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Monday 13 February 2017 | 16 Jumada I 1438 Volume 21 | Number 7071 | 2 Riyals

PM meets Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Official holiday Workers to get on National Sport Day

free Internet THE Emiri Diwan yester- day announced that on the occasion of National Sport Day (NSD) tomorrow, marked access at home annually on the second Tues- day of February, 17 Jumada-al Ula 1438 AH corresponding to February 14, 2017 will be an Irfan Bukhari official holiday. The Peninsula Connecting people Better Connections ore than a million Programme, a joint Erdogan to workers across initiative of the Qatar may soon Ministry of have free access arrive in Qatar to computers Administrative Mand online services at their Development, Labour tomorrow accommodations as the Better and Social Affairs and Connections Programme, a the Ministry of TURKISH President Recep joint initiative of the Ministry of Transport and Tayyip Erdogan is scheduled Administrative Development, Communications, will Prime Minister and Interior Minister H E Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani to arrive in Qatar tomorrow on Labour and Social Affairs and provide free access to with H H Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy the last leg of a three-nation the Ministry of Transport and computers and online Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, in Dubai yesterday during the Opening Gulf tour, Turkish news agency Communications is going in full services at the Session of the World Government Summit (WGS 2017). → See also page 2 Anatolia reported yesterday. swing. Under the programme, accommodations of Erdogan arrived in Bah- as many as 1,500 ICT facilities over a million workers rain yesterday and is will also be established at the across Qatar. scheduled to leave for Saudi places provided by the employ- Arabia today and from there ers for imparting ICT training to Qatar tomorrow. to workers by volunteers. each consisting of minimum 10 The long-running war in “The Better Connections PCs connected to the Internet. Postnatal services introduced Syria and chaos in Iraq and Programme enables workers Ooredoo provides connectivity other regional issues will be to gain an understanding of the in all ICT facilities. on Erdogan's agenda along benefits of online technology, The pool of committed vol- with economic cooperation teaches them basic ICT skills unteers will impart training to at nine health centres between Turkey and the three and introduces them to social approximately 1.5 million work- Gulf countries, said the media platforms that help them ers. “Volunteers are a key agency. The economic rela- keep in touch with family and resource for implementation of Fazeena Saleem Child Health at PHCC. at postnatal clinics. Around 35 tions between Turkey and Gulf friends in their home coun- the Better Connections Pro- The Peninsula PHCC will call new mothers percent of new mothers are countries saw a significant tries,” said the Ministry of gramme. They create a and provide them with informa- benefiting from PHCC’s postna- development between 2007 Transport and Communications connection between workers n an initiative to enhance tion available at postnatal tal services on a monthly basis. and 2016 when diplomatic on its social media platform and programme partners, deliv- women’s health, Primary clinics. During the first appoint- “We are glad to offer post- relations also improved, encouraging people to register ering training sessions to IHealth Care Corporation ment, the woman will be natal services at our health according to official data from as volunteers for the initiative. workers and helping in problem (PHCC) has introduced postna- assessed and directed to centres. The service is available TurkStat. Other partners of the project solving.” tal services at nine health required services including at nine health centres and will are Ooredoo, Microsoft, Reach The Better Connection Pro- centres across the country. counselling. Postnatal services be expanded to other health Out To Asia (Rota) and Sheikh gramme is looking to recruit 750 The service will be expanded also aim to promoting centres during this year. Now Public Health SPONSORS Thani Ibn Abdullah for Human- volunteers during 2017–2018 to to other centres by end of this breastfeeding. Qataris are given priority due to PHCC urges the Healthy lifestyle elderly to be must become a more active regular practice

itarian Services (RAF). take part in the programme. year, according to a senior Earlier postnatal services the limited capacity of postna- MAIN SPONSOR PAGE | 2 PAGE | 6 Under the programme, first The volunteers can also official. were provided only by the HMC tal clinics,” said Dr Shahbic. SPECIAL SUPPLEMENT MONDAY 13 FEBRUARY 2017 PHCC calls on residents to of all “Green Computer Clubs” become a member of “Green Postnatal services aim at and now it has been extended “The service aims at pro- improve quality of life through physical activity will refurbish 15,000 comput- Computer Club” and help the supporting women overcome to the PHCC. moting good recovery from he Emiri Decree No. 80 of 2011 designated the second Tuesday of February of each year shall Tbe a Sports Day for the State, when everyone is encouraged to participate in sporting activities with colleagues and family . The first National Sport Day was held in 2012 and was designated for sporting endeavors by the ers donated by various programme refurbish donated physical and psychological chal- At present postnatal services childbirth. A dedicated team will citizens of Qatar . The day’s main purpose is to promote sports and to educate the local population on ways to reduce government and private organ- computers, in the same time lenges faced during post by PHCC are available at health evaluate the mother’s physical isations while Microsoft will they can learn about computer pregnancy. Women who are centres in Al Wakra, Old Airport and psychological status and Included with provide software licences for hardware and software. This registered with the PHCC and area, West Bay, Omar Bin Khat- decide on what type of service Windows and Office for all. hardware undergoes a refur- have given natural birth at a tab, Rawdat Al Khail, Gharafat is required to help her overcome today’s edition The next step is setting up bishment process under the hospital of Hamad Medical Cor- Al Rayyan, Abu Nakhla, Al post pregnancy challenges. It ICT facilities. Employers par- supervision of RAF using poration (HMC) are entitled for Daayen, and Al Shihaniya. promotes breastfeeding and is an 8-page ticipating in the programme licences donated by Microsoft. the service, says Dr Hessa Shah- Qataris are given priority due to advices on birth spacing as supplement. will set up 1,500 ICT facilities, → Continued on page 7 bic, Manager, Maternal and the limited capacity well,” she added.

Campaign to support shepherds launched Preparations for National Sport Day in full swing

The Peninsula recommended that visitors pack The Fun Run activity, one of healthy snacks and fruits to stay the most popular events in AZF’s spire Zone Foundation nourished throughout the day. National Sport Day programme (AZF) has finished its final To prepare for any sudden in previous years, is back by Apreparations for National emergencies, AZF has distrib- popular demand and will be Sport Day tomorrow, and will uted five checkpoints across open to all. Registration for the host a variety of sporting activ- Aspire Zone at which ambu- 3km race will begin at 6:30am ities suitable for all. lances and first aid will be and the race will then start at The organisation will keep available. 8am in the area between Khal- its indoor parking spaces closed Meanwhile AZF, in collabo- ifa International Stadium and to the public from 3am until 3pm ration with the Embassy of the Torch Hotel. on National Sport Day to ensure Japan in Doha, have also fin- Beach soccer enthusiasts that visitors, particularly chil- ished setting up for the ‘Kendo’ can take part in a 5-a-side dren, will be safe from the risks demonstrations, set to take friendly beach soccer competi- posed by moving vehicles. place from 9am to 12pm on pitch tion, taking place from 9am to A unique drive "Rayana" to support shepherds in the desert was launched yesterday. Aspire Zone Foundation will (10). Kendo is one of Japan’s old- 1pm at Aspire Zone Foundation’s A group of workers from local farms seen with bags being distributed as part of the provide water bottles free of est martial arts and involves Sand Pitch, with registrations campaign with essential items and booklets to raise health awareness → See also page 2 charge to counter dehydration. participants competing using starting at 8:30am. The organisation has also bamboo swords. → Continued on page 7 02 HOME MONDAY 13 FEBRUARY 2017

Prime Minister attends World Government Summit

Prime Minister and Interior Minister H E Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani at the opening session of the World Government Summit (WGS 2017) in Dubai yesterday. RIGHT: The Prime Minister with the Vice-President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Dubai H H Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. Campaign to support shepherds launched

Sidi Mohamed in addition to bags containing sev- to include other sectors. The Peninsula Week-long plan eral items they need and booklets “The launch of the campaign to raise health awareness. Free came from the ministry’s keen- The week-long drive, unique drive, called medical tests were also offered to ness to support food security and called Rayana (Our 'Rayana', to support the participants", said Mohamed animal resources. The institu- shepherds was Shepherds), focused Al Beshri, General Manager of tions will provide awareness launched yesterday on two areas - Wasel Company for Initiatives. courses related to workers’ at Simaisma and Al Simaisma & Al "The workers were happy, safety and also teach them the MazrouaA with the participation Mazroua. especially about the medical tests best ways of dealing with ani- of a number of workers from provided by Qatar Red Crescent. mals," Khalaf Ajlan Al Anzi, farms in the areas. The campaign will The municipality also conducted Director, Public Relations The week-long drive is organ- cover 400 shepherds lectures on how to preserve the Department at the ministry, said. ised by the Ministry of Municipality and security guards environment", Al Beshri added. The shepherd’s bag includes and Environment in collaboration employed in farms in A large number of workers blanket, winter clothes, a torch with Qatar Charity, Sheikh Thani the initial phase. joined the campaign yesterday, and some food items, among oth- bin Abdullah Foundation for and in Simaisma, the drive tar- ers, while the lectures will be held Humanitarian Services (RAF), geted about 150 workers. Khalaf Ajlan Al Anzi distributing gifts to shepherds. in the native languages of the Qatar Red Crescent, Sheikh Eid on two areas - Simaisma and Al The aim is to raise health and workers. Charitable Foundation (Eid Char- Mazroua - and the charities have safety awareness among this seg- harsh weather. employed in farms, and targeted At the end of the drive, some ity) and Wasel Company for distributed top-up cards to shep- ment of workers who are living in The campaign will continue only four areas which are Sima- shepherds will be chosen to per- Initiatives. herds to help them communicate faraway areas and teaching them for one week and will cover 400 isma, Al Mazroua , Al Shihaniya form Umra at the expense of the " The drive yesterday focused with their families and relatives, how to protect themselves from shepherds and security guards and Al Khor, and will be expanded charities involved. MONDAY 13 FEBRUARY 2017 HOME 03 Sweden may help HIA achieve ‘carbon neutral’ status

Mohammad Shoeb buildings and several other emis- Qatar Airways Group.” certified under the programme The Peninsula Achievement sions reduction initiatives in line The “carbon neutrality” is the since it started operations in Carbon neutrality is with its National Vision 2030. highest level of certification April 2014. weden, one of the most the highest level of And Qatar Airways, as one of the awarded to airports under Air- According to annual carbon advanced countries in certification that world’s leading airlines, is com- port Carbon Accreditation (ACA) footprint report, the airport has the world, is expected to requires having mitted to establishing a programme. It assesses and rec- already achieved over 4 percent share its cutting-edge a net zero carbon sustainable aviation industry. ognises the efforts of airports to improvement in carbon emis- technologies and know- “We have a very interesting manage and reduce their carbon sions per passenger in 2015 emissions. Show with Qatar to help transform concept to share with Qatar. Our emissions with four levels of compared to 2014, with the Hamad International Airport Stockholm Arlanda Airport was award, namely: 'Mapping', ambition to reduce the 2015 (HIA) into one of the world's few HIA has already the first ‘carbon neutral’ airport 'Reduction', 'Optimisation' and baseline of 5.6kgs CO2 per pas- “carbon emissions neutral” air- achieved over 4% in the world way back in 2009. 'Neutrality'. The programme was senger to fewer than 4.0kgs by ports, said a senior diplomat improvement in The same can be implemented launched in 2009 by European 2030. from the Scandinavian nation. carbon emissions at HIA. I have already discussed airports' trade body Airports Notably, in January this year, Carbon neutrality is the high- per passenger in 2015. this with the Qatar Airways Council International Europe HIA entered the elite category of est level of certification that Group Chief Executive Akbar Al (ACI EUROPE). global airports becoming the requires having a net zero car- Baker,” said Ewa Polano (pic- Currently, Amman’s Queen sixth airport in the world to bon emissions footprint of developing more green area. tured), Ambassador of Sweden Alia International Airport and receive the ‘5-Star Airport’ des- airports. This can be achieved by Qatar, which hosted the UN’s to Qatar. Abu Dhabi International Airport ignation by Skytrax, the offsetting carbon dioxide or other Climate Change Conference Polano added: “We have are ACI certified in the Middle London-based aviation institute, carbon compounds emissions (COP18) in 2012, is committed to offered a proposal to have the East but they are not fully car- an internationally reputable rat- into the atmosphere through an reducing its carbon footprint and first carbon emissions neutral bon neutral. ing agency of airports and infinite combination of meas- promoting green and environ- airport outside of Europe. That The HIA has ambitious plans airlines. ures, including using innovative ment-friendly technologies can be done with our technol- to achieve the higher accredita- change management. The state- This makes HIA the first ever environment-friendly technol- aggressively through various ogy in collaboration with the tion levels and become a of-the art airport is unique in airport in the Middle East to earn ogies, tapping solar energy and ways, such as promoting green newly established company by world-leading airport in climate having its carbon emissions this acclaimed title. Asian given 10 years in jail & fine of QR400,000 for drug possession

The Peninsula found in a bag he was carrying the investigation carried out by on his back. the competent authorities and criminal court sentenced On further investigations, the admission of the accused, an Asian expatriate to ten the police found a black bag the defence lawyer claimed that A years in jail and imposed under his bed with four folders the accused was innocent and a fine of QR400,000 for posses- of marijuana and the total quan- asked the court to acquit him of sion of cannabis, also known as tity of hashish seized was all charges, Al Sharq reported. marijuana. 1.495kgm. From the way the marijuana The Drug Enforcement Laboratory investigation was folded in small quantities, Department at the Ministry of confirmed that the materials the court came to the conclu- Interior received information seized were marijuana but the sion that these were prepared that an expatriate is using and accused claimed he was not for sale. selling marijuana. The depart- aware that it was marijuana and The court sentenced the ment got permission from the someone asked him to keep it accused to ten years in jail, a fine Public Prosecution to launch a with him. of QR 400,000, confiscation of search. The accused was found Despite the search permis- the drug caught with him and walking in Al Mamoura area and sion issued by the Public deportation after the execution when searched, marijuana was Prosecution, the seriousness of of the verdict.

Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive Akbar Al Baker (centre) at the ITB press conference. Qatar Airways to unveil new Business Class seat at ITB Berlin exhibition

The Peninsula will offer visitors the opportu- travel industry and worldwide nity to experience the comfort, media, alongside many other atar Airways is set to entertainment and hospitality new and exciting develop- reveal its brand new Busi- offered on board a Qatar Air- ments to our network.” Qness Class seat at this ways flight. The ITB Berlin is an annual year’s ITB Berlin exhibition to Qatar Airways Group Chief event which showcases travel be held in Berlin from March 8 Executive, Akbar Al Baker, exhibitors from 187 countries to 12. said: “I am delighted to offi- and five continents, providing The unveiling of this latest cially announce that this year’s visitors with information on product will be held in a world ITB exhibition will be the loca- new products, services and exclusive ceremony at the open- tion at which we will premier facilities in the global tourism ing day of the exhibition our much-anticipated new industry. followed by a press conference Business Class product. As an Qatar Airways operates 35 expected to draw more than 200 airline we strive to offer our weekly flights to Germany itself, international media and set to passengers the very best, not a country that continues to play further detail Qatar Airways’ only in terms of our world class an important role in the growth plans for the year ahead. on board experience, but also of Qatar Airways, departing Guests and visitors to ITB our expanding global network. from Hamad International Air- Berlin will be invited to relax in At this year’s ITB, I look for- port to Frankfurt, Munich and the new Business Class seat at ward to sharing the Berlin from a network of more the airline’s exhibition stand in revolutionary new patented than 150 destinations Hall 2.2, booth 208. The booth Business Class seat with the worldwide. QA offers up to 40% discounts

The Peninsula country together with a vision the state-of-the-art Hamad of encouraging more active lives International Airport, premiere n celebration of Qatar for all Qataris and residents. in-flight entertainment National Sport Day, Qatar Qatar Airways is proud to choices, and much more. Qatar IAirways is offering up to 40 encourage a healthier approach Airways continues to share its percent off on all-inclusive to life, and we are offering this success with the people of Economy and Premium class exclusive discount to customers Qatar, especially for National return fares to selected on this special occasion, giving Sport Day. destinations. them easier access to interest- Qatar Airways is celebrat- The five-day promotion will ing places where active, ing 20 years of Going Places run from today until Friday, for adventurous holidays await. Together with travellers across travel up to June 15. Tickets can From scuba diving to hiking, its more than 150 business and be booked at any Qatar Airways boating and more, Qatar Air- leisure destinations. sales offices, from preferred ways offers customers a world The world’s fast growing air- travel agents or online through of opportunity.” line will add a number of qatarairways.com/QSD. The national carrier con- exciting new destinations to its Qatar Airways Senior Vice tinuously exceeds the growing network this year President Commercial Middle expectations of its customers, including Chiang Mai, Dublin, East, Africa & Pakistan, Ehab both in the air and on the Nice, Skopje and many more, Amin, said: “Qatar National ground – with facilities includ- flying passengers on board its Sport Day brings the entire ing award-winning lounges in modern fleet of 192 aircraft. 04 HOME MONDAY 13 FEBRUARY 2017 Pedestrian bridge nears completion Rains may move Safety measure some sports The pedestrian bridge, which is 66 metre long and 4 metre wide, is events indoors equipped with elevators. The Peninsula and 9.9 mm on Saturday The bridge aims to evening. Weather observation any of the National until 8:50pm show that Ras minimise accidents Sport Day activities Laffan received 8.8mm rain- and enable will be limited to fall, followed by Al Guwayriyah pedestrians to cross M indoor activities, with the (7.8) and Al Ruwais (5.7mm). the E-Ring Road and Qatar Meteorology Depart- However, Doha and the south- reach commercial ment forecasting good chance ern parts of the country establishments in the of rains accompanied by thun- received rainfall less than area. der tomorrow. 1mm. The weather bureau has Today, the weather will be The Peninsula issued warnings of rains hazy and partly cloudy with accompanied by thunder and scattered rain which may be s part of its efforts to storm for tomorrow. The thundery at places at times. enhance road safety The steel structure installed on the pedestrian bridge on E- Ring Road. weather will be partly cloudy Wind speeds can reach up across Qatar, the Pic: Abdul Basit/ The Peninsula to cloudy with scattered rains to 26 knots, and wave heights Public Works with thunder at places. The could reach 15 feet during Authority, Ashghal, is 66 metre long and 4 metre maintain the privacy of some (from Nuaija Intersection department has also asked thunderstorms. completedA on Saturday the wide, is equipped with elevators residents whose houses are vis- towards the F-Ring Road), public to participate in sport- Doha, Al Wakrah and Mes- installation of the steel structure on both sides which can accom- ible from the pedestrian bridge, including re-aligning and wid- ing activities indoor on its social saieed will have a maximum of the pedestrian bridge on E- modate a large number of users Ashghal is working in coopera- ening the street, and media accounts. temperature of 25 degrees Cel- Ring Road, which is located including those with special tion with the authorities constructing two new signal- “There is a good chance for sius, while Al Khor and Ruwais between Al Thumama Intersec- needs. The bridge is also concerned to provide a number ised intersections between Al moderate to heavy rains on will have maximum tempera- tion and the intersection equipped with lighting, a closed- of tall trees that will block the Hadara Street and Najma Street, Tuesday according to the ture of 24 degrees Celsius. between Airport Street and circuit television system (CCTV), vision of pedestrians. and between Oqba bin Nafea weather chart. At least the sky Meanwhile, Dukhan and Abu E-Ring Road. fire detection and firefighting The pedestrian bridge is part Street and Najma Street. will be overcast with heavy Samra will have a maximum The bridge aims to minimise systems, as well as a pedestrian of the Interim Upgrade Project The project also includes clouds,” one of the weather temperature of 29 degrees accidents and enable pedestri- counter. Ashghal continues the on E-Ring Road and Najma developing around 3.3km of men told The Peninsula. Celsius. ans to cross the E-Ring Road and implementation of mechanical Street, which is implemented E-Ring Road, including re-align- Meanwhile, the country The minimum temperature reach commercial establish- and engineering works on the within Ashghal’s plan to develop ing and widening the road which received light to moderate in Doha will be 21 degrees Cel- ments in the area. This is in pedestrian bridge in collabora- the roads infrastructure and had a range of two to three lanes, rains over the last two days, sius, while, Abu Samra, Al Khor, addition to facilitating access tion with the implementing enhance traffic safety. Over 90 to include four lanes in each with the more rains observed Al Wakrah and Messaieed will between the residents of Old Air- companies, in order to apply the per cent of road works in the direction. in the northern parts of the have a minimum temperature port (Area 45) and Al Rawda final touches and open the project are complete so far. This is in addition to con- country. Al Shehaimiya of 20 degrees followed by “Thumama” (Area 47). bridge to users in second quar- The project includes devel- verting Al Thumama roundabout received the highest rains with Dukhan and Ruwais with 19 The pedestrian bridge, which ter of 2017. With an aim to oping 3km of Najma Street to a signalised intersection. 9.8mm recorded last evening degrees Celsius. DIFI holds panel discussion with Qatar's Permanent Mission at UN

