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THURSDAY Vol. XXXIX No. 10982 October 25, 2018 Safar 16, 1440 AH

GULF TIMES www. gulf-times.com 2 Riyals

FM gets message from Chinese minister Qatar-Turkey In brief trade likely

QATAR | Offi cial Amir congratulates to reach $2bn Zambian president His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, His Highness the Deputy Amir Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad al-Thani and by year-end HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Abdullah bin atar-Turkey trade volume is ex- market and Qatari businessmen. Nasser bin Khalifa al-Thani sent pected to reach $2bn by the end He added that this contributed to the yesterday cables of congratulations Qof 2018, according to ambassa- increase of Turkish exports to the Qa- to Zambian President Edgar Chagwa dor Fikret Ozer, who spoke on the side- tari market, which rose to $750mn in Lungu on the anniversary of his HE the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Aff airs Sheikh Mohamed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani received yesterday a lines of the ‘Turkey Festival’ launching 2017 from $450mn in 2016. country’s Independence Day. written message from Chinese State Councillor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi. China’s Assistant Foreign Minister Chen Xiaodong at Al Meera Hyatt Plaza held yesterday. Speaking on the sidelines of the handed the message, during a meeting with HE the Deputy Prime Minister. HE Sheikh Mohamed praised Qatari-Chinese ties, Ambassador Fikret Ozer said the event, Al Meera chairman Sheikh Tha- QATAR | Recognition and expressed desire for enhancing relations between Qatar and China. Page 4 volume of trade between Qatar and ni bin Thamer bin Mohamed al-Thani Turkey stood at $1.3bn from January said Turkey is one of the fi rst suppliers Doha declared Capital of to August 2018, pointing to the pos- of various goods and products to the Islamic Youth for 2019 sibility of reaching $2bn by year-end, Qatari market. Doha has been selected as the state-run Qatar News Agency (QNA) He noted that Turkish products have Capital of the Islamic Youth for 2019, reported. been accepted by consumers, adding in recognition of Qatar’s eff orts in He also said there is a possibility that the availability of Turkish prod- supporting and empowering the US lawmakers mull bill to to establish a company specialised in ucts in Al Meera branches raises the Islamic youth. The selection took maritime transport between the two competitiveness of the company. place last night in Istanbul after the countries, which is under study and is Page 3 activities of Al-Quds as the capital scheduled to launch soon as he stressed of Islamic youth for 2018 came to a on the need for such a company. Ozer ban arms sales to Saudi Turkey posts 100% growth close. noted that the volume of contracts awarded to the Turkish companies en- in exports to Qatar ARAB WORLD | Confl ict O Saudi crown prince may be behind Khashoggi death: Trump gaged in contracting works in Qatar is estimated at $15bn. Turkey has witnessed a 100% 16 civilians killed O British PM May says Saudi account of death lacks credibility Ozer thanked Al Meera for featur- growth in exports to Qatar from in Yemen air strike O France’s Macron warns of possible sanctions against killers ing Turkish products in its stores. He January to August 2018, exceeding At least 16 people were killed on stressed that the availability of Turk- figures recorded during the same yesterday in an air strike that hit a ish goods in Al Meera markets proves period last year, Turkish ambassador Fikret Ozer told Gulf Times factory for vegetable packaging in Agencies Earlier, Trump said Saudi Arabia’s exactly what happened,” a Downing the importance attached by the Qatari yesterday. Yemen’s Hodeidah province, medical Washington/London/Paris crown prince bore ultimate respon- Street spokesperson said in a readout market to Turkish products. workers and residents said. Medics sibility for the operation that led to of a call between May and King Sal- He said since the beginning of the “In the first eight months of 2018, and residents in Bayt al-Faqih, a Jamal Khashoggi’s killing. man. unjust siege on Qatar, Turkey “has Turkish exports to Qatar increased town 70km south of Hodeidah city, bipartisan group of lawmakers In his toughest comments yet, “She strongly urged Saudi Arabia quickly provided” all the food com- by 100% compared to the same said 12 people were also wounded. yesterday introduced a bill in Trump told the Wall Street Journal he to co-operate with the Turkish inves- modities necessary to meet the needs period last year, exceeding the value They said bombs fell on a vegetable Athe US House of Representa- wanted to believe the prince when he tigation and to be transparent about of the Qatari market, which in turn, of our exports to Qatar in 2017. packaging factory in al-Masoudi tives that would stop most US arms said that lower-level offi cials were to the results. It is important that the full contributed to the introduction of Business Page 16 neighborhood and the victims were sales to Saudi Arabia in response to the blame for the killing at the Saudi mis- facts are established.” more Turkish products to the Qatari workers there. Page 11 death of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, sion. Also, French President Emmanuel Representative James McGovern said But he suggested that responsibil- Macron yesterday said he had told SPORT | Champions League on his website. ity lay higher up: “Well, the prince is King Salman that France, in co-ordi- The bill said President Donald running things over there more so at nation with partners, could take action Di Maria stunner rescues Trump could request exceptions to the this stage. He’s running things and so against those held responsible for the point for PSG vs Napoli arms sale ban if he also submitted a re- if anybody were going to be, it would murder of Khashoggi, the Elysee Pal- Cabinet nod for draft Angel Di Maria’s stunning goal in port on a US investigation into anyone be him.” ace said. injury time allowed an out-of-sorts involved in “the murder of journalist British Prime Minister Theresa May Macron expressed profound outrage Paris Saint-Germain to snatch a 2-2 and United States permanent resident told Saudi Arabia’s King Salman yes- during a phone conversation with Sal- law on DNA database draw with an impressive Napoli Jamal Khashoggi”. terday that his country’s explanation man, the French presidency said in a side in their Champions League The bill includes a prohibition on of Khashoggi’s death in Turkey lacked statement, adding that the president clash in Paris yesterday. PSG looked security assistance, intelligence, train- credibility, her offi ce said. had asked the king that the circum- he Cabinet has approved a draft “The DNA database shall also be beaten until Di Maria curled home ing and equipment but does not extend “The prime minister said the current stances around Khashoggi’s death be law on DNA database and re- used for the retention of genetic fi nger- in the third minute of time added to activities related to safeguarding US explanation lacks credibility, so there fully disclosed. Page 20, Business Tferred the matter to the Advisory prints resulting from the samples spec- on, salvaging a point from a game diplomatic posts or personnel. remains an urgent need to establish Page 2 Council. ifi ed by the law. It is prohibited to take in which they had been second-best The draft law will replace Law No 9 biological samples, conduct DNA tests for long spells. Prior to that it looked of 2013 as part of eff orts undertaken to or store its data in the DNA database, or as though goals from Lorenzo update legislation in the country, the use it as evidence and in an investiga- Insigne and Dries Mertens, either offi cial Qatar News Agency reports. tion or a trial without a decision by the side of a Mario Rui own goal, would After HE the Prime Minister Sheikh Public Prosecution or the competent give Carlo Ancelotti’s Napoli the Suspected bombs target top US Democrats Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa al-Tha- court,” the QNA report states. victory. ni chaired the regular Cabinet meeting Data recorded in the DNA database Reuters what New York offi cials described yes- The CNN bureau in New York also at the Amiri Diwan yesterday, HE the shall be confi dential and cannot be Barcelona and four-goal Washington/New York terday as an act of terrorism. received a device looking like a pipe Minister of Justice and Acting Minister viewed without the permission of the With the country deeply polarised, bomb, leading police to evacuate the of State for Cabinet Aff airs Dr Hassan MoI, Public Prosecution or the compe- Dortmund stay perfect the packages brought a new level of building in a busy part of New York Lahdan Saqr al-Mohannadi gave details tent court. Barcelona beat Inter Milan 2-0 olice intercepted suspected tension to November 6 political con- City near Central Park. of the day’s proceedings. DNA tests and data in the database and Borussia Dortmund thrashed bombs mailed to former US tests that will decide whether Demo- Eric Holder, who was US attorney Under the draft law, a DNA database are authoritative unless otherwise Atletico Madrid 4-0 to maintain PPresident Barack Obama, former crats can challenge the majorities now general under Obama, and Democratic shall be established at the Ministry of proven, except for descent provided for their perfect records in the presidential candidate Hillary Clinton held by President Donald Trump’s Re- Representative Maxine Waters were Interior (MoI) and attached to the com- in chapter two of part six of the Family Champions League day. and other high-profi le Democrats in publicans in Congress. also among those targeted. Page 13 petent authority at the MoI. Law, the report adds. Page 2 Qatar Digital Library celebrates fourth anniversary in London atar National Library’s Board The website is the result of a partner- Initially agreed in 2012, the partner- braries give us power – the power to must be opened up to the world.” more collections as the third phase of of Trustees chair HE Sheikha ship between Qatar Foundation for Ed- ship was extended earlier this year so that cast our eyes across the sweep of his- Dame Carol Black said: “The col- the programme begins in the New Year.” QHind bint Hamad al-Thani and ucation, Science and Community De- a further 900,000 images will be added tory and discover what the past can tell lections held at the British Library are Dr Sohair Wastawy, executive direc- the British Library Board chair Dame velopment, Qatar National Library, and to the 1.5mn already available online. us about our present and future. But the raw material of historical research. tor at Qatar National Library, who was Carol Black attended a reception last the British Library to digitise historical Ahead of yesterday’s reception, HE harnessing this power depends on ac- Over the past four years the Qatar Dig- also in attendance at the reception, night at the British Library in London collections relating to Gulf history and Sheikha Hind toured the digitisation cessibility. Across the world, physical ital Library project has helped to make said: “The Qatar Digital Library em- in celebration of the fourth anniversary Arabic scientifi c manuscripts. studio on the sixth fl oor of the British access to such a vault of knowledge is our rich and fascinating collections bodies of the core missions of the Qatar of Qatar Digital Library’s launch. Metadata and descriptions of the Library, where Gulf-related material not universal. relating to Gulf history and Arabic sci- National Library, which is to provide The website, with content in both digitised items are in both Arabic and – including music, maps, ships’ logs, “Thankfully, the digital age means ence available to researchers around free access to a wealth of information to Arabic and English, provides free pub- English, and the Qatar Digital Library reports, letters, private papers and his- access to libraries is no longer purely the globe. Working in close and fruitful everyone. The Qatar Digital Library has lic access to an important range of his- transforms access to these collections toric publications – is digitised, fully defi ned by buildings. We are here to partnership with Qatar Foundation and already supported numerous research- torical collections held by the British – previously only accessible via the catalogued and uploaded onto the Qa- celebrate a project that epitomises how the Qatar National Library, we are de- ers and scholars across several disci- Library. So far the website has been vis- British Library’s reading rooms – for tar Digital Library (www.qdl.qa). libraries, and all that they hold, can lighted to have made this valuable re- plines, ranging from history to science, ited by more than 1.2mn users, generat- academics, researchers, students and Speaking at the reception, HE truly be available to everyone. Librar- source freely available as never before, from archaeology to sociology, among ing more than 10mn page views. the wider global community. Sheikha Hind said: “It is said that li- ies open up our world. That is why they and expect to unlock access to many others.” Page 28 Gulf Times 2 Thursday, October 25, 2018 QATAR Labour minister meets Unicef official Cabinet welcomes IPU decision to hold its 140th session in Qatar

QNA tional community in Qatar un- The Cabinet took the neces- The Cabinet also reviewed Doha der the leadership of His High- sary procedures for the ratifi ca- a memorandum on the co- ness the Amir Sheikh Tamim tion of the following: ordination of procedures and bin Hamad al-Thani and its 1- An agreement between the regulations for the allocation of he regular Cabinet meet- eff ective role in ensuring peace governments of Qatar and India lands to investors, and decided ing, chaired by HE the and stability in the region and for co-operation in the fi eld of to form a working team of rep- TPrime Minister Sheikh the world. culture. resentatives of the authorities Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa The Cabinet also expressed 2- An agreement between concerned to study the issue in al-Thani, yesterday welcomed its appreciation to the countries the governments of Qatar and all its aspects and put appropri- the decision made by the Gen- that supported this decision, France in the fi eld of cultural co- ate solutions to make it easier for eral Assembly of the Inter-Par- stressing that Qatar welcomes operation. the investors in accordance with liamentary Union (IPU) at its all the presidents and delega- 3- A memorandum of under- the principles of justice in the recent conference in Geneva to tions of the world parliaments standing for co-operation in allocation and transparency of hold its 140th session in Qatar and its keenness to ensure the the fi eld of culture between the procedures. from April 6 to 10, 2019. success of this major interna- governments of Qatar and Ivory It also reviewed the 13th re- Following the Cabinet meet- tional event. Coast. port of National Human Rights ing held at the Amiri Diwan, HE The Cabinet then reviewed 4- A memorandum of un- Committee (NHRC) on the situ- the Minister of Justice and Act- topics on its meeting’s agenda. derstanding for co-operation in ation of human rights in Qatar. ing Minister of State for Cabinet The Cabinet approved the sport between the governments The Cabinet then took the ap- Aff airs Dr Hassan Lahdan Saqr amendment of some provisions of Qatar and Ivory Coast. propriate decision. HE the Minister of Administrative Development, Labour and Social Aff airs Dr Issa Saad al-Jafali al-Mohannadi said that the of the co-operation agreement in 5- A memorandum of under- The report included a state- al-Nuaimi met the United Nations Children’s Fund (Unicef) regional director for the Middle East and Cabinet stressed that Doha’s the fi eld of security and law en- standing for co-operation in ment on the outcomes of the North Africa Khairat Kabalari, and his accompanying delegation. The meeting discussed aspects of hosting of this important con- forcement between the Ministry the fi eld of youth between the committee’s works and activi- co-operation in areas of mutual interest and means of supporting and developing them. ference is a demonstration of of Interior of Qatar and the Min- governments of Qatar and Ivory ties and its recommendations in the confi dence of the interna- istry of Public Security of China. Coast. this regard.

Woqod opens 2 new petrol stations in Kharaitiyat and Thumama

atar Fuel (Woqod) has and comfort. struction of 25 petrol station opened two new petrol “Woqod has recently accel- projects, and a big number of Qstations in Al Kharaitiyat erated the process for the con- these projects is expected to be and Al Thumama, and one mo- struction of new petrol stations operational this year. He said bile station in Al Wakrah, as part and will announce the opening Woqod has currently seven new of the company’s ongoing ex- of new petrol stations during stations in the tendering phase pansion plans. this month to meet the fuel and and 16 stations in the design Woqod CEO engineer Saad energy needs of the country. The phase. He assured that two new Rashid a- Muhannadi said, Woqod team would like to extend fi xed petrol stations and more “We are pleased to open two its gratitude to the all concerned mobile stations will be opened new fixed petrol stations in Al governmental and private enti- next week. Kharaitiyat and Al Thumama. ties that contributed are con- Al-Muhannadi said Woqod, Woqod aspires to expand its tributing to the completion of in furtherance of customer’s petrol station network in the this project.” The Al Kharaitiyat station. The Al Thumama-2 station. satisfaction, opened one mobile country to meet the rising de- Al Kharaitiyat is spread over station in Al Wakrah for gaso- mand for petroleum products an 11,300sq m area and has three has three lanes with nine dis- hance the quality of the service round-the-clock services to addition to sale of gasoline and line. He said the move was part and achieve the goal of pro- lanes with nine dispensers that pensers that will serve Al Thu- and reduce the vehicle conges- residents, and includes Sidra diesel products for light vehi- of Woqod’s strategic expansion viding customers with access will serve the Al Kharaitiyat mama and its neighbourhood. tion at the petrol stations. convenience store, manual car cles. plan, which is to achieve a total to best-in-class products and community. Al Thumama-2 is In addition, the number of Al-Muhannadi said the wash, oil change and tire re- He added that Woqod is of 120 fuel stations by the end of services at their convenience spread over a 7,000sq m area and dispensers was increased to en- two new petrol stations offer pair, sale of LPG cylinders, in currently working in the con- 2020. Gulf Times Thursday, October 25, 2018 3 QATAR Al Meera launches ‘Turkish Festival’

By Peter Alagos Customers will get to enjoy are pleased to bring Turkish Business Reporter “Turkish extravaganza” such treasures for them with a host as bakery, dairy products, dry of regional specialties on dis- food, and juice, among other play. This will be a visual treat l Meera Consumer Goods products. for our Turkish community in Company launched the All Al Meera branches would Qatar to experience the Turk- A‘Turkish Festival’ at Al infuse the “Turkish look and ish culture in the land of Qa- Meera Hyatt Plaza yesterday to feel” and will have special Turk- tar and experience home away celebrate the growing friend- ish culinary delights on display from home. ship and business ties between like Turkish ice cream, coff ee, “Through this festival, Qatar and Turkey, and in keeping and Turkish delights, the state- we made sure to procure the with its commitment to enhance ment continued. choicest of Turkish offerings cross-cultural ties. from their homeland. Such The festival was launched in “Through this festival, endeavours keep us closer to the presence of Al Meera chair- we made sure to our customers and offer us an man Sheikh Thani bin Thamer procure the choicest opportunity to serve them in bin Mohamed al-Thani, Turk- of Turkish offerings the best possible way we can. ish ambassador Fikret Ozer, from their homeland. While this is just the start, we Ministry of Economy and Such endeavours have many more festivals up Commerce’s Supply Depart- keep us closer to our our sleeves where we would ment/Quantitative Licenses customers and offer us be connecting with other and Market Control Depart- an opportunity to serve communities from various ment director Abdallah bin them in the best possible geographies and expand our Khalifa al-Kuwari, and Al way we can” reach into the growing Qatar Meera CEO Didier Castaing, as market.” well as other officials. Al Meera deputy CEO en- Al Meera is hosting the Turk- In a statement, Al Meera gineer Salah al-Hammadi ish Festival from October 24 to said that during the festival, said, “In order to offer a November 6. Qatar’s “favourite guests will be able to get ac- unique proposition to our es- neighbourhood retailer” also Al Meera chairman Sheikh Thani bin Thamer bin Mohamed al-Thani leads the ribbon cutting ceremony and is joined by Turkish ambassador customed to Turkish heritage, teemed customers every time plans to have similar other festi- Fikret Ozer, Ministry of Economy and Commerce’s Supply Department/Quantitative Licenses and Market Control Department director culture, and regional cuisine. they visit our branches, we vals in the coming months. Abdallah bin Khalifa al-Kuwari, and Al Meera CEO Didier Castaing. PICTURE: Shaji Kayamkulam

