BUSINESS | Page 1 SPORT | Page 1 Al-Attiyah heads fi eld for 2017 Qatar INDEX DOW JONES QE NYMEX QATAR 2-7, 24 COMMENT 22, 23 Vodafone Qatar posts REGION 8 BUSINESS 1–11, 17-20 International six-fold increase in 19,851.92 10,597.22 52.81 ARAB WORLD 8, 9 CLASSIFIED 12-16 -119.21 -150.61 +0.18 INTERNATIONAL 10-21 SPORTS 1–12 distributable profi ts -0.60% -1.40% +0.34% Rally Latest Figures published in QATAR since 1978

WEDNESDAY Vol. XXXVII No. 10351 February 1, 2017 Jumada I 4, 1438 AH

GULF TIMES www. gulf-times.com 2 Riyals

In brief CMC plea for issuing QATAR | Offi cial Attack on Saudi frigate condemned Qatar yesterday strongly condemned the attack that ID cards to targeted a Saudi frigate while on a surveillance patrol west of the port of Hodeida, killing two HE the Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohamed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani meeting with Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev in Baku members of the ship crew and yesterday. injuring three others. In a statement yesterday, the Ministry of Foreign technicians Aff airs said that the Houthi militias’ continuous systematic targeting By Ayman Adly of such technicians in the local mar- represents a blatant attack that Staff Reporter ket and complaints from consumers would undermine eff orts to reach a that these workers were often under- political solution, and would impact Qatar and Azerbaijan skilled. the international navigation and the he Ministry of Administrative During a meeting of the Legal Af- flow of humanitarian and medical Development, Labour and Social fairs Committee, the panel members assistance to the Yemeni citizens. TAff airs (MADLSA) should study pointed out that the ID should include The ministry aff irmed Qatar’s the possibility of issuing professional information that introduces the work- solidarity with Saudi Arabia in its to boost bilateral ties identity (ID) badges to skilled workers er, his skills and profession. It should eff orts and actions taken to maintain and technicians in various fi elds, the be worn and displayed properly by the security and stability. Page 8 QNA opment of bilateral relations in recent his wishes of progress and growth to Central Municipal Council (CMC) has technicians so that consumers can eas- Baku years thanks to the attention and di- the Azeri people. recommended. ily identify them and avoid incurring rect supervision by the leaders of both In turn, the Azerbaijan President The IDs should be issued based on any losses or security risks. QATAR | Helping hand countries. sent his greetings and wishes of health the outcome of tests conducted at a The committee observed that some Qatar Charity opens he Qatar-Azerbaijan joint inter- The two sides reviewed the bilateral and happiness to HH the Emir and his specialised training centre for the tar- of these workers are freelancers who village in Djibouti governmental trade-economic ties of co-operation in various fi elds, further wishes of progress and pros- geted profession, the CMC observed claim that they do various types of Tand technical commission held and expressed satisfaction at the ad- perity to the Qatari people. yesterday. technical work and some companies Qatar Charity has inaugurated Doha its fi rst session in Baku yesterday in a vanced level of these ties. The meeting reviewed bilateral rela- The council stressed that the issu- also hire them on a temporary basis to Alkhair village in Arta Region in friendly atmosphere dominated by a They stressed the importance of tions between the two countries and ance of such IDs – for freelancers as perform certain jobs. Djibouti. Funded by Ruhama Qatar spirit of mutual co-operation and the maintaining what had been achieved means of boosting and developing well as company employees – has be- Meanwhile, the members wondered initiative and implemented by desire to develop the bilateral relations and work to make strenuous eff orts to them, and enhancing aspects of co- come a pressing need in order to pro- whether the current legislation allowed Rahma International Foundation, the within the framework of the agree- ensure the development of bilateral re- operation on all fronts, in addition to tect people from acts of deceit, loss or for the issuance of such badges. If nec- village includes 100 houses, a clinic, ment on setting up of economic, trade lations to serve the common interests issues of mutual interest. damage incurred through work done by essary, the CMC will issue a recom- a mosque, an elementary school, a and technical commission between of the two countries and the aspira- Qatar’s Foreign Minister also met technicians. mendation to introduce relevant laws, centre for tailoring, water tanks and the governments of the two countries, tions of the leadership and the peoples with his Azerbaijani counterpart El- The CMC’s Legal Aff airs Com- especially for services pertaining to other facilities. Some 1,200 poor which was signed in Baku on March 8, of the two countries. mar Mammadyarov. mittee, headed by council member electrical, air-conditioning, plumbing people are expected to benefit from 2016. They also called for benefi ting from During the meeting, they reviewed Sheikha al-Jufairi, had earlier high- and other works. this integrated residential project. The Qatari side was chaired by HE common experiences and promote relations between the two countries lighted the importance of the issue Fahd Salem al-Ghanim, assistant the Foreign Minister Sheikh Moham- visits between trade delegations and and means of boosting and developing in view of the increasing demand for director in the Labour Inspection De- ed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani, while raise the partnership at business and them, in addition to issues of mutual the services of such people in many partment who attended the commit- AFRICA | Politics the Azerbaijani side was chaired by the private sector level, and expressed interest. households. The social and security tee’s meeting, explained that under the Morocco’s king hails the Minister of Emergency Situation their confi dence that the formation HE Sheikh Mohamed said in a press risks of getting work done by techni- existing system, the profession men- Kamaladdin Heydarov. of this commission will be a fertile conference with his counterpart that cians without adequate credentials tioned in the employment contract of ‘return home’ to AU At the beginning of the meeting, ground for the development of bilat- Qatar aspires to more partnerships and ID was also raised. the worker is indicated on his Qatar ID. “I am finally home,” King Mohamed Heydarov welcomed HE the Foreign eral relations in various fi elds. with Azerbaijan. Besides, it was observed that many So, it is the responsibility of the person VI said yesterday as the African Minister and the accompanying del- The two sides agreed to continue He added that he discussed with people post advertisements in local looking for a worker to confi rm this and Union readmitted Morocco after a egation for visiting Azerbaijan, con- co-operation in order to develop and Mammadyarov the co-operation be- newspapers and on the Internet claim- check the ID. 33-year absence, deferring the issue fi rming the positive results of the visit strengthen bilateral relations in the tween both countries in various fi elds, ing that they can carry out certain re- Besides, residency permits are not of Western Sahara for another day. of HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Ha- economic, trade, investment, indus- especially political and economic ar- pairs and technical jobs even though issued for certain specialised profes- Morocco’s return came a day after 39 mad al-Thani to Azerbaijan in March trial, energy, education, environment, eas, in addition to co-operating in glo- they do not have the required experi- sions until the candidate clears certain of the AU’s 54 member states agreed 2016, which resulted in the signing of agriculture, food, culture, youth and bal forums and fi ghting terrorism and ence or certifi cation. tests, it was observed. These include to allow it back in the fold, despite eight agreements. sports, tourism, civil aviation, trans- extremism. Accordingly, the CMC recommend- physicians, engineers and lawyers, and stiff resistance from countries such He also extended thanks to HE the port and customs areas. Qatar is satisfi ed with the increase ed that the entities concerned should there are specifi c organisations regu- as South Africa and Algeria over Foreign Minister for the success of his At the end of meeting, the two sides of Qatari visitors to Baku, hoping to ensure that such technicians obtain the lating their practice. the status of the disputed former recent visit to Qatar on October 31, signed the minutes of the fi rst session receive Azerbaijani tourists in Doha, necessary skills and also make them sit He, however, noted that the minis- Spanish colony. Page 10 2016. of the commission. he noted. for qualifying tests as a mandatory re- try welcomed the CMC’s recommen- For his part, HE the Foreign Minis- Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev Mammadyarov said that his country quirement to issue ID badges. dations in this respect, affi rming that ter thanked Azerbaijan for the warm yesterday met HE the Foreign Minister. was keen to develop its relations with The suggestion was earlier made the law does not prevent the issuance INDIA | Obituary welcoming, generous hospitality and During the meeting, HE the Foreign Qatar and looked forward to strength- by CMC member Fatima Ahmed al- of professional IDs if the department E Ahamed, MP, dies good organisation of the commission’s Minister conveyed greetings of HH the ening the ties between the two coun- Kuwari in view of the proliferation concerned deems it necessary. aft er heart attack session, praising the signifi cant devel- Emir to the Azeri President as well as tries. Senior Kerala MP, E Ahamed, died Call for a shop in each apartment building in New Delhi early today following Strong winds and chance of scattered rain forecast a heart attack. He was 78. Ahamed Each apartment building in Qatar should the outskirts of Doha was up to QR50,000 was taken to the Ram Manohar Strong winds and high seas are in off shore areas, with the sea level first. It will become cloudy and there is have commercial space for at least one a month. Lohia Hospital yesterday after he expected in off shore areas by tonight reaching a high of 8ft. a chance of rain towards the northern shop, the Central Municipal Council They said that a plan to introduce 10 fell unconscious in Parliament’s along with rain towards the north, the The weather off ice also tweeted areas. (CMC) has suggested. commercial streets was approved four Central Hall. Ahamed was a former Qatar Met department has said. yesterday that the conditions are Today, a minimum temperature of 13C At its bi-weekly session yesterday, the years ago but nothing has materialised so minister of state for foreign aff airs in Poor visibility is also likely in some expected to gradually become cloudy is expected in Wakrah, Mesaieed, Al council lamented the steep hike in the far. Hence the council has recommended Manmohan Singh’s government and inshore areas in the early hours of the tomorrow and there is a chance of Khor and Abu Samra, while in Doha it rents of commercial space in the country that each apartment building should be an Indian Union Muslim League MP day. scattered rain in the country. will be 17C. The maximum, on the other due to the severe shortage of supply. law-bound to provide space for at least from Kerala. He was elected as MP The wind speed may go up to 18-25 Meanwhile, hazy to misty conditions hand, will range from 22C to 25C in the Members said the rent of a shop even on one business outlet. Page 3 seven times. Page 17 knots (northwesterly) by the night are expected in some off shore areas at country. Off erings galore during Shop Qatar’s fi nal weekend

By Joey Aguilar feature 100 diff erent designs of bridal tor Mashal Shahbik said in a statement. “With every festival we organise, Staff Reporter couture, abayas, kaftans, and ready- QTA supports up-and-coming de- we aim to enrich Qatar’s tourism of- to-wear outfi ts. A red carpet event will signers and entrepreneurs in the coun- fering and drive footfall to various take place at 7pm before the show. try by providing additional platforms venues across the country,” said QTA he fi nal weekend of Shop Qa- The show has invited 10 local de- to feature their products and expand chief marketing and promotion offi cer tar, organised by Qatar Tourism signers and fi ve international designers market reach. Rashed al-Qurese, as he urged resi- TAuthority (QTA), will showcase from Kuwait, India, Pakistan and Hong Shop Qatar’s outdoor activities, dents and visitors to make the most of a wide range of off erings from today Kong to showcase a diversity of styles. courtesy of Katara Hospitality, returns Shop Qatar’s fi nal weekend. giving residents and visitors a one-of- While entry is free, QTA stressed to the Doha Corniche this weekend “In addition to all these exciting its-kind shopping and entertainment that children under 12 years will not be with a fi reworks display at 8pm, and events, residents and visitors can still experience. allowed in the mall’s Piazza during the screenings of Qatar Foundation’s new enjoy discounted shopping off ers and First on the festival’s list is a live event. 3D animation ‘edutainment’ TV series enter the fi nal mega-raffl e for a chance make-up tutorial led by beauty and “The location’s iconic architecture Siraj at 6.30pm, 7.30pm, 8.30pm and to win QR1mn on February 7,” he noted. luxury experts from Guerlain who will coupled with the designers’ renderings 9.30pm, as well as Arda dances, com- For entertainment shows, the much- hold demonstrations and one-on-one of traditional textures in contemporary edy show, and musical parades. awaited four-day performance of consultations at The Gate Mall free of designs, perfectly encapsulates the The festival will also see members of Broadway musical CATS will start to- charge starting today 11am to 6pm until festival’s slogan ‘A Brand New Tradi- Bedaya Centre and food trucks selling day at the Qatar National Convention Friday starting at 4pm. tion,’ and provides residents and visi- locally-made delicacies and snacks to Centre (QNCC) while the four-day Next is an outdoor fashion show at tors with a uniquely Qatari experience” visitors aimed at supporting local com- Doha Comedy Festival is set to take Lagoona Mall tomorrow, which will QTA festivals and tourism events direc- munity initiatives and entrepreneurs. Food trucks and stalls will return to the Doha Corniche this weekend. place tomorrow, also at the QNCC. Gulf Times 2 Wednesday, February 1, 2017 QATAR

Yemeni president leaves Doha

Yemen’s President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi left Doha yesterday after a two-day working visit to Qatar. President Hadi and his accompanying delegation were seen off upon at Doha International Airport by HE the Minister of State for Foreign Aff airs Sultan bin Saad al-Muraikhi, Qatar’s ambassador to Yemen Mohamed bin Hamad al-Hajri and Charge d’Aff aires of Yemen’s embassy in Doha Dr Mohamed Abdulla al-Zubairi. Doha’s hospitality market sees decrease in hotel occupancy

oha’s hospitality room yield for Doha in 2016 pancy. However, some cit- experienced a growth across market experienced was $136, a 16.7% drop from ies, such as Cairo and Ras all key performance indica- Da 2% point decrease $163 in 2015. Al Khaimah, managed to in- tors (KPIs) in 2016, result- in occupancy falling from The Middle East Hotel crease both occupancy and ing in the highest increase in 65% in 2015 to 63% in 2016, Benchmark Survey Report, room rates for overall higher room yield compared to 2015 an EY survey shows. produced by EY, provides a revenues per room.” and a RevPAR of 62.7%, due According to the EY Mid- monthly and year-to-date During 2016, the Dubai to continued political stabil- dle East Hotel Benchmark performance overview of market registered the high- ity in the country. Survey Report, hospitality leading hotels in the Middle est revenue per available “The hospitality market markets across Mena wit- East. The hotel set includes room (RevPAR) of $200, across Mena in 2017 is expect- nessed a negative perform- international branded and followed by Jeddah, which ed to have a slow performance ance last year compared to operated properties across registered a RevPAR of $196. as the economy slowly adjusts 2015. The majority of mar- the fi ve-star and four-star Dubai also had the highest to new trade agreements and kets experienced a drop in segments. occupancy rate in 2016 at currency fl uctuations. It can RevPAR due to a slower glo- EY MENA head (Trans- 80% while Ras Al Khaimah be predicted that some mar- bal economy, making 2016 action Real Estate) Yousef achieved the second highest kets may benefi t from key a challenging year for the Wahbah said, “The hospi- occupancy at 72.1%. annual events such as the Haj hospitality industry. tality market was greatly The highest room rates last pilgrimage, shopping festi- Additionally in Doha, av- aff ected by the drop in oil year were recorded in Saudi vals, and global forums, but erage room rates decreased prices over 2015 and 2016 Arabia, with an average daily the overall sentiment is that by 14.3% from $249 in 2015 forcing many hotels to lower rate of $287 in Makkah and it will be another challenging to $213 last year, the survey their room rates whilst also Jeddah averaging at $277. year for the hotel industry,” showed. The overall average suff ering from lower occu- Cairo’s hospitality market Yousef added. Gulf Times Wednesday, February 1, 2017 3 QATAR Rota volunteers take part in Provision for shops ‘Reach into Qatar’ project in each apartment

each Out To Asia (Rota) volunteers recently car- Rried out renovation works building mooted at a house in Al Gharafa as part of its ‘Reach into Qatar’ campaign which extends social develop- ach apartment build- crease the supply and reduce for more studies and to issue ment assistance to families in ing in Qatar should have the rental rates. the necessary recommenda- need across the country. Ecommercial space for at It will also help decon- tions. As part of the community least one shop, the Central Mu- gest the busy roads as these The council also reviewed development project funded by nicipal Council (CMC) has sug- shops would be able to cater the recommendations of its Da’am, the Social and Sports gested. to the needs of the residents Legal Aff airs Committee re- Activities Support Fund, 50 At its bi-weekly session yes- of the building,” argued CMC garding the organisational Rota youth volunteers assisted terday, the council lamented member Mohamed al-Khay- standards of hypermarkets and in completing a full makeover of the steep hike in the rents of areen. commercial shops. the family home. commercial space in the coun- CMC vice-chairman Hamad These include obliging such Volunteers restored three try due to the severe shortage of Lahdan al-Mohannadi praised places to provide adequate and bedrooms, a majlis, a dining supply. the suggestion as practical and safe parking lots to their cus- room, an entrance hall, and Members said the rent of a instrumental. tomers as a prerequisite for se- two bathrooms. The renovation shop even on the outskirts of Hamad al-Ghanim, another curing the licence. tasks assigned to volunteers Doha was up to QR50,000 a member, suggested that the In addition, they should included interior and exterior month. proposed commercial space to provide adequate solutions for painting; walls, windows and They said that a plan to in- be allocated should be 10% of garbage collection, and load- plumbing repairs; installation troduce 10 commercial streets the total area of the apartment ing and storing goods without of electrical appliances includ- Rota volunteers engaged in the renovation activities. Below: An interior view of the renovated house. was approved four years ago building. disturbing the movement of ing fridge, freezer, cooker, A/C but nothing has materialised However, CMC member customers. units, TV, DVD player; rubbish so far. Sheikhah al-Jufairi said that The council received yes- clearance; and installing new Hence the council has rec- the implementation of such terday a response from HE furnishings including carpets ommended that each apart- a plan would create various the Minister of Municipal- and curtains. ment building should be law- problems at residential areas, ity and Environment on the Fatima al-Khater, Rota bound to provide space for at including crowds and lack of development of Al Wakrah volunteer, said, “It was an least one business outlet. adequate mechanism to regu- fishing port, which stressed honour to be involved in this The advantage is that these late such shops. that the Ministry in col- project which granted me the buildings have already the re- CMC member Jassim al- laboration with the Pub- opportunity to make a posi- quired infrastructure in place, Malki recommended the for- lic Works Authority (Ash- tive contribution to my lo- they argued. mation of a committee to de- ghal) has prepared a list of cal community. I believe the “If, for example, we allocat- termine the rental rates for the necessary services and skills and experience gained ed commercial spaces at 1,000 both commercial and residen- works to be done, in addi- through my participation will apartment buildings in various tial units to curb the increasing tion to the required finan- also enhance my support ca- areas, we get 1,000 new shops rates. cial budget for this. pacity as a volunteer on future without paying extra cost for Eventually, the suggestion A study has already been projects.” the infrastructure. was referred to the CMC Serv- launched for developing the The ‘Reach into Qatar’ initia- This would ultimately in- ices and Utilities Committee fi shing ports in the country. tive aims to transform the living conditions of underprivileged families while off ering youth Real Estate transactions Military ties with volunteers the opportunity to Japan reviewed provide engaging community service support. The total value of real estate the types of real estate traded HE the Chief of Staff of the Essa al-Mannai, executive tion, compassion, and crea- ism and get involved in com- Development, worked together trading that was registered at ranged from plots of land, Qatari Armed Forces Major director, Rota, said, “This tivity.” munity work, both inside and with Rota’s community partners, the Real Estate Registration houses to villas and multi- General Ghanim bin Shaheen al- initiative provides our vol- “The programme directly outside of Qatar,” al-Mannai Gulf Contracting Company, the Department at the Ministry of purpose buildings. Ghanim and Admiral Katsutoshi unteers with invaluable skills addresses our goal to educate, added. Social Development Centre, and Justice for the week ending The majority of the trading took Kawani, Chief of the Joint Staff and life experience by foster- engage, and encourage all seg- Volunteers from Rota, a mem- Hamad Medical Corporation, to January 26 was QR557,051,442. place in Umm Salal, Al Khor, Al of Japanese forces yesterday ing a sense of citizenship and ments of the community to ber of Qatar Foundation for Edu- complete the home renovation The weekly bulletin released Thukhaira, Doha, Al Rayyan, Al reviewed military ties between belonging through innova- adopt the spirit of volunteer- cation, Science and Community project. by the department said that Da’ayen and Al Wakrah. the two countries. Gulf Times 4 Wednesday, February 1, 2017 QATAR QC opens health centre in Somalia atar Charity (QC) has Somali provinces, the outbreak the outbreak of epidemic and opened a model health of epidemic and infectious dis- infectious diseases among the Qcentre in Somalia’s eases, diffi culties faced by the population and reduce mortal- Jazeera region. The facility is lo- residents who are forced to travel ity by immunising children. He cated about 30km southwest of to Mogadishu to meet their health stressed that QC built the health the Somali capital, Mogadishu. needs, high treatment costs and centre to accelerate development The centre, described as the other negative impact on vul- in Somalia and help the people of The centre includes a mosque and Qur’an memorisation house and provides therapeutic healthcare services for 80,000 people. fi rst of its kind in the region, nerable groups,” said Mohamed the region have a decent life. includes a mosque and Qur’an Hussein Omar, QC’s director of Omar also extended his grati- The comprehensive centre pro- off ered urgent humanitarian aid 500 units of dry ration to af- QC in Somalia carried out memorisation house and pro- the regional offi ce in Kenya who tude to the people of Qatar for vides constant monthly care for to the Somali people to reduce fected families in Garadag and programmes and activities in vides therapeutic healthcare is tasked with following up on supporting the project. 150 dialysis patients. the impact of the severe drought the villages of Sanaag province several areas, including sponsor- services for 80,000 people, QC projects carried out in Somalia. Qatar Charity had previously In response to appeals and alleviate the burdens of the where the population is suff er- ships, social welfare, education, has said in a statement. He explained that the centre opened a dialysis centre at Ara- launched by the Somali govern- people who are suff ering from ing from food shortage following culture, water and sanitation, “The facility was built due to provides therapeutic healthcare fat Hospital, Mogadishu, which ment and international humani- the two-decade civil war. In the death of the livestock they income-generating projects, the lack of health centres in many services that will help reduce is the fi rst of its kind in Somalia. tarian organisations, QC recently this regard, QC has distributed depended on. urgent relief and early recovery.

HBKU off ers specialised training courses in Feb MEC announces recall amad Bin Khalifa Uni- practices. Training will be con- the strictures of the laws regu- Pietro, global head of security niques required for translating of Nissan Tiida, Navara versity (HBKU) is or- ducted by J D Lawrence Gill, lating international companies, research for Nokia Bell Labs. Dr and developing subtitles, such Hganising several spe- who has over 40 years of inter- this training session is designed Di Pietro has more than 20 years’ as considering spatial con- cialised workshops and training national experience in business to help directors and their ad- experience in cyber security straints, timing, and segmenta- he Ministry of Economy The MEC will co-ordinate courses this February at Edu- law, and Prof Clinton Francis, visers gain this requisite legal consulting and research. tion, along with the use of soft- and Commerce (MEC) has with the dealer to follow up cation City for those seeking who has decades of teaching knowledge.” The legal and management ware to implement their work. Tannounced a recall of Nis- on maintenance and repair to develop their executive and experience in multiple fi elds The Executive Education training workshop for board mem- The goal of the workshop is san Tiida 2007-2013 models and works and communicate with professional skills. within commercial law and is Centre will also deliver a fi ve- bers and the cyber security execu- to enable professionals and en- Nissan Navara 2007-2008 mod- customers to ensure that the HBKU’s Executive Educa- founding dean of HBKU’s Col- day cyber security executive tive training course will both take thusiasts to eff ectively tackle els over a potential defect in the necessary repairs are carried tion Centre will be holding a lege of Law and Public Policy. training course from February place within HBKU’s College of culture-specifi c problems like driver’s airbag infl ator. out. legal and management training Prof Francis said, “Legal 12 to 16. This intensive intro- Islamic Studies building. dialect variations and use of ta- The recall is being carried out The ministry has urged all workshop for board members knowledge for members of ductory course aims to provide Meanwhile, the Translation boo words in translation during in collaboration with Saleh Al consumers to report viola- or potential board members boards of directors is vital in or- training in the fundamentals of and Interpreting Institute (TII) the subtitling process. Hamad Al Mana Company, deal- tions to its Consumer Protec- operating in Qatar. The one- der for them to fulfi l the duties cyber security and cyber foren- of HBKU’s College of Humani- Finally, from February 19 to er of Nissan vehicles in Qatar. tion and Anti-Commercial day “Legal Best Practices for of their offi ce, and through suc- sics. Participants will be able to ties and Social Sciences will 22, TII will be running a “Revi- In a statement, the ministry Fraud Department through Corporate Governance” pro- cessful fulfi lment of their obli- leverage their training to secure host a subtitling workshop for sion and Quality Assurance” said the recall campaign comes the call centre – 16001, e-mail gramme, which takes place on gations thereby avoid personal digital and physical infrastruc- audiovisual translation at the workshop for translation pro- within the framework of its on- – [email protected], Twitter February 6 will explore the legal liability. In the environment ture assets in their organisations Liberal Arts and Sciences build- fessionals that will help par- going eff orts to protect consum- – @MEC_Qatar, Instagram – duties of board members, how of the recently announced in- from the ever increasing threat ing within Education City from ticipants learn how to reinforce ers and ensure that car dealers MEC_Qatar, and the ministry to comply with local regula- creased standards of the Qatari of cyber-attacks. Leading the February 12 to15. The workshop quality assurance practices follow up on vehicle defects and mobile app for Android and tions, and management best corporate governance laws and training will be Dr Roberto Di introduces participants to tech- when translating documents. repairs. iOS – MEC_Qatar. Gulf Times Wednesday, February 1, 2017 5 QATAR Ooredoo extends support to Al-Galayel tournament

oredoo has an- that Ooredoo will support tion of the local ecosystem. thank the company for nounced that it the event, and the Al-Ga- Ooredoo Qatar CEO helping us carry on Qatar’s Owill once again layel Championship is set Waleed al-Sayed said, traditions. This year’s tour- support the annual Al- to run from February 3 until “We’re proud to once again nament is set to the biggest Galayel Championship, March 3. support one of our strong- yet, with teams from across as the traditional event is The sporting event wel- est traditions and one of the region travelling to take set to kick off in Qatar this comes a broad cross-sec- the most important tour- part.” weekend. tion of hunting teams from naments in Qatar. This is In a statement, Oore- The Al-Galayel Cham- all over the region and plays an important part of Qatari doo said its sponsorship pionship is a regional a key role in conservation. culture, and we wish all the of the event “is part of the hunting tournament Preapproved animals are teams the best of luck in company’s wider work in where 17 teams compete marked by the tournament’s 2017.” promoting Qatar’s history in the southern nature re- organising committee to Khalid bin Mohamed and national identity”. Last serves of Qatar in a range distinguish from animals al-Maadeed, chairman of month, it sponsored the of contests that showcase that are protected in the na- the championship, added: Hejen Racing Festival, held traditional skills. ture reserve, and the event “We’re proud to be sup- at the Al Sheehaniya camel This is the fourth year contributes to the preserva- ported by Ooredoo and racetrack.