The Peninsula knowledge base on the family and to developing indicators to eval- Through its projects he Doha International Fam- uate the impact of programs on and initiatives, DIFI, ily Institute (DIFI) held a family stability. By supporting and a member of Qatar Tpanel discussion in collab- empowering the family, we can oration with the Permanent empower future generations and Foundation for Mission of the State of Qatar to prevent them from falling into the Education, Science the United Nations (UN), to cycle of poverty and dependence,” and Community emphasise the importance of pro- said H E Sheikha Alya Al Thani, moting family policies for poverty Permanent Representative of the Development (QF), eradication worldwide. State of Qatar to the United aims to highlight the DIFI delivered a statement in Nations. importance of family support of eradicating poverty at “DIFI is delighted to play a issues in the Arab the forum, which took place at the central role in these important 55th Session of the Commission international discussions. They world. for Social Development allow our organisation to engage (CSocD55), at the UN Headquar- in substantive dialogue on policy ters in New York on February 7. options to further implement Goal “Evidence indicates that “We are very grateful to the 1 in the Sustainable Development poverty eradication hinges upon Doha International Family Insti- Goals of the 2030 Agenda, which the strength of families to care tute for organising this timely and strives to end poverty in all its for their members and build important event, and for their val- forms everywhere,” said Dr Anis intergenerational solidarity; ued work in the field of research, Ben Brik, Director, Family Policy hence, the need to recognise the which contributes to the Division, DIFI. important role of the family as the natural and fundamental unit of society,” Dr Brik concluded. Delegates at the 55th Session of the Commission for Social Development, at the UN The UN panel discussion Headquarters in New York. was also attended by Prof Law- rence M Mead, Department of Additionally, the event was DIFI representatives also and Community Development Politics, New York University; moderated by Renata Kacz- attended the Civil Society Forum (QF), aims to highlight the and Prof Jill Duerr Berrick, the markska, UN Focal Point on the 2017, held at the UN Headquar- importance of family issues in Zellerbach Family Foundation Family, Division for Social Pol- ters on January 30 and 31. the Arab world and make them Professor at the School of Social icy and Development, Through its projects and initia- a priority for policy-makers on Welfare at the University of Department of Economic and tives, DIFI, a member of Qatar local, regional and international California, Berkeley. Social Affairs. Foundatio for Education, Science levels. HMC wins two awards

The Peninsula HMC’s Nesma’ak customer serv- ice team is responsible for registering amad Medical Corporation and managing all general enquiries, (HMC) has won two awards in comments and complaints across Hthe Customer Experience cat- HMC. Nesma’ak is also responsible for egory at the 2016 Annual Middle East conducting patient surveys. Patients CX Awards, recently held in Dubai. The and visitors can approach any awards are: Middle East CX Company Nesma’ak service desk at a HMC hos- of The Year (Public Sector) and Best pital, or call the 16060 Nesma’ak Call CX Implementation. center for assistance, seven days a HMC was awarded the distinctions week. as a result of efforts made by the Al Naimi said: “We are so proud to healthcare organisation’s Center for have been recognised as the leading Patient Experience and Staff Engage- organisation that is providing cutting- ment (CPESE) Department. Nasser Al edge customer service in the region. Naimi, Deputy Chief Quality Officer, Winning these two awards demon- CPESE and Adil Bashir Ahmed, Assist- strates our commitment to offering ant Executive Director of HMC’s seamless services to our patients and Corporate Customer Services, agree this aligns with HMC’s overall goal of that the awards are a reflection of the providing the safest, most compas- dedication and hard work of the entire sionate and most effective care to each Nesma’ak team. and every one of our patients.” MONDAY 13 FEBRUARY 2017 HOME 05

Es'hailSat is WCM-Q first in Gold sponsor of Qatar Total GCC to get top Open 2017 The Peninsula

s’hailSat, the Qatar Sat- ellite Company, has US accreditation Eannounced the Gold sponsorship of the prestigious Qatar Total Open 2017 hosted The Peninsula by the Qatar Tennis Federa- Medical education tion (QTF). The tournament eill Cornell Medicine- Institution can provide is taking place in Doha from Qatar (WCM-Q) has continuing medical today till February 18, and become the first insti- education for physicians. will be broadcast live in high tution in GCC to receive definition throughout Middle accreditation to pro- East and North Africa (MENA) Wvide continuing medical education for WCM-Q Dean Dr Javaid region via Es’hail-1, located physicians from one of America’s top Sheikh appreciated the at the 25.5°/26°E prime TV accreditation body. work of WCM-Q’s Division of hotspot in the region. The Accreditation Council for Con- Continuing Professional Es’hailSat’s President & tinuing Medical Education (ACCME) CEO Ali Ahmed Al Kuwari Development. Dr Javaid Sheikh (left), Dean of WCM-Q, and Dr Thurayya Arayssi with WCM-Q’s provides accreditation to US institutions said: “We have been a proud Continuing Professional Development team. that are able to demonstrate exception- sponsor of Qatar Total Open ally high standards in the continuing designate AMA PRA Category 1 Cred- for a few years now and are medical education programmes (CME) its™ (American Medical Association recognition of the quality and value of of WCM-Q’s Division of Continuing Pro- happy to once again support they offer to improve physician perform- Physician's Recognition Award). In programmes being offered by WCM-Q to fessional Development, which led the Qatar Tennis Federation in ance and medical care for patients in their addition, WCM-Q is the first institution help physicians and health care practi- college’s accreditation application. The organising this prestigious communities. in the Middle East and North Africa tioners locally, regionally and decision by the ACCME was determined event. Sports have been the There are approximately 2,000 (MENA) region to receive ACCME internationally to continually improve by a review of a self-study report pro- mainstay of the premium ACCME accredited CME organisations accreditation. their skills and knowledge so that they duced by the CPD team, evidence of content broadcast through across the US, where the body is rec- At a ceremony held to announce the can provide the very best standards of performance-in-practice, and participa- our satellites from the ognised as the national model in its accreditation success, WCM-Q Dean Dr healthcare to their patients.” tion in an accreditation interview. 25.5°/26°E broadcast hotspot field, but until recently accreditation Javaid Sheikh said, “This milestone is a WCM-Q also has accreditation to pro- “I would like to take this opportunity and will continue to be when was not available to institutions out- recognition of the commitment of vide continuing medical education and to thank Dr Thurayya Arayssi, Senior Asso- we commence transmission side the US. WCM-Q has become the WCM-Q and its dedicated faculty and continuing professional development ciate Dean for Medical Education and of linear 4K channels soon.” very first institution in the GCC to staff to a high quality health education from the Qatar Council for Healthcare Continuing Professional Development, and Es’hailSat will be having receive the same accreditation and to in adherence with international best Practitioners. her dedicated team for the role they played a hospitality tent at the have the rights and responsibility to practices. It is also an international Dr Sheikh also appreciated the work in achieving this milestone,” he said. stadium. Professional sports trainers to instruct visitors at Ooredoo's NSD event

The Peninsula National Sport Day tomorrow. adults, to fitness fans and sport- of war, karate, aerobics, hand- and enjoy the daylong event. an important day for our coun- This is the sixth year that ing newbies alike. ball, human chess, basketball and Fatima Sultan Al Kuwari, try, as it not only reminds the oredoo will provide free Ooredoo will host its National The company has hired pro- more. Director of Community & Public community about the impor- access to a range of sports Sport Day event at MIA Park and fessional sports trainers to teach As well as sporting activities, Relations, Ooredoo, said: ‘‘We’re tance of staying fit and healthy, Oand health activities for this year the park has been split visitors sporting skills, which can healthy food options will be sold delighted to once again host our but also helps bring them Qatar’s communities at the into special zones, designed to then be used in everyday life. at the park alongside fresh juice event at the Museum of Islamic together. We hope everyone Museum of Islamic Art Park find a sporting activity for eve- Highlights of the activities and water, and Ooredoo encour- Art Park to celebrate Qatar enjoys the day and we can’t wait (MIA) from 8am to 5pm on ryone from children and young include a penalty shootout, tug ages families to bring a picnic National Sport Day. Sport Day is to see you there.” 06 HOME MONDAY 13 FEBRUARY 2017 Malabar Gold & Diamonds opens 11th outlet in Saudi Expansion plans The company will also open two more new showrooms in Saudi Arabia soon at Lulu Hypermarket – Hail and Lulu Hypermarket – Al Hassa.

The launch of two showrooms will be celebrated by exhibiting the finest collection of gold and diamonds in addition to offering exciting promotions for customers.

Malabar Gold & Diamonds’ showroom at Jeddah Street, Jubail, being Malabar Gold & Diamonds’ renovated and expanded showroom at Ladies The Peninsula inaugurated by Meshary M Al Oqaily, Chairman – Board of Businessman, Market, Gold Souq, Dammam, being inaugurated by MP Ahammed, Jubail Ashraqia Chamber, in the presence of MP Ahammed, Chairman, Chairman, Malabar Group in the presence of Shamlal Ahamed – Managing alabar Gold & Diamonds, Malabar Group; Shamlal Ahamed – Managing Director – International Director – International Operations, Malabar Gold & Diamonds; Ameer CMC, the leading jewellery Operations, Malabar Gold & Diamonds; Ameer CMC, Director – Finance & Director – Finance & Admin; Gafoor Edakkuni, Regional Director; Waseem retailer across the globe, launched its 11th show- Admin; Gafoor Edakkuni, Regional Director; Waseem M Al Qahtani, other M Al Qahtani, and other dignitaries. room in Saudi Arabia at dignitaries, well-wishers and guests. MJeddah Street, Jubail, and reopened its renovated and expanded showroom at Dammam was inaugurated by MP outlet can hold you spell-bound with gold coin free and those who spend has established its presence in the Mid- Ladies Market, Gold Souq, in Dammam Ahammed, Chairman, Malabar Group their awe-inspiring beauty and classic SAR3,000 on diamond jewellery will dle East market in a surprisingly short on Thursday, February 9, 2017. in the presence of Shamlal Ahamed – designs. Like all their other outlets, this get a 1 gramme gold coin free. Custom- span of time. The group strives to con- The showroom at Jeddah Street in Managing Director – International outlet will also exhibit a wide range of ers can also avail zero deduction tinue embarking on its journey by Jubail was inaugurated by Meshary M Operations, Malabar Gold & Diamonds; diverse and trendy designs in gold (18K exchange offer on 22K old gold further expanding in the near future. Al Oqaily, Chairman – Board of Busi- Ameer CMC, Director – Finance & and 22 K), IGI certified diamonds and exchange. These offers are valid until In Saudi Arabia, Malabar Gold & nessman, Jubail Ashraqia Chamber, in Admin; Gafoor Edakkuni, Regional precious gem jewellery from Italy, Sin- February 18, 2017. Diamonds operates in Al Khobar, Dam- the presence of MP Ahammed, Chair- Director; Waseem M Al Qahtani, other gapore, Bahrain and India. The branded jewellery segment of mam (two showrooms), Makkah, man, Malabar Group; Shamlal Ahamed dignitaries, well-wishers and guests. The launch of two showrooms will Malabar Gold & Diamonds is renowned Riyadh (Murabbah, Batha & Khurais – Managing Director – International The company will also open two be celebrated by exhibiting the finest globally for its flawless craftsmanship Road), Jeddah (two showrooms) and Operations, Malabar Gold & Diamonds; more new showrooms in Saudi Arabia collection of gold and diamonds in addi- and impeccable style. The exclusive now two showrooms in Jubail. Mala- Ameer CMC, Director – Finance & soon at Lulu Hypermarket – Hail and tion to offering exciting promotions for brands available include Ethnix - Hand- bar Gold & Diamonds has always been Admin; Gafoor Edakkuni, Regional Lulu Hypermarket – Al Hassa. customers. Celebrating the launch, the crafted Designer jewellery, Era - Uncut at the forefront in gold jewellery man- Director; Waseem M Al Qahtani, other The outlet unveiled a significantly outlet will offer special promotions on Diamond Jewellery, Mine - Diamonds ufacturing, wholesaling and retailing dignitaries, well-wishers and guests. large collection of traditional as well as purchase of diamond jewellery. Cus- Unlimited, Divine- Indian Heritage jew- and plans on being the ‘most- preferred’ The renovated and expanded show- contemporary designer jewellery. The tomers who spend SAR5,000 on ellery, Precia - Gem jewellery and choice in the market in the following room at Ladies Market, Gold Souq, exquisite range of collections in the new diamond jewellery will get a 2 gramme Starlet - Kids jewellery. Malabar Group years. AAB supports Endurance Race

The Peninsula Society. AAB has also stressed the importance of H H The Emir bdullah Abdullghani & Bros Sword Endurance Race which is (AAB) has expressed pleas- considered one of the most Aure on supporting H H The important and biggest events Emir Sword Endurance Race , a organised by the Qatar Endur- tradition which AAB has consist- ance Race Committee this year. ently maintained, especially for The event also received a lot events being supported and of attention from contestants organised by the government competing to win the Abdullah Abdullghani & Bros (AAB) supported H H The Emir Sword whether it be sport, cultural or championship. Endurance Race, a tradition which AAB has consistently maintained, charitable events. On this occasion, AAB especially for events being supported and organised by the Abdullah Abdulghani & Bros awarded a Toyota Land Cruiser government. Co was a major player in sup- GX to the organising committee porting and sponsoring the event of the Endurance Race. Katara General Manager Dr Khalid bin Ibrahim Al and to be a leader in the devel- AAB has always been in the Sulaiti (right) and CMU-Q Dean and CEO Dr IIker opment process approached by forefront, not only as the market Baybars at the MoU signing at Katara, yesterday the State. leader in the automobile sector, Abdullah Abdulghani & Bros but also in contributing gener- has also stated that the endur- ously to national and ance race is prominent event international organisations and Katara & CMU-Q join among a broad section of Qatari events. hands for training

The Peninsula

he Cultural Village Foundation – Katara and Carn- egie Mellon University in Qatar (CMU-Q) yesterday Tsigned a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to further boost bilateral cooperation, develop strategic frameworks and provide training opportunities for CMU-Q students. Katara General Manager Dr Khalid bin Ibrahim Al Sulaiti and CMU-Q Dean and CEO Dr IIker Baybars signed the Mou at a press conference held yesterday at Katara Amphitheatre. “I’m pleased to announce that the MoU between Katara and CMU-Q will play a vital role in common segments, such as education, culture, creativity, and innovative arts through linking the university with the ongoing commu- nity activities,” said Al Sulaiti. He added: “The cooperation will entail aspects in the fields of scientific research, strategic approaches and studies in accordance with the necessities of the Cultural Village. Internship opportunities will be pro- vided to CMU-Q students.” “In addition, there will be exchange of authentic expe- riences in the fields of information system, computer science, business administration, public policies and law, arts and culture, as well as collective cooperation to organ- ise workshops, press conferences, and seminars while encouraging students to volunteer in events held at Katara,” he said. Baybars said: “When CMU-Q came to Doha in 2004, we made a commitment to help advance the goals and vision of Qatar Foundation and the State of Qatar. It is my pleasure to sign this agreement with Katara Cultural Village today. Katara, like Education City, exemplifies Qatar’s vision of promoting knowledge through the arts, education and technology.” MONDAY 13 FEBRUARY 2017 HOME 07

Foreign Ministry official meets Mufti of Slovenia Volunteers to be trained Plan to set up for computer skills Continued from page 1 The ministries have also invited employers of floating fish the migrant labour force to join the initiative. “The employer provides the room at the camp, the fur- niture, the electrical power and basic auxiliary services such as cleaning and maintenance.” Once refurbished computers reach the ICT farms in sea facilities, volunteers identify workers who already have basic ICT skills and train them to become “Digital Inclusion Champions”, passing on their the application for the entry in knowledge to their colleagues, ensuring that the Food security the tender for the aforemen- learning process becomes sustainable. Part of the national tioned projects is July 11, 2017. After registering for the programme, volun- food security The Technical Committee teers will receive invitation for the training session. programme, each for encouraging the private sec- Volunteers will have to attend a one-day train- tor to participate in the ing, which will be delivered on Friday. Following farm is required to economic development projects the training session volunteers will be assigned produce at least at the Ministry has floated ten- to the ICT facilities (as site assessors or trainers). 2,000 tonnes of fish ders for aquaculture and fish Volunteers performing technical roles (site annually. farming projects. Secretary-General of the Foreign Ministry, Dr Ahmed bin Hassan Al assessors) should be able to speak English while The initiative aims at Hammadi, met yesterday with Head of the Muslim Community and Mufti volunteers delivering training should be able to The projects will help increasing self-sufficiency in all of the Republic of Slovenia, Nedzad Grabus, and General Secretary of speak one or more of the following languages: increase the local sectors related to food security. Islamic Centre in Slovenia, Nevzet Poric, during their current visit to Doha. Hindi, Nepali, Bengali, Sinhala, Tamil, Urdu, Fil- production of fish The projects will help increase ipino, in addition to English. and reduce gaps the local production of fish and between supply and reduce gaps between supply demands in the local and demands in the local mar- markets. kets. The project is also meant '5,000 Step Journey' included in Aspire NSD events to supply high quality fish prod- ucts on competitive prices. Continued from page 1 Sanaullah Ataullah A total of 270 hectare of sea pass by several stations around take place in Aspire Dome, the members of the community. The Peninsula space has been allocated for Families and children who Aspire Park at which they will largest indoor multi-purpose Teams from Aspire Academy will these projects with 90 hectares are keen to participate in group receive valuable tips and advice dome in the world. measure participants’ perform- he Ministry of Econ- for each fish farm. In addition, activities can do so through the about physical activity and lead- Participants taking part in ance and compare it against top omy and Commerce a plot of land over an area of various sporting events being ing a healthy lifestyle. National Sport Day will be able tier athletes including Olympic has floated tenders 10,000 sqm has been also ear- organised on Aspire Zone’s out- For its sixth annual NSD cel- to enjoy several fitness and gym superstar, Usain Bolt and bas- for a project to set up marked for each project to door pitch 10. ebration, AZF has incorporated classes, delivered by coaches ketball legend Michael Jordan three fish farms in build service centres for the One of the highlights of the “Nordic Walking” into its pro- from Aspire Active from 9:00 am amongst others. Participants will Tfloating cages in deep sea in the farms. National Sport Day celebrations gramme, a new sporting trend until 2:00 pm in the Volleyball be awarded certificates depend- northern part of the country. The project for establishing are the final matches and award- that is growing in popularity. Hall and Men’s Fitness Area in ing on their results. The ‘Beat the Part of the national food a separate aquatic farm for ing ceremonies of the Aspire Coaches from Aspetar, one of Aspire Dome. Champion’ event will take place security programme, each farm prawn in Al Arish coastal area Football Tournament. The AZF’s member organisations, Individuals and family mem- on the Indoor Athletics Track at is required to produce at least that will be spread over 111 hec- matches start at 9am and the will be based at five stations in bers, particularly children, can Aspire Dome, starting from 2,000 tonnes of fish annually tares is required to produce awarding will take place at 1pm. front of Aspetar’s West Expan- enjoy Aspire Academy’s ’12 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. and the production should 1,000 tonnes prawns annually The tournament involves more sion to demonstrate the activity Goals’ activity, designed to teach Participants will also be able reach peak capacity within 36 and the highest capacity should than 350 young players repre- to visitors between the ages of participants’ basic climbing skills to take part in a set of multi-skill months from the date of sign- be reached with 42 months senting Aspire Academy and 18-50. The 2-hour demonstra- and football tricks. Thes activity activities in athletics, squash, ing the contract. from the date of signing Qatar Football Association’s reg- tions will be held from 11:00 am will be held in the Gymnastics fencing and table tennis, all Tender for establishing a contract. istered teams. to 1:00 pm, and participants will Hall in Aspire Dome, from 9:00 under the supervision of Aspire separate aquatic farm for The projects are being Other highlight of this year’s be provided with special walk- am to 3:00 pm. Academy’s Multi-Sport Skill prawns in Al Arish coastal area implemented by the Ministry of programme is the ‘5,000 Step ing poles during the activity. Visitors can try a wide range Development Programme’s with an annual capacity of Economy and Commerce in Journey’, which will be held from Visitors looking to partici- of activities, including ‘Beat the renowned coaches. These will 1,000 tonnes has also been collaboration with the Ministry 11:00am to 1:00 pm, from the pate in fun indoor activities can Champion’, a series of “come take place in the Multi-Purpose floated. of Municipality and Torch Hotel in Aspire Zone. Dur- sign up for any number of excit- and try” sport science tests and Hall 1 and squash courts, from The deadline for receiving Environment. ing the walk, participants will ing and private activities which activities available to all 10:00 am until 4:00 pm. 08 MIDDLE EAST / AFRICA MONDAY 13 FEBRUARY 2017 Turkish army close to Waiting for school entry taking IS-held Al Bab

