BUSINESS | Page 1 SPORT | Page 1 Al-Attiyah clinches fourth FIA INDEX DOW JONES QE NYMEX 2-9, 24 COMMENT 22, 23 QFC receives huge REGION 10 BUSINESS 1-7, 12-16 World Cup response from global 22,830.68 8,253.34 50.94 ARAB WORLD 10 CLASSIFIED 8-12 +69.61 +40.48 +1.36 INTERNATIONAL 11-21 SPORTS 1-8 fi rms despite blockade title +0.31% +0.49% +2.74% Latest Figures published in QATAR since 1978

WEDNESDAY Vol. XXXVIII No. 10603 October 11, 2017 Muharram 21, 1439 AH

GULF TIMES www. gulf-times.com 2 Riyals

Al-Kuwari leads in 2nd round of voting for Unesco head

atar’s candidate, HE Dr Ha- mad bin Abdulaziz al-Ku- Qwari, emerged as the leading contender after two rounds of vot- ing to pick the next head of the Unit- ed Nations Educational, Scientifi c and Cultural Organisation (Unesco), AFP reported yesterday. France’s Audrey Azoulay, a former culture minister like HE Dr al-Ku- wari, was in second place among the six candidates still in the running to replace outgoing Unesco director- general Irina Bokova. HE Dr al-Kuwari garnered 20 votes from the 58 board members gathered in Paris, according to re- sults posted on Twitter by board chairman Michael Worbs of Ger- many yesterday. Thirty votes are needed to clinch the nomination to head the Paris- based Unesco. There were 13 votes for Azoulay in the secret ballot, Worbs tweeted. In third place was Egyptian career diplomat Moushira Khattab with 12 votes. China’s Tang Qian and Viet- nam’s Pham Sanh Chau each scored fi ve votes, while Vera El Khoury of Lebanon won three. Three candidates have dropped out of contention.

QATAR | Offi cial His Highness the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani with a section of the graduates. FM meets UN chief’s humanitarian envoy HE the Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohamed bin Abdulrahman al- Thani met yesterday with the UN Secretary-General’s Humanitarian Envoy Dr Ahmed bin Mohamed Emir graces Qatar University al-Muraikhi. The meeting discussed the relations between Qatar and the United Nations, besides topics of common concern. The foreign minister said Qatar is committed to supporting the UN’s eff orts to address humanitarian crises graduation ceremony and is looking forward to further co-operating with the UN in By Joseph Varghese for Cabinet Aff airs Ahmed bin Abdul- achievements of the university as well from their universities at the block- “They are the development and the humanitarian aid, especially in areas Staff Reporter lah bin Zaid al-Mahmoud, several min- as its role in empowering the young ading countries, and did not take any empowerment of the transition process of conflict. On his part, al-Muraikhi isters, QU president Dr Hassan al-Der- generation in meeting various chal- action against the students from the within the higher education system in appreciated Qatar’s support to ham, a large number of distinguished lenges such as the present one which siege countries. They were able to con- Qatar; to be recognised as a provider of the UN, especially the $40mn atar University (QU) celebrated guests, members of QU leadership, he described as “ the unfair and illegal tinue their education as normal,” he student-centred, practical, research- co-operation agreement between the male students’ graduation deans, parents and students took part blockade imposed on Qatar.” explained. based, competency-based and tech- Qatar Fund for Development (QFFD) Qfor the Class of 2017 yesterday in the event. “As we celebrate the graduation of “The university also contributed to nology-based learning in support of and Off ice for the Co-ordination of at a special ceremony in the presence of Among the graduates, 79 highest- this distinguished batch of students, facing the blockade and its eff ects by entrepreneurship; the preparation of Humanitarian Aff airs (OCHA). His Highness the Emir Sheikh Tamim achieving students of GPA 3.50 and our country is witnessing an obvi- providing in collaboration with many lo- graduates with an integrated person- bin Hamad al-Thani who was the guest higher were honoured by His Highness ous challenge -”the unfair and illegal cal institutions eff ective studies that ad- ality and with the values that would EUROPE | Politics of honour at the event. the Emir and the graduates received blockade imposed on Qatar”. Qatar’s dressed the illegal blockade imposed on maximise their impact and eff ective Held at Qatar National Convention their certifi cates from the university reaction to the blockade revealed the Qatar, and throughout many seminars, role; to excel in relevant and measura- Catalan leader puts Centre, this was the 40th and the larg- president. This year’s highest scorer country’s wise governance that comes workshops and panel discussions that ble research that provides solutions and independence on hold est batch of students to graduate from with GPA 4.00 was computer engi- from its “deep and strategic national engaged academics and experts from all drives forward knowledge and innova- Catalan leader Carles Puigdemont the university with 775 male students neering student Naram Sultan Mhais- vision”, under the leadership of His over the world. Additionally, the univer- tion; to be recognised as a sustainable stepped back yesterday from graduating in diff erent subjects from en. His Highness the Emir also posed Highness the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin sity provided its students with cultural institution and a reference of excel- making an immediate declaration various colleges of the university. The for a group photo with the graduates. Hamad al-Thani,” noted al-Derham. opportunities to increase their awareness lence in line with the highest standards of independence after a banned women’s graduation ceremony will Excited and joyous parents, rela- “Qatar University is committed to on the blockade and its impact from a of professionalism and discipline; and referendum, calling for more time take place today. tives and friends cheered the graduates play an eff ective role during this phase legal, political, economic and social per- to create eff ective partnerships with for talks with Madrid to resolve HE the Prime Minister and Interior as they received their certifi cates and and assumed over the past period a spective,” continued the offi cial. local and international stakeholders to Spain’s worst political crisis in Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser greeted them with fl owers and garlands part of its national duty and responsi- Dr al-Derham also pointed out that enrich education, promote research, a generation. In a speech to bin Khalifa al-Thani, HE the Deputy after the ceremony. bility. The university accommodated Qatar University’s Strategic Plan 2018- and stimulate socio-economic devel- regional lawmakers in Barcelona, Prime Minister and Minister of State Dr al-Derham highlighted the the Qatari students who were expelled 2022 has identifi ed six goals. opment,” he added. Page 24 Puigdemont said he had assumed “the mandate of the people for Catalonia to become an independent republic” after the October 1 vote. But the 54-year- old asked the Catalan parliament 3rd phase of T22 launched to “suspend the eff ects of the ‘Blockade founded on jealousy’ independence declaration to initiate he Qatar General Electric- are three prizes for schools that re- dialogue in the coming weeks.” ity & Water Corporation (Kah- duces electricity and water consump- Gulf crisis was fabricated to take the statement to Reuters that the UAE’s Page 16 Tramaa), which spearheads the tion remarkably. There is an award for Agencies 2022 FIFA World Cup away from Qatar. charge was desperate and “weak”. National Programme for Conserva- the best video containing a national “The Gulf crisis could end if Doha The UAE, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain QATAR | Reaction tion & Energy Effi ciency “Tarsheed,” awareness message related to reducing forfeited hosting the World Cup,” Lt severed diplomatic, trade and travel ties has launched the third phase of Tar- energy consumption, posted via so- he UAE’s demand that Qatar give Gen Dhahi Khalfan, Deputy Chairman with Qatar in June, accusing it of spon- Storming of Al Aqsa sheed22 (T22) project in co-operation cial media platforms with the special up the World Cup shows “their of Police and Public Security, Dubai, soring Islamist groups, a charge Doha Mosque condemned with Supreme Committee for Delivery hashtag of Tarsheed 22: #T22_2017 Tillegal blockade is founded on had said. Gargash said the offi cial had denies. Egypt has also joined the boycott. Qatar has strongly denounced and & Legacy (SC). and #Tarsheed22_2017. petty jealousy, not real concerns”, the been misunderstood in media coverage. Kuwaiti and US attempts to ease the condemned the storming of Al Aqsa The third phase of T22 is to be im- The other awards are for the school government communications offi ce Khalfan’s comments have come un- row have yielded little progress. Mosque by hundreds of settlers. In plemented in fi ve stages until 2022, it that organises most number of visits yesterday said. der massive attack for its sheer and The World Cup is the centrepiece of a statement, the Foreign Ministry was announced at the fi rst induction to the Kahramaa Awareness Park for its “Their weak attempts to tie the host- overt threat to Qatar hosting the ambi- a carefully crafted strategy to project described the act as a dangerous meeting held at Kahramaa Awareness students, the school that designs and ing of the 2022 FIFA World Cup to their tious sport event. Qatar onto the global stage via sport. In violation and another provocation Park for managers of 22 new inde- publishes most number of paintings with illegal blockade show their desperation Further linking the 2022 World Cup the run-up, Qatar is scheduled to host of the feelings of millions of Muslims pendent schools selected by Ministry conservation messages with a national to justify their inhumane action,” it to the illegal and unjust boycott, Gar- events across diff erent sports aimed at around the world. The statement of Education and Higher Education. theme, and a football match for schools. added in a statement to Reuters. gash said Qatar’s hosting of the tour- improving infrastructure and expertise. warned of the repercussions of The induction meeting aimed at The third phase is a completion for Qatar’s response came after UAE nament should depend on it rejecting Qatar has repeatedly said that the rift the repetitive Israeli violations in identifying the project as well as the two previous stages, where 40 Minister of State for Foreign Aff airs “extremism and terrorism”. has not aff ected its preparations to host Al Aqsa Mosque, and called on the evaluation standards related to the in- schools have been upgraded through Anwar Gargash tried to explain the in- Qatar, which denies accusations by the tournament and that alternative international community to shoulder volved schools, where the competition replacing the non-conserving equip- cendiary comment of a top Emirati of- the UAE and some other Gulf states sources for construction materials had its responsibility. features the following awards. There ment with conserving tools. fi cial , who had earlier tweeted that the that it has links to militants, said in a been secured. To Page 2 Gulf Times 2 Wednesday, October 11, 2017 QATAR

PM meets Italian firm Leonardo’s CEO Health minister meets German envoy Rainy season to begin on Oct 16

he season locally known as Al Wasmi, which is Tmarked by spells of rain, will begin on October 16 and last for 52 days, the Qatar Met de- partment has said. HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa al-Thani met Clouds move from the west yesterday with Italian company Leonardo’s chief executive off icer Alessandro Profumo and the HE the Minister of Public Health Dr Hanan Mohammed al-Kuwari met yesterday with German to east this time of the year and accompanying delegation on the occasion of their visit to the country. During the meeting, they ambassador to Qatar, Hans-Udo Muzel. During the meeting, they discussed aspects of rainfall at the beginning of this discussed areas of joint co-operation. co-operation between the two countries in the health fields and means of enhancing them. period is usually an indication of a good rainy season, the depart- ment has said in a statement. According to latest seasonal forecasts, rainfall is expected to be around the average levels from Al-Muraikhi receives credentials of envoys now until December in Qatar and the Gulf region in general, the statement points out, adding that Envoy: Qatar makes the season is named so because of its association with rains, which help in the growth of local plants such as raqroq (helianthemum) and ater (geranium). great eff orts to face Climate records indicate that the maximum temperature de- creases gradually in Doha dur- ing this season, going below 35C, while the minimum drops to about siege consequences 20C. Overall, mild temperature is experienced during the day and it QNA area, and in a wide range of areas development process as a shared becomes relatively cold at night, New York relating to international trade, approach that respects all hu- especially under the infl uence of investment and enterprise de- man rights and is based on joint dry northwesterly winds, accord- velopment,” she added. eff orts among all components of ing to the weather offi ce. atar exerts great eff orts She stressed the importance society. “In the framework of our On a cautionary note, the Met to mitigate the conse- to intensify eff orts to reach com- constant endeavour to work glo- department has said fl u and oth- Qquences of the siege and mon visions that promote global bally, in a spirit of co-operation er diseases are common during unilateral coercive measures, in economies, especially with to- to meet challenges and promote HE the Minister of State for Foreign Aff airs Sultan bin Saad al-Muraikhi yesterday received this transitional period. Accord- order to maintain the resilience day’s economic crises, high un- sustainable development eff orts, separately copies of the credentials of Martin Dvorak as (non-resident) ambassador of ingly, the country’s health au- of the country’s strong eco- employment rates and the debt Qatar hosted the 13th session of the Czech Republic and Francisco Montecillo Padilla as (non-resident) ambassador of the thorities recommend the use of nomic performance, sustainable burden of a global economic the UN Conference on Trade Vatican. He wished the ambassadors success in carrying out their duties, assuring them of fl u vaccination, staying at home growth and economic and social environment of uncertainty and and Development (UNCTAD) in all support to enhance bilateral relations between Qatar and the Czech Republic and the for 24 hours after recovering development, said Nouf Abdul- volatility, mainly in developing 2012,” she said. Vatican and to take them to closer co-operation in all fields. The meeting was attended by a from fever, washing hands regu- lah al-Shammari, member of and least developed countries. Qatar will also host a high- number of Foreign Ministry off icials. larly and avoiding direct contact Qatar’s delegation participating Al-Shammari also underlined level meeting to prepare for with ailing people – with the in the works of the 72nd session the need to realise a genuine re- ECOSOC Forum on Financing elderly, children and pregnant of the UN General Assembly. alisation of the aspirations of all for Development follow-up on women required to be particu- Addressing the second com- peoples of the world in a digni- November 18 and 19. She noted larly careful in this regard. mittee on item (17) on macroeco- fi ed life, and the importance of that hosting the meeting refl ects UK envoy calls on FM secretary-general Today’s forecast, meanwhile, nomic policy questions, and item building a rules-based, open, Qatar’s belief in the importance says strong winds are expected (18) on follow-up to and imple- non-discriminatory and equi- of international development in some places by the afternoon. mentation of the outcomes of table multilateral trading system co-operation and participatory Windy conditions and high seas the International Conferences on that would contribute to sus- responsibility for sustainable have also been forecast for off - Financing for Development, al- tainable development, inclusive development, and its partner- shore areas. Shammari said that international growth and job creation. ship with the international com- The wind speed may go up to trade is a catalyst and an impor- She highlighted the report of munity in this area, noting that 20 knots in some places inshore tant tool for development and the UN Secretary-General on Doha hosted in 2008 the Inter- and 25 knots off shore, with the economic growth in a way that international trade and devel- national Follow-up Conference sea level rising to 9ft at times. is both inclusive and sustainable, opment under the terms of this on Financing for Development It will be hazy in some inshore and contributes to the realisation committee which noted that the to Review the Implementation of areas in the early hours of the of the aspirations of the Sustain- promotion of the Doha Develop- the Monterrey Consensus. day, to be followed by hot day- able Development Plan 2030. ment Agenda of the World Trade Qatar will continue its eff orts time conditions and slight to “In the light of the need to Organisation was a much need- as an active member of the in- blowing dust in some places at increase international co-oper- ed boost towards greater policy ternational community in order times. Slightly dusty conditions ation in the area of investment certainty and enhanced capacity to achieve prosperity for peo- are expected off shore. facilitation for the implemen- of the multilateral trading sys- ples. “In this direction, we will A maximum temperature of tation of the objectives of sus- tem to contribute to the sustain- remain committed to working 41C is expected today in Al Khor tainable development, we com- able development. with the international commu- Foreign Ministry Secretary-General Dr Ahmed bin Hassan al-Hammadi met yesterday with and 40C in Doha. The minimum, mend the important role of the The comprehensive and sus- nity to address challenges in all ambassador to Qatar, Ajay Sharma. The meeting discussed bilateral relations on the other hand, will be 24C UN Conference on Trade and tainable development occupies a areas of common concern,” al- and ways of boosting them, as well as issues of mutual interest. in Mesaieed, Wakrah and Abu Development (UNCTAD) in this priority in Qatar, which sees the Shammari added. Samra, and 29C in Doha. Media role in educating people about dangers of drugs outlined

he Permanent Com- mittee for Drugs Af- Tfairs organised yes- terday the fi rst media forum, in co-operation with the General Directorate of Traf- fi c and the Drug Enforcement Department, in the presence of Public Security Director- General Staff Major General Saad bin Jassim al-Khulaifi , senior offi cials at the Minis- try of Interior, media people and school students. The forum aims to encour- age all media and social me- dia activists to instil values and good behaviours in young people and to educate their followers about the dangers of drugs and alcohol, given the Blockade founded on petty jealousy: Qatar important role of the social media nowadays. From Page 1 man bin Hamad al-Thani. extremism and terrorism. Opening the forum, Staff Ma- jor General al-Khulaifi said that Public Security Director-General Staff Major General Saad bin Jassim al-Khulaifi and other off icials and Soccer’s governing body Gargash: Sheikh Abdulrahman: the tremendous technological dignitaries at the event. PICTURE: Shaji Kayamkulam FIFA says it has been in regular The mistake in the transla- If that was a mistake in the and informational revolution in contact with Qatar since the tion of brother Dhahi Khal- translation from the beginning, the fi eld of information, com- community and contribute to institutions because of their tinction between drug users and row erupted. fan’s tweet regarding Qatar’s even though you’re calling for munication and information providing guidance and aware- direct impact on the society. those suff ering from diseases of Following is a translation of hosting of the World Cup has what your colleague Khalfan exchange, turned the world into ness to the community in all its In statements, the director- similar symptoms. the tweet of Gargash and its attracted the attention of called for, then, is your policy a small village in which com- categories. general highlighted the co-op- Permanent Committee for reply by the chief executive the international press; the of killing free peoples and your munication and exchange of Al-Khulaifi noted the me- eration between Qatar and sev- Drugs Aff airs Secretary Major officer of Qatar Media Corpo- hosting does not work out crimes against humanity a information became accessible dia role in reducing all forms of eral countries in the fi eld of drug Tariq Ali al-Maliki said that the ration HE Sheikh Abdulrah- with a record in support of mistake too? in any part of the world in just crime, including drugs and their control, praising the effi ciency of forum aims to enhance co-op- seconds. illegal uses, as well as various the security services in this re- eration between the media and He stressed the importance of psychotropic substances. gard. state institutions to strengthen- Justice minister meets Omani delegation commitment to responsibility, He stressed the importance of For his part, General Directo- ing the complementary relation- honesty and accuracy in dealing joint co-operation between the rate of Traffi c Director-General ship and uniting eff orts and part- HE the Minister of Justice of developing real estate of the Ministry of Justice for with information and all issues Ministry of Interior and media Brig Mohammed Saad al-Kharji nership to confront the scourge Dr Hassan Lahdan Saqr al- registration and authentication Real Estate Registration and of concern to citizens, noting institutions in guiding the media underlined the department’s of drugs and alcohol. Mohannadi has met with a systems. The meeting discussed Documentation, said the Omani that the Ministry of Interior message professionally, adding keenness on educating and rais- An awareness exhibition in- delegation from the Omani co-operation between the justice visit reflects the depth of the pays great attention to the ef- that the ministry with its various ing the awareness of traffi c men, cluded a number of wings of Ministry of Justice, currently ministries of the two brotherly Omani-Qatari experience in fective participation with the departments is keen to integrate especially patrols, in order to be some departments of the Min- visiting Qatar to get acquainted countries in the judicial and the fields of development and media in order to prevent the the work with the various state aware of the law and the general istry of Interior was held on the with the experience of the legal fields. Saeed bin Abdullah service projects for citizens and dangers that may occur in the institutions, especially the media situation of drivers, and the dis- sidelines of the forum. Ministry of Justice in the project al-Suwaidi, Undersecretary residents of the two countries.

Gulf Times 4 Wednesday, October 11, 2017 QATAR

Hamad Port sees huge rise in vessel arrivals

QNA compared with August 2016. the bulletin showed that the Doha On the other hand, cash total electricity utilisation equivalents (including de- value during August 2017 posits) were QR793.6bn was 4,641.4 GWh attaining amad Port received during August 2017. a monthly increase of 2.6% 162 vessels in Au- The fi gure saw an annual compared to last month. Hgust this year, load- increase of 20% in compari- The bulletin also showed ed with a total of 1.296mn son with August 2016 from that the total amount of wa- tonnes. last year, as it recorded ap- ter consumed was 45,421.4 The fi gure was 47.3% proximately QR661.6bn. thousand cu m during the A team of inspectors from QTA’s Tourism Licensing department took part in a two-day workshop recently. more compared to last year, The demographic statis- same month – a monthly in- when 602 vessels berthed tics showed that the popula- crease of 0.3%. at all Qatar ports during the tion of Qatar has increased As for the building per- corresponding period. from 2.40mn in August 2016 mit’s information, the bul- The Ministry of Devel- to more than 2.44mn at end letin showed that their total opment Planning and Sta- of August 2017, an annual number has reached 719 tistics released the 44th growth rate of 1.9%. permits during August 2017, edition of Qatar: Monthly A total of 2,189 live births and thus recorded a monthly Statistics – Statistics of Au- was registered in August increase of 14.3% as com- Sasol trains QTA gust 2017, which is a month- 2017, while 184 deaths were pared to July 2017. ly publication that contains also recorded during the A total of 450 traffi c cases the main statistical indica- same period. were recorded during Au- tors and updates pertaining On another aspect, the gust 2017, a decrease of 0.2% to Qatar in a specifi c month. total number of registered in comparison with the pre- This edition comprises marriages was 374 in August vious month of July when detailed indicators as per 2017, and divorces 109. the fi gure was 451. tourism inspectors diff erent statistical issues This edition highlighted In the same period, 12 recorded during August signifi cant increase in the deaths were also recorded. asol, the international inte- auditing techniques can be used to hospitality Qatar is renowned for,” data with user-submitted reviews 2017, in addition to high- number of benefi ciaries of The bulletin also high- grated chemicals and energy uphold these standards across the he added. and ratings, Accessible Qatar gives lights from 2015 census re- social security as it reached lighted that the total number Scompany, has partnered with hospitality sector, and in exhibition In the coming weeks, al-Ansa- the disabled community and tour- sults. 14,163 during August 2017, of new vehicles registered has Qatar Tourism Authority (QTA) to and tourism events venues around ri said QTA will train hotel staff ists the confi dence to visit diff erent Total broad money sup- whereas the total value of reached 5,420 in August 2017. deliver an “Accessibility Awareness the country. across Qatar on meeting the needs accessible destinations. ply (M2) recorded about social security benefi ts was The fi gure registered a and Audit” training to a team of in- “We are grateful to Accessible of guests with physical and mental The initiative aims to encourage QR559bn during the month about QR82.7mn. monthly increase of 41.2% spectors from the Tourism Licens- Qatar for helping us empower our disabilities, in collaboration with venues to become more accessible of August 2017 showing an In regard to electric- compared to last July 2017, ing department. inspectors with the skills necessary the Qatar Society for Rehabilitation by making information about their annual increase of 14.4% ity and water consumption, when it was 3,839. The two-day workshop, held to identify accessible venues,” QTA’s of Special Needs. level of accessibility available to the as part of the “Accessible Qatar” Tourism Licensing director Moham- The Accessibility Auditing public online. initiative, involved theoretical ses- ed al-Ansari said in a statement. workshop is among a series of Currently, more than 100 loca- sions at the QTA headquarters, and Early last year, QTA introduced planned training events to be pro- tions around Qatar in the hospital- inspection practice at the Mon- a new hotel grading and classifi ca- vided to other sectors in the coun- ity, tourism and retail sectors have Cargo handling up in September drian Doha Hotel. It also aims to tion system, which directly links try. been audited by Accessible Qatar. continuously promote awareness the number of stars a hotel has with This week, Sasol is also conduct- By sharing auditing techniques about accessibility. how accessible it is. ing a training for the Accessibility with public sector partners, Sasol Jennifer Stirling and Issam Az- Al-Ansari noted that QTA also Forum members of the Supreme aims to increase the number of au- zouri, Sasol’s accessibility consult- has a regulatory mandate to ensure Committee for Delivery and Leg- dited venues covered by the Acces- ants, led the workshop and shed that the development of the tour- acy. sible Qatar app, which allows peo- light on the models of disability, ism sector is inclusive of the disa- Accessible Qatar is a smartphone ple with disabilities to identify the various access barriers, and how to bled community’s needs. application and website, the fi rst of venues that meet their needs. identify them in tourism venues. “This training allows us to work its kind in the region to provide the The Accessible Qatar app is avail- Attendees reviewed the acces- more closely with hotel establish- disabled community with instant able in both English and Arabic, and sibility standards included in the ments to ensure they are meeting and reliable information about the can be downloaded free of charge on Hotel Grading and Classifi cation the accessibility requirements to accessibility of public venues and App Store, Google Play store, Win- System released by QTA. They also maintain their classifi cation, and tourist landmarks in Qatar. dows Phone Store and on the website discussed how Accessible Qatar to uphold the high standards of Combining expertly-audited (www.AccessibleQatar.com).

