BUSINESS | Page 1 QATARQATAR | Page 24 Lower Saxony Park Hyatt PM says LNG Doha Hotel terminal opens in set to off er Msheireb new markets Downtown for Qatar

published in QATAR since 1978

MONDAY Vol. XXXX No. 11384 December 2, 2019 Rabia II 5, 1441 AH

GULF TIMES www. gulf-times.com 2 Riyals

Confi dent Qatar eye Amir appoints Lolwah Alkhater as Assistant to FM semis spot His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani issued yesterday Amiri Decision No 56 of 2019, appointing HE Lolwah Rashid Alkhater (pictured) as Assistant to the Minister of Foreign Aff airs, HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad al-Thani inaugurated Qatari Diar’s Anantara-Tozeur Resort project in Tunisia yesterday. in Gulf Cup in addition to her duties as Official A number of ministers, ambassadors, dignitaries, and Qatari and Tunisian businessmen attended the ceremony. Spokesperson for the Ministry of Exciting day on cards with semi-final spots up for grabs Foreign Affairs. The decision is effective starting from its date of By Sahan Bidappa issue and is to be published in the Doha official gazette. Sheikh Joaan opens Qatari GCC Summit in Riyadh t’s a blockbuster day at the 24th on December 10 Arabian Gulf Cup, with four Imatches scheduled today to decide The Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC) Diar resort in Tunisia the three semi-fi nalists. Iraq has al- will hold its 40th Summit in Riyadh ready sealed a spot in the semis, with on December 10, Kuwait News two victories in two matches, but it Agency reported yesterday. QNA which embodies the distinguished tributaries and distinct addition to hasn’t been a smooth sailing for the Tozeur, Tunisia brotherly relations between the two tourism in Tunisia. rest of the seven teams. Iraq’s PM bows countries and increases the economic HE Sheikh Joaan thanked the Tu- At the Khalifa International Sta- relations. nisian government for providing con- dium, Qatar will take on the United out after unrest E the President of Qatar Olym- For his part, Tunisian Minister of tinuous support and co-operation Arab Emirates in their last Group A The government of Iraq’s Prime pic Committee, Sheikh Joaan Tourism and Acting Minister of Trans- during the project. game with the hosts needing just a Qatar coach Felix Sanchez during a Minister Adel Abdel Mahdi ended Hbin Hamad al-Thani, yesterday port Rene Trabelsi praised the work The CEO of Qatari Diar, Engineer draw to enter the last four. After their training session in Doha yesterday. yesterday after two months inaugurated Qatari Diar’s Anantara- accomplished at the resort, which rep- Abdullah bin Hamad al-Attiyah, said loss to Iraq in the opening game, Qatar of violent unrest that has left Tozeur Resort project in Tunisia. A resents a distinguished Qatari invest- that the opening of this resort is the bounced back in splendid fashion with but lost to an impressive Iraq side in more than 420 people dead and number of ministers, ambassadors, ment in Tunisia and a testimony to the culmination of the company’s ongoing a 6-0 rout of Yemen. That huge win on their next game. thousands mourning them in dignitaries, and Qatari and Tunisian strength of the distinguished Qatari- work over the past years since Qatari Friday has given the Asian Champions UAE coach Bert Van Marwijk con- nationwide marches. As anti- businessmen attended the ceremony. Tunisian relations in all fi elds. Diar purchased an area of 400,000sq a fi ve-goal advantage, which means ceded Qatar will start as favourites, government demonstrators across HE Sheikh Joaan said that he is de- HE the Chairman of Qatari Diar, m in Tozeur in order to create a dis- Qatar needs just a point against the saying his team lacks experience com- the strife-torn country massed lighted to attend this distinguished Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa al-Thani, tinctive desert resort based on the UAE. pared to the hosts. “Qatar has play- to honour the fallen activists, occasion with the inauguration of the said in his opening speech that Qatari cultural heritage of the region to pro- However, head coach Felix Sanchez ers who have been playing for years parliament met to accept the Qatari Diar project and proud of the Diar is delighted to open this resort, vide a distinct experience bearing the has cautioned his players to approach with each other, and this has shown in resignation which the 77-year-old company’s achievement in Tunisia, which it hopes will be one of the main imprint of Qatari Diar. To Page 24 the game with a positive mindset and their performance. Our project started had off ered two days before. Page 11 not to settle for anything but a victory. months ago with new players, but there “We are going for a win because play- is a positive development despite the ing for a draw is dangerous. It is always short period of preparation,” he added. important to look for three points. It Meanwhile, in Group B all the four 24th Arabian Gulf Cup will be a diffi cult game but we feel very teams – Oman, Kuwait, Saudi Ara- UN offi cial hails Qatar’s labour reforms confi dent,” the Spaniard said on the bia and Bahrain are in contention for eve of the game. a place in the semi-fi nals. Saudi, who Today’s Schedule The Qatar coach has called on the were shocked by Kuwait in the opening QNA This came during a press confer- invitation to the special procedures home fans to fi ll the stadium in large game, threw the group wide open when 5:30pm: Qatar vs UAE Doha ence held by Achiume yesterday at mechanisms of the United Nations numbers and cheer for their team. “I they beat Bahrain on Saturday. the end of a visit to Qatar from No- Human Rights Council. hope the stadium will be full. We need Today in an 8pm kick-off at the Ab- 8pm: Kuwait vs Bahrain vember 23 to December 1, during She said that she was impressed to have the support of the fans. The dullah Bin Khalifa Stadium, Saudi will he UN Special Rapporteur on which she met with government of- by the tremendous reforms imple- fans motivate us and they push us to lock horns with defending champions Venue: contemporary forms of rac- fi cials, academics, representatives of mented by the Qatari government in give our best,” Sanchez said. Oman, who lead the group with four Khalifa International Stadium Tism, racial discrimination, ethnic and religious minorities and the laws of citizenship and xenopho- The last time Qatar faced UAE was points. In another match, Kuwait take xenophobia and related intolerance, international organisations working bia, although it did not address all the in the semi-fi nals of the Asian Cup in on Bahrain around the same time at the 5:30pm: Yemen vs Iraq E Tendayi Achiume, has praised the in the country. problems. Abu Dhabi in January this year, where Khalifa International Stadium. 8pm: Oman vs Saudi Arabia signifi cant reforms that Qatar has Achiume stressed that positive re- She added that she was pleased they romped to a 4-0 victory en route While a draw for Oman would be implemented to improve the condi- forms in nature and magnitude were with Qatar’s commitment to many of to winning their maiden continental enough to make it to the last four, Venue: tions of low-income migrant work- “extremely important” and appreci- these reforms to improve the condi- title. It’s expected to be a close contest Saudi, Kuwait and Bahrain will all need Abdullah Bin Khalifa Stadium ers, noting that more reforms will be ated Qatar’s pledge to combat rac- tions of low-income earners, which this time around. Like Qatar, UAE beat victories to ensure a place in the semis. undertaken by the state in early 2020. ism and appreciated the state’s open deserves credit. To Page 10 Yemen in their fi rst match at Gulf Cup, Sport Pages 1, 2, 3 Qatar to host 16th international junior Olympiad from tomorrow

By Joseph Varghese in the fi eld of science with their peers istry and laboratory. We have made Staff Reporter at the international level,” noted Dr al- extensive arrangements to conduct Naimi. the Olympiad in the digital format, a Al-Khater said that the Olympiad fi rst in the history of the Olympiad. In he Ministry of Education and is an opportunity to gain many skills case of any problems with the digital Higher Education will host the for the students of Qatar. “As the host format, we have made plans for paper T16th edition of the International country Qatar is eligible to have four based tests too. Our preparation as Junior Science Olympiad (IJSO) 2019 teams while other countries will have Scientifi c Committee took more than from tomorrow until December 12. only one team each. Students who are six months of continuous work and Qatar is the fi rst Arab country to below 15 are eligible to take part in the periodic meetings. The International host this Olympiad to be held under event. The experience from the event Inspection team is highly satisfi ed the theme ‘Towards a Generation En- will benefi t not only the students but with the preparations for the event,” joying the Skills of Tomorrow’ with also the educational leaders and teach- described Dr al-Ali. the participation of 70 countries from ers and will contribute to the realisa- Al-Buainain pointed out that all around the world. Officials announcing details of the International Junior Science Olympiad yesterday. PICTURE: Ram Chand tion of Qatar’s National Vision 2030,” the logistic part for the event has been “The event will be held at Qatar Na- pointed out al-Khater. taken care of and the Olympiad is ex- tional Convention Centre,” Dr Ibrahim sistant undersecretary for Educa- Buainain, acting assistant undersec- lations Committee were also present. According to Dr al-Ali, the Scientifi c pected to be held very smoothly. bin Saleh al-Naimi, Undersecretary at tional Aff airs and vice-chairperson of retary for Shared Services Aff airs and “About 700 participants including Committee has been actively involved The opening ceremony of the event the Ministry of Education and Higher the Olympiad Higher Committee, Dr chairman of the Olympiad Organis- offi cials are expected to take part in in the preparation of the materials will be held on December 4. On De- Education and chairman of the Olym- Khaled al-Ali, acting assistant under- ing Committee and Hassan Abdullah IJSO 2019, which is a collaborative ef- for the Olympiad for more than six cember 9 there will be a cultural pro- piad Higher Committee for IJSO 2019, secretary for Higher Education and al-Mohammadi, director of Public fort with various universities. It is also months. gramme at the Amphitheatre at Katara told a press conference yesterday. chairman of the Scientifi c Committee Relations and Communication and an opportunity for us to compare the “The Olympiad will be held in four and the closing ceremony will be held Fawzia Abdulaziz al-Khater, as- for the Olympiad, Ali Abdullah al- chairman of the Olympiad Public Re- scientifi c performance of our students disciplines of biology, physics, chem- on December 12. Gulf Times 2 Monday, December 2, 2019 QATAR

Amir greets Amir condoles Speaker meets US Congress delegation Romanian leader His Highness the Amir Sheikh with Tunisian Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani and His Highness the Deputy Amir president Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad al-Thani have sent cables of congratulations to Romanian QNA President Klaus Werner Iohannis, Doha on the occasion of his country’s National Day. HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Interior is Highness the Amir Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Sheikh Tamim bin Ha- Khalifa al-Thani has sent a similar Hmad al-Thani and His cable to Romanian Prime Minister Highness the Deputy Amir Ludovic Orban. Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad al- Thani have sent cables to Presi- Amir condoles dent Kais Saied of Tunisia con- doling the victims of the crash with Putin of a tourist bus in Ain Snoussi, northwest Tunisia, wishing the His Highness the Amir Sheikh injured a speedy recovery. Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani HE the Prime Minister and and His Highness the Deputy Minister of Interior Sheikh Ab- Amir Sheikh Abdullah bin dullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa al- HE the Speaker of the Shura Council Ahmed bin Abdullah bin Zaid al-Mahmoud yesterday met a delegation from the US Congress, including Representative for New York Hamad al-Thani sent cables Thani also sent a cable of con- Sean Maloney, Representative for Washington Rick Larsen and Representative for California Nanette Barragan. During the meeting, they reviewed the strategic relations to Russian President Vladimir dolences to the Caretaker Prime between Qatar and the US, and ways of supporting these relations in various fields, in addition to developing the relations between the Shura Council and the US Congress. Putin condoling the victims of Minister of Tunisia Youssef A number of topics of common interest were also reviewed. The meeting was attended by HE the Chairman of Qatar Parliamentary Friendship Group with the United States, a passenger bus crash in the Chahed, wishing the injured a Canada, Australia and New Zealand Nasser bin Khalil al-Jaida and a number of Shura Council members. Sretensk region, eastern Russia, speedy recovery. wishing the injured a speedy recovery. HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa al-Thani sent a similar cable of condolences to Russian Prime QRCS intensifi es development activities in Qatar Minister Dmitry Medvedev. FM meets US ver 2019, Qatar Red Crescent “The guide serves as a general alwork, electric networks, refrigeration, Society (QRCS) has intensifi ed framework of governance, under and A/C, under the Imdad programme. lawmakers Oits development activities in Qa- QRCS’s strategy of ensuring the high- In total, 116 inmates benefi ted from the tar, with over 53,465 benefi ciaries, such est quality and transparency in opera- workshops and 200 members of their HE the Deputy Prime Minister and as widows, orphans, patients, school tional and administrative processes,” families benefi ted from social support Minister of Foreign Aff airs Sheikh students, and other vulnerable groups, said al-Sulaiti. “QRCS is the region’s and life coaching. Mohamed bin Abdulrahman as well as QRCS male and female volun- only humanitarian organisation to One of the major achievements of al-Thani met yesterday with a teers. adopt a governance guide for its Board 2019 was “One Hand”, a programme delegation of the US Congress, According to a recent report from of Directors, departments, and sec- aimed at promoting a culture of peace, who are currently visiting Doha. QRCS’s Volunteering and Local Devel- tions”. coexistence, and social integration During the meeting, the two sides opment Division, the Social Care Sec- As regards the Patients Support among expatriate workers. It held com- reviewed bilateral relations. tion provided a wide range of assistance Fund, which covers the costs of treat- munity awareness sessions for 44 work- for needy groups. Its Humanitarian ment, medications, surgeries, and ers. Qatar condemns Services Fund provided diverse cash aid medical aids for poor patients, it has so The Volunteers Section has more than US shooting for 5,459 poor families, families with no far helped 13,495 benefi ciaries, as fol- 4,800 registered volunteers of Qataris breadwinner, and victims of emergency lows: social and health support (9,000), and residents, who contributed to many Qatar condemned the shooting like fi re or accident. treatment (1,100), and Cordiality Ram- activities, events, and services. They incident in the US city of New Muna Fadel al-Sulaiti, director of the adan Iftar (3,395). recorded 15,437 volunteering hours in Orleans, which resulted in the Volunteering and Local Development The Local Development Section holds total. injury of 11 people. In a statement Division, revealed the release of a guide development programmes addressed to QRCS holds many activities in Qatar. To build the capacity of volunteers, yesterday, the Ministry of to the Humanitarian Services Fund, certain social groups, including school 29 training courses were held for 826 Foreign Aff airs reiterated Qatar’s specifying the standards, policies, and students, expatriate workers, and peni- ing were provided for 10,278 schoolchil- In co-operation with the Ministry of trainees. A Time Bank website was con- firm stance rejecting violence, procedures that regulate the relation tentiary inmates. dren, teachers, and administrative staff Interior and Qatar Scientifi c Club, voca- structed to help the volunteers to ex- terrorism, and criminal acts, between programme organisers and Under the QRCS School Programme, in fi rst aid skills, healthy practices, risk tional training workshops were held for change volunteering hours. So far, it has regardless of the motives and benefi ciaries. theoretical lectures and practical train- reduction, and earthquake evacuation. penitentiary inmates on welding, met- 105 members. causes.

Ooredoo unveils promotion for mobile broadband customers

oredoo announced raikhi, director, PR and yesterday a new Corporate Communica- Ooff er for mobile tions at Ooredoo, said: broadband customers in “We’re coming into a lovely time for the camping sea- time of year, and we know son. The new promotion many of our customers like will see customers who en- to spend time camping at joy camping being able to our beautiful sites around stay connected via Oore- the country. doo’s mobile broadband “We also know that stay- services. ing connected even when Customers buying an M1 camping is a huge priority, or M2 router and signing up scription to Starz Play and, even without purchase of as is great value for money, or upgrading to Ooredoo’s if they are an Ooredoo ONE the router; MBB Unlim- so we’re excited to off er Mobile Broadband Unlim- customer, a free subscrip- ited Lite customers will get this new promotion allow- ited Max package will get tion to the Ooredoo TV app. QR25 off the regular price ing our customers to en- 10% off the monthly sub- To ensure all new mobile of QR250, MBB Unlimited sure they can still surf the scription for six months, broadband customers are Standard customers will get Supernet and stay in touch or a QR50 discount off the getting a great deal, Oore- QR35 off the regular price of with friends and family for regular price of QR500 per doo is also off ering a 10% QR350, and MBB Unlimited less.” month. discount on monthly sub- MAX customers will get The camping season pro- They will also get a free scription costs for all Un- QR50 off the regular price motion is available through one-year beIN CONNECT limited Mobile Broadband of QR500. Ooredoo shops. Off ers are subscription and a free sub- packages for six months, Manar Khalifa al-Mu- valid until January 30, 2020.

Iconic 2022 building set to open today in Aspire Zone

The 2022 Iconic Landmark, the world’s first building in the shape of the number of a year, is to be opened in Doha’s Aspire Zone today at 11am to mark the anniversary of Qatar being announced the host of the 2022 FIFA World Cup on December 2, 2010. Gulf Times Monday, December 2, 2019 3 QATAR

Foreign Minister meets Lower Saxony PM Amir receives message from Albanian PM

His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani received yesterday a written message from Albanian Prime HE the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Aff airs Sheikh Mohamed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani yesterday Minister Edi Rama, pertaining to relations between Qatar and Albania. The message was received by HE the Minister met the Prime Minister of the federal state of Lower Saxony in Germany, Stephan Weil, who is currently visiting of State for Foreign Aff airs Sultan bin Saad al-Muraikhi during a meeting with the Charge d’Aff aires of the Albanian Qatar. During the meeting, bilateral relations and topics of common interest were reviewed. embassy in Doha, Kujtim Xhani.

Mexican FM meets Qatar, Germany launch UNDP Accelerator Lab in Azerbaijan Qatari ambassador

QNA of great importance in the pres- on development, approaches world’s countries. the State and those who imple- Baku ence of responsible leadership, and solutions, and to diagnose Al-Henzab underlined that ment them. good governance and strategic those that do not work, adding local teams in the UNDP Ac- UNDP, in partnership with decision to participate in global that the Accelerator Laboratory celerator Labs network will be Qatar, represented by the Qatar atar, in partnership with eff orts to achieve prosperity for network, the fastest and larg- able through the collective in- Fund For Development (QFFD) Germany and the Unit- the peoples. telligence of 60 labs across the and the Republic of Germany, Qed Nations Develop- The ambassador added that “We are delighted to world, including those related to have established this global net- ment Programme (UNDP), has according to Qatar Vision 2030 off er innovative ways to their relationships, contextual work of labs to diagnose obsta- launched one of the 60 Acceler- and its driving force for its for- accelerate our pace and insights, and local dynamics in cles to the achievement of the ator Labs to achieve the Sustain- eign policy of international co- achieve relevant results each country, to create a faster Sustainable Development Goals able Development Goals (SDGs) operation, “We are delighted to to reach the Sustainable network of knowledge in the and to fi nd appropriate solutions in Baku, Azerbaijan. off er innovative ways to acceler- Development Goals, fi eld of development. for UN Member States to move This Accelerator Lab will be ate our pace and achieve relevant mitigate disparities and He also affi rmed that meas- forward in order to achieve de- joining the 60 labs set up in many results to reach the Sustainable provide a faster solution urable results are necessary for velopment goals in accordance countries around the world. Development Goals, mitigate to the challenges of evaluating achievements and with the policies and guidelines Speaking at the inauguration disparities and provide a faster implementation” performance, and therefore, related to the UNDP and through ceremony in Baku, Qatar’s am- solution to the challenges of im- these labs will help provide a an integrated, consistent and in- bassador to Azerbaijan Faisal bin plementation.” est network, currently being political and technical impetus novative means. Abdullah al-Henzab said that He pointed out that through built with their partners – the towards better performance and The ceremony was attended Mexican Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrard has met Qatar’s the SDGs are human rights and UNDP Accelerator Labs, it is United Nations Development distribution of priorities, and by representatives of the diplo- ambassador Mohamed bin Jassim al-Kuwari. During the requirements for achieving sus- possible to identify and give Programme and the Federal Re- will help to fi nd gaps and iden- matic corps, resident United Na- meeting, the two sides reviewed the bilateral relations, in tainable human development, meaning to emerging trends and public of Germany, will include tify sustainable development tions offi ces, the media and civil addition to issues of common concern. and that reaching this vision is their potential and actual impact 60 labs in nearly one-third of the goals that deserve more focus by society and private institutions. Gulf Times 4 Monday, December 2, 2019 QATAR

Al-Muraikhi meets UN official Qatar, Azerbaijan hold political consultations

The first round of political consultations between Qatar and Azerbaijan was held yesterday in Doha. Qatar’s Minister HE the Minister of State for Foreign Aff airs Sultan bin Saad al-Muraikhi met the UN Special Rapporteur on of State for Foreign Aff airs HE Sultan bin Saad al-Muraikhi and Azerbaijan’s Deputy Foreign Minister of Azerbaijan contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance E Tendayi Achiume, who is Ramiz Hasanov headed the talks session. The political consultations focused on bilateral relations between Qatar currently visiting the country. During the meeting, they discussed bilateral relations, in addition to topics of mutual and Azerbaijan and the means to develop them in addition to a host of issues of common concern. interest.

Qatar Charity builds mosque in Pakistan’s Punjab Second Flowers Festival opens at Souq Waqif atar Charity (QC), in col- Ullah, who leads worshippers at laboration with the gov- the mosque, people of the local- Qernment departments ity consider it as a “gift from the he second Flowers Fes- planting fl owers to buy and plant concerned and local commu- heavens” for them, because it tival, organised by Souq them in their homes and gardens, nities, has successfully built a was tough for them to construct TWaqif in collaboration as well as encouraging producers mosque in Allah Ditta Machi, a place of worship for themselves with the Ministry of Munici- to market them, adding that the a locality in Rajanpur district due to their challenging eco- pality and Environment (MME), festival provides various types of Pakistan’s Punjab, with 150 nomic conditions. kicked off yesterday. The 10-day of fl owers, seedlings, trees, and households including more than “Now, it is very easy and con- long festival is being held in the other related supplies. 600 individuals. venient for us to make ablution in a West Square of Souq Waqif. He noted that the event aims The 2,695sqft mosque, which proper place, and off er our prayers Director of Souq Waqif Mo- to introduce the public to local was a long-standing need of the in a clean place with peace. Along hamed al-Salem said in a state- companies engaged in this fi eld community in Allah Ditta Machi, with off ering our prayers, we can ment to Qatar News Agency and to give them the opportunity can accommodate up to 150 wor- now teach our children with ease. (QNA) that 21 farms and nurser- to purchase fl owers of all kinds shippers at a time. We are grateful to the people of ies are participating in this year’s and enjoy the exhibits at the fes- “Due to the need for a place Qatar for this immense gift,” said a edition of the Flowers Festival, tival. of worship, the construction of thankful Amanullah, the imam of which saw a high turnout by the He invited the public to visit the mosque came in Allah Ditta the mosque. public last year. the Festival and enjoy the diff er- Machi locality where people are In Pakistan, Qatar Charity start- He noted that the festival is ent types of fl owers displayed in mostly labourers and hardly ful- ed its fi rst humanitarian operation being organised for the second one place under one roof. fi l their daily life needs, due to in 1992. Since then, it has been consecutive year as one of the The Festival hours are from their limited economic resourc- implementing various charitable, important activities that sup- 9am to 9pm, except Thursday. es,” QC said in a statement. humanitarian and developmental port tourism in the country and On Friday, the Festival will be According to the Imam Aman projects across the country. The mosque can accommodate up to 150 worshippers at a time. encourage those interested in open until 10pm. – QNA Gulf Times Monday, December 2, 2019 5 QATAR

Mazzraty and Carrefour Qatar off icials shaking hands. Qatarat operates three main farms spanning a total of 8mn sqm. Made in Qatar: The key drivers to sustaining local produce market Carrefour other farms, providing them with the cumber to more specialised vegetables. products at the best possible value.” knowhow, coaching and support they “Our goal is to continue to innovate Buying local is also seen as a corpo- highlights require to operate. to better serve our customers and lev- rate responsibility, as “we’ve always Carrefour is a key partner for Qatarat erage Carrefour’s expertise in the retail seen ourselves as part of the communi- partnerships as it is its “biggest client for its range landscape to sustain our growth.” ties in which we operate, as such, it is of premium Qatari vegetables, driven For Carrefour, the rationale behind our duty to extend our support to local with suppliers by Carrefour customers’ demand for working with local farms is two-fold. farmers to ensure a thriving industry high-quality vegetables”. Firstly, consumers are becoming in- for years to come.” arrefour has stressed that it Speaking on the partnership, Nezar creasingly conscious of where their “A main player in the market since is working closely with local al-Atawneh, operation manager at Qa- food comes from. 1999, Carrefour aims to continue giv- Cfarmers to help grow their busi- tarat Agricultural Development Com- According to Laurent Hausknecht, ing back through ongoing support of nesses and ensure that they adapt to pany, said: “Establishing a local agri- country head of Carrefour in Qa- the local market, thereby contributing market trends. cultural farm in the middle of the desert tar, “It’s important that we form to the nation’s economic and environ- The fresh produce market in Qatar has been a major milestone, with many strong partnerships with local sup- mental development, both of which continues to fl ourish and more than facilities producing a wide range of veg- pliers so that our customers con- are key pillars of Qatar National Vision 130mn tonnes of locally grown vegeta- etables, from eggplant, tomato and cu- tinue to receive fresh, high-quality 2030,” the statement added. bles have been sold in the past month through the Qatar Farms programme run by the Ministry of Municipality and Environment (MME), in collabo- Qatarat produces a wide range of vegetables, including eggplant. ration with the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Carrefour points out in a ply chain”. “Carrefour is one retailer that using high-tech machinery and lead- statement. is working closely with local farmers to ing manufacturing standards. Our vi- The local poultry market has ex- help grow their businesses and ensure sion is to cater to the poultry needs of panded as well, reaching a volume of that they adapt to market trends.” the entire population and develop new 22mn tonnes produced in 2018 versus One key example of this relationship ranges of products based on current 10mn tonnes in 2017. is Mazzraty, a local chicken farm that trends in the market, and we appreci- The growth of the produce indus- opened its doors a few months ago and ate Carrefour’s support in this regard.” try did not come easily, as Qatar’s arid today off ers chicken grown naturally The distribution of the chicken climate, as well as a lack of water and with no hormones and no antibiotics. supply is done daily by the Mazzraty fertile soil, were all major issues faced It uses global best practices to raise team, ensuring that Carrefour’s cus- by farmers. However, in a “remarkable its chicken, which allows them to en- tomers have access to fresh poultry at turnaround”, plots of land were trans- sure a quality outcome. “Its products all times. formed to produce a variety of fresh sell the most at the Villaggio hyper- Another example is Qatarat Agricul- vegetables and raise chicken, forming market, one of Carrefour’s leading tural Development Company, a leader a market that few would have expected stores,” the statement noted. in farming in Qatar, which operates to thrive, the retailer pointed out. Abdul Rahman Hamad al-Mana, three main farms spanning a total of Providing support to farmers and chairman, Mazzraty, said: “Our farm 8mn sqm. It also functions as a tech- suppliers is “key to sustaining this sup- is proudly run right here in Qatar, nical and marketing consultant to 30

An agriculture farm harvested by Qatarat.

