all of its wells 160,000 people are currently safely release water stored much more cohesive water man- pects the government to provide Xi and Modi had taken place run dry. dependent on water brought in for agriculture” agement policy to safely release free irrigation water, irrespective epal Prime Minister after his one-on-one meet- Water arrives once every three from outside, is north-central water stored for agriculture,” of rain and reservoir levels. Pushpa Kamal Dahal, ing with the Chinese President days in the form of a free govern- Polonnaruwa district. Today, in some drought-hit Weerasinghe said. He said he has not respond- Nwho returned after at- earlier. ment tanker, but it’s not always “This is what we undergo eve- areas of Sri Lanka, for instance, Lack of public awareness ed to government requests for tending the Brics-Bimstec “I was in the waiting lounge enough to last. Buying a tanker ry year. After the fl oods, there water remains in storage dams about the extent of the country’s farmers to break with tradition Outreach Summit in India, of the hotel where the Chinese of water privately costs 5,000 will be a drought and we are al- but offi cials are reluctant to re- water problems – and how they and plant when water is avail- described his meeting with president entered. After 20 rupees ($34), more than most most dying of thirst,” said Tissa lease it, fearing there will not might be better managed – is able, rather than at traditional leaders from the neighbouring minutes, Prime Minister Modi people can pay. Poddibanda, a villager from the be enough irrigation water for another problem, water man- times. countries as “rare and pleasant”. dropped in. He was also stuck Instead the village’s farmers Lankapura area. farmers to plant in the next agement experts say. “I don’t know how to do that,” One particular meeting he in the same hotel due to some and traders buy their water in Lankapura is one of the growing season that starts in “We are not prepared to Poddibanda admitted. was referred to was a session technical reasons.” one-litre bottles from small- worst-aff ected sites in the November. meet these impacts” of climate Athukorala said a sustained with Indian Prime Minister Dahal described that mo- scale vendors who charge country, with close to 30,000 The Parakarama Samudraya, change, said Kusum Athukorala, public awareness campaign Narendra Modi and Chinese ment as a “rare and pleasant” four to 10 rupees a litre (less persons waiting for transported the largest reservoir in north- who heads the Sri Lanka Water is needed to build commu- President Xi Jinping late Sat- coincidence. than one US cent) for drink- water. ern Polonnaruwa district, is Partnership, a non-profi t na- nity knowledge about water urday evening, The Kathman- A visibly thrilled Dahal even ing water brought from about As the weather becomes more currently at about 50% of ca- tional organisation working on management, and a national du Post reported yesterday. likened the sitting arrange- 30kms away. extreme, Sri Lanka fi nds itself pacity, offi cials say. But gov- water management. water management policy is After a photo of Dahal sit- ment of the three leaders to “We buy drinking water, increasingly in a debilitating ernment irrigation offi cials say She said that since Sri Lan- needed to coordinate water ting with Modi and Xi emerged Nepal’s geographical location, and try to use other sources for pattern of alternating between they don’t want to release the ka’s devastating 2004 tsu- planning among sectors such through Facebook, specula- saying that he was in the mid- cooking and washing,” said Sar- drought and fl oods – both of waters – and the next wave of nami the island has upgraded as power, agriculture, weath- tion had gone into overdrive in dle with Xi sitting on the north ath Mahanama, one villager. which can lead to shortages of heavy rains is expected only in and strengthened its disaster er, irrigation and disaster Kathmandu. Upon his arrival and Modi on the south. Those other sources include the clean water. mid-November, with the on- response capacity but hardly management. at the Tribhuvan International “I put forward the idea of muddy puddle left in the bottom In May, large areas of the set of the Northeast monsoon any work had been done on In addition, “we have to take Airport, Dahal told reporters trilateral strategic co-opera- of a nearly empty nearby water country were fl ooded which season. preparing for disasters and care of each spring, each river, that the meeting had come as a tion and partnership among reservoir. caused damages of more As competition for water building public awareness each well. You do preventive “surprise” to him. three countries. Both lead- Mahasenpura is not alone in than $3bn, according to grows, better co-operation is about them. medicine and spend less on Stating that the meeting ers described the proposal as its shortages. Nine districts in the fi nance ministry. Three needed between the various Villagers such as Poddibanda, curative medicine,” she urged. was merely a coincidence, Da- positive,” Dahal said. Gulf Times 30 Wednesday, October 19, 2016 COMMENT

