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TUESDAY Vol. XXXVI No. 9958 January 5, 2016 Rabia I 25, 1437 AH

GULF TIMES www. gulf-times.com 2 Riyals Qatar ExxonMobil Open 2016 kicks off Diabetes video on Internet In brief baseless: expert n expert from the Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) Ahas advised the public to QATAR | Aviation ignore a video circulating on so- Qatar Airways starts cial networks claiming that diabe- tes can be cured through a weekly new daily LA service injection. Qatar Airways rang in the New Year Professor Abdul-Badi Abou-Sam- with a new daily, non-stop service ra, chairman of Internal Medicine between Los Angeles and Doha, at HMC, calls the information con- which started on January 1. The tained in the video baseless and is new route features the airline’s urging individuals with diabetes to landmark Boeing 777-200 and continue using the treatments pre- represents Qatar Airways’ first Qatar ExxonMobil Open 2016 kicked off at the Khalifa International Tennis & Squash Complex yesterday in the presence of HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Interior scribed by their medical doctors. He passenger service to the West Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa al-Thani. The tournament is organised by the Qatar Tennis Federation and is attended by a strong line-up of players from around has also stressed the importance of Coast of the US. The expansion the world. Serbia’s Novak Djokovic cruised past qualifier Dustin Brown of Germany 6-2, 6-2 yesterday. In other matches, Jeremy Chardy of France defeated Qatar’s patients not altering their treatment to LAX is the first of three new US Mubarak Shannan Zayid 6-1, 6-1, while Kyle Edmund of Britain beat Martin Klizan of Slovakia 6-2, 6-3. Damir Dzumhur of Bosnia-Herzegovina defeated Marco Cecchinato plan without first consulting their destinations planned for 2016, of Italy 6-4, 6-2. PICTURE: Noushad Thekkayil Sport Pages 1 and 2 physician. Page 2 along with Boston on March 16 and Atlanta on June 1. “We are honoured to bring our award- winning service to Los Angeles,” said Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive Akbar al-Baker. Page 3

AFGHANISTAN | Unrest 25-hour siege ends Iran-Saudi crisis deepens near Indian consulate Agencies The diplomatic fallout came only leave the country within 48 hours. attack on Saudi Arabia’s embassy in Te- “We are urging calm and de-escala- A 25-hour gun and bomb siege near Riyadh/Bahrain hours after the Saudi government broke Bahrain also decided to close its dip- hran and its consulate in Mashhad. tion. The situation needs to be calmed,” the Indian consulate in the Afghan off relations with Tehran, where pro- lomatic mission in Tehran and to with- Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir one offi cial said. city of Mazar-i-Sharif ended late testers had stormed the Saudi embassy draw of all members of the mission. said that Iran had a long-track record of London, Paris and Berlin also ex- yesterday after all the attackers ahrain, the United Arab Emir- on Saturday night. The Bahraini Foreign Ministry yes- violating diplomatic missions. pressed concerns, amid fears the dis- were killed, off icials said. “The ates and Sudan followed ally The UAE said Iran needed to stay out terday summoned the acting charge Al-Jubeir underlined at a news con- pute could derail eff orts to resolve con- clearance operation is over and all BSaudi Arabia’s lead in severing of Arab aff airs and not act like a protec- d’aff aires in the Iranian embassy in ference on Sunday that these attacks fl icts across the Middle East, from Syria the terrorists have been killed,” said or downgrading ties with Tehran over a tor of Arab Shias. “The Arab world isn’t Manama, Mortadha Sanubari, and fell under “Iran’s familiar historic poli- to Yemen. provincial police chief Sayed Kamal growing diplomatic row with Iran. a venue for its blatant interference ... handed him an offi cial memorandum cies, which aim to destabilise the re- UN Secretary-General Ban Ki- Sadat. Government spokesman Bahrain and Sudan cut off diplomatic Iran does not have guardianship or ju- thereon. gion.” moon spoke by phone with Saudi For- Shir Jan Durrani said three armed links with Iran yesterday, and the UAE risdiction over a large number of Arabs Sudan on Sunday announced it has The Cairo-based Arab League said eign Minister al-Jubeir and his Iranian assailants had been killed after downgraded its ties with the Islamic for some sectarian reason,” UAE Min- decided to expel the Iranian ambassa- it would hold an emergency meeting counterpart, Mohamed Javad Zarif, they mounted an attack on the republic. ister of State for Foreign Aff airs Anwar dor and the entire mission in solidarity at Riyadh’s request on Sunday to dis- stressing that continued engagement diplomatic mission from a nearby Riyadh meanwhile stepped up its Gargash told Saudi-owned Al Arabiya with Saudi Arabia in the face of Iran’s cuss the attacks on Saudi diplomatic was “in the interest of the region and building late Sunday. “Our search own measures against Tehran, with TV. plots. premises and Iranian interference. beyond,” his spokesman Stephane Du- operation is still going on inside the Saudi Arabia’s General Civil Aviation Bahrain has announced it is sev- According to Sudan News Agency, As international worries grew, US jarric said. building,” he said, adding that the Authority announcing that airlines had ering diplomatic ties with Iran and a statement of the Sudanese Foreign Secretary of State John Kerry called Ban told al-Jubeir that breaking off fighting left one policeman dead been instructed to stop all fl ights to and asked all the members of the Ira- Ministry said that the move came his Iranian and Saudi Arabian counter- diplomatic ties with Iran was “deeply and 11 others wounded. Page 16 from Iran. nian diplomatic mission Manama to against the background of the brutal parts, US offi cials said. worrying.” Gulf Times 2 Tuesday, January 5, 2016 QATAR

Bashir meets attorney general In brief Diabetes video on Advisory Council discusses rise in rental rates

Internet baseless, The Advisory Council yesterday held its weekly regular meeting of the 44th ordinary session under the chairmanship of its Speaker HE Mohamed bin Mubarak al-Khulaifi. says HMC expert At the meeting’s outset, HE the Secretary-General of the Advisory n expert from the Ha- ments for diabetes, as well as Council Fahad bin Mubarak al- mad Medical Corporation their side eff ects. Khayareen read out the agenda A(HMC) has advised the “No single prescription can which was agreed upon. Then the public to ignore a video circu- apply to all patients. The type Council endorsed the minutes of lating on social networks claim- and dosage of medicine pre- its previous session. ing that diabetes can be cured scribed will diff er according to The meeting discussed a report through a weekly injection. each patient’s specifi c condi- presented by the Services and Professor Abdul-Badi Abou- tion. For instance, patients with Public Utilities committee on Samra, chairman of Internal type 1 diabetes, whatever their the rise of rental prices. The Medicine at HMC, calls the in- age, and some patients with type council agreed to present its formation contained in the video 2 diabetes whose pancreas be- Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir holding talks with HE the Attorney General Ali bin Fetais al-Marri, recommendations to the Qatari baseless and is urging individu- come unable to produce enough in Khartoum yesterday. The meeting dealt with topics related to judiciary and public prosecution. cabinet. als with diabetes to continue insulin, must take insulin injec- using the treatments prescribed tions. This may not be replaced 13 food outlets by their medical doctors. He has by another drug,” said, Professor also stressed the importance of Abou-Samra. closed in patients not altering their treat- The expert said that follow- December ment plan without fi rst consult- Professor Abou-Samra ing a healthy lifestyle, including ing their physician. eating a balanced diet and get- “Currently, there is no in- in accordance with the high- ting adequate physical exercise, On your marks for The Doha Municipality’s director jection or medicine that cures est international standards. All can help prevent the disease. issued decisions to close 13 food diabetes completely. There are the treatments used at HMC He added that if their diabetes outlets in various areas in the many medications that help to are universally accepted for the diagnosed in the early stages, municipality in December last lower blood sugar levels, but treatment of diabetes. Treat- patients may not require medi- year. The outlets were closed for these are not a cure. Prescribed ment plans are individual. The cation and instead be able to Ooredoo Marathon violating the Law No 8 of 1990 medical treatments vary accord- success of a particular treatment manage the disease with lifestyle amended by Law No 4 of 2014. ing to a patient’s age, the type for some patients does not mean changes. The Doha Municipality health and stage of his or her diabetes, that the same treatment will be “At any stage of the disease, he fourth Ooredoo Mara- Yousuf Abdulla al-Kubaisi, the Corniche to get an unob- inspectors visited 2,097 outlets and any complications and co- eff ective for all patients,” Profes- the patient will still need to ad- thon will take place this chief operating offi cer of Oore- structed view. last December to inspect the existing conditions the patient sor Abou-Samra said. here to a healthy diet and get TFriday and thousands of doo Qatar, said: “We have placed The runners can park at the extent of their compliance may have,” he said. He added that HMC clinicians appropriate physical exercise. runners of all levels of ability a lot of emphasis on engaging the MIA port side entry from 5am with the law’s regulations “HMC provides care for are undertaking a number of re- Medication alone is not suffi - have registered to take part. community for the 2016 Oore- to 7.30am and the visitors can and provisions. During these diabetic patients through a search studies to compare the cient if the patient’s lifestyle is This year, the Ooredoo Mara- doo Marathon, off ering a full park in Souq Waqif underground inspection raids, they found 161 multidisciplinary approach eff ectiveness of diff erent treat- unhealthy.” thon features a full marathon range of races and off ering the parking. Participants must col- violations to health requirements. (42.195km), a half-marathon most interesting course and best lect their race pack inside the The Law No. 8 of 1990 (21.0975km), 10km, 5km jun- range of facilities for runners. MIA parking lot on Friday be- on Regulation of Human ior and adult races, as well as a People of all levels of ability can tween 5am and 6am. Food Control and its latest child-friendly 3km and a 1km take part in the Ooredoo Mara- The event, which is organised amendment No 4 of 2014 gives event. The fi rst race will start thon, and we are encouraging and sponsored by Ooredoo, is the director of the municipality, AI Express from the Museum of Islamic Art friends, families and colleagues part of the company’s ongoing or the competent department, PHCC gets large (MIA) at 6.30am, with full mara- to come down and cheer the rac- campaign to encourage more the authority to close food thon runners taking a course ers on.” people to get involved in sports establishments which violate the passengers that runs along the Corniche To ensure the safety of all run- and inspire Qatar’s future sport- provisions of the law. back again. ners and spectators, the Cor- ing champions. All arrange- number of calls With a prize pot of QR1mn niche road, will be closed from ments are being made to ensure Ministry records stranded available, and prizes awarded 6.30am to 11.30am to accommo- the Ooredoo Marathon is as safe to the best runners in a range date the races. Marathon specta- as possible. Ooredoo will help 64 consumer of categories, based on age and tors are requested to stand at the provide runners with water and violations in Dec bout 100 passengers of a for appointment gender, Ooredoo is expecting a Corniche walkway at the MIA or any necessary minor fi rst aid Dammam-bound Air In- positive response this year. at the many checkpoints lining during the race. Adia Express (IX 381/382) Ministry of Economy and fl ight from Kozhikode in Kerala he Primary Health Care or three days of the call. Commerce issued 64 diff erent were stranded in Doha yester- Corporation (PHCC) is Meanwhile, the number of consumer violations during day after the aircraft developed a Texperiencing a dramatic citizens visiting private hospi- December 2015 as part of its ‘technical snag,’ sources said. surge in the number of calls to tals, has considerable dropped intensive search campaign in the A passenger said that the book medical appointment at after Seha was stopped. Dr Islam local market. plane,which left Kozhikode its health centres, following the Zakaria, director of the health Al Dana Green Run to The campaign aimed at ensuring around noon Indian time, cancellation of Seha, the Na- insurance department at Doha the compliance of commercial reached Doha by 2pm, but could tional Health Insurance Com- Clinic said that starting from outlets and retailers in the not continue its onward journey pany. Friday there was a considerable country with the stipulations and to Dammam in Saudi Arabia. Quoting a PHCC offi cial, local drop in the number of Qatari pa- regulations of law no 8 for 2008 It is learnt that the passengers Arabic daily Arrayah reported tients seeking the services of the take place on January 16 regarding consumer protection. were moved to hotels in Doha by yesterday that as many as 2,250 hospital, especially those who Most of the violations were the airline’s Doha offi ce. Some calls were received through the do not have private health insur- regarding improper tagging technicians are expected from Hayak Service (107) as of Sunday ance coverage. oha Bank yesterday an- ners in each of the 10 categories Considered to be ‘the biggest of items on display, selling or Mumbai to carry out the neces- evening. An offi cial at Al-Ahli Hospital nounced that the 11th as well as lucky members of the Corporate Social Responsibility displaying expired products, sary maintenance. If everything Accordingly, the call centre said that there has been about Dedition of its Al Dana audience. (CSR) event in Qatar,’ Al Dana violating the terms and goes well, the plane will resume has increased its working hours 25% drop in the number of Qa- Green Run will take place on “Al Dana Green Run has Green Run takes its name from condition for the licenses for its journey before noon today. as well as the number of staff , tari clients since the beginning January 16 at the Aspire Zone. evolved into a must-do fi xture Doha Bank’s Al Dana Savings sales, promotions and special making it a round-the-clock of the new year. A popular community event that families and individuals all Scheme, the premier savings off ers, and posting fraudulent or service. The offi cial said that The same was indicated by in Qatar, the 3-km run is organ- across the city have developed an programme which off ers cus- deceptive information about the Hayak receives around 68,000 Dr Ossama Hussain, director of ised annually with the aim of en- emotional connect with and look tomers the chance to win huge items on display. calls a month. health insurance department at hancing environmental aware- forward eagerly to each year,” cash prizes. Through the Al Dana The penalties for such violations The present situation at most Al-Emadi hospital, who also cit- ness and promoting a healthier said Dr R Seetharaman, CEO of Green Run, Doha Bank seeks include administrative closure Man gets life PHCC health centres is under ed a drop of around 20-30% in lifestyle among members of the Doha Bank. to encourage people to save re- of the outlet for various periods, control, as most medical ap- the number of visitors, the daily local community. “Over the years we have wit- sources, just as they save in their and fines ranging from QR5,000 pointments are given after two added. The 2016 edition of Al Dana nessed a steady increase in the Al Dana accounts. to QR30,000 according to the for drugs Green Run will see men, women, number of participants at Al Dana The 2016 Al Dana Green Run nature of the violation. and children join hands in sup- Green Run, with last year’s event is hosted by Doha Bank in col- port of a cleaner, greener, and attracting over 2,500 runners, laboration with the Ministry of Cadillac ATS, CTS smuggling healthier world. To ensure maxi- leading it to be offi cially crowned Interior, the General Directorate mum participation, Doha Bank by the Qatar Olympic Committee of Public Security, the Traffi c models recalled Abu Nakhla Health has split the competition into as the largest event of its kind in and Patrol Department, Qatar Doha Criminal Court has 10 categories, thus opening the the country. We are determined Olympic Committee, and the The Ministry of Economy sentenced a GCC national doors for people from various to deliver an even more sparkling Aspire Academy. and Commerce (MEC), in Ain absentia to life impris- Centre working hours social segments, age groups and edition this year and ensure that More information about Al collaboration with Mannai onment, a fi ne of QR300,000, fi tness levels to take part in the all participants have a rewarding, Dana Green Run may be had Trading Company, dealer of and deportation upon serving event. memorable and fun-fi lled experi- from www.dohabankmarathon. Cadillac vehicles in Qatar, has his sentence. he Primary Health Care ments, urgent cases clinic, and Cash prizes await the win- ence,” he added. com announced the recall of select Local Arabic daily Arrayah Corporation has an- support services in both the Cadillac ATS and CTS 2015 reported yesterday that convict Tnounced the extension pharmacy, laboratory, radiology, models, due to a possible fault in was accused of smuggling drugs of working hours in Abu Nakhla nursing, reception and customer the brake system. into the country, in addition to Health Centre to provide bet- service departments. The aff ected chassis numbers drug abuse. He was arrested at ter service for the visitors. The The PHCC has emphasised its Hamad Port receives livestock cargo are 1G6A95RA6F0129973 Abu Samra land border while health centre is working from role in promoting the health of - 1G6A95RA9F0129823 trying to drive into Qatar. The 7am to 10pm non-stop, from the community through its role - 1G6A95RA8F0129585 - custom offi cers suspected him Sunday. as the fi rst point of contact and 1G6A95RA1F0129959. and ordered a thorough search The extension of the working as the main provider of primary The Ministry stated that the recall of his vehicle, leading to the dis- hours include both the public health care services in the coun- campaign comes within the covery of 116.94gms of hashish clinics with booked appoint- try. framework of its ongoing eff orts and 6,010 Captagon pills. to protect consumers and ensure When taken for a blood test, that car dealers follow up on it was proven that he had taken vehicle defects and repairs. hashish. The court convicted the The Ministry said it will co- man based on the witness of the ordinate with the dealer to follow two custom offi cers who spotted Woman gives birth at up on maintenance and repair him, the medical report based works and will communicate with on his blood test and his confes- customers to ensure that the sion that the drugs in the car be- Mesaimeer Health Centre necessary repairs are carried out. longed to him. Armed forces he medical team in Me- medical examinations for both exercises Qatar-Myanmar saimeer Health Cen- the baby and the mother. Ttre on Sunday evening Dr al-Emadi, the family doc- ties reviewed helped a patient suff ering tor in Mesaimeer Health Centre, Qatar Armed Forces General from labour pains, to deliver said that the mother experi- Command has announced that President of Myanmar Thein Sein smoothly with the help of Dr enced terrible pain and the med- the marine shooting range, met Qatar’s ambassador Hassan Elham al-Emadi and the ma- ical cadre performed necessary located near Fasht Al-Hadid, will bin Mohamed Rafi al-Emadi, ternal and child health edu- procedures. Hamad Port has seen the arrival of the first cargo ship carrying livestock. The recently inaugurated be active from January 31 until on the sidelines of Myanmar’s cator Samah al-Jareedi along According to the doctor, eve- port is capable of receiving 6mn containers a year once fully operational. It will have a terminal for February 4 from 7am to 1pm celebration of Independence Day. with the support of the nursing rything was done with ease and general goods with a capacity of 1.7mn tonnes a year, one to handle one million tonnes of grain a daily. During the meeting, they staff . the child and the mother were year, another for vehicles with a capacity for 500,000 cars a year, one for livestock, and two others The Qatari Armed Forces General discussed bilateral relations and They provided the required transferred to Women’s Hospi- for the coast guards and maritime support and guidance. Command has advised visitors to ways of enhancing them. medical help by conducting tal. the area to take precautions. Gulf Times Tuesday, January 5, 2016 3 QATAR City Center Rotana Doha hotel opens otana, one of the leading hotel manage- art facilities for conference and seminar re- of Centro Capital Doha, our fi rst hotel to be cocktail with family or friends. ment companies in the Middle East, quirements with the latest high-tech facilities launched in the country under the lifestyle af- “Boston’s” –the restaurant and lounge that RAfrica, South Asia and Eastern Europe, including the grand ballroom, fully equipped fordable brand Centro Hotels by Rotana, which will open in mid-January, will off er a variety announced yesterday the soft opening of City meeting rooms as well as a business centre. will then add another 229 rooms to our portfo- of cocktails and sumptuous dishes to relax and Center Rotana Doha, the city’s newest fi ve-star The hotel also includes a state-of-the-art Bod- lio in Qatar,” he added. unwind with friends, while “Teatro” that is hotel. ylines Leisure and Fitness Club, massage rooms City Center Rotana is characterised by its scheduled to be opened in March will off er an Developed by Al Rayyan Tourism Invest- as well as sauna and jacuzzi rooms which are connection to the City Center Doha shopping intriguing menu featuring masterpieces from ment Company (Artic) the international hotel all linked to an outdoor swimming pool and a complex – the leading family shopping mall in Thai, Indian, Chinese, Japanese Sushi and Ital- investment and hospitality subsidiary of Al landscaped patio space. Doha. The hotel is only 30 minutes away from ian cuisines. Faisal Holding Company, the City Center Ro- Commenting on the opening, Omer Kad- the airport, 15 minutes away from the tradi- To add an oriental touch, “Misk” – the spe- tana Doha is located in the West Bay area. This douri, president and CEO of Rotana said: “Qa- tional Souq Waqif, the banks’ street and the cialty Lebanese restaurant, which will open its 52-storey tower features 287 luxurious modern tar’s hospitality sector is one of the most vital Museum of Islamic Art. doors in April, will off er a variety of authentic rooms and suites and 94 serviced apartments. sectors in the region, especially with the global Joseph Coubat, general manager of City cuisine with a contemporary Arabic fl avour. To mark the occasion, Sheikh Mohamed bin status that Doha holds in attracting interna- Center Rotana, cited: “Our opening enhances Further, to relax and get out of business and Faisal al-Thani, Artic’s vice-chairman, said: tional events in general and sports-related ones our brand’s existence in this country and also working mode, “Aquarius”, the outdoor lounge “Qatar is witnessing a remarkable growth in the in particular. Opening our third hotel in Qa- supports the government’s eff orts to boost the will provide complete comfort and a variety of tourism sector and we are committed to play- tar, following the 5 star Oryx Rotana and Sedra tourism sector.” options for dinner with a large variety of appe- ing a key role in supporting this growth. With Residences by Rotana, is a major milestone for The hotel also seeks to off er its guests an tizers. City Center Rotana, we are off ering a unique us. With this, our existence in this promising exquisite culinary experience off ered by the City Center Rotana also provides a ballroom addition to Qatar’s hospitality market that spe- market will help us grow and move forward in most skilled chefs. “Olive Oil” the all-day din- and meeting rooms, which matches the diverse cifi cally caters to today’s modern travellers. The our expansion plans and we are very confi dent ing restaurant featuring cuisines from around demands and varies in size between 40sqm and hotel provides guests with excellent facilities that City Centre Rotana will provide the utmost the world will off er an international buff et for 842sqm, depending on the space needed by or- which will undoubtedly set even higher stand- standards and quality services for its guests.” breakfast, lunch and dinner in a relaxing at- ganisers for events, conferences or exhibitions. ards in Qatar’s vibrant hospitality sector.” “With the opening of City Centre Rotana, mosphere. The lobby lounge “Caramel” will In addition to the business centre, there are 11 City Center Rotana off ers exquisite dining Rotana’s inventory in Doha has increased to serve fresh bakery, a wide variety of sandwiches meeting rooms that are available 24/7 and are venues to suit all tastes, from stylish to infor- more than 1,000 rooms. The second quarter and salads and is the ideal venue for an informal equipped with state-of-the-art audio and vid- mal, fusion to international and state-of-the of this year is slated to witness the opening get together over a cup of coff ee or a refreshing eo systems. A view of the City Center Rotana Doha. Los Angeles marks QA’s fi rst service to US west coast

atar Airways rang in the Group Chief Executive, Akbar “As passionate homes for New Year with a new al-Baker. sport, fashion, art and world- Qdaily, non-stop service “This great city embodies the class entertainment, this new between Los Angeles Interna- glamour and sophistication that Qatar Airways service forms tional Airport (LAX) and Hamad gave rise to the ’jet set’ lifestyle, a bridge spanning continents International Airport in Doha. when travel truly started to be and cultures, which will fur- The new route, which com- part of our life experience. It is ther strengthen our cultural and menced on January 1, features only fi tting that we bring the commercial bonds.” the airline’s landmark Boeing world’s best airline experience to The LAX launch comes as Qa- 777-200 and represents Qatar the people of Los Angeles.” tar Airways continues to expand Airways’ fi rst passenger serv- The fi rst arrival to Los Ange- operations in the United States ice to the United States west les was recognised with a spe- and around the world. In addi- coast. cial gate ceremony, celebrating tion to new launches in Boston The expansion to LAX is the the passengers on the historic and Atlanta, the airline is en- fi rst of three new US destina- fl ight. The airline will offi cially hancing existing services along tions planned for 2016, along celebrate the new Los Angeles its successful US routes. with Boston on March 16 and route on January 12, when al- On December 8, Qatar Air- Atlanta on June 1. Baker will host a “star-studded” ways brought the state-of-the- “We are honoured to bring VIP gala.“Los Angeles and Doha art Airbus A350, the “airliner of our award-winning service to have much in common,” said al- the next decade,” to American Los Angeles,” said Qatar Airways Baker. shores for the fi rst time. Santa Monica Pier at Los Angeles . Gulf Times 4 Tuesday, January 5, 2016 REGION