Ooredoo boosts mobile money deposit limit

oredoo announced yesterday that its OOoredoo Mobile Money service has been up- dated to standardise deposit limits and allows customers to deposit up to QR10,000 per day. The new deposit limits Mwani Qatar (Qatar Ports Management Company) has released data, through an infographic, have been changed for both about its performance in September this year. The statistics reveal that there has been a rise Ooredoo Mobile Money across diff erent parameters last month as compared to August. For instance, 148,217 tonnes Full Wallet and Mini Wal- of general cargo were handled in September, an increase of 5,363 tonnes from August, when let users. Ooredoo said the 142,854 tonnes were handled. Also, the number of livestock heads handled went up from changes off er “a truly easy 58,895 in August to 90,881 in September, an increase of 31,986. to understand service” for customers. With the new limits, customers can deposit a higher amount of funds in one transaction. Previously, customers had to perform multiple transactions and wait for multiple days to de- posit the required amount of funds to transfer money back home. Using an Ooredoo Self- Service Machine, the Eazy- Pay service through QNB or an Ooredoo Shop, Ooredoo Mobile Money custom- ers with a Full Wallet can now deposit a maximum QR10,000 per day (up from QR4,000) across all chan- nels. Mini Wallet users can now deposit a maximum of QR2,000 per day from any of the available options to deposit funds. New customers can reg- ister for free for Ooredoo Mobile Money by simply visiting any Ooredoo Shop or by dialling *140#, as well as downloading the free Ooredoo Money App. Once registered, customers can begin to deposit money into their Mobile Wallet via over 200 Ooredoo Self-Service Machines or through any Ooredoo Shop. For more information on mobile data from Ooredoo, visit www.ooredoo.qa

Gulf Times 6 Wednesday, October 11, 2017 QATAR

Legal Committee Qataris spend 45 hours a week online: survey consulted for shisha recent study by North- titudes and preferences of me- 2015, Qataris remain by far the our findings suggest that the pared to Lebanon, which was western University in dia consumers in the Middle nationals most likely to use it, majority of Qataris (60%) feel most likely to say it was okay A Qatar (NU-Q) found East. with more than 60% active on news coverage of their country with more than two-thirds of smoking regulation that Qataris spend approxi- “Our study reinforces the the social-media platform, one is fair, it is worth noting that nationals supporting public mately 45 hours per week on value of longitudinal research. of the highest percentages in our data was collected before criticism of politics. By Ayman Adly Municipality and Environment the Internet compared to just Even small gains or losses in the world. the Gulf crisis unravelled,” Qataris were also the least Staff Reporter (MME). These included the re- 27 hours among other nationals media attention can signifi- On news consumption, the Dennis said. “With the media concerned about government’s sponse regarding a previous in the . cantly impact a competitive survey found that only two- shake-up and information war surveillance of their online CMC recommendation on ban- NU-Q’s fifth Media Use in marketplace,” NU-Q dean and thirds of Qatari nationals get that continues to unfold today, activity, with 23% expressing losed-rooms or special ning men from working in shops the Middle East survey takes a CEO Everette E Dennis said in their news from their smart- it will be interesting to see how concern, compared to 51% of corners should be des- selling women’s clothes and ac- closer look at the media con- a statement. “In the last five phones, which is significantly next year’s results will com- Lebanese nationals, again the Cignated for the smoking cessories, including dressmak- sumption patterns in seven years, our analyses have gained lower than five of the other na- pare,” the dean and CEO added. highest in the region. of shisha at public cafes and en- ers, and reserving such jobs ex- Arab nations – Jordan, Leba- currency in the region and in- tions, except Tunisia, with the Along with media consump- The annual survey is an in- tertainment places, stressed the clusively for women. non, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, ternationally, and has been UAE having the highest rate at tion, the survey also assessed stitutional project of NU-Q to members of the Central Munici- The MME said that the Min- Egypt, Tunisia, and the UAE. used by scholars, journalists, as 98%. perspectives on the freedom to produce the intelligence nec- pal Council (CMC) yesterday. istry of Economy and Commerce With interviews from more well as media entrepreneurs,” Qataris are also straying from criticise government policies essary for media scholars, pro- However, the CMC mem- has sent a correspondence to than 7,000 individuals – in- Dennis added. TV news consumption, with online. Qataris, at 14%, were ducers, governments, and users bers also observed that allo- all shops selling women’s un- cluding citizens, resident na- The study shows that Qataris only half of the population say- the least likely to say it’s okay themselves to make informed cation of such private corners dergarments to stop hiring men tionals, and expatriates – the are avid social-media users. ing they get their news from TV, to criticise the government or decisions about media crea- and spaces would further en- and keep the jobs exclusively for survey paints an overall picture With the growth in Snapchat’s a much lower average compared voice controversial opinions tion and dissemination, public courage young people to smoke women in respect for the local of the cultural and political at- popularity in all countries since to the rest of the region. “While about politics online, com- policy, and media law. shisha, a highly risky phenom- customs and traditions. enon from both the social and Another MME response was health perspectives. combating of the phenomenon As a preventive measure, the of some young people modify- members then considered ban- ing the exhaust of their vehicles ning shisha smoking altogether and motorbikes for enhanced as it could not be considered as sound in addition to playing loud imposing limitations on personal music at night in various neigh- Qatar’s Amro wants to break freedom but rather as a health bourhoods causing annoyance to regulation for the society and residents, besides polluting the young people in particular. environment. The council saw And accordingly, the coun- the response as suffi cient and cil decided to refer the issue to would tackle the problem in due its Legal Committee for further time. Asian record in free diving study and to prepare the neces- Similarly, the Council praised sary recommendations in this the response of the MME re- By Joey Aguilar respect after consulting the spe- garding the crackdown on the Staff Reporter cialists in the fi eld. violations regarding banning the At its bi-weekly regular ses- accommodations of labourers’ sion yesterday, the CMC dis- groups among family residential atar’s Amro al-Hamad, cussed various other municipal areas, which helped in consider- who set two new GCC issues and reviewed the related ably limiting the problems aris- Qrecords in free diving in responses of the Ministry of ing out of such illegal practices. Kalamata, Greece, last month, now wants to break the Asian record next year. “We will chase the Asian record (in free diving),” the Qatari athlete told Gulf Times on the sidelines of a press confer- ence held on Monday at the Doha Marine Sports Club announcing his latest achievement. He was joined by the Club’s vice president, Salah al-Mannai. Al-Hamad set the new Qa- tar national record and the GCC record for free diving in two cat- The CMC in session yesterday. PICTURE: Jayan Orma egories: 83m in Variable Weight and 94m in No Limit, making him the “deepest free diver in the GCC.” He will be preparing for at least a year to be fi t for the chal- lenge, and hopes to get all the support he needs. Besides aiming for a new Asian record, al-Ha- mad is also aiming to be the fi rst GCC national to break the 100m marker in free diving next year. Al-Hamad’s journey of setting the new GCC records, recognised by AIDA (Internationale pour le Développement de l’Apnée or the International Association for De- velopment of Apnea in English), Salah al-Mannai (left) fetes Amro al-Hamad for his achievement. started in 2015 in Kalamata. He said the previous GCC if somebody from the GCC to ac- About the timing of the event, Al Majd’ image at that time, said training extended like a year to record did not hold for a long time tually break it because it will give al-Hamad noted that they inten- he felt so proud in his achieve- get in shape and it involved a lot since Kuwaiti Ahmed al-Abbas me the initiative to go back again tionally set it on September 19 to ment. “I was very happy, I don’t of swimming pool trainings and managed to break it by 2m. “What and set it even further.” coincide with the His Highness want to fail the people of Qatar.” external training camps.” we did this year is we increased Asked why in Greece, he said the Emir’s speech at the United “There is a lot of drastic prepa- Al-Hamad’s team also held a the margin, and break it by 11m, to the location has depth, good Nations General Assembly in rations to do a three-minute dive, private camp in Spain from the make it harder for him to reach it,” visibility, no underwater cur- New York. and it took months and years beginning of June where he felt he al-Hamad pointed out. “But at rents, and with pristine condi- The Qatari free diver, who was of training and experience to was fi t to do the challenge. the same time I would be grateful tions suitable for such endeavour. wearing a suit bearing the ‘Tamim achieve this,” he stressed. “The Wakrah bags bulk of building permits in September

Qatar has issued 719 building permits in September, the bulk of which were in Al Wakrah which constituted 25% of the total, according to official statistics. On geographical basis, the Ministry of Development Planning and Statistics (MDPS) found that municipality of Al Wakrah witnessed 116 permits or 25% of the total issued permits, followed by Doha 95 (20%), 94 permits (20%), Rayyan 87 (18%), Umm Slal 27 (6%), Al Khor and Al Shahaniya 20 (4%) each, and Al Shamal 13 (3%). The number of permits issued in September 2017 witnessed a 34% decline year-on-year due to the seasonality as well as Eid al-Adha holidays, lasting for 10 days when all building permits services rendered by official agencies came to halt. This decrease was clearly noted in municipalities Rayyan (55%), Umm Slal (46%), Doha (41%), Al Khor (33%), Al Daayen (32%), Wakrah (1%)’ whereas there was an increase in the municipalities of Al Shahaniya (25%) and Al Shamal (8%). Building permits data is of particular importance as it is considered an indicator for the performance of the construction sector which in turn occupies a significant position in the national economy. Gulf Times Wednesday, October 11, 2017 7 QATAR

Store off ers diamond gifts with purchase of gold jewellery

Marhaba Jewellery is rewarding customers with free diamond jewellery through a campaign that runs from October 12 to 28 at all its branches throughout Doha. The promotion will see customers are gifted with diamond jewellery worth 50% of gold jewellery purchased. Qatar Airways Marhaba Jewellery, established in 2007, is introducing the new promotion just in time for the Diwali season. Marhaba Jewellery managing director Mukesh Sanathara said: “Whether you are looking to buy or create, the exciting combination of earrings, bangles, pendants, necklaces, rings QIIB honours amongst many others can be bought with 50% of the total amount given back in free diamond jewellery.” top official QIIB recently honoured Majdi boosts fl ights to Abdul Aziz al-Farah, its MEC organises workshop for SMEs director for E-Banking and Banking Services, who is retiring on importance of trademarks after more than 25 years serving the bank. QIIB chief executive The Ministry of Economy and Commerce (MEC) has said it will off icer Dr Abdulbasit Ahmad organise a workshop, titled The Importance of Trademarks al-Shaibei (right) and other senior for Small and Medium Enterprises, at the auditorium in the bank executives attended a eastern Europe ministry’s building in on October 15. farewell ceremony here in honour The workshop comes within the framework of the MEC’s eff orts of al-Farah. Al-Shaibei recalled the atar Airways has an- to promote and protect intellectual property rights. valuable services al-Farah nounced that it has dou- The ministry has invited interested investors, companies, small- rendered to QIIB and wished him Qbled its frequency to a and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and intellectual property all success in his future number of destinations in east- agents to attend the workshop. endeavours. ern Europe and the Nordics. The workshop will be held from 9am to 12 noon. This follows a “signifi cant increase in passenger demand to the popular destinations of Prague, Warsaw and Helsinki”, the Doha-based carrier has said in a press statement. Xavi is Audi brand ambassador Commencing mid-Decem- ber, the airline will introduce an extra daily fl ight on each of udi Qatar, represented by the routes to “meet the growing its offi cial dealer Q-Auto, inbound and outbound travel Ahas announced interna- demand” by adding an Airbus tionally-acclaimed footballer A320 service, off ering an ad- Xavier “Xavi” Hernández as its ditional 132 daily seats in both newest brand ambassador for directions. 2017-2018. The frequency increases, From mid-December, Qatar Airways will introduce an extra daily flight to Prague, Warsaw, and Helsinki. In his new role, Xavi is des- the latest in a number of such ignated to represent Audi Qatar upgrades across the Qatar Air- daily frequencies to the popular the airline serves the Nordic current Airbus A320 service to as an honorary spokesperson as ways route network, come just destinations of Prague, Warsaw, capital cities of Oslo, Copen- Prague, the Boeing 787 Dream- well as serve as an opinion leader eight weeks after the airline and Helsinki. hagen, Stockholm, and Helsinki liner service to Helsinki, and the in the local community. launched its direct service to “In line with our robust and with a total of 98 fl ights per Airbus A330 service to Warsaw. An agreement of brand asso- Prague, Czech Republic, on its expedited expansion plans, week, to and from Hamad Inter- Passengers travelling in Busi- ciation was signed at Audi’s fl ag- Xavier “Xavi” Hernández is the newest brand ambassador of Audi fi rst anniversary of scheduled these increase in frequencies national Airport. ness Class can look forward to ship showroom in Qatar on Salwa Qatar. service to Helsinki, Finland, and will provide even greater choice Alongside Helsinki’s current “relaxing in one of the most Road, formalising the new cor- more than a year since the daily to our business and leisure pas- Boeing 787 service, the cities of comfortable and high-tech, ful- porate relationship between the vehicles on a rotation basis. Most notably, Xavi contrib- service to Warsaw, Poland, was sengers, who can connect seam- Stockholm, Copenhagen, and ly-fl at beds” as well as avail of midfi elder and Audi Qatar. Having joined FC Barcelona in uted to his country’s memorable upgraded to a wide-body Air- lessly at Hamad International Oslo are also served with a fl eet the fi ve-star food and beverage In an offi cial ceremony to mark the U12 team in 1991, Xavi went victories at the 2010 FIFA World bus A330 service, the statement Airport onwards to more than of Dreamliner aircraft. service, which is served “dine on the endorsement, Q-Auto mar- on to spend the length of his pro- Cup as well as 2008 UEFA Euro notes. 150 global destinations,” he The additional frequencies to demand”, the statement adds. keting manager Ahmad Oughly fessional career at the Spanish and 2012 UEFA Euro. Qatar Airways Group chief added. Prague, Helsinki, and Warsaw Passengers can also enjoy handed over the keys to an Audi football club, playing nearly 700 In 2015, Xavi joined Al Sadd executive Akbar al-Baker said: Qatar Airways’ increase in will be operated by the Airbus the airline’s award-winning in- R8 to Xavi. matches, scoring 82 goals and Club, where he now contributes “Qatar Airways is delighted to frequency to Helsinki, an- A320, featuring 12 Business fl ight entertainment system, Xavi will now enjoy driving ac- making more than 180 assists for to the Qatari football club’s suc- facilitate this increase in pas- nounced on the fi rst anniversary Class seats and 120 Economy Oryx One, off ering up to 4,000 cess to a series of Audi’s premium over 50 players. cess as a midfi elder. senger demand by doubling our of the route, will now mean that Class seats, supplementing the entertainment options. Gulf Times 8 Wednesday, October 11, 2017 QATAR Ezdan Mall organises event focusing on national pride zdan Mall, a subsidiary of positive response from the pub- Ezdan Holding Group, has lic, who wrote messages of love Eorganised an event focus- and patriotism in solidarity with ing on denouncing the siege im- the government led by His High- posed on Qatar by the Saudi-led ness the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin block since June 5. Hamad al-Thani. The event, held in partnership “Ezdan Mall spares no eff ort with Qatar’s Ministry of Culture to co-operate with all public and and Sports, featured cultural private authorities to support the activities for all ages, especially positions of the State of Qatar by children, such as plays, artistic promoting the Qatari heritage performances, and educational through theatre performances, workshops about traditional traditional arts exhibit, and lo- handicrafts for young mallgoers. cal handicrafts, as we believe that Visitors experienced Qatari we can better reach the public culture and enjoyed heritage- through rich and diverse chan- inspired shows performed at the nels of communications,” Ezdan mall’s ground fl oor. Mall Group general manager Ma- A traditional Arda, which pa- lik Awan said. rades around the mall, enter- He said that hosting the sum- tained mallgoers. mer festival organised by the In addition, Henna artists and Ministry of Culture and Sports other traditional crafts such as has been a success and contrib- hand embroidery designs and uted in strengthening the con- “Al-Sadu” were showcased at the cept of community participation mall’s hallways in front of Plaza adopted by the Ezdan. Hollandi store. “The festival mobilised hun- Children took part in the daily dreds of visitors to interact in workshops, including handicraft a patriotic atmosphere on one and colouring, while a ceramic hand, and promoting facets and painting workshop was held. aspects of the Qatari culture on Graphic arts fans were also the other,” Awan added. “Such treated to a special portrait gal- initiatives are not foreign to lery on “the love of homeland” Ezdan Mall, which has always by a group of Qatari artists, fea- A traditional Arda entertains the audience at the mall. been keen to promote Qatari turing ceramic arts and painting customs and traditions and in- using modern electronic devices. as well as guests, attended the tar taking place, including a live serenaded by traditional oud Ezdan Mall encouraged resi- In July, ‘Tamim Al Majd’ mu- stil the meaning of patriotism A number of representatives event’s closing ceremony, which theatrical show titled Tamim Al performances, which attracted dents to take part in the activi- rals were launched at Ezdan among young people who have from the Ministry of Culture and saw several activities and plays Majd: Story of a Nation. hundreds of visitors from diff er- ties, express their views, and Mall Al Gharrafa and Al Wakrah, the responsibility of building the Sports and Ezdan Mall offi cials, inspired by the history of Qa- In addition, mall guests were ent age groups and nationalities. voice their patriotic feelings. which saw a huge turnout and future.”

Rolls-Royce showroom turns into an art gallery

olls-Royce Motor Cars Doha A time-lapse video will capture will transform its showroom the entire process as al-Siddiqi’s Rinto an art gallery this month Rolls-Royce work of art becomes a to host an exhibition by Qatari artist reality. Abdul Hameed al-Siddiqi. Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Doha The ultra-luxury brand’s sole brand manager Tarek Moataz said: dealer in Qatar will display numer- “Since the company’s inception ous works by al-Siddiqi until Octo- there have been many synergies be- ber 18, including the debut of some tween Rolls-Royce and the arts. Our never-before-seen pieces being re- bespoke programme in particular vealed exclusively at the exhibition. allows owners to take inspiration The exhibit’s highlight will see from the arts to create truly excep- Artist al-Siddiqi explaining his artwork to guests. al-Siddiqi sketch live in front of VIP tional automobiles.” guests and Rolls-Royce Motor Cars “Working with a local artist in appreciate both al-Siddiqi’s works of every Rolls-Royce since 1911, Doha customers. al-Siddiqi and turning the show- of art and the beautiful Rolls-Royce was created by artist and sculptor Fittingly, with the exhibit in- room into a gallery emphasises models on display.” Charles Robinson Sykes. terspersing the showroom’s iconic Rolls-Royce’s breadth of creativity The Rolls-Royce brand has strong The marque has acted as a source cars, al-Siddiqi will depict one of and desire to share our customers’ ties to art dating back more than 110 of inspiration ever since, prompt- the latest Rolls-Royce models in his passions,” he noted. “During this years. ing individuals to create their own renowned style, featuring Doha’s period our customers can enjoy the The Spirit of Ecstasy, an iconic interpretation of the famous symbol skyline in the background. showroom’s guise of a gallery and mascot that adorns the bonnet of luxury.

Indian film actress Kareena Kapoor Khan unveiling the latest collection from Malabar Gold & Diamonds. Indian film actress unveils jeweller’s latest collection

Malabar Gold & Diamonds has revealed its latest collection for the festive season. Indian film actress Kareena Kapoor Khan unveiled the collection. Malabar Group chairman M P Ahammed, executive director K P Abdul Salam, Malabar Gold & Diamonds managing director (international operations) Shamlal Ahamed, managing director (India operations) Asher O, and guests were present at the event. The latest jewellery collection is specially designed in gold, diamonds and precious gems in line with the tastes of multicultural and multinational customers. Customers can choose from over 130 designs, which are priced at QR650 and above. Malabar Gold & Diamonds is also off ering a promotion in which customers can win up to 100kg of gold. This campaign will run until October 29 at all outlets in Qatar.

BMW Series 7 Saloon recall order

The Ministry of Economy and Commerce (MEC), in collaboration with Alfardan Automobiles, has announced the recall of BMW Series 7 Saloon model of 2016-2017 because the engine oil cooler line (radiator feed) could be released from the connecting sleeve. The MEC has also urged consumers to report any violations to its Consumer Protection and Anti-Commercial Fraud Department, through the following channels: Call centre: 16001, e-mail: [email protected], Twitter: @MEC_ Qatar, Instagram: MEC_Qatar, MEC mobile app for Android and IOS: MEC_Qatar Gulf Times Wednesday, October 11, 2017 9 QATAR Katara gets ready for 18-month closure planned on part of ‘Photography Festival’ Al Khor Coastal Road atara – the Cultural Vil- Qatar’s local culture and at- lage is gearing up to host mosphere through ‘Street Pho- Kthe fi rst edition of “Katara tography’, while being based on wing to major revamp- Photography Festival” from Oc- the theme ‘Excitement’. A com- ing works to be taken tober 19 to 30. A range of work- mittee will choose 20 pictures Oup on a 9km stretch shops and an online competition as the winning entries, which of the 34km Al Khor Coastal are part of the event. will be displayed at one of the Road between Doha Golf Club Katara general manager Dr galleries and will be open for and Al Khor’s Al Bayt Stadium, Khalid bin Ibrahim al-Sulaiti sale. the road, which is part of the said that the objective is to The proceeds from the sale Al Khor Expressway project establish and enhance mutual will be donated to charity while will remain closed for approxi- co-operation between ama- the top three winners will also mately 18 months starting from teur and professional photog- receive cash prizes of varying Friday. raphers. amounts. According to a statement The Festival will witness The exhibition will host five from Ashghal, the work in- a display of art pieces in the renowned photographers from cludes the construction of dual presence of the world’s leading Qatar, , France, Leba- fi ve-lane carriageway in ad- photographers who are sched- non, and the . They dition to 10 grade-separated uled to share their experiences will conduct workshops dur- interchanges, fast cycling lane and knowledge with the audi- ing the weekend on a variety of and shared path for both pe- ence, according to al-Sulaiti. topics and share their knowl- destrian and cyclists. The Festival had its online edge with photography enthu- It is to enable the construc- debut earlier this month where Dr Khalid bin Ibrahim al-Sulaiti siasts. The first edition of the tion of three major interchang- amateur and professional pho- Festival is set to be a one-of- es that the 9km section of the tographers have been invited to ber 20. The online competition captured with their smart- a-kind event, and a memorable road will be closed between Se- Kharaitiyat interchange. interchanges that will provide submit their entries based on a requires participants to submit phones. one for visitors and residents of maisma Interchange and near Commuters who want to free fl ow movements in all di- given theme. Deadline is Octo- pictures (taken without filters) The images need to reflect Doha, according to Katara. Al Bayt Stadium on the north- reach and Jeryan rections. ern end of Al Khor town. Jenaihat can use Al Kheesa in- Semaisma interchange, During the closure, the com- terchange. which is a two-level inter- muters who currently use Al It is worth mentioning that change with Al Khor Express- Khor Coastal Highway to travel the alternative route includes way at grade and Semaisma between Semaisma inter- Semaisma road and Al Khor road as fl yover is one of them. Qatar prepared to meet ‘future water, power needs’ change and Al Khor City, will road, both consisting of three Tenbek Interchange, is a be required to use Semaisma lane dual carriageways, in ad- two-level project with Al Khor road, North Road, and Al Khor dition to North Road, which is Expressway at grade and a fl yo- atar’s energy sector has always and gave details on various new projects. Road to reach their respective one of the expressway projects ver connecting the Tenbek Dis- been ahead with regard to the lo- “Qatar currently has enough reserves to destinations (as shown on the developed by Ashghal. trict with Halat Awbair district Qcal water and electricity demand, meet power and water needs for the next map). For the road users head- The North Road has four lane to the East of Al Khor Express- with many new plans that aim to meet the fi ve years. It is also working ambitiously ing from Al Khor to Doha, those carriageways in each direction. way. future needs of the country, senior elec- on renewable energy such as solar energy wishing to revert back to the If the journey time between The fi nal one is a two-level trical engineer Mohamed Riaz told Qatar that will soon start generating electricity open part of Al Khor Coastal Al Khor and Semaisma usually interchange that will be built Urdu Radio’s live show Haqeeqat yester- in Qatar,” Riaz added. road, can use Al Shamal Road is about 15 minutes, the alter- close to Al Bayt Stadium and is day. Haqeeqat, which aims to engage and and exit from Umm Garn Inter- native route would take only an located at the intersection be- “The government of Qatar in co-ordi- interact with the large South Asian expa- change (Exit 29). additional fi ve to 10 minutes. tween Al Khor Expressway and nation with Qatar General Electricity and triate community in Qatar, is a joint ven- Road users who want to Ashghal will install newly Al Khor Airstrip Road where Water Corporation (Kahramaa) has always ture of Gulf Times and Qatar Media Cor- reach the West Bay area, Qa- implemented road signs to the main road will be at grade pursued a self-reliant policy whereby new poration Urdu Radio. It is broadcast from tar University and Lusail City alert and provide guidance to and the secondary will be a projects are added to meet the growing Sunday to Thursday on FM107. The show can continue on Al Shamal road users about the closure fl yover. needs of utilities in the country,” he ex- is hosted by Saif-ur-Rehman. Log on to Road and use Izghawa In- and alternative roads. The Al Khor Expressway Senior electrical engineer Mohamed Riaz was a plained. Qatar Urdu Radio on Facebook and ‘@ terchange, while those who The closed section of Al project is scheduled to be com- guest on Qatar Urdu Radio’s live show Haqeeqat Riaz spoke on the electricity generation QatarUrduRadio’ on Twitter for feedback want to reach Al Kharaitiyat, Khor Coastal Road will include pleted by the last quarter of yesterday. industry under the existing circumstances and comments about the show. and can use Al the construction of three new 2019. Gulf Times 10 Wednesday, October 11, 2017 REGION/ARAB WORLD Harvest time Hundreds of suspected IS militants surrender

Reuters Iraq recovers bodies of plane crew Baghdad Iraqi forces have found the bod- the remains of its crew. undreds of suspected ies of two of the crew of a plane In its combat version, the Ces- Islamic State militants shot down by the Islamic State sna 208 can be used to launch Hsurrendered last week group last year, the air force laser-guided Hellfire missiles. to Kurdish authorities after the said yesterday. The Cessna Troops and militia overran militant group was driven out of 208 Caravan was downed over Hawija on Thursday, recaptur- its last stronghold in northern the northern town of Hawija, a ing the last major population Iraq, a Kurdish security offi cial former militant bastion which centre held by IS in Iraq apart said yesterday. was retaken by government from a stretch of the Euphrates The suspects were part of a forces last week. “The bodies Valley next to the Syrian border. group of men who fl ed toward of two of the crew killed in the Fighting is still going on in the Kurdish-held lines when Iraqi crash of their Cessna Caravan countryside around the town, government forces captured the in Hawija in March 2016 have however, as troops attempt Islamic State base in Hawija, the been found,” the air force said. to retake some 60 villages Palestinians harvest dates from a palm tree in Deir al-Balah, in the central Gaza Strip yesterday. offi cial told Reuters, asking not “The militants had hidden the still held by the militants and to be identifi ed. bodies of Brigadier General Ali reach Kurdish lines to the north The report of the militants al-Ubudi and Major Mohamed and east. Kurdish forces came fl eeing, rather than fi ghting to al-Shikhli,” it said, adding that a under attack yesterday near the fi nish as in previous battles, search was under way for the the town of Dibis, northwest suggested their morale may be body of the third crew member, of the provincial capital Kirkuk, crumbling, according to Hisham Colonel Mohamed Abdel Kas- an off icer said. “Some militants al-Hashimi, a Baghdad-based sar. IS said it used anti-aircraft walked up waving a white flag Palestinian unity talks expert on Islamic State aff airs. artillery to down the plane then attacked our fighters, “They no longer seem to be- which had been on a bombing killing one of them,” the Kurdish lieve in the cause,” Hashimi, run against Hawija on March off icer said. He said the Kurdish who met some of those who sur- 16, 2016. It released footage peshmerga fighters responded, rendered in the Dibis camp near showing its fighters celebrating killing eight militants and cap- begin on optimistic note Kirkuk, told Reuters. around the downed aircraft and turing three. He said they had fl ed to the Kurdish-held region to avoid Reuters delegate Izzat Reshiq said on his over the course of a year. sume full duties in Gaza Strip summary executions at the the fi ght despite setbacks in Iraq held oil city of Kirkuk, east of Cairo Twitter account. Fatah’s Ahmad said Rafah, soon the factions clinched an hands of vengeful tribesmen and and Syria. Hawija, he said. “It’s fair to say “Unity and national recon- Gaza’s only border crossing agreement.” armed paramilitaries who as- “Approximately 1,000 men hundreds probably are ISIS (Is- ciliation among all our Pales- with Egypt and once the main Both sides hope that the pro- sisted the Iraqi army’s off ensive surrendered over the last week. lamic State) members, but that nity talks between Pal- tinian people is our strategic gateway to the world for its 2mn posed deployment of security on Hawija. Not all, however, are terrorists,” will be clear after the debriefs.” estinian factions Fatah option to move forward.” people, should be run by Ab- personnel from the Fatah-led Islamic State leader Abu Bakr said the security offi cial in Er- The town of Hawija and sur- Uand Hamas in Cairo Azzam Ahmad, one of the bas’ presidential guards with Palestinian Authority to Gaza’s al-Baghdadi released an audio bil, the northern Iraqi base of the rounding areas fell on Oct 5 in began on an optimistic note leaders of the Fatah delegation, supervision from the European borders will encourage Egypt recording two weeks ago that autonomous Kurdistan Regional an off ensive by US-backed Iraqi yesterday, with a top Hamas said negotiations would also Union border agency instead of and Israel to ease restrictions at indicated he was alive, after sev- Government. They handed government paramilitary groups delegate saying he was “full of cover the running of govern- the currently deployed Hamas- border crossings, and help Gaza eral reports he had been killed. themselves in to Kurdish Pesh- known as Popular Mobilisation, as hope” for a roadmap to recon- ment ministries in Gaza. linked employees. revive its economy. He urged his followers to keep up merga forces near the Kurdish- well as tribal combatants. ciliation. Also heading the Fatah con- He said the government Hamas and Fatah will also The Fatah party lost control tingent is Majed Faraj, Palestin- would work to complete ar- discuss a date for presidential of Gaza to Hamas, in 2007. ian intelligence chief and a close rangements in a week or two and legislative elections and CONFLICT But last month Hamas agreed ally of Abbas. for the Erez and Kerem Shalom reforms of the Palestine Lib- Russia accuses US of pretending to fight radical group to cede powers in Gaza to Presi- A third issue on the table crossings. eration Organisation, which is dent Mahmoud Abbas’ Fatah- would be the fate of 40,000 to The cabinet of the Fatah- in charge of long-stalled peace Russia accused the United States yesterday of reduced its air strikes in Iraq in September when Syr- backed government in a deal 50,000 employees Hamas hired backed Palestinian government eff orts with Israel. pretending to fight Islamic State and of deliberately ian forces, backed by Russian air power, had started mediated by Egypt. since 2007. based in the West Bank also said The last Palestinian legisla- reducing its air strikes in Iraq to allow the group’s mili- to retake Deir al-Zor Province. “Everyone sees that Cairo subsequently set up Heading the Hamas delega- yesterday it hoped the Cairo tive election was in 2006 when tants to stream into Syria to slow the Russian-backed the US-led coalition is pretending to fight Islamic this week’s three-day talks on tion is Saleh Arouri, the group’s talks would succeed. Hamas won a surprise victory. advance of the Syrian army. The Pentagon strongly State, above all in Iraq, but continuing to allegedly the implementation of further deputy leader. “The cabinet hopes the na- Egypt has helped mediate denied the accusations, saying that the US-led coali- fight Islamic State in Syria actively for some reason,” steps towards unity. Security will be the main fo- tional dialogue session in Cairo several attempts to reconcile tion fighting Islamic State posts data every day on the said Major-General Igor Konashenkov, a spokesman “We meet in Cairo full of cus of the talks, including the will succeed in achieving rec- the two movements and form number and result of strikes for the public to see. for Russia’s defence ministry. The result, he said, had hope to draw and lay down a possible deployment of 3,000 onciliation and reunite the a power-sharing unity gov- In the latest sign of rising tensions between Moscow been that militants had moved in large numbers from road map entitled a national Fatah security offi cers who homeland. ernment in Gaza and the West and Washington, the Russian Defence Ministry said Iraqi border areas to Deir al-Zor where they were try- reconciliation,” senior Hamas would join a Gaza police force It expresses readiness to as- Bank. in a statement that the US-led coalition had sharply ing to dig in on the left bank of the River Euphrates.

