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Monday 12 December 2016 | 13 Rabia I 1438 Volume 21 | Number 7008 | 2 Riyals

Deputy Emir receives credentials of new envoys Emir condoles Committee to handle with Erdogan EMIR H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani held via tel- exit-related disputes ephone a conversation with President of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan. During the call, the Emir offered condo- lences to the Turkish from tomorrow President on the victims of Saturday's criminal bombing in the Besiktas district of Mohammed Osman Istanbul, praying to Allah the The Peninsula Law No. 21 of 2015 regulating Almighty to bestow blessing the entry, exit and residency of upon the deceased and wish- he Prime Minister and Interior expatriates that will come into ing the injured a speedy Minister H E Sheikh Abdullah force tomorrow. recovery. bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani The Emir also reiterated has issued a decision setting up Qatar's support to Turkish the Grievance Committee that government and people, and Twill look into complaints related to exit of Both the employer and its backing to all measures expatriate workers. employee can lodge a complaint taken to preserve the coun- The committee has been set up in line against the decision of the try's security and stability. with the Law No. 21 of 2015 regulating the committee to the Minister of The Deputy Emir H H entry, exit and residency of expatriates Interior within 14 hours. The Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad that will come into force tomorrow. exit permission being granted Al Thani also sent a cable of The Grievance Committee will start by the committee is for one condolences to President receiving exit-related complaints from time and not for multiple use. Recep Tayyip Erdogan. expatriate workers from tomorrow, coin- Turkey will fight terror- ciding with enforcement of the new law, ism "right to the end," Brigadier Salem Saqr Al Meraikhi, Direc- President Recep Tayyip Deputy Emir H H Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad Al Thani receiving tor of Legal Affairs at the Ministry of Administrative Development, Labour and Erdogan said following twin Interior and Chairman of the committee Social Affairs and the National Human credentials of Seiichi Otsuka, Ambassador of Japan, at the Emiri Diwan blasts in Istanbul that blamed said yesterday, in a press conference held Right Committee (NHRC). yesterday. The Deputy Emir also received the credentials of new Iran on Kurdistan Workers Party, at the Civil Defense headquarters. The committee will have its office at Envoy Mohammad Ali Sobhani. The Ambassadors conveyed to the or PKK, that has waged a As per the ministerial decision, the the old premises of the Traffic Department Deputy Emir greetings of their countries' leaders and their best wishes bloody campaign against the committee comprises representatives of in North Madinat Khalifa. of further progress and prosperity to the Qatari people. Turkish state since 1984. the Ministry of Interior, Ministry of → Continued on page 7 → See also page 8 QP announces merger of Qatargas and RasGas

Sachin Kumar “It has been decided to merge competitive position,” he added. The Peninsula RasGas and Qatargas into one com- Representatives of the main pany under the name Qatagas. international shareholders in both atar will merge LNG produc- Operations will remain the same companies including ExxonMobil, ers Qatargas and RasGas to with the same numbers. The inte- Total, ConocoPhillips, and Shell, Qcreate a new energy giant. gration aims to create a truly and the CEOs of Qatargas and Ras- The integration process is planned unique global energy operator in Gas were present during the press to start immediately and is terms of size, service and reliabil- conference. expected to be completed within ity,” said Al Kaabi in a press He told reporters that the inte- the next 12 months, said Saad Sher- conference held yesterday held at gration of the activities of these two ida Al Kaabi, President and CEO of QP headquarters. “We will merge energy centres of excellence means Qatar Petroleum (QP) yesterday. the distinctive resources and capa- that upon completion, there will be The new entity, named Qatargas, bilities of Qatargas and RasGas to a single expanded and enhanced will operate all of Qatar’s LNG create even higher value for our operating entity. Saad Sherida Al Kaabi (right), President and CEO of Qatar Petroleum (QP), during the ventures. stakeholders, and enhance our → Continued on page 2 press conference at QP Headquarters yesterday. Pic: Baher Amin/The Peninsula

Darb El Saai visitors Qatar first in region get tips to deal with counterfeit items with successful 5G trials

Sidi Mohamed & The Peninsula Irfan Bukhari The Peninsula QATAR has become the first country in the region and one ALONG educating visitors on of the few nations to conduct how to differentiate counter- successful 5G trials. The trails feit consumer goods from done by Qatari telecom pro- genuine products, the Ministry vider Ooredoo was able to of Economy and Commerce’s attain the fastest mobile data pavilion at Darb El Saai is service in the world today with encouraging residents to take 35.46 GB per second. pictures of counterfeit and Ooredoo, in partnership away. This is because 5G-ready expired goods so that swift with Huawei and Nokia, suc- devices and technology are not actions be ensured against the cessfully demonstrated its 5G available anywhere in the world violators. capabilities on its ‘Supernet’ today. However, by achieving The visitors of Darb El Saai within Ooredoo’s 5G laboratory. this technological breakthrough, Camel riders perform at the Darb El Saai grounds as part of the National Day celebrations, are getting necessary informa- The Qatari telecom provider Ooredoo is positioning itself in yesterday. Salim Matramkot/The Peninsula tion about the counterfeit completed trials for speed and the top quadrant of data opera- consumer goods, expired food latency, and achieved incredi- tors in terms of network quality stuff, and the products not meet- ble speeds of up to 35.46 Gbps, and potential. Vehicle decoration from Dec 15 to 21 only ing GCC standards. The Ministry’s which would make it the fast- Ooredoo’s success in trial- enclosure is creating awareness edt mobil data service in the ling 5G technology provides the Mohammed Osman Day parade, the General Direc- 15 to December 21, after which it about counterfeit or expired world today, according to Oore- first regional example of the The Peninsula torate of Traffic at the Ministry will be considered a violation of the products through displaying of doo officials. potential and performance of of Interior said yesterday. rules, Lieutenant Colonel Moham- seized items including expired However it will take some the upcoming fifth-generation art of the Doha Corniche Vehicle owners intending to med Radi Al Hajri, Director of food stuff, electrical appliances, time for the Ooredoo custom- wireless broadband technology, will be closed for traffic decorate their vehicles as part of Media and Awareness at the cosmetics and auto spare parts ers to enjoy the benefits of 5G, which is based upon the emerg- Pfrom 6.30 am to 10 am on the National Day celebrations are Department said. among others. as the full commercial launch ing standards. December 18 for the National allowed to do so from December → Continued on page 3 → Full report on page 20 of 5G services is still some time → Continued on page 5 02 HOME MONDAY 12 DECEMBER 2016

Deputy Emir meets outgoing envoy Emir condoles Ministry organises forum with Indonesia President on managing Zakat funds QNA mir H H Sheikh Tamim Sanaullah Ataullah Transparency Development, Labour and Social bin Hamad Al Thani The Peninsula Affairs, Qatar University, and Esent yesterday a cable The five-day event is representatives of other famous of condolences to President he Ministry of Awqaf organised to ensure institutions of the country will of Indonesia Joko Widodo on and Islamic Affairs transparency in deliver lectures at the forum. the victims of the earth- opened a forum on charity works and The forum is meant to share quake which struck managing Zakat funds achieve high the experiences of GCC coun- Indonesia's Aceh province and the institutions tries in regulating Zakat funds, on Saturday. standards of quality. Tconcerned in the GCC countries said Mobarak Al Mobarak, Head Deputy Emir H H Sheikh to ensure transparency in char- of Legal Monitoring Unit at Gen- Abdullah bin Hamad Al ity works, at the Torch Doha Participants from eral Secretariat of GCC. Thani and Prime Minister Hotel yesterday. Gulf countries share The forum will help increase and Minister of Interior H E The five-day event is being their experiences in transparency at the institutions Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser organised by the Zakat Fund at regulating Zakat dealing with Zakat funds, he bin Khalifa Al Than have the Ministry in collaboration funds. added. also sent a cable of condo- with GCC-General Secretariat. Dr Mohamad Khalif Al lences to Joko Widodo on The forum aims to educate Kubaisi, Head of Zakat Services the earthquake. participants about the concept corruption, among others. Section at Zakat Fund, urged the of governance, its purpose and At the end of the forum, a participants to utilise the sug- Qatar condemns benefits and international panel discussion will be held to gestions of the forum. attack on Egypt standards. float and discuss ideas, and pro- "We are still in the basics of The forum will also focus on posals will be made to prepare the governance required for our Coptic church the principle of the governance a governance charter for char- institutions dealing with Zakat of public institutions, charity ity organisations including Zakat funds to improve our perform- Deputy Emir H H Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad Al Thani THE State of Qatar condemned organisations, Islamic financial funds. ances on this religious obligation yesterday the explosion which with the Ambassador of the Democratic Socialist institutions, mechanism for Dr Abdul Azaiz Al Hammadi, to build trust among people in targeted a Coptic Cathedral Republic of Sri Lanka to Qatar, W M Karunadasa, who strengthening the norms of an authorized trainer at the Min- our existing institutions," he in Egypt and led to the kill- transparency and combating istry of Administrative added. called on the Deputy Emir to greet him on the occasion ing and injuries of a number of the end of his tenure in Qatar. The Deputy Emir wished of people. the Ambassador success in his future assignments and The Ministry of Foreign further progress and prosperity in bilateral relations. Affairs stressed, in a state- ment released yesterday, Qatar's position that denounces violence and ter- rorism regardless of its motives. DFI names Masters The Ministry also offered its condolences to the fami- lies of the victims and the Egyptian people, wishing the of Qumra 2017 injured a speedy recovery. Qatar slams The Peninsula will gain tremendous insight from these three internation- attack in Participants at the forum on managing Zakat funds. oha Film Institute (DFI) has ally acclaimed writer-directors. announced contemporary We are excited at the prospect Somalia DIranian master Asghar of welcoming these Masters and Farhadi, French auteur Bruno look forward to engaging inter- THE State of Qatar expressed Dumont, and Cambodian creative actions among them and the strong condemnation of the Merger will 'help reduce operation costs' documentarian Rithy Panh as the participating filmmakers.” explosion which targeted a → Continued from page 1 first Masters of Qumra 2017. A DFI Artistic Advisor to DFI, Elia municipality building in the Al Kaabi said that the merger best national oil companies in initiative that provides mentor- Suleiman, added: “The third Somali capital Mogadishu yes- “The collective resources, will help to reduce operation the world’, and to ensure the ship, nurturing, and hands-on edition of Qumra insists on terday morning. talents, and capabilities of two costs and will make the entity reinforcement of Qatar’s contin- development for emerging film- remaining faithful to its essence In a statement released yes- global leaders will be joined to more competitive. "Of course, as ued and sustainable economic makers from Qatar and around and ideal; to being precise, con- terday, the Foreign Ministry said create an even more effective an outcome of this cost reduc- growth. “Hence, this and other the world, the third edition of sistent and sincere. Bruno the State of Qatar condemns this and efficient organisation to tion will be realised, it will make initiatives that QP has embarked Qumra will be held from March Dumont, Asghar Farhadi, and criminal act which contradicts uphold the best interests of us more competitive in the mar- upon, are all enablers that will 3 to 8 next year in Doha. Rithy Panh are three artists who all human values and princi- Qatar, our customers, and our ket," he said, adding that the make our vision become a real- Fatma Al Remaihi, Chief will greatly enhance this con- ples. The statement affirmed shareholders,” the President move would save “hundreds of ity,” he said. Executive Officer of DFI, said: cept and philosophy. These solidarity with the govern- and CEO of Qatar Petroleum millions of dollars”, without giv- He paid tribute to the high “We are deeply honoured to three filmmaker poets will ment and people of Somalia, added. ing a timeframe for the savings. Qatari competencies and capa- welcome three visionaries of present their work and expand and its support in all the efforts The existing operations “It's one business that will do the bilities, which were at the centre contemporary world cinema – on their diverse ways of seeing: to maintain stability and secu- groups within both companies same thing. Putting it all (in) one of attention and development Asghar Farhadi, Bruno Dumont Farhadi’s hyper-real visual rity in the country. will not be impacted at all by the place gives you a much bigger throughout the history of Qatar- and Rithy Panh – who bring interpretation of social set- The statement also integration, as the highest pri- advantage in marketing,” he gas and RasGas, and which have their diverse approaches to tings.” Qumra is designed to stressed Qatar's sincere con- ority is given to ensuring a safe, said. He emphasised on Qatar proven high professionalism in filmmaking to Qumra 2017. A provide creative and profes- dolences to the families of seamless and risk-free business Petroleum’s resolve to achieve their various fields of close-knit industry event that sional support to directors and the victims, as well as the continuity, he added. its vision‘to become one of the expertise. is set on nurturing the skills of producers attached to as many government and people of emerging filmmakers, Qumra as 25 features and 10 shorts. Somalia. Filipino turns hobby into business

Raynald C Rivera grow plants anywhere without The Peninsula soil and even with limited space,” he told this daily. Filipino resident is turn- It took him a year to study ing a productive hobby and experiment on the method Ahe learned during his but it became easy when he met stay in Qatar into a lucrative Ramos who provided him very business back in his home helpful tips, he related. country. “I later joined him in con- After working as a firefighter ducting seminars. We also have in Qatar for seven years, Kian a Facebook group where we Castaneda (pictured) is deter- connect with other hydropon- mined to go back to his ics enthusiasts, making it easier hometown in the Philippines for for them to begin their setup good. His plan: to put up a hydro- compared several years ago ponics farm business, a favourite when I was starting,” he said. come from, there are already inside the house, with the help pastime he started years back With over 400 members, many restaurants, in fact we of light bulbs to replicate ade- which later turned into a the Facebook group called have ventured into it as our quate sunlight needed by the passion. Pinoy Hydroponics Qatar has family business. But it is hard plants, making it an ideal agri- It all began in early 2010 been generating interest among to find certain herbs like basil cultural method in a country when Castaneda stumbled upon green thumbs wishing to con- available in another city,” he with very hot climatic condi- an article published in The tinue their passion in gardening explained. tions like Qatar. Peninsula about a Filipino in the absence of a patch of land “No one in our place has Vegetable seeds and nutri- hydroponics hobbyist Angelo to farm. Compared to tradi- ventured into hydroponics ents are available in Qatari Ramos who had turned the tiny tional farming, hydroponics is business and that’s why it has market. Other materials can be entrance to his flat into a soil- cheap, requires very small area potential. There is a market for improvised such as styrofoam less garden with over a hundred and less labour, but in terms of it, that’s why I will really make fruit crates, food trays and cups edible vegetables. yield, it can produce two to a business out of it. My wife will used as breeding ground for the “I have already developed three times than traditional focus on our restaurant while I vegetables, said Castaneda. keen interest in farming when farming method making it a take care of the farm,” he Almost all kinds of vegeta- I was a child and upon reading very lucrative business. added. bles can be grown using the article, I started to do “When I go back to the Phil- One benefit of hydroponics hydroponics but Castaneda cul- research since I thought it ippines in March, this is the first is that plants can thrive even tivates those which are easy to would be a good alternative thing that I’m planning to start during hot weather since they grow such as bok choy, lettuce, since in hydroponics, you can doing. In the province where I can be set up conveniently celery and capsicum. MONDAY 12 DECEMBER 2016 HOME 03

PM meets heads of Boards of Arab Federations of Chambers Global forum on traffic safety from tomorrow

QNA and goals of the 2013 -2022 National Strategy for Traffic nder the patronage of Safety in the State of Qatar. Prime Minister and Inte- The Forum brings together a Urior Minister, H E Sheikh number of senior national and Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khal- international experts in sustain- ifa Al Thani, Doha hosts the able transport systems to 'Global Forum Traffic Safety exchange international expertise and Sustainable Transport Sys- and offer the best international tems" on December 13-14. practices in the sphere of trans- The event is organised by port system: "Planning, Design, Qatar University in collabora- Construction, Operations and tion with the National Traffic Maintenance Levels." Safety Committee. The interna- Participants will also dis- tional Forum, organised by cuss the implementation of the Prime Minister and Minister of Interior H E Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani with heads of the Boards of Qatar Center for Transport and requirements of the UN Global Arab Federations of Chambers, on the occasion of their 123rd meeting in Doha. During the meeting, they discussed ways Traffic Safety, part of the Fac- Plan for the Decade of Action of enhancing economic integration among Arab countries. The Prime Minister wished success to the heads of federations ulty of Engineering at the for Road Safety 2011-2020 and of chambers. University of Qatar, aims to the UN Sustainable Develop- support and promote the vision ment Goals. Mobile health care 'key to developing healthy lifestyle'

Fazeena Saleem mHealth (mobile health) is International law firm Pin- The Peninsula mHealth the use of mobile phones and sent Masons, which has regional other wireless technology in offices in Dubai and Doha, mHealth (mobile ntroducing the use of health care. The most common together with Philips Healthcare, mobile phones to educate health) is the use of application of mHealth is the use are facilitating discussions on people on lifestyle diseases mobile phones and of mobile phones and commu- Qatar’s healthcare industry in a and managing chronic other wireless nication devices to educate series of roundtable events. health conditions is one of technology in health people on prevention of diseases. Roger Phillips, Legal Direc- Ithe possible ways to develop a care. mHealth is also used for disease tor of Pinsent Mason's Doha healthy population in the coun- surveillance, treatment support, office, said, “We are also pleased try, say experts. Health will soon epidemic outbreak tracking and that through this initiative, we Personalised alerts and become the chronic disease management. are able to continue our support information sent via mobile responsibility of Al Shorbaji highlighted the to the Ministry of Public Health's phones on healthy lifestyles and individuals: Expert considerable scope for mobile National Health Strategy and controlling chronic diseases will health services in several areas E-Health work. Mobile applica- allow the public to take control including education, follow-up tions are more useful in of their health effectively, said communication etc. He said that monitoring and managing chronic FROM LEFT: Dr Najeeb Al Shorbaji, Taylor Barr and Roger Dr Najeeb Al Shorbaji, former charge of their health and mobile Qatar is well positioned in terms disease such as diabetes, a huge Phillips speaking about the opportunities on introducing Director of Knowledge, Ethics health is one way of achieving of access to technology and with issue in the country.” mHealth in Qatar. Pic: Abdul Basit / The Peninsula and Researchm at the World it,” he told The Peninsula a law to protect personal data Representatives from the Min- Health Organisation. yesterday. information, but further develop- istry of Public Health and Ministry hospitals were present at the dis- instrumental in achieving Qatar’s “Health will soon become the Al Shorbaji is also the Vice ing and executing an effective of Transport and Communications, cussions. Taylor Barr, Senior bold health initiatives. What we responsibility of individuals and President of e-Marefa and spoke mobile health strategy for Qatar Ooredoo, Qatar Biobank, Hamad Manager, Transformation Serv- need to do now is understand how the state will facilitate and cre- on the sidelines of an event held will be one of the key success fac- Medical Corporation, Sidra Medical ices, at Philips Healthcare in Doha these tools can be developed and ate the infrastructure. But yesterday highlighting the role tors in developing a sustainable Research Center, Primary Health- said, “It is clear mobile devices and leveraged in the most effective individuals will have take full of ‘mobile healthcare.’ and effective healthcare system. care Corporation and private hospital-to-home tools will be way possible.”

