QATAR | Page 16 SPORT | Page 1 Qatar’s al-Tamimi sees off Marche for Msheireb Museums, chronicler of Qatar’s rare major journey, turns four win published in QATAR since 1978

SATURDAY Vol. XXXX No. 11361 November 9, 2019 Rabia I 12, 1441 AH

GULF TIMES www. gulf-times.com 2 Riyals

In brief

QATAR | Aviation An ‘intelligent’ Qatar, Kazakhstan sign air transport agreement Qatar and Kazakhstan yesterday signed a memorandum of news platform understanding (MoU) to operate seven passenger flights to Kazakhstan’s capital, Nur-Sultan, and seven passenger flights to Almaty. Also, the MoU stipulates to developed to conduct seven air cargo flights with full transportation rights between the two countries, and operating any number of passenger and cargo flights with full transportation rights to 11 international airports in fi ght fake news Kazakhstan. They also reached a code-share agreement between the By Joseph Varghese national carriers of the two countries. Staff Reporter AMERICA | Vote Bloomberg fl irts with atar Computing Research In- White House bid stitute ( QCRI), part of Hamad QBin Khalifa University, has de- Billionaire businessman Michael veloped a news aggregator platform, Bloomberg was positioning Tanbih, “to uncover fake news at its himself yesterday to enter the An Iraqi protester wearing a road sign on his head as a means of protection, flashes the victory gesture with his fingers as he very origin”. crowded race for the Democratic takes part in an anti-government demonstration in the southern city of Basra yesterday. “Tanbih, an Arabic term meaning presidential nomination, setting ‘alert,’ is an intelligent platform to un- up a potential showdown with derstand media biases,” principal sci- fellow septuagenarian Joe Biden entist Preslav Nakov told Gulf Times. as the leading centrist candidate. The platform, making use of Artifi - Preslav Nakov Bloomberg, the 77-year-old former cial Intelligence, understands whether three-term mayor of New York, is Protesters fl ood Baghdad it is emotional manipulation or appeal However, Nakov pointed out that the expected to file paperwork in at to authority. need of the hour is more media literacy least one state declaring himself a “It can detect and understand the and critical thinking. People have to be 2020 candidate — although some underlying reasons for the spread of extra vigilant and analyse any news item observers cautioned he may simply despite fresh bloodshed fake news,” he said. from diff erent angles to make sure that be keeping his options open as he QCRI’s Arabic Language Technolo- it is genuine or fake before it is shared. flirts with a White House bid. Page 5 AFP/Reuters onstrations erupted on October 1 close tion” on fi nding a “roadmap” to end gies and Social Computing groups have “A recent report says that Finland Baghdad to 300, according to a tally compiled the crisis. been working with Massachusetts In- is winning the war on fake news. They EUROPE | Offb eat by AFP. Meanwhile, a barrage of 17 rockets stitute of Technology (MIT) Compu- have invested in education against fake Offi cials have stopped providing landed near a military base hosting US ter Science and Artifi cial Intelligence news and provided the right tools from Adieu to tiger’s friend, nti-government protesters updated fi gures. forces in northern Iraq but caused no Laboratory to develop Tanbih. primary schools to high schools and Timur the billy goat from across Baghdad fl ooded “Abdel Mahdi’s position means injuries or major material damage, an “The technology uses artifi cial universities. They have also advertise- A Russian goat named Timur whose AIraq’s capital yesterday despite more to him than the blood of Iraqis,” Iraqi military statement said. neural-networks to represent text in a ment campaigns to provide media lit- unusual friendship with a tiger won fresh bloodshed, as leaders appeared charged a tribal dignitary protesting in A security source said the rockets multi-dimensional space. Through a eracy and critical thinking. This is the him nationwide fame, has died, the to have closed rank around embattled the capital yesterday. landed near the Qayyara military base. complex series of computations, it is right approach to fi ght fake news,” he director of the safari park where the Prime Minister Adel Abdel Mahdi. Yesterday, the country’s top Shia The statement and the source did able to identify disinformative content pointed out. pair lived, said yesterday. “Timur’s Recent deaths in Baghdad and Iraq’s cleric Grand Ayatollah Ali Sistani said not say who was believed to have and pinpoint its bias. Nakov said that the Tanbih is able to heart stopped beating on November south have pushed the toll since dem- there should be “no more procrastina- launched the attack. Page 4 “The platform is unique on several understand pre-identifi ed and highly 5,” Dmitry Mezentsev, director of a fronts: it puts technology in an actual predictable propagandist techniques. safari park outside the Pacific port product that users can easily operate, “As a news aggregator, Tanbih relies of Vladivostok, said. The billy goat, but it is also built to be region-specif- on a sophisticated series of data-run believed to be around five years old, ic, so it pays considerable attention to analytics to create media profi les. It was cremated and will be buried what is needed in this part of the world attempts to uncover important infor- “with full honours”, his keeper Elvira Somalia praises Qatar fl ood aid and it off ers ways to address those mation on media stance, centrality, Golovina said. needs,” explained Nakov. hyper-partisanship, and inclinations The principal scientist said fake when it comes to popular topics. One SPORT | Decision QNA Qatar’s repeated relief initiatives for tarian eff orts in Somalia. news makes people believe in wrong advantage of this technology is its ca- Mogadishu Somali citizens. He expressed his deep The second batch of humanitar- information very fast. “The spread of pability to analyse Arabic media con- Qatar to host 2020 World thanks and appreciation to the Amir. ian aid provided by Qatar, through the fake news has become the most sophis- tent,” Nakov said. Snooker Championships The Somali minister said that the Qatar Fund for Development in co-or- ticated political weapon in the recent The scientist pointed out that several International Billiards & Snooker he Somali government com- Qatari aid was timely because citizens dination with the Standing Commit- years. It all became so prominent in organisations are at the forefront to Federation (IBSF) named Qatar as mended the assistance provided in the aff ected areas of Somalia suf- tee for Rescue and Relief Works and 2015-16, especially during the US elec- fi ght fake news. the host of the 2020 World Snooker Tby Qatar to those aff ected by fered the most, pointing out that this Humanitarian Aids for Affl icted Areas tions. The rise of technology has made “Many social media platforms now Championships for the Men, Women fl oods that hit large parts of the coun- assistance would ease the suff ering. in Brotherly and Friendly Countries, the spread of disinformation very fast integrate smart solutions that posi- and Masters. IBSF President Mubarak try, following the directives of His In a statement, the Deputy Spe- arrived on Thursday in Mogadishu, and the implications can be dreadful tion fake news at the very bottom of al-Khayarin announced the decision Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin cial Representative of the Secretary- accompanied by a team from the Qa- and devastating. It could lead to sev- the news feeds. They do not announce during the IBSF General Assembly Hamad al-Thani to send fl ood aid. General, Resident and Humanitarian tari International Search and Rescue eral implications such as personalised about these eff orts in a big way as they held in Antalya, Turkey. The IBSF Somali Federal Minister of Hu- Co-ordinator for Somalia, Adam Ab- Group (Lekhwiya). The total assist- attacks, mass mobilisations and grave are not the general regulatory bodies. General Assembly witnessed manitarian Aff airs and Disaster Man- delmoula, expressed his thanks for its ance reached about 88 tonnes of medi- health consequences among others,” he However, these eff orts will go a long discussions on many topics. agement Hamza Said Hamza praised generous contribution to the humani- cal and relief materials. continued. way to fi ght disinformation,” he added. Ajyal Film Festival will focus on inspirational stories

n eclectic selection of 13 thought- Two feature fi lms screening in com- to experience, feel and overcome the Away (Latvia/2019). provoking feature fi lms from petition are supported by the Doha Film challenges of life through cinema.” Ajyal’s Bader Jurors aged 18-21 will Aacross the globe will present di- Institute (DFI), underlining the Insti- In the Mohaq segment for jurors aged choose a winner among For Sama verse perspectives of life and inspire au- tute’s commitment to unlock creative 8-12 are Ailo’s Journey (France, Fin- (Syria, UK/2019) by Waad al-Kateab diences at the seventh Ajyal Film Festival, voices and support quality fi lm pro- land/2018) by Guillaume Maidatch- and Edward Watts; Give Me Liberty taking place from November 18-23 at Ka- ductions and reinforcing Qatar’s con- evsky; Jacob, Mimmi and the Talking (USA/2019) by Kirill Mikhanovsky; tara – the Cultural Village. tinued focus on promoting distinctive Dogs (Latvia, Poland/2019) by Edmunds Sorry We Missed You (UK, France, Bel- Delivering inspirational stories of and compelling narratives of universal Jansons; Oualid Mouaness’s 1982 (Leba- gium/2019) by Ken Loach; Children of hope, resilience and courage using pow- resonance. non, USA, Norway, Qatar/2019) and The the Sea (Japan/2019) by Ayumu Watan- erfully creative narratives, the selected “Contemplative, encouraging and Arctic Camels (Norway, Mongolia/2019) abe and Amjad Abu Alala’s You Will Die fi lms will be assessed across three dis- thought-provoking – this year’s fea- by Karl Emil Rikardsen. at Twenty (Sudan, France, Egypt, Ger- tinct juries - Mohaq, Hilal and Bader. ture fi lms help us fi nd the nature of life Ajyal Jurors aged 13-17 in the Hilal many, Norway, Qatar/2019). Each jury is presented a selection and identity and our place within an category will watch and evaluate Hon- The Mohaq Selection: of carefully curated feature and short ever-changing, deeply interconnected eyland (North Macedonia/2019) by •Ailo’s Journey is a heart-warming fi lms that echo this year’s theme in fo- world,” said Fatma Hassan al-Remaihi, Children of the Sea Ljubomir Stefanov and Tamara Kotevs- tale of a baby reindeer and its mother as cus ‘Find Film, Find Life’. Ajyal jurors festival director and CEO of DFI. ka; Land of Ashes (Costa Rica, Argenti- they overcome incredible obstacles to will analyse and deliberate on fi lms in “With their powerful narratives and between hope and introspection, ulti- ries. We are excited to become part of na, Chile, France/2019) by Sofía Quiros complete their fi rst migration through their respective categories, awarding complex storytelling techniques, each mately inspiring a sense of unity among their week-long debates and delibera- Ubeda; The Farewell (USA, China/2019) the white frozen expanses of the polar the Best Film prizes accordingly. of the fi lms strikes a delicate balance inquisitive jurors across all age catego- tions while they fi nd the diff erent ways by Lulu Wang and Gints Zilbalodis’s circle. To Page 16 Gulf Times 2 Saturday, November 9, 2019 QATAR PSA trains Qatar calls for global researchers steps to combat terror for census QNA ures to combat terrorism and individuals, and entities fund- he Planning and Sta- reach a high degree of confi - Melbourne adopted national legislation re- ing terrorist activities. It assists tistics Authority (PSA) dence in those records in im- fl ecting the international instru- in building capacity to counter Thas launched the main plementing the 2020 Census, ments to which it has acceded terrorist fi nancing threats for training programme for fi eld and implementing subsequent atar participated in the in compliance with interna- counties of the region. researchers as part of prepa- censuses through electronic two-day “No Money tional law, as well as continuing “While Qatar is stressing this rations for the fi rst phase of linkages with data issuers. Qfor Terror” Ministerial to work and co-ordinate with very important issue, it is con- the Qatar Population, Hous- The other fi eld census is Conference, held in Melbourne, friendly countries to confront cerned about the risks posed by ing and Establishments Cen- scheduled to take place in Australia. The conference con- terrorism and achieve common the lack of coordination among sus 2020 (Data Completion March 2020, to complete some cluded yesterday. goals,” he said. regional states as a result of the Phase), which begins tomor- detailed data on households HE the Minister of State for The minister explained that tensions and crises,” he added. row and will continue for one and individuals that were not Foreign Aff airs Sultan bin Saad the last of these measures was He explained that these crises month. available in any of the issu- al-Muraikhi headed the Qatari Qatar’s issuance in September of benefi t terrorist organisations The fi ve-day training pro- ers, which will be a basic and delegation to the conference. Law No (20) of 2019 on combat- and weaken the abilities as the gramme aims to train re- source base upon which future In his speech, the minister ing money laundering and ter- member states to fi ght against searchers on the fi eld work of updates of household and in- stressed the importance of in- rorist fi nancing, which includes these organisations and deprive the census in its fi rst phase, dividual data will be built. ternational co-operation in its obligations under the 40 rec- them of the means, which they under the supervision of a The General Population, combating terrorism, pointing ommendations of the Financial use to regain their breaths and number of specialists and ex- Housing and Establishment out that Qatar has been an ac- Action Task Force (FATF). the possibilities lost during the perts in the fi eld of statistics Census 2020 project is one of tive member of the international He pointed out that Qatar is previous period. and fi eld research at the PSA, the most important statistical coalition to combat the fi nanc- actively participating in the Ter- He reiterated that Qatar will which ensures the eff ective- projects of the PSA. It aims at ing of ISIS. rorist Financing Targeting Cen- support any eff ort or direc- ness and accuracy of the cen- collecting comprehensive and HE al-Muraikhi pointed out tre (TFTC), which includes the tion within the framework of sus process in all its research up-to-date data for individu- that Qatar has not hesitated to GCC countries and the United the conference to combat the and technological aspects. als, families, buildings and es- provide initiatives and contribu- States. The TFTC aims to iden- fi nancing of terrorism that con- The course includes theo- tablishments, in order to pro- tions to enhance the overall role tify, track and exchange infor- tributes to the eradication of this HE Sultan bin Saad al-Muraikhi headed the Qatari delegation to “No retical lectures and practical vide development plans with of the coalition, as well as the mation on terrorist fi nancial scourge, adding that Qatar will Money for Terror” Ministerial Conference in Melbourne. lessons in the basics of fi eld the right data, assessing the implementation of the United networks, co-ordinate joint ac- continue to pursue its policy of work, as well as the technolo- availability of basic services for Nations strategy to combat ter- tions against terrorism, and take maintaining international peace ing of the conference and the mitment of Qatar to continue to gy used in the census process, family, identifying areas in need rorism. appropriate action by classify- and security. great eff orts in the follow-up work with partners to combat in addition to the defi nition of of such services and prioritising “Qatar has taken strict meas- ing, publicising, and sanctioning The minister praised the hold- of its work, stressing the com- the fi nancing of terrorism. the duties of fi eld researchers plans to take care of them. by job, and the fi eld of inter- The census is also the main view art, with the statement source of information on the of administrative division and size and other characteristics the use of maps and mecha- of the labour force, aspects nisms of work and data col- related to education and train- QNA attends Asia-Pacifi c news agencies’ meeting lection, and controls the use ing, current and projected of adequate electronic device. levels of population, national QNA member of OANA, participated from the outgoing president of membership of the Palestinian ogy among members to deliver The objective of fi eld work policies in this area, as well as Seoul in the general assembly with a OANA, Aslan Aslanov, head of News Agency (WAFA) as an ob- news to the largest segment of during November is to verify an integrated framework for delegation headed by QNA di- Azerbaijan State News Agency server member. It also agreed readers outside OANA’s region, the main and administrative families, allowing the selec- rector general Yousuf Ibrahim (AZERTAC). that Iran’s Islamic Republic as well as resolutely and col- data of the buildings, units tion of samples for specialised he 17th General Assem- al-Malki. The heads of Azerbaijan’s AZ- News Agency (IRNA) will host lectively address any piracy of and establishments in or- fi eld research. bly of the Organisation of The general assembly adopt- ERTAC, China’s Xinhua News the General Assembly meetings OANA’s members. der to measure the accuracy The census is the only sta- TAsia-Pacifi c News Agen- ed several resolutions, includ- Agency, Russia’s TASS Rus- scheduled for 2022. OANA was formed in 1961 on and quality of the data of the tistical process that is carried cies (OANA) concluded yester- ing the election of the presi- sian News Agency, and Turkey’s In the “2019 Seoul Declara- the initiative of Unesco to pro- records created by relying on out by comprehensive inven- day, with the participation of dent of South Korea’s Yonhap Anadolu Agency were voted as tion,” participants voiced their mote regional news exchanges. the administrative records, tory, once every fi ve or 10 representatives of 32 news agen- News Agency Cho Sung-boo vice-chairs. eagerness to make every eff ort to A total of 43 news agencies from and to study and develop years, and Qatar carried out a cies from 28 countries. as chairman of OANA for the The general assembly ap- counter the proliferation of fake 35 countries are members of the mechanisms to address the number of them in 1986, 1997, Qatar News Agency (QNA), next three years, taking over proved the acceptance of the news and to exchange technol- organisation. discrepancy or lack of data to 2004, 2010, and 2015. (QNA) Gulf Times Saturday, November 9, 2019 3 QATAR CMC recommends norms for 2nd fl oor in villa annexes

By Ayman Adly Staff Reporter Chief of Staff concludes

he Central Municipal Council (CMC) has rec- visit to Italy and Turkey Tommended a set of condi- tions and standards for permit- E the Chief of Staff of ting the construction of a second Qatari Armed Forces Lt fl oor in the external annexes of HGeneral (Pilot) Ghanem residential villas. This comes bin Shaheen al-Ghanem has con- as a clarifi cation of its previous cluded his visit to Italy and Turkey. recommendations to the au- In Italy, the Chief of Staff thority concerned in this regard. met the chairman of Italian The council had earlier issued Joint Chiefs of Staff General a number of recommendations Enzo Vecciarelli, where he was asking the Ministry of Munici- A CMC meeting in session. awarded the Order of Honour pality and Environment (MME) of the Italian high staff . to allow the construction of an tities concerned at the ministry better use of the available space ment on the response to the HE Lt General (Pilot) al- additional fl oor in the external should be addressed again with in their houses to accommodate recommendation issued regard- Ghanem visited the helicopter annexes of residential villas in- modifi cations of the planning their families. ing the provision of adequate project (NH90). stead of the existing standard of conditions and by adding new The council convenes an open quantity of water to camels kept The meeting was attended the ground fl oor only. specifi cations and standards that regular session every two weeks in the Al Nakhsh area, as well as by Qatar’s ambassador to Italy The move was meant to allow would allow the construction of to discuss key issues and topics suggestions on the risks posed by Abdulaziz bin Ahmed al-Malki, Qataris to make the maximum a second fl oor in such buildings. pertaining to the diff erent mu- placing the external units of air- Qatar’s military attache in Italy use of the space available in their The new conditions put for- nicipal services off ered across conditioners outside shops. Brigadier General Hilal Ali al- homes without undermining the ward by the council include the country, the demands of peo- The council noted that the MME’s Mohannadi, and a number of privacy of others or the urban the following: the second fl oor ple to improve these and other responses on these issues and topics senior military offi cers from planning scheme for the targeted should be accessed through an important public services. were comprehensive and addressed both sides. residential areas. internal staircase within the During the latest session, the all relevant concerns. During his visit to Turkey, When the CMC Services and building itself, and the new addi- council discussed a statement of Meanwhile, the CMC reviewed HE the Chief of Staff Lt Gen- Utilities Committee received the tion should comply with the ap- its Services and Utilities Com- the responses of the entities con- eral (Pilot) al-Ghanem met MME’s response to its recom- proved height as set by the Urban mittee on the MME’s response cerned, such as the Public Works separately with Turkish De- mendations, it noted that the Planning Department. to the recommendations on the Authority (Ashghal), Ministry of fence Minister Hulusi Akar and tary co-operation between the Shafi , Qatar’s military attache reply was not complete and did The issue was fi rst addressed standards for licensing mobile Transport & Communications Chief of General Staff of Turkey two sides. in Ankara Brigadier Mohamed not fully address the concerns by the CMC during its previous cafes and restaurants, issued in and the MME, regarding the spe- General Yasar Guler. The meetings were attended Rashid al-Shahwani, and a of the council. Accordingly, the rounds based on the demands the previous CMC round. cifi c demands of some council During the meetings, they by Qatar’s ambassador in An- number of senior military of- CMC recommended that the en- of citizens who wanted to make Similarly, it discussed a state- members on related issues. discussed aspects of joint mili- kara Salem bin Mubarak al- fi cers from both sides. (QNA)

QU launches Secretary-General meets training for Georgia foreign minister applications ExxonMobil Research Qatar using drones

Qatar University (QU), represented by the College of celebrates 10th anniversary Engineering, has launched a specialised training programme xxonMobil Qatar recently for industrial applications using celebrated the 10th an- drones, as part of its initiative Eniversary of its research (Digital Qatar), which is part centre with a special event of the eff orts towards digital held at the Qatar Science and transformation at the university, Technology Park (QSTP). and to keep up with the state’s The event was attended by trends towards smart cities. ExxonMobil Qatar’s partners, The programme, which is the key government offi cials and first of its kind at the university, community leaders. is attended by local and ExxonMobil Research Qatar international specialists and (EMRQ), established in 2009 at experts in the field of two- The Ministry of Foreign Aff airs (MoFA) Secretary-General Dr QSTP, is one of the science and dimensional survey using aerial Ahmad bin Hassan al-Hammadi met with Georgian Minister of technology hub’s fi rst anchor photography via drones. Foreign Aff airs David Zalkaliani in Tbilisi yesterday. During the tenants. The centre was created Dignitaries and off icials at the event. This training programme meeting, they reviewed bilateral co-operation relations, as well to support Qatar’s research, aims to enable the trainees as issues of common concern. safety, water reuse, geology work we have accomplished at with a total investment of more drafted a dugong management to obtain real dimensions of and environmental eff orts and ExxonMobil Research Qatar over than QR218mn through 2014. plan in an eff ort to advocate for the infrastructure with high help fulfi l the objectives of its the past decade towards protect- In 2012, EMRQ announced a conservation strategy, and the accuracy, and to introduce the National Vision 2030. ing Qatar’s marine environment, two new technology advance- plan was submitted to the MME. mechanisms of aerial surveying EMRQ scientists and re- advance water reuse, improve ments developed to enhance In more recent years, two and the most important modern searchers – together with the workplace safety and under- safety and environmental per- technologies were licensed, and techniques used to take high- Ministry of Municipality & En- standing Qatar’s coastline. formance associated with liq- a patent awarded to Providence quality aerial photographs for Call for developing vironment (MME), Qatar Uni- “Since 2009, scientists and re- uefi ed natural gas production (Quantitative Optical Gas Imag- facilities, buildings, bridges, versity (QU), Qatar Petroleum searchers at our centre have suc- and transport. In the same year, ing technology and Eon Reality lighting poles and any (QP), Qatargas (QG) and oth- cessfully developed new concepts QU and EMRQ announced a Advanced 3D Immersive Train- above-ground installations, statistical systems to ers – have been advancing key and projects that have benefi ted 12-month, QR2.2mn study as ing). EMRQ also built an envi- petrochemical factories, oil and research in the areas of envi- the oil and gas industry in Qatar part of the water reuse research ronmental toxicity component gas platforms and agricultural ronmental management, water and around the world. We will programme to develop technol- to the previously developed sites. support 2030 SDGs reuse, LNG safety and modern continue to generate new knowl- ogies that will utilise industrial hydrodynamic fate and trans- The training programme geology, ExxonMobil Qatar has edge and engage with local and water in ways that are benefi cial port model within the GEMSS reviewed the most important he Doha Declaration issued They also affi rmed the commit- stressed in a press statement. international partners to help to Qatar. framework. In 2016, EMRQ de- applications of drones in the by the regional workshop ment to using the best means to Over the years, EMRQ’s ex- achieve Qatar National Vision In 2013, EMRQ partnered with veloped a groundwater hydro- industry, such as aerial lifting Ton “Modernisation of Of- produce these statistics in the best perts have successfully devel- 2030 and create a better future RasGas to pilot the single sensor dynamic, chemical fate and dis- using thermal cameras to identify fi cial Statistics”, organised by the and timely manner, while ensuring oped new concepts and projects for our community.” version of the IntelliRed Remote tribution model in response to a the defects of concrete structures Planning and Statistics Author- data quality and protecting the pri- that have benefi ted the oil Some of EMRQ’s key projects Gas Detection technology at request by Qatargas. or leaks in oil and gas lines, and ity (PSA) over two days, stressed vacy of respondents, including the and gas industry in Qatar and over the past decade include Ras Laff an – a |fi rst of its kind in The centre also developed the detection of defects in power the importance of developing and use of administrative, geospatial around the world, while safe- the following: the Middle East. Also that year, a habitat map in 2015 for the plants, generators, and other updating statistical systems in and alternative data sources as well guarding the country’s unique EMRQ’s fi rst project in 2009, EMRQ partnered with the Qatar entire Qatari peninsula’s near- useful applications in various support of the 2030 Sustainable as remote sensing, social media, environment and marine life. which focused on the marine Petroleum Research and Tech- shore environment, Khor Al industries. Development Goals (SDGS). “big data” and the adoption of new Alistair Routledge, ExxonMo- environment of the Qatari nology Centre to test multi-user Adaid and Halul Island. This In a statement, College of The declaration issued by the and accessible methodologies and bil Qatar president and general coastline. Also in the same year, functionalities in 3D immersive project is still ongoing, as is Engineering dean Dr Khalid participants in the workshop, technologies to accelerate learning manager, and Dr Mohamed al- EMRQ began a comprehensive, environments. a study developed in 2016 to Kamal Naji said that the training including heads of national sta- and transparency to better respond Sulaiti, EMRQ’s research director, multiyear, QR7mn research In 2014, EMRQ’s achieve- identify the potential for sedi- comes within the framework tistical councils, representatives to the fast-changing ecosystem of welcomed guests to the event. programme to investigate the ments included a partnership mentation from related con- of the initiative of the College of the United Nations, regional data, and to implement the “data “As a longstanding member potential eff ects from the sea- with QU and Texas A&M at struction activities that nega- of Engineering (Digital Qatar), organisations, universities, re- now” initiative to bridge the data of the local community, Exx- water used at Ras Laff an and Galveston, with support from tively impact habitats, and a which is an important project search centres, the private sector gap on development. onMobil is advancing tech- returned to the Gulf sea. the Private Engineering Offi ce sedimentation model that was for digital transformation at and non-governmental organi- They stressed the importance nologies through our research A 2010 memorandum of un- and the MME, to further envi- developed for use in construc- Qatar University, adding that sations, stressed the need for ad- of increasing the use of GIS centre to support Qatar’s sus- derstanding (MoU) with QU to ronmental research and marine tion activity planning. this project will be adopted by ditional eff orts and investments techniques to enhance access to tainable development and en- further academic excellence mammal initiatives in order to Currently, EMRQ has started the college in co-operation with to maintain the infrastructure small areas according to the SDG vironmental protection eff orts through human capital invest- address the issue of preservation a collaboration with QU to per- various departments such as needed to produce statistics and indicators and to actively en- – as well as its thriving LNG ment, innovative technology of dugongs – large, long-living form an ecological baseline as- the Department of Architecture, indicators of sustainable devel- gage with data producers within industry,” said Routledge. and research and development. herbivorous marine mammals sessment on the Corniche, as Urban Planning, Civil Engineering, opment. It called on govern- the formal statistical system, in On his part, Dr al-Sulaiti said: EMRQ also announced the exten- found in Qatar’s coastal waters. well as a study of the ecological Mechanical, Industrial and ments to support national sta- partnership with civil society, “I am extremely proud of the sion of its commitment to QSTP In 2018, the EMRQ team status of Khor Al Adaid. Electrical. (QNA) tistical systems due to their key academia, and the private sector, co-ordinating role in measuring and to advise on data quality as- and monitoring the SDGs. surance methods produced. Participants reaffi rmed their The declaration stressed the im- commitment to contribute eff ec- portance of exchanging expertise tively to the implementation of and mutual learning through the Qatar takes part in Education for Justice Initiative awards ceremony the 2030 SDGs and provide sta- mechanisms adopted in the Arab re- tistics on the indicators of those gion by ESCWA, the Statistical Cent- goals disaggregated by vulner- er of the Gulf Co-operation Council, atar took part in of the World Bank Week on tional organisations in Vienna gramme, which calls for the ies participated in the 2019 able groups, while adhering to the Statistical, Economic and Social the ceremony, held Law, Justice and Develop- Sultan bin Salmeen al-Man- integration of crime pre- Law, Justice and Development the principle of no one left be- Research and Training Center for Qat the World Bank ment 2019. souri represented Qatar at the vention and criminal justice Week, including dignitaries hind, focusing on human beings, Islamic Countries (Ankara SESRIC in Washington, to give the HE Major General Abdullah ceremony. into the wider agenda of from ministers of justice, pros- and facilitating increased data centre), the Arab Planning Institute awards to the winners of the Yousuf al-Mal, adviser to the Education for Justice Ini- the UN. ecutors and senior judges in the exchange between government and the Arab Institute for training Education for Justice Initia- Interior Minister, and Qatar’s tiative is a part of the Doha A large number of offi cials, Supreme and Constitutional agencies and other partners. and statistical research. (QNA) tive contest, on the sidelines ambassador to UN and interna- Declaration Global Pro- personalities and relevant bod- Courts. (QNA) Gulf Times 4 Saturday, November 9, 2019 REGION/ARAB WORLD/AFRICA

