BUSINESS | Page 1 SPORT | Page 5 Real two good for Espanyol, INDEX DOW JONES QE NYMEX QATAR 3-12, 30 COMMENT 28, 29 REGION 13 BUSINESS 1, 6, 21-24 Gameiro ’trick Al-Attiyah calls for 20,588.00 10,819.30 53.40 ARAB WORLD 14 CLASSIFIED 10-20 -6.00 +87.77 +0.04 INTERNATIONAL 15–27 SPORTS 1-12 careful future plans spurs Atletico -0.03% +0.82% _+0.07% Latest Figures published in QATAR since 1978

SUNDAY Vol. XXXVII No. 10369 February 19, 2017 Jumada I 22, 1438 AH

GULF TIMES www. gulf-times.com 2 Riyals Emir attends WTA Qatar final New travel ban In brief to spare Green

REGION | Stunt Card holders: Dubai police summon daredevil model Dubai police have summoned a Russian model who posed for a video Trump offi cial while dangling from a skyscraper to sign a pledge not to put her life Reuters immigrants in custody for deportation in danger again, a local newspaper Munich proceedings have the right to a hear- reported yesterday. A video of the ing to request their release when their model, identified by local media cases are not promptly adjudicated. as 23-year-old Viktoria Odintcova, new version of a Trump admin- The long-running class action liti- went viral after she posted it on her istration travel ban will not stop gation, brought by the American Civil Instagram account earlier in the HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani yesterday attended the final of the Qatar Total Open women’s tennis AGreen Card residency holders or Liberties Union (ACLU) on behalf of week. It shows her stepping off a tournament held at the Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex. HH the Emir watched the match between the travellers already on planes from en- thousands of immigrants detained for girder at the top of Dubai’s 73-storey world’s No 3 Karolina Pliskova and No 18 Caroline Wozniacki. The match was won by Pliskova 6-3, 6-4. A number of sheikhs, tering the United States, US Secretary more than six months, includes both Cayan Tower and dangling in the ministers and ambassadors watched the match. Page 9, Sport 1 for Homeland Security John Kelly said immigrants apprehended at the bor- void, held only by a man gripping her yesterday. der when seeking illegal entry into the hand. Major-General Khalil Ibrahim US President Donald Trump’s ini- United States and legal permanent al-Mansouri, an assistant to the chief tial attempt to clamp down for secu- residents in deportation proceedings of police in Dubai, was quoted by the rity reasons on immigration from seven because they were convicted of crimes. Arabic-language al-Ittihad newspaper Muslim-majority countries and on ref- The case also could aff ect long-term as saying that Odintcova “had been ugees snarled to a halt amid a judicial US residents who entered the country summoned to sign an undertaking backlash and chaos at airports. illegally and have subsequently been not to repeat any dangerous moves “The president is contemplating re- detained. that could endanger her life in Dubai.” leasing a tighter, more streamlined ver- The Trump administration has said it Qatar shivers sion of the fi rst (order). And I will have wants to end the release of immigrants REGION | Accident opportunity to work (on) a rollout plan, facing deportation and speed up the proc- in particular to make sure that there’s ess for ejecting them from the country. Aramco contains oil no one in a sense caught in the system A decision in the case requiring ad- pipeline leak; one dies of moving from overseas to our air- ditional court hearings could have very State oil giant Saudi Aramco said ports,” Kelly said at the Munich Secu- direct implications for the administra- yesterday it had contained a rity Conference. tion’s plans, said ACLU lawyer Ahilan “limited” oil leak from one of its as temperature Asked whether Green Card resi- Arulananthan, especially since immi- pipelines near Abqaiq that had dency permit holders would be allowed gration courts currently have a backlog caused the death of a contractor and in, Kelly said: “It’s a good assumption of more than 500,000 cases. injured three other people, including and, as far as the visas go, if they’re in The ACLU estimates that up to an Aramco employee. Aramco gave motion from some distant land to the 8,000 immigrants nationwide at any no details on the cause of the leak United States, when they arrive they given time have been held for at least but said in a statement that it would will be allowed in.” six months. conduct a thorough investigation. drops sharply He promised “a short phase-in pe- A US Immigration and Customs En- It said two of the injured people riod to make sure that people on the forcement offi cial was unable to imme- had been discharged from hospital. fter the rain comes the chill in Doha airport and Hamad International Qatar within an hour, causing visibility other end don’t get on airplanes. But diately confi rm data on length of de- Aramco’s facility in Abqaiq is the Qatar. Airport areas. to drop below 3km. if they’re on an airplane and inbound, tention but said that in fi scal year 2016, world’s largest oil processing facility A The temperature dropped The detailed forecast for inshore are- Meanwhile, the Ministry of Munici- they’ll be allowed to enter the country.” the average daily count of detainees and the largest crude oil stabilisation sharply across the country yesterday as says mild conditions are likely during pality and Environment (MME) said Trump’s original order, which he was just under 35,000. plant. and similar conditions are likely today, the day along with dust in some places rain emergency teams had drained out said was meant to head off attacks by “If Trump wants to put more people with the forecast saying it will be “very at times. It will be very cold by night. more than 105.8mn gallons of rainwater Islamist militants, barred people from in deportation but does not increase ARAB WORLD | Confl ict cold by night”. Dusty conditions are also expected in from diff erent parts of the country until Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria the number of immigration judges, The Qatar Met department has also off shore areas at times along with some yesterday noon. and Yemen from entering for 90 days then people are going to have to wait Iraq planes drop leafl ets said strong winds are expected today clouds, while the sea level may rise to This was done in 21,911 batches using and excluded all refugees for 120 days, longer and longer to get a hearing,” said on ‘imminent off ensive’ along with poor visibility in some ar- 13ft in some places. 45 pumps and 349 tankers. Some 542 except those from Syria, who were Stephen Yale-Loehr, an immigration The Iraqi air force has dropped eas due to dust. Strong winds and high The wind speed, meanwhile, will be workers and employees were involved banned indefi nitely. law professor at Cornell Law School. millions of leaflets on the western seas have also been forecast in off shore 10-20 knots (northwesterly) in inshore in the work. The abrupt implementation of the The Trump administration has side of Mosul telling the population areas. areas, going up to 25 knots in some Weather charts showed that Ghu- order last month plunged the immigra- pledged to sharply curtail illegal immi- that a ground off ensive to Recently, the weather offi ce had places at times. Off shore, it will be 18- wairiyah received the maximum rainfall tion system into chaos, sparking a wave gration, with initiatives such as build- dislodge Islamic State from their said a Siberian high-pressure system 25 knots (northwesterly), reaching a between Friday and yesterday morning of criticism from the countries aff ect- ing a wall along the US-Mexican border neighbourhoods is imminent, the was expected to aff ect the country, ac- high of 33 knots. at 33.8mm, followed by the Qatar Uni- ed, and from Western allies and some and hiring thousands of federal agents Defence Ministry said yesterday. companied by “northwesterly fresh to Visibility may drop to 3km or lower versity area at 26.2mm, Hamad Inter- of America’s leading corporations, es- to police the border and arrest and de- The militants are essentially under strong winds over all areas”. at times. national Airport area at 20.6mm and pecially technology fi rms. port immigrants who live in the United siege in western Mosul, along with “As a result, a noticeable drop in The Met department tweeted last Abu Hamour at 19.9mm. Meanwhile, the US Supreme Court States but entered the country illegally. an estimated 650,000 civilians, after temperatures is expected,” the report evening that “latest observations show The downpour, particularly late on will decide three cases in coming Trump has also threatened to withhold US-backed forces surrounding the said, stressing that the chilly winds low visibility in most areas due to dust Thursday and Friday, left a number months that could help or hinder federal funding from so-called “sanctu- city dislodged them from the east in would make it feel colder. with generally cold weather”. Earlier, it of places waterlogged even as the rain Trump’s eff orts to ramp up border se- ary cities” that off er protections to im- the first phase of an off ensive that The minimum temperature had gone said a dust band had reached Bahrain emergency teams intensifi ed their ef- curity and accelerate deportations of migrants who could face deportation. concluded last month. The leaflets up in most places over the past week, and it was expected to reach northern forts to clear the roads. Page 30 those in the country illegally. The other immigration cases to be “contain instructions for the citizens hovering around the 18-20C mark, as The three cases, which reached the decided concern whether US govern- to get ready to welcome the Iraqi the country experienced a spell of rain. court before Democratic President ment offi cials can be sued over mis- forces that are coming to liberate Yesterday, however, the mercury level Barack Obama left offi ce, all deal broad- treatment of non-citizens in two sepa- their areas and to warn the Daesh dropped signifi cantly and woollens ly with the degree to which non-citizens rate contexts. (Islamic State) members to lay down were back in demand. can assert rights under the US Consti- One will decide whether the family their weapons and surrender”, the A minimum temperature of 10C is tution. of 15-year-old Mexican teenager Sergio ministry said in a statement. likely in Al Khor today, followed by 11C They come at a time when the court Hernandez, who was killed while on in Mesaieed, Wakrah and Abu Samra, is one justice short and divided along Mexican soil by a US agent fi ring from ARAB WORLD | Crisis and 12C in Doha. The maximum will ideological lines, with four conserva- across the border in Texas, can sue un- range from 16-18C in the country, tives and four liberals. der the US Constitution. Syria regime shelling which means the daytime temperature The justices will issue rulings before the It is a scenario that the lawyers for of funeral kills 16 will be reasonably low as well. end of June against the backdrop of high- Hernandez’s family say could become Sixteen people, including two Yesterday, a minimum temperature profi le litigation challenging the lawful- more frequent if the Trump adminis- women, were killed yesterday of 13C was recorded in Al Khor, Turay- ness of Trump’s controversial travel ban. tration acts on its proposal to increase when government forces launched na, Al Rayyan and other places. In and The most pertinent of the three cases the number of border guards by 5,000, a barrage of rockets that hit a around the capital, it was 14C in the in terms of Republican Trump admin- raising the prospect of similar confron- funeral on the edges of the Syrian Qatar University area and 16C in the Tankers drain out rainwater from a neighbourhood in Doha. PICTURE: Ram Chand istration priorities involves whether tations. capital, a monitor said. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said “seven rockets and several shells hit areas on the edges of Qabun”, a northeastern district of Damascus held by rebels. Growing appetite for Korean food products in Qatar

THE CONTEMPORARY MID EASTERN WOMAN FREE By Joey Aguilar tar,” he said, noting that major su- Korean stuff,” she noted. The store wants to bring in more are world-class and they are known to permarkets and hypermarkets have Further, she said the demand for items soon to serve their customers, be popular in other countries. FEBRUARY 2017 Staff Reporter THE INFINITE WISDOM OF SHEFA ALI NADER started displaying more items, espe- other items such as Korean cooking oil who also look for other popular prod- Gulf Times recently reported that HEALTH “OH, IT MUST BE ACHIEVERS HER TIME OF cially kimchi, on their shelves. and diff erent kinds of condiments, as ucts and brands. the growing popularity of Korean cos- LAYLA THE MONTH” AL-DORANI number of Korean stores in Speaking to Gulf Times, an employee well as chocolates, milk and citron tea, It is also learnt that many Filipinos metics globally had reached the Qatar Doha have seen an increasing of Kingdom Food Centre, a newly- is also increasing. who are fond of Korean food often get market with the demand increasing ﻣﺮﺣﺒﺎ HELLO A interest among Qataris and ex- opened store in Al Thumama, said The store, which also offers free their orders from a Korean store/gro- continuously. WORLD! patriates in Korean food products, it they have been receiving an increasing delivery, recorded an increase in or- cery along Al Jazeera street in Bin Om- The Korean embassy had recorded ISSUE NO:1 is learnt. number of walk-in customers over the ders from several Korean and Japa- ran. a surge in exports of Korean cosmetics Corroborating this trend, an offi - past few weeks who look for a variety of nese restaurants operating in various Meanwhile, the embassy offi cial said to Qatar in 2015 compared to previous

FASHION SACHIN AHLUWALIA cial from the South Korean embassy in Korean food items. locations in Doha, according to the besides Korean food, they have also seen years. ON WOMEN, FASHION AND BECOMING AN IN-HOUSE BRAND NOVEMBER 2012 ISSUE Doha said at least three Korean stores “Besides Korean expatriates, employee. a huge demand for Korean cosmetics The embassy offi cial said that from are currently operating in Qatar. many Qataris, Filipinos and other “Even other restaurants here that use and other skincare products in Doha. $150,000 in 2013, exports to the coun- TODAY’S EDITION INCLUDES FEBRUARY “We have noticed a growing inter- Arab nationals visit our store to buy Korean spices and condiments order The offi cial said like Korean elec- try rose to $300,000 in 2014 and tripled GULFemina MAGAZINE 7 est for Korean food products in Qa- kimchi, noodles and other authentic products from us,” she added. tronics and cars, Korean cosmetics too to $1mn in 2015.

Gulf Times Sunday, February 19, 2017 3 QATAR FM reviews global issues at Munich meetings

QNA Munich

E the Foreign Minis- ter Sheikh Moham- Hed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani held several meet- ings on the sidelines of Mu- nich Security Conference here yesterday. Sheikh Mohamed bin Ab- dulrahman al-Thani met the Saudi Foreign Minister Adel bin Ahmed al-Jubeir. Talks during the meet- ing dealt with bilateral re- lations between Qatar and Saudi Arabia and means of enhancing them as well as promoting prospects of co- HE the Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohamed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani with Saudi Foreign operation. Minister Adel bin Ahmed al-Jubeir and (below) Afghan President Ashraf Ghani in Munich. They also discussed the latest political develop- ments at regional and in- ternational arenas, particu- larly the current situation in Syria. HE the Minister of For- eign Aff airs and his Saudi counterpart stressed their two countries’ keenness to co-operate to meet global and regional challenges, including the Middle East peace process and the crisis in Yemen and Syria. Sheikh Mohamed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani also met the Envoy of US Presi- dent to the International Coalition against ISIS, Brett hamed bin Abdulrahman Afghan President Ashraf tions and means of enhanc- Macgork. al-Thani discussed the lat- Ghani, HE the Foreign Min- ing them in addition to a Talks during the meet- est political developments ister Sheikh Mohamed bin number of issues of com- ing dealt with the develop- on the regional and inter- Abdulrahman al-Thani con- mon interest. ments of the current situ- national arenas, particu- veyed the greetings of HH The Foreign Minister ation in Syria and Iraq and larly the current situation in the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin also met on the sidelines the eff orts being exerted in Syria. Hamad al-Thani. of the Munich Security the war against ISIS group. They also discussed the President Ghani recipro- Conference with the Na- The Foreign Minister results of the meeting of cated the Emir’s greetings tional Security Adviser of stressed Qatar’s commit- the Friends of Syria group, and wished the State of Qa- Myanmar U Thaung Tun, ment to those eff orts. stressing the importance of tar further development and with whom he reviewed At his meeting with his following up the results of prosperity. bilateral relations as well French counterpart Jean- the Geneva meeting. Talks during the meeting as issues of mutual inter- Marc Ayrault Sheikh Mo- During his meeting with dealt with bilateral rela- est. Gulf Times 4 Sunday, February 19, 2017 QATAR

Emir greets Gambian Qatari, Kuwaiti Emiri Meet to focus on human rights in conflict situations leader on National Day Guards hold joint drills Under the patronage of National Human Rights rights in preventing conflict MEC gives useful HE the Prime Minister and Committee and the UN High and how it can act as a tool for HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Under the auspices of the Emiri Guard Minister of Interior Sheikh Commissioner for Human early warning. It will focus on al-Thani, HH the Deputy the Emir Sheikh Commander, HE Major General Hazza bin Abdullah bin Nasser bin Rights in co-operation with human rights during armed Abdullah bin Hamad al-Thani and HE the Khalil al-Shahwani, the Emiri Guard has Khalifa al-Thani, Doha is the General Secretariat conflict and in other situations Prime Minister and Interior Minister Sheikh announced the start of Saqer Al-Khalij 2, a tips on vehicle hosting tomorrow the of the Council of Arab of violence and insecurity Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa al-Thani two-week joint drill with the Kuwaiti Emiri International Conference on Interior Ministers and the Other related issues such as have sent cables of congratulations to Guard, which will last till March 1. The drill, ‘Human Rights Approach Arab Network for National preventing violent extremism President of Gambia Adama Barrow on the which started on Thursday, aims to raise to Conflict Situations in the Human Rights Institutions. and countering terrorism while anniversary of his country’s Independence combat eff iciency of participants and their maintenance Arab Region.’ The conference The two-day conference will protecting human rights will be Day. ability to cope with emergency conditions. is being organised by the examine the role of human also examined.

he Ministry of Econ- These include vibra- omy and Commerce tion when using brakes, T(MEC) has off ered the the brake pedal going down public some advice on the beyond the reasonable lev- importance of regular main- el, the vehicle moving to tenance of motor vehicles any side when pressing the and highlighted a slew of brake pedal, and the brake benefi ts accruing from such a producing strange sounds healthy practice. when applied. “This would save for the MEC said that vehicle owners money and time, in owners should keep an eye addition to keeping the en- on the dashboard’s warn- vironment clean,” the MEC ing lights, in particular pointed out in a release . those for the battery, oil level, airbags, and the anti- For monthly lock braking system (ABS), maintenance, owners the engine, brakes and tyre should make sure that pressure. the headlights and In case the vehicle breaks rear lights are working down on the road, MEC ad- properly as well as the vised that it should be re- brake lights and the moved to the roadside away indicators from the traffi c if possible. Put the hazard light on and Regular checkup of the en- use a warning post 45 meters gine oil, oil fi lters, and tyre away from the stopped vehi- pressure and keeping these cle. up to the required levels For monthly maintenance, would save motorists around owners should make sure 23 gallons of petrol a year. that the headlights and rear According to international lights are working properly studies, the replacement of as well as the brake lights and defective fi lter improves fuel the indicators. consumption by around 10%, Oils and liquids in the en- which translates to around 55 gine compartment should gallons less of gasoline per be also checked regularly in year. addition to the windshield This would also reduce the washer reservoir. production of nitrogen by In the meantime, MEC 10% and organic byproduct stressed that consumers gases by 20%. should review the manufac- Also, keeping recom- turers’ maintenance hand- mended tyre pressure im- book and take care to follow proves petrol consumption the recommended schedule by around 3%, which means for maintenance particular saving up to 18 gallons of to their vehicle’s make and gasoline a year.” model. Regarding the brakes sys- MEC said the advisory tem, MEC said that consum- was issued to ease the con- ers should take note of four sumers financial burdens signs indicative of the need and help them keep safe and to repair the brakes. secure.

Gulf Times 6 Sunday, February 19, 2017 QATAR

Venus to be visible to the naked eye tomorrow

Venus will be at its nearest visible to the naked eye. other being Uranus, while point to the sun at 7.56pm The sunset time, according others in the solar system in Doha tomorrow, noted to Dr Marzouk, will be 5.31pm rotate from west to east. astronomer Dr Beshir in Doha and Venus will be Venus reaches its Perihelion Marzouk said yesterday. located above the western point (the nearest point to Qatar residents will not horizon by 37 degrees, and the sun) in its orbit every require telescopes to will be seen until 8.20pm. 225 days. July 10, 2016, was observe Venus over the Venus is one of just two the last time it reached the western horizon after sunset planets that rotate from east point. The next one will be on this day, as it will be to west around their axis, the on October 3, 2017. Participants of the Regency Travel & Tours National Sport Day initiative. Regency Travel celebrates Sport Day

ravel management “The importance of sports in specialist Regency developing positive personal TTravel & Tours cel- traits cannot be undermined, ebrated the sixth Qatar Na- and at Regency we encour- tional Sport Day recently. age our employees to include The company organises a physical activities in their host of activities for its em- daily routine and gain from ployees every year to com- the oft-neglected benefi ts of memorate the special occa- physical exercise and sports. sion. This year’s celebrations “Many of our employees were held at Mesaimeer are located at our branches Sports Club, with all the em- across Qatar to serve our ployees in attendance and guests. National Sport Day eager to participate. gives them an opportunity There was a brief discus- to get together and celebrate sion on the importance and the spirit of this initiative, benefi ts of physical exercise which promotes sports cul- through sports, healthy liv- ture and camaraderie among ing and good eating habits, our employees.” which was followed by a One of the highlights photo session and a number of the day was a friendly of sporting activities. football game between Al Speaking on the occasion, Asmakh Real Estate Devel- Regency Travel & Tours CEO opment and Regency Travel Tareq Abdullatif Taha said: & Tours.

Legal action

Environment protection units recently detected nine violations of environmental laws in diff erent parts of Qatar and took legal action against the off enders, the Ministry of Municipality and Environment said on Twitter.

Gulf Times 8 Sunday, February 19, 2017 QATAR Delegation from Los Angeles visits MIA Ahlibank unveils credit card with Visa payWave technology

hlibank and Visa Inter- national have announced Athe launch of its fi rst Visa Platinum credit card in Qatar powered with Visa payWave technology. With the Visa payWave tech- nology feature, cardholders can simply shop, wave, and go – convenient, fast, and secure without needing any PIN (Per- sonal Identification Number) Delegates from the Pacific Council on International Policy, a major leadership forum based in Los or signature for purchases of Angeles, toured the Museum of Islamic Art (MIA) yesterday as part of an off icial visit to Doha, QR100 or less. Qatar Museums said in a press statement. Representatives from the Qatar Museums management greeted the delegates at MIA, where they were given a tour of the museum, accompanied by Khalid “In line with the launch, al-Sada, Qatar’s consul-general in Los Angeles. Ahlibank is off ering a bonus pearl point accrual for the fi rst 250 Visa payWave Platinum credit cardholders who make transaction during the promotion aft er sign-up Georgetown off ers degree will receive up to 10,000 bonus Pearl Rewards Points. Promotion is valid in disaster management until March 31, 2017” However, purchases above QR100 can be paid using the Visa he Executive Master of response eff orts across the Gulf gency Management Centre, the payWave with inserting the PIN Professional Studies in Co-operation Council (GCC) master’s degree specifi cally ca- in the terminal. Hassan AlEfrangi (centre) with others during the launch of Ahlibank’s first Visa Platinum credit card in TEmergency and Disaster countries, according to a press ters to the challenges and poten- Ahlibank Visa payWave Plati- Qatar powered with Visa payWave technology. Management, presented by the statement. tial emergencies that may aff ect num credit card also contains Georgetown University School “Emergency and disaster countries in the Gulf. Through a security features such as Visa’s num Credit cardholders will is able to off er a product that is try Manager at Visa, said: of Continuing Studies, is a new management in the Gulf is a mix of learning methods, includ- Zero Liability Policy that pro- not only enjoy more entertain- innovative and provides both “Ahlibank’s Visa payWave programme tailored for the Gulf complex issue that requires a ing a series of on-site intensives tects cardholders against any ment, shopping and dining value and convenience for our Platinum credit card launch region. co-ordinated and comprehen- in Doha, Muscat, and Washing- fraudulent or unauthorised pur- privileges, but will also have six customers.” represents a major milestone Applicants interested in the sive eff ort to be equipped for ton, DC, the programme par- chases, and the availability of complimentary airport lounges AlEfrangi added: “The new in Qatar’s journey towards a “fi rst-of-its-kind” degree will preparedness, response and ticipants will develop a strategic receiving SMS alerts for trans- visits every year to over 25 air- Visa Platinum credit card has a cashless and contactless pay- have the opportunity to learn recovery,” said Dr Tim Frazier, understanding of emergency actions. port lounges worldwide. unique design of Doha skyline ments future. more about the programme and faculty director of the Emer- management. The coursework Currently, there are many Ahlibank Deputy CEO – Retail with the national colour to sup- “It puts the cardholder in application requirements at an gency and Disaster Management includes critical thinking ex- merchant outlets that accept and Private Banking Hassan AlE- port our vision to be at the heart control of the transaction and upcoming information session Programme at Georgetown Uni- ercises, hands-on practice and the Visa payWave feature in Qa- frangi, said, “We are pleased to be of the local community. delivers a truly fast and con- in Doha. versity. “This programme will engagement with some of the tar and overseas “and the list is the fi rst in Qatar to introduce this “In line with the launch, Ahl- venient payment experience as The event will be held on enable participants to enhance world’s top industry experts and growing rapidly,” Ahlibank said new payment technology to revo- ibank is off ering a bonus pearl well as the security benefits of Tuesday, February 21, at 7.30pm their skills through an intensive, organisations. in a statement. lutionise the payment habits of point accrual for the fi rst 250 Visa chip technology. As a Platinum at Marriott Marquis City Cen- specialised curriculum, and be- The fi rst cohort of the pro- In response to customer our cardholders in Qatar for their payWave Platinum credit card- credit card, it also delivers an tre in Doha. It will allow inter- come leaders in managing risks gramme will begin their studies feedback, Ahlibank has added day-to-day expenses. holders who make transaction array of rewards and privileges ested students to fi nd out more ranging from public health and in August and the application more privileges and features “Ahlibank is always think- during the promotion after sign- associated with Visa, including about the year-long programme, humanitarian crises, to natural deadline is May 1. Interested to Ahlibank Visa payWave ing of new ways and innovating up will receive up to 10,000 bonus complimentary airport lounges which focuses on how to ef- and technological hazards, and students can fi nd out more about Platinum credit card to meet to meet our customers’ chang- Pearl Rewards Points. Promotion access as well as hundreds of fectively mitigate the impact of man-made disasters.” the programme at https://cee. cardholders’ changing life- ing lifestyle needs. Through our is valid until March 31, 2017.” locally relevant offers and dis- potential threats and manage Endorsed by the GCC Emer- georgetown.edu/edm style needs. Now, Visa plati- partnership with Visa, Ahlibank Rahul Joshi, Qatar Coun- counts.” Gulf Times Sunday, February 19, 2017 9 QATAR

Young supporters of the programme’s work pose for a picture with Qatar Total Open winner Karolina Pliskova and runner-up Caroline Wozniacki in Doha yesterday. Education Above All initiative highlighted at Qatar Total Open

he Education Above All (EAA) in which EAC is working with partners Through Educate A Child and its Foundation has highlighted the to enable out-of-school children to strong partnership network, EAA is Tvital work undertaken by its access the quality education they de- “signifi cantly reducing” the number programme Educate A Child (EAC) to serve, according to a press statement. of children worldwide who are missing transform the lives of millions of the Young supporters of the programme’s out on their right to education. poorest and most marginalised chil- work were able to have their picture tak- Since 2012, EAC has committed to dren around the world through educa- en with the Qatar Total winner, Karolina enrol more than 7mn out-of-school tion, at the Qatar Total Open 2017. Pliskova, and runner-up, Caroline Woz- children, of whom more than 4mn are The Qatar Total Open, which is one of niacki, to raise awareness of the impor- already enrolled in quality primary ed- the world’s biggest women’s tennis tour- tance of providing education in some ucation programmes. naments, concluded in Doha yesterday. of the hardest-to-reach communities EAA set up a booth at the tourna- Sport and education are vital com- in the world. There are currently 61mn ment, which included a ‘leap motion’ ponents of a child’s development, children around the world who are un- game with EAC-branded tennis balls, a which was emphasised by EAA’s pres- able to attend primary school. map for children to fi ll in, using paints ence at the sporting event. Educate A Child is focused on break- to mark the locations of EAC’s 50 Attendees at the Qatar Total Open ing down the barriers preventing access projects, a rotating globe showing EAC were invited to take part in a ‘leap mo- to education, which include culture, projects and a donation box for attend- tion game’ while children helped to poverty, confl ict and instability, and ees to contribute to the foundation’s paint map showing the 48 countries gender discrimination. work. Gulf Times 10 Sunday, February 19, 2017 QATAR Fresh push to ‘reinforce code of values’ in schools atar Charity (QC) has interact with their teachers and of socialisation, and between More than 1,000 families benefited from QC’s relief distribution. launched the fi fth edi- peers, according to a statement the students and their peers; Qtion of the “National from QC. through the positive proposal of programme to reinforce a code The programme’s competi- values, emphasising the Qatari of values” in partnership with tion, ‘value challenge’, focuses society’s “constancies and pil- the Ministry of Education and on listening to teachers. QC said Off icials announcing the details of the programme. lars”, develop a special ability of Puntland’s Higher Education, Regulatory it hoped to “positively and sub- artistic creativity and encour- Authority for Charitable Ac- stantially” contribute to chang- Another aspect is dedicated to petition this year is “preparing age creative talents; discover tivities (RACA), Qur’an Kareem ing the behaviour of students teachers with regard to practical value-based content and dis- the real talents of students and Radio and Tarbeya Centre for and also direct their attention experiments for behaviour mod- tributing it to schools in order highlight them in their soci- president hails Future Leaders. towards a number of chosen ifi cation, while the third fi eld to help teachers “foster the value ety; raise the quality of cul- QC and its partners aim to values every year through “en- pertains to schools reinforcing of respect for the teacher”, the tural projects that are available “activate value-based educa- gaging, eff ective and persuasive values and charitable initiatives statement notes. now in the educational system; tion in the community” through means”. – schools that contribute to pro- Through the initiative, QC contribute to the successful at- aid from Qatar the programme, which will The contest has diff erent as- moting students’ aptitude for said it looked forward to achiev- tainment of the “listening-to- mainly target schools through pects. The fi rst one, which is for good deeds and providing them ing the following: reinforce the teachers” value in classes; pro- “integrated and engaging edu- students of diff erent academic with the techniques of humani- original values of students; mote the prestige of the teacher atar’s immediate help implemented relief projects in cational and cultural content stages, involves drawing, thea- tarian projects marketing. strengthen communication and his respect’ and evolve the has signifi cantly con- areas damaged by the drought and by using creative and mo- tre, writing stories, animation, Finally, there is a space for values between the family and style of management at schools Qtributed in saving lives in middle and northern Soma- tivating methods for students” photographing through Insta- guardians as well. the school, which is considered using developed and effi cient and decreased the magni- lia, benefi ting 1,050 families in to enable them to constructively gram, and Nabati poetry. What distinguishes the com- the most important institute methods. tude of malnutrition in Punt- its initial stage. land, its President Abdiweli Apart from the previously NabadJecel has said. distributed food packs and He commended the Qatar potable water in Puntland and government for helping So- Galmudug, QC said more relief malis “in time of crises,” which goods will be given next week HMC hosts regional workshop on radiation safety has severely aff ected their to hundreds of families. livelihood. Omar said such initiative is He also thanked Qatar part of their campaign to help he Department of Oc- Charity (QC) for supporting Somalia and a response to the cupational Health and aggrieved Somalis, especially call of international organisa- TSafety at Hamad Medi- women and children who are tions that stressed the increas- cal Corporation (HMC) recently suff ering malnutrition and ing magnitude of the crisis. concluded the fourth regional other diseases caused by the “Such crisis requires or- workshop on ‘Radiation Safety eff ects of the drought. ganised and focused eff orts Culture in Healthcare’. The president appealed to leading to rescuing thousands The two-day event was humanitarian organisations of those who are aff ected,” he jointly organised by the Inter- to follow in QC’s footsteps in added. national Radiation Protection helping thousands of Soma- He also thanked philanthro- Association (IRPA), the Interna- Participants of the radiation safety workshop. lis. “The crisis has completely pists in Qatar who are con- tional Organisation for Medical destroyed nearly everything,” tinuously helping in various Physics (IOMP), and the World the healthcare community in diation regulatory bodies, health bling environment for promoting 2030,” she explained. he said. developmental projects that Health Organisation (WHO). Qatar and the Middle East. Dis- authorities, health professionals, basic science, applied research “The organisation aims to QC regional director Mo- make a diff erence in the lives The event was held in co-op- tinguished speakers from the manufacturers, and patient as- and clinical applications. gather the opinions of stake- hamed Hussain Omar pointed of Somalis. eration with the Middle East region’s leading international sociations from across the globe. “Other aims of the workshop holders towards the development out that the “crisis’ magnitude QC urged donors to contin- Federation of Organisations of organisations presented diverse Dr Huda al-Naemi, executive included advancing the cause of a document that will serve as is terrible and needs more sup- ue donating for the benefi t of Medical Physics and HMC. and enriching views on the topic. director, Occupational Health of our organisation in line with guidance for the establishment port to confront its negative their aff ected brothers who are The workshop focused on the The exercise was attended by and Safety Department at HMC, Qatar’s National Development and maintenance of a radiation eff ects.” suff ering from water, food and establishment and maintenance around 150 participants com- said that the objective of the Strategy and in accordance safety culture in the healthcare QC’s “#Somalia_suff er- medicine shortages, among of a radiation safety culture in prising representatives from ra- workshop was to create an ena- with the Qatar National Vision setting,” said Dr al-Naemi. ing_and_drought” campaign others. Gulf Times Sunday, February 19, 2017 11 QATAR Special off er on Mazda Malabar Gold & Diamond draw winner range of sedans, SUVs ational Car Com- model in Qatar, the Mazda pany, sole agent for 3, is engineered with the NMazda in Qatar, has full complement of Skyac- announced a special off er tiv Technology (Skyactiv promotion for the Mazda engine available in 2.0 Li- 2017 range of sedans and tre version) – a proprietary SUVs. suite of performance-driv- Under the off er, custom- en components and manu- The sixth raff le draw winner of the Malabar Gold & Diamond Festival, Salauhuddin, ers buying Mazda vehicles facturing philosophies – as receiving the prize of 250gm of gold from Saji P K, branch manager, Gharafa, in the will “get the best price for well as the styling of the presence of other off icials from Malabar Gold & Diamonds. all models in addition to ‘KODO – Soul of Motion’ value-added benefi ts on design language. In addi- select models” such as free tion, world-class safety is comprehensive insurance assured with the adoption for one year, free registra- of the latest iteration of tion, one-year or 15,000km Mazda’s proprietary i-AC- free service (whichever Mazda 6 TIVSENSE and an advanced Ali Bin Ali Group’s comes fi rst) and fi ve-year Human-Machine Interface. warranty along with road- sales manager, National Car fi rst car to fully adopt Sky- the advanced G Vectoring The all-new CX-9, being side assistance, National Company. activ Technology and the Control Systems developed the fi rst Mazda to feature Car Company has said in a The company said ‘KODO—Soul of Motion’ by Mazda. the SKYACTIV-G 2.5Tur- Medical division wins statement. Mazda’s off ers have “al- design language, the CX-5 The new generation of bo petrol engine, delivers “At National Car Com- ready generated interest stays as the vanguard of Mazda 6 has achieved fur- “class-leading perform- pany (Mazda Qatar), we aim across a wide cross-sec- Mazda’s new-generation ther enhancement in de- ance with real-world effi - to provide exceptional value tion of customers and re- product lineup. sign, driving dynamics, ciency, and is the ultimate Siemens award for money to our valuable sulted in a steady increase The new 2017 range of safety and advanced car blend of stunning sophisti- customers for their pur- in customer walk-ins to Mazda 3 sedans and hatch- connectivity. It embod- cation and a family SUV”. chases. Our diverse range the Mazda showroom in back models as well as ies Mazda’s message to its The Mazda showroom at li Bin Ali (ABA) Group’s Medi- handed over by Siemens Healthineers of special off ers ensures Al Nasr”, where the entire Mazda sedans are intro- customers by continuing Al Nasr is open seven days cal division has scored a regional managing director Kay Zwingenberger that the vehicle ownership range of 2017 model se- duced with additional ve- to respond to their feed- a week from 9am to 9pm, Aachievement by bagging a top award who commended the winners on their is well explained and af- dans and SUVs is available hicle dynamics and safety back to meet and exceed except on Fridays, when from medical solutions giant Siemens. “exceptional achievement and the robust fordable at all stages,” said for sale. delivered by a combination expectations. the opening hours are from Siemens Healthineers upheld Ali Bin Ali growth shown year after year”. Sathish Nair, marketing and Launched as Mazda’s of Skyactiv Technology and The most popular Mazda 4.30pm to 8.30pm. Medical as an “exemplary performer” and Ali Bin Ali Medical’s general manager honoured it as the Middle East region’s most Zuhdi al-Jaouni accepted the award and outstanding performer in the Services Busi- said: “We are very pleased that our eff orts ness sector, according to a press statement. and our performance in the market have The award saw Ali Bin Ali Medical beat secured this win.” other regional healthcare solutions and Also in attendance at the event were service providers “due to a focused mar- Ashraf Obeid, country manager, Siemens QRCS reaches out ket strategy” followed by its team, the Healthcare; Peter Mcelwaine, adviser to statement noted. the Board of Partners – ABA Group; Osa- The awards ceremony was part of the ma al-Fares, senior division manager, Sie- Middle East Partner event hosted by Sie- mens Imaging Solutions; Ayman El Hus- mens and took place in Dubai, the UAE. sein, regional business manager, Siemens to quake victims The outstanding performer award was Healthcare, and others. in Philippines

