BUSINESS | Page 1 QATAR | Page 20 Vodafone Qatar net profi t jumps 22% in Activities galore at Halal 2019 Qatar Festival 2020 published in QATAR since 1978

TUESDAY Vol. XXXX No. 11448 February 4, 2020 Jumada II 10, 1441 AH

GULF TIMES www. gulf-times.com 2 Riyals

Plane makes safe emergency landing In brief National Address

QATAR | Offi cial PM gets phone call Law: Residents from Somali premier HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa above 18 have to bin Abdulaziz al-Thani received yesterday a phone call from Somali Prime Minister Hassan Ali Khayre. During the phone call, the Somali register themselves prime minister congratulated HE Sheikh Khalid on his appointment as O Metrash2 provides an easy way for registration prime minister, wishing him success. The two sides also reviewed the strong bilateral relations and ways ince the National Address Law Captain Mohamed Ali al-Kuwari to promote and enhance them in came into eff ect on January 27, from the General Information Systems various fields. Sas many as 234,000 have regis- Department of the MoI spoke about the tered, including 227,000 through the role of the department as the operator QATAR | Diplomacy Metrash2 app, the Ministry of Interior of the registration system. He called (MoI) announced yesterday. on the public to register online to save FM meets Turkish All Qatar residents as well as insti- time and eff ort. counterpart in Ankara tutions and companies should register The MoI has provided a hotline HE the Deputy Prime Minister and their national address data before the (2342000) to respond to public in- Minister of Foreign Aff airs Sheikh six-month period ends on July 26, it quiries about everything related to the Mohamed bin Abdulrahman al- was urged at an introductory seminar National Address Law or any problem Thani met in Ankara yesterday with for offi cials of companies and organi- faced by the public during the registra- Turkish Minister of Foreign Aff airs sations and community representa- tion process. Mevlut Cavusoglu during his visit A view of the burst tyre (front left) of a Boeing 767 aircraft flown by Air Canada, as it makes an emergency landing at Madrid’s tives. Under Article 6 of the National to Turkey. During the meeting, they Barajas Airport, Spain, yesterday. The plane with 128 passengers on board made a safe emergency landing after reporting an Head of the National Address Sec- Address Law, a fi ne not exceeding reviewed the bilateral relations and engine issue and a burst tyre. Air Canada said the aircraft had an “engine issue” and that one of the plane’s 10 tyres reportedly tion at the Public Security, Lieutenant QR10,000 will be imposed on anyone ways to enhance them, as well as ruptured on take-off . Colonel Dr Abdullah Zayed al-Sahli who violates any of the provisions of issues of mutual concern, especially said that the National Address Law is Articles (3) and (4) of this law, or delib- the latest regional developments. part of the strategic development of e- erately provided incorrect data about government, a completion of the legis- national address. ARAB WORLD | Confl ict lative structure for government elec- Maj al-Muhannadi said that in the tronic transactions, and a transition event of a change in the national address Turkey, Syrian regime from descriptive address to the digital data, the new data must be modifi ed via in deadly fl are-up Participants from 80 countries address system. Metrash2 or any of the MoI service cen- Turkish and Syrian troops traded fire Registration of national address data tres. It is the responsibility of the indi- in northwest Syria yesterday, with can be done by citizens and residents vidual concerned to update the data and more than 20 reported dead, further through the Metrash2 app, the website ensure that any judicial announcements raising tension between Ankara and to take part in Dimdex 2020 of the MoI or at the MoI service cen- and offi cial notifi cations are received at regime ally Moscow over the war- tres, where a special offi ce has been the national address. torn Idlib region on Turkey’s border. designated for the purpose. Captain Mohamed Hassan al- Page 8 By Joey Aguilar ganised by Qatar Armed Forces (QAF), is planning to ensure the smooth pro- Major Khamis Saad al-Muhannadi Haydus from Unified Services De- Staff Reporter now established as one of the most im- gression of the event,” he said. of the Nationality and Travel Docu- partment informed that the process AMERICA | Impeachment trial portant events on the global maritime The briefi ng was also attended by ments’ Department of the MoI ex- of updating data is always available security and defence agenda. Dimdex protocol director Major (Sea) plained that the law allows the father through any of the means of registra- Democrats call for large number of delegations, “In this 2020 edition, visitors will Faisal Mohamed al-Hamadi, Middle to register himself and his children tion. Children who reach the legal age Trump conviction exhibitors and defence institu- be able to learn about the latest trends East Naval Commanders Conference under 18 years, but older children over of 18 must register their national ad- Democratic prosecutors wrapped Ations from up to 80 countries, in the fi eld of maritime defence and (MENC) director Dr Andreas Krieg, the legal age and the wife must register dress within two months of reaching up their final arguments at President including an expected 12 warships, will security in the presence of leaders, and administration offi cer Major (Sea) themselves. the age, he added. Donald Trump’s Senate impeachment take part in the seventh edition of the dignitaries, and high-ranking offi cials Mohamed Ali al-Reyashi, as well as In the case of separation of the He emphasised that the aim of the trial yesterday with an impassioned Doha International Maritime Defence from QAF and many other government ambassadors, defence and commercial spouses and the children are in the cus- national address is to facilitate serv- appeal for his conviction for abuse of Exhibition and Conference (Dimdex), agencies,” Dimdex chairman, Staff attachés, and representatives from the tody of the mother, she has to register ice to all citizens and residents in their power. Page 9 scheduled from March 16-18 at the Brigadier (Sea) Abdulbaqi Saleh al-An- military. the data of the children on her national dealings with various governmen- Qatar National Convention Centre sari, told a diplomat briefi ng yesterday. Al-Ansari said Dimdex 2020, address via electronic registration or at tal and non-governmental agencies, SPORT | Football (QNCC). “Building on the success of our last themed ‘Connecting the World’s any of the service centres. without the need for traditional paper The event, held under the patronage edition, the Dimdex organising com- Maritime Defence and Security Com- Lt Col Dr al-Sahli explained that correspondence. Infantino hails Qatar’s of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim mittee remains committed to the high- munity’, has four key elements: main every natural or legal person, whether He said the MoI has provided a serv- World Cup preparations bin Hamad al-Thani, and hosted and or- est standards of logistical pre-event exhibition, MENC, networking op- a citizen or an expatriate or his legal ice to companies that have large num- FIFA President Gianni Infantino portunities with VIP delegates from representative has to register his data bers of employees who cannot register has praised Qatar’s intensive around the world, and the Visiting in a simple form including the address online. Such companies can approach preparations to host the 2022 Warships Display at Hamad Port. of residence, fi xed telephone number, the headquarters of the Unifi ed World Cup. He was speaking on the MENC, one of the key features of mobile number, email, employer ad- Services Department in Mesaimeer sidelines of the ceremony of the the event, will gather renowned aca- dress for government and private sec- through their PROs and register the International Federation of Sports demics, thinkers and practitioners tor employees, and permanent address data of workers through the relevant Journalism Awards in Budapest, from around the world under one roof abroad, if available. forms. The department will send a Hungary, which is being held in to discuss an array of topics in several The guardian of minor children has team to the company’s headquarters partnership with the Qatar Sports Major (Sea) Faisal Mohamed al-Hamadi, Staff Brigadier (Sea) Abdulbaqi Saleh al- talks under the theme: “Resilience in to register their data and bears the le- to complete the registration proc- Media Committee for the second Ansari, Dr Andreas Krieg, and Major (Sea) Mohamed Ali al-Reyashi at the diplomat the Maritime Domain – Confronting gal responsibility for the validity of the ess electronically, the offi cial added. year in a row. Page 20 briefing yesterday. PICTURE: Thajudeen Asymmetric Threats”. To Page 3 information. Page 7 Protest against French pension reforms New bridge, underpass open at Mesaimeer Interchange he Public Works Authority (Ashghal) yester- was opened in November 2019 to provide a free exit day announced the opening of a new bridge for those coming from E Ring Road and heading to Tand underpass at Mesaimeer Interchange, Rawdat Al Khail Street. This was followed by the facilitating smooth traffi c fl ow in the area which opening of a 1km long underpass in December 2019 provides key connectivity to the Industrial Area and to provide a free fl ow of traffi c for those coming other locations. from E-Ring Road towards the industrial Area road. At the interchange, a 1,300m long bridge was Described as the fi rst of its kind in the country, the partially opened to provide free traffi c fl ow from three-level interchange includes nine underpasses. Rawdat Al Khail Street to Industrial Area Road The 6.1km long interchange consists of three to four while the 450m long new underpass connects traf- lanes in each direction to accommodate about 20,000 fi c from Doha Expressway towards the Industrial vehicles per hour in both directions. It also contains Area Road. two major bridges with one connecting Rawdat Al With the opening, the temporary traffi c light that Khail Street and Industrial Area Road in both direc- connects Rawdat Al Khail Street, Doha Expressway tions and the other connecting E-Ring Road with the and Industrial Area Road was removed. southern part of Doha Expressway in one direction Ashghal project engineer Hassan al-Ghanim said ensuring a smooth fl ow of traffi c in all directions. that the new openings provide free traffi c fl ow be- It also connects E-Ring Road, Doha Expressway, tween Doha Expressway and E-Ring Road and Raw- Removing temporary traff ic light on the interchange southern part of Doha Expressway, Sabah Al Ahmed dat Al Khail Street with the Industrial Area Road.” provides free traff ic between Doha Expressway, E-Ring Corridor, Industrial Area Road and Rawdat Al Khail Lawyers from the Beauvais Bar take part in a demonstration called by the “SOS Retraites” Mesaimeer Interchange has so far witnessed sev- Road and Rawdat Al Khail Street and the Industrial Area Street and provides a vital traffi c link between the collective gathering lawyers, doctors, nurses, pilots and other independent workers eral openings. The fi rst part, with a length of 220m, Road. south, central and north of the country. To Page 5 yesterday in Paris against the government reform of the pension system. Page 13 Gulf Times 2 Tuesday, February 4, 2020 QATAR

Amir receives message from Chief of Staff meets military official at SHAPE president of Azerbaijan Qatar chairs Arab economic panel meeting

QNA Cairo

atar chaired the 105th session of the Economic Qand Social Council at the headquarters of the General Secretariat of the Arab League to prepare for the economic fi les that will be submitted to the reg- ular Arab summit scheduled for the end of March and the coun- cil’s meeting at the ministerial level on Thursday. This session’s agenda includes a number of important topics, the foremost of which are the His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani has received a written economic and social fi le of the message from Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev pertaining to bilateral relations Arab League’s summit sched- between the two countries and ways of enhancing them. The message was HE the Chief of Staff of the Qatar Armed Forces Major General (Pilot) Ghanem bin Shaheen al-Ghanem yesterday uled to be held at the end of received by HE the Minister of State for Foreign Aff airs Sultan bin Saad met Rear Admiral Bulent Turan, the Deputy Chief of Staff at the Military Partnership Directorate at the Supreme March, the implementation of al-Muraikhi during a meeting with the ambassador of Azerbaijan to Qatar Rashad Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE). During the meeting, they reviewed the military relations between the decisions of the 4th session Ismayilov. the two sides. The meeting was attended by senior off icers of the armed forces. of Arab-African summit in Mal- abo (Equatorial Guinea) 2016, the preparation for the econom- ic aspects of the fi fth summit, in addition to the Greater Arab Free Trade Area and the develop- ments of the Arab Customs Un- Shura Council Speaker ion along with other economic MoI honours winners of and social topics. Qatar assumed the presiden- congratulates new cy of the current session of the council on Sunday, succeeding Palestine. It chaired the meet- prime minister Security Research Prize ing of the Social Committee that adopted the recommen- dations to be submitted to the QNA QNA meeting of senior offi cials of the Doha Doha council scheduled to be held on Wednesday to prepare for its meeting at the ministerial level he Shura Council held nder the patronage of on Thursday. its regular weekly meet- HE the Prime Minister The Social Committee also Ting yesterday under the Uand Minister of Interior discussed a number of issues chairmanship of HE the Speaker Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa bin that constitute a priority for Ahmed bin Abdullah bin Zaid al- Abdulaziz al-Thani, the Min- joint Arab developmental social Mahmoud. istry of Interior yesterday cele- work. The Speaker congratulated brated the winners of its Securi- HE Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa bin ty Research Prize for 2018/2019. Abdulaziz al-Thani on the con- The ceremony was attended Qatar-Eswatini fi dence bestowed on him by His by HE the Director of Public Se- Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim curity Staff Major General Saad ties reviewed bin Hamad al-Thani, by appoint- HE the Speaker of the Shura bin Jassim al-Khulaifi and a ing him as Prime Minister and Council Ahmed bin Abdullah number of offi cials at the Minis- The Minister of Foreign Aff airs Minister of Interior, expressing his bin Zaid al-Mahmoud chairing try of Interior. and International Co-operation aspiration to continue the fruitful yesterday’s session. Addressing the ceremony, of Eswatini Thuli Dladla met and constructive co-operation Brigadier Dr Mohamed Abdul- the Acting Charge d’Aff aires of between the Shura Council and advertising, public relations and lah al-Mahanna al-Marri, the Qatar’s embassy in the kingdom, the government. media services offi ces. Director-General of the Police HE the Director of Public Security Staff Major General Saad bin Jassim al-Khulaifi and other off icials with Ahmed bin Tajer al-Sada The Speaker also expressed After discussion, the Coun- College and Chairman of the the prize winners. PICTURE: Noushad Thekkayil yesterday. his thanks and appreciation to cil decided to refer the draft to a MoI Security Research Prize During the meeting, they HE Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser joint committee comprising the Committee, said that the theme ning researches dealt com- for the departments of the Min- stipulate that the applicant must reviewed bilateral relations, in bin Khalifa al-Thani for his ef- Cultural Aff airs and Information of the prize was about the role of prehensively and profession- istry of Interior, and followed up be a citizen or a resident of Qa- addition to issues of common forts in serving Qatar and for Committee and the Legal and community partnership in pro- ally with ways to protect young through solid scientifi c meas- tar, employees in scientifi c in- concern. his keenness during his term as Legislative Aff airs Committee tecting young people from cy- people from cybercrime by way urement indicators. stitutions and research centres prime minister to co-operate to study it and submit a report bercrime, given the importance of community partnership, set- Brigadier Dr Mohamed Ab- or retired, or juridical persons with the Shura Council and thereon to the Council. of community partnership as ting up precautionary plans and dullah al-Mahanna al-Marri of the scientifi c institutions and Qatar condemns follow-up procedures to imple- At the end of the meeting, HE an essential pillar for achieving measures to protect young peo- announced the theme of the research centres headquartered Afghan attack ment its recommendations. the Speaker of the Shura Coun- security in its comprehensive ple, and providing a practical MoI Security Research Prize for in Qatar. HE al-Mahmoud renewed cil briefed the members on his concept. and scientifi c vision to ensure 2020, which will tackle family Colonel Mohamed Rabia al- Qatar’s fi rm stance towards the participation along with his ac- He added that the prize pro- the achievement of the desired disintegration and its impact on Kuwari, Director of the Strategic Qatar voiced its strong Palestinian cause, stressing that companying delegation in the vided an opportunity for all goals. the social structure. Studies Centre and Vice-Chair- condemnation and denunciation there will be no peace in the re- 15th session of the Conference of male and female researchers to He underlined that the results The ceremony concluded with man of the Prize Committee, of the attack that targeted gion unless the full rights of the the Federation of member states contribute with their ideas and of those researches will be put the Director of Public Security stated that of the QR150,000 security checkpoints in northern Palestinian people are recognised, of the Organisation of Islamic to suggest the best means to ad- into practice through many pro- handing out certifi cates of ap- prize money QR50,000 is allo- Afghanistan, which resulted in foremost of which is the right to Co-operation (OIC) in Ouaga- dress security issues on a scien- cedures, noting that the results preciation to the winners and the cated for each of the three cat- deaths of the security forces. establish an independent state dougou, Burkina Faso, during tifi c basis, noting that the con- come in the form of an imple- arbitrators. egories, which are (citizens) and In a statement yesterday, the with East Jerusalem as its capital. the period from January 27-30, cerned committee had received mentation plan by the winning Winner of the fi rst place was (residents) and (legal persons). Ministry of Foreign Aff airs He also stressed that any as well as his meetings on the distinguished researches in ac- researcher, and accordingly a researcher Layla Fadl Hamad al- The prize is distributed in the reiterated the firm position of peace projects that are not in ac- sidelines of the conference with cordance with the conditions working group from the ministry Sada from the Ministry of Inte- three categories - QR25,000 Qatar on rejecting violence and cordance with international law, the President of Burkina Faso and rules regulating the process is formed to invite the authori- rior, while Zainab Haidari came for winner of the fi rst place, terrorism, whatever their motives international legitimacy resolu- and a number of heads of parlia- of participation and scientifi c ties to convert these results into second and Ameena Mohamed QR15,000 for winner of the sec- and reasons. The statement tions and the Arab Peace Initia- ments of Islamic countries. research. activities and programmes de- al-Ansari third. ond place, and QR10,000 for expressed condolences of Qatar tive cannot lead to a just, lasting Meanwhile, the Joint Com- He explained that the win- veloped in an operational plan The conditions of the contest winner of the third place. to the victims’ families. and comprehensive peace, and mittee formed by the Legal and would increase tension and Legislative Aff airs Committee hinder the chances of a solution. and the Information and Cultur- During the meeting, the al Aff airs Committee of the Shu- Council discussed a draft law ra Council held its fi rst meeting Slovenian president receives SJC, Central Securities Depository sign MoU regulating the press, publica- yesterday within its 48th ordi- tions, publishing, media activi- nary session. credentials of Qatar’s envoy The Supreme Judiciary ties and the arts. The draft law At the beginning of the meeting, Council (SJC) has signed consists of 74 articles distrib- the committee unanimously elect- a memorandum of uted in 12 chapters. ed HE Nasser bin Rashid bin Serayea understanding (MoU) with It includes provisions relat- al-Kaabi as its Rapporteur. Qatar Central Securities ing to the regulation of the press, The committee studied a draft Depository (QCSD) aimed media, printing press, publish- law for regulating the press, at exchanging data for the ing house, circulation and distri- publications, publishing, media implementation of judicial bution of publications, cinemas, activities and the arts.The com- orders, in the presence of theatres, artistic production, mittee decided to complete its HE the President of the private broadcasting stations, study in the next meeting. Supreme Judiciary Council and President of the Court of Cassation Dr Hassan Lahdan Saqr al-Mohannadi. The MoU was signed by Slovenian President Borut Pahor has received the credentials Supreme Judicial Council’s 31 farm consignments of Qatar’s non-resident ambassador Sultan bin Salmeen Chief Executive Off icer Dr al-Mansouri. The ambassador conveyed the greetings of Mansour Nasser al-Qahtani, accordance with the rules of dealing with them in an electronic His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani to and the CEO of QCSD Misnad manner. Dr Mansour Nasser al-Qahtani expressed his pleasure destroyed for violating President Borut Pahor. The Slovenian president reciprocated bin Abdullatif al-Misnad. at signing the MoU with one of the most important institutions the Amir greetings and wished the ambassador success in The MoU facilitates operating in the securities sector, with the aim of exchanging data his duties, assuring him of support to promote the bilateral the implementation of and information between the two sides in matters related to the quarantine law relations between the two countries. judicial orders by QCSD in implementation of judicial orders in an electronic manner.

QNA violating the agricultural quar- Doha antine law. The agricultural quarantine is the fi rst line of defence for pro- he Ministry of Munici- tection from agricultural infec- Decrease in traffi c accident deaths recorded in Dec 2019 pality and Environment tions. T(MME), represented by The preventive procedure the Agricultural Quarantine Of- aims to protect the country’s QNA violations at an annual rate of the results of the 2015 Census. ries (11%). However, 16 deaths egory is the increase in total new fi ces, have inspected 5,611 im- agricultural wealth from foreign Doha 7.2%. Not taking into account ac- were recorded, equivalent to drivers’ licences and total new ported consignments, weighing pests. This comes in the Planning cidents without injuries, a only 3% of total traffic acci- vehicles registered at an annual 135,637 tonnes, at diff erent cus- It also provides that all plants, and Statistics Authority (Qatar; total of 638 traffic cases were dents cases. rate of 10.8% and 14.3%, respec- toms points. agricultural products and any tatistical data issued by Monthly Statistics) bulletin; a recorded during December A total of 6,017 new vehicles tively. The consignments included other materials shall be subject the Planning and Statis- series of statistical newsletters 2019, showing a monthly in- were registered during Decem- The demographic statistics plant products and production to phytosanitary regulations for Stics Authority showed this released on a monthly basis, crease of 4.9%. Light injuries ber 2019. revealed that the total popula- inputs. its procedures and to ensure that month a drop in traffi c accident which highlighted the important accounted for the vast major- The fi gure showed a monthly tion of Qatar has increased from The Quarantine Offi ces de- other agricultural production deaths at an annual rate of 14.3% statistical changes that occurred ity of traffic accident cases increase of 5.7% and an annual 2.67mn during December 2018 stroyed 31 agricultural consign- inputs are in conformity with the (compared to December 2018), in the country during December during the same month, with increase of 14.3%. The most to 2.69mn at end of December ments weighing 10 tonnes for conditions and specifi cations. and a decrease in total traffi c 2019 in addition to extracts from 86%, followed by severe inju- prominent change in this cat- 2019. Gulf Times Tuesday, February 4, 2020 3 QATAR Farm ‘sector poised to expand further’ By Joey Aguilar people are interested to invest in country. crease yields and meet the grow- production by 5mn kg this year. Staff Reporter this sector,” he said. The three companies collabo- ing demand for fresh produce. With an estimated local veg- Al-Khalaf, managing director rated and signed an agreement This R&D aims to support His etable consumption of 200mn of Qatari company Agrico, has in 2018 to put up a facility in Highness the Amir’s vision of kg, he noted that this fi gure (the ore people are keen to been encouraging compatriot Qatar to test greenhouse tech- achieving food security for the increase in local production) re- Nasser Ahmed al-Khalaf, managing director, Agrico. invest in Qatar’s boom- entrepreneurs to invest in agri- nologies, nutrient management country. mains small but marks “a very Ming agriculture sector culture, especially in hydropon- and fertigation solutions aimed “Agrico, in the past four years, good progress” for the sector. pany) both locally and regionally Agrico, a private Qatari agri- as it has witnessed signifi cant ics. at increasing the local vegetable has played a signifi cant role in He added that Qatar’s annual as well,” al-Khalaf stressed. cultural development company gains annually and poised to fur- Through a research and de- production. supporting those investors. In local vegetable production is at He said the Agrico farm in Al established in 2011, produces ther expand in the years to come, velopment (R&D) facility estab- “The result of the R&D will 2019, the company developed 40mn kg. Khor and the other farms it devel- organic vegetables and fruits according to prominent Qatari lished by Agrico, Qatar Ferti- be issued soon,” said al-Khalaf, three diff erent farms with a “We have proven in the past oped using state-of-the-art tech- the year round in Al Khor. It ex- agriculturist Nasser Ahmed liser Company (Qafco) and Yara who previously noted that the cultivated area of 150,000sqm, years that not only can we grow nology are now producing year panded its high-tech and locally al-Khalaf. International ASA (Norway), he development of local farms in fully operational today,” said in Qatar but we also made the round, even during the summer developed greenhouse to other “The agriculture sector is still said they foresee an increase in Qatar is also unlocking their full al-Khalaf, adding that these agriculture business profi table season, which contributes to Qa- farms in the country under its booming in Qatar and I see more yield and cultivated areas in the potential that would further in- farms alone will increase local (with Mahaseel marketing com- tar’s vegetable consumption needs. management. Participants from 80 countries Naval commanders conference to to take part in Dimdex 2020 invite global academics, experts From Page 1 global exhibitors to showcase teractions, developing sports- the latest innovations in the manship, and encouraging es- By Joey Aguilar al Convention Centre. looking at a very complex mari- rooms to the audience to ask “QAF will continue to host maritime and naval sphere, prit de corps. Staff Reporter “Obviously the broader topic time environment in the Gulf and questions and engage in a series and organise the event with including cybersecurity, anti- In 2018, al-Ansari noted that is maritime security but what it is about saying sea routes and of discussions and debate. a great dedication and con- piracy systems and C5iSR sys- more than 13,000 visitors and we are trying to do is widen it to maritime choke points, and obvi- Krieg noted that the confer- tinuously provide the very tems. participants from 69 countries he Middle East Naval what I call resilience in the mari- ously the time couldn’t be better ence will not be “a static deliv- best of our country and ex- Established in 2008 and attended Dimdex, which saw Commanders Conference time domain so as to allow to to discuss,” Krieg said. ery of presentations” but aims ceed expectations,” al-Ansari following a highly successful a record-breaking 35 partner- T(MENC) is set to expand have a debate and encompasses “Unfortunately we are at a time to engage people in a dialogue, stressed. 12-year run, the event is set to ships and agreements signed its programme this year by bring- quite a lot of diff erent factors of where the challenges to maritime broadening it up to students “We look forward to fur- return with a larger exhibition totalling over $32bn. ing together renowned academ- maritime security,” MENC di- security in this part of the world from the military colleges in ther strengthening our co- space, spanning more than “Thanks to its proven track ics and industry experts from rector Dr Andreas Krieg told at- are very severe, we are on the Qatar, as well as to other stu- operation and we are also 35,000sq m at QNCC. record showing the latest tech- around the world to discuss the tendees of Dimdex’s diplomat third year of an ongoing blockade dents from the diverse academic pleased to provide all the fa- The venue will witness key nologies and keeping phase latest regional and international briefi ng yesterday. against Qatar but apart from that centres of excellence in Doha. cilities needed for a unique decision makers, offi cial VIP with the global market, Dimdex trends in maritime defence and He said that such move will we have seen a lot of asymmetric “We also want to spread the event that promotes close delegations and senior govern- continues to provide unprec- security on a commercial, strate- make Dimdex not only a meet- tracks against shipping lanes in word that this is not a side event collaboration among stake- ment ministers meeting and edented business opportunities gic and operational level. ing place for people who attend to this part of the world,” he added. of Dimdex but this is supposed to holders,” he said. discussing future procurement for exhibitors and maritime de- MENC, under the theme “Re- buy hardware but “expanding it The conference director said be one of the key events to actu- With invitees from more needs. fence and security profession- silience in the Maritime Domain – as well to academics and thinkers, they invited thought leaders, ally help us move forward not just than 80 countries, Dimdex A number of sports tourna- als,” he said. Confronting Asymmetric Threats”, and try to make this a very much senior stakeholders, naval and selling arms but thinking about 2020 is set to exceed its pre- ments will also be organised for Organisers will also schedule is a key feature of the Doha Inter- interactive conference that is re- operational commanders to dis- how we can potentially provide vious record and welcome an crews such as basketball, Tug- trips for those who want to visit national Maritime Defence Exhi- ally trying to push the envelope.” cuss an array of topics on press- security in this part of the world unprecedented visitor turn- O-War, volleyball and football the participating war ships at bition and Conference (Dimdex) “We’re looking as well at the ing issues in the region. in the maritime domain without out, including regional and aimed at fostering social in- Hamad Port. 2020, scheduled to take place from role of the market, private security MENC in this year’s edition of resulting to defence and security March 16 to 18 at the Qatar Nation- companies, cybersecurity. We’re Dimdex will also provide more measures,” he added. Gulf Times 4 Tuesday, February 4, 2020 QATAR