Chairman: Abdullah bin Khalifa al-Attiyah Production Editor: C P Ravindran Why Islamabad is quietly

P.O.Box 2888 Doha, Qatar confi dent despite the odds [email protected] Telephone 44350478 (news), China and Pakistan see that connects (or disconnects) major international maritime trade being many a pundit conversant with how 44466404 (sport), 44466636 (home delivery) CPEC snowballing into powers in the region – even though it is routed through the ports of Karachi it infl uences strategically important Fax 44350474 a decidedly economic venture? and the Chinese-built Gwadar. developing nations to kowtow to a major multilayered Admittedly, there’s no ‘cut to the The latter will be ideally placed to international powers-that-be, chase’ bling about the massive project, fast track exports and imports to and expressed reservations about the enterprise with potential but since a beginning has to be made from AGCC countries, particularly the viability of the project. international investment here’s the beef: CPEC is a corridor with UAE and Saudi Arabia, as well as the “During the investment phase, as several dozen interlinked and staggered region. the ‘early harvest’ projects proceed, likely to reach $150bn projects that will run through Pakistan The global media has largely focused Pakistan will experience a surge in FDI GULF TIMES and culminate into China’s Xinjiang on only the fi rst estimated outlay of (foreign direct investment) and other By Kamran Rehmat province. the project: $46bn. external funding infl ows,” IMF said in a Doha The corridor itself has three routes But there is apparently much more short review of the impact of CPEC- – eastern, central and western – to it, which because of the deliberately related investments on Pakistan before which as well as realigning Pakistan’s cautious approach exercised by the two warning that the import requirements Samsung has to take ot many any longer bother current road network, will lift the countries, largely remains out of the of these projects “will likely off set a with the longish moniker: country’s economic profi le thanks to purview at the moment. signifi cant share of these infl ows”. China-Pakistan Economic the scheme’s premise in addressing the The plan is to connect three engines The Fund said Pakistan would need NCorridor. Just CPEC is sexy energy crunch. of growth – South Asia, China and the to manage increasing CPEC-related indelible notes from enough. Consider. Central Asian Republics – aligning it outfl ows “once the Chinese investors Its prospective dividends down the Currently, power shortages are with the entire South, Northern and begin repatriating profi ts”, adding that road for the two countries are enough costing the economy up to 2.5% of the North-Western regions. the capital involved “could add up to a for them to rub their hands with glee, GDP. Beijing and Islamabad are confi dent signifi cant level given the magnitude its Note 7 demise even if they cause nightmares for their Some 61% of the $46bn project that CPEC will snowball into a major of the FDI”. detractors, particularly Pakistan’s. will be spent on the energy sector to multilayered enterprise with overall However, Islamabad’s view is that Samsung Electronics has gone for a $5.3bn sacrifi ce to Economic interests – especially improve system capacity, transmission international investment expected to additional Chinese investment over save the company. The decision, for sure, is not just about when these are aligned with geography and distribution network. reach a staggering $150bn by the end of the longer term, building on CPEC as – clearly outweigh even the much The other 39% will be used the project in 2030. a platform, could also help cover the the doomed Note 7 – originally estimated to ship 13mn – hyped politically correct ones, which for infrastructure, transport and This fi gure has been arrived at on the projected CPEC-related outfl ows, itself, but about the brand and its years-long relationship is why China has steadfastly stood by communication. basis of concrete commitments with which the IMF admits is possible, but with its customers. Pakistan, refusing to even entertain These projects, which are estimated prospective investors – mostly Ivy warns that “this is not guaranteed”. communiqué semantics let alone to bring swifter windfall thanks to League Chinese companies, according What is guaranteed however, on The fi nancial burden of the Note 7 termination on acquiesce in the ‘isolation’ mantra. their likely completion by 2018-end, to Miftah Ismail, chairman of the balance, is China’s own high stakes in Samsung after about 2.5mn recalls is huge. The Suwon- CPEC is an estimated $46bn are projected to add approximately, Board of Investment in Pakistan. ensuring the viability of the project, based company has disclosed a hit of approximately $3bn action plan that, if it sees the day as 10,500 megawatts to the national grid, Some 150 leading businessmen and which interestingly, also