Mazzraty off ers chicken grown naturally with no hormones and no antibiotics. Gulf Times 6 Monday, December 2, 2019 QATAR Barzan Holdings Embassy marks Algerian National Day named Dimdex’s strategic partner he organising committee “Forging partnerships with key arching development objectives. of the Doha International players from the national de- Similarly, Dimdex serves as TMaritime Defence Exhibi- fence and security sector are an international platform for tion and Conference (Dimdex) has central to the continuous suc- knowledge-exchange among the announced Barzan Holdings as a cess of Dimdex. We are proud highest level of industry lead- strategic partner and gold sponsor that our strategic partner Barzan ers, government offi cials, chief for its seventh edition, according Holdings will also join the ranks executives and other key deci- to a statement yesterday. of our sponsors as a distin- sion makers. Each edition brings Dimdex 2020 will be held be- guished gold sponsor and now about an unprecedented volume tween March 16-18, under the holds two important capacities of strategic and commercial patronage of His Highness the that support our joint mission agreements between interna- Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad in strengthening Qatar’s de- tional industry partners, thereby al-Thani and hosted and organ- fence industry and reinforcing establishing Dimdex as a key ised by Qatar Armed Forces un- our position as a global leader in highlight in the global defence The Algerian embassy on Saturday hosted a reception in Doha to mark the Algerian National Day. Led by Algerian ambassador Mustafa der the theme ‘Connecting the the fi eld.” and security calendar. Boutoura, the event was attended by a number of Qatari dignitaries, diplomats from various countries and other off icials and guests. World’s Maritime Defence and Al-Naimi said: “We are de- Off ering government-to- Pictured are HE the Minister of Education and Higher Education Dr Mohamed Abdul Wahed Ali al-Hammadi and HE the Minister of Awqaf Security Community’. lighted to be partnering for the government, business-to-gov- and Islamic Aff airs Dr Ghaith bin Mubarak al-Kuwari cutting ceremonial cake with ambassador Boutoura in the presence of Ibrahim In the presence of Qatar Armed second consecutive edition ernment and business-to-busi- Yousif Abdullah Fakhroo, director of Protocol at the Ministry of Foreign Aff airs, and Ali Ibrahim Ahmad, dean of the Diplomatic Corps and Forces Chief of Staff HE Lt Gen- with Dimdex, one of the largest ness commercial opportunities, Eritrean ambassador. PICTURE: Thajudheen eral (Pilot) Ghanem bin Shaheen and most high-profi le defence Dimdex 2020 will broaden in al-Ghanem, Barzan Holdings shows in the world. We launched both exhibitor profi le and visitor president and executive board Barzan Holdings during Dim- numbers to highlight the latest member Nasser Hassan al-Nai- dex 2018, and we are proud to regional and international trends mi and Dimdex chairman Staff be partnering for the upcom- in maritime defence including Brigadier (Sea) Abdulbaqi Saleh ing edition with a stronger and innovative anti-piracy systems, al-Ansari signed an agreement more incisive presence, dem- C5iSR systems, cybersecurity at a ceremony at the Ministry of onstrating our confi dence and software and other emerging First Hot Air Balloon Festival Defence. full commitment to empowering technologies. HE Lt General (Pilot) al- stability.” Following the economic de- Ghanim said, “A nation’s defen- A commercial gateway for velopment objectives set out sive strength rests on strong col- the defence industry in Qatar, in Qatar National Vision 2030, laborative ties and support from Barzan Holdings was publicly Dimdex continuously sup- to begin on December 7 both government and industry. launched at Dimdex 2018 as ports Qatar’s eff orts in form- Harnessing key sponsorship the fi rst dedicated company re- ing new national collabora- agreements allows for a symbi- sponsible for empowering the tions to enhance defence and More than 30 hot air balloons from 13 otic association between lead- military capabilities of the Qa- security capabilities and deliver countries are participating in this one- ing Qatari institutions whose tar Armed Forces. Since then, vital business opportunities be- of-its-kind global event respective expertise and skillsets Barzan Holdings has forged suc- tween various commercial and complement joint aspirations cessful partnerships with lead- governmental ends. By Joey Aguilar for the national development ing international companies and To register or for more in- Staff Reporter framework.” organisations in the industry to formation on participating or Commenting on the spon- strengthen the national defence attending Dimdex, please visit sorship, Dimdex chairman said: system in line with Qatar’s over- www.dimdex.com. ozens of hot air balloons in vari- ous shapes, designs, and colours will Ddecorate the skies of Aspire Park at Qatar’s fi rst Hot Air Balloon Festival, taking place from December 7-18, organisers have announced. From left: Abdulla Aman al-Khater and Captain Hassan al-Mousawi speaking to the media. Speaking at a press conference recently, Safe Flight Solutions CEO, Captain Hassan “With the continued support of our part- to our entertainment events calendar organ- al-Mousawi told reporters that some 33 hot air ners, we envisage to turn this into an an- ised at Aspire Park that appeal to the whole balloons from 13 countries are participating nual global event with more countries family members.” in this one-of-its-kind global event. participating,” he added. He noted that this festival will also be a Apart from the majestic scenery at the The festival, according to Captain al-Mou- new addition to Qatar’s tourism agenda. venue, he said the family-friendly festival sawi, has been scheduled to coincide with “As we work to diversify Qatar’s calendar of will also feature side events for people to en- three other major events: the 24th edition of festivals it is a pleasure to see our private sec- joy, ranging from live performances and chil- Arabian Gulf Cup tournament (November 26 tor partners taking the lead in building novel dren’s entertainment to a variety of local and to December 8); the 2019 FIFA Club World and attractive off erings. We’re excited to be international cuisines on off er. Cup (December 11 to December 21); and Qa- a part of this event, which introduces a brand “While Safe Flight Solutions is the key tar National Day celebrations (December 18). new tourism product to Qatari visitors and organising body, this event would not have He said the teams will be arriving in Qatar residents,” said Jawaher al-Khuzaei from Qatar been possible without our strategic partner on December 5 and 6, and the diff erent activ- National Tourism Council in a press statement. Qatar National Tourism Council (QNTC), ities, which include “the balloon night glow”, Qatar Airways Senior Vice President Mar- our offi cial airline partner Qatar Airways, our will commence in December 7. keting and Corporate Communications, venue partner Aspire Zone Foundation, our Abdulla Aman al-Khater, director of Salam al-Shawa said: “Being in the air is ground transportation partner Hertz and our Events and Facilities at Aspire Zone Founda- something we’re quite used to; however, this HE Lt General (Pilot) Ghanem bin Shaheen al-Ghanem, Nasser Hassan al-Naimi, and Staff Brigadier (Sea) hospitality partner Aura hospitality,” Captain tion, said: “We, at AZF, have the pleasure to is diff erent, and we’re delighted to be a part Abdulbaqi Saleh al-Ansari at the agreement signing ceremony. al-Mousawi noted. present this exciting event as a new addition of this historical fi rst for our nation.” Cybersecurity forum begins

By Shafeeq Alingal tors as it provides eff ective and high fi eld of cyber security. The MoTC William Bowman, CEO, Cyber- Staff Reporter quality services. annually organises a national cyber netIQ USA, highlighted that the “There is a need to ensure secure security exercise as part of the ef- networks have shifted and changed environment for various sectors to forts to achieve the goals,” al-Hash- due to the increased use of mobile he ‘FIRST Technical Collo- provide integrated and secure elec- imi said the programme assumes devices and IoT devices. He said quium 2019’, featuring two tronic services, especially with the signifi cance as it coincides the cel- that they bring a new complexity to Tdays of workshop and train- unrestricted nature of cyberspace, ebrations of National Day that will the current threat perspective. ing programme began yesterday. which may off er some tenden- be held on December 18. Dr Serge Droz, chairman, FIRST, It is organised by the Ministry of tious opportunities to penetrate the The key objective of the cyber drill highlighted the importance of Transport and Communication data of individuals and companies is to educate the participants about bringing all stakeholders together to (MoTC) in accordance with the Na- and harm them,” he said. the importance of understanding protect the data and users. tional Cyber Drill (STAR-7) hosted The MoTC offi cial laid stress the threats in context of the threat by Doha ahead of the National Day on Qatar’s eff orts to address vari- actors. Further, it helps the partici- celebrations. ous challenges prevailing in cyber pants understand how to evaluate FIRST - Forum of Incident Re- domain along with the emerging and analyse credible and needful sponse and Security Teams - is threats. “The National Cyber Secu- information from the plethora of the premier organisation and rec- rity Strategy has been developed by threat intelligence reports that are ognised global leader in incident the National Information Security produced and circulated. The event response. The non-profi t corpora- Committee to provide a governance sheds light on various topics includ- tion also enables incident response structure to address cyber secu- ing cyber threat intelligence, insider teams to more eff ectively respond rity issues collectively at the highest threat, cyber threat modelling, in- to security incidents by provid- levels of government. The objectives trusion clustering and analysis, state ing access to best practices, tools of the strategy could be achieved sponsor attack case study, machine and trusted communication with by sharing timely information, co- learning for incident response and member teams. operating and taking action as well threat intelligence, open source in- The seventh National Cyber Se- as the development and refi nement telligence tools and automated inci- Khalid Sadiq al-Hashimi addressing curity Drill completes a series of of the skills of national cadres in the dent response. the event. national drills that the ministry be- gan in 2013 in order to develop and improve the effi ciency and prepar- edness of government institutions to address the cyberattacks. The theme for this year’s exercises is Defending the Nation – Know Your Adversary. The exercise is a simu- lation of tightly integrated process and technical scenarios. While delivering the opening ad- dress, Khalid Sadiq al-Hashimi, assistant undersecretary, Cyber Security Department, MoTC, said Qatar’s reliance on ICT is growing and Internet has got a vital infl u- ence on fi nancial, energy, educa- tion, health and transportation sec- A view of the audience. Gulf Times Monday, December 2, 2019 7 QATAR

QNL lecture highlights Gandhi’s life and ideas

atar National Library India, Dr Faisal Davji, direc- our world today, and I thank and Qatar Founda- tor of South Asia History the library for organising this Qtion Community De- at Oxford University, UK, lecture so we can appreciate velopment jointly organised delivered a lecture that ex- his continuing legacy.” a lecture, ‘Gandhi After 150 plored Gandhi’s idea of non- “It is important to cel- Years’, recently to mark the violence and its ongoing rele- ebrate Gandhi as part of the anniversary of birth of Ma- vance for many communities Qatar-India 2019 Year of hatma Gandhi 150 years ago. across the world today. Culture, since he touched The event was part of the Himanshu Desai, who at- so many people around the library’s celebration of the tended the event, said, “I am world, and an inspiring Qatar-India 2019 Year of really pleased to attend this venue like the Library is the Culture. talk at the library. Gandhi’s perfect place for such a great Celebrating the life of a contributions continue to lecture,” another attendee, man known as the Father of have an important impact on Ahmed Salman, added.

Some of the cyclists who participated in the ‘Ride for Education’ charity event. Charity ride raises The lecture explored Gandhi’s idea of non-violence. fund for education QU faculty member named ver 500 cyclists from across All (EAA) Foundation, said: EAA is cyclists, also kicked off from Shera- tels in Qatar made this charity bike the country came together proud to partner up with Qatar Mar- ton Grand Doha to Al Tarfa Round- ride happen and allowed us to raise Oto raise QR110,285 for Edu- riott Worldwide Business Council about (near Doha Golf Club) and funds to help more children through cation Above All (EAA) Foundation and all the organisations who share ending at the Sheraton Grand Doha Education Above All Foundation ‘Highly Cited Researcher ’19’ in a charity ‘Ride for Education’ the same profound interest in the grounds. with the support of the local com- hosted by Sheraton Grand Doha and future of human development that Guido de Wilde, chief operating munity.” Qatar Marriott Worldwide Business support this cause through organ- offi cer of Marriott International QWMBC has 10 members: The rof Dr Bassim Hamid searchers in 2016 for chemical Council (QMWBC). ising sports activities, as education MEA and founder of Road to Aware- W Doha Hotel & Residences, The St Hammadi, a Qatar Uni- engineering, and environmen- The funds raised will benefi t and sports go hand in hand towards ness, said about ‘Ride for Educa- Regis Doha, The Westin Doha Hotel Pversity (QU) faculty tal science and engineering by EAA Foundation’s Educate Somali a child’s holistic development.” tion’: “The Road to Awareness (R2A) & Spa, Sheraton Grand Doha Resort member from the College of the Shanghai Global Rankings Children project, targeting 109,372 The bike ride, which welcomed campaign has made such an impact & Convention Hotel, Sharq Vil- Engineering, has been named of Academic Subjects. Prof children in Somalia. Today, 63mn cyclists of all levels, had two route in the last 12 years in the Middle East lage & Spa, The Ritz-Carlton Doha, ‘Highly Cited Researcher’ for Hammadi successfully super- children worldwide have no access options: the 40-km route, which and Africa region. I am proud to see Marriott Marquis City Center Doha, the year 2019 by the Web of vised the works of fi ve post- to quality primary education. stretched from the Sheraton Grand the growth it is making each year to JW Marriott Marquis City Center Science Group. doctoral fellows, 22 PhD and 26 Moza Saeed al-Mansouri, Inter- Doha grounds to Lusail Multi-Pur- help make a positive diff erence to Doha, Al Messila, A Luxury Collec- Prof Hammadi earned this MSc students, and more than national Fundraising and Partner- pose Stadium; and the 20-km route, support underprivileged children in tion Resort & Spa, and Four Points distinction for his signifi cant 70 fi nal year research projects ships specialist at Education Above a course more suited for beginner the communities. The Marriott ho- by Sheraton Doha. infl uence through the publi- to completion. cation of multiple papers, for Prof Hammadi named ‘Highly He achieved a milestone being highly cited by his peers Cited Researcher 2019’ by of 21 research grants as a lead Recall of Toyota over the last decade and also Web of Science Group. principal investigator. To ranking in the top 1% by cita- date, he has published more Coaster Bus models tions for fi eld and year in Web This is not the fi rst time than 280 articles in ISI-in- HEC Paris in Qatar to run of Science. Prof Hammadi received such dexed journals, and more than The Ministry of Commerce and In- According to Clarivate international recognition. 100 articles in other interna- dustry, in co-operation with Abdullah Analytics, of which Web of He has been given the title of tional and national journals Abdulghani & Bros Co, announced the Science Group is a part of, Highly Cited Researcher in and proceedings. According executive short programme recall of Toyota Coaster Bus models of “In 2019, fewer than 6,300, or the fi eld of engineering for to Google Scholar, his total 2017-2019 due to a possible defect in 0.1%, of the world’s research- six consecutive years (2014– number of received citations the hazard lamp fuse. ers, across 21 research fi elds, 2019). is more than 37,000, and he EC Paris will run the ‘General Management The ministry confirmed the recall cam- have earned this exclusive In addition, he was listed has an author h-index of 97 – The Navigator Programme’ an executive paign comes within the framework of distinction.” as one of the Most Cited Re- and i-10 index of 273. Hshort programme on December 10 and 11. its ongoing eff orts to protect consum- This two-day programme will give aspiring, current ers and ensure that vehicle dealers and future managers a solid, hands-on introduction follow up on defects and repairs. to the challenges and key tasks of general manage- The ministry has said that it will co- ment. ordinate with the dealer to follow up The programme will be led by Dr Wolfgang on the maintenance and repair works Amann, affi liate professor at HEC Paris. Dr Wolf- and will communicate with customers gang Amann is professor of strategy and leadership to ensure that the necessary repairs and currently serves as academic director of degree, Dr Wolfgang Amann are carried out. custom, and certifi cate programmes at HEC Paris in The ministry urges all customers to Qatar. Moreover, Dr Amann has been designing, di- ing business schools in the world will allow partici- report any violations to its Consumer recting and teaching in executive education seminars pants to clarify deliverables, prioritise, anticipate Protection and Anti-Commercial for more than 20 years. issues, and drive home success.” The programme Fraud Department, which processes Highlighting the key aspects of the programme, Dr combines several high-impact learning methodolo- complaints, inquiries and suggestions Amann said, “In today’s complex business environ- gies serving and addressing the four main types of through the following channels: Call ments, being a general manager has never been more learners including the activists, the theorists, the Centre: 16001, e-mail: [email protected]. challenging. Yet, sound preparation and solid execu- refl ectors and the pragmatists. International and lo- qa, Twitter: @ MOCIQATAR, Instagram: tive education can help prepare for these challenges. cal mini-cases will help apply and practice the core MOCIQATAR, mobile app for Android A state-of-the-art framework from one of the lead- framework of the programme. and IOS: MOCIQATAR. University students organise EC United

ith Qatar National Day in Texas A&M University at Qatar ties, workshops, performances, and “We wanted to represent Qatar in around the corner, stu- (Tamuq), one of QF’s partner uni- exhibitions on off er that centred the fi eld of sports, showcasing the Wdents from universities at versities, said: “The aim of the event around these topics. country’s achievements over the Qatar Foundation (QF) have come is to manage a Qatar National Day The event also highlighted na- past years; while sustainable devel- together to celebrate the country’s celebration that raises the spirit of tional achievements and demon- opment – the other key theme – was rich local traditions, values, and unity among the various universi- strated how the country is working promoted in collaboration with Tor- culture in a one-day festival at Edu- ties of Education City. together to realise Qatar’s sustain- ba Farmers Market.” cation City. “It shows how students, regard- able development vision. According to Badar, a key ele- EC United takes place every year, less of the university they study at, Sara Badar, vice president of ment of EC United is that the event and is curated by QF university stand together for Qatar, and dem- QSA in Tamuq, said: “What made is organised by students, as she said: students for the wider community. onstrates their appreciation for this Qatar National Day event dif- “One of the most important aims This year, more than 300 people what the country has given them.” ferent were the themes that we of the event is also to help develop from across the country attended This year, the main themes of the combined to show the progress of the leadership and communication the festival. event – sport and sustainability – Qatar National Vision 2030, which skills of Education City students by Ghalya Abdulla, head of media of were at the heart of the festivities, together we are helping to bring to allocating students in positions to Qatar Students Association (QSA) with a number of engaging activi- fruition. fully manage the event.”

Artworks on display at the event. Children participate in an art event. Gulf Times 8 Monday, December 2, 2019 QATAR Romanian community marks National Day

he Romanian community in Qa- who built the nation of Romania with agricultural, energy, tourism, health, tar celebrated their country’s confi dence and hope for a great future. youth and sports sectors.” TNational Day yesterday. “As a nation, we chose to build ac- “We are very proud of what we have Romanian embassy charge d’aff aires cording to our values, democracy and been able to achieve together,” she said, Anca Mihai, Qatar’s Minister of Com- freedom. We, by organising the cel- adding that the bilateral co-operation merce and Industry HE Ali bin Ahmed ebrations, want to leave the message of has seen remarkable growth in recent al-Kuwari, HE the Minister of State unity,” she said. years. for Foreign Aff airs Sultan bin Saad al- “Romania and Qatar have been en- Mihai said eff orts are on to enhance Muraikhi, and Ministry of Foreign Af- joying fruitful and strong relations and the relations between Qatar and Ro- fairs Chief of Protocol Ibrahim Yousif co-operation in political, fi nancial, in- mania in various sectors including ed- Fakhro and other dignitaries were vestment and trade sectors. ucation, trade and tourism. present. “There are tremendous opportuni- “Many Qatari students are studying HE the Minister of Commerce and Industry Ali bin Ahmed al-Kuwari, HE the Minister of State for Foreign Aff airs Sultan bin Saad Mihai said the National Day is ob- ties and potential for the two countries in Romania and we are getting tourists al-Muraikhi, Romanian charge d’aff aires Anca Mihai and other dignitaries at the celebrations yesterday. PICTURE: Noushad Thekkayil served with gratitude to the forefathers to further promote the relations in the from Qatar,” she added. United Shipping facilitates MSC Bellissima’s maiden call nited Shipping Agency, a sub- Master of MSC Bellissima, Captain sidiary of Qatari Investors Group Maresca Giuseppe. UMarine Services, facilitated the This was done in the presence of HE MSC Bellissima maiden cruise call on the Minister of Transport and Com- Doha Port recently. munications, Jassim Seif Ahmed al- The MSC Bellissima, the sixth larg- Sulaiti, Qatar Airways Group Chief est cruise vessel in the world, having a Executive HE Akbar al-Baker (who is passenger capacity of more than 5,500, also the secretary-general of the Qa- docked at Doha Port for the fi rst time, tar National Tourism Council), Mwani marking the start of the MSC Cruise chief executive Captain Abdulla al- season 2019-2020 in Qatar. Khanji, Qatari Investors Group’s exec- To commemorate the event, a crest utive management, port and customs exchange ceremony was held by Unit- authorities, as well as National Tour- ed Shipping Agency aboard the vessel, ism Council representatives and other with Qatari Investors Group Marine dignitaries. Services executive director Captain The ship’s deck surface area is Mohamed Ali Abdelrahim present- equivalent to 63 football pitches and is The crest exchange ceremony was held aboard the MSC Bellissima on its maiden ing the crest to MSC Cruises executive the fi rst MSC ship to feature the cruise cruise call on Doha Port recently. chairman Pierfransesco Vago and the line’s new voice-activated speaking assistant, Zoe. Zoe can speak seven languages and answer over 800 of the most com- monly asked questions. Group Marine Services executive di- rector Abdelrahim said: “MSC Bellis- sima’s fi rst call to Doha demonstrates The MSC Bellissima. MSC’s commitment to enhancing its relationship with Qatar, which is pacity of 4,000 cabins and act as fl oat- ice delivery and client satisfaction,” he deeply cherished and respected. ing hotels during the tournament.” added. “MSC’s commitment extends be- “United Shipping Agency, the nom- “We would like to take this oppor- yond the cruise season to the home- inated Marine Services Agent of MSC tunity to thank all the involved parties, porting of two of their latest state-of- Cruises in Qatar, is privileged to be as- who worked tirelessly, effi ciently and the-art cruise ships in Qatar to cater to sociated with MSC Cruises, comple- successfully to attend to MSC Bellis- the 2022 World Cup accommodation menting MSC Cruises’ expertise with sima’s maiden call at Doha Port,” Ab- requirements, off ering a combined ca- our commitment to excellence in serv- delrahim said.

HE Sheikh Faisal with students at the event. Gulf English School holds 14th annual College Fair

he Gulf English School’s 14th met coff ee to afi cionados. annual College Fair took place Over the years, the College Fair has Trecently. emerged as a “truly esteemed tradi- In attendance at the inaugural cer- tion” at the Gulf English School, the emony was Al Faisal Holding chairman statement notes. HE Sheikh Faisal bin Qassim al-Thani, The event is organised by the who delivered a speech to inspire stu- school’s sixth form students, enhanc- HE Sheikh Faisal bin Qassim al-Thani dents present on the occasion. ing their skills such as negotiations inaugurating the College Fair. The annual event is sponsored and in fi nancial management, media and attended by some of the most pres- communication, design and working Likewise, Year 11 students will be tigious businesses and universities in eff ectively as a team, which are imper- choosing their subjects for sixth form. Qatar. ative in the professional world. “Thus, this event is key in ensuring It aims to provide students with an Gulf English School executive direc- the right subjects are chosen for the informative platform that can assist tor Faheem Javaid said: “The aim of right college,” the statement points them when choosing a career path as the Gulf English School College Fair is out. well as improving their future univer- to introduce students to the opportu- The College Fair benefi ts not only sity applications, according to a press nities provided in various areas of em- the school’s own students but also statement. ployment and education. pupils from other schools in the Doha Al Faisal Holding sponsored the “The College Fair is being held this region. event. year with 26 participating parties, in- It serves “as an exceptional guide Company representatives advised cluding a wide range of businesses and for students who are prospective the students on what businesses – universities.” leaders of our future generation”, the such as Al Faisal Holding – look for Currently, Year 9 students are re- statement adds. “As a member of the during their recruitment process. quired to submit the initial draft for Council of International Schools, it The event was also sponsored by Es- the subjects they would like to take for is essential for us to create a rigorous pressoLab Qatar, an innovative coff ee the International General Certifi cate culture that engages the full commu- chain, off ering various types of gour- of Secondary Education (IGCSE). nity and encourages lifelong learning.” Gulf Times Monday, December 2, 2019 9 QATAR Panama embassy celebrates Independence Day Qatar regulator prepares for future telecom requirements

he Communications Regulatory Authority (CRA) participated as Tpart of a Qatari delegation, in the World Radiocommunication Conference 2019 (WRC-19), which was held in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt from October 28-No- vember 22. This conference is one of the most im- portant conferences on the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) calendar. The agenda considered several im- portant items, which have been included The embassy of Panama on Saturday hosted a reception in Doha to mark the 198th anniversary of Panama’s Independence Day. Led by Panama’s based on the proposals submitted by the ambassador Mousa Abdelhae Asvat Kasu, the event was attended by Qatari dignitaries and other off icials and guests, including Ibrahim Yousif Abdullah administrations, the results of WRC-15, Fakhroo, director of Protocol at the Ministry of Foreign Aff airs. PICTURE: Jayaram the report of the Conference Preparatory Meeting and what needs to be taken into consideration for the existing and future services. The CRA submitted a number of contri- butions to the conference, related to sev- CRA president Mohamed Ali al-Mannai. eral topics of interest to Qatar, where the CRA contributed with 29 documents as extraordinary, and the CRA contributions part of the Arab Regional Group, in addi- were welcomed by many administrations, tion to eight separate documents submit- especially that CRA’s contributions con- ted on behalf of Qatar related to some vital verged with the global trends on many services of interest to Qatar. sensitive topics that were considered in The CRA’s contributions were wel- the conference. The CRA in co-ordination comed by a large number of European and with a number of administrations has been American administrations, especially that able to fulfi l the objectives that it has look- they were in line with the global trends of ing for to achieve in the conference. All frequency allocation that support number ITU Member States rely on WRC outputs of modern technologies and applications to develop their National Frequency Plans and contribute to the digital transforma- in their respective countries for the com- tion and achieving one of the Sustainable ing three to four years till the next confer- Development goals; industry, innovation ence,” said CRA president Mohamed Ali and infrastructure. al-Mannai. The topics supported by the CRA during “The conference has accomplished sev- the conference included, identifi cation of eral achievements on a global level, which MME off icials at the launch of the new pushcarts. frequency bands for the future develop- are important pillars that support and ment of international mobile telecommu- develop the telecommunications sector nications (5G technology), including the of Qatar and encourages introducing ad- possibility of allocating additional fre- vanced and innovative technologies to meet quencies to the mobile service on a prima- the needs of people of Qatar. The WRC-19 Shaded pushcarts to help protect cleaning workers ry basis, high-altitude platform stations resolutions included the identifi cation of (HAPS), and issues related to Wireless Ac- 17.5 GHz bandwidth for the deployment of cess Systems (WAS) including Radio Local 5G technology on several mobile frequency he General Cleanliness De- the department as they are direct- Area Networks. bands and 2 GHz bandwidth to be used by partment at the Ministry of ly linked to the well-being of peo- The CRA also supported the use of cer- international airlines to provide broadband TMunicipality and Environ- ple and their health, in addition to tain frequency bands of earth stations on services to passengers while travelling. ment (MME) has launched new maintaining the general aesthet- mobile platforms communicating with Also, the resolutions included the identifi - shaded pushcarts that provide ics of places around the country. geostationary space stations in the fi xed- cations of appropriate frequency bands for protection from rain and sunshine Further, he stressed that Qatar satellite service, topics related to the me- Nano-Satellite that contribute to academic to workers engaged in cleaning occupies an advanced position teorological-satellite service and the Earth fi elds and scientifi c research. In addition to work. among the region’s countries in exploration-satellite service, as well as the issuance of a resolution that provides This comes as part of the de- terms of general cleaning services, supporting the consideration of spectrum adequate frequency bands for HAPS, which velopment plans and programmes and the introduction of the shad- requirements for tracking, controlling and supports broadband applications that al- of the MME’s General Services ed pushcarts is a considerable de- telemetry in the space operations service low for faster commercial deployment of Sector, in line with the ministry’s velopment in this area. for non-geostationary satellites with short these systems at a reasonable economic sustainable strategic plan (2018- The new carts have a suitable duration missions. cost,” he added. 2022). design with high technical speci- The CRA also supported global trends It is worth to mention that the general Safar Mubarak al-Shafi , MME fi cations, besides being light- towards considering the spectrum re- scope of the WRC agenda is set fi ve to six Assistant Undersecretary for weight and easy to manoeuvre. quirements and regulatory provisions years in advance, while the ITU council set General Services Aff airs, stressed Muqbil al-Shammari, director related to the introduction and use of the the fi nal agenda two years before the con- that the new carts would provide of the General Cleanliness De- Global Aeronautical Distress and Safety ference, with the concurrence of a major- adequate protection to the clean- partment, said 350 of these carts System, and to take appropriate actions ity of the member states. ing staff from sun and rain. have been distributed among the to facilitate global or regional harmonised Under the provisions of the ITU Consti- This, in turn, will help imple- workers concerned. frequency bands to support railway ra- tution, the conference may revise the Ra- ment the ministry’s policy that Also, for the fi rst time, such diocommunication systems between train dio Regulations, the International Treaty aims to maintain the health and carts have been manufactured lo- and trackside within existing mobile serv- Governing the use of Radio-Frequency safety of workers and provide cally for the fi rst time. ice allocations, in addition to considering spectrum, the geostationary-satellite and them with the suitable environ- The carts have been distributed possible global or regional harmonised non-geostationary-satellite orbits and any ment to carry out their tasks. in all the targeted areas, including frequency bands, to the maximum extent associated plan that is related to allocating He noted that the MME pays residential and commercial roads, possible, for the implementation of evolv- and assigning frequencies and addressing great attention to general clean- to help the workers carry out their ing Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) any global issue related to radiocommuni- liness workers and constantly task effi ciently and with ease, ac- under existing mobile-service allocations. cations; Radio and Radiocommunication works to develop the services of cording to an MME statement. “The CRA participation in WRC-19 was Bureau and review their activities.

