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Saturday 24 December 2016 | 25 Rabia I 1438 Volume 21 | Number 7020 | 2 Riyals

Hijackers of Libyan Outlets in flurry plane surrender of promotions to Valletta AFP

TWO men armed with a grenade and at least one gun hijacked a Libyan woo customers plane with 117 people on board Fri- day and diverted it to Malta before releasing everyone and surrender- Sidi Mohamed & Irfan Bukhari international brands are offer- ing, officials said. The Peninsula ing discounts due to New Year The Afriqiyah Airways Airbus while others to celebrate A320 was en route from Sabha in s 2017 is just around Christmas. southern Libya to the capital Tripoli the corner and kids As children are on winter when it was taken over and forced are also enjoying vacations, toys sections at to fly to Malta, sparking a four-hour the winter-break, hypermarkets and shops in var- runway standoff. Maltese Prime Min- almost all shopping ious malls are crowded with ister Joseph Muscat said the pair, malls,A hypermarkets and kids and their parents. A probably of Libyan nationality, had brands have launched massive number of customers are happy given up a grenade and a pistol when promotional campaigns to pull over ongoing promotions but they were arrested and a second pis- maximum customers. some say there is no big differ- tol was found on the plane. Libyan Apart from the imminent ence in prices. “Actually there Foreign Minister Taher Siala said the arrival of New Year and winter is no big difference in the prices. two were supporters of slain dicta- vacations in schools, Christmas For me I have noticed only very tor Muammar Gaddafi, whose death has also triggered rush of shop- small difference,” said a Filipino Two hijackers of a Libyan Afriqiyah Airways Airbus A320 surrender to Maltese military in 2011 has plunged Libya into chaos. pers at the markets. From customer. on the runway at Malta Airport, yesterday. → See also page 3 garments to furniture; electron- → Continued on page 2 ics to jewellery; home décor objects to cellular phones; eve- rything showcased in luminous malls is on discount deals. If an outlet is offering ‘Buy Regime forces retake all of Aleppo city Two, Get One Free’, the other is there to outclass the first with ‘Buy One, Get One Free’. “I vis- Aleppo It was the biggest victory for wheelbarrows. of rebel rocket fire on the city ited one of the malls two AFP President Bashar al-Assad's "I came to check on my since it fell under government months ago to buy a watch forces in nearly six years of civil house, which I haven't seen in control, the Syrian Observatory which was priced at over To safeguard yrian troops cemented their war and a major win for his for- five years," resident Khaled al- for Human Rights said. QR1,000. But, today the same hold on Aleppo yesterday eign backers, with key ally Masri said. "I really hope my Seven civilians were also consumers’ rights, the watch I am buying at 50 per- Safter retaking full control of Russia hailing the recapture as home wasn't badly damaged." wounded in the fire on the Al- cent discount under New Year Ministry of Economy and the city, as residents anxious to "very important" step. The evacuation operation Hamdaniyeh district, the promotional sales,” said Tariq, Commerce has urged return to their homes moved Braving the cold, war-weary ended more than four years of Britain-based monitor said, an expat from India. consumers to check the through its ruined streets. residents crossed districts that ferocious fighting inside Aleppo, while state news agency Sana While low income groups prices of commodities The army announced on had become infamous front which had been divided between reported three killed. are fully availing QR10, QR20, before and after Thursday it had recaptured the lines, eager to return to neigh- government forces in the west The evacuation agreement QR30 sales at various hyper- former rebel stronghold of east bourhoods they had not seen in and rebels in the east. was brokered by rebel backer markets, residents having promotion and inform Aleppo following a landmark years. A correspondent saw Opposition forces remain in Turkey and regime supporter paying capacity buying branded the Ministry in case of evacuation deal that saw thou- civilians wrapped in coats trek- control of areas west of Aleppo Russia, which said it would strive garments at 30 to 50percent any violation. sands of opposition fighters and king through the cold, some and on Friday at least two civil- to end fighting across Syria. discounts. Some outlets of residents bussed out. rolling their belongings on ians were killed in the first wave → See also page 3

Protest against IS cruelty Ministry asks winter campers to keep 4kg fire extinguishers

The Peninsula environment protection laws, and the Ministry of Municipal- he Ministry of Interior ity and Environment allowed yesterday asked campers campers for the first time to Tto have first aid kits at plant wild trees at the camping their camps and should keep areas. One camper can plant a them away from children and maximum of five trees such as also should keep 4kg fire extin- Sidra, Al Ghaf, Al Gharat. guishers in addition to fire The camping season started blankets. Ministry has asked on November 1 and will con- The Ministry of Interior on tinue until April 15/2017 . its official twitter account also campers to ensure Last year winter camping advised the campers not to light that the space season was successful and the a fire near of camps and all elec- between camps number of violations decreased People scuffle as Turkish police detain protesters at Istiklal avenue in Istanbul, during a tricity cables should be in to ten and 60 warnings. The protest in reaction to a video released by the Islamic State group purportedly showing underground-plastic-pipes should not be less number of campers totaled two captured Turkish soldiers being burned alive. meeting safety and security than five metres and 2,058 in more than 23 sites. standards. and gas cylinders A total of 128 campers were Since the winter camping included in the blacklist during season started, the Ministry of should be placed the last two winter seasons for Interior has issued important outside the camps. violating camping rules and now UN demands end to Israeli settlements directions to campers including all those are barred from obtain- advice to keep fire cylinders out ing licence. United Nations States instead abstained, allow- and Venezuela —who stepped and away from camps. Earlier, The campers who are in the AFP ing the measure to pass by a vote in to push for action after Egypt the Ministry had also asked on its official twitter account. It blacklist for violating camping of 14 in favour in the 15-mem- on Thursday put the draft reso- campers to ensure that the space also advises campers to carry rules threaten Qatari environ- he UN Security Council ber council. Applause broke out lution on hold. between camps should not be medicines for pain and cold and ment and wildlife, like cutting yesterday demanded that in the council chamber after the Egyptian President Abdel less than five meters and the these medicines should be kept trees, and using the camp for TIsrael halt its settlement adoption of the resolution, the Fattah Al Sisi had backtracked on kitchen must also be separated away from children. other purposes. The Ministry activities in Palestinian territory, first measure on the Middle East the move to condemn Israel's set- from other camps and gas cyl- The sites which witnessed inspectors have the right to in a resolution adopted after the passed at the council in eight tlement policy after receiving a inders should be placed outside more demand are Sealine, Al enter the camps if needed, and United States refrained from years. phone call from US President- the camps. Mazroua, Umm Al Afaee, Row- in case the campers object, their vetoing the measure condemn- The vote was scheduled at elect Donald Trump, who spoke The camp itself must be dat Rashid, and Rowdat Aisha. licence will be cancelled, and the ing its closest Middle East ally. the request of four countries — out in favour of a US veto. made from fire-resistant mate- The campers must strictly com- QR10,000 guarantee will not be In a rare step, the United New Zealand, Malaysia, Senegal → See also page 3 rials, the Ministry further said ply with camping rules and refunded. 02 HOME SATURDAY 24 DECEMBER 2016

Emir greets MIA Park bazaar now held twice a week Lebanese leaders A melting pot QNA The bazaar is a mir H H Sheikh Tamim melting pot of trade bin Hamad Al Thani sent and tradition as Ea cable of congratula- vendors sell products tions to the Lebanese sourced from their President General Michel home countries. Aoun, and Prime Minister Saad Al Hariri, on the occa- sion of the formation of the The bazaar is open new Lebanese government, from 3pm to 10pm wishing Lebanon and its on Fridays and from brotherly people further noon to 7pm on progress and prosperity. Saturdays until April. Deputy Emir H H Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad Al Thani and the Prime Minister and Raynald C Rivera Interior Minister H E Sheikh The Peninsula Abdullah bin Nasser bin Kha- lifa Al Thani have also sent isitors to the Museum greetings to Saad Al Hariri on of Islamic Art (MIA) the occasion. Park have welcomed the expansion of its Emperor of bazaar from once to twiceV weekly with hundreds of Japan greeted people seen thronging the over 150 stalls taking part at the mar- EMIR H H Sheikh Tamim bin ket yesterday. Hamad Al Thani sent yester- When it launched in Febru- day a cable of congratulations ary 2012, the bazaar was held to Emperor Akihito of Japan The vibrant open-air bazaar at the Museum of Islamic Art (MIA) Park. every first Saturday of every on the occasion of his coun- month, except in summer. Later try’s National Day. it became every Saturday and largest open-air bazaar. While the bazaar acts as an friends at the bazaar yesterday. ingenuity of emerging artists and Deputy Emir H H Sheikh just last week, it started operat- “This is a must visit for fam- ideal venue where many fami- Located adjacent to the artisans of Qatar. Abdullah bin Hamad Al Thani ing on Friday and Saturday. ilies because it offers a number lies enjoy their free time, it is also iconic MIA, the open air market It is also an ideal spot to sam- also sent a cable of congrat- With a vibrant variety of of options. While it is a place to a place for friends to meet. offers spectacular harbour views ple authentic cuisine reflecting ulations to Emperor Akihito products sold in each stall, the buy many different products, it “Having a bazaar for two and a modern take on Qatar’s various cultures including Thai, of Japan on the occasion. bazaar is a melting pot of trade also offers a wide array of deli- continuous days during week- souq tradition. Filipino, Syrian, Turkish, Indian and tradition as vendors sell cious food and a pleasant ends is a brilliant idea especially While the bazaar sells ready- and Qatari, among others. products sourced from their atmosphere for our kids to play,” with the pleasant weather that made products at reasonable Vendors were satisfied at the Qatar condemns home countries. Those in search said Annalyn, a regular visitor to we experience now. The stun- prices, there are also a number huge turnout of people who vis- burning alive of of unique gifts, handicraft, works the bazaar. ning Museum of Islamic Art of stalls offering unique handi- ited their stalls yesterday. of art, jewellery, perfumes, toys, More people can enjoy the which is just beside the bazaar craft and artworks created by the The bazaar is open from 3pm Turkish captives accessories, clothing and other bazaar now because it is open makes it even worth visiting,” skilled hands of residents, which to 10pm on Fridays and from souvenir items head to the mar- on Fridays when majority don’t said Edward, one of the visitors makes the bazaar an excellent noon to 7pm on Saturdays until QNA ket considered the country’s have work, she added. who came with a group of platform to showcase the April. atar yesterday strongly condemned the hei- Qnous crime committed by a criminal group which Check prices before and burned alive two Turkish captives. In a statement, the For- after promotion: Ministry eign Ministry stressed that the brutal crime against the two Turkish captives is → Continued from page 1 continue until the end of the first against all principles and To safeguard consumers’ week of January next year but human values and it contra- rights, the Ministry of Economy Christmas-related sales are dicts all laws and religions, and Commerce has also urged likely to end after two to three pointing out that this hei- consumers to check the prices days. nous act is aimed at of commodities before and after “The number of customers spreading fear and intimi- promotion and inform the Min- is lower than our expectations. dation as well as distorting istry in case of any violation. A number of expatriates from the true values of Islam and Customers have the right to Europe and the US have left the its principles of tolerance. access the shop’s goods state- country to celebrate Christmas The Foreign Ministry also ment which reveals the prices of with their families,” said a sales- stressed the State of Qatar's goods prior to and following dis- man at the outlet of an solidarity with the fraternal counts as well as the approved international brand of outfits. Republic of Turkey in all the discount percentage. The hope of winning a lux- measures it takes against this The ongoing promotions are ury car by spending a few heinous crime. not only in terms of discount in Qatari riyals has always been The statement called on prices but a number of brands behind the announcement of the international commu- and hypermarkets have also such lucky draw scheme. This nity to intensify its efforts introduced lucky draws to attract year too almost all hypermar- in the fight against terror- Customers checking goods at a hypermarket. maximum number of custom- kets have announced luxury ism in all its forms and ers. A brand dealing in gold and BMWs to bring residents to one coupon by spending of of some costly nature after vis- attracting customers through manifestations, whatever its diamonds jewellery has their pay counters after shop- QR50,” said Krishan Chand. iting a few malls and comparing lucky draws. The pair of pants I origins or those who stand announced ‘Win 1.5 KG Gold’ ping from their collections. “It Talking to The Peninsula, the available offers. wanted to buy is not included in behind it are, through a while others are luring custom- is the seventh coupon being some people said that they “Some shops at the malls just discount-sales items and the comprehensive approach to ers with raffle draws. filled by me to take part in would make their minds of pur- want to get rid of old stocks by pairs they are offering are not deal with this phenomenon Most of the promotions will BMW winning race. One gets chasing something particularly announcing huge discounts or acceptable to me,” Joey said. and eradicate it. Indian expat hoists Qatari flag on Africa's highest peak

Irfan Bukhari any extent to maintain their Qatar is a beautiful place with he said that it was sleepless and The Peninsula dignity and prestige,” he added. very good and cooperative peo- restless. “You won't get even At 19,336 feet, in the snow- ple. On his future plans, he says: basic food, shelter and drinking t is the untold story of an capped Mount Kilimanjaro in “I want to climb Mount Everest water. Sometimes we need to Indian expatriate, Rajesh Tanzania, Uhuru Peak is Afri- and hoist flags of India and manage with shrubs root to get IMandge, who "out of his love ca’s highest peak. The mighty Qatar on it. I want to represent water and energy.” for his workplace" has hoisted Kilimanjaro is composed of India and Qatar also in Euro- But, he said, it had charms the Qatari flag on Uhuru peak, three distinct volcanic cones: pean cycling marathon too like enjoying clear sky and the highest point of snow-capped Kibo (5,895m); Mawenzi Geneva.” watching bigger and brighter Mount Kilimanjaro in (5,149m); and Shira (3,962m). “Hosting a Qatar and India stars. “There was an entirely Tanzania. Of all the cones, it is the iconic flag at Uhuru Peak was a sen- different world to experience; Kilimanjaro is Africa’s high- Uhuru Peak on Kibo’s crater rim timental moment for me. It is close encounter with mountains est peak and the world’s tallest that occupies the highest sum- an honour for anyone to host and valleys and passing through free-standing mountain. Mandge mit and makes Kilimanjaro a and salute a flag which is an glacier is an unforgettable is an employee of Qatargas for universal landmark and an utmost pride for any person. As feast.” eight years. “Qatar National Day adventurer’s dream. At 5,895m, per my best knowledge it was On Qatar-India relations, was the motivation for this expe- Uhuru Peak remains the high- the first time in last decade Mandge says: “For decades, dition. I planned the programme est point in all of Africa and when someone hosted a Qatar strong bonding exists between in December and reached the marks the spot of the jauntily and Indian flag at Uhuru Peak.” two nations. And we commit to Uhuru Peak,” says Rajesh angled summit sign where Mandge said it was a surprise maintain and bring it to new Mandge. weary travellers are seen snap- move and he did not tell about height through our culture and “In Indian culture, janmb- ping their ‘victory’ his ambition to anybody. “Other social heritage.” He says that humi (birth place) and photographs. than my company I neither asked Qatar has a very bright future karmabhumi (workplace) are Mandge describes his work- anyone nor took any support and wide vision in sports. “I am Rajesh Mandge with the Qatari flag on Mount Kilimanjaro in the most important places. And ing experience in Qatar as from any other organisation.” very excited about 2022 World Tanzania. without doubt we must work to “excellent” and thinks that On his expedition experience, Cup.” SATURDAY 24 DECEMBER 2016 MIDDLE EAST 03 Putin moves to expand Syria presence