Germany ‘could US will get a punch in review’ arms mouth, says exports to Khamenei

AFP Saudi Arabia Tehran

AFP my ministry earlier said it was ran’s supreme leader said Berlin “following developments” in yesterday the US was seek- Saudi Arabia, and that they Iing to infl uence next month’s would “come into play” when elections in the Islamic Republic ermany’s Vice Chan- it decides on approval for fu- but said such eff orts would re- cellor Sigmar Gabriel ture defence exports to the ceive a “punch in the mouth”. Gwarned Saudi Arabia country. Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s yesterday Berlin could review Chancellor Angela Merkel’s comments related to parliamen- military exports to the king- spokesman Steff en Seibert tary polls and a ballot for the As- dom in light of Riyadh’s mass called on both Saudi Arabia sembly of Experts, a powerful executions of prisoners two and Iran “to use all means at committee of clerics who will days earlier. their disposal to improve their pick the country’s next supreme Berlin also urged Saudi Ara- diplomatic relations”. leader when the incumbent, who bia and Iran to restore diplo- He said Saudi-Iranian ties Army soldiers celebrate after taking over the main port of Yemen’s southern city of Aden from gunmen, yesterday. is 76, dies. Both elections take matic relations after 47 people are “of fundamental impor- place on February 26. were executed, including a tance for resolving the crises Political moderates and re- Shia cleric, which sparked at- in Syria and Yemen and for the formists are seeking to wrest tacks on the Saudi embassy in stability of the entire region”. back control of the currently Iran followed by a severing of Germany’s opposition conservative-dominated 290 offi cial ties between the two Greens and Left parties de- member parliament on the back countries. manded the government of President Hassan Rouhani’s Gabriel, who is also Germa- halt all military exports to Aden under curfew nuclear deal with world powers ny’s economy minister, said: Saudi Arabia, which reached last year. “We must now review wheth- €209mn ($226mn) in 2014, The Assembly of Experts is er in future we should take a the last full year for which data also heavily made up of con- more critical stance on de- is available. servatives. fensive armaments which we Seibert, asked whether Some 12,000 candidates have have so far sold to Saudi Arabia Germany planned to sanction registered for the parliamentary for its national defence.” Saudi Arabia, stressed that “it as 22 die in clashes election but many are expected “It turns out we were right is in the interest of Germany to to be excluded during vetting not to deliver battle tanks or have dialogue with Saudi Ara- Agencies The curfew will last until They said the fi ghting lasted Arabian Peninsula, long active procedures carried out by an- G36 assault rifl es to Saudi bia ... We are committed to a Sanaa 5am, the sabanews.net website for several hours and that pro- in Yemen, and IS as both groups other top Iranian committee, the Arabia,” he added, national constructive relationship with said, citing a decision by the Hadi forces eventually man- appear to be vying for infl u- Guardian Council. news agency DPA reported. Riyadh.” Aden Security Commission. aged to take control of the fa- ence. Khamenei told a meeting of Germany has refrained from French Foreign Minister uthorities in Yemen’s The decision comes after cility. The city was rocked by prayer leaders that attempts by selling the Heckler & Koch Laurent Fabius meanwhile southern city of Aden fi erce battles on Sunday in the Witnesses said they saw months of fi ghting last year be- “enemies” to distance Iran from G36 assault rifl e and other of- called for a “de-escalation of Aimposed a curfew yes- port of Aden killed 22 people, an unprecedented number of tween pro-government forces its revolutionary mandate - the fensive military weapons to tensions” between Riyadh and terday after violence blamed among them 10 members of armed men in Aden on Sunday, and Iran-backed Shia Houthi Islamic Republic was formed Saudi Arabia but has shipped Tehran, government spokes- on suspected militants killed the security forces including without being able to identify rebels who seized the capital in 1979 after the overthrow of a millions of euros worth of so- man Stephane Le Foll said. at least 22 people, pro-gov- a colonel, the security sources them. Sanaa in September 2014 before US-backed shah - would fail. called defensive military gear. “France has an important ernment media and security said. Hadi toured parts of the city, expanding south. “Americans have set their eyes Exports last year included role in this region as an inter- sources said. The sources said the clashes including the port, yesterday, Backed by a Saudi-led covetously on elections but the patrol boats, all-terrain vehi- locutor with all the parties,” Suspected Islamic State erupted when forces loyal to according to the government coalition, loyalists have re- great and vigilant nation of Iran cles, aerial refuelling equip- Le Foll said following a cabinet group (IS) militants in the city President Abedrabbo Mansour news agency. gained control of Aden and will act contrary to the enemies’ ment, drones and parts for meeting, noting that Iranian also shot dead Sheikh Ali Oth- Hadi came up against resist- Aden, declared by the gov- four nearby provinces in the will, whether be it in elections combat aircraft and armoured President Hassan Rouhani man, a Sufi imam who was con- ance when they tried to deploy ernment to be the temporary south since July as fi erce or on other issues, and as before vehicles, DPA said. plans to visit Paris in the com- sidered a moderate, security of- in the port to secure it com- capital, has seen growing un- fi ghting persists across the will punch them in the mouth,” A spokesman for the econo- ing weeks. fi cials said. pletely. rest between Al Qaeda in the country. he said.

Gulf Times 6 Tuesday, January 5, 2016 ARAB WORLD New IS video ‘desperate stuff ’: British PM

Agencies that again today,” Cameron said multi-faith” values and that the Emwazi, but he spoke in a clear “So go kill the kuff ar right over London during a visit to east London. militants would not succeed in English accent, waving a gun there.” “This is an organisation that’s the long term. at the camera while criticising The father of Grace Dare, a losing territory... increasingly “Britain will never be cowed by Cameron. woman from London who left ritish Prime Minister losing anybody’s sympathy, and this sort of terrorism. Our val- Some British media speculated Britain to join Islamic State and David Cameron yesterday this again shows what an ap- ues are so much stronger than that the militant might be Sid- marry a militant, said he believed Bdescribed an Islamic State palling organisation we’re up theirs,” he said. dhartha Dhar, who is also known the boy was her son. group video apparently show- against.” “It may take a very long time as Abu Rumaysah, a convert from “It’s my grandson. I can’t ing the execution of fi ve British In the footage, an English- but they will be defeated.” Hinduism and a high-profi le Is- disown him,” Sunday Dare told “spies” as “desperate stuff ” de- speaking IS fi ghter mocks Cam- British warplanes, which were lamist, although security experts Channel 4 News. signed to defl ect from their re- eron for challenging IS, and calls already attacking IS positions in were divided on whether it was “He doesn’t like it over there. cent military losses. him an “imbecile”. Iraq, at the beginning of Decem- him. It’s propaganda. They are just us- The group threatened Britain “This is a message to David ber began targeting the militants Dhar left Britain with his family ing a small boy. He doesn’t know in the Internet video on Sunday Cameron,” says one of the gun- in Syria also. A child speaks in this still image from a handout video obtained yesterday to travel to Syria despite being on anything. They are just using him showing the killing of fi ve people men, speaking in a British accent. The footage revived memories from a social media website which has not been independently verified. police bail after being arrested in as a shield.” it said worked with the interna- Britain’s Foreign Offi ce issued of “Jihadi John”, a British Islamic Britain was yesterday examining the Islamic State video showing the boy late 2014 on suspicion of being a In November, British offi cials tional coalition fi ghting IS in Iraq a short statement saying: “We are State member who appeared in in military fatigues and an older masked militant who both spoke with member of a banned organisation. said that up to 800 Britons had and Syria. aware of the video and are exam- several videos in which hostages British accents. After the killings of the fi ve travelled to Iraq and Syria, some “It’s desperate stuff from an ining the content.” were killed before his own death men, a young English-speaking to join Islamic State. About 50% organisation that really does do The prime minister said IS was reported in an air strike late had killed Mohamed Emwazi, The voice and appearance of the boy, who is wearing a black ban- had returned home while about the most utterly despicable and was motivated by a hatred for last year. who as “Jihadi John” had be- masked militant shown in the dana and appears to be about four 70 were believed to have been ghastly acts and people can see Britain’s “tolerant, democratic, The US said in November it come a symbol of Islamic State. new video was diff erent from or fi ve years old, is shown saying: killed.

Hezbollah claims bomb Blasts rock two attack on Israel patrol Iraq mosques AFP Beirut

ebanon’s Hezbollah move- ment said it had targeted amid fears of Lan Israeli army border pa- trol with a bomb yesterday in an attack that prompted retaliatory fi re from the Jewish state. The attack appeared to be revenge for an Israeli air strike in Syria in late December that sectarian strife killed infamous Hezbollah mili- tant Samir Kantar. Prime minister vows to track “Residents said a group of peo- A muezzin from a Sunni mosque In a statement, Hezbollah said down the attackers ple with military uniforms carried in Iskandariyah, a town about the attack in the disputed Shebaa out this operation,” he added. 40km south of Baghdad, was Farms area along the Lebanon- AFP A witness said he saw gunmen also shot dead overnight, several Israel ceasefi re line “destroyed Baghdad shoot dead a young man displaced sources said. the armoured Hummer vehicle from his hometown of Ramadi A local councillor identifi ed the and injured those in it”. who had been living in the mosque slain muezzin of the Mohamed It said the attack was carried out lasts rocked two Sunni with his family. Abdallah Jabbouri mosque in by a group named for Kantar, who mosques in central Iraq “The armed men killed one Haswa as Taha al-Juburi. commanded Hezbollah’s opera- Byesterday, amid fears of re- of the displaced who lives in the “He was ambushed by unknown tions in Syria’s Golan Heights, parts newed sectarian strife following mosque” with his wife and two gunmen near his house,” a source of which are occupied by Israel. Saudi Arabia’s execution of a Shia children, the resident said on con- in Iskandariyah police said. The Israeli military confi rmed cleric, police and medics said. dition of anonymity for fear of re- A doctor also confi rmed his that its forces had been targeted Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi prisals. death. in the border area. vowed to track down the attackers, A Hilla doctor confi rmed the Iskandariyah is part of a mixed “IED detonated against IDF whom he said were attempting to death. Sunni-Shia area south of Bagh- (Israeli army) vehicles in the area undermine national unity. Ramadi is a Sunni city where dad which was once dubbed “the of Mt Dov,” Israeli army spokes- After Saudi Arabia severed ties Iraqi federal forces reclaimed triangle of death” and was badly man Peter Lerner wrote in a with Iran over the fi rebombing of the upper hand a week ago after aff ected by sectarian violence last tweet, referring to the disputed its embassy and was followed by months of battling the Islamic decade. Shebaa Farms. Bahrain and Sudan, the protesters State group. Pushing back IS in this region He said the army responded demanded Baghdad break off rela- The Al-Fateh mosque in a village after the militants took over large with “targeted artillery fi re”. tions with Riyadh. called Sinjar, just outside Hilla, was parts of the country in 2014 was An Israeli army spokeswoman A man was killed in one of the over- also destroyed overnight. one of the priorities of the govern- said there were no indications so night attacks and a muezzin - the per- A police captain said three or ment and allied Shia militias. far of injuries on the Israeli side. son appointed to recite the Muslim call four men in military uniforms That was achieved in a few Lebanese security sources to prayer - was gunned down in the were involved in that bombing. months and IS has been largely said Israel responded with ar- same region south of Baghdad. “They took advantage of the eradicated from the area but vio- tillery fi re into two villages ad- In Hilla, about 80km from the cold weather, there was nobody lence - of a sectarian nature and jacent to the Shebaa Farms, but capital, a police captain said the outside,” he said. crime-driven - has remained fre- had no immediate information Ammar bin Yasser mosque in Bak- A medical source in Hilla said quent. on damage or injuries. erli neighbourhood was bombed three people were wounded in the “We ordered Babil operations The Shebaa Farms have been after midnight. explosions. command to hunt down the under Israeli occupation since “After we heard the explosion, There was no immediate claim criminal gangs of Daesh (IS) and the 1967 Middle East war. Leba- we went to its source and found of responsibility for the blasts, their likes who targeted mosques non says the area is Lebanese that IEDs (improvised explosive nor for the killing near the town of to sow sedition and undermine territory, while the UN says it An Israeli artillery gun fires a shell into Lebanon, after a roadside bomb exploded next to an Israeli military devices) had been planted in the Iskandariyah, about 40km south national unity,” Abadi said on was annexed from Syria. border patrol near the Shebaa Farms area yesterday, near Kiryat Shmona, Israel, yesterday. mosque,” he said. of Baghdad. Twitter. Gulf Times Tuesday, January 5, 2016 7 AFRICA Kenya university reopens 9 months after massacre

AFP 60 students were expected Garissa to return on January 11. Before the attack, Garissa University had around 800 university in north- students. eastern Kenya where Warfa said security had Aat least 148 people been improved with a new were killed in an attack by police post built within the Islamist gunmen last April, university compound and a was offi cially reopened yes- perimeter fence planned. terday with students due to “I wish I was armed and return next week. trained on the use of fi re- The high-profile assault arms on that night, I would on Garissa University Col- Students stand at the entrance of the recently reopened have fought with the at- lege on April 2, 2015 was Garissa University in Garissa, Kenya yesterday. tackers and at least ensure the deadliest yet in Kenya I have saved some of my by the Somali-based, Al victims were students. most of the staff had re- students from their killers,” Qaeda-linked Shebaab University principal ported for duty ahead of the said the principal ahead of group. Nearly all the Ahmed Osman Warfa said new term, and that around the reopening.

Shebaab attacks military Zambia sets election date, base, at least 10 killed The Islamist group Al Shebaab yesterday took a village in southern Somalia following an attack scraps power price hike on a military base that killed at least 10 people, off icials and witnesses said. “Our troops retreated from the army base in Reuters Lungu, a lawyer, won 48.3% of Warmahan village in Lower Shebelle region Lusaka the vote to 46.7% for Hichilema, after a heavy attack from ... Al Shebaab,” local a wealthy economist. government spokesman Mohamed Hussein “The new constitution has a Shine said. ambia’s new constitution fi xed election date and that will He said four militants were killed, without giving a yesterday set August 11 take eff ect as soon as the presi- death toll for the army. Witness Mustafa Ismail said Zas the date for fi ve-yearly dent signs,” Chanda said. he saw at least six bodies of government soldiers. presidential and parliamentary Other amendments to Zam- Al Shebaab said it had killed 15 soldiers. It also elections, lining up another close bia’s constitution include a took equipment from the army, the group said vote after last year’s neck-and- clause requiring a winning presi- on the pro-insurgent website somalimemo.net. neck race. dential candidate to get more “We can now see Al Shebaab fighters controlling Also yesterday, President than 50% of the valid votes cas. the village ... There is really a frightening Edgar Lungu, who plans to stand Some analysts criticised as po- situation here this morning,” Ismail said. in the election, reversed a sharp litically motivated Lungu’s deci- Shine said government troops were regrouping increase in electricity tariff s, sion to scrap electricity price in- to retake the village, located 55km south of the saying the hike had ended up creases and sign the constitutional capital, Mogadishu. hurting the poor, presidential amendments at a lavish ceremony. “Our troops are not far from the area, and we spokesman Amos Chanda said. “Obviously these are eff orts are sending reinforcements to retake it from Lungu, who is due to ratify the intended to gain political advan- the terrorists,” said a military commander in constitutional amendments today, tage,” analyst Lee Habasonda said. Mogadishu, who asked not to be named. defeated the opposition United “For now the decision to re- The attack followed the deployment of up to Party for National Development’s verse the power tariff hike will 600 African Union soldiers in the southern port (UPND) Hakainde Hichilema last go down well with the voters but city of Kismayo on Sunday. The Ethiopians came January. Hakainde said the elec- it won’t help to resolve Zambia’s to back up Kenyan and Somali troops battling tion had been “stolen”. power problems,” he said. Al Shebaab in the region. Gulf Times 8 Tuesday, January 5, 2016 AMERICAS Homeless FBI seeks peaceful end to occupation at wildlife refuge

Reuters Princeton, Ore

ederal law enforcement offi cials yes- terday sought a peaceful end to the oc- Fcupation of the headquarters of a US wildlife refuge in Oregon launched over the weekend by a group of self-styled militiamen angry over the imminent imprisonment of A homeless woman sits bundled against the cold as she begs for handouts on East 42nd two ranchers. Street in the Manhattan borough of New York City yesterday. New York Governor Andrew The occupation, which began on Satur- Cuomo signed an executive order requiring local off icials throughout the state to force the day, was the latest skirmish over federal land homeless into shelters when temperatures dip below freezing and vowed to defend the edict management in the American West and re- if challenged in court. fl ected an anti-government stance held by some Americans. Yesterday morning, a group of about a half-dozen occupiers could be seen outside the facility, with some manning a watch- tower and others standing around a vehicle Militia members keep watch at the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge near Burns, Oregon yesterday. they had used to block the road leading to the Climate change could cut global building. They chatted quietly among them- say how many people were occupying the ref- releasing any specifi cs with regards to the law selves as a large group of media looking on. uge headquarters. Bundy is the son of Cliven enforcement response,” the FBI said. None were visibly armed. Bundy, a Nevada rancher whose family staged The US Fish and Wildlife Service said late electricity output by disrupting water The occupation followed a protest march in a 2014 armed protest against federal land Sunday that all of its staff from the facility Burns, a small city about 80 km north of the management offi cials that ended with author- were safe and accounted for. Malheur National Wildlife Refuge, over the ities backing down, citing safety concerns. A lawyer for the Hammonds sought to dis- Thomson Reuters electricity production, said the Keywan Riahi, Director of the imminent imprisonment of ranchers Dwight Ammon Bundy told ABC News yesterday tance his clients from Bundy and his armed Foundation study published in the journal Energy Program at the Inter- Hammond Jr and his son, Steven Hammond. that members of his group were armed. band, saying they did not speak for the fam- Toronto Nature Climate Change. national Institute for Applied The Hammonds were found guilty in 2012 “It’s important that we stand and people ily. Hammond and his son were convicted Shifts in water temperatures, Systems Analysis (IIASA). of setting a series of fi res including a 2001 know that we’re serious,” he said. “We un- in 2012 of setting fi res which inadvertently or the availability of fresh water “(Due to) climate change it blaze intended to cover up evidence of deer derstand that in order to truly express our spread to public land. limate change could lead due to climate change, could will be increasingly diffi cult to poaching that went on to burn 139 acres of First Amendment rights, we have to have our On Sunday evening, they travelled to Los to signifi cant declines lead to reductions in electric- provide reliable services at af- public lands, according to federal prosecutors. Second Amendment rights.” Angeles to surrender to federal authorities, Cin electricity produc- ity production capacity in more fordable costs,” Riahi, one of They were initially sentenced to 12 months The First Amendment of the US Constitu- according to their lawyer, W Alan Schroeder. tion in coming decades as water than two thirds of the world’s the study’s authors, told the in prison, below the federal minimum for ar- tion protects the right to free speech, and the They were to be sent back to prison after fed- resources are disrupted, said a power plants between 2040 Thomson Reuters Foundation. son, but a US district judge in October raised Second protects the right to bear arms. eral prosecutors won an appeal that resulted study published yesterday. and 2069, said the study from Hydropower plants rely on the sentences to fi ve years. In a statement, the FBI said it was seeking a in their being re-sentenced to longer terms. Hydropower stations and an Austrian research centre. water to move turbines, while The Federal Bureau of Investigation de- “peaceful resolution to the situation,” but of- The occupation was part of a decades-old thermoelectric plants, which “Power plants are not only thermoelectric plants, includ- clined to give details on plans by federal of- fered few details. confl ict between ranchers and the federal depend on water to gener- causing climate change, but ing nuclear and fossil-fuel fi cials for dealing with the occupiers. “Due to safety considerations for both government over Washington’s manage- ate energy, together contrib- they might also be aff ected in based generators, need fresh Law enforcement offi cials and the leader of those inside the refuge as well as the law en- ment of hundreds of thousands of acres of ute about 98% of the world’s major ways by climate,” said water to cool their systems. the occupation, Ammon Bundy, declined to forcement offi cers involved, we will not be range land. Obama to force through gun control measures