HBKU-CHLS holds genomics in Doha Bank hosts Tri Sports meet clinical practice symposium

he College of Health and Life Sciences (CHLS) at Hamad Bin Khalifa University T(HBKU) recently held a Genomics in Clin- ical Practice symposium. The symposium, accredited by Qatar Council for Healthcare Practitioners, was the fi rst Con- tinuing Professional Development event of its kind hosted by the college. Specifi cally designed for healthcare practi- tioners such as physicians, trainee physicians, and medical residents, this one-day event traced the basic science behind genomics, genome se- quencing technologies and their implications for patient care. In addition, the symposium highlighted avail- able facilities and resources in Qatar and off ered advice regarding the practical application of rel- evant technologies. High-profi le international speaker Dr Andre Uitterlinden, professor of complex diseases at Erasmus University in the Netherlands, deliv- ered a keynote address on how genomic studies are used for understanding the pathophysiology of complex diseases. Participants benefi ted from insights provided by Qatar’s leaders in the fi eld of genomics. The symposium’s speakers included Dr Dr Andre Uitterlinden speaking at the event. Ihab Younis, Carnegie Mellon University; Dr Chidambaram Manickam, Sidra Medicine; Dr matter also demonstrates that Qatar is increas- Tawfeg Ben Omran, Hamad Medical Corpora- ingly infl uential in the study and application Doha Bank recently hosted its annual Tri Sports championship for its employees combining bowling, billiard and table tennis into one event. tion; Prof Donald Love, Sidra Medicine; and Prof of genomics in clinical practice. It’s only right The most popular staff event was held for Doha Bank employees at the Qatar Bowling Center, which included more than 400 employees Said Ismail, Qatar Genome Programme. that this infl uence is backed up by initiatives to participating in all three sports and their families joining in. Prizes were given to the first five place holders and best players, and creative “This event undoubtedly refl ects the College’s ensure the country’s healthcare providers are accolades such as most creative team name and best team uniform, were conferred to various teams, in the bowling tournament. Doha multidisciplinary approach to research and dis- well-versed in current thinking and established Bank has always propounded the inevitability of employee recreation facilities and activities that are of interest to them, as part of eff orts to covery in the fi elds of biomedical sciences, ge- practices,” said Dr Ayman Al Haj Zen, assistant enhance the overall employee experiences. nomics, and precision medicine. The subject professor, CHLS. Gulf Times 10 Monday, December 2, 2019 QATAR Qatar’s reforms to improve workers’ conditions hailed

From Page 1 mented and the challenges and additional reforms expected to She also expressed her grati- be implemented. tude to Qatar for inviting her to She pointed out that Qatar, visit the country and to meet through hosting the 2022 World low-income representatives, Cup, is investing heavily in a and the government’s co-oper- national vision with a global ation for visiting all the places ambition, adding that national she wished to visit freely. vision had responsibilities and During the press conference, obligations for equality and the international official noted non-discrimination, and more that Qatar’s invitation to visit had been done in that regard. the country was a testament to The Special Rapporteur made the level of commitment of the some observations and recom- state to all issues related to this mendations with regard to en- visit. suring and promoting a culture In that context, she cau- of equality and non-discrim- tioned that other countries ination away from racial and were preventing her from visit- ethnic profiling, as well as with ing. regard to improving working She noted that many United conditions and fulfilling inter- Nations Special Rapporteurs national human rights obliga- had visited Qatar and some of tions. them would subsequently visit She noted that no country it, confirming the overall com- in the world could claim to be mitment of Qatar to human completely free of racism and rights issues, adding that there racial discrimination, and ap- E Tendayi Achiume, United Nations (UN) special rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance, visited Al Rayyan Stadium was a balance between the re- preciated Qatar’s pledge to last week as part of her visit to assess Qatar’s eff orts to combat racism and eliminate discrimination, the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy (SC) tweeted yesterday. During forms that had been imple- combat and counter all this. her visit, Achiume met with SC representatives from International Relations, Workers’ Welfare and Generation Amazing, as well as workers at the accommodation site. Souq Waqif outlets get ready for Qatar National Day celebrations ifts and clothing shops try. Mohamed al-Khowar, a at Souq Waqif have com- customer, said he went to the Gpleted preparations for market to look for a traditional the upcoming Qatar National festive dress for his daughters to Day celebrations. take part in their school celebra- The outlets have stocked ade- tions, highlighting the colours of quate quantities of items associ- the Qatari fl ag. ated with the celebrations, such He noted that many shops at as the Qatari fl ag, accessories, Souq Waqif provide such items T-shirts and other dresses, as at good prices and with wide va- well as various souvenirs based rieties. on the National Day theme. Sayed Ahmed, a tailor, said his Wide varieties of the apparels, shop has received a considerable accessories and souvenirs are number of orders for National available at these stores, giving Day dresses for both boys and customers diff erent options. girls with prices starting from The shopkeepers have been QR35. He added that some adults keen to provide National Day- have also ordered specially de- themed items, particularly for signed clothes for the occasion. children, as the demand for such Mohamed Ali, a gift shop- products is high ahead of the oc- keeper, said the stores at Souq casion that is considered special Waqif provide various options - by everyone living in the coun- from fl ags, mementos and cups try. to watches, medals and other During the celebrations, chil- items based on the theme of Na- dren could be seen dressed in tional Day. the traditional Qatari attire and Abdullah al-Mashhadani, carrying accessories bearing the manager of a store selling tradi- colours of the national fl ag. tional clothes and swords, said Some of the shops selling National Day-themed items at Souq Waqif. PICTURES: Jayan Orma Speaking to local Arabic daily there is “excellent demand” for Arrayah, some customers and such items ahead of the National shop operators stressed that the Day with some locally made turnout of shoppers at Souq Wa- swords being sold for QR500, qif increases dramatically ahead going up to QR1,200, depending of the National Day. It mostly on the type and quality. These comprises people looking for are mostly used in the traditional festive items that will help them dance (Ardha) held during the express their love for the coun- celebrations.

Building demolished Campaign detects public hygiene violations

Al Khor and Al Thakhira Municipality’s General Control Department has issued 25 reports pertaining to violations of Law No 18 of 2017 on public hygiene. This was the outcome of a number of intensive campaigns carried out by the municipality across diff erent roads and areas to check the cleanliness and safety of roads and to ensure that vehicles transporting rubble from excavation sites comply with the relevant rules and regulations, such as covering their cargo Doha Municipality’s Building Maintenance and Demolition team, in co-operation with the Ministry properly, the Ministry of Municipality and Environment’s Mechanical Equipment Department, has carried out the of Municipality and demolition of a building in Doha city in order to ensure public safety and maintain the aesthetic Environment said in a appeal of the area. statement. Gulf Times Monday, December 2, 2019 11 REGION/ARAB WORLD

Tehran may At least 24 killed as bus ‘reconsider’ atomic watchdog plunges off cliff in Tunisia assurances AFP Ain Snoussi AFP Tehran t least 24 Tunisians were killed and 18 more in- Ajured yesterday when a ran warned yesterday it may bus plunged off a cliff into a ra- “seriously reconsider” its vine in the country’s north, of- Icommitments to the UN fi cials said. atomic watchdog if European The bus had set off from Tu- parties to a nuclear deal trigger nis to the picturesque mountain a dispute mechanism that could town of Ain Draham, a popular lead to sanctions. autumn destination for Tuni- The 2015 nuclear accord has sians near the Algerian border, been unravelling since last year the tourism ministry said. when the United States unilater- Twenty-four people were ally withdrew from it and began killed and 18 injured, the vic- reimposing sanctions on Iran. tims aged between 20 and 30, The three European countries said the health ministry, releas- still party to the deal — Britain, ing updated information on the France and Germany — have tragedy. been trying to salvage it but their Pictures and video footage eff orts have so far borne little shared online and posted on the fruit. websites of private radio sta- “If they use the trigger (mech- tions showed the mangled re- anism), Iran would be forced to mains of the bus with its seats seriously reconsider some of its scattered in the bed of a river. commitments to” the Interna- Bodies, some in sports tional Atomic Energy Agency, clothes and trainers, and per- said parliament speaker Ali Lari- sonal belongings were strewn jani. across the ground. “If they think doing so is more The bus with 43 people on benefi cial to them, they can go board was travelling through ahead,” he told a news conference the Ain Snoussi region when it in Tehran. plunged over the cliff , the inte- In May, one year after the US rior ministry said. pullout, Iran began retaliating The vehicle had “fallen into a Security forces check the debris of a bus that plunged over a cliff into a ravine, in Ain Snoussi in northern Tunisia, yesterday. by scaling back its commitments ravine after crashing through an to the deal — known formally as iron barrier,” it said on its Face- It was not immediately clear in a diffi cult area” and just af- sian President Kaid Saied and declared a national catastro- poor vehicle maintenance for the Joint Comprehensive Plan of book page. what caused the accident but ter the bus had taken a “sharp Prime Minister Youssef Chahed phe”. The World Health Or- a rise in accidents the follow- Action. The injured were transferred Tunisian roads are known to be bend”. A civil defence offi cial, arrived at the site of the acci- ganisation in 2015 said Tunisia ing year. Following its latest step back to nearby hospitals, the interior notoriously dangerous and run- speaking on state television, dent. “What a heavy toll,” one had the second worst traffic The authorities recognise this month, the European par- ministry said. down. said there had previously been of them said. death rate per capita in North the scale of the problem but ties warned the JCPOA’s dispute Forensic experts were de- Tourism Minister Rene deadly accidents at the same Another denounced the Africa, behind only war-torn have said the country’s secu- resolution mechanism could be ployed to investigate the crash, Trabelsi told a private radio sta- spot. “roads of death” in Tunisia Libya. rity challenges, including mil- triggered if Iran continued down said AFP correspondents at the tion Mosaique FM that the “un- Social network users be- and wrote: “24 dead and no Experts blamed run-down itant attacks, have kept them that path. scene. fortunate accident took place moaned the tragedy, as Tuni- one from the government has roads, reckless driving and from giving it more attention. It covers various stages that could take several months to un- fold, but the issue could eventu- ally end up before the UN Secu- Troops assault rity Council, which could decide students to reimpose sanctions. near Nablus Israeli faces trial over Nearly 70 dead in Syria regime Larijani also suggested the current deadlock with the United The Israeli occupation forces as- States could be “fi xed” if Iran’s saulted students and prevented illegal entry, drug charges clashes with Idlib militants arch-foe learns from the past. them from attending their school Ahead of the 2015 deal, then in the village of Al-Lubban US president Barack “Obama ash-Sharqiya, to the south of AFP tion,” the offi cial added. AFP lages fl ed north to escape the The Britain-based Ob- wrote a letter and said that I ac- the occupied West Bank city Amman Illegal entry into Jordan is Surman, Syria fi ghting, adding to the hun- servatory yesterday put the cept Iran’s enrichment, now let’s of Nablus, yesterday morning, punishable by up to one year dreds of thousands who have death toll from fighting at negotiate,” he said. QNA reported from Occupied in prison, while possession of already fl ooded out of the 69 combatants since battles “If the American offi cials have Jerusalem. Sources told Palestin- n Israeli arrested in drugs carries a penalty of up wo days of clashes be- province’s violence-plagued started the previous day. just as much wisdom, to use past ian news agency (WAFA) that neighbouring Jordan to three. Kotov’s arrest comes tween regime forces south since fi ghting escalated At least 36 regime forces experiences, then they can fi x the occupation soldiers stopped Aa month ago has been amid a cooling of ties between Tand armed groups in earlier this year. were among those killed. this issue.” students as they were walking to referred to court in Amman Israel and Jordan. Syria’s last major opposition “I don’t want to see my The Observatory said an The JCPOA set out restrictions their school, located on the main on charges of illegally entering Jordan’s King Abdullah II bastion have killed nearly 70 children trapped under rub- attack led by Syria’s former on Iran’s nuclear programme in Nablus-Ramallah Street, and the kingdom and possessing last month told a forum in on both sides, undermining a ble,” said one of those driven Al Qaeda affiliate on several exchange for the lifting of West- asked to either go back or take drugs, an offi cial said yester- Washington that relations be- months-long ceasefi re agree- from his home, Hafez, who regime positions had initial- ern sanctions. another road. day. tween the two countries were ment, a war monitor said yes- escaped the fl ashpoint area ly sparked the fighting. Harassment of students and civil- “Israeli citizen Konstantin “at their lowest” since they terday. along with his wife and three Overnight, the Syr- ians by Israeli forces and settlers Kotov, who entered the king- signed the peace deal in 1994. The battles in the north- kids two days earlier. ian army backed by Russian is a routine occurrence in the dom’s territory on October He cited bilateral disagree- western province of Idlib Yesterday morning, warplanes launched a coun- occupied West Bank, especially 29, has been referred to the ments, domestic Israeli poli- are “the most violent” there clouds of smoke rose over ter-push to reclaim territory in areas adjacent to illegal settle- state security court,” the offi - tics and issues linked to the since a Russian-brokered the Maaret al-Numan re- it had lost in the battles, the Prince ments. cial said, quoted in state news Israeli-Palestinian confl ict. ceasefi re agreement went gion as warplanes pounded war monitor said. On the other hand, the Israeli agency Petra. In October, Amman recalled into eff ect in late August, said militants and allied rebels in Regime forces have since occupation force arrested yester- Kotov will go on trial today its ambassador from Israel Rami Abdul Rahman, head of positions they had recently regained lost ground but William day one Palestinian east of Beth- for “illegal entry into the terri- over the prolonged detention the Syrian Observatory for recaptured from regime violent clashes are ongoing, lehem after raiding his house. tory of the kingdom and pos- without trial in the Jewish Human Rights. forces, said an AFP corre- the Observatory and an AFP session of drugs for consump- state of two Jordanians. Residents of aff ected vil- spondent. correspondent said. arrives in Kuwait

DPA Iraq’s embattled PM bows out as protesters mourn dead Kuwait City

AFP The rallies spread yesterday an Iraqi fl ag, said the whole ritain’s Prince William Baghdad from the protest epicentre in country was now in agreement yesterday arrived in Ku- Baghdad and from the south politically and that “now the Bwait, kicking off a Gulf trip to the northern city of Mosul, government needs to heed the that will also take him to Oman. he government of Iraq’s where hundreds of students protesters’ demands”. The four-day trip is his fi rst Prime Minister Adel Ab- dressed in black organised a Abdel Mahdi had resisted offi cial visit to both countries. Tdel Mahdi ended yester- mourning march. protesters’ calls for him to step William was welcomed yes- day after two months of violent Some protesters cautiously down over the past two months. terday at the airport by Kuwait’s unrest that has left more than welcomed the departure of the But a crackdown turned the Minister of Royal Aff airs Ali Jar- 420 people dead and thousands premier, who came to power tide this week when more than rah al-Sabah, the state news mourning them in nationwide just a year ago based on a shaky 20 people were killed in the agency KUNA reported. marches. alliance between rival parties, shrine city of Najaf, 40 in the Last year, William, the duke of As anti-government demon- but they demanded far more hotspot of Nasiriyah and three Cambridge, visited Jordan, Israel strators across the strife-torn deep-rooted change. in Baghdad. and the Palestinian Territories, country massed to honour the “Abdel Mahdi should go — The bloodshed prompted marking his fi rst offi cial tour of fallen activists, parliament met and so should parliament and Iraq’s infl uential spiritual lead- the Middle East. to accept the resignation which the political parties and Iran!” er, Grand Ayatollah Ali Sistani, In Kuwait, he is set to meet the 77-year-old had off ered two said one young demonstrator in to call on parliament to drop its with senior offi cials and visit days before. the capital. support for the premier. other sites. While Abdel Mahdi stays Observers said Iraq’s frac- Iraq’s constitution has no He will also join Kuwaiti and on initially to lead a caretaker tured political scene will strug- provision for the resignation British troops undertaking a government, President Barham gle to reach a consensus on a of a premier, and lawmaker desert military exercise, Ken- Saleh will now be asked to name new premier. Sarkawt Shamsaddin said yes- sington Palace said in a recent a successor to face the challenge With the parliament’s main terday that the body did not ac- statement. “Throughout the of resolving the political chaos blocs “fragmented, no ‘largest Iraqi demonstrators gesture during an anti-government protest in the southern holy city of Najaf, yesterday. tually hold a vote. tour, The Duke’s programme will that has engulfed the nation. faction exists,” wrote Dlawer “The speaker said that the pay tribute to the historic ties The protest movement is Ala’Aldeen, president of the Ar- session began, another protest- hanged and it jailed a police Ahmed, a dentistry student. Federal Court was consulted Britain shares with Kuwait and Iraq’s biggest since the US- bil-based Middle East Research er was shot dead in the capital, lieutenant colonel for seven “The protesters are asking and the understanding is that Oman, and will highlight strong led invasion of 2003 toppled Institute. medical sources said. years over the deaths of seven for their basic rights so the gov- (there is) no need to vote,” he links and co-operation in many Saddam Hussein and installed Even if they agreed on a can- But, in a victory for the protesters in the southern city ernment should have answered said. areas, including education, the a democratic system in the oil- didate, he or she would also movement, an Iraqi court sen- on November 2, judicial sources from the beginning.” The speaker had then asked environment, and defence,” the rich but poverty-plagued na- need the backing of the em- tenced a police offi cer to death said. For three years, Mosul was if any lawmaker was against the palace added. tion. boldened street. after convicting him of killing In Mosul, meanwhile, pro- the heart of the Islamic State resignation and “nobody ob- William’s current trip comes Tens of thousands have “Demonstrators are hard to demonstrators, the fi rst such testers were marching in soli- group’s ultra-conservative jected”. at the request of the British For- vented their anger at a govern- please,” said Ala’Aldeen. “The sentence in the two months of darity with activists elsewhere “caliphate”, and much of it still Meanwhile, mourners also eign and Commonwealth Offi ce. ing class they despise as inept, carnival goes on and, mean- deadly civil unrest. in the country. lies in ruins today. marched for the fi rst time in His wife Kate is not accompa- corrupt and beholden to foreign while, violence continues.” The Kut criminal court sen- “It’s the least Mosul can give Another student in Mo- Salaheddin, a province north of nying him. In October, the cou- powers. Just before the parliamentary tenced the police major to be to the martyrs,” said Zahraa sul, Hussein Kheder, carrying Baghdad. ple visited Pakistan. Gulf Times 12 Monday, December 2, 2019 AFRICA

Malawi tobacco pressured as US butts in over labour abuses

By Jack McBrams, AFP revenue (25%), any trouble the required adhere to a code of con- child labour occur despite eff orts Agriculture Minister Kond- Law firm Leigh Day described would conduct the necessary Blantyre sector runs into could quickly re- duct that does not tolerate child to eliminate the practice. wani Nankhumwa acknowledged a tobacco farming system that policy reviews to protect the to- verberate throughout the econo- and forced labour. “In some cases, farmers may pockets of child and forced la- puts farmers under extreme bacco industry and bring the my. The US suspended imports of think that that is the way things bour in Malawi, but downplayed pressure. country into compliance with alawi is being forced The US decision piles even tobacco from Malawi, saying it are supposed to be without the US action saying it “is not Leaf buyers who sell to mul- global standards. to confront child and more pressure on the tobacco had information that reasonably knowing that they are engaging a ban, they are just pushing for tinational tobacco fi rms make “The government is reviewing Mforced labour practices sector, already confronted with indicated it was being produced in child labour,” she said. compliance”. contracts with landowners who the tenancy system, which is a after the US restricted tobacco global anti-tobacco campaigns. using forced labour and forced Tobacco and Allied Workers US authorities said fi rms then engage tenant farmers who bone of contention but also per- imports from the impoverished The trouble began in late Oc- child labour. Union general secretary Raphael wishing to import Malawi tobac- spend 10 months on the planta- ceived to be catalyst for child and southeastern African nation over tober. According to a survey con- Sandram accused the govern- co into the country will need to tions. forced labour,” he said. allegations workers including British law fi rm Leigh Day an- ducted in 2017 by the country’s ment of dithering in addressing demonstrate it was not produced Each tenant farmer is allotted Farmers — who are starting to children were being exploited. nounced it was preparing a land- statistics agency the use of child child labour in the industry. with forced labour. around a hectare but needs four prepare their fi elds for the next Although exports to the Unit- mark class action case against labour in Malawi is extensive. “In our labour report in 2015, But what will be needed to workers to work that amount of planting season — are distraught ed States make up only a small British American Tobacco (BAT) It found that 38% of the coun- we raised the issue that there convince US authorities and how land. at the prospect of being squeezed part of Malawi’s total, the US on behalf of 2,000 Malawian try’s children aged between fi ve were some irregularities in the much eff ort fi rms will be willing “However, the amount the further by falling prices. move could make it harder sell- farmers, including hundreds of and 17 were working. industry that government need- to take is unclear. tenant farmers are paid for their “We are baffl ed and confused,” ing its tobacco elsewhere and has children, for forced labour and Although the survey did not ed to address,” he said. Nankhumwa said 80% of Ma- crop is too low for them to be said Alick Yagontha, a small sparked anxiety among farmers poverty wages. provide specifi c information “The fact that the government lawi’s tobacco was grown under a able to aff ord to employ workers farmer in the northern Rumphi who fear they will be forced to BAT, which says it “takes the about the tobacco sector, it is did not respond according to the special scheme which is free from to help on the farms. As a result, district who has been growing accept lower prices. issue of child labour extreme- widely acknowledged that child requirements of the US govern- child or forced labour. they have no option but to rely tobacco for two decades and har- As tobacco, known locally as ly seriously”, has denied any labour is a problem. ment means that they delayed “So, we are only grappling on their children to work on the vested 28,000kg this year. “green gold”, is Malawi’s top crop wrongdoing and noted that it Betty Chinyamunyamu, who to act on these issues. But these with the 20% within which there farms,” said Leigh Day in a state- He fears there will be “no fu- in terms of employment, foreign buys tobacco from Malawi via heads an association of small- issues have been there for a long is also some kind of compliance,” ment. ture for tobacco farming in Ma- exchange earnings (60%) and tax international dealers who are holder farmers, said incidents of time,” he said. he said. Nankhumwa pledged Malawi lawi” if prices fall. DR Congo Bullfight! claims fresh win against Hutu militia

AFP national Criminal Court on war crimes charges. Bukavu On November 10, they said they had killed another FDLR leader, Musabimana Juvenal, also known as General Jean-Michel Africa. he army in DR Congo said yesterday it The FDLR was created by Rwandan Hutu has driven out Hutu Rwandan rebels refugees in eastern DRC after the 1994 geno- Tfrom their bases in the east of the coun- cide of Tutsis by the majority Hutus in Rwanda. try, a few weeks after having killed their leader. According to the United Nations, at the be- Troops launched a campaign last Tuesday ginning of 2019, the force numbered between against the CNRD — an off shoot of the FDLR 500 and 600 active fi ghters. militia — in South Kivu region, which borders Scattered across the mineral-rich eastern Two bulls push each other during the Luhya tribe’s traditional bullfighting match as an exhibition event for Kakamega Forest Marathon in Rwanda and Burundi, military spokesman Congolese provinces of North and South Kivu Kakamega, western Kenya. Dieudonne Kasereka told AFP. as well as in southern Katanga, its fi ghters have “Since Saturday, we have dislodged these been regularly accused of committing atroci- rebels from their headquarters and recaptured ties against civilians. all the areas that were previously under their These recent army operations against the Mali leader appeals against control,” he added. Hutu militia in the Democratic Republic of The rebels had fl ed towards the National Congo have been welcomed in neighbouring hostility to foreign forces Park of Kahuzi Biega, and the army will launch Rwanda, which has been frequently targeted SA police arrest 3 suspects a major operation to fl ush them out and de- by attacks from the rebel Hutu Rwandan force. ali’s President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita has stroy them, said Kasereka. At the end of October, government troops urged Malians not to “bite the hands” of The park lies 30km west of Bukavu and its launched an operation against another rebel mi- linked to terrorism plot Mnations giving aid, in a response to growing 600sq km is the last refuge of the lowland go- litia, the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), a shad- hostility to foreign forces helping the Sahel country rilla, an endangered species. owy armed group with links to Ugandan Islamists. battle Islamist militants. French forces have been In mid-September the army announced it This operation is taking place in the North DPA Hangwani Mulaudzi said. The other two in Mali since a 2013 campaign to drive out Islamist had killed Sylvestre Mudacumura, commander Kivu region that borders Rwanda and Uganda, Johannesburg suspects have not yet been named. fi ghters from the country’s north, but public anger of the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of in response to a series of massacres the ADF Police also confi scated fi rearms, ammu- over growing militant violence has recently turned Rwanda (FDLR). He was wanted by the Inter- has carried out against civilians. nition and documents from Heymans, said on the presence of foreign troops. olice have arrested three people Mulaudzi. Keita’s appeal came days after a mid-air collision linked to a far-right Christian group Heymans and the two other accomplic- between two helicopters killed 13 French troops who Passenger jet comes under fire in northwest Cameroon Paccused of plotting terrorist attacks es will appear in court on Monday along- were on a night-time operation against militants in in South Africa, a spokesman said yester- side Harry Johannes Knoesen, the self- Mali. “We have no reason to glorify how we reached Cameroon Airlines passenger jet came un- Cameroon has been a battleground since 2017 day. proclaimed leader of the Crusaders, who out to those who needed our help yesterday,” the der fi re yesterday morning while approach- between the army and rebels seeking to form a Riana Heymans was arrested on Friday was arrested on Thursday. president said in a statement on Saturday night, re- Aing Bamenda airport in the northwest of the breakaway state called Ambazonia. in Johannesburg after police launched a The arrests came after a two-year in- ferring to Malian soldiers’ involvement in the two country, where separatist insurgents are fi ghting What began as peaceful protests in the south- search for her following the arrest of the vestigation into an alleged terrorist plot in World Wars and peacekeeping missions. “But we the army, the airline said in a statement. west calling for greater powers for English speak- self-proclaimed leader of the National which the police believe the group planned also have no reason to bite the hands of those who The scheduled fl ight from Douala landed ers in the majority French-speaking country Christian Resistance Movement, also to attack strategic national locations, give us theirs today.” Despite the presence of French safely and there were no casualties, the state- have degenerated into near daily violence. known as the Crusaders. shopping malls and informal settlements, and other foreign forces, militants have regrouped to ment said. The airline has grounded the plane Despite tentative eff orts to sue for peace, On Friday, police released a photograph which are largely home to poor, black carry out deadly attacks on Mali’s army and violence while it assesses the damage. fi ghting has continued, with both sides ac- of Heymans and warned that anyone hid- South Africans. has spread to neighbouring countries. “Thanks to the bravery of the captain, the cused of atrocities, including the use of bombs ing her would be guilty of breaking anti- Police also raided a house, at fi rst be- Mali’s leader also called on all parties, including aircraft was able to land smoothly despite the and kidnappings by separatists and indiscrim- terrorism laws. lieved to belong to Knoesen, where they the main opposition, to take part in a national debate impact on its fuselage,” it said. inate killings by the armed forces. Heymans was traced to the south of Jo- uncovered material to manufacture explo- to be launched on December 14 to discuss solutions It was not immediately clear who fi red on Separatist leaders were not immediately hannesburg, where she was arrested along sives, electronic devices and an unlicensed to the country’s security crisis. the plane, but the English-speaking west of available for comment. with two other accomplices, spokesman fi rearm and ammunition. “We should seize the opportunity,” he said. Nigerian farmers hope to spread shea butter wealth