HCV infection high among people who inject drugs: WCM-Q study Sidra working on

esearchers at Weill Cornell Med- coverage levels to who are currently injecting drugs.” icine – Qatar (WCM-Q) have achieve a mean- Hiam Chemaitelly, co-author of Rfound that half of people who ingful impact. the study and senior epidemiologist national report inject drugs in the Middle East and Sarwat Mah- at WCM-Q said: “HCV public health North Africa (Mena) region are infect- mud, WCM-Q eff orts in the region need to prioritise ed with hepatitis C virus (HCV), with epidemiologist populations most aff ected by HCV. the majority having an active infection and fi rst author We cannot escape the need for harm and in need of treatment. of the study said: reduction programmes and for testing The research, published in the pres- Dr Laith Abu- “With these study and treatment services among people tigious journal Addiction, estimated Raddad and Hiam results, we are who inject drugs, which are common on breast cancer that over 220,000 people who current- Chemaitelly now able to pro- practice in other parts of the world and ly inject drugs have active HCV infec- vide guidance on have contributed signifi cantly to re- esearchers at Sidra ers, sisters or daughters,” tion. The largest numbers were found strategies to maximise the benefi ts of ducing HCV and HIV infection levels Medicine are devel- said Dr Bujassoum. in Iran at 68,000, followed by Pakistan the advent of the new HCV drugs that in these populations.” Roping Qatar’s fi rst na- The Qatar-based study at 46,000, and Egypt at 33,000, ac- are now available. This can prevent or Dr Laith Abu-Raddad, principal in- tional report on the progno- has already shown that cer- cording to a statement issued yester- minimise the costly HCV complications vestigator of the study and professor sis and molecular subtypes tain breast cancer subtypes day by WCM-Q. among drug users in the Mena region, a of healthcare policy and research at of breast cancer, aimed at are more common and in The study further showed that there region where many countries are strug- WCM-Q said: “Without an appropri- understanding the high risk higher incidences compared was no decline in infection levels in gling with limited resources. It should ate public health response, the health- of development of breast to South Africa, China, Eu- recent years. This persistence of HCV also be noted that the scale of this pub- care system in the region will continue cancer among women in rope and Caucasian women infection levels suggests that interven- lic health challenge may be even greater to endure serious and costly health Qatar as a result of genetic, in North America. tions targeting this population are ei- than this study suggests, as the esti- complications of HCV infection in environmental and lifestyle Dr Khalid Fakhro Dr Naser Elkum “Breast cancer is an im- ther non-existent or have insuffi cient mates in the study include only those terms of liver diseases and cancer.” factors. portant area of research for According to Qatar Na- Programme at the National characteristics of tumours Sidra Medicine that can po- tional Cancer Registry, Centre for Cancer Care and and the prognosis for over tentially be treated by Preci- breast cancer, the most Research, Hamad Medical 1,300 breast cancer patients sion Medicine interventions. common malignancy Corporation (HMC). in Qatar by examining the A knowledge of the under- among women in the coun- “Having reviewed can- distribution of breast can- lying causes of breast can- try currently, represented cer registries and patient cer molecular subtypes and cer in this population will 17% of the total number of records from HMC, we their associations with clin- be key to developing health cancer cases in 2016. found that the median age of ical and pathological char- policies, support services The two-year study is be- breast cancer among wom- acteristics. and treatment protocols that ing led by Dr Naser Elkum, en who have been diagnosed “About 10% of cases of are tailored to each patient’s director, Biostatistics and in Qatar is 47 years, which is breast cancer may be due to needs, and that help us iden- Clinical Epidemiology. He is much younger when com- a mutation in genes caused tify women in the population working in collaboration with pared to the median age of by a genetic defect or be- who may be at higher risk for Dr Salha M Bujassoum, sen- 63 in Western countries,” Dr cause of genetic factors in early intervention and treat- ior oncology consultant and Elkum said. women who have a history ment,” said Dr Khalid Fakhro, head, Genetic Cancer Pro- His study has sought of the disease in a fi rst-de- acting chief research offi cer gramme and Breast Cancer to identify the molecular gree relatives such as moth- at Sidra Medicine.

New symphonic interpretation of Holy Trilogy

The Ministry of Culture and Sports is organising new symphonic piece for the concert is due to his role in the modernisation of Arab interpretation of the famous masterpiece Holy Trilogy composed music during the historic period that he lived. The tribute concert by the late composer Riyad al-Sunbati at Al Mayassa Theatre in the features a monumental work of one of the most famous Arab musi- Education City tomorrow from 7.30pm. cians. The Ministry of Culture’s intention is to add contemporary Presented by the Centre for Music Aff airs in co-operation with the touches, so that the music surpasses the historic limits of the era Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra, the concert will feature 30 Turkish when the work was composed, which makes it compatible with musicians. The new symphonic interpretation was prepared and the rhythm of modern 21st century life. Khaled al-Salem, director of composed by Turkish artist Ismail Zafer Haznedaroglu. The concert the Centre for Music Aff airs, said: “The Ministry of Culture is moving is to be conducted by composer Orhan Salliel. forward with its strategy to spread awareness among members The Holy Trilogy means the three holy cities of Makkah, Madinah, of the society by opening up to cultures and providing everything and Baytul-Maqdis (Jerusalem). The choice of al-Sunbati’s master- that improves public taste and containing positive messages.” Gulf Times Tuesday, February 4, 2020 5 QATAR Cancer services at par with best global standards: offi cial The off icials at the press conference yesterday. PICTURE: Shemeer Rasheed According to Dr al-Khater, the cutting-edge M6 Cyber- year, new bowel cancer screen- By Joseph Varghese “Today, HMC’s cancer serv- hamed Abu Rasheed, head, Pro- “In 2016, there were 165 can- NCCCR off ers cancer care with Knife robotic radiosurgery sys- ing guideline will be adopted as Staff Reporter ices are benchmarked against fessional Development at Qatar cer deaths among Qataris and the latest technology in the fi eld tem. “Moreover, NCCCR hosts bowel cancer screening will now best international practices and Cancer Society also attended the lung cancer was the primary of minimally invasive proce- psychological and palliative care be every two years instead of one are recognised by international conference. cause at 14% followed by liver dures, investigation and diag- services for support of patients year,” she described. atar’s cancer services are research study groups. There- Sheikh Dr Mohamed said, cancer by 11%, and colorectal nostic tests as well as stem cell and their families while cancer According to the offi cial, so far, on par with the best in- fore, Qataris do not need to seek “The National Cancer Registry cancer, by 8.5%,” he pointed out. and bone marrow transplant. drug therapy and radiotherapy 14,293 people underwent screen- Qternational practices and treatment abroad anymore,” he shows 1,566 new cancer cases “MoPH in co-operation with “The number of patients treatments are currently free to ing for bowel cancer with 10,983 are recognised by international said while speaking at a press were diagnosed during 2016, of its partners has established an treated at NCCCR has increased residents of Qatar with a valid taking up the opportunity of free research study groups, a senior conference by the Ministry of which 21% were Qataris; 42% annual calendar to raise aware- throughout the past few years health card.” mammograms for breast cancer. offi cial has said. Health (MoPH) to mark World female and 58% male. Breast ness about diff erent types of at an average of 13% per year. Dr Shaikha noted that over “More lectures than ever “The transformation of can- Cancer Day. World Cancer cancer is the most common cancers, and has implemented The number of day case vis- 25,000 people underwent were held – 31 in total, which cer services in recent years has Day is observed on February 4 one with an average of 17%, monthly awareness programmes its has increased by over 65% breast or bowel cancer screen- attracted a combined audience resulted in the development of annually. followed by colorectal cancer targeting one type of cancer. since 2013. We have success- ing in 2019 through the Breast of almost 938 people. Some a comprehensive, high-quality Sheikh Dr Mohamed bin Ha- approximately 10%.” Co-ordination is made between fully performed 53 autologous and Bowel Cancer Screening 455 physicians trained in the service, among the very best in mad al-Thani, director, Public The offi cial noted that the all partners to unify the activi- stem cell transplants since 2015 programme operated by PHCC. importance of screening and the world,” said Dr al-Hareth al- Health Department, MoPH; Dr survival rates of Qatari patients, ties implemented at the national and 12 allogeneic blood stem “Our detection rate has early detection via 45 train- Khater, deputy medical director, Shaikha Abu Shaikha, director, reached 89% for breast can- level. This calendar is updated cell transplants since 2017,” the reached 7.48% of those screened, ing sessions resulting in over National Center for Cancer Care Cancer Screening Programme cer, 69% for colorectal cancer, annually according to statisti- offi cial added. a few points short of the inter- 5,901 people being referred for and Research (NCCCR), Hamd at Primary health Care Corpora- 67% for leukaemia, and 90% for cal information on the disease Dr al-Khater said that over national leader, Australia with screening,” she added. Medical Corporation. tion (PHCC); and Dr Hadi Mo- thyroid cancer. situation,” he said. 100 patients have benefi ted from 11% detection rate. From this (Page 19) Finalists of Katara Award for Inventors honoured

atara – the Cultural Village yesterday Khonoured the fi nal- ists of Katara Award for Inventors. The inventors honoured include Dr Somaya al- Maadeed, head, Computer Science and Engineering Department at Qatar Uni- versity; Dr El Tayeb Ben- tria, from Hamad bin Kha- lifa University; and Ghada Mubarak al-Maadeed. Dr Khaled bin Ibrahim al-Sulaiti, director gen- eral, Katara – the Cultural Village, said during the honouring ceremony that the award is part of Ka- The bridge provides free traff ic flow from Rawdat Al Khail Street towards the Industrial Area Road. tara’s constant support for creativity and innovation, and its continuous inter- est in optimal investment in the energies of crea- tive youth to develop their Ashghal opens bridge, underpass talents and capabilities, and motivate them so that they contribute with their bright ideas to serve Katara and its multiple cultural at Messaimeer Interchange facilities. Dr Somaya al-Maadeed From Page 1 said that she participated allows locating a place in the various monuments, in the award by presenting Katara and giving explana- facilities and projects in The interchange links traffi c from the south a smart programme that tory information about Katara. (QNA) through the southern part of Doha Expressway, main carriageway of Doha Expressway and Al Shamal Road. It also connects traffi c between In- dustrial Area road and the heart of Doha through a connection to Rawdat Al Khail Street which in- tersects D Ring and C Ring Road as well as between the busy areas of Nuaija, Al Thumama, Bu Hamour, Al Mamoura, Mesaimeer providing easy access to Al Wakra, Al Wukair and the Industrial area. The interchange is located in a vital area that has many facilities including Al Thumama Sta- dium and serves many important educational, health and commercial facilities such as the Medical Commission, Meteorological Depart- ment, many schools, health centres and nearby shopping malls. The interchange also includes a sophisticated intelligent transport system where surveillance cameras and vehicle number moni- tors will be installed along with an emergency traffi c system to ensure better traffi c control in Qatar. The Mesaimeer Interchange integrates with Sabah Al Ahmad Corridor linking Al-Wat- tiyyat Interchange, which is a strategic link be- tween the southern part of Doha Expressway and its main highway. Woqod opens Al Mearad-2 Petrol Station

atar Fuel (Woqod) yester- fuel needs of the country. Mem- day opened the Al Mear- bers of the Woqod team would Qad-2 Petrol Station as part like to extend their gratitude to all of its ongoing expansion plans to governmental and private entities serve every area in Qatar, raising its involved in the completion of this network of petrol stations to 104. project.” Woqod managing director and The new Al Mearad-2 petrol CEO Saad Rashid al-Muhannadi station is spread over an area of said, “We are pleased to open a 14,850sq m and has three lanes new petrol station at Al Mearad-2. with nine dispensers for light Woqod aspires to expand its pet- vehicles, which “will serve the rol station network in the country Al Mearad-2 area and its neigh- to meet the rising demand for pe- bourhood”, Woqod has said in a troleum products and achieve the statement. goal of providing customers with The station off ers round-the- access to best-in-class products clock services to residents and in- and services at their convenience cludes a Sidra convenience store, and comfort. manual car wash, oil change and “Woqod has recently acceler- tyre repair, in addition to the sale ated the process of construction of gasoline and diesel products of new petrol stations to meet the for light vehicles. The new Al Mearad-2 Petrol Station. Gulf Times 6 Tuesday, February 4, 2020 QATAR 10/20/30 promotion back at Safari outlets afari Group announced that the latest 10/20/30 promo- Stion began at its outlets yesterday, enabling customers to avail of a wide variety of food products and consumer durables for QR10, QR20 or QR30. Products off ered in the pro- motion include fruits, vegeta- bles, fi sh, meat, bakery items, hot live food and other food items, Doha Bank launches two metal cards, aimed at aff luent customers. cosmetics, household durables, readymade garments, footwear, The promotion also includes variety of dishes such as fi sh cur- until February 6 at Safari Mall, electronics and computer acces- salads, cheese items, fresh jam, ry, beef roast, burgers, muffi ns, Abu Hamour, and on February 6 sories, the retail chain has said in butter block, mixed pickles, donuts and more. and 7 at the recently opened Sa- a statement. juice, milk products, snacks etc. The household section is of- fari Hypermarket - Al Khor, from Doha Bank premium cards “Though the rates are low, Sa- The Safari Bakery & Hot Food fering a wide range of products, 6.30pm onwards. Entry is free for fari never compromises on the section off ers a range of combos, including cosmetics by promi- customers. quality of products,” the state- including Arabic, Western, South nent manufacturers. The pro- Further, a mega lucky draw ment noted, adding that Safari Indian, North Indian and Chi- motional items in the electron- promotion to win 20 Toyota provide exclusive privileges has included a wide variety of nese dishes. ics section are emergency lights, Corolla cars is also running at products in the promotion. The Some of the “best combo of- trimmers, torch, calculator and all Safari outlets across Doha. highlights of the promotion ferings” are chicken fried rice headsets. Customers who make purchases oha Bank, one of the Qataris and tion in addition to an array of include 252gm Galaxy Minis 400gm plus chilli chicken 250gm Apart from the promotion, worth QR50 and above are eligi- largest private commer- expatriates banking benefi ts that include chocolate for QR10, Yardley body for QR10, chicken majboos Safari is also organising musical ble to get a raffl e draw coupon for Dcial banks in Qatar, has the chip and PIN security fea- spray with perfume for QR20 and 600gm for QR10, and beef curry shows in the evening featuring this promotion. The sixth lucky launched two metal cards with with a minimum ture, contactless payment, cash Geepas heavy iron box for QR30 250gm plus paratha three pieces well-known artistes from Qatar. draw for three Toyota Corolla a wide range of luxurious privi- advance, and supplementary with one-year warranty. for QR10. In addition, it serves a These will be held from today cars will be held on February 19. leges. monthly income cards, among others. The ‘Al Riyada Visa Infi nite’ of QR35,000 In addition, Al Riyada Visa and ‘Private Banking Visa In- Infi nite cardholders can exclu- fi nite’ contactless metal cards or QR350,000 sively enjoy premium benefi ts bring a wealth of exclusive trav- assets under such as the access to over 900 el, lifestyle, shopping, and in- elite and prestigious properties surance benefi ts to Doha Bank’s management can from around the world under high-value banking customers. enjoy Al Riyada the Visa Luxury Hotel Collec- “In line with its commitment tion programme, attractive dis- to developing unique solutions package with the counts at premium restaurants and services that off er exciting Visa metal card, and on car rental from Avis, and rewarding banking experi- value-added tax refund across ences to our customers, Doha while a minimum the EU and the UK, up to 30% Bank has sharpened its focus on of QR5mn worth cash back at more than 2,500 innovation in the product off er- popular international brands, as ing ...We are confi dent that the asset under well as free movie tickets with new elite metal cards will reso- VOX Cinemas, complimentary nate with the aspirations of our management airport transfers with Careem, loyal clients,” said Dr R Seethar- will entitle them and up to four months of free of aman, group chief executive of charge Anghami Plus member- Doha Bank. to the exclusive ship to enjoy seamless music Qataris and expatriates with benefits of the streaming. a minimum monthly income of “Opening up a world of com- QR35,000 or QR350,000 assets Private Banking fort and luxury to our discern- under management can enjoy starting with ing customers, the Al Riyada Al Riyada package with the Visa Visa Infi nite and Private Bank- metal card, while a minimum of the Visa Infinite ing Visa Infi nite metal cards are QR5mn worth asset under man- metal card set to redefi ne premium bank- agement will entitle them to the ing in Qatar,” according to Braik exclusive benefi ts of the Private Doha Bank customers hold- al-Marri, chief retail banking Banking starting with the Visa ing either of the new cards can offi cer, Doha Bank. Infi nite metal card. also enjoy free VIP valet parking “We are delighted to col- AAB and Global Limousine off icials mark the occasion. Cardholders can earn a Doha and the Finest Golf Greens pro- laborate with Doha Bank for the Mile for every QR4 spent locally gramme, which entitles card- launch of their new Visa Infi nite or QR3 internationally, enjoy holders to the seasonal mem- metal cards, which provide an complimentary and unlimited ber’s guest rate at Doha Golf exciting array of exclusive off ers access to more than 1,000 air- Club. and privileges...We look forward port lounges in more than 300 Furthermore, they can also to enhancing the banking expe- AAB team delivers Toyota Camry cities around the world and take advantage of multi-trip rience and catering to the evolv- benefi t from discounts at over travel insurance, purchase pro- ing needs of affl uent Qataris,” 200 restaurants at airports glo- tection, extended warranty, and said Dr Sudheer Nair, Country HEV units to Global Limousine bally. fraudulent card misuse protec- Manager for Qatar, Visa.

he Abdullah Abdulghani & ousine general manager Nezar moting Hybrid Electric Vehicles AAB said it would be introducing Bros Co (AAB) Fleet Sales al-Merai in the presence of Aw- to enhance the Toyota fl eet busi- more Toyota HEVs in the coming Tteam has concluded a deal wad Mohamed, senior manager- ness in Qatar”, according to the months this year. for supplying Toyota Camry Hy- Toyota National Sales; K S Ravi- statement. AAB is off ering eight brid Electric Vehicles (HEVs) to kumar, manager-Fleet Sales; and Global Limousine Services years/160,000km warranty for Global Limousine. Fleet Sales team members. started operating in 2014 to add Hybrid battery in Qatar to Toyota This comes in continuation of The AAB Toyota Fleet Sales di- value and provide transporta- Hybrid buyers as a “gesture of the success of the Toyota Hybrid vision periodically organises Hy- tion solutions to the market with goodwill”, the statement adds. Familiarisation programme held brid Electric Vehicle familiarisa- its experienced team, off ering a The company stressed that it recently for top corporate cus- tion programmes for major fl eet wide range of limousine services has been off ering “excellent af- tomers, a press statement noted. clients to illustrate key benefi ts tailored to customers’ require- ter-sales support to Toyota cus- The delivery of Camry HEVs such as fuel economy, low CO2 ments. tomers in Qatar and the recent took place at the AAB Tower Toy- emissions and low NVH (noise, Toyota currently has four Hy- opening of its ninth service cen- ota showroom, where AAB acting vibration and harshness levels) brid models in its line-up in Qa- tre — in Al Khor — is a testimony CEO R K Murugan handed over in Toyota HEVs. The AAB Fleet tar: the Prius HEV, Camry HEV, to its commitment to customer the symbolic key to Global Lim- Sales Team is “successfully pro- Corolla HEV and RAV 4 HEV. service”.

Qatar Charity delivers urgent aid to vulnerable Syrians

Qatar Charity (QC) has delivered food assistance and winter aid to the aff ected people, benefiting 13,000 persons from poor Syrian families. The aid comes as a continuation to Qatar Charity’s humanitarian eff orts for the vulnerable Syrians, especially in view of the recent developments The Hyundai Palisade flagship model was branded with The Color Run Love Tour theme and driven at and nonstop internal displacement the starting line to mark the beginning of the run. happening in Idlib and Aleppo. Delivering food aid, Qatar Charity distributed 84,000 ready-to-eat meals to nearly 3,000 people displaced from the northern countryside of Hyundai takes part in the Aleppo on a daily basis for a whole month, benefiting families with no breadwinners or diff erently abled breadwinners, breastfeeding mothers, Color Run for second year pregnant women, people with special needs, persons with chronic diseases, and the elderly. Qatar kyline Automotive, the The Hyundai Veloster was on Color Runners, at the Qatar Charity provided fuel to 2,000 Syrian offi cial distribution part- display at the fi nal color sta- National Convention Center. families with 10,000 individuals. Sner of Hyundai Motor tion to mark the Color Run- Known as ‘The Happiest 5k Each family has received 100 litres Company in Qatar, was a part- ners’ completion of the 5K on the Planet’, The Color Run is of fuel suff icient for a family for a ner of The Color Run presented route. Skyline Automotive also the largest running event series whole month in winter. It has also by Sahtak Awalan: Your Health installed a photo booth at the in the world, where partici- distributed heaters to needy Syrian First, for the second year in a fi nish line, where all partici- pants are covered with diff er- families with no heaters. Qatar Charity row. pants were able to have their ent colour powders throughout provided schools with fuel, 2,000 As part of Skyline Automo- souvenir photograps taken the course. litres per school, suff icient for nearly tive’s participation, the Hy- with the Hyundai Kona as their After completing the run, two months. Heaters are provided undai Palisade fl agship model background to capture their 5K participants enjoyed a Finish for schools with no heaters to ensure was branded with The Color fi nishing moment. Festival, where a DJ, an MC the continuation of education during Run Love Tour theme and driv- The event, which this year and games and activities were winter. (QNA) en at the starting line to mark was themed The Love Tour, present to mark a successful the beginning of the run. welcomed more than 10,000 end to the event. Gulf Times Tuesday, February 4, 2020 7 QATAR

Minister honours winners of CSR award for 2019

QNA The ceremony, which the Dar Al Sharq spread awareness and knowledge of pointed out that there are other values social responsibility programmes, and from administrative, fi nancial, moral, Doha Group has been holding on an annual ba- social responsibility and its positive that contribute to the advancement social responsibility programs have and other matters that are in the in- sis, witnessed the honouring of 10 com- impact on building society and the of society and its members, including become part of the annual reports of terest of the citizen, and achieve the panies, institutions, bodies and individu- bonding of its members. cultural, societal and human values, profi t companies, which enhances homeland of development and tran- nder the patronage of HE the als who won the 2019 CSR award. He said that the celebration came while social responsibility has become community work initiatives and public scendence. Prime Minister and Minister of CSR Committee chairman HE this year under the slogan: “Social one of the most important factors used benefi t activities, he added. He said that the next stage would wit- UInterior Sheikh Khalid bin Kha- Sheikh Dr Thani bin Ali al-Thani said responsibility between ethical com- to measure the performance and con- Sheikh Dr Thani bin Ali al-Thani ness the launch of new visions and a mix- lifa bin Abdulaziz al-Thani, HE the Min- that the award aims to appreciate the mitment and achieving profi tability”, tributions of companies and institu- stressed that social responsibility has ture of ideas and projects, adding that the ister of Administrative Development, social eff orts made by all sectors of the seeks to enhance the ethical values of tions in society. become a strategic choice that suc- CSR committee will work to co-ordinate Labour and Social Aff airs Yousef bin State to keep pace with the aspirations the business community and empha- The annual performance report of cessful companies invest in maxim- public work and draw inspiration from Mohamed al-Othman Fakhro honoured of the wise government with the par- sise that economic values of profi t and social responsibility activities in Qatar ising their revenues and profi ts, and the Qatar National Vision 2030 to defi ne a number of companies, institutions and ticipation of society in advancing de- loss are no longer the only determinant showed that most sectors of the State through which they achieve excel- strategic goals that are in harmony with individuals who won the corporate so- velopment. of assessing corporate performance. are interested in participating in com- lence, quality, transparency, and com- the country’s plan and programmes for cial responsibility (CSR) award for 2019. He added that the award aims to Sheikh Dr Thani bin Ali al-Thani munity development and supporting mitment to fair competition, and away growth and development.

Qatar, India for closer security ties National address to facilitate access to essential services

By Ayman Adly Staff Reporter

he national address is meant to give Qatar residents easy access to vital Teveryday services, especially in case of any emergency, and for offi cial correspond- ence, an introductory seminar hosted by the Ministry of Interior (MoI) was told yesterday. For newly-recruited expatriate workers, their national address will be registered as soon as they arrive in Qatar, but the data can be updated later when they are issued a Qa- tar ID, pointed out Lt Col Dr Abdullah Zayed MoI off icials at the introductory seminar on national address yesterday. al-Sahli, head of the National Address Sec- tion at the Public Security. there is no need for attaching any document address, and register accordingly, to comply Qatar residents outside the county for except in case for authorisation to register with the law. more than six months should register their on behalf of another or a court order of mi- He said that the penalty for failing to pro- national address as soon as they arrive in the nors custody in case of minors registered by vide the provide a national address within country while providing the necessary proof their mother in case of divorce and disputes the six-month grace period provided by the that they were travelling and could not reg- or death of the father. law until July 26 is a fi ne of QR10,000. ister earlier. The elderly, especially those over 80 and However, the MoI can settle the issue in The offi cial stressed that while companies persons with disabilities, can authorise reconciliation before the case goes to the are asked to urge their employees to register family members or relatives to register the court with the violator paying QR5,000 and their national address, the employee is re- national address for them. However, the rectify the violation by providing a valid na- sponsible for this and subject to the stipu- MoI service centres are well-equipped and tional address. lated penalties in the law if failing to do so. have well-trained staff to help those register For registering the national address With the aim of enhancing co-operation between Qatar and India in the industrial security sector, The worker should register the address of in case they opt for going there. through Metrash 2, the registered phone a meeting was held between the General Directorate of Industrial Security under the Ministry of his convenience where he wishes to receive Regarding the areas on the outskirts of the number must be owned by the same person Interior (MoI) and the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) of India. The objective was to exchange mails and correspondences. For those with country and farms and barns, in particu- and under his ID number. experiences regarding securing and protecting oil installations and other areas by using modern more than one house address or companies lar in and around Zekreet, Lt Col al-Sahli Kahramaa number should be correspond- technology available for vital places. Lt Col Khalifa Mohamed al-Attiyah, director general of Industrial that have more than one offi ce can choose said that persons or companies concerned ing to the house number, yet all the residents Security, headed the Qatari delegation while M A Ganapathy, CISF special director general, headed the address more convenient to them. should contact the Ministry of Municipal- in the house could use the same Kahramaa the Indian delegation. Captain Mohamed Hassan al-Haydus ity and Environment through its mobile app number and house number, to register their from Unifi ed Services Department said or the call centre on 184 to assign them an individual national address.