Beirut Turkish Dogan news agency AFP Last stronghold reported. That raised to 67 the The town in Syria's number of Turkish soldiers urkish troops backed Aleppo province is the killed since Ankara began its by Syrian rebel fight- last stronghold of the Operation Euphrates Shield in ers have entered the IS militants in the August, targeting both IS and the centre of the Islamic Kurdish YPG militia. region, and has also State group bastion of Al Bab has been a key target been the target of an TAl Bab and will soon capture it, for both Operation Euphrates President Recep Tayyip Erdogan assault by Syrian Shield, but also Syrian govern- said yesterday. government forces. ment forces, and Ankara now The town in Syria's Aleppo finds itself effectively jointly province is the last stronghold besieging the town with Presi- of the group in the region, and Turkish forces and dent Bashar Al Assad's forces has also been the target of an allied rebels entered despite opposing his assault by Syrian government Al Bab for the first government. forces. The Syrian opposition, time on Saturday, Syria's army has advanced meanwhile, announced the for- from the west. towards Al Bab from the south, Displaced Iraqi children who fled the Islamic State stronghold of Mosul with their families mation of a delegation to attend and on Monday severed the last a new round of UN-sponsored road leading into the town, com- pose as they wait to enter the school at Hassan Sham camp, east of Mosul, yesterday. peace talks in Geneva on Feb- leaving Al Bab completely," he pleting its encirclement. ruary 20. said. Erdogan added that Al Bab IS has come under pressure Turkish forces and allied was "not our final target," hint- from simultaneous offensives in rebels entered Al Bab for the first ing that Ankara may participate both Syria and Iraq, where the time on Saturday, from the west, in the fight to recapture IS's de Libya unity group seized large swathes of according to the Syrian Observ- facto Syrian capital Raqa. Syria opposition territory in 2014 and proclaimed atory for Human Rights. More than 310,000 people an Islamic "caliphate". The Britain-based monitor have been killed in Syria since govt slams Erdogan, speaking in Istan- reported heavy clashes inside the conflict began in March 2011 creation of rival bul, said Al Bab "is now besieged western Al Bab on yesterday, as with anti-government protests, picks delegation from all fronts". "Our forces well as on the northern edge of and successive rounds of peace entered the centre," he added, the town, where Turkish forces talks have failed to produce a 'national guard' saying it was "only a matter of and rebels were advancing but political solution. time" before the alliance of had not yet entered the town. Invitations to new talks on LIBYA'S UN-backed unity gov- for new peace talks Turkish forces and rebels took One Turkish soldier was February 20 in Geneva have ernment yesterday slammed control of the town. killed and two soldiers wounded been delayed while the opposi- the creation by armed groups "Daesh forces have begun in clashes with IS militants, the tion forms its delegation. of a national guard rival to its Beirut Negotiations Committee (HNC) own presidential guard in the AFP opposition group said the del- capital Tripoli. egation to the talks would for The Government of yria's opposition yesterday the first time include represent- Waiting to cross into Egypt National Accord said it con- announced its 21-member atives from two additional sidered the creation of the Sdelegation, including 10 opposition groupings, known "Libyan National Guard" to be rebel representatives, for a new informally as the Moscow group "an attempt to form a paral- round of UN-sponsored peace and the Cairo group. lel body to the Presidential talks in Geneva scheduled for But representatives from Guard" it has formed. February 20. both groups denied they were "These groups and those The delegation will be included in the delegation. supporting it are considered to headed by Nasr Al Hariri, a In the past, the HNC has be outlaws," the GNA said in a member of the National Coali- opposed including the two rival statement. "And they will be tion, replacing Assad Al Zoabi, opposition groupings in its del- treated as such by the security who led the opposition at sev- egation, accusing members of and judiciary bodies." eral previous rounds of talks in the coalitions of being too flex- The GNA warned that the Geneva last year. ible with regard to the Syrian formation of a rival guard was The delegation's chief nego- government. an attempt "to lead the capital tiator was named as Mohamed The Moscow grouping into bloody armed conflict". Sabra, a lawyer who was part includes former minister Qadri On Thursday, armed of the opposition's technical Jamil, and is close to the Rus- groups mostly from the west- team during negotiations in sian leadership, while the Cairo ern city of Misrata, announced Geneva in 2014. grouping includes former for- the creation of the "Libyan He replaces Mohamad eign ministry spokesman Jihad National Guard" to continue Alloush, a rebel from the pow- Makdissi. the fight against the Islamic erful Army of Islam faction. The Moscow grouping State jihadist group, as well Alloush served as negotia- includes former minister Qadri as to secure state institutions tor during three rounds of Jamil, and is close to the Rus- and diplomatic missions. peace talks in Geneva as well sian leadership, while the Cairo But they did not say as negotiations in the Kazakh grouping includes former for- whether or not it would sup- capital Astana in January eign ministry spokesman Jihad People carrying luggage wait for travel permits to cross into Egypt through the Rafah port the GNA, which has organised by Turkey and Rus- Makdissi. border crossing after it was opened by Egyptian authorities for humanitarian cases, on a struggled to assert its author- sia. Neither Alloush nor the Invitations to the talks in rainy day in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip yesterday. ity across Libya since taking Army of Islam were listed as Geneva have yet to go out, hav- office in the capital last year. members of the delegation to ing been delayed in part to Geneva, though it was unclear allow the opposition to decide if the group was boycotting the on the composition of their talks or would be represented delegation. Somaliland by other delegates. UN envoy Staffan de Mis- Tension mounts in Baghdad No reason was given for the tura warned last week that he agrees to UAE decision to replace either Zoabi would pick the opposition del- or Alloush. egates to the talks if they could military base in after toll from protests rises The delegation includes not decide on time. representatives from several But he later appeared to rebel groups. backtrack and said he would northern port Baghdad rockets hit the Green Zone corruption. He also blames The umbrella High delay dispatching invites. Reuters evening but there were no cas- Maliki for the failure of the Iraqi MOGADISHU: Somalia's ualties, a military spokesman army to contain the advance of breakaway northern terri- ension between Iraq's Shia said. Sadr's military wing, the Islamic State in 2014, as he was tory of Somaliland has said leaders mounted yester- Peace Brigades, denied in a state- then prime minister and com- British Defence Secretary in Iraq the United Arab Emirates can Tday as the toll from ment firing the rockets, reacting mander of the armed forces. establish a military base in protests in central Baghdad on to the military spokesman who The cleric said his support- its territory. The Emirati gov- Saturday increased. said they seem to have been fired ers wanted to get near the Green ernment in January submitted At least 174 other protesters from Baladiyat, a district where Zone to make their voices heard a formal application seeking were injured in clashes that pit- the cleric has many followers. by decision-makers, and had no permission from the Somal- ted police and Moqtada Al Sadr's The growing tensions come intention of storming it again. iland government to open a followers who had gathered to at a bad time for Prime Minis- Abadi ordered an investiga- military base in the port town demand an overhaul of a com- ter Haider Al Abadi who is trying tion into the violence amid of Berbera. mission that supervises to focus on a critical battle with claims by the Interior Ministry The parliament of Soma- elections, ahead of a provincial Islamic State in Mosul, the last that some demonstrators car- liland yesterday approved poll due in September. The major urban stronghold of the ried firearms and knives. Sadr the UAE plan. The plan is clashes broke out as the protest- Sunni militants in northern Iraq. insists his followers were peace- controversial and the neigh- ers attempted to cross the bridge Four of the five protesters ful. In a statement, Maliki's bouring countries of Ethiopia that links Tahrir Square where killed were hit by bullets and the Dawa party accused Sadr with- and Djibouti are opposed to they had gathered and the heav- fifth died of unknown causes, out naming him of trying to it, according to local reports. ily fortified Green Zone, which according to an updated casu- "distract the Iraqi people in sedi- In the vote, 144 lawmak- houses government buildings, alties toll given by an Interior tion in order to prevent the ers were in favour of the embassies and international Ministry official. Most of the efforts to get rid of Daesh," an military base, two voted organisations. injured were treated for chok- acronym for Islamic State. against and two abstained. In a statement reacting to the ing on tear gas, he said. Sadr is openly hostile to Iraqi Kurdish leader Massud Barzani (left) greets British Nine others opposed to the killing of his followers on Satur- Sadr says the electoral com- American policies in the Middle base shouted against Presi- day evening, Sadr said: "Their mission is favourable to his Shia East and, at the same time, he Defence Secretary Michael Fallon upon his arrival for a dent Ahmed Silanyo and blood won't have been shed in rival, former prime minister has a troubled relationship with meeting in Arbil, the capital of the Kurdish autonomous were led out of the chamber vain." He promised "peaceful" Nuri Al Maliki, a politician close Iraqi political groups allied with region in northern Iraq, yesterday. by soldiers. retaliation. Several Katyusha to Iran whom he accuses of Iran. MONDAY 13 FEBRUARY 2017 ASIA 09 North Korea conducts ballistic missile test Seoul Provocation consider a very, very high prior- AFP ity," Trump said Friday. The missile, launched The two leaders did not orth Korea fired a around 7:55am from immediately respond to yestre- ballistic missile yes- Banghyon air base in day's launch, which came after terday in an the western province Pyongyang carried out two apparent provoca- of North Pyongan atomic tests and fired multiple tion to test the Province, flew east missiles last year, triggering Nresponse from new US President towards the Sea of enhanced UN sanctions. Donald Trump, the South Korean Japan (East Sea). "We are aware of the reports defence ministry said. and are closely monitoring the The missile, launched around situation", a White House offi- 7:55am (2255 GMT Saturday) South Korea's defence cial saidP, adding that the from Banghyon air base in the ministry said that, It president had been briefed. western province of North Pyon- is believed that it South Korea's acting presi- gan Province, flew east towards (missile launch) was dent Hwang Gyo-Ahn vowed a the Sea of Japan (East Sea), it said. an armed provocation "corresponding punishment" in "It flew about 500km before to test the response response, while Japan's top gov- falling into the sea," a defence from the new US ernment spokesman Yoshihide ministry spokesman said, add- administration under Suge called the launch "abso- ing the exact type of missile had President Trump. lutely intolerable". yet to be identified. "Considering the missile was "It is believed that today's launched immediately after the missile launch ... is aimed at Japan-US summit, it is clearly a drawing global attention to the be part of the North's effort to provocation to Japan and the North by boasting its nuclear and steadily improve its missile capa- region," Suge told reporters. missile capabilities," the minis- bilities," the official was quoted The launch came on the heels try said in a statement. as saying. of a visit to Seoul by new US People watch the news showing file footage of North Korea's missile launch at a railway station "It is also believed that it was The launch came after after Defense Secretary James Mattis in Seoul, yesterday. an armed provocation to test the Trump assured visiting Japanese last week, who had warned response from the new US Prime Minister Shinzo Abe that Pyongyang that any nuclear administration under President Washington was committed to attack would be met with an North Korea is barred under conducted numerous tests and sure the incoming US president. Trump," it added. the security of its key Asian ally. "effective and overwhelming" UN resolutions from any use of launches in its quest to develop Trump shot back on Twitter, An army official quoted by "We will work together to response. ballistic missile technology but a nuclear weapons system capa- saying "It won't happen." Yonhap news agency ruled out promote our shared interests, of "Any attack on the United six sets of UN sanctions since ble of hitting the US mainland. James Char, senior analyst at the possibility of a long-range which we have many, in the States or our allies will be Pyongyang's first nuclear test in In January, Kim Jong-Un the Institute of Defence and Stra- missile test, describing the device region, including freedom from defeated and any use of nuclear 2006 have failed to halt its drive boasted that Pyongyang was in the tegic Studies in Singapore, said as an upgraded version of North's navigation and defending against weapons would be met with a for what it insists are defensive "final stages" of developing an the launch was Pyongyang's short-range Rodong missile. the North Korean missile and response that would be effective weapons. intercontinental ballistic missile "way of showing characteristic "The launch also appears to nuclear threat, both of which I and overwhelming," Mattis said. Last year, the country in an apparent attempt to pres- defiance against... Trump". Indonesians South Korea prosecutors to question Samsung heir again to vote in regional polls Seoul son of the Samsung group boss prosecutors accused him of brib- prosecutors' team. daughter in a bid to receive pol- AFP Lee Kun-Hee, has been quizzed ery involving nearly $40m. The scandal centres on icy favours from Park in return. several times over his alleged A Seoul court rejected the Park's secret confidante Choi Park has been named as an Jakarta outh Korean prosecutors role in the scandal that has arrest warrant on grounds of Soon-Sil, who is accused of using accomplice with Choi, and also Reuters said yesterday they would rocked the nation. insufficient evidence. her presidential ties to force local stands accused of letting Choi Squestion the Samsung heir The 48-year-old will be Lee has effectively taken the firms to "donate" tens of millions handle a wide range of state TENS of millions of Indo- again as part of a probe into a summoned again today, said a helm of the group since his father of dollars to two non-profit affairs including senior nomina- nesians head to the polls on corruption and influence-ped- spokesman for the special team suffered a heart attack in 2014. foundations which Choi alleg- tions even though she held no Wednesday in local elections dling scandal that caused of prosecutors probing the affair. "We need to question Lee... edly used for personal gain. official post. across the Muslim-majority President Park Geun-hye to be Lee, described as a key sus- over other things we have dis- Samsung was the biggest Two other senior Samsung country, with bitter feud- impeached. pect in the scandal, narrowly covered (after the arrest warrant donor to the foundations and is executives would also be ques- ing over the powerful post of Lee Jae-Yong, Samsung Elec- avoided being formally arrested was rejected)," said Lee Kyu- accused of separately giving mil- tioned today as criminal Jakarta governor stoking polit- tronics vice chairman and the last month when the Chul, spokesman for the lions of euros to Choi and her suspects, the spokesman said. ical and religious tensions. Incumbent Basuki Tjahaja Purnama, Jakarta's first eth- nic Chinese and Christian Taiwan donates leader, has angered some Cambodia opposition Muslim voters for allegedly aid to refugees insulting the Holy Quran. He has denied wrongdo- ing, but is on trial for names acting leader in Turkey blasphemy in a case that rights groups and his support- Phnom Penh An emergency meeting of Kilis ers view as politically Reuters the party's committee said Kem Anatolia motivated. Sokha, Rainsy's deputy, would Purnama is backed by ambodia's main opposi- become the acting president. TAIWANESE business people President Joko Widodo's tion party named Kem "The CNRP knows itself, have donated winter clothes party and is running against CSokha as its acting presi- where it has come from and and shoes to be delivered to Agus Yudhoyono, the son of dent yesterday after exiled what it must do," Kem Sokha around 10,000 Syrian and former President Susilo Bam- leader Sam Rainsy resigned wrote on Facebook. Turkish families in need in Tur- bang Yudhoyono, and unexpectedly in the face of a Kem Sokha had already been key's southern Kilis province ex-education minister Anies possible ban ahead of filling the role in effect because near the border with Syria. Baswedan. elections. Rainsy lives in exile. As part of a humanitarian Jakarta police will deploy Political tension has been Rainsy announced his resig- Cambodia's opposition acting president Kem Sokha at the aid campaign launched by the 16,000 officers ahead of vot- growing in the Southeast Asia nation on Saturday, saying it was Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) headquarters in STUF United Fund, World ing day as concerns remain nation, where Cambodia Prime to protect the party. Phnom Penh, yesterday. Taiwanese Chambers of about groups trying to hold Minister Hun Sen is fighting to In a video posted on his Commerce (WTCC), Turkish similar rallies to the mass keep his 30-year-old grip on Facebook page yesterday, he Hun Sen has said the law will Rainsy has been convicted Red Crescent and Kilis Munic- protests seen late last year power and the Cambodia said there had been a risk that be changed to ban anyone who of a series of defamation charges ipality, the first batch of calling for the jailing of National Rescue Party (CNRP) the party would be dissolved has been convicted of an offence and has lived in France since winter jackets and raincoats, Purnama. could stand in his way. ahead of elections. from leading a party. 2015 to avoid them. as well as trousers and boots were delivered on Friday. "It is a small step but a good start in the name of the Taiwanese government," said Japanese manga legend Jiro Taniguchi dies at 69 Taiwan's Ambassador to Tur- key, Yaser Tai-hsiang Cheng Paris of Japan's greatest writers. Taniguchi's detailed land- In 2011, the French govern- during the delivery. AFP Just over a decade later, he scapes populated by vaguely ment awarded Taniguchi the "Taiwan would continue hit the international manga cartoonish characters drew com- Knight of the Order of Arts and to cooperate with Turkey on iro Taniguchi (pictured), a leg- scene with "A Distant Neigh- parisons in the West with some Letters -- one of the country's such aid campaigns". end in Japan's comic art of bourhood", about a Japanese of the better-known European most prestigious prizes. Accompanying Cheng Jmanga, died in Tokyo on Sat- salaryman who travels back to comic heroes, such as Tintin. Four years later, the annual were STUF United Fund CEO urday at the age of 69, leaving his childhood -- widely seen to Born in 1947 to a modest cartoon festival in the French Jeff Yao, Kilis Mayor Hasan behind an international follow- this day as his masterpiece. family in the city of Tottori, 100 city of Angouleme held a retro- Kara, and Taiwanese business ing for his exquisite line drawing Taniguchi's work is hailed for km northwest of the old impe- spective of his work. people. of scenes from everyday life. its delicate line drawing and rial capital Kyoto, Taniguchi had "He was preparing a new This year, a total of The artist's French publisher intricately-constructed his first cartoon published in work intended for family read- 30,000 winter jackets will be Casterman announced his death landscapes. 1970. ership, a story in three volumes, donated to refugee children on its website, adding that he had Critics have also praised his He became especially pop- 'The Millennium Forest,' in full in Jordan, Turkey, and been seriously ill, as it expressed gentle subject matter for standing ular in France, one of the biggest colour, a new approach to Greece; 10,000 jackets for its deep condolences to his in stark contrast to the usual fare markets for graphic art. manga," his agent and transla- each country, according to a family. of high school romance consumed "He was seen by French tor Corinne Quentin said. joint statement by STUF Taniguchi first shot to fame by some of Japan's manga fans. aspects of everyday life -- the readers, illustrators and publish- Taniguchi "really did bridge United Fund and WTCC. in Japan at the end of the 1980s In works such as "The Walk- things he finds, the scenes he ers as a god, while he presented the two worlds of cartoon art -- As of Monday, Kilis with the first volume of "The ing Man", the protagonist is sees and the people he meets on himself as a regular guy," fellow Japan and France," said Municipality teams will con- Times of Botchan", which cen- occupied less by any specific his strolls through suburban manga artist Tori Miki said on Sebastien Langevin, a Canal BD tinue delivering aid to people tres around Natsume Soseki, one action as with a fascination with neighbourhoods. Twitter. Manga Mag chief editor. in need across the province. 10 VIEWS MONDAY 13 FEBRUARY 2017