ELECTION POLITICS CRIME RIGHTS DEFENCE Mauritius premier claims Zambia’s president Mali police rescue more Tanzania’s opposition Iran downs unidentified victory in legislative ballot denies stifling opposition than 60 traff icking victims to boycott elections ‘infiltrating’ drone

Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth claimed victory yes- Zambia’s president Edgar Lungu yesterday denied Malian police rescued more than 60 victims of Tanzania’s opposition party says it will boycott local Iran shot down an unidentified drone that “in- terday in the Mauritius election, with off icial preliminary stifling the rights of opposition leaders, saying human trafficking, mostly women and girls, who elections later this month, accusing the government of filtrated” near Bandar-e Mahshahr port on the results showing his alliance taking a comfortable lead authorities who refused them permits to assemble were subjected to sexual exploitation, forced impeding its candidates from running and making a Gulf coast yesterday, Iranian media reported, over rivals in the Indian Ocean nation. With 80% of and meet supporters were working within the law. labour and begging, Interpol said yesterday. mockery of democratic processes. Chadema, the main after the downing of a US drone nearly trig- votes counted at 22:00 local time (1800 GMT), projec- Lungu, faces mounting complaints that he is crack- Four suspected traffickers were detained in opposition outfit that has faced increasing hostility un- gered air strikes earlier this year. IRIB, a state tions from the Electoral Commission gave a large lead ing down on dissent and seeking to consolidate the joint operation launched in early October der President John Magufuli, made the announcement broadcaster, aired a short video purporting to a coalition led by Jugnauth, who took the helm of power ahead of elections in 2021. Police have been between Malian authorities and the interna- late Thursday following an extraordinary meeting of its to show the interception of the drone by an one of Africa’s wealthiest countries when his father dispersing gatherings by opposition leaders and tional police organisation. The 64 victims, from leadership. “Our party believes it is wiser not to support Iranian anti-missile battery. The six second stepped down in 2017. Partial results from the state-run last week they fire teargas when Harry Kalaba ad- Burkina Faso, Nigeria and Mali, had been “ex- such electoral cheating. To continue to participate sequence showed the luminous nighttime trail commission forecast Jugnauth’s centre-right Morisian dressed his supporters in Luapula province. Kalaba ploited in different countries before their arrival in elections of this kind is to legitimise illegality,” said of what appeared to be a missile before an ex- Alliance will win 38 of 62 possible seats in parliament is former Foreign Aff airs minister in Lungu’s govern- in Bamako”, where they were found working in Chadema president Freeman Mbowe. Selemani Jafo, plosion at very low altitude. But the video was — enough to secure the outright majority needed to ment who resigned last year claiming “swelling” bars, homes and mining sites, Interpol said in a the minister for local government, expressed surprise not broadcast by state TV’s Farsi channel IRINN, form government alone. levels of corruption by government off icials. statement. at the decision. which largely ignored the story.

Lebanese bank staff Deadly clashes erupt in face threats, Hariri wants neutral govt

Reuters should be devoid of political Iraq despite call for calm Beirut parties because such a cabinet will not be able to secure West- zSecurity forces fire tear local government headquar- ern assistance, a source familiar gas, throw stun grenades ters, police said.The violent ebanese bank staff are fac- with his view said. z Protests over lack of jobs, response from authorities has ing abuse from customers He is still seeking to convince services began on Oct 1 fuelled public anger. Langered by restrictions the powerful Hezbollah and its Snipers from militias that on access to their cash, the em- ally the Amal Movement of the Reuters have participated in the crack- ployees’ union said yesterday, need for such a technocratic Baghdad down were deployed last refl ecting intensifying pressures government, the source said. month, Reuters reported. in an economy gripped by its Hariri’s offi ce could not im- Live fi re is still being used deepest crisis since the 1975-90 mediately be reached for com- resh clashes between Iraqi and even tear gas canisters, civil war. ment. security forces and anti- fi red directly at protesters’ bod- With Lebanon paralysed by Leading Christian politician Fgovernment protesters ies instead of being lobbed into political and economic turmoil, Samir Geagea warned of great broke out in Baghdad yesterday crowds, have killed at least 16 its politicians have yet to make unrest if supplies of basic goods killing one person, despite a call people, New York-based Hu- progress towards agreeing a new run short and said Lebanon’s fi - for calm by the country’s top man Rights Watch said yester- government to replace one that nancial situation was “very, very cleric, as authorities grapple day. was toppled by an unprecedent- delicate”.One of the world’s most with the country’s biggest crisis Doctors at hospitals have ed wave of protests against the heavily indebted states, Lebanon in years. shown Reuters scans of tear sectarian ruling elite. was already in deep economic Security forces fi red tear gas gas canisters embedded in the Saad al-Hariri, who quit as trouble before protests erupted and threw stun grenades into skulls of dead protesters. prime minister last week, is de- on Oct 17, ignited by a govern- crowds of protesters wearing Sistani warned against the termined the next government ment plan to tax WhatsApp calls. helmets and makeshift body exploitation of the unrest by armour on a main road in the “internal and external” forces middle of the Iraqi capital, which he said sought to desta- sending demonstrators scat- bilise Iraq for their own goals. Discussions on Syria constitution tering, some wounded, Reuters Demonstrators run away from tear gas during the ongoing anti-government protests near the He did not elaborate. reporters said. Governorate building of Basra, yesterday. Offi cials and analysts fear going ‘better than expected’: UN One protester died from a that militants could exploit un- tear gas canister fi red directly ni, who only speaks on politics Protesters, some of whom giving her name as Umm al- rest to sow more chaos in Iraq, A first round of discussions towards amending Syria’s constitution into his head, a Reuters witness in times of crisis and wields view Sistani as part of the po- Shaheed, Arabic for mother of which has suff ered decades of went better than anticipated, the UN mediator said yesterday, adding said. enormous infl uence over pub- litical and religious system they the martyr.The demonstrators, confl ict, sanctions and corrupt that the talks would resume on November 25. More than 280 people have lic opinion in Iraq, held secu- say is the cause of many Iraqis’ mostly unemployed youths, de- governance. “We have just concluded what I believe has been two weeks of suc- been killed, according to police rity forces accountable for any misery, took little solace from mand an overhaul of the politi- Late yesterday, the military cessful discussions,” UN Syria envoy Geir Pedersen told reporters in and medics, since the protests violent escalation and urged the cleric’s words. cal system and a corrupt ruling said 17 rockets had landed near Geneva. “Frankly I believe that it has gone much better than most over a lack of jobs and serv- the government to respond as “He says he’s supporting class which has dominated state a base hosting US forces in people would have expected,” he said. ices began in Baghdad on Oct 1 quickly as possible to demon- protests and that we should institutions since the US-led northern Iraq. His comments came after a first week of intensified talks on amend- and quickly spread to southern strators’ demands. keep going but he hasn’t helped. overthrow of Saddam Hussein It did not say who was be- ing the war-torn country’s constitution ahead of possible elections provinces. “The biggest responsibility is The speech won’t make a dif- in 2003. lieved to be behind the attack. as part of a UN peace plan. The talks kicked off last week with a Police, the military and para- on the security forces,” a repre- ference either way,” said one In the southern city of Basra, The United States blamed ceremony and plenary session involving 150 delegates — split evenly military groups have used live sentative of Sistani said in a ser- woman protesting in Baghdad where at least four people were Iran-backed militia for rocket between Syria’s government, the opposition and Syrian civil society. gunfi re against mostly unarmed mon after prayers yesterday in whose son was killed in recent killed as security forces cleared attacks on other bases in May But since Monday, a reduced group of 45 delegates have been meet- protesters since the beginning the holy city of Kerbala. “They clashes. a sit-in on Thursday, another this year but US forces are also ing at the UN’s European headquarters with the aim of getting into of the unrest. must avoid using excessive “I’m the mother of a student. attempt was made to disperse involved in a fi ght against Is- the nitty gritty of things. Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sista- force with peaceful protesters.” They took his life,” she said, hundreds of protesters near the lamic State militants. Troop fi ring injures Iran quake kills six, leaves 300 injured at least 69 Palestinians AFP way in 41 villages, but the dam- emergency shelter was set up. Tehran age was largely concentrated in State television broadcast QNA Commission of the Great March two, Varnakesh and Varzaghan. images of people who had fl ed Gaza stressed in a press statement the According to the emergency their homes warming them- continuation of the weekly pro- n earthquake rocked services, nearly 340 people selves around a fi re lit on a pub- tests until achievement of its ob- northwestern Iran before were admitted to hospital for lic highway. But the damage t least 69 Palestinians were jectives. It stressed that the Pal- Adawn yesterday, killing treatment, but all but 17 were appeared to be less widespread injured during their partic- estinian national unity was and at least six people and injuring discharged by yesterday noon. than initially feared. Aipation in the Great March will continue to be the main focal more than 300 in crumbling and Some 40 homes were levelled The United States Geologi- of Return and Breaking the Siege point for the struggle of the peo- collapsed buildings. by the quake and over 200 head cal Survey (USGS) had issued along the eastern border of the ple of Palestine to confront all oc- The 5.9-magnitude quake of cattle killed. an alert warning that “signifi - Gaza Strip, the Palestinian Minis- cupation plans. struck at 1:17am (2247 GMT A picture obtained by AFP from Iranian news agency Tasnim Around 100 injured residents cant casualties are likely and try of Health said yesterday. Since March 30, 2018, Pales- Thursday) about 120 kilometres yesterday shows the debris of buildings in the village of Varnakesh, were pulled out of the rubble the disaster is potentially wide- In a press statement, the min- tinians have been participating in southeast of the city of Tabriz, about 120km southeast of the city of Tabriz. of their damaged or fl attened spread”.In many areas people istry said that 69 injured Pales- peaceful marches near the fence in East Azerbaijan province, the homes. Around noon, emergen- had returned to their homes by tinians, including 29 with bullet separating the Gaza Strip and the Iranian Seismological Centre quake was eight kilometres deep Mohamed-Reza Pourmoham- cy teams distributed survival daybreak after the initial panic injuries, were taken to hospitals Palestinian territories occupied said. and was followed by fi ve after- madi, told Iranian media that kits, stoves, blankets and tents subsided and the aftershocks for treatment. The National High in 1948. Described as “moderate”, the shocks.The provincial governor, rescue operations were under- in 78 villages. In Varnakesh, an petered out.

Zimbabwe fi res 211 striking Guinea-Bissau’s new PM hands in resignation doctors as economy worsens AFP rican Union and the Ecowas Faustino Imbali, named pre- the authorities to respect the Bissau West African regional bloc have mier 11 days ago, handed over November 24 election date and criticised Vaz’s move that trig- his resignation letter at the rejected Vaz’s appointment of a Reuters 3.They want their pay indexed ously accused the government gered a political standoff ahead presidential palace, state sec- new government. Harare to the US dollar to stop their of intimidation. uinea-Bissau’s new of planned presidential elections retary and Imbali spokesperson Vaz, 61, has governed since earnings being eroded by tri- The government said last prime minister resigned in November. Francelino Cunha said. “We are 2014 in Guinea Bissau, a state ple-digit infl ation. month it had doubled doctors’ Gyesterday following in- Vaz tried to end months of waiting for the response of the struggling with poverty, cor- imbabwe yesterday fi red The doctors defi ed a court salaries. They said that was in- ternational pressure over Presi- confrontation between him and president,” Cunha said. Ecowas ruption and drug trafficking. more than 200 public ruling last month that their ac- adequate, as it would only in- dent Jose Mario Vaz’s contro- the government by firing prime on Wednesday gave Guinea- Home to fewer than 2mn peo- Zsector doctors who have tion was illegal and they should crease their monthly salary to versial sacking of the earlier minister Aristides Gomes and Bissau’s “illegal government” a ple, it has seen a series of coups been on strike for more than return to work. about 2,000 Zimbabwe dollars government just weeks before his whole cabinet in Octo- 48-hour ultimatum to resign or since independence from Por- two months demanding better Patients are being turned ($130). Zimbabweans are bear- elections. ber, but Gomes refused to step face sanctions. The UN Secu- tugal in 1974, as well as an 11- pay to protect them from soar- away from hospitals because ing the brunt of the worst eco- The European Union, the Af- down. rity Council had also called on year civil war. ing infl ation. there are no doctors to treat nomic crisis in a decade, with The doctors were dismissed them.The Health Service Board shortages of foreign currency, after disciplinary hearings said in a statement it had con- fuel, power and medicines. held in their absence, as Presi- ducted hearings for 213 doctors The crisis has been worsened dent Emmerson Mnangagwa’s and 211 were found guilty of be- by a drought that has left more government takes a hard line ing absent from work without than half of the population in Knife attack suspect could face terror charge against a restive labour force. proper cause. need of food aid and forced the Other public workers say Only two doctors attended government to scramble for they cannot go to work because the hearings. The board plans scarce dollars to import grain. AFP face the prosecutor of the state security court acted on his own,” the source said without they have no money. to call in 516 of the govern- Mnangagwa has asked for Amman within days for questioning and to be charged providing further details about the ongoing Police on Wednesday ment’s 1,601 doctors for disci- patience while his government with terrorism,” the source said. investigation. The suspect was immediately blocked a handful of public plinary hearings. tries to fi x the economy. But The court is a military tribunal. arrested although the motive of the attack sector workers from marching Tawanda Zvakada, spokes- hope has dimmed that he can man accused of stabbing eight people, On Wednesday, an assailant stabbed four remained unknown. to government offi ces with a man for Zimbabwe Hospital end years of economic troubles including four tourists, in Jordan is set tourists — three Mexicans and a Swiss wom- Abourouis was identifi ed as a Jordanian petition demanding better pay. Doctors Association, said he that were a hallmark of the rule Ato soon appear before a military pros- an — along with a Jordanian tour guide and a who lived in the Souf refugee camp near Junior and middle level could not immediately com- of the late Robert Mugabe, who ecutor and could be charged with “terror- security offi cer at the famed Jerash archaeo- Jerash. doctors from state hospitals ment. was ousted in an army coup ism”, a security source said yesterday. logical site in northern Jordan. It was not the fi rst time a Jordanian tourist have been on strike since Sept The association has previ- two years ago. Moustafa Abourouis, 22, “is expected to “So far initial indications show that he attraction has been the site of an attack. Gulf Times Saturday, November 9, 2019 5 AMERICA Top Trump offi cials no-shows at inquiry Reuters runs for re-election in 2020. ly-motivated “witch hunt”. Bloomberg: sceptical that any of the current crop of Democratic Washington Hunter Biden was on the board “I’m not concerned about candidates can defeat Trump in next year’s general election. of directors of Burisma, a Ukrain- anything. The testimony has all ian gas company. been fi ne. I mean for the most cting Chief of Staff Mick Mulvaney acknowledged at an part I never even heard of these Mulvaney and another October 17 news conference that people. I have no idea who they AWhite House offi cial failed the White House had withheld are,” Trump told reporters at the Bloomberg mulls to appear yesterday at the Demo- the assistance. White House yesterday. cratic-led impeachment inquiry “I have news for everybody: Another transcript release is into President Donald Trump, as Get over it. There is going to be expected today, although the the administration continued to political infl uence in foreign committees declined to say joining 2020 blockade investigators. policy,” he said, although he later which it would be. Mulvaney, who is also direc- contradicted himself, saying in a Attention will soon turn to the tor of the White House’s Offi ce of White House statement: “There public hearings featuring US of- Management and Budget (OMB), was absolutely no quid pro quo.” fi cials testifying in Congress, presidential race had been issued a subpoena to Trump’s defenders say there which are likely to be a prelude to testify by the House of Repre- is no evidence of him and the articles of impeachment – formal sentatives Intelligence Commit- Ukrainian president engaging in Trump: I’m not concerned about anything. charges – against Trump being Trump dismisses ‘little’ for the American people, so tee, one of three panels investi- a quid pro quo – or exchanging a brought to a vote in the House. Bloomberg’s likely White it doesn’t matter who ends gating whether Trump pressured favour for a favour – because the that any offi cial close to the pres- phase of their investigation be- Representative Rick Crawford House run up running against him – the Ukraine for help against a politi- aid to Ukraine was released and ident should not have to provide fore open hearings start next has volunteered to step aside president will win.” cal rival. Zelenskiy never explicitly prom- depositions to congressional in- Wednesday with testimony from from the House intelligence com- Reuters/AFP Bloomberg has been criti- Mark Sandy, associate director ised to investigate Burisma, the vestigators. two diplomats who have been in- mittee so that Representative Jim Washington cal of Warren and her plan to for national security programmes Bidens, or any Ukraine involve- So far, most offi cials who work terviewed behind closed doors, Jordan, another Republican and institute a tax on the super- at the OMB, also was called to ment in the 2016 election. in the executive branch have de- William Taylor, the top US diplo- an aggressive Trump defender, rich if she is elected president testify and did not show up. A quid pro quo is not neces- clined to co-operate with the in- mat in Ukraine, and Deputy As- could serve on the panel during ormer New York City to fund programmes ranging Lawmakers wanted to ques- sary, however, to prove high vestigation, although an adviser sistant Secretary of State George the public impeachment inquiry mayor Michael Bloomb- from universal healthcare to tion the two offi cials about their crimes or misdemeanours, which to Vice-President Mike Pence Kent. hearings next week, a House Re- Ferg is strongly consider- free college tuition. knowledge of the OMB’s decision is the standard the US Constitu- appeared as requested on Thurs- This week, the committees publican aide said. ing entering the race for the If Bloomberg were to enter last summer to block, without tion requires for the impeach- day. have been releasing transcripts If the Democratic-controlled 2020 US Democratic presiden- the race, he would likely com- explanation to Congress, near- ment of a president. Mulvaney’s outside counsel of the closed-door interviews, House votes to impeach Trump, tial nomination, a move that pete with candidates such as ly $400mn in security aid for A White House spokesman informed investigators yesterday including with Taylor, Kent the Republican-controlled Sen- could greatly disrupt the fi eld Biden and Buttigieg as a mod- Ukraine that had been approved said earlier this week that Mul- that his client had been directed and former US ambassador to ate would then hold a trial on just three months before the erate alternative to Warren’s by lawmakers. vaney did not intend to comply by the White House not to com- Ukraine Marie Yovanovitch, who whether to remove him from of- fi rst nominating contests. populist progressivism. Investigators are trying to de- with the request to appear at the ply with the subpoena and as- appears at a public hearing on fi ce. Bloomberg, the billionaire But he would likely face a termine whether Trump made impeachment inquiry. serted “absolute immunity”, a November 15. Senate Republicans have so far media mogul and philanthro- diffi cult road with the liberal the release of the aid contingent Mulvaney, who is Trump’s top congressional aide said. Trump abruptly recalled Yo- shown little appetite for ousting pist who served three terms as wing of the party concerned on Ukrainian President Volody- aide, also ignored an October 4 Democrats on the House In- vanovitch as ambassador in May. the president. mayor of America’s largest city, about corporate money in poli- myr Zelenskiy agreeing to launch subpoena from the House com- telligence, Foreign Relations and The president has denied The impeachment battle could is sceptical that any of the cur- tics and income inequality in an investigation of Hunter Biden, mittees to provide documents for Oversight committees disputed wrongdoing and has regularly crowd out other issues like the rent crop of Democratic can- America. the son of former US vice-pres- the investigation. the privilege argument. disparaged the investigation, economy and immigration as didates can defeat Republican Tom Steyer, a billionaire ident Joe Biden, one of Trump’s The White House, claiming The three committees are which was triggered by a whistle- voters turn their minds to the President Donald Trump in candidate from California main Democratic rivals as he executive privilege, has argued wrapping up the closed-door blower complaint, as a political- November 2020 election. next year’s general election, a who has made climate change spokesman said. a centrepiece of his campaign, “Mike is increasingly con- has spent millions only to see cerned that the current fi eld his bid languish amid criticism of candidates is not well po- from his rivals for trying to buy Offi cial heard US envoy press Ukrainians to probe Bidens sitioned to” beat Trump, his way into the election. Bloomberg spokesman Howard “More billionaires seeking Wolfson said in a statement. more political power sure- Reuters ment probe of President Donald calling for an investigation that Earlier, Trump said he was un- He accused Democrats of Bloomberg, 77, is expected to ly isn’t the change America Washington Trump. didn’t exist into the Bidens and concerned about the impeach- looking for people who hated him fi le paperwork this week to run needs,” said Sanders’ campaign Alexander Vindman, a US Burisma,” Vindman said. “My ment inquiry and dismissed the to testify in the probe and said he in the Democratic presidential manager, Faiz Shakir. Army lieutenant-colonel and visceral reaction to what was be- release of transcripts of testimo- was not familiar with most of the primary in Alabama, which has Warren responded to the n offi cial at the White Ukraine expert on Trump’s NSC ing called for suggested that it ny by US diplomats and others. witnesses, who include a number an early deadline for qualifying news of Bloomberg’s prepara- House’s National Secu- staff , said there was “no am- was explicit. There was no am- He also criticised House Dem- of top US State Department of- for the ballot. tions by tweeting at him with Arity Council (NSC) said he biguity” in the remarks he said biguity.” ocrats for moving their inquiry fi cials. That would keep his op- a link that showed how much heard the US ambassador to the were made at a meeting in the The transcript was one of into the public eye with open, “I’m not concerned about tions open for a possible White he would pay under her wealth European Union press Ukrain- White House on July 10 by Gor- many released this week by televised hearings next week. anything. The testimony has all House bid, a source familiar tax. ian offi cials to investigate Joe don Sondland, a Trump donor- House committees investigat- “They shouldn’t be having been fi ne. I mean, for the most with Bloomberg’s thinking told Bloomberg, whom Forbes Biden and his son, according to a turned-diplomat now heading ing whether Trump pressured public hearings; this is a hoax,” part, I never even heard of these Reuters. ranks as the eighth richest transcript released yesterday by the US delegation to the EU. Ukraine to carry out a corruption Trump, who has denied any people. I have no idea who they The Democratic fi eld, now American with an estimated Democrats leading the impeach- “He was calling for something, probe into a political rival. wrongdoing, told reporters. are,” he said. numbering 17 candidates, has worth of $53.4bn, would be coalesced into four top con- able to largely fund his cam- tenders according to recent paign himself, perhaps allow- polls: US Senators Elizabeth ing him to ramp up his candi- Warren and Bernie Sand- dacy quickly. Climate protest ers, who represent the party’s Still, he would have to build Agencies step up progressive wing, and former a multistate organisation on vice-president Joe Biden and the fl y. Mayor Pete Buttigieg, of South At age 77 he would be the Bend, Indiana, representing second oldest candidate election security the more moderate wing. among the Democratic con- Bloomberg, the chief ex- tenders, behind Sanders, who ecutive offi cer and founder of is 78. Reuters had approved spy and security Bloomberg LP, served as New Biden is 76 and Warren is 70. Washington agency plans to step up elec- York’s mayor from 2002 to On the Republican side, tion security, but said they 2013 and has been a leading Trump is 73. were unaware whether he had advocate and philanthropist The Iowa caucuses, the fi rst S spy and law enforce- issued a written order con- on the issues of climate change nominating contest on the ment agencies said fi rming this. and gun violence. Democratic primary calendar, Uyesterday that they Offi cials said enhanced no- “If Mike runs, he would of- will be held on February 3. had strengthened procedures tifi cation procedures are be- fer a new choice to Demo- Trump meanwhile mocked for informing Congress, state ing activated by the FBI, the crats built on a unique record Bloomberg, saying that his po- and local governments, private Department of Homeland Se- running America’s biggest tential opponent for the 2020 business and the public about curity, and the Cyber and In- city, building a business from election would fail if he joined foreign interference in US elec- frastructure Security Agency scratch and taking on some of the race. tions. to supplement procedures al- America’s toughest challenges “He doesn’t have the magic The Federal Bureau of Inves- ready used by federal agencies as a high-impact philanthro- to do well ... Little Michael will tigation (FBI) has already given to notify victims of crime, in- pist,” Wolfson said. “Mike fail,” Trump told reporters at some American election can- cluding computer hacking or would be able to take the fi ght the White House as he headed didates “defensive” briefi ngs other crimes directed against to Trump and win.” to the southern state of Georgia on evidence that United States political campaigns. Asked about Bloomberg in a to rally support. agencies collected of possible The offi cials said that parties Fox News Channel interview, “He’s not going to do well, election interference, an FBI who could receive such notifi - White House spokeswoman but I think he’s going to hurt offi cial told a briefi ng for jour- cations include targets of elec- Stephanie Grisham said Trump Biden actually,” Trump added. nalists. tion interference, Congress “has got the results to show “There’s nobody I’d rather run Protesters march yesterday during a climate rally outside the US Capitol in Washington, DC. The FBI offi cial, who spoke and the public. that he’s doing great things against than Little Michael.” on condition of anonymity, In a briefi ng paper on the declined to give further details new notifi cation procedures, regarding who might have been the agencies involved said that Trump wants to given a warning about the in- the need to protect sensitive terference, or where and how national security sources and raise minimum such interference might have methods would be considered age for vaping Anger over Las Vegas ban on sleeping in streets originated. when offi cials are deciding Another offi cial, also speak- whether or not to issue an in- US President Donald Trump ing on condition of anonymity, terference notifi cation. has said he wanted to raise the AFP in downtown Las Vegas and res- safety of the entire community”. of homeless people in the said that US agencies believe The paper said the Secret minimum age for the purchase of Los Angeles idential areas – not the famous The law is not intended to United States – especially in that Russia, China and Iran all Service would be informed of e-cigarettes from 18 to 21 as part casino “Strip”, which comes un- punish the homeless but to help California and New York, where present continuing potential any evidence of foreign po- of a plan to curtail youth vaping. der a diff erent jurisdiction. with their reintegration into so- housing prices have soared in threats to the US electoral sys- litical interference directed But he also indicated that he aced with a growing It will not apply when home- ciety, she said, according to NPR recent years – could become an tem. against major US presidential was concerned about the impact number of homeless peo- less shelters are full. radio. issue in the 2020 election. However, offi cials empha- and vice-presidential candi- of regulation on business, in a Fple, Las Vegas has passed Opponents of the law focused It has been backed by Las Ve- Las Vegas has tried to tackle sised that the US agencies dates in the November 2020 sign that the administration is a controversial law that bans their anger on Las Vegas Mayor gas’s Chamber of Commerce. the issue before. had not seen direct threats to election as well as organisa- considering stepping back from a sleeping on the street and im- Carolyn Goodman before and According to the latest cen- The city council has banned American election systems re- tions and events in which they previously announced complete poses punishments of a $1,000 during the vote late on Wednes- sus, 5,500 people sleep on the public food handouts, briefl y cently. participate. ban on flavoured e-juices that are fi ne and six months in prison. day. streets of southern Nevada each closed public parks, and even An FBI offi cial added that One offi cial said victims and popular among adolescents. The ordinance – the latest in Demonstrators outside City night. banned sleeping within 500 feet the bureau has “invested a lot targets of election-related in- “We’re going to be coming out a series of measures by United Hall chanted “Housing, not Only 2,000 beds are available (150m) of fences. of time” in trying to help so- terference “would not have a with a very important position States cities to grapple with ris- handcuff s”, and held signs through municipal services and Former mayor Oscar Good- cial media companies detect veto” over who federal author- on vaping. We have to take care ing vagrancy – comes into force proclaiming “Poverty is not a charities. man, the husband of the cur- inauthentic politically related ities would notify about such of our kids most importantly, so tomorrow, but its criminal pro- crime”, local media reported. The measure has drawn criti- rent mayor, once even proposed message traffi c, and shares in- interference, though secu- we’re going to have an age limit visions will not be applied until Goodman said that the law is cism from beyond Las Vegas, shipping homeless people to formation on this with social rity and political sensitivities of 21 or so” he told reporters, February. necessary for a city that is highly including from several Demo- an abandoned prison 30 miles media companies. would certainly be considered adding that a policy would be Sleeping on the streets of the dependent on tourism revenues cratic presidential candidates. outside the city, the USA Today Offi cials said that President before such notifi cations are announced “next week”. gambling hub will only be illegal and to protect “the health and The explosion in the number newspaper said. Donald Trump on October 31 undertaken. Gulf Times 6 Saturday, November 9, 2019 ASIA