Moscow/Damascus Russia's support AFP Assad, Iran & Turkey The recapture of ussian President Vladimir the devastated city agree to Syria talks Putin said yesterday the of Aleppo by Syrian recapture of the devastated regime forces is a in Astana city of Aleppo by Syrian 'very important' regime forces was a "very step towards MOSCOW: President Vladimir Putin Rimportant" step towards stabilising the said yesterday that Russia, Iran, Tur- stabilising the war- war-torn country. torn country. key and Syrian President Bashar Al "The liberation of Aleppo from rad- Assad had all agreed that the Kazakh Moscow will now ical elements is a very important part of capital of Astana should be the venue look to end fighting the normalisation in Syria, and I hope, for new Syrian peace negotiations. for the region overall," Putin told across the country, Russia, Iran and Turkey held defence minister Sergei Shoigu in a says the Kremlin talks in Moscow on Tuesday after meeting, the Kremlin said. strongman. which they said they were ready to The Syrian army said late on Thurs- help broker a Syrian peace deal. day that it had retaken full control of Syria's territory," he said. Mos- Putin proposed holding the negoti- Aleppo, scoring its biggest victory cow has been conducting a ations in Kazakhstan, a close Russian against opposition forces since the civil bombing campaign in Syria in ally. Russian air strikes were instru- war erupted in 2011. support of long-time ally Pres- mental in helping Assad wipe out The Kremlin strongman said that ident Bashar Al Assad since rebel resistance this month in the after the ouster of rebels from Aleppo, September 2015 and has taken Syrian regime forces ride in the back of a pick up truck in the former rebel-held northern city of Aleppo, handing him Moscow will now look to end fighting steps to boost its presence in Ansari district in the northern city of Aleppo after Syrian government forces retook his biggest victory in nearly six years across the country. the country. control of the whole embattled city, yesterday. of war and strengthening his nego- "Everything needs to be done for Russia forged a deal with tiating hand. fighting to stop on all Syrian territory," Turkey —which supports Previous diplomatic attempts to Putin said. "In any case, we will strive groups seeking to topple Assad — that facility in the Syrian city of Tartus and ratifying Moscow's deal with Damascus end the conflict have repeatedly toward this." saw rebel fighters and civilians leave allow Russian warships into Syrian to deploy its forces in the country indef- failed. Despite the government’s Putin said during his annual press Aleppo. waters. initely, firming Russia's long-term recapture of Aleppo, large parts of conference yesterday that he hoped that Shoigu said yesterday that some Russia's defence ministry said in presence in the country. Syria are still controlled by insurgent fresh peace talks could get all sides in 34,000 people had been evacuated from October that Moscow was poised to Russia's bombardment of Aleppo and Islamist groups. Russian Deputy the conflict to agree to a nationwide rebel-held eastern Aleppo since Decem- transform the Tartus facility into a per- saw the West levelling accusations of Foreign Minister Gennady Gatilov ceasefire. ber 15. manent base, without providing a war crimes that stung the Kremlin and said he expected the talks in Astana "The next step must be the conclu- The Kremlin said that Putin had timeline for its transformation. further strained its fragile relations with to take place in mid-January. sion of a ceasefire agreement on all of signed an order to expand Russia's naval Putin that month approved a law the West. Hijack ends peacefully as Gaddafi loyalists surrender

Valletta “pro-Gaddafi” and that he was Fateh Al Jadid, or The New Al Reuters willing to free all passengers if Fateh. Al Fateh is the name that his demands were met. It was Gaddafi gave to September, the ijackers forced an airliner unclear what the demands were. month he staged a coup in 1969, to land in Malta yester- A Libyan television channel and the word came to signify his Hday then freed all their reported it had spoken by phone coming to power. hostages unharmed and surren- with a hijacker who described In a tweet, the TV station dered after declaring their himself as head of a pro-Gadd- later quoted the hijacker as say- loyalty to Libya’s late leader afi party. Gaddafi was killed in ing: “We took this measure to Muammar Gaddafi. an uprising in 2011, and Libya has declare and promote our new Television pictures showed been racked by factional vio- party.” two men being led from the air- lence since. MP Hadi Al Saghir said that craft in handcuffs. The prime Buses were driven onto the Abdusalem Mrabit, a fellow minister of the tiny Mediterra- tarmac at Malta International member of Libya’s House of Rep- nean island, Joseph Muscat, Airport to carry away 109 pas- resentatives on the plane, had tweeted “hijackers surrendered, sengers, as well as some of the told him the two hijackers were A crew member helping a hostage to disembark from the Afriqiyah Airways A320 after it was searched and taken into crew. Television footage showed in their mid-20s and were from custody”. no signs of struggle or alarm. the Tebu ethnic group in south- hijacked from Libya, in Valletta, Malta, yesterday. The Airbus A320 had been After passengers had left the ern Libya. on an internal flight in Libya yes- plane, a man briefly appeared at Troops were positioned a plane was still in flight yesterday to have them land at the correct The government of Malta terday morning when it was the top of the steps with a plain few hundred metres (yards) from morning the pilot told the con- destination but they refused.” said Prime Minister Muscat had diverted to Malta, 500km north green flag resembling that of the plane as it stood on the tar- trol tower at Tripoli’s Mitiga The aircraft had been flying discussed the hijack with Libyan of the Libyan coast, after one Gaddafi’s now-defunct state. mac. Several other flights at the airport it had been hijacked. from Sebha in southwest Libya Prime Minister Fayez Al Sarraj man told crew he had a hand Libya’s Channel TV station airport were cancelled or “Then they lost communica- to Tripoli for state-owned Afri- by phone, and a negotiating team grenade. said one hijacker, who gave his diverted. tion with him,” the official said, qiyah Airways, a trip that would was formed at the airport. Brit- Initial reports said one of the name as Moussa Shaha, had said A senior Libyan security offi- speaking on condition of ano- usually take a little over two ain offered Malta help with men had told crew he was by phone he was the head of Al cial told Reuters that when the nymity. “The pilot tried very hard hours. dealing with the incident. Israel accuses Obama of anti-Israeli move at UN Turkish army 'neutralises' 40 Jerusalem Although the US opposes the internal diplomatic conversa- Trump's transition team to ask the security council. AP settlements, it has traditionally tions. Israeli diplomats believe for the president-elect's help to Egypt is the first Arab coun- IS militants used its veto power as a perma- they were misled by the US dur- avert the resolution," the Israeli try to make peace with Israel, n Israeli official yesterday nent member of the Security ing a meeting last week between official said, speaking on condi- and the two countries have close Ankara accused President Barack Council to block resolutions con- high-ranking Israeli and Obama tion of anonymity because he security ties in a shared struggle Anatolia AObama of colluding with demning Israel, saying that administration officials in which was discussing behind-the- against Islamic militants. the Palestinians in a "shameful disputes between Israel and the the US side offered reassurances scenes diplomatic activity. The Palestinian mission to FORTY Islamic State (Daesh) move against Israel at the UN" Palestinians must be resolved about its efforts to support Israel On Friday, Egypt said its the United Nations said the Secu- terrorists were 'neutralised' after learning the White House through negotiations. But after but declined to explicitly state that president had received a call rity Council will vote later in the during the ongoing Operation did not intend to veto a Security eight years of failed peace efforts the US would veto such a resolu- from Trump in which they both day on the resolution condemn- Euphrates Shield in Al Bab in Council resolution condemning during the Obama Administra- tion if it came up. The Israelis told agreed to give the incoming U.S. ing Israel's settlement Syria since Thursday night, settlement construction in the tion, Israel has expressed their counterparts that "friends administration a chance to try construction, now sponsored by according to the Turkish mil- West Bank and east Jerusalem concern the outgoing president don't take friends to the Security and resolve the Israeli-Palestin- New Zealand, Malaysia, Senegal itary yesterday. the day before. would take an audacious step to Council," the official said. ian conflict. The call came hours and Venezuela. Turkish General Staff said "President Obama and Sec- leave his mark on the region. In The Egyptian-sponsored res- after Egypt indefinitely post- The US, along with the Pal- in a statement that 18 Daesh retary Kerry are behind this recent weeks, the White House olution had demanded that Israel poned the UN vote. estinians and nearly all of the terrorists were neutralized in shameful move against Israel at had been especially secretive halt settlement activities in occu- A statement from the Egyp- international community, Al Bab. The terror group's mil- the UN," the official said. "The about its deliberations. pied territories claimed by the tian presidency said the two men opposes Israeli settlements in the itary headquarters was also US administration secretly The Israeli official's admis- Palestinians and declared that spoke by phone early Friday and West Bank and east Jerusalem destroyed. In an earlier state- cooked up with the Palestinians sion marked a final chapter in existing settlements "have no agreed on "the importance of as obstacles to peace. Some ment, the Turkish military said an extreme anti-Israeli resolu- the icy relations between Prime legal validity." giving a chance for the new 600,000 Israelis live in the two 22 Daesh terrorists were also tion behind Israel's back which Minister Benjamin Netanyahu But under heavy Israeli pres- American administration to deal territories, which the Palestini- “neutralized” in Al-Bab. would be a tail wind for terror and President Barack Obama sure, Egypt called off a planned in a comprehensive way with the ans seek as part of a future According to the military, 51 and boycotts and effectively over the last eight years, and sig- vote in the Security Council different aspects of the Palestin- independent state. Israel cap- Daesh targets were hit and 37 make the Western Wall occupied naled an era of close ties hours before it was to take place. ian issue with the aim of tured both areas in the 1967 buildings, including those used Palestinian territory," he said between Israel and the incom- In the diplomatic activity ahead achieving a comprehensive and Mideast war. for accommodation, weapon calling it "an abandonment of ing Trump administration. of the postponement, both a final resolution." Trump has signalled he will emplacement and defense pur- Israel which breaks decades of Israel knew even before the Netanyahu and Trump issued A senior Palestinian official, be far more sympathetic to poses, three armories and one US policy of protecting Israel at Egyptian draft resolution that the nearly identical statements urg- speaking anonymously accord- Israel. His campaign platform logistics center were destroyed the UN." White House was planning an ing the US to veto the measure. ing to protocol, said Egypt didn't made no mention of the estab- in the city alone. Earlier he said Israel's prime "ambush" and coordinating it "After becoming aware that consult with the Palestinians lishment of a Palestinian state, a The Turkish military usu- minister turned to President- with the Palestinians, said the administration would not about delaying the vote and it core policy objective of Demo- ally uses the term neutralised elect Donald Trump to help head another Israeli official, who veto the anti-Israel resolution, was a "complete shock" for them. cratic and Republican presidents to refer to dead or injured or off the critical UN resolution. requested anonymity to discuss Israeli officials reached out to Egypt represents Arab states on over the past two decades. captured terrorists. 04 ASIA / AFRICA SATURDAY 24 DECEMBER 2016 W African troops ready Gas pipeline explodes 'to force' Jammeh out

Bamako On alert Reuters We have put standby est Africa's forces on alert if he regional bloc does not (step down) has put on January 19 when standby forces his mandate ends: on alert in Official Wcase Gambian president Yahya Jammeh does not step down The ECOWAS when his mandate ends on Jan- confirmed that the uary 19, ECOWAS commission Senegalese troops president Marcel de Souza said. Jammeh has vowed to stay would lead any in power despite losing a military intervention. the use of force. ECOWAS December 1 election to rival deployed troops to Liberia and Adama Barrow, raising the pos- Sierra Leone during civil wars Rescue workers try to put out a fire after a natural gas pipeline explosion in Beijing, sibility that regional powers may electoral count was flawed and in the 1990s, setting a precedent yesterday. intervene to oust him if diplo- that ECOWAS has no right to for possible intervention. macy does not succeed in meddle in Gambia's internal A first step for raising pres- persuading him to leave. affairs. sure once the handover date "We have put standby forces The regional bloc has man- passes is likely to be targeted on alert if he does not (step dated Nigerian President sanctions by the UN and others, Chinese govt down) on January 19 when his Muhammadu Buhari as media- diplomats say, also raising the Five dead & dozens injured mandate ends," De Souza said tor to offer Jammeh an possibility that Jammeh could on Malian state television on "honourable exit", but if he does be offered asylum abroad. in Ghana gas station blast confirms two Thursday evening. not take it then forces might be Barrow's supporters sug- "No one has the right to deployed, De Souza said. gested on Thursday that the Accra say what caused the fire but bird flu deaths oppose the will of the people." De Souza was quoted as say- president might not immediately AFP we took several people to the Barrow's surprise victory ing in an interview that be prosecuted for alleged human 37 Military Hospital for treat- Beijing and Jammeh's initial decision to Senegalese troops would lead rights abuses during his rule. FIVE people were killed and ment but unfortunately five Reuters concede after 22 years in power any military intervention. "Justice is absolutely essen- dozens injured following an people are dead." was seen across Africa as a Senegal is Gambia's only tial ... but we are going to take explosion and fire at a gas sta- A spokesman for the TWO people in China's Anhui moment of hope. territorial neighbour and has a the route to truth and reconcil- tion in Ghana's capital Accra, Ghana Fire Service, Billy Ana- province have died from H7N9 But the president changed frequently stormy relationship iation," said coalition the police and fire service said glatey, said "four bodies were bird flu, the first fatalities in his mind a week later and said with the country, having sent spokesman Halifa Sallah at a yesterday. retrieved from the streets and China among this winter's again on Tuesday that he would troops there during a 1981 coup. meeting with the African Bar "The situation is very seri- one on the premises of the gas cases, while Macau reported not step down, rebuffing efforts Senegal has indicated that Association. ous," regional police station". its first human infection of the by West African leaders to per- military action would be an Gambia's Supreme Court commander Yoosa Bonga He said some of the vic- strain since the former Por- suade him. absolute last resort. will hear a legal challenge on tsaid of Thursday night's tims were passers-by, adding tuguese colony returned to Jammeh's camp could not Diplomats say ECOWAS January 10 from Jammeh's rul- incident. that the fire also damaged a China in 1999. immediately be reached for would probably seek approval ing party which wants to "We can't immediately nearby school building. Anhui has reported five comment, but he has said the from the UN Security Council for overturn the election result. cases of H7N9 avian flu since December 8, including the two people who died, the eastern province's health authority said in a statement, posted on its website on Angola declares end to deadly yellow fever in decades Wednesday . It did not say whether the Luanda The outbreak began a year campaign coordinated by the the epidemic was under control normal dose, a tactic that the other three people had recov- Reuters ago in a slum in the capital, World Health Organization but that it was too early to say it WHO says gives at least tempo- ered or not. Luanda, before spreading (WHO). had been completely stamped rary protection. The Anhui cases bring the ngola declared the end of throughout Angola, a war- In a statement entitled "The out, with up to 6,000 suspected The risk of such outbreaks total number of people the world's worst yellow scarred southeast African nation, end of the epidemic of Yellow cases of the mosquito-borne globally has risen in recent years infected with the H7N9 virus Afever epidemic in a gen- and into neighbouring Demo- Fever in Angola", the health min- disease. due to urbanisation and increas- in mainland China this month eration on Friday after a cratic Republic of Congo. In all, istry in Luanda said the The vaccination campaigns ing mobility of population. to at least seven. U.N.-backed vaccination cam- more than 400 people died. vaccination campaign had depleted the global stockpile of It was particularly acute this H7N9 had not been paign of 25 million people that More than 15 million Ango- stopped the spread of the 6 million doses twice this year, year because of the El Nino detected in either humans or resulted in no new cases in six lans and 10 million Congolese disease. forcing doctors to switch to weather phenomenon which animals in China until March months. were vaccinated under a The WHO said in September administering one-fifth of the multiplied mosquito numbers. 2013.

