BUSINESS | Page 1 QATAR | Page 16 QNB focuses Ashghal on Southeast plants trees Asia as part at Al Khor of expansion Road plan: CEO project

published in QATAR since 1978

MONDAY Vol. XXXX No. 11433 January 20, 2020 Jumada I 25, 1441 AH

GULF TIMES www. gulf-times.com 2 Riyals

In brief QATAR | Offi cial 800MW solar Amir to meet Italian president tomorrow power plant His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani will meet Italian President Sergio Mattarella at the Amiri Diwan tomorrow. President Mattarella is due to arrive in Doha to come up in today for a state visit. The Amir and the Italian president will discuss bilateral relations and means to develop and promote them in addition to issues of common concern. HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa al-Thani and HE the Minister of State for Al-Kharsaah Energy Aff airs and QP president and CEO Saad bin Sherida al-Kaabi look on as QEWC general manager and managing director REGION | Confl ict and Siraj Energy board of directors member Fahad bin Hamad al-Mohannadi, Kahramaa president Engineer Essa bin Hilal al-Kuwari, Total’s president and CEO Patrick Pouyanné and Marubeni Corporation president and CEO Masumi Kakinoki sign the z Qatar signs agreements for building the QR1.7bn Scores killed in Yemen agreements yesterday. missile, drone attack project zForeign partners include Total, Marubeni More than 100 people were killed and dozens wounded in a missile By Shafeeq Alingal 800MW project, 350MW will be con- and drone attack blamed on Houthi Staff Reporter nected to the grid by the first quarter rebels in central Yemen, off icials of 2021 while the commercial com- said yesterday. Saturday’s strike 16 fl oating hotels to be set up missioning of the total capacity will follows months of relative calm arking a giant leap in Qatar’s start in the first quarter of 2022 in in the war between Houthis and race towards tapping the po- line with the strategic objective set in Yemen’s internationally recognised Mtential of renewable energy, Qatar National Development Strategy government. The Houthis attacked for housing World Cup fans a number of agreements were signed 2018–2022. a mosque in a military camp in the yesterday to build the QR1.7bn Al- HE al-Kaabi noted that the project is central province of Marib — about Kharsaah Large Scale Solar PV Power part of the energy sector’s preparation 170km east of the capital Sanaa — Plant with a total capacity of 800MW, to host the 2022 FIFA World Cup. during evening prayers, military z Qetaifan Projects signs MoU with ADMARES to provide which equals about 10% of the coun- Kahramaa president al-Kuwari said sources said. Page 8 try’s peak electricity demand. 16 leading international solar power a total of 1,616 floating hotel rooms The agreements were signed in the developers were prequalifi ed while the ARAB WORLD | Protests presence of HE the Prime Minister and fi nalists were selected after evaluating total of 16 fl oating hotels are ness development, at Qetaifan Projects, Minister of Interior Sheikh Abdullah the technical effi ciency and cost-eff ec- Hundreds injured in to be set up on the shores of in addition to Mikael Hedberg, CEO of bin Nasser bin Khalifa al-Thani and HE tiveness. Lebanese violence AQetaifan Island North to pro- ADMARES and Samer Malaeb, regional the Minister of State for Energy Aff airs Lebanese anti-riot police fired vide accommodation for tourists and director of the company. and Qatar Petroleum (QP) president The solar energy plant will be rubber bullets and water cannons fans within the fan villages during the In view of the proximity of Qetai- and CEO Saad bin Sherida al-Kaabi. constructed at Al-Kharsaah at stone-throwing demonstrators 2022 FIFA World Cup. fan Island North to Lusail Stadium, The signatories were Qatar General area of West Doha covering a in the Lebanese capital yesterday, A memorandum of understanding which will host the opening and fi - Electricity & Water Corporation (Kah- total area of 10sq km. As per as hundreds were injured in a (MoU), to build and operate these ho- nal games of the World Cup, and the ramaa) president Engineer Essa bin the agreement, Qatar’s Siraj weekend of rare violence. Medics tels, was signed by Qetaifan Projects, a large number of tourists and fans who Hilal al-Kuwari, Qatar Electricity and Energy, a joint venture owned said 90 people were injured in the company owned by Katara Hospital- are expected to visit Qatar before and Water Company (QEWC) general man- by QP and QEWC, will hold latest clashes, taking the casualty ity, and ADMARES, a world leader in during the World Cup, the island will ager and managing director and Siraj a 60% stake in the project toll to more than 460 injured in two alternative real estate. provide all the needs of the masses and Energy board of directors member Fa- while the rest will be held by days. Unprecedented protests have With this signing, Qetaifan Projects tourists, it is explained. had bin Hamad al-Mohannadi, Maru- France’s Total and Japan’s rocked the Mediterranean country continues its series of local and inter- This will be done through projects, beni Corporation president and CEO Marubeni since October 17. Page 8 national partnerships that would add facilities and entertainment activities Masumi Kakinoki, and Total chairman to Qetaifan Island North and serve the in addition to the fan villages during and CEO Patrick Pouyanné. Al-Mohannadi said the plant is an BRITAIN | Royals tourism, hospitality and entertainment the tournament, which will include Sheikh Nasser bin Abdulrahman First of its kind in Qatar, the solar achievement at the regional level and sectors in Qatar, according to a state- the fl oating hotels, the note said. al-Thani with Mikael Hedberg at the energy plant will be constructed at Al- its construction will witness the ap- Harry, Meghan begin ment issued yesterday by the company. To Page 16 MoU signing. Kharsaah area of West Doha covering a plication of the latest solutions and in- life as ‘ordinary’ people The MoU envisages the construction total area of 10sq km. As per the agree- novations in solar energy technology. Britain’s Prince Harry and his and operation of the 16 fl oating hotels that ment, Qatar’s Siraj Energy, a joint ven- “Dual panels will be used, automated wife Meghan began a new life will feature a “unique design”. Measur- ture owned by QP and QEWC, will hold systems will be in place to track the sun yesterday as somewhat ordinary ing 72m in length and 16m in width, each a 60% stake in the project while the and robots deployed for cleaning the people with financial worries and hotel will consist of 101 guest rooms and a rest will be held by France’s Total and solar panels to ensure the continuity of security concerns after being restaurant. Japan’s Marubeni. production effi ciency and reduce plant stripped of their royal titles and All of the 16 four-storey hotels will be Kahramaa will buy electricity from operating costs,” he explained. public funding by the Queen. identical, off ering a total of 1,616 fl oat- Siraj1, which is owned by Siraj Energy. Kakinoki said Marubeni is proud to The settlement announced by ing hotel rooms, the statement notes. Marubeni will invest about 20.4% of be part of Qatar’s eff orts to fi ght cli- Buckingham Palace on Saturday The agreement was signed in the the total project while Total will con- mate change. Patrick Pouyanné said saw the 93-year-old monarch presence of Sheikh Nasser bin Abdul- tribute a 19.6% share. The project fol- Total is committed to producing en- assume her painfully familiar role rahman al-Thani, managing director of lows a Build, Own, Operate, and Trans- ergy that is safer, more aff ordable and of managing a family crisis that Qetaifan Projects and vice-chairman fer (BOOT) model and has a term of 25 cleaner adding that the company will threatened the very foundations of Katara Hospitality; Hesham Sharaf, years after which the ownership will be bring the best technology to ensure of one of Britain’s oldest chief operating offi cer and Sheikh Nass- transferred to Kahramaa. the successful implementation of the institutions. Page 11 er bin Abdulaziz al-Thani, head of busi- An artist’s rendition of the floating hotels. During the first phase of the project. Page 3

Libya summit in Berlin agrees to strengthen arms embargo

Agencies satisfied with the outcome. communique agreed by the partici- Berlin US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, pants, which included the presidents of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Er- France, Russia and Turkey. dogan and Russian President Vladimir German Chancellor Angela Merkel he international participants of Putin have left the conference. welcomed the declaration agreed to by a Libya peace summit in Berlin Libya has been in turmoil ever since the international community. “We have Tagreed yesterday to uphold a UN the 2011 overthrow of dictator Muam- agreed to a binding process,” Merkel said arms embargo and end military support mar Gaddafi . at a press conference at the close of the for the country’s warring factions. In recent months, a civil war has es- conference. A declaration, signed by 16 states and calated between internationally rec- She thanked the participants, among organisations, also set out plans for in- ognised prime minister Fayez al-Serraj them the leaders of Russia and Turkey, ternational eff orts to monitor the imple- and rival commander Khalifa Haftar. for “a very constructive atmosphere” at mentation of the embargo, which has been World powers urged Libya’s war- the Berlin talks. in place for almost a decade but without ring factions and their foreign back- Sitting alongside her, UN Secretary- much success in the war-torn country. ers to end the fi ghting and establish “a General Antonio Guterres said the dec- Violations of a fragile ceasefi re cur- permanent ceasefi re”, following high- laration was “a strong signal that we are rently in place in and around Tripoli stakes peace talks yesterday. fully committed to supporting a peace- World leaders who attended the peace summit on Libya at the Chancellery in Berlin pose for a group picture yesterday. are to be met with sanctions, under the “We call on all parties concerned to ful resolution of the Libya crisis.” agreement. redouble their eff orts for a sustained Guterres said he was very worried Forces loyal to eastern commander lation that threatened to strangle the Maas said the negotiations had found European Commission President suspension of hostilities, de-escalation that several oil ports and an oilfi eld had Khalifa Haftar have shut off production country’s fi nances. “the key with which we can solve the Ursula von der Leyen said she was and a permanent ceasefi re,” read a fi nal been shut down in Libya. at all Libya’s major oil fi elds, an esca- German Foreign Minister Heiko Libya confl ict.” Gulf Times 2 Monday, January 20, 2020 QATAR

Foreign Minister holds talks with his Gambian counterpart

HE Ahmed bin Abdullah bin Zaid al-Mahmoud along with other Shura Council members holds talks with the Libyan parliamentary delegation. Speaker meets Libyan parliamentary delegation

E the Speaker of the parliamentary co-operation be- rity and stability and achiev- and its constructive eff orts to Shura Council Ahmed tween the two countries. ing national reconciliation restore harmony and stability Hbin Abdullah bin Zaid The Shura Council Speaker among all its components, to Libya, preserve its interests al-Mahmoud met yesterday underlined Qatar’s support as well as its keenness on the and achieve the aspirations of with a delegation from the Lib- for the internationally-rec- sovereignty and territorial in- its people. yan House of Representatives ognised Government of Na- tegrity of Libya. The meeting was attended chaired by Saad Mohamed Saleh tional Accord of Libya, and For its part, the Libyan par- by the chairman of Qatar-Arab HE the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Aff airs Sheikh Mohamed bin Abdulrahman Al Jazwe. affi rmed Doha’s commitment liamentary delegation ex- Parliamentary Friendship Group al-Thani yesterday met Gambian Minister of Foreign Aff airs and International Co-operation The meeting discussed the to everything that would fulfi l pressed thanks and apprecia- Saqr bin Fahad al-Muraikhi, and Mamadou Tangara, who is currently visiting Doha. The meeting dealt with bilateral relations in latest developments in Libya, the aspirations of the broth- tion for Qatar’s fi rm position in a number of offi cials in the Shura addition to key topics of mutual interest. and means of developing the erly Libyan people in secu- support of Libya’s legitimacy, Council.

PM sends Qatar strongly condemns greetings attack on Libya’s seaport DIBF ‘succeeds in atar has strongly condemned torn by internal confl icts or regional and to Russian the storming of the forces affi li- international disputes. Qated with Major General (retired) The statement added that in the inter- Khalifa Haftar to Al Zwaitina oil seaport est of the Libyan people, above all con- counterpart in eastern Libya and stopping the export siderations, Qatar calls on the interna- of oil, and stressed that the country’s tional community and the UN Security wealth belongs to the Libyan people and Council to assume their responsibilities, expressing vision HE the Prime Minister and that neither party has the right to ma- so that all armed groups outside the law Minister of Interior Sheikh nipulate Libyan capabilities or use it as a are criminalised, the integrity of the Abdullah bin Nasser bin pressure card. Libyan lands are preserved, and the legal Khalifa al-Thani sent a cable In a statement on Saturday, the Min- and political foundations for the con- of congratulations yester- istry of Foreign Aff airs pointed to the struction of a civil state are established. day to Dr Mikhail Mishustin suff ering of thousands of displaced per- The Foreign Ministry’s statement on the occasion of his sons and immigrants who are not guilty stressed that the beginning of the solu- of culture ministry’ appointment as Prime in this war waged by armed groups out- tion in Libya is to return to the politi- Minister of the Russian side the legitimacy of the state, pointing cal track and work to build the civil and More than 319,900 book lovers visit the exhibition during 10-day period Federation. out that they aspire to live in safety and military institutions of the state through dignity in Libyan homeland that is not national consensus. (QNA) he 30th edition of the Doha In- stressing that thinking is a major rea- of Al Qadisiyah Primary School for ternational Book Fair (DIBF), son for the civilisation renaissance. Boys won the fi rst position, and the Twhich was held under the pa- He stressed the necessity to think, students of Rawda Rashed Primary tronage of His Highness the Amir in light of the openness to the world School for Girls ranked second. Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, and the large number of ideas put forth Hamad Mohamed al-Zakiba, direc- concluded on Saturday. from everywhere. tor, Culture and Arts Department at During the 10-day exhibition, The minister explained that the role the Ministry of Culture and Sports, the average daily number of visi- of the ministry is to create and main- said that what has been achieved in tors reached 31,994, bringing the ap- tain the appropriate environment for DIBF and cultural matters was the re- proximate total number of visitors to the growth of the cultural scene, not sult of the response of the minister 319,937. The total number of books merely to organise events. to the Qatari authors, following their sold amounted to 215,840, with 534 He also touched on the celebration meeting during the 2016 exhibition new books being launched and signed. of Qatar-France Cultural Year 2020 so that their ideas and initiatives turn Three hundred thirty fi ve publishers during the exhibition, through French into major cultural projects, includ- from 31 countries participated in the activities, pointing that it was taken ing the launch of the Qatari publishing DIBF, the 10-day event which was held into account in the design of the Latin houses, the Qatari Forum for Authors under the slogan “Do You Then Not Quarter that refl ects the Renaissance and several cultural centres, which Contemplate”. in France. contributed to creating a great cultural HE the Minister of Culture and “We need a constructive and ac- movement in the country. Sports Salah bin Ghanem bin Nasser tive criticism movement in all cultural He pointed out that the total ap- al-Ali confi rmed in his dialogue with fi elds,” the minister said stressing that proximate attendance of seminars the authors and visitors in DIBF that the ministry will have a role in spread- and lectures reached 3,678, while 29 the exhibition has succeeded in ex- ing culture and focusing on quality training workshops were held dur- pressing ministry’s vision towards a rather than quantity. ing the exhibition, and the number of conscious society with an authentic He underlined the role of books in activities at “Qatar School” reached mind and a healthy body. cultural gatherings and forums and 134 events. The number of visiting He indicated that the Ministry of the need for a critical movement to ac- schools reached 685, 55 school work- Culture and Sports is working to in- company intellectual writing. shops were held, 34 schools and 170 vest in the emerging generation in HE al-Ali explained that the min- students participated in the “Do You co-ordination with all state institu- istry will not play its role without Then Not Contemplate” competition, tions and work to promote reading qualifi ed human cadres, calling on and the cultural salon included 33 ac- and consolidate the relationship be- those who have any positive initia- tivities, including 23 signatures and 11 tween children and writers through tives to submit them and they will sessions. the use of creative models, activities be studied and supported during Dr Nizar Shakron, adviser to the and workshops. the developments process, stressing Minister of Culture and Sports, said He explained that the exhibition that culture is everyone’s responsi- that the 30th DIBF succeeded in over- succeeded in realising its slogan “Do bility and not only a responsibility coming all previous sessions, but You Then Not Contemplate” as its of offi cials. the most important thing is the suc- purpose was to provoke attention and The minister honoured the winners cess in turning the exhibition into a contemplation among the society, of a competition, where the students family-oriented event. (QNA)

HE the Minister of Culture and Sports Salah bin Ghanem bin Nasser al-Ali with the winners of Qatar Charity’s “Future’s Writers” programme. Minister praises Future’s Writers programme E the Minister of Culture and some books he has seen. said, “The Future’s Writers is among Sports Salah bin Ghanem bin He further emphasised the impor- the most signifi cant programmes that HNasser al-Ali has praised Qa- tance of the continuation of the pro- the Ministry focuses on, in co-opera- tar Charity’s “Future’s Writers” pro- gramme to make a real addition to the tion with Qatar Charity, as it supports gramme. cultural arena of the country for the human thought and enhances students In a statement at the conclusion of service of society. ’skills and motivates them to read.” the 30th Doha International Book Fair Besides, the Minister honoured the The winners along with their par- 2020, which ended on Saturday, HE al- winners in the “Future’s Writers-3”, ents expressed their delight at being Ali recalled he has been following the who signed their printed books at Qa- honoured, and thanked Qatar Charity programme since its inception. tar Charity’s pavilion at the fair. and schools for their eff orts that took The minister said the initiative has For her part, the assistant under- them to this level, and affi rmed that succeeded in launching many books secretary for educational aff airs of the this recognition will keep them on the written by children, and he was im- Ministry of Education and Higher Ed- path of further successes and achieve- pressed by the quality and language of ucation, Fawzia Abdulaziz al-Khater, ments. Gulf Times Monday, January 20, 2020 3 QATAR New partnership between QNB and KidZania Doha

NB has announced a new partnership be- Qtween its Life Rewards programme and the award- winning educational and entertainment concept, the edutainment city KidZania Doha, located in the heart of HE the Prime Minister and Interior Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa al-Thani and HE the Minister of State for Energy Aff airs Aspire Park, of which QNB is an and QP president and CEO Saad bin Sherida al-Kaabi are seen with Total chairman and CEO Patrick Pouyanné, QEWC general manager and offi cial industry partner. managing director and Siraj Energy board of directors member Fahad bin Hamad al-Mohannadi, Kahramaa president Essa bin Hilal al-Kuwari, QNB’s Life Rewards loyalty and Marubeni Corporation president and CEO Masumi Kakinoki at the agreements signing ceremony yesterday. programme rewards customers from the fi rst time they open their salary account to main- taining their average balance, providing a good referral and every transaction they make The QNB head off ice. Al Kharsaah solar plant a with the QNB Life Rewards credit cards. In addition, customers are eligible to earn Life Rewards points on their international milestone in Qatar’s fi ght transactions using their debit cards. “Besides being simple to use, as well as boasting cut- ting-edge safety and security Rewards is the fi rst integrated play activities, which provide features, cardholders are auto- bank-wide loyalty programme children with the ability to against carbon emission learn basic banking services matically rewarded each time in Qatar, where customers earn they use their card locally or Life Rewards points via various through its miniature branch By Shafeeq Alingal fi ciency (Tarsheed) by Qatar part of Qatar’s policy to di- with a utility-scale solar power abroad at both Point of Sale retail banking and ATMs. Staff Reporter General Electricity and Water versify energy production and plant as it will help Qatar bring machines and e-commerce products and channels. Kid- Children can spend, save, Corporation (Kahramaa). Tar- increase reliance on the effi - down carbon emission. transactions. The points can Zania Doha now joins QNB’s and invest their kidZos, KidZa- sheed is on a mission to reduce ciency of renewable energy, the Marubeni Corporation presi- then be redeemed in hundreds list of more than 600 outlets in nia’s currency. atar’s fi ght against cli- 1mn tonne of carbon emissions cornerstone for a sustainable dent and CEO Masumi Kakinoki of outlets in Qatar and over- Qatar, where customers can re- “Through the exciting role- mate change and eff orts annually until 2022. future for the generations to said his company is proud to seas,” QNB said in a press state- deem their Life Rewards points. playing concept at QNB’s Qto bring down carbon “The plant will generate come. help Qatar realise a decarbon- ment. “Our partnership with Kid- branch, children can discover emission have reached a mile- about eight times the quantum The project is also part of ef- ised society. “We are targeting QNB’s partnership with Zania Doha falls under QNB’s the challenges of being a bank- stone with the signing of agree- of solar energy that Qatar had forts to conserve energy and an approximately 20% increase KidZania Doha “stems from its new category of redemption er. It empowers tomorrow’s ments yesterday for building pledged to build, helping the protect the environment in a in the ratio of power generated long-standing commitment to partners, Edutainment for generation to be fi nancially the QR1.7bn, 800MW Al Khar- 2022 FIFA World Cup become manner that strikes a balance by renewable energy sources in supporting child development Children.” aware and responsible,” the saah Large Scale Solar PV Power a carbon-neutral event,” HE between the needs of the cur- our net power supply by 2023,” and education as part of the KidZania Doha is a place statement added. Plant. the Minister of State for Energy rent generation and that of the he said. QNB Group’s diverse CSR pro- where children get together to QNB Group’s presence The proposed plant, during Aff airs and Qatar Petroleum future generations as stipulated Represented by Tarsheed, gramme”, the statement noted. make their dreams of a bet- through its subsidiaries and its life span, is expected to re- president and CEO Saad bin by Qatar National Vision 2030, Kaharamaa is active in green Commenting on the dynam- ter world come true. They get associate companies extends to duce 26mn tonnes carbon diox- Sherida al-Kaabi told a press he added. missions by launching a slew of ic loyalty programme and the to discover their interests by more than 31 countries across ide aligning with the objectives conference after the signing of Kahramaa president Essa bin initiatives including electric ve- partnership, general manager experiencing more than 60 three continents, providing of the National Programme for the agreements. Hilal al-Kuwari said the Cor- hicles and introducing energy- - Group Retail Banking Heba role-playing activities. QNB’s a range of advanced products Conservation and Energy Ef- He explained the project is poration decided to go forward effi cient devices. al-Tamimi said: “QNB Life involvement is part of the role- and services. Qatar delivers medical aid to Sudan