Thai police Lanka presidential candidate accuse insurgents hints at new PM if elected of attack Reuters IANS cal growth provides businesses Bangkok Colombo and private entrepreneurs with a conducive environment with tax breaks, reduction of the olice in Thailand yesterday ri Lanka’s New Demo- tax burden and simplifi ed tax blamed the worst attack in cratic Front’s (NDF) presi- structures,” he said. Pyears in the country’s res- Sdential candidate Sajith A record 35 candidates have tive south on the region’s main Premadasa has reiterated that fi led their nominations for the insurgent group, the Barisan he would appoint a new prime island nation’s eighth presiden- Revolusi Nasional. minister who could command a tial election. Nearly 16mn of the Fifteen people, including a majority in parliament if he was country’s 21mn people are eli- police offi cer and many village elected to offi ce. gible. defence volunteers, were killed “I will replace the current Sajith is the son of late presi- late on Tuesday when suspected corrupt administration of this dent Ranasinghe Premadasa, separatists stormed a security country, I will bring about a new who ruled the country with an checkpoint in Yala. youthful, clean and skilful po- iron fi st before he was assassi- It was the worst single attack litical culture and I will take fi rm nated by a Tamil suicide bomber in years in a restive region where and direct steps in this direc- on May 1, 1993. a long-running insurgency has tion,” the Daily Financial Times The six leading candidates killed thousands of people in a quoted Premadasa as saying in a participated in the third edition fi ght against central government statement on Thursday. of the popular Fireside Chat se- rule in Thailand. The presidential aspirant also ries held under the title ‘What There has been no immedi- said there would be no room in Lies Ahead: With the Leading ate claim of responsibility, as is his cabinet for those accused of Presidential Candidates’ on common with such attacks in the corruption. Thursday, the daily reported. region. Premadasa, also the incum- The contenders at the event “We have evidence indicat- bent minister of housing con- comprised Sajith Premadasa ing that it was the BRN,” said struction and cultural aff airs, (National Democratic Front), Ronnasilp Pusara, a police com- added that he would also take Anura Kumara Dissanayaka mander in the south, referring to steps to hold a parliamentary (Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna), the Barisan Revolusi Nasional, election and set up a stable gov- Rohan Pallewatte (National the main insurgent group oper- ernment once elected. Development Front), Ajan- ating in the south. Premadasa said his economic tha Perera (Socialist Party of “We have captured one sus- policies would encourage free Sri Lanka), and Gamini Nanda pect, who is now being inter- enterprise and measures to avoid Gunawardena who represented rogated. He also belongs to the unnecessary obstacles to the Mahesh Senanayake (National Supporters of the ruling United National Party (UNP) and New Democratic Front presidential candidate Sajith Premadasa attend a campaign BRN,” he said. country’s wealth-creating mech- People’s Party). rally in Colombo yesterday. Reuters could not immediately anism and foster an environment Sri Lanka Podujana Pera- reach a representative of the BRN in which small, medium and big muna’s Gotabaya Rajapaksa was is contesting from the Jathika give up their political affi lia- to develop the economy. tion did not get left behind by for comment. businesses could grow. not present at the event but sent Sangwardhena Peramuna, said tion but worked to strengthen In his video message, Ra- the rest of the world. The separatist insurgency in “We are trying to empower a voice message. that he placed his bets on Sri it instead of concentrating on japaksa said that what Sri Lanka The former defence minis- Thailand’s largely ethnic Malay- the private sector with ade- While Dissanayaka’s econom- Lanka’s economic growth due to development. needed was not a traditional ter added that his policy was to Muslim provinces of Yala, Pat- quate fi scal and monetary sup- ic policies would primarily focus the uniqueness of Sri Lankans. Gunawardena said his politician but a technocrat empower the private sector to tani, and Narathiwat has killed port. This balance is essential if on minimising waste and cor- Perera said that one reason party’s policy was to bring who could think innovatively take charge of economic growth nearly 7,000 people since 2004, one is to stabilise the economy ruption as well as simplifying the for the economy stagnating was more educated people into and work closely with multiple and to create an enabling envi- says Deep South Watch, a group and encourage growth. Fis- tax structure, Pallewatta, who that elected presidents did not the fold and use their skills stakeholders to ensure the na- ronment. that monitors the violence. Standing guard against protest Bangladesh evacuates people as cyclone Bulbul approaches DPA It is expected to hit parts of The local administration gusty wind yesterday afternoon Dhaka Bangladesh and the Indian state was asked to take care of the as an impact of the advancing of West Bengal tonight. tourists until shipping lines cyclone. The Met offi ce advised port resumed, according to Ashra- Tornado and cyclones are angladesh has begun authorities to remain alert ful Afsar, a senior district ad- common occurrences in Bang- evacuating vulnerable while boats venturing into the ministrator. ladesh. Bresidents and issued a bay for fi shing were asked to re- The disaster management A powerful cyclone devas- warning to all maritime ports turn to the coast. ministry at an emergency tated the southeastern parts of as a cyclone in the Bay of Bengal Heavy rain is likely to batter meeting alerted 56,000 Bangladesh on April 29, 1991, headed towards the country’s parts of Bangladesh due to the volunteers to evacuate resi- killing more than 100,000 peo- coast yesterday. infl uence of the storm, accord- dents vulnerable to the cy- ple and making millions home- Cyclone Bulbul was 585km ing to the bulletin. clone to shelter in 13 coastal less. southwest of Cox’s Bazar, Low-lying areas of the districts. Cyclone Aila, which hit the southernmost district of coastal districts and off -shore The meeting headed by State Bangladesh’s southwestern Bangladesh, with wind speeds islands may experience a tidal Minister for Disaster Manage- coast in May 2009, left at least reaching 140km per hour, the surge of nearly 2m. ment Enamur Rahman, also 179 people dead and over 3mn government’s meteorological Several hundred domestic ordered dispatching of dry aff ected, with an economic loss department said. tourists were stranded in an off - foods to those districts to get of 18.85bn taka. Meteorologist Abdur Rah- shore island, Saint Martin, after prepared in advance to face the In 2007, Cyclone Sidr hit the Members of Nepal’s Armed Police Force stand guard near the Indian embassy as Nepalese students man said the storm is likely to the administration in Cox’s Ba- consequence. country’s southwestern coastal protest against the new map of India in Kathmandu yesterday. stregthen as it moves toward zar ordered the suspension of Cities including capital Dha- belt, leaving more than 4,000 land. shipping lines to the mainland. ka are experiencing drizzle and people dead or missing.

Cambodia opposition fi gure not Jackie Chan’s Bodies found in UK giving up on bid to get home Vietnam visit lorry to be brought

AFP Rainsy was stopped from get- lating Cambodia’s constitu- Kuala Lumpur ting on a Thai Airways fl ight tion by closing the border to cancelled back to Vietnam in Paris on Thursday while his the opposition members - the deputy, Mu Sochua, was de- strongman has deployed troops DPA DPA/AFP ated truck last month, with the senior Cambodian op- tained a day earlier as she ar- to his country’s frontier with Hanoi Hanoi/London youngest aged just 15 and many position fi gure yester- rived in Malaysia. Thailand and has sent warrants of them from the same province. Aday accused strongman But following her release for their arrest to neighbouring Ten teenagers including two Hun Sen of a “gross” human late Thursday, Sochua said states. ackie Chan’s trip to Vietnam he bodies of the 39 peo- 15-year-old boys were among rights violation by seeking to she would still seek to re- “Closing the borders, not in support of charity Op- ple found dead in a re- the victims whose bodies were stop exiled members of her turn to Cambodia by trav- allowing us to go in - that is a Jeration Smile was cancelled Tfrigerated lorry contain- found on October 23 in a con- party from returning home elling overland through violation, a gross violation, of yesterday following public out- er in Britain will be repatriated, tainer in the southeastern Eng- this weekend, insisting they Thailand, even though the our human rights,” she said. rage over his perceived support In this file photo, Hong Kong according to an announcement lish region of Essex. had not given up. premier has indicated that Hun Sen “cannot face free for China’s controversial “nine- actor Jackie Chan attends a by the Vietnamese government The majority of victims, Members of the opposition opposition fi gures won’t be and fair elections, that is his dash-line” map. press conference in Taipei. cited in local media yesterday. 20, were from the central Vi- are trying to get back to Cam- allowed to transit through fear, and that is why he has to The so-called “nine-dash The announcement follows etnamese region of Nghe An, bodia to support their leader, the kingdom. destroy us, and that is why he line” is used by China to de- online about the actor’s visit. the confi rmation from British with another 10 from Ha Tinh. Sam Rainsy, who wants to make “We have to demonstrate to does not want 9 November to marcate about 80% of the South “I appreciate what OSV has police that all of the victims One of the youngest was a dramatic end to his self-exile our people who are waiting for happen”, she added. China Sea, where several coun- done and I want the organization found in the lorry are Viet- Nguyen Huy Hung, a 15-year- to mark Cambodian Independ- us at home that we have done The CNRP had been viewed tries across South-East Asia also to develop. But I object to a man namese citizens. old boy from Nghi Xuan dis- ence Day today. everything possible to be home as Cambodia’s only serious claim sovereignty. who supports the nine-dash Deputy Minister Truong trict in Ha Tinh province. But Hun Sen, an authoritar- with our people,” the 65-year- opposition before it was dis- The actor was due to visit Vi- line,” said Facebook commenter Hoa Bihn will discuss plans to Another victim was Hoang ian leader who has ruled Cam- old deputy leader of the banned solved by a court in 2017 ahead etnam in support of a November Le Mai. bring them back in a series of Van Tiep, an 18-year-old from bodia since 1985, has vowed Cambodia National Rescue of elections the following year. 10 event celebrating the 30th Many Facebook users also meetings yesterday afternoon, Dien Chau district, Nghe An not to allow them to return, and Party (CNRP) said in Kuala That paved the way for the anniversary of Operation Smile shared adjusted versions of the local newspaper Tuoi Tre re- province, left a year ago for sought support from regional Lumpur. ruling Cambodia People’s Par- (OSV), an organisation that re- event’s promotional poster, but ported, citing government France where he worked as a neighbours to thwart the oppo- “We will continue to try un- ty to win all 125 parliamentary pairs childhood facial deformi- with Chan’s face crossed out. minister Mai Tien Dung. dishwasher. sition’s plans. til the last second.” seats, turning the country into ties. Operation Smile responded to Dung said the bodies are ex- “Our priority has been to Defi ant Rainsy, who has lived Despite the Thai move, the a one-party state. Hong Kong’s Chan has been an complaints in a statement on Fa- pected to arrive back in Viet- identify the victims, to pre- in France since 2015 to avoid former women’s minister ap- Cambodian authorities also ambassador for the charity for 10 cebook saying they had removed nam on Saturday or Sunday. serve the dignity of those who convictions he says are po- pealed to neighbouring coun- disrupted a visit by Sochua to years. Chan’s image from promotional It is expected that all victims have died and to support the litically motivated, has repeat- tries to allow them to transit. the Indonesian capital Jakarta In 2016, Chan shared a map material and that he would not will be transported back to Vi- victims’ friends and families,” edly called Hun Sen a traitor We want “safe passage this week, with the country’s including the line on social me- take part in the anniversary cel- etnam on one plane, although said the policeman leading the - prompting ire from the gov- for a better Cambodia, safe ambassador storming a press dia - an incident Vietnamese ebrations. the airport they will fl y to re- investigation, assistant chief ernment which sees his much- passage so that the people conference she was giving and have not forgotten. China claims almost all of the mains unclear at this point, ac- constable Tim Smith. trumpeted return as a “coup of Cambodia can live as free seeking to get it cancelled. While Chan has never publicly South China Sea and has been cording to the news source. The British and Vietnamese attempt”. people, as independent peo- Malaysian authorities have spoken in support of the contro- involved in disputes with several British police yesterday governments are working to- The obstacles to their return ple”, she said. allowed Sochua to stay in the versial map, a growing number countries in the region over sov- named the 39 Vietnamese gether to repatriate the bodies, now look insurmountable - She accused Hun Sen of vio- country until Tuesday. of Vietnamese have complained ereignty. people who died in a refriger- the police said. Gulf Times Saturday, November 9, 2019 7 ASIA/AUSTRALASIA

North Korean defectors decry South’s expulsion of fi shermen

Reuters South Korea said killed 16 col- likely face torture, and possibly should have been prosecuted in run and there was no “sincer- many of the 33,000 refugees including public executions, tor- Seoul leagues before crossing the mari- execution in North Korea. South Korea if they were sus- ity” in their bid to defect. North from North Korea in the South ture and prison camps holding up time border into South Korean “The South eff ectively backed pected of having committed a Korea’s state media has made no say they feel like political pawns to 120,000 people, according to a waters last week. the North’s system by sending crime, Jung said. mention of the pair. Y H Kim, suddenly discarded. UN estimate. outh Korea’s expulsion of South Korean offi cials said the them back,” said Jung Gwang- South Korea’s constitution another defector turned rights “I’m so devastated thinking North Korea rejects those al- two North Korean fi sher- two, in their 20s, appear to have il, a former political prisoner in stipulates that North Korea is its advocate, said the expulsion of how human rights has become an legations. “There is little doubt Smen set a bad precedent killed their 16 colleagues after North Korea who runs a human territory and its Supreme Court the two was the latest in what he empty word,” Kim said. Ameri- that South Korea’s move has that has spread fears in the North their plan to take action against rights group in Seoul. “Now so has ruled North Koreans should said were government eff orts to can lawyer Joshua Stanton said condemned these two men to Korean defector community their abusive captain went many defectors are fearing they, also be considered South Korean “trample” on defectors. South Korea violated a UN con- torture and likely execution, and and could lend legitimacy to its wrong. They were suspected of too, might somehow be deport- citizens. But a spokesman for the As living examples of North vention banning the expulsion for that reason, there should have widely criticised judicial system, beating the 16 to death, offi cials ed,” Jung told Reuters. Many de- Unifi cation Ministry, which han- Korea’s rights abuses, defectors of people to a place where there been a much higher standard of defectors and activists said yes- said. The decision drew criticism fectors had served prison terms dles relations with the North, re- are the public face of eff orts to are “substantial grounds” for evidence required before sending terday. and dismay from some defectors, in the South for crimes they jected as inappropriate the appli- press for change in North Korea. believing they may face torture. them back,” said Phil Robertson, South Korea repatriated on who said the men should have committed in the North, includ- cation of those principles in this But as a surge of inter-Korean North Korea has been accused of deputy director for Asia at Hu- Thursday two fi shermen who been tried in the South and would ing murder and rape, and the two case, because the two were on the diplomacy unfolded last year, widespread human rights abuses, man Rights Watch. Dozens of bushfi res rage across Australia’s east

AFP Authorities said some of the Sydney fi res were creating their own weather conditions — pyrocu- mulus clouds that enveloped ustralian fi refi ghters entire towns. Meanwhile, high warned they were in “un- winds fl ung embers and burnt Acharted territory” as they debris far ahead of the fi res’ front struggled to contain dozens of lines, depositing the dangerous out-of-control bushfi res across detritus on the balconies and the east of the country yesterday. front yards of unsuspecting resi- Around a hundred blazes dents. pockmarked the New South Firefi ghters moved from spot Wales and Queensland country- to spot trying to put out small side, around 19 of them danger- fi res caused by the falling debris. ous and uncontained. Strong winds and high tempera- “We have never seen this many tures are expected to ease into fi res concurrently at emergency weekend off ering the chance of warning level,” New South Wales some respite. Rural Fire Service Commissioner But a prolonged drought and Shane Fitzsimmons told public low humidity levels will continue broadcaster ABC. “We are in un- to make circumstances combus- charted territory.” tible. “It’s a very dynamic, vola- Bushfi res are common in tile and dangerous set of circum- Australia and fi refi ghters have stances,” said Fitzsimmons. already been tackling sporadic Earlier this month some of blazes for months in the lead up A water bombing plane drops fire retardant on a bushfire in Harrington, Australia, yesterday. the same fi res cloaked Sydney in to the southern hemisphere sum- hazardous smoke for days, giving mer. But this is a dramatic start The fact the blazes were spread two places, although one area has it is too late to leave”. Local ra- the city a higher concentration to what scientists predict will be along a roughly 1,000-km (620- since reopened. dio stopped normal program- of particles per million than cit- a tough fi re season ahead — with mile) stretch of the seaboard left On Queensland’s Sunshine ming and provided instructions ies like Bangkok, Jakarta or Hong climate change and unfavourable emergency services struggling Coast, police ordered the total about how to try to survive fi res Kong. Flames from an out of control bushfire seen from a nearby residential weather cycles helping created a to cope, even with the help of evacuation of Tewantin, a suburb if trapped at home or in a vehicle. That prompted health au- area in Harrington, some 335km northeast of Sydney. tinderbox of strong winds, low around 70 aircraft. of 4,565 people. Across the central coast, resi- thorities to warn Sydneysiders humidity and high tempera- In New South Wales, authori- “Please LEAVE immediate- dents took to social media to post with respiratory problems to water at exorbitant cost, sell off age of low-cost loans worth tures. So far there have been no ties said fi res had breached con- ly, there is imminent threat to photos and videos of smoke- avoid outdoor physical activity. livestock or leave their land to lay around A$1bn (US$690mn), de- reports of fatalities, although tainment lines and forced the homes,” they warned. In some laden tangerine skies and fl ames Swathes of Australia have gone fallow. signed to help drought-stricken there was one unconfi rmed re- closure of the Pacifi c Highway areas, residents were stuck and engulfi ng storeys-tall eucalypts months without adequate rain- On Wednesday, Australia’s farmers struggling with the latest port of a building being set alight. linking Sydney and Brisbane in told to simply “seek shelter as within sight of their homes. fall, forcing farmers to truck in government announced a pack- “big dry”. Australian bushfi res wipe out half of koala colony

Reuters the rest under threat from one and formula. “We look for signals days will be needed to assess the itable areas, said James Trem- Melbourne of 15 major blazes in the south- of pain – teeth grinding, distress full damage to the koala popula- ain of the Nature Conservation eastern state. About 350 koalas – and we just take it on a day-by- tion. Population estimates for Council of New South Wales. living on the reserve in the north day basis,” said Amanda Gordon, koalas, native to Australia, vary “Devastating bushfi res are going ushfi res have wiped out coast town of Macquarie have who leads the team of carers, widely, from as few as 50,000 to to knock out some of these key about half the koalas living died in the bushfi res, the group adding that some of the marsupi- little more than 100,000. population centres, but so also Bon a coastal reserve in New Koala Conservation Australia als’ health problems can be hard They dwell mostly in eucalypt will increasing temperatures,” he South Wales, experts estimated estimates. That compares with a to spot. “Sometimes koalas seem forests in eastern states and on said, by aff ecting the nutrition yesterday, as a record number of total population of 500 to 600 in to be doing really, really well. the coastal fringes, usually liv- value of the leaves that are the intense fi res rage around the Aus- the reserve, said the group’s pres- Their paws might be healing ing up to 20 years, carrying their animals’ sole food source. tralian state. ident, Sue Ashton. up but if something’s going on young in a pouch and sleeping for “Koalas are defi nitely in trou- A fi erce early start to the bush- Animal carers at the Port Mac- that we can’t see there’s not really up to 18 hours a day. ble in New South Wales, but if the fi re season brought a blaze at the quarie Koala Hospital nearby much we can do,” added Gordon, Warmer weather brought declines continue at the same rate A burnt koala named Anwen, rescued from Lake Innes Nature Reserve, Lake Innes Nature Reserve that have been nursing rescued koa- who has worked at the hospital by climate change threatens to as the last 20 to 30 years, koalas receives formula at the Port Macquarie Koala Hospital ICU in Port destroyed two-thirds of the koa- las, bandaging their wounds and for 15 years. worsen conditions for koalas, as could be extinct in the wild by Macquarie, Australia. las’ habitat last month, leaving feeding them eucalyptus leaves The carers estimate at least 10 deforestation has narrowed hab- mid-century,” Tremain added.

