BUSINESS | Page 1 SPORT | Page 12 Kvitova suff ers knife attack, injures INDEX DOW JONES QE NYMEX QATAR 2-7, 24 COMMENT 22, 23 playing hand REGION 8 BUSINESS 1–8, 14-16 Budgeted infrastructure 19,957.78 10,393.83 52.23 ARAB WORLD 8, 9 CLASSIFIED 9-13 +74.72 +121.46 +0.11 INTERNATIONAL 10–21 SPORTS 1 – 12 spend ‘spurring growth’ +0.38 +1.18% +0.21% Latest Figures published in QATAR since 1978

WEDNESDAY Vol. XXXVII No. 10309 December 21, 2016 Rabia I 22, 1438 AH

GULF TIMES www. gulf-times.com 2 Riyals PM honours champions Doha Metro In brief works make EUROPE | Terrorism Police free Berlin truck attack suspect A Pakistani asylum-seeker suspected of ploughing a lorry into a Berlin Christmas market, killing 12, was ‘big progress’ released yesterday for lack of evidence, leaving investigators By Ramesh Mathew of 19km of the Greenline underground to pursue their hunt for the real HE the Prime Minister and Interior Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Staff Reporter are already completed. perpetrator of the massacre. “The Khalifa al-Thani honours one of the national champions who took part in While 10 to 12m of boring is made at accused, detained over the attack Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, during the opening of the 41st an average by a Tunnel Boring Machine on the Berlin Christmas market on general assembly of the Arab Police Sport Federation in Doha yesterday. arking a signifi cant progress (TBM), as many as 60m of tunnel was December 19, 2016, was let go on Page 4 in the construction of the bored by a TBM on August 31, 2015, he re- this evening on the orders of the MDoha Metro project, 54-59% called. Similarly, 20 TBMs together made federal prosecutor,” the prosecutor’s of the total works on the four lines has 490m of tunnel on January 27 this year. off ice said in a statement. been completed, a senior offi cial said Altogether 21 TBMs were at work. Meanwhile, the Islamic State group yesterday. It was also informed that the op- yesterday claimed responsibility “The fi rst train would start running erations contracts of the project would for the rampage. “A soldier of the in the last quarter of 2019, as sched- be awarded in the second quarter of Islamic State carried out the Berlin Qatar slams terrorism uled,” asserted Markus Demmler, sen- 2017 and architectural contracts were operation in response to appeals ior director of the Qatar Integrated awarded in the last quarter of this year. to target citizens of coalition Railway Project (QIRP). Also the MEP work sub-contracts were countries,” the IS-linked Amaq news Giving a presentation at a gather- Markus Demmler making the awarded in the fi rst quarter of this year. agency said, without identifying the acts in Zurich, Berlin ing hosted by the Qatar Society of En- presentation yesterday. The Qatar Rail offi cial also released perpetrator. Page 16 gineers yesterday, he explained that some fi gures concerning the logistics QNA fi rm position rejecting violence and nearly 61.4% of the work is over in the 2020, at least two years before the 2022 movement involved in the construction ARAB WORLD | Confl ict Doha terrorism in all its forms and manifes- 13.6km underground stretch of the Red FIFA World Cup opening and fi nal activities of the Metro so far. tations. Line from Lusail to Wakrah, and 66.5% matches are to be played in the iconic While there were 466,290 move- Syria army closes in It also expressed Qatar’s sincere of the work on the 8.9km Red Line stadium to be built in Lusail city. ments in transporting 2.8mn sq m of on last Aleppo rebels he State of Qatar has strongly condolences to the victims’ families South elevated route is now complete. The Qatar Rail offi cial also informed concrete blocks for tunnel construc- As President Bashar al-Assad’s army condemned the shooting at Is- and the people and government of The Qatar Rail offi cial exuded confi - that they would be able to achieve the tion, earth from the excavation car- closed in on the last rebel enclave Tlamic Centre in Zurich, Switzer- Switzerland and Germany, wishing the dence that the company would be able target set on the 486km Long Distance ried out in the sites of the two major in Aleppo yesterday, Russia, Iran land, and the truck attack in a market injured speedy recovery. to deliver a transport system of world rail operations, connecting the country Inter-change station sites in Msheireb and Turkey said they were ready to in the German city of Berlin which left Meanwhile, the Secretary General of standards for the country’s residents with Saudi Arabia. involved as many as 620,000 truck help broker a Syrian peace deal. The dozens of people dead and wounded. the Organisation of Islamic Co-opera- with the fi nal launch of the ambitious Work on the project, to be built in movements. Syrian army used loudspeakers to In a statement yesterday, the Foreign tion (OIC), Dr Yousef A al-Othaimeen, project three years from now. fi ve phases, comprising 11 stations, is Similarly for carrying the TBM broadcast warnings to insurgents Ministry said that these criminal acts has also strongly condemned the Ber- Work on the Lusail Light Rail Tran- expected to kick off shortly and the fi rst muck, amounting to 6.6mn tonnes, that it was poised to enter their that target innocent civilians are con- lin market attack, describing it as one sit, comprising 32km of lines and 35 phase would be operational in 2019 as close to 666,000 truck movements rapidly diminishing area during the trary to all ethical and humanitarian of the most heinous and despicable stations, is slightly behind the schedule per the current schedule. were reported. day and told them to speed up their principles and values. acts that is committed by senseless with 44.8% of the overall work done so As per the fi gures released by The simultaneous average availabili- evacuation of the city. Ministers from The statement also reiterated Qa- criminals. far. Demmler about Doha Metro in his ty of TBMs at its peak was close to 97%. Russia, Iran and Turkey adopted a tar’s fi rm position rejecting violence He expressed the OIC’s solidarity with “But we are very confi dent that the presentation yesterday, 58.6% of the A full-fl edged Logistics Traffi c Co- document they called the “Moscow and terrorism regardless of their mo- the government and people of Germany. work would be ahead of the schedule 19.1km Red Line South Underground, ordination Centre monitored the entire Declaration”, which set out the tives and causes. The OIC condemned in the strong- shortly as it is fast catching up in diff er- 55% of the 14.8 km Gold Line Ground movement of trucks, Demmler said. principles that any peace agreement The ministry stressed Qatar’s soli- est terms the assassination of Russsian ent areas of the project,” Demmler said. Underground, 54.3% of the Msheireb Earlier, Qatar Society of Engineers sec- should follow. At talks in the Russian darity with Switzerland and Germany. ambassador to Turkey Andrei Karlov in The current expectation is that Lu- Interchange stations, 59.4% of the retary general Ibrahim Mohamed al- capital, they also backed an The statement renewed the Qatar’s Ankara on Monday. sail LRT will become operational by 2.98km Greenline elevated, and 54.4% Sulaiti introduced the speaker. expanded ceasefire in Syria. Page 9 The outlook is windy and dusty conditions

he country is likely to experience 22 knots in inshore areas and reaching a The detailed forecast for inshore Samra today, followed by 12C in Me- For more, one can see http:// another spell of strong winds high of 25 knots at times. areas today states that slight to saieed, Wakrah, Al Khor and Dukhan, qweather.gov.qa/NewsDetail. Tand dusty conditions until early There is a chance of blowing dust blowing dust is expected in some 15C in Ruwais and 16C in Doha. The aspx#sthash.LccnZjLt.dpuf tomorrow, the Qatar Met department and low visibility, especially in open places at times, bringing down vis- maximum, too, will drop to 19C in has said. areas, during this period while tem- ibility to 2km or less. Mild daytime Ruwais and 20C in Dukhan and Abu Shortest day of the year The mercury will dip during this pe- peratures may see a slight drop. In conditions and scattered clouds are Samra. riod, according to the weather offi ce, Doha, the maximum and minimum also expected, and it will be cold by Yesterday, a minimum tempera- The winter solstice will occur today, which has also issued a warning for temperatures are expected to be night. ture of 10C was recorded in Abu marking the shortest day – and longest strong winds and high seas in off shore 25C and 16C, respectively, and low- Dusty conditions are also likely in Samra until 6pm, 12C in Turay- night – of the year in the northern areas. er than that in the external areas. off shore areas today along with some na and Karana, 13C in Mesaieed, hemisphere. Informing this yesterday, In a report yesterday, the Met de- Windy conditions will make it feel clouds. Dukhan and Batna, 16C in the Qa- the Qatar Met department said the partment said a high-pressure ridge colder. Temperatures, meanwhile, have tar University and Hamad Inter- days gradually become longer after the was expected to aff ect the country from Waves may reach a height of 12ft to- started coming down again after wit- national Airport areas and 18C in winter solstice until days and nights are today dawn until early tomorrow. This wards the north with the wind speed nessing a slight rise over the past few the Doha airport area. The maxi- of approximately same duration during will be accompanied by fresh to strong reaching a high of 28 knots in off shore days. For instance, the minimum tem- mum ranged from 21C to 28C in the the spring equinox in March. northwesterly winds, ranging from 12- areas. perature is expected to be 9C in Abu country. Gulf Times 2 Wednesday, December 21, 2016 QATAR

Katara and Arab Cultural Institute sign agreement

atara – the Cultural Vil- lage has signed a co-op- Keration agreement yes- terday with the Arab Cultural Institute in Washington DC as part of its eff orts to build part- nerships with international or- ganisations. In a press statement, Ka- tara general manager Dr Kha- lid bin Ibrahim al-Sulaiti said the agreement aims to build “a bridge of cultural communica- tion between the Arab world, Dr Khalid bin Ibrahim al-Sulaiti (right) presenting a memento to Dr HE the Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohamed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani HE the Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohamed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani the American people, and US John Duke Anthony at the signing of a co-operation agreement at being received by Ethiopian President Mulatu Teshome in Addis holding talks with Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn in cultural institutions operating Katara yesterday. Ababa yesterday. Addis Ababa yesterday. in Washington DC.” “The agreement is a new co-operation through dia- ment of al-Sulaiti saying the addition to a series of agree- logue, special programmes and agreement aims “to give a shot ments Katara has signed with activities, including educa- in the arm to the cultural ties a number of highly-reputed tional lectures, scientifi c sym- between Qatar and the Gulf Arab and international organi- posiums, workshops, language states, and the US cultural and sations and institutions this support programmes for bilin- knowledge-based institu- year, including Unesco, the guals and international cultural tions.” Arab World Institute in Paris, conferences. “Katara has become one of FM holds talks with and the Arab League Educa- “The importance of such co- the most important, most ac- tional, Cultural and Scientifi c operation springs from the op- tive and powerful cultural plat- Organisation (ALECSO),” said portunity it presents in creating forms in the Arab world,” he the senior Katara offi cial, who solid and sustainable relations said. “We hope Katara will sup- joined Arab Cultural Institute that would enhance Katara’s port our institution’s eff orts in CEO Dr John Duke Anthony at role and eff orts in enriching the introducing the Arab culture the signing ceremony. cultural and knowledge fi elds and its signifi cant contribu- Ethiopian leaders Al-Sulaiti noted that the in the Arab world and globally,” tions to the human civilisation partnership seeks to lay the al-Sulaiti pointed out. everywhere to change the Arab QNA velopment and prosperity for a number of issues of common tar counts heavily on Ethiopia’s foundations for a better mutual He said the agreement is stereotype images in the West.” Addis Ababa Qatar. concern. international role in preserv- cultural understanding, boost in line with Katara’s strate- He noted that the Arab Cul- The meeting reviewed bi- HE the Foreign Minister said ing security and peace through shared human values, adopt gic goals, including building tural Institute in Washington lateral relations between Qa- relations between Qatar and its membership in the Security educational, cultural and art partnerships with Gulf, Arab DC works to become a role thiopian President Mulatu tar and Ethiopia and means Ethiopia are historic, expressing Council from 2017 to 2019, espe- programmes leading to a deep- and international cultural in- model platform capable of in- Teshome yesterday met of developing them in addi- hope for developing them at all cially regarding regional issues, er understanding of the Arab stitutions to contribute to the troducing the real face of Arab EHE the Foreign Minister tion to issues of mutual in- levels. looking forward to its positive and Islamic civilisation. advancement of the cultural culture and civilisation to Sheikh Mohamed bin Abdulrah- terest. Speaking during a joint press contributions to put an end to He added that the agreement scene. countries in North and South man al-Thani during the latter’s HE the Foreign Minister also conference with his Ethiopian the suff ering of the Arab people also seeks to establish constant Anthony echoed the state- America. visit to Ethiopia. met Ethiopian Prime Minister counterpart, Sheikh Mohamed in Syria, Iraq, Libya and Yemen. HE the Foreign Minister con- Hailemariam Desalegn and his bin Abdulrahman said the two For his part, the Ethiopian veyed the greetings of HH the Ethiopian counterpart Workneh countries drew a roadmap to foreign minister described ties Ministry of Economy recalls Lexus RX350 model Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Gebeyehu yesterday. interpret the joint programmes with Qatar as historic and solid, al-Thani to the Ethiopian presi- During the two meetings, on the ground and push forward expressing his country’s aspira- dent and his wishes of progress bilateral relations between Qa- their ties, particularly in the tion for promoting the political, The Ministry of Economy and control unit. and repairs. The MEC will and prosperity to the Ethiopian tar and Ethiopia and ways of fi elds of investment, economy, economic and security partner- Commerce, in collaboration The MEC said the recall co-ordinate with the dealer to people. enhancing and boosting them, tourism and security, noting ship with Qatar. Abdulla Abdulghani & Bros Co, campaign comes within the follow up on the maintenance President Teshome recipro- especially in the fields of econ- that businessmen in both coun- HE Sheikh Mohamed bin Ab- has announced the recall of framework of its ongoing and repair works and cated HH the Emir’s greetings, omy and investment were dis- tries will exchange visits to learn dulrahman al-Thani called on Lexus RX350 model year 2016 eff orts to protect consumers communicate with customers wishing him health and hap- cussed. about investment opportunities. Qatari businessmen to invest in over a potential defect in the and ensure that car dealers to ensure that the necessary piness and more progress, de- They also exchanged views on The Foreign Minister said Qa- Ethiopia. power back door electronic follow up on vehicle defects repairs are carried out. Gulf Times Wednesday, December 21, 2016 3 QATAR

Sidra genome research HBKU to Temporary closure on Rashed host student Road intersection extended focuses on population, conference he temporary closure on ing Salwa Road with the western The heavy vehicles can drive the intersection of Rawdat side of the country. towards Roundabout (1), then amad Bin Khalifa Uni- TRashed Road with Salwa The closure includes part of take a U-turn to the main road. versity (HBKU)’s Pub- Road (Exit 29) has been extended the exit from Rawdat Rashed The road from Roundabout (2) and diseases: expert Hlic Policy in Islam pro- to the end of January 2017. Road to Salwa Road and com- towards Roundabout (3) south- gramme will host its 3rd Annual Ashghal said in a statement muters can use a parallel alter- bound will remain closed (as Student Conference on March that the closure is required to native road during such closure. shown in the attached map). By Joseph Varghese ics conference addressed in the 23, under the theme “Water- complete the implementation In addition, entrance from The drivers coming from Bu Staff Reporter theme ‘Nature vs Nurture’ – by Energy-Food Nexus (WEF-N): of Phase 4 of Rawdat Rashed Salwa Road to Roundabout (2) will Samra have to drive towards Exit discussing and reviewing how Interdisciplinary Approaches for Road Development Project, one still be closed to heavy vehicles 24, then go back to Salwa Road genetics conspires with envi- Sustainable Development”. of the vital inner roads connect- and remain open for light vehicles. and enter Rawdat Rashed Road. he genome research in ronmental factors to infl uence Students interested in par- Qatar is competitive at such conditions,” he noted. ticipating are invited to submit Tthe international level and Dr Fakhro noted that in popu- abstracts or presentation ideas focuses on mapping the popula- lations with high consanguinity, on the relationship between the tion as well as treating common there is also a higher rate of rare WEF-N and sustainable devel- and rare diseases, a senior ge- diseases clustering in families. opment. neticist has said. “There is very limited epide- The conference will explore “We have access to some of miological data available right how governments can begin the world’s best technologies now, so we sometimes struggle to develop policies overcom- allowing us to push genetic re- to understand the true impact ing ethical, moral, and techni- search to the next level,” said Dr Dr Khalid Fakhro of disease on society. While rare cal challenges surrounding the Khalid Fakhro. disorders on an individual scale topic. An investigator in Human Ge- When it comes to the population might seem uncommon, collec- Dr Tareq al-Ansari from netics at Sidra Medical and Re- level, there are big questions we tively over time they are becom- HBKU, who is one of the organis- search Centre (Sidra), Dr Fakhro are trying to answer, such as, ing quite common. Especially in ers of the event, said, “This con- is an assistant professor in ge- where did this population come closed, tightly knit societies like ference off ers a huge opportunity netic medicine at Weill Cornell from, what was our ancestral we have in the GCC, we see the for students to get recognised for Medicine-Qatar. migration history and what same kinds of disorders happen- their work through presentations “We are competitive at an in- challenges did our forefathers ing again and again. So in ag- and conference publications. ternational level now, creating face, which enrich for specifi c gregate, rare diseases can aff ect “We are looking forward to re- comprehensive Qatari genomic gene sets necessary to survive a much larger population,” he ceiving students’ abstracts and databases which will form the and thrive,” explained the sci- observed. to meeting students at the con- building blocks for precision entist. “The other big factor with ference.” medicine, not only in Qatar, but “In the second stream, the rare diseases is that they usually Abstracts on the subject, in in the wider Middle East,” he focus is on diseases, and specifi - require very expensive inter- either English or Arabic, should said. cally genetic diseases. These are ventions. Our research into this be submitted before January1. “Sidra’s research branch con- usually subdivided into two big stream is not only to discover Best paper and best presentation tinues to lay signifi cant ground- pools - rare and common disor- genes that cause such diseases, awards will be announced at the work that will lead to improved ders. Rare diseases include cystic but through functional genom- conference. healthcare outcomes in Qatar. fi brosis, muscular dystrophies ics, we hope to discover eff ective We have been working collabo- and Mendelian disorders, which treatment methodologies,” told ratively with other institutions are diseases that aff ect a few the scientist. in Qatar to foster a nationwide people. However because they According to Dr Fakhro, the genomics community. How- are rare, they are usually much whole genome sequencing will ever, our role in this pursuit of more severe, usually appearing play a very big role in mapping Expat gets 10-year jail term for illicit drug trade precision medicine is slightly in childhood and, without medi- and understanding rare dis- diff erent from other healthcare cal intervention, causing loss of eases but it will have limited stakeholders, since we have ad- life.” he continued. success with common diseases. Sri Lankan man has been reported yesterday that the The source then contacted the the defendant arrested. ditional leeway in the research “The second category of dis- “However, there is a consensus sentenced to 10 years in Drug Prevention Department defendant to buy some marijua- A subsequent search of his community to experiment with ease is common disorders, such that we can improve the qual- Ajail and subsequent de- of the Ministry of Interior had na for QR1,500, and they agreed accommodation yielded fur- cutting edge technologies,” he as diabetes, obesity and asthma. ity of care for patients through portation, in addition to a fi ne of received information from a to meet at Fereej Al Sudan for the ther quantities of the illicit highlighted. In common disorders, there is a ‘personalised medicine,’ but the QR 200,000 by a Doha Criminal secret source that the defend- delivery process. drugs in addition to some cash. “In my lab, we focus on two very big environmental impact path towards that goal is going Court for illicit drug trade and ant used to circulate the illicit The transaction was con- A blood test of the defendant main streams – population ge- involved. This is something that to be tough and challenging,” he consumption. drug marijuana in addition to ducted under the surveil- proved that he used to consume netics and disease genetics. our recent functional genom- added. Local Arabic daily Arrayah taking hashish. lance of police patrols and hashish. Gulf Times 4 Wednesday, December 21, 2016 QATAR PM opens general assembly of Arab Police Sport Federation

QNA Doha

E the Prime Minister and Minister of Inte- Hrior Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa al-Thani opened the 41st general assem- bly of the Arab Police Sport Fed- eration at Sharq hotel yesterday. The Prime Minister honoured the national champions who took part in Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. They were: Sarah Masoud who won a silver medal in the Women’s Shotput F33 event, Abdulqadir Abdulrahman who won a silver medal in the men’s Shotput (F34), and Mohamed al- Kubaisi, who fi nished in eighth place in the men’s 100m (T34). The Prime Minister also hon- oured Lt-General Sheikh Ah- mad Nawaf al-Ahmad al-Sabah, Governor of Hawalli Governo- rate in Kuwait, and President of the International Police Sports Union (USIP), Saleh bin Isa Hin- di al-Mannai, adviser to the King HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa al-Thani addressing the gathering on the occasion of the 41st general assembly of the Arab Police Sport Federation at Sharq hotel of Bahrain, Lt Gen Faisal bin Mu- yesterday. Right: Dignitaries and off icials attending the event. barak al-Sinaine, former chair- man of the Kuwait Police Sports reau of the Arab Police Sport Meanwhile, President of Qa- and attended by 18 members. Executive Bureau were also elected. the general observer Bozfor Mo- Lt-General Sheikh Ahmad Federation, Advisor Abdullah Federation, Col Waleed Ghanem tar Police Sport Federation Kha- The General Assembly also They were: Colonel Sultan bin hamed (Morocco). Brigadier- Nawaf al-Ahmad al-Sabah, Salem bin Nusra al-Amiri, vice- al-Ghanem, member of the Ex- led bin Hamad al-Attiyah was elected police observer Bou Saeed al-Wad’ani (Saudi Ara- General Khalid bin Hamad al- president of the International president of Arab Police Sport ecutive Bureau of the Arab Police elected as President of the Arab Ahamd Boubacar (Algeria) as bia), Brigadier Saud Abdullah Attiyah, president of the Qatar Police Sports Union (USIP), ex- Federation, Brig Belarabi Saleh Sport Federation, Col Mohamed Police Sport Federation (APSF) vice-president by acclamation, al-Khodor (Kuwait), Brigadier Police Sports Federation and pressed his delight at being hon- Hamdan, member of the Execu- Rajab Dair al-Lail, member of by acclamation, for a third term and Major General Ahmed Rajai General Hussein Mohamed Ali APSF President, exchanged me- oured by HE the Prime Minister tive Bureau of the Arab Police the Executive Bureau of the Arab which ends in 2020. (Egypt) was appointed as APSF Khashfeh (Lebanon), Brigadier mentos with the heads and rep- and Minister of Interior Sheikh Sport Federation, Major General Police Sport Federation, and Sa- His election took place during secretary general since the Fed- General Samir Sabir Bakir (Jor- resentatives of the APSF mem- Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Mohamed Abdullah al-Marool, rah Abdullah al-Mutawa, CEO of the APSF General Assembly that eration is headquartered in Egypt. dan), Colonel Mohamed Hamid ber states on the sidelines of the al-Thani during the opening of member of the Executive Bu- Old is Gold Company. was held at Sharq hotel yesterday Six new members of the APSF bin Dalmouj al-Dhaheri (UAE), General Assembly. the APSF General Assembly.

QFC signs MoU with Qatar Call to conduct detailed study of fi shing ports

University’s College of Law detailed study should other public parks in the be conducted by the country. A entities concerned Another study should be atar Financial to determine the future conducted on the possibil- Centre (QFC) Au- needs of all fi shing ports in ity of organising festivities, Qthority signed a the country to enhance the shows and other enter- memorandum of under- fi sheries wealth, the Central tainment activities at such standing (MoU) with Qa- Municipal Council (CMC) parks. tar University’s College urged yesterday. The council further rec- of Law, which aims at the At its regular bi-weekly ommended that more wa- planning and develop- session, the council issued ter fountains and waterfalls ment of new courses on a number of recommenda- should be added to such fi nancial markets, guest tions on introducing more parks with particular stress lecturing, and contribut- recreation and water ac- on safety and security, es- ing to legal publications tivity facilities at Al Khor pecially for children under by the College on Qatari Al-Jaida (left) with al-Khulaifi during the agreement Park in particular and the fi ve. The CMC in session yesterday. PICTURE: Jayaram law. signing between Qatar Financial Centre Authority and The MoU, which was Qatar University’s College of Law. signed at QFC premises, covers all aspects of co- economy upon gradua- who can serve in the dif- operation between the tion.” ferent sectors of the legal QFC Authority’s Legal Speaking on behalf of profession. This agree- Department and the Col- the Qatar University, Dr ment will also support Qatar reaffi rms commitment to support lege of Law. Mohamed bin Abdulaziz the eff orts conducted by On the signing of the al-Khulaifi , dean, Col- the State of Qatar in di- MoU, Yousuf Mohamed lege of Law, said, “The versifying the sources of al-Jaida, QFC Authority College of Law at Qatar economy and being the dialogue between cultures and religions CEO said, “This agree- University is committed major business hub in the ment refl ects our com- to raise legal awareness region.” mitment in investing in among the community The agreement with QNA communities, as outlined ety in the process of national ation and addressing root cially in areas suff ering from Qatar’s youth and in turn and to foster an excellent the College of Law fol- Doha in the Sustainable Develop- development, especially the causes that lead to vio- confl icts and wars. strengthening and en- research environment lows an MoU signed ment Plan “There can be no younger generation. lent extremism, especially The latest of these ini- larging the talent pool that stimulates creativity between QFC Author- sustainable development In the same context, she among youth, through pay- tiatives are Qatar Upholding available to the commer- and innovation through ity, QU and the ‘Big Four’ atar has stressed its without peace and no peace pointed out that Qatar, in ing attention to education, Education for Syrians’ Trust cial and fi nancial sector in collaborations with aca- accounting fi rms earlier commitment to sup- without sustainable devel- collaboration with a group building capacity, empow- (QUEST), Educate A Child, Qatar”. demic organisations from in the year, which suc- Qport all eff orts aimed opment.” of countries, is working ering local communities, Education Above All and He said, “As part of our the private and public cessfully enhanced co- at strengthening dialogue She further emphasised through “goal 16” to sup- providing employment and World Innovation Summit commitment to the Qatar sectors. The MoU with operation amongst the and co-operation between on the important and piv- port the member states in training opportunities as for Education — WISE. National Vision 2030, we QFC falls within this vi- involved entities through cultures and religions, and otal role played by the UN their eff orts to achieve this well as enhancing the econ- Al Anoud further added are dedicated to provide sion of the college of Law the development and de- encouraging a culture of Alliance of Civilisations goal by strengthening the omy in addition to encour- that in the framework of Qa- college students with the and its mission to provide livery of a tax awareness peace in order to ensure a in promoting a culture of reporting of the achieve- aging dialogue, embracing tar’s commitment to achieve tools they require to posi- the society with highly training programme for better future for coming peace, dialogue and under- ments and challenges faced tolerance values, fi ghting Qatar National Vision 2030, tively benefi t the local qualifi ed law graduates QU students. generations. standing between cultures by states during the imple- against extremism and re- which aspires to intensify Qatar stressed at the same and religions, stressing the mentation process, in order jecting sectarian or ethnic and strengthen cultural ex- time that the consolidation importance of the contin- to encourage them to con- discrimination. changes with people and to of peace within societies ued support of the Member tinue. Al Anoud explained that support civilisations dialogue and between peoples needs States for the activities and due to the negative and dan- and coexistence between dif- a favourable environment programs of the Alliance, “There can be gerous impacts of violent ferent religions and cultures, and conditions, noting to which directly contribute to no sustainable extremism on the minds of in addition to contribute in the important and pivotal the promotion of a culture development without children and youth, Qatar, in achieving international peace role played by the UN Alli- of peace and the promo- peace and no peace co-operation with the Presi- and security, the State of Qa- ance of Civilisations in pro- tion of a constructive posi- without sustainable dent of 70th UN General As- tar harnessed its resources moting a culture of peace, tive relationships between development” sembly Session organised to establish national institu- dialogue and understanding peoples and nations of dif- the High Level Thematic tions involved in spreading between cultures and reli- ferent races and religions, Moreover, Al Anoud al- Conversation on protecting culture of peace, accepting gions. noting that Qatar was one of Tamimi said that Qatar children and youth aff ected others, fi ghting against ex- This came in a statement the fi rst countries that sup- shares the United Nations by violent extremism, held in tremism, and renouncing of Qatar in the United Na- ported the alliance. to focus on confl ict preven- June 2016 in which the State violence. tions General Assembly ple- Al Anoud al-Tamimi in- tion and mediation, through of Qatar’s support were an- She pointed out that nary meeting in New York dicated that the inclusion of the adoption of a policy nounced for the joint venture among these institutions is on “Culture of Peace”, deliv- the concept of a culture of aimed at preventing armed between the Qatari institu- Doha International Center ered by Al Anoud al-Tami- peace within the sustainable confl icts and solving them tion Silatech and the United for Interfaith Dialogue, mi, third secretary at the development goals for 2030, by peaceful means, as Qa- Nations Counter-Terrorism which contributes to push Permanent Mission of the specifi cally goal No 16, is an tar made signifi cant eff orts Implementation Task Force eff orts at the international State of Qatar to the United important step to achieve to resolve disputes through which aims at enhancing the level to combat extremism Nations. peace and justice for all the mediation at the request of capacity of youth in the Arab and hate, build bridges of She pointed to the role peoples of the world, add- involved parties, based on region and protect them from co-operation and under- played by the United Na- ing that Qatar attaches great the UN Charter. extremism. standing between followers tions and Member States importance to this goal. Regarding the interna- Qatar attaches great im- of diff erent religions. to provide an environment She also said that Qatar tional eff orts to combat vio- portance to enhance and Another institution is that fosters and ensure re- believes in the importance lent extremism and terror- support education, Al Hamad bin Khalifa Islamic spect for the legitimate of strengthening communi- ism, which threaten peace Anoud said adding that Qa- Centre in Copenhagen, rights of peoples and their ties with peace and justice and security in all parts of tar launched and supported Denmark that aims to sup- dignity, and to provide the and attaches importance to the world, Al Anoud said many educational initiatives port international eff orts to requirements of sustain- strengthening the participa- that Qatar adopts an ap- at the national, regional and enhance peaceful coexist- able development to the tion of all segments of soci- proach based on co-oper- international level, espe- ence between religions. Gulf Times Wednesday, December 21, 2016 5 QATAR