Canadian-Qatari Kuwaiti exhibition opens at Katara parliamentary Workshop highlights challenges group meets Katara – the Cultural Village’s human resources faced by marine ecosystem The Qatari-Canadian department manager Saif Parliamentary Friendship Group Saeed al-Dosari led the held its founding meeting at the opening of Kuwaiti exhibition QNA The committee said that Director of Environmental Canadian Parliament building titled ‘Creative’ yesterday at Doha the workshop included 5 main Assessment Department of the in Ottawa, in the presence of Youth Hobbies Center, sessions. Two of those were Ministry of Municipality and ambassador of Qatar to Canada Katara. Forty-two stunning held yesterday and the final Environment Youssef al-Ho- Saud bin Abdullah al-Mahmoud, and award-winning images he Standing Committee day witnessed three main ses- mor chaired the fourth session, and senior members of the taken by 25 Kuwaiti of the Convention of the sions. which discussed the challenges Canadian House of Commons photographers are on display TLaw of the Sea hosted a The third session of the work- of the Convention of the Law of and Senate. Ambassador al- at the four-day show, workshop on the regional chal- shop focused on the Legal Protec- the Sea. Al-Homor said that the Mahmoud said that the group will organised by Youth Hobbies lenges facing the implementa- tion of Coastal States. The session marine ecosystem was one of the work to strengthen the bilateral Centre and Kuwait Science tion of the convention. was chaired by former head of the most harmed by wars and crises, relations between Qatar and Club in association with Qa- The workshop was held in co- International Hydrographic Or- such as the Gulf Wars. Canada. Chairman of the Qatari- tar’s Ministry of Culture and operation with the International ganisation’s Advisory Board John He highlighted the rich ma- Canadian Friendship Group Borys Sports, and Katara. Hydrographic Organisation’s Brown. It discussed aspects of in- rine ecosystem of Qatar, noting Wrzesniewski praised the strong PICTURE: Jayaram Advisory Board on the Technical nocent passage and the rights of that 23% of the Arabian Gulf’s relations between Qatar and Aspects of the Law of the Sea. coastal countries to stop it. shores were in Qatar. Canada. Gulf Times 4 Thursday, October 25, 2018 QATAR Qatar-China relations reviewed Vodafone Qatar raises awareness about breast cancer

odafone Qatar is raising Vodafone Qatar’s employees, awareness, throughout which has proven “highly suc- Vthe month, about the im- cessful”, the company has said. portance of the early detection “Spreading awareness about of breast cancer among the com- breast cancer is our responsi- munity and its employees. bility as a company that puts its The initiative comes as part people’s well-being at the heart of Breast Cancer Awareness of everything we do. Every year Month, a worldwide campaign in October, we stress the impor- observed annually in October tance of early detection and are HE the Secretary-General of the Ministry of Foreign Aff airs, Dr Ahmed bin Hassan al-Hammadi, met the Assistant Foreign Minister of involving thousands of organi- committed to continue raising China, Chen Xiaodong, who is currently visiting the country. During the meeting, they reviewed relations between Qatar and China and sations, seeking to highlight the livered at the company’s offi ce the awareness,” Vodafone Qatar ways of boosting them, besides enhancing prospects for co-operation and issues of common interest. importance of breast awareness, by Qatar Cancer Society (QCS), noted. education and research. during which employees were Breast cancer is the most com- Under Vodafone Qatar’s cor- given an overview of the signs mon type of cancer in Qatar, ac- porate social responsibility um- and symptoms to look for, what counting for 31% of cancer cases brella, the company has used its preventative measures can be in women, the statement adds. social media channels to raise taken, the importance of early According to the Qatar Can- awareness about early detection detection and where to go for cer Registry, the risk of women Early detection of breast cancer stressed and the importance of regular screenings and medical help. in the population developing screenings, a press statement This is the second year in a row breast cancer is 56 per 100,000. notes. that leading specialists in the However, both women and men QNA gramme, said there are a number by a specialist board-certifi ed patient. After their assessment, A presentation was also de- fi eld from QCS have addressed can be aff ected by breast cancer. Doha of genetic, environmental or genetic counsellor and this spe- our team discusses risk-reduc- lifestyle factors that can increase cialist can help assess an indi- ing strategies with the patient,” a woman’s risk of developing viduals lifetime risk of develop- Dr Bujassoum added. he National Centre for breast cancer. ing cancer,” said Dr Bujassoum. The Hereditary Cancer and Cancer Care and Research She said the team at NCCCR’s Dr Bujassoum noted that the High-Risk Screening Pro- T(NCCCR) has affi rmed the High-Risk Breast Screening and Hereditary Cancer and High- gramme is an example of a multi- importance of early detection of Genetics Programme assessed Risk Screening Program is the disciplinary service that aims breast cancer, as it is by far the over 800 patients last year, noting fi rst of its kind in the region. to achieve excellence in cancer most common cancer in Qatar. that the service helps women un- Genetic testing is performed care through off ering prevention With one in eight women derstand their cancer risk based through the Molecular Diagnos- and personalised medicine and diagnosed with breast cancer on a number of factors, including tic Laboratory, with some tests supports the National Cancer in their lifetime, it is the most age, personal health history, and being sent abroad for analysis. Framework 2017-2022 Achieving common cancer aff ecting wom- genetic or family history. Based on the patients individual Excellence in Cancer Care: A Vi- en worldwide. The High-Risk Breast Screen- risk assessment, appropriate coun- sion for 2022. Senior Consultant at the Na- ing and Genetics Programme selling, testing and prevention This programme is the fi rst of tional Centre for Cancer Care provides genetic counselling and measures are off ered to reduce the its kind in the Middle East and and Research (NCCCR), Dr Salha testing services to patients who likelihood and incidence of breast has positioned Hamad Medical Bujassoum, said Breast Can- are concerned about their he- and other types of cancer. Corporation (HMC) as a leader cer Awareness Month provides reditary cancer risk because of “Our multidisciplinary and and innovator in patient-and an opportune time to remind a personal and/or family history, collaborative approach sees a family-centred care. women about the importance of Dr Bujassoum added. team of specialists, which in- “In addition to our role as beginning regular breast cancer “Genetic counselling can be cludes genetic counsellors, cancer and genetic experts, we screening from the age of 45. very helpful for those who have psychologists, surgeons, and raise awareness about the famil- Dr Bujassoum, who is also Di- a strong family history of breast medical oncologists, work- ial and hereditary risk of breast rector of the Hereditary Cancer cancer. ing together to develop the best and other types of cancers,” Dr and High-Risk Screening Pro- Evaluations are carried out plan of care for each and every Bujassoum said. A presentation being made on the occasion of Vodafone breast cancer awareness day. Gulf Times Thursday, October 25, 2018 5 QATAR

Amphibious vehicles demo at Katara Beach

By Joey Aguilar towards corporate and government Staff Reporter customers, can carry up to nine pas- sengers, with the signature Gibbs central driving position and a tonne in ibbs Amphibians (Gibbs), in payload. partnership with Madaeen Al The amphibious vehicle reaches GDoha Group, showcased high- speeds of 40mph on water and over speed amphibious vehicles Humdinga 80mph on land, with twin Gibbs pro- and Aquada at the Katara Beach. prietary water jets and 4WD. “We will be exhibiting the Humdinga Gibbs has locations in the UK at Milipol Qatar, the 12th International (Nuneaton) and New Zealand, uti- Exhibition of Internal Security and lising engineers and expertise from Civil Defence 2018,” Gibbs Sports Am- both countries to continue develop- phibians chairman Neil Jenkins told ing High Speed Amphibian (HSA) Gulf Times. technology and the vehicles designed Milipol Qatar, under the patron- around it. age of His Highness the Amir Sheikh The rugged Humdinga is capable both “For the Qatari market this is per- Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, is sched- off -road and on-water. fect, you have a long coastline and with uled to take place from October 29 to 31 the 2022 FIFA World Cup these vehi- at the Doha Exhibition and Convention free demonstrations at Katara, both on cles have a unique capability to be able Centre. land and water, after the exhibition. to patrol on land and water,” Jenkins Gibbs will also be holding several The Humdinga, primarily directed added. Gulf Times 6 Thursday, October 25, 2018 QATAR

MEC recalls Mercedes-Benz, GMC Sierra 2500 models The Ministry of Economy and Commerce (MEC), in collabora- tion with Nasser Bin Khaled Automobiles, announced the recall of Mercedes-Benz C-Class and E-Class models of 2017 because the weldability between the seat and back rest of the front seats can lead to the detachment of the backrest. The Ooredoo ‘to continue its MEC said the recall comes within the framework of its eff orts to protect consumers and ensure automobile dealers follow up on vehicles’ defects and repair them. zThe Ministry of Economy and Commerce (MEC), in collabora- tion with Mannai Trading Company, has announced the recall of GMC Sierra 2500 models of 2015-2016 because the brake focus on new technologies’ pedal pivot screw may become loose. The MEC said the recall campaign comes within the framework of its ongoing eff orts to UN report highlights driving substantial transforma- line but there are still some 3.7bn M-Faisaa, a mobile money solu- protect consumers and ensure that automobile dealers follow broadband connectivity’s key tion in several sectors, including people who do not have Internet tion and Ooredoo Myanmar’s M- up on vehicles’ defects and repair them. role in advancing sustainable health, education, fi nancial inclu- access. Pitesan, a mobile money service. development: Ooredoo Group sion and the environment, mak- While it recognises the strong Delivery of this commitment CEO ing them a key accelerator towards growth in broadband markets that rests on Ooredoo maintaining achievement of the United Na- is being accompanied by rapid cutting-edge mobile technologies he crucial role of broadband tions’ Sustainable Development technological innovation, it also across its global footprint. connectivity in advancing Goals (SDGs), says ‘The State of raises concerns for the growing in- Ooredoo’s investment is recog- Tsustainable development Broadband 2018- Broadband Cat- equalities in access to broadband nised in the report, which high- is highlighted in a United Nations alysing Sustainable Development’ that exist between developed and lights its advancement toward 5G report on broadband, said Ooredoo report released by the UN Broad- developing countries. and collaboration with Nokia on Group CEO Sheikh Saud bin Nass- band Commission for Sustainable Emphasising the importance of early 5G trials in Qatar. er al-Thani. Development. building an inclusive digital so- Ooredoo has invested heavily “At Ooredoo, we continue to According to State of Broad- ciety that is accessible by all, the in rolling out the next generation invest in next-generation tech- band 2018 report, although a ma- commission outlines ‘4 I’s’ – infra- technology to deliver superior mo- nologies, people and resources jority of the world’s population structure, investment, innovation bile experiences for its custom- that enable our communities – in (52% or 3.7bn) currently remain and inclusivity, which are central ers and ensure that Qatar is at the particular underserved women and unconnected, the number of total Ooredoo Group CEO Sheikh Saud to the commission’s strategy of ex- forefront of 5G developments and youth – to improve their lives and Internet users continues to grow bin Nasser al-Thani panding access to broadband and the 5G ecosystem. achieve their full potential. strongly, with annual Internet helping accelerate the achievement Ooredoo also continues to invest “As we deploy the power of dig- growth rates above 5%. tinue its delivery of universal and of all United Nations’ SDGs. in advanced networks across its ital technology to give people ac- The report predicts that there aff ordable broadband services to Ooredoo’s commitment to re- portfolio, with its network mod- cess to the services and support will be nearly 4.4bn active mobile developing regions and nations. duce digital inequality stems from ernisation programme bringing 4G they need, we urge governments, broadband subscriptions globally Ooredoo’s sustained invest- its core mission to make the Inter- and 4G+ services to customers in operators and regulators to con- by end 2018, showcasing the po- ments in infrastructure and inno- net accessible and enjoyable for eight of its 10 markets. tinue working closely together to tential for expanding the reach of vation aims to bridge the digital di- everyone. This is highlighted with- Also highlighted in the report is address the deepening digital in- the mobile digital economy. vide and change lives for the better in the report through key examples Ooredoo Oman’s achievement of equality in global connectivity,” Working hand-in-hand with around the world. of Ooredoo’s eff orts to harness expanding its LTE network to cover Sheikh Saud said. governments and other stakehold- The report has found that 48% broadband for sustainable devel- 90% of the country’s population as Broadband technologies are ers, Ooredoo is committed to con- of the global population is now on- opment, such as Ooredoo Maldives of mid-2018.

Qatari Authors Forum held at Qatar National Library

nfl uential Qatari authors took part in the fi rst edition of the Qatari Authors Forum yesterday Iat the Qatar National Library. Participants had the opportunity to hear fi rst- hand about the experiences and challenges of being an author. They also discussed the oppor- tunities for Qatari youth who aspire to become writers. The Qatari Authors Forum is the library’s newest programme, and aims to bring together aspiring and established Qatari authors to exchange ideas and expertise. The forum will be held annually, and all aspiring writers are welcome to attend. Qatari authors at the event.

Gulf Times 8 Thursday, October 25, 2018 QATAR

Experts discuss the importance of investing in parents and parenting strategies at the Doha International Family Institute (Difi) conference. Difi conference highlights parenting, child well-being he Doha International Fam- The participants discussed the Positive Parenting Programme. Weill Cornell Medicine – Qatar; highlighted the key challenges fac- ily Institute (Difi ), a member need to monitor the performance The panel discussion was fol- Nora Wells, executive director, ing parents across the region, while Tof Qatar Foundation (QF), and development of these pro- lowed by two parallel sessions, Family Voices, US; Ignacio Cam- identifying and showcasing exam- yesterday concluded its two-day grammes around the world, as well with the fi rst taking the theme of poy Cervera, senior lecturer, Uni- ples of evidence-based, innovative international conference titled as the key challenges of scaling ‘Parenting Children Living with versity Carlos III of Madrid; and parenting programs from around ‘Parenting, Child Well-being and such initiatives and the need for Disabilities.’ It discussed the chal- Dolorence Were, executive direc- the world. Development.’ expanding them. lenges faced by parents who support tor, Uganda Society for Disabled The conference concluded with Sessions focused on the impor- The session was chaired by Wa- children with special needs, and Children. an interactive discussion session, tance of investing in parents and dih Maalouf, programme manager, the urgent requirement for targeted The second parallel session, which allowed researchers and parenting strategies – in the form United Nations Offi ce on Drugs training to enhance parenting skills titled ‘Parenting Children with academics to exchange experi- of programmes, laws, and poli- and Crime. The panellists in- so that parents can provide better Behavioural Problems’, dissected ences and review obstacles to re- cies at all levels – while promoting cluded Frances Gardner, professor care for their children. matters such as adolescent defi - search and debate their studies on policies and programmes to sup- of Child and Family Psychology, The session was chaired by Dr ance; behaviours that display an- parenting issues while proposing port parents and caregivers, as the University of Oxford; Ignacio So- Jumana Odeh, founder and direc- ger and frustration in children; best practices to enable them to family contributes to both national cias, director of communication, tor general, Palestinian Happy delays in children’s self-regulation conduct and complete their re- and international developments. International Federation for Fam- Child Centre. abilities; and parenting methods search. In addition, Difi shared The second day began with a ily Development; Jamie Lachman, The panellists included Dr Wa- that should be followed to support, the “Civil Society Statement on high-level panel discussion on co-founder, Parenting for Lifelong faa Yazeedi, assistant professor, monitor, and supervise children. Parenting” with the attendees, ‘Investing in Parenting Education Health; and Dr Zulkifl i Ismail, con- Clinical Rehabilitation Medicine, Additionally, the ‘Parenting which was launched prior to the Programmes.’ sultant paediatrician, chairman, Hamad Medical Corporation and Across the Arab Region’ session conference.

The latest winners of Doha Bank’s Al Dana draw. Doha Bank announces winners of Al Dana Draw

oha Bank has announced the winners of said Doha Bank CEO Dr R Seetharaman. its ‘8th Al Dana’ savings scheme draw “We look forward to announcing more win- Dof the year during an event held at Vil- ners in the upcoming Al Dana draws and build- lagio Mall attended by VIP guests and mem- ing on the success of our campaign to date, which bers of Doha Bank’s senior management. continues to attract great interest,” he added. This month’s top prize of QR100,000 was Al Dana is one of Qatar’s most popular received by M S Rahravan. Other lucky win- fi nancial products and off ers the country’s ners included E J Williams, S M al-Zeyara, biggest prize pool, including a newly-in- and H A Alhaider, who each took home troduced mega-prize of QR2mn. Custom- QR5,000 in the ladies, senior citizens, and ers also have the opportunity to participate young savers draws, respectively. An ad- in quarterly millionaire draws and monthly ditional 39 Doha Bank customers were an- draws with a range of exciting prizes. nounced as winners of the QR2,000 monthly Al Dana savings account holders benefi t draw prize, with a further 26 taking home a from immediate pre-approved loans of up to prize of QR5,000 in the Branch Wise draw. 90% of the initial amount deposited, a free Meanwhile, R M al-Hamidi claimed 1mn international debit card, and online, SMS Doha Miles in the monthly Doha Miles draw and mobile banking services. as part of the Salary Transfer Campaign. Ad- Customers can also enjoy the conven- ditionally, R K Sulaiman won an iPhone X ience of managing their utility bill payments through a raffl e held for the attending audi- through their Al Dana accounts, transfer- ence as part of the Al Dana draw event. ring funds between multiple accounts and to “We would like to congratulate the winners third parties, and sending money overseas at of our 8th Al Dana savings scheme draw for the most competitive exchange rates. this year. At Doha Bank, we are keen to contin- Customers can open an Al Dana or Cur- uously engage with our customers on all levels, rent Account by visiting their nearest Doha through unique, tailor-made programmes that Bank branch, completing the online applica- ensure customers benefi t from added value tion form, or sending an SMS to 92610 with and, ultimately, a diff erentiated experience,” the keyword “DANA”.

DCMF forum to discuss press freedom

The Doha Centre for Media Freedom (DCMF) will one-day event. The forum will discuss, through organise a forum to mark the International Day various sessions, press freedom states around to End Impunity in Crimes Against Journalists, the world and the eff orts by human rights and under the title “Ending impunity and promoting press freedom advocates to promote journal- international human rights mechanisms” on ists’ safety and end violations against journalists November 1 at Hilton Doha Hotel. Representa- and media workers. The forum will also discuss tives from governmental and non-governmental means of co-operation to combat impunity in organisations in Qatar, journalists, experts from crimes against journalists and to hold those regional and international human rights organi- who target journalists to account according to sations and media outlets will participate in the international covenants.