Most Japanese fi rms aff ected by natural China calls HK protesters disasters, want Abe govt to spend more ‘mobsters’ after stabbing Reuters erations at the area’s biggest consolidated business profi t by considering diversifying supply Tokyo international airport. In July of one-third to some $900mn, cit- chains, production and logistics AFP pure election violence,” Xu Luy- run Global Times tabloid yes- last year, parts of western Japan ing such factors as suspended op- bases. “It boils down to enhanced Beijing ing, spokeswoman for the Hong terday compared some student were deluged with torrential rain, erations due to Faxai. Of the com- risk management,” wrote a man- Kong and Macau Aff airs Offi ce protesters at a recent university hree quarters of Japanese causing levees to break and land- panies in the Reuters survey hit by ager at a rubber-products maker. of China’s central government, forum in the city to “radicals companies have been hurt slides to destroy houses, killing natural disasters in the past two “We’ll look into resilience to nat- hina has slammed radical said Thursday, according to the during the Cultural Revolu- Tby a string of natural disas- over 200 people in Japan’s dead- years, 62% said the impact had ural disasters across Japan as es- protesters in Hong Kong offi cial Xinhua news agency. tion.” A clash broke out involv- ters over the past two years, suf- liest weather disaster in 36 years. taken or would likely take more tablishing new production bases Cas “mobsters” using vio- Xu said radical protesters in ing a group of students includ- fering damage to factories, offi ce The scars of the powerful than a week to recover from while will be an option as we promote lence to infl uence upcoming lo- Hong Kong “intend to create a ing at least one believed to be buildings, distribution networks storms, as well as occasional 32% said more than a month. automation.” cal elections, after a pro-Beijing ‘chilling eff ect’ by threatening from mainland China at the and supply chains, a Reuters sur- earthquakes, have brought home Some 57% of the companies The survey, conducted from lawmaker was injured in a stab- and intimidating their candi- Hong Kong University of Sci- vey found. to corporate Japan the importance fi nd Abe’s plan to spend $60bn Oct 24 to Nov 1 for Reuters by bing. The international fi nance dates and their supporters”, in ence and Technology (HKUST) Most of those companies suf- of infrastructure spending and over three years on “national re- Nikkei Research, canvassed 503 hub has been shaken by fi ve order to “aff ect the election re- on Wednesday, the South China fered direct or indirect eff ects that diversifying logistics and supply silience” to be insuffi cient. big and mid-size non-fi nancial months of huge and increas- sults of the district councils and Morning Post reported. lasted more than a week while the chains. “The bulk of Japan’s infra- companies. Roughly half re- ingly violent protests calling for realise their purpose of seizing The chaos erupted during a impact lasted more than a month A Panasonic Corp factory in structure was rapidly developed sponded to the questions on greater democratic freedoms political power”. forum at which HKUST presi- for a third respondents. Most northern Japan, inundated by in the 1960s and ’70s, so large- disasters and infrastructure, on and police accountability. Xu also called for “strong dent Wei Shyy said he would fi rms in the Reuters Corporate Hagibis, will take about two scale restoration is called for,” a condition of anonymity. Abe With Beijing and Hong punishment” against violence condemn police if they were Survey said they want the govern- months to repair, although it was manager at an electric-machin- yesterday ordered his cabinet to Kong’s unpopular leader Car- in Hong Kong and for a “fair, found to have caused the four- ment of Prime Minister Shinzo too early to comment on the im- ery maker responded in the Reu- compile a package of stimulus rie Lam refusing to off er a po- just, safe and orderly environ- metre fall on Monday of a stu- Abe to spend more on steps such pact on the electronics giant’s ters Corporate Survey. measures to support the economy litical solution to the protesters’ ment” for the district elections, dent who subsequently suff ered as strengthening levees and re- profi ts, Chief Financial Offi cer A respondent at a chemicals and build infrastructure to cope grievances, violence has spi- set to be held on November 24. a serious brain injury, SCMP pairing aged infrastructure. Hirokazu Umeda told a news con- company wrote, “Flood-preven- with large natural disasters, with ralled on both sides of the ideo- In October, democracy activist said. Global Times called the Last month, Typhoon Hagi- ference last week. tion works will become increas- additional spending in an extra logical divide. In the latest inci- Joshua Wong was barred from local students involved in the bis caused 71 rivers to burst 140 East Japan Railway Co will have ingly important due to changes in budget at the end of the year. dent, a man holding a bouquet contesting a seat in the upcom- fracas “politically brainwashed, levees over vast areas in eastern to scrap eight of its roughly 30 global climate.” A combined 74% That will be the fi rst stimulus approached pro-Beijing law- ing polls. An election offi cer had almost losing their ability of Japan, following massive fl oods Shinkansen “bullet trains” on its want the government to focus on package since 2016, as the longest maker Junius Ho on Wednesday ruled that the concept of self- independent thinking” and and power outages from Typhoon Hokuriku line that were fl ooded reinforcing levees or refurbishing postwar economic boom sputters morning as the politician was determination advocated by suggested that one student had Faxai in September. in a depot by Hagibis, at a cost old bridges and other infrastruc- amid the US-China trade war and campaigning in his constituen- Wong’s party, Demosisto, con- faked being pushed by a main- A year ago, Typhoon Jebi bat- of about $100mn, a spokesman ture. Most of the fi rms do not as the government watches the cy near the border with China. tradicted the Basic Law, Hong land student in order to insti- tered western Japan, killing at said. Nippon Steel Corp last week have plans to guard against natu- impact of an October 1 tax hike. The attack was “not only a Kong’s mini-constitution. gate violence against the main- least 13 people and snarling op- slashed its annual forecast for ral disasters, though one-third are serious criminal act but also Meanwhile, China’s state- lander. Gulf Times 8 Saturday, November 9, 2019 BRITAIN Teenager gets life term for murdering schoolgirl Guardian News and Media the time, was jailed for life, with a ship was not right for her. She told placed his hands on her neck but huish, where he was cared for by grave nature of the crime. ed that Ellie was fi rst incapacitated London minimum sentence of 12 years and friends on May 2, that they had could not recall what happened staff because he was clearly upset Ellie’s family and friends by pressure having been applied to six months, at Bristol crown court split up. next. before his mother picked him up. packed the court to hear Griffi ths her neck. yesterday. On 3 May, Griffi ths’s mother He claimed the next thing he Griffi ths has been described by being sentenced. “Thereafter, multiple knife n 18-year-old has been After the killing in May, Griffi ths dropped him off at Hardenhu- remembered was coming round police as a good student who had Richard Smith QC, prosecut- wounds were infl icted. There are jailed for murdering a fel- tried to clean up the scene, then ish school in Chippenham, where to discover Ellie had been stabbed. never been in trouble before. ing, said Ellie had told friends she at least 13 wounds infl icted, with Alow sixth former by re- went home and put the clothes he both he and Ellie were sixth form- He tried to clean up the scene and Ellie’s family previously paid felt suff ocated by Griffi th’s atten- the knife focused mainly around peatedly stabbing her in the neck was wearing in the washing ma- ers, but he told his teachers he was drove back to his house. A plastic tribute to the keen horse rider and tions. He said Griffi ths’ claim that the area of the left neck. The knife the day after she split up with chine and hid bloodstained items. ill and returned home. bag containing bloodstained items animal lover as “fun-loving and they had studied together that day that was used to kill Ellie was one him so she could focus on her Ellie’s father, Matthew, found the His mother arrived at home un- he had removed from Ellie’s house a joy to be around”. They said she were undermined by the lack of that was taken from the family studies. teenager’s body later the same day expectedly and he hid in a ward- was later found by police a nine- had thought of trying to join the revision folders left out when her kitchen.” Thomas Griffi ths murdered Ellie when he arrived home. robe until she had left, then – ille- minute walk from his home. police’s mounted division. body was found. Smith said Griffi ths had at- Gould, a talented 17-year-old stu- Detectives say the pair began a gally – drove to Ellie’s home, where After he returned home, a neigh- Griffi ths pleaded guilty to mur- Smith said: “Griffi ths became tempted to clean up the murder dent and horse rider, at her family relationship in January, but Ellie, she was studying. bour saw Griffi ths had scratch der in August, at which point angry, perhaps by Ellie’s continued scene with cloths he later hid in a home in Calne, Wiltshire. She suf- who had ambitions of becoming a Griffi ths later told police they marks to his neck. The teenager reporting restrictions that had rejection of him and he attacked wood near his home. He also tried fered at least 13 stab wounds. police offi cer, wanted to focus on were intending to work together claimed he was self-harming. The prevented the media from nam- her.” The prosecutor added: “A to make it appear that Ellie had Griffi ths, who was also 17 at her studies and felt the relation- but began arguing. He said he neighbour drove him into Harden- ing him were lifted because of the postmortem examination indicat- killed herself. Government pledges faster visas for NHS doctors, nurses

DPA/Guardian News and Media The announcement received London a mixed reaction as Dame Don- na Kinnair, chief executive and general secretary of the Royal oris Johnson has unveiled College of Nursing, said she re- plans for half-price visas served judgment until she had Band preferential immigra- more details. tion processes for doctors and She also criticised the impo- nurses wanting to work in the sition of the immigration health UK but faced calls to exempt charge for medical staff . them from the health surcharge. “Failure to train enough nurs- Johnson said the new NHS es is leaving NHS and social care visa costing £464 would be part short-staff ed and forced us to of the points-based immigration recruit overseas in the short- system he wants to introduce af- term,” she said. “A fairer immi- ter Brexit. gration system is a key demand Under the proposed fast-track we’re making of politicians this process, the Conservatives said election – valuing skills and not applicants would be guaranteed fi xating on arbitrary targets – a decision within two weeks and but the devil will be in the detail extra points would be awarded and we cannot be satisfi ed by to those coming to work in the rhetoric alone. The NHS doesn’t NHS. operate in isolation and nurses Firefighters and first responders rescue people stranded on a flooded road in central Rotherham, near Sheff ield, Britain, yesterday. Applicants would also be able work in social care and many to pay back the cost of the im- other places. migration health surcharge – “But it is of deep regret that charges paid by migrants to the the prime minister is preserv- UK to use the NHS – via their ing the immoral and heartless salary. charge for overseas nurses to use Priti Patel, the home secre- the same services they keep run- tary, said: “These measures are ning. It should be abolished, not part of our plan for an Austral- spread out every month. “There Heavy rains kill woman, ian-style points-based immi- are tens of thousands of unfi lled gration system that allows us to nursing jobs and we need more control numbers while remain- ambitious plans than this to ad- ing open to vital professions dress it.” like nurses. Diane Abbott, the shadow “That means the best of both home secretary, said the Tories worlds – attracting talent from are “tying themselves in knots spark evacuation alert around the world so our NHS over immigration”. “They use continues to provide brilliant dog whistle anti-migrant rheto- Reuters/Guardian News and than 100 fl ood warnings yes- Tom Zanetti and Jonas Blue, be- River Don near the town of Don- The torrential rain also service while ensuring that it ric but are forced to accept we Media terday, with residents in parts fore being told at 5.20pm that it caster where the authorities said brought widespread travel dis- isn’t put under strain by open- need migrant workers for key London of northern England advised to had been called off . persistent rain had caused severe ruption with some rail operators ing Britain’s borders to the entire sectors, not just the NHS, but evacuate their homes amid con- With many roads still blocked fl ooding as water levels reached issuing a “Do not travel” advice world.” many more besides. cern that lives were in danger. and trains and trams to the city record highs and posed a danger to passengers in places around There are around 100,000 va- “This policy is full of holes, woman has died after Dozens were trapped in a cancelled, they were among 50- to life. Sheffi eld and other aff ected ar- cancies in the NHS, represent- with nothing to say about the becoming submerged in shopping centre in the city of 60 people who were forced to “Residents in these areas are eas while many roads were also ing almost one in 11 jobs. The nurses earning below their in- A fl oodwater as parts of Sheffi eld overnight after becom- stay the night as water started advised to evacuate immedi- closed. shortages include 10,000 doc- come threshold, as well as all the England were deluged with a ing stranded and about 100 oth- coming into the shopping centre ately,” Doncaster Council said. “Awful to see the terrible tors and 43,000 nurses. The lack cooks, cleaners, hospital porters month’s worth of rain in a day. ers were rescued from another “from the lower level doors”. “We advise people to seek shel- fl ooding across the North of of health service staff has been and others who are vital to hos- The woman was swept away in mall nearby by fi refi ghters in in- “We had to go and buy our ter with family and friends. Rest England,” Prime Minister Boris blamed for the rise in cancelled pitals, and nothing at all about the early hours and the body was fl atable dinghies. own blankets and pillows and centres have been established.” Johnson said on Twitter. “Thank operations and an increase in their right to bring family mem- pulled from the River Derwent in Harriet Fullen, 16, who trav- food and drink to supply our- While most of the serious you to the emergency staff & vol- payments to locum doctors and bers here. Derbyshire at 10.40GMT. elled to the event from Lincoln selves, not to mention the new fl ooding aff ected central and unteers helping families through agency nurses. “Labour’s immigration policy Derbyshire Police said her by train with her friends, said outfi ts we had to buy due to how northern England, there were this diffi cult time.” A report last month found is rational and fair and will pri- family had been informed and they had queued all afternoon wet through ours were from the more than 100 other alerts Precautionary fl ood barriers some hospitals were off ering oritise attracting the people we formal identifi cation was yet to at Meadowhall for Christmas day,” she said. across the country where the have been put in place in My- doctors up to £3,500 a shift to need, and treat them as human take place. event, which was due to feature The greatest concern was for environment agency cautioned tholmroyd, which was badly hit plug the crisis. beings,” Abbott added The government issued more acts including Ella Henderson, homes in fi ve areas around the that fl ooding was possible. in the 2015 Boxing Day fl oods. Farage campaigns Crossrail warns of more Royal Mail in legal bid to stop strike delays and cost overruns Guardian News and Media application because of the dam- London age industrial action would do to the company and its customers Guardian News and Media tral section of the line has risen to ment is that the opening of the in the run-up to Christmas.” London about £15.36bn – £400mn more central section will not occur in oyal Mail is making an ap- The application will argue that than the funding committed un- 2020, which was the fi rst part of plication to the high court CWU offi cials broke the rules for der a fi nancing package agreed the previously declared opening Rto try to block workers a postal ballot of its member- rossrail will not open un- with the government. “Fur- window,” TfL said. “The Elizabeth from staging a strike over job ship, which stipulate the process til 2021 and has incurred ther modelling scenarios” sug- line will open as soon as practically security and employment condi- should take place in the privacy Ca further cost overrun gest higher levels of risk to the possible in 2021.” tions that it says risks having an of their own homes without in- that will take the total price of project that would cost an extra Crossrail was due to open in impact on the UK’s general elec- terference by the union. the London rail link to more than £650mn, TfL said. December 2018 but has been tion. However, Royal Mail says it £18bn, Transport for London Crossrail, designed to connect beset by delays and rising costs. The company claims there has evidence that members were (TfL) has announced. Heathrow airport and Canary The National Audit Offi ce has were “potential irregularities” being instructed to open their The latest assessment for Wharf from east to west across blamed the debacle on manage- in the ballot of Communication ballot papers at their delivery of- the opening of the central sec- London, is Britain’s biggest in- ment clinging to an unrealistic Workers Union (CWU) members fi ces and encouraged to cast their tion has ruled out late 2020 and frastructure project in decades. opening date instead of dealing over industrial action that could votes in favour of a strike while the aim is for Crossrail to open The total cost of Crossrail was with problems that appeared as mean the recent vote was un- in groups. It says workers were “as soon as practically possible previously estimated at £17.6bn early as 2015. lawful. It has also contacted the also persuaded to be fi lmed while in 2021”, the capital’s transport but the latest overrun means the Mark Wild, Crossrail’s chief ex- communications regulator, Of- casting their vote, before posting authority said. TfL had previ- cost of the project has risen to as ecutive, said: “We are doing eve- com, over its concerns. ballots together at their work- ously said the Elizabeth line, as much as £18.25bn from an initial rything we can to complete the “The company is making this place postboxes. the service will be called, was budget of £15bn. Elizabeth line as quickly as we can high court application because “Royal Mail’s procedures make unlikely to start running before TfL said it had agreed with the but there are no shortcuts to deliv- the integrity and legal soundness it clear that employees cannot 2021 but had kept an autumn department for transport that the ering this hugely complex railway. of any electoral process is vital. open their mail at the delivery 2020 opening in its plans. fi nancing package would stay in The Elizabeth line must be com- This is particularly the case in re- offi ce without the prior authori- The latest delay was caused by place and was talking to the de- pleted to the highest safety and lation to potential industrial ac- sation of their manager. Along- the need for more time to devel- partment about how to cover the quality standards.” tion around the general election side our application for an in- op signalling software and to get extra costs. Changes to design and sched- Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage speaks during a general on December 12, 2019,” Royal junction, we will review whether safety approvals for the railway. “TfL has been advised by ules increased costs on most of the election campaign visit to Pontypool in south Wales yesterday. Mail said yesterday. any further action is required,” The cost forecast for the cen- Crossrail that their latest assess- project’s 36 main contracts. “Royal Mail is also making this the company said. Gulf Times Saturday, November 9, 2019 9 EUROPE

Teen admits to stabbing toddler half-brother A 15-year-old in western Germany has confessed to killing her three- year-old half-brother, police said yesterday. UN court to hear lawsuit “It is assumed that the motive for the crime centres on the girl’s diff icult family circumstances and that she had developed a deep hatred for her half-brother,” investigators said in a statement. They noted that the girl had not herself provided a concrete against Russia over war cause and was suff ering from partial memory loss. Reuters in full, with the 16-judge panel Addressing that point, Yusuf “Russia will be accountable and ed full-scale combat in 2015. Minister Zerkal said a rul- The teen is thought to have The Hague rejecting Russian objections by a said Ukraine had not asked the have to present their opinions Moscow denies accusations ing by the court could bolster stabbed the toddler in their large majority. court to rule “on the status of and their views”. by Kyiv and Western countries attempts to get justice for the family home in Detmold, a town The International Court of Crimea or on violations of the Covert Russian forces seized that it sent ground troops, as downing of MH17 by infl uencing of around 70,000 people in n a legal victory for Ukraine, Justice (ICJ) found that on the rules of international law” other Ukraine’s Crimea peninsula in well as weapons and funding, to the UN Security Council, where North-Rhine Westphalia, late on the United Nations’ top court basis of anti-terrorism and anti- than those contained in the UN 2014 shortly after a pro-Russian assist the rebels. Moscow has blocked attempts to Wednesday. Ifor disputes between states discrimination treaties signed anti-discrimination and anti- Ukrainian president was toppled The ICJ, or world court, is the set up a tribunal to deal with the An autopsy has shown that the said yesterday that it would hear by both countries, it has juris- terrorism treaties. in a popular uprising. leading global court for disputes incident. boy died of 28 stab wounds. a lawsuit fi led by Ukraine against diction to hear the case over Kyiv says Russia’s support for Moscow then organised a ref- between nations. A Dutch-led international in- “It is assumed that the boy was Russia for allegedly supporting Russia’s alleged support for sep- separatist forces violated a UN erendum and annexed the terri- A ruling on Moscow’s in- vestigation team found that the asleep when the crime was pro-Russian separatists, reject- aratists in Crimea and eastern convention banning the funding tory. volvement in Ukraine would set airliner was shot down with a committed,” investigators said. ing Moscow’s call for the case to Ukraine. of terrorist groups. Pro-Russian separatists also a precedent that could impact Russian missile, and has charged The girl fled the scene and an be thrown out. In June, Moscow asked judges Ukrainian Deputy Foreign launched a revolt in another other cases dealing with Rus- three Russians and a Ukrainian intensive police search followed, Reading a summary of the rul- to dismiss the suit, saying that Minister Olena Zerkal called part of Ukraine, the east, where sia’s alleged link to the July 2014 with murder. using dogs and a helicopter. ing, Presiding Judge Abdulqawi Kyiv was using it as pretext for a yesterday’s ruling a victory for a confl ict has killed more than downing of Malaysia Airlines All 298 passengers and crew She was apprehended early on Yusuf said that conditions had ruling on the legality of Russia’s Ukraine, saying outside the 13,000 people and remains vio- Flight MH17 over rebel-held were killed when the plane Thursday. been met for the case to be heard 2014 annexation of Crimea. court in The Hague that it meant lent despite a ceasefi re that halt- eastern Ukraine. crashed. At the request of the prosecutor, the district court in Detmold issued an arrest warrant for murder yesterday. Probe into German Ukraine foes set to pull back troops today mine blast that left 36 trapped AFP frontline, the army said. “We want to hold the summit as Bogdanivka, Ukraine The warring sides held two sim- soon as possible, but at the same Police and mining experts are ilar pullbacks in June and October. time we consider this summit has investigating what caused an The withdrawal of forces would to be well organised to ensure it explosion at Teutschenthal mine kraine’s army and Krem- be the “fi nal precondition” for gets the necessary results,” Krem- in eastern Germany yesterday lin-backed separatists organising the four-way summit, lin spokesman Dmitry Peskov that briefly trapped 36 workers Uhave postponed by a day Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Vadym said. underground and injured two the last phase of a long-awaited Prystaiko said this week. He added it was “too early to others. troop pullback in the war-torn He has expressed hope that the say” whether the meeting could After the miners were rescued, east. meeting, the fi rst at such a high take place this year because “many off icials gave an all-clear, and The withdrawal of forces is a level since 2016, could take place questions” remained unresolved. now the regional police force and precondition for the fi rst face-to- in Paris in November. The warring sides are set to sig- local authorities are looking into face talks between Russian Presi- Since coming to power in May, nal their intention today to with- what happened at the site. dent Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian comedian-turned-president Ze- draw by fi ring a fl are before mov- One cause of the explosion leader Volodymyr Zelenskiy. lenskiy, 41, has sought to revive ing back a kilometre. could be the use of material from The summit, whose date has a peace process to end the sepa- OSCE monitors will observe the incineration plants to fill cavities, yet to be set, will be mediated by ratist confl ict in eastern Ukraine disengagement which could be Erik Fillinger, technical chief at French President Emmanuel Ma- that has claimed some 13,000 lives spread over several days. the mine, told reporters. cron and Germany Chancellor since 2014. If the pullback goes ahead, it “The filter dust contains Angela Merkel. But those eff orts have stalled raises the possibility of a with- hydrogen,” he added. Kyiv said earlier it was ready to as Zelenskiy’s plan, including the drawal along the more than Off icials from the Saxony-Anhalt begin the withdrawal of troops troop pullback, has been strongly 400km (249-mile) frontline. state mining off ice suggested near the village of Petrivske in the criticised in Kyiv, especially by In the run-up to the summit, that hydrogen could have played Donetsk region, but the separa- war veterans and nationalists. Ukrainian, Russian and separatist a role in the explosion at the tists insisted that the withdrawal “The Normandy format aims to negotiators also agreed on a road- mine, in an initial statement. be delayed until today. renew dialogue, which can bring map that envisages a special status Investigations will begin “The withdrawal of forces and us closer to the complete end of for the separatist territories if they immediately and work will be hardware will start on Saturday ... the war,” Zelenskiy said in com- conduct free and fair elections un- stopped until the causes of the at 12 noon” Kyiv time (1000 GMT), ments released on Thursday, re- der the Ukrainian constitution. accident are discovered, said Martin Sajdik, an Organisation for ferring to the four-way talks. The war in eastern Ukraine off icial Uwe Schaar. Security and Co-operation in Eu- The summit has been repeatedly broke out a month after Moscow He was unable to say how long rope (OSCE) envoy, said in a state- postponed as previous attempts to annexed the Crimean peninsula the investigation would take. ment. organise pullbacks of troops have from Ukraine in 2014. One German and one Polish In a sign of persisting tensions, failed. Ukraine and its Western allies miner were hurt, Fillinger said. A Ukrainian serviceman patrols by a destroyed coal mine of Butovka, at the front line with a Kyiv soldier has been killed and Russia has said it backs a new accuse Moscow of giving fi nancial According to the police, one Russia-backed separatists, not far from the town of Avdiivka, in the Donetsk region. Ukraine’s army another fi ve wounded over the summit but refused to commit to and military backing to separa- of the two sustained mild and separatists have postponed the planned pullback of troops in the war-torn east by 24 hours, past two days along the volatile a timetable. tists, which Russia denies. injuries, the other was hurt more international monitors said. seriously. Both are in shock and are being treated at the local hospital, but they are able to walk without aid, the police said. Pompeo issues warning on eve of Berlin Wall anniversary