AFP church goers, Colorado movie watchers and scores of others. Washington Polls had long shown most Americans support tougher gun laws, but that support has ebbed recently amid con- cerns about the Islamic State group and the wider threat resident Barack Obama is poised to unveil a raft of ex- from terrorism. That could put pressure on Obama’s Demo- ecutive actions to tackle US gun violence, kicking-off cratic allies who face tough election battles this Autumn. Phis last year in the White House with a show of politi- On Thursday Obama will take part in a primetime town- cal power. hall style debate on gun control to try to boost his case. Frustrated at the unbending political opposition to gun The event, broadcast by CNN, will take place at George control, despite the American scourge of mass shootings, Mason University in Fairfax, in northern Virginia. Obama is now looking to bypass Congress with executive In a New Year’s address to the nation, Obama voiced steps that aides say will focus on regulating gun sales and his determination to tackle what he called the “unfi nished curbing illegal purchases. business” of curbing gun violence. The proposals which will be presented to Obama by At- But Obama’s decision to bypass Congressional opposition torney General Loretta Lynch at the White House could spells a political and legal fi ght for the coming election year. tighten rules on gun dealers and crack down on “straw pur- The Republican-controlled Congress has already rejected chases” in which potentially suspect individuals buy guns measures to curb the sale of military-style semi-automat- through an intermediary. ic rifl es. The leader of the House of Representatives, Paul White House spokesman Josh Earnest said Obama would Ryan yesterday accused Obama of “dismissiveness” toward make an announcement “quite soon” on steps the admin- Americans who value the constitutional right to bear arms. istration has concluded would help “keep guns out of the “We all are pained by the recent atrocities in our coun- hands that people who shouldn’t have them.” try, but no change the president is reportedly considering The measures are unlikely to address the more than would have prevented them,” said Ryan. “We have seen con- 300mn guns already thought to be in circulation in the US. sistently that an underlying cause of these attacks has been That, critics argue, means the steps will do little to stop mental illness.” gun violence that claims more than 30,000 lives in the “No president should be able to reverse legislative failure country each year. by executive fi at, not even incrementally,” Ryan warned. During Obama’s seven years as president, mass shoot- “This is a dangerous level of executive overreach, and the ings have killed Connecticut schoolchildren, South Carolina country will not stand for it.”

Trump’s TV campaign advert urges ban

AFP said yesterday. The real estate tycoon, New York who is funding his own campaign, has boasted of spending no money on po- litical television ads until this one. epublican frontrunner Donald He has led the polls for months, Trump yesterday unveiled his using his bombastic and provocative Rfi rst TV ad of the presidential style to dominate the media spotlight, election campaign, demanding a ban without spending any of the $35mn he on Muslims entering the US and vow- said he had expected to use on ads by ing to decapitate the Islamic State Donald Trump: courting controversy January 1. group. He claims to have spent the least The 30-second ad will be broad- sponsible for the San Bernardino kill- money of all the candidates on the cast in Iowa and New Hampshire from ings last month. campaign trail and of still achieving today, costing $2mn a week ahead of “He’ll quickly cut off the head of “the best results,” saying, “This is the the state’s fi rst-in-the-nation vot- ISIS and take their oil,” added the male kind of thinking the country needs.” ing contests, his campaign said. “The speaker, referring to the IS extremist Trump has previously run radio ads politicians can pretend it’s something group based in Iraq and Syria that al- and will launch a new one this week else but Donald Trump calls it radi- legedly inspired the couple. featuring Kathryn Gates-Skipper, the cal terrorism — that’s why he’s calling “And he’ll stop illegal immigration fi rst female Marine to serve in combat for a temporary shutdown of Muslims by building a wall on our southern operations, his campaign said. entering the US,” says the voiceover on border that Mexico will pay for,” the Later, he is scheduled to address a the ad. commercial added. political rally in Lowell, Massachu- The commercial opens with footage Iowa votes fi rst in the nation in the setts, followed by another in Clare- of the billionaire candidate addressing nomination race, on February 1, fol- mont, New Hampshire today. a rally before segueing into an image of lowed by New Hampshire eight days His call for a total, if temporary, ban President Barack Obama and Demo- later. “I am very proud of this ad. I on Muslims entering the country has cratic frontrunner Hillary Clinton, don’t know if I need it, but I don’t been roundly condemned across the and then mug shots of the couple re- want to take any chances,” Trump world. Gulf Times Tuesday, January 5, 2016 9 ASEAN Poe hopes for Suu Kyi says peace swift, impartial court ruling talks will be priority By Jeff erson Antiporda when the court had already gone Manila Times on a holiday break. AFP Despite the holiday recess, Yangon Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Ser- he camp of independ- eno granted Poe’s request for re- ent presidential candi- lief on December 28, the last day yanmar’s Aung San Tdate Senator Grace Poe of the fi ve-day period given by Suu Kyi yesterday said (pictured) is optimistic that the the Comelec to Poe. Mbringing peace to the Supreme Court will act swiftly The two country’s strife-wracked eth- and impartially on the two dis- TROs is- nic regions will be a priority for qualifi cation cases fi led against sued by her government when it takes her just as it quickly acted on Sereno, power. her petition for a temporary re- which are The veteran democracy cham- straining order (TRO) on the effective pion’s National League for De- cancellation of her certifi cate of until fur- mocracy (NLD) party swept candidacy (COC). ther no- landmark November polls that At the same time, Senator tice from look set to curtail the military’s Francis Escudero, Poe’s vice- the court, prevent the poll body decades-long chokehold on the presidential running mate, said from implementing its decision country. he is hoping that the SC justices to cancel Poe’s COC and remove But under Myanmar’s compli- will put to task the Commission her name from the list of offi - cated junta-era political charter, on Elections (Comelec) for “bul- cial candidates for the May 2016 her party is not expected to take lying” Poe. elections. power until February - and Suu Lawyer George Garcia, Poe’s Garcia said he hopes the SC Kyi herself is banned from be- counsel, said the Supreme Court would make a decision on Poe’s coming president. can rule as early as January after cases soon in order to put an end “We have to build peace. the oral arguments on the case to the confusion surrounding the Building peace is the fi rst ever of Poe, which are scheduled on senator’s status. duty of a new government,” she January 19. Poe said she trusts the dis- told supporters at the party’s The high tribunal will be hear- cernment of the justices of the Yangon headquarters yesterday, ing oral arguments on Poe’s dis- Supreme Court as the fi nal ar- during a speech marking the qualifi cation cases as well as on biter on all matters concerning country’s Independence Day. the petition to reverse the deci- law. “We have to work to include Guards of honour stand at attention during a flag-raising ceremony to mark Myanmar’s 68th Independence Day at the People’s Square near sion of the Senate Electoral Tri- She also assured the public everyone in a signed ceasefi re Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon early yesterday. bunal (SET). The SET, on a nar- that she would respect and abide agreement by holding a really row vote of 5-4, earlier ruled that by the high court’s decision, eff ective peace conference,” she groups, many with distinct lan- ment recently inked ceasefi res wars for greater autonomy But she tary seats reserved for unelected Poe was a natural-born Filipino whatever that may be. added. guages and cultures. with a clutch of ethnic armed was criticised in the run-up to the soldiers, and military appointees and should not be disqualifi ed as Meanwhile, Escudero said The 70-year-old opposition Across vast swathes of these groups, with a landmark peace polls for failing to reach out to mi- in charge of key security minis- senator. certain actions of the Comelec, leader had remained somewhat often remote regions, ethnic conference due to start next nority parties. tries. The ban on Suu Kyi tak- The Comelec en banc on De- which led to its Dec 23 decision tight-lipped on what her gov- rebel groups have fought wars Tuesday. But several major con- “All people have to participate ing the top position of president cember 23 upheld the decisions barring Poe from the presiden- ernment’s main objectives and against the military for greater fl icts persist and some of the in our struggle,” she told sup- stems from her having married a of the poll body’s First and Sec- tial race, “constitute grave abuse who her main players will be, as autonomy, many of them lasting most signifi cant insurgent outfi ts porters. “Tatmadaw (the army) foreigner and having foreign born ond Divisions cancelling Poe’s of discretion amounting to lack delicate transition negotiations for decades. have yet to sign up to the deal. must participate. Ethnic groups children. COC for president and gave the or excess of jurisdiction.” continue between the incumbent Ethnic minorities have long Suu Kyi has said her party sup- must participate.” Outgoing president Thein Sein senator fi ve days to seek a legal Escudero lamented how the military-backed government and accused the central government ports a federal future and has made Suu Kyi is accutely aware that steps down on March 31. His suc- remedy from the SC. poll body acted with dispatch on the her victorious party. and the military of human rights ethnic aff airs and peace a central even once her government takes cessor will be chosen in a vote by Poe was unable to immedi- Poe’s disqualifi cation ahead of Myanmar is a patchwork of abuses and resource grabs. pillar of her party manifesto for power, its rule will be limited. Myanmar’s two legislative hous- ately go to the SC because the the obvious nuisance candidates ethnic identities with over 130 Myanmar’s outgoing quasi- Myanmar, where ethnic minority The military retains huge pow- es and the military parliamentary Comelec decision was released like “Lucifer” and “Intergalactic offi cially-recognised minority civilian, military-backed govern- groups have fought decades-long er with a quarter of parliamen- bloc. in the afternoon of December 23, ambassador.”

Tough ride

A villager rides a motorcycle as passing trees are covered by volcanic ash of Mount Bromo during eruption at Ngadisari village in Probolinggo, Indonesia yesterday, in this photo taken by Antara Foto.

TAX Indonesia puts off new levy on Millions expected to take gasoline, diesel Indonesia has postponed a new part in religious festival levy on fossil fuels intended to support development of renew- able energy resources and im- By Catherine Valente & Jaime Pilapil (MDRRMO), said at least 20 medical prove energy security, its energy Manila Times fi rst aid stations will be set up invarious minister said yesterday, a day areas from the Quirino Grandstand at before it had been due to come the Luneta (Rizal Park) on Roxas Boul- into effect. The decision high- t least 12mn devotees are expect- evard to Quiapo Church. Firetrucks and lights the difficulties President ed to fl ock to the Quiapo Church ambulances will also be deployed, Yu Joko Widodo faces in devising Ain Quiapo, Manila, within the added. an energy policy for Southeast week to join the observance of the feast He advised devotees to carry or keep Asia’s largest economy, the day of the Black Nazarene on January 9. identifi cation cards in their pockets world’s top exporter of thermal The religious feast will culminate in with details such as name, address, coal, while meeting environmen- a grand procession that winds through blood type, sickness, maintenance drugs tal commitments. “Everyone Manila’s streets. and name of relatives and their contact agrees - it’s just the timing of the The Manila Police District director, numbers. Yu said children and senior implementation that needs to Chief Supt. Rolando Nana, yesterday citizens should not join the procession. be managed,” Energy Minister said preparations for the huge annual “They can watch the procession from Sudirman Said told reporters, procession started in November last any of the restaurants or fastfood (out- referring to a discussion of the year. More than a thousand police per- lets) along the procession route,” he matter with President Joko sonnel from the National Capital Region added. Widodo and other members of (Metro Manila) Police Offi ce (NCRPO) Malacanang also yesterday said it has his cabinet. Fuel prices are politi- will augment the 3,000-strong Manila not received any report regarding plans cally sensitive in Indonesia, and police force. to disrupt the procession of the Black changes typically spark protests The police will bare details of the Nazarene. and contributed to the downfall preparations today. Quoting the Philippine National of long-serving autocrat and Last year, 5.5mn people participated Police (PNP) spokesman, Chief Supt. then president Suharto in 1998. in the traslacion that lasted almost 24 Wilben Mayor, Presidential Communi- Widodo had requested the levy hours. Two persons died—one due to a cations Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr be delayed until the revision of heart attack. said security measures are in place for this year’s budget in order “to Every year, millions of unshod devo- the feast day on January 9. avoid controversy”, Said said, tees participate in the religious festival, “As of this time, no threat has been who noted that the levy was a testament to the vibrancy of the Cath- monitored. Continuous monitoring will needed to help bring power olic faith in the Philippines. be conducted by intelligence units to en- to 12,000 villages across the Johnny Yu, head of the Manila Disas- sure the safety and security of the devo- archipelago. ter Risk Reduction Management Offi ce tees,” Coloma added. Gulf Times 10 Tuesday, January 5, 2016 AUSTRALASIA/EAST ASIA HK leader Harbin Ice Festival ‘concerned’ over missing booksellers

AFP legal authority to enforce laws in newspaper’s editor Hu Xijin, said Hong Kong Hong Kong,” Leung said. a “handful” of Hong Kongers were “If mainland law enforce- launching “political attacks”. ment personnel enforce the law “In the era of the Internet, People wait in line at the China Ice and Snow World on the eve of the opening ceremony of the Harbin International Ice and Snow ong Kong’s leader yes- in Hong Kong, it is unacceptable their impact is not limited to Festival in Harbin, Heilongjiang province, yesterday. Over 1mn visitors are expected to attend the spectacular Harbin Ice Festival, terday said he was “very because it is against the Basic Hong Kong, but also leaks into where buildings of ice are bathed in ethereal lights and international ice sculptors compete for honours. Hconcerned” over the dis- Law (the city’s constitution).” the mainland, and becomes appearance of fi ve booksellers Democratic legislator Albert a genuine problem facing the known for publications critical Ho said on Sunday he believed country,” it said. of the Chinese government after the men had been kidnapped by When Leung was asked yester- a prominent lawmaker accused Chinese security offi cers. day whether he thought the men mainland security offi cers of At a regular briefi ng yester- had been taken to the mainland, kidnapping the men. day, Beijing’s foreign ministry he said there was “no indication” The booksellers all worked spokeswoman Hua Chunying and appealed for anyone with in- Abe woos Putin for peace deal for the same Hong Kong-based said: “I’m not aware of the situ- formation to come forward. publishing house and are feared ation; I have nothing to off er,” Opponents criticised unpopu- to have been detained by Chi- when asked about the latest lar Leung, who is considered AFP the view that it is abnormal for sia’s annexation of Crimea and Abe said. Russia has been wag- nese authorities, adding to bookseller to disappear, Lee Bo, close to Beijing and a hate fi gure Tokyo our nations not to have a peace the confl ict in eastern Ukraine, ing air strikes in Syria since the growing unease that freedoms who went missing last week. for Hong Kong’s pro-democracy treaty 70 years since” the war, with the country’s participation end of September as it seeks in the semi-autonomous city are But an editorial in the Global movement. “The Hong Kong gov- Abe said at his fi rst press con- in the Group of Eight summits to bolster the regime of Syrian being eroded. Times newspaper, close to China’s ernment and Leung Chun-ying apanese Prime Minister ference of the year. under suspension. President Bashar al-Assad and Under its mini-constitution, Communist Party, accused the should express to the top level on Shinzo Abe courted Russian “The issues related to the Abe is hosting a meeting of prevent Islamic State militants Hong Kong enjoys freedom of bookstore run by the missing men the mainland Hong Kong peo- JPresident Vladimir Putin Northern Territories cannot Group of Seven leaders in May. and other extremists from car- speech and Chinese law enforcers of selling publications containing ple’s concern, instead of awaiting yesterday, holding out the pros- be resolved without exchanges Putin is not expected to attend rying out attacks on Russian have no right to operate in the city. “maliciously fabricated content”. a reply,” said pro-democracy law- pect for a summit as he renewed between the leaders,” he added, and Abe did not suggest other- soil. “I and related government de- “These books spread to the maker Lee Cheuk-yan. his call for progress on an elu- referring to the Japanese appel- wise. But Russia’s intervention has partments are very concerned. mainland by various means, be- Acting secretary for security, sive World War II peace treaty. lation for the islands. But he emphasised the need also drawn criticism, with US The government cares very coming a source of political ru- John Lee, said on Sunday that The two countries have never “I will continue my dialogue for dialogue, saying the inter- Secretary of State John Kerry much about Hong Kong resi- mours, and creating negative ef- Hong Kong police had made en- offi cially struck a peace accord with President Putin when op- national community must en- last week expressing concern dents’ rights and safety,” Leung fects,” it said. quiries to their mainland coun- more than after 70 years after portunities arise,” he added. courage Russia’s participation over a heavy civilian toll in Rus- Chun-ying told reporters, say- “Although the... bookstore is terparts and were yet to hear the end of the confl ict amid “We will explore the most ap- in the world’s fi ght against ter- sian air strikes. ing it would be ‘unacceptable’ based in Hong Kong, it main- back, according to local media. a territorial dispute over four propriate timing for his visit to rorism and the Syrian crisis. Abe also stressed at his press if mainland law enforcers were tains itself by causing trouble in Lawmakers including Hong Japanese islands seized by So- Japan.” “It is also important that we conference that he was focused operating in Hong Kong. the mainland.” Kong’s pro-Beijing former se- viet troops at the war’s conclu- Putin has come under in- gain Russia’s constructive en- this year on reviving Japan’s “Only legal enforcement The editorial, signed by Shan curity chief Regina Ip have urged sion. tense criticism from the US and gagement to deal with issues fragile economy and hosting the agencies in Hong Kong have the Renping, a pen name for the the government to investigate. “President Putin and I share other democracies over Rus- of terrorism, Syria and Iran,” G7 summit.

Australia to boost crocodile exports Australian off icials are looking to increase Minister apologises for the export of crocodile products in 2016, after decades of off icial protection to stop ‘ them being hunted to extinction have off ensive’ text to journalist increased their numbers. Under a new Saltwater Crocodile Wildlife Trade Man- AFP “As soon as he sent me that text agement Plan (WTMP), which came into Sydney saying ‘Mate, she’s a bit of a mad eff ect at the start of the year, the Northern witch’ I sent him a text saying Territory’s government wants to increase ‘Mate, you’ve sent the text to the the trade in crocodile products, including ustralian Immigration Min- mad witch’. skins. “Significantly, the WTMP supports ister Peter Dutton has apol- “Bit of a rookie error,” Maiden the growth of industry by allowing an an- Aogised to a journalist for said, adding that Dutton should nual harvest ceiling of 90,000 viable eggs mistakenly sending her a message not be stripped of his portfolio. and 1,200 animals,” its Minister for Land calling her a “mad witch”. The message was reportedly Resource Management Minister Willem Dutton admitted that he sent intended for the former cities and Westra van Holthe said in a statement. the text after reading a column built environment minister Jamie “This represents a 40% increase for eggs written by Samantha Maiden, po- Briggs in response to her coverage and a 100% rise for animals over the previ- litical editor for News Corp’s Sun- of his resignation last Tuesday. ous five-year plan limit.” The eggs taken day newspapers. Briggs confessed to an “error of from the wild would be sent to crocodile “I apologised to her straight professional judgement” in a Hong farms for incubation, while live animals away which she took in good faith,” Kong bar with a female public could be used for breeding or the export the minister said in a statement. servant. of skin and other body parts. The local “Sam and I have exchanged Media reports said he put his government hopes to benefit more from some robust language over the arm around a young consulate the deadly reptile, which is rounded up in years, so we had a laugh after this.” staff er and kissed her on the cheek. the hundreds each year to protect resi- Maiden said yesterday she Dutton was also in hot water last dents. The reptiles were considered a dan- was not off ended despite reports September when a microphone gerous pest in the Northern Territory and the message included some very picked up his attempted joke to hunted almost to extinction before being strong language. then prime minister Tony Abbott off icially protected in 1971. The population News Corp’s Daily Telegraph about time-keeping on Pacifi c is- has swollen since then, posing dangers for called the SMS text “blistering”. lands and the threat of sea fl ooding swimmers, boaters and fishermen. “Certainly, he did call me a mad due to climate change. More than 250 crocodiles were removed witch, that much is true,” she told “Time does not mean anything from waterways around Darwin, the the Australian Broadcasting Cor- when you are about to have wa- capital of the Northern Territory, last year poration. ter lapping at your door,” Dutton including a 4.25 metre-long male. “I was more than happy to ac- quipped, before being told a mi- cept Peter Dutton’s apology. crophone was still on.