First Lieutenant Ahmed Al Musaifir, Lekhwiya; Lieutenant Colonel Mohammed Radi Al Hajri, Director of Media and Awareness; and Fahad Buhindi of the Traffic Department at a press conference on traffic arrangements on the occasion of the Qatar National Day celebrations held at the Civil Defence headquarters yesterday. Pic: Qassim Rahmatullah / The Peninsula Restrictions on use of private vehicles for celebrations

→ Continued from page 1 location of the caller through the putting the Qatari flag in a way Part of the Corniche from numbers given on the lamp- covering the back or front side Qatar Post Office to Ras Buabood posts that the security patrols of the vehicles because this can area will be closed for traffic for can reach there easily. Any per- confuse other motorists, said Al the morning parade and again son seeking help or those who Musaifir. However, small flags, will be open from 10am for the lost their children can call this pictures of the leaders and other day-long celebrations. number mentioning the number National Day insignia are People attending the morn- of nearest lamp-post. permitted. ing parade need to come to the Rules regulating the Al Musaifir advised motor- parking areas at Souq Waqif, National Day celebrations pre- ists not to carry more than the Mohammed bin Abdulwahab vent changes in the vehicle’s designated number of passen- Mosque, Sheraton park, Doha body or colour as well as use of gers, not to stand up through the Port and other designated park- decorations that cover the sunroof or use horns or trum- ing areas before 6.30am. There number plates. Tenting the front pets or any other noisy devices. will be buses to transport them to and back glasses of the vehicles There will be traffic and secu- the National Day parade venue. and the side glass near the driv- rity personnel at all traffic “People must respect the er’s seat is also banned, said signals, roundabouts, and gath- privacy and rights of people First Lieutenant, Ahmed Al ering points to help people. coming from different parts of Musaifir, Lekhwiya. During the afternoon events the country and other GCC states People are not allowed to and the fireworks on the Cor- to take part in the National Day dance between the cars hinder- niche area, there will be safe celebrations,” said Al Hajri. ing traffic flow, apply spray lanes for pedestrians and traf- He pointed out to the acces- paint on other cars or pedestri- fic officers will be available to sibility of helpline 999 at any ans or engage in stunt shows help the people, said Fahad time, adding that the system has using their vehicles. Buhindi of the Traffic been set up to identify the The rules also prohibit Department. 04 HOME MONDAY 12 DECEMBER 2016 HMC hosts activities to mark World Diabetes Day

The Peninsula developed world. Officials with Awareness drive the diabetes care team at HMC amad Medical Cor- Awareness activities say it is important to get annual poration (HMC) has held at different health screenings as well as eye screened more than venues in the exams. a thousand people “It is only through greater country to mark the for diabetes during public awareness and education Hthe awareness activities held at World Diabetes Day that we will ever be able to lessen different venues in the country (WDD). the burden of this disease. Offer- to mark the World Diabetes Day ing screenings, and getting the (WDD). The theme for this public in the habit of being Also, a series of events were year's WDD was ’eyes screened, is an important part of held during November raising on diabetes,’ focusing raising awareness,” said Manal awareness of how to better man- on preventative eye Othman, Director of Diabetes age and prevent the disease. care. Educator at HMC. At Al Wakra Hospital, more The National Diabetes than 550 people were screened Center at Hamad General Hos- during an exhibition and public Hamad General Hospital. H E Dr pital was opened in 2013 and screening and over 450 people Hanan Mohamed Al Kuwari, the receives about 2,000 adult and were screened at the Al Khor Minister of Public Health, 700 paediatric patients each Hospital. Another screening attended the opening ceremony month. The National Diabetes event was held at the Aspire and had her glucose checked Center at Al Wakra Hospital Park, checking hundreds for during the free diabetes screen- opened in 2014 and receives diabetes. ing. Other HMC activities approximately 400 patient vis- HMC’s major public outreach included a workshop for children its each month. Offering a World Diabetes Day exhibition and public screening held at Al Wakra Hospital. and awareness activities were and screening events at various multi-disciplinary approach to kicked off during the official hospitals, businesses, schools patient care, the Centers pro- opening of its annual exhibition and colleges. Activities also participation in the second The theme for this year's care and the importance of vide patients with improved gazebo located near the entrance included a mobile screening unit Annual Arab Diabetes Medical WDD was ’eyes on diabetes,’ screenings. Diabetes is a leading access to specialised of the Outpatient Department at for non-medical staff at HMC and Congress. focusing on preventative eye cause of blindness in the treatment. 'Souq Al Medina' welcomes first retailers

The Peninsula the popular Al Jazeera perfumes, brands are Crepe & More, Shater fast food eateries Mister Pizza Abbas and the Kuwaiti Triangle ouq Al Medina, The Pearl- and Hot Dogty along with healthy restaurants, French bakery and Qatar’s latest indoor and flavorful popcorn shop Let’s coffeeshop France Delice, Sshopping complex, has Popcorn and authentic Turkish Tamima, Blackout Concept for recently welcomed its first restaurant Hasan Kolcuoglu. watches, Ajmal Perfumes and batch of retailers comprising of These brands join more than Dnata Travels among many oth- an eclectic mix of shopping and 74 outlets now operational in ers within a total area of 19,000 dining outlets and coffee shops. Medina Centrale. Souq Al Medina square meters. The Souq is strategically located is also set to welcome a larger Medina Centrale has been in the vibrant district of Medina number of diverse commercial witnessing an increased footfall, Centrale, pleasantly catering to shops in the coming period and as such it was earlier the tastes of residents and vis- including coffeeshops, restau- announced that it would become itors within its modernly rants, fashion and accessory a car-free environment during designed internal shopping stores, perfumeries as well as a weekends to boost visitors’ arcades. medical facility Queen Medical enjoyment of the Island’s vibrant Souq Al Medina at The Pearl-Qatar. The first occupants include Center. Some of these confirmed towncentre in the cooler months. HBKU issues call for papers for media conference on audiovisual translation

The Peninsula release said. The Conference is to highlight cutting-edge pro- will be held in Doha from Octo- fessional practices and research amad Bin Khalifa Univer- ber 23 to 25, 2017 in Education topics that map the current sta- sity’s (HBKU) Translation City. The aim of the conference tus of the profession, production Hand Interpreting Institute is to address the rapid expan- and distribution techniques, and (TII), part of the College of sion of audiovisual end-user needs for AVT Humanities and Social Sciences communication and translation services. (CHSS), is accepting submissions services in the global market, as Through papers, panels, and from scholars and profession- well as creating a platform for round-table discussions, partic- als who are passionate about intercultural exchange to build ipants will gain insight into the audiovisual translation (AVT) for human capacity by sharing best new AVT landscape. Profession- the 7th Media for All Interna- practices and research in the als and academics will engage tional Conference on field. with peers to learn more about Audiovisual Translation, a press The theme of the conference new media, formats, and contexts, alongside innovative approaches to solve challenges. Dr Amal Mohammed Al-Malki, Dean of CHSS noted: “Audiovisual trans- lation has become a major driving force in the world of communication at large. The challenges and oppor- tunities of the rapid changes in society and technology are reason enough to dedicate a whole conference to this theme. By hosting Media for All at TII-HBKU, we wish to make Qatar a hub for the development of audiovisual translation in the Arab world. We encourage scholars, researchers and stake- holders to use this forum as an opportunity to plan ahead towards 2022.” The 7th Media for All International Conference on Audiovisual Translation will create an open meet- ing space for sharing the challenges and opportuni- ties of the AVT field. It will directly help address Qatar’s require- ments in developing the tourism and sports indus- try for the upcoming FIFA World Cup to be hosted by the country in 2022. MONDAY 12 DECEMBER 2016 HOME 05

Ooredoo to Asean envoys share 5G trial results vow to deepen Continued from page 1 The company has also promised to demonstrate the power of this new 5G tech- integration nology with Nokia in the coming days, including a demonstration of next-gen- Raynald C Rivera Diplomatic pitch eration virtual reality and The Peninsula robotic applications. Philippine envoy In addition, the results hilippine Ambassador hands over ACD from Ooredoo’s trials will be Wilfredo C Santos has chairmanship to shared with global partners, urged Asean Commit- Thailand Ambassador to contribute to the interna- tee in Doha (ACD) Soonthorn tional agreements on members to do their Chaiyindeepum. standards and spectrum that Ppart in achieving the goals of will be necessary to support From left: Singapore Ambassador Jai Sohan Singh, Malaysia Ambassador Dato’ Ahmad Jazri Asean as it marks its 50th the global launch of 5G serv- founding anniversary next year Mohamed, Thailand Ambassador Soonthorn Chaiyindeepum, Philippine Ambassador Wilfredo ices. Ooredoo’s trial results which coincides with the Phil- people-oriented people-centred C Santos, Brunei Ambassador Haji Nordin Bin Haji Ahmad, Vietnam Ambassador Nguyen Hong, will also help the develop- ippines’ chairmanship. Asean community,” he stressed. and Indonesia Ambassador Muhammed Basri Sidehabi do a traditional chain handshake at ment of 5G-ready equipment Santos said the Asean 2017 The envoy was speaking at the Asean Night held on Saturday at Hilton Doha Hotel. Pic: Kammutty VP / The Peninsula and devices. theme ‘Partnering for change, the Asean Night on Saturday “Ooredoo worked hard to engaging the world’ “reflects our during which he handed over happen, we will need your coop- entrusting him to carry on the promote our visibility to the Qatari complete this important tech- resolve to consolidate Asean to the ACD chairmanship to Thai- eration and support of all Asean position and vowed to meet their public, I think we should also con- nological breakthrough ahead enable it to take its rightful place land Ambassador Soonthorn member states,” he said. expectations by implementing tinue community building within of our country’s celebrations in the international Chaiyindeepum. He added: “I am confident different programmes and activ- the Asean community. for Qatar National Day, so community.” “It has been a memorable that with our concerted efforts ities aimed at promoting Asean Third, I would like to that we could share this “For the 50th anniversary of experience for me working with relations between Asean and in Doha as well as strengthen the strengthen camaraderie among remarkable achievement Asean we hope to highlight all of you, my Asean brothers in Qatar will continue to grow and bond among members. Asean missions in Doha,” he said. with our people and the Asean as a model of regional- pursuit of elevating Asean pro- advance and that Asean can con- He mentioned a number of The envoy stressed he will world. ism and a global player with the file here in Qatar. I hope that fidently do its role as global areas which he plans to focus on take advantage of Asean Day as Qatar continues to break interest of the people at its core. with the able leadership of Thai- player contributing to the eco- as new ACD chairman. “First, we a good opportunity to highlight new ground in the technol- Towards this end we should all land next year the ACD will nomic growth and prosperity in hope to promote and enhance the the achievements of Asean con- ogy and services we are do our part in deepening inte- pursue various activities which our region.” Accepting the ACD profile and visibility of Asean to a tinuing the partnership with making available for our peo- gration to propel us forward to will enhance cooperation with chairmanship, the Thai envoy wider community in Doha. Sec- Philippine School Doha in organ- ple," said Waleed Al Sayed, the realisation of a rules-based global partners and to make this thanked the members for ond, while we are working to ising the celebrations. CEO, Ooredoo Qatar. Vegetable prices in Central Market decrease 15%

The Peninsula monthly statistical report on the prices However, Chinese garlic became month compared to the previous month. November 2016 compared to Novem- of vegetables, fruits, fish, meat and fod- expensive at QR3 per kg from QR7 per Fish prices fell six percent in Novem- ber 2015. However, the price of kingfish rices of vegetables declined 15 per- der at Central Market. kg in November 2015 to QR10 per kg in ber 2016 compared to November 2015. increased 11 percent at QR30.50 per kg cent in the Doha Central Market The difference in price fall ranges November, 2017. Prices of Qatari The monthly fall in prices of fish was in last month compared to the previous Plast month compared to the cor- from QR1 to QR2 per kg for many agri- cucumbers went up by QR0.5 per kg only one percent. month when it was available at QR27.50. responding month last year. cultural products in the Central Market from QR3 per kg to QR3.5 in a year. Prices of Shari fish declined 25 per- Prices of Hamour fish also increased However, the fall in prices of vege- in a year. The produce includes Jorda- Prices of fruits declined eight per- cent in November 2016 compared to 31 percent from QR40 in November 2015 tables was four percent last month nian tomato, cauliflower and Kusa, cent in November 2016 compared to November 2015 and 17 percent com- to QR52.5 in November 2016. The prices (November) compared to the previous Saudi cauliflower, carrot, eggplant and November 2015. However, the fall in pared to the previous month. of Houmour went up 11 percent last month (October), according to the Kusa, Indian onion among others. prices of fruits was only one percent last Prices of kingfish fell six percent in month compared to previous month. 06 HOME MONDAY 12 DECEMBER 2016 HGH bags best NU-Q alumnus wins key journalism honour The Peninsula presidential elections. My jour- nalism classes at NU-Q equipped hospital for smaeel Naar, a Northwestern me with the skills needed to University in Qatar alumnus, handle such stories and develop Ihas been named Outstanding solid and accurate coverage,” Young Arab Journalist of the Naar said. year. Naar received the award Naar was selected as the Out- research award at an event recognising out- standing Young Arab Journalist standing achievements by young by a distinguished judging panel, Arabs. which was headed by Chaker Naar, an online journalist Khazaal – the 28-year-old author Health Excellence with Al Arabiya, was the student of the 'Confessions of a War Child' Hamad General graduation speaker at NU-Q in trilogy. The other judges included Hospital (HGH) 2013, as well as the recipient of former UK ambassador to Leb- awarded along the Dean’s Award. During his anon Tom Fletcher, filmmaker with other experts time as a student, Naar partici- Farah Nabulsi, columnist Fasial pated in a residency programme Al Yafai, journalist Momen Mah- on Annual with The Financial Times in New moud, OMG (MENA) CEO Elie Research Day. York. He also received NU-Q Ismaeel Naar receiving the award for 'Outstanding Young Khouri, Asda’a Burson-Marstel- Media and Research Awards in Arab Journalist' of the year in Dubai. lar CEO Sunil John, humanitarian The Peninsula two categories — for Best Doc- Mouna Elhaimoud, and MBC Sen- umentary, which he filmed on Northwestern take great pride the region to cover the frontlines ior Vice-President Mazen Hayek. amad General Hos- refugees in a UNHCR health cen- in witnessing,” said Everette E of the Saudi-Yemen war. He was Naar said that he accepted pital (HGH) has tre in Jordan; and Best Profile for Dennis, dean and CEO at NU-Q. also the first journalist to break the award with great pride and been awarded for a photography project on Qatar After graduation, before the news of the Haj stampede in was “thankful to my first editors, being the best hos- National Day celebrations. joining Al Arabiya, Naar worked 2015. who were my journalism pro- pital for research “Ismaeel was an excellent for the Al Jazeera Media Net- "In the career I've had so far, fessors at NU-Q. My passion and Hwithin the Hamad Medical Cor- student while attending North- work, as an online reporter for I've covered several breaking drive to tell other people's sto- poration (HMC) during its western and his success as a its English website. The 25-year- international news stories, ries was born from their Annual Research Day. professional journalist is some- old Bahraini journalist was one including the failed coup attempt classes all those years ago,” said Organised by HMC’s Medi- thing that all of us at of the youngest reporters from in Turkey and the recent US Naar. cal Research Center, the theme Professor Ibrahim A. for this year’s event was ‘Bridg- Janahi, Executive Director ing the Gap between Research of Research at HMC, and Innovation in Patient Care’. addressing delegates on the This year’s Annual Research Annual Research Day. Tamuq faculty members awarded Day featured many new awards, recognising the out- Laboratory Medicine and The Peninsula or more. Elbashir is professor in the Chem- standing contributions of Pathology, Excellence in Health ical Engineering Program and the researchers at HMC. Services Science Research wo faculty members from Texas A&M Petroleum Engineering Program at Tamuq The individual award for award went to Prof Adeel University at Qatar (Tamuq) were rec- and director of the TEES Gas and Fuels Distinction in Research was Ajwad Butt, Vice-Chair for Fac- Tognised with the Engineering Genesis Research Center. Ahmed is an associate won by Dr Talal Ibrahim, Sen- ulty Affairs, Department of Award for Multidisciplinary Research from professor in the Electrical and Computer ior Consultant, Orthopaedic, Medicine and the Promising the Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Engineering Program at Tamuq. Surgery Department, Hamad Young Researcher was Dr Tariq Station. They were recognised for research excel- General Hospital, while the Osman Saeed Abbas, Special- Dr Nimir Elbashir and Dr Shehab lence in building up unique global research award for Distinction in ist, Surgery Department, Ahmed each received the award, which is collaboration models between academia and Research was awarded to the Hamad General Hospital. Dr Nimir Elbashir (left) and Dr Shehab presented to TEES researchers who have industry to develop novel technologies for Rheumatology Team of Hamad Promising Resident/ Ahmed secured significant research grants of $1m carbon dioxide utilisation. General Hospital. Research Fellow award was Excellence in Basic given to Dr Abduljabbar Alham- Research award went to Sha- moud, Medical Resident, hab Uddin Khan, Academic Medical Education and Best Research Scientist, iTRI, Aca- Publication Award was given Toyota wins 2016 Autobacs Super GT series demic Health System, to 'Beneficial Effects of Imple- Excellence in Clinical Research menting Stroke Protocols to Dr Saad J Taj-Aldeen, Clini- Require Establishment of a The Peninsula Takeshi Tsuchiya and Takamitsu cal Scientist, Department of Geographical Distinct Unit.' Matsui throughout the series — he Toyota camp had rea- also bagged the GT300 class sons to rejoice at the 2016 Drivers and Team Champion- TAutobacs Super GT series, ship titles. as a thrilling encounter in the The early stages of the all- BMW 2002-05 models recalled final round (Round 8) resulted important race belonged to No in a victorious No 25 Toyota 86 31 Toyota Prius apr GT — driven The Peninsula airbag. The Ministry said the MC VivaC passing the checkered by Koki Saga and Yuichi recall campaign comes within flag, with No 31 Toyota Prius apr Nakayama — that glided com- he Ministry of Economy the framework of its ongoing GT competing brilliantly for a fortably in the leading position and Commerce, in col- efforts to protect consumers second spot finish. The much- through the first turn and Tlaboration with Al and ensure that car dealers awaited contest was held on a beyond. Early threat to its spot Fardan Automobiles, dealer follow up on vehicle defects dry course and under bright, came from competitor car No 65 of BMW vehicles in Qatar, has and repairs clear skies at the Motegi Twin that made futile attempts to and its driver Takeshi Tsuchiya Lap 15 into the race marked announced the recall of BMW The Ministry said that it Ring in Tochigi Prefecture, exploit any gaps. Well behind in seemed visibly reluctant to a pit stop for most cars, but fore- 3 Series, 5 Series & X5 model will coordinate with the Japan. the competition, the eventual increase pace. This caution hinted going the regulatory halt was of year 2002-2005 over a dealer to follow up on the With this momentous win winner of the race had a luke- towards a possible tactical much tactical interest to the No potential defect in the gas maintenance and repair and overall second win of the warm start to the race. manoeuver that would contrib- 25 Toyota 86 MC VivaC that was generator of the driver’s works. season, the No 25 Toyota 86 MC No 25 Toyota 86 MC VivaC ute to a strong comeback, and now lagging behind in the tenth VivaC — expertly driven by lost ground in the opening laps ultimately a victory for the team. spot. Ten Shafallah students join beauty workshop