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]

EDITORIAL Testing patience orth Korea is at it again. Firing missiles and testing nuclear capabilities have evolved into a fovaourite pastime for this impoverished, reclusive communist country which has nothing else to do. In Nkeeping up with this self-destructive tradition, Pyongyang fired a ballistic missile early yesterday The dictatorship of US democracy which has been called the first such test since UP President Donald Trump was elected. The missile think-tank recently published a report Iraq currently has a comprehensive landed in the Sea of Japan and reports say it was an Dr Burhan Al-Chalabi on the number of foreign terrorists from defence treaty, the SOFA Treaty, with the intermediate-range Musudan-class missile, which is the countries being targeted by the Exec- US who in turn, enjoy the benefits of a designed to fly up to 3,000-4,000 km, not an utive Order. range of comprehensive commercial Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) as the North The report tallies to zero, the number and military deals with Iraq. There are had threatened to test any day. The test happened of Americans killed by citizens of the currently thousands of US military per- during a visit by Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe rom the perspective of Muslims seven countries banned. The report sonnel as well as business people who to Washington to meet Trump. Addressing a press worldwide, it is heartening to wit- clearly shows that there are no security live and work in Iraq, while Iraqi citizens conference after the news, Trump said that he stood ness the overwhelming anger and concerns form these countries. There- are banned from travelling to the US. behind Japan “100 percent”. Senior adviser Stephen frustration from the international fore, the motive of the Executive Order is Therefore, placing a travel ban on Miller later explained the Trump administration’s community as well as ordinary purely one of race. Iraqis visiting the US sits at odds with the position on the test. “The message is that we are FAmerican citizens, against Mr Trump’s Mus- One million Iraqi spirit and terms and conditions of these going to reinforce and strengthen our vital alliances lim ban on travel to the USA. lives were sacrificed treaties. In particular, as the current in the Pacific region as part of our strategy to deter Trump’s Executive Order to ban Muslims and billions of dollars weak, sectarian, Iraqi regime is not fit and prevent the increasing hostility that we’ve seen travelling to the US, is short sighted, ill- were wasted during the for, or capable of addressing this action in recent years from the North Korean regime,” thought out and potentially detrimental to US Iraqi-Iranian war in the by a similar travel or trade ban on US Miller said. interests and National Security. It reinforces 1980’s to contain the citizens visiting Iraq. Iraqi officials, as The missile test didn’t come as a surprise, though the widely-held perception that the US hate well as Iraqi-born citizens who hold Arabs and Muslims. It will offer a platform to American passports or have a valid US it’s certain to ratchet up tension in a region which The Americans who has been both worried and fed up with Kim Jong- religious extremists and ISIS to radicalise Visa, are not allowed to travel to the US young people and recruit fanatics on a plat- took to the streets have under this ban. un’s regime’s craziness. Pyongyang’s neighbours and form of hate to harm US interests and that of The moral duty of Arabs and Muslims the international demonstrated their support their Western allies. worldwide is to support and stand community have of democracy, the rule of law The Americans who took to the streets shoulder to shoulder with the American remained helpless in the have demonstrated their support of democ- and respect for human rights. people who are protesting the illegal, The latest missile face of Kim’s aggressive racy, the rule of law and respect for human Also, their determination unjust and racist Executive Order. and illegal acts. Options test by reclusive rights. Also, their determination to oppose to oppose injustice and Arab countries not targeted by the North Korea are few when it comes to injustice and inequality in accordance with Executive Order,and those who controlling the Kim inequality in accordance with comes as no the US constitution that was written by its answered the US call for the invasion regime. The country is founders to help and support those who are the US constitution that was and destruction of Iraq in 2003, have a surprise, though already under sanctions desperate and in need from anywhere in the written by its founders to moral duty to offer solidarity to those it’s certain to imposed by the United world regardless of race or religion. help and support those who being targeted. Suspending visas for US ratchet up tension Nations, and the global Five of the seven countries being targeted citizens would offer a positive option. body and world powers are desperate and in need in the region. are Arab countries. Therefore, the President’s These countries should also use this have issued umpteen Executive Order has effectively used the from anywhere in the world opportunity of racial discrimination to condemnations of its Islamic faith to also deny the citizens of these regardless of race or religion. redefine trade relationships with the US, reckless tests, in an countries their Arabic identity. Citizens of all a relationship which should now be attempt to dissuade the faiths from these targeted countries do not based on the Exchange of Energy - for - dictator from striving to gain nuclear weapons. But travel to the US using religious ID, they do so aims and ambitions of the Islamic revo- Technology, not Energy – for – Security. sanctions and condemnations have failed to work, using their national passports. lution of Ayatollah Khomeini. A concept whereby the terms of the mainly because Pyongyang is already isolated and Immigrants from these countries did not Sacrificed Iraqi lives saved the terri- trade deals serve the interests of both has no relations with the international community. voluntarily choose to leave their homes in torial integrity of Iraq and the Gulf parties on an equal commercial basis. Its people are already living a life of penury and Kim order to start a new life in the US or the west. region, as well as protecting the interests Wasteful military deals should also be is singularly focused on acquiring nuclear weapons They did so because their countries have been of the US and west in the region. The US reconsidered to enhance the dignity, rather than improve the living conditions of his destroyed and their livelihood has been shat- interest was specifically targeted by the integrity and Arabic identity of these people through economic development. tered by US military invasion and intervention revolution of Ayatollah Khomeini. countries. The North Korean test was also a test for Trump. for no other reason except being born an Arab The US reward for the Iraqi lives was History would testify that it is wrong Trump had pledged a more aggressive and assertive or into the Islamic faith. to invade and destroy Iraq as a country, for Arab countries to assume not being approach against Kim. In January, he had tweeted The death and destruction of these tar- destroy Iraq’s secular constitution and targeted by the US policy now would “It won’t happen!” after Kim said the North was geted countries is a direct result of the US replace it with a sectarian one designed mean not being targeted at all in the close to testing an ICBM. But Trump’s reaction policy of intervention, regime change, sanc- specifically to destroy Iraq as a nation, future. The Shah of Iran, Ayatollah Kho- yesterday shows that like other issues, he has tions and the fight against terrorism. A policy dismantle the Iraqi state, and hand Iraq meini, President Saddam Hussein and become pragmatic on North Korea too, and didn’t which is the legacy of the New World Order over on a gold platter to Iran, the com- Colonel Gaddafi offer but few useful threaten any action or indulge in verbal fury. China and the project of the new American Century mercial ally of the US in the region. examples to note. is the only country which has influence on that has cost the US trillions of dollars and has had devastating consequences not only for Pyongyang and Trump will have to work with Beijing the US but also for the countries in question. if he wants to rein in Kim, unless he wants to use the The emphasis on Islam in the Executive military option. Order would only serve the interests and the propaganda of the ultra-right in the US who are obsessed with demonising the Islamic faith by constantly associating the faith with terrorism. QUOTE OF THE DAY Prior to the US military intervention, these countries enjoyed mainly stable secular gov- ernments who had no quarrels with the US The current goal in Syria and posed no threats to US interests or national security. Therefore, the citizens of is to establish a safe, these countries should have expected and terror-free zone of 4 to ought to have received compensation and an 5,000 kilometres. Such apology form the President Elect, Donald a solution would prevent Trump, and not a travel ban, humiliation and detention at US airports. migration from Syria, Perhaps President Elect, Trump ought to and ensure the return of have been honest with the American public Syrian people who live by stating how many million Muslim citizens of these countries have been killed, ethnically now in our camps cleansed or became refugees who have lost all livelihood as a result of US military People participate in a protest against President Donald Trump’s travel ban at Recep Tayyip Erdogan intervention. Turkish President The Cato Institute, a US Conservative Columbia University, in New York City. MONDAY 13 FEBRUARY 2017 OPINION 11 Why we still need Black History Month in US

most vulnerable population, our Danielle Fuentes Morgan children. When you don’t see your- Al Jazeera self represented in the past, it becomes more difficult to imagine your future. Of course, black history is a part of American history. But the teach- arlier this month, US Vice President Mike ing of American history in a way Pence acknowledged the beginning of that is privileging white accom- Black History Month by noting Abraham plishments and whiteness more Lincoln’s effort to re-unite the union broadly does not typically reflect through the 13th amendment. this idea. In an ideal world, a sepa- ELet’s consider the optics of this for a moment. rate month for black history would A month celebrating the accomplishments of be redundant. But we are not living black people was introduced by a vice president cel- in an ideal world. ebrating the accomplishments of a white man. I Until the limited view of history guess even Black History Month isn’t safe from and of who gets to be an American appropriation. undergoes a significant change, like This should come as no surprise given Black His- saying “Black Lives Matter”, we tory Month’s mainstream treatment as a token need to specifically claim a space gesture. This is largely the case everywhere, except for black history. for inside elementary school classrooms, where at When Carter G Woodson pro- least during February, black figures get the same posed Negro History Week in 1926, simplified treatment as historical figures of other he explained, “If a race has no his- races. tory, it has no worthwhile tradition, So, when the most powerful people in the US it becomes a negligible factor in the demonstrate their own gross misunderstanding of thought of the world, and it stands not only the point of Black History Month, but of in danger of being exterminated.” It black history itself, why is the necessity of the com- is the last point, this danger of memoration still debated in the 21st century? extermination, which endows US President Donald Trump holds an African American History Month listening session in the Roosevelt I am less interested in the impact of this celebra- Black History Month with a contin- tion on Mike Pence, and more concerned about its room of the White House in Washington, DC. ued relevance. It is a time when the effect on black children. Often times, disapproval of innocence of black children is most Black History Month isn’t really given out of concern fairness, these same critics would find it untenable positively in some black communities and within the overtly acknowledged and cher- for the well-being of all students. It’s done to extin- that a student educated in the US could go their entire confines of the elementary school classroom. ished — an innocence that is guish the optimism of the black ones. educational career without encountering James Bald- Why, then, does it remain an issue for people unquestioned for white children. Post-racial mythology win, Richard Wright, or Zora Neale Hurston, but who, by their own admission, aren’t actually joining This is the same old anti-blackness framed now having read Mark Twain - twice. in it? How many adults lead lives that include com- The writer is an assistant professor at as a post-racial mythology. If this were meant to create widespread equity, pulsory participation in this celebration? Santa Clara University. She writes Whenever someone invokes the post-racial we might not be living in this dark timeline where How does it disrupt your status quo? Does casual about African American literature and mythology, what they really mean is that black and Donald Trump, like a teenager who read only the Friday in your office suddenly become dashiki day? culture, comedy, and the 21st century. brown people must disappear into whiteness. In the back cover of a book before giving a report, was Is “the Star-Spangled Banner” usurped by “Lift Ev’ry post-racial mythology, everyone is racialised, except emboldened to speak of abolitionist Frederick Doug- Voice and Sing” at basketball games? white people who are just people. If the burden of the lass as “somebody who’s done an amazing job and is The criticism suggests the issue is not the cele- post-racial is only on non-white people, what does being recognised more and more.” bration itself, but instead a desire to disallow black “post-racial” actually mean? Without an especially motivated teacher making children an understanding of culture and of black When Black History Month is construed in these deliberate decisions in view of cultural responsive- pride. Namely, that there are forerunners who pro- same terms, what critics of this commemoration are ness, it is both possible and likely that these vide a representational template for the lived ultimately saying is that black children do not deserve American figures are viewed as superfluous to Amer- possibilities of black excellence - one that defiantly the optimistic and inclusive view of their own history ican literature and history. They’re niche. They’re the refuses whiteness as its centre. It is the possibility of to which white children are automatically entitled. If original “race-themed” texts. Even teachers that ini- black childhood joy, unencumbered and rendered D-RING ROAD the concern really stemmed from a desire for tiate conversations on diversity and inclusion - and separate from whiteness, and not the idea of a Black POST BOX: 3488 they certainly do exist, and I’ve worked alongside History Month itself, that is being problematised. them in years past — do so despite it being only In this way, for many critics of the celebration, DOHA - QATAR vaguely referenced in the core curriculum. black history just simply isn’t real history. Those who [email protected] Until the limited view of Would these lessons be taught more frequently decry Black History Month aren’t asking for more history and of who gets to without Black History Month as a reminder? Has diversity within the classroom; they are asking for America ever uniformly responded to the needs or the continued centring of whiteness as the true EDITOR-IN-CHIEF OFFICE be an American undergoes desires of the disempowered and marginalised with- American experience. TEL: 4455 7741 / 767 a significant change, like out their active prompting? Black history as part of US history FAX: +974 4455 7758 saying “Black Lives Matter,” The ‘problem’ with Black History Month Ultimately, claims that Black History Month we need to specifically The fact that conversations about the teaching of should be removed in favour of a broad American MANAGING EDITOR black history only emerge in earnest in February history that speaks directly to and about “all of us” TEL: 4462 7505 claim a space for black ironically serves to underscore the continued neces- becomes synonymous with “All Lives Matter” - in sity of Black History Month as a frame for education. practice, it erases black people from the narrative of history. DEPUTY MANAGING EDITOR Black History Month is primarily addressed US history and US futures within the context of our TEL: 4455 7769

LOCAL NEWS SECTION TEL: 4455 7743

What RBI is really saying about Indian economy BUSINESS NEWS SECTION TEL: 4462 7535 lower it, as many in the government and Indian have been shown as depending on existing indirect taxes that Mihir Sharma industry had hoped, the RBI has put some of those will cease to exist a few months from now. SPORT NEWS SECTION Bloomberg fears to rest. Its reasons for doing so, however, raise In other words, the much-ballyhooed fiscal deficit target TEL: 4455 7745 different concerns about the government’s policies the government has set for itself is based on numbers that — and its basic assumptions about the economy. have little basis in reality — assuming, that is, the government ONLINE SECTION In declining to cut rates, the RBI went so far as to is still committed to the GST. It’s difficult to suppose then that TEL: 4462 7501 he Reserve Bank of India has not say its monetary policy stance was no longer its fiscal restraint leaves much space for the RBI to cut rates [email protected] exactly covered itself in glory accommodative; the era when India could expect in future. since November 8, when Prime several more rate cuts to be around the corner The bank left another critical question unspoken. Even if PUBLIC RELATIONS Minister Narendra Modi sprung appears to have ended. The bank was optimistic the RBI were to cut rates, how much would it help cure the news on a startled nation about growth next financial year — which begins India’s sharp investment slowdown? Private investment has TEL: 4455 7613 Tthat 86 percent of its currency would be April 1 — and praised the government’s fiscal shrunk for several quarters. But that’s not because rates are [email protected] worthless within a few hours. The central restraint in its recent budget. It even rosily too high. Rather, banks remain unwilling to lend, even after bank’s refusal to release up-to-date data announced that money rationing would end soon. receiving a flood of new deposits since November. Bank ADVERTISING DEPARTMENT about the demonetisation, its constant What the decision acknowledges, however, is credit to Indian companies has declined by 60 percent since TEL: 4455 7837 / 780 stream of confusing and contradictory that the fallout from demonetization isn’t as easy to 2011. FAX: 4455 7870 orders to banks and its apparently supine predict as the government seems to think. Some of Banks aren’t lending partly because they aren’t confident [email protected] acquiescence in the government’s grand India’s recent and welcome moderation in inflation about the quality of their existing loan books, and partly experiment prompted accusations it was might well be the result of distress sales following because they’re worried about their overall capital adequacy CLASSIFIED DEPARTMENT abdicating its responsibility and the crash in consumer demand after November 8. requirements. The government — state-owned banks com- TEL: 4455 7857 independence. India’s headline inflation is driven by food prices, prise most of India’s banking system — has done little to fix [email protected] With its decision which form a big chunk of the bundle of goods from either problem. Wednesday to hold the pol- which the consumer price index is calculated. Con- On the first, it continues to dither about how to approach SUBSCRIPTION & DISTRIBUTION icy interest rate steady at ditions have been so bad that reports have come in the issue. Should there be a so-called bad bank that will take TEL: 4455 7809 / 839 6.25 percent rather than from across the country of farmers dumping their soured loans off bank balance sheets, and at what price? On FAX: 44557819 produce because it barely seems worthwhile to take the second, the government designated a paltry $1.5 billion in it to market. the budget for bank recapitalisation. None of this suggests [email protected] At the same time, the RBI should have been even that the bank problem — and thus the pipeline for new Banks aren’t lending partly more wary of the government’s arithmetic. The investment — is going to be addressed any time soon. because they aren’t confident numbers in the most recent federal budget appear So yes, it’s heartening that the RBI has managed to stand All thoughts and views about the quality of their healthy: The government claims to have done the up and sound a note of caution about India’s economy. But expressed in these columns existing loan books, and partly impossible, staying fiscally responsible while push- the assumptions driving an optimistic view of the Indian ing more public investment. But look a little deeper economy are clearly flawed. Reviving growth is now very are those of the writers, not because they’re worried about and that story doesn’t quite hold up. much up to the government. And, as the ill-conceived and of the newspaper. their overall capital adequacy For one, the government’s revenue estimates for poorly implemented demonetisation experiment revealed, requirements. The government — the coming year are largely a feat of imagination, the government doesn’t seem like it’s prioritizing growth and All correspondence state-owned banks comprise most not projection. It’s not hard to see why: From July 1, investment at the moment. regarding Views and a new, nationwide goods-and-services tax is sup- Opinion pages should be of India’s banking system — has posed to go into force, replacing the existing tangle The writer is a Bloomberg view columnist. He was a columnist for done little to fix either problem. of indirect taxes. Yet the budget has been calculated the Indian Express and the Business Standard, and he is the author mailed to the as if the GST doesn’t exist. Government finances of “Restart: The Last Chance for the Indian Economy.” [email protected] 12 ASIA MONDAY 13 FEBRUARY 2017 Aftershocks rattle southern Philippines

Surigao damaged, according to local AFP officials. Devastated People who had fled their The state seismology housands of residents damaged homes wrapped them- office recorded 130 of a quake-hit city in selves in blankets and sacks for weaker quakes in the southern Philip- a second night as they slept side- Surigao since the pines sought refuge on by-side on the pavement on quake struck, though the streets as after- Saturday, a photographer at the there were no Tshocks hit the region yesterday, scene said. additional reports of two days after a quake killed six. The state seismology office The 6.5-magnitude quake recorded 130 weaker quakes in casualties or damage. struck Surigao and nearby areas Surigao, a city of 152,000 peo- of Mindanao island late Friday, ple, and in the predominantly Duterte flew to the injuring 202, with more than a agricultural region around it region yesterday to thousand homes destroyed or since the quake struck, though inspect the response effort, which officials said has shifted to Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte supervises the distribution of relief goods headed by relief and social welfare Secretary Judy Taguiwalo (centre) to victims of the 6.5-magnitude earthquake rehabilitation after in Surigao City, yesterday. the last of the dead and injured were Martin Andanar, a native of the queued for water rations sup- out the power supply, though pulled from the region, said over government plied by fire trucks after the electricity was restored in most rubble. radio. quake cut off tap water supply. of Surigao on Saturday. Duterte flew to the region "We're still being hit by after- An average of five earth- yesterday to inspect the response shocks, and as of now we do not quakes, most of them there were no additional reports effort, which officials said has have tap water supply. The peo- undetectable except through of casualties or damage. shifted to relief and rehabilita- ple are suffering," provincial instruments, hit daily across the "The people are terrified tion after the last of the dead and information officer Mary Esca- Philippines, which lies on the so- about the aftershocks," Romina injured were pulled from the lante said. called Ring of Fire, a vast Pacific Marasigan, spokeswoman for the rubble. "Buildings that suffered Ocean region where many earth- government's National Disaster He was accompanied by a structural damage have been quakes and volcanic eruptions Risk Reduction and Management military transport plane loaded closed," she said, adding some occur. Council said. with generator sets, solar lamps, schools and gyms that were The last lethal quake that hit "This was the first time Suri- high-energy biscuits, mosquito meant to serve as evacuation the country measured 7.1-mag- gao had suffered a quake this nets and blankets for the dis- centres were among those dam- nitude. It left over 220 people strong. The previous one placed residents, Marasigan said. aged by the quake. dead and destroyed historic Residents run to a main road as rescuers give instructions as occurred in the 1800s," President Early yesterday, long lines of The quake also damaged churches when it struck the cen- strong aftershocks struck in Surigao City, yesterday. Rodrigo Duterte's spokesman people carrying pails and jugs bridges and roads and knocked tral islands in October 2013. Philippine army NZ whale crisis 'over': Rescuers clashes with Turkmenistan votes rebels; 3 dead Farewell Spit As low tide approached yes- animals and keeping them cool AFP terday evening, around 300 while waiting to refloat them on in presidential poll pilot whales were heading out the high tide. Zamboanga City hale rescuers were of Golden Bay in the northwest On Saturday, when rescu- Anatolia cautiously optimistic of the South Island and swim- ers believed the situation to be Ashgabat a government-owned oil Wyesterday that the ming towards the deep-water under control, about 240 whales AFP refinery and a representative FIGHTING between govern- current wave of mass beachings safety of Cook Strait. moved around a small flotilla of of a state agribusiness ment troops and communist in New Zealand was over, after "It's good news. The pod is boats and a human chain of res- itizens of Turkmenistan complex. rebels in different provinces of hundreds of the creatures died swimming well away," Depart- cuers standing in the water went to the polls yes- But these candidates are southern Mindanao since Sat- after being stranded ashore. ment of Conservation regional trying to herd them away. Cterday for a presidential viewed as token opponents urday have left three people The crisis began early Fri- conservation manager Andrew They beached themselves vote expected to further for the former dentist and dead and six soldiers injured. day when a pod of 416 whales Lamason said. about 3 km from the Friday tighten strongman Gurban- health minister who took The Eastern Mindanao were found stranded on the "They're the exact words," stranding. guly Berdymukhamedov's power following the death of Command said troops and 26-kilometre Farewell Spit, with he added, when asked if he was By yesterday morning, most hold over the gas-rich Cen- predecessor Saparmurat rebels engaged in a firefight in hundreds more following them cautiously optimistic the crisis had managed to refloat them- tral Asian country. Niyazov in 2006. Agusan del Norte on Saturday, over the weekend. was over. "We've pulled our selves and at high tide volunteer The turnout in the coun- Casting his vote at a killing a soldier and two civil- The shallow, sweeping spit boats out of the water." workers were able to get the try of over 5 million people school in the capital Ashga- ians. Lt Col Rembert Baylosis is believed to interfere with the The news came as a relief remaining animals back into the exceeded 74 percent in the bat yesterday morning, the said five soldiers were also whales' navigation systems and for the hundreds of exhausted water where boats were used to first six hours of voting, the president said the vote would wounded during an encoun- is a regular scene of mass volunteers, who had spent three guide them towards the other Central Election Commission decide "the fate of the people ter with the rebels in Cagayan. strandings. days comforting the stranded survivors. said. for the coming seven years". Berdymukhamedov, 59, The autocrat was accom- faces eight other candidates panied by family members including low-level regional including his son, who was Australia bushfires: Five towns urged to evacuate officials, the director of elected as an MP last year.