Cleaning campaign at Doha Port DFI names three fi rst Masters for Qumra 2017 ontemporary Iranian master Asghar Farhadi, CFrench auteur Bruno The islands and beaches section of the General Cleaning Department has cleaned waters around the Dumont, and Cambodian crea- Doha Port yesterday. Garbage, including plastic bags and bottles, was collected. The off icials urged tive documentarian Rithy Panh owners of boats and water scooters not to dump trash in the sea. Garbage should be deposited in have been confi rmed as the fi rst the bins kept for the purpose at various locations. Masters of Qumra 2017, Doha Film Institute’s (DFI) industry event dedicated to the develop- ment of emerging talent with a focus on fi rst- and second-time fi lmmakers. The third edition of Qumra, QA rolls out ‘refreshed and refi ned’ an initiative that provides men- torship, nurturing and hands- on development for fi lmmak- dining service on intra-Gulf fl ights ers from Qatar and around the world, will be held from March 3 to 8, 2017, in Doha. Rithy Panh, a documentarian Bruno Dumont, a fimmaker Contemporary Iranian master atar Airways has said it is the Doha-based carrier has said leading airline and fi rst choice for Academy Award winner from Cambodia. from France. Asghar Farhadi. celebrating the rollout of in a statement. Tailored specifi - passengers in the region, and our Farhadi’s fi lms are internation- Qa ‘refreshed and refi ned’ cally for short intra-Gulf fl ights, refreshed First Class service is ally acclaimed for their nu- will gain tremendous insight vide creative and professional Salesman. He was named one premium in-fl ight dining service the service “allows Qatar Airways’ designed specifi cally for our pas- anced portrayals of social real- from these three internation- support to directors and pro- of Time magazine’s 100 most for First Class passengers on the passengers the First Class experi- sengers based on what they truly ism, while Festival de Cannes ally acclaimed writer-directors. ducers attached to as many infl uential people in the world. airline’s intra-Gulf services. ence they have come to expect appreciate – fresh, delicious Grand Prix winner Dumont’s We are excited at the prospect as 25 features and 10 shorts in Dumont’s key works in- The new First Class dining from the airline”, it adds. meals presented in a beautiful works are known for their vis- of welcoming these Masters development or post-produc- clude The Life of Jesus (La Vie service will be served on a mod- Qatar Airways Group chief ex- and thoughtful service.” ual splendour, dark humour and look forward to engaging tion. These include a number de Jésus), Humanité, Flanders ern and contemporary platter ecutive Akbar al-Baker said, “I’m The refreshed service is avail- and evocative emotionality. interactions among them and of emerging fi lmmakers from and Slack Bay (Ma Loute). He made of fi ne bone china, show- thrilled to announce the intro- able on Qatar Airways intra-Gulf Critically acclaimed documen- the participating fi lmmakers.” Qatar as well as regional and in- served as the president of the casing curated and designed duction of a refreshed in-fl ight fl ights between Doha and Abu tarian and Un Certain Regard Elia Suleiman, artistic ad- ternational recipients of fund- Caméra d’Or jury at the Festival menus designed by Qatar Air- dining experience for our most Dhabi, Bahrain, Dammam, Du- Grand Prix Winner Rithy Panh viser to DFI, added: “The third ing from the institute’s Grants de Cannes in 2008. ways’ celebrated chefs spe- valued and most frequent travel- bai, Dubai World Central, Gassim, draws from his moving person- edition of Qumra insists on re- Programme. Panh has directed ac- cifi cally for intra-Gulf fl ights, lers. Intra-Gulf First Class pas- Hofuf, Kuwait City, Muscat, Ras al experiences to revive unre- maining faithful to its essence Farhadi’s works include claimed fi lms such as The which average one hour 30 min- sengers will continue to enjoy our al-Khaimah, Riyadh and Sharjah. corded memories of his native and ideal; to being precise, con- Dancing in the Dust (Raghss Rice People, The Land of utes of fl ight time. award-winning service on board Qatar Airways senior vice- Cambodia. sistent and sincere. Bruno Du- Dar Ghobar), The Beautiful Wandering Souls, S21: The First Class passengers will en- the leading airline in the Middle president Rossen Dimitrov Fatma al-Remaihi, chief ex- mont, Asghar Farhadi and Rithy City (Shahre Ziba), Fireworks Khmer Rouge Death Machine, joy hot and savoury snacks, a light East, now with a more stream- added, “Our frequent fl yers will ecutive offi cer of DFI, said: “A Panh are three artistes who will Wednesday (Chahar Shanbe Paper Cannot Wrap Embers, salad, dessert and bread and but- lined and contemporary in-fl ight appreciate the fresh approach close-knit industry event that greatly enhance this concept Souri), About Elly (Darbareye The Sea Wall, Duch, Mas- ter, all served immediately after dining service that is beautifully we have taken to redesigning and is set on nurturing the skills of and philosophy.” Elly), A Separation (Jodaeiye ter of the Forges of Hell, The take-off as part of the ‘much- and elegantly presented.” refi ning the First Class on-board emerging fi lmmakers, Qumra Qumra is designed to pro- Nader Az Simin), and The Missing Picture and Exile. appreciated one-stop’ service, “We’re committed to being the dining service.” Gulf Times 6 Wednesday, December 21, 2016 QATAR Emirates SkyCargo launches service to Fort Lauderdale

mirates SkyCargo, the tions across 82 countries in six freight division of Emir- continents. Eates, has expanded its The top exports from Fort network of cargo destinations Lauderdale are expected to in- in the US with the launch of clude healthcare equipment, a new daily service to Fort including surgical and labora- Lauderdale, Florida, from tory equipment, pharmaceu- December 15. ticals, electronics, aerospace Fort Lauderdale is Emirates components, aviation and SkyCargo’s 13th destination in shipping spares, perishables the US and second in Florida. including cheese, seasonal The daily Dubai-Fort fruits and vegetables and mail. Lauderdale route is operated Top imports into the region are by a Boeing 777-200LR and likely to include pharmaceu- off ers up to 15 tonnes of belly- ticals, aerospace components, hold cargo capacity per fl ight, electronic and electrical goods. according to a press state- Emirates SkyCargo facili- ment. Emirates SkyCargo also tates trade between the US and off ers belly-hold cargo capac- the rest of the world by off er- ity on its daily service to Or- ing belly-hold cargo capacity Off icials and dignitaries at the opening of the store. lando, Florida, bringing the on passenger fl ights to Boston, total cargo capacity off ered to Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Los the state to over 330 tonnes Angeles, New York, Orlando, per week. San Francisco, Seattle and The inclusion of Fort Washington, DC. The carrier Lauderdale to its US network also operates freighter serv- will allow Emirates SkyCargo ices to Atlanta, Chicago, Co- to “open up trade opportuni- lumbus, Houston, Los Angeles ties and provide additional and New York. Carrefour opens lifestyle connectivity to its cargo cus- Emirates SkyCargo off ers tomers in South Florida and a total cargo capacity of over the broader region”, the state- 2,000 tonnes per week from ment notes. Customers will be the US. For the fi nancial year able to “access global markets 2015-16 Emirates SkyCargo and connect to trade partners” uplifted over 90,000 tonnes through Emirates SkyCargo’s of exports from the world’s mart at Mall of Qatar network of over 150 destina- largest economy. ajid Al Futtaim has an- tion of its off ering for both long- while introducing an innovative through best services, fi nest Lagoona Mall and Ezdan Mall. nounced the introduction term and new customers alike”, hypermarket layout at the new products and produce, all in one Further, the statement points Mof a lifestyle hypermarket according to a statement. Mall of Qatar location. hypermarket.” out that Carrefour will continue by Carrefour Qatar, a fi rst-of-its- Laurent Hausknecht, coun- “The opening of this new hy- Carrefour Qatar has multi- to off er a vast array of over 50,000 kind concept for the brand in the try head for Carrefour Qatar, permarket marks a signifi cant ple concepts under its umbrella, products and brands at both its Middle East, at Mall of Qatar. Bahrain and Kuwait at Majid Al development in the evolution of including hypermarkets and hypermarkets and supermarkets. The hypermarket is now open. Futtaim Retail, said: “Carrefour the Carrefour brand in the re- supermarkets, in addition to its Carrefour Qatar has had a suc- This new lifestyle concept, Qatar has established a strong gion, as we have placed a greater ‘unique’ lifestyle concept at Mall cessful 2016 following its 16th which has been built to resem- foothold in Qatar since enter- emphasis on the working envi- of Qatar, the statement notes. anniversary celebrations, dur- ble a village market and features ing the market 16 years ago. We ronment, aesthetics and tech- The brand currently operates ing which it launched a number a complete redesign of the tra- are excited about the launch of nology that has been used. As three hypermarkets at Villaggio, of special off ers, promotions and ditional hypermarkets for Car- the new hypermarket, which always, Carrefour looks forward Landmark Mall and City Center awards, and in-store activities refour, is in line with Carrefour will bring a standout lifestyle to providing the people of Qatar Doha, as well as three super- to mark the occasion and reward Fort Lauderdale is Emirates SkyCargo’s 13th destination in the US Qatar’s “continuing diversifi ca- concept to the Qatari market with great moments at its stores markets at Dar Al Salam Mall, customers. and second in Florida.

Meeting on safety and security Kalyan Jewellers begins ‘Win strategy The Ministry of Interior’s 100gm Gold Everyday’ campaign Strategic Planning Department (SPD) has held a meeting of alyan Jewellers has one coupon, whereas those days,” the statement noted. delight our patrons. Our stakeholders involved in the announced that it is purchasing diamonds will The draw dates are spread unique engagement pro- implementation of the public Krewarding customers receive two coupons. over the months of Decem- grammes with customers safety and security strategy in the GCC region with the The campaign has been ber 2016 to February 2017 and brand ambassadors and other plans in line with launch of the “Win 100gm rolled out in Qatar, Ku- across the three markets – have resonated well with the National Development Gold Everyday” campaign. wait and the UAE, allowing Qatar, the UAE and Kuwait. the people of Qatar. The Strategy 2017-2022. The initiative is part of customers to win 100gm In Qatar, all the draws will ‘Win 100gms Gold Eve- The meeting was attended its #100milestone cel- of gold every day spread be held on February 12, 2017. ryday’ campaign is also by Brigadier Abdul Rahman ebrations this year, the across all three markets, T S Kalyanaraman, exciting as we are giving Majid al-Sulaiti, director jeweller has said in a respectively. chairman and managing away 5kg of gold in 50 days of the Strategic Planning statement. “The unique campaign, director of Kalyan Jewel- across Qatar, Kuwait and Department; Major Khalid Customers can partici- which was fi rst launched lers, said: “We are celebrat- the UAE. I’m sure this will al-Mohannadi, assistant pate in the promotion by in March-May 2016, is all ing our #100 showrooms add more glitter to the New director of SPD; and members making a minimum pur- set to create yet another milestone this year across Year celebrations for all the of the supervisory committee chase of QR500 across any benchmark in the jewellery India and the GCC region. wonderful people of GCC.” for the preparation of the of the Kalyan Jewellers retailing industry as Kalyan As part of these celebra- Kalyan Jewellers has a sig- national development plan showrooms in Qatar. Those Jewellers gives away 100gm tions, we have launched nifi cant presence in Qatar (2017-2022), according to a who buy gold will receive of gold a day for the next 50 a series of initiatives to with seven showrooms. statement from the MoI. This meeting was aimed at enhancing co-ordination between the eff orts made by the diff erent partners to achieve Qatar National Vision 2030, Brigadier al-Sulaiti said. QIB staff donate blood The meet was convened to discuss what had been achieved by the MoI pertaining atar Islamic to preparations for the sectoral Bank (QIB), strategy for security and public Qin association safety, the second strategy to with Hamad Medical be adopted by the ministry Corporation (HMC), after the 2011-2016 plan. The organised its annual strategy comprises targets blood donation cam- that include protection of the paign, on Monday at its society from drugs, ensuring main offi ce on Grand road safety and reducing Hamad Street. accident-related mortality. “The annual campaign Another target is to develop was organised in order an electronic security shield to restock the hospital’s to combat cybercrimes, blood bank and enhance Brigadier al-Sulaiti informed. the ability of local hos- The off icial stressed that the pitals to save lives,” a QIB importance of the meeting statement said. lay in the exchange of views The campaign received with the partners, highlighting a strong response from the challenges faced by them employees who work at during the implementation various QIB departments of the previous strategy as well as customers who (2011-2016), as well as in turned up to donate their finding out the issues the MoI blood. needed to take into account “For over 10 years, in its programmes, projects QIB’s employees and and execution plans, and customers have shown introducing the ministry’s consistent interest in requirements from the supporting the an- partners. The MoI had earlier nual blood donation formed a sub-committee campaign” said Bassel — with the membership Gamal, CEO, QIB Group. of the ministry and other “Being a leading Is- partners — to handle the lamic bank, corporate task of developing plans and social responsibility does strategies. The meeting also not exist as a separate discussed priorities for the idea, it is a concept that execution of the sectoral is engraved in the core of strategy and operational everything that we do,” plans and projects. he added. A QIB employee donating blood during the annual campaign. Gulf Times Wednesday, December 21, 2016 7 QATAR

Commercial Bank holds outreach activities

Commercial Bank has engaged in a number of community outreach activities to mark National Day with the wider Qatari community. Volunteers from Commercial Bank distributed special National Day gifts to independent schools and made visits to Al Wakra Hospital and the children’s ward at Hamad Hospital. Commercial Bank CEO Joseph Abraham said, “Commercial Bank is conducting community-focused CSR initiatives this National Day to mark this occasion with all members of the Qatari society. As one of Qatar’s leading private sector banks, we believe it is our responsibility to give back to the Qatari community of which we are a part of, and so we are distributing gifts this National Day to schools, hospitals and social centres to reach out to as many people as possible and also those who are in less fortunate positions than ourselves.” Vodafone Qatar launches new Passport Card

odafone Qatar has enhanced its age while roaming.’ This comes at no Alternatively, if they want double the Passport Pack and launched a extra cost to the current Vodafone amount of data they can buy two cards Vnew Passport Card, the telecom roaming rates; all customers have to and top up twice at the same time. In provider announced yesterday. do is enable 4G and data roaming on addition, the Vodafone Passport Card The Vodafone Passport Pack now in- their smartphone. Customers can can be pre-purchased and used when- cludes 100 roaming minutes allowing activate Vodafone Passport Pack by ever the customer wants. The Voda- customers to make calls in the country dialling *110*110# or through the My fone Passport Card can be purchased they are in, calls to any other country, Vodafone App. from all Vodafone’s retail stores, Vo- calls back to any operator in Qatar and The new Vodafone Passport Card dafone’s Online Store, all E-Top up to receive incoming calls. Once a cus- has the same benefi ts as the Voda- locations, and WHSmith at Hamad tomer exhausts the 100 minutes, a rate fone Passport Pack, with the added International Airport. of QR1 per minute will apply until the benefi t of giving prepaid and en- Following these enhancements the expiry of the Pack. terprise customers the option of Vodafone Passport Pack and the Card The Vodafone Passport Pack topping up as much as they need off er up to 2GB Data (1GB in 78 coun- which works on all operators across and activating multiple cards at the tries + 1GB in GCC) and 100 minutes 78 countries also allows customers same time. to make and receive calls while roam- to enjoy up to 2GB of data at QR100 If a customer runs out of their data/ ing on all operators in 78 countries for per week with the ‘widest 4G cover- minutes, they can top up another card. QR100/week. Gulf Times 8 Wednesday, December 21, 2016 ARAB WORLD UN sees steep Gaza population growth in 30 years

Reuters Andres Thomsen, of the Unit- ties for development in the Gaza ruled by the Hamas group, and ing development gains”, the UN- Thomsen, UNFPA’s repre- ing for a “serious dialogue with Gaza ed Nations Population Fund Strip and Israeli-occupied West meeting their needs will be chal- FPA report said. Peace talks broke sentative in the Palestinian terri- Israel and others about how the (UNFPA), told Reuters “it will be Bank. lenging. down in 2014. tories, said that with unemploy- (Israeli) blockade can slowly and very hard to imagine that you can The report forecast an increase Gaza, where Israel and Hamas The World Bank has also cited a ment in Gaza at 43% and 18% in gradually be lifted”. aza’s population will more create the right conditions for in Gaza’s population of 2mn to last fought a war in 2014, already nearly 50% decrease in foreign sup- the West Bank, 1mn jobs must Israel says it has eased restric- than double in about 30 (economic) growth that can ac- 4.8mn in 2050, outpacing that of needs thousands of housing units port for the Palestinian Authority be created in both areas by 2030 tions on overland movement Gyears, signalling even commodate this dramatic popu- the West Bank, where the number and hundreds of schools and in the past three years as a factor in just to prevent those fi gures from of goods into Gaza but a naval more serious economic prob- lation increase”, without easing of people is predicted to rise from medical centres, aid offi cials say. what it has described as a worrying worsening as populations grow. blockade must remain to prevent lems ahead for Palestinians in the Israel’s Gaza blockade. the current 2.9mn to 4.7mn. But without a peace agreement Palestinian economic outlook. “To do that you need to have weapons-smuggling. small enclave if the confl ict with He was commenting on a new Thomsen said that even by with Israel, “political instability Overall the Palestinian econo- targeted investments in young Egypt, which is at odds with Israel is not resolved, a UN offi - UNFPA report examining demo- 2030 there would be 1.3mn ad- and the occupation will remain my is expected to grow at around people, in women who will enter Hamas, keeps its Gaza border cial said yesterday. graphic changes and opportuni- ditional people in Gaza, territory the primary obstacles to mak- 3.5% in the coming years. the labour market,” he said, call- largely closed.

Tunisians protest MP quizzed murder blamed on Israel over phones

AFP Tunis smuggled undreds protested in Tunis yesterday over the Hmurder of a Tunisian en- gineer last week that Palestinian Hamas movement has blamed on Israel. Mohamed Zaouari, 49, was to prisoners murdered at the wheel of his car outside his house in Tunisia’s Arab Israeli parties deny ister Gilad Erdan on the ad- the creation of Israel in 1948. second city Sfax on Thursday. accusations against Basel vice of the Shin Bet security They hold Israeli citizen- He was hit by 20 bullets. Ghattas of coalition of Arab service. ship, but largely see them- Waving Tunisian and Pales- Israeli parties Yoav Kish, chairman of the selves as Palestinians. tinian fl ags, more than 200 pro- Knesset House Committee, Prime Minister Benjamin testers walked up a main thor- said in remarks broadcast on Netanyahu said Ghattas oughfare in the Tunisian capital. AFP public radio that a number should be “severely punished” “With our soul, with our Jerusalem of MPs from both the gov- if the accusations are proven. blood, we will avenge you Pales- ernment and the opposition Defence Minister Avigdor tine,” they chanted. would be authorised to make Lieberman said “this is extra Protester Mohamed Ammar olice questioned an Arab visits “in order to ensure proof that the Joint List is in said Zaouari was “a martyr with a Israeli lawmaker yester- proper parliamentary over- fact a unified list of traitors capital M” and his murder was “a Pday over accusations he sight of prisoners’ condi- and spies”. loss not only for Tunisia but also smuggled mobile phones to tions.” Balad is especially critical for Palestine and the Arab nation”. Palestinian prisoners, allega- of Israeli policies and one of Al-Qassam Martyrs Brigade, tions prompting right-wing “The suspicions its members of parliament, the armed wing of Hamas that politicians to call for his re- are that he illegally Haneen Zoabi, has frequently controls the Gaza Strip, said on moval from parliament. smuggled phones angered Israeli officials. Saturday that Zaouari was a drone Basel Ghattas of the Joint and SIM cards to The party has denounced expert and was killed by “Zionist List, a coalition of Arab Israeli security prisoners the investigation as a further treachery”, referring to Israel. parties, has denied the accu- serving in prison. attempt to smear it. It said Zaouari had worked for sations. The investigation is Balad’s three parliamentar- the “resistance” for 10 years. Israeli police from a major continuing” ians triggered outrage among Tunisia’s prosecution has said crimes unit questioned Ghat- Jewish Israelis earlier this year 10 suspects, all Tunisians, have tas “on suspicions of fraud, Israeli media have reported when they met relatives of been detained for questioning, breach of (public) trust and that 12 mobile phones were Palestinians who authorities including a female journalist. entering objects into a prison”, found on two separate prison- say were killed while carrying The interior ministry has said they said in a statement. ers in searches after Ghattas out attacks. police are looking for at least two “The suspicions are that he visited. In response, parliament foreigners in connection with illegally smuggled phones and One of the prisoners is passed a controversial law in the killing. SIM cards to security prison- serving time over the kidnap- July allowing the expulsion of Interior Minister Hedi Maj- ers serving in prison. The in- ping and murder of an Israeli lawmakers deemed guilty of doub said on Monday the murder vestigation is continuing.” soldier in 1984, news site Ynet racial incitement or support- had been planned as far back as Police declined to provide reported. ing armed struggle against June in the Austrian capital Vi- further information. Ghattas had visited the Israel. enna and in the Hungarian capi- Members of the 60-year- Ketziot jail in the Negev desert Some right-wingers have tal Budapest. old’s Balad party said he was in southern Israel. called for Ghattas to be ex- He said it was possible a for- questioned for four hours in Arab lawmakers from the pelled from parliament, but eign service was implicated but Lod, a city near Tel Aviv. Joint List, the third largest centrist and left-wing law- there was not yet “any tangible In response to the accu- force in parliament with 13 makers say the investiga- proof”. Israel has not responded sations a committee of the seats, frequently clash with tion must be allowed to play to the allegations. Knesset, Israel’s parliament, Israel’s leaders. out. In 2012, Israel for the fi rst time decided on Thursday to re- Arab Israelis make up some Many analysts have said admitted assassinating the sec- strict future visits to “security 17.5% of the country’s popula- the law will be extremely dif- ond-in-command of the Pales- prisoners” by MPs. tion. ficult to put into practice as tine Liberation Organisation, Abu Tunisians gather in front of the Municipal Theatre during a protest against the assassination last week of A Knesset statement said They are the descend- any expulsion would require Jihad, in a raid on the movement’s Tunisian national Mohamed Zaouari, who Palestinian Hamas group said was one of its drone experts, in Tunis, the clampdown was request- ants of Palestinians who re- the support of 90 of the 120 Tunis headquarters in 1988. Tunisia yesterday. ed by Public Security Min- mained on their land after lawmakers.