Ancient ball game

Players wearing ancient noble costumes kick the ball to keep it in the air during an ancient ball game called ‘Kemari’ in Kyoto, western Japan. Gulf Times Tuesday, January 5, 2016 11 BRITAIN

WEATHER DISPUTE PEOPLE SETBACK MISUSE Flood warning as heavy Trains cancelled after Ashya goes back Tory MPs deal blow to Airbnb tenant ‘trashes’ flat rain hits Scotland drivers stage strike to school full time premier with Brexit call with wild new year party

High winds and heavy rain are battering Train services in Wales have been disrupted The father of brain cancer survivor Ashya King Two senior London Tories struck a blow to A woman who rented her one-bedroom flat on Scotland, with dozens of flood warnings in place on the first day back to work for many people has said he is “proud” as his son returns to Cameron’s EU plans by claiming he will fail to Airbnb has told how it was trashed after being used across the country. The Met Off ice has amber “be after the Christmas break, as drivers staged school full time. Brett King said the youngster negotiate a deal for Britain that fundamentally for a New Year’s Eve party for up to 100 people. prepared” warnings for Moray, Aberdeenshire, a walkout over pay and conditions. The strike was “doing very well” after recovering from changes relations with Brussels. Six Conservative Christina McQuillan, 31, said she was punched in Angus, Perthshire and Stirlingshire. The Scottish by ASLEF members at Arriva Trains Wales proton beam therapy abroad to treat his rare MPs spoke out after declaring they would vote the stomach after she arrived at the £500,000 Environment Protection Agency (Sepa) said (ATW) caused all of the company’s services to condition. He told Good Morning Britain: “We to leave the EU. They also backed the idea of Putney flat after being called by neighbours the Inverness to Aberdeen railway line was at be cancelled - and some early morning trains are so proud of him. There are still a few issues London Mayor Boris Johnson becoming a key following complaints of loud music and alleged risk of flooding. In Perth, the gates have been scheduled to run today could also be affected. — he is wobbly on his legs and his speech is a figure in the “out” campaign. Braintree MP drug use. The magazine art editor told the Sun closed at Perth Harbour and on the Queen’s A statement issued by ATW said: “We are bit strained but he is a fighter, he does not give James Cleverly said: “Can any of us look at she found damaged flooring and walls. McQuillan, Bridge as water levels on the River Tay rise. Perth advising customers to check their travel plans up and he is prepared to try anything.” King what’s on the table at the moment and say that’s who has used the short-term rentals site for several and Kinross Council said the river was rising for today. An indefinite train driver overtime and his wife Naghmeh sparked an international fundamental? I think that’s disappointing.” Both years, said she and her boyfriend charged £128 to “faster than expected, and higher than previous ban is also currently in force which may impact manhunt after they took Ashya, then aged five, Cleverly and Sutton & Cheam MP Paul Scully a woman, who told them she would be going out predictions due to the contribution of surface some timetabled services until the dispute is from Southampton General Hospital without said the prime minister should allow ministers to for the night. Airbnb apologised to McQuillan and run off ”. resolved.” doctors’ consent in August 2014. publicly campaign for an “out” vote. off ered to pay for the damage.

PM vows to protect Corbyn ‘starts’ capital’s aff ordable controversial homes Labour shadow London Evening Standard London

avid Cameron yesterday announced he will amend Dhis fl agship Housing Bill cabinet recast in an eff ort to meet concerns that it would cause a major loss of so- Guardian News and Media MPs have been keen to point out is because I think it would be in- cial housing in London. London that Corbyn began his leadership consistent with what Jeremy has Writing in the Standard, the promising to allow members of his talked about since he got the lead- prime minister said the govern- shadow cabinet to express diff er- ership, which is about … having ment is accepting an amendment eremy Corbyn is expected to ing views. debate,” he said. put down by Tory mayoral candi- press ahead with a controver- It has been suggested that Benn He added: “These things are date Zac Goldsmith to guarantee Jsial reshuffl e of his shadow could be replaced by Emily Thorn- always discussed, you get some- two “aff ordable homes” are built cabinet, amid warnings that the berry, the MP for Islington South times over-enthusiastic aides sort in London for each council house party “is a broad church, not a and Finsbury, the neighbouring of nudging a leader in one particu- sold off under a new policy. religious cult”. constituency to Corbyn’s. Thorn- lar direction. There’s always am- Goldsmith’s campaign team es- Corbyn reportedly spent Sun- berry was forced to resign from bitious colleagues that sort of spy timated the change would deliver day with his team preparing a re- the shadow cabinet during the that golden opportunity to be the an extra 10,000 aff ordable homes organisation to be announced in 2014 by-election in Rochester and shadow secretary of state for paper in London on top of some 50,000 the coming days. He is expected Strood, when she was accused of clips.” announced yesterday in other to off er the shadow foreign secre- snobbery after tweeting a photo- Labour’s former policy chief government plans. tary, Hilary Benn, and the shadow graph of a house adorned with St and MP for Dagenham and Rain- However, Downing Street said defence secretary, Maria Eagle, a George’s cross fl ags with a white ham, Jon Cruddas, told BBC Radio full details would become avail- move to other posts in a reshuf- van parked outside. 4’s The World This Weekend that able only after talks with London fl e aimed at ensuring that his top Labour sources have also sug- speculation about a shadow cabi- local authorities. team is united on foreign and de- gested that the shadow home net reshuffl e had distracted the It was not clear, for example, fence policy. secretary Andy Burnham could party from focusing on scrutinis- whether the new homes would be Eleven of the 28 members of the swap positions with Hilary Benn, ing the government’s management built in the same boroughs which shadow cabinet, including Benn leaving both of them more likely to of the fl oods in northern England. had to sell properties. The Hous- and Eagle, voted in favour of ex- agree with the leadership on their “I think there is a danger that ing and Planning Bill aims to force tending airstrikes against Islamic respective briefs. over the last three weeks over boroughs to sell off thousands of State to Syria, a move Corbyn The shadow transport secretary, Christmas all we’ve heard about high-value council houses to fund strongly opposed. Lilian Greenwood, told Sky News’s from Labour is reshuffl e stories a new Right To Buy scheme for Eagle also supports the renewal Murnaghan that the party should rather than trying to call to ac- housing association tenants. of Trident - something the Labour “get on with holding the govern- count the government and call Critics, including London leader is keen to change the party’s ment to account rather than talk- them out on some of the fl ood councils and mayor Boris Johnson, position on - which will be voted ing about internal Labour party management and the like,” he said. said most of the sales would be in on in parliament in the spring. matters”. “So I’m worried that this just the capital, resulting in a net loss The shadow culture secretary, “Jeremy will set out his thoughts reinforces this sort of drumbeat of social housing. Michael Dugher, one of those be- over the next days and weeks, I which is internally focused, Goldsmith said he was “de- lieved to be at risk in the impending imagine,” she said. Asked if which is factionalised, which lighted” that his amendment to reorganisation, told BBC 5 Live’s she thought Benn was doing a is sort of symptomatic of a the Bill, which comes back to the Pienaar’s Politics programme that good job, she said: “I think all coarsening language and a Commons today, was being ac- previous Labour leaders he had my colleagues are doing a lack of ideas at the top of the cepted. “Far too many people worked closely with had been re- good job … we want to party.” who grew up in London or work luctant to “go down the path of big be holding the gov- Asked whether Cor- in London are being priced out of reshuffl es”. ernment to account byn was right to want to their own city, and we need to use “They do try and hold the party over their deci- move opponents out of every available tool,” he said. together, they do recognise that sions and we have key positions in the shad- In separate announcements the Labour party is a broad church, seen a number of ow cabinet, Cruddas said: yesterday, ministers are to com- not a religious cult, that you need them doing that “You have to have unity at mission 13,000 homes on pub- people of diff erent backgrounds over the Christ- the top of the party on the lic land using similar powers to and try and get the best possible mas break.” outstanding issues of our those that revived Docklands. It talents,” Dugher said, adding that Dugher said time, be they economic will see the government take over “ultimately (the makeup of the he did not expect policy or foreign aff airs or the preparation of disused land to shadow cabinet) will be a decision the predicted big home aff airs and the like speed up redevelopment on fi ve for Jeremy”. reshuffl e to hap- and it’s incumbent on the sites, including Old Oak Common, Bellway chief executive Ted Ayres (left) and Prime Minister David Cameron visit a Bellway housing The reshuffl e risks deepening pen. “The reason leader to make sure that north-west London. development in Barking, east London, yesterday. rifts in the party and some Labour I don’t see it happening that is the case”.

Anger at MP Man ‘who walked through Arms exports escape Channel Tunnel’ to stay probe under Tory govt Guardian News and Media port licences for weapons with no Reuters information on the crimi- ing trains travelling at up to London independent oversight. Canterbury nal case, suggesting that the 160 km per hour. Crispin Blunt, the Conservative charge against Haroun may be Thousands of migrants have chair of the foreign aff airs com- dropped. been camped out in squalid rms sales from the UK mittee, said the delays had been ritain has granted asy- Judge Adele Williams conditions for months near have not been subject to because of “bureaucratic com- lum to a Sudanese granted the request, adjourn- Calais, the entry point of the Aindependent scrutiny for plexity”. Bman who made global ing the case to January 18 for tunnel on the French side, hop- more than nine months after But one source with knowledge headlines in August when the prosecution to announce ing to fi nd their way to Britain. the mysterious disappearance of of the process said the committee he walked 50km through the their decision. She also grant- Most attempt the crossing by the Commons watchdog on the “seems dead in the water” with Channel Tunnel from France ed Haroun immediate bail af- trying to board trains or trucks. export of weapons and military little appetite to revive it. to England, highlighting the ter Bennetts made clear the Refugee rights campaign- equipment. Ann Clwyd, Labour MP for Cy- desperation of many migrants prosecution was not opposing ers and immigration lawyers MPs have begun to raise con- non Valley, who was on the com- seeking a better life in Europe. his release. had accused the British au- cerns about the fate of the com- mittee for years, called for the Abdul Haroun, who was ar- While in prison, Haroun has thorities of seeking to make mittee on arms export controls, watchdog to be established ur- rested at the English end of been supported by a small, lo- an example of Haroun to deter which was not re-established at gently as she expressed suspicions the tunnel on August 4 and cal refugee rights group who others from following in his the beginning of this parliament that there were forces who did charged with obstructing a were able to provide him with footsteps. last May. want arms sales scrutinised. railway under an obscure 19th an address, which was not The police, prosecution The watchdog ceased its work “There have been more and Century law, has been held in disclosed in court. service and immigration au- after its chair Sir John Stanley re- more delays. I’m very unhappy prison since then and was due The judge told Haroun via thorities have not comment- tired in March following 15 years there hasn’t been anything for to face trial this month. an interpreter that his bail ed publicly on the case, as is at the helm. The committee had at least eight months,” she said, In a brief hearing yesterday terms were that he had to live standard when a criminal trial been instrumental in embar- adding that the “global situation at Canterbury Crown Court at that address, sleep there is pending. rassing the coalition government regarding confl ict and arms trans- where Haroun appeared by every night, and report to Little is known about Ha- over its decision to allow the sale fers makes it vital to have the com- video-link from prison and a local police station every roun, who was 40 at the time of chemicals that could have mittees functioning at the earliest spoke only to confirm his Wednesday during a two- of his arrest. The court heard been used for nerve agent weap- possible date”. name, prosecutor Philip Ben- hour window. at an earlier hearing that his ons in Syria. Hilary Benn, the shadow foreign netts said Haroun had been Haroun is the first mi- mother tongue is Zaghawa, So far parliament has failed to secretary, has also been chasing granted asylum on December grant known to have made suggesting that he may be People demonstrate outside the Labour member of set up the watchdog - made up of the whereabouts of the commit- 24. it to Britain by foot through from Darfur, a region of Sudan parliament Simon Danczuk constituency off ices in Rochdale members of the business, foreign tee, and was told by Commons Bennetts requested 14 days the railway tunnel, a perilous ravaged by more than a decade yesterday. Danczuk was suspended by his party after media aff airs, defence and international leader Chris Grayling that the for the prosecution to con- 12-hour journey in near total of conflict between govern- allegations about his private life. development committees - allow- house was not responsible for its sider the impact of this new darkness that involved dodg- ment and rebel forces. ing the government to grant ex- formation. Gulf Times 12 Tuesday, January 5, 2016 EUROPE

Turkey’s Schengen concern as Sweden opposition ready to and Denmark tighten borders discuss new

AFP mark return home to Sweden. constitution Copenhagen Tens of thousands of jour- neys are recorded on the bridge each day, including 8,600 peo- Reuters weden yesterday imposed ple who commute between jobs Ankara controls on travellers ar- and their homes in Copenhagen Sriving from Denmark in and the southern Swedish city a bid to curb an unprecedented of Malmo. Under the new rules, urkey’s opposition na- infl ux of refugees, prompt- all rail passengers now have to tionalists agreed yester- ing knock-on measures from exit the train at Copenhagen Tday to take part in a cross- Denmark that triggered fresh airport’s Kastrup station and party commission to forge a new concern for Europe’s Schengen clear checkpoints before board- constitution but said they re- passport-free zone. ing again. mained opposed to a full-blown Hours after the Swedish con- A private security company at presidential system favoured by trols on a major bridge-and- the station could be seen check- President Tayyip Erdogan. tunnel link with Denmark went ing and photographing traveller The ruling AK Party has put a into eff ect, the Danish govern- IDs before allowing passengers new constitution at the heart of ment, which fears being saddled on trains. its agenda after winning back its with large numbers of migrants, Offi cials at Danish train op- parliamentary majority in a No- announced it would implement erator DSB confi rmed a small vember election. Erdogan wants spot checks on its border with number of people had been the change to consolidate power Germany. turned away, but would not in the hands of the president, Alarmed by the restrictions, specify if they were migrants or previously a largely ceremonial which come as both Germa- just commuters lacking proper fi gure in a system where the gov- ny and Sweden grapple with ID. “If they don’t have photo ID ernment has decided on policy. record migrant numbers, Berlin then we say sorry, we can’t let Devlet Bahceli, leader of the warned Europe’s Schengen zone you on board,” DSB spokesman Nationalist Movement Party was “in danger”. Tony Bispeskov said. (MHP), agreed at a 1-1/2 hour “Freedom of movement is Temporary fencing has also meeting with Prime Minister an important principle — one been erected at Kastrup station Ahmet Davutoglu to take part of the biggest achievements (in to prevent people from trying in a revived parliamentary com- the European Union) in recent Security staff check passenger ID’s at Kastrup airport’s train station outside Copenhagen yesterday. to sneak onto Sweden-bound mission to work on a new text. years,” German foreign minis- trains. “We agreed to form a commis- try spokesman Martin Schaefer travellers between the neigh- troduction of random border “It’s clear the EU is not able Yesterday, extra security staff “It’s as if we are building a sion with equal representation told reporters. bouring countries will have to controls. to protect its outer borders and were on hand at the Danish side Berlin Wall here. We are going from all parties in parliament,” “Schengen is very important show their ID cards for the fi rst “We are simply reacting to other countries are going to of the Oresund crossing, a ma- several steps back in time,” said MHP Vice President Oktay Oz- but it is in danger,” he said. time since the late 1950s, when a decision made in Sweden... be forced to introduce ... bor- jor entry point for migrants and Michael Randropp, a spokes- turk told a news conference, Swedish Migration Minister a Nordic agreement on pass- This is not a happy moment at der controls,” he said, adding: refugees hoping to start a new man for the local Kystbanen though he also made clear his Morgan Johansson defended port-free travel came into force all,” he told reporters. “Europe’s leaders must react to life in Sweden. commuters’ association. party would not accept a presi- his country’s systematic con- that predates the 20-year-old Rasmussen warned that this.” The controls proceeded The new measures come after dential system for Turkey. trols, saying they were aimed at Schengen zone. Sweden’s controls could have Under Schengen rules, coun- smoothly but travellers were Sweden — which has taken in Opposition parties agree on “preventing an acute situation Danish Prime Minister Lars a domino eff ect on Denmark, tries are allowed to re-intro- warned to expect longer more asylum seekers per capita the need to replace the current where we can no longer wel- Lokke Rasmussen cited the which received just 21,000 asy- duce border checks for up to six queues and delays during the than any other EU nation —said constitution, born of a 1980 come asylum seekers properly”. Swedish checks to justify his lum requests in 2015, compared months in exceptional circum- early evening rush hour when it could no longer cope with the coup and still bearing the stamp The new measures mean own country’s immediate in- to Sweden’s 163,000. stances. commuters with jobs in Den- unregulated fl ow of arrivals. of its military authors, but do not want the presidential system en- visaged by Erdogan for Turkey, a candidate country for European Union membership. The mildly Islamist AKP holds 317 of the 550 seats in parlia- EU Commission set to Five killed in military action ment, but would need 330 votes to take a new constitution to a referendum, meaning it is de- against Kurdish rebels pendent on winning at least debate new Polish laws some opposition support. The MHP, with 40 seats, is the Reuters Kurdistan Workers Party er person was wounded on fourth largest party in the Turk- Reuters rattled investors and drew accusations from rights Diyarbakir, Turkey (PKK). Sunday when a mortar shell ish parliament after the AKP, the Brussels activists that PiS is undermining democratic Bekir Kaya, re-elected to hit their house in the district left-leaning, secularist CHP and checks and balances in a country long seen as a bul- a second term in 2014, had of Sur in the region’s largest the pro-Kurdish HDP. wark of economic and political stability in Europe. wo civilians, two sol- spent part of his fi rst mayoral city of Diyarbakir, the secu- The CHP also agreed last week he European Commission said yesterday it PiS strongly denies such charges. diers and a police of- tenure in pre-trial detention rity sources said late on Sun- to take part in the commission. would examine the impact of laws pushed Commission spokesman Margaritis Schinas Tfi cer have been killed on the charges, which were day. “There will be a limited Tthrough by Poland’s new right-wing gov- told a regular news briefi ng in Brussels that the in southeastern Turkey as brought in 2012. In the town of Silopi, east amount of time for the new ernment amid growing concerns for democracy EU executive would hold a “political debate” military operations to root Violence in a three-dec- of Diyarbakir near the Syr- constitutional commission. We and the rule of law in the EU’s largest eastern on Jan 13 on the rule of law in Poland. Commis- out armed fi ghters focused ade-old war with PKK fi ght- ian and Iraqi borders, a man agreed not to waste any time,” member. sioner Gunther Oettinger, responsible for the on urban centres across the ers fl ared in July after the col- was killed by gunfi re and his AKP spokesman Omer Celik Since winning an election last October, the Law digital economy and society, said on Sunday War- mainly Kurdish region, secu- lapse of peace talks. President wife and another relative told a separate news conference, and Justice party (PiS), which advocates higher saw should be put under the EU’s rule of law su- rity sources said. Tayyip Erdogan said last week were wounded when they following the meeting with the state spending, conservative Catholic values and pervision, a three-step procedure that could end A local court jailed the there would be no let-up in a attempted to venture out of MHP. Davutoglu last month Euroscepticism, has moved to put Polish public TV up with the suspension of Poland’s voting rights former mayor of the mainly military campaign he said had their home, the sources add- cancelled a planned meeting and radio broadcasters under direct government within the 28-nation bloc. Kurdish city of Van for 15 killed more than 3,000 mili- ed. with the leader of the pro-Kurd- control and to change the makeup of the constitu- The rule of law supervision framework was years, the maximum term tants in 2015. A soldier was killed in a gun ish HDP on the plans for a new tional court. adopted in 2014 to deal with “systemic threats” to for the crime of mem- A 35-year-old mother of attack in Sur yesterday, the constitution after it joined a call The court changes prompted public protests, EU values. bership of the outlawed three was killed and anoth- General Staff said. for Kurdish self-rule. TRAGEDY Freezing weather kills 21 in Poland Twenty-one people died over the weekend in Poland because of freezing weather amid one of the country’s deadliest cold spells, the government said yesterday. “Twelve people died over the last 24 hours. We also recorded nine other victims the day before,” spokeswoman Bozena Wysocka from the govern- ment centre for security (RCB) said after temperatures dropped to minus 20 Celsius (minus 4 Fahrenheit) in certain areas. That brings the total number of deaths linked to the cold weather to 39 since November 1, she added. Poland’s deadliest hypother- mia weekend in recent years was December 19-20, 2009, when 42 people died. Police have called on residents of the European Union country of 38mn to keep an eye out for anyone running the risk of hypothermia, especially the homeless, inebriated or the elderly. Fourteen people have also died since Christmas in the Polish-Slovak Tatra mountains, with most of the victims slip- ping and falling to their deaths on the icy slopes. Poland’s cold spell was late to arrive this winter, just like in 2014-2015, when 77 people died of hypothermia, compared to 78 in 2013-2014. Gulf Times Tuesday, January 5, 2016 13 INDIA Drought-hit farmers seek support in federal budget