REACTION Activist dedicates award to ‘tortured’ Egyptians Syrian rebels hand border An Egyptian activist who is under criminal investigation for his human rights work yester- day dedicated an international rights award to the thousands of Egyptians he said had been crossing to opposition govt tortured or imprisoned since veteran ruler Hosni Mubarak was overthrown. Mohamed Zaree, 37, the Egypt off ice director of the Cairo Institute Reuters for Human Rights Studies, won the Martin En- Beirut nals Award, a prize given each year by a jury of 10 global rights groups. He is banned from travelling abroad so could not collect the award rebel group in northern in person in Geneva, but spoke to the audience Syria handed control of yesterday by video conference. “I do not view Aa major border crossing this honour as recognition of my work alone,” to a Turkey-backed Syrian op- Zaree said. “Instead, this award belongs to the position government yesterday, tens of thousands of Egyptian citizens who have a senior rebel offi cial said. been tortured, imprisoned, disappeared or killed By handing over the Bab over the last six years for nothing more than Salama crossing at the Turk- standing up to corruption and tyranny through ish border, the Jabha Shamiya peaceful means.” Egyptian rights activists accuse rebel group aims to strengthen President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi of erasing freedoms the opposition government and won in the 2011 Arab Spring uprising that ended help put an end to factional ri- Mubarak’s 30-year rule. valries, the head of its political offi ce Khaled Aba said. He urged other rebels to fol- UNREST low Jabha Shamiya’s example 18 Yemen rebels killed in by handing over other crossings at the Turkish border. clashes near Saudi border “The interim government is the solution for the liberated Eighteen Yemeni rebels have been killed in fighting areas to put an end to terror- around the Saudi border over the past 24 hours, ism, to put an end to factional- Yemeni army off icers said yesterday. Clashes flared ism and the state of division in People displaced from fightings between the Syrian Democratic this week around the Red Sea port of Midi and the liberated areas,” said Aba, a Forces and Islamic State militants carry boxes of food aid given by the nearby Saudi border town of Huthaira, spilling member of the opposition del- UN’s World Food Programme at a refugee camp in Ain Issa, yesterday. over into the rebel heartland of Saada inland. The egation to Geneva peace talks. Yemeni army off icers said loyalist forces had man- The Bab Salama crossing to factional fi ghting that has its training camps to the de- aged to wrest control of several rebel-held towns is the main gateway into an weakened the Syrian opposi- fence ministry, he said. straddling the border. Saudi off icials contacted by opposition-held area of the tion throughout the confl ict. The opposition government AFP did not respond to requests for comment. The north where neighbouring Tur- Jabha Shamiya, a major force is based out of the town of rebels control most of northern Yemen, including key carved out a de facto buff er in Aleppo until the Syrian gov- Azaz, a short distance from the the Red Sea coast. But the government controls zone during a military incur- ernment and its allies defeated Turkish border. several pockets near the Saudi border, including the sion targeting Islamic State and the opposition there last year, Launched last year, Turkey’s port of Midi. A Saudi-led coalition intervened in sup- Kurdish groups last year. has joined a “national army” “Euphrates Shield” opera- port of the government in 2015. More than 8,500 Eff orts have been under- operating under the author- tion drove Islamic State out of civilians have since been killed, with both sides in way in that area to merge and ity of the interim government’s a swathe of territory includ- the conflict being accused of not doing enough to organise a plethora of rebel defence ministry, Aba said. ing the cities of Al-Bab and avoid civilian casualties. groups whose rivalries have led It has also handed control of Jarablus. Gulf Times Wednesday, October 11, 2017 11 AFRICA

300 Boko Haram suspects Odinga withdraws from remanded

AFP Kano presidential poll rerun Reuters killed 1,200 people after a dis- interest of the people of Kenya, “The political elites have re- hree hundred Boko Haram Nairobi puted 2007 presidential elec- the region and world at large, ally squandered the opportunity suspects were offi cially tion. we believe that all will be best to consolidate the countries de- Tremanded in custody in Odinga repeated previous served by (opposition alliance) mocracy ... both sides will inevi- Nigeria yesterday, as hearings enyan opposition leader criticism of the election board, NASA vacating the presidential tably try to assert themselves, got under way in the fi rst mass Raila Odinga said yes- called the Independent Electoral candidature of elections.” including on the streets. We may trials linked to the religious ex- Kterday that he would not and Boundaries Commission On September 1, the Supreme see clashes between protesters tremist insurgency. stand in a court-ordered re-run (IEBC), for not replacing some Court nullifi ed incumbent Ken- and police. It looks grim.” The media has been banned on of August’s presidential election offi cials, who he blamed for ir- yatta’s win on August 8 due to On Monday, a Kenyan rights security grounds from attend- that is scheduled for October 26, regularities in the August poll. procedural irregularities and group said that 37 people had ing proceedings at four civilian claiming that the polls would Allied politicians standing ordered a new poll pitting Keny- been killed during protests im- courts set up in a military base in not be free or fair. alongside him called for a con- atta against Odinga to be held mediately following the August Kainji, in central Niger state. President Uhuru Kenyatta tinuation of peaceful protests. within 60 days. 8 election. But the justice ministry said said the election would proceed “Following the withdrawal of Since then, police have re- Almost all of them had been in an e-mailed statement that as planned, despite the with- the NASA (National Super Alli- peatedly used teargas to disperse killed by the police. three separate cases, each in- drawal of his only challenger. ance) presidential candidate, the small protests by the opposition Yesterday legislators from the volving 100 defendants, were Both men’s announcements Commission and the legal team demanding the election board ruling party were debating pro- heard in three of the courts. indefi nitely prolong nearly three are meeting and will communi- change some offi cials. posed amendments to the elec- Ministry spokesman Salihu months of political uncertainty cate way forward,” the IEBC said Senator James Orengo, a Odinga speaks during a news conference where he announced that tion laws, which said if a candi- Othman Isah said the judges or- that has worried citizens and on Twitter after Odinga spoke. key Odinga ally, called for na- he would not stand in a court-ordered re-run of August’s date boycotted an election, the dered all the defendants to be re- blunted growth in Kenya, East “There is no intention on the tionwide protests after Odinga presidential election. remaining candidate automati- manded in custody for 90 days, Africa’s biggest economy and a part of the IEBC to undertake spoke. cally wins. pending further investigations staunch Western ally in a region any changes to its operations “Tomorrow all over the coun- “We have no problem going political stand-off that could Opposition legislators boy- and preparation of charges. roiled by confl ict. and parts of the personnel to try there are going to be dem- back to elections. We are sure rapidly escalate if there was a cotted the session. The hearings will resume on An ally of Odinga called for ensure that the illegalities and onstrations the basis will be no we will get more votes than the miscalculation by either side. The draft amendments re- January 9, the judges ruled. nationwide protests from today, irregularities that led to the in- reforms, no elections,” he said. last time,” Kenyatta said in the “The economy has already quire another reading and a One defendant, who is ac- raising the prospect of violent validation of 8th of August do After Odinga spoke, Keny- southern town of Voi, speaking been battered by months and presidential signature before cused of attempting to bomb the confrontations between police not happen again,” Odinga told atta told a political rally that in Kiswahili in a speech carried months of endless electioneer- they become law. main mosque in the northeast- and protesters. a news conference in the capital the election would proceed as on local television. ing and now we see a protracted Ruling party legislators told ern city of Bauchi, was ordered But for now there was lit- of Nairobi. planned and he was sure he Murithi Mutiga, a senior Horn stalemate. Kenyatta will try eve- Reuters on Monday that the to be transferred to face trial. tle sign that the demonstra- “Indications are that elec- would win again, citing the ma- of Africa analyst for the global rything to make sure the election amendments were designed to A total of 1,669 suspects – tions could boil over into ethnic tions scheduled for the 26th of jority that his party won in both think-tank International Cri- goes ahead and Odinga might go head off a constitutional crisis 1,631 men, 11 women, 26 boys clashes. August will be worse than the houses of parliament and among sis Group, said that the country back to the Supreme Court,” he if Odinga pulled out of the elec- and one girl – are being held at Protests and ethnic violence previous one,” he said. “In the the country’s 47 governors. looked headed for a protracted said. tion. the Kainji facility, pending for- mal charges and trial. The government has said it then plans to prosecute 651 oth- ers held at the Giwa military bar- racks in the city of Maiduguri. Liberians vote for Observers have welcomed the prosecutions as a positive step but lack of access to independ- ent scrutineers has raised con- a new president cerns about the transparency of the process. The justice ministry itself has DPA queues in the early morning already said the trials could be Monrovia hours are young people. They aff ected by poor investigation are in a peaceful and jubilant techniques, a lack of forensic ev- mood,” he said. idence, and an “over-reliance” oters in Liberia began Speaking at a meeting with on confessions. queuing more than two political party leaders on the That raises the prospect that Vhours early for national eve of the election, the UN sec- defendants could be released elections yesterday, with re- retary general’s special repre- without charge after years in ports of some showing up at sentative and head of the UN custody. 5.30am (0530 GMT) for an 8am Mission in Liberia, Farid Zarif, The military has been ac- poll opening in elections set commended Liberians for their cused of arbitrarily arresting to usher in the country’s fi rst peaceful campaign and elec- thousands of civilians during the peaceful transfer of power in tion process. confl ict, which has left at least 73 years. Liberia remains one of the 20,000 and made more than President Ellen Johnson poorest countries in the world 2.6mn homeless since 2009. Sirleaf, 72, a Nobel Peace and continues to struggle with Human rights groups claim Prize-winner often dubbed the the aftermath of the Ebola cri- that most have been held in “Iron Lady”, is retiring after sis from 2013 to 2015, which overcrowded, unsanitary condi- two six-year terms in offi ce. killed more than 4,000 people tions in military detention facili- Twenty candidates are in the nationwide. ties, without access to lawyers or race to succeed her. It is also still dealing with ever having appeared in court. An election observer is seen near people queuing at a polling station in Monrovia. There are only three con- the fallout of a brutal 14-year tenders whom analysts believe civil war that ended in 2003 have a real chance of winning: after having claimed more than Vice-President Joseph Boakai 250,000 lives and displaced of the ruling Unity Party (UP); about 1mn people. former international football Boakai, 72, a former agricul- Mugabe reshuffl es cabinet to crush opposition star George Weah, who leads ture minister and World Bank the main opposition Coalition consultant, is expected to gain for Democratic Change (CDC); many votes due to his 12 years AFP Mnangagwa’s main opposition and Charles Brumskine, the of experience as vice-presi- Harare for the presidency comes from head of the Liberty Party (LP). dent and his work experience the “G-40” group led by Mu- The last peaceful transfer of in various economic sectors. gabe’s wife Grace. power between two democrat- Boakai’s main rival is retired imbabwean President “This is a Grace Mugabe re- ically-elected presidents took striker Weah, 51, who is often Robert Mugabe’s cabinet shuffl e. It’s part of the succession place in 1944, when former described as an idol by Liberi- Zreshuffl e has quashed op- plan and aimed at discrediting president Edwin Barclay hand- ans and highly regarded for his position within his government, and emasculating Mnangagwa,” ed over to William Tubman. down-to-earth attitude. state media said yesterday, as the Takavafi ra Zhou, a political ana- So far, there have been no Weah is expected to gain 93-year-old leader prepares to lyst from Masvingo State Uni- reports of violence, nor reports many votes thanks to his run- stand again in elections next year. versity, told AFP. “The reshuf- of voting centres lacking ma- ning mate, Jewel Howard Tay- Mugabe stripped Vice-Presi- fl e defl ates Mnangagwa’s plans. terials. lor. dent Emmerson Mnangagwa of Mugabe has demoted those as- “Liberians in jubilant mood Her ex-husband is Charles his role as justice minister, reas- Mnangagwa: stripped of his role sociated with him.” are trooping in their numbers Taylor, Liberia’s former dicta- signed the fi nance minister and as justice minister and Mnangagwa – widely known to polling centres,” UNMIL ra- tor, who is currently serving a created a new cyber security reassigned the finance minister. as “the crocodile” – was hospi- dio reported. 50-year prison term in Britain ministry in a major reshuffl e late talised in Johannesburg in Au- However, the broadcaster for war crimes. on Monday. president is fully in control”. gust, claiming that he had been also reported that voting in The third major aspir- Mnangagwa is one of the “Ministers to the new cabinet poisoned. certain parts of the country, ant, Brumskine, 66, has been top candidates likely to suc- should also ensure that their loy- His supporters allege that he Robert and Grace Mugabe. especially hard-to-reach areas stressing the need for free ceed Mugabe, but has recently alty is solely to their appointing was struck down by ice cream – including the Ganta-Guinea education and youth empow- been accused by undermining authority, who is none other than made on a farm owned by Grace increasingly active in public life gabe has also created the cyber border in northeastern Nimba erment to enable economic re- the president over claims that President Mugabe. They should Mugabe, who last week publicly and speaks at rallies across the security ministry as an attempt County – started late, due to covery in Liberia, where young Mnangagwa was poisoned at a subordinate themselves to him,” denied poisoning him. country, railing against anyone to clamp down on social media election offi cials arriving late people account for 63.5% of party rally. it said. “It’s the president’s pleasure to alleged to be disloyal to the presi- movements that pose a big threat with materials. the population and youth un- The state-run Herald news- The paper castigated ministers introduce new blood into cabi- dent. to his regime ahead of the elec- According to police spokes- employment is skyrocketing, paper – considered the govern- for “squabbling” as in-fi ghting net,” Mnangagwa told reporters “The reshuffl e is to deal with tion.” man Sam Collins, an estimated according to the United Na- ment’s offi cial voice –hailed the intensifi es between rivals com- yesterday in Harare when the the factional and succession pol- Mugabe has already been 6,000 members of the Election tions. reshuffl e yesterday as “a wel- peting to succeed Mugabe, who new ministers were sworn in. itics within the ruling ZANU-PF named by ZANU-PF as its presi- Security Task Force have been The only female candidate is come move that would send a has ruled since 1980 and is in in- Grace Mugabe, who is 41 years party,” Bulawayo-based analyst dential candidate for the 2018 deployed at all the 5,390 poll- MacDella Cooper, a 40-year- reverberating message that the creasingly frail health. younger than her husband, is Dumisani Mpofu told AFP. “Mu- poll. ing centres across the coun- old former model and philan- try’s 15 political subdivisions. thropist. Additionally, local and In- She is said to have slim ternational Observers from the chances. European Union, the African The roughly 2.2mn regis- Union, the Economic Commu- tered voters in the country of Nigeria warns over suspected monkeypox outbreak nity of West African Nations, 4.1mn are also set to elect 73 the National Democratic In- members of the House of Rep- stitute, and Carter Centre are resentatives from 1,028 candi- AFP tifi ed since the fi rst was reported case had been confi rmed. and limit any outbreak. tients but much less severe, and also deployed at voting centres dates from 26 political parties. Abuja in Bayelsa State on September 22, It is “unlikely” that many of Aff ected patients were all “im- the disease has a low fatality rate. across the country. Liberians can cast their vote according to the Nigeria Centre the suspected cases are monkey- proving” at medical facilities, The symptoms include aches, Ken Nnamani, a former at one of 5,390 polling stations for Disease Control (NCDC). pox, he added, but investigations Ihekweazu added. body pain and fever as well as a president of the Nigerian Sen- until 6pm. ealth offi cials in Nigeria States aff ected include Lagos, are necessary. According to the World Health bumpy localised rash on the skin. ate and member of the observer The National Elections have called for calm after whose capital of 20mn people is “Nigerians are advised to re- Organisation (WHO), monkey- The WHO said the virus is team of the National Demo- Commission (NEC) is to begin Hdozens of suspected cas- sub-Saharan Africa’s largest. main calm, avoid self-medica- pox is a rare disease that occurs transmitted from monkeys, Af- cratic Institute, who was in the announcing provisional results es of monkeypox were reported The national co-ordinator of tion and report any suspected mainly in remote areas of cen- rican squirrels and other wild western Bushrod Island suburb later in the day. in seven states across the south the NCDC, Chikwe Ihekweazu, case to the nearest health facil- tral and west Africa near tropical animals. of Monrovia, said he was im- However, NEC chairman of the country. said in a statement on Monday ity,” he said. rainforests. Human-to-human trans- pressed with how the vote was Jerome Korkoya said that fi nal Thirty-one suspected cases of that samples had been sent to The NCDC has set up an oper- Symptoms are similar to those mission is also possible but the going. results will be announced 25 the viral disease have been iden- laboratories and that so far no ation centre to help states control found in human smallpox pa- chances of catching it are slim. “Many of the voters in days later. Gulf Times 12 Wednesday, October 11, 2017 AMERICAS

DECISION ART ECONOMY DISASTER CRIME Trump likely to sign new Da Vinci portrait expected Canada housing starts, Puerto Rico hurricane Brazil military returns to healthcare order this week to fetch $100mn at auction building permits fall death toll rises to 43 Rio favela after shootout

President Donald Trump said he would sign a The last privately owned Leonardo da Vinci Canadian housing starts dipped in September, but The death toll in Puerto Rico attributed to Some 500 soldiers, some in armoured vehicles, measure, likely this week, to allow people in the painting and one of fewer than 20 by the did not fall as much as expected, capping another Hurricane Maria has reached 43, an off icial said swept into Rio de Janeiro’s Rocinha favela US to buy healthcare across state lines. “They’ll Renaissance artist known to still exist is quarter of strong home building growth, but a yesterday, up from 39 previously reported as yesterday to support a police raid after gun fights be able to buy, they’ll be able to cross state lines hitting the auction block, Christie’s announced drop in August building permits suggested the islanders continue to fall victim to infections, bad broke out between rival drug gangs. Off icials and they will get great competitive healthcare, yesterday. The painting ‘Salvator Mundi,’ long boom is cooling, separate reports showed road conditions and other consequences of the said the operation was focused on the outskirts and it will cost the US nothing,” Trump said. which dates to about 1500, is expected to sell yesterday. Groundbreaking on homes edged storm. Ramon Rosario, secretary of public aff airs of Rocinha, especially in the forested area that “With Congress the way it is, I decided to take it for about $100mn at Christie’s in November, slightly lower in September to 217,118 units from and public policy, also told reporters that the borders the upscale Gavea neighbourhood where upon myself, so we’ll be announcing that soon making it among the most highly-valued works August’s upwardly revised 225,918 as a 10.7% drop island now has 16% of electricity service restored, authorities say some of the drug traff ickers are as far as the signing’s concerned, but it’s largely ever to be sold at auction. First recorded in the in multiple starts, typically condos, outweighed an up from 15% on Monday. Maria slammed into hiding. Rio police, supported by the Brazilian worked out,” he said. Republicans in Congress private collection of King Charles I, the work 8.2% climb in single starts, the Canada Mortgage the Caribbean island on September 20 as the military, “searched the jungle area of the Rocinha have failed to make good on Trump’s campaign was auctioned in 1763 before vanishing until and Housing Corp said. Analysts had expected most powerful hurricane to hit the US territory in community,” the state security off ice wrote on promise to repeal and replace the Aff ordable 1900. Sold at Sotheby’s to an American collector starts to cool to a 210,000 annual rate but nearly 90 years. It knocked out electricity to the Twitter. The military is off ering “technical support Care Act, President Barack Obama’s signature in 1958 for £45, it again sold in 2005 as an construction continued to defy expectations for a whole island and caused widespread damage to to find hidden material that was already detected” healthcare law, also known as Obamacare. overpainted copy of the masterwork, he said. pullback after a near decade-long boom. homes and infrastructure. by intelligence agents, an off icer said.

Court not Trump to review cases of computer dares hacking

Reuters Tillerson Washington he US Supreme Court yesterday sidestepped a Tgrowing controversy over who can give permission to ac- cess a computer, a debate that goes to the core of what consti- to IQ test tutes hacking in this era of wide- spread use of the Internet and AFP been consistently thwarted by social media. Washington Trump’s tweets and barbed re- The justices turned away two marks. A DC-10 aircraft drops fire retardant on a wind driven wildfire in Orange, California. cases over whether it is a viola- After the reports Trump took tion of federal anti-hacking law onald Trump’s feud with to Twitter to publicly upbraid for account holders to give a third top diplomat Rex Tillerson the former ExxonMobil CEO for party access to a computer sys- Dburst back into the open “wasting his time” trying to ne- tem they do not own themselves. yesterday, with the US president gotiate with North Korea. 13 dead, thousands homeless In doing so, they left in place suggesting he and his secretary of The Twitter rebuke revived a lower court ruling that went state compare IQ scores. rumours that Tillerson is un- against a Cayman Islands com- Having loudly dismissed re- happy at his post, but he insists pany in a dispute with Facebook, ports that Tillerson once called he has no intention of resigning. as wildfires torch California and another against a Califor- him a “moron,” Trump showed In Washington, Tillerson, nia-based executive recruiter. no sign of letting the controversy along with Mattis, Kelly and The San Francisco-based 9th go, renewing questions about chairman of the joint chiefs AFP told Oregon-based TV news US Circuit Court of Appeals last Tillerson’s future as America’s Joseph Dunford are increasingly Napa channel KOBI her home of year ruled in both cases that only top diplomat. seen as buff er around Trump that 26 years in Santa Rosa was computer system owners may Just to make it clear that he’s contains an impulsive president. among those destroyed. grant authorisation, and not ac- smarter than his secretary of Kelly has worked to control irefi ghters battled “All our pictures are gone. count holders or employees with state, Trump suggested taking a the fl ow of information that wind-whipped wild- Everything, everything is legitimate access credentials. test to prove it. crosses Trump’s desk and im- Ffi res yesterday in Cali- gone,” she said. The defendants in these cases, posed a decision-making struc- fornia which have left at least “We’re all healthy and as well as rights groups such as ture that was absent in the early 13 people dead, thousands safe, and we have to try and the Electronic Frontier Founda- days of the administration. homeless and ravaged the be grateful for that. But it’s tion, said innocuous acts such as “The White House has be- state’s famed wine country. pretty awful.” sharing a bank website password come an adult day care centre,” California governor Jerry Pacifi c Gas & Electric said with a spouse in order to pay a senator Bob Corker declared at Brown declared a state of more than 196,000 custom- bill could now be held criminally the weekend, in an astonishing emergency in three northern ers had initially lost elec- liable because the bank prohibits public rebuke from a Republican counties – Napa, Sonoma, tricity although half had had password sharing. “I did not undercut who campaigned for Trump and and Yuba – and said thou- their power restored. The 1986 Computer Fraud and anybody. I don’t believe in chairs the Senate foreign rela- sands of fi refi ghters had been Marian Williams of Ken- Abuse Act made it a crime to in- undercutting people” tions committee. deployed to fi ght the blazes. Firefighters water down a house destroyed by a fire in the wood, in Sonoma County, tentionally access a computer Tillerson’s departure would Deaths were reported Anaheim Hills neighbourhood in Anaheim, California. told NBC Bay Area she joined without authorisation, and also “I think it’s fake news,” Trump be a major blow to those hoping in Sonoma County, Napa a convoy of neighbours driv- allowed victims to sue for dam- told Forbes magazine of Tiller- to temper Trump and stop what County, Yuba County and in tain and many remain at Ken Pimlott, director of ing through the fl ames be- ages. son’s reported insult. “But if he Corker described as “the path to Mendocino County and the zero percent containment,” the California department fore dawn as one of the fi res Facebook sued Cayman Is- did that, I guess we’ll have to World War III.” governor said “emergency he said. “The devastation of forestry and fi re protec- reached the area’s vineyards. lands-based Power Ventures in compare IQ tests. And I can tell And it could not come at a more responders anticipate the and disruption caused by tion (CalFire), said the fi res “It was an inferno like 2008 after Power began off er- you who is going to win.” sensitive time diplomatically. number of fatalities could these fi res is extraordinary. were being spread by 80km- you’ve never seen before,” ing its users access to Facebook The explosive interview was Trump is poised to confront grow.” Thousands have been made 100km per hour winds. Williams told the station. through its own online portal. published hours before the two Iran by questioning a major nu- Among the dead in Napa homeless.” Many homes in Santa Governor Brown in April Power argued that it had its men were scheduled to meet at the clear deal later this week and were a couple aged 99 and Troy Newton, 46, a Son- Rosa, the county seat of declared the offi cial end of users’ consent to access data White House for lunch with Sec- appears set on upping tensions 100 years old who had been oma County sheriff ’s detec- Sonoma, were razed to the state’s drought that last- they had stored on Facebook. retary of Defence James Mattis. with North Korea. Tillerson is married for 75 years, KTVU- tive, told The Los Angeles the ground and the Hilton ed more than fi ve years. But Facebook said Power was Ahead of that sit-down also set to play a major role in TV said. They were unable to Times he was returning to Sonoma County Wine Ho- But California is still harvesting data from not only Trump insisted he still had con- preparing Trump’s monster trip evacuate their home in time. his home in the Santa Rosa tel, Fountaingrove Inn and dealing with the Santa Ana those users, but others as well, fi dence in the secretary of state, to Asia next month, that will take The fi res have burned neighbourhood when he Willi’s Wine Bar reportedly winds, a meteorological making the data insecure. saying “I did not undercut any- in Japan, South Korea, China, more than 100,000 acres, saw a “growing red snake” suff ered damage. phenomenon which brings body. I don’t believe in under- Vietnam and the Philippines. forced the evacuation of of fi re. The Hilton Hotel in Santa dry winds down from the cutting people.” Still, it remains far from clear more than 20,000 people “I ran into my house and Rosa said on Facebook that high mountains east of the Student shoots But White House insiders said how long a secretary of state who and destroyed over 2,000 told my wife to get our four- its staff and guests were all coastal areas – a recipe for that Tillerson’s refusal to direct- has lost the ear of the president homes and businesses, ac- year-old boy ready to leave,” safe. The Los Angeles Times perfect wildfi re conditions. dead campus ly deny an NBC News report that can remain in the post. cording to the authorities. Newton said, before raising said hundreds of patients Forest fi res are common in police officer he labelled Trump a “moron” “When Cabinet offi cials con- Appealing to President the alarm with around 40 at two Santa Rosa hospitals the western US during dry, after a July meeting at the Pen- tinue to work for a president Donald Trump for federal neighbours. had also been evacuated hot summer months. A student at Texas Tech tagon, only fuelled diff erences with whom they have funda- aid, Brown said at least 18 “It was boom, boom, safely. Last month, a massive fi re University was accused of between the men. mental disagreements, nothing fi res had broken out in seven boom. Ring the door bell. Coff ey Park, a sprawling described as the biggest in shooting dead a campus police Since then White House good ever really comes of it,” counties. Boom, boom – until some- Santa Rosa neighbourhood the history of Los Angeles off icer on Monday night after chief of staff John Kelly has Julian Zelizer, a history and pub- “These fi res have been one inside got the message,” with dozens of homes, was forced hundreds to evacuate drugs were found in his room, a been struggling to keep a lid on lic aff airs professor at Princeton extremely diffi cult to con- he said. left in ruins. Cheri Sharp their homes. school off icial said. the crisis — an eff ort that has University wrote this week. The 19-year-old suspect, Hollis Daniels, was captured near the Lubbock, Texas, campus after evading police for almost two hours, briefly sending the school into lockdown. He was formally charged with capital murder of a Weinstein denies new allegations peace off icer early yesterday. Campus police were conducting a student welfare check earlier Agencies Sallie Hofmeister, a spokes- Weinstein by dressing provoca- rage, including from actress Rose Monday when they found drugs Los Angeles woman for Weinstein, denied the tively. McGowan, whom The New York and drug paraphernalia in the new allegations. After a barrage of criticism, she Times said had reached a settle- suspect’s room, according to “Any allegations of non-con- apologised, but the condemna- ment with Weinstein in 1997 after the school’s spokesperson Chris mbattled US movie pro- sensual sex are unequivocally tion kept pouring in. the producer had behaved inap- Cook. ducer Harvey Weinstein denied by Weinstein,” Hofmeister “I think he’s being looked at propriately toward her. After Daniels was transported to Ehas denied newly published said in a statement. right now as a symbol, not nec- “Donna Karan you are a DE- the Texas Tech University Police accusations of sexual harass- The statement also said that essarily as him. I know his wife, PLORABLE,” McGowan, 44, headquarters at 413 Flint Ave, ment, assault and rape stretching Weinstain has started counselling I think they’re wonderful people. tweeted. “Aiding and abetting is he pulled out a gun and shot the back over two decades. and that he hopes he will be given Harvey has done some amazing a moral crime. You are scum in a off icer in the head before fleeing The new allegations, published “a second chance.” things,” the founder of DKNY fancy dress.” on foot, Cook said. yesterday in the New Yorker mag- Weinstein was fi red on Sunday said about Weinstein on the red Karan later apologised, saying It remains unclear where the gun azine, were reportedly made by from the production company he carpet for the CineFashion Film her red carpet statements were was and who it belonged to. multiple women, including Asia co-founded with his brother Bob Awards in Los Angeles. taken out of context and “not Texas Tech issued an emergency Argento, an Italian fi lm actress in 2005. “It’s not Harvey Weinstein. representative of how I feel or notification, warning students and director, US actress Rosanna Meanwhile critics called for You look at everything all over the what I believe.” and faculty to take shelter while Arquette and former aspiring ac- a boycott of American fash- world today and how women “I believe that sexual harass- Daniels was still at large. tress Lucia Evans. ion designer Donna Ka- are dressing, what they’re ment is NOT acceptable and this A SWAT team arrived at the scene Argento is one of three women ran’s products yesterday, asking by just presenting is an issue that MUST be ad- and Lubbock police assisted in cited in the article who accuse after she defended Harvey themselves the way they do. dressed once and for all regard- the search for Daniels, which Weinstein of rape. Weinstein. What are they asking for? less of the individual,” she wrote. ended when a Texas Tech off icer Three other women told the New On Sunday, Karan had Trouble.” “I am truly sorry to anyone that tackled him around 9.30pm. Yorker that Weinstein had sexually suggested women had been The comments I off ended and everyone that has The lockdown was lifted shortly harassed or assaulted them. seeking a reaction from triggered out- ever been a victim.” after his arrest. Gulf Times Wednesday, October 11, 2017 13 ASIA/AUSTRALASIA Thai junta chief vows elections in November 2018