QF centre ‘provides chance to learn and grow’ Colloquium speaker discusses law

he Gulf University for Science and n their second joint collo- Technology (GUST) team from Ku- quium in as many years, the Twait and the Princess Sumaya Univer- ICollege of Law at Hamad Bin sity for Technology (PSUT) team from Jordan Khalifa University (HBKU) and have made it to the fi nals of the Asian Arabic Georgetown University in Qa- Debating Championship in Kuala Lumpur, tar (GU-Q), both part of Qatar organised by QatarDebate, a Qatar Founda- Foundation, recently hosted Prof tion member, in collaboration with the Inter- David Singh Grewal, Univer- national Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM). sity of California, Berkeley Law Students from across the Arab world and School, who spoke about ‘Law Asia say the opportunity to test their skills and Political Economy: Against at the tournament has been an experience the 20th Century Synthesis’. that will benefi t them into the future. In the colloquium, held on The colloquium in session. The participants also have praised it for January 29, Prof Grewal dis- bringing together people from diff erent cussed the emerging “Law and He brought unique historical teaching and research. We look backgrounds, and for spreading and pro- Political Economy” movement insights into the topic, includ- forward to co-organising further moting the Arabic language around the in contesting the “Twentieth ing an interesting account of how events in the future.” world, especially in non-Arabic speaking Century Synthesis” in American economic power has been a driv- “What is evident from re- countries. legal thought. ing force in American law from search in the fi eld of Law and Sewar Wajih al-Qasim, a member of the One of the participants addresses the audience during the Asian Arabic Debating Champi- According to the academic, the nation’s founding. Political Economy, legal scholar- PSUT team, looked forward to the fi nal, onship in Kuala Lumpur. the synthesis was a post-war ac- Proceedings concluded with ship rooted in a commitment to a saying: “The experience has been wonder- commodation that distinguished a question and answer session more just society is that human- ful, and I have enjoyed debating with strong discussed covered many diverse fi elds relat- the Kuwait University team that qualifi ed between ‘private’ law susceptible as well as further interventions ity cannot progress without col- and competitive teams. My enthusiasm in- ed to education, humanity, and social topics. for the quarter-fi nals, said: “This tourna- to effi ciency analysis and ‘public’ from the fl oor. laborative, sustained eff ort from creased after the results for the fi nal round Nahla Bassiouni, from LAU, said: “My ment is a new extension of QatarDebate’s law dedicated to formal equalities After the colloquium, Susan L individuals, institutions, and so- were revealed, and I will do the best I can. feelings were indescribable after qualifying work, adding to the wide range of tourna- and constitutional protection. Karamanian, dean of HBKU Law, cieties,” added Dr Ahmad Dallal, My team and I are honoured to represent for the semi-fi nals, which were a big chal- ments it organises all over the world, such as His remarks explored why the said: “Once again, we were privi- dean of GU-Q. “We were proud our country, Jordan. This stage is more chal- lenge for us as a team, because the issue its Asian, American, and European tourna- synthesis was possible with a fo- leged to work with GU-Q to off er to work with our valued part- lenging, and we feel like we have a bigger re- raised was diffi cult and our position was not ments. These eff orts embody the vision and cus on the emergence of econom- an event that addresses an issue ner, the HBKU College of Law, sponsibility to win now.” easy to argue for. Although we did not qual- mission of QatarDebate, which is to take the ic power and an understanding of of contemporary importance. to contribute thoughts to a topic Alongside GUST and PSUT, teams from ify for the fi nals, I am proud of how far we culture of dialogue to the whole world.” how it has re-shaped the law. Teaming up with a world-class that has such broad political and the Lebanese American University (LAU) have reached, and the judges’ decision re- Also qualifying for the quarter-fi nals Edward Kolla, associate pro- academic institution like GU-Q socio-economic consequences.” and IIUM made it to the semi-fi nals. garding our last round was fair. Altogether, were the American University of Beirut, the fessor, GU-Q, provided com- enabled us to blend the legal with The College of Law regularly Team members emphasised how intense this experience has been wonderful.” University of Malaya, and An-Najah Na- ments to Prof Grewal’s principal the historical and reinforced our holds public events to help inform the competition has been with the motions Debater Khaled Saad al-Qahtani, from tional University in Palestine. address. inter-disciplinary approach to a broader understanding of the law. Gulf Times 8 Tuesday, February 4, 2020 REGION/ARAB WORLD/AFRICA

POLITICS Iraq protest camps Tehran splinter over Sadr’s backing of new PM ‘ready to Protest camps across Iraq began fracturing yesterday over whether OIC rejects Trump’s to back premier-designate work with Mohamed Allawi or continue op- posing the government, marking a pivotal point for the four-month- EU to old movement. One demonstra- tor was killed in southern Iraq, medics and security sources resolve said, after men in blue caps, the Mideast peace plan signature headgear of followers of cleric Moqtada Sadr, attacked an issues’ AFP (Middle East war)”. Iran — a anti-regime rally. Iraq’s capital and Jeddah member of the OIC — was not the south have been rocked by represented in yesterday’s months of protests demanding an Reuters meeting, with its foreign min- overhaul of the government, but Dubai he Organisation of Is- istry saying that the delega- Allawi’s appointment as premier lamic Co-operation tion was granted visas to Saudi on Saturday has so far failed Tyesterday rejected US Arabia “just hours” before the to quell the rallies. Most young ran is ready to co-operate President Donald Trump’s group was to convene. protesters have rejected Allawi, with the European Union on peace plan for the Middle East, However, Tehran has already twice communications minister, Iissues related to the nuclear calling on its 57 member states condemned the US plan, say- as too close to the ruling elite and deal it agreed with world powers not to help implement it. ing it amounted to the “treason a product of consensus among in 2015, President Hassan Rou- The pan-Islamic body, of the century” and was bound much-reviled parties. hani was quoted as saying yes- which represents more than to fail. terday by the ISNA news service. 1.5bn Muslims worldwide, “re- The Arab League on Satur- He made his comments at a jects this US-Israeli plan as it day also rejected the contro- UNREST meeting with Josep Borell, the does not meet the minimum versial plan, saying at a meet- Three Nigerian head of the EU’s foreign service, aspirations and legitimate ing in Cairo that it did not who travelled to Iran to try to re- rights of the Palestinian people meet the “minimum rights” soldiers killed in duce tensions in the Middle East and contradicts the terms of of the Palestinians. militant attack after the US killing of Iranian reference of the peace process”, They insisted on a two- military commander Qassem it said in a statement. state solution that includes Islamic State-aff iliated militants have Soleimani last month. A meeting of foreign min- a Palestinian state based on killed three Nigerian soldiers and Under the deal, Tehran agreed isters at OIC headquarters in borders before the 1967 war seized two military vehicles in an at- to curb its nuclear activities in the city of Jeddah called on “all — when Israel occupied the tack in violence-wracked northeast- exchange for the lifting of most member states not (to) deal West Bank and Gaza — and ern Borno state, security sources international sanctions, but the with this plan or co-operate with east Jerusalem as its and residents said yesterday. United States withdrew from with the US administration ef- capital. Fighters from the Islamic State West the deal in 2018 and reimposed forts to enforce it in any way or In his opening remarks Africa Province (ISWAP), stormed sanctions on Iran. form”. Under the US plan un- yesterday, Palestinian foreign into the town of Askira late Friday “The Islamic Republic of Iran veiled last week, Israel would minister Riyad al-Maliki said Palestinian Foreign Minster Riyad al-Maliki delivers a speech during an emergency ministerial in a dozen pickup trucks fitted with is still ready for interaction and retain control of the disputed the plan “cannot be called a meeting of the Organisation of Islamic Co-operation (OIC) in Jeddah, yesterday. machine guns, leading to clashes co-operation with the Euro- city of Jerusalem as its “undi- peace plan because the Pal- with troops and local vigilantes. “Our pean Union for resolving issues vided capital” and annex set- estinians are not a part of it, more than 200. “The plan said Nevine Mossaad, a polit- “After all this Palestinian, men repelled the terrorists but we and, whenever the opposite side tlements on Palestinian lands. and it eliminates all chances from the beginning carries ical science professor at Cairo Arab and Islamic rejection, be lost three soldiers and two trucks,” a completely upholds their com- Trump’s plan suggests that of peace”. with it seeds of its demise,” University. assured of its death.” military off icer said, adding that the mitments, Iran will return to its Israel would retain control of Palestinian leader Mah- insurgents suff ered “heavy casual- commitments,” Rouhani said. the contested city of Jerusalem moud Abbas announced in ties”, without giving a toll. Vigilante Iran began reducing its com- as its “undivided capital” but Cairo during the Arab League UN Security Council to meet with Kushner on plan Adamu Galadima said an ambush mitments under the nuclear deal Palestinians would be allowed meeting that he will cut all was laid for the militants following last year to put pressure on the to declare a capital adjacent to ties with Israel and the US. The United States has requested a closed door UN to the Security Council, through Tunisia, a non- information they were heading to parties remaining in the accord Israeli-annexed east Jerusa- “We are informing you that Security Council meeting Thursday for President permanent member of the council The resolution’s the town. to protect its economy from US lem. there will be no relations with Donald Trump’s son-in-law and adviser, Jared Kush- content has not been divulged as yet, but the sanctions and allow the Islamic The OIC reiterated its sup- you (Israel) and the United ner, to present the administration’s new Mideast United States would likely oppose it, using its veto, Republic to gain the full benefi ts port for east Jerusalem as capi- States, including on security peace plan, diplomatic sources said yesterday. if necessary, should it gain the support of nine RELIEF outlined in the deal. tal of a future Palestinian state, cooperation,” he said. Kushner intends to set forth the plan that Wash- council members, the minimum required for pas- Medical flights Iranian offi cials have said all stressing its “Arab and Islamic But yesterday he appeared ington unveiled last week and to listen to the sage. In late 2017, a Palestinian-inspired resolution of their actions have been within character”. It said peace would to step back from that state- positions of the council’s other 14 members, the condemning Washington’s unilateral recognition of start from the parameters of the nuclear “only be achieved with the end ment, implying he had not yet sources said. The meeting would take place a few Jerusalem as Israel’s capital received 14 votes in the Yemen’s Sanaa deal, are reversible and that they of the Israeli occupation, the severed ties but still could. days before Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas Security Council, but the United States quashed it are still committed to having full withdrawal from the ter- The Trump plan also gives comes to the United Nations — he is expected with its veto. Flights carrying patients needing their programme monitored by ritory of the State of Palestine Israel the green light to an- February 11 — to express opposition to the US plan A similar resolution proposed during the UN Gen- urgent medical attention began the International Atomic Energy in particular the holy city of nex the strategic Jordan Val- and to demand adherence to international law. On eral Assembly, a 193-member body in which no from the Yemeni capital Sanaa Agency. Al-Quds Al-Sharif (Jerusalem) ley — making up 30% of the the occasion of Abbas’ visit, the Palestinians have country has a veto, was approved by a vote of 128 yesterday, the World Health But Britain, France and Ger- and the other Arab territories West Bank — and all Jewish indicated they plan to submit a draft resolution in favour, nine against and 35 abstentions. Organisation (WHO) said, a many, which with the United occupied since (the) June 1967 settlements, which number long-sought confidence-building States, Russia and China agreed measure in diplomatic efforts to the deal with Iran, declared Iran end the five-year war. Fifteen- in violation of the 2015 pact last year-old Abdallah Abed was one month and launched a dispute of 16 patients on the first flight mechanism under which the to Amman. “I have kidney failure matter could be referred back and I need a transplant,” he said. to the Security Council and UN Turkey and Syrian regime in new fl are-up “God willing we travel today to sanctions reimposed. Jordan for treatment.” Yemen has been mired in conflict since AFP Turkish President Recep Tayyip Er- kara on regime positions later killed at Increasing attacks by the regime and the Houthis ousted the govern- Beirut dogan off ered rare criticism of Russia least 13 Syrian government troops and Moscow in northwest Syria have dis- ment of President Abd Rabbu last week, accusing it of “not honour- wounded 20 others in Idlib and neigh- placed more than 388,000 people since Mansour Hadi from Sanaa in ing” agreements to prevent a regime of- bouring Hama and Latakia provinces, December, according to the United Na- late 2014. Libya urkish and Syrian troops traded fensive on rebel-held Idlib. the Observatory said. tions, forcing many of them towards fi re in northwest Syria yesterday, The overnight clash began with re- The heaviest Syrian casualties were Turkey’s border. Twith more than 20 reported dead, gime shelling of Turkish positions in infl icted south of Saraqeb, a fl ashpoint Ankara — which already hosts more PEOPLE rivals meet further raising tension between Ankara Idlib, hours after a Turkish military Idlib town that Damascus has been try- than 3mn Syrian refugees on its soil — and regime ally Moscow over the rebel convoy of at least 240 vehicles entered ing to encircle since last week, said the says it fears the latest fi ghting will trig- ‘Mad Mike’ Hoare enclave in war-torn Idlib. northwest Syria, according to the Syr- Observatory. ger another mass infl ux. dies aged 100 in Geneva Russian air strikes also killed 14 civil- ian Observatory for Human Rights, a State news agency SANA said the UN Secretary-General Antonio Gu- ians in the same area, where a govern- Britain-based war monitor. Syrian army had not suff ered any casu- terres on Saturday called for an end Michael “Mad Mike” Hoare, one ment off ensive has caused one of the The attack killed fi ve soldiers and alties. to fi ghting in and around Idlib but air of the most famous foreign for UN talks worst displacement of the nine-year- three Turkish civilians despite previous Speaking to reporters at an Istanbul strikes, many of them carried out by mercenaries to have played a role old Syrian confl ict, a monitoring group co-ordination on where Ankara’s forces airport before leaving for Ukraine, Er- Russian warplanes, have continued. in Africa’s violent transition from said. would be, Turkey’s defence ministry dogan said the counterattack that had Yesterday, Russian air strikes killed colonial rule, has died aged 100. DPA The tit-for-tat shelling between said. targeted 40 locations. 14 civilians in northwest Syria, said the Born in British-occupied India to Irish Geneva Turkish and Russian-backed Syrian The Russian defence ministry said He called on regime ally Russia to as- Observatory. parents, Hoare was best known for forces was the deadliest since Turkey Ankara had failed to give prior warning sume its “obligations” under previously Nine of those killed were displaced his exploits during the Congo Crisis deployed troops in Syria in 2016 and es- of its troop movements at the time of signed agreements. people who died when a missile hit their in the 1960s and for leading an ibya’s joint military com- calated tensions between the confl ict’s the incident. The Observatory said a new Turkish car in the Urum al-Kubra area, on the unsuccessful coup d’etat attempt mission, made up of offi c- two top foreign protagonists. Retaliatory rocket attacks by An- military convoy entered Syria yesterday. rebel bastion’s eastern fl ank. in the Seychelles in the 1980s. Lers from the country’s two warring parties, met under the auspices of the United Nations for talks in Geneva yesterday. There has been a recent fl ur- ry of global diplomacy aimed Malawi court cancels presidential election result Locust swarms threaten at ending the confl ict and re- launching a long-stalled peace process, but the eff orts have AFP Yesterday security was tight- more countries in proved largely fruitless. Lilongwe ened with a heavy military The UN said fi ve senior offi c- presence around the court and ers from both sides are partici- businesses pulled down their eastern Africa: FAO pating in the talks, which are be- alawi’s constitutional shutters for the week, fearing ing moderated by top UN Libya court yesterday ordered violence erupting after the rul- envoy Ghassan Salame. Ma new presidential elec- ing was announced. Reuters FAO said at least one lo- Libya has been in turmoil tion after annulling the results of Judges were driven to court in Nairobi cust swarm had already been since the 2011 overthrow of dic- a vote that re-elected President a military armoured vehicle. seen in Eritrea, and several had tator Muammar Gaddafi . Peter Mutharika in May, citing An army helicopter oc- also been sighted in Oman and widespread polling irregularities, casionally hovered above the warms of desert locusts Yemen.Even before the locust including the use of correction courthouse and the central could ravage more coun- invasion, some 11mn people in TRAGEDY fl uid on ballot papers. business district as the 500- Stries in eastern Africa Ethiopia, Somalia and Kenya At least 13 school The verdict, which is expect- page verdict was read out. and threaten the livelihood of were experiencing food insecu- ed to stoke turmoil in the tradi- “It is clear that the use of Tip- many more people, the United rity, and the swarms will worsen children die in tionally peaceful southern Af- pex (correction fl uid) was em- Nations’ Food and Agricul- the situation, the FAO said. Kenya stampede rican country, can be appealed ployed by (electoral commission) tural Organisation (FAO) said “Therefore, we need to by Mutharika, who will remain offi cers to hide votes,” said judge yesterday. make all possible eff orts to Thirteen students were killed in a president until the fresh polls. Ivy Kamanga, taking a turn read- The swarms, fi rst sighted avoid such a deterioration,” stampede as they rushed down “We hold that the fi rst re- Malawi defence force stand at the Lilongwe High Court, yesterday ing the judgement that took more in December, have already said Dominique Burgeon, di- a staircase at a primary school spondent (Mutharika) was not during the deliverance of the judgement of Constitutional Court than nine hours to deliver. destroyed tens of thousands rector of the FAO Emergencies in western Kenya yesterday, the duly elected as president of ruling on the opposition’s election challenge. “Use of Tippex was unjusti- of hectares of farmland in and Rehabilitation Division, Daily Nation reported, quoting po- Malawi on May 21, 2019,” ruled fi able and an irregularity,” she Kenya, Somalia and Ethiopia, during a visit to Samburu and lice. At least 39 more pupils were lead judge Healey Potani. president, revert to what it was 159,000 votes, alleges he was said, adding the way in which threatening food supplies in Kitui counties, two of 15 af- seriously wounded in the incident “We hereby nullify the re- prior to last year’s presidential robbed of victory and went to the electoral commission “dealt the worst locust invasion in 70 fected regions in Kenya. at the Kakamega Primary School, sults of the presidential elec- election. court. with the alterations was not in years. “We know that these lo- the paper added, citing Western tions and we order for a fresh Sporadic protests have bro- The case gripped the nation line with the law, hence it was “There also other countries custs...can create massive Region Police Commander Peris election,” he said. ken out across the country and kept Malawians glued to irregular”. The court also said at risk, especially South Su- devastation not only in terms Kimani. “As kids were going home A new election should be since Mutharika was declared radio stations for hours on end, that only a quarter of the re- dan, Uganda, Eritrea...,” said of crops but also in terms of from school there was a stam- organised within 150 days, the the winner of the May vote by listening to live broadcast of sults sheets were verifi ed and it Bukar Tijani, assistant direc- pasture and therefore aff ecting pede as they were going down court said. In the meantime a narrow margin with 38.5% witnesses presenting evidence “fi nds this to be a serious mal- tor-general of the FAO’s agri- livelihoods...The only solution the stairs,” said Peter Abwao, a the status in the presidency, of the vote. Runner-up Laza- of the alleged vote rigging dur- practice that undermined the culture and consumer protec- that works is aerial spraying spokesman for Red Cross Kenya. including the offi ce of the vice rus Chakwera, who lost by just ing a six-month-long hearing. elections”. tion department. (of pesticides).” Gulf Times Tuesday, February 4, 2020 9 AMERICAS Verbal fi reworks possible at Trump State of the Union

Reuters operation this year in the he had said at a rally in Des Washington wake of the bitterly divided Moines, Iowa, last Thursday. impeachment fi ght, saying Aides say the theme of he doubted Democrats would Trump’s speech is “The Great resident Donald Trump want to work with him. American Comeback,” and is putting the final “I’m not sure that they can that he will use it to empha- Ptouches on an elec- do it, to be honest. I think they sise the US economy, usually tion-year State of the Union just want to win and it doesn’t a dominant factor in whether speech that figures to be high matter how they win,” Trump a president wins re-election. on drama, putting him face- told the Fox network in a Super He will highlight trade to-face with Democratic ad- Bowl Sunday interview. agreements with China and versaries who impeached him The speech is attended by with Mexico and Canada and but have failed to drive him Democratic and Republican will say his policies are re- from office. lawmakers from both the House sponsible for boosting the US He will speak tonight in the and the Senate as well as VIP economy. chamber of the US House of guests like Cabinet secretaries He is also expected to pro- Representatives where in De- and Supreme Court justices. mote his eff orts to limit mi- cember Speaker Nancy Pelosi The television audience for grants from crossing the A man walking his dog walks past Democratic presidential campaign signs displayed in a front yard of a home campaign in Des Moines, Iowa. and the Democratic majority last year’s speech was esti- southern US border, as well as in the House approved two ar- mated at 47mn people. national security moves such as ticles of impeachment against Given the ability to promote his decision to kill Iranian mili- Trump for pressuring Ukraine himself to that many people as tary commander Qassem Solei- to investigate Democratic rival he seeks re-election, some of mani with a US drone strike. Joe Biden. his allies are concerned about Super Bowl viewers got a The big speech takes place his tendency to lash out at his preview of another theme — one day after Democrats in critics. criminal justice reform — in a Democrat contenders Iowa choose who they want to They feel he should not dwell Trump campaign ad that fea- face Trump as the Democratic on impeachment in the speech tured a tearful Alice Johnson presidential nominee in the but instead try to move on. thanking the president for November 3 election, and one “It’s the one time when the commuting her life sentence day before the Republican-led president can tell his story, for a nonviolent drug off ence. Senate is expected to acquit and a lot of people are listen- “I promised to restore hope face fi rst test in Iowa him of impeachment charges. ing,” said US Senator Lind- in America. That includes the Sandwiched between these sey Graham, a South Carolina least among us. Together, let’s two events, Trump’s speech is Republican and close Trump KEEP AMERICA GREAT!”, AFP Or should the party choose a undecided Iowa voters, creating candidate who could bring the expected to make some refer- confi dant. Trump said in a tweet. Des Moines candidate who energises its liberal the potential for upsets and late party together. ence to the eff ort to toss him “I think it’d be smart not to Republican strategist Ryan base and could bring out new vot- surges. She also made explicit appeals from offi ce, advisers said. (talk about impeachment),” Williams said Trump has a po- ers, like progressives Sanders and Iowa state party offi cials are ex- to women voters. At the same time he will Graham told reporters on litical need to emphasise the owa Democrats yesterday fellow Senator Elizabeth Warren pecting a record turnout, exceed- “The world changed when Don- off er to work with his politi- Capitol Hill. economy to try to make more kicked off what could be a of Massachusetts? ing the nearly 240,000 voters who ald Trump got elected,” she told a cal opponents on issues like “If most people are ready to voters comfortable with his Ibruising nominating process The race has been overshad- attended the caucuses in 2008 weekend rally in Cedar Rapids. reducing healthcare and drug move on from impeachment, chaotic presidency. when they gather at caucus sites owed in recent weeks, with Sand- amid the excitement over Barack “Women candidates helped prices and rebuilding infra- I hope he is too...I don’t think “Feelings about Trump are around the state to begin choosing ers, Warren and Klobuchar rele- Obama’s fi rst presidential candi- us win back the House (of Rep- structure, they said. there’s a real reason to (talk very ingrained. He needs to a challenger to President Donald gated to part-time campaigning in dacy. resentatives) in 2018 and won a “We’re really looking to about it).” push issues like his trade deal Trump. Iowa as they stayed in Washington Because voters could register lot of statehouse races. In a lot of giving a very, very positive Trump’s message on the and the economy in order to At more than 1,600 schools, for the Senate impeachment trial as late as yesterday, the caucuses competitive races, women can- message,” Trump told report- campaign trail has been that persuade the very few vot- community centres and other of Trump. could draw a late surge of attend- didates have outperformed men ers during a Super Bowl party he is a victim of a Democratic ers that are persuadable. The public locations, voters were Yesterday, they heard closing ance, particularly among inde- candidates.” at his golf club in West Palm coup attempt. impeachment cloud has dis- rendering judgment on a fi eld of arguments, just hours before the pendent voters or Republicans Buttigieg promised to usher in Beach, Florida. “They want to nullify your tracted him from things his 11 Democratic contenders led by caucuses. turned off by Trump. a new era of optimism in politics But the president held out ballots and overthrow the en- campaign would like to stress,” front-runners Senator Bernie Even if one candidate wins by During fi nal rallies across the and cast himself as an outsider little hope for bipartisan co- tire system of government,” Williams said. Sanders of Vermont and former a commanding margin in Iowa, state, all the contenders made who has not taken part in Wash- vice president Joe Biden, who have Democrats may still lack clear an- their cases for why they would be ington’s gridlock and is attracting battled for the top in recent Iowa swers as the race moves on to the the best choice to beat Trump. bipartisan support. opinion polls. other three early-voting states Biden touted his experience af- “We’re seeing folks come out Trump misplaces Kansas City Chiefs Mostly white, rural Iowa is the of New Hampshire, Nevada and ter decades in elected offi ce, par- of the woodwork. Not just die- fi rst test in the state-by-state bat- South Carolina later in February. ticularly a track record of achiev- hard Democrats, but some more President Donald Trump drew scorn and laughter tle to pick a Democratic nominee Whoever remains in the race ing progressive goals through independent-minded folks, disaf- on social media on Sunday after placing the Kan- to face Trump in the November 3 by Super Tuesday, when 15 states bipartisan relationships with law- fected Republicans looking for a sas City Chiefs in the wrong state following their presidential election. and territories vote on March makers. change, wanting to turn the page,” Super Bowl victory. After more than a year of cam- 3, will also confront billionaire “He is scared to death to run Buttigieg told Fox News Channel. Trump said the Chiefs had made Kansas State paigning and more than $800mn former New York mayor Michael against me, and he has good rea- Klobuchar, who is from the proud, but the team actually hails from neighbour- in spending, the results in Iowa Bloomberg, who is skipping the son to be concerned,” Biden said neighbouring Midwestern state ing Missouri. could begin to provide answers for early states in favour of focusing of Trump during a rally in Musca- of Minnesota and perhaps has “Congratulations to the Kansas City Chiefs on a party desperately trying to fi gure on delegate-rich states. tine, Iowa. the most to lose in Iowa, where a great game, and a fantastic comeback, under im- out how to beat the Republican Sanders, who fi nished in a Sanders has shrugged off a bar- she has spent most of her cam- mense pressure,” he tweeted. president. virtual dead heat with Hillary rage of attacks from rivals who paign time and resources, said she “You represented the Great State of Kansas and, Do voters want someone with Clinton in Iowa during his fi rst warn the self-identifi ed demo- could win conservative areas that in fact, the entire USA, so very well. Our Country is appeal to centrists, independents presidential run in 2016, surged cratic socialist would doom the Trump captured in 2016. PROUD OF YOU!”. and disaff ected Republicans, like recently in many Iowa polls to party to defeat against Trump, “I have brought people with me. He later deleted the tweet, and replaced it with moderates Biden, Pete Buttigieg, move just ahead of Biden. pointing to polls that show him These rural districts, I have won one naming the correct state. the former mayor of South Bend, But Warren and Buttigieg re- beating the president. every single one of them,” she told Reaction online was swift — and not too polite President Donald Trump and First Lady Indiana, and Senator Amy Klobu- main within striking distance. Warren, who has been slipping a packed high school gym in a Des — towards a commander-in-chief who has a Melania Trump view the Florida Atlantic char? Many polls show a big bloc of in polls, portrayed herself as the Moines suburb. troublesome history with maps. University Marching Band perform at the “It’s Missouri you stone cold idiot,” responded a Trump International Golf Club as they arrive former US senator from the state, Claire McCaskill. for a Super Bowl viewing party in West Palm Lauren Arthur, a current Missouri state senator, Beach on Sunday night. tweeted: “Wrong state. Best stay out of things you don’t understand, like the Heart of America.” Hurricane Dorian in September last year Trump Mudslide traps 500 tourists at ski resort “Can’t believe the Deep State put Kansas City said the storm would “most likely” sweep Alabama in MISSOURI just to embarrass Trump,” another — and produced a doctored weather map to sup- user added. port his claim. AFP 1km of the only access road to the Sasquatch She added that the resort, which is about The gaff e follows Trump’s secretary of state The storm did not reach Alabama. Montreal Mountain Resort, the British Columbia trans- 140km east of Vancouver, had lost power due to Mike Pompeo asking a reporter last week to place “Someone quickly take the Sharpie...out of portation ministry said in a statement. inclement weather but had backup generators. Ukraine on a map. Trump’s hands before he redraws the map of Kan- It said that clearing the road could take fi ve Lim also noted that the vacationers could “This tweet comes amid an ongoing news cycle sas,” tweeted writer and television producer Bryan ome 500 tourists were trapped inside a to six days and urged local residents to stay leave the resort via a helicopter service, which where Trump’s Secretary of State — who is very Behar, referring to the brand of pen. ski resort in western Canada on Sunday at home while they waited for the work to be cost about C$150 per person. prominently from Kansas — claimed a reporter Greg Krieg, a CNN politics reporter, tweeted: Safter a mudslide destroyed the access completed. About 100 people had used or intended to couldn’t find something on a map,” one journalist “Tomorrow: Trump waves around a map in Oval road, local media reported. “We’re pretty much at the mercy of Mother use the helicopter service to leave, the CBC re- noted. Off ice showing that Kansas City is, in fact, in Heavy rains knocked loose mud and debris, Nature,” said Shelby Lim, a resort manager, in ported, but the rest had decided to stay put and Others referenced “Sharpiegate”, when during Kansas.” and the ensuing mudslide washed out about an interview with the CBC. wait for the road to reopen.