Wathnan Mall marking anniversary

athnan Mall, along with its Wanchor tenants Masskar Hypermarket and Zarabi Department Store, is hosting its sixth anni- versary celebrations. Be- ginning today, the celebra- tions will continue until February 6. Adjudged as the coun- try’s one and only fam- ily shopping centre, Wathnan Mall, launched in 2011, starts as early as 5am and is open to pub- lic until 3pm. From 3pm onwards the entry is Ashraf V P, flanked by Mohamed Thaha Abdul Kareem, left, and Shamlan al-Wadhi, announcing restricted to families. launch of promotions and off ers yesterday. As part of the anniversary celebrations, the mall has eem, Masskar Group man- Zarabi Department Store through their daily Best launched a number of pro- aging director Ashraf V P and a gift card of QR50 Deal off ers, Masskar and motions and off ers, which and Wathnan Mall manager which could be used for Zarabi provide a number of include deals targeting Shamlan al-Wadhi. games and rides at Wathnan products at “rock bottom” families. As part of the promotion, Fun City. prices. The schemes were an- against every purchase for This is besides the on- Besides the anchor out- nounced yesterday at a press QR500 at Masskar Hyper- going Buy 1 Get 1 free off er lets, the shopping centre conference by Masskar market, a customer is issued at the garments section of features 78 retail outlets, Group general manager Mo- a QR100 worth voucher Zarabi Department Store. including a number of hamed Thaha Abdul Kar- which can be redeemed at Above all, every evening premium brands. Gulf Times 6 Wednesday, February 1, 2017 QATAR Boost for insurance education atar Finance and Business delivery of globally-recognised Academy (QFBA) has signed insurance courses to the sector’s Qa memorandum of under- professionals in Qatar from leading standing (MoU) with Jordan-based international insurance organisa- Arab Insurance Institute (AII), which tions, including the Chartered In- will facilitate close co-operation be- surance Institute (UK for general tween the two parties in providing insurance), Life Offi ce Management “world-class” insurance education Association (US for life insurance), and training services in Qatar. America’s Health Insurance Plans Signed by QFBA CEO Dr Abdul Insurance Education (US for health Aziz al-Horr and AII CEO Husain insurance), and The Institutes (US al-Ajmi, the partnership will en- for risk management). Alfardan Group president and CEO Omar Alfardan at the event. hance the development of the man- As part of the agreement, 20 pro- power in the insurance sector as part grammes have been identifi ed to be of QFBA’s strategy to partner with off ered in English and Arabic, the renowned specialised institutes to fi rst of which is scheduled to run develop the nation’s human capital starting on February 19. Alfardan hosts world launch of Super Duke 1290R – 2017 in line with the Qatar National Vi- The courses are set to prepare sion 2030. young national cadre candidates for Al-Horr said: “The MoU merg- the local insurance industry through atar recently hosted the world- landmark ‘introduction ride’ on public As a one-stop shop for all riders, it of- es with the academy’s mission of up to year-long vocational pro- wide media launch of the class- roads was introduced to the overall pro- fers the latest motorcycle models and a building up a well-qualifi ed human grammes that incorporate technical Qleading KTM bike Super Duke gramme for media guests to get the feel large selection of used bikes, as well as capital base that supports the fi nan- insurance and business skills learn- 1290R – 2017 model. of riding the high-performing model. a wide variety of lifestyle items, safety cial sector in the country and the ing, in association with the Ministry Alfardan Motorcycles played a major The major part of the riding took gear, clothing apparel and various ac- region, while bolstering its eff ective of Administrative Development, role in the success of the fi ve-day test place on the MotoGP-approved, 5.3-km cessories from the most renowned in- contribution to the realisation of a Labour and Social Aff airs, thereby ride event held at the Losail Interna- Losail International Circuit. dustry brands. knowledge-based economy under pushing forward the development tional Circuit, by providing state-of- The bike trip on the Pearl Qatar also Alfardan Motorcycles is the leader in the umbrella of the Qatar National of skills and knowledge in the pro- the-art logistics and support to deliver served as an ideal platform for interaction local after-sales services, with its state- Vision 2030.” gressive Qatari insurance market maximum impact suited for the formal among the press and renowned motorcy- of-the-art service center located in Al He added: “On the industry level, through the jointly-developed edu- international unveiling of the latest cle racers and offi cial KTM ambassadors Khor. this will raise the skills and knowl- cation and training solutions. premier Super Duke model. ‘Irish Ironman’ Jeremy McWilliams and Bike enthusiasts were able to ex- The two-day ‘KTM Importers Confer- edge of the human capital in the in- QFBA’s partnership with AII is In addition, more than 30 partici- ‘Michigan Man’ Chris Fillmore. perience first-hand the exceptional ence,’ which is staged annually in diff er- surance industry, and will match the the latest addition to the academy’s pants from the Middle East and Africa Ayad As-Siaidi, general manager of capabilities and best-in-class features ent countries, was brought to Qatar this sector’s training qualifi cations with line-up of world-class courses and of best-in-class KTM motorbikes gath- Alfardan Motorcycles, said: “Journal- of Super Duke 1290. year, demonstrating anew the country’s the evolving job market needs. international certifi cations in the ered in Qatar to participate in the ‘KTM ists were able to experience fi rst-hand strategic status as a destination of choice “On the national level, individuals fi elds of business and fi nance. Importers Conference’– the fi rst ever the exceptional capabilities and best- targets to ensure everything would run for top-caliber global events. and organisations in Qatar will bene- The academy’s off ering is de- in the region – which took place on the in-class features of Super Duke 1290R. smoothly. Providing world-class logis- A special dinner to welcome all par- fi t from a higher standard of services signed to present enrollees with the heels of the landmark international me- Alfardan Motorcycles, in partnership tical support to the event refl ects our ticipants and guests was organized at that better caters to their insurance unique opportunity to build on their dia launch of the 2017 KTM bike model. with KTM’s international team, was commitment to cater to the needs of Antica Pesa Restaurant at the Kempin- needs. This MoU simply creates a strengths, while empowering them During the test ride of the new ‘beast,’ instrumental to this success. Alfardan bike riders and enthusiasts worldwide.” ski Marsa Malaz Hotel, with Omar Al- win-win situation for all parties in- to reach new heights through eff ec- so-called for the bike’s fast and smooth Motorcycles hit the ground running as KTM partnered with Alfardan Mo- fardan, president and CEO of Alfardan volved and opens up a whole world of tive education, infl uential inspira- performance, over 70 international jour- soon as the media launching event was torcycles for this event as the latter is Group, the parent company of Alfardan opportunities in the industry.” tion, and access to essential tools nalists from 26 nations participated. confi rmed. Our staff worked ceaseless- Qatar’s exclusive dealer of the luxurious Motorcycles, joining other guests at The MoU aims to catalyse the and resources. To take their experience further, a ly, crafted intricate plans, and set clear brands available around the globe. the event.

‘Shifts’ sought in Indian schools to meet demand

By Ramesh Mathew since 2013, every expatriate school has an schools and every day I am receiving Staff Reporter been experiencing problems to meet new requests,” said a long time Doha the mounting demand for admissions resident, who is a familiar person in the and every year the sight of parents run- community. n view of the acute shortage of seats ning from pillar to post for their wards’ He said it has been extremely diffi - in Qatar’s Indian schools, appeals admissions is a common sight. cult for him to say `no’ to parents when Iare being made by several desperate As a result, even some of the schools they approach him for assistance in parents for running classes in a shift where there was hardly any demand for school admissions. system at some of the country’s expa- admissions until a couple of years ago, The country currently has 13 Indian triate schools. are enjoying huge demand for seats expatriate schools, besides Al Khor In- Several community members also this year. ternational School, where Indian CBSE felt the only possible way to ensure “While we have only less than 180 curriculum is also off ered. maximum number of admissions at seats, admission requests have come Community members are seeking the schools was introducing the shift for more than 600,” said the manag- the intervention of the country’s In- system until some of the new schools ing committee member of one of the dian embassy to explore with the edu- are ready by next year. Indian schools. cational authorities the possibility of It is understood that the local au- No doubt, while some families were introducing shift system this academic thorities have issued six new licenses forced to send their children back year itself. for starting Indian schools this year. home, others were compelled to seek “Such a move would go a long way However, community members feel admissions at some of the schools, the in fi nding an immediate solution to the it is far from adequate to meet the ac- fees structure of which were appar- crisis,” said a parent who has two chil- tual admission requirements of the ently beyond their reach. dren seeking admission this year. growing community. As in the last four academic years, Some of them pointed out that at The schools are expected to start the the demand for admissions at most least two other Gulf countries have al- new academic year two months from Indian schools has been enormous this lowed shift systems at Indian expatri- now (on April 1) and admission proc- year as well and virtually every day ate schools to facilitate enrolment of esses are currently underway at most community elders and representatives maximum number of students. of them. of forums are accosted by numerous Parents also complained that some Owing to the apparently strict rules parents seeking admissions for their of the Indian schools were trying to aiming at restricting the number of stu- children. turn the situation to their advantage, dents on each campus put in place by “I have 13 or 14 requests so far for by “announcing” hike in their tuition the Supreme Education Council (SEC) new admissions, mainly at three Indi- fees from the next academic year.

Turkish carrier woos Ministry workshop eyes customers in Qatar urkish Airlines has announced a special promotional off er from service enhancements TDoha, providing discounted busi- ness and economy class fares to various cities in Canada and Europe. he single-window electronic The promotional off er extends across building permits system at the GCC countries and covers major Tthe Ministry of Municipal- destinations in Europe, including Mos- ity and Environment (MME) will cow, Paris, London, Berlin, Munich, Bar- be upgraded soon to include more celona, Frankfurt and Vienna. services, according to a press state- The off er also includes Canadian des- ment from the MME. tinations Toronto and Montreal. This, along with some associ- The off er is available until February 15, ated systems, will help provide uni- valid for travel between February 6 and fi ed and automated services in the The workshop in progress. December 31, according to a press state- Technical Aff airs Department of ment from the airline. municipalities across the country. briefed the attendees on the techni- Passengers will be able to book from In this regard, the MME has held cal details. These include an ‘Auto a wide variety of discounted tickets, in- its fi rst workshop for engineering View’ system to study the blue- cluding 353 round-trip fl ights from the consultancies in the country to in- prints of buildings and add notes. Gulf region, 315 of which are to major troduce them to the new develop- The offi cial noted that the con- cities in Europe, and 38 more to Mon- ments and upgrade. sultancies should present their treal and Toronto in Canada. The workshop, held at the Build- blueprints in ‘DWF’ format instead Under the off er, passengers from Doha ing Permits Complex, saw the par- of ‘DWG’ under the new system. will have the the opportunity to visit ticipation of a considerable number He also said the new services in- Canada via Istanbul’s Atatürk Airport of government services entities in- clude permits for adding an elec- for QR9,739 (30% discount) if they are volved in the system and represent- tricity meter, preparing a site for a fl ying business class, while tickets start atives of the consultancies. building permit and temporary of- at QR3,305 (38% discount) for economy The director of the Building Per- fi ce permits. class. European destinations can also be mits Complex, Tariq al-Tamimi, Besides, the engineer concerned booked from QR6,335 (30% discount) gave a presentation on the upcom- would be able to review the neces- and QR1,665 (77% discount), respec- ing upgrades to the system and sary approvals through the system. tively. Gulf Times Wednesday, February 1, 2017 7 QATAR

Suhaib Kamal, welcomes Jose Maria Olazabal to the recently held luncheon for Teach For Qatar’s Fellows. AG Middle East hosts luncheon for Teach for Qatar Fellows

G Middle East recently held a dle East, said: “We, at AG Middle East, The luncheon was also attended luncheon for Teach For Qatar’s fully believe in the importance of sup- by distinguished golfer Jose Maria AFellows in Doha, showcasing its porting local education organisations Olazabal, winner of over 30 world- support for the NGO’s ‘Summer Insti- that aim to empower future generations wide professional golf tournaments. tute’ programme. in Qatar.” Olazabal is co-founder of the Olaza- The ‘Summer Institute’ is an inte- “We were delighted to host this event bal & Nadal Invitational, a charitable gral component of Teach For Qatar’s as it gave us the opportunity to meet foundation that aims to combat social training programme. The eight-week with some of Qatar’s most passionate exclusion, with tennis champion Ra- intensive course serves as a foundation leaders. Speaking with the Fellows, we fael Nadal. for the two-year leadership journey, learned about how they plan to posi- Teach For Qatar is a local NGO work- which provides passionate leaders with tively impact students in Qatar. It was ing to provide solutions to education the opportunity to positively impact hugely inspiring,” said Kamal. challenges in Qatar. It aims to introduce Qatar’s students by nurturing teaching Nasser al-Jaber, CEO of Teach For exceptionally talented young leaders to and leadership skills and by preparing Qatar, added: “We are extremely grate- the independent school system in Qa- Fellows for their placements at inde- ful to AG Middle East. Their contribu- tar by providing graduates and young pendent schools. tions have helped us provide rigorous professionals with the opportunity to The luncheon was part of AG Mid- training for our Fellows who have cho- inspire students through a two-year dle East’s year-round corporate so- sen to become part of the solution to Fellowship. cial responsibility programme. Suhaib some of the education challenges that Applications for the Teach For Qatar Kamal, operation manager of AG Mid- students in Qatar face.” 2017 Fellowship are now open. Gulf Times 8 Wednesday, February 1, 2017 REGION/ARAB WORLD

Travel ban punishes Yemen rebel ‘suicide boat’ those ‘fi ghting terrorism’ attack kills Saudi sailors AFP Although the Saudi warship Mandab strait where the Red tional pressure to agree to a UN Riyadh “dealt with the boats”, one “col- Sea joins the Indian Ocean, ceasefi re plan. AFP lided with the back of the ship overrunning Dhubab district In a speech to the Security Baghdad and exploded and caused a fi re” and entering the historic port of Council on Thursday, UN en- emeni rebel “suicide” which the crew brought under Mokha in their biggest advance voy Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed boats attacked a Saudi control, the coalition said. in months. criticised Hadi for rejecting his raq’s Prime Minister Haider Ywarship on patrol in the Two Saudi crewmen lost their Nearly 370 combatants on proposals for a transition that al-Abadi said yesterday that Red Sea, killing two sailors in lives and three were wounded, both sides have been killed, ac- would see him cede much of his IPresident Donald Trump’s what the coalition called an es- the coalition said, adding that cording to medical sources. power to a vice president who decision to ban Iraqis from trav- calation of the nearly two-year- the frigate was able to resume “Because they lost Al Mokha would oversee a government of elling to the United States pun- old war. patrolling. now they moved their terrorist national unity. ishes those who are “fi ghting But the rebels’ Al-Masirah “This tactic is not new. This base and these kind of attacks to On Monday, rebel rocket terrorism.” television website said the strike means that there is today close Hodeida,” Assiri said. fi re against “a United Nations The travel restrictions, which “took place with a guided mis- collaboration between Al Qaeda Government forces have building” in South Dhahran, come on the heels of repeated sile”. and the militia (rebels),” coali- also pushed south from a small a Saudi border city, wounded assertions by Trump that the US The assault off the rebel-held tion spokesman Major General pocket of territory they control a soldier from the kingdom, should have stolen Iraq’s oil be- port of Hodeida came as coali- Ahmed Assiri said. near the Saudi border. the offi cial Saudi Press Agency fore leaving in 2011, risk alienat- tion-backed government forces “This a very bad escalation.” Heavy fi ghting has raged said. ing the citizens and government pressed a deadly drive up the Al Qaeda and the rival IS have there around Midi and the in- The building is supposed to of a country fi ghting against Red Sea coast, despite mount- exploited a power vacuum cre- land town of Haradh, leav- host meetings of a commission militants the president has cast ing international pressure for a ated by the government-rebel ing 21 government troops and facilitating contact between as a major threat to America. ceasefi re. war to expand their presence in An explosion is seen onboard what is believed to be a Saudi warship, seven rebels dead over the past Yemen’s warring sides. “You come to the victim to “A Saudi frigate came under a Yemen and carry out attacks, off the western coast of Yemen in this still frame taken from video 24 hours, military sources said Elsewhere, the Houthis and hold him accountable, to the terrorist attack by three suicide especially in the south. posted by Houthi-run Al-Masirah television on their social media yesterday. government forces swapped people who are sacrifi cing, who boats belonging to the Houthi In purported video of the in- website, and obtained by Reuters yesterday. Loyalists launched an assault prisoners — 54 from each side are fi ghting terrorism, to punish militias,” the coalition said late cident shown on Al-Masirah, on rebel positions but found — in the Qania area of central them,” Abadi said, in his fi rst re- Monday without specifying the stern of a warship exploded March 2015, the coalition has Before government forces themselves in a minefi eld and Yemen following tribal media- action to the ban. when it happened. in a large fi reball. imposed an air and sea blockade launched a major off ensive on under heavy gunfi re, a military tion, a negotiator said. “We do not now want to do Suicide attacks are unchar- Al-Masirah referred to “the of rebel-held areas. January 7, the rebels controlled offi cial said. “That is why the And police said government anything now... but we are stud- acteristic of the Houthi rebels. shelling of the naval ship” and said It has patrolled the Red Sea to virtually all of Yemen’s 450-kil- death toll was high.” forces killed Ammar Qaid, ying all our choices.” They are normally the work of it came in conjunction with the prevent what it says is attempt- ometre Red Sea coastline. The off ensive comes with known as Al Qaeda’s “chief” in The Iraqi foreign ministry has extremists of Al Qaeda or the fi ghting along the Red Sea coast. ed arms smuggling to the rebels But loyalist forces have since President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Lahj in the southwest, after he already called on Washington to Islamic State group. Since it began air strikes in by Iran. thrust north from the Bab al- Hadi under mounting interna- refused to surrender yesterday. review the travel restrictions, which it said were the “wrong decision”. And parliament vot- ed to back reciprocal measures against the US if Washington Heavy blizzard in Lebanon does not change course — a move that does not implement restric- tions but which does refl ect the Iran warns US against widespread displeasure with Trump’s ban. The dispute over the travel ban comes amid a massive Iraqi op- tensions over missiles eration to retake the city of Mo- sul from the Islamic State group — a battle for which a US-led AFP on Iran’s nuclear programme. olutions because they are for de- coalition is providing air support Tehran Moscow, which is fi ghting fence purposes and not designed and other assistance. alongside Tehran’s forces in Syria, to carry nuclear warheads. Even if Iraq did implement said the demand for emergency “We have always declared travel restrictions on Americans, ran yesterday warned the talks at the Security Council was that we will never use our weap- it does not seem likely that they United States against fuel- aimed at “heating up the situa- ons against others except in our would be applied to coalition Iling tensions over its ballistic tion”. Diplomats said the Security defence,” Zarif added. And he forces. missile tests as the UN Security Council talks on Iran would be slammed the new US adminis- But US senators John McCain Council prepared for urgent talks held after a meeting on Syria. tration’s “shameful act of deny- and Lindsay Graham said the ban on the issue at Washington’s re- Trump has sharply criticised ing entry to people holding legal could impact military co-opera- quest. the nuclear deal that led to a lift- visas” for the United States. tion and security in other ways. The row comes against a ing of international sanctions Speaking at the same news “This executive order bans backdrop of already-strained re- against Iran, which used the oc- conference, Ayrault said France Iraqi pilots from coming to mili- lations over US President Donald casion of a visit by France’s for- had made clear its disquiet over tary bases in Arizona,” where Trump’s travel ban on citizens eign minister to express its dis- the missile tests. they have received training, from Iran and six other Muslim- content with Washington. “France has expressed its con- they said in a joint statement majority countries. “We hope that Iran’s defence cern at Iran’s continuation of its that drew condemnation from The European Union, which programme is not used by the ballistic missile tests on several Trump. “Ultimately, we fear this helped broker a landmark nuclear new US administration...as a occasions,” he said. He said the executive order will become a deal between major powers and pretext to create new tensions,” continued tests are “contrary to self-infl icted wound in the fi ght Iran, appealed to Tehran to re- Iran’s Foreign Minister Moham- the spirit” of the Security Coun- against terrorism,” they said. frain from activities such as the ed Javad Zarif said at a news con- cil resolution on the nuclear deal The travel restrictions have missile tests “which deepen mis- ference with Jean-Marc Ayrault. struck in 2015 in the Austrian upended the lives of Iraqis who trust”. But the diplomatic push by Tehran has neither confi rmed capital, and “hamper the proc- were planning to move to the US the West quickly ran into trou- nor denied fi ring any missiles at ess of restoring the confi dence — some of whom have waited for Cars drive through heavy blizzard in the village of Sofar northeast of Beirut yesterday. ble as Russia said a missile test the weekend. Iran says its missiles established by the Vienna agree- years to obtain visas. would not breach a UN resolution do not breach United Nations res- ment.”

Palestinians set delayed local polls for May 13

AFP municipal councils in some Jerusalem 416 cities and towns in Gaza and the Israeli-occu- pied West Bank. he Palestinian Au- The delay was sparked thority said yester- by the disqualifi cation of a Tday that local elec- number of Fatah candidates tions delayed last October in Gaza by the courts there. after a spat between politi- Shortly afterwards rival cal factions will now take courts in the West Bank la- place in the West Bank and belled the ruling unlawful, Gaza on May 13. and said the elections would The Hamas movement go ahead only in the West which controls the Gaza Bank — prompting the gov- Strip has been at odds with ernment to postpone them. President Mahmoud Ab- Fatah and Hamas traded bas’s Fatah party over the or- blame over the delay. ganisation of their fi rst com- Salem Barahmeh, a Pal- petitive polls in a decade. estinian commentator, said “Today, at a regular meet- if Hamas wanted the group ing, the council of ministers could prevent the elections decided to hold elections from taking place in Gaza. on May 13, to be held in the The 2012 municipal West Bank and Gaza,” local elections were held only in government minister Hus- the West Bank. sein al-Araj said. “For elections to happen The rival parties have in both Gaza and the West not contested an election Bank needs the approval since 2006 parliamentary of both Fatah and Hamas,” polls, which Hamas won — Barahmeh said. sparking a confl ict that led Hamas said before the to near civil war in Gaza the elections were delayed it following year. would not submit candi- Hamas boycotted the dates itself, instead sup- most recent municipal elec- porting lists of hopefuls tions in 2012. Hamas reject- not offi cially linked to the ed the announcement. movement. Spokesman Fawzy Analysts said this was Barhoum said in a statement partially to avoid potential it “strengthens divisions sanctions if they won. and serves Fatah politically.” Abbas, 81, has faced po- “Any upcoming elec- litical pressure as opinion tions must be part of a polls have suggested most reconciliation,” he added. Palestinians would like The elections will choose him to step down. Gulf Times Wednesday, February 1, 2017 9 ARAB WORLD

UN peace talks Syrian militias see more delayed until Feb 20: diplomats

US support for IS fi ght AFP sented opposition rebels with a draft constitution that was SDF says it gets armoured United Nations liminary plan on how to proceed immediately rejected by the vehicles for first time; Next within 30 days. groups. phase of attack to target road Islamic State is being fought N-led peace talks on The unilateral move by Rus- from Raqqa to Deir al-Zor in Syria by three sets of enemies: Syria have been post- sia raised concern in Western the Syrian Democratic Forces in Uponed until February capitals. “The UN has to be Reuters northern Syria, the Syrian gov- 20, the UN special envoy told front and centre in the political Beirut ernment and its Russian and the Security Council yester- process,” said French ambas- Iranian-backed militia allies in day, according to diplomats at sador Francois Delattre. central and eastern Syria, and the closed meeting. He cited the need to re- he US-led coalition the Turkish army and its Syrian The talks in Geneva had been spect the Geneva communique against Islamic State has rebel allies in a strip of land near scheduled to begin on February agreed with Russia that calls Tboosted support for its the border. 8 but Russian Foreign Minis- for a transition in Syria. Syrian allies since President The SDF launched a campaign ter Sergei Lavrov last week an- “We start with a transition, Donald Trump took offi ce, sup- with the ultimate aim of captur- nounced they would be delayed, then the constitution, and then plying armoured vehicles for ing Raqqa in November. without providing reasons. the elections,” said Delattre.”I the fi rst time as they prepare to The fi rst two phases focused UN envoy Staff an de Mistu- think if we can all stay on this launch a new phase in their cam- on capturing areas to the north ra said the delay would give the line, then we can move.” paign for Raqqa, a spokesman and west of Raqqa, part of a Syrian opposition more time for the militia said yesterday. strategy to encircle the city. to prepare and ensure that the “We have been concerned The US-backed Syrian Dem- The Kurdish military source talks are as inclusive as possi- that the Geneva talks ocratic Forces (SDF) alliance, said the third phase would fo- ble, two diplomats said. have been delayed and which is dominated by the Kurd- cus on capturing remaining ar- Russia, Iran and Turkey last we would be concerned ish YPG militia, is waging a cam- eas, including the road between week led talks in the Kazakh if there were any paign aimed at taking Raqqa city, Raqqa city and Deir al-Zor. capital of Astana on shoring watering down of the Islamic State’s base of opera- Cutting off Raqqa city from up a ceasefi re in Syria, where basis of those talks” tions in Syria. IS strongholds in Deir al-Zor more than 310,000 people A Pentagon spokesman said would be a major blow against have died in nearly six years of Previous UN-led talks have yesterday the vehicles had been Syrian refugee children are seen trying to avoid mud as they walk at an unofficial refugee camp in the the group. war. The council met behind broken down over disagree- supplied to Arab elements with- village of Deir Zannoun in Lebanon’s Bekaa valley yesterday. “The coming phase of the closed doors to hear a report ments on ensuring a transition in the SDF “as part of our exist- campaign aims to isolate Raqqa from De Mistura on prepara- in Damascus that would lead ing authorities to enable them”, is a major source of concern for port in this form, we would get The US strategy towards completely,” said the Kurdish tions for the Geneva talks amid to President Bashar al-Assad’s and there had been no change in the Turkish government, which light weapons and ammunition,” fi ghting Islamic State in Syria military source, who declined to concerns the Astana discus- exit from power. Western pow- policy. is worried this will fuel instabil- he said. “There are signs of full has generated tension with Tur- be named.”Accomplishing this sions could open up a new ers have for weeks questioned But the SDF spokesman told ity among its own Kurdish mi- support from the new American key, which views the YPG as an requires reaching the Raqqa-Deir track of negotiations. the purpose of the Astana talks Reuters their delivery marked nority. leadership — more than before — extension of the PKK, a group al-Zor road,” the source said. “We have been concerned and raised concern that they a signifi cant improvement in A Kurdish military source, for our forces.” that has waged a three-decade “This mission will be diffi - that the Geneva talks have could sideline the Geneva talks. Washington’s support and at- speaking on condition of ano- The Pentagon spokesman said insurgency in Turkey. cult.” been delayed and we would be Turkey has for the fi rst tributed the change to the new nymity, told Reuters the next the vehicles were supplied to the The YPG forms the military Silo of the SDF said prepara- concerned if there were any time conceded that a peace administration, which says phase of the Raqqa campaign Syrian Arab Coalition — part backbone of autonomous regions tions were underway for “new watering down of the basis of deal that excludes Assad from eradicating Islamic State will be would aim to seal off all remain- of the SDF — and would help it set up by Kurdish groups and action” starting in “a few days”, those talks,” British ambassa- power might not be possible. one of its biggest priorities. ing roads to the city, including contend with the threat posed their allies in northern Syria since but declined to give further de- dor Matthew Rycroft told re- The new date was an- The SDF is likely to fi gure the route to Deir al-Zor prov- by improvised explosive devices the onset of the war in 2011. tails. porters ahead of the meeting. nounced after US ambassa- prominently in Trump’s strategy ince, another IS stronghold. used by Islamic State as they ad- Trump, who pledged in his SDF forces had advanced to “It’s very important that dor Nikki Haley meet with De for fi ghting IS in Syria, where the SDF spokesman Talal Silo said vance towards Raqqa. inaugural address to eradicate within one kilometre (half a there is confi rmation that the Mistura on Monday to discuss militant group still holds large the US-led coalition had deliv- “The Department of Defence Islamic State and like-minded mile) of the Islamic State-held UN will lead the next round of the way forward in Syria. areas of territory stretching to ered the armoured vehicles in only provides training and ma- groups “from the face of the Euphrates Dam to the west of talks,” said Swedish ambassa- Invitations to attend the the Iraqi border. the last four or fi ve days. terial support to the Syrian Earth”, signed an executive order Raqqa, but have yet to capture it, dor Olof Skoog, this month’s Geneva talks will be sent out The YPG is the most power- He declined to give the Arab Coalition,” Major Adrian on Saturday asking the Penta- Silo said, adding that air power council president. on February 8, De Mistura told ful element of the SDF, and its number of vehicles supplied. JT Rankine-Galloway said in a gon, the joint chiefs of staff and could not be used there in case During the Astana talks, the council, according to dip- growing sway in northern Syria “Previously we didn’t get sup- statement. other agencies to submit a pre- the dam was damaged. Russia, Syria’s main ally, pre- lomats. Gulf Times 10 Wednesday, February 1, 2017 AFRICA Morocco’s king hails ‘return home’ to AU AFP former Western Sahara as a sepa- Addis Ababa rate member. Morocco maintains that the Guinea’s Conde lays down the territory under its control is an am fi nally home”, King integral part of the kingdom, Mohammed VI said yes- while the Polisario Front, which “Iterday as the African campaigns for independence, law with tardy, lax presidents Union (AU) readmitted Morocco demands a referendum on self- after a 33-year absence, defer- determination. ring the issue of Western Sahara Some had feared Morocco AFP that the reason interpretation for another day. would seek the expulsion of the King Mohammed VI delivers a speech in the main plenary of the Addis Ababa was so bad and choppy at the Morocco’s return came a day Sahrawi Arab Democratic Re- African Union in Addis Ababa. He took a seat at the AU headquarters gleaming new Chinese-built AU after 39 of the AU’s 54 member public (SADR) as a precondi- yesterday for the first time in 33 years after being re-admitted by the headquarters, was because they states agreed to allow it back in tion for its own return to the AU, bloc. frican presidents who were working with microphones the fold, despite stiff resistance however the country agreed to wander into meetings “from the sixties”. from countries such as South Af- return without conditions. “It is time that Africa’s riches AU’s rotating presidency from Ahours late, or don’t bother “How can you imagine that in rica and Algeria over the status “From the moment that Mo- benefi t Africa. For too long we Chad. “Many around the world showing up at all, received a slap an era of new technology we are of the disputed former Spanish rocco did not impose conditions have looked elsewhere to make ... thought we would be divided on the wrists yesterday from new still working with microphones colony. ... we take their word for it and decisions, commitments. Is it and the summit would come to African Union (AU) leader, Guin- Conde: Why can’t we be on time from the sixties? Faced with the AU’s decision, accept that Morocco be admit- not time to turn towards our own an abrupt end. But we decided to ea’s Alpha Conde. for our meetings? “How can we explain that the Western Sahara offi cials ap- ted to the African Union,” said continent?” take responsibility.” Addressing the closing of a Internet connection in our head- peared to accept the new reality Mohamed Salem Ould Salek, for- The busy AU summit also A combative Conde also called two-day summit in Ethiopia, a His comments come as part of quarters is very slow when next and cast it in a positive light, say- eign minister of the SADR, which saw Chadian foreign minister for more urgency in reforming combative Conde railed against an AU eff ort to reform itself from door, at the United Nations Eco- ing that AU membership might claims sovereignty over the en- Moussa Faki Mahamat take over the United Nations so that Africa presidential tardiness, slow In- a lumbering, bureaucratic insti- nomic Commission for Africa, help speed up eff orts to end a tire territory of Western Sahara. from South Africa’s Nkosazana could get a permanent seat on the ternet, and the media. tution to one that is eff ective and the Internet works better?” he protracted confl ict. Salek said on Monday that Dlamini-Zuma as AU commis- Security Council – a long-run- “From now on we are going relevant to Africans. asked. “It is a beautiful day when one having Morocco in the same sion chief after a fi erce election ning demand from the continent. to start on time. If we say 10am Rwanda’s President Paul Kag- Later, when Conde appeared in returns home after too long an room would allow the SADR battle that eliminated four other He appointed South African then we must start at 10am,” said ame earlier in the summit deliv- front of journalists for the clos- absence,” Mohammed VI told to pressure them into fulfi lling candidates. President Jacob Zuma to lead Conde. “How can we explain ered a blistering report slamming ing press conference, he began the closing ceremony of the AU their obligations and hold a long Guinea’s Alpha Conde took negotiations with the UN, and that when we have meetings the AU’s inability to see things by pointing out that the African summit in Ethiopia. “Africa is my sought referendum. over the rotating presidency of also look into the eff ectiveness of with outside countries, we are on through and over-dependence Union was considering estab- continent and my home. I am fi - King Mohammed did not raise the bloc, and called for the con- peacekeeping operations on the time, whether it be in China, Ja- on donor funding. lishing its own media service nally home and I am happy to see the issue of Western Sahara in tinent to express solidarity with continent. pan or India? An irate Conde did not stop at to give the “correct version of you. I missed you all.” his speech, choosing instead to Somalia, Libya and Sudan, which “What is the role of the blue “Why can’t we be on time for punctuality. events”, criticising some media His speech came after a long highlight how Morocco as “one have been targeted by a United helmets? What purpose does our meetings? And why when He said that heads of state for failing to do so. day of feverish speculation in of the most developed African States travel ban. this army serve?” Conde asked, we go to these meetings we stay must attend meetings in person, Conde, 78, took over the ro- the halls of the AU headquarters nations”, could be a boon to the The decision to re-admit Mo- pointing to ongoing violence until the end but when we come or send their deputy president, tating presidency of the African over whether he would indeed continent. rocco, and election of a new in places like South Sudan and from afar to Addis Ababa, we and not ministers or ambassa- Union from Chad’s Idriss Deby. show up, and protocol confusion “We do not ignore the fact that chairperson, took place despite the Democratic Republic of the leave right after the opening cer- dors. He won Guinea’s fi rst demo- which saw his foreign minister we do not have unanimity in this regional divisions that observ- Congo. emony?” “If we are convinced that we cratic election in 2010 after long given a talking to in front of some noble assembly. We do not want ers feared could lead to delay or He also appointed Ugandan Conde’s remarks received must strengthen our organisa- years as an exiled opposition media after he tried to enter the to create divisions as some have deadlock on both issues. President Yoweri Museveni to loud applause – from lower level tion then heads of state must at- leader. main plenary hall during a heads insinuated,” he said. “My vision “We hope that this summit will negotiate on behalf of the conti- representatives who remained tend big continental meetings in While praised as a talented of state meeting. of South-South co-operation is show the world that the spirit ... nent with the European Union on behind to hear them as many person,” he said. orator who can fi re up a crowd, Morocco quit the then-Organ- clear and constant. Morocco ... of pan-Africanism is born again the issue of migrants. heads of state had already left the On a lighter note, he shared critics describe him as authori- isation of African Unity (OAU) in will be a motor for common eco- in all its splendour,” said Guin- “On the migration problem we building. his bemusement after learning tarian and impulsive. 1984 after the bloc admitted the nomic growth. ea’s Conde, who took over the need to speak with one voice.”