AFP the junta’s new charter. “In more than a dozen coups since at the White House — a meet- over and its new charter — Thai- restore the full-fl edged democ- turned to coups and court rul- Bangkok November 2018 there will be an it fi rst embraced parliamentary ing he was denied under Barack land’s twentieth since 1932 — as racy which his Pheu Thai party ings to remove the clan from election. Is it clear?” the often rule in 1932. Obama’s administration, which necessary to curb the political has pushed for. “It just opens a power. gruff Prayut told reporters, add- After seizing power the gen- distanced itself from the coup unrest that has rocked the nation chance for people to have more After her government was hailand’s junta chief said ing that he would announce the erals drafted a new charter that leader. A joint statement after- for over a decade. participation in their future than toppled in the 2014 coup, ex- yesterday the country exact date next June. curbs the power of elected poli- wards said Trump welcomed But critics say the military is they currently do,” the politician premier Yingluck was put on Twould hold elections in He said he would also “con- ticians and calls for a fully ap- Thailand’s commitment to hold far from being a neutral player told AFP. trial for negligence over a costly November 2018, more than four sider the timing for relaxing con- pointed upper house, with sev- “free and fair elections in 2018”. and is bent on crippling the po- Shinawatra-backed parties rice subsidy scheme — a case years after the military seized ditions on political parties at the eral spots reserved for military That unexpected announcement litical clan led by ousted pre- have dominated electoral poli- which her supporters slammed power and imposed a blanket appropriate time”. All politics leaders. The junta has further caused a commotion back in the miers Thaksin and Yingluck tics since 2001, using ground- as a junta-led witch hunt. The ban on politics. Prayut Chan- and protests have been banned enshrined its governmental role kingdom, where Prayut initially Shinawatra. breaking welfare schemes to se- former premier fl ed Thailand O-Cha had promised immedi- under Prayut’s regime, the most by declaring that any future ad- rowed back and said only that Chaturon Chaisang, a former cure the support of the rural and in August before the court de- ately after his May 2014 coup to autocratic Thailand has seen for ministration must adhere to its a specifi c date would be an- minister in Yingluck’s toppled urban poor. But they are loathed livered its verdict and sentence. return power to civilians within a generation. The election will “legally binding 20-year-plan” nounced in 2018. administration, cast doubt on by Bangkok’s army-allied elite, Thaksin, who was overthrown 18 months. That date has re- not restore the same level of de- for the country. He also said that Trump did whether the junta would stick to who have cast them as corrupt in a 2006 coup, is also living in peatedly slipped, and even after mocracy that existed before the Prayut travelled to the US not ask about political develop- its latest election timeline given political opportunists. self-exile to avoid convictions the vote analysts say there will latest military takeover in Thai- earlier this month for talks ments during their encounter. previous postponements. Either Unable to win elections, the which he says are politically mo- be limits on democracy under land – a country that has seen with President Donald Trump The junta has defended its take- way, he said, the poll would not rivals to the Shinawatras have tivated.

National Day message: Trump could visit DMZ Taiwan president vows to defend democracy

Reuters approach to territorial disputes Taipei in the East and South China Seas, during South Korea tour will cement his grip on power. Her government has continued Retuers in the footsteps of his predeces- Secretary of State Rex Tillerson resident Tsai Ing-wen to rattle Beijing, with her newly Seoul sor, Barack Obama, and Vice said Washington was maintain- vowed yesterday to defend appointed premier, William Lai, President Mike Pence, would ing open lines of communica- PTaiwan’s freedom and de- telling parliament last month he bring Trump within yards of tion with Kim Jong-un’s gov- mocracy amid growing pressure was a “political worker who ad- S President Donald North Korean soldiers, who ernment. from giant neighbour China, vocates Taiwan independence”. Trump may travel to the stand eyeball to eyeball with “Our country has been un- using a National Day speech to However, Tsai has also sought Uheavily fortifi ed demili- their South Korean enemies, successfully dealing with North warn that the self-ruled island to give Beijing a roadmap where tarised zone (DMZ) separating and likely be regarded by the Korea for 25 years, giving bil- would not bow to pressure. Chi- its “goodwill” can be extended, North and South Korea when he North as highly provocative. lions of dollars & getting noth- na considers proudly democratic which in turn could give her a visits South Korea next month, In recent weeks, North Korea ing. Policy didn’t work!” the US Taiwan to be a wayward province chance to reciprocate and rein in the South’s Yonhap news agen- has launched two missiles over president said in a Twitter post and has never renounced the use the more independence-leaning cy said yesterday, citing a de- Japan and conducted its sixth on Monday. of force to bring the island under hardliners on the island. “We fence source. nuclear test, all in defi ance of Reclusive North Korea and its control. have off ered our greatest good- The White House sent an Donald Trump Kim Jong-un UN Security Council resolu- the rich, democratic South are Relations with Beijing have will,” she said in her 20-minute advance team of working-lev- tions, and may be fast advanc- technically still at war because deteriorated sharply since Tsai, address. “I have repeatedly said, el offi cials in late September peninsula as US commander- comment. Trump and North ing toward its well-publicised their 1950-53 confl ict ended in who leads the pro-independence our goodwill doesn’t change, to check candidate sites for in-chief, the source said. Korean leader Kim Jong-un have goal of developing a nuclear- a truce, not a peace treaty. The Democratic Progressive Party, our promises don’t change; we Trump’s “special activity” in The truce village of Pan- been engaged in an increasingly tipped missile capable of hitting North regularly threatens to took offi ce last year, with China won’t walk on the old path of South Korea, the source was munjom and the observation bellicose exchange of rhetoric, the US mainland. destroy the South and its main suspecting she wants to push confrontation, but we won’t bow quoted as saying. post, both inside the DMZ, were with Trump suggesting the mil- Trump repeatedly has made ally, the United States. Trump is for the island’s formal inde- to pressure,” Tsai said. Trump was expected to send among locations Trump was itary option was the only way to clear his distaste for dialogue scheduled to visit Japan, South pendence, a red line for Beijing. Responding to Tsai’s speech, a signifi cant message to North considering visiting, the source halt the North’s missile and nu- with North Korea. Last week, Korea, China, Vietnam and the China has cut off a regular dia- China’s Taiwan Aff airs Offi ce Korea, either verbally or “kinet- said. Yonhap did not elaborate clear programmes. he dismissed the idea of talks Philippines starting from No- logue mechanism with Taiwan, said Taiwan had to clearly state ically”, during his fi rst trip to the and the White House did not A trip to the DMZ, following as a waste of time, a day after vember 3. ramped up military drills around that Taiwan and mainland China the island and stepped up inter- belonged to “one China”. “Only national pressure to limit Tai- if the one China principle is up- ‘N Korea hackers stole S Korea-US military plans’ EU expands N Korea sanctions wan’s diplomatic footprint. held and Taiwan independence Tsai, who has pledged to main- opposed can there be peaceful North Korean hackers defence officials, Yonhap The European Union yesterday approved the new measures, support the country’s illegal tain peace with China, said her and stable development of rela- may have stolen a large News reported. The contents extended sanctions aimed at saying its response would nuclear and ballistic missile government was still seeking tions across the Taiwan Strait,” it amount of classified military of about 80% of the data punishing North Korea for its make the United States suff er programmes,” the EU said in a breakthroughs in ties with Beijing said in a statement carried by the documents, including the have not yet been identified, nuclear and ballistic missile “the greatest pain it has ever statement. EU ambassadors and promised consistent and sta- offi cial Xinhua news agency. latest South Korea-US Yonhap reported, citing programmes, banning the experienced in its history”. The last month agreed new ble policies. “We need to remem- Tsai reiterated the importance wartime operational plan, Rhee, adding that the hack import of textiles from the sanctions include a ban on the sanctions against the North, ber democracy and freedom were of implementing the island’s a South Korean ruling took place in September pariah state and limiting sales sale of natural gas liquids to according to diplomatic rights obtained through all of Tai- new “southbound” policy of party lawmaker said, last year. Pyongyang has of crude oil. The 28-member North Korea and limitations to sources, including a ban on wan people’s countless eff orts,” forging closer ties with countries Yonhap News reported denied responsibility for bloc adopted UN restrictions the sale of crude oil and refined investments in North Korea Tsai said. “Therefore, we need to in the region, saying Taiwan was yesterday. Democratic the cyberattacks, Yonhap imposed by the Security petrol products. “In addition, and on EU exports of oil. EU use all our power to defend Tai- seeking to fi nd a new position in Party representative Rhee reported, criticizing Seoul for Council last month to punish member states will not provide members also want to blacklist wan’s democratic and freedom the international community. Cheol-hee said 235GB of “fabricating” claims about Pyongyang for its sixth and new work authorisations to more North Korean individuals values and lifestyle,” she said. “In the face of rapid change in military documents were online attacks. Neither Rhee largest nuclear test into its DPRK nationals to enter and and entities, a move that would Tsai’s speech came a week the Asia-Pacifi c region, Taiwan taken from the Defense Cheol-hee, nor his office, was own sanctions programme. work in their territory as they freeze their assets in the bloc before China holds its twice- is already prepared to play an Integrated Data Center, citing immediately available for a The North reacted furiously are suspected of generating and ban them from entering its a-decade Communist Party even more important role in the information from unnamed comment. when the United Nations revenue which is used to territory. Congress, where President Xi region’s prosperity and stabil- Jinping, who has taken a robust ity,” she said.

Smoking to be banned on 20 Thai beaches, off enders face jail

No child’s play Smoking will be banned on up Patong beach in the southern director general. “This does not to 20 beaches in Thailand after city of Phuket, the eastern city of mean people cannot smoke at all. a massive amount of cigarette Pattaya and Hua Hin and Cha Am There will be designated areas butts were found on the beaches, south of the capital. for smoking on each beach away the country’s Department of On Patong beach alone, more from the sea,” Jatuporn added. Marine and Coastal Resources than 138,000 cigarette butts Failure to comply with the told DPA yesterday. The ban, were found last month. “Cigarette new regulation will result in a eff ective November 1, will be butts accounted for 30% of the 100,000-baht ($3,000) fine and a imposed on popular beaches waste found,” said Jatuporn maximum jail term of one year, across Thailand, including Buruspat, the department’s according to the department. Movie shot at Australian asylum camp hits screens

AFP time to transfer,” said co-di- ruled last year that holding peo- London rector Arash Kamali Sarvesta- ple on the island was unconsti- ni, who originally contacted tutional and illegal. Boochani through Facebook ask- A fi rst group of refugees from ootage from within one ing him to fi lm inside the camp. the Pacifi c camps was approved of ’s off shore The outcome includes playful for resettlement in the United Fdetention facilities for scenes of children on the other States in a deal struck with Wash- asylum-seekers reached its fi rst side of the fence and a scrawny ington under former president international audience this week cat, shot alongside those of men Barack Obama. The pact has an- in London, with one of the fi lm- recounting their treatment and gered President Donald Trump, makers highlighting the plight of ambulances arriving to treat who has begrudgingly agreed to A Chinese employee making stuff ed dinosaur toys as they are prepared to export for the upcoming Christmas festive season, at a of his co-director who remains detainees. accept an unspecifi ed number of toy factory in Lianyungang in China’s eastern Jiangsu province. inside the camp. The fi lm’s title is a reference people who can fulfi l rigorously Chauka, Please Tell Us The to the camp’s solitary confi ne- vetted requirements. But it re- Time portrays life within Pa- ment cells, nicknamed “Chau- mains unclear what will happen pua New Guinea’s Manus Island ka” after a type of bird native to to those not taken by the US. Vietnam calls on Cambodia to protect immigrants camp, built as part of Australia’s Manus Island. Three men held at Manus have immigration crackdown which “We just talked about the ide- died, and the fi lmmakers hope Vietnam called on Cambodia tool by opponents of Prime ministry spokeswoman Le Thi documents issued improperly has seen asylum-seekers who as and then he found it in his own that seeing the inside view of yesterday to guarantee the Minister Hun Sen, who came Thu Hang said in a statement. to 70,000 people, most of try to reach the country by boat way because he’s living there,” the camp’s conditions — widely legal rights of Vietnamese to power during Vietnam’s “We hope that while people them ethnic Vietnamese, but taken to an off shore site. The Kamali Sarvestani told AFP dur- criticised by refugee advocates migrants living there after occupation of Cambodia after are waiting for their legal they have not threatened their footage was shot on a smart- ing the London Film Festival. and medical professionals — will the Cambodian government it drove out the genocidal documents to be completed, forcible removal. phone by Behrouz Boochani, an Boochani is one of 1,000 peo- have an impact on audiences. said it would revoke the Khmer Rouge regime in 1979. they will be able to maintain Responding to Vietnam, Iranian who has spent four years ple spread between the Manus “This is the fi rst place that the invalid documents of 70,000 Vietnam’s Foreign Ministry a stable life and continue Cambodia vowed to ensure in the camp since the boat he was facility and one on the island of movie is screening outside Aus- immigrants, most of them hopes Cambodia will take contributing to Cambodia’s respect for legal and human trying to reach Australia on was Nauru, many of them from Iran, tralia, so we can test it if it works ethnic Vietnamese. appropriate measures to socio-economic development,” rights in its enforcement of intercepted by the authorities. Afghanistan and Pakistan. There or not; if people from other Anti-Vietnamese sentiment guarantee the legal and she added. Last week immigration laws. “We build the story with has been a push to relocate the countries become angry or put is widespread in Cambodia legitimate rights of ethnic Cambodian immigration “We won’t enforce it like the one WhatsApp footage, really low- detainees to third countries af- pressure on Australia,” Kamali and has often been used as a Vietnamese in the country, authorities said they would seize done by the Pol Pot regime,” quality video, and it took a long ter the country’s Supreme Court Sarvestani said. Gulf Times 14 Wednesday, October 11, 2017 BRITAIN/IRELAND

OFFBEAT COMMENT INQUEST LEGAL BLUNDER Worker-rights for drivers Stock exchange staff ‘tried NHS worker sues over Bomb plot woman to cost millions: Uber to stop colleague’s suicide’ prank that broke her back handed job at council

Uber said that treating its British drivers as London Stock Exchange workers pleaded with An NHS worker who suff ered a fractured lower Southwark council was yesterday facing calls workers, entitling them to rights such as the a colleague “don’t do it” moments before he spine after a colleague yanked her chair away in for an independent inquiry after it emerged that minimum wage and holiday pay, would add tens jumped to his death from the seventh floor of the a “spur of the moment” prank is suing hospital a woman jailed over the London July 21 bomb of millions of pounds to the taxi app’s costs. Uber organisation’s City headquarters, an inquest has bosses for £58,000 in compensation. Meeta plot was given a job there. Mulumebet Girma, 33, currently classifies its around 50,000 drivers in heard. IT consultant Christopher Woolnough was Patel, 29, landed “heavily onto the floor” when was a systems and performance analyst in the Britain as self-employed, aff ording them only basic said to be depressed and “stressed” before he her pharmacist colleague Rashid Khan whipped housing department and appeared on the cover A ‘Tea Party’ was organised by the United Patients entitlements. “I don’t have the precise figures... climbed over a railing and on to a ledge. Angelo the seat away as she went to sit down. Khan of a council magazine, after failing to disclose Alliance (UPA), with food and drink products but I’m certain it would be the tens of millions Proni, head of new markets at the Exchange, told insisted it had been a “random act” for a joke but her criminal past when applying for the job. The containing cannabis, opposite the Houses of certainly,” the firm’s UK head of policy Andrew the inquest: “I realised he was going to jump. I Patel suff ered a badly injured coccyx, Central Ethiopian former model was jailed in 2008 for 10 Parliament in central London yesterday. The UPA Byrne told parliament’s business committee. got up and ran out. I shouted, ‘Don’t do it’. I then London county court heard. Patel is suing bosses years for helping brother-in-law Hussain Osman invited members of the public to the event to Deliveroo’s UK and Ireland managing director Dan grabbed his right forearm … he pulled away from at Homerton University Hospital, claiming the flee after the plot to kill Tube passengers. In 2013 “stimulate crucial public debate on the need to Warne said additional costs including National me.” City of London coroner’s court heard that hospital should bear responsibility for Khan’s she was recruited by the Labour-run south London allow access to the drug for patients suff ering Insurance contributions, would add around £1 to Woolnough, from Braintree, Essex, had a history actions. “To this day, I still don’t really know why I local authority as a trainee customer services chronic pain conditions”. the cost of each delivery. of depression and was taking antidepressants. did it,” Khan told the court. assistant, The Sun reported.

Mental Health Day celebrated Ireland’s budget Defiance as puts focus on housing, tax break deadline

Reuters Dublin for new £1 reland’s fi nance minister yesterday sought to raise over I800mn euros in extra reve- nue in a budget to give taxpayers a “modest” break and help tackle a housing crisis. He also sought to balance the state’s books for the coin looms fi rst time in a decade. Ireland started reversing years AFP of savage spending cuts and tax London hikes in 2014 — about the time its economy began to rebound sharply from a deep fi nancial cri- ritain’s old one-pound coin sis. But hemmed in by European is being phased out com- Union borrowing rules, Paschal Bpletely on Sunday but busi- Donohoe initially had far fewer nesses complain they have been resources this year than in those given too little time to switch to the expansionary budgets. new one and many are planning to In the event, he boosted the defy the deadline. budget package to 1.2bn euros Around 1.2bn old round coins from the mere 350mn available have been withdrawn from cir- chiefl y through a four percent- culation but about 500mn are re- age point increase in stamp duty maining with less than a week to on commercial property, ensur- go. ing income tax cuts will not go “The changeover period has into one pocket and come out the been fairly short,” said Mike Cher- other. ry, National Chairman of the Fed- An old issue £1 (centre) is surrounded by the newly issued 12-sided “On this budget day we build on eration of Small Businesses. £1coins in London. progress that would have looked “It would help if small fi rms impossible only a few short years knew they were allowed a short Clancy, director of the Royal Mint symbols of the four nations of the ago,” Donohoe told parliament in transition period to collect the old Museum. Security features on the United Kingdom — surrounded by his fi rst budget speech as fi nance coins if they wish to, and are will- new coin include 12 sides, a bi- a royal crown. minister. ing to bank them.” metallic composition, a holograph On the opposite side is a new While Ireland’s economy has Poundland, a chain of shops and tiny lettering called “micro- portrait of Elizabeth II, the fi fth to posted the fastest growth in Eu- where almost all items cost £1, text” around part of the design. decorate a British coin. rope for the past three years, slug- extended the period during which Two diff erent coloured metal The new coin, which was put gish sentiment surveys suggest its customers would still be able to alloys, based on nickel and copper, into circulation on March 27, is many consumers are seeing few pay with the old coin until Octo- also make it easier to distinguish supposed to fully replace the old benefi ts amid increasing living ber 31. The country’s main banks, between fakes and genuine coins. one, which will no longer be legal costs, particularly in rents and ris- Barclays, Natwest, Lloyds and The new piece, at 2.8 millime- tender, on October 15. ing house prices. Santander and the Post Offi ce have tres thick, will be thinner than its The authorities have therefore By increasing the relatively also announced that they will con- 3.15mm predecessor, but will re- intensifi ed eff orts to encourage low threshold at which people hit tinue to accept the round coin after main the thickest British coin in people either to spend their old the higher rate of income tax and October 15. circulation. coins or change them at the bank. trimming the amount they actu- The Royal Mint, the offi cial “The idea of having a thicker But many institutions across ally pay, Prime Minister Leo Var- agency that makes the British cur- coin, back in 1983, when the round the country may still accept pay- adkar said an average family would rency, created the new coin in an £1 coin was introduced, was to give ments with the old coin after the be a “modest” 500 to 600 euros attempt to combat fraud, with 3% it a sense of value,” said Clancy. cut-off date, although they will no better off a year. of the old coins — or £45mn — “With the new £1 coin, we con- longer be able to use it when giving Varadkar knows that with the deemed to be counterfeit. tinued with that approach”. change to customers. agreement with their main rivals The outgoing round coin, of The coin will also have a new The transition to the new cur- to back the minority administra- which 2bn were minted, fi rst ap- design on its “tail” side, created rency could nevertheless cause tion set to expire in just over a peared in 1983 in an attempt to cut by 15-year-old David Pearce, who some diffi culties. year’s time, the small boosts will costs by replacing the £1 note. won a competition organised by Supermarkets Tesco and Sains- likely be the last to fi lter through Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge celebrate World The new coin, of which 1.5bn the Treasury. bury’s have not yet adapted their to voters’ pay packets before the Mental Health Day at Buckingham Palace in London yesterday. copies have been made, is “the His drawing depicts a rose, a trolleys to take the new coin, ac- next election. safest in the world,” said Kevin leek, a thistle and a clover — the cording to the Daily Telegraph.

Film premiere Shoppers fl ee as gang Man accused of killing raids jewellery store daughter ‘was gentle’ London Evening Standard crash said: “It careered along the London road. They were carrying bags and I thought they were mugging Guardian News and Media court: “I need to be clear here. visited by social workers. people. One guy was chasing them London My house was fi lled with love and Craig said Elsie was “tiny” machete-wielding moped and pulling at the bags and they happiness all the time. All the when she arrived aged nine gang who smashed their came off . It was a chaotic scene.” time. If I had suspected anything months but “loud and bouncy”. Away into a West End jew- A cyclist swerved to avoid a moped he husband of a man ac- I wouldn’t have tolerated it.” He worked away two or three ellery store scattering dozens of and hit a wall, suff ering minor in- cused of murdering the He said his husband was nick- times a week and Matthew terrifi ed shoppers was yesterday juries. Tbaby girl they adopted to- named “safety boy” by some stayed at home. Craig said his being hunted by detectives. Elisa Coassin, 19, who was gether has told a jury their home family members because he was husband’s mother had stayed at Three men ran into Map- working nearby, said: “There was “fi lled with love and happi- so sensible. home with him and he wanted pin & Webb in Regent Street and was a stampede of people run- ness” and his partner was quiet Asked by Scully-Hicks’ bar- to do the same. used hammers to break display ning towards us. We were so and gentle. rister, Robert O’Sullivan QC, if He said it had been sensible cabinets, snatching handfuls of scared. People were screaming, Craig Scully-Hicks, said he he had ever heard his husband for him to work while Mat- watches. Guards activated se- ‘Something’s happening, there had never heard his husband, shouting at Elsie or her adop- thew remained at home. “It curity systems including smoke is someone with a machete.’ I Matthew, shout, swear at or pun- tive sibling or getting angry was natural for us to take those devices and they fl ed to join three saw two motorbikes waiting and ish Elsie. at them, he replied: “No.” The roles,” he said. Matthew had accomplices outside who were I think they saw me looking so I Matthew Scully-Hicks, 31, is barrister continued: “You have never showed any resentment. waiting on revved-up scooters. started running away. The whole accused of murdering 18-month- never heard him swear at them, “I don’t think he would have Police told how during the raid, shop was full of smoke. I thought old Elsie, possibly by shaking her, let alone punish them?” Scully- had it any other way,” the wit- at 7.20pm on Monday, members it was a terrorist attack when I after physically abusing her for Hicks answered: “Never.” ness said. of the public confronted the gang, saw the look on everyone’s faces.” months at the couple’s home in Craig Scully-Hicks sobbed on The jury has been told that who were wielding bats, machetes Ed Kelsey, 34, who was refur- Cardiff . He denies the charge. several occasions as he gave his within 12 days of the couple and hammers, causing them to bishing the HSBC bank opposite, The jury at Cardiff crown court evidence. He said the pair met in taking in Elsie, Matthew Scully- abandon the robbery. Passers-by said: “We heard a lot of shout- has heard that former fi tness in- 2008 and married in 2012. They Hicks was messaging a friend: even tried to pursue them through ing and I came to the window structor Matthew Scully-Hicks moved to Cardiff , where Craig is “I’m going through hell with streets crowded with commuters and saw a couple of mopeds with once called Elsie “a psycho” and from. Elsie! Mealtimes and bedtime and shoppers. passengers on the back holding it is claimed neighbours heard Craig said he wanted a “dad- are like my worst nightmare One abandoned his moped at baseball bats shouting and trying him swearing at and insulting the dy’s little princess”. The family at the moment. She’s been up the scene and another appears to to keep people away. It was very child. moved into the Llandaff suburb there screaming for 10 minutes Actor Timothee Chalamet arrives for the UK premiere have crashed after reports that he organised and professional, like However, on the second day of the city and were surrounded non stop. She’s just stopped but of Call Me By Your Name during the British Film Festival collided with a pedestrian in Ox- something out of a heist movie. of the trial, Craig Scully-Hicks, by friends and family. Craig said I doubt that’s the last I’ll hear in London. ford Street. They were in and out in three an account manager, told the the couple were also frequently tonight.” A shop worker who saw one minutes.” Gulf Times Wednesday, October 11, 2017 15 BRITAIN BBC’s head of news leaves to set up new media company

Guardian News and Media to start a media company that had “I know I will enjoy the chance radio and a former Labour cabinet ers and a shortfall for BBC World Despite these pressures, Hard- erage of politics, business and London a “distinct approach to the news to do some more journalism of my minister, as the favourite. Service staff compared with staff ing said the BBC had “renewed the society we live in; current and a clear point of view”. own and, at such a critical time, During Harding’s time in the in the rest of news. our reputation for responsible, aff airs exposing controversial In a note to staff , Harding add- I’m seriously excited about the role, critics of the BBC have The BBC is in the process of powerful journalism”. issues with discipline and deter- ames Harding is to stand down ed: “There is some journalism prospect of building a new ven- claimed its coverage of the Scot- reviewing the pay of its lead- He said: “We have our short- mination; the best and bravest as director of news and cur- that the BBC, for all its brilliance, ture in news.” tish independence referendum ing on-air journalists as well as comings, no doubt. But, in these international reporting, when Jrent aff airs at the BBC, one of can’t, and probably shouldn’t, do. Harding was considered inter- and Brexit have not been impar- reviewing terms and conditions fast-changing times and on the big moments in history unfold the most infl uential jobs in British And that’s what I want to explore: nally and externally as one of the tial. for all staff . Harding, who is paid back of a crisis fi ve years ago, I and when under-reported sto- journalism. I am going to start a new media frontrunners to eventually suc- This year, Harding has also had £340,000 a year, was heavily in- am proud to have worked for BBC ries desperately need to be told.” Harding, who edited the Times company with a distinct approach ceed Tony Hall as director general to deal with a series of pay rows at volved in these reviews and was News as we renewed our reputa- Hall said Harding had left a before joining the BBC in 2013, to the news and a clear point of of the BBC but his departure leaves BBC News, including the pay gap also trying to cut £80mn from the tion for responsible, powerful “great legacy” as head of news at said he would leave early next year view. James Purnell, the BBC director of between male and female present- news budget. journalism: agenda-setting cov- the BBC. Two-year-old gives evidence in abuse case