n response to the dead- pare a humanitarian plan to Surigao City. More than ly earthquake that hit help earthquake victims. 1,100 houses were dam- Isouthern Philippines, For more than a week, aged, as well as an airport Qatar Red Crescent (QRCS) the team will make fi eld as- runway, a main bridge, has allocated $40,000 from sessments of the damage, and water/power supply its contingency fund for a identify intervention pri- networks. quick relief intervention. orities, evaluate available Many residents resorted A QRCS team was sent to resources, and provide aid to stay in public parks due QRCS staff at a site to assess the damage caused by an the Philippines to conduct for the aff ected populations to fear of possible after- earthquake in Surigao City recently. impact assessment and pre- based on the results of the shocks. assessment. The basic needs cur- In a statement, QRCS rently on the list include said they met with partners, emergency shelter, food local community, offi cials and nonfood aid, water Zuhdi al-Jaouni holding the award at a ceremony in Dubai. of the National Disaster and sanitation, and health Risk Reduction Manage- care, according to QRCS. ment Council in Surigao Longer-term needs include City, local charities, and house restorations and live- representatives of govern- lihood generation. ment authorities. As the fi rst Arab relief QRCS and the various provider to work in the organisations are working country, QRCS has had a closely with the Interna- foothold in the Philippines tional Committee of the since 2012. Its mission con- Red Cross, International ducted several humanitar- Federation of the Red Cross ian responses to major nat- and Red Crescent Socie- ural disasters at a total cost ties, and the Philippine Red of more than $5mn. Cross. Examples of these inter- A 6.7-magnitude earth- ventions are tropical storm quake killed at least eight Washi in 2012 and typhoon people and injured 200 in Haiyan in 2013. NU-Q forum to discuss sports media in Qatar

orthwestern Uni- Nasser al-Khater, assistant versity in Qatar secretary general, Tourna- N(NU-Q) will host ment Aff airs at Supreme its biannual Qatar Media Committee for Delivery & Industries Forum (QMIF) Legacy; Nigel Rushman, on February 27, at the founder of Rushmans Con- Shangri-la Hotel. sultancy; and Jackie Brock- The forum on “Sports Doyle OBE, executive di- Media and Qatar’s Future,” rector for communications brings together top repre- at IAAF and former direc- sentatives in the local com- tor of communications and munications industry in public aff airs for London a discussion to assess the Olympics 2012. present and future of the “This will be the ninth country’s media landscape. edition of NU-Q’s bian- The session will focus nual QMIF – a unique on Qatar as a growing hub platform that continues to for international sport bring together leaders from tournaments, exploring across the media industry the marketing needs and to consider and address development strategies of challenges and explore op- the sports media industry portunities in locally and in Qatar. regionally,” said Dennis. NU-Q dean and CEO Ev- “We are fortunate to have a erette E Dennis will host the leader in the area of sports event, and professor and journalism join with sports sports media expert, Craig industry leaders from LaMay moderate the dis- the region to discuss this cussion. Panellists include growing sector in Qatar.” Gulf Times 12 Sunday, February 19, 2017 QATAR 24 Qatari employees of QA attend training programme in Derby atar Airways’ Al Darb engineers, graduate developees, tional carrier will be in superb Qatarisation programme and employees from the com- hands with our future leadership Qin collaboration with its mercial, human resources, fi - generations.” strategic partner, Rolls-Royce, nance and contracts divisions. John P Kelly, vice president, held a custom-designed and de- Ten Rolls-Royce employees par- customers – Middle East, Rolls veloped training session for its ticipated in the programme, to Royce, said: “It was an honour national employees, intended facilitate cross-company expe- and privilege to be able to host to provide the future leaders of rience and knowledge sharing. the 2017 Qatar Airways Business Qatar’s national carrier with Nabeela Fakhri, senior vice Management and Commercial an unparalleled educational president, human resources, Awareness course in UK. It was experience. at Qatar Airways, said: “In a valuable experience to learn The airline earmarked 24 of its Rolls-Royce, we have one of with, and from, one of our most national employees from across the world’s most trusted part- valued partners. This is further diff erent departments to par- ners – a brand that has estab- evidence of our strong, long ticipate in the Business Manage- lished itself as a leader and that lasting relationship and the in- ment and Commercial Aware- is strongly aligned with Qatar sights and experiences will stand ness Programme, which took Airways’ visions for its future. the delegates in great stead for place in Derby, England. We are thrilled to be able to off er their own careers and our future The Business Management the future leaders of our com- growth together.” National employees of Qatar Airways who took part in the Business Management and Commercial Awareness Programme, held in association and Commercial Awareness Pro- pany the opportunity to train Based on Qatar Airways’ Tal- with Rolls-Royce, in Derby, England. gramme is designed to expose with such a prestigious brand, ent Development Strategy, the Al Darb participants to Rolls- where they will have the chance Business Management and Participants will learn from and Commercial Awareness Pro- tarisation programme – with Al off ers initiatives such as summer Royce’s leadership and strategy to learn from and understand Commercial Awareness Pro- Rolls-Royce specialists in a vari- gramme is organised annually, Darb meaning ‘The Pathway’ – is internship programmes, gradu- expertise, providing them with the ways in which successful gramme works on a 70:20:10 ety of subjects that are crucial to with over 50 nationals having an initiative that aims to develop ate developee programmes and new skills and perspectives that brands manage every aspect of model, which breaks down into executives in the aviation indus- participated in the training since young nationals to become the more. they can put into place in their their business. Providing such 70% experiential learning, 20% try, including corporate strategy, 2015. Participants are chosen future leaders of the national Nationals enrolled in Al Darb roles within Qatar Airways. opportunities to the nationals social learning and exposure fi nancial management, relation- based on their high performance carrier. participate in real-life projects Participants come from sev- enrolled in our highly successful to global organisations such as ship marketing, and customer and the length of their service Al Darb highlights the numer- to add to their work experience, eral of the airline’s departments, Al Darb Qatarisation programme Rolls-Royce, and 10% formal service management. within the company. ous career paths individuals can preparing them for a successful including aircraft maintenance enables us to ensure that the na- learning. The Business Management Qatar Airways’ Al Darb Qa- take within Qatar Airways, and career within Qatar Airways. Registration opens for GMC Triathlon Series

atar Foundation, individuals, against teams the entire course indi- 200m swim, 10km bike and in association with from other companies and vidually and score points 2.5km run for older kids. QZ Adventures and organisations. Already, based on their fi nal posi- Students aged 16 years and TriClub Doha, has an- teams are being formed by tion. The team with the above will complete the nounced that registration Mannai, the primary spon- most points (from the three adult course. has opened for the second sor, Qatar Foundation (QF), highest scores) wins the Ewan Cameron, race di- race in the Qatar Founda- Qatar Airways, Doha Col- championship. rector and representative tion GMC Triathlon Series. lege and Deloitte. Mannai Auto Group, of Mannai Corporation, Joy Ajlouny, Dr Maher Hakim and Dr Khalid M al-Ali with technovate attendees. This follows the success The fi rst category will be on behalf of GMC, will said: “We are really excited of the recent Doha Tria- a Team Relay Challenge, provide trophies for the to introduce these new thlon at MIA Park and the where three participants winning team, fi nishers’ race categories to the GMC Corniche, according to a will choose one of three shirts and medals for each Triathlon Series in order statement. disciplines each (swim- participant. to introduce new people to The event, taking place ming, cycling or running) The second new compe- our sport.” Arab expats look to on February 24 at Educa- and complete the 500m tition, following the same Simon Jones from QF tion City, will feature two swim, 20km bike and 5km format, is the School Tria- added, “We are pleased to new race categories, the or- run course. The team with thlon Championship, with host these races at Edu- ganisers have said, stress- the fastest cumulative time prizes for the best primary cation City as we believe ing this will off er new com- will win the challenge. school, secondary school that triathlon is a great way replicate Silicon Valley petition and opportunities The second – and “more and university. for our students and em- to introduce newcomers to challenging” – event de- Students may enter as a ployees to be active and in the sport. signed for more expe- team relay or as individuals line with the foundation’s The event will feature rienced competitors is in teams of three or more. goals.” the fi rst Corporate Triath- the Corporate Triathlon The race distances range Registration can be done success on home turf lon Championship, where Championship, where from 100m swim, 3km bike at a1registration.net, with teams of three will race ei- three or more team mem- and 1.25km run for children entry closing on February ther as a relay team, or as bers will each complete aged 7-9 years to longer 22 unless sold out before. op Arab ‘techpreneurs’ of their journeys through ‘no-address’ problem hin- commitment to executing off ered insights into the global tech landscape dering growth in emerg- their ideas,” added Ajlouny. Thow they achieved and described how they are ing markets. It is the fi rst Dr al-Ali, co-founder Boeing partners with success in Silicon Valley and using their business and startup in the Middle East and executive chairman of why they are now bringing tech acumen to nurture to be funded by one of the Senseta, a leading com- QCRI for data analytics their ventures back home, entrepreneurship and top venture capital fi rms pany in mission-critical symposium at the third edition of Qa- innovation in the region. in Silicon Valley, and has data fusion and analytics tar Science and Technology Dr Hakim said, “Dr al- been named the number solutions, has spent much Boeing Company has announced that it will Park’s (QSTP) ‘technovate’ Ali and Joy Ajlouny have one startup in the region by of his career in Silicon Val- partner again with the Qatar Computing discussion platform. brought the Silicon Valley Forbes Middle East. ley. Recounting his journey Research Institute (QCRI), part of Hamad The tech and innova- mindset with them to the Ajlouny said, “The main of entrepreneurial success, Bin Khalifa University, to host the fourth tion community in Doha region. They are part of the reason Fetchr was able to he said: “Senseta is based annual Machine Learning and Data Analytics was treated to a discussion driving force behind the secure funding from a top on the world of big data Symposium (MLDAS) in Qatar. Participants at the colloquium. that shed light on how Arab growing regional innova- venture capital fi rm is be- analytics. The event, to be held at the Qatar National expatriate ‘techpreneurs’ tion ecosystem. By recruit- cause we off er a solution to “When we fi rst started Convention Centre on March 13 and 14, will are returning to the region ing successful Arab ‘tech- a problem. out, big data wasn’t yet feature top global experts discussing the with coveted experience, a preneurs’ to complement “Investors like to hear well-established, but we latest solutions in the fields of machine global network and a fresh our research and develop- that you have a solution to still managed to attract in- learning, data mining, applied machine Forum explores ways mindset. ment community, we can a market need, particularly vestors from Silicon Val- learning techniques and data analytics Dr Maher Hakim, man- create an environment that a worldwide solution. In ley and fi ve Qatar-based solutions. aging director, QSTP, led is conducive to product in- Silicon Valley, there is no shareholders. The company This year’s event will focus on the growing to harness leadership the discussion with Joy novation and economic hierarchy, as venture capi- has gone on to become one use of deep learning and its potential impacts Ajlouny, co-founder of success.” talists know that their fu- of the world leaders in mis- on the human condition, such as through Fetchr, and Dr Khalid al- Fetchr is a technology ture lies in the bright minds sion-critical data and ana- autonomous vehicles and medical advances. potential of women Ali, co-founder of Senseta. company based in Dubai that knock on their doors lytics used to save lives on a Bernard Dunn, president of Boeing Middle Both guests gave accounts that was set up to solve the with great ideas and greater daily basis.” East, North Africa and Turkey, said, “Boeing is proud of the partnership with QCRI as we amad Bin Khalifa Univer- discussion covered such top- are congregating expertise from around sity (HBKU) held a collo- ics as women in leadership from the world to help elevate the already high Hquium titled “Women in a historical context, portrayals of benchmark being set in Qatar in the field of Leadership in Qatar”, bringing to- women in the media, and whether data analytics and machine learning. gether a number of distinguished legally binding quotas for women “In an increasingly digitised and automated speakers from across Qatar should be introduced at board world, bringing together such expertise Foundation (QF). level. will only continue to inspire innovation and The discussion explored ways to Al-Malki said, “I would like to regional talent.” ensure the removal of barriers to stress on women’s role in lead- Dr Ahmed Elmagarmid, executive director, women’s leadership and the various ership in Qatar and the Gulf and QCRI, said the symposium had enjoyed an ways to develop and harness the lead- propose ways that can further extraordinary response from the scientific ership potential of women in Qatar. promote our main objectives, community in the past three years and the The event was hosted by HB- such as increasing the percentage research institute looked forward to working KU’s College of Law and Public of women in leadership positions with Boeing to expand its success. Policy (CLPP). by raising awareness and creating “The event is a huge success for Qatar and the Four prominent women speak- leadership programmes and work- region and we are grateful for the outstanding ers shared their respective views ing towards eliminating gender role that Boeing has played. on the challenges and opportu- segregation to achieve equality in “The timing of this year’s event could not nities faced by women leaders in the workforce.” be better. Some of the world’s smartest Qatar today: Dr Amira Sonbol, Rebecca Schillings, assistant people are warning about artificial professor of history at Georgetown professor at HBKU’s CLPP and intelligence and its potentially dire eff ects University in Qatar; Dr Amal Mo- one of the organisers of the col- on the future of humanity and a dwindling hamed al-Malki, founding dean, loquium, said: “What we hoped to work force. College of Humanities and Social accomplish with this colloquium “QCRI and Boeing have built a dynamic Sciences at HBKU; Maryam al- was to provide students and par- partnership in research and application, Bader, legal counsel at QF; and Dr ticipants from the community and we look forward to again presenting Ghida al-Juburi, legal adviser and with diverse perspectives from a programme of cutting-edge science for secretary of the board at QF. both law practitioners and experts MLDAS 2017,” Dr Elmagarmid said. The discussion emphasised to help them understand how The symposium is open to students, how the empowerment of women they can better use law to create researchers and industry experts and can is crucial if the region is to reach a more gender-equal and diverse register at qcri.com its full economic potential. The workforce.” Gulf Times Sunday, February 19, 2017 13 REGION

Tehran set for new military drills

Iran’s elite Revolutionary Guard is to conduct military drills next Gulf states to maintain defence week, a senior commander an- nounced yesterday, despite warn- ings from the United States and fresh sanctions over a ballistic missile test. “The manoeuvres called ‘Grand Prophet 11’ will start spending despite oil price slump tomorrow and last three days,” General Mohamed Pakpour, com- Middle East’s largest 2016, steadily rising to $87bn 2016 from their peaks in 2014. ennial International Defence need more fi ghters to meet its announce deals at IDEX 2017, mander of the force’s ground defence expo starts today; in 2020 while that of UAE is “Even if low oil prices might Exhibition (IDEX), starting to- ambitious force structure goals. the only time such contracts units, told a news conference. Global arms makers will be put at $15.1bn in 2016 reaching complicate the timing of de- day in Abu Dhabi, capital of the Kuwait has requested 28 Boe- are awarded offi cially. He said rockets would be used vying for contracts $17.0bn in 2020, according to fence deals, it really has little to United Arab Emirates. ing F/A-18 E/F Super Hornets, At the 2015 IDEX, it an- without specifying which kind. Teal Group, a US-based defence do with the total medium- and Big contracts at stake include with an option for a total of 40 nounced deals worth $5bn, up In early February, Iran conducted Reuters analysis fi rm which has also long-term volume of sales,” he the UAE’s requirements for up aircraft while Bahrain has ex- 30% over 2013. drills involving short-range Abu Dhabi forecast increased spending by added. to 60 fi ghter jets. pressed interest in the Lockheed “High or low oil prices, de- missiles at a time of heightened Kuwait, Qatar, Oman and Bah- Saudi Arabia and the UAE’s Talks have been ongoing with Martin F-16. fence and security are irreplace- tensions with the United States. rain. defence spend as a share of their France’s Dassault Aviation and Aside from fi ghter jets, able, we cannot compromise,” a The Islamic republic said the ulf Arab states are poised “Defence spending is linked GDP is the highest in the world, Britain’s BAE Systems. countries in the region are senior UAE military offi cial told exercises were aimed at demon- to continue to spend bil- to national security and threat according to the Stockholm In- Saudi Arabia is in the middle looking to upgrade missile sys- Reuters. strating Iran’s “complete prepar- Glions of dollars on de- perception, not resource pric- ternational Peace Research In- of its Eurofi ghter and F-15 ac- tems and to buy helicopters, Around 1,235 companies from edness to deal with the threats” fence despite low oil prices. es,” said Richard Aboulafi a, vice stitute. quisition programmes, but they tanks, drones and other hard- 57 countries are exhibiting at and “humiliating sanctions” from Saudi Arabia’s total defence president of Teal Group. That means big business for are due to be completed by 2019, ware to strengthen internal and the expo, the region’s largest Washington. budget is forecast at $82bn in Oil prices more than halved in arms manufacturers at the bi- after which the country will external security. The UAE will such show. Man taking selfi e among seven dead in Iran storms

AFP Tehran

man taking a selfi e after an Iranian dam burst was Aamong at least seven peo- ple killed as fl oods, avalanches and dust storms gripped the country, state media reported yesterday. The 40-year-old was swept away while taking the photo- graph beside a river swollen by the breach of the earthen dam near the southeastern city of Ji- roft, a Red Crescent offi cial told the offi cial IRNA news agency. His body has yet to be recov- ered. The dam burst fl ooded parts of Jiroft, damaging dozens of homes. A second man was killed in a fl ash fl ood in the southwestern province of Bushehr. The torrential rain caused fl ooding across the south, from Khuzestan province on the Iraqi border to Sistan-Baluchistan province on the border with Pa- kistan. Vehicles stuck in the snow in the Iranian city of Ardabil. A general view of a bridge in the Iranian city of Ahvaz during a sandstorm. Thousands fl ed villages downstream from dams fearing tan, East Azerbaijan and Gilan. media showed cars, kitchens and the dust and up to 98% humidity Some 50 members of parlia- United Arab Emirates as high Iran but also in neighbouring collapses like that in Jiroft. Even as downpours gripped furniture caked in thick dust be- played havoc with the electricity ment have also written to Presi- winds forced the cancellation of Iraq and in Saudi Arabia beyond. In the north, at least fi ve peo- much of the south, residents of neath an orange sky. grid. dent Hassan Rouhani in support a stage of cycling’s Tour of Du- Khuzestan province hosts many ple have been killed in avalanch- some areas near the Iraqi border The dust level in the air was 18 In Ahvaz, residents held dem- of the campaign. bai. of Iran’s largest oil fi elds but its es over the past two weeks as up were praying for rain as some of times the normal levels, offi cials onstrations calling for govern- Freak weather has swept The seasonal dust storms in large ethnic community has long to two metres of snow fell in the the worst dust storms in years in Khuzestan province said. ment assistance. though much of the Gulf, nor- southwest Iran have been inten- complained that the government Zagros and Alborz mountains. sent hundreds to hospital with Long power cuts hit the cit- Several artists and celebrities mally renowned for its deserts sifying for years as prolonged has not invested enough in infra- Hundreds of villages were cut respiratory problems. ies of Ahvaz, Khoramshahr and launched a solidarity campaign and searing heat. drought has triggered increas- structure or measures to tackle off in the provinces of Kurdis- Photographs shared on social Abadan as the combination of on social media. Snow fell in the hills of the ing desertifi cation, not just in chronic air pollution.

Former VP eyes Iran presidential Golf club brings Trump brand to glitzy Dubai bid in May A deputy of former Iranian AFP hardline president Mahmoud Ah- Dubai madinejad announced yesterday his decision to run in this year’s presidential election, becoming he American presi- the first candidate to contest the dent’s businessman sons top job. Hamid Baghaie, who was Topened the Trump In- jailed in 2015, was Ahmadinejad’s ternational Golf Club yesterday vice president for executive as Dubai hosted the fi rst foreign aff airs and head of the tour- launch of a venue bearing Don- ism board. He announced his ald Trump’s name since he took candidacy in a statement saying offi ce. he would run as an “independ- The Trump International Golf ent” and describing himself as a Club, developed in the glitzy “soldier” of the Islamic republic Gulf city state by luxury real es- of Iran. In 2015, Baghaie was ar- tate fi rm Damac Properties, was rested and imprisoned for seven inaugurated by the billionaire’s months for reasons never made sons Eric and Donald Jr. public. His arrest came four years The event marks the Trump after he, and other government Organisation’s fi rst public over- employees, were investigated seas launch since the presi- for administrative irregularities dent’s January 20 inauguration. during his tenure as head of the Fireworks crackled above the tourism board. golf course late yesterday, as in- Fireworks during the inauguration ceremony of the Trump International Golf Club in Dubai yesterday. Right: US President Donald Trump’s son Eric Trump attends the opening Ahmadinejad, whose re-election side the club the Trump broth- ceremony of the golf club in Dubai. in 2009 was followed by one of ers posed for selfi es with guests. the largest protests to hit Iran Trump’s sons then left, as dents are not required by law The suit, which does not seek Franklin, later a founding father chairman Hussain Sajwani, YouTube channel “Arabian Golf since the 1979 Islamic revolution, they had arrived, in a fl eet of to give up their investments or monetary damages, cites the of the United States, after he ac- whose $3.2bn net worth last TV” shows Trump in his trade- in September ruled out a third four-wheel-drives and diplo- businesses. Critics have raised emoluments clause, a scantly cepted a customary bejewelled year landed him on Forbes’ mark red tie swinging a club in presidential bid. His stand-down matic vehicles under police es- questions over the ethics and noticed passage in the US con- snuff box from French monarch list of world billionaires, fi rst slow motion before fl ashing two came after advice from supreme cort. The venue was carpeted constitutionality of Trump’s stitution. Louis XVI. sparked controversy during the thumbs up, fl anked by Sajwani leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in red for the opening, with ties to governments and busi- It holds that “no Person hold- Republican outsider’s presiden- and a smiling Ivanka Trump, his who at the time said it was a maquette of the sprawling ness executives. ing any Offi ce...shall, without tial campaign. daughter. imperative to avoid a polarising green, spa and club facilities at Trump says he has trans- US defence chief in UAE the Consent of the Congress, Trump’s 2015 call for “a to- On November 25, two weeks eff ect in the country. the entrance. ferred control of the Trump for fi rst Mideast trip accept of any present” from any tal and complete shutdown of after Trump’s against-the- Ahmadinejad’s two terms as “We have brought Beverly Organisation to his two eldest foreign state. At a press confer- Muslims” entering the US led odds electoral triumph, Sajwani president between 2005 and Hills right to your doorstep,” sons, and the business empire US President Donald Trump’s ence in January, Trump, at the major regional retailer “Life- posted on his Instagram a shot 2013 saw Iran increasingly said a promotional video. has said it will not pursue new defence secretary arrived in the time still president-elect, said style” to pull Trump-branded of the three on the golfi ng green isolated internationally, divided Guests wearing traditional deals outside the United States. United Arab Emirates yesterday he had rejected a new $2bn deal home decor items from its apparently taken the same day. domestically and struggling dress mingled with others in But despite calls by ethics for talks with one of Washington’s in Dubai with Damac — as a per- shelves out of respect for its Sajwani, an Emirati whom economically. suits and fur wraps. watchdogs, the president has closest allies in the Middle East. sonal and not offi cial move. customers. Forbes has called “the Donald of Last week the hardline ex- While the deal predates resisted complete divestment Jim Mattis, on his debut trip to “I didn’t have to turn it Damac Properties, which de- Dubai”, himself received a warm president said he would not Trump’s 2016 election, the golf from his businesses. the region as Pentagon chief, down,” he said. “But I have a clined to comment on Trump’s shout-out at Trump’s New endorse any candidates in the club’s opening coincides with Watchdog group Citizens for was expected to meet Abu Dhabi no-confl ict-of-interest provi- remarks, said at the time that Year’s Eve bash. May elections. controversy over the policies Responsibility and Ethics in Crown Prince Sheikh Mohamed sion as president.” the golf club development “Hussain and the whole fam- President Hassan Rouhani, who and politics of the tycoon presi- Washington (CREW) on Janu- bin Zayed al-Nahyan and US The Dubai golf course, how- would remain unaff ected. ily, the most beautiful people, was elected in 2013 with support dent, and potential confl icts of ary 23 fi led a lawsuit citing pay- embassy representatives. ever, has raised concerns not And it has resulted in an 18- are here from Dubai tonight and from moderates and reformists, interest. ments from guests at his hotels only over a potential confl ict of hole golf course designed by Gil they’re seeing it and they love is expected to run for a second The correlation between — and golf courses — as well as interest but also Trump’s poli- Hanse, the architect behind the it,” Trump said from the stage at term but has not made any such wealth and politics is noth- leases with foreign governments The clause originally took aim cies on Muslim-majority coun- Rio 2016 Olympics course. his Mar-a-Lago club in sunny off icial announcement. ing new, and American presi- as forms of cash and favours. at then-ambassador Benjamin tries.Trump’s ties to Damac A 2014 video posted on Florida. Gulf Times 14 Sunday, February 19, 2017 ARAB WORLD ‘War won’t Shepherding the flock stop us’ vow child victims Bana, Abdel

AFP on Twitter, Bana gave Abdel Ankara presents before she urged people to “help the children of Syria”. wo Syrian children who She added: “We will go have become powerful to school, we will play. The Tsymbols of their home- war will not stop us. We are land’s confl ict met yesterday, strong.” vowing that “the war will not Sharing the clip, Bana said stop us” despite the horrifi c she was “very happy” to meet violence around them. Abdel in a tweet. Seven-year-old Syrian girl The IHH said Abdel’s Bana al-Abed — whose Twit- mother and three-year-old ter account gave a tragic de- sister were killed during the scription of the bombing of bombardment while his other Aleppo — met 10-year-old two sisters are suffering from Abdel Basset who lost his legs unnamed health problems. A Palestinian boy shepherds goats with the Israeli settlement of Adora appearing in the background, in the Palestinian village of Tarqumia northwest of the West Bank after bombardment in Idlib. The family came to Turkey city of Hebron yesterday. Abdel was caught in a bar- from Syria with the help of rel bomb attack by regime the IHH. forces in the town of Al-Hbeit, “Look, Abdulbaset Ta’an, in northwest Idlib province little Syrian boy lost both on Thursday.A video of the legs because of the bombing,” young boy screaming for his she said Friday. father spread on social me- Bana became known dia and images of Abdel were worldwide with her tweets shared by Bana as well. from flashpoint city Aleppo Turkish NGO the Hu- giving an insight into the manitarian Relief Founda- raging conflict. Turkey sets out Raqqa tion (IHH) said Bana visited In December the city’s yesterday Abdel in hospital rebel areas fell back into in Hatay, southern Turkey government control while where he is being treated. Bana was evacuated with her In a live Periscope video mother to Turkey. operation plans to US