doubles up envisaged, will eff ectively pitchfork thus completely negating the current investors from China converged only as an unexplored advantage from on operating profi t through March 2017, on top of an Pakistan as a robust economic player shortfall. last month at the highest level summit Pakistan’s perspective. already announced $2.3bn cut for the preceding period. in the region without having to depend Launched last year with great in Islamabad to eye the pie from up It is being implied that CPEC would “Samsung just has to bear it,” said Yoo Jong-Woo, an on – or align with – a superpower fanfare by visiting Chinese President close. mostly serve as a transit corridor to re- continents away that has long tried to Xi Jinping, CPEC projects are Elsewhere, Afghanistan and Iran route Chinese exports from Xinjiang analyst at Korea Investment & Securities Co “The top coerce it to front up its strategic goals benchmarked for the short-term have already publicly expressed province, which currently stretch priority is to rebuild trust.”. in the region. (2020), mid-term (2025) and long- an interest in joining the wannabe through 4,000km land to reach its There are already humorous term (2030). juggernaut. eastern shores before being exported to Samsung has been struggling with the fallout from the suggestions being bandied in Pakistan Projects worth $18bn are currently With the grandstanding, has other countries. troubled Note 7 phones, which were overheating and for parents to make their children learn in the implementation stage while predictably, come apprehension – Even if CPEC becomes more of a catching fi re even after a recall to fi x the problem. Its Chinese, for starters, and push them portfolios of some $17bn are under bordering on virtual suspension of transit corridor, Pakistan can still to take up engineering as a career with preparation. belief – from the naysayers at what profi t from it by making countries shares plunged more than 8% last week, wiping about the shape of things along the silky ‘One The rest of the $11bn are earmarked CPEC portends. using the short distance to pay transit $20bn from its market value. Belt, One Road’ – or OBOR programme for the infrastructure of Gwadar Port – For instance, the other day, fee, which some experts estimate, The end of the Note 7 represents a big setback for the as the Chinese dub it – to come! billed as the next hub of maritime trade International Monetary Fund, which could fetch billions of dollars every But what really is this CPEC that is in the region. has long entangled Pakistan with year! South Korean electronics giant in its battle with Apple, mostly viewed from a security angle Islamabad estimates that CPEC will a demanding ‘reform agenda’ – whose iPhone 7 hit stores in September. Samsung has by most pundits – given the geography herald a premium with 70% of the described as a manipulative tool by zThe writer is Community Editor. now lost much of the momentum it built in smartphone sales. “It’s a very critical moment for Samsung,” said Martin Roll, a brand strategist and author of Asian Brand Strategy. “How Samsung is handling this crisis is kind of a way for Samsung to Samsung hopes to step into the modern era because Asian gradually make fi rms have only started the Note 7 episode to emerge as very iconic, contemporary a fi ne footnote in consumer brands like the overall history Apple.” Amid tonnes of global of the company negative publicity, there’s also the risk that the Note 7 troubles will spill over to other smartphones in the Galaxy lineup, especially among undiscerning consumers. The best known South Korean brand faces a serious image problem in China, where customers and government-owned media have railed about Samsung’s handling of its recall. What next for the pride of South Korea? Samsung has to come clean on the Note 7 debacle with a thorough explanation of the mysterious battery defect. Until it can come up with some clear answers, it faces thorny TWO TO TANGO: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, left, with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Islamabad. challenges. Going forward, Samsung, the largest of South Korea’s “chaebol” (vast, politically connected, family-run conglomerates), has bigger problems to deal with post Note 7 demise. Whether the Samsung brand takes a French presidential hopefuls vie for votes lasting hit will depend, in part, on how long the mystery of the Note 7 batteries will continue and whether the By Jessica Camille Aguirre widened his margin over Sarkozy in the held a “vision of France that respects newspaper Le Figaro along with company is perceived by consumers as stonewalling. DPA/Paris last weeks, has tried to demonstrate a our diversity”. broadcaster LCI and Public Senat, steady hand and not lose momentum The six other contenders on the stage show 36% of viewers indicating that he Samsung hopes to gradually make the Note 7 episode ahead of the primary votes at the end of came down hard on radicalisation. “won” the debate. a fi ne footnote in the overall history of the