Sydney "Black Saturday" fires, Austral- injuries, but some firefighters for allegedly starting fires. Reuters ia's worst bush fire event that were suffering from heat-related Temperatures climbed killed 173 people. issues. above 45 degrees Celsius in ustralian authorities "This is the worst day we By yesterday afternoon, some parts. ordered the evacuation of have seen in the history of New emergency warnings were Dry and hot northwesterly Asome sparsely populated South Wales when it comes to issued for five rural areas. Peo- winds coming from Australia's rural areas of New South Wales fire danger ratings and fire con- ple were told to evacuate if they desert centre, some up to 75 km yesterday as bushfires, fanned ditions," Shane Fitzsimmons, the could, or seek shelter and avoid an hour, were fanning the by extreme heat and strong state's rural fire chief, said. bush or grassland where it was bushfires. winds, raged across the state, The areas hit by fires are too late to leave. A southerly wind change threatening homes and closing hundreds of kilometres from More than 2,000 firefight- associated with a cold front was roads. Sydney, the state capital. ers, many of them volunteers, forecast to arrive by early A heat wave on Australia's Fitzsimmons said there were were battling 86 fires across evening, the Bureau of Meteor- east coast saw temperatures hit unconfirmed reports of homes, New South Wales yesterday ology said. records in some parts of the farm sheds and machinery being afternoon, with 38 of them not Fitzsimmons said the front state, creating conditions that destroyed by fast-moving fires under control. would eventually offer relief, but Turkmenistan's President Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov officials said were worse than breaking containment lines. A 13-year-old boy and a would create volatile conditions casts his vote at a polling station, in Ashgabat, yesterday. those preceding Victoria's 2009 There were no reports of 40-year-old man were charged as it met the northwesterly flow. 30% of live poultry markets in Chinese city infected with bird flu

Beijing across the province to halt live authority in Guangzhou, capital reinforce concerns about the had 106 cases of human infec- world's third-largest producer Reuters poultry trade on Saturday over of the southern Chinese province spread of the virus as the death tions, according to the National of broiler chickens and the sec- bird flu concerns, state media of Guangdong, urged residents toll in China this winter hit 30 Health and Family Planning ond-biggest consumer of poultry uthorities in China's third- Xinhua reported citing the prov- to avoid contact with live poul- last week and neighbouring Commission. have also closed some live poul- largest city warned that ince's Center for Disease Control try after tests in the past week. South Korea and Japan battle The virus usually strikes in try markets after people and Aabout 30 percent of its live and Prevention. Guangzhou, a major port and major outbreaks. winter and spring, and farmers chickens were infected by avian poultry markets were contami- In January, Zhejiang reported transportation hub, last month Chinese disease control have in recent years ramped up flu strains. nated with the H7N9 avian flu 35 infections of the H7N9 strain said it would suspend the trade experts have warned the public measures to prevent the disease. Widespread infection can virus, as an eastern province of bird flu, according to the pro- of live and slaughtered poultry to stay alert for H7N9 avian flu, China has confirmed five lead to severe health risks and ordered markets to shut, state vincial Health and Family for three-day periods through with more than 100 cases of bird flu outbreaks among poul- big financial losses. The last media reported on Saturday. Planning Commission. March to prevent the spread of human infections reported over try this winter, which has led to major outbreak in China was in East China's Zhejiang prov- Earlier on Saturday, China avian flu to humans. the last 2-1/2 months. the culling of more than 175,000 2013, killing 36 people and caus- ince has ordered all markets Daily said the disease control The latest warning will In December alone, China birds. Many major cities in the ing more than $6bn in losses. MONDAY 13 FEBRUARY 2017 ASIA 13 Suu Kyi urges rebels to sign Myanmar peace deal

Panglong, Myanmar original Panglong agreement, AP Call for unity brokered by Suu Kyi's father, "I want to ask those Gen. Aung San. He, along with yanmar leader ethnic groups who ethnic Shan, Kachin and Chin Aung San Suu Kyi haven't signed the leaders, signed the deal to grant called on all nationwide cease- ethnic minorities autonomy and armed ethnic the right to secede if they worked fire to trust yourself groups to sign a with the federal government to and sign it and Mcease-fire agreement during a break away from Britain. speech yesterday in the same please participate in But Aung San was assassi- place where her father, an inde- our 21st Century nated five months after the pendence hero, signed a peace Panglong agreement was reached and the deal 70 years ago. Conference," Suu Kyi deal fell apart. Since then, eth- Speaking during annual said. nic groups have accused Union Day celebrations, Suu Kyi successive, mostly military gov- said ethnic groups can still join ernments of failing to honor the the movement for peace. 1947 pact. "I want to ask those ethnic Muslims and failing to stop atroc- State Counsellor Aung San groups who haven't signed the ities against other ethnic Suu Kyi called on the ethnic nationwide cease-fire to trust minorities. armed organizations to join the yourself and sign it and please Skirmishes, particularly in peace process by signing the participate in our 21st Century the northern zones where Kachin Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement Panglong Conference," Suu Kyi insurgents are fighting the army, (NCA), a landmark peace deal Myanmar State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi speaking during the Panglong Peace Talk with said. have displaced more than between the previous govern- ethnic representatives to mark 70th anniversary of Myanmar Union Day in Panglong town, Suu Kyi and her National 100,000 civilians since 2011 ment and eight out of the 15 rebel Myanmar, yesterday. League for Democracy party alone. With military offensives groups invited in 2015. promised that peace would be on the rise, ethnic groups have On February 12, 1947, Myan- historic agreement in Panglong, from Britain in 1948, Myanmar in 2011, former President Thein the top priority when she came recently expressed that their mar’s independence hero Gen. about 800 km northeast of the (then Burma) has seen over a Sein’s administration started to power a year ago. But she has hopes for Suu Kyi leading the Aung San (late father of Aung San country’s largest city, Yangon, to half-century of armed conflict peace talks with rebels, which come under fire for ignoring the peace process are fading. Suu Kyi) and the representatives claim independence from British involving ethnic rebels. led to the NCA. However, several plight of the oppressed Rohingya Union Day marks the of various ethnic groups signed a colonialists. Since independence Replacing the military junta major rebel groups refrained. Pakistan retaliates after politician denied US visa Sharif's health plan:

Islamabad Senate boycotts Sources in the Senate Secre- Hospital stopped from AP tariat told Dawn that since this The Senate Chairman was an official visit, Maulana akistan Senate Chairman has directed that no Haideri was not directly in con- Raza Rabbani announced Senate delegation tact with the US embassy in treating patients Pa boycott of the UN- spon- will visit the US Islamabad and all the corre- sored International "unless an spondence in this regard was Islamabad of the programme for Islama- Parliamentary Union (IPU) being explanation (for) the carried out by the secretariat on Internews bad. But the health cards have held in New York next week, delay in issuance of his behalf. been issued to over 55,000 after the US failed to issue a visa visa" to Deputy Secretariat staff was told on fter receiving complaints families. to his deputy, who was to rep- Chairman Maulana Saturday that the emba ssy from the beneficiaries of “We have tried our best to resent Pakistan at the forum, Abdul Ghafoor would inform them about the APakistani Prime Minis- contact the members but many media reported yesterday. status of the Deputy Chairman's ter’s National Health of them have left the city and Haideri was given by The Senate Chairman has visa on February 14, the last day Programme (PMNHP), the Min- are not being traced. Moreover, also directed that no Senate del- of the IPU hearing. istry of National Health those who have been traced are egation will visit the US "unless The US embassy, however, Services (NHS) has decided to saying that they would collect an explanation (for) the delay in Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F), was Senate secretariat, Rabbani has has issued visa to another Sen- make frequent snap visits to the the cards soon. A family which issuance of visa" to Deputy scheduled to travel to the US also directed that "no delega- ator Salahuddin Tirmizi without panel hospitals. One of the six was once in Islamabad has now Chairman Maulana Abdul Gha- with Pakistan Muslim League- tion, member of Congress or citing reasons for denying visa hospitals in the federal capital shifted to Narowal. foor Haideri (pictured) was Nawaz Senator Lt. Gen. (retd) diplomat of the US will be wel- to Haideri. has been temporarily stopped “When contacted a few given by the US government or Salahuddin Tirmizi yesterday to comed by the Senate of A spokesperson for the US from providing services to the days ago, the head of the fam- its embassy in Pakistan, Dawn attend the IPU hearing at the UN Pakistan, Senate standing com- embassy in Islamabad, when patients enrolled as members ily said he would collect the reported. headquarters on February 13-14. mittees and senators in their asked to comment, told Dawn of the PMNHP. card whenever he visits Islam- Maulana Haideri, who According to an official official capacity (until) this issue that they could not comment on Prime Minister Nawaz abad,” he said. belongs to the Jamiat statement released by the is resolved". visa cases due to privacy laws. Sharif launched the pro- “The beneficiaries were gramme on Dec 31, 2015, in from Sindh, Fata, Gilgit- Islamabad and described it as Baltistan and other areas of the the first step towards making country who were once in Pakistan a welfare state. The Islamabad and have now left Mob lynches Former LTTE leader forms new party beneficiaries are families with the city. We are doing our best a daily income of Rs200 or less. to trace them,” he said. Afghan couple Colombo news agency reported. Rajapakse. He became the Min- Under the programme, a In reply to a question, the IANS He formed the Tamil ister of National Integration in family gets Rs50, 000 for the official said out of the over for eloping National Freedom Front Party 2009. He later joined the Sri secondary care treatment 55,000 cards, 30,000 were at ormer Tamil Tiger leader with the assistance of his close Lanka Freedom Party, the larg- which begins as soon as the least once swiped but the Vinayagamoorthi Mura- members. Muralitharan was the est party in the UPFA. patient is hospitalised. The admission rate was 7pc to 8pc. Kabul Flitharan has formed a new former Tamil Tiger leader in the Muralitharan faces corrup- treatment covers all diseases, “When the scheme started, AFP party to voice the concerns of eastern province and bolted from tion charges for alleged misuse including maternity. the admission rate was 14pc in the Tamils in Sri Lanka, the the Liberation Tigers of Tamil of state vehicles during the pre- Moreover, each family can early 2016. However, later it n angry mob lynched a media reported yesterday. Eelam (LTTE) in 2004. After leav- vious government. At the party’s also get a treatment of Rs250, dropped to almost 8pc which young Afghan couple Muralitharan alias Karuna, ing the LTTE, he formed Tamil inauguration, he said TUFP 000 under the category of pri- is still satisfactory,” he said. Awho had eloped who broke away from the LTTE Makkal Viduthalai Puligal would be based in Batticaloa ority diseases which include When asked what kind of together after storming a in 2004 and was sworn in as a (TMVP), a splinter faction. and would open branches in cancer, accident, burn injuries, complaints had been received police station where they deputy minister in the previous After giving up arms and northern and eastern Sri Lanka. diabetic complications, heart from the patients, the official were being held for "immoral government, blamed the main entering politics, he was He said he would hold dis- bypass surgery and infections. said a majority of them com- acts", officials said yesterday, Tamil party — Tamil National appointed a National List MP for cussions with the Election An official of the Ministry plained that they were not the latest so-called honour Alliance (TNA) — for not doing the United People's Freedom Commission regarding the new of NHS, requesting not to be given medicines when they vis- killing in the country. enough to represent the con- Alliance (UPFA), the party of party tomorrow and try to get it named, said there were around ited the outpatient departments Fateha, an 18-year-old cerns of the Tamils, Xinhua former President Mahinda registered soon. 70,000 families in the database (OPDs). woman who had been forced to marry a man against her wishes, was arrested Satur- day along with her lover Fish acrobatics Hedayatullah, 19, in the Top Taliban leader dead Wama district of the remote eastern province of Nuristan. in Afghanistan province "The woman's family believed she had damaged Kabul that four foreign insurgents their honour. Together with QNA were among those killed. He armed villagers they attacked said that at least fourteen mili- the police station, took the girl top leader of the Taliban tants also sustained injuries and boy outside and shot group was along with during the operations conducted them in front of the public," Aseveral local and foreign Farghamero and Aab Raghak provincial governor Hafiz insurgents in northeastern villages in the past 24 hours. Abdul Qayyom said. Badakshan province of Afghan- According to Gen. Karimi, Abdul Ghafoor Nuristani, istan. According to the local the Afghan security forces and a provincial official, accused security officials in Badakhshan, local residents of the two vil- the police of failing to protect the militants were killed during lages did not suffer any the couple. the counter-terrorism opera- casualties during the opera- But Qayyom said three tions in Jurm district. tions. Badakshan is among the policemen were wounded in The commander of the 20th relatively calm provinces in the incident, into which the Pamir Brigade, General Ghu- northeastern Afghanistan but government had launched an lam Hazrat Karimi, said the anti-government armed investigation. Mawlavi Naqibullah was among militants have increased their So-called "honour kill- eleven insurgents killed during insurgency activities in some A dolphin jumps in front of a tourist boat in the sea in Kalpitiya, Sri Lanka, yesterday. ings" are not uncommon in the operations. remote districts of the province conservative Afghanistan. Gen. Karimi further added during the recent years. 14 ASIA MONDAY 13 FEBRUARY 2017 Indian Ministry website hacked? Officials say no

New Delhi anything. The site was pulled IANS 'Malicious activity' down for auditing," Shetty said. The website's landing "Actually, there was a data he website of the page was drawing a base problem. Sometimes it Union Home Ministry occurs. People thought that the was non-functional blank and the site, site has been hacked. yesterday and offi- which is accessed by We have done the complete cials said cyber hundreds of visitors auditing. There is no malicious Texperts were trying to ascertain daily and contains activity. We have now given if it had been hacked. non-sensitive green signal to release the The website's landing page documents of the site." was drawing a blank and the ministry, central However, the site remained site, which is accessed by hun- paramilitary forces, down till late Sunday evening. dreds of visitors daily and Indian government websites visa-related contains non-sensitive docu- have often come under attack ments of the ministry, central information and from suspected Pakistani hack- Indian security personnel walking through the scene of a firefight in Frisal village in Kulgam, paramilitary forces, visa-related contact details of the ers. In January, suspected information and contact details ministry officials, Pakistan-based operatives had Srinagar, yesterday. of the ministry officials, itself itself had become hacked the website of National had become inaccessible. inaccessible. Security Guard (NSG) and The problem most probably defaced it with anti-India con- Eight dead in Kashmir gunfight began early in the morning but The spokesperson tent and comments against the officials were not yet certain. Prime Minister. had earlier said it was "I don't know when the site Last week, the Home Min- Srinagar district following a tip that mil- yesterday, another injured civil- developed the snag," ministry not a case of hacking istry had said in a written IANS itants were hiding in a house, ian, identified as Mushtaq spokesperson K S Dhatwalia as the site was being report to the Lok Sabha that police said. Ahmad, 22, succumbed in hos- told reporters. "Details will be reconstructed. more than 700 websites of var- wo soldiers, four militants "When the militants were pital taking the death toll in this available after we find out the ious central and state and two civilians were challenged, they fired at the gunfight to eight. glitches. government departments were Tkilled in a gunfight in forces, triggering the gunfight," As news of the civilian "We are checking," Dhat- websites, is maintained by the hacked in the past four years Jammu and Kashmir's Kulgam said a police officer. deaths spread, angry villagers walia said, adding that he was National Informatics Commis- and a total of 8,348 persons district yesterday, police said. The dead included two sol- poured out of their homes and not sure when the website sion (NIC). Deputy Director were arrested for their The incident triggered clashes diers from Rashtriya Rifles who stoned the security forces, who would become functional. General NIC B N Shetty denied involvement in cyber crimes. between civilians and security were injured in the gunfight and fired in the air and used tear The spokesperson had ear- there was any malicious activ- Experts attributed the fre- forces, leaving around two later succumbed to their inju- smoke in an attempt to disperse lier said it was not a case of ity behind the snag and said it quent hacking of Indian dozen people injured. ries. Three civilians and three them. Reports said around two hacking as the site was being was "very funny" to call it a websites to lack of adequate The fighting erupted after soldiers were injured in the dozen people, including protes- reconstructed. cyber attack. security measures in the virtual the security personnel sur- fighting. While a civilian, iden- tors as well as security The site, like all government "There was no hack or world. rounded Frisal village in the tified as Ashaq Rishi, died earlier personnel.