Reuters two Raqqa road maps, Hurriyet Istanbul said, citing security sources. Syria regime shelling Aoun warns Israel of Ankara’s preferred plan of ac- of funeral kills nine tion envisages Turkish and US urkey has presented two special forces, backed by com- At least nine people were killed ‘appropriate response’ proposals to the United mandos and Turkey-backed yesterday when government TStates for how to carry out Syrian rebels entering Syria forces launched a barrage of a joint military operation to drive through the border town of Tel rockets that hit a funeral on the Reuters ligence Minister Yisrael Katz Islamic State from its strong- Abyad, currently held by Kurd- edges of the Syrian capital, a Beirut said on Thursday that all of hold in the Syrian city of Raqqa, ish YPG militia, the newspaper monitor said. The Syrian Ob- Lebanon would be a target if Turkish newspaper Hurriyet re- said. servatory for Human Rights Hezbollah fi red on Israel. ported yesterday. The forces would cut through said “seven rockets and several ebanese President Aoun’s comments also fol- Ankara has said repeatedly YPG territory, before pushing on shells hit areas on the edges of Michel Aoun said yes- lowed warnings this week by that the planned operation to Raqqa, about 100 kilometres Qabun”, a northeastern district of Lterday that any Israeli the leader of the armed Leba- should be conducted by local south. Such a plan would require Damascus held by rebels. “The attempt to violate Lebanon’s nese group Hezbollah, a po- Arab forces, possibly with sup- the United States to convince shelling targeted a cemetery sovereignty would be met with litical ally of the president, port from Turkish troops, as op- the Kurdish militia to grant the while someone was being buried the “appropriate response”, in against any Israeli aggression. posed to the US-backed Syrian A fighter from the Free Syrian Army’s Al Majd Brigades digs a trench Turkey-backed forces a 20-kil- there,” said Observatory head a statement released by his of- Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah Democratic Force (SDF) — an in the rebel held besieged area of Al-Marj in the Eastern Ghouta of ometre-wide strip through YPG Rami Abdel Rahman. fi ce. said the group’s rockets had alliance dominated by Kurdish Damascus yesterday. territory, the paper said. “The toll may increase because “Any attempt to hurt Leba- the ability to strike Israel’s nu- YPG militia. Yildirim said Turkish forces there are about 15 people nese sovereignty or expose the clear reactor at Dimona and its Washington’s support for the The US says arms provided to “We’ve told them one terror- would not be directly involved in wounded, some of them in criti- Lebanese to danger will fi nd military infrastructure — an SDF, which launched a campaign the SDF are so far limited to its ist organisation can not be used combat but would provide tacti- cal condition,” he said. Rebels and the appropriate response,” the apparent warning against any to encircle Raqqa in November, Arab elements but Ankara says to fi ght another. I believe the cal support. regime forces reached a local statement said. Israeli military action that he has caused tension with Nato- they are going to Kurdish militia new US administration will take Both the Turkish and US mili- truce deal in Qabun in 2014, but It said Aoun was reacting said might be approved by ally Turkey. and is asking for a halt. these assessments into consid- tary would have a ground pres- violence steadily escalated in the to recent remarks in a letter the new US president, Donald Ankara views the Kurdish mi- Speaking during a trip to Ger- eration,” he told reporters. ence, he added. neighbourhood which is now at the United Nations by Is- Trump. In 2006 Israel fought a litia as an extension of militants many, Turkish Prime Minister In a meeting on Friday at In- A second alternative outlined bombarded regularly. rael’s UN ambassador, which month-long war against Hez- fi ghting on its own soil. Binali Yildirim said there would cirlik air base in southern Tur- by Akar to Dunford was to push amounted to a “masked at- bollah in south Lebanon. It is not yet clear whether the be “serious issues” for ties with key, a key hub for the US-led towards Raqqa via the Syrian tempt to threaten security and Since then, hostilities be- new US administration of Presi- the United States if Washington coalition against the militants, town of Bab, Hurriyet reported, months. But the long journey of stability” in southern Leba- tween them have been limited dent Donald Trump will provide partnered with Kurdish militia Turkish military chief Hulusi which Turkey-backed forces 180 kilometres and mountainous non, but did not say what the to occasional fi ring across the weapons to the YPG despite for the Raqqa operation against Akar and his US counterpart have been fi ghting to seize from terrain make that possibility less remarks were. Israeli Intel- border. Turkey’s objections. Islamic State. Joseph Dunford discussed the Islamic State for the past two likely, it said. IS command centre ‘destroyed in Mosul’ Militant leader dies in American prison facility Reuters Baghdad AFP Washington he US-led military coa- lition said yesterday its Tforces had destroyed a lind sheikh Omar Abdel building in the main medical Rahman, the Egyptian- complex of western Mosul that Bborn cleric linked to the was suspected of housing an Is- 1993 World Trade Center bomb- lamic State command centre. ing, died Saturday of natural The militant group disputed causes in a US prison facility, the the assertion, saying in an on- Justice Department said. line statement that Friday’s He was 78 years old. Omar Abdel Rahman strike had killed 18 people, Abdel Rahman was serving a mostly women and children, life sentence on several terror- the 1993 bombing of New York’s and wounded 47 others. ism-related charges at a Federal World Trade Center, which left Independent media have Medical Center in Butner, North six people dead and injured no access to western Mosul or Carolina. around 1,000 more. other areas under Islamic State His death came after a long His son Mohamed Omar was control in Iraq and Syria. battle with diabetes and coro- informed of the death and said The militants are essentially nary artery disease, the Bureau the family had contacted the under siege in western Mo- of Prisons said. American and Egyptian authori- sul, along with an estimated The sheikh was seen as a mili- ties to repatriate the late cleric’s 650,000 civilians, after US- tant leader even after his con- body. backed forces surrounding the viction in 1995 for conspiring to Abdel Rahman had been im- city dislodged them from the bomb New York landmarks, in- prisoned in North Carolina since east in the fi rst phase of an of- Fighters of the Hashed al-Shaabi (Popular Mobilisation) paramilitaries prepare defensive positions near the frontline village of Ayn al-Hisan, on the cluding the United Nations, and 2007. fensive that concluded last outskirts of Tal Afar west of Mosul, where Iraqi forces are preparing for the off ensive to retake the western side of Mosul from IS fighters yesterday. assassinate the former Egyptian He was hospitalised in late month. The coalition said Is- president Hosni Mubarak. 2006 in the state of Missouri lamic State was using the fi ve- purposes and that civilians were weapons in hospitals, schools, in 2014 a self-styled caliphate Co-ordinator for Iraq Lise Abdel Rahman, who sported after he began to spit blood and storey building as a military no longer accessing the site,” a mosques and churches as a tac- that also spans parts of Syria. Grande told Reuters yesterday. a long gray beard and signa- was given a blood transfusion. command and control facility. coalition statement said, using tic to avoid targeting. Up to 400,000 civilians could Iraqi Prime Minister Haider ture sunglasses, led the militant In 2012, Egyptian President “The coalition was able to an acronym for Islamic State. The off ensive to dislodge Is- be displaced by the off ensive as al-Abadi told a meeting of the Al-Gamaa al-Islamiya group in Mohamed Mursi called for Abdel determine through intelligence, The strike followed reports lamic State from Mosul, its last residents of western Mosul suf- armed forces commanders on Egypt before emigrating to the Rahman’s transfer to Egypt for surveillance and reconnais- that the militants are dug in major city stronghold in Iraq, fer food and fuel shortages and Thursday that the ground of- United States. “humanitarian reasons,” asking sance eff orts that ISIS did not among civilians on the west- started in October. markets are closed, United Na- fensive on western Mosul could Born in 1938, he was a radical for a “prisoner exchange” with use the building for any medical ern side of Mosul and storing The hardline group declared tions Humanitarian start “very soon”. and was seen as having inspired the United States. Gulf Times Sunday, February 19, 2017 15 AFRICA

Burundi wants Tanzania Congo investigates video to arrest peace talks of ‘massacre’ by soldiers attendees Reuters/AFP Kinshasa

AFP Nairobi he Democratic Republic of the Congo’s government Tsaid yesterday that it was urundi’s government has investigating a video that ap- asked Tanzania to arrest pears to show Congolese troops Bseveral leaders of the main shooting dead a group of appar- opposition attending peace talks ent militia members armed with in Arusha in a bid to resolve a slingshots and wooden batons. nearly two-year political crisis. The seven-minute video, The talks are the latest eff ort which was shared widely on so- by former Tanzanian president cial media and seen by Reuters, Benjamin Mkapa to mediate the shows men in Congolese army crisis in neighbouring Burundi uniforms saying that they are which erupted when President participating in an operation Pierre Nkurunziza decided to against the Kamwina Nsapu mi- Mende: This is the work of desperate people. It’s clumsy and run for a third term in offi ce in litia. ridiculous. It’s worthy of scenes from a Rambo movie. April 2015. It was not possible to confi rm But the government has once the video’s authenticity inde- possible, we will be able to say video shows the soldiers amid again refused to attend the talks pendently or when it was re- what it’s all about.” the bodies littering the ground. and negotiate with the main um- corded. The footage is fi lmed from They fi re at some to fi nish brella opposition movement, the Congolese forces have been slightly behind the roughly them off , starting with a woman. National Council for the Resto- battling an uprising by the mi- dozen men wearing Congolese “Here we are in the village ration of Arusha Agreement and litia in central Congo’s Kasai military uniforms and shows of Mwanza-Lomba, we came Rule of Law (CNARED) – which provinces, which was trig- them advancing on foot towards across them today. We have This file photo taken on November 4, 2013 near Rutshuru shows Armed Forces of the Democratic is exiled in Brussels. gered when they killed its leader a group of men and women on a shown them that power is the Republic of the Congo (FARDC) soldiers sitting at the back of a pick-up truck. Congo government Bujumbura considers the par- Kamwina Nsapu in August. dirt road, who were singing “Our law,” the person fi lming says. spokesman Lambert Mende has described an unidentified video allegedly showing the Congolese army ty a “terrorist organisation” and The United Nations said this land, our land” in Tshiluba, a “There are lots of them but killing civilians in the Kasai region as a ‘ridiculous montage’. accuses it of leading a coup plot week it had reports the army language of Kasai-Central. we’ll chase them to infi nity, he in May 2015 at the start of the had killed at least 101 people in The men are heard speaking said. Oriental, between Mbuji-Mayi, A UN spokeswoman said It’s clumsy and ridiculous. It’s unrest. clashes in the region between Lingala, the language used by “Look at them, they’re armed the capital of the state, and this week that the apparently worthy of scenes from a Rambo To drive its point home, Bu- February 9 and February 13, in- Congo’s army, and Swahili, spo- with slingshots, wear red scarves Kananga, the capital of Kasai- high death toll over the last two movie.” rundi’s embassy addressed a cluding 39 women. ken in the east of the country. around their heads; they have Central. weeks suggested “excessive and A spokesman for the UN mis- letter to the Tanzanian govern- Congolese human rights min- “These bastards, they’re grisgris on their belts,” he says, The army’s spokesman could disproportionate use of force by sion for the stabilisation of the ment asking it to “arrest those ister Marie-Ange Mushobekwa coming to get killed,” one of the referring to amulets associated not be reached for comment. the soldiers”. country, MONUSCO, could wanted Burundians who are now said a probe had been launched men in military uniform can be with voodoo. Militia violence in the Congo, Earlier, government spokes- not be reached yesterday, but in Arusha for the inter-Burundi into the video. heard saying, and then an order “This one here isn’t dead,” one a tinder box of confl icts over man condemned the video as a a source in the mission said it dialogue”. “Since we received the video, is shouted: “Advance! Shoot!” of men says in Lingala, referring land, ethnicity and minerals, “ridiculous montage”. was investigating “the video and Burundi’s Foreign Minister the ministries of human rights, The soldiers begin fi ring, to a bloodied young man lying in has been worsened by President “What kind of army would other claims” regarding opera- Aime-Alain Nyamitwe con- interior, justice and defence without any attempt to fi nd the grass. Joseph Kabila’s failure to step let someone fi lm while they tions in the Kasai regions. fi rmed the information con- have been working on it ... to try shelter. Nobody is seen shooting Another uniformed man then down when his mandate expired kill?” said government spokes- An AFP analysis was unable to tained in the letter. to authenticate these images,” back. shoots him in the head. in December, and analysts say it man Lambert Mende. “This is confi rm when or where the video A legal source in Burundi told she told Reuters. “As soon as The shooting stops, and the Mwanza-Lomba is in Kasai- risks spinning out of control. the work of desperate people. was made. AFP the request “concerns sev- eral politicians who fl ed into exile and who are targeted by an international arrest warrant is- sued by Burundi’s prosecutor for their role in the (foiled) coup of Threat to May 2015”. Gambians celebrate It aff ects nearly the entire CNARED delegation of seven publish leading opposition fi gures. Those accused have denied any role in the attempted coup. Barrow inauguration ‘list of gay While the government is offi - cially boycotting the talks, a top offi cial from the ruling CNDD- AFP/DPA been able to get inside massed era of governance for Gambia, people’ FDD is among the delegations, Banjul against a heavy security pres- after Jammeh ruled with an iron but has refused to sit at the same ence. fi st for more than two decades. table as CNARED. Songs and shouts of slogans He retook the oath of offi ce he AFP The talks got underway on housands of supporters fi lled the stadium, where many fi rst made at the Gambian em- Dar es Salaam Friday morning, and Mkapa gathered yesterday to fi - wore pro-Barrow T-shirts. bassy in Senegal, whose territory is hoping they will lead to an Tnally celebrate the inau- The inauguration was tak- almost entirely surrounds Gam- agreement “on the principle and guration of Gambian President ing place on the 52nd anniver- bia and whose president, Macky anzania has announced spirit of the Arusha peace ac- Adama Barrow, a month after he sary of Gambia’s independence Sall, is seen as Barrow’s closest plans to publish a list of cords” credited with ending a was sworn in across the border from Britain, shortly after which ally. Tgay people allegedly sell- 12-year civil war in 2006. in neighbouring Senegal during a Dawda Jawara became the West The swearing-in ceremony on ing sex online – just days after He also wants consensus that tense power struggle. African country’s fi rst president. January 19 was held at a fraught shutting dozens of Aids clinics Burundi’s constitution will not The festivities began in the Jawara governed from inde- time for the tiny west African na- accused of promoting homo- undergo revision “until the situ- morning at Independence Sta- pendence in 1965 until the 1994 tion, as Jammeh was refusing to sexuality. ation has stabilised”. dium in Bakau, west of the capi- coup mounted by Yahya Jammeh. step aside and acknowledge the The country’s deputy health The Burundi government tal, and was attended by several Observers compared the crowd result of the election Barrow won minister Hamisi Kigwangalla launched such a reform process African heads of state as well as drawn by Barrow to those drawn several weeks earlier. said on Twitter that the gov- on Wednesday that members high-ranking diplomats. by Jawara. Senegal spearheaded eff orts ernment was investigating “the of civil society and government Crowds of hundreds began to “I never expected this to hap- to deploy west African troops in homosexuality syndicate” and fear could lift provisions on term gather as early as 3am. pen, that Gambians will throw Gambia after Jammeh’s depar- would arrest and prosecute those limits and allow Nkurunziza to “I spent the night here at the such a crowd. But there it is, I am ture, in order to secure a country involved in the gay sex business. seek a fourth term in 2020. stadium. This is to ensure that excited. This solidifi es our eff orts whose military forces were riven “I will publish a list of gay Nkurunziza’s third-term run I can have a smooth passage in- – an embodiment of everything with factions still loyal to the ex- people selling their bodies on- and victory plunged the cen- side”, said Isatou Dibba, a Barrow well for the government. I cel- leader. line. Those who think this cam- tral African nation into turmoil, supporter. ebrate today as freedom,” said Around 500 Senegalese, Gha- paign is a joke are wrong. The with hundreds killed in ensuing US and British diplomats Sheriff Bojang, a journalist who naian and Nigerian soldiers re- government has long arms and it unrest. Barrow holds the Qur’an during the swearing-in ceremony, found it diffi cult to enter the had returned from exile after 15 main in the country and helped will arrest all those involved qui- Nearly 400,000 have fl ed the presided by Chief Justice Hassan Jallow, at the Independence stadium, an AFP correspondent years. provide security for the celebra- etly,” he wrote. “Once arrested country. Stadium in Bakau. reported, as people who had not Barrow, 52, has pledged a new tions yesterday. they will help us fi nd others.” Gay male sex is punishable by anything from 30 years to life imprisonment under Tanzanian law, but there is no such ban on lesbian relations. Head of South Sudan’s military courts quits Mugabe will win even However, politicians have largely ignored the gay commu- nity – which was not subject to Reuters/AFP lines, leading the UN to warn “In your relentless endeav- “Their defection won’t have if he’s dead, says wife levels of discrimination seen in Nairobi/Juba that the violence was setting the ours to protect your own eth- any negative bearing on the na- other countries such as neigh- stage for genocide. nicity, and founded on no single tional army,” he said. bouring Uganda – until a recent A UN report cites UN Secre- law, you always freeze and/or He did not comment on re- AFP to show people how people spike in anti-gay rhetoric by the he head of South Sudan’s tary General Antonio Guterres abolish court issuance and rul- ports of human rights abuses by Harare love their president.” government. military courts has re- as saying the war had reached ings even of murder, rape and the military. President Mugabe has vowed In July last year, the regional Tsigned, saying that high- “catastrophic proportions for theft cases,” he wrote. “You have The government has previ- to stand again in the election, commissioner for the port city level interference made it im- civilians”. ordered arrests of civilians in ously said soldiers who commit he wife of 92-year-old but Grace could run if he dies of Dar es Salaam, Paul Makonda, possible to discipline soldiers In a letter addressed to the military jails exterior of proper abuses are prosecuted. Zimbabwean President before the vote. announced a crackdown against accused of rape and murder chief of army staff Paul Malong legal channels ... I can no longer The rash of resignations will TRobert Mugabe said on Grace Mugabe, who was ap- gays, followed by arrests in clubs. amid the nation’s civil war, ac- Awan, Loki said soldiers were continue with such a corrupt, isolate Kiir’s government fur- Friday that he would be the pointed leader of ZANU-PF’s Some people who have been cording to a letter seen by Reu- committing crimes without fear ethicised and unethical institu- ther within the international voters’ choice even after he women’s wing in a surprise openly gay on the internet ters yesterday. of punishment, particularly of- tion.” community and strengthen calls dies, as she addressed support- move two years ago, is well stopped posting after Makonda The resignation of Colonel fi cers who were Dinka, the same Loki’s resignation buttresses for a regional protection force ers from the ruling ZANU-PF known for her fi ery speeches threatened that police would ar- Khalid Ono Loki is the third tribe as the president and chief allegations by rights groups that to patrol the capital and for the party. and verbal attacks on her hus- rest those who follow them on high-level departure in a week. of army staff . the government permits soldiers military to withdraw. Grace Mugabe, who is seen band’s opponents. social media. A respected general stood “Mr Chief, you have often to gang-rape and murder civil- There are 15,000 UN peace- as a possible successor to her In 2015, she led a campaign Also in July last year the gov- down a week ago, citing ethnic avoided the current courts, tried ians with impunity. keepers in South Sudan, but ailing husband, ratcheted up which led to the ousting of ernment banned the import and favouritism in the military and offi cers on your own, whilst The UN has documented they have been criticised for not her colourful rhetoric ahead of deputy president Joice Mujuru, sales of sexual lubricants, which rampant human rights abuses. crafting and forming alien ones hundreds of accusations of rape intervening when human rights the general election due next accusing Mujuru of fanning Health Minister Ummy Mwal- And on Friday, the minister of paradoxical to the existent es- involving soldiers in the capital abuses are being committed. year. factionalism, plotting to topple imu said encouraged homosexu- labour defected to the rebels. tablished courts which are in alone. The confl ict has forced more “One day when God decides Mugabe and corruption and ality which led to the spread of Oil-rich South Sudan has conformity with the law,” Loki Rebels have also been ac- than 3mn of the nation’s 11mn that Mugabe dies, we will have bribery. HIV/Aids. been mired in civil war since wrote. “Your unqualifi ed clique cused of human rights abuses, citizens to leave their homes, his corpse appear as a candi- President Mugabe, the On Thursday government an- 2013, when President Salva Kiir, of friends and relatives who although fewer cases have been creating pockets of severe mal- date on the ballot paper,” Grace world’s oldest national leader, nounced that it was stopping an ethnic Dinka, fi red his deputy dangerously arrest and sentence documented. nutrition. Mugabe told a party rally in turns 93 on Tuesday, with a many privately-run health cen- Riek Machar, an ethnic Nuer. as you so wish and command Military spokesman Brigadier The UN’s humanitarian offi ce Buhera, southeast of the capi- celebration party planned for tres from providing Aids-related Since then, fi ghting has in- have never attended any law General Lul Ruai Koang said that OCHA said some 7.5mn people tal Harare. “You will see people next Saturday. He has been in services after they were accused creasingly fractured the world’s school to carry such responsi- Loki had resigned last year but in the country were now in need voting for Mugabe as a corpse. power since Zimbabwe’s inde- of providing services to homo- youngest country along ethnic bility.” that it had not been publicised. of humanitarian assistance. I am seriously telling you – just pendence in 1980. sexuals. Gulf Times 16 Sunday, February 19, 2017 AMERICAS Media ‘enemy of the American people’: Trump AFP Trump had tweeted an earlier blamed the media for his one- Amendment that declares the Washington post which targeted the New York month-old administration’s press the enemy of the American Trump addresses a crowd during the debut event for the Dreamliner 787-10 at Boeing’s South Carolina Times, CNN, NBC “and many problems. people,” conservative commen- facilities in North Charleston. more” media – and ended with In four weeks, Trump has seen tator SE Cupps wrote on Twitter, onald Trump has ratch- the exclamation “SICK!” his national security adviser adding the hashtag “TrumpsA- “’One of the most eff ective dishonest that if we don’t talk It also asks whether the GOP eted up his attacks on the But he swiftly deleted that ousted, a cabinet nominee with- merica”. press conferences I’ve ever seen!’ about, we are doing a tremen- (Grand Old Party, the Republican Dmedia, blasting the press missive before reposting the draw, a centrepiece immigration Ben Rhodes, a top adviser to says Rush Limbaugh. Many dous disservice to the American Party) should spend “more time as “the enemy of the American defi nitive version – adding two policy fail in the courts and a tidal former president Barack Obama, agree. Yet FAKE MEDIA calls it people. and resources” holding the media people!” more “enemies” to his blacklist. wave of damaging leaks. called Trump’s criticism of the diff erently! Dishonest,” Trump “Tremendous disservice. We accountable. Shortly after landing at his The 70-year-old Trump built Many US presidents have crit- media “a gift to authoritarians wrote on Twitter about an hour have to talk to fi nd out what’s It is not known what it will holiday home in Mar-a-Lago, his campaign on criticising the icised the press, but Trump’s lan- everywhere – will discredit any after the earlier tweet. going on, because the press hon- take – or if it’s even possible – Florida – where he is spending a media as biased. guage has more closely echoed US eff orts to support freedom of Trump declared during the estly is out of control. The level of for Trump to plug the leaks in third consecutive weekend – the In addition to regularly ac- remarks levelled by authoritarian the press globally”. news conference: “Much of the dishonesty is out of control.” his administration, but an ally on US president lashed out in 140 cusing the media of overstating leaders around the world. Many reporters were taken media in Washington, DC – Trump’s campaign website and Capitol Hill stepped in on Friday characters. his setbacks, he has also accused His comments had some ob- aback by Thursday’s press con- along with New York, Los An- the Republican Party on Thurs- to help. “The FAKE NEWS media (fail- journalists of failing to show suf- servers declaring that the Repub- ference, described by some as geles, in particular – speaks not day posted a “Mainstream Media House Intelligence Committee ing @nytimes, @NBCNews, @ fi cient respect for his accom- lican was veering dangerously bizarre, but Trump echoed the for the people but for the special Accountability Survey”, asking chairman Devin Nunes has asked ABC, @CBS, @CNN) is not my plishments. close to infringing on the consti- words of praise he got from one interests and for those profi ting respondents questions such as: the Federal Bureau of Investiga- enemy, it is the enemy of the On Thursday, he launched a tutionally-protected freedom of right-wing commentator and in- off a very, very obviously broken “On which issues does the main- tion (FBI) to investigate the leaks, American People!” Trump wrote long diatribe at a grievance-fi lled the press. sisted the outing had been a bra- system. stream media do the worst job of Politico reported, citing three on Twitter. news conference, in which he “I love that part of the 1st vura performance. “The press has become so representing Republicans?” sources familiar with his request. Eight fl ee across US-Canada border Climate doubter

Reuters Pruitt is EPA boss Champlain, New York

Reuters held up in the courts, that aims ight asylum-seekers, in- Washington to slash carbon emissions from cluding four children, coal and natural gas fi red power Ebarely made it across the plants. Canadian border on Friday as a he US Senate has con- Trump also wants to give US border patrol offi cer tried to fi rmed President Don- states more authority over en- stop them and a Reuters photog- Tald Trump’s pick to run vironmental issues by striking rapher captured the scene. the Environmental Protection down federal regulations on As a US Customs and Border Agency (EPA) despite the ob- drilling technologies and get- Patrol offi cer seized their pass- jections of Democrats and en- ting rid of an Obama rule that ports and questioned a man in vironmentalists worried that sought to clarify the EPA’s ju- the front passenger seat of a taxi he will gut the agency, as the risdiction over streams and that had pulled up to the border administration readies execu- rivers. in Champlain, New York, four tive orders to ease regulation Conservatives warmly wel- adults and four young children on drillers and miners. comed Pruitt’s confi rmation. fl ed the cab and ran to Royal Ca- RCMP off icers assist a child from the family after they ran across the The man runs for the border after snatching his family’s passports The installation of Scott “For far too long the EPA has nadian Mounted Police (RCMP) border into Hemmingford, Canada, from Champlain in New York, US. from the US border patrol off icer. After the man made it across the Pruitt, who sued the agency acted in an overzealous man- on the other side. border, the off icer left eyeing the luggage left behind. he intends to lead more than a ner, ignoring the separation of One by one they scrambled He said they were all from would have detained him. dozen times as Oklahoma at- powers, the role of states and across the snowy gully separat- Sudan and had been living and Offi cers on both sides momen- torney general, reinforces ex- the rights of property owners,” ing the two countries. working in Delaware for two tarily eyed the luggage strewn in pectations on both sides of the said Nick Loris, an economist RCMP offi cers watching from years. the snow before the US offi cer political divide that America at the Heritage Foundation. the other side helped them up, The RCMP declined on Friday took it, and a walker left on the will cede its position as a leader Democratic Senator Ben lifting the younger children and to confi rm the nationalities of the road, to the border line. in the global fi ght on climate Cardin, however, said he was asking a woman, who leaned people. The RCMP carried the articles change. concerned that if the adminis- on her fellow passenger as she A Reuters photo showed that at to their vehicles, and the people Senators voted 52-46 to ap- tration does not enforce emis- walked, if she needed medical least one of their passports was piled in to be driven to a nearby prove Pruitt, who was sworn sions cuts such as outlined in care. Sudanese. border offi ce to be interviewed in later yesterday at the White the Clean Power Plan, it would The children looked back from The man then appeared to grab by police and to make a refugee House. increase US pollution and harm where they had come as the US their passports from the US of- claim. Only one Republican, Sena- the country’s leadership in in- offi cer held the fi rst man, saying fi cer before making a run for the People seeking refugee sta- tor Susan Collins of Maine, ternational eff orts to curb cli- that his papers needed to be veri- border. tus have been pouring over the voted against him. mate change. fi ed. The offi cer yelled and gave Canada-US border as the United Two Democrats from ener- Opponents of Pruitt also The man turned to a pile of chase but stopped at the border States looks to tighten its poli- gy-producing states, Joe Man- protested his ties to the energy belongings and heaved pieces marker. cies on refugees and illegal im- chin of West Virginia and Heidi industry. of luggage two at a time into the Canadian police offi cers took migrants. Heitkamp of North Dakota, Republicans have the major- gully – enormous wheeled suit- hold of the man’s arm as he Asylum-seekers sneak across voted for his confi rmation. ity in the Senate, but Demo- cases, plastic shopping bags, a crossed. because even if they are caught, “I have no doubt that Scott crats spoke through Thursday black backpack. The US border patrol offi cer they can make a claim in Canada; will return the EPA to its core night and Friday morning on “Nobody cares about us,” he told his counterpart that the man if they make a claim at a border objectives,” said Republican the Senate fl oor, trying to ex- told journalists. was in the US illegally and that he crossing, they are turned away. Senator James Inhofe, also of tend debate on Pruitt until next Oklahoma, adding that the week, when 3,000 e-mails be- agency had been guilty of “fed- tween him and energy compa- eral overreach, unlawful rule- nies will likely be revealed by a making, and duplicative red judge. tape” during president Barack An Oklahoma judge ruled Rain and snow pound California Obama’s presidency. this week that Pruitt will have The nomination of Pruitt, to turn over the e-mails be- who sued the EPA on behalf of tween his offi ce and energy AFP/Reuters cancellations at airports. service had fl ood warnings in ef- his oil-producing state and has companies by Tuesday after a Los Angeles Rushing fl ood waters swept fect in both regions. doubted the science of climate watchdog group, the Centre for away cars, downed trees and In higher areas of eastern Cali- change, upset many former Media and Democracy, sued for caused mudslides and sinkholes, fornia and western Nevada, as and current agency employees. their release. storm pounding south- the National Weather Service much as 60cm of snow could Nearly 800 former EPA The judge will review and ern and central California (NWS) said. cause whiteouts, forecasters staff urged the Senate to re- perhaps hold back some of the Areportedly killed at least Flash-fl ood warnings will said. ject Pruitt in a letter this week, e-mails before releasing them, four people overnight on Friday, continue through the weekend Southwest Airlines said it had saying that he had “shown no a court clerk said. causing fl ash fl oods and forcing in many areas of the West Coast cancelled more than 250 fl ights interest in enforcing environ- Democratic Senate leader the evacuation of hundreds of state, which has been hit this in California. Airports in Los An- mental laws”. Chuck Schumer told reporters people from their homes. winter by a series of storms that geles, San Francisco and other Earlier this month, about that Majority Leader Senator Los Angeles city fi re offi cials have fi lled reservoirs, bringing parts of California had dozens 30 current employees at an Mitch McConnell had moved said a 55-year-old man was elec- respite following a severe fi ve- of cancelled or delayed fl ights, EPA regional offi ce in Chicago to “strap blinders” on his fel- trocuted after a tree downed a year drought. according to tracking website joined a protest against Pruitt low Republicans by not waiting power line. Although the latest storm, FlightAware.com. held by green groups. for the release of the e-mails. Several people stranded near which packed heavy wind-driven Residents of the city of Du- Trump is likely to issue ex- Environmentalists decried the Los Angeles River had to be rain, was mainly aff ecting south- arte, located in the foothills of ecutive orders as soon as next the approval. rescued with infl atable boats. ern and central California, rain the San Gabriel Mountains east week to reshape the EPA, “If you don’t believe in cli- Two other people died in car was also forecast to hit the San of Los Angeles, were ordered to sources said. mate science, you don’t belong accidents in the San Diego area, Francisco Bay Area in the north. evacuate on Friday for fear of The Republican president at the EPA,” said May Boeve, and a fourth was died in a sub- The downpours in other heav- mudslides and voluntary evacu- has promised to kill Obama’s the head of environmentalist merged vehicle, local media re- ily populated areas of southern ation orders were issued for some Clean Power Plan, currently group 350.org. ported. California, including parts of residents of Camarillo Springs, Another person was injured Santa Barbara and Ventura coun- north of Los Angeles. after her car fell into a massive ties also recently hit by wild- Duarte resident Alberto sinkhole in Los Angeles, local tel- fi res, could create the risk of mud Moreno, 34, piled sandbags out- evision station KABC reported. and debris fl ows there too, the side his home on Friday after re- She was trapped until fi re weather service said. fusing to leave the area. crews pulled her out. Authorities have warned resi- “The neighbours are here so The powerful storm blew in dents of an area west of Santa we’re all basically going to help from the Pacifi c Ocean, hit- Barbara, where another wild- out each other if it comes down ting California on Friday with fi re ravaged vegetation last year, to it,” Moreno said. high winds and heavy rain that to prepare to leave their homes Heather Malone, 44, another downed power lines, leaving quickly if ordered to evacuate. Duarte resident, said she was 60,000 people in the Los Angeles Rain also battered parts of prepared to escape by car if she Pruitt signs a document after his swearing-in ceremony, presided K-rails (also known as Jersey barriers) and sandbags are placed in area without power, and prompt- Northern California and south- saw “half the mountain coming by Justice Samuel Alito (left), at the Executive Off ice in front of homes in Duarte. ing hundreds of fl ight delays and ern Oregon and the weather down” near her home. Washington. Gulf Times Sunday, February 19, 2017 17 ASIA /AUSTRALASIA

NAROCTICS LABOUR POLITICS HISTORY GEOLOGY Thai cops in huge Mine boss held for alleged Taipei regrets deportation Singapore renames WWII Scientists claim existence meth pill seizure cover-up of death by Spanish authorities exhibition after outcry of drowned continent