company. ot fi ve minutes had November. Legislator Bruno Le Maire, who Twenty-two per cent said the For that, the company should keep focusing on quality elapsed in France’s fi rst In the debate, Sarkozy – who was at is regularly placed third in the polls, same for Sarkozy, followed by 11% conservative primary the receiving end of jabs by lawmaker proposed that non-French nationals respectively for Fillon and Le Maire. control throughout its supply chain and at every step of Ndebate last Thursday night Nathalie Kosciusko-Morizet and Cope considered to be a threat should be The winner of these primaries the product development cycle after perceived a situation before Nicolas Sarkozy became the over his legal troubles, expelled. is expected to face far-right leader of “too many models but lack of focus.” focus of attention, taking the brunt including investigations into alleged “A foreigner in France who threatens Marine le Pen and and likely the of an attack over his failed election fraud and corruption – took a more the country has no place in France,” Socialist incumbent Francois Hollande Samsung, despite an initial slow reaction to the Note 7 promises of terms past. combative line. Le Maire said, as several candidates in the election next year. fi asco, has taken a smart, wise and confi dent decision by The former president’s legacy is put forward proposals that seemed “This fi rst major television meeting sacrifi cing its fl agship smartphone. Sure, a one-product his curse and his blessing: during designed to compete against one has confi rmed what we have seen the nearly two-and-a-half hour Sarkozy’s legacy is another in their harshness. so far in the campaign, namely a failure in a large and diverse company, shouldn’t lead to debate with six other rivals for the Former prime minister Francois favourite, Alain Juppe, serene and full doomsday projections. conservative ticket, Sarkozy had to his curse and his Fillon, lagging behind Sarkzoy and of authority. confront past decisions while also Juppe, touted his stance as “more Nicolas Sarkozy, on the other hand, trying to rouse enthusiasm for his blessing radical”. He advocated stripping appeared very nervous,” wrote Laurent current campaign. French citizens of their nationality if Bodin in L’Alsace newspaper. To Advertise His opponents meanwhile – all but He lobbed accusations at current they become foreign fi ghters, and not But Michel Urvoy, writing in Ouest- one from the same Les Republicains Socialist President Francois Hollande, allowing them back into the country. France, thought neither front-runner [email protected] party – did everything they could to and forcefully touted his experience as On these questions, Juppe went much beyond political posturing. Display dampen that enthusiasm. the leader who brought France through again sought to carve out a middle “By being often at the limits of “In 2007, I along with millions of the global fi nancial crisis. road, stressing the importance of budget constraints or the Constitution, Telephone 44466621 Fax 44418811 French, placed my hope in the break By contrast, Juppe put in a subdued consultation with security forces and Nicolas Sarkozy continues to gamble Classified that Nicolas Sarkozy proposed for performance during the fi rst half of refusing to condone detentions without on winning by a shift to the right and our country,” said fellow contender the evening, focusing on economic the order of a judge. with measures that are diffi cult to Telephone 44466609 Fax 44418811 Jean Francois Cope in his opening questions facing France. Amid growing fears in France over translate into acts. Subscription remarks, referring to one of For the second half, however, the threat of terrorism following several “By remaining compatible with the [email protected] Sarkozy’s former campaign slogans. the front-runner was enlivened by shocking attacks in recent years, initial centre,” Urvoy continued, “Alain Juppe “That break was unfortunately not convictions that made him stand out indications show Juppe’s measured manages a fragile capital that he owes, carried out.” from his peers. approach played well with voters. before and after this debate, more 2016 Gulf Times. All rights reserved Ex-prime minister Alain Juppe, who As the focus turned to security, A poll of television viewers who to anti-Sarkozy sentiment than to has led most polls in recent months and terrorism and migration, Juppe said he watched the debate, released by support for his plan.” Gulf Times Wednesday, October 19, 2016 31 COMMENT Qatar: Migrant welfare protection