Qatar Amiri Air Force aircraft arrived in AKhartoum yesterday to deliver the fi rst shipment of medical aid donated by Qatar to Sudan. Under a humanitarian intervention conducted by Qatar Red Crescent Society (QRCS), the aircraft landed at Khartoum International Airport with diverse medical supplies aboard. It is the fi rst of three batches of medi- cal aid, totalling 70 tonnes, donated for Sudan’s Federal Ministry of Health (FMoH). The remaining batches are to arrive in Sudan over the coming few days, QRCS has said in a statement. The process of delivery and clearance was car- The medical shipment was contributed by Sidra Medicine and delivered by QRCS, in close ried out by a delegation of co-operation with the Qatar Amiri Air Force. QRCS, including Abdullah Hassan al-Mehshadi, gen- eign Aid Handover Com- people. It played a vital role SRCS, for facilitating the ac- eral director of the Relief mittee (as representative in the war in Darfur, by es- complishment of the project. and International Develop- of the Sovereignty Council tablishing peace and provid- “This shipment is part of ment Division; Ahmed al- of Sudan); Dr Emad Osman ing nonstop aid, he noted. medical services, which are Zyara, member of the Inter- Abo Zeid, secretary-general He also thanked QRCS for a top priority for QRCS in national Relief Committee; of the National Medicines its eff orts to secure medical Sudan,” added al-Mehshadi. Dilshad Rostom, head of and Poisons Board (as rep- and relief services for the “We are waiting for the ar- the QRCS mission in Sudan; resentative of the FMoH); Sudanese people. rival of the remaining batch- and mission staff . staff of the Qatar embassy Al-Mehshadi said the es of medical supplies”. The ceremony was at- in Khartoum, and local and medical shipment was con- He said QRCS would keep tended by Osman Gafar international reporters. tributed by Sidra Medicine undertaking relief and develop- Abdullah, secretary-gen- In his statements, Dr Abo and delivered by QRCS, in ment operations for the benefi t eral of the Sudanese Red Zeid thanked the govern- close co-operation with of the Sudanese people. “I would Crescent Society (SRCS), ment and people of Qatar for the Qatar Amiri Air Force. like to thank everyone who Staff Brigadier Mousa Omar their “generous and eternal He thanked the partners in helped make this achievement Ahmed, head of the For- support” to the Sudanese Sudan, namely FMoH and a reality,” he concluded.

QRCS distributes food parcels to Myanmar refugees in Bangladesh atar Red Crescent project, QRCS’s representa- Society (QRCS), in tion mission in Bangladesh Qco-operation with distributed parcels of food BDRCS volunteers hand over food parcels to refugee Bangladesh Red Crescent staples. The project covered families at a camp. Society (BDRCS), has deliv- around 16,000 refugees. The ered food parcels for 3,220 three-day distribution con- According to the United to help the poorest families families displaced from stituted Phase 1 of the project. Nations Children’s Fund to withstand the too cold Myanmar to Bangladesh. At a total cost of QR1.5mn, (Unicef), every day there are weather, reduce the health As per a memorandum of the project is planned to over 60 new births among the risks resulting from freezing understanding (MoU) be- help 16,190 poor families refugees. Humanitarian agen- temperatures in remote ar- tween QRCS and BDRCS, an and refugees in Rajshahi, cies are unable to meet the eas, secure food provisions assessment was conducted Sylhet, and Rangpur, where needs of refugees in all areas. and NFIs. to select the poorest families abject poverty combines Also, the local communities Nearly 200 BDRCS vol- with older persons, female with scarce food resources need more winterisation aid unteers earned money from breadwinners, orphans, or and heavy rain to severely such as straw mats, blankets, working as day labour in the special needs people. aff ect the mainly farming and warm clothes. fi eld assessment and distri- Under a winterisation aid families. The project is designed bution processes. (QNA) Times 4 Monday, January 20, 2020 QATAR ‘Tree Planting Day’ at Pearl-Qatar Pakistani minister supports independent foreign policy of Qatar United Development Company (UDC), a leading Qatari public shareholding company and master developer of The Pearl-Qatar and Gewan Island, has organised a ‘Tree By Mudassir Raja Muslim-majority countries. ture. Bilateral trade is also increas- Planting Day’ at The Pearl-Qatar. The event, which was launched in partnership Doha “In this situation, the ultimate ing and we are working to have more with Al Sulaiteen Agricultural and Industrial Complex (SAIC) and was attended by objective of the Government of Pa- investments from Qatar. Tourism is residents of The Pearl-Qatar, featured a myriad of activities targeting all age groups, kistan is to engage the countries in increasing in Pakistan and diff er- including a planting workshop, educational games, as well as colouring and drawing hehryar Khan Afridi, Paki- the region for the peaceful resolu- ent international institutions have activities. The initiative follows the recent launch of The Pearl-Qatar’s Seabed Clean- stan’s Minister of State for tion of all outstanding issues. Pa- started recognising the potentials up Campaign last November 2, 2019, which coincided with World Cleanup Day and SStates and Frontier Regions kistan wants to see the OIC (Or- Pakistan has. Pakistan has skilled National Cleanup Day. Both events are part of UDC’s multifaceted environmental, (Safron) and Narcotics Control, has ganisation of Islamic Co-operation) professionals who can contribute to waste management, and recycling strategy and reflects the company’s commitment supported Qatar’s right to make in- getting stronger. Pakistan believes the development of Qatar.” to promoting environmental awareness in line with national and global sustainability dependent decisions and pursue a dialogue is the only way to resolve all The visiting minister was all principles. It is worth mentioning that over 10,000 trees and 70,000 plants exist at sovereign foreign policy, and hoped issues, and tries to play the bridg- praise for Pakistani expatriates The Pearl-Qatar where a total area of 515,000sq m was set aside for soft landscaping, that the blockade ends sooner ing role. Pakistan hopes that the working in Qatar. “This is my sec- including 66 diff erent species of trees, shrubs, flowers, and grass. than later. blockade ends sooner than later.” ond visit to Qatar. In my meetings The Pakistani minister, who re- He described his visit as success- with diff erent Qatari authorities, I cently concluded his visit to Qatar, ful and lauded the co-operation ex- have got positive words about the said: “Pakistan believes that every tended by Qatar in diff erent areas of Pakistani expatriates living and sovereign state has the right to common interest. “Pakistan is ready working in Qatar. Qatar appreci- make its decisions and policies in- to co-operate with the Government ates the role of Pakistanis in all dependently irrespective of its size, of Qatar in the areas of common in- the diffi cult times the country has economy or military might.” Shehryar Khan Afridi terest. We thank Qatar for releasing a faced so far. Talking to Gulf Times, the min- good number of Pakistanis arrested “Further, in my meetings with the ister reiterated Pakistan’s position Pakistan respects the sovereignty in connection with minor cases. Pakistani community, I have urged and said: “No country (in the inter- of all countries. We always desire “I have also asked government them to continue working hard and national comity of nations) is con- and work for a stable Middle East. functionaries to celebrate a cultural comply with the laws of Qatar. This sidered bigger or more powerful. There are already confl icts in many year with Pakistan in the near fu- is their home away from home.” MME holds cleaning drive at islands and beaches

he Ministry of Municipality and En- vironment (MME), represented by Tthe Department of Public Hygiene, carried out a comprehensive cleaning cam- paign at northern and western islands and across 120km of beaches of the northwest coast. During the drive, 300 tonnes of miscel- laneous waste and carcasses of fi ve animals were removed, according to a statement from the MME. Mohamed Faraj al-Kubaisi, assistant direc- tor of the General Cleaning Project, said that the drive was carried out in three phases. The fi rst phase started at Abu az Zuluf and con- tinued until Al Sulaimi area while the second stage covered the beaches from Al Sulaimi to Mahish area and from Mahish to Zekreet. The offi cial explained that these campaigns are aimed at keeping the beaches clean and to cover all regions of the country. Al-Kubaisi added that the cleaning campaign is given much importance by the MME which has pro- vided all human and material capabilities to ensure the cleanliness of beaches round-the- clock. The MME has also urged the public to sup- port and co-operate in keeping the islands and beaches clean. MME staff with off icials during the cleaning drive.

BMW X3 M and X4 M models of 2019 recalled over defective software he Ministry of Com- up on defects and repairs. merce and Industry, The ministry has said Tin co-operation with that it will co-ordinate with Alfardan Automobiles, an- the dealer to follow up on nounced the recall of BMW the maintenance and repair X3 M and X4 M models of works and will communi- 2019, due to defective vehi- cate with customers to en- cle’s data system software. sure that the necessary re- The ministry confi rmed pairs are carried out. the recall campaign comes The ministry urges all within the framework of customers to report any its ongoing eff orts to pro- violations to its Consumer tect consumers and ensure Protection and Anti-Com- that vehicle dealers follow mercial Fraud Department.

Mercedes-Benz GLE 450 models recalled he Ministry of Com- the recall campaign comes merce and Indus- within the framework of its Ttry, in co-operation ongoing eff orts to protect with Nasser Bin Khaled consumers and ensure that Automobiles, announced vehicle dealers follow up on a service measure recall defects and repairs. of Mercedes-Benz GLE The ministry has said 450, models of 2018 and that it will co-ordinate with 2019, due to the frame the dealer to follow up on panel holder for the rear the maintenance and re- door windows not corre- pair works and will com- sponding to manufacturer municate with customers specifi cations. to ensure that the necessary The ministry confi rmed repairs are carried out. Gulf Times Monday, January 20, 2020 5 QATAR French embassy, local fi rm sign MoU on sustainability, recycling

By Peter Alagos “The French embassy and Elite According to al-Suwaidi, Elite agreement signing is “a small step” tribution of $100mn, which is very Business Reporter Paper Recycling have shared good Paper Recycling’s relationship and “symbolic”, the embassy’s signifi cant to the Green Climate co-operation for the past two with the French embassy started partnership with Elite Paper Recy- Fund. years, and we thought that it would in 2017. cling also refl ects the commitment “2020 is also the Year of France, he French embassy in Qatar be an appropriate time to formal- “The French embassy was the between France and Qatar. and there is a strong exposure of and Elite Paper Recycling ise our relationship and to make it fi rst embassy that started recycling It is also a way “to herald the France, which is why we raised the Thave signed a partnership public by announcing this signing with Elite Paper Recycling. Today, commitment” of both countries in question of environment,” Gellet declaration yesterday on “Public ceremony, which, in our view, is a we are taking things seriously and fi ghting global warming, he con- added. Diplomacy for Sustainability” un- new impetus to this co-operation thinking more of the next genera- tinued. Al-Suwaidi also announced that der the “Green Embassies” project and a new framework for our part- tion and the future. “Not only do France and Qatar Elite Paper Recycling will be inau- and the Qatar-France 2020 Year of nership since 2017. “Elite is now recycling more share the same vision and willing- gurating the “Eco Dome”, an event Culture. “We believe that it is a perfect than 3,500 tonnes of paper per ness to fi ght climate change, but in that aims to teach young students The agreement was signed by illustration of the strong involve- month; that all started two years September last year on the margins the importance of recycling and French ambassador Franck Gellet ment of the French embassy in Qa- ago with the French embassy, and of the UN General Assembly in the need to recycle paper. and Elite Paper Recycling chair- tar in environmental issues, and we that small amount then has grown. New York, our two heads of state, “If we don’t recycle, this will man Abdulla al-Suwaidi. hope that this partnership will be “We are happy to announce that President Emmanuel Macron and cause a negative impact on the Speaking at a press conference used as an example for others and the fi rst people that started recy- HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin earth, such as global warming; following the signing ceremony, that together we will continue our cling with us were from the French Hamad al-Thani, co-chaired the there are fi res in the Amazon and in Gellet noted that he is hoping that work in raising awareness of this embassy, who believed in our ca- Climate Finance initiative. Australia and these will impact our French ambassador Gellet and Elite Paper Recycling 2020 would be considered an “ec- important initiative in Qatar and pability,” al-Suwaidi said. “During this period, His High- atmosphere and our oxygen sup- chairman al-Suwaidi after signing the partnership declaration ological year” in Qatar. beyond,” Gellet said in a speech. Gellet noted that while the ness the Amir announced the con- ply,” al-Suwaidi stressed. in a ceremony held in Doha yesterday. PICTURE: Jayan Orma

UDC hosts fun-fi lled Shop Qatar weekend entertainment activities

The Pearl-Qatar and Gewan bia, a fi rst of several activities where 14 winners walked away Island master developer also that taking place at The Pearl- with a BMW 730Li and Mini held the first of three Shop Qatar every weekend in January. Cooper Hatchback cars, in addi- Qatar raff le draws Qanat Quartier’s Boardwalk tion to QR330,000 in cash prizes. will play host to DC Comics’ Jus- The draw was accompanied by he United Development tice League characters on Janu- a concert by Qatar’s leading chil- Company (UDC), the ary 24, and will hold Chinese cal- dren’s choir “Siwar”. Tmaster developer of The ligraphy workshops on January Visitors and residents still Pearl-Qatar and Gewan Island, 25 and 26, while Porto Arabia’s 29 have a chance to win by shopping hosted a fun-fi lled weekend La Croisette will feature a dragon or dining at any of The Pearl-Qa- part of Shop Qatar’s nationwide parade and Chinese drummers tar’s retail and F&B outlets, then shopping campaign. on January 31. exchanging their receipts for raf- Families were treated to a per- The fi rst of Shop Qatar’s three fl e vouchers at three kiosks set up formance of “Shaun the Sheep”, raffl e draws was also held at The in Porto Arabia, Medina Cent- The first of three raff le draws taking place at The Pearl-Qatar. held over two days in Porto Ara- Amphitheater in Porto Arabia, rale, and Qanat Quartier. QNL forum highlights space travel

tudents, research- ers and science en- Sthusiasts attend- ing the latest session of the Science Book Forum – a Qatar National Li- brary (QNL) initiative to encourage science reading – learned about the skills, education, expertise and training required of astronauts before they can be part of mankind’s incredible voyage into space. The event enhanced the participants’ under- standing of the learning path astronauts have to follow and the years of study and hard work that the fi eld demands. Participants at the QNL book forum learnt about what goes into space travel. This rigour is not sur- prising, given that as- tronauts have a crucial role in voyaging to space to help us better under- stand the universe. The discussions also touched on the impor- tance of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineer- ing and Mathematics) learning in pursuing a career in this fi eld. Off ering inspiration and motivation to those determined to pursue their career ambitions in space exploration, the forum highlighted the vital contributions of astronauts to the study of the physical phe- nomena of the Earth’s atmosphere, which uses data gathered during scientifi c fl ights. Dr Jörg Matthias De- terman, assistant pro- fessor of history at Vir- ginia Commonwealth University School of the Arts in Qatar and author of Space Science and the Arab World: Astronauts, Observatories and Na- tionalism in the Middle East, said, “My book is about Arab astronauts so, of course, I wanted to hear an Arab astronaut speak. “Dr Essam Heggy gave a wonderful introduc- tion about his work, and in what was a great lec- ture, Akram Abdellatif managed to give some- thing to everyone: chil- dren, adults and those with diff erent interests.” Gulf Times 6 Monday, January 20, 2020 QATAR Entrepreneurs here to learn how to turn ideas into reality The Arab Innovation Academy programme came up with the idea of creating an app to help is organised in collaboration with the Qatar connect citizens directly to the municipality to Science & Technology Park and the European help raise awareness about community concerns Innovation Academy in crowded cities. “Back in Istanbul, there are several problems ooking for an avenue to harvest creativity that communities face that the government is un- in innovation, young minds from across the aware of, due to the large numbers of people,” she LMiddle East, North Africa, and Europe have said. gathered in Qatar to participate in the Arab Inno- “I noticed this, and vowed to create a solution, vation Academy (AIA). which is exactly what I plan on doing with the help Organised in collaboration with the Qatar Sci- of the AIA,” Mete said. ence & Technology Park (QSTP) and the European Like Mete, teams have used personal experienc- Innovation Academy (EIA), the AIA is a 15-day in- es to identify and tackle challenges facing commu- tensive programme – the largest of its kind in the nities around the world. pan-Arab region. Moroccan student Ihssane Srhayri’s team came It guides young entrepreneurs through the au- up with the concept of a wearable device that thentic experience of developing and launching alerts hearing impaired people whenever someone new tech ventures under the guidance of leading tries to get their attention or talk to them. global tech start-up mentors from organisations They thought it was appropriate because often like UC Berkeley, Stanford, and Google. in the Arab world people maintain cultural bound- Hilal al-Kindi, an Omani student from the aries when it comes to physical contact, which Sultan Qaboos University, heard of the AIA from makes it harder to interact with the hearing im- friends who had participated in previous editions. paired from a distance. “What struck me the most was how global the “Our chief executive had an experience with programme is; it features mentors and partici- a family of six who were all hearing impaired. He pants from diff erent countries, and creates a really found that it was quite challenging for them to unique network,” he said. communicate, and eventually conceptualised this “Not only am I hoping to learn how to build my device to help combat this issue faced by most in own start-up, but I’m hoping to make some long- the hearing-impaired community and decided lasting connections that will be mutually benefi - that the AIA was the best platform to pursue it,” cial in the future,” al-Kindi said. Srhayri said. Participants in the programme work in teams to Nora al-Fraih is a Kuwaiti student who joined identify challenges and propose an idea that could the programme in the hope that she would be able potentially help solve the problem. to meet people from diff erent cultures and back- Turkish student Dogukan Aksu said he came to grounds. Qatar specifi cally for the AIA for the second con- She is also working on a similar idea with her secutive year, and thinks “there isn’t a programme team and decided to develop a solution for the like it in the world”. hearing impaired using augmented reality (AR). “I wish to establish a start-up, and before the The idea revolves around creating AR glasses programme, I didn’t know how to. Now I am learn- that will use speech-to-text technology to display ing under the guidance of some great mentors, and real-time subtitles as a person speaks. hopefully I can turn our idea into something con- The teams will continue to develop their ideas crete,” he said. until the “Grand Pitch” today, which is when they Some of the AIA 2020 participants during one of the workshops that is taking place in Qatar. Aksu’s teammate, Büsra Mete, also from Turkey, will present them to investors.