Guardian News and Media In the latest case, the young London girl was interviewed by a spe- cialist child abuse police offi cer, assisted by a ministry of justice- two-year-old girl is be- registered intermediary. The lieved to have become the intermediary advised the police Ayoungest person to give about the best way to question evidence in a UK criminal case, the two-year-old, who was ini- after her interview was recorded tially reluctant to engage with by a specialist court team. unfamiliar adults and clung to The decision to involve such her parents. a young witness in a prosecu- The girl began to talk to the in- tion was vindicated, according termediary and the police offi cer. to experts involved in the legal Responding to simple “who”, process, by the fact that the de- “what” and “where” questions, fendant in the abuse case pleaded she named the suspect and de- guilty before it came to trial. scribed what had happened, The man was sentenced this with the help of a paper fi gure on month to more than 10 years in which she could point to parts of prison for sexual off ences against the body. a child. Neither the police force “Interviewing very young involved nor the defendant has children is challenging but they been named in order to protect can give very reliable and com- the identity of the child. pelling evidence,” the registered The case has been highlighted intermediary said. “The key is by the NSPCC and child protec- helping the police offi cer to word Prime Minister Theresa May is greeted by pupils during her visit to Dunraven School in south London. tion experts because they said it questions that are simple enough demonstrated that sexual preda- for the child to understand.” tors who targeted very young The intermediary helped ob- children were wrong to believe tain a mouth swab from the child no one would give evidence for forensic analysis. When con- against them. fronted with an offi cer wearing The interview was conducted blue medical gloves, the little girl by police helped by a professional hid. The intermediary asked for from Intermediaries for Justice, everyone to be given gloves and Premier pledges to act an organisation that supports swabs, and they played for sev- under-18s as well as adults with eral minutes pretending to brush communication diffi culties to their teeth. Once she was com- give evidence for court hearings. fortable, the child gave a mouth Speaking on behalf of Inter- swab without diffi culty. mediaries for Justice, Dame Joyce A police offi cer involved with Plotnikoff , a pioneering crimi- the investigation said: “Inves- against race inequality nologist, said: “Off enders may tigating crimes against young target the most vulnerable in so- children requires expertise. In Reuters employment rate than white and the criminal justice system position leader Jeremy Corbyn, show party members that she ciety in the belief that they won’t this investigation the specialist London people, and that they were un- and analysed it to discover how who has presented higher state had a plan to counter Corbyn’s be able to tell what happened, so support of the registered inter- der-represented in senior pub- ethnicity aff ects people’s lives. spending as part of the cure rise and allay fears that Brexit this is an important case. mediary made sure the victim lic sector jobs. “This audit means that for for voters he says have been let was squeezing out action on “However, registered inter- was well supported and the police rime Minister Theresa Bogged down by Brexit and society as a whole — for govern- down years of cuts to public Britain’s social problems. mediaries are a scarce resource, interviewer understood how best May yesterday pledged losing her parliamentary ma- ment, for our public services — services. “It will hold a mirror up to unfortunately available to only to talk to the child – ultimately Pto “hold a mirror up to jority in a snap election in June, there is nowhere to hide. “The prime minister has society and allow us and wider a small proportion of those who gathering powerful evidence of society” with a study showing May has struggled to deliver on These issues are now out in done nothing but exacerbate society to see where action is would benefi t from their serv- the most serious off ending.” sharp racial disparities in Brit- social reforms to tackle what the open,” she told a private the problems. Far from tackling needed,” May told a meeting of ices. Ministry of justice plans An NSPCC spokesman said ain, as she looks for a way to she has called “burning injus- meeting to launch the report, the burning injustices she has her senior ministers, according to increase their numbers have the child was “incredibly brave”. demonstrate her leadership is tices” since taking control of according to her offi ce. added fuel to the fi re,” Labour’s to a spokesman. stalled without explanation.” He said: “It’s hugely positive to about more than just delivering the ruling Conservative party in “The message is very sim- equalities spokeswoman Dawn May’s deputy Damian Green This year, another intermedi- see that she was so well support- Brexit. July 2016. ple: if these disparities cannot Butler said. said the audit’s fi ndings were ary helped a former church chor- ed to tell police what really hap- Among the fi ndings of the Attempting to relaunch that be explained then they must be She called for the govern- not “relentlessly negative”, but ister rendered immobile by mo- pened. The NSPCC has urged the audit, the data showed Asian, agenda, she published the fi nd- changed.” ment to start off ering solutions added in a forward to the docu- tor neurone disease to fulfi l his ministry of justice to drastically black and other minority eth- ings of a “Race Disparity Audit” May’s centre-right Conserv- to the problems the audit high- ment: “There is still a way to go dying wish and testify against his increase the availability of well- nic households were most likely which pulled together existing atives were blindsided in June’s lighted. before we have a country that abuser using eye-tracking tech- trained, independent experts to to be in persistent poverty, that data from across sectors such as election by a surge in support At last week’s Conservative works for everyone regardless nology. ensure justice is done. ethnic minorities have a lower health, education, employment for the left-wing policies of op- conference, May was keen to of their ethnicity.” Rents fall amid property Travelling fair Actress speaks out glut in south-east England against fi lm producer AFP that I didn’t have a choice, that it London was humiliating for me and that Guardian News and Media the average asking rent rose by Conservative party conference in he had the power.” London 2.6% to £564 per month. Manchester last week. She said she had not previ- Britain’s housing market is Rightmove’s head of lettings, ctress Romola Garai said ously raised the incident because looking increasingly broken amid Sam Mitchell, said more land- she felt “violated” follow- fi lm business insiders would be ents in Britain dropped in a chronic shortage of new homes. lords were acquiring homes Aing a meeting with Harvey “shocked I even thought it was the fi nal summer months Young people are particularly immediately outside London, Weinstein in his London hotel an issue.” Rfor the fi rst time in at least hard hit, with millennials spend- therefore increasing the supply room when she was 18 in which he Weinstein was fi red on Sunday fi ve years, according to Rightmove. ing three times more of their of available property and pushing was in a bathrobe, the Guardian from his own fi lm studio, three National asking rents outside income on housing than their down rents. “Agents are report- newspaper reported yesterday. days after a bombshell New York London fell by 0.2% in the three grandparents, often for worse ing that some investors looking Garai, best known for her role Times report alleged that the Os- months to September, which is quality accommodation, accord- for better yields are shifting their in Atonement, said she had al- car-winning executive producer one of the busiest times of year ing to the Resolution Foundation. focus from London,” he said. ready been hired for a part but behind such hits as The King’s for tenants looking for a new Areas such as Surrey, Berkshire was told to audition privately Speech and The Artist had preyed home. It was the fi rst fall at this “Agents are reporting that and Buckinghamshire are among with the Hollywood mogul be- on young women hoping to break time of year since Rightmove some investors looking the most popular for landlords cause “you had to be personally into the industry. started tracking rents in late 2011. for better yields are seeking investments outside of approved by him.” Weinstein’s accusers — who The decline comes as land- shift ing their focus from London. Prices have not fallen “Like every other woman in reportedly include celebrities lords fl ood the south-east of London” as much in areas with good com- the industry, I’ve had an ‘audi- such as Rose McGowan and Ash- England with newly available muter links, where demand re- tion’ with Harvey Weinstein,” ley Judd — say the 65-year-old rental properties, distorting the The proportion of households mains strong. she told the paper. “So I had to tycoon had promised to help ad- national picture, as they turn privately renting in the UK has Asking rents in the capital fell go to his hotel room in the Sa- vance their careers in exchange away from a stuttering London ballooned in the past 20 years. at an annual rate of 3.3% in Sep- voy and he answered the door in for sexual favours. property market. According to offi cial fi gures, tember to an average of £1,920 Visitors attend the ‘Hull Fair’, one of Europe’s largest his bathrobe. I was only 18. I felt Weinstein has expressed regret The glut of homes available to around 65% of UK households per month. The average asking annual travelling fairs, in Hull, yesterday. Showmen violated by it,” the 35-year-old for his behaviour towards wom- rent pushed down rents in the were owner-occupiers at the end rent per month across the coun- and women have brought their rides and stalls to actress added. en, saying: “I own my mistakes.” south-east by 2.3% in the period. of 2016, while 17% were renting try in September was £789. the city for more than 700 years, first appearing in Garai said that once she was Movie legends Meryl Streep Average rents rose in every other from a private landlord and 18% However, Mitchell said he 1278. One of the attractions of the fair is the arrival in the room the two had a brief and Judi Dench led a chorus of UK region apart from Greater from a social landlord. expected the cost of renting to of the famous local fish and chip stall, Bob Carver’s, discussion about fi lm but she outrage including from actors London and Yorkshire and the Theresa May pledged an addi- increase in London due to the which sells the local delicacy ‘pattie and chips’, a felt “belittled” by his “abuse of Seth Rogan, Lena Dunham and Humber. tional £2bn a year to councils and supply of available accommoda- deep fried potato and sage cake served with chips power.” Patricia Arquette, director James The biggest quarterly increase housing associations for aff ord- tion decreasing as landlords look and mushy peas. “The point was that he could Gunn and fellow producer Judd came in the north-east, where able homes in her speech to the elsewhere for investments. get a young woman to do that, Apatow. Gulf Times 16 Wednesday, October 11, 2017 EUROPE Catalan leader backs off Erdogan: We did not start this problem move on independence Erdogan AFP At stake is the future of a re- some Catalans over to the inde- escalates Barcelona gion of 7.5mn people deeply di- pendence camp. vided over independence, one of However, both Madrid and Spain’s economic powerhouses the Catalan executive have come row with atalan leader Carles Pu- whose drive to break away has under fi re for their dogged re- igdemont said yesterday raised concern for stability in the sponse to the crisis and a lack of Cthat he had accepted the European Union. dialogue. the US “mandate of the people” for Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy Carolina Palles, a 53-year- his region’s independence from has vowed to use everything in old fl ower vendor in Barcelona’s Spain but suspended the dec- his power to prevent independ- popular La Ramblas boulevard, DPA laration to allow more time for ence and has even refused to rule said it was “a sad day”, almost Istanbul/Belgrade talks with Madrid. out imposing direct rule over the two months after the seaside In a speech to regional law- semi-autonomous region – an city was hit by a deadly terror makers in Barcelona, Puigde- unprecedented move many fear attack. urkey no longer recognis- mont stopped short of declaring could lead to unrest. Against independence, she es the US ambassador to an outright split but left the door EU President Donald Tusk was angry at both camps. TAnkara, President Recep to secession open, leaving some also urged Puigdemont against “Rajoy’s government handled Tayyip Erdogan said yesterday, political rivals scratching their making a decision that would things very badly,” she said, ac- toughening his rhetoric amid a heads. make “dialogue impossible”. cusing the separatists “of per- worsening row with the United “I assume the mandate of the But the Catalan president says sisting until the very end, like States, sparked by the arrest of a people for Catalonia to become the independence referendum martyrs”. US consulate employee. an independent republic,” he that took place on October 1 de- The crisis has also caused “We do not recognise him as said. spite a court ban justifi es split- deep uncertainty for businesses the representative of the United But the 54-year-old asked the ting from Madrid. in one of the wealthiest regions States of America in Turkey, I Catalan parliament to “suspend Around 90% of those who in the eurozone’s fourth largest say this quite openly,” Erdogan the eff ects of the independence cast ballots voted for independ- economy. said about John Bass during a declaration to initiate dialogue ence but the poll was poorly Spain’s stock market shed press conference while on a trip in the coming weeks”. Supporters of independence for Catalonia listen to Puigdemont’s speech broadcast on a television monitored and many Cata- nearly 1.0% ahead of yesterday’s to Serbia. The central government fi red screen at the Arc de Triomf (Triumphal Arch) in Barcelona. lans opposed to secession boy- session and a string of compa- “We did not start this prob- back, with a spokesman reject- cotted an illegal plebiscite that nies have already moved their lem,” Erdogan said, accusing the ing what Madrid termed Cata- the bloc still dealing with the divided over independence was to pursue a path of no return and was witnessed a violent police legal headquarters – but not US of being responsible for the lonia’s “tacit” independence fallout from Britain’s shock de- mixed. not to make any unilateral inde- crackdown. their employees – from Catalo- sharp deterioration in relations. declaration. cision to leave. “In essence we’re happy but pendence declaration,” govern- On Monday, Ada Colau, the nia to other parts of the country. It was an escalation from the Political leaders in Catalonia, Police deployed en masse I was expecting more,” said ment spokesman Inigo Mendez popular mayor of Barcelona, Demands for independence day before, when the Turkish Spain and Europe have come around the regional parliament, 66-year-old Pere Valldeneu. de Vigo told reporters on Thurs- warned that a unilateral declara- in Catalonia, which has its own leader had only expressed sad- out against an independence blocking public access to a park Merce Hernandez, a 35-year- day. tion of independence would put language and cultural traditions, ness over the row. declaration, concerned over the that houses the building as old architect, said: “I am very A source from the central “social cohesion” at risk. date back centuries. On Sunday, the US stopped country’s biggest upheaval since crowds watched the session on emotional, this is a historic day. government’s representative of- Pro-unity and pro-independ- But a 2010 move by Spain’s off ering non-immigrant visa its transition to democracy in giant screens, waving Catalan I’m satisfi ed.” fi ce in Catalonia said security ence supporters have staged Constitutional Court to water services in Turkey, citing secu- the 1970s. fl ags and some brandishing signs Madrid has repeatedly said it had been tightened at Catalan mass rallies in Barcelona over down a statute that gave Catalo- rity concerns. EU nations are watching de- reading “democracy”. would not negotiate on Catalo- airports and railway stations in the past week, highlighting divi- nia additional powers, combined Hours later, Turkish missions velopments closely amid con- Reaction among those who nia’s independence. anticipation of possible protests sions in Catalonia. with a deep economic meltdown in the US took a similar step and cern that Catalan independence had hoped to witness a historic “We call on Puigdemont not at Puigdemont’s possible inde- Anger over the police violence in Spain, sparked a surge in sup- also froze US passport holders could put further pressure on moment for a region deeply- to do anything irreversible, not pendence announcement. during the referendum swung port for independence. out of an electronic visa system. Last week, a staff member of the US consulate in Istanbul was arrested. He is the second US staff member arrested this year, while a third employee is being sought French public servants take to the street for questioning and his family members are being held in cus- tody. AFP protesting trade unionists to get Macron – painted as a “presi- The Turkish president said Paris a job. dent of the rich” by leftist crit- that if the suspension of visa But there appeared to be rela- ics – continues to take heat for a services was decided at the top tively limited disruption to the string of comments seen as de- levels in Washington, then An- ore than 100,000 national railways or schools and rogatory towards workers. kara has nothing more to discuss French public sector only a minority of fl ights were He has also alienated regional with the US. Mworkers angered by cancelled. governments, who are fuming at On Saturday, US Secretary Emmanuel Macron’s plans to There has been vocal criti- having their funding from Paris of State Rex Tillerson spoke by freeze their pay and eliminate cism of Macron’s policies from cut by €450mn ($529mn). telephone with Turkish Foreign jobs went on strike yesterday, his opponents, but the protest The hard-left CGT union and Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu to amplifying opposition to the movement has so far not reached radical leftist leader Jean-Luc discuss bilateral consular aff airs, president’s cost-cutting, pro- the scale seen as necessary to Melenchon are hoping yester- local media had reported. business agenda. force the government into major day’s strikes will inject new Erdogan implied “agents” had Nine unions representing U-turns, analysts say. momentum into their protest infi ltrated the US consulate in 5.4mn public workers issued a Government spokesman movement and spur other dis- Istanbul, saying: “All this shows joint strike call to show their Christophe Castaner adopted a gruntled groups to join the fray. us that something is going on in “profound disagreement” with conciliatory tone. Frederic Dabi of the Ifop poll- the consulate in Istanbul.” Macron’s bid to transform the “There are many people mo- ing agency said public sector The president’s words ap- gargantuan public service. bilised ... we need to hear these workers mostly backed Macron peared to undercut earlier eff orts The protests were the fourth concerns,” he told France 2 tel- in the presidential election in by Prime Minister Binali Yildir- round of demonstrations in evision. May but “they feel they are be- im to work towards a resolution. France since September aimed at But on Monday Prime Minis- ing made to pay for the govern- “I hope that this tension will forcing the 39-year-old presi- ter Edouard Philippe signalled ment’s policies”. end soon,” Yildirim told mem- dent to row back on his reforms, that the government had no But unless other workers bers of the ruling Islamic-con- with the government’s response plans to change course, while down tools, or young people an- servative Justice and Develop- being closely watched by Euro- assuring public sector workers gered by cuts to student hous- ment Party (AKP), noting that pean allies and investors. that they were “not at all unap- ing subsidies take to the streets, citizens of both countries were More than 100,000 people preciated”. A masked protester holds a smoke flair during a demonstration in Nantes, western France, as part of a Macron will continue to have being disadvantaged by the visa took to the streets in Paris, Lyon, Yesterday’s day of action was nationwide day of action by French civil servants against the government’s plans to freeze their pay free rein to implement his agen- freeze. Strasbourg, Nice and other cit- the fi rst time in a decade that all and eliminate 120,000 public jobs. da, said Dabi. “We started a legal process ies yesterday, according to the nine public sector unions have “What is positive for Em- against some people who work at authorities, while the hard-left issued a joint strike call. Trade unions put the fi gure at among other things, freezing Philippe Martinez, head of manuel Macron is that he is seen the American missions,” said the CGT union estimated turnout It was also the fi rst time since 35-50%. civil servants’ pay and cutting France’s biggest union CGT, said as facing down the street and prime minister. “So what?” nationally at 400,000. 2009 that hospital unions called Around 30% of fl ights in and nearly 1,600 public jobs – the civil servants were tired of being implementing his programme,” He also noted that an execu- “Macron is deepening the so- on their members to walk off the out of Paris and other major cit- fi rst swing of the axe in his plan portrayed as “slackers and prof- he added. tive of a Turkish state-run bank cial divide,” read a banner waved job. ies were cancelled as a precau- to cut 120,000 posts by 2022. iteers”. In a sign that the president has was in jail in the US. by a protester in Paris while oth- Among teachers, however, the tion. Karine Jouglas, a police offi cer “There are too few employees the upper hand for now, his poll That banker is accused of us- ers took aim at his recent com- strike rate was limited to 17.5%, The government has an- demonstrating in Nice, said that and they want to cut more,” he numbers have recovered slightly ing the US fi nancial system to ments calling opponents of his according to the education min- nounced plans to cut spending spending cuts had left offi cers complained. after a dramatic slide this sum- evade sanctions on Iran, in deals reforms “slackers” and urging istry. by €16bn ($18bn) next year by, with “trash cans for squad cars”. The demonstrations come as mer to around 30%. worth billions of dollars. Yildirim said he believed at least “80%” of Turks had an un- favourable view of the US. The premier denounced Washington’s support for a In rightward shift, Dutch PM seals new government pact Kurdish militia in Syria, which is leading the fi ght against the Is- lamic State (IS) extremist group Reuters have an ambitious and balanced decade, at over 3%, the new gov- “The dividend tax is going to there. The Hague plan that will benefi t all,” Rutte ernment may struggle to pro- be totally abolished. That’s es- Ankara dubs the Syrian Kurd- said, presenting the pact. mote its political agenda, given pecially benefi cial for foreign ish militia a terrorist group. Rutte, who leads the liberal its wafer-thin, one-seat major- investors,” said Marcel Klok, a Part of recent US grievances utch Prime Minister VVD party, will head his third ity in both houses of parliament. senior economist at ING bank. towards Turkey focus on anti- Mark Rutte sealed a deal government since coming to Among the most important Lowering taxes for house- American rhetoric in the media, Dto form a new coali- power in 2010. plans of the new coalition – holds and companies will bring notably in pro-government cir- tion government yesterday, an- He is due to start picking his which comprises the VVD, the higher consumer spending and cles. nouncing a major tax overhaul cabinet on Friday, the day after centrist D66, and conserva- employment that will support Erdogan appears to be trying and steering the Netherlands parliament debates the govern- tive Christian parties CDA and the wider economy. “It is be- to place responsibility for the towards the political right. ment pact, and have his team in- Christian Union – is a large coming more rewarding to work Rutte presents the new government pact in The Hague. Behind him sharp deterioration in relations The four-party coalition stalled by the end of this month. tax overhaul, with a cut in in- and that is one of the main aims are (from left) Sybrand Buma of the CDA, Alexander Pechtold of on Bass, who will soon take up a talks were the country’s longest The coalition will have a more come taxes worth around €6bn of this government.” D66, and Gert-Jan Segers of the Christian Union. post in Afghanistan, after being since World War II, overtaking right-wing hue than the outgo- ($7.1bn) that will benefi t the However, labour unions said appointed to Kabul by President a record of 208 days set in 1977 ing government of the VVD and wealthy and middle classes. the plans would raise the cost of Netherlands plans to admit sev- That goal seems unfeasible, Donald Trump. as the parties struggled to bridge the centre-left Labour party. The coalition also aims to living, “while companies’ share- eral hundred refugees per year environmental group Green- Bass said he is not aware of any wide diff erences. The independent budget of- lower the corporate tax rate, holders are being pampered”. more than until now. peace said. “Coal plants will be evidence against the employee Among the issues discussed fi ce said the government’s plans from 25% to 21%, which will be The coalition does not in- Government plans also in- allowed to run 10 years longer arrested last week, saying that in often fraught debates were would increase growth in gross partly off set by higher taxes on clude Wilders’ party and, while a clude higher taxes for polluters than necessary, while other the move “has raised questions migration – a topic which domi- domestic product (GDP) by food and a scaling-back of tax greater focus on national identi- and the promise to shut all fi ve plans to reduce emissions re- about whether the goal of some nated the national election in 0.2 percentage points annu- breaks for homeowners. ty is part of its agenda, a clamp- coal-fi red energy plants in the main vague.” offi cials is to disrupt the long- March in which the anti-Islam ally through 2021, with average The largest employers’ as- down on migration is not. country by 2030. A plan by D66 to extend eu- standing co-operation” between party of Geert Wilders fi nished growth forecast at 2%. sociation said the plans would The four parties have agreed This should help lower emis- thanasia will not get the full Washington and Ankara. second – taxation and euthana- But despite being able to reap make the Netherlands more at- to limit fi nancial allowances for sions of carbon dioxide in 2030 support of the coalition since “At this time, we can’t predict sia. the benefi ts of the strongest tractive for international com- asylum-seekers in the fi rst two to 49% of the level reached in the CDA and Christian Union how long it will take to resolve “It took a long time, but we Dutch economic expansion in a panies. years of their stay, though the 1990. oppose the idea. this matter,” Bass said. Gulf Times Wednesday, October 11, 2017 17 INDIA Mountains of garbage and despair in India’s dirtiest city

AFP rubbish, and residents are des- ans and cars to navigate the piles and you can see it’s a perfect Gonda and the Uttar Pradesh ous part of India’s dirtiest city. he has been “bombarded” with Gonda, Uttar Pradesh perate for their bickering leaders of plastic bottles, discarded food ranking. You can’t imagine how government has also bogged “We live in sickness. Diseases telephone calls and social media to bring about change. containers and animal excreta. we live here,” he added. down projects. like cholera are an everyday is- messages since the survey. Gonda, 125km from the Uttar The stray cows love it, but Most locals hope the ‘dirtiest Signs of the dysfunction are sue,” Kanshiram resident Sushila “It was very, very embarrass- lies throng over piles of Pradesh capital of Lucknow, was residents in Awas Vikas are at city’ accolade will shame politi- everywhere. Tewari told AFP as she swatted ing,” he told AFP. faeces, the drains overfl ow best known as a quiet stopover breaking point. cians into action and break the Houses have been abandoned away fl ies and mosquitoes from “I explained to as many as I Fwith sewage and the foul point for people travelling to Ne- “The fi lth and the stench have cycle of civic apathy and cor- and left to decay, while neigh- a waste-fi lled pond opposite her could that, as a parliamentarian, smell in the air is inescapable. pal or to see the region’s temples. made us infamous across the ruption, which is blamed for the bourhood parks and ponds have home. I don’t have any say or author- Welcome to Awas Vikas: one Infamy arrived in May when country,” said Durgesh Mishra, mess. become dumping grounds. “We don’t see a municipal ity over local civic body matters of the most exclusive parts of Gonda came bottom of a govern- gesturing desolately at a crater “The manpower and infra- Those who can aff ord it, hire worker around here for days at – the mismanagement, inaction Gonda, a city suff ering the igno- ment cleanliness survey of 434 in the road by his house, which structure issues that we face labourers to clear garbage from a time. When stray animals die and corruption over the last dec- miny of being branded the dirti- cities. The study looked at the is now fi lled with dirty water and today are a result of unplanned outside their homes – even if and lay rotting here, sometimes ade.” est in India. use of toilets, waste collection, buzzing with mosquitoes. development over the last 10 that means discarding it out of we have to cover them with soil Singh acknowledges that Even in such upmarket areas, civic infrastructure and other “It is a really pathetic state of years,” Rajiv Rastogi, a trader and sight in another part of town. ourselves,” she added. Gonda is dirty but is sceptical garbage trucks are rarely seen, areas. aff airs. We’ve been rated as In- veteran local politician told AFP. Kanshiram colony is regarded Kirti Vardhan Singh, a three- that it is really the dirtiest city in green spaces are littered with It is a daily battle for pedestri- dia’s dirtiest – just look around Political rivalry between by some as the most insalubri- term lawmaker for the area, said the nation. NIA will ‘choke’ terrorists off foreign funding, says Rajnath