Sushma seeks Refugee schooling Protest staged over report on three murdered Kerala techie Indians' death Kozhikode are coming out from the Pune IANS campus. We are told that the New Delhi CCTV visuals seems to have dis- IANS embers of an action appeared. How come when the council here turned up gruesome incident occurred, xternal Affairs Minister Min large numbers and electricity went off and her Sushma Swaraj yester- staged a protest over the mur- phone was recovered after Eday sought a report der of Infosys software engineer three days. Lot of questions from Indian consulate in Rasila in her office in Pune last have to be answered," said an Dubai regarding three Indi- month, officials said. angry protester to the media. ans who reportedly The members of the coun- The action council members suffocated to death in diesel cil walked down the streets said they will not believe that the tanks in the Gulf nation. here, carrying placards, crime was done by just one per- "@cgidubai has informed demanded justice to Rasila and son -- the arrested Bhaben me about the unfortunate sought a CBI probe to get to the Saikia, an Assamese who death of three Indian nation- bottom of the truth. They also worked as a security guard. als Kishan Singh, Mohan decided to stage a protest in Her father, retired Army Singh and Ujendra Singh all front of the Pune campus of officer O. Raju, has been saying employees of Al-Ameer Used Rohingya refugee children attending an Arabic school to learn to recite the Holy Quran at Infosys soon. she was unhappy being at Pune Oil Trading in a diesel tank in Kutupalang Makeshift Refugee Camp in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh, yesterday. "A lot of things have raised and was seeking a transfer to Sharjah. It appears the cause suspicion over the way things Bengaluru. of death is suffocation," Sushma Swaraj tweeted. "I have asked our mission to follow up investigation by the Police," she added.Khaleej As young move away, traditional craft dies out in Nepal Eleven die in Times yesterday reported: "Sharjah Police are investigat- Thimi, Nepal young people leave town for bet- requires hard work, but you no a major source of income for Bangladesh ing the death of three Indians AP ter paying jobs in other parts of longer earn enough for survival," Nepal. According government whose bodies were found in Nepal or abroad, fewer families the 63-year-old said. statistics, remittance inflows road accident diesel tanks in Al Saja'a area or generations, the resi- have to eke out an income from Until a decade ago, Prajap- amount to 30% of the country's in Sharjah. After receiving an dents of the ancient Nepali the relatively low-returns busi- ati supported a family of seven economy. Of the nearly 2,000 alert, Police dispatched their Ftown of Thimi supplied the ness of clay pottery. For almost through his traditional trade. He Prajapati families in town, less Dhaka team, an ambulance and rest of the Himalayan country 50 years, Ratna Bahadur Prajap- has two sons working in Aus- than 300 families now depend IANS forensic experts." with everything from tiny clay ati made clay pots and sold them tralia and Japan and no longer on clay pottery for a living. "The bodies were lamps used in temples to mas- in the nearby market. That was needs to put in long hours for lit- In the past, Prajapati potters t least 11 persons were removed and transferred to sive grain storage jars. Locals the trade of his ancestors. The tle money. would travel across the country killed and three were forensic laboratory for still mix clay and throw it on pot- potters of Thimi are all Prajap- "The money my two sons to sell their wares. That practice Ainjured in a collision autopsy to determine the ters' wheels, then leave pots to atis, a Hindu caste group. send home from abroad is has already died out as more between a bus and a van in cause of the death," report dry and harden in the sun. "It's difficult to earn a living enough for survival," he said. durable material replaced clay Narsingdi district of Bangla- said. But not for long. As more through pottery nowadays. It Remittances from abroad are pots. desh yesterday. Almost all of those killed in the Dhaka-Sylhet Highway accident were travelling in the van, BD News quoted Nine AIADMK Lok Sabha members back Panneerselvam police as saying. Hundreds die in such road accidents in Bangladesh Chennai enjoyed in the Lok Sabha as the Yesterday, R Lakshmanan Sasikala, a long-time confidante resort, where lawmakers of the every year. IANS third largest group in the house. became the second Rajya Sabha of the late Chief Minister J. ruling AIADMK are being housed, Bad roads, rash driving, S. Rajendran (Villupuram), V. member of the AIADMK to join Jayalalithaa. said that they were attacked yes- poor visibility during winter he number of Lok Sabha Elumalai (Arani), R P Maruthara- the Panneerselvam camp. On Saturday, four Lok Sabha terday by security personnel due to fog and poor condition members of the AIADMK jaa (Perambalur), B Senguttuvan It was Rajya Sabha's V members - V Sathyabama (Tiru- deployed there for the legisla- of vehicles cause most of the Tsupporting Tamil Nadu's (Vellore) and Jeyasingh Thiya- Maintreyan who was the first to pur), K Ashok Kumar tors. The attackers also allegedly accidents. The crash dis- acting Chief Minister O. Panneer- garaj Natterjee (Tuticorin) visited throw his lot with Panneersel- (Krishnagiri), P RSundaram snatched the camera and mobile rupted traffic movement on selvam yesterday swelled to Panneerselvam at his residence vam after he revolted against (Namakkal) and R Vanaroja phones of some journalists. the highway for an hour until nine. here. Sasikala when she was set to (Thiruvannamalai) - joined the The state police remained the damaged vehicles were Five Lok Sabha AIADMK "We expect six more MLAs become the Chief Minister fol- Panneerselvam camp. silent when the media were towed away. members yesterday extended to join us," an AIADMK leader lowing her election as the The number of MPs support- attacked. Journalist associations The accident comes two support to Panneerselvam, who said preferring anonymity. legislature party leader of the ing Panneerselvam is more than - the Madras Union of Journal- days after the Faridpur bus is locked in a bitter power strug- With five MPs expressing AIADMK in the Tamil Nadu the number of state legislators ists and the Tamil Nadu Union mishap from Friday night. 13 gle with party General Secretary their support to Panneerselvam, assembly. (six excluding Panneerselvam) of Journalists - and DMK Work- people were killed in that V K Sasikala. the total number of Lok Sabha The AIADMK has 37 mem- backing him. ing President M K Stalin accident. Another 10 people This has weakened the ear- members in Pannerselvam's bers in the Lok Sabha. Until Meanwhile, Journalists condemned the attack on the were killed in different road lier unified clout the AIADMK camp has gone up to nine. recently, all of them were with assembled near the Golden Bay journalists. accidents on the same day. MONDAY 13 FEBRUARY 2017 EUROPE 15 Swiss voters back new citizenship rules Geneva immigrants will be able to skip immigrants, a definition mean- one of four each year for voting attack against Muslims”. AFP Powers to immigrants several steps in the lengthy proc- ing they have at least one on subjects affecting federal as Addor defended it again yes- Under the new ess of securing a Swiss passport. grandparent who was born here well as local laws and terday by saying its intent was to wiss voters yesterday proposal, the But the rightwing Swiss Peo- or acquired Swiss residency. institutions. “affirm the identity of this coun- approved a measure to grandchildren of ples Party (SVP), the largest party Nearly 60 percent of that The “No2 camp faced heavy try and the need to preserve it.” make it easier for third- immigrants will be in Switzerland’s parliament, group are Italians, followed by criticism over a widely-distrib- Political initiatives that either generation immigrants fought against it by putting issues those with origins in the Balkans uted poster showing a woman directly or implicitly target Mus- able to skip several to become citizens, of Islam and national identity at and Turkish nationals. staring out from a black niqab lims may be on the rise in the steps in the lengthy Scrushing rightwing nationalists the centre of the debate. Debate on the proposal had with a tagline urging voters to West, notably including US Pres- who had stoked fears about process of securing a Reacting to the defeat, SVP nothing to do with religion at the reject “uncontrolled ident Donald Trump’s travel ban granting nationality to more Swiss passport. lawmaker Jean-Luc Addor said outset, said Sophie Guignard of citizenship”. against seven mainly Muslim Muslims. his side was “alone against eve- the Institute of Political Science The SVP is not officially countries, which has now been The “Yes” camp met the two ryone in this campaign”. at the University of Bern. responsible for the poster. rejected by the two US federal criteria for a win by securing a figures given by the polling insti- “The problem of Islam, I’m It was the SVP, a party It was commissioned by the courts. majority of total votes and a tute gfs.bern, and at least 14 afraid, it will catch up with us in repeatedly accused of demonis- Committee Against Facilitated The SVP in 2009 successfully majority of Switzerland’s 26 cantons were in favour, accord- a few years,” he told RTS. ing Islam, that focused on the Citizenship, which has several persuaded Swiss voters to cantons, the public broadcaster ing to official results. According to a migration risks of more Muslims becoming SVP members and was co- approve a ban on new mosque RTS and national news agency The government as well as department study, less than citizens and the possible “loss of chaired by Addor. minaret construction, while reli- ATS said. most lawmakers and political 25,000 people in the country Swiss values”, Guignard told Guignard said mainstream giously-charged messages have Fifty-nine percent voted parties supported the proposal. of about eight million currently reporters after the vote. politicians and journalists been a part of multiple referen- “Yes,” according to provisional Under it, the grandchildren of qualify as third-generation Yesterday’s referendum is viewed the poster as “a violent dums on immigration since.

Dutch police find Electrifying performance Romanians continue to ingredients to make 1 billion protest against govt ecstasy pills Bucharest national Agerpres news agency. AFP These included 3,000 in Timisoara, in the west and The Hague housands of protesters around 2,500 at protests in AFP braved the cold to march towns of Cluj and Sibiu. Tin Romania’s main cities, The demonstrations, the DUTCH police probing a sus- angered by government 12th consecutive day of protests picious vehicle parked in a attempts to water down anti- against the government, took deserted parking lot found a corruption laws. place despite the administra- huge stash of chemicals for In Bucharest, where a major tion backing down over a producing an estimated one rally is planned today, around planned controversial decree billion ecstasy pills. 3,000 people gathered at the which would have made abuse “The truck-and-trailer seat of government despite sub- of power a crime punishable by most probably served as a zero temperatures. jail only if the sums involved storage facility for an ecstasy “We are resisting, we aren’t more than 200,000 lei laboratory,” a police state- going away” yelled the protest- (€44,000, $47,500). ment said. ers, who are calling for the The demonstrations, the Agents had received a tip- left-leaning Social Democrat largest since the ousting and off that a truck had been government, which only took summary execution of commu- parked “for a while” in the power in December, to stand nist dictator Nicolae Ceausescu country’s southwest that was down in 1989, have also continued “hidden from the road”. An actor performs during the International Light Festival in Gomel, some 310km southeast Another 8,000 people took despite the resignation on Inside, police discovered of Minsk, yesterday. part in protests in the rest of the Thursday of justice minister 100 bottles of hydrogen, 15 country, according to the Florin Iordache. tonnes of caustic soda and 3,000 litres of excipients such as methylamine, acetone and dichloromethane, estimated to worth several hundreds- Renzi set to raise leadership race at party meet of-thousands of euros. Police did not mention arrests but have launched a Rome governor of the southern Puglia other hand are convinced that probably dooming Italy to probe to trace the truck’s ori- Reuters region, told state TV RAI. he would win a leadership con- another of the unwieldy coali- gin and destination, noting Emiliano is among the crit- gress or primaries. tions long blamed for that it was registered in The ormer Italian prime minis- ics who say Renzi has taken the “Our own polls show that instability. Netherlands. ter Matteo Renzi (pictured) party too far to the right, and Renzi can beat anyone who PD veterans including Officials have in recent Flooks set to trigger a lead- want to challenge him before might stand against him,” the former prime minister Massimo years have stepped up their ership contest at a meeting of his any vote. minister said. D’Alema warn against toppling focus on southern Dutch prov- ruling Democratic Party (PD) Both Emiliano and former Main opposition parties, current Prime Minister Paolo inces of Zeeland, Noord today which could delay the PD lower house floor leader including the 5-Star Movement Gentiloni, widely seen as Ren- Brabant and Limburg which early election he has been push- Roberto Speranza would almost which polls within a whisker of zi’s proxy, without first changing have seen an influx of organ- ing for since he was toppled as certainly run in a leadership race the PD, want an early vote. the law. ised crime—particularly drug premier last year. which now looks inevitable, a A notable exception is former Underlining how much a gangs—from other provinces. Rising tensions in the PD minister close to Renzi told premier Silvio Berlusconi’s Forza popular vote against his pro- The region is close to Rot- have deflated Renzi’s bid for an reporters. Italia party, which trails the anti- posed constitutional reform has terdam, Europe’s largest port, vote by June, around a year Another obstacle to an early immigrant Northern League on weakened Renzi’s position, 40 as well as to Antwerp in Bel- ahead of schedule, with a size- vote is the current electoral laws Italy’s fractured right wing. Ber- PD senators issued an appeal gium, both seen as major drug able minority threatening to could imply months of which ultimate arbiter President lusconi told La Repubblica last week to keep Gentiloni in entry points into the conti- split and take away a chunk of campaigning. Sergio Mattarella has said need newspaper yesterday that “tak- place. nent. Last year, a European votes. “We are used to surprises, to be aligned between both ing the country to the ballot Speranza, who has been a Union report said ecstasy, once When the riven party meets but if nothing changes over- houses of parliament. boxes in these conditions would thorn in Renzi’s side since he the drug of choice at rave par- in Rome, Renzi is expected to night the leadership contest “Right now, it seems more be irresponsible”. resigned as floor leader in 2015, ties in the 1990s, is back in play a disruptive card by step- will probably start, meaning the likely that we will have elections Polls show no party would told La Repubblica: “We need to favour and finding a wider ping down from the helm, party secretary resigns,” in 2018,” the minister said. win an outright majority under work to build an alternative market this time around. sparking a leadership bid which Michele Emiliano, the PD Renzi’s supporters on the the current proportional system, point of view to Renzi.”

Spanish PM Rajoy re-elected Carnival fever head of Popular Party

Madrid tion as party deputy. The PP’s losses helped cen- AFP “We don’t want any revolu- tre-right upstart Ciudadanos tions or sudden jolts,” Rajoy make gains, as it condemned the pain’s ruling conservatives said, as he put forward his can- scandals tainting the ruling voted to keep Prime Min- didacy. “We want to govern with party. Sister Mariano Rajoy as their prudence... and reliability.” Ciudadanos has consistently leader, after a wave of high-pro- Rajoy’s popularity sank in called for Rajoy to step down, file corruption scandals 2015 and 2016, as his party was refusing to forge any alliance threatened to push the party out hit by a string of corruption with the PP until he does—even of power. scandals. though there is no evidence of Rajoy, who has led the Pop- At the end of 2015, the PP Rajoy’s involvement in any of ular Party (PP) since 2004, was lost its parliamentary super the corruption files. re-elected at party’s congress, majority, with the number of After a months-long politi- just as far-left upstart Podemos MPs falling from 186 to 123 out cal standstill, the PP in June 2016 held its own gathering. of 350. won a parliamentary election No candidate challenged In May 2015, the party also and swept back into power. Rajoy’s bid to remain at the lost a string of important Rajoy has been a PP mem- PP’s helm. Defence Minister regions, including Valencia in ber since 1977, rising through the Revellers row at the Masquerade Parade on Grand Canal during Venice Carnival, in Maria Dolores de Cospedal the east, and cities including party ranks until he became Venice, Italy, yesterday. meanwhile held on to her posi- Madrid. prime minister in 2011. 16 EUROPE MONDAY 13 FEBRUARY 2017

37 arrested Steinmeier is Germany's new president in French

Berlin clashes over AFP Top honour The 61-year-old, who 'police abuse' illed as Germany’s regularly polls as “anti-Trump”, centre- Germany’s most Bobigny, France left former foreign popular politician, will AFP minister Frank-Wal- represent the EU’s top ter Steinmeier was economy abroad and THIRTY-SEVEN people were Belected yesterday as the new arrested in the Paris suburbs act as a kind of moral ceremonial head of state. when clashes erupted after a arbiter for the nation. The 61-year-old, who regu- protest over assault of a young larly polls as Germany’s most black man allegedly tortured popular politician, will represent Frank-Walter with a police truncheon, police the EU’s top economy abroad Steinmeier received said yesterday. and act as a kind of moral arbi- 931 of 1,239 valid Around 2,000 people ter for the nation. demonstrated outside a votes after Merkel’s His Social Democrats (SPD) courthouse to demand justice hope the appointment will boost conservatives agreed for Theo, a 22-year-old youth their fortunes as their candidate to back him to replace worker who required surgery Martin Schulz, former European incumbent Joachim after his arrest last week. parliament president, readies to Gauck. The protest in the north- challenge Chancellor Angela German president-elect, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, greeted by Chancellor Angela Merkel after ern suburb of Bobigny near Merkel in September elections. the first round of voting of the presidential election at the Reichstag in Berlin, yesterday. Aulnay-sous-Bois was peace- Steinmeier received 931 of Germany’s 16 states—among ful at the start but groups of 1,239 valid votes after Merkel’s them deputies but also artists, demonstrators later clashed conservatives, lacking a strong writers, musicians and national usually measured in his speech, and coherent” foreign policy Morgenpost newspaper judged with police and went on the candidate of their own, agreed football coach Joachim Loew. in thick of last year’s US election positions from Trump. that Steinmeier looks set to be rampage, attacking cars, to back him to replace incum- With snowy white hair, campaign Steinmeier labelled Steinmeier who will asume “the anti-Trump president”. shops and public property. bent Joachim Gauck, 77. round glasses and dimpled smile, Donald Trump a “hate preacher”. the new post on March 19, has Steinmeier is only known to Several vehicles were The vote was held in Berlin’s Steinmeier is one of Germany’s After Trump won the White vowed to serve as a “counter- have lost his cool once, in 2014, torched and bus shelters and glass-domed Reichstag building best-known politicians, having House, Steinmeier predicted weight to the trend of boundless when he yelled at Berlin protest- shopfronts smashed in by a special Federal Assembly, twice served as top diplomat relations would get “more diffi- simplification”, calling this ers who had accused him of Bobigny and neighbouring made up of national lawmakers under Merkel for seven years. cult” and said his staff were approach “the best antidote to being a “warmonger” over his areas. A little girl trapped in and electors sent from Though the trained lawyer is struggling to detect any “clear the populists”. The Berliner Ukraine policy. a burning car was rescued by a 16-year-old demonstrator, who was heralded as a hero on social media. The police accused “sev- Hamburg airport evacuated Jean-Marie Le Pen charged eral hundred” individuals of various “acts of violence and damage.” The rioting capped with inciting hatred a week of nightly clashes in Paris suburb over the treat- Paris said then that he would be part ment of Theo, who claims a AFP of “a batch we will get next police officer tortured him time,” using the word “fournee” with baton. he founder of France’s for “batch”, evoking the word Around 50 people have far-right National Front “four”, which means “oven”. been detained since the pro- Tparty, Jean-Marie Le Pen, SOS Racisme called it “the tests began. One officer has has been charged with inciting most anti-Semitic filth”, a pledge been charged with abuse over hatred for alleged anti-Semitic by FN founder to put his critics the affair, and three others with remarks in 2014, his lawyer in their place using a pun sug- assault. All four have been sus- said. Frederic Joachim said the gesting Nazi gas chambers. pended from their duties. remarks by his client had been The remarks were also Theo’s case has revived misinterpreted and his com- denounced by FN and his long-simmering frustrations ments cut short. daughter, Marine Le Pen, who over policing in immigrant The situation goes back to took over the party leadership communities, where young June 2014 when Le Pen in a and is now FN presidential can- men accuse police of repeat- video clip posted on the FN didate in this year’s election. edly targeting them in website railed against a number “The word ‘fournee’ that I aggressive stop-and-search Paramedics watch passengers re-entering terminal building at Helmut Schmidt airport of critics including pop star used has no anti-Semitic con- operations and using exces- in Hamburg, Germany yesterday. The airport was closed after unknown substance was Madonna and Yannick Noah, notation, except for political sive force during arrests. found at the airport. Sixty-eight people were examined by paramedics and nine of them the French singer and former enemies or imbeciles,” Jean- The police complain of were taken to hospital after they complained of breathing problems, burning eyes and tennis champion. Marie Le Pen responded. He has being drawn into a cat-and- nausea. Firefighters found an empty cartridge that had likely contained pepper spray When asked about another had multiple convictions for mouse game with delinquents or tear gas. critic—French singer Patrick inciting racial hatred and deny- and drug dealers operating Bruel, who is Jewish—Le Pen ing crimes against humanity. out of housing estates. Greek soldiers defuse WWII bomb after mass evacuation

Thessaloniki everything went well,” regional had us worried.” The device was Greek media outlet in breach of Archaeological Museum of Thes- Orphanos said many chose to AFP security chief Apostolos Tzitz- American-made he said. guidelines for covering the event. saloniki, a listed monument stay at home, “because they are ikostas said four hours after a According to Greek media Some 70,000 people were whose permanent exhibitions scared of thieves.” reek soldiers yesterday demining team began its work. reports, the bomb was dropped evacuated within a 1.9-km radius include masterpieces of ancient Most of the buses brought for successfully defused a The 4.9-feet-long bomb was by a British plane during air of the site, affecting three work- Greek art dating from prehistoric evacuation remained empty as GWorld War II bomb in initially thought to contain nearly strikes on the city’s nearby rail- ing-class neighbourhoods west times to late antiquity. many people left on their own. Thessaloniki, after evacuating 250kg of explosives, but on way station and port in 1943 in of the city centre. The operation was unprece- Some 400 refugees in a nearby tens of thousands of people from closer inspection was found to which hundreds of local inhab- For one group of refugees dented in Greece, “where a bomb camp were also bussed to safer the area. The bomb was be a 170kg device. itants died. and migrants, the discovery of of this size has never been found areas. unearthed near a petrol station Army chief of staff Nikos The start of the operation the bomb led to an excursion to in an area this densely populated,” Seven decades after the end in the northern port city during Phanios said the bomb’s firing was slightly delayed as police a museum. The group, lived in a Tzitzikostas said. He praised the of World War II, unexploded road works last week. mechanism “was still in a very removed a camera that had been nearby former toilet paper fac- population for its discipline. bombs from the conflict are still “The operation is over, good shape, and this was what placed above the crater by a tory. They were taken to But shopkeeper Stelios being found around the globe.