Pistorius prosecutor quits Congo to focus on private cases says M23

Reuters fi ghters Johannesburg captured outh African prosecutor Gerrie Nel, who laid out the murder case Sagainst Paralympian Oscar Pisto- air crew rius, has resigned to join a civic group that plans to bring private prosecutions in criminal cases that the state opts not Reuters to pursue. Kinshasa Nel, nicknamed “The Bulldog”, eventually secured a six-year jail term for the 2013 murder of the athlete’s he Congolese army said girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp, after an yesterday that armed earlier manslaughter verdict was up- Nel: I understand all the perceptions. I Tfi ghters belonging to the graded on appeal. won’t sell my integrity. I’m just excited former M23 rebel group had The case remains open after he chal- to be part of something new. captured four crew members lenged the new sentence on the grounds of a military helicopter which it was still too lenient. told a news conference: “We will not crashed in eastern Democratic National Prosecuting Authority identify any subject of an investigation Republic of the Congo last week, (NPA) spokesman Luvuyo Mfaku, con- at this stage.” and that three died after being fi rming Nel’s resignation, said that the Zuma’s popularity has been jolted tortured. fi le could now be assigned to another by a series of scandals, which last year The crew members had been lead prosecutor. contributed to the ruling party’s worst seized alive and handed over to At the trial, Nel painstakingly crafted electoral performance since the end of the M23 movement’s military a picture of Pistorius as a cold-blooded white minority rule in 1994. chief, Sultani Makenga, the ar- killer. Nel, in a 36-year career at the NPA, my’s General Leon Mushale told The athlete known as the Blade Run- was known for taking on the powerful reporters in the city of Goma. ner argued he shot dead Steenkamp by and politically connected. Mushale said the fourth crew accident, fi ring through a bathroom His biggest scalp was former police member was still missing. door after mistaking her for an intruder chief and Interpol head Jackie Selebi, The incident could point to in his house. who was convicted of corruption in a resurgence in activity by M23 Nel is joining the AfriForum group, 2010. fi ghters more than three years whose chief executive Kallie Kriel said Some on social media said Nel’s move after the group was crushed by it aims to bring private prosecutions of to the private sphere was a mistake. the army, and herald renewed cases in the public interest. Lawson Naidoo, the executive sec- instability in eastern Congo He said public fi gures could be called retary of the Council for the Advance- where dozens of armed groups to account in cases that are dropped by ment of the South African Constitu- are fi ghting for control of min- state prosecutors. tion, tweeted that he “runs the risk of eral resources. “We will take over where the state destroying his legacy of a proud career Elie Mutela, a senior rep- fails in their duty,” Kriel told Reuters. in public service”. resentative of M23’s political “We believe nobody in the country is Responding to the criticism, Nel wing based in Uganda, denied its above the law, including the president.” said: “I understand all the perceptions. fi ghters were in the Congo. Asked if he planned to take on cases I won’t sell my integrity. I’m just excit- Opponents have accused the involving President Jacob Zuma, Nel ed to be part of something new.” government of exaggerating a revival of the M23 rebel group in order to defl ect attention from Harare tries to seize Zimplats mining land again President Joseph Kabila, who re- mains in power after the offi cial Zimbabwe’s government has made a fresh attempt to seize more than half of end of his mandate. platinum producer Zimplats’ mining land, the company said yesterday. There have, however, been It said it received a new notice from President Robert Mugabe’s administration on persistent reports of renewed January 13 that the government wanted to seize the land and gave the company 30 M23 activity. days to lodge an objection. Makenga fl ed with hundreds This is the third time since February 2012 that the government has issued a notice of his men to Uganda in No- to seize 27,948 hectares of mining ground from Zimplats, the country’s biggest vember 2013 after his forces platinum producer. were routed by Congolese and It objects to the acquisition. UN troops, ending a two-year Zimplats, which is 87% owned by South Africa’s Impala Platinum Holdings, owns a insurgency during which they total of 48,535 hectares in mining claims. controlled huge swaths of east- “The operating subsidiary (Zimplats) is engaging the government of Zimbabwe on ern Congo and briefl y captured the matter,” the company said in its third-quarter results statement. Goma. It did not give more details on the issue. He had been under watch by Mines Minister Walter Chidhakwa did not answer his mobile phone when contacted Ugandan security forces in the for comment. Ugandan capital, Kampala, but Mugabe’s government has previously defended the decision to seize Zimplats land, a Ugandan army spokesman told saying that the miner had an excessive amount of land and it wanted to distribute Reuters yesterday that Makenga the claims to new companies. was “missing”. Gulf Times Wednesday, February 1, 2017 11 AMERICAS

Drugmakers urged to Trump sacks top lawyer lower prices

Reuters Washington over travel ban defi ance S President Donald Trump yesterday called AFP lasting political repercussions, not least Uon the pharmaceutical Washington complicating Sessions’s confi rmation. industry to boost US produc- He faces a vote on the Senate Judici- tion and lower prices, while ary Committee, and then has to be con- also vowing to speed up ap- n embattled Donald Trump fi red fi rmed by the full Senate before taking proval times for new medicines his government’s chief lawyer for up the post. and appoint a new US Food and Arefusing to defend his controver- Congress’s top Democrat, Senator Drug Administration leader sial immigration orders late on Monday, Chuck Schumer said Yates’s fi ring un- soon. deepening a political crisis engulfi ng his derscored how important “it is to have an Shares of fi ve of the six drug presidency. Attorney General who’ll stand up to the companies at the White House In a caustic statement, Trump’s White House when they violate the law.” meeting with Trump were up White House said acting attorney gen- The fi ring came as Trump said he more than 1% on average fol- eral Sally Yates “betrayed” the Depart- would announce his pick to fi ll a Su- lowing the president’s remarks, ment of Justice in defying the president preme Court opening. compared with a 0.5% drop in and had been relieved of her duties with Democratic lawmakers have vocifer- the broad S&P 500. immediate eff ect. ously opposed Trump’s immigration Yates ... fired The Nasdaq Biotech Index was Yates — a career prosecutor promoted order and Republicans are privately up 1.1%, reversing earlier losses, by president Barack Obama and held seething over the way his White House cry, criticism even came from Trump’s and the S&P 500 health care in- over by Trump pending confi rmation of has handled the issue. predecessor Obama, breaking a silence dex gained 0.7%. his own nominee, Senator Jeff Sessions In a separate decision announced he had held since leaving offi ce. Attending the meeting were — had refused to defend Trump’s ban on without explanation by Homeland Se- “President Obama is heartened by the CEOs of Novartis AG, Merck immigration from seven Muslim nations. curity Secretary John Kelly, Trump the level of engagement taking place & Co Inc, Johnson & Johnson, In a memo to Department of Justice also replaced acting Immigration and in communities around the country,” Celgene Corp, Eli Lilly & Co and staff , she expressed doubts about the Customs Enforcement director Daniel spokesman Kevin Lewis said, adding Amgen Inc as well as the head legality and morality of Trump’s decree. Noor Hindi (left) and Sham Najjar, who were born in the US of Syrian parents, Ragsdale. that “American values are at stake” and of the Pharmaceutical Research “My responsibility is to ensure that demonstrate against the immigration ban imposed by President Trump at the In remarks at the White House and noting Obama rejects faith-based dis- and Manufacturers of America the position of the Department of Jus- Los Angeles International Airport. on Twitter, Trump tried to play down crimination. lobbying group. tice is not only legally defensible, but is the order’s impact and defended the Senior national security offi cials Trump told the drugmakers informed by our best view of what the In the end, her tenure lasted only a the arrival of all refugees for a minimum decision not to give advance warning to from the Obama and George W Bush that pricing had been “astro- law is,” Yates wrote. few more hours. of 120 days, Syrian refugees indefi nitely border guards, diplomats and travellers. administrations warned in a letter to nomical.” “I am not convinced that the defence The White House snapped back, ac- and bars citizens from Iran, Iraq, Libya, “If the ban were announced with a one top Trump cabinet members that the “We have to get prices down of the executive order is consistent with cusing Yates of being “weak on borders Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen for 90 week notice, the ‘bad’ would rush into order “will do long-term damage to our for a lot of reasons. We have no these responsibilities nor am I con- and very weak on illegal immigration.” days. our country during that week. A lot of national security.” choice, for Medicare and Medic- vinced that the executive order is law- Trump has replaced Yates with Fed- Several federal judges have since fi led bad ‘dudes’ out there!” Trump claimed. Calling the measure a tragically “un- aid,” Trump said at the meeting, ful,” she added. eral prosecutor Dana Boente as he temporary stays against the decree’s Around 48% of Americans support necessary” move that will fuel violent citing the nation’s government “For as long as I am the acting attor- awaits the Senate confi rmation of Ses- implementation. a freeze on immigration from “terror extremist propaganda, they said it “sent insurance programs for the eld- ney general, the Department of Justice sions. On Sunday, attorneys general from 16 prone” regions, even if it means turn- exactly the wrong message to the Mus- erly, the poor and the disabled will not present arguments in defence Boente said he would defend Trump’s US states, including California and New ing refugees away, according to a Quin- lim community here at home and all that together are the largest US of the executive order, unless and until I directive, stating that it was “both law- York, condemned Trump’s directive as nipiac poll released Monday. over the world: that the US government purchaser of medications. become convinced that it is appropriate ful on its face and properly drafted.” “unconstitutional” and vowed to fi ght it. But after a weekend of chaos at air- is at war with them based on their reli- “We’re going to end global to do so.” Trump’s executive order suspends Trump’s furious response may have ports, protests and a diplomatic out- gion.” freeloading,” Trump said. Quebec mosque shooter charged with murder

Reuters Among the six men killed were He added a personal message why the president is taking steps Quebec City a butcher, a university professor, to Canada’s 1mn Muslims: “We to be proactive, rather than re- a pharmacist and an accountant, stand with you. We love you and active, when it comes to our na- according to police and Canadian we support you and we will al- tion’s safety and security.” French-Canadian univer- media. ways defend and protect your A father of four, the owner of sity student was the sole The government of Guinea right to gather together and pray a halal butcher near the mosque, Asuspect in a shooting at said in a statement that two of its today and every day.” was among those killed, said a Quebec City mosque and was citizens were among those killed The attack was out of charac- Pamela Sakinah El-hayet, a charged with the premeditated in the mosque attack. ter for Quebec City, a city of just friend of one of the people at the murder of six people, Canadian Police declined to discuss pos- over 500,000 which reported just mosque. authorities said on Monday, in sible motives for the shooting at two murders in all of 2015. The mosque concierge was what Prime Minister Justin Tru- the Centre Culturel Islamique de Mass shootings are rare in killed, as was Ahmed Youness, deau called “a terrorist attack.” Québec. Canada, where gun control laws a 21-year-old student, El-hayet Court documents identifi ed “They consider this a lone wolf are stricter than in the United told Reuters. the gunman in the attack on Sun- situation,” a Canadian source fa- States. One of El-hayet’s friends, day evening prayers as Alexandre miliar with the situation said. Incidents of Islamophobia Youness’ roommate, was in the Bissonnette, 27, and charged him In Washington, US govern- have increased in Quebec in re- mosque at the time of the shoot- with six murder counts and fi ve ment security experts were lean- cent years. ing. counts of attempted murder with ing to the view that the gunman The face-covering, or niqab, He was unharmed, she said, a restricted weapon. most likely was motivated by became an issue in the 2015 but in total shock. The slightly-built Bissonnette hatred for Muslims, a US govern- Canadian federal election, es- A man of Moroccan descent made a brief appearance in court ment source familiar with offi cial pecially in Quebec, where the who had also been arrested was under tight security wearing a reporting said. majority of the population sup- now considered a witness, al- white prison garment and look- Trudeau, who has made a point ported a ban on it at citizenship though his nationality was not ing downcast. of welcoming refugees and im- ceremonies. immediately known, a Canadian Prosecutors said all of the evi- migrants from Muslim-majority In addition to the six killed, fi ve source familiar with the situation dence was not yet ready and Bis- countries, told parliament in Ot- people were critically injured and said. sonnette, a student at Université tawa: “Make no mistake, this was 12 were treated for minor injuries, Ali Assafi ri, a student at Uni- Laval, was set to appear again on a terrorist attack.” a spokeswoman for the Quebec People attend a vigil in Montreal. versité Laval, said he had been February 21. “Last night this community City University Hospital said. running late for the evening No charge was read in court and experienced something that no Federal Safety Minister Ralph US President Donald Trump tive order by Trump on Friday to keeping our country safe,” was prayers at the mosque, near the Bissonnette did not enter a plea. community should ever have to Goodale told reporters in Ot- called Trudeau to express his halt the US refugee program and widely condemned in the United university in the Quebec City “The charges laid correspond know: Unspeakable cruelty and tawa there was no change to “the condolences “and off ered to pro- to temporarily bar citizens from States and abroad as targeting area. to the evidence available,” said violence perpetrated on those national terrorism threat level” vide any assistance as needed,” seven Muslim-majority coun- Muslims. When he arrived, the mosque Thomas Jacques, a representative who came together in friendship from medium because “there said Trudeau spokesman Cam- tries from entering the United On Monday, White House had been transformed by police of the prosecutor’s offi ce, when and in faith,” Trudeau said later is no information known to the eron Ahmad. States. spokesman Sean Spicer told re- into a crime scene. asked why Bissonnette was not at a vigil attended by hundreds government of Canada that Over the weekend, Trudeau Trump’s action, which the porters that the Quebec shooting “Everyone was in shock,” As- charged with terrorism-related who braved frigid temperatures would lead to a change at this said Canada would welcome ref- president said was “not about was “a terrible reminder of why safi ri said by phone. “It was cha- off ences. in Quebec City. time.” ugees, his response to an execu- religion — this is about terror and we must remain vigilant, and os.”

More than $900,000 raised to rebuild fi re-ravaged mosque Pipeline protest camp More than $900,000 has been raised The fire was reported around 2am clean-up begins in an online fundraiser for a south on Saturday, according to Garza. Texas mosque destroyed by fire over By the time firefighters reached the ump trucks and heavy machin- the weekend, exceeding the amount scene, “flames were already coming ery rolled into the protest camp needed to rebuild the place of worship, through the roof, so we went into Dnear the site of the Dakota Ac- according to the fundraising page on containment mode to stop it from cess Pipeline on Monday, and crews Monday. spreading,” he said. began fi lling large dumpsters with The GoFundMe page for the Victoria The building was so badly burned garbage that has accumulated, much Islamic Center received donations that only the exterior walls of the of it now buried under snow. from more than 19,000 people in the mosque withstood the blaze, Garza The clean-up marked cooperation two days after the mosque, about said. among authorities and camp organ- 200km southwest of Houston, was State fire off icials, as well as agents isers. The decision to clean the site, gutted by flames early on Saturday. with the FBI and the US Bureau of where a few hundred protesters re- The blaze has been classified as Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explo- main, was made on Sunday by state “suspicious,” said Victoria city spokes- sives, are investigating. and local offi cials and members of the man O C Garza. Garza said it would likely take weeks Standing Rock Sioux tribe. “Our hearts are filled with gratitude before a cause could be determined. Those involved said it was not an ef- for the tremendous support we’ve Muslims in the United States have fort to destroy the camp, which sits on received,” mosque leaders said in a expressed fears of growing Islamapho- US Army Corps of Engineers land, but statement on the online fundraising bia in the country amid concerns a move to prevent waste contaminat- page. “The outpouring of love, kind about white nationalist rhetoric ing water sources. words, hugs, helping hands and the against the religion. “I’m not going to run people’s camps financial contributions are examples of Garza said city building off icials had over. I’m not going to take anyone’s the true American Spirit.” met with mosque leaders, who are property or do anything like that,” Hans The fire broke out just hours after planning to demolish the ruins and Youngbird Bradley, a construction con- US President Donald Trump signed rebuild at the same site. tractor from the Standing Rock Sioux an executive order last Friday that He said there had been an outpour- tribe said during the meeting. banned travellers from seven Muslim- ing of support for the mosque, adding “It is paramount for public safety, majority countries from entering the about 500 people showed up for a and to prevent an environmental dis- country for several months on national prayer service there on Sunday. aster, that the camps be cleared prior security grounds. “They’ve been an outstanding to a potential spring fl ood,” said North Authorities have found no evidence member of our community,” Garza Dakota Governor Doug Burgum, a Re- linking the fire with the order. said. publican who supports the completion of the pipeline, in a statement. Gulf Times 12 Wednesday, February 1, 2017 ASIA/AUSTRALASIA

MANHUNT CRIME CONTROVERSY DEFENCE PROTEST Police search for tourist Australian car rampage South Korea unveils China’s second aircraft Indonesia police vow to missing in NZ bush claims sixth life state history textbooks carrier is taking shape block FPI rally in Jakarta

A search is underway for a young German A 33-year-old woman has become the sixth South Korea’s government yesterday unveiled China’s second aircraft carrier is “taking shape” Indonesian police will block a rally in Jakarta woman who is missing in the bush at New person to die after a car mowed down the final version of state-issued school history after two years and nine months of construction, next month led by the Islamic Defenders Front Zealand’s Mount Taranaki, local media reported pedestrians in Melbourne’s busiest mall. Thirty- textbooks despite criticism that they are a local media reported, a move likely to further (FPI) if the group intends to make it political yesterday. On Monday, the 19-year-old tourist six people have been treated in hospital and throwback to the country’s authoritarian past. unnerve Taiwan and other neighbours about just days before an election for city governor set off on a trail near the visitor centre at the one person remains in a critical condition since The education ministry published middle and Beijing’s growing military assertiveness. that has raised tension. The FPI leader, Habib bottom of the iconic, 2,518m high volcano, a man drove a car at high speed into shoppers high school history textbooks even as parliament Construction of The Shandong, named after a Rizieq, was on Monday declared a suspect while a German friend explored the mountain, nearly two weeks ago. “A sixth person has is moving to ban their use. Legislators say they province in China’s east coast, began in 2014, over allegations he insulted Indonesia’s state according to Fairfax Media. “One headed off up died following the incident that took place in glorify the dictatorship of Park Chung-hee, late the APP of Shandong television and radio said ideology, Pancasila, which enshrines religious the mountain and when she came back the car the Melbourne Central Business District on 20 father of impeached President Park Geun-hye. in a report seen yesterday. The Shandong, diversity in an off icially secular system. Jakarta was still there but her friend had gone,” local January,” a statement said. “A 33-year-old woman Park Chung-hee ruled for 18 years until his China’s first indigenous aircraft carrier, is “taking police chief Mochamad Iriawan said the FPI’s police sergeant Bruce Irvine said, according to died in hospital just before 7.30pm this evening assassination in 1979. “We need to establish a shape”, the report said. It did not give a date for plan for another rally on February 11, four days the report. Teams, including the support of a (Monday).” A man in his 30s, a man and woman historical perception that will encourage positive completion or further details. It was being built before the Jakarta elections, indicated it would rescue helicopter, are now searching the area both in their 20s, a 10-year-old girl, and a three- views about our own history,” vice education in the northeastern port of Dalian, the Defence be political in nature, and if so, it would not be where the teenager was last seen. month-old baby were also killed. minister Lee Young said. Ministry has said. allowed.

‘Lawyer’s killing meant to destabilise Myanmar’

Reuters Yangon Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen speaks during parliament session at the National Assembly building in Phnom Penh. he offi ce of Myanmar’s ci- vilian president said yester- Tday that the assassination of a lawyer advising the ruling party on amending a military-drafted Cambodian PM constitution was likely an eff ort to destabilise the country. A lone gunman shot Ko Ni, 63, an adviser to the ruling National threatens to sell League for Democracy (NLD), in the head in front of onlookers as the widely respected Muslim ad- vocate held his young grandson at opposition HQ Yangon’s international airport on Sunday. “The initial interrogation indicates the intention to destabi- AFP on in December over a post lise the state,” the offi ce of Presi- Phnom Penh on his Facebook page, a dent Htin Kyaw said in a statement conviction that makes his carried in the state-run Global return from self-imposed New Light of Myanmar newspa- ambodian Prime exile unlikely. per. It did not give details. Minister Hun Sen Yesterday Hun Sen also “Investigations are being car- Cyesterday threat- proposed amending a po- ried out by the government to fi nd ened to seize the property litical party law to bar out the truth. Security has been of opposition leader Sam convicts from serving as heightened in the aftermath of the Rainsy and sell the party’s party leaders – a clear dig assassination.” headquarters if he wins a at Rainsy and his Cambo- Authorities have detained Ko defamation case against the dia National Rescue Party Ni’s suspected killer, a 53-year- exiled politician. (CNRP). old man. He also shot and killed a Lawyer Ko Ni delivering a public address on amending Myanmar’s constitution in this file photograph. The $1mn lawsuit is the His ruling party also taxi driver who tried to apprehend latest in a string of legal voted to strip Rainsy’s dep- him. It remains unclear if Ko Ni has led to an estimated 69,000 not issued any statement. Sepa- cases targeting Cambodian uty Kem Sokha from having was targeted for his religion or for from the largely stateless com- rately yesterday, a commission Taxi driver who died hailed as national hero opposition leaders try- the title of minority leader. his work toward reducing the po- munity fl eeing into neighbouring investigating attacks on border ing to break Hun Sen’s 32- Speaking to reporters, party litical role of Myanmar’s military. Bangladesh. posts in Rakhine state that killed A Myanmar taxi driver was her party said was a political year grip on power. Rights whip Son Chhay sought to But the killing comes at a time Tens of thousands of people nine policemen on October 9 and hailed as a national hero at his assassination. There were groups say the strongman brush off the latest moves of heightened communal and re- gathered in Yangon on Monday their aftermath has asked for more funeral yesterday, two days emotional scenes yesterday as is trying to keep his oppo- against the CNRP. ligious tensions in Buddhist-ma- to mourn the death of Ko Ni, who time due to unspecifi ed “fresh after he was killed trying to stop hundreds of mourners crammed nents under pressure ahead “By doing such a thing he jority Myanmar, where a civilian was working on amending the claims” of human rights abuses, a gunman who murdered a into a Yangon cemetery to bury of local elections this year will make people unhappy government led by Nobel laure- constitution that ruling generals state media said. prominent Muslim lawyer. Ne Win, whose coff in was draped and a general election in and more and more peo- ate Aung San Suu Kyi has been in drafted in 2008 and which grants The commission was to have Father-of-three Ne Win was shot in the NLD’s famous fighting 2018. ple will support CNRP,” he power for 10 months after a formal the army a quarter of seats in par- reported on its fi ndings, includ- dead outside Yangon airport as peacock flag. His bereaved wife Hun Sen fi led the latest said. transition from decades of military liament and control over security ing looking into allegations that he chased a man who moments was swamped as mourners, defamation case against Hun Sen has amassed ex- rule. A heavy-handed security op- ministries. soldiers committed extrajudicial earlier had slain Ko Ni, an adviser monks and NLD figures crowded top foe Rainsy for accusing tensive control over Cam- eration in Rakhine state, a region Suu Kyi did not attend the fu- killings, arbitrary arrests and rape to Aung San Suu Kyi, in what around the open coff in. him of bribery in a speech bodia’s government and home to many Rohingya Muslims, neral of her close adviser, and has of Rohingya civilians. several weeks ago. “I am economy during his three waiting for the verdict to be decades in power and has a fi nalised. history of ruthlessly under- Smokers face “This time, I will take cutting his rivals. money ... I am demanding He claims to have tighter rules $1,000,000,” the premier brought much needed peace Australia, US agree to exceptions on travel ban as Japan eyes said during a parliamentary and stability to a nation smoke-free session yesterday. ravaged by civil war and the Reuters Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria passport, they will be welcome in refugees, Trump on Sunday told “I heard the party’s genocidal Khmer Rouge re- Sydney and Yemen from entering the Unit- the United States.” Australia joins Turnbull the US would honour its Olympics headquarters is registered gime. ed States, igniting chaotic scenes Canada and the United Kingdom in agreement to resettle an unspeci- under the name of Sam But opposition groups over the weekend as border and winning exemptions for their dual fi ed number of refugees held in Rainsy, so the party’s head- have drawn growing sup- ustralian dual-nationals customs offi cials struggled to put citizens, while New Zealand Prime Australian processing centres on Japan must make public quarters will be auctioned,” port in recent years amid will not be aff ected by US the order into practice. Minister Bill English said yesterday remote Pacifi c islands in Papua places in Tokyo smoke-free he told the assembly, add- disillusionment with the APresident Donald Trump’s “Australian passport holders will he expected to secure a similar ar- New Guinea and Nauru. by the time it hosts the 2020 ing that the politician’s endemic corruption and executive order blocking visitors be able to travel to the United States rangement. Under Australian rules, anyone Summer Olympics or risk personal property would rights abuses that have from seven Muslim-majority na- in the same way they were able to Trump’s executive order also intercepted while trying to reach by falling afoul of International also be “frozen ...and sold”. fl ourished under his watch. tions, Australian Prime Minister prior to the executive order,” said placed a 120-day hold on allow- boat is sent for processing to camps Olympic Committee (IOC) The money would be An investigation by Malcolm Turnbull said yesterday. Turnbull. “Regardless of their place ing refugees into the country and in Nauru and at Manus Island, in rules that call for a healthy used to build houses for Global Witness last year Trump’s executive order placed of birth or whether they are dual- an indefi nite ban on refugees from PNG. They are never eligible to be games, activists said handicapped people, he accused the premier and a 90-day bar on citizens from Iran, nationals or they hold another Syria. Despite the restrictions on resettled in Australia. yesterday. added. his relatives of carving a Japan’s health minister Rainsy, who currently $200mn business empire has said the government is lives in France and faces out of the impoverished eager to stamp out smoking several lawsuits, was sen- country’s economy to but- in public by the time the tenced to fi ve years in pris- tress their political power. Up in arms capital hosts the Olympics. But smoking remains so entrenched there is still a cigarette vending machine in a Health Ministry annex. The IOC requires “tobacco- free” games and all recent host cities have passed legislation to ban smoking in indoor and enclosed public spaces, including restaurants, bars and cafes. Japanese laws encourage restaurants and other public areas to limit exposure to secondhand smoke by setting up barriers or separate smoking and non- smoking areas, but there are no punishments for non- compliance. “The situation for preventing passive smoking in Japan is on a level with that in a developing nation,” said Manabu Sakuta, chairman of the non-governmental organisation Japan Society for Tobacco Control. “We hope for improvement so there will not be lots of problems with passive smoking in all People hold up placards to protest against US President Donald Trump’s executive order suspending the resettlement of refugees and the parts of Tokyo that do not banning people from seven countries from entry into the US, during a rally near the US embassy in Tokyo. Some 40 foreigners living in Japan meet the Olympic standards, participated in the rally. as well as the games venues after they are built.” Gulf Times Wednesday, February 1, 2017 13 BRITAIN Govt urges MPs to ‘trust the people’ on Brexit