Reuters cotton and other crops, hurting and said India faced a challenge the cost of production. Growth in farm output, which lowing a collapse of global com- estimated at nearly Rs700bn a New Delhi the popularity of Prime Minister of raising farm productivity Jaitley, who will present his contributes nearly 13% to India’s modity prices, from around 20- year - directly into farmers’ bank Narendra Modi, whose Bharatiya through high yielding seeds and 2016/17 budget at the end of $2tn economy, fell to 2% in the 30% about three years ago. accounts to cut down leakages in Janata Party recently lost village effi cient water utilisation. February, has promised to spend fi rst half of the current fi scal year Last month, the government the system. ndia needs to increase budg- council elections in Gujarat, a “There is a need for more in- nearly Rs500bn ($7.5bn) on irri- from 2.4% a year ago. slashed its economic growth “Farmers are feeling short etary allocations for irriga- state he ran for over a decade. vestment in agriculture sector,” a gation projects over a period of Jakhar said more funds should forecast to 7-7.5% for the fi scal changed by the Modi govern- Ition projects and off er higher In a pre-budget meeting with fi nance ministry statement said, fi ve years. be allocated to improve weather year ending in March 2016, cit- ment,” said Satnam Singh Behru, procurement prices for crops to Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, quoting Jaitley. “A bad monsoon and low inter- forecasts for farmers besides a ing lower farm output and weak president of the Indian Farmers’ support farmers hit by two years farm leaders urged him to imple- During his victorious 2014 national commodity prices have state-funded insurance scheme global demand. That was sharply Association, adding that more of drought, farmer associations ment Modi’s promise of ensur- election campaign, Modi prom- aggravated the misery of farmers,” for all crops. lower than an 8.1-8.5% growth than 15,000 farmers had com- said yesterday. ing higher income for farmers. ised to raise public investment in Ajay Vir Jakhar, chairman of the Farm experts say profi t mar- estimated last February. mitted suicide in the last year. Drought in many parts of the Jaitley indicated an increase the farm sector to ensure a mini- Farmers’ Forum India, told re- gins for producing major crops Farm experts also favoured the “Many farmers have lost faith in country has hit production of rice, in allocations in the budget, mum profi t margin of 50% over porters after the meeting. have fallen to less than 5% fol- transfer of fertiliser subsidies - the government.” Alarm bells were ignored, say experts

Reuters Nevertheless, a lack of inter- New Delhi agency co-operation may have hobbled the security response, with another local police chief he hijacking of a police of- calling the air base a “fortress” fi cer’s car by gunmen dis- that senior colleagues cannot Tguised in uniform should enter without a written re- have set off alarm bells and quest. helped prevent a deadly week- “It always operated like a self- end attack on a military air base, suffi cient township but had no offi cials and security experts interaction with the city police said. or local administration,” Manoj His colleagues’ slowness to Kumar, Pathankot’s deputy su- react was one of several security perintendent of police, said. lapses in the buildup to the pre- Singh’s cook, Madan Gopal, dawn raid, blamed by India on said he was dumped by the Pakistani militants and a blow to roadside with his employer af- the recent improvement in ties ter a long drive during which between the neighbours. their eyes were taped shut. The Three days on from an as- gunmen took fellow passenger sault that killed seven military Rajesh Verma, a jeweller, with personnel and wounded 22, fi ve them. attackers have also been elimi- “We both walked for an hour nated, but an operation was still to reach a nearby police out- E K Sivaranjam, father of slain National Security Guard commando Lieutenant Colonel Niranjan Kumar, who died while defusing a grenade at the scene of the terror attack in under way to secure the sprawl- post,” Gopal, 61, said. “Singh Pathankot, consoles his daughter-in-law K G Radhika (second left) after the arrival of Kumar’s mortal remains at his residence in Bengaluru yesterday. ing Indian Air Force compound got in touch with his superiors in Punjab. but they told him to go home and Police Superintendent Sal- come to the offi ce the next day.” winder Singh’s call to a col- According to one local report, league in the early hours of Fri- the assailants dumped Singh’s day morning, after his car was car 500m from the base. How hijacked, was at fi rst treated as they got into the compound is a case of armed robbery, the col- still unclear. Once inside, they league who answered the phone burst into a guards’ mess and Pak talks in jeopardy said. fi red indiscriminately. “The truth is that we did not One guard tackled and killed take Singh’s complaint seriously, an attacker, only to die from an- because his record has not been other gunman’s bullet, said Air clean,” a second senior offi cer in Commodore J S Dhamoon, com- the Punjab police said, on condi- mander of the base. tion of anonymity. Three more suspected mili- after attack on air base The police sources said Singh tants were killed later on Satur- had just been transferred after a day after running through the Fifth militant killed, combing air force base in Punjab are over. Major General Dushyant Singh, active after Home Minister Ra- hiding, said police offi cial Manoj woman constable fi led a sexual compound, fi ring into windows. and search operations The government offi cial, who of India’s counter-terrorism jnath Singh declared on Satur- Kumar. harassment case against him. The guard who died was a continue requested anonymity, said it force, the National Security day evening that they had been “Our biggest concern is to Singh, who was interrogated member of India’s Defence Se- could take another 48 hours for Guard, said at a briefi ng yester- “neutralised”. protect public spaces,” Kumar yesterday for six hours by fed- curity Corps (DSC), a unit made Agencies the base to be secured, and by day. The reluctance of offi cials to said. “The militants who en- eral investigators, could not be up of veterans who guard mili- Pathankot/ New Delhi then the government hoped to But gunfi re could still be heard declare the mission complete tered the air base must have a lo- reached for comment. tary facilities. Five of the seven have more information about at the base on the third day of appeared to refl ect an abundance cal network co-ordinating with Home Secretary Rajiv Mehri- military personnel to die served the attackers and what links they operations. It was unclear how of caution until all the attackers’ them.” shi has said the location of the in the DSC, some of them in rapprochement eff ort be- may have to Pakistan, if any. many militants remained at bodies had been accounted for. Security offi cials said they attackers was only pinpointed as their fi fties. tween India and Pakistan Yesterday, the United Jihad large, if any. The sound of continuing gunfi re were focusing on a two-storey Pathankot on Friday afternoon. Some observers said the DSC Aappeared to be in jeopardy Council, an alliance of more As well as the seven Indian from the base added confusion building that contained living That was at least 12 hours after should not guard high-value yesterday, as security forces bat- than a dozen pro-Pakistan mili- security personnel killed, 22 had to the picture. quarters for families on the base the seizure of Singh’s unmarked military assets. tled for the third day to clear out tant groups based in Pakistan- been wounded. A senior federal government where the militants had previ- vehicle, in which he was travel- “They were not up to speed,” militants who attacked an Indian administered Kashmir, claimed “Operations will continue to offi cial said earlier yesterday ously holed up. ling with two other men follow- said Nitin Gokhale, a security Air Force base and killed seven responsibility for the air base be conducted until we can render that two militants hiding in the “We are moving step by step to ing a visit to a shrine near the analyst who edits a defence por- soldiers. attack, according to a statement the base fully safe,” said Singh. administrative block of the base sanitise the area and it’s too early border with Pakistan. tal. The foreign secretaries of the from the group’s spokesman. Pakistan has condemned the had been killed on Sunday, but to say when the operation will be “Too much time was wasted,” Yet the greater weakness at two neighbours are due to meet “The attack is a message by attack and said it wanted to authorities had yet to recover over,” said a military offi cial who said A S Dulat, a former head of the base, with a 24km perimeter for talks on January 15, build- Mujahideen that no sensitive build on the goodwill created the bodies. The offi cial said six asked not to be named. the Research & Analysis Wing, and a 3m wall topped by barbed ing on a thaw in relations after installation of India is out of our by the impromptu meeting militants had been killed. Manish Mehta, an Indian India’s main foreign intelligence wire, may have been a lack of ad- a surprise visit by Prime Minis- reach,” UJC spokesman Syed between Modi and Sharif last “But every inch of the air base army spokesman, said the mili- agency. “How did they infi ltrate equate surveillance. ter Narendra Modi to Pakistani Sadaqat Hussain said in a state- month. has to be secured before we call tary was working at a “very fast to where they did? How were “You can have a wall, but a counterpart Nawaz Sharif last ment. Separately, late on Sunday, the off the operation,” said the offi - pace” to defuse live hand gre- they allowed to roam around for wall can be scaled and, probably, month. The attack on the base, which Indian consulate in the northern cial in New Delhi, who requested nades and gather the remains of 24 hours?” a surveillance system such as But a government offi cial started before dawn on Saturday, Afghan city of Mazar-i-Sharif anonymity. the dead militants. Civilian and military offi cials CCTV was lacking,” said Govind said India was now considering is a rare targeting of an Indian came under attack. Thousands of police were “The air base is large and we say a security alert was circulat- Sisodia, a former senior com- whether to go ahead with the military installation outside of Indian security offi cials have scanning hotels, markets and have been working all night to ed quickly enough to prevent the mander of India’s National Se- talks or not, and that a fi nal de- Jammu and Kashmir. given confl icting accounts on forested areas in the city of ensure that the base is totally in assailants from damaging fi ghter curity Guard counter-terrorism cision will be taken once the op- Security forces have killed fi ve whether the attackers at the Pathankot around the base, to our control,” Mehta said early jets and helicopters at the base. unit. erations to secure the Pathankot militants involved in the attack, Pathankot air base were still ensure no more militants were yesterday. Delhi court to hear Kirti Azad Protest against govt IAF man remanded defamation case on Feb 22 in judicial custody IANS Services Intelligence, the po- IANS cricketers including Bishan He said whatever may be the New Delhi lice said. New Delhi Singh Bedi, claiming the four motive of the accused in making An IAF offi cial said Ranjith, made baseless allegations the statement, whether due to who was a Leading Aircraftman against his son that he was se- politics or to highlight corrup- court yesterday re- with the air force, was dismissed New Delhi court yester- lected in a cricket tournament tion in the Delhi District Cricket manded an Indian Air last week after evidence was day took cognizance of after giving a bribe of Rs2.5mn. Association (DDCA), the young A Force employee arrested found against him that he shared Aa defamation complaint During the brief hearing yes- cricketer’s name has been alleg- on charges of spying for Paki- sensitive information with oth- against suspended Bharatiya Ja- terday, the complaint’s counsel edly defamed. stan’s ISI in 14 days’ judicial ers. nata Party leader Kirti Azad for advocate Gajender Singh told Tejbir Singh said the “base- custody. Delhi police Crime Branch his alleged “defamatory” and court that in a recently held press less” and “concocted” story of Chief Metropolitan Magis- offi cials who are probing the “false” remarks against Delhi- conference by Azad, former crick- the four people caused “im- trate Sanjay Khanagwal sent espionage racket since the ar- based cricketer Himmat Singh eters Bedi and Surender Khanna, mense damage” to Himmat Ranjith K K to judicial custody rest of some people earlier this and his father Tejbir Singh. and Sameer Bahadur, who is also Singh and their family. after he was presented before month, said they have shared the Metropolitan Magistrate Akash associated with cricket, defamed “False and defamatory state- him on the expiry of his two-day information with the IAF about Jain agreed to hear the criminal the name of his client and harmed ments regarding the exchange police custody. Ranjith’s suspected links with defamation complaint against his reputation. of Rs25 lakh for selection of the The court order came after the ISI. Azad and posted the matter for The lawyer said the allegation complainant’s son, Himmat Delhi police said he was not re- Ranjith was the sixth person hearing on February 22. against young cricketer has ru- Singh, for some tournament ie; quired for further custodial in- to be arrested by the Delhi police The court will record the state- ined his name. Vijay Hazare Trophy, is concoct- terrogation in the case. in the espionage racket. ment of complainant witnesses Citing the record of the young ed per se and the same are not Ranjith, who hails from Five other people, includ- on the next date of hearing. cricketer, the lawyer stated that only false but false to the knowl- Congress activists stage a demonstration against the Kerala, was arrested last ing a serving and a former army The complaint was fi led by Himmat Singh was selected for edge of the accused jointly and central government’s peace initiatives with Pakistan, in month from the Bathinda air personnel and a serving Border Tejbir Singh last month against the under-19 Delhi cricket team severally,” Tejbir Singh alleged in Kolkata yesterday. base in Punjab on charges of Security Force personnel, were Azad and three other former due to his merit. his complaint. spying for Pakistan’s Inter- arrested last month. Gulf Times 14 Tuesday, January 5, 2016 INDIA

DISASTER POLLUTION PEOPLE SPACE HEALTHCARE Avalanche kills four Helpchat launches app Mayawati’s 60th birthday Fifth navigation satellite Centre to identify soldiers in Ladakh to monitor quality of air to be low-key aff air to be launched on Jan 20 genetic diseases

Four soldiers have been killed by an avalanche Helpchat, one of India’s biggest personal assistant The 60th birthday of Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) India will launch its fifth regional navigation Kerala’s KIMS Hospital yesterday announced in the remote Himalayan region of Ladakh near apps, has launched a new “pollution metre” leader Mayawati on January 15 will be celebrated satellite on January 20, a top off icial of the the launch of the first genetic disease the de facto border with Pakistan, a defence feature that monitors the air in the surrounding as ‘Jankalyankari Diwas’ (public welfare day), country’s space agency said yesterday. The identification centre in collaboration with spokesman said yesterday. The four were hit as environment and delivers a personalised air party leaders said in Lucknow yesterday. This satellite will help in disaster management, vehicle- Medgenome. M I Sahadulla, chairman of KIMS they patrolled a glacier at an altitude of 18,000ft quality update. The app also helps people in is in sharp contrast to the extravagance earlier tracking and fleet management, mapping and Healthcare Group said their mission was to on Sunday morning, Colonel S D Goswami avoiding pollution related diseases by tracking when her birthday was marked by garlands geodetic data capture, visual and voice navigation help patients and families with various genetic said. “Their bodies were retrieved today,” air quality in their locality and suggesting various of currency notes off ered to Mayawati and for drivers and others, Indian Space Research conditions through expert counselling and Goswami said. The area serves as the base camp ways to take precautions if it finds that the air cakes flown in from the best bakeries abroad. Organisation director M Annadurai said in Mysuru. state-of-the-art genetic testing facilities in for the Siachen Glacier, dubbed the world’s they breathe is toxic. “Like a real life personal Directives to keep the event simple and connect “We are loading fuel in the rocket for the launch,” complete confidentiality. This new collaboration highest battlefield, in Kashmir. Avalanches and assistant, Helpchat anticipates and suggests with the common people were given by the Annadurai said. The space agency will put the sixth envisages genetic counselling and testing landslides are common in the area during the things that make people’s life easy. Our pollution former Uttar Pradesh chief minister when she and seventh satellites in the earth’s lower orbit in for rare and common genetic, hereditary winter. Last year four soldiers died when their alerts will inform you about the air you are met senior party leaders yesterday. She also mid-February and by March 31 respectively. The diseases that includes various types of cancers, vehicle was buried under an avalanche near Leh, breathing and also suggest precautions to you,” asked party off ice bearers to ensure that there first four satellites were placed in observational cardiovascular, neurological and gastro- the main city of the high-altitude desert area. Ankur Singla, founder and CEO of Helpchat, said. was “nothing loud” to mark her 60th birthday. orbit between July 2013 and March 2015. intestinal diseases, Sahadulla said.

Space Park to be set up for industry Nine dead, 70 in Bengaluru

IANS Mysuru injured as

ndia’s space agency will soon open a 100-acre Space Park Iin Bengaluru where private companies will be allowed to set up facilities to make subsystems strong quake and components for satellites, a top offi cial said yesterday. “The Space Park is coming up near Whitefi eld for the private industry. It is over 100 acres. It is likely to be inaugurated this month,” Indian Space Research hits NE India Centre’s satellite centre director M Annadurai said at the science National Disaster employee of state energy fi rm and was in critical condition. congress here. Management Authority says Bharat Petroleum. There were similar scenes in With the space agency and the situation is under At Imphal’s airport, fl ights the northeast city of Guwahati, launching more satellites for control were normal, although a bounda- the main commercial city of As- various communication and ry wall collapsed, and a crack ap- sam, where residents were “in a earth observation services like Agencies peared in the terminal building, state of shock” after being wok- remote sensing and navigation, Guwahati said Thanglian, who works there. en by the shaking. the park will enable the indus- Anurag Gupta of the National Prime Minister Narendra try to manufacture and supply Disaster Management Authority Modi tweeted that he had spo- their subsystems and vital com- t least nine people were said dozens of emergency work- ken to local authorities in Assam ponents faster for spacecraft as- killed and scores injured ers had fanned out across the about the impact of the quake. sembled at its satellite centre in Ayesterday when a strong aff ected area, and the situation The tremors were felt as far the tech hub. 6.7 magnitude earthquake was “under control”. away as Kolkata some 600km “We have told them (private struck northeast India, send- However, some people criti- distant in West Bengal, where fi rms) to increase their capacity ing panicked residents fl eeing cised what they called the au- buildings shook. building or join us at the Space into the streets even hundreds of thorities’ slow response, saying “Many people were seen com- Park and make components and kilometres away in Bangladesh. that although the army had be- ing out of their homes in panic,” other parts for our satellites, as Six were killed in India, the gov- gun to clear debris, it appeared said local resident Rabin Dev. they have been already using ernment said, while three people to be short of heavy equipment. India’s seven northeastern our own facilities,” Annadurai died in Bangladesh after suff ering “We haven’t seen any help states, joined to the rest of the said strokes or heart attacks following from the government side,” said country by a narrow sliver of As India plans to launch at the early-morning quake. disaster volunteer worker Kan- land, are located in an area of least 10-12 satellites a year us- Authorities in the northeast- gujam. “The government has not frequent seismic activity. ing heavy rockets to deploy them ern state of Manipur where the given us any information.” In 1950 dozens of villages in the earth’s lower or geo-sta- quake was centred said anoth- Manipur’s Health Commis- were swallowed in a string of tionary orbits for various ap- er 70 people had been injured sioner P K Singh said authorities disasters generated by a power- plications and services, demand by the quake, which damaged were identifying spaces where ful earthquake whose epicentre for subsystems and vital com- buildings in the capital Imphal. temporary health facilities could was in Tibet but which caused ponents for spacecraft to carry Imphal resident Deepak Shi- be set up in case of stronger af- the greatest destruction to As- scientifi c instruments or trans- jagurumayum, whose house was tershocks, although there were sam state. ponders as payloads has shot up severely damaged, described no immediate reports of major More than 1,500 people died in manifold. scenes of chaos. damage to hospitals. the quake, which had a magni- “The space industry has to “Almost everyone was asleep The US Geological Survey said tude of 7.6, and its disastrous af- invest and build modular ca- when it struck and were thrown the quake hit at 4.35am 29km termath of landslides and fl oods. pacity to enable the country out of their beds,” Shijaguru- west-northwest of Imphal. Facebook has activated its to launch as many satellites to mayum said by phone. Nearly 60 victims were being safety check tool to help people meet the growing demand of “People were crying and pray- treated for their injuries in hos- in the area let friends and family the user industry, including the ing in the streets and in open pitals in Bangladesh, where the know they are safe. government, private organisa- spaces.” earthquake triggered panic on “A major earthquake just tions and overseas users,” said The Press Trust of India news the streets of major cities. struck northeastern India and Annadurai. agency said buildings had col- One 23-year-old Bangladeshi we have activated Safety Check The satellite centre also plans lapsed near the epicentre at died after suff ering a stroke to help people in the area let to allow the private industry to Tamenglong, 36km from Im- when he ran out of his house, friends and family know they are make satellites end-to-end, in- phal, and the electricity supply while another two people - a safe,” Facebook founder Mark cluding integration and testing had been cut in parts of Manipur, farmer and a university offi cial - Zuckerberg wrote. for launching them from its spa- which borders Myanmar. died of heart attacks, police said. The safety check tool can be ceport at Sriharikota in Andhra “It was like being tossed One of the injured was a uni- accessed at https://www.fa- Pradesh, about 80km northeast Men search through the debris of a collapsed building following a 6.7 magnitude earthquake in around in a frying pan,” said versity student who jumped cebook.com/safetycheck/ma- of Chennai. Imphal yesterday. Joy Thanglian, a 33-year-old from a fourth-floor balcony nipurearthquake-jan03-2016

Kerala Ezhava leader held Marching on Who is responsible for hate speech, freed on bail for AI mess: SC