Canada’s fashion industry hopes for royal boost with arrival of Harry and Meghan

Reuters Majority of Canadians reject paying for royals’ security as a whole, industry data showed. Meghan has shown an affi n- Harry, too, has his own distinct Toronto Canadian designers are no ity for highlighting more local, infl uence. A clear majority of Canadians feel of security for Prince Harry and ages were taken without Meghan’s strangers to the eff ect that the independent brands, said Gail “He’s defi nitely going to be an their country does not have to pay Meghan, or who will cover the bill, consent, the BBC reported, and duchess can have on a brand’s McInnes, owner of Magnet Crea- inspiration for a global style for ritain’s Prince Harry and for security for Prince Harry and now that they have off icially left the couple were prepared to take success. tive Management, a Toronto- menswear as well,” said Roger his wife Meghan’s move his wife Meghan Markle, who have the royal family. legal action. In 2017, Meghan wore a white based fashion management com- Gingerich, a fashion broker who Bto Canada could boost its settled in British Columbia. Canadian authorities have only Perhaps more worrying for wrap coat from Line the Label, a pany. has spent nearly four decades in C$30.6bn ($23.3bn) fashion in- In all, 77% of people surveyed indicated that discussions were the couple in the long run is that Toronto-based designer, in her This preference may favour Canada’s industry. dustry, experts say, by putting by Nanos Research, for CTV, be- taking place. only 32% of those surveyed were fi rst public appearance after her Canada’s fashion industry, which The country’s diverse climate the spotlight on local brands. lieve the Canadian taxpayer does More than two-thirds of Canadi- strongly in favour of maintaining engagement to Harry. It quickly tends to use small production and frigid winters have helped Harry, 35, and Meghan, 38, an- not have to pay for the Duke and ans feel the privacy of the couple links with the royal family and their sold out — and the surge in inter- teams made up of locally hired make Canada a global leader in nounced last month they were Duchess of Sussex because they and their infant son will be better country’s status as a constitutional est crashed the label’s website in staff . outerwear, and will broaden Har- stepping down from their royal are not in Canada as representa- respected in Canada than it was monarchy. some parts of the world. “It’s almost like (being) an un- ry and Meghan’s fashion options. roles to protect their privacy and tives of the Queen. in Britain. About 28% said they were only Toronto-based Sentaler, offi cial Canadian fashion spokes- “You cannot fi nd a more per- gain fi nancial independence from Canada is a parliamentary mon- But Harry and Meghan — who somewhat supported that option. whose beige alpaca wool coat was person,” McInnes said. “She’s fect country than Canada where the monarchy. archy and Queen Elizabeth II is the live in Victoria, on Vancouver Is- And 35% would be more or less worn by Meghan during her fi rst going to impact the lives of so we have truly four full seasons,” Canadian fashion commenta- reigning head of state. land — are taking no chances: last strongly in favour of abolishing Christmas with the royal family many people by simply wearing Gingerich said. tors say they expect the “Meghan Only 19% of Canadians would month they issued a legal warning links with the British monarchy. in 2017, has also experienced the a dress.” Fashion experts remain hope- Eff ect — where a brand sees a not object to their country assum- to media over photographs of the The survey was conducted “Meghan Eff ect.” With many Canadian design- ful public fascination with jump in sales after the Duchess of ing a share of the security costs. duchess out walking her dogs with by telephone and online, with a “Each time Meghan appears ers being forced to move to the Meghan and Harry will shine Sussex sports one of their prod- There has been no off icial an- Archie, their son. sample of 1,003 Canadians and a in Sentaler, the result is tremen- United States in order to sur- a brighter light on homegrown ucts — to continue regardless of nouncement about the question Their lawyers claimed the im- margin of error of 3.1%. dous,” founder Bojana Sentaler vive, “it’s unquestionable that if brands, even though the couple’s the couple’s future public roles. said in an e-mail. (Meghan) is out there waving the move to Canada is driven by a de- “People just absolutely lap up “We see increased traffi c across fl ag a little bit more for our lo- sire to step out of the spotlight. whatever (Meghan) wears,” said “Designers from all over the Canada’s fashion industry has accessories fell 2.1% in 2017 to all of our channels...and the style cal fashion industry, that she’ll “She’s the most famous wom- Jeanne Beker, a longtime fash- globe have been clamouring to slowed recently. C$30.6bn compared with an in- she wears as well as other similar bringing more attention to it,” an in the world,” McInnes said of ion columnist based in Toronto. get their clothes on her body.” Retail sales of clothing and crease of 6.7% in the retail sector styles sell out.” Beker said. Meghan. “All eyes are on her.” Gulf Times 10 Tuesday, February 4, 2020 ASIA

512 inmates to be freed Lanka to probe bribery in Lanka

ri Lanka’s President Gota- baya Rajapaksa has granted Sa general amnesty to 512 prisoners serving minor sen- charges over Airbus deal tences to mark the 72nd In- dependence Day which is cel- Reuters/IANS Sri Lanka’s ailing fl ag carrier. Airbus had hired the mentation with a view to take ebrated annually on February 4, Colombo Sri Lanka will conduct “a wife of a SriLankan all possible corrective future the President’s Media Division comprehensive investigation Airlines executive as its action,” it added. (PMD) said yesterday. into reports of allegations over intermediary and misled The alleged corruption in The amnesty has been granted on ri Lanka has ordered a fi nancial irregularities”, the of- UK export credit agency dealings between Airbus and the recommendation of Nimal Siri- probe into allegations fi ce of President Gotabaya Ra- UKEF over her name and SriLankan Airlines took place pala de Silva, Minister of Justice, Sof bribery by European japaksa said in a statement on gender, while paying between July 2011 and June Human Rights and Legal Reforms, planemaker Airbus over the sale Sunday. $2mn to her company 2015, the SFO added. reports Xinhua news agency. of aircraft to state-run carrier Detailed fi ndings from Brit- In 2017, Sri Lanka paid $98mn The PMD said those have SriLankan Airlines, after Airbus ain’s Serious Fraud Offi ce (SFO) Reuters was unable to reach in penalties for cancelling the been serving jail terms after be- agreed to settle a corruption said Airbus had hired the wife of Chandrasena and his wife order in 2016 and returning four ing convicted for minor off ences probe with regulators. a SriLankan Airlines executive as their mobile phones were A350 ‘extra wide-body’ aircraft such as theft, breach of trust and The Indian Ocean nation was as its intermediary and misled switched off . A court source that is specifi cally designed for drunken driving. among the countries whose of- UK export credit agency UKEF confi rmed the issue of the long haul routes and unsuitable “No one imprisoned on con- fi cials were mentioned as hav- over her name and gender, while arrest warrants. for the airline’s business model. viction for major off ences such ing allegedly received bribes in paying $2mn to her company. In a statement on Sunday, Anti-corruption watch- as rape, robbery, grave sexual Airbus’s $4bn settlement with Yesterday, a senior offi cial at SriLankan Airlines said its dog Transparency Interna- abuse and soliciting bribe is on European and US authorities. SriLankan Airlines said a Co- chairman and board had di- tional Sri Lanka director Asoka President Gotabaya Rajapaksa the list,” it added. According to disclosures in lombo court had issued orders rected the management to Obeyesekere said that the fall- Sri Lanka yesterday will cele- courts in Washington, Paris to arrest the former chief ex- co-operate fully with any gov- out from the A350 deal was bus and its agents were held ac- spanning sales to more than a brate its 72nd Independence Day and London, Airbus for years ecutive offi cer of the airline, ernment agency regarding any widely reported to have cost the countable for losses infl icted on dozen overseas markets. by holding a grand parade in the conducted a “massive scheme Kapila Chandrasena, and his investigation or prosecution. country in excess of $94mn in the island nation. Ghana said late Sunday it capital Colombo to commemo- to off er and pay bribes” in- wife Priyanka Niyomali Wije- The board has also told man- cancellation penalties, called Saturday’s announcement of was also opening an investiga- rate the island nation’s political volving very senior execu- nayake as suspects of money agement to “preserve and study for action both internationally the Airbus settlement followed tion into alleged bribery over an independence from the British tives in 16 countries including laundering. all available internal docu- and locally to ensure that Air- a nearly four-year investigation Airbus plane deal. in 1948. (IANS)

180 Nepal citizens Bangladesh in China request halts visa service for to return home Chinese

IANS told The Kathmandu Post that Kathmandu some places were under discus- nationals sions but they were yet to take a fi nal decision. t least 180 Nepalis, In South Asia, India has IANS mostly students, have confi rmed two cases, while Dhaka Aapproached the coun- Sri Lanka one. try’s embassy in Beijing, asking Nepal, which has confi rmed it to evacuate them from Hubei one case of the deadly novel angladesh has suspended province, where the deadly coronavirus, was not well pre- its visa-on-arrival serv- novel coronavirus outbreak pared to spot and contain the Bices for Chinese nationals originated. fatal disease, which has killed amid the global emergency over The embassy in Beijing has more than 300 people in China the deadly coronavirus outbreak issued a public notice, asking where the epidemic originated, a that has so far killed 361 people in Nepalis in Hubei to fi ll out a form media report said. China alone. if they wish to return to Nepal, “Since it is diffi cult to spot Foreign Minister A K Abdul reports The Kathmandu Post. people who have not developed Momen announced the develop- “A total of 180 Nepali na- symptoms, we must quarantine ment at a media briefi ng on tionals, mostly students, cur- everyone coming into Nepal Sunday, bdnews24 reported. rently living in 17 cities in Chi- from countries where corona- The government has informed na, including Wuhan of Hubei, virus has been detected for at the Chinese ambassador of the have registered their names least two weeks,” The Himalayan matter, said Momen. Students wear facemasks during a healthcare action dedicated to coronavirus in Solo, Central Java, Indonesia yesterday. with the embassy, expressing Times said in the report citing “We are requesting Chinese their desire to return home,” Bibek Kumar Lal, director, Epi- nationals in Bangladesh not to go Sushil Kumar Lamsal, deputy demiology and Disease Control on leave especially over the next chief of mission at the Nepali Division, as saying. month while the global emer- embassy in Beijing, told The But Nepal does not have ad- gency is in place,” he said. Kathmandu Post. equate technology and tools to “At the same time, we have Indonesians protest use of “Around 120 Nepalis from ensure that the virus does not requested the authorities not to other Chinese provinces also fi nd its way into the country, Lal recruit any Chinese national for want to return.” added. ongoing projects in Bangladesh.” Offi cials in Kathmandu, how- The Himalayan nation was But the move does not bar ever, are in a fi x, as there is a lack yet to install thermal scanners Chinese nationals from applying island for virus quarantine of quarantine centres where eve- at land border points. Although for a Bangladeshi visa, according ry China returnee needs to spend authorities have closed down to Momen. AFP The evacuees, mostly stu- in front of the local parliament “Those people are healthy, 14 days, which is the incubation the Nepal-China border point “This is a temporary measure. Natuna dents, landed Sunday and will building, demanding the local however several stages are need- period. at Rasuwagadi, others were open Chinese nationals can still apply be quarantined for 14 days on authorities relocate the evacua- ed in health protocol before they Government offi cials were for the movement of people. for a visa but they must submit Natuna island, which lies be- tion centre away from a residen- can be returned to their family,” yet to ascertain how many “Health desks at those border a medical certifi cate along with undreds of residents of tween Borneo and Peninsular tial area. Widodo said. planes they will need to ferry the points are using digital ther- the application.” a remote Indonesian is- Malaysia. “Whatever the reason and the Following the evacuees’ arriv- stranded Nepalis. mometer to record body tem- Bangladesh has not reported Hland protested yesterday “The government’s decision explanation, we don’t believe al on Natuna, the local govern- They were also trying to fi gure perature of people,” said Lal, any coronavirus case till now. at the government’s decision to quarantine Indonesians who it. We believe this virus is very ment has shut down schools for out whether to send Nepal Air- adding, “Even if we buy thermal As of Monday, the death to use it to quarantine evacuees returned from China has made dangerous for people in Natuna,” two weeks and urged students to lines planes or charter Chinese scanners, we need controlled toll cue to the coronavirus in from the Chinese city at the epi- people feel uneasy, so we strong- Fadillah said. limit outdoor activities. planes. environment to place them and China rose to 361, with 17,205 centre of the coronavirus out- ly reject it,” Fadillah, one of the In response to the growing The coronavirus epidemic has Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli it is impossible to set up such fa- confi rmed cases, according to break. protesters who like many In- protest on the island, President infected more than 17,000 peo- on Sunday said that the govern- cilities at the moment.” the National Health Indonesia has evacuated 237 donesians goes with one name, Joko Widodo said the returnees ple across China and reached ment had fi nalised places where As of now, Tribhuvan Interna- Commission. citizens and one foreign nation- said. had to be quarantined to ensure 24 nations, although Indonesia Nepalis could be kept after their tional Airport is the only place in In South Asia, India has con- al, married to an Indonesian, The protesters, wearing green they were in good health before has not reported any confi rmed evacuation. Nepal where a thermal scanner fi rmed three cases, while Sri from Wuhan. surgical masks, demonstrated they can return home. cases so far. But Health Ministry offi cials has been installed. Lanka and Nepal each have one.

Vietnam schools close to prevent Alert after roadside bomb attack Maldives bans travellers virus outbreak Schools in at least 26 of Vietnam’s from China over virus fears 64 provinces are closed yesterday following a government directive shuttering them for seven Reuters ism Minister Ali Waheed told a days in an attempt to prevent a Male news conference. coronavirus outbreak. “Exceptions will be made in Some 15mn out of the country’s the case of Maldivian citizens.” 24mn students are not attending he Maldives has banned The fl u-like virus has school yesterday. travellers arriving from caused more than 350 deaths Vietnamese Prime Minister TChina as a precautionary in China since emerging late Nguyen Xuan Phuc signed the measure to combat the spread of last year in the central city directive late Sunday. coronavirus, the tourism minis- of Wuhan, where it is be- Three Vietnamese citizens were ter of the Indian Ocean islands lieved to have originated in confirmed to have contracted the said yesterday. a market illegally trading in virus at the weekend, bringing the More than 280,000 Chi- wildlife. total number of confirmed cases nese tourists visited the lux- Seven Maldivians were evacu- in the country to eight. ury holiday destination in ated from Wuhan on Sunday by The infected cases include two Chinese 2019, government data show, close ally India, and are being nationals, a Vietnamese American and the largest number from any held in quarantine along with four Vietnamese citizens. country. Indian nationals, Maldives For- As of 01:00 GMT yesterday, “Under the new meas- eign Minister Abdulla Shahid Vietnam had reported 92 ures being implemented, the said. suspected cases with symptoms government of Maldives will Direct fl ights between main- like high fever and cough, restrict entry... of any per- land China and the Maldives including some who visited son who has left or transited have been suspended, and there infected areas in China. Security personnel stand guard after a roadside bomb attack by suspected militants in the Yi-ngo district in Thailand’s restive southern through mainland China ef- have been no confi rmed cases of Of these, 27 remain quarantined province of Narathiwat yesterday. fective from 3 February,” Tour- the virus in the archipelago. pending test results. (DPA) Gulf Times Tuesday, February 4, 2020 11 ASIA/AUSTRALASIA China to open new hospital as virus death toll passes 360

AFP tion began but there was no con- all but one of the 57 new deaths across China, curbing interna- mediately clear what overall im- when hundreds of millions travel tions in China also jumped sig- Beijing fi rmation until late evening. were reported yesterday in Wu- tional travel and impacting pro- pact the hospitals would have on across the country in planes, nifi cantly on Monday, passing The 57 confi rmed new deaths han and the rest of Hubei prov- duction lines of major interna- the virus spreading elsewhere. trains and buses for family reun- 17,200. yesterday was the single-biggest ince, most of which has been tional brands. In a worrying signal about it ions. The G7 countries — Canada, hina’s death toll from a increase since the virus was de- under lockdown for almost two Stock markets in Shanghai and already spreading in signifi cant The holiday — originally France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the new coronavirus jumped tected late last year in the central weeks to stop people leaving and Shenzhen plunged by nearly 9% numbers to other parts of Chi- scheduled to end last Friday — United Kingdom and the United Cabove 360 yesterday to city of Wuhan, where it is be- transmitting the virus. yesterday morning as investors na, the eastern industrial city of was extended by three days to States — have all confi rmed cases surpass the number of fatali- lieved to have jumped from ani- The national death toll reached returned from a Lunar New Year Wenzhou was on Sunday placed give authorities more time to deal of the virus. ties of its Sars crisis two decades mals at a market into humans. 361, exceeding the 349 mainland holiday that had been extended under a similar lockdown to Wu- with the crisis. They will discuss a joint re- ago, with dozens of people dying The virus has since spread to fatalities from the Severe Acute to stop people travelling around han. But some major cities — in- sponse, Germany’s health min- in the epicentre’s quarantined more than 24 countries, despite Respiratory Syndrome (Sars) China. In Wuhan, which has Roads in Wenzhou, 800km to cluding Shanghai — extended the ister Jens Spahn said on Sunday. ground-zero. many governments imposing un- outbreak of 2002-03. been transformed from a bustling the east, were closed and its 9mn holiday again, and many schools The US, Australia, New Zea- China’s medical facilities have precedented travel bans on peo- Sars, caused by a pathogen industrial hub into a near-ghost people were ordered to stay in- and universities delayed the start land and Israel have banned for- been overwhelmed, and the gov- ple coming from China. similar to the new coronavirus town, residents have been living doors. of new terms. eign nationals from visiting if ernment has been racing to build The World Health Organisa- and also originated in China, in deep fear of catching the virus. Only one resident per house- Road traffi c on Sunday, when they have been in China recently, two new hospitals in extraordi- tion (WHO) has declared the killed 774 people — with most of About 1,400 military medics hold in Wenzhou is allowed to go hundreds of millions of people and they have also warned their narily quick timeframes. crisis a global health emergency, the other deaths in Hong Kong. will treat patients at the hospi- out every two days to buy neces- would have been expected to re- own citizens against travelling The fi rst of those, a 1,000-bed and the fi rst foreign death from The virus is also having an in- tal. However, with the death toll sities, authorities announced. turn to their cities of work, was there. facility, was due to open yester- the virus was reported in the creasingly heavy economic im- surging in Wuhan and elsewhere The emergence of the virus co- down 80%, the transport min- Mongolia, Russia and Nepal day, just 10 days after construc- Philippines on Sunday. In China, pact, shutting down businesses in Hubei province, it was not im- incided with the Lunar New Year, istry said. The number of infec- have closed their land borders. „China’s elite Politburo Standing Committee called for improvements to the “national emergency management system” China govt admits „China’s top leadership said it “urgently” needed medical supplies to battle the outbreak which has killed more than 360 people ‘shortcomings’ in „The virus has spread to more than 20 countries despite many governments imposing unprecedented travel bans on outbreak response arrivals coming from China

AFP Beijing Chinese turn to hina’s top leadership yes- terday admitted “short- Ccomings and diffi culties” in its response to the coronavirus social media to outbreak and the government said it “urgently” needed medical sup- plies to battle the outbreak which has killed more than 360 people. feed stranded pets The comments came as 57 new deaths were confi rmed yesterday - the single-biggest daily increase since the virus was detected late in virus city last year in the central city of Wu- han, where it is believed to have jumped from animals at a market AFP into humans. Beijing The virus has since spread to more than 20 countries despite many governments imposing un- hina’s unprecedented quarantining of virus-hit Wuhan has precedented travel bans on arriv- separated millions from their families - and many from their als coming from China. Cpets, prompting worried owners and kind strangers to take to The World Health Organisa- social media to ensure left-behind animals are looked after. The virus tion has declared the crisis a glo- A general view of empty roads in Wuhan City, China. that has killed more than 360 in China emerged during the Lunar New bal health emergency, and the fi rst Year when hundreds of millions were travelling across the country, foreign death from the virus was while the foreign ministry said and the subsequent lockdown on Wuhan and central Hubei province confi rmed in the Philippines on countries including South Korea, has left many stranded. Sunday. China’s elite Politburo Japan, Kazakhstan and Hungary The hashtag “save the pets left behind in Wuhan” became the Standing Committee called for had donated medical supplies. All third-most searched term on the Twitter-like Weibo platform yes- improvements to the “national but one of the 57 new deaths re- terday, receiving millions of views from those unable to return to the emergency management system” ported yesterday were in Wuhan city, where the virus is believed to have originated, and others willing following “shortcoming and dif- and the rest of Hubei province, to help. fi culties exposed in the response most of which has been under “Please help me feed my cat”, one user posted on January 30. Yes- to the epidemic,” according to the lockdown for almost two weeks. terday, he used the hashtag to post the happy news he had found a offi cial Xinhua news agency. In Wuhan, which has been “young man” who had agreed to go and feed his cat Maomao. “It is necessary to strengthen transformed from a bustling in- “In the video chat, after the man opened the door Maomao me- market supervision, resolutely dustrial hub into a near-ghost owed so miserably, no one has been home for more than a dozen ban and severely crack down on town, residents have been living days...” he said. illegal wildlife markets and trade,” in deep fear of catching the virus. More than 2,000 people also joined a group created by the Wuhan it added. The city’s medical facilities have Small Animal Protection Association on Chinese chat app QQ to look The government also said it been overwhelmed, with Xinhua for “kind-hearted people” willing to feed pets left behind in Wuhan “urgently” needed medical equip- reporting that 68 medical teams by owners unable to enter the city. One member yesterday asked if ment and surgical masks, protec- of 8,300 staff had been sent to anyone would be willing to feed a pet snake. “I’m worried to death” tive suits, and safety goggles as it Hubei. And amid mounting pres- the user, who posted anonymously, said. “I didn’t let him hibernate battles to control the outbreak. sure, the government has been this winter because he’s a baby snake.” Authorities in provinces that are racing to build two new hospitals That post had no takers as of late yesterday. home to more than 300mn peo- to treat the infected. “If any cats and dogs are stranded and you can let me in, I can ple - including Guangdong, the The fi rst of those, a 1,000-bed help you feed them on livestream,” wrote Katherine Cui in eastern country’s most populous - have facility, was due to open yester- Travellers wearing face masks arrive from various provinces at the Beijing Railway Station yesterday. Zhejiang province - where the city of Wenzhou was placed under a ordered everyone to wear masks day, just 10 days after construc- China said it urgently needed medical equipment and surgical masks as the death toll from a new similar lockdown to Wuhan on Sunday. “I have many pets at home, in public in an eff ort to contain tion began, although no opening coronavirus jumped above 360, making it more deadly than the Sars crisis nearly two decades ago. and plenty of cat food, dog food and kitty litter, I know too well how the virus. had been reported by state media important fur babies are.” But factories capable of pro- by late evening. The emergence of people would have been expected China - with some forcing them Nepal have closed their land bor- The drive to save pets comes after multiple Chinese media reports ducing around 20mn masks a day the virus coincided with the Lu- to return to their cities of work, into quarantine on their return - ders, while semi-autonomous said apartment complexes had banned pets to stop the spread of the are only operating at 60-70% of nar New Year, when hundreds of was down 80%, the transport and more airlines are cancelling Hong Kong announced yesterday virus, as well as unverifi ed reports that people had thrown animals to capacity, industry department millions travel across the country ministry said. Train journeys were services to the mainland. China’s it was closing all but two land their deaths for similar reasons. While the novel coronavirus is be- spokesman Tian Yulong said, for family reunions. down 74% on last year, according foreign ministry yesterday criti- crossings. Also yesterday the lieved to have crossed over from animals to humans at a Wuhan mar- adding that supply and demand But some major cities - includ- to Xinhua, and plane trips a fi fth. cised the US for being the fi rst to Cruise Lines International As- ket known for selling live wildlife, the World Health Organisation has remained in “tight equilibrium” ing Shanghai - extended it again, Many companies off ered staff the evacuate nationals without pro- sociation, that represents some said on its Weibo account there is “no evidence that dogs, cats and as a result of the Lunar New Year and many schools and universi- option to work from home or defer viding “substantial assistance” to of the world’s largest operators, other pets can catch the novel coronavirus.” break. Tian said authorities were ties have delayed the start of new travel, or simply remained closed. China. The US actions had caused said vessels will deny boarding to China is home to a growing population of pet owners, with pet- taking steps to bring in masks terms. Road traffi c on Sunday, Many nations have evacuated “panic”, said spokeswoman Hua passengers and crew who have re- related spending in China reaching 170.8bn yuan ($23.7bn) in 2018, from Europe, Japan and the US, when hundreds of millions of hundreds of their citizens from Chunying. Mongolia, Russia and cently travelled to China. according to a report by Pet Fair Asia and pet website Goumin.com.