Police in Thailand seized more than 7mn Police have detained the manager of a small Taiwan said yesterday it “deeply regrets” a Singapore has renamed a World War II exhibition A continent two-thirds the size of Australia has methamphetamine tablets following a dramatic coal mine in central China for allegedly under- decision by the Spanish government to deport after the original title, which used the name been found beneath the south-west Pacific car chase. Investigators said three speeding reporting the death toll from an explosion earlier to China around 200 Taiwanese nationals given to the city-state by Japan under its Ocean, scientists reported in the journal of the pick-up trucks failed to stop at a checkpoint in this week, state media reported yesterday. suspected of telecom fraud. The Spanish brutal occupation, sparked a public outcry. The Geological Society of America. The land mass norther Lampang province, close to Thailand’s The off icial death toll at the Zubao coal mine government said on Friday it had approved the exhibition opened earlier this week under the of 4.5mn sq km is 94% underwater and only porous borders with Myanmar and Laos. “Police in Hunan province has risen to 10, the Xinhua extradition of 269 “Chinese citizens” as part banner ‘Syonan Gallery: War and Its Legacies’ its highest points — New Zealand and New shot out the tyres of the middle car and arrested news agency reported. Local mine authorities of a year-long investigation into an Internet to mark the 75th anniversary of the fall of Caldeonia — poke above the surface. “It’s rather one Thai national,” Colonel Chairoj Uangpayung, on Tuesday reported nine people died, 16 fraud ring operated from several Spanish cities, Singapore, then a British colony, to Japanese frustrating for us geologists with the oceans commander of Wiang Mok police station, told AFP. escaped and four were rescued from the pit. But including Madrid and Barcelona. Taiwan’s troops. But many locals protested use of the being there,” said Nick Mortimer, a geologist In his truck they found 3.4mn meth tablets and one dead miner was wrongly listed as injured, Foreign Ministry said around 200 of the suspects term Syonan — Japan’s name for the island at GNS Science in Dunedin, New Zealand. 20kg of “ice” — a purer form of methamphetamine. investigators from the nearby city of Loudi were Taiwanese. Taiwan “deeply regrets” the during its three-year occupation — saying it Mortimer was lead author of the paper titled Authorities sped after the other two pick-up drivers announced yesterday. Police detained the mine’s decision by the Spanish government “which “evoked deep hurt”. Information Minister Yaacob ‘Zealandia: Earth’s hidden continent’. If the who escaped, but not before dropping 20 bags of manager on suspicion of covering up the death, has infringed upon the rights and interests of Ibrahim publicly apologised for the mishap. recent discovery is accepted by the scientific methamphetamine on the road. “Police have not Xinhua said. Two deputy mayors of Lianyuan and our people and ignored the tradition of the “This was never our intention (to cause hurt), community, cartographers will probably have counted the second batch yet but altogether I think the local production safety chief are also being EU countries’ emphasis on human rights,” the and I am sorry for the pain the name has to add an eighth continent to future maps and it’s more than 7mn tablets,” Colonel Chai roj said. investigated. ministry said in a statement. caused,” he said in a Facebook post on Friday. atlases. Arrested Elephant festival Samsung heir shown in chains

AFP After meals inmates have Seoul to clean trays themselves and sleep on folding mattresses. A single-channel TV, whose andcuff ed and bound programme is pre-selected and with ropes, the heir of recorded by authorities, is al- Helectronics giant Sam- lowed only during the day. sung appeared for question- Other inmates at the deten- ing yesterday over his alleged tion house include Choi Soon- involvement in the corruption Sil, a close confi dante of the scandal currently engulfi ng president who is at the centre South Korean President Park of the infl uence-peddling scan- Geun-Hye. dal, the former head of Park’s Among other allegations, presidential staff and her ex- Lee is accused of paying nearly culture minister. $40mn in bribes to a confi dante All are incarcerated in their of the impeached president to own single cells. secure policy favours. Lee, the son of Samsung The conglomerate’s de facto group boss Lee Kun-Hee, has head stared straight ahead as he been quizzed several times over was greeted by a horde of jour- his alleged role in the scandal. nalists and camera fl ashes upon The 48-year-old, described Elephants take part in a parade during Elephant Festival, which organisers say aims to raise awareness about the animals, in Sayaboury province, Laos. his arrival at the offi ce of special as a key suspect, narrowly prosecutors investigating the avoided being formally arrested case. last month, after the court ruled He kept silent as journal- there was insuffi cient evidence. ists fi red questions at him, but But prosecutors on Tuesday the metal manacles could be made a second bid saying they glimpsed under the sleeves of had collected more evidence in his well-tailored, navy suit and recent weeks, and Lee was later white ropes around his arms arrested. and back. A badge on his chest The scandal centres on Choi, bore his prisoner number. who is accused of using her During his fi rst night at the close ties with Park to force N Korean held for Seoul Detention Centre, Lee local fi rms to “donate” nearly was detained in a one-man cell $70mn to non-profi t founda- instead of a six-person room — tions which Choi allegedly used a privilege reserved for digni- for personal gain. taries, local news reports said. Samsung, South Korea’s But the 6.27 square-metre largest business group with dwelling was a far cry from his revenues equivalent to about a four-million-dollar home in fi fth of the country’s GDP, was Jong-nam’s death Seoul. the single biggest donor to the Like all others awaiting trial, foundations. The assassination is raising the while a Malaysian man has been de- report to complete the autopsy. He said It had earlier tried to persuade Malay- he spent his time in detention It is also accused of sepa- temperature in a volatile region tained. the autopsy report would hopefully be sian authorities not to carry out an au- wearing an inmates’ uniform rately giving millions of euros to At least three more suspects are at released “within this week”. topsy. and eating prison meals — rice, Choi to bankroll her daughter’s Reuters large, government sources have said. The case threatens to weaken North “The Malaysian side forced the post- soup and three side dishes equestrian training in Germany. Kuala Lumpur Kim Jong-nam, the eldest son of the Korea’s ties with Malaysia, one of the few mortem without our permission and — worth 1,440 won ($1.26), Prosecutors are probing late North Korean leader Kim Jong Il, had countries that has maintained good dip- witnessing,” the North Korean ambas- served on a plastic tray and slid whether Samsung had paid spoken out publicly against his family’s lomatic relations with Pyongyang. sador Kang Chol told reporters outside through a small window in the Choi to secure state approval alaysian police said yesterday dynastic control of isolated, nuclear- North Korea’s nuclear arms and weap- the hospital where the body of Kim Jong- cell door. for the controversial merger of they had arrested a North Kore- armed North Korea. ons programmes have alarmed the West, nam is being kept. Food brought from outside two Samsung units seen as a key Man man in connection with the South Korea’s intelligence agency told most recently its test of a ballistic missile “We will categorically reject the result is prohibited, the Chosun Ilbo step towards ensuring a smooth murder of the estranged half-brother of lawmakers in Seoul that Kim had been earlier this month in its fi rst direct chal- of the post mortem...” daily said. power transfer to Lee. North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, as a living with his second wife in the Chi- lenge to the international community He said Kim Jong-nam had a diplo- diplomatic spat over his body escalated. nese territory of Macau, under China’s since Donald Trump became US presi- matic passport and was under the con- Kim Jong-nam died this week after protection. dent. sular protection of North Korea. being assaulted at Kuala Lumpur Inter- He had been at the Kuala Lumpur air- Pyongyang’s main ally and trading China will suspend all imports of coal national Airport with what was thought port to catch a fl ight to Macau when he partner is China, which is irritated by its from North Korea for the rest of the Minister at DMZ to be a fast-acting poison. was killed. repeated aggressive actions but rejects year, Beijing said yesterday, depriving South Korean and US offi cials have An autopsy is being performed at a suggestions from the United States and Pyongyang of a crucial source of foreign said he was assassinated by North Ko- hospital in the capital city. others that it could be doing more to rein exchange following its latest missile test. rean agents. Selangor state police chief Abdul Sa- in its neighbour. “(China) will temporarily stop its im- Malaysian police said the latest arrest mah told Reuters that the autopsy report Yesterday, China said it had further ports of coal from North Korea for the connected with the murder was made on was not complete yet. tightened trade restrictions with North rest of this year (including coal for which Friday night, and the suspect was identi- He dismissed media reports that a sec- Korea by suspending all imports of coal customs applications have been made fi ed as Ri Jong Chol, born on May 6, 1970. ond autopsy would have to be conducted. starting February 19, although it did not but not yet processed),” the commerce He was in possession of a Malaysian i- North Korea said yesterday that it say why. Coal exports to China are a vital ministry said in a statement posted on its Kad, which is an identifi cation card given would categorically reject Malaysia’s au- source of revenues for Pyongyang. website. to foreign workers, they added. topsy report on the death of Kim Jong- Kim Jong-nam was assaulted at the The statement said the suspension “He is suspected to be involved in the nam, and accused Malaysia of “colluding low cost terminal of Kuala Lumpur In- was in accordance with existing UN death of a North Korean male,” read a with outside forces”, in a veiled reference ternational Airport on Monday with sanctions imposed on North Korea over statement. to rival nation South Korea. what is believed to be fast acting poison its nuclear and missile programmes and The police chief for Selangor state, Malaysia hit back by saying the coun- before he could board a fl ight to Macau. would come in to force on Sunday and Abdul Samah Mat, said the suspect had try’s rules must be followed. The foreign He sought help but died on the way to remain until the end of the year. Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop (C) visits the joint been remanded in police custody. Two ministry has yet to make any comment. the hospital. The decision came less than a week security area of the truce village of Panmunjom in the female suspects, one an Indonesian and Health minister Dr S Subramaniam North Korea demanded on Friday after North Korea’s latest missile test, Demilitarized zone (DMZ) dividing the two Koreas. the other carrying Vietnamese travel told state news agency Bernama that night that Kim Jong-nam’s body be re- as tensions escalate over the reclusive documents, have already been arrested, Malaysia was waiting for the toxicology leased immediately. state’s defi ance of UN resolutions. Anti-coal protest leaders detained by Thai army

AFP outside government offi ces in Bang- thichai Noonuan, Akkradet Chakjinda Thailand’s junta often describes peri- Detainees have previously accused to power and toppled their political rivals. Bangkok kok since Friday to demonstrate against and Rungkhun Kittiyakara — were initial- ods of compulsory detention as being an authorities of physical abuse inside the But some Krabi residents are now bris- the junta’s decision to green-light a ly detained by police yesterday morning invitation to talk. facility while two men who allegedly im- tling at the junta for pushing through 800-megawatt coal plant on the coast before being handed over to the military. Both the Save Krabi protest group and properly used their links to then Crown with the power station. hree people leading protests of Krabi, a region renowned for its popu- Junta spokesman Lieutenant General Suni Phasuk, a local researcher with Hu- Prince and now King Maha Vajiralong- The junta says the power plant is des- against the construction of a coal- lar tropical beaches and steep limestone Sansern Kaewkamnerd said the trio were man Rights Watch, said the men had been korn died in custody there. perately needed to help with energy Tfi red power plant in southern hills. “invited for talks” because they did not taken to the 11th Army Circle, a barracks “It reaffi rms the ongoing repression of shortages in the south. Thailand were detained by the army yes- The gathering is a rare act of defi ance of ask for permission to protest. in Bangkok with a controversial reputa- a military regime that strictly prohibits Thailand’s southern beach regions are terday, as activists voiced alarm that the the junta’s ban on public protests. Gener- “They must seek offi cial permission tion. any form of dissent,” Phasuk told AFP. a comparatively wealthy part of the coun- trio were being held in a notorious bar- als seized power in 2014 and have severely beforehand and not just inform the media The military have used the barracks to Thailand’s south was a stronghold of try but they suck up signifi cant energy racks prison. clamped down on dissent. before holding a rally,” he said in a state- hold suspects involved in national secu- the protest movements that pushed for resources. Blackouts have become more Hundreds of protesters have gathered The three protest leaders — Prasit- ment. rity cases, often barring access to lawyers. the 2014 coup which brought the military common. Gulf Times 18 Sunday, February 19, 2017 BRITAIN

TRUANT CRIME WEATHER CAPITAL BUSTED Boy charged after stun gun Manhunt after elderly Caribbean air brings Mayor could off er people Teen who posted gun attacks on women woman held captive warmer temperatures a year’s free council tax through letterbox jailed

A 14-year-old boy has been charged following a Police have launched a manhunt after an elderly Londoners will be given a taste of spring in the People who help catch dog owners who do not A teenager who posted a loaded gun through a spate of stun gun attacks on women drivers. It woman was held captive at her home in south coming days as a blast of warm air brings mild pick up after their pets could get a year’s free letterbox in north east London has been locked comes after three women and two schoolboys London. Scotland Yard released an image of weather. Temperatures are expected to rival council tax, a city mayor has said. Liverpool’s up. Hugo Borges, 18, was cycling in Matthias were attacked between February 6 and 10. The Kinane Rose after a woman, in her 80s, was parts of the Mediterranean, bringing a welcome mayor Joe Anderson has mooted the idea in a Road, Dalston, with another man when the pair youth is alleged to have targeted two women held against her will at her address in Norbury, relief from the wintry conditions of the past few drive to crack down on environmental crimes were asked to stop by two police off icers in in Birmingham’s Kings Heath area between Croydon, for two hours on Monday. A man weeks. The Met Off ice said thermometers could and illegal dumping. He has asked his council November last year. The men fled and the police, February 6 and 9, West Midlands Police said. claiming to be a gas meter reader visited the reach 15C or 16C in parts of the south-east by off icers to look at giving residents a free year also riding bicycles, gave chase, Blackfriars He is further accused of leaving another woman woman at her home. When she questioned him, tomorrow, while highs of 17C are predicted in without council tax if they film or take photos Crown Court heard. Off icers spotted Borges with minor burns after attempting to take a car he physically restrained her and bundled her Scotland. The mild weather, which is pushing that help identify fly-tippers, litterbugs or post a converted blank firing pistol through the in Moseley on February 10. In another incident to the floor, where she was kept for two hours, temperatures to 4C or 5C above the average irresponsible dog owners. The mayor said: “Can door of a house in the road. The teenager was the same day, the youngster is accused of police said. The man fell asleep and the victim maximums for this time of year, is being we reward those residents that let us know who searched and discovered to be carrying 53 wraps attacking two schoolboys with a stun gun, also was able to shout for help from the front door. triggered by an air mass making its way over is flytipping, whose dogs are fouling our streets of cocaine and 38 wraps of heroin, the court was in Moseley. The boy, from Sparkhill, is set to Her attacker fled. The woman was left shaken the Atlantic Ocean from Florida and parts of the and or are not recycling properly? “Should we told. The gun was recovered from the address appear in custody at Birmingham Magistrates’ but unhurt and nothing was stolen. Rose, 23, was Caribbean. The rise could make parts of the UK look at making it compulsory to recycle? “We and found to be loaded with ammunition. Court charged with conspiracy to commit last seen on Thursday on a route 133 bus from among the hottest locations in Europe, following need to look seriously at these measures and Borges admitted four drugs and firearms robbery. London Bridge heading towards Brixton. bouts of snow and freezing temperatures. more to encourage and reward civic pride.” off ences. He was sentenced to seven years. BBC fell Duchess visits horse club for fake news: aide to Trump

Guardian News fl ight at Reagan National air- London port in January with a 9mm handgun in his luggage. At Breitbart News he y any measure it would worked for Steve Bannon, be hard to follow Presi- who is now Trump’s chief Bdent Donald Trump’s strategist. As deputy assist- transfi xing 77-minute press ant, Gorka reports to him. conference on Thursday, but Gorka, who told Newsnight, the deputy assistant to the ad- “I’ve never worked at this rar- ministration, Sebastian Gorka, ifi ed, strategic level before”, made a good fi st of it. described Trump’s press con- During an 11-minute vol- ference performance as “fab- ley, he whacked back question ulous” and said it showcased after question from an exas- “the old Donald Trump from perated Evan Davis, accusing the campaign”. He accused the BBC’s Newsnight host of the media of “agenda-driven “falling into the trap of fake distortion”. Others in Britain news”, of “bias”, and of being have signalled their sympathy “a little bit obsessive”.It was with Trump over the media. an extraordinary performance Morgan, the former tabloid from British-born Gorka, who journalist and editor, and now was a little-known fi gure in a TV presenter and columnist, Britain’s Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall,.with rider Natasha Williams during her visit to the Ebony Horse Club to celebrate the charity’s 21st anniversary, in London. the UK until he was catapult- has defended his friendship ed from the post of national with Trump, whom he met security editor at rightwing on the reality show Celebrity website Breitbart News into Apprentice, though admitted the heart of Trump’s national his politics would not have al- security team. lowed him to vote for him. Today he is the highest pro- He took to the airways to fi le member of a band of Brit- denounce the mainstream ish cheerleaders popping up media for fuelling “hysteri- on TV screens and in Twitter cal” attacks on Trump. feeds either championing, or “There is an absolutely Londoners shun masks sympathising, with the new US president over his media He described Trump’s blues. press conference They include former Ukip performance as fabulous leader Nigel Farage and Bris- and said it showcased the tol-based multi-millionaire old Donald Trump from Ukip donor Arron Banks, and the campaign despite rising pollution former tabloid editor Piers Morgan, who have all voiced frenzied and concerted at- Researchers have warned the time you can’t actually see their concerns over the treat- tempt to delegitimise, sabo- that the situation is the pollution, but it is still there. ment of Trump by the main- tage and destroy the Trump dangerous for children “Until people understand that stream media. presidency before it’s even there is and air quality issue that Gorka, who is in his 40s, started,” he told US cable Evening Standard is not ending then we will have was born in London to Hun- channel Fox News earlier this London the same problem. garian parents who had fl ed week. “I think that is un- “We need to mobilise the pub- during the country’s 1956 American,” he added. lic so we can infl uence the gov- failed anti-Soviet revolution. Coverage, driven by the ondoners are shunning ernment to actually do some- His wearing of his father’s New York Times, said Mor- protective face masks de- thing.” medal by the Hungarian group gan, was “nakedly partisan” Lspite signifi cant warnings He said the best way to solve Vitezi Rend — or Order of He- and bordering on an “often over soaring pollution levels, it the problem of poor air qual- roes — at the inaugural ball for nakedly abusive treatment of has been revealed. ity would be to ensure there were the president raised eyebrows, a new president”.Farage, who Doctors this week warned that “no cars in cities” and “restric- as the group, which was anti- helped campaign for Trump time is “running out” to tackle tions on vehicle movement”. Soviet, has been linked by said on his LBC show that the toxic air and protect British The campaign group Doctors some to Nazi colluders. “much of the liberal media children from pollution. Against Diesel have published Gorka told Breitbart News he establishment were losing the Their warning came after the a letter calling on Theresa May wore it in memory of his father trust of the public”, point- Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, to start phasing out diesel vehi- who had been tortured and im- ing to a poll showing Trump’s tweeted to say that older people cles to cut harmful fumes on the prisoned by Hungarian com- approval rating hitting 55%. and people with heart and lung streets of the capital and other munists in the late 1940s, and “He’s doing what the Ameri- problems should avoid exercise cities and towns. The medics, was awarded the medal in 1979. can people elected him to do”, due to high pollution. including more than 100 from It reminded him of “what he tweeted. Alerts were issued across the Doctors issued a warning about protecting children from the dangers of poor air quality London, said: “A national diesel they suff ered under the Nazis Banks, who ran the Leave. capital due after a polluted air reduction initiative, led by Gov- and under the communists”. EU group and famously met mass from northwest Europe de- you might think,” he told the “But then it goes back to nor- “It is only when it gets re- ernment, will represent a major Gorka moved to the US nine Trump with Farage days after scended on London. Standard. mal. If there are changes, they are ally bad that people actually do public health advance. years ago, becoming a citizen the election, when the Brex- But Harry Cole, the founder of “The pollution reports come temporary.” something about it – and that “However, time is running out, in 2012, having attended St iteers were photographed pollution mask company Respro, out every year and they get a lot Cole said his concerns are that when it turns into smog. without urgent action emissions Benedicts school, Ealing and in front of Trump Tower’s said the warnings have not lead to of press, so we see a surge in me- people are not fully aware of the “Everything is simplifi ed so from diesel vehicles will cause the University of London be- gold elevator, took swipes at an unprecdented spike in sales. dia attention and people do tend issue of poor air quality until it it is only when people can see it irreversible lung damage to the fore graduating from Buda- the media and at the BBC on “It is actually contrary to what to buy a few more masks. becomes visible. that they worry about it. A lot of current generation of children. pest and studying for a PhD in Twitter. political science. On Trump’s approval rat- He worked in the ministry ings, he wrote: “That’s be- of defence for the Hungarian cause he’s doing stuff — you government, then later spe- know, following through on cialised in transatlantic se- campaign promises. Shocking Ukip started political revolution: says Farage curity and counter terrorism, behaviour.” and worked for the Rand Corp In another tweet he had Washington thinktank before a dig at BBC presenter Jon AFP the tumult of last year, which led impossible for (National Front week that he did not lose “close the patriotic working class,” he lecturing at military colleges. Sopel’s press conference re- Bolton, United Kingdom to the downfall of British prime leader) Marine Le Pen to win in friends” at the Hillsborough sta- said. He and his US wife, tort to Trump that the BBC minister David Cameron and May,” he said of the French presi- dium disaster in 1989 — a claim Farage hit out at those urging Katharine, have collaborated was “impartial, free and fair’’. Italian prime minister Matteo dential election. made on his website. Ukip to become “mainstream”. on research on the Islamic “As long as the BBC is ritain’s UK Independence Renzi, was part of “something “Anyone who makes that pre- The deadly crush at Sheffi eld “This attitude is not Ukip. terrorist threat, becoming funded by the public it’s not Party initiated a “political very much bigger” in the West- diction is taking a real chance Wednesday’s Hillsborough foot- Ukip is a radical party or it is well known in far-right cir- free, and certainly not fair and Brevolution” that is only just ern world. with their reputation and their ball stadium left 96 people dead. nothing,” he said. cles. balanced when it comes to getting started, Brexit spearhead “The change in public atti- career.” Nuttall accused critics of a “We need to be leading the po- He said at a talk in Florida Trump,” Banks tweeted. Nigel Farage told a party confer- tudes towards politics, towards New Ukip leader Paul Nuttall “coordinated, cruel and almost litical conversation, not trying to that their “pillow talk” was of He later re-tweeted, from ence Friday. the political class, towards large also addressed the party confer- evil smear campaign”. sound like all the rest.” Islamic State and al-Qaeda, Andy Wigmore, former “It was a year of political revo- sections of our establishment ence in Bolton, northwest Eng- Nuttall also slammed the main Nuttall said he had been asked according to Politico. Leave.EU communications lution, and the most remarkable liberal media — those changes in land — his fi rst since taking over opposition Labour Party, which what the point of Ukip follow- She was part of the Trump director: “Has to be one of the thing about it is it was all started attitudes are absolutely funda- from Farage in November — as has always held the Stoke-on- ing the referendum and Blair’s transition team for Depart- best press conferences ever — by Ukip,” he said, referring to mental,” he said. he bids to take the parliamentary Trent Central seat that he is try- intervention “proves why Ukip is ment of Homeland Security. loved seeing the liberal media the Brexit vote, Donald Trump’s “Everything that happened in seat of Stoke-on-Trent Central ing to win. more important than ever. In November Gorka was implode with shock and an- election and Italy’s referendum 2016 confounded the experts all in a by-election next Thursday. “I am more confi dent than ever “We must ensure that the es- cleared of a weapons charge gers worth every second lol’. in 2016. over the world. Nuttall’s election campaign that Ukip will eventually replace tablishment fi gures do not try to after attempting to board a Former Ukip leader Farage said “And there is this view that it’s has been hit by his admission this the Labour Party as the voice of subvert the will of the people.” Gulf Times Sunday, February 19, 2017 19 BRITAIN Separation worries hang over fashion industry

AFP portant to sustain this incredible amid the glamour and the crea- placed. While there has been a great diversity and our business manufacturing costs from her London industry, that contributes £28bn tivity, there is unease about what resurgence in UK manufactur- leaders protect, nurture and pro- Italian factories rose, “ there are to the British economy and pro- the future holds. ing over the past couple of years, mote that fi ercely,” said Natalie other gains — there’s other cur- vides 880,000 jobs.” “The overarching feeling at with many high-end brands ben- Massenet, the founder of online rencies that are moving, other he British fashion indus- Prime Minister Theresa May is the moment is uncertainty,” said efi ting from the allure of British fashion portal Net-A-Porter and markets to explore — and I think try kicked off its seasonal due to start negotiations on leav- Adam Mansell, chief executive of heritage, they are often staff ed by chairman of the BFC. suppliers are very keen to keep Tshowcase Friday urging ing the European Union within the UK Fashion and Textile As- skilled workers from the EU. After talks Friday between our business”. the government not to damage a weeks, and has already signalled sociation. “A lot of the product that May and her French counterpart Others were less than sympa- thriving sector by cutting immi- her intention to impose controls Access to the EU’s single mar- you’ll see on the catwalk in the Bernard Cazeneuve, Downing thetic. gration and trade ties with the EU on EU migrants coming to work ket is a key issue for the industry, next few days is actually made in Street said the pair discussed the “Maybe we’ll be a little bit ex- after Brexit. in Britain. but there are other concerns, London. importance of reaching an early pensive — everything will be a “Fashion week is a really great She has said this would likely such as the skilled labour used And I know several factories in agreement on the rights of EU little bit expensive for England,” time to understand the power come at the cost of leaving Eu- in British manufacturing, as well London where the workforce is citizens in Britain, and vice versa. said Filippo Scuffi , the Italian and infl uence of our industry, as rope’s single market — a major as trade ties with the rest of the more than 70% EU,” Mansell told Labour shortages and extra creative director of British herit- well as our creativity,” said Caro- concern for the fashion industry, world. AFP. tariff s may well lead to higher age brand DAKS. line Rush, chief executive of the as the bloc accounts for about Mansell noted that British With so many Europeans liv- prices — although many brands, “But your country decided British Fashion Council (BFC). 70% of British textiles and ap- fashion is heavily dependent on ing and working in British fash- particularly luxury labels, have that way, what can I do? “We hope that you’ll listen as parel exports. A presentation by Roberta Einer imports, particularly large vol- ion, their status after Brexit has benefi ted from the fall in the “Brexit is not a good thing for we talk to you about visas, about Over the next fi ve days, Lon- on the first day of the London umes of clothes made in Bang- been a priority for many brands pound since the Brexit vote. English people. I believe in open talent, about tariff s, about fric- don Fashion Week will show- Fashion Week. ladesh, Pakistan, Myanmar and and designers, and industry bod- Designer Anya Hindmarch things: open minds, open with- tionless borders, and around IP case collections by more than Turkey — all currently tariff -free ies have petitioned ministers to noted that shoppers were fl ock- out walls, without frontiers. Any (intellectual property). 80 designers and brands, from W Anderson, Christopher Kane, through EU-negotiated trade guarantee their right to stay. ing to London in search of a bar- country shouldn’t have a wall. “Because this is incredibly im- Versace’s Versus to Burberry, J Roksanda, and Mulberry. But deals which must now be re- “Our businesses are fi lled with gain. She told AFP that even if The fi rst wall is in the mind.” Uber drivers New frontier exploit legal loophole

Guardian News Councillor Paul Gittings, London Reading council’s lead mem- ber for consumer services, said there was nothing the lo- ber has been accused cal authority could do to stop of exploiting a legal Uber drivers operating in the Uloophole that allows its area, even though the company drivers to operate in UK towns had failed to meet its licens- and cities where they don’t ing conditions — specifi cally a have a licence, leaving local requirement to have a manned authorities powerless to regu- offi ce with a phone line. late them. “I think it does create an Mick Rix, the GMB un- uneven playing fi eld, because ion’s national officer for the other private-hire operators hackney and private-hire and hackney carriages are pay- taxi trade, said the company ing us a licensing fee,” he said. A woman runs past fencing painted in the colours of the British union flag in east London. behind the cab-hailing app “But Uber drivers can still was “acting with impunity” come along and pick up trade across the UK, where it was here.” increasingly “spreading its York council has written to tentacles” into smaller towns the city’s MPs, calling on them and cities. to demand clarity from the After changes to the law government over the law. surrounding taxi licensing, Uber has a temporary licence brought in by the Deregula- to operate in the city and, al- tion Act 2015, drivers with a though only 12 Uber drivers private-hire licence from a lo- are licensed by York council, Blair faces backlash cal authority can use it to oper- hundreds of Uber cabs arrive ate anywhere in England and in York from surrounding areas Wales. every weekend, to take advan- Previously, the law required tage of increased demand from drivers to return to the area in the city’s student and tourist which they were licensed be- populations. tween jobs. Rachael Maskell, MP for over Brexit comments Rix said the deregulation York Central, cited examples of of the market and the arrival Uber drivers disregarding rules Blair is taking flak for Nicola Sturgeon, the SNP London I don’t think that’s go- a feeling amongst a good number geringly unhelpful” and said it of Uber had “opened up a real that applied to drivers licensed muddying the waters leader and fi rst minister of Scot- ing to cut much ice.” of Labour people that the timing would be better if Blair “butted hornets’ nest” all over the UK, in the city, such as the prohibi- land, also praised Blair’s “qual- Corbyn’s team had no com- is unhelpful,” he said. out” of the debate. where 40,000 Uber drivers tion of tinted rear windows or Guardian News ity of analysis and argument”, ment on Blair’s intervention, “Perhaps this is unfair to a However, Blair mounted a de- now operate in more than 25 the need for drivers to pass a London after he acknowledged Brexit had but one of his close allies, Rich- former leader, whom most rec- fence of his right to make the case towns and cities. knowledge test. made the case for Scottish inde- ard Burgon, the shadow justice ognise did so much, but there is in favour of staying in the EU, ar- Last month, Southend coun- “Every local authority has pendence “more credible”. How- secretary, said the former prime a feeling that he is moving away guing people’s opinions were not cil found that two cab drivers the duty of care within its ony Blair faces a back- ever, the speech was viewed as minister was “wrong on this and from the party and it doesn’t re- immutable and debate about the it had previously stripped of own boundaries,” she said. lash from Labour MPs for highly unhelpful by Labour fi g- Labour is right to disagree with ally matter to him whether there wisdom of Brexit should not be their licences were using the “Sheffield [for example] can- Tfuelling the party’s divi- ures campaigning in a tight bat- him”. The biggest concern among are crucial byelections or not. stifl ed. Uber app to pick up passengers not be responsible if some- sions over Brexit, as he launched tle against Ukip and the Tories to some Labour MPs in leave-voting One senior Labour adviser “They will say the will of the in the area. thing goes wrong in York. a campaign to keep the UK in the retain seats in Stoke-on-Trent seats was that the party would added: “It should make everyone people can’t alter. It can. They Nasser Hussain, 60, and The duty of care lies with EU ahead of two crucial byelec- Central and Copeland, where the appear to be undermining the angry. It’s about Tony Blair and will say leaving is inevitable. It Nisar Abbas, 37, had been York council.” tions in leave-voting seats. party is trying to emphasise its referendum result. not about the Labour party. If it isn’t. They will say we don’t rep- found to be sharing penalty Matt Boxall, head of pub- In a major intervention on support for triggering article 50 Returning from a day of cam- was about the Labour party, he resent the people. We do, many points for traffi c off ences with lic protection at City of York Friday, the former prime minis- and respecting the result of the paigning in Stoke, Caroline would have waited another week millions of them and with deter- other drivers in order to avoid council, said that while stand- ter accused a weakened Labour referendum. Flint, the Labour MP for Don until the byelections are out of mination many millions more,” being banned. ards diff ered between authori- party of allowing Brexit to hap- About 70% of referendum vot- Valley and a former minister the way before making an attack he said. Despite this, they were able ties, City of York was working pen, and called for a cross-party ers in Stoke, and about 60% of under Blair, said: “It’s not about on his own party.” Challenged about whether he to get new cab licences from with other councils in the West political movement to persuade the electorate in Copeland want- whether Tony Blair is entitled to The government’s rejec- was the right messenger, Blair Transport for London, which Yorkshire combined authority people that the costs of leaving ed to leave the EU on 23 June. an opinion or whether it was this tion of Blair’s speech was led by said: “This a free country. I’ve got permitted them to work legally region to create more stand- will be painful. Jeremy Corbyn was dealt an- week or next week, it’s about Boris Johnson, the foreign sec- a right to speak and you’ve got a using the Uber app in South- ardised conditions. “The debilitation of the La- other blow on Friday as the La- whether the advice he is giving retary, who said the EU debate right to listen or not.” end, where Uber does not have He stressed that the council bour party is the facilitator of bour leader’s longstanding cam- is right. I think it is bad advice, was over and Blair’s speech was Following the speech, Nick an operators’ licence. took the safety of customers Brexit. paigns director, Simon Fletcher, because what Tony seems to be “insulting the intelligence of the Clegg, the former Lib Dem leader Tony Cox, Southend coun- very seriously. Rix said prob- I hate to say that, but it is left to pursue new projects. advocating is leaving is not in- electorate”with calls for them to and deputy prime minister, said cil’s cabinet member for lems had arisen because some true,” he said in the speech Among those challeng- evitable and if people work hard think again. he agreed with every word of the transport, said the legislative local authorities were “giv- at Bloomberg in central ing Blair’s message was Jenny enough, he’s hoping he can force “I respectfully say to Tony speech. loophole had left the local ing licences away like sweets”, London.”What this means is Chapman, a shadow Brexit min- with others a second referen- Blair, who urges the British peo- Blair’s position contrasts authority “impotent to pro- citing Rossendale council, that we have to build a move- ister, who questioned the “in- dum. ple to rise up, I urge them to rise sharply with that of Corbyn, who tect the public”. Councillors which came under fire in 2015 ment which stretches across teresting” timing of the speech My view is that is asking for up and turn off the TV next time took the decision to order his in other local authorities have when it was found to have party lines, and devise new and said it “won’t help”. While a two-year campaign to under- Blair comes on with his conde- MPs to vote in favour of May’s also complained that Uber given out more taxi licences ways of communication.” stressing her respect for Blair, mine the vote, when I think we scending campaign,” he said. Brexit bill. drivers who do not fulfi l the per head of its population His call for millions to “rise she said: “It would be a mis- need to respect the vote and work Some remain supporters were The Labour candidates in authority’s specifi c licensing than London. up” against Brexit was met with take [to argue to stay in the EU] hard to get the best deal.” also concerned that Blair was not Stoke and Copeland have both requirements — such as mini- The council has admitted it enthusiasm by some of the 47 and I don’t think that is where David Winnick, the Labour MP the right messenger for the cam- been stressing their commitment mum vehicle age and success- was slow to deal with the loop- Labour MPs opposing Brexit and the majority of the country is for Walsall North, even raised paign to keep Britain in the EU. to triggering article 50, despite ful completion of a knowledge holes created by the Deregula- senior Lib Dems such as Nick whether they voted leave or re- doubts about Blair’s commit- Caroline Lucas, the Green supporting remain in the refer- test for the area — can still tion Act, but says it has since Clegg and Tim Farron. main … Especially outside of ment to the party.”There will be party co-leader, called it “stag- endum. operate legally in their juris- toughened up its licensing diction with a licence from processes considerably. elsewhere. In October last year, 414 Licensing fees also vary from of Sheffi eld’s minicab drivers area to area, leading some to were found to have obtained suggest that drivers are seek- their licences from Rossendale 14-year-old girl battered with crow bar in Surrey park ing out the authorities where it council, while 53 had taxi li- is cheapest to get a private-hire cences issued by Transport for licence. London. Evening Standard in a chilling display of criminal ster’s life but the gang only hand- Midhurst — who cannot be a profound eff ect on a teenage Reading council denied Uber Responding to the discovery, London awareness. ed themselves in after offi cers named due to her age — received girl’s life. a licence to operate last year, Paul Blomfi eld, MP for Shef- The girl, who cannot be launched an appeal to track them a 12-month referral order. “As well as suff ering extreme- but during the summer’s Read- fi eld Central, said the law al- named, was left with a head in- down. Along with Coveney she was ly serious injuries, she was left ing festival an average of 1,000 lowed drivers to “shop around terrifying gang of teenage jury, fractured nose, bruised ribs The group admitted causing also ordered to pay the victim traumatised by the incident and passengers a day took a trip us- for the most easy-going regime girls battered a 14-year- and two black eyes in the brutal grievous bodily harm and were £960 in compensation. suff ered continued bullying and ing the taxi app. and get their licence there”. Aold girl with a crowbar assault in a park in Guildford, sentenced at Guildford Crown Surrey Police said they as- abuse as a result. She was even- Although it is not known This week, Uber announced leaving her with “extremely seri- Surrey. Court on Friday. saulted the teenager with a tually forced to move schools for where the drivers travel in it would off er its drivers free ous” injuries. Left traumatised by the inci- Burrows, of Godalming, Sur- crowbar at Stoughton recrea- a fresh start. A media appeal was from, it is thought that many English courses and fi nancial Sophie Burrows and Lauren dent, her ordeal went on as she rey, was jailed for 14 months tion ground in Northway on the issued following the incident and are licensed by nearby Slough advice, as well as introduc- Coveney, both 19, and a 17-year- suff ered bullying over the assault while Coveney, of Midhurst, evening of January 9 2016. it was the attention on social me- borough council and Wind- ing an appeals panel for driv- old launched the “horrifi c” at- and had to move schools. West Sussex, was handed a Detective Constable Carina dia that led to the girls eventually sor and Maidenhead borough ers with grievances against the tack in a Surrey park before at- Police said the attack has had a 12-month suspended sentence. Jewell said: “This was a horrifi c handing themselves in at Guild- council. company. tempting to destroy the evidence “profound eff ect” on the young- Their accomplice, also from and violent attack which has had ford Police Station.” Gulf Times 20 Sunday, February 19, 2017 EUROPE