Recall order issued for Ikea travel mugs The Ministry of Commerce and Industry, in co-operation with Ikea, Recent WCM-Q Grand Rounds has announced the recall of TROLIGTVIS travel mugs over safety and security concerns. The ministry determined that while Qatar’s imports of TROLIGTVIS mugs from Italy were free from the DBP chemical, the chemical explores latest treatments for lupus was found in mugs manufactured in India. Within the framework of its eff orts to protect consumers and boost safety measures, the ministry has recalled all displayed and stored he latest strategies for the clinical SLE can also aff ect the heart, lungs, kid- “These are the things that patients are cups by the company. management of systemic lupus ery- neys, eyes, reproductive system and have interested in.” In agreement with Ikea, the ministry will send samples for testing Tthematosus (SLE) were discussed at neuropsychiatric eff ects. He said that barriers to progress in re- to ensure their safety. the most recent instalment of Weill Cor- Because SLE manifests in very diff er- search into the use of personalised ap- Consumers can return all cups to Ikea’s customer service for a nell Medicine – Qatar’s (WCM-Q) Grand ent ways between patients, personal- proaches for lupus treatment include the refund or call: 8004532. Rounds. ised medicine approaches are considered heterogeneity or high level of diff erentia- The recall measures come within the framework of the ministry’s Dr Mohamed Yousuf Karim, assistant promising but to date have not delivered tion of the disease, poor understanding of role in supervising the recall of goods and products and taking the professor of clinical pathology and labo- the same level of benefi t to patients as how ethnicity aff ects the disease, diffi cul- necessary measures in this regard. ratory medicine at WCM-Q, summarised more general approaches. ty recruiting suffi cient numbers of people The ministry is also following up on its recall campaign to ensure recent advances in the tools used by phy- Speaking to an audience of physicians, from diff erent ethnic groups to participate that suppliers, commercial agents and accredited distributors take sicians in the investigation and clinical nurses, dentists, pharmacists, allied in trials, high variation in disease out- the necessary measures to repair defects and protect consumer management of patients with SLE, before health professionals, students, research- comes between diff erent countries, and rights in line with applicable law, mainly the right to health and discussing the limitations and barriers to ers and educators, Karim said: “Out of all problems defi ning inclusion criteria for safety when using goods and services. progress of new personalised medicine the things that have brought about im- trials, among others. The ministry is also co-ordinating with the company’s representa- approaches to SLE treatment. provements to patients with lupus, per- Strategies for overcoming these barriers tives to ensure it takes the required measures and repairs defects. SLE, commonly referred to as lupus, is a sonalisation is probably the least impor- include standardising how lupus is defi ned The ministry invites all consumers to follow up on recall cam- debilitating chronic autoimmune disorder tant, but it is something that has a great, and how data is collected by research net- paigns through the ministry’s off icial communication channels, characterised by symptoms that can in- great deal of potential. works, using multi-platform and multi- where advertisements and announcements are published. Dr Karim: Essentially, personalised clude painful, swollen joints, a rash (com- “Essentially, personalised approaches dimensional analytical approaches, and Call Centre: 16001, e-mail: [email protected], Twitter: @ MOCIQA- approaches could help us determine which monly on the face), fever, chest pain, hair could help us determine which drugs to then using the subsequent data to stratify TAR, Instagram: MOCIQATAR, mobile app for Android and IOS: drugs to use for which patient, in which order loss, mouth ulcers, swollen lymph nodes, use for which patient, in which order and patients and inform therapeutic choices, MOCIQATAR. and at the risk of which side eff ects. and tiredness. at the risk of which side eff ects. leading to improved healthcare outcomes.

TENDER INVITATION Conference on new approaches A leading company invites tenders for to security in the Gulf region purchase of printing paper remnants, two-day conference that He said: “On behalf of the uni- and a mapping of future scenarios”. scrap paper and returned newspapers aims to explore new ap- versity, I value this co-operation He added that he is pleased to see Aproaches to Gulf security got between us and our colleagues at a group of experts participating in weighing approximately under way on the Qatar University the Al Jazeera Centre for Studies the conference as well as local and (QU) campus yesterday. and Gulf Studies Centre (GSC), with international researchers who spe- 100 tonnes per month The conference, titled Towards whom we share a common vision of cialise in Gulf security and security a New Gulf Security Regime: Aban- the importance of in-depth discus- issues. doning Zero-Sum Approaches, is sions on issues, which contribute The conference featured the jointly organised by QU’s Gulf Stud- to increased intellectual output and contribution of a number of local Tender will be awarded to the highest ies Centre and the Al Jazeera Centre assist in the study and analysis of speakers, including AJCS director bidder on per tonne basis. for Studies (AJCS). regional and international develop- Dr Mohamed Mukhtar al-Khalil, It is being attended by a large ments.” GSC director Dr Mahjoob Zweiri, number of researchers, both from Citing recent political develop- QU Political Science professor Dr within Qatar and abroad. ments, al-Derham noted: “The Gulf Mohamed al-Mesfer, and Dr Mo- The conference sessions tackle a is witnessing alarming develop- hamed al-Saidi, also a professor number of topics. ments and escalations that refl ect from QU. Dr al-Khalil of the AJCS. Offers may be sent to These include the experiences of the failure of current security proc- security systems in the Gulf region esses and prevent the security and ¿QDQFHBPDQDJHU#UD\DFRP by analysing their contexts and the stability of the region. reasons behind their failures; the “As an example from the past, nature of the current Gulf system, the Gulf security system failed to addressing its traditional and more prevent the invasion of Kuwait, and recent threats; current security ap- now in the present, it was unable to proaches to demonstrate the current protect its members. Tender closing date will be on Gulf system’s capability of dealing “Qatar was subject to the cyber- with threats; and, the features of hacking of the Qatar News Agency Sunday, January 26, 2020 the desired security system, a press in 2017, which resulted in a blockade statement notes. that continues until today.” Qatar University president Dr Al-Derham concluded by con- Hassan Rashid al-Derham opened fi rming that Qatar University is For further information please contact: the conference and welcomed “always proud to host events of this guests from abroad and participants vital nature, and noted that this 44466632 or 44466659 from within Qatar, including em- conference comes in conjunction bassy representatives and attending with many regional security devel- QU students. opments that require study, analysis Dr al-Derham, Dr Zweiri, and Dr al-Mesfer at the conference. Gulf Times Monday, January 20, 2020 7 QATAR

Ahlibank savings scheme off ers over Most luxurious Mercedes QR6mn in prizes

hlibank has launched looking at building long-term SUV launched in Qatar the 2020 Al Rabeh sav- relationships with our clients Aings scheme; giving cus- by providing the right prod- New GLS available at NBK justable as standard. The same tomers more chances to win ucts and services and encour- Automobiles’ Salwa Road applies to the EASY- ENTRY valuable cash prizes worth over age long-term savings culture,” showroom function, which makes it easy QR6mn. said Ahlibank’s deputy chief to get into and out of the two With the Al Rabeh savings executive (Business Support asser Bin Khaled (NBK) individual seats in the third account, customers have the Services and Human Resourc- Automobiles has in- row. Luxury in the new GLS is chance to enter the draw to win es) Mohamed al-Namla. Ntroduced the new Mer- shared generously among all the mega prize of QR2.02mn The Al Rabeh savings scheme cedes-Benz GLS for the fi rst passengers, particularly if the at the end of December 2020, is a ‘best in class’ savings time in Qatar, and the SUV is Rear Comfort package Plus is one mega monthly prize of scheme and prize draw exclu- now available at the Mercedes- ordered. It includes a 7-inch QR202,200 and nine monthly sively for Qatar residents. Ahl- Benz showroom on Salwa Road. Android tablet in its own dock- cash prizes of QR20,220 each. ibank customers are eligible “The new GLS is Mercedes- ing station in the second row’s The scheme “provides a safe for entry into the prize draw Benz’s largest and most luxuri- larger luxury centre armrest. and secure opportunity to save with every QR500 deposited in ous SUV and, above all, off ers The GLS is equipped with the whilst also providing a chance an Ahlibank Al Rabeh savings more space, more comfort and latest generation of the info- to win mega cash prizes. Al account and Al Rabeh savings more luxury,” according to a tainment system, MBUX (Mer- Rabeh savings scheme delivers certificate, and the more one press statement issued in Doha cedes-Benz User Experience). a simple and rewarding savings saves more are the chances of by NBK Automobiles, the au- Upgrades include two large opportunity and we are always winning the cash prizes. thorised general distributor of 12.3-inch/31.2cm screens. Mercedes-Benz in Qatar. The GLS 450 4MATIC, with The confi dent presence of its The Mercedes-Benz GLS. a six-cylinder in-line engine exterior stems from its impres- electrifi ed with 48-volt tech- sive dimensions, which are even this is ensured by the upright ra- nology, demonstrates impres- larger than those of its prede- diator grille in an octagonal SUV sive performance data: 270kW cessor. One of the benefi ts of the interpretation, the prominent, (367hp) and 500Nm of torque, 60mm longer wheelbase is inte- chrome-plated underguard in with a further 250Nm of torque rior spaciousness, especially in the front apron with the bone- and 16kW/22hp available via EQ the second row. The three fully shaped air inlet grille, and the Boost over short periods. electrically adjustable seat rows bonnet with two powerdomes. Further, the V8 engine in the off er all passengers a generous The GLS cuts an imposing fi g- GLS 580 4MATIC will mark the amount of space and outstand- ure from the rear as well, partic- world premiere of a new, electri- ing seating comfort. ularly with the powerful shoul- fi ed V8 petrol engine with 48- Celebrating its world premiere der muscle extending from the volt on-board electrical system in the GLS 580 4MATIC is an rear doors to the tail lights. and integrated starter-genera- electrifi ed V8 engine featuring The interior of the new GLS tor. It has an output of 360kW EQ Boost – a 48-volt system with is all about luxuriously elegant (489hp) and 700 Nm of torque, integrated starter-generator. aesthetics, the comfort of a with a further 250Nm of torque The E-ACTIVE BODY CON- Mercedes-Benz luxury saloon and 16kW/22hp available via EQ TROL active suspension on 48- with the robustly progressive Boost over short periods. volt basis off ers outstanding A view of the interior. detailing of an SUV. The cen- In all variants of the new GLS, suspension comfort, agile han- tral element in the dashboard’s power is transmitted by the 9G- dling and a high degree of off - The key comfort features in- seats at the push of a button; two design is an impressively sized TRONIC automatic transmission. road capability. Like the GLE, clude the MBUX Rear Seat Enter- fully fl edged seats in the third screen unit embedded in a dis- Even better ride comfort and the GLS features the latest gen- tainment System; Rear Comfort row (for people up to 1.94m tall); tinctive support. Apart from agility plus new functions such eration of Mercedes-Benz driv- package Plus; electrically adjust- heated seats and separate USB good ergonomics, fl uent leather as recovery mode are provid- ing assistance systems. able seats throughout as stand- charging ports for the third row, surfaces create a modern, luxu- ed by the optional E-ACTIVE The new 4MATIC ensures ard, as is the Easy-Entry func- too; and a fi ve-zone automatic rious impression, rounded off by BODY CONTROL suspension, great agility on the road and tion; which makes it easy to get climate control is also available. a broad area of trim and fl ush- which is combined with the Al Rabeh “provides a safe and secure opportunity to save whilst also strong performance off the into and out of the third seat row; The front section of the new fi tting sunblinds. newly developed AIRMATIC air providing a chance to win mega cash prizes.” beaten track. simple folding-down of all rear GLS exudes presence and power: All seats are electrically ad- suspension. Over 1,900 to take part in Thimun Qatar conference

ore than 1,900 young people from Asia, Europe, Africa and Mthe Middle East are to gather in Doha this week to share ideas, expe- riences and perspectives at the eighth edition of Thimun Qatar conference. The four-day event, taking place at the Qatar National Convention Centre from tomorrow, will welcome students and presenters from 14 countries. Through the annual conference, school students from Qatar and across the world play their part in a simula- tion of the United Nations, taking on the roles of diplomats representing a nation or NGO and putting their critical think- ing and communication skills to the test to represent policies and tackle some of the world’s greatest issues. The Thimun Qatar team making preparations for its annual conference. The conference is organised by the Thimun Qatar Regional Offi ce – a ideal balance between schoolwork and investigate international issues, debate joint project between Qatar Academy conference duties,” she said. and consult on them, and develop so- Doha, part of Qatar Foundation’s Pre- “However, as part of being a stu- lutions to problems facing the world. University Education, and the Thimun dent in an International Baccalaureate From research, policy analysis and (The Hague Model United Nations) school like Qatar Academy Doha, we confl ict resolution to public speaking, Foundation. It is organised entirely by are taught important skills to ensure listening, and negotiation, the range school students, as they balance les- we can address these challenges. of skills they have to deploy during the sons, homework and interests with “The Thimun Qatar conference pro- conference is extensive. putting together a snapshot of the motes student leadership and youth Sessions refl ect the format of UN world of diplomacy in action. contributions to society, and works committees – including its General Khadija Elmagarmid – a Grade 12 towards ensuring the voice of youth is Assembly, Security Council, Economic student at Qatar Academy Doha, and heard in the community. This is some- and Social Council, and Human Rights Thimun Qatar’s deputy head of ad- thing I believe is essential for all stu- Commission – and this year’s agenda ministration – explained the challeng- dents to develop and work on.” will also include a special commit- es involved in making it happen. Thimun Qatar participants research tee on Good Health and Wellbeing, “The most important is fi nding the a country, assume a diplomatic role, Thimun Qatar’s theme for 2020.

NRI businessman felicitated

Aero Freight Company managing director Kurian C Ipe (Thampoo Kurian) was felicitated by the Indian Cultural Centre for completing 40 years as an NRI business person in Qatar. On his behalf, Naithan Ipe Kurian received the honour from Indian ambassador P Kumaran during the ‘A Passage to India 2020’ community festival at the Museum of Islamic Art Park on January 17. Gulf Times 8 Monday, January 20, 2020 REGION/ARAB WORLD/AFRICA Hadi tells army to be on alert after attack kills 79

Agencies doubt that the Houthis have no Saturday’s strike follows carpet and spattered against the “We are surely, and I hope ince has subsided but the slow A senior UN offi cial warned on Aden desire for peace”, Yemeni Presi- months of relative calm in the walls. this is true and I hope it will implementation of the deal has Thursday that certain key factors dent Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi war between the Houthis and The strike came a day after remain so, witnessing one of quashed hopes for an end to the that threatened to trigger a fam- said in a statement on Yemen’s Yemen’s internationally recog- government forces launched a the quietest periods of this confl ict. ine in Yemen last year were once emen’s president told state news agency Saba. nised government. large-scale operation against conflict,” he said in a briefing The landmark agreement again looming large, including the military yesterday it The president said the mili- Death tolls in Yemen’s grind- the Houthis in the Nihm region, to the UN Security Council on signed in Sweden in December a plunge in the value of the na- Yneeded to be on alert and tary should be on high alert after ing confl ict are often disputed, north of Sanaa. Thursday. 2018 had been hailed as Yem- tional currency. ready for battle after an attack a the assault. but the huge casualty list in Fighting in Nihm was ongoing “Experience however tells us en’s best chance so far to end “With a rapidly depreciat- day earlier by Houthis on a mili- The Houthis, who say they are Marib represents one of the on yesterday, a military source that military de-escalation can- the fighting that has pushed ing rial and disrupted salary tary training camp in the city fi ghting a corrupt system, did bloodiest single attacks since the said according to Saba. not be sustained without politi- the country to the brink of payments, we are again seeing of Marib that forces loyal to the not immediately claim responsi- war erupted in 2014 when the “Dozens from the (Houthi) cal progress between the parties, famine. some of the key conditions that president said killed 79 people. bility for Saturday’s attack. rebels seized Sanaa. militia were killed and injured,” and this has become the next Tens of thousands of peo- brought Yemen to the brink of The attack targeted a mosque The attack killed 79 people A television broadcast a video the source added. challenge.” ple, mostly civilians, have been famine a year ago,” Ramesh Ra- in the camp as people gathered and wounded 81, according to that it said showed the gruesome The uptick in violence comes A year after Yemen’s warring killed and millions displaced jasingham, who co-ordinates for prayer, two medical sources a military statement issued on aftermath of the attack. shortly after United Nations en- sides agreed to a UN-brokered in the war that has ravaged the humanitarian aid in Yemen, told said, in the latest assault in the Twitter by forces loyal to the Body parts can be seen on the voy Martin Griffi ths welcomed a truce for the key Red Sea port country, triggering what the UN the UN Security Council. proxy war playing out in Yemen. president, citing a higher death fl oor, among shredded debris, sharp reduction in air strikes and city of Hodeidah and its sur- describes as the world’s worst “We must not let that happen The attack “confi rms without toll than previously given. and with blood pooled on the the movement of ground forces. roundings, fi ghting in the prov- humanitarian crisis. again,” he said. 7,000 have fl ed Niger region hit by IS attack, says UNHCR

AFP those forced to fl ee and the com- Niamey munities hosting them,” it said. “In Sahel, the protection of those forced to fl ee must be at early 7,000 people have the core of the response to this fl ed the region in western displacement crisis.” NNiger where militants Last week the Islamic State killed 89 soldiers in a devastating group claimed responsibility for attack earlier this month, the UN the January 9 attack on the army refugee agency said. base, one of their deadliest in the But insecurity in the region is region. making it diffi cult for the UN- While the offi cial death toll was Lebanese anti-government protesters gather by a barricaded road leading to parliament in central Beirut yesterday. HCR to bring them the help 89, the militants claimed they they need, the agency added in a killed more than 100 people. statement. The authorities in Niger say Following the attack at the town their troops killed 77 of the at- of Chinegodar, around 20km from tackers. the Malian border, “an estimated In Niger, some 5,000 people 7,000 civilians including 1,000 fl ed to the nearby towns of Bani- refugees have been forced to fl ee bangou or Oualam, which are their homes in search of safety,” already hosting more than 7,000 Protesters regroup after the statement said. Malian refugees, UNHCR said. “We are receiving accounts of Around 1,000 Nigerien refu- people being given an ultima- gees, including unaccompanied tum by armed groups to leave the children, have crossed over into area, of civilians being targeted, Mali at the border town of An- kidnapped or killed, of proper- deraboukane in the Menaka re- ties being looted.” gion, receiving help from local day of clashes in Beirut Those who fl ed had to leave people. with little more than the clothes According to UN fi gures, mili- AFP crying “revolution, revolution”. listen, and have nothing to at hospitals and a mosque,” said beating up people believed to be on their backs, UNHCR said. tant fi ghters killed more than Beirut The Red Cross said that 10 give,” he said. its deputy Middle East director protesters as they were brought “They are in urgent need of 4,000 people across the Sahel people had been taken to hospi- On Saturday, at least 377 Michael Page. to a Beirut police station. food, water and shelter, as well region in 2019. tal as a result of renewed clashes people were wounded - both The authorities must act “Another day without a gov- as sanitation, protection and se- There is growing concern ozens of stone-throwing yesterday evening. protesters and members of the quickly “to end this culture of ernment, another night of vio- curity,” the statement added. from Libya’s neighbours includ- demonstrators defi ed One protester taunted the security forces - according to a impunity for police abuse”, he lence and clashes,” UN envoy “Insecurity in these areas se- ing Niger that they are suff ering Dpolice water canons in security forces with a fl ame- toll compiled by AFP from fi g- said. to Lebanon Jan Kubis said on verely hampers our ability to the fallout from the increasing the Lebanese capital yester- throwing aerosol, as others ures provided by the Red Cross Saturday’s clashes began af- Twitter. reach the aff ected population, instability there. day, a day after rare violence shone bright green laser lights and Civil Defence. ter dozens of protesters threw Outgoing prime minister between both sides wounded in their direction. An AFP photographer at the stones and plant pots at secu- Saad Hariri, who stepped down nearly 400 people. Anti-riot forces responded scene said security forces fi red rity forces, and tried to charge on October 29, urged political Twelve dead as buses collide in Algeria Unprecedented protests have with water canons, as well as rubber bullets at stone-throw- police lines near parliament parties to “stop wasting time”. rocked the country since Oc- a round of tear gas and rubber ing protesters as thick clouds of with traffi c signs. “Form a government and pave Twelve people were killed and radio quoted Ahmed Baoudji, tober 17, with citizens from all bullets. tear gas covered central Beirut. The security forces respond- the way towards political and another 46 injured when two director of emergency services religious backgrounds demand- On Twitter, the security Local television aired the ed with water cannon and thick economic solutions,” he said. buses collided early yesterday in for the nearby city of El Oued, as ing the ouster of a political class forces called for protesters to testimonies of relatives of two tear gas. Political factions agreed on Algeria’s northeast, emergency saying preliminary investigations they view as inept, corrupt and avoid throwing “explosives and young men they said were hit in Protesters had called for a December 19 to appoint former services said, in the latest tragedy indicated speeding was the responsible for an ever deepen- stones” at personnel. the eyes by rubber bullets. week of “anger” over the politi- education minister Hassan Diab of its kind in the North African probable cause. ing economic crisis. The majority of protesters Human Rights Watch con- cal leadership’s failure to form as the new premier but have country. Emergency teams Algerian President Abdelmadjid Yesterday evening, hundreds huddled nearby, in rain coats demned what it called “the a new government even as the since squabbled over proposed arrived at “around 1.10am (0010 Tebboune off ered his of protesters gathered in the or bright waterproof ponchos, brutal use of force unleashed country sinks deeper into a fi - ministers. GMT) following a fatal accident, a condolences to the victims’ rain in central Beirut by a bar- with some clutching umbrellas. by Lebanon’s riot police against nancial crisis. Diab yesterday evening met collision between two buses, on families and asked Prime Minister ricaded road that leads to par- Earlier, a 34-year-old pro- largely peaceful demonstrators”. The state-run National News President Michel Aoun to dis- the state highway near the city Abdelaziz Djerad to oversee liament amid heavily deployed tester called Mazen said he and “Riot police showed a blatant Agency said around 30 people cuss the matter, NNA said. of Astil” in the province of Biskra, assistance, the radio added, security forces. others were “fed up with politi- disregard for their human rights were briefl y detained after the Protesters have demanded a 500km southeast of Algiers, a while Interior Minister Kamel For a second night in a row, cians”. obligations, instead launching violence on Saturday. new government be comprised statement said. “Twelve people, Beldjoud and Health Minister dozens started lobbing stones “After three months of revo- tear gas canisters at protesters’ Security forces said they had solely of independent experts, aged 19 to 73, were killed and 46 Abderrahmane Benbouzid went in the direction of the police lution, they have proven to us heads, fi ring rubber bullets in opened an probe after a video and exclude all established po- were injured,” it added. Public to the scene. behind the metal barricade, that they don’t change, don’t their eyes and attacking people shared online showed police litical parties. Iran aims to examine downed jet’s black boxes, no plan yet to send them abroad