US embassy Israel arrests ex-business move violates associate of Steinmetz international

Reuters As part of international ef- ($13mn) in cash and another law: Palestinians Tel Aviv forts to improve transparency, 50mn shekels in property. the Guinean government under Avidan also holds Israeli and President Alpha Conde, elected French passports, which will also DPA sraeli police arrested a former in 2010, launched a review of be confi scated. Ramallah business associate of mining mining contracts signed before His bail was set at 1mn shek- Ibillionaire Beny Steinmetz 2011. els with another 8mn shekel yesterday in a widening inquiry Within its review the West guarantee to be signed by a third alestinians warned yesterday that a into allegations of bribery and African nation investigated how party. move of the United States embassy corruption in Africa. BSGR obtained the rights to the Sasson said on Monday the Pin Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem Asher Avidan, ex-president of Simandou deposit, the world’s proceedings were “a recycling of would constitute a grave violation of inter- a company linked to Steinmetz’s largest untapped iron ore re- an old process led by the govern- national and humanitarian law as well as BSG Resources (BSGR) and a serves, in 2008. ment of Guinea in order to ille- United Nations resolutions. former employee of Israel’s Min- Anglo-Australian mining gally expropriate BSGR’s mining US president-elect Donald Trump named istry of Foreign Aff airs, has been group Rio Tinto and BSGR have rights”. David Friedman as his ambassador to Israel. placed under house arrest until made legal claims against each In an interview with Israel’s Friedman, a strong supporter of Israel’s January 2, police said. other over the mining rights in Army Radio yesterday, when right-wing government, advocates moving The move follows the deten- Simandou. asked how Steinmetz’s spirits the embassy to Jerusalem in spite of long tion on Monday of Steinmetz, Israeli police were probing were, Sasson said he was “strong standing US policy against such a move. 60, who along with other Israelis “bribery of a foreign public em- and more determined than ever “Embarking on such a move is a grave vio- living abroad is alleged to have ployee and money laundering” to prove his innocence”. lation of international and humanitarian law paid tens of millions of dollars to spokesman Micky Rosenfeld BSGR described Steinmetz as and UN resolutions, is evidently biased to- senior public offi cials in Guinea said, in a joint investigation by an adviser to the company, which ward Israel and would legitimise its crimes to advance their businesses, po- agencies from the United States, is headquartered in the Channel and absolve it from its 49-year-long occu- lice said. Switzerland, Guinea and Israel in Islands and is a mining arm of pation,” the Palestinian government said in Yuval Sasson, a lawyer for co-ordination with the OECD. Steinmetz’s business conglom- a statement after its weekly cabinet meeting Steinmetz and BSGR in Israel, A review by the OECD’s Work- erate. held in Ramallah. said yesterday that Steinmetz ing Group on Bribery in 2015 A BSGR spokesman told Reu- Saeb Erekat, secretary general of the execu- would fi ght the allegations and recommended Israel step up its ters that Steinmetz does not sit tive committee of the Palestine Liberation Or- prove his innocence. enforcement eff orts. on BSGR’s board or have an exec- ganisation (PLO), had also said that the PLO Reuters tried to contact Avi- Steinmetz’s Israeli and French utive role, but “is the benefi ciary would revoke all signed agreements with Israel dan’s lawyer but he was not im- passports have been confi scat- of the foundation which owns and withdraw its recognition of the Jewish state mediately available for comment. ed and bail set at 50mn shekels BSG Resources”. if the embassy is actually moved to Jerusalem. Gulf Times Wednesday, December 21, 2016 9 ARAB WORLD Army tells remaining UN says three staff abducted rebels to quit Aleppo in Sudan have Russia, Iran and Turkey after the fi ghters leave,” the agree to act as guarantors in source said. Syria peace talks At least 25,000 people have left rebel districts of Aleppo been released AFP since the operation began last Aleppo week, according to the Inter- national Committee of the Red AFP “UNHCR staff work in some Cross, which is overseeing the Geneva of the most diffi cult circum- yria’s army yesterday operation. stances in the world, helping urged the last remain- Spokeswoman Ingy Sedky people in great need, often fac- Sing rebels and civilians to said 750 people had been evacu- hree United Nations refu- ing being far away from their leave the besieged opposition ated in parallel from Fuaa and Ka- gee agency workers who families for lengthy periods at a enclave in Aleppo as it prepares fraya, two Shia majority villages Twere abducted from Su- time,” he said. to take full control of the devas- in northwest Syria besieged by dan’s strife-torn Darfur region “Like other humanitarian tated city. rebels, as part of the deal. last month have been freed, the workers, they should not have to The evacuation of Aleppo’s Ten buses left the battered UN said yesterday. endure the peril of abductions, rebel sector is seen as a pivotal east yesterday morning, Sedky The three, Sarun Pradhan violence and threats to their moment in the nearly six-year said. and Ramesh Karki of Nepal and lives,” he said. war that has killed more than But no other buses moved the Sudanese national Musa Omer He urged “all parties, not just 310,000 people and triggered a rest of the day, according to the Musa Mohamed, had been in Sudan but everywhere, to re- major humanitarian and refu- Syrian Observatory for Human snatched by armed men on No- spect international humanitar- gee crisis. Rights and a medical offi cial vember 27 in El Geneina, the ian law and ensure the protec- Following a fl urry of diplo- overseeing evacuations. Empty buses that are going to be used to evacuate Syrians from eastern Aleppo enter the embattled capital of West Darfur state. tion of all civilians, including aid matic activity, key regime allies Observatory head Rami Abdel city through the Ramoussa crossing, on the southern outskirts of Aleppo, yesterday. The UN refugee chief Filippo workers whose work is to help Russia and Iran as well as rebel Rahman said the delay was due Grandi hailed the men’s release refugees and others aff ected by supporter Turkey agreed to act to complications in Fuaa and “I’ve been speaking to him yesterday morning looked cold “The huge majority of these in a statement, with the agency confl ict and persecution.” as guarantors in Syria peace Kafraya. over the cellphone. He said he and exhausted. patients have trauma injuries,” voicing particular gratitude to Edwards stressed that the UN talks, Russian Foreign Minister Around 20 buses had entered boarded a bus but is still wait- “When people are going to spokesman Tarik Jasarevic said, the Sudanese government and refugee agency would continue Sergei Lavrov said. the two villages yesterday but ing,” said the 55-year-old. the medical assessment teams, adding that 93 people in critical its personnel “who worked to its work in Sudan, “providing They also backed expanding had yet to evacuate anyone, Ab- An AFP correspondent at most of them ask for food and condition had been referred to ensure this outcome”. life-saving support to hundreds a ceasefi re, according to Lavrov, del Rahman said, but he had no Khan al-Assal, the staging water, in addition to blankets, hospitals in Turkey. The UN did not provide any of thousands of displaced in the who said the evacuation of east details on the reason. ground where evacuees from especially if they’re arriving at Aleppo was once Syria’s com- further details on the circum- country”. Aleppo should fi nish within State news agency Sana Aleppo, Fuaa and Kafraya were night,” Babbour said. mercial and industrial hub, but stances of the men’s release. Last month’s abduction of “one or two days”. blamed the “delay in the last being transferred to their re- He said many other evacuees it has been divided since 2012 “At this time our immediate UNHCR workers is not the fi rst In east Aleppo yesterday, batch” of evacuations from spective destinations, saw were also asking if there was In- between government forces in focus is on the health and well- in Darfur as several foreign and soldiers using megaphones Aleppo on “disputes” among hundreds of people aboard ternet access there so they could the west and rebels in the east. being of our colleagues, as well as Sudanese aid workers have been called on the remaining fi ghters rebel groups. eight buses from the two vil- contact friends or relatives. Government forces launched that of their loved ones following abducted in the region in recent and civilians to exit the opposi- “I’m waiting for my brother lages. The World Health Organisa- an off ensive in mid-November this ordeal,” UNHCR spokesman years. tion districts, a military source to get out of east Aleppo - he’s Bashar Babbour, who works tion said the Aleppo evacuees to capture the whole city, and Adrian Edwards told reporters. At least 300,000 people have said. a 70-year-old civilian,” Nuhad with the medical charity included around 300 need- had seized more than 90% of “We are doing everything been killed and 2.5mn displaced “The army is expected to en- al-Seikh said just outside rebel- UOSSM, told AFP from Khan ing medical treatment, among the eastern half when the evac- possible to ensure they are being in Darfur since the confl ict fi rst ter (Aleppo) to clean the area held Aleppo. al-Assal that evacuees from them dozens of children. uation deal was struck. well taken care of.” erupted in 2003, the UN says. 4 cops killed in new Jordan attack

Agencies rounded a house where the gunmen Jordanian security forces after an Jordan is part of the alliance and Amman were holed up and that the suspects hours-long siege of the Crusader has carried out air strikes targeting IS. opened fi re on them. castle, where the suspects had fl ed It also hosts coalition troops on A Jordanian member of parlia- after opening fi re on police patrols its territory. unmen killed four Jordanian ment from Karak, Haitham Zia- and a police station in the city. Many Jordanians oppose their policemen in a new shootout deen, confi rmed that an operation The Islamic State group yester- country’s involvement, saying it has Gyesterday in Karak, where was under way to arrest wanted day claimed responsibility for the led to the killing of fellow Muslims a weekend attack claimed by the gunmen. attack, saying it was carried out by and raised security threats inside Islamic State group left 10 people “A shootout erupted after secu- four “soldiers of the caliphate” who Jordan. dead, a security source said. rity forces arrived to raid a house in used machine-guns and hand gre- Last November three US military Security forces came under fi re the Qarifl a region of Karak province, nades. trainers were shot dead when their after launching a raid to track down where the gunmen have sought A statement said the militant as- car was fi red on by a Jordanian army suspects following Sunday’s as- shelter,” he said. sault targeted Jordanian “apostate” member at the gate of a military sault, whose victims included a Sunday’s shooting spree in Karak, security forces and citizens of the base. Canadian tourist, the source said, home to one of the region’s biggest US-led coalition battling the mili- Washington disputed the offi cial adding that the operation was still Crusader castles, killed seven po- tants in Syria and Iraq. Jordanian version that they were ongoing. licemen and two Jordanian civilians IS identifi ed the four dead mili- shot at for failing to stop, and said But another senior security as well as the Canadian tourist. tants and said the attack was re- it did not rule out political motives. source quoted by the offi cial Petra A total of 34 other people were venge for the US-led coalition’s Maaz al-Kassasbeh, a Jordanian news agency said that the suspects wounded, including the son of the air campaign targeting militants in fi ghter pilot from Karak, was cap- were not linked to the “terrorist Canadian holidaymaker and anoth- Syria and Iraq. tured by the militants when his group” behind Sunday’s attack. er foreigner, according to authori- It also pledged to carry out fur- plane went down in Syria in Decem- The general security department ties. ther assaults on countries within ber 2014, and he was later burned said in a statement that police sur- Four assailants were killed by the the US-led coalition. alive in a cage.

Girl’s death takes Egypt church bombing toll to 26

AFP minority Coptic Chris- Cairo tians. Seventeen people re- main in hospital including 10-year-old girl three in serious condition, died yesterday of the ministry said. Previous Awounds suff ered in a death tolls for the bombing Cairo church bombing this included the attacker. month, bringing the overall On December 13, IS toll to 26 excluding the at- identifi ed the suicide tacker, Egypt’s health min- bomber by the pseudonym istry said. Abu Abdallah al-Masri. Magy Magdy died President Abdel Fat- at dawn from shrapnel tah al-Sisi the day before wounds to the head fol- named the suicide bomber lowing the suicide bomb- as Mahmoud Shafi k Mo- ing on December 11 that hamed Mostafa, 22, during was claimed by the Islamic a funeral for the victims. State (IS) group, it said in a Egyptian authorities are statement. battling an Islamist insur- The bombing during gency, mostly in North Si- mass at the Saint Peter and nai province. Saint Paul church was the Some attacks have tar- deadliest attack in recent geted security forces and memory to target Egypt’s offi cials in Cairo.

Killer sentenced to death

A Jordanian court yesterday Islam after he shared a sentenced to death a cartoon on social media man accused of killing a that mocked Islamists. Christian writer outside an His 49-year-old killer, Riyad Amman court in September Ismail, a computer engineer over a cartoon deemed who worked for the education off ensive to Islam. ministry, was arrested at Nahed Hattar was hit by the scene and charged three bullets on the steps with premeditated murder, of the court where he had terrorism and possession of been on trial for insulting an illegal firearm. Gulf Times 10 Wednesday, December 21, 2016 AFRICA

New group behind killing in Central Africa: HRW

A new armed group in Central African Reclamation, Rehabilitation” or 3R, “has Republic has killed at least 50 people since killed civilians, raped, and caused large-scale late 2015, Human Rights Watch said. displacement over the past year”, the US- The group, which calls itself “Return, based rights watchdog said in a report.

Nigeria to close capital’s airport for six weeks Gunfi re reported Nigeria will close the airport in the capital government said yesterday. Flights to Abuja Abuja for six weeks from February to will be diverted to Kaduna, a tiny airport for repair its badly damaged runway, the domestic flights. in DR Congo cities

AFP Monday to blow whistles and beat Kinshasa on improvised drums, calling on Kabila to quit. “There was teargas and gunfi re,” unfi re erupted in major said Andre, a resident of Kinshasa’s Democratic Republic of the Matete neighbourhood, adding that GCongo (DR Congo) cities and security forces “threatened the the UN voiced alarm over a wave of population”. arrests, as protesters demanded that And in what opponents dubbed President Joseph Kabila step down “a provocation”, state TV overnight after his mandate expired yesterday. announced a new government. With fears of violence high in the Headed by Samy Banibanga, it is vast and unstable nation, shots rang part of an October deal between the out in the capital Kinshasa, there ruling party and tiny fringe opposi- was sustained gunfi re in the coun- tion groups that enables Kabila to try’s second city of Lubumbashi, remain in offi ce pending elections in and the thud of heavy weapons in April 2018. central Kananga. But the main opposition bloc re- Plumes of smoke from burning jects this plan. barricades hung over Kinshasa af- Congolese protesters scatter In a YouTube video released dur- ter overnight protests, and activity as South African police fire ing the night, opposition leader ground to a halt as troop carriers pa- rubber bullets during their Tshisekedi launched “a solemn ap- trolled the largely empty streets of protest outside the Congo’s peal to the Congolese people to no the megacity of 10mn. embassy in Pretoria. longer recognise the authority of Mr Tension has been mounting for Joseph Kabila, to the international months in the Congo ahead of the Left: Graff iti is seen on a community to no longer deal with December 20 deadline for Kabila’s Kinshasa road. It reads Joseph Kabila in the name of the second and fi nal term in offi ce to ‘Kabila go away’. Democratic Republic of the Congo”. end. Valentin Mubake, a close aide to With no election planned and no streets of Lubumbashi’s Matuba National police spokesman Tshisekedi, confi rmed to AFP that sign of the president stepping down, neighbourhood were strewn with Pierre-Rombaut Mwanamputu told the video was authentic. veteran opposition leader Etienne rocks and burnt tyres early yester- AFP that he was unable to give an The message was not available in Tshisekedi fi nally issued a plea to the day amid a heavy police presence. immediate toll after the violence. the Congo where authorities have country’s 70mn people to reject the Local authorities said “police “Fortunately, we are not back to imposed controls on pictures and Kabila administration. were forced to fi re into the air to dis- the slaughter of September,” he said, video on social media networks The international community perse civilians” because some pro- referring to bloodshed in September since Sunday. has warned of spiralling violence testers were armed. when at least 53 anti-Kabila pro- Tshisekedi said he hoped to con- and France urged the government to It was impossible to immediately testers died in two days, according tinue talks launched by the Catholic “respect human rights” as the UN verify that claim. to the UN. Church last week to fi nd a peaceful voiced alarm over the arrests of 113 In Kananga in central Congo, The 45-year-old leader, who has solution to the crisis. opposition leaders and civil society residents reported the sound of light ruled since 2001, is constitutionally The talks were halted on Satur- activists in four days. and heavy arms near the airport. barred from seeking a third term but day with no signifi cant progress but “I am gravely concerned by the A priest said there were scenes of under a controversial recent consti- were to resume today. arrests of those who seek to express panic as residents fl ed the area. tutional court order, he may stay on The Congo’s 70mn people have their political views,” said Maman Several people are thought to have until a successor is chosen. never witnessed a democratic trans- Sambo Sidikou, who heads the large been killed in the unrest in various As the clock ticked on yesterday’s fer of power following elections UN mission in the Congo. regions, but this has yet to be con- end-of-mandate deadline, crowds since independence from Belgium An AFP correspondent said the fi rmed. had gathered before midnight on in 1960. Gulf Times Wednesday, December 21, 2016 11 AMERICAS

DECISION VERDICT LEGAL REPRIEVE CLEMENCY Maduro reopens Colombia US-Jordanian man gets life California challenges Judge halts scheduled Obama shortens prison border after crackdown in prison for wife’s killing fracking off coastline executions in Ohio sentences for 153 people

Venezuela began reopening its border with A Los Angeles man was sentenced to life in California’s chief prosecutor and an environmental A federal judge has ordered a stay of three US President Barack Obama shortened the prison Colombia yesterday earlier than expected prison for hiring a hitman to kill his 17-year-old commission has filed a lawsuit challenging an scheduled executions in Ohio pending the sentences for 153 convicts, mainly low-level drug after shutting it last week amid a crackdown wife, in a case that went unsolved for nearly two assessment by federal authorities that clears the resolution of a lawsuit brought by dozens of death off enders, and pardoned 78 others, the White on smugglers and criminal gangs. President decades. Morrad Ghonim, 43, who holds both way for hydraulic fracturing off the state’s coast. row inmates that challenges the state’s secrecy House said. Obama has commuted the sentences Nicolas Maduro had said crossings along the US and Jordanian citizenship, was convicted The lawsuit from attorney general Kamala Harris around where it procures execution drugs. State of 1,176 federal prisoners, the White House said, 2,200km frontier between the South American in November of the murder of Vicki Ghonim, and the California Coastal Commission targets the killings in Ohio were set to resume in January 2017 as part of a push to reduce the number of people neighbours would remain closed until January who was gunned down on July 23, 1992, while US department of the interior as well as two federal after a three-year pause due to prison off icials serving long sentences for non-violent drug 2. That, combined with the elimination of with her husband at a park in the town of La agencies. The federal agencies in May said that an facing diff iculties obtaining the drugs needed to off ences. In 2014, Obama announced he would Venezuela’s largest currency note, had Mirada, southeast of Los Angeles. The couple’s environmental assessment had determined that perform lethal injections. Judge Michael Merz use his clemency powers to reduce sentences interrupted long-rampant contraband of six-month-old son was in the back seat of their fracking poses no significant impact, clearing the issued the 20-page ruling staying the upcoming he saw as overly harsh. That came after criminal goods and cash by gangs on both sides. But car when the gunman shot the young mother way for a moratorium on the controversial form executions of inmates Ronald Phillips, Raymond justice bills aimed at non-violent drug off enders it also dismayed many Colombians resident several times. Ghonim, who was 19 at the time, of gas and oil extraction to be lifted. “We must Tibbetts, and Gary Otte. Merz wrote his order stalled in Congress. The White House said the in Venezuela hoping to return for Christmas claimed that he had heard what he thought take every possible step to protect our precious would be vacated once a ruling was made by the commutations and pardons were the most acts of holidays. were gang members catcalling his wife. coastline and ocean,” Harri said in a statement. Sixth US Circuit Court of Appeals. clemency in a single day by any US president. China has Cold spell returned seized sea drone: US

AFP she also warned the US against Washington “conducting close reconnais- sance in China’s coastal waters”. “China is strongly opposed to hina has returned a US this and has been asking the US underwater probe it to stop these kinds of activities,” Cseized in the South China she said, adding: “I believe this Sea, the Pentagon confi rmed af- was the root cause for this inci- ter Beijing’s capture of the craft dent happening.” sparked a dispute between the Pentagon offi cials said last two powers. week the Chinese had “unlaw- The Chinese navy handed fully” grabbed the marine probe, over the drone near where it which they described as a craft was seized, the Pentagon said, that gathers unclassifi ed data — repeating US condemnation of including water temperatures, A man checks his cellphone as low temperatures arrived in New York. Canada and the northern US have been suff ering their first brutal cold spell of the season. Beijing’s actions in what it says salinity and sea clarity. are international waters. Such data can be used to help “This incident was inconsist- submarines navigate and de- ent with both international law termine sonar ranges in murky and standards of professional- waters. ism for conduct between navies China said it snatched the at sea,” Pentagon press secretary craft because it might pose a Peter Cook said in a statement. safety hazard to other vessels. It “The US has addressed those also said it “strongly opposed” facts with the Chinese through US reconnaissance activities and the appropriate diplomatic and had asked Washington to stop. Clinton, Trump spar over military channels, and have The incident has heightened called on Chinese authorities to continuing tensions in the South comply with their obligations China Sea. under international law and to Beijing has fortifi ed its claims refrain from further eff orts to to almost all the waterway by ex- impede lawful US activities.” panding tiny reefs and islets into A Chinese naval vessel seized artifi cial islands hosting military who ‘doesn’t know much’ the probe last week around 50 facilities. nautical miles northwest of Brunei, Malaysia, the Philip- DPA president Bill Clinton, husband to get angry, white men to vote tually repeated on Monday by Trump wrote that Clinton Subic Bay in the Philippines, a pines, Vietnam and Taiwan have Washington of Trump’s defeated election ri- for him.” some national media outlets. “doesn’t know much,” using the move which heightened already competing claims in the water- val, Hillary Clinton. Clinton also referenced Yesterday morning, Trump, words from the Bedford-Pound tense relations between the way. The article described how Comey’s extremely unusual who has 17 million Twitter fol- article, “especially how to get world’s two largest economies. While Washington takes no onald Trump used his Clinton began answering ques- decision to announce what was lowers, fi red back. people, even with an unlimited The Pentagon statement said position on the sovereignty dis- Twitter account to tions from customers in the ultimately a fruitless discovery “Bill Clinton stated that I budget, out to vote in the vital the US Navy drone was “con- putes, it has repeatedly called Dmount political attacks, store, which is near the couple’s of e-mails potentially related called him after the election. swing states.” ducting routine operations in on China to uphold freedom of settle personal scores and stay home in Chappaqua. to the FBI investigation into his Wrong, he called me (with a Hillary Clinton’s campaign the international waters of the navigation. in the spotlight throughout the The article, next to a front- wife’s private email server just very nice congratulations),” “focused on wrong states,” South China Sea in full compli- Its military has conducted US election. page story about a Christmas 11 days before the election, say- Trump tweeted. Trump said. ance with international law”. several operations in which ships Even after securing victory party for the town’s senior citi- ing “James Comey cost her the For its part, China said the and planes have passed near the as expected Monday in the de- zens, said Clinton described election.” Trump secures victory in Electoral College handover of the drone was sites Beijing claims. cisive electoral college, the receiving a telephone call from On the question of whether “completed smoothly” after US president-elect Don- president-elect is continuing to Trump, who spoke cordially he believed emails stolen by America’s Electoral College Hillary Clinton, Trump sailed as “friendly consultations” be- ald Trump raised the rhetorical pursue even the smallest slights “like it was 15 years ago,” when Russian-backed hackers and on Monday confirmed Donald expected past the 270 votes tween both sides, according to heat further last week, accus- against him. the couple was friendly with the then leaked to websites like Trump’s election as the 45th needed to make his victory a short defence ministry state- ing Beijing of theft. After Beijing The Bedford-Pound Record real-estate tycoon in New York WikiLeaks damaged his wife’s president of the US, unswayed off icial according to US media, ment on its website. and Washington announced on Review, a weekly newspaper social circles - before the bitter candidacy, Clinton was quoted by a desperate bid by die- clearing the way for him to Foreign ministry spokeswom- Sunday the drone would be re- serving towns 75kms north- presidential campaign. as saying: “You would need to hard opponents to bar the succeed Barack Obama on an Hua Chunying said the han- turned, he tweeted: “We should east of New York City, pub- One bookstore patron asked: have a single-digit IQ not to Republican’s path to the White January 20. “We did it!” the dling of the incident showed the tell China that we don’t want the lished a column last week by “Is Trump smart?” “He doesn’t recognise what was going on.” House. Six weeks after his upset 70-year-old billionaire tweeted two countries have a “smooth drone they stole back. Let them a writer who crossed paths in know much,” Clinton replied. Clinton’s comments in the victory over the Democrat after the results came in. channel of communication”. But, keep it!” a local bookstore with former “One thing he does know is how obscure publication were even- Accused bomber pleads Premiere party New Orleans settles not guilty to charges police shooting suits Agencies ice with family members and New Orleans asked for forgiveness ahead of Reuters device place under a trash bin on In New Jersey he faces a announcing the settlements. New York a street in New York’s Chelsea 30-count indictment including The families have been in neighbourhood. fi ve counts of attempted murder ew Orleans off ered litigation for years and their Rahimi was arrested two days of law enforcement offi cers, plus apologies and reached suits alleging misconduct and n Afghan-born US citi- later in a shootout with police in an array assault and weapons Nsettlements totalling cover-ups helped to change zen accused of planting Linden, New Jersey. charges. $13.3mn in civil rights lawsuits the narrative of police actions Abombs in New York and He suff ered multiple gunshot Rahimi became the target of a brought against the city for the following the hurricane. New Jersey pleaded not guilty wounds and spent a month in manhunt after the bombings and killings of residents by police The storm led to more than yesterday to New Jersey state the hospital under detention be- was spotted by a police offi cer in the chaotic aftermath of 1,500 deaths in the New Orle- charges, including attempted fore being transferred to jail. in Linden outside a bar on the Hurricane Katrina in 2005, the ans-area. murder of police offi cers wound- morning of September 19. mayor said. Mary Howell, a civil rights ed in a shootout upon his arrest. US investigators have Rahimi used his handgun to Mayor Mitch Landrieu said lawyer who represented fami- Ahmad Khan Rahimi, 28, ap- portrayed Rahimi as a shoot the offi cer in his protective the city reached deals with 17 lies of victims, said the set- peared in the Union County militant who praised vest, prosecutors allege. plaintiff s to settle all claims in tlement marked a change for Courthouse handcuff ed in front Osama bin Laden, the Al An exchange of gunfi re broke the cases that have prompted the city which typically settles with a protective vest. Qaeda leader behind the out as more police responded, local police reforms and feder- without admitting wrongdo- His court-appointed lawyer September 11, 2001, attacks and Rahimi was shot multiple al investigation into suspected ing. pleaded not guilty to all charges on the US times a few blocks away from misconduct by numerous of- Those gunned down on the on his behalf. where he was originally con- fi cers. bridge included Ronald Madi- Rahimi also faces a host of US investigators have por- fronted, prosecutors said. The settlements included son, a 40-year-old with the federal charges in New York and trayed Rahimi as a militant who A second offi cer was wounded families of those killed on the mental development of a six- New Jersey and a life sentence if praised Osama bin Laden, the Al by a bullet fragment to the head city’s Danziger Bridge in Sep- year-old. He had seven gun- convicted of setting off bombs Qaeda leader behind the Septem- but neither was seriously in- tember 2005, where two un- shot wounds in his back. James in coastal New Jersey and in ber 11, 2001, attacks on the US. jured. armed people were fatally shot. Brissette Jr., 17, was also fatally New York City in September and Federal offi cials say Rahimi Rahimi had entered a pre- “We are here to proclaim shot, court documents showed. leaving behind others that failed bought bomb components on liminary not-guilty plea to the from the highest mountaintop Five ex-New Orleans police to detonate. eBay, made a video of himself New Jersey state charges from that the City of New Orleans, offi cers pleaded guilty in April He pleaded not guilty to fed- testing out homemade explo- his hospital bed by a courtroom in all of its agony and in all of to charges in connection with eral charges in New York in No- sives, and kept a journal express- video link in October. Superior its joy, can transform itself the killings. vember. ing outrage at the US “slaughter” Court judge Regina Caulfi eld Pauletta Washington and Denzel Washington attend the from a city of violence into a Four other people were seri- Some 30 people were injured of fi ghters in Afghanistan, Iraq, had previously set bail for him at Fences premiere party at Tavern on the Green in New York City. city of peace,” the mayor said. ously injured in the bridge in- by the explosion of a homemade Syria and Palestine. $5.2mn. Landrieu held a prayer serv- cident. Gulf Times 12 Wednesday, December 21, 2016 ASIA Investigators urge extending search for MH370

Reuters Its whereabouts have become teams would fi nance a prolonged search area west of Australia is paid great attention to this, and of this area, the experts identi- crashed west of Australia, plac- Sydney/Kuala Lumpur one of the world’s greatest avia- hunt. due to be completed in January, proactively participated in rele- fi ed an area of approximately ing it in the country’s maritime tion mysteries. “The report does not give a with no sign of the missing jet. vant work,” she told a daily brief- 25,000sq km as the area with the zone of responsibility. The search co-ordinator, the specifi c location for the missing The recommendation to ex- ing. “We will continue to main- highest probability of containing Grace Subathirai Nathan, nvestigators searching for Australian Transport Safety Bu- aircraft and so we need credible tend the search followed a meet- tain close communication with the wreckage of the aircraft.” whose mother was on the plane, Malaysia Airlines fl ight reau, issued a report earlier yes- evidence that identifi es the spe- ing in November between crash Malaysia, Australia and other The new search area is north said it was not clear what author- IMH370 have recommended terday in which it said new evi- cifi c location of the aircraft to ex- investigators, satellite commu- parties, and cooperate with them of the current one, which has ities were doing to fi nd the new extending the search by 25,000sq dence from ocean drift modelling tend the search,” a spokeswoman nication and aviation experts in- to do their relevant work well.” been the focus of the A$200mn evidence that would satisfy the km (9,650sq miles), to an area and analysis of satellite commu- for Australia’s Infrastructure and cluding Boeing and government The Australian Transport ($145mn) eff ort. Australian government demands. further north in the Indian nications with the aircraft and Transport Minister Darren Ches- representatives from Malaysia, Safety Bureau said it believed It would represent the second “The families have time and Ocean, after conceding for the washed-up debris helped deter- ter told Reuters by telephone. China and Australia. the plane was not in the current time the search has been extend- again requested that an inter- fi rst time they were probably mine the new area. Malaysian Transport Minister In Beijing, Chinese foreign search area. ed if funding was forthcoming. national appeal to all nations be looking in the wrong place. But Australia, one of three Liow Tiong Lai said it remained ministry spokeswoman Hua “There is a high degree of con- Malaysia and Australia paid made if the three participating Flight MH370 disappeared in search countries, rejected the to be seen how the investigators’ Chunying said she did not have fi dence that the previously iden- the bulk of search fi nancing. states are unable to fully support March 2014 with 239 passengers recommendation citing a lack of report could help identify the any details about the search. tifi ed underwater area searched Malaysia holds ultimate re- the extended search,” said Nath- and crew on board, most of them “credible evidence” to extend the specifi c location of the aircraft. “But what I want to stress is to date does not contain the sponsibility given Malaysia Air- an, who heads the next-of-kin Chinese, en route to Beijing from search, leaving it unclear wheth- A hunt of the current that since the MH370 incident, missing aircraft,” it said in its lines is registered there, while support group called Members of Kuala Lumpur. er Chinese and Malaysian search 120,000sq km (46,330sq miles) the Chinese government has report. “Given the elimination the aircraft is thought to have Voice 370. Chinese cities ‘choke’ in smog

for a fourth day People take videos of the flag-raising ceremony despite the heavy smog at Tiananmen Square in Beijing. Reuters a fourth day of heavy smog led that fi rms were fl outing emer- Red alerts are issued when an pocalypse’ is further evidence micrograms per cubic metre by fi red winter heating plants. Shanghai/Beijing to the cancellation of more than gency restrictions. air quality index (AQI) is forecast that China must implement far morning yesterday. Several lawyers are suing the 300 fl ights. Some power plants and chemi- to exceed 200 for more than four stricter limitations on coal con- The World Health Organisa- cities of Beijing and Tianjin and China declared a “war on pol- cal producers had not scaled back days in succession, 300 for more sumption and accelerate the re- tion recommends concentrations Hebei province for what they say plane carrying the chief lution” in 2014 amid concern its operations in line with regula- than two days or 500 for at least structuring of the economy away of just 10 micrograms. has been a failure to fulfi l respon- executive of the world’s heavy industrial past was tar- tions, according to China En- 24 hours. from the heavily polluting sec- The government said average sibilities in battling the smog. Abiggest oil exporter was nishing its global reputation and vironmental News, the offi cial In Handan, a major steel pro- tors,” Dong said. PM 2.5 concentrations in the fi rst In recent days, Beijing has prevented from landing in the holding back its future develop- publication of the ministry of ducer, the 24-hour average Pollution alerts have become three quarters of 2016 dropped imposed an “odd-even” licence Chinese capital of Beijing yester- ment. environmental protection. AQI at one monitoring station common in China’s northern 8.5% compared with the same plate restriction in a bid to re- day because of thick smog blan- But it has struggled to reverse The paper said yesterday that reached a record 780, according industrial heartland, especially period last year, but offi cials have move half the vehicles from the keting large swathes of northern the damage done by decades of as many as 24 cities had issued to environmental group Green- during winter when energy de- expressed concern that heavy roads but there have been at least China. breakneck economic growth, pollution “red alerts”, but despite peace. mand – much of it met by coal – winter pollution has overshad- 85,000 cases of violations. Amin Nasser, chief executive much of it based on the coal- the implementation of emer- “The scale of the red alert skyrockets. owed any progress. The capital has also suspended of the Saudi Arabian oil producer burning power sector. gency measures, smog concen- measures show that the Chinese Offi cial data from the Hebei China has repeatedly blamed outdoor operations at more than Aramco, was due to attend an Despite months of eff orts to trations had increased in some government is taking air pollu- provincial capital of Shijiazhuang “unfavourable weather” for 3,000 construction sites. event on Saudi culture at Bei- hone its rapid response systems, places. tion seriously,” said Greenpeace showed average readings of small much of the pollution this According to forecasts, the jing’s National Museum. air quality deteriorated in parts They included major cities in climate and energy campaigner breathable particles known as month, with high humidity and pollution will gradually abate However, company offi cials of the region yesterday, with the the industrial province of Hebei, Dong Liansai. PM 2.5, a major components of low wind speeds preventing the with the expected arrival of said his plane was diverted after environment ministry warning which surrounds Beijing. “However, the ongoing ‘air- China’s AQI, had risen to 665 dispersal of emissions from coal- northerly winds tomorrow.