Migrant children Hungarian movie set in returning to Calais, abattoir wins top award say NGOs DPA/AFP Side of Hope, his fi rst picture in transgender performer to scoop with a political edge, Have a Nice Reuters Berlin six years, and A Fantastic Wom- a major acting award”. Day. Paris an by Chile’s Sebastian Lelio. Late on Friday, the picture Eastern Europe put in a strong The two fi lms led a critics’ poll won the Teddy Award for best showing with Polish director ungary’s On Body and in British fi lm magazine Screen LBGT-themed feature, which Agnieszka Holland’s feminist ome 300 to 400 migrants, Soul, a love story set in a and played well among review- Vega collected. fairy tale Spoor, the dysfunc- mostly unaccompanied Hslaughterhouse, won the ers surveyed by the German dai- Film industry bible Variety tional couple drama Ana, mon Schildren, have made their Golden Bear top prize yesterday lies Der Tagesspiegel and Berliner said director Lelio had “crafted amour by Romania’s Calin Peter way back to Calais in northern at the Berlin fi lm festival, Eu- Zeitung. perhaps the most resonant and Netzer and Enyedi’s On Body and France over the past few weeks rope’s fi rst major cinema show- The seven-member jury was empathetic screen testament to Soul. in the hope of reaching Britain, case of the year. led by Paul Verhoeven (Basic the everyday obstacles of trans- Reviewers also adored mes- non-government associations The fi lm by Ildiko Enyedi, one Instinct, Elle) and included US gender existence since Kimberly merising performances by the say. of four female fi lmmakers in actress Maggie Gyllenhaal (The Peirce’s Boys Don’t Cry in 1999”. lead actresses in Senegalese di- France moved more than competition, features graphic Dark Knight) and Mexican direc- It noted that unlike that fi lm or rector Alain Gomis’ Felicite and 6,000 migrants, many fl ee- scenes in an abattoir set against tor and actor Diego Luna (Rogue The Danish Girl – both of which Hong Sang-soo of South Korea’s ing poverty and war in their a tender story of two people One: A Star Wars Story). scooped Oscars – and TV’s ac- On the Beach at Night Alone, homelands, from the site of a working past disabilities to fall Last year, jury president Meryl claimed Transparent, A Fantas- Vero Tshanda Beya and Kim makeshift camp in the port city in love. Streep gave top honours to Ita- tic Woman featured a trans ac- Min-hee. last October to reception cen- One of 18 fi lms competing for ly’s Fire at Sea, a portrait of the Enyedi poses with the Golden Bear for Best Film On Body and Soul. tress playing a trans part. South Korea’s Kim won the tres around the country to calm top honours at this year’s Berli- refugee crisis on the island of Oren Moverman’s The Dinner, fi lm festival’s best actress award growing local anger. nale, Enyedi’s fi lm tells the story Lampedusa. Gyllenhaal told reporters as the Kaurismaki singled out Chan- a thriller about America’s fes- for her role as a woman who The migrants from the Mid- of a couple who discover they It is nominated for an Acade- festival opened. cellor Angela Merkel’s liberal tering racial and class divisions takes times out of a relationship dle East, Asia and Africa have dream the same dream every my Award for best documentary Kaurismaki’s movie was asylum policy for praise. starring Richard Gere, Laura in Hong’s movie. streamed into Calais for years, night. this month. cheered as a moving call to con- “This fi lm will be watched Linney and Steve Coogan fared Kim’s character Young-hee hoping to cross the short stretch It is her fi fth feature fi lm since The 11-day Berlinale, Europe’s science on behalf of the hun- long after (Syrian President less well with critics despite its wanders through winter in the of sea to Britain by leaping onto she won the Cannes Film Fes- fi rst major cinema showcase of dreds of thousands seeking ref- Bashar) al-Assad is history,” its ripped-from-the-headlines northern German port city of trucks and trains, or even walk- tival’s Camera d’or in 1989 for the year, screened nearly 400 uge in the West from war and reviewer, Barbara Moeller, said. plot. Hamburg as she questions the ing through the tunnel under the best fi rst feature fi lm for her features, 18 of which are nomi- persecution. Kaurismaki won the fi lm fes- The Guardian labelled the meaning of love. Channel. comedy-drama My Twentieth nated for the main prizes. It recounts the story of Khaled tival’s Silver Bear for best direc- movie, the only US produc- The best actor award went Police forces are still deployed Century. But on and off screen, celeb- (Syrian actor Sherwan Haji) who tor. tion in competition, as a “soggy to Austria’s Georg Friedrich for permanently in the area. A European refugee comedy rities and fi lmmakers have used ends up in remote Finland and A Fantastic Woman features a melodrama” and savaged the his role as a father trying to re- “We believe some migrants and a transgender love story had the festival spotlight to sound strikes up an unlikely friendship knockout performance by trans- “indigestible ham” of the main connect with his teenage son are coming back and that 300 to earlier been tipped to clinch off about Trump’s policies, par- with a group of Helsinki eccen- gender actress Daniela Vega as a performances. in Helle Nachte (Bright Nights) 400 of them are currently in the prizes last night at the fi lm fes- ticularly his now suspended trics. nightclub singer fi ghting for her The all-star Brexit satire The from Berlin-based director Tho- region. Most of them are teenag- tival, an event dominated by travel ban on refugees and trav- Britain’s Daily Telegraph right to attend the funeral of her Party fared better, with Screen mas Arslan. ers or young adults,” Lucie Favry, criticism of US President Donald ellers from seven mainly Muslim swooned over the “gorgeous, much older lover after his sud- calling the “brisk comedy” Brit- In the movie, father and son from local aid association Utopia Trump. countries. cuttingly poignant” movie. den death. ish director Sally Potter’s “most embark on a road trip through 56, told Reuters. Audiences have lavished ap- “I want people to know there German newspaper Die Welt The Guardian newspaper gave enjoyable fi lm to date”. northern Norway exploring to- A precise fi gure was diffi cult plause on the cult Finnish direc- are many, many people in my declared it an instant classic that the picture fi ve stars, saying that Festival guests also embraced gether their past lives after hav- to come by because many were tor Aki Kaurismaki’s The Other country that are ready to resist,” was “full of warmth” and noted it could “make Vega the fi rst China’s animated heist thriller ing had little daily contact. in hiding from police patrols while others had already made it across to Britain, she said. Yolaine Bernard, who works with the NGO Salam, said she Actor sad over end of ‘Wolverine’ franchise and her colleagues were handing out more than a hundred meals daily to migrants turning up. By Deborah Cole, AFP in 2000, said the family story haven in North Dakota, near the ics even though many of its cast “We haven’t been counting Berlin packed a heavy emotional punch Canadian border. are kids. them all, but we see new faces for him and, he hoped, the audi- The three generations of the “We are selling this movie to all the time, so we are defi nitely ence. family end up on a fateful odys- grown-ups, and that gave us talking of hundreds of people ugh Jackman’s rip- “When I saw the movie I was sey through an America popu- the freedom to make a movie for and I think there are more and roaring fi nal turn in the very nervous, knowing what was lated by ruthless corporations grown-ups,” he said. “The ideas, more migrants around,” she said. H“Wolverine” franchise at stake for me and it exceeded and the decent citizens who try the scene length doesn’t have to “Authorities are not doing an- premiered at the Berlin fi lm fes- my expectations. I looked at that to stand up to them. be tailored to the attention span ything since the jungle was torn tival on Friday, as he admitted character – there were some Stewart said that the reso- of a nine-year-old. down. We are on our own here,” that he shed a few tears saying moments I cried, in weird places nance of the picture’s themes “We don’t need to add side- she added. goodbye to the juggernaut role. like carrying the child (Laura) had grown stronger during pro- kicks so we can sell an action The “Jungle” is the colloquial Logan sees the superhero back up the stairs,” he said. “I duction. fi gure. The themes and ideas name for the make-shift camp reunited with his ailing father can’t say I’ll miss him because “We did not set out to make of taking care of an ageing par- that was dismantled. fi gure Professor X (British actor it’s diffi cult to describe, it’s not a political movie and yet there ent or the nature of death and The regional government in Patrick Stewart) and introduced going anywhere for me. It will are references and echoes in this life and the meaning of it can be Calais refused to confi rm num- to Laura, the mutant daughter he always live here. The fans will movie that could not have been somehow explored with cred- bers and said local authorities was unaware had been created in remind me every single day of anticipated but exist today,” he ibility and sophistication.” were wary of sending any kind a Mexican laboratory. my life whether we got it right or said. “That is serendipity.” Ahead of the red-carpet world of message suggesting migrants Though still small, Laura wrong.” Jackman also saw the story as premiere in the German capital, would benefi t from special treat- (newcomer Dafne Keen) inher- The fi lm’s opening chapter prescient. Stewart said he wanted to “apol- ment if they came back. ited her father’s steely claws and takes place along a heavily-mil- “We were talking when we got ogise” to Europeans for Britain’s “We are now in a normal con- superhuman strength. itarised US border with Mexico, down to set – a year before any vote to leave the EU, a develop- text that is the French rule of She joins him in battle against in the near future. of those debates happened – the ment that he said fi lled him with law,” she said. the agents of an American com- Logan – or Wolverine – and whole wall and the scenes at the “embarrassment and shame”. British-Spanish actress Dafne Keen and Australian actor Hugh Several associations and pub- pany that wants her back after Professor X are living in hiding border were in our script and it “I want you to be absolutely Jackman pose for photographers during a photocall for the film lic fi gures openly criticised the engineering her along with a when Lisa surfaces, having es- was kind of amazing,” the actor clear that more than half the Logan at the 67th Berlinale film festival. action of the French government band of superhuman child sol- caped her creator-captors with said. nation did not vote for Brexit,” when the Jungle was closed last diers. the help of a nurse from the Writer-director James Man- said Stewart, who campaigned voted out of the best possible tition as the fi nal feature at the year, while a row erupted be- Jackman, who fi rst appeared clinic. gold said that the ultra-violent for the “Remain” side. “The vote interests but it is and was a ca- 11-day Berlinale, which awarded tween Paris and London over the in the role of the Wolverine from The woman pleads with Logan movie, rated adults only, was in- only went the way it did because lamitous mistake.” its Golden and Silver Bear prizes fate of several minors with ties in the Marvel comics X-Men series to shepherd Lisa to “Eden”, a safe tended to delve into mature top- the nation was lied to and people Logan screened out of compe- at a gala ceremony last night. Britain. Vatican froze €2mn in suspect funds last year

Reuters speech but added that the total cleanse its fi nances and make But it said that the Vatican Vatican-owned real estate. Vatican City amount of suspect money fro- them more transparent in recent should be much more aggressive There have been no indict- zen between 2013 and 2016 was years, particularly since Francis’ with prosecutions and indict- ments on those cases so far. about €13mn. election in 2013. ments. In his speech yesterday, Milano atican authorities froze The money was frozen fol- Moneyval, the fi nancial moni- In late 2015, an investigation said that the Vatican had “closed more than €2mn in cases lowing alerts from the Vatican toring body of the Council of Eu- was opened after an internal re- the gap” to meet international Vof suspected money laun- Financial Intelligence Authority rope, said in its latest review in port said a department of the standards regarding monitor- dering in 2016 as part of Pope (AIF), which Francis has given December 2015 that the Vatican Holy See that oversees real estate ing, reporting, investigating and Francis’ drive to clean up the fi - more operative power. had made great strides in clean- and investments was used in the prosecutions. nances of the Holy See, its chief Milano did not say how much ing up its scandal-plagued bank past for possible money launder- He said 17 investigations of magistrate said yesterday. of the money was later unblocked and other fi nancial departments. ing, insider trading and market suspected fi nancial crimes were Gian Pietro Milano, whose of- following investigations but that The watchdog, which evalu- manipulation. still underway. fi cial title is Promoter of Justice, in 2016 two cases led to indict- ates how a country’s fi nancial In 2014, Milano froze millions Investigative co-operation made the disclosure during his ments and three were shelved. legislation and practices comply of euros in bank accounts owned from other countries, particu- annual address on the state of the The Vatican, a sovereign state with international standards, by two former Vatican bank larly Italy, had improved but that Vatican’s criminal justice system. surrounded by Rome, has en- said the Vatican had addressed managers and a lawyer as part of there were still many bureaucrat- Milano gave no details in his acted a number of provisions to many previous defi ciencies. an investigation into the sale of ic delays, he said. Police off icers and off icials are seen at the site of the train derailment in Kessel-Lo, Leuven. Refugees charged with murder bid Russia recognises Ukraine rebel documents One killed as train Six refugees have been charged with attempted murder for trying to set fire to a homeless Reuters According to Putin’s order, ing that Russia had violated the The Minsk peace agreement, derails in Belgium person in a Berlin subway station, Moscow published on the Kremlin web- Minsk peace process. agreed in February 2015, only prosecutors said on Thursday. site, Russia will temporarily “For me, this is another proof locked the two sides into a stale- The suspects, aged between 16 recognise identity documents, of Russian occupation as well mate that has been broken peri- Reuters Brussels jumped the tracks and 21, are accused of setting fire resident Vladimir Pu- diplomas, birth and marriage as Russian violation of interna- odically by sharp resurgences Brussels shortly after leaving the city of to objects and depositing them tin has ordered Russian certifi cates and vehicle registra- tional law,” Ukraine’s President of fi ghting that Kiev and the Leuven, 25km (16 miles) east of near the sleeping man’s head. Pauthorities to temporar- tion plates issued in the eastern Petro Poroshenko told reporters Kremlin accuse each other of the capital about 1.20pm (1220 A seventh suspect, aged 17, has ily recognise civil registration Ukraine regions of Donetsk and in Munich, Germany. instigating. ne person was killed GMT). been charged with failing to documents issued in separatist- Luhansk. Fighting has recently esca- The foreign ministers of and about 20 injured, Pictures posted on the In- render assistance to the man. held areas of eastern Ukraine, a The legislation will be in place lated in the confl ict between the Germany, France, Russia and Otwo seriously, yester- ternet showed one carriage had The incident took place at Berlin’s decision strongly criticised by until a “political settlement of Ukrainian government and Rus- Ukraine met yesterday in Mu- day when a carriage toppled come to rest on its side part Schoenleinstrasse subway station Ukraine’s president. the situation” in these regions sian-backed separatists in east- nich and agreed to use their in- onto its side in a train derail- way down a small slope. overnight to December 25. The decision will enable peo- based on the Minsk peace ac- ern Ukraine, refocusing global fl uence to implement a ceasefi re ment in Belgium, rescue work- Services between Leuven Bystanders managed to douse ple from the confl ict-hit region cords, the Kremlin said. attention on a simmering con- and the withdrawal of heavy ers said. and Brussels were suspended, the flames and the homeless man to travel, work or study in Rus- Ukrainian authorities sharply fl ict that has strained relations weapons from tomorrow in Rail operator SNCB said including some trains heading was unhurt. sia. criticised Putin’s decision, say- between Russia and the West. eastern Ukraine. the passenger train bound for to the airport. Gulf Times Sunday, February 19, 2017 21 EUROPE Pence tries to reassure Nato allies Reuters the seven-decade-old US guard- which Trump branded accredited Munich ianship of the West. White House reporters “dishon- After Pence spoke, the former est people”, sowed more confu- deputy secretary to the alliance sion. S Vice-President Mike Alexander Vershbow summed up “I like a lot of what I heard Pence brought yesterday the mood in Munich, telling Reu- from Vice-President Pence,” Ua message of support for ters: “Many in this hall are still Murphy told Reuters. Europe from Donald Trump but asking if this is the real policy.” “It’s just hard to square that failed to wholly reassure allies Pence, who held a meeting speech with everything Donald worried about the new presi- with German Chancellor Angela Trump is doing and saying,” he dent’s stance on Russia and the Merkel, also marked out a divide said, citing an assault on the free European Union. on Iran, which the European Un- press. Pence: Today, on behalf of President Trump, I bring you this In Pence’s fi rst major foreign ion sees as a business opportu- The resignation of Trump’s assurance ... the United States of America strongly supports Nato and Trump’s team in disarray, McCain tells Europe policy address for the Trump ad- nity following the nuclear deal. national security adviser Michael will be unwavering in our commitment to this transatlantic alliance. ministration, the vice-president Pence called Tehran “the lead- Flynn over his contacts with Rus- Republican Senator John McCain broke with the reassuring message that told European leaders that he ing state sponsor of terrorism”, sia on the eve of the US charm of- democracy, justice and the rule of than Mattis, who delivered a US off icials visiting Germany have sought to convey on their debut trip spoke for Trump when he prom- language never used by European fensive in Europe also tarnished law,” Pence said. similar but more nuanced mes- to Europe, saying on Friday that the administration of President Donald ised “unwavering” commitment offi cials. the message that Pence, Mattis Pence received little applause sage to Nato allies in Brussels this Trump was in “disarray”. to the Nato military alliance. Pence’s strident vow to con- and Tillerson were seeking to beyond the warm reception he week, diplomats said. McCain, a known Trump critic, told the Munich Security Conference that “Today, on behalf of Presi- sign Islamist militants “to the send, offi cials told Reuters. got when he declared his support The US provides around 70% the resignation of the new president’s security adviser Michael Flynn over dent Trump, I bring you this as- ash-heap of history” also raised Meanwhile US Republican for Nato. of the alliance’s funds. his contacts with Russia reflected deep problems in Washington. surance: the United States of eyebrows, European offi cials Senator John McCain, a Trump His warning that the “time has European governments sharp- “I think that the Flynn issue obviously is something that shows that in America strongly supports Nato said. critic, told the conference on Fri- come to do more” on military ly cut defence spending after many respects this administration is in disarray and they’ve got a lot of and will be unwavering in our French Foreign Minister Jean- day that the new president’s team spending was met with an awk- the fall of the Soviet Union but work to do,” said McCain, even as he praised Trump’s defence secretary. commitment to this transatlantic Marc Ayrault on Twitter ex- was “in disarray” (see accompa- ward silence. Russia’s resurgence as a military “The president, I think, makes statements (and) on other occasions alliance,” Pence told the Munich pressed his disappointment that nying report). Murphy said the speech won power and its seizure of Ukraine’s contradicts himself. So we’ve learned to watch what the president does as Security Conference, off ering Pence’s speech contained “Not The United States is Europe’s “tepid applause”. Crimean peninsula has started to opposed to what he says,” he said. “greetings” from the president. a word on the European Union”, biggest trading partner, the big- Ayrault, in a speech defend- change that. McCain acknowledged concern in Europe and beyond that America was While Poland’s defence min- although the vice-president will gest foreign investor in the con- ing Franco-German leadership Baltic states and Poland fear “laying down the mantle of global leadership” and cited global trends he ister praised Pence, many others, take his message to EU head- tinent and the European Union’s in Europe, lauded the virtues of Russia might try a repeat of Cri- found disturbing, including hardening resentment toward immigrants and including France’s foreign min- quarters in Brussels tomorrow. partner in almost all foreign pol- multilateralism at a time of rising mea elsewhere. an unwillingness to separate truth from lies. ister and US lawmakers in Mu- US Senator Chris Murphy, a icy, as well as the main promoter nationalism. Europe believes Moscow is He urged the forum not to give up on the United States. nich, remained sceptical that he member of the opposition Dem- of European unity for more than Trump has promised “America seeking to destabilise govern- “Make no mistake, my friends: These are dangerous times, but you should had convinced allies that Trump, ocrats, said he welcomed Pence’s sixty years. First”. ments and infl uence elections not count America out, and we should not count each other out,” McCain a former reality TV star, would address but saw two rival govern- Pence, citing a trip to Cold “In these diffi cult conditions, with cyber attacks and fake news, said. stand by Europe. ments emerging from the Trump War-era West Berlin in his youth, many are attempting to look an accusation denied at the con- Trump’s contradictory re- administration. said the new US government inward, but this isolationism ference by Russian Foreign Min- marks on the value of the North Pence, Trump’s Defence Sec- would uphold the post-World makes us more vulnerable. We ister Sergei Lavrov. “Know this: the United States toni Macierewicz said Pence’s Atlantic Treaty Organisation retary Jim Mattis and his foreign War II order. need the opposite,” Ayrault said. Pence’s tough line on Russia, will continue to hold Russia ac- speech “highlighted on behalf (Nato), scepticism of the 2015 minister Rex Tillerson all deliv- “This is President Trump’s Pence warned allies that they calling on Moscow to honour the countable, even as we search for of President Trump that the US deal to curb Iran’s nuclear ambi- ered messages of reassurance on promise: we will stand with Eu- must pay their fair share to sup- international peace accords that new common ground, which as supports Nato, Ukraine and Eu- tions and an apparent disregard their debut trip to Europe. rope today and every day, be- port Nato, noting many lack “a seek to end the confl ict in east- you know, President Trump be- rope”. for the future of the European But events in Washington, cause we are bound together by clear or credible path” to do so. ern Ukraine, were welcomed by lieves can be found,” Pence said. “They want to show the US Union have left Europe fearful for including a news conference in the same noble ideals – freedom, He employed a tougher tone Poland. Polish Defence Minister An- military potential,” he said.

Internet-connected Le Pen: fake job reports are lies

AFP doll Cayla banned Besançon, France

rench far-right leader and over spying risk presidential candidate Ma- Frine Le Pen has rejected reports that she has admitted to AFP swer, then sends back a response giving her bodyguard a fake job as Berlin that is voiced by the doll. a European parliamentary aide. The German regulators in a “It’s a bare-faced lie. I never statement warned that anything admitted to anything of the sort,” erman regulators have a child says, or other people’s Le Pen told France Bleu radio banned an Internet- conversations, could be record- during a campaign stop in east- Gconnected doll called ed and transmitted without par- ern France, saying that she had “My Friend Cayla” that can chat ents’ knowledge. never even met EU investigators with children, warning on Fri- “A company could also use to discuss the matter. Le Pen: It’s a bare-faced lie. I never admitted to anything of the sort. day that it was a de facto “spy- the toy to advertise directly to Two French news outlets on ing device”. the child or the parents,” it said. Thursday published extracts Pen) admitted that Mr Legier was steadfastly denied the claims, Parents were urged to disable “Moreover, if the manufacturer from a report by the EU’s anti- never paid for this contract dur- which have triggered a French the interactive toy by the Federal has not adequately protected fraud offi ce OLAF claiming that ing the period in question”. fraud investigation. Network Agency which enforces the wireless connection, the Le Pen admitted to illegally pay- The report said Le Pen had jus- Faced with her refusal to repay bans on surveillance devices. toy can be used by anyone in the This file photo taken on November 05, 2014 shows the talking doll ing her bodyguard Thierry Legier tifi ed Legier’s contract as a way the money, the European Parlia- “Items that conceal cameras vicinity to listen in on conversa- ‘My Friend Cayla’, displayed at the DreamToys toy fair in central with EU funds. of getting parliament to reim- ment has said it will start dock- or microphones and that are ca- tions undetected.” London. German regulators have banned the doll, warning that it Le Pen, leader of the anti-EU burse her for unpaid salaries and ing her salary in order to recover pable of transmitting a signal, Genesis Toys, which manu- was a de facto ‘spying device’. National Front (FN), is a mem- expenses. the funds. and therefore can transmit data factures the doll, says on its ber of the European Parlia- Le Pen on Friday admitted to The allegations against Le Pen without detection, compro- website that it “is committed to cal security measures” to guard ganisation said it welcomed the ment, which accuses her of de- “an accounting settlement” but have been drowned out by a fake mise people’s privacy,” said the protecting your and your fam- against unauthorised access to decision but criticised the fact frauding it of nearly €340,000 denied that Legier’s contract had jobs scandal engulfi ng her con- agency’s head, Jochen Homann. ily’s personal information. Our customers’ personal informa- that consumers would struggle ($362,000). been fi ctitious. servative rival Francois Fillon. “This applies in particular to objective is to ensure that our tion. to get compensation. The parliament says it paid out She is also accused of wrongly Fillon’s campaign has been children’s toys. products and services are safe But it warns on its website Its head Monique Goyens said €41,554 towards a three-month using parliament funds to pay a adrift since it emerged that his “The Cayla doll has been and enjoyable for our custom- that “unfortunately no method that “if connected toys, such as contract for Legier in 2011 in France-based FN aide, Catherine wife netted at least €680,000 for banned in Germany. This is also ers.” of transmission over the In- this speaking doll, can be hacked which he was falsely presented as Griset, between 2010 and 2016. a suspected fake job as a parlia- to protect the most vulnerable in It also says Cayla “is pro- ternet, or method of electronic to spy on or talk to children, they a parliamentary assistant. Le Pen, who is riding high in mentary assistant over a period our society.” grammed to not utter, display or storage, is 100% secure”. must be banned”. The OLAF report said that polls ahead of the two-stage spanning 15 years. The doll works by sending a say words or images that would The regulation agency added She added that “EU product “the member of parliament (Le April 23-May 7 election, has He has denied the allegations. child’s audio question wireless- be inappropriate for children to that it would “inspect other in- laws need to catch up with dig- ly to an app on a digital device, see or hear”. teractive toys and, if necessary, ital developments to deal with which translates it into text and The company regularly re- will take further action”. threats such as hacking, data searches the Internet for an an- views “encryption and physi- The European Consumer Or- fraud or spying”. Fillon vows to stay in the race

AFP/Reuters smear campaign was being or- Fillon has acknowledged that European parliament calls for robot law Paris chestrated against him, without his run had become “diffi cult”, naming who might be behind it. with hecklers often massing “I don’t know, but I see who is at his campaign stops across Reuters The resolution is a recom- impact on competitiveness and Demand for service robots for rench conservative Fran- profi ting from it ... a left that is in France. Frankfurt mendation to the bloc’s execu- employment,” said the Frank- medical, domestic and personal cois Fillon said yesterday an inextricable situation with a The claims have taken a heavy tive, the European Commission, furt-based International Fed- use is also on the rise. Fthat he would press ahead discredited president, a fractured toll on his standings in the polls, which the Commission is not eration of Robotics (IFR). The parliamentary resolu- with his presidential bid even if majority, and an illusionist for with the latest Ipsos Sopra Ste- uropean lawmakers have obliged to follow but must give The IFR and others argue tion on the amended report was investigators charged him over a candidate,” he said. “The only ria survey of voter intentions called for EU-wide legis- reasons if it chooses not to. that automation and the use of passed by 396 votes to 123, with claims his wife had a fake parlia- obstacle in their eff orts to stay putting him in third place in the Elation to regulate the rise “The EU needs to take the robots create new jobs by in- 85 abstentions. mentary job. alive is me.” fi rst round of voting in April, of robots, including an ethical lead on setting these standards, creasing productivity, and point The report’s author, MEP “The closer we get to the pres- Le Canard Enchaine news- with 18.5%. framework for their develop- so as not to be forced to follow to a correlation between robot Mady Delvaux, said she was dis- idential election, the more outra- paper has reported that Fil- The poll, released on Thursday ment and deployment and the those set by third countries,” the density and employment in ad- appointed that lawmakers “re- geous it would be to deprive the lon used public funds to pay his by Cevipof and French daily Le establishment of liability for the parliament said in a statement. vanced industrial nations, for fused to take account of possible right and the centre of a candi- wife Penelope at least €680,000 Monde, put far-right candidate actions of robots including self- The decision to reject the ro- example in the German car in- negative consequences on the date,” Fillon told French daily Le ($720,000) over some 15 years as Marine Le Pen in fi rst place in driving cars. bot tax was hailed by the robot- dustry. job market”. Figaro in an interview. a parliamentary aide. the fi rst round, with 26% of voter But they rejected a proposal ics industry, which says it would Global shipments of indus- “They rejected an open- Fillon, 62, had earlier pledged But she is accused of having intentions, and centrist candi- to impose a so-called robot tax stunt innovation. trial robots rose 15% in 2015, minded and forward-looking to drop out of the race if charged barely worked for the salary. date Emmanuel Macron second on owners to fund support for or “The IFR believes that the according to the latest statistics debate and thus disregarded the in the inquiry, now in its third Two of Fillon’s children were at 23%. retraining of workers put out of idea to introduce a robot tax from the IFR, and were worth a concerns of our citizens,” she week. also put on the parliamentary The Socialist candidate Benoit a job by robots. would have had a very negative total of about $46bn. said. He reiterated his claim that a payroll for brief periods. Hamon stood at 14.5%. Gulf Times 22 Sunday, February 19, 2017 INDIA Driver held after Kerala actress is abducted IANS “The gang behind the incident is from the fi lm Thiruvananthapuram industry and involved in various production jobs,” police said. Police, after tracing the call list, have zeroed opular Malayalam fi lm actress Bhavana was down on the actress’ former driver, who was abducted for a while on her way from Thris- thrown out after she came to know of his criminal An aircraft manoeuvres at the Yelahanka Air Force Station in Bengaluru. Psur to Kochi on Friday night by some peo- background. ple, who reportedly took pictures of her to black- He is believed to be the main culprit. mail her, police said yesterday. After being held hostage by the criminal gang, Her former driver is a suspect in the case and the actress managed to reach the home of Lal, has been taken into custody, police said. who informed police. While the victim’s statement has now been re- Speaking to reporters, Lal said he has been ad- Aerobatics draws crowds corded before a magistrate, the police probe team vised by the police probe team not to speak about has zeroed down on six others who were in the the incident as it would hamper their investiga- gang, of which three have been already identifi ed, tion. while three others are yet to be identifi ed. The actress for some time was not having the Earlier in the day, Kerala Police chief Loknath best of relations with a group in the Malayalam to Bengaluru air show Behra said they have identifi ed those behind the fi lm industry, and the group had scuttled a few ‘kidnap’ of Bhavana near Kochi. good roles that she was off ered, according to re- Speaking to the media in the state capital, Be- ports. IANS the Pathankot air base in Punjab watch the magnifi cent machines. Utility Helicopter (LUH) proto- hra said that a joint investigation team has been Police are looking into all aspects of the inci- Bengaluru on January 2, 2016, fascination The daredevilry of the indig- type of the state-run Hindustan formed to track down those behind the crime. dent and will probe if this was a planned move to see metal birds perform daring enous Light Combat Aircraft Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) and the “We know who are behind this and we will very against the actress. feats made the curious crowds (LCA), Russian Sukhoi, Swed- fi rst indigenous Airborne Early quickly arrest all of them and get to the bottom of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, who is cur- housands of people, in- endure stringent security checks, ish Gripen, French Rafale and Warning and Control System the truth,” said Behra. rently in Delhi, told reporters there that police cluding women and chil- serpentine queues and long American F-16 fi ghters in mid- (AEW&C) on board the Brazilian The probe team is being supervised led by are doing their job and will certainly arrest those Tdren thronged the air show hours of traffi c snarls before and air were the pick of the excit- Embraer jet was also cheered. ADGP B Sandhya, with IG of Police Dhinendra responsible. to watch the stunning aerobatics after the six-hour show. ing show, holding the curious The fl y-past of IAF’s three Kashyap as the key investigation offi cer. Lok Sabha member Innocent, president of the and thrilling daredevilry of fi ght- “The 11th edition of the bien- crowds spellbound and yearning MI-17 helicopters in V shape for- Nedumbassery police have registered a case Association of Malayalam Movie Artists, told re- ers and helicopters, as the fi ve- nial event ended on a grand note for more. mation and solo fl ights of HAL’s relevant sections for kidnapping and molestation. porters that he had tried to get in touch with Vi- day Aero India expo concluded without a glitch, as the Asia’s The aerobatics of the six Brit- Light Combat Helicopter (LCH), According to police, her former driver is believed jayan over the incident. yesterday. premier aerospace event had ish Hawk jet trainers and four Dornier-228 and HTT-40 train- to be part of a gang of six behind the incident. He said police chief Behra had assured him that “About 400,000 people 150,000 footfalls on the fi rst Advanced Light Helicopters by er, Swiss-made Pilatus trainer The hugely popular actress after a shoot on Fri- all behind the incident would be arrested. fl ocked to the Yelahanka base of three days, reserved for business the IAF’s Surya Kirans and Sarang and the vintage Tiger Moth had day night was on way from Thrissur to Kochi to Leader of Opposition in the state assembly the Indian Air Force (IAF) on yes- visitors,” the statement said. teams thrilled the audience. fi lled the audience with pride. take part in the dubbing of her new fi lm directed Ramesh Chennithala, currently on a day-long terday and today to witness the The hour-long fl ying display The crowds also enjoyed the The expo attracted 550 fi rms, by director and actor Lal. protest at his home constituency near Alappuzha daring manoeuvres and stunning in the morning and evening un- aerial stunts of the British aero- including 279 foreign and While on way, a car hit her vehicle from behind, over the “sudden deterioration” of the law and aerobatics by various types of der windy conditions and salu- batic team in the four Russian- 271AIndianAexhibitors to show- following which an argument erupted. order situation in the state, expressed shock over aircraft,” said the Defence Minis- brious climate turned a quiet air made Yaokovlevs and the twin case their products and aero- The passengers of the other car forcefully en- the incident. try in a statement. base into a noisy carnival, with Scandinavian Skycat Wing- space technologies for buyers tered her car and drove off with the actress. “If this is the plight of a celebrity, what can one As entry into the fortifi ed air spectators swarming around the walkers, with two women pilots and collaborators. Bhavana was held hostage for two hours when say about ordinary people? This is really shock- base was restricted to those with tarmac to see about 70 various standing on both wings while Delegations from 109 nations the gang took pictures of the actress to blackmail ing,” said Chennithala, a former state home min- offi cial identity cards in the af- types of aircraft at static display performing loops and barrel rolls. across the world participated in her for money, reports said. ister. termath of the terror attack on and glued to the sunny sky to The maiden fl ight of the Light the event.