Stranded tourists airlifted in Australia evacuates more than 200 people from China NZ as rains lash Milford Sound Authorities were preparing yesterday to airlift a busload of stranded Reuters „Australia evacuates 243 people, many children There were 600 Australians reg- tourists from New Zealand’s remote Milford Sound region after tor- Sydney istered in the Hubei region as of rential rains cut road access to the popular tourist destination. A state „Evacuees to be quarantined on remote island last week, and Payne said Can- of emergency has been declared and 382 people were trapped in the berra would consider further Fiordland region, including visitors and staff at a lodge and on tourist ustralia’s Foreign Minis- evacuations if needed. boats, the region’s emergency management controller Angus McKay ter Marise Payne said 243 to detain asylum seekers. “We has medical grade air fi lters, tralia, from where the govern- Australia on Saturday fol- said in a statement. Acitizens and permanent have prioritised vulnerable and which eliminate 99% of parti- ment will fl y the passengers to lowed the United States in bar- “They have plenty of food and are safe and warm,” said McKay, residents evacuated Wuhan yes- isolated Australians which is cles, including viruses, Qantas Christmas Island, an Australian ring entry to all foreign nationals adding that most would likely stay for at least the next day in Milford terday on an Australian govern- refl ected in the fact that 89 of CEO Alan Joyce said. “It’s a lot territory in the Indian Ocean travelling from mainland China Sound, which has suff ered severe flooding after heavy rain in the last ment-chartered aircraft, fl eeing the Australians on the fl ight are safer, a lot cleaner than being 1,500km from the mainland, and raised its travel warning for 24 hours. the epicentre of the coronavirus under 16 and fi ve are under two,” in a restaurant, in an offi ce,” he where there is a controversial China to the highest level, ad- Meanwhile, authorities were preparing to airlift a busload of about 27 outbreak which has killed 361 Payne told reporters in Can- said. The Qantas Airways plane immigration detention centre. vising people against visiting tourists from one part of the severely flooded region, with roads to people. berra. had been scheduled to leave Payne said the evacuees will be the country at all. the area likely to be shut all week, the New Zealand Transport Agency The 243 people will be quar- All passengers and crew were Wuhan late on Sunday but ex- transported to Christmas Island The move stoked concern said in a statement. A small number of tourists was also earlier flown antined in a detention centre being given masks and hand perienced some delays as China on Australian military fl ights. about the Australia-China rela- to safety by helicopter, the agency said. on a remote island in the Indian sanitiser, and the crew were be- checked the temperatures of Wuhan in Hubei province has tionship which has deteriorated The spectacular fjord on the west coast of the South Island was Ocean off Australia’s northwest ing told to remain on the upper those departing. been in lockdown to help pre- in recent years, but Payne said carved out by ancient glaciers and features towering mountains, coast. The Australian-run cen- deck of the plane other than for The Qantas fl ight will go to an vent the spread of the coronavi- Beijing understood Canberra’s waterfalls, and rare marine habitats. tre has in the past been used manning the doors. The aircraft air force base in Western Aus- rus, which has killed 361 people. rationale. Gulf Times 12 Tuesday, February 4, 2020 BRITAIN

Survivors of Grenfell fi re denounce ‘sabotage’ of public inquiry

Reuters The public inquiry has estab- some of the survivors and be- what went wrong at Grenfell If he agrees to the contractors’ force would not give a view be- tor in charge of the refurbish- London lished that a fl ammable cladding reaved families, told the inquiry Tower, why it happened and who request, he risks alienating the cause it did not want to be seen to ment, as well as from Harley Fa- system fi tted to external walls yesterday, describing her clients was responsible. Grenfell community. be trying to infl uence the gather- cades, a sub-contractor that dealt during a recent refurbishment as outraged. Previously, the contractors If he rejects it, he faces the ing of evidence. with the cladding. ereaved families and sur- was the key factor in the unstop- Many in the Grenfell com- and offi cials involved in the re- prospect of key witnesses refus- Barwise said it was impossible The same request was also made vivors of London’s 2017 pable spread of the fi re. munity have called for those re- furbishment had indicated they ing to answer questions, citing to know how any guarantee re- by Kensington and Chelsea Tenant BGrenfell Tower fi re, which Contractors involved in the re- sponsible for the condition of the would co-operate fully in the in- their right not to self-incrimi- garding evidence to the inquiry, Management Organisation, which killed 72 people, yesterday ac- furbishment had been due to start building to face criminal prosecu- terest of uncovering the truth. nate. if given, might aff ect subsequent used to manage social housing in cused those responsible for wrap- giving evidence yesterday, but tion. Instead, Barwise and other Richard Millett, a lawyer rep- prosecutions, which was one of the borough and was stripped of its ping the building in combustible that was postponed after some Police conducting a separate lawyers argued, they had waited resenting the inquiry itself, con- the reasons why her clients were responsibilities after the fi re. materials of trying to sabotage a made a last-minute request for investigation have said they are until the 11th hour to throw a demned the timing of the re- so upset about the request. Certain survivors have alleged public inquiry into the disaster. guarantees that they would not considering charges including curve ball, infl icting new anguish quest, but said that on balance, After hearing submissions that offi cial neglect of their ethni- The blaze that destroyed the be prosecuted over anything they gross negligence manslaughter on the families just as the long- it was in the inquiry’s interest to from all the lawyers, Moore-Bick cally mixed, largely low-income 23-storey social housing block, told the inquiry. and corporate manslaughter but awaited moment of accountabil- grant it. adjourned the hearing indefi - community had played a part in owned by the wealthy borough “The timing of this applica- will not announce any decision ity was supposed to arrive. “Without it, you will not get nitely to consider what to do. the tragedy, and that warnings of Kensington and Chelsea, was tion appears disingenuous and an until the public inquiry has ended. The inquiry chairman, retired the truth,” he told the chairman. The request came from current from residents that there were fi re Britain’s worst in a residential attempt at sabotage,” Stephanie Begun in September 2017, the judge Martin Moore-Bick, now A lawyer representing the and former employees of Rydon hazards in the tower had been ig- building since World War II. Barwise, a lawyer representing inquiry aims to establish exactly faces a diffi cult choice. Metropolitan Police said the Maintenance, the main contrac- nored. Attacker’s surveillance ‘had been stepped up’

Guardian News and Media She told MailOnline: “He got London into all this (supporting terror- ism) on the Internet, but when he went to prison something hap- he Streatham attacker was pened to him. I regularly took placed under full surveil- food to him at the hostel and on Tlance on the day of his Thursday, I asked him what he release from jail and within days wanted. He said: ‘Mum, I would prompted such concern from really like a mutton biriyani’ – so counter-terrorism offi cials that I cooked one and took it over to those tailing him were ordered him.” to be armed, the Guardian has Mechanical engineering ap- learned. prentice Jignesh Khomani, 20, Sources with knowledge of a former neighbour of Amman Sudesh Amman’s case say he was in Harrow, north-west London, released on January 23, barely a said he was “saddened” by the week before he stabbed two peo- attack, and described him as “a ple on Streatham High Street, pretty average guy”. before being shot dead by sur- “I just did not expect anything veillance offi cers who were fol- like this would happen,” he said. lowing him. “He did not seem like a charac- ter who would do something like that.” “He got into all this No assessment was carried Police off icers conduct a search on Streatham High Road in south London yesterday. Police yesterday also searched two homes. (supporting terrorism) on out before Amman’s release of the Internet, but when he whether he still had a militant went to prison something mindset and desire to die in the happened to him” name of violent extremism that had resulted in his 2018 jail sen- It is understood that he was tence for terrorism off ences. freed from jail without any as- Amman was released on li- sessment by prison authori- cence from Belmarsh prison in ties of the danger he posed and south-east London under the PM looks to tighten rules was supposed to be wearing policy of automatic release. Sen- an electronic tag and be under ior government offi cials believe curfew. the law gives them no power to He is believed to have left a check if someone still poses a bail hostel on Sunday afternoon danger and to block their release without a knife, before later at the halfway point of their sen- on terror off enders’ release stealing one from a shop before tence. the stabbing attack. On release counter-terror- Guardian News and Media Sudesh Amman was shot now be applied to those already emerge soon via the Justice Sec- rehabilitate or monitor terror- He is thought to have been ism offi cials decided he needed London dead by police in Streatham in jail. retary, Robert Buckland, Johnson ism suspects. wearing his fake suicide vest cov- round-the-clock surveillance by on Sunday after stabbing two “The diffi culty is how to apply added. He told BBC1’s Breakfast: “The ered by a jacket, and thus out of offi cers – in itself rare and a sign people. The 20-year-old had that retrospectively to the cohort Answering a question about counter-terrorism budget, which view of the surveillance team fol- of the danger he was thought to risoners already jailed for been freed after serving half of of people who currently qualify,” how people could be reas- is what we’re dealing with here, lowing him. pose. terrorism off ences could his sentence of more than three the prime minister said. “We do sured, Johnson said the aim was has actually been increased every The new details of Amman’s But soon after this decision, Pface retrospective changes years for the possession and think it’s time to take action to that no one jailed for terrorism year for the last fi ve or six years. last days emerged even as those he was assessed to be even more to their sentences to deny them distribution of extremist mate- ensure that people, irrespective should be released “without “It is now up 30% or 40% from who knew him were reacting to dangerous than fi rst thought early release, after a man just rial and was under active police of the law we’re bringing in, peo- some process of parole or scru- where it was several years ago. the news of his attack and re- and surveillance offi cers were freed from jail carried out a knife surveillance. The attack left one ple in the current stream do not tiny by real experts in the mat- And we just announced a 10% fl ecting on his behaviour, with ordered to be armed, multiple attack in south London, Boris person initially in a life-threat- qualify automatically for early ter – cynical, hardened people increase, taking it to almost £1bn his mother telling journalists he sources said. Johnson has said. ening condition. release, people convicted of ter- who can look into their eyes for the forthcoming year.” was a “nice, polite boy” before he It is not clear whether the Speaking at the end of a speech After a man with a similar sen- rorist off ences. and really think whether or not He said the government was went to prison. armed surveillance officers mainly concerned with Brexit, tencing history killed two people “I hope people understand these people again pose a dan- doubling the number of specifi c Haleema Faraz Khan told Sky were carrying concealed pistols the prime minister said the gov- at London Bridge in November, that the anomaly we need to clear ger to the public”. counter-terrorism probation of- News that her son, who had for their own personal protec- ernment could go down the po- Johnson promised to change the up is the process by which some Speaking earlier, the chief fi cers and creating new places wanted to study biomedical sci- tion, which has been the policy tentially legally tricky route of law to end automatic early re- people are still coming out under secretary to the Treasury, Rishi in probationary hostels. “This is ence, had seemed “normal” in the Metropolitan police, or changing release conditions for lease for those convicted of ter- automatic early release with- Sunak, rejected the idea that all forming part of the plans that when she visited him on Thurs- with the intention of making an those already in jail, following rorism off ences. out any kind of scrutiny or pa- cuts to prison and probation we’re putting in place to keep day. arrest. two recent incidents. He yesterday said this could role system.” More details would services had made it harder to people safe.” 1917 wins best fi lm and Journalists boycott No 10 briefi ng best director at Bafta Times and Guardian. Guardian News and Media London The briefi ng was due to be given Reuters transformation from vulnerable many great fi lms this year that by government offi cials, who are London loner into confi dent villain in happened to be directed by wom- meant to be neutral rather than Joker, addressed the issue head en,” she said. olitical journalists have boy- political, but it did not happen be- on in his acceptance speech. Renee Zellweger beat Johans- cotted a briefi ng at No 10 cause of the walkout. orld War I drama 1917 son to the best actress gong for PDowning Street after one of The tactics from No 10 mirror was the big winner at The industry was sending her portrayal of Judy Garland in Boris Johnson’s aides banned se- those of Donald Trump in the US, Wthe Baftas on Sunday, “a very clear message to Judy. The two will go head-to- lected reporters from attending. who has been known to try to ex- picking up seven awards including people of colour that you’re head again at the Oscars on Feb- The walkout took place after clude journalists from reporting best picture and director for Sam not welcome here” ruary 9. a confrontation inside No 10 in on his activities, and represents an Mendes, at a glittering ceremony It was a frustrating evening for which Lee Cain, Johnson’s most escalation of Johnson’s tensions that made headlines for a glaring The industry was sending “a Netfl ix’s The Irishman, Martin senior communications adviser, with the media, which have been lack of diversity among nominees. very clear message to people of Scorsese’s star-studded gangster tried to exclude reporters from the increasing in recent weeks. The thrilling drama, shot in colour that you’re not welcome drama, which was nominated Mirror, i, Huffi ngton Post, Politic- Political journalists have already what appears to be a single take, here”, he said, adding it “was on in 10 categories but left empty sHome, Independent and others. complained about No 10 changing was also honoured in the out- us” to dismantle a system of op- handed. Reporters on the invited list the location of its daily briefi ngs standing British fi lm, sound, pression. The streaming giant, however, were asked to stand on one side of with the prime minister’s offi cial production design, cinematog- Award presenter Rebel Wil- fared better with divorce drama a rug in the foyer of No 10, while spokesman from a room in parlia- raphy and special visual eff ects son drew the biggest laughs and Marriage Story, which saw Laura those not allowed in were asked by ment to Downing Street. categories. cheers of the evening when, after Dern win best supporting ac- security to stand on the other side. Johnson’s communications Britain’s top movie awards reading out the all-male best di- tress. After Cain told the banned jour- team has also banned ministers have been criticised for having rector list, said: “I don’t think I Brad Pitt picked up best sup- nalists to leave, the rest of the jour- from appearing on BBC Radio 4’s all-white shortlists in its acting could do what they do.” porting actor for Quentin Taran- nalists decided to walk out collec- Today programme, and boycotted categories and an all-male one Actress Scarlett Johansson, tino’s Once Upon a Time...in tively rather than allow Downing ITV’s Good Morning Britain. for director, triggering the use of who missed out in the leading Hollywood, the only success for a Street to choose who scrutinises Ministers have been told not the hashtag #BaftasSoWhite on and supporting actress catego- movie nominated for 10 awards. and reports on the government. to lunch with political journalists social media. ries, said the all-male directing Bong Joon Ho’s darkly comic Among those who refused the and it was briefed over the week- Bafta boss Amanda Berry had shortlist showed women were fi lm Parasite triumphed in the briefi ng and walked out were the end that Dominic Cummings, said she was “very disappointed” being held back and the industry original screenplay and fi lm not BBC’s Laura Kuenssberg, ITV’s Johnson’s senior adviser, has a by the lack of diversity. had to be mindful of the issue. in the English language catego- US actress Renee Zellweger poses with the award for Leading Robert Peston and political jour- “network of spies” to see whether Joaquin Phoenix, voted best “It’s pretty disappointing, es- ries at the ceremony at London’s Actress for her work on the film Judy at the British Academy Film nalists from Sky News, the Daily other special advisers are frater- actor for his critically acclaimed pecially because there were so Royal Albert Hall. Awards at the Royal Albert Hall in London. Mail, Telegraph, Sun, Financial nising with the media. Gulf Times Tuesday, February 4, 2020 13 EUROPE

French left tries to bog down government pension reform Macron seeking

DPA accused the left-wing La France bloc in the National Assembly Paris Insoumise (France Unbowed) of should be able to force the leg- “obstruction” with its 19,000 islation through using its large amendments. majority. rench President Emmanuel But La France Insoumise’s Macron argues that his Macron’s pension reform leader, former presidential can- planned single national pension Fwas set for a complicated didate Jean-Luc Melenchon, said system will be fairer, with almost ‘turning point’ in passage through parliament, that the obstruction “is coming all workers treated the same – al- starting yesterday, after far-left from the Elysee”. though there are exceptions for lawmakers proposed no less than Meanwhile, hundreds of law- security forces and fi refi ghters, 19,000 amendments. yers took to the streets of Paris who unlike aggrieved railway and Opposition deputies from left in their black offi cial robes to hospital workers, will retain a and right alike have accused Ma- protest against the reform, which right to retire early. cron’s centrist government of will see their pension system, like Unions also fear that the re- not giving them enough time to all other professional schemes, form will mean most workers ties with Poland study the proposals, which pro- amalgamated into a single na- having to work longer, although voked weeks of strikes by hard- tional scheme. the government has temporarily AFP bloc carbon neutral by 2050 was line unions. The lawyers argue that their withdrawn a provision to raise Warsaw undermined by Poland’s rejec- France’s Council of State, pension scheme is fi nancially the standard age for retirement tion. which gives offi cial legal opin- viable and better suited to their on a full pension from 62 to 64 Macron in 2018 himself ac- ions on proposed legislation, also careers. over the next few years. rench President Em- cused Poland’s PiS government criticised the government for Dozens of them gathered on A conference on how to ensure manuel Macron sought and Hungary’s populist Premier rushing it and said the govern- the steps of the Opera in cen- the current system is fi nancially Fyesterday a “turning Viktor Orban of “lying to their ment’s 1,029-page impact analy- tral Paris, chanting: “We’re not stable in the interim is currently point” in strained ties with Po- people” about the EU’s powers sis was inadequate. yielding!” under way instead, as a conces- land, saying that Brexit requires to interfere in domestic aff airs. Minister for Parliamentary Despite the plethora of sion to the moderate labour un- a new dynamic among the re- But Brexit has made good re- Aff airs Marc Fesneau on Sunday amendments, Macron’s centrist ions. maining members of the Euro- lations with Poland all the more pean Union. important as the central Euro- The French leader announced pean heavyweight will now be German city moves to outlaw full-face a summit with Poland and the EU’s fi fth-largest member in EU heavyweight Germany in terms of population and sixth in veil in schools following court ruling the coming months under the terms of GDP. Norway “Weimar Triangle” framework Following talks later with Education authorities in the German city-state of Hamburg said which had fallen out of favour in Polish Prime Minister Mateusz yesterday that they would move urgently to change the law after a recent years. Macron and Duda shake hands after their joint press conference in Morawiecki, Macron under- sued over court ruled in favour of a Muslim pupil who wore a full-face veil to Poland’s controversial judi- Presidential Palace in Warsaw. scored that the interests of school. cial reforms, which the EU has Paris and Warsaw line up neatly “It is proper at school for teachers and pupils to have an open, warned undermine the rule of ring to Warsaw’s uphill battle to of a Polish-French co-opera- on the key issue of continued ‘risky’ spy unobstructed face. Only in this way can a school and teaching law, and its position on EU cli- wean itself off coal. tion programme as part of their generous funding for the EU’s operate,” said Ties Rabe, the senator responsible for the city’s mate goals, injected tension into Focusing on defence, Macron “strategic partnership”. Common Agricultural Policy schools. ties with Paris and other EU urged “political dialogue” with Echoing Macron, Duda in- (CAP) in the bloc’s upcoming recruitment “And for that reason, we will soon change the schools legislation, so members in recent years. Russia but assured the Poles sisted that Brexit brought a 2021-27 budget. that this is assured in the future,” said Rabe, a member of the Social However, Macron said yester- that “France is neither pro-Rus- “new hand of cards and new The two leaders hailed a “new Democrats (SPD), the largest party in the ruling coalition. day that he hoped his visit “will sian nor anti-Russian, it is pro- opening; roles in the EU will chapter” in bilateral ties, with AFP He received support from the Greens, the junior partner in mark a real turning point in the European”. have to be rearranged”. both sides keen to develop co- Oslo Hamburg’s government. role that together we can play He also insisted that the de- Relations between Paris and operation in the areas of de- “The burqa and the niqab are for me symbols of oppression,” said for the Europe of tomorrow” velopment of European defence Warsaw have been cool at best. fence, climate and energy. Katharina Fegebank, the city’s deputy mayor. following talks in Warsaw with mechanisms would comple- Judicial reforms have set the Despite political diff erences, concrete producer took The opposition parties in the city-state’s parliament also called for a his Polish counterpart Andrzej ment the North Atlantic Treaty right-wing populist Law and economic ties between the two the Norwegian state to ban on full-face veils during lessons. Duda. Organisation (Nato), rather than Justice (PiS) government on a EU partners remain strong and Acourt yesterday, claiming Earlier yesterday a Hamburg court ruled against the education Macron urged co-operation undermine it. collision course with Brussels stable. that the intelligence agencies’ authorities by lifting a ban on full-face veils. to “make the European project Under Moscow’s thumb in over rule of law violations and France ranks sixth among Po- clumsy approach to recruiting It found that there was no legal basis for an order by the education stronger, because indeed to- communist times, Warsaw is drawn concern from fellow EU land of trade partners, having informants had caused the com- authorities to the 16-year-old pupil’s mother to ensure that her day ... after Brexit, fragility and among the strongest advocates members, including France. exchanged nearly €21bn worth pany fi nancial loss. daughter showed up to lessons with her face uncovered. doubt have set in”. of continued sanctions against Macron said yesterday that he of goods in 2018. At Oslo district court, con- The court added that a legal basis was required for any interference Co-operation must serve to Russia over its 2014 annexation had urged Warsaw to “intensify” French companies take fourth crete manufacturer Olen Betong into the pupil’s full rights to be free to exercise her faith. “meet the climate challenge and of Crimea from Ukraine. dialogue with Brussels to safe- spot on Warsaw’s foreign inves- accused the Norwegian internal According to media reports, the pupil, the daughter of an Egyptian support Poland, which faces a Poland’s Duda spoke of a guard the rule of law. tor ranking, with €18bn from (PST) and external (E-tjeneste) man and a German convert to Islam, has attended a vocational challenge that I do not under- “breakthrough” in ties with An agreement by EU leaders 1,100 companies, according to intelligence services of contact- school in the city since August last year. estimate,” Macron added, refer- Paris and welcomed the signing in December to try to make the Polish data. ing two employees working in the Murmansk region in order to turn them into informants. The company, with business in Russia’s northwest, said the intelligence services had made repeated indiscrete contact Slovenia’s fi rst mosque opens after 50 years over the last decade, which was spotted by Russian government agencies. AFP Olen Betong claimed this led Ljubljana to the loss of an important con- tract in Russia and legal trouble for company founder Atle Berge lovenia’s fi rst mosque and employee Kurt Sto. opened in the capital The pair were arrested and in- SLjubljana yesterday after terrogated in Murmansk before surmounting fi nancial hurdles being declared persona non grata and right-wing opposition, 50 in Russia for 10 years. years after the initial request to The company’s lawyer Per build was made. Ristvedt said the case was unique Opponents of the project have in Norwegian judicial history. repeatedly tried to halt it. “Norway has and should have Islamic community head an intelligence service. But it Mufti Nedzad Grabus said the cannot be allowed to operate in mosque’s opening was “a turn- a way that puts private individu- ing point in our lives”. als and companies at too much “Slovenia is the last former risk,” Ristvedt told the court, Yugoslav state to get a mosque, broadcaster TV2 said. making Ljubljana a capital rather A picture taken yesterday shows the general prayer room inside “There has to be a limit,” he than a provincial town on the Slovenia’s first mosque, in Ljubljana. added. edge of the world,” he told a Olen Betong is seeking 140mn press conference. worshipping and holding cer- Ljubljana’s long-time mayor Norwegian kroner ($15.1mn or Muslims in the predominant- emonies in rented sports halls or Zoran Jankovic has supported €13.7mn) in damages from the ly Catholic Alpine country fi rst buildings. the project. state. fi led a request to build a mosque They make up 2.5% of the Azra Lekovic, a Slovenian Although the state admits that in the late 1960s while Slov- country’s 2mn people, consti- Muslim in her late 40s, has de- contacts were made by the in- enia was still part of the former This picture taken yesterday shows the minaret and buildings of Slovenia’s first mosque, in Ljubljana. tuting the second biggest reli- scribed the mosque as “crucial”, telligence services, it maintains Communist Yugoslavia. gious group, according to the lamenting that her children, 22 they did not act carelessly and The community fi nally re- ing to Grabus. brary; a restaurant; a basketball reminiscent of famous mosques last 2002 census. and 24, had distanced them- that discussions about security ceived permission 15 years ago, Situated in a semi-industrial court; housing for the Muslim like Istanbul’s Blue Mosque. Grabus estimated there were selves from the religion over the were part of normal operations. but ran into opposition from area of Ljubljana, the mosque, clerisy; and a 40m (131-ft) high “We wanted to link traditional around 80,000 Muslims cur- years. “Norwegian intelligence has right-wing politicians and which can hold up to 1,400 peo- minaret. Islamic architecture values with rently. “I hope it will allow my chil- only done its job,” attorney-gen- groups, as well as fi nancial trou- ple, constitutes the core of the All the buildings are made contemporary architecture,” Opponents of the project have dren to get in touch with the Is- eral Fredrik Sejersted reportedly bles. six-building Islamic Cultural from white concrete combined architect Matej Bevk told AFP, twice tried to halt it, once in lamic community again, to meet said in opening remarks in court. Construction, which be- Centre. with steel, glass and wood. adding that the centre’s glass 2004 and again in 2009, by ask- progressive people and fi nd The trial is set to take fi ve days gan in 2013, cost some €34mn The centre also comprises the A large blue textile-made facades were meant to show its ing for a referendum. friends that share their religion,” and feature ex-foreign minister ($39mn), out of which €28mn community’s offi ces; an educa- dome dominates the mosque’s transparency and openness. The constitutional court de- the entrepreneur from Sezana in and current Labour opposition were Qatari donations, accord- tion centre, which includes a li- interior, referring to heaven and Until now, Muslims have been nied the requests both times. western Slovenia told AFP. leader Jonas Gahr Store. Another witness is Frode Berg, who was imprisoned in Russia but released last year in a spy swap. Berg was jailed for 14 years af- Rubik’s Cube Mona Lisa goes on sale in Paris ter admitting to acting as a cou- rier for Norwegian intelligence. AFP history in Rubik’s Cubes. on to recreate Edouard Manet’s Paris Invader, whose real name is Impressionist masterpiece Le Kosovo approves Franck Slama, claimed that they Dejeuner sur l’Herbe (Luncheon the foundational creations of a on the Grass) as well as Gustave ex-rebel as PM street art Rubik’s Cube new art movement called “Ru- Courbet’s ever-controversial version of the Mona Lisa bikcubism”. The Origin of the World in Ru- Kosovo’s parliament approved Ais expected to sell for up He has glued Space Invad- bik’s Cubes. a new prime minister yesterday to €150,000 ($166,000) when it ers works to walls in more than The cube, a cult children’s after four months of haggling goes under the hammer in Paris 33 countries, and even inspired puzzle in the 1980s, was in- over government posts, raising this month. smartphone applications for vented by the Hungarian sculp- hopes that long-frozen talks with Made from 330 Rubik’s Cubes fans trying to track them down. tor Emo Rubik as a teaching tool Serbia could resume. by the French artist Invader – Rubik Mona Lisa will go on to explain three-dimensional Former rebel leader Albin Kurti famous for his ceramic Space sale at Artcurial on the Champs- forms to his architecture stu- and his cabinet were installed Invaders fi gures inspired by the Elysees in Paris on February 23 dents. only a day before the deadline, vintage pixelated video game – as a part of auction featuring A blockbuster Leonardo da helping to avoid a political crisis. is called Rubik Mona Lisa. some of the biggest names in Vinci show at the Louvre mu- Kurti has vowed to tackle The street art Rubik’s Cube version of the Mona Lisa, entitled Rubik Mona Lisa, made in 2005 by French It is the fi rst of a series of works street art. seum in Paris, which holds the economy and unemployment, artist Invader, is on display at the Artcurial auction house in Paris. Inset: The sign of the French street in which the artist has recreated Invader made Rubik Mona Mona Lisa, fi nishes at the end of and fight corruption. artist Invader is seen on the Rubik Mona Lisa. some of the great paintings of art Lisa in 2005 and has since gone this month. Gulf Times 14 Tuesday, February 4, 2020 INDIA