Congo political Plea for freedom crisis deal Freed Chibok schoolgirls final: Mediators return home for holidays Chibok Christmas and New Year with Kinshasa Reuters their families, going home for AFP the first time since being A GROUP of 21 Chibok school- seized from their school, sev- A DEAL aimed at ending DR girls freed by Boko Haram eral of their relatives said. Congo's political crisis caused militants in October after two- One of the girls, Asabe by President Joseph Kabila's and-a-half years in captivity in Goni, described her release clinging to power is close northeastern Nigeria were cel- as a "miracle" and, in the first but will not be signed before ebrating a "miracle" yesterday interview by one of the 21 Christmas, mediators said as the girls prepared to return girls to international media, yesterday. to their families for Christmas. said she was happy to be "It is an illusion to think The girls were released going home. of a signature today", but "we after Switzerland and Inter- The girls were expected could reach a consensus dur- national Red Cross brokered to return to Abuja in the New ing a plenary session this a deal with the Islamist fight- Year to continue a "restora- afternoon", said a source in ers and have been held in a tion process", according to the Congo National Episco- secret location in Abuja for government sources. pal Conference (CENCO) assessment and debriefing by They will be joined in Chi- recently. Nigerian government. bok by two other girls Pro-democracy demonstrators holding portraits of Chinese disbarred lawyer Jiang The unstable, mineral- But the freed girls are abducted from the school in Tianyong, demanding his release, during a demonstration outside the Chinese Liaison rich nation has been thrust being taken back to Chibok April 2014 who were rescued into political turmoil by Kabi- Office in Hong Kong, yesterday. in Borno state to spend earlier this year. la's refusal to step down after his second and final five-year term, which officially ended on December 20. But yesterday morning, a source in CENCO, which is North Korea mocks Ban's presidential ambitions presiding over the negotia- tions, said tersely: "There have been complications." Seoul dreaming a "hollow dream." an opportunist who "sets sail incomparably hollow, silly was ready to "burn" his body in A mediator subsequently AP The North's state-run Urim- wherever winds blow and dream," Uriminzokkiri said. devotion for South Korea, his said that "the signature could inzokkiri website said Ban's changes colors by Ban, who steps down as UN strongest hint yet of a presiden- now be between Christmas orth Korea yesterday alleged presidential ambitions circumstance." secretary general at the end of tial bid. The spotlight is on Ban and the New Year". mocked outgoing United were absurd because the way he "There is an old saying that the year after two five-year because there's a possibility South The working document NNations Secretary-Gen- handled his job as UN chief for you stretch your feet no longer terms, has not officially declared Korea could hold presidential for the deal, envisages a eral Ban Ki-moon over his the past 10 years has left him liv- than your blanket will reach, and an ambition to run for South election in coming months. The "political transition" with apparent ambitions to run for ing in "criticism and shame." his harbouring presidential Korean president, but he has not country's opposition-controlled delayed presidential elections South Korean president, calling The article said Ban had a bad ambitions despite living in all denied his interest either. parliament on December 9 voted to be held at the end of year him an opportunistic "chame- reputation in South s domestic sorts of criticism and shame In a meeting in New York to impeach President Park Geun- 2017. leon in a human mask" who's politics because he's could only described as an earlier this week, Ban said he hye over a corruption scandal. SATURDAY 24 DECEMBER 2016 ASIA / PHILIPPINES 05 Philippines gets biggest US security aid

Aid boost Manila into items such as communica- Duterte has a strong dislike comes amid concerns in Wash- Senate Committee on Foreign Reuters tions equipment, small arms, for Obama and during regular ington not only about Duterte's Relations on Thursday issued a The US embassy in replacement parts for hardware tirades has voiced disdain for anti-US stance, but his bloody letter to the State Department Manila yesterday he United States pro- and coastal radar for maritime EDCA, which allows US forces war on drugs. asking for full disclosure by Jan- confirmed its longtime vided the Philippines security. rotational access to some mili- His vitriol against the United uary 13 on financial giveaways Asian ally had with $127m in security The US embassy said the mil- tary bases. States started in August and and assistance to the received a 154% assistance in the 12 itary assistance for the current He has accused the former intensified the following month Philippines. increase in military months ended in Sep- fiscal year had yet to be colonial power of hypocrisy and after Obama insisted he would "We urge the United States assistance from the Ttember, the biggest sum in about finalised. bullying, threatened to rescind raise his concerns about the to denounce these horrific vio- 2014-2015 period, the 15 years, overlapping with a Duterte has spoken posi- EDCA, and doubted that the US drugs crackdown directly with lations of basic human rights, biggest sum since stream of angry threats from tively about President-elect would honour its treat commit- Duterte. and ensure that no foreign assist- President Rodrigo Duterte to Donald Trump, although his ment to defend the Philippines The meeting was scrapped ance is being provided to support American forces sever their defence alliance. election win in November has if attacked. after Duterte insulted Obama. egregious acts against human- returned to the The US embassy in Manila not stemmed the flow of his anti- His foreign policy approach More than 6,000 people ity," said Democrat Senators Philippines in 2002. yesterday confirmed its longtime US rhetoric. has been to court Russia, and have been killed in the crack- Edward Markey and Chris Coons, Asian ally had received a 154 The increased spending was ironically, historic foe China. down during his six months as and Republican Marco Rubio The aid boost went percent increase in military agreed when President Barack He said he wants to procure president, a third by police and recently. mostly into items such assistance from the 2014-2015 Obama visited Manila last year, weapons from both countries so the rest still being investigated In an email, the US embassy as communications period, the biggest sum since amid high tension between the that Philippine forces do not and widely assumed to be drugs- broke the 2015-2016 aid down equipment, small American forces returned to the Philippines and China in the have to depend on "hand-me- related murders. to $50m in foreign military arms, replacement Philippines in 2002. South China Sea, and was part down" American hardware. Some US legislators are con- financing, $1.9m in international parts for hardware The United States fiscal year of a renewed commitment made Confirmation of the boost in cerned US aid could in some way military education and training, and coastal radar for runs from October 1 to Septem- to Manila in a 2014 Enhanced military aid from about $50m be used to support Duterte's war $42m for a maritime security ini- maritime security. ber 30. Defence Cooperation Agreement annually over the past two fis- on drugs. tiative and $33.2m for counter The aid boost went mostly (EDCA). cal years to $127.1m in 2015-2016 Three members of the terrorism activities.

Huge crowds cheer NEWS BYTES Police arrest six in Japanese Emperor Manila drug haul PHILIPPINE authorities on 83rd birthday arrested six people and seized $67m worth of methamphet- Tokyo "If this is going to be his last amine yesterday, in one of the AFP time, I'm glad I got to see him," biggest narcotics hauls of a said Reiko Takahashi. nationwide drugs war that has he biggest crowds of his Also attending the emper- focused heavily on eliminating nearly three-decade reign or's address, Takako Miyazaki street-level dealers. Tthronged Japan's Impe- expressed the view of many Agents from the National rial Palace yesterday to Japanese. Bureau of Investigation swooped celebrate Emperor Akihito's "The emperor is quite old down on a quiet neighbourhood 83rd birthday on what could be and if he says he wants to abdi- in San Juan City and found 560kg his last such appearance after cate I think he should be of what they believe was "shabu" expressing his desire to allowed to," she said. stored in 56 bags. abdicate. Flanked by Empress Police said officers were It was his first birthday Michiko and other members of still compiling an inventory of since he announced in August the royal household, the soft- the drugs. that his advancing age and spoken monarch greeted The amount seized, if verified, weakening health mean he may well-wishers from a glass-cov- Japan's Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko look out at well-wishers while Crown Prince would be bigger than the amount no longer be able to carry out ered balcony at the palace, Naruhito and Crown Princess Masako walk behind as they make a public appearance on of shabu seized nationwide last his duties, setting the stage for surrounded by stone walls and the balcony of the Imperial Palace in Tokyo, yesterday. year, according to the Philippine Japan to prepare for an historic mossy moats. Drug Enforcement Agency. abdication. "I wish you all health and telling reporters: "I am pro- Prime Minster Shinzo Abe in appears to have wide support, The Imperial Palace said happiness, and I pray the next foundly grateful that many September to study a possible according to recent opinion some 33,300 people -- the big- year will be cheerful and people have lent an ear to my legal mechanism for a royal polls. Strong typhoon gest crowd since Akihito peaceful," the emperor said in words and are giving sincere departure, which currently Akihito has had surgery for ascended to the throne in 1989 his address. thought to the matter in their does not exist. prostate cancer and heart prob- to hit on holiday -- attended his birthday Ahead of his birthday, Aki- respective positions." Any eventual move by Aki- lems, both of which he alluded address, waving small Japanese hito thanked the country for Deliberations over his hito to step down, which would to in his address, though he A STRONG typhoon was set flags as the crowds shouted considering his message indi- retirement wish are under way see him replaced by his eldest stressed that he currently to wallop the Philippines on "Banzai" or "Long live". cating his desire to abdicate, in an advisory panel set up by son Crown Prince Naruhito, enjoys good health. Christmas Day, officials warned yesterday, as millions of people criss-cross the mostly Catholic nation to celebrate one of the Critics alarmed most important dates on the religious calendar. Singapore awaiting return of armoured troop carriers Nock-Ten was expected to by Duterte's be packing winds of up to 194 Singapore seized the Singapore military's ministry said in its latest administrative region of km an hour and gusts of nearly martial law talk Reuters armoured vehicles as they update it had communicated China. 241 km an hour when it hit the were being shipped from Tai- its formal position on the sei- The seizure of the vehicles eastern tip of the archipelago's Manila ingapore said yesterday wan to Singapore after zure to Hong Kong authorities came amid mounting regional main island of Luzon tomorrow, AFP it is still awaiting the military exercises on the over the past three weeks. uncertainty and signs of ten- the US Joint Typhoon Warning Sreturn of nine troop car- island that Beijing regards as "We await a full resolution sion between China and Center said. CRITICS and victims of mili- riers seized in Hong Kong last a breakaway province. of this matter and return of Singapore, which has deep- "Our people are being made tary abuses expressed alarm month, which led to tension Beijing then warned our property by the Hong ened its security relationship aware that we could get hit on yesterday after President Rod- with China over Singapore's countries against maintain- Kong SAR Government," the with the US over the last year Christmas Day," Romina Marasi- rigo Duterte said he wanted relations with self-ruled ing military ties with ministry said in a statement, and remains concerned over gan, spokeswoman for National Philippine leaders to be able Taiwan. Taiwan. referring to Hong Kong by its Beijing's assertive territorial Disaster Risk Reduction and to wield martial law powers Hong Kong customs Singapore's defence designation as a special stance in the South China Sea. Management Council, said. without judicial and congres- sional approval. Speaking during a visit to the northern Philippines on Thursday, the 71-year-old lamented how the constitu- tion tied the president's hands Australian police foil terror plot; five detained in dealing with security cri- ses including war. Sydney relating to the formation of Melbourne Cricket Ground "If you have martial law, AFP what we believe was a ter- where up to 100,000 people only one person should be in rorist plot," he said. are expected to attend the control," Duterte said. "significant" IS- "We believe that there Boxing Day Test between "If there's invasion or war inspired Christmas Day was an intention to conduct Australia and Pakistan. and I declare martial law, I A terror plot targeting what we call a multi-mode Of the seven arrested yes- cannot proceed on and on to central Melbourne has been attack, possibly on Christmas terday morning, five remain deal with the trouble as I still foiled after a series of arrests Day. in custody. All had been under have to go to Congress, go to in raids across the city, police "The attack that we will surveillance for weeks. the Supreme Court," he said yesterday. allege was being planned, we Ashton said four of them added. Victoria Police chief com- believe was going to involve were Australian-born, of Leb- "That's why that needs to missioner Graham Ashton an explosive event, the use of anese background, with the be replaced." alleged those detained explosives, and we gathered fifth an Egyptian-born Aus- The Philippines adopted planned to use explosives, evidence to support that." tralian citizen, all in their 20s. a new constitution in 1987 to knives and guns to attack Police believe the plotters "Certainly these are self- curtail presidential powers busy locations including Mel- were planning to also use radicalised, we believe, but after millions of Filipinos took bourne's Flinders Street train other weapons including inspired by ISIS and ISIS to the streets the year earlier station, Federation Square knives and guns. propaganda," he added. in a famous "People Power" and St Paul's Cathedral. The targets of the alleged "If this had got under our revolution, to oust dictator "Over the last fortnight... attack are all in the same area guard this would have been Police walk towards a door as they search a house in the Melbourne Ferdinand Marcos and end his we have had to conduct a in the heart of the city, and a significant attack, we 20-year rule. suburb of Meadow Heights, in Australia, yesterday. criminal investigation only a short distance from the believe. No doubt about that." 06 PAKISTAN / AFGHANISTAN SATURDAY 24 DECEMBER 2016

NEWS BYTES IBO created to counter terrorism 400 youth get employment Islamabad Anti-terror act Officials said bounty rang- Millat-e-Islami Pakistan and The list, shared on Novem- Internews ing from Rs0.5m to Rs8m has Lashkar-e-Jhangvi and some ber 21, contained names of DURING the recently held job fair, The Intelligence been also announced for dif- 32 belong to Tehreek-e-Jafria people belonging to different jointly organised by the Sarhad team has been based operations is ferent individuals. Pakistan, Islami Tehreek Paki- walks of life. Chamber of Commerce and formed to carry out intended for the They said details have been stan, Sipah-e-Muhammad In addition, the November Industry (SCCI) and Technology full-scale intelli- people under terror shared with the team and oper- Pakistan and Majlis-e-Wah- 21 list provides names of 4,573 Up-gradation and Skill Develop- gence based watchlist catalogue. ations will be carried out in datul Muslimeen. individuals from the TTP, 455 ment Company, 400 youth have operations (IBOs) in such a way to ensure that all The list includes names of from Sipah-e-Sahaba, Millat-e- been provided employment in dif- theA capital of Pakistani prov- the identified individuals are 10 individuals associated with Islami Pakistan and ferent industrial and trade bodies, The details of people ince of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa involved in any terror arrested in the next few days. Khuddam-Ul-Islam and Lashkar-e-Jhangvi, 117 from while 586 had been registered for (KP) against people placed in According to official Jaish-e-Muhammad. Tehreek-e-Jafria Pakistan, Islami employment. activities have been the Fourth Schedule of the Anti- sources individuals have been Earlier, a list carrying Tehreek Pakistan, Sipah-e- This was stated by SCCI Pres- shared with the team Terrorism Act. The team categorised into four groups names of 5,363 individuals Muhammad Pakistan and ident Haji Mohammad Afzal. comprises representatives of and operations will with 75 hardcore militants from the KP placed in the Majlis-e-Wahdatul Muslimeen He said that 136 industrial- different agencies. be carried out in such placed in category ‘A’, 45 in cat- Fourth Schedule of the Anti- and 75 belonged to Khuddamul ists and traders from across the Individuals from nine a way to ensure their egory ‘B’, 83 others said to be Terrorism Act was shared with Islam and Jaish-e-Muhammad. country participated in that Job banned organisations have arrests in the next militants’ associates or facili- the federal government. The list also carries names Fair. A MoU for the provision of been identified for their few days. tators in category ‘C’ list. However, it was speculated of 95 individuals repatriated on job training will be signed involvement in terror Around 249 individuals are yet that the federal government from Afghanistan, 67 associated with 30 industrialists, he added. activities. to be categorised. will be facing problems to move with the Tehreek-e-Nifaz Shar- Afzal said that SCCI is play- According to the list, a sum commanders -Mangal Bagh and They said 189 individuals, against at least 2,625 of such iat-e-Muhammadi, 20 of ing a role in the promotion of of Rs10 million each in head Abdul Wali - as well as two including three females, belong individuals since key informa- Harkatul Mujahideen, 12 of coordination among techni- money is announced for two other key members of TTP to the TTP, a total of 203 belong tion about them is not Lashkar-e-Taiba apart for 103 cal institutes and provision of key Lashkar-e-Islam (Gidarh group). to Sipah-e-Sahaba Pakistan, available. other criminals. employment to youth equipped with skills in different indus- tries and businesses. Zardari with supporters Land records go Five govt-backed digital in Punjab militiamen shot dead AN AFGHAN official says a Lahore help abolish the ‘patwari member of a state-backed Internews culture’. militia has shot and killed five “This system will fellow militiamen in the latest THE Punjab Land Record address all land-related insider attack among the coun- Authority was formally problems under one roof,” try's embattled security forces. inaugurated yesterday with he believed. Hayatullah Amiri, a district the launch of a tier-3 data He added the PML-N governor in the northern Kunduz centre for computerised government laid the foun- province, says recently that the land records at the Arfa dation of this system back shooting happened early yes- Kareem Technology Park in 1997 but the military terday when the militiaman in Lahore. coup in 1999 halted the attacked his colleagues in their Under this project, land project. sleep at the checkpoint they were record centres are opera- The computerisation guarding. tional in 143 tehsils of the of land records aims to put The gunman then made province where record of an end to land-related off with his weapons and 55 million rural properties feuds, forgery of docu- ammunition. has been secured by ments to claim ownership No one immediately claimed computerisation. of someone else’s property the attack, but the Taliban group Speaking at the inau- and corruption. A backup has been behind similar assaults gural ceremony, Punjab system has been estab- in the past, in which Afghan sol- Asif Ali Zardari, former president of Pakistan and co-chairman of Pakistan People's Chief Minister Shehbaz lished in Rawalpindi to diers or police have attacked Party (PPP), gestures to his supporters after returning from Dubai, at the Old Jinnah Sharif said the digitalisa- ensure the protection of each other or US troops fight- airport terminal in Karachi, yesterday. tion of land records would land record files. ing alongside them.