Pilot probed after AFP posed by governments like Chi- others including Germany’s own former Iron Curtain border and Berlin na, Russia and Iran, Pompeo security services have warned is slated to meet leaders includ- handing controls said, speaking just a few metres that it is close to Beijing. ing Merkel. to passenger away from where the Wall ran But fearful of a falling-out While in Europe, he has S Secretary of State Mike past the German capital’s world- with China – Germany’s biggest looked to shore up transatlantic Russian investigators have Pompeo has issued a famous Brandenburg Gate. trade partner – Berlin last month relations eroded by trade con- launched a probe following social Ustark warning against The United States and its al- said only that there would be fl icts and discord over geopoliti- media posts by a woman who China and Russia on the eve of lies should “defend what was so “high standards” for security in cal crises and military spending. boasted about flying a passenger the 30th anniversary of the fall hard-won ... in 1989” and “rec- the new network. Spurred by the US leaving the plane without training after the of the Berlin Wall, urging West- ognise we are in a competition of Pompeo said that just as in the way open to Turkish and Rus- pilot gave her the controls. ern allies to defend hard-won values with unfree nations”, he eastern bloc in 1989, “freedom sian military action in northern Investigators in the Siberian freedoms. added. loving people” are protesting Syria, Macron told The Econo- region of Yakutia said the 33-year- Stressing that “we can never Pompeo’s visit came as Ger- around the world today, includ- mist magazine this week that the old woman took over during a take ... things for granted”, he many prepared to mark three ing in Chinese-controlled Hong Nato alliance – of which Turkey scheduled flight by the regional said that the 70-year-old Nato decades since November 9, Kong. is also a member – was suff ering IrAero company that had other alliance also “runs the risk that 1989, when the Berlin Wall came He added Washington has a “brain death” of lack of co- passengers on board. it will become obsolete” if the down, ultimately culminating in made clear to Beijing that “it’s ordination between Europe and “One of the crew members leaders failed to tackle new chal- the collapse of the communist our expectation that the Chi- Washington. illegally let a young woman into lenges. regime in the east. nese government honour their Other Western leaders in- the cockpit who had no permit France’s President Emmanuel Highlighting sore spots in commitment” to the “one coun- cluding Merkel, Nato Secretary- or certificate to fly planes ... Macron had criticised the North Washington’s relationship with try, two systems” policy that General Jens Stoltenberg and and gave her the controls of Atlantic Treaty Organisation Berlin today, Pompeo said de- has allowed Hong Kong greater Canadian Prime Minister Justin the Antonov An-24 plane,” the (Nato) as suff ering from “brain- fending liberal democracy also freedoms than the mainland Trudeau, have all fi rmly rejected investigators said in a statement. death”, prompting a sharp re- means preventing “Europe’s since ex-colonial power Britain Macron’s assessment. “There were passengers on buke from German Chancellor energy supplies ... (from) de- handed over control in 1997. Praising Germany for its board” the plane which can Angela Merkel. pending on (Russian Presi- Mentioning also anti-govern- pledge to raise Nato spending, carry up to 52 plus the crew, Dismissing the debate around dent Vladimir) Putin’s whims” ment protests in Lebanon and Pompeo said just before talks investigators added. Macron’s comments as “kerfuf- through the under-construction Pompeo is seen after the unveiling the statue of former US president Iraq, Pompeo said that “we need with Merkel that the commit- fl e”, Pompeo acknowledged that Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline from Ronald Reagan at the US embassy in Berlin. to support these people wher- ment is “powerful because we “Nato needs to grow and change, Russia to Germany. ever we can”. think that relationship with Crew stage demo it needs to confront the realities Merkel has repeatedly said the nese companies’ intent to build next-generation mobile network Pompeo is on a whirlwind Nato matters and we need eve- of today and the challenges to- pipeline is a purely private busi- 5G networks”, after the German infrastructure. two-day tour of Germany where ryone working together to make on second day of day”. ness concern. government failed to exclude While Huawei is a world lead- he has revisited the site of his sure it remains a potent force for Lufthansa strike These threats include those And Pompeo warned of “Chi- tech giant Huawei from the er in the technology, the US and Cold War military service on the good in the world”. Hundreds of Lufthansa flights were cancelled yesterday as a strike by German cabin crew stretched into a second day, with workers staging a noisy rally to EU establishes standalone border force, boosting Frontex push their demands for better pay and conditions. The 48-hour walkout that started AFP have personnel wearing its uni- Frontex to play a bigger role in While the number of migrants fi rst recruitment drive for more Two EU countries have opt- on Thursday as Germany’s Brussels form and on its payroll who can supporting member states in has fallen under a 2016 deal than 700 border guards who will outs from the area: Ireland and UFO union pressed on with the be deployed to the EU’s external border control, on returns and in done with neighbouring Turkey, be operational in January 2021. Brexit-bound Britain. stoppage even after agreeing borders to handle crises or gen- co-operating with third coun- threats from Turkish President “The agency will provide sup- Another four European coun- to Lufthansa’s surprise off er for he EU has formally estab- eral management. tries”, said Maria Ohisalo, inte- Recep Tayyip Erdogan to “open port at the request of the mem- tries outside the EU but with weekend talks. lished its fi rst standalone Frontex currently has up to rior minister of Finland, which the gates” once more have raised ber state concerned or on its own close relations with it – Ice- Germany’s largest carrier initially Tborder force, boosting the 1,500 offi cers active at any time presently holds the EU’s rotating alarm in EU capitals. initiative and in agreement with land, Liechtenstein, Norway and said the stoppage would force Frontex service with a new per- but they are seconded to the presidency. Frontex says its new corps will the member state concerned,” Switzerland – are also part of the it to scrap 1,300 flights over the manent corps that will number agency by member states for Frontex, whose headquarters be “Europe’s fi rst uniformed the European Council said. Schengen area. two days. 10,000 offi cers by 2027. short missions, along with ships is in Poland’s capital Warsaw, service” – a boast affi rming the The Schengen area comprises Frontex’s budget has swelled But yesterday afternoon it said The adoption by EU member and aircraft. has been called on to handle EU’s goal to build integrated se- 22 of the EU’s 28 member states, steadily in the 14 years of its the number of cancellations states means Frontex – the bor- The EU regulation adopted numerous migration situations, curity institutions to match its with four more – Bulgaria, existence and will jump 26% had climbed to 1,500 – aff ecting der and coast guard agency for yesterday also expands the agen- most notably in 2015 when 1mn economic and political heft. Croatia, Cyprus and Romania – from this year to next to stand at 200,000 passengers. the bloc’s Schengen area – will cy’s mandate, which “will allow asylum-seekers entered the EU. Last month, it launched its due to be included in the future. €421mn ($464mn). Gulf Times 10 Saturday, November 9, 2019 INDIA

POLITICS PEOPLE CONTROVERSY TRAGEDY DISCLOSURE Congress, JMM announce No plans to join BJP, US yoga enthusiast Woman found living with Kerala minister admits poll pact in Jharkhand clarifies Rajinikanth goes missing in Goa corpses for two months errors in tax notices

The Congress yesterday announced it will be Actor Rajinikanth yesterday said attempts are Relatives of 20-year-old US national, Elizabeth A woman was found living with the dead bodies Admitting that there were errors in the calculation contesting the upcoming Jharkhand Assembly being made to give him a ‘saff ron’ hue. Speaking Mann, who was in Goa on a yoga retreat yester- of her mother and sister in a house in Ayodhya of overdue taxes, Kerala Finance Minister Thomas polls in alliance with the Jharkahnd Mukti Morcha to reporters in Chennai, Rajinikanth said he will, day claimed the youngster has gone missing for for over two months. Police were called in after Issac yesterday told the Assembly that appropriate (JMM). In a joint press conference in Ranchi, Con- however, not fall into that trap. Rajinikanth said the last 24 hours, even as the state police have neighbours complained of a strong stench from a action will be taken and the errors rectified. The min- gress Jharkhand in-charge R P N Singh and JMM attempts are also being made to portray him as started a preliminary probe into the incident. house in Adarsh Nagar colony under Devkali police ister was replying to an adjournment motion notice executive president Hemant Soren announced a member of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Mann, who hails from Minnesota, US, arrived in station. The cops broke open the door and found moved by senior Congress legislator V D Sateeshan the seat sharing formula also. “JMM, Congress and He said the BJP has not approached him to join India on October 27 and had enrolled for a yoga Deepa sleeping while the decomposed bodies of regarding the suicide of a trader, Mathai Daniel, last RJD will fight on 43, 31 and seven seats respective- the party nor has it promised him the post of retreat in the north Goa beach village of Anjuna, her mother and sister, Pushpa Srivastava and Vibha month. Sateeshan said Mathai committed suicide ly,” said Singh. “Hemant Soren will lead the alliance Tamil Nadu unit chief. Rajinikanth said BJP leader before she went missing on Thursday, according lay near her. Deepa’s father, a former sub-divisional after receiving a penalty notice of Rs2.7mn as ag- and will be the face of the chief minister. He had Pon Radhakrishnan had visited him to extend his to her US-based aunt Jenny Jenson-Hoff man. magistrate, died in 1990. She lived in the house gregate dues from previous years default on the led the alliance as chief minister in the past as greetings on his selection for the Golden Icon Elizabeth’s personal belongings, including her with her mother and two sisters, one of whom, value-added tax (VAT). “Off icials had sent the notices well.” Despite being in Ranchi, RJD president Lalu award. The actor said he would enter politics and mobile phone, have been left behind at ‘Bunkd’ a died a few years later. Thereafter Pushpa, and her based on the computer generated dues. It has been Prasad Yadav’s eldest son Tejashwi Yadav stayed his party would contest all 234 assembly seats in hostel in Anjuna. “The only thing we know for sure two daughters, Vibha and Deepa, became mentally found out that there were errors and this will be away from the press conference. Tamil Nadu in 2021. is that she has her passport,” her aunt said. unstable and stopped interacting with neighbours. looked into,” Issac said. Congress fumes as security for Gandhi family downgraded

IANS SPG protection given to his pred- New Delhi ecessor Rajiv Gandhi. In 2003, the Vajpayee government again amended the SPG Act to bring the he Special Protection period of automatic protection Group (SPG) cover given down from 10 years to “a period of Tto the Gandhis, includ- one year from the date on which ing Congress interim president the former prime minister ceased Sonia and her children, has been to hold offi ce” and beyond one withdrawn and they will now year based on the level of threat as get ‘Z plus’ security provided by decided by the government. the Central Reserve Police Force In August, the Centre had also (CRPF), offi cials said yesterday. withdrawn SPG protection given The SPG security will be with- to former prime minister Man- drawn from the New Delhi resi- mohan Singh and his wife Gur- dences of Sonia, her son Rahul sharan Kaur and they were ac- and daughter Priyanka Gandhi corded ‘Z plus’ CRPF security. Vadra after the CRPF takes over The Congress yesterday the responsibility, a home minis- slammed the government for re- try offi cial said. moving the SPG security cover for Sources said the government’s the Gandhi family, terming it as a decision has been conveyed to “sinister” and “vindictive” move. the Gandhi family, but the people “The BJP has descended to Outgoing Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis addresses a press conference after submitting his resignation as CM to governor B S Koshyari, in Mumbai yesterday. close to the family said they have the ultimate personal vendetta Fadnavis yesterday reiterated that there was never any talk of sharing the post of the CM between the allies, Bharatiya Janata Party and the Shiv Sena. not been informed. The decision mechanism, compromising the is set to become a huge political lives of family members of two fl ashpoint, with Congress leaders former prime ministers to acts perceiving the move as “down- of terror and violence,” Congress grading” of the security of the leader Ahmed Patel tweeted. Gandhis, who have been enjoying Congress working committee the SPG cover since the assassi- member Jitin Prasada said this nation of former prime minister was a “sinister” move. Rajiv Gandhi on May 21, 1991. “Withdrawing the SPG secu- BJP-Sena alliance totters The decision to withdraw SPG rity cover of a family that has lost security, the country’s highest its family members in the line of grade of protection, was taken duty to brutal political assassina- after a review involving the Cabi- tions reveals the sinister vendetta net secretariat and the ministry politics of this govt, he said. of home aff airs with inputs from Punjab Chief Minister Ama- various intelligence agencies, of- rinder Singh demanded revoca- as Fadnavis quits as CM fi cials said. tion of the central government’s In the wake of the latest deci- ‘politically motivated’ decision. IANS “Jannayak Janata Party leader ments. Even while coming out of BJP’s general secretary, or- Prithviraj Chavan, Sushilkumar sion, the top security cover will He urged the central govern- New Delhi and now Haryana Deputy Chief BJP chief Amit Shah’s residence ganisation, B L Santhosh didn’t Shinde, Ashok Chavan, and oth- now be given only to the prime ment to reconsider its decision, Minister Dushyant Chautala, in New Delhi, he refused to be mince any words when he ers called on Nationalist Congress minister. particularly in view of the secu- during the Haryana election provoked. tweeted: “Maharashtra CM Fad- Party president Sharad Pawar The ‘Z plus’ security means rity scenario currently prevailing ate yesterday one thing campaign, had said ‘two Guaja- A BJP leader based out of navis makes it clear that there shortly after the verbal slugfest the Gandhis will be guarded by in the country. was almost certain - the ratis will teach us nationalism’ Mumbai requesting anonym- was no discussion on the 50:50 erupted between Chief Minister around 100 CRPF personnel. Ac- Considering that Sonia Gan- LBJP prefers to go for fresh and BJP has now embraced him,” ity said: “As of today, we don’t formula ...All issues raised in Devendra Fadnavis and Shiv Sena cording to procedures laid down dhi’s husband Rajiv Gandhi and elections in Maharashtra after Thackeray added. have numbers. But neither has last one week cleared by him in President Uddhav Thackeray. by the SPG Act, 1988, Gandhis’ mother-in-law Indira Gandhi six months, on its own, blam- Fadnavis, after tendering the Sena. After the press confer- one press brief .. Calls the bluff Thorat and Prithviraj Chavan SPG security cover was renewed were assassinated, the grant of ing the Shiv Sena. Another thing his resignation as chief minis- ence, the relationship with Sena of many a concocted stories.” said it is clear that the “pre-poll annually after a review of threats SPG cover to the Gandhi fam- that is being increasingly clear- ter to governor B S Koshiyari, has become almost impossible.” With both sides out to call out alliance” between the BJP-Sena faced by them. ily was not a political favour but the BJP and the Sena are likely to addressed a press conference On being asked whether the each other’s ‘bluff ’, the tone and has failed miserably, but since The SPG was set up in 1985 a necessity, said Amarinder Singh go for a split. where he put the blame for the two will split, the BJP leader tenor has changed drastically. they secured the peoples’ man- after the assassination of prime in a statement. First it was Chief Minister De- political stalemate squarely on said: “At least it is heading that Meanwhile the Congress yes- date, they should form the gov- minister Indira Gandhi on Octo- By withdrawing the SPG cover vendra Fadnavis who addressed the Sena chief. way.” terday held the Bharatiya Janata ernment. ber 31, 1984. of the Congress president, as well the media and then Sena chief “We fought together, but Another BJP leader in the na- Party “fully responsible” for the They pointed out that in The Parliament passed the SPG as MP Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Uddhav Thackeray retorted. In Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray tional capital said that the party current political crisis which view of the political uncertain- Act in 1988, dedicating the group Gandhi Vadra, the Centre showed the press conference versus press in his fi rst press conference (af- was never closed to talks with the has stunned Maharashtra, but ties, the farmers and victims of to protecting the prime minister. extreme pettiness and a total dis- conference, Thackeray’s use of ter election results) said that all NCP but over the last few days, said the opposition would wait the recent unseasonal rains and At the time, the Act did not in- regard for the safety of a family language was unprecedented. “If options to form the government Sharad Pawar’s party had hard- for the governor’s moves before fl oods continue to suff er and it clude former prime ministers. that had made huge sacrifi ces for they call me a liar, in future also are open... It was a shock for ened its stand. So what’s the next devising its strategies. was imperative that the state When V P Singh came to power the country, the chief minister I will not keep any relationship us,” said Fadnavis, who has so course of action? “Fresh Elec- State party chief Balasaheb gets an elected government at in 1989, his government withdrew added. with the BJP,” he said. far been restrained in his com- tion,” answered the BJP leader. Thorat and former chief ministers the earliest.

Film festival opens Country facing worst ever Govt strips Modi critic economic crisis: Antony of overseas citizenship AFP wrote on Time’s website late New Delhi Thursday that he lived in In- IANS A kilogram of onions today costs Antony said he would return to dia from the age of two with his Thiruvananthapuram Rs100. Exports have fallen badly, lead the Congress at the appro- Indian mother — his sole legal the core sectors are also per- priate time. n Indian-origin Brit- guardian — and had no contact forming poorly,” Antony said. “None of us feel that Rahul is ish journalist critical of with his father until he was 21. ongress working commit- The ex-minister pointed out a leader who runs away. He will APrime Minister Narendra “The government had limited tee member A K Antony that the banking sector is pre- return to lead the Congress,” said Modi has lost his Indian overseas means by which they could le- Cyesterday said the coun- cariously placed as during the Na- Antony and when asked about citizenship, a move campaign- gally take away my overseas citi- try was passing through its worst tional Democratic Alliance regime his return to the party fold. ers said underlined the govern- zenship. Yet they have now acted ever economic crisis since inde- more than 25,000 bank frauds of “At the moment, the party is ment’s hostility to a free press. on those means,” he wrote. pendent India under the BJP rule. various sizes have surfaced. being led by Sonia Gandhi and The home ministry said Aatish “(It) is hard not to feel, given “The Congress is embarking “The banks that performed well Rahul will come back strongly Taseer had “concealed the fact the timing, that I was being pun- on a nationwide protest against during the United Progressive Al- to take on the Narendra Modi led that his late father was of Paki- ished for what I had written.” this. At the end of it, a rally where liance regime are performing badly government which is going on stani origin” and was therefore Under Modi, in power since lakhs of people will take part will now. Instead of taking swift action the wrong track,” added Antony. ineligible for Overseas Citizen- 2014, India has fallen to 140th be held in Delhi. We will seek the against money launderers, this Antony said that the Congress ship of India (OCI). out of 180 in the World Press support of other opposition par- government is protecting them. cannot be fi nished by putting its Taseer’s cover article on Time Freedom Index compiled by Re- ties too,” Antony said. Moreover sensitive organisations leaders in jail. magazine’s international edition porters Without Borders (RSF). A three-time former chief like the railways and airports are “Even the British failed to do titled “India’s Divider in Chief” At least six Indian journalists minister and a former Union all on the chopping block. Besides that. The Congress party will — next to Modi’s face — was were killed in connection with Minister, Antony said the eco- reserves of the Reserve Bank of In- come back and already that’s visi- published in May ahead of elec- their work in 2018, according to nomic crisis is grave and the dia to be used for emergency needs ble, with our party workers morale tions that saw Modi win a second RSF, while noting a rise in attacks agrarian sector was in shambles. are being blown up. Our protests on a high. Our former leaders like term in a landslide. ahead of this year’s election. “The unemployment rate has are against the wrong policies of Nehru, Indira and Rajiv also had The writer’s father Salman The Committee to Protect touched 8.1%, while the global the Narendra Modi government come under criticism, but today West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, actors Taseer was born in pre-partition Journalists (CPJ) said that Tase- average is 4.9%. The economy and we will be with the people of they are known as legends, like- Shahrukh Khan, Rakhee Gulzar and BCCI president Sourav British India and was governor of er’s fate showed that Modi’s has been battered and as a re- this country and for their welfare,” wise Sonia and Rahul also would Ganguly attend the inaugural session of the 25th Kolkata Pakistan’s Punjab province until governing party is “intolerant sult prices of essential items added Antony. be elevated to that status,” Antony International Film festival, in Kolkata yesterday. his assassination in 2011. of criticism and freedom of the have zoomed like never before. Speaking on Rahul Gandhi, added. Born in Britain, Aatish Taseer press”. Gulf Times Saturday, November 9, 2019 11

LATIN AMERICA

Morales leads outrage over humiliating attack on Bolivian mayor

AFP rales rigged his re-election last building ablaze. by police on motorcycles. ing them for their ethnic status. sition as anger rose on both sides. ongoing audit of the vote by the La Paz month. Morales said in a tweet that Morales’ party demanded the What Bolivia is facing is a fascist Morales, whose October elec- Organisation of American States A 20-year-old student died in Arce — a member of his rul- police bring the perpetrators to wave.” tion win was marred by allega- (OAS). clashes on Wednesday between ing Movement for Socialism justice. The Women’s Social Organisa- tions of fraud after an abrupt halt Government critics, however, olivia’s President Evo Mo- pro- and anti-government dem- (MAS) party — had been “cru- Arce’s offi ce told local media tions, linked to the ruling party, in the vote count and an unusual pointed the fi nger at supporters of rales condemned an attack onstrators in the central city of elly abducted for expressing and the mayor “is recovering” from expressed “outrage” at the attack, swing in the leftist leader’s favour, Morales. Bon a female mayor in which Cochabamba, bringing the over- defending her ideals and the her ordeal. and “for all the insults of hatred, again blamed the opposition for Mesa, the runner-up in the an opposition mob forcibly cut all toll to three dead since the Oc- principles of the poorest.” Tel- “For these people, being a racism, discrimination and vio- unrest as he addressed supporters October 20 vote, who has been her hair, covered her in paint and tober 20 election. evision images showed her on the woman is a crime, being humble is lence” of the opposition. in the rural area of Cochabamba. calling for Morales to step down, marched her barefoot through In nearby Vinto, an opposi- ground, her hair cut, and covered a crime, having a skirt is a crime, Earlier the government also In a press conference on Thurs- said on Twitter that a young man the streets. tion mob stormed the munici- in red paint. said Vice President Alvaro Garcia. slammed the “shameful” violence day, Vice President Alvaro Garcia who died on Wednesday had been Bolivia has been rocked by pal headquarters and dragged She was dragged and forced to “This has never happened in that led to scores being injured Linera called on opposition lead- “murdered” by Morales support- deadly post-election violence the mayor, Patricia Arce, into walk barefoot through the town our democracy. That is called fas- and one killed on Wednesday, ers Carlos Mesa and Camacho to ers and blamed the government over opposition claims that Mo- the street before setting the by the mob, before being rescued cism: attacking women, assault- blaming the clashes on the oppo- help stop the violence and heed an for stoking the violence. Top court Guatemala truck drivers protest issues ruling that could free Lula