Gulf Times 10 Thursday, October 25, 2018 QATAR New links to ensure smooth traffi c fl ow

he new openings on Rayyan low free fl ow of traffi c on Al Road as part of upgrade Rayyan Road through the tun- Tprojects are expected to en- nel while the local traffi c fl ow Eight lanes will be available to road users in each direction. sure smooth traffi c fl ow in the area. will be at the ground level and Journey time would be slashed controlled by the traffi c signals. by half, especially between Al The intersection of Al Rayyan Furousiya Street and Al-Hawar Al Qadeem Street with Al Bustan Street, leading to Al Gharafa Street: The two-level intersec- Road and Khalifa Avenue, where tion will ensure free traffi c fl ow several traffi c detours will be on Al Bustan Street through cancelled. the tunnel. The traffi c on the Al The openings serve many ar- Rayyan Al Qadeem Street will be Zaben signal on Rayyan eas, especially Al Rayyan, Al Lu- on the ground level and co-ordi- qta, Al Gharafa, Mreikh, Fareej nated by the traffi c lights. Al Amir, in addition to Education The intersection of Al Rayyan City and Aspire Zone. Road and 22 February Street: Al Rayyan Road Upgrade The four-level intersection re- project (Phase II): The project places the earlier one. A new includes the development of bridge will be constructed with Road to open tomorrow the road from the west of the the support of two structures Olympic Intersection to the to accommodate traffi c from he new signalised junc- has three straight ahead lanes, west of Khalid Bin Abdullah the north on 22 February Street. tion at Bin Zaben Inter- three left turn lanes, one right Al Attiya Intersection (New Traffi c from the west will be on Tchange (also known as turn lane and one U-turn lane Rayyan Roundabout), the Al Rayyan Road. Al Mukafaha) on the Al Rayyan providing connectivity towards project will develop a new dual Al Mesila Tunnel: The two- Road will be opened tomorrow. Bani Hajer, Doha, Al Luqta and carriageway of 5.5km in four level intersection will have traffi c The signalised junction has Al Waab. lanes in each direction in ad- at the ground level on Al Rayyan come up as part of the Al Rayyan The existing 600m road lo- dition to developing fi ve main Road. As for the traffi c on Jassim Road Upgrade (Phase 2). It will cated to the west of Al Rayyan interchanges, a fl yover and a Bin Hamad Street, the tunnel replace the current temporary Park will be closed. However, the tunnel which include the inter- connects the eastern side of Al signalised junction. local access will be maintained section of Al Rayyan Road with Rayyan Road directly. The opening will also include for park visitors and local resi- Al Furousiya Street. Al Rayyan Bridge: A one-way a new road connecting the new dents from Old Al Rayyan Street The three-level intersec- bridge of two corridors will con- signalised junction with Al (as shown on the map). tion will ensure free traffi c fl ow tribute to the free fl ow of traf- Leabday roundabout and it is Al Rayyan road openings through the tunnel, while the fi c from Al Waab towards the expected to improve traffi c fl ow (Phase II): ‘Ashghal had par- local traffi c using the signals at new Al Rayyan Street, thus re- between the surrounding areas tially opened a new bridge at the ground level of the inter- lieving pressure on Al Rayyan and Al Waab. Khalid Bin Abdullah Al Attiya section as for Al Huwar Street Roundabout. The new junction connects Interchange and a new tunnel crossing Al Furousiya Street The second project of the Al Rayyan Road with Leabday at Sheikh Khalid Bin Hamad Al will have a free fl ow through Al Rayyan Road Construction Street and Bu Erayyen Street, Thani Interchange as part of the bridge. and Development Project in- creating easy access for the areas Al Rayyan Road Development The intersection of the Al volves the implementation of of Bani Hajer, Doha, Al Luqta and Project (Phase 2) earlier this Rayyan Al Qadeem Street with extensive works to establish Al Waab. The opening will also month. The opening has provid- Al Huwar Street: The two-level and upgrade the infrastructure improve traffi c remarkably since ed a free and direct traffi c fl ow intersection will facilitate free of the area. shifting traffi c to the permanent between Al Furousiya Street and traffi c fl ow through the tunnel The project includes instal- road will save transit time. Huwar Street. and Al Rayyan Al Qadeem Street lation of 31km of treated sewage Eight lanes will be available The new bridge is 370m long on the ground level with traffi c lines for irrigation of green spac- to road users in each direction and includes four lanes in each signals. es,40 km of storm water drain- to the signalised junction at Bin direction, two of which will now and includes fi ve lanes in each to allow the continuation of con- lanes on Al Rayyan Road below The intersection of Al Rayyan age network, 32km of drinking Zaben Interchange, thus in- be open in each direction. direction, of which two direc- struction works on the project. the new bridge in the direction Road with Al Bustan Street: The water pipes and the installation creasing the road capacity. It The new tunnel is 925m long tions will open in each direction, This is in addition to opening two from Bani Hajar to Doha. three-level intersection will al- of a 15km sewage network. 11 stranded Sealine area to be developed Ministers review ties QP workers rescued into tourist attraction: QTA he Qatar Amiri Air Force rescued 11 Qatar Petro- atar Tourism Author- A fence was placed 15m implemented in other beaches shops there is very reasonable. Tleum (QP) employees ity (QTA) is keen to de- before the beach to protect across the country. The project provides good stranded on one of the northern Qvelop the Sealine area children in addition to prov- Al-Ibrahim said that co-ordi- services and infrastructure platforms of QP in a night opera- into a modern tourist attrac- ing qualifi ed lifeguards and nation and communication are and aims as well to preserve HE the Minister of State for Foreign Aff airs Sultan bin Saad tion on Sunday, the Ministry of tion through Al Enna project providing families with a good going on with the Ministry of the local environment. In ad- al-Muraikhi met with Tajikistan Minister of Foreign Aff airs Defence (MoD) said yesterday. as part of its 2017-2022 strate- space that keep their privacy. Municipality and Environment dition, there will be a desig- Sirodjiddin Muhriddin, in Dushanbe yesterday. They discussed The QP employees were gy to off er visitors memorable He pointed out that the and Qatar Foundation to provide nated area for traditional folk bilateral relations and ways of boosting them, as well as matters stranded on the platform due to experiences and services. project also takes into con- suitable plants for the Sealine area events and festivals. of common concern. Later, the foreign ministries of Qatar and bad weather conditions, accord- Hassan Abdulrahman al- sideration quad bike safety to as part of a campaign to green an The council hosted al-Ib- Tajikistan held a round of political consultations. The talks were ing to a press statement issued Ibrahim, acting chairman, avoid accidents. The project is area of 300 hectares as a tour- rahim alongside other QTA chaired by HE al-Muraikhi and Tajikistan’s Deputy Minister of by the Directorate of Defence QTA, told the Central Mu- expected to be completely ac- ist attraction. More parking lots offi cials at its biweekly regu- Foreign Aff airs Nizamuddin Zahedi. The talks focused bilateral Communication, MoD. nicipal Council that safety and complished within fi ve years. would be introduced to the place. lar session to hear from them ties and the means to enhance them, in addition to issues of An Amiri Air Force helicop- security at the Sealine area is a The concept of the Sealine He further stressed that about the latest updates at the joint interest. ter was immediately despatched priority for QTA. project is to be assessed to be the rental rates of cabins and Sealine area projects. from Al Udeid Air Base, after receiving a distress notifi cation and call for help, in order to carry out the rescue operation from the platform. The 11 employees were than Shop shut down for safely taken to Haloul Island. QGBC lines up more than 200 The operation was conducted using an AgustaWestland heli- selling fake batteries copter, a multi-mission chopper used for medical evacuation in he Ministry of Economy critical cases. It is considered the and Commerce (MEC) events for sustainability week best in the world for such rescue Thas announced the operations, the statement noted. one-week closure of a phone The directorate stressed that shop located in the Al Rayyan By Joseph Varghese bint Hamad al-Thani, vice chair- air force personnel at Al Udeid area for displaying and selling Staff Reporter person and CEO of Qatar Founda- are always ready to deal with counterfeit batteries bearing tion, will address major sustain- emergencies. international trademarks. ability solutions and their impact The inspection campaign ver 200 events have on driving a more resilient built comes within the framework been planned by Qatar environment for Qatar, the Gulf Armed Forces, of its eff orts to monitor mar- OGreen Building Council region, and beyond. kets and commercial activities (QGBC), for the upcoming Qa- A ceremony for the Qatar HMC sign MoU in order to crack down on price tar Sustainability Week 2018. Sustainability Awards 2018 will The Armed Forces Medical manipulation and uncover vi- Under the patronage of HE Meshal al-Shamari along with other off icials giving the details of take place on October 28, when Services Command yesterday olations as well as counterfeit, the Prime Minister and Interior the programme PICTURE: Noushad Thekkayil 27 organisations will each re- signed a memorandum of fraudulent and substandard An MEC inspector putting up Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin ceive a coveted award in a dif- understanding (MoU) with products, the MEC has said in the closure notice. Nasser bin Khalifa al-Thani, the Properties; Munjid O R Abdel a programme of informative, ferent category, recognising Hamad Medical Corporation a statement. initiative will take place from Majid, CEO, Redco Construc- fun, and interactive events, Qa- their eff orts in furthering sus- (Hamad International Training The outlet was penalised No 8 on Consumer Protection. October 27 to November 3. tion Almana; Manar Kha- tar Sustainability Week 2018 tainable development and envi- Centre) to establish a training and closed for a week in line The law stipulates that the “We have a number of pro- lifa Almuraikhi, director, PR and serves as a platform to promote ronmental protection in Qatar. centre for medical services. with Article 7 of Law No 8 of closure decision shall be pub- grammes, including exhibi- Corporate Communications, Qatar’s sustainability vision. A public programme of events Under the MoU, which comes 2008. Article 7 compels sup- lished on the MEC website and tions, school competitions, Ooredoo; Mounir Bensegueni, “As a pioneer in conducting will take place throughout Qatar within the framework of joint co- pliers to clearly display on the in two daily newspapers at the conferences, healthy diet prac- board member, Tadmur Holding; environmentally sustainable Sustainability Week 2018, featur- operation between the two sides, product’s package or label the expense of the violating com- tices off ered by hotels, and Dr Fadi Jomaa, general manager, practices for green building de- ing a greater variety of activities. training courses will be held at type and nature of the item as pany, the statement notes. workshops among several other Al Qamra Facilities Management; sign and development in Qatar, Fashion and art enthusiasts are the Specialised Military Medical well as other relevant data in The MEC has urged all con- events slated all through the Robert Willem Cats, general QGBC is looking forward to Qa- invited to attend ‘Upcycling Fash- Centre. The Medical Services of line with the law’s implement- sumers to report violations or week,” Meshal al-Shamari, di- manager, Cofely Besix Mannai tar Sustainability Week 2018. ion’, an exhibition hosted by the the Armed Forces will establish a ing regulations. submit complaints and sug- rector, QGBC told Gulf Times Facility Management on behalf There are so many fantastic Doha Fire Station Art Centre that training centre for medical staff The law also prohibits the gestions to its consumer pro- yesterday. of Engie/Mannai; and Judith events taking place that pro- includes installations made from as well as draw up a framework display of fraudulent descrip- tection and anti-commercial “Many stakeholders such as Camacho, operations manager, mote our nation’s environmen- recycled clothes, while fi tness for training programmes for tions, advertisements and fraud department through embassies, schools, hotels and Contactless were also present. tal protection and sustainability fans can take part in ‘Plogging’ cadres. misleading statements. the call centre: 16001, e-mail: universities are involved in the Now in its third year, Qatar goals,” noted al-Shamari. – picking up litter while jogging The MoU was signed by Brigadier An administrative closure [email protected], Twitter: programme,” he explained. Sustainability Week 2018, or- Qatar Sustainability Week 2018 – at a group session organised Nasser Mohamed al-Kaabi, acting declaration has to be pub- MEC_QATAR, Instagram: Earlier, al-Shamari announced ganised by QGBC, a member of will kick off with the Qatar Green by Global Shapers Doha Hub. director of Medical Services; and lished at the expense of the MEC_QATAR and the min- the details of the event at a press Qatar Foundation, is an annual Building Conference, taking place There are also many activities Dr Khalid Abdulnour Saif Eldeen, company or shop that com- istry’s app on smartphones conference at the Msheireb Mu- initiative that aims to encour- from October 28-30 at Sheraton for families, including a special executive director of the Hamad mits the violation in accord- available on iPhone and An- seum. Faisal al-Malki, project age people and organisations to Doha. The conference, under the tour of Baladna farm organised International Training Centre. ance with Article 18 of Law droid devices: MEC_QATAR. management director, Msheireb act more sustainably. Through patronage of HE Sheikha Hind by Hotel Warwick Doha. Gulf Times Thursday, October 25, 2018 11 QATAR/REGION QRCS launches 8th Disaster Management Training Camp

atar Red Crescent Soci- General Directorate of Civil De- The agenda of the camp involves ety (QRCS) has launched, fence, General Directorate of two categories of theoretical and Qunder the patronage of Traffi c, North Security Depart- practical training: specialised HE the Prime Minister and Min- ment, Al Fazaa, Lekhwiya, Ha- training in six fi elds (assessment ister of Interior Sheikh Abdullah mad Medical Corporation, Scout and fi eld co-ordination, shelter bin Nasser bin Khalifa al-Thani, & Guide Association of Qatar, and registration, water and sanita- its eighth Disaster Management Media Youth Centre, Ras Laff an tion, food and distribution, emer- Camp (DMC-8) at the Marine Emergency and Safety College, gency planning, and emergency Scout Camp, Al Khor. Ooredoo, Qatar TV, Al Rayyan healthcare; and general evening Participants in the event. Sponsored by the Social and Satellite Channel, Al Khor and training in seven specialities - Sport Contribution Fund (Daam), Al Thakhira Municipality, and a Sphere Project, media and com- the 10-day event is being attend- number of companies. munication in emergency, disas- ed by 350 trainees and trainers As the only Arabic-speaking ter management and leadership from Qatari government bodies specialised training event of its in humanitarian action, disaster and NGOs, friendly national so- kind, the purpose of the camp management, leadership in hu- National Service Academy cieties, the United Nations, the is to build a well-trained base manitarian action, psychological International Federation of Red of volunteers who respond to support, safer access and restoring Cross and Red Crescent Societies disasters timely and eff ectively, family links. and the International Committee enhance co-ordination with Seven disaster management relevant organisations and au- camps were organised in 2006, hosts Canadian varsities expo of the Red Cross. The list of contributors to the thorities, minimise casualties 2007, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 and event include the Permanent and property loss, and help the 2017, which graduated hundreds QNA reers, enabling them to choose Committee for Emergency, Qa- society recover from any future of volunteers who were later Doha the appropriate courses at the tar Armed Forces, Ministry of disasters, QRCS has said in a engaged in QRCS’s disaster re- most prestigious Canadian uni- Municipality and Environment, statement. sponse eff orts internationally. versities. iqdam camp at Qa- The event was attended by a tar National Service large number of students wish- MAcademy hosted the ing to complete their university Canadian Universities Exhibi- studies in Canada and their par- tion, which is part of the Edu- ents. Canada tour and a student ex- The parents and students change platform between Qatar met with representatives of the and Canada, attracting a large Canadian universities to learn number of universities. about the details of admission The exhibition, organised by procedures and the documents the Canadian embassy in Doha, required to join these universi- comes under the guidance of ties. the Deputy Prime Minister and Assistant to the Head of Qa- Minister of State for Defence Af- tar National Service Academy fairs HE Dr Khalid bin Mohamed Brigadier Issa Ibrahim al-Sada al-Attiyah, for the development said the exhibition comes within of students from national serv- the framework of the develop- ice candidates. ment of bilateral relations be- The exhibition aims to guide tween Qatar and Canada, and national service candidates and co-operation in the military and recruits in determining their academic fi elds between the two Off icials providing information about the camp. academic and professional ca- countries. At least 16 civilians killed ICBF medical camp in Hodeidah air strikes for workers tomorrow

Reuters he Indian Community Be- blood pressure, diabetes at the No prior registration is re- Dubai nevolent Forum (ICBF), camp. quired. Apart from general phy- Tworking under the aegis of They said it is the 35th camp sicians, orthopaedic surgeons, the Indian embassy, is organis- of its kind held under the leader- dentists and other specialists t least 16 people were killed yester- ing a free medical camp for low- ship of the ICBF. The camp, to be will be available. Those receiv- day in an air strike that hit a factory income expatriate workers at Al spearheaded by Sigh Seva group, ing treatment at the camp would Afor vegetable packaging in Yemen’s Abeer Medical Centre in Doha one of the forums in the expatri- receive free follow up within a Hodeidah province, medical workers and Industrial Area tomorrow from ate community, will have support week, if required, said Al Abeer residents said. 7.30am to 12.30pm. from Wellcare Pharmacy, and Al Medical Centre’s head of opera- A Saudi-led coalition that intervened At least 500 workers are ex- Abeer Medical centre. tions Dr Nithyanand. in Yemen’s war in 2015 has conducted fre- pected to benefi t from the camp, Besides workers of some of the ICBF president Davis Edaka- quent air strikes targeting the Houthi group which is to be inaugurated by In- accommodations in the Indus- lathur, vice president P N and has often hit civilians, although it de- dian ambassador P Kumaran. trial Area, those from the labour Baburajan, medical co-ordinator nies doing so intentionally. While announcing the de- accommodations in Sheehaniya Nivedita Ketkar, co-ordinators Medics and residents in Bayt al-Faqih, tails of the event, ICBF offi cials are also expected to be benefi ted Soorya and Sanjeev, and Well- a town 70km south of Hodeidah city, said said the workers will receive free from the camp. Arrangements care Group managing director twelve people were also wounded. treatment and medicines for for the transportation of workers K P Ashraf were present at the They said bombs fell on a vegetable pack- such health issues as cholesterol, have been made. briefi ng. aging factory in Aal-Masoudi neighbor- hood and the victims were workers there. Houthi media said 19 were killed and 10 were wounded in the same area. Residents said violent clashes erupted in the southern outskirts of Hodeidah, a port city that pro- This picture taken yesterday shows the wreckage of a car reportedly destroyed in an air government forces have been trying to cap- strike in downtown of Hodeidah. ture from the Houthis since the renewal of an off ensive in September. proved, independent process. Whilst this is after the Houthis ousted the internationally A spokesman for the Saudi-led coalition, ongoing, it would be inappropriate to com- recognised government of President Abd- Colonel Turki al-Malki, said the alliance is ment further,” he said. Rabbu Mansour Hadi. investigating the incident. The coalition sometimes admits “errors” The war has killed more than 10,000 “We take this report very seriously and and pledges to hold accountable anyone people, displaced more than 2mn and driv- it will be fully investigated, as all reports of who caused civilian deaths. en the country, to the verge of widespread this nature are, using an internationally ap- The coalition entered Yemen’s confl ict famine. ICBF off icials announcing details of the medical camp yesterday. Focus on technology-driven research at Qeeri event