Dual live-donor transplant helps Left protest save toddler Nagaland lawmakers back In a first, a 20-month-old girl, weighing just 7kg, got a new lease of life after doctors in Rio as new chief minister Kochi performed a complex surgery where live-donor liver and kidney transplant took IANS Home Minister Rajnath Singh on place simultaneously. Kohima Friday night in New Delhi, and fi - This is the first time in the nalized change of guard to break world that a dual live-donor the deadlock between the agitating liver and kidney transplant n a major political twist in Na- tribal Naga groups and the minus surgery has been performed in galand, legislators of the ruling any opposition Democratic Alli- such a small child, said Mathew INaga People’s Front (NPF) yes- ance of Nagaland government over Jacob, Liver and Abdominal terday extended their support to the issue of 33% reservation for Multi-Organ Transplant surgeon the state’s lone Lok Sabha member, women in civic elections. at Aster Medcity, Kochi. Neiphiu Rio, as the new legislature “I have heard about the politi- Baby Parvathy was first di- party leader, to replace embattled cal development but let me meet agnosed with a chronic kidney Chief Minister T R Zeliang. the legislators before I comment problem when she was just The political development came on anything,” Rio, a three-time three months old. after more than 50 legislators, in- Nagaland chief minister, told IANS She had Primary Hyperoxalu- cluding Independent members of after landing at Dimapur airport in ria Type 1 — a very rare condi- the 60-member Nagaland Assem- Nagaland. tion wherein the deficiency bly, “signed a letter of support” in Nagaland has been on turmoil of a liver enzyme called AGXT favour of Rio. since January, after the NPF-led leads to abnormal spike in The NPF legislators along with government decided to hold local blood oxalate levels, which in the Independent legislators are body elections in 12 towns across turn causes permanent kidney camping in a resort at Kaziranga the state with 33% reservation for damage. National Park in Assam. women. The doctors determined that Zeliang and Rio are expected to Agitating tribal groups — un- the only treatment option for meet the legislators later to discuss der the banner of NTAC and Joint Parvathy was a combined liver the transition of power. Coordination Committee (JCC) and kidney transplantation. “More than 50 (NPF and inde- — have been demanding the resig- Parvathy was put on an pendent) legislators have decided nation of Zeliang over his decision intense nutritional rehabilitation to support Rio as the new legisla- to conduct civic bodies’ elections programme to attain a pre- Leftist activists take part in a protest rally against the West Bengal government in Kolkata yesterday. ture party leader,” Public Health with 33% reservation for women. transplant weight of 10kg, along Engineering Minister, Tokheho The government continued to with dialysis. Yepthomi told IANS. shut down internet and mobile However, she stopped “There will be a formal meeting data service to stop the spread of gaining weight due to multiple later in the evening to complete the rumours through social network- complications, which posed a formality and then meet the gov- ing sites. major challenge for the surgery, ernor to stake claim and form the It later declared the civic elec- as children less than 10kg do LuLu promotes Kerala tourism in the Gulf new government,” he added. tions as “null” and “void”. not have adequate space to On Wednesday 42 of the 49 Three persons were killed and accept an adult kidney. legislators had unanimously sup- many injured following clashes “The solution was to remove By Ashraf Padanna executive director of Abu Dhabi Tourism, Traditional Kerala performances of ported NPF supremo Shurhozelie between the police and the public, her damaged right kidney and Thiruvananthapuram will open the event at Mushrif Mall in Abu Kathakali, Mohiniyattam, Theyyam and Liezietsu as their new legislature who were opposing the civic polls. use the space vacated by her Dhabi on Wednesday. Thayambaka will also be the part of the party leader to break the deadlock NPF legislator Neiphrezo Kedit- liver to place the new kidney. Navdeep Suri, Indian ambassador to four-day event. “Kerala and Malayalees between the agitating groups and su had resigned as chairman of Na- The blood volume in her he tourism board of the southern UAE, Harib al-Muhairi, Etihad Airways have always considered the UAE as their the government. galand State Mineral Development kidney too had to be increased Indian state of Kerala has entered a senior vice-president, IRV Rao, India second home, and Kerala Tourism iden- However, a group of nearly 20 Corp Limited on moral grounds using highly specialised periop- Tdeal with the LuLu retail chain in a Tourism director and other dignitaries tifi ed the potential of the ever growing legislators, including some cabinet since one of the persons killed in erative anaesthetic techniques,” promotion drive in the Middle East. will attend the inaugural function. UAE Tourism market, which is the second ministers, were against 84-year- the Dimapur police fi ring was from Jacob said in a statement The two will hold Explore Kerala@ “We are planning similar events to largest after Saudi Arabia,” Kerala tourism old Shurhozelie as their legislature his village. yesterday. Abu Dhabi, a four-day event to attract promote Kerala as a destination in all our minister Kadakampally Surendran. party leader. Nagaland has never elected a Her father and grandmother Arab travellers and expatriates in GCC LuLu hypermarkets and shopping malls “In 2015, there were 71,500 visitors from In the 60-member assembly, woman legislator since it gained were identified as the liver and countries during summer holidays and to across the GCC countries,” said Ashraf Ali Saudi Arabia (65,048 in 2014 and 48,346 in the ruling Democratic Alliance of statehood in 1963. The lone wom- kidney donors, respectively. promote the off -season monsoon tour- MA, the group’s executive director. 2013), followed by 20,000 (18,264 in 2014 Nagaland coalition government, an MP from the state was Rano M The 20-hour transplant ism.India Tourism Dubai offi ce, Tourism The event has ensured the participa- and 17,475 in 2013) from the UAE. These comprises 48 NPF legislators, in- Shaiza, who was in 1977. procedure comprised of three India and Brand Kerala are also part of it. tion of leading names in Kerala hospi- are rapidly expanding markets.” cluding suspended legislator Im- In the 2013 Assembly elections, simultaneous surgeries on the Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan tality such as The Raviz, Uday Samudra, The novel marketing initiative like Ex- kong Imchen, four of Bharatiya two women candidates — one liver donor, kidney donor and unveiled the offi cial logo of Explore Kera- Vythiri Village and Somatheeram and plore Kerala@Abu Dhabi, he said, would Janata Party (BJP) and eight inde- fi elded by BJP and an independent the recipient. la in New Delhi the other day. tour operators – Gateway Malabar Holi- boost the tourism potential of Kerala in pendents. candidate — contested unsuccess- Sultan Hamad al-Mutawa al-Dhaheri, days and The Blue Yonder. the Middle East market. Rio and Zeliang met federal fully. Gulf Times Sunday, February 19, 2017 23 INDIA Palaniswami wins confi dence vote IANS Cine stars slam drama Federal Minister for Health and Family Welfare JP Nadda administers the Rotavirus Chennai vaccine to a child at Pragna Bhawan in Agartala. Tamil actors such as Kamal Haasan, Siddharth and Arvind Swami among amil Nadu Chief Minister others have reacted strongly over Edappadi K Palaniswami yes- Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi Tterday comfortably won the K Palaniswami’s winning the con- Rotavirus vaccination now vote of confi dence in the state as- fidence vote in the state assembly sembly, with the proceedings marred yesterday. by pandemonium that saw the op- Palaniswami, who was sworn in on expanded to 5 more states position DMK evicted by the speaker, Thursday as Chief Minister, won by and the Congress too walked out. 122 voice votes yesterday. Palaniswami, who was sworn in Commenting on the concept of IANS eastern part of India, as these regions got on Thursday as Chief Minister, won confidence votes, Roja actor Arvind Agartala less attention in various aspects earlier, with 122 votes in favour and 11 votes Swami tweeted: “None will accept a the union minister added. against. vote of confidence if the MLAs don’t Nadda, who came here yesterday from The 11 opposing votes were cast represent the people’s views. For that ederal Health Minister J P Nadda New Delhi, said that diarrhoea is one of by the rival AIADMK camp led by they have to meet people, not party yesterday launched Rotavirus vac- the biggest killers of children and rotavi- former chief minister O Panneersel- in a resort.” Fcination for fi ve more states in the rus is one of the most common causes of vam. Swami also demanded re-election. country to immunise children against di- severe diarrhoea in children less than fi ve Palaniswami belongs to the AI- AIADMK party leader Edappadi Palanisamy pays his respects at the “In my opinion, the only solution arrhoea, one of the major causes of child years of age. ADMK faction led by party general memorial for former state chief minister J Jayalalithaa after being sworn in that is acceptable under the circum- deaths in India. He said: “The government is also com- secretary V K Sasikala. as Tamil Nadu chief minister. stances is a re-election. This is not Nadda, accompanied by Tripura Health mitted to increasing full immunisation The end came tamely after DMK’s the people’s mandate,” he wrote. Minister Badal Choudhury, launched here coverage and ensuring that the benefi t 88 members, who were present were Panneerselvam alleged that the fl oor lodged a complaint against the hap- Siddharth, without mincing his the Rotavirus vaccination for Assam, of the life-saving vaccines is provided to ordered to be evicted by Speaker P test was conducted after the evic- penings in the assembly. words, reacted very strongly. Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu every child in every part of India.” Dhanapal after they indulged in a tion of Opposition members and went Speaking to reporters after he and “Give Sasikala a laptop in jail. Save and Tripura. The minister urged the states to “suc- ruckus. against democratic norms. “Dharma his party legislators were evicted transport cost (our money) for Edap- Rotavirus vaccine is used to protect cessfully roll out of the mission Indradha- After that Congress legislators has been momentarily eclipsed but it from the assembly, Stalin said the padi K Palaniswami and his gang for against rotavirus infections, which cause nush, which has already created a signifi - walked out in protest, dashing Pan- shall win fi nally,” he said. party had demanded secret ballot to four years. Time to put more salt in severe diarrhoea among young children. cant impact across the country.” neerselvam’s hopes. The chaos of the assembly pro- decide on the motion of confi dence our food,” he tweeted. “The vaccine will prevent rotavirus In March 2016, the Rotavirus vaccine The AIADMK camp led by Sasikala ceedings spilt over to Marina beach moved by Chief Minister Palaniswa- Actor-filmmaker Kamal Haasan diarrhoea in children, which accounts was fi rst introduced in four states — Har- was obviously happy and distributed where DMK party chief M K Stalin mi. slyly described the current political for about 40% of hospitalisations for di- yana, Himachal Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh sweets. had moved along with his party leg- The DMK leader said he sat in pro- climate as a mockery of democracy. arrhoea in India. Rotavirus diarrhoea is and Odisha. “The traitors were defeated,” A islators to protest against the manner test inside the assembly to press his “There you go. Seems like we responsible for nearly 100,000 deaths, So far, about 3.8mn children have been Navaneethakrishnan, part of Sasika- in which the DMK legislators were demand. have another CM. Jai de-mockcrazy,” 3.2mn out-patient visits and nearly vaccinated with Rotavirus in these four la camp told reporters here. evicted from the state assembly. Stalin alleged he was forcibly Haasan wrote. 800,000 hospitalisations every year,” states. After winning the confi dence vote, Stalin, along with party MLAs, sat evicted by the marshals and suff ered Actor Suriya, in a tweet shared in Nadda said. Tripura health minister Badal Choud- a happy Palaniswami went to the on protest near the Mahatma Gandhi injuries. Tamil, said people are the real fools He said: “Rotavirus diarrhoea can also hury said that the state government has memorial of late chief minister J Jay- statue on the Marina beach. Ahead of the vote, Palaniswami’s now. lead to dehydration, malnutrition and de- been implementing all health related alalithaa on Marina beach and paid Police later took the DMK MLAs AIADMK faction suff ered two jolts Actress Radikaa Sarath Kumar tweet- layed physical and mental development schemes of the central government with homage to her. into custody. when Arun Kumar, a legislator from ed: “Disgrace. Governor should act.” in children. Rotavirus vaccination would full sincerity. Speaking to reporters he said: “The DMK supporters blocked the po- Coimbatore North, jumped ship, help in reducing the infant mortality rate.” “The central government must come people of Tamil Nadu are happy.” lice vehicles at the venue. and AIADMK legislator representing Prime Minister Narendra Modi has forward in helping the state to prevent He said party Sasikala’s vow here Earlier, Stalin met Tamil Nadu Mylapore constituency and former Nataraj said he would vote against given instructions to the central ministers cancer and other dreaded diseases in the couple of days back has come true. Governor C Vidyasagar Rao and Director General of Police (DGP) R Palaniswami. to give top focus to the eastern and north- northeastern states,” he added.

Manipur militants’ Pilgrim trail! Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal and demands ‘unrealistic’ federal Minister of State for Railway Rajen Gohain flag off the first-ever Astha IANS highest number of youths tourist pilgrimage train Imphal were conscripted in the from Kamakhya station in NSCN(IM). As a result it is Guwahati yesterday. the most backward district anipur Chief Min- in the state.” ister Okram Ibobi He added that in the last MSingh said yes- 15 years of the Congress terday that demands of the government, there have militant groups in the state been giant strides in devel- are unrealistic and brushed opment even in the tribal them aside as “pipe dreams”. areas. Speaking at the formal Speaking at a political launch of Deputy Speaker conference of Bharatiya Ja- Presho Shimray’s election nata Party at Awang Sek- campaign, Ibobi said, “If the mai in Imphal west district, demands are reasonable and spokesperson Okram Joy realistic all of us are ready to said that the framework follow the footsteps of the agreement between the In- armed groups”. dian government and the “Some valley-based out- National Socialist Council fi ts are demanding the pre- of Nagaland — Isak-Muivah merger independence status (NSCN-IM) shall not aff ect of Manipur while some hill- the people of the state. based outfi ts are demand- “The (federal) govern- ing a separate homeland to ment had signed the agree- be carved out of the present ment within the ambit of territory. These are impos- the constitution and as such India may meet its energy needs from moon by 2030 sible demands,” he said. it cannot hurt any commu- “The Nagas, the Kukis, nity or the territorial integ- the Meiteis and others are rity of the state,” Joy said. IANS here that India’s all energy re- which is rich in Helium-3 is a pri- eral, Perspective Planning, Indian continues with a civilian orienta- the children of the same However the Congress New Delhi quirements can be met through ority programme for the ISRO. Army, said the launch of GSAT- tion to its space programme, the soil. There could be some leaders have been refusing Helium-3 mined from the moon. According to an ORF release, 7, India’s fi rst dedicated military changing regional and global real- misunderstandings here to accept such oversimpli- “By 2030, this process target Pillai said other countries are also satellite, is a testimony to the ities require it to also develop mili- and there, which can be fi cations pointing out that ndia may be able to meet all its will be met,” Pillai said while de- working on the project and there country’s outlook towards using tary assets in space and on ground settled,” the Chief Minister those who speak on it have energy requirements from re- livering the valedictory address is enough helium on the moon, the outer space for national secu- as an emerging regional and global said. not seen the agreement. Isources on the moon by 2030, a at the three-day ORF-Kalpana which can meet the energy re- rity. power. Deputy Chief Minis- The All Manipur Students scientist associated with the ISRO Chawla Space Policy Dialogue, quirements of the world. He noted that India possesses He said there is a need for a ded- ter Gaikhangam who was Union has been launching said yesterday. organised by Observer Research “In a few decades, people will one of the largest constellations of icated military space programme present in the function agitations demanding the Sivathanu Pillai, a distinguished Foundation. be going to the moon for honey- communication and remote sens- with adequate resources at its dis- said, “Tamenglong is the details of the framework professor at the Indian Space Re- Pillai, a former chief of BrahMos moon,” Pillai quipped. ing satellites covering Asia Pacifi c. posal because of “the changing re- district from where the agreement. search Organisation (ISRO), said Aerospace, said mining lunar dust, Lt Gen P M Bali, Director Gen- Lt Gen Bali said although India alities in our neighbourhood”.

Vintage charm takes centrestage

IANS track, made the visitors fall under The show generated great ex- New Delhi their spell. citement among Indian collec- Embracing the grand heritage tors. of heart-stirring rare machines, Setting the standard with their he charm of a classic car is this event is the right place for appreciation of fi ne form, exqui- undeniable especially for car enthusiasts and connoisseurs site style and exceptional design, Tthey are the high-precision of culture present all around the best known arbiters of taste and machineries of the past, redolent globe. most knowledgeable collectors of of another century and fi nd a new This year, the car rally wit- vintage and classic cars. and unusual historic setting for nessed participation from Ger- ‘Maharaja Cars’ were a ma- extraordinary harmonies. many and UK. jor attraction at the event as the The second day of the “21 Gun About 100 rare cars and around erstwhile Indian kings left their Salute International Vintage Car 20 vintage bikes, were showcased unique stamp on the cars, they Rally and Concours Show” was during the Grand Concours ordered. truly a unique motoring experi- Show. While many princes had a pen- ence. There were several Indian and chant for beautiful-styled sports It triggered one’s imagination International classic car owners cars, the Maharajas mainly or- about the past. on board along with erstwhile dered touring cars that could be The vintage cars on display at royal families, who had partici- converted into grand vehicles for the magnifi cent historic setting pated along their prized posses- ceremonial occasions, for hunt- A vintage car on display at 21 Gun Salute International Vintage Car Rally & Concours Show 2017 in New Delhi. of India Gate way off the beaten sions in this milestone event. ing and other specifi c purposes. Gulf Times 24 Sunday, February 19, 2017 LATIN AMERICA

Venezuelans Colombian rebels blamed protest for opposition for ‘terrorist’ kidnapping leader’s release AFP AFP whose son Edwin is the mayor of them, and this is how they respond.” Peace talks with the ELN opened Sanchez’s release on February 2 in Caracas Bogota the town of El Carmen in the restive Colombian President Juan Manuel on February 7, but have gotten off to a exchange for two ELN prisoners. northwestern region of Catatumbo. Santos is trying to negotiate a peace rocky start over the rebels’ refusal to The latest kidnapping allegation — He said the rebels had also bombed deal with the ELN to match the his- renounce kidnapping — a tactic they which drew no immediate response ailed Venezuelan opposition leader olombia’s ELN guerrillas have an oil pipeline in the same region, the toric accord his government sealed have used to get ransom money and from the ELN — could place new Leopoldo Lopez has called on his sup- kidnapped a mayor’s father, scene of frequent ELN attacks. last year with the Farc guerrillas. exact revenge on political enemies. pressure on the talks. Jporters to hold a “massive” protest, after Cthe army said Friday, calling “We are reporting two acts of ter- Both the FARC, or Revolutionary The talks were originally due to Mejia said Contreras disappeared US President Donald Trump incensed Cara- it an act of terrorism that damages rorism by the ELN in Catatumbo,” the Armed Forces of Colombia, and the ELN, open in October, but the ELN’s re- Thursday from his ranch in Catatum- cas by calling for his release. peace talks with the country’s last general told a press conference. or National Liberation Army, launched fusal to release its most high-pro- bo, a remote region near the Ven- Lopez, the founder of Popular Will — one active rebel group. “Such messages do a lot of damage uprisings against the state in 1964. fi le hostage — ex-lawmaker Odin ezuelan border. of the most hardline parties opposing Presi- Army commander Alberto Mejia to the (peace) process and of course The multi-sided confl ict has killed Sanchez — made Santos call them off . The attack on the Cano Limon- dent Nicolas Maduro — is serving a nearly 14- blamed the leftist guerrillas for the cause it to lose legitimacy. The gov- 260,000 people and left 60,000 A fl urry of behind-the-scenes Covenas oil pipeline occurred the year sentence on charges of inciting unrest at disappearance of Cristo Contreras, ernment is reaching out a hand to missing. negotiations followed, leading to same night, he said. anti-government protests in 2014. Yesterday marked the third anniversary of his arrest, and Popular Will has called a protest in Cara- cas under the banner “No more dictatorship.” In an audio message recorded in his jail cell at the Ramo Verde military prison, Lopez urged Venezuelans to join in. “My Venezue- Nicaragua focuses lan brothers and sisters, we would like to in- vite you to a forceful, massive protest on the streets of Venezuela,” he said. The message comes after Trump met with on climate-change Lopez’s wife on Wednesday and tweeted that Venezuela should “immediately” free Lopez, whom he called a “political prisoner.” The following day, Venezuela’s Supreme resistant coff ee Court upheld Lopez’s sentence. His lawyer said he would appeal to international courts.

AFP plant the variety on 7,000 hectares Managua it owns on the eastern side of the Argentine ex-army chief country. But not everyone is convinced. held over past crimes ith climate change Some producers worry that the threatening crops in new focus on robusta could aff ect he commander of Argentina’s armed Wmany parts of the world, Arabica production and prestige. forces from 2013 to 2015, Cesar Milani, Nicaragua is turning to a robust “If we change to a variety that Twas arrested Friday over his alleged variety of coff ee bean to protect damages our coff ee-growing sec- involvement in two kidnappings during the one of its key exports. tor and the prestige of quality, that country’s brutal military dictatorship. The appropriately named ro- would be an error we shouldn’t make Milani was arrested after being questioned Colombian soldiers during the graduation ceremony of soldiers in Nilo, Colombia. The soldiers will be deployed busta coff ee comes from the Cof- and it could cost us dearly,” warns over the 1977 kidnappings of Pedro Adan to occupy territories formerly controlled by Farc rebels. fea canephora plant, which is being Leonel Lopez, a coff ee farmer in the Olivera and his son Ramon Alfredo Olivera, increasingly planted in the Central northern Nueva Segovia region. said Delfor Brizuela, the human rights om- Colombian army to boost efforts to fight crime gangs, official says American country under govern- The stakes are high for Nicara- budsman for the northwestern province of La ment authorization. gua, a poor country that depends Rioja, where the retired general was detained. Colombia’s army will strengthen its eff orts to combat crime “The purpose is to occupying unstable areas.” The sturdy variety is easier to on its coff ee sector, which brings The Oliveras say they were abducted and gangs pushing into regions displaced by Marxist Farc rebels, As part of the process, four rapid deployment forces of care for, higher in caff eine, faster in $400mn in export revenues and tortured by Milani and his men for alleged in- a high-ranking off icial said on Friday, as it scrambles to pre- mobile brigades, supported by helicopters, will be formed to produce fruit and more disease- employs hundreds of thousands of volvement in a leftist militant organization — vent an increase in drug traff icking and violence. to cover the entire country and combat any crime organiza- resistant than the more popular people. part of the 1976-1983 regime’s “dirty war” on Critics of a peace agreement signed late last year with tions, he said. Arabica sort Nicaragua tradition- However, a lengthy drought over its opponents and their alleged collaborators. the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) have The army has 240,000 troops, including 79,000 profes- ally grows — although it is of lower the past two years and a blight that Some 30,000 people were killed or disap- warned of a weakening of the military apparatus that has sional soldiers, a figure that will increase in the coming years, quality, fetching a lower price. has aff ected most of the coff ee peared under military rule. battled the rebels for more than 50 years. Mejia said. However, its advantages make plantations — ruining hundreds of Milani, 62, has long been accused by hu- But army commander General Alberto Jose Mejia said the Some 68,000 members of the military and police force it better suited to ride out climate smaller outfi ts — has prompted the man rights groups of involvement in dicta- peace agreement would not lead to a reduction of troops or will be deployed to areas once occupied by Farc rebels in change and bring benefi ts to small- diversifi cation to robusta. torship-era crimes. their steady off ensive against illegal armed groups. order to prevent the spread of illegal mining and coca, the er producers, industry groups say. More bitter and acidic, the ro- His appointment as army chief by former “These 1,200 new professional soldiers are part of a group raw material for cocaine. “Robusta coff ee production has busta bean is often mixed with president Cristina Kirchner in 2013 drew of more than 5,000 who are graduating this year and will The army estimates about 300 Farc fighters have with- proven its profi tability through other varieties, especially for in- outcry from some activists. be deployed to the most critical areas of Colombia,” Mejia drawn from the peace accord with the government as dis- its high productivity, low produc- stant coff ee. Milani was previously charged with corrup- said as he presided over the graduation of new professional sidents, while 6,000 others are concentrated in specific areas tion costs and high potential,” says The government authorized its tion in December over unanswered questions soldiers in Nilo, central Colombia. to hand in their weapons as agreed in the peace accord. Luis Chamorro, an executive with planting in the eastern lowlands about where he got the money to buy a house the Mercon group, which plans to fi ve years ago. in an upscale Buenos Aires suburb in 2010.