CONTROVERSY INVESTIGATION ALLEGATION POLITICS SCIENCE BJP MP slammed for Man wanted in 2019 Maharashtra to probe Akali Dal expels party IIT builds AI tech to convert comments on Gandhi shooting arrested in Delhi phone tapping by ex-govt veteran Dhindsa, son brain signals into language

The Congress has hit out at a Bharatiya Janata Police arrested a 35-year-old man who was The Maharashtra government yesterday set up a The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) yesterday Researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology Party MP for his comments on Mahatma Gandhi. wanted for allegedly shooting a man twice two-member committee to conduct a high-level expelled its Rajya Sabha MP and veteran leader Madras (IIT-Madras) have developed an Artificial Party. Anant Kumar Hegde, a former central and injuring him critically in Delhi in October probe into allegations of phone tapping of various Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa and his legislator son Intelligence (AI) technology to convert brain minister, called India’s freedom movement 2019. Deputy Commissioner of Police Pramod leaders by the former Bharatiya Janata Party-led Parminder Singh for lamenting that the party signals of speech-impaired humans into as drama, and asked how people leading Kumar Singh Kushwaha said “on October government, Home Minister Anil Deshmukh said was being run in an “undemocratic manner” language, the institute said yesterday. Electrical such movements could be called Mahatma. 27, 2019, Sanjay Mehra and his associates in Mumbai. “A comprehensive inquiry will be and controlled by “a family”. Party spokesman signals, brain signals, or any signal in general, are He said “the freedom movement was staged – Aditya and Hariya – got into a fight with conducted within six weeks by the committee and senior leader Daljit Singh Cheema said the waveforms which are decoded to meaningful with consent and support of the British. It was Ishant Mehlawat. At that time Ishant’s cousin comprising Additional Chief Secretary Srikant Singh decision was taken at a meeting presided over information using physical law or mathematical not a genuine fight but was an adjustment Pravesh managed to calm both parties down.” and Joint Commissioner of Police Amitesh Kumar,” by Sukhbir Badal. A day before this decision, transforms such as Fourier Transform or Laplace freedom struggle.” Congress spokesman Jaiveer Kushwah said three days later, Mehra and the said Deshmukh. He said the Home Department had former chief minister Parkash Singh Badal said Transform. These physical laws and mathematical Shergill said “Mahatma Gandhi does not need other two allegedly caught hold of Pravesh received many complaints from political parties and the father and son stabbed the party in the back. transforms are science-based languages a certificate from cadre of Britain’s spies”. when he was returning from a gym along with leaders about the misuse of phone tapping by the “None would be allowed to weaken the SGPC discovered by renowned scientists such as Reacting to Hegde’s comments, Congress MP his brother Prashant. Mehra fired three rounds, previous government. “This abuse of power violates (Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee) Isaac Newton and Jean-Baptiste Joseph Fourier. B K Hariprasad said: “In parliament they say two of which hit Prashant on his back and leg. the right to freedom and privacy as enshrined in at any cost,” he said. Also, Sukhbir Badal called “The output result is the ionic current, which something but the real face of the BJP is what A case of attempt to murder was registered the constitution of India and is a national security Sukhdev Dhindsa a “traitor”. Dhindsa and his represents the flow of ions which are charged Hegde said. This is bigotry by the BJP. The BJP but Mehra allegedly fled India. The police threat,” the minister added. Last month, Deshmukh son, who is legislator from Lehra, had resigned particles. These electrically driven ionic current should take action if they believe in Gandhiji,” arrested him on Friday from near a school said that the phones of senior leaders were tapped from key posts recently saying the party was not signals are worked on to be interpreted as human said Hariprasad. based on a tip. to track with whom they were communicating. run in a democratic manner. language meaning speech.

ED move in Rose Valley BJP sees surge case spells trouble for SRK’s wife in popularity

IANS New Delhi ahead of Delhi n what could spell trouble for Bollywood superstar Shah IRukh Khan’s wife Gauri Khan and actress Juhi Chawla’s hus- band Jay Mehta, the Enforce- ment Directorate (ED) has seized Rs70 crore bank accounts of assembly polls Knight Riders Sports (KRSPL), St Xavier’s College, Kolkata, and IANS survey claimed yesterday. the turnaround in Delhi govern- others in connection with the New Delhi According to the fi ndings of ment schools as a major achieve- Rs17,520 crore Rose Valley chit Neta App Survey, Kejriwal de- ment, the opposition BJP has fund scam probe. spite falling behind his deputy been critical of its performance A senior ED offi cial said the he latest poll survey in Manish Sisodia and two other and recently released videos agency had seized properties Delhi shows that the party MLAs, has impressed the showed some schools in a shab- of various companies and indi- TBharatiya Janata Party has people with his performance in by condition. viduals who received funds from steadily whittled down the rul- education and development. Meanwhile, in a scathing at- the Rose Valley Group. Rs16.2 ing Aam Aadmi Party’s formida- The Neta App leader ratings tack on Kejriwal, BJP leader Pra- crore bank accounts of Multiple ble lead – from 53.2 on January 6 for Delhi’s sitting MLAs said kash Javadekar said the Delhi Resorts, St Xavier’s College and to 45.1% yesterday. that Kejriwal, who represents chief minister was a terrorist. KRSPL have been seized under With barely a week left for as- the New Delhi constituency, has “Kejriwal is making an inno- the Prevention of Money Laun- sembly elections, and the AAP scored 3.5 out of 5. cent face and asking if he is a ter- dering Act (PMLA). enjoying only an 8% lead over The Neta App ratings of the rorist, you are a terrorist, there is However, a Kolkata Knight the BJP, the national capital is AAP MLAs is based on the feed- plenty of proof for it. You your- Riders (KKR) source said it had bracing for a tough fi ght. back of 650,000 respondents self said you are an anarchist, nothing to do with Khan and his With every passing week, the that has been carried out over there is not much of a diff erence wife and the “agreement” with BJP appears to be getting back the last two years. between an anarchist and a ter- Rose Valley was just “another into the good books of more and Ratings on the Neta App re- rorist,” said the federal environ- sponsorship deal” and there was more Delhi voters. According to fl ected that the chief minister has ment minister. “nothing” more to it. the IANS-CVoter Delhi Tracker, been able to strike the right chord Earlier BJP MP Parvesh Verma “Shah Rukh Khan and Gauri the BJP’s voter approval rat- with the voters making 71% hap- had made “terrorist” remark tar- Khan have nothing to do with it. ings yesterday touched 37% – a py with his performance. geted at Kejriwal against which Also, the deal between KKR and gain of 5.8% since January 27. After coming to power in 2015, AAP party held a silent march in Rose Valley was like any other In contrast, the AAP’s share of Kejriwal launched Mohalla clin- all 70 constituencies in Delhi. sponsorship deal. There is noth- voter approval slipped to 45.1% ics as part of the state govern- In response, AAP leader San- ing more to this,” a KKR source yesterday – a drop of 5.5% since ment’s aff ordable health initia- jay Singh challenged the saff ron told IANS. January 27. tive. The initiative has helped in party to put the Kejriwal behind With the recent attachment, The fi ndings are based on re- providing health facilities at the bars if he was “anti-nation- the value of properties seized in sponses to the question, “Whom people’s doorstep, making it al”. the Rose Valley Group cases has will you vote for if assembly more accessible. The Rajya Sabha MP said eve- reached around Rs4,750 crore. elections are held today?” The party also made a pledge ry other day, “a new BJP leader St Xaviers College and KRSPL Incidentally, the Congress, to bring about far-reaching comes out and calls Kejriwal ter- had received payments from the relegated to third position, has changes in the education sec- rorist”. bank accounts of the Rose Valley been steadily losing out in the tor. And that change is visible “As the elections are ap- Group, an offi cial said. Besides vote share. From 5.3% voter ap- in the nearly 1,000 government proaching and the AAP is head- Gauri Khan and Mehta, Venky proval on January 27, its share fell schools as the classrooms are ing towards victory, the BJP Mysore is also one of the direc- to 3.7% yesterday. cleaner with colourful walls leaders are making objectionable tors of KRSPL. The latest fi ndings yet again and comfortable benches. Many remarks,” Singh said. Mysore is also the CEO of the indicate the steady growth in the senior classes boast of projec- He said a BJP MP called Kejri- Indian Premiere League (IPL) BJP’s voter approval over the last tors, smart boards and air-con- wal a “terrorist’’, Haryana Chief team KKR, owned by Red Chillies four weeks. ditioned labs besides indoor and Minister Manohar Lal Khat- Entertainment and promoted by However, Chief Minister and outdoor sports facilities. tar called his Delhi counterpart Khan. In October 2019, the ED Aam Aadmi Party chief Arvind Some schools have lifts and “monkey”, and Uttar Pradesh questioned Mysore as the Rose Kejriwal has impressed the peo- swimming pools – a luxury for Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath Valley Group had sponsored the Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal waves to supporters during a road show ahead of Delhi election, ple of the city with 71% happy even many private schools. said the AAP chief has “connec- IPL team for two years. yesterday. with his performance, another While the AAP has projected tion” with Pakistan.

Kerala declares state calamity Opposition walkout after third coronavirus case over citizenship law

IANS China’s Wuhan province. The tion ward in a hospital in Bhu- IANS As the ruckus continued, the Thiruvananthapuram condition of all three is stable baneswar. New Delhi speaker adjourned the House for and they are being closely ob- Suspected coronavirus cases lunch. served in isolation at state run from both Telangana and And- Meanwhile, Aam Aadmi he Kerala government hospitals. hra Pradesh will now be tested arious opposition parties Party leader Sanjay Singh said yesterday declared the “An alert has been issued in Hyderabad with the health led by the Congress yes- the central government should Toutbreak of coronavirus that anyone who has returned authorities setting up the nec- Vterday staged a walkout intervene in the Shaheen Bagh a state calamity after a third from China has to get medi- essary facility at the govern- from the Lok Sabha over the issue anti-CAA protests as he blamed case was confi rmed. cal attention. There have been ment-run Gandhi Hospital in of Citizenship Amendment Act the Bharatiya Janata Party for Health Minister K K Shailaja cases when such people have the city. (CAA) as their demand to discuss creating a law and order problem said however “this is not meant been hesitating and this is in Telangana Health Minister the new law was rejected. in Delhi. to create a panic.” no way acceptable as the lives Etela Rajender yesterday inau- Congress leader Adhir Ran- Speaking to IANS, he said the Shailaja’s announcement of all are precious. Moreover it gurated the facility at Gandhi jan Chowdhury raised the issue BJP was trying to create a law came soon after a meeting of is from Kerala that the maxi- Hospital’s Indian Council of of CAA, seeking discussion over and order issue before the Feb- the State Disaster Management mum number of students go to Medical Research (ICMR) lab. the law in view of violent pro- ruary 8 assembly polls for fear of Authority. Wuhan and hence we have to He said samples from the sus- tests across the country. defeat. “Today there are 2,239 peo- go forward very cautiously as pected cases in both states will As Speaker Om Birladid not “The Centre should intervene ple in the state under observa- the density of population here be examined in the hi-tech lab. allow Congress leaders to raise in the Shaheen Bagh protest. The tion of which 2,155 are in their is high and hence we have de- He said the test kits can be the issue and allowed Delhi MP BJP is creating a law and order homes, while 84 are in hospi- cided to set 28 days as the quar- used to conduct tests on swab Parvesh Sahib Singh Verma to issue as they fear defeat in the tals. The government has sent antine period,” said Shailaja. samples of 30 people in a day. speak, the opposition led by the elections,” Singh said. 140 samples so far for testing, Special control rooms have In New Delhi, Cabinet Secre- Congress, including the Dravi- “I have said that the BJP is of which 46 are negative and been opened in all 14 districts tary Rajiv Gauba held a review da Munetra Kazhagam (DMK), planning some disturbance in the results of the rest are await- of the state. meeting to take stock of the sit- Indian Union Muslim League the city. Three (fi ring) incidents ed. It was today that the third Meanwhile, four samples uation, even as the government (IUML), Nationalist Congress have happened back to back.” case in the state was confi rmed from Odisha, which were sent issued a new travel advisory Party (NCP) and Jammu and He said while the AAP is talking positive and it is from Kasar- to the National Institute of Vi- that urged everyone to refrain Kashmir National Conference about the work done, the BJP is gode,” Shailaja added. rology in Pune, tested negative from travel to China. (J&KNC), walked out. talking about dividing people All three cases which have yesterday, while one person’s Besides, from now on, any- Earlier, the opposition raised and violence. tested positive were medical result is awaited. one with a history of travel to slogans. Amid the pandemo- Singh said he would meet the students – one girl and two Two more suspected people China since January 15, 2020, Workers inspect face masks before packing them inside a factory on nium, the speaker continued the chief election commissioner to boys – who were studying in have been kept in the isola- could be quarantined. the outskirts of Ahmedabad yesterday. Question Hour and Zero Hour. fi le complaint against the BJP. Gulf Times Tuesday, February 4, 2020 15 LATIN AMERICA

Uruguay project uses virtual money to push plastic recycling

AFP she can use for discounts on ling project alongside 32-year- the type of waste: 100 for house- coupons and discounts at the been a much greater success the town’s existing recycling ini- Piriapolis, Uruguay purchases at restaurants or part- old industrial designer Nicole hold waste, 200 for beach waste participating eateries and stores. than its creators anticipated tiatives. nered shops. Wyaux. and 400 for microplastics of less Plastic didn’t exist when the when it began in early January But in the country of 3.4mn It’s part of a pilot environ- Their test area is a popular than a quarter-inch (half a cen- Piriapolis resort was built dur- with a $5,000 grant from a gov- people, recycling faces numer- n a hot summer’s day mental project called “Plas- seaside resort called Piriapolis. timetre). ing the “Belle Epoque” in 1893, ernment development agency. ous barriers beyond a lack of in southern Uruguay, ticoin” aimed at encouraging Participants register online and “It’s good to recycle for your- inspired by the French towns of They had hoped to attract 100 widespread awareness and op- OGraciela Martinez weighs plastic recycling in the South then deposit their plastic waste at self, for your children and your Biarritz and Nice. users in the fi rst four months; in portunity. her plastic waste before drop- American country. one of three collection points. grandchildren,” said Martinez, Now, though, 13mn tons of less than three weeks, they al- According to Federico ping it in a designated container “Our mission is to take care The minimum deposit is two 50, who says she recycles “eve- the material is dumped in the ready have almost a thousand. Baraibar, director of the recy- by the beach. of the beach,” said Juan Rivero, pounds (1kg), for which partici- rything.” Plasticoins are deliv- world’s oceans every year, ac- Mayor Mario Invernizzi said cling specialist fi rm Cempre, In return, she’ll receive some 34, a telecommunications tech- pants are rewarded with 100- ered electronically to a mobile cording to the United Nations. he welcomed the project “with 35% of plastic collected is in- virtual money on her phone that nician who launched the fl edg- 400 Plasticoins, depending on phone and can be used to get The Plasticoin project has open arms” as a complement to tended for recycling. After Roma Travel ban glory, actress Aparicio takes on activist role

AFP society that has been reluctant Mexico City to acknowledge its own racism. “We are not new faces, we are simply the people we always were, year after the movie Roma but who nobody had ever both- catapulted her from ob- ered looking at before,” she said. Ascurity to an Oscar nomi- “May we never again be afraid nation, Mexican actress Yalitza to say, ‘Enough! We exist too!’” Aparicio is using the spotlight On the back of Roma, Aparicio to promote causes close to her connected with many ordinary heart: indigenous and women’s women in Mexico, and pushed rights in her country. celebrities to lend their support Taking a break from fi lm sets, to the Latin American feminist the 26-year-old from the Mixtec movement. community in the southern state Chilean singer Mon Laferte of Oaxaca is dedicating this year invited Aparicio to appear in the to working as a Unesco goodwill video for her song Plata Ta Ta, a ambassador for indigenous peo- high-octane reggaeton perform- Bolivia’s former mining minister Cesar Navarro leaves the office of the FELCC Anti-Crime Task Force after he was detained at the airport trying to board a flight ples. ance in which Aparicio wore a to Mexico, in La Paz, Bolivia. In her new role, Aparicio — green headscarf, the interna- the fi rst indigenous woman ever tional symbol of the struggle for nominated for a best actress Oscar women’s rights. — returned to school this week to Violence against women in give a talk at Harvard University’s Mexico — 10 are killed every day, Mexico Conference 2020. according to the United Nations In an interview with AFP in — and female empowerment Mexico City, she said she under- come up often when Aparicio stood that fame and her career speaks, and she describes herself would be “a series of ups and as a “feminist for equality.” “I downs.” “So the thing is to use am a feminist and I always have Morales keen to return this current high to lend visibil- been,” she said. ity (to indigenous communities) “Lots of times, people think and to explain to more people being a feminist means being the things that I have been con- ‘more than men’ when in reality, cerned about,” she said. “It’s it’s just a question of seeking the been gratifying.” equality that so many of us lack.” Aparacio became an inspira- Aparicio stumbled into the to Bolivia, run for Senate tion to many Mexicans when she world of movies by chance. earned rave reviews for her role Having recently graduated as a AFP Morales, Bolivia’s fi rst indig- himself a “victim of the United a legislator in the May ballot. in Roma, by Mexican director teacher, she accompanied her Santiago enous president, was in power States” empire. A judicial source told journal- Alfonso Cuaron. The fi lm ended sister to a casting call — with no for almost 14 years. Morales added he would like ists that judge Armando Zebal- up winning three Oscars. idea that she herself would be But he is now barred from to go back to Bolivia despite the los had ordered the detention Her Roma character Cleo is cast and it would change her life. xiled former Bolivian standing as a presidential can- probes launched against him of Patricia Hermosa, Morales’s a domestic worker inspired by Her sudden fl urry of globe- president Evo Morales said didate in the May ballot. following the release of an audio former cabinet chief. Cuaron’s own childhood nanny. trotting due to the success of Ein an interview that he In an interview with the Chil- tape in which he allegedly calls She was arrested on Friday on The fi lm’s success not only Roma left her longing to return wants to return home and run ean newspaper La Tercera, Mo- on supporters to cut off food charges of sedition, terrorism brought her international plau- to her hometown of Tlaxiaco, a for senator in the May elections. rales said that the night he left supplies to cities. and fi nancing of terrorism. dits, but she ended up doing in- community of 40,000 people in Morales fl ed the country in Bolivia, heading fi rst to Mexico, “We are assessing this. Who The presidential candidate terviews and photo shoots for the mountains who now see her December after the army with- he carried with him a suitcase “Who would not like to would not like to return?” Mo- for Morales’s Movement for top magazines such as Vogue and as a star. drew its support for him during with some clothes, a bit of food return? I am sure the rales said. “I am sure the people Socialism, former economy Vanity Fair — where indigenous “When I go back home, they violent protests over his dis- and two or three thousand dol- people of Bolivia are of Bolivia are crying for me to minister Luis Arce, returned to faces are rare. say to me, ‘What are you wash- puted re-election to a fourth lars. crying for me to return” return.” Bolivia last Tuesday and was Of course, the praise was ac- ing the dishes for? You just sit straight term. He said his replacement by Meanwhile a judge in Bolivia immediately served with a sub- companied by some vitriol on down, you’re a celebrity!’ and I He now lives in Argentina, acting president Jeanine Anez mocracy,” Morales was quoted ordered six months of preven- poena. social media. Many with indig- quip back that the plates aren’t and said he would like to go amounted to a putsch. as saying. tive detention to Morales’s le- He is accused of a breach of enous roots in Mexico have ex- going to suddenly slip out of my home, even though a warrant “What we lost with the coup He said he will run for a seat gal representative handling his duties and embezzlement dur- perienced discrimination, in a hands,” she said. exists for his arrest. we will recover on May 3 in de- in the Senate and declared nomination process to stand as ing his ministerial tenure. Devastating Brazil rains Trade union protests Bid to save desert spare coff ee region frogs from extinction Reuters said Felipe Sotomayor, the Santiago zoo’s deputy director. Reuters these were isolated occur- lyst at Pharos consultancy, be- Zoo researchers were forced Sao Paulo rences with no statistical sig- lieved the rainfall was positive, to start from scratch, fi rst add- nificance. in general. hen Chilean scien- ing minerals to distilled water “We had this unfortunate “It increased soil moisture tists last year dis- until they achieved a chemical he devastating rains that case when a mudslide carried and allowed for reservoirs to be Wcovered 14 Loa wa- composition similar to that of triggered landslides and 30,000 coffee trees down the replenished, which will be good ter frogs struggling to survive the Loa frog’s native habitat. Tfl ooding in Brazil’s Mi- hill, also taking down the farm- for irrigation going forward.” in a nearly dry river bed in the “There wasn’t a lot of re- nas Gerais state over the past er’s house, killing everyone,” In Espirito Santo, another state country’s northern desert, the search around how this animal week and brought more than 50 said Fernando Cerqueira, head impacted by heavy rains and clock began ticking. lived in the wild and so we had deaths apparently did not cause of Coocafe, a coffee co-oper- Brazil’s No 1 producer of robusta They believed these to be to extrapolate much of the in- much damage to coff ee fi elds in ative in Zona da Mata, Eastern coff ee, there was basically no among the last of the species. formation from its relatives,” the world’s largest production Minas Gerais. damage. The tiny, dark-spotted am- Sotomayor said. region. Cerqueira said one farmer in The main production areas phibians, Telmatobius dankoi, The International Union for According to analysts, re- the region saw his warehouse were located further north from had long persisted against all Conservation of Nature (IUCN) searchers and coff ee co-oper- collapse, with many bags carried the places where fl ooding had odds in a tiny creek in Chile’s considers the frog to be “criti- atives, despite the high death away by fl ood waters. displaced more than 10,000 Atacama desert, the world’s cally endangered,” but acknowl- toll and heavy damage to urban But overall, he said, not much people from their homes, ac- driest. edges more research is needed infrastructure, coff ee fi elds in further harm was reported. cording to agricultural research But pollution and habitat to understand their habitat and areas such as South of Minas More to the south, where Bra- centre Incaper. destruction outside Calama, save them from extinction. and Zona da Mata were unlikely zil’s largest arabica coff ee ex- “In the northern part of the a fast-growing mining city of The frog’s range is restricted to be negatively impacted, and porter Cooxupe is based, rains state, where most coff ee farms 180,000, has pushed the frogs to just 10sq km (3.9sq miles), indeed, could benefi t from the were less violent, says Mario are located, the rains were good to the brink, scientists say. a tiny oasis of water and extra moisture. Ferraz de Araujo, a manager for the crops,” said Abraao Ver- The frog’s tragic predica- reeds amid a sprawling Chil- Still, problems abound for overseeing technical develop- din, chief coff ee researcher at ment has now unleashed a new ean desert of parched sand and rural infrastructure with the ment for associated Cooxupe Incaper. eff ort in Chile to save them. rock. “The fi rst stage was to collapse of several bridges farmers. The experts said farmers Members of the CUT (Unified Workers’ Central), a national Scientists rushed the ail- save the lives of these animals,” and the deterioration of roads “Diff erently from other parts might fi nd it diffi cult to reach trade union, protest in Sao Paulo, Brazil, yesterday. The ing frogs by plane to Santiago, said Osvaldo Cabeza, the zoo’s linking farms to co-op ware- of the state, the rains here were some of the fi elds for crop care members were protesting a meeting between Brazilian where late last year they sought herpetology supervisor. houses. smooth. They lasted for several activities, such as fungicide President Jair Bolsonaro and the chairman of Sao Paulo State to recreate their habitat in San- Thirteen of the frogs sur- There were reports of land- days but fell regularly over time,” spreading, which could have Industry Federation (FIES) Paulo Skaf, at the state industry tiago’s Metropolitan Zoo. vived in their newly created slides wiping out thousands Araujo said. negative implications for pro- federation headquarters. “Our principal aim was to home in Santiago. One per- of coffee trees at once, but Haroldo Bonfa, a coff ee ana- duction. save them from extinction,” ished. Gulf Times 16 Tuesday, February 4, 2020 PAKISTAN Pakistani doctor’s China fl ights resume services hailed AFP/Reuters/Internews Internews Islamabad Islamabad