number of experts from research, development, and in- a talk on Research and Develop- In his closing remarks, Dr Qatar and abroad came novation. ment and Industry Perspective Rachid Zaffou, Technology Atogether to explore the The event featured talks, panel in Qatar, said: “It is interesting to chair at Qeeri said: “Science in research and technology devel- discussions, case studies, and hear so many diff erent perspec- the form of knowledge is im- opment ecosystem in Qatar at group activities, and saw the tives and experiences from the portant, but more important is the second ‘Technology and In- participation of dignitaries and participants. Having events such to drive scientific research to novation Workshop’ hosted by guests, including Dr Mohamed as Qeeri’s Technology and Inno- deliver innovative technologi- Qatar Environment and Energy bin Saif al-Kuwari, assistant un- vation Workshop will contribute cal solutions, and in our case, Research Institute (Qeeri), a part dersecretary and director of the towards well-informed and de- this means the need to develop of Hamad bin Khalifa University. Environmental and Municipal liberate consideration of some technologies that can benefit The four-day event, attended Studies Institute at the Ministry the challenges we face ahead of Qatar in addressing its chal- by researchers, stakeholders, of Municipality and Environment. us, and the ways to tackle them. lenges in energy, water, and en- and industry players, shed light Also in attendance were You- This will enable us to redirect vironment. on important topics including suf Abdulla Rebeeh, chief op- Experts deliberate on key issues during the forum. research to industrial needs, and The fi rst edition of the Tech- R&D as a driver for growth and erations offi cer at Qatar Petro- in turn have a direct national im- nology and Innovation Work- market evolution, and the chal- chemical Company; Engineer research institutes convened to Gandhi Institute of Petroleum Al-Kuwari said: “The event pact.” shop was held in May 2018 and lenges and opportunities for Saleh al-Marri, head of Re- gain further insights of the dis- Technology in India. is a unique platform that Explaining his objectives for focused on ensuring scientists R&D in Qatar and the region. newable Energy Technology at cussions and topics put forward. They were accompanied by brings together several key the workshop, Akhilesh, said: have the knowledge and the The workshop, held at the Re- Kahramaa; Dr Salvino Salvag- The workshop was led by in- professor James Fenton, director players – researchers, indus- My overarching and intended mindset to innovate and to ap- searchery (formerly known as gio, senior director of Imple- ternational experts, including Dr of the University of Central Flor- try, government representa- goal through this workshop is proach science itself with an en- the HBKU Research Complex), mentation at Qatar Foundation Ron Basu, director at RB Con- ida’s Florida Solar Energy Centre tives, and experts from the to enable participants to un- trepreneurial mindset, a key in emphasised the need for sci- Research, Development and In- sultants and a visiting fellow at (FSEC) and Joseph Walters, pro- field to discuss an unprec- derstand the various elements driving ideas towards fruition in ence to go beyond basic and fun- novation; and Dr Marc Vermeer- the Henley Business School in gramme director at FSEC at the edented transformation phase involved in transforming basic the form of value-creation. The damental research to focus on sch, executive director at Qeeri. the UK; and Professor Katte B University of Central Florida in in the state of Qatar. research into market and tech- next workshop is scheduled for market and technology-driven Management and staff of the Akhilesh, president of the Rajiv the US. Al-Marri, who also presented nology-driven research.” March 2019. Gulf Times 12 Thursday, October 25, 2018 ARAB WORLD Palestinian killed by Israeli fi re in West Bank clash: ministry

Agencies an died of wounds sustained during a Jerusalem stone-throwing attack near Nablus. The Palestinians say it was the work of settlers, while Israeli police say her Palestinian was killed by Israeli death remains under investigation. fi re during a clash with the army HAMDALLAH MEETS Ain the northern West Bank yes- NORWAY ENVOY terday, the health ministry in Ramallah Meanwhile, Palestinian Prime Min- said. ister Rami Hamdallah met with Nor- An Israeli army spokeswoman con- way’s envoy for the Middle East peace fi rmed that an operation had sparked process Tor Wennesland, who is cur- a clash with Palestinians in Tammun, rently visiting Ramallah. northeast of the city of Nablus, but had The Palestinian News Agency no word on any death. (WAFA) reported that the latest po- The Palestinian ministry named the litical developments and the viola- dead man as Mohamed Bisharat, 21, tions of the Israeli occupation were and said he had taken a bullet to the reviewed, the latest of which was the chest. killing of Bisharat in West Bank, in It said three other Palestinians had addition to the attempts of the Israeli been hit by live fi re and three by rub- forces to deport the residents of Al ber-coated bullets. Khan Al Ahmar in East Jerusalem in The Israeli army acknowledged fi r- favour of the settlements. ing live rounds. Hamdallah also discussed with The West Bank, which has been oc- Wennesland the results of the ad-hoc cupied by Israeli forces since the Six- liaison committee held in New York Day War of 1967 and transformed by last month, calling on donor coun- the persistent expansion of Israeli set- tries to increase their assistance to tlements, has seen a rise in tensions in Palestine in light of the decline of ex- recent weeks.On October 7, a Palestin- ternal support by 70%. ian shot dead two Israeli colleagues at The Palestinian prime minister re- an industrial zone adjacent to a settle- iterated his call to the international ment in the northern West Bank. community to provide protection for The suspect remains on the run. the Palestinian people and to compel On Monday, a Palestinian stabbed the occupation authorities to stop and wounded an Israeli soldier in the their crimes against Palestinians and fl ashpoint southern West Bank city their property, and respect interna- of Hebron before being shot dead by tional and humanitarian law. troops. He also hailed the Norwegian sup- On October 12, a Palestinian wom- port for Palestine. A relative of Palestinian youth Muntaser al-Baz, who was killed during a protest at the Israel-Gaza border, reacts during his funeral in the central Gaza Strip, yesterday.

UN envoy talks new constitution with Syria FM Sudan PM announces ‘strict

AFP said after the meeting. He de- ian authorities and would stay expected. The committee is ex- austerity’ in emergency reforms Damascus scribed the meeting as “long” for a “couple of days”, according pected to include 150 members: but did not provide any infor- to the United Nations, which did 50 chosen by Damascus, 50 by mation on progress made or not say whether he would also the opposition and the fi nal 50 Reuters ity crises,” Moussa said. The out of the country. At more utgoing UN envoy whether he was staying on in meet President Bashar al-Assad. by de Mistura. Khartoum measures include slashing than 60%, Sudan’s infla- Staff an de Mistura met Damascus. Syria’s confl ict erupted in 2011 He has said the Syrian govern- all tax exemptions except for tion rate is among the world’s Owith Syria’s top diplo- State news agency SANA said with protests against Assad’s ment is objecting to the UN’s materials needed for produc- highest. mat in Damascus yesterday, the de Mistura and Muallem dis- rule but quickly evolved into a share, which includes civil so- udan’s Prime Minis- tion, withdrawing some ve- Its currency now buys few- UN and state media said, to try cussed the envoy’s eff orts to brutal war that has killed more ciety representatives, religious ter Moataz Moussa an- hicles provided to officials, er than half as many dollars to make progress on a post-war “activate the political process than 360,000 people. and tribal leaders, experts and Snounced to parliament no longer paying for meals on the black market — which constitution. and form a committee to dis- UN-led eff orts at halting the women. yesterday a 15-month emer- served in government meet- has effectively replaced the De Mistura announced last cuss the constitution”. Mual- violence have brought little res- The regime has also insisted gency economic-reform plan, ings and banning use of im- formal banking system — as it week he would step down at the lem stressed that creating a new pite and have been overshad- the body would simply “discuss” including “further strict aus- ported furniture in govern- did a year ago. end of November, but said he constitution must be a Syrian- owed by a competing diplomatic the current constitution while terity measures”, to begin this ment offices, Moussa said. In September, 11 months would fi rst travel to the Syrian led process and shunned “any track led by regime allies Russia opposition groups seek deeper month. Moussa also mentioned after the United States lifted capital to seek the government’s foreign interference”. and Iran and rebel backer Tur- changes. Sudan’s economy has been plans to establish a commod- 20-year-old trade sanctions, approval of a UN-backed con- “This entire process must key. The UN itself has referred to struggling since the south se- ity exchange for gold and cur- Bashir dissolved his govern- stitutional committee. be under Syrian leadership and Earlier this year, Moscow in- “drafting constitutional reform”. ceded in 2011, taking with it rencies. ment, citing Sudan’s “state of The Italian-Swedish diplo- ownership. The constitution, vited representatives of Syria’s At 71, de Mistura is the UN’s three-quarters of oil output The economy has been distress and frustration”, and mat met Foreign Minister Walid and everything related to it, is government and opposition to third envoy on the Syrian cri- and depriving Khartoum of a starved of hard currency since slashed a third of ministries Muallem but without making purely a matter of sovereignty the Russian resort town of Sochi sis, and its longest-serving with crucial source of foreign cur- South Sudan seceded in 2011, to cut costs. any apparent progress. that will be decided by the Syr- and proposed creating a com- four years under his belt. rency. taking the lion’s share of oil, The end of the embargo “We had a very frank and very ian people itself without any mittee to revise the constitution. He said he was leaving the The plan aims to “reduce once a major export. has so far failed to provide a intense exchange of opinions foreign interference,” he told de De Mistura had hoped the post for “purely personal rea- the average inflation, stabi- Though gold mining has hoped-for boost to foreign concerning the constitutional Mistura, according to SANA. committee would be ready be- sons”, wanting to spend more lise the exchange rate of the since boomed, officials ac- investment, which econo- committee and the political The envoy travelled to Da- fore the fall, but agreeing on its time with family. His successor pound, achieve a GDP growth knowledge that most of the mists have linked to Washing- process in general,” de Mistura mascus at the invitation of Syr- makeup has taken longer than has not yet been named. of 4% and to fix the liquid- precious metal is smuggled ton’s policies against Sudan. Vandalism, neglect haunt Libya’s ancient heritage sites

Reuters Shahat, Libya

raffi ti covers the ruins of Cyrene in eastern Libya, Ga city founded by Greeks more than 2,600 years ago that once attracted tourists but is now neglected and the target of vandals. Insecurity and looting has hit Libya’s archaeological sites in the chaos and fighting that has followed the overthrow of Muammar Gaddafi in 2011, as rival groups struggle to con- solidate control of the country. Libya is home to five of Unesco’s World Heritage sites, listed for their outstanding universal value. The sites include the ruins of the Roman city of Leptis Magna and Sabratha, which is famous for its amphitheatre. There are also prehistoric rock carvings in the Akakous mountains deep in the south- ern Sahara desert near the bor- der with Algeria. In the east, tourists once trekked to Cyrene, a site found- ed by Greeks and later expand- A general view of the ancient ruins of the Greek and Roman city of Cyrene, in Shahhat, Libya. A girl sits on an ancient statue in the ruins of the Greek and Roman city of Cyrene, in Shahhat. ed by Romans, nestled in the mountains some 200km east of tect the ruins located in the built houses on these sites,” he The effort to preserve ru- 2011 after they were looted in- hit by fighting between rival “There is no support for this Benghazi. small community of Shahat. said. ins is further hampered by the side the country. factions and Unesco last year site,” said al-Amari Ramadan But with foreign tourists “In Cyrene, instead of speak- The challenge is worsened by fact that Libya has two govern- Many other items are smug- issued an appeal to protect the Mabrouk, director of the Jan- gone and the sites visited only ing to one owner, now we speak a law in 2013 that allowed peo- ments. gled abroad though. site. zour antiquities office. by Libyan families on weekend to 50 with different back- ple to reclaim land confiscated One administration backed Leptis Magna in northwest- The site received no help. Libyan families come occa- trips, locals have seized land at grounds,” said Ahmad Hussein, under Gaddafi. by the United Nations sits in ern Libya has been able to es- In the capital Tripoli, a lone sionally but otherwise spiders the sites and vandals have even the head of the antiquities de- Some people took that liter- Tripoli, while the east has a cape vandalism thanks to local director is trying to preserve and dust cover the graves. “I smeared graffiti on columns partment of a parallel admin- ally and annexed what they felt parallel government. history fans and relative secu- some 18 Roman graves, dating cannot give a number for tour- and walls. istration in charge of eastern they deserved. In a rare positive sign, Hus- rity at its location near the city back some 1,700 years which ists who visit Libya...but I can That presents a challenge to Libya. Hussein wants to hold those sein said that about 1,700 ar- of Misrata. were found in 1958 in the west- say that, before 2011, tourism local authorities trying to pro- “Some of the owners have who seized land accountable. tefacts had been returned since Sabratha has been repeatedly ern suburb of Janzour. was popular in Libya,” he said. Gulf Times Thursday, October 25, 2018 13 AFRICA

POLITICS GREEN SIGNAL ‘CHALLENGE’ VOTE ROW HEAVY HAND Ethiopian lawmakers to DR Congo opposition rally Nigeria seeking ways to Mozambique opposition Guinea teen killed as police pick new president today ‘authorised’ for tomorrow curb population growth says peace talks on hold teargas banned demo

Ethiopian lawmakers will meet today to appoint The Democratic Republic of Congo’s opposition will be Nigeria’s finance minister has said the government Mozambique’s main opposition party, Renamo, A teenager was killed Tuesday as Guinean police a new president, a largely ceremonial post in the allowed to hold a Kinshasa rally tomorrow to protest is looking at ways to limit its “exponential” said yesterday that peace talks with the clashed with youths in the capital Conakry Horn of Africa nation, the state-aff iliated Fana against voting machines they fear will permit fraud population growth, describing it as a “great government were on hold due its allegations of and the opposition leader claimed his car was Broadcasting Corporate reported. A session in December’s key election. Critics worry President challenge” to prosperity. Speaking on the sidelines fraud in this month’s local elections. Renamo said shot at during a banned rally over disputed involving both houses of parliament is expected Joseph Kabila is trying to ensure his favoured of an economic summit on Tuesday night, finance the election authorities had falsified results and elections. Mamadou Samba Diallo, an 18-year- to hear and formally accept the resignation successor, Emmanuel Ramazani Shadary, a hardline minister Zainab Ahmed said the government robbed it of victory in five of the 53 municipalities. old apprentice plumber, died after being shot of current President Mulatu Teshome who former interior minister, faces no serious challenger. has identified Nigeria’s population boom as an The October 10 polls were seen as a key test of by security forces, his uncle Cellou Binani Diallo, has served in the post for the last five years. Opposition leader Vital Kamerhe said opposition area of concern. Consultations are under way the peace process between the ruling Frelimo a news photographer who works for several No reason has been given for his expected representatives had been summoned yesterday by with traditional stakeholders who have in the party and Renamo. The two movements fought a organisations including AFP, said. Opposition resignation but observers speculate it was the Kinshasa local authorities to organise security for past opposed controlling fertility on moral and civil war until 1992, and new peace talks started in leader Cellou Dalein Diallo denounced “yet outcome of continued negotiations between the the march tomorrow. “We will hold a rally to show religious grounds. Ahmed appeared to backtrack 2016 after another outbreak of fighting between another death from the bullets of the security four parties in the ruling coalition that appointed to the world that the opposition wants elections, but yesterday after criticism of the proposed plan, the government and Renamo rebels. “Now the forces,” adding that 97 demonstrators had been Abiy Ahmed in April as the first prime minister elections that are credible, free and transparent,” said writing on Twitter that the government was not peace negotiation is on hold,” said Renamo killed since 2010 when President Alpha Conde from the Oromo ethnic group. Kamerhe, UNC opposition party president. pushing for a cap on childbirth but “child spacing”. spokesman Andre Magibire. came to power.