Dutch populist Wilders warns King of Energies of backlash if he is frozen out

The Hague government with him. That him in the nation of 17 million. AP means it would be difficult for “You can detest Geert Wilders Wilders to form a government, or the PVV, but you can’t just set utch populist Geert since the Dutch electoral system aside 2-2.5 million people,” he Wilders said mainstream all but guarantees coalitions. said. Wilders in the past warned Dpoliticians in the Nether- “If voters make the PVV of a revolt if his party is sidelined lands will have to work with his really big — I’m not talking despite strong electoral gains. Party for Freedom if voters about two or three extra seats, “People won’t accept if they strongly back his anti-immigra- but really big ... they will have are set aside in their millions. And, tion, anti-EU platform in the to” work with his party, Wilders of course, I don’t mean that tanks country’s upcoming election, or said in the nationally broadcast will go through the streets,” he face a peaceful backlash. interview aired yesterday. said. He added: “Revolt is always Wilders’ Party for Freedom Wilders’ party currently has democratic and non-violent, but is polling strongly ahead of the 12 of the 150 seats in the lower it won’t just pass by, I tell you March 15 election for lower house house, but polls are forecasting that. We in the Netherlands have People look at the float “Wind of Change” depicting US President Donald Trump as of Parliament. Mainstream par- him to substantially build on that the right to demonstrate and the it parades on the streets of Nice in France for the 133rd edition of the Nice Carnival ties, however, have ruled out in the election. Wilders says up to right to speak up if we don’t yesterday. The carnival runs until February 25, under the theme “The King of Energies”. working in a coalition 2.5 million people could vote for agree with something.” MONDAY 13 FEBRUARY 2017 EUROPE 17 Fillon faces further legal steps in fake work probe

Paris whether a person or people Reuters Two scenarios should be put under formal There are two investigation. rance’s financial pros- potential routes the Sometimes these referrals ecutor will take further prosecutor will take. can be brought against ‘X’ - an legal steps this week in The first, to refer the unnamed party, but in this case, its investigation into case to an the newspaper said, it would allegations of fake investigating involve named parties. Fwork by presidential candidate The second route would be magistrate, who will Francois Fillon’s wife, a news- to put the case directly before a paper reported yesterday. decide whether a criminal court. Under this sce- The Journal de Dimanche person be put under nario, the newspaper said, (JDD) cited unidentified sources formal investigation. proceedings could start at the saying the proceedings would earliest within 11 days. involve both Fillon and his Brit- The second, to put the The JDD also said, the crimi- ish wife Penelope. case directly before a nal court might decide to call a halt A spokeswoman for the pros- criminal court. Under to proceedings - observing what ecutor said no decision had been this scenario, it called an “electoral truce”. taken. Officials representing con- proceedings could While campaigning for the servative candidate Fillon, who ticket to represent his party, Fil- start at the earliest is on a visit to the island of Reun- lon emphasised that he had a within 11 days. ion, could not immediately be clean judicial record and that he reached for comment. would cut back on wasteful gov- Fillon is fighting to keep his paid hundreds of thousands of ernment spending. Francois Fillon (left) shakes hands with a supporter while attending a picnic in Saint-Paul as presidential campaign alive and euros in taxpayers money for work Should The Republicans party he campaigned on the French Indian Ocean island of the Reunion, yesterday. has said he will step down if he is she may not have done. need to choose a new candidate, put under formal investigation. According to the newspa- the cut-off date for the collection in that it surrounds a candidate him appear to be out of the run- French president from 2007 to Opinion polls show him slip- per, there are two potential of signatures is March 17. elected by an open public vote ning. Alain Juppe, who came 2012, was on February 7 ordered ping out of the race, with voters routes the prosecutor will take. Although financial and per- — a first for his party and a rel- second in the primary, has to stand trial over irregularities turned off by the probe into a The first would be to refer sonal scandal has brought an end atively new concept in France. repeatedly said he will not take concerning an earlier failed bid report by the Canard Enchaine the case to an investigating mag- to many a French political career, In addition, the two most Fillon’s place. for a second term in the 2012 satirical weekly that his wife was istrate, whose role is to decide the Fillon affair is unprecedented obvious candidates to replace Nicolas Sarkozy, who was election.

Puppet delight Spain's Podemos leader wins battle for party’s future

Madrid eventually take power. The new leadership council AFP “It’s good because we now is composed of a majority of have clarity,” Podemos co- those on Iglesias’s list, even if upporters of Spain’s founder and lawmaker Carolina some of Errejon’s team are also Podemos handed Pablo Bescansa, who has stayed out of included, including the number SIglesias a clear victory yes- the in-fighting, told reporters. two himself. terday in the leftwing party’s The split between Iglesias Yesterday, Iglesias hugged power struggle, re-electing him and his number two erupted into each of the new members of the as leader and backing his call to the open last year, playing out council on a stage flanked by return to the streets as a protest on social media and in the press. purple flags, the colour of movement. Iglesias was almost assured Podemos. He took an extra More than 155,000 people of being re-elected given he was minute to embrace Errejon, who voted in a party primary that saw only up against a low-profile gave a weak smile. him re-elected as chief and a large lawmaker, but his list of candi- Iglesias and Errejon have majority of his candidates chosen dates for the leadership council pledged that come what may, it for leadership council. met with stiff competition. will be business as usual for Supporters also backed his Errejon had presented his Podemos from Monday, putting strategy for future of Podemos, own list, as did other Podemos the divisions firmly behind in what supporters hope will end members such as Teresa Rod- them. People attend a performance by puppeteers at the Villa Cavrois in Croix, northern France, months of in-fighting in one of riguez, a regional Podemos Daniel Montero, a 36-year- yesterday. In Croix, the “Theatre du Nord” moved in the Villa Cavrois built in 1932 by Europe’s leading far-left parties. lawmaker in southern Andalu- old supporter of Iglesias, said he French architect Robert Mallet-Stevens, as part of the event “Monuments in motion” More than 89 percent of voters sia, and MEP Miguel Urban. hoped this would be the case. launched by National Monuments Centre and aimed at confronting architectural heritage backed Iglesias as secretary gen- As such, Iglesias had said if “Despite supporting and vot- and the vivacity of the live performance. eral, while 56 percent endorsed his list was rejected, he would ing for Pablo, I think that Inigo his vision for Podemos. The step aside, precipitating another Errejon is the most intelligent results met with wild applause crisis for a party that would be person in the party,” he said of from thousands of Podemos fol- left without the public face of the the bespectacled Podemos lowers gathered in a conference Podemos success story. deputy. centre in Madrid, who shouted Faroe Island to hold vote on “yes we can” and “unity”. Born in 2014 out of Indigna- dos protest movement that swept Spain during a severe economic new constitution in 2018 crisis, Podemos, an ally of Greece’s Syriza, experienced a Stockholm domain of Copenhagen. membership of international meteoric rise to national-level AFP “The Faroese constitution organisations like the European politics, winning millions of votes will define our identity as a Union, of which the islands are in two elections to become the he Faroe Islands will hold nation and our fundamental not a member. country’s third party. a referendum in April 2018 rights and duties as a people, The referendum will be held Buoyed by promises of rad- Ton a new constitution that including our right to self-deter- on April 25, 2018. ical change and a more would give autonomous terri- mination,” the islands’ Prime Johannesen leads a coalition egalitarian society, Podemos tory right to self-determination, Minister Aksel Johannesen said government comprising his won 71 seats in parliament as the government said. in a statement. Social Democrats, the pro-inde- part of a wider leftwing Home to 48,000 people The new constitution would pendence Republic party and coalition. and around 70,000 sheep and also require “that the Faroese the Progressive party. But it found itself at a cross- located between Norway, Scot- people must be consulted by ref- The Faroe Islands are heav- roads that divided its pony-tailed land and Iceland, the islands erendum on questions related ily dependent on fisheries, chief and his deputy and once have been autonomous from to further independence from, which account for 95 percent of close friend Inigo Errejon, cre- Podemos member Pablo Echenique (second right) looks colonial master Denmark since or further integration with, Den- exports, and also receive an ating a rift over how to achieve at party leader Pablo Iglesias (left) during the closing of 1948, although foreign affairs mark,” Johannesen said. annual 650m kroner (€68m, the goal of replacing the Social- a decisive two-day party congress at Vistalegre bullring in and defence are still the The same would be true for $73m) subsidy from Denmark. ists as the main opposition, and Madrid, yesterday. Russian activists protest softer penalties for domestic abuse Moscow rally which, in a rarity, was per- New provisions days in police custody. “We will fight for domestic violence, without fear.” AFP mitted by the city authorities. The law was proposed by con- violence to become a crime,” said “Around 40 percent of violent Putin on Tuesday signed Abusers who previously servative lawmakers who oppose rights lawyer Mari Davtyan, who crimes take place in the family. But ozens of Russian activists amendments that have prompted faced up to two years in state intervention in family life and spoke at the demonstration. few people call the police and take braved snow yesterday to a hail of criticism from victims prison now can be argued that previous law could be “I am really sad that such a the case to court,” she said. “The Dprotest against a law and experts who say they will punished by a fine, used to punish parents for using law has been passed. As a law- public views the victim of violence signed by President Vladimir make it harder to stop abusers community service or up to corporal punishment. yer every day I meet women with as herself to blame.” Putin that has softened penalties and protect those hurt. Protesters in the snow-cov- broken lives and health. We will Activists had applied twice 15 days in police custody. for those who commit domestic The measure reduces penalty ered Sokolniki park held continue the struggle.” before to hold a demonstration violence. for violence against family mem- placards with slogans including Natalya Timofeyeva of “Syos- while the amendment was still Some 80 people including stu- bers when it is the first such “The first time he hit, the second try,” or Sisters, an organisation that going through parliament but dents and professionals working offence within a year and where faced up to two years in prison time he killed” and “Every 40 helps women who suffer abuse, city authorities refused, citing with domestic violence victims it did not cause serious injury. now can be punished by a fine, minutes a woman dies from told protesters that “we came to lack of space and then an incor- gathered in a Moscow park for the Abusers who previously community service or up to 15 beating in the family.” declare our right to life without rectly filed application. 18 AMERICAS MONDAY 13 FEBRUARY 2017

NEWS BYTES Mexicans hold anti-Trump protest Peru says bid to detain fugitive In unity ex-president stalled in US Marches got under LIMA: Peru’s Interior Minister Carlos Basombrio said it was way in some 20 unclear where the country’s fugitive former president Ale- cities across the jandro Toledo was yesterday after the government’s bid to country, including capture him hit a legal obstacle in the United States. The United States told Peru that there did not appear to be sufficient Mexico City. probable cause to merit detaining Toledo and asked the Andean country to refile its request, Basombrio said by phone. Dozens of Toledo, once an anti-graft crusader who governed Peru from universities, business 2001-2006, is wanted in connection with a far-reaching cor- associations and ruption inquiry, but he has repeatedly denied wrongdoing civic organisations and has yet to be charged with, or convicted of, any crimes. Prosecutors allege Toledo took $20m in bribes from Brazil- are backing the ian builder Odebrecht, citing testimony from a former protest. Odebrecht executive and bank transfers of some $10m from the family-owned company to accounts controlled by a long- time friend of Toledo. A Peruvian judge issued an international Mexico City arrest warrant for Toledo on Thursday and said he must spend AFP 18 months in jail while charges of influence peddling and money laundering are prepared against him. Toledo was last exicans held what believed to be at Stanford University in California on Satur- is shaping up to be day when he had a scheduled flight from San Francisco for their largest protest Israel, which does not have an extradition treaty with Peru, yet against US Basombrio said. It was unclear if Toledo, whose wife has President Donald Israeli citizenship, boarded the flight, Basombrio said. Israel People hold signs during an anti-Trump march in Mexico City yesterday. MTrump, hitting back yesterday at said yesterday that it will not allow Toledo to enter the coun- his anti-Mexican rhetoric and try before his matters are settled in Peru. vows to make the country pay for calling Mexican immigrants companies that manufacture in country’s largest university, the his “big, beautiful” border wall. “criminals” and “rapists,” has infu- Mexico, or vowed to slap steep National Autonomous Univer- Cartel power struggle fuelling Marches got under way in riated the United States’ southern tariffs on Mexican-made goods. sity of Mexico, backed the some 20 cities across the coun- neighbor with his plan to stop ille- Mexico sends 80 percent of its marches, many students and rising violence in Mexico try, including the capital, Mexico gal immigration by building a wall exports to the United States— professors voiced outrage. City, where thousands of people on the border—and in particular nearly $300 billion in goods in The hashtag MEXICO CITY: Surging gang violence in swaths of northern were expected to flood a central with his vows to make Mexico pay 2015. “#It’sNotTrumpIt’sPena” is Mexico is likely due to an internal power struggle within the avenue dressed in white and for it. The confrontation has stoked trending on Twitter in Mexico. fractured Sinaloa cartel, Defense Minister Salvador Cienfu- waving the red, white and green Mexican President Enrique patriotic pride in Mexico, where And prominent Catholic priest egos said. Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman, the powerful boss of of the Mexican flag. Pena Nieto canceled a January US companies like Starbucks, Alejandro Solalinde tweeted that the Sinaloa cartel, was extradited to the United States last Dozens of universities, busi- 31 trip to Washington over Coca-Cola and McDonald’s are Mexicans have less to fear from month and is currently awaiting trial in a New York jail. Ciefu- ness associations and civic Trump’s insistence that Mexico the targets of boycott campaigns Trump than “their own tyrants.” egos said in Culiacan, the capital of northwestern Sinaloa organizations are backing the pro- pay for the wall. Trump has also and many people have taken to The new nationalism state, that the leadership vacuum following Guzman’s extra- test. “It’s time we citizens combine wrought havoc on the Mexican putting the Mexican flag in their appears to be giving a boost to dition is likely behind a recent spike in violence. “In the forces and unite our voices to economy with his threats to ter- profile pictures on social media. Mexican presidential hopeful absence of their leader, (rival factions) are fighting over who show our indignation and rejec- minate the country’s privileged Not everyone is on board Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, will control the organis`ation,” he said. More soldiers will be tion of President Trump, while trade relationship with the with Sunday’s protests, however. whom some political analysts dispatched to Sinaloa beginning on Monday, he said, but pro- contributing to the search for con- United States, blaming Mexico Some accused Pena Nieto of call a “leftist Donald Trump” for vided no details on numbers. Military forces already there crete solutions,” said the coalition for the loss of American jobs. using the ostensibly non-parti- his populist, anti-establishment will be reorganised, he added. Last month, there were 116 behind the marches. The Mexican peso has taken san marches to try to bolster his rhetoric. Lopez Obrador — homicides in Sinaloa, 50 percent more than the same month US-Mexican relations have a beating nearly every time own popularity — which has widely known by his initials, in 2016. Shootouts in Culiacan resulted in 12 deaths over three plunged to their lowest point in Trump insisted on renegotiating taken a beating over perceptions AMLO — was the runner-up in days last week. decades since Trump took office the North American Free Trade he has been too conciliatory the past two presidential elec- on January 20. Trump, who Agreement (NAFTA), attacked toward a bullying neighbor. tions. He is leading in opinion Graft probe: Brazil’s Temer digs in launched his presidential campaign car-makers and other When the rector of the polls for presidential elections. RIO DE JANEIRO: In the face of pending corruption allega- tions likened to a ticking bomb, Brazilian President Michel Temer is building himself a bunker. An embezzlement and bribery probe called Operation Car Wash has already shaken Brazilian police high level Brazilian politics for almost three years. But far from winding down, it’s expected soon to escalate. Prosecu- tors are looking into whether Temer and many others, often return to work from his PMDB party, took part in a gigantic corruption net- work that embezzled from state oil company Petrobras and SEVERAL hundred police returned to their filled election campaign coffers with dirty money. The pres- patrols yesterday after eight days of strikes in ident and some of his allies are among those implicated in a southeastern Brazilian state that was plunged testimony given in plea bargains by 77 executives from Ode- into violence during the work stoppage. brecht, a construction firm that ran a whole secret department Relatives of officers had blocked access to just for bribing politicians. The testimony remains secret. all military police stations since February 4 to demand raises and better working conditions Venezuela leads US asylum requests for police, who are barred by the constitution from going on strike or protesting. BOGOTA: Venezuelans for the first time led asylum requests Although relatives continue to block to the United States as the country’s middle class fled the some stations, “military policemen have been crashing, oil-dependent economy. Data from the US govern- seen in several cities in Espirito Santo,” the ment’s Citizenship and Immigration Services show that 18,155 local government said Saturday night on Venezuelans submitted asylum requests last year, a 150 per- social media. “They have responded to the cent increase over 2015 and six times the level seen in 2014. call of command and are back in the streets,” China was second place, with 17,745 requests coming from it said. A government spokesman said that citizens of that country. Venezuela first cracked the top 10 875 officers were in uniform and working asylum-seeking nations following months of sometimes in the state of Espirito Santo, including 275 bloody street protests in early 2014 seeking to oust President in the capital city Vitoria. Normally, 2,000 Nicolas Maduro. The number of applicants has skyrocketed Military police soldiers disembark from an helicopter, during a military police strike of the state’s 10,400 policemen are on since December 2015. over wages, at Special Mission Battalion (BME) in Vitoria, Espirito Santo, Brazil. patrol each day. Turmoil grows over White House correspondents’ dinner