Japan’s top court backs Tokyo in China publishes supervisory list for NGOs bid to relocate Okinawa base Reuters But some foreign organisa- by several government depart- that groups must give details of Beijing tions fear they could inadvert- ments. how they are funded. ently break the broad new rules, Climate change will be the re- There remains a spectrum AFP Okinawa governor Takeshi Local campaigners want a re- with some even shutting up shop sponsibility of the state planner, of concern among NGOs, from Tokyo Onaga had tried to block eff orts placement to be built elsewhere hina’s ministry of public to avoid such pitfalls. the National Development and those who act in areas consid- to reclaim land for the new off - in Japan or overseas, saying they security published yes- A main concern had been the Reform Commission, the envi- ered relatively benign by the shore facility and he and Prime cannot tolerate noise, accidents Cterday a list of govern- failure to publish a list of “super- ronment ministry, the National authorities, such as education he Japanese Supreme Minister Shinzo Abe fi led rival and crimes committed by US ment bodies that will act as a visory units” to be government Energy Administration, and the and health, to those who work in Court ruled yesterday in lawsuits in a bid to settle the is- service members. go-between with the ministry middleman with the ministry of China Meteorological Adminis- sensitive areas, including legal Tfavour of the central gov- sue. The Supreme Court decision and foreign non-governmental public security, which has ulti- tration. reform and rights issues. ernment in its bid to relocate a In September a high court came a day after the Marines re- organisations (NGO), ahead of mate responsibility for registra- Foreign NGOs will need the Chinese offi cials defend the US airbase on Okinawa, dealing ruled that the central govern- sumed fl ights of a controversial the enforcement of a controver- tion and management. approval of their government go- foreign NGO law, saying it would a signifi cant blow to the plan’s ment’s position should be re- hybrid aircraft after one crash- sial new law. The list, now published on the betweens before they can apply only be used to punish a handful opponents led by the island’s spected because it has “fun- landed just off Okinawa’s coast President Xi Jinping’s admin- ministry’s website, breaks down for registration with provincial of law-breaking organisations. governor. damental responsibility” for last week. istration has made sweeping subject areas and lists the gov- public security departments, the Rights groups say the law’s use The Japanese and US gov- Japan’s defence and diplomacy. No one was killed when the changes to the law in the name ernment departments responsi- ministry said. of an ambiguous ban on activities ernments want the base in the The Okinawan government MV-22 Osprey went down but of boosting national security, in- ble for them. In November, the government that threaten national security or middle of a crowded city moved appealed that decision but the accident sparked fresh local cluding a controversial cyber se- The sports ministry, for exam- twice issued clarifi cation state- endanger social stability could be to a sparsely populated area for was dismissed by the Supreme anger. curity law passed last month and ple, will be responsible for sports ments, saying that there would used to target groups doing work safety reasons. Court yesterday. In response, the Marines sus- another targeting foreign NGOs, groups. be no grace period for NGOs to disliked by the ruling Commu- But many Okinawans want “I am deeply disappointed pended fl ights of the tilt-rotor slated for January 1. Some areas will be overseen meet the new law, later adding nist Party. it relocated off the island alto- and concerned,” Onaga told re- aircraft in Japan pending an in- gether. porters after the ruling. “Build- vestigation but resumed them Okinawa is strategically situ- ing the new base, which cannot on Monday. Thai junta chief hits back at critics of Internet censorship measures ated in the East China Sea from gain support from local resi- More than half the 47,000 where US troops and aircraft dents, is unacceptable.” American troops in Japan under Thailand’s junta chief has defended convicted of sharing “distorted” information. make society unstable. I would like to ask you can react to potential confl icts Tokyo and Washington fi rst a decades-long security alli- amendments to a cyber-security law that The law has drawn a strong backlash. back, you who spend much more time on throughout Asia. proposed moving the Futenma ance are stationed on Okinawa, boosts censorship powers. Prime Minister Prayut Chan-ocha hit back social media than me, do you see the dangers It has been a bastion of air base, a Marine Corps facil- the site of a major World War II Changes agreed to last week broaden the yesterday: “The government will not watch from it? Illegal drugs sales, pornography, American military power since ity, back in 1996 but insisted it battle that was followed by a 27- scope of the Computer Crime Act, which all the time for someone to make a mistake inappropriate words, defamation, distorted the end of World War II. remain on Okinawa. year US occupation. hands up to five years in jail for those ... (it) will only consider content that could information.”

Wives of missing activists seek action

The wives of three prominent Southeast Asian human rights campaigners who went missing after being detained by the authorities have united to urge Laos and Thailand to end impunity over forced disappearances. All three women have become vocal critics of disappearances in a region where activists routinely face threats and violence. “The biggest struggle is to get answers,” said Shui Meng Ng, whose husband Sombath Somphone, a Lao activist campaigning for rural development, went missing in December 2012. The internationally acclaimed activist was last seen at a police checkpoint in the Lao capital Vientiane. Ng reported Sombath’s case to police, asked lawyers for help, met with ministers and wrote to the prime minister. But her eff orts to get information have been fruitless so far. “At every level, and you are faced with a wall,” Ng told a joint news conference in Bangkok on Monday. Pinnipa Preuksapan – whose husband Pholachi “Billy” Rakchongcharoen, an ethnic Karen land rights activist, went missing after being detained by Thai national park authorities, on April 17, 2014 – said that police would not take her case seriously. “The police said ‘How can you file a case? Someone who has been arrested is not missing’,” Pinnapa said. Thai human rights commissioner Angkhana Neelapaijit said it was painful to see police off icers acquitted for the 2004 abduction of her husband, prominent Muslim lawyer and activist Somchai Neelapaijit, climb the ranks of power. “They’re still promoted to higher and higher positions,” she said, adding that proving cases of forced disappearances by state authorities continues to be a huge challenge. “It is murder without a body, so whoever tries to find the evidence will not find anything.”

Gulf Times 14 Wednesday, December 21, 2016 BRITAIN/IRELAND

DECISION WEATHER OFFBEAT LEGAL OUTBREAK 90-year-old Queen Travel chaos feared Ed Miliband appears on Life support treatment for Norovirus hits hotel reduces royal duties as storm threat looms US news as TV flu guy police off icer ‘should stop’ and hospital wards

Queen Elizabeth II will stand down as patron Gusts of up to 90mph are set to batter parts of Had things been diff erent, he could have been Doctors should stop providing life-support A leading County Cavan hotel and five wards at of 25 bodies including the Wimbledon tennis Scotland, northern England and Northern Ireland prime minister - instead Ed Miliband has been treatment to a police off icer who has been in a a Londonderry hospital have been closed after a championships and the Rugby Football Union, over Christmas as Storm Barbara wreaks havoc relegated to TV flu guy. A picture of the former minimally conscious state since 2015, a judge has norovirus outbreak. Admissions to Altnagelvin’s handing them to other royals after turning 90, her over the festive period. Forecasters have warned Labour leader blowing his nose has been used by ruled. Paul Briggs, 43, suff ered a brain injury in a surgery, care of the elderly and urology wards off ice said. “At the end of the Queen’s 90th birthday that power supplies may be hit, ferries delayed and US TV channel NBC to illustrate a feature about crash while he was working for Merseyside Police. have been suspended while two others are year, she will step down as patron from a number bridges closed due to strong winds on Friday and cold and flu season. Despite meeting with Barack His wife Lindsey had told the Court of Protection being “closely monitored”. Western Trust of national organisations,” Buckingham Palace said Christmas Eve. Western and northern Scotland are Obama at the White House in 2014, it seems treatment should be stopped “given his previously Medical Director Dermot Hughes said it was the in a statement. Other bodies on the list include the expected to be worst-aff ected by the gale-force Miliband is so anonymous in America that the expressed wishes” and he should be allowed to worst outbreak he had seen in his 27 years as a children’s charity Barnardo’s, the British Cycling winds – overnight on Friday. An amber weather image from the picture agency Getty was used as die. Doctors at the Walton Centre had opposed the consultant at Altnagelvin. Norovirus, also known Federation and the Royal Geographical Society. warning – meaning be prepared – is in place for the a stock image without anyone realising who he withdrawal of treatment. They had advised the as the winter vomiting bug, is present all year but At the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club Scottish highlands and Shetlands, where gusts of is. The photograph was taken at the Labour Party judge to be cautious and a specialist said there was becomes more common over winter months. The Wimbledon, where the Queen has been patron 80-90mph are forecast into Christmas Eve. Parts of Conference in Liverpool in 2011 and can be found “potential” for Briggs to emerge from the minimally Slieve Russell Hotel closed on Monday due to an since 1952 despite only attending a few matches, Northern Ireland and northern England will also be on the picture agency’s website when typing in conscious state. But Justice Charles said Briggs increased incidence of infection among residents, she will be replaced by Prince William’s wife Kate. hit, the Met Off ice has warned the search term sneeze. should go on to a palliative care regime. staff and patrons of the hotel.

Misery for rail Police forces travellers continue reviewing London Evening Standard London

isery continued yes- terday for 300,000 MSouthern Railway pas- sengers as the second part of a security after 48-hour walkout by train guards caused more than 1,000 trains to be cancelled. Action by RMT guards and a continuing overtime ban by drivers stopped half of sched- uled services and left some Berlin attack routes with no trains at all. It came as plans to tackle the Guardian News and Media Large numbers of people will be lives. “I would like to stress at this Southern rail strikes with fl eets London in London around the festive pe- point that there is absolutely no of buses was met with a scepti- riod as shoppers head to the capi- information or intelligence sug- cal response from unions and the tal for the post-Christmas sales, gesting any attack is imminent in rail industry. olice forces across Britain while more than 100,000 revellers Greater Manchester. If you do have A plan to lay on coaches to are reviewing their security are expected to attend the New any concerns at all don’t hesitate take passengers to towns served Pplans following the Berlin Year’s Eve fi reworks display. to get in touch with police.” by rail services into London that Christmas market attack and re- The mayor of London, Sadiq Dave Thompson, the chief con- are unaff ected by the strike was main on high alert. Khan, sought to reassure London- stable of West Midlands police, proposed at a meeting between The threat level in London re- ers and visitors to the city that the tweeted that the force would be Theresa May and Conservative mains at “severe”, meaning the Met would review its security plans reviewing its plans following the MPs last night in an attempt to police consider an attack highly in light of Monday night’s events, “terrible events” in Berlin. gain the initiative in the long- likely, the Metropolitan police said saying that “keeping everyone Birmingham’s Christmas mar- running industrial dispute. in a statement yesterday. safe remains the highest priority ket – which claims to be the larg- Concern is rising that a six-day A Downing Street spokes- for the Met commissioner and for est outside Germany and Austria stoppage by Aslef drivers next man said: “The safety and secu- me”. He said: “My thoughts and – had concrete barriers installed to month will see the entire franchise rity of citizens is the government’s prayers are with everyone aff ected counter terrorist attacks like that brought to a standstill, which number one priority. Clearly in the by the awful suspected attack on in Nice in July, when a 19-tonne would cause an outcry among light of what has happened in Ber- Berlin, particularly those who were cargo truck was driven into crowds people who could not get to work. lin, police will be reviewing what is injured, the families and friends of celebrating Bastille Day. May met 23 Tory MPs from in place.” those who were killed and all the It is estimated that 5.5mn peo- towns aff ected by the strike in Theresa May, sent a message of emergency responders. ple will visit the market before it her Commons offi ce on Monday condolence to the German Chan- “We don’t yet have the full closes on December 29. A West and dismayed some by ruling out cellor Angela Merkel on Monday details, but this appears to have Midlands police spokesman said: anti-strike legislation for the night. “She expressed that her been a horrifi c and cowardly act “Our offi cers worked alongside time being. thoughts are with the people of of terror. All Londoners stand in colleagues from Birmingham city Ideas for “mitigation” of the Berlin and we stand ready to assist solidarity with the people of Berlin council to plan this year’s annual drivers’ strike included ferry- in any way we can,” he said. today – this was an attack on our Frankfurt Christmas market. ing passengers by bus to towns Greater Manchester po- shared values, freedoms and way “As part of this, a number of served by rival franchises such lice, meanwhile, said they have of life.” In Manchester, police said security measures were agreed be- as South West and Southeast- strengthened their presence at they had strengthened their pres- fore the market opened, including ern and increasing the length of Christmas markets across the city. ence at the city’s Christmas mar- installing some concrete bollards their trains to cope with the extra Scotland Yard said an attack kets, which have almost 350 stalls at a number of locations.” passengers. with a large vehicle, such as the spread across 10 sites. Superintendent Andy Parsons A replacement bus service is lorry used to kill 12 people in Ber- Assistant chief constable Deb- said the installation of the bollards already being deployed on the lin on Monday, had already been bie Ford said the police forces had formed part of the original se- strike-hit Eastbourne to Ashford considered by police as a possible already had a visible operation curity plan and was not a result of International line. One Tory MP scenario. in place around the markets and any new or specifi c intelligence. said that police escorts could be “The Metropolitan police has in other key areas across Great- “It is a busy time of year for the used to help get the coach serv- detailed plans for protecting pub- er Manchester in the run-up to city and we want to ensure a safe ices through traffi c or picket lic events over the Christmas and Christmas. and enjoyable time for everyone lines. New Year period … As a matter of She said: “We will be working who visits over the festive period,” However, offi cials ruled out routine, as a precaution, we review in line with the national response he said. “Police will be working laying on buses direct to Lon- our plans after attacks overseas, and have strengthened our polic- closely with market security staff don, saying that it would require and we are doing so at present fol- ing presence at the Manchester to share information and to reas- “thousands of coaches” which lowing the awful incidents in Ber- Christmas markets and stepped up sure people that there is an ad- would cause gridlock on the lin and Ankara on Monday night,” visible patrols, to ensure that peo- equate police response available if roads. An armed police off icer keeps watch in London yesterday. the Met said. ple feel safe to go about their daily needed.”

Farage, slain MP’s Chicken catchers win husband trade blows

£1mn compensation Guardian News and Media It prompted the former Ukip London leader to retaliate by accusing Cox of supporting extremism. Thomson Reuters Foundation es have been fi led against DJ in 2017, Leigh Day said. The group After Cox responded, Farage London Houghton and its owners, who were traffi cked into Britain in 2008 he widower of Jo Cox accused him of supporting ex- supplied chickens and eggs to su- and employed by DJ Houghton to became embroiled in a tremism by backing Hope Not permarkets. catch birds in chicken houses. Twar of words with Ni- Hate, which is supported by the group of Lithuanian men The June decision marked the They escaped in August 2012 gel Farage after criticising the foundation set up in the name traffi cked to Britain to work fi rst time the high court ruled in and gave statements to the local Ukip politician for saying the of the murdered Labour MP. Aon chicken farms will re- favour of victims of traffi cking police. Police raided houses be- Berlin Christmas market at- Speaking on LBC radio, Farage ceive more than £1mn in compen- against a British fi rm, said Martin. longing to DJ Houghton director tack would refl ect Angela Mer- alleged Hope Not Hate was itself sation and legal costs after reach- Darrell Houghton and company kel’s “legacy”. an extreme group. ing a landmark settlement with “Our clients are so pleased secretary Jacqueline Judge just two In return, Farage accused Cox Asked about the Twitter ex- their former captors, lawyers said to fi nally be getting not only months later and freed several sus- of supporting extremism by change with Cox, Farage said: yesterday. The agreement follows wages they were owed, but pected victims of traffi cking. backing Hope Not Hate, a char- “Well, of course, he would know a June high court ruling that found a substantial sum to settle The workers said they were har- ity that campaigns to counter more about extremists than chicken company DJ Houghton claims alleging physical and assed and abused by their supervi- militant or bigoted political ac- me. He backs organisations like guilty of charging prohibited fees, psychological abuse” sors, and intimidated with dogs. tivity, especially from rightwing Hope Not Hate, who masquer- unlawfully withholding wages and One supervisor allegedly split groups. ade as being lovely and peaceful, failing to ensure the workers had The six victims, aged 19 to 58, the lip of a worker by punching Hope Not Hate responded but actually pursue violent and adequate living and working con- had sought compensation for in- him in the face, before pouring by sending a lawyer’s letter to undemocratic means.” ditions. juries, unpaid wages and breaches urine and cider into the wound. Farage, saying he faced legal ac- Farage also told LBC: “And “Our clients are so pleased to of health and safety. “We felt trapped...we were be- tion if he did not apologise and I’m sorry Cox, but it is time peo- fi nally be getting not only wages They accused DJ Houghton’s ing treated like slaves,” one of the retract his comments. ple started to take responsibility they were owed, but a substan- owners of traffi cking, abuse and men, Antanas Galdikas, previously The dispute began when for what’s happened. Merkel has tial sum to settle claims alleging beatings over several years. told the lawyers. Farage tweeted that the Berlin directly caused a whole number physical and psychological abuse,” Lawyers representing the com- The Gangmaster Licensing attack was terrible news but “no of social and terrorist problems Shanta Martin from Leigh Day, the pany did not immediately respond Authority, the government body surprise”, adding: “Events like in Germany. It’s about time we law fi rm representing the Lithua- to requests for comment yester- which regulates the supply of these will be the Merkel legacy.” confronted that truth.” nian men, said in a statement. day. Since the fi rst proceedings, workers to the agriculture indus- Brendan Cox replied, accus- Jo Cox was murdered by Tho- Leigh Day said the defendants an additional 10 migrants have try, said it revoked DJ Houghton’s ing Farage of “blaming politi- mas Mair, a far-right terrorist settled the civil claim without ad- come forward to join the civil claim licence immediately after the po- cians for the actions of extrem- motivated by hatred for the MP’s mitting liability. against DJ Houghton. lice raid on the directors’ proper- ists”. He added in his tweet: work. He was given a whole life To date, no criminal charg- Their case is likely to be heard ties. Farage: controversial remarks. “That’s a slippery slope Nigel.” sentence in November. Gulf Times Wednesday, December 21, 2016 15 BRITAIN Cancer death rates to fall by 15% by 2035, says charity

Guardian News and Media more than 403,000 deaths Those factors, and the rise 100,000 of population by 2035, cancers which are currently 100,000 population – thanks CRUK’s analysis. London from the disease by 2035 that in cancers linked to bad diet CRUK estimates. hard to treat.” to advances in surgery and But deaths from pancreatic would have happened other- and alcohol, mean that a typi- “Thanks to research fewer Even though more people chemotherapy and also better cancer are estimated to fall wise, according to an analysis cal Briton’s chances of getting people will die from cancer in will die from cancer, the di- screening for the disease. by only 3%, to 17 deaths per eath rates from cancer from the charity. cancer have recently risen from the future. We’re resolute that, minishing risk of death shows Death rates from breast can- 100,000; and from brain and in the UK will fall by However, although the risk one in three to one in two. by 2035, three in four people that cancer research and treat- cer, the most common form of related tumours by just 2%, to D15% by 2035 thanks to of death from cancer is likely to Overall 331 people per will survive their cancer for at ment are still yielding benefits the disease among women, are 10 deaths per 100,000 people, advances in research, diagno- fall, the number of people dy- 100,000 of population died least 10 years”, said Sir Harpal and heading in the right di- projected to drop by 26% to 31 CRUK said. sis and treatment, with more ing from it will continue to rise, from some form of cancer in Kumar, CRUK’s chief execu- rection, the charity said. For per 100,000 women by 2035. However, the risk of death Britons living longer after their because the ageing and growing July 2014. But improvements tive. “This will mean making example, CRUK believes mor- Likewise, mortality rates from will increase for some cancers. diagnosis, the charity Cancer population will result in more in doctors’ ability to detect, more progress in breast, bowel tality rates from bowel cancer lung cancer will be 21% low- For example, the mortality rate Research UK predicts. people being diagnosed, the diagnose and treat cancer will and blood cancers, but also ac- will fall by 23% over the next 20 er by then – at 58 deaths per for liver cancer is expected to Breakthroughs will prevent charity said. see that fall to 280 people per celerating our effort in those years – from 32 to 25 deaths per 100,000 people – according to rise by 58% by 2035. Brexit ‘could make NHS shortage of nurses worse’