‘Film about colonial era Bird fair! explains modern Brazil’

Reuters mother? How was your life with them? Berlin In order to understand the present day crisis,” Brazilian director Marcelo Gomes told Reuters in an interview. fi lm about Brazil’s national “So I think I did the same thing here hero that explores racism and — I went back 200 years to the birth Athe privileges of a small elite in of the Brazilian nation to understand the 18th century helps explain Brazil’s the present day crisis. I uncovered the current problems because little has fl aws of the past to understand the changed since that colonial era, its di- fl aws of today,” he added. rector said on Friday. Gomes said the “social fractures” In Joaquim — which is competing at of the colonial era were still visible in the Berlin Film Festival — the epony- Brazilian society and modern-day ex- mous 18th century second lieutenant amples of corruption included compa- works at a checkpoint catching gold nies not paying their taxes. smugglers. Isabel Zuaa, who plays the black He falls in love with a black slave and slave Preta, said she faced prejudice on hopes to buy her freedom but struggles a daily basis in real life and relished the to get the promotion he needs to pro- chance to play a woman who stirs up vide the funds, with one of his peers revolutionary feelings in Joaquim. telling him you have to be well-born to “What I want to bring to the screen rise up. are themes that are very current, When Joaquim is sent on a mission things that I face in my everyday life, to fi nd new sources of gold, he ends things that are connected to survival, up wanting to free Brazil from colo- to resistance and to strategy in order nial power Portugal, encouraged by his to survive in a world where my body, lover and books a man gives him. my colour, is looked down on,” she told “When you go to a psychoanalyst, journalists. if you are having a crisis and you lie Joaquim is, along with 17 other fi lms, A Green Honeycreeper (Chlorophanes spiza) is photographed at the ‘Alejandria Farm’ during bird watching in the framework of Colombia’s BirdFair 2017, in down on the couch, the psychoanalyst competing for the Golden and Silver a rural area of Cali, Colombia. asks who is your father and who is your Bears at the ‘Berlinale’. LatAm prosecutors join forces on Odebrecht bribes

Reuters Prosecutor General’s offi ce said Aras said prosecutors would ropean country, Portugal. Aras declined to comment on bas, took a $600,000 bribe from Peruvian authorities said on Brasilia the aim is to speed up the di- be free to question witnesses Odebrecht said it paid $439mn requests for information. Odebrecht in 2013 when he was a Friday they are seeking $60mn rect exchange of information by and defendants in other coun- outside Brazil, with the largest Argentina’s government has private citizen. from former government and avoiding bureaucratic hurdles. tries and evidence would be valid bribe admissions abroad in Ven- asked Brazil to list the Argentines Aras said Venezuela has start- company offi cials accused of in- rosecutors from 10 Latin Odebrecht, Latin America’s across borders. ezuela, the Dominican Republic who have been named in the ed cooperating in the investi- volvement in bribes paid by Ode- American countries will largest engineering group, set- “Evidence will be exchange and Panama. Odebrecht bribery probe and the gation of $98 mn in bribes that brecht. Pform a task force to share tled in December with Brazilian, rapidly because there will be no Brazilian prosecutors sin- wider graft and political kickback Odebrecht admitted to paying Former Peruvian president evidence in the investigation US and Swiss authorities, agree- intermediaries,” Aras told Reu- gled out Panama last year for investigation called “Car Wash” to government offi cials and in- Alejandro Toledo is among eight of bribes paid by Brazilian con- ing with affi liated petrochemical ters. not helping with their investi- that centers on state-run oil termediaries to obtain public people accused of being part of glomerate Odebrecht on con- company Braskem SA to a record The agreement was signed gation, but Aras said that had company Petrobras. contracts. the company’s kickback schemes struction projects across the re- fi ne of $3.5bn. on Thursday by top prosecutors changed. A federal judge in Argentina is Venezuelan authorities raided in Peru. gion, a Brazilian prosecutor said The company admitted to pay- from Brasil, Argentina, Chile, “Cooperation has been very seeking information from Bra- the Caracas offi ces of Odebrecht Toledo has denied taking on Friday. ing bribes to offi cials in 12 coun- Colombia, Ecuador, Mexico, satisfactory since last year and zil and Switzerland to determine on Tuesday and have been seek- bribes but is the target of an in- Vladimir Aras, head of in- tries, mostly in Latin America, to Peru, the Dominican Republic, we have not had any problems,” whether President Mauricio ing the arrest on an unnamed ternational arrest warrant. ternational co-operation at the help secure lucrative contracts. Venezuela, Panama and one Eu- he said. Macri’s spy chief, Gustavo Arri- person since last month. His whereabouts are unknown. Gulf Times Sunday, February 19, 2017 25 PAKISTAN/AFGHANISTAN

SECURITY Hafiz Saeed listed in Pakistan Anti-Terror Act

Pakistan security forces hit Two weeks after placing Jamaat- ud Dawa (JuD) chief Hafiz Saeed under house arrest, Pakistan has included the name of the Mumbai attacks mastermind in the Fourth Schedule of the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA). The Punjab government terror camps in Afghanistan has listed Saeed and his close aide Qazi Kashif’s name under Four camps, one training fi ed as Razee and according to the ATA, Dawn online quoted an compound of Jamaatul Ahrar source report, they were plan- off icial as saying. Abdullah Obaid terror group destroyed; ning to carry out an attack upon from Faisalabad, Zafar Iqbal and COAS calls US General John the Rangers headquarters. He Abdur Rehman Abid from Muridke Nicholson; PM authorises added that they have also re- were also added to the list. The security forces to eliminate covered an MP-5, which was re- JuD chief’s name has also been enemy, hunt terrorists cently snatched by the terrorists put on the exit control list and down inside and outside the during an attack on policemen in barred from leaving the country. country with full state power Karachi. Saeed and the four men had been The killed terrorists belonged placed under house arrest on Agencies to Jamaatul Ahrar and Al Qaeda. January 30 in Lahore. Islamabad/Karachi Further investigations are un- derway. TERRORISM At least 25 militants were akistan security forces killed as the authorities intensi- Children among 12 pounded the camps of fi ed targeted actions against the Afghans killed by PJamaatul Ahrar terror- outlaws in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa ist group across the border in and Fata, offi cials said. roadside bomb Afghanistan on Friday night The authorities closed the and destroyed four camps and Torkham border and other The UN has condemned the kill- a training compound, the News crossing points with Afghani- ing of 12 Afghans, including eight International reported military stan and launched specifi c ac- children returning from school, by sources as saying. tions against the terrorists. a roadside bomb in the country’s The strikes were conducted Nine militants of the outlawed volatile east, the latest in a grow- hours after Afghan embassy of- Jamaatul Ahrar group of Tali- ing number of civilian casualties. fi cials were summoned to the ban were killed while 10 of their The blast occurred in Paktika prov- Pakistan Army’s General Head- hideouts located in Parchao, the ince on Friday when their vehicle quarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi, hilly area with Loey Shalman in hit a pressure-plate improvised ex- where they were handed over a Landikotal, were destroyed in plosive device planted on a public list of 76 militants orchestrating Khyber Agency. road, the UN said, adding that four terrorist activities in Pakistan “Responding to the terrorists’ others were wounded. from the Afghan soil. Pakistan activities in various places in Pa- “Children are once again the main has repeatedly warned the Af- kistan, we have launched attacks victims of these indiscriminate ghan authorities to prevent the to target militants’ sanctuaries and illegal weapons,” said Pernille use of their soil for terror activi- situated near the Afghan bor- Kardel, the UN’s deputy special ties in Pakistan. der,” an offi cial requesting ano- representative in Afghanistan. There has so far been no offi - nymity said. “There is a simple message to cial confi rmation regarding the The army targeted four terrorist camps in Friday’s strikes, besides destroying a training compound of Jamaatul Ahrar. He said the security forces the perpetrators: stop using developments from the Pakista- used heavy weapons and mortar these weapons if you are serious ni military or government, but them are testing our current pol- was injured in the attack. the Naib Ameer of the group, information about the presence shells and hit several training about safeguarding Afghanistan’s informed sources told Geo News icy of cross-border restraint,” the The paramilitary force took and remained involved in target of terrorists in the Manghopir centres of Omar Khalid Khoras- civilians and the country’s future that the army targeted Jamaatul ISPR said in a statement. positions and had an encounter killings on religious and ethnic area. Thus in the wee hours of ani, the head of the Jamaatul Ah- generation,” Kardel said in a state- Ahrar sanctuaries across the The US general expressed with the terrorists. In the retali- grounds and also led a chain of Friday, they conducted a raid at rar operating from Afghanistan. ment late yesterday. There was no border of Khyber and Mohmand condolences on loss of precious atory fi ring by the Rangers, seven killers. Moreover, in 2012-13 he the prescribed location. He said two soldiers Noorullah immediate reaction from off icials. tribal agencies. The camps were lives in recent terrorist incidents terrorists were killed. The Rang- remained involved in sectar- On seeing the paramilitary and Ameer Nawaz were wound- situated on the Afghan side of and assured full assistance in re- ers also recovered sophisticated ian killings. The second accused force, the terrorists resorted to fi r- ed when terrorists attacked a Pa- ENVIRONMENT the porous border. The army tar- sponse to General Bajwa’s con- weapons from them. The en- was Mohamed Arshad alias Noor ing and an encounter took place kistani checkpost in Loey Shal- geted four terrorist camps in Fri- cerns. The general also shared counter with the terrorists con- Alam alias Shoaib who also re- that lasted for more than an hour. man area Thursday night. Complete ban day’s strikes, besides destroying his plans to undertake special tinued for 35 minutes. mained involved in bomb blasts The Rangers, after a brief encoun- Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif imposed on a training compound of Jamaatul co-ordination at appropriate The spokesman added that of and sectarian killings. Another ter, gunned down 11 terrorists and has asked the armed forces and Ahrar, the sources added. level between RSM, Afghan se- the killed terrorists, three were killed terrorist was identifi ed as during the search of their hideout, law enforcement agencies to cutting of trees There have been reports that curity forces and Pakistan. identifi ed while the identity of Hidayatullah who took training recovered a huge cache of weap- eliminate the enemies of the several militants, including the Meanwhile, the security the remaining four was yet to be from Miranshah, and remained ons and explosives. people with full force of the Keeping in view the rising activi- deputy commander of Jamaatul forces have launched full-scale ascertained. The killed terror- involved in target killings. The spokesman added that the state. “It is an obligation on us ties of timber mafia the Islamabad Ahrar Adil Bacha, were killed in crack down against terrorists af- ists belonged to banned Daesh While the paramilitary force killed terrorists belonged to the towards future generations and local administration has imposed the strikes. ter recent spate of terror attacks Mufti Abu Zar Burmi group. The was busy in gathering informa- banned LeJ and Jamaatul Ahrar. others who are facing oppres- a complete ban on tree cutting Earlier on Friday, Chief of in the country and killed over a killed terrorists were identifi ed tion about the killed terrorists, On the other hand, District Malir sion,” he said and those who would be found the Army Staff (COAS) General 100 terrorists as Prime Minister as Yaseen alias Chootu, who was they received intelligence-based police during their Friday evening The Prime Minister House involved in this illegal act may face Qamar Javed Bajwa held a tel- Nawaz Sharif asked the security shootout gunned down nine ter- stated on Friday evening that jail sentence or fine under section ephonic conversation with US forces to eliminate the terrorists rorists, including a bomber. Nawaz Sharif has reminded, 144. According to a notification General John Nicholson, Com- by hunting them down inside UN condemns terrorist attack in Pakistan SSP Rao Anwar said that he “We must hold fi rm, but reject issued by Deputy Commissioner mander of Resolute Support and outside the country. was informed that members of fear and renounce this depravity Islamabad Captain (r) Mushtaq Mission (RSM) in Afghanistan, The Sindh Rangers and Police, The United Nations has people of Pakistan, and a banned outfi t were present wherever we see it with a moral Ahmad tree cutting has been conveying his concerns over during their separate encounters, condemned the terrorist attack wish a speedy recovery to inside a house situated in the rebuke we reserve only for the banned in all areas of the capital continued acts of terrorism in gunned down 27 terrorists be- on worshippers at a Sufi shrine the injured. We call for the Northern Bypass area. Acting on most heinous.” city so the police, traff ic police and Pakistan from Afghanistan, the longing to banned outfi ts, includ- in Sehwan, in Sindh, Pakistan, perpetrators of this attack to information, he along with his He expressed confi dence that Capital Development Authority Inter-Services Public Relations ing Daesh, Lashkar-e-Jhangvi which left dozens dead and be brought to justices swiftly,” staff carried out a raid. On seeing the war will end, and it will con- (CDA) should keep vigil and im- (ISPR) said in a statement. (LeJ) and Jamaatul Ahrar. hundreds injured, according to said the statement. the police, the terrorists opened clude with the victory of Pa- mediately take action against any “Most of the incidents in Paki- Spokesman for the Sindh a statement issued yesterday The statement added that the fi re which was retaliated and an kistani people, “including our kind of violation in this respect. It stan are claimed by terrorist or- Rangers said that in the early by the off ice of the spokesman UN supports the government encounter took place. The po- positive values that bind us”. “I is pertinent to mention here that ganisations with leadership hiding hours of Friday, soldiers return- for the secretary-general. of Pakistan in its fight against lice after a brief encounter killed direct and authorise my armed after facing criticism for chopping in Afghanistan,” General Bajwa ing from Lal Shahbaz Qalander’s “We extend our condolences terrorism in full respect of nine terrorists. forces and law enforcement down a large number of trees, the told US General John Nicholson. shrine from security duty were to the families of the victims international and human rights SSP Rao Anwar said that one agencies to eliminate the enemy local administration have banned “The COAS said that such terror- attacked on the Super Highway and to the government and norms. of the killed terrorists was a where ever they are with the full their further axing even during ist activities and inaction against by armed terrorists. One soldier bomber who was later identi- force of the state,” he stated. uplift projects. Shrine attack: Best friends Pakistan Senate passes faced death hand in hand Hindu marriage bill Internews i-Islam-Fazl had opposed the riage of individuals,” he said, Internews Islamabad bill, claiming that the Consti- adding that it was difficult Islamabad tution was vast enough to cater for married Hindu women to for such needs. prove that they were married, he Hindu community in While approving the bill, which was one of the key tools ighteen-year-old Zee- Pakistan is set to have a committee chairperson Sena- for miscreants involved in shan Ali and 17-year-old Tpersonal law for the fi rst tor Nasreen Jalil of the Mut- forced conversion. ESaeed Ali were the best of time as the Senate (the upper tahida Qaumi Movement had The law paves the way for a friends. They spent most of their house) of the country yester- announced: “This was unfair — document ‘Shadi Parath’ simi- lives together, including the fi nal day unanimously passed ‘The not only against the principles lar to Nikahnama for Muslims moments of their life. Hindu Marriage Bill 2017’. The of Islam but also a human rights — to be signed by a pundit and The teenagers were the fi rst of bill approved by the National violation — that we have not registered with the relevant the victims of the deadly Sehwan Assembly on Sept 26, 2015 — is been able to formulate a per- government department. blast to have their funeral prayers likely to get presidential assent sonal family law for the Hindus However, the Hindu parlia- off ered in the outer courtyard of next week to become a law. of Pakistan.” mentarians and members of the Lal Shahbaz Qalandar’s shrine The bill will mainly help community had concerns over yesterday. Hindu women get documen- “Such laws will help one of the clauses of the bill The two friends died while tary proof of their marriage. discourage forced that deals with ‘annulment of volunteering their services dur- It will be the fi rst personal conversions and marriage’. It states that one of ing the Thursday dhamaal at law for Pakistani Hindus, ap- streamline the Hindu the partners can approach the the shrine, but even after their plicable in Punjab, Balochistan community aft er the court for separation if anyone deaths, they taught the world a and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. marriage of individuals” of them changes the religion. lesson of brotherhood, harmony A Pakistani policeman stands guard as people arrive to off er Friday prayers at the shrine of Saint Syed Ali Sindh has already formulated “What we demand is that and peace. bin Osman al-Hajvery, popularly known as Data Ganj Bakhsh, in Lahore, following bomb attack on a shrine. its own Hindu marriage law. Senators Aitzaz Ahsan, Dr the separation case should be The boys belonged to diff erent The bill presented in the Jehanzeb Jamaldini and Sitara filed before the conversion as sects and fi nancial backgrounds similar in personalities and hab- from a relatively affl uent family, Most of the time, Zeeshan Senate by Law Minister Zahid Ayaz, while supporting the it has given an option to the but remained friends. its. They played together, visited as his relatives are employed as could be seen teaching Saeed Hamid faced no opposition or bill, miscreants to kidnap a mar- A large number of people be- the shrine together and served offi cers at various government reading and writing. objection. had said it related to the mar- ried woman, keep her under longing to the Shia and Sunni devotees together. departments. Imran said that the last time It was mainly due to the con- riage of Hindus living in Paki- illegal custody and present communities attended their fu- “I identifi ed them from their But he never let his best friend he spoke to Zeeshan was a day siderate and sympathetic views stan and had nothing to do with her in a court that she has neral prayers. hands. Even in the face of death, feel this diff erence. before the blast. expressed by the senators and Muslims. converted to Islam and does Members of the Hindu com- they stood by each other’s side. “They had been friends since He was complaining about the the MNAs of all political parties Dr Ramesh Kumar Vank- not want to live with a Hindu munity were also present at the They were holding each other’s childhood. The bond that they rampant corruption and security in the relevant standing com- wani, who had been working man,” Dr Vankwani said. funeral. hands,” sobbed Niaz. “They were shared was exemplary,” said Im- lapses at the shrine.“His com- mittees. relentlessly for three years to However, the bill is widely “The message is simple. We true Lal devotees.” ran, Zeeshan’s cousin. “Never plaints proved right today,” Im- The bill was approved by the have a Hindu marriage law in acceptable for Hindus living in won’t succumb to the terror- Zeeshan was the youngest of did they fi ght. If they ever did, by ran regretted. Senate Functional Committee the country, expressed grati- Pakistan because it relates to ists’ tactics. They may continue three brothers. His father, Khuda sunset they were seen together Together in life, the two on Human Rights on January 2 tude to the parliamentarians. marriage, registration of mar- to bomb us but we will continue Bux Lakho, is a retired primary again,” he said. Zeeshan was friends were separated in death, with an overwhelming major- “Such laws will help dis- riage, separation and remar- to perform more dhamaal,” said school teacher and he lived a few studying in class eight, while as they were buried in two diff er- ity. courage forced conversions riage, with the minimum age of Saeed’s uncle, Niaz Ali. metres away from the shrine. Saeed had dropped out of school ent graveyards, approximately a However, Senator Mufti Ab- and streamline the Hindu marriage set at 18 years for both The two friends were very Unlike Saeed, Zeeshan hailed due to fi nancial diffi culties. kilometre away from the shrine. dul Sattar of the Jamiat Ulema- community after the mar- boys and girls. Gulf Times 26 Sunday, February 19, 2017 PHILIPPINES

Govt to build 13 bridges across Pasig River

By Mayvelin U Caraballo Manila Times

he government is plan- ning to build 13 more Tbridges across the Pasig River that will connect cities and ease traffi c in the congested main roads of Metro Manila, the Department of Budget and Man- agement (DBM) has said. “So we don’t have to go on C5 Road or Edsa to go North or South. If you’re going to, for example, Bonifacio Global City, you just have to cross the bridge,” DBM Secretary Benjamin Diokno said. Diokno said the government wanted the bridges, which will have fi ve lanes on both sides, to be “iconic,” like the ones in the United Kingdom and France. A total of 16 bridges cross Participants join a “procession” against plans to reimpose death penalty and to intensify the drug war during “Walk for Life” in Luneta Park, Metro Manila yesterday. the Pasig River: Del Pan, Jones, MacArthur, Quezon, Ayala, Nagtahan, Pandacan and Lamb- ingan in Manila; Makati-Man- daluyong, Estrella-Pantaleon and Guadalupe that connects the cities of Makati and Man- daluyong; C-5 that connects Makati City and Pasig City; Kaunlaran, Bambang and Kala- Church in ‘show of force’ waan in Pasig City; and Nap- indan that connects the cities of Taguig and Pasig. The DBM chief said the new bridges would be funded by the national budget. The government plans to spend more than against drug killings P890bn on infrastructure projects that will be undertaken AFP Villegas this month issued simultaneously in all regions this Manila the Church’s strongest state- year. ment against the drug war, The planned spending on warning against a “reign of ter- purely infrastructure represents housands of Catholic ror” in poor communities. 5.2% of P3.35-tn national budget faithful gathered in the Among those who attended for 2017, up 41% from last year’s TPhilippine capital yester- yesterday’s event was Senator target. day for a “show of force” in the Leila de Lima, a former human The government’s economic biggest rally yet to stop extra- rights commissioner and one of team earlier bared a spending judicial killings in President Ro- Duterte’s most vocal opponents. target of P8tn to P9tn on infra- drigo Duterte’s drug war. The government on Friday fi led structure from 2017 to 2022. More than 6,000 people have charges against her for allegedly Infrastructure spending died since Duterte took offi ce running a drug traffi cking ring grew by 49.3% to P30.4bn in seven months ago and ordered using criminals in the country’s November from P20.4bn a year an unprecedented crime war largest prison when she was earlier. that has drawn global criticism justice secretary in the previ- It was the result of sustained for alleged human rights abuses, ous administration. De Lima, implementation of road infra- but is popular with many in the who has repeatedly insisted the structure projects of the Depart- mainly Catholic country. charges against her are trumped ment of Public Works and High- Members of one of the na- up to silence her and intimidate ways (DPWH), the DBM said in a tion’s oldest and most powerful other Duterte critics, said she report. institutions chanted prayers and attended yesterday’s event as a “The same was also raised by sang hymns as they marched to Thousands of Catholic faithful gathered in a dawn rally in a “show of force” against alleged extra-judicial killings iin Manila yesterday. show of solidarity. the payments made for com- condemn a “spreading culture Right: Senator Leila De Lima (centre), a former human rights commissioner who is one of Duterte’s most vocal opponents, participates “For as long as I can, I will pleted repair and rehabilitation of violence”. “We have to stand with thousands of Catholic faithful gathered at the rally. continue to fi ght. They cannot of classrooms and education fa- up. Somehow this is already a silence me,” De Lima, who is cilities in DepEd (Department of show of force by the faithful of Filipinos from the drug men- voice opposition publicly to “It is obvious that there is a Philippines had called on the expecting to be arrested in the Education) schools, local infra- that they don’t like these extra- ace. About eight in 10 Filipinos Duterte’s drug war but, as the spreading culture of violence. It faithful to gather at the Quiri- coming days, said. structure projects in the ARMM judicial killings,” Manila bishop are Catholic, making the former death toll of mostly poor people is saddening to see, sometimes no Grandstand, where Duterte Bone cancer survivor Lucy (Autonomous Region in Muslim Broderick Pabillo said before Spanish colony of more than mounted, it began late last year it drives me to tears how violent held a huge pre-election rally, Castillo, 56, turned up in a Mindanao), and other capital addressing the crowd. 100mn people Asia’s bastion of to call for the killings to end. words seem so natural and ordi- from 4.30am. wheelchair along with dozens of outlay projects in some SUCs “I am alarmed and angry at Christianity. Yesterday’s event, called nary,” said Manila Cardinal Luis “Why dawn? It’s because it is other people with disabilities. (state universities and colleges) what’s happening because this The Church helped lead the the “Walk for Life”, gathered Tagle, the country’s highest- during these hours that we fi nd “When I was in so much pain, and DoH (Department of Health) is something that is regressive. revolution that toppled dictator 20,000 people, according to the ranking Church offi cial. bodies on the streets or near trash I could have taken my life but I hospitals nationwide,” the DBM It does not show our humanity.” Ferdinand Marcos in 1986 and organisers. Manila police esti- “In your surroundings, in cans. Dawn, which is supposed did not. Only God can take it,” said. Duterte, 71, has attacked the a 2001 uprising against then- mated the crowd at 10,000. your neighbourhood, there to be the hour of a new start, is she said. Spending in November lifted Church as being “the most hyp- president Joseph Estrada that The rally also opposed Du- are so many lives that must be becoming an hour of tears and “I was diagnosed 40 years ago the 11-month infrastructure and ocritical institution” for speak- saw him ousted over corruption terte’s push to restore the death saved. They will not be saved fears,” Archbishop Socrates Vil- but I was given a chance to live. other capital spending by 46.3% ing out against a campaign that charges. penalty, his top legislative pri- by mere discussion.” The Cath- legas, president of the bishops’ I want to give these drug addicts to P426bn from P291bn, the he says would save generations It had initially declined to ority as part of his crime war. olic Bishops’ Conference of the conference, told the crowd. another chance.” DBM said.

Duterte to sign defence deals during Russia visit Child abuse case Actress Perez’s maid gets The Philippines and Russia are set to clinch agreements on de- fi led against teacher fence and security co-operation when President Rodrigo Duterte visits Moscow in May, the chief By Eugene Y Adiong that she is seeking justice for jail sentence for theft executive’s top security adviser Manila Times/Bacolod City the abuse committed against has said, Manila Times reported. her and has demanded mon- The announcement came after etary compensation and the By Francis Earl Cueto Besano was said to have later Duterte and his top security he Commission on Hu- dismissal from service and im- Manila Times admitted to the theft under po- off icials met with Russian off icials man Rights here fi led prisonment of the teacher who lice custody. led by Moscow’s Security Council Tbefore the ombudsman infl icted harm on her. Perez said her maid’s fi ance Secretary Nikolai Patrushev in criminal complaints for child The child said that at about elevision host and ac- was a jeepney driver. Besano Davao City on Thursday. abuse and torture against a 8am on February 6 while in the tress Amy Perez’s maid also had three foreign “special In a statement, National Security Grade 3 teacher of Rizal Ele- classroom, Bolinas ordered her Twas jailed, after she was friends,” she said. Adviser Hermogenes Esperon mentary School in Bacolod City. 41 classmates to beat her on caught in an entrapment op- Besano, for her part, said she Jr said Duterte and Patrushev Romeo Baldevarona, head the butt fi ve times each using eration with P250,000 worth of did not benefi t entirely from the discussed “future government-to- of the CHR provincial offi ce glue sticks. She said her teach- accessories, money, groceries things she had stolen. government co-operation” in the said they assisted the child’s er, who watched as she cried and clothes from the celebrity “I have a boyfriend and I gave fields of security and intelligence, aunt in fi ling the criminal while being beaten up, had and her family. him P4,000 a month. They defence and military, law enforce- complaints with civil damages ordered the beating because of Perez who is Maria Armida didn’t know. I was afraid they’d ment, the fight against drugs, against Rowelyn Bolinas for her many absences. Parale Sarte Perez-Castillo in get mad at me. I didn’t tell transnational crime and terrorism. Violation of Republic Act 7610 When classes ended at 4pm real life, narrated the incident them,” she was quoted as saying “(Memoranda) of Understanding or the Special Protection of she reported the incident to her in her ABS-CBN morning show in Filipino. on these fields are being finalised Children Against Abuse, Ex- aunt who then brought her to on Friday. Besano (left) and Perez. Besano asked forgiveness by concerned agencies and are ploitation and Discrimination the school principal. The prin- She identifi ed the maid, who from the Perez-Castillo fam- expected to be signed during the Act and Republic Act 9745 or cipal advised her aunt to fi le a had worked for her for four said she gave Besano a half- edly owed money to the village ily. “I admit it. I ask forgiveness president’s visit to Moscow,” he the Anti Torture Act of 2009. complaint with the police. years, as Melrose Besano, who month’s salary in advance. laundry shop. from them and I regret what I said. Esperon said the Russian Administrative complaints She added that on February also goes by the names Mel Be- Shortly after the maid left, Perez and her husband, did. I will accept any punish- delegation was in Davao for three for grave misconduct and con- 7 she was brought to the City sano and Rose Bulibuli. they found out that Besano took TV reporter Carlo Castillo, ment,” she said. days and had meetings with him, duct prejudicial to the best in- Health Offi ce where she was ex- Perez said Besano, 40, had P12,000 in village association searched their house and found Besano is facing a charge for Defence Secretary Delfin Loren- terest of the service were also amined and treated by a doctor. sought permission to go on dues entrusted to her. With that three of their watches qualifi ed theft, a non-bailable zana, Interior Secretary Ismael fi led against the teacher. In a separate affi davit, the an 11-day vacation as she was the revelation, Perez said their worth P260,000 were missing. off ence. Sueno and Armed Forces chief The nine-year-old com- aunt said her niece suff ered a about to get married. neighbours’ maids also came An entrapment was set where Police are appealing to Besa- General Eduardo Ano. plainant, whose name is being contusion on the butt as a result Thrilled over her maid’s forward and said Besano owed Besano would meet with anoth- no’s other victims to fi le charges withheld, said in her affi davit of the beating Bolinas ordered. forthcoming wedding, Perez them money. She also report- er maid to borrow money. as well. Gulf Times Sunday, February 19, 2017 27 SRI LANKA/BANGLADESH/NEPAL

Indian team in EU lauds Dhaka’s role in Lanka to monitor maintaining global peace progress By Mizan Rahman adoption of the 2030 Agenda for High Representative on Foreign of projects Dhaka Sustainable Development has and Security Policy and Vice provided them with a unique President Federica Mogherini of opportunity to build new part- the European Commission at its IANS he European Union (EU) nerships and vowed to work headquarters in Brussels. Colombo has appreciated Bangla- closely together for implemen- Welcoming the second dip- Tdesh’s role in maintain- tation of diff erent Sustainable lomatic consultations in Brus- ing global peace and security as Development Goals (SDGs). sels, Secretary General Schmid team from the Export- one of the highest troops and They also agreed to organ- expressed happiness at the cor- Import Bank of India was police contributing coun- ise a workshop on ‘Partner- dial relations between EU and Ain Sri Lanka to moni- tries for the UN peacekeeping ship on Inequalities and Global Bangladesh. tor the progress of projects un- operations. Governance for Sustainable She appreciated Bangladesh der India’s lines of credit (LoC) Both sides agreed to inten- Development’ in Dhaka soon. for its sustained high econom- scheme, particularly in the rail- sify collaboration on matters Both parties agreed to continue ic growth, impressive social way sector, media reports said. of regional and global interests working on this common agenda development. The team visited sites of the such as connectivity, migration, with a view to reaching concrete She apprised the foreign Northern Railway Rehabilita- terrorism. progress and deliverables. secretary on EU Global Strat- tion Project, including Kanke- These issues came up for The agenda included politi- egy 2016, including post-Brexit santhurai Railway Line, Oman- discussion at the second dip- cal developments on both sides developments in Europe. thai-Pallai railway line among lomatic consultations between viz. EU Global Strategy 2016, Foreign secretary Haque others apart from evaluating Bangladesh and the EU held in trade and investment – includ- thanked the EU for being a con- the signalling and telecommu- Brussels. ing Everything But Arms (EBA) sistent partner in Bangladesh’s nication systems installed under Managing Director for Asia – and other issues of bilateral journey to development and the LoC, Colombo Gazette cited and the Pacifi c at the European importance. prosperity since independence. a statement by the Indian High External Action Service (EEAS) The next round of consul- He also appreciated the on- Commission in Colombo. Gunnar Wiegand led the EU tations will be held in 2018 in going comprehensive engage- The line of credit (LOC) is a delegation, while the Bangla- Dhaka. ments between Bangladesh and fi nancing mechanism through deshi delegation was led by For- Earlier on February 14, foreign the EU on bilateral, regional and which India’s Exim (Export- eign Secretary Shahidul Haque, secretary Shahidul Haque met global issues of common inter- Import) Bank extends support said a foreign ministry release EEAS secretary general Helga ests like climate change, terror- for export of goods and services yesterday. Schmid, top diplomat of the EU ism, migration, and sustainable German Chancellor Angela Merkel meets Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina during the 53rd from India. Between 2008 and Both sides recognised that Diplomatic Service after the EU development. Munich Security Conference in Munich, Germany yesterday. 2015 Exim Bank has disbursed $11,678mn as LOCs for various development related and ca- pacity building projects across continents. India has provided conces- sionary credit facilities amount- Irrfan Khan’s No Bed Lanka group urges ing to about $800mn to Sri Lanka to undertake the Northern Railway Rehabilitation Project. Engineering and construction company IRCON International of Roses banned in for release of land implemented the project, in- cluding track upgradation and setting up of signalling and Agencies by the Sri Lanka Airforce, and in the area claiming the prop- communication infrastructure. Colombo demanded immediate release erty belonged to them and no The Exim Bank team also called Bangladesh of the land. trespassing would be allowed. on Sri Lanka Transport and Civil “The situation in Kep- Although the current gov- Aviation Minister Nimal Siripala group of Sri Lankan civil papilavu is indicative of the ernment has released some of De Silva and senior offi cials in IANS dia and India’s Eskay Movies “We have been blocked at the society organisations Sri Lankan government’s mis- the lands previously held for several Sri Lankan ministries of Mumbai with Irrfan’s IK Company as fi rst gate,” said Farooki. Ayesterday urged the leading campaign and slow military purposes, the Tamils such as Railways, Department of co-producer. “As the order does not ex- government to release lands in progress on releasing lands complain of slow progress on External Resources, Ministry of Helmed by Bangladeshi plain any reason, I don’t know the ethnic-Tamil dominated from military occupation,” the the releases. National Policies and Economic o Bed of Roses, a fi lm fi lmmaker Mostofa Sarwar Fa- why they thought screening north which are still being held group said in a statement. “With the government’s Aff airs among others. said to be loosely rooki, the movie is said to be of the fi lm would be inappro- for military purposes, a media Keppapilavu became a model moves towards reforms stall- The Indian High Commission Nbased on late Bang- about Ahmed, who divorced his priate. Yes, my fi lm handles a report said. resettlement village in 2012, ing, there are serious concerns said it remains committed to ladeshi writer and fi lmmaker wife of 27 years and married an so-called taboo subject but it The group also protested three years after the military that land return and demili- strengthening its bilateral rela- Humayun Ahmed, starring actress 33 years his junior. But doesn’t show anything explicit at Keppapilavu in the former victory over the separatist LTTE. tarisation – core demands of tionship with Sri Lanka through and co-produced by Indian the fi lmmaker has denied that and hence doesn’t violate any northern battle zone of The civil society organisa- Tamil people – are not mov- closer economic ties, enhanc- actor Irrfan Khan, has been it’s a biopic. censor code. This goes against Puthukudyiruppu, which had tions charged that the Sri Lankan ing ahead suffi ciently,” the ing connectivity and continued banned in Bangladesh. The According to variety.com, the freedom of expression,” he been held for nearly two weeks Air Force had put up a notice statement added. development partnership. fi lmmaker says the action is the Bangladesh Film De- added. against freedom of expres- velopment Corporation’s The variety.com report sion, while Irrfan hopes the (BFDC) Joint Venture Pre- claims they have had access ban is lifted soon. view Committee approved to the fi lm and it starts with “I’m surprised with this the script of the movie on a disclaimer that the fi lm has Nepal marks Democracy Day decision. It is a story of emo- March 8, 2016, after which no resemblance to any real life tions between a man and the fi lm went into produc- characters alive or dead. woman. How can it cause tion. The completed fi lm was BFDC managing director Ta- any harm to the society? I previewed for the BFDC on pan Kumar Ghosh told variety. hope that the ban is lifted February 12, and received a com that it is not the BFDC’s and the audiences can see No Objection Certifi cate on prerogative to issue the certifi - the fi lm soon,” Irrfan said in a February 15. cate and it was up to the Bang- statement issued yesterday But just a day later, the ladesh Film Censor Board to The actor is acclaimed for BFDC sent the production a issue it. his work in Indian fi lms like letter stating that the certifi - However, Variety claims The Lunchbox, Paan Singh cate had been cancelled due to having copies of all the letters Tomar and Piku and known a letter from the Bangladesh issued to the production from in Hollywood for being a part Information Ministry. the BFDC and they are all on of movies like Jurassic World Farooki, who is known in the organisation’s offi cial let- and Inferno. He plays the Bangladeshi cinema for works terhead. In reality, interna- lead role in No Bed of Roses, like Television and Ant Story, tional co-productions cannot a co-production between is now taking the matter to approach the Censor Board Bangladesh’s Jaaz Multime- court. without the BFDC certifi cate. Garment workers live in fear: unions Nepalese Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal addresses the National Democracy Day celebration in Kathmandu yesterday. The 67th AFP “Most union leaders don’t H&M, GAP and Primark urged Democracy Day was being observed yesterday with various programmes across Nepal to commemorate the day when the nation Dhaka live at home because of per- Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina became free from the 104-year long Rana aristocracy. sistent fear of being arrested,” to consider worker demands, Babul Akhter, who heads a gar- but government offi cials angladeshi garment ment workers’ federation, said. have ruled out any wage hike workers are living in “Police have shut down before 2019. Bconstant fear of arrest union offi ces. They are even Bangladesh’s $30bn garment as police hunt those involved harassing workers who were industry accounts for 80% of in strikes over wages that have sacked and went back to their its annual exports, but it has a First cargo vessel arrives at Dhaka river port disrupted the global textile villages.” woeful history of poor pay and hub, union leaders have said. A police chief with the in- conditions for its 4mn workers. Tens of thousands of work- dustrial unit in Ashulia refused The Bangladesh Garment IANS With this – the bilateral coast- Shipping Minister Shajahan Khan, carrying cargo has sailed from ers in the industrial town of to comment on the allegations. Manufacturers and Exporters Dhaka al shipping agreement signed State Minister for Power, Energy Kolkata to Pangaon which is just Ashulia staged mass protests in Human Rights Watch said Association, which represents during the visit of Prime Min- and Mineral Resources Nasrul Ha- over 20km from Dhaka.” December demanding a three- Wednesday the arbitrary ar- the country’s 4,500 cloth- ister Narendra Modi to Bangla- mid and other dignitaries. “Today’s event is signifi cant fold hike in pay, which can dip rest of workers had increased in ing factories, has labelled the aving way for direct cargo desh in 2015, which allows direct Ahmed said that cargo ships as so far, the movement of ships as low as $68 a month. recent days, saying union rep- strikes illegal, and warned sal- vessel movement between movement of ships at sea be- will now reach and depart from was limited between seaports The strikes were quashed resentatives were facing “un- ary rises would drive retailers PIndia and Bangladesh, the tween the two countries – came Pangaon to India every 15 days, like Chittagong and Visakhap- and some arrests made, and fair or apparently fabricated in Europe and the US to com- fi rst container ship from Kolkata into eff ect. adding that buyers from home atnam,” the Daily Star quoted garment manufacturers sacked criminal cases”. petitor markets like Myanmar. arrived at Dhaka’s Panagon river It has helped in improving con- and abroad would be ben- Shringla as saying. some 1600 workers. Union activist Shamima Protests over poor wages, port, media reports said. nectivity between the two neigh- efi ted from the operation of the For his part, Bangladeshi Ship- But unions say workers are Nasrin said plainclothes po- benefi ts and working condi- Shonartori Nou Kalyan-1 bours by reducing shipping time Pangaon container terminal. ping Minister Khan said that the living in a climate of fear amid lice had raided her home three tions are frequent here, but reached the Pangaon inland con- from 30-40 days to 4-10 days. Welcoming the arrival of the link between the Pangaon terminal a harsh crackdown in Ashulia, times since the protests, forc- gained intensity after the col- tainer terminal at Keraniganj The inauguration of unloading container ship, Indian High and India will save time and mon- where garment factories churn ing her to “roam around like a lapse of the Rana Plaza factory upazila on Friday with 65 con- 65 containers from the ship was Commissioner to Dhaka Harsh ey. “The shipping ministry is in the out clothes for some of the fugitive”. complex in April 2013, which tainers on board, bdnews24.com witnessed by Bangladesh Com- Vardhan Shringla in a message process to procure 36 more ships to world’s top-selling brands. In January brands such as killed 1,138 people. reported. merce Minister Tofail Ahmed, said: “For the fi rst time a ship boost the use of this network.” Gulf Times 28 Sunday, February 19, 2017 COMMENT