Punjab plans to allocate Memorandum on protection of human rights signed Islamabad Nawaz Chowhan and Higher Addressing the ceremony, our jurisprudence as many understanding of the fundamen- more funds Internews Education Commission (HEC) NCHR Chairman Justice Ali points were contentious in our tal doctrines, principles and Chairman Professor Dr Mukhtar Nawaz Chowhan maintained case law and the Supreme Court compliance of international Lahore ational Commission for Ahmed signed the MoU in a cer- that human rights were held of Pakistan must sit in as a full human rights law and to impart Internews Human Rights (NCHR) emony held at the HEC. sacred in our religion and are in court to resolve this confusion trainings to develop the intellec- Nand Higher Education HEC chairman welcomed the line with our own traditions. and conflict. tual, practical and transferable THE Punjab province govern- Commission (HEC) of Pakistan NCHR effort asserting that human He quoted the Holy Quran This MoU creates a frame- skills necessary for that ment in Pakistan has plans yesterday signed a Memoran- rights education was essential to and references from Islamic his- work of cooperation between the purpose. afoot to provide more funds dum of Understanding (MoU) to create a just society. tory to illustrate that the noble NCHR and the HEC to create The MOU aims to spread to the local governments than work together at institutes of He said the fundamental values must permeate down to awareness, promote research human rights literacy and to pro- the money currently being higher education for the promo- doctrine, concepts and princi- everyone in our society. and studies in the field of human mote awareness of the given to respective districts tion of human rights as ples of human rights were He said that Human Rights rights at higher education insti- safeguards available for the pro- for smooth sailing of the new enshrined in the Constitution and universal in value and HEC fully Education was his personal pri- tutions (HEIs). tection of these rights through administration system. stipulated in the international agree to spread awareness for ority besides being a key Both institutions shall work publications, print and electronic The Punjab government human rights conventions to the promotion and protection of component in the freshly together to equip academia, media, seminars and other avail- is working on developing a whom Pakistan is a party. human rights at Institutions of launched strategic plan of NCHR. researchers, professionals and able means in all major “modern allocation formula” NCHR Chairman Justice ® Ali Higher Education. He shared there was clash in students with knowledge and languages of the country. to take care of the needs of respective districts in terms of fiscal equalization and equity. Special train Chief Minister Shahbaz Judge indirectly rebuts Sharif is expected to give a final go-ahead to the funds disbursement formula being Musharraf's statement fine-tuned by a provincial finance committee compris- ing finance department Islamabad of her case pending with the officials, elected representa- Internews SHC. tives and economists. While speaking to a news While the local govern- he Supreme Court of channel, the former president ments will be funded through Pakistan’s chief justice- had claimed that former army the Provincial Finance Com- Tdesignate Mian Saqib chief General Raheel Sharif had mission award, the committee Nisar has observed that judici- helped him leave the country is making efforts to keep the ary never decides any case by keeping the government funds distribution formula under pressure. “We have from pressuring the courts. “simple” for its easy imple- always given verdicts accord- “These courts work under mentation by the respective ing to our conscience and there pressure behind the scenes and local governments. has been no pressure on the then give decisions. The army “We don’t want to make court while giving verdicts,” chief had a role to play in this system complex but sim- Justice Nisar said yesterday. releasing the pressure behind ple,” a committee member He was commenting over the scenes,” Musharraf had said. said. supermodel Ayyan’s counsel Khosa contended that the He states that the com- Latif Khosa’s argument wherein former president was a power- mittee is making he had cited General (retd) Per- ful man and managed to go formula-based recommen- vez Musharraf’s recent abroad. dations to meet different statement. However, Justice Nasir took A woman takes a picture of her daughter with a man dressed as Santa Clause, inside needs of different types of Justice Nisar was heading exception to the view and said a decorated car of Christmas Peace train ahead of celebrations in Islamabad. local governments in the the three-judge bench hearing the court never gives decision province. Ayyan’s plea for early hearing under pressure. SATURDAY 24 DECEMBER 2016 INDIA 07 Chennai arrests expose Blood-soaked history 'sand mining mafia'

Chennai Reuters Foundation. Reuters Illegal nexus Thousands of truckloads of Arrests show the sand are mined every day in he arrests of several large amounts of Tamil Nadu, which has India's businessmen and money to be made second-longest coastline. sacking of a senior from sand mining Sand is key to the construc- bureaucrat in south- and why the industry tion industry, which provides ern India have about 35 million jobs. thrives despite laws. Thighlighted the power of the so- Sand that is mined is worth called "sand mining mafia", up to Rs450bn annually, accord- accused of damaging the coast- TN Chief Secretary ing to some estimates, but much line and destroying livelihoods Rao was removed of this is illegal, and its impact of impoverished communities. from his job a day is serious. India's main agency for after his home was Removing large amounts of investigating corruption, the raided. sand erodes river beds and Scottish historian and writer William Dalrymple walks amongst his pigeons at his farm Central Bureau of Investigation, beaches, enlarges river mouths, house in New Delhi. Many precious stones have a blood-soaked history, but a new book this week arrested sand mining destroys bio-diversity, and reveals the world's most famous diamond the Kohinoor surpasses them all, with a litany baron Shekhar Reddy and sev- disappearing and groundwater exacerbates groundwater short- of horrors that rivals "Game of Thrones". eral associates after seizing large is falling." ages and flooding, while leading amounts of cash and gold from As the world's fastest grow- to the loss of livelihoods of his home in Tamil Nadu state. ing major economy expands, coastal communities. Tamil Nadu's Chief Secre- demand for construction mate- Sand mining has depleted tary P Rama Mohana Rao was rials, including sand, is fish stocks, and made water Govt searches for successor to Jung removed from his job a day after increasing to build roads, air- unfit for agriculture. It has also his home was raided. ports, malls and homes. led to landslides, which further An investigation is ongoing, Despite laws regulating sand erode coastlines and hurt com- New Delhi a Congress appointee, I would again asked me to continue." a state official told reporters in mining in most states, rivers and munities that depend on the IANS like to resign. The Prime Minis- This time, he insisted on Chennai, without giving more beaches are dredged beyond water for their livelihoods. ter said no, please continue," resigning -- on personal details. safe levels. Bribing of local offi- It is a similar story else- day after he resigned, the Jung told India Today TV. grounds. "Two days back, I The arrests highlight the cials and the police is common, where in Asia. In Cambodia, central government looked He said he repeated his offer spoke to the Prime Minister and large amounts of money to be campaigners say. illegal sand mining has led to the Afor a successor to Delhi Lt to resign in July this year when expressed my desire yet again. made from sand mining and Officials say they are doing disappearance of beaches and Governor Najeeb Jung who yes- his turf war with Chief Minister This time the Prime Minister told why the industry thrives despite everything they can to check the the collapse of mangroves. terday said he had offered to quit Arvind Kejriwal over the admin- me to go ahead. I resigned," he laws to check illegal mining, said practice. In Tamil Nadu, anti-sand twice earlier but was told to carry istration of the national capital said. The government was yet Debi Goenka at environmental "We have a high-level mon- mining activists have been on until Prime Minister Narendra was at its peak. The matter was to accept his resignation and non-profit the Conservation itoring committee and we attacked, and even killed, while Modi finally gave him the "go settled in August by the Delhi find a replacement, a Home Action Trust. conduct periodic reviews to officials who have stood up to the ahead" two days ago. High Court that ruled the Lt Ministry official said. "Sand is literally worth its check illicit and illegal sand mafia have also been targeted. Jung spoke to news channels Governor is the administrative Those being considered to weight in gold in India because mining," said R Palaniswamy, The punishment for mining after meeting Modi and said head of the National Capital Ter- replace Jung include former of the construction boom," he the state's mining sand illegally is jail for up to two there was no politics behind his ritory. The matter is now in the Home Secretaries Anil Baijal, G said. commissioner. years or a fine of up to 25,000 sudden move, dismissing spec- Supreme Court. K Pillai and former Delhi Police "There's no shortage of laws, "We are aware there are rupees ($370), or both. "If we ulation that he was under "This July when I finished chief B S Bassi, who too had a but no enforcement. There's violations; we investigate them were to arrest everyone that is pressure to exit. three years in office, I called the running fued with Kejriwal. corruption at all levels. Mean- and take appropriate action. We caught and lock them up for two "In 2014, when Modi was Prime Minister again (and) Earlier, Chief Minister Kejri- while, coastlines are eroding, are doing everything in our years, it would send out a mes- sworn in, I met him and expressed my desire to leave," wal and his deputy Manish coastal settlements are power," he told the Thomson sage," said Goenka. requested him that since I was Jung said. "The Prime Minister Sisodia met Jung separately.

50 million jobs at Cold sweep Notes ban is economic risk as foreign dacoity by govt: Rahul Almora, Uttarakhand to waive off the loans worth Rs IANS 8 lakh crore of these families," tourists stay away he added. ongress Vice President Gandhi said: "When farm- Rahul Gandhi yesterday ers don't pay loans, the Anjuna the population of Colombia. Csaid Prime Minister government snatches their IANS In 2015, the number of for- Narendra Modi's notes ban lands and houses. But when rich eign tourists visiting India was (demonetisation) decision is don't pay loans, they call them aju Lakhani's beachside over eight million, and earned economic dacoity by the defaulters and their debt Non- restaurant here at this the country foreign exchange government. Performing Assets (NPAs). The Rpopular tourist strip in of almost Rs 1.35 lakh crore, a He said Modi divided the government restructures their north Goa should have been growth of 9.6 per cent over country between the one per loans but doesn't recover it." packed this time of the year. But 2014, according to Tourism cent super-rich and the 99 per He demanded that the Modi the tables at Moon Star are Ministry data. cent honest people of the government release in Parlia- empty and the restaurateur is But if travel entrepreneurs country. ment the list of names of those a worried man. like Lakhani start scaling down "Notes ban wasn't against who hold black money in Swiss "We have no customers," he their businesses, all this could black money or corruption, it banks. said. "Almost 90 per cent of tour- change. In the weeks following was economic dacoity. Modi-ji "About 94 per cent of the ists are leaving because of the notebandi, it was reported that has created a divide between black money is in Swiss bank inconvenience caused by note- foreign tourists were being one per cent super rich and 99 accounts, gold and real estate. bandi." Lakhani said he now has inconvenienced. Bookings also per cent honest people of the Just 6 per cent of black money no choice but to lay off workers. fell rapidly in Kerala and country," said Gandhi while is in cash," said Gandhi. He is one of Goa's many restau- Karnataka. addressing a rally in Almora. "Modi has not listened to rant owners who are feeling the Will King and Hallam "Not a single black money the farmers but has forgiven Rs brunt of the ban on Rs 500 and Baker-Howard, both UK citi- Men sitting around a fire to keep warm on a cold, foggy holder has been arrested so far. 1.40 lakh crore in loans to 15 Rs 1,000 notes, 86 per cent by zens in their early 20s, landed morning in Amritsar yesterday. There are 50 families who had rich people ... but not value of all bank notes. in Mumbai on November 28 -- taken loans. The scheme was farmers." At 2.8 per cent, the travel and 20 days after the imposition of tourism sector in India grew notebandi. They found them- faster last year than it did world- selves in the midst of a cash wide (2.3 percent). It contributed crunch. 6.3 percent of the country's gross "We went from ATM to ATM Ban on foreign funds shuts down Dalit charity domestic product (GDP) -- in Mumbai during our first three including direct, indirect and days in India and there were induced contributions -- and huge lines snaking outside all Ahmedabad told AFP that "the law of the land ing license. sacred in Hinduism. translated to Rs 8.3 lakh crore in of them," King recounted. AFP was followed." "We had no option left as "For decades we have 2015, according to the World "Once, after waiting for 45 min- The ministry in its order foreign funding was the major worked for the cause of Dalits Trade and Tourism Council utes, we reached the front of the n Indian charity running accused the charity, which runs source of running our opera- and when we take a stand (WTTC), a forum for the travel queue, and the cash ran out." schools for Dalit children three schools in Modi's home tions," Martin Macwan, against continuing caste dis- and tourism industry. Governments of several Awill close down after the state of Gujarat, of engaging in managing trustee of the charity crimination we are branded as Tourism is also a labour- countries, including the UK, government banned it from activities detrimental to national founded in 1988, said. anti-nationals," said Manjula intensive sector, creating 78 Australia, and Canada, have receiving foreign funds over unity. He said the charity would Pradeep, the executive director jobs for every million rupees issued travel advisories to their alleged threats to national unity, "(The charity) has come to challenge the order in court. of Navsarjan Trust. invested, according to Tourism citizens about the money trou- officials said yesterday. adverse notice for its undesira- Dalits, formerly known as More than 10,000 charities Ministry data. The agriculture ble they might encounter in Charities, especially foreign- ble activities aimed to affect "untouchables", are among the have either lost their operating sector creates 45 jobs for the India. "It's not just that we have backed aid organisations like prejudicially harmony between most marginalised groups in licenses or been barred from same investment, and manu- to wait in line. I'm being Greenpeace India, have come religious, racial, social, linguis- India and are at the bottom of receiving money from abroad, facturing, only 18. charged a fee for every trans- under increased scrutiny since tic, regional groups, castes or the country's deeply entrenched following a government Ever since 2009, the share action of almost Rs 120 (1.4 a Hindu nationalist government communities," it said. caste hierarchy. crackdown. of tourism in employment has British pounds)," said Baker- led by Prime Minister Narendra The charity laid off more Tensions erupted in July Greenpeace India lost its consistently been over 10 per Howard. "Earlier, I would have Modi came to power in 2014. than 100 employees on Thurs- when seven Dalits were brutally license and US-based Ford cent of India's workforce of 500 withdrawn a large amount but KS Dhatwalia, a spokesman day and will shut its schools at beaten by right-wing Hindu Foundation and Christian char- million workers. This means now I have to do so every day for the national home ministry, the end of the current academic activists for skinning a dead cow, ity Caritas were put on a watch that the sector employs almost and this is costing me a lot of which revoked the license for session in March, following the prompting protests across the list, although the orders were 50 million people -- more than money for no reason." the Navsarjan Trust last week, cancellation of its foreign fund- country. The cow is considered revoked later. 08 VIEWS SATURDAY 24 DECEMBER 2016