Reuters Airlines fl ight 752 in error in the Most of those on board were Vadym Prystaiko said that “be- Tehran aftermath of tit-for-tat strikes Iranians or dual nationals. reaved families and the whole by the United States and Iran. Canada’s Transportation nation have an opportunity to “We are trying to read the Safety Board said in a statement pay their respects”. ran said yesterday it was try- black boxes here in Iran. Oth- two of its investigators left Te- The plane was brought down ing to analyse the black boxes erwise, our options are Ukraine hran yesterday after a six-day when the military was on high Iof a Ukrainian airliner that its and France, but no decision has visit during which they exam- alert in the tense hours after Iran military shot down this month, been taken so far to send them to ined the wreckage. launched missiles at US targets denying a report that a deci- another country,” Hassan Rezai- It said Iranian investigators in Iraq in response to the killing sion had been taken to send the far, a director in charge of acci- were “co-operative and helpful” of a top Iranian commander in a voice and fl ight data recorders to dent investigations at Iran’s Civil but said there were still no fi rm US drone strike on January 3 in Ukraine. Aviation Organisation, told state plans on how and when the black Baghdad. Canada, which had 57 citizens news agency Irna. boxes would be downloaded. Iranian President Hassan on the January 8 fl ight in which Rezaifar had been quoted by Ukraine has previously said Rouhani has called the down- all 176 aboard were killed, said Iran’s semi-offi cial Tasnim news it expected the recorders to be ing an “unforgivable error” and yesterday there were still no fi rm agency on Saturday as saying handed over, while Canadian promised to hold those respon- plans for downloading the re- the black boxes could not be de- Prime Minister Justin Trudeau sible to account. corders. coded in Iran and would be sent has said France was one of the few The Revolutionary Guards Ottawa and other capitals to Ukraine after Kiev’s repeated countries with the ability to read also issued profuse apologies. have called for the black boxes to requests. information on the recorders. Supreme leader Ayatollah Ali be sent abroad. Irna also reported yesterday France’s air accident agency Khamenei said on Friday that The plane disaster has height- that the offi cial had made similar BEA said on Saturday it was “some tried to use it as an excuse ened international pressure on comments a day earlier. awaiting an offi cial request for to overshadow the martyrdom of Iran as it grapples with a long- It was not immediately clear assistance. our great commander” Qassem running dispute with the Unit- what prompted Rezaifar to back- The bodies of 11 Ukrainian Soleimani, the powerful general ed States over its nuclear pro- track. victims were brought home yes- killed in the US strike. This handout picture released by the Ukrainian presidential press service shows the motorcade gramme. The Boeing 737-800 was en terday in a ceremony at Kyiv air- The death of Soleimani led to carrying the coffins of the 11 Ukrainians who died when a plane was mistakenly shot down by Iran, The military has said it route from Tehran to the Ukrain- port. huge mourning ceremonies in near Kyiv yesterday. downed Ukraine International ian capital. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Iran. Page 9 Gulf Times Monday, January 20, 2020 9 AMERICAS Morales a ‘headache’ for Argentina: US offi cial

Reuters Donald Trump, said in an inter- Argentine government that this to organise and defend them- the government spoke to Morales and has been living there under Maduro claims the Trump ad- La Paz view with Bolivian newspaper was going to happen. I warned selves, without firearms, from about his comments. asylum. ministration has tried to precipi- Pagina Siete that Morales was then president-elect Alberto what he said were attacks by Morales, a socialist leader who Claver-Carone, who vis- tate a coup in Venezuela and has a “headache” for Argentina, Fernandez before these events Bolivia’s interim government, was at the helm of Bolivia for ited Bolivia earlier this week for praised the armed forces for their ormer Bolivian leader Evo which granted him asylum, at occurred,” Claver-Carone said in which he says took power in a nearly 14 years, stepped down meetings with Anez, also took loyalty. Morales is fostering insta- a time it should be focusing on the interview. coup late last year. on November 10 after a disputed aim at Venezuelan President Argentina’s Fernandez faces a Fbility and violence from other issues including its eco- “I wish I had been wrong, Days later, Morales retracted election victory sparked protests Nicolas Maduro, saying he tried diplomatic juggling act between inside Argentina and the United nomic crisis and its relationship but now Argentina is seeing his call for the organisation of and led to allies, the police and to destroy the country’s armed the United States, which has States had warned the South with the International Mon- the problem that Evo Morales militias after it prompted Bo- the military pulling their sup- forces to pave the way for armed called for Maduro to step down American nation that he would etary Fund. means,” he said. livia’s interim government to port. militias in an act of “gangster- as president, and leftist allies in- be a “headache,” a senior US of- “(Morales) had sold himself A spokesperson for Fernandez, send a letter to Argentina asking A caretaker government led by ism.” cluding Venezuela and Morales. fi cial said in an interview pub- like a caricature that was peace- who was inaugurated on Decem- that the government disavow his interim President Jeanine Anez “The same thing that Nicolas In December, Claver-Carone lished yesterday by Bolivian me- ful, but what we have seen is an ber 10, did not immediately re- comments. then took control of the country. Maduro did with that gangster- left Fernandez’s inauguration dia. Evo Morales who sponsors and spond to request for comment. A spokesman for Argentina’s After initially fl eeing to Mexi- ism, is what Evo Morales tried events early, unhappy with the Mauricio Claver-Carone, a fosters violence and wants to Morales said on January 13 Foreign Ministry declined to co, Morales arrived in Argentina here in Bolivia,” Claver-Carone presence of Venezuelan offi cials senior adviser to US President foster militias. We warned the that Bolivians had the right comment at the time on whether after Fernandez’s inauguration said. from Maduro’s government. Guaido and Pompeo to hold talks in Bogota today

Agencies was ready to hold talks with Caracas the US to negotiate an end to sanctions imposed by Presi- dent Donald Trump intended enezuelan opposition to throttle the South American leader Juan Guaido will country’s oil industry and force Vmeet US Secretary of Maduro from power. A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, carrying the Crew Dragon astronaut capsule, lifts off on an in-flight abort test, a key milestone before flying humans in State Mike Pompeo at a regional Maduro indicated that, if 2020 under Nasa’s commercial crew programme, from the Kennedy Space Centre in Cape Canaveral, Florida, yesterday. counter-terrorism meeting in Trump were to lift sanctions, US Bogota in Colombia today, ac- oil companies could benefi t im- cording to two people close to mensely from Venezuela’s oil. Guaido. “A relationship of respect Colombian President Ivan Guaido and dialogue brings a win-win Duque said on Twitter that he situation. A confrontational SpaceX capsule splashes down off would meet with Guaido before voted in Guaido for a second relationship brings a lose-lose that and Guaido would today term as congress chief in a sep- situation. That’s the formula,” attend the conference. arate session. Maduro said. Spokespeople for Guaido and Pompeo at the time congrat- Opposition leader Guaido Florida after rocket failure test the US State Department had no ulated Guaido for his re-elec- has called for a new presiden- immediate comment. tion and condemned “the failed tial election to be held, on the Guaido has not left Venezuela eff orts of the former Maduro grounds that Maduro is an “il- Reuters Bridenstine wrote on Twitter. members watching the footage The Falcon 9 booster free-fell since February, when he defi ed regime to negate the will of the legitimate” president because Cape Canaveral, Florida “Spacecraft recovery opera- from back on land. back to the ocean, with its fi rst a court-imposed travel ban and democratically elected National his 2018 re-election was tainted tions are underway.” The test is crucial to qualify stage crashing into the ocean cre- travelled to neighbouring Co- Assembly.” by fraud. In a key trial for carrying hu- the capsule to fl y humans to the ating a tall plume of smoke seen lombia to organise a US-backed Maduro accuses Guaido of Oil-rich Venezuela’s econo- lon Musk’s SpaceX simu- mans, SpaceX was also testing International Space Station, on the horizon. eff ort to transport aid cargoes being a coup-mongering pup- my is crumbling under Madu- lated a successful emer- its rescue teams’ response after something Nasa expects to come The capsule deployed four par- back across the border, which pet controlled by the White ro’s rule, and millions have fl ed Egency landing yesterday splash down. as soon as mid-2020. achutes to slow its descent to the was blocked by troops loyal to House. the country. in a dramatic test of a crucial They scrambled towards Crew It follows years of develop- water, and carried two human- President Nicolas Maduro. In an interview published by But despite the humanitar- abort system on an unmanned Dragon with the US Air Force’s ment and delays as the United shaped test dummies on seats The United States, along with the Washington Post on Sat- ian catastrophe and biting US astronaut capsule, laying the Detachment 3 emergency rescue States has sought to revive its fi tted with motion sensors to col- some 50 other nations, has rec- urday, Maduro said the Trump sanctions, Maduro maintains foundation for its mission to teams in tow – a vital part of the human spacefl ight programme lect data on the immense G-force ognised Guaido as Venezuela’s administration had underesti- power with the support of the fly Nasa astronauts for the first test to practise a rescue mission through private partnerships. – the eff ect of acceleration on the legitimate head-of-state since mated his staying power and he military as well as Russia, China time. to retrieve astronauts from the Nasa awarded $4.2bn to Boe- body – astronauts would be sub- last January when he invoked the “didn’t care” about sanctions. and Cuba. A Crew Dragon astronaut cap- capsule. ing and $2.5bn to SpaceX in 2014 jected to during abort. constitution as head of congress He said he was still comfort- While speaking to the Post, sule launched at 10.30am and Moments before the launch, to develop separate capsule sys- The test was originally sched- and declared Maduro an usurper. ably in charge and open to direct Maduro also expressed willing- softly splashed down about 32km Musk wrote on Twitter that it tems capable of ferrying astro- uled for mid-2019 but was de- But a year on Maduro remains negotiations with the US. ness to talk with Guaido, but off the coast of Cape Canaveral was a risky mission that was nauts to the space station from layed after a Crew Dragon cap- in power, despite a US campaign The interview was Madu- appeared to dismiss his op- in Florida roughly eight minutes “pushing the envelope in so US soil for the fi rst time since sule exploded in April on a test to cut off his government’s ro’s fi rst with a major US out- ponent’s main demand that he later, after ejecting itself from many ways”. Nasa’s space shuttle programme stand just before fi ring its launch sources of fi nancing by impos- let since February of last year, step down. a rocket that cut off its engines The Crew Dragon capsule, an ended in 2011. abort thrusters, triggering a ing sanctions on Venezuela’s when he abruptly ejected all Norway has mediated talks 19km above the ocean to mimic a acorn-shaped pod that can seat The space agency has since lengthy investigation. vital oil sector, and Guaido’s Univision journalists from Ven- between Maduro’s and Guaido’s launch failure. seven astronauts, fi red on-board relied on Russian spacecraft for SpaceX-led investigators in attempts to encourage the mili- ezuela. representatives, but the meet- National Aeronautics and thrusters to detach itself from rides to the space station. July zeroed in on a previously tary to rebel. “If there’s respect between ings broke down in August. Space Administration adminis- a Falcon 9 rocket less than two During the test the Falcon 9 unknown explosive reaction be- Earlier this month, Ven- governments, no matter how big The US in early January threw trator Jim Bridenstine called the minutes after liftoff , simulating rocket’s boosters shut down in tween a titanium valve and a pro- ezuela’s ruling Socialist Party the United States is, and if there’s its support behind negotiations mission a success. an emergency abort scenario to a mock failure that triggered pellant used to ignite the thrust- seized control of the National a dialogue, an exchange of truth- in Venezuela, saying talks could “This critical test puts us on prove it can return astronauts to Crew Dragon’s so-called Super- ers. Assembly and swore in an allied ful information, then be sure we establish a transitional govern- the cusp of once again launching safety. Draco thrusters to jet itself away A SpaceX offi cial said the politician who defected from can create a new type of relation- ment, lead to fresh elections and American astronauts on Ameri- Each stage of the test prompt- at supersonic speeds of up to company completed the investi- Guaido’s camp. ship,” Maduro told the Post. bring an end to the country’s can rockets from American soil,” ed loud cheers from SpaceX crew 2,400kph. gation within the last week. Opposition lawmakers then The socialist leader said he long-running political crisis.

Canada: Still no fi rm plans for Chileans protest downloading jet’s fl ight data police repression

AFP have suff ered. We will be here Reuters after a six-day visit during which be sent to ensure we have proper Santiago as long as is needed. This is the Ottawa they examined the wreckage. technical expertise when (they) new Chile,” said a social worker The TSB said it understood the are opened,” he said on the side- who gave her name only as Ana boxes were still in Iran and add- lines of a cabinet retreat in Win- undreds of Chileans Maria. here are still no fi rm plans ed: “There are still no fi rm plans nipeg, Manitoba. rallied on Saturday The unrest broke out over a for downloading the cock- as to when and where the aircraft Canadian Prime Minister Jus- Hnight to protest what metro fare rise but quickly grew Tpit and fl ight data from recorders will be downloaded tin Trudeau on Friday called on they call police repression dur- into a broader outcry against a Ukrainian airliner which was and analysed”. Iran to send the boxes to France, ing three months of the worst economic and social inequal- shot down by Iran 10 days ago, which he said was one of the few social unrest since democracy ity in what had been considered Canada’s Transportation Safety “The wish of the nations with the ability to read replaced the country’s military among the most stable coun- Board (TSB) said yesterday. international community data from damaged fi ght and dictatorship in 1990. tries in Latin America. A total of 176 people died in is that the black boxes be cockpit recorders. More than 1,000 people, A total of 29 have died in the disaster, 57 of them Canadian sent where they should The TSB, which said its in- many wearing black, marched violence related to the protests citizens. be sent to ensure we vestigators would be heading in silence from Plaza Italia, and nearly 3,700 were injured – Canada’s government reiter- have proper technical to Ukraine for talks, added that ground zero of all the protests, more than 400 with eye injuries ated demands yesterday that the expertise when (they) are Iran’s Aircraft Accident Inves- along Alameda Avenue, the from the birdshot fi red by po- boxes be sent to either France or opened” tigation Bureau had been “co- main thoroughfare in Chile’s lice, according to the National Ukraine. operative and helpful”. capital. Human Rights Institute. Iran is trying to analyse the Canadian Foreign Minister Iran’s military has said the air- Keeping quiet was their way The protesters on Saturday black boxes, the state Irna news Francois-Philippe Champagne liner was shot down in error. of denouncing the security night got close to the La Mone- agency reported yesterday, de- said he wrote to his Iranian coun- The TSB said the chief Ira- forces’ use of tear gas, water da presidential palace. nying a report that a decision had terpart Mohamed Javad Zarif nian investigator “may travel cannon and birdshot, although They sang and shouted slo- been taken to send the recorders yesterday to urge the boxes be to Ukraine this week” for talks the latter was barred in No- gans against conservative Pres- to Ukraine. quickly sent to Ukraine or France. with the National Bureau of vember because it was causing ident Sebastian Pinera, whose The TSB said in a statement “The wish of the internation- Air Accidents Investigation of many injuries. approval rating has dropped to that two of its crash investigators al community is that the black Ukraine and to visit its labora- Demonstrators are sprayed with a water cannon by riot police “We are marching because of single digits since the protests had left Tehran earlier yesterday boxes be sent where they should tory. during anti-government protests in Santiago. the human rights violations we began in November. Gulf Times 10 Monday, January 20, 2020 ASIA/AUSTRALASIA