Guardian News and Media be hardest hit by EU nurses no London longer coming to Britain because they rely so heavily on them, the IES says. rexit is set to cause a severe For example, 20.3% of nurses shortage of nurses in the at the Royal Brompton and Hare- BNHS, which is already fac- fi eld specialist heart and lung trust ing a chronic lack of them in many in London are from the EU, as are hospitals, research suggests. 18.4% of nurses at Queen Eliza- Britain’s decision to leave the beth Hospital in King’s Lynn in EU could deprive the health serv- Norfolk and 15.4% at Papworth, ice of nurses from countries such another heart and lung centre of as Spain, Portugal and Ireland, excellence, in Cambridgeshire. from which it has recruited heav- Jeremy Hunt, the health secre- ily in recent years, analysis by the tary, and NHS leaders have voiced Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon delivers a statement on Brexit during a session of Scotland’s Parliament at Holyrood in Edinburgh yesterday. Institute for Employment Studies deep unease about Brexit poten- found. tially exacerbating the existing big A growing reluctance among EU gaps across the health and social nurses to come to work in the NHS care workforce and have praised could pose serious diffi culties for EU nationals’ contribution to the hospitals, some of which get as NHS in an eff ort to persuade them many as 20% of their nurses from to stay. the European Economic Area. The Royal College of Nurs- The potential of EU nurses ing said the fi ndings showed that May to outline Brexit could also prove problematic be- problems in nurse recruitment cause it would coincide with a could reach “catastrophic propor- spike in demand for care caused tions”. It said the NHS was fac- by a growing number of over- ing a perfect storm of an ageing 85-year-olds in the population, population and growing need for putting even greater strain on the healthcare coinciding with Brexit NHS, according to the IES. and fewer nurses being trained at approach in early 2017 “The current and projected British universities in the wake of shortage of nurses has left the the government deciding to axe Reuters EU, May said she would make a too much information would ing government would also face backed the idea of a transition NHS nursing workforce in Eng- bursaries for student nurses. London speech early next year. weaken Britain’s hand. major changes. Last week her Fi- period — a phrase May was obvi- land particularly vulnerable to Applications to study nursing “I will be making a speech early She has off ered little beyond nance Minister Philip Hammond ously keen to avoid using. any disruption to its recruitment are down 20% for next year. “Cou- in the New Year setting out more her oft-repeated catchphrases pipelines, both from the EEA and pled with the eff ects of Brexit, this rime Minister Theresa May about our approach and about that she wants the “best possible Sturgeon presses for EU market access outside of it,” says the study, which may become a double whammy yesterday said she would the opportunity I think we have deal” for Britain and that she will was led by Dr Rachel Marangozov. for the nursing profession which Poutline more of her ap- as a country to use this process trigger the formal divorce pro- Scotland wants to stay in government set out three “Whatever form Brexit even- could make NHS services nigh-on proach for Brexit early next year, to forge a truly global Britain that cedure — Article 50 of the EU’s the European Union’s single options in a paper entitled tually takes, it could well lead to impossible to sustain,” said Steph- underlining that her government embraces and trades with coun- Lisbon Treaty — by the end of market after the United “Scotland’s Place in Europe”. a reduced supply of labour from anie Aiken, the RCN’s deputy di- did not intend to select “bits” of tries across the world,” she said. March. Kingdom leaves the bloc and Despite being a supporter the EU. Given the current uncer- rector of nursing. EU membership but forge a new “What we need to say is...we Asked if she was in favour of a will push for more powers of secession, Sturgeon said tainty around the status of EU “Patients can be put at risk relationship. are going to leave the European transition period to help smooth to protect its interests, the her preference in the Brexit workers, many EU nurses may when there are too few staff ,” she Answering questions from Union and we need to negoti- the process for businesses fear- head of its pro-independence aftermath was for the whole voluntarily choose not to take up added. She called the big drop in sometimes irritated lawmakers, ate a new relationship with the ful of falling off a “cliff edge” government said yesterday. of the UK to stay in the single positions in the UK, while those nursing degree applications “a May off ered little more detail on European Union. It isn’t (about) into uncertain trading condi- Nicola Sturgeon said Scotland market, which trades goods already working here could make very worrying situation that could her plans for Britain to leave the trying to replicate bits of mem- tions after leaving the EU, she wants a deal that allows it and services tariff -free across plans to return home if they feel cause the staffi ng crisis to deterio- European Union, repeating that bership, it’s about saying what is said there might be a period of access to the single market 28 countries. A second option unwelcome or no longer see a fu- rate past the point of no return”. she wanted to win the best deal our new relationship.” adjustment. and free movement of the proposes a single market ture in the UK.” A spokeswoman for the depart- and would not compromise her May has come under pressure “As part of the negotiations, EU migrants that underpin membership carve-out for Non-UK EU nurses make up ment of health said: “As the health negotiating stance. from lawmakers, businesses and we will have to address this its economy, its ageing Scotland from a UK outside almost 5% of the total NHS nurs- secretary has repeatedly made Pressed whether she would EU offi cials to set out at least a question of the practicalities of population and its outlying the EU. The third option is ing workforce in England. Hos- clear, overseas workers form a cru- off er parliament any more in- broad picture of how she sees adjustment to the new relation- rural communities. independence from the rest of pitals in London, the Thames cial part of our dedicated nursing formation on how she sees Brit- Britain’s future relationship with ship once that new relationship The Scottish devolved the UK. Valley and east of England will workforce.” ain’s future relationship with the the EU, but she says giving away has been agreed,” she said, add- Police admits failings in Sky takeover opposed Leads sought to boy missing for 30 years gangster murder case London Evening Standard have both since died, but yester- London day his younger sister Alexandra Hicks, 45, from Sutton, told of Guardian News and Media timated £33mn timeshare fraud, Considering motives for taking her ongoing heartache, saying: London and served half of an eight-year out a hit on Palmer, the investi- etectives yesterday an- “Christmas is always a particu- sentence. He spent the last eight gation has looked at his criminal nounced a £20,000 re- larly hard time of the year, espe- years of his life on bail following past, including his links to the Dward to discover what cially now both my parents are police force has admitted his arrest in Tenerife in 2007 where Brink’s-Mat robbery. Palmer was happened to a 16-year-old boy gone. failings in the handling of he was charged with fraud, fi rearm also connected to some of the men who disappeared 30 years ago af- “It would be the best Christ- Athe murder of the notorious possession and money laundering. convicted for their roles in the ter going out to buy some eggs in mas present to have Kevin back criminal John “Goldfi nger” Palmer After a short hearing in more recent Hatton Garden dia- south London. or to know what has happened after offi cers mistook six gunshot Chelmsford, the coroner, Caroline mond heist. There were 16,000 Kevin Hicks told his mother he to him. Someone somewhere injuries for surgery wounds. Beasley-Murray, concluded that victims in the timeshare fraud was heading to some shops a few knows something. It is time to let At an inquest into Palmer’s Palmer had been unlawfully killed. case, which Jennings described as minutes away. He did not return go of that secret.” death, detective chief inspector The police investigation into his “16,000 motives” to kill. and was never seen again. Detectives said they now be- Stephen Jennings of Essex police murder is ongoing. A separate in- Jennings told the inquest that Detectives yesterday said they lieved the teenager had been said offi cers did not properly in- quiry by the Independent Police Palmer had gall bladder surgery believed he was assaulted and murdered after a review of the spect the gangster’s dead body as Complaints Commission (IPCC) on June 17, 2015, fi ve days before murdered by someone he met af- case was carried out earlier this it lay in the garden of his home in into Essex police’s handling of the his death, and initially his injuries ter he left his Croydon home and year. South Weald, nor did they conduct case is also ongoing. were believed to be linked. appealed for people in the local Detective Inspector John Mc- appropriate background checks “There were failings on behalf Palmer’s home was remote and community to come forward. Quade, who is leading the in- that would have revealed his high- of Essex police,” Jennings told the set amid three acres of land with Kevin had set out on April 2, quiry, said: “Kevin simply disap- profi le criminal background. inquest. “The body was not com- fencing around the property, Jen- 1986, to buy ingredients for an peared that night and was never As a result, Palmer’s death was pletely searched and relevant in- nings said. CCTV footage showed O-level cookery exam the fol- seen nor heard of again. Many not treated as suspicious until six telligence checks were not taken Palmer using a motorised buggy lowing day. enquiries have been carried out days after he died. which would have identifi ed his in his grounds at 5.18pm. He was Campaigners dressed up as Australian-born media It was a cold evening and he over the years but Kevin’s body Palmer, who was 64 when he lifestyle of criminality.” found lying dead in the grass by mogul Murdoch and Prime Minister Theresa May was carrying just £1 when he has never been found yet there is was killed on June 24, 2015, was He said 700 lines of inquiry his son’s partner after stumbling protest against Murdoch’s 21st Century Fox proposed went to Sperrings community no evidence he is still alive. cleared of handling proceeds from had been opened and 200 witness about 15 metres from the site of the takeover bid for European pay-TV giant Sky in front shop, a few minutes’ walk away “We believe Kevin must have the £26mn Brink’s-Mat bullion statements had been taken as part shooting. of the Houses of Parliament in London yesterday. 21st in Lower Addiscombe Road. met someone that night and raid at Heathrow in 1983, but his of the investigation. The force be- After a postmortem concluded Century Fox last week sealed a $14.8bn cash deal for He was last seen by someone been assaulted. Perhaps the sus- alleged involvement earned him lieved the murder had all the hall- the cause of death was gunshot control of European pay-TV giant Sky, expanding the who knew him at 10pm in Shirley pect didn’t mean to kill him but the nickname Goldfi nger. marks of a “contract-style killing”, wounds to the chest, Essex police footprint of the media-entertainment powerhouse. Road, walking in the general di- it is clear Kevin’s body must have He was jailed in 2001 for an es- he added. launched a murder inquiry. rection of home. His parents then been disposed of.” Gulf Times 16 Wednesday, December 21, 2016 EUROPE

Weapons seized from man arrested in Belgium over alleged terror threat Austria detains Moroccan over ‘terror attack’ plan

Belgian police arrested a man who allegedly The man identified as A B and born in 1982 Belgium has been on high alert since suicide A Moroccan asylum-seeker has been detained in Salzburg said in a press statement. made terrorist threats and have seized is suspected of “possessing weapons and bombers struck Brussels airport and a metro Austria for allegedly planning a terror attack in Authorities opened a probe last month after being weapons and computer equipment from him, explosives” and allegedly “made threats with a station near the European Union headquarters Salzburg over the Christmas and New Year period, tipped off about an “alleged terror attack in Salzburg prosecutors said yesterday. terrorist nature”, it said in a statement. on March 22, killing 32 people. prosecutors said yesterday. around Christmas or New Year”, it added. The man who was detained in the Brussels “Several items were seized, including arms and Those attacks were claimed by IS, which The 25-year-old was arrested on Monday in a refugee During Monday’s raid, police found more than commune of Schaerbeek on Monday will computer equipment,” it added. controls parts of Iraq and Syria and has centre in the small Alpine resort town of Fuschl, €8,000 ($8,305) in cash and several electronic appear before a judge to determine whether to Bomb disposal experts arrived at the scene to claimed numerous terror strikes in Europe 20km east of Salzburg, close to the German border. devices. keep him in custody, the federal prosecutor’s examine a suspect package that turned out over the last year, including attacks in Paris in The Moroccan is suspected of “belonging to a The suspect is in custody and investigations are off ice said. not to contain explosives, it added. November 2015 that left 130 people dead. terrorist organisation”, the prosecutor’s off ice in ongoing. Police say Zurich Europe boosts security mosque gunman at Christmas markets was Swiss AFP Suspect in Berlin attack released from detention Reuters Paris Zurich A Pakistani refugee detained on suspicion of carrying out a deadly lorry attack on a Berlin Christmas market has been released from custody, the ecurity was beefed up German authorities report. gunman who shot three at Christmas markets Investigations have so far failed to prove conclusively that the 23-year-old worshippers in a Zu- Sacross Europe after a lor- committed any crime, the federal prosecutor’s off ice in the city of Karl- Arich mosque on Monday ry ploughed through a market sruhe said yesterday evening. evening was a 24-year-old Swiss in Berlin killing 12 people and The man had provided a considerable amount of information during man with Ghanaian roots and no heightening security fears at the questioning, but denies any involvement in the ploughing-down of people apparent links to Islamist radi- onset of the holiday season. attending a Christmas market in the west of the city late on Monday, an calism, police said yesterday. The carnage in the German attack that left at least 12 dead and nearly 50 injured. The suspect, whom they did capital had particular resonance Witnesses who claimed they had followed the man when he fled the crime not identify by name, is thought in France, which has borne the scene had not had an uninterrupted view of him, and there was no record- to have killed another man in brunt of terror attacks in Europe ing of him in the cabin of the lorry, investigations show. Zurich on Sunday. for the past two years. He seems to have taken his The witness accounts of a own life shortly after the mosque truck barrelling through a crowd Bruno Le Roux, France’s re- entrances to the market, which shooting, whose motivation re- of revellers immediately brought cently appointed interior minis- is sealed off on the traffi c side by mains a mystery, police offi cials to mind the scenes in the Riviera ter, visited the market yesterday metal barricades. said. city of Nice in July, where an Is- and told Europe 1 radio that the Ivan Pallen, a 27-year-old “He is Swiss and we don’t lamist used a lorry to mow down authorities “will ensure the se- marketing student from Mauri- know anything about the mo- 86 people during Bastille Day curity of our territory and citi- tius who was enjoying the festive tives,” Christiane Lentjes Meili, celebrations. zens”. stalls selling sweets and mulled head of criminal investigations President Francois Hollande In Strasbourg, even before the wine, said that the level of secu- for the Zurich cantonal police, said France was under a “high Berlin attack, security was tight. rity was a hard balance to strike. told a news conference. level of threat” following the Police man barricades at the “You don’t see many police The gunman from the nearby events in Berlin but pointed out various entry points to the main but perhaps they are in plain town of Uster had stormed into that the country already has a island of the city, where the mar- clothes,” he told AFP. “At the The truck used in the attack on the Christmas market near the Kaiser-Wilhelm-Gedaechtniskirche (Kaiser the Islamic centre near the main large-scale security operation in ket is located. same time, you don’t want to see Wilhelm Memorial Church) in Berlin is towed away yesterday as forensic experts examine the scene train station in Switzerland’s fi - place. While the offi cers check bags, soldiers carrying weapons sta- around the vehicle. nancial capital and opened fi re “We have a high level of threat private security guards mingle tioned every two metres along a on people praying, wounding and we also have a particularly with the crowd to keep watch. Christmas market.” go to markets or big events, al- Police Chiefs’ Council said that such as stations and shopping three men. high level of mobilisation and In Paris, the large Christmas In Austria, a traditional home beit while exercising the greatest despite the Berlin attack, the centres. The condition of the victims vigilance,” Hollande said. market extending along the re- of the Christmas market, au- caution,” he said. threat to Britain remained un- Belgium, where many of the was said to be improving yester- France’s best-known Christ- nowned Champs-Elysees avenue thorities said security would be In Britain, the central English changed at severe, meaning an plots in Europe have originated, day. mas market in the picturesque was the target for a gang of six stepped up around such sites. city of Birmingham erected con- attack was “highly likely”. left its alert level at “possible or The gunman’s body was found eastern city of Strasbourg has suspected Islamist militants ar- Austrian Interior Minister crete blocks earlier this month Authorities in Poland, where likely” attack. soon afterwards around 300m been a particular concern for rested in November, according to Wolfgang Sobotka urged people around what it bills as the “larg- the truck used in the Berlin ram- In Switzerland’s main Christ- away. security forces for years, with at prosecutors. not to change their Christmas est authentic German Christmas page began its journey before mas market in Basle, police said He appears to have shot him- least two Islamist militant cells In the wake of the Berlin at- routines, but to be alert to any- market outside Germany or Aus- being apparently hijacked, said entrances would henceforth be self, police said. in the city being broken up in the tack, offi cials added more con- thing unusual. tria”. that they would lay on more po- blocked by barriers or police ve- Investigators were still puz- past few years. crete blast blocks at pedestrian “I ask everyone to continue to A spokesman for the National lice patrols around sensitive sites hicles. zling over what set off the deadly chain of events. The man – whose last run-in with the law was as a bike thief seven years ago – had quit his job Refugees plead with Germans not to tar them with suspicion in a shop on Friday. There were indications that the man had taken an interest Reuters Syrian living in Hangar 7 at the Refugees were accosted by “We had no idea what was million migrants into Germany a 45-year-old refugee from the in occult sciences, Lentjes Meili Berlin former Tempelhof airport, an dozens of journalists eager for happening. Security guards told this year and last, mainly Mus- Syrian city of Idlib. “I hope that said, adding it was not clear at imposing structure built by Hit- information about Monday us to stay in. Later they told us lims fl eeing countries such as what this person did won’t tar- this stage whether he was men- ler to showcase Nazi might and night’s police operation, carried there had been a police raid. They Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan, has nish the reputation of refugees tally ill. efugees in Berlin pleaded now being used to house mi- out after the attack that killed 12. said nothing else,” added Safi - hardened public views on immi- like us who are very grateful to Two days later he is suspect- with their host nation to grants. Some gazed at the ground as hullah, speaking in German. gration and weakened support Germany.” ed of killing a man with South Ravoid placing migrants un- “We are worried about how the they left the hangars and sped A security source told Reu- for Chancellor Angela Merkel. Yaser, a 32-year-old refugee American roots he seems to have der a blanket of suspicion after German public will view us after away to language lessons, waving ters the arrested man had been It has also fuelled xenophobia. from Syria, said he became de- been acquainted with and leav- police commandos raided their this terrorist attack,” added Sufi , their arms to fend off reporters. staying at the Tempelhof refu- Authorities in Berlin say they jected when he read about the at- ing the body in a playground in shelter, which had been home to a tucking his hands into his red “We woke up to shouts in Ger- gee centre. However, police said recorded 59 attacks on refugee tack on Facebook. Zurich. man arrested over a truck attack jacket to keep warm on a freez- man around 3.30 in the morning,” they were not sure if he was the shelters in the city last year and “We fl ed this kind of terrorism The mayhem continued when on a crowded Christmas market. ing morning. “My message to the said Afghan refugee Safi hullah, attacker. The suspect was later 48 so far this year. and it is following us here,” he he entered the mosque after dusk “We are of course worried,” Germans is: ‘Don’t suspect eve- 21, who lives in Hangar 6, which released. “We have nothing to do with said, adjusting a black beanie on on Monday, armed with a gun for said Ibrahim Sufi , a 26-year-old rybody, don’t generalise’.” was raided by police. The infl ux of more than one this crime,” said Ammar Wazzaz, his head. which he had a permit.

Austrian police to hand out pocket Turkish police detain alarms ahead of New Year’s Eve Austrian police will distribute 6,000 pocket alarms on New Year’s Eve to help prevent incidents like the mass sex assaults six after shooting of in neighbouring Germany a year ago, the interior ministry said yesterday. “It’s a national campaign aimed primarily at women on New Year’s Russian ambassador Eve,” ministry spokesman Karl-Heinz Grundboeck told AFP. If activated, the free gadgets will emit a shrill sound aimed at chasing away potential aggressors, he added. Reuters ket as a Russian Orthodox priest The ministry earlier announced it would also beef up security at Ankara recited prayers. public events following a deadly attack at a Christmas market in Turkey identifi ed the killer as Berlin on Monday evening. 22-year-old Mevlut Mert Altin- Several hundred thousand visitors are expected to ring in 2017 in urkish police have de- tas, who had worked for the An- Vienna, which will host an annual New Year’s Eve party trail in the tained six people over the kara riot police for 2-1/2 years. centre. Tkilling of Russia’s am- Altintas, who also shouted Police said revellers will be able to pick up their pocket alarms along bassador, security sources said, slogans associated with Islamist the trail. widening an investigation to militancy after shooting ambas- In 2015, hundreds of women were mugged and groped in a crowd relatives of the off -duty police sador Andrei Karlov, was killed of men of mainly Arab and north African appearance in the German offi cer who shouted “Don’t for- minutes later by members of city of Cologne on December 31. get Aleppo!” as he gunned the Turkey’s special forces. The incidents shocked Germany and fuelled criticism of Chancellor envoy down. His mother, father, sister and Angela Merkel’s liberal refugee policy. Both countries cast Monday’s two other relatives were held in A Turkish police off icer stands guard outside the Russian embassy attack at an art gallery in the the western province of Aydin, in Ankara yesterday, a day after the Russian ambassador to Turkey capital Ankara as an attempt to while his fl atmate in Ankara was was killed by an off -duty off icer. undermine a recent thawing of also detained, security sources ties that have been strained by said. “Don’t forget Aleppo, don’t Turkey faces multiple secu- civil war in Syria, where they One senior Turkish security forget Syria. You will not be rity threats, including from Is- Polish parliament lifts media ban back opposing sides. offi cial said investigators were able to feel safe for as long as lamic State. The war, which has killed focusing on whether Altin- our districts are not safe. Only Earlier this month a spokes- more than 300,000 people and tas had links to the US-based death can take me from here,” he man for the hardline Sunni Reuters pendence of the media and the Kuchcinski triggered demon- created a power vacuum ex- Muslim cleric Fethullah Gulen, shouted in Turkish. Muslim group urged global Warsaw judiciary. strations outside parliament and ploited by Islamic State (IS), whom Ankara blames for a failed Turkish President Recep sympathisers to carry out new Despite the removal of the an occupation of the Sejm’s po- reached a potential turning July coup. Tayyip Erdogan said on Monday attacks, singling out Turkish media ban, opposition lawmak- dium and the speaker’s chair by point last week when Syrian Gulen has denied responsi- that he and Russia’s Vladimir diplomatic, military and fi nan- oland’s lower house of ers extended their occupation of opposition lawmakers. forces ended rebel resistance in bility for the coup and Monday’s Putin had agreed in a telephone cial interests as preferred tar- parliament lifted a tempo- parliament’s debating chamber In response, Kuchcinski tem- the northern city of Aleppo. attack and has condemned both call to strengthen co-operation gets. Prary ban on media access into a fi fth day. porarily barred all reporters and Russia, an ally of President events. in fi ghting terrorism. Altintas also shouted “We are yesterday in an eff ort to defuse They vowed to stay put un- moved the vote to a side room. Bashar al-Assad, supported that The slogans that Altintas Putin said it was aimed at de- the ones who swore allegiance protests that have paralysed the til a debate and vote on the 2017 The Sejm’s press offi ce said advance with air strikes. shouted, which were captured railing Russia’s attempts to fi nd, to Mohammed for the jihad!”, assembly, but the opposition said budget they say was held illegally yesterday that the ban had been Karlov’s remains were sent on video and circulated widely with Iran and Turkey, a solution which the mass circulation more still needed to be done. in a side room on Friday to avoid scrapped but rules on media ac- back to Moscow from Turkey on social media, suggested he for the Syria crisis. Hurriyet newspaper said was The clampdown on media ac- protests and reporters is re-run cess were still likely to change. after a ceremony at the airport was aligned to a radical Islam- The foreign ministers of three a slogan that was commonly cess planned by the ruling right- with all lawmakers. The opposition welcomed the in Ankara. ist ideology, rather than that of countries, meeting in Moscow used in propaganda videos of wing Law and Justice (PiS) party The planned curbs on media move but demanded the lower The white, red and blue Rus- Gulen, who preaches a message yesterday, said they were ready the group formerly allied to Al is among a raft of measures its access to the Sejm announced chamber also re-run the disput- sian fl ag was draped on the cas- of interfaith dialogue. to broker a Syrian peace deal. Qaeda in Syria. critics say have eroded the inde- last week by PiS Speaker Marek ed budget vote. Gulf Times Wednesday, December 21, 2016 17 INDIA As income rises, fewer girls are born in India

IANS marked son preference – espe- other Asian countries where it widespread use of sex-selective Telangana, India’s newest – can be attributed to its literacy clining from 935 in 2005 to 834 New Delhi cially in Asia, the Middle East is believed that only sons can technology. state, had the fourth-highest sex rate of 93.91% in 2011, the high- in 2014. Its per capita income and North Africa – growing af- perpetuate the family line and The link between rising in- ratio at birth (961) and a per cap- est at the time. had risen nearly four times in the fl uence does lead to a fall in the receive inheritance, apart from come, falling fertility rate and ita income of Rs95,961, which The only places in India that same period. ndia’s sex ratio at birth – the fertility rate, but it also results in earning dowry for the family. sex ratio at birth becomes clear made it among the top 10 richest had sex ratios at birth more fa- Some states – such as Mahar- number of girls born alive for a skewed sex ratio. In 2015, China’s per capita as we study the fi gures reported states in the country. However, vourable to infant girls are the ashtra, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and Ievery 1,000 boys – declined This is because rising income, income stood at $7,924.7, way from various Indian states. its districts have been showing Union Territories of Andaman Tripura – do not even have re- over the last 65 years from 946 which results in increased litera- above India’s $1,581.6, but its The fi ve richest states in India declining child sex ratios. and Nicobar and Lakshadweep, corded data of sex ratio at birth to 887 even as per capita income cy, makes it easier for families to sex ratio at birth this year was had per capita incomes higher Among the states that re- with ratios of 1,031 and 1,043, for certain years. increased nearly 10 times, ac- access sex-selective procedures estimated at 869 - much low- than the national average, and ported high sex ratios at birth, respectively. “Modernisation and ris- cording to recently released gov- such as amniocentesis. er than the world average of total fertility rates lower than the only Kerala fi gured among the Haryana and Tamil Nadu, the ing incomes make it easier and ernment data. As India’s per capita income 971 - according to the Central national average. But, with the top 10 richest states. Arunachal country’s third- and fi fth-rich- more desirable to select the sex India’s child sex ratio, or the rose to Rs72,889, its total fertil- Intelligence Agency’s World exception of Sikkim, all of them Pradesh, which had the coun- est states in terms of per capita of your children. And on top of number of girls below six per ity rate (average number of chil- Factbook. recorded sex ratios below 950. try’s highest sex ratio at birth income, are the fourth- and that, smaller families combine 1,000 boys, too has declined dren born per woman) fell from South Korea showed an annual Delhi, with the second- (993) in 2014, ranked 13th on the third-lowest states in terms of with greater wealth to reinforce over the years. In 2011, it stood 5.9 in 1960 to 2.5 in 2012 and to per capita income of $20,971 in highest per capita income of per capita income list. sex ratio at birth. the imperative to produce a at 914 – the lowest since Inde- 2.4 in 2014. But its sex ratio at 2006, but it was among the fi rst Rs221,219 in 2013-14, has not Kerala’s position as an outlier, The prevalence of female in- son,” said a March 2010 article pendence. birth fell too. countries to report a skewed sex crossed the 900 mark yet in sex with a sex ratio at birth of 948 – fanticide in Tamil Nadu has re- in the Economist news maga- In societies that show a Consider similar trends in ratio at birth traceable to the ratio at birth (896). the fi fth highest in the country sulted in its sex ratio at birth de- zine. Jaitley: RBI has adequate stock of cash

IANS The Aam Aadmi Party leader New Delhi told a public rally that Modi car- ried out the November 8 note ban basically to bail out corpo- inance Minister Arun Jait- rate friends who have failed to ley yesterday said the Re- pay back huge loans taken from Fserve Bank of India has banks. suffi cient stock of cash, which The spiking of the old Rs500 would last way beyond Decem- and 1,000 notes, which has trig- ber 30. gered an unprecedented cash “RBI has adequate cash, not crunch, had not ended corrup- only to last till December 30, but tion and nor will it eradicate well beyond that,” Jaitley said at black money in the economy, a press conference here. Kejriwal said. On the question of being less If Modi was serious about do- prepared, Jaitley said: “There was ing away with black money, he complete preparation. Not even only needed to jail those having for a single day did the RBI not illegal Swiss bank accounts, the release adequate currency stock AAP leader said. through the banking system. Kejriwal said while Modi had Finance Minister Arun Jaitley chairs the pre-budget consultative meeting with the Banks and Financial Institutions Group in New Delhi yesterday. Also seen are Minister of State for “A certain amount of curren- waived off huge loans given to Finance Arjun Ram Meghwal and Economic Aff airs Secretary Shaktikanta Das. cies are to be released each day. corporate houses, he was not There was already preparation willing to forego the loans given for that. Therefore, stock has to farmers, traders and other or- been maintained, adding both dinary people. advance printing and current Alleging a quid pro quo, he printing,” he added. said corporate houses had given He said small traders and busi- bribes to both Modi when he was nesses will get a tax advantage of the Gujarat chief minister and more than 30% for digital trans- also Madhya Pradesh Chief Min- Confusion reigns over actions. The government on ister Shivraj Singh Chouhan. Monday said small traders and Instead of ending corruption businesses with a turnover of up and black money, demonetisa- to Rs20mn would pay less tax if tion had only caused widespread they accept payments through economic havoc in the country, banking and digital means. he said. “There will be a signifi cant tax Kejriwal also demanded an new curbs on deposits benefi t for small traders if you inquiry into the source of funds turn digital. It is a tax incentive of political parties and political Amarinder Singh urges for not having done it earlier. to satisfy their banks “why you the “poor and middle class high that black money will be elimi- to support digitisation of econo- leaders. Supreme Court to put on hold Speaking at an event yester- were not able to deposit the old and dry”. nated,” the CPM said. my,” Jaitley said. Also yesterday, Rashtriya Ja- the latest RBI order day, Jaitley didn’t give a direct currency till now”. “The RBI makes new rules on It said the government was “If we calculate, many traders nata Dal chief Lalu Prasad at- reply when reporters asked him “We only need a reason from deposit, FM (fi nance minister) making the life of common peo- will get a tax advantage of more tacked Modi for openly “adver- IANS about the government’s fl ip- you. This move is to thwart those contradicts. Who should citizen ple, especially farmers, “miser- than 30% for transactions in tising” Paytm, which is jointly New Delhi fl op on allowing the deposit of candidates who are depositing believe? Neither has credibility,” able by the latest restrictions”. digital mode,” he added. owned by a Chinese company. old notes after the November 8 money on behalf of others and Chidambaram tweeted. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) On putting a ceiling of “Has there been any Indian decision to recall the high-value have been frequenting banks for Congress vice president Ra- said the nation had got “a weak” Rs5,000 on deposit of old notes, PM, who openly advertises he government yesterday currency bills. this purpose,” the manager said. hul Gandhi took a dig at Prime prime minister who changes his Jaitley said: “Since the exemp- Chinese company and says do came under attack from “Whoever has old currency The issue reached the Su- Minister Narendra Modi, say- decision every other day. tions on using old notes have Paytm,” Yadav tweeted in Hindi. Topposition amid confu- must go and deposit it in one go. preme Court yesterday with ing the “Reserve Bank of India AAP leader Ashutosh said been lifted (in hospitals, railway The former Bihar chief min- sion over new curbs on depos- If somebody goes every day, it Punjab Congress chief Amarind- was changing rules like the PM since the demonetisation was stations and other places), there ister said by Paytm, Modi meant iting more than Rs5,000 in old raises suspicion. Since exemp- er Singh urging the top court to changes his clothes”. announced, the government had will be no question of getting old “Pay to Me.” notes even after Finance Minis- tions have been lifted, whoever put on hold the latest RBI order. The Communist Party of In- issued a total of 59 notifi cations, notes on a regular basis. Chinese company Alibaba has ter Arun Jaitley said any amount has old currency must deposit it Singh urged the court to treat dia (Marxist) dubbed the curbs changing the rules to exchange “Whoever has old currency a 40% stake in Paytm, which has of old currency can be deposited in one go,” Jaitley said. He didn’t his petition as a public inter- “whimsical and anti-people” or deposit old notes. must go and deposit it in one go. been widely used by people after in banks at one go and without elaborate. est litigation as the government and demanded its immediate “I feel that under no other If somebody goes every day, it demonetisation. questions being asked. Pawan Kumar, manager of the was causing havoc with chang- retraction and also other restric- prime minister has the gov- raises suspicion,” he added. Also yesterday Congress pres- Despite Jaitley’s clarification Punjab National Bank branch in ing rules daily. People were fac- tions on using and depositing ernment changed its decisions Meanwhile, Delhi Chief Min- ident Sonia Gandhi’s son-in-law on Monday night, the Reserve Noida Sector 16, said that the ing immense hardship due to the the old tender until alternative so many times so quickly,” ister Arvind Kejriwal said de- Robert Vadra expressed concern Bank of India didn’t amend its RBI directive was aimed at stop- currency ban, he said. arrangements were made. Ashutosh said. monetisation was not aimed at over the hardships faced by the notification that said amounts ping people from depositing Former fi nance minister P “In fact, the latest order is be- “The nation needed a strong fi ghting corruption and black people due to demonetisation. exceeding Rs5,000 in 500 and money for others and coming to Chidambaram lashed out at a cause almost all the notes taken prime minister. But what we have money but it seeks to help Prime This is the second time Vadra 1,000 notes can be deposited banks over and again. “desperate government resort- out of circulation have come got instead is a weak prime min- Minister Narendra Modi’s super has spoken on these lines on his till December 30 after explain- But he said questions would ing to desperate measures” and back into the banking system ister who is so confused that he rich friends. Facebook account. ing to bank officials the reasons be asked and customers needed said the new cap on deposits left exposing the fraudulent claims changes his decisions every day.”