By Ifiok Ettang, AFP shea nuts that grow abundantly women collect the nuts and re- working for the middle men.” “It is estimated that Nigeria Kodo, Nigeria in Nigeria. move the sweet pulp either to be Farmer Mustafa Umar, 35, could make up to $2bn from the Shea butter is consumed eaten or fermented. agreed as he surveyed the shea export of processed shea kernel” worldwide in chocolate, mar- The nuts are then washed and trees on his farm in Kodo. if it was done domestically, said urrounded by four children, garine and cooking oil, and cos- boiled to prevent germination “People are coming from dif- Roland Oroh, director of the or- Ladi Usman scoops shea metic giants are using it more and before being roasted on charcoal ferent areas to buy shea butter, ganisation that tracks the agri- Snut paste from a plastic more as a natural moisturiser. ovens. and when they buy it cheap here cultural sector. container into a metal pot on the The global shea butter market Most of the nuts are sold at they will go back and double it But despite the ambitious stove in her cramped kitchen. is expected to be worth $3.5bn by that point by Usman and the rest two times and make their own targets, Nigeria remains a long Squinting to keep charcoal 2028, according to Transparency of the collective for the oils to be profi ts,” he said. “We want to in- way from cashing in on its shea fumes out of her eyes, she stirs it Market research. extracted industrially. vite the foreigners to come and wealth. with a bamboo stick, completing Experts say the huge number It makes sense to the small- buy the shea nuts here from us.” Industry experts say a fi rst the fi nal stages of eking out the of shea trees in Nigeria could be scale farmers as it avoids the long Nigerian authorities are des- step to targeting foreign markets valuable shea butter oils. a major source of income. hours and fuel needed for extrac- perate to diversify the country’s would be to improve quality at For the past two decades Us- But potential profi t is being tion, but it precludes profi ts they oil-dependant economy and the fi rst stages of production. man, 39, has relied on shea nuts lost as it exports just 10% of the could be making. have made boosting domestic “We need to get more educated — and the oil they contain — to 350,000 tonnes of shea nuts pro- Distance to markets is another agriculture a priority. especially in the scientifi c aspect, provide a livelihood for herself duced annually as fi nished prod- major problem as farmers have Proponents say that tapping some of our fi nished products and her family in central Nigeria. ucts to lucrative world markets. to offl oad what they produce to into the value of millions of Ni- that went to Europe were reject- “I cook with it, I sell it and the Nigeria could satisfy up to middle men who buy low and sell gerian shea trees could provide a ed because they didn’t meet im- money I get from it I use to take 60% of global demand for shea, Farmer Mustafa Umar holds shea nuts at the Talba Shea Butter high in other towns and cities. crucial source of income. port standards,” said Christopher these children to school, to hos- “and with many companies in Village in Kodo. “The middle men come to buy Since June, the Nigeria Agri- Chuwkuemeka, 62, a shea butter pital and everything else,” she Europe and America using shea from us and go to sell in other business Register market moni- processor in the Jos, central Ni- told AFP. butter as an alternative to co- sociation “We as a nation just Kodo collective, extracting oil towns. They buy from us at $1 and tor has been facilitating invest- geria. Together with 50 other women coa butter the potential is enor- need to get ourselves organised from shea nuts takes several stag- sell at $5,” Maryam Aliyu, chair- ment it hopes can help Nigeria “Poor practices reduce the in a co-operative in the village mous,” said Aderemi Akpatira of and take that leadership place.” es and a lot of work. woman of the Alheri cooperative, gain a bigger share of the world’s quality of the shea butter even of Kodo she extracts value from the National Shea Products As- For women working in the First Usman and the other told AFP. “We feel like we are just shea butter market. before it reaches us,” he said. Gulf Times Monday, December 2, 2019 13 AMERICA

TRAGEDY ACCIDENT BLIZZARD NO FATALITIES HEAVY HAND Two children washed away Two hikers fall to death at Light airplane crash kills New Orleans shooting Cop slams man to the in Arizona winter floods Utah Arches National park nine in South Dakota leaves 11 people hurt ground during arrest

Two children were found dead and another A pair of tourists in their 60s fell to their deaths A plane crash in the US state of South Dakota Eleven people were wounded in a shooting before A Chicago police off icer was suspended last was missing in Arizona on Saturday after while hiking in a popular area of Arches National killed nine people, including two children, and dawn yesterday in New Orleans’ French Quarter, week after video recorded by a bystander the vehicle they were in became stuck while Park in Utah. A 30-year-old man was also injured injured three others on Saturday while a winter a popular tourist hub, US police said, adding that showed him hurling a man forcefully onto the crossing a storm-swollen forest creek outside in the fall, which occurred amid wet and slick storm warning was in place, off icials said. The two of the victims were in a critical condition. The sidewalk during an arrest, in footage described Phoenix, part of a post-Thanksgiving winter conditions on Friday, Arches National Park Chief Pilatus PC-12, a single-engine turboprop plane, shooting took place at about 3am on a crowded by Mayor Lori Lightfoot as “highly disturbing.” storm that pummelled wide swathes of the Ranger Scott Brown said. Authorities responded crashed shortly after take-off approximately a commercial street near many hotels in a historic The incident took place on Thursday, the US country. The children were reported missing to the bowl area under the popular Delicate Arch mile from the Chamberlain airport, the Federal district that attracts visitors from around the Thanksgiving holiday, when police approached late Friday afternoon after a vehicle got stuck around 7.30am, the Grand County Sheriff ’s Off ice Aviation Administration (FAA) said. Among the world. No fatalities had been reported, and police a 29-year-old man at a bus stop on Chicago’s in Tonto Creek near Tonto Basin, northeast of said in a news release. When they arrived on the dead was the plane’s pilot, Brule County state’s said they quickly responded to the incident South Side, CBS News reported. Police said the Phoenix, the Gila County Sheriff ’s Off ice said scene, they discovered a 60-year-old woman and attorney Theresa Maule Rossow said, adding as extra patrols were on duty for an annual man became agitated, threatened an off icer and in a statement. Rescue workers in helicopters a 65-year-old man dead from their injuries. The that a total of 12 people had been on board. The Thanksgiving weekend university football game spat on his face, leading to the body slam filmed successfully reached four other children and younger victim was taken to an area hospital for three survivors had been taken to the hospital in in the city. The New Orleans Police Department by a passerby, the report said. After landing on an adult who were stranded on an island in the treatment, police said. There was no update on Sioux Falls, she told US media. South Dakota is said via its Twitter feed that no arrests had been the sidewalk, the man did not appear to move for creek and a second adult who was on the shore. his condition. located in a region facing blizzard conditions. made and investigations were ongoing. the remainder of the short video.

Horse sense Congress ramps up its focus on impeachment

Reuters 53% of Republicans believe Trump better than Lincoln Washington President Donald Trump may be no Trump, who even supporters Honest Donald, but he’s outpolling admit has trouble telling the truth, S President Donald Trump Abe among Republicans. is battling impeachment and other faced two deadlines in Con- A whopping 53% of Republicans controversies. Ugress this week as Demo- said Trump is a better leader that But he boasts overwhelming sup- crats prepared to shift the focus of Abraham Lincoln, according to an port of his right-wing base. their impeachment inquiry from Economist/YouGov weekly tracking The same poll found that nearly fact-fi nding to the consideration of poll. 90% of GOP supporters approve of possible charges of misconduct over Just 47% of GOP supporters the job he’s doing as president. his dealings with Ukraine. thought the guy who won the Civil Trump has in the past had the The Democratic-led House of War and freed the slaves did a better audacity to compare himself to Representatives Judiciary Commit- job in the White House. Lincoln, claiming he was more tee, tasked with considering charges Among all Americans, 75% say popular than any Republican Members of the activist group Horseracing Wrongs hold a ‘Requiem March for the fallen horses’ in Pasadena, California, to known as articles of impeachment, Lincoln was a better president than president, including the Great protest their deaths at Santa Anita Park race track and other venues across the country. In all, 37 horses have died at the had given Trump until 6pm EST Trump, including 94% of Democrats. Emancipator. Santa Anita Park race track this year. yesterday to say whether he or his legal counsel will participate in a Wednesday impeachment hearing. been looking into whether Trump closed-door testimony and open This fi rst-in-a-series of expect- abused his power by pressuring hearings before the House Intelli- ed Judiciary proceedings will hear Ukraine to launch investigations of gence Committee. testimony on the impeachment former Democratic Vice President However, Republican lawmak- process established under the US Joe Biden, who is running to unseat ers were able to question witnesses Bacteria decimating Florida’s orange crops Constitution from a panel of legal him in the 2020 presidential elec- during the closed hearings and experts that has yet to be named. tion, and a discredited conspiracy called three witnesses during public Hearings before the committee, theory that Ukraine, not Russia, in- hearings that wrapped up last week. By Gianrigo Marletta, AFP way to make the trees immune to HLB,” just a 10-minute drive from Spyke’s farm. which has responsibility for crafting terfered in the 2016 US presidential “The president may well look at Fort Pierce, Florida he said during a tour of his orchard. The University of Florida’s research any formal charges against Trump, election. this, or his counsel may well look at Florida citrus farmers have generally center employs 40 scientists including are a major step toward possible Representative Doug Collins, the this, and say: Why would we want to been reluctant to destroy contaminated researcher Johnny Ferrarezi. charges. senior Republican on the Judici- get in here and legitimise this proc- eter Spyke has two types of oranges trees, and as a result 90% of their groves “Everyone really wants to see a dead- Democratic House Speaker Nan- ary Committee, said in an inter- ess, when it was made illegitimate at in his groves: those that are the are infected — compared to only 19% line for solving that, unfortunately we cy Pelosi, who will make the fi nal view with Fox News Sunday that the the beginning by shutting us out?” Pcolour orange — and those that are in Brazil, while Europe so far has been scientists don’t have it,” Ferrarezi said. decision, has not yet said whether White House will mount a defence said Republican Representative Tom green, unsaleable and responsible for the spared the blight. “What’s very important to say is that the Republican president should be during upcoming impeachment Cole. collapse of Florida’s orange crop over the Sprays used to treat trees in Florida — after 15 years handling this disease in impeached. proceedings and suggested calling The House Judiciary Commit- past 15 years. have been ineff ective. Florida, we did acquire a lot of knowledge But in a letter to supporters last Adam Schiff , the Democratic chair- tee could vote on whether to rec- Florida farmers have observed, almost Of 7,000 citrus growers in the state in that can allow us to manage the groves in week, she called for him to be held man of the Intelligence Committee, ommend articles of impeachment powerless, the spread of the huanglong- 2004, 5,000 have thrown in the towel, a way better way.” accountable for his actions. as a witness. within the next two weeks, setting bing bacterium (“yellow dragon disease” according to The Washington Post. The laboratory, under pressure from Trump has denied any wrongdo- In a separate interview on ABC’s the stage of a possible impeach- in Chinese), known worldwide as “HLB” Spyke is taking a long-term approach the industry and based on their research, ing, calling the impeachment in- This Week, another Judiciary Com- ment vote by the full House before and native to China. It was fi rst reported to the problem by searching for citrus va- has made available new varieties of or- quiry a “witch hunt.” mittee Republican, Representa- Christmas, according to Democratic in Florida in 2005, and has been conquer- rieties that are naturally more resistant to anges and mandarins that can produce The White House has not yet in- tive Tom McClintock, suggested aides. ing groves ever since. HLB. more fruit despite the bacteria. dicated whether it will take part in the possibility that Trump’s acting If the House impeaches Trump, The bacterium causes one of the most On his 30-acre farm he has planted two The lab has even suggested a simple the committee proceedings. chief of staff , Mick Mulvaney, and the Republican-controlled Sen- devastating citrus diseases called “green- dozen varieties of citrus including lem- and eff ective but expensive solution: Judiciary Chairman Jerrold Na- his personal attorney, Rudy Giuliani ate would hold a trial to determine ing”: the leaves of the infected trees turn ons, oranges, mandarins and grapefruit. covering the citrus trees with huge pro- dler also set a 5pm EST Friday should testify. whether he should be removed from pale, the fruit fails to ripen and remain The 68-year-old farmer knows it will tective nets that block HLB-carrying deadline for Trump to say whether Representative Hakeem Jeff ries, a offi ce. green, and eventually fall to the ground. take years, but is resigned to the idea that insects, called Citrus Under Protective he will mount a defence at further member of House Democratic lead- House Judiciary Democrat Zoe The bacterium is transmitted by a there is no miracle solution. Screen or CUPS. proceedings expected next week to ership and the Judiciary Committee, Lofgren, interviewed on CNN’s small insect called citrus psyllid. He has also changed the way he looks In an industry already suff ering from a examine evidence against him. told Fox News: “We all may want to State of the Union program, urged Compared to the 2003-2004 season, after the trees. downturn, the question of dollars often Three investigating panels, led by hear from John Bolton. We all would Republicans and her fellow Dem- Florida’s orange production will be down “We have to use appropriate cultural comes up, as was the case at a late No- the House Intelligence Committee, like to hear from Mick Mulvaney.” ocrats to keep an open mind as by 80% this season, with harvests lasting practices that will help it deal with the vember meeting organised by the state. are due to release a formal report In September, Trump fi red Bolton they weigh possible impeachment from November to April depending on disease,” he told AFP. “We still need the research dollars to this week when lawmakers return from his job as national security ad- charges against Trump. the citrus variety. One solution is to feed the plants “slow go towards research and development of tomorrow from a Thanksgiving re- viser, citing policy disagreements. “If we’ve got it wrong — it doesn’t Grapefruits are the most aff ected. release” fertiliser, so that the nutrient future developing new products, the big cess. The president and his Republi- look like we do — I would welcome “We’ve lost a great deal of our produc- supply is regular and continuous. word, GMOs,” said a citrus grower named The report will outline evidence can allies in Congress say the in- an opportunity to reach a diff erent tive capacity and along with that we’ve This apparently helps some trees fi ght Frank Youngman. gathered by the Intelligence, For- quiry has been rushed and unfair to conclusion about the president’s lost juice plants, we’ve lost jobs, we’ve against the eff ects of HLB, which literally Researchers are hard at work searching eign Aff airs and Oversight commit- Trump by not allowing the White misconduct. We have to at least al- lost packing houses,” said Spyke, a third- “starves” them to death. for a genetically modifi ed alternative, but tees. House to have legal counsel present low for that possibility,” Lofgren generation citrus farmer. This is one of the recommendations given these mutant oranges are far from being Congressional investigators have or call witnesses during weeks of said. “At this point we haven’t identifi ed any by a research laboratory that focuses on citrus ready to be planted.

Supreme Court weighs challenge to New York gun transport limits

By Andrew Chung, Reuters variety of fi rearms restrictions Its ruling is due by the end of residents who were told by au- New York passed in recent years by state June. thorities they could not partici- and local governments across “I believe it will change the pate in a shooting competition in the country, including expanded way the Second Amendment is New Jersey or bring their guns to he US Supreme Court will background checks and confi s- applied to everyone who owns a a home elsewhere in the state. today hear its fi rst major cations of weapons from indi- gun in the country,” said Staten The plaintiff s are appealing a Tgun rights case in nearly a viduals who a court has deemed Island resident Romolo Colan- 2018 ruling by the Manhattan- decade in a challenge backed by dangerous. tone, one of the plaintiff s. based 2nd US Circuit Court of the National Rifl e Association Gun control is a contentious The dispute centres on New Appeals that the regulation did over a now-amended New York issue in the United States, which York’s handgun “premises” li- not violate the Second Amend- City handgun regulation that had has experienced numerous mass censes that allowed holders to ment and advanced the city’s in- prevented licensed owners from shootings. transport their fi rearm only to terest in protecting public safety. taking their handguns outside Since 2013, 45 states and the a handful of shooting ranges The Supreme Court has avoid- the city. District of Columbia have adopt- within the city, and to hunting ed taking up a major fi rearms The nine justices will hear ar- ed more than 300 gun control areas elsewhere in the state dur- case since 2010, when it extend- guments in an appeal by three laws, according to the Giff ords ing designated hunting seasons. ed to state and local regulations handgun owners and the New Law Center to Prevent Gun Vio- The transport rule was a 2008 ruling that recognised York state affi liate of the NRA lence. amended in July to specifi cally for the fi rst time that the Second — the gun rights group closely Republican opposition in Con- allow for a gun to be taken to a Amendment protects a person’s aligned with President Donald gress has been instrumental in range or other residence outside right to keep a gun at home for Trump and other Republicans — thwarting passage of new federal the city. self-defence. who say the regulation violates laws. The city unsuccessfully asked That has left open questions the US Constitution’s Second “The future of life-saving gun the Supreme Court to cancel the such as whether that right ex- Amendment right to keep and safety laws across our country is arguments and drop the case be- tends outside the home. bear arms. very directly on the line with this cause the amendment removed The challengers also are ask- Gun control advocates have case,” the centre’s litigation di- the provision being challenged. ing the Supreme Court to require said that if the justices choose to rector Hannah Shearer said. The New York State Rifl e and lower courts to more strictly re- issue a broad ruling expanding The court has a 5-4 conserva- Pistol Association fi led the law- view gun curbs, with an eye to- People walk past a sculpture outside the UN headquarters in New York. gun rights, it could jeopardise a tive majority. suit in 2013 along with three city ward striking them down. Gulf Times 14 Monday, December 2, 2019 ASIA Flooded road Lanka govt to ‘revisit’ 2015 UNHRC resolution

IANS Gunawardena pointed out Colombo that the foreign ministry would be providing the president and the cabinet with the full details ri Lanka’s new government of the said agreements and sup- has announced that it will plying them with expert opin- S“review and revisit” the ions in order for them to decide 2015 UNHRC resolution pro- the best way forward. moting accountability, recon- President Rajapaksa had ciliation, and human rights for commented on the UNHRC its wartime abuses. resolution in the lead-up to the Foreign Minister Dinesh Guna- election, calling it illegal. People wade through a flooded road caused by seasonal rains at Ra-Ngae district in southern Thailand’s Narathiwat province yesterday. wardena said that Colombo would Gunawardena, fl anked by fel- look at the resolution in a “na- low parliamentarians including tional viewpoint in order to make Sarath Amunugama and Bandula it balanced and non-partisan”. Gunwardana, as well as senior He said the top priority of new ministry offi cials, obtained the President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s blessings of religious leaders prior administration was to ensure to assuming offi ce. Senior diplo- national security. mats and ministry offi cials were The minister recalled that the also present at the ceremony. president’s election manifesto He said the new government made it clear that any foreign will call upon the Sri Lankan ex- West must invest to keep agreements that had a nega- patriate community including the tive impact on Sri Lanka’s na- Tamil diaspora to take part in the tional security, sovereignty and development and reconciliation integrity would be reviewed. process to bring prosperity and “Sri Lanka will revisit all bi- peace among all communities. lateral agreements, particularly “To reach that goal, we need the Acquisition and Cross-Serv- the friendship and co-operation China at bay: Gotabaya icing Agreement (ACSA), Status of all nations, which is why Sri of Forces Agreement (SOFA) and Lanka would not be party to any AFP on his fi rst foreign trip since Gotabaya Rajapaksa also Millennium Challenge Corpora- power bloc,” he said. New Delhi winning a presidential election confi rmed that he wants to tion (MCC) worked out by the In September 2015, Sri Lanka on November 16. renegotiate the agreement previous government, and if nec- had co-sponsored a UN Human “They should tell their com- with China about the strate- essary, introduce amendments,” Rights Council (UNHRC) resolu- ri Lanka’s new President panies to invest in Sri Lanka and gic Hambantota port south he said yesterday. tion which made it committed to Gotabaya Rajapaksa has help us grow, because if they do of Colombo that serves the He told reporters that Presi- fulfi l a range of measures dealing Swarned India and Western not, then not only Sri Lanka, but key shipping lanes between dent Rajapaksa had clearly out- with human rights, accountability nations that his country will be countries all over Asia will have Europe and Asia. lined the new government’s and transitional justice. forced to seek fi nance from Chi- the same (problem). “I believe that the Sri Lankan foreign policy based on non- Talks over maritime crime na again if they do not invest in “The Chinese will take the government must have control aligned principles in his election prevention: Sri Lanka aims to the island. Belt and Road initiative all over of all strategically important manifesto. prevent maritime crime and drug Rajapaksa told the Hindu unless other countries provide projects like Hambantota,” he “There is no doubt that we traffi cking in local waters and newspaper in an interview pub- an alternative.” said in the interview. have to review and carefully go has conveyed its intention to the lished yesterday that other India has been at the fore- “The next generation will through all bilateral agreements UN Offi ce on Drugs and Crime Asian nations would also turn front of nations wary of Belt and curse our generation for giving inked after 2015 and remove any (UNODC), media reports said. to China’s giant Belt and Road Road, fearing it will reinforce away precious assets otherwise,” line, clause or paragraph detri- In the talks held between infrastructure project without China’s military and strategic he said. mental to our national security, Miwa Cato, director of op- alternative help. clout in the Indian Ocean region Sri Lanka was forced to hand sovereignty, well-being of our erations at UNODC, and Sri Sri Lanka has traditionally that New Delhi considers its the port over to China in 2017 people and negatively aff ect our Lankan Minister of Foreign Af- been allied to India but became backyard. on a 99-year lease after the Sri economy, trade and industry. Sri fairs Dinesh Gunawardena, both close to China, securing about China has allotted hundreds Lankan government was unable Lanka has witnessed a tremen- sides discussed maritime crime $7bn in loans and investment, of billions of dollars on the net- to repay loans taken to build it. dous political change through prevention and drug traffi cking when Rajapaksa’s brother Ma- work of ports, railways, roads India and some Western which has restored political and in Sri Lankan waters. hinda was president from 2005 and industrial parks spanning countries have raised concerns President Gotabaya Rajapaksa economic stability under a fresh Sri Lanka and the UNODC to 2015. Asia, Africa, the Middle East and that nations who have taken development path. The main also vowed to fi nd pragmatic “I want to tell India, Japan, Europe. Chinese loans under the Belt and wing Prime Minister Narendra were due to our ties with China, task at hand of the new govern- solutions to curbing illegal drug Singapore and Australia and India’s foreign and defence min- Road initiative risk falling into a Modi would move past the ap- but that was a misunderstand- ment is to strengthen national operations inside Sri Lankan other countries to also come and isters held talks with counterparts debt trap. prehensions it had over ties be- ing. We had a purely commer- security and rebuild the lost prisons through preventa- invest in us,” said the president, from Japan on Saturday in a bid to Rajapaksa said he was certain tween Sri Lanka and China. cial agreement with China,” confi dence both domestically tive measures such as capacity who was in India this weekend step up military co-operation. India’s government under right- “Some of their suspicions Rajapaksa said. and internationally,” he said. building for prison staff . Bangladesh jails three As sea engulfs coastline, Indonesians over deadly crash blamed pay high price to shield homes

Reuters for student protests Tambaklorok AFP “We are happy with the – dying on the road in 2018, Dhaka verdict,” he said. according to the Passengers ndonesian fi sherman Mis- The rallies, which began over Welfare Association, a private kan says the once-abundant anger at road safety but soon watchdog. Icatches he used to enjoy have Bangladeshi court yester- morphed into opposition to Following the protests, the been dwindling in recent years day sentenced three trans- the government, lasted more government passed a tough on this stretch of the Java Sea. Aport workers to life for a than a week and paralysed the traffi c law in the country of His meagre income is be- road crash last year that killed capital’s traffi c. 168mn, drawing a backlash ing further strained by having two students and triggered major As the demonstrations from the strong and well- to borrow cash to shore up his anti-government protests. spread across the country, organised transport workers’ home against lapping waves Hundreds of thousands of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina unions. coming further inland on this students across the country launched a heavy crackdown Reckless driving and unfi t vulnerable coastline. took to the streets after the two and more than 150 people were vehicles – even in major cities “If you have a house on land teenagers were hit by an out- left injured after police fi red – are common sights in Bang- and then work at sea, it’s hard. of-control bus that had been tear gas and rubber bullets. ladesh, but the unions have But now I work at sea and I live at illegally racing through the Pro-government groups al- frequently stopped authori- sea,” said Miskan, 44, who uses streets of Dhaka in July 2018. lied with the government also ties from taking action against one name, speaking outside his The three workers, including attacked demonstrators, as drivers or vehicle owners. small home, where a caged song- two drivers, were found guilty well as journalists. Drivers are often half- bird hangs from the rafters. of culpable homicide, pros- Traffi c accidents have spiked trained or ignorant of traffi c His community’s battle ecutor Tapash Kumar Paul told in Bangladesh with at least rules as driving licences can against inundation, blamed on reporters. 7,500 people – over 20 a day easily be acquired with bribes. both man-made environmen- Solihatun and her husband Nasroh sit in their newly-raised house as they pose for pictures at Tambakrejo, tal destruction and the impact a village aff ected by land subsidence and rising sea level, in Semarang, Central Java province. of climate change, refl ects the risks posed to millions of peo- United Nations conference that But many residents, often poor ry month,” she said, adding she ple by a sinking coastline on starts today. fi shermen, are either reluctant to had spent over 5 million rupiah Indonesia’s most populous is- Indonesia, an archipelago of leave their homes or simply have for the last renovation. Dhaka plans to ban e-cigarettes land of Java. thousands of islands, has about nowhere to go further inland Feri Prihantoro of the Bina The fl ooding in Tambaklorok 81,000km (50,300 miles) of on Java, home to around 140mn Karta Lestari Foundation, a in Central Java province is now coastline, making it particularly people. non-government organisation amid growing health concerns so bad that Miskan uses a win- vulnerable to climate change “It is impossible for us to move (NGO) focused on sustainable dow to enter his home since his along with neighbours like the due to economic reasons, so even development, said the area’s angladesh plans to prohibit fare division of the Ministry of able everywhere in Bangladesh door is half blocked by dirt piled Philippines. though there are tidal fl oods, I’ll coastline was particularly vul- the sale and use of electronic Health and Family welfare, said. from small street corner shops up to keep out the sea. It is also home to more than a stay,” said Abdul Hadi, whose nerable to fl ooding and high Bcigarettes and vaporisers, The health ministry had to e-commerce sites. “It’s hard to save money when fi fth of the world’s mangrove for- house in Tambaklorok is now be- tides due to land subsidence a health offi cial said yesterday, as taken into consideration the India, which has the second- you’re a fi sherman,” he said. ests, which naturally help keep out low sea levels and the road. because of the extraction of countries around the world move to recent spate of deaths and ill- largest population of adult Miskan had to borrow from high tidal waters. But for years, Another villager, Solihatun, 51, underground water and higher ban devices that have been linked to nesses linked to e-cigarette use smokers in the world, banned neighbours to pay roughly 7.2mn coastal communities have chopped regularly needs her roof removed sea levels. health risks and teen addiction. in the United States, he said. the sale of e-cigarettes in Octo- rupiah ($500) to hire workers to down mangrove forests to clear the so that the height of the walls can Further along the Java coast, “We are actively working to A ban on e-cigarettes and va- ber as it warned of a vaping “ep- truck in earth. way for fi sh and shrimp farms, and be raised as earth is spread in and Jakarta is also prone to fl ooding impose a ban on the production, porisers will be incorporated in the idemic” among young people. Thousands of people in Asia for rice paddies. around her house. She says the with two-fi fths of the city lying import and sale of e-cigarettes tobacco control policy 2019, now Public health offi cials in the Unit- and Europe joined rallies de- The government has scram- fl ooding is sometimes so bad her below sea level. and all vaping tobaccos to pre- being drawn up by the government, ed States recommended against us- manding more action on cli- bled to work with environmen- grandchildren can swim in the With this partly in mind, Pres- vent health risks,” Shaikh Yusuf he added. It will then be submitted ing e-cigarettes after 12 deaths and mate change on Friday, aiming tal groups to replant mangroves, living room. ident Joko Widodo announced in Harun, secretary at the health to parliament for approval. 805 cases of illnesses linked to e-cig- to force political leaders to come build dykes and relocate threat- “Thank God for bank loans, so August a $33bn plan to move the education and family wel- E-cigarettes are avail- arette use were reported. (Reuters) up with urgent solutions at a ened villages. it’s easier to pay off the debt eve- capital to Borneo island. Gulf Times Monday, December 2, 2019 15 ASIA/AUSTRALASIA Hong Kong protesters return to streets

AFP Hong Kong

olice fi red tear gas and pep- per spray in Hong Kong Pyesterday as tens of thou- sands of black-clad protesters Protesters vandalise a store in the neighbourhood of Hung Hom in Hong Kong. fl ooded into the streets, a week after pro-democracy candidates protest movement. The main scored a landslide local election rally dispersed as night fell but victory. some protesters moved to other The rally heralded an end to a parts of the city. rare lull and a return to the large- Throughout the evening tear scale demonstrations that Hong gas was fi red in multiple loca- Kongers have staged for nearly tions as hardcore protesters van- six months, fuelled by growing dalised businesses seen as being fears that authoritarian China is pro-Beijing and threw projectiles stamping out the city’s liberties. at police. It also marked a resumption A woman holding a baby shouts at police during the anti-government Offi cers were seen making of the increasingly violent con- rally ‘Lest We Forget’ in Kowloon in Hong Kong. multiple arrests. Months into the frontations between protesters huge protests kicked off by oppo- and police, with offi cers shoot- ers taking part in the march. to be ashamed of or guilty about,” sition to a bill allowing extradi- ing volleys of tear gas at crowds A little girl led chants reiterat- he said with a smile. Police said tion to China, demonstrators still that included children. The day’s ing the movement’s demands for they used tear gas after some appear to command widespread main rally in the Tsim Sha Tsui direct elections of the city legis- protesters threw “smoke bombs”. support — with the victory of neighbourhood was one of three lature and leadership. But as part Hong Kong’s Beijing-backed pro-democracy candidates un- called for Sunday, as protesters of the march ran into a phalanx chief Carrie Lam has off ered no dercutting government claims seek to keep pressure on the gov- of police, protesters were told additional concessions in the of a “silent majority” opposed to ernment after the November 24 to move back and warned they wake of the elections, and pro- the movement. district council elections. “The were straying from the permitted testers said they felt compelled Ahead of yesterday’s rallies government are still not listen- route. to return to the streets. “The there were calls from organisers ing to us so the protests will go First pepper spray and then government has given no real for people to remain “highly re- on, they will not stop,” said a tear gas was fi red at several lo- response, it’s unacceptable,” strained”, with fears of a return 20-year-old student who gave cations, in one case catching in 19-year-old student Edmund to the violence that has marked only his surname, Chen. “It is the crossfi re an older man sell- told AFP. “We have to keep go- more recent months in the po- hard to predict what will happen. ing drinks and ice creams from ing. We are fi ghting for our free- litical crisis. Operators of the A police off icer holds a weapon during the ‘Lest We Forget’ anti-government rally in Kowloon in Hong Kong. But the people are still very an- a converted moped. “I’ve sold dom, not just our own freedom city’s subway — which has been gry and want change.” The rally all my drinks but it seems that I but the next generation too. If we repeatedly vandalised after sta- On Saturday night, a video in man, who stumbled and slumped fered a serious head injury and started peacefully, with people can’t leave now,” he told report- give up now all will be lost.” tions were closed ahead of pro- Mongkok district showed a pro- over after being hit across the was sent to hospital.” In a radio fl ooding to the waterside neigh- ers, his eyes streaming. Earlier, a smaller rally marched tests while police offi cers were tester brutally assaulting a man head with a heavy metal object. interview yesterday morning, bourhood by ferry and train. But he quickly recovered, peacefully to the US consulate to transported to rally sites — said it as he attempted to clear a barri- Police confi rmed the incident police chief Tang Ping-keung “Never forget why you started,” tucking into a red ice lolly pulled thank American lawmakers for would resume full service today. cade. in a statement: “So far no one has slammed the violence. “It could read a banner carried by protest- from his stocks. “I have nothing passing legislation backing the But fl are-ups of violence remain. A voice in the video mocks the been arrested. The victim suf- have killed him,” Tang said.