ESTABLISHED IN 1996

CHAIRMAN SHEIKH THANI BIN ABDULLAH AL THANI

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF DR. KHALID BIN MUBARAK AL-SHAFI [email protected]

ACTING MANAGING EDITOR MOHAMMED SALIM MOHAMED [email protected]

DEPUTY MANAGING EDITOR HUSSAIN AHMAD [email protected]

EDITORIAL Stalemate on South Sudan Saudi budget shows effort to he failure of the United Nations Security Council yesterday to adopt a US-drafted resolution to impose an arms embargo and Tfurther sanctions on South Sudan points to the deep division among world powers on handling the win support for change humanitarian crisis in the world’s newest nation where political rivalry between President Salva Kiir, an ethnic Dinka, and Marchar, his former deputy, has longer afford to sustain. the slowest since a recession in 2009. descended into a civil war. The situation in the “The budget is still clearly reliant Even so, it sees the budget deficit nar- impoverished country is dire. The UN has issued stark Vivian Nereim, Glen Carey, Zainab on oil and oil-related revenue, but it rowing to 7.7 percent of gross domestic warnings of a possible genocide if urgent action is not Fattah, Ahmed Feteha does show pleasing growth in non- product from 11.5 percent this year. taken to find a solution or achieve a ceasefire. Bloomberg oil revenue,” Emad Mostaque, a The country will rely more on Washington believes that the arms embargo is London-based strategist at emerg- foreign investors to finance the fiscal essential both to prevent a further deterioration of the ing-markets consultancy Eclectic gap. After raising a record $17.5bn in crisis and to prevent a genocide. “This resolution would Strategy, said in an e-mail. “Most of its first-ever bond sale in October, not have been a panacea, we are not naive,” said US audi officials presented the most the low-hanging non-oil revenue the kingdom is planning to issue Ambassador to the United Nations, Samantha Power. detailed budget in the country’s history has now been tapped, 2017 will $10bn to $15bn of international “The council members who didn’t support this in an effort to convince citizens and mark the year when we need to see bonds in 2017, Deputy Economy resolution are taking a big gamble that South Sudan’s investors that they’re serious about a the underlying economy kick on Minister Mohammad Al Tuwaijri said leaders will not instigate a catastrophe. It is the people plan to repair the deficit and wean the and create the hun- in an interview with Arabiya TV. of South Sudan who will pay an unbearable price,” she Seconomy off oil. dreds of thousands “The 2017 budget shows a shift said, adding that the measure would have at least cut Dozens of pages and slides presented in of jobs the next gen- from deep retrenchment and auster- arms sales to a country an hours-long press conference laid out dif- eration of Saudis ity to one that is focused on that “instead of feeding its ferent scenarios for how public finances, need.” supporting critical areas of growth in people, arming up for an battered after two years of low oil prices, The budget fig- the economy,’’ said Monica Malik, It’s unfortunate increasing ethnic conflict.” could evolve through 2020. the chief economist at Abu Dhabi that the world It’s not the US alone The government said it reduced spending Commercial Bank. “The expansion- which believes that an by 16 percent this year and narrowed its The plans are a culmination ary stance would give the economy is still divided arms embargo is an budget deficit by more than expected. It fore- of a year that saw the a breather, but in the long term on South Sudan urgency that cannot be casts the shortfall will drop again next year as there will be a need for further fiscal biggest economic overhaul which is on postponed. The UN revenue improves, and may even turn to a reforms to reduce the deficit.” in Saudi history, as Deputy the verge of a Secretary-General Ban surplus as early as 2019 in its most optimistic Some economists cast a critical Ki-moon too has scenario. Crown Prince Mohammed eye on the budget figures — particu- genocide. passionately called for an While some analysts welcomed the bin Salman, the son of the larly that there were two figures for arms embargo, and unprecedented detail, others reacted with expenditures, including a higher sum renewed his plea on scepticism, casting doubt on the credibility of Custodian of the Two Holy with payments rolled over from previ- Monday. He told the figures and pointing out that the govern- Mosques King Salman bin ous years that would make total Security Council that he feared genocide was about to ment’s efforts to balance its budget over the Abdulaziz Al Saud, charted spending 11 percent higher at start in the impoverished country unless immediate next four years still rely on rising oil prices. out a strategy to end the SR930bn. That figure would mean action was taken. The announcements also reflected the Saudi Arabia overspent its budget tar- The US resolution failed because there were only headwinds facing the biggest Arab economy, kingdom’s “addiction” to oil. get. “In our analysis we don’t exclude seven votes in favour and there were eight abstentions, in which the majority of citizens work in the payments made during the year while it needs nine votes in favour. Japan, Russia, public sector and Saudi companies rely on regardless of when those payments China, Angola, Malaysia, Venezuela, Egypt and Senegal inexpensive foreign workers. The non-oil were due,” said James Reeve, the Lon- all abstained. Beijing said it was not in favor of using economy barely grew this year, with private ures unveiled on Thursday don-based deputy chief economist at sanctions to exert pressure on developing countries sector expansion under 1 percent. included, for the first time, projec- Samba Financial Group, who estimates and called “for prudent actions to avoid complicating “While there is a real desire among senior tions for where revenue and the fiscal shortfall was 19.5 percent of the situation.” officials to address structural problems, the spending is headed in the next four GDP this year. It’s unfortunate that the world is still divided on budget reveals the government’s willingness years and the state’s military David Butter, an associate fellow South Sudan. An arms embargo is a prudent and to use higher projected crude export revenues spending. The kingdom said it at Chatham House in London, said essential step, but if there is no unity on the issue, all to drive growth through expansionary spend- would allocate 7 percent less to the “critical target of moving towards parties must sit together and adopt measures which ing,” Crispin Hawes, London-based managing defence next year even as it con- a more balance budget and to are agreeable to all and will lead to a solution. director at Teneo Intelligence, said in an tinues to lead a coalition fighting increase non-oil revenue isn’t really Kiir and Machar seem determined to fight till the e-mail. “In relative terms, oil revenues will rebels in Yemen. there. In the 2017 budget the increase end, even if it leads to the complete destruction of the remain the dominant line in fiscal accounts Saudi citizens have started coming in non-oil revenue is pretty modest at country. The pair signed a peace deal last year, which for the foreseeable future.” to terms with how the Saudi Vision only 7 percent.” was brokered by the African Union, but fighting has The plans are a culmination of a year 2030 plan will affect their lives. Bonus The government’s fiscal predic- continued. Machar fled in July and is now in South that saw the biggest economic overhaul in payments for state employees were tions show it’s preparing for oil Africa. Saudi history, as Deputy Crown Prince cancelled and ministers’ salaries were prices to stay relatively depressed — Mohammed bin Salman, the son of the slashed by 20 percent in September. rising to $66 a barrel in 2020 in it’s Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King The government started raising most optimistic scenario cited by Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, charted out the price of fuel at the end of last Saudi-owned Al Arabiya — com- a strategy to end the kingdom’s “addic- year, including an increase in the pared with the heydays of the past tion” to oil. price of gasoline by a minimum of decade when they surpassed $100 a QUOTE OF THE DAY Even though Brent crude rebounded this 50 percent. Value-added taxes will barrel. Still, if all goes according to year to about $55 a barrel, it’s 35 percent be introduced in 2018 and the king- plan, Saudi Arabia will post a small below its 10-year average. In one of the bold- dom will start imposing some fees budget surplus of 20 billion riyals in est steps announced, Energy Minister Khalid on expatriate workers. 2019. We remain on Al Falih said the cost of fuel and electricity To lessen the blow on the lower- Non-oil revenue is already becom- will be linked to global prices within four income citizens in the country of 31 ing more important to finances, with its maximum alert, we years. million people, Saudis will be able ratio to total earnings climbing to 38 will not underestimate The budget “comes during tough to apply to a SR25bn ($6.7bn) fund percent in 2016. Just a few years ago, the threat but what economic conditions in most countries, for cash payments to help them crude comprised upwards of 90 per- happened overnight which included slow economic growth cope with lower subsidies, Deputy cent of state income. and low oil prices that left an impact on Labour and Social Development “The objective of reaching a bal- shows citizens that our country,” King Salman said in a Minister Ahmed Al Humaidan said. anced budget goes through a lot of the state is there for speech. The program will increase in size to work. We look at oil revenue and them. Three ministers and two other senior offi- SR60bn by 2020. we stress test it against a lot of sce- cials who took to the stage at a large After tightening its purse strings in narios,” Finance Minister auditorium in Riyadh showed no signs of 2016, the kingdom will increase spend- Mohammed Al Jadaan said in an Paolo Gentiloni reneging on plans to move away from a gov- ing next year to help spur economic interview. “We want to make sure Italian Prime Minister ernment-led economic model that it can no growth that at 1.4 percent this year was that we are very disciplined.” SATURDAY 24 DECEMBER 2016 OPINION 9 Our empty ‘witness’ in Syria

think that we can destroy the John McCain Islamic State by throwing in our The Washington Post lot with those who are strength- ening it every day is a dangerous fantasy. Finally, we must acknowledge that ending the conflict in Syria will not be possible until Assad he words “never again” ring hollow as the and his foreign backers realise city of Aleppo, Syria, has fallen to regime they cannot succeed militarily. forces of Bashar Assad. A brutal siege that And make no mistake: Succeed- has ground on for years was finally brought ing militarily is what they are to a bloody end by a surge of Russian air- trying to do. Tpower, Iranian shock troops and assorted regional The fall of Aleppo will only militia fighters. As we eulogise the dead of Aleppo, we encourage them to turn their guns must acknowledge the United States’ complicity in on their next targets in Syria. We this tragedy. must recall the wisdom of former President Barack Obama speaks of the need to secretary of state George Shultz: “bear witness” to injustice. He did little else for “Diplomacy not backed by strength Aleppo. To what have we borne witness? To the will always be ineffectual at best, use of smart bombs to target women and children, dangerous at worst.” hospitals and bakeries, aid warehouses and Just because America cannot humanitarian convoys. To the development and stop every horror in the world does popularisation of barrel bombs — oil drums not absolve us of the responsibility packed with shrapnel and explosives, dropped of using our great power to end the indiscriminately from aircraft to kill and maim as worst injustices where we can, many civilians as possible. To the tactic of follow- especially when doing so would on airstrikes designed to kill rescue workers, such benefit our own interests and make as the intrepid White Helmets, who rush to the the United States and our partners scene of an attack to save the innocent. And now more secure. Syrians walk through Salaheddin district in the northern Syrian city of Aleppo. to the busloads of refugees pouring out of Aleppo We do not need to become the and the tens of thousands left behind to the tender world’s policeman to defend our mercies of the Assad regime and its Russian and of Geneva and Vienna and elsewhere. Red lines longer we wait to help end the war, the worse our interests. But we cannot wall our- Iranian allies. drawn and transgressed with no consequences. options will become. But no one should believe that selves off from the chaos of our Obama has borne witness to all of this, and more, Statements like this: “Should we really accept we have no choice. dangerous world. And if we try, and done nothing to stop it. the notion that the world is powerless in the We must acknowledge that we have a stake in the instability, terror and destruc- As with past atrocities, Aleppo’s destruction face of a Rwanda, or Srebrenica?” the president what happens in Syria. It is not just about the suffer- tion at the heart of that chaos will inspired much high-minded talk and the illusion asked the UN General Assembly in 2013. “If ing of others, as moving as that is. It is about the eventually make their way to our of action. Endless meetings in the gilded palaces that’s the world that people want to live in, they national security of the United States: The resurgence shores. should say so, and reckon with the cold logic of of Al Qaeda in Syria affects us. mass graves.” The rise of the world’s most advanced terror- McCain, a Republican, represents That reckoning is now upon us. The mass graves ist organisation affects us, as we saw in Paris and Arizona in the US Senate. We do not need to become are before us, and the name Aleppo will echo San Bernardino, California. A refugee crisis that the world’s policeman to through history, like Srebrenica and Rwanda, as a destabilises allies such as Israel and Jordan and testament to our moral failure and everlasting threatens the foundation of Western democracies defend our interests. But shame. affects us. we cannot wall ourselves Even in a conflict that has killed nearly 500,000 We must also acknowledge that Assad, Russian off from the chaos of our people, driven half of Syria’s population from their President Vladimir Putin and Qasem Soleimani, dangerous world. And homes, created the worst refugee crisis in Europe commander of Iran’s Quds Force, will never be since World War II and spawned the terrorist army of viable counterterrorism partners. In fact, the oppo- if we try, the instability, the Islamic State — even amid all this horror and site is true. D-RING ROAD terror and destruction at depravity, Aleppo stands out. The Syrian regime, Russia and Iran are not fight- POST BOX: 3488 the heart of that chaos will Aleppo may be lost, but the war in Syria is far ing the Islamic State. Their indiscriminate slaughter from over. It will likely get worse as the Assad regime, of Syrian civilians is what created the conditions for DOHA - QATAR eventually make their way Iran, Russia and others intensify their fighting over the Islamic State’s emergence. [email protected] to our shores. what is left of Syria’s carcass. The bloody siege of Aleppo will be a windfall The United States still has a choice to make. The for terrorist radicalisation and recruitment. To EDITOR-IN-CHIEF OFFICE TEL: 4455 7741 / 767 FAX: +974 4455 7758