Kareena, Saif Ali Khan Sasikala thanks Pranab, blessed with baby boy PM, Rahul for condolences IANS of Jayalalithaa from where she Chennai wrote the three letters on De- Agencies over the last nine months, and Both mother and son are healthy cember 18. Jayalalithaa passed Mumbai of course especially our fans and and doing well. Father is doing away on December 5, following well wishers for their continued extremely well,” Soha tweeted. ate Tamil Nadu chief a cardiac arrest. aff ection. Merry Christmas and Kareena’s father Randhir minister J Jayalalithaa’s The letters were released boy was born to Bolly- a happy new year to you all... said: “The entire family is over- Lclose aide V K Sasikala to the media by the AIADMK wood’s leading couple With love, Saif and Kareena.” whelmed and is welcoming has thanked President Pranab party yesterday. ASaif Ali Khan and Kareena Kareena and Saif, who have the new member in our family. Mukherjee and Prime Min- In her letter to Mukherjee Kapoor yesterday, the stars an- worked together in fi lms like Thanks for all the blessings.” ister Narendra Modi, among she said it was kind of him to nounced in a statement. Tashan, Kurbaan, Agent Vinod, Her best friend Amrita Arora, others, for off ering their have visited Chennai and paid Kareena, 36, daughter of vet- LOC Kargil and Omkara, got who has been part of Kareena’s personal condolences at the his condolences to her person- eran actors Randhir Kapoor and married in October 2012. closest circle throughout her death of the former All India ally on the demise of the late Babita, delivered the baby at the Saif, the son of veteran actress pregnancy, posted on Insta- Anna Dravida Munnetra Ka- party matriarch. Breach Candy Hospital in Mum- Sharmila Tagore and late cricket gram: “My darling, welcome to zhagam chief. Sasikala, in her letter to bai. captain Mansur Ali Khan Patau- the best club everrrrr...‘Mommy At a time when the AI- Modi said: “Many thanks for A statement released on be- di, was earlier married to actress club’.Love you.” ADMK offi cials were urging your visit and expression of half of the actors read: “We are Amrita Singh and has two chil- Taimur – which in Persian lan- Sasikala to take over the party sympathy to the people of very pleased to share with you dren with her – daughter Sara guage means iron – has already mantle, she sent separate let- Tamil Nadu and to me person- all the wonderful news about the and son Ibrahim. been dubbed as “mini Nawab” by ters to Mukherjee, Modi and ally, in our moment of inexpli- birth of our son: Taimur Ali Khan Saif is doing “extremely well” fi lm fraternity members. Congress vice president Rahul cable grief and sorrow.” Pataudi, on December 20, 2016. after becoming a father again, Filmmaker Karan Johar tweet- Gandhi expressing her grati- “Your words of sympathy “We would like to thank the said his sister Soha Ali Khan. ed: “My Bebo had a baby boy! tude at their concern. to me, in my hour of personal media for the understanding “Delighted to welcome Taimur I am so so happy! Taimur Ali Sasikala continues to stay grief overwhelmed me in every and support they have given us Ali Khan Pataudi into the world. Khan.” Saif Ali Khan and Kareena: proud parents at the Poes Garden residence way,” Sasikala told Gandhi. Gulf Times 18 Wednesday, December 21, 2016 INDIA

PEOPLE EVENT CONTROVERSY CRIME CORRUPTION Veteran Malayalam actor Man Booker Prize winner Achuthanandan criticises Girl found hanging Ruckus in Himachal Jagannatha Varma dead to grace Jaipur lit fest state tourism awards from tree in UP assembly over probe

Veteran Malayalam character Man Booker Prize-winning author Paul Marxist party veteran and former Kerala A teenage girl was found hanging from a tree The Himachal Pradesh assembly yesterday actor Jagannatha Varma died Beatty features in the final list of speakers chief minister V S Achuthanandan yesterday in Semalpur village of Kannauj yesterday witnessed unruly scenes as members of the yesterday morning at a private of the much-awaited literary event of the criticised the state Tourism Department for morning after she was allegedly raped, opposition Bharatiya Janata Party demanded hospital in Thiruvananthapuram, new year – ZEE Jaipur Literature Festival giving awards to two resorts which have been police said. Daughter of Santosh Verma, the a debate on the ongoing corruption cases according to hospital sources. 2017 – that was announced yesterday. built in violation of the Coastal Regulation 13-year-old girl was missing since Monday against Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh. After He was suff ering from age- Beatty, who wrote the book The Sellout Zone guidelines. “I have complained against night and her body was seen hanging from a verbal slugfest between the treasury and related illness. The 77-year-old has acted will be making his first appearance at the the violation of these two resorts and a a tree by villagers in the morning. The police opposition benches, Speaker B B L Butail in over 200 films and two dozen TV serials festival. Other speakers at the JLF are probe is on,” said Achuthanandan. He added confirmed that sexual assault appeared adjourned the house for 15 minutes. Earlier in a career spanning four decades. He was writer and painter Amruta Patil, actress that giving awards to such law-breakers to have happened before the murder. as the house assembled in the morning, also a kathakali artiste and also doubled up Nandana Sen, Irish film director Neil does not augur well and wished that such Superintendent of Police (SP) Dinesh BJP members Suresh Bhardwaj, Rajeev as a percussionist. Varma began his off icial Jordan, wildlife expert Valmik Thapar, mistakes do not happen again. In May, the Kumar Puri said: “A suspect in the case is Bindal and Ravinder Ravi got to their feet career in the Kerala police department and spiritualist Sadhguru, politician Shashi 93-year-old was given the ceremonial title missing and his house is locked. We have and sought a debate on the graft cases retired in as a superintendent of police and Tharoor, British film director Stephen of ‘Kerala’s Fidel Castro’ by his party general formed three teams to crack the case.” He against Virbhadra Singh. They said they after that he was very active in the film Frears, actor Rishi Kapoor and Tamil writer secretary Sitaram Yechury, the day Pinarayi added that based on the family’s suspicion had already given separate notices to the industry. Some of his popular films included and journalist Vaasanthi. The event will Vijayan became chief minister after the regarding rape, a panel of doctors has speaker for the debate. Butail, however, blockbusters like New Delhi, Ee Sabdam take place between January 19 and 23 at Achuthanandan-led Left Democratic Front been asked to conduct the postmortem refused to allow them to speak as the Innathe Sabdam, Yodha and Lelam. the historic Diggi Palace Hotel in Jaipur. won the assembly polls. examination. matter is in court.

US mission completes search for India, Kyrgyz WW II airmen in Arunachal

IANS leaders meet; New Delhi

he US mission in Aru- nachal Pradesh to locate Tthe remains of service- men missing since World War II vow joint fi ght has been completed, authorities said yesterday. A team from the US Defence POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) team visited several lo- cations in the state to determine if the reported sites can be de- against terror fi nitively correlated to known crash sites involving missing US Modi and Kyrgyz President Stating that the two sides also Modi for taking up the initiative servicemen, an offi cial state- Atambayev agree to deepen discussed co-operation in the to set up a Kyrgyz-India fund to ment said. bilateral engagement defence sector, Modi said: “The encourage businessmen on both The US team concentrated its Kyrgyz-India Mountain Bio- sides. eff orts on sites where US aircraft IANS Medical Research Centre is an He stressed on expansion of are believed to have crashed in New Delhi excellent example of successful trade between the two sides stat- the Himalayas with still unac- collaboration. It has proved to be ing that “we are not happy with counted-for servicemen. a rewarding research initiative, what we have today”. During the mission, local ndia and Kyrgyzstan yester- which we need to build on.” Atambayev also called for co- residents gave the team human day pledged to work together The prime minister also said operation in high technology remains and osseous material Ito prevent youths from fall- that the two sides have started sector with inputs from Indian recovered from the wreckage of ing prey to the common chal- work on a Kyrgyz-India Joint experts. a crashed aircraft. lenges of terrorism, extremism Military Training Centre in the In a joint statement, Modi and At the site, the US DPAA and radicalism as the two sides Kyrgyz Republic. Atambayev stressed the impor- found additional human re- reaffi rmed their commitment He also stressed on bilateral tance of deepening co-operation mains believed to be associ- to strengthening all-round co- economic co-operation saying between the two countries in the ated with missing US service operation that he and President Atambayev international arena and called members. The government’s In a joint press conference have agreed on the need to con- for measures to tackle challenges approval is awaited to send the with Kyrgyz President Almaz- nect the two countries’ econo- posed by terrorism and extrem- remains to the US for identifi- bek Atambayev after delegation- mies more deeply. ism in the world. cation. level talks here, Prime Minister “To this end, we will work to “The current level of trade and Speaking on the mission, US Narendra Modi said the two sides strengthen bilateral trade and investment relations between In- Ambassador Richard Verma “focused on our common prior- economic linkages, and facili- dia and Kyrgyzstan is below the said: “The US is committed to ity of diversifying and deepening tate greater people-to-people potential available and the coun- making sure all the soldiers, bilateral engagement”. exchanges,” the prime minister tries directed their respective min- sailors, airmen and marines “We also discussed how we said. istries and departments to develop who served our country come could work together to secure “We will encourage indus- a comprehensive roadmap in this home. DPAA’s mission in India our youth and society against the try and business on both sides area for a fi ve-year time frame,” is a vital part of that commit- common challenges of terrorism, to play a leading role in exploit- the statement said. ment.” extremism, and radicalism,” he ing opportunities in healthcare, The countries also agreed to Thanking the Indian govern- said. tourism, information technol- explore new mechanisms to fur- ment for its support, Mission “We agreed on the need to co- ogy, agriculture, mining and en- ther strengthen mutual econom- commander Lt. Col Pritz said: ordinate and work closely in ad- ergy.” ic ties. “We want to thank the govern- dressing and overcoming these Modi said: “We shall give spe- The two leaders instructed ment of India, the Ministry of challenges for our common ben- cial emphasis to youth exchanges that work be undertaken on the External Affairs and the Indian efi t.” in our technical and economic liberalisation of visa procedures, Air Force for their invaluable Modi said India regarded the co-operation programme with to create the most favourable assistance and co-operation Kyrgyz Republic as a valuable the Kyrgyz Republic. The under- conditions to enhance co-oper- in conducting this mission. partner in the common pursuit standings concluded today will ation in diverse areas including Without their support, this of making Central Asia a region support our thrust in these di- science and technology, trade mission would not have been Prime Minister Narendra Modi presents Kyrgyz President Almazbek Atambayev with a Hindi of sustainable peace, stability rections.” and economy as well as educa- successful.” translation of Kyrgyz epic Manas in New Delhi yesterday. and prosperity. President Atambayev thanked tion and culture. Was it Modi’s or Rahul’s balloon that burst?

rime Minister Narendra slogan shouting) available at its rifi ed with the information that for home, described Gandhi’s nity for perhaps what he him- Modi must send a heartfelt command.” I have. I have information on threat. Parliamentary Aff airs self believed were wild allega- P‘thank you’ note to Rahul The BJP also justifi ed its tac- the personal corruption of (the) Minister Ananth Kumar saw tions? Speaking outside would Gandhi. If he has not done it al- tic saying the Congress Party Delhi Diary prime minister,” Gandhi said at Gandhi’s allegations as being have exposed him to possible ready, that is. had done it during Atal Behari a press conference in the parlia- “made out of desperation and he defamation suits and he already The winter session of parlia- Vajpayee regime when the cof- By A K B Krishnan ment building. “I want to reveal (Rahul) should apologise to the has his hands full with one case ment was a washout because of fi n scam, which later turned out in Lok Sabha… The government nation.” or another in the court. the demonetisation protests and to be no scam, and the expose by Gulf Times Correspondent is not allowing me to speak. PM Apology was what The Eco- But Gandhi was not done yet. much blame had to be placed on investigative website Tehelka of is afraid that if he lets me speak nomic Times newspaper also The day after he told report- the government’s doorstep. then BJP president Bangaru Lax- then his balloon will burst.” wanted from Gandhi if his ers to read his lips, he went and The opposition had started man accepting cash in the name have done a lot, but didn’t. Un- lating to provisions of the goods For good measure Gandhi had threats were mere boasts. “Have met Prime Minister Modi with the ruckus but the Treasury of party, surfaced. less something drastic is thought and services tax (GST), got side- got leaders from the entire op- premia on earthquake insurance the usual Congress hangers-on benches – perhaps for the time The wheel has come full circle of by the presiding offi cers, this lined. position except the left to sit gone up in Delhi since Rahul in tow to request him to waive in Indian parliament’s history and now it’s the Congress once history will soon repeat itself if The post-session focus of the alongside him while he talked Gandhi promised to make the farmer loans. Curiously, on the – also contributed by shout- again disrupting. It’s illogical for and when the Congress Party, or media, therefore, ought to have to the press. This was the top earth tremble with the revela- same day the entire opposition ing, sloganeering and waving the Congress and the opposition for that matter any other party, been on the colossal wastage of leader of the most important op- tions…,” asked the pink daily in was scheduled to meet President placards and posters prompting to disrupt when they could have comes to power. time and money by the elected position party making a serious its editorial comment. “What- Pranab Mukherjee to apprise Rajya Sabha chairman Hamid highlighted the people’s plight Television anchors and edito- representatives. Life was not charge against the prime minis- ever his motive, this cannot con- him of the demonetisation “dis- Ansari to remark: “Regular and in the wake of the withdrawal rial writers had been very vocal exactly easy for the prime min- ter. Surely he must know what he tinue forever. Gandhi must come aster”. continuous disruptions signify of high value currency. But after in their criticism of the MPs’ ister; on the one hand the sight is talking. out with whatever charge he has, The Samajwadi Party, the Ba- this session... The rules about Ghulam Nabi Azad, leader of the unruly behaviour. The people of millions of people queuing “What is it,” reporters asked regardless of whether he speaks hujan Samaj Party, the commu- displaying placards and shout- opposition, and former prime at large, already suff ering im- up for meagre withdrawals from Mallikarjun Kharge, the Con- in parliament or outside,” the nists, the Nationalist Congress ing slogans were ignored by all minister Manmohan Singh mensely from the impact of de- banks and ATMs and on the gress Party’s leader in the Lok daily said. Party and the Dravida Munnetra sections of the house…My hope spoke in the Rajya Sabha, the monetisation, were indeed look- other a parliament in permanent Sabha. The man from Karna- “Will he (Gandhi) now tell Kazhagam decided not to take stands belied.” Congress refused to listen to the ing for a meaningful debate by dysfunctional mode. The BJP’s taka had nothing to say. “He the party and the people to wait kindly to Gandhi’s unilateral de- Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party government’s version. their elected representatives but attempts to point the fi nger at has not shared it with me,” was until the budget session (of cision to meet Modi and refused (BJP) had adopted the disrup- But the BJP has now set a new that was not to be. the opposition did not get much all Kharge would commit. Then parliament),” asked Indian Ex- to join the delegation to meet tion technique way back in 2011 example by being the fi rst rul- Some say the reason for this support. it was the turn of Ghulam Nabi press in its editorial. “Whatev- Mukherjee. while in the opposition and then ing party to disrupt parliament, state of aff airs was there was no The post-session talk, there- Azad to plead ignorance. His er his political strategy behind In a matter of 24 hours Ra- leader of opposition in the Rajya their ruse: the Gandhi family’s “fl oor co-ordination” between fore, was going to be centred on deputy Anand Sharma, always a this, each day of his silence hul Gandhi not only managed Sabha and current Finance Min- alleged role in the purchase of the government and the opposi- the BJP’s, more importantly Mo- vocal critic of the BJP, also had dents his credibility,” the daily to change the narrative from ister Arun Jaitley had proudly AugustaWestland helicopters tion. In reality, the government di’s, inability to take the opposi- no inkling what secret Gandhi added. demonetisation to his personal declared: “If parliamentary ac- from Italy, a case in which former and the opposition, especially tion along at a crucial juncture had up his sleeve. Leaders from The focus suddenly shifted threat to Modi’s integrity but countability is subverted and Indian Air Force chief Sashindra the Congress Party, seemed to in the history of the nation. That the Trinamool Congress’ Sudhip from people’s demonetisa- also to nip in the bud a nascent a debate is intended to be used Pal Tyagi has been arrested. conduct their shouting matches would have been insult adding to Bandopadhyay and the Janata tion travails to what Rahul unity among the opposition. merely to put a lid on parliamen- Members from both sides in a well-coordinated manner. the injury for Modi. Dal’s (United) Sharad Yadav, Gandhi had or didn’t have to Why should Modi need friends if tary accountability, it is then a stood up and shouted at each The Lok Sabha lost 92 hours’ It was then that Rahul Gan- who sat on either side of Gandhi, “nail” Modi. There was much he has enemies like Rahul Gan- legitimate tactic for the opposi- other leaving the presiding of- business and the Rajya Sabha 86. dhi stepped up with his “earth- were equally at a loss. speculation as to why Gandhi dhi? The prime minister must tion to expose the government fi cers helpless. “What can I do,’ Only two bills were passed while shaking” proclamation. “The The BJP laughed it off . “It’s insisted on speaking in parlia- certainly write that ‘thank you’ through parliamentary instru- was a constant refrain from the more than a dozen, including the prime minister, read my lips, the the biggest joke of the year,” was ment and not outside it. Was he note to the Congress vice-pres- ments (meaning disruption by chair in both houses. They could most important legislation re- prime minister is personally ter- how Kiran Rijiju, junior minister seeking parliamentary immu- ident. Gulf Times Wednesday, December 21, 2016 19 PAKISTAN/AFGHANISTAN

Gen Raheel Sharif helped me out in leaving Pakistan: Musharraf

IANS night, he said: “Well he (Ra- from leaving the country. fortunately...give decisions un- on his foreign travel. son charges for imposing emer- Islamabad heel Sharif) did help me. I have “Behind the scenes, the army der pressure behind the scenes” But the order from the top gency rule in November 2007, been his boss and I have been chief had a role to release that and this pressure was relieved by court had come with the rid- arresting judges and limiting the Army Chief before him...he pressure by dealing with the Gen Sharif with an “infl uenc- er that the federal govern- their powers. ormer Pakistan president helped out, because the cases government.” ing” role. ment or the three-judge spe- His name was kept on the exit General Pervez Mush- are politicised, they put me on “Once he (Gen Sharif) got the Musharraf had left the coun- cial court trying the retired control list for more than 20 Farraf has claimed that the ECL, they turned it into a government to relieve the pres- try for Dubai in March earlier general for treason was free months. ex-army chief General Raheel political issue.” sure that they were exerting, this year hours after the interior to make decisions to regulate Interior Minister Nisar Ali Sharif helped him leave the When asked to explain how the courts gave their judgement ministry issued a notifi cation to his custody or restrict his Khan had said in March that country by keeping the gov- the recently retired army and allowed me to go abroad for remove his name from the exit movement. Musharraf had committed ernment from pressuring the chief helped him, Musharraf treatment,” Musharraf elabo- control list. Apart from murder cases of to facing all cases against courts. said Gen Sharif played a role rated. The government notifica- Benazir Bhutto, Nawab Akbar him in court and had “prom- Participating in a talk show in “releasing the pressure” Talking about his case, Mush- tion followed the Supreme Bugti and Ghazi Abdul Rasheed, ised to return in four to six on Dunya News on Monday on courts to prevent him arraf said Pakistani courts “un- Court’s order to lift the ban the retired general is facing trea- weeks”. Pervez Musharraf Spanish Red Producers to challenge Cross worker release of Indian fi lms kidnapped in

Internews Karachi Afghanistan

his weekend marked the AFP against his will in the north of end of the drought in Pa- Kunduz Afghanistan”, the source told Tkistani cinemas as the AFP, without off ering other cinema owners decided to lift details. the self-imposed ban on Indian unmen have abducted No militant group has so far fi lms. a Spanish employee of claimed responsibility for the While many, audiences and Gthe Red Cross in north- abduction. fi lmmakers alike, rejoiced at ern Afghanistan, offi cials said Local authorities are inves- the decision, some opposed the yesterday, the latest in a series tigating the incident, Kunduz move; citing neglect of Pakistani of kidnappings of foreigners in government spokesman Sayed fi lms as the reason. the confl ict-torn country. Mahmood Danish told AFP. Film Distributors Association The abduction occurred Kunduz faces an intensify- (FDA) Chairman and Pakistan on Monday when workers ing Taliban insurgency as the Film Producers’ Association of the international charity militants in October overran (PFPA) elected member Chaud- were travelling in two vehicles its provincial capital for the hary Ejaz Kamran said they are from Mazar-e-Sharif city to second time in one year. set to challenge the release of In- the volatile Taliban hotbed of Kidnapping of foreign- dian fi lms. Kunduz. ers has been on the rise in “We will challenge the release “One male colleague was Afghanistan recently, with of new Indian fi lms in the court,” taken. The rest were let go,” criminal gangs staging ab- Kamran said, He added there is the International Commit- ductions for ransom or hand- already a stay order dated No- tee of the Red Cross said in a ing the victims over to insur- vember 8 on older Indian fi lms statement. gent groups. that are planned for release after “We’re extremely con- In August, gunmen wearing the ban lift. cerned for the safety of our military uniforms kidnapped Regarding the stay order colleague. We’re doing our two professors of the Ameri- on new films such as Dangal, best to discover what precisely can University of Afghanistan Kamran cited a lack of exhibi- happened, and to secure his in the heart of Kabul, under- tors’ will to support Pakistani safe and unconditional release scoring the growing insecurity cinema as the reason. “We as quickly as possible.” in the country. don’t have a stay order on new A diplomatic source in Ma- And in November, an Aus- films yet but we will definitely drid confi rmed he was a Span- tralian national was snatched challenge them in court if the ish national. from Kabul, just months after exhibitors’ release them. Cine- Women chat as they stand near a poster of Pakistani film Dobara Phir Se at Atrium Mall & Cinemas in Karachi, Pakistan, on Monday. “We can say that a Spanish another citizen was rescued ma owners don’t support Paki- Red Cross worker is being held after being taken at gunpoint. stani films; they allocate prime bothered by that. their process and deliver quality as well. “If the business fl our- perate to use the word ‘need’. I time shows to Indian films and “We wouldn’t even challenge fi lms so that people keep com- ishes, it’s defi nitely going to help mean, even with the ban, eve- give Pakistani films shows from Indian fi lms if the exhibitors at ing.” Pakistani fi lmmakers. Therefore, ryone was watching the fi lms so Senate seeks demonetisation of Rs5,000 notes 12-3PM, so who’s going to come least supported Pakistani fi lms Jafri was also concerned about if the cinema owners think they why just corner fi lms and crick- watch them?” and gave them their right space good Pakistani fi lms being af- can recover the losses of the et? I know there have been losses The Pakistan Senate on encourage the use of bank The absence of Indian fi lms in cinemas.” fected by the large number of past few months, it’s a welcome but now we shouldn’t just get Monday passed a resolution accounts and reduce the resulted in huge losses for cin- While the association is hell mediocre fi lms. “If we have one move.” back in a mad rat race again. We seeking withdrawal of high size of the undocumented emas owners in the last few bent on keeping Indian fi lms good fi lm after every 16 fi lms, the He added that India should should take it as a lesson learned denomination Rs5,000 economy. months. away, Pakistani fi lmmakers have nth fi lm is going to be aff ected so show the same heart that Paki- and strategise accordingly. Bal- currency notes in order It said the withdrawal of When asked whether push- other thoughts on the subject. the ban lift gives us an opportu- stan has shown as well. ance the fi lms out.” to curb the flow of black the currency notes should ing for a quota system would be Janaan director Azfar Ja- nity to improve our work while Manto director Sarmad Regarding some stakeholders money. take place within three to better instead of outright ban- fri thought bringing Indian fi lms maintaining the infl ux of people Khoosat found the situation criticising the move, Khoosat Senator Usman Saif Ullah five years in order to purge ning Indian fi lms, he said, “We back was a positive move.”I was in cinemas.” quite absurd. “I just fi nd this en- said, “I’m defi nitely not speak- Khan of the Pakistan Muslim markets of these notes. need to understand that a quota against the boycott in the fi rst However, he added, “A bal- tire situation, banning and again ing from a patriotic point of League tabled the resolution Law Minister Zahid Hamid, system isn’t followed here. In- place. We need Indian fi lms at ance must be maintained so that unbanning Indian fi lms, quite view. I think it’s very childish that was endorsed by the however, said that the dian fi lms are played all the time, this stage, the cinema owners both Indian and Pakistani fi lms preposterous. I would not go as that some want Indian fi lms majority of law makers in the withdrawal of the notes will leaving no space for Pakistani need to maintain their business do well on the box offi ce and one far to say we ‘need’ them but of banned because they think they upper house of Parliament. create crises in the market fi lms.” so we can have more screens,” shouldn’t be overshadowed by course, the cinema owners need aff ect their fi lms. It’s obvious our The resolution said that and the people will resort It is interesting as Hollywood he said. “And until that happens, the other. Zindagi Kitni Haseen to sustain their business so it’s a fi lmmakers must produce good the withdrawal of Rs5,000 to foreign currencies in the fi lms are also screened in Pa- Pakistani fi lmmakers should Hay director Anjum Shahzad ac- good move,” he said. fi lms. We have had enough of the notes from circulation will absence of Rs5,000 notes. kistan but the fraternity is not work on their fi lms, speed up cepted the exhibitors’ decision “However, I fi nd it quite des- mercy thing.”