China introduces mandatory face Trip.com chief on journey New South Wales rolls out scans for phone users to boost working mothers cellphone detection cameras China will require telecom opera- tors to collect face scans when reg- istering new phone users at off line AFP Reuters “It’s a system to change the tistics. The state wants to cut outlets (starting Sunday), accord- Beijing Melbourne culture,” NSW Police Assist- the number of road fatalities ing to the country’s information ant Commissioner Michael by 30% by 2021. technology authority, as Beijing Corboy told Australian media The mobile phone detection continues to tighten cyberspace he head of Chinese travel he Australian state last week. cameras use artifi cial intel- controls. In September, China’s giant Trip.com, Jane Sun, of New South Wales, The Netherlands launched a ligence to review images and industry and information technol- Tis on a mission to propel Thome to the country’s similar system in October, fi n- detect illegal use of the de- ogy ministry issued a notice on women through her workforce, largest city Sydney, rolled out ing drivers 240 euros ($265) for vices, Transport for NSW said “safeguarding the legitimate rights spearheading novel approaches mobile phone detection cam- illegal use of mobile phones, in a statement. Images that the and interests of citizens online”, such as encouraging babies on eras yesterday, hoping to cut according to a statement on a automated system identifi es as which laid out rules for enforcing business trips and free egg freez- the number of fatalities on its Dutch police website. likely to contain a driver ille- real-name registration. ing. As a working mother, she roads by a third over two years, Making or receiving voice gally using a mobile phone are The notice said telecom understands the challenges faced transport authorities said. calls while driving in NSW is verifi ed by authorised person- operators should use “artificial by many women in China, whose The mobile phone detection legal, but only when using a nel. intelligence and other techni- participation in the labour force programme, one of the fi rst in hands-free device. All other For the fi rst three months cal means” to verify people’s has been falling for decades. the world, involves cameras functions, such as video call- after the detection systems are identities when they take a new She runs China’s largest on- operating day and night in all ing, using social media and in operation, off ending drivers phone number. A China Unicom line tourism agency and is one CEO of Trip.com Jane Jie Sun Jie speaks during an interview with AFP weather conditions to deter- photography, are illegal while will be issued warning letters. customer service representative of the country’s business elite: in the facilities of Ctrip in Shanghai. mine if a driver is handling a behind the wheel. After that, the penalty will be a told AFP that the December 1 a Silicon Valley returnee who mobile phone, according to So far this year 329 people A$344 ($233) standard fi ne and “portrait matching” requirement moves in friendship circles with ($103bn), tapping into the appe- Alibaba” — the tech giant that Transport for NSW, which have died on NSW roads, com- a A$457 fi ne in a school zone. means customers registering for the likes of Alibaba founder Jack tite for travel among millions of just listed in Hong Kong for at manages the state’s transport pared with 354 people for all of In both cases, drivers will also a new phone number may have Ma and has the ear of the govern- China’s newly-rich middle class- least $11bn. Accustomed to bat- services. 2018, according to offi cial sta- receive penalty points. to record themselves turning ment. But as well as moving the es. Chinese tourists made 149mn tling for senior positions herself, their head and blinking. business to new markets glo- overseas trips in 2018, with total she has turned her attention to “In next steps, our ministry will bally, Sun is also looking closer to spending of $130bn, according to encouraging female staff at Trip. continue to...increase supervi- home for growth. the China Tourism Academy. com to “be more confi dent”. sion and inspection...and strictly She wants to drive female Trip.com is also working with “At the year end (the staff ) Chinese orchestra in Pyongyang promote the management of representation across the the government on how to im- who come into my offi ce asking real-name registration for phone 45,000-strong Trip.com work- prove China’s appeal for tourists for a raise and a promotion are users,” said the September notice. force, including eff orts to ac- so they don’t just think of “pol- always male,” she said. “But (for Though the Chinese govern- commodate breastfeeding moth- lution and piracy”. Sun said an women) I have to go out to them ment has pushed for real-name ers by inviting them to take their offi cial, co-ordinated campaign and say, you did a wonderful job, registration for phone users since babies along on work trips and akin to regional neighbour’s I think you should go through at least 2013 — meaning ID cards introducing nursing rooms. Staff “Incredible India” could be in this process.” are linked to new phone numbers benefi ts include fl exible working, the works. “Perhaps we can say Despite early commitments to — the move to leverage AI comes free taxis for pregnant employ- ‘Friendly China’ with a panda — gender equality, women’s role in as facial recognition technology ees, and off ering staff the option something that speaks to peo- the labour force has been declin- gains traction across China where of freezing their eggs — funded ple,” she said. ing in Communist China since the tech is used for everything by the company. A law major from one of the the 1990s. Human Rights Watch from supermarket checkouts to “I think we are really taking the country’s top universities, Sun says both civil and private sector surveillance. Online, Chinese leadership, and that pays off ,” she was among the fi rst students jobs often specify a requirement social media users reacted with said, with female representation to be given passports and sent for men. Just over 9% of direc- a mix of support and worry over at middle management level now abroad to study in the late 1980s tors in listed companies in main- the December 1 facial verification 40% and one-third at executive amid paramount leader Deng Xi- land China are women, according notice, with some voicing con- level. “That number is even bet- aoping’s opening of China. “My to Deloitte’s 2019 Women in the cerns their biometric data could ter than most of the companies in father’s generation didn’t even Boardroom report, while only 10 be leaked or sold. the Silicon Valley,” Sun said in an know what passports were — we women are part of the 204-strong “This is a bit too much,” wrote one interview with AFP. were very lucky,” she said. Af- Communist Party central com- user on Twitter-like Weibo, com- Sun became chief fi nancial of- ter graduating, she headed to an mittee. Sun said part of the chal- menting under an article about fi cer at Trip.com — then known emerging Silicon Valley where lenge is getting more women in the new rules. “Control, and then as Ctrip — in 2005, and chief she worked for two decades, decision-making roles. more control,” posted another. executive offi cer in 2016. In that along with her husband, John “I think you always start with While researchers have warned of time the group has morphed Wu, one of the architects of Ya- the top,” she said. “If in the man- the privacy risks associated with into an international site in 19 hoo’s search engine. agement team or on your board gathering facial recognition data, languages with 300mn regis- They decided to return to Chi- there is no female representative, consumers have widely embraced tered members. The company’s na in 2000 after Wu was off ered it’s very hard for male leaders to Members of the Symphony Orchestra of the State Grand Theatre of China pose for a photo the technology – though China gross revenues grew 30% year- a role as chief technology offi cer be aware of lots of challenges fe- upon their arrival at Pyongyang airport. saw one of its first lawsuits on on-year in 2018 to 725bn RMB at “a very small company called males are facing.” facial recognition last month. Gulf Times 16 Monday, December 2, 2019 BRITAIN/IRELAND

SCARE COMMENT POLITICS OBITUARY WILDLIFE Sonic boom causes Arcuri voices admiration Irish premier suff ers Distinguished historian Whale found washed panic over London for Johnson’s ex-wife by-election defeats Howard dies aged 97 up on Thames shore

A huge bang heard across London and in Hert- Jennifer Arcuri has proclaimed her admiration for Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar’s Fine Gael Britain’s foremost authority on military events, An eight-foot whale washed up on the shore fordshire just after 4am yesterday was caused Boris Johnson’s wife but added: “I don’t know how party failed to win any of the four by-elections the distinguished historian Sir Michael Howard, of the Thames, where it was found by a patrol by RAF jets going supersonic, the Met and the she put up with it for as long as she did.” The prime held to fill parliamentary vacancies, a blow has died shortly after his 97th birthday. Friends boat under Battersea Bridge. The minke whale ministry of defence said. “Two Typhoon fighter minister’s alleged ex-mistress said she had visited ahead of a general election he plans to hold in and fellow academics have expressed admira- was found by a Port of London Authority boat, aircraft from RAF Coningsby were scrambled the £3.75mn marital home in Islington where John- the next six months. The governing centre-right tion for the talents of Howard, born in Dorset, but it is not yet known how it got there or why at 0409 this morning, as part of the UK’s Quick son lived with Marina Wheeler. The former model, party had held one of the seats left empty after who is best known for his analysAis of historical it died. The Zoological Society of London (ZSL) Reaction Alert (QRA) procedures, after an aircraft 34, said: “I recognised he had a family, a life. I was four lawmakers successfully ran for European conflicts in relation to their social and politi- are set to undertake a postmortem examination lost communications in UK airspace,” said the inside his house. I saw those pictures of him with elections in May. Its main rival Fianna Fail cal impact, moving away from the traditional to determine the cause of death. According to ministry of defence. “The aircraft was intercepted his family. I guess I can understand what it would captured two of the seats, a gain of one, while concentration on tactics. He was educated at Rob Deaville, who leads an investigation project and its communications were subsequently be like to live with someone for 20-odd years and left-wing Sinn Fein and the Green Party added a Wellington College and then Oxford, where he into the stranding of cetacean creatures at the re-established. The Typhoons have returned to maybe not have the same spark as you had at the lawmaker each in the 158-seat Irish parliament. was later Regius Professor of Modern History at ZSL, the mammal is the 27th minke whale to be their base.” Flight tracking sites showed that two beginning.” The US businesswoman told The Times: The Fine Gael-led minority government has Oxford University. He was also the founder of washed up in the UK this year. It is believed to Typhoons took off from RAF Coningsby around “I admire Marina. I don’t know how she put up with it ruled through a co-operation deal with Fianna the department of war studies at Kings College be the third beaching of a dead whale on the the time of the noise. for as long as she did.” Fail that they extended last year. London that bears his name. Thames in two months.

Ex-inmate ‘helped to Corbyn calls take down attacker’ for focus on Guardian News and Media London

former prisoner has been named as the second per- Ason who intervened to rehabilitation take down the perpetrator of the London Bridge attack. Marc Conway, who was for- merly in prison at HMP Gren- don, now works as a policy of- fi cer at the Prison Reform Trust. He was talking with prison ed- of terrorists ucation specialists when those at Fishmongers’ Hall began to fl ee Guardian News and Media services work and crucially sponsibility to deal with them. as Usman Khan launched an at- London what happens to them on re- “If you strip away their citi- tack in the Grade II-listed build- lease from prison.” He added: zenship, where are they going ing on Friday. “There has to be an examina- to go?” he said. Conway reportedly headed eremy Corbyn has said tion of what goes on in the The Labour leader argued straight towards the attacker people convicted of terror- prison because prisons ought that “letting them loose” into and joined others who grappled Jism offences should “not to be a place where people are an ungoverned space would with the assailant. He was one necessarily” serve their full put away because of major se- cause a greater danger in the of several ex-off enders who were sentence, calling for an exami- rious offences but also a place long run. “It is making us safer attending a conference on reha- nation of how the prison sys- where rehabilitation takes by preventing the growth of bilitation organised by the Uni- tem deals with such offenders. place.” terrorist forces, by preventing versity of Cambridge. The Labour leader was re- Arguments over the blame the growth of irrational pow- Scotland Yard is investigating sponding to a question on Fri- for Friday’s attack have come erful forces and also looking at how 28-year-old Usman Khan day’s terrorist attack at Lon- to dominate the election cam- who’s funding them, looking was able to launch the attack in don Bridge by the media. paign, with the prime min- at who’s making money out of London Bridge. He was allowed Corbyn stressed that Brit- ister promising a package of them, looking at who’s sup- out a year ago after serving time ain’s repeated military inter- hardline changes which also porting them,” he said. for his part in a plot to blow up ventions have “exacerbated include mandatory minimum The foreign secretary, Do- the London Stock Exchange and rather than resolved” the 14-year sentences and an end minic Raab, appearing on the was wearing an electronic tag to problem of terrorism. to automatic early release for same programme, was asked monitor his movements. Corbyn’s comments came terrorist and extremism of- about comments made by the Among those who pinned as the ministry of justice said fences. father of Jack Merritt, one of down the attacker was James it was conducting a review of the victims of Friday’s attack. Ford, 42, who is also thought licence conditions of some 70 “I think there has to be Writing on Twitter on Sat- to have tried to save the life of a terrorists released under li- an examination of how urday, David Merritt said his woman who had been stabbed. cence since 2000. our prison services son would not have wanted his Ford was jailed for life in 2004 Usman Khan – who killed work and crucially death to be used as the pretext for the murder of 21-year-old two people in the attack, be- what happens to them for more draconian sentencing. Amanda Champion. fore being shot dead by police on release from prison” “No one wants to see the po- Ford, who is understood to be – was previously jailed for an liticisation of this,” said Raab, serving the fi nal days of his sen- Al Qaeda-inspired plot to blow Corbyn was asked about his before going on to say that only tence at HMP Standford Hill, up the London Stock Exchange previous criticism of “shoot to a Conservative government an open prison in Kent, was on and was wearing an electronic kill” policies. He said the po- could keep people safe. London Bridge as the attack un- tag at the time of the incident. lice had no choice but to shoot “I don’t think after what folded. He was released from jail on li- Khan dead. “They were stuck we’ve seen, both in this elec- Conway now works as a pol- cence in 2018, half way through with a situation where there tion and in the previous elec- icy offi cer at the Prison Reform a 16-year sentence. was a credible threat of a bomb tion, in the individuals in- Trust and his LinkedIn page Asked on Sky News’s Sophy belt around his body and it’s an volved, that anyone would states that he is studying for Ridge on Sunday whether peo- awful situation for any police think taking the measures a degree in criminology at the ple convicted of terrorism of- officer, any public servant to necessary to protect the public Open University and another in fences should serve their full be put in,” he said. and putting their interests and psychology at Cambridge. sentences, the Labour leader He added: “There should their safety at the forefront – Footage shows a fi gure in a said “not necessarily”. never be the first alternative and as the overriding priority grey T-shirt and blue jeans, be- “I think it depends on the to shoot people, but if there is – would be somehow politici- lieved to be Conway. He is fi rst circumstances, it depends on no other alternative then that’s sation,” he said. seen listening attentively to a the sentence but crucially it what you do.” “I think it’s the necessary talk inside Fishmongers’ Hall. depends on what they have Corbyn repeated his belief thing to do to keep people safe The ex-off ender is later among a done in prison,” he said. “I that British citizens fighting and it is only this prime minis- group who corner Khan on Lon- Opposition Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn is met by Labour parliamentary candidate for York Central think there has to be an ex- for Isis overseas should be re- ter and the Conservatives who don Bridge. Rachael Maskell as he arrives at York College, in York, for a general election campaign event yesterday. amination of how our prison turned as it was the UK’s re- are offering that.” Police name second Government steps victim killed in attack up terror checks AFP into pedestrians on London Bridge London before attacking people at random Guardian News and Media painful time for the family. Saskia rupted by an unspeakable criminal with knives, killing eight people London will leave a huge void in our lives act.” and wounding 48. and we would request that our pri- He added: “Our university con- oris Johnson yesterday said After searching on Saturday two vacy is fully respected.” demns this abhorrent and sense- security services were step- properties in central England be- he second victim of the Jones was named a day after Jack less act of terror. Our condolences, Bping up monitoring of con- lieved to be linked to Khan, police London Bridge terror at- Merritt, 25 was identifi ed by his fa- our thoughts and our deepest victed terrorists released early have said they believe he was act- Ttack has been named by ther as the other person killed by sympathies are with the victims from prison, as the London Bridge ing alone and are not seeking any- the Metropolitan police as Saskia Usman Khan in his knife attack at and their families.” attack became embroiled in the body else. Jones, 23, a former Cambridge stu- Fishmongers’ Hall on Friday. Mer- The NHS said one of the people election campaign. Johnson vowed that if he reclaims dent from Stratford-upon-Avon. ritt’s father, David, described his injured in the attack had been al- The prime minister revealed of- power this month he will end early Her family paid tribute to her son as “a beautiful spirit who always lowed to return home and two oth- fi cials were scrutinising around 74 release for terrorist off ences and yesterday as a “funny, kind, posi- took the side of the underdog”. ers remained in a stable condition. people with terrorist convictions introduce minimum 14-year sen- tive infl uence at the centre of “Jack spoke so highly of all the Dr Vin Diwakar, the medical di- who had been released early from tences, with some convicted never many people’s lives”. people he worked with and he rector for the NHS in London, paid prison like Usman Khan, who left to be released. The proposals were “She had a wonderful sense of loved his job,” he added. tribute to hospital and ambulance jail last December and went on to not in the Conservatives’ formal mischievous fun and was gener- In a statement yesterday, Cam- staff . stab two people to death in Fri- manifesto issued last Sunday. ous to the point of always want- bridge University’s vice-chancel- “Our thoughts remain with the day’s rampage. Johnson penned an article set- ing to see the best in all people,” lor, prof Stephen J Toope, said: “I families and friends of those who “They are being properly in- ting out the new stance in The Mail they said in a statement. “She was am devastated to learn that among sadly lost their lives,” he said. “One vigilated to make sure there is no on Sunday newspaper, under the intent on living life to the full and the victims of the London Bridge of the people injured in the Lon- threat,” Johnson told the BBC. headline: “Give me a majority and had a wonderful thirst for knowl- attack were staff and alumni of the don Bridge incident has now been “We’ve taken a lot of action I’ll keep you safe from terror”. edge, enabling her to be the best University of Cambridge, taking able to return home. Two people as you can imagine in the last 48 Critics have hit out fi ercely at she could be. part in an event to mark fi ve years remain in a stable condition and hours.” Johnson for appearing to politicise “Saskia had a great passion of the Learning Together pro- continue to receive expert care in Members of the public have Friday’s attack — including the fa- for providing invaluable support gramme. hospital. been hailed as heroes for pre- ther of Jack Merritt. to victims of criminal injustice, “What should have been a joy- “While the NHS is now dealing venting even greater loss of life by The victim was a course co-or- which led her to the point of re- ous opportunity to celebrate with immediate physical injuries, tackling Khan — one armed with dinator at Cambridge University’s cently applying for the police the achievements of this unique the psychological impact of such a fi ve-foot narwhal tusk and an- criminology institute, which was graduate recruitment programme, and socially transformative pro- events sometimes only comes to other with a fi re extinguisher. hosting its event by London Bridge wishing to specialise in victim gramme, hosted by our Institute light in the days and weeks after- The incident came two years to mark fi ve years of its prisoner support. This is an extremely of Criminology, was instead dis- wards.” Saskia Jones: “She was intent on living life to the full’ after militants in a van ploughed rehabilitation programme. Gulf Times Monday, December 2, 2019 17 EUROPE

Moscow turns to vampires to boost vaccination rates Struggling with growing scepticism of vaccinations, health authorities in Moscow have turned to a surprising ally for EU leadership takes offi ce help: blood-thirsty vampires. A video posted by the Moscow health department this week features a black-clad, long-haired vampire and his fang-baring young daughter. During a visit to the doctor, they ask if it is safe for the girl to drink touting ‘green’ ambition blood from the unvaccinated. After suggesting that it would be AFP guardians of the European Un- house on green policy. whose job is to co-ordinate EU better not to drink blood at all, Brussels ion treaties. European Parliament Presi- leaders’ summits where major the doctor warns unvaccinated “It is a responsibility towards dent David Sassoli said the decisions are made. blood could be “very dangerous”, the European people and to- MEPs would hold an extraordi- Von der Leyen’s mandate was then lays out the benefits of he EU’s new leadership wards our founding father and nary session on December 11 – due to start November 1 but was vaccinations. took offi ce yesterday, mothers, but it is also a respon- the eve of an EU leaders summit delayed after three of her initial “So is this why some parents Tone month later than sibility towards our children,” – to receive the commission’s nominees to the commission are rejecting vaccinations?” the planned, promising a more she said. fi rst climate proposals, dubbed were rejected during the parlia- vampire father asks. “To stop us united Europe that would be “It is our responsibility to the “Green New Deal”. mentary confi rmation process from biting their children?” ready to face major challeng- leave a union that is stronger Von der Leyen’s fi rst trip to- in an unprecedented snub. The video ends with a message es, especially fi ghting climate than the one we inherited ... a day will be to the COP25 meet- She was fi nally approved by urging parents to have their change. continent in peace with rights ing in Madrid, which the former MEPs on Wednesday, winning children vaccinated. Germany’s Ursula von der and liberties (and) a single mar- defence minister said would be a comfortable majority though It was released as city authorities Leyen became president of ket with unprecedented eco- a “starting point” for her New doubts still linger whether she look for ways to boost the European Commission nomic opportunities,” she said. Deal plans. has the support to push through vaccination rates. and marked the occasion in a Former International Mon- Her fi rst voyage outside of the her ambitions that also include On Thursday local deputies short ceremony with her top etary Fund (IMF) chief Lagar- EU will be on Friday to Ethiopia tighter regulation of big tech including the head of the EU counterparts, including de, who took over the ECB last where she will meet Prime Min- and securing an EU budget. city’s public health committee EU Council President Charles month, stressed that the union ister Abiy Ahmed, this year’s Juncker’s commission faced a recommended making Michel, who also started yes- had only recently left the dam- Nobel Peace Prize winner, and myriad of unforeseen problems vaccinations mandatory. terday. aging debt crisis and must look African Union chief Moussa in its fi ve year mandate, includ- The World Health Organisation The team took the reins as the to the future. Faki. ing the 2015 migrant crisis that (WHO) and Unicef warned in July 28-member union is faced with “It’s a formidable challenge The ceremony yesterday was exposed a bitter east-west split, that vaccination rates around the a mountain of diffi culties, in- that awaits us, but my hope is offi cially the 10th anniversary with Hungary and Poland un- world have “dangerously” stalled cluding the Brexit divorce with that ... we may leave this age of the latest European treaty willing to open their doors to – in many cases due to increasing Britain and rising tensions with of repairing (the EU) to one of that simplifi ed EU governance, refugees. suspicion of vaccines. superpowers China and the renovation and hope,” she said. which remains complicated and Greece’s near eviction from United States. Von der Leyen, who replaced often criticised as too removed the eurozone that same year also Von der Leyen said the of- EU veteran Jean-Claude Junck- from the continent’s 500mn dominated the agenda, which Turin centre fi cials gathered, who included er, will lead a 27-strong team of citizens. was followed closely by Britain’s European Central Bank (ECB) commissioners who also began “Europeans expect a lot and shock vote to exit the EU and the cleared to defuse chief Christine Lagarde, must work with a clear ambition to they are right,” said Michel, a election of Trump, who slapped Von der Leyen: Will lead a 27-strong team of commissioners with a WWII bomb meet a great responsibility as make Europe a global power- former Belgian prime minister, trade tariff s on Europe in 2017. clear ambition to make Europe a global powerhouse on green policy. More than 10,000 residents of central Turin had to be evacuated early yesterday while experts disarmed a 500-pound British bomb from World War II, local Humanity’s ‘war against nature’ must stop: UN chief Malta’s authorities said. Residents living closest to the site were told to leave a “red zone” AFP The Paris Agreement calls gressional delegation going to ruling around Nizza Street in the city’s Madrid for capping global warming at Madrid will be headed by House historic district while the experts under 2° Celsius, but recent Speaker Nancy Pelosi, listed by tackled the bomb, dropped more science has made clear that the the Spanish government among party MPs than 70 years ago. evastating impacts of treaty’s aspiration goal of 1.5C is heads of state and VIPs. Another 50,000 in an outer global warming that a far safer threshold. “We want to give every op- perimeter were advised to either Dthreaten humanity are A UN Environment Pro- portunity to the US to remain back PM leave or stay indoors from 7am a pushback from Nature under gramme report last week con- within the commitments in the (0600 GMT) until 4pm. assault, UN chief Antonio Gu- cluded that CO2 emissions fi ght against climate change,” a But city off icials were able to lift terres warned yesterday ahead would need to drop a vertigi- spokesperson for the Spanish Reuters the alert around 2pm after the of a key climate conference. nously steep 7.6% per year over prime minister’s offi ce told AFP. Valletta bomb disposal team announced “For many decades the hu- the next decade to stay within Other major emitters – Chi- they had completed their work. man species has been at war that limit. na, India, Russia and Brazil – The device had contained 65kg with the planet, and now the But Guterres insisted that the have given scant indication that awmakers from Malta’s (140 pounds) of dynamite, they planet is fi ghting back,” he said, 1.5C goal is doable. they will deepen their commit- ruling Labour Party stood said. decrying the “utterly inad- All that is missing, he said, is ments in the near term. Lby Prime Minister Joseph equate” eff orts of the world’s political will. Guterres did single out the Muscat yesterday but did not in- major economies to curb carbon “Let’s be clear – up to now, European Union as playing a dicate what he may do next as he 19 die as bus falls pollution. “We are confronted our eff orts to reach this target constructive role. faces pressure to quit amid a cri- with a global climate crisis and have been utterly inadequate,” “Europe has an absolutely sis sparked by the investigation into frozen river the point of no return is no he said. “The world’s largest essential role to play, and must into a murdered journalist. longer over the horizon, it is in emitters are not pulling their be a cornerstone in the global The party’s parliamentary A passenger bus plunged off sight and hurtling towards us.” weight.” negotiations leading to carbon group met for four hours, saying a bridge onto a frozen river in Guterres fl agged a UN report Current national pledges – if neutrality,” he said. afterward that lawmakers gave Siberia yesterday, killing 19 of the to be released tomorrow con- carried out – would see global The European Commission’s “unanimous support to all deci- more than 40 people on board, fi rming the last fi ve years are the temperatures rise by at least 3C, new president Ursula Von der sions which the prime minister authorities said. warmest on record, with 2019 a recipe for human misery, ac- Leyen is trying to steer the bloc will be taking”. A tyre on the bus burst as it was likely to be the second hottest. cording to scientists. towards a target of “zero net Calls for Muscat to step down crossing the bridge over the “Climate-related disasters The UN chief’s comments emission” by 2050, but con- grew after the probe into the Kuenga river in eastern Siberia’s are becoming more frequent, were clearly aimed at the hand- tinues to face resistance from 2017 car bomb killing of anti- Zabaikalsky region. more deadly, more destruc- ful of countries responsible for members such as Poland and corruption journalist Daphne The vehicle, which was travelling tive,” he said on the eve of the more than half of global green- Hungary. Caruana Galizia led to charges from Sretensk to Chita, skidded 196-nation COP25 climate house gas emissions, though he Despite growing public pres- on Saturday against a prominent off the road and onto the ice. change talks in Madrid. did not call them out by name. sure for decisive action, the 12- businessman with alleged ties to “Nineteen people died and 21 Human health and food secu- US President Donald Trump day negotiating session is likely ministers and senior offi cials. received various injuries,” the rity are at risk, he added, not- has set in motion the process to remain technical in nature, Yorgen Fenech, 38, was taken off ice of the governor of the ing that air pollution associated that will see the United States focused on fi nalising the “rule- to a Valletta court late on Satur- Zabaikalsky region said. Guterres: We are confronted with a global climate crisis and the with climate change accounts withdraw from the Paris deal by book” for the Paris Agreement, day and charged with complicity Two helicopters with medics point of no return is no longer over the horizon, it is in sight and for seven million premature year’s end. which becomes operational at in the murder. were dispatched to the scene. hurtling towards us. deaths every year. At the same time, a US Con- the end of next year. He pleaded not guilty to that and other charges. The prime minister was thought to be preparing to an- nounce his departure but seek- ing to stay in offi ce until a suc- Germany’s ruling coalition on collision course after SPD vote cessor is chosen, according to local media and government of- fi cials close to Muscat. Reuters told broadcaster Deutschland- giving up the balanced budget ciliatory tone, the head of the business. For the CDU it is quite Those same sources said he is Berlin funk in an interview. would be an additional burden CDU and Merkel’s would-be clear: we stand by this coalition. likely to stay on until the party Asked whether there was for future generations, tell- successor as chancellor, Anne- We stand by this coalition on the holds a leadership election in movement on the issues that ing daily Handelsblatt that it gret Kramp-Karrenbauer, urged basis that has been negotiated.” mid-January. he future of Germany’s the new SPD leadership wants had been one of the CDU’s key the Social Democrats to remain Conservative lawmaker Alex- Fenech was charged after the ruling coalition looked to change in a new agreement, promises during the election part of the government, adding ander Dobrindt of the Christian government turned down his Tshaky after the election of Laschet said: “There is no such campaign. the current coalition agreement Social Union (CSU), the Bavarian request for immunity from pros- new leaders of the Social Demo- thing.” Laschet said new demands provided the basis to move for- sister party of the CDU, also said ecution in return for revealing crats (SPD) who are demanding Walter-Borjans and Esken were a problem of the SPD duo, ward. that there was no reason to end information about the murder a shift in policies, and several beat Finance Minister Olaf not of the Christian Democrats, “I think it is good that the SPD the coalition, according to an plot and about alleged corrup- senior conservatives yesterday Scholz and Klara Geywitz, who saying holding fresh elections has made a decision,” she said. interview with the Augsburger tion involving Muscat’s former ruled out talks to renegotiate a said they would support their would be irresponsible in the “It paves the way to return to Allgemeine paper. chief of staff Keith Schembri and governing agreement. rivals. current environment. former tourism minister Konrad Two strong leftist critics of SPD delegates are set to ap- Conservative Agriculture Mizzi, among others, court fi l- the coalition with Chancellor prove the leadership – elected Minister Julia Kloeckner also ings showed. Angela Merkel’s conservatives via a party ballot that ended on said there was no chance of re- Schembri and Mizzi resigned – Norbert Walter-Borjans and Saturday – at a party conference negotiations, adding the CDU on Tuesday and Schembri was Saskia Esken – won a vote for starting on December 6. would stick to the promises it interrogated for two days by po- leadership of the Social Demo- They will also vote on the coa- made. lice before being released with- crats on Saturday, possibly lition. “A one-sided renegotiation, out charge. putting the country, Europe’s In the latest sign that estab- just because SPD leadership has Schembri has denied any largest economy, at a political lished party tie-ups are being changed, will not be doable with wrongdoing. crossroads. tested, a three-way coalition the (Christian Democratic) Un- Mizzi on Tuesday denied any Their ascendancy raises the consisting of CDU, SPD and ion,” she told Funke Mediengru- business links with Fenech and chances of an early election the Greens agreed yesterday on ppe. any wrongdoing. or minority government if the a government deal in Saxony, CDU deputy leader Thomas Caruana Galizia’s family has SPD leaves the coalition, which Merkel: has said she will not where the AfD came in second in Strobl made similar comments called on Muscat to step aside. could trigger political instabil- seek re-election at the next a September election. to the Stuttgarter Zeitung news- A Labour Party statement af- ity at a time when the far-right national election, due in 2021. Members of the SPD expect paper. ter its meeting yesterday also Alternative for Germany (AfD) that the new leadership duo will Merkel, 65, has been in power said that Chris Cardona, the has become the country’s third- with Chancellor Angela Merkel’s not recommend leaving the coa- since 2005 and has said she will economy minister who sus- largest party. Christian Democrats (CDU). lition but rather will seek more not seek re-election at the next pended himself from his duties Walter-Borjans and Esken, “Of course nothing will be concessions from the CDU, in- national election, due in 2021. on Tuesday after having been who ran on a joint ticket, want renegotiated now. That’s quite cluding dropping the target for a The CDU is trying to boost its mentioned by a suspect in the to renegotiate the coalition deal clear,” Armin Laschet, the balanced budget and raising the image and appeal to hold its po- investigation, has now been re- to focus more on social justice, Christian Democrat premier of minimum wage. sition as the leading governing Walter-Borjans and Esken, who ran on a joint ticket, want to instated in his position. investment and climate poli- North Rhine-Westphalia, Ger- Economy Minister Peter Alt- party after she goes. renegotiate the coalition deal to focus more on social justice, Cardona has denied any in- cies, setting them on collision many’s most populous state, maier, a CDU member, said Striking a slightly more con- investment and climate policies. volvement in the plot. Gulf Times 18 Monday, December 2, 2019 INDIA