Opponents, family feud take shine off French Le Pen’s hopes MANAGING EDITOR TEL: 4462 7505 land him the ticket ahead of the more centrist Alain Melenchon is much more credible in this area than Le DEPUTY MANAGING EDITOR Juppe. Pen, according to the political commentator Thomas Gue- Andrew Callus & Michel Rose TEL: 4455 7769 Reuters She focused instead on Fillon’s aggressive plans nole. “Le Pen is trapped between Francois Fillon and to slash public sector spending, calling it an attack Jean-Luc Melenchon,” said Guenole in an editorial for Le on the French workers she and her second-in-com- Figaro newspaper. LOCAL NEWS SECTION mand, Florian Philippot, have promised to protect. Melenchon was eliminated in the 2012 presidential con- TEL: 4455 7743 or two years, disaffection with But the impact in the polls was immediate. test but scored a sizeable 11 percent of first-round votes. He is mainstream politics and disarray A Harris Interactive survey after the November doing at least that well or better in regular polls of voting BUSINESS NEWS SECTION among her opponents have 27 primary put her on 24 percent of voting inten- intentions in 2017. TEL: 4462 7535 played to Marine Le Pen’s tions, behind Fillon on 26 — her lowest score in agenda. But as the days tick down months, and one that has not improved since. MACRON FACTOR SPORT NEWS SECTION Fto election year in France, events may Then her niece Marechal-Le Pen twisted the Another hurdle for Le Pen is the youthful Emmanuel TEL: 4455 7745 have started to dim her presidential knife, giving a December 10 interview in the Journal Macron’s announcement on Nov. 16 that he too is running for prospects. de Dimanche Sunday newspaper. president, as an independent candidate who rejects the tradi- ONLINE SECTION Since late November, the anti-immi- The 27-year-old is ideologically much closer to tional politics of Left versus Right. TEL: 4462 7501 grant, anti-globalisation far-right National her grandfather Jean-Marie, the party’s now ostra- Opinion polls since then show the 38 year-old former [email protected] Front candidate’s showing in opinion polls cised founder, than to her aunt Marine and party’s economy minister consistently in third place. He is still well has slipped from about three out of 10 vot- modernisers led by Philippot. behind Le Pen and Fillon, but even before he launched offi- PUBLIC RELATIONS ers to one in four. From her Vaucluse constituency in the south of cially, some of her worst scores were in scenarios where he Her niece, the National Front member France, part of Marechal-Le Pen’s line is a form of stood against her. TEL: 4455 7613 of parliament Marion Marechal-Le Pen, social conservatism not very different in voters’ Macron has yet to get down to deep policy specifics, and [email protected] has re-opened old faultlines within the eyes to that of Fillon - with both expressing clear has targeted the centre, but pollsters detect a brand of “pop- party. reservations on abortion and gay marriage. ulism-light”, and say his independence and youth could blunt ADVERTISING DEPARTMENT And the policies and personalities of “I am neither in a minority nor am I isolated,” Le Pen’s anti-establishment appeal. TEL: 4455 7837 / 780 those emerging as Marine Le Pen’s main she told the newspaper, standing firm on proposals “He takes (votes) from everyone,” said Jean Chiche, a vot- FAX: 4455 7870 opponents look set to make campaigning that the state should no longer pay for pregnancy ing science researcher at Sciences-Po university in Paris. [email protected] tricky for her in the months ahead. terminations. Indeed, if current popularity levels were to convert into The election rules are simple: the two Just days earlier, party leader Marine Le Pen had voting in April’s first round, Le Pen would be out of the run- CLASSIFIED DEPARTMENT candidates who win the most votes in an made clear that she would not change France’s ning at Macron’s expense. TEL: 4455 7857 April first-round vote go through to a run- abortion laws. A December 20 Odoxa poll of approval ratings made [email protected] off round on May 7. By polling so well for Marechal-Le Pen has also attacked Phillipot, Macron the most popular politician in France on a score of 35 so long, Le Pen’s presence in that run-off who is gay, over his support for government-funded percent, ahead of Fillon on 31, and Le Pen on 27. Two days SUBSCRIPTION & DISTRIBUTION had been seen as one of the few certainties safe-sex posters depicting gay couples. She called later, an Elabe poll made him political personality of the year TEL: 4455 7809 / 839 in the race. the poster campaign “an embarrasment for children on 48 percent, ahead of Fillon on 44, with Le Pen trailing at FAX: 44557819 “Le Pen not reaching round two would and for homosexuals,” and said: “The majority, in 24. As for the ruling Socialists, should he win their January have been a wild bet even four months the FN, do not share that choice at all.” primaries as the polls predict, former Prime Minister Manuel [email protected] ago,” the historian Justin Vaisse, director of Fillon, a Catholic like Marechal-Le Pen, has said Valls has a lot of ground to make up from the distant fifth the French foreign ministry’s centre of he would not change France’s abortion laws, but place in polls, behind Fillon, Le Pen, Macron and Melenchon. analysis, forecasting and strategy, tweeted has said he is personally opposed. He also wants to For now at least, his bid has little bearing on Le Pen’s All thoughts and views this week. limit adoption rights of gay couples. prospects. But there is everything to play for in an election expressed in these columns “(That’s) now credible—even though By stepping onto her traditionalist turf, Fillon campaign that has already created many surprises. many unknowns remain.” leaves the Le Pen campaign more dependent on her Just over a month ago, Le Pen’s likely main rivals are those of the writers, not The choice on November 27 of Fran- pro-worker agenda, which includes a lowering of included heavyweights such as former prime minister Juppe of the newspaper. cois Fillon as Le Pen’s main conservative the retirement age, hiking minimum wages and or former president Nicolas Sarkozy for the Republicans, and challenger in the Republicans party pri- preserving a generous welfare safety net. the incumbent Socialist President Francois Hollande. All correspondence mary was among the first signs of trouble. In that area, she already faces fierce competition After Fillon’s surprise win and Hollande’s shock decision regarding Views and She put a brave face on the victory for from the opposite end of the political spectrum— to not seek re-election, three people who had dominated pol- Opinion pages should be the former prime minister, whose socially Jean-Luc Melenchon of The Left Party, a hardliner itics for decades were consigned to campaign history, conservative views on abortion is attrac- and former Socialist who is running for president shattering many of the certainties as to what will happen on mailed to the tive to many Le Pen supporters and helped with the backing of the French Communist Party. May, 7 2017. [email protected] 10 EUROPE SATURDAY 24 DECEMBER 2016 Putin: Nobody Mediterranean toll at record 5,000 in 2016 Geneva Europe have spiked in 2016. Last "The number of people who rubber dinghy carrying between AP year, over a million people have lost their lives on the Med- 120 and 140 people. He said eight believed Trump crossed the sea — mostly from iterranean this year has now bodies had been recovered in round 100 people are Turkey to Greece — with 3,771 passed 5,000," he added. "That that area. Another 40 people missing and feared dead deaths recorded. But this year, means that on average, 14 peo- were feared dead from another Aafter two shipwrecks off about 360,000 people have suc- ple have died every single day dinghy also carrying about 120 would win Italy, raising the estimated death cessfully crossed, most between this year in the Mediterranean people. toll among migrants on the Med- Libya and Italy, with far more trying to find safety or a better Millman said he did not iterranean this year to at least deadly results. life or safety in Europe." immediately have further details Moscow Blame game 5,000 — a new annual record, "The latest information we Citing survivors' accounts, about the possible causes of the AFP UN agencies said yesterday. have is that yesterday, in two spokesman Joel Millman of the shipwrecks. Putin broadly Deaths linked to Mediterra- incidents, as many as 100 peo- International Organization for UNHCR said the Italian coast dismissed the nean crossings by migrants ple lost their lives," said William Migration said that at least 57 guard carried out a total of four ussia's President allegation that he mostly seeking economic oppor- Spindler, spokesman for the U.N. people were feared dead follow- rescue operations in the central Vladimir Putin said meddled in the US tunity or relative peace in refugee agency, UNHCR. ing the capsizing Thursday of a Mediterranean on Thursday. yesterday that US elections and said President-elect this as attempts by Donald Trump accu- the election losers to Rrately read the popular mood Former Romanian save face by blaming Frozen lake in the United States to win the outside factors. election, although "nobody PM probed over except us" believed in his success. "The US president- 1990 bloodshed The US president-elect elect "precisely felt "precisely felt the mood of the the mood of the society and worked in that pre- society and worked omanian prosecutors cise paradigm, he went to the in that precise said yesterday that they end, though nobody believed paradigm, he went to Rhave widened their that he would win except us," the end, though probe into deadly violence Putin said while answering a nobody believed that that followed the country's state media journalist at his he would win except 1989 revolution to include ex- annual press conference. us," Putin said premier Petre Roman Asked what he thought alongside other former top about support among some officials. In addition to ex- Americans for him, Putin said the nature of the hack. "The president Ion Iliescu who is "I don't put it down to me, the most important thing is the gist already under investigation, fact that a large part of Repub- of the information that hackers Roman, his deputy Gelu Voi- lican voters support the Russian provided to the public," he said. can Voiculescu and former president." "What is the best evidence intelligence chief Virgil Magu- "It means that a large part that the hackers unveiled true reanu are among 32 people of the American people have information?" he said. "That A woman skates on the frozen lake of Orlangen, south of Stockholm, Sweden, yesterday. who will now be investigated, the same idea of how the world after the hackers showed how prosectors said. should be, of our common dan- public opinion is manipulated gers and problems," he said. inside the Democratic Party... "It's good that there are the chief of the Democratic people that sympathise with us National Committee (Debbie in our concept of traditional Wasserman Schultz) quit." Sweden needs 64,000 immigrants per year values," he said, and it may be "That means she admitted a good starting point in "build- that the hackers showed the ing relations" between the truth," he said, but "instead of Stockholm entered the continent fleeing of forecasts at Sweden’s Public 64,000 people per year on aver- United States and Russia. apologising... they started to Reuters war and poverty. Employment Agency said. age to maintain the balance Russia and Putin has been shout about who initiated the The pace of migration has “The addition to the labour between those who are work- accused by Washington of hack attacks." "Does that really weden needs more immi- worried some Swedes - the anti- force from abroad has alleviated ing and those who are drawing meddling in the US elections matter?" Putin asked. The US grants not fewer to sustain immigrant Sweden Democrats the shortage we still see,” he a pension, Gustavsson said. but the Kremlin leader broadly Democratic party have lost not Sits cradle-to-grave welfare party has seen its support surge said. “It has increased economic Sweden’s population is dismissed this as attempts by just the presidential election, system and care for an ageing - leading the country to intro- activity in the country, whatever expected to surpass 10 million the election losers to save face but also in the Senate and Con- population, a senior official at duce tough asylum laws. way you look at it, it has been an next year, an increase of roughly by blaming outside factors. gress, Putin said. "Was that also the state employment service Applications are expected to asset to have taken in so many 800,000 or nearly 9 percent in Putin suggested that the our doing?" "They are losing on told Reuters in an interview. drop by around 80 percent this born abroad.” the last decade. Most of the hackers behind the massive all fronts and are looking for the In 2015, a record 163,000 year. “The way forward is not to increase has come from immi- breach of Democratic Party guilty party on the side," he people sought asylum in Swe- However, without significant have less immigration.” gration. But last year’s abrupt emails did a public service by said. "That's beneath their dig- den, the highest per capita in immigration, Sweden faces a With a low birthrate and the U-turn on generous asylum rules exposing "true information" nity. You have to lose with Europe, part of an influx of more labour shortage in the coming proportion of retirees rising, threatens to cut off much needed which is more important than dignity." than a million people who years, Hakan Gustavsson, head Sweden needs immigration of labour.w

Barbara hits British coast EU regrets US spat over beef ban Brussels obligations and was not based feud would die down. The EU AFP on scientific evidence. "stands ready to listen to any "The EU has fully complied, concern that the US Adminis- he European Union yes- both in the letter and in spirit," tration may wish to raise," the terday warned of a "most with a 2009 compromise deal, statement said. Tunfortunate" souring of the commission, which handles The salvo came weeks after trade relations with the US after bloc trade policy, said in a the collapse of ambitious trade Washington relaunched a fight statement. talks between the two sides fol- against an EU ban on imports of "The termination of this lowing the victory of Donald hormone-treated American agreement and the possible Trump, who dislikes big trade beef. application of duties on EU accords. The US on Thursday exports to the US would cer- European officials had reignited the long-standing feud, tainly constitute a most hoped the dispute would be taking Brussels by surprise with unfortunate step backward in dropped once and for all via the just four weeks left in the the strong EU-US trade rela- trade deal, known as the Trans- Obama Administration. tions," the statement added. atlantic Trade and Investment Washington said it would But the EU said it "will con- Partnership, that was under Waves crash onto the traintracks near Saltcoats in Ayrshire, Scotland, as Storm Barbara revert back to a World Trade tinue implementing" the 2009 negotiation since 2013. But with begins to hit the British coastline, yesterday. Organization decision in 1998 truce, which allowed Europe to those talks now moribund, that ruled that an EU ban on import non-hormone treated Washington said that the US is imports of US beef violated WTO American beef, in hopes that the reinstating its trade action. Balkan youngsters emigrate en masse for better prospects

Belgrade tens of thousands of young peo- country of about 620,000 peo- Croatia has a 43 percent young Kosovan dreams of leav- 5,000-euro ($5,200) bribe to get AFP ple who have abandoned the ple. Studies show that most of unemployment rate among 15 to ing and continuing his a job in Sarajevo University Western Balkans in the face of those leaving in the massive 24-year-olds, and its entry to the professional career abroad," said hospital. leksa Konstantinov was unemployment, corruption and regional "brain drain" are well- European Union in 2013 has ena- Blerim Cakolli, a waiter and law "I couldn't afford that, nei- one of the brightest maths low wages, looking for better educated youngsters. bled youngsters to flock to graduate in the capital Pristina. ther financially nor morally," she Astudents in Serbia this prospects in western Europe or "Universities in the US and Germany, their preferred desti- Cakolli, 31, said he had been said. In the poverty-stricken year but like many Balkan America. Britain... offer many more oppor- nation followed by Britain. looking for a job in the legal pro- northern Bosnian region of youngsters he immediately left The World Economic tunities," 19-year-old In Macedonia, "about 85 per- fession for more than four years. Tuzla, the Alphabet InfoCentar for a US university after finish- Forum's 2016/17 Global Compet- Konstantinov told AFP by email cent of final-year university "The lack of opportunity for organises fortnightly meetings ing school. itiveness Report ranked Serbia from the Massachusetts Institute students have said that they see youngsters makes them ready to between foreign employers and Bosnian neurologist Sanina 137th out of 138 countries for of Technology (MIT), where he their future out of the country," leave and degrades our society," locals seeking work. Babic Ribic was either laughed "capacity to retain talent". Bos- is now studying. according to a government he said. Mersudin Mahmutbegovic, at or told she needed "political nia was ranked 134 and Croatia Last year a record 58,000 report. Kosovo is among the Across the region, those most the centre's head, said Germany or some other support" to get a 132, while Albania and Macedo- people left Serbia -- more than hardest-hit countries in the Bal- likely to leave are healthcare had signed an accord with sev- job after she graduated. She nia were just slightly ahead. double the yearly average of kans: half the population is aged providers. Babic Ribic, the eral Balkan countries, including moved to Germany to work three According to a recent study 26,000 between 2004 and 2013, under 28, but youth unemploy- 37-year-old neurologist now Bosnia, authorising the employ- years ago and now earns "four by Montenegro's Centre for Civic according to Vladimir Grecic, an ment stands at almost 60 working in the northeastern Ger- ment of up to 250,000 people Bosnian salaries". Education, half of its young peo- immigration expert and a Bel- percent. man town of Paderborn, said one from the region in its health sec- These are just two among the ple want to leave the small grade University professor. "Not only me but every of her Bosnian colleagues paid a tor by 2020. SATURDAY 24 DECEMBER 2016 EUROPE 11

Italian Police officers work next to the body of Anis Amri in a suburb of the northern city of Milan, yesterday. CENTRE: Two portraits released by German Federal Police Office showing Tunisian man identified as Anis Amri. RIGHT: Nour-Houda Amri, the mother of Anis Amri, reacts during a phone call as her son Abdelkader looks on. Berlin suspect shot dead

Big twist Milan Reuters Man shot dead was attacker: IS Amri was stopped by two policemen and Beirut market. The IS-linked Amaq body indicated he had travelled stake-out at a mosque in Berlin’s asked for his he suspect in the Ber- AFP agency said that "a soldier of by high speed train from France Moabit district early on Tuesday, identification papers. lin Christmas market the Islamic State" had carried to the northern Italian city of Germany’s rbb public broad- He pulled a gun and truck attack was killed he Islamic State (IS) out the attack "in response to Turin, the source said. Amri then caster reported. shot one of the two in a pre-dawn shoot- group said that the man appeals to target citizens of caught a regional train to the He had originally come to policemen, lightly out with police in a Tshot dead by Italian coalition countries". Milan suburbs. Europe in 2011, reaching the Ital- Tsuburb of the northern Italian police near Milan yesterday Germany is part of a US-led Minniti gave very few details ian island of Lampedusa by boat. wounding him in the city of Milan yesterday, Italy’s carried out the deadly truck coalition fighting IS in Iraq of the police operation, saying He told authorities he was a shoulder. He in turn interior minister said. attack on a Berlin Christmas and Syria. investigations were still in minor, though documents now was then shot dead “The man killed was without progress. He added that there indicate he was not, and he was by the police. a shadow of doubt Anis Amri,” tion, north of Milan. extraordinary service to our could be “future transferred to Catania, Sicily, Marco Minniti said, referring to When he was asked for his community,” Minniti said. One developments”. where he was enrolled in school. A rail ticket found on the 24-year-old Tunisian who is identification papers, Amri of the two policemen had only Islamic State has claimed Just months later he was Amri’s body suspected of driving the truck pulled a gun and shot one of the just started service and was on responsibility for the Berlin arrested by police after he indicated he had that smashed through a Berlin two policemen, lightly wound- his trial period. attack, in which the truck mowed attempted to set fire to the travelled by high market on Monday killing 12 ing him in the shoulder. He in A judicial source said that through a crowd of people and school, a senior police source speed train from people. turn was then shot dead by the police had a tip off that Amri bulldozed wooden huts selling said. He was later convicted of France to the Minniti told reporters that police. might be in the Milan area and Christmas gifts and snacks beside vandalism, threats, and theft. He northern Italian city Amri was stopped by two police- “These two extraordinary, that additional patrols had been a famous church in west Berlin. spent almost four years in two of Turin. men at around 3am in front of extremely young men, simply by sent out to look for him. Amri was caught on camera different prisons in Italy before the Sesto San Giovanni train sta- doing their duty, have done an A rail ticket found on Amri’s by German police on a regular being order out of the country.