AFP of the 11 justices, voted against Brasilia changing the original decision, arguing: “The system is very hard on the poor and very meek on the razil’s Supreme Court rich.” But fellow judge Marco voted to overturn a ruling Aurelio Mello warned of the risk Brequiring convicted crimi- for judicial errors. “It is impossi- nals to go to jail after losing their ble to return the lost freedom to a fi rst appeal, paving the way for citizen,” he said. leftist icon Luiz Inacio Lula da “The cruelty ends here,” Silva to be freed. tweeted Gleisi Hoff mann, presi- The decision means thousands dent of the Workers Party found- of convicts could be released ed by Lula. from prison, including Lula, who “We will continue to fi ght for is among dozens of political and justice...The truth will win.” business leaders caught up in a Lula, a popular leftist leader sprawling corruption probe. jailed in April 2018, is serving They would remain free until eight years and 10 months for they had exhausted their rights corruption. He has been held at to appeal their conviction — a the federal police headquarters process critics say could take in the southern city of Curitiba. years in cases involving people Lula, 74, was sentenced to with deep pockets. almost 13 years in jail in Febru- Truck drivers take part in a protest in Guatemala City to reject a law that restricts the speed at which they can drive and to demand better working conditions. Lula’s lawyers said they would ary in a separate corruption case seek the “immediate release” and still faces another half dozen of the former president after corruption trials. speaking to him. He has denied all the charges, “Lula has not done anything arguing they were politically wrong and is a victim of ‘lawfare,’ motivated to keep him out of the which in the case of the ex-pres- 2018 presidential election that he ident is the strategic use of the was tipped to win. law for the purpose of political Far-right President Jair Bol- persecution,” his legal team said sonaro, who ultimately won, in a statement. said during his campaign that he US, Chile ‘hope to co-host The 6-5 decision to overturn hoped Lula would “rot in prison.” the three-year-old ruling is a If he is freed, Lula’s criminal major setback for investigators record will prevent him from re- in the so-called Car Wash probe, suming his political career. which is supported by many or- That could change, however, if dinary Brazilians fed up with the Supreme Court were to de- Apec summit in January’ corrupt leaders. cide in a separate case that Jus- In a statement, the Car Wash tice Minister Sergio Moro, who Chile last week backed out said earlier that US Secretary about Washington and Santiago regional summit. try spokesman Geng Shuang task force said the ruling was convicted Lula when he was a of hosting the Asia-Pacific of State Mike Pompeo told him working together to reschedule The US sent a delegation, with said they had been “in constant “inconsistent” with the fi ght judge in 2017, had been biased. Economic Co-operation sum- that the US was thinking of this year’s summit at an unspec- Commerce Secretary Wilbur communication with all sides against corruption. Moro, who joined Bolsonaro’s mit that had been scheduled hosting the annual summit of ifi ed US venue but that no deci- Ross the highest-ranking US of- on this to understand the situ- While the court’s decision cabinet in January, has faced calls for November 16-17 because of Asia-Pacifi c nations in January, sion had been made. fi cial in attendance. ation”. would impact their work, the in- for his resignation over leaked violent street protests and that Malaysia did not sup- Malaysian Foreign Minister US President Donald Trump “In principle on the issue vestigators vowed to continue to chats purportedly showing he port the idea. Saifuddin Abdullah told report- and Chinese President Xi Jin- of Apec, it should respect the “pursue justice.” In recent days, worked with Car Wash prosecu- Reuters Chile last week backed out of ers earlier on Thursday that ping had originally been ex- views of the host and should scores of politicians have lobbied tors to keep Lula out of last year’s Washington/Kuala Lumpur hosting the Asia-Pacifi c Eco- Pompeo had spoken to him in pected to sign an interim deal to comply with the principle of Supreme Court President Jose presidential race. nomic Co-operation summit Bangkok and told him that the end a damaging trade war at the agreement by unanimity,” Geng Antonio Dias Toff oli, who cast Moro has denied any wrong- that had been scheduled for No- US was thinking of hosting the Chile summit. told a daily news briefi ng, with- the deciding vote, to maintain doing and accused criminals of he US and Chilean gov- vember 16-17 because of violent Apec summit in January. The Trump-Xi meeting could out elaborating. the ruling. hacking the messages with the ernments are discussing street protests. “But I have informed the be delayed until December as Courts will now need to review aim of overturning convictions Tco-hosting an Apec sum- Malaysia is set to host the American offi cials who were in discussions continue over terms US President Donald Trump the cases of nearly 5,000 convicts. resulting from the investigation, mit in the US in January after next Apec summit, scheduled Bangkok that we don’t think it’s and venue, the senior offi cial and Chinese President Xi Jin- The Supreme Court decision is which began in 2014. Chile dropped plans to stage the for end-2020. a good idea,” he added, without said. ping had originally been ex- unlikely to apply to inmates con- But the chats published by event in Santiago this month, a The senior US offi cial, speak- elaborating. Asked about China’s view pected to sign an interim deal to victed of violent crimes. The Intercept website eroded the senior US offi cial said. ing on condition of anonymity, Abdullah was in the Thai on the US possibly co-hosting end a damaging trade war at the Luis Roberto Barroso, one probe’s credibility. Malaysia’s foreign minister said discussions were under way capital earlier this month for a Apec, Chinese foreign minis- Chile summit

Anger at project Traders oppose Brazil’s soy IMF ready to hold ban to protect savannah talks with Fernandez Reuters to recover, it has (to) recover pro- Reuters that they saw no room for a sim- the model in the Cerrado would Washington ductivity, it has to export again, Campinas ilar agreement in the Cerrado, as not work. that way it will have dollars to Brazil’s savannah is known. Brito said one reason is Bra- meet its obligations... Agreed to in 2006, the Ama- zil’s new forestry code, which he International Monetary “With the debt we have, the lobal grain traders are zon soy moratorium bans trad- came into force in 2012. Fund is ready to engage negotiations will be diffi cult,” he against banning soy ing in soy from areas deforested Under the code, farmers have Twith Argentina’s presi- added. Rice said the IMF shares Gpurchases from newly after 2008. the right to expand planting dent-elect, Alberto Fernandez, the president-elect’s objectives deforested areas of Brazil’s sa- The industry previously on their properties, observing at any time to discuss the future to pull Argentina’s economy out vannah region, that would du- praised it for virtually eliminat- certain limits, which is incom- of the country’s $57bn IMF loan, of its current crisis and pave the plicate a similar moratorium ing soy-related deforestation in patible with the concept of the but no meeting has been sched- way for more solid and inclusive in place for the Amazon rain- the region. moratorium, he said. uled, a spokesman for the global growth. forest, an industry association Neighbouring the rainforest, Brito said the challenge now is lender said. The IMF is restricted in its abil- said. the Cerrado savannah takes up to reconcile those land-use rules “We’re ready to engage when it ity to restructure debt, Rice said, “There is no intention of do- roughly a quarter of Brazil and and the sustainable production is convenient for them to do so,” but would play a role in assessing ing this,” Lucas Brito, execu- is the country’s second largest requirements imposed by Bra- IMF spokesman Gerry Rice told a Argentina’s overall debt sustain- tive assistant at grain exporters biome after the Amazon. zil’s main customers. regular news briefi ng in Washing- ability, which could aff ect any ne- group Anec, told Reuters on the The region has been critical He suggested one long-pro- ton. Fernandez, a Peronist who gotiations by the country with its sidelines of an industry confer- to the expansion of Brazil’s soy posed idea that would pay farm- on October 27 defeated busi- bondholders on other debts. ence in Campinas. farming, but that growth has ers to preserve areas they could ness-friendly President Mauri- “In order to conduct our debt Anec represents major grain also lead to the destruction of otherwise plant on. cio Macri, made renegotiating sustainability, we need the anal- traders including Archer Daniels about half of the Cerrado’s veg- Prior eff orts to institute such the IMF programme to ease its ysis, we need the information Midland, Cargill, Cofco, Louis etation over the last 50 years. payments for “environmental painful austerity measures a key on the authorities’ policy plans, Dreyfus Corporation, Glencore Environmentalists say Brazil’s services” have stalled as it is Villagers clash with riot police during a protest against plank of his election campaign. as well as to take a look at the and others. success in preserving the Ama- unclear how they would be paid the construction of a housing project at La Tigra National He said in an interview with macroeconomic outlook,” Rice Brito’s comment comes two zon helped push further soy ex- for. Park, in El Chimbo, north of Tegucigalpa. Residents from the Russian RT television chan- said. “We are not in a position to days after Brazilian farmers said pansion in the Cerrado, leading A representative of Brazil’s several villages are protesting against the housing project nel, broadcast, that Argentina make that assessment right now, they would launch a campaign some to call for a similar mora- agriculture ministry agreed with at La Tigra National Park that they argue will threaten their could not repay its debt under because the discussions with the to eliminate the so-called “soy torium in the savannah. Anec’s call for such a system to access to water. the current conditions. new administration have not yet moratorium” in the Amazon and Anec claims that replicating be implemented. “The Argentine economy has taken place.” Gulf Times 12 Saturday, November 9, 2019 PAKISTAN

Pakistan ready FBR rapped over ‘dismal’ to slash emissions amount of tax recovered by 35%

Internews Zaidi told the committee that were listed as “benefi cial own- Out of the 325 biggest cases The FBR has also shared its plan of one to three years can Internews Islamabad the UAE has not shared infor- ers”. where the income stands at up to data with 55 countries under the be given to Pakistan,” said the Islamabad mation about Pakistanis who are When pressed, the FBR of- $1mn, there were 135 individu- OECD mechanism. minister in his opening remarks residents of the emirate. fi cials revealed that there were als who had availed themselves Meanwhile, Federal Minister while briefi ng the lawmakers. he desire to bring back He added that Malaysia has no public offi ce holders who of amnesty scheme off ered in for Economic Aff airs Hammad The Financial Monitoring akistan is ready to cut billions of dollars stashed not shared such information ei- had availed of the tax amnes- tax year 2018 for “whitening” of Azhar told the committee that Unit (FMU) director-general Ozone Depleting Sub- Tabroad and getting due ther. ty scheme because they were Rs62.335bn, with payment of tax the Financial Action Task Force informed the panel that out of Pstance (ODS) emissions by taxes in the aftermath of the The FBR chief said however barred from doing so. amounting to Rs2.8bn. (FATF) might give Pakistan a the 27 points in the FATF action 35% till 2020. Panama Papers scandal appears that the Organisation for Eco- Umar then asked why out of There were 56 cases, which fresh action plan of one- to plan, Pakistan made progress on A ministry of climate change to have lost steam, with the Fed- nomic Co-operation and Devel- what is believed to be a total of availed themselves of amnesty three-year period if Islamabad is 22. (MoCC) offi cial said that Paki- eral Board of Revenue (FBR) re- opment (OECD) had extended $5.5bn – Rs800bn – stashed scheme in tax year 2019 for unable to implement 40 recom- Now the country would have stan is a signatory to Montreal covering just a little over Rs5bn support to Pakistan. abroad, the FBR received a “whitening” of Rs31.7bn, with mendations by the Asia Pacifi c to submit its compliance report Protocol on Ozone Layer Deple- from the 325 biggest cases of The committee expressed its meager amount of just a little tax paid amounting to Rs1.6bn. Group (APG) till October 2020. by the fi rst week of January next tion Substances. possessing income of up to $1mn complete dissatisfaction over over Rs5bn. Ashfaque said that the FBR Thus the FATF’s sword will year, and the FATF would review According to Ozone Layer abroad. the FBR’s eff orts. Pakistan Muslim League – assessed the remaining cases likely continue to hang over Pakistan’s progress in February Depleting particles (in tonnes) FBR chairman Shabbar Zaidi Umar said that there is a need Nawaz (PML-N) member of the and slapped a tax of Rs4bn, out heads of the country in years to to decide whether Pakistan re- world data in 2009-2010, Pa- also admitted before parliamen- to further explain whether mon- National Assembly (MNA) Aye- of which the tax recovered was come. mains on the grey list. kistan was given the target of tarians that money remitted out ey sent abroad is in fact “legal or sha Ghous Pasha said she was just Rs1bn. The parliamentarians were When the parliamentarians negotiating a cut of 15% in ODS of Pakistan, and the creation illegal”, because the State Bank shocked to hear this, as various Therefore, following two am- unanimous that the FATF move asked the offi cials to reveal those emissions till 2015, he added. of assets abroad, could not be of Pakistan (SBP) did not ap- amnesty schemes had been of- nesty schemes, the total tax re- seemed “political” in nature points which the FATF had de- “In the next phase, a decline of termed “illegal” as such were pear to agree with what the FBR fered. covered by the FBR stood at just and cited example that Afghani- clared non-compliant, the FMU 35% ODS emissions target is set protected under Foreign Cur- chairman had stated. When the lawmakers pressed Rs5.4bn. stan was not categorised in the director-general said that the for Pakistan to comply with till rency Accounts Ordinance 2001. When the committee chair- the FBR offi cials over the dismal The FBR told the committee FATF’s grey list. FATF considered cash courier January 1, 2020. “It is the offi cial view – mine man asked whether there were performance, committee chair- that the authority has selected As a result of Mutual Evalu- clause of the FBR’s customs di- Fortunately, there is no indig- and the FBR – that the legal any politicians involved among man Umar stated that to be fair, 1,655 cases where income abroad ation Report (MER) undertaken vision as non-compliant. enous production of ozone dam- money sent abroad, and the the biggest 325 cases of possess- the FBR had just received this ranged from $1,000 to $100,000, by the APG, Pakistan would re- The offi cial said that the aging gases in the country. purchase of assets, are allowed ing up to $1mn, Zaidi said that data under OECD mechanism. out of which 378 cases were as- main under observation until other four points of the action “Pakistan mainly imports and cannot be termed illegal,” there were none in the list pro- FBR’s director-general Ash- signed to commissioners for as- October 2020, said Azhar, who is plan which the FATF declared such refrigerants, and through he testifi ed before the National vided by the OECD. faque informed the committee sessment. also focal person on FATF-relat- as non-compliant related to the proper training of customs de- Assembly’s Standing Commit- However, the FBR’s director- that tax authority received data The FBR has received new data ed issues in Pakistan. co-ordination between law en- partment staff members, the tee on Finance and Revenue that general for international taxes about 57,550 persons under the from 45 jurisdictions, but the “If we do not fully implement forcement agencies for achiev- MoCC has managed to get maxi- met under the chairmanship of Mohamed Ashfaque said that OECD co-operation mecha- information is not fully readable the APG’s recommendations by ing eff ective investigation, pros- mum compliance,” said the of- Asad Umar at Parliament House. there were a few politicians who nism. due to technical hitches. October next year, a new action ecution, and convictions. fi cial. He informed that the customs offi cers last year had confi scated the biggest consignment of R-22 (also known as HCFC-22) refrig- erant, a powerful ozone-deplet- Islamabad residents endure ing substance and greenhouse gas. The cache of the smuggled re- frigerant seized at Karachi Port another round of protests weighed around 18,000kg. The customs offi cials had re- ceived information regarding an Opposition to expand which the opposition says won “We’re forced to travel a con- attempt to illegally import huge protests to other cities in power after a fraudulent election siderable distance from the quantities of the gas, he added. second week with the support of the military, protest site to use the Internet,” “The entire action has been has denounced the protests as a he said, clutching his books as made possible due to the fact Reuters/DPA threat to democracy. he headed home from school. that the custom offi cers have Islamabad The military denies favouring “When we complain to the serv- been trained by the MoCC, un- any party, saying that it supports ice provider, they said that they der various capacity-building the constitution. have down-graded the service training sessions and work- atience is wearing thin The protesters are occupying on the government’s instruc- shops, to identify and detect among some residents of a large open area alongside one tions.” ODS gases smuggled into the Pthe capital city, endur- of Islamabad’s main roads, the The government has not con- country through various ship- ing another round of anti-gov- latest in a succession of drawn- fi rmed any such order but it is a ments,” he added. ernment protests, with tens of out sit-ins over recent years, regular tactic in Pakistan, and Countries around the world thousands of opposition sup- including one that Prime Minis- staff at Internet service provid- are phasing out hydro-chlo- porters showing no sign of giv- ter Khan himself led against the ers have said that they had been rofl uorocarbons like R-22 under ing up despite the onset of win- previous government. told to suspend services in some the Montreal Protocol, the treaty ter rain. “This is the third sit-in since areas. that protects the ozone layer. Huge crowds descended on 2014 in Islamabad – it has to The protests are being led by According to the latest Scien- Islamabad from various parts stop if this country wants to one of the country’s main con- tifi c Assessment of Ozone De- of the country a week ago, de- progress,” said offi ce worker servative religious parties, the pletion, actions taken under the nouncing the government of Ghazanfar Ali, 47. Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam – Fazlur A man rests under a makeshift plastic tent to avoid cold weather, during the so-called ‘Azadi March’ Montreal Protocol are resulting Prime Minister Imran Khan as The capital’s sole public (JUI-F), with the support of the protest in Islamabad. in steady, long-term decreases illegitimate and calling for him transport system, which runs by two main parties. in the atmospheric abundance of to step down. the protest site, has been sus- The huge crowd is almost ex- has been no signifi cant trouble. And yesterday the opposition country, with their activists controlled ODS, and the ongoing It is the fi rst concerted chal- pended, and Ali said he had to clusively made up of bearded The biggest problem has been parties said they would increase “capturing” city centres, block- recovery of stratospheric ozone lenge that the cricket star- spend twice as much getting to men, waving fl ags and chanting the onset of cold rain. pressure on Khan to resign by ing highways and bringing daily at a rate of 1-3% per decade since turned-politician has faced work. slogans. Prime Minister Khan said on expanding anti-government activities to a standstill. 2000, a local newspaper report- since he won a general election Student Zeeshan Azeem, 17, They have set up a tent city Twitter this week that he had di- protests from the country’s cap- He said opposition parties ed. last year promising to end cor- said Internet access had been with plastic sheets, and cook rected city authorities to assess ital to other cities starting this also plan to fi le a resolution for ruption and create jobs for the down at his home all week, and rest when their leaders are what help could be provided for weekend. the impeachment of President poor. which he blamed on government not giving speeches. the protesters. JUI-F leader Akram Khan Dr Arif Alvi and Deputy Speaker Pine nuts worth Khan has dismissed the calls attempts to disrupt the protest- The general mood has been Opposition leaders declined Durrani said the party would Qasim Suri, both close aids of to resign and his government, ers’ communications. cheerful, morale good, and there the off er. spread the protests across the Khan. Rs11.5mn stolen at gunpoint Unidentified gunmen stole 23 sacks of chilgoza (pine nuts) from a warehouse at Bypass Road, Pakistan regrets India’s refusal to avail of concessions for pilgrims Wana, South Waziristan. It is worth mentioning here that pine nuts have become a pricey Internews 550th Birth Anniversary of Baba lateral agreement governing the port requirement and the 10-day These include Sikhs com- lations arm), in which the latter commodity in Pakistan, as its Islamabad Guru Nanak to facilitate pil- corridor’s operations. advance intimation for the pil- ing from India via the corridor, stated that a passport is a must price has soared to Rs10,000 grims. This has been REFUSED Indian ministry spokesman grims coming to the shrine. those coming through Wagah for Indian pilgrims using the per kg. by India in blatant disregard of Raveesh Kumar was quoted by In addition, the $20 service border crossing, and Sikhs living Kartarpur Corridor. Once a common dry goods easily he Foreign Offi ce has ex- Sikh sentiments,” Foreign Offi ce Indian media as saying: “Some- charge per pilgrims was also in other parts of the world com- “This is the formal position available in dry fruit shops, pine pressed regret that the spokesman Dr Mohamed Faisal times they say passport is need- waived for November 9 and 12. ing here for the occasion. of the Foreign Offi ce and the nuts have now become hard to TIndian government had tweeted. ed, other times it is not needed. The concessions, which were Faisal also clarifi ed that the ISPR statement is in line with it,” find. decided against availing “con- “If India does not wish to avail We think there are diff erences announced by Prime Minis- passport waiver for Kartarpur Faisal said. With each of the 23 sacks cessions” announced by Prime these facilitative measures for between their Foreign Offi ce and ter Khan via Twitter, were for- pilgrims would extend up to Asked if Pakistan would like- containing 50kg in pine nuts, Minister Imran Khan for Sikh pilgrims, it is India’s choice,” he other agencies. mally conveyed by the Pakistan one year as a special gesture on ly open similar corridors with the value of the goods is thus pilgrims visiting Kartarpur said. “We have a memorandum of government to the Indian High the birth anniversary of Guru Kargil and Ladakh to facilitate Rs11.5mn. Gurdwara on the occasion of the Faisal’s remarks came after understanding (MoU), it hasn’t Commission in Islamabad and Nanak. meeting of families living across The warehouse owner told police 550th birth anniversary of the the Indian ministry of external been changed, and as per it, the government of India. The Foreign Offi ce spokesman the border, he said that while that around 10 unidentified founder of Sikhism, Baba Guru aff airs said that the visit by Sikh passport is needed.” The government is expecting was responding to a question Pakistan had no objection on men overpowered two guards Nanak. pilgrims to Kartarpur Gurdwara Faisal, earlier at his weekly around 10,000 Sikhs to visit the in connection with a statement opening of more passages, In- at gunpoint and took away the “As a special gesture, Paki- via the newly-established cor- media briefi ng, said that Paki- gurdwara on the occasion of the by the director-general of the dia’s hesitation in holding dis- sacks of chilgoza. stan announced concessions ridor would be conducted in stan government had as a “spe- opening of the visa-free corri- Inter-Services Public Relations cussions on such matters is a Police have registered a case and on the auspicious occasion of accordance with the agreed bi- cial gesture” waived the pass- dor today. (ISPR, the military’s public re- major hurdle. started investigation.