irlines in Pakistan re- Pakistani doctor has won sumed fl ights to and from the hearts of the Chinese AChina yesterday after Aafter he decided to off er health authorities said they are his services to help the country confi dent they had systems in fi ght against the deadly corona- place to keep the deadly corona- virus that has killed more than virus out of the country. 300 people and infected more The move runs counter to than 14,000. many other airlines and govern- “We appreciate Dr Mhamed ments, which have tightened Usman Janjua, a foreign doctor travel restrictions and suspend- to join the fi ght against corona- ed more fl ights in response to virus in China as a volunteer,” the fast-spreading virus which tweeted the Chinese embassy in is thought to have originated in Pakistan. China’s Hubei province. The Chinese mission shared China has long been an all- that Dr Janjua hails from the weather ally of Pakistan, and in Deena area of Jhelum in Pakistan recent years has provided Is- and teaches at the Changsha lamabad with billions of dollars Medical University in the Chi- in loans as part of Beijing’s global nese province of Hunan. Belt and Road infrastructure ini- Yao Jing, China’s ambassador to Pakistan, with health minister Mirza Dr Janjua, in an interview with tiative. (centre) at the joint press conference in Islamabad. Chinese media, said that China Some 28,000 to 30,000 Pa- is like a second home for him as kistanis are living in China, and Zealand and Vietnam have also fl ights to China due to the corona- he had completed his education more than 500 nationals are be- announced restrictions on travel virus outbreak. from there. lieved to be in Wuhan, where the from China, while numerous na- The United States, Germany, “My heart beats with my Chi- virus originated. tions have been evacuating citi- Britain and other countries have nese brothers. If I can off er my “Flight operations with China zens. issued warnings about travel to services in Wuhan in this diffi - have resumed,” Dr Zafar Mirza, The decision to resume fl ights China. cult hour, it would be a moment the adviser to Prime Minister was questioned by medical ex- Russia also sealed its remote of pride for me and my country Imran Khan on health, told re- perts in the country, where in- far-eastern border with China as a – Pakistan,” said Janjua. porters yesterday. vestment in healthcare has been precaution on Thursday. The medical petitioner also “I personally received passen- woefully lacking for decades. Some countries have banned thanked the Chinese media for gers from China this morning. I Pakistani students come out upon their arrival from China at the Islamabad International Airport. “Pakistan is not capable of entry for travellers from Wuhan, projecting him as a hero in front checked the whole system step Pakistan has resumed flight operations with China, days after it had suspended all direct flights with treating the coronavirus,” said the central Chinese city where the of the Chinese people. by step, and we have not seen any China as the death toll from the coronavirus epidemic soared past 360. The China Southern Airlines’ Athar Niaz Rana, a senior medi- virus fi rst surfaced. Dr Janjua also shared that as a suspected patients that needed flight from China brought 69 passengers – 57 Pakistanis and 12 Chinese. cal practitioner at Islamabad’s The global death toll from the doctor he feels that the Chinese to be kept under observation,” he Shifa International Hospitals. deadly coronavirus soared past government has taken “adequate added. before being allowed to leave the news conference with Mirza. ries most of the day, he said. “We don’t have any facility to 360 yesterday as Chinese stocks and powerful” measures at the There are currently more than airport. Prime Minister Khan has visit- Mirza said that there had been properly test suspected cases,” market crashed on the fi rst day of right time to tackle the virus. two dozen weekly fl ights be- Mirza and China’s ambassador ed China three times since taking seven suspected cases of people he told AFP. trade after the annual Lunar Year He also expressed his confi - tween Pakistan and China, civil to Pakistan Yao Jing were present offi ce in 2018. with coronavirus in Pakistan, but Chinese and Pakistani au- break in the country. dence that China will soon be aviation authority spokesman at the airport to supervise the The prime minister’s adviser all have so far proven negative. thorities said they are screening The fresh toll came a day after able to defeat the novel corona- Abdul Sattar Khokhar said. screening mechanism. has ruled out evacuating the Neighbouring India confi rmed passengers, and that 12 Chinese China imposed a lockdown on a virus. He told Reuters by text mes- “At Islamabad airport this students immediately, citing the its third case of the coronavirus citizens who had fl own into Pa- major city far from the epicentre Dr Janjua added that soon Pa- sage earlier in the day that a morning – received passengers risk of the virus spreading. yesterday. kistan would be traced and reg- and the fi rst fatality outside the kistani and citizens from other China Southern Airlines fl ight from China along with HE Chi- “We are really unhappy and China said on Saturday that istered by the Chinese embassy. country was reported in the Phil- countries would fi nd themselves carrying 145 passengers would nese Ambassador [in Pakistan]. students are very disappoint- its foreign minister, Wang Yi, Pakistan had on Friday halted ippines. safe. arrive in Islamabad. CZ6007 brought 69 passengers ed,” Mohamed Rauf, a Pakistani had raised travel restrictions in fl ights to and from China with Authorities in Hubei, the prov- On Saturday Foreign Minister Daily Jang newspaper reported – 57 Pakistanis and 12 Chinese. student in Wuhan told Reuters. a telephone call with Pakistan’s immediate eff ect as the death toll ince at the epicentre of the out- Shah Mahmood Qureshi assured that more than 60 passengers We supervised implementation “The situation is like a pressure foreign minister. from a virus outbreak increased break, reported 56 new fatalities, his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi from the Chinese city of Urumqi of ‘Airport SOPs’ and I inter- cooker.” The United States on Friday and the World Health Organi- with one reported in the south- that the Pakistani people “stand arrived in Pakistan yesterday. viewed passengers,” the health Students and their families barred entry to the US of foreign sation (WHO) called it a global western megalopolis of Chong- fi rmly with their Chinese broth- Sources told the Urdu daily minister tweeted. were becoming more anxious, nationals who have recently vis- health emergency. qing. ers” and will provide full assist- that the passengers on the plane “They are carefully scrutinised unable to sleep, and most of ited China. Some airlines, including Brit- That took the toll in China to ance as Beijing tackles the ongo- would be screened for the virus and monitored here,” Yao told a them were shut in their dormito- Singapore, Australia, New ish Airways, have suspended 361. ing coronavirus outbreak.

Prime Minister Khan leaves for Apex court stops Age no bar Malaysia on two-day off icial visit Prime Minister Imran Khan left yesterday for Malaysia on a two-day off icial visit, his second visit to the southeast Asian nation since coming into power. FIA probe into He is accompanied by Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Minister for Planning and Development Asad Umar, and Adviser to the Prime Minister on Commerce Abdul Razaq Dawood. Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamed had extended an Peshawar project invitation to PM Imran for the visit. The two premiers would have tete-a-tete, followed by delegation- level talks as well as signing of various important agreements and Internews project, the KP government memorandums of understanding (MoUs). Islamabad said the new date for the com- Khan would also address a think-tank event by Malaysia’s Institute pletion of the Peshawar BRT is of Strategic and International Studies (ISIS), according to the July 31 of this year. statement. he Supreme Court of In December last year, a fi ve- During his various interactions, the prime minister will share his Pakistan has stopped member special inquiry team vision about Pakistan and underline Pakistan’s positive contribution Tthe Federal Investiga- of the KP division of the FIA to regional and international peace and security. tion Agency (FIA) from looking had started a probe into alleged He will also highlight the dire human rights and humanitarian into alleged irregularities in the irregularities in the Peshawar situation in occupied Kashmir, emphasise the importance of Peshawar Bus Rapid Transit BRT project in line with the averting risks to regional peace and stability posed by Indian (BRT) project. PHC’s directions. “belligerence”, and underscore the importance of peaceful A three-member bench After hearing three petitions resolution of Kashmir dispute. of the apex court headed by related to the bus-transit sys- The premier’s visit is “another sign of robust engagement between Justice Umar Ata Bandial an- tem, a high court bench con- Pakistan and Malaysia, and the shared commitment to further nounced its verdict on the sisting of Chief Justice Waqar fortify the strategic partnership between the two countries”. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa govern- Seth and Justice Ahmad Ali He last visited Malaysia on November 20, 2018. ment’s petition challenging a had directed the FIA on No- Peshawar High Court (PHC) vember 14, 2019, to investigate order from November 2019, the project in light of 35 points Number of polio cases raised to 144 directing the FIA to conduct an identifi ed by it and act against inquiry into diff erent aspects of delinquents if any found in the Pakistani authorities have confirmed four new cases of polio, days the bus project. inquiry report to be compiled after the UN health body asked the country to overhaul its strategy Additionally, the apex court in 45 days. in curbing the crippling disease. sought details of the total cost Following this, the KP gov- “Four new cases were confirmed last night,” Zulfikar Babakhel, a as well as details regarding the ernment and the Peshawar senior off icial from the national polio eradication programme, told completion of the project. Development Authority (PDA) DPA on Saturday, adding that the samples had been collected in “What is the initial cost of had moved the apex court December, taking the number of 2019 cases to 144, a five-year high. the BRT? What was the ini- against the verdict. “We have seven confirmed cases of 2020 as well,” he said. tial date for the completion of A high court bench headed Pakistani authorities are struggling to contain the spread of the the project? When will it be by Justice Seth had also or- polio virus amid attacks against vaccination workers. fi nished?” Justice Bandial in- dered the National Account- A man plays on a swing in Charsadda, near Peshawar. Late last month unknown gunmen shot dead two female health quired. ability Bureau on July 17, 2018, workers in Khyber Pakhntunkwa during a vaccination campaign. “Is there even a date for the to conduct a proper investiga- The news comes after the World Health Organisation (WHO) completion of the project?” tion and inquiry into the BRT’s warned Pakistan to overhaul its strategy to prevent the spread of asked Justice Mazhar Alam aff airs. polio from turning into an epidemic. Khan Miankhel. However, the provincial The number of polio cases peaked at 306 in 2014, the year an During the proceedings, the government and the PDA fi led off ensive against the Taliban began. KP government’s lawyer al- a petition with the Supreme Punjab lawmaker disqualifi ed The number of cases fell to 54 in 2015 and kept falling in the three leged that the PHC had issued Court, requesting to set aside years that followed, according to off icial statistics. its verdict without any reason- the said order. Pakistan and Afghanistan are among only a handful of countries in ing. As a Supreme Court bench Internews Ghaff ar, a resident of Bahawal- whether he is supposed to (have the world where polio is still prevalent. “The PHC had given a ver- headed by the then-chief jus- Islamabad nagar district. been a) student of this university dict which the petitioner had tice Saqib Nisar had suspended The petition cited the provin- in the discipline of Bachelor of not even requested,” the lawyer the high court’s order on Sep- cial assembly’s secretary, Punjab Business Administration (BBA) Accountability court acquits ex-PM claimed. tember 4, 2018, fi ndings of the he Islamabad High Court Assembly’s speaker, Mahmood, or otherwise.” While the top court stopped NAB’s inquiry did not see the (IHC) has disqualifi ed a and the Election Commission of The report further states: “The An accountability court in Lahore has acquitted former prime the FIA from investigating the light of day. Tmember of the Punjab Pakistan (ECP) as respondents. record held in the university re- minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf and seven others in a case related Assembly from Bahawalnagar, Earlier, the ECP’s counsel veals that Kashif Mahmood, son to illegal recruitments in the Gujranwala Electric Power Company Kashif Mahmood, for holding a Sanaullah Zahid had suggested to of Khalid Mahmood, has neither (Gepco). Bail granted to 23 detained protesters bogus Bachelor of Business Ad- the IHC that the educational cre- been student of Al-Khair Uni- Judge Amjad Nazir Chaudhry accepted the request for the ministration (BBA) degree. dentials of the lawmaker should versity Bhimber (AJK) nor gradu- dismissal of the case, which had been filed recently after The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has granted bail to 23 protesters Mahmood belongs to the Pa- be verifi ed from the university. ated in the course of Bachelor of the government introduced amendments to the National detained for protesting the arrest of Pashtun Tahaff uz Movement kistan Muslim League – Nawaz In its report, the university Business Administration.” Accountability Bureau (NAB) Ordinance. (PTM) leader Manzoor Pashteen. (PML-N). states: “The university has thor- The petitioner stated in his The NAB had filed a reference against the former prime minister in Member of the National Assembly (MNA) Mohsin Dawar and other Justice Aamer Farooq of the Is- oughly checked the academic plea that the member of the Pro- 2016 for recruiting 437 people illegally to the Gepco. activists had taken into custody on January 28 when they were lamabad High Court announced record of Kashif Mahmood, son vincial Assembly (MPA) had sub- According to the NAB prosecutor, individuals who had not even protesting against Pashteen’s arrest. the verdict that was reserved on of Khalid Mahmood, from ad- mitted a fake bachelor’s degree to applied were given jobs, merit was ignored, and appointments Dawar was later released, but other protesters were booked under November 5. mission, registration, exami- the ECP to participate in the 2018 made on a political basis. The recruitments had also violated the sedition charges. The petition was fi led by Abdul nation and accounts branches, general election. policy of written examinations and domicile, the NAB alleged. Gulf Times Tuesday, February 4, 2020 17 PHILIPPINES

Govt steps up security to shield power grid from foreign control

The Philippines is beefing up security protocols to protect its energy sector from foreign in- Duterte says xenophobia terference, its national security adviser said, following concerns raised by some of the country’s politicians about China’s access to the country’s power grid. China’s State Grid Corp owns a 40% share in a consortium against Chinese must stop called the National Grid Corp of the Philippines, which in Reuters 2008 won a 25-year-franchise. Manila “Allegations that the National Grid can easily be controlled by foreign entities are being taken resident Rodrigo Duterte seriously by the government,” yesterday urged Philip- National Security Adviser Her- Ppine citizens to stop stir- mogenes Esperon said in a Feb ring up anti-Chinese xeno- 2 statement. phobia related to the outbreak Esperon’s statement, which of a coronavirus that emerged did not name any foreign in Wuhan, China, in December entity in particular, comes as and has since killed more than the Philippine senate started an 300 and infected more than investigation into China’s access 17,000. to country’s power grid. The coronavirus outbreak Senator Risa Hontiveros filed has stoked a wave of anti-China a resolution late last year call- sentiment around the globe, ing for the probe, warning of from shops barring entry to Chinese-engineered power and Chinese tourists, online mock- Internet outages and interfer- ing or the country’s exotic meat ence in elections if safeguards trade and surprise health checks remained absent. Beijing and on foreign workers. US ally Manila have a long histo- In the Philippine capital, Ad- ry of mistrust, despite Philippine amson University asked all its President Rodrigo Duterte’s pur- Chinese students to observe a suit of warmer ties with China. 14-day self-quarantine as a pre- China’s embassy in Manila did caution. not immediately respond to a Criticism of that decision request for comment. There are led the university to extend the no publicly known instances in quarantine to all students and the Philippines, or government staff who had travelled to areas accusations, of Chinese interfer- where the virus was prevalent. ence in its utilities. “China has been kind to us, Esperon said a cyber-security we can only also show the same audit team, which includes favour to them. officials from the National Secu- Stop this xenophobia thing”, rity Council and the country’s Duterte said in a news confer- armed forces, looked at various ence after meeting with agen- sites around the country and cies on the coronavirus, which recommended that periodic claimed its fi rst fatality in the cyber-security assessments be Philippines on Saturday. done to “ensure that our power The virus has spread to more grids are safe from foreign than a dozen countries, many of manipulation”. Concern about them in Southeast Asia, which China’s involvement in the has sensitive relations with power grid was first raised in China amid concerns about November during the energy Beijing’s political clout in the department’s 2020 budget region and sovereignty disputes hearing in the Senate. in the South China Sea. Chinese nationals leave a Chinese airline off ice after securing their return flight at the international airport in Manila, yesterday. “The administration is taking China-Philippines relations steps and precautionary have often been frosty over China, but it could always incu- Not the Chinese, not the Fili- The Philippines is host to making China the second- lier restriction that covered only measures to guarantee that the maritime disputes, but ties have bate in some other place”, said pino, no one”, Duterte said. dozens of off shore gambling highest nation of origin for those from Hubei province. National Grid Corp of the Philip- warmed under Duterte, who Duterte. The Chinese Embassy in Ma- operators that employ many international travellers to the Duterte said the government pines, its facilities and infra- prefers not to provoke Beijing He assured the public there nila said on Friday it was paying Chinese workers. country. To contain the spread is looking at the possibility of structure are protected with the and wants to tap it for loans and was no reason to panic and close attention to the epidemic Chinese tourists accounted of the virus, the Philippine on using a drug rehabilitation fa- highest security procedures,” investment. that “everything is well” in the in the Philippines and is com- for 22% of the 7.5mn visitors to Sunday expanded its travel ban cility donated by a Chinese phi- Esperon said. “They are blaming the Chi- country. municating with its govern- the Philippines between Janu- to include all foreigners coming lanthropist to quarantine Fili- nese that (the virus) came from “It is not the fault of anybody. ment. ary and November last year, from China, widening an ear- pino evacuees from Hubei. Health dept monitors 80 suspected cases Police to assist in crackdown on By John Eric Mendoza Manila Times face mask hoarding he number of patients suspected to have been By Darwin Pesco the chiefs of police to monitor Tinfected by the 2019 nov- Manila Times possible supplies and possible el coronavirus acute respira- panic buying of masks and the tory disease (2019-nCoV ARD) orderliness in buying, “ Gam- more than doubled in just two he police will assist con- boa said. days, the Department of Health cerned agencies in mon- He noted that wearing masks (DoH) said yesterday. Titoring the hoarding of inside police camps was left to Health Secretary Francisco face masks and other medical the discretion of their com- Duque 3rd said the department supplies that have gone scarce manders. was monitoring 80 patients because of the 2019 novel coro- Following the reported death suspected to be carrying the navirus acute respiratory dis- of the first nCov patient in the deadly virus. ease (2019-nCoV ARD) scare. Philippines, Gamboa urged the These patients under inves- Philippine National Police public to remain calm. tigation (PUIs) are being ob- chief Gen. Archie Francisco “I would like to echo the served in various hospitals. Gamboa said yesterday he had call of our health authorities On Saturday, there were only assigned the Criminal Inves- to remain calm and informed 36 PUIs. tigation and Detection Group amid this global public health “This substantial increase in and local police units to help emergency, and instead focus the number of PUIs is due to the the Department of Trade and attention and effort in pro- strengthened surveillance sys- Industry (DTI) and the local moting personal hygiene and tem and contact tracing of the government units (LGUs) in strengthening of the immune Epidemiology Bureau,” Duque checking reports of hoarding of system thru proper nutrition told reporters. A security officer checks the temperature of tenants of an office building in Manila, yesterday. and profiteering in the masks and healthy lifestyle,” he said. Fercito Avelino, head of the and related items. Last week, Interior Secretary Health department’s Epidemi- the infected couple developed the country’s second confi rmed Tropical Medicine (RITM) re- although we advised them to be Gamboa made it clear that Eduardo Ano ordered baran- ology Bureau, said offi cials have cough and colds, symptoms of case of nCoV. The man was the ported that 30 PUIs tested neg- conscious of their health, based the DTI was still the leading gay (village) officials to start traced 74 persons who sat near the respiratory disease. travel companion of the 38- ative for nCoV. on their laboratory results, they agency in the crackdown on an intensive cleanup drive by the Chinese couple who had All those who had contact year-old woman who became The RITM said 10 patients are negative of nCoV,” Avelino traders overpricing medical properly disposing of garbage been confi rmed to be carrying with the couple were told to the country’s fi rst case of nCoV. had been discharged from hos- said. supplies. He also gave orders to and cleaning up the streets and the virus. The man died on Sat- undergo home quarantine for The couple travelled to Cebu pital, but were under strict He added that those under the chiefs of police to watch the waterways. urday. 14 days. On Sunday, the Health City and Dumaguete City days monitoring. home quarantine should isolate stores for possible panic buy- Ano also directed LGUs to Avelino added that eight per- department confi rmed the before seeking treatment. “The ten people who were themselves and not mingle with ing. create their own Coronavirus sons who came in contact with death of the 44-year-old man, The Research Institute for sent home have been cleared, family members. “We have given orders to Task Force. 65 areas across nation under watch for bird fl u

By Eireene J Gomez day, BAI Director Ronnie Do- grammes to prevent the entry egrine falcon, northern shoveller fairs reported that almost 18,000 Since 2003, H5N1 has killed ban on the importation of do- Manila Times mingo said the critical areas are of avian fl u in our country. Our and the Philippine mallard. chickens were culled in Hunan 455 people worldwide, accord- mestic and wild birds, and their wetlands and forests where mi- regular surveillance is continu- Domingo said the country after an outbreak of H5N1. ing to the World Organisation products, including poultry gratory birds frequent. ous,” Domingo said. does not allow vaccines to pre- Hunan lies on the southern for Animal Health. meat, day old chicks, eggs and he Department of Agri- The areas include Buguey The Philippines has a signifi - vent the bird fl u, noting that border of Hubei province, the As part of the efforts to pre- other related items originating culture’s Bureau of Ani- Wetlands (Cagayan province), cant role in bird migration. there are about 190 subtypes epicentre of the coronavirus vent the presence of bird flu in from Poland, after it reported Tmal Industry (DA-BAI) Candaba Swamp (Pampanga), It has 117 “Important Bird Ar- that can cause mutation, and can outbreak. the country, Domingo said the an outbreak of H5N8 Highly is closely monitoring 65 areas Naujan Lake (Mindoro), Olango eas,” which serve as habitats for only worsen the presence of the Reports say bird flu is much Agriculture department would Pathogenic Avian Influenza. across the country that could Island (Cebu), Agusan Marsh large numbers of these birds at a disease. deadlier than either the severe continuously impose tempo- In 2017, the DA confirmed be possible entry points for the (Agusan del Sur) and Las Pi- time, making them crucial sites “It’s useless. Vaccines are pro- acute respiratory syndrome rary ban on poultry products an avian influenza outbreak in H5N1 avian infl uenza or bird fl u. nas-Paranaque Critical Habitat for bird conservation. hibited because we might just or the 2019 novel coronavirus from countries affected by bird Pampanga, with about 37,000 The monitoring was launched and Ecotourism Area (coasts There are over 600 bird spe- introduce new subtype,” Do- acute respiratory disease, but flu. birds dying from H5N6 and after the avian fl u was reported of the cities of Las Pinas and cies in the Philippines, around mingo said. no human cases have been re- Just last week, Agriculture over 600,000 birds culled to in China’s Hunan province. Paranaque). 150 of which are migratory such Last Sunday, China’s Minis- ported yet following the out- Secretary William Dar issued a stop the disease from spreading Speaking to reporters yester- “We will not stop our pro- as grey heron, purple heron, per- try of Agriculture and Rural Af- break in China. directive imposing a temporary further. Gulf Times 18 Tuesday, February 4, 2020 COMMENT

CHAIRMAN Abdullah bin Khalifa al-Attiyah EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Faisal Abdulhameed al-Mudahka Deputy Managing Editor K T Chacko P.O.Box 2888, Doha, Qatar [email protected] 44350478 (News), 44466404 (Sport), 44466636 (Home delivery) 44350474 facebook.com/gulftimes twitter.com/gulftimes_Qatar GULF TIMES Women’s tennis has never been more open