IANS tralising terrorists day after day.” New Delhi He lauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi for bringing the international community on ome Minister Rajnath board on the issue of terrorism. Singh yesterday said the NIA director general Sharad HNational Investigation Kumar said the agency had been Agency will “fully choke” ter- able to bring back normalcy in rorists and separatists off foreign Jammu and Kashmir by choking funding to curb terrorism that foreign terror funding. he described as a “curse for the He said of the 166 cases the civilised society”. agency had taken up for investi- Singh said being an autono- gation, 62 pertained to militancy, mous body the NIA had done its 25 to terrorist acts by northeast job well in its crackdown on ter- insurgents, 41 of terror fi nancing Youth Congress activists stage a demonstration against Jay Shah, son of BJP chief Amit Shah, in New Delhi yesterday. rorists and separatists. “Some and fake currency, 12 involved people say the NIA has partially Maoists and 24 cases related to succeeded in stopping foreign ter- miscellaneous terrorist acts. ror funding. But I will say the NIA He said the NIA had fi led will fully stop the foreign funding charge-sheets in 28 cases with to terrorists in the country soon.” a success rate of 85% and a con- The minister was referring to viction rate of over 90%. the terror funding case the NIA “In the last two years, the has fi led against Kashmiri sepa- agency has registered 21 cases ratist leaders as well as Jaish-e- relating to IS and we have re- Charges against BJP Mohamed chief Hafi z Sayeed. mained successful in terms of At least eight separatist leaders investigation,” Kumar said. have been arrested since July. “Earlier this year we regis- Inaugurating the NIA head- tered a case of terror funding in quarters at Lodhi Road here, the Kashmir Valley due to which Singh said: “The NIA will bring we have been able to choke the down the morale of the terrorists terror funding and bring back and their funders.” normalcy in the state.” chief’s son ‘baseless’ He said terrorism acted as z The NIA said it has arrested a hindrance to development. one person for organising a ter- IANS Prasad also dubbed the charges transition from ‘beti bachao, dia is quiet. He is not speaking a case, Lalit Modi case and the al- Lauding the work of the NIA for ror camp in Kerala’s Kannur dis- New Delhi as baseless. beti padhao’ (save daughter, ed- word,” Gandhi said. leged involvement of Rajasthan proving its credibility since its trict in 2013. Jay Shah had done nothing ucate daughter) to ‘beta bachao’ “Is he (Modi) a ‘chowkidar’ Chief minister Vasundhara Raje formation in 2008, Singh said The suspect was identifi ed wrong in his business, Prasad (save the son), he said in Vado- (watchman) or ‘bhagidar’ (par- and their leader Sushma Swaraj the conviction rate of the agency as Azharudeen aka Azhar, 24, a he ruling Bharatiya Ja- told reporters in Kochi. dara in Gujarat. ticipant)?” Gandhi said at a in corruption. There are no in- was over 90%. resident of Narath in Kerala. nata Party yesterday “What’s happening now The Congress leader referred meeting. quiries against these cases,” he “As they carry the investiga- An NIA offi cial said that Azhar Trejected demands for an is that a conspiracy has been to a news portal report on the The Communist Party of alleged. tion in a professional way, there was arrested on Monday night. He investigation into the alleged hatched and allegations of cor- 16,000-fold increase in the India demanded a high-level The Rashtriya Janata Dal is no question mark on the in- would be produced in a court later. extraordinary increase in the ruption against Jay Shah have turnover of the company owned probe into the allegations. party of Lalu Prasad Yadav vestigation of the NIA.” The counter-terror agency turnover of a company owned been made. Already he has fi led by Jay Shah before the fi rm was “We are hearing about the dared Modi to order an inves- Singh said investigating ter- said the suspect was involved in by party president Amit Shah’s a defamation suit to the tune of shut ahead of the November 8 company of Amit Shah’s son Jay tigation. rorist activities was a tough job. a secret training camp organised son Jay Shah after it came to Rs100 crores.” demonetisation last year. Shah, whose turnover increased “It is a time of test for Modi “But with the help of scientifi c by Thanal Foundation Trust in- power, describing them as Prasad said Congress vice “Modi ji announced ‘Make from Rs50,000 to Rs80 crore in whether he will order a probe investigation, it has fi led perfect side to impart training in using “baseless”. president Rahul Gandhi had no in India’ and ‘Startup India’ in a year. Why don’t they inquire or not into transactions made charge-sheets.” of swords and explosives. “All these allegations are moral right to make these alle- 2014. I do not know what came into it? Why is the party and the by the fi rm owned by Jay Shah,” He hailed the NIA’s role in On January 20, 2016, the NIA baseless and there is no truth in gations “because he himself is in the mind of Shah ji and how central government supporting RJD leader Shivanand Tiwari curbing the menace of fake cur- Special court had found 21 mem- them,” Home Minister Rajnath on bail in a corruption case. He it came. It was a big innova- his claims of being clean?” CPI said in Patna. rency which he said acted as ox- bers of the Popular Front of India Singh said. also should not forget that there tive idea and he did his work. In general secretary S Sudhakar Tiwari, considered close to ygen for terrorism. Singh lauded (PFI) guilty of the charges includ- “Earlier also there were a are cases of corruption against three-four months, the (turno- Reddy said in Kolkata. the RJD chief, said: “Where the NIA’s “good co-ordination” ing criminal conspiracy, mem- number of charges made against his brother-in-law (Robert ver of) Rs50,000 became Rs80 “Corruption in the BJP is in- is Modi, who had said ‘na with central investigation agen- bership of unlawful assembly, him (Amit Shah). No probe is Vadra)”. crore. He got unsecured loan. creasing. They say no one can khaaoonga, na khane dunga’? cies, anti-terror squads and po- possession of arms and explosive required in the issue,” Singh told However, continued to attack And a very interesting thing accuse their party of corruption The entire country is watching lice forces of state governments. substances, inciting communal reporters here after inaugurat- Prime Minister Narendra Modi, happened. This highly suc- but we have been saying regu- him whether he will order an Congratulating the central disharmony, assertions prejudi- ing the National Investigation accusing him of remaining si- cessful company was closed by larly that this a corrupt govern- investigation or not. The rise of forces, Singh said: “I congratu- cial to national integration besides Agency headquarters. lent on the controversy. (Jay) Shah ji in 2016. How the ment. Amit Shah’s son’s company is late the central forces for neu- organising the terrorist camp. Law Minister Ravi Shankar There has been an amazing chowkidar (gatekeeper) of In- “There has been Vijay Mallya like a miracle,” he said. BJP leaders attack Rahul Yoga above religion, in his own constituency says Venkaiah IANS population benefi ts from this New Delhi treasury of knowledge and IANS the BJP won four of the fi ve as- lectorate offi ce, TB hospital, FM wisdom.” Ameth sembly constituencies in the last centre of All India Radio and The vice president said the Uttar Pradesh assembly polls. homes for the poor? ice President M ancient science of yoga “is Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Referring to Gandhi’s presence Venkaiah Naidu yes- India’s invaluable gift to the haratiya Janata Party lead- Yogi Adityanath and federal Tex- in Gujarat, Shah said: “There are Vterday said that yoga modern world”. ers including party presi- tiles Minister Smriti Irani, who two development models in the has nothing to do with reli- Calling it the mother of all Bdent Amit Shah yesterday lost to Gandhi in the 2014 Lok country. One is Gandhi-Nehru gion, and it was an ancient exercises, Naidu said there launched a concerted attack on Sabha polls, also attacked him, model while another is Modi scientific system. was a misconception that yoga Congress vice president Rahul questioning his commitment to model. In Gujarat there is 24- “Yoga adopts a holistic ap- was only a kind of physical ex- Gandhi, questioning his work for the development of Amethi, a hour power supply, drinking wa- proach towards health and ercise meant to help improve the development of his constitu- family bastion for decades. ter in every house, a good public well-being. While yoga has the physical fi tness of an indi- ency Amethi and asking people Describing Gandhi as “sheh- health centre in every tehsil.” nothing to do with religion, vidual. to defeat him and the Congress zada (prince) of Congress”, Shah Similarly, he said, after the BJP some people unfortunately “Nothing could be farther in the next Lok Sabha election. said the Congress leader can’t took power in Uttar Pradesh, de- attribute religious overtones from the truth. It is a holistic Addressing a public meeting, see the development work done velopment had picked up pace. to this ancient scientifi c sys- system where the mind and Shah spoke for around half an by the Modi government as he The government had written off tem. Anyone trying to do so body act in unison and get hour but made no mention of wears Italian glasses. farmers’ loans and given away is harming humanity,” Naidu completely rejuvenated, as the charges made against his son “He is seeking answers from 900,000 homes to the poor. said after inaugurating the physical postures, breathing Jay Shah, whose company re- the Modi government for its per- “I can assure you that Uttar third International Yoga Con- exercises and meditation help portedly recorded a turnover of formance of last three years but Pradesh will become a developed ference here. in overall well-being of an in- Rs800mn in 2015 after showing the people of Amethi are seeking state like Gujarat. There is Yogi Stressing that “yoga is a sci- dividual. just Rs50,000 the previous year. answers from the three genera- in UP and Modi in Delhi. This ence of well-being”, he called “And, of course, yoga also “You have trusted the Gandhi- tions of Gandhi family which has jodi (pair) will together develop for the subject to be studied helps in the spiritual quest of Nehru family for 60 years. You ruled from panchayat to parlia- the state fully.” and practised like any other an individual through under- put your trust for once in the BJP ment in the last 70 years.” He said the people of Gujarat medical system. standing of the inner-self and and Prime Minister Narendra Shah said while Amethi had know what development is. “You “More research needs to achieving complete peace Modi, you will not regret,” Shah been a VIP constituency for just look at Amethi. You have be done to take this science with the surroundings,” said told the people of Amethi, where decades, why was there no col- destroyed it.” BJP chief Amit Shah speaks at a rally in Amethi yesterday. forward, so that the world Naidu. Gulf Times 18 Wednesday, October 11, 2017 INDIA

STUDY PUSHKAR DEATH CONTROVERSY AUCTION JUDICIARY Mumbai professionals Court seeks police report Evicted contestant Sebi files contempt CBI opposes Karti’s are worst hit by stress on hotel room unsealing slams Salman Khan plea against Sahara plea to go abroad

Among Indian citizens, 31% working professionals A New Delhi court yesterday asked police to Zubair Khan, who has been evicted from The Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) The Central Bureau of Investigation yesterday in Mumbai suff er from stress, a study revealed file a compliance report on its order to unseal the 11th season of controversial reality TV yesterday filed a contempt petition against the Sahara opposed former finance minister P Chidambaram’s yesterday. The study, conducted by Lybrate, an a room in The Leela Palace hotel where show Bigg Boss, has slammed host Salman Group accusing it of obstructing the auction of Aamby son Karti Chidambaram’s plea to the Supreme Court online doctor consultation platform, said nearly former Congress minister Shashi Tharoor’s Khan and has challenged him to meet him in Valley project. A bench headed by Justice Ranjan to travel aboard, saying it has serious apprehensions 60% working professionals in Tier 1 cities are wife Sunanda Pushkar was found dead in person. “You speak about Being Human, you Gogoi said it will send the matter to another bench that he would tamper with evidence during his stressed. This includes Delhi (27%), Bengaluru 2014. Metropolitan Magistrate Dharmender changed your image after the car accident headed by Chief Justice Dipak Mishra who is hearing overseas stay. The agency told the bench of Chief (14%), Hyderabad (11%), Chennai (10%) and Kolkata Singh said if the police fail to file the report, when you were told that you have become the Sebi-Sahara case. On April 16, the top court had Justice Dipak Misra, Justice A M Khanwilkar and (7%). The major worries of working professionals a senior police off icer will have to appear in such a bad boy. We have your entire report. asked the Bombay High Court’s off icial liquidator to Justice D Y Chandrachud that it has incriminating are tight deadlines, missing targets, coping with person to explain the cause. He listed the You just show off with your brand Being evaluate and auction the Aamby Valley property of evidence against Karti which it had already pressure, off ice politics, long working hours, matter for further hearing on October 16. Human,” Zubair said. “We know all about the Sahara Group. The liquidator had said its market submitted to the court. However, Karti, who had indiff erent and unsupportive managers and The court order came after the police sought you, with who you live and which actress you value was Rs373.9bn and the fair value was R 430bn. sought permission to go to Britain for the admission work-life balance. “People feel uncomfortable more time to keep the room locked, arguing roam with,” he added. The former contestant On August 14, the high court put the prestigious of his daughter to Cambridge, told the court that talking about stress with family members and that a forensic report on samples collected challenged Salman to meet him personally project on public auction. The auction process was the agency should prove that he has other accounts friends. But it is important to bottle out any sort of from the scene was still awaited. However, without a bodyguard. “Where you want to call initiated three days after the Supreme Court declined abroad, except from the one he has already frustration or stifling emotions in a healthy way,” they added that one report has been received me, come without a bodyguard. Even if you to entertain the Sahara group’s plea to postpone the disclosed. The junior Chidambaram, who was Saurabh Arora, founder and CEO of Lybrate, said and they require three more days to unseal come along (with) a bodyguard, that would auction of its prime hill station properties nestled in represented by lawyer Kapil Sibal, also contested the in a statement. the room. also do,” Zubair said. the lush green Western Ghats in Pune district. CBI’s claim that he has undisclosed overseas assets.

Kerala police Prayer meeting warn against anti-migrant Commuters labourers campaign angry after Agencies Thiruvananthapuram

olice in Kerala are probing the source of videos urg- Ping migrant workers in the Delhi Metro state to leave following the death of one of them, police chief Loknath Behra said yesterday. Behra said preliminary fi nd- ings showed that the “canards” were meant to portray Kerala in a poor light. hikes fares The campaign followed the alleged suicide of a West Ben- IANS last six months - DMRC raised point connectivity while Metro gal man working in a hotel in New Delhi the fare by Rs20 in May and an- commuters hire cycle-rickshaws Kozhikode. A video that has nounced that the fares will be re- or auto-rickshaws to and from gone viral, however, shows the vised again in October. Metro stations. worker being beaten to death. he Delhi Metro rail Cor- The latest increase drew strong “In some cases, the fare diff er- Mohamed Suhail, president of poration yesterday steeply reactions from commuters, with ence between Metro and shared the Kerala Hotel and Restaurant Tincreased its fares - the some saying they would consider cab rides would be minimal but Association in Kozhikode, said second time this year - despite alternative public transport. people may not mind paying a the 26-year-old man committed opposition from the Delhi gov- “The hike is not fair. Who will bit more for cab rides,” Bhardwaj suicide due to family issues. ernment, igniting mostly negative be happy with such a steep rise, said. “On Saturday, pictures of responses from commuters amid that too twice in a year?” said He claimed that Prime Minister the dead youth were circulated some confusion over the hike. Ajay, a 40-year-old fi nance sector Narendra Modi had taken exces- on WhatsApp with an audio in The fares were hiked for all employee who commutes from sive interest in Ola in the past and Hindi saying he was beaten to slabs except the minimum fare Paschim Vihar to Rajiv Chowk. even praised one of their drivers death and that migrant labour- of Rs10 for a distance of 0-2 km, “It has almost doubled. Till on Twitter. ers should return to their home which will remain the same. yesterday, I was charged Rs27 and Another AAP MLA Alka Lam- states. We immediately brought Accordingly, the fare now is today I shelled out Rs40 for the ba dubbed Urban Development this to the attention of the media Rs10 for up to 2km, Rs20 for same distance,” he said. Minister Hardeep Singh Puri and and police,” said Suhail. 2-5km, Rs30 for 5-12km, Rs40 for Arvind Tripathi, 28, who works the central government as “dicta- Behra said the cyber police had 12-21km, Rs50 for 21-32km and for a Japanese fi rm, said: “I paid torial” and said her party will hit started an investigation and that Rs60 for a ride beyond 32km. Rs60 today from Bata Chowk to the streets and force the govern- district collectors and police A Metro offi cial said the mini- Rajiv Chowk. This is not a good ment to reverse the fare hike. chiefs in all the districts would mum hike was Rs5 and the maxi- thing. Metro may be incurring Health Minister Satyendar Jain meet and discuss this issue “to mum Rs10. Smart card users will losses but who isn’t?” said the hike was a conspiracy instil confi dence in the minds of continue to get 10% discount, so The fare hike was approved by to increase congestion on Delhi the migrant labourers”. would those who use Metro dur- the Fare Fixation Committee of roads and create more problems Another hotel owner said ing non-peak hours - between three members, one each from the rather than solve anything. many of the migrant workers start of the metro service till 8am, Delhi and central governments, He said the AAP government were returning to their home between noon and 5pm and from and the third, a retired high court had halved the airport Metro states ahead of Diwali. 9pm till the close of service. judge. fares, after which fare collections Hotel owners are now busy Commuters said they paid Delhi’s Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) from the route had doubled. asking their migrant staff to more than Rs10 on the fi rst day of government staunchly opposed The minister said the DMRC make videos praising Kerala and the hike. the move calling it anti-people. should focus on real estate devel- their working atmosphere. For example, Ravi Ranjan, who It declared a ‘Metro Fare Satya- opment as many DMRC buildings “Kerala is absolutely safe, and travels daily between Malviya Na- graha’ at all Metro stations at 4pm were lying vacant. Kerala people have never shown gar and Noida Sector 16, used to today that would continue tomor- Jain said Delhi Metro was a “so- any discrimination against, pay Rs32 for a one-way ride. “But row and on Friday at 12 noon when cial venture” to end congestion race-wise, language-wise or today I ended up paying Rs45 AAP workers will lay siege to the on Delhi roads and not a business anything. We are highly large- which is Rs 13 more,” he said. Urban Development Ministry. venture. hearted persons so many people Similarly, Aroonim Baruah, Delhi AAP convener Gopal Rai The Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi from outside work here without who travels daily from Noida City said the fare hike will benefi t only Parishad (ABVP), the students’ any problem,” Behera said. Centre to his offi ce in Sector 16, the app-based taxi operators, like wing of the Bharatiya Janata Party, An estimated 3mn workers used to pay Rs13.5 during peak Ola and Uber, whose services will staged a demonstration outside from West Bengal, Bihar and the hour travel. And yesterday, he become cheaper than Metro. the Metro Bhawan here, demand- northeast work in various sec- Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan and director Aziz Mirza attend a prayer meeting for late film said Rs27 were deducted from his Asked how this was possible, ing a rollback of the hike or the is- tors in Kerala, including in the director and writer Kundan Shah in Mumbai yesterday. smart card. AAP legislator Saurabh Bhard- suance of a metro pass on lines of hospitality sector. This is the second hike in the waj said the cabs provide point to DTC bus pass for students. Modi needs to do more to ease GST pangs The papers are saying this great job of reducing tax on things bureaucracy makes it extremely been struggling for the past three Centre and one for states. Canada year Diwali has come early.” like dried cut-mango, khakhra (a diffi cult to pinpoint who did what months with the compliance co- is the only other country that has “That was Prime Minis- snack favourite with Gujaratis), and, therefore, the responsibil- nundrum. Firms that have less dual GST. India, in fact, went one ter Narendra Modi fawning on certain sanitary items, manmade Delhi Diary ity of a failed decision easily gets than Rs15mn annual turnover step further adding a third di- the redrafted regulations of the yarn, etc. Taxes on these items passed on to the politician. Of now need to make only quarterly mension to it with the Integrated Goods and Services Tax (GST) at have been reduced from 12% to By A K B Krishnan course, this is not to absolve the returns. This is a good beginning. Goods and Services Tax (IGST) for a function in Dwarka in his native 5%. How far a tax cut on dried cut- political masters who have the fi - It gives hope that in the months to inter-state services. This had to Gujarat last Saturday. On Friday mango, mainly used in north India Gulf Times Correspondent nal say, but more often than not come this frequency could get re- be done to prevent double-billing Finance Minister Arun Jaitley had for pickling, would bring cheer to they are led up the smooth garden duced further. and even tax evasion. presided over a meeting of the Indians on Diwali eve is a matter path by the bureaucrat. Equally important was the de- There are many who feel that GST Council which decided to of conjecture, but Modi is not one orders and then withdraw part of tive Service as the “steel frame” of Although the chief slogan of cision to release all tax refunds to back-to-back implementation reduce tax on some 27 items and to miss out on a chance to gain any those orders because you fi nd peo- India. Patel had only borrowed the the GST is “one country, one tax”, exporters before the end of this of demonetisation and the GST also made compliance easier for quarter from wherever. ple struggling to cope with them, expression from Earl Lloyd George it is in fact one country, many month. This, however, is easier was not necessary and that Modi small and medium enterprises The GST, and more importantly will that constitute a “gift”, Diwali who had called the British India taxes because there are fi ve or said than done because the tax- could have waited for the pangs (SMEs). its implementation, has been se- or no Diwali? What the govern- Civil Service “the steel frame on six or even seven diff erent slabs man is notorious for extracting of one to settle before introduc- Truth to tell, the papers - or at verely criticised by most opposi- ment, or the GST Council for that which the whole structure of our of taxes which make it virtually his pound of fl esh before releasing ing the other. But obviously these least the main national English tion parties and it has been the matter, has done is take a few ‘re- government and of our adminis- a humongous task to follow. On any money from the exchequer are not the only two ‘big-bang’ dailies published from the capi- constant refrain of Jaitley that all active’ steps to make things easy tration in India rests”. Well, over top of it there were the monthly even if that money belongs to the reforms that Modi is planning. tal -did not say any such thing. decisions have been taken unani- for Indians, especially small trad- the years the steel has rusted but compliance returns that had to payee. Corruption at these levels There are more in the pipeline and “Three months on, GST now mously by the GST Council which ers and exporters, large or small. the politicians had failed to notice be fi led to three diff erent offi ces is what makes most people fear some of them could even be dis- good for small traders,” said The comprises representatives of all Modi and Jaitley must have it. and an annual set of tax returns, and hate the tax authorities. Modi rupters of the normal routine as Economic Times on its front page state governments and federally been well aware of the GST claus- When we talk of corruption we making a total of 37 returns in one has done enough chest-thumping Indians have grown used to. lead story. The Indian Express had administered territories, includ- es that entailed severe hardships fi rst think of politicians because year. Such a convoluted proce- on how he has presided over a The general consensus is that “GST relief for small fi rms, rates ing those of the Congress Party to certain segments of the popu- nine times of ten it is the politician dure could only mean one thing: cabinet that is bereft of corrup- the 2019 parliamentary elec- cut for many groups,” while Hin- and, therefore, the Bharatiya Ja- lation. It is possible that they, as who gets caught with his hands more interference from the tax- tion. But lower level corruption tions will only be a brief stop for dustan Times and The Times of nata Party-led federal govern- well as others in the cabinet in- in the till. But corruption in bu- man which, in the Indian context, continues unabated and it is a the Modi machine to chug along India also weighed in with similar ment should not be singled out volved in formulating the GST, reaucracy is perhaps more sinister means more avenues for corrup- herculean task to fi ght it given the and that by the time his second sentiments. Diwali was nowhere for the teething troubles that have were led to believe that whatever and damaging than what politi- tion. If Modi had wanted less gov- magnitude of the problem. tenure ends in 2024, India would in the picture. cropped up. If that were indeed was being done was for the great- cians are capable of because nine ernment and more governance, All this is not say the GST was be counted as one of the ‘devel- Diwali is a big celebration in so, then the cut in rates as well er common good. Now who could times out ten they go unnoticed the GST had made sure that the unwarranted or even untimely. oped’ countries as against the tag north and western India when as the easing of compliance rules have masterminded such a plot? and undetected. ‘The steel frame’ opposite was true. No country has introduced the of ‘developing’ that it had been people exchange gifts and wishes. for small fi rms and the resultant Only the bureaucrats. has networked itself to a point it Early Diwali gift or not, the GST without initial hiccups. The burdened with for the past half The prime minister wanted to seize positive press should also be at- Sardar Patel, one of the found- is capable of manipulating all gov- amended regulations are none- vastness of India coupled with a century. Modi has broken the the moment and make it look like tributed to the same council. ing fathers of the republic, had ernment decisions. The wheels- theless welcome. They are most its federalist structure meant it egg. Indians are waiting to eat the he and his government had done a Then again, if you pass certain described the Indian Administra- within-wheels structure of Indian helpful for the SMEs that had must have a dual GST, one for the omelette. Gulf Times Wednesday, October 11, 2017 19 PAKISTAN

Country no more Border villages brace for reliant on US for Berlin Wall-style divide military Reuters in Germany, it is in Mexico. It needs: PM Chaman/Quetta is all over the world - why not in Afghanistan and Pakistan?” said Col Muhammad Usman, Internews housands of Pashtun commander of Pakistan’s Fron- Karachi tribal people who for tier Corps paramilitary force in Tdecades ignored the in- Chaman. visible line that bisects their “These tribals have to under- akistani Prime Minister dusty villages and demarcates stand that this is Pakistan and Shahid Abbasi has said the Afghanistan-Pakistan that place is Afghanistan.” Pthat Pakistan is no more frontier are bracing for a Ber- Yet scepticism about the reliant on the United States for lin Wall-style divide of their fence abounds. Pakistan’s pre- its military requirement and will neighbourhoods. vious attempts to build one reach out to others if one source Pakistan, worried by Islam- failed about a decade ago and dries up. ist attacks, is building a fence to many doubt whether it is pos- “If one source dries up, we prevent militants criss-cross- sible to secure such a lengthy have no option but to go to an- ing the porous 2,500km (1,500 border. other source. It may cost more, mile) frontier along the dis- The appeal of erecting physi- it may consume more resources, puted colonial-era Durand line cal border barriers waned after but we have to fi ght that war, and drawn up by the British in 1893. the Berlin Wall was torn down that’s what we emphasised to The fence, which Kabul op- in 1989. But in recent years, sev- all the people that we met,” the poses, will run down the middle eral populist leaders have advo- prime minister told Arab News of so-called “divided villages” cated building walls to curtail on Sunday. where few people have pass- movement of foreigners, most “We have major US weapons ports and Pashtun tribal loyalty notably US President Donald systems in our military, but we’ve often trumps allegiance to the Trump, who wants a wall along also diversifi ed. We have Chinese state. the entire border with Mexico. and European systems. Recently, Seven such villages are dot- Hungary’s right-wing Prime for the fi rst time we inducted ted around Chaman district, Minister Viktor Orban recently Russian attack helicopters.” home to the bustling border- fenced the border with Serbia Reiterating his stance on fi ght crossing town of Chaman in to prevent Syrian refugees and against terrorism, Abbasi said Pakistan’s southwestern prov- other Muslim migrants from Soldiers keep guard as citizens return from Afghanistan at the border-crossing town of Chaman in Pakistan. the world needed to recognise ince of Baluchistan. Other di- entering the eastern European Pakistan’s eff orts. “Any sanc- vided villages are believed to country that acts as a gateway Pakistan,” added Usman. each other of sheltering mili- terrorists or suspects from Af- mountainous terrain, and has tions or restraints … put on our exist further north in the restive to the European Union. Tense relations between Af- tants and providing safe havens ghan areas...but my own small been a hotbed of arms and her- systems only degrade our eff orts Federally Administered Tribal Pakistan, in anticipation of ghanistan and Pakistan boiled for Islamist groups who carry business, which I was doing with oin smuggling for decades. US to fi ght terror, and it aff ect the Areas (Fata). the fence, plans to build more over in two divided villages in out cross-border attacks. Afghan people, will be aff ected,” drone strikes have also targeted whole equation in this region,” Pakistani offi cials in Balu- than 100 new border posts and May during Pakistan’s census Many residents in Killi Ja- said Abdul Jabbar, a Pakistani militants from Al Qaeda and said, quoting from the interview. chistan are now working on Islamabad is recruiting in ex- survey. More than 10 people hangir and Killi Luqman wel- owner of a small enterprise in other groups in the region. Speaking about his unsched- shifting Pakistani citizens in the cess of 30,000 soldiers to man were killed when Afghan border come the fence in the hope it will Killi Jahangir. For the likes of taxi driver Ab- uled meetings on the sidelines divided villages to their side of them, according to a senior troops, objecting to the census, prevent bloodshed. But others Pakistani offi cials have long dul Razzaq, 30, having peace of of the United Nations General the fence and say security wor- military source. clashed with the Frontier Corps are concerned it will hurt busi- struggled to impose security in mind off sets the loss of business Assembly (UNGA), he said they ries override concerns that it “Trump is doing as per re- in Killi Jahangir and Killi Luq- ness and separate them from the Pashtun tribal heartland. due to the fence. were held on the request of the will break up communities. quirements of America; we are man villages near Chaman. friends and family. The area stretches for hundreds “Now I can sleep in my home US administration and proved to “(A border wall) was there doing as per requirements of Kabul and Islamabad accuse “There will no infi ltration of of kilometres, including rugged without any fear,” he said. be “very constructive”.