Ex-PM Abbasi undergoes surgery

Former prime minister and senior Pakistan Muslim League Pakistan to let Sharif go abroad for medical treatment – Nawaz (PML-N) Shahid Khaqan Abbasi underwent a hernia operation on Thursday at a private hospital. Abbasi, who is in judicial custody in connection with an Reuters/AFP/DPA Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi dangerous drop in the platelet “We can’t risk allowing him to “I hope he recovers. When he re- inquiry into LNG scandal, was shifted to the hospital on Lahore/Islamabad told Reuters in an interview. “If count in his blood. fl y with the current platelets count covers, why should he be sticking November 4. that is what the medical treatment Sharif was serving a seven-year ... an air ambulance can take him around in London? He is expected to stay in the medical facility for few more requires, the government has been jail term on corruption charges to London if there is an improve- “There’s no logic, there’s no rea- days. akistan will allow Nawaz positive. The prime minister has emanating from the so-called ment,” he added. son for that.” According to details, the government has been informed Sharif to leave the country said everything possible should be Panama Papers leaked in 2017. Sharif previously lived in exile Sharif’s party, the main oppo- about the former prime minister’s stay in the hospital. Pfor medical treatment in the done to show his life is protected.” The former prime minister, who in Saudi Arabia for seven years af- sition Pakistan Muslim League – The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) had arrested United Kingdom, its foreign min- Three-time prime minister has dominated Pakistani politics ter being toppled by the Pakistan Nawaz (PML-N), declined to com- Abbasi on July 18. ister has said, though he warned Sharif, 69, was released on bail last for three decades, denies the cor- military in 2000, though Qureshi ment on Qureshi’s remarks. The accountability court continues to extend his remand the former prime minister against month from a seven-year sentence ruption charges, claiming that urged Sharif to return to complete However, two senior party fi g- as the anti-graft body has yet to file a reference against the seeking a second period of exile to for corruption after repeated med- they are politically-motivated. his sentence. ures who declined to be named former premier. escape corruption charges. ical issues. When he leaves the country “If their hands are clean, why said that it is now likely that Sharif Abbasi told the court on October 28 that a medical board “Doctors are recommending He suff ers from several medical would depend on the improvement should they be running away?” would travel abroad for treatment, had advised him to undergo surgery, and requested that the that he perhaps needs to go abroad conditions including chronic dia- of his platelets count, his personal he said of the possibility Sharif adding that he would not seek exile court allow him to have the procedure at his own expense. for further examination,” Foreign betes, cardiovascular issues and a physician Adnan Khan said. may seek a second period of exile. for a second time. The court then extended the remand to November 19. Gulf Times Saturday, November 9, 2019 13 PHILIPPINES Duterte’s Robredo vows end plan on to ‘senseless’ killing plastic ban AFP Manila welcomed

he vocal critic that Phil- Manila Times co-ordinator of the EcoWaste ippine President Rodrigo Manila Coalition, emphasised the im- TDuterte has named to a portance of Congress enact- lead role in his deadly drug war ing a national ban on SUPs to called yesterday for revamping he Department of En- address the plastic pollution the crackdown and ending its vironment and Natu- crisis. “senseless” killing. Tral Resources (DENR) “Such a law is needed to Opposition leader Leni Ro- and several environmental stimulate and strengthen ac- bredo has regularly attacked groups have welcomed Presi- tions by local government Duterte’s internationally con- dent Rodrigo Duterte’s recent units to address the men- demned initiative, prompting pronouncement regarding the ace of disposable plastics. the president to appoint her this possibility of banning plastics Aside from targeting SUPs for week to a post supervising it. in the country. phase-out within a reasonable Critics have warned the job to On the sidelines of a min- timeframe, the law should co-lead the committee oversee- ing event in Quezon City yes- promote and incentivise the ing the crackdown may be a trap terday, DENR Undersecretary shift to ecological alternatives, to tarnish Robredo, but she has Annaliza Rebulta Teh told re- and encourage business and voiced hope that it is an opening porters: “It’s a good move. It industry to invest in sustain- for change. “It’s time to think (single-use plastics) is a huge able product packaging and about a new campaign which is problem.” delivery systems,” she said. more eff ective, but no one is dy- She said the DENR would In a separate statement, ing senselessly,” she said ahead even recommend government Abigail Aguilar, regional cam- of her fi rst meeting with the agencies to get away from sin- paign co-ordinator at Green- body, that includes top law en- gle-use plastics (SUPs), not- peace Southeast Asia, said the forcement offi cials. ing that while the ban would solution to single-use plastics “I believe that in all police require a “change of lifestyle,” is to avoid its manufacture. operations, anything can hap- the move was “doable.” “Importantly, this ban must pen, but we oppose deliberate SUPs are plastic-based ma- include the phase out of sa- and planned killings of innocent terials created to be used once chet packaging, direct compa- people” added Robredo, who is before they are disposed or re- nies to redesign products and vice president but was elected cycled. Such products include packaging, and give incentives separately from Duterte. bottles, cups, sachets, straws, to reuse, refi ll and other alter- Duterte rose to power in 2016 Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency Director General Aaron Aquino and Philippines Vice President Maria Leonor Robredo answer questions plastic bags and polystyrene native delivery systems,” she on a pledge to eliminate the na- from the media after a closed-door meeting in Quezon City, Metro Manila, yesterday. containers. said. “Finally, the ban should tion’s drug problem by kill- In a statement yesterday, not include false solutions ing thousands of drug dealers nal Court prosecutors have lot of things that happened that We are not at war with our coun- often deriding Robredo’s ca- waste and pollution watchdog such as materials substitution and users. Since then narcot- launched a preliminary probe should not have happened.” trymen,” she added. pability to potentially lead the group EcoWaste Coalition also to paper or bioplastics, light- ics agents claim to have gunned and the UN’s top rights body has Duterte bristles at any criti- Amnesty International also country, which she would have urged Congress to prioritise weighting of packaging, and down just over 5,500 suspects voted to conduct an in-depth re- cism of his drug war, with public took a supportive view of Ro- to do if the president dies or the consideration of pending chemical recycling, among who fought back, though watch- view. Robredo told a press con- opinion polls saying he has the bredo’s new post, calling it proof cannot function. But in a turna- plastic pollution prevention others,” she added. dogs claim the true number is at ference after the meeting that overwhelming backing of the “global pressure is having an ef- round labelled by critics as a bills. For her part, Senator Cyn- least four times higher. she plans to dig into the details Philippine people. fect, and that the public mood trap, Duterte said in a speech last “Banning SUPs will help thia Villar, chairman of the The campaign has drawn of the crackdown, and believes Robredo said she saw her ap- in the Philippines is turning week that the drug situation has in curbing the chemicals and Senate Environment and fi erce international criticism, any misconduct should be con- pointment “as a signal that the against the fl awed approach of “worsened” with the police on plastics choking our fragile Natural Resources committee, especially from rights groups fronted by the Philippines. president is open to listen to a the so-called ‘war on drugs’”. the “brink of surrendering”. environment,” said Jove Beno- yesterday welcomed reports that allege the crackdown could “I would rather that we take fresh perspective about the en- Duterte has previously vowed “It’s beyond my competence, sa, campaigner for EcoWaste that President Duterte was amount to crimes against hu- care of whatever we have to take tire campaign”. to continue the drug war until but maybe she will do better,” Coalition. considering a nationwide ban manity. International Crimi- care of,” she said. “There are a “Drugs are the enemy here. the end of his term in mid-2022, Duterte told reporters last week. Aileen Lucero, national on the use of plastic.

Iranian beauty queen wins asylum Call to reopen probe An Iranian beauty queen sought Poe urges airline fi rms to by Tehran on criminal charges has been granted political asylum into military in the Philippines, an off icial said yesterday, ending a three-week standoff at Manila airport. personnel killing off er student discounts Bahareh Zare Bahari, based in the Philippines since 2014, was denied entry into the Southeast By Ma RL Tolentino Yesterday, the kin fi led a By Bernadette Tamayo of the discount. The discount, Asian nation on October 17 when Manila Times motion before the Ombuds- Manila Times however, does not cover post- she returned from Dubai, with man, saying in part in the mo- graduate students or those Philippine authorities citing an tion that “we are respectfully enrolled in short-term classes Iranian warrant for her arrest. he kin of some of the 44 urging the (Ombudsman) to enator Mary Grace Poe such as dancing and driving Claiming Tehran wanted to members of the Special reopen the investigation of the has appealed to local air- schools, and seminars. punish her for opposition to TAction Force (SAF) who above-captioned case against Sline companies to comply In case of air transportation Iran’s regime, Bahari then sought died in a massacre in 2015 have former President Benigno with the law granting students facilities, the discount will refugee status, holed up in a asked the Offi ce of the Om- Simeon C Aquino 3rd for the a 20% discount on airfare. only apply to the base fare or room at Manila’s international budsman to reopen its investi- deaths of the SAF 44.” The senator issued the re- the price of the ticket before airport and using social media to gation of the incident. The motion was signed by minder as she welcomed the taxes and costs for ancillary rally support from the interna- The Ombudsman charged Erlinda Allaga, Julie Danao, implementing rules and regu- services. tional community — including former Philippine National Celestino Kianga and Felicitas lations for Republic Act 11314, The discount should not a plea to Philippine President Police (PNP) chief Alan Puri- Nacino. They attached to their or the “Student Fare Discount apply to promotional fares. Rodrigo Duterte. Philippine sima and former PNP-SAF motion the affi davit of Baguio Act,” which took eff ect on No- If the students are not Justice Undersecretary Markk Director Getulio Napenas with Mayor Benjamin Magalong, vember 1. given the discount, they can Perete said that she had been graft and with usurpation of former chief of the Criminal “We call on airline compa- complain to the Land Trans- granted political asylum, adding offi cial functions before the Investigation and Detection nies to implement the law so portation Franchising and that she was detained because Sandiganbayan in January Group, “as evidence to sup- that our students will somehow Regulatory Board for land Iran had asked Interpol for help 2017. Also in 2017, it charged port the fi ling of a case for al- be able to save some money,” transportation, the Civil Aer- in arresting and returning her on former president Benigno leged Reckless Imprudence said Poe, co-author of the law. onautics Board for air trans- assault and battery charges. “She Aquino 3rd with graft and with Resulting in Multiple Homi- The law provides a 20% fare portation, and Maritime In- will be getting out of the airport usurpation of offi cial func- cide under Article 365 of the discount for regular domes- dustry Authority for water and coming into Philippine ter- tions. Revised Penal Code against tic fares in all modes of public transportation. ritory,” Perete said, but declined Earlier this year, the Sandi- Aquino.” transportation, including pas- Grace Poe: call for student discounts The public transportation to discuss the grounds on which ganbayan’s Fourth Division Magalong headed the Board senger trains, aircraft and ma- operator may claim as tax de- she was granted asylum citing granted the motion to with- of Inquiry which, based on his rine vessels for the time that the holidays.“We hope this will Students must show their duction the student fare dis- confidentiality rules in the United draw the graft charge and the affi davit, was formed to inves- students are enrolled. bring a little ease on families school IDs or a validated en- count it granted to students Nations refugee convention. charge of usurpation of offi cial tigate the facts regarding Op- The discount will be in ef- faced with high prices of goods rolment form together with a based on the cost of services functions against Aquino. lan Exodus. fect even on weekends and and services,” Poe said. government-issued ID to avail rendered.

Top court extends deadline for Maguindanao massacre ruling

By Jomar Canlas ministrator) fi nds the ground that means the fi rst and second Peralta told the media. were adopted by Judge Jocelyn decision to convict Datu Andal logical conclusion.” “This will be Manila Times for your request reasonable and level courts should promulgate He recalled that being a fi s- Solis-Reyes in order to, as early “Unsay” Ampatuan Jr and nearly a part of #DuterteLegacy,” the hereby grants the same. Please their decision within the 90-day cal and a judge, it was the “fi rst as possible, resolve the cases,” 200 others tagged in the mas- Palace offi cial added. be reminded, however, that period so there are some rules time” even “in the last century” Peralta said. The Quezon City sacre. Last year, Justice Secretary he decision on the 2009 you are hereby granted a non- that require a shorter period that he is yet to hear cases “in- RTC Branch 221, which han- “It is worth the wait.What Menardo Guevarra said he be- Maguindanao massacre extendable period of 30 days to promulgate the decision in volving the massacre of so many dles the case, earlier declared it is one month compared to 10 lieved the 2009 Maguindanao Tcase is expected to be out from November 20, 2019 or un- the case of Judge Jocelyn Solis- people.” submitted the case for decision years? Lower courts usually go massacre case would be resolved before Christmas this year, as til December 20, 2019, within Reyes, you know very well that on August 22, and a verdict was on Christmas break in mid-De- within the year. The prosecution the Supreme Court (SC) yester- which to decide the said criminal there are so many accused and “It is worth the wait. What supposed to be released before cember.So the decision may be would secure “a just decision at day granted the plea of Quezon (case),” Marquez said. there are so many victims in that is one month compared the 90-day period lapsed on No- out by December 14,” Presiden- least as against the principal ac- City Regional Trial Court (RTC) Under the 1987 Constitution, case, but we also allow meritori- to 10 years? Lower courts vember 20. tial Task Force on Media Security cused,” Guevarra had also said. Judge Jocelyn Solis Reyes for Peralta said, all trial courts must ous motion for extension and we usually go on Christmas Solis-Reyes, in a letter to the (PTFoMs) Executive Director Presidential Communications time extension to resolve the rule on the case within 90 days understand her predicament and break in mid-December. Supreme Court, however, asked Joel Sy Egco said in a statement. Secretary Martin Andanar, co- case. after its submission for decision. we allowed her to have an exten- So the decision may for a 30-day extension of the “Without pre-empting the chairman of the PTFoMs, said In his fi rst meeting with the He, however, added that being sion of one month but as I said be out by December 14” deadline because of “the volu- outcome, I am optimistic that he expects “that justice will ulti- press, newly-appointed Chief a former prosecutor and judge, motions for extension are the minous records of (this case), the families of the victims will mately prevail for the victims and Justice Diosdado Peralta cited a he knew the hardships of ruling exception rather than the rule “The accused are all entitled which have now reached 238 fi nally get the justice that they their families.” memorandum issued by Court on a case and found Marquez’s and we understand her plight to what we call due process, but volumes,” including transcripts have been waiting for the last Andanar commended those Administrator Jose Midas Mar- decision to grant the extension and I hope that she will no longer we adopted several ways in or- and the prosecution’s evidence. decade,” he added. who worked hard in bringing clo- quez extending the time from reasonable. ask for another extension so that der to fast-track the resolution The government has ex- Egco said, “It took the politi- sure to what is known to be the Nov 20 to Dec 20, 2019. “Under the Constitution, before the end of the year, those of cases. It’s good that the par- pressed hope that the court cal will of a Duterte administra- worst case of election-related “This Offi ce (of the Court Ad- it provides that all trial courts cases will fi nally be decided,” ties agreed to these tools that would reach by December 14 a tion to fi nally see this through its violence. Gulf Times 14 Saturday, November 9, 2019 COMMENT

CHAIRMAN Abdullah bin Khalifa al-Attiyah Delhi smog blamed on crop fi res EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Faisal Abdulhameed al-Mudahka Deputy Managing Editor – but farmers have ‘little choice’ K T Chacko

Production Editor Guardian News and Media Amjad Khan New Delhi

P.O.Box 2888, Doha, Qatar he pounding beats of bhangra music blare out of Satish’s [email protected] tractor as it roars across the 44350478 (News), Tcharred, black earth of his farm. Fresh seeds are scattered in its 44466404 (Sport), wake. Yet hanging thick in the air, over 44466636 (Home delivery) this scene of new beginnings, is the tell- tale smoky stench of what came before. 44350474 Like tens of thousands of farmers facebook.com/gulftimes in India’s northern states of Haryana, Punjab and Uttar Pradesh, Satish, twitter.com/gulftimes_Qatar whose farm sits on the outskirts of the rural Haryana village of Gharaunda, had recently cleared his fi elds of old rice crop stubble to make way for wheat by setting it alight. The practice was GULF TIMES banned when its contribution to the mounting pollution crisis in nearby Delhi and across northern India became impossible to ignore, but deprived of equally cheap and easy alternatives Debate heating of preparing the fi elds, farmers have continued to fl out the law. As record-breaking pollution threw Delhi into a state of crisis this week, and up over use of the city was shrouded in a thick brown smog with toxins over 50 times the A farmer burns straw stubble after harvesting paddy crops in a field at a village near Sultanpur Lodhi. levels deemed healthy, crop burning – which began in earnest in late October in northern India’s pollution crisis, around us here, all day and all night, all challenges of having a very limited and is due to continue for the rest of arguing they have been both made year, whereas we are burning the fi elds timeframe between one crop (and) plant gene data into scapegoats for a much wider for just a few weeks. They are the ones another, and thanks to the GM crops the the month – was labelled as the chief culprit. According to the government problem and also been expected to making the air dirty. But they are not cultivation cycle has shortened, so it’s Rich and poor countries are at loggerheads over how to share environment agency, almost 50% switch to more expensive methods and about to shut down the factories, so they the government who needs to provide benefi ts from genetic plant data that could help breed crops of Delhi’s pollution was from crop machinery, without any support from need someone to blame.” other options and fi nancial incentives better able to withstand climate change, as negotiations to burning. the state or national government. Ratam Mann Singh, the Haryana to stop stubble burning.” revise a global treaty are set to resume in Rome on Monday. “Burning is very common, everyone The problems caused by crop stubble state president of the Indian Farmers There has been some shift in The little-known agreement is seen as crucial for agricultural around here does it and just ignores the have worsened in recent years, because Association, was equally damning. behaviour across the region. research and development on a planet suff ering rising hunger, laws,” said Satish, who claimed only the machines that are now used to “The government is humiliating Shubash Chand, 60, who has been to be looking after the blackened land, harvest the rice leave several inches the farmers, when they have no a farmer in Haryana all his life, malnutrition and the impacts of climate change. though neighbouring farmers later of stubble in the ground. Even just a alternatives,” he said. stopped burning his fields two years “We need all the ‘genetics’ around the world to be able to confi rmed he was the owner. “What few years ago, this excess crop would Yet this month-long period of crop ago after he was given a Rs14,000 breed crops that will adapt to global warming,” said Sylvain choice do we have? For most of us this be used by farmers for cooking, as hay burning has, yet again, coincided with fine. “But it is a lot more difficult Aubry, a plant biologist who advises the Swiss government. method is the only option to clear our to keep their animals warm or even as the worst level of pollution across and more expensive for us now,” Rising temperatures, water shortages and creeping deserts could fi elds. I cannot aff ord to buy a machine extra insulation for homes, but that is northern India this year and, while Chand said with a sigh. reduce both the quantity and quality of food production, including and even to rent it is Rs10,000 (£110), increasingly outdated. exacerbated by the colder weather that However, in the village of Gudha, a staple crops such as wheat and rice, scientists have warned. maybe more. To burn it is just Rs1,000 Sitting atop his motorcycle looking traps the toxic smog over the region, district of Haryana where there have and the next day it is done.” out over the smoking fi elds, Sultan its poisonous environmental impact is been hundreds of crop fi res this year, The debate over “digital sequence information” (DSI) has Enforcement of the law has been lax, Singh, 59, said that farmers had been indisputable. a group of a dozen farmers sitting in erupted as the cost of sequencing genomes falls, boosting the with state governments keen to keep the unfairly demonised for the toxic levels Dr Rajinder Singh, the president the shade of a tree playing cards all availability of genetic plant data, Aubry said. large voting bloc of farmers on side. On of pollution that engulfed Delhi this of a Haryana NGO that promotes admitted to burning their fi elds. “A lot of modern crop breeding relies on these data today,” he added. Wednesday, over 5,000 crop-burning week. He had burned his seven acres 15 agricultural science, said that, in Satish Kumar, 39, said that 42 people At the same time, the capability of machines to process vast fi res were registered in Haryana and days earlier. the long term, crop burning was in the surrounding area had been given amounts of that data to identify special crop traits such as Punjab in a single day and the total “I have been burning my crop stubble detrimental to farmers as it was fi nes after they were caught burning disease resistance or heat tolerance has grown. over the week exceeded 10,000. While for the past 25 years,” said Singh. “And “destroying the nutrients in the soil”. their crop stubble, but he said the enforcement was rife with corruption. Pierre du Plessis, an African technical adviser on treaty a few farmers in Haryana and Punjab even if I have to pay a penalty, I will still He added: “The pollution in Delhi is have been issued fi nes, and some carry burn because it is the only way to get a a secondary issue. Farmers need to “If they catch you burning your 10 acres issues, said companies and breeders can use DSI to identify the out the burning under the cover of good harvest and I can’t risk my crops be given a viable alternative to crop of land, they will only fi ne you for fi ve genetic sequence of a desired plant trait and send it by e-mail to darkness, most said they had largely suff ering. The government asks us to burning because their own health is acres, but then you have to pay them a a gene foundry that prints and mails back a strand of DNA. been left undisturbed. change our ways, to buy this machine suff ering the worst from this.” bribe, which they pocket themselves,” “Then you use gene-editing technology to incorporate that At the Indian Supreme Court on that costs Rs3mn or use methods that Ritesh Pandey, MP for the said Kumar. strand into a plant. Wednesday, Justice Arun Mishra are slow, where we make a loss, but constituency of Ambedkar Nagar in “People are burning their fi elds as So you have created reprimanded the chief ministers of then gives us no support or subsidies to Uttar Pradesh, is among those who have much as they have always done,” added Raju Dahaya, 39. “Of course it is better a new variety without Haryana, Punjab and Uttar Pradesh help, so nothing is going to change. And been pushing an agenda of awareness “We need all the for failing to tackle the problem, and people here are already very set in their of the damaging impact of crop burning for pollution if we stop. Even if we are accessing the trait in ordered them to begin giving fi nancial ways.” among farmers in his constituency. disturbed and aff ected by it, we have ‘genetics’ around biological form,” he said. incentives to farmers who had not burnt Singh pointed his fi nger to the sky, “For the past couple of years this watery eyes and breathing issues, but That process could their fi elds. “Punishing poor farmers for where a nearby factory chimney was issue has aff ected everybody’s life in what can we do? But it is not us in the world to be enable businesses burning stubble is not a solution,” said emitting black fumes into the hazy north India, not just in Delhi,” said isolation. The chief minister of Delhi to circumvent the Mishra. atmosphere. “Farmers are not responsible Pandey. “The farmers have been does not want to deal with the problem able to breed International Treaty on Indeed, across Haryana, farmers for this,” he said angrily. “Look, there facing a lot of negativity, but it’s not of cars and construction, so that’s why Plant Genetic Resources remained defensive about their role are factories pumping out pollution all really their fault. They face practical he is putting all the blame on us.” crops that will for Food and Agriculture adapt to global which stipulates that the benefi ts derived from using warming” material from species it covers — including money and new technology — must be shared. Developing states, which are home to many plant species ‘Greta Thunberg eff ect’ driving such as maize and legumes used in breeding, hope to add digital sequence information to the treaty’s scope. This would force companies and breeders that develop new commercial crops from that data to pay a percentage of their growth in carbon off setting sales or profi ts into a fund now managed by the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO). Most wealthy nations, which are generally more active in seed Guardian News and Media Leugers, its communications director, 6.5 tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO2) per London said: “Everyone should be looking to year per household and the stoves last production, argue digital information on plant genetics should reduce their emissions as much as for about 10 years. be available to use without an obligation to share benefi ts. possible fi rst, but for most of us it is The price for a tonne of CO2 is not “There’s almost no one still doing the old-fashioned, ‘let’s try rowing concern about impossible at this time to reduce them set globally, and varies between off set it and see’ breeding. It’s all based on the understanding of genome the climate crisis and the to zero, so taking accountability and suppliers on the voluntary market. and a lot of CRISPR gene editing creeping in,” said du Plessis. “Greta Thunberg eff ect” are fi nancing the reduction in emissions The US Environmental Protection CRISPR is a technology that allows genome editing in plant Gdriving huge increases in somewhere else in the world is a way Agency in 2015 assessed that for and animal cells. individuals and businesses choosing to to accelerate the path to a low carbon every tonne of CO2 emitted into the off set their emissions by investing in economy.” atmosphere, we sacrifi ce between $11 Scientists say it could lead to cures for diseases driven by carbon-reducing projects in developing Hanrahan said large organisations and $212 in environmental degradation genetic mutations or abnormalities, and help create crops countries. were being driven to be responsible for and negative social impacts. resilient to climate extremes. NGOs and organisations involved in not only the emissions that they created David Hughes, the chair of Climate But developing nations and civil society groups such as the carbon off setting have seen as much as as a company, but also so-called “Scope Stewards, said: “This year, the whole Malaysia-based Third World Network say companies that a fourfold increase in investment from 3 emissions” from the use of their business of carbon off setting has develop new crop varieties using this information could lock people who want to try to mitigate their products, by a combination of consumer suddenly taken off . It has been so access to their critical traits using intellectual property rights. carbon footprints. pressure and governments pushing for gratifying to see a lot of individuals Agencies who work with large corporations to become more accountable choosing to off set over the last 12 The treaty row emerged in late October when representatives corporations have also seen a spike in for their impact on the climate. months – the numbers have more than of governments, the seed industry, research organisations and investment in carbon off setting over the Leugers said transformative projects doubled. civil society attended a meeting at FAO headquarters in Rome. last 18 months. Swedish teen climate activist Greta were those that improved cooking “We are seeing the Greta eff ect, Negotiations have been going on for more than six years to ClimateCare, a company that Thunberg speaks during a march and facilities in the developing world, for the impact of Extinction Rebellion, update the treaty, which came into force in 2004 and governs provides programmes to help rally at the Youth Climate Strike in Los example by providing biogas stoves and the impact of the words of David access to 64 crops and forage plants judged as key to feeding the organisations off set residual carbon Angeles. projects that improved access to clean Attenborough, the school strikes, all of world. (Thomson Reuters Foundation) emissions, has seen the amount of water, thus reducing greenhouse gases these coming together.” carbon off set increase from about 2mn greenhouse gases elsewhere. from burning fi rewood to boil water. But Hanrahan said while voluntary tonnes to 20mn tonnes in that time, Carbon off setting has been “These are life-changing for people carbon mitigation and individual according to its chief executive, Edward controversial, with some critics saying in the developing world and have real actions were laudable, ClimateCare To Advertise Hanrahan. it allows big polluters and individuals impact on reducing carbon emissions,” was clear in its call for mandatory Smaller organisations have also to buy carbon credits in exchange for a she said. carbon pricing and mitigation for [email protected] reported massive spikes in off setting. clean conscience while continuing to Gold Standard has reported a fourfold large corporations and industries like Display Caroline Pomeroy, the director of fl y, drive and use fossil fuels. increase in income from individuals aviation. the NGO Climate Stewards, which But in the past 10 years, highly and small businesses paying for carbon “Our position is that this should 44466621 44418811 off sets emissions for individuals and regulated global carbon and renewable off sets through its platform. not be an optional or voluntary thing. small businesses, said income from energy markets have been created and “People are willing to take action and Expecting individuals to be able to make Classified individuals off setting had increased by participating companies and NGOs are looking for ways to take action. We fully informed decisions about such a 44466609 44418811 156% year on year, and that there had are theoretically held to international see it as a way that someone can feel specialist, complex area is madness,” been an 80% increase in income from standards by independent verifi ers. empowered and reduce their carbon he said. Subscription businesses and charities off setting. The organisation Gold Standard was footprint,” said Leugers. “What we want is a scenario where Offsetting means calculating set up by the environment group WWF Climate Stewards funds a project corporates are mandated to pay a price [email protected] emissions and then purchasing and other NGOs to ensure the integrity in Nepal paid for by the purchase of on carbon that refl ects the societal equivalent “credits” from projects of projects that reduced carbon carbon off sets, where 240 fuel-effi cient cost of dealing with climate change that prevent or remove the emissions emissions and to ensure they contribute cooking stoves have been built for and carbon emissions, and to pay for © 2018 Gulf Times. All rights reserved of an equivalent amount of to sustainable development. Sarah remote communities. Each stove saves mitigating their emissions.” Gulf Times Saturday, November 9, 2019 15 COMMENT Using digital tech to narrow opportunity gap