Festive traffic Two arrested in Ukraine rebels agree Germany over to new armistice mall attack plot

Kiev Ukraine has seen as a series Berlin AFP of periodic truces that always AFP ended up being eventually bro- top Ukrainian insurgent ken during a conflict that has olice have arrested two said yesterday the rebels claimed nearly 10,000 lives. brothers on suspicion of Ahad agreed to an indefi- Russia denies playing a part Pplanning to attack one nite ceasefire negotiated by in the conflict. But its seat at the of Germany's biggest shop- Russia and Ukraine that would negotiating table underscores ping centres, authorities said go into effect this weekend. the sway it holds over the insur- yesterday, four days after a The latest truce was ham- gents from the mostly jihadist killed 12 people at a mered out with the help of Russian-speaking industrial Berlin Christmas market. European monitors and comes regions of Lugansk and Police said they had amid a surge in fighting that Donetsk. arrested two men, aged 28 claimed the lives of eight The truce will come into and 31, originally from Kos- Ukrainian soldiers this week. force after Alexander Hug of the ovo, and were trying to Russia denies backing the Organisation for Security and establish how advanced the rebels but the West and Kiev Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) plot was and whether other Cars queue in traffic under Christmas lights in Saint Petersburg, Russia, yesterday. view them as Moscow proxies warned this week of a "massive people were involved. who initiated a 31-month con- upsurge in violence" in a coun- Acting on a tip-off from flict in Ukraine's industrial east try that has turned into a the intelligence services, to throw Kiev's pro-Western broken bridge between Russia police were deployed to the government off balance. and the West. Hug said his shopping complex and a The truce is meant to come organisation in recent weeks nearby Christmas market in into force at midnight Saturday had recorded a 75-percent Greek gran becomes oldest surrogate mum the western city of Ober- (Friday 2200 GMT) and last increase in violations of a hausen late Thursday, they through at least the holiday sea- ceasefire agreed in February Athens baby girl was born on Tuesday TV station Star. Pantos said that said. The mall that was tar- son. "The indefinite truce will 2014 to little effect. The deputy AFP via caesarian section after a 7.5- "based on international records, geted, CentrO, is one of the go into effect at midnight," the chief of the OSCE's Special month pregnancy, weighing this is the oldest surrogate largest in Germany with separatists' main news site Monitoring Mission for Ukraine 67-year-old Greek grand- 1.2kg. "I feel more like a grand- mother who is also a grand- around 250 shops that are quoted rebel negotiator Denis added that the use of heavy mother has given birth to mother than a mother," said mother, based on her daughter's usually packed in the run-up Pushilin as saying. weapons banned by a tattered A her daughter's baby girl, Anastassia Ontou from a village medical condition." to Christmas. Pushilin's reported com- February 2015 peace agree- becoming the world's oldest near Larissa, central Greece, According to the Guinness The arrests come as ment comes a day after ment -- that neither side has such surrogate mother, her adding that she faced few prob- Book of Records, the oldest police frantically hunt for the Ukrainian army spokesman actually followed -- had risen medical team said yesterday. lems during the pregnancy. "It mother is Maria del Carmen Tunisian suspect accused of Oleksandr Motuzyanyk said by 300 percent. "This is a heroic grand- was an easy decision for me -- Bousada Lara from Spain, who ploughing a truck through that the military was ready to Ukraine and its pro-Russian mother," supervising my daughter was heartbroken was 66 years and 358 old when crowds packing one of Ber- implement a peace plan in the foes agreed a similar holiday obstetrician Constantinos Pan- after not being able to carry the she gave birth to twin boys in lin's most popular Christmas war-torn east. truce last year. tos told state television ERT. The baby herself," she told private Barcelona in 2006. markets on Monday. Conservative lawmaker Stephan Mayer, a critic of Merkel's liberal stance on ref- ugees, said the case "held up French prefer independent Macron for president-poll a magnifying glass" to the failings of her migration pol- icy. Germany took in more Paris May’s runoff vote, which Fillon on actual voting intentions sug- Fillon. Among National Front of European sanctions since it than a million refugees last Reuters is tipped to contest against the gest Macron will be eliminated voters the score was 56 percent annexed Crimea. Macron, an ex- year, many of them fleeing National Front’s own candidate, in the first round of voting on to 37 percent. The poll suggests investment banker and former violence in Syria, North Africa ost French voters includ- party leader Marine Le Pen. April 23. They have also consist- there is strong public opposition economy minister in the current and the Middle East. Neu- ing National Front According to yesterday’s ently shown former prime to many of Fillon’s flagship elec- Socialist government, comes in mann argued that German Msupporters think inde- Odoxa poll, the preference for minister Fillon, the candidate of tion plans. His proposal to curb a regular, if distant, third in polls security services lacked the pendent Emmanuel Macron Macron over Fillon was clear- the Les Republicains party, win- public funding of healthcare of voting intentions. manpower to maintain would make a better president cut among left-wingers as well ning the runoff against Le Pen. costs was opposed by 80 percent He has yet to produce a around-the-clock surveil- than conservative election front- as supporters of the anti-immi- In the Odoxa poll, 55 percent of respondents in the poll, and detailed programme but has por- lance of the 550 known runner Francois Fillon, an grant, anti-EU National Front. of respondents chose Macron deep cuts in a public service staff trayed himself as an independent radical Islamists in Germany. opinion poll showed yesterday. The poll questioned 1,015 peo- when asked whether he or Fil- by 62 percent. Some 59 percent reformist candidate who wants The government has appealed But other surveys suggest ple on December 21 and 22. lon would make a better opposed his call for closer ties to break from the tradition of for people to carry on as nor- Macron is unlikely to qualify for Other regular polls focusing president, against 39 percent for with Russia, which is the target left-versus-right politics. mal and not to give in to fear. 12 AMERICAS SATURDAY 24 DECEMBER 2016 Trump calls for increased nuclear capabilities

Massive boost Washington -- reminiscent of Cold War Russia's focus should be on be able to keep ourselves safe AFP pledges -- marks a jarring depar- "missile complexes that can reli- and secure and when others stop Trump made the ture from the stance of President ably penetrate any existing and building their nuclear weapons, statement on Twitter Barack Obama, who in a famous prospective missile defense sys- then we'll feel more secure in shortly after Putin merica must mas- speech in Prague in 2009 called tems," the Kremlin strongman that regard," she explained, but called for Russia to sively boost its for the elimination of nuclear added. A top Trump advisor tried sidestepped a question on reinforce its own nuclear capability weapons. In 2010, Obama and to soften the impact of the tweet, whether Trump was referring to nuclear capabilities. until the "world Russia's then president Dmitry saying the incoming president a specific actor posing new risks comes to its senses," Medvedev signed the so-called was not trying to change long- of proliferation. On Wednesday President-electA Donald Trump New START treaty that calls for standing US positions on a global Trump met with a group of Pen- In 2010, Obama and (pictured) said on Thursday, a significant reduction in the security issue. tagon brass including Vice Russia's then hours after a similar vow by Rus- nuclear arsenals of both "What he's saying is he wants Admiral James Syring, who heads president Dmitry sia's Vladimir Putin. countries. us to be ready to defend our- the Missile Defense Agency. Medvedev signed a Trump made the statement "The United States must Trump's remark came after selves and he's not making new Their conversations centered treaty that calls for a on Twitter, without providing greatly strengthen and expand Putin declared, "we need to policy," Kellyanne Conway, who on cutting costs to various mili- significant reduction details or context, a day after its nuclear capability until such strengthen the military potential on Thursday was tapped as tary programs, and it was not in the nuclear meeting a group of Pentagon top time as the world comes to its of strategic nuclear forces," while White House counselor, said in known if Trump's tweet was trig- arsenals of both brass, and shortly after Putin senses regarding nukes," Trump boasting about the Russian an interview with MSNBC. gered by information the countries. called for Russia to reinforce its tweeted. The open talk of ram- army's performance in its Syria "I think all the president- incoming president gleaned from own nuclear capabilities. ping up nuclear capabilities campaign. elect is saying is that we have to the US officials.

Probe launched into Seeking forgiveness NEWS BYTES Mexico police departments fireworks blasts toll at 35 Los Angeles were killed by officers in both AFP agencies at a higher rate in 2015 THE DEATH TOLL in than in any other county in US. a fiery wave of blasts uthorities in California The Guardian newspaper, at Mexico's largest fire- yesterday launched an which wrote a series of reports works market has risen Ainvestigation into two on both agencies, said 14 peo- to 35, authorities said police agencies in the state ple were killed in 2015 by law Thursday as mourners described as the deadliest in the enforcement in Kern County, held funerals for people country. Attorney General which has a population of just killed in the tragedy. Kamala Harris said the probe under 875,000. The toll rose as two into the Kern County Sheriff's That is opposed to 10 peo- females, a woman and a Office and the Bakersfield ple killed by officers in the five minor, died in the hospi- Police Department will exam- boroughs of New York City, tal, the government said. ine allegations of excessive use which has a population almost Alberto Rodriguez, a relative of a disappeared detainee, reproves the priest Fernando Of the 60 hurt in the of force and other serious mis- 10 times bigger and has about Montes (inside the car) as he leaves the "Punta Peuco" prison after a mass in which explosions Tuesday in conduct by both agencies. 23 times as many law enforce- dictatorship-era inmates charged with human rights crimes asked for forgiveness, in Tultepec outside Mex- "These investigations will ment officers. Santiago, Chile, yesterday. ico City, some remain objectively, impartially, and The American Civil Liber- in critical condition. At thoroughly examine whether ties Union welcomed the probe, the time of the blast the the Kern County Sheriff's Office which will be conducted by Cal- market was packed with or the Bakersfield Police ifornia's Department of Justice, customers buying pyro- Department engaged in a pat- saying it marked "an important CIA warns against hacking response technics for traditional tern or practice of excessive first step toward much-needed year-end festivities. force or other civil rights viola- improvements in accountabil- Washington techniques that our adversaries country’s greatness,” Brennan Christmas and New tions," Harris said in a ity and use of force in Kern Reuters employ against us. I think we said. Year parties in many Latin statement. "We look forward to County." need to remember what we’re US officials have accused American countries often working collaboratively with "More people die in police entral Intelligence Agency fighting for,” Brennan told Russian President Vladimir wrap up with a fireworks the sheriff's office and the custody there per capita than Director John Brennan has National Public Radio in an Putin of supervising his intelli- free-for-all. police department, as well as any other county in the nation, Cwarned the US govern- interview that aired yesterday. gence agencies’ hacking during Funeral services were with the community, to address and both the Kern County Sher- ment against a tit-for-tat “We’re fighting for our the US presidential election in held Thursday for two any civil rights violations or iff's Office and the Bakersfield response to Russian hacking country, our democracy, our an effort to help Republican women and a 12-year- other issues that we may find Police Department have unen- during the presidential way of life, and to engage. And Donald Trump. Russian officials old girl. Mariachi bands during these investigations." viable records of high profile election. the skullduggery that some of have denied accusations of played ranchera music as A series of complaints and use of force incidents that often “I don’t think we should our opponents and adversaries interference in the November 8 people in the congrega- community groups, people result in fatalities," group said. resort to some of the tactics and engage in, I think is beneath this election won by Trump.. tion wept openly. "It is a tragedy that will mark us forever as a town. Who knows if some day God will allow us to recover," Christmas purchase New Mexico approves said Yolanda Ruiz, a reopening of N-waste site 48-year-old nurse. Odebrecht San Francisco Carlsbad. The Waste Isolation Reuters Pilot Plant (WIPP) in southeast- bribe takers to ern New Mexico has been shut ew Mexico has given its down indefinitely since Febru- be punished approval to resume ary 2014, when a barrel of Noperations at the plutonium-contaminated PANAMA'S government nation’s only permanent debris entombed half a mile warned of punishment for nuclear waste disposal site after beneath the desert floor rup- public employees who state inspectors found the facil- tured, spewing radiation that took any of the more than ity safe to reopen for the first leaked to the surface. $59m in bribes paid by time since a radiation leak there The accident, in which 22 Brazilian construction nearly three years ago, officials workers were exposed, ranked company Odebrecht in said on Thursday. as the facility’s worst mishap return for contracts. However, it remained since it opened in 1999. The site, The declaration by unclear how much longer it privately operated under con- President Juan Carlos would take the US Energy tract for the US, was built for Varela's administration Department to complete its the disposal of radioactive came a day after US offi- checklist of corrective actions refuse generated for decades cials said Odebrecht and A woman looks at Christmas ornaments at a shop in Tlapujahua, Michoacan State, inspectors have identified as by the DOE’s network of its petrochemical affili- Mexico, yesterday. necessary to resume waste bur- nuclear weapons laboratories ate Braskem had agreed ial at the site near the town of and development facilities. to pay $3.5bn in "the larg- est-ever global foreign bribery resolution." The Odebrecht con- Brazilian women shun pregnancy due to Zika: Survey glomerate pleaded guilty to bribing government officials and political par- Paris pregnancy" due to the virus, intentions among women in Bra- 1,600 babies have been born significant difference, however, ties to the tune of $788m to AFP according to an article in the zil," said co-author Marcelo with microcephaly since last among religious groups, with 58 secure business on three medical journal BMJ. More than Medeiros, a professor at the Uni- year, according to the World percent of Catholics and 55 per- continents -- mostly in ore than half of young a quarter of the women, how- versity of Brasilia. Health Organization (WHO). The cent of evangelical women Brazil, but also in 11 other Brazilian women have ever, reported that the Zika While Zika causes only mild UN's global health agency ended saying they had sought to avoid countries in Latin Amer- Mshunned pregnancy due epidemic -- which has swept symptoms in most people, preg- the Zika global health emergency pregnancy. "Brazil must urgently ica and Africa. to Zika, which can cause birth across the country since mid- nant women with the virus risk -- declared in February 2016 -- re-evaluate its reproductive Under the plea agree- defects, according to research 2015 -- had not discouraged giving birth to babies with last month. Brazil has refused to health policies to ensure better ment, Brazil will receive released yesterday. them from trying to have a child. microcephaly -- a crippling downgrade the risk, and some access to contraception," the 80 percent of Odebrecht's In a national survey in June 16% said they had not been deformation that leads to abnor- experts have criticised the WHO authors wrote in BMJ. The sur- fines, while the United of more than 2,000 literate planning to get pregnant in any mally small brains and heads. decision. In the survey, women vey data was extracted from a States and Switzerland women in Brazil aged 18 to 39, case. "The results provide an More than 1.5 million people of colour were more likely to larger study called the Brazilian will garner 10 percent 56 percent said they had important first glimpse into how have been infected with Zika, report avoiding pregnancy than National Abortion Survey, each. "avoided, or tried to avoid Zika has shaped pregnancy mainly in Brazil, and more than white women. There was no Medeiros said. SATURDAY 24 DECEMBER 2016 CLASSIFIEDS 13