N Korea Heavy snow hampers search for picks new foreign missing Korean, Nepal trekkers minister DPA AFP go. We will try to fl y drones Seoul Kathmandu to help fi nd something,” Gurung said. Helicopters were sent out n expert in inter-Korean valanches, heavy snow on Saturday to rescue about relations has been se- and poor visibility ham- 200 people stranded around Alected to serve as North Apered the search yes- Annapurna and other nearby Korea’s new foreign minister, terday for four South Koreans mountains after the incident. the Seoul-based NK News out- and three Nepalis caught in Guesthouses and the trek- let reported yesterday, citing an avalanche in the popu- king route were blanketed in a “multiple informed sources.” lar Annapurna region of the thick layer of snow. Ri Son Gwon, the former chair Himalayas, offi cials said. “The snow was very deep and of Pyongyang’s Committee for Relatives of the miss- it took us more than double the the Peaceful Reunifi cation of the ing Koreans have arrived in time to dig through and walk,” Fatherland, is the reported suc- Kathmandu alongside several said Jeevan Dahal, a guide who cessor of Ri Yong Ho, who had offi cials sent by Seoul to help was rescued by helicopter. served as North Korea’s foreign with the emergency rescue “We saw the avalanche- minister since 2016. eff orts, Ang Dorjee Sherpa of hit area from the helicopter. The offi cial naming of Ri Son the Korean Alpine Federation Everything was white.” Gwon to the position is ex- said. Tek Gurung, a guesthouse pected to take place on or before The missing group was near owner aiding the search op- Thursday, when a conference for the Annapurna base camp eration, said more than 2m of North Korean diplomats is set to around 3,230m (10,600ft) snow (6.6ft) had fallen on the take place. above sea level when the ava- trekking trails and it was “ex- The incoming minister is lanche struck after heavy tremely diffi cult” to search the known for playing a prominent snowfall on Friday. snow-covered area on foot. role in inter-Korean talks in early “Our team reached the area Six of the missing were part 2018, NK News reported. but could not proceed with of the same expedition, while The ousting of Ri Yong Ho, their search because of more one Nepali porter was escorting who attended the failed nuclear avalanches. We are exploring a diff erent group. talks in Hanoi with US President ways to move the operation for- The four foreigners – two Donald Trump in February, co- ward,” said Mira Acharya from men and two women – were incided with a cabinet reshuffl e, Nepal’s tourism department. part of an 11-member team of according to NK News. Rescuers were working South Korean nationals. Others Climbers await rescue after an avalanche hit in Deurali, Nepal on Saturday in this picture obtained from social media. Ri Yong Ho leaves the post with Korean offi cials to deploy have safely descended. following a 38-year career in drones in the search on Mon- Education offi cials in Seoul pal on Sunday to help with the “The weather and snow got Annapurna is an avalanche- route every year for its stunning foreign relations during which day, said Dilip Gurung of the said they were part of a team search, the country’s foreign worse and, feeling it was becom- prone and technically diffi cult views of the Himalayas. he also acted as one of the top tourism management commit- of volunteer teachers working ministry said. ing dangerous and diffi cult, they mountain range with a higher A snowstorm killed about 40 spokespeople for North Korea, tee in Chhomrong, which lies with children in Nepal. Sherpa said it had snowed decided to turn. As they were death rate than Everest, the people on the circuit in 2014, NK News reported. on the trekking route. Two more South Kore- heavily around Annapurna in re- heading back the avalanche hit,” world’s highest peak. in one of the biggest trekking Citing a source in Beijing, “It is diffi cult for people to ans were due to arrive in Ne- cent days, making the trek risky. Sherpa told AFP on Saturday. Thousands of trekkers visit the tragedies to hit Nepal. South Korea’s Yonhap new agen- cy reported on Saturday that North Korea’s top envoys to Chi- na and the United Nations had returned to Pyongyang. The ambassadors to Angola and Singapore had also been seen China reports 17 new cases at the airport, Yonhap reported. Quake shakes of mysterious Sars-like virus Chinese province A 6.0 magnitude earthquake hit a AFP two patients were too critical to step, as well as carrying out Though China has not yet re- remote area of northwest China’s Beijing be moved, authorities said. “sampling tests”. ported cases outside of Wuhan, Xinjiang region late yesterday, the Those infected range from 30 Scientists with the MRC discussion about the corona- US Geological Survey said. to 79 years old. Centre for Global Infectious virus spreading to other Chi- The shallow quake struck at 9:27 hina reported 17 new The virus has now infected Disease Analysis at Imperial nese cities has swelled on social pm (1327 GMT) around 100km cases of the mysterious 62 people in Wuhan, city au- College in London warned in media. (60 miles) east-northeast of the CSars-like virus yester- thorities said, with eight in a a paper published Friday that Yesterday evening there were ancient Silk Road city of Kashgar. day, including three people in severe condition, 19 recovered the number of cases in the city more than 400mn views of In its initial assessment, the USGS Australia’s Tourism Minister Simon Birmingham (centre) and serious condition, heighten- and discharged from hospi- was likely to be closer to 1,700, the hashtag “Shanghai pneu- said there was a low likelihood of South Australia’s Premier Stephen Marshall visit a cafe during a ing fears ahead of China’s Lu- tal, and the rest in isolation much higher than the number monia” on Weibo, China’s casualties. visit to Kangaroo Island yesterday. nar New Year holiday when receiving treatment. offi cially identifi ed. Twitter-like social media site, It said however that significant hundreds of millions of people Two people have died so Authorities said yesterday while “Shenzhen pneumonia” damage was likely, with many move around the country. far from the virus, includ- that some of the cases had “no garnered at least 340mn views. buildings in the region built from The new coronavirus strain ing a 69-year-old man on history of contact” with the China’s centre for disease mud bricks or cinder block masonry. has caused alarm because of Wednesday after the disease seafood market believed to be control moved to quash specu- The area near the quake’s Australia pledges its connection to Severe Acute caused pulmonary tuberculo- the centre of the outbreak. lation about the mysterious epicentre is sparsely populated Respiratory Syndrome (Sars), sis and damaged multiple organ No human-to-human trans- disease on Saturday, publishing mountain and desert terrain. which killed nearly 650 peo- functions. mission has been confi rmed so a fl yer that dismissed “fi ve big China is regularly hit by ple across mainland China and Authorities said they had far, but Wuhan’s health com- rumours”. earthquakes, especially in its $76mn to support Hong Kong in 2002-2003. begun “optimised” testing of mission has previously said One of them included claims mountainous western and Of the 17 new cases in the pneumonia cases across the the possibility “cannot be about the coronavirus spread- southwestern regions. central city of Wuhan – be- city to identify those infected, excluded”. ing, which China’s disease In February 2003 a powerful lieved to be the epicentre of and would begin “detection Three cases have also been control authority dismissed 6.8-magnitude quake killed 268 tourism sector the outbreak – three were de- work... towards suspected reported overseas – two in by saying all cases were being people in Xinjiang and caused scribed as “severe”, of which cases in the city” as a next Thailand and one in Japan. treated in Wuhan. significant damage. (AFP) Reuters critical and especially critical Melbourne/Kanagaroo Island in places like Kangaroo Island or tropical North Queensland and these are destinations that he Australian govern- have relied upon a large part of ment said yesterday it their visitor market being in- Police fi re tear gas to disperse India and Lanka seek Twill provide fi nancial ternational tourists and that’s aid to the country’s tourism why we got to recover those sector that’s been badly hit markets as quickly as we can,” closer military ties by long-lasting bushfi res, as said Tourism Minister Simon thousands in Hong Kong business owners fretted about Birmingham. AFP Local media reports said Ra- cancellations that stretch into Birmingham said book- Reuters Colombo japaksa will travel to China – his the months ahead. ings from key international Hong Kong second foreign visit since coming Although recent rains have markets to Australia were to power – while his prime min- brought some relief, dam- down by between 30% and ri Lanka and India vowed ister brother Mahinda will visit age to the industry from the 40%. Domestic bookings olice fi red tear gas yester- to strengthen military ties India on his fi rst overseas trip. fi res has approached A$1bn across the country were down day to disperse thousands Sand widen maritime links No exact dates have been an- ($690mn) so far and may top nearly 70%, Australian media Pof anti-government pro- with neighbours after security nounced, but offi cial sources said A$4.5bn by the end of the reported. testers who gathered in a central talks, the president’s offi ce said it could happen within weeks. year, according to estimates Rains have brought the Hong Kong park but later spilled yesterday, as China’s economic Sri Lanka has traditionally from Australian tourism number of fi res burning across onto the streets, briefl y barri- clout increases in the region. been allied to India, but China bodies. Australia’s east and south cading roads and spray-painting China, a long-time regional ri- invested and loaned billions “People have stopped com- coast to under 100 for the fi rst buildings. val of India, has been widening its of dollars to the island nation ing,” said Tony Coppins, own- time in weeks, easing a disas- Out in numbers before the footprint in the region, including during the decade-long reign er of Kangaroo Island Safari ter that has scorched an area demonstration began, police in- building ports and expressways of Rajapaksa’s elder brother, and Kangaroo Island Ocean roughly one-third the size of tervened promptly when the rally and upgrading airports in Sri Mahinda. Chinese invest- Safari, adding that he had re- Germany. turned into an impromptu march. Lanka and the Maldives. ments grew under the previ- ceived cancellations for Feb- Twenty nine people have Several units of police in riot gear India’s National Security ous Colombo government too. ruary and March. been killed in the fi res while were seen chasing protesters and Adviser Ajit Doval met on Sat- China’s foreign minister “They think the whole is- millions of animals are also several arrests were made. Police fire tear gas to disperse a crowd gathered for the ‘universal urday with recently elected Sri Wang Yi held talks with Presi- land is on fi re and it’s not, so estimated to have perished. A water cannon truck drove siege on communists’ rally at Chater Garden in Hong Kong yesterday. Lanka President Gotabaya Ra- dent Rajapaksa on Tuesday we really need to send that In Melbourne, fears reced- on central streets, fl anked by an japaksa and discussed setting during a brief transit stop in message out that the island is ed that smoke from the fi res armoured jeep, but was not used. testers threw water bottles at The protests, which have since up a maritime research coor- Colombo and the two men still accessible.” would disrupt the Australian Organisers initially applied for some other offi cers who were broadened to include demands dination centre, Rajapaksa’s discussed the president’s im- A fi re earlier this month Open which starts today as a permit for a march, but police conducting a ‘stop and search’ for universal suff rage and an in- offi ce said in a statement. pending Beijing visit. scorched more than 200,000 the city and parts of the bush- only agreed to a static rally in the operation. dependent investigation into It did not give details of the “As Sri Lanka’s strategic hectares (494,000 acres) on fi re-ravaged state of Victoria park, saying previous marches “In view of the violent inci- police handling of the demon- proposed centre, but said oth- partner, China will continue the island, located off the braced for heavy rains. have turned violent. dents, police offi cers have asked strations, had lost some of their er nations in the region should to stand by Sri Lanka’s inter- coast of South Australia, in “Victoria is about to see Once protesters spilled onto the organiser to halt the public intensity in recent weeks. be included as observers. ests,” Rajapaksa’s offi ce quot- blazes described as “hell on its wettest two-day period the streets, some of them, wear- meeting... and urge participants In an apparent new tactic, police It said the two countries ed Wang as saying. earth”. in many, many months,” said ing all-black clothing, barricad- to... leave the area by public have been showing up ahead of time also discussed closer military The visit will focus on tech- The government said yes- Dean Narramore from the ed the roads with umbrellas and transport,” the statement said. in riot gear, with offi cers conducting and coastguard cooperation. nology, tourism and infrastruc- terday it would channel state’s Bureau of Meteorology. street furniture, dug up bricks The “Universal Siege Against “stop and search” operations near The meeting followed Ra- ture as well as other areas, the A$76mn ($52mn) in what it More than 780,000 fans at- from the pavement and smashed Communism” demonstration expected demonstrations. japaksa’s visit to New Delhi president’s offi ce said last week. described as an initial push tended the two-week Austral- traffi c lights. was the latest in a relentless se- “Everyone understands that in late November for talks Rajapaksa in December to help the country’s A$152bn ian Open last year, according Police said in a statement two ries of protests against the gov- there’s a risk of stop-and-search with Prime Minister Narendra warned India and Western na- tourism industry, which ac- to fi gures from the offi ce of police community liaison offi c- ernment since June, when Hong or mass arrests. I appreciate Modi, who off ered $450m in tions that Sri Lanka would be counts for more than 3% of the state’s premier, provid- ers were attacked with wooden Kongers took to the streets to Hong Kong people still come out aid to Sri Lanka after his land- forced to seek more fi nance annual economic output. ing a major infl ux of cash for sticks and sustained head inju- voice their anger over a now- courageously, despite the risk,” slide victory in the presiden- from China if they do not in- “International visitors are Victoria’s economy. ries. They also said some pro- withdrawn extradition bill. said organiser Ventus Lau. tial election. vest in the island. Gulf Times Monday, January 20, 2020 11 BRITAIN/EUROPE

Climate activists march on Harry and Meghan begin Davos

AFP Geneva life as ‘ordinary’ people

AFP retary Dickie Arbiter wrote in the western Canadian city of Van- undreds of climate ac- London Sun yesterday. “It is absolutely couver this coming week. tivists, young and old, unprecedented.” Royal observers think they Hembarked on a three- Harry was also stripped of the will spend little time in Britain day march yesterday to the make ritain’s Prince Harry and military titles and patronages he once – in the restrained words their voices heard at the 50th his wife Meghan began was awarded after serving two of Buckingham Palace – “this World Economic Forum (WEF) Ba new life yesterday as tours in Afghanistan with the new model” takes eff ect “in the in the Swiss town of Davos. somewhat ordinary people with British Army. spring of 2020”. The group, brandishing ban- fi nancial worries and security But Arbiter said it was the loss The immediate question fac- ners warning “Climate crisis: concerns after being stripped of of the HRH “royal highness” title ing Harry and Meghan is how a world economic failure” and their royal titles and public fund- that really made Palace history. they will make ends meet. “there is no Planet B”, urged po- ing by the queen. “Even when Edward VIII abdi- Sky News said Prince Charles litical and business leaders to The settlement announced by cated (in 1936), he dropped from will continue paying his son take responsibility for averting Buckingham Palace on Saturday being His Majesty the King to some money from his private in- environmental catastrophe as saw the 93-year-old monarch HRH the Duke of Windsor,” he come. they set off from the small town assume her painfully familiar said. Harry has undisclosed mil- of Landquart some 50km (32 role of managing a family crisis Arbiter noted that Princess lions of pounds in savings and miles) from Davos. that threatened the very foun- Diana was not born a royal and Meghan has enjoyed a lucrative “The climate question is the dations of one of Britain’s oldest had her HRH “obtained through acting career. number one issue and it should institutions. marriage”. She is now thinking of starting simply be topic number one The “Megxit” mess began Few know what Meghan – an her own line of health and “well- at Davos too and participants when the young couple gave American former TV actress ness” products. should recognise that; it is es- up their font-line family duties with a huge social media follow- The Sunday Times asked a roy- sential they go in this direction,” and announced plans to chart a ing and A-list celebrity friends al aide if Harry and Meghan will Katherine, a Zurich-based pen- “progressive new role” in North such as Oprah Winfrey and the be able to cash in on the “Sussex sioner, told AFP. America on January 8. Obamas – thinks of the British Royal” brand they trademarked Local authorities have only They did so without winning brouhaha about ancient acro- in December. authorised the fi rst two days of Queen Elizabeth II’s permission nyms. “That is still one of the areas the activists’ march as far as the or seemingly knowing how it was The 38-year-old frankly ad- being worked through,” the royal swanky ski resort of Klosters but all going to work out. mitted on UK television in Octo- aide told the paper. the group say they plan to follow A mad rush of royal family ber that she “really tried to adopt “That translates as: ‘The Merchandise depicting Prince Harry and Meghan are seen on display in a souvenir shop. narrow footpaths to make it as meetings and screaming head- this British sensibility of a stiff queen isn’t at all sure’,” the Sun- near the summit as possible. lines in the tabloid papers culmi- upper lip. I tried, I really tried”. day Times wrote. gave little of the game away when The atmosphere was festive as nated with a ruling Saturday that But she admitted sadly: But Arbiter stressed that Di- pressed by a British TV crew in the group set off around 1.30pm. the Daily Telegraph called “the “That’s not the point of life. ana’s “global appeal” was in no Berlin. The January 21-24 WEF forum hardest Megxit possible” You’ve got to thrive.” way aff ected by her losing the “I said before that I am sure Meghan’s dad accuses has stressed that climate change The couple lost their right to Harry has also talked about HRH tag. that the royal family – it’s been is a key topic at this year’s sum- be called “his and her royal high- still being haunted by his moth- Harry was already been seen a round a very long time – will mit. ness” (HRH) – much as Harry’s er’s death in a 1997 car crash talking to a Disney boss in De- fi nd a way forward,” Johnson said her of ‘cheapening’ The forum is inviting some late mother Princess Diana involving a chasing pack of pa- cember about Meghan’s interest with a smile. 2,800 invited participants, in- did when she divorced Prince parazzi. in doing voiceover. But royal biographer Penny cluding major businesses and Charles in another family drama He and Meghan fi led a series There has also been specula- Junor said the idea of the couple the UK’s royal family some 50 heads of state and gov- that upset the queen in 1996. of lawsuits against UK media tion about the couple teaming up in any way profi ting from their ernment, to set a net-zero car- They further agreed to repay outlets in October – a step that with Netfl ix. royal titles has really “stuck in bon emissions target for 2050. £2.4mn ($3.1mn) of taxpayer’s predictably outraged the tabloids The Palace said the separate the public’s throats”. Reuters as senior members of the royal “All companies coming to money spent on renovating their and renewed debates about the issue of who pays for their pricey “Harry is who he is simply by London family. Davos have been asked to com- Frogmore Cottage home near royals’ role in public life. security detail will have to be re- accident of birth,” she said. “If Channel 5 released part mit to achieving net zero carbon Windsor Castle. Harry is expected to join Meg- solved by the UK government at he was able to make squillions of the interview yesterday emissions by 2050 or earlier,” or- “No royal has ever paid back han and their baby son Archie on a later date. of pounds from that, it would be eghan Markle’s es- and said the full documen- ganisers have stated. money,” former royal press sec- a resort island near the south- Prime Minister Boris Johnson wrong.” tranged father, tary would air “in the coming MThomas Markle, weeks”. has accused his daughter of Thomas Markle described “cheapening” the British royal the royal family as “one of the family in part of an interview greatest long-living institu- released a day after Bucking- tions ever”, saying that when Paris transport set to ham Palace said Prince Harry Meghan married Harry in May and his wife would no longer be 2018 they took an obligation working members of the mon- “to be part of the royals and to return to normal as archy. represent the royals”. The palace announced on “This is like one of the great- Saturday that the couple would est long-living institutions union suspends strike no longer use their “Royal ever,” he said. “They are de- Highness” titles and would pay stroying it, they are cheapening their own way in life. it, they’re making it shabby ... Union says members need measures to introduce a uni- Prime Minister Boris John- they are turning it into a Wal- to recharge after 45 days of versal points-based pension son said the whole country mart with a crown of it now. industrial action system instead of the 42 indi- wished them “the very best” “It is something that is ri- vidual schemes that exist at the with the new arrangement. diculous, they shouldn’t be By Kim Willsher moment, which it said was un- “As I said before ... I was sure doing this.” Guardian News & Media just and a regression for workers’ that the royal family, which has Thomas Markle and his rights. been around a very long time, daughter have been estranged Unsa insisted it was not giving will fi nd a way forward,” John- since her marriage to Harry. aris’s strike-hit public in but was calling for “another son told Sky News in Germany, Earlier this month, the Mail transport network is ex- form of action”. where he was attending a sum- on Sunday newspaper submit- Ppected to return to near “The government must un- mit on Libya. ted its defence to court action normal this week after the city’s derstand that the conviction and Thomas Markle told Channel by Meghan over the publica- main rail union voted to return to determination of RATP staff re- 5 news in a documentary that he tion of a private letter she sent work. mains intact,” it said in the state- believed Meghan was tossing to her father. The decision to suspend in- ment, which called on unions away “every girl’s dream”. Thomas Markle said he did dustrial action from today fol- to “increase and generalise the This picture taken this week shows lawyers of the Bordeaux’ Bar turn their backs on people arriving for “It’s disappointing because not expect Meghan to get in lows six weeks of road and rail movement in all the country’s the start of the year’s formal audience at Bordeaux’ courthouse, during a protest to denounce the loss of she actually got every girl’s contact. chaos since transport staff companies”. their separate pension scheme, which would see their contribution rates double to 28% of earnings from dream. Every young girl wants “I can’t see her reaching walked out in December as part “This is how we will push the 14%, as part of a nationwide multi-sector movement against the French government’s pension reform. to become a princess and she out to me, especially now ... of national protests over pension government back and all win,” it got that, and now she’s tossing or Harry for that matter, but reforms. wrote. election win, was fi rebombed. Other unions, including the du Nord theatre in the north of that away, for, it looks like she’s I think both of them are turn- The strikes – France’s longest Mainline suburban and inter- Police said they were looking hardline CGT, which is demand- Paris after spotting Macron in tossing that away for money,” ing into lost souls at this point,” in decades – brought traffi c to a city rail services are also slow- into whether the attack on the ing the complete withdrawal of the audience for a performance he said. he said. “I don’t know what halt in parts of the capital as Pa- ly returning to normal as the restaurant was vandalism or po- the pension reforms, were quick of The Fly. The interview was fi lmed they’re looking for. I don’t risians were forced into cars and number of striking staff at the litically motivated. to disassociate themselves from About 30 people turned up and after the couple’s announce- think they know what they are on to motorbikes, scooters and national SNCF railway network Last year, “gilets jaunes” (yel- the action. forced their way into the foyer ment that they would step back looking for.” cycles. fell from a high of 55% on the fi rst low vests) protesters set fi re to “Whatever the disagreements shouting anti-Macron slogans. On Saturday, seven out of 16 day of the strike in December to Le Fouquet’s restaurant, another between unions, the CGT doesn’t “Despite our eff orts, these Paris metro lines were working 4.6% last week. gastronomic symbol of French support this kind of action,” the people succeeded in opening the UK PM warns Putin over Skripal normally. SNCF said about 85% of lines power and a favourite haunt of union said in a statement. doors of the theatre hall, disturb- The capital’s public transport were running normally. former presidents. The CGT, which represents ing the play,” a police source told poisoning at first off icial meeting company, RATP, is expected to With French unions bitterly Also on Friday, angry transport many SNCF rail workers, has the French news channel LCI. announce a further improvement divided and strikes apparently strikers entered the Paris head- staged other protests including The Macrons were moved to British Prime Minister Boris Johnson used his first off icial meeting for today’s services, although running out of steam, a series quarters of France’s biggest un- blockades of French ports and oil safety while the protesters were with Vladimir Putin yesterday to warn the Russian leader not repeat drivers on three lines have voted of wildcat actions suggested a ion, the CFDT, which has called refi neries. removed, before the president the 2018 chemical attack that almost killed former spy Sergei to remain on strike. change of tactics by protesters off strike action and protests af- Last week, an impromptu pro- returned to his seat. Skripal. In a statement, Laurent Djeba- determined to show their anger ter government concessions on test by dozens of people, includ- Macron made pension reform Downing Street said Johnson told the Kremlin chief on the sidelines li, the secretary-general of the at Emmanuel Macron and his pension reform. ing some museum staff , forced a key manifesto pledge in his of a summit on the Libya crisis in Berlin that ties between Moscow Unsa-RATP union, said that centrist government. Laurent Berger, the secretary- the Louvre to close for the fi rst presidential campaign. and London would not return to normal until Russia ended its members needed to “get their On Friday, a fl ash mob stormed general of the CFDT, said about time since the strikes began. His government argues that an “destabilising” activities. breath back and recharge their a theatre where the president and 30 protesters had “violently” Nurses, teachers, lawyers and across-the-board points system Johnson “was clear there had been no change in the UK’s position batteries” after 45 days of indus- his wife, Brigitte, were in the au- entered the building and had fi refi ghters have joined the pen- will be fairer, despite there being on Salisbury, which was a reckless use of chemical weapons and a trial action, during which they dience. “verbally and physically attacked sion protests. some losers. brazen attempt to murder innocent people on UK soil”, Downing have not been paid. Hours later, La Rotonde CFDT staff ”. On Saturday, police released The unions reject the reforms Street said in a statement. The union reiterated its op- brasserie, where Macron had “We will not be intimidated,” a man arrested after calling for as a loss of workers’ rights and “He said that such an attack must not be repeated,” Johnson off ice position to the government’s celebrated his 2017 presidential Berger tweeted. protesters to gather at the Bouff es privileges. said. Russia rejects accusations that off icers from its GRU military intelligence agency used a powerful nerve agent to poison Skripal Eight killed in blaze at Czech home for disabled Dutch police arrest four after foiled jailbreak in retribution for his work with British and other Western spy services. A fire in a home for people with killed nine people. Dutch police arrested four people partially burnt van outside the prison gate. Skripal and his daughter both spent days in a coma but survived disabilities killed eight people and injured A hotel fire in the capital in 1995 killed yesterday, suspected of taking part in a “It seems that an organised prison break and have since gone into hiding. 30 in northwest Czech Republic early on eight. foiled attempt to spring a prisoner from had been attempted,” Dutch police said. The incident undermined London’s already diff icult relations with Sunday, fire and state off icials said. The fire at the Vejprty home started in a high-security prison during which a “Several persons tried to breach the prison, Moscow. The blaze occurred in a home where one room before spreading to three, delivery van was set on fire. but the attempt was foiled,” they said, Downing Street said Johnson had told Putin “they both had a mostly men with mental and other Michal Zavoral, commanding off icer The suspects were arrested following adding that “no one escaped”. responsibility to address issues of international security including disabilities lived, in Vejprty about 130km of the region’s fire services, told state after the attempted prison break at The four suspects were arrested after an Libya, Syria, Iraq and Iran”. (80 miles) northwest of Prague. broadcaster Czech Television. Zutphen, around 112km (70 miles) west of intensive investigation involving Dutch But the British leader also made clear that this dialogue did not It was the second deadliest blaze in the He said the eight died from smoke Amsterdam, police said in a statement. detectives, the Dutch border police and the mean London’s relations with the Kremlin were back on track. country’s three-decade post-communist inhalation. Police were first alerted around 10.50am German police. “The prime minister said there will be no normalisation of our history. Police said the home had 35 residents. (0950 GMT) by a report that a delivery van A police helicopter also joined the search. bilateral relationship until Russia ends the destabilising activity that In 2010, a fire in an abandoned building One police off icer was among those was on fire in the prison’s parking lot. “The suspects’ involvement in the escape threatens the UK and our allies and undermines the safety of our often used by homeless people in Prague injured. Pictures from the scene showed the attempt is being probed,” police said. citizens and our collective security,” his off ice said. Gulf Times 12 Monday, January 20, 2020 INDIA No meeting with Malaysia in Davos, says India