Agencies a referendum in June to go ahead with minister is minded to accept quarterly by the prime minister’s promise of a proposed amendments to the legisla- What they are really calling for — London Brexit. reporting of progress on Brexit nego- white paper. tion will begin next week. and they should be forthcoming about The Conservative government in- tiations — which is being demanded Labour and the Liberal Democrats Amendments laid down include this — is a veto but the supreme court troduced its “straightforward” bill last by Conservative backbenchers, Labour now believe there is very little chance some trying to stop Brexit going ahead, has ruled that out.” He said the SNP rime minister Theresa May’s week after it lost an appeal against a and other opposition parties. of getting enough cross-party votes demands for a referendum on the fi - wanted preconditions that could not government promoted its bill to court ruling that it must seek parlia- It comes as Tory rebels suggest for amendments. nal deal and for British to remain in the be guaranteed. Ptrigger formal Brexit negotia- mentary approval before triggering they are unlikely to back any further They had hoped to win support on single market and calling for eff ective The government was forced to bring tions with a call to “trust the people” formal Brexit talks. amendments to the article 50 bill to be issues such as guaranteeing the rights consultation. legislation to parliament after the su- as parliament opened a two-day de- Following the court ruling, May said debated in the House of Commons this of EU nationals, and a more meaning- John Penrose, a Tory MP in the Eu- preme court ruled that May did not bate yesterday, before a vote expected she still planned to trigger Article 50 of week, suggesting it will be sent to the ful vote at the end of the two-year ne- ropean Reform Group, which includes have the power to trigger article 50 to back it the following day. the Lisbon Treaty, which sets the rules Lords unchanged. gotiations or protections in the Com- dozens of backbenchers who sup- without the permission of MPs and Brexit minister David Davis said the for a two-year negotiating process for That is likely to add pressure to sen- mons. ported Brexit and some who backed peers. bill was not about “whether the UK a nation leaving the EU, by the end of ior Labour fi gures to consider voting Opposition parties are concentrat- remain, urged MPs to respect the ref- Ahead of the fi rst day of debate, May should leave the European Union, or March. against the bill, with the shadow busi- ing on getting the government to con- erendum result.”More people voted said MPs faced a “simple decision: do indeed how it should do so”. A fi nal vote on the Article 50 bill is ness secretary, Clive Lewis, telling his cede points voluntarily, with Labour for Brexit than for anything in British they support the will of the British “It is simply about parliament em- expected next week. local party he will not back the legisla- MPs believing the most likely proposal democratic history, ever,” he said. people or not?” powering the government to imple- May, who commands a working ma- tion if it is not amended. to be accepted is a demand for May to “Those supporting the idea of a sec- “My message to people is very clear,” ment a decision already made, a point jority of 16 in the 650-seat parliament, With Jeremy Corbyn making clear provide quarterly updates to parlia- ond referendum are not being straight she said during a press conference of now return already passed,” Davis is likely to win the vote comfortably that Labour MPs should vote for ar- ment on the process of negotiations. with the electorate. in Ireland.”The people of the United said at the start of the parliamentary after the biggest opposition party, La- ticle 50, the move would suggest that MPs are due to start debating the bill They must know that it’s not pos- Kingdom voted on 23 June last year, debate. bour, told its lawmakers to support the Lewis is likely to return to the back- in parliament. sible to have a referendum once the they voted in a referendum that was “We asked the people of the UK if bill. benches. The legislation would give May the deal is agreed at the end of the ne- given to them overwhelmingly by par- they wanted to leave the European Un- Theresa May is planning to publish Dozens of Labour MPs are expected power to invoke article 50 and start gotiation process — by then we will liament. ion; they decided they did. the government’s Brexit white paper to vote against article 50, especially two years of negotiations to leave the have left. Six to one parliament voted. “So at the core of this bill lies a very tomorrow but could fi rst make one those who hold remain-supporting EU. They are off ering a false choice.” The people spoke in that vote, and simple question: Do we trust the peo- further concession by agreeing to re- constituencies. The Commons will debate the bill He also insisted there had been a the majority voted to leave the Euro- ple or not?” he said. port back to parliament on a regular However, the band of Tory MPs for two days before a vote expected to- “vast amount of consultation with the pean Union. Davis said the government had a basis, sources have told the Guardian. fi ghting against a hard Brexit are indi- night. devolved administrations and there The job of the government is to put “clear democratic mandate” through They have suggested that the prime cating they have been largely satisfi ed More detailed scrutiny involving will continue to be. that into practice.” Squatters to be evicted from posh property

Guardian News “The judge is a reasonable London man,” he said. “A lot of people will be made homeless when the eviction judge has ordered the happens but our crew will eviction of a group probably fi nd another empty A of squatters from a building for them to stay in, £15mn Belgravia property in the next couple of days.Our bought by Russian oligarch main priority is to highlight Andrey Goncharenko that the large number of empty they have been occupying for buildings in London and to the past week. try to ensure they don’t go to More than 20 homeless peo- waste when there are so many ple have been sheltering there homeless people sleeping on since the squatters moved in the streets this winter.We need to the luxurious property on to have a public debate about January 23. this.” The squatters — Autono- Miller added that he had mous Nation of Anarchist been evicted from about 33 Demonstrators protest outside Downing Street. Libertarians — arrived late for buildings he had squatted in yesterday’s hearing in front the past seven years. “About 25 of district judge Barry Light- of those buildings were owned man at Central London county by off shore companies,” he court. said. The judge had already made “These off shore companies the order granting “possession which own so many empty forthwith” to Goncharenko’s buildings in London are using representatives MCA Shipping them to minimise their tax li- PM May defends Trump Ltd, which is registered in Gi- ability.That is diverting money braltar. away from crucial public serv- It is registered at the same ices like the NHS.So instead of address as Redmount Group. that money being used to help Tim Lewis is registered as a people who are having prob- director of both companies and lems it stays in the pockets of Redmount Group describes it- those who caused the prob- invite despite criticism self as a management services lems in the fi rst place.” company “off ering individu- Since the squatters arrived Protests continue as premier Downing street advisers did not to the US, he said: “I’m able to Labour MP known for his com- tyrannies of the 1930s,” he said. als and companies the op- at 102 Eaton Place they have May continues to emphasise deny claims that May had been provide the following clarifi - bative outbursts on the fl oor of “Continually to use the lan- portunity to use advantageous provided food and clothing the special relationship informed about Trump’s plans to cation: the general principle is the Commons chamber, used the guage of appeasement demeans jurisdictions for personal and to homeless people as well as impose the travel ban when she that all British passport holders debate to brand Trump a fascist. the horror of the 1930s and trivi- corporate planning”. hosting fi lm nights and talks Guardian News & Agencies met the president. remain welcome to travel to the “Will the foreign secretary just alises our conversation.” The company is one of the on issues such as the large London Thousands took to the streets US. for a moment try to recall how I The warnings about rising off shore companies named in numbers of empty buildings in in cities across the UK, including “We have received assurances hid under the stairs as two fascist nationalism came amid a string the Panama Papers. Lewis pro- London and the growing toll of Manchester, Cardiff , Glasgow, that this executive order will dictators — Hitler and Mussolini of other interventions from vided a detailed witness state- homelessness. heresa May defended the Edinburgh and in London. make no diff erence to any Brit- — rained bombs on towns and Conservatives angry about the ment to the court about the On Saturday the squat- decision to invite Donald Crowds gathered just me- ish passport holder irrespective cities in Britain?” he asked. US policy, including a plea from squatters’ occupation of 102 ters were attacked by a vio- TTrump on a state visit as tres from the gates of Downing of their country of birth or if they “Now this government is hand the Iraqi-born MP Nadhim Za- Eaton Square, Belgravia, on lent group they believe to be thousands of protesters took to Street, chanting: “Shame on hold another passport.” in hand with another fascist: wahi, who urged Trump to re- behalf of MCA Shipping Ltd, fascists who hurled bricks, the streets across the UK. May.” Johnson said he believed that Trump.Do the decent thing and consider as a compassionate the registered owner of the bottles and poles through the The prime minister made the The Labour leader, Jeremy the US decision to implement ban the visit.This man is not fi t Christian. leasehold. windows. briefest of responses to the do- Corbyn, wrote to the prime the so-called extreme vetting for to walk in the footsteps of Nelson Emily Thornberry, the shad- The judge agreed to listen to MCA Shipping Ltd’s solici- mestic uproar over the US presi- minister to urge her to listen nationals from the seven coun- Mandela.” ow foreign secretary, led La- the squatters’ representations tors, Chelsea-based Pember- dent’s attempt to ban travellers to more than a million Britons tries was “divisive, discrimina- Mike Gapes, a Labour MP, bour’s response, demanding despite having already con- ton Greenish, declined to com- from seven Muslim-majority who had called on her to cancel tory and wrong”. But he argued called the prime minister more action from the govern- cluded the hearing but rejected ment on the proceedings or on countries, insisting that the “UK the state visit, in which Trump that Trump was right to say that “Theresa the appeaser”, spark- ment to protect UK residents their request for an adjourn- any connection between Tim takes a diff erent approach”. Ad- could address both houses of it did not amount to a ban on ing an angry reaction from some from the seven countries aff ect- ment to give them more time Lewis and the Panama Papers. dressing the issue during a joint parliament. “This world de- Muslims. MPs. ed by the ban, citing examples to seek legal advice. Westminster council said press conference with the Irish feated segregation, we defeated Johnson repeatedly defended Ben Howlett, a Conservative of people stranded and held at He was not persuaded to there had been a reduction in taoiseach, Enda Kenny, May apartheid and we will defeat this the new American leader and backbencher, quoted a speech by airports. agree to the squatters’ re- the number of empty proper- stood by the red carpet invitation nasty policy created to sow divi- suggested his “bark is consid- Winston Churchill about coun- She also pressed Johnson on quest to set aside the order and ties in the borough, from 1,699 she had made during her meet- sion and hatred,” he said. “His erably worse than his bite”. He tries remaining neutral in the Downing Street’s slow response found that the squatters were in October 2013 to 629 in Oc- ing with Trump in the White invite should be withdrawn un- accused Labour of “pointlessly war, saying: “Each ones hopes to the order, with the govern- guilty of trespass. tober 2016. House on Friday. til the executive orders are gone demonising” him. that if he feeds the crocodile ment only promising to inter- “That’s squatting in collo- Rachael Robathan, cabinet “The United States is a close and every element of them re- The foreign secretary said it enough the crocodile will eat him vene on behalf of UK nationals quial terms,” he said. member for housing said: “A ally of the United Kingdom.We pealed.” was right that a close and im- last.” 27 hours after it came into force. He also rejected the squat- key priority for the council is to work together across many ar- Some shadow cabinet mem- portant ally was welcomed to He said: “This dangerous “In their discussions about ter- ters’ request for permission to deliver more types of housing eas of mutual interest and we bers joined protestors, including a state visit, pointing out that trend towards nationalism which rorism and security, was this appeal. in Westminster.We are look- have that special relationship Diane Abbott, the shadow home such an invitation was even ex- we have not seen since the 1930s imminent order mentioned? I A costs order for £8,735.86 ing at all the powers we have to between us,” she said. “I have secretary. tended to Zimbabwe’s Robert infl icting itself on the western don’t know what’s worse, that was made against the two deliver more aff ordable homes, issued that invitation for a state Earlier, Boris Johnson, the for- Mugabe and Romania’s Nicolae world has wrongly been defi ned the president would have such squatters named in the action, more quickly in order to meet visit for president Trump to the eign secretary, warned MPs not Ceauescu. as populism. little respect for the prime min- Jed Miller and Dwain Kaye. the urgent need for housing United Kingdom and that invita- to demonise Trump or compare Number of Conservative It is clear this executive order ister that he wouldn’t think of Both pointed out that and to support those who de- tion stands.” him to Adolf Hitler in a state- backbenchers urged the British needs to be condemned.” telling her, or that he did and she it would be hard for Gon- liver vital services within the However, she refused to go ment on the escalating row. government not to interfere in Johnson hit back at the com- didn’t think it sounded wrong,” charenko’s representatives to City and also people who are further and criticise her Ameri- Johnson told parliament that American domestic policy, with parisons, arguing that they were she said. be reimbursed as the squatters made homeless. can counterpart despite mass British passport holders with Julian Lewis MP saying the At- inappropriate. “I completely Yvette Cooper, who chairs were about to be made home- “Whilst providing more af- condemnation of his decision to dual nationalities would now not lantic alliance was critical to se- agree we must stand up against parliament’s home aff airs select less as a result of the posses- fordable homes in high-value bar nationals from Iraq, Syria, be aff ected by the US travel ban curity in the UK. bigotry and nationalism. committee, was shaking as she sion order granted by the court areas like Westminster is very Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan and after further conversations with MPs from all parties took to But I do draw the line at the made an emotional interven- and so would be unable to pro- challenging, we know we have Yemen for 90 days. senior fi gures within the White their feet to express alarm at comparison made relentless- tion, saying: “One of our closest vide a contact address. to be innovative and imagina- At the same press conference, House. Trump’s executive order, with ly this afternoon between the allies has chosen to ban refu- Miller accepted the court’s tive to fi nd ways of meeting Kenny voiced disagreement with Following confusion caused many off ering repeated refer- elected government of our clos- gees and target Muslims and decision even though the these challenges so we can the executive order announced by a US embassy notice telling ences to the the politics of the est and most important ally, a all [Johnson] can say is that it squatters are considering ap- make sure this really is a city by Trump. UK dual nationals from the af- 1930s. great democracy, and the anti- wouldn’t be our policy. That is pealing. for all.ess allows.” The comments came as fected countries not to travel Dennis Skinner, the veteran democratic cruel and barbaric not good enough.” Gulf Times 14 Wednesday, February 1, 2017 BRITAIN GP reports woman for procuring abortion pills

Guardian News the abortion pills for her daughter, who was 15 Except in cases where there is a direct threat Those who are driving the prosecutions have using a poison, and of supplying a poison with London at the time. to a mother’s life, almost all abortions are created a damaging climate of fear for women intent to procure a miscarriage. BPAS said cases such as these would de- banned in Northern Ireland’s hospitals. and those caring for them.” The court was told she had been arrested after ter women from seeking follow-up care when Ann Furedi, BPAS chief executive, said: “We Furedi said BPAS had launched a 24-hour in- her fl atmates in Belfast reported her. Northern Irish woman who was pros- needed for fear that they will face criminal have launched this information campaign today formation hotline to help women in Northern Two years ago, the UN’s human rights com- ecuted for obtaining abortion pills for sanction. not to encourage women to break the law but in Ireland access safe abortion pills. mittee said the severe restrictions on termina- Aher underage pregnant daughter was re- The charity stressed that no healthcare pro- recognition that this is happening. She said: “We know that there are women tions in the region were putting Northern Irish ported to police by a GP, the British Pregnancy fessional is obliged to report anyone who ac- Northern Ireland’s strict abortion law means who are in need of care but afraid to access help. women’s lives at risk. Advisory Service has revealed. cesses the abortion pills in the province. women determined to end a pregnancy but who So today we want to send a clear message: if An estimated 2,000 women travel to English Launching an information campaign in Despite this BPAS confi rmed that it was a GP cannot travel must turn to online pills. you have taken abortion pills and need advice, hospitals and clinics from Northern Ireland Northern Ireland aimed at helping women ac- who reported the mother, who cannot be named These women are no less deserving of follow- we are here for you, 24 hours a day, every day.” every year to have terminations. cess safe abortion medication and follow-up for legal reasons, over buying the abortion pills up care and support than the women we see in Last year, pro-choice campaigners used a There is strong opposition to liberalising the services, the BPAS said that a climate of fear for her child. our clinics. drone that was fl own across the Irish Sea to de- province’s strict anti-abortion laws across the over such prosecutions was risking lives in the In Northern Ireland, the maximum penalty “Recent court proceedings have sent out a liver abortion pills to women in Northern Ireland. fl oor of the Northern Ireland assembly. region. for the crime of administering a drug to induce deeply worrying message — that women are not In April last year, a 21-year-old woman re- The 1967 Abortion Act was never extended to Last week, the mother won the right to chal- miscarriage under the Off ences Against the Per- able to speak openly and honestly with their cli- ceived a one-year suspended sentence at Belfast Northern Ireland and all the main local political lenge the decision to prosecute her for procuring son Act 1861 is life imprisonment. nicians. crown court for procuring her own abortion by parties oppose it. Key malaria Finding a face treatment fails for the fi rst time

QNA gested they were developing London ways of resisting the eff ects of the front-line drugs. Samples of the parasite that key malaria treatment causes malaria were analysed has failed for the fi rst at the Malaria Reference Labo- Atime in patients being ratory at the London School of treated in the United Kingdom, Hygiene and Tropical Medi- doctors said. cine. The drug combination (ar- Dr Colin Sutherland told the temether-lumefantrine) was BBC that it is an early sign and unable to cure four patients, we need to take it quite seri- who had all visited Africa, ously as it may be snowballing in early signs the parasite is into something with greater evolving resistance, the (BBC) impact. reported yesterday. Two of the cases were as- Partially completed bronze British Academy of Film and Television Awards (BAFTA) masks are seen at a foundry in west London yesterday. A team at the London School sociated with travel to Uganda, of Hygiene and Tropical Medi- one with Angola and one with cine said it was too early to Liberia — suggesting drug- panic. resistant malaria could be But it warned things could emerging over wide regions of suddenly get worse and de- the continent. manded an urgent appraisal of The malaria parasites all drug-resistance levels in Af- seemed to be evolving diff erent rica. mechanisms rather than there Clinical reports, detailed being one new type of resist- in the journal Antimicrobial ant malaria parasite spreading Agents and Chemotherapy, through the continent. Calls for rethink of showed the therapy failed in The type of resistance is also four patients between October clearly distinct from the form 2015 and February 2016. developing in South East Asia All initially responded to that has been causing huge in- therapy and were sent home, ternational concern. but were readmitted around a Malaria parasites are spread month later when the infection by bites from infected mosqui- rebounded. toes. refugees’ homes All of the patients were It is a major killer of the eventually treated using other under-fi ves with one child dy- Refugees’ accommodation sier documenting what it called Serco and Clearsprings Ready those local communities that had sociation responded to the MPs’ therapies, but the detailed ing from the disease every two has been flayed as “systematic neglect” of asy- Homes, under the Compass con- signed up to take asylum seek- report saying that more than 200 analysis of the parasites sug- minutes. disgraceful by MPs lum housing and said comments tracts. ers were housing more and more local authorities were becoming from asylum seekers included: “I But the companies told the people while many local authori- dispersal areas. Agencies can’t stop crying and I cannot eat MPs they were now housing ties in more affl uent areas were It said: “We hope that the Conviction for Libor rigging ‘unsafe’ London because of the mouldy smell. more people than the contracts doing nothing. government’s future contracts I am fi ve months pregnant allowed funding for because of “The current contract system for asylum accommodation and Tom Hayes, serving an 11-year He then changed tack, pleaded and I am scared that I have to growing delays in Home Offi ce is badly designed and puts local support addresses the challenges sentence, claims he felt under not guilty and was convicted in he “rat-infested” condi- raise my child in this way with asylum processing and increas- authorities off from signing up. in securing accommodation in pressure to admit guilt in order August 2015. The former trader tions in which 38,000 asy- dirt and vermin”, and “I feel that ing numbers of applications. Ministers should learn from other local authority areas, par- to avoid being extradited to claims he felt under pressure Tlum seekers are housed in anything could happen and G4S The report reveals that the the success of the Syrian vulner- ticularly where there is limited US The jailed City trader Tom to originally admitting guilt Britain by the home offi ce while would not put necessary meas- latest fi gures for “work in able persons resettlement pro- availability and high-cost hous- Hayes is to submit his case in order to avoid being they wait for their refugee claims ures in place to ensure my safe- progress” on asylum applica- gramme which has given local ing.” to the Criminal Cases Review extradited to the US, where to be decided have been branded ty”. The committee chair, Yvette tions has doubled from 37,381 authorities far more control and A home offi ce spokesperson Commission (CCRC) in an eff ort he was wanted to face similar “disgraceful” by MPs. Cooper, said that even where the in 2012 to 77,440 in 2016, with has also got far more local au- said it was committed to provid- to demonstrate his conviction charges, and that the court The House of Commons home accommodation and support more than 20,000 waiting for an thorities involved. ing safe and secure accommoda- for rigging the Libor interest did not take into account aff airs select committee has were of a good standard, asylum initial decision on their claims Similar reforms are needed for tion while asylum applications rate is “unsafe”. The move his autism when convicting called for a major overhaul of the housing was still far too con- for refugee status. asylum seekers,” said Cooper. were considered. comes after the former UBS him. In his latest eff ort to system for housing destitute asy- centrated in the most deprived Cooper said: “The state of The report says that on 8 “We work closely with our and Citigroup employee failed overturn his sentence, Hayes lum seekers in Britain after hear- areas. accommodation for some asy- December the home offi ce an- contractors to ensure they pro- in a previous attempt to have is asking the CCRC to review ing evidence of some families liv- The MPs’ report, published lum seekers and refugees in this nounced that the Compass con- vide accommodation that is safe, his conviction overturned, and “evidence still coming to light ing in homes with infestations of yesterday, shows that while there country is a disgrace. tracts were to be extended for two habitable, fi t for purpose and ad- was then blocked last year and [that] was not available to mice, rats and bedbugs. are 1,042 asylum seekers housed We have come across too many years until August 2019. equately equipped and we con- from appealing to the supreme the jury at my original trial”. One woman complained that in Bolton and 1,029 in Rochdale, examples of vulnerable people in The terms of the contracts duct regular inspections to check court. In a letter to the Guardian her kitchen was “full of mice” there are only 88 housed in the unsafe accommodation, for ex- were revised and G4S and Serco that this is the case. Hayes, the first person sent from Lowdham Grange that “ran across the dining room home secretary, Amber Rudd’s ample children living with infes- estimate that their losses on We have also made signifi cant convicted of rigging Libor (the prison in Nottinghamshire, table” while they were eating. Hastings and Rye constituency tations of mice, rats or bed bugs, housing each asylum family will improvements to the operation London interbank off ered rate), Hayes outlined key planks of For one torture survivor the and none at all in Theresa May’s lack of healthcare for pregnant be reduced. of the contracts including in- had originally confessed to the his defence as well as writing presence and noise of rats trig- Maidenhead constituency. women, or inadequate support Serco expects its losses to be creasing the number of dispersal Serious Fraud Off ice about the personal price he gered fl ashbacks to the rat-in- The home offi ce contracts to for victims of rape and torture. £20m lower while G4S said its areas by more than a third,” they (SFO) to running a “dishonest” continues to pay, including fested cell where he had been de- provide housing for dispersed No one should be living in con- would be restricted to the £47m said.”We will consider the com- scheme and agreed to missing key moments as his tained and tortured. asylum seekers were awarded ditions like that.” already announced. mittee’s recommendations and cooperate with the agency. young son grows up. Migrant Voice released a dos- in 2012 to three providers, G4S, She said it was unfair that The Local Government As- respond in full shortly.” Activists call for court documents to be retained

Guardian News US defence lawyer Dean Strang, who of the judge’s summing up to be kept The other authors are Marika Hen- ish justice is in danger of becoming no and survivors often empowered by in- London featured in the acclaimed Netfl ix se- permanently and made publicly avail- neberg, a law lecturer from Portsmouth more than a trickle,” he said. trepid journalists. ries Making a Murderer, will talk about able. University, Dr Dennis Eady, of Cardiff “It has already been deprived of the The need for this charter is now more miscarriage of justice problems on both Recordings of crown court hearings School of Law, and the journalist Lou- necessary public funding for basic ac- important than ever.” nvestigations into miscarriages sides of the Atlantic. are not routinely transcribed for review ise Shorter, who formerly worked as a cess and protection of rights. Police records held in Home Offi ce of justice are being hampered by Strang represented Steven Avery, a and are destroyed after fi ve years. producer on the BBC’s Rough Justice Equally important is access to the large major enquiry system (Holmes) da- Ipremature destruction of court Wisconsin man who spent 18 years in Digital recordings are only held for series. record of proceedings, and case docu- tabase should be opened up to help those records, according to a campaign aimed jail for a crime he did not commit, only seven years under Ministry of Justice The charter also calls for prisoners to mentation, without which injustice can appealing to the Criminal Cases Review at improving transparency in the crim- to be convicted of murder on his release. guidelines. be able to receive visits from journalists be washed away. Commission (CCRC) to challenge their inal justice system. The documentary focused on failures British criminal justice standards so they can talk about the appeals they “The biggest challenge to our justice conviction, the charter recommends. The Open Justice Charter is calling in the US criminal justice system but lag behind those in even “the poorest are making. system in recent years has been deliv- Holmes, however, only contains in- for restrictions on access to evidence also reached a large British audience. states” of the US, one of the charter’s For the media, access to inmates has ered by the Hillsborough inquests. formation relating to the most serious to be lifted and courtroom recordings The Open Justice Charter, supported authors, Emily Bolton, of the the Lon- become more and more restricted. That was accomplished by disclosure crimes. of prosecutions to be made available for by lawyers who have worked on inno- don-based Centre for Criminal Appeals The veteran human rights lawyer and re-examination of documents. Controlled access, the charter also free to prisoners appealing against their cence projects in both the US and the (CCA), claims. Michael Mansfi eld QC, who acted Shining the light on such matters says, should be given to experts who convictions. UK, calls for court recordings to be pre- Bolton, who used to work on death for the Hillsborough families in their rarely comes from inside the system it- need to re-examine forensic exhibits on The campaign is being launched at served for at least seven years after the row cases in the US, is the CCA’s legal reopened inquest, is supporting the self but from the tireless eff orts of those behalf of those who believe they have a meeting in parliament, at which the end of any prison term and a transcript director. campaign. “The steady stream of Brit- on the outside, invariably the victims been victims of a miscarriage of justice. Gulf Times Wednesday, February 1, 2017 15 EUROPE