By Emma Higham, Yasser Shabbir payment of salaries to all workers in Doha Qatar. Under WPS, all employers are obliged to transfer electronically from their Qatari bank accounts the salaries he decision by FIFA’s World of their workers in local currency into Cup Organising Committee the workers’ personal back accounts in to award Qatar the World Qatar. Breach of WPS carries both civil TCup in 2022 continues to and criminal penalties. attract scrutiny and enquiry from The Immigration Law: In December both the world’s media and a host of 2016, the Qatari government will international governmental and not introduce the new Immigration for profi t organisations amid concerns Law which it is expected will have a regarding the safety, security and major impact on the operation of the welfare of Qatar’s migrant workforce sponsorship system in Qatar; and, in who are helping to build the civic eff ect make it easier for workers to leave infrastructure to help Qatar deliver a Qatar and transfer their sponsorship memorable World Cup. within Qatar. One area of international concern is whether there is a robust framework Practical implementation to protect Qatar’s migrant workforce. The Ministry of Administrative As well as ensuring that suffi cient Development, Labour and Social safeguards have been implemented, Aff airs is the main Government agency the Qatari authorities are being asked the retention of employees who are exert the necessary standard of care to Qatar, many employers, whilst they are without rest and the maximum number seeking to enforce the provisions of the to demonstrate that these safeguards outstanding. ensure that the dignity of employees aware of the Immigration and Labour of working hours, respectively. Qatar laws and regulations pertaining are being monitored and enforced is protected and preserved throughout Laws, are not suffi ciently aware of the Ministerial Resolution No.(12) of to employment. In addition, many consistently amongst all stakeholders Charters their recruitment, placement, sojourn existence of the various Ministerial 2005 sets out the areas which at that Government and quasi-Government and interested parties. In the context of QNV 2030, and repatriation; and, to ensure that Resolutions and Decisions which have time were designated “remote” and entities now require undertakings This article aims to provide a general Qatar Foundation (“QF”) adopted they do not allow or tolerate any forced been issued in order to give eff ect to the where appropriate means of transport, with respect to compliance within overview of the framework which has its comprehensive Migrant Workers’ labour, human traffi cking practices or often general provisions of these laws accommodation, potable water, food or the various contracting and sub- been established to protect Qatar’s Charter (“MWC”) in 2012 and, more other violations of human and labour and with which they need to comply. the means to obtain food and medical contracting tiers within tender migrant workforce and the various recently the Qatari 2022 Supreme rights, the MWS (which embodies the This article now considers some of provisions must be made available to submissions and transparency with measures which both government Committee, now renamed the Supreme MWC) lists the laws and regulations, these resolutions and decisions in more employees. respect to such compliance during and quasi-government bodies have Committee for Delivery and Legacy, in addition to the Immigration and detail. Ministerial Decision No.(17) of 2005 the period for which work is being developed in this regard. issued a workers’ charter aimed at Labour Laws, i.e. the laws most sets out in detail the requirements for undertaken; internal auditors are creating a safe working environment commonly associated with employees Laws and regulations (as employees accommodation, including being recruited in order to assist in Qatar National Vision 2030 for the thousands of expatriate workers in Qatar, in an Annex. amended) the area to which each employee should monitoring such compliance. (“QNV 2030”) who are employed on the various World Ministerial Decision No.(8) of have access, bedding allocation, the Note: Qatari Laws (saved for those QNV 2030 defi nes the long-term Cup and other projects which are Laws and regulations 2005 regulates the recruitment of number of employees who may share a issued by the Qatar Financial Centre outcomes for the country as a whole. and will be undertaken by QF and the Adherence to Qatar laws and expatriate employees from outside bathroom, utilities and rubbish disposal. (“QFC”) to regulate its internal It provides a framework within which Supreme Committee for Delivery and regulations is key, not only for QF’s Qatar and specifi cally states that In addition to existing laws business) are issued in Arabic and there national strategies and implementation Legacy. Contractors and Sub-Contractors, employees may not be charged for and regulations, where matters of are no offi cial translations. Therefore, plans can be developed. Of particular interest, the MWC but also for all employers employing recruitment expenses, fees or other concern are highlighted new laws and for the purpose of drafting this article, QNV 2030 is premised on four commits all Contractors and Sub- expatriates in Qatar in accordance with costs. In addition, an employee must regulations are issued to develop the we have used our own translations and key pillars. The fi rst pillar relates Contractors to deliver the requirements the Qatar Labour Law, i.e. not one of be repatriated at the recruiter’s cost if legal framework in this regard. Two interpreted the same in the context of to Human Development with a set out in the MWC, the Mandatory the exempt categories of expatriate he is unfi t or unable to work amongst such recent examples include: Qatari laws, regulations and current focus on the targeted participation Welfare Standards (“MWS”) and all employees, including Government other things. The Labour Law: In November practice. of expatriate labour. A key focus relevant Qatar laws. In addition to employees or employees working in Ministerial Resolution No.