10 killed in SA fi nance minister targets fi ghting in Anglophone govt debt ahead of election Cameroon Reuters AFP ence within the ANC, are staunchly op- Yaounde Cape Town posed to any austerity policies or laying off government workers from the bloat- ed civil service or ailing state-owned eavy fi ghting between outh Africa’s fi nance minister yes- companies. Cameroon’s army and terday vowed to tackle debt and The National Union of Mine Workers Hseparatist rebels killed Srebuild government institutions called Mboweni “unlawful and reckless” at least 10 people, the two sides after the turbulent presidency of Jacob this week for saying that 30,000 job said yesterday, in the deadliest Zuma, as the ruling ANC party prepares losses would be needed to save troubled clash since President Paul Biya for next year’s election. state electric utility Eskom. won a seventh term earlier this Tito Mboweni, delivering the me- Mboweni, 59, moved to draw a clear week. dium-term budget statement to par- line under the Zuma era. The confl ict between An- liament, said South Africa “stood at “Too much money goes missing,” he glophone separatists who a crossroads” as it faces rising public said. want to create an independent debt, low growth and record unemploy- “We must restore good governance state called Ambazonia and ment. and fi ght corruption in all of its forms. government forces has killed “We cannot continue to borrow at Money that leaks out of the system is no hundreds since last year and this rate,” he said. “We must choose to longer available to support our eff orts to emerged as Biya’s greatest se- reduce the structural defi cit.” reduce poverty.” curity problem in nearly four President Cyril Ramaphosa, who The ANC’s declining popularity was decades in power. took power when Zuma was forced out revealed in the 2016 local elections when Threats by the separatists over graft allegations in February, has the party lost controlling power over disrupted voting in Cam- pledged to revive the listless economy three key cities, including the country’s eroon’s two Anglophone re- by attracting $100bn in foreign invest- capital Pretoria, and won its smallest gions during the October 7 ment and cracking down on corruption. ever share of the overall vote. election, keeping turnout to 5% A judicial inquiry is currently probing The main opposition Democratic Al- in the Northwest and 16% in allegations that Zuma oversaw the sys- liance said the fi nance minister had re- the Southwest. tematic plunder of state coff ers and of vealed a “full-scale budget blowout” Cameroon government state-owned enterprises during his nine with rising debt likely to force taxes up. spokesman Issa Tchiroma years in power. South African Minister of Finance Tito Mboweni (centre) walks with members of the Finance Ministry up Government Avenue Debt is now forecast to stabilise in Bakary told Reuters the army “We must repair damaged govern- as he arrives to deliver his budget speech in the South African Parliament in Cape Town. 2024 at 60% of GDP, with the budget killed about 30 separatists in ment institutions, as their failure im- defi cit widening to 4.2% next year. fi ghting on Tuesday morning pacts poorer households the most,” ed predecessor Nhlanhla Nene resigned “For ordinary South Africans, it has ing fuel prices and a weak local currency. Moody’s, the only ratings agency that near the northwestern town of Mboweni said. just two weeks ago. become a diffi cult time,” he said. Unemployment is stubbornly high at still has South Africa’s debt at invest- Ndu and freed 16 hostages held “There have been governance chal- Nene stood down after admitting to “Prices, such as electricity and fuel, about 28% — rising to over 50% youth ment grade, could review its assessment by the rebels. lenges at key state institutions. State undisclosed meetings with the Gupta have risen. Unemployment is unaccept- unemployment in some areas. shortly. One government soldier was institutions are being repaired and re- business family at the heart of graft al- ably high. Poor services and corruption Mboweni is seen as a pro-business “The conversation that has to take killed in the fi ghting, he added. newed, but serious governance prob- legations against Zuma. have hit the poor the hardest.” fi scal conservative whose appointment place with the ratings agencies has to Cho Ayaba, head of the Am- lems exist across the public sector.” Mboweni yesterday cut South Africa’s The country, which is Africa’s most- boosted investor support for Ramapho- be an honest one,” Mboweni told jour- bazonian Defense Force, one of Mboweni is the country’s fi fth fi nance 2018 growth forecast sharply from 1.5 % industrialised economy, is currently in sa. nalists before the meeting, adding he the main Anglophone seces- minister in three years after his respect- to 0.7% this year. recession, with voters buff eted by soar- But trade unions, which wield infl u- favoured a smaller cabinet to save costs. sionist groups, disputed Tchi- roma’s death toll. He said seven rebel fi ght- ers were killed when the army sacked one of their camps, and Bridging the gap three army soldiers also died. West Africa’s Ebola outbreak cost $53bn “For the past two months, the regime has attacked our camps,” Ayaba said. “We lost By Tom Miles, Reuters The total is far higher than previous counted for was deaths from other seven and a couple of others Geneva estimates. diseases, as Ebola tied up healthcare were wounded.” In October 2014, the World Bank resources and hospital admissions fell Cameroon’s linguistic di- said the Ebola epidemic could cost dramatically, adding $18.8bn to the to- vide harks back to the end of n Ebola outbreak that ravaged $32.6bn by the end of 2015 in a worst tal bill. World War I, when the League Sierra Leone, Guinea and Libe- case scenario, but by November 2014 During the outbreak there were of Nations divided the former Aria in 2014 cost economies an it dialled back that forecast to $3bn to 10,623 additional deaths from HIV/ German colony of Kamerun estimated $53bn, according to a study $4bn. Aids, tuberculosis and malaria, with between the allied French and in this month’s Journal of Infectious In 2016 the World Bank estimate of 3.5mn additional untreated malaria British victors. Diseases. economic loss was $2.8bn. cases. Separatist militia launched The study aimed to combine the di- The 2003 severe acute respiratory Measles caused 2,000-16,000 extra an insurrection last year rect economic burden and the indirect syndrome (Sars) cost an estimated deaths as 1mn children missed being against the predominantly social impact to generate a compre- $40bn, while the 2015-2016 Zika virus vaccinated for measles, and 600,000- Francophone central govern- hensive cost of the outbreak, which outbreak in the Americas was esti- 700,000 missed other vaccines. ment after authorities violent- was the worst in the world. mated to have caused $20bn in social But the authors added that they ly repressed peaceful protests The outbreak ran from 2013 to 2016 costs, the new study said. had limited information on the cost against perceived marginalisa- and killed at least 11,300 people, more But a repeat of the 1918 infl u- of deploying international health staff tion of English speakers. than all other known Ebola outbreaks enza pandemic could cost an annual and military personnel, and they were The army has burned vil- combined. 700,000 lives and $490bn, the au- obliged to place a value on human life, lages and killed unarmed civil- The vast majority of cases were in thors said, citing research published a widely accepted economic measure- ians, residents have told Reu- Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone. in 2016. ment. ters, forcing thousands to fl ee The report’s authors, Caroline Hu- The new Ebola study factored in the Although the “value of a statistical Children sing and wave flags during the inauguration of the newly built to French-speaking regions or ber, Lyn Finelli and Warren Stevens, impact on healthworkers, long-term life” (VSL) in North America and Eu- Nigeria-Benin joint border posts at Seme-Krake in the Badagry district of neighbouring Nigeria. put the economic costs at $14bn and conditions suff ered by 17,000 Ebola rope is estimated at $7mn to $9mn, the Lagos. The presidents inaugurated the newly built Seme-Krake joint border Biya won the election with said the human cost was even greater, survivors, and costs of treatment, in- authors said, they took a fi gure from posts of the two countries to enhance free movement of people and goods 71% of the vote, extending his based on the people aff ected and a dol- fection control, screening and deploy- the only study in a West African con- and economic activities in the region. 36-year-rule, the second- lar fi gure that refl ects the value of each ment of personnel beyond West Africa. text, with a VSL of $577,000 in Sierra longest of any African leader. human life. The biggest cost not previously ac- Leone. Women urge Nigeria to revamp ‘prehistoric’ politics

By Stephanie Findlay, AFP “They’ll tell you, ‘Oh, wow! producer, home to more than newspaper said only 31 women Nigeria’s Buhari was criti- wives or daughters of senators or male colleague was dumped as Lagos Cute, we’re happy to see a beau- 190mn people. were running for parliament for cised for saying alongside Ger- governors. It’s dishonest to say speaker after three rocky months. tiful woman but you’re not going The West African giant ranks the ruling All Progressives Con- man Chancellor Angela Merkel any representation is better than “They felt because you are a to win’.” 180th out of 190 countries for gress (APC) and main opposition in 2016 that his wife, Aisha, “be- no representation.” woman you can’t be seen as con- hen Ndi Kato decided On the campaign trail, Kato women’s representation in poli- Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). longs to my kitchen and my living Most women in power are trolling men,” said Akande-Ade- to run for offi ce in Ni- was often the only woman in tics, according to a 2017 UN re- High fees for nomination room and the other room”. more interested in preserving the ola, who is running for a Senate Wgeria, she found few the room and said when she did port. forms have been seen as a fac- Ayisha Osori, a Nigerian law- status quo than creating greater seat. “The party structure gives models for young women who speak up she was “hepeated” — Women make up just 5.8% of tor, even though the APC off ered yer who ran for offi ce in 2015, has opportunities for others. only room for men.” wanted to be in politics. her suggestions were ignored the ministers in President Mu- a half-price discount for female written a book about her cam- “Women are just put in a ghet- For the situation to change, “Women said, ‘Don’t get ex- until a man said it and was hammadu Buhari’s 36-member prospective candidates and the paign, Love Does Not Win Elec- to” and pressured to conform to female politicians want more fi - cited, the system will isolate you, praised. cabinet. PDP made applications free. tions. traditional gender norms centred nancial support. you’re a token’,” Kato, 29, told She looked on as her male In parliament, just seven out Poor female representation in In it she provides advice for on family and motherhood, she Similarly, there are calls for AFP. “The future didn’t look so counterparts across the coun- of the 109 members of the upper Nigerian politics stands at odds anyone wanting to get elected, added. changes to party organisation, bright.” try received generous donations chamber, the Senate, are female. with the situation elsewhere in including providing “mint ban- A recent women’s conference including quotas, to make poli- But she wanted to make a dif- from political party elders that In the lower House of Assem- Africa, notably Rwanda, where knotes” for voters, and rails for example was organised by the tics more inclusive. ference and in February kicked helped them secure their candi- bly, women hold 19 of the 360 more than 60% of parliamentary against an ossifi ed system that “Committee of Wives of Lagos Despite losing out on her fi rst off her campaign for the House of dacies. seats. deputies are women. serves only the elite. State Offi cials”. try, Kato says she still wants a Assembly in the northern state of Despite her best eff orts, she Those numbers are not ex- Ethiopia’s Prime Minister Abiy “Think about prehistoric Mulikat Akande-Adeola, 57, political career even if it is likely Kaduna. didn’t make it through the party pected to change dramatically as Ahmed this month appointed a times, the men hunted and the was the fi rst female majority to be an “uphill battle. From there, it was a constant primaries. presidential, parliamentary and new cabinet with half of all posts women cooked, that’s where we leader of the House of Represent- “If you believe in women can- battle against the patriarchy. Kato’s experience is far from state elections approach in four going to women, including de- are in Nigeria,” she told AFP. atives and knows she is an excep- didates, you need to put your “There is this condescension to an isolated case in Africa’s most months’ time. fence, the latest move in his radi- “Many of the women who have tion to the rule. money where your mouth is,” she a woman’s candidacy,” she said. populous nation and leading oil Last week, the Daily Trust cal reform programme. won seats to the Senate are either In 2007, she watched as a fe- said. Gulf Times 14 Thursday, October 25, 2018 AMERICAS

FATALITIES ACCIDENT INCIDENT EMPLOYMENT CRASH AND BURN Viral outbreak kills 6 kids Canadian rapper dies after Security scare locks down Congress defers questioning at New Jersey rehab centre falling off plane wing nuclear weapons facility of Justice off icial on probes

A viral outbreak has killed six children and left A Canadian rapper died after falling from the Employees at the United States’ primary nuclear Two US congressional committees postponed 12 more sick at a rehabilitation centre in New wing of a flying plane he was walking on during weapons facility were briefly told to “shelter in a closed-door interview with Deputy Attorney Jersey, state authorities said on Tuesday. The a music video shoot, his management team place” Tuesday, when a suspicious vehicle in a General Rod Rosenstein set for yesterday where New Jersey (NJ) Department of Health confirmed said. Jon James, 33, died instantly in the “wing- parking lot triggered an emergency response. he had been expected to face tough questions 18 cases, of which six were fatal, of adenovirus walking” accident in Vernon, British Columbia, The incident at the Pantex Plant in Amarillo, about whether he discussed secretly recording among paediatric residents at the Wanaque according to a statement. “He had trained Texas occurred just before noon, when a routine Donald Trump and potentially removing Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation in Haskell, intensely for this stunt but as Jon got further inspection identified “a concern with a vehicle,” the the president from off ice. Representatives about 40 kilometres north-west of New York City. out onto the wing of the plane, it caused the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) Bob Goodlatte and Trey Gowdy, chairmen of Adenoviruses are a family of viruses that often small Cessna to go into a downward spiral that said. Police were called and authorities closed the House of Representatives Judiciary and cause mild illness, particularly in young children. the pilot couldn’t correct,” said the statement, roads around the facility for about an hour while Oversight committees, said on Tuesday they The strain in this outbreak, adenovirus 7, has been published alongside an online fundraiser to raise off icials investigated. “After searching the vehicle, postponed Rosenstein’s interview because the Firemen take stock of the scene after a vintage “particularly associated with disease in communal money for funeral costs and to release James’s it was determined there were no prohibited items amount of time allotted for the session was too plane crash landed on a southern California living arrangements and can be more severe,” the new music. “Jon held onto the wing until it was or explosives, and the emergency event was short. Rosenstein’s appearance could become a freeway in Agoura Hills, California, in this still department said in a statement. too late.” resolved without incident,” the NNSA said. public hearing, Goodlatte and Gowdy said. image from video obtained via social media.

Single winning Suspicious packages sent lottery ticket just shy of to Democrats and media world record Reuters Reuters New York Washington nly one ticket matched all six uspicious packages sent yester- numbers in the US Mega Millions day to former president Barack Olottery for a jackpot that was just SObama and former Democratic short of a world record $1.6bn, an offi cial presidential candidate Hillary Clin- said yesterday. ton as well as the CNN bureau in New The ticket, sold in South Carolina, York triggered immediate investiga- where winners may remain anonymous, tions, less than two weeks before US matched the fi ve numbers 5, 28, 62, 65, congressional elections. 70 and the Mega Ball 5 that were drawn The package to Clinton was found on Tuesday night, a Mega Millions late on Tuesday while the one ad- spokeswoman said. dressed to Obama was recovered early The buyer of the ticket beat the odds yesterday, both during routine off -site of one in 303mn to win the Mega Mil- mail screenings, the Secret Service lions drawing for one of the largest jack- said. pots in US history. Obama and Clinton were not at risk, Still, the jaw-dropping $1.537bn jack- they said. pot failed to break the record for lottery With the country deeply polarised winnings, held by the $1.586bn Powerball under President Donald Trump, the prize shared by winners in January 2016. packages brought a new level of con- Before the drawing, lottery offi cials cern to political contests that will de- had been reporting an expected record- cide whether Democrats can challenge breaking $1.6bn jackpot, based on esti- the majorities now held by Trump’s mates tied to historical patterns, lottery Republicans in the US Congress. spokeswoman Carole Bober Gentry said A bomb was delivered earlier this yesterday. week to the suburban New York home After the drawing, lottery offi cials of George Soros, a major Democratic rolled back the jackpot total to $1.537bn, Party donor. based on actual ticket sales. The Time Warner Center housing “There are few precedents for a jack- a CNN newsroom in New York was pot this size. Typically, about 70% of evacuated “out of an abundance of sales occur on the drawing day, so fore- caution” after a suspicious package casting precise numbers in advance can was received in the mail room, CNN be diffi cult,” Gentry said in a statement. president Jeff Zucker said in a note to For the winner, options include an im- employees. mediate cash payment of $877.8mn, or He said CNN was checking its bu- the $1.537bn prize paid out over 29 years. reaus worldwide. There were 36 second-tier winners, CNN is a frequent target of Trump, those who picked fi ve winning numbers who routinely calls the news media but did not match the Mega Ball. the “enemy of the people” and belit- Most were rewarded with a $1mn tles critical coverage as “fake news.” prize, but two of them — in Florida and The White House, in a statement, Texas — added a Megaplier option, tri- condemned the attempted attacks on pling their winnings to $3mn. Obama and Clinton. Members of the public and media wait outside the Time Warner Center in the Manhattan borough of New York City after a suspicious package was found inside Across the game’s nine prize tiers, “These terrorising acts are despi- the CNN headquarters in New York. there were more than 15.7mn winning cable, and anyone responsible will be tickets in Tuesday’s drawing. held accountable to the fullest extent very seriously,” said a senior White at her home in the New York suburb of told Reuters that more than one of the after a small bomb was found earlier In the four days leading up to the of the law,” White House spokeswom- House offi cial. Chappaqua was an explosive device, packages appears to have the same this week at the home of billionaire drawing, about 370mn of the $2 Mega an Sarah Sanders said. The FBI said it was investigating. the New York Times reported. construction or design. liberal donor Soros in the New York Millions tickets were sold in 44 US “The United States Secret Service “The packages were immediately Former president Bill Clinton was The New York Police Department’s City suburb of Katonah, about 16km states, the District of Columbia and the and other law enforcement agencies identifi ed during routine mail screen- home when the device was intercepted bomb squad said the package at the from the Clintons’ home. Virgin Islands. are investigating and will take all ap- ing procedures as potential explosive at a Secret Service facility not near the Time Warner Center, which also “Nothing made it to their home,” Sales reached nearly $740mn during propriate actions to protect anyone devices and were appropriately han- Clintons’ home, MSNBC reported. houses stores and restaurants, ap- Bill Clinton’s spokesman said in an e- that time, lottery offi cials said. threatened by these cowards.” dled as such,” the Secret Service said It said Hillary Clinton was in Flori- peared to be an explosive device, CNN mail. A spokesman for Hillary Clinton Several states allow online ticket pur- Trump was briefed on the suspi- in a statement. da attending fundraising events. reported. referred queries to the Secret Service chases, but they prohibit out-of-state cious packages “and we’re taking it The package addressed to Clinton A federal law enforcement offi cial The discovery of the packages came statement. and foreign purchases.

Americans’ anger may help Democrats in November 6 vote: Reuters/Ipsos poll

Reuters The poll, which gathered emo- years ago, when Republicans and “We’re learning more effi cient high school, and his confi rmation New York tional responses from more than Democrats were equally furious, ways to hate each other more by the Senate. 21,000 people over two months, said Nicholas Valentino, a voter quickly, and that is disappointing Democrats were much more found Democrats are most angry behaviour expert at the Universi- to me,” he said. angry about the Senate’s han- en Chico, 67, a Republican about the Trump administra- ty of Michigan who collaborated Valentino said this is true — dling of his confi rmation than in California, says his an- tion’s now abandoned practice of on the poll and analysed the re- Americans overall appear to have Republicans or independents, Bnoyance with Democrats separating undocumented immi- sults for Reuters. been angrier in 2016 and 2018 the poll found. morphed into full-blown out- grant families at the US-Mexican The data suggests Democratic than they were in past election Valentino said the data showed rage when he heard they might border, the potential for Russian candidates could get a turnout cycles, according to similar poll- the controversy over Kavanaugh try to impeach President Don- interference in future US elec- boost that exceeds expectations, ing that dates back to 1980. would energize Democratic voters ald Trump after the November 6 tions and the Republican presi- he said, possibly tipping the scale “Other previous elections have more than Republicans in the mid- elections. dent himself. for them in tight races. been pretty intense,” he said. term elections, despite assertions Eden Stramer, 23, a North Da- Republicans are most angry “That’s what happened in “But the emotions that people by Republican leaders that their kota Democrat, says the possibil- about the potential for Con- 2016,” Valentino said. expressed were much more posi- base is more fi red up about it. ity of abortions becoming illegal gress to try to remove Trump “A lot of people who were pre- tive, even during years when the Anger is motivating voting again leaves her fuming. through impeachment, undocu- dicted to stay home were very country was in recession.” interest more than hope or fear, And Pattie Blair, 74, a Demo- mented immigrants coming into angry at (presidential candidate) The poll, conducted from Au- according to the Reuters/Ipsos cratic voter in Phoenix, says an- the country and the mainstream Hillary Clinton and the Demo- gust 17 to October 7, asked re- poll, which was conducted online ger washes over her every time news media. crats, and they showed up to the spondents to rate their emotional President Trump ... divisive figure and in English throughout the she sees Trump on television. While the midterm elections surprise of everyone.” responses — including their level United States. It collected 21,027 “It’s the most negative, black- are for thousands of posts from In Arizona and other states of anger, bitterness, worry, fear, toward Trump, with Democratic a collective 7.3 in anger when responses. est place to fi nd yourself,” Blair state offi cials to governors, the with competitive races, vot- hope, relief and satisfaction — women more angry than men. asked about the possibility that In North Dakota, Stramer said said. “It’s like being in a bucket focus is on control of the US ers interviewed by Reuters be- toward Trump, the US Senate’s “Every time a woman comes abortion could become illegal in her anger has pushed her to get you can’t get yourself out of — a Congress. moaned rampant partisan anger. confi rmation of Supreme Court up in conversation, he has to talk the United States, while Republi- more informed. hand keeps pushing you back in Opinion polls show Democrats Many said it makes them more Justice Brett Kavanaugh, the about their appearance,” said Lisa can women polled at 4.1 on that She said she would vote every time you try to surface.” have a chance at achieving the eager to vote. news media, immigration and Mol, 58, a Democrat from Michi- question. next month for Senator Heidi Across the country, people are net gain of 23 seats they need to Tim Leatherby, 57, a former other issues. gan. “I want to poke his eyes out Democrats’ concern was fi red Heitkamp, a Democrat struggling seething. win a majority in the House of Marine, said he was concerned It also collected respondents’ so he can’t see.” up by Kavanaugh’s arrival on the to defend her seat. After a vitriolic 2016 presi- Representatives. the country was plunging toward voting history and political inter- Republicans aged 55 and older Supreme Court, where he could Meantime, she fi lls her journal dential election, anger continues They have a longer shot at the a “civil war.” est. were an average of 7.9 in anger provide a decisive fi fth vote on with her refl ections and frustra- to dominate public discourse, Senate, where they need a gain “I did my time in the fi ght and On a scale of 1 to 10 — with 10 over illegal immigration, and Re- the nine-justice court if it were tions. from raucous protests with huge of two seats, but are defending I don’t want to fi ght again here,” being extreme anger — college- publican men were 7.6 over the being asked to pare back abortion “I tend to write about things crowds to incensed social media 26 seats, including 10 in states said Leatherby, who said he educated Democrats registered possibility of Trump getting im- rights or even overturn the 1973 that make me mad, and then I debates that tear families and Trump won in 2016. would vote for Republican Mar- an average 8.4 over the issue of peached. ruling legalising abortion, Roe vs don’t have to have those argu- friendships apart. Angry Americans will be more tha McSally in Arizona’s Senate family separations at the border, Although theoretically Demo- Wade. ments,” Stramer said. “I could That anger will drive voters to likely to vote, and Democrats are race, one of the key battles that a policy the Trump administra- crats could start impeachment The survey period included the fi ght with people, but in my the polls in next month’s elec- generally more angry about their will decide control of that cham- tion discontinued in June after proceedings if they controlled Senate committee hearing where opinion, it doesn’t change an- tions — and greater rage among hot-button issues than Republi- ber. images of youngsters in cages the House, the party’s leaders Kavanaugh denied allegations by ything. Posting stuff online Democratic voters could give the cans, according to the Reuters/ Brian Carson, 46, a public sparked outrage at home and have been clear this is not on the university professor Christine doesn’t change anything.” party’s candidates a boost, Reu- Ipsos data. speaking coach, echoed that sen- abroad. immediate agenda. Blasey Ford that he had sexually But, she added, “I am going to ters/Ipsos polling data shows. That is a change from two timent. Democrats in general were a 7.6 Democratic women expressed assaulted her when they were in vote, of course.” Gulf Times Thursday, October 25, 2018 15 ASIA