‘Fake job’ scandal deepens for Fillon EU’s Tusk warns of AFP Paris

scandal surround- ing French presidential Ahopeful Francois Fillon Trump govt ‘threat’ deepened yesterday with al- legations that he obtained jobs AFP seas, Russia’s aggressive policy sertive and spectacular steps for his children as well as his Brussels towards Ukraine and its neigh- that would change the collective wife that paid around €1mn. bours, wars, terror and anarchy emotions and revive the aspira- The fresh allegations in the in the Middle East and in Africa, tion to raise European integration Canard Enchaine came as in- The Fillons U chief Donald Tusk with radical Islam playing a ma- to the next level,” he said. vestigators raided parliament warned yesterday that US jor role, as well as worrying dec- These included securing Eu- and seized documents as part The legal woes of the EPresident Donald Trump’s larations by the new American rope’s borders, boosting the of a preliminary probe into 62-year-old Fillon, for weeks administration was a “threat” administration all make our fu- economy and increased co-op- a fi rst set of charges levelled the frontrunner in the presi- facing the bloc, along with Chi- ture highly unpredictable,” Tusk eration on defence and security, against the conservative can- dential race campaigning on na, Russia, and radical Islam. said. Tusk added. didate by the weekly paper last his “clean” record, is the latest In a strongly-worded letter to “Particularly the change in Europe should in the mean- week. twist in a rollercoaster election EU leaders ahead of a summit in Washington puts the European time seek to boost its own trade In its issue to appear today, that has seen voters hungry for Malta, Tusk said the bloc must Union in a diffi cult situation, with the rest of the world even as the Canard – which mixes sat- change dump several political take “spectacular steps” to stay with the new administration the US tightens its frontiers. ire with investigative reporting heavyweights. together and should take advan- seeming to put into question the “We should use the change in – alleged that it had unearthed The former prime minister tage of Trump’s isolationism to last 70 years of American foreign the trade strategy of the US to seven additional years during swept past scandal-tainted ex- boost trade with other countries. policy,” Tusk added. the EU’s advantage by intensi- which Penelope Fillon was paid president Nicolas Sarkozy and The former Polish prime min- The second threat, said Tusk, fying our talks with interested as a parliamentary aide out of ex-premier Alain Juppe in No- ister said that in the wake of the was the internal challenge posed partners, while defending our public funds available to MPs, vember’s Republicans primary. Brexit vote, the European Union by a rise in anti-EU nationalism, interests at the same time,” Tusk nicknaming her “Miss Mon- But Fillon’s popularity has faced “three threats” that made and the third was the “state of Tusk: the change in Washington puts the European Union in a diff icult added. eypenny”. dropped since the allegations the 28-nation bloc’s situation mind of the pro-European elites” situation, with the new administration seeming to put into question But he warned that European- The paper last week alleged fi rst emerged. “more dangerous than ever be- who were too keen to pander to the last 70 years of American foreign policy. American ties were still essential that it could fi nd no witnesses An opinion poll published fore”. populism to win votes. for the future. to work that earned Penelope on Sunday showed that Marine “The fi rst threat, an external EU leaders have become in- All 28 EU leaders will discuss mark the 60th anniversary of the “We cannot surrender to around €500,000 over eight Le Pen, the leader of the anti- one, is related to the new geo- creasingly concerned by Trump’s Europe’s migration crisis at Fri- EU’s founding treaty. those who want to weaken or in- years from 1998 to 2007. immigration and anti-EU Na- political situation in the world recent ban on migration from day’s summit in Valletta, Malta. Tusk added that “only togeth- validate the transatlantic bond, The new allegations bring to tional Front (FN), would score and around Europe,” European seven Muslim countries, plus They will then meet without er can EU countries be fully inde- without which global order and more than €830,000 that she highest in the fi rst round of the Council president Tusk said in comments in which he appeared British Prime Minister Theresa pendent. Disintegration will only peace cannot survive,” he said. allegedly made as an aide. election on April 23, followed the letter obtained by AFP. to back Britain’s exit from the EU May to discuss the future af- result in dependence on USA, “We should remind our Ameri- Fillon angrily dismissed the by Fillon and the centrist Em- “An increasingly, let us call it, and the eventual break-up of the ter Brexit, and preparations for Russia and China”. can friends of their own motto: original claims last week, say- manuel Macron almost neck- assertive China, especially on the union. a summit in Rome in March to “We must therefore take as- United we stand, divided we fall.” ing that his wife had “always” and-neck. worked for him, doing tasks Conservatives were also such as editing his speeches won over by Fillon’s promise and meeting people in his con- to slash 500,000 civil service stituency. jobs, cut benefi ts and increase In addition, Welsh-born working time. Ukraine, Russia Penelope worked at a literary But he goes into the last review owned by a billionaire three months of the race dam- friend of her husband’s where aged by the Canard Enchaine’s she allegedly earned another allegations. trade blame over €100,000. Fillon has insisted that his Another €84,000 in pub- wife, also 62, played a real, if lic funds was paid to two of discreet, role and that he is the the couple’s fi ve children, son victim of a dirty tricks cam- surge in fi ghting Charles and daughter Marie, as paign. parliamentary aides, the report He says that when he was an alleged. MP in Paris his wife did a lot Reuters/AFP Donetsk because of the power The couple were quizzed of constituency work but was Kiev/Moscow outage. separately by investigators for based at their 12th-century “The issue of an evacuation several hours on Monday. chateau near Le Mans in north- has not been decided fully. We Lawmakers are entitled to ern France. kraine and Russia see it as our very last resort be- employ family members, and it Penelope, who has not spo- blamed each other yes- cause there is still a chance of is a common practice in many ken publicly about the accusa- Uterday for a surge in restoring heating,” said Vekua. countries but questions have tions, has always styled herself fi ghting in eastern Ukraine in The town’s heating is pro- focused on what work was ac- as a low-key political wife. recent days that has led to the vided by a coke plant that has tually done. A trained lawyer, she told highest casualty toll in weeks been heavily damaged by the Sources close to the inves- Britain’s Sunday Telegraph and cut off power and water to falling shells. tigation said that Fillon’s staff newspaper after her husband thousands of civilians on the Plant director Musa Ma- had voluntarily handed over became prime minister in 2007 front line. gomedov said it would be in- documents in the raid yester- that she preferred staying at The Ukrainian military and credibly diffi cult to resume gas day. home than in glitzy Paris. Ukrainian servicemen set up tents and make fires to warm local residents of town of Avdiivka. Russian-backed separatists production were the factory’s accuse each other of launching generators shut down. off ensives in the government- That would leave Avdiivka held industrial town of Avdiiv- without a source of local power ka and fi ring heavy artillery in and uncertainty about its fu- defi ance of the two-year-old ture. UN court urges Turkey to release jailed judge Minsk ceasefi re deal. The fi ghting has prevented Eight Ukrainian troops have repairs being carried out, Ma- been killed and 26 wounded gomedov said. Reuters nections to July’s failed military Replacing Akay on the bench tionalist stance under President say they have turned up exoner- since fi ghting intensifi ed on The International Commit- Amsterdam coup, blamed by authorities on because of his detention would Recep Tayyip Erdogan. ating evidence that merits a re- Sunday – the heaviest losses tee of the Red Cross’s Ukraine followers of exiled cleric Fethul- have a “chilling eff ect” on ju- Turkey has ignored summons view of his case. for the military since mid-De- delegation tweeted that there lah Gulen. dicial independence by making to participate in UN court pro- Meron rejected their request cember, according to govern- was no water, electricity or United Nations court In an order issued yesterday, judges seem easily replaceable. ceedings involving the judge. for Ngirabatware to be given ment fi gures. heating in the town and the called on Turkey to free a UN court president Theodor According to Turkey’s Hurriyet Critics of Erdogan say that he provisional release since such “The current escalation in temperature was -18° Celsius. AUN judge caught up in the Meron said that Turkey should newspaper, Akay was arrested for is using the post-coup dragnet as decisions could only be made by Donbass is a clear indication “Hostilities continue and country’s post-coup crackdown, cease all proceedings against his having a messaging application an excuse to purge political rivals. a full bench – something that is of Russia’s continued blatant people start to lose hope,” it saying that Aydin Sefa Akay’s fellow judge and free him by Feb- on his phone that was used by Gulen denies involvement in impossible while Akay remains disregard of its commitments added. imprisonment violates his diplo- ruary 14, in time for him to as- many of the plotters. the coup, which claimed some imprisoned in Turkey. under the Minsk agreements Meanwhile, Russia’s foreign matic immunity and the princi- sume his duties in a case involv- Turkey was a strong early 240 lives, and condemned it. The UN Mechanism for the In- with a view of preventing the ministry said Ukrainian gov- ple of judicial independence. ing a Rwandan genocide suspect. backer of the international courts Akay had been due to hear ternational Criminal Tribunals in stabilisation of the situation,” ernment troops had launched Akay, both a judge and diplo- “Diplomatic immunity is a set up in the 1990s to try mass pleadings from lawyers for The Hague is legal successor to Ukraine’s foreign ministry said deadly off ensives on rebel po- mat, is one of 40,000 Turkish cornerstone of an independent crimes from the Yugoslav wars Rwandan politician Augustin the courts that tried crimes com- in a statement. sitions and warned that the offi cials who have been remand- international judiciary,” Meron and the Rwandan genocide, but it Ngirabatware, now serving 30 mitted during the Yugoslav wars The peace deal was agreed region was “on the verge of ed in custody for alleged con- wrote. has taken a more unilaterally na- years for inciting genocide, who and the Rwandan genocide. in February 2015, but interna- humanitarian and ecological tional security monitors report catastrophe”. ceasefi re violations on a daily Earlier, Kremlin spokesman CO killed teenagers at German party basis, including regular gun Dmitry Peskov accused the and mortar fi re. Ukrainian authorities of or- Six teenagers found dead at the weekend after a party in a garden The latest clashes mark the ganising the attacks as a ruse German tanks headed for Lithuania shed in Germany were killed by carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning, fi rst signifi cant escalation in to try to distract attention from police said yesterday, ruling out foul play. Ukraine since the inaugura- domestic and other problems. The bodies of the five young men and one woman were discovered tion of US President Donald He said the Kremlin was Reuters on Sunday by the owner of the garden, whose own son and Trump, whose call for better “extremely worried” but had Grafenwoehr, Germany daughter were among the victims. relations with Moscow has “reliable information” that The concerned father had gone to check on them after his children alarmed Kiev while the confl ict renegade units of pro-Kiev did not return from the party the night before. remains unresolved. fi ghters were in fact responsi- ermany began sending “The six adolescents aged between 18 and 19 died from carbon Ukrainian President Petro ble for the initial attacks. tanks and other equip- monoxide poisoning,” said a statement from police in the southern Poroshenko underscored the However, an AFP reporter Gment to Lithuania yes- state of Bavaria. “The cause of the leakage of the toxic gas remains urgency of the situation by saw the separatists shell the terday as part of a Nato mission under investigation.” cutting short a visit to Berlin town of about 20,000 people to beef up the defence of eastern A police spokesman said there was no indication it was deliberate. on Monday and convened an with repeated rounds of Grad Europe and send a signal of re- He said a wood-burning stove was apparently used to heat the emergency meeting of his Na- multiple rocket systems and solve to Russia, which has de- small brick outhouse, but that investigators were looking at other tional Security and Defence artillery fi re from the early nounced the build-up as an act appliances as well. Council. morning. of aggression. Ukrainian authorities said Close to 10,000 people have The German army command that they were prepared for a been killed since fi ghting be- said it was sending about 200 Three die under mountain of clothes possible evacuation of Avdi- tween Ukrainian troops and vehicles, including 30 tanks, by German armed forces Bundeswehr soldiers prepare their vehicles in ivka’s 16,000 residents, many rebels seeking independence train to Lithuania along with 450 Grafenwoehr, Germany before deployment in Lithuania. A Spanish couple and their 12-year-old daughter died after hundreds of whom have little or no ac- from Kiev erupted in April troops, the fi rst of whom arrived of kilos of clothes they were stocking in boxes fell on them while cess to utilities after shelling 2014. last week. The transports would The movements are part of a its readiness to defend eastern they slept, a local daily reported on Sunday. hit supply infrastructure. Ukraine and Nato accuse continue until late February. strategy agreed by North Atlan- members against any Russian The couple, who lived in the southeastern Spanish city of Alicante, “Right now, there is no the Kremlin of supporting the Seven decades after the end tic Treaty Organisation (Nato) aggression. were keeping the clothes in boxes stacked in their bedroom to sell power. We have not resolved rebels with troops and weap- of World War II, the movement leaders last July to reassure The deployments focus on them off again, according to the Diario Informacion. problems with heating homes, ons. of German troops to eastern Eu- member states that were once Poland and the Baltic states of Their eldest, 18-year-old daughter made the grim discovery on and the gas pipe has been shat- The Kremlin denies backing rope, even on a Nato mission, part of the Soviet bloc and have Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, Saturday when she woke up, found that the flat was quiet, went into tered,” local Ukrainian army the insurgents and only admits remains a sensitive issue both in been alarmed by Russia’s seizure which fear Moscow could try to her parents’ room and found all the boxes collapsed on the bed, it unit spokeswoman Olena that Russian “volunteers” and Germany and the region. of the Crimean peninsula from destabilise them by cyber at- said. Mokrynchuk told AFP. off -duty soldiers have entered On Monday the US military Ukraine in 2014. tacks, territorial incursions or She couldn’t see her parents or her sister under what was estimated The town’s military ad- the warzone of their own free deployed thousands of soldiers The 28-nation Western alli- other means. to be one to two tonnes of clothes, and called the police, it added. ministrator Freedon Vekua will. and heavy weaponry to Poland, ance decided to move four bat- Russia denies such intentions Off icers managed to locate and pull out the younger daughter, but told AFP he was preparing for The US and European Un- the Baltic states and southeast- talions totalling 3,000 to 4,000 and has described Nato’s behav- were unable to revive her. a possible evacuation of the ion have imposed sanctions on ern Europe in its biggest build- troops into northeastern Europe iour as aggressive and threaten- Firefighters were later called in for help to extract the parents from town that sits just north of Russia over the confl ict, as well up since the Cold War. on a rotating basis to display ing. under the mountain of clothes, the daily said. the rebels’ de facto capital of as for its annexation of Crimea. Gulf Times 16 Wednesday, February 1, 2017 INDIA Cash ban hit growth, admits govt

AFP term benefi ts,” he added. New Delhi Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said in the survey he expected Survey cash supplies would be fully “re- he government yesterday plenished” by the end of March acknowledged that its de- and the economy should then advocates Tcision to pull high-value “revert to normal”, projecting bank notes from circulation has growth in 2017-18 in the range of lowering caused pain in large parts of the 6.75 to 7.5%. economy as it lowered its growth The cash crunch has already forecast on the eve of the budget. prompted the International tax rates Its annual economic survey Monetary Fund to knock a per- concluded that the so-called de- centage point off its forecast for A day ahead of the tabling of the monetisation scheme had hit a India’s economy in the current budget for next fiscal, the latest host of sectors including real es- fi scal year to 6.6%, bringing it edition of Economic Survey has tate and farming but also said tax below China’s projected rate of called for lowering tax rates and revenues could be boosted in the 6.7%. stamp duties, quick adoption long-run. Sunil Sinha, principal econo- of goods and services tax and “The adverse impact of de- mist at India Ratings & Research, a check on over-zealous tax monetisation on GDP (gross said it was unusual for the gov- administration to restore higher domestic product) growth will ernment to give such “a huge growth. be transitional,” said the survey range” in its growth projection. “Demonetisation has had short- compiled by the government’s “The very fact that it has used term costs but holds the poten- chief economic advisor Arvind such a huge range of 75 basis tial for long-term benefits,” said Subramanian. points means that there are a lot the survey tabled in Parliament In the survey, the government of gaps in terms of estimating the by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, lowered its growth forecast for eff ects of demonetisation and it calling for follow-up actions to the 2016-17 fi scal year ending in is quite obvious that the spillover minimise costs and maximise March to 7.1%, down from 7.6% eff ect will be felt in the next fi scal benefits. in the previous year. year as well,” he said. Areas listed include fast, But the survey said the es- “As a thumb rule, if such a demand-driven remonetisation, timate was based mainly on wide corridor is given, one can further tax reforms, including data for the fi rst seven to eight expect growth to settle some- Union Finance Minister, Arun Jaitley and his team pose in his off ice a day before presenting the Union Budget 2017-2018, in New Delhi yesterday. bringing land and real estate months of the fi nancial year, be- where in the middle at best, as- into GST, reducing tax rates and fore the shock move in Novem- suming some of the positives stamp duties, and acting to allay ber to pull all Rs500 and Rs1,000 play out.” the anxieties on over-zealous tax notes from circulation. However Sujan Hajra, chief administration. economist at Anand Rathi Se- Poor states “These actions would allow By painting demonetisation curities, said that the economic growth to return to trend in 2017- as a blitz on corruption, survey was “considerably con- Cash handouts being 18, following a temporary decline Prime Minister Narendra servative” and the fi nal growth ‘failing to in 2016-17,” said the survey, while Modi has so far escaped a fi gure could be higher than 7.1%. predicting the GDP to expand major backlash “If you look at the corporate by 6.75%-7.5% in the next fiscal, results for the third quarter, they catch up’ with inflation already having That decision eff ectively re- were ahead of market expecta- eyed to fi ght poverty moderated to around 3.4 % at moved around 86% of the cash tions despite demonetisation,” IANS December-end. in circulation at one stroke, trig- said Hajra. New Delhi Reuters Arvind Subramanian, the minis- GDP on subsidies, much of them “Core inflation has, however, gering massive queues outside “The longer-term impact of New Delhi try’s chief economic adviser, told for the middle class. been more stable, hovering banks as the authorities demonetisation and introduc- a news briefi ng. It pays billions of dollars for around 4.5% to 5% for the year so struggled to print enough tion of GST should play out ven as nations globally are Under the survey’s calculation, some of the world’s largest wel- far,” the Survey said. new notes. in the next year and help the improving in terms of in- anding cash to Indians a UBI that cuts the poverty rate fare schemes, including cheap “The outlook for the year as a The survey said cash- GDP,” Hajra added in ref- Ecome convergence, several rather than providing to 0.5% of the population would food for more than 800mn people whole is for CPI (consumer price intensive sectors such erence to a long-delayed Indian states have not been able Hthe poor with cheap food cost 4% to 5% of GDP. and jobs for 50mn households. index) inflation to be below the as agriculture, real goods and services tax to catch up with other richer ones or guaranteed jobs would nearly The calculation presumes that “Our main fear is that Universal Reserve Bank of India’s target of estate and jewel- which should be and, therefore, are lagging be- eradicate poverty but at a cost of the richest quarter of Indians do Basic Income is just being used to 5%, a trend likely to be assisted lery were the rolled out later this hind, revealed the Economic Sur- 4% to 5% of gross domestic prod- not get the income, because it replace existing social schemes,” by demonetisation,” it added. worst aff ected year. vey yesterday. uct, a government report said says any programme cannot in said Reetika Khera, an economist The survey also called for and that By painting “Poorer countries are catch- yesterday. practice strive for strict univer- at the Indian Institute of Tech- societal shifts in narratives to there had demonetisa- ing up with richer countries, the Universal basic income (UBI), a sality. nology in Delhi. “This is a system overcome three long-standing been job tion as a blitz poorer Chinese provinces are radical idea that is gaining atten- that is tried and tested and show- meta-challenges: Ineff icient re- losses and on corruption catching up with the richer ones, tion in countries such as Finland ing signs of improvement.” distribution, ambivalence about a decline and cash- but in India, the less developed and France, proposes giving every The survey cautioned that it the private sector and property in farm hoarding that states are not catching up; in- citizen an income to cover their was not yet advocating introduc- rights, and improving but still- incomes in will ultimately stead they are, on average, fall- basic needs. tion of UBI. challenged state capacity. the broader boost tax reve- ing behind the richer states,” the Several economists advocate A basic income risked becom- “In the aftermath of demonetisa- economy. nues, Prime Minis- Economic Survey 2016-17 stated. cash transfers in Asia’s third- ing too costly, and the government tion, and at a time of gathering “Growth slowed ter Narendra Modi has According to the Economic largest economy, where despite “The key merit of UBI is would need to improve identifi ca- gloom about globalisation, ar- as demonetisa- so far escaped a major Survey, in terms of income con- rapid economic growth one in that it has the potential to tion schemes to ensure transfers ticulating and embracing those tion reduced backlash. vergence, Indian states off er a three of the world’s extreme poor improve the weak targeting reached benefi ciaries, it said. ideational shifts will be critical to demand...and While there were striking contrast to the catch- reside. of current schemes” Critics of the existing pro- ensuring that India’s sweet spot increased uncer- massive queues out- up that is happening globally – An emergency medical pay- grammes say they are under- is enduring not evanescent,” tainty,” said the side banks in the poorer countries are catching up ment or bad harvest risks a return At 2011-12 prices, the basic in- mined by corruption and leak- it said. survey. weeks afterwards, with the richer ones. to poverty for millions more. come would amount to Rs5,400 ages. Commenting on the survey, Speaking at a they have now sub- “Since 1980, the long-term The annual Economic Survey, per person per year. Subramanian cited research industry chamber Ficci said it press conference sided while limits trend was reversed and poorer which forms the basis of the an- Some economists have ques- showing schemes reached more agrees with the stated need to in Delhi, Subrama- on withdrawals have countries started catching up nual budget Finance Minister tioned whether payments of that people in the areas where they overcome the three “meta chal- nian said that “there eased. with richer ones. In stark con- Arun Jaitley will present today, size could eliminate poverty. were least needed, because of the lenges” of ineff icient redistribu- have been short-term The Reserve Bank trast, there continues to be diver- said UBI was a persuasive alterna- Tackling entrenched poverty weak capacity of the state in less tion, ambivalence about the costs which are real of India announced late gence within India or an aggrava- tive for replacing existing welfare has preoccupied policymakers developed ones. private sector and property and signifi cant”. Monday that it would loos- tion of regional inequality,” said programmes. since India ended colonial rule in “The advantage of UBI is that rights, “and the improving but “I think there has en some of the restrictions the survey. Yet it warned about implemen- 1947, and in the survey Subrama- we can get around this,” he said. still challenged state capacity”. been hardship and in- on cash withdrawals al- “This was despite the promise tation risks and the potential cost nian said he drew on the wisdom Many economists expect Prime “”The growth projected for the convenience especially though most savers are still that less developed states such to government. of independence hero Mahatma Minister Narendra Modi and his current year is lower by quarter for those in the informal only allowed to withdraw a as Bihar, Madhya Pradesh and “The key merit of it is that it has Gandhi in weighing the social jus- Bharatiya Janata Party to cut back to half a percentage point com- sector but there is also maximum of Rs24,000 in Chhattisgarh had started improv- the potential to improve the weak tice of a basic income. on populist welfare schemes ex- pared to the baseline of 7%.” potential for long- cash each week. ing their relative performance.” targeting of current schemes,” India currently spends 3% of panded under his predecessor. Reality bites for poll panel, RBI’s lofty objectives

he Election Commission country. Elections are an expen- viet political contributions….the anti-national elements to hold Nadu, the Pawars of Maharashtra, of India (ECI) and the Re- sive aff air in India. Much money Soviet embassy (in Delhi) main- sway. The various agitations and just to name a few, are billion- Tserve Bank of India (RBI) changes hands both above and tains a large reserve of rupees for protests in the name of reserva- aires many times over thanks in are slugging it out over how much under the table. Delhi Diary various uses – including clandes- tion, conservation and what have no small measure to the generous money should be allowed to be Yes, there has been a signifi - tine payments to Congress politi- you could all be traced to such contributions of such nature. As withdrawn by candidates fi ghting cant reduction in the amount of By A K B Krishnan cians,” the daily quoted a CIA re- funding. one columnist noted in a recent this month’s assembly elections unaccounted money being given port as saying. The reason that parties have article, the fastest way to become in fi ve states. and received at various stages of Gulf Times Correspondent Naturally, the inclination to been able to get away with this rich in India is to become a politi- After Prime Minister Narendra the election thanks to the ECI’s discount the report will be strong sort of blatantly clandestine fund cian. Modi announced demonetisa- vigilance, but it can never be alto- because it had a CIA origin and sourcing is not far to seek. Un- Modi had also said the de- tion of high value currency notes gether eschewed. On the eve of January 26, India’s tributions from unknown sourc- was talking about events of the der the present income tax law, monetisation was only the fi rst on November 8 last year, the RBI In fact, Aam Aadmi Party su- Republic Day, the respected NGO, es. The communists, notably the Cold War era. political parties need to disclose of many steps that he intended had to impose certain restrictions premo and Delhi Chief Minister Association for Democratic Re- CPI(M), too amassed massive But the Economic Times report only the names of those donating to take to clean up the system. on withdrawal of cash from banks Arvind Kejriwal is in trouble with forms (ADR), revealed that in the amounts – Rs47.1bn, to be precise pointed out that the CIA observa- more than Rs20,000. So all these All available reports suggest that and ATMs as the printing of new the ECI for exhorting voters to ac- 11 years between 2004 and 2015, – from sources that the party did tions were “similar to claims in a unaccounted receipts have come demonetisation as a measure to notes in lieu of the demonetised cept money from the Bharatiya Ja- India’s political parties received not want disclosed. 2005 book by former KGB opera- in traches of smaller amounts. purge unaccounted cash has not currency was taking time. nata Party (BJP) and the Congress, contributions worth more than It transpires that 69% of the to- tive Vasili Mitrokhin who smug- Even when someone wanted to been the kind of success that Modi Although the limit for indi- if they off er it, but to vote for his Rs680bn from unknown sources. tal income of all parties was from gled thousands of secret docu- donate Rs100,000 to a party, all had hoped for because almost vidual withdrawal was initially party. When the ECI cautioned The ADR report further said unknown sources. This works out ments out from the Soviet Union. that the party needs to do is ask 95% of the total high value notes placed at Rs4,000 per week, it was Kejriwal against such statements, the total income – read ‘profi t’ to Rs780bn in 11 years. The documents claimed that the donor to break it up into fi ve or in circulation have been depos- subsequently raised to Rs10,000 the AAP chief charged the com- as all this money comes in at no What this means is parties and Indira Gandhi was sent money in more parts. ited into bank accounts although and still later to Rs24,000 a week, mission with promoting bribery! expense – for the period was a candidates don’t really depend on suitcases for the Congress Party When Modi announced that the actual numbers and the fi nal a fi gure that is still in eff ect. So the ECI has to have 360-de- whopping Rs1,100bn, a fi gure withdrawals from their bank ac- and the KGB had funded election his government was withdrawing tax returns on them would not be But Rs24,000 a week is pit- gree vision to keep things tight. that even big corporates would be counts for their election expenses. campaign of former defence min- notes of 500 and 1,000 denomi- known for quite some time. tance for a candidate, a fact that On the one hand it has to make proud of. They have several other sources to ister V K Krishna Menon besides nation, he had said the prime ob- Any cleaning up has to start even the ECI recognises. The ECI sure that candidates have enough While the Congress Party, raise money, a fact borne out by four other ministers.” jective of the exercise was to re- from within and in the case of po- wants the limit to be raised to money for their legitimate ex- which was in power during most the absence of any serious com- If the CIA report were true, it is move unaccounted, or “black”, litical funding parties themselves Rs200,000 per week as candi- penses such as organising rallies, of the period under review, cor- plaint by the candidates them- safe to conclude that other coun- money from the economy. The have to come up with solutions. dates are entitled to spend up to printing posters, providing re- nered as much as Rs398bn – or selves about being short of funds tries could also have tried to infl u- World Bank had estimated India’s It would be ideal if Modi can take Rs.2.8mn per constituency. But freshments to volunteers, hiring 83% of all its contributions – for electioneering. ence Indian politicians and their “black” economy to be 23% of the the lead and declare that his BJP the RBI says nothing doing, a limit vehicles etc. from unknown sources in those 11 If all this is not enough to raise elections to parliament. country’s GDP or about Rs33tn. would from now on only accept is a limit. On the other it has to guard years, the BJP was not far behind questions about legitimacy of Naturally these countries A sizeable portion of this is accounted money and all that Both the ECI and the RBI are against illegitimate inducements with Rs.327bn. And just in case India’s political funding, the Eco- would not support a party or a made available to political par- has been accepted thus would be constitutionally-appointed au- like money, liquor etc. that are of- you thought that the AAP, which nomic Times reported on January candidate for nothing. They will ties and their patriarchs, thereby available for scrutiny. And if the tonomous bodies whose domains ten off ered to voters. came to power in Delhi espousing 26 that the Soviet Union’s KGB collect their rent as and when the making a mockery of everything BJP does it, others will perforce are well demarcated. All monetary The objectives are indeed probity in public life, must have was a regular supplier of large occasion arises. If a trusted source that democracy stood for. follow. An aspirational India de- policies are the sole preserve of praiseworthy, but the ECI may be stayed well clear of such shenani- amounts of hard cash to the Con- like the ADR says 69% of all do- The likes of Mayawati and serves nothing less. the RBI while the ECI is the fi nal chasing a will-o’-the-wisp if two gans, you have to think again. gress Party. “As many as 40% nations to parties had come from Mulayam Singh Yadav of Uttar And if this were to happen, the authority on anything to do with reports of last week are anything Arvind Kejriwal’s party re- Congress MPs in Indira Gandhi’s unknown sources, then India’s Pradesh, the Badals of Punjab, ECI shall have no need to write to public elections anywhere in the to go by. ceived as much as 63% of its con- last government had received So- murky political arena is ideal for the Karunanidhi family in Tamil the RBI at any time in the future. Gulf Times Wednesday, February 1, 2017 17 INDIA

PEOPLE CRACKDOWN CONTROVERSY TRAGEDY OFFBEAT MP E Ahamed suff ers Income tax notices Kashmiri athlete Nine workers die after Woman off ers Rs25,000 heart attack in Parliament to 1.8mn taxpayers denied US visa inhaling toxic fumes reward for missing parrot

Senior Kerala MP, E Ahamed, yesterday suff ered Commencing the process of crackdown on large Kashmiri snowshoe athlete, Tanveer Hussain Nine workers died in Latur, Maharashtra, after A woman pining for her missing parrot has off ered a heart attack and collapsed in Parliament’s deposits made after November 8, the income Parra, yesterday claimed he was denied visa by inhaling toxic fumes while cleaning an oil tank a Rs25,000 in reward to anyone who gets the Central Hall. His condition is critical, doctors at tax department has identified 1.8mn taxpayers the US embassy in New Delhi, with off icials citing at an edible oils manufacturing company. Police pet back to her. Babita Devi’s pet parrot went RML hospital said. “The condition of Ahamed is who will be served notices seeking explanation the “current policy” under the Donald Trump have arrested Kirti Agrovet Ltd’s owner and three missing early January. The resident of Warsaliganj serious and he is currently under close observation within 10 days. According to tax off icials, the administration. Parra, 24, was scheduled to other off icials over the tragedy. Maharashtra Chowk in Nawada district has put up posters and of doctors in the ICU,” a senior doctor at the transactions carried out by these taxpayers post attend the World Snowshoe Federation (WSSF) Labour Minister Sambhaji Patil-Nilangekar has distributed handbills asking people’s help in finding Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital said. Ahamed, a demonetisation seem out of line. The process world championship on February 25 in Saranac assured compensation to the kin of the victims. the bird, a district police off icial said yesterday. “She former minister in the United Progressive Alliance has been labelled as “Operation Clean Money”, Lake, New York. President Trump last week The tragedy occured after four workers descended had the parrot for eight years and was very close to government and an Indian Union Muslim League in which data analytics has been made use of to signed an executive order banning immigrants into a 25-feet deep tank to clear waste but failed it. Her parrot was like a family member to her. She MP from Kerala, was admitted to RML after he fell analyse the data received between November from seven Muslim-majority nations, an action to come out, a police off icial said. After waiting for is been unable to sleep and eat ever since the bird unconscious in Parliament’s Central Hall during 9 and December 30, 2016, revenue secretary which has led to widespread protests. Parra said some time, five others stepped down and they went missing,” her family friend Bachchan Pandey President Pranab Mukherjee’s address. The Hasmukh Adhia said. “Initial phase of the operation he was denied the visa despite having completed too did not come out. The police and fire brigades said. Pandey said that Babita’s three sons and her 78-year-old Ahamed has served as minister of state involves e-verification of large cash deposits made all formalities, and that his documents were in were summoned as other helpers panicked fearing close relatives have turned to social media to seek for external aff airs in the UPA government. during November 9 to December 30, 2016.” order and checked by a US embassy off icial. something had gone wrong. help in finding the parrot.