DECISION PEOPLE CRIME POLITICS CONTROVERSY Telecom firms raise Mystery surrounds Six-year-old raped, 300 BJP, Congress workers Kerala minister’s rates by 40-50% death of teens in Delhi strangled to death cross over to Trinamool remark draws ridicule

The honeymoon for telecom subscribers Three teens were found dead under mysterious A six-year-old girl student, who went missing on Over 300 workers of the Congress and the BJP A former Kerala High Court judge slammed a seems to have come to an end as all the three circumstances at the Delhi Gate intersection Saturday in Rajasthan’s Tonk district, was found crossed over to West Bengal’s ruling Trinamool statement by a minister that police require a private telecom players - Vodafone Idea, Bharti near Netaji Subhash Marg under the central allegedly raped and strangled to death with her Congress yesterday, days after the party’s clean complaint to search for drugs in film shooting Airtel and Jio – yesterday announced pre-paid Delhi district, police said yesterday. The dead own school belt, police said yesterday. Her body sweep in the state assembly bypolls. The Malda locations. Ever since off ice bearers of the Kerala tariff plans with 40-50% higher rates. The hike identified as Osama, Saad and Hamza were said was recovered from bushes in a remote area near district Congress and BJP workers were welcomed Film Producers Association revealed the use of comes after three years and amid the acute to be relatives and all were residents of Turkman her village Khetadi. Liquor bottles were also found into the Trinamool by its district president drugs among a section of new generation actors financial stress the sector is going through Gate area of New Delhi. Police claimed the teens at the spot, police off icials said. According to police, Mausam Benazir Noor during a programme at of the Malayalam film industry, it has become a after a Supreme Court ruling on adjusted died due to a road accident as they were on a there was a sports competition at the girl’s school Mirzadpur in Ratua 2 community development topic of discussion. State Law Minister A K Balan gross revenue. The hikes, however, come with bike. However, the victims’ family members have on Saturday and she went missing after it ended. block. “We will work together in ushering in said the police can only act after a complaint enhanced data and other benefits. Reliance alleged it was a murder. Saad’s father alleged Her family started searching for her when she did development in Malda,” said Noor. “We have joined is received. Retired Justice B Kemal Pasha said Jio, the last one to announce a revised rates that “the bike was being chased by a police van, not reach home by 3pm but it was only her body Trinamool to be a partner in the stupendous Balan’s statement was nothing but stupidity. The yesterday, said it would raise tariff s by up to because of which, the boys must have accelerated that was found near the village yesterday morning. development work that Chief Minister Mamata police can conduct a search and for that all the 40%. “Jio will be introducing new ‘all-in-one’ their vehicle, resulting in their death.” However, The girl’s body was taken elsewhere for a post- Banerjee has undertaken across the state,” said off icer needs to intimate it to his senior off icial plans with unlimited voice and data. the police denied the allegations. mortem as facilities were unavailable in the village. one of the new joinees to Trinamool. and proceed, Pasha pointed out. Onion spikes Cooling tower demolished to Rs100, Delhi blames Centre for shortage

IANS the Centre is trying to create the New Delhi scarcity, probably for the bene- fi ts of hoarders and other vested interest groups.” elhi Deputy Chief Min- Hussain said the Centre ister Manish Sisodia, stopped the onion supply even Dyesterday accused the as the city government set up central government of trying to mobile vans, fair price shops and create an onion scarcity as the made provisions for required vegetable touched the Rs100 manpower. mark in the national capital. “I request the Union Minis- Addressing the media along ter Ram Vilas Paswan to release with Food and Civil Supplies onions to be sold at a subsidised Minister Imran Hussain, Sisodia rate in the national capital,” said the Centre had failed to pro- Hussain said. vide onions in Delhi as assured Meanwhile it was announced on September 5. that the central government was Stressing that people were importing 11,000 tonnes of the Rescue workers watch as one of India’s highest 118-metre twin cooling towers of the Gujarat State Thermal Power Station collapses on the outskirts of Gandhinagar, upset with the rising onion staple vegetable from Turkey in a some 40km from Ahmedabad, yesterday. The five decades old cooling towers were demolished by controlled blast technique. price, Sisodia said, “it’s the case bid to control rising prices. across the country. However, in Government sources said yes- Delhi, the central government is terday that MMTC had signed a consciously creating a shortage. second onion import order and It has stopped providing onions the consignment will reach the to the Delhi government despite country by end December or the repeated requests.” fi rst week of January. On September 5, the Centre The MMTC is arranging im- wrote to the Delhi government port of onions from various stating they had 56,000 tonnes of countries, including Turkey, the onions and asked the state to lift sources said. Rahul to hold fi rst rally the vegetable as required. “Soon, The MMTC had earlier signed the Delhi government intimated an import deal for 6,900 tonnes it would take and distribute 10 and this consignment is ex- truck-loads of onions - 2.5 lakh pected to reach here in the next kg - a day at subsidised rates to 10 days, and help to moderate stop hoarding,” Sisodia said. prices. The Delhi government also According to market sources, in Jharkhand today asked the central government the retail price of onion in Delhi- about the provision of onions on NCR yesterday was Rs80-120 IANS include interim party chief So- the Jharkhand Vikas Morcha had straight term and is contesting befi tting reply, Nadda added. a daily basis till December 9, he per kg. New Delhi nia Gandhi and former prime formed an alliance. However, the the Assembly elections alone Addressing a rally at the Se- added. The price, according to the minister Manmohan Singh, as JVM has moved away this time. with Chief Minister Raghubar raikela Assembly seat, Rajnath However, the central govern- Azadpur wholesale market it does not want to repeat the The Congress-JMM have Das as the party’s face. Singh praised the work done ment released only three-four APMC list, was between Rs20- ormer Congress presi- mistake it made in the Mahar- aligned with the RJD this time. BJP working president J P by the Narendra Modi govern- truck-loads a day instead of the 62.50 per kg. Arrival of fresh on- dent Rahul Gandhi is set ashtra and Haryana Assembly The ruling BJP is campaigning Nadda and Defence Minister ment. “The BJP government has promised 10 truck-loads of on- ion stocks stood at 828 tonnes. Fto kickstart his campaign polls, where its lacklustre ap- aggressively with Prime Min- Rajnath Singh campaigned yes- constructed toilets and houses ions, the deputy chief minister On November 20, the Union in the ongoing Jharkhand As- proach cost the party dear. ister Narendra Modi its main terday for party candidates in besides providing electricity said. “We set up teams and fa- Cabinet had approved the im- sembly elections with a rally in Contesting the Assem- campaigner, while Union Home Jharkhand. and gas connections. It aims to cilities in every Assembly seat port of 1.2 lakh tonnes of onions. Simdega district today. bly polls in alliance with the Minister and BJP president Amit While there were only three provide house to all by 2022,” to sell onions at subsidised rates. A committee, under Home The rally, coming two days Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) Shah and several other senior medical colleges for the last 70 the BJP leader said. But where is the stock that the Minister Amit Shah, and compris- after the fi rst of the fi ve-phase and the Rashtriya Janata Dal BJP leaders have also addressed years, fi ve more medical col- In the 2014 Assembly elec- Union government claimed it ing the fi nance, consumer aff airs, polling, is scheduled for 1.30pm (RJD), the Congress is fi ghting rallies in the state. leges were set up in the last fi ve tions, the BJP had won 37 seats, had? Why was this huge stock agriculture and surface transport at Bazartand Ground, College 31 out of 81 seats in the state. Shah is scheduled to address years of the BJP rule in the state, its then alliance partner, All allowed to rot away?” he asked. ministers, had been set up to keep Road in Simdega. The JMM is contesting 43 and two rallies in the West Singhb- Nadda said at a rally at Chaibasa Jharkhand Students Union Stating that not a single a watch on onion prices. A party leader said Rahul the RJD the other seven. hum district today. in the West Singhbhum district. (AJSU) fi ve, while the JMM got truckload of onion was provided This year, heavy rain at the will address one rally in each of JMM leader and former chief According to the programme Taking on the Congress-JMM 19, the Congress took six, and on or after November 24, the end of monsoon in the chief on- the four remaining phases - on minister Hemant Soren is the released by the BJP, the fi rst ral- alliance, he said it had nothing the JVM had eight. The six re- Aam Aadmi Party leader said, ion-producing states damaged December 7, 12, 16 and 20. The alliance’s chief ministerial face. ly will be in Chakradharpur and to do with the development of maining seats were won by other “Not releasing stock contrary the kharif season crop and led to Congress has released a list of In the 2014 assembly elec- the second in Baharagora. the state and people. Such un- parties. The BJP and the AJSU are to earlier claims indicates that a supply shortage. 40 star campaigners which also tions, the JMM, Congress and The BJP is seeking a second holy alliance should be given a contesting separately this time. Fast-track court to hear Sitharaman ‘doesn’t Telangana rape case know economics’ IANS ‘wonderful growth rate’,” Swamy New Delhi said. IANS that the government would ex- from Shamshabad, and burnt Swamy has been positioning Hyderabad tend all the necessary help and the body. himself for the fi nance minister’s support to members of the vic- A magistrate in Shadnagar n a scathing attack on Fi- post and had earlier been critical tim’s family. town on Saturday remanded the nance Minister Nirmala of Arun Jaitley too, but has been elangana Chief Minister K According to chief minister’s accused to judicial custody for 14 ISitharaman, senior BJP overlooked for the job. Chandrashekhar Rao yes- offi ce, he was upset that the per- days. leader Subramanian Swamy “He doesn’t want me,” Tterday directed offi cials to petrators of such heinous crimes They were later shifted to the said, “she doesn’t know eco- Swamy said about PM Modi. ensure that the accused in wom- “are living amidst us”. He termed Cherlapally jail in Hyderabad. nomics”. “He doesn’t want any minister an veterinarian’s gang-rape and the incident gruesome and inhu- Meanwhile the Telangana Swamy’s attack comes at a to talk back to him, let alone in murder are tried in a fast-track man. Rashtra Samithi (TRS) work- time when Sitharaman is de- public, but in private cabinet court and the culprits get strin- Police on November 29 ar- ing president and state minister fending the Modi government’s meetings too.” gent punishment. rested four truck drivers and K T Rama Rao yesterday urged economic policies and denying “If you look at the economy In his fi rst reaction since the cleaners for the gruesome crime, Prime Minister Narendra Modi that there is a slowdown in the with a discerning eye, you see ghastly crime on the outskirts which sent shock waves across to do justice to the family of the economy. that growth may have come of Hyderabad on November 27, the country and evoked huge victim. In a recent interview, Swamy down,” Sitharaman said in the the chief minister expressed his public outrage. Rama Rao sought amend- said, “If you see the press con- Rajya Sabha on November 27. deep anguish. Protests were held in sev- ment to the Indian Penal Code ferences, she is handing the mic “But it is not a recession yet KCR, as Rao is popularly eral parts of the country to (IPC) and Code of Crimi- to civil servants to answer.” and won’t be a recession ever.” known, decided to set up a demand death penalty to the nal Procedure (CRPC) so that “What is the problem in the Swamy, however, slammed fast track court to deal with accused. “anyone who commits such a country today? Poor demand. the growth fi gures and put out the case. He asked the officials The accused trapped the heinous act of violence on our Supply is not the problem. But numbers closer to 1.5%. concerned to take measures in woman by defl ating one of the women and children are given what did she do? She relaxes “Do you know what the real this regard. tyres of her bike when she re- capital punishment without taxes for corporates. Corporates growth rate today is? They are He noted that in the case re- turned to the Tondupally toll delay”. The TRS leader de- are fl ush with supply. They will saying that it is coming down lating to rape and murder of a gate on Outer Ring Road in manded that there should be no just use it,” Swamy said. to 4.8%. I’m saying it is 1.5%,” minor girl in Warangal, setting Shamshabad around 9pm to pick option for review. Part of the problem, Swamy Swamy said in the interview. up of the fast track court ensured up her parked vehicle and return Rama Rao, who is son of KCR, said in the interview was that Swamy’s Twitter account is the verdict in 56 days, and in in home. tweeted yesterday reminding the Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s full of tweets and articles which the young veterinarian’s case According to police, after rap- prime minister that even seven advisers were too afraid to tell remind everyone that only he too, the verdict should come ing the victim, they carried the years after Nirbhaya’s ghastly him the truth. had warned of the economy go- quickly. body in the truck to dump it near rape and murder, the convicts Students and social workers hold placards during a protest in “The prime minister knows ing into a tailspin as early as The chief minister announced Shadnagar town, about 28km have not been executed. Amritsar yesterday seeking justice in the Hyderabad rape case. nothing about it. He is being told 2015, four years back. Gulf Times Monday, December 2, 2019 19 LATIN AMERICA

TRAGEDY PEOPLE DATA TRAGEDY CORPORATE Nine trampled to death Opposition leader Peru 12-month inflation Famed US climber Gobright Spain’s Acciona to build at party in Brazil Fujimori leaves prison dips marginally falls to death in Mexico HVO plant in Paraguay

Nine people were trampled to death early Peru opposition leader Keiko Fujimori has been Peru’s inflation rate was 0.11% in November, A world-renowned rock climber, US national Spain’s engineering group Acciona SA has been yesterday after two suspects being chased by released from prison after spending 13 months in the same as the previous month, the country’s Brad Gobright, fell to his death while climbing selected to build Latin America’s first plant Brazilian police entered a party with roughly pre-trial detention in a corruption case linked to official statistics agency said yesterday, while a sheer rock face in northern Mexico, to produce advanced biofuels HVO and SPK 5,000 people, according to a police statement. Brazilian construction giant Odebrecht. Her release the rolling 12-month rate dipped slightly. The authorities said. Gobright, 31, and fellow in a project that will use technology from US Police off icers were chasing two men riding a comes days after the country’s Constitutional South American nation’s Consumer Price American Aidan Jacobson, 26, were climbing firms Honeywell UOP and Crown Iron Works, motorcycle when suspects fired guns against Court ordered her freed in a ruling related only to Index (CPI), the inflation benchmark, was a route known as the Shining Path in the Brazil’s ECB Group said. ECB plans to build the them in Paraisopolis, a poor neighbourhood of her detention and which otherwise has no bearing 1.68% for the January-November period, while northern state of Nuevo Leon when they fell, plant in the municipality of Villeta, 45km from Sao Paulo. The suspects entered a party playing on the corruption case against her. “For me, it was 12-month inflation slowed slightly to 1.87%, the the state’s emergency response agency said the Paraguayan capital, Assuncion. The plant funk music, causing a stampede, the police said. the most painful event of my life,” Fujimori said as National Institute of Statistics and Information in a statement. Witnesses said the men had would produce 20,000 barrels per day of HVO, Another seven people were injured and taken she left prison and hugged her husband in front (INEI) said in a statement. The annual rate is finished climbing the 2,300-foot summit and a renewable substitute for diesel, and SPK, a to the hospital. The statement said police were of a large group of supporters and journalists. currently below the midpoint of the central were rappelling back down when the accident renewable aviation fuel. ECB previously hired chasing the men because they were disturbing The court, she said “has corrected damage that bank’s target range for the year of between occurred. Jacobson landed on a rock outcrop, Barclays Bank and UBS Group AG as financial the neighbourhood. It was not clear if they were has been inflicted on us. I will continue to face the 1% and 3%. Peru reported inflation of 2.19% in but Gobright bounced off and fell another 300 advisers to raise part of the $800mn capital apprehended. investigation, as I have always done.” 2018, higher than the 1.36% rise in 2017. metres to his death, they said. expenditure estimated for the project. Whistleblower Selfie moment in US hotel crash deported to Honduras

Guardian News and Media advocacy group, said Ramirez New Orleans Palma had been interviewed by the whistleblower division of the US government’s Occupational Honduran construction Safety and Health Administra- worker injured during the tion (Osha) on Monday. Osha AHard Rock hotel collapse and the New Orleans police de- in New Orleans was deported by partment are investigating the US immigration authorities, his hotel collapse. lawyers confi rmed. Osha did not respond to a re- Delmer Joel Ramirez Palma quest for comment on Ramirez had reported potentially dan- Palma’s role in the investigation. gerous lapses in construction Ava Dejoie, secretary of the safety to his supervisors before Louisiana Workforce Commis- the collapse, according to law- sion (LWC), also advocated for Uruguay’s president-elect Luis Lacalle Pou poses for a selfie with a supporter as he leaves a hotel after a meeting with Costa Rica’s President Carlos Alvarado in yers working on his immigration Ramirez Palma’s release, citing Montevideo, Uruguay. case and a civil complaint fi led his role in the Hard Rock inves- by Ramirez Palma and several tigation and, more generally, the other workers against hotel de- need to protect whistleblowers velopers. from retribution. The LWC is The collapse on October 12 responsible for enforcing labour killed three people and injured laws in the state. dozens. The bodies of two vic- In a November 27 letter ad- tims are still inside the half- dressed to William P Joyce, the crumbled remains of the 18-sto- New Orleans fi eld offi ce director rey structure in downtown New of Ice, Dejoie implored the agen- Orleans. cy to release Ramirez Palma, stay 14 people killed in bloody Developers are working with his deportation and “commit city offi cials to fi nalise plans to to neutrality in ongoing labour demolish the rest of the building. investigations for all witnesses Immediately after the acci- and victims”. The letter was seen dent, Palma was interviewed by by the Guardian. the local Spanish-language me- “In the aftermath of a disas- dia outlet Jambalaya News. Two ter of this scale, the public needs northern Mexico gunfi ght days later he was arrested by Im- all available information to un- migration and Customs Enforce- derstand what happened at the Reuters offi ces, Coahuila governor An unspecifi ed number of view echoed by Riquelme as he year ago pledging to pacify the ment (Ice), while fi shing with his worksite, including information Mexico City Miguel Angel Riquelme told people were also missing, in- spoke to reporters. country after more than a dec- family in a national wildlife ref- from Ramirez Palma and workers reporters the state had acted cluding some who were at the “I don’t think that Mexico ade of gang-fuelled violence. uge, because he lacked identifi - like him who witnessed safety “decisively” to tackle the cartel mayor’s offi ce, the governor needs intervention. I think A series of recent security cation documents. violations before the collapse,” en suspected cartel gun- henchmen. said. Mexico needs collaboration and lapses has raised questions The timing and circumstances Dejoie wrote. “If he is deported, men and four police were Four police were killed and six Riquelme said authorities co-operation,” said Riquelme, about the left-leaning adminis- of his October arrest raised sus- the public may never know what Tkilled during a shootout were injured, he said. had identifi ed 14 vehicles in- whose party is in opposition to tration’s strategy. picions among his lawyers and key information is being deport- in a Mexican town near the US The fi ghting went on for more volved in the attack and seized Lopez Obrador. “We’re con- Criticism has focused on the advocates that his detainment ed with him. The investigations border, days after US President than an hour, during which more than a dozen guns. vinced that the state has the November 4 massacre of nine was connected to the hotel col- will undoubtedly suff er.” Donald Trump raised bilateral 10 gunmen were killed, three The governor said he believed power to overcome the crimi- women and children of US- lapse and his previous safety Ice representatives did not tensions by saying he would of them by security forces in the gunmen were members of nals.” Mexican origin from Mormon complaints. The arrest and respond to multiple requests for designate the gangs as terror- pursuit of the gang members, the Cartel of the Northeast, In an interview aired on communities in northern Mex- planned deportation drew wide- comment on Ramirez Palma’s ists. Riquelme said. which is from Tamaulipas state Tuesday, Trump said he ico, and the armed forces’ re- spread criticism from immigra- case. The government of the At about noon, heavy gun- to the east. planned to designate the car- lease of a captured son of drug tion advocates and some state Ramirez Palma’s lawyers pre- northern state of Coahuila said fi re began ringing out in Villa The outbreak of violence oc- tels as terrorist organisations, lord Joaquin “El Chapo” Guz- offi cials in Louisiana. viously believed he would be state police clashed at midday Union, and a convoy of armed curred during a testing week for sparking concerns the move man under pressure from cartel King Company, Ramirez Pal- deported earlier in the week but with a group of heavily armed pickup trucks could be seen President Andres Manuel Lopez could serve as a prelude to the gunmen in the city of Culiacan. ma’s supervising company at the that was delayed for unknown gunmen riding in pickup trucks moving around the town, ac- Obrador, who on Friday said he US trying to intervene unilater- Coahuila has a history of gang Hard Rock site, did not respond reasons. In 2016 a judge ordered in the small town of Villa Un- cording to video clips posted by would not accept any foreign ally in Mexico. violence, although the homi- to interview requests from the he be deported. He had been ion, about 65km southwest of social media users. intervention in Mexico to deal US attorney general William cide total in the state that bor- Guardian. regularly checking in with Ice the border city of Piedras Ne- Others showed plumes of with violent criminal gangs af- Barr is due to visit Mexico this ders Texas is well below where it Mary Yanick, a senior law- since then and fi led for a stay of gras. smoke rising from the town. ter Trump’s comments. week to discuss co-operation was seven years ago. yer at the New Orleans Worker deportation during 2019, Yanick Standing outside the Villa Reuters could not vouch for Lopez Obrador said Mexico over security. National homicide fi gures are Center for Racial Justice, an said. Union mayor’s bullet-ridden the authenticity of the images. would handle the problem, a Lopez Obrador took offi ce a pushing record levels.