IANS an appeal by Air India against By Ashraf Padanna a month-long statewide jour- New Delhi the Himachal Pradesh High Gulf Times Correspondent ney against growing intoler- Court’s December 7 order ask- Thiruvananthapuram ance, and reminding him that ing the airline to start fl ights on his party would not be in power he Supreme Court yes- a trial basis connecting Shimla forever in Kerala. terday said while pri- with Delhi. olice in Kerala yesterday “He’s hunting me for the Tvate airlines were pros- Appearing for the national arrested Hindu Ezhava past 18 years while not uttering pering, Air India was running carrier, Solicitor General Ranjit Pleader and an ally of a word against others,” Natesan into losses and wondered who Kumar told the court that the Bharatiya Janata Party, Vel- said. “I have love and respect should be held accountable for fl ights to connect Shimla with lappally Natesan, for allegedly for Naushad. I didn’t mean to the mess inflicting the national Delhi were not economical as making a hate speech last year. insult him.” carrier. there were 12 to 15 one-way pas- A court in Aluva near the He had alleged that the “While private airlines are sengers only, and that the Shimla port city of Kochi later released Congress-led government was prospering, Air India is going airport did not have refuelling him on bail. Natesan: controversy giving fi nancial assistance to into red. Who should be held facilities. Natesan was booked un- families of accident victims on responsible for Air India mess? Apparently unimpressed, the der the Indian Penal Code for working to uplift the formerly the basis of caste and religion, There are so many stories go- court said: “You have already “promoting enmity between untouchable backward caste, and his followers had received ing around,” observed a bench of constructed an airport, probably diff erent groups on grounds of recently formed a political out- his remarks against Naushad Chief Justice T S Thakur, Justice spending Rs100 crores, now you religion, race, place of birth and fi t at the instance of the BJP to with claps. A K Sikri and Justice R Banu- can’t say that there are no refu- language” in his speech dur- unite diff erent Hindu castes. Natesan alleged that the gov- mathi. elling facilities”. ing his statewide drive to unite The Aluva police registered ernment showed discriminatory The court’s observation came The matter will come up for Hindu groups late last year. the case against him on a com- attitude towards Hindu victims in the course of the hearing of hearing on February 16. Natesan in his speech alleg- plaint from the Congress Party as their families were off ered less edly insulted Naushad who died saying his remarks were aimed money and that if anyone has to while trying to rescue two mi- at dividing people into com- get gratis from the government Dense fog engulfs Delhi, trains cancelled grant workers trapped in a man- munal lines. The Kerala High headed by Chief Minister Oom- hole by saying he received com- Court later granted him antici- men Chandy, they should either Dense fog engulfed Delhi Meteorological Department pensation from the government patory bail until January 10. If be a Christian or Muslim. yesterday morning leading said. The Northern Railways said because he was a Muslim. proved guilty, he could get up to Chandy, who visited Naush- Soldiers of the Assam Rifles march during a rehearsal for the to the cancellation of three “three trains were cancelled Natesan, the general secre- three years in jail and a fi ne. ad’s home, had also off ered a forthcoming Republic Day parade on a foggy winter morning trains as visibility slumped while another three had to be tary of Sree Narayana Dharma After his release, Natesan government job to his wife as at Rajpath in New Delhi yesterday. India will celebrate its 67th below 300m. The minimum rescheduled due to the poor Paripalana (SNDP) Yogam, slammed state Congress presi- he was the sole breadwinner for Republic Day on January 26 with a large military parade. temperature was 8 eight degrees visibility caused by fog. A total of a century-old organisation dent V M Sudheeran, who is on the family. Celsius, an off icial from the India 19 trains were running late.” Gulf Times Tuesday, January 5, 2016 15 LATIN AMERICA

POLICY DISASTER EVENT CRIME PLAN Macri govt renews Volcano in Nicaragua US vice president to attend Fugitive Argentina drug Sao Paulo proposes claims over Falklands spews gas and lava Morales swearing-in gang shoots police fees on Uber

Argentina’s new conservative government A volcano in Nicaragua that has been dormant US Vice President Joe Biden will visit Guate- Fugitive drug traffickers implicated in political Sao Paulo’s city hall has proposed levying fees affirmed that it will continue to press the coun- for 110 years spewed gas and lava Sunday mala on January 14 to attend the swearing- dirty tricks in Argentina injured two police- on Uber, a plan praised by the ride-hailing service try’s claims to the Falkland Islands, which Britain for the second time in a month. The volcano in ceremony of the country’s new leader, men in a shootout on as authorities tried to but protested by taxi drivers in Brazil’s largest insists that it owns. Britain and Argentina fought known as Momotombo in the west of the comedian-turned-president Jimmy Morales, the hunt them down, an official said. Shooting city who say the plan does not go far enough to a two-month long war over the archipelago Central American country rumbled into activity US embassy said. Morales, 46, triumphed in broke out when officers stopped the three in regulate the rapidly growing app. The proposal, in 1982, in which 649 Argentinian servicemen before dawn, but then calmed down again, October elections to succeed Otto Perez, who a truck on a rural highway south of Buenos which is open to public consultation over the and 255 British were killed. Decades after the the Nicaraguan Institute for Territorial Stud- had to stand down as president the month be- Aires, the provincial security minister Cristian next 30 days, suggests that apps connecting Falklands War, ownership of the rocky outpost ies said. No one living near the mountain was fore when he became engulfed in a corruption Ritondo said. The government said the three users and motorists be obliged to register with remains at the centre of diplomatic tensions hurt, it said. Momotombo stands 1,297 metres scandal that sparked street protests. Leaders fugitives escaped on Sunday from a top-se- city hall and buy credits from the government to between the two nations. “Argentina renews high, some 40kms from the capital Managua, of several Central American countries, the Do- curity jail. “They shot and injured two police. cover kilometres travelled. The price per kilometre its firm commitment to peacefully settling its separated by a large lake called Lago Xolotlan. minican Republic, Mexico, Colombia, Ecuador These people do not care about dying. They paid to the city would vary, depending on time differences, to international law and multilateral- On December 1 the volcano belched gas and and Spain have also been invited to attend the act like killers,” Ritono told a news conference. of day, distance and location. Uber Technologies ism, the foreign ministry under the country’s ash and then lava that poured onto uninhabited ceremony at which Morales will formally take The government has issued an international endorsed the proposal as “innovative” and said it new president, Mauricio Macri, said. areas on the slopes of the mountain. office. call to catch the three. would take part in the consultation. Colombian indigenous community doubts peace

AFP yet to join the peace process, and Bogota other armed groups. More than 1,000 Embera have fl ed to Bogota over the years, hen Delfi na Wazorna where they get by however they thinks back on the can - often by begging. Whome she left behind, Many try to return after a pe- she remembers machine guns, riod of urban exile. But their armed men and death threats. homecoming is complicated by It makes the Embera indig- lingering violence and a lack of enous woman sceptical of the infrastructure. peace deal that Colombia’s “There are still risks in Embera government and its main rebel territory,” said Julia Madariaga, group, the Revolutionary Armed who runs the ethnic aff airs unit Forces of Colombia (Farc), have at the government agency set up vowed to sign in the fi rst three to help victims of the confl ict. months of the new year. Since the shelter in Bogota “There will never be peace,” was created in 2011, it has hosted said Wazorna, 54, who fl ed her 1,098 Embera. Of those, just 87 ancestral lands eight years ago remain today. with her family after they found But not all have managed to their house surrounded with ex- return home. Authorities say plosives. there are currently 370 Embera They drifted from city to city holed up in cheap hotels in the Jesus Torrealba (centre) , secretary of Venezuela’s coalition of opposition parties (MUD), holds hands with MUD deputy Henry Ramos Allup (right) and fellow deputy Julio Borges before fi nally landing at a shel- capital, paying $2 to $7 a night. during a news conference in Caracas. ter in the capital Bogota set up “I could say I’m going home, to accommodate members of her but where?” said Norbey Gi- indigenous community uprooted raldo, 23, who tried to go back by the half-century confl ict. to Risaralda with a group of 112 “It’s all lies. These people families four years ago, but end- don’t forgive. The guerrillas told ed up back in Bogota. me, ‘You can hide for 30 years, The infl ux was too large for the but if you come back you’ll die,’” indigenous reservation, and the a traditional healer named Ariel government resettled some of Ramos chosen to lead said at the same shelter. the families elsewhere. Ariel, who declined to give Giraldo, who fi rst arrived in his last name, also fled in 2004 Bogota as a boy about 12 years after someone put a machete ago and left as a married man into the wall of his house with with three kids, said he was tak- a death threat hanging from the en to a plot of land with no house blade. whose previous owner had left Venezuela legislature The Embera, whose lands lie after his two children were killed. mainly in the tropical forests “We received threats by armed Reuters lied against when elected to the ity - in the 167-seat National “The people chose 112 and 112 46-year-old leads the relatively of the Choco and Risaralda de- men from I don’t know which Caracas presidency in 1998. Assembly. will be sworn in,” Jesus Torre- young Justice First party, which partments of western Colombia, group. They told us, ‘Get out of Yet, supporters say Ramos is a However, the new Congress alba, secretary of the opposition won the largest number of seats have been trapped in the cross- here. This isn’t your land,’” Gi- skilled and by far the most expe- is likely to get off to a confl ic- coalition, said at a press confer- among the opposition in Con- fi re of Colombia’s messy, many- raldo said. enezuela’s opposition rienced politician in the ring. tive start today when it formally ence. gress. sided war. “They gave us until December coalition has chosen “We represent an alterna- chooses the body’s president. Torrealba’s biggest headache However, Ramos united The confl ict, which has killed 15 to leave.” VHenry Ramos to lead the tive... We are not going to be the Four newly elected lawmak- since taking over as secretary of smaller opposition factions that more than 220,000 people and He and his family didn’t wait country’s National Assembly, anti-establishment, rather an ers were blocked from taking the opposition coalition in late feared dominance by Justice displaced 6mn, has drawn in around until then. “The home- which convenes today for its autonomous legislative power,” offi ce last week, three of them 2014 has been holding various First, analysts said. several leftist rebel groups, comings have been awful,” said fi rst session with an opposition said Ramos, a lawyer, who won from the opposition, after a legal factions together. The opposition called for right-wing paramilitaries and Alberto Wazorna, an Embera majority in more than 16 years. the election with 62 of the 111 challenge by the Socialist Party. The infi ghting came to the supporters to join lawmakers drug traffi ckers since the Marxist who sits on Colombia’s Na- Ramos, 72, is secretary gen- votes cast. The country’s Supreme Court fore in recent weeks with major outside the National Assembly Farc was launched in 1964. tional Indigenous Organisation. eral of the Democratic Action It took place a month after the also agreed to hear challenges opposition leaders publicly crit- today morning. The Embera say they have He said there was not enough party, one that is seen by critics opposition trounced the rul- against the election of another icising each other. President Nicolas Maduro has been terrorised by the Farc, the health, education and housing as representing the old guard ing Socialist Party in legislative six opposition deputies. Julio Borges was Ramos’ main said he would veto one of the op- National Liberation Army (ELN), infrastructure in place for re- of Venezuelan politics that elections, giving the opposition Yet, the opposition remains contender in the race to head position’s major planks, the re- a rival rebel movement that has turnees. Hugo Chavez successfully ral- 112 seats - a two-thirds major- defi ant. the National Assembly . The lease of imprisoned politicians. El Salvador issues tips to Mexico mayor’s killing illegals as US cracks down ‘a threat to others’ AFP crime when she took offi ce. The Mexico City governor said she had agreed to AFP round up and expel undocument- again in October and November. back a “single command” co- San Salvador ed migrants - including families A Salvadoran foreign ministry ordination scheme that groups who last year fl ed drought and source said the nation’s consulates state in central Mexico state and local police. violence in Central America. in the US were bracing for an in- took over police com- Her murder “is a message and he government of El Sal- News reports said the crack- fl ux of requests for assistance from Amand in several towns a clear threat for the mayors who vador has off ered advice down could begin any time and citizens residing in America. after a mayor was assassinated, a recently took offi ce to not accept Tto citizens living illegally would target hundreds of fami- Refugee rights activists ar- crime described as a gang threat the police co-ordination scheme in the US, where immigration lies living in the US whose asy- gue that migrants from Central to other mayors. that we have supported and that authorities have vowed to crack lum requests had been rejected. America were fl eeing corruption, Governor Graco Ramirez or- is being built at a national level,” down on undocumented mi- Any such US action would be gang violence and drought and dered the state security commis- Ramirez told a news conference. grants. hugely controversial, with immi- should be treated as refugees. sion to take charge of police in 15 Morelos has around 30 mu- “Immigration agents have to gration one of the hottest topics In El Salvador, a country of municipalities of Morelos state, nicipalities and about half have present you with an order that in the 2016 presidential cam- around 6mn, 6,065 homicides including the capital, Cuerna- not ratifi ed the single command. has been signed by a judge in or- paign and rights groups express- were reported between January vaca, and Temixco, where the The governor, who attended der to enter your home,” read the ing grave concern at the planned and November last year, up from slain mayor served. Mota’s funeral, declared three information provided by the for- deportations. 3,924 for the whole of 2014. Gisela Mota, 33, a left-of-centre days of mourning in the state and eign ministry. Republican presidential front- But a government spokes- former member of Congress, was ordered fl ags to be fl own at half- “If you are detained by an im- runner Donald Trump claimed on woman on immigration and gunned down on Saturday, barely staff . migration agent, remain calm,” Twitter that the plans were the out- customs enforcement said that 24 hours after taking her oath of Mota’s Democratic Revolu- the statement from the Salva- come of pressure he had brought to Homeland Security Secretary Jeh offi ce in Temixco, which is about tion Party (PRD), of which Rami- doran government continued. bear on the migration issue. Johnson “has consistently said 90kms south of Mexico City. rez is a member, hailed her as a “If you have immigration pa- In contrast, Democratic front- our border is not open to illegal Police offi cials say gunmen “strong and brave woman, who, pers, present them. If not, ask runner Hillary Clinton’s cam- immigration. burst into her home and killed when she took offi ce as mayor, immediately to contact your at- paign said she had “real con- “If individuals come here ille- her. Two suspected gunmen declared that her battle against torney or the nearest consulate cerns” on the matter. gally, do not qualify for asylum or were later killed and three were organised crime would be frontal of El Salvador.” The fl ow of Central Ameri- other relief, and have fi nal orders detained, including a minor. and direct.” The advice followed news re- can families and unaccompa- of removal, they will be sent back Morelos state has been plagued Ramirez has clashed with the ports last week that President nied children crossing into the consistent with our laws and our by drug cartel violence as well as new mayor of Cuernavaca, former Barack Obama’s administration US from Mexico slowed in early values,” spokeswoman Gillian Residents and relatives carry the coff in of newly-installed Temixco kidnappings and extortion. Mexico football star Cuauhtemoc is planning a vast operation to 2015, but the numbers surged Christensen said. mayor, Gisela Mota, along the streets during her funeral in Temixco. Mota had vowed to clean up Blanco, over the single command. Gulf Times 16 Tuesday, January 5, 2016 PAKISTAN/AFGHANISTAN Pakistan, India must co-operate to thwart terrorists: Dawn

IANS “If Pakistani nationals are co-operative approach by both The editorial said that while stani counterpart Nawaz Sharif. nis in the attack even before the terrorist attack by targeting per- Islamabad found to be involved in the at- governments should be key,” it Pakistan-India ties were neces- The Dawn praised the Paki- barest facts could be established ceived external enemies. tack, the information should be added. sarily about a great deal more stani government for quickly underlines just how diffi cult “The preferable approach - shared with Pakistani authori- Terrorists sneaked into the than terrorism, “the latter is and unequivocally condemning peacemaking will be. one that hopefully the Indian akistan should take “re- ties as quickly as possible,” the Indian Air Force (IAF) base at perhaps the one threat that can the terror attack and off ering its “Courageously, however, the government will continue to ciprocal steps” if it is Dawn said in an editorial. Pathankot on Saturday and derail the relationship yet again”. co-operation with India. “Yet, Indian government has appeared adopt in the days ahead - would Pproved that Pakistanis And then “reciprocal steps killed seven security personnel. The Saturday attack comes the challenges are formidable,” to resist media and hawkish be to quickly establish the facts. were involved in the terror at- should be taken here”, it said, re- Four terrorists have been killed soon after Indian Prime Minister it said. pressure and declined to go into “If no involvement of Paki- tack on the IAF base in Punjab, ferring to Pakistani. while two more are still believed Narendra Modi’s dramatic two- “The hostile reaction by much attack mode against Pakistan. stani nationals is found, the in- a leading newspaper said yes- “To thwart the political mo- to be holed up in one part of the hour visit to Lahore on Christ- of the Indian media to the al- “It is all too easy to reap politi- formation should be shared with terday. tives of terrorists, a sensible, sprawling complex. mas Day where he met his Paki- leged involvement of Pakista- cal capital in the midst of a major the Indian public,” it said. Kabul rocked by bomb blasts; gunfi ghts near Indian mission Gunmen stopped from getting into consulate holed up nearby; Heavy gunfire as security forces seal off area; Suicide bomber strikes near Kabul’s international airport

AFP Kabul

roops battled yesterday to end an hours-long gun Tand bomb siege near the Indian consulate in Afghani- stan’s Mazar-i-Sharif city, after a bloody weekend assault on an air base in India near the Paki- stan border. Separately yesterday a suicide bomber struck near Kabul’s in- ternational airport, underscor- ing the worsening security situ- ation in Afghanistan. The lethal assaults on Indian targets appear aimed at derailing Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s An Afghan Quick Reaction Force (QRF) soldier fires a rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) launcher during an Afghan security personnel inspect a damaged car at the site of a suicide bomb attack near the bold diplomatic outreach to Pa- operation near the Indian consulate in Mazar-i-Sharif yesterday. international airport in Kabul yesterday. kistan following his fi rst offi cial visit to Afghanistan last month. peace,” Noor told reporters. pound soon after the fi ghting up attacks on government and a heavily protected residential its surgical centre. the insurgents belatedly con- No group has so far claimed “We will suppress them as erupted late Sunday evening. foreign targets in Afghanistan, compound for civilian technical The latest unrest coincides fi rmed the death of longtime responsibility for the raid on the soon as possible.” Local police said some consu- a year after US-led Nato forces contractors close to the airport, with a renewed international push leader Mullah Omar. diplomatic mission in northern But nearly 17 hours after the late employees had been evacu- formally ended their combat smashing windows and badly to revive peace talks with the re- The attack on the consulate Afghanistan, the latest in a se- siege began, security offi cials ated. mission in the country. damaging nearby houses. surgent militant movement. in Mazar-i-Sharif was the latest ries of assaults on Indian instal- said they were proceeding cau- The attack followed a raid over Also yesterday, a large explo- The offi cial said the blast On January 11 Afghanistan and on high-profi le Indian targets in lations in the country. tiously in the residential area to the weekend by suspected Is- sion struck close to Kabul air- caused at least 10 casualties out- Pakistan are set to hold a fi rst Afghanistan. Gunfi ghts and grenade ex- limit civilian casualties. lamist insurgents on an air force port, causing at least 10 casu- side the gates of the compound. round of dialogue also involving In 2008 a car bomb at the In- plosions echoed as commandos An Indian offi cial, who was base in the northern Indian state alties near to the area where a There did not appear to be any the US and China to try to lay out dian embassy in Kabul killed 60 battled to fl ush out militants hunkered down in a secure area of Punjab. suicide bomber blew himself up inside the compound and there a comprehensive roadmap for people and the facility was again holed up in a building near the within the diplomatic enclave, The spike in violence came earlier in the day in the latest in were no immediate details on peace. hit by a suicide strike in 2009. consulate, with powerful pro- said all consulate employees about a week after Modi paid a a series of attacks in the Afghan what numbers of the casualties Pakistan, which wields con- Nine civilians, including sev- vincial Governor Atta Mohamed were safe. surprise visit to Pakistan, the capital over the past week. were killed or wounded. siderable infl uence over the Af- en children, were killed in Au- Noor overseeing the operation. “We are being attacked,” the fi rst by an Indian premier in 11 A police offi cial said a small Medical aid group Emergency, ghan Taliban, hosted a milestone gust 2013 when suicide bombers “The attackers are enemies of offi cial said by telephone from years. truck packed with explosives which runs a hospital in Kabul, fi rst round of talks in July. But targeted the Indian consulate in Afghanistan who do not want inside the heavily guarded com- The Taliban have also stepped detonated near Camp Baron, said it was receiving wounded at the negotiations stalled when the eastern city of Jalalabad.