No stay Kejriwal campaigns on law Govt conveys allowing Jallikattu: top court concern to US

IANS New Delhi over H1B visa he Supreme Court yes- terday refused to stay the TTamil Nadu government’s amendment permitting Jallikat- tu, while telling the state govern- ment that it was its primary re- sponsibility to maintain law and change plans order. The court allowed the union IANS longer after completion of their former IT secretary said the apex government’s plea to withdraw New Delhi studies. body would highlight their value the January 7, 2016, notifi ca- The bill would require that contribution as a ‘net creator’ of tion that permitted Jallikattu employers fi rst off er a vacant jobs in the US. in Tamil Nadu and bullock cart he government yesterday position to an equally or better “The Indian IT sector has races in some other states. The said it has conveyed its qualifi ed American worker be- helped American businesses by operation of the notifi cation was Tconcern to the US over a fore seeking an H1B or L-1 visa providing high-skilled IT solu- stayed by the top court on Janu- bill being introduced in the Con- holder. tions in order to innovate, open ary 12, 2016. gress to change rules on H1B vi- It would also establish wage new markets, expand their op- Issuing notice on a plea seek- sas which is likely to impact the requirements for L-1 workers erations and creating thousands ing stay on the amendment per- Indian information technology and improve H1B wage require- of new jobs for Americans,” mitting the popular bull-taming industry and Indian software ments to encourage companies claimed Chandrashekhar. sport, the bench comprising professionals working in the US. to hire qualifi ed American work- The bill does not address the justice Dipak Misra and justice “India’s interests and con- ers and prevent them from using acute shortage of STEM-skilled Rohinton Fali Nariman took ex- cerns have been conveyed both foreign workers as a source of workers in the US, which led all ception to the manner in which to the US administration and the cheap labour. companies to have a calibrated the Supreme Court verdict ban- US Congress at senior levels,” hiring of locals and bridging the ning Jallikattu was sought to be external aff airs ministry spokes- “The Lofgren Bill contains skills gap with skilled workers on openly defi ed. person Vikas Swarup said. provisions that may non-immigrant visas, including “We are only concerned with The High-Skilled Integrity prove challenging for the H1Bs. the court’s honour, which we all and Fairness Act of 2017, intro- Indian IT sector and leave The bill also does nothing to share,” the bench told the sen- duced in the House of Repre- loopholes that will nullify consider regional variations in ior counsel appearing for Tamil sentatives by California Con- the objective of saving US salary structure, which could Nadu government. gressman Zoe Lofgren, calls for jobs” help some states and hurt others. “To say that we changed the doubling the minimum salary “The higher wage level will law peacefully is one thing. To of H1B visa holders to $130,000 Meanwhile, the industry’s have ripple eff ects for other in- come out openly to defy the Su- from the current minimum wage representative body Nasscom dustries including nursing, en- preme Court is another,” said of $60,000 – a move that could said the bill is fraught with chal- gineering, life sciences, and oth- justice Nariman. impact Indian software profes- lenges. ers,” he pointed. Taking exception to the fail- sionals. “The Lofgren Bill contains STEM is an acronym for Sci- ure of Tamil Nadu government in The bill, likely to be signed by provisions that may prove chal- ence, Technology, Engineering maintaining law and order, jus- President Donald Trump, would lenging for the Indian IT sec- and Mathematics. tice Misra told the three senior make it diffi cult for fi rms to use tor and leave loopholes that will If the rationale for the counsel: “Please tell the Tamil the programme to replace Amer- nullify the objective of saving (Trump) administration and Nadu government that the law ican employees with foreign US jobs,” asserted Nasscom in a its legislative wing is to project and order has a primacy in a civil workers, including from India, statement here. jobs for Americans, the industry society. “ with lower wages. “Though the bill has to go body said the US government “We are concerned with rule As Trump prepares to issue through a legislative process at should calibrate the conditions of law, this kind of things should executive orders on H1B, the the US Congress and the sen- keeping in view the skill short- not occur,” he said. draft of the order was leaked and ate for becoming law, it does not age in its country. The court also sought to know published by some news web- treat all IT service fi rms with H1B “Raising wage levels for de- how many people lost their lives sites on Monday. visa holders equally and the pro- pendent companies alone will during recent bull-taming sports As per the leaked draft order, visions are biased against H1B defeat the basic objective as that took place after law was Trump would reverse his pred- dependant fi rms,” said Nasscom non-dependent fi rms can con- amended, while adding that de- ecessor Barack Obama’s exten- president R Chandrashekhar. tinue to bring in skilled work- scribing the breeding of native sion of the duration of the op- Assuring the industry of en- ers at lower wage levels, thereby bulls - that are used in Jallikattu Leader of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and Delhi Chief Minister, Arvind Kejriwal takes part in a tional practical training work gaging with the US administra- nullifying the objective of pro- – as culture was a question that roadshow in Amritsar yesterday ahead of the Punjab elections. visas, which allowed foreign tion and its lawmakers through tecting jobs for American na- has to be debated. students to stay in the US a bit the Indian government, the tionals,” added Chandrashekhar. Estranged SP leader Film promo CPI-M wing ends protest at law school

to fl oat new party IANS the protesters and told the me- Thiruvananthapuram dia that the SFI and the CPI-M have committed the biggest hoax IANS tar Pradesh will commence on The chief minister could have on the student community at the Lucknow February 11 and end on March 8. initiated action against them, but he student wing of the academy. Counting of votes will be done on only those ministers who were CPI-M (Communist Party “It’s most surprising that the March 11. doing good work including me Tof India - Marxist) yester- SFI and the academy manage- amajwadi Party (SP) leader Attacking his nephew Akhilesh were sacked,” Shivpal said. day decided to end its protest af- ment have on the sly tried to sab- Shivpal Yadav, who has Yadav, without naming him, He added that people close to ter the Kerala Law Academy said otage the ongoing strike. From Sbeen sidelined in the party Shivpal explained that he was him were denied tickets to weak- that principal Lekshmi Nair will today our legislator, K Muraleed- by nephew and Uttar Pradesh sidelined because he opposed the en him. not be involved in the day-to- haran, will start an indefi nite Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav, wrongdoings in the government. “Several candidates who are day aff airs of the institute. fast,” said Sudheeran. yesterday announced that he will “I had done nothing wrong. true Samajwadi (socialist) party While the SFI (Student Feder- Earlier in the day angry fl oat a new party after the assem- I was sidelined because I op- workers are forced to contest in- ation of India) leaders claim that Bharatiya Janata Party protesters bly elections. posed those who were indulging dependently as their names were the management has agreed to all including their leader, K. Suren- Shivpal Yadav, who had a se- in wrongdoings and Mulayam eliminated from the list of those the main demands and they have dran, were caned by the police ries of run-ins with Akhilesh Singh Yadav supported me. Since getting tickets. This was done to withdrawn from the strike after after they staged a protest block- Yadav, was addressing a rally in that day, Mulayam Singh Yadav weaken me,” he said. 21 days, others said that this was ing the main road in front of the Jaswantnagar in Etawah district and myself are being targeted,” The disgruntled Samajwadi a tactical move by the manage- academy. after fi ling his nomination for the he said. Party leader added that he had ment and the SFI. Former legislator and CPI assembly polls as a Samajwadi “People whom we gave every- done a lot of good for the public “We are after all students of leader, R Lathadevi, said the Party candidate. thing were targeting us. We told when he was public works de- law and our demand is very clear manner in which the SFI decided “We will fl oat a new political the chief minister (Akhilesh Ya- partment (PWD) minister and that the principal should come to withdraw from the strike – party after March 11,” Shivpal, dav) take everything including reduced corruption in the de- out with a letter stating that she leaving the other students who brother and close confi dant of the right to distribute tickets but partment despite facing several has resigned. This move of the were united in their demands Samajwadi Party founder Mu- let Mulayam Singh Yadav remain problems. management is not acceptable to high and dry – was baffl ing. layam Singh Yadav, said. the national president of the par- Shivpal said the top government all of us, as the principal can ap- The CPI is the second biggest “I am thankful (to the Sama- ty,” Shivpal said. functionary created a lot of hur- proach the courts. Our demand ally of the ruling Left govern- jwadi Party) that I was given a Shivpal accused Akhilesh of dles for him in giving jobs to people stays and it is she should resign ment but it has been taking a ticket, otherwise I would have removing ministers who were in the departments under him. and that should be a written one strong stand against the CPI-M contested as an independent doing “good work”. “I know that my fi les related to Bollywood actors Shahrukh Khan and Sunny Leone take by her,” said a group of girl stu- and its student organisation, the candidate. People wanted me to “There are several ministers fresh recruitments in my various part in a promotional event for the Hindi film Raees in dents of other organisations. All India Students Federation, has contest.” who are only vying for publicity departments were stopped de- Mumbai. State Congress president V M called for a statewide protest de- Polling in various parts of Ut- and did nothing for the public. liberately,” Shivpal added. Sudheeran reached the venue of manding Lekshmi Nair’s sacking. Gulf Times 18 Wednesday, February 1, 2017 LATIN AMERICA

POLITICS COMMENT DECISION PROJECT DISASTER Maduro seen grooming No major irregularities Odebrecht pulls out of Peru suspends Flood death toll rises deputy for power in Haiti vote: observers pre-bids for Panama bridge airport construction to 15: authorities

Venezuela’s leader Nicolas Maduro broadened Election observers said Haiti’s local and legislative Brazilian construction firm Odebrecht has pulled The Peru government said construction of a Floods and landslides in Peru have killed 15 the powers of his hardline number two in a polls over the weekend took place without major out of the pre-bid qualification process to build $500mn airport had been suspended indefinitely people and displaced more than 36,000 this decree yesterday that analysts said showed irregularities, despite a disappointing turnout. another bridge over the Panama Canal, as part of at the request of opposition lawmakers month, authorities said. The latest casualties he may be grooming him to take over as Sunday marked the fourth voting day in the its penalty in a bribery scandal. Odebrecht pulled investigating proposed changes to the contract. were six people caught in a mudslide in the president. Maduro has cracked down this year Caribbean country over the past year-and-a-half, out of the process that was under way to qualify Work had been scheduled to start today in the southern Arequipa region, the National Civil on his centre-right opponents who are trying to an agonising electoral marathon finally coming as a bidder, the Panamanian government said, southern region of Cusco once the government Defence Institute said. Among others, six remove him from off ice over a volatile economic to an end after a political crisis was triggered in heeding an order to withdraw. According to the approved an addendum to the contract that miners were trapped underground in the Acari crisis that has caused food shortages. The October 2015 when presidential election results US justice department, the Brazilian company critics have said would increase the portion of district. Their bodies have not been found decree published in the off icial journal gives his were annulled due to massive fraud. It took until paid more than $59mn in bribes to Panama state financing in the project. The transportation due to ongoing landslides. The government vice-president Tareck El Aissami authority to November 2016 to hold another presidential between 2010 and 2014 to obtain contracts and communications ministry said it had decided declared a state of emergency on Saturday seize property and approve ministers’ budgets, election, with voter turnout at a dismal 21%. The valued at $175mn. Panama’s current government to hold off on signing the addendum because in various parts of the south. Floods have among other powers. The text of the decree Sunday vote included partial legislative elections — is accusing the previous administration an investigative commission in the opposition- blocked roads and destroyed crops, buildings says it aims to ensure “the eff iciency and for one seat in the lower chamber of congress and of former president Ricardo Martinelli of controlled Congress warned that doing so would and bridges. The institute said 36,115 people eff ectiveness of the public administration.” eight senators — and nationwide local elections. involvement in Odebrecht’s alleged bribery. hurt the interests of the state. were affected in total so far. ‘Republic Fighting Chile wildfires of Curitiba’ shakes corrupt Brazil politics

AFP president Dilma Rousseff until Curitiba, Brazil he was jailed on bribe-taking charges. Moro’s face is now a stand- he sign outside Brazil’s ard feature on banners at an- southern city of Curitiba ti-corruption rallies around Tsays it all: “Here we apply the country, and street vendor the law.” Wanderley Santos is one of his Brasilia may be the country’s many fans. capital but it’s here in what’s “Soon this will be considered jokingly dubbed the “Republic a historic site,” said Santos, 64, of Curitiba” that an anti-cor- who sells shirts that read “I live ruption judge hopes to decide in the Republic of Curitiba.” Brazil’s fate. The “republic” moniker Sergio Moro heads the gi- comes from one of the wiretaps, ant Operation Car Wash probe which along with plea bargains, A Boeing 747-400 Super Tanker from the US drops water to extinguish wildfires in Chile’s central-south regions, in Dichato, Chile, yesterday. into top-level embezzlement have been key weapons in Moro’s and bribery around oil com- war on the elite. pany Petrobras that has downed An angry, frustrated Lula was a string of powerful politicians recorded talking to his ally and and businessmen and seems then president Dilma Rouss- likely to claim more victims. eff , who succeeded him in 2011, The unprecedented assault on about the rampaging prosecu- business as usual in Brazil has tors who have doggedly accused elevated Moro to hero status for him of taking bribes from Petro- most Brazilians — and provin- bras, including in the form of cial Curitiba, with a population property. Colombia’s Farc starts of about 2mn, to a byword for “Personally I’m horrifi ed by tough justice. this republic of Curitiba,” the “Curitiba is revolted by this ex-president is heard saying in corruption. When they hand out the leaked telephone conversa- prison sentences to deputies, tion last year, clearly referring senators, goodness — it’s party to the allegation in some circles time!” said lawyer Daniela Vare- that Moro’s team was out of demobilisation process la, 29, near Moro’s offi ces. control. Operation Car Wash has un- “Anything can happen in this AFP egate for the peace process, In return, the ELN is to re- Santos says he wants a deal with ing, according to authorities. covered an incredible web of country if a judge (Moro) wants Bogota Sergio Jaramillo, said a total of lease a former lawmaker it is the ELN to seal a “complete The confl ict has drawn in pay-to-play contracts at state it.” 6,300 Farc fi ghters were due to holding hostage, Odin Sanchez, peace” in Colombia. not only the Colombian armed owned Petrobras, with bribes That jibe has turned into a reach the disarmament zones tomorrow. The Colombian conflict forces, the Farc and the ELN, pouring into the pockets of badge of honour for Moro’s olombian Farc rebels by today, and thousands had al- The government is due si- grew out of a crushed uprising but also drug gangs, right-wing powerful individuals and also a fans. gathered in demobilisa- ready arrived. multaneously to release two over land rights in the 1960s. It paramilitaries and other left- swathe of Brazil’s political par- Tourists here not only can buy Ction zones yesterday to “What is happening is really other imprisoned ELN mem- has killed more than 260,000 ist rebel groups that have since ties. “Republic” souvenirs but see the start a historic disarmament most extraordinary. This is the bers and grant them a pardon. people and left 60,000 miss- disbanded. Already Moro has charged courts and prosecutors’ offi ces process to end Latin America’s peace process in action,” he told The ELN announced yes- or succeeded in convicting the from their bus tour. last major armed confl ict, au- a news conference. terday that it was also holding 17 civil campaigners ‘massacred’: officials likes of ex-president Luiz Inacio Supporters consider Moro as thorities said. He said there had been no another hostage, a Colombian Lula da Silva, senior senators, a future Supreme Court justice The Revolutionary Armed major incidents in what the soldier previously reported Colombian off icials said 17 signed the deal with the and Marcelo Odebrecht, the or even president, but the star Forces of Colombia (Farc) are due government has called the missing by the army, whom the civil campaigners have been Revolutionary Armed Forces former head of the Odebrecht judge keeps his cards close to to disband with UN supervision Farc’s “last march.” rebel force seized last week. murdered over the past two of Colombia (Farc) and pushed construction giant which actu- his chest and is rarely seen in the under a peace deal with the gov- Fighters travelled by boat, It said it was willing to re- months in the country, amid it through the legislature in ally operated a special depart- streets of his own bastion. ernment after 52 years of confl ict. canoe, bus, truck and on foot as lease him, too. ELN negotiators tensions over its contested December, defying criticism ment to organise its bribes to “A colleague of mine picked Meanwhile, the country’s last they headed to 26 zones where are gathered in the Ecuadoran peace process. President Juan from conservative rivals. In politicians. him up once,” said one admiring active rebel group, the small- they will disarm and eventually capital Quito, where talks with Manuel Santos has warned the weeks following, reports Another high-profi le name is taxi driver. “He was not in a suit er National Liberation Army re-enter civilian life. the government are scheduled that fresh violence could emerged of killings by Eduardo Cunha, who was speak- and he hid under a baseball hat, (ELN), was taking the fi nal steps The ELN, meanwhile, said to start on February 7. destabilise the demobilisation local civil campaigners by er of the lower house of Con- barely saying a word the whole towards its own peace talks with the government had begun re- After last year’s contested of the leftist Farc rebels under unidentified groups in conflict gress and the key fi gure in push- journey. the government. leasing certain detainees to peace accord with the Marx- a historic peace accord. He areas. ing through the impeachment of But it was him alright.” The government’s top del- clear the way for peace talks. ist Farc, President Juan Manuel Mexico sees signs of US Brazil jobless rate change on wall payment hits record 12% AFP tration — unemployment was Rio de Janeiro 9%, while a year earlier it had Reuters the two administrations were in interpret it that way, that we’re been 6.5%. Mexico City close contact and would talk this seeing the rhetoric is changing,” Brazil’s economy shrank 3.8% week. he said. razil’s unemployment in 2015 and is expected to have “Dialogue has not broken off ,” The minister said “a very size- rate hit 12% between Oc- contracted a further 3.5% in 2016, here are signs the US gov- he said. “It’s an extraordinar- able part” of the business done Btober and December, an- the worst recession in a century. ernment is taking a more ily important relationship for by drug gangs was in the US. other record high, offi cial data The central bank predicts a Tfl exible view of how to Mexico.” Trump has threatened to ditch showed yesterday even as the return to economic growth of pay for its planned border wall While no date has been set for the North American Free Trade economy is forecast to slowly 0.8% next year, although the with Mexico, and new meetings a new Pena Nieto-Trump sum- Agreement binding Mexico, the exit deep recession. International Monetary Fund to craft future bilateral rela- mit, meetings between govern- US and Canada, and Mexico’s That amounted to 12.3mn foresees growth of just 0.2%. tions could take place soon, a top ment offi cials are possible in the government wants to defend people looking for work at the In another sign of the coun- Mexican offi cial said. next few days, said Videgaray, its access to the US market by end of 2016, a third more than try’s fi nancial troubles, the cen- Those ties were shaken last who expressed confi dence that bringing migration and security in the last quarter a year earlier, tral bank said the budget defi cit week when a planned summit the White House was modifying into discussions. the Brazilian Institute for Geog- hit a record high in 2016. between US President Donald its view on payment of the wall. In a separate video statement, raphy and Statistics said. The primary budget defi cit Trump and Mexican President White House chief of staff Pena Nieto promised to better Market analysts with Gradual — excluding interest payments Enrique Pena Nieto was can- Reince Priebus said on Sunday protect migrants north of the Investimentos consultants had — reached 155.8bn reais. The celled after the American said that payment for the wall was border, by channelling over 1bn predicted the unemployment good news was that it remained it was better to forgo it if Mex- still under discussion, mention- pesos ($48.16mn) into Mexican rate would hold at the previous within the government’s target. ico was unwilling to pay for the ing the possibility of a border tax consulates in the US. quarter’s 11.9%, which was also As it tries to stimulate the wall. and other fi scal measures. The comments came after a record high. economy while helping the Trump wants a wall on the US “It could be on drug cartels,” Videgaray said the country’s Joblessness has dented the stubbornly high infl ation to southern border to keep out ille- Priebus added on CBS’ “Face fresh steps to support Mexicans popularity of the market- keep dropping, the bank is ex- gal immigrants and says Mexico the Nation.” “And it could be on living in the US were not aimed friendly government of Presi- pected to make further cuts to will pay for it. people that are coming here il- at obstructing law enforcement dent Michel Temer, who took its key interest rate. Mexico has fl atly refused, legally and paying fi nes. Or it there. over last year after the im- Last month the bank cut the making the issue a point of na- could be all of the above.” Mexico announced some peachment of president Dilma rate by a bigger than expect- tional pride. While cautioning he had no measures, such as expanding the Rousseff with promises to re- ed 0.75% to 13%, down from Pena Nieto and Trump spoke details of what those plans could availability of mobile consulate store the Latin American giant’s 14.25% in October but still one by telephone to calm tensions involve, Videgaray was heart- services to reach more migrants economy to health. of the world’s highest. on Friday, and Mexican Foreign ened by the comments. “I think in November, after Trump’s sur- Brazilian President Michel Temer gestures during the Latin In the fi nal quarter of 2015 — Market expectations are for Minister Luis Videgaray said it’s a welcome sign, at least I prise win. American Investment Conference in Sao Paulo, Brazil, yesterday. still under Rousseff ’s adminis- cuts to about 10.9% this year. Gulf Times Wednesday, February 1, 2017 19 PAKISTAN/AFGHANISTAN

CONFERENCE MEDIA REVENUE AVIATION TRAGEDY Pakistan unlikely to attend Telecom authority Tax collection on property Sharif to open new airport Close to 50 Afghans killed Speakers’ Summit in India blocks satire website transactions doubled in Islamabad in August in heavy snow, severe cold

India has invited Pakistan for the South Readers of the satire website Khabaristan Times The Federal Board of Revenue’s (FBR) tax Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif will At least 47 people have died in the last three Asian Speakers Summit. However, the Indian were informed in a Facebook post yesterday collection from property transactions almost inaugurate New Islamabad International Airport weeks because of the severe cold and heavy media quoting top government officials that the website had been blocked in Pakistan doubled since the introduction of new real on 14th August, 2017. Almost 95% work on the snowfall in northern Afghanistan’s Jowzjan said Pakistan has declined the invitation. since Wednesday (January 25). According to the estate valuation tables in Pakistan, an off icial New Islamabad Airport terminal building has province, an off icial said yesterday. Access to Other South Asian nations have confirmed post: “there hasn’t been an off icial notification said yesterday. Rehmatullah Khan Wazir, been completed and during March 2017 all civil health centres was limited as roads were closed their participation on achieving Sustainable from any regulatory authority regarding the member Inland Revenue Policy of FBR, said works would be completed. Thereafter, the off because of the snowfall, Rahmatullah Hashir, Development Goals. website being banned, but it can’t be accessed the tax authorities collected Rs7.3bn in taxes facility will undergo extensive testing to conform district governor of Darzab told DPA. “Ten This would be the first high level anywhere in Pakistan. We’ll keep you posted, if on property transactions between 1 July, 2016 with international standards and by July 2017 the women gave birth to dead babies as they had engagement among the South Asian nations there are any updates.” However, the website and 24 January as compared to Rs4.2bn in the Airport would be ready for operations. The new no access to health facilities in past few weeks,” since the cancellation of the Saarc Summit, can be accessed from outside the country corresponding period a year earlier. Wazir said Airport will have a capacity of handling 4,500 said Hashir, adding that two other children which was to be held in Islamabad in and through diff erent virtual private networks there were 116,000 real estate transactions passengers at a time with 15 docking stations were killed by an avalanche. Mohamad Reza, a November last year. (VPNs) in Pakistan. A source at the Pakistan during this period as compared to 106,000 where two A-380 aircraft would be able to dock spokesman for the provincial governor, said: “We India in 2015 threatened to boycott a Telecommunication Authority said the website previously. “There are still a few anomalies in the simultaneously. The new airport will have state- are trying to provide those harmed by the cold conference. had been blocked after receiving complaints. valuation tables, which will be removed,” he said. of-the-art facilities. weather with immediate necessary assistance.”

Pakistanis change Sharif, Abbas inaugurate plans following Palestinian embassy Trump ban order Internews airport following Trump’s re- Agencies Karachi cent executive order, banning Islamabad immigrants from seven Mus- lim-majority countries. rantic calls are being Even though Pakistan has rime Minister Nawaz made and travel itin- not made it to this list yet, the Sharif and President of Feraries being changed White House hinted it was Pthe State of Palestine as Pakistani travellers to the only a matter of time. Mahmoud Abbas yesterday United States become increas- In response to a question jointly inaugurated the newly ingly worried. during his interview to CBS constructed Palestine Embassy Taniya, 23, came to Dubai to News, White House chief of Complex in Islamabad’s Diplo- visit her father and celebrate staff Reince Priebus said, “You matic Enclave, reported Radio her birthday next week with can point to other countries Pakistan. him. that have similar problems like The two leaders hoisted the Given the uncertainty sur- Pakistan and others — perhaps Palestinian fl ag at the new rounding US President Donald we need to take it further”. But building amid a ceremony. The Trump’s executive order, she was also quick to add that, government gifted land in 1992 decided to head back to the US “for now, immediate steps, for the purpose and in 2013 also yesterday instead. pulling the Band-Aid off , is to contributed towards its con- Taniya holds a Green Card do further vetting for people struction. to reside in the US but feared travelling in and out of those Earlier in the day, they also a backlash in case Trump de- countries.” addressed a joint press confer- cides to include Pakistan in his Local lawyers, who deal ence in Islamabad. ‘Muslim ban’. A 19-year-old with immigration cases, have President Abbas thanked Pa- Pakistani student studying in diff erent opinions on the is- kistan for its support on consti- Canada, Haya, said she had sue. tution of the embassy and told to cancel her plans to travel Those going from Pakistan the media he had briefed Prime to Washington DC for spring on a Green Card will not be Minister Nawaz Sharif about the break in fear of being detained aff ected, said senior lawyer latest situation between Pales- at the border. Abrar Hasan. tine and Israel. “I wanted to visit my aunt “The Green Card holders “I have also informed your and cousins in DC but I’m may have to go through strict- excellency about the dangers of scared of what might happen er checks at the airports, as per moving the American embassy if the American government the applicable security pro- to Jerusalem and its eff ect on includes Pakistan in the list of cedures, but they cannot be settlement activities,” he said. banned countries,” she said. “I denied entry,” he said.“And, if Abbas emphasised the long for a home-cooked meal they [Green Card holders] are need for a joint committee for but I’m being deprived of this denied entry, then they have a strengthening bilateral relations because of Trump.” legal right to approach the US and constituting a social infra- Both the travellers refused courts,” he added. structure for peace and prosper- to share their real names for Advocate Farooq Ahmed ity. fear of backlash from US visa believed that the ban can ap- He added that he had been offi cers during their future ply to Pakistani Green Card briefed on the latest situation travels. holders as well. regarding India-held Kashmir. Meanwhile, the US Consu- “The Green Card does not Abbas said the two sides also late in Karachi’s spokesperson give you the right to cast vote exchanged views on regional Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas and Pakistan’s Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif cut a ribbon at the opening of the Palestinian embassy in Sharlina Morgan refused to in the elections held in Ameri- issues and the challenge of ter- Islamabad yesterday. comment. ca,” said Ahmed. rorism. She said that she can only “That means you do not en- Speaking at the press con- implementation of the relevant pre-1969 borders and Al Quds Nawaz Sharif referred to the to Pakistan. He is accompanied direct to the White House joy the same rights as US citi- ference, Prime Minister Nawaz UN Security Council resolutions Al-Sharif as its capital is only newly constructed Palestinian by a 17-member delegation, in- website. zens do,” he argued. “There- Sharif said ensuring peace in the calling for withdrawal of Israeli guarantee for sustainable peace embassy building in Islamabad cluding fi ve ministers. Most travellers, many of fore, the Pakistani Green Middle East cannot be achieved forces from occupied territory. in the region. and said the project would be It is the third visit by Presi- whom possess a Green Card Card holders may not be able without just settlement of the He said establishment of a He said Pakistan is fi rm in its a symbol of our brotherly rela- dent Abbas to Pakistan. He has permanent residency docu- to challenge in the US courts Palestine-Israeli dispute. viable, independent and con- support for the just cause of Pal- tions. previously been to the country in ment for the US, fear they will if ban is extended to them as The prime minister called for tagious state of Palestine with estinian people. Abbas is on a three-day visit 2005 and 2013. be detained on arrival at the well.” Hafi z Saeed’s detention sparks protests in Pakistan