Two immigrants die in Bangkok detention centre Two illegal immigrants from Vietnam and Cambodia died in a Deep South strife tops agenda Thai detention centre in the early hours of yesterday, police said. The men, a 72-year-old Vietnamese and a 55-year-old Cambodian, were found dead in a detention room by a cell mate returning from the toilet as Mahathir visits Thailand in the middle of the night, said Sastra Onrassamee, police chief AFP Malaysia is willing to help so long refused to talk barring in- of Thung Mahamek district in Bangkok that the problems will be solved ternational mediation – which Bangkok. faster,” said Prayut. the Thai government has No cause of death has been Neither party gave further consistently rejected. established, pending autopsy alaysia’s new leader details or a timeline for the Thailand’s three southern- results, Mahathir Mohamed process. most provinces were colonised Sastra said, adding that the Mmet his Thai coun- Panitan Wattanayagorn, a over a century ago. room in Bangkok’s Immigration terpart yesterday in his fi rst security adviser to Thailand’s But the majority Malay Mus- Detention Center (IDC) where the visit to his northern neighbour, deputy prime minister, told lim population has long chafed men were found was holding a pledging his help to bring peace AFP on Tuesday that Malaysia’s under Bangkok’s rule. total of 15 detainees at the time. in Thailand’s violence-scarred role was essential in ensuring Rights groups have accused Thailand, who has not ratified the south. peace and stability in the restive both both insurgents and secu- UN’s 1951 Refugee Convention, Thailand’s mainly Muslim southern states. rity forces of widespread human does not recognise the status of southern region bordering Ma- “This gives us hope to move rights abuses in the region. refugees and asylum seekers, laysia has been in the grips of the peace process forward,” he How far talks go depends not who are treated as illegal a low-level but bloody insur- said. “We need Malaysia as a on Malaysia, but on the Thai immigrants and incarcerated. gency for more than a decade, facilitator.” military which has “dragged its Many Thai immigration detention as ethnic Malay militants battle But analysts of the Deep feet” on the process, said Paul centres are “overcrowded, the Buddhist-majority state for South confl ict remain sceptical Chambers, an expert on the unsanitary, and lack adequate greater autonomy. of moves to jumpstart fractious confl ict at Naresuan University. food and appropriate medical The insurgency has seen al- talks months before expected “The fact that the talks have treatment,” according to South- most 7,000 people – mostly elections in February. fallen off could mean that the east Asian human rights group civilians – killed since 2004, “Mara Patani said they are not junta has seen them more as a Fortify Rights. although the death toll in 2017 going to come to the table until public relations stunt than as a A number of illegal immigrants was the lowest in 13 years amid a Malaysia’s Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad and Thailand’s Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha attend there is a democratically elect- sincere endeavour.” have died from various illnesses tighter security operation. a news conference at the Government House in Bangkok yesterday. ed government in Thailand,” Mahathir’s visit to Thailand while in detention in recent years. Malaysia has long acted Don Pathan, a Thailand-based is the fi rst for the statesman Last November, a 16-year-old as a facilitator for brokering the past year, and both coun- to resolve the confl ict was an confl ict would be in the best independent analyst, said. since he swept to a surprise vic- Rohingya girl died from an peace talks between the Thai tries recently appointed new “opportunity to display” the interests for both countries, as “Most importantly, the BRN, tory in the country’s national alleged blood clotting disorder government and Mara Pa- representatives to lead the friendship between the neigh- well as for the region, Prayut the group that controls virtu- poll in May. after three years in detention in tani, an umbrella group that delicate negotiation process. bours. told reporters. ally all the combatants on the He will also meet with mem- southern Thailand. claims to be the political wing Mahathir met in the late af- “We have pledged to help in “The dialogue will resume ground, are not part of the bers of the Malaysian diaspora In May 2017, a 36-year-old of a shadowy network of rebel ternoon with junta chief Prayut whatever way possible to end immediately and Malaysia is the dialogue.” on Thursday, followed by a pub- Christian Pakistani fleeing fi ghters clashing with state Chan-O-Cha in Bangkok, tell- this violence in the south,” facilitator,” Prayut said. The BRN, or Barisan Revo- lic lecture at Bangkok’s Chu- persecution in his home country forces. ing a press conference after- Mahathir said. “We both agree that this is lusi Nasional, is believed to lalongkorn University on the died after suff ering a heart attack But the talks have stalled in wards that working together Resolving the years-long Thailand’s domestic problem. oversee most fi ghters but has two countries’ relationship. in the IDC. (DPA) Lanka arrests navy offi cer At his craft over wartime murders

AFP were kidnapped by naval offi c- Several navy offi cers are cur- The January 2009 killing of Colombo ers and later killed despite their rently on bail in connection journalist Lasantha Wickre- families paying a ransom for with the alleged disappear- matunga, a fi erce critic of then- their release. ances. The missing men are president Rajapakse, sparked ri Lankan police arrested “The vehicle of the two vic- believed to have been murdered international outcry and and charged a senior na- tims was taken to Welisara navy before the brutal confl ict ended shone a light on human rights Sval offi cer yesterday for camp on the pretext that it con- in 2009. violations in Sri Lanka. the abduction and murder of tained a bomb,” a police offi cial Senior military fi gures and Wickrematunga had accused two Tamil businessmen during said. close associates of former Rajapakse’s defence secretary the fi nal stages of the island’s “Later, they dismantled the strongman president Mahinda and brother Gotabhaya of tak- brutal civil war. vehicle and sold the parts after Rajapakse have been accused of ing kickbacks in arms pur- Lieutenant Commander having killed the two men.” murders, cover-ups and extor- chases, and was due to testify K A Dayananda was taken Sri Lanka is investigating tion during his decade of rule. in court when he was murdered. before a magistrate and re- the disappearance and pre- Several intelligence offi c- Gotabhaya Rajapakse has de- manded in custody over the sumed murder of 11 young ers have also been released on nied running death squads. double murder, which inves- men between 2008 and 2009 bail for charges related to the The Rajapakses are under tigators believe took place in in the dying days of the 37- assassination of a prominent investigation for large-scale January 2009. year civil war between gov- newspaper editor and attacks fi nancial fraud and murder A worker weaves a sheet with flattened bamboos at his shop in Pyinmana, on the outskirts of Police said the victims, both ernment forces and Tamil on other journalists and dissi- during Mahinda’s presidency, Myanmarese capital of Naypyidaw. from the Tamil minority group, separatists. dents. which ended in 2015. Maldives speaker faces impeachment Convicted Khmer

AFP ties has collected signatures Mohamed was one of Yameen’s opponents and jailed dissidents Ibrahim Mohamed Solih. Rouge prison chief Colombo from 55 MPs, or roughly two- few remaining loyalists. before lifting the emergency Yameen was elevated to power thirds of sitting lawmakers, for a Parliamentary offi cials said the declaration 45 days later. in a controversial run-off elec- petition to oust Abdulla Maseeh impeachment motion would be Yameen had challenged the tion in November 2013. He has he Maldives opposition Mohamed. put to a vote on November 8, nine election results in court, claim- crushed dissent and jailed or ex- hospitalised moved closer yesterday to The speaker has survived a days before Yameen’s term ends. ing the poll was rigged against iled virtually all his opposition. Timpeaching the speaker of number of impeachment mo- Yameen declared a state of him despite a threat of sanctions The US and its allies have been parliament, a staunch loyalist of tions since taking offi ce in 2014 emergency, suspended the consti- from abroad if he refused the will concerned by growing Chinese AFP as “quite serious because he is outgoing strongman President under Yameen, who ruled the tution and ordered troops to storm of the people. infl uence in the strategically po- Phnom Penh 76 now”. Abdulla Yameen who was de- Maldives with an iron-fi st be- parliament when Mohamed faced But the Supreme Court reject- sitioned Indian Ocean archipel- He later said that Duch’s feated in last month’s election. fore losing to an opposition can- impeachment in February. ed his petition at the weekend, ago, especially under Yameen’s health had deteriorated by yes- An alliance of opposition par- didate on September 23. The president rounded up his upholding his landslide defeat to authoritarian rule. Khmer Rouge-era jailer terday afternoon, and is cur- who was the fi rst to be rently in the intensive care unit. Aconvicted in an ongoing The former mathematics Cambodian war crimes tribu- teacher turned torturer was nal is ill in hospital, a prison arrested in 1999 after be- offi cial said yesterday. ing discovered working for a Kaing Guek Eav, better Christian aid agency under a Long road ahead for #MeToo in Nepal known as Duch, is serving false name. out a life sentence for his role His eventual trial was fol- By Annabel Symington, AFP women have gone public with #MeToo far only professional women in Kathman- in managing a Phnom Penh lowed closely and the con- Kathmandu stories in Nepal, including two accusing du have felt able to speak out. detention centre where thou- viction was seen as a historic the former mayor of Kathmandu, Keshav “And the reaction has been very divided sands were incarcerated, tor- milestone for victims seeking Sthapit, of abusing his power. for and against (them),” she added. tured and sent to their deaths long-delayed justice. he abuse and murder of a teen- “Nepal also has serial predators who A change needs to come from the top, but in nearby “Killing Fields”. Numerous books and fi lms ager provoked unprecedented pro- have been misusing their powers and posi- the government’s response to Pant’s killing, The “factory of death”, as the have probed Duch’s life and his Ttests in Nepal, but activists say a tions,” wrote Rashmila Prajapati, who says the botched investigation and the ensuing S-21 prison was known, was at time at S-21, which has been #MeToo reckoning like that unfolding she lost her job in Sthapit’s offi ce 15 years protests has invoked outrage and derision. the heart of the security appa- converted into a museum. in neighbouring India remains a distant ago after she rejected his sexual advances. Parliament passed a ban on pornography ratus of the Khmer Rouge, an During the proceedings, prospect. “(It) is high time to reveal them.” saying it would curb violence against wom- ultra-Maoist regime that ruled Duch asked for forgiveness but Thousands poured onto the streets after Sthapit has denied the allegations, en, while the home minister blamed rape on from 1975-1979 and killed al- also said he was not a senior 13-year-old Nirmala Pant’s body was dis- In this file photo, women shout slogans describing them as “a rape of men’s capitalism. He also described the protest most a quarter of the popu- member of the Khmer Rouge covered in July angered by allegations the during an International Women’s Day rights” in an recent interview with the movement as a conspiracy aimed at toppling lation through enslavement, and should be acquitted. police were protecting the perpetrators. rally in Kathmandu. Kathmandu Post newspaper. Nepal’s communist-led government. overwork and execution. The UN-backed trial in Hashtags such as #JusticeForNirmala – But for most women in Nepal, particu- There have been small signs of progress: Duch was sent to a prison Phnom Penh has been taint- have become the rallying cries for protesters tor emboldened a wave of women in India larly those in conservative rural commu- offi cial fi gures show 479 complaints of in Cambodia’s Kandal prov- ed by its limited scope since fed up with Nepal’s woeful record of pros- to tell their own stories. nities, speaking out is not an option, says rape and attempted rape were made from ince after an appeal extended it started more than a dec- ecuting cases of violence against women. A government minister, M J Akbar, re- Mohna Ansari of the National Human July to September this year – more than his original decades-long ade ago, recording only three But #MeToo has been largely absent signed this month after at least 20 wom- Rights Commission. the total number of cases fi led between sentence to life in 2012. convictions including Duch’s. from the ongoing debate. Those fi ght- en accused him of sexual harassment. A She is supporting two abuse victims 2008 and 2009 – suggesting the protests Chat Sineang, director of Age has also played a factor ing for change say women still struggle to prominent Bollywood director was also who brought their cases to court – a rare have encouraged some to speak up. the Kandal prison, said that in thwarting prosecutions. speak out against their abusers in Nepal. sacked over similar allegations. achievement in itself. In 2016 to 2017, 1,131 rapes were report- Duch had been undergo- Ieng Thirith, the Khmer “I would love a society where you can The shockwaves have not gone unno- But the women have been driven from ed to the police, but only a tiny fraction ing treatment for respiratory Rouge social aff airs minister say #MeToo,” said women’s rights activist ticed in Nepal, which shares strong cul- their communities by gossip, a byproduct ended up in court. problems since October 20 and one of the suspects on Hima Bista. tural and religious ties with its infl uential of speaking out about sexual violence. Pant’s killers meanwhile remain at large. and was moved from a provin- trial in the case after Duch’s, In recent weeks the #MeToo movement neighbour, as well as a 1,850km (1,150- “They are now both hiding in a shelter. “I don’t have any hope of justice, be- cial treatment facility to the was released on mental health in neighbouring India has gathered pace, a mile) open border. The stigma and victim blaming is still too cause the investigations have come up capital Phnom Penh. grounds before dying in 2015. year after the hashtag fi rst went viral. “You see a slight breeze come through,” strong in our society,” said Ansari. with nothing despite public pressure,” her “He is still at the Russian Her husband and co-de- The public allegations by Bollywood Bista said of the ripple eff ect from India. Bista is concerned that Nepal may not father, Yagya Raj Pant, told AFP by phone. Friendship hospital,” Sineang fendant Ieng Sary died two star Tanushree Dutta against a fellow ac- In the last two weeks, a handful of be ready for #MeToo, pointing out that so “But we still continue our fi ght for justice.” said, describing his condition years earlier. Gulf Times 16 Thursday, October 25, 2018 ASIA/AUSTRALASIA Najib, 2 allies Japan confi rms journalist held in Syria released

AFP the immigration centre, which was Tokyo shown on public broadcaster NHK. to face graft Yasuda who wore a black T- shirt and had long beard spoke in he Japanese government a steady manner. yesterday confi rmed that Yasuda’s wife Myu was ap- Ta journalist kidnapped in pearing live on private station Syria more than three years ago TV Asahi when Kono announced has been freed and is in Turkey. the news. charges today “We have confi rmed the safety “Thank you... Thank you for of Jumpei Yasuda, who had been praying for him and taking ac- AFP in court today along with the at the commission’s offi ce in held captive in Syria since 2015,” tion,” she said in tears. Kuala Lumpur former head of a shadowy the administrative capital Pu- Foreign Minister Taro Kono told “I want to see him in good spy agency, Hasanah Abdul trajaya for several hours before reporters. shape. That’s all I want,” Yas- Hamid, and a senior fi nance being released. “He appears to be in good uda’s father had told reporters alaysia’s former ministry offi cial, Mohamad Mohamed Irwan was also health... We’re very glad he’s safe.” earlier in the day. leader Najib Razak Irwan Serigar Abdullah, the questioned and later arrested. Japanese offi cials said late “I don’t know how he is now, Mand two of his allies Malaysian Anti-Corrup- Najib has so far pleaded not Tuesday they were trying to con- but I want to tell him he kept his will face corruption charges tion Commission said in a guilty to all counts against him fi rm reports that the 44-year- chin up,” he added. Japanese journalist Jumpei Yasuda is seen on a Istanbul-bound flight today, as authorities target a statement. and his trial is due to start next old freelancer, who was seized in Yasuda was thought to have due for departure at Hatay airport, Turkey yesterday. growing list of fi gures linked Najib and the ministry of- year. June 2015, had been freed. been seized by the group previ- to the scandal-plagued old fi cial will be charged “in rela- His wife Rosmah Mansor, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe ously known as the Al-Nusra national, Alessandro Sandrini, spokesman denied yesterday any regime. tion to criminal breach of trust notorious for her vast collec- told reporters he had called Front, a former Al Qaeda affi li- appealing for their release. payment was involved. Najib has already been hit involving money belonging to tion of luxury clothes and jew- Turkish President Recep Tayyip ate, in northern Syria. Both men were wearing orange “That kind of thing never with 32 charges related to al- the government of Malaysia,” ellery, has also been arrested Erdogan and Qatari Amir His However, Hayat Tahrir al- outfi ts with armed, masked men happened,” Yoshihide Suga told legations he and his cronies the agency said. and charged with corruption. Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Ha- Sham, led by Al Qaeda’s former standing behind them. The vid- reporters. plundered state fund 1MDB, The former spy chief, who The US Department of Jus- mad al-Thani to thank them for branch in Syria, denied any in- eos did not identify which group In 2015, militants from the Islamic and is likely facing a long jail headed an agency that worked tice, which is seeking to recov- their support. volvement in a statement Tues- was holding the men or include State group beheaded Japanese war term. directly under Najib’s offi ce, er items allegedly bought with Embassy offi cials visited Yas- day. specifi c demands. correspondent Kenji Goto and his The scandal played a ma- will face similar charges, the stolen 1MDB cash in America, uda at an immigration centre in Al Qaeda’s former Syria af- The Syrian Observatory for Hu- friend Haruna Yukawa in Syria. jor part in persuading voters statement added. estimates that $4.5bn in total Antakya in Turkey, and he is ex- fi liate was known as Al-Nusra man Rights, a Britain-based war The Japanese government was to oust his coalition at elec- The anti-graft body did not was looted from 1MDB. pected to return to Japan soon, Front before it cut ties with the monitor, said on Tuesday that criticised for what detractors tions in May after six decades say how many charges the trio The money was allegedly after health checks. transnational jihadist network in Yasuda was released under a Turk- saw as its fl at-footed response to in power and elect a reformist will face today, or give any fur- used to buy items ranging from “I’ve been held in Syria for 40 2016 and changed its name. ish-Qatari deal, with some sources the crisis at the time, including alliance. ther details. a super-yacht, to high-end real months, now in Turkey,” Yasuda In August, videos emerged saying a ransom had been paid. apparently missed opportunities Najib is due to be charged Najib was earlier questioned estate and rare artworks. said in English in a video fi lmed at showing Yasuda and an Italian But Japan’s top government to free both men.