By Shang-Jin Wei counterparts are as likely to be female introduced a policy requiring all listed New York as male. fi rms to allow online participation and Second, fi ntech can help to meet voting in their general shareholder the fi nancing needs of micro and meetings. Previously, only large lthough many societies small businesses. Ant Financial, shareholders had participated in these aspire to provide equal which is partly owned by the Alibaba gatherings. opportunities for everyone, Group, generates credit scores by Research by Huasheng Gao Athat is easier said than done. using cash fl ow data, online customer and his colleagues at Fudan People born into diff erent economic reviews, and other digital indicators. Unviersity’s Fanhai International and social statuses have unequal It then uses these scores to make School of Finance suggests that educational or fi nancial starting uncollateralised loans to millions of the online option has increased points. This often leads to very micro and small enterprises in China small shareholders’ participation in diff erent career and life opportunities. that previously could not obtain a such meetings, making proposals Digital technology was not invented traditional bank loan. by company management or large to tackle inequality, and there is even Research by Harald Hau, Yi Huang, shareholders that might hurt small a risk that it could widen existing Hongzhe Shan, and Zixia Sheng investors’ interests less likely to be economic and social disparities. But, shows that micro-entrepreneurs who adopted. Digital technology has thus as the case of China illustrates, new received an unsecured loan from Ant eff ectively democratised corporate platforms also off er many possible Financial enjoyed substantially faster governance by levelling the playing ways to narrow the opportunity gap. growth in sales and other business fi eld for small shareholders. Consider four examples. The fi rst indicators than those who did not In these and other areas, digital is the promotion of micro and small secure such credit. To ensure that technology presents exciting new enterprises via e-commerce. The the results did not simply refl ect the opportunities. But public policy also Chinese platform Taobao.com, part fact that fi rms receiving a loan were must play an important role. Digital of the Alibaba Group, is the largest already bigger and better than the technology can promote economic online marketplace by volume among others, the researchers compared inclusion only if governments emerging economies. It allows tea those companies whose credit scores ensure that virtually everyone has growers, furniture makers, suitcase were barely above the cut-off line for access to digital infrastructure. They manufacturers, and other small a loan with those that were just below should consider introducing tax producers and merchants, including it. incentives for digital initiatives that those from remote villages, to reach These two sets of fi rms were demonstrably narrow the opportunity their customers in Shanghai and essentially the same before Ant gap. Policymakers should also ensure Beijing (and even overseas) easily Financial established its loan that the right laws are in place – and and cheaply. Previously, these programme. But the businesses that enforced – in order for the digital entrepreneurs were unable to sell received an unsecured loan grew much space to remain open, competitive, directly in suffi ciently large volumes more robustly than those that just and aff ordable. because of high intermediary charges. missed out. This suggests that a small E-commerce platforms can benefit companies everywhere and help to equalise opportunity. Inequality is one of the most But in the e-commerce era, they can. fi ntech loan can make a big diff erence pressing issues of our time. Public Although e-commerce platforms for many micro-entrepreneurs. profi t organisation founded and first, rural teachers observe how tutors to provide additional help. policy and digital technology can can benefi t companies everywhere, Third, digital technology holds out run by Tang Min, a retired Asian certain lessons (in mathematics or In both cases, rural students seem complement each other to build a they disproportionately boost small the promise of directly reducing the Development Bank offi cial, set out language, for example) are taught to learn better and enjoy school more inclusive society – both in China businesses in rural and remote areas, imbalance in educational resources to change this. Tang persuaded top in the top national schools, and more. The YouChange teaching and elsewhere. – Project Syndicate and thus help to equalise opportunity. between poor and rich areas. Many rural primary and middle schools in Beijing what type of exercises the teachers programme has thus helped to reduce Moreover, as a forthcoming World schools in developing countries cannot and other large Chinese cities to design and administer. They then the educational gap between some z Shang-Jin Wei, a former chief Bank report entitled “E-Commerce aff ord to hire high-quality teachers, or have video cameras installed in their adapt and apply these tips to their of China’s poor rural regions and its economist at the Asian Development Development: Experience from to provide eff ective, up-to-date training classrooms, and to let schools in poor own rural classrooms the next day. much richer urban areas. Bank, is Professor of Finance and China” points out, such platforms for the teachers they have. As a result, and remote rural areas audit their Under the second model, students Finally, new technologies Economics at Columbia Business also promote gender equality. rural students tend to do less well than lessons via online video links. in the rural schools can watch the can enhance the rights of small School and Columbia University’s Whereas the vast majority of offl ine those in better-off areas. Tang invited rural schools to classes taught in large cities in real shareholders of listed companies. School of International and Public entrepreneurs are men, their online YouChange Foundation, a non- try out two models. Under the time, and their teachers then act as In 2014, the Chinese authorities Aff airs.

Three-day forecast Rethinking productivity TODAY Maximum Temperature : 310c Minimum Temperature : 250c By Diane Coyle economy, even the production of these innovations on productivity This conclusion seems to be borne Cambridge tangible goods is shaped by a growing could be quantifi ed through quality- out by history. As Corinna Schlombs of SUNDAY number of intangible factors. As Seth adjusted pricing. Cars with sensors the Rochester Institute of Technology Maximum Temperature : 290c Lloyd of the Santa Fe Institute has that facilitate parking and improve shows in her new book Productivity Minimum Temperature : 250c he word “productivity” typi- pointed out, a farmer hedging against road safety might be discounted, Machines, in the twentieth century, MONDAY cally calls to mind industrial bad weather or disease now operates resulting in a higher “real” measured one of the key diff erences between the Maximum Temperature : 290c assembly lines pumping out largely in the realm of ideas. output for cars. approach of American industrialists Minimum Temperature : 240c cars or washing machines, Whereas in the past, farmers would But, in practice, such adjustments and productivity experts and that of T Fisherman's forecast breakfast cereal or shoes. The word “insure” against the failure of one pose a signifi cant statistical challenge, their European counterparts was that may also conjure images of crops being type of crop by planting others or owing to the pervasiveness of the the latter were more likely to view WARNING underlying technologies. Consider productivity in purely technical terms. Inshore : Expected thundery rain harvested, livestock being butch- raising livestock – that is, through at places associated ered, or houses being built. It is less physical diversifi cation – today they GPS navigation: how do you quality- After World War II, during the with strong wind likely to elicit thoughts of haircuts, do so largely by applying agricultural adjust for the use of apps like Waze or Marshall Plan era, Americans showed Offshore : Expected thunder rain streaming television, or mortgages. science, like testing soil and assessing Google Maps? visiting European workers and associated with strong wind and high sea Yet nowadays, it is largely these kinds climate conditions, or even by When it comes to medical, legal, industrialists new ways to organise overnight of intangible goods and services that participating in options markets. and other professional services, production. (The assembly line is WEATHER defi ne economies. Such intangibles – in addition to quantifying productivity is even as much an idea as a technology.) Inshore : Scattered clouds to partly cloudy at times Many economists equate new technologies, such as irrigation trickier. One approach focuses on Moreover, they touted America’s more and chance of thun- “total factor productivity” with – produce the discrepancies McAfee outcomes – say, a longer career egalitarian social dynamics, including dery rain with blowing technological progress. Northwestern observes in crop tonnage produced (thanks to better healthcare) or its public school system and broad dust at places at times. Offshore : Partly cloudy to cloudy University’s Robert Gordon, for from the same amounts of inputs. higher profi ts (thanks to management civic involvement. The recognition at times. example, predicts that productivity Still, when it comes to agriculture, consultants). that “soft” innovations were at least WIND growth will continue to slow – as it the end result is easily quantifi able. But these improvements cannot be as important as “hard” technologies, Inshore : Northeasterly-South- easterly 05-15/25 KT has done in most developed economies That is not the case for many other traced back to a single factor. Doctors Schlombs suggests, was the decisive Offshore : Northwesterly-North- since the mid-2000s –because today’s modern productivity-boosting and hospitals are essential to extend factor behind America’s superior easterly 04-14/24 KT digital innovations are, in his view, less innovations. people’s healthy lives, but so are living productivity. Visibility : 4-8/3 KM transformative than earlier advances In a recent presentation, Leonard conditions, diet and exercise, social So perhaps today’s pervasive Offshore : 2-4/8 FT connections, and even having a pet. productivity slowdown should not like the fl ush toilet, radio, and the Nakamura of the Federal Reserve Around the region internal combustion engine. Bank of Philadelphia off ered several Luck – for example, not being exposed be blamed solely on an unsupportive Weather But, today, about four out of examples, including energy-effi cient to a disease outbreak – also plays a macroeconomic environment, let Weather tomorrow Max/min every $5 spent in the leading buildings, lane-keep-assist and role. alone on inadequate technological today Max/min Sunny 30/12 OECD economies purchase parking sensors in automobiles, Some of my University of innovation. (Software engineers and Baghdad Sunny 30/12 Sunny 30/17 services or intangible goods. This and GPS navigation. Innovations in Cambridge colleagues are working biomedical researchers would scoff at Kuwait City Sunny 31/17 S T Storms 28/24 “dematerialisation” of economies – healthcare treatment also qualify. to deepen our understanding of the latter notion.) Social and cultural Manama P Cloudy 31/26 P Cloudy 30/22 which I observed in the 1990s, and For example, using the cancer drug these dynamics by examining the contexts that are fragmented, unequal, Muscat P Cloudy 32/22 Sunny 18/08 which fi gures like digital economy Avastin to treat macular degeneration connections between social capital or otherwise problematic may also be Tehran Sunny 18/08 expert Andrew McAfee have lately is far less expensive than using and productivity. This approach – playing a role. - Project Syndicate been exploring – is complicating our Lucentis, one of the drugs originally which refl ects a shift toward a broader understanding of productivity. approved for that purpose. view of productivity – is a step in the z Diane Coyle is Professor of Public In fact, in much of today’s global In theory, the eff ects of some of right direction. Policy at the University of Cambridge.

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Address habits that may interfere with child’s sleep Around the world Weather Weather today Max/min tomorrow Max/min Mayo Clinic News Network consistent wake-up time and sticking recommend that all electronics be before bedtime also is important. Try Athens M Sunny 23/18 T Storm 22/13 Washington, DC to it. The wake-up time doesn’t have kept out of a child’s bedroom. It is reducing caff eine use throughout the Beirut P Cloudy 27/23 M Sunny 28/23 to be exactly the same time every day, best for cellphones to be shut down day, and preferably avoid caff einated Bangkok P Cloudy 32/23 P Cloudy 32/22 but it should be within a one-hour and stored in another room at night. drinks past 3pm. Daily exercise and Berlin Showers 08/02 P Cloudy 08/01 ear Mayo Clinic: For the past window. It may seem helpful to let Understandably, this can be diffi cult other physical activity can aid sleep, Cairo P Cloudy 30/18 P Cloudy 31/19 few weeks, my 13-year-old her sleep in on the weekends, but this to do given how attached people are but have her fi nish those activities at Cape Town P Cloudy 26/15 P Cloudy 22/15 daughter has had trouble actually disrupts her internal clock. to their electronics. It’s ideal that the least two hours before she goes to bed. Colombo S T Storms 29/25 S T Storms 28/25 Dfalling asleep at night. That makes it much tougher to get entire family be good role models and Also, even if she is sleepy during the Dhaka T Storm 27/23 Rain 25/22 She’s in bed at a reasonable time, but back into a weekday sleep routine also consider doing the same. day, encourage her not to nap. Naps do Hong Kong Sunny 25/21 Sunny 26/21 can’t seem to fall asleep until after on Monday. Sleep deprivation then Another important approach is to more harm than good when it comes to Istanbul M Sunny 22/14 M Sunny 23/16 midnight. What could cause insomnia worsens during the week. reduce the amount of time in bed at getting good sleep because they often Jakarta M Sunny 34/25 S T Storms 34/25 in someone so young? Should I make It’s also important to consider your night lying awake. If your daughter make falling asleep at night harder. For Karachi Sunny 31/18 P Cloudy 31/18 an appointment for her see her doctor? daughter’s use of electronic devices is awake in bed for longer than 15-20 some children, when they lie down at London Rain 08/05 P Cloudy 10/03 A: Many children your daughter’s before bedtime. Many tweens and minutes during the night, encourage night worries and concerns creep into Manila T Storm 32/25 S T Storms 31/25 age have trouble falling asleep easily teens have smartphones, tablets and her to go to another room; stay in a their minds, making it hard to relax Moscow Cloudy 04/04 Cloudy 09/06 at night. The reason for this often can TVs in their bedrooms. They keep their sitting up position; and do “boring and fall asleep. To help clear her mind, New Delhi Sunny 28/15 Sunny 27/14 be traced back to habits a child has cellphones close by at all times. These things”. She should try to go back to it may be useful for your daughter to New York P Cloudy 07/03 P Cloudy 13/06 developed that interfere with good devices can make it hard to disengage bed when she starts to feel sleepy, take a few minutes before bedtime Paris P Cloudy 10/05 S Showers 09/02 sleep. from stimulating activities. Have such as head bobbing or heavy eyes. to write down anything that’s on her Sao Paulo S T Storms 24/20 S T Storms 27/20 Before making an appointment your daughter turn off all electronic This will help increase the likelihood mind or tasks she needs to do. Once Seoul Sunny 16/01 S Showers 16/08 with your daughter’s healthcare devices at least 30 to 60 minutes that her bed and bedroom become they are on paper, sometimes children Singapore P Cloudy 32/26 I T Storms 31/26 provider, make sure her routines are before bedtime. This gives the brain more associated with sleep. Avoiding are better able to let their concerns go Sydney M Sunny 18/13 M Sunny 21/13 sleep-friendly. One of the best ways time to relax and wind down, making food and beverages that contain and get to sleep more easily. - Tribune Tokyo Cloudy 18/10 Clear 18/10 to ensure healthy sleep is setting a it easier to fall asleep. I strongly sugar at least two to three hours News Service Gulf Times 16 Saturday, November 9, 2019 QATAR Msheireb Museums, chronicler of Qatar’s journey, turns four sheireb Museums, where Qatari pioneers gathered the four revived his- to spend their short breaks wait- Mtoric Qatari heritage ing for salaries or to be trans- houses collectively in the heart ferred for more digging work at of Msheireb Downtown Doha, is the oil fi elds in Dukhan. commemorating their fourth an- Documents and contracts that niversary this month. Developed tell the story of Qatari forefathers The museums hosts diverse programmes, events and exhibitions. by Msheireb Properties, Msheir- were fi rst fi led in this house, re- eb Museums tells the history of vealing to the world the story of a Qatar’s development through the nation that refused to be usurped country’s oldest city centre. by powerful superpowers. Collectively, the four houses Across the street stands Mo- act as a social history museum hammed Bin Jassim House, cre- that observes, documents and ated to preserve the memories inspires dialogue for societal and of old Msheireb, the social and cultural development and to re- business hub at the time. alise Qatar’s aspiration for great- The museum takes visitors ness. Ali al-Kuwari, acting CEO through the transformational of Msheireb Properties, said: journey the city centre has un- “It’s been four years of success dertaken to become what is now history on display to using it to Museums, added: “We continu- and achievements for Msheireb known as Msheireb Downtown establish dialogue between cul- ously create programmes that Museums. Doha. The House pays tribute tures, build bridges and defi ne engage audiences of all ages. We The restoration of the four to the people who once laid the a sustainable future,” the state- have served workshops on en- houses into world-class muse- foundation and saw the imple- ment notes. trepreneurship, fi lming, photog- ums forms a vital part of the re- mentation of the world’s smart- Dr Hafi z Ali, Msheireb Muse- raphy, painting, soft skills and generation of downtown Doha, est and most sustainable city ums director, said: “The houses science with a focus on genome making it the living memory of district. reveal the unique aspects of Qa- and DNA. the treasured old city of Msheir- Radwani House, on the other tar’s cultural and social develop- We are proud of the many eb.” hand, rises strong on its origi- ment through Msheireb, creating moments when the community The famous Bin Jelmood nal pillars to bring back the past, inspiring environments in which joined, actively participated in, House was rebuilt to be the “fi rst giving visitors a glimpse of how the visitors will engage, converse and engaged with our diverse museum in the world that ad- Qatari families used to live many and exchange thoughts about programmes, events and exhibi- Chief among these was the Earlier this year, Msheireb “As a social history museum, dresses slavery across the Indian decades ago, prior to the shift in both the past, the present and the tions.” ArcheoMed Exhibition, held Museums was nominated for we work in collaboration with Ocean”. It has evolved along the the economic conditions of the future. Since its opening in October in co-operation with the Ital- the Agha Khan Award 2019, the various partners to observe and years into a dynamic platform country. “The displays, interactive 2015, the museums has attracted ian embassy and Unesco, which fi rst Museum in Qatar to ever be promote societal development, tackling modern forms of slavery Most of the artefacts on dis- screens and dramatic storytell- tourists, locals and organisa- adopted Augmented Reality to nominated since the 1970s, in ac- cultural dialogue and knowledge such as human traffi cking and play are items that were found ing make each of the houses rel- tions back to Msheireb, reviving reinstate key archaeological sites. knowledgement of the role they exchange, reviving Msheireb’s manipulation, raising aware- during excavation work at the evant and fun, while community its status as part of the oldest The US embassy also joined play towards the community. status as the cultural centre of ness locally and internationally, a site of the old house. programmes such as the summer cultural hub known in Doha. It hands with Msheireb Museums They have also launched a mobile Doha. It’s through this eff ort that press statement notes. “Msheireb Museums looks for and winter workshops make it a has become a venue of choice for to raise awareness on human application, which uses location we attempt to create a platform Opposite Bin Jelmood House innovative ways to tackle con- people’s museum and supporter many community events and a traffi cking, offi cially presenting technology to help visitors enjoy that leverages history to under- stands Company House, the fi rst temporary social issues and ad- of local talent.” preferred partner to government their Human Rights report to the customised automated tours at stand the present and make the oil company headquarters known vocate local and global topics. Nasser al-Remaihi, senior entities, the statement points library collection consecutively their own pace, in diff erent lan- future better for all,” Dr Hafi z in Qatar, and the fi rst house Their mission transcends putting events executive at Msheireb out. for the last four years. guages. concluded. Ajyal Film Festival will focus on inspirational stories

From Page 1 •Land of Ashes is a tender that he will die at the age of 20, and humane coming-of-age and how an old cinema projector •In Jacob, Mimmi and the story about Selva, a 13-year- opens a window to a whole new Talking Dogs, two kids try to old girl tasked with the sole world for him. overcome the impossible to save care of her elderly grandfather, Tickets for the fi lm festival can a local parkland from a business- whose only wish is to stop liv- be bought at the Ajyal Main Box man’s evil construction plans - ing. Offi ce located in Katara Building and fi nd unexpected help from a •Away is a fairytale like adven- 10; at the Ajyal Box Offi ce at VOX pack of local dogs that can talk! ture in which a young boy fi nds Cinemas Doha Festival City for •1982 is about a young boy who himself pursued by a malevo- screenings taking place at VOX struggles to reveal his true feel- lent creature across a mysterious Cinemas; and from the Novo ings to his classmate at the time land, crossing barren deserts and Cinemas Box Offi ce for screen- of a war in Beirut. lush forests. ings at Novo Cinemas, the Pearl. •The Arctic Camels narrates •The Farewell is a darkly co- For ticket purchase and up-to- the story of two siblings in Arc- medic yet uplifting tale about a date information on the Ajyal tic Norway and their eff orts to family that comes together under Film Festival, visit: https://www. train their pet camels and build a the joyful guise of a fake wedding dohafilminstitute.com/filmfes- camel centre. to say goodbye to their beloved tival/ticketinformation https:// The Hilal Selection: matriarch - the only person that The Arctic Camels Away www.dohafilminstitute.com/ •Set in an isolated mountain doesn’t know she only has a few fi lmfestival/fi lms range in the Balkans, Honeyland weeks to live. fi ghting for her country’s freedom. ther and a dozen elderly Rus- work to make ends meet in the to swim like fi sh and communi- The festival’s offi cial partners narrates the story of Hatidze Mu- The Bader Selection: •Give Me Liberty is a comi- sians to a funeral. face of mounting debt. cate with sea creatures. Together, include Katara Cultural Village – ratova and her ailing mother, the •Set during years of turmoil and cal and endearing portrait of •Placed in the aftershock of •Children of the Sea follows the they follow a strange call into the Cultural Partner; Qatar National last in a long line of Macedonian uprising in Aleppo, For Sama tells American dreams and disen- the 2008 fi nancial crisis, Sorry story of young Ruka, who forms depths of the sea. Tourism Council – Principal wild beekeepers and the fi rst to be the retrospective story of a moth- chantment, following medical We Missed You is a captivating a friendship with two brothers, •You Will Die at Twenty takes a Partner; Novo Cinemas, Oore- threatened by a neighbouring fam- er’s impossible choice between transport driver Vic’s eventful fi lm about a British family that is who were raised in the ocean poignant look at the life of a boy doo – Strategic Partner, St Regis ily’s rival beekeeping business. protecting her daughter’s life and journey to deliver his grandfa- forced into ‘zero-hour’ contract and attained incredible abilities cursed by a Dervish prophecy Doha - Signature Partner.

QatArt to hold open exhibition for handmade art today

By Peter Alagos “Henna tattoo and face paint- Business Reporter ing are also available. Meanwhile, Hilton Hotel has set up an inter- esting snack menu for that day, rt enthusiasts and handi- as well as lunch buff et deals. craft lovers across the Acountry are expected to QatArt is also gather today (November 9) for the 2nd QatArt Open Exhibition, conducting a organised by the QatArt Hand- series of made Community at the Hilton Hotel. workshops As many as 55 artists and throughout crafters are participating in the Visitors may choose from the many handmade keepsakes available one-day exhibition, which runs the day at the exhibition. from 10am-3pm at the Nashira Ballroom and is guaranteed to be “Entry tickets are QR20 for fi lled with attractive handmade 12+ and adults, QR10 for kids products and gift items. aged 4-12 years and all younger “The festive season is fast ap- Plush toys are popular among ones get a free entry. Visitors can proaching and this event off ers children. Many items on display at the exhibition are not found in local stores. look forward to fi nding wonder- a timely opportunity to shop for ful gifts for their friends and unique gift items for friends and Also, other special handmade sil- rial, handmade greeting cards, participate in the diff erent work- loved ones with a very personal family. There is something avail- ver stone and pearl encrusted, as calligraphy frames, and wooden shops on off er for both the young touch,” she said. able for everyone,” QatArt board well as semi-precious jewellery and glass decor to name a few and the young at heart. ‘STEM QatArt is a community of Qa- member Swapna Namboodiri are available, including hand- of the exciting merchandise not Explorers’ are conducting two tar-based handmade makers of told Gulf Times. printed textiles, personalised found in local stores,” Nambood- exciting workshops, including art, craft, and design, with a key She said visitors to the event gift items, stylish handbags and iri said. Aside from the exhibi- their ever popular slime station. principle that all products must can browse through the beautiful leather goods, Namboodiri said. tion, QatArt is also conducting a “We will also have a wood slice be handmade and designed in handiworks of crafters and art- “People can also choose from series of workshops throughout painting session and a heart ban- Qatar. Among the group’s goals ists from the Qatari and expatri- other items, such as handmade the day, according to Nambood- ner making session, which is is to establish and grow a diverse ate communities, ranging from soaps, toys for babies and chil- iri. suitable for those who want to arts and craft community that is various styles of painting and dren, keepsakes, clothing for all “After seeing all these hand- hang their favourite holiday pho- a key player in the creative land- Products sold by QatArt members are all handmade and designed in pottery, as well as home decor. ages, designer unstitched mate- made crafts, visitors can also tos. scape of Qatar. Qatar. PICTURES: Courtesy of Swapna Namboodiri.