Santos honoured Ex-top military offi cial to Judges suspended for be tried for Maya killings freeing murder suspect AFP cape when one of her children Mexico City came in the room. Reuters “I was not the one who ruled,” renewed charges after his con- The authorities labelled Guatemala City Mendoza Garcia said in a dec- viction for genocide and crimes the case attempted femicide, laration given by video confer- against humanity was overturned. exico suspended two under which suspects are not ence, adding that he had no Lucas Garcia is the brother judges after a man eligible for bail. But the two uatemala’s human rights means to plan or carry out such of former president Romeo Lu- Mthey freed — a former suspended judges then down- prosecutor has indicted an operation. cas Garcia. Guatemala’s human chief executive of Amazon’s graded the charges to assault Ganother former top mili- Reuters was unable to contact rights prosecutor accuses him of Mexican unit accused of at- and domestic violence, clear- tary offi cial for genocide and the accused, all of whom have having planned one of the opera- tacking his wife with a baseball ing the way for his release on crimes against humanity com- denied the allegations. tions in the Maya Ixil region some bat — emerged as the chief sus- November 8 pending trial. mitted during the bloodiest Mendoza Garcia was captured 225km northwest of the capital. pect in her subsequent murder. “The Mexico City court au- phase of the Central American six months ago after having been Separately, Guatemalan presi- Outrage has erupted in Mex- thority joins in the widespread country’s 36-year civil war. on the run since 2011. Guatema- dent-elect Alejandro Giammat- ico over the killing of Abril Pe- outrage over this case and re- A military operations chief un- la’s human rights prosecutor said tei regretted the decision of a rez, who was shot dead by two iterates its commitment to act der deceased Guatemalan dictator there were more victims and wit- Swiss court to uphold a 15-year gunmen in Mexico City. against gender inequality and Efrain Rios Montt, Luis Enrique nesses who could testify against prison sentence for Swiss-Gua- Perez was walking down a all violence against women,” the Mendoza Garcia will be tried in him than in other processes. temalan Erwin Sperisen for his busy avenue with her two chil- capital’s judicial oversight body March for his role in an operation Former military intelligence role in a 2006 prison operation. dren when the gunmen drove said in a statement announcing in the early 1980s that killed at chief Jose Mauricio Rodrigu- Giammattei himself faced ac- up on a motorcycle and killed the judges’ suspension. least 1,771 in the Maya Ixil region ez was acquitted last year of cusations of human rights viola- her in broad daylight. Mexican President Andres and displaced thousands. charges of genocide and crimes tions for the same incident, dur- According to her family, her Manuel Lopez Obrador also Judge Jimmy Bremer formally against humanity after the court ing which seven prisoners but estranged husband, the former condemned the crime. received the charges the pros- said it had insuffi cient evidence. no government offi cials died; he head of Amazon Mexico, is “It is deplorable and repre- ecutors presented against the During the civil war, from was later exonerated for lack of suspected of hiring hitmen to hensible that these things hap- 76-year-old in a court in Guate- 1960 to 1996, an estimated evidence. carry out the killing. pen — even more so after the mala City. 200,000 mostly Mayan civilians “An act of injustice,” Giam- The authorities have not judiciary intervenes,” he said Mendoza Garcia is the fourth were killed and another 45,000 mattei said. “I would have liked named him, in accord with at his daily news conference. top military offi cial facing justice went missing. to testify in the case.” Sperisen’s Former Colombian president Juan Manuel Santos gestures Mexican law. The man had “The victim did not receive in less than a week after Benedic- Rios Montt, who ruled dur- lawyers did not immediately re- after being awarded an Honoris Causa Doctorate from the been jailed pending trial after protection. On the contrary, to Lucas Garcia, Manuel Callejas ing the war’s bloodiest phase, spond to a request for comment University of Guadalajara in Guadalajara, Mexico. The award Perez accused him in January her attacker was set free.” He and Cesar Noguera were indicted between 1982 and 1983, died in but told local media they would is in recognition of Santos’ contribution for the benefit of of hitting her on the head with said the chief justice of the Su- in a separate case of genocide April last year. take the case to the European humanity in matters of negotiation, peace and reconciliation. a baseball bat as she slept. preme Court would personally against the same community. At that time, he was facing Court of Human Rights. She said she managed to es- review the case. Gulf Times 20 Monday, December 2, 2019 PAKISTAN

A-G: Only Army Eff orts taken to stave off Act to be amended

Internews election authority crisis Islamabad Internews prime minister shall in con- 214 of the Constitution. Islamabad sultation with the leader of the Earlier this month, the Is- he Pakistan Army Act and opposition in the National As- lamabad High Court suspended military regulations will sembly forward three names for the presidential notifi cation of Tbe amended to provide for he opposition and the appointment of a commission the appointment of two elec- extension, reappointment, ten- government have stepped to a parliamentary committee tion commission members till ure, salary, perks, and privileges Tup action to ward off the for hearing and confi rmation of December 5, on a petition fi led of the chief of army staff , not the crisis at the Election Commis- anyone…’, Shehbaz Sharif wrote by lawyer Jahangir Khan Jadoon. Constitution. sion of Pakistan (ECP), which explaining the process for the The ECP contended that the “Only the Army Act and regu- risks being rendered ineff ective appointment of the CEC. CEC had refused to administer lations will be changed for the with the chief election com- “In my opinion, the consulta- the oath to Siddiqui and Kakar purpose,” Attorney-General of missioner (CEC) set to retire on tive process required under the Prime Minister Khan: has submitted nominees for the ECP members because the president had ap- Pakistan Anwar Mansoor Khan December 6, and two members above provision should have from Sindh and Baluchistan. pointed them without follow- said. of the commission yet to be ap- been initiated by you [the prime ing the procedure laid down in To a query, he posed a coun- pointed. minister] much earlier,” he com- tired) Noorul Haq Qureshi, and of Khalid Mehmood Siddiqui clauses 2A and 2B of the Article ter question “who has asked Pakistan Muslim League plained. Abdul Jabbar Qureshi for ap- and Munir Ahmed Kakar as ECP 213 of the Constitution. for amending Article 243 of the – Nawaz (PML-N) president “However, in an attempt to pointment as the ECP member members from Sindh and Balu- “Under Clause 2A, the prime Constitution”, which deals with Shehbaz Sharif, who is also the avoid possible discontinuity Opposition Leader Sharif: has from Sindh. chistan, respectively, after Pres- minister shall in consultation the command of the armed forc- Leader of the Opposition in the in the functioning of the ECP, submitted nominees for the The incumbent CEC, Justice ident Dr Arif Alvi’s approval. with the leader of the opposi- es. National Assembly, has pro- which is a constitutional body, post of ECP chief and members (retired) Sardar Mohamed Raza, The appointments came sev- tion in the National Assembly He made it clear that there is posed three names for the post I am taking the initiative after from Sindh and Baluchistan. has already warned the govern- en months after Abdul Ghaf- forward three names for ap- no need to amend this article, of the CEC in a letter to Prime a long wait with a hope to hear ment that the ECP would be- far Soomro and Justice (retired) pointment to a parliamentary saying that it has nothing to do Minister Imran Khan. from you.” to National Assembly Speaker come ineff ective from December Shakeel Baloch – the ECP mem- committee for hearing and con- with the legal lacunae or short- He wrote another letter to the The PML-N president Asad Qaiser and Senate Chair- 7 if his replacement was not ap- bers from Sindh and Baluchistan fi rmation. comings that the Supreme Court National Assembly speaker and stressed the need for a “consen- man Sadiq Sanjrani, Sharif rec- pointed before his retirement on – retired in January this year. “Clause 2B explains the com- raised during hearings on army the Senate chairman, recom- sus-oriented consultation in ac- ommended Shah Mehmood December 6. Under the law, their succes- position of the parliamentary chief General Qamar Javed Ba- mending names for the posts of cordance with the binding judg- Jatoi, Mohamed Rauf Atta, and He wrote a letter to the par- sors should have been appointed committee. The president not jwa’s extension and reappoint- the ECP members from Sindh ments of the Supreme Court”. Rahila Durrani for the position liamentary aff airs secretary, in within 45 days of their retire- only violated these clauses, but ment case. and Baluchistan. “Unfortunately, my cogent of the ECP member from Balu- which he pointed out that two ment. bypassed the parliamentary The attorney-general said Similarly, the premier also arguments were not accepted chistan. members of the commission, The matter was hit by delay committee while making these that the amendments would be wrote to the National Assembly [in my letters to you regarding For the post of the ECP mem- one each from Sindh and Balu- as the prime minister and op- appointments,” it stated in writ- fi nalised as “we will sit together speaker and Senate chairman the appointment of ECP mem- ber from Sindh, he proposed the chistan, were yet to be appoint- position leader in the National ten response. to deliberate upon them very on Saturday, suggesting names bers for Baluchistan and Sindh], names of Nisar Durrani, Justice ed. Assembly did not consult each IHC Chief Justice Athar Mi- soon”. for the positions of the election and no such consensus-orient- (retired) Abdul Rasul Memon, Raza informed the govern- other for consensus on the new nallah observed that elected When asked whether the commission members from the ed consultation took place in and Aurangzeb Haq. ment that with the absence of members. representatives should make changes would be inserted in a two provinces. the case of the appointment of The PML-N president made the CEC and two members, the The parliamentary committee such decision themselves. couple of weeks, he said “before In a letter to Prime Minis- the two members, resulting in the recommendations in re- ECP would not be able to make formed to appoint the members On August 27, Jadoon chal- that”. ter Khan dated November 25, [a] deadlock in the parliamen- sponse to a letter written to him any decisions. also failed to reach an agree- lenged in the IHC the appoint- The apex court had pointed Sharif, who is currently in Lon- tary committee,” Sharif told the by Qaiser and Sanjrani on No- ECP Secretary Babar Yaqoob ment. ment of ECP’s Sindh and Balu- out that the Constitution and don for the treatment of his prime minister in the letter. vember 5. will also retire in December. CEC Raza refused to admin- chistan members, and requested the relevant laws and regulations brother and former prime min- He added that the govern- Prime Minister Khan, in his If the appointments are not ister oath to Siddiqui and Kakar, that the high court stop imple- were silent on the extension, ister Nawaz Sharif, proposed ment and the opposition must letter to the National Assembly made in time, not only will the two new members appointed mentation of notifi cation issued reappointment, tenure, salary, the names of former bureaucrat endeavour to avoid any such speaker and the Senate chair- the elections for local bodies by the government, maintain- by the ministry. pension, and perks and privi- Nasir Mehmood Khosa, former impasse by making, “serious, man, proposed the names of Dr be aff ected, but the Pakistan ing that the appointments were Two lawmakers, Moham- leges of the army chief. ambassador to the US Jalil Ab- sincere and genuine eff ort to Faiz M Kakar, Mir Naveed Jan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) foreign made in violation of the Consti- ed Javed Abbasi and Dr Nisar The top court left to the gov- bas Jilani, and retired grade-22 evolve a consensus by [a] mu- Baloch, and Amanullah Baloch, funding case and other matters tution. Cheema, who are members of ernment and parliament to rec- offi cer Akhlaq Ahmed Tarar, for tual discussion of the merits and for the post of ECP member will be put off as well. In his letter to the ministry, the parliamentary committee tify the lacunae and remove the post of the CEC. demerits of the concerned can- from Baluchistan. In August, the parliamentary Raza wrote that the new mem- that recommends the names of ambiguities to avoid the confu- “Article 213 (2A) of the Con- didate”. He recommended Justice (re- aff airs ministry had issued no- bers were not appointed in ac- ECP members, also challenged sion and crisis-like situation in stitution required that ‘the In a separate letter written tired) Sadiq Bhatti, Justice (re- tifi cations on the appointment cordance with Articles 213 and the appointments. future and clarify the scope of Article 243. Until now, no initiative has been taken by the government to engage the opposition parties in parleys to reach a consensus on Voiceless and frustrated, Pakistani students speak out the proposed amendments. If the government concluded that amendments were to be Internews PM wants strategy for students’ rights: adviser made only in the Army Act and Islamabad army regulations, as the attor- Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Information and Broadcast- ney-general stated, and not in ing Dr Firdous Ashiq says that Prime Minister Imran Khan has directed Article 243 of the Constitution, a he youth of Pakistan make the federation and provinces to formulate a comprehensive strategy to simple majority in both the Sen- up 60% of the popula- protect the rights of students and resolve their problems on immediate ate and National Assembly will Ttion, and if the voices basis. be suffi cient to pass them. at Friday’s Student Solidarity In a series of tweets yesterday, she said that the realisation of the dreams A two-thirds majority will be March are to be believed, they of youth is central mission of Prime Minister Khan. mandatory for the passage of a are frustrated. Terming youth as our precious asset and hope for bright future, Ashiq constitutional amendment. On a crisp, sunny afternoon, said the demand of rights by students reflects their increasing aware- The ruling coalition has a sim- hundreds of students from the ness and thinking, which is good sign. ple majority in the National As- capital gathered in the ground She said students are a strength which has to bring about new thinking, sembly to approve a subordinate outside the National Press Club vision and dynamic democratic leadership in the coming times. legislation like amendments in to demand the restoration of The special assistant said our youth has strong determination to cope the Army Act, but lacks the req- student unions. with every challenge steadfastly. uisite numerical strength in the They were among thousands Senate, which is dominated by of students who rallied in cities the opposition parties. all over the country on Novem- not been changed or updated. By Technology, said that although If either of the parliamentary ber 29. the time students graduate, they he is not affi liated with any or- chamber fails to clear an ordi- The students also demanded feel that they are far behind the ganisation, he believes that stu- nary bill (having nothing to do the allocation of 5% of the GDP rest of the world.” dents should be able to express with money matters), it can be to education, an end to pri- The cuts to the Higher Educa- themselves and have their voices referred to the joint sitting of vatisation of educational in- This picture taken on Friday shows students during a demonstration in Islamabad, demanding the tion Commission (HEC) budget heard. parliament where it can, as re- stitutions, provision of basic reinstatement of student unions, education fee cuts, and better education facilities. have only compounded the stu- Student organisations played quired in the both the Houses, be facilities for students, and the dents’ problems. a major role during the inde- cleared by the majority support constitution of sexual harass- so this is the second. One of their 140mn are the frustrated youth,” adding: “But they have no pro- “The direct impact [of the pendence movement and the of all the lawmakers. ment committees in educational main demands is about the res- one of the speakers, Minhajul grammes for them. There is no cuts] is that university fees are creation of Pakistan, Human In the case of a constitutional institutions. toration of student unions,” she Arfeen, said, adding: “The real job market for them. increasing. The people who Rights Commission of Pakistan amendment, a two-thirds ma- Islamabad’s protest included added. cause of our frustration is that “And before jobs, you have to could aff ord to provide their secretary-general Harris Kha- jority is essential. a theatrical performance by The students’ frustration for 35 years, we have been told to give them quality education, but children a university education lique said. the group Lal Hartal, rousing was palpable, borne of the dec- keep quiet and study. already you are heading towards can no longer do so,” Rashid said. “If you look at the movement speeches and sloganeering, and ades since student unions were “‘Politics isn’t your job’. If privatisation. [For quality edu- At the same time, students in Pakistan, in East Pakistan Detailed court a march to D-Chowk. banned in 1984, as well as a politics is so bad for us that we cation] you have to invest in it, on campus face harassment and and in West Pakistan between It was led by an alliance of string of local and national in- were kept from it for 35 years, give scholarships. surveillance. 1947 and 1971, it was student or- judgment on army leftist student organisations cidents that have left students why isn’t a single Pakistani uni- “It is the government’s re- The case of the University of ganisations which were herald- chief awaited called the Student Action Com- asking, as former PSF Islama- versity one of the top 200 in the sponsibility to provide quality Baluchistan (UOB), where sur- ing this struggle for democratic mittee (SAC), and included bad-Rawalpindi president Has- world?” education and free education to veillance footage of thousands of freedoms and democratic rights, Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood students from the Progressive rat Ali Turi said: “What is being “There are no jobs out there, the people. Instead of doing women was collected and used students’ rights and rights to Qureshi has said the government Students Federation (PSF), the done to us?” the government is not doing that, we get beaten and jailed to blackmail and harass them, education and for fundamental is awaiting the Supreme Court’s Progressive Students Collec- “Now students are thinking anything considering the youth and booked under 7-ATA [sec- came up repeatedly. freedoms,” he added. detailed judgment in the case tive, the Revolutionary Students that the problem is structural,” bulge in the country.” tion 7 of the Anti-Terrorism Act] A student from Quetta who “There were a number of regarding extension in the tenure Federation, the Baloch Students he said, adding: “We are voice- “So [students] know there for speaking for ourselves.” said she was affi liated with the student organisations from the of army chief General Qamar Organisation (BSO), and the Pa- less, even though we are the is no future, they are very sure As far as the quality of educa- BSO said that students are treat- centre, left and right, and those Javed Bajwa. shtun Student Federation. main stakeholders.” about this by now, and that’s tion is concerned, Faryal Rashid, ed like criminals in universities. organisations would negotiate He expressed the hope that the “They initially launched an Over and over, students and why they are out now, because an undergraduate from Comsats Criticising the military pres- with each other through an elec- opposition parties would extend education campaign that went speakers at the protest spoke they have nothing to lose at this University, said: “All over Paki- ence in educational institutions, tion process in the educational helping hand with regard to the on for six months or so, post- about the “youth bulge”. point,” the Awami Workers Par- stan you’ll notice that the books she said those responsible for institutions. legislation on extension in the budget,” Tooba Syed from the Pakistan’s youth makes up ty’s Syed said. that we are still studying are the the UOB harassment scandal “Elections are fundamentally tenure of the army chief. Awami Workers Party said. between 60% and 65% of the “Every government says very books that our great grandpar- should be exposed. a process of negotiation between He said Prime Minister Imran “They also organised a Stu- population. proudly that the youth are an as- ents were studying. Haris, a student from the Na- diff erent ideologies and diff erent Khan has decided to give another dent Solidarity March last year, “Out of 220mn, 120mn to set,” Turi, an SAC member, said, “Our education system has tional University of Science and interests.” full term of three years to Bajwa, and that the Pakistan Tehreek-e- Insaf government is working on the modalities in this regard. Speaking with the media at the Multan international airport, he ‘Azadi March’ protest action cost government more than Rs240mn said that the Supreme Court gave some suggestions regarding extension to the army chief, Internews The JUI-F staged the rally and spent on the 18 days sit-in, the police, out of which contractors lary, 2,000 from the Khyber and 105 vehicles to transport the and that the government is Islamabad sit-in in the capital from Octo- offi cers stated. were given some amount and Pakhtunkhwa (KP) police, and personnel to their duty points considering them. ber 31 to November 13. Before the sit-in, the capi- asked to wait until the police 500 from Kashmir and railway and back. The government is not expecting In this regard, arrangements tal police sought Rs270mn for a were provided more funds. police, performed duties in the It may be mentioned that an confrontation with any he “Azadi March” led the were made for lodging, meal and fortnight, but later had to cut it As many as 5,000 personnel capital during the sit-in. amount of Rs695.6mn was spent institution, Qureshi said, adding Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam transportation of police person- to Rs130mn on the directive of from the capital police, along The capital police also ar- during the sit-in by the Pakistan that the government is consulting T– Fazlur (JUI-F) in the nel who were called in from oth- the government. with 3,000 personnel from the ranged for the use of 550 ship- Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and the with law experts to enact laws capital cost the government over er districts. However, the government re- Frontier Constabulary, 1,500 ping containers to block roads Pakistan Awami Tekreek (PAT) about extension in service of the Rs240mn. An amount of Rs248mn was leased a grant of Rs70mn to the from the Punjab Constabu- as a part of security measures, in 2014. army chief. Gulf Times Monday, December 2, 2019 21 PHILIPPINES Tough life Thousands evacuated ahead of typhoon

AFP The women’s triathlon Clark event was brought forward to yesterday, Agregado said, “so we could take advantage he Philippines has be- of the good weather”. gun evacuating thou- Duathlon events sched- Tsands of people, local uled for tomorrow will now offi cials said yesterday, as a take place today. powerful typhoon rumbling Agregado said that ven- in from the Pacifi c forced ues will not be changed, but Southeast Asian Games or- in the event of bad weather ganisers to cancel or resched- the equipment will be taken ule some events. down and put back together The storm entered Phil- once events are rescheduled. ippine territory Saturday Some local government evening, shortly before Presi- offices in central Bicol re- dent Rodrigo Duterte and gion urged people to begin boxing superstar Manny Pac- leaving their homes on Sat- quiao launched the Games urday night. with a colourful opening cer- By yesterday afternoon, A passenger transports vegetables in a tuk-tuk in Manila. emony. more than 3,000 people were Forecasters expect Ty- in evacuation centres, most- phoon Kammuri to make ly in schools and gymnasi- landfall today evening or to- ums in Camarines Norte, the morrow morning, packing provincial disaster manage- gusts of 170 kilometres per ment office said. hour and maximum sustained Most of them live in coast- winds of 140 kph. al areas and low-lying plac- This year’s Games in Clark, es where flash floods and Manila and Subic are already landslides are possible due Duterte dares Robredo to particularly complex, with a to heavy rains that will be record 56 sports across doz- brought by the typhoon. ens of venues that are in some No mandatory evacuation cases hours apart by car. has been ordered yet, the Outdoor events in Subic — disaster management of- on the west coast of the main fice said. School classes and release drug war discoveries island of Luzon in the coun- government offices in some try’s north — were the fi rst to towns will be closed today By Catherine S Valente even flying to the Philippines. you discover something, you be aff ected by Kammuri. and tomorrow in anticipa- Manila Times “She denied that she invited would immediately call for “The windsurfing has tion of the heavy rains. the prosecutor. But why did he a presscon, you would have been cancelled until we have The Philippines last host- tweet, ‘I’m packed, I’m ready to bared it by now,” Panelo said. a more accurate picture of ed the Games in 2005, and resident Rodrigo Duterte go and arrest Duterte,’” he said. The president, according to the weather,” said Ramon history is on their side in dared Vice President Mar- Robredo has said she would Panelo, lost trust with Robre- Agregado, organising com- their quest to win the medal Pia Leonor Robredo to make give a “report” to the public do and fired her due to various mittee chief for Subic. count. public her alleged drug war dis- and announce what she had “missteps”, including her fail- coveries during her brief stint as “uncovered” when she led the ure to present her drug plan co-chairman of the Inter-Agen- ICAD for less than a month, to him and her meeting with cy Committee on Anti-Illegal along with her recommenda- officials of the UN, which Germany set to hire 1,000 Filipino nurses Drugs (ICAD). tions. “already pre-judged the war “You seemed to be threaten- Robredo said this a day on drugs.” He said Robredo Germany will hire 1,000 qualified Filipino nurses under its Triple ing that you have information, after she was sacked as co- should have resigned from Win Project, a government-to-government programme super- release it. Those statements chairman of ICAD by Duterte ICAD after Duterte remarked vised by the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration threatening that you have many over her taunt to just tell her that he did not trust her. (POEA), Manila Times reported. Labour Secretary Silvestre Bello information, you just watch. So, plainly if the administration “When there’s a mistrust to 3rd said Germany preferred to hire additional Filipino nurses to in the so many days that she… did not want her holding the you as an appointee, delica- address its need for healthcare professionals starting next year. How long is she there? She’s position. deza (sense of propriety) re- “It has been six years since the Philippines and Germany been always talking,” Duterte Palace spokesman Salvador quires you to submit resigna- started co-operation on the placement of our Pinoy nurses. I said during a media interview. Panelo on Thursday insinuat- tion” Panelo added. am confident that for 2020, this partnership under the Triple “What I don’t like about it President Rodrigo Duterte and Vice President Maria Robredo. ed that Robredo is “fabricat- The vice president has long Win Project will provide improved and streamlined applica- is the fi rst thing she did was to ing” her findings on the drug been a vocal critic of the ad- tion process, and more importantly, ensured protection to our go to the embassy of the United do, whom he fi red barely three that although he had no infor- war because it took her too ministration’s anti-illegal nurses,” the Labour secretary said. States of America, then to the weeks into her post, should have mation that Robredo invited long to release them. drug operations, which, ac- Bello said those hired would have a starting salary of 2,000 UN then to the EU,” he added, gone down to the grassroots to former Human Rights Watch “Why is she taking so long? cording to government data, euros. The employer will shoulder the airfare of the employee. Referring to the United Nations discuss how she could help the director for Asia Phelim Kline Is it because somebody else have resulted in the killing of POEA data showed that since 2013, 903 Filipino nurses have and the European Union. government fi ght illegal drugs. to meet, he found it peculiar is preparing it for her? What at least 6,600 people since been deployed to Germany. Duterte reiterated that Robre- The president admitted how Kline offered help by report is that? Because if Duterte took office in 2016. Plunder charges against Lacson eyes marshal former president dismissed service to protect judges By Divina NJD Cruz Manila Times By Bernadette Tamayo Manila Times he Offi ce of the Ombuds- man has dismissed the Tplunder complaint fi led enator Panfi lo Lacson against former president Glo- wants to create the Phil- ria Macapagal Arroyo (GMA) Sippine Judicial Marshal and some offi cials of the Philip- Service (PJMS) to safeguard pine Charity Sweepstakes Offi ce members of the judiciary amid (PCSO) in connection with the the increasing number of judges alleged misuse of the P73.6mn killed by alleged hired gunmen. Confi dential and Intelligence Arroyo: reprieve The senator recently fi led Fund (CIF). Senate Bill (SB) 1209 creating Graft Investigation and Pros- PCSO offi cials of diverting funds Supreme Court dismissed the the PJMS to protect offi cers ecution Offi cer 3 Lucielo Rami- and using the CIF budget “with- case against Arroyo and Aguas. and personnel of the judiciary rez Jr, in a resolution dated Feb out observing eff ective control The high court ruled that (1) the “so they can do their jobs inde- 13, 2019, but which was released measures.” Prosecution did not prove the pendently and without fear of only yesterday, said there was It alleged that Arroyo allowed existence to conspiracy among retaliation.” “no probable cause to indict the “release of the regular CIFs, Arroyo, Aguas and Uriarte; (2) Lacson said Chief Justice Di- respondents for the crimes and granted Uriarte and Valen- no proof of amassing or accu- osdado Peralta raised the need charged.” The charges were cia’s requests for additional CIFs mulating, or acquiring ill-gotten for judicial marshals to serve as plunder, malversation of public despite the lack of specifi c de- wealth of at least the law enforcement arm of the funds, and violation of Section tails and supporting documents P50mn was adduced against Supreme Court, similar to the 3(e) of the Republic Act 3019 or on the use of the advances.” Arroyo and Aguas, and fi nally (3) Supreme Court of the United the “Anti-Graft and Corrupt The complaint also accused the prosecution failed to prove States Police and United States Practice Act.” Arroyo, Aguas, Araullo, Plaras the predicate act of raiding the Marshal. Charged along with Arroyo and Dimapilis of taking advan- public coff ers,” the resolution “This legislative measure were PCSO offi cers — former tage of their respective posi- read. seeks to create a Philippine Panfilo Lacson: focus on safety of members of judiciary vice chairman and general man- tions to conspire with Uriarte, The Ombudsman added that Judicial Marshal Service under ager Rosario Uriarte, former and “illegally enriched them- the high court affi rmed the va- the control and jurisdiction of judiciary in the last two dec- be the chief marshal, who shall full colonel in the Armed chairman Sergio Valencia, Budg- selves” with a total amount of lidity of the requests of Uriarte the Supreme Court whose pri- ades, including five during the have the same rank of a Court Forces of the Philippines or et and Accounting Department P57,875,000 in CIF funds from and Valencia and found them mary function is to protect, Duterte administration. of Appeals associate justice. the Philippine National Po- Manager Benigno Aguas, and 2004 to 2007. They were also al- compliant with Letter of In- safeguard, watch over, provide Under SB 1209, the PJMS Assisting the chief marshal lice. Treasury Department Manager leged to have conspired with Va- struction 1282. It ruled that the security, and ensure the safety will investigate allegations of are three Deputy Marshals They shall be appointed by Gloria Araullo — and Commis- lencia to malverse P15.7mn dur- absence of “clear and convinc- of justices, judges, court of- irregularities, including graft — one each for Luzon, (the) the Supreme Court en banc sion on Audit former assistant ing the same period. ing evidence” presumed the ficials and personnel, and the and corruption, against jus- Visayas and Mindanao. Each and should serve until age 65. commissioner Lourdes Dimapi- The Ombudsman ruled that regularity of the accused public various halls of justice, court- tices, judges, court officials deputy marshal shall have the An initial funding of P50mn lis and former auditor Nilda “the question involving the use offi cials’ performance of their houses and other court build- and personnel. It must also same rank as a Regional Trial from the National Treasury Plaras. of the PCSO’s CIF is not novel.” offi cial duties. ings and properties all over assist in the execution and Court judge,” Lacson said. will be appropriated for the The complaint fi led by the “In a similar case involving the Arroyo’s counsel, Laurence the country,” he said. implementation of court or- The chief marshal and dep- wages and other expenses of Field Investigation 2 accused use of the PCSO’s CIF for (cal- Arroyo, welcomed the dismissal He noted at least 31 report- ders. uty marshals must be lawyers personnel, and for supplies Uriarte, Valencia and other endar years) 2008 to 2010, the of the complaint. ed killings of members of the “Heading the service shall and must have been at least a and equipment. Gulf Times 22 Monday, December 2, 2019 COMMENT