Indonesian woman gives birth on flight Australian insurers ordered to An Indonesian woman gave birth on an Etihad Airways flight from release customer disputes data Abu Dhabi to Jakarta that had to be diverted to Mumbai yesterday, Indian off icials said. Reuters widespread wrongdoing in the have broken laws – some of Flight EY 474 left the Emirate Sydney banking and insurance sectors. which carry criminal penalties. for Indonesia’s capital in the “The introduction of a le- The inquiry is consider- early hours of yesterday but was gally binding reporting stand- ing whether laws should be diverted to India’s commercial ustralia’s life insurers ard will improve the consist- strengthened to protect con- hub after the woman went will be required to pub- ency and reliability of the data sumers amid evidence of ram- into labour, a Mumbai airport Alish customer dispute we receive,” APRA member pant misconduct, including spokesperson said. numbers every six months, Geoff Summerhayes said in a poor handling of insurance “The passenger delivered a top fi nancial regulators said statement. claims, inappropriate selling female child about 40 minutes yesterday, as a misconduct The new standardised claims techniques and use of outdated before landing” in Mumbai, the inquiry threatens other re- data would help the regulators medical defi nitions to avoid spokesperson said. forms that could hurt industry identify emerging problems claim payouts. The woman, described by profi tability. in the industry, said ASIC’s It will deliver its recommen- the spokesperson as being of For the fi rst time, customers deputy chairman, Peter Kell. dations in February. Indonesian origin, was taken will be able to see compara- Life insurers must submit Yesterday, credit agency to a nearby hospital and the ble dispute and claims data of details of the number of claims, S&P Global Ratings said the flight departed Mumbai around each insurer, helping to make the duration of the handling prospect of legislative changes 09:40am (0410 GMT) to complete Passengers ride a bus being driven towards Macau on a section of the Hong Kong-Macau-Zhuhai better choices, the Australian process, and the number of amid the inquiry’s revela- its journey to Jakarta. Bridge yesterday. Prudential Regulation Author- customer complaints for the tions of poor claims handling Last year an Indian woman gave ity (APRA) and the Australian year ending June 30, 2018 by could hurt the profi tability of birth on a Jet Airways flight Securities and Investments December 28, and within weeks insurers in Australia. from Damman in Saudi Arabia Commission (ASIC) said. of the end of each semester “There are prospects of leg- to Kochi in the southern Indian The move comes follows after that. islative changes aff ecting group state of Kerala. The flight was also criticism last month by the Last month, the govern- business that threaten to further diverted to Mumbai. First journeys on powerful Royal Commission ment-ordered investigation erode margins,” said credit ana- Jet Airways said it was the first inquiry into fi nancial serv- exposed how some of the larg- lyst Mark Legge. “All these chal- time a baby had been born on ices misconduct that faulted est insurers, including Austral- lenges reinforce the negative one of its flights and that it had both regulators for allowing ian units of multinationals, may trend we see for the sector.” given the boy free travel for life on the airline. HK-Macau-China Superannuation 102-year-old system no longer charged with matches life mega bridge expectancy: ex-PM indecent assault AFP of the Pearl River Estuary. a relatively low volume of pas- The savings under Australia’s A 102-year-old man has been Hong Kong Supporters have hailed it as senger and traffi c fl ow in the superannuation system will not charged with aggravated an engineering triumph but initial period. It takes time to be able to sustain retirees as more indecent assault against a detractors say it is a politically build up,” secretary for trans- people live well into their 80s and 92-year-old woman at an old he world’s longest sea driven and costly white ele- port and housing Frank Chan 90s, Paul Keating has said. people’s home in Sydney, police bridge connecting Hong phant that is part of an attempt told reporters. The former prime minister, who said yesterday. TKong, Macau and main- by Beijing to integrate semi- Only 10,000 licences have crafted the system, has said a The unnamed man will appear land China opened to traffi c autonomous Hong Kong into been granted to Hong Kong national insurance scheme would in court next month, police yesterday, with excited travel- the mainland. residents to drive private cars help fund people who outlive said, after he was accused of lers making their fi rst journeys It is the second major infra- to Zhuhai if they meet highly An electric Volocopter 2X by German aircraft manufacturer their savings. assaulting the fellow resident at along what has been described structure project tying Hong selective criteria, including Volocopter, is on display during the 3rd edition of the “Autonomy “We have no policy here in a care facility in the city’s eastern as a politically-driven and Kong to mainland China to open holding certain mainland gov- and the Urban Mobility Summit” in Paris. Australia for the 80 to 100 suburbs. costly white elephant. within weeks – a high-speed ernment positions or making cohort,” Keating said at a super Police declined to give details Passengers and tour groups rail link began operations last major contributions to chari- fund forum organised by Visy of the alleged crime, but said gathered at Hong Kong’s cross- month sparking criticism Hong ties in the southern Chinese Industries and Fairfax Media in the incident took place around border coach terminus and bus Kong was giving away territory province of Guangdong. Sydney. lunchtime on Tuesday and was operators gave away Chinese with part of the terminus under Most people will need to go Driverless hover-taxis “I don’t believe that it should be reported to police. pastries and roasted meat to mainland jurisdiction. by bus. left to superannuation. I think it Off icers arrived on the scene, passengers. With a sweeping view of the Travellers go through immi- should be a national insurance not far from Bondi Beach, and “I wanted to try this and see ocean, mountains and rocky gration and customs points at to take off in Singapore scheme. Only the commonwealth took the man into custody. If if it’s convenient. I’ll be check- islets, the bridge was partly both ends of the bridge. can insure across generations.” convicted, he could face up to ing out the view too, after all shrouded in haze yesterday Chan did not say how many The total saved in the seven years in jail. this is a historic engineering when AFP took an early bus Hong Kong residents were to AFP year with the support of the superannuation system has He was however granted bail project,” said Angie Cheng, 58, to Macau, but passengers still travel the bridge yesterday but Singapore government. grown to $2.6tn worth of assets pending a court appearance on who was taking the second bus recorded the whole trip on estimated 30,000 mainland Resembling a helicopter, since the scheme was started in November 20. of the day out to Macau. smartphones. Chinese visitors would make Volocopter’s electric air taxis the 1990s. A handful of centenarians have The 55km (34-mile) cross- Traffi c was light after criti- the crossing into Hong Kong on est fl ights of a driver- take off and land vertically. It is equivalent to 144% of faced trial for crimes committed ing links Hong Kong with the cism from some legislators and the inaugural day. less hover-taxi will take They are based on drone tech- Australia’s nominal gross earlier in their lives, but being southern mainland city of Zhu- residents that public access to The government had previ- Tplace in Singapore next nology and can fl y two people domestic product but it is feared charged with a current off ence hai and the gambling enclave the bridge is too limited. ously said the bridge would attract year, a German aviation fi rm for around 30km (19 miles), it will not be enough to cover over the age of 100 is rare. of Macau, across the waters “Every big infrastructure has 29,000 vehicles daily by 2030. said, the latest innovation to the fi rm said in a statement. the living expenses of Australia’s off er an escape from Asia’s The Singapore tests follow a ageing population, leaving them monster traffi c jams. public demonstration in Dubai reliant on the aged pension once Millions of commuters in last year. their super runs out. the region’s cities have to con- “The Volocopter is de- Keating warned this would likely tend with chronic gridlock signed specifi cally for inner be the case even if compulsory No change in N Korea rights situation: UN every day, sparking a race to city missions,” Volocopter said contributions were increased develop new ways to avoid the in a statement, adding it can from the current 9.5% of earnings DPA Tomas Ojea Quintana warned Jong-un and Donald Trump or the country and bases his as- snarl-ups. withstand minor turbulence to 12%, as is planned by 2021. New York against sidelining rights issues the Panmunjom Declaration be- sessments mainly on testimony While the developed city- around skyscrapers, allowing “When the superannuation in future peace talks between tween North and South Korea. from recently escaped North state of Singapore does not for smooth rides. system was designed 32 years North and South Korea and the Quintana called for a signal of Koreans in exile, who report suff er major congestion, it is “It is so quiet that at a fl ight ago, people retired at about 65 or here has been no im- United States, in a news confer- willingness from North Korea chronic food insecurity, a lack of seen as a perfect test-bed for height of 100m (330ft), it can- 66 and died at 81,” Keating said. provement to the human ence in New York. to discuss human rights, and to access to health care as well as ill new technologies due to its not be heard over the typical “We are now living nine years Trights situation in North There has been “no substan- show that they would start en- treatment for those detained by compact size and openness to background noise of a city.” longer. Accumulation at 9.5% of Korea despite political progress tial change to the situation on gaging with his offi ce. the government. innovation. A company spokeswoman average weekly earnings can’t made on the Korean Peninsula the ground,” he said, and no But he added that expecting the Quintana called on human German fi rm Volocopter said the Volocopter can be be stretched out to cover that in the last year, the UN’s rights mention of human rights in reclusive nation to open up com- rights advocates to “be ready to said on Tuesday it will con- controlled by a pilot using a longevity. We have no policy here rapporteur to Pyongyang said on statements from either the sum- pletely would be “unrealistic.” raise our voice” as the process of duct the test fl ights in Singa- joystick, or remotely from the in Australia for the 80 to 100 Tuesday. mit in Singapore between Kim He currently has no access to rapprochement moves forward. pore in the second half of next ground. category.” (GNS) Gulf Times Thursday, October 25, 2018 17

BRITAIN/IRELAND Cot maker pleads guilty in baby choking death case

Daily Mail Shannon Abbey, yesterday ad- Sheffi eld-based Playtime Beds which had stairs to climb up he said: “It looked like he tried to Prosecutor John Elvidge QC had fi rst started using the cot af- London mitted to failing to discharge an had denied both charges follow- and a slide for the exit. crawl out backwards but his head added: “During the course of ter being told by Williams that it employer’s general duty. ing the boy’s death. He was joined by his little was stuck. the night he wriggled his body was suitable for children aged six During a two-week trial at But yesterday a jury was asked brother who slept in the cot bed “As I got closer and I crouched through the holes at the front of or seven months. cot designer has pleaded Leeds crown court, jurors heard to return a not guilty verdict to below, which had doors with down next to him... I thought to his cot bed but his head was too “At no point was I advised that guilty after a baby boy that Oscar’s parents found his the manslaughter charge as Wil- holes in, the jury was told. myself: ‘He was wriggling out big to fi t through; in eff ect he it was not suitable,” she said. A“choked to death” on a body after he got his head stuck liams entered two guilty pleas. But fi ve days after Oscar start- backwards’. choked to death. He was starved Elvidge said a customer had bed he made. while trying to crawl through The trial heard how Oscar’s ed using the bed, on November 3, “I reached down and could feel of oxygen.” contacted Playtime Beds in Seven-month-old Oscar Ab- a gap in the bed in November parents, from York, bought the 2016, “tragedy” struck. he was very cold. I put one arm In her statement, Oscar’s March 2016, complaining that bey was found with his head 2016. bunk bed for Oscar and his two- The court heard how Oscar’s under him and the other on the mother said she woke up and the bed she had bought did not trapped in the holes on the side of Williams, who designed and year-old brother Maxwell in Oc- father realised his head had be- side of the bed and threaded his “heard Charlie shouting and meet standards, but was told the £655 cot bed, a court heard. built the bespoke cot bed, has tober 2016. come stuck when he went to body back through the hole. screaming: ‘He’s not breathing.’ by the defendant: “I have been Craig Williams, the owner of been on trial for manslaughter by Maxwell, who slept on the check on the boys before he left “As I did so I turned him “I ran to the landing and Char- in touch with trading standards the company that sold the bed gross negligence and for fraud. top, “loved it” and was “really for work. around and when I saw his face... lie was holding Oscar in both and they are happy with my to the boy’s parents, Charlie and The 37-year-old owner of excited” about his top bunk, In a statement read to court, I instantly realised he was gone.” arms.” She added that her son products.”

Harry highlights 150 MPs rebel daily threat of climate change over probe

Reuters Sydney into veterans rince Harry yesterday said climate change was a daily Pthreat for the people of Fiji, and announced scholarships to study the problem, as he toured, with his wife Meghan, the South of N Ireland Pacifi c nation on the front line of global warming. Daily Mail tions to the ‘furore’ of previous legacy cases such as these. The royal couple was mobbed London hounding of Iraq veterans. Defence Secretary Gavin Wil- by crowds waving British and Fiji A unit called the Iraq Historic liamson said: “We are indebted fl ags on the second day of their Allegations Team (IHAT) was set to those who served with great visit to the former British colony heresa May is under pres- up in 2010 to investigate claims courage and distinction to bring of some 300 islands, where vil- sure from more than 150 of murder, torture and wrongdo- about peace and security in lages have been moved to higher TTory MPs and prominent ing by British troops. Over seven Northern Ireland. That is why I ground to seek safety from rising peers to end the witch-hunt of years, 3,668 claims were made, don’t want to see elderly veterans seas. Army veterans. costing the taxpayer £60mn. Not having to face repeated investi- “One of the greatest challenges In an open letter delivered to one resulted in prosecution. gations decades after the events is undoubtedly climate change, the prime minister, the group say The organisation was shut in question.” and all of you living here are con- current investigations of former down last year after being de- Lord Dannatt, former chief of fronted with this threat in your soldiers for historic allegations clared ‘unfi t for purpose’ by MPs. general staff , and a platoon com- daily lives,” Harry told students at ‘simply cannot be allowed to Writing to May, the letter, mander in Northern Ireland in the University of the South Pacifi c continue as it is’. spearheaded by Tory MP Mark 1971, said: “The present system in Fiji’s capital, Suva. It comes amid warnings that Francois, states: “The IHAT fu- of historic and current investi- “You’re actually experiencing Britain’s fi ghting spirit could be rore showed us how our judicial gations is demonstrably not bal- changing weather patterns, fero- undermined by vexatious claims system can be abused and how anced, fair, equitable and, cru- cious cyclones and rising sea lev- over the decades-old deaths of it can damage our security serv- cially, is not proportionate. The els, particularly in places such as IRA suspects at the hands of sol- ices. The legacy of the Northern government must stand up for Tuvalu and Kiribati, and you’ve diers during the Troubles. Ireland Troubles threatens to do its security forces.” Conservative been living with this for many The Police Service of North- just the same, and we believe it MP Richard Benyon, a former years, way before the world actu- ern Ireland has sparked anger by is time for the government to act minister who served as a platoon ally started talking about it,” he re-examining every killing by the comprehensively and put it all commander in Northern Ireland said. army during the confl ict. Hun- behind us. during the 1980s, said: “The Fiji, which holds the presidency dreds of former soldiers, many “Moreover, it is our duty to feelings on the backbenches are of COP23, the 23rd annual Con- now in their 60s and 70s, are po- stand up for and defend those now running very high on this is- ference of the Parties to a land- tential murder or manslaughter who defended us in Northern sue, and we are simply no longer mark UN climate agreement, has suspects. Ireland, Iraq and Afghanistan prepared to tolerate the legal led a push for the developed world The letter from MPs accuses and those who may follow them hounding of those who served to cut carbon emissions to limit May of going against a 2017 man- in the future.” their country by those who are rising temperatures and seas. ifesto pledge to protect veterans The Northern Ireland Offi ce seeking to exploit them for fi - Harry, Queen Elizabeth’s from persistent legal claims. recently closed a consultation on nancial and or political gain.” grandson, announced four Brit- More than a third of all Con- ish-funded scholarships for stud- servative MPs have signed the Ex-soldier hands back medal in disgust ying the issue at universities in Fiji letter, along with 50 members and the Caribbean, while Meghan of the House of Lords, includ- A Northern Ireland veteran has which he has asked me to person- stressed the importance of wom- ing four former chiefs of defence sent his service medal back to the ally return to the prime minister en’s education in her fi rst speech staff . prime minister in disgust at the on receipt of a very distressing of their tour. One former soldier, Dennis investigations into IRA deaths. letter by the Historical Enquiries The couple, who are expecting Hutchings, 77, who is seriously In the Commons, Labour MP Team.” Armed Forces minister a child, have proved very popular ill, has been accused of attempted Rosie Duff ield held up the medal Mark Lancaster said: “There are in Fiji, drawing cheering crowds at murder in connection with a fatal from one of her Canterbury frankly few issues in my 14 years every engagement. shooting in Northern Ireland in constituents, who she did not in Parliament which I have found A brief visit by Meghan to a 1974. Yesterday he welcomed the name, during defence questions the House unify over to such market in Suva drew thousands ‘very, very good’ letter, saying it about legal action against soldiers an extent. The consultation has of onlookers, with many of them was ‘heartening’ to get support who served during the Troubles. recently closed and I can reassure waving fl ags, cheering and singing from so many politicians. Duff ield told MPs: “My constitu- the House – speaking as a service- as she inspected stalls selling fruit, Prince Harry plants a tree using a spade used by Queen Elizabeth during her visit to Fiji in 1953, at a The letter compares the cur- ent received this service medal, man – how keen we are to act.” vegetables and handicrafts. dedication of the Colo-i-Suva forest to the Queen’s Commonwealth Canopy in Suva, Fiji, yesterday. rent Northern Ireland investiga-