Senate, three of the National Assembly and two of the Pun- jab Assembly) are vacant, out 399 MPs of 1,167 members, so far 768 of them managed to comply with NAB team to visit London to collect this annual legal requirement. yet to fi le On or before September 30 every year, members of the Sen- ate, the National Assembly and statements the four provincial assemblies evidence of Sharif’s properties fi le details of their assets and li- abilities with the ECP. of assets However, the election com- Internews authorities, it has decided to ed the process of obtaining red the interior minister will have “Having no extradition treaty mission notifi es the non-fi lers on Lahore pursue the matter in person,” warrants for Hassan and Hus- no choice but to promptly between the two countries will October 15, barring them from at- a source said, adding that the sain from Interpol. proceed against the sons of help Hassan and Hussain escape Internews tending the sittings of respective team would make sure its re- “After receiving the court’s his party chief,” a NAB offi cial arrest there and accountability Islamabad legislatures and enjoying perks. team of the National turn before October 13 to sub- order declaring Hassan and said. here. NAB will have one option Of the Senate’s 102 mem- Accountability Bureau mit a report to the account- Hussain proclaimed off enders, NAB Deputy Prosecutor Gen- once their red warrants are is- bers, so far, 89 fi led their docu- A(NAB) is likely to leave ability court in Islamabad in NAB is writing to the interior eral Chaudhry Khaliquz Zaman sued, but to fi le an extradition s many as 399 members of ments, of the National Assem- for London in a couple of days to connection with the indict- ministry to take up the matter said that since Sharif’s sons had petition in a London’s court,” parliament (MPs) and four bly’s 399 members, 238 did so, collect evidence there of prop- ment of ousted prime minis- with the Interpol for issuance of been declared proclaimed of- Zaman said. Aprovincial assemblies of of the Punjab Assembly’s 369 erties belonging to the Sharif ter Nawaz Sharif, his daughter their red warrants,” the source fenders, their properties in Pa- Yesterday, the accountabil- Pakistan are yet to fi le their state- members, 209 fi led the docu- family. Maryam and sons Hassan and said. kistan would be attached. ity court declared Hassan and ment of assets and liabilities and ments, of Sindh Assembly’s 168 Offi cial sources said that the Hussain. But there is a big question He said that once the red Hussain proclaimed off enders those of their dependents with members, 106 submitted their bureau was sending its team in The ‘Volume-10’ of the Joint whether the interior ministry warrants for Hassan and Hus- for repeatedly failing to appear the Election Commission of Pa- statements of assets, of Khyber pursuance of the letters it had Investigation Team report is under Ahsan Iqbal, a close aide sain were issued, NAB would before it. kistan (ECP), which will bar the Pakhtunkhwa Assembly’s 124 written to the UK authorities in said to have dealt with the mu- to Sharif, will put the process on take up the matter with the UK It also issued perpetual war- non-fi lers from attending the members, 75 fi led the documents connection with the mutual le- tual legal business agreements a fast track on the court’s order authorities for their extradition. rants for them and separated legislatures after notifying their and of Balochistan Assembly’s gal agreement. between the Sharif family and or opt for delaying tactics. At present there is no extra- their trial from Nawaz Sharif, names on October 15. 65 members, 51 could submit the “Since NAB has not yet re- diff erent foreign governments. “Since the Supreme Court is dition treaty between Pakistan his daughter Maryam and son- While seven seats (two of the related documents. ceived a reply from the UK Meanwhile, NAB has initiat- directly monitoring the case, and Britain. in-law Mohammad Safdar. Black partridge falls Panel to resolve higher education issues

Internews IPCC meeting, which was held through the central Higher Ed- taken up by the sub-committee prey to disruption in Islamabad in the committee room of the ucation Commission by releas- in its October 12 meeting. The Cabinet Division on Tues- ing recurring funds for various Inter-provincial Coordina- day with Federal Minister for academic programmes as the tion Committee also discussed Black partridge he federal government of Inter-provincial Coordination higher education was a federal the issue of the payment of net natural food cycle Pakistan wants to resolve Mian Riaz Hussain Pirzada in subject before the 18th Consti- hydel profi t arrears to KP and ditions and do not kill these Tthe issue of the delayed the chair. The meeting was at- tutional Amendment. Punjab. birds. devolution of higher education tended by representatives of the Now in the post-devolu- In the meeting, the federal Internews tat loss and disturbance in its The other safe areas for the functions with provinces in the federation and all four prov- tion regime, the centre and government agreed to share Karachi natural diet cycle. black partridges are catchment post-decentralisation regime inces. provinces are at odds over the the available data of gas, oil Reports gathered from bar- of the river Indus, where com- through consensus and there- Currently, both federal and higher education functions, and power production with the rage areas show that the black munity people themselves are fore, a committee has been provincial governments handle especially transfer of higher provinces on weekly basis. isruption in the natural partridge either has disappeared aware. Neither do they kill the formed for the purpose. higher education institutions. education administrative The fi nancial claims of KP food cycle has aff ected or fi ghting the war of survival. birds and animals nor do they The sub-committee of the The provincial higher educa- set-ups and assets and provi- and Punjab against the Federal Dthe unique black par- Farmers do not know how the allow outsiders to harm the spe- Inter-provincial Co-ordina- tion institutions operate under sion of the federal funding on Board of Revenue regarding the tridge (Melanoperdix niger) neg- numbers of common birds have cies living in that area. tion Committee will have the the regulation of the respective higher education and existing cross adjustment of sales tax atively. The excessive use of pes- dwindled in the local environ- Agriculture researchers be- maiden meeting tomorrow in provincial governments, which physical, technical and human also came under discussion in ticides for agriculture has made ment, but they know it happens. lieve that inappropriate use of Islamabad. fund their infrastructure devel- resources of the federal HEC to the meeting. The FBR member a large number of insects extinct, Studies on bird diet, using gut pesticides was harmful for en- The information was shared opment, while the federal gov- the provinces. assured participants of the early thus putting the birds and other and faecal samples have shown tire life, posing threats to hu- with the participants of the ernment oversees their aff airs All these matters are to be resolution of the issue. species dependent on those what birds prefer to eat. Par- man health and over all environ- insects for food under pressure. tridges, both grey and black, ments. The black partridge is famous usually prefer seven insect The way climate change has for its high-pitched chirping groups for eating. created issues for growers, in- sound. It was found in agricul- There might be more insect creasing attacks by strange in- Taxila’s ancient well still serves as water source ture fi elds and forests quite until groups they prefer eating in the sects and viral diseases on crops, recently. However, its numbers wild, however, most of these pesticides have been termed A nearly 2,000-year-old well at The stupa’s well is a major people come from far away to collecting water for her. have dropped persistently, and birds have moved to crops and benefi cial for saving crops. the Mohra Maradu Stupa still source of water for southern collect water from the wall, as A G Lone, a senior off icial from now few sightings are reported fall prey to dead insects and But researchers say spray was serves as a source of water for residents of Mohara Maradu, they believe it to have healing the federal department of occasionally in some areas. poisoned seeds. not the solution to get rid of over a hundred families living and people fetch water from qualities. He said the source archaeology, said the stupa Nature conservationists at- Sindh wildlife department crops diseases. There was need nearby. the well all year round. of the well’s water is beneath stands on a double rectangular tribute its shrinking population offi cials say the partridge is to adapt best practices in agri- Archaeologists believe the “For the last 40 years, I have the nearby mountains, which terrace with an off set to changing agriculture prac- safe only in some protected ar- culture to save the ecosystem well was made around 2,000 never seen this well dried is why it contains various projection for steps on the east. tices, use of machinery as well as eas mainly Nara Valley neigh- around them. They term it the years ago. The stupa is situated up. Water is available in the minerals. “It is one of the stupas found chemical input. bourhood, Achhro Thar (white only way of saving crops and life in some 10km from the Taxila summer and in the winter, Shahnaz Begum from the in its complete form in Taxila, Though the IUCN specifi cally desert) and parts of barrage ar- around them. Museum. when other water sources have nearby Sultanpur village was making this site rare and evaluated black partridge as vul- eas, where local chieftains tra- Poor methods of cultivation The stone-paved well is several gone dry,” 52-year-old Raja also collecting water for the significant,” Lone said. “It helps nerable on its red list of threat- ditionally have declared ban on have created problems, and the metres deep, located at the Zaman, who lives a few metres well. She explained that her to elaborate the architecture in ened species, grey partridge is poaching and hunting. partridge is a victim of this be- back of the assembly hall of the away from the ancient site, said. daughter-in-law was suff ering Taxila as well as in Gandharan also not safe in the environment Community people residing haviour adopted by unaware Mohra Maradu Stupa. Raja Khizar Mehmood, 70, said from a skin allergy, and she was civilisation.” because of overhunting, habi- nearby abide by the set tra- farmers in rural areas. Gulf Times 20 Wednesday, October 11, 2017 PHILIPPINES Court upholds drug charges against De Lima

By Jomar Canlas the fact that she had a pending Times motion to quash, and despite having no jurisdiction over her case. enator Leila de Lima will The Offi ce of the Solicitor stay in detention as the General and the Department of Smajority of Supreme Court Justice lauded the ruling. (SC) justices voted to deny her In a statement, Solicitor Gen- petition to dismiss drug-related eral Jose Calida stressed that “no charges and nullify the arrest one is above the law.” order issued against her by a “Let me express my deepest Muntinlupa court. gratitude to the learned Supreme Nine justices led by Associate Court Justices who penned the Justice Presbitero Velasco Jr, the decision that will be entrenched ponente or author of the deci- in our jurisprudence,” Calida sion, voted to dismiss De Lima’s said. petition for lack of merit, while “This decision further negates President poses with Australian Navy off icials led by Australian ambassador to the Philippines Amanda Gorely during a tour six dissented. the erroneous perception that on board the the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) vessel, Her Majesty’s Australian Ship (HMAS) Adelaide III upon arrival for a goodwill visit as part Four appointees of President the government’s war against of the Australian Defence Force (ADF) Joint Task Group Indo-Pacific Endeavour 2017 at the Pier 15, south harbour in , yesterday. Rodrigo Duterte voted against drugs is waged only against the De Lima: Associate Justices De Lima: detention continues unlettered and the underprivi- , Noel Tijam, leged.” Andres Reyes Jr. and Alexander suffi cient to characterise the of- Justice Secretary Vitaliano Gesmundo. fence as a violation of the Dan- Aguirre said prosecutors would They were joined by Associ- gerous Drugs Act or Republic Act move to arraign De Lima in court Australia will not deploy ate Justices Velasco, Teresita (RA) 9165. and begin the trial. Leonardo-de Castro, Lucas Ber- Under RA 9165, only one court “Because of this decision of samin, and has jurisdiction to try off ences the Supreme Court, our pros- . under the law – the RTC. ecutors will now move for the The six justices who voted in It also said the exclusive origi- arraignment of De Lima to pro- troops to Mindanao: envoy favour of De Lima were Chief nal jurisdiction of the RTC over ceed in the RTC. And assuming Justice violations of RA 9165 was not that there would be no motion and Associate Justices Antonio transferred to the Sandiganbay- for amendment of the informa- Manila Times Carpio, , Es- an even if the accused occupied tion, then the trial will proceed,” Manila tela Perlas-Bernabe, Alfredo a position classifi ed as Grade he said. Benjamin Caguioa and Francis 27 or higher, and regardless of Members of the Senate mi- Jardeleza. whether or not the violation was nority were confi dent the fi ght ustralia will not deploy There were fi ve concurring committed in relation to the of- to free De Lima was not yet over. military troops to the opinions and six dissenting fi ce being occupied. Senate Minority Leader Fran- APhilippines, especially in opinions on the case. The Sandiganbayan’s juris- klin Drilon said while he disa- Mindanao, where state troop- De Lima is at the Camp Crame diction is limited to violations greed with the decision of high ers are battling Islamic State- Custodial Centre for her non- of anti-graft laws and do not tribunal, he would respect it. linked Maute terrorists, am- bailable case stemming from her extend to violations of the anti- “I assume Senator De Lima bassador Amanda Gorely said alleged involvement in the ille- drugs law, the court said. will fi le a motion for reconsider- yesterday. gal drug trade at the New Bilibid The majority also found that ation and I hope the SC can take “We’d like to make it clear Prison when she was justice sec- De Lima’s petition was not prop- a close second look at the deci- that there will be no Australian retary in the Aquino administra- erly executed under oath and sion,” Drilon said. military troops on the ground tion. that the jurat (certifi cation) was He said the decision of the and there won’t be boots on The court ruled that it was the defective, as she did not sub- court could still be reversed if the the ground in Mindanao or in lower court, not the Sandigan- scribe to it in the presence of the camp of De Lima could convince the Marawi area,” Gorely told bayan, that had jurisdiction over notary public. two of the nine justices who reporters aboard an Austral- drug cases. De Lima had sought to nul- voted to dismiss her petition to ian navy ship docked at Pier 15, The Philippine Navy band welcomes the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) vessel Her Majesty’s Australian As such, De Lima, who want- lify her arrest warrant on drug change their minds. South Harbour, Manila. Ship (HMAS) Adelaide (III) upon arrival for a goodwill visit in Metro Manila. ed to be tried by the anti-graft charges and questioned the ju- The decision, Drilon said, The ambassador said Aus- court instead of the Muntinlupa risdiction of the Muntinlupa would also not stop the minority tralia provided assistance to the troops will also conduct mili- Payne and Defence Secretary Payne and her counterparts regional trial court (RTC), vio- RTC. The senator had asked the bloc from asking the court to al- Philippines by sending two P3 tary training alongside Fili- Delfin Lorenzana said the two from other Southeast Asian lated the rules on forum-shop- court to annul the February 23 low De Lima to attend to her leg- Orion planes. pino soldiers in military bases countries are planning to swap countries will discuss the ping and hierarchy of courts. order issued by Muntinlupa RTC islative duties. The two planes provided in Luzon.“We may also take troops who will join exercises matter during the Association The majority of the tribunal Executive Judge Juanita Guer- “We will not give up. We will intelligence and surveillance Filipino personnel in Australia that will focus on countering of Southeast Asian Nations did not agree with De Lima’s rero, for the issuance of an arrest keep on requesting. We are not support to the Armed Forces for training as well,” Gorely terrorism. (Asean) Defence Ministers’ argument that she should have warrant against her. asking for Senator De Lima to be of the Philippines in their op- added. Gorely said the number of Meeting to be held from Oc- been charged with mere “direct She claimed the RTC commit- released, what we are just asking erations in Marawi. In September, Austral- troops to be deployed in Ma- tober 23 to 24 in Clark, Pam- bribery,” saying the allegations ted grave abuse of discretion in is to allow her to perform her du- Gorely said Australian ian Defence Minister Marise nila is yet to be determined. panga. fi led before prosecutors were issuing the arrest order despite ties as a senator.”

New York plot suspect to fi ght extradition from Philippines: lawyer

A Filipino doctor accused of wiring money for a pine government, state prosecutors said. Duterte says Marawi war shows foiled militant plot targeting New York’s subway They expect the legal proceedings to last less and Times Square rejects the allegations and than a year. “Yes, of course he would (contest it). has vowed to fight US extradition, his lawyer said He is innocent,” Parahiman said.”They (wove) yesterday. stories to link the person” to the plot, he added. ‘terrorism has arrived in land’ Russell Salic and two others have been charged The undercover agent said in a sworn statement with involvement in the plan to stage the attacks that the FBI had monitored several social media in the name of the Islamic State group during the accounts which he believed to be Salic’s, in which By Catherine S Valente government troops would be able to free Ma- with self preservation of a nation,” he added. holy month of Ramadan in 2016. the doctor posted content “supportive of” IS, Manila Times rawi City by “the end of the month” but the On May 23, a group led by Omar and Ab- Yesterday, his lawyer said Salic, a 37-year-old religious war and terrorist activities. fi ghting persisted. dullah Maute, and Abu Sayyaf leader Isnilon orthopaedic surgeon who trained at a govern- But Parahiman said Salic was not in control of his The president also admitted anew that the Hapilon attacked Marawi in hopes of estab- ment hospital in the southern Philippines, had no social media account at the time. resident Rodrigo Duterte admitted yes- siege staged by the Islamic State-inspired lishing a caliphate of the ISIS. connection with terrorist activities and groups. “According to the doctor, his (social media) terday that the ongoing war in Marawi Maute terrorists was well-planned and the The crisis prompted President Duterte to “He even said that he is mad at terrorist activities. account was hacked. It took him several weeks PCity saddened him as it showed him government underestimated their armed declare martial law in Mindanao. After the He is praying five times a day,” lawyer Dalomilang before he recovered the account.” that terrorism has arrived in the Philippines. capability. He said the terrorists were able declaration reached the 60-day limit, Con- Parahiman said. Salic is accused of transferring On Monday the Philippine military accused Salic “We have suff ered casualties, the biggest to stockpile weapons and fi ght back despite gress overwhelmingly voted to extend mar- $423 in May 2016 to the other suspects to help of having ties to pro-IS militants who attacked the so far in my present year. And I am sad that their dwindling forces more than a month tial law in the strife-torn region until year- fund a thwarted operation that was planned southern city of Marawi, and of funding terrorists terrorism has arrived in my land,” said Du- after the bloody standoff erupted. “How they end. Last June, the military said it would no through Internet messaging applications, accord- in the United States, the Middle East and Malay- terte in his speech during a visit to one of the were able to stockpile arms and they’re fi ght- longer set timetables for operations against ing to the US Justice Department. sia. Salic’s lawyer said his client only gave money two Australian navy vessels docked in Ma- ing into three, four months already. But one the ISIS-linked extremists. New York’s subway, Times Square and some con- to unspecified individuals and a charitable group nila. thing is sure, it’s always intelligence and it’s Security forces originally sought to fi nish cert venues were identified as targets in the plot for “humanitarian considerations”. Duterte remained optimistic, however, easy for them to do that because of the mixed the operations against the Maute militants that was monitored by an undercover FBI agent “He just took pity at these people because he was that the siege in Marawi, which began last population,” Duterte said. last June 2 but stiff resistance and the pres- posing as a fellow militant, US authorities said. a bachelor and did not have many expenses. He May 23, would be over “in about one week”. “It’s the terrorism that is being imported… ence of trapped civilians prevented them His lawyer said Salic voluntarily surrendered to just wanted to help them,” Parahiman said. “We’re coping. We hope that it would be ISIS is quite active,” he said, using another from meeting the deadline. Filipino authorities in April, contradicting the US The chief of the government hospital in Cagayan fi nished in about one week,” the president name for the IS. On June 4, Duterte said the crisis may be government’s statement that he was arrested. de Oro city where Salic worked as a resident said despite the military’s failed attempts to “Just a reminder of everybody to raise it fi nished in “about three days” but the mili- A Manila court will next week hear the US extradi- physician and trained as an orthopaedic surgeon meet previous deadlines to retake the city. awareness, it’s not bad to be strict in immi- tary has readjusted the deadline to retake the tion request for Salic that was filed by the Philip- expressed surprise at the allegations. On September 28, the president also said gration laws. It has really something to do besieged city.

Four generals in race for Army chief Panel wants lifestyle check on president’s son

By Dempsey Reyes In a text message deputy chief of staff of the AFP. Manila Times Sen. Antonio Trillanes 4th, that we are aware where rumours anything based on a draft report. Manila Times late Monday, Lorenzana Guerrero and Galvez are Manila who pushed the committee to in- of abuse of close relationships If indeed the recommendation said four three-star from the Philippine Army, Mi- vite Duterte and Carpio, claimed abound, regardless of the admin- of a lifestyle check on Atty. Mans generals were son from the Philippine Air that Paolo and Carpio were be- istration in power,” the report said fi nd its way into the fi nal com- wo Army soldiers, one “in the running” to Force; and Vingson from the he Senate Blue Ribbon hind the so-called Davao Group in its list of recommendations. mittee report, my opinion is, it is from the Air Force and replace the incumbent Philippine Navy. Committee has recom- that was linked to smuggling by “Perhaps this is an opportu- an unreasonable recommenda- Tone from the Navy are Eduardo Ano who However, Guerrero and Mi- Tmended to the National Customs fi xer Mark Taguba. The nity, in aid of legislation, to shed tion mainly because it is based vying for the highest position in would retire in 16 days son are “mistahs” (classmates) Bureau of Investigation (NBI) two denied the allegations. light into this area. In this ad- on Taguba and from the ‘lies’ of the Armed Forces of the Philip- in the Philippine Military to conduct a lifestyle check on Carpio is the husband of ministration, a similar pattern Trillanes,” she said. pines (AFP), Defence Secretary onardo Guerrero, commander Academy (PMA) being both Davao City Vice Mayor Paolo Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte- has emerged, with certain mem- “Trillanes is a paid troll,” she Delfi n Lorenzana said. of Eastern Mindanao Com- members of its “Maharlika” “Polong” Duterte and his broth- Carpio.“Personalities who, due bers of the First Family being added. “Be that as it may, I’d like In a text message late Mon- mand (EastMinCom); Lt Gen. Class of 1984. Their upper- er-in-law Manases Carpio. to their close relationships to per- linked to this sordid aff air.” to reiterate that I welcome the day, Lorenzana said four three- Carlito Galvez Jr, commander classman was Ano, who gradu- The blue ribbon panel made sons possessing high authority, The Davao City mayor brand- investigation by the Ombuds- star generals were “in the run- of Western Mindanao Com- ated in 1983. the recommendation in a draft are held to higher standards of ac- ed the proposal “unreasonable,” man since this will allow us to ning” to replace the incumbent mand (WestMinCom); Lt Gen. Meanwhile, Galvez and report on the Senate’s investi- countability to the people precise- saying the allegations against answer accusations and I also Eduardo Ano who would retire Salvador Melchor B Mison Jr, Vingson graduated from the gation of the smuggling into the ly because of such close relation- her husband and brother were welcome a lifestyle check on my in 16 days. AFP vice chief of staff ; and PMA in 1985 or the “Sandiwa” country of shabu worth P6.4bn ships,” the draft committee report based on rumours and lies. husband so that the issue is put The four are: Lt Gen. Rey Le- Vice Adm. Narciso Vingson Jr, Class. from China in May. said.“There are many examples “It is premature to discuss to rest,” Sara Duterte said. Gulf Times Wednesday, October 11, 2017 21 SRI LANKA/BANGLADESH/NEPAL

Nepal committed to implement Belt and Road: PM Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba said that Nepal is committed to implement the Belt Mass cholera vaccinations and Road initiative of China and work further with the northern neighbour. During a meeting with Chinese ambassador Yu Hong in Baluwatar, PM Deuba said that Nepal will work closely with China in various projects under the Belt begin in Rohingya camps and Road initiative of China. Ambassador Hu had reminded AFP the Bangladesh authorities to Deuba about the signing of the Thangkhali set up a transit centre in prepa- initiative and needs to work ration for a fresh infl ux from together to expedite it. Myanmar’s Rakhine state. Deuba informed the Chinese he United Nations Many of the new arrivals are envoy that a panel headed by launched one of its big- from the Buthidaung district of the secretary at the ministry of Tgest ever cholera vacci- Rakhine which lies relatively far finance, which is tasked to select nation drives in the vast refugee from the border. projects under the Belt and Road camps of southeast Bangladesh They said the army in Myan- initiative, was working on it. yesterday amid fears of an out- mar had prevented them from The government has formed two break among nearly a million buying food, making it impos- panels under the finance and Rohingya now living there. sible for them to stay. foreign secretaries to select and Thousands of Rohingya men An AFP photographer at the identify the projects under the and women lined up in intense scene on Monday saw one dis- BRI. heat at makeshift health cen- traught man arrive carrying the Brushing aside speculations that tres, many with young children limp body of his infant son who the two had held discussions in their arms, to receive the oral had died as they crossed the Naf on contemporary political vaccine against the disease. river that divides the two coun- matters in the meeting, PM’s The UN is working with the tries. foreign relations adviser Dinesh Bangladesh government to vac- Dozens more are feared to Bhattarai said, “The Chinese cinate 650,000 people living have drowned when a boat ambassador met with the PM in the sprawling camps against packed with desperate refugees specifically for the upcoming 19th cholera, which spreads through sank late on Sunday night. National Congress of the Chinese dirty water and can kill if left Bangladesh police said yes- Communist Party.” untreated. terday they had found 14 more PM Deuba congratulated the “These people lack most of bodies, taking the number of Chinese envoy for holding the the basic services - toilets, wa- confi rmed dead to 28, with congress and extended his best ter sanitation and everything,” scores more missing. wishes to the Chinese leadership Unicef spokesman A M Sakil Across the border in My- for its success. Faizullah said. anmar, hundreds of Rohingya He also communicated to the “When we have this kind of were massed on the riverbank Chinese ambassador that Nepal situation, there’s a heavy pos- awaiting the opportunity to attaches highest priority to its sibility of a cholera outbreak.” leave. relations with China, sticks to Nearly 520,000 Rohingya “We want to go to Bangla- one-China policy and its interest Muslims have arrived in Bang- desh. It’s over for us here. We to work closely with China. ladesh since late August, fl eeing have to cross quickly but we a military crackdown in mainly don’t have the money to pay for Buddhist neighbouring Myan- the boat,” one Rohingya father mar that the UN has said likely of four said in Rakhine state. A healthcare member administers oral cholera vaccine distributed by the World Health Organisation (WHO) to a Rohingya refugee child in amounts to ethnic cleansing. The family had walked for the Jamtoli refugee camp in Cox’s Bazar yesterday. Poor and overpopulated several days from Buthidaung Reinstate Bangladesh has struggled to to reach the riverbank, where gon attended by around 40,000 unteers will vaccinate 650,000 and said he was confi dent an which regards them as illegal cope with the mass infl ux of hundreds more Rohingya were people. Rohingya over the coming weeks outbreak would be averted. immigrants from Bangladesh. people, many of whom have to waiting to escape. The majority NLD lawmaker Win Maung and then follow up with a second He said thousands of Bang- The UN says more than sacked oil travel for days or even weeks to were children. said ahead of the ceremony it dose of the vaccine for an esti- ladeshis living near the refugee 600,000 have arrived in the reach safety and arrive exhaust- The treatment of the Muslim would show the world that peo- mated 250,000 children aged camps would also be vaccinated. last year, swelling camps that ed and malnourished. minority has sparked interna- ple of diff erent faiths could live between one and fi ve. Cholera was a major killer in were already home to between fi rm chief: The infl ux had slowed in re- tional condemnation of Myan- in harmony in Myanmar. It the second biggest such Bangladesh until in the 1970s, 300,000 and 400,000 refugees. cent weeks, but now appears mar and its de facto leader Aung “We deeply regret the reac- campaign ever, after 800,000 but the country has seen major Bangladesh has allocated land to to have picked up again and an San Suu Kyi, a Nobel peace lau- tion from international coun- people were immunised against improvements in sanitation fa- accommodate some 800,000 refu- top court estimated 11,000 new refugees reate. tries based on the news without the disease in Haiti in November. cilities since then. gees in one massive camp, but the arrived on Monday. Yesterday, her party, the Na- truth,” said the lawmaker. The WHO’s Bangladesh rep- The Rohingya are a stateless UN has warned that such a large The UN refugee agency said tional League for Democracy World Health Organisation resentative N Paranietharan Muslim minority who have long concentration in one area could he Supreme Court in Ne- yesterday it was working with (NLD), held a peace rally in Yan- (WHO) workers and local vol- called it a “huge undertaking” faced persecution in Myanmar, promote the spread of disease. pal has issued an interim Torder instructing the gov- ernment to reinstate controver- sial managing director of Nepal Oil Corporation Gopal Khadka for the time being. A single bench of Justice Puro- Facebook set to train shottam Bhandari asked the gov- ernment to put on hold the cabi- net decision of September 18 to sack Khadka. The apex court has also asked youths on e-marketing the government to furnish clari- fi cation on its decision. With this, the government By Mizan Rahman their business and as a result grammes like Facebook’s ‘Boost through the offi ce of attor- Dhaka employment opportunities Your Business’ would contribute ney general will submit a writ- are being created. to encourage entrepreneurship ten clarifi cation to the SC after The ICT minister said in and provide global visibility which which a joint bench of SC will acebook will provide this age of technology digital would help the growth of business further hold deliberations on is- training on digital mar- marketing skill is imperative and boost economy. suing another interim order in Fketing under its ‘Boost for the entrepreneurs to reach BCC executive director Khadka’s case. Your Business’ programme to out to the customers and Swapan Kumar Sarker, LICT The government had sacked 10,000 information technolo- ensure access to the global project director Rezaul Karim, NOC chief Khadka from the post gy-trained Bangladeshi youths markets, adding that train- LICT component team leader of managing director after fi ve within the next six months. ing would help contribute to Sami Ahmed, South Asia pro- parliamentary committees and State Minister for ICT Zu- Bangladesh’s journey towards grammes head at Facebook the ministry of supplies during naid Ahmed Palak announced digital economy and building Ritesh Mehta and Multimedia their investigations had found this while inaugurating a Digital Bangladesh. Content and Communications Khadka’s involvement in irregu- training workshop at the au- “We are implementing (MCC) chief executive offi cer larities while buying land plots ditorium of Bangladesh Com- Digital Bangladesh under the Ashraf Abir were present. in four districts for building oil puter Council (BCC) in Dhaka. dynamic leadership of Prime More than 300 small and storage facilities. Sri Lanka’s Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, right, shakes hands with his Finnish counterpart Juha “The social media has cre- Minister Sheikh Hasina and medium entrepreneurs par- Khadka is accused of misap- Sipilae at the Prime Minister’s off icial residence Kesaeranta in Helsinki, Finland, yesterday. ated a new dimension in mu- at the instruction of prime ticipated in the workshop. propriating around Rs800mn tual communication as well minister’s ICT aff airs adviser Mehta said through the while buying land plots worth as marketing of products,” Sajeeb Wazed Joy,” Palak said, launch of our ‘Boost Your Rs1.61bn in four places: Bhai- Palak said, adding the leading adding the government put Business’ programme, Fa- rahawa, Chitwan, Sarlahi and brand and commercial com- its best endeavour to develop cebook aims to equip SMEs Jhapa. Finland ready to help Lanka panies, small and medium all regions and mainstream- of Bangladesh with the right Khadka was appointed NOC’s entrepreneurs and individu- ing everyone with a view to skills needed to eff ectively managing director in January als are using the popular so- improving the fate of people. reach out to new customers 2015 by then Sushil Koirala-led in tapping power from sea cial media Facebook to grow The state minister said the pro- and expand their businesses. government.