Chairman: Abdullah bin Khalifa al-Attiyah Deputy Managing Editor: K T Chacko Hong Kong cracks down

P.O.Box 2888 Doha, Qatar on money-laundering [email protected] Telephone 44350478 (news), HK non-fi nancial fi rms shell companies that have no real The nation’s central bank, the Banks, brokers and other fi nancial 44466404 (sport), 44466636 (home delivery) to face anti-money business operations. People’s Bank of China, which fi rms submitted 93% of all reports. Fax 44350474 The FSTB says it is concerned that regulates money fl ows inside China Industry bodies representing laundering laws; Territory the system may be used by criminals to and into and out of the country, did not lawyers, accountants, agents that set up conceal and launder illicit proceeds. respond to a request for comment. trusts and companies, and real estate set to introduce benefi cial The trust and company agents, as The leaked documents from Panama agents, said their members already ownership disclosures well as lawyers, accountants, and real law fi rm Mossack Fonseca, which operate under strict professional codes estate agents, will have a statutory contained information on 214,000 of conduct that include anti-money obligation to perform a range of checks off shore companies, showed that its laundering procedures. GULF TIMES on clients and their source of funds Hong Kong offi ces were its busiest The Hong Kong Institute of Certifi ed Reuters Hong Kong under the proposals. globally. Public Accountants’ CEO Raphael They will have to report any It worked with more than 2,200 Ding said in a statement that the suspicious transactions or face the banks, accountants, law fi rms and government’s proposals on customer ong Kong is beefi ng up its threat of prosecution, and be required other middlemen in the city to funnel due diligence and record keeping will India blasts off to anti-money laundering and to keep records for six years. money from China and elsewhere into help it “to enhance its regulation of corporate disclosure laws in Hong Kong fi nancial fi rms have been nearly 37,700 entities registered in the profession” regarding anti-money Ha move that some fi nancial subject to strict anti-money laundering secretive locations such as the British laundering. crime specialists say could lead to the laws introduced in 2012 but the service Virgin Islands (BVI). Still, he said there were many record-breaking exodus of billions of dollars in assets sector has until now been operating The scandal also exposed the legitimate reasons why companies from the territory as people seek to under self-regulatory regimes without widespread practice among Hong Kong and individuals wish to make use of avoid increased scrutiny. the force of law. companies of creating off shore entities off shore structures to hold assets. The Chinese territory’s government Private Hong Kong companies would to act as shareholders, shielding the The Estate Agents Authority, which feat in space science has been rattled by last year’s Panama be required for the fi rst time to obtain identity of real owners. is responsible for regulating real estate Papers scandal, which showed that and hold up-to-date information Companies principally based in the professionals in Hong Kong, said that Hong Kong was the most active centre on their true owners and controlling BVI were the largest source of direct it “attaches great importance” to anti- In a mission that clearly reinforced India’s reputation as in the world for the creation of shell parties, and provide this information to investment in Hong Kong resident money laundering measures by those a reliable and cost-eff ective option for launching satellites, companies. the authorities upon request. enterprises and the largest source of with real estate sales licenses. the country’s space agency ISRO launched a record 104 They have many legitimate purposes Failure to keep accurate records annual investment infl ows between And the Hong Kong Law Society satellites from a single rocket on February 15 and placed the but can also be used to hide assets and would be a criminal off ence. 2013 and 2015 the latest government said in a statement that there is no evade taxes. The changes should be implemented data shows. evidence that solicitors have failed in spacecraft in their desired orbits. Some of these entities were linked to “as a matter of priority” to meet “If you were afraid of Xi’s corruption their obligation to make suspicious The feat was performed on the indigenous Polar Satellite powerful Chinese politicians, creating requirements outlined by the Financial clampdown these measures may make transaction reports. Launch Vehicle (PSLV), which blasted off from the Satish a potential embarrassment for Chinese Action Task Force (FATF), the global you think twice about parking your assets The consultation on the proposed Dhawan Space Centre at Sriharikota in South India with President Xi Jinping, who has been body that sets standards for combating in Hong Kong,” and they will probably be law closes on March 5 and the three satellites from India and 101 smaller nano satellites conducting an anti-corruption crusade money laundering, ahead of its review moved elsewhere, said Jane Moir, director government hopes to table a bill in the in the past few years. of Hong Kong next year, the FSTB said at Princedale Advisory, a Hong Kong legislature in the second quarter. from fi ve other countries – the US, the Netherlands, Israel, The Chinese central government’s in the proposals. corporate investigations fi rm. Kenneth Leung, a lawmaker Kazakhstan and Switzerland. Hong Kong and Macao Aff airs Offi ce in They also come as China, the largest Mossack Fonseca’s Hong Kong representing accountants, said the This number crushes the previous record of 37 satellites Beijing did not respond to a request for source of the money channelled into offi ce did not respond to a request for proposals may be opposed by some sent into orbit aboard a single Russian Dnepr rocket in June comment. off shore centres, according to the comment, but the company has said business interests but that the Legislative 2014. And it was the 38th consecutive successful fl ight Through legislative proposals Panama Papers documents leaked it complies with a range of regulations Council would likely be supportive. published without any fanfare last to the International Consortium of and conducts due diligence on clients. The government will have to move Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle. month, Hong Kong’s Financial Services Investigative Journalists, battles to Data from Hong Kong’s Joint Financial fast if it wants to implement and In 2014, ISRO launched a Mars orbiter, the fi rst Asian and Treasury Bureau (FSTB) seeks to stem capital outfl ows. Intelligence Unit (JFIU) suggests dirty enforce the new rules by the time FATF country to reach the red planet at fraction of the cost of a impose anti-money laundering laws on Nearly $1.4tn of illicit money, money is slipping through the net, say visits Hong Kong next year, said Leung. similar launch by the US and Europe. non-fi nancial businesses and to require derived largely from corruption, fi nancial crime specialists. FATF can put a jurisdiction on a India’s 2014 Mars mission cost less than $75mn, a small private companies to disclose who their tax evasion, and money laundering, Last year, real-estate agents, blacklist if it is uncooperative in the true owners are. fl owed out of China between 2004 and accountants and trust and company battle against money laundering. fraction of the $671mn the United States spent for a Mars The new rules would introduce a 2013, according to think tank Global service providers combined reported While that doesn’t trigger any mission that same year. direct licensing regime for agents that Financial Integrity. just 88 of the 76,590 suspicious formal sanctions, it can make banks, The Indian space set up and manage the paperwork for Much of that went through Hong transactions reports submitted to the companies and other entities very wary agency has now put thousands of trusts and “letter box” Kong, say the fi nancial crime experts. JFIU, with lawyers submitting 969. about doing business with that place. Last year alone some 226 satellites into orbit, including 180 saw ISRO putting from foreign nations. into orbit 34 Last year alone saw ISRO putting into satellites – 33 orbit 34 satellites – 33 satellites with Indian satellites with rockets and one Indian rockets (GSAT-18) by French company Arianespace. and one (GSAT- Of the 33 satellites launched with Indian 18) by French rockets, 22 belonged company to foreign customers and the remaining 11 Arianespace were owned by ISRO and a couple of Indian academic institutions. Calling 2016 a “good” year, ISRO chairman A S Kiran Kumar said the Indian space agency would launch at least fi ve communication satellites this year. In June last year, ISRO set a major record when it successfully launched 20 satellites, including its earth observation Cartosat-2 series, in a single mission on board PSLV-C34 from the spaceport in Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh. A few years ago, India successfully delivered its fi rst domestically-designed cryogenic rocket, joining only a handful of countries that possess the leading technology. The breakthrough caps more than two decades of attempts Trump the Reluctant Multilateralist to master supercool fuels. Indian space scientists say ISRO plans to use its own By Barry Eichengreen Committee on Banking Supervision. Holding more capital is not costless that failure to help poor countries can Florence Trump’s record on the campaign for US banks, as advisers like Gary foment instability. Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS) trail and Twitter is not heartening. Cohn, formerly of Goldman Sachs and This would appear to be an area satellites for orbit determination on the February 15 Back in 2012, he tweeted criticism now the head of Trump’s National where Trump will favour bilateral mission instead of the US Global Positioning System (GPS) onald Trump did not assume of the World Bank for “tying poverty Economic Council, presumably tell action, which would enable him to as has been used on previous launches. the US presidency as a to ‘climate change’” (his quotation the president morning, noon, and assuage his conservative critics by The PSLV’s record-setting blast off last week was the committed multilateralist. marks). “And we wonder why night. insisting that no US funds go toward On that, partisans of all international organisations are Levelling the playing fi eld in this family planning, while taking credit for fi rst of the year for India, whose next launch is currently D political persuasions can agree. ineff ective,” he complained. area means requiring foreign banks any and all assistance. scheduled for March with the larger Geosynchronous Among his most controversial Likewise, last July, he mooted the also to hold more capital, which is At the same time, minimising the Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) Mk.II deploying the campaign statements were some possibility that the United States precisely the point of the Basel process. role of the US in the World Bank GSAT-9 communications satellite. suggesting that Nato was obsolete, a might withdraw from the WTO if Trump may similarly come to would create a vacuum to be fi lled PSLV’s next launch is currently expected in April or May position that bodes ill for his attitude it constrained his ability to impose appreciate the advantages of working by China, Trump’s bête noire, both to other multilateral organisations and tariff s. through the IMF when a crisis erupts in that institution and through the with a collection of satellites including India’s EMISat and alliances. And he vowed repeatedly during the in Venezuela, or in Mexico as a result of activities of the Chinese-led Asian SPaDEx spacecraft. Last week, however, Trump stepped presidential campaign to withdraw his own policies. Infrastructure Investment Bank. India’s record-breaking space mission has clearly shown back, reassuring an audience at US from the Paris climate agreement. In 1995, the US Treasury extended The real test of Trump’s stance its growing capabilities and that its space programme has Central Command in Tampa, Florida But the evolution of Trump’s fi nancial assistance to Mexico through on multilateralism will be how he indeed come a long way without much external support. (the headquarters for US forces that position on Nato suggests that he may the Exchange Stabilisation Fund. approaches the WTO. operate in the Middle East). “We yet see merit to working through these In 2008, the Federal Reserve Persuading the US Congress to agree The country, which is currently Asia’s third largest strongly support Nato,” he declared, organisations as he comes to recognise provided Brazil with a $30bn swap line on corporate and personal income-tax economy, is now a major player in the commercial space explaining that his “issue” with the that the world economy, too, is a to help it navigate the global fi nancial reform, a $1tn infrastructure initiative, business, which forms the chunk of the global space Alliance was one of full and proper dangerous place. crisis. and a replacement for Obama’s industry estimated worth $323bn in 2015. fi nancial contributions from all Following the election, Trump But imagine the outrage with which signature healthcare reform won’t be members, not fundamental security acknowledged having an open mind on Trump’s supporters would greet a easy, to say the least. arrangements. the Paris climate agreement. “taxpayer bailout” of a foreign country Doing so will require patience, This more nuanced view presumably His position seemed less to deny the or Mexican offi cials’ anger over having which is not Trump’s strong suit. To Advertise refl ects a new appreciation, whether existence of global warming than to to secure assistance from the same This suggests that he will feel born of security briefi ngs or the insist that policies mitigating climate Trump administration responsible for pressured to do what he can [email protected] sobering fact of actually occupying change not impose an unreasonable their country’s ills. unilaterally. Display the Oval Offi ce, that the world is a burden on American companies. Both sides would surely prefer One thing he can do unilaterally is dangerous place. The way to limit the competitive working through the IMF. slap duties on imports, potentially in Telephone 44466621 Fax 44418811 Even a president committed to burden on US producers is, of course, Trump can’t be pleased that the violation of WTO rules. Classified putting “America fi rst” now seems to by ensuring that other countries also Obama administration rushed to We’ll soon fi nd out whether those Telephone 44466609 Fax 44418811 recognise that a framework through require their companies to take steps push through the reappointment of rules will deter him. – Project Syndicate which countries can pursue shared to mitigate climate change, thereby its chosen World Bank president, Jim Barry Eichengreen is a professor at Subscription goals is not a bad thing. keeping the playing fi eld level. Yong Kim. the University of California, Berkeley, [email protected] The question now is whether And this is precisely what the Paris But he clearly recognises the benefi ts and the University of Cambridge. what is true for Nato is also true agreement is about. of development aid. His latest book is Hall of Mirrors: for the International Monetary The same can be said of the Basel While he has said that the US should The Great Depression, the Great 2017 Gulf Times. All rights reserved Fund, the World Bank, the World Committee’s standards for capital “stop sending foreign aid to countries Recession, and the Uses – and Misuses Trade Organisation, and the Basel adequacy. that hate us,” he has also observed – of History. Gulf Times Sunday, February 19, 2017 29 COMMENT The European unravelling?

Europe is now stuck In fact, the pronouncements and modernise the EU-Mexico Global executive orders of Trump’s fi rst Agreement, and position itself as a between a US and a Russia weeks in offi ce convey a singular world leader on tax reform. that are determined to ideological perspective – the one Moreover, Europe should take long espoused by White House Chief greater responsibility for its defence, divide it Strategist Steve Bannon, an ultra- both by increasing spending and by nationalist, acolyte of the Italian pursuing continental co-operation By Ana Palacio fascist philosopher Julius Evola, and aimed at using resources and Madrid long-time enabler of America’s white- capabilities more effi ciently. supremacist “alt-right.” To address the migration challenge As if to underscore his Rasputin-like it faces, Europe should craft a policy fter years of intensifying infl uence, Bannon has now secured a guided by its values, as well as its fragmentation and tension, seat on the National Security Council security and economic interests. the European Union may Principals Committee, which includes That means distinguishing between Abe on the verge of losing the secretaries of state and defence, economic migrants and refugees, its most precious assets: peace, but not the director of national strengthening border controls, and prosperity, freedom of movement, and intelligence or the chairman of the boosting cooperation with third values such as tolerance, openness, joint chiefs of staff . countries. and unity. No surprise, then, that In all that it does, from this moment Will Europeans unite in time to save #PresidentBannon has been trending on, the EU must affi rm and advance them? on Twitter. the values – openness, human rights, The danger facing the EU became Ordinarily, I would not pontifi cate knowledge, and the rule of law – that starkly apparent last June, when the on the structure of another country’s have enabled Europe to recover, grow, United Kingdom voted to leave. foreign-policy apparatus. and thrive for more than seven decades. And Donald Trump’s election as But Trump’s is no ordinary French President François Hollande US president has made matters far US presidency, so we all have a and German Chancellor Angela worse. responsibility to consider the Merkel’s recent call for a “clear, The United States, Europe’s closest implications of the White House’s common commitment” to the EU is a and most powerful ally – a crucial ideological about face from traditional good start. security partner and bearer of shared democratic and Western thinking for But such calls must now be backed values – is now headed in a very our own countries. by action. diff erent direction, and threatening For Europeans, this responsibility is That may be diffi cult for the next to leave a shaken and divided Europe particularly urgent, because America’s British Prime Minister Theresa May, ourselves with a leader who has shown just the operation of the market, binds nine months, as the Netherlands, alone in a harsh world eager to tear it new driving ideology emphasises the underscores his hostility. himself to be capricious and utterly humanity together. France, and Germany hold national apart. traditional Westphalian nation-state, Europe is now stuck between a US untrustworthy. Were it otherwise, the EU’s single elections. This might sound hyperbolic. with its insistence on sovereignty, and a Russia that are determined to Another option is to fi nd a new market would have been enough to It will be even more diffi cult if an Many in the US political class strong borders, and nationalism. divide it. saviour – perhaps a country like protect it from the existential threat it extremist candidate in one or more remain convinced – at least in public The EU – built on the idea of What are we Europeans to do? China, which not only is America’s now faces. of these countries achieves a surprise – that US foreign policy under Trump strength, peace, and prosperity One option is to pander to Trump. closest analogue, in terms of economic The third option – and the only victory. will be reined in by the more level- through co-operation – is anathema That is the approach May took impact, but also has attracted viable one for the EU – is self-reliance But if Europe’s political centre headed heavyweights in his cabinet, to it. on her visit to Washington, DC, substantial attention lately, owing and self-determination. holds, as expected, the EU will be such as Secretary of Defence James The problem for the EU is no longer when she stood by silently as Trump to its president’s robust defence of Only by strengthening its own in a strong position to confront Mattis and Secretary of State Rex the indiff erence that marked the worst openly declared his support for the globalisation. international positions – increasing increasingly hostile external forces Tillerson.“Don’t worry,” they say, “the elements of President Barack Obama’s use of torture at their joint press But we should beware of false its leverage, in today’s jargon – can the and move forward with purpose. worst will not happen.” approach to Europe. conference. messiahs. EU cope eff ectively with America’s Ana Palacio, a former Spanish But, in my experience, the person It is outright US hostility. But, for the EU, such appeasement The global vision promoted by wavering fi delity to its allies and the foreign minister and former senior who really counts is the one who has Trump’s praise of Brexit, which would be counter-productive. China focuses almost entirely on values they share. vice-president of the World Bank, the president’s ear. emphasised the British people’s It is our values, not our borders, that economic relations – precisely the Pursuing this option implies that is a member of the Spanish Council And, so far, all signs indicate “right to self-determination,” and his defi ne us. soullessness that got the liberal world the EU should push for progress in of State and a visiting lecturer at that Trump’s inner circle is driving belittling reference to the EU as “the It makes little sense to abandon order into trouble in the fi rst place. trade talks with Japan, negotiate an Georgetown University. – Project policymaking. Consortium” in his appearance with them, especially to ingratiate A sense of common purpose, not investment agreement with China, Syndicate Weather report Three-day forecast Should we be paid for our data? TODAY High: 18 C Microsoft Research scientist Jaron is quick to point out that not all users want to share data about himself. Low : 12 C By Andreas Weigend Inshore: Expected strong wind and Washington Lanier and others argue that users are equal; some people create more He signed up under a false name and poor horizontal visibility at places. should receive “nanopayments” for valuable content than others. If only didn’t make friends. Unsurprisingly, their data. One Dutch technology the truly deserving received payment, Joe didn’t fi nd anything very useful on ata are the most important pundit, Jathan Sadowski, has that might add up to more sizeable Facebook. Because there were no data MONDAY resource of the 21st century. even said that a lot of data fi gures for them. for Facebook to analyse, its algorithms High: 18 C The capacity to transform collection is a “form of theft” – an The question then becomes: Who’s couldn’t deliver a personalised News Low: 13 C Draw data into decision- appropriation “without consent and truly deserving? Feed. P Cloudy making recommendations is changing compensation.” Let’s say you take a photo of a The value of data comes from the world in ways that rival the But it’s pointless to chase group of friends at a birthday party improving the decisions we make. You Industrial Revolution. nanopayments, and not just because and post it on Facebook. Many have to give data to get this benefi t. TUESDAY Much of the data being created and the big technology companies might people in your social network then But while Joe missed out on the High: 19 C shared are about our personal lives: not like the concept. repost it. The value of the post to joys of Facebook, Facebook missed Low: 13 C where we live, where we work, where Many of the products and services Facebook comes from the traffic out on essentially nothing. Since Sunny we go; who we love, who we don’t and provided by “data refi neries” – that the photo inspires as well as most people are not like Joe – most who we spend our time with; what we including Amazon’s recommendations, the data about relationships and people share their data – Facebook ate for lunch, how much we exercise Google’s traffi c predictions and Uber’s interests embedded in people’s has plenty of information to work Fishermen’s forecast with as it refines its services. Again, and which medicines we take; what surge pricing – depend on information interactions with it. Should OFFSHORE DOHA appliances we use in our homes and from millions of individuals. One you alone get a kickback from any one individual’s data have a Wind: NW 18-25/33 KT which stories grab our attention. person’s contribution isn’t worth Facebook? Or should you split dollar value of close to zero. Waves: 6-10/13 Feet And the companies that collect these much. If, for instance, Facebook it with everyone tagged in the Rather than focusing on how much INSHORE DOHA Wind: NW 10-20/25 KT data are generating billions in revenue. divided up every cent of its profi ts photo? How about with those who our information is worth and asking Waves: 2-4/5 Feet According to a report by Oracle and among its users, each would receive comment, tag or like it? How much for a paltry fi nancial handout in return, the MIT Technology Review, the most about $5 for 2016. does a comment or like depreciate we should demand something far Around the region successful data companies, including Was having unlimited access to in value over time? more valuable: the right to experiment Weather Weather Amazon, Google and Uber, treat data a communication and networking Not only would it be costly to with our data and the settings that today Max/min tomorrow Max/min as an asset – something that can be platform – one that is constantly implement algorithms to make these determine what data refi neries show Abu Dhabi M Sunny 18/16 P Cloudy 21/17 bartered, sold and monetised. evolving, with new features including calculations, it’s often not clear what us. This “seat at the controls” will Baghdad Sunny 15/02 Sunny 17/02 Dubai If companies are banking on your livestreaming and encryption in would be fair. ensure that we can make the best Sunny 20/14 P Cloudy 22/17 Kuwait City Sunny 17/06 Sunny 17/07 personal data for their business, Messenger – worth more to you than a Besides, focusing on the value of our decisions for ourselves, while still Manama M Sunny 16/11 P Cloudy 17/12 shouldn’t you get a piece of their venti caramel macchiato? If so, you’ve data ignores the benefi ts we receive. I benefi ting from these companies’ Muscat M Sunny 21/17 P Cloudy 22/18 profi ts? To many observers, that seems already been “paid” for your data. know a man – let’s call him Joe – who recommendations. – Tribune News Riyadh P Cloudy 13/08 Cloudy 13/08 only fair. Of course the nanopayments crowd decided to try out Facebook but didn’t Service Tehran Sunny 06/00 Sunny 08/00 Live issues Study links working remotely to more stress

AFP But co-author Jon Messenger Geneva encouraged employers to try letting staff work off site part time. “Two to three days working from home seems orking outside an to be that sweet spot”, he told reporters offi ce may spare you in Geneva. from commutes and There is evidence that people need Winterruptions by some face-to-face contact with colleagues but it also makes you more colleagues, but there are times when vulnerable to unpaid overtime, stress physical isolation and autonomy off ers and insomnia, the UN has said. the best scenario for successfully Around the world A new report from the United completing a task. Weather Weather Nations International Labour In some contexts, notably including today Max/min tomorrow Max/min Organisation studied the impacts of India, evidence suggested that Athens S Showers 17/11 P Cloudy 17/06 working remotely, with technological employer’s were reluctant to let Beirut Sunny 17/09 M Sunny 17/10 Sunny 36/24 advances continuing to revolutionise their staff work remotely because Bangkok 35/22 M Sunny Berlin M Cloudy 08/04 Showers 08/07 conceptions of the workplace. “it involves ceding an element of Cairo Sunny 21/08 Sunny 21/09 Based on data taken from 15 control” which makes “managers feel Cape Town Cloudy 23/17 Cloudy 28/17 countries, the ILO found that threatened”, Messenger said. Colombo S T Storms 32/24 P Cloudy 32/23 employees were more productive while ILO urged governments to develop Dhaka M Sunny 31/22 M Sunny 31/22 Hong Kong M Cloudy 20/19 P Cloudy 23/20 outside of a conventional offi ce but policies for governing evolutions Istanbul M Cloudy 14/07 Rain 09/03 noted it also brought risks of “longer in workspace, calling attention to a Jakarta S T Storms 31/24 S T Storms 31/24 working hours, higher work intensity new French labour code provision Karachi Sunny 29/16 Sunny 26/14 and work-home interference.” that enshrines “the right to be London P Cloudy 12/08 Cloudy 16/09 Manila Showers S T Storms 32/24 The report drew distinctions disconnected” and a growing practice 28/23 Moscow S Showers 02/01 S Showers 03/01 between employees who regularly among some companies to shut New Delhi M Sunny 30/16 Sunny 29/13 work at home, highly mobile people work at their employer’s premises. locations reported suff ering from down servers to stop e-mails during New York M Sunny 18/03 Sunny 10/-1 constantly working in diff erent For example, 41% of highly mobile insomnia, compared to 29% for people designated rest times and holidays. Paris M Cloudy 11/06 Cloudy 11/09 locations and those who split time employees said they felt some degree who work at their employer’s site. The ILO report was co-authored by the Sao Paulo S T Storms 33/19 M Sunny 31/18 Seoul S Showers 08/-2 P Cloudy 01/-8 between an offi ce and another site. of stress, a fi gure that was 25% for Overall, there were clear risks linked Dublin-based research group Eurofound Singapore T Storms 31/24 T Storms 32/24 All three of those groups reported offi ce workers. to “the encroachment of work into and incorporated data from 10 European Sydney Showers 22/14 Sunny 26/14 higher stress levels and more incidents A full 42% of people who always spaces and times normally reserved for Union countries, as well as Argentina, Tokyo Clear 10/03 Clear 15/02 of insomnia than those who always work from home or from multiple personal life,” the report said. Brazil, India, Japan and the United States. Gulf Times 30 Sunday, February 19, 2017 QATAR

Work continued yesterday to drain rainwater across the country. Waterlogging was reported from a number of places in Doha and beyond. PICTURES: Shemeer Rasheed, Nasar TK, Ram Chand Retailers closing earlier than usual owing to weather By Ramesh Mathew Staff Reporter

number of retail outlets across the city have been Aclosing earlier than usual over the past few days due to the weather. The country has experienced a rainy spell for nearly a week, which is now being followed by cold, windy conditions marked by a sharp drop in temperatures. Some retail operators said they are not receiving too many cus- tomers late in the evening and are therefore, calling it a day earlier than usual. Some salons, butcheries, laun- dries and other establishments – which usually function until late – are closing their doors a little earlier now. “Except for groceries and res- taurants, most other retailers are shutting for the day before the normal closure time ow- ing to the dearth of customers,” However, cafeterias and other Meanwhile, a Mansoura resi- said the operator of a construc- eateries are keeping their doors dent said he – and many oth- tion materials store in Najma. A open until midnight as usual. ers – were returning home early garment store owner echoed this ning of last week. He said usually A butchery business said they, usually work until midnight, are was closing his shop at least two “It is not that we are receiving due to the weather. “First, it was view. theirs is the last shop to close in too, are closing at least two hours not operating after 10.30pm in hours early. With temperatures many customers. If we close ear- raining heavily in the evenings A hairdresser said he had been the area and the usual working early as the weather has forced some areas. dipping at night, most shopkeep- lier regular customers may take and now it is very cold. So it’s closing his shop at least two hours extend until 1am. However, many people to stay indoors. A Pakistani expatriate who ers feel the trend is likely to con- it diff erently,” said a restaurant better to avoid staying out late,” hours earlier since the begin- now he is leaving by 11pm. Even many laundries, which runs a tailoring outlet said he tinue for a few more days. operator. he added. UCQ opens new building Exhibition of works by Picasso, Giacometti opens on Feb 22 at its Al Rayyan campus atar Museums is get- ting ready to present the Qfi rst exhibition dedi- he University of Calgary in cated to the work of two of the Qatar (UCQ) has offi cially most important artists of the Topened a new building at 20th century, Pablo Picasso its Al Rayyan campus on Furo- and Alberto Giacometti, at the usiya Road. Fire Station’s Garage Gallery. The new annex building adds Running from February 22 until classrooms, labs and student May 21, the exhibition will bring spaces that will allow the uni- together more than 120 works, versity to improve the learning drawn from the collections of experience for students and pos- the Musée national Picasso- sibly expand classes and pro- Paris and the Fondation Gi- grammes in the future, according acometti in Paris, as well as ex- to a press statement from UCQ. ceptional loans from French and long and distinguished careers, Catherine Grenier and the Among those who attended other international collections. according to a press state- Musée national Picasso-Par- were Adrian Norfolk, Canada’s Also for the fi rst time, this ex- ment from Qatar Museums. is director Laurent Le Bon. ambassador to Qatar and Abdul- hibition will reveal the ‘unique On February 22, a pub- The event will see both directors lah al-Shafei, co-ordinator di- and captivating story’ of Picas- lic roundtable event will take discuss the exhibition, its con- rector, Ministry of Education and so and Giacometti, who shared place at the Fire Station audi- cept, development and cura- Higher Education. Representa- many key moments during their torium from 6pm to 8pm,with tion. tives of the Ministry of Public Health, Hamad Medical Corpo- ration, Primary Health Care Cor- poration and the College of the Officials at the official opening of the new annex building. North Atlantic – Qatar and oth- ers were also in attendance. system and fl exible classroom of healthcare education,” said UCQ is accepting applications The new building provides space” that allows for multiple UCQ dean and CEO Dr Debo- from Qatari nationals and resi- more than 2,300sqm of addi- class sizes and confi gurations, rah White. “Qatar has set ambi- dents to its undergraduate and tional classroom and laboratory the statement notes. tious goals for health and human graduate nursing programmes space. It also includes study and With the additional space, development in Qatar National through March 1. For more in- social space for students and of- UCQ said it now has the potential Vision 2030 and the National formation about UCQ’s nurs- fi ce space for students in Master to accommodate up to 1,000 stu- Health Strategy. UCQ is commit- ing programmes, the admission of Nursing programmes. Each dents, as resources allow. ted to doing all we can to support processes and criteria, one can classroom features a “state-of- “It’s always exciting to see this those goals – this expansion is a visit the UCQ website at www. the-art educational technology kind of investment in the future signifi cant step in that journey.” ucalgary.edu.qa