Royal visit Former pupil gets Heywood steps down payout from school as civil service chief Guardian News and Media abused are safe and supported to London remain in school. Often, in addition to the trau- Guardian News and Media leave for cancer treatment after a responsibility to “look for fresh ma of the incident itself, they London being diagnosed in June last year. angles, to challenge lazy think- secondary school has become the subject of a social Theresa May has appointed ing and to work with colleagues agreed to pay tens of media frenzy and feel they have the national security adviser, to fi nd solutions, rather than Athousands of pounds in no choice but to leave, disrupting he Cabinet Secretary, Sir Sir Mark Sedwill, who had been simply identifying problems and damages and legal costs over its their studies and friendships. Jeremy Heywood, has an- acting in Heywood’s stead since obstacles”. handling of an allegation of rape Concern has been growing Tnounced he will stand June, as his permanent replace- He had seen civil servants and made by one of its former pupils about peer-on-peer abuse in down as the UK’s most senior ment. Downing Street said Sed- ministers come together to solve against her then classmate, the schools after a landmark in- civil servant because of his treat- will would also maintain his na- the toughest issues that required Guardian has learned. quiry by MPs on the women and ment for cancer. tional security role. “genuinely new or lateral think- The girl, who was 16 at the equalities committee two years Heywood said he was retir- Announcing his departure, ing”, citing Black Wednesday in time and studying for her GCS- ago uncovered shocking levels of ing on medical advice and with Heywood said he was retiring 1992, the 2008 fi nancial crisis, Es, sued the school after she was sexual violence and harassment deep sadness, but used a person- with great regret. “I still have all the London G20 summit, Brexit, expected to carry on attending between pupils. al statement to defend the civil that desire to serve my country and tackling low productivity lessons with the boy she had ac- In the compensation case, service from what he described and to make a positive diff er- and weak public fi nances. cused of rape. which dates back to 2016, the girl as “recent ‘noises off ’ from ence,” he said. “It is with great Of Brexit, he said was “partic- The school, which is not being claimed she had been raped by a anonymous commentators”, say- sadness therefore that, on medi- ularly proud of the work White- identifi ed to protect the pupil’s fellow pupil outside of school. ing it was “in robust health, well- cal advice, I must now retire.” hall has done in seeking to bring anonymity, has settled the claim The alleged perpetrator was ar- equipped to provide the support He told how he joined the civil clarity, shape and practical op- out of court, paying a “signifi - rested by police and released on the country needs”. service 35 years ago as “an en- tions to the table for ministers to cant” sum in damages and agree- bail, on condition that he not Downing Street said Heywood thusiastic young economist” discuss”. ing to pay the girl’s legal fees, make contact with her. would be sorely missed and had who rose through the ranks to its May said she was indebted to which currently stand at more The day after his arrest, how- been nominated for a life peerage highest offi ce, serving, at close Heywood. “He has worked con- King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima of the Netherlands than £30,000. ever, the school expected the girl to thank him for his long service quarters, “four prime ministers – stantly to improve our country’s pose for a photograph during an on-the-water capability Campaigners say the case to return to the classroom and in the role. He served in Downing two Conservative and two Labour future and to deliver for the pub- demonstration between the Royal Netherlands Marine Corps sends an important message to study alongside him. The girl, Street under Tony Blair and Gor- – and the fi rst coalition govern- lic, serving prime ministers and and the Royal Marines, from the deck of HMS Belfast on the schools that they have a duty now 18, has since left the school don Brown, becoming Cabinet ment for decades, with its fi rst ministers of all parties with dis- River Thames in London yesterday, on the second day of the under human rights and equal- and is still considering whether secretary under David Cameron. full-time deputy prime minister”. tinction in the fi nest traditions of Dutch King and Queen’s two-day state visit. ity legislation to ensure girls who or not to press charges against Heywood had been on a period of Heywood said he had seen it as the civil service,” she said. have been sexually assaulted or the boy. Gulf Times 18 Thursday, October 25, 2018 BRITAIN/IRELAND

Washing powder ‘being smuggled across border in N Ireland’

Guardian News and Media Parliament’s Brexit select com- I don’t think those people would been identifi ed by local police as “The biggest problem they had there was a free-for-all with no issue there too,” said Seamus Le- London mittee was also told that horse- be too concerned about food hy- drivers of smuggling. was garlic. When you begin to cre- checks, Northern Ireland would heny, policy director of the Freight meat-type scandals could fl ourish giene standards,” said Declan Bil- “There are reports of washing ate price diff erentials, it becomes turn into a smuggler’s delight, Transport Association. post-Brexit because price diff er- lington, vice chair of the Northern powder now making its way into an attraction to people,” he said. not just for gangs trading south Fuel laundering was a massive ashing powder is one of ences between Northern Ireland Ireland Food and Drink Associa- smugglers’ interests,” Stephen Billington was being questioned to north but gangs wanting to sell business during the Troubles and the latest commodities and Ireland. tion. Kelly, chief executive of Manu- after a series of MPs including the goods to mainland Britain. centred on the resale of cheaper Wbeing smuggled across “If we have a border with tar- In the current regime just three facturing Northern Ireland, told DUP’s Sammy Wilson and Brex- “It’s got to the point now that agricultural fuel as motor fuel. the border in Northern Ireland, iff diff erentials, then you can see, categories of goods, alcohol, to- the committee. He told MPs that iter Jacob Rees-Mogg concluded the launderers are now mak- It was estimated the UK ex- MPs were told yesterday amid for example, cheap meat coming bacco and fuel have diff erent du- smugglers were agnostic about that there would be no onus under ing so much money that they are chequer was losing between warnings that the region could in from Brazil would be repack- ties north and south of the bor- the goods they would “trade World Trade Organisation rules to now exporting laundered diesel to £250mn and £350mn a year and become a signifi cant gateway for aged. Remember Horsegate? (It der, but the decline in sterling and in” as was proven by smuggling put up any extra border infrastruc- (Britain) and those drums of diesel half the fi lling stations in North- mislabelled meat and other food to would be) passed off as Irish into criminal opportunities to use Ire- gangs exploiting the EU border ture in a no-deal Brexit scenario. are being shipped un-manifested ern Ireland were selling their enter the UK post-Brexit. the market at a higher price and land as a gateway to the UK have between Norway and Sweden. Business leaders pointed out if on ferries, so there’s a whole risk washed product. Labour drawing up anti-austerity budget, reveals McDonnell

Guardian News and Media publicity stunts, but nothing has London happened.” He said that while La- bour had campaigned to remain in the EU in the referendum, he he shadow chancellor, John could see why the vote had gone McDonnell, is preparing an the other way. Tanti-austerity budget to “It was like a nationwide bye- deal with the grievances of vot- lection for people in some parts ers who support Brexit if failure to of the country. All their griev- strike a deal with the EU leads to a ances went into that vote and you snap general election. can see why. Their jobs had gone, McDonnell said he understood they saw massive investment in why people living in the poorer London and nothing in their own parts of Britain had voted to leave areas. the EU in the 2016 referendum, “Their children studied hard but added that the chaotic ne- at school, went off to university, gotiations had led to “instability, came home with £50,000 of debt insecurity and uncertainty”. and couldn’t get a job in their McDonnell dismissed the idea home town. They went away to that the Chancellor, Philip Ham- fi nd work and couldn’t get a roof Prime Minister Theresa May shakes hands with Czech Republic’s Prime Minister Andrej Babis outside 10 Downing Street in central London yesterday ahead of their meeting. mond, would bring an end to aus- over their head. I can see why terity as a Halloween trick-or- people hit back at the establish- treat at next week’s budget and ment.” said a growth plan to benefi t all McDonnell said Theresa May parts of the country was needed. had put Hammond in a diffi cult “The Tories say they are going position by using her speech at to end austerity, but they are not the Conservative party confer- going to do so in this budget or in ence to announce the end of future budgets either,” he said. austerity. Something would be May receives show of Labour would stick by its ap- cobbled together by the Treasury proach at the 2017 election and to make Hammond look like the would levy higher income tax on “last of the big spenders”, he pre- the richest 5% of earners and re- dicted. verse most of the cuts in corpora- “The end of austerity won’t tion tax introduced since 2010, he wash,” he said. “People … want said, in order to make a decisive change, but the government can’t support at Tory meet break with the policies followed deliver it because it can’t man- by Hammond and his predeces- age the economy eff ectively.” The Reuters gone well, and that the party scupper an agreement, thrust- confi dence in anyone else,” said mand such a vote. sor, George Osborne. economy was barely growing, London was united behind her. ing the world’s fi fth largest Gideon Skinner, head of politi- But, with the Brexit clock “There are a range of mecha- productivity growth was poor and “She’s brilliantly united the economy into a “no-deal” Brex- cal research at Ipsos MORI. ticking down and little sign of a nisms by which we can end aus- investment was stagnant, he said. party... well at least for tonight,” it they say would spook markets Many Conservative Party plan to satisfy her critics, there terity. We have a sizeable pro- “There has been no real re- rime Minister Theresa said one lawmaker who attend- and clog up the arteries of trade. lawmakers are wary of toppling was a change of tone in the Brit- gramme for raising tax. We would covery and now we have Brexit May received a show of ed the meeting. May has angered both sup- a leader on the eve of Britain’s ish media this week. borrow to invest. We would set thrown in. I think the idea of an Psupport from her Con- Another said: “It was a good porters of Brexit and pro-EU most signifi cant political and Some newspapers carried un- out our priorities and lay the end to austerity is a Halloween servative Party yesterday at a meeting.” lawmakers since failing to clinch economic move since World usually bloodthirsty language foundations of what we want to trick-or-treat. What Hammond meeting in parliament, shift- “There is an appetite among a deal at an EU summit last week War II. by unidentifi ed opponents. One create. I am confi dent about that. does won’t even touch the sides. ing focus away from talk of an the majority of the party to pull by raising the possibility of ex- Many also fear an election said May was entering “the kill- The issue is about a fair taxation “People have had enough. imminent leadership challenge together because the risks are tending a post-Brexit transition could bring the opposition La- ing zone”, while another said system and growing the economy There are 4mn children living in over her Brexit strategy. too high.” period to help ease the dead- bour Party into power. May should “bring her own in a way that benefi ts all regions.” poverty and the fi gure is head- May had asked to address her With just over fi ve months to locked negotiations. Ever since losing her party noose” to the 1922 committee The shadow chancellor said ing for 5mn. Wages are still below divided party’s powerful “1922 go until Britain’s scheduled de- An Ipsos MORI poll yesterday its majority in parliament with meeting. he had been taking roadshows their 2010 level. People don’t see Committee” amid persistent parture from the EU on March showed a record 78% of voters a botched bet on a 2017 snap The number of letters held by to the parts of Britain that voted any light at the end of the tunnel.” criticism from within her party 29, May’s Brexit negotiation lacked confi dence in May to get election, May has faced talk of a the committee chairman is not for Brexit and had been struck by In the event of a general elec- which has pushed Britain’s ster- has stalled over a disagreement a good deal from Brussels, com- leadership challenge. made public. what he had heard. “The mes- tion, Labour would pledge to raise ling currency down to a seven- on a fallback plan for the border pared to 70% in September. A vote of no-confidence in The Sunday Times said 46 had sage coming back has all been taxes, boost welfare spending, in- week low. between Northern Ireland and “And yet, the public don’t put May would be triggered if 48 now been sent and the BBC’s about regional imbalances and vest in public services and launch But, her arrival was greeted Ireland. all the blame at her door — and Conservative lawmakers sub- political editor said on Monday inequality. Whole areas have been a transformation fund in a bid to with cheers and some of those Many business leaders and nor is there much evidence that mit letters to the chairman that the 48 number had not yet ignored. They have seen lots of boost regional growth. who heard her speak said it had investors fear politics could they would have much more of the 1922 committee to de- been reached. Javid tops list of most Police ‘not a match for evolving terror threat infl uential Asians in UK Guardian News and Media Parsons Green in the capital. London “Those attacks were not a temporary escalation in that Guardian News and Media this year’s list, including high 10th on the list. Miller, who was threat,” Basu said. “They were a London achievers from politics, business, born in British Guiana – now he country’s most senior sustained shift in that threat and industry, the arts, medicine and Guyana – to parents of Indian counter-terrorism offi cer the UK CT (counter-terrorism) the judiciary. descent, earns her place because Thas said police forces are machine to this day continues to he Home Secretary, Sajid The highest new entry is Neil “she is very much in the public not a match for the threat of ex- run red hot. Javid, has toppled the Basu, the Metropolitan police’s eye, keeping the Brexit debate in treme far-right terrorism. “The attacks demonstrated TLondon mayor, Sadiq counter-terrorism chief, viewed the public eye”, said Solanki. “We Giving evidence to the home both the breadth of targets and Khan, from number one on the as one of the toughest jobs in can only see her rise. She is prob- aff airs select committee, assist- methodologies employed have list of the most infl uential Asian British policing. Basu is ranked ably the face of the Remain cam- ant commissioner Neil Basu said increased. The weapons used by people in Britain. third for “the very important role paign and an eloquent speaker. there were 700 live terrorism in- attackers now range from home- Javid moves up from number that he now has in keeping the “Obviously there are more vestigations. made explosives to a family car or two on the GG2 Power List of the country safe,” said Solanki. “The men than women on the list but “My predecessor Mark (Row- an everyday kitchen knife. UK’s 101 high Asian achievers by fi rst job of any government is to that is probably a refl ection of ley) when he was in front of you “The greatest concern to me virtue of his occupying one of the keep its citizens safe. And that where we are in Britain today. But a year ago said ‘despite our best comes from simple attacks on top offi ces of state. task has now been given to an the women we do have on the list endeavours we’re not yet as well softer targets that are cheap to Shailesh Solanki, executive Asian police offi cer of very con- are very high achievers, and they matched to the threat as we were mount, easy to disguise and there- editor the Asian Media & Mar- siderable repute.” are making their presence felt.” a year ago’,” Basu said. “So one fore harder to see and stop. At the keting Group, which publishes Twenty-six of the people on Other women are recognised year on I’d like to tell you we are same time as this step change in the annual list, said: “As the fi rst the eighth GG2 Power List are as part of family groups, such as matched to the current threat, CT threat we’ve dealt with alleged ethnic minority to be home sec- women, one fewer than last year. Megha Mittal, from the Mittal but the reality is we are not. hostile” state activity.” retary, that, we believe, is anoth- The highest placed woman, at family which is placed ninth. She “Matching that new threat, Basu told MPs he had em- er glass ceiling smashed.” Khan sixth, is the investment banker is also chair of the German fash- including now extreme right- barked on the biggest investiga- is now ranked second. “He is still Shriti Vadera, who as chairwom- ion luxury brand Escada. wing terrorism and hostile state tion of his career in March into mayor of London. That is a sig- an of Santander UK is the fi rst The actor Riz Ahmed, star of activity, requires new ways of the Russia’s alleged sponsor- nifi cant role,” Solanki said. woman to head a major British Four Lions and Rogue One: A Star working and for us to retain our ship of the poisoning of a father “He still received the high- bank. Born in Uganda to Indian Wars Story, who has spoken in the current resources.” and daughter in Salisbury with a est vote for an elected politician parents, she was a business min- past about being racially profi led Thirty-six people were killed nerve agent. in the whole of Europe. He does ister under Gordon Brown. at airports, ranks fourth, one of and scores more injured in a se- Two Russian nationals were take a stand and, when he speaks, Gina Miller, who won a Brexit a growing number of Asians rec- ries of terrorist attacks in Man- named and charged over the people listen.” legal challenge against the UK ognised for their achievements in chester, and London Bridge, novichok poisoning of Sergei and There are 27 new entries on government, rises from 26th to arts and entertainment. Sajid Javid: shattering the glass ceiling Westminster, Finsbury Park and Yulia Skripal. Gulf Times Thursday, October 25, 2018 19 EUROPE

STILL IN MOURNING BABY’S DAY OUT SAFETY CONCERNS HEADING WEST EYE OF THE BEHOLDER Crimea school reopens Baby orangutan Java Electric scooters banned Migrants scuff le with 40 Miss France dresses after deadly shooting unveiled at Paris zoo from Madrid’s sidewalks Croatia border police stolen in overnight heist

The college in Crimea, where a teenage gunman France’s oldest zoo yesterday welcomed its Madrid’s government yesterday banned electric Several people were injured yesterday as migrants Robbers snatched 40 gowns fit for beauty queens killed 20 people last week, reopened yesterday youngest member: Java, an eight-day-old baby scooters from sidewalks to both remove a threat to demanding to cross Bosnia’s northwestern during a break-in overnight at the headquarters of with tearful students attending classes in diff erent orangutan. The new arrival was seen by reporters pedestrians and help regulate alternative transport border threw stones at Croatian police who the Miss France organising committee, the pageant’s buildings as some parents chose to withdraw at Paris’ Jardin des Plantes cradled in the arms of technologies that have become more popular amid responded by firing teargas and using batons to 86-year-old grande dame told AFP yesterday. their children. The Kerch technical college, her mother, Theodora, and both mum and baby eff orts to cut air pollution. The new law echoes push them back, a Reuters photographer at the Genevieve de Fontenay, who organised the contest which admits children from the age of 14, lost 20 are said to be doing well. Orangutans are among a regulation in France after companies such as scene said. Hundreds of migrants broke a Bosnian for over half a century until 2010, said she was students and staff last Wednesday when student the world’s most endangered species, with just Lime flooded European cities with thousands police cordon earlier yesterday and blocked the heartbroken over the theft of the dresses worn Vladislav Roslyakov went on a shooting rampage. an estimated 50,000 left in their natural habitat of e-scooters in recent months amid surging Maljevac border crossing, hoping to pressure during the national finals. They include the figure- The 18-year-old also set off explosives in one of in the rainforests of Borneo and Sumatra. Java is demand. Madrid has been struggling to reduce neighbouring Croatia to open its frontier and let hugging white number worn by its first-ever Africa- the school’s buildings. That section, which was the fifth of her kind at the Menagerie du Jardin one of Europe’s highest levels of air pollution. The them travel north, Bosnian authorities said. Some born winner, Sonia Rolland, in 2000. “An essential seriously damaged in the explosion, has now des Plantes, which originally opened its doors measures are an attempt to regulate public and of the migrants hurled stones and scuff led with part of the history of the Miss France contest has been closed off and classes rescheduled in other in 1794 on Paris’ Left Bank and recently unveiled private transport, bicycles, private vehicles, and the police, who responded by using teargas and gone up in smoke,” said Fontenay, who lives at the buildings nearby. Police were overseeing security plans for a new 3mn euro ($3.4mn) orangutan electric scooters, all of which will be forced to share batons. A woman sustained head injuries and was Miss France committee headquarters in the Paris on the grounds, an AFP correspondent observed. enclosure. Madrid streets at a maximum speed of 30kph. taken to hospital, along with another injured man. suburb of Saint-Cloud, calling it a “bitter blow”. Seeking justice Nato chief says new US missile deployments in Europe unlikely

Reuters He spoke a day after senior US of- “Nato is in favour of arms control Brussels fi cial John Bolton informed Russian but to be eff ective, arms control agree- Hassina Sakhri, sister of the French gendarme Myriam Sakhri found dead on 2011, speaks during a protest with President Vladimir Putin of the plans in ments have to be respected by all par- friends and relatives to demand a new investigation in front of the courthouse of Lyon, southeastern France. The Moscow. ties,” Stoltenberg added. family of the gendarme, who died in 2011 in her apartment of Lyon’s national gendarmerie compound, continues ato’s top offi cial yesterday Trump has said that the United A US exit from the INF treaty would to denounce the investigation that concluded to her suicide and demand the opening of a new investigation. blamed Russia for breaching States will develop new intermediate- put another strain on Nato allies al- Na landmark nuclear arms pact range missiles unless Russia and China ready shaken by Trump’s demands for that Washington is talking about quit- agree to halt development of their own. higher defence spending by the Euro- ting, but said he