AFP group staged a joint rally with at home but carry out attacks Lahore the Hizbul Mujahideen militant abroad. group. “Yesterday’s actions were in “Kashmiris see Hafi z Saeed as fact a huge event,” he said. militant group held pro- their messiah and they will con- “There’s been increasing US tests in Pakistan’s major tinue his mission. The govern- pressure on the issue, which Acities yesterday after its ment of Pakistan should behave compelled Pakistan to take this leader, one of the alleged mas- and release him immediately,” action. terminds of the 2008 Mumbai said Abdul Aziz Alvi, a local JuD There has also been Indian attacks, was put under house leader. pressure. They have always said arrest following years of foreign JuD has also announced it will unless you take certain steps pressure. challenge in court the detention things can’t move forward. Firebrand cleric Hafi z Saeed, order, which places the group “So the move eff ectively kills who heads the Jamaat-ud-Dawa and a foundation tied to it on a two beasts with one arrow. Now (JuD) group and has a $10mn watch list and also places four India won’t have a chance to say, bounty on his head, was placed other men under arrest. ‘Pakistan isn’t serious’.” under “preventative detention”, Amir Rana, a security analyst, according to an order from the “Kashmiris see Hafi z said Islamabad had come to real- interior ministry. Saeed as their messiah ise it was facing increasing iso- Police took Saeed away from and they will continue his lation over its alleged dealings a mosque in Lahore late Mon- mission. The government with proxy fi ghters. day and escorted him to his of Pakistan should “There was some stress on Pa- residence, hours after Interior behave and release him kistan’s foreign policy especially Minister Chaudhry Nisar had immediately” around this group,” he said. hinted action against him was Rana added that though JuD imminent. Islamabad has not offi cially had ties to militancy, it was in JuD, listed as a terror outfi t by commented on the move’s tim- the process of converting itself the United Nations, is consid- ing. into a political movement and ered by the US and India to be a Following a brief period of the threat of a violent backlash front for Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), house arrest in 2008, Saaed led a was low. the militant group blamed for high-profi le public life and reg- The horror of the Mumbai car- the attack on India’s fi nancial ularly delivered fi ery anti-India nage played out on live television capital which killed more than speeches. around the world as commandos 160 people. JuD has operated freely across battled the heavily armed gun- Protests by the group’s fol- the country and is popular for its men, who arrived by sea on the lowers broke out in some major charity work, especially in the evening of November 26, 2008. cities yesterday afternoon. wake of natural disasters. It took the authorities three Some 300 JuD activists staged But a senior security source days to regain full control of the a demonstration in Islamabad, based in Islamabad said the city. burning the fl ags of India and decision was in response to India has long said there is the United States, while a similar US pressure as well as a glo- evidence that “offi cial agen- number protested in the central bal perception that Pakistan cies” in Pakistan were involved city of Multan. has refused to tackle Islam- in plotting the attack — a charge Supporters of the Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD) organisation shout slogans during a protest after JuD leader Hafiz Saeed was placed under house In Pakistani Kashmir, the ist groups which pose no risk Islamabad denies. arrest by authorities in Peshawar yesterday. Gulf Times 20 Wednesday, February 1, 2017 PHILIPPINES

US envoy Agency takes over drugs says no weapons build-up in war, likely role for military Philippines Police ordered to stand Human rights groups say the down on drugs operations; police have been involved in President furious at police, widespread extra-judicial kill- Reuters puts drugs agency in charge ings. Manila The PNP and Duterte strong- Reuters ly reject that. Manila Congressman Edcel Lagman he United States ambas- described the sidelining of po- sador to the Philippines lice as “a blessing” and said it Tyesterday rebuff ed ac- hilippine President Rodri- was time to get tough. cusations by President Rodrigo go Duterte suggested yes- “For the fi rst time in six Duterte that American troops Pterday he may seek mili- months there are no reports were building arms depots in fi ve tary support after withdrawing today of drug-related killings,” Philippine bases, in breach of a the national police from his war Lagman said.”There should be security deal. on drugs and handing the job to no more kids gloves for police Duterte on Sunday said the a much smaller anti-narcotics scalawags who deserve an iron United States had stockpiled agency. fi st.” weapons, including tanks, in More than 7,600 people, Police offi cials who spoke to three locations in the Philip- mostly users and small-time Reuters said there had been no pines, which could provoke Chi- dealers, have been killed since written directive on the suspen- na and put his country in harm’s Duterte took offi ce at the end of sion of their role in the drugs way. June, vowing to crack down on war, but they were following the Duterte then threatened to methamphetamine use. police chief’s comments on tel- scrap a defence treaty between About 2,550 of the deaths evision. the two allies that is crucial to US were in police operations while “That is good as an order,” strategic interests in Asia. the others were vigilante kill- said Senior Superintendent “We are not building a weap- ings or were unsolved murders. Roberto Fajardo at Manila’s ons depot anywhere in the Phil- The Philippine Drugs En- Northern Police District. ippines,” ambassador Sung Kim forcement Agency (PDEA) “We now go after other told a forum at the infl uential would run anti-drug opera- crimes...that’s better for us, we Makati Business Club, adding tions, according to presidential fi ght all crimes.” facilities due to be built were to spokesman Ernesto Abella. One senior policeman said store equipment for disaster re- Its 1,800 staff are equiva- raids and sting operations on sponse. lent to just over 1% of the drug sellers had stopped and He said the United States 160,000-strong Philippine Loved ones and mourners pay their last respects to the lifeless bodies of Maximo Pepito, 49, and his brother Marlon Pepito, 42, victims of a summary police operations had shifted could not build anything on Phil- National Police (PNP). After a execution by unknown assailants related to the drug war, during their funeral at the Navotas cemetery, north of Metro Manila, yesterday. towards reining in wayward ippine bases against the consent high-level security meeting on offi cers, especially those rein- of the Philippine government, Sunday, Duterte said the PNP Duterte has threatened several was discussed at the security Monday, although police could the lead in fi ghting narcotics, stated following internal inves- and its facilities are “not related was “corrupt to the core”. A sus- times to invoke military rule to talks, but it was not clear what not confi rm whether or not but the drugs problem was so tigations. to weapons”. Philippine military pension of its drugs operations help his war on drugs. that would be. there were casualties. big, he had no other choice. “The cleansing process will offi cials on Monday contradicted came a few hours later. Last week, he appeared to rule Duterte said police had been Offi cial data yesterday “The president had to act, he take a front seat by strength- Duterte and said his concern had Duterte is furious with the out declaring martial law, but ordered to stand down from showed four additional deaths did act, to enforce his political ening our counter-intelligence been looked into, but there was PNP for the kidnap and kill- said he could do so if he wished. anti-drugs operations. in police operations, although it will,” Abella told a news brief- operations, checking lifestyles nothing to back it up. ing of South Korean business- Presidential spokesman “No policeman in this coun- was not immediately clear when ing. of police offi cers involved in Sung said he had several man Jee Ick-joo by police drugs Abella could not immediately try anywhere is allowed to en- those took place. “To avoid any of the appar- drug operations,” said the of- lengthy discussions with top se- squad offi cers. confi rm whether the military, force laws related to the drug The attack on the PNP is a ent corrupt activities within the fi cer, who requested anonymity curity offi cials including the de- Jee was killed within the PNP which has played a minor sup- campaign,” he said, adding surprise about-face by Duterte, organisation, he has now trans- because he was not authorised fence minister, and promised to headquarters grounds. porting role in the drugs war, about 6,000 of them were “into who had been unwavering in his ferred (control) to PDEA.” to speak to media. address some concerns. In a speech to soldiers yes- would be given more responsi- drugs”. Local radio stations, support for police on the front The anti-drugs campaign has “This is a huge job. I’m not He said the alliance remained terday, Duterte suggested he bility. which routinely cover drug kill- lines of his drugs war. caused international alarm due sure how long will it take to robust. might need their help, saying he Armed forces spokesman ings, said there were no reports His spokesman said the pres- to the high death toll and dis- do this because our Internal Duterte’s spokesman, Ernesto would be dead “if I don’t include Brigadier-General Restituto Pa- of any deaths in what appeared ident was fully aware of PNP puted circumstances of many of Affairs Service lacks man- Abella declined to say what the you in the game”. The mercurial dilla said military involvement to be a rare bloodless night on corruption when he gave police the killings. power.” president’s source of informa- tion was when he said American armouries were being built. “I cannot tell you that but he seems to be privy to some sort of information,” Abella told a news briefi ng. Duterte wants China sea “He may have come up on other confi rmation that may have aff ected those comments.” Duterte’s remarks came after the Pentagon approved upgrades patrols to stop kidnappings and construction of barracks, runways and storage facilities this year under a 2014 Enhanced AFP if they can patrol the interna- include the Philippines’ south- began kidnapping sailors in wa- Defence Co-operation Agree- Manila tional waters without necessar- ern island of Mindanao. ters between Malaysia, Indone- ment (Edca) that the outspoken ily intruding into the territorial Duterte pointedly made his sia and the Philippines last year, president has scorn for. waters of countries,” Duterte appeal for help to China rather taking several dozen hostages The defence agreement cov- resident Rodrigo Duterte said in a speech to newly pro- than the United States, which and attacking cargo ships. ers rotational deployment of US said yesterday he has asked moted Filipino generals. has traditionally been the coun- Indonesia has warned the ships, aircraft and troops at fi ve PChina to send sea patrols “Grey ships are not really try’s main defence ally. region could become the “next bases, and storage of equipment to help stop militants abducting needed,” he said, an apparent Since his election last year, Somalia” and the three later for humanitarian and maritime sailors and attacking vessels off reference to warships. Duterte has responded to US pledged co-ordinated patrols. security missions. the southern Philippines. “I said even coast guard cut- criticism of his deadly war on The International Maritime Duterte has said he hates hav- Duterte said he would like ters would do, just to patrol, like crime by pivoting away from Bureau said this month the ing American troops on Philip- Beijing to dispatch a fl eet like it what they did in Somalia.” America and moving closer to number of maritime kidnap- pine soil. did in 2009 when it sent a naval Manila has said militant China, despite ongoing territo- pings hit a 10-year high in 2016, He has made eff orts to im- President Rodrigo Duterte gestures while speaking during the convoy to the Gulf of Aden to groups are trying to establish an rial disputes between the two. with waters off the southern prove ties with China, despite a oath-taking ceremony for newly-appointed generals of the Armed protect Chinese ships from So- Islamic State-backed caliphate Abu Sayyaf, one of the groups Philippines becoming increas- long-running dispute over rival Forces of the Philippines at the presidential palace in Manila yesterday. mali pirates. “I also asked China in Southeast Asia that would seeking to set up a caliphate, ingly dangerous. claims in the South China Sea. Survey shows drop in crime victims Labour department probes death of OFW but more people fear for safety By William Depasupil extended to Santiago’s family. Manila Times He said Santiago’s family will receive a P200,000 death insur- By Catherine S Valente robbery, burglary or car theft. from physical violence at 0.7%. lower than September’s 56%. 54%, though the annual average ance and a burial assistance of Manila Times The latest score surpassed the That took the 2016 annual read- The annual reading, however, jumped 6.2 points from 44.3% he Labour department is P20,000. Santiago’s dependents previous quarterly record of ing on victimisation by physical was 56.3%, a new record-high to 50.5%. investigating the death of will be provided educational and 5.5% victimisation by property violence to 0.8%, which barely that was eight points higher The survey, which was fi rst Ta Filipino household serv- livelihood assistance. here were fewer crime crimes in March and June 2015, moved from the record-low than 2015’s 48.3%. published in BusinessWorld yes- ice worker in Kuwait believed to victims in the past six and is 1.9 points lower than 0.7% in 2015. Meanwhile, the number of terday, had an error margin of have been mauled to death by her “I am truly disheartened Tmonths but fear of be- September 2016’s 6.4%. However, the 2016 annual those who feared that robbers +/-3% for national percentages, employer. that such tragedies happen. ing victimised have increased, The new property crime crime victimisation, which also may break into their homes in- +/-4% for “Balance Luzon,” and Labour Secretary Silvestre I assure the family of the latest survey of the So- reading, when added to ratings covered the last six months of creased by just one percent to +/-6% each for Metro Manila, Bello identifi ed the victim as Santiago that we will cial Weather Stations (SWS) in the three previous quarters, the previous administration, 63% from September’s 62%, the Visayas and Mindanao. Amy Capuling Santiago. provide all the necessary showed. yielded an annual average of was tallied at 8.2% — 1.4 points although this yielded an annual Presidential Communica- Bello ordered the labour at- assistance they need” The fourth quarter survey, 5.5% for 2016, another record higher than 2015’s 6.8%. average of 60.3%, six points tions Secretary Martin Andanar taché in Kuwait, Angelita Nar- conducted from December 3 to low. It is 0.7 point lower than The same survey also found higher than the 2015 annual av- welcomed the survey results, vaez, to closely monitor the case According to reports from 6 last year, showed that 4.5% the 6.2% recorded in 2015. 52% of respondents saying “there erage of 54.3%. which he said indicated that the of Santiago who was rushed to the Assistance to Nationals Unit of the 1,500 respondents which The December survey also are already very many people ad- Similarly, those who felt that Duterte administration is “win- the Farwaniya Hospital on Janu- (ATNU) of the Philippine Embas- is equivalent to 2.8mn fami- showed an increase of people dicted to banned drugs” in their streets were not safe at night ning the fi ght against crimes ary 25. “I am truly disheartened sy in Kuwait, records of the Ab- lies said they were victims of whose family members suff ered neighbourhoods, four points also increased from 53% to and drugs.” that such tragedies happen. I as- dullah Al Mubarak Police Directo- sure the family of Santiago that rate General of Criminal Evidence we will provide all the necessary showed old and fresh bruises on assistance they need,” the La- various parts of Santiago’s body, bour chief said. mostly on her back. The remains He said the Philippine Embas- of the victim were referred to the Court dismisses charges and frees jailed Iligan mayor sy and the Philippine Overseas Forensic Department on Jan 26 Labour Offi ce (POLO) in Kuwait for further investigation to ascer- will provide legal assistance to tain the cause of her death. By Moh Saaduddin him in connection with the December cused of masterminding the ambush the death of three of Belmonte’s escorts the family of Santiago in Con- Meanwhile, police authori- Iligan City/Manila Times 11, 2014 ambush of the convoy of former of Belmonte’s convoy while en route to and wounding of three others, including cepcion, Tarlac to obtain justice ties arrested Santiago’s male lawmaker Vicente Belmonte Jr. Iligan city from Laguindingan Airport in the lawmaker. Regencia was imprisoned for her death. employer while his wife surren- Mayor Celso Regencia fi nally walked Misamis Oriental. at the height of fi ling of candidacy for the Bello also directed the Over- dered at the Abdullah Al Mu- he jailed mayor of this city was re- out of prison on Monday after more than Charges of multiple murder with frus- 2016 May election after he surrendered seas Workers Welfare Adminis- barak Police station. The two are leased upon the dismissal of mul- a year in detention at the Iligan City Jail trated and attempted murder were fi led to Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 4 in tration (OWWA) to ensure that now detained and are being in- Ttiple murder cases fi led against in Barangay Tipanoy. Regencia was ac- against Regencia and other suspects for Iligan City in October 12, 2015. the necessary assistance will be vestigated by the Kuwaiti police. Gulf Times Wednesday, February 1, 2017 21 SRI LANKA/BANGLADESH/NEPAL

Astrologer held for PM, Madhesis standoff predicting president’s continues in Nepal death IANS posed to take forward the is- DPA Kathmandu sues of constitutional amend- Colombo ment and elections to the local bodies, simultaneously. epalese Prime Minis- But the unrelenting Mad- n astrologer who predicted ter Pushpa Kamal Da- hesi Front leaders said that no the death of Sri Lankan Nhal held another round election would be allowed un- APresident Maithripala of inconclusive talks with the less the issue of constitutional Sirisena was arrested by the police Nepali Congress and the Mad- amendment was fi xed. It was yesterday on allegations of mis- hesi Morcha on Monday as the then that the parties agreed to leading the public, offi cials said. Morcha said a fi rm no to local hold another meeting aimed at The astrologer, Wijemuni Vi- body polls before broad-based seeking consensus on the two jitha Rohana de Silva, 52, was constitutional amendments. contentious issues. arrested by the Criminal Inves- The Morcha alleges that the Communist Party of Ne- tigations Department (CID) for prime minister has repeat- pal (Maoist-Centre) leader questioning after he claimed that edly failed to keep his promises Narayan Kaji Shrestha said: “An Sirisena will die due to an acci- made to them while assuming agreement has been reached to dent or an acute diabetic condi- offi ce in August last year. fi nalise the issue of constitu- tion before January 26, 2017. “It has been almost six tional amendment and elec- De Silva, a former sailor, initially months that he has been in tions after consultations among made his prediction on his own Fa- power, but he has not been the parties by Wednesday.” cebook account, but later his claim able to amend the constitu- The main opposition, the was published in local newspapers. tion to address the demands of Communist Party of Ne- “In the subsequent elections various groups and communi- pal (Unifi ed Marxist-Len- it will be very favourable to the ties, including those based on inist), which is against any former defence secretary,” the federal demarcation, language amendment to the constitu- astrologer had said after making and citizenship, among others, tion, has also been invited for the prediction. to make the constitution more consultations today. The former defence secre- broad-based,” a Morcha leader Shrestha said that while PM tary, Gotabhaya Rajapakse, is the charged. Dahal is pushing for the con- brother of former president Ma- Madhesis in Nepal, who stitutional amendment and the hinda Rajapakse, who left offi ce are mostly of Indian origin, poll process to go simultane- at the beginning of 2015. also held a six-month-long ously, the Madhesi Front wants Police said that the astrologer could agitation last year. the amendments fi nalised be- Nepal Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal, second left, attends a ceremony at the Martyrs Memorial on the Martyrs’ Day in Kathmandu be charged for making misleading The parties could not reach fore announcing the date for recently. The Martyrs’ Day is observed on January 29 throughout the country by commemorating all known and unknown individuals who statements to incite the public. an agreement in the nearly elections. sacrificed their lives for the country. The astrologer was previously two-hour consultations held The increasingly impatient sentenced to a six-year jail term at Dahal’s residence. Several Morcha has announced that constitution to meet their tation of a three-point agree- dress the Morcha’s demands task. The agitating Madhes- after he assaulted the late Indian rounds of talks have taken place they will hold fresh protests demands. ment it had signed on August 3 through an amendment to the based parties have been saying prime minister, Rajiv Gandhi, while since Dahal came to power, but in Nepal’s southern Terai “We have decided to hold pro- – the day Dahal took over as the constitution, he added. that they will not allow elec- he was inspecting a guard of hon- progress has always eluded such region next week to mount tests at all the district headquar- premier with the support of the The PM has also failed to tions if the constitution is not our in Colombo on July 30, 1987. deliberations. pressure on the govern- ters of Madhes-based districts on Morcha,” said a Morcha leader. announce local body polls, a amended to accommodate their Gandhi escaped serious In the meeting, Dahal pro- ment for amendment of the February 5 to demand implemen- Dahal had committed to ad- constitutionally-mandated expectations. injuries. Nepal Bangladeshi docs treat fi rst Indian Coast Guard receives to help Lanka navy funding case of ‘tree girl’ syndrome tackle pollution assistance AFP capital Dhaka for treatment. IANS an India visit from January 29 Dhaka “We are very poor. My New Delhi to February 2 also visited the daughter lost her mother when control centre of the coastal for road she was only six. I really hope surveillance network and was young Bangladeshi girl that the doctors will remove he Indian Coast Guard briefed about the capabilities with bark-like warts the barks from my beauti- has decided to help of the network. project Agrowing on her face ful daughter’s face,” her father Tthe Sri Lankan Navy in Naval cooperation between could be the fi rst female ever Mohammad Shahjahan said. tackling pollution as and when India and Sri Lanka has been affl icted by so-called “tree Another of Khatun’s doc- requested, said an offi cial traditionally strong, encom- IANS man syndrome”, doctors stud- tors said the young patient was statement. passing a wide span which Kathmandu ying the rare condition said displaying a milder form of This was decided at a meet- includes operational interac- yesterday. the disease, and it was hoped ing between Rajendra Singh, tions through bilateral ex- Ten-year-old Sahana Kha- she would make a quicker re- Director General, Indian Coast ercises, Training, port calls, ndia has handed over to tun has the tell-tale gnarled covery than those in the more Guards, and Vice Admiral R C hydrographic co-operation, Nepal a cheque for Nepali growths sprouting from her advanced stages. Wijegunaratne, Commander Special Forces interactions, IRs249mn ($2.29) to help chin, ear and nose, but doc- The hospital has been treat- of the Sri Lankan Navy, at the capability building and capac- four road projects in the tors at Dhaka’s Medical College ing one man with a serious case Coast Guard headquarters in ity augmentation initiatives. Himalayan country. Hospital are still conducting of the disease for the better part New Delhi. Goa Shipyard Limited is Indian ambassador Ranjit tests to establish if she has the of a year, conducting 16 surgi- Wijegunaratne also held bi- building two advanced off - Rae handed over the cheque unusual skin disorder. cal procedures to remove giant lateral discussions with Indian shore patrol vessels for the to Nepal’s Physical Infra- Less than half a dozen people warts from his hands and legs. Navy chief Admiral Sunil Lan- Sri Lankan Navy. structure and Transport worldwide have epidermodys- Huge growths weighing 5kg ba and other senior offi cials. Vice Admiral Wijegu- Minister Ramesh Lekhak in plasia verruciformis but none (11 pounds) each had consumed He was also scheduled to naratne’s visit follows closely Kathmandu at a function on so far have been women, said the hands of 27-year-old Abul meet Air Chief B S Dhanoh, on the visit of the Chief of Na- Monday. Samanta Lal Sen, the head of Bajandar, the fi rst recorded Army chief General Bipin Ra- val Staff , Admiral Sunil Lanba’s The amount has been re- the hospital’s burn and plastic Bangladeshi to be suff ering wat and will call on Minister visit to Sri Lanka wherein he also leased towards 25% of ten- surgery unit. from the disease. of State for Defence Subhash participated in the 7th Interna- dered cost (including 10% “We believe she is the fi rst His plight has captured na- Bhamre. tional Maritime Conference, mobilisation advance) of woman,” Sen said. tional attention and the interest Wijegunaratne who is on Galle Dialogue 2016. the four contracted road Her father, a poor labourer of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasi- stretches. from Bangladesh’s rural north, na, who promised the patient The roads are Birendra said he didn’t worry too much would receive treatment free of Palestinian president arrives today Bazaar-Mahinathpur, Jana- when the fi rst warts appeared charge. kpur-Yadukuwa, Manmat- on his daughter’s face about Doctors said last month Palestinian President off icial talks with Prime Minister Kalaiya-Matiarwa (0-15km four months ago. that for the fi rst time in a dec- Mahmoud Abbas will arrive in Sheikh Hasina on Thursday road), and Manmat-Kalai- But as the growths ade, Bajandar had been able to Dhaka today on a three-day before having one-to-one ya-Matiarwa (15-26.660km spread rapidly he grew con- touch his wife and daughter, off icial visit to boost relations meeting for 15 minutes. road). cerned and brought Kha- and was almost ready to leave Sahana Khatun, 10, poses for a photograph at the Dhaka Medical with Bangladesh. Both sides will discuss The projects are being tun from their village to the the ward. College Hospital. The visit is taking place at the bilateral, regional and implemented under Postal invitation of President Abdul international issues at the Highway Project in Nepal Hamid who will receive Abbas meetings. A memorandum with the Indian govern- on his arrival at the VVIP of understanding (MoU) on ment grant assistance of terminal of the airport amid a formation of a joint commission Nepali Rs8,000m, an offi cial 21-gun salute. at foreign minister level is likely statement said. The government will show the to be signed, foreign ministry Two roads – Dhangadhi- 20 names shortlisted for new highest level of respect to the off icials said. Bhajaniya-Satti road and Palestinian president. President Abbas will sign Lamki-Tikapur-Khakraula Palestinian Foreign Minister visitors’ book at the PMO, too. road – constructed with Indi- Reyad Al Malki, Chief Justice Opposition leader Raushan an government’s grant assist- of Palestine and Minister of Ershad will also meet President ance worth Nepali Rs1,020mn Bangladesh election panel Religious Aff airs Mahmoud Abbas. were inaugurated on January al-Habbas, Palestinian Authority President Abbas, who had 19, at Dhangadhi in western spokesman Nabil Abu Rudeineh made a stopover in Dhaka last Nepal, jointly by Indian am- By Mizan Rahman “There’re some common Earlier, Cabinet Secretary responding to the search com- and senior military and civil year, will meet his Bangladesh bassador Rae and Minister Dhaka names that came from political Alam and Additional Cabinet mittee’s call for sending names off icials will accompany Abbas counterpart Abdul Hamid Lekhak. parties. But we won’t disclose Secretary Abdul Wadud went to it for reconstituting the EC. during the visit. tomorrow at the President’s These roads are India’s those.” to the Supreme Court with the In their letters, Awami Foreign Minister Mahmood Secretariat. fl agship assistance projects, he search committee, The cabinet secretary said letters the political parties sub- League, BNP and 23 other Ali will meet Abbas today, He will attend banquet while Postal Road Project is formed by President Ab- the search panel made the mitted to them. parties proposed names to be according to his programme preceded by cultural key for the development of Tdul Hamid, has short- shortlist of 20 people based on The search panel is expected considered for appointing the schedule. programme hosted by Nepal’s Tarai region. listed 20 names for the new their honesty, neutrality and to submit names to the presi- new election commission- Abbas will visit Savar National President Hamid in honour of India has been assist- Election Commission (EC) in competence. dent by February 8 for forma- ers while Communist Party of Martyr’s Monument and pay the visiting dignitary. ing Nepal in upgradation of Bangladesh. All the six members of the tion of the new Election Com- Bangladesh (CPB) and Jatiya respect to the martyrs of the Bangladesh supports 1,450km of roads under the Cabinet Secretary Moham- committee, led by Supreme mission (EC). The president Samajtantrik Dal (JSD-Rob) Liberation War tomorrow. He Palestinian people in their Postal Highway Project. mad Shafi ul Alam came up Court judge Justice Syed Mah- will appoint fi ve persons to the refrained from suggesting any will plant a sapling and sign struggle for an independent Identifi ed as strategic with the announcement after a mud Hossain, attended a EC from the names submitted name. the visitors’ book there. Then homeland, especially the road network, the fi rst phase meeting of the search panel. meeting to examine the names by the search committee. Abdul Wadud said 27 po- he will visit Bangabandhu capital the holy city of aims to construct 19 roads He, however, said the names proposed by political parties A total of 27 political par- litical parties submitted letters Memorial Museum at Jerusalem – and it remains of 605 km length at a cost of proposed by the political par- yesterday at the Supreme Court ties, out of 31, have submitted to them within the stipulated Dhanmondi. always vocal at the UN, OIC, $166mn. ties will not be disclosed. Judges’ Lounge. letters to the cabinet division deadline. President Abbas will have NAM over Palestinian issues. Gulf Times 22 Wednessday, February 1, 2017 COMMENT

Chairman: Abdullah bin Khalifa al-Attiyah Deputy Managing Editor: K T Chacko Trump’s China strategy