Reuters to Malaysian Prime Minister spokesman said on Friday that Malaysian minister and the Indian could be used to deny or delay Spokespeople for the trade the Indian offi cial said, referring New Delhi Mahathir Mohamed speaking trade ministers from India and trade minister at Davos,” he said, imports from Malaysia. ministries of India and Malaysia to Mahathir. out against a new citizenship law Malaysia could meet on the side- asking not to be named as he was India has been Malaysia’s top did not immediately respond to “The comments he’s making which critics say discriminate lines of the World Economic Fo- not a government spokesman. palm market for fi ve years. queries from Reuters. are very unprecedented.” ndia’s trade minister will against Muslims. rum’s annual meeting in Davos. “As part of a larger meeting of The row dragged benchmark Mahathir, the world’s old- Responding to a question on not meet with his Malaysian Malaysia is the second biggest But the Indian trade ministry trade ministers they may be both Malaysian palm futures to their est premier at 94 and one of the India’s new religion-based citi- Icounterpart in Davos next producer and exporter of palm offi cial, who said he was speak- together, but there’s no meeting. biggest weekly decline in more Muslim world’s biggest voices, zenship law, Mahathir said last week because of his tight sched- oil and India’s restrictions on the ing on behalf of the ministry, The schedule is already fi nalised, than 11 years on Friday. has said he would continue month the country was trying to ule, an Indian trade ministry offi - refi ned variety of the commod- said no meeting was planned be- and it’s full.” Malaysia’s Leiking has sent a to speak out against “wrong “deprive some Muslims of their cial said yesterday, as a spat sim- ity imposed last week have been tween Piyush Goyal and Malay- India last week imposed curbs message to Goyal wishing him things” even if his words cost his citizenship”. mers between the top buyer of seen as a retaliation for Ma- sia’s Darell Leiking. on refi ned palm oil, which a well for the Davos meeting, ac- country fi nancially. At the UN General Assembly in palm oil and its biggest supplier. hathir’s criticism of New Delhi. “I can tell you fair and square source in New Delhi with direct cording to the message reviewed “Why is he harming his own September, he said India had “in- India has repeatedly objected A Malaysian government there’s no meeting between the knowledge of the matter said by Reuters. country by his erratic actions?” vaded and occupied” Kashmir. Free bus rides for students, 24-hour water among 10 ‘guarantees’

IANS poration of Delhi (MCD), the New Delhi AAP said it will make the na- tional capital garbage-free in the next fi ve years. elhi Chief Minister and His eighth guarantee is to Aam Aadmi Party leader make the city safer for women DArvind Kejriwal yester- and said the AAP government day promised free public travel will also deploy ‘Mohalla Mar- for students and basic facilities shals’ (neighbourhood patrol- for unauthorised colonies in the ling). national capital along with con- He promised road, water sup- tinuing the ongoing free subsidy ply, sewer, CCTV and mohalla on water and electricity in his clinics for the unauthorised col- “guarantee card” ahead of the onies as his ninth guarantee. February 8 assembly polls. Kejriwal’s last and tenth The ‘Kejriwal ka Guarantee promise is to give ‘pucca’ (prop- Card’ was released by the chief er) houses to people living in minister at the AAP offi ce and slums under the ‘Jahan Jhuggi has 10 “guarantees”, including a Wahin Makan’ scheme. promise to reduce air pollution “I am giving 10 guarantees to Delhi Chief Minister and Aam Admi Party (AAP) chief Arvind Kejriwal shows the ‘Kejriwal Ka Guarantee Card’ (Kejriwal’s guarantee card) promising improvements on electricity, in Delhi by three times. the city. This is not a manifesto. drinking water and women safety, ahead of Delhi assembly elections, in New Delhi yesterday. “We will plant more than two This is superior to the mani- crore trees to make Delhi green,” festo. These 10 things are the the card reads. issues which aff ect all the peo- The fi rst ‘guarantee’ is about ple in Delhi. The manifesto will electricity, promising 24 hours have more things. It may have uninterrupted power supply and dedicated announcements to 200 units of free electricity for specifi c sections like teachers, all. doctors, students and labour- “The city will be freed from ers. In the guarantee card, I am No competition from the web of wires and electric- assuring that the free schemes ity will reach each household we announced in this tenure will through an underground cable,” continue in the next fi ve years. the guarantee card says. These are big guarantees and will The AAP has promised 24- take time to be implemented,” hour piped drinking water to said Kejriwal. each house in the next fi ve years The manifesto, he said, will be Congress, BJP: Sisodia and said the scheme of providing launched in the next 7-10 days. 20,000 litres of free water will Kejriwal also signed the card IANS BJP leaders in Delhi are saying ple of Delhi are happy with the if you feel we have worked. We put a poster outside its offi ce continue. after announcing the guaran- New Delhi they will stop the free subsidy on AAP as it has solved the everyday are saying openly that if anyone wishing happy new year to BJP The third guarantee of Ke- tees, saying he “will fulfi l these electricity and water. They will issues faced by the common man. feels we have not worked, they leaders Gautam Gambhir, Manoj jriwal is to give a world-class promises in the next fi ve years.” also stop free travel for women “The people of Delhi are should not vote for us,” the MLA Tiwari, Vijay Goel, Hardeep education facility for each child The tenure of Kejriwal as chief enior Aam Aadmi Party on public buses. People do not happy that so much work has from the Patparganj constitu- Singh Puri, Harsh Vardhan, Vi- in Delhi. He also promised bet- minister is ending next month leader Manish Sisodia said like them and so there is no com- been done for electricity, water, ency of East Delhi said. jender Gupta and Parvesh Verma, ter health facilities for all as his and the city will go to polls on Shis party will win all the 70 petition,” he said. education and health, along with The minister also took on the calling them seven chief minister fourth guarantee. February 8. seats in the February 8 assembly Sisodia said it was evident developments in other local is- BJP for the lack of a chief min- candidates of the Delhi BJP. His fi fth guarantee is to have He will fi le his nomination to- elections as there is no competi- from the statements made by sues. No other government ever ister candidate. “There is no On the issues of the new citi- the “biggest and cheapest” day followed by a big roadshow. tion from either the Congress or the BJP leaders that they have has done so much for the people credible face in the BJP against zenship law and the National transport facility for the city. Kejriwal, contesting for a third the Bharatiya Janata Party. surrendered before Delhi Chief of Delhi, or even anywhere in the Kejriwal. They have no one who Register of Citizens, Sisodia said “More than 11,000 buses and time from the New Delhi con- Delhi’s deputy chief minis- Minister and AAP chief Arvind country. And so, work done for can compete with Kejriwal. The it is the BJP’s character to bring 500km Metro stretch in the city stituency, will hold a road show ter said people can see the work Kejriwal. the common man is the driving BJP’s CM face will be compared issues which create apprehen- will be provided,” he promised. from Valmiki Mandir to Hanu- done by the BJP and the Con- “They too know that Arvind force of this election campaign,” to Kejriwal and the name should sions in the minds of people. Kejriwal also said on the lines man Mandir before fi ling the gress in the other states and if Kejriwal is coming back to pow- said the minister. have something to compete with “During the elections, they of free bus travel for women, nomination. they compare it to that of the er,” Sisodia told IANS. It is the confi dence in the work Kejriwal. Delhi should have an (BJP) bring such issues to dis- students’ travel will also be made He was elected from the seat AAP, the two parties are not in The journalist-turned-poli- done by the government, Siso- option to compare. We even tract people. However, they will free. in 2013 and 2015. competition with Delhi’s ruling tician said the work done by his dia added, that has encouraged helped them (BJP) fi lter seven not be able to make any diff er- The sixth guarantee is con- He bagged the seat with party. government and not political the party to ask people to openly faces from the party, but they ence this time. The elections will trolling air pollution in the city. 64.34% in 2015, and 53.46% “There is no competition slugfest will be the driving force vote for AAP only if they feel the cannot even choose from those be fought on the basis of work It also includes a promise to votes in 2013. from anyone. Look at the other for the assembly polls. party has worked. seven faces,” Sisodia said refer- done by the AAP government.” clean the Yamuna river. Both the Congress and the BJP states ruled by the two parties. Sisodia, who plays a crucial “It will be the fi rst time ever ring to an earlier campaign “Ke- Delhi holds polls on February While the garbage manage- are yet to announce their candi- The cost of electricity is so high. role in both the party and the that a ruling party is seeking jriwal vs Who” by the party. 8 and counting will take place on ment is with the Municipal Cor- date against him. Education is so costly. All the Delhi government, said the peo- votes by saying vote for us only The AAam Aadmi Party had February 11. Fearless Delhi women protesters inspire national movement

AFP passed the CAA on December 11. Bagh,” said Afzal Imam, a former In West Bengal, hundreds of New Delhi Many of India’s 200mn Mus- mayor of Patna. supporters of the ruling Trina- lims fear the government is get- “We cannot sit silent at home mool Congress party camp out ting ready to draw up a national when the government is hell- on a road in the capital Kolkata. efi ant women who have citizenship register (NCR) that bent on stealing our citizenship,” Police protect some 150 wom- been blocking a New Del- could strip them of their nation- said Shagufta Amin an activist en occupying a park. Dhi highway for more than ality, though New Delhi denies at Sabzi Bagh, where weekend Political commentator Mani- four weeks in protest against a this and calls the law a “humani- crowds swell to thousands. sha Priyam said the protests bitterly disputed citizenship law tarian” gesture. The government in neigh- signalled that Indians wanted to have inspired thousands across Though at least 27 people have bouring Uttar Pradesh state is defend the equality and justice India to copy their challenge to died in violence around some fi ercely loyal to Prime Minister enshrined in the constitution the government. demonstrations, protesters have Narendra Modi and has cracked and shattered stereotypes about Supported by volunteers who taken over parks and streets in down on protesters. Many of the Muslim women. bring biryani meals, chai and Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, West Ben- 19 people killed there were alleg- “Muslim women would not blankets, groups have started gal, Kerala and Madhya Pradesh edly hit by police bullets. normally come out on streets to occupation protests in about as well as two new occupations Some 6,000 people were de- protest but now they are leading 20 cities across the country to in Delhi. tained for taking to the streets. the fi ght for equality and jus- demand the repeal of the Citi- Srijan Chawla, a student Hundreds of women camped tice,” Priyam told AFP. zenship Amendment Act (CAA) protest leader in Mumbai, said in a park in Varanasi, Modi’s While people from all reli- that opponents say is anti- “Shaheen Bagh has inspired a lot constituency, face eviction no- gions have joined the protests, Muslim. of women in this country to go tices after police fi led a case for the public has not always ap- Nearly all pay tribute to the on the streets and protest. Be it “disobedience”. preciated the disruption to their 200 grandmothers and house- Kolkata, be it Delhi, be it here in “This protest is like a moun- lives however. wives and students who sit and Mumbai.” tain, we will not move from here Delhi commuters increasingly sleep across the main road in Hundreds of protesters have until our demands are met,” complain about the Shaheen the Shaheen Bagh district of spent nearly three weeks on Nasreen Zafar, one of the wom- Bagh women who have caused Delhi, fi ghting a law that would public land in Gaya in Bihar. en, told reporters. huge morning and evening traf- give passports to “persecuted” A huge poster of Mahatma In the central city of Indore a fi c jams. religious minorities from three Gandhi hangs over one entrance. protest by hundreds of people in “We are for the right to protest neighbouring countries but only More than 10 other non-stop a central park has also faced po- but blocking a road and holding non-Muslims. protests are taking place in the lice attempts to evict them. up commuters for over a month In this file photo taken on January 6, protesters hold placards as they listen to speakers in the Shaheen Hundreds of thousands of eastern state, including at Sabzi Some opposition ruled states is as obnoxious as the con- Bagh, which has been blocked off by demonstrators protesting against the new citizenship law, near the people have taken part in rallies Bagh near the capital Patna. have quietly encouraged the demned law,” said Delhi resident Jamia Millia Islamia university in New Delhi. across India since parliament “It is like another Shaheen protesters though. Mihir Tripathi. Gulf Times Monday, January 20, 2020 13 PAKISTAN PM ‘backs’ under-fi re Punjab chief minister Internews She said that the Punjab chief ernment wheat quota on the ate hurdles in the journey of de- abolish the country’s obsolete Lahore/Islamabad minister is doing a good job, for open market. velopment in the province,” he system. which he must be encouraged. “Increase in fl our price would added. “Since political stability and Awan said the Punjab govern- not be tolerated,” he warned. “I Buzdar said those indulging economic stability are very Prime Minister Khan: if India pecial Assistant to the ment had taken timely measures am guardian of people’s rights, in criticism for the sake of criti- much interlinked … the govern- continues its military attacks Prime Minister on Infor- for ensuring the availability of and I will not let anybody exploit cism do not have the country’s ment is ensuring both,” she said. killing civilians across the LoC, Smation and Broadcasting fl our at the fi xed price. them.” best interests in mind. Awan called upon the media to Pakistan will find it increasingly Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan has said She said Buzdar has been run- “Flour is available in abun- “Such elements are simply play its role to ensure the well- diff icult to remain an inactive that Prime Minister Imran Khan ning the province in an eff ective dance on the market at the fi xed carrying the agenda of personal being of the country. observer along the LoC. had rejected all objections to manner. price as a result of eff ective interests. Our objective is to She also conveyed prime the working of the Punjab Chief Awan said the Pakistan Te- measures taken by the Punjab provide relief and ensure ease minister’s best wishes to the Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar, hreek-e-Insaf (PTI) team is government,” Buzdar added. for the people of the province,” new Lahore Press Club govern- and said that the latter would united under Khan’s leadership. He said action had been taken he added. ing body, mentioning that the continue to stay in offi ce. “Revolutionary measures of against Food Department offi c- Later, addressing a ‘‘Meet the body had played an active role in Khan She had called on the Punjab public service have been tak- Awan: The Punjab government, ers for negligence. Press Programme’’ at the La- convincing philanthropists dur- chief minister at 90 Shahrah-e- en by Chief Minister Usman in a short span of time, has done “All administrative measures hore Press Club, Awan said the ing the construction of Shaukat Quaid-e-Azam. Buzdar. The Punjab government, record legislation under the would remain in place for bring- government would address all Khanum Hospital. reiterates Awan said that Prime Min- in a short span of time, has done leadership of the Punjab chief ing stability to the fl our prices, genuine reservations of its al- Awan said Prime Minister ister Khan, after consultations record legislation under the minister. he assured. lies by adhering to the policy of Khan also wanted the Lahore with his aides, rejected all ob- leadership of the Punjab chief “Chakki (mill) owners will not consensus, consultation, and Press Club to once again play its warning jections raised by his ministers minister,” she said. necessary measures to stabilise be allowed to increase prices of reconciliation. eff ective role in pulling Pakistan and the Pakistan Muslim League Speaking on the occasion, fl our prices, adding that action fl our. We are in an alliance with She said the PTI is imple- out of prevailing challenges and – Quaid-e-Azam (PML-Q) on Chief Minister Buzdar said that is being taken against mills that a political party in the province, menting its reform agenda providing maximum relief to the over LoC Buzdar’s performance. his government had taken all are selling fl our from the gov- but I’ll not allow anyone to cre- through eff ective legislation to public. fi ring