Taliban video shows sons born Protest rally to kidnapped US, Canadian couple

Reuters us and our two surviving chil- ing the brother and maternal Peshawar dren in these problems,” she uncle of Sirajuddin Haqqani, said. who is deputy leader of the Af- “But we can only ask and pray ghan Taliban. enior Taliban fi gures con- that somebody will recognise Coleman’s reference to her fi rmed yesterday they the atrocities these men carry two “surviving children” was Shad released a new video out against us as so-called re- unexplained. showing a kidnapped American- taliation in their ingratitude and She appealed to both Presi- Canadian family, including two hypocrisy.” dent Barack Obama and Pres- young boys born in captivity The two young boys - who, ident-elect Donald Trump to while held by the feared Haqqani along with their parents, ap- make a deal with their captors. network. peared healthy - fi dgeted on “They want money, power, The video showed for the fi rst their father’s lap as Coleman friends. You must give them time the two sons of Canadian added: “My children have seen these things before progress can Joshua Boyle and Caitlan Cole- their mother defi led.” be made.” man, a US citizen. Two senior Taliban figures Michael O’Shaughnessy, Coleman, 31, was pregnant based in Afghanistan told spokesman for the Canadian when the couple were abducted Reuters by telephone that Department of Global Affairs, in 2012 inside Afghanistan while the video had been uploaded said officials were studying the on a backpacking trip. by the radical Islamist in- video. A Canadian spokesman said surgents, who are fighting to “We are deeply concerned the government was review- topple the US-backed govern- for the safety and well-being of ing the video, while US offi cials ment in Kabul. Joshua Boyle, Caitlan Coleman would not immediately com- One said the video came from and their young children and call ment. the Haqqani network - a close for their unconditional release,” In the video, Coleman begs affi liate of the Afghan Taliban - he said. for an end to their “Kafkaesque and it had been delivered to both US offi cials declined to com- nightmare” and is critical of US and Canadian offi cials before ment on the new video but re- both the American and Canadi- being posted on YouTube late on ferred reporters to statements an governments and the family’s Monday night. made by State Department Haqqani captors. He said the Haqqani network spokesman John Kirby after the Supporters of Pakistan’s political and religious party Jamat-e-Islami chant slogans as they carry signs during a protest in support of “We understand both sides is demanding the release of three last video of the couple released Muslims in Aleppo, Syria, and Myanmar, in Peshawar, yesterday. hate us and are content to leave of its senior members - includ- in late August. Gulf Times 20 Wednesday, December 21, 2016 PHILIPPINES

Gunman China off ers Philippines guns shoots dead worth $14mn for drug war publisher AFP AFP Manila Manila provincial newspaper hina has off ered the Phil- publisher has been mur- ippines guns and equip- Adered in the Philippines, Cment worth $14mn to one of the world’s most danger- wage its war on drugs and com- ous nations for reporters, a me- bat terrorism, Manila’s defence dia rights watchdog group said minister said yesterday, as ties yesterday. improve under President Rod- Larry Que, publisher of the rigo Duterte. local paper Catanduanes News Beijing has publicly backed Now, was shot by an unknown the controversial campaign, gunman on the remote cen- which has left 5,300 people tral island of Catanduanes late dead in less than six months and Monday and died in hospital drawn criticism from the United hours later, the National Union Nations and the United States, of Journalists of the Philippines Manila’s ally. said. Defence Secretary Delfi n The victim had criticised in Lorenzana said the latest off er his column the “negligence” of came from Chinese ambassador local offi cials over an illegal drug Zhao Jianhua who met him and factory on the island that was Duterte on Monday. discovered in a police raid three “(The ambassador) told the weeks ago, said the union secre- president: ‘I know your prob- tary-general Dabet Panelo. lems in terrorism and in drugs “The (union) challenges the so we would like to help you,’” authorities...to immediately Lorenzana told reporters. solve his killing, the fi rst of a The Chinese embassy did not media person under the Duterte immediately reply to requests administration,” she said in a for comment. statement, referring to President Lorenzana said the Philip- Rodrigo Duterte. pines might use the $14mn National police had no imme- grant to acquire small arms, fast diate comment. boats or night-vision goggles, Panelo said Que was the fi rst adding the deal would be fi nal- journalist to be killed since Du- ised before year-end. terte’s inauguration on June 30, China also offered long- File photo shows President Rodrigo Duterte talking to Chinese ambassador to the Philippines Zhao Jianhua during the 115th Police Service Anniversary at the Philippine National though two radio reporters have term soft loans worth $500mn Police (PNP) headquarters in Manila. been wounded in separate at- which the Philippines would tacks over the same period. get next year to fight illegal drugs by killing tens of thou- credited China for off ering to in proposed development aid, attendance. “China is going to inspect the weapons on off er. Duterte had sparked an inter- drugs and terrorism, Loren- sands of criminals. supply the Philippines with as well as to block the sale of ri- release to me 50bn. Go home, I He added China was also national outcry shortly before zana added. Despite their confl icting arms and aid under generous fl es to Manila over human rights do not need your aid,” he added spending on a drug rehabilita- taking his oath of offi ce, when Duterte, 71, launched an un- territorial claims in the South terms. concerns. without specifying the cur- tion centre in the Philippines he said that journalists who took precedented anti-crime crack- China Sea, Duterte has mean- In contrast, he has criticised “I do not need your assist- rency. following the inauguration of a bribes or engaged in other cor- down after winning May elec- while sought warmer relations a US decision to defer action on ance,” Duterte said in a speech Lorenzana said his aides major facility in October funded rupt activities were legitimate tions on a pledge to eradicate with Beijing.He has repeatedly hundreds of millions of dollars Monday with the US envoy in would visit China next year to by a Chinese businessman. targets of assassination. “Just because you’re a jour- nalist you are not exempted from assassination, if you’re a son of a b****,” he said. Duterte has since launched a brutal war on drug crime that Justice dept begins Espinosa death investigation has left more than 5,300 people dead. In October he created a high- By Jomar Canlas (Leyte) Mayor Rolando Espinosa and The complaint was fi led by Leilani Vil- Reporters from the Justice beat, along she said during the hearing. The other level task force to ensure a “safe Manila Times fellow inmate Raul Yap in November. larino, Espinosa’s lawyer, and Edgardo with their crew, were initially barred by members of the DOJ panel are SASP Ol- environment for media workers” Those who appeared at the probe Cordeno, a lawyer and Leyte provincial police escorts of the CIDG team from ivia Torrevillas, Assistant State Prosecu- and look into unsolved attacks were led by Supt. Marvin Marcos, administrator, through the National Bu- covering the hearing. tor Jinky Dedumo, ASP Karla Cabel and against journalists. he Department of Justice (DOJ) former chief of the Philippine National reau of Investigation (NBI). Alejo, however, reprimanded the po- Prosecution Attorney Moises Acayan. The New York-based Com- yesterday kicked off its prelimi- Police–Criminal Investigation and De- The PNP offi cers received a scold- licemen and allowed the media to cover Fourteen of the accused policemen mittee to Protect Journalists said Tnary investigation of criminal tection Group Region 8 (PNP-CIDG 8). ing from a DOJ panel headed by Senior the proceedings. present were not represented by lawyers, 77 journalists have been mur- complaints against members of the They all face multiple murder, rob- Assistant State Prosecutor (SASP) Lil- “We remind members of the PNP leading the panel of prosecutors to extend dered in the Philippines since Philippine National Police (PNP) who bery, malicious procurement of search ian Doris Alejo after the police offi cers that this is the DOJ, not the PNP. Please the fi ling of their respective counter-affi - 1992, making it the world’s third were charged in the slay of Albuera warrant and perjury charges. sought a closed-door hearing. take orders from authorities of the DOJ,” davits from January 8 to January 23. deadliest country for reporters. UN rights chief Solicitor general joins Lawyer wants president killed inside probed for murder coalition against De Lima By Jaime Pilapil church & Jomar Canlas AFP and several local policemen Manila Times Geneva ambushed a group of suspected By Leander C Domingo kidnappers shortly after the Manila Times gang collected ransom from the olicitor General Jose Cal- he UN rights chief urged parents of the released hostage, a ida has joined a coalition the Philippines yesterday local teenage girl. Sled by the Volunteers lawyer, a cousin of a peace Tto investigate President “Maybe my bullets killed Against Crime and Corruption negotiation consultant, Rodrigo Duterte for murder, af- them, maybe not, but after the (VACC) that has called for the Aand his bodyguard were ter he boasted that he in the past (fi refi ght) they were all dead,” he prosecution of Senator Leila de gunned down at about 4.30am had personally killed suspected said. Lima who was accused of re- yesterday while attending the criminals. He meanwhile told the BBC ceiving drug money. Misa De Gallo (Dawn Mass) in Duterte said in a speech last on Friday that he had personally Calling De Lima the state’s San Pablo town in Isabela prov- week that when he was mayor killed “about three people” dur- Public Enemy No 1, Calida said ince. of the southern city of Davao, ing his term as mayor. the lawmaker should not be A police report said lawyer where he served three terms be- Philippines Justice Secretary allowed “to make a mockery Arlan Castaneda, 38, of San Pa- tween 1988 and 2016, he person- Vitaliano Aguirre insisted that of our justice system and get blo town and Melito Binag, 38, ally killed people to set an exam- the president had not violated away with it.” of Cabagan town were inside ple for police. any law. An ethics complaint was the Catholic Church when two He made the comments in a “If the suspect fought back, fi led against the former Jus- unidentifi ed assailants appeared speech to businessmen as he he must have been forced to kill tice secretary for advising her and fi red shots at them. discussed his campaign to eradi- him,” Aguirre told reporters last former driver and bodyguard Castaneda and Binag did not cate illegal drugs, which has seen week. Ronnie Dayan to ignore the Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption chairman Dante Jimenez (centre, seated) and Solicitor reach the nearest hospital alive. police and unknown assailants But Zeid was adamant, warn- summons issued by the Justice General Jose Calida join leaders of other groups who signed a manifesto to push the prosecution of Castaneda’s cousin, Felix kill thousands of people since he ing that the acts clearly violated panel of the House of Repre- Senator Leila de Lima, who has been linked to the illegal drug trade. Randy Malayao, consultant in became president on June 30. the constitution of the Philip- sentatives that investigated the Government of the Philip- “The Philippines judicial au- pines. the rampant drug operations action or proceedings which, fl aunted her disdain to be in- VACC founding chairman re- pines and the National Demo- thorities must demonstrate “The killings described by inside the national peniten- in his opinion, aff ects the wel- vestigated by the House of Rep- vealed that De Lima has a sis- cratic Front peace negotia- their commitment to upholding President Duterte also violate tiary. fare of the people as the ends of resentatives and the Depart- ter in the Netherlands and she tions, said he is saddened at the the rule of law and their inde- international law, including the Dayan, who eventually ap- justice may require. Thus, he is ment of Justice for the crimes may not attend the prelimi- treacherous death of Castaneda pendence from the executive by right to life...and innocence un- peared at the House, said de also the tribune and protector she committed. Her shenani- nary investigation of her case who once served as his pro bono launching a murder investiga- til proven guilty,” he said. Lima told him to hide and of the people,” Calida told re- gans demand a more vigorous at the DOJ set on December 21. counsel. In his Facebook posts, tion,” UN rights chief Zeid Ra’ad The UN rights chief’s state- not attend the congressional porters. response from the government Justice Secretary Vitaliano Malayao said he is yet to estab- al-Hussein said in a statement. ment also decried the “environ- inquiry. The solicitor gen- Aside from the VACC, the she wants to destroy. The peo- Aguirre said the Anti-Money lish the motive of the perpetra- “The killings committed by ment of alarming impunity and eral off ered his services to the other members of the Coali- ple are disgusted with her rants. Laundering Council (AMLC) tors in killing his cousin and his Mr Duterte, by his own admis- violence” created by Duterte’s complainants who fi led com- tion Against Illegal Drugs are So are we,” Calida said. had forwarded to his offi ce the bodyguard. sion, at a time when he was a deadly campaign to eradicate il- plaints against De Lima at the Republic Defenders, Citizen’s Jimenez led the signing of a bank statements of de Lima “I could only surmise politics mayor, clearly constitute mur- legal drugs. Department of Justice, Offi ce Crime Watch, Conform to manifest of concern that con- and other personalities linked or something else. But I have der,” he said. According to the UN, nearly of the Ombudsman and other Federalism, United Filipino demned De Lima’s actuations to the drug trade.However, yet to know. I have only received “It should be unthinkable for 6,100 people had been killed venues for her alleged com- Seafarers and former National and demeanour for making a he refused to disclose details, scant information so far. That it any functioning judicial sys- since Duterte took offi ce in late plicity in the proliferation of Bureau of Investigation offi - mockery of the rule of law. saying he has yet to study the happened inside the church is tem not to launch investigative June. illegal drugs at the New Bilibid cials Reynaldo Esmeralda and “We call on Senator De Lima documents. something else,” he added. and judicial proceedings when “Despite police investigating Prison. Ruel Lasala. to let the wheel of justice take Jimenez said De Lima could Castaneda served nine years someone has openly admitted thousands of the deaths perpe- “The SolGen can also act “Senator de Lima unleashed its rightful course without her not forever hide behind her as municipal councillor of San being a killer,” he insisted. trated by vigilantes, there is sur- and represent the people be- a torrent of nasty and destabil- blatant manoeuvrings and claim of political persecu- Pablo town.His wife, Joanna, Duterte has said that as new- prisingly little information on fore any court, tribunal, body ising tirades against President evasive antics that are stall- tion to evade the charges fi led is currently a member of the ly-elected mayor of Davao, he actual prosecutions,” Zeid said. or commission in any manner, Duterte’s war on drugs. She also ing the process,” he said. The against her. town’s municipal council. Gulf Times Wednesday, December 21, 2016 21 SRI LANKA/BANGLADESH/NEPAL

Former top banker Ministers visit Rohingya grilled over cyber theft

By Mizan Rahman camps in Bangladesh Dhaka DPA He added fi ve Rohingya national (AI) has released a re- Dhaka women, who took shelter in a port saying the alleged attacks mosque in one of the unregis- against the Rohingya minor- he Criminal Investigation tered camps, spoke to the min- ity by the Myanmar army may Department (CID) has ndonesian Foreign Minis- isters about the atrocities they be considered crimes against Tinterrogated the former ter Retno Lestari Priansari faced in Myanmar. humanity. Bangladesh Bank (BB) governor IMarsudi yesterday joined Rights groups have accused The report came on the day Atiur Rahman, for about two his Bangladeshi counterpart the Myanmar military of per- the Association of Southeast hours over $101mm online heist in visiting makeshift camps of petrating mass murder, looting Asian Nations’ foreign min- earlier in February this year. Rohingya refugees who have and rape against the Rohingyas isters were to meet in Yangon Sources said the CID offi cials fl ed violence in neighbouring as the army began an off ensive to address the ongoing Ro- asked Rahman as to what action Myanmar over the border into following attack on police out- hingya crisis in the western he had taken following one of the Bangladesh, offi cials said. posts in October that killed nine Rakhine state. biggest-ever cyber heists involv- Marsudi, who arrived in offi cers. Amnesty said Myanmar sol- ing $101mn from its accounts Dhaka Monday night, fl ew to Marsudi fl ew to Dhaka from diers were responsible for exe- with the Federal Reserve Bank of the southeastern district of Yangon where foreign ministers cutions and rapes in a campaign New York. Cox’s Bazar bordering Myan- of the Association of Southeast of violence against Rohingyas Another source, however, said mar’s Rakhine state along with Asian Nations (Asean) met My- in Maungdaw district, north of all information regarding the in- her Bangladeshi counterpart anmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi Rakhine, fl outing international terrogation of the former gover- Abul Hassan Mahmud Ali to see to address the crisis. law. nor would be kept secret as there situation on the ground, chief She is also scheduled to meet Neighboring Bangladesh was are directives from the govern- of district administration Ali Bangladeshi Prime Minister pushing back thousands of ref- ment’s top brass. Hossain said. Sheikh Hasina in Dhaka. ugees as the crisis continued, it When the hacking incident An estimated 21,000 Ro- Nearly 29,000 Rohingyas said. took place, Rahman was the cen- hingya refugees have crossed documented as refugees have Following interviews with tral bank’s governor. He tried to the border since the Myanmar lived in two squalid camps in Rohingyas in Myanmar and recover the money but the hack- army began what they say are the Bangladeshi border district Bangladesh and analysis of ing incident was leaked to the counter-insurgency sweeps of Cox’s Bazar, ever since the satellite images, the London- Bangladeshi activists of an Islamic group shout slogans as they gather in front of Baitul Muqarram media and the governor faced in the western Rakhine state 1990s, when they were driven based NGO accused Myanmar National Mosque to protest against the deaths of Rohingyas in the Rakhine state of Myanmar, in Dhaka. strong criticism. in early October, creating a out of Myanmar. military of shooting Rohingya Rahman resigned from the humanitarian crisis. The number of undocument- civilians and burning their attack on a civilian popula- Djamin said the de facto lead- and moral responsibility”. governor’s post on March 15. His Both foreign ministers ed Rohingyas living in Bangla- houses. tion and may amount to crimes er of the Myanmar government, “She has failed to try to stop resignation came amidst a po- talked to the Rohingyas about desh is estimated to be between “The deplorable actions against humanity,” said Rafen- the Nobel Peace Prize laureate and condemn what is unfold- litical fi restorm over the heist, their plights, said the district 200,000 and 500,000. of the military were part of a di Djamin, AI’s Southeast Asia Aung San Suu Kyi, has “failed ing in Rakhine State,” Djamin which caused Bangladesh to lose administrator. Meanwhile, Amnesty Inter- widespread and systematic director. to live up to both her political added. more than $101mn kept with the Federal Reserve Bank. The incident came to light when the Philippine’s Daily Inquirer ran a report on February 29 that the country was probing Lanka probes plot by Rajiv a money laundering incident in- volving cross-border electronic funds transfer. It said that $101mn was wire- attacker to ‘kill’ president transferred on February 4 from the Bangladesh Bank’s US ac- count to accounts in local banks. AFP Lanka’s information and par- gation because we suspect this The BB governor kept the gov- Colombo liamentary aff airs ministry to be part of a wider plot to as- ernment and board of directors secretary said police were in- sassinate the president.” in the dark about the heist for vestigating whether he was De Silva took up a sing- around a month. Finance Min- ri Lanka said yesterday part of a plot to kill President ing career after his release ister AMA Muhith fi rst came to it was investigating a Maithripala Sirisena. from jail, later turning to know about the incident only Sformer navy sailor con- Nimal Bopage said authori- politics, before settling on from media reports. victed of attempting to assas- ties could not ignore claims astrology. After the heist, the fi nance sinate India’s Rajiv Gandhi 25 de Silva had posted on Face- Sri Lankan politicians have ministry formed a commit- years ago on suspicion of in- book and other social media immense faith in astrology. tee led by former BB governor volvement in an alleged plot to over the past fi ve months, in Many have their own seers Farashuddin to investigate the kill its president. what he called a sustained whose predictions are consid- incident. Vijithamuni Rohana de Silva campaign. ered more important than the The probe committee said served two and a half years in “This man claims to be an advice of senior aides. the incident took place due to prison for trying to murder the astrologer and he is predicting Former president Mahinda negligence of some central bank former Indian leader as he in- that the president will be killed Rajapakse called a snap elec- offi cials. spected a naval guard of hon- by January 26,” Bopage told re- tion nearly two years ahead of Besides, the CID has ques- our in Colombo in 1987. porters in Colombo. schedule on the advice of his tioned at least 30 BB offi cials. He has since turned to as- “We have alerted the police personal astrologer - and lost The CID has far questioned at trology and yesterday Sri to carry out a criminal investi- to Sirisena. least 23 persons from diff erent countries, including Singapore Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina: “The death incidents in border areas have come down to a great extent and the Philippines. in recent years due to your eff orts for strengthening friendly relations with the BSF.” The CID, which is also taking Interpol’s assistance, said the investigation was halfway done. Seven Indian fi shermen arrested BB has so far got back $15.25min from the Philippines’ anti-mon- ey laundering council on No- PM praises border he Sri Lanka Navy as- reports Xinhua news agency. every week... This is a huge vember 11, nine months after the sisted the Coast Guard Two Indian fi shing trawlers threat to the Sri Lankan fi shing heist. Tto arrest seven Indian were seized. industry,” he said. A court in the Philippines said fi shermen poaching illegally in Fisheries Minister Mahinda The minister said Sri Lanka and in September that BB was the the northern seas of the island Amaraweera said there had been India will have more talks to seek rightful owner of around $15mn troops for drop in country, the navy said yesterday. a 50% drop in poaching by Indi- a solution to the long-standing surrendered by casino junket op- The fi shermen were ar- an trawlers in Sri Lankan waters disputes between fi shermen. erator Kim Wong. rested in the waters northwest due to enhanced patrolling by The Indian foreign minis- Later, BB sources said they of Delft Island on Monday and the navy and Coast Guard. ter and fi sheries minister were were trying to get back all the were handed over to the assist- “At least three Indian fi shing expected to attend the talks in stolen money through the legal fatal incidents ant director of fi sheries, Jaff na, boats enter Sri Lankan waters Colombo next month. process.

By Mizan Rahman we had taken to bring dis- BGB has now turned into a dy- Dhaka cipline in the force now ac- namic and modern force with claimed internationally. For the sincere eff orts of all. “The Buddhist ruler mourned your co-operation, the nation goodwill and dignity of the rime Minister Sheikh today is advancing on the path force has been restored due to Two militants Hasina yesterday said the of development overcoming hard work of all members of P‘incidents of death’ of in- that crisis.” the force. ‘ nocent Bangladeshis along the She expressed her fi rm op- Hasina said the Border Se- Indo-Bangladesh border are a timism that BGB would move curity Bureau has been estab- matter of grave concern. forward upholding its glorious lished to strengthen the intel- linked to cafe The prime minister was history and turn into the best ligence of the BGB. Four new speaking after a parade mark- border force in the world. sectors and four regional in- ing the Border Guard Bangla- Hasina said the fl ag of the telligence bureaus were set up. desh (BGB) Raising Day in the BGB was raised on January 23, First phase work on building 15 capital Dhaka. 2011 to expedite the operational battalions was completed. attack held She appreciated the role of activities of the force. With the Hasina said the manpower of BGB personnel in recent years sincere eff orts of all the BGB BGB has been increased. Since to reduce the number of death is now a dynamic and modern 2009, a total of 24,234 person- Reuters hideen Bangladesh (JMB) mili- incidents through strength- force, she said. nel were recruited in the force Dhaka tant group, known as New JMB, ening friendly relations with On her arrival at BGB head- in addition to giving promotion which has pledged allegiance to India’s BSF. quarters, Home Minister to 26,221 members in diff erent Islamic State, and which police “The death incidents in bor- Asaduzzaman Khan and di- positions. angladesh security forces believe was involved in organis- der areas have come down to a rector general of BGB Major The PM said recruitment of yesterday arrested two ing the cafe attack. great extent in recent years due General Abul Hossain received female members in the BGB Bmembers of an Islam- “We have recovered money, to your eff orts for strengthen- the prime minister. She was was an epoch-making chapter ist militant group blamed for a jihadi books, leafl ets and sharp ing friendly relations with the given a state salute amid play- in the history of women em- deadly attack on a cafe in Dhaka weapons,” Lutful Kabir, a sen- BSF,” she said. ing of the national anthem at powerment in the country. The in July in which 22 people were ior offi cial with the police-led Speaking about the Peelkha- that time. BGB got fi rst 97 female sol- killed, most of them foreigners. Rapid Action Battalion, which na carnage that took place on Recalling the glorious histo- diers in the 88th batch. They The July 1 attack in Dhaka’s is involved in counter-terrorism Devotees mourn as preparations begin for the final rites of Jigme February 25-26 in 2009, she ry of members of the then EPR, have joined their units after diplomatic quarter was claimed eff orts, told a news conference. Dorje Palbar Bista, the last king of former Himalayan kingdom of said, “We had to face abomi- which is now BGB, the prime successful completion of their by the Islamic State and was the The fi ve gunmen who at- Mustang, at a monastery at Bauddhab in Kathmandu yesterday. nable and instable situation minister said the force has a basic training. worst militant attack in Bang- tacked the cafe were all killed. The last king of the isolated Himalayan region of Upper Mustang like the mutiny and killings at very glorious role in the War of The next batch drew 93 fe- ladesh, which has been hit by a Police have killed at least 42 died on December 16 in Kathmandu, eight years after he lost that time.” Liberation. The EPR force was male soldiers and now they spate of killings of liberals and suspected Islamists in raids his royal title when the centuries-old Buddhist monarchy was She also noted that the gov- in the fore to forge resistance are training at the BGB Train- members of religious minorities since then, including the man abolished. Jigme Dorje Palbar Bista, who was 86, reigned over ernment faced all the conspira- against Pakistani force in 1971 ing Centre. Process is going in the past year. police said was the attack the arid kingdom high on the Tibetan plateau for more than half cies behind the BDR mutiny responding to the call of the on to recruit more 100 female The two suspects, aged 21 mastermind, Bangladesh- a century before stepping down in 2008 when Nepal abolished with patience and carefulness. Father of the Nation. soldiers in the 90th batch, she and 28, were members of a fac- born Canadian citizen Tamim its own monarchy. “The farsighted steps that The prime minister said the said. tion of the Jamaat-ul-Muja- Ahmed Chowdhury. Gulf Times 22 Wednesday, December 21, 2016 COMMENT

Chairman: Abdullah bin Khalifa al-Attiyah Deputy Managing Editor: K T Chacko Truck attack shows