The last fi ve women’s Grand Slams have now been won by fi ve diff erent players. Good luck trying to predict who triumphs at the French Open. Sofi a Kenin’s three-set victory over Garbine Muguruza in Saturday’s fi nal at the Australian Open underlined just how open the women’s game is. The young American was seeded 14th in Melbourne and her best performance at a Slam prior to this was reaching the round of 16 at Roland Garros last year. But here the fi ery 21-year-old was, beating world number one and home hope Ashleigh Barty in the semi-fi nals and Wars and viruses: Are then defeating two-time Slam champion Muguruza. A Kenin-Muguruza fi nal was 750-1 with British bookmakers before the tournament. Kenin’s victory was the last episode in a wildly unpredictable draw in which six of the top-10 women’s robots less prone to panic? seeds, including Serena Williams and holder Naomi Osaka, went out in round three. By Saikat Chatterjee the Wall Street fl ash crash of 2010 and technology, to “read and analyse” against that backdrop,” said Geoquant Moscow-born Kenin, jumped to seventh in the world and London dramatic but fl eeting yen moves in Jan news feeds, then react accordingly, all CEO Mark Rosenberg, who concluded 2019. in the space of seconds, said Antony the risk would subside, with minimal oil above Williams as the top-ranked American, has confi dence But they also off er the advantage Foster, head of G10 FX trading at price impact. in bucketfuls. idely blamed for volatile of being able to transact at lightening Nomura. Another fi rm, Predata, applied its The unwavering “fl ash crashes” in speed at any hour of the day or night, However this can “lead to machine-reading algorithm to last belief that she was currencies and equities, with razor-sharp accuracy and lower overreaction in the fi rst instance”, Foster September’s attacks on Saudi oil Kenin’s Australian destined for the Whigh-frequency overall costs. warned. facilities, which had raised fears of a The impact in fast-moving markets biggest stage in tennis algorithms may also be why shock Being machines, they are also alien regional war. Open victory global events, including the current to the common human impulses of fear can be outsized if the models rapidly To predict what might happen next, shone through in coronavirus, seem to have lost their and greed that tend to take over. push prices towards existing buy/sell the programme compares interested proves depth in the past fortnight in power to spook markets for any length “Human trading tends to be order levels, trip them and trigger other parties’ online attention to a subject, Melbourne. of time. emotional but machine trading is very orders. with the media coverage it receives, women’s tennis Yet she was reticent Whether stocks, bonds, currencies dispassionate,” said Scott Wacker, That’s what happened when news Predata CEO Hazem Dawani said. when asked if she or commodities, asset prices seem less global head of fi xed income, currency broke of Iran’s Jan 8 attack, according The Saudi event elicited little has improved prone to any selloff for very long; the US and commodity e-sales at JPMorgan, to a quant fund manager, who said reaction from military offi cials and will be the one who killing of an Iranian general and Iran’s one bank at the forefront of the algo algos had bought yen with the aim of policymakers. enormously emerges from the pack retaliatory missile attack are among revolution. triggering larger buy orders once a key “The amount of news was far more behind the 38-year-old potential catastrophes that triggered “As a result, the reaction functions option barrier was tripped. than the amount of attention being Williams to win multiple Major titles. violent but surprisingly shortlived in currency markets to even major A plausible comparison may be the devoted on the particular subject reactions just since the start of 2020. geopolitical news has considerably 0.6% plunge in the S&P 500 within the by investors, politicians, companies “I would love to, that would be amazing,” said Kenin after In both cases, knee-jerk yen-buying shortened.” space of half an hour on Jan 29. directly impacted by them,” Dawani defeating Spain’s Muguruza. and selling of equities faded within In short, when left-fi eld events hit, The move came after American said. “Right now I still can’t believe what just happened. I need hours, allowing stocks to scale new not only can algos scan and react swiftly Airlines and Lufthansa said they were He concluded — rightly — that there to somehow come down and just let it all sink in.” record peaks. to newsfeed, many now can gauge the suspending their China fl ights, but would be no escalation. There is a marked contrast between men’s and women’s Now even as China’s coronavirus potential asset price impact. an hour later, the losses had been Executives at half a dozen fi rms tennis. threatens to throttle economic growth, The most sophisticated can be recouped. providing risk analysis for algo global stocks are not far off all-time “trained” to learn from the experience Stephane Malrait, ING Bank’s head of strategies told Reuters their services Last year’s Grand Slam titles in the women’s game were highs. before the next shock. market structure and innovation, says were increasingly in demand, but won by Osaka (Australian Open), Barty (French Open), Certainly, many factors are shaping One currency trader familiar with in such instances algos are programmed declined to give fi gures. Simona Halep (Wimbledon) and Bianca Andreescu (US the resilience, not least central bank algo use said a machine reading to check if moves are in line with price But they acknowledged limitations. Open). money printing and rising global coronavirus cases would typically buy trends. Reactions to the coronavirus for Yet in the men’s game, Novak Djokovic triumphed at last savings which boosted the value of stocks if informed of “500 new cases, If the swings are in response to the an instance could be hobbled because the world stocks by $25tn in the past 10 deaths”. “If it’s ‘3000 new cases, 200 incident, human traders can step in to only meaningful precedent is the 2003 year’s Australian Open and Wimbledon, and Rafael Nadal decade. deaths’ they might sell. smooth out the trade, Malrait added. Sara epidemic which also coincided won the French and US Opens. Yet it is hard not to link the shift in “The point being that as soon as Next, the algos may gauge the with the US invasion of Iraq. Those two, along with 20-time Grand Slam champion reaction by fi nancial markets to the rise a headline is out, the machine-led seriousness of the incident based on Second, the pathogen and its dangers Roger Federer, have reigned over men’s tennis for the best of automated trading strategies. market is trading on it,” the trader said, patterns of investor behaviour and are relatively unknown. part of two decades. In the past six years, the share of speaking on condition of anonymity. economic consequences that followed Rosenberg said Geoquant’s China algo-trading in the $6.6tn-a-day FX But the machines had ‘vol triggers’, previous such episodes. Health Risk index was at record highs. But the 33-year-old Spaniard Nadal will once more be hot market has more than doubled to 27% he said, meaning they can stop trading After the Iran missile attacks, the That has pushed up the fi rm’s favourite at the French Open in May-June, having won the among fund managers, a survey by when the market moves beyond message from the specialised data- Social Instability Risk index for China, crown there a remarkable 12 times. Greenwich Associates found. specifi ed limits. crunchers to the algos was: stand down. pressuring Chinese markets. In comparison, the women’s draw in Paris looks like being There is some reason to believe algos Simple fi rst- and second-generation One was Geoquant, a US fi rm which However, he said this correlation another bun fi ght. cause volatility, especially when trading programmes merely broke down large monitors geopolitical events and models breaks down beyond short periods. thins and the humans overseeing them buy/sell orders into chunks to minimise the asset price impact. “The longer-term relationship Williams will once more be chasing a record-equalling vanish, for instance during public market impact. “We modelled our Iranian between Chinese Health Risk and 24th Grand Slam title, but it is her least-favourite surface. holidays. Now algos can be hooked up to geopolitical indicator back to seven equities, Chinese or global, is basically She may need to wait until Wimbledon if she is to equal That’s what likely happened during sophisticated language processing years and put the current tensions zero,” he said. – Reuters Margaret Court’s record for career Slam titles. Defending champion Barty and former winners Halep and Muguruza will be expected to challenge at Roland Garros. Now add Kenin to the mix. Osaka has never been past round three. Or could it be another Jelena Ostapenko, the then-47th ranked Latvian who — much like Kenin — came out of left fi eld to win in 2017? She has lifted one title since. Some argue that, Williams aside, it shows up the weakness of women’s tennis. But that’s not the case as there are at least 20 players who are capable of winning Grand Slams. The depth in women’s tennis has improved enormously.

To Advertise [email protected] Display 44466621 44418811 Classified 44466609 44418811 Subscription [email protected]

© 2020 Gulf Times. All rights reserved High-frequency algorithms may be why shock global events seem to have lost their power to spook markets for any length of time. Gulf Times Tuesday, February 4, 2020 19 COMMENT Understanding Breast Cancer in Qatar and the Arab region starts with genetics

Dr Fares al-Ejeh, a senior scientist at The age-standardised rate – events Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, Palestine, for cancer-related genes to identify HBKU’s Qatar Biomedical Research per 100,000 population – for breast Egypt, Sudan, Morocco, Somalia and women who should. in consultation Institute, looks at genetic factors cancer incidence and mortality in Algeria. The young age (between 20 with their physician, do check-ups to understand why breast cancer 2018 in females of all ages and in age- and 44) of breast cancer diagnosis in more regularly. aff ects younger women in the Mena specific groups was analysed in the almost half of the Arab countries is Through the Breast Cancer region. Mena subregions, globally, and in the most likely due to genetic factors. IDRP starting in 2020, QBRI is USA and Europe. Age-standardised rates for breast collaborating with the country’s In 2018, 78,937 females were cancer incidence were obtained Hamad Medical Corporation as well reast cancer in the diagnosed with breast cancer in the from the GLOBOCAN 2018 for as the King Hussain Cancer Centre in Arab region has unique Mena region and breast cancer was females between 20 and 44 years Jordan to analyse blood from familial characteristics and imposes the leading cause of cancer diagnosis of age. Diff erent age brackets were (hereditary) breast cancer patients Bsignificant burdens on and mortality in females in each investigated. Every human has both with and without BRCA mutations women, their families, society, and Arab country. However, there were the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes – BRCA by whole genome sequencing (WGS) healthcare providers. Among these considerable differences across the being the BReast CAncer gene. These to identify other genes implicated in unique characteristics is the fact that Mena subregions for breast cancer genes suppress tumours and their breast cancer in Arabs. breast cancer tends to affect women incidence, mortality, and mortality- inactivation have been linked to cancer Other molecular profiling such as at a younger age in Arab countries. to-incidence ratio (MIR). susceptibility. A recent study reported Ribonucleic Acid (RNA) sequencing The Cancer Research Centre at The Arabian Gulf had the lowest that the Levant region had the highest will also be carried out. RNA is a Qatar Biomedical Research Institute incidence age-standardised rate of BRCA mutations prevalence (28%) polymeric molecule that is essential (QBRI) focuses on cancer biology, 33.0, followed by the African Arab in hereditary breast and/or ovarian in various biological roles in coding, immunology and immunotherapy, countries (45.8), while the incidence cancer patients compared to the decoding, regulation and expression and has established an inter- in females in the Levant (Syria, Arabian Gulf and North Africa regions. of genes. Other profiling to be carried disciplinary research programme Jordan, Lebanon and Palestine) This is in line with higher breast cancer out in the IDRP include proteomics, (IDRP) which is launching this year was higher (70) than the global rate incidence in young females in the metabolomic and others on blood and where a team has been analysing (46.3). The incidence ASR was 84.9 in Levant region. tissue from breast cancer patients. the differences between the various the USA and 74.4 in Europe. Either due to higher incidence The ultimate goal of IDRP is to countries in the Middle East and The MIR – calculated by dividing at a younger age in some Arab develop tailored diagnostics to North Africa (Mena) region. the number of deaths for a selected countries or the younger median age enable personalised treatment and The programme not only aims cancer type in a given year by the of females in Arab populations, the management of breast cancer in Arab to gain a molecular understanding number of newly diagnosed cases for healthcare systems in Arab countries populations. Underpinning this vital of breast cancer in Qatar and the that cancer in the same year – was are expected to encounter younger scientific research, QBRI’s IDRP also Arab region, but also focuses generally higher in the Mena region women affected by breast cancer. aims to alleviate some of the burdens on developing biomarkers for than the global figure for 2018. Breast cancer screening associated with breast cancer. early diagnosis and screening of The MIR for breast cancer for (mammograms) are usually done for breast cancer, predicting disease all age groups in the Arabian Gulf Dr Fares al-Ejeh, senior scientist at Qatar Biomedical Research Institute. women aged 45-49 years for earlier z Dr Fares al-Ejeh is a senior progression (prognosis), and was the best (0.29) across the Mena diagnosis of breast cancer to improve scientist at Qatar Biomedical predicting response to treatments. region, and was similar to the global management in the Mena region can and in the USA and Europe. The survival chances. Given the higher Research Institute, part of Hamad Bin As part of the ongoing work within MIR (0.28) but was higher than the be improved for females in all age conclusion drawn from this analysis incidence in women aged 20-44 years Khalifa University. He leads a research this programme, researchers have USA (0.22) and Europe (0.20). The groups to reach similar figures to is that, compared to the global in some Arab countries, mammograms group focusing on translational analysed the differences between Levant and Iraq showed lower MIR those in the USA and Europe. age-standardised rate, nine of the may need to be carried out at a younger research in breast cancer, where countries in the Mena region using (0.35) than African Arab countries The age-standardised rate for 19 (47%) Arab countries analysed age in those countries. Another he is developing diagnostics and GLOBOCAN 2018, an online database (0.38), but all were higher for all age breast cancer incidence in age- had higher breast cancer incidence strategy to prevent late diagnosis, targeted therapies against aggressive providing estimates of incidence and groups than the USA, Europe and the specific groups was also investigated in 2018 in females between 20 and thus worse chances of survival from breast cancer using integrative and mortality for 36 types of cancer. global figure. Overall, breast cancer in the Mena subregions, globally, 44 years of age. Those nine are breast cancer, is genetic screening interdisciplinary approaches.

Trendy at 78: How candidate Sanders Three-day forecast TODAY Maximum Temperature : 220c has won the backing of young stars Minimum Temperature : 160c WEDNESDAY Maximum Temperature : 220c Minimum Temperature : 160c class environment in New York,” said and then you see her pushing very AFP THURSDAY Washington Briahna Joy Gray, Sanders’ national hard for a particular candidate, you Maximum Temperature : 240c press secretary. understand the connection between Minimum Temperature : 170c Having “only recently become her experience and her involvement,” he scene was unexpected, to successful,” Gray added, the rapper Spellman said. Fisherman's forecast say the least: In the middle of knows something about issues like “And then it starts to make the a nail salon in gritty Detroit, low-wage jobs. connection in your own life real and WARNING Inshore : Nil Tcontroversial young rapper The interview in a nail salon relevant.” Offshore : Expected strong wind Cardi B sat across from 78-year-old “was her idea,” said Rene Spellman, A key to victory? with high sea till noon Senator Bernie Sanders, questioning Sanders’ deputy campaign manager, Celebrity endorsements “have been WEATHER the would-be Democratic presidential adding that “we have a lot of hip-hop a part of US presidential politics for Inshore : Moderate temperature nominee about the issues of the day. endorsers.” nearly a hundred years,” said David daytime with some From healthcare to police violence, Both women said it was the Jackson, a political science professor clouds, cold by night the former strip-tease dancer grilled candidate’s history as an anti- at Bowling Green State University, in Offshore : Scattered clouds the ageing politician for 12 minutes. establishment figure from a culture Ohio. “But in the past 30 years or so, WIND Once the interview was over, Cardi of protest that has attracted celebrity involvement has grown.” Inshore : Northwesterly-North- B posted snippets on social media, youthful celebrities and others, not He said there were “lots of studies easterly 05-15 KT Offshore : Northwesterly 08-18 KT where they would be viewed millions to mention older personalities like showing that celebrity endorsements of times. film makers Michael Moore and Jim do infl uence not just people’s opinions Visibility : 4-8 KM Reaching potential voters with Jarmusch. about particular policies, but their Offshore : 2-5 FT no great interest in politics is hugely The concert candidate votes as well.” important for candidates, who often But do these endorsements make a But there are two keys to whether seek celebrities’ help in breaking real diff erence? endorsements matter: the star must through. And in the United States, Senator Bernie Sanders Even more than this weekend’s be well-liked and must have some where Hollywood awards shows are pre-rally concerts with indie groups credibility on the subject being Around the region often politicised, many celebrities are Sanders’ attraction like Bon Iver and Vampire Weekend or discussed. Weather Weather only too happy to take their political The Sanders paradox – he various fundraising events, they can Can endorsements guarantee today Max/min tomorrow Max/min views to a broader public. galvanised youthful supporters in his reach diff erent audiences. victory? Hardly. Baghdad P Cloudy 18/06 Sunny 21/07 If the other most left-leaning 2016 campaign as well – is alluded “We have to fi nd ways to reach In 2016, Hillary Clinton was the Kuwait City M Sunny 18/10 Sunny 20/12 Democratic candidate, Senator to in a video by supermodel Emily audiences that aren’t the same candidate with by far the longest Manama P Cloudy 19/14 Sunny 21/16 Elizabeth Warren, can brag about the Ratajkowski. people who are maybe watching the list of star supporters, most of them Muscat Sunny 23/16 Sunny 24/17 backing of soccer world champion “He is not a young, sexy candidate,” mainstream news,” Gray said. Democrats. Tehran P Cloudy 10/02 Sunny 11/03 Megan Rapinoe or superstar actress she says, adding that “he is powerful Spellman, who has worked in the But she lost to Donald Trump. Scarlett Johansson, self-described not because of who he is as one person, music industry, added that politicians Even if such support doesn’t democratic socialist Sanders has his but because of the way he invigorates need to reach out to people who translate directly into votes, it can own impressive list of supporters from people.” don’t necessarily see the relevance of be useful, Jackson said, because among the country’s youngest and Is Sanders stocking up on under-30 politics. celebrities “bring excitement to trendiest stars. star supporters in order to distract The support of stars, added candidates, and attract media The oldest of the 11 Democrats still from his own advanced age? His staff Spellman, who is responsible for the attention.” in the race, Sanders scored a major strongly denies this. campaign’s relations with celebrities, Indeed, there was no shortage of coup when he posed with global pop Cardi B, who herself recently can help a candidate appeal on a more journalists — including from AFP — star Ariana Grande (who has 173mn expressed interest in pursuing politics, personal basis. covering Bernie Sanders’ nail-salon Instagram followers) after a concert. “grew up, you know, in a working- “When you know who Cardi B is... summit with Cardi B.

Around the world Weather Weather Live issues today Max/min tomorrow Max/min Athens Sunny 18/12 M Sunny 16/04 Beirut P Cloudy 17/14 Sunny 20/15 Bangkok Sunny 32/25 Sunny 32/25 Berlin Showers 06/00 P Cloudy 06/02 Protein coating created to prevent tooth decay Cairo M Sunny 22/11 Sunny 23/13 Cape Town P Cloudy 24/16 M Cloudy 21/16 Colombo P Cloudy 32/24 P Cloudy 32/23 QNA protect teeth, which is in the form of settling the surface of the teeth, cavities, and when applying a thick Dhaka Sunny 24/13 P Cloudy 23/13 Beijing peptides in the saliva of the mouth, reduces the damage of tooth enamel layer periodically, the microbes die Hong Kong Cloudy 18/15 P Cloudy 18/14 these peptides cover the teeth with and works to protect it. before they reach the enamel. Istanbul Cloudy 14/13 Rain 15/02 a membrane that prevents microbes Scientists pointed out that tooth Scientists have called their Jakarta T Storm 29/24 T Storm 31/25 cientists from Anhui Medical from reaching them. enamel is able to absorb the H5 innovation peptide coating and Karachi Sunny 25/13 Sunny 24/11 University in China have But the current diet that peptide, which helps eliminate many this coating does not treat teeth London P Cloudy 11/03 P Cloudy 09/03 devised a new coating that contains a high content of sugars types of bacteria and fungi, and and does not fill cavities, but Manila P Cloudy 31/23 P Cloudy 31/24 Sprotects teeth from cavities, causes a significant increase in the to stimulate it, scientists added at it successfully eliminates their Moscow Cloudy -2/-6 Cloudy -4/-13 which is a greasy coating of natural multiplication of microbes, which one end of its molecule a group of causes. New Delhi Sunny 20/09 Sunny 20/08 materials, which prevents cavities and makes the natural membrane unable phosphoserine, which according to According to the data of the World New York S Showers 12/06 S Showers 07/03 helps restore dental health. to protect the teeth to the required them attract more calcium ions to Health Organisation, tooth decay is Paris S Showers 09/03 P Cloudy 09/00 Scientists used natural mechanisms level. So scientists decided under restore tooth enamel, more than the the most prevalent non-infectious Sao Paulo S T Storms 25/19 T Storm 27/19 to prevent tooth decay, because the the leadership of Quan Li to invent H5 peptide itself. disease worldwide, and the Seoul Rain& Snow 06/-12 Sunny -3/-13 tooth enamel layer does not restore the anti-decay H5-based peptide The test of this coating on teeth traditional treatment for this disease Singapore P Cloudy 32/25 S T Storms 32/26 itself, but is damaged by mechanical coating, which is produced by has shown that it absorbs better by includes removing decay and then Sydney P Cloudy 21/18 M Cloudy 24/20 eff ects or microbes. Nature has the salivary glands, and this new the teeth, combats microbes for a filling the resulting void with special Tokyo Clear 12/05 Clear 14/03 produced non-bad mechanism to substance prevents bacteria from longer period and protects teeth from materials. Gulf Times 20 Tuesday, February 4, 2020 QATAR Infantino hails Qatar’s World Cup preparations

IFA President Gianni In- During an open session mod- latest preparations to host the a change in the rules of the game, structure, things are going on as fantino has praised Qatar’s erated by Italian Gianni Merlo, World Cup, which is the big- and the people who will visit Qatar best they are and “we expect them Fintensive preparations to President of International Sports gest and most important tour- and will notice well that we are not to be a very impressive tournament host the 2022 World Cup. He Press Association, Infantino nament on the FIFA agenda in biased in granting them the right for the Gulf region and all Arab was speaking on the sidelines talked about many important 2022, Infantino said that Qatar to host, and everyone’s perception countries without exception”. of the ceremony of the Inter- issues related to global football, would be ready two years before of the region and the Arab coun- He also congratulated the national Federation of Sports and the most prominent chal- hosting the tournament, which tries will change. We Europeans, Sports Media Committee, and Journalism Awards in Budapest, lenges facing FIFA in the com- is a record time that none of the for example, sometimes judge Qatar for its important part- Hungary, which is being held ing years, in order to continue to countries that hosted the World some matters before we see them,” nership with the International in partnership with the Qatar develop the game and increase Cup had achieved it. he added. Sports Press Association, and for Sports Media Committee for the investments in it. “I am confi dent that it will be an The FIFA president said in terms sponsoring the annual awards second year in a row. When asked about Qatar’s amazing event, as it will constitute of stadiums, facilities, and infra- ceremony. (QNA) Infantino speaking at the event in Budapest, Hungary. Souq Waqif exhibition opens doors to ‘amazing world of honey’

By Shafeeq Alingal Staff Reporter

he ongoing third Interna- tional Honey Exhibition Tat Souq Waqif is drawing visitors with an array of prod- ucts, showcasing honey in all its sweet glory. The exhibition, which started on January 30, has been organ- ised by the Private Engineering Offi ce in co-operation with the Ministry of Commerce and In- Manuka honey being sold at the exhibition. dustry and with the participa- tion of the Ministry of Munici- honey from New Zealand. sold here by checking whether pality and Environment. The monofl oral honey is pro- the products meet the required Continuing until February duced from the nectar of the specifi cations,” said Abraham P 8, the exhibition features more manuka tree and is commonly Thomas, laboratory manager. than 150 companies specialising sold as an alternative medicine. Besides showcasing local The participants of the programme at Aspetar. in honey and related products “It is purely natural and the honey, the event is also ena- from 37 countries. richest type of honey, col- bling foreign producers to draw This marks an increase of 25% lected from the mountains of attention to their items. “We in terms of participation com- New Zealand. It’s known for are glad to be part of the event pared to the second edition last the healing and curing eff ective for the second time. It gives us year. Besides honey and related properties,” said Ashraf Fahmy, the opportunity to explore the Aspetar and Asian Football products, the expo also off ers foreign aff airs and import man- market,” said Surjith from India, nuts and dates for sale. ager of Happy Valley. representing Sruthi Impex. What makes the exhibition The exhibition also throws The event is also helping special is the abundance of vari- light on the rich legacy of Qa- spectators know more about the Confederation launch training eties and fl avours, as more than tar in honey production. Some honey industry. 50 types of honey are on off er. 80 local companies and farms “This is not an exhibition Varieties such as ginger, lemon are taking part in the exhibition for mere commercial purposes. and clove are available along with high-quality products. We are educated about the in- programme for physiotherapists with white honey, honey mix, The organisers have set up dustry and the amazing world pine honey as well as beekeeping a laboratory where consumers of honey,” said Safeer C V, who accessories. Among the exqui- can check the quality of honey. visited the exhibition with his spetar, leading specialised sistance to sports people as well eration in the world runs a course rehabilitation of the patient. In site varieties available is Manuka “We ensure the quality of honey family. orthopaedic and sports as the community. It is a living for football physiotherapist. We other confederations, the focus Amedicine hospital, in col- proof of the effi ciency of Aspetar are the only confederation to is on doctors so I must congratu- laboration with the Asian Foot- that many delegates from sev- embark on this journey and cre- late AFC for taking this initiative ball Confederation (AFC) started eral countries are attending this ate programmes specially for to create this course. I strongly yesterday the 3rd AFC Team training session to learn from the physiotherapist. At the end of believe that the rapid develop- Physiotherapist Course 2020. experts,” explained al-Khanji. this course, I hope, everyone will ment and advancement of foot- Jamal al-Khanji, acting chief He also told that the collabora- benefi t from the highly experi- ball medicine is happening now patient experience offi cer, Asp- tion with AFC will continue and enced and knowledgeable speak- in Asia,” highlighted, Dr Jan Ek- etar said, “Over 50 physiothera- there will be other areas of col- ers and medical experts.” strand, chief medical offi cer of pists from 31 countries are par- laboration. “The unique thing Mansoor Mohamed al-Ansari, Aspetar. ticipating in the programme. The about the course is that there is general secretary, Qatar Football The evidence-based pro- three-day course focuses on the no other course aimed at educat- Association, commented, “I’m grammes will focus on various health and recuperation of foot- ing the physiotherapists about proud of the fact that AFC has topics including nutrition in ballers from injuries and aims to sports injuries. The focus of the chosen Qatar to host the 3rd AFC football, on fi eld management equip the physiotherapists with workshop is the advancements Team Physiotherapist Course and medical emergencies, inju- the latest practices in sports in- in sports medicine and how the 2020 and it is a testament of how ries in football and the rehabili- jury treatment.” injuries can be better treated,” he advanced Qatar and Aspetar are tation process. Participants will “There is a great collaboration added. in sports medicine.” also enhance their capabilities between Aspetar and AFC. Asp- AFC Medical Committee dep- “As a doctor, I always work through theoretical and practi- etar is a leader in sports medicine uty chairperson, Dr Gurcharan with physiotherapist to exam- cal sessions as well as interactive Staff welcoming visitors to a stall at the International Honey Exhibition, Souq Waqif. in the world and provides as- Singh said, “No other confed- ine, discuss the treatment and case studies. PICTURES: Jayaram Activities, competitions galore at Halal Qatar Festival 2020

he ongoing ninth edition Halal Qatar comprises three year features several new activi- will fi nd traditional handicrafts of Halal Qatar Festival main activities: Al Mazad – live- ties, especially for children, such made by professionals who will Tfeatures numerous tradi- stock sales through auction, as the Little Shepherd compe- explain how these items were tional practices, educational and which will contribute to the de- tition. It aims at reviving the important in the olden days in recreational activities as well as velopment of livestock produc- heritage while teaching the new a bid to revive this traditional competitions. tion; Al Mazayin - a beauty com- generation about the skills, ex- craft, the statement adds, “The festival seeks to petition for sheep and goats; and periences, knowledge, ethics and The festival has two main tents strengthen the Qatari and Gulf Al Izab barns containing diff erent values of the profession. — the fi rst is allocated to live- heritage with all its rich resourc- kind of farm animals. The festi- The competition will give chil- stock-related food industries, es in an enjoyable atmosphere. val provides a “unique platform” dren the opportunity to highlight such as dairy and cheese pro- The theme of the festival centres to showcase and acquire the best their knowledge in the fi eld of duction, and the second for tra- on a distinct feature of the Qatari breeds of halal, as well as sheep livestock and sheep farming. ditional handicrafts and handi- heritage, one that is drawn from and goats, the statement notes, School visits will be held in the crafts related to sheep and goats. deep within the deserts of Qatar adding that it also presents spe- morning period, with camel and Many shops at the festival are – sheep and goat breeding,” Ka- cifi c methods that help in breed- horse rides and children’s play- displaying popular food items tara – the Cultural Village Foun- ing and raising sheep. ground serving as additional at- produced by Qatari families and dation has said in a statement. The Halal Qatar Festival this tractions. In addition, visitors selling traditional products.

Snapshots from Halal Qatar Festival 2020.