Internews Islamabad Penalties for tax defaulters introduced

rime Minister Imran Khan Internews industrial or manufacturing will Rs500,000, or up to 200% of the (NTN) and sales tax registra- gally carried outside the country Similarly, any gold, silver and once again warned the Islamabad fall under the “greenfi eld” status taxes, which have been evaded. tion number would be spared would be confi scated and sub- precious stones being illegally Pworld that if India contin- in light of the amendments in- Similarly, those failing to fi le from fi nes on items sent as gifts jected to a fi ne proportionate to carried outside the country ued with its attacks across the troduced through the presiden- taxes with the FBR’s system through courier services, air the amount of foreign exchange would also be confi scated while Line of Control (LoC) in Kash- he Federal Board of Rev- tial ordinance. might face up to Rs1mn in penal- cargo or diplomatic cargo, or being smuggled. the smuggler would be arrested. mir, then it would be diffi cult for enue (FBR) of Pakistan The FBR’s circular also intro- ties, according to the new regu- imported or exported by local, Those found in possession Customs authorities and of- Pakistan to “remain an inactive Thas issued notifi cations duced prescribed penalties for lations. provincial or federal govern- of foreign currency between fi cials were allocated powers to observer”. on amendments in the tax laws tax defaulters falling under the Repeat off enders would have ments. $10,000 and $20,000 would enforce all these laws. In a Twitter thread yesterday, pertaining to the “greenfi eld” tier-1 category. their shops sealed and an ad- Manufacturers and importers have to pay twice the amount As per the ordinance, the the prime minister reiterated the industry as well as traders and According to the new rules, ditional Rs1mn fi ne would be who fail to print retail prices on being seized. seized items would be presented need for the United Nations Se- retailers falling under the tier-1 the traders and grocery sellers slapped over non-compliance the packaging of taxable items Individuals possessing foreign before a special judge during curity Council (UNSC) to inter- classifi cation. under tier-1 might have their within six months of the fi rst would be fi ned at Rs10,000, or currency between $20,000 and the inquiry phase, and follow- vene and ask India to allow the “Greenfi eld” status lets in- shops sealed or fi ned massively, penalty. 5% of the tax applicable on the $50,000 would be liable to pay ing record of the evidence, the UN Military Observer Group in vestors or carmaking companies while vendors may also face im- Dealers involved in smuggling product. thrice the amount being confi s- court may grant orders for auc- India and Pakistan to return to install an independent automo- prisonments for failing to regis- of precious metals – including The penalties and punish- cated as well as serve two years tion of the seized shipment or its Indian-administered Kashmir. tive assembly in the country for ter with the FBR’s computerised gold and silver – would be sub- ment have been laid to combat in jail. disposal. Khan reminded the world the production of cars that are monitoring and tracking system. jected to hefty fi nes and impris- elements involved in currency Those found possessing over Special customs appellate tri- again that New Delhi may carry not being produced in Pakistan. According to the changes, onment, and their stocks would smuggling and terrorism fi nanc- $50,000 and up to $100,000 bunals consisting of a chairman, out a “false fl ag operation” as the According to an FBR notifi - traders and shopkeepers who be confi scated. ing. could face up to seven years in judicial and technical offi cers Indian forces continue to target cation, any land which has not tamper with the FBR’s sys- However, individuals with- According to the presidential jail and three times the amount would be set up to oversee the and kill civilians across the LoC been used for any commercial, tem might face a fi ne of up to out a National Tax Number ordinance, foreign currency ille- confi scated as fi ne. cases. with increasing intensity and frequency. “I want to make clear to In- dia and the international com- munity that if India continues Early start its military attacks killing civil- KP acts to hire more ians across the LoC, Pakistan will fi nd it increasingly diffi cult to remain an inactive observer than 2,700 teachers along the LoC,” he tweeted. This is not the fi rst time the premier has claimed that India is Internews ated at 114 educational insti- planning to carry out a false fl ag Peshawar tutes. operation to divert the world’s These are 225 posts at 75 pri- attention from the ongoing pro- mary schools, 232 posts at 29 tests in the country and the situ- ith the chief min- middle schools, 48 posts at six ation in the disputed Kashmir ister issuing direc- high schools, and 16 posts at valley. Wtives to expedite the four hostels. Last month, Khan said that in recruitment of teachers and In Bajaur, 467 posts have case India decided to conduct a other staff at schools in the been created at 66 educational false fl ag operation “to divert at- newly-merged tribal districts institutions. tention from its domestic chaos, (NMTD), the provincial edu- These are 35 posts at 12 pri- plus whip up war hysteria to cation minister has sanctioned mary schools, 384 posts at 48 mobilise Hindu nationalism”, the creation of hundreds of middle schools, and 48 posts at Pakistan will have no option but new vacancies at 484 schools six high schools. to give a “befi tting response” to in the seven tribal districts. Four hundred and fi fteen India. A notifi cation issued by the posts have been created at 74 Days after the prime minis- Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) educational institutions in ter’s statement, Foreign Minister Finance Department for the Mohmand tribal district. Shah Mehmood Qureshi had also NMTDs, said that based on a These are 103 posts at 35 pri- said that Pakistan had once again letter sent by the KP Elemen- mary schools, 248 posts at 31 drawn the attention of the world tary and Secondary Education middle schools, and 64 posts over the Modi government’s in- Department (K-PESED) in De- at eight high schools. tentions of staging a false fl ag cember, the department has In sub-division Wazir of operation. approved the “creation of 2,772 Bannu, the education depart- “The world must have its in- posts in diff erent categories ment created 122 posts at 27 terests for considering India its with the immediate eff ect for educational institutions: 33 commercial ally, but it should the functionalisation of 484 at 11 primary schools for girls, not be silent on the prevailing educational institutions”. 64 at eight middle schools for situation in India, giving due The notifi cation added boys and girls, eight at a higher importance to people’s values,” People gather at a vegetable and fruit market under heavy fog conditions in Lahore. that these schools had been secondary school for girls, 10 Qureshi said. built through developmental at fi ve computer labs, three at schemes in the tribal districts a technical workshop, and four and their sub-divisions. at a hostel for women teachers. Rs7bn to be spent The notice said that the most In subdivision Hassankhel of posts had been created in the Peshawar, 85 posts have been on tree projects in Orakzai tribal district, where created for 15 institutions. Baluchistan citizen praised for saving lives Gilgit-Baltistan 616 posts have been created for These are 21 at seven pri- 94 educational institutions. mary schools for girls and 64 Gilgit-Baltistan Chief Minister A break-up provided in the at eight middle schools for boy Internews The situation led to hundreds them get fuel, paid out of his not helped them, they probably Hafeezur Rehman said yesterday notice read that 87 posts have and girls. Islamabad of cars being stranded on the own pocket, to people whose wouldn’t have returned alive,” that Rs7bn will be spent on the been created at 29 primary Meanwhile, the K-PESED road, with women, children and cars had broken down on the he said. billion-tree project in Pakistan’s schools for boys and girls in the issued a notifi cation whereby elderly passengers left vulner- road in the severe cold, thereby “I had been trying to help northeastern region. district. it stated that all district edu- rime Minister Imran Khan able in the harsh weather with- playing a pivotal role in getting them since 2pm, however, of- Presiding over a briefing session A further 456 posts were cation offi ces (DEOs) will con- has hailed Suleman Khan, out adequate food supplies or them to safety. fi cials arrived around 12am,” in Gilgit, off icials who were created at the 57 middle duct interviews of candidates Pa citizen who saved more clothing. Speaking of Suleman Khan’s Suleman Khan told a private present at the meeting said schools for boys and girls in the who have been shortlisted for than 100 people stranded in Bracing the blood-curdling kindness, one of the rescued media outlet. that the chief minister issued district. posts of teachers after clear- snow in Quetta district of Pa- cold, Suleman Khan not only told a private television chan- He added: “I tried to give pri- directives for the project to Another 56 posts have been ing the tests conducted by the kistan’s southwest Baluchistan rescued several passengers by nel: “I witnessed Khan rescue ority to pregnant women, heart be made transparent, and to earmarked for seven high National Testing Service or the province. driving them to safety in his own more than 100 people out of the patients and small children ensure its completion within the schools and 17 posts at the sol- and Fair Testing Service (FTS). “The whole nation is proud car, but in a gesture of kindness snowstorm, including a little when rescuing, and made them stipulated time frame. itary hostel in the district. The notifi cation directs of Suleman Khan who showed that has touched the hearts of girl from a Danish School, who stay in my own home, fed them, Rehman emphasised on the need Orakzai was followed by DEOs to check the documents great courage and selfl essness many across the nation, also was then safely taken to her area and gave them a place to sleep.” to initiate a campaign at schools Khyber Tribal District with of shortlisted candidates in to help people stranded in the opened his home to them for of Khanozai,” Levies offi cials had said that and colleges to create awareness 546 posts for 94 educational their respective districts, in- snow,” tweeted the prime min- food and shelter. Suleman Khan took the res- more than 300 passengers were among students on importance institutions. cluding educational and iden- ister. The 30-year-old reached the cued to his home, where he gave stranded in Kan Mehtarzai area of forests. These are 122 posts at 41 pri- tifi cation documents. Earlier last week, the Quetta- stranded passengers on his ve- them food and provided a place of Killa Saifullah district, where In another briefing, the chief mary schools, 328 posts at 41 For this purpose, the DEOs Zhob highway was shut down hicle and helped the people to to sleep for the ones who had temperatures dipped to as low minister said that 10 mobile middle schools, and 96 posts have been directed to use a due to severe snowfall in the safety and comfort of his home fallen ill. as -14° Celsius, while heavy veterinary hospitals would be at 12 high schools. check-list to ensure that all Kachlak, Ziarat Cross, Khano- without any assistance from the “I did everything for the will snowfall and strong winds al- purchased by April this year, to South Waziristan tribal required documents are pre- zai, and Kan Mehtarzai areas of authorities. of God. I saw that people were most buried cars on the main help ensure the treatment of district had the third most sented by the candidate at the the Baluchistan province. Suleman Khan also helped stuck in the avalanche, and had I National Highway. livestock. number of posts, with 521 cre- interview. Gulf Times 14 Monday, January 20, 2020 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 Australian bushfi res raise extinction risk for threatened species

The term catastrophic is an understatement to describe Australia’s indescribably tragic bushfi re season. More than half a billion animals and 29 humans have been killed in the fi res across eastern and southern Australia since September. The fi res have also destroyed more than 2,500 homes and razed an area roughly a third the size of Germany. Meanwhile, the paradox of extreme weather fl uctuations has been evident than ever before when huge downpours lashed some of the fi re-ravaged areas late last week. The wet weather gave exhausted fi refi ghters a huge boost, helping to reduce or contain some blazes. But dozens of fi res remain out of control, and authorities have warned the crisis could Identity, tradition worsen again with Australia only half way through its summer. The contrast in the unusual weather changes resulted in koalas at the Australian Reptile Park on the nation’s east coast near Sydney, which were in the path of raging bushfi res and architecture a week ago, being carried to safety from fl ash fl oods. As highlighted in an article in theconversation.com, until the movement there is death; but where there give it; the role of the architect is, in fact, must be undertaken not in such a way as to is vitality, there is variety, invention, critical in establishing the permissible rate produce a dead record of past events but, on fi res stop burning, the full extent of the environmental creativity — howbeit not necessarily all at of change within the spatial environment. the contrary, in order to see them as a vital damage will not be known. But what is absolutely alarming the same level; for even within the span II. Recovery of Tradition: and perceptive refl ection, through changing is that these fi res have signifi cantly increased the extinction of tradition there is always a possibility of Restoration of Identity forms, of the unchanging patterns which risk for many threatened species. It is estimated that most of good and bad periods, of rises and falls; In considering what needs to be done regulate the universe. but life remains, not necessarily uniformly to repair matters, it is important to see The importance of continuity can the range and population of between 20 and 100 threatened vital, for these rises and falls are also as where architecture now stands. Let us hardly be overstated. species will have been burnt. These include the long-footed intrinsic to organisms and institutions as look at the key concept of ‘originality’, It is well known that imprisonment potoroo, Kangaroo Island’s glossy black-cockatoo and the change itself; they are, in fact, the signs for that is what most modern architects and confi nement may well destroy an Spring midge orchid. of life. appear to have been aiming for. The word, individual’s identity simply by depriving What has to be realised is this: change as it is now used, means simply to be new, him of contact with his fellow men. Fire impacts are deeply felt is not synonymous with what is today novel, diff erent — to display one’s creative It is through relation to others and Many species in the longer-term. Many called ‘progress’. Change, sanctioned by individuality. But this is not what the to the ancestral past that identity is habitat features needed by tradition, has never destroyed the unity word should mean: the word ‘original’ strengthened and maintained; such is and vegetation wildlife, such as tree and of Islamic civilisation but the notion of implies a return to the origins of things, to the saving role of continuity. Identity ‘progress’ has not only begun to destroy the archetypes which relate to the cosmic requires a context; it cannot stand alone. types have log hollows, nectar-bearing the unity, and integrity, of Islamic order and, hence, to the path of tradition The International Style stood alone shrubs and a deep ground architecture, but also to imply what is which leads back to the universal. and isolated from the past. Whereas adapted to layer of fallen leaves, may the parody of unity, namely, uniformity. Similarly, the word ‘creative’ should architectural styles from periods covering not develop for decades. By Abdel Wahid El-Wakil This comes about through the fact that relate to the Creator, the Architect of the many centuries had, in our ancient towns, bushfi res ‘progress’ believes that everything is Universe; far from inspiring individualism fl owed into an integrated whole, modern Nature needs time and bound to get better and better as time — or egoism — the notion of ‘creativity’ architecture interrupted this continuity favourable conditions to regenerate, depending on the I. Loss of Tradition: Loss of moves forward — implying a progress should inspire awe and humility. and through its very isolation contributed terrain and many other factors. Populations of plant and Identity as uniform as time’s passing — and Yet, nowadays, attempts at ‘original’ to, and largely brought about, the present animal species found only in relatively small areas, which resulting, in fact, in the almost uniform or ‘creative’ design are a denial of identity crisis. hange is intrinsic to all living adoption by everyone of the ‘International these words’ true defi nitions: they are The increased concern now being substantially overlap fi re-aff ected areas, will be worst hit. organisms; it is intrinsic also to Style’ which, advocating the functional often no more than an agglomeration shown for the restoration of historical Given the fi res are continuing, the precise extent of this human institutions and to the and utilitarian, has established itself of architectonic acrobatics destroying sites and the preservation of the problem is still unknown. Fire has long been a feature of arts that accompany them, and with global monotony and with varying the very purpose of architecture which architectural heritage, whether through C antiquities departments or cultural Australian environments, and many species and vegetation without which they cannot live. Again, the arts cannot live without the protection organisations, basically refl ects a longing types have adapted to fi re. But the current fi res are in many of the institutions which they both refl ect It is by committing ourselves lovingly to our to recover our lost identity. The seeming cases beyond the limits of such adaptation. The fi res are and support; and this is a fundamental buildings, through our care for them and our lack of concern, on the contrary, in also burning environments that typically go unburnt for symbiosis. societies where the old social matrix is centuries, including at least the perimeter of World Heritage The sum of human institutions at any tending them and through treasuring the still alive, even after tradition’s protective given moment in history is civilisation shell has been partially destroyed, rainforests of the Lamington Plateau in south-eastern — or, let us say, a particular civilisation patina of time, that we can relate to them. is explicable in terms, of a social, or Queensland. In these environments, recovery – if at all – — founded upon a revealed doctrine spiritual, identity that has survived. But, will be painfully slow. which informs every aspect of it; of no They will then become beautiful and endur- there too, the shattered environment will Many Australian animal species, particularly threatened civilisation is this more true than it is of eventually produce the same results, and Islam. ing objects that will not be cast aside or de- then the conservation movement will birds, favour long-unburnt vegetation because these Walk through any traditional Islamic doubtless emerge. provide more complex vegetation structure and hollows. city in any part of the world from, say, molished at the fi rst sign of age. A new sense of commitment is called for. Such habitat is fast disappearing. The shortening intervals Indonesia to the Maghreb; whatever the In advocating what is new and fashionable, between fires are also pushing some ecosystems beyond diff erence of natural environment or degrees of ethnic cosmetics, Islamic or should, by the use of meaningful forms, modernism has made it almost impossible climate, what is immediately apparent is otherwise. establish a subtle language pattern and for us to relate to, or commit ourselves to, their limits of resilience. Some iconic Alpine Ash forests its Islamic identity. And this immediately Thus both tradition and identity communication system of visual images; our own particular, traditional architecture. of Kosciuszko have experienced four fires in 20 or 30 recognisable and tangible identity are lost. If it is the role of tradition and these, in their turn, should never An architectural Don-Juanism has been years. This has reduced a grand wet forest ecosystem, depends not upon uniformity of design to safeguard an identifi able art, or abandon certain archetypal refl ections generated. Modern architecture has proved rich in wildlife, to a dry scrub far more flammable than or materials but upon the fundamental architecture, it is the role of art, and nor cut off all access to the past, the a fl irtatious mistress, a stranger to true unity of the civilisation and its traditional above all of architecture, to safeguard the familiar and the human. emotions or love, and one incapable of the original forest. Such ecosystem collapse is all but institutions and principles. environment in which the tradition can Modernism is, essentially, a accepting even the passionate attentions impossible to reverse. Fires also compound the impacts of Moreover, this unity does not depend survive. Once this symbiosis is negated provincialism, since it declines to look of the Romantic, which it sees as mere other threats. Feral cats and foxes hunt more effectively in upon the imposition of some kind of by novelty, or by simple egoism on the beyond the horizon of the moment. sentimentality. Modern architecture cannot burnt landscapes and will inexorably pick off wildlife that artistic totalitarianism; nor has it come part of the artist and architects, then a In architecture, the modernist ideal aff ord abiding commitment; its stillborn about through the absence of such vicious circle ensues; what was mutually created the ‘International Style’; it was off spring litter our lifeless modern towns. may have survived the fire. changes as the introduction of new supportive gives way to what is mutually the architecture of ideals, adapted — in Modern architecture lacks love. Australia may seem to a faraway place for many but the techniques or the use of new materials. destructive. time — to the fl eeting present, a style It is by committing ourselves lovingly to reality is that no country or continent is safe from climate The long history of Islamic civilisation These remarks apply wherever material without an anchor. Organic architecture, our buildings, through our care for them and change. Steps to bring global warming within control have to and its very diff usion over vast areas of affl uence makes the lure of the new on the other hand, adapted — in space our tending them and through treasuring the earth’s surface and its acceptance by irresistible and where a secular viewpoint — to a particular environment has been the patina of time, that we can relate to be augmented on a war footing. many diff erent peoples would necessarily has prevailed, in practice, over a spiritual unable by simplifying functional forms, to them. They will then become beautiful and preclude such a static situation. There one. All spiritual perspectives, and the produce a universal solution either. enduring objects that will not be cast aside has been constant and inevitable change creative traditions they foster, have about The accelerated pace of technology or demolished at the fi rst sign of age. To Advertise and development of forms; but there has them an element of the timeless and and the need for quick results made From the laying of the foundation stone always been continuity, and the warrant universal; the secular viewpoint stresses the ascendancy of the International to the fi xing of the key-stone the act of [email protected] of continuity has been adherence to the fl eeting and the egoistic. The pursuit Style inevitable — but only as long as its building is symbolic and meaningful, Display tradition and its disciplines. of the new, unguided by traditional motivating ideals continued to prevail. and only through a realisation of this can Change is intrinsic to all living principles, makes for egoism and the loss But Modernism has already been deposed architecture recover its true content. 44466621 44418811 organisms and institutions; but of identity, because the tradition is always in the minds of the modern generation, Designing within a tradition is not a the anchor of change is continuity greater than the practitioner and his true who no longer see it as expressing pretence for repeating the old in order to Classified safeguarded by tradition. Without this identity is, in fact, the tradition. their own ‘Modern’ ideals; it has been avoid the pains of new birth. It is no mere 44466609 44418811 safeguard change becomes not part To abandon tradition, to disregard the succeeded by Post-Modernism. act of imitation, for mimicry destroys all of a cyclic progression, but a kind of achievements and models of the past and to All fundamental architecture — and the signifi cance of form. Traditional design Subscription centrifugal violence that disrupts and be caught up in the trauma of change means especially that of sacred buildings — is a complex process of adaptation and fragments the arts, and none more than to be incapable of handling the new. develops around forms related to the assimilation in a perpetual act of gestation. [email protected] architecture. Change must always be for life to cosmological order. Thus the fi rst step Only through the re-establishment of our But change, sanctioned and protected remain, but it must not abandon the towards the restorations of identity can only spiritual identity can the dynamic and by tradition, is no more than movement continuity that only adherence to be taken by means of a correct evaluation continuous process of consolidation and © 2020 Gulf Times. All rights reserved necessary to preserve vitality; without traditional precedent and principles can and re-integration of historical forms; this reorganisation be truly assured. Gulf Times Monday, January 20, 2020 15 COMMENT Why an Ebola vaccine is not enough

By Ifeanyi M Nsofor University of Global Health Equity in Abuja Rwanda says that, “achieving equity in healthcare depends on equity in health education.” This should be the global hen the US Food and health community’s mantra. We should Drug Administra- never assume that people know enough tion approved the new about Ebola and other deadly diseases. WEbola vaccine Ervebo last Finally, we must focus more on the month, I was elated. Ervebo can gener- social determinants of health. These ate a quick immune response after a factors are usually not considered to be single dose, with protection occurring part of the health sector, but they have within 10 days. If only such a vaccine serious implications for health and had existed a few years ago, I thought. health-seeking behaviours. For example, In 2015, I co-led an African Union- access to clean water and the availability commissioned evaluation by EpiAFRIC of good sanitation in Ebola-prone of the AU’s eff orts to address the communities are vital to preventing and Ebola outbreak in Guinea, Liberia, and responding to outbreaks and stopping Sierra Leone. For two weeks, my team the spread of infection. and I travelled throughout the three Yet, according to the WHO, countries, interviewing AU volunteers, compared to developed countries, community members, international 38% of healthcare facilities in low- partners, senior managers at health and middle-income countries lack ministries, and other stakeholders who access to an improved drinking-water worked to stem that outbreak. We also source, 19% do not have adequate visited a Coyah Ebola treatment centre sanitation, and 35% lack water and in Guinea. soap for handwashing. When health During our evaluation, we saw the workers cannot wash their hands in devastation caused by Ebola, and clean running water after seeing a how weak health systems in the three patient, they are at greater risk of being worst-aff ected countries had enabled infected and of transmitting infections the infection to spread like wildfi re. By to other patients. the time we had fi nished our interviews, New Ebola vaccine Ervebo could be a game changer in tackling future outbreaks. But, in order to help protect health workers and communities, the vaccine must be The Ervebo vaccine is a great stride it was clear to us that a stronger health delivered safely, sustainably, and equitably. forward in global health. But while it system could have prevented the will save lives, it should not be viewed outbreak, and could even have helped deaths of health workers in Africa, eradication eff orts and set back the supported Joint External Evaluation public health institutes, working with as a magic bullet for preventing and to stop it once it had begun. We wished and the derailment and episodic country’s prospects of being declared (JEE) to perform these tasks. The fi ve subnational ministries of health and addressing future Ebola outbreaks. there was an Ebola vaccine. suspension of the Ebola response in free of the disease. countries that have experienced Ebola local-government health departments. Above all, international donors must Now, there is one. the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Governments must therefore outbreaks in the last six years are This is an area in which donors can work closely with African governments Without doubt, Ervebo could be a underline why security is imperative in strengthen national security and work the DRC (with a ready score of 35%), invest, because it amounts to money and national public health institutes game changer in tackling future Ebola healthcare delivery. closely with health professionals and Guinea (35%), Sierra Leone (43%), well spent. Waiting until another to ensure that the vaccine can be outbreaks. But, in order to help protect In April 2019, for example, Richard security agencies to ensure that health Liberia (46%), and Nigeria (46%). Ebola outbreak occurs may delay delivered to everyone who needs it. – health workers and communities, Mouzoko, a World Health Organisation workers and community members are This illustrates the huge challenges delivery of the vaccines. Furthermore, Project Syndicate the vaccine must be delivered safely, epidemiologist, was killed in an not put in harm’s way. that lie ahead: If a country cannot past experience has shown that sustainably, and equitably. That seems attack on the Butembo University Second, governments must invest in effi ciently detect, prevent, and respond communities have little trust in z Ifeanyi M Nsofor, a medical doctor, unlikely in many countries where Hospital in the DRC. In 2013, nine detecting, preventing, and responding to infectious disease outbreaks, how Ebola interventions in the midst of an is CEO of EpiAFRIC, Director of Policy Ebola is endemic, owing to security, female vaccinators engaged in the to infectious disease outbreaks. can it know when and where to deploy outbreak. and Advocacy for Nigeria Health systemic, and social challenges. Unless global polio eradication initiative According to preventepidemics. Ervebo or other vaccines? Community engagement should also Watch, a Senior Atlantic Fellow for these challenges are addressed, Ervebo were killed in two separate shootings org, a website that ranks countries’ Third, it is never too early to explain include risk communication, which Health Equity at George Washington won’t be eff ective. at health centers in Kano, northwest epidemic preparedness, no African Ervebo’s benefi ts to communities involves explaining to communities University, a Senior New Voices Fellow First, without security, Ervebo will Nigeria. The Boko Haram insurgency in country currently has the optimal before the vaccine is needed. Such how Ebola is transmitted and what they at the Aspen Institute, and a 2006 eff ectively be unavailable. The recent Nigeria’s northeast has derailed polio “ready score” of least 80% on a WHO- eff orts should be led by national can do to help prevent outbreaks. The International Ford Fellow.