P.O.Box 2888 Doha, Qatar [email protected] Merkel’s vulnerability Telephone 44350478 (news), 44466404 (sport), 44466636 (home delivery) Merkel attacked by link, no matter how tenuous, to last Foreign critics also took their Germany and probably Italy will hold Fax 44350474 right-wing critics after year’s refugee influx will be laid at digs, with Nigel Farage, a driving elections. Merkel’s door by opponents keen force behind the Brexit vote in June One of the biggest concerns in Berlin attack; German leader to destabilise the one mainstream which forced out Cameron, tweeting: Merkel’s entourage has been the well ahead in polls before leader in Europe who has looked “Terrible news from Berlin but no criticism of her refugee policies from invulnerable. surprise. Events like these will be the the Bavarian Christian Social Union 2017 election “The attack will re-ignite criticism Merkel legacy.” (CSU), which has threatened to break of Angela Merkel, her liberal A poll released yesterday morning with her CDU unless she accepts a GULF TIMES refugee policy and commitment to and conducted before the attack ceiling on the number of migrants By Noah Barkin/Reuters Berlin open borders, demonstrating how showed support for Merkel’s allowed into the country each year. vulnerable she is heading into next conservative bloc – her Christian Merkel has refused to budge on that year’s election,’ said Mujtaba Rahman Democratic Union (CDU) and its demand but has tried to appease the or months, Germany’s Angela of Eurasia Group. Bavarian allies – at 36%, 14 points CSU with a series of real and symbolic Make no mistake: Merkel has looked like the one In her fi rst comments since the ahead of the next strongest party, the steps to clamp down on migration and safe bet in European politics. attack, Merkel, 62, urged Germans Social Democrats (SPD), and 25 points ratchet up security. This month, she FAs Britain’s David Cameron, not to succumb to fear and said the ahead of the AfD. backed a ban on face-covering Muslim Italy’s Matteo Renzi and France’s country would fi nd the strength to The survey for Stern magazine also veils for women. 2017 is going to be Francois Hollande all succumbed to continue to live “free, together and showed that 50% of Germans would Despite the olive branches and a the scorn of angry voters, the German open”. back Merkel in a hypothetical vote for sharp drop in the number of arrivals chancellor promised to fi ght for a But she also hinted at the chancellor, compared to just 14% for over the course of this year – offi cial fourth term and seemed destined to troublesome implications of the SPD leader Sigmar Gabriel. data suggests the 2016 fi gure will be eventful and crucial win it. incident for her and others who have Despite that healthy margin, Merkel roughly a third of the 2015 total – CSU That is still the base case scenario opened their arms to refugees fl eeing herself has said next year’s election leader Horst Seehofer has kept up the as Germany gears up for an election war and persecution in the Middle will be “tough like no other”. pressure. For the pessimist, there is plenty to worry about the in the autumn of next year, one of East. Her advisers have also cautioned Yesterday, in the aftermath of the new year as 2016 is drawing to a close. several in Europe that could tilt the “I know it would be especially hard against viewing her re-election as a market attack, he pressed Merkel once region’s political landscape. But the for us all to bear if it were confi rmed done deal, pointing to the threat of again. “We owe it to the victims, their A soaring US dollar – already at 14-year highs - as truck attack on a crowded Christmas that the person who committed attacks, a renewed infl ux of refugees loved ones and all German people to the Federal Reserve raises interest rates; emerging market in the bustling heart of the this act was someone who sought and the risk that Russia could try to rethink and overhaul our migration markets facing increased money outfl ows following former West Berlin on Monday night is protection and asylum in Germany,” destabilise Merkel with fake news and security policies,” Seehofer said. the Fed tightening; turmoil in the Middle East, along a reminder that even Merkel, Europe’s she said. and cyber leaks as it appears to have A bigger problem would be if longest-serving leader, is vulnerable to The right-wing Alternative for done in the run-up to the recent US Merkel’s own party turned on her. But with large-scale investment, cuts leading to a spike events on the ground as 2017 unfolds. Germany (AfD) party, which was election. after re-electing her as CDU leader in global oil prices; the overhanging threat posed by Initial reports suggested the attack, created three years ago in opposition “Nothing is certain,” one top aide earlier this month with a score of the Islamic State that could strike almost anywhere in which killed 12 people and injured to eurozone bailouts but has since said last month. “There is a lot of time nearly 90%, that seems far-fetched, the world; the uneven growth pattern in China built 48, was carried out by a 23-year-old morphed into an anti-immigration until the election and a lot can happen even if grumbling from low-ranking migrant from Pakistan who arrived in party, was quick to put the blame on between now and then.” offi cials was evident yesterday. on a government borrowing binge; Brazil’s crippling Germany one year ago, with the fl ood Merkel and her policies. Merkel has watched over the past With mainstream, centrist parties recession; India’s economy bracing for a growth hit of refugees that Merkel welcomed “The environment in which such half year as Cameron and Renzi staked enjoying the support of roughly 75 from the recall of high-value currencies … it’s an with her optimistic mantra “we can do acts can spread was carelessly and their political futures on referendums % of the electorate and Merkel’s this”. Later, police said it was unclear systematically imported over the that they lost. CDU with a healthy lead over all endless list, for sure. whether the man they had arrested on past one-and-a-half years,” said AfD Hollande, deeply unpopular, challengers, it may take more disasters The tables have turned, though, this time around. Monday night was indeed the driver. leader Frauke Petry. “It was not an announced this month he would not like the one on Monday evening at a The US and Europe, for decades bastions of stability, What does seem clear however, is isolated incident and it won’t be the stand for a second term next year. Christmas market in Berlin to knock are now exporting political risk to the rest of the world. that any attack in Germany with a last.” In 2017, the Netherlands, France, the German leader from her perch. The UK vote to leave the European Union and Donald Trump’s electoral victory, which jolted the geopolitical order this year, are just two examples of the traps waiting for investors as uncertainty shifts from frontier and emerging markets to the world’s advanced economies, according a Bloomberg annual survey. Who’s afraid of rump, then? Everybody, almost, amid his fl uid postures on major issues. And uncertainty over Trump’s future policies stands out as the single most worrying factor keeping most investors at night. Oliver Hart, this year’s winner of the Nobel Prize in Economics, says The European Trumponomics, which threatens dismantling calendar is of trade agreements and loaded up with a protectionist regime, would ultimately event risks in “be bad for the world 2017 economy.” Trump isn’t yet president, but concern is warranted. An early indication of his approach to international relations is his intervention on Taiwan. He abandoned, before even taking offi ce, the decades-old delicate balance that governs US-China relations with respect to Taiwan. The European calendar is loaded up with event risks in 2017. While Greece remains one of the biggest causes for Angela Merkel: Next year’s election will be “tough like no other” worry, Poland and the UK, where populist causes have recently triumphed, could raise a red fl ag. A spate of coming elections in Europe, including in France and Germany; the possibility of early elections in Britain; a government crisis in Italy and the risk that anti- Does the French Socialist primary matter? immigration politician Marine Le Pen will become the next French president are all just examples of risks By Hugo Drochon and restoring some balance to social- Having openly predicted that primary’s outcome will matter only Cambridge welfare spending. the left will lose the 2017 election, insofar as it exposes the split within investors need to factor in. And although government debt has he is cutting his ties to Hollande’s the party between those who favor a It’s been eight years since the world was brought to continued to rise, the unemployment government so that he can position traditional statist approach and those the brink by the fi nancial crisis. But economies are still even candidates are standing rate is starting to fall – though too late himself as the left’s saviour in the who advocate more market-friendly in the 2017 French Socialist for Hollande to benefi t. Hollande’s 2022 presidential race. Like Macron, alternatives. struggling to heal. Party presidential primary, biggest fl aw was that he could not Melenchon is also standing for the In pursuing the latter, Hollande’s The International Monetary Fund expects global Swhich includes the Socialist incarnate the presidency: he simply presidency outside of the Socialist presidency marked a rupture in growth of just 3.4% in 2017 compared with around 5% Party and a number of smaller pro- did not look or sound particularly fold. In recent years, the far-left, Socialist politics; the party never in the years leading up to the crisis. government Green parties, formally presidential. His shrill voice lacked anti-austerity, and anti-Europe explicitly endorsed this new known as the “Popular Alliance.” the gravitas associated with the offi ce, former Socialist minister has cornered trajectory, and many on the French From the twin shocks of Brexit and Trump win, But one can be forgiven for not and he seemed statesmanlike only in what is left of the Communist Party left now resent Hollande for what investors have drawn the painful lesson that previously recognising many of them. And three situations that naturally created that and united the various other anti- they see as a betrayal of their unthinkable scenarios could easily translate into a recognisable names will not be on the image for him, such as the November capitalist parties behind him. principles. With French politics disruptive reality to unsettle the economic equilibrium. ballot this January: Francois Hollande, 2015 terrorist attacks in Paris and, Thus, the contest will most likely divided between the left, right, Emmanuel Macron, and Jean-Luc more controversially, France’s be between Manuel Valls – who was and far right, a split within any Make no mistake, 2017 is going to be eventful as well Melenchon. intervention in Mali in 2013. Hollande’s prime minister until he bloc almost guarantees that bloc’s as crucial. Policymakers, businesses and investors need Hollande is only the second Since those occasions, Hollande has resigned earlier this month – and exclusion from the second round of to prepare themselves to pursue diff erent strategies to president since the birth of the been embroiled in a damaging debate Arnaud Montebourg, Valls’s former next year’s presidential election. Fifth Republic in 1958 not to seek about revoking French terrorists’ minister for “national recovery.” Notwithstanding the left’s calls for protect value and seize opportunity in 2017. a second term. The other was citizenship; and he committed a Valls is currently leading in fi rst- unity, the Socialist primary will not In a new order of uncertainty, being prepared could Georges Pompidou, who died in serious PR blunder by candidly round polls, but the two candidates bring people together. Moreover, the make the diff erence. office in 1974. Hollande is also the commenting on the French political will be running neck and neck in the Socialists have not helped themselves third president to have served only scene for a book by two Le Monde primary’s second round. by excluding – with the claim that one term. The others were Valery journalists, appropriately titled A If Valls wins, Macron will come primaries are not an “open bar” – Giscard D’Estaing in the 1970s and President Shouldn’t Say That. under renewed pressure, because three candidates from smaller parties To Advertise Hollande’s immediate predecessor, He has also faced street protests he is the other major representative that had already run a primary to Nicolas Sarkozy. for attempting to reform the labour of the Socialists’ “social-liberal” select their own leaders. [email protected] The fact that the two most recent market – a politically hazardous wing – although Valls is much With at least two candidates already Display presidents have not lasted indicates move that has taken down many more authoritarian than Macron running on the left, the outcome of Telephone 44466621 Fax 44418811 how diffi cult governing France has previous French governments. Since on “Republican” issues such as the Socialist primary is irrelevant to become. Hollande dropped out of the running, secularism and national security. national politics. The second round Classified Hollande’s decision not to run Macron, his centrist former economy If Montebourg prevails, however, of the presidential election will be Telephone 44466609 Fax 44418811 again should have surprised no one: minister, has been urged to run in the the political squeeze will be on between the Republican Party’s with a 4% approval rating, he would Socialist primary, now that he can do Melenchon, because Montebourg François Fillon and the far-right Subscription have faced a humiliating defeat in so without betraying the president represents the more conventional left: National Front’s Marine Le Pen. – [email protected] the election’s fi rst round. While his under whom he served. But he has he notably quit Valls’s government Project Syndicate presidency has been widely criticised, consistently ruled it out, and launched in 2014 because it was pursuing it also had signifi cant achievements: an independent bid for the presidency austerity and supply-side policies, zHugo Drochon, who teaches politics 2016 Gulf Times. All rights reserved legalising gay marriage, making France in November, most likely with an eye rather than the Keynesian fi scal at the University of Cambridge, is the a party to the Paris climate agreement, toward the long term. stimulus he advocated. The Socialist author of Nietzsche’s Great Politics. Gulf Times Wednesday, December 21, 2016 23 COMMENT Greece’s perpetual crisis

A minor country in the became a test case for a strategy that by not granting debt relief. According grand scheme of things in could be likened to rolling a snowball to the transcript of the call (released uphill. The resulting avalanches have by WikiLeaks), Thomsen thought Europe became a test case been undermining the EU’s legitimacy European leaders would leave the for a strategy that could be ever since. issue until after the United Kingdom’s The problem with Greece is that Brexit referendum. likened to rolling a snowball everyone is lying. The European According to Thomsen: “We at uphill Commission and the European Central that time say, ‘Look, you Mrs. Merkel Bank are lying when they claim that you face a question, you have to think By Yanis Varoufakis the Greek “programme” can work as about what is more costly: to go ahead Athens long as Greece’s government does as without the IMF, would the Bundestag it is told. say ‘The IMF is not on board?’ Or Germany is lying when it insists to pick the debt relief that we think ince the summer of 2015, that Greece can recover without that Greece needs in order to keep us Greece has (mostly) dropped substantial debt relief through more on board?” Right? That is really the out of the news, but not austerity and structural reforms. issue.” Sbecause its economic The current Syriza government is Velculescu responded that, “for the condition has stabilised. A prison is lying when it insists that it has never sake of the Greeks and everyone else, not newsworthy as long as the inmates consented to impossible fi scal targets. I would like it to happen sooner rather suff er quietly. It is only when they And, last but not least, the IMF is lying than later.” But it did not happen, stage a rebellion, and the authorities when its functionaries pretend that because Thomsen and Lagarde never crack down, that the satellite trucks they are not responsible for imposing dared to put Merkel on the spot. appear. those targets on Greece. Instead, the IMF continues to blame The last rebellion occurred in When so many lies – with so others while providing Germany the fi rst half of 2015, when Greek much political capital invested with political cover to maintain its voters rejected piling new loans upon in their perpetuation – coalesce, chokehold on Greece. mountains of already-unsustainable disentangling them requires a swift But, as Velculescu astutely debt, a move that would extend coup, akin to Alexander cutting the pointed out, the repercussions Greece’s bankruptcy into the future Gordian knot. But who will wield the aff ect “everyone else.” The troubling by pretending to have overcome sword? developments in Italy, France, it. And it was at this point that the Tragically, the problem is both Two elderly men look at protesters marching during a demonstration in Athens on Dec. 8 marking a 24-hour general strike and even Germany are a direct European Union and the International obvious and extremely simple to against labour and tax reforms. consequence of the Greek debacle. But Monetary Fund – with their “extend solve. The Greek state became Greece is the immediate victim, and and pretend” approach in jeopardy insolvent a year or so after the for driving Greece’s people into an Tsipras had no business agreeing to that, without his and IMF Managing it is therefore the Greek government’s – crushed the “Greek Spring” and eruption of the 2008 global abyss. the crushing fi scal targets demanded Director Christine Lagarde’s responsibility to cut the Gordian knot, forced yet another unpayable loan on financial crisis. Against all logic, the Recently, Poul Thomsen, the by Germany and the EU when I was personal connivance, the European by declaring a unilateral moratorium a bankrupted country. So it was only European establishment, including director of the IMF’s European the fi nance minister. Commission would not have been on all repayments until substantial a matter of time before the problem successive Greek governments, and Department, and Maurice Obstfeld, My successor’s claims that the able to impose those targets. And I debt restructuring and reasonable resurfaced. the IMF extended the largest loan its chief economist, protested in a government never accepted the targets should know: I represented Greece fi scal targets are agreed. In the interim, the focus in Europe in history to Greece on conditions jointly authored blog post, that “it is are disingenuous. As he well knows, in the meetings of the Eurogroup Greece’s voters twice gave their has shifted to Brexit, xenophobic that guaranteed a reduction in not the IMF that is demanding more I resigned chiefl y because in April (comprising the eurozone countries’ leaders a mandate to do just that: right-wing populism in Austria and national income unseen since the austerity.” The blame lay elsewhere. 2015 Tsipras agreed to them behind finance ministers) where it once when they elected the Syriza Germany, and Italy’s constitutional Great Depression. To mask the “If Greece agrees with its European my back. My former colleagues are happened. government in January 2015, and referendum, which brought down absurdity of that decision, new loans partners on ambitious fi scal targets,” shooting the messenger, the IMF in Thomsen seems to be aware of his again that July in a referendum. For Matteo Renzi’s government. Soon, – conditioned on more income- they argued, “don’t criticise the this case, for relaying the bad news responsibility to stop legitimising the the sake of Greece – and of Europe – attention will shift again, this time sapping austerity – were added. IMF for being the ones insisting on that the targets they agreed to require German-led asphyxiation of Greece’s the authorities need to call a spade a to France’s crumbling political When one finds oneself in a hole, austerity when we ask to see the even more austerity. economy. In a telephone conversation spade. – Project Syndicate centre. But, lest we forget, the inane the simplest solution is to stop measures required to make such It is also true that the IMF in March with Delia Velculescu, the management of Europe’s debt crisis digging. Instead, Europe’s powers- targets credible.” consistently, and correctly, IMF’s Greek mission chief, Thomsen zYanis Varoufakis, a former fi nance began in Greece. A minor country in that-be, the Greek government, Thomsen and Obstfeld are partly criticised the targets. But what explained what should happen if minister of Greece, is Professor of the grand scheme of things in Europe and the IMF blame one another right. Greek Prime Minister Alexis Thomsen neglects to mention is Germany insisted on crushing Greece Economics at the University of Athens. Weather report Three-day forecast Theresa May’s Brexit problem TODAY High: 23 C Low : 16 C By Jacek Rostowski of the benefi ts of EU membership, Cameron and the Conservatives with Park, London, while the UK Independence Party – which favours a Expected strong wind at most London particularly full access to the European undivided power. These disengaged areas daytime. single market, without having to allow voters will likely not participate in “hard” Brexit – made gains in Sleaford free movement of labour. future elections, though they might and North Hykeham, in the east of ritish Prime Minister Theresa Moreover, although May was mobilise for a second EU referendum, England. THURSDAY May reportedly “needed some in the “Remain” camp during the if one were to be held. As Lord Ashcroft’s fascinating High: 24 C time to compose herself” in referendum campaign, she realises Second, the Leave camp has an exit poll following the Brexit Low: 17 C Ba recent meeting with her that, as Prime Minister, she will be age problem: my own rough estimate referendum shows, Leave and Remain Sunny presumed ally Angela Merkel. The held responsible for any failures in the suggests that, every year, Leave- voters’ attitudes diff er on almost German Chancellor categorically Brexit negotiations. She also knows voter deaths will exceed those of everything, from the death penalty rejected May’s proposal to do a “side that she cannot possibly succeed Remain voters by 150,000, while to environmental conservation. FRIDAY deal” on European Union nationals politically, because the media will new Remain voters entering the And anyone reading the two sides’ High: 26 C living in Britain before the United always spotlight “defeats,” while electorate will surpass those of increasingly heated online interactions Low: 17 C Kingdom offi cially triggers Brexit hardly noticing “wins.” That gives her Leave by 150,000 (after adjusting for can see that they heartily despise each Sunny negotiations by invoking Article 50 of every reason not to defi ne her goals, differential turnout between young other. the Treaty of Lisbon. and then to declare whatever deal she and old). This generational dynamic There is now a profound divide – After an initial phase of post- secures a “victory.” alone will tip the balance in Remain’s what British politicians call “deep blue Fishermen’s forecast favour by about 300,000 voters each water” – between Remain’s growing referendum arrogance and euphoria, it Paradoxically, while the OFFSHORE DOHA has become increasingly obvious that Conservative Party leadership has year, and it will eliminate Leave’s constituency and Leave’s diminishing Wind: NW-N 15-25/28 KT May’s government completely misread decided to represent the incoherent majority by 2020. one. This will be the defi ning split Waves: N 5-8/11 Feet the likely EU response to a British exit Leave coalition, no one is speaking Shortly after the referendum, I in British politics for at least a INSHORE DOHA Wind: NW 10-22/28 KT from the bloc. It now seems likely that for the 48% of voters who sided asked a former senior Tory official generation. And yet the vast majority Waves: 2-4 Feet the UK will continue to stagger from with Remain, except for the Liberal- why no respectable politicians of practising politicians are on the failure to failure at an accelerating Democratic Party, which has minimal wanted to represent Remain declining side of this divide, where the Around the region pace. infl uence in Parliament. This is voters.“No one in Britain (either supply of leaders far exceeds demand Weather Weather May’s dilemma stems from the even more surprising when Remain or Leave) really cares about for them. today Max/min tomorrow Max/min fact that the “Leave” coalition, one considers two deep the EU,” he replied. But while that The UK is approaching a Abu Dhabi Sunny 26/19 Sunny 25/19 while sharing certain conservative structural factors that may have been true in July, it is not fundamental political realignment, Baghdad M Sunny 12/01 P Cloudy 14/03 Dubai values, comprises two incompatible will cut short Leave’s true now, as indicated by both for which the current government Sunny 27/17 Sunny 27/19 Kuwait City Sunny 15/06 P Cloudy 17/11 factions: mostly middle-class, continued political sides’ passionate response to the is totally unprepared. It will come Manama P Cloudy 20/14 P Cloudy 22/15 affl uent pensioners who want to leave dominance in the result itself, and then again to the – probably quite suddenly – as Muscat Sunny 25/18 Sunny 27/21 the EU because they think it is too medium term. recent Supreme Court decision soon as enough people recognise Riyadh M Sunny 17/09 P Cloudy 21/12 bureaucratic and protectionist; and For starters, a affirming Parliament’s role that May has, through little fault of Tehran Sunny 08/-1 P Cloudy 09/01 mostly working-class voters who want signifi cant cohort of in triggering Article 50. her own, inevitably failed to “get to leave because they favour more Leave voters tends Equally telling the best deal for Britain.” As the protectionism. to be “politically were the last two economist Herbert Stein famously Clearly, there is no form of Brexit disengaged.” Leave parliamentary by- observed, “If something cannot go – or post-Brexit Britain – that will won by a margin of election results: on forever, it will stop.” So May’s satisfy both groups. This explains 1.2mn votes, 1mn pro-Remain government might last until May, May’s desperation to push Brexit of which were liberals but not much longer.– Project through as quickly as possible. She cast by people overturned a Syndicate wants to get out before voters realise who did not vote 23,000-vote that the Leave campaign sold them in the 2015 general Conservative zJacek Rostowski was Poland’s a false bill of goods, including the election that majority in Minister of Finance and Deputy Prime promise that they could keep all furnished David Richmond Minister from 2007 to 2013. Live issues

Around the world Earth’s temperature to dip but still sizzle in 2017 Weather Weather today Max/min tomorrow Max/min Athens P Cloudy 10/03 P Cloudy 09/05 caused by human activity. Among signs of warming, sea ice (WMO) said 2016 was on track to be Beirut Rain 16/13 Showers 16/12 By Alister Doyle/Reuters M Sunny 35/26 “Next year is not likely to be a in both the Arctic Ocean and around the warmest on record, ahead of 2015, Bangkok 35/25 M Sunny Oslo Berlin Sunny 03/-1 S Showers 04/03 record but it will still be a very warm Antarctica is at record lows, according with data from November confi rming Cairo M Sunny 19/11 P Cloudy 19/09 year,” Professor Adam Scaife of the to mid-December data by the US projections issued a month ago. Cape Town P Cloudy 22/17 S Showers 22/17 orld temperatures are British Met Offi ce told Reuters of National Snow and Ice Data Center. “2016 has been remarkable Colombo S T Storms 29/24 Sunny 31/23 likely to dip next year a report yesterday based on new Global average temperatures for for all the wrong reasons,” WMO Dhaka M Sunny 27/17 Sunny 28/18 Hong Kong Showers 23/21 Sunny 23/17 from a sizzling record computer data. 2017 would be about 0.75C (1.35F) spokeswoman Clare Nullis said of the Istanbul S Showers 07/03 Cloudy 07/05 high in 2016, when He said it would be wrong for above the long-term 1961-1990 heat. Jakarta P Cloudy 32/26 S Showers 32/25 W Karachi Sunny Sunny 30/16 man-made global warming was anyone who doubts that climate average of 14.0C (57.2F), the Met Offi ce The WMO says the build-up of 30/15 slightly boosted by a natural El Nino change is caused by humans to said. human-created greenhouse gases in London Showers 11/04 P Cloudy 08/03 Manila P Cloudy M Sunny 32/24 event in the Pacifi c Ocean, scientists interpret the expected 2017 dip, This year is so far 0.86C (1.55F) the atmosphere is causing ever more 31/24 Moscow Cloudy 02/-1 Cloudy 01/-2 said yesterday. prompted by the end of El Nino, which above average, matching a forecast harmful heatwaves, droughts, fl oods New Delhi Sunny 25/10 Sunny 24/09 It is still likely to be the third released heat from the Pacifi c Ocean, made in 2016, Scaife said. and a rise in global sea levels of about New York P Cloudy 08/02 P Cloudy 08/01 warmest since records began. as a sign of an end to the long-term El Nino accounted for about 0.2C 20cm (7.87 inches) in the past century. Paris M Cloudy 06/04 Rain 09/03 The year-on-year decline will trend of global warming. (0.36F) of the warming in 2016, far El Ninos happen every few years and Sao Paulo S T Storms 30/19 S T Storms 31/19 Seoul S Showers 12/07 Rain 10/-2 coincide with the fi rst year of Donald The Met Offi ce projected that 2017 less than the extra heat from human- can disrupt weather worldwide. Singapore S T Storms 33/24 T Storms 32/24 Trump’s presidency. was likely to be the third warmest year generated greenhouse gases. After a powerful El Nino in 1998, Sydney M Sunny 24/18 Cloudy 22/18 He has sometimes dismissed as a since records began in the mid-19th Separately, the Geneva-based it took until 2005 for a year to match Tokyo Clear 16/05 Cloudy 18/07 hoax the idea that global warming is century, behind 2016 and 2015. World Meteorological Organisation that year’s record heat. Gulf Times 24 Wednesday, December 21, 2016 QATAR

Al Meera chairman Sheikh Thani bin Thamer bin Mohamed al-Thani cuts a ribbon to inaugurate the new branch in North Sailiya (Al Miarad). Al Meera’s new store opens in North Sailiya l Meera Consumer Goods their expansion plan announced rience to the residents of North Company QSC has last year. The 4,000sqm Al Sailiya.” “The new branch also Alaunched its new branch Meera North Sailiya branch, has demonstrates our unwavering in North Sailiya (Al Miarad), a 1,817sqm supermarket area commitment to meeting our enabling the area’s residents ‘to equipped with modern interior customers’ expectations and our fulfi l all their shopping needs designs and shelving installa- contribution to the real estate under one roof.’ tions, state-of-the-art technol- development of every neigh- The opening of the new ogies and facilities, huge parking bourhood in the country. community shopping centre space and a variety of restau- “Wherever Al Meera marks its marks the second launch in rants and shops. presence, it strives to make a dif- Al Meera’s current five-store The new branch was inaugu- ference in the daily lives of citi- expansion phase in the coun- rated in the presence of Al Meera zens and residents. It is through Al Meera chairman Sheikh Thani bin Thamer bin Mohamed al-Thani led the cake-cutting at the opening of the new branch in North Sailiya (Al Miarad). try, after the opening of the Bu chairman Sheikh Thani bin off ering a vast range of competi- Sidra branch. Thamer bin Mohamed al-Thani tively priced food and non-food choice for consumers in Qatar.” Al Meera will be bringing to set to drive Al Meera’s future its community development ob- With completion nearing of and senior staff members. products under one roof cou- Sheikh Thani also pointed out its upcoming stores in Al Wak- growth and elevate its status as jectives.” the stores in Al Wakrah (West), Commenting on the launch, pled with an unmatched shop- that the new community shop- rah (West), Um Salal Ali and the leading retail chain in the The current expansion phase Um Salal Ali and Leaibab 2, Al the chairman said the new ping convenience and best-in- ping centre in North Sailiya Leaibab 2. country, while eff ectively con- of the fi ve stores is set to add a Meera will be on its way to open- branch brings Al Meera’s “seam- class services that Al Meera has gives consumers a glimpse of the “This marks a milestone in tributing to the realisation of the total of 9,709sqm supermarket ing 12 of the 14 stores as part of lessly integrated shopping expe- emerged as the destination of unique shopping experience that our expansion strategy that is Qatar National Vision 2030 and area to the company’s network.

The year 2016 has once again been one of significant growth and progress for the HMC Ambulance Service. Some of the added features on the new ambulances. HMC Ambulance Service’s achievements celebrated

ore than 700 staff from Hamad During the ceremony, awards were This progress has continued through- Medical Corporation’s (HMC) handed out to individuals and teams, out 2016. Ahmed al-Bakri, operations MAmbulance Service attended recognising staff from the full spectrum manager, Ambulance Service and co- the Annual Awards Ceremony recently. of services delivered by the Ambulance host of the ceremony explained: “We The event recognised the hard work Service. have launched new patient transport and eff orts of the Ambulance Service This includes emergency response vehicles as part of our non-emergency staff in delivering safe, eff ective and services, patient transport, as well as fl eet – improving patient experience, compassionate care throughout 2016. business and support services, as well as introduced the computer aided dis- “This year has once again been one the teams from the Mobile Healthcare patch technology to improve the way of signifi cant growth and progress for Service and Patient Contact Center and we manage our fl eet and implemented our Ambulance Service,” said Dr Rob- those providing care in HMC’s Patient the electronic patient clinical record ert Owen, chief executive offi cer of the Recovery Center. – advancing the way in which patient Ambulance Service, in his opening re- The Ambulance Service has intro- information is communicated. We have marks. duced a range of advances to ensure strengthened our ability to respond to “We have helped more people than patients receive the highest standard major incidents and also expanded our ever before in their time of need and of emergency response care possible. Mobile Healthcare Service – providing expanded many areas of our service. I Recent advances include the launch of a vital care outside the hospital setting.” am proud of our teams’ commitment new state-of-the-art ambulance fl eet, “The nomination process was care- over the last 12 months and delighted an expanded LifeFlight air ambulance fully planned to ensure a transparent to be part of a service that consistently service, dispatch points located across process that would encourage nomi- performs to the highest international the country and specialist medical nations from all areas of our service,” standards,” he recalled. equipment located on-board vehicles. added Dr Owen. The new set of ambulances introduced recently.