CHAIRMAN Abdullah bin Khalifa al-Attiyah EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Faisal Abdulhameed al-Mudahka Deputy Managing Editor K T Chacko P.O.Box 2888, Doha, Qatar [email protected] 44350478 (News), 44466404 (Sport), 44466636 (Home delivery) 44350474 facebook.com/gulftimes twitter.com/gulftimes_Qatar GULF TIMES Doha emerges as a turnaround hub for cruise tourism Qatar’s cruise tourism sector has received a quantum boost with Doha emerging as a turnaround port last week. It was a momentous occasion when Costa Diadema, the fl eet fl agship of leading Italian company Costa Cruises, docked at Doha Port for the fi rst time on Wednesday, marking the fi rst of 16 turnaround calls that the Dream-class cruise liner will make during the 2019-20 season. Visitors can now begin and end their journey from Doha and have the opportunity to enjoy Qatar’s fi ve-star airline and award-winning hospitality before and after their cruises. The arrival of Costa Diadema comes as a result of an agreement signed between QNTC and Costa Cruises in September last year to develop cruise Legal storm clouds gather tourism in Qatar. With a capacity of 4,974 passengers and over 1,200 crew members, Costa Diadema is the latest addition to the fl eet of Costa Cruises launched in 2014 and is currently the largest vessel fl ying an Italian fl ag. Qatar has multiple advantages that make it a perfect turnaround cruise hub. The expanded network of Qatar over Rudy Giuliani Airways covering over 160 destinations worldwide provides visitors numerous options to suit the cruise itinerary. errand, Giuliani contacted current and claims were suspect, coming as they Giuliani’s lawyer, Robert Costello, For example last Wednesday, passengers from seven By Tom McCarthy Washington, DC former Ukrainian prosecutors, multiple reportedly did from individuals with who was also on the call, then destinations in six countries across Europe were able to Ukrainian presidential administrations questionable motives and with reason to interjected: “He’s joking.” arrive in Doha in the morning on board fl ights landing within and multiple Ukrainian oligarchs, believe that their political and fi nancial “We are friends for 29 years and a span of less than two hours. They also enjoyed a speedy hen the former New according to testimony. ambitions would be stymied by our nothing will interfere with that,” immigration system at the fi ve-star Hamad International York City mayor Rudy Prosecutors are investigating whether anti-corruption policy in Ukraine.” Giuliani told TMZ of Trump. “The Airport. Running parallel to the cruise season is an exciting Giuliani emerged as Giuliani off ered the oligarchs help with As the pressure on him has president knows that everything I did, winter calendar of events featuring FIFA Club World Wone of Donald Trump’s their problems with the US justice intensifi ed, Giuliani’s antics in his I did to help him. And he knows it. I did most bareknuckle defenders during department in exchange for help with own defence have grown increasingly it honourably. I did it legally. I did it in Cup 2019 matches, music concerts by global artistes and the Russia investigation, attacking his project to harm Biden, a charge animated. He warned last week that he a way that it will embarrass the people numerous retail, travel and hospitality promotions that the his former colleagues in the justice Giuliani has denied. had collected information that would who are pursuing me and have nowhere cruise passengers will be able to enjoy during their stay in department, people asked: “What Two Soviet Union-born American put his political enemies on their heels. near the integrity and honour that I Qatar. happened to Rudy?” associates of Giuliani, Lev Parnas “I’m also going to bring out a have.” It may be noted that Now, as federal prosecutors tighten and Igor Fruman, were arrested last pay-for-play scheme in the Obama Trump has tweeted that Giuliani as a result of various a net of criminal investigations around month on campaign fi nance charges, administration that will be devastating “may seem a little rough around the As the cruise Giuliani, the question has become: and Parnas is co-operating with to the Democrat party,” Giuliani told Fox edges sometimes, but he is also a great initiatives by Qatar “What is going to happen to Rudy?” investigators. Alongside the prosecutors News. guy and wonderful lawyer”. season grows, National Tourism The poignancy of Giuliani’s downfall in New York, the US justice department He even threatened to start an In an interview with disgraced former Council (QNTC) and from national hero and presidential in Washington is also investigating impeachment podcast. Fox News host Bill O’Reilly last Tuesday, thousands of jobs its partners, Qatar’s candidate to the subject of multiple Giuliani’s conduct, as is the Federal But what matters most for Giuliani however, Trump distanced himself from cruise industry has seen federal criminal investigations has been Bureau of Investigation. right now is his long friendship with Giuliani. and business remarkable growth often remarked in the past year. Congress is also after Giuliani, Trump, his most powerful protector, Analysts watching Giuliani’s case during the last few The net tightened again last week who came in for sharp public which goes back to the late 1980s, when expect that an indictment could be opportunities are when it emerged a grand jury had criticism in the impeachment Trump served as co-chair of Giuliani’s handed down at any moment, raising years. The 2018-19 issued a broad subpoena for documents hearings earlier this month, when fi rst fundraiser for his 1989 mayoral the prospect of America’s Mayor in created season achieved 121% relating to Giuliani’s international Ambassador Marie Yovanovitch campaign, according to Wayne Barrett, handcuff s. growth in the number consulting business as part of an described a smear campaign Giuliani who has written books about both men. “If Rudy’s story ends the way it of cruise passengers and 100% growth in the number of investigation of alleged crimes had mounted against her, allegedly In a telephone interview with the feels like it’s going to end,” wrote cruise ships, with over 140,000 passengers arriving aboard 44 including money laundering, wire fraud, because as an anti-corruption Guardian, in response to a question Evan Mandery, a professor at John ships, including 38 mega ships, which typically carry between campaign fi nance violations, making advocate she stood in the way of about whether he was nervous that Jay College of Criminal Justice and 3,000 and 4,000 passengers and crew. The 2019-20 season is false statements, obstruction of justice, Trump’s Ukraine scheme. Trump might “throw him under a bus” veteran of New York City political and violations of the Foreign Agents “I do not understand Mr Giuliani’s in the impeachment crisis, Giuliani said: campaigns, “it’s not plausible for expected to be even bigger, with over 186,000 passengers and Registration Act. motives for attacking me,” Yovanovitch “I’m not, but I do have very, very good anyone who knows or has studied him over 61,000 crew arriving on 74 ships. Five ships will make “We who admired him for so long testifi ed. “What I can say is that Mr insurance, so if he does, all my hospital to say they never saw it coming.” – their maiden calls to Doha this season. In addition to the 16 expected much more from Rudy Giuliani should have known those bills will be paid.” Guardian News and Media turnaround calls, it is also the fi rst season where nine ships will Giuliani and his legacy,” Ken Frydman, be staying overnight at Doha Port, giving the passengers ample a former Giuliani press secretary, wrote time to explore the destination’s off erings. Also 45 ships are in a New York Times opinion piece last making transit calls during this season. month. “‘America’s Mayor,’ as Rudy While welcoming Costa Diadema at Doha Port, HE was called after September 11, is today President Trump’s bumbling personal the Minister of Transport and Communications Jassim lawyer and henchman, his apologist and Seif Ahmed al-Sulaiti observed that turnaround voyages defender of the indefensible.” contribute signifi cantly to the country’s economy and Giuliani has denied wrongdoing and strengthen the tourism sector. In addition to visitor scoff ed at the notion he is in any legal spending, the growth in Qatar’s cruise tourism is also jeopardy – particularly from federal contributing to the country’s economy through cruise line prosecutors in the southern district spending on port services and maintenance. of New York, an offi ce he once led as a star US attorney during Ronald As the cruise season grows year-on-year, thousands Reagan’s fi rst term. There Giuliani built of jobs and business opportunities are created. QNTC a reputation for taking on mob bosses secretary-general and Qatar Airways Group chief and aggressively prosecuting the kind of executive HE Akbar al-Baker stated that receiving criminal activity he now stands accused turnaround calls is a great milestone for the country’s of. cruise tourism, that will support the hospitality, retail and “Me ending up in jail?” Giuliani aviation sectors as thousands of passengers spend time told the celebrity gossip site TMZ at a Washington airport on Monday. exploring Qatar. “Fifty years of being a lawyer, 50 years In short, Qatar has a huge potential for the cruise industry of ethical, dedicated practice of the and is a strong addition to the regional itinerary, as pointed law, probably have prosecuted more out by Neil Palomba, president of Costa Cruises. criminals of a high level than any US attorney in history. I think I follow the law very carefully. I think the people pursuing me are desperate, sad, angry, To Advertise disappointing liars. They’re hurting their country. And I’m ashamed of [email protected] them.” Display But in no version of events does Giuliani appear not to be in big trouble. 44466621 44418811 The immediate source of his current problems is the work he did in Ukraine Classified over the last two years for himself and 44466609 44418811 on behalf of Trump, who instructed the Ukrainian president to speak to Giuliani Subscription in a 25 July phone call. Giuliani wanted the Ukrainians to [email protected] announce an investigation of Joe Biden, Trump’s chief political rival, according In this file photo taken on September 24, 2019 Rudy Giuliani, Former Mayor of New York City, speaks to the Organisation of to US offi cials who testifi ed in the Iranian American Communities during their march to urge “recognition of the Iranian people’s right for regime change,” outside © 2019 Gulf Times. All rights reserved impeachment hearings. In pursuit of his the United Nations Headquarters in New York. Gulf Times Monday, December 2, 2019 23 COMMENT The billionaire problem

By Simon Johnson is more nuanced. In some entirely Washington, DC new sectors, particularly in the digital domain, entry was possible at least during an early phase. The ur billionaire problem is entrepreneurs who built the fi rst getting worse. Any market- Internet companies were not able to oriented economy creates put up eff ective entry barriers – hence Oopportunities for new the runaway success (and greater fortunes to be built, including through billions) of more recent companies innovation. such as Facebook, Amazon, and Uber. More innovation is likely to take But now the controlling place where fewer rules encumber shareholders of these new behemoths entrepreneurial creativity. Some of this operate pretty much in the same way as creativity may lead to processes and Andrew Carnegie, John D Rockefeller, products that are actually detrimental and the original JP Morgan once did. to public welfare. Unfortunately, by They use their money to buy infl uence the time the need for legislation or and resist any kind of reasonable regulation becomes apparent, the restraint on their anti-competitive innovators have their billions – and and anti-worker behaviour – even if it they can use that money to protect undermines democratic institutions. their interests. We will always have billionaires. This billionaire problem is not new. Ex post regulation and higher rates Every epoch, dating at least from of taxation are appealing today but, Roman times, produces versions of looking forward, will they prove it whenever some shift in market suffi cient in a political system that structure or geopolitics creates an allows individuals to spend as much opportunity for fortunes to be built as they like to get whatever they want quickly. Writing in the 1830s, as the The controlling shareholders of companies such as Facebook and Amazon operate pretty much in the same way as Andrew Carnegie, John D Rockefeller, and the (and repeal whatever they hate)? It’s Industrial Revolution gathered pace, original JP Morgan once did. They use their money to buy influence and resist any kind of reasonable restraint on their anti-competitive and anti-worker time for a new approach, as Gruber and Honoré de Balzac anticipated the behaviour – even if it undermines democratic institutions. I propose. broader social concern: “The secret of Big profi ts follow from big new ideas. great fortunes without apparent cause a particularly potent strain of the network, and just about every other in basic science spurred remarkable and lowers their eff ective tax rates. That’s why federal science funding is a crime that has been forgotten, billionaire problem. This is partly component of the early industrial private-sector innovation – including This is a deadweight loss – a pure should be designed to include upside because it was properly carried out.” because America’s founders, in their economy. productivity gains and widely shared drag on economic growth that limits participation in the enterprises that Or, in the more popular paraphrase: pre-industrial innocence, could not When the US government did increases in wages. Vast new fortunes opportunities for everyone who is will be created. The public deserves behind every great fortune lies a great imagine that money would capture become involved in economic activity, were created. not already an oligarch. As US public much more direct participation in crime. politics to the extent that it has (or that it was mostly to open up new frontiers The political consequences of fi nances are eroded by oligarchy, those profi ts. And the billionaires Prominent historical examples was fully apparent just a few decades – creating more opportunity for America’s post-war private-sector so is the ability to fund essential should have to make do with fewer include the British East India later). Moreover, US leaders were long individuals and private business. In the boom were felt within a generation, infrastructure, improvements billions. - Project Syndicate Company, the Europeans who built willing to let private enterprise take on aftermath of World War II, Vannevar and they were not always positive. in education, and the kind of vast fortunes based on African slave new projects that elsewhere fell into Bush – a Republican who was also From the 1960s, the US experienced breakthrough science that brought Simon Johnson, a former chief labour in the West Indies, and coal the hands of the state. a top adviser to president Franklin growing anti-tax sentiment, strong America to this point. economist of the IMF, is a professor mine owners. All became rich fast, The German post offi ce, for example, D Roosevelt – cleverly argued that pressure for deregulation (including Some of America’s billionaires earn at MIT Sloan, a senior fellow at the and then used their political clout built one of the most extensive and science represented the next frontier, for the financial sector), and a lot kudos for their philanthropy. At the Peterson Institute for International to get what they wanted, including effi cient telegraph systems in the and hence constructed a winning more corporate money pouring same time, most of them adopt a dog- Economics, and co-founder of a leading impunity for horrendous abuses. world. Samuel Morse urged Congress political argument for the government into politics through every possible in-the-manger attitude throughout economics blog, The Baseline Scenario. At their peak in the 19th century, to do the same (or better). But US to act as a catalyst. avenue. their business operations – digging He is the co-author, with Jonathan railway interests held sway over many telegraph communication was instead As Jonathan Gruber and I have In recent decades, this corporate deeper moats to protect profi ts or Gruber, of Jump-Starting America: or perhaps even most members of the developed privately – as was the argued recently in our book Jump- lobbying has had two main eff ects. simply destroying smaller business at How Breakthrough Science Can Revive British parliament. telephone system that followed, all Starting America, the post-war federal First, by erecting entry barriers to every opportunity. Economic Growth and the American The United States has long exhibited of iron and steel, the entire railroad government’s strategic investments existing sectors, it protects incumbents There is a second eff ect, which Dream.

From armchairs to iPhones, India’s millennials rent it all Three-day forecast expected to be worth $1.89 billion by 2025, according to TODAY AFP Maximum Temperature : 290c Mumbai consulting fi rm Research Nester. “We expect to grow by a million orders in under 30 Minimum Temperature : 220c months,” RentoMojo founder Geetansh Bamania said. TUESDAY t 29, Spandan Sharma doesn’t own a fl at, a The Bangalore-based fi rm rents out furniture as Maximum Temperature : 280c car, or even a chair - one of a growing number well as appliances, gym equipment, iPhones and smart Minimum Temperature : 210c of Indian millennials bucking traditional home devices such as Google Home and Amazon Echo. WEDNESDAY norms and instead opting to rent everything “Renting smartphones works out well for the Maximum Temperature : 270c A Minimum Temperature : 190c from furniture to iPhones. youngsters as they can keep upgrading to the latest launch at a cheaper price without burning through “Millennials in my age bracket want freedom and Fisherman's forecast earlier what was seen as stability is now seen as a sign their fi nances,” Bamania added. of being tied down,” Sharma said. Launched in 2012 by former investment banker Ajith WARNING Karimpana, Furlenco has catered to more than 100,000 Inshore : Expected poor visibility “My parents don’t understand the concept of renting at places at first furniture at all. They have never been completely on- customers and expects revenues to cross $300mn by Offshore : Nil board with the idea,” he said. 2023. “They said it would be much better to buy rather “Overall consumer behaviour is shifting from WEATHER Inshore : Misty to foggy at some than rent furniture in the long term.” owning to renting among millennials due to the places at first becomes For Rs4,247 ($60) a month, the Mumbai-based In this photograph taken on October 26, 2019 Vandita fl exibility and non-commitment it off ers,” Karimpana moderate temperature executive furnished his entire home, sourcing furniture Morarka, 25, poses for a picture as she sits around said. daytime with scattered- rented furnitures during an interview with AFP in clouds and a chance of for his bedroom, living room and dining area as well as In an indication of the trend’s staying power, light rain at places a refrigerator and microwave. Mumbai. Swedish furniture giant Ikea has said it plans to test a Offshore : Misty at some places Sharma isn’t alone. Tens of thousands of young subscription-based model in 30 markets in 2020. at first becomes sact- tered clouds later Indians are switching from buying to renting so they the sharing economy is a global phenomenon that is For many millennials, choosing the rental option is WIND can live life with few strings attached. expected to generate annual revenues of $335bn by as much about taking a road less travelled as it is about Inshore : Northwesterly-North Even businesses are renting their offi ce furnishings, 2025, according to PricewaterhouseCoopers. saving money. easterly 05-15 KT Offshore : Mainly Southeasterly said budding entrepreneur Vandita Morarka. In the US, websites such as Rent the Runway and When Sharma’s father was 29, he was married, 3-12 KT When Morarka set up her feminist non-profi t One Nuuly off er fashion-conscious customers the option to working in a public sector bank and setting aside funds Visibility : 4-8/2 KM Future Collective in 2017, she rented nearly everything try rather than buy clothing, while in China, consumers to purchase a fl at and buy a car. she needed and funnelled the savings from not having a can rent BMWs via a tap on their smartphone. Sharma envisions a diff erent life for himself, one Offshore : 1-3 FT one-off outlay into paying salaries to her staff of 25. In India, the boom has fuelled the rise of new focused on “investing in experiences”. Around the region “From study tables and chairs to even a laptop, I furniture and appliance-renting businesses such as “Living in fi ve diff erent cities in two countries over Weather have rented them all as the prices are reasonable,” the Furlenco, RentoMojo and GrabOnRent - and even a span of seven years would be unthinkable for my Weather tomorrow Max/min 25-year-old said. jewellery rental apps - in recent years. father... but it is my reality,” Sharma said, adding that today Max/min P Cloudy 18/08 “This system allows me to take more risks... And in The sector is a bright spot amid a severe slowdown as some furniture rental apps off ered free relocation Baghdad Rain 19/12 Sunny 23/13 case things go south, we can wrap up without losing a weakening consumer demand has led to tumbling sales services. Kuwait City P Cloudy 27/16 Sunny 27/20 large tranche of investments and begin elsewhere.” including in the bellwether auto sector. “It is a badge of pride for millennials that we can Manama Sunny 27/21 Sunny 27/19 From ride-hailing apps to communal offi ce spaces, The country’s furniture rental market alone is pack up and move within weeks.” Muscat Sunny 28/19 Tehran S Showers 13/08 Rain 08/05

Live issues Diet pills, laxatives may signal eating disorder risk

By Carolyn Crist the truth. These products are not during the past year, and 1.8% of those note. The research team is working with Reuters Health medically recommended for healthy who did use diet pills. legislators in Massachusetts to ban the weight management and can even be Similarly, 0.8% of women who did not sale of these products to people under Around the world dangerous,” she told Reuters Health by report laxative use for weight loss were 18. Weather Weather eens and young women who e-mail. “When young people get their later diagnosed with an eating disorder, “Dietary supplements claiming all today Max/min tomorrow Max/min use diet pills and laxatives for hands on these easily accessible yet compared to 4.6% of those who did use types of health benefi ts or functional Athens M Cloudy 16/09 Sunny 19/11 weight control are fi ve to six harmful products, they are put at risk for laxatives. properties - including weight loss, Beirut S Showers 20/15 M Sunny 20/16 Ttimes more likely to be diag- disordered weight control behaviours Using these kinds of products appetite suppression, and muscle Bangkok P Cloudy 33/22 M Sunny 31/21 nosed with an eating disorder in the next and, as our study suggests, may even may increase the likelihood of eating building - are virtually unregulated. Berlin S Showers 04/-2 S Showers 04/-2 three years, a US study suggests. put them on a path to develop an eating disorders by creating irregular eating Most people do not know the extent (to Cairo M Sunny 24/12 Sunny 23/13 Using these medications for weight disorder.” behaviours, physical disruptions to which) these products are not regulated Cape Town P Cloudy 20/14 Cloudy 17/14 loss can be dangerous and may be a Levinson and colleagues analysed digestion or psychological issues, the or approved by the FDA,” said Jennifer Colombo S T Storms 28/24 S T Storms 29/24 warning sign to consider counselling data on more than 10,000 US women study authors speculate. Pomeranz, a public health lawyer and Dhaka P Cloudy 29/17 Sunny 28/17 because there is an increased risk for between ages 14 and 36, who were “Eating disorders have among the researcher at New York University in Hong Kong Cloudy 19/11 Sunny 18/12 developing an eating disorder such as participating in a long-term study. highest mortality rate of any mental New York City, who wasn’t involved in Istanbul M Sunny 13/08 Rain 13/06 anorexia or bulimia, the study authors The women were surveyed annually health condition, so our fi nding that the study. Jakarta S T Storms 33/26 S T Storms 33/26 write in the American Journal of Public about whether they had used diet these products may be gateway drugs “Unfortunately, in the US, industry’s Karachi Sunny 28/17 M Sunny 28/18 Health. pills or laxatives for weight loss to a serious and life-threatening mental interests in selling products is often London Sunny 07/-1 P Cloudy 06/02 “Advertising for these products during the past year, and whether health condition is cause for alarm,” more valued than government’s Manila Cloudy 31/25 Heavy Rain 26/26 is common on social media, and the they’d received a new diagnosis of an Levinson said. responsibility to protect the public from Moscow M Cloudy -2/-3 S Showers -1/-5 products are easily accessible at local eating disorder. Policymakers and public health harmful products,” she told Reuters New Delhi Sunny 23/10 Sunny 23/09 pharmacies and groceries, which Researchers excluded young women professionals should work together to Health by e-mail. “Even if people do New York Rain&Snow 07/01 P Cloudy 05/01 gives young people the mistaken already diagnosed with an eating restrict access to diet pills and laxatives not suff er health harms from dietary Paris M Sunny 08/02 P Cloudy 06/-1 idea that they are safe to use,” said disorder from the analysis, and adjusted for adolescents through bans or taxes, supplements claiming unachievable Sao Paulo Cloudy 21/14 P Cloudy 25/17 Jordan Levinson of Boston Children’s for overweight status, age, and other the study authors argue. For instance, benefi ts, consumers waste money on Seoul M Sunny 04/-6 P Cloudy 05/-3 Hospital’s Division of Adolescent and factors. Instagram and Facebook recently them and may not take other actions to Singapore T Storm 30/25 T Storm 29/25 Young Adult Medicine, the study’s They found that eating disorders banned ads targeting minors for over- protect their health, relying on the false Sydney Cloudy 22/12 Sunny 25/16 lead author. developed in just 1% of women who did the-counter weight loss products, and promise of over-the-counter products Tokyo Rain 18/08 Clear 16/09 “But this could not be further from not report diet pill use for weight control retailers should do the same, the authors instead.” Gulf Times 24 Monday, December 2, 2019 QATAR QM unveils Qatar-India photographic exhibition

atar Museums (QM) hosted yesterday the Qopening ceremony of ‘Where Cultures Meet: A Photo- graphic Encounter Between Qa- tar and India’ as part of its annual Year of Culture programme. The exhibition at Katara – the Cul- tural Village will be on show until December 31 in Gallery 18. As part of Qatar-India 2019 Year of Culture, two Qatari pho- tographers – Hamad al-Shamari and Aisha al-Sadah – travelled to the Himalayan region of Ladakh, India, for two weeks. The aim was to create an inspiring port- folio that will help foster mutual understanding and cultural rela- Indian ambassador P Kumaran is seen with photographers Hamad tions between the two countries. al-Shamari, Aisha al-Sadah, Ajeesh Puthiyadath and Salim Abdulla at Alongside it, two Qatar-based the opening of the exhibition yesterday. Indian photographers – Ajeesh Puthiyadath and Salim Abdulla – Commenting on the exhibi- yassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa al- were selected as part of an open tion, Aisha al-Attiya, head of Thani, QM developed the “Year call to participate in the exhibi- Years of Culture at QM said: “The of Culture” initiative — an an- tion. annual photography exhibition nual international cultural ex- The exhibition presents com- is an important milestone in the change programme designed mon themes like architecture, Years of Culture programme. It to deepen understanding be- landscape, portraits and street promotes an appreciation for our tween nations and their people. life both in Ladakh – a remote similarities with partner coun- Though the formal program- land tucked in the valleys among tries and celebrates the diff er- ming lasts only one year, the ini- barren mountains and where ences between our two cultures tiative often sparks long-lasting communities known for their and perspectives. We hope that collaboration. Previous years tolerant and generous manner the trip to Ladakh will continue of culture include: Qatar-Japan live in peace – and in Doha, a to inspire Hamad al-Shamari and 2012, Qatar-UK 2013, Qatar- bustling metropolis made up of Aisha al-Sadah for many years to Brazil 2014, Qatar-Turkey 2015, century-old markets and futur- come.” Qatar-China 2016, Qatar-Ger- istic buildings that line its wa- Under the leadership of its many 2017 and Qatar-Russia A frame by Aisha al-Sadah. terfront. chairperson HE Sheikha Al Ma- 2018. A picture by Hamad al-Shamari. Park Hyatt Doha Hotel opens at Msheireb Downtown Doha

By Joey Aguilar The fi ve-star hotel, owned Staff Reporter and developed by Msheireb Properties, brings timeless elegance and subtle luxury sheireb Properties, in to the historical heart of collaboration with Hy- Doha Matt Hotels Corporation, inaugurated the fi rst-ever Park fl oors, with a separate fl oor dedi- Hyatt Doha Hotel at Msheireb cated to men and women. Downtown Doha yesterday, fur- In addition to the more than ther boosting Qatar’s hospitality 2,000sq m of meeting and event sector. space, the hotel off ers 1,750sq m The grand opening of the fi ve- of recreation and leisure facilities, star hotel, owned and developed including a pool, spa, and fi tness by Msheireb Properties, was at- centre. tended by Qatar National Tourism “Park Hyatt Doha is the out- Council Secretary-General, Qatar come of strategic collaborations Airways Group chief executive that refl ect the confi dence that and Msheireb Properties Board global brands, such as the Hy- Member HE Akbar al-Baker, and att Group, have in our project,” HE the Minister of State Dr Ha- Msheireb Properties acting CEO mad bin Abdulaziz al-Kuwari, Ali al-Kuwari said. “It also em- as well as other dignitaries and bodies the spirit of Msheireb guests. Downtown Doha, focusing on “We are very pleased to see the tradition and heritage to build for HE Akbar al-Baker and HE Dr Hamad bin Abdulaziz al-Kuwari leads the grand opening of Park Hyatt Doha hospitality off ering at Msheireb the future and centring around Hotel at Msheireb Downtown Doha yesterday. PICTURES: Shemeer Rasheed Downtown Doha growing with the community.” the opening of their third ho- The hotel includes 28 Park Africa, and Southwest Asia Kurt tel. In addition to boosting our Suites, three Park Executive Straub. Park Hyatt Doha general award-winning hospitality port- Suites, a Diplomat Suite and a manager Stefan Gaessler said: folio, the presence of luxurious Presidential Suite. All rooms en- “We have worked with Msheireb accommodation options side by joy fl oor-to- ceiling windows, Properties to create something in side with our heritage treasures in luxury window seats, and design- the heart of Doha that integrates the heart of the city create richer er marble bathroom with deep with the genuine local culture and experiences for our visitors,” HE soaking tub, rain shower, and connects us to the community.” al-Baker said. double vanity sink. Located on Sikket Al Wadi Park Hyatt Doha off ers per- In the Presidential and Diplo- street, in Msheireb Downtown sonalised luxury and services for mat Suites, guests can retreat to Doha, Park Hyatt Doha has been discerning global travellers in a private terrace with magnifi - built to US Gold LEED-certifi ed the heart of Msheireb Downtown cent views overlooking the city or standards, with a vision to embark Doha. With bespoke guest expe- Corniche and stunning West Bay on environmentally sustainable riences, the hotel is the destina- skyline. initiatives, and collaborations tion for people who savour subtle “The introduction of Park Hy- with local suppliers. elegance, bringing to Qatar the att Doha in Qatar strengthens The hotel is located 16km from understated luxuries this hospi- our vision of being the preferred Hamad International Airport, tality brand is famous for around brand for global travellers and and moments away from a Light the world. The new hotel fea- enhances the footprint of Hyatt’s Rail stop that runs through the tures 187 distinctive guest rooms luxury portfolio in the Middle precinct, as well as one of Doha Located on Sikket Al Wadi street, in Msheireb Downtown Doha, Park and suites, three restaurants, and East,” said Hyatt’s vice president Metro’s largest stations, Msheireb Hyatt Doha has been built to US Gold LEED-certified standards, with a luxurious spa spread over two of operations for the Middle East, Station. A Light Rail coach passing adjacent to Park Hyatt Doha. a vision to embark on environmentally sustainable initiatives. Qatari Diar resort opens

From Page 1 238 Tunisian employees, 72% tures several health and spa of whom are from Tozeur, facilities, a sports club, tennis He explained that the com- are employed in the project. courts, swimming pools, cul- pany has allocated a huge The Chairman of Minor Ho- tural village, retail shops, and investment of more than tels Group, Bill Heinecke, the restaurants. 222mn Tunisian dinars (about owner of the Anantara brand, Qatari Diar Real Estate Com- QR284mn) for the project. He said that the project is one of pany was established in 2005 pointed out that as usual Qatari the best Anantara hotels in by the Qatar Investment Au- Diar in pursuit of its strategic the world and the company is thority, the sovereign wealth objectives, always seeks to sup- proud to select Qatari Diar to fund of Qatar. It was entrusted port the communities in which manage this unique resort. to support Qatar’s growing it operates. Just a 12-minute drive from economy and to co-ordinate Five local contractors had Tozeur-Nefta International the country’s real estate devel- been employed for all the work Airport, Anantara Tozeur Re- opment priorities. in the project. It also focused sort is located in the heart of As of January 2018, Qa- on the use of homemade ma- the desert. tari Diar had a shared capital terials accounted for about The resort, which is wholly of $8bn, with 60 investment 84% of raw materials used in owned by Qatari Diar, includes projects under development the project. He pointed out 93 hotel units, ranging from or held in 24 countries around that the company also hired rooms, suites, and villas, as the world, combining a value of local expertise for the project: well as two VIP villas. It fea- over $35bn. Qatari Diar’s Anantara-Tozeur Resort project in Tunisia.