A transformative deal for nature Three-day forecast TODAY Maximum Temperature : 230c Minimum Temperature : 170c By Linda Krueger rapid decline of species and habitats, clout to eff ect change across entire low-cost spatial technologies such New York we must address how human societies economies. as global positioning systems (GPS), TUESDAY manage land and seascapes and the Agriculture ministries, for geographic information systems (GIS), Maximum Temperature : 230c resources that are being extracted example, are critical for maintaining and remote sensing, the data needed to Minimum Temperature : 160c measure progress is well within reach. his October, representa- from them. natural habitats and protecting WEDNESDAY tives of the 196 parties to As matters stand, all of our biodiversity corridors for pollinators Ideally, we would assess the conditions Maximum Temperature : 230c the United Nations Conven- economic incentives are geared and other wildlife. To slow habitat of every habitat at a global scale, Minimum Temperature : 170c tion on Biological Diversity toward encouraging activities that conversion, governments can make forming a detailed understanding of T Fisherman's forecast (CBD) will gather in Kunming, China, drive biodiversity loss. Agriculture, agricultural subsidies conditional on all ecosystems. And with these data, to fi nalise a new Global Biodiversity infrastructure, and urban areas are all environmental considerations, and we could then monitor progress in Framework. Like the 2015 Paris climate rapidly expanding, as are extractive require foreign agribusinesses to prove habitats by country, ecoregion, or WARNING Inshore : Expected poor hori- accord, this new agreement could industries like forestry, mining, and that imports are produced without biome. zontal visibility at first mark a turning point in how we man- fi shing. In addition to converting converting natural habitats. Saving nature is not a task for and strong wind during age our relationship to nature. landscapes directly, these practices can Similarly, energy generation, government alone; it must be a daytime Offshore : Expected strong wind But biodiversity advocates must disrupt natural habitats and degrade transportation, and infrastructure whole-of-society eff ort. Even with and high sea learn an important lesson from climate much larger areas, by creating access are all major drivers of biodiversity optimal legislation and enforcement, WEATHER activists. Global climate action gained points for illegal hunting, logging, and loss, requiring more robust planning governments probably cannot Inshore : Misty to foggy at places and mitigation eff orts by ministries eliminate all of the main drivers at first becomes slight momentum only after it became clear other activities. Pollutants, runoff , and dust to blowing dust at that the issue was about more than industrial and agricultural water usage far beyond those charged with of biodiversity loss. Support from times & some clouds, the environment, and would require a cause still more damage. conservation. Whether by regulation business, local governments, relatively cold by night transformation of transport, energy, A mere 5% of the planet’s land or incentives, governments must indigenous communities, civil-society Offshore : Scattered clouds at times agriculture, infrastructure, and many surface remains unaltered by do more to minimise the impact of groups, and faith-based organisations WIND industries. Likewise, the rapid loss of human activities, and that share these activities on nature. And when will be essential. A sector-based Inshore : Northwesterly 08-18/23 biodiversity that we are witnessing is is likely to shrink further unless avoidance is impossible, projects approach that supports “net gains for KT Offshore : Northwesterly 14-24/30 about much more than nature. The we institute changes soon. A 2015 should be required to compensate for nature” can be a platform whereby KT collapse of ecosystems will threaten study by scientists from The Nature biodiversity loss by investing in the all stakeholders will make voluntary Visibility : 4-8/2 KM the well-being and livelihoods of Conservancy fi nds that if current restoration of degraded or deforested commitments to our broader goals. Offshore : 5-7/8 FT everyone on the planet. Accordingly, trends hold, the construction of roads lands. To that end, the new framework The international community the CBD must move beyond traditional and energy infrastructure (including should establish guidelines for how has less than one year to negotiate a Around the region notions of “conservation” to engage renewables), together with mining and specifi c sectors can improve over time. framework capable of transforming Weather Weather with all relevant sectors of the agriculture, threatens to double the Ensuring real accountability our relationship to nature. If today Max/min tomorrow Max/min economy and civil society. conversion of remaining intact wild and transparency requires a clear governments want the CBD meeting Baghdad P Cloudy 19/08 Showers 16/08 Since its creation following the areas in South America, and to triple agenda. But what, specifi cally, should in Kunming to be a turning point, Kuwait City P Cloudy 22/10 M Sunny 21/15 1992 Rio Earth Summit, the CBD has converted lands in Africa by 2050. countries be accountable for? The they will have to engage in the hard Manama Sunny 22/16 Sunny 21/16 been largely successful in pushing Responsibility for protecting the Nature Conservancy has proposed work of overhauling how we manage Muscat Sunny 26/18 Sunny 24/17 countries to establish new protected natural world has traditionally fallen a metric based on the “net gain for our land and sea resources through Tehran P Cloudy 06/-1 M Cloudy 04/00 areas, such that nearly 15% of global to environment ministries, park nature,” which would enable parties all stages of extraction, production, land areas are now under some sort managers, and conservationists, all to show year-on-year improvements and consumption. That can happen of park designation (though the of whom will be at the negotiating in the condition of natural habitats, only if negotiators recognise that the share of protected marine areas table this year. But to be truly and of biodiversity within production Global Biodiversity Framework is not is much smaller). But despite this transformational, the post-2020 landscapes such as agricultural lands. just a matter for environmentalists. – relative success, biodiversity loss Global Biodiversity Framework Admittedly, this kind of indicator Project Syndicate has continued, suggesting that the must also involve fi nance, planning, is harder to measure than are more creation of nature refuges is necessary transportation, energy, and agriculture standard benchmarks such as z Linda Krueger is Senior Policy but not suffi cient. To slow and halt the offi cials, particularly those with the protected acreage. But with new Adviser at The Nature Conservancy.

Live issues Around the world Weather Weather today Max/min tomorrow Max/min Athens M Cloudy 11/06 P Cloudy 11/03 Beirut Rain 14/09 S Showers 13/09 Wealth is the key in living healthier for longer: study Bangkok P Cloudy 34/26 P Cloudy 34/25 Berlin P Cloudy 04/-1 M Sunny 06/02 Cairo P Cloudy 18/11 P Cloudy 17/09 By Kiersten Willis Longitudinal Study of Ageing and People who had wealth lived health specialist at UCL, said in a Cape Town Cloudy 25/18 M Sunny 25/18 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution the US Health and Retirement Study, almost a decade longer without statement to various outlets. “By Colombo S T Storms 31/24 S T Storms 31/24 according to The Independent. More experiencing age-related disabilities measuring healthy life expectancy we Dhaka P Cloudy 24/13 M Sunny 24/12 than 25,000 adults were analysed in like being unable to cook for can get an estimate of the number of Hong Kong P Cloudy 19/17 Cloudy 19/17 oney may not be able to the survey. themselves or get out of bed, CNN years of life spent in favourable states Istanbul Showers 07/03 Cloudy 06/01 buy happiness, but a new In reviewing the data, researchers reported. of health or without disability.” Jakarta S T Storms 31/25 S T Storms 31/25 study indicates it may found there were no diff erences among Among men older than 50, the But even if you’re not the wealthiest, Karachi Sunny 24/12 Sunny 24/14 Mbe able to help you live the nationality of the individual. wealthiest could anticipate living other recent studies have found that London M Sunny 07/-1 P Cloudy 06/01 healthier for a few more years. “Inequalities in healthy life healthily for another 31 years engaging in certain habits could Manila P Cloudy 31/24 P Cloudy 30/23 Researchers surveying thousands of expectancy exist in both countries compared to the 22 or 23 years of extend your life. Moscow Cloudy 03/01 Rain& Snow 04/01 adults older than 50 in the US and the and are of similar magnitude,” someone with less fortune. On the A Chinese study said people who New Delhi P Cloudy 17/09 P Cloudy 18/08 UK found that wealthy people tended the study’s authors wrote in their other hand, the wealthiest women regularly consume tea - especially New York P Cloudy 07/-6 Sunny 01/-6 to live without age-related health conclusion. “In both countries were forecast to experience 33 more green tea - could have longer lives. Paris P Cloudy 07/-2 Sunny 06/-2 issues an average of nine years longer efforts in reducing health healthy years, while less wealthy And people older than 50 who Sao Paulo M Cloudy 26/17 P Cloudy 27/18 than less wealthy people. inequalities should target people women could expect to have 24. regularly attend stage plays or visit Seoul M Sunny 06/-7 P Cloudy 04/-2 The fi ndings, published in from disadvantaged socioeconomic “While life expectancy is a useful art museums had a 31% lower risk Singapore T Storm 31/26 T Storm 31/26 The Journals of Gerontology, saw groups.” indicator of health, the quality of of dying over a 14-year follow-up Sydney S T Storms 26/19 M Sunny 29/19 researchers from the University Still, money played a role in living life as we get older is also crucial,” period, according to an English study. Tokyo Clear 13/03 Clear 11/05 College London use data from English healthier for longer. lead author Paola Zaninotto, a public - Tribune News Service Gulf Times 16 Monday, January 20, 2020 QATAR Ashghal plants trees at Al Khor Road development project s part of the ongoing ‘Qa- tar Beautifi cation and AOur Kids Planting Trees’ campaign to plant a million trees, a group of Al Khor Model School students, Nakilat Com- pany employees and their fami- lies joined hands with the Public Works Authority (Ashghal) to plant saplings at Al Khor Road development project. The Supervisory Committee of Beautifi cation of Roads and Public Places in Qatar is imple- menting the campaign, which will continue until the end of 2021. The committee works un- der the Ministry of Municipal- ity and Environment (MME), in co-ordination with several min- istries and other entities such as the Ministry of Transport and Engineer Yousef al-Emadi, director of Projects Aff airs, Ashghal, and Communications, Ministry of Nakilat employees, their families and students from Al Khor Model School for Boys with Ashghal officials and other dignitaries. other dignitaries taking part in the initiative. Culture and Sports, Qatar Mu- seums Authority, Qatar Railway Sara Kafoud gave a brief expla- Al-Sandi said the Public Parks ing of 3.5mn sq m with more than Company, Private Engineering nation of the roles of the Super- Department has implemented 30,000 trees and street furnish- Bureau among others. visory Committee of Beautifi ca- many initiatives that are aimed ing. The project also off ers 33km This committee is responsible tion of Roads and Public Places at raising the community’s of pedestrian and bicycle paths for fi ve major tasks including the in Qatar and on the tree planting awareness about the importance as well as a 33km cycle path. construction of central public works on Al Khor Road Develop- of increasing green areas and The supervisory committee’s parks, provision of dedicated ment Project. planting trees. work will enhance sustainabil- lanes for pedestrians and bicy- Al-Emadi said Ashghal is im- Al-Muraikhi stated that he ity through minimising environ- cles, development of the Doha plementing many initiatives for strives continuously to improve mental pollution and reducing Corniche, development of Cen- the sustainability of projects his constituency and develop it the emission of CO2 through tral Doha and increasing aff ores- and environmental preserva- in various fi elds in order to make minimised consumption and tation and greenery areas. tion green buildings and us- it a place where citizens and res- conservation of energy resourc- Engineer Yousef al-Emadi, ing wastes for road projects and idents feel calm. es. It focuses on the provision of director of Projects Aff airs, Ash- treated sewage water for irriga- The 33km long Al Khor road more public transport options ghal; Rashid Hamad al-Marri, tion in addition to awareness built by Ashghal as part of the aiming at reduced use of pri- chief administration offi cer at campaigns. He thanked Nakilat, expressway programme serves vate cars and improved lifestyle Nakilat and Khalid Ahmad al- MME and the Public Parks De- more than 20 residential areas. through clean and safe transpor- Sandi, head of projects section partment for there contribution. The road is directly connected to tation. in the Public Parks Department Al-Marri said that this activ- major roads such as Tarfa Road, The project also works for en- in the Ministry of Municipal- ity is an excellent way to support Al Majd Road and Qatar Univer- suring a healthy environment ity and Environment (MME) and the Ministry and Ashghal eff orts sity Street. Al Khor Road off ers within residential neighbour- Abdullah Mgalad al-Muraikhi, in creating a safe and healthy en- direct links to Al Bait Stadium hoods and places of public gath- member of the Central Munici- vironment for citizens and resi- and Lusail Stadium, as well as a ering through increased aff ores- pal Council (CMC, Constituency dents in Qatar with the partici- railway track (Qatar Rail) along tation and landscaping, which 25) attended the event. pation of 40 Nakilat employees the road. The beautifi cation will greatly help in reducing the During the event, engineer and there families. project here includes landscap- temperature in cities. Al Khor Model School for Boys students planting trees at Al Khor Road development project. QU in research collaboration with Australian university

By Joseph Varghese corrosion. After any material is Staff Reporter scratched or exposed to sea wa- ter, the coating gets back to the original shape and provides pro- ome of Qatar’s grand chal- tection,” noted Dr Abdullah. lenges are to be addressed According to Prof Yamauchi, Sthrough a collaboration of CO2 emission is another issue the Centre for Advanced Mate- in Qatar. “Carbon footprint re- rials (CAM) at Qatar University duction is another priority for (QU) with a top researcher from us. Our materials can be used the University of Queensland to combat CO2 and turn it into (UQ), Australia. useful fuels that can be used as “The main areas comprise another source of energy, such The dignitaries and artists after announcing the ‘Spanish art in Doha’ exhibition. water desalination process, University of Queensland off icials Md Shahriar Hossain and Prof as ethanol methanol, methane anti-corrosion coating, CO2 Yusuke Yamauchi along with Qatar University’s Dr Nasser A Alnuaimi among others,” he claimed. reduction as well as better food and Dr Aboubakr M Abdullah yesterday. “Preserving fruits and veg- preservation method among etables with original quality is others,” Prof Yusuke Yamauchi, lecturer, School of Mechanical effi cient. It is also highly cost another area of collaboration. senior group leader, Australian and Mining Engineering, UQ, eff ective and far better than the By using certain materials, the Katara hosts ‘Spanish Institute for Bioengineering and and Dr Aboubakr M Abdullah, existing technologies in Qatar,” original freshness and qual- Nanotechnology, University of Hydro-Qatalum Chair Profes- explained Prof Yamauchi. ity of fruits and vegetables can Queensland, Australia, told Gulf sor, CAM also explained the “Prof Yamauchi has come be preserved. Fruit and vegeta- Times. plans of collaboration between with a new material which is bles lose their freshness due to Prof Yamauchi, listed among both the universities. very eff ective for water desali- the gases produced in them and art in Doha’ exhibition the 40 most infl uential Austral- “We want real collaboration nation. CAM has started a wa- we use some natural methods ian researchers, is in Qatar to with the real needs of Qatar. We ter unit in collaboration with to preserve the original qual- discuss areas of collaboration. have developed new materials QEWC. We will introduce this ity without any artifi cial agents,” he hall 47 in Katara - the Khaled bin Ibrahim al-Sulaiti, tween the two countries. “We are happy to work with and are ready to implement them material to QEWC and then observed Prof Yamauchi. Cultural Village is host- Spanish ambassador Belen Al- Ambassador Alfaro ex- Prof Yamauchi and hope that the in these technologies. This will will take the discussions to the “We are also looking for re- Ting today the ‘Spanish faro, Arts & Cultures without pressed her gratitude to Katara research collaboration will help help in high performance and higher levels for agreement and search partnership to develop art in Doha’ exhibition. Fea- Borders association honorary for hosting the event which us address some of the national less expenses compared to the implementation,” said Dr Ab- a centre of excellence with QU. turing 14 artists, the event is president Princess Patrice, and represent the strong co-oper- challenges,” said Dr Nasser A existing technologies,” said Prof dullah. This will help students practise organised by Katara in co-op- chairperson Samya Aqbib. ation between Qatar and Spain, Alnuaimi, CAM director and as- Yamauchi. Another area of collaboration in state-of-the-art research eration with Arts & Cultures Dr al-Sulaiti expressed his as Spain inherited a rich Islamic sistant professor of Civil Engi- “In water desalination, we will is anti-corrosion of materials in facilities in UQ and come back without Borders association. happiness to host the “Span- legacy. neering. make use of the traditional tech- the oil and gas sector. “The an- here to make use of the skills. We Along with 13 Spanish art- ish Art in Doha” exhibition, Qatari artist Hessa Kala ex- “We have started the research nology of Capacitive deionisa- nual corrosion cost in the oil and also look to have an articulation ists, Qatari artist Hessa Kala, a stressing that the event refl ects pressed her happiness in par- level collaboration. We are sup- tion (CDI). However, CDI is an gas industry in Qatar amounts programme so that students can member of the association, is the cultural co-operation and ticipating in the exhibition ported in this by Qatar Water and old technology and we will be to almost $1bn. The professor do one year of their programme participating. exchange between Qatar and along with 13 Spanish artists Electricity Company (QEWC),” using a new material to sepa- has come up with a skin-like in Qatar and the second year can The exhibition was announced Spain which will revive the as they represent diff erent art he explained. rate salt from water and purify material. The self-healing coat- be done in UQ and get double by Katara general manager Dr deep and historical ties be- schools. Md Shahriar Hossain, senior it. The new material is far more ing, when applied, prevents degree,” added Hossain. 16 fl oating hotels to be set up

From Page 1 foreign investment and create returns for developers, shorter urban buildings have been de- the water is at least 4m deep. new opportunities, which will project timelines and minimal signed by award-winning Finn- “We are excited to be part of Sheikh Nasser expressed refl ect positively on the local environmental impact”. ish fi rm Sigge Architects. the solution for the accommo- happiness at attracting invest- market, encourage competition The signing of the MoU is in “This is the fi rst time ever that dation needed for the 2022 FIFA ments to the country, saying: and stimulate the state sectors line with the eff orts of Qetaifan pure fl oating real estate has been World Cup.” “We are pleased that there are in all fi elds, especially with the Projects and ADMARES to “de- used as a temporary solution for Malaeb too expressing pleas- investors who share our vi- recent developments witnessed liver sustainable solutions with accommodation needs at this ure at the co-operation, said: sion and see the development within these sectors”. minimum ecological impact”, scale. “The ADMARES fl oating ho- of Qetaifan Island North as a ADMARES uses “pioneer- and the hotels will be built ac- These hotels do not require tels will reinforce the position promising project.” ing construction methods that cording to the “strictest energy major ports and deep water of Qetaifan Island North as a He noted that this indicates combine cutting-edge marine, standards”. For instance, the ho- as their draft is significantly preferred entertainment island the confi dence of investors in off shore, land and modular con- tels will rely on solar energy. less than large cruise ships,” in Qatar off ering a unique, sus- Qetaifan Projects managing director and Katara Hospitality vice the returns “due to the safe and struction techniques,” the state- To ensure the overall func- said Hedberg.”After the World tainable hospitality experience chairman Sheikh Nasser bin Abdulrahman al-Thani with ADMARES secure climate achieved by the ment said, adding that its turn- tionality and attractiveness Cup, the hotels can be placed catering to various market seg- CEO Mikael Hedberg, Qetaifan Projects chief operating officer State to encourage and attract key solutions guarantee “greater of the hotels, the modern and at any coastal location where ment needs.” Hesham Sharaf and ADMARES regional director Samer Malaeb.