(6) of 2015, the Qatari government via an If you would like further for Human Development is the containing a number of fundamental the oil and gas sector. It is interesting 2005 regulates shift work whilst amendment to Article 66 of the Labour information, please do not hesitate to recruitment of the right mix of guiding principles which amongst to note however that when asked Ministerial Decision No.(10) and Law introduced the mandatory wages contact either Emma Higham (emma. expatriate labour, protecting their other things are designed to ensure which laws and regulations govern the No.(11) of 2005 restricts the activities protection system (“WPS”) designed [email protected]) and/or Yasser rights, securing their safety and that Contractors/Sub-Contractors employment of expatriate employees in for which work can be undertaken to ensure the timely and effi cient Shabbir ([email protected]) Education publisher Pearson bets on online degrees Weather report Three-day forecast Byrne, explaining the decision to work Pearson’s online programme lectures, tutorials, and course materials, TODAY By Helen Reid High: 34 C Reuters/London with Pearson. management (OPM) business made academic and personal support. “We see this as bringing a King’s £223mn ($277mn) in revenue last year, While she could fi nish the masters Low : 26 C Hazy at places at first with some education to a larger, wider group of a fraction of the £4.5bn the group made without once meeting her tutors, she clouds atalie Hilton travels past her students.” as a whole, but analysts forecast it will has weekly video conferences with central London university It could also improve Pearson’s grow at a double-digit percentage in the them, and a virtual message board every day, listening to fi nances. next few years. stimulates conversation and debate THURSDAY lectures on the bus, studying The company, which sold the Nearly all of the division’s revenue with professors and other students High: 35 C N Low: 25 C towards a masters degree without ever Financial Times newspaper and its stake currently comes from the United from around the world. setting foot on campus. in The Economist magazine last year States, where it is providing online As well as the psychology masters, Sunny Hilton, a 24-year-old with a full- to concentrate on education, has been courses at more than 40 universities King’s off ers a law programme online. time job in advertising, is part of the hit by several profi t warnings in recent and competes with the likes of 2U, At £15,600 and £17,400 respectively fi rst intake at King’s College London to years. Academic Partnerships, Bisk, and Wiley for the full 12-module course, the online FRIDAY study a fully online course to enable her Education Solutions. degrees cost as much as attending the High: 36 C to work in mental health. “Digital opens up Pearson believes its size gives it an university in person. Low: 25 C The scheme is produced by Pearson, edge because its OPM division can The courses thus provide a lucrative Sunny the world’s largest education publisher, big opportunities benefi t from the expertise and products opportunity for universities to expand which is looking to online higher of its other education businesses. without being limited by the physical education courses to help revive for Pearson to “Digital opens up big opportunities space of the university campus, backed Fishermen’s forecast its fortunes after a downturn in its for Pearson to improve access and by Pearson’s logistics. OFFSHORE DOHA traditional textbooks and marking improve access and outcomes in higher education,” said King’s aims to expand to 5,000 online Wind: W-NW 05-15 KT businesses. Pearson’s global head of product Tim students in the next fi ve years and Waves: 1-3/4 Feet If the model succeeds, with Pearson outcomes in higher Bozik. broaden the portfolio of online courses INSHORE DOHA Wind: NE-SE 05-15 KT handling the marketing, recruitment education” The company is also hoping to get a off ered. Waves: 1-2 Feet and design of online courses, it could head start on competitors in Britain, its While the growth potential of these help open up higher education by As the economy recovered in its second-largest market, where it says courses is in theory limitless, Pearson Around the region providing fresh impetus to distance biggest market, the United States, more the deal with King’s is the fi rst of its emphasised there was no incentive to Weather Weather learning and also save money for cash- people went into employment than kind. enrol huge numbers of students, as today Max/min tomorrow Max/min strapped universities. education. Hilton’s Masters in Psychology selectivity was a big part of the appeal Abu Dhabi Sunny 37/25 Sunny 36/23 “The level of resource to do this in It has also suff ered from students and Neuroscience of Mental Health of institutions such as King’s. Baghdad Sunny 36/17 Sunny 33/17 Dubai Sunny an absolutely fi rst-rate way is probably borrowing or buying second-hand is designed and taught by King’s Hilton, for one, is sold: “I have found Sunny 35/25 34/24 Kuwait City Sunny 36/21 Sunny 36/21 beyond most institutions,” said King’s books, and a row in the United States professors and tutors, through an it wonderful,” she said. “I would never Manama Sunny 36/24 Sunny 36/24 principal and president, Professor Ed over testing standards. online platform including video go back to physical learning.” Muscat Sunny 33/26 Sunny 34/26 Riyadh Sunny 33/19 Sunny 34/19 Tehran M Sunny 21/13 Sunny 22/13 Live issues Find fun where you least expect it

By Oliver Burkeman All of which goes to show that New York external constraints aren’t antithetical to fun, but rather a precondition of it: a game with no limiting rules is no eople who advocate “having game at all. One curious consequence more fun” in life are, generally of this is that fun isn’t always, or even speaking, the kind of people usually, pleasurable. Ask any serious Pyou (all right, I) want to punch. player of chess, golf or video games, They’re the David Brent-like bosses and they’ll concede it’s often a struggle who make everyone do excruciating – otherwise, why bother playing? Fun, icebreaker exercises on offi ce from this perspective, isn’t a matter of awaydays; they’re the train guards and enjoying yourself in the moment, but Around the world cabin crew who mistakenly believe all of looking back with satisfaction at Weather Weather passengers love it when they do silly having found creative new possibilities today Max/min tomorrow Max/min voices. in whatever constraints you’re facing. Athens Sunny 22/13 P Cloudy 22/14 One especially annoying technology Still, Play Anything isn’t really just Beirut M Sunny 26/19 Sunny 26/20 S T Storms S T Storms 32/26 an argument for turning dull tasks into Bangkok 32/26 trend, “gamifi cation”, tries to turn Berlin Rain 11/06 M Cloudy 11/05 mundane tasks into games with games. (Although it did make me feel Cairo P Cloudy 29/18 Sunny 28/18 points and prizes, so that your trip to better about the way I clean up after Cape Town Sunny 26/16 P Cloudy 26/14 the gym becomes a “fi tness quest”, dinner, mentally dividing the kitchen Colombo S T Storms 30/26 T Storms 30/25 Sunny 33/23 or housework a matter of fi ghting into “zones”, then clearing each one, Dhaka 33/24 Sunny Hong Kong T Storms 28/26 P Cloudy 31/27 “chore wars” with your spouse. In like a military unit securing the area. Istanbul Cloudy 17/12 P Cloudy 19/13 my experience, these eff orts to add I’m guessing Alan Partridge does the Jakarta S T Storms 32/25 I T Storms 32/26 a cheesy overlay of fun always fail, we don’t understand the nature of fun. shopping mall, faster than her legs same.) It’s a manifesto for a diff erent Karachi Sunny 32/24 Sunny 32/24 not least because they’re a constant We imagine that the way to relieve could carry her, and noticing that attitude to the world. We’re constantly London P Cloudy 14/09 P Cloudy 14/07 Manila T Storms 29/26 T Storms 31/25 reminder that the underlying activity life’s tedium is to escape from it, or she was pulling against him, slowing trying to deal with the bits of everyday Moscow Cloudy 04/01 Cloudy 03/01 is so boring. If it weren’t, why would try to pretend it’s not happening. But down so that her feet never touched life we dislike by changing them, or New Delhi Sunny 35/20 Sunny 36/21 you be trying so hard to make it fun in true fun involves diving in and “taking the cracks between fl oor tiles: a changing ourselves. But what if we saw New York P Cloudy 28/17 Showers 21/18 the fi rst place? the world at face value” – embracing familiar children’s game, made more them with fresh eyes, as collections of Paris P Cloudy 15/07 M Cloudy 15/07 S T Storms S T Storms 31/20 The American game designer and the situation you’re in, not pushing it challenging by her father’s forward constraints – like the rules of a game Sao Paulo 34/21 Seoul Sunny 23/12 M Sunny 26/13 critic Ian Bogost wouldn’t dispute away, and grappling with its built-in propulsion. She hadn’t chosen her – and then asked what “moves” they Singapore S T Storms 32/26 S T Storms 32/26 the cringeworthiness of this enforced constraints. situation, but by creatively exploiting might make possible? You might not Sydney Sunny 21/12 P Cloudy 20/13 jollity, but the real problem, he argues Bogost recalls dragging his four- its limitations, she turned it into a enjoy them more. Yet, strangely, you’ll Tokyo Cloudy 21/19 Clear 25/16 in a new book, Play Anything, is that year-old daughter through a crowded playground. probably have more fun.