P.O.Box 2888 Doha, Qatar likely to backfi re [email protected] Telephone 44350478 (news), 44466404 (sport), 44466636 (home delivery) If Trump follows through enough to support its own economy. lost their way. Each became so caught administration could quickly feel the Fax 44350474 with his threats, expect This two-way dependency – up in its role of serving the other full wrath of Chinese retaliation. If the economic equivalent of what that both eff ectively repressed their it follows through with its threats, China to reciprocate with psychologists call codependency – has economic sense of self. Therein lies expect China to reciprocate with sanctions on US companies deep roots. Back in the early 1980s, in the ultimate twist of codependency: sanctions on US companies operating the wake of the Cultural Revolution, one partner invariably looks inward there, and ultimately with tariff s which left its economy in shambles, and turns on the other, in order to on US imports – hardly trivial By Stephen S. Roach China was desperate for a new source recapture that missing piece of its considerations for a growth-starved GULF TIMES of economic growth. Coming out of a identity. US economy. Also expect China New Haven destructive bout of stagfl ation in the That’s where Trump enters the to be far less interested in buying late 1970s and early 1980s, the US also equation, by targeting China as the Treasury debt – a potentially serious S President Donald Trump’s needed a new economic recipe. The villain that purportedly prevents problem, given the expanded federal administration is making hard-pressed American consumer America from being great. Trump budget defi cits that are likely under a major miscalculation by solved both problems, by becoming a has assembled a team of like-minded Trumponomics. Trump’s policies Ugoing after China. It appears powerful source of external support senior trade advisers to plan the But the greatest tragedy for the to be contemplating a wide range of for Chinese growth and by benefi ting attack. From Peter Navarro as Director US may well be the toll all of this economic and political sanctions – from the lower prices of products of the National Trade Council, to takes on the American consumer. from imposing punitive tariff s and made in China. Wilbur Ross as Commerce Secretary, “America fi rst” – whether it comes on track to hurt designating China as a “currency The two countries thus entered into Robert Lighthizer as US Trade at the expense of China or via the manipulator” to embracing Taiwan an awkward marriage of convenience Representative, and Rex Tillerson so-called border-tax equalisation and casting aside some 40 years of that served each other’s needs. as Secretary of State, the new that appears to be a central feature of diplomacy framed around the so- China built an increasingly powerful administration’s anti-China biases are proposed corporate tax reforms – will called One-China policy. economy as the Ultimate Producer without modern precedent. unwind many of the effi ciencies of US businesses This strategy will backfi re. It is while the US embraced the ethos of Yet their battle plan overlooks global supply chains that hold down based on the mistaken belief that a Ultimate Consumer. a critical risk: codependency is a consumer-goods prices in the US newly muscular United States has As mirror images of each other, highly reactive relationship. When (think Wal-Mart). US President Donald Trump is not well known for all the leverage in dealing with its interactions between the two one partner changes the terms of With their incomes and jobs under policy consistency. But on two of his key election presumed adversary, and that any economies became increasingly engagement, the other, feeling long and sustained pressure, American campaign planks, he has shown the world “what you Chinese response is hardly worth comfortable and ultimately addictive scorned, usually responds in kind. consumers count on low prices for considering. Nothing could be further – so much so that these codependent In the aftermath of the provocative their economic survival. If Trump’s see will be what you get.” from the truth. partners were keen to enable each December 2 phone call between China policy causes those prices Trump’s executive order forbidding the entry to the Yes, the US is one of China’s largest other’s economic identities. The US Trump and Taiwan President Tsai Ing- to rise, the middle class will be the US by citizens of seven Muslim-majority countries export markets – and thus a central opened the door to China’s accession wen, stunned Chinese offi cials said biggest loser of all. pillar of its spectacular 35-year to the World Trade Organisation little at fi rst. But as Trump’s China- Sino-American codependency and the protectionist idea of paying for a border wall development trajectory. Closing off in 2001 – a milestone in China’s bashing strategy started to crystallise poses a formidable challenge to with a 20% tax on Mexican imports, for sure, are going the US market would certainly crimp ascendancy as the Ultimate Producer. around the advisers he appointed and Trump’s strategy of China bashing. to hurt US companies. Chinese economic growth. And China’s voracious appetite for the issues he raised, China’s offi cial It frames the ominous prospect Google chief executive has slammed Trump’s move But the US has also become Treasuries in the early 2000s helped media fi nally warned that “big sticks” of a rupture in the world’s most heavily dependent on China, which keep US interest rates low, sustaining would be used in defence, if need be. important economic relationship, on the travel ban; Microsoft said it was in touch with is now America’s third largest and the froth in asset markets that allowed This is very much in keeping with potentially devastating spillovers 76 staff ers from the seven countries identifi ed in the fastest-growing export market. the Ultimate Consumer to live well with what could be expected from on the rest of the world. – Project executive order; Facebook CEO has voiced concern And, as the owner of over $1.25tn in beyond its means – until the music the reactive phase of a destabilised Syndicate over the policy; Airbnb CEO has said “closing doors Treasuries and other dollar-based stopped in 2008. codependency. The scorned partner, assets, China has played a vital role As in the case of humans, economic China, is threatening to hit back. And zStephen S. Roach, a faculty member further divides” people; Twitter’s chief said the in funding America’s chronic budget codependency is ultimately a very now America will have to face the at Yale University and former order’s “humanitarian and economic impact is real deficits – in effect, lending much destructive relationship. Blinded consequences. Chairman of Morgan Stanley Asia, and upsetting”; and Uber CEO said he would outline of its surplus saving to a US that by the gratifi cation phase of Smugly confi dent that the US is the author of Unbalanced: The his misgivings with the order at the fi rst meeting of has been woefully derelict in saving codependency, both the US and China has nothing to fear, the Trump Codependency of America and China. the Trump administration’s business advisory this week in Washington. Hostilities between Trump and his counterpart, Enrique Pena Nieto of Mexico, could derail $584bn in trade between the border nations. American-made materials and parts make up 40% of the products Mexico exports to the US and Mexico is America’s second-largest export market and third-largest supplier of imported goods. As the pain of a trade war would spread to many facets of American life, US companies that The US economy would suff er range from entered 2017 automakers like General Motors to retailers such with a solid head as Wal-Mart Stores. of steam “Because the economies are so far integrated, the industries that would be impacted are extremely broad,” said Caitlin Webber, a trade analyst for Bloomberg Intelligence. “It’s hard to think of a US sector that wouldn’t be touched if there was a full- scale trade war with Mexico. It would really wreak havoc on the economy.” Will America get safer and greater with Trump’s policies? A group of Nobel Prize-winning economists has given Trump and his policy plans the thumbs- down. “There is a broad consensus that the kind of policies that our president-elect has proposed are Harnessing the hope of social science among the policies that will not work,” said Joseph Stiglitz recently. Of course, our expectations will Much of the work that followed was gathered data, conducted interviews The US economy entered 2017 with a solid head of By Helga Nowotny Vienna always be in tension with reality. A guided by the belief that technological often under diffi cult conditions, and steam, driven by consumer spending and a pickup in decade ago, hardly anyone would have progress is inseparable from social analysed terrorist networks for many business investment. But Trump’s stoking of trade predicted that the European project progress. Today, the International years. And there are numerous studies n his opening address at the 2016 would be tested by a massive infl ux of Panel on Social Progress – a major that shed light on nationalism and tensions could put that momentum at risk. Nobel Prize Award Ceremony, refugees and asylum-seekers. Before international eff ort based on the populism, too. Trump, who broke just about every rule of Nobel Foundation Chairman Donald Trump was elected President work of some 300 social scientists – These problems persist, despite conventional US presidential campaigning, is short ICarl-Henrik Heldin drew of the United States, it was hard to shares this belief, and recognises the our insight into them, because of on a long-term political vision to help shape the parallels between our current milieu imagine that a mendacious conspiracy importance of good governance in all the complex relationship between and the late nineteenth-century theorist who fl outs all rules of political policy fi elds. Good governance is the scientifi c knowledge and human destiny of the nation. But his unilateral way of doing world in which Alfred Nobel lived and decorum could win enough support. lynchpin that holds societies together action. Cognitive biases limit our business with rest of the world, by some measures, worked. And prior to the Brexit referendum, in an era of uneven globalisation, ability to foresee future outcomes, may not go unchecked. The US legal system, it seems, Nobel’s era was one of rapid few expected that a majority of British accelerating technological innovation, leading to unintended consequences won’t stand for, the executive overreach, with several industrialisation and economic voters would swallow the lie that they growing inequalities, and social when we turn ideas into action. expansion. Progressive political ideas could retain the benefi ts of European injustice. We are not good at understanding federal district courts blocking the implementation of about peaceful international co- Union membership without any of the So, could we have foreseen the the complexity inherent in large, his executive order banning immigration from seven operation fl ourished, but nationalism, responsibilities. political events of the past year? As interlinking systems, from which majority-Muslim countries. xenophobia, geopolitical tensions, Our imagination is constrained by it happens, an impressive body of major, unexpected events can emerge. In a highly globalised world, free trade is good for and terrorism were also on the rise. past experience, and this contributes social-science research shows that Knowledge alone can never replace Anarchists assassinated a Russian to a lack of foresight. But while the mounting public disaff ection action. Graphs, fi gures, simulation everyone, creating wealth for every country. But the Czar, an Austrian Empress, and our capacity to predict the future that policymakers ignored or simply models, and even seemingly populist backlash that has helped propel Trump to American and French presidents, is limited, social-science research missed had been in the making for incontestable facts make no diff erence victory in the presidential race has only brought about and the outbreak of World War I into the problems we confront some time. until action and context are taken into protectionist walls to further divide the world. dealt a near-fatal blow to European today may be able to loosen those Politicians, the media, and the account. And this raises additional civilisation. constraints. The social sciences are public may have neglected the questions: How do we apply the The similarities to today’s world often considered pessimistic; in fact, white working class; but social knowledge that we have, and what are obvious. Scientists continue to they are based on hope: a deep-seated scientists did not. One does not comes next when we do? surprise us with amazing discoveries, belief that social improvement is have to quote Thomas Piketty to If we want to avert Heldin’s “grim To Advertise and billions of people around the possible. know that rising inequalities now truth,” we will have to build bridges world have been lifted out of poverty. The intellectual roots of today’s social threaten to tear apart the social between knowledge and possible [email protected] But dark clouds have formed on the sciences – newcomers compared to fabric of the advanced economies. courses of action. In an era no less Display horizon. Terrorists have struck Europe the humanities and natural sciences Such inequalities have been analysed tumultuous than Nobel’s, social Telephone 44466621 Fax 44418811 with a vengeance, and millions of – are to be found in Nobel’s milieu. since the 1980s. And the working science furnishes us with the hope refugees fl eeing wars and hunger are The political, economic, and social and living conditions for the most that our situation could be diff erent, Classified taxing European institutions, and turmoil that emerged in response to vulnerable populations in Europe because it generates the knowledge to Telephone 44466609 Fax 44418811 straining social cohesion. Populist rapid industrialisation and urbanisation and the US have been studied by make it so. – Project Syndicate movements have emerged, calling for caused many to wonder whether social scientists for years. Subscription closed borders and new walls, and order was even possible. The social Meanwhile, much of what we know zHelga Nowotny, a former president [email protected] their rejection of expertise has led sciences developed in the shadow of about terrorism – the conditions of the European Research Council Heldin to a “grim truth”: that “we the nation-state, which had to develop that fuel it, who is susceptible and Professor Emerita of Science, can no longer take it for granted that a functioning administration, modern to radicalisation, how terrorist Technology, Society at ETH Zurich, 2017 Gulf Times. All rights reserved people believe in science, facts, and institutions, and policies to support networks function – comes from is the author of The Cunning of knowledge.” order. social scientists who have patiently Uncertainty. Gulf Times Wednesday, February 1, 2017 23 COMMENT London must remain open to the world The capital should have and in relation to London. The introduction this spring of “metro its own migration system mayors” to Greater Manchester, the to help it to help Britain West Midlands and the Liverpool city region should help them. It won’t survive leaving the EU help them, though, if London starts casting covetous eyes on their most By Dave Hill talented and energetic people to London counter a shortfall in foreign migrants caused by Brexit and, by the way, the government’s continuing pursuit of its here are always exceptions. elusive target of lowering the number Since the nation voted to of all foreign migrants to the tens of leave the European Union, thousands per year. Tthe mayor of its capital There is, then, a strong case in the city, Sadiq Khan, has declared that national interest for London to have its “London Is Open”, but he wouldn’t own post-Brexit EU migrant policy to mind it being closed to Donald Trump. allow the easiest possible recruitment Hundreds of thousands of Londoners of workers from those fellow European sympathise, judging by the map of countries with which we will be signatories of the petition to stop the no longer have a free movement US president paying a state visit and agreement. making life diffi cult for the Queen. Arguments for the creation of a This isn’t typical behaviour. London work visa or permit system In general, the capital welcomes that did not much need to exist until foreigners, including those who, last June have since burst into the unlike Trump, plan to stick around and limelight. They have been taken up do something useful. Around 2mn of by Mayor Khan, the City of London, the city’s work force of 5mn were born the London Chamber of Commerce overseas, of which at least half come and Industry and an all-party from elsewhere in the EU. London- parliamentary group examining haters fi nd this frightening, a foretaste immigrant integration nationally, of foreignness eating the green and which argues for a full regionalisation pleasant land. They hope that Brexit of immigration policy, allowing will stem the alien tide, buttressing a diff erent parts of the country to set its fading Britannia of yore. They may not own, fl exible rules and requirements. have yet grasped how damaging for They’ve been explored by the London them a cut in incomers from overseas Assembly. could be. Such “asymmetric” arrangements Reducing foreign migration to the already exist elsewhere, notably UK, the prime objective of Theresa in Canada. They aren’t without May’s Brexit strategy, will have one their complications and are already of two impacts on London over time. Sadiq Khan unveils London is Open poster by artist David Shrigley (right) at Southwark Underground station. PICTURE: Stefan Rousseau/PA meeting resistance from the usual It will either shrink the city’s vast suspects. The government, more economy or strengthen its pull on About 30% of UK taxes are generated city desperate to increase housing too or London will compensate by mobile and motivated too, but London worried about hardline Tory labour from elsewhere in the country. from the capital, helping to fund supply, over a third of construction seeking to recruit more workers from is King Hoover. Should it choose to, it eurosceptics, its Ukip flank and Neither would be ideal for those parts health services and public transport workers are foreign. In other sectors elsewhere, including other parts of the will attach its best internal migration the Brexit press than the official of the UK that voted most strongly to and local authority functions all over the percentage tops 50%, sometimes UK. Already, the capital is accused of nozzle and turn up the power. Is that opposition, is unlikely to rush to leave. England, Northern Ireland, Scotland rising to close to 80%. sucking the life out of the rest of the what small town Brexiters want? embrace it. But Leave Nation is going It’s not a great state of aff airs, but and Wales. London depends on foreign If Brexit shrinks the supply of such country, as the young, adventurous It’s to be hoped that those other to need Remain City. The UK’s future the sobering fact remains that London workers to keep growing and therefore labour into London, either the subsidy and ambitious seek their fortunes in cities and their surrounding areas may now lie outside Europe but it is subsidises the rest of the country. keep boosting that tax export. In a stream out of London to will shrink the capital. Other cities vacuum up the will grow stronger in themselves still very much in London’s hands. Weather report Playing with economic matches Three-day forecast TODAY High: 25 C By Ashoka Mody global economy is already fragile, choking off a critical source of global changed its economic outlook, will China is confronting a massively prosperity. take longer to raise interest rates than Low : 17 C Princeton Expected strong wind and high infl ated bubble in its fi nancial sector, Trump’s bullying tactics against was previously expected, because sea by night and Europe is asleep at the wheel of individual fi rms could prove to be economic growth will be weaker than t this time last year, the a slow-motion train wreck in Italy’s even more dangerous. According to anticipated. Trump’s protectionist International Monetary banking sector. The Wall Street Journal, Trump has measures will weaken world trade, THURSDAY Fund reported disappointing To be sure, international trade become the main “preoccupation” increase domestic infl ation, and High: 19 C Aglobal GDP growth of 3.1% agreements, propped up by powerful of American manufacturers. “Board strengthen the dollar, causing Low: 11 C in 2015, and promised that growth interests, have become increasingly members are trying to fi gure America’s export industries to suff er. Cloudy would increase in 2016 and 2017. But intrusive. As Vermont Senator and out who has friends in [the] new Ultimately, and on an even larger scale, that expectation was unrealistic, as Democratic primary contender administration,” the paper reports, “and Trump’s arbitrary policy decisions will I explained at the time. And, sure Bernie Sanders pointed out when he task forces have been created to monitor erode the international institutions FRIDAY enough, in 2016, it is estimated that opposed the 12-country Trans-Pacifi c his Twitter account.” The prospect of and rules that underpin the US and High: 14 C global GDP again grew by only 3.1%, Partnership (TPP), such deals tend companies “suddenly grappling with global economies, causing massive Low: 12 C while world trade growth slowed mainly to protect large multinational a new, unpredictable force in their long-term damage. Cloudy substantially, from 2.7% to an anaemic corporations’ interests. The Harvard operations,” should force anyone who is These risks come at a time when 1.9%. These fi gures describe a economist Dani Rodrik shares that anticipating a new dawn of deregulation Chinese and European growth models troubled world economy. view, and has been sharply critical to think twice. Such active intervention are cracking. China has allowed its Fishermen’s forecast in fi rms’ operations is the mother of all credit-fuelled property bubble to And yet the IMF is again forecasting of some of his fellow economists for OFFSHORE DOHA that global GDP growth will endorsing the “propaganda” that regulations. continue, leaving it increasingly Wind: SE 05-15 KT signifi cantly improve over the next describes such deals as “free-trade In a brilliant essay, Harvard law vulnerable to capital fl ight. In Europe, Waves: 02-04 Feet two years, and that world trade growth agreements.” These deals benefi t professor Cass Sunstein argues that Greece’s economic and social tragedy, INSHORE DOHA Wind: SE-SW 05-15 KT will double. The IMF attributes only a select few, while damaging Trump’s unpredictable intrusion into though no longer garnering global Waves: 1-2/3 Feet much of the expected improvement economically vulnerable people’s companies’ aff airs will undermine the attention, continues to deepen. in the global economy, especially in livelihoods. market economy itself. By arbitrarily But the real global fault line is the Around the region 2017, to stronger GDP growth in the Trump’s opponent in the selecting particular businesses to carry Italian economy, which has not grown Weather Weather United States. This optimism about presidential election, Hillary Clinton, out his “commands,” Trump will destroy for nearly a generation. Italy’s fi scally today Max/min tomorrow Max/min the US economy is based on positive had also come out against the TPP, the core market principles of transparency stressed government is struggling to Abu Dhabi Sunny 26/19 Cloudy 23/15 business- and consumer-confi dence so his recent decision to abandon and fairness. “In a world of presidential prop up insolvent banks as it confronts Baghdad P Cloudy 07/-1 Sunny 08/-1 Dubai indicators and rising stock prices, in the deal was politically inevitable. deals,” Sunstein writes, “companies are a populist political insurgency. At Sunny 27/19 Cloudy 25/17 Kuwait City M Sunny 19/06 Sunny 13/03 anticipation of fi scal stimulus and But even desirable changes come going to have horrible incentives – to this point, one carelessly lit match – Manama P Cloudy 22/16 Cloudy 17/08 deregulation. with transition costs, and those costs curry presidential favour in countless whether in Rome, elsewhere in Europe, Muscat Sunny 27/21 Sunny 29/20 But this enthusiasm overlooks will grow as the new administration ways, to act strategically, and to make or in Washington, DC – could start a Riyadh M Sunny 21/08 Sunny 14/02 a deeper disruption that is now dangerously undermines core market- promises and threats of their own.” global wildfi re. – Project Syndicate Tehran P Cloudy 08/-1 S Showers 03/-4 underway. US President Donald economy principles. Still, the mirage of economic Trump’s administration will hinder Trump is playing with fi re when confi dence could continue, because, zAshoka Mody, a former mission economic growth when it starts to he threatens to impose import tariff s as Nobel laureate economist Robert chief for Germany and Ireland at reverse trade agreements, and growth in order to “make American great Shiller recently observed, one illusion the International Monetary Fund, will take an even bigger hit when the again.” Tariff s would immediately hurt can perpetuate another. But the spell is currently Visiting Professor of US begins to destroy the norms and American consumers, and defensive, will eventually be broken. International Economic Policy at the institutions that govern markets. retaliatory responses from other Already, fi nancial markets are Woodrow Wilson School of Public Worse, Trump will be changing the countries could fatally undermine starting to refl ect a belief that the and International Aff airs, Princeton rules of the game at a time when the already feeble world trade, thus US Federal Reserve, which has barely University. Live issues Dino rib yields evidence of oldest soft tissue remains

AFP supplied blood to the bone cells in the Paris living dinosaur.” Around the world Most previous studies had extracted Weather Weather organic remains by dissolving away today Max/min tomorrow Max/min he rib of a long-necked, other parts of the fossil, the team said. Athens Sunny 12/04 M Sunny 15/07 plant-eating dinosaur that With the synchrotron method, Beirut P Cloudy 09/06 Sunny 13/07 M Sunny 33/25 lived 195mn years ago has this is not necessary, and even older Bangkok 34/23 M Cloudy Berlin M Cloudy 01/-4 P Cloudy 03/0 yielded what may be the remains may be uncovered without Cairo P Cloudy 19/08 Sunny 18/07 T Sunny 24/17 oldest remains of soft tissue ever damaging dinosaur bones in future. Cape Town 27/18 Cloudy recovered, scientists said yesterday. Does it bring us any closer to Colombo Sunny 32/22 Sunny 32/21 The fi nd promises a chance to This file photo taken on October 26, 2008 shows visitors looking at the Lufengosaurus recovering DNA from which dinosaurs Dhaka Sunny 28/16 Sunny 28/16 Hong Kong P Cloudy 23/17 P Cloudy 21/17 extract rare clues about the biology dinosaur fossil displayed at the Science museum in Hong Kong. The rib of a long-necked, may one day be cloned? Istanbul Sunny 07/-1 Sunny 09/02 and evolution of long-extinct animals, plant-eating dinosaur that lived 195mn years ago has yielded what may be the oldest “No, that is still fantasy,” said Reisz. Jakarta T Storms 28/23 T Storms 28/24 a team wrote in the journal Nature remains of soft tissue ever recovered, scientists said on yesterday. The previous oldest fi nd of suspected Karachi Sunny 28/14 Sunny 29/16 Communications. red blood cells and collagen fi bres was London Showers 12/08 Showers 12/07 Manila T Storms Showers 30/23 Such information is mostly missing “These proteins are the building The researchers used a photon beam reported in 2013, in dinosaurs that lived 32/24 Moscow Cloudy -1/-7 P Cloudy -6/-14 from preserved hard skeletons, which blocks of animal soft tissues, and it’s at the National Synchrotron Radiation about 75mn years ago. New Delhi Sunny 22/08 Sunny 22/08 form the bulk of the fossil record. exciting to understand how they have Research Centre in Taiwan to examine Proteins and other organic remains New York P Cloudy 08/01 M Sunny 04/-4 “We have shown the presence of been preserved,” he added. the insides of the bone, specifi cally its usually decay soon after an animal dies. Paris Showers 11/07 Showers 14/08 protein preserved in a 195 million-year- Reisz and a team scanned a rib bone chemical contents. During fossilisation, the space they Sao Paulo T Storms 26/19 T Storms 27/19 Seoul P Cloudy -2/-11 Sunny 02/-5 old dinosaur, at least 120mn years older of Lufengosaurus, a common dinosaur They found evidence of collagen occupied within bone is fi lled by mineral Singapore M Cloudy 32/24 S T Storms 31/24 than any other similar discovery,” study in the Early Jurassic period. Fully proteins within tiny canals in the rib deposits carried by groundwater. Sydney Showers 26/22 Cloudy 24/21 co-author Robert Reisz of the University grown, these lizards measured about and concluded they were “probably Finding fossilised soft tissue is very Tokyo Clear 12/02 Clear 09/01 of Toronto Mississauga, said. eight metres. remnants of the blood vessels that rare indeed. Gulf Times 24 Wednesday, February 1, 2017 QATAR Georgetown alumni educate Pak children using cartoons wo Georgetown Universi- ty in Qatar (GU-Q) alumni Tare making a diff erence by educating hundreds of children in Pakistan. Their startup, Orenda, uses cartoons and digital streaming technology to bring school cur- riculums to four- and fi ve-year- old children living in some of the country’s most at-risk areas. The initiative comes in the face of classroom demolitions, natural disasters and low school retention rates, according to a press statement. Using relatable cartoon char- acters living in an imaginary place called Taleemabad (Urdu for Education City) and com- plementary work books, co- founders Haroon Yasin (SFS ’15) and Ahwaz Akhtar (SFS ’16) are working to make learning fun The Orenda team includes two Georgetown University in Qatar alumni as co-founders. and engaging for children who are at risk of dropping out of that all the districts showed im- to the proliferation of mobile of empathy, kindness and emo- school. proved test scores. Internet and smart devices such tional well-being.” Using data monitoring tech- One district’s results even as cellphones, students can now Thanks to a crowdfunding nology, the Orenda team is able increased by 58% thanks to follow along at home to avoid campaign last year, Orenda was Students in Pakistan with the books that accompany Orenda’s educational Taleemabad cartoon to observe the performance of their engagement with the pro- falling behind on lessons. able to expand to reach more programme. its students in real time and gramme, the statement noted. “Right now, we are teach- than 540 students in the coun- gauge their impact on dropout After classrooms were destroyed ing English, Urdu, mathematics try and surpassed their goal of 3,000 Taleemabad text books. dropped out of school early or expansion campaign and details rates. Recently, they launched as part of a slum demolition and and general knowledge,” he said. 500 students. A new campaign seeks to help never enrolled, and many have of the programme are available their programme in eight low- relocation project over a year “Since these subjects are taught They also grew their team the project reach students who been displaced due to fl oods, on Orenda’s Facebook page and performing schools in three dis- ago, the entrepreneurs switched through cartoons, we also use from fi ve to 13 members, and have no access to formal edu- earthquakes and unrest. website (http://www.orend- tricts across Pakistan and found to a digital curriculum. Thanks storytelling to impart lessons produced and distributed around cation. These students either More information about the aproject.org/)

QPO concert to mark opening of MEC violations Nominations invited Qatar-Germany Year of Culture for 2017 WISE Prize

By Joey Aguilar programme involves a number off ers us a unique opportunity By Joseph Varghese Those who would like to make a Staff Reporter of high profi le organisations in to engage with the Qatari soci- Staff Reporter nomination can create an account Qatar, including the Qatar Na- ety in active exchange through and complete the offi cial nomina- tional Library, Doha Film Insti- culture and education and to tion form available on the WISE concert by the Qatar tute, Katara – the Cultural Vil- present Germany in its cul- he World Innovation Sum- online application system. Self- Philharmonic Orches- lage, and the QPO. tural, economic and societal mit for Education (WISE) nomination will not be accepted. Atra (QPO) at the Katara The Qatar Germany 2017 entirety,” he stressed. Thas invited nominations The nomination should dem- Opera House today will mark Year of Culture forms part of Echoing Dr Görgen’s state- for WISE Prize for Education 2017. onstrate how the individual or the start of the Qatar Germany QM’s ‘Years of Culture’ initia- ment, Goethe-Institut sec- The nomination period is open the team has brought about sub- 2017 Year of Culture, Qatar tive designed to deepen under- retary general Johannes Ebert until 11:59pm, GMT, March 31. stantial change and improve- Museums (QM) has said. standing between nations and noted that the cultural event Established in 2011 by HH ment to education and made a The performance, direct- their people through mutual aims to broaden the knowledge Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, lasting impact on a signifi cant ed by the German conductor exchanges of arts, culture, her- about societies of Germany and chairperson of Qatar Founda- scale. The nomination form David Niemann, will also see itage and sport. Qatar. tion for Education, Science and should be completed in English. renowned German piano solo- “We believe it is important “Culture and the arts pro- Community Development and All the nominations will be ist Gerhard Oppitz rendering for countries to interact not vide a fruitful platform to bet- the founder of WISE, the WISE screened by an expert committee his piece at the event’s offi cial only on the policy and trade ter get to know each other, to Prize for Education is the fi rst which will make a pre-selection opening. In a statement, QM’s level, but also to create – and connect people and exchange distinction of its kind to rec- of no more than 15 candidates public and international re- then support and protect – similar and diff erent views in ognise an individual or a team whose identities will not be lations director Mohammed open spaces for culture, where the framework of an interna- for an outstanding, world-class made public. A distinguished al-Othman said the success of civil society can participate in tional cultural dialogue,” Ebert contribution to education. international jury will then con- the previous Year of Culture dialogue,” stressed Dr Andreas pointed out. The laureate of the WISE sider the nominees and select paves the way for the 2017 pro- Görgen, director general for QM will also hold two exhi- Prize for Education is usually the laureate who will be an- gramme of events, “which is set culture and communication at bitions in the third quarter of announced at the Opening Ple- nounced at WISE 2017. The 2017 to be just as exciting.” the German Federal Foreign Of- this year at Al Riwaq Gallery nary Session of the global bien- WISE summit will be held from “It will celebrate the simi- fi ce (GFFO). and at the Fire Station: Artist in nial summit, and receives a gold November 14-16 in Doha. larities, as well as diff erences GFFO, together with its part- Residence as part of the event. WISE Prize for Education medal WISE, a global initiative of Qa- between both countries. We ners in Germany like Goethe- In addition, German and and $500,000. The WISE Prize tar Foundation, has so far hon- look forward to celebrating our Institut, is working to connect Qatari partner institutions in The Ministry of Economy and Commerce (MEC) detected six for Education recognises an in- oured fi ve educational luminar- growing relationship with Ger- societies through cultural and Doha will organise literary and violations of consumer protection laws during an inspection dividual, or a team of up to six ies from around the world with many,” he noted. educational actions. art workshops, fi lm screenings campaign at various commercial outlets in the country. The who have made a mark in the the WISE Prize for Education, The event is organised by QM, “Our cultural relations and and discussions, concerts and violations pertained to not posting information tags in Arabic educational fi led. The achieve- for their signifi cant eff orts and in partnership with the Goethe- education policy contributes to performances, sport competi- on the displayed items and holding promotions without the ments of the nominated indi- achievements in the fi eld of edu- Institut Gulf Region, Germany’s connecting both our societies tions and trade shows through- required licence. A fine of QR5,000 was imposed and reports vidual or team should have had cation. These laureates are: Sir cultural institute with a global stronger across borders, espe- out 2017. were issued for each violation. The campaign was carried a signifi cant and lasting impact Fazle Hasan Abed (2011); Dr Mad- reach, and the German embassy cially through cultural copro- QM added that Qatar Air- out to ensure compliance with the consumer protection upon education at any level and hav Chavan (2012); Vicky Colbert in Doha. Al-Othman added that duction,” Dr Görgen said. ways is the offi cial airline of the regulations, the MEC stressed in a press statement. should demonstrate an inspiring (2013); Ann Cotton (2014) and Dr the event’s broad and varied “The 2017 Year of Culture Years of Culture initiative. and visionary approach. Sakena Yacoobi (2015).

The show goes on

The Souq Waqif has been drawing big crowds since its launch about a fortnight ago. The festival, which features cultural shows, games and rides for children and other attractions, concludes on February 3. PICTURES: Shemeer Rasheed