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CONCEPTIS SUDOKU

08:00 News 10:10 Gold Rush 10:10 Dr. Jeff: Rocky 11:00 Counting Cars: 08:30 Fault Lines 11:00 Deadliest Mountain Vet Best Of 09:00 Witness Catch 11:05 Wildest Islands 11:25 Storage Wars 10:30 Inside Story 11:50 Catching Of Indonesia Christmas 11:00 News Monsters 12:00 Tanked Special 11:30 12:15 I Knew... 13:30 Fat N' Furious: 12:55 Bondi Vet Billion Dollar 12:00 News 13:20 Bondi Vet Wreck 12:30 Rolling Thunder 13:50 13:05 Counting the Cost 16:00 Fat N' Furious: Ten Deadliest Swamp 13:00 NEWSHOUR People: Swamp Rolling Snakes With 14:00 News Nigel Marven Christmas Thunder 14:30 Inside Story 14:45 The Beauty Of 13:55 Hunting Hitler 16:50 Sacred Steel 15:00 Indian Hospital Snakes 16:25 Hunting Hitler Bikes 16:00 NEWSHOUR 16:35 Ten Deadliest 17:15 Pawn Stars 17:40 Kings Of The 17:00 News Snakes Australia 17:30 Wild 18:25 17:40 UpFront 18:30 Ten Deadliest Shipping Wars 18:00 newsgrid Sydney Snakes With 18:05 Shipping Wars 19:00 News Harbour Nigel Marven 18:30 Pawn Stars Yesterday's answer 19:30 Latin America 20:10 The Return Of The 19:20 Lone Star Law 18:55 Pawn Stars South Investigates Monster Mako 20:15 Life On Africa Conceptis Sudoku: Conceptis Sudoku is a number- 20:00 News 21:00 Castro: The World's Earth: A New 20:10 Storage Wars placing puzzle based on a 9×9 grid. The object is to 20:30 Inside Story Most Watched Prehistory Texas place the numbers 1 to 9 in the empty squares so 21:00 NEWSHOUR Man 21:10 Dr. Jeff: Rocky 21:00 American that each row, each column and each 3×3 box 22:00 News 22:40 Alaska: The Last Mountain Vet Pickers contains the same number only once. 22:30 I Knew... Frontier 22:05 Tanked 22:40 Time Team 23:00 23:30 The Crusades: An 23:30 Gold Rush 23:00 Lone Star Law DB Cooper: Case 23:55 CROSSWORD Arab Perspective 01:35 Fast N' Loud Gator Boys Closed? HAGAR THE HORRIBLE

NOVO SHOWING AT VILLAGGIO & CITY CENTER Office Christmas Party (2D/Comedy) 10:30am, 12:40, 2:50, 5:00, 7:10, 9:20 & 11:30pm Passengers (Drama) 2D 10:00am, 1:00, 3:30, 2:40, 6:00, 7:20, 8:30, 9:40, 11:00pm & 12:00midnight 3D 12:20 & 5:00pm Sing (Animation) 2D 10:00, 11:00am, 12:00noon, 1:00, 2:00, 3:00, 4:00, 5:00, 6:00, 7:00, 8:00, 10;00pm 3D 12:00noon, 4:00 & 8:00pm Saber Google (2D/Arabic) 12:00noon The Last King (2D/Action) 10:00am, 12:00noon, 2:00, 4:00, 6:00, 8:00, 10:00pm & 12:00midnight Moana (2D/Animation) 10:15am, 12:30, 2:45, 5:00 & 7:15pm Blackburn (2D/Horror) 9:30 & 11:15pm Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2D/Action) 9:00 & 1145pm Saber Google (2D/Arabic) 10:30am, 3:00 & 5:30pm Collateral Beauty (2D/Drama) 1:00, 8:00, 10:00pm & 12:00midnight Dangal (2D/Hindi) 10:00am, 1:15, 4:30, 7:45 & 11:30pm Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (3D IMAX/Adventure) 10:00am, 12:45, 3:30, 6:15, 9:00 & 11:45pm

MALL Dangal (2D/Hindi) 11:15am, 2:00, 8:00 & 11:00pm Sing (2D/Animation) 11:45am, 2:00, 4:00 & 6:00pm Blackburn (2D/Horror) 2:00pm 10 Kalppanakal (2D/Malayalam) 1:15 & 11:30pm Blackburn (2D/Horror) 11:45am Moana (2D/Animation) 3:30pm Sapthagiri Express (Telugu) 5:00pm Office Christmas Party (2D/Comedy) 5:30 & 9:30pm Passengers (2D/Adventure) 7:30 & 11:30pm Saber Google (2D/Arabic) 7:30pm The Last King (2D/Action) 9:45pm LANDMARK Dangal (2D/Hindi) 11:30am, 4:30, 8:30 & 11:00pm Sing (2D/Animation) 11:30am, 2:00, 4:00 & 6:00pm Blackburn (2D/Horror) 2:00pm 10 Kalppanakal (2D/Malayalam) 11:45am, 2:15 & 11:30pm Moana (2D/Animation) 3:30pm Saber Google (2D/Arabic) 5:30pm Office Christmas Party (2D/Comedy) 6:30 & 9:30pm The Last King (2D/Action) 7:45pm Passengers (2D/Adventure) 9:30 & 11:30pm

ROYAL PLAZA 10 Kalppanakal (2D/Malayalam) 11:45am, 7:15 & 11:30pm Sing (2D/Animation) 2:00, 4:00 & 6:00pm The Last King (2D/Action) 2:00pm Dangal (2D/Hindi) 11:30am, 2:15, 8:00 & 11:00pm Moana (2D/Animation) 3:45pm Office Christmas Party (2D/Comedy) 5:15 & 9:30pm ALL IN THE MIND Blackburn (2D/Horror) 5:45pm Saber Google (2D/Arabic) 7:15pm Passengers (2D/Adventure) 9:30 & 11:30pm

AEROBEE, APOLLO, CASSINI, CLEMENTINE, EARTH, ASIAN TOWN EXPLORER, GENESIS, GIOTTO, Sapthagiri Express (Telugu) 12:30pm HELIOS, HUBBLE, HUYGENS, Dangal (Hindi) 12:30, 3:00, 3:45, 6:15, 7:00, 9:30 & 10:15pm IMAGE, JUPITER, KOSMOS, Ore Mukam (Malayalam) 6:00pm Katapana (Malayalam) 12:30, 3:15, 8:30 & 11:15pm LUNA, MAGELLAN, MARINER, 10 Kalapanakal (Malayalam) 12:30, 3:00, 5:30, 8:00 & 10:30pm MARS, MERCURY, MIR, MUSES, NEAP, NEAR, NEPTUNE, NOZOMI, ORBITER, AL KHOR PHOBOS, PIONEER, PLUTO, Dangal (Hindi) 11:00am, 2:00, 5:00, 8:00, 9:00, 11:00pm & 12:00midnight RANGER, ROSETTA, Sing (Animation) 12:00noon, 2:15, 4:30 & 6:45pm Moana (Animation) 11:30, 2:00 & SAKIGAKE, SATURN, 4:30pm Office Christmas Party (Comedy) 7:00, 9:15 & 11:30pm SELENE, SKYLAB, SMART, SOHO, SPUTNIK, STARDUST, SUISEI, SURVEYOR, ULYSSES, ROXY URANUS, VEGA, VENERA, VENUS, VIKING, YOHKOH, Sing (Animation) 2:00, 4:00 & 6:00pm 10 Kalppanakal (Malayalam) 2:00, 4:40, ZOND. 7:20, 10:00pm & 12:30am Star Wars: Rogue One (Action) 2:00, 4:30, 7:00, 9:30pm & 12:00midnight Dangal (Hindi) 2:00, 5:30 , 8:00, 9:00, 11:15pm & 12:30am 16 MORNING BREAK SATURDAY 24 DECEMBER 2016

PRAYER TIMINGS Passengers & the Weekend fun FAJR 04.54 am SHOROOK 06.16 am real-life science ZUHR 11.33 am MAGHRIB 04.52 pm ASR 02.31 pm ISHA 06.22 pm of space travel WEATHER TODAY Los Angeles AFP o o rom "Aliens" to "Interstellar," Hollywood 18 C 26 C has long used suspended animation to Minimum Maximum Fovercome the difficulties of deep space travel, but the once-fanciful sci-fi staple is becoming scientific fact. The theory is that a hibernating crew could stay alive over vast cosmic distances, requir- ing little food, hydration or living space, potentially slashing the costs of interstellar missions and eradicating the boredom of space travel. But the technology has always been unattainable outside the fertile imaginations of filmmakers from Woody Allen and Ridley Scott to James Cameron and Christopher Nolan -- until now. Atlanta-based Spaceworks Enterprises is using a $500,000 grant from Nasa to leverage techniques used on brain A view of the weekend activities at Medina Centrale at The Pearl, yesterday. trauma and heart attack patients to develop Pic Kammutty VP / The Peninsula "low metabolic stasis" for missions to Mars and the asteroid belt. "It takes about six months to get out to Mars... There are a lot of demands, a lot of sup- port equipment required to keep people alive even during that period," said SpaceWorks CEO John Bradford The aerospace engineer Rockettes to perform at Trump inauguration told a panel in Los Angeles marking the release Wednesday of "Passengers," the latest movie Washington But Trump's inauguration most illustrious events such as Hazy to misty at places at first be- comes moderate temperature, rela- to explore suspended animation, that his com- AFP committee spokesman Boris Epsh- Super Bowl halftime shows, Macy's tively cold and misty by night. pany was adapting the medical technique of teyn insisted the event was taking Thanksgiving Day parades and HIGH TIDE 03:00 - 12:15 LOW TIDE 07:30 - 20:00 induced hypothermia to astronautics. he Radio City Rockettes shape, and said the Rockettes presidential inaugurations, includ- Hospitals lower the core temperature of dance troupe and a Mormon would headline it."We're extremely ing in 2001 and 2005," he said in Courtesy: Qatar Meteorology Department trauma patients by around 10 degrees Faren- Tchoir will perform at Donald excited. We've had a ton of great a statement. "We are honored that heit (12C) to achieve a 70 percent reduction Trump's inauguration next month, performers, entertainers, and just the Rockettes have again been in metabolism, although they are "shut down" the president-elect's team said, Americans reaching out wanting asked to perform in the upcoming for a couple of days rather than the months insisting the show is on for the Jan- to be a part" of it, he told CNN late inauguration festivities." astronauts would need. uary 20 event. Thursday. "And I can announce The delight at headlining the "We're evaluating it. We think it's medi- Only a smattering of artists right now on your air that the Trump festivities may not be uni- cally possible," Bradford told journalists. backed Trump's election bid, and Radio City Rockettes will be tak- versally shared by the dancers, Morten Tyldum's "Passengers" stars Chris Pratt the Republican has struggled to pin ing part in the inauguration according to trade website Broad- and Jennifer Lawrence as strangers on a 120- down big names for the ceremony celebration," he said. wayWorld.com.The site published year journey to the distant colony of in Washington, with high-profile The high-kick dancers will join details from an email by a senior Homestead II when their hibernation pods celebrities including Elton John 16-year-old singer Jackie Evancho member of the American Guild of wake them 90 years too early. While the turning down invites. and the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, Variety Artists, reacting to a Rock- research being done by SpaceWorks could Trump appeared to acknowl- the only other two acts announced ette performer's reluctance to take make 180-day journeys to Mars much more edge his difficult relations with top so far. James Dolan, executive part."We have received an email affordable, the technology is not capable -- US artists in a tweet Thursday chairman of The Madison Square from a Rockette expressing con- not yet -- of extending human life to allow for night, saying: "The so-called 'A' list Garden Company which owns the cern about getting 'involved in a the thousands of years required to reach our celebrities are all wanting tixs to dance troupe, said it was "hon- dangerous political climate' but I next nearest star. Even at the relatively small the inauguration, but look what ored" to perform.The Rockettes, must remind you that you are all Mars-like distances, "induced torpor" is not they did for Hillary, NOTHING. I "as treasured American icons, have employees," the union leader was without its challenges, says Bradford. want the PEOPLE!" taken part in some of the nation's quoted as saying. At 96, Cuban ballet legend still dancing

Havana question. Among her long list of roles, AFP she is best remembered for dancing "Giselle," the French romantic ballet he needs help sitting down, but that made her an international star. no sooner has she done it than But admirers also wax poetic on SAlicia Alonso is tapping her foot her "Cuban version" of classics like three times and giving orders in a "Carmen," "The Sleeping Beauty," good-natured but authoritative tone. "Coppelia," "Swan Lake" and "The Nut- At age 96, the Cuban ballerina, one cracker." Viengsay Valdes, Alonso's of the most revered dancers of all time, current prima ballerina, recounts how is blind and frail. But she hasn't lost a she was once invited to Russia to dance step, or her outsise role in Cuban "their version" of "Carmen." She ballet. insisted on dancing Alonso's instead. "Ready to start? Let's start!" she "I defend all her work, everything says in a firm voice, opening a she's created," Valdes told AFP. rehearsal on the second floor of the Another one-time protegee, Aurora National Ballet of Cuba -- which she Bosch, who is now 74, recalls how launched together with her first hus- Alonso lured male dancers to join the band, Fernando Alonso, and which she company in this country where the cul- still directs. ture of machismo runs deep. Before her, the multi-racial com- "She would tell them we were pany is practicing "The Nutcracker," doing fencing classes," she says. which it will perform on January 1 to "When they would start rehears- commemorate the 58th anniversary ing ballet steps, they would say, 'Wait, Director of Cuba's National Ballet, Alicia Alonso (centre), attends a of the Cuban Revolution. where's the sword?'" But drawn in by Alonso cannot see the dancers, but training session in Havana. Alonso's magnetism, they would even- she imagines every movement. tually relent and stay. "I dance here, in my mind," she to be eternal, eternal, and reach the seducing audiences with her exuber- "And today, our school, our way of often says. Ever flamboyant, the entire world," she tells her young danc- ant steps. A disciplined but feisty dancing, stands out in large part woman nicknamed the "prima balle- ers. "You have it in your hands, your dancer, she conquered Havana, New because of our male dancers," says rina assoluta" is wearing enormous bodies, your faces. And you have the York, and a host of European capitals, Bosch. Alonso hung up her ballet slip- sunglasses, bright red pants and a happiness to do it," she says, adding: then went on to become a renowned pers in 1995, at the age of 75 -- nearly headscarf to match, with fuchsia lip- "How I envy you!" Alonso, who turned choreographer, known for making her 60 years after making her debut on stick and long, pink nails. down myriad offers to leave Cuba dancers rehearse to the point of Broadway in 1938. At her side, two dancers whisper throughout her career, has created a perfection. The newest generation of Cuban every move in the choreography. unique school of ballet on the island, She has faced criticism in some talent has never seen her dance. But Alonso, who danced much of her instantly recognisable with its blend quarters for her close relationship with the reverence remains. Patricio Reve, career sightless after suffering a of classical style and Latin sensuality. the communist regime of late revolu- a rising star at 18 years old, says he has detached retina as a young woman, At nearly 100 years old, she is a leg- tionary leader Fidel Castro, whose retained one great lesson from the traces out giant movements in the air end. It was a lifetime ago that Alonso backing was instrumental in the launch company's founder. with her hands. -- born Alicia Ernestina de la Caridad of the National Ballet. "Alicia always insists on the need "You're doing something that has del Cobre Martinez del Hoyo -- began But her status as an icon is beyond to dance and defend the Cuban school."