TRANSPORTATION Roadside bomb Pakistan to build Peshawar-Kabul Pakistan nabs motorway

The Pakistani government has planned to build a motorway from 42 suspected its Peshawar city to Afghanistan’s capital Kabul, the media reported. The four-lane road via Jalalabad and Torkham covers 265 km and the land acquisition process will be IS supporters initiated after the finalisation of the alignment, The Nation reported, citing an off icial from Pakistan’s DPA Sanaullah said, using an acro- National Highway Authority. Islamabad nym for Islamic State. The motorway project will not only The latest arrests came after improve connectivity between last week police nabbed 13 sus- the two neighbouring countries akistani authorities have pected militants from the same but would also bring economic arrested at least 42 sus- province. prosperity in the adjacent areas, Ppects linked with Islamic Pakistan offi cially rejects any the report said. State extremists, a minister said presence of Islamic State on its The motorway would be devel- yesterday. soil but the law enforcing agen- oped into three sections, 50 km The arrests were made during cies frequently arrest suspects long Peshawar-Torkham, 76 km raids by the security forces over having links with the groups. Torkham-Jalalabad, and 139 km the weekend across diff erent ar- Last week, police in Punjab Jalalabad-Kabul, the report said. eas, Punjab Law Minister Rana claimed arresting a man whose Sanaullah said. wife had left for Syria with four TRAGEDY The arrests included Islama- children to join the Islamic State. bad’s Islamic State chief Amir Pakistan Army Chief General 14 killed in Mansoor, his deputy Abdullah Raheel Sharif has said the coun- Pakistan road Mansoori and chief for southern try would get rid of terrorism in province of Sindh, Umer Kathio, 2016. The new year will be the accident Security off icials examine the site of a blast in northwest Pakistan’s Peshawar, on January 3. At least three security personnel were the minister said. year when terrorism will end in injured when a roadside bomb exploded near a security forces’ vehicle in Peshawar on Sunday morning, local media reported. “The militants were tasked Pakistan, Dawn online quoted At least 14 people were killed and to set up sleeper cells for IS,” Sharif as saying on Friday. several others injured when gas cylinder of a van carrying wedding guests exploded in Pakistan’s northwest Karak district yesterday, local media reported. Urdu TV channel Abb Takk re- ported that the overloaded vehicle Cash-strapped Pakistani man returns bag full of money fell into a ravine while negotiating a sharp turn, following which its gas cylinder exploded, engulfing Internews ing the rightful owner. the owner,” says Hameed who ier in NATCO, a government- money in a way which would an impoverished individual did it in flames at Sanda Kharam area Islamabad The cash-strapped car work- like many young people from sponsored transport company. acknowledge the young man’s not think of using the money of Karak, a district in the country’s shop employee ran into an unat- his valley never went to school “I earn Rs10,000 and some- actions,” said Ali. “However, even for a second. northwest Khyber Pakhtunkhwa tended bag on his way back from as the area is one of the least de- times up to Rs15,000 a month, the head of NATCO Muham- Hameed is married with two province. hen fi nding two work in Jutial, Gilgit. veloped in terms of infrastruc- but I have never thought of us- mad Saeedullah refused to meet children and lives with his fam- The people on the ill-fated van square meals a day is “The bag was full of money,” ture. Hameed shared the story ing ill-gotten money. This is the us even though we conveyed the ily in a rented house in Gilgit for were on their way to Dera Isamail Wan uphill task, stum- says Hameed who hails from with one of his associates in the manner in which I have been purpose of the visit and other which he pays Rs3, 000 a month. Khan city from the provincial bling upon Rs1mn surely means Ghizer’s Yaseen Valley, about neighbourhood. raised,” Hameed says. (necessary) details.” The meagre income is the capital of Peshawar to attend a hitting the jackpot. Not for 150km from Gilgit. The latter narrated the same The next day, Mithar Jan, lo- He said the group managed main hurdle between Hameed’s wedding. Police said all the people 28-year-old Abdul Hameed, “I took the bag home and to his boss Mithar Jan, a promi- cal journalist Wajid Ali and Arab to meet a general manager and children and their education as inside the bus were close-related though, who came across such counted the money. It was 1mn,” nent social activist. The work- Khan went to the NATCO offi ce handed the large sum of money the father is unable to decide family members. The injured peo- an amount just before New Year Hameed said yesterday. shop employee says the money to handover the money. to him in his offi ce. The journal- whether they should go to school ple and bodies have been shifted and immediately set about fi nd- “The main issue was tracing was ultimately traced to a cash- “We wanted to present the ist said it was unbelievable that or be sent to work. to a nearby hospital,. Gulf Times Tuesday, January 5, 2016 17 SRI LANKA/BANGLADESH/NEPAL

Ruling AL, BNP to Three Madhesi activists hold rallies today

IANS charged with treason Dhaka IANS December 26 in Siraha district. or self-governance, in Nepal’s pendence of Madhes, through man Rights (UDHR) and In- at prime minister’s offi cial Kathmandu The third accused is Bishnudev southern plains and has been non-violent and peaceful ternational Covenant on Civil residence. he ruling Awami Chaudhary, 35, a central mem- holding a series of activities, means following the principles and Political Rights (ICCPR), of The meeting ended with a League (AL) and the ber of the AIM. protests and demonstrations. of Gautam Buddha, Mahatma which Nepal is a signatory, we positive note, sources said. Topposition Bangladesh he Nepal government The Alliance for Independent Raut once faced treason case Gandhi and Nelson Mandela. expect acknowledgement and “They decided to form a task Nationalist Party (BNP) have yesterday fi led treason Madhes has been holding mock but was released on bail later. The alliance, that advocates assurance of the rights to free- force to fi nd common ground been permitted to hold rallies Tcharges against three referendums for ‘Free Madhes’, “an end to Nepali colonisation, dom of expression, movement regarding the 11-point demands in front of their headquar- Madhesi activists for holding as a form of peaceful protest, in The Alliance for racism, slavery and discrimina- and peaceful assembly from the submitted by the agitating ters today to mark the sec- a mock referendum on ‘Free the southern districts of Nepal. Independent Madhes, tion” imposed on the Madhesis, state and its agencies,” the AIM Madhesi parties,” said Nepali ond anniversary of the 10th Madhes’. In recent weeks, the govern- which the three belong, stands for independent Madhes, said in a statement. Congress general secretary Pra- national polls. They were arrested from the ment has intensifi ed its brutal has been holding mock democratic system, and peace- TASK FORCE FORMED: kash Man Singh, who was also The BNP marks it because southeastern Nepali Siraha dis- suppression against Madhesi referendums for ‘Free ful and non-violent means. Three major political parties present during the meeting. its demand for polls under a trict on Saturday, and brought activists through arbitrary ar- Madhes’, as a form of Protests and demonstra- and Madhesi front yesterday The task force represent- neutral caretaker was not ac- to Kathmandu for the fi ling of rests, torture and false charges, peaceful protest, in the tions in Nepal’s southern plains decided to form a task force to ing all three sides, the govern- cepted. It observes January treason charges at a Special the alliance said, adding that southern districts of during the last more than four fi nd a common ground on de- ment, main opposition and 5 as “Murder of Democracy Court that looks after cases of two other activists were arrest- Nepal months have taken more than mands put forth by the agitating the Madhesi Front will try to Day”, while the ruling Awami treason and matters of national ed last year in November. They 55 lives and led to an embargo group in a bid to end the ongo- fi nd common ground in issues League observes it as “Democ- sensitivity. are still in jail. Nepal police had also ar- at key Nepal-India entry points. ing political crisis in the coun- relating to provincial bound- racy Protection Day”, bdnews24 According to the Alliance for The Nepal government has rested more than 100 ‘Free “Acknowledging that the try over the new constitution, a ary demarcation, citizenship reported yesterday. Independent Madhes (AIM), accused the alliance of hatch- Madhes’ activists in November rights to freedom of speech, media report said. certifi cate issue, proportionate Dhaka South City Mayor Say- among those charged were ing a conspiracy to split the from the Terai for launching the movement, peaceful assembly Nepal’s ruling coalition - representatives and allotment eed Khokan said the Awami Sudipraj Kushwaha (26), who country and said it is getting campaign. and association are the funda- CPN-UML and CPN-Maoist, of parliament seat on the basis League will have to hold its rally acted as the election offi cer, and strong backing from C R Raut, AIM is a coalition of Madhesi mental rights of all human be- the main opposition Nepali of population. at the Bangabandhu Avenue Chandeshwar Mahato (60), who a hardcore independent Madhes people, activists, political par- ings everywhere, as also man- Congress and the agitat- They have also agreed to con- while the BNP will do so at the acted as international observer supporter. ties and various social organi- dated by the United Nations ing United Democratic Mad- tinue their meeting to resolve Naya Paltan. in the mock referendum held on Raut is advocating ‘swaraja’, sations working for the inde- Universal Declaration of Hu- hesi Front (UDMF) held talks the issue at the earliest. “We discourage street rallies that cause trouble for the peo- ple,” he said. He said it is the city corpo- ration, which gives permis- Pakistan PM arrives in Lanka sion to hold rallies on streets, though a security clearance Tamils demand end from the police is needed, especially for use of mega- to army occupation phones.

AFP said a day after Sirisena made it was necessary to end what Tourist Colombo the off er. he called an “unacceptable “We welcome this as a very situation”. positive development but our The land will be in addition arrivals ri Lanka’s main opposi- stand is that the military must to the property being handed tion yesterday welcomed vacate all private lands they are back by the military in line with SPresident Maithripala occupying.” an earlier election pledge by hit record Sirisena’s promise of land for Sirisena, who was elected Sirisena. 100,000 people who were last January, has won praise More than 100,000 peo- forced from their homes during for starting to hand back land ple are still living away from high the long civil war, most of them after the end in May 2009 of their homes more than six Tamils. one of South Asia’s longest and years after the end of the war, The Tamil National Alliance bloodiest ethnic wars. Sumanthiran said, while an- (TNA) said Sirisena’s pledge But he is also under interna- other 168,000 live as refugees Reuters to give displaced civilians tional pressure to do more to in neighbouring India. Colombo new plots within six months ensure reconciliation. The civil war pitted troops was a “positive development”, The president said in an in- against guerrillas fi ghting for but demanded that the mili- terview on Sunday he would independence for the Tamil ourist arrivals in Sri Lan- tary vacate the private land it give land to civilians displaced minority in the north and east ka rose 17.8% to a record occupied. by war by the middle of this of the island. Thigh in 2015, government “This is the fi rst time he year. The fi ghting claimed over data showed yesterday, with the is giving a timeframe,” TNA He admitted it was an 100,000 lives between 1972 number of foreign visitors in- spokesman M A Sumanthiran “ambitious target” but said and 2009. creasing for the 80th straight month since a nearly three- decade-long civil war ended in Human rights panel proposes death penalty abolishment 2009. The number of foreign visi- The national human rights is an extreme and irreversible to ensure that national laws and tors surged to a record 1.8mn commission in Sri Lanka punishment and is ineff ective as administrative practices are in last year, outpacing the previous yesterday proposed abolishing a deterrent to crime, Xinhua news accordance with international peak of 1.53mn in 2014. the death penalty, off icials said. agency reported. human rights norms and The fi rst 11 month revenue had In a letter to President The Human Rights Commission standards. already exceeded the island na- Maithripala Sirisena, the Human of Sri Lanka is to advise and assist Whilst appreciating that tion’s previous full-year peak hit Rights Commission said it is the government in formulating successive governments in Sri in 2014. imperative for Sri Lanka to legislation and directives and Lanka have not implemented the The arrivals gained 15.4% in conform to the growing global procedures in furtherance of death penalty, the Commission Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, centre, walks next to Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil December year-on-year to a recognition that the death the promotion and protection notes that courts continue to Wickremesinghe during a welcoming ceremony at Bandaranaike International Airport in record monthly high of 206,114. penalty, which seriously violates of fundamental rights, and to impose the death penalty under Katunayake, near Colombo, yesterday. Off icial talks with President Maithripala Sirisena and The government has targeted several human rights including make recommendations to several statutes which provide Wickremesinghe are to follow today before signing of a string of bilateral agreements. The 2.2mn visitors and $2.75bn in the right to life and freedom from the government regarding for the imposition of the death deals will cover areas including trade, science and technology and health. foreign exchange revenue this cruel and inhuman punishment, measures which should be taken penalty. year. Panic as earthquake jolts Bangladesh Saudi lifts ban

IANS there were no immediate reports of any big the east and northeast of Dhaka, struck Bangladesh, which sits on the earth- Dhaka damage. the country around 5.05am (local time). quake zone, is prone to tremors and ex- Although no major building collapsed Thousands of people in Dhaka and many perts have predicted a major earthquake in on Bangladeshi in Dhaka and elsewhere in the country yet, other parts panicked and rushed outdoors the near future. t least three people died in Bangla- the powerful earthquake reportedly caused following the jolts which lasted for several The earthquake disaster risk index desh in a massive earthquake, with cracks and tilting of some buildings. seconds. of Stanford University ranks Bangla- Aits epicentre in Tamenglong dis- A meteorologist of the Bangladesh Abdur Rahim, a resident of Dhaka, de- desh’s capital Dhaka among the 20 cit- trict of India’s Manipur state and meas- Meteorological Department said the scribed the temblor as a big crash that ies most vulnerable to earthquakes in male workers uring 6.7 on the Richter scale, Xinhua quake, with its epicentre some 352km to shook his house. the world. reported. A youth died following a heart at- By Mizan Rahman of the Global Forum on Mi- tack in Dhaka while another person Dhaka gration and Development succumbed to injuries sustained while (GFMD) to be held in Dhaka rushing out from his home in Rajshahi in December next. district, some 256 km west of capital angladesh can now The 8th GFMD meet- Dhaka. send male workers to ing was held in Istanbul in An old man also died following a heart BSaudi Arabia as the October 2015. attack in Lalmonirhat district, 343km Gulf state has lifted an ‘in- Haider said that an agree- from Dhaka. formal restriction’ on Bang- ment was signed in 2015 on Around 100 people have also report- ladesh, said Bangladesh’s sending domestic service edly been injured in Dhaka and else- expatriate welfare and over- workers but Bangladesh could where in the country as they rushed out seas employment secretary not send male workers as ex- of their respective residences for safety Iftekhar Haider in Dhaka pected. in panic. yesterday. He admitted there is a Panic-gripped people, who took to the The secretary made the slow pace in sending male streets and stayed there for a long time disclosure while respond- workers due to the ‘informal being afraid of possible aftershocks. ing to a question at a press restriction’, and hoped the Mizanur Rahman, director of Dhaka conference at the foreign fl ow of sending workers will Medical College and Hospital, said at least ministry. increase during the days to 40 persons were rushed to the hospital. Bangladesh’s foreign sec- come. He said several of them were injured retary Shahidul Haque and Iftekhar also said they got when they jumped from upper fl oors of other senior offi cials of the assurance over the safety buildings. ministry were present at of female workers in Saudi Dozens of Dhaka University students the joint press conference Arabia. Bangladesh sent were also injured while evacuating halls arranged to brief the media 20,000 female workers un- during the quake. highlighting various fea- der the agreement signed However, police and fi re offi cials said People cry after they lost their relative in an earthquake in Dhaka yesterday. tures of the ninth meeting last year. Gulf Times 18 Tuesday, January 5, 2016 COMMENT

Chairman: Abdullah bin Khalifa al-Attiyah Editor-in-Chief : Darwish S Ahmed Obama’s new gun control Production Editor: C P Ravindran

P.O.Box 2888 Doha, Qatar curbs face legal challenge [email protected] Telephone 44350478 (news), Legal experts say Obama reported late last week that one under federal gun law. This would candidate in the 2016 election, 44466404 (sport), 44466636 (home delivery) cannot accomplish his of Obama’s main proposals would be advisory and lack the force of law, including frontrunner Donald Trump, Fax 44350474 require some unlicensed gun dealers to which would mean that prosecutors said they would overturn any gun desired gun control agenda get licences and conduct background could not rely on it when pursuing control measures by Obama if they get - like boosting oversight of checks on potential buyers. Current small gun dealers. into offi ce. law exempts smaller dealers who often “The guidance could be used as Still, the president should be on gun show sales - through operate at gun shows and sell online. evidence that prosecutors made a fi rm Second Amendment ground if he executive action alone Obama, who has been thwarted by reasonable interpretation that a dealer pushes for a widening in the way the the Republican-controlled Congress needed a license, but it’s not binding,” current law is applied, legal experts said. GULF TIMES in his push for tighter gun control said James Jacobs, law professor at “There are very few things I’d say By Robert Iafolla/Reuters Washnigton legislation, could act through an New York University and author of the with 100% certainty about what the executive order, which would be 2004 book Can Gun Control Work? Supreme Court and other courts immediate and carry the force of law. “In a way, it’s more like a speech, would do, but I’m 100% certain that resident Barack Obama is It would also almost certainly prompt like the head of the ATF saying who no court would say requiring more expected to announce new lawsuits by gun advocates claiming needs a federal dealer’s license,” he background checks violates the India, Pakistan gun control curbs this week, the president lacks the authority to said. Second Amendment,” said Stanford Pbut he will have to decide change the legal defi nition of who Obama could choose an even more University law professor John whether to take bold action that would must obtain a dealer’s licence. cautious route and direct the ATF Donohue. likely spark a major legal challenge The conservative advocacy group to begin the formal administrative The Second Amendment of the should stay the from opponents or a more cautious Freedom Watch plans to sue to block rulemaking process to change its US Constitution protects the right of route that may be less eff ective, legal any executive order on gun control, regulations for who is considered a Americans to keep and bear arms. experts said. Larry Klayman, the group’s general fi rearms dealer under the existing Regardless of what steps Obama Obama, who has expressed deep counsel, told Reuters on Sunday. Gun Control Act. Agency action might take to increase the number of course for peace frustration about US gun control An executive order would draw that includes the chance for public dealers who must conduct background regulations after a series of mass immediate comparisons to Obama’s comment would create an enforceable checks, legal experts said that he shootings at schools and other initiative aimed at protecting 5mn rule that would likely pass legal cannot accomplish his desired The mature approach adopted by both India and places during his presidency, was to undocumented immigrants from muster, but that process probably gun control agenda - like boosting Pakistan following the attacks on the Indian air force meet US Attorney General Loretta deportation. Challengers sued and would not conclude before Obama oversight of gun show sales - through base in Pathankot and the Indian consulate in Mazar-i- Lynch yesterday to discuss gun won an injunction that blocked the leaves offi ce in January 2017. executive action alone. control measures that do not require move. The administration has asked Lawmakers could still try to block “This won’t really close the gun- Sharif in Afghanistan comes as a breath of fresh air as far congressional approval. the US Supreme Court to take up that such ATF rulemaking by denying the show loophole, it will only narrow as the politics between the two nations is concerned. The president said in his weekly case. agency funding, particularly funds for that loophole,” said Adam Winkler, a Pakistan wasted no time in condemning the atrocities, radio address on Friday he has received Obama could take the less risky enforcing the rule if it was passed in law professor at UCLA and author of while the Indian government has refrained from playing “too many letters from parents, and path on guns by directing the Bureau the face of congressional opposition. Gunfi ght: The Battle Over the Right to the blame game and issuing aggressive statements as was teachers, and kids, to sit around and of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Already some Republican Bear Arms in America. “This is going do nothing” about the issue. Explosives (ATF) to redefi ne its candidates seeking the party’s to marginally increase the number of the norm in the past. This despite the fact that the right The Washington Post and Politico guidance on who is considered a dealer nomination to be its presidential people who have to get a licence.” wing media on both sides of the border have gone into an overdrive by digging up the past and virtually declaring war on behalf of the governments. The testy relationship between the two countries is not hidden from the world. Apart from the regular yearly skirmishes on the borders, India and Pakistan have fought four wars ever since the partition of 1947 which resulted in at least a million deaths, not to speak of the mass displacement of humanity the repercussions of which still continue to infl uence how people on both sides view each other. But Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s unannounced visit to Pakistan on December 25 caught warmongers in both countries on the back foot, opening up a whole array of possibilities that would have belonged in the realm of fantasy otherwise. A beaming Modi hugging his Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif and attending his granddaughter’s wedding cannot be simply dismissed as a photo opportunity The testy designed to score cheap political points. relationship But despite the recent between the two thaw, there is no denying the fact that both countries is not countries need to stay the course in their quest hidden from the for peace by sidelining world hardliners who have made hate a thriving business that suits their purposes. While India’s security concerns are legitimate, there is no disputing the fact that Pakistan has paid a very high price in terms of lives lost to terrorism. The mind-numbing murder of 132 schoolchildren by Tehrik-i-Taliban (TTP) terrorists in December 2014 is still fresh in everybody’s mind. Previous periods of bonhomie between the two countries have been sabotaged by terror attacks and many analysts suspected Pathankot was part of a similar, deliberate eff ort to damage relations. But it would be a major step backwards if India decides to shelve talks, the fi rst instalment of which is scheduled for later this Gun control activists rally in front of the White House in Washington, yesterday. President Barack Obama is expected to announce new gun control curbs this week, but month. he will have to decide whether to take bold action that would likely spark a major legal challenge from opponents or a more cautious route that may be less eff ective. Separately on January 11, Pakistan and Afghanistan, together with representatives from China and the US, are scheduled to gather in Islamabad for a “quadrilateral” meeting to prepare for potential talks with “reconcilable” members of the Afghan Taliban. Diplomats say Pakistan had promised it would use its Gun laws: don’t mess with Texas infl uence with the Taliban, which are largely based in Pakistani territory, not only to bring amenable militants By Dan K Thomasson down American gun deaths now equal one a right to be a blockhead.” on either state or national levels that to the negotiating table but also to reduce soaring levels Washington to those in auto accidents, the Texas These groups and others represent restrict the distribution of weapons of violence. governor issued a retaliatory tweet “the silent majority” of Americans and ammunition. They argue that the However, insurgent assaults have continued unabated, that sounded more like an off er for the who believe background checks Second Amendment comes without he old admonition about not president to meet him in the street should be expanded to gun show qualifi cation and requires absolute with recent weeks seeing several attacks in Kabul on messing with Texas (expand – probably at sundown – than just a and Internet sellers and require their fealty to uninhibited possession the Spanish embassy, a French restaurant popular with that to Texans) has become political taunt. licensing, a step Obama reportedly anywhere in any venue. foreigners and the international airport. The airport Tmore a reality than ever. If “Obama wants to impose believes can be taken legally through A spokesman for AFRA said it was was hit once again yesterday when a suicide bomber you should happen to be visiting the more gun control. My response? his own order. Expanding background dedicated to showing there is a middle Lone Star State be careful who you COME&TAKE IT,” Republican checks is favoured by 89% of ground that gets things accomplished detonated himself on a nearby street but there were no bump into ... literally that is. He or she Gov. Greg Abbot wrote in a “draw, Americans, according to recent polls. by avoiding the extremes on both reported casualties. might take off ence. pardner” demand that seems more Despite its popularity, Obama’s sides. Legitimate gun dealers, he These could be desperate attempts by militants to At the very time the nation is than a little out of line. eff orts to accomplish broadening the argued, don’t oppose sensible prevent any progress on the peace and reconciliation fi nally waking up to the dangers However, there are those out there background policy through legislation measures but are small business men front. The key is not falling into their trap. of unfettered gun distribution and attempting to work in the middle of failed in the Senate, mainly because of who get jumped on from all directions President Barack Obama is looking the current controversy with sensible four votes from members of his own when a disaster occurs. for ways to take executive action, compromises that preserve Second Democratic Party. “The ATF targets them, the NSSF the wannabe Buckeroos of the Wild Amendment principles while taking The president’s eff orts have been ignores them and gun manufacturers To Advertise West (mainly Republican legislators) steps to protect the rights and safety of lagging since that vote until recently continually place them at risk with have overturned an 1871 state law all citizens, including those who don’t when the nation was shocked by poorly marked serial numbers and so [email protected] prohibiting the open carry of fi rearms. want to bear arms, if there are any a mass murder in San Bernardino, forth. Many are family owned business Display Now, it seems, it takes less time to get left. Believe it or not the groups for California by those claiming allegiance who work hard to prevent guns from Telephone 44466621 Fax 44418811 through security at the state capitol if sane solutions include the American to the terrorist organisation, ISIS. landing in the wrong hands. They get you’re displaying your six shooters to Firearms Retailers Association The so-called “middle grounders” little support.” Classified 9mm semi-automatics or whatever and Evolve whose aim is to reduce are in sharp contrast to the fringe The action in Texas shows that the Telephone 44466609 Fax 44418811 poison you choose. The unarmed accidental loss of life by promoting operators on the right and left of “safe and sane” elements have an “greenhorns” stand in long lines to go gun safety including controversial gun the gun debate; those who would uphill fi ght. Surveys show that gun Subscription through the metal detectors. locks and other procedures opposed ban all guns and lobbyists for no sales surged after San Bernardino [email protected] When Obama revealed in a New by gun advocates. AFRA is made up laws. The National Rifl e Association and that 50% of Americans believe Year radio broadcast that he was going of federally licensed gun dealers and and the National Shooting Sport encouraging legal gun carrying is a to talk to his attorney general about Evolve is a privately funded group Foundation, both mouthpieces for the better reaction to terrorists than new 2014 Gulf Times. All rights reserved what legal steps he could take without which counsels that while owning a gun manufacturers, continue their laws. As I said, don’t mess with Texas. congressional interference to slow gun may be a right, “it doesn’t give unrelenting opposition to any eff ort – Tribune News Service Gulf Times Tuesday, January 5, 2016 19 COMMENT ‘Twin covenants’ and new imperialism