Agencies the surveys in the coastal area tion, held a special discussion Helsinki around Sri Lanka have been with the offi cials of the Fortum completed. They expect to begin Waste Solutions which is experi- power generation next year, the enced in waste management and Lanka calls for enhancing inland is ready to provide CEO stressed. recycling for industries, cities Sri Lanka with the expe- Wave energy is the largest un- and communities. Frience and technology to tapped form of renewable energy The Sri Lankan delegation generate power from the sea in the world and is on track to discussed the ways modern waves and a power generation produce 10% of the global ener- technology is used to manage maritime security ties programme will be implemented gy demand in the upcoming dec- waste and new trends in waste in the island country next year, ades, according to AW Energy. management and was able to said John Liljelund, chief execu- The environmentally friendly learn about Fortum’s procedures IANS declaring open the conference, but it remains vulnerable,” the seeks cooperation and assistance tive offi cer, Finland’s AW Energy. wave energy can easily be uti- used in waste management and Colombo said that maritime stakeholders minister added. from all nations to ensure that the Liljelund made this statement lised to generate electricity, sea- recycling. must focus their attention on a Sri Lanka’s strategic location Indian Ocean is kept free from all when Sri Lankan Prime Minister water treatment, and pumping The premier also met with the greater maritime visibility for in the Indo-Asia Pacifi c region threats and challenges. Ranil Wickremesinghe visited water. According to the research Finland’s Minister of Social Af- n annual international enhanced maritime security co- is fast becoming the centre of The “Galle Dialogue” was fi rst the AW Energy on a study tour done so far, the Indian Ocean is fairs and Health Pirkko Mattila maritime conference operation with friendly nations. gravity in world aff airs. Forti- held in 2010 with the participa- on Monday. considered as a wave power gen- yesterday. The Finnish minister A“Galle Dialogue 2017” “It is time a consensus is estab- fi ed with the advantage of its tion of a number of international Prime Minister Wickremesin- eration region. hosted the premier and the del- got underway in Sri Lanka’s lished on co-operation amongst unique position in the Indian and local professionals repre- ghe led a delegation to tour the The Finnish company has de- egation to dinner and had ex- capital Colombo yesterday with states to share information in cre- Ocean, Sri Lanka is looking at senting the maritime fraternity. facility to learn about the tech- veloped several products and tensive discussions on issues of 51 countries participating to ating the fi nest real-time picture the future with great expec- This year, the conference was nology and observed the state- procedures to tap wave energy mutual interest to the two coun- discuss global maritime safety of what goes on in the oceans of tations to regain its maritime held under the theme “Greater of-the-art equipment manufac- and the Sri Lankan delegation has tries. and security. the world,” Wijewardena said. glory in the Indian Ocean by Maritime Visibility for En- tured by the company for power gained a basic understanding of During the discussions, Min- The countries participating “In today’s economy, the promoting mainly trade and hanced Maritime Security.” generation through sea waves. their functioning during the visit. ister Mattila off ered fullest sup- this year include Japan, India, oceans have an increased sig- tourism, the minister said. The purpose of the Galle Dia- During the tour, Liljelund The prime minister, who port of Finland to expand the China, Pakistan, Britain and the nifi cance requiring all countries He further noted that as no na- logue International Maritime said they are ready to support commenced his offi cial state bilateral relationship in the de- United States. to be able to participate in the tion is capable of addressing chal- Conference is to provide a com- the production of wave power visit to Finland on Sunday with velopment and enterprise fi elds Sri Lanka’s State Minister of global market place. Shipping is lenges and threats in the maritime mon platform to discuss and de- in the Sri Lankan waters and all a 10-member Sri Lankan delega- between the two countries. Defence Ruwan Wijewardena, the heart of the global economy, domain in isolation, Sri Lanka too liberate maritime related issues. Gulf Times 22 Wednesday, October 11, 2017 COMMENT

Chairman: Abdullah bin Khalifa al-Attiyah Editor-in-Chief: Faisal Abdulhameed al-Mudahka Worker welfare, challenges Deputy Managing Editor: K T Chacko

P.O.Box 2888 Doha, Qatar for hosting 2022 World Cup [email protected] Telephone 44350478 (news), 44466404 (sport), 44466636 (home delivery) Fax 44350474 GULF TIMES War and climate: rising global hunger Hassan al-Thawadi, secretary-general of the is a biting reality Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy, The United Nations has the goal of a world without hunger and malnutrition by 2030. With the number discussed worker welfare, of people suff ering from hunger in 2016 rising at the the challenges of hosting fastest pace since at least the beginning of this century, a World Cup, and the the deadline looks challenging. stadium that will have a Those categorised as hungry rose by about 38mn second life as a wedding Artist’s impression of the Al Wakrah stadium. to 815mn in 2016, accounting for 11% of the global hall, among other issues, population, according to a recent UN report. While food it’s in Qatar, whether it’s in Saudi, A: That was the essence of our bid, when you call them, ask them if all the in an interview with The whether it’s in Morocco, and start and for a lot of people it was appealing. conditions in the United States were security has worsened in some peaceful places amid speaking football, and you will fi nd a What matters for us is to create an fi xed. Then I’d be interested in you economic slowdowns, 13% of adults are suff ering from News York Times (NYT). very, very deep cauldron of passion environment for the teams and the making a comparison on the answer. obesity. and knowledge. coaches. But I think it’s important to Because for me it’s very simple: Following are the highlights: note that major international teams the issue that we’re talking about, More than half of those hungry live in areas aff ected Q: The compact nature of Qatar’s have come to Qatar to use it as the base of worker welfare, is an issue that by violent confl icts that have destroyed local agriculture NYT: You are the secretary- World Cup means the stadiums will be for their winter camps – Barcelona, the global community faces. Every and limited access to food supplies, with African general of the Supreme Committee only an hour or two apart at most, and Real Madrid, Milan, Bayern Munich. country in the world faces it. for Delivery & Legacy. That’s quite a sometimes much less. Are there plans And people come because we have got nations being among the worst hit. Famine was declared name. Did you come up with that? to take advantage of that, and does some of the best facilities in the world. Q: Should Israel qualify, would the in early 2017 in South Sudan, while Nigeria, Somalia and Al-Thawadi: Yes. I’ve always been that raise security issues? State of the art. And that’s the reason team and its fans be welcome? Yemen suff ered more food shortages. accused of not being too creative. A: The compact World Cup has a they continue to come back. A: Everyone is welcome. It’s a lot of advantages, fi rst and foremost simple answer: everybody is welcome. “Deteriorations have been observed most notably in Q: What’s the biggest obstacle you for the fans. Whoever has experienced Q: Qatar has taken tough criticism situations of confl ict, often compounded by droughts or face? What’s going to be the hardest previous World Cups, you always from human rights and labour groups Q: How many visitors do you expect fl oods, linked in part to the El Nino phenomenon,” the part of putting on a World Cup? had to fi gure out ways of travelling, over the treatment of workers, some in 2022? A: I think it’s diffi cult to distinguish and accommodation, trying to follow of it quite severe. We’re interested in A: Cumulatively, we’re talking Food and Agriculture Organisation said last month. one particular element. Simply your team, and it puts stress on fans. your thoughts on that. about 1.2mn. Amid a number of stark reminders about the urgency put, when you’re organising major Here, the fans have the opportunity to A: No country is perfect. We have to deal with global food security, the FAO off ers a ray tournaments, as you get closer, attend more than one match a day. issues, and we have challenges when Q: Can Qatar handle that yet? How pressure keeps on piling up, scrutiny it comes to being the fastest growing much of the infrastructure for that is of hope. The situation is likely to get better this year keeps on piling up. So it’s just the Q: There is talk about taking nation at a point in time in terms in place already? with an improving economy, fading odds of El Nino and idea of continue of keeping focus on advantage of that, right? Of selling of both population and economic A: It’s being developed. But this is the progress made in confl ict areas. delivering on the projects, not feeling multiday or multigame passes? activity. Unfortunately, while the vision of the World Cup for us. When we the pressure because the timelines A: That’s what I’m saying. You laws were in place, the ability and the fi rst bid, the idea was simple: utilising There is a fl ip side, too. come in, not starting to get into panic can watch a match in the afternoon resources to implement and enforce this World Cup as an opportunity as a The growing demand mode. We’ve been planning this for and then go for the evening match these laws were challenging. With catalyst for the country’s growth, for Globally, from urban food markets, quite some time, and we’re delivering as well. So it adds that element for the World Cup coming on board, of its original urban development plans. on the ground according to our fans who want to do that. And more course the spotlight came in, but this So, as the country was expanding, people which consume as much schedule. importantly, for players. Because the is something we recognised. So, when the infrastructure of the World Cup as 70% of food supplies, players don’t have to worry about we said legacy, we mean the World fi t in with the country’s plans. We re- suff ering from could benefi t the rural Q: There is something, though, that travelling from one place to another. Cup is an opportunity to be a catalyst prioritised certain projects, obviously, to you have to contend with that other They don’t have to worry about for positive change, and to increase fulfi l the World Cup requirements, but hunger totalled agriculture industry, the events you’ve studied did not, and that playing a match in a certain city, the momentum for initiatives that the that’s just a milestone in the country’s FAO said. In sub-Saharan is this is a very diff erent sporting event getting up early, getting on a fl ight, government was already committed overall development. So, the hotels 815mn in 2016 Africa alone, the value because of the cultural component. moving on, getting used to a new to. And of course worker welfare is one required for the country’s tourism A: Absolutely. If you look for accommodation, resting, and then of them. requirements are being developed. The of urban food markets parallels, look at South Africa during going out and playing. Everybody is There’s obviously what the Metro system is going to be functioning is projected to more than triple to $500bn in 20 years 2010 – you experienced that fi rst focused on what matters: delivering government has done, which I can’t by 2020. The road networks are being through 2030. African World Cup, you feel that buzz. to the best of their ability on the pitch. speak to with authority. What I can tell developed as well. So by 2020, 2021, You land in Joburg or Cape Town and And that can only be good for the fans. you is what we’ve done as the Supreme everything is going to be in place. Under the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, walk the streets and you feel that Committee. When we won the World world leaders have pledged to try to eradicate hunger electricity. It’s the same thing over Q: And security concerns from Cup, we developed a charter, we Q: How do you avoid the kind of and malnutrition by 2030. But here are some disturbing here: it’s the fi rst World Cup in the having all those diff erent fans so close assessed the market conditions, we waste that Brazil and South Africa Middle East. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime to one another? looked at the gaps and the issues, experienced, these massive stadiums facts: The number of undernourished people around the experience, and we’ve always focused A: You look at the Olympics, it has we consulted with NGOs and the they don’t need after the tournament world rose to the highest since 2008 last year; one-fi fth on it being a regional World Cup. This that Olympic Village feel, that global, construction sector, to understand leaves? of those in Africa and 12% in Asia are hungry; 155mn is a World Cup beyond Qatar. It’s a international, we-are-a-global- the challenges from their side, and we A: When we submitted the bid, cultural experience. community feel to it. And that’s what developed a set of standards. that was the fi rst thing in our mind: children under fi ve are too short for their age and 52mn this World Cup off ers as well. In terms We are now in our second edition, we wanted to avoid white elephants, a children aren’t heavy enough for their height. Q: Does the current situation in the of managing that, and security, we and these standards are a live document, reminder of money that was spent and Global commodities markets have seen huge infl ows region, the blockade of Qatar by some are in constant co-ordination and and they are constantly being reviewed. then not utilised. of its neighbours, complicate that idea co-operation with major security To ensure they’re being enforced, So, take the stadiums: each stadium of investment fund money since the fi nancial crisis, of making it a regional event? operations throughout the world, we’ve developed a four-tier auditing we’ve designed, we assured that it looking for better returns. With automated trading A: No. We’ve always taken the learning from them, whether it’s in system: a self-audit by the contractors was on the transit network that was systems meticulously looking to exploit tiny fl aws in simple position that sports is elevated terms of Champions League matches themselves; our own audits that we do; being developed for the country, and from confl ict. This is always a or league matches. We’re present at we’ve got a third-party auditor that that each one had to be a centre for the the market and encourage volatility, food prices have platform to bring people together, every single major tournament. conducts its own and issues its own community, that each one had a legacy rebounded even amid a global glut of grains. and to separate it from any political annual report; and we’ve of course got story already developed. For sure, global food security has to do a lot with ideology. Q: But mixing rival fans can lead to the government auditing our projects We realised the FIFA requirements trouble, like the day when English and as well. in terms of capacity didn’t fulfi l our reducing wastage. In the Gulf, between a third and Q: Do you think your neighbours Russian fans fought in Marseille at the These issues that you’re referring needs beyond 2022, so we developed half of the food produced is estimated to go to waste. will play along with that? European Championships last year. to in the news media weren’t refl ected the modular seating concept. We Globally, annual food losses and waste amounts to A: I can’t speak on their behalf. A: I think it’d be very cynical and on us, weren’t the World Cup project. decided on the stadiums we would From our side, we’ve always taken that very pessimistic to look at certain There is only one report that came out, need, and these would have a mixture roughly $680bn in industrialised countries and $310bn position. Even today, from our side, examples and say, “This is the norm,” from Amnesty International, where of fi xed and modular seats. So, the in developing countries, according to the FAO. everybody’s welcome. I hope that they when sometimes they’re the outlier. they had performed an investigation, fi xed seats would be the capacity see reason, and recognise this once- and then a year later they came to us we need – about 15,000 to 20,000 The food divide is widening. An estimated one- in-a-lifetime opportunity for the Q: Have you had feedback from and said: “These are our fi ndings. – and the rest would be taken out. third of global food production, around 1.3bn tonnes, people of our region. We’re football FIFA, or from individual associations, What do you have to say about this?” Other stadiums, the entire concept is is wasted every year. At the same time, one in every crazy. I mean, the Middle East, the about the idea that a team might be During that year – we didn’t realise modular, so we’ll be taking the entire Arab world, is football crazy, plain and able to spend the whole tournament in Amnesty International had performed seating capacity out. seven people in the world goes to bed hungry and more simple. You go to any corner, whether one place? that investigation – we identifi ed How did we decide which would than 20,000 children under the age of 5 die daily from these issues and were fi xing them. So, be temporary? We engaged the hunger. actually our system worked. Because community. For every design, we went as the projects started ramping up, we to them and asked, “What do you Hunger is a biting reality and societies tend to unravel started identifying the areas and the need? What are you missing? How when people are starving. gaps and so on, and we had addressed can this facility assist you?” So, for a lot of these issues. example, down south is a small little city called Al Wakrah. We went to the Q: So, if we called Amnesty community and asked them, “What International and Human Rights do you need?” They turned around To Advertise Watch, they would say everything’s and said one of the things we need is been fi xed? wedding halls. “There’s a lot of these [email protected] A: They wouldn’t say everything’s weddings, and we always go up to Display been fi xed because I’m not saying Doha – we need a wedding hall.” So, Telephone 44466621 Fax 44418811 everything’s been fi xed. What I’m within the project we developed an saying is this is a work in progress. area for the wedding hall. There was a Classified This is not something that can be need for school facilities, so within the Telephone 44466609 Fax 44418811 fi xed overnight. But you can defi nitely master plan we also have developed talk to Amnesty International and space for school facilities. Every single Subscription Human Rights Watch and talk about stadium has that kind of story, to be [email protected] our commitment, talk about our used as a centre for its community. transparency with them, about the But that’s stadiums. In terms of progress that we’ve made. And I would infrastructure, the Metro system, the 2017 Gulf Times. All rights reserved urge you to call them and ask them road network, it’s part of the urban A view of Khalifa International Stadium. that question. On the other hand, development of the country. Gulf Times Wednesday, October 11, 2017 23 COMMENT A world without exhaust pipes

For the fi rst time since Changing course will take time. In Costa Rica, my organisation is the mid-19th century, working to encourage businesses when the modern internal and governments to sign an “electric mobility pact” to encourage combustion engine was investment in EV infrastructure. In invented, its demise is early 2018, we will open an online registry, and by the end of next year, within sight we aim to have 100 public and private organisations on board. Costa Rica’s legislature is also debating a bill to By Monica Araya provide tax incentives for electric San Jose transportation. Others in Latin America are fi nding their own ways to promote electric he effi cient movement of mobility. In Chile, for example, people is crucial for any the focus is on solar power and society. When transportation the link between mining and EV Tnetworks function well, they manufacturing. drive economic development and But political changes alone will not literally bring people together. But in push EVs into the fast lane. To do that, many parts of the world, mobility is customers will need to embrace a new a matter of life and death; it is dirty, clean-mobility narrative. In Costa unsafe, and chaotic. Pollution and Rica, we pride ourselves on the fact that congestion from trucks, buses, and nearly all of our electricity is produced cars are daily hazards for millions, by renewable sources, including especially in emerging countries. hydroelectric, geothermal, and wind. Fortunately, big changes are coming This gives us an incentive to lead the to how humans move. For the fi rst global transition from gas-powered time since the mid-19th century, vehicles to electric cars, buses, and when the modern internal combustion Sales of electric cars have increased dramatically in recent years; some 750,000 were registered in 2016. trains. We Costa Ricans are striving engine was invented, its demise is toward “un país sin mufl as” – a country within sight. Car manufacturers have same conclusion, and those of us who mobility is only for wealthy people and that a better solution would be behind the wheel of these inspiring without exhaust pipes. Expanding that announced plans for scores of electric have been championing EVs as one in developed countries. Every year, to build more effi cient gasoline and vehicles. goal globally is the ultimate objective. models, and politicians in several of the solutions to climate change 6.5mn people die from polluted air, diesel engines. This is the story we Finally, we must address the To be sure, pushing the electric engine European countries have put an expiry are optimistic that a tipping point is and 92% of the world’s population hear most often from car dealers in structural imbalances that persist in past the gas-powered relic will remain an date on gasoline and diesel cars, with approaching. Sales of electric cars have lives in places where the air is unsafe to Latin America. But such views are as our transportation policies. Simply uphill battle. But new technologies, like leaders in India and China aspiring to increased dramatically in recent years; breathe. Vehicle emissions are a major inaccurate as they are self-serving. put, those who suff er most from better batteries and speedier charging do the same. some 750,000 were registered in 2016 contributor to dirty air everywhere. I have been fortunate to experience “dirty” mobility have the weakest stations, will help accelerate the Companies around the world – nearly half in China. Investing in electric mobility and firsthand what electric mobility political voice. For example, data from transition. Just like the CEO of Shell, I, are making bold predictions that Still, it is human nature to resist infrastructure – including electrifi ed feels like, and how it is superior to the United Kingdom show that it is too, believe that the transition to electric electric mobility is the future of change, and many prospective public transportation, charging gasoline- and diesel-only cars. I’ve often the poorest people that walk or mobility is inevitable. What we see on transportation. Even those with the buyers remain hesitant. That is why stations, and electric car-sharing travelled for thousands of miles take buses. Development of zero- the roads today is just the beginning. – most to lose from a shift away from addressing consumption bias must be programmes – will help, not hurt, across several countries on all- emission public transit, therefore, is Project Syndicate fossil fuels understand that electric the highest priority over the next few development. electric road trips. Once a driver rarely a top priority for government vehicles (EV) are inevitable. In July, years. Several changes are needed to Support for such investments experiences the clean, silent, and leaders. To sway them, advocates must z Monica Araya is founder and even Ben van Beurden, the CEO of ensure that growth in EV usage and requires people to reject the false powerful technology, it is difficult to sharpen their defences of the economic Executive Director of Nivela, leads the Shell, conceded that his next car will sales continues. promise of “clean” fossil fuels. Some hand back the keys. Governments and and social benefi ts of zero-emission citizens group Costa Rica Limpia, and be electric. For starters, consumers must industry offi cials insist that electric consumer groups everywhere must mobility, such as the positive eff ects on is Vice President of Costa Rica’s Electric More people are arriving at the overcome the belief that zero-emission cars are not ready for mass rollout, work together to put more people public health. Mobility Association. Weather report Three-day forecast Obesity-related illness costs to balloon TODAY High: 40 C Low : 29 C premium go?” said Lobstein. Inshore: Expected strong wind at places By Sarah Boseley countries do not do more to try to For its new analysis, ahead of World by afternoon London prevent it. Obesity Day today, the federation has Sugary drink taxes are an important The new fi gures come from the for the fi rst time costed in not just measure governments can take, said World Obesity Federation (WOF), cancer, diabetes and heart disease Johanna Ralston, the federation’s THURSDAY he cost of treating ill health which says there will be 2.7bn but other harms, including damage CEO. “Right now there is a big focus High: 38 C caused by obesity around the overweight and obese adults by 2025, to joints which may result in hip and on sugar-sweetened beverages, which Low: 28 C world will top $1.2tn every many of whom are likely to end up knee replacements and back pain. is fantastic. I think as with tobacco, Sunny Tyear from 2025 unless more needing medical care. That means a “That’s why the fi gures are pretty you want to fi nd something that is is done to check the rapidly worsening third of the global population will be astonishingly high,” said Tim Lobstein, tangible that governments can do and epidemic, according to new expert overweight or obese. its policy director. “Some poor is measurable. But it is not enough.” FRIDAY estimates. The WOF’s estimates show adult countries are already swamped.” The experts say spending more on High: 37 C Obesity and smoking are the two obesity continuing its steady climb. In Low income countries have treating and preventing obesity will Low: 28 C main drivers behind the soaring 2014, a third of men and women in the healthcare systems that barely manage save countries many millions in the Sunny numbers of cancers, heart attacks, US were obese (34%). By 2025 that is to cope with childbirth and infectious long term. Bariatric surgery to reduce strokes and diabetes worldwide, predicted to be 41%. In the UK, more diseases, and have neither the money the size of the stomach is very eff ective grouped together offi cially as non- than a quarter of adults (27%) were nor staff to deal with the epidemic in reducing appetite, and studies have Fishermen’s forecast communicable diseases. They are the obese in 2014 and that will rise to 34% of chronic illness such as cancer and shown it can reverse type 2 diabetes, OFFSHORE DOHA biggest killers of the modern world. by 2025. Egypt is predicted to go up heart disease that is being fuelled by dramatically improving people’s Wind: NW 8-18/25 KT The US faces by far the biggest from 31% to 37% of adults in the same obesity. chances of a healthy life. But there is Waves: 3-5/9 Feet treatment bill, with a rise from $325bn period, while Australia and Mexico “For middle income countries we not enough treatment available, said INSHORE DOHA Wind: NW 06-16/20 KT per year in 2014 to $555bn in just eight will rise from 28% to 34% if nothing are going to see an enormous impact,” Ralston. Waves: 2-4/5 Feet years’ time, partly because of the high changes. said Lobstein. “Countries in the “One of the reasons is that the cost of medical care in the US. But all “The annual medical costs of Middle East and Latin America where consensus that obesity is a disease Around the region countries are looking at a very steep treating the consequences of obesity, health services are stretched are going is only really emerging now,” she Weather Weather rise in costs that will be unaff ordable such as diabetes and heart disease, to become highly stretched.” These said. “That will also help with the today Max/min tomorrow Max/min for most. In the UK, the bill is set to is truly alarming,” said professor are the regions where obesity among stigma. Bariatric surgery is a fantastic Abu Dhabi Sunny 37/29 Sunny 35/30 rise from $19bn to $31bn per year in Ian Caterson, the president of the children and adults has soared in intervention but realistically it will Baghdad Sunny 32/18 Sunny 33/18 2025. The NHS chief executive, Simon federation. “Continual surveillance recent years. only be for a smallish proportion of Dubai Sunny 37/26 Sunny 37/27 Kuwait City Sunny 38/23 Sunny Stevens, has already warned that by WOF has shown how obesity But the increasing costs will the population. It has to be off ered 37/23 Manama Sunny 37/30 Cloudy 36/29 obesity threatens to bankrupt the NHS. prevalence has risen dramatically over be a problem for every country in in concert with other forms of Muscat Sunny 34/28 M Sunny 34/28 Over the next eight years, the the past 10 years and with an estimated the world. “This is going to be an weight management. Every single Riyadh Sunny 38/22 Sunny 36/21 experts say, the US will spend $4.2tn 177mn adults suff ering severe obesity enormous burden either on the individual has to be off ered multiple Tehran Sunny 27/17 Sunny 26/16 on treating obesity-related disease, by 2025, it is clear that governments state, the individual or the insurance interventions.” - Guardian News and Germany will spend $390bn, Brazil need to act now to reduce this burden services which simply won’t be able Media $251bn and the UK $237bn if these on their national economies.” to cope. How high can an insurance

Live issues Passing asteroid to test Earth’s warning systems

AFP turn allows very precise calculations of Object programme in the Netherlands. size, while using telescopes to learn Paris its orbit,” which will not cross that of “We know today that it will also not more about its composition. Earth nor its satellites, he said. hit the Earth in the year 2050, but the “For us this is a test case,” said Jehn’s As its name suggests, the object close fl yby in 2050 might defl ect the colleague Detlef Koschny. “We are Around the world house-size asteroid will give was fi rst spotted fi ve years ago when asteroid such that it could hit the Earth practising for the real serious case.” Weather Weather Earth a near-miss tomorrow, it called on Earth at about double in the year 2079,” he said. Many scientists believe the Earth today Max/min tomorrow Max/min passing harmlessly inside yesterday’s projected distance, before With a one-in-750 chance of hitting will once again be hit by a space rock of Athens M Sunny 24/14 M Sunny 26/13 the Moon’s orbit while giving disappearing from view. the planet then, TC4 is listed at the size that wiped out the dinosaurs, Beirut M Sunny 26/21 Sunny 25/21 A Bangkok S T Storms 32/26 S T Storms 32/26 experts a rare chance to rehearse for a It is 50 to 100 feet wide — about the number 13 on the “risk list” of objects though nobody knows when. Berlin S Showers 16/12 Cloudy 16/08 real-life strike threat. size of the meteoroid that exploded in posing even the remotest impact risk. And even if they become better at Cairo Sunny 29/18 Sunny 29/18 Dubbed 2012 TC4, the space rock the atmosphere over Chelyabinsk in “We need to make very precise predicting a strike, there is very little Cape Town P Cloudy 19/13 Cloudy 18/12 will shave past at an altitude of less central Russia in 2013 with 30 times observations to be able to better to be done about it, for now. Colombo Rain 29/26 S T Storms 29/26 than 44,000km — just above the the kinetic energy of the atomic bomb predict the return in the year 2050,” Futuristic projects mooted to defl ect Dhaka P Cloudy 33/27 S T Storms 33/26 P Cloudy M Cloudy 33/25 dropped on Hiroshima. Jehn said. or destroy incoming space rocks have 33/27 36,000km plane at which hundreds Istanbul Sunny 21/12 Sunny 21/12 of geosynchronous satellites orbit the The resulting shockwave blew out Flybys like this one are actually quite come to nought so far, and the only Jakarta P Cloudy 33/26 S T Storms 32/25 Earth. the windows of nearly 5,000 buildings common — about three objects similar strategy would be to evacuate people in Karachi Sunny 39/26 Sunny 39/25 That represents about an eighth of and injured more than 1,200 people. in size to TC4 graze past at a similar zones at risk. London Cloudy 17/10 P Cloudy 17/13 the distance between the Earth and the While the Chelyabinsk event caught distance every year. TC4 will make its closest approach Manila T Storms 31/26 S T Storms 31/27 Moscow S Showers 08/06 Showers 10/06 Moon. everyone unawares, TC4 is one of What makes TC4 special is that to Earth just before 0541GMT New Delhi Sunny 35/22 Sunny 36/22 Nasa’s Mike Kelley, who leads the thousands of space rocks whose it has been chosen to test the global tomorrow, at a point south of New York S Showers 24/14 Cloudy 19/13 exercise to spot, track and intimately whereabouts are known. asteroid pre-warning system, fed by a Australia, according to ESA and Nasa. Paris P Cloudy 19/13 M Cloudy 19/12 probe the transient visitor, insisted there Millions are not. network of observatories, universities It will not be visible to the naked eye Sao Paulo M Sunny 33/21 M Sunny 33/18 Seoul Showers 19/11 Cloudy 14/06 was “no danger. Not even for satellites”. On its 609-day loop around the Sun, and labs around the world. nor with regular binoculars, “but it can S T Storms 30/26 S T Storms 30/26 “We’ve now been observing TC4 for TC4 will return to Earth in 2050 and The asteroid’s close approach will be seen in the night of October 11-12 Sydney Showers 23/19 P Cloudy 25/14 two months, so we have very accurate 2079, according to Ruediger Jehn of the allow teams to evaluate how accurate until about 4.00 am from European Tokyo Clear 28/20 Cloudy 27/19 position information on it, which in European Space Agency’s Near-Earth they were in predicting its orbit and observatories,” Jehn said. Gulf Times 24 Wednesday, October 11, 2017 QATAR

Emir honours students at Qatar University graduation ceremony

Qatar University (QU) celebrated the male student graduation for the Class of batch of students to graduate from the university with 775 male students bin Khalifa al-Thani, HE the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for 2017 yesterday at a special ceremony in the presence of His Highness the Emir graduating in different subjects from various colleges of the university. The Cabinet Aff airs Ahmed bin Abdullah bin Zaid al-Mahmoud, several ministers, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani who was the guest of honour at the event. women’s graduation ceremony will take place today. QU president Dr Hassan al-Derham, a large number of distinguished guests, Held at Qatar National Convention Centre, this was the 40th and the largest HE the Prime Minister and Interior Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser members of QU leadership, deans, parents and students took part in the event.

His Highness the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani honours a graduate. His Highness the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani honours a graduate. His Highness the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani honours another graduate.

His Highness the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, HE the Prime Minister and Interior Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa al-Thani, HE the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Cabinet Aff airs Ahmed bin Abdullah bin Zaid al-Mahmoud, other ministers and dignitaries at the event.

QU president Hassan al-Derham honouring a graduate. Qatar University deans on the stage during the graduation ceremony.

A group of graduates celebrates after the ceremony. Valedictorian Abdulla Methker al-Hajri addressing the ceremony.