Washington freedom and its admiration for the 2011 dinner in which then embarrassing and ridiculous, the scrapes with the press corps, authored “The Conservative Case AFP (Russian President Vladimir) Putin president Barack Obama skew- annual White House correspond- relations between the media and for Trump,” suggested he steer methods?” tweeted David Frum, ered Trump became a pivotal ents’ dinner is poised to tip over the White House are at what clear of the dinner. “I don’t think t is supposed to be a light- a senior editor at The Atlantic. moment in the billionaire’s deci- into journalistic self-abasement,” some see as an all-time low. #PresidentTrump should go into hearted gathering of The association, which sion to make a White House run. she wrote. “It’s time to stick a sil- After some news organiza- the coliseum to wrestle with the Ijournalists, celebrities and the organises the annual event that In recent years, the dinner ver-plated fork in it.” tions called out Trump for “lies” wild animals,” Decker tweeted. president, where differences are raises money for journalism has become a star-studded event Slate correspondent Jacob on a variety of topics, the presi- Daily Beast editor Lloyd put aside for good-natured jibes. scholarships, said the dinner will attracting A-list celebrities rang- Weisberg echoed those senti- dent disparaged journalists as Grove argued that the show But amid a bitter war of be held as planned. The White ing from George Clooney to ments, saying in a tweet: “Please “among the most dishonest should go on. “Despite aesthetic words between the Trump House has indicated it is on Helen Mirren to Lindsay Lohan, cancel the White House Corre- human beings on earth.” His top and even principled objections administration and the Fourth Trump’s calendar — despite with politics mainly an after- spondents’ Dinner. Unseemly aide Stephen Bannon called the to this annual rite of spring, the Estate, plans for the 2017 White some doubts about whether he thought. This year, The New spectacle, totally at odds with the news media “the opposition dinner continues to serve a valid House Correspondents’ Associ- will attend. Yorker and Vanity Fair have can- press holding administration party.” Association president Jeff journalistic interest. Journalism ation Dinner in April have been Opinion editor Robert Sch- celed parties they traditionally accountable.” Mason of Reuters said the din- can frequently be a messy enter- thrown into turmoil. lesinger of US News & World host as part of the hoopla sur- Meanwhile, late-night com- ner would be held as usual “to prise,” Grove wrote. After President Donald Report said that regardless of rounding the dinner. edy show host Samantha Bee is celebrate the First Amendment But Northeastern University Trump’s repeated barbs against what Trump does, “the media Also, many stars are avoid- planning an alternative event the (on freedom of the press) and the journalism professor Dan the “dishonest media” and “fake should boycott the dinner”. ing the event this year and no same evening, “welcoming jour- role an independent press plays Kennedy said the event serves news,” some journalists and “News organizations should buy “headliner” comedian has com- nalists and non-irritating in a healthy republic.” little purpose and “should have media outlets are thinking twice tickets as usual (it’s for a good mitted so far, according to The celebrities from around the The pro-Trump news outlet been canceled a long time ago .“ about their participation in the cause) but make other plans that Hollywood Reporter. world.” All proceeds from that Daily Caller reported there was “The public sees Washington April 29 dinner, a tradition that night and if he does attend, let Washington Post media col- event — dubbed “Not the White “chatter” that the president may journalists as out-of-touch, well- dates back to 1921. the ratings- and crowd-obsessed umnist Margaret Sullivan said the House Correspondents’ Dinner” skip the gathering, in an article heeled insiders more concerned “How can media clink glasses narcissist freak address an empty glitzy party and related events — will go to the Committee to titled “Will Donald Trump Dine about access than they are in with a White House that makes ballroom,” Schlesinger wrote. around it no longer seem appro- Protect Journalists, Bee said. With The Enemy?” Brent Decker, holding the powerful to account,” clear its contempt for press Ironically, some analysts say priate. “Once merely Although all presidents have had a former newspaper editor who Kennedy said. MONDAY 13 FEBRUARY 2017 AMERICAS 19 Travel ban: White House official slams court Washington executive order is based on that Immigration law has a long history of overreach- Documents and emails our country that are hostile to its Reuters gives the US president broad ing,” he said on the Fox news authored by administration offi- nation and its values,” Miller said. powers to restrict who enters the “The president’s show. “This is a judicial usurpa- cials may contain evidence that “Our immigration system White House official country on national security powers here are tion of power.” the order was an unconstitu- should not be a vehicle for launched a blistering grounds. beyond question,” The powers to restrict entry tional attempt to ban Muslims admitting people who have any- attack on the federal However, the same law for- White House adviser into the United States “represent from entering the United States, thing but love in their hearts for appeals court that bids discrimination on race, sex, the very apex of presidential and Ferguson said on ABC’s “This this nation and this constitution,” blocked President nationality or place of birth or Stephen Miller said. authority,” he added. Week” that he will use “every said Miller, who is 31. “It is a mes- DonaldA Trump’s executive order residence. The case also could “We have multiple options tool” at his disposal to bring sage that I want the world to hear on immigration yesterday, call- involve First Amendment pro- “Our immigration and we are considering all of those to light. today. This country will protect ing its ruling a “judicial tections involving religion. system should not be them,” Miller said while appear- The White House confirmed its borders. It will protect its peo- usurpation of power”. The executive order Trump a vehicle for ing on ABC’s “This Week.” that it is considering issuing a ple,” Miller said. The Trump administration issued banned entry into the admitting people Those include formulating a new order on immigration now The idea of the White House has faced multiple legal setbacks United States to refugees and cit- new executive action, appealing that President Donald Trump’s issuing a modified immigration who have anything to its travel ban issued on Janu- izens of seven Muslim-majority the 9th Circuit panel’s decision travel ban has been halted as it order that would survive scru- ary 27, and the Republican countries, triggering nationwide but love in their to the full appeals court and makes its way through the tiny in the courts does not president has said he may issue protests and legal challenges. hearts for this nation appealing the emergency stay to courts. “Right now we are con- convince Democrats, who from a new executive order rather A week later, a federal judge and this constitution.” the Supreme Court, he said. sidering and pursuing all the outset have charged that than go through lengthy court in Seattle issued a temporary If the Seattle lawsuit goes options,” Miller said. Trump’s order is simply anti- challenges. restraining order that put the to trial, Washington State Attor- Miller insisted the president Muslim and plays into the hands “The president’s powers here president’s travel ban on hold, San Francisco on Thursday. ney General Bob Ferguson said has the power to keep some peo- of extremists. are beyond question,” White eliciting a barrage of angry Twit- Miller, appearing on several yesterday that he will depose ple from entering the United “It will be used as a recruit- House adviser Stephen Miller ter messages from Trump. The television news shows, criticized Trump administration officials States. “We are contemplating ment for terrorist organizations. said on the “Fox News Sunday” judge’s suspension was upheld the court and its ruling. “The 9th to uncover “what truly moti- new and additional actions to It will put Americans at greater program. Miller referred to by a three-judge panel of the 9th Circuit has a long history of being vated” the president’s executive ensure that immigration is not a risk traveling abroad,” said Dem- immigration law that the US Circuit Court of Appeals in overturned and the 9th Circuit order. vehicle for admitting people into ocratic Senator Ben Cardin.

New York Fashion Week Freedom for man Pentagon in bid to solve who beheaded bus passenger baffling WWII mystery in Canada Winnipeg Albany that the records could be found, remains buried on Long Island. AP AP identifications made and that “I will work with the fami- the long-lost remains of the lies to cut through red tape and Canadian man who he Pentagon is launching Turner be reburied in marked ensure that the Department of was found not crimi- efforts to solve a baffling gravesites with full military hon- Defense’s POW/MIA Account- Anally responsible for TWorld War II mystery: ors. “I’d like to see if we can have ing Agency does everything it beheading and cannibalising whether dozens of US sailors closure on this, find out who’s can to try to properly identify a fellow passenger on a Grey- listed as missing from a ship dis- in the graves,” said Richard these brave Americans,” said hound bus has been granted aster were actually recovered and Duffy, a 61-year-old retired U.S. Senate Minority Leader his freedom. buried all along as unknowns in mechanic from Ballston Spa, Charles Schumer, a Democrat. Manitoba’s Criminal Code a New York cemetery. New York, who was named after Sickles, of Kingston, said Review Board announced More than 130 victims of the his fallen uncle. identifying any of the remains that it has given Will Baker, USS Turner’s 1944 explosion and The Turner, a 10-month-old after 73 years would be difficult formerly known as Vince Li, sinking near New York Harbor Navy destroyer, sank off Sandy but not impossible given advances an absolute discharge, mean- are still officially missing. But Hook, New Jersey, after a series with DNA and other technology. ing he is no longer subject to WWII researcher Ted Darcy of internal explosions on Jan. 3, “It’s quite possible my brother monitoring. found papers last year indicating 1944. The Navy never deter- isn’t even among any of those” Baker, a diagnosed schiz- at least four of them were buried mined what caused the initial buried on Long Island, she told ophrenic, killed Tim McLean, as unknowns in a Long Island blast, but an inquiry found that the AP. “Nevertheless, it was a young carnival worker who military cemetery. He believes the munitions were being handled something we didn’t know about was a complete stranger to rest could be there too. below deck around the time of until this story came out.” Baker, in 2008. A year later After The Associated Press the first explosion. Half of the Pentagon officials say the he was found not criminally initially reported on Darcy’s nearly 300 men on board sur- process of identifying the responsible due to mental findings in November, the Pen- vived, but scores of others were remains of unknown service illness. tagon office responsible for killed and listed as missing. members must meet strict pro- McLean’s mother, Carol recovering and identifying the Some remains were recovered tocols, and in the case of the de Delley, has been outspo- nation’s war dead said only that from the sunken wreckage dur- Turner, it can’t begin until cer- ken against granting Baker the records that could confirm ing the yearlong salvage tain key documents, including freedom, saying there would exactly how many of the Turn- operation, but an exact number those containing a sailor’s den- be no way to ensure he con- er’s sailors are buried in the remains unknown. tal information, are found. They tinued to take his medication. cemetery were missing. Margaret Duffy Sickles was noted that the effort is also ham- She declined comment in a But in recent days, the not quite 5 years old when her pered by the lack of records for post on Facebook, saying “I Defense POW/MIA Accounting family in Whitehall, New York, any of the 70 unknowns buried have no words.” Agency said it is now “taking the received word that her brother, at the Long Island cemetery. Baker was initially kept in steps to send out inquiries and 18-year-old Fireman 1st Class Todd S. Livick Sr, a the a secure wing of a psychiat- conduct archival research” to try Richard Duffy, was among the Defense POW/MIA Accounting ric hospital but was given to locate the files associated missing. After reading the AP Agency spokesman, said that the more freedom every year. He with the Turner unknowns bur- story in November, she sought agency’s researchers have spent has been living on his own in ied in the cemetery in the help of New York congres- years searching for files pertain- a Winnipeg apartment since A model walks the runway for the Public School collection Farmingdale on Long Island. sional delegation, hoping it ing to the cemetery’s burials of November, but was still sub- Darcy and loved ones of the could persuade the Pentagon to unknowns, but so far they’ve not during New York Fashion Week yesterday. ject to monitoring to ensure missing crew members hope make an attempt to identify the been located. he took his medication. Baker’s doctor, Jeffrey Waldman, told the board earlier this week that he is confident Baker will remain Novel gesture ACLU sees surge in members & donations on his medication and will continue to work with his New York “What’s really heartening is America safe, saying terrorists treatment team if released. AP people are paying attention. could otherwise slip into the Waldman testified that They’re aware of the crisis on country. He predicted the courts Baker knows it’s the medi- he nearly century-old the horizon,” he said. “There’s a will eventually find his order cation that keeps his illness American Civil Liberties real sense of urgency.” constitutional. Also, Trump’s at bay. In a written decision, TUnion says it is suddenly After Trump’s election, the business empire has said it will the review board said it “is of awash in donations and new ACLU greeted the age of Trump donate profits from any foreign the opinion that the weight of members as it does battle with on its website and magazine governments that use his hotels. evidence does not substanti- President Donald Trump over with a fresh slogan: “See you in The ACLU said it has raised ate that Baker poses a the extent of his constitutional court.” That was the same $79m online from nearly 1 mil- significant threat to the safety authority, with nearly $80m in expression Trump used in his lion individuals since the of the public.” online contributions alone pour- tweeted response to a federal election. It had no immediate Waldman said Baker ing in since the election. appeals court’s decision refus- figures for contributions made plans to visit his native China That includes a record $24m ing to reinstate the travel ban. by other means. if released but would live in surge over two days after Trump The ACLU has won court The boost to the ACLU’s Winnipeg for the next two to banned people from seven pre- orders in New York, Massachu- $220m budget will allow it to three years. He is on the wait- dominantly Muslim countries setts and Maryland against the spend more on its state opera- ing list for a post-secondary from entering the United States. president’s travel ban. It has also tions, which Romero said training program and plans The organisation said its mem- filed a Freedom of Information became critical after some leg- on establishing a career in the bership has more than doubled Act request for documents on islatures took Trump’s election city. Baker emigrated to Can- since the election to a record of the billionaire’s potential con- as a license to promote anti- ada from China in 2001 and nearly 1.2 million, and its Twit- flicts of interest. And it intends immigrant, anti-civil rights and became a Canadian citizen ter following has tripled. to bring a legal challenge accus- anti-abortion legislation. four years ago. “It feels like we’re drinking ing him of violating the The 1,150-employee ACLU Baker sat next to the from a fire hydrant,” said ACLU Constitution’s Emoluments also plans to hire more lawyers 22-year-old McLean on the bus Executive Director Anthony Clause by accepting payments and staff in New York and after the man smiled at him Haitian President Jovenel Moise (second left) greeting Romero, adding that the elec- from foreign governments at his Washington and spend $13m and asked how he was doing. children as he attends the inauguration of a fast food tion has brought immigration, hotels and other properties. more on citizen engagement, Baker said he heard the voice restaurant in Port-au-Prince. refugee, reproductive, civil and Trump has defended the including protests and of God telling him to kill the voting rights “to a high boil.” travel ban as critical to keeping lobbying. man or “die immediately”. 20 MORNING BREAK MONDAY 13 FEBRUARY 2017

PRAYER TIMINGS

FAJR 04.53 am QGBC promotes Qatar's architectural heritage SHOROOK 06.10 am The Peninsula ZUHR 11.48 am MAGHRIB 05.28 pm ASR 03.02 pm ISHA 06.58 pm atar Green Building Council (QGBC) specialists, Dr. Alex Amato and Dr. Cynthia Skel- WEATHER TODAY horn, recently organised a Qseries of lectures for stu- o o dents at Northwestern University in Qatar (NU-Q), outlining the signifi- 21 C 25 C cance of Qatar’s architectural Minimum Maximum heritage. The presentations were given as part of an NU-Q course entitled ‘Advanced Online Storytelling.’ Delivered by industry experts drawn from QF Capital Projects, Qatar University, and Makower Architects, among others, the lectures provided students with an insightful and informed perspective of Doha’s recent rapid growth and its resulting archi- tectural townscape. Valuable skills were also demon- strated, such as the use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) in mapping A group of Northwestern University in Qatar (NU-Q) students with Qatar Green Building Council (QGBC) Qatar’s architectural heritage. experts at a recently held event. Dr. Amato, Head of Sustainability at QGBC, said: “QGBC considers the cultural sustainability of Qatar’s built students have carried out. It was a ‘architectural gems’ are either Christina Paschyn, Assistant Pro- environment to be vital to the coun- delight to work with them and their neglected or endangered by fessor of Journalism at NU-Q, try’s long-term development. While tutor as they immediately warmed to redevelopment.” mentored the students and oversaw Doha’s traditional architecture is the project and recognized that Qatar Dr. Cynthia Skelhorn, Research the production of the website. “My stu- important to this story, the city’s rapid has a rich and diverse architectural Specialist at QGBC, said: “Doha has a dents and I appreciate QGBC’s valuable urbanization since the onset of petro- range which needs to be recorded for considerable stock of traditional archi- contribution. We hope that through Expected thundery rain at places as- chemical wealth has resulted in the appreciation now and for future gen- tecture that needs consistent effort to the website, local and international sociated with strong wind. Hazy and formation of many new neighborhoods erations. Doha’s buildings should be preserve and retrofit. One element of communities will learn more about partly cloudy to with scattered rain may be thundery at times at places. that contain architecturally notable acknowledged for their genuine archi- preservation is to document the exact why Doha, from its skyline to its tra- buildings that need to be acknowl- tectural value as the city is becoming locations of architecture that are par- ditional houses, looks the way it does,” HIGH TIDE 06:30 - 18:30 LOW TIDE 13:30 edged for their worth.” an engaging architectural hub for both ticularly iconic, noteworthy, or she said. Courtesy: Qatar Meteorology Department Additionally, as part of the five- experts and tourists alike.” representative of a particular era in QGBC, a member of Qatar Foun- week course, NU-Q launched a website Dr. Amato added: “The website Qatar’s development." dation for Education, Science and documenting the evolution of Qatar’s developed by NU-Q students is one of "To this end, students were intro- Community Development (QF), advo- architecture and urban development. the best ways to extol the true signif- duced to online story-maps as an cates for best-practice sustainability The website contributes to the further icance of Qatar’s architectural heritage effective technology for visualising and green buildings in Qatar, includ- study and conservation of Doha’s and to communicate this with the Doha’s architectural sites. We are ing cultural sustainability. Additionally, unique architectural story. QGBC wider community, especially with grateful for the opportunity to begin the Qatar National Vision 2030 stressed that the students’ work was decision-makers. We hope this is just this documentation process with such acknowledges the need to recognize not at an end, and that it will hopefully the start, as there is still much that a talented group of students, and we and encourage Qatar’s unique herit- act as a spark to generate further study. needs to be done, not only in terms of plan to continue recording these sites age, extending to the country’s Dr. Amato said: “We greatly appre- celebrating and recording, but also in following the completion of the architecture, both traditional and more ciate the important work NU-Q’s terms of conservation, as some course.” recent developments.

DFI finalises film personalities A chance to spot comet passing by Earth Martel and Branco for Qumra Washington IANS

The Peninsula COMET hunters have a chance to spot comet 45P/Honda-Mrkos-Pajdusakova in the next oha Film Institute (DFI) has few days using binoculars or a telescope, Nasa confirmed Argentina’s said yesterday. Deminent filmmaker Lucre- "It's the first of a trio of comets that will cia Martel and internationally — between now and the end of 2018 — pass acclaimed producer Paulo Branco close enough to Earth for backyard observ- as the final two Masters for the ers to try to spot and for scientists to study third edition of Qumra taking using ground-based instruments," the US place from March 3 to 8. space agency said. This was announced at the The recommendation for backyard 2017 Berlin International Film astronomers is to use binoculars or a tele- Festival, where films supported scope to look for the comet several times by the Institute are being during the coming days, Nasa said. screened. Discovered in 1948, 45P is a short-period Paulo Branco Martel and Branco join the comet, with an orbit that takes it around the previously announced Qumra names in world cinema today.” sun and out by Jupiter about every 5-1/4 years. Masters — contemporary Iranian Filmmaker and DFI Artistic Lucrecia Martel This weekend's encounter will be the master Asghar Farhadi; French Advisor Elia Suleiman said: “The comet's closest with Earth — passing by at a auteur Bruno Dumont; and Cam- works of Lucrecia Martel and feature-length film, Zama, slated distance of about 12.4 million kilometres — bodian creative documentarian Paolo Branco have a vivid place to premiere in 2017. through the end of this century. Rithy Panh. They will mentor first in the history of world cinema. Honoured by the European The comet will pass by our planet again and second-time filmmakers dur- While Martel has brought some Parliament as the ‘Greatest Euro- in 2032 but will be much farther away — ing Qumra, to support the compelling films that stand out pean Producers,’ Branco at a distance of nearly about 48 development of emerging film- for their powerful themes and embodies one of the most impor- millionkm. makers from Qatar, the Arab narrative style, Branco is the mind tant figures of independent Scientists have taken advantage of 45P's region and around the world. behind some very accomplished production in the world. He has approach, making observations using pow- Fatma Al Remaihi, CEO of DFI films of our time. Along with the the largest number of films erful ground-based telescopes such as Nasa's said: “Lucrecia Martel and Paolo other Qumra Masters, they selected at the Cannes Film Fes- Infrared Telescope Facility to investigate the Branco are luminaries in world present exciting insights on mod- tival (60 films with 36 in Official gases, dust and ice particles that are released cinema, who bring a unique per- ern filmmaking, and will be an Selection) and to have competed from the comet nucleus and show up in the spective on filmmaking that will inspiration for the filmmakers for the Golden Palm. He has pro- coma and tail. incredibly benefit emerging film- participating in Qumra.” duced over 300 films and worked By looking for water, methane and other makers who have been selected Martel ‘s debut feature La Cien- with the most renowned film important compounds, astronomers get clues to participate in Qumra this year." aga was voted the greatest Latin directors in the world such as about how the comet is put together and "The five Masters, while very American film of the decade in a David Cronenberg, Wim Wend- where it originated in the cloud of material different in style, are renowned poll of New York film critics, and ers, Chantal Akerman, Alain that surrounded the young sun as the solar for their innovative approach to is seen as an important develop- Tanner, Werner Schroeter, Olivier system formed. filmmaking, and bring a wealth ment in the New Argentine Cinema. Assayas abd Cédric Kahn. By observing the same comet more than of experience to Qumra that will All her films have been well- Along with the other Qumra once, astronomers can see how the object be invaluable for the participat- received at international film Masters, Branco and Martel will changes over time. ing filmmakers. We want to festivals, and has been a juror at engage in masterclasses and one- "Observing a comet multiple times over inspire and support these emerg- festivals in Berlin, Cannes, Venice, on-one sessions with participating successive orbits is like taking snapshots at ing talents in their work, and Sundance and Rotterdam, among Qumra projects, along with screen- different stages of life," said Joseph Nuth, a provide them with the opportu- many others. ings and question-and-answer senior scientist at Nasa's Goddard Space Flight nity to establish connections with Currently, Martel is in post- sessions for Doha audiences Center in Greenbelt, Maryland. some of the most important production with her fourth throughout Qumra.