By Harun Yahya enslavement, and colonisation. After a while the European Union the Islamic world and Turkey. In fact, Istanbul For this reason, more subtle, more adopted the same strategy and the determined and systemic lobbying, elaborate methods that spanned long Council of Europe, between the propaganda, political pressure and periods of time, and backed by laws, years 1981-1984, based on the idea perception operations they carry hroughout the history, were called for. that “defending autonomy is the out to achieve these ends, are only powerful countries’ desire Bearing in mind these new basic condition of the building of a commonplace. There is a relentless to dominate and rule over requirements, the super powers of Europe that is based on principles of campaign to ensure that societies Tweaker ones in a bid to the world rapidly started developing democracy”, adopted a bill entitled that have co-existed harmoniously heighten their richness and wealth, new colonisation projects after WWII, “European Charter of Local Self- for centuries are turned against each always gave rise to “colonialism”. As a and rushed to put them into practice. Government” and put it into eff ect in other based on ethnic backgrounds result, colonial powers took control of The largest and most wide-scaled 1988. and sectarian diff erences, so that the labour force, natural resources and one amongst those projects had been These bills, which at fi rst glance they can be easier targets for the new markets of the lands they occupied. the Great Middle East Project that give the impression of promoting colonial powers. Furthermore, to ensure that their targeted the Middle East and the more democracy, in truth provide a Superpowers of the world today, targets do not stand up to this system Islamic world in general. Skyes-Picot suitable ground for the intervention make promises of establishing of exploitation and disrupt their was outdated and for that reason, of global powers with economic, independent states to communist colonial plans, they kept locals and the map of the whole Islamic world political and strategic plans regarding terror groups like the PKK, which their social, cultural and religious had to be redrawn from Morocco various peoples, rather than giving had killed tens of thousands of bonds under heavy surveillance and to Indonesia. Arab Spring riots, those people any real powers. In innocent people, or fascist mafi a pressure. propaganda against Muslim countries addition, they provide legal grounds groups and provide them with During the colonial period that fi rst like Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya, Egypt, for civil unrest and wars. These self- military and fi nancial support, on began in the 16th century, countries Syria that led to wars, upheavals government laws that eventually lead pretexts of “democratic autonomy” like France, England, and Holland built and confl icts, separatist terrorist to countries dividing into hundreds and “liberation of people”. On the colonial powers in various African, movements in Turkey and its southern of diff erent parts, is almost like a 21st other hand, they remain eerily quiet Asian and Pacifi c countries through borders and sectarian clashes, had all century version of the imperialism and indiff erent, when it comes to military means. After that, they been parts of that project, and aimed that caused the division and the rescue of truly oppressed and moved their own administrators and to fi nalise the new map. exploitation of Asia and Africa in the prosecuted peoples like Rohingya, East institutions to those countries in order It may be true that the era of 19th century. Turkistan and Kashmir, who has been to build systems that would make sure colonialism is over, but its practices Indeed, the European countries deprived of their human rights for that indigenous people would work for are still around. However, they are no consider these laws as potentially decades. their interests. longer referred to with taboo names dangerous for their national integrity Today, maybe the most cunning By the end of 19th and early 20th like “colonialism” or “imperialism” and therefore almost all of the plan world has ever seen, is being put centuries, the concept of “nation but instead, with concepts like countries put reservations that into practice right before the very state” that emerged in the Europe “democracy”, “freedom”, “self- limited the implementation of such eyes of the world. Moreover, it is spread and put a gradual end to determination”, “independence of the laws. It is also because of this reason, done with an unprecedented double- colonialism. However, transformed oppressed”, which, no doubt, sound UN laws had not also been accepted standard, devious and hypocritical global powers after the fi rst and more justifi ed. without reservations. If it weren’t for approach, disguised behind charming second world wars, introduced The UN adopted a series of those reservations and declarations, slogans and promises. It is clear that newer but more subtle versions of treaties in 1966 called the ‘Twin Catalonia and Basque in Spain, considering such a dangerous, sneaky colonialism, and thus made sure Covenants’ and called on the Scotland and Wales in the UK, Veneto working plan as natural and accepting that colonialism lived on in practice, member states to sign it. The in Italy, Flemish region that doesn’t it would be a grave mistake. For this although its name had been banished. most important clauses of these want to share the wealth in Belgium, reason it is crucial that these vital Developing science and technology, covenants were as follows: and Island of Corsica in France would facts are brought up all the time and especially communication advances, 1. All peoples have the right of be drawn to separation and follow in societies are made aware of the plots made it possible to access information self-determination. By virtue of that the footsteps of the shattered Balkans. targeting them so that they can devise much quicker and easier compared to right they freely determine their Interestingly enough, although strategies to protect themselves. past centuries, and made the people of political status and freely pursue many countries vigorously object the world more conscious and aware their economic, social and cultural to any suggestions of autonomy or zThe writer has authored more than of the developments in the world. development. a people be deprived of its own means the realisation of the right of self- division when it concerns them, they 300 books translated in 73 languages This, inevitably led to fi erce social 2. All peoples may, for their own of subsistence. determination, and shall respect that seem overtly supportive of the idea on politics, religion and science. He backlashes against attempts of any ends, freely dispose of their natural 3. The States Parties to the right, in conformity with the provisions of a full acceptance of the Charter may be followed at @Harun_Yahya and old-fashioned occupation, conquest, wealth and resources ... In no case may present Covenant…, shall promote of the Charter of the United Nations. “ when it applies to the Middle East, www.harunyahya.com Weather report Three-day forecast Stiglitz’s sticky prices TODAY High: 21 C pressures of supply and demand. is simple. We know that people often how monetary policy is made in Low : 14 C By Kaushik Basu Strong wind and high seas Washington, DC Columbia University’s Joseph shirk if there is no penalty for doing some developing economies, where Stiglitz, who celebrates 50 years of so, and that the common penalty in the authorities all too often copy the teaching this year, solved the puzzle. the workplace is the risk of losing rules that industrialised countries or a long time, the assumption In a series of innovative papers, one’s job. But if one assumes a full- follow, without regard to the fact WEDNESDAY- underlying much of Stiglitz picked up some elementary employment equilibrium, as described that their efficacy may depend on High: 23 C mainstream economics was facts about the economy that lay in textbooks, with the market working context. Low : 15 C Fthat the invisible hand worked strewn about like jigsaw pieces, put without friction, this penalty is Stiglitz’s work reminds us of Sunny its magic seamlessly. Prices moved them together, and proved why some ineff ective. Threatening workers with the risk of basing polices on the smoothly up as demand outpaced prices were naturally sticky, thereby the loss of their job will have no eff ect assumption that interest rates rise supply and rushed back down when creating market ineffi ciencies and if they can immediately fi nd another. and fall smoothly. Instead of relying THURSDAY the tables were turned, keeping thwarting the functioning of the The way to create incentives not on rules of thumb about when to High: 22 C markets in equilibrium. invisible hand. In Stiglitz’s words, the to shirk is to pay workers above the raise or lower rates, we need to do Low : 14 C To be sure, many observers realised invisible hand “is invisible at least in market wage, making the loss of a some creative, analytical thinking. Sunny the truth was actually quite diff erent part because it is not there.” job more costly. Of course, if this In emerging economies in particular, – that prices, and wages and interest Stiglitz set out his argument over works for one fi rm, it will work for there is a strong need for experimental rates in particular, were often sticky, a remarkable 10-year period. In others, and so wages will rise, and interventions to collect data so that we Fishermen’s forecast eventually the supply of labour will can move to more scientifi cally based and that this sometimes prevented 1974, he published a paper on labour OFFSHORE DOHA markets from clearing. In labor turnover that explained why wages exceed demand. In other words, there policymaking. Wind: NW 17-25 KT markets, this meant unemployed are rigid. His analysis has important will be unemployment. And then, In the late 1990s, I worked with Waves: 6-9 Feet workers facing prolonged job searches. implications for development even if all fi rms are paying the same Stiglitz at the World Bank, where INSHORE DOHA Wind: NW 05-15 KT But the response by others in the economics, and I have used it often. wage, the threat to fi re a worker will be he served as Chief Economist. At Waves: 1-3 Feet fi eld was that what their colleagues This was followed by other important eff ective, because a worker who loses the time, he was engaged in heated described as “unemployment” did not work, including a paper on credit a job will face the risk of remaining debates about International Monetary Around the region truly exist; it was voluntary, the result rationing and interest-rate rigidity unemployed. As a result, the market Fund interventions in East Asia. In Weather Weather of stubborn workers refusing to accept (co-written with Andrew Weiss) and will reach an equilibrium where that role, I can honestly say that he today Max/min tomorrow Max/min the going wage. another paper on effi ciency wages. unemployment exists, but wages changed the IMF. One hopes that Abu Dhabi P Cloudy 22/16 M Sunny 23/15 Among those who recognised the And then, in 1984, with Carl Shapiro do not drop. This is, in short, the his insights continue to have such Baghdad M Sunny 17/07 P Cloudy 18/08 Dubai reality of involuntary unemployment he published the defi nitive work on Shapiro-Stiglitz equilibrium. an impact, as they encourage more M Sunny 24/19 Sunny 24/19 Kuwait City P Cloudy 15/09 P Cloudy 17/11 were John Maynard Keynes and endogenous unemployment. An excellent survey of this analytical policymaking at all levels. – Manama Cloudy 18/14 Sunny 21/16 Arthur Lewis, who incorporated it Other economists’ work – for literature can be found in the 1984 Project Syndicate Muscat M Sunny 26/19 Sunny 26/18 into his model of dual economies, in example, George Akerlof’s seminal paper “Effi ciency Wage Models of [This commentary is based on an Riyadh P Cloudy 19/09 Sunny 22/09 which urban wages do not respond paper on the market for lemons – had Unemployment,” by Janet Yellen, address delivered on October 17, 2015, Tehran Sunny 09/02 P Cloudy 11/02 to labour-supply gluts and remain laid the foundations for this research now Chair of the US Federal Reserve. at a conference at Columbia University above what rural workers earn. Both on price rigidities. But Stiglitz’s (Perhaps some readers can even pick honouring Joseph Stiglitz for a half- Keynes and Lewis used the stickiness papers, published in the 1970s and up clues on when the Fed will raise century of teaching. of prices extensively in their work. early 1980s, shifted the mainstream rates!) But even for them, the concept was paradigm of the microeconomic As influential as Stiglitz’s research zKaushik Basu, Chief Economist and only an assumption; they never theory of markets. has been, this remains an area where Senior Vice President of the World managed to explain why wages and The intuition behind some of much more work can be done. One Bank, is Professor of Economics at interest rates so often resisted the Stiglitz’s arguments about rigid prices of my frustrations has been to watch Cornell University. Live issues Medication errors: tips to keep you safe

Tribune News Service zChewing nonchewables all your medications, including Washington zCutting up pills that should be nonprescription and herbal products Around the world taken whole zStore medications in their original Weather Weather zUsing the wrong spoon to measure labelled containers today Max/min tomorrow Max/min edication errors are very dosage zKeep medications organised by Athens P Cloudy 19/13 M Sunny 19/14 common. The Centers zMissing or doubling up on doses using a pillbox or pill dispenser Beirut Rain 17/14 P Cloudy 19/13 Sunny M Sunny 35/24 for Disease Control and Why do medication errors zSave information sheets that come Bangkok 34/23 Berlin Cloudy -4/-6 S Showers -3/-5 Prevention estimates happen? Mayo Clinic experts with your medications Cairo Sunny 21/11 Sunny 23/12 M M Sunny 27/18 that 82% of adults are on at least one say some of most common zUse the same pharmacy for all of Cape Town 34/21 P Cloudy medication and 29% take fi ve or more. reasons are poor communication your prescriptions Colombo S T Storms 32/24 S T Storms 33/23 With numbers such as those, it’s no between healthcare providers, zDon’t give your prescription Dhaka Sunny 27/15 Sunny 27/15 Hong Kong T Storms 22/19 P Cloudy 22/16 wonder mistakes happen. The CDC poor communication between medication to someone else and don’t Istanbul Rain 09/04 P Cloudy 14/11 also says adverse drug events, which providers and their patients, many take someone else’s Jakarta T Storms 31/25 T Storms 32/25 are instances where medication errors medications having sound-alike A process called medication Karachi Sunny 29/16 P Cloudy 27/15 cause harm, are responsible for an names or abbreviations, and many reconciliation will also help prevent London S Showers 11/03 P Cloudy 08/06 M Sunny M Sunny 32/22 approximated 700,000 emergency medications looking similar. The medication errors. Medication Manila 32/21 Moscow S Showers -12/-18 S Showers -11/-17 department visits a year. Some typical following tips can help keep you and reconciliation is when you compare New Delhi Sunny 26/11 M Sunny 25/12 medication errors include: the risk of liver damage your family safe. your current or updated list of New York Sunny 01/-4 Sunny 07/-2 zTaking over-the-counter products zTaking prescription medications zAsk questions: Find out when medications, both prescription and Paris S Showers 09/07 P Cloudy 09/06 that contain acetaminophen when that go by diff erent names but include and how to take the medication and if over-the counter, to what you have Sao Paulo P Cloudy 28/17 P Cloudy 29/17 Seoul P Cloudy 04/-6 Sunny 01/-6 you’re already taking a prescription the same ingredients, increasing the there are potential side eff ects been taking. This should be done Singapore T Storms 31/26 T Storms 31/26 pain medicine that contains risk of overdose z Review medication list with your every time a medication changes or Sydney Rain 21/16 S Showers 22/15 acetaminophen, possibly exceeding zMixing up eye drops with ear healthcare provider you interact with a new healthcare Tokyo Clear 1 2 / 0 6 Cloudy 13/05 the recommended dose and increasing drops zKeep an up-to-date list of provider. Gulf Times 20 Tuesday, January 5, 2016 QATAR

Katara opens photo gallery by Italian lensman atara-the Cultural Vil- each picture – unexpected, the- subjects of these photographs island of San Giorgio Maggiore, lage, in co-operation atrical and surprising – the sitter – immersed in a type of amni- Venice, during the XIII Architec- Kwith the Italian Embassy seems to bloom in the water. otic liquid – must have enjoyed tural Bienniale (curated by Živa in Doha, inaugurated on Sun- “Water is my natural ele- a pre-birth experience, a return Kraus and promoted by Umberto day the ‘Fish Out of Water (Pesci ment,” explained Rocchi Bi- to Eden.” Morera); in 2013 at the Oratorio fuor d’acqua)’ photo gallery by lancini. “It gives me a sense of Rocchi Bilancini has been of Sant’Antonio, Torgiano (Pe- acclaimed Italian photographer peace and well-being, calms my working on Pesci fuor d’acqua rugia) and in 2014 at the Acta In- Carlo Rocchi Bilancini. neuroses and obsessions. It’s (Fish out of Water) since 2006, ternational Gallery in Rome (cu- Katara general manager Dr no coincidence that I’m a Pis- when he began photograph- rated by Manuela De Leonardis). Khalid bin Ibrahim al-Sulaiti ces: I love everything that’s fl uid ing characters from the ancient and Italian ambassador Guido and adaptable, maintaining its city of Todi and the surrounding De Sanctis were present at the identity while changing form. area. Each individual is com- opening. I love the bright colours, tur- pletely immersed in water, fully Speaking on the occasion, the quoise and deep blue, of water. clothed, and some are depicted Katara general manager said the I have also been infl uenced by holding the tools of their trade. exhibition has a signifi cant role the theories of Otto Rank. In his Between 2006 and 2011, when in building cultural and artistic book, The Trauma of Birth, every Skira published the series as a bridges between Qatar and Italy. human being suff ers the most photographic monograph with “Carlo Rocchi Bilancini has intense trauma of his or her life accompanying texts by Federico succeeded in presenting inspir- at birth, one from which he or Sardella, Antonia Mulas, Mal- ing photographs and utilising she never completely recovers; colm Bull and Brian O’Doherty, water as a dominant element in this is why we all wish to return Rocchi Bilancini shot more them,” Dr al-Sulaiti observed. to the womb. Through this lens, than 50 colour photographs. Ambassador Guido De Sanctis we see that every type of anxi- Many show fi gures from the said he was pleased to start the ety can be nothing other than a art and entertainment worlds, year by holding an Italian ex- repetition of the anxiety experi- among them Marina Ripa di hibition at Katara. “I hope this enced at birth. In much the same Meana, Lindsay Kemp and Pino co-operation will lead to hold- way, every pleasure we experi- Strabioli. ing other events throughout the ence is a repetition of that fi rst Pesci fuor d’acqua has previ- year,” he said. pleasure, that of fl oating inside ously been exhibited in 2012, A total of 20 portraits are dis- the body of our mother. In some in collaboration with the Fon- played in the exhibition curated sense, the swimming pool must dazione Giorgio Cini in the ex- by Manuela De Leonardis. In represent a great sac, and the hibition space La Piscina on the Photographer Bilancini (third left) is seen with Dr al-Sulaiti, ambassador De Sanctis and other dignitaries at the opening of the exhibition at Katara. Falcons and Hunting Festival begins at Sealine

he seventh International Falcons and Hunt- ing Festival (Marmi) started yesterday at TSealine. The festival, being held under the patronage of HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad al-Thani, will continue until the end of this month. The events are being held along with Ha- dad El Tahadee (newborn free falcons) local competition in morning and evening. Like the previous years, Hadad El Tahadee this time has also attracted a large number of competitors. Organising committee head Ali bin Khanom al-Mihshadi said: “The main goal of organising this festival is to continue the legacy of our an- cestors. The importance of this festival for Qa- tari people is illustrated through the signifi cant turnout of visitors from all walks of life from the fi rst day.” Ivo, a tourist from Bulgaria, who was fascinat- ed by the nice weather in the desert, said: “I am really excited to watch the enthralling activities of the falcon festival to get a close glimpse of the A Qatari boy being guided to watch a flying falcon. Qatari heritage and traditions.”

A view of the audience. A young competitor releases a falcon at the festival. A participant prepares to release his falcon.