The Peninsula

n the framework of the joint cooperation between Qatar Foundation for Social Work’s (QFSW) Centers, Nama ICenter, a member of QFSW, has launched a three-month “beautification and health care” training workshop for 10 of the Shafallah Center students, at the Qatar International Beauty Academy (Tajmeel). The intensive training programme comes as part of Nama’s ‘Tamkin’ project, one of the Cent- er’s “Professional training and development” projects. The creative workshop provides the young ladies with the guidance they need and nurtures their interest in beau- tification and skin health care, one of the vital fields in the diverse labour market, which contributes to enriching the development opportunities available for women in Qatar, as well as expands the scope of Nama’s services. Nama’s Tamkin project aims to empower women and provide them with beautification and skin health care skills through vocational training and rehabilitation at the Acad- emy, in accordance with International standards and accreditation, presenting women with economic empow- erment opportunities. The project was launched in October, under the wider scope of the Center’s “Professional training and develop- ment” project, which focuses on education and training for building the capacity of socially disadvantaged and econom- ically underprivileged groups, and enable them to participate in social work and community service. Founded in 2009 by Nama, Tajmeel was established to provide training courses of the highest caliber within the beauty industry. MONDAY 12 DECEMBER 2016 HOME 07 QC opens two Al Ahli doctors present studies at meeting The Peninsula

he Department of General new mosques Surgery, Al Ahli Hospital, Tparticipated in the 4th Annual Gulf Obesity Surgery Society Meeting (GOSS2016), which took place in Bahrain in Indonesia from November 30 to Decem- ber 2, 2016. Dr Abdul Azim Hussain, The Peninsula Chief of Medical Staff & Dr Philanthropy Bakhos Al Haddad, Specialist upported by Qatari General Surgeon presented two Qatar-based philanthropists, Qatar studies, which were performed Charity (QC) has charity constructed on a large number of patients recently opened two 24 mosques in who were treated for essential Doctors from Al Ahli Hospital who participated in the 4th Annual Gulf Obesity Surgery Society mosques in Bintan, Indonesia this obesity by endoscopic and Meeting in Bahrain. SIndonesia, bringing the total year, bringing the laparoscopic surgical proce- number of mosques built dur- total number of dures. These studies included excess weight loss, and to com- operation between men and success rates and decrease the ing 2016 to 24 in different areas mosques built in assessment of age, gender, pare the results of this study women, to measure the Excess possible complications. of the largest Muslim country. body mass index, co-morbid- with results of the international Weight Loss after 1 to 2 years, And he pointed to the satis- The total number of mosques the country by the ity, excess weight loss, possible studies which were conducted and to study the possible com- faction of participants in this built by Qatar Charity in Indo- charity to 765. complications of these proce- on such procedures. plications and the best ways to conference of surgeons from nesia is 765. dures, and management of the Dr Bakhos Al Haddad pre- manage them. around the world on the results The two new mosques building the mosque at the complications. sented a scientific research that Dr Abdul Azim explained of these two researches and their include an inner oratory for an Institute saying that people Dr Abdul Azim Hussain pre- was performed on 463 patients matching results of these two adoption of the highest interna- area of 2,100 square metres and were praying in a wooden sented a scientific study about who underwent laparoscopic studies with results of the inter- tional standards. Dr Abdul Azim a ceramic tiled patio of the mosque four years ago that had a new endoscopic technique for sleeve gastrectomy for manage- national studies regarding the has stressed that Al Ahli Hospi- same size, where Friday a ceiling leak. He added that the management of overweight ment of obesity at Surgery selection criteria, excess weight tal is keen on the annual prayers and Taraweeh prayers new mosque is the most valu- condition and obesity. This Department of Al Ahli Hospital loss, complications, and man- presence and active participa- are performed, and various cel- able gift, where the Muslims technique is called POSE Pro- from January 2014 until Decem- agement of these complications, tion in these kind of conferences ebrations conducted. They also will worship Allah Almighty cedure (Primary Obesity ber 2015. which shows that the medical by participating scientific include toilets. during their five daily prayers Surgery, Endoluminal), and it The aims of this research staff in Al Ahli Hospital is keen researches, and exchange of Qatar Charity has imple- and optional night prayer and was implemented for the first were to determine the selection to keep up with the highest experiences with surgeons from mented developmental and will recite the Holy Quran. time in Qatar at Al-Ahli Hospi- criteria of patients who are can- international standards in selec- around the world with the aim humanitarian projects in Indo- Sohide, the representative tal. The aims of this study were didates for this procedure, to tion of appropriate patients for to develop the performance and nesia for many years, in line of the Minister of Religious to define the patients who are compare that criteria with the each type of bariatric surgery, improve the results and to keep with a developed plan that aims Affairs, pointed out that Qatar candidates to be treated by this international standards, to show and the latest surgical tech- up with the latest standards and to help Muslims in the country, Charity built about 20 mosques technique, to measure the the distribution of this type of niques in order to reach high international technologies. especially in the field of build- and dug more than 250 water ing mosques, which are much wells in Bintan during 2015- needed due to the population 2016. "May Allah reward them density. and the philanthropists," he The first mosque was built said. CRA drive to popularise Qatari domain names at "Insan cheetah" Institute. Khalid Al Yafei, the Direc- Agus Aerawana, the governor tor of Operations Department of the region, attended the at QC, said that Qatar Charity The Peninsula accredited domain name registrars with to manage the registration process follow- mosque's inauguration extend- recognises the importance of CRA’s Qatar Domains Registry (QDR). ing international standards set by the ing his thanks to the people of mosques for Muslims every- he Communications Regulatory QDR has invested significant time and Internet Corporation for Assigned Names Qatar who met the actual needs where, especially for the Authority (CRA) has initiated a drive to resources in identifying and accrediting reg- and Numbers (ICANN). of the Indonesian people by Indonesian people who suffer Tencourage uptake of Qatari domain istrars with strong potential in increasing Although accreditation by QDR allows supporting the mosques and from a lack of mosques in some names by local businesses and individuals local and global adoption of the “.qa” any registrar to have direct access to the wells project. The Institute's regions. As a result, QC contin- to increase their web presence. domains. Accredited registrars represent Registry database, only Qatar-based reg- Sheikh, Sheikh Sudirman ues building mosques in this As part of the drive, CRA has invited local QDR to offer short, memorable and uniquely istrars are able to register second-level thanked the people of Qatar for country. web solution providers to sign up as Qatari domain extensions to customers, and “.qa” addresses.

FROM LEFT: Major Mohammed Ali Al Kubaisi, MoI, Human Rights Department, Naif Mesbah Al Shammari, member and representative of the National Human Rights Committee, Brigadier Salem Saqr Al Meraikhi, Director of Legal Affairs at the MoI, and Chairman of the committee, Saleh Rashid Al Kowari, Ministry of Administrative Development, Labour and Social Affairs at a press conference on Grievance Committee for the Departure of the Expatriates held at the Civil Defence Headquarters yesterday. Pic: Qassim Rahmatullah/ The Peninsula Grievance panel to meet on Sundays and Wednesdays

Continued from page 1 should inform his employer disputes over exit,” said Al The committee will meet about his intention to leave the Meraikhi. every Sunday and Wednesday country but if the worker is The committee held its first to decide on exit-related com- deprived of this right he/she can meeting and prepared a model plaints which will be settled in file a complaint with the com- form to receive complaints, three working days, said Al mittee which will take decision which is available at the commit- Meraikhi in not more than three days. tee’s office. Al Meraikhi explained Both the employer and However, the worker should that at the initiate stage com- employee can lodge a complaint explain the reason that forced plaints can be lodged only using against the decision of the com- him to refer the case to the com- this specific form. mittee to the Minister of Interior mittee, he added. However, in a later phase, within 14 hours. The exit per- The committee is responsi- the committee will introduce an mission being granted by the ble only for considering disputes electronic system to make the committee is for one time and over exit, and when addressing procedures easier. not for multiple use, explained the case, it will listen to the two The other members of the Al Meraikhi. parties, the employee and the committee, Naif Mesbah Al "Although disputes over exit employer. Shammari, member and repre- are very few in Qatar, the gov- Under the new law, there is sentative of the National Human ernment has decided to establish a work contract governing the Right Committee, Salih Rashid this committee in line with the relations between the employer Al Kuwari of the Ministry of provision of the law 21/2015 to and the employee and it speci- Administrative Development, make it easier for expatriate fies the duration of annual leave, Labour and Social Affairs, Major workers to leave the country at its timing, emergency leave, cas- Mohammed Ali Al Kubaisi of the any time they want, whether for ual leave and sick leave per year. Human Rights Department at annual leave or in case of emer- “If both parties stick to the pro- the Ministry of Interior were also gency,” said Al Meraikhi. As per visions of the contract there will present at the press the rules, the expatriate worker not be many complaints or conference. 08 MIDDLE EAST MONDAY 12 DECEMBER 2016 Spending cuts inevitable: Kuwait Emir tells MPs

Kuwait City am confident that parliament its economy. But the measures, percent of its income from oil. surpluses, Kuwait amassed time in two decades. AFP and my brother citizens are all which included raising electric- But the country's oil revenues reserves worth $600bn invested Parliament yesterday re- aware that reducing public ity and fuel prices, triggered a dropped from a massive $97bn mostly abroad. elected pro-government uwait's Emir H H Sheikh expenditure is inevitable through political crisis that led the ruler in the 2013-2014 fiscal year to Kuwait has been providing a Marzouk Al Ghanem as its Sabah Al Ahmad Al Jaber well-studied measures," he said. to dissolve the previous parlia- just $40bn in the last financial generous cradle-to-grave wel- speaker for a new four-year term KAl Sabah opened the new He, however, said that those ment in October and call for snap year, which ended on March 31, fare system to its nationals, who and pro-government MP Issa Al parliament yesterday by declar- measures should spare low polls. according to finance ministry fig- make up 30 percent of its popu- Kundari as his deputy, in a blow ing that a reduction in public income people and take into In the November 26 polls, the ures. And oil income is projected lation of 4.4 million. to opposition candidates. spending is inevitable in the face consideration social justice. opposition which vowed to reject to slide further to around $35bn "I would not have liked to ask The Islamist-led opposition of weak oil prices. Opec member Kuwait, which austerity measures won nearly this fiscal year. you any day to drop anything of controls nearly half of the The Emir said the sharp drop sits on around seven percent of half of the 50 seats. Most of the In 2015-2016, the OpecPEC the welfare (you have been get- 50-member parliament while 15 in oil revenues has resulted in a the world's proven crude other candidates also opposed state posted its first budget def- ting)," the emir said in his speech. unelected cabinet ministers out huge budget deficit and there is reserves, has sought to cut the measures. Before crude icit, of $15 billion, in 16 years. It To plug a growing budget of a 16-strong lineup become no other option but to take effec- spending and boost non-oil prices began to slide in mid- is projecting a shortfall of $29bn shortfall, the Gulf state has members of the national assem- tive measures to deal with it."I revenues in a bid to diversify 2014, Kuwait generated about 95 this year. During its run of started borrowing for the first bly and can vote.

Iran proposes IS recaptures Syrian city of Palmyra anti-terror bloc with Saudi Beirut Multiple attacks AP Tehran IS militants AP slamic State (IS) militants regrouped and seized the ancient Syrian attacked the city IRAN has proposed the for- city of Palmyra yesterday from multiple fronts, mation of a bloc of Muslim from government troops forcing government countries to fight terrorism despite a wave of Russian troops to retreat. and boost economic cooper- Iairstrikes, opposition activists ation that would include and the group reported, a major Saudi Arabia. advance after a year of setbacks the militants have been steadily Parliament Speaker Ali in Syria and neighbouring Iraq. advancing in recent days while Larijani told a security con- The group's new push came the government has been ference yesterday that the hours after government troops focused on a major offensive two countries, along with and Russian air raids pushed the against rebels in the northern Turkey, Egypt, Iraq and Paki- group out the city. IS militants city of Aleppo. stan, should join together to regrouped and attacked the city The Britain-based Syrian promote "regional peace from multiple fronts, forcing Observatory for Human Rights based on Islam, defending the government troops to retreat. and the Palmyra Coordination Palestinian people, fighting Palmyra opposition activists said group said IS militants fought terrorism and economic the militants were going door to their way into the town in a interests." door in the city, looking for rem- multi-pronged assault, forcing Iran and Saudi Arabia nants of government forces. government forces to retreat to support opposite sides in the State news agency Sana the south. A map by the Observ- Civilians wait outside a government military police centre to visit their relatives, who were civil wars in Syria and Yemen. quoting an unnamed military atory shows the areas in control evacuated from the eastern districts of Aleppo and are being prepared to begin their military Saudi Arabia cut diplomatic official saying that the militant of IS to extend east, south and service, in Aleppo, Syria, yesterday. ties with Iran in January after group received reinforcements north of Palmyra, securing a Iranian demonstrators from its de-facto capital in number of strategic hills around with residents in the city, said said intensive airstrikes followed overlooks its famed Roman-era stormed Saudi diplomatic Raqqa, enabling it to attack with the city and expanding the remaining government and allied the IS takeover of the city. ruins. Palmyra was a major tour- facilities to protest the exe- "large numbers" against military group's presence in rural Homs. troops were escaping from the Russia had earlier claimed to ist attraction before the civil war cution of a prominent cleric. checkpoints around the city. Palmyra lies in Syria's largest southwestern edge of the city have repelled an IS attack on broke out in 2011 and is home to Larijani said Saudi Ara- Backed by Russian air power, province, Homs, which is mostly where the ancient ruins are. He Palmyra, saying it had launched world-famous Roman ruins. IS bia and other nations should the Syrian government had under government control. said the few remaining families in 64 airstrikes overnight that killed seized the town last year and held know that Iran is not "their recaptured Palmyra, home to Osama Al Khatib, of the the city are also attempting to 300 militants. But hours later, the it for 10 months. During that time enemy." towering 2,000-year-old ruins, activist-run Palmyra Coordina- escape. Another activist-run plat- activists said IS had seized a cas- it dynamited a number of temples "Iran is not after creating amid great fanfare in March. But tion group which keeps in touch form, Palmyra News Network, tle just outside the town that and destroyed other artifacts. an empire and hegemony in the region," he said. "Our viewpoint is aimed at improving unity." Saudi Arabia announced 25 dead in Cairo the formation of a 34-mem- ber "Islamic military alliance" against terrorism nearly a year ago, which excluded church bombing Iran.

Cairo explosion happened,” Emad Reuters Shoukry, who was inside when 8 dead in Fallujah the blast took place, said. bombing at Cairo’s larg- “The explosion shook the car bombing est Coptic cathedral place... The dust covered the Akilled at least 25 people hall and I was looking for the and wounded 49, many of them door, although I couldn’t see Baghdad women and children attending anything... I managed to leave Reuters Sunday mass, in the deadliest in the middle of screams and attack on Egypt’s Christian there were a lot of people EIGHT people were killed in minority in years. thrown on the ground.” two car bombings in the Iraqi The attack comes as Egyp- Security sources said at city of Fallujah west of Bagh- tian President Abdel Fattah Al least six children were among dad yesterday, police and Sisi battles against an insur- the dead, with the blast deto- hospital sources said, and a gency in Northern Sinai, led by nating on the side of the church news agency close to Islamic the Egyptian branch of Islamic normally used by women. State said its militants carried out Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (centre), Prime Minister Binali Yildirim (second left) State. They said the explosion the attacks. The bombings took and former president Abdullah Gul (second right) pray as they attend a funeral cerenomy The militant group has also was caused by a device con- place as Iraqi forces wage an for martyred police officers at Istanbul's police headquarters, a day after twin bombings. carried out deadly attacks in taining at least 12kg of TNT. eight-week military campaign Cairo and has urged its support- Police were investigating to crush Islamic State in its north ers to launch attacks around the claims by witnesses that the Iraq stronghold of Mosul, the Turkey death toll 38; Erdogan world in recent weeks as it goes bomb was concealed in the largest city in its self-declared on the defensive in its Iraqi and handbag of a woman who had caliphate in Iraq and Syria. Syrian strongholds. placed it on the floor of the The fact that the jihadist Sisi’s office condemned church and left. group was able to carry out vows to fight terror to the end the attack as an act of terror- Police and armoured vehi- the attack in Falluja, which ism and declared three days cles rushed to the area, as the Iraqi army recaptured in of national mourning. Al dozens of protesters gathered June, suggests it will continue Istanbul himself up by a group of police bloody campaign against the Azhar, Egypt’s main Islamic outside the compound demand- to pose a threat in Iraq even AFP at a nearby park. Turkish state since 1984. centre of learning, also ing revenge. Scuffles broke out if it is finally crushed in Mosul. Most of the dead were police In a ceremony for five of the denounced the attacks. with police. The sources said a suicide defiant President Recep officers, who accounted for 30 victims at the city's police head- There was no immediate Though Egypt’s Coptic bomber detonated a car at a Tayyip Erdogan yester- of the overall toll. The carnage quarters, officers carried in the claim of responsibility, but Christians have traditionally security checkpoint in the Aday vowed to fight terror prompted a sharp response from coffins draped with flags as Islamic State (IS) supporters been supporters of the govern- west of the city, and a second "to the end" as Turkey Erdogan, who defiantly vowed Erdogan and Prime Minister Binali celebrated the attack on social ment, angry crowds turned bomb in a parked car struck mourned 38 people killed in Ankara would "fight the scourge Yildirim looked on before speak- media. The explosion took place their ire against Sisi, saying his the centre, near a security twin bombings that authorities of terrorism right to the end". ing with the bereaved families. in a chapel adjoining the main government had failed to pro- checkpoint and a busy cafe. said were likely the work of "They should know that they "Sooner or later we will have our hall of St Mark’s Cathedral, the tect them. Sources at the hospital Kurdish militants. will not get away with it ... They revenge," Interior Minister Suleman largest in the metropolis of 20 “As long as Egyptian blood where casualties from both The bloodshed, which took will pay a heavier price." Soylu told the mourners. million, where security is nor- is cheap, down, down with any incidents were brought said place in Istanbul late on Sat- Although there was no People also gathered out- mally tight. president...” they chanted. Oth- eight bodies were delivered urday, saw a car bomb immediate claim of responsibil- side the stadium to lay flowers, The chapel floor and pews ers chanted “the people to the hospital. The Amaq exploding outside the home ity, officials said initial findings many holding Turkish flags were covered with debris, dust demand the fall of the regime”, news agency, which is close stadium of football giants suggested it was the work of the and shouting "Down with the and sticky patches of blood. “As the rallying cry of the 2011 to Islamic State, said both Besiktas and less than a minute outlawed Kurdistan Workers PKK!" and "Our homeland is soon as the priest called us to uprising that helped end Hosni attacks were carried out by later, a suicide attacker blew Party, or PKK, that has waged a indivisible!" prepare for prayer, the Mubarak’s 30-year rule. suicide car bombers. MONDAY 12 DECEMBER 2016 ASIA / AFRICA 09 At least 160 dead in Nigerian church collapse

Warri wounded people from an AP Major tragedy overflow area for of worshippers Hundreds of people, just outside the collapsed church etal girders and the including Akwa Ibom but they did not enter the main roof of a crowded structure because a construction state Governor Udom church collapsed worker among them warned of Emmanuel, were onto worshippers the danger of a further collapse. in southern inside when metal The worker called his boss at MNigeria, killing at least 160 peo- girders crashed onto Julius Berger construction ple with the toll likely to rise, a worshippers and the company, who sent a crane to hospital director said corrugated iron roof help lift debris off bodies. While yesterday. caved in. Emmanuel they waited for the crane, Eyibio Mortuaries in the city of Uyo escaped unhurt. tried to help a man whose legs are overflowing from the trag- were trapped under a steel edy, medical director Etete followers rich, escaped unhurt. girder. "I rushed to my car, got Peters of the University of Uyo Screaming survivors were out the tire jack and used that to Teaching Hospital said. streaming out and there were get the beam off his legs," he said. The Reigners Bible Church cries from injured victims when "We managed to get him out but International was still under con- computer programme analyst we saw others dying all around struction and workers had been Ukeme Eyibio rushed to the us," Eyibio, 27, said. rushing to finish it in time for scene. "There were trapped bod- Many uncounted victims are Saturday's ceremony to ordain ies, parts of bodies, blood all over in private mortuaries scattered founder Akan Weeks as a bishop, the place and people's handbags across Uyo, youth leader Edikan Heavy duty equipment and machinery are seen at the premises of the collapsed church in congregants said. and shoes scattered," Eyibio said Peters said. He said some peo- Uyo yesterday. Hundreds of people, includ- in a telephone interview. ple are secretly taking the bodies ing Akwa Ibom state Governor He had parked his car of relatives to their homes Peters. Peter said he tallied 90 seize cameras and forcing some Buildings collapse often in Udom Emmanuel, were inside outside the complex to make a because mortuaries are over- bodies before he was told to stop to leave the area. Nigeria because of endemic cor- when metal girders crashed onto phone call, heard a deafening crowded and some do not have counting on Saturday night. The governor's spokesman, ruption with contractors using worshippers and the corrugated explosion he thought was a bomb refrigeration. Journalists at the scene Ekerete Udoh, said the state gov- sub-standard materials and brib- iron roof caved in, they said. only to see that the church had A crane is being used to lift charge that church officials are ernment will hold an inquiry to ing inspectors to ignore shoddy Emmanuel and Weeks, who disappeared, he said. Eyibio and debris believed to be hiding the trying to prevent them from doc- investigate if anyone compro- work or a lack of building preaches that God will make his three others managed to drag 10 bodies of more victims, said umenting the tragedy, trying to mised building standards. permits.

Two young girls stage suicide attack in Borno Over 42 dead Kano laid waste to northeast Nigeria in oil truck AFP since they took up arms against the government in 2009. fireball in wo young girls approxi- At least 20,000 people have mately seven or eight years been killed and more than two Kenya Told blew themselves up in and a half million more displaced a northeastern Nigerian market by the unrest. yesterday, killing themselves and Rights groups say thousands Naivasha, one other person and wounding of women and girls have been Reuters 18 others, sources said. abducted by the group. In the The girls were "seven or most infamous incident, in 2014, A FIREBALL from an oil eight", a local militia member in more than 200 schoolgirls were lorry engulfed vehicles Maiduguri, Abdulkarim Jabo, taken in the remote town of on one of Kenya's main said. The attack was not imme- Chibok. Northeast Nigeria has highways, killing over 42 diately claimed by Boko Haram Residents gather near the scene of a suicide bomb attack on a market in Maiduguri yesterday. been buffeted in recent weeks people, a rescue worker at but bore the hallmarks of the by devastating attacks. On the scene said. militants, who routinely use Shettima, visiting victims in the walked right in front of me with- looking for their mother," he Friday, at least 45 people died The tanker lorry women and girls to carry out sui- hospital, confirmed the toll in the out showing the slightest sign of added. and 33 others were wounded in rammed into vehi- cide attacks, often in Borno state, attack. Maiduguri militiaman emotion," he said. "I tried to "She headed toward the another double suicide attack cles north of the central the epicentre of their Jabo said he saw the girls imme- speak with one of them, in Hausa poultry sellers, and then deto- carried out by female bombers town of Naivasha then insurgency. diately before the explosion. and in English, but she didn't nated her explosives belt." at a marketplace in the town of exploded, an official with Borno Governor Kashim "They got out of a rickshaw and answer. I thought they were Boko Haram militants have Madagali. the National Disaster Man- agement Authority said. "More bodies are still trapped inside the burned vehicles," Red Cross volun- Jammeh to challenge election results teer Moha Maris said. The government gave a lower death toll. Banjul "serious and unacceptable abnormalities" Rights groups say Jammeh exerts "The information that Reuters and called for fresh polls. strong influence over the Supreme Court we have is that 13 vehi- In a statement broadcast on state tel- which for years has been staffed mainly cles were involved and so ambia's President Yahya Jammeh evision late on Saturday, the Alliance for by judges brought in from other common far we have retrieved 33 (pictured), who initially accepted Patriotic Reorientation and Construction law nations, including Nigeria and bodies," Irungu Nyakera, Ghis defeat in a December 1 election (APRC) said it was preparing a legal chal- Pakistan. Principal Secretary at the before making a dramatic about-face, will lenge to the result. "The statement of APRC Jammeh's belated objections to the Ministry of Transport and challenge the poll result before the Chairman Yahya Jammeh on the 9th poll results followed a correction by the Infrastructure, told a news Supreme Court, the ruling party said in a December was a prelude of a petition that elections commission during the week conference. statement. the APRC is in the process of filing before which reduced Barrow's margin of vic- An official in Naivasha His loss to opposition candidate the Supreme Court against the flawed tory to fewer than 20,000 votes. said 50 people were being Adama Barrow, announced by the elec- decision of the Independent Elections Barrow, who has pledged to serve as treated in several hospitals tions commission last week and followed Commission," it said. a transitional leader and step down after declined to protect him. The head of the for burns, eight of them in by his rapid concession, had sparked hope Under Gambian law, candidates have three years, said that Jammeh had no con- Gambian army pledged his allegiance to a serious condition. for change in the tiny West African nation 10 days starting from the announcement stitutional authority to reject the poll Barrow last week, however a regional dip- In 2009, more than following 22 years of Jammeh's authori- of election results during which to sub- results. The residence in the capital Ban- lomatic source who said he'd spoken to 100 people burned to tarian rule. However, in a moved that mit a challenge with the court. Today is a jul where Barrow was staying yesterday the president-elect said he did not feel death near the central drew widespread condemnation from the national holiday in Gambia, making was surrounded by around 30 unarmed safe. "He asks that the international com- town of Molo after a lorry international community, the mercurial tomorrow the final deadline for filing a supporters who said they were providing munity ensure his security because he carrying petrol caught fire. former coup leader on Friday decried petition. security after the police and military feels threatened," said the source. Suicide truck bomb leaves 29 dead at Somalia's main port

Mogadishu blast at Mogadishu Port, close to the port. "We killed 30 Reuters Mohamed Hussein, a worker security forces and injured 50. We there, said. Two others said work targeted them because they had suicide truck bomb hit the had been halted and staff sent been trained to provide security entrance of Somalia's big- home. The bodies of victims lay at so-called elections,' he said. Agest port yesterday, killing strewn outside the capital's ter- Al Shabaab's insurgency aims at least 29 people, police said, an minal in a street filled with rubble to drive out African Union peace- attack claimed by Al Shabaab from damaged tea shops. "At least keepers, topple Somalia's militants. 29 civilians died and 50 others western-backed government and The fighters said they were have been injured in the blast. We impose its strict version of Islam trying to disrupt protracted par- believe it was a suicide truck on the Horn of Africa state. liamentary elections — part of bomb," police officer Colonel Around 14,000 people repre- efforts to rebuild the fractured Abdikadir Farah said. senting Somalia's federal states nation after decades of war. The Al Shabaab's military opera- have been chosen to pick the 275 three-month vote is due to end tion spokesman, Sheikh Abdiasis lawmakers. Those members of A Somali soldier (left) and residents walk through the wreckage at the scene of car bomb on December 29. Abu Musab, said the blast was parliament will choose a new attack near the Mogadishu port yesterday. Gunfire rang out after the aimed at police officers stationed president. 10 VIEWS MONDAY 12 DECEMBER 2016

ESTABLISHED IN 1996

CHAIRMAN SHEIKH THANI BIN ABDULLAH AL THANI

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF DR. KHALID BIN MUBARAK AL-SHAFI [email protected]

ACTING MANAGING EDITOR MOHAMMED SALIM MOHAMED [email protected]

DEPUTY MANAGING EDITOR HUSSAIN AHMAD [email protected]

EDITORIAL Reining in Assad After Aleppo, Syria’s Assad still ashar Al Assad’s army is making the final push to take the last remnants of opposition-held territory in the devastated city of Aleppo, Bwhich has been a rebel stronghold since 2012. far from regaining his state There is a general consensus about where this war is heading. Backed by Russia, Iran and other allies, Assad is moving to take full control of Syria. And to achieve this goal, he has no qualms about killing children, attacks on other states. eastern deserts or Euphrates valley area women and unarmed civilians by unleashing the Angus McDowall Without him, they say, what remains from Islamic State. deadliest of weapons, and he has no qualms about Reuters of the Syrian armed forces and security The senior pro-Damascus official bombing hospitals, schools and other vital services will crumble, rendering the said that Assad had for now written off infrastructure which he could have left untouched even country a failed state and a danger to the Raqqa, which has become the de facto if he wanted to punish the rebels. Thousands of world for decades to come. Syrian capital of Islamic State, often civilians are continuing to flee Aleppo as the Convincing enough allies — includ- referred to by the Arabic term Daesh, government bombardment continues. According to the hen President Bashar Al ing Moscow and regarding the jihadist group as Washing- Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a Britain-based Assad turns from the wreck- Tehran — to see him in ton’s problem to fix. monitor, around 10,000 people had fled since midnight age of Aleppo to assert his that light has been “The regime forgot about Raqqa a and were taken to the government-held west Aleppo authority across a fractured Assad’s “political mas- long time ago and made it the responsi- and the newly retaken areas in the north and centre of Syria, it will be as a figure terpiece”, said Rolf bility of the Americans. Let those the city. Wwho is virtually unassailable by rebels, but alarmed by Daesh go and remove it,” the If Aleppo falls (according to reports, 85 percent of still faces great challenges in restoring the official said. east Aleppo has already fallen and the complete power of his state. Assad will rely on Moscow Still, Assad himself signalled in a takeover is just a matter of The expected fall of Aleppo would mean December television interview that in time), it will deal the rebels have almost no chance of ousting and Tehran to take back the end he intended to restore Damas- more territory, and to hold Even if Bashar Al biggest blow to Syria’s Assad, but their revolt has left him in hock to cus’ sway across the country. Asked opposition since the start foreign allies, resigned to the loss of swathes and secure it, meaning he about a “federalist” system that Kurds Assad wins this of the civil war in 2011. It’s of his country for the time being and with will have to balance his own have implemented in parts of north Syria time for the opposition and tough pockets of resistance still to crush. from which the central state has war, he must be ambitions with theirs. held accountable all those countries backing “Certainly it is not the end of the war ... retreated, he dismissed their local coun- them in the Arab world But when you take Aleppo, you control 90 cils as “temporary structures”. for the crimes and the West to plan their percent of the fertile areas of Syria, the In making further military gains after against humanity next strategy, or rather, regions that hold the cities and markets, the Aleppo, Assad will continue to rely on he committed all their future in an Assad- populated regions,” said a senior pro-Damas- Holmboe, research fellow at the Cana- both Moscow’s air power and the ground these years. ruled Syria. According to a cus official in the region. dian Global Affairs Institute and a former force supplied by Iran and the Shi’ite report, foreign ministers of However, the battlefield victories that Danish ambassador to Syria. militias it sponsors, foremost among prominent countries seem — for now — to have secured Assad’s But to his detractors, Assad is the them the Lebanese group Hezbollah. meeting in Paris on rule have been won in large part not by his man who burned Syria rather than Several thousand foreign militiamen Saturday asked Assad to show grace in victory and not own depleted military, but by Russian war- allowing power to slip from his grasp, a have already died fighting for Assad, persecute the rebels. These are heart-breaking days planes and a shock force of foreign Shi’ite dictator whose prisons are wallowing in often in the fiercest fronts of the war, for Syria. Syria under Assad would never be the Syria militias backed by Iran. the blood of his opponents and whose and Assad’s regional enemies believe we have known. This war has made the entire country Assad will rely on Moscow and Tehran to cities lie ruined by the bombs of his that will make him little more than a a wasteland, killed hundreds of thousands of people take back more territory, and to hold and military. vassal for stronger allies who have their and forced millions to flee, triggering a migration crisis secure it, meaning he will have to balance his In Assad’s swift use of force against own agendas. in Europe and the entire world. Millions of Syrians who own ambitions with theirs. protesters in 2011 and his deployment of Abdulaziz Al Sager, Saudi head of the sacrificed everything for freedom and justice will not At the same time, as the insurgents lose artillery and air power against Syrian Jeddah-based Gulf Research Centre and be able to forgive a dictator who destroyed their lives. A ground and as the jihadists among them grow towns and cities, critics see his reliance the man asked by Riyadh to mediate generation who is growing up in Syria without more dominant, conventional warfare may on the example of his father, Hafez Al talks between Syrian opposition groups education and with heart-rending memories of the loss give way to an era of guerrilla attacks and sui- Assad, who ruled from 1970-2000. last year, believes this has left Assad too of their near and dear ones can never forgive a leader cide bombings within areas held by the Hafez’s crushing of an Islamist insur- weak to rule effectively in the long term. who stole their future. Assad will rule over a divided, government. gency that began in 1976, culminating “My opinion from day one is that deeply scarred country which will keep exploding at Aggravating this, the war has taken on with the massacre of thousands in the Bashar Al Assad is in a losing battle. Even every thought of the cruelty he has unleashed on his sectarian dimensions that will resonate for city of Hama in 1982, set the template for if he gains some position, who is really people. generations; the uprising identifies itself with his son’s response to the Arab Spring today ruling Syria? It’s the Russians and Would a victory for Assad erase the war crimes the Sunni Muslim majority, and the state led protests in 2011 and the subsequent war. the Iranians. He has very little role to committed by him against his people? Will the by a minority Alawite draws on the backing of “They have no other solutions and play there,” he said by phone. international community cosy up to him to do business Shi’ite Islamists. that’s it. They implemented the same Assad himself said in the television as usual? If that happens, it would only expose their Worst of all, nearly six years of war have manual. They took it from the drawer interview that he consulted with Russia opportunism and their wanton disregard for human killed hundreds of thousands of Syrians, dis- and implemented it,” said Ayman Abdel daily, adding that “no decision is issued rights. Assad must be held accountable for the crimes placed around 11 million, of whom nearly half Nour, a former friend and pro-reform without discussions between the two against humanity he committed all these years. have fled the country, and laid waste to much political appointee of Assad who left countries”. of the infrastructure needed to resurrect a Syria in 2007. In Moscow, Vladimir Dzhabarov, a shattered economy. For Abdel Nour, Assad at war was a retired Russian special services general In rebuilding, Assad will also have to con- far cry from the man he first knew at and a deputy chairman of the interna- tend with Western sanctions on much of his Damascus University in the early 1980s, tional affairs committee of Russia’s QUOTE OF THE DAY government and with isolation from some of long before the death of an elder brother upper house of parliament, said his his main previous trading partners — the put him in line to succeed his father as country had no ulterior motives in Syria. European Union, Turkey, Gulf monarchies president. “He was like any other per- “Our leadership has always been saying and Jordan. The Gulf states in particular may son: very humble, very nice, very modest that we don’t support Assad but the rule I don‘t know why we also continue to fund insurgents. because he was not supposed to be pres- of law in this country,” he said. “Syria has suffered such wounds that ident,” he said. Assad’s early years as Still, Assad is not without power in have to be bound by there will always be, in my expectation, a day president after succeeding his father in his dealings with his allies; both Moscow a one China policy of reckoning,” said Nikolaos Van Dam, a 2000 raised hopes of political and eco- and Tehran are relying on his presence unless we make former Dutch diplomat and author of a book nomic reforms, but they mostly faltered, to keep the government and security a deal with China about Syrian history and politics, speaking something that was blamed at the time forces intact and justify their massive about the future of Assad’s state. on an old guard of security chiefs. outlay on the war, given few people having to do with believe there is a plausible alternative to other things, including INDISPENSABLE RAQQA WRITTEN OFF FOR NOW him among the senior ranks of his trade. To his supporters, Assad is the one, indis- The president and his allies have administration or military. pensable figure standing between his country focused their campaign on the populous, “Iran and Russia and Hezbollah, they and absolute chaos, the resolute leader of a fertile, west of his country and few peo- also need him. Russia and Iran are quite Donald Trump war against foreign-backed jihadists who ple expect him to lavish limited military limited in their possibilities of influenc- US President-elect wish to slaughter minorities and launch resources on quickly retaking the ing him,” said Van Dam. MONDAY 12 DECEMBER 2016 OPINION 11 Elites must engage populists or lose to them

big part of the homework the political part of the “people vs. the elite” divide. Jimmie an “elite,” but the man from Queens, whatever his center needs to do after Brexit, Donald Leonid Bershidsky Akesson, leader of the Sweden Democrats — a inherited wealth, always felt a little the outsider Trump’s triumph and the rise in nation- Bloomberg populist party that leads in some recent Swedish in Manhattan circles. These signals are heartening A alist populism across Europe is to define polls — recently told Bloomberg News that the to his voters more than his choice of wealthy the sources of growing popular resentment populist movements’ success was “not mainly individuals is disappointing. against the “elite.” That distrust is behind recent about money.” “It’s mainly about values,” he said. In the European context, the equivalent election surprises and what disoriented media able wealth that makes poor people angry. “It’s about how we manage to keep society would be to invite populists to participate in gov- professionals have dubbed a “post-truth” atti- This, Darvas and his Bruegel colleagues argue, together.” ernment. Prime Minister Theresa May invited tude toward the news. Fixing it could be the key makes a case for more inclusive growth as a Akesson’s values are about the nation state Brexiters into government; it may do governing to future stability. means of thwarting populists — and for reform and national identity. His party and similar move- centrist parties good to bring in populist repre- Three strains of anti-elite resentment are that would boost social mobility. That’s not just a ments elsewhere doubt the “elite’s” patriotism. sentatives in Scandinavia, France, Italy, even apparent. One is economic, related to income matter of making sure people from the lower There are lots of variations on this theme, from Germany. The political elite must not be seen as inequality. Populist politicians, however, would social classes can get access to quality education anti-Semitic tropes about Jews being disloyal citi- closed to forces that have support in society — fail if they channeled only economic anger. or passing anti-discrimination laws. The Univer- zens to anti-globalist concerns about trade. In the and that might no longer have it after a turn Bernie Sanders failed in the US, Jeremy Corbyn sity of Chicago’s Seth Zimmerman published a US, many commentators were surprised Hillary trying to manage something. isn’t doing too well in the UK and leftist fire- paper this week showing that, in Chile, attending Clinton’s emails became such an important cam- The national values part is perhaps the most brands aren’t big achievers anywhere except, an elite college increases a person’s chances of paign issue — but to many Americans, her use of difficult one for centrists. Stronger border protec- with some caveats, Greece. rising to top management roles in major compa- a private server was a threat to national security. I tion and crackdowns on ethnic crime go against The second strain has to do with the percep- nies — but only if he’s also attended an exclusive heard that many times while covering the presi- their liberal instincts. Yet the center-right can tion of the elite as a closed network, based on private secondary school prior to university. It’s dential campaign — as often as I heard people play on this pitch, as Francois Fillon is proving in background and connections rather than educa- easy to see the principle at work in Europe or the wax indignant about the Clinton’s ability to get France. Angela Merkel’s fourth run for German tion and achievement. You can’t break into the US In other words, an elite education only serves away with anything because they were chancellor will also be accompanied by proof of elite even if you’re smart and have gone to the best to amplify an elite background. People from dis- well-connected. her conservative credentials. Merkel has already schools, unless you’re already part of it by origin. A advantaged backgrounds, of course, benefit from To beat back the populist revolt, centrists announced that she expects 100,000 migrants to third strain is the view that elites stand in opposi- a great education — but they don’t, as a rule, rise need to focus on all three sources of discontent. leave Germany soon, many of them through vol- tion to national identity. This criticism of elites is as high as their privileged peers. Merely talking about reducing economic inequal- untary return programs but a sizable number interconnected with the economic roots of pop- Those who vote for the populists realize the ity sounds condescending. Besides, in most of through deportations, of which there has been a ulism and the invisible barriers to social mobility. ceiling that separates them from upper social Europe it’s not as acute a problem as in the US record number this year. In a speech to her party Recent work by Zsolt Darvas and his col- strata is not purely economic or meritocratic, but and the UK. It’s much more difficult to address on Tuesday, Merkel backed a ban on Muslim full- leagues at the Brussels think tank Bruegel shows rather insiders vs. outsiders. Thus the “drain the the other two components of anti-elite resent- face coverings for women. Specific immigrant there were more “leave” votes in areas of the UK swamp” chants and the “who needs experts” ment. Though Trump is being criticized for integration plans, similar to the ones legislated in where income inequality was greater, even after sneers. Those in the intellectual, academic, policy appointing people with “elite” credentials, such as Germany this year, are also helpful: Voters must controlling for socio-economic and geographic and media parts of the “elite” are mixed in with major investment bank alumni, to his team, he is know what the rules are for newcomers, and they factors. Darvas found a similar pattern in the US the wealthy and the corporate leaders. Their also handing top government jobs to people with shouldn’t feel immigrants are favored over them. Republican swing on November 8. It’s interesting exclusive circles are perceived as airtight and little experience running big bureaucracies and Ignoring the populist wave would only con- that the absolute size of household incomes or, self-perpetuating, and that likely angers the pop- with little support from the policy establishment. vince angry voters of the contempt of elites. say, the prevalence of immigrants and people of ulist candidates and their teams more than it does His unconventional way of dealing with foreign Populists cannot be eliminated, but they can be color wasn’t important for the vote results, but their voters, who don’t know much about these leaders is also a signal that he’s not going to com- co-opted. An effort to engage these voters and inequality was. Intuitively, it’s easy to see how it’s strata or care about getting into them. ply with “elite” notions of how things should be those who represent them is the political center’s not poverty as such but the proximity of unattain- That leads directly to the national identity done. Trump would seem to tick all the boxes as best chance of widening their voter base. China: The vanguard of globalisation

D-RING ROAD Richard Javad Heydarian POST BOX: 3488 Al Jazeera DOHA - QATAR [email protected]

verything under heaven is EDITOR-IN-CHIEF OFFICE in utter chaos; the situation is excellent,” Chairman Mao TEL: 4455 7741 / 767 “EZedong wrote in a letter to his FAX: +974 4455 7758 wife on July 8, 1966. This was the height of the Cold War, as Moscow and Washington MANAGING EDITOR vied for global supremacy, and mas- TEL: 4462 7505 sive protests swept across the West, from Europe to the United States. DEPUTY MANAGING EDITOR The Chinese leader thought that one TEL: 4455 7743 should embrace a crisis not avoid it, since it is chaos (not stability) that carries in its bosom the seed of radical transformation. LOCAL NEWS SECTION This was Marxist dialectical thinking in its TEL: 4455 7769 Workers are seen inside a Foxconn factory in the township of Longhua in the southern Guangdong province. finest and most dangerous form. As the succeeding decade of instabil- BUSINESS NEWS SECTION ity showed, the Great Helmsman’s China, ruled by a flamboyant demagogue, who has promised to TEL: 4462 7535 engulfed by the Cultural Revolution, would This era of turbocharged shred to pieces one major free trade agreement after another. become more of a victim than a victor in globalisation, as Henry Throughout his widely successful presidential campaign, SPORT NEWS SECTION those heady decades. Pragmatists, led by Trump promised to bring back jobs and growth to his country TEL: 4455 7745 Deng Xiaoping, eventually abandoned the Kissinger rightly identifies, by launching a de facto trade war. ossified ideology of Maoism in favour of is under threat unlike He has threatened to impose hefty tariffs on Asian turbocharged capitalism with a Chinese any time since the end of exporters, punish American companies outsourcing local ONLINE SECTION TEL: 4462 7501 flavour. World War II. jobs to emerging markets, and officially branded China as a Almost exactly half a century later, the currency manipulator. [email protected] heirs of Mao confront a similar dilemma. Trump colourfully described major free trade agreements Chinese President Xi Jinping can derive communication. Other nations, with much smaller as a conspiracy by “special interests who want to rape our PUBLIC RELATIONS both delight and dread from recent devel- naval power, played a very minimal role in this country”, depriving ordinary workers of long-term employ- TEL: 4455 7613 opments across the West. Demagogues regard. ment and dignity. Anti-trade sentiments are also gaining [email protected] in Europe and the US, and across the Meanwhile, US-led international institutions, ground across Europe and beyond. developing world, are shattering the foun- such as the World Bank and the International Shortly after his election victory, Trump released a video dations of the global liberal order. Monetary Fund, established a global economic in which he promised to nix the Transpacific Partnership ADVERTISING DEPARTMENT At the same time, Beijing is worried architecture defined by the increasingly free flow of Agreement, the centrepiece of President Barack Obama’s TEL: 4455 7837 / 780 about the collapse of the international free capital, technology and (high-skilled) labour across economic initiative in Asia. Trump has also promised to FAX: 4455 7870 trade regime, as populist leaders such as borders. As a result, labour-abundant China was revisit other trading regimes such as the North Atlantic Free [email protected] Donald Trump push for protectionist trade able to attract large-scale investments from Japan Trade Agreement. And Canada seems to have taken the threat policies. As a result, Communist China has and the West with considerable ease. seriously. In general, these are worrying times for trade- CLASSIFIED DEPARTMENT become the unlikely champion of eco- Above all, American consumers, buoyed by easy dependent China. But it is precisely here where Xi faces what TEL: 4455 7857 nomic globalisation. access to credit thanks to the accelerated move- Mao saw as a blessing in disguise. [email protected] End of an era ment of capital across borders, became the primary With the US set to become more introverted, unilater- In the past three decades, China market for Chinese goods. Arguably, China became alist and protectionist, China is now in a unique position to became the world’s most successful cap- the biggest beneficiary of neo-liberal globalisation, present itself as the new vanguard of globalisation. No won- SUBSCRIPTION & DISTRIBUTION italist boomstory. Per capita income although it has consistently criticised laissez-faire der then, during the latest Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation TEL: 4455 7809 / 839 experienced a mind-boggling 26-fold economics. summit, Xi portrayed China as a bulwark against “isolation FAX: 44557819 expansion since 1985, while as many as But this era of turbocharged globalisation, as and exclusiveness”. [email protected] 600 million people, twice the population Henry Kissinger rightly identifies, is under threat With the US taking the back seat in trading affairs, the of the US, were lifted out of poverty. unlike any time since the end of World War II. In Chinese leader pushed for Regional Comprehensive Eco- Within two generations, the Asian fact, global trade is beginning to shrink. US trade nomic Partnership (RCEP) and the Free Trade Area for the demographic giant went from an eco- with the world suffered a $200bn contraction last Asia-Pacific (FTAAP) under its wing. All thoughts and views nomic backwater to the world’s leading year. This year, it is set to reach the $500bn mark. In fact, Xi is set to become the first Chinese president to expressed in these columns trading nation, which will soon also And China is beginning to feel the pinch, as exports attend the World Economic Forum in Davos, the global liberal are those of the writers, not become the biggest economy. Whether begin to lose steam. elite’s confab. The age of Trump may present new geopolitical of the newspaper. China wants to admit it or not, much of this A deglobalisation backlash and economic headaches for China, but it has also paved the success, however, was built on a US-led Britain’s decision to exit from the EU has ener- way for a communist nation to become the de facto vanguard liberal international order. gised a wave of populist backlash against the union of globalisation. All correspondence In a world where the bulk of trans-bor- . In France, Eurosceptics, led by Marie Le Pen, are regarding Views and der trade is done via water, the American in anunprecedented position to capture the Elysee The writer is a specialist in Asian geopolitical/economic affairs and Opinion pages should be author of Asia’s New Battlefield: The USA, China, and the Struggle naval muscle underwrote freedom of nav- Palace. Most shockingly of all, the US, the self- mailed to the igation and overflight across sea lines of described leader of the “free world”, is set to be for the Western Pacific. [email protected] 12 ASIA / PHILIPPINES MONDAY 12 DECEMBER 2016

Duterte rejects freeing more prisoners China flays Japan after Manila Reuters Truce failure jets 'targeted' Earlier, Duterte let 22 hilippine President Rod- Maoist rebel leaders China has slammed rigo Duterte yesterday out on bail, including Tokyo for targeting its rejected a demand by two senior guerrilla military aircraft with Maoist-led rebels to "decoy flares" over a commanders. free more prisoners as waterway near Japan, Ppart of a ceasefire deal, saying he calling the actions "dan- Last month, he also had made enough concessions gerous and and was willing to let peace talks freed four elderly and unprofessional". Two collapse if necessary. sick prisoners on Japanese F-15s fired the For decades the government humanitarian projectiles as the Chinese and the communists' political grounds. But rebel planes passed through arm, National Democratic Front, leaders immediately the Miyako Strait have held intermittent peace demanded the release between Japan's Miyako negotiations but without success. of 130 more rebels. and Okinawa Islands, the The release of political prisoners defence ministry said in has proved a major stumbling a statement on its block. Before the resumption of Army, is active in almost all but website. peace negotiations in Oslo in the Muslim majority provinces, The incident took August, four years after the col- and are particularly strong in the place on Saturday morn- lapse of the last attempt, Duterte mining areas in the southern ing as the Chinese planes let 22 rebel leaders out on bail, island of Mindanao. carried out "routine far including two senior guerrilla "I wanted them to start the seas training", the state- commanders. talks but they want me to free 130 ment said, adding the Last month, he also freed more, so I told them, no, I can- Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte makes a fist bump with the students from Child aircraft were in interna- four elderly and sick prisoners not," Duterte told soldiers at an Development Center Camp Aguinaldo and Tarlac National High School during a visit to Camp tional airspace when the on humanitarian grounds. But army base north of Manila, close Servillano S. Aquino in San Miguel, Tarlac, Philippines, yesterday. encounter occurred. rebel leaders immediately to where NPA first emerged. "The actions of the demanded the release of 130 "As a matter of fact, I con- declined in the last six months. to landless farmers, the nation- peace talks and free top commu- Japanese fighters was more rebels, a call Duterte has ceded too much too soon. Now, The two sides have held two alisation of industries and to nist rebels, but that he was dangerous and unprofes- ignored until now. it's up to them if they will termi- rounds of talks since August and share political power with the determined to end the conflict. sional and smashed the Since the rebellion erupted nate the peace talks. Let them plan to meet again early next year government. Duterte, former About 500 people suspected freedoms of navigation nearly five decades ago, it has terminate it. I have freed their with the aim of agreeing on a set mayor of Davao, a city that was to be rebels are in jail, which and overflight provided killed about 40,000 people and leaders, what more do you ask of of political, economic and social once seen as a breeding ground include two men who were con- by international law," it stunted growth in resource-rich us? I am running out of cards." reforms to address the rebellion for rebels, told soldiers at the base victed of killing the US military said. The statement gave rural areas of the Philippines. The Duterte said violence within 12 months. The rebels that he knew they were hurting adviser, Colonel James Rowe, in no details about the Chi- rebels' armed wing, New People's between the two sides has want farmlands to be distributed from his decision to re-start 1989. nese aircraft. Japan and China are at loggerheads over a longstanding ter- ritorial row in the East China Sea. That dispute Prosecutors charge relates to uninhabited islets controlled by Japan known as the Senkakus in Japanese and the two aides of Park Diaoyus in Chinese.

Seoul single five-year term ending in South Korea's Reuters February 2018, has denied wrongdoing but apologised for defence outh Korean prosecutors carelessness in her ties with her exports triple indicted a former senior friend, Choi Soon-sil. Spresidential aide and a Prosecutors yesterday South Korea's defence former vice culture minister as again characterised Park as a industry saw its exports part of their investigation of a co-conspirator, media reported, more than triple in the corruption scandal that has led although she has immunity past seven years, driven to President Park Geun-hye's from prosecution as long as she by firm demand for sub- impeachment in parliament, remains in office. marines and high-tech media said yesterday. They made a similar asser- weapons, a report car- Friday's overwhelming par- tion on November 20. If the ried by Yonhap News liamentary vote to remove Park Constitutional Court affirms the Agency said yesterday. Indonesian police examine a boarding house where the 3kg bomb encased in a pressure from office puts her fate in the parliamentary vote, Park would According to the hands of a nine-judge Consti- become the first democratically report compiled by the cooker was discovered in Bekasi, West Java, yesterday. tutional Court, which has 180 elected leader of Asia's fourth- Korea Institute for days to decide whether to biggest economy to be forced Industrial Economics uphold the motion. from office. "Amid so much glo- and Trade (KIET), the Park's powers have been bal uncertainty, this political country's defense sector Indonesia nabs woman and suspended and assumed by situation is further weighing on logged 1.9 trillion won Prime Minister Hwang Kyo- the economy and a downturn ($1.62bn) worth of over- ahn, who has ordered a high in sentiment could be another seas sales last year, 210 others in thwarted Jakarta plot state of military alert for any problem," Finance Minister Yoo percent growth from attempt by rival North Korea to Il-ho told a news conference. 2009. During the cited take advantage of the political The two former officials period, the sector's out- Jakarta network associations are now The city is known for its radical turmoil. South Korea's finance whose charges were reported put jumped 53 percent to AP being recruited into more active mosques and Islamic boarding minister warned that the by media yesterday included a 14.5 trillion won with its roles, including plotting and car- schools. Police said two men impeachment could weigh on former senior economic aide, hiring rising 25 percent ndonesian police said they rying out attacks. "This marks a were arrested after dropping the the economy if sentiment was Cho Won-dong, accused of col- to 36,000, the report safely detonated a bomb on new chapter of terrorism in 27-year-old woman at the undermined. luding with the president in said. The country's Ithe outskirts of the capital Indonesia, where the suicide boarding house with the pres- Park, whose father ruled trying to pressure a South defence industry saw its after arresting a female would- bombing was to be carried out sure cooker bomb. A fourth the country for 18 years after Korean conglomerate, CJ global ranking rise to the be suicide bomber and other by a woman," terrorism analyst suspect, a man, was arrested in seizing power in a military Group, to dismiss a group vice 10th spot from the 13th suspected Islamic militants who Ridwan Habib said in an inter- Solo, said Jakarta police spokes- coup, has been accused of col- chairman, the Yonhap News place over the period, it were allegedly planning to view with Indonesian TV. man Argo Yuwono. The bomb luding with a friend and a Agency reported. said. As of 2015, the attack the presidential palace Umar Surya Fana, the police potentially could have caused former aide, both of whom Cho told a parliamentary country's defence budget during the weekend. chief of Bekasi, a Jakarta satel- damage within a wide area. prosecutors indicted earlier, to hearing on Wednesday he had and output both ranked The thwarted plot is likely lite city, said the militants were People living within a 300- pressure big businesses to found the arm-twisting wrong 10th, with its defence- to cause particular concern in followed by a police counterter- meter (yard) radius of the donate to foundations set up to but he had to deliver the pres- related technology Indonesia because of the possi- rorism squad as they drove to boarding house were evacuated back her policy initiatives. ident's message to the coming in at 9th. bility that women with militant Jakarta from Solo in central Java. during the police operation. Park, who is serving a conglomerate. Kim guides military drill targeting Seoul

Seoul parliament's vote on Friday to alert in case of any provocation leader Kim are willing to com- Reuters impeach its president, Park by North Korea, including pos- promise on its nuclear and Geun-hye. Pictures on the exer- sible cyber attacks. missile programmes. orth Korean leader Kim cise in the North's Rodong "We are ready to retaliate if The Rodong Sinmun pictures Jong-Un guided a special Sinmun newspaper showed North Korea makes any provo- included one of Kim observing Noperations drill targeting what appeared to be a mockup cations and we condemn its the exercise through binoculars. the South, the North's media of South Korea's presidential malicious threat," a South "Watching the brave service per- reported yesterday, as rival Blue House as a target. Korean military official said. sonnel independently and South Korea remained on alert Park will remain in the Blue Tension on the divided pro-actively perform their com- for any attempt by the North to House, though her powers have Korean peninsula has been high bat duty destroying specified take advantage of political tur- been suspended and assumed this year after two North Korean targets of the enemy, he said moil in the South. by the South's prime minister nuclear tests and an unprece- with a broad smile on his face: The North's KCNA state news while the Constitutional Court dented flurry of ballistic missile 'Well done, the enemy troops North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un guides the combat drill of agency report did not say when weighs parliament's impeach- tests. The North's tests have will have no space to hide them- North Korean forces conducted ment vote. South Korean Prime brought tighter U.N. Security selves, far from taking any the service personnel of the special operation battalion of KPA the combat exercise, nor did it Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn has Council sanctions but no indica- counteraction'," KCNA cited Kim Unit 525 in this undated photo released by North Korea's KCNA mention the South Korean urged a high state of military tion North Korea and its young saying. in Pyongyang yesterday. MONDAY 12 DECEMBER 2016 PAKISTAN / AFGHANISTAN 13 Major cabinet Fun in the snow NEWS BYTES Mubashir Javed elected reshuffle in Lahore mayor

LITTLE KNOWN even among PML-N circles, Sindh on cards retired Col Mubashir Javed was elected unopposed Lahore mayor, unof- Islamabad Governance ficially, along with his Internews nine deputies, after the Bilawal Bhutto has Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf been keenly failed to pitch a full panel he PPP’s top hierar- monitoring the for mayoral polls. chy is considering a performance of the The PTI was required major reshuffle in the Sindh government. to form a panel against cabinet of Pakistan’s He feels another the PML-N’s, but the one it Sindh province, five major reshuffle is submitted to the Election Tmonths after replacing octoge- Commission was declared inevitable,” said a narian Qaim Ali Shah with source. ‘incomplete’ and subse- Murad Ali Shah as the prov- quently rejected. Afghan children who were displaced by Kunduz fighting between Afghan forces and ince’s chief minister. “We had to submit a The PPP leadership Taliban insurgents walk in the snow at a refugee camp in Mazar-i-Sharif, yesterday. PPP Chairman Bilawal plans to make some panel of 12 candidates, Bhutto Zardari is not happy big announcements but we had only 10 seats with the performance of some on December 27. (in the UCs). So the PTI members of the provincial cab- panel for mayoral elec- inet and feels there is a need to tion was rejected by ECP, reconfigure Shah’s team, declaring it incomplete sources said. In July, the PPP house in order and make French agency praises Islamabad according to its rules,” PTI replaced the Sindh chief min- another effort to improve gov- Lahore president Waleed ister in a major reshuffle that ernance in Sindh, the province Iqbal said. also saw the induction of some where the PPP has been in Islamabad financial assistance provided by market and strengthening He said although new and relatively young min- power since 2008. Sources said Internews AFD in important sectors includ- accountability and transparency the PTI did not have isters in the provincial Bilawal recently had a review ing energy, water and sanitation. in the energy sector. The AFD the required number of cabinet. of the Sindh government’s per- he French Development He added that the Pakistan gov- also evinced interest in work- candidates to form the “Bilawal Bhutto has been formance. Close aides told him Agency (AFD), which pos- ernment appreciates AFD’s ing in the sectors of heritage and panel, but there should keenly monitoring the perform- that the political change evoked Tsessed portfolio of ¤265m support for initiatives for culture. The AFD has been oper- have been some provi- ance of the Sindh government. some positive response from as soft loan for Pakistan, has improving the transmission effi- ating in Pakistan since 2007. It sion in the law for such He feels another major reshuf- general public, but it failed to appreciated Islamabad for sta- ciency and water and sanitation is promoting green and inclu- a situation. fle is inevitable,” said a source build a momentum. bilising its economy and taking in Pakistan.The AFD announced sive growth and has been in the Sindh government. “Initially, for two months it to a higher trajectory of that for the year 2016, it has focusing on renewable energy The PPP is desperately try- the response was quite encour- growth. approved a portfolio of 265 mil- and energy efficiency projects. Deal signed with ing to shed the moniker of aging, but gradually Senator Ishaq Dar, Minister lion euros as soft loans for Sanjay Pradhan, CEO Open China on tax ‘friendly opposition’ and take complacency started factoring for Finance and Economic rehabilitation of Mangla hydro- Government Partnership (OGP), on the government aggres- in. We can’t afford this any- Affairs, met Remy Rioux, Chief power plant, augmenting NTDC called on the finance minister exemption sively. And for this purpose, the more,” a close aide quoted Executive Officer (CEO) of transmission capacity and in the embassy of Pakistan and party is planning to launch an Bilawal as telling him. He French Development Agency budget support for energy sec- congratulated Pakistan on join- PAKISTAN and China anti-government movement claimed that Bilawal, who has (AFD) in Paris Thursday. The tor reforms. ing the elite group of members have signed Avoidance of with a focus on Punjab, the already completed the review, CEO of AFD appreciated the The AFD has joined ADB and of OGP. Double Taxation Agree- political bastion of the ruling would soon make important progress that Pakistan has made JICA in the five-year budget sup- He invited Pakistan to par- ment under which the PML-N. Before confronting the announcements. “Some minis- in stabilising economy. port programme initiated in ticipate in the meetings of profits earned by Chinese ruling party, the young PPP ters and advisers will be shown During the meeting, the 2014 for improving the manage- various OGP working groups banks on investment of chairman wants to put his own the door,” he added. minister said Pakistan values the ment of tariff opening the and steering committees. $34bn into energy projects of Pakistan would be exempted from payment of taxes. Street-art “We have expanded Pending anti-terror the list by including those Chinese banks providing loans to their companies for investing $34bn into cases shifted to ATCs energy projects so the income tax on the prof- its of these banks will be Islamabad on the Army Public School exempted from paying Internews (APS) Peshawar, the govern- income tax. This incen- ment allowed the formation of tive will help boosting ases registered under the military courts which over- pace on energy projects ambitious anti-terror law, shadowed PoPA. under China Pakistan Cthe Protection of Pakistan Most of the offences and Economic Corridor (CPEC) Act (PoPA), have been shifted provisions added to the Paki- worth $34bn,” a top offi- to the anti-terrorism courts stan Army Act (PAA) through cial of FBR said on Friday. (ATCs). After the lapse of PoPA the 21st amendment were iden- in July this year, the proceed- tical to those under PoPA. As a ings of these cases, which had result, PoPA was used to regis- Audit of asset not moved very rapidly, to ter very few cases. begin with, came to a halt as the Ironically, even these few statements tenure of the PoPA judges also cases could not be decided in next week expired with the act. the special courts of PoPA in PoPA was promulgated in two years; by the time PoPA THE ELECTION Com- July 2014 with a sunset clause lapsed, its courts had not mission of Pakistan (ECP) Pakistani art students decorate a wall along a street in Lahore, yesterday. that the law will expire after decided a single case. will finally begin the first- two years with the aim of coun- And once the law lapsed, ever audit of lawmakers’ tering terrorism by improving the cases had to be transferred statements of assets and the conviction rate of hardcore elsewhere. A few weeks after liabilities early next week. terrorist suspects. In addition, the expiry of PoPA, the accused A senior official of the it was also supposed to cover as well as the PoPA judges ECP said that scrutiny of PPP panel to chalk future strategy some gaps in the judicial sys- wrote to their respective high statements of assets of tem such as protection of courts regarding the fate of the members of the Senate Islamabad the party chairman Bilawal The purpose of forming the witnessed and judges in terror- pending cases. A majority of and national and pro- Internews Bhutto Zardari and will chalk committee was to devise a strat- ism cases. PoPA cases were registered vincial assemblies for out future strategy. egy to compel the government Because the act was seen to with the counterterrorism the financial year that he five-member imple- The implementation com- to accept the four demands. be in violation of fundamental department (CTD) which was ended on June 30, 2016, mentation committee of mittee headed by former Prime The committee will make rights, it was passed with a sun- established in the police in the was to commence on Tthe Pakistan People’s Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani recommendations that will be set clause. Despite this, PoPA four provinces. “There were December 1, but deci- Party (PPP) will hold its meet- will meet the political leader- presented in the central execu- was implemented in a slow and over 50 PoPA cases in ATCs of sion on modus operandi ing tomorrow in Islamabad to ship of other opposition parties tive committee meeting of the patchy manner. Punjab pending before the spe- and final approval of the deliberate on progress on four to get their support for the PPP scheduled to be held on And in December the same cial courts when the law standard operating pro- demands to the government by implementation of demands. December 27 in Larkana. year, after the terrorist attack expired,” said a senior official. cedure (SOP) delayed it. He said initially it had been proposed that statements of 25 per cent of lawmakers should be Entertainment duty on cinema tickets likely to be reimposed randomly audited, but the commission has Karachi with Sindh Chief Minister Syed closure of many cinema houses sale of tickets. The entertain- doing good business in their decided to scrutinise 100 Internews Murad Ali Shah requesting him with their buildings being con- ment duty rates for cinemas areas. per cent statements. He to undo the suspension order as verted into shopping malls. were revised in 2000 to Rs2,000 She said that the Sindh gov- said the ECP would pro- he Sindh province govern- the cinema industry business has According to the deputy per day on tickets sold for the ernment also had claims on ceed against those found ment has initiated a move improved a lot in the past 16 director of the E and T depart- AC class, Rs1,000 for the upper- revenue from the entertainment guilty of concealing their Tto revive the entertain- years. ment, Shabana Baloch, notices class and Rs500 per day for duty collected from cinema assets or making any ment duty on cinema tickets The entertainment duty on had been served to owners of 17 ordinary class. owners in cantonment areas. other false declarations suspended in 2000 on the direc- movie tickets was put in abey- existing cinema houses to pay Replying to a question, The issue will be raised with the under Section 82 of the tives of the then governor. The ance due to poor business an entertainment levy as the Baloch said the cantonment high ups in boards by the Sindh Representation of Peo- Excise and Taxation (E and T) conditions of the industry in the movie business has improved boards were charging entertain- government, she said on ples Act (ROPA). department has put up the case province which threatened with a substantial increase in the ment duty on new movie houses Friday. 14 INDIA MONDAY 12 DECEMBER 2016 President vows to end child labour

New Delhi Campaign launched Tawakkol Karman and Leymah IANS Gbowee, former Australian Lauding the Prime Minister Julia Gillard and ith over 5.5 campaign, Mukherjee First Lady of Panama Lorena million chil- hoped it will have a Castillo. dren enslaved path-breaking "Despite the progress the across the impact on millions of world has made in science and globe, Nobel children across the technology, economic develop- Wlaureates and world leaders yes- ment and in other fields of globe. terday adopted a 'Will for human endeavour, there are Children' vowing to collectively still over a 100 million children endeavour for ending child Conceptualised by who are out of school and are labour in all its forms and cre- Nobel laureate denied a childhood and facing Children's right activist and Nobel Laureate, Kailash Satyarthi (centre) gestures towards children ate and a child-friendly world. Kailash Satyarthi, the exploitation in various ways," in New Delhi, yesterday. Joined by a host of Nobel campaign was Mukherjee said in his address. laureates and world leaders at flagged off by "Mankind must realise with- Rashtrapati Bhavan here, Pres- Mukherjee in the out any further delay that there "This global endeavour of people and educate them about is free and safe to learn and to ident Pranab Mukherjee can be no progress unless our mobilising 100 million youth and their rights and the rights of thou- have an equal chance in life," said presence of Tibetan yesterday launched "100 Million children are safe and secure, children is the beginning of sands of other children, similar Satyarthi. spiritual leader Dalai for 100 Million" campaign that unless they are provided free- change that was long overdue. It to them. The campaign also brought strives to change the future of Lama, Nobel laureates dom and the opportunity to is only appropriate that the cam- "The 5-year campaign strives curtains to the two-day 'Laure- millions of children Tawakkol Karman become the agents of change," paign begins from India which to inspire 100 million children to ates and Leaders for Children worldwide. and Leymah Gbowee. he said. Lauding the campaign, has the largest population of speak and act for the numerous Summit' that brought together Conceptualised by Nobel Mukherjee hoped it will have a youth in world," added other unfortunate children liv- the collective leadership of laureate Kailash Satyarthi, the path-breaking impact on mil- Mukherjee. ing in terrible conditions and will around 25 Nobel laureates and campaign was flagged off by Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai lions of children across the The campaign aims to bring motivate them to build a child- leaders for creating a child- Mukherjee in the presence of Lama, Nobel laureates globe. together 100 million young friendly world, where every child friendly world.

Modi vows to end NEWS BYTES 100 IEDs lawlessness in UP found in

Bahraich (UP) The Prime Minister was Jharkhand IANS scheduled to address the rally at 1.00pm, but he could finally MORE than 100 impro- address it only around 3.00pm vised explosive devices -or rime Minister Narendra through a mobile phone, which crude bombs planted by Modi yesterdaysaid the was placed near the micro- the Maoist guerrillas were PBJP will end the 'gunda- phone at the venue, as other detected and defused in raj' (lawlessness) in Uttar senior state BJP functionaries, Jharkhand's Latehar dis- Pradesh if it is voted to power including state party unit chief trict yesterday, the state in the state in the assembly elec- Keshav Prasad Maurya, stood police said. tions due early next year. in rapt attention on the dais. According to a police Addressing a 'Parivartan Modi accused the opposi- officer, the improvised Rally' (transformation rally) tion of stalling Parliament and explosive devices planted Onlookers gather near the wreckage of a crashed helicopter in an open field in the suburb here through mobile phone, not letting the government put in series were recovered of Goregaon in Mumbai yesterday. Modi said: "Today there is forth its viewpoint on from a jungle in Late- 'gundaraj' in the state. Every- demonetisation. har, around 140km from one is fed up of this lawlessness. "We are ready for a debate Ranchi. The bombs were Private helicopter crashes in Mumbai Even police is unable to stop the (on demonetisation) but we are recovered during a search 'gundas' (goons)." not being allowed to present our operation by security per- "If you have to take your views by those very parties that sonnel. The state police New Delhi tribal hamlets inside the Aarey While Ritesh is being treated state forward, you will have to have been rejected by the vot- said the bombs were IANS Milk Colony and some other set- for multiple head and chest inju- throw out those backing these ers," he said. planted to target security tlements rushed to help the ries, Brinda sustained around 35 'gundas'. And the Bharatiya However, Modi said that his personnel. Maoist guerril- private helicopter on a joy- victims even as fire tenders burns, and Shankar suffered Janata Party (BJP) will do that," fight against black money and las are active in 18 of the 24 ride crashed and erupted rushed to the spot. hand fractures, but is stable. Modi said, targeting the ruling graft would go on and all those districts in the state. Ainto a fireball, killing the People and police person- There was confusion over Samajwadi Party. The Prime hoarding unaccounted money pilot and injuring three others, nel extricated the victims from the timing of the crash with eye- Minister said he cannot under- would be caught in the coming at an isolated spot in Mumbai the burning chopper and rushed witnesses saying it took place stand the discomfort of the days. "My government is all for 470 died of suburb Goregaon yesterday. The them to the Seven Hills Hospi- around 11.45 am but the fire bri- ruling Samajwadi Party (SP) and the poor," he stressed. helicopter, a Robinson R44 tal in Andheri East. The 53-year gade got a call only around 12.15 the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) This was the fifth Parivar- shock over belonging to Aman Aviation Pvt old pilot Prafulkumar Mishra pm. The chopper was originally at the central government's fight tan Rally Modi addressed in Ltd, was on a sight-seeing flight who suffered extensive injuries owned by Pawan Hans Ltd, but against black money. Uttar Pradesh, where elections Jaya's demise over Mumbai when it suddenly and severe burns was declared later sold to Aman Aviation Pvt "They (SP and BSP) are sel- to the assembly are due early crashed inside the forested Aarey dead, and the co-pilot and two Ltd, which is one of the small dom on the same page on an next year. He has already Milk Colony and caught fire passengers including a woman airline companies offering aer- issue. But nowadays, they are addressed such rallies in Ghaz- RULING AIADMK yes- around 12.15pm, said the BMC are reported to be in critical ial tours of the Mumbai and speaking in one voice. I can't ipur, Agra, Kushinagar and terday said a total of 470 Disaster Control. condition, Deputy Commis- surroundings. understand the reason for their Moradabad. The Prime Minis- people have died of "shock" The cause of the crash, sioner of Police Kirankumar Officials said according to discomfort at the fight against ter's next rally is scheduled in following the demise of which hit an area called Jambli Chavan told media persons. preliminary information, a fire black money," he said. Kanpur for December 19. former Tamil Nadu chief Maidan in Filter Pada near the The others have been iden- was reportedly noticed when Modi addressed the rally Strict security arrangements minister and party general Royal Palms Club, is not known, tified as Ritesh Modi, 35, wife the chopper was flying, forcing through mobile phone from the were in place for the Prime Min- secretary J Jayalalithaa on and an enquiry has bene Brinda Ritesh Modi, 34, who the pilot to make an emergency state capital as his chopper ister, with the local police and December 5. The party, launched into the incident. were on an aerial joyride of landing in a flat open area at Fil- could not land here due to low security personnel forming which has been releas- According to witnesses, Mumbai, and a co-pilot Sanjeev ter Pada inside Aarey Milk visibility and returned to multiple layers of security ing in the past few days hundreds of people from nearby Shankar, 25. Colony. Lucknow. around the rally site here. the lists of people who have died of shock over the death Jayalalithaa, yes- terday released names of 190 people. Southeast coast on alert as cyclone 'Vardah' approaches In a statement that accompanied the list, the party condoled their Bhubaneswar Bengal about 520km east-south- subsequent 36 hours. Light to Andhra Pradesh Chief Min- severe cycle is around 450km deaths and announced IANS east of Nellore, 490km moderate rains are likely to occur ister N. Chandrababu Naidu, who east-north-east of Chennai and relief of Rs 3 lakh each east-southeast of Machilipatnam over north coastal Andhra. Strong has cancelled his visit to the UAE is likely to make landfall north to the families of the uthorities yesterday and 480km east-northeast of winds with speed of 40-50kmph and Kuwait, is monitoring the of Chennai in the afternoon or deceased. The party said sounded an alert in And- Chennai. are likely along the coast from situation from the command and evening of December 12. the total number of people Ahra Pradesh and adjoining "The storm is very likely to today. The speed may increase to control centre in Vijayawada. "In preparation for the relief who had died now stood Tamil Nadu as cyclonic storm move nearly west-southeast- 70-80kmph at the time of land- Naidu deputed four senior efforts of very severe cyclone at 470. The statement 'Vardah' over the Bay of Bengal wards and maintain its intensity fall. Damage to thatched huts, IAS officers to four districts to Vardah, the Eastern Naval Com- added that six people had has turned into a "very severe" till yesterday evening. Thereaf- power and communication lines, take necessary steps to minimise mand has assumed high degree attempted suicide thus one. The storm is likely to cross ter it will weaken gradually roads and crops is expected. the loss of lives and property. of readiness to render necessary far, including four peo- north Tamil Nadu and south while moving towards south As the sea will be rough, fish- Two teams of National Dis- assistance," said an Indian Navy ple whose details were Andhra Pradesh coast by today Andhra Pradesh coast and ermen have been advised not to aster Response Force have statement here. released yesterday. afternoon, said Indian Meteor- adjoining north Tamil Nadu venture into the sea for next 48 reached Nellore district. "All operational ships have The party had earlier ological Department yesterday. coast," the IMD said. hours. Authorities have hoisted Meanwhile, the Eastern been readied and kept on announced Rs 50,000 for According to IMD, 'Vardah' The Met office has forecast third warning signal at all ports Naval Command (ENC) is all standby to undertake humani- one person who allegedly over west central and adjoining light to moderate rains at many on Andhra coast. geared up to carry out relief tarian assistance and disaster attempted suicide and south Bay of Bengal moved fur- places with isolated heavy to very District administration in operations, as cyclone 'Vardah' relief (HADR) operations, includ- another who had cut off ther westwards and lay centred heavy falls over south Andhra Krishna, Guntur, Prakasam and is likely to make landfall near ing evacuation, should the his finger after hearing at 530 hours over west central coast and north coastal Tamil Nellore have been alerted to take Chennai today, the Indian Navy situation demand," the Indian about Jayalalithaa's death. and adjoining southwest Bay of Nadu from yesterday evening for all precautionary measures. said yesterday. Cyclone Vardah's Navy said. MONDAY 12 DECEMBER 2016 INDIA 15 GST Council meets in shadow of demonetisation

New Delhi regime. At the meeting then, the IANS Goods & Services Tax states continued to highlight the The meet expected to impact of the November 8 eadlock continued finalise three demonetisation of high-value between the Centre legislations —Central currency on their respective and the states yes- GST, Integrated GST economies to underline that it is terday at the 6th and the Compensation not the appropriate time to meeting here of the implement GST that, they aver, law. DGoods and Services Tax (GST) could have a destabilising effect Council on the vexed issue of on the economy. "cross empowerment", or dual Besides, the Centre contin- control of assessees. Mitra, Chairman of the ues to be intransigent on the The Council's two-day meet- Committee of State issue of jurisdiction over asses- ing commenced earlier in the day Finance Ministers and sees, the states maintain. Calling in the shadow of the November member of the GST demonetisation "a big magnum- 8 demonetisation, whose fallout Council, also said that sized tsunami", West Bengal has put a serious question mark the postponement of Finance Minister Amit Mitra ear- on implementing GST by the cen- the Goods and lier this week said India's gross tral government's targeted Services Tax regime domestic product (GDP) in the deadline of April 1, next year. could be an option to current fiscal (2016-17) will take The meet was also expected stabilise the economy a huge hit on its account. Finance Minister Arun Jaitley addressing media in New Delhi, yesterday. to finalise three legislations — badly hit due to "From an estimate that I Central GST, Integrated GST and demonetisation. have, the growth rate in aggre- the Compensation law — after gate will fall over 3 percent and case scenario... the best case sce- of the GST Council, also said that "Should we rethink of stabil- which these will be placed in arrive at 4.3 percent," he told a nario is loss of Rs 3 lakh crore," the postponement of the Goods ising the economy from this big Parliament. between the Centre and the TV news channel. Mitra added. and Services Tax regime could hit resulting from demonetisa- The Council's fifth meeting states on the vexed issue of dual "This means a loss of Rs 4.7 Mitra, who is Chairman of the be an option to stabilise the tion and then go for GST? Do we here earlier this month also control on assessees in the pro- lakh crore of GDP, this will be Empowered Committee of State economy badly hit due to take the risk of a second failed to break the deadlock posed pan-India indirect tax extinguished. This is in the worst Finance Ministers and member demonetisation. whammy at this stage," he asked.

Dense fog Terror a weapon used by NEWS BYTES strands many weak nations: Rajnath travellers Over Rs136m Jammu neighbours. seized from THOUSANDS of people were IANS "Pakistan has failed in four stranded as 90 trains were wars to divide India and now it Delhi law firm delayed and eight cancelled nion Home Minister was trying to divide India by due to dense fog in parts of Rajnath Singh said yes- using the religion card. Muslims DELHI Police said yes- north India yesterday, authori- Uterday that terrorism is are part of India as much as the etrday they had seized ties said. A Railway official said a weapon used by weak peo- followers of any other religion Rs136.5 million in cash, 28 trains were rescheduled as ple, as brave nations do not living here." including Rs26 million in the yesterday visibility dropped take recourse to terrorism to He further said: "There are new currency notes, from to 300 metres. settle scores with their 72 schools of thought in Islam a law firm here. There was dense fog in neighbours. and no other country except The Crime Branch on Delhi, with the minimum The Home Minister was India has Muslims followers of Saturday raided the firm temperature recorded at 12.4 addressing a gathering of fam- all the 72 schools of thought. in south Delhi. degrees Celsius, three notches ilies of martyrs in the border "Pakistan cannot divide Of the Rs 136.5 recov- above the season's average. district of Kathua in Jammu India on the basis of religion. ered, Rs70 million were in The maximum tempera- region of the state to pay hom- ISIS was not able to establish old Rs1,000 notes, Rs30 ture is likely to hover around age to the martyrs. itself in India and the credit for million in 100 rupee 22 degree Celsius. Saturday's In a direct reference to this goes entirely to Indian notes and Rs 26.1 mil- maximum temperature was Pakistan, Rajnath Singh said: Muslims." lion in Rs2,000 notes, 21.6 degrees Celsius, and the "Terrorism is a weapon used by He said India had been Joint Commissioner of minimum was 11.2 degrees the weak and coward people. divided in 1947 on the basis of Police (Crime Branch) A girl carrying a basket as she crosses a road on a foggy winter Celsius, two notches above Brave nations do not use ter- religion, but that will never ever Ravindra Yadav said. morning in Agartala, yesterday. the average. rorism to settle scores with its happen again. The rest of the money was in other denominations. A currency count- ing machine was also Celebratory firing leaves trail of deaths at Punjab weddings recovered. The Income Tax department has been informed, Yadav said. Chandigarh the music and dance went on, in too has been booked. Also booked a self-styled young godwoman In both Punjab and Haryana, IANS the din came a few shots from were the marriage venue owner and her gang of private securit- dozens of people have lost their firearms. One of these shots, and the father of the groom — ymen went on a celebratory lives in recent years to the mad- Two held for ASI ulwinder Kaur, 24, was allegedly fired by a drunk guest, both for allowing weapons to be firing spree at a wedding near ness of a few people, high on dancing with fellow hit Kaur on the head. She became brought to the function despite a Karnal town. Different weapons liquor and wielding guns, who and woman's Kwomen dancers on the the latest victim of wedding cel- ban imposed by law. But none of were used during this exercise. add tragedy to celebrations at murder stage at a wedding function in ebrations in Punjab and that is going to bring back Kaur The bullets flew all over and one wedding functions. While Pun- Maur Mandi town in Bathinda Haryana. or give solace to her distraught of them hit a woman guest, Var- jab already has a law under district of southwest Punjab on The same guest, now the husband and family. Kaur was sha Mehta, who died later. Two which carrying of firearms to DELHI Police yesterday the night of December 3. There main accused in the murder case three months pregnant when she other guests were injured in this marriage venues is banned, the claimed to have solved the was merry-making and drink- filed by the police, Lucky Goyal was killed. She was the bread- incident. The godwoman, Sad- Haryana government has also murder here of an Assist- ing, which is typical of Punjabi alias Billa, had, minutes before, winner for her family, which has hvi Deva Thakur, and her now imposed a ban on carrying ant Sub-Inspector (ASI) of weddings. Among the guests cel- sought to dance with Kaur but she limited means. accomplices were arrested after of weapons following recent the force and his woman ebrating, there were a few had refused. The weapon used by Just over a fortnight before being on the run. incidents of celebratory firing at friend with the arrest of openly brandishing weapons. As him belonged to his friend, who that, in neighbouring Haryana, These are not isolated cases. weddings. two persons. Accused Jeet Dahiya and Amar Singh were arrested from Rohini area on the charge of killing Sweet treats Kerala CM denied permission ASI Joginder Lakra, 45, and his friend Manisha, to attend function in Bhopal police said. Lakra and Manisha were found murdered New Delhi Bhopal by a group of RSS and early yesterday at a prop- IANS Bajrang Dal activists. erty dealer's office that the The Madhya Pradesh Police deceased police official erala Chief Minister told Vijayan to return before he used to run at Deep Nagar Pinarayi Vijayan yester- could even reach the venue of in north Delhi, police said. Kday blamed "RSS a meeting organised by a few "During interrogation, culture" for the protests which Kerala-based organisations. Jeet said he had dealings prevented him from attending "This has never ever hap- with Joginder over dance a function in Bhopal. pened in Kerala. Recently when and illegal betting activ- Arriving from Madhya Union Home Minister Rajnath ities. A monetary dispute Pradesh, Vijayan said the Rash- Singh visited Kannur, a place between the two devel- triya Swayamsewak Sangh, the often referred by all as a party oped into enmity," Deputy ideological parent of the BJP, village (CPI-M bastion), there Commissioner of Police was behind the protests on was no issue at all. M N Tiwari said. Saturday. "You should not forget that Jeet allegedly hatched "Generally when a Chief his visit came at a time when a plan with Amar Singh Minister visits another state, there was high tension in Kan- and others to eliminate there are protocols. But since nur. This is the difference in the Joginder. They reached the RSS was behind the pro- mindset and culture." the property dealer's tests, the police remained silent. After hearing about the epi- office late on Saturday It reflects the culture of RSS," sode, Madhya Pradesh Chief night and fired multiple A Kashmiri vendor selling traditional snacks to devotees at Kashmir's shrine Hazratbal, he said. Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan rounds at Joginder and on the eve of the festival of Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi, in Srinagar, yesterday. Vijayan was prevented telephoned Vijayan and the woman, Tiwari said. from attending a function in expressed regrets. 16 EUROPE MONDAY 12 DECEMBER 2016

Dylan muses Macedonia votes hoping to end crisis on honour Skopje and surprise AFP Snap election The vote was called of Nobel prize acedonians voted as part of a European yesterday in an Union-brokered deal early general elec- Stockholm between tion in a bid to end Reuters Macedonia’s four a deep political cri- Msis that has roiled the small Balkan main political parties NOBEL laureate Bob Dylan country for nearly two years. after a mass sent a message thanking The vote was called as part surveillance scandal Swedish academy for award- of a European Union-brokered erupted in February ing him the Nobel prize for deal between Macedonia’s four 2015 and sparked literature, an honour the Amer- main political parties after a rival street protests. ican singer and songwriter mass surveillance scandal believed was about as likely as erupted in February 2015 and “standing on the moon.” sparked rival street protests. the last parliamentary elections “I’m sorry I can’t be with On a sunny day in Skopje, the held two years ago. you in person, but please elderly were among the first to The scandal led Nikola know that I am most defi- cast their ballots along with Gruevski of the nationalist nitely with you in spirit and young couples with children at VMRO-DPMNE party to step honoured to be receiving such a polling station in the city down, after nearly 10 years in a prestigious prize,” Dylan centre. power, to pave the way for a said in a speech read by Azita “I expect this agony to end,” snap election. The leader of the opposition Social Democratic Union of Macedonia Zoran Zaev casts his vote Raji, the US ambassador to after the elections, 55-year old Yesterday’s vote, which was with his wife Zorica at a polling station in Strumica, Macedonia , yesterday. Sweden, at the Nobel ban- Zoran Milevski said, referring to twice delayed owing to opposi- quet. He also expressed his the political crisis. tion and international concerns thousands of people, including “Zoran Zaev underestimates Zaev has pitched the vote as huge surprise at receiving the “Whoever wins I hope will of fraud, pitches the ex-PM journalists and religious officials, the citizens of Macedonia... He a choice between “doom or life” award. bring back stability,” he said. against his nemesis, Social Dem- as well as corruption at the high- underestimates everyone with and pledged to stop an exodus “If someone had ever told Electoral officials said turn- ocrat Zoran Zaev. est level. his games,” the defiant former of young people from the former me that I had the slightest out was 9.59 percent three hours It was Zaev who released Gruevski denied the claims premier told a flag-waving Yugoslav republic, which chance of winning the Nobel after polling stations opened at tapes last year that appeared to and accused Zaev of planning a crowd of supporters in a Skopje remains one of Europe’s poor- Prize, I would have to think 0600 GMT, similar to the one in show the government wiretapping coup with foreign support. suburb. est countries. that I’d have about the same odds as standing on the moon,” he said. The media-shy Dylan Dear colleague! finally accepted the 8m World’s longest tunnel Swedish crown ($870,000) prize for literature, after frus- trating the award-giving opens regular service academy with weeks of silence following the announcement of the award Geneva ($11.8bn, €11.2bn). on October 13. But he chose AFP The Swiss news agency ATS not to attend the festivities. reported that first regular pas- In his place singer Patti egular rail service senger train to use GBT pulled Smith performed Dylan’s A through the world’s long- out of Zurich and arrived in Hard Rain’s A-Gonna Fall at Rest tunnel began Lugano, with the tunnel pas- the award ceremony earlier yesterday, carrying passengers sage shaving a full 30 minutes in the day. deep under the Swiss Alps from off previous travel time. “It’s A nervous Smith forgot Zurich to Lugano. Christmas,” SBB chief Andreas the lyrics and had to start over The famed Gotthard Base Meyer was quoted as saying by but still received emphatic Tunnel (GBT) had a ceremonial ATS after the journey was over. applause at the end. opening in June, attracting The ambitious GBT project While Dylan was absent, European leaders like German has won praise across Europe all other laureates, which Chancellor Angela Merkel and for its pioneering efforts to include Japan’s Yoshinori French President Francois Hol- improve connectivity from Rot- Ohsumi for medicine and lande for its maiden ride. terdam to the Adriatic. Britain’s Duncan Haldane for The Swiss national rail The Swiss funded tunnel physics, accepted a medal service (SBB) had announced was largely made possible by and a diploma from the hand the start of normal commercial technical advances in tunnel- of the Swedish King Carl XVI Dogs play before a sled and skijoring race in the village of Kadnikovo outside Yekaterinburg, traffic through the 57-km GBT, boring machines, which Gustaf before attending the Russia, yesterday. which took 17 years to build, at replaced the costly and danger- banquet at Stockholm’s City a cost of over 12bn Swiss francs ous blast-and-drill method. Hall for about 1,300 people. Suspects in ill Lawyers seek to launch fresh Brexit challenge in Irish courts child charity Dublin leave in a referendum last June. European Council President That challenge is now in than 24 hours after the appeal Reuters The lawyers hope the court Donald Tusk has said that Brit- front of Britain’s Supreme Court. was launched. scam spent in Dublin will ask the European ain might ultimately decide not The case proposed for the The group hopes to launch group of British and Irish Court of Justice, the EU’s highest to leave the EU and that if it Dublin courts is being brought proceedings in the Irish courts €600,000 lawyers are seeking to court, to determine whether unilaterally withdrew its in Ireland because the lawyers by the end of the year and if suc- Achallenge Britain’s deci- Article 50 can be revoked and request to leave before the two say the Irish Government col- cessful, move to the European Barcelona sion to leave the European Union also if leaving the EU means that years were up, then it could luded in a breach of the EU Court of Justice within months, AP in Irish High Court to try to Britain automatically leaves the stay in the Union. Treaties by wrongly excluding Jolyon Maugham, the British establish if Brexit can be European Economic Area (EEA). However in the final judge- Britain from some EU Council lawyer behind the campaign, A SPANISH couple arrested reversed once divorce talks have The EEA is the trading club ment of a ruling last month that meetings after the referendum. told Irish national broadcaster for allegedly exploiting rare been triggered. comprising the 28 EU states plus Article 50 cannot be triggered That claim can only be made RTE. illness of their daughter in a British Prime Minister Norway, Iceland and Liechten- without parliament’s assent, in the courts of Ireland, they Pro-Brexit critics have cast charity scam spent almost Theresa May has said she wants stein, three non-EU nations who Britain’s High Court said that wrote on a crowdfunding web- the legal battles as an attempt by €600,000 ($633,000) of to invoke Article 50 of EU’s Lis- can access the bloc’s single mar- once notice of leaving was given site seeking to raise 70,000 a pro-EU establishment to donations on a ritzy lifestyle. bon Treaty by end of March, ket in return for applying its rules then it will “inevitably result in pounds ($88,000)to initiate the thwart the result of June’s refer- Court documents issued kicking off up to two years of exit and accepting the free move- the complete withdrawal of the proceedings. Over 30,000 endum, when Britons voted by by investigating judge said negotiations following the vote to ment of EU citizens. United Kingdom”. pounds had been raised less 52-48 percent to leave the EU. that Fernando Blanco and Magarita Garau spent nearly two-thirds of over €900,000 ($950,000) they received in charitable donations on per- Macron bills himself workers’ sonal expenses, including their rent, a car, travel and a collection of luxury watches. champion at huge rally The couple raised that money since 2009, when they established a charity in name Paris Macron has refused pleas - he declared to cheers. of their now 11-year-old Reuters most recently by former prime The large turnout on a cold daughter, Nadia Nerea, who minister Manuel Valls who is evening eclipsed last weekend’s they said suffered from rare rance’s popular former seeking Socialist party ticket - to modest gathering by the Social- disease trichothiodystrophy. economy minister, join in Left’s attempts to decide ists when party grandees The judge in the court in FEmmanuel Macron, styling on a single candidate for next struggled to re-energise the Catalan town of Seu D’Urgell, himself the workers’ champion, spring’s election. He signalled he Left’s faithful at a convention where the couple who were drew 15,000 supporters to a rally would not change his mind. that drew only 2,500 arrested lived, said police in Paris which reinforced his Macron pledged to cut taxes supporters. investigations indicated image as dark horse in the race on workers and employers, while Polls show there is little either they had misrepre- for the Elysee. raising taxes on income from chance of any left-wing candi- sented the seriousness of their Macron, once a protege of investments and wealthy date reaching the election French presidential candidate Emmanuel Macron addresses daughter’s illness or had President Francois Hollande, pensioners. run-off next May and, barring an a rally at the Porte de Versailles in Paris. invented it altogether. staged what his supporters called “I ask them, in all transpar- upset, the stage seems set for a The judge ordered the girl a “tour de force” at the rally, ency, for this little effort of a head-to-head between conserv- to be removed from her par- brushing off criticism by his erst- few euros per month because ative Francois Fillon and prime minister who has pledged anti-immigrant and anti-euro Le ents’ custody and placed in while Socialist allies for running the country’s workers need it far-right leader Marine Le Pen. to cut deep into the public sec- Pen, taking two thirds of the vote care of an aunt. as an independent in 2017 polls. ... I am the workers’ candidate,” Fillon, a centre-right former tor, would easily beat the if the polls are correct. MONDAY 12 DECEMBER 2016 EUROPE 17 Gentiloni named Italy’s new prime minister

Rome Suspense ends forming a government based on a robot,” he wrote. voted in under a proportional AFP outgoing majority,” Gentiloni said. “Only those who try to representation system. Paolo Gentiloni, who The populist Five Star Move- change things can help a coun- Most observers agree that served as foreign ment, which has led calls for try as beautiful and difficult as this is a recipe for chaos. aolo Gentiloni (pic- minister under Renzi, immediate elections, said it Italy.” The situation could be sim- tured) was yesterday was asked by would boycott Wednesday’s vote Five Star, Italy’s biggest plified at the end of January, named as Italy’s new President Sergio because the new government opposition party, and the far- when the constitutional court is prime minister follow- Mattarella to form a would have no legitimacy. right Northern League are due to rule on the legitimacy of ing Matteo Renzi’s new centre-left “This government is not even demanding a vote as early as the new winner-take-all system Presignation in the wake of a worthy of a vote against it,” said possible. But Mattarella, who for the Chamber of Deputies. government. crushing referendum defeat. Giulia Grillo, head of the Five Star enjoys extensive executive pow- Gentiloni had taken over as Gentiloni, who served as for- group in the Senate. ers during government crises, foreign minister in October 2014, eign minister under Renzi, was The President turned Gentiloni, 62, is very close to has ruled that the current elec- replacing Federica Mogherini asked by President Sergio Matta- to Gentiloni after Renzi and will be seen by oppo- toral laws must be revised first. who is currently serving as EU rella to form a new centre-left government” to address a series opposition parties sition as a puppet premier Theoretically that could hap- foreign policy chief. government that will guide Italy of pressing international, eco- keeping the seat warm for pen quickly but the process of He is a longstanding friend rebuffed overtures to elections due by February 2018. nomic and social issues. former boss, who is planning a harmonising the rules govern- and soulmate of Renzi’s and cyn- about a possible A close ally of outgoing pre- Chief among those is a loom- comeback at next elections, ing elections to the two houses ics will say that the silver-haired, mier, Gentiloni now has to put ing crisis in troubled banking national unity whenever they are. of parliament, the Chamber of grey-suited politican’s primary together his own government sector and ongoing relief efforts government. In a statement on his Face- Deputies and the Senate, could qualification for the job is that team ahead of a parliamentary after a series of earthquakes book page, Renzi, 41, admitted it also drag on for months. he poses no threat to the former approval vote expected on between August and October. had been a wrench to leave office As things stand, the lower premier’s comeback plans. Wednesday. Mattarella turned to Gentiloni rejected opposition demands for and vowed to pursue his reform house would be elected by a sys- Gentiloni’s first tricky task as In a brief statement, Gen- after opposition parties rebuffed an immediate election. agenda. “It was painful to pack tem under which the largest prime minister is likely to be tiloni said there was an “urgent overtures about a possible national “Not by choice but out of a the cartons yesterday evening, party is guaranteed a majority of overseeing a rescue of troubled need for a fully functioning unity government. The President sense of responsibility I will be I’m not ashamed to say: I’m not seats while the Senate would be bank Monte dei Paschi di Siena. Romanian left seeks comeback a year after deadly fire Bucharest the Save Romania Union (USR, the dock as prime minister—for AFP newly created by a mathemati- alleged tax evasion and money cian-turned-activist, are seen laundering, charges he denies. omanians voted yesterday garnering a combined 35-40 The inferno inside the Colec- in parliamentary elections percent. tiv club was blamed on bent Rthat are forecast to see the The European Union’s sec- officials turning a blind eye to a corruption-tainted left stage a ond-poorest country has been lack of fire precautions. Poor remarkable comeback, a year run for the past year by a care- medical care exacerbated the after a deadly club fire forced taker government under death toll. For many Romanians them from office. technocrat Prime Minister it was the final straw, and the Mass protests after the fire on Dacian Ciolos. tragedy prompted a push to clean October 30, 2015 that claimed The PNL and the USR have Romania up. 64 lives—and which was blamed said they would support Ciolos The National Anti-Corrup- on corruption—forced premier staying on. He is happy to do so tion Directorate (DNA) has been Victor Ponta and his Social Dem- but wants to remain an inde- highly active and visible, bring- ocrats (PSD) to resign. pendent, vowing continued ing ministers, senators, But now, 13 months later, the budgetary discipline. But the PSD lawmakers and other public offi- PSD is expected to be in pole wants to install instead party head cials to justice. position to return to power, with Liviu Dragnea, 54, as premier. A recent survey suggested that Romania's Prime Minister Dacian Ciolos (right) casts his ballot during a parliamentary election pre-election opinion polls sug- However, Dragnea is serving 95 percent of Romanians want in Zalau, Salaj county, yesterday. gesting it will come first with a suspended sentence for elec- tackling corruption to be a prior- around 40 percent of the vote. toral fraud, which legally bars ity for the next government But It remains to be seen if it can him from office, while President there are worries this will not hap- coalition come to power, it will try southeastern European nation be as low as 40 percent. form a majority government, Klaus Iohannis, 57, has refused pen if the PSD returns to power. to slow down this campaign.” of 20 million people. Both sides, while trading however. Much will depend on to appoint anyone with legal The clean-up has “dispropor- But the PSD is still forecast However, 27 years after the insults and generally avoiding which of the smaller parties problems as premier. tionately hit Romanian left,” said to become the largest party in summary execution of dictator serious political discussion dur- make it into parliament. This would also exclude a Tsveta Petrova from risk consul- the elections, thanks to solid Nicolae Ceausescu and the end ing the campaign, have pledged The rival centre-right comeback by Ponta, 44, currently tancy Eurasia Group. support among older Romani- of Communism, voter apathy spectacular hikes in wages and National Liberal Party (PNL) and on trial—in fact he was already in “As a result, should a left-led ans and in rural areas of the is rife, with turnout forecast to pensions as well as tax cuts.

Bulgaria seeks offers to update Italy & Greece face off easterners in EU migration feud Soviet-built jets Brussels how countries far from the main that member states overcome people, more than four times Italy has criticised eastern- Reuters migration routes should help their differences and agree on the figure for last year. ers and threatened to block any frontline peers like Greece, Italy common rules on handing asy- Germany, Sweden and Aus- further work on EU budgets, Sofia astern European Union and Malta. lum-seekers to be prepared for tria, the wealthiest countries and which normally provide billions AFP states remain at logger- “It is very important that any future spike in arrivals. destinations of choice, also want of euros of development funds Eheads with Greece and there is a common agreement, Nearly all of the 350,000 some sort of permanent reloca- to Poland and its neighbours to BULGARIA is seeking offers Italy over sharing burden of car- which is what we still don’t have migrants and refugees to reach tion scheme to share people out allow them to catch up with their from the US and three Euro- ing for asylum-seekers reaching now,” said Slovak interior min- Europe’s shores this year have more evenly. western peers. pean countries to update its EU frontiers, officials said. ister Robert Kalinak. “We need arrived in Greece and Italy, with But Poland and Hungary The Council of Europe, a ailing fleet of Soviet-built Largely uncontrolled arrival to work more with our col- Italy becoming the main gate- refuse to take in asylum-seek- rights organisation, and aid fighter jets, country’s defence of some 1.4 million people from leagues from Poland and way to Europe this year. ers, saying admitting Muslims group International Rescue ministry said. the Middle East and Africa in the Hungary, and also Greece and The EU border agency would distort the makeup of Committee, criticised a separate As a Nato member since past two years, many fleeing Syr- Italy on the other side.” Frontex said that November their societies. They resist Brus- Brussels proposal to resume 2004, Bulgaria is obliged to ia’s civil war, has triggered bitter EU migration chief Dimitris arrivals across the Mediterra- sels’ efforts to impose returning some asylum-seekers keep at least one fighting fit EU infighting. Dispute centres on Avramopoulos said it was vital nean to Italy stood at 13,740 relocation quotas. to Greece. squadron of jets ready for action, but it currently has only nine working aircraft. Sofia has asked three Selfie fever Nato allies and Sweden to Dutch govt in bid to resolve submit tenders for new or used fighter jets to revamp its fleet of MIG-29 aircraft which row on EU-Ukraine pact: Rutte date from Soviet times. “The request for proposal has been sent to... Italy, Por- The Hague the EU-Ukraine agreement,” one of the 28-member bloc yet tugal, the United States and AFP Rutte told journalists. to ratify the accord, which aims Sweden,” the ministry said. “It’s a complex process and to boost political dialogue with It provided no further he Dutch government is we haven’t found a solution yet.” Kiev as well as economic and details about the tender, scrambling to negotiate a Rutte has been walking a trade cooperation. which envisages ordering of Tbinding compromise over political tightrope since an April The status of the accord—par- a minimum of eight fighter an EU-Ukraine pact ahead of a referendum organised by Dutch ticularly relating to Dutch jets. European summit next week, eurosceptic groups in which— issue—will top the agenda at Most of Bulgaria’s fleet of Prime Minister Mark Rutte said. despite a low turnout —60 Thursday’s talks in Brussels, with MiG-29s have been in con- But the premier warned that percent of those who voted other subjects such as migration stant need of repairs in recent his government may have to rejected the EU’s cooperation and continent’s security. years. submit a law withdrawing his accord with Kiev. The Dutch premier, who is The ministry has previ- country’s support for the treaty Rutte said he wants “legally under fire at home for not heed- ously said it was looking into to back closer ties between binding guarantees” at EU sum- ing the outcome of the buying second-hand F-16s French President Francois Hollande (right) takes a selfie Brussels and Kiev if no solution mit to ensure the pact “will not consultative referendum, from the US or Portugal, used with a supporter as he visits Lascaux 4, a new complete to the standoff is found. create a defence guarantee” for warned that The Netherlands Eurofighter Tycoon fighters replica of the original prehistoric painted caves, in “We are working full-steam Ukraine or be a step towards EU may pull the plug on the pact from Italy or new Gripen jets Lascaux, France. behind the scenes to find a bind- membership. should an agreement not be from Sweden. ing solution to the ‘no’ vote for The Netherlands is the only reached at the summit. 18 AMERICAS MONDAY 12 DECEMBER 2016 John Kennedy wins Louisiana Senate race

Baton Rouge, Louisiana Kennedy. The national GOP pro- AP GOP sweeps vided resources and staff to Voters also filled two assist Kennedy’s campaign, ouisiana voters chose open US House seats, while national Democratic to send Republican organisations largely abandoned choosing Republican state Treasurer John Campbell, assuming an easy Clay Higgins in the Kennedy to the US Republican win. Senate, filling the 3rd District Though Campbell’s chance Lnation’s last Senate seat and giv- representing appeared slim, donations had ing the GOP a 52-48 edge in the southwest and south poured in from around the chamber when the new term central Louisiana and country, and several Hollywood begins in January. Republican state celebrities championed his can- Kennedy was always the Representative Mike didacy aiming to bolster runoff election’s front-runner Johnson in the 4th resistance to Trump presidency. in a state that overwhelmingly District covering Campbell said the support he supported Donald Trump. He northwest Louisiana. received across the country was defeated Democrat Foster “phenomenal.” Campbell, a state utility regula- “We worked as hard as pos- tor whose chances were seen as Wayne,” in the 3rd District rep- sible. We left no stone Senate Republican candidate John Kennedy delivers a victory speech in Baton Rouge yesterday. such a long-shot that national resenting southwest and south unturned,” Campbell said in his Democratic organisations central Louisiana and Republi- concession speech. “I make no offered little assistance to can state Representative Mike excuses. We did everything Edwards, a Democrat and ardent repeatedly drew headlines for his increase the minimum wage and Campbell’s campaign. Johnson in the 4th District cov- humanly possible.” Campbell supporter, congratu- financial clashes with Louisiana’s talked openly about man-made As he celebrated the victory, ering northwest Louisiana. The co-chair of the Repub- lated Kennedy and pledged to governors. climate change. He pledged that Kennedy said he represented Louisiana has an open pri- lican National Committee, work with him to “deliver great He sprinkled speeches with in Washington he wouldn’t “be change in Washington. mary system in which all Sharon Day, described things for people of Louisiana.” examples of government- in anybody’s shirt pocket.” “I believe that our future can candidates run against each Kennedy’s win as capping “a The Senate seat was open financed contracts he considered He also ran as a Louisiana be better than our present, but other. In the contests for the year of historic Republican wins because Republican David Vitter outrageous, like money “to study Democrat — strongly opposed to not if we keep going in the open congressional seats, the up and down the ballot. decided against running for a the effects of Swedish massage abortion and supportive of gun direction the Washington insid- November primary ballots were “With 52 seats in the US Sen- third term after losing the gover- on bunny rabbits.” In the runoff, rights. ers have taken us the last eight packed with contenders, so the ate, we are excited for nor’s race last year. Both men he ran a safe, TV-focused effort Kennedy hit Campbell for years,” he said. “That’s about to top two vote-getters advanced Republicans to confirm a con- vying for the seat are well-known highlighting his support for supporting Clinton. Campbell change, folks.” to yesterday's runoff. servative Supreme Court justice figures, involved in Louisiana pol- Trump and his opposition to the called Kennedy a flip-flopper Voters also filled two open The Senate runoff drew and begin working with Presi- itics for decades. federal health overhaul. during prior Senate bids, because US House seats yesterday, national attention, with Presi- dent-elect Trump to pass an Kennedy, an Oxford-edu- Campbell, a cattle farmer and the treasurer ran in 2004 as a lib- choosing Republican Clay Hig- dent-elect Trump and Vice agenda of change for the Ameri- cated lawyer from south former state senator from north eral Democrat and the most gins, a former sheriff’s captain President-elect Mike Pence each can people,” Day said. Louisiana, is in his fifth term as Louisiana, is a populist who railed recent two times as a conserva- known as the “Cajun John traveling to Louisiana to rally for Louisiana Governor John Bel treasurer, a role in which he against “Big Oil,” wanted to tive Republican. Temer cited 44 times Lethal injection row revived after long execution

Washington minutes, during which Smith “Early in the execution, prisoner to sleep, second causes in graft testimony AFP was apparently struggling for Smith, with eyes closed, did paralysis and third stops the heart. breath, according to Kent Faulk, cough but at no time was there Alabama uses sedative Rio De Janeiro told prosecutors that in 2014 his death row inmate in Ala- a journalist from al.com, one of observational evidence that he midazolam for first phase. Crit- AP colleagues at Odebrecht agreed bama coughed and the media witnesses. suffered,” said Horton. ics say the drug doesn’t induce to illegally contribute some $3m A gasped for 13 minutes “There will be an autopsy The US states where the a deep state of unconsciousness former executive at a to finance Temer’s party’s elec- during his execution, witnesses that will be done on Mr Smith” death penalty is still practiced before the other drugs are given. mega-construction com- tion campaign. say—an incident that has revived to find out if there were any are facing a shortage in the sub- Smith’s last words, when Apany cited Brazilian At the time, Temer was both concerns about effectiveness of “irregularities” in the procedure, stances used in lethal injections, asked if he had anything to say, President Michel Temer 44 Brazil’s vice president and lethal injection as a means of said Alabama’s prison commis- in part because some pharma- were “No, Ma’am,” officials said. times during testimony to fed- chairman of centrist Brazilian capital punishment. sioner Jefferson Dunn. ceutical companies refuse to But his lips continued to eral prosecutors in a corruption Democratic Movement Party, Ronald Smith, 45, was put to Prisons spokesman Bob Hor- provide the drugs. To get around move before and after the drugs probe, making accusations of known as the PMDB. death for the 1994 murder of a ton told reporters the department the shortage, some states such as were given to him, and he illegal campaign financing that Melo Filho said he took part convenience store clerk. of corrections followed execution Alabama have adopted a three- clenched his fist after the first put his embattled administra- in a dinner with Temer at the The execution took 34 protocol as stipulated by law. drug method: the first puts injection, Faulk said. tion at an even bigger risk of vice presidential residence ending within months. where the agreement was The 82-pages of testimony reached. by former Odebrecht director “Michel Temer requested, Claudio Melo Filho was directly and personally to Unique drone First gorilla obtained by a section of press Marcelo (Odebrecht) financial yesterday. If his allegations that support for PMDB campaigns in born in zoo Temer illegally financed his 2014,” Melo Filho told prosecu- campaign are confirmed by tors, referring to former CEO of returns after Brazil’ top electoral court next the construction company. year, the president will be Temer issued a statement removed and Congress will pick dismissing the allegations, call- surgery a successor. ing them “false accusations.” Melo Filho, one of the many The plea-bargain testimony Washington executives who signed plea-bar- needs to be validated by Bra- Reuters gain deals in the corruption zil’s top court to count as investigation at state-run oil giant evidence in the electoral court THE first gorilla born in cap- Petrobras, made accusations investigation, but adversaries tivity has returned to her against Temer, senior Cabinet of Temer are already calling for enclosure at the Columbus members and close aides and his impeachment. Zoo and Aquarium in Ohio allies of the president. Filho said most of the $3m after recovering from suc- About 100 business execu- was used to finance Temer’s cessful surgery last week to tives and politicians have already candidate in 2014 Sao Paulo remove a malignant tumor, been arrested or are under inves- state gubernatorial race, Paulo the zoo said. tigation in Brazil for allegedly Skaf. The rest of the money, “She got presents and was overcharging contracts with according to Filho’s allegations, very active and engaged. Petrobras and other state-run was channeled to the man who She’s on view and she looks companies to pay for bribes and is now Temer’s chief-of-staff, great,” Patty Peters, the zoo’s election campaigns. Eliseu Padilha. The executive People view the Hover Star H1 machine made by the Chinese Shenzhen Hoverstar Flight spokeswoman, said In the most damaging of also suggested that part of Technology firm, that they claim can fly at an altitude of 6-15 feet and travel up to 5 miles yesterday. Melo Filho’s accusations against money was paid in cash to Jose during the International Drone Expo in Los Angeles, California, yesterday. Veterinarians at the zoo Temer, the former executive Yunes, another aide of Temer. removed the mass from under the arm of Colo, a 59-year-old female gorilla, on December 3, the zoo said in a statement. Days later, a NYPD seeks cure for gun violence with data-driven cases pathology report confirmed that the tumor was malignant. There was no sign that the New York after the worst offenders. Through December 4, the city Still, it’s not clear whether Through end of November, tumor had spread and no AP “It’s no longer good enough had recorded 942 shooting inci- the crime reductions in New it had recorded more than 700 additional treatment on Colo to just make an arrest,” said Dep- dents, putting the city on course York are due to refined police killings. Chicago is on pace to was planned, officials said in ven as homicide rates have uty Commissioner Durmot Shea, to have even fewer than the 1,103 tactics or other factors, like a have nearly 300 more homicides the statement. climbed in other American a top New York Police Depart- in 2013 — the lowest number since continuing influx of wealth into this year than last year. Colo, a western lowland Ecities, New York City is ment crime-fighting strategist. police department began count- the city. Alex Vitale, a sociologist at gorilla born on December 22, again on pace to have a near- The department is also trying to ing shootings in 1993. Chicago, which has roughly Brooklyn College, said targeted 1956, is the matriarch of the record low number of shootings, focus harder, he said, on the kind A majority of people who a third of the population of New policing may make more sense Columbus Zoo’s popular and police are partly crediting of arrests that make a difference have been shot survived. As of York, has adopted a similar phi- in New York because, compared gorilla family, according to refined tactics that include col- by targeting a relatively small December 4, the city had losophy of quality-over-quantity to Chicago, gun violence is con- the zoo’s website. Her name lecting more data and forensic number of people responsible for recorded 313 killings, close to the gun arrests, yet number of shoot- centrated in smaller pockets of is short for her birthplace: evidence than ever before to go making neighbourhoods unsafe. 333 set in 2014. ings and homicides has soared. poverty. Columbus. MONDAY 12 DECEMBER 2016 AMERICAS 19

Trump may pick Trump denies ExxonMobil CEO as secretary of state

Russia 'help' Baltimore Reuters

US President-elect Donald Trump is expected to name the chief in elections executive of ExxonMobil Corp as the country’s top diplomat, a Washington source familiar with the situation Reuters Foul play seen said, an appointment that would put in place an official with close The President-elect S President-elect ties to the Russian government. blamed Democrats Donald Trump The choice of Tillerson fur- rejected as “ridic- for putting out the ther stocks Trump’s Cabinet and ulous” reported US media reports and inner circle with people who intelligence find- said he did not favour a soft line toward Uings that Russia intervened in believe they came Moscow. the presidential election on his from the Central Tillerson, 64, has driven Exx- behalf through targeted hack- Intelligence Agency. on’s expansion in Russia for ing, saying he did not believe it, decades and opposed US sanc- according to an interview on tions imposed on Russia for its “Fox News Sunday.” Two leading seizure of Crimea. Russian Pres- The Republican President- Republican voices on ident Vladimir Putin awarded elect’s comments casting doubt foreign policy in the Tillerson Russia’s Order of on reported US intelligence US Senate, John President-elect Donald Trump waves to the crowd from an enclosure during the first quarter Friendship, one of the country’s findings pits him against some McCain and Lindsey of the 117 annual Army Navy game at M&T Bank Stadium in Maryland, Baltimore, yesterday. highest civilian honors. leading foreign policy voices in Graham expressed Tillerson emerged as Trump’s the US Senate from his own concern over leading candidate for US secre- party who yesterday expressed possible Russian European and US elections. Two leading Republican interference in our election tary of state over 2012 Republican alarm about election meddling interference in a US A senior US intelligence offi- voices on foreign policy in the US should alarm every American.” presidential nominee Mitt Rom- by Moscow. presidential election. cial told reporters that Senate, John McCain and Lindsey “This cannot become a par- ney and three other people. “I think it’s ridiculous. I intelligence agencies have con- Graham, joined two Democratic tisan issue. The stakes are too Tillerson met with Trump for think it’s just another excuse. I cluded with “high confidence” senators yesterday in expressing high for our country,” the sena- more than two hours at Trump don’t believe it,” Trump said in that not only did their Russian concern over possible Russian tors said in a statement. Tower yesterday. It was their sec- the interview. intelligence agencies he will counterparts direct the hacking interference in a US presidential Reince Priebus, the Republi- ond meeting about the position He blamed Democrats for command and feed criticism of Democratic Party organisa- election. can Party leader Trump picked this week. The source, who spoke putting out the media reports that his administration will be tions and leaders, but they did so “For years, foreign adversar- to be his chief of staff in the White on condition of anonymity, said and said he did not believe they soft on Russia. to undermine Democratic candi- ies have directed cyber attacks at House, attacked the news reports Tillerson was the expected pick came from the Central Intelli- US intelligence agencies date Hillary Clinton. America’s physical, economic, for relying on unidentified but cautioned no formal offer had gence Agency. have told Congress and the The Republican president- and military infrastructure, while sources and denied a New York yet been made. A senior official Trump’s dismissal was per- administration of President elect questioned whether the stealing our intellectual property. Times report that the Republican on the Trump transition team said haps aimed at squashing doubts Barack Obama that Russia has Central Intelligence Agency was Now our democratic institutions National Committee was hacked. the President-elect was close to about whether he won the grown increasingly aggressive behind the reports that indicated have been targeted,” the senators, He was speaking on NBC’s “Meet picking Tillerson. November 8 election fairly. in Syria and Ukraine and has Moscow wanted him in the White including Democrats Chuck the Press.” Trump spokesman Jason However, his comments could stepped up activities in House. “I think the Democrats are Schumer and Jack Reed, said in Russian officials have denied Miller said no announcement on also portend conflicts between cyberspace including med- putting it out,” he said in the a statement. all accusations of interference in the high-profile job was forth- the new president and the dling, sometimes covertly, in interview. “Recent reports of Russian the US election. coming in the immediate future.

Mexican drug For the grand day Overfished halibut cartel leader’s son arrested under scrutiny Brunswick, Maine steaks. Exactly what form reg- Mexico City AP ulation changes could take isn’t AP yet know. ederal fishing regulators “We’ve identified that this MEXICAN police arrested son say they are looking to is an issue, and this will be a of a drug cartel leader who Fchange the way they man- priority for 2017,” Janice Plante, was extradited to the US, age Atlantic halibut in the wake a spokeswoman for the coun- authorities said yesterday. of a surge in catch of the fish. cil, said. Federal security forces The government lists Atlan- The council has also asked said the man was arrested in tic halibut as “overfished” and that Maine’s state fishing man- western state of Jalisco along conservationists want to pro- agers adjust the way they with four others on suspicion tect it. But many fishermen say oversee halibut. Part of the of drug trafficking, kidnap- the catch is up because the issue is that if fishermen exceed ping and murder. stock has been rebuilt over their quota for the fish, it can His full name is not given, recent years. trigger restrictions on fishing but a police official confirmed East Coast fishermen that impact fishermen who yesterday it was Alfredo Bel- caught more than 215,000 operate in federal waters. About tran Guzman. pounds of Atlantic halibut in 40 percent of the halibut catch Beltran Guzman’s father is 2015 in the most productive for the 2015 fishing year was Alfredo Beltran Leyva, a former year of fishing for the flatfish taken in state waters, mostly in leader of Beltran Leyva cartel since 1972. Catch of the fish in Maine. who in February pleaded guilty nearshore Maine waters is Ben Martens, executive to drug trafficking charges in helping drive the increase, reg- director of the Maine Coast Washington. ulators say. Fishermen’s Association, said The Beltran Leyva cartel The regulatory New Eng- Maine should consider limiting began as an arm of Joaquin land Fishery Management the amount of halibut fishing in “El Chapo” Guzman’s Sinaloa Council decided last month to state waters. Otherwise, federal cartel. Beltran Guzman is also Construction workers build a reviewing stand for the upcoming presidential inauguration review management of halibut, fishermen will be negatively related to the Sinaloa cartel near the White House in Washington, yesterday. which is popular with diners affected by the surge in state leader who is fighting extra- and chefs for its thick, meaty catch, he said. dition to the US. The Beltran Leyva oper- ation split from the Sinaloa cartel following Alfredo Bel- tran Leyva’s arrest in 2008. Mexican army faces uphill battle against opium poppies Beltran Guzman was arrested without a shot being fired in Zapopan, Jalisco. New Mexico to 15 hectares since they set up 10 years since the government Rifles, a grenade and drugs AFP camp two weeks ago following deployed troops to crack down on were also seized. a day-and-a-half trek up hills drug cartels, the army faced an The statement said Bel- he soldiers ripped opium infested with snakes and ven- uphill battle in its four-decade-old tran Guzman was connected poppies and tossed them in omous spiders. Hernandez struggle to eradicate a growing with the kidnapping in August Tfour bonfires, clearing a hill estimates that his unit faces 20 opium poppy production. of several people, including in Mexico’s lush northwestern more days of grueling work to The poppies are grown by at least one of Joaquin Guz- mountains in less than two hours. clear the remote area while local farmers, who extract opium man’s sons in Puerto Vallarta. But their work in the heart spending chilly nights in small gum from bulbs and sell it to It also suggested he was of country’s “Golden Triangle,” tents in the wild. gangs such as the Sinaloa drug behind attacks in Guzman’s a tri-state region of heroin and But once they’ve destroyed cartel, which transforms the raw hometown, including on his marijuana production, was far all the bulbs, Hernandez expects material into heroin. mother’s compound. from over. farmers to quickly plant new “Every time we destroy a At some point, pursued by After the troops destroyed the seeds to replace what they just field ... the locals come back to authorities and Guzman’s 1.2-acre field, Lieutenant Juan lost. It takes only three months plant after our personnel has left people, Beltran Guzman Pablo Hernandez Zempoaltecatl for poppies to grow. the area,” said Colonel Cipriano moved his base of operations pointed to another one on a steep “It’s tiresome to see so many Cruz Quiroz, chief of staff of a Poppy flowers at Surutato community in Sinaloa state in from Culiacan, Sinaloa to hill past a row of pine trees, and poppies every day,” the fresh- special narcotics eradication unit Guadalajara, Jalisco, the more down the Sierra Madre Occi- faced, 24-year-old commander based in Badiraguato, Sinaloa Mexico. statement said. There he dental mountain range. said as he trekked back toward state. have their work and we have hometown of imprisoned Sinaloa formed a relationship with His 18-man unit has the unit’s tent camp. “They don’t see us in a good ours. They plant and we destroy,” cartel kingpin Joaquin “El other criminal groups. destroyed 39 fields amounting As Mexico yesterday marked light but they tolerate us. They said Cruz, whose base is in the Chapo” Guzman. 20 HOME MONDAY 12 DECEMBER 2016

PRAYER TIMINGS

FAJR 04.48 am Learn to identify fake products at Darb El Saai SHOROOK 06.09 am Sidi Mohamed & Irfan Bukhari the violators,” he said, adding that only ZUHR 11.27 am MAGHRIB 04.47 pm The Peninsula authorities concerned had the powers to ASR 02.25 pm ISHA 06.17 pm decide the value of fine. “A small shop can long educating visitors on how to dif- never be imposed QR1m fine for example.” ferentiate counterfeit consumer goods To another question regarding the nature WEATHER TODAY from genuine products, the Ministry of of mostly asked question from the visitors, Economy and Commerce’s pavilion at he said that women were asking more about o o Darb El Saai is encouraging residents food items and cosmetics while knowing toA take pictures of counterfeit and expired goods about counterfeit auto spare-parts was the 15 C 23 C so that swift actions be ensured against the interest of the youth. Minimum Maximum violators. The ministry’s stall with the help of dig- The visitors of Darb El Saai are getting necessary ital screens also sharing information with information about the counterfeit consumer goods, visitors on various subjects falling in its expired food stuff, and the products not meeting GCC domain like renewal of commercial regis- standards thanks to Ministry of Economy and Com- tration etc. merce. “We are educating visitors on how to Counterfeit and genuine products on display at Darb El It also reminds visitors that being con- distinguish between counterfeit goods and genuine Saai, yesterday. sumers it is their right to get a receipt in products and about the products which meet and Arabic from commercial complexes, and it do not meet GCC standards. They can discover coun- electrical appliances, cosmetics and auto spare parts will become obligatory after March 2017. It also terfeit products through the marked difference in among others. advises visitors to check the daily price list of vege- prices and the quality of the product. Another thing “Visitors must be aware of these pieces of impor- tables and fruits to know the real prices. that helps people a lot in differentiating counterfeit tant information because some counterfeit products The official said that no shop, hypermarket or products with real products is the fact that some are very dangerous especially electronics as the fake outlet could announce “promotion” without having brands are sold only on company’s agency or out- ones may explode causing a fire”, Al Adba said. license of the ministry. “If people witness two prices lets”, said Mohamed Al Adba, an official of the Talking on legal action against traders of coun- of same item, they can lodge a complaint on minis- Ministry while talking to The Peninsula. terfeit products, the official said that the fine against try’s hotline as well,” he said, adding that it was being The Ministry’s enclosure is creating awareness violators started from QR10,000 to QR1m and clo- recommended to the visitors to take pictures of coun- about counterfeit or expired products through dis- sure of outlet for one month and more. “Sometimes terfeit, expired or overpriced products so that the playing of seized items including expired food stuff, the commercial registration in cancelled of violators could not escape the legal action.

Strong wind at places. Mild daytime QIFF honours 1981 football team with slight dust to blowing dust at places at times and some clouds, The Peninsula declared full support of the Indian society for cold by night. the organisation and coordination of the 2022 HIGH TIDE 04:00 - 14:45 LOW TIDE 10:00 - 21:15 atar Indian Football Forum (QIFF) hon- World cup. He added that QIFF tournament oured the football players of the Qatar strengthens the bond between India and Qatar Courtesy: Qatar Meteorology Department QGolden team which won the runner-up and encourages sporting talent of the Indian title in the 1981 Australia World Youth Football community. LATEST NEWS Cup, during the final match of 10th QIFF foot- TJSV Trissur defeated (2-0) KMCC Kozhikode UPDATE ball tournament at the Al Arabi Sports Club under to win the 10th edition of Qatar Indian Football the leadership of the Ambassador of India, P Forum (QIFF) tournament for Western Union Kumaran and QIFF president Shamsudheen City Exchange trophy at Doha Stadium. Indian Ambassador P Kumaran honouring football players www.thepeninsulaqatar.com Olakara. Around 13,000 spectators came to Al Arabi of the Qatar Golden team which won the runner-up title in The players were welcomed with a grand Stadium to watch the closing ceremony and final the 1981 Australia World Youth Football Cup. parade by the Indian community. Kumaran match.

Celebrations at Darb El Saai

Pics: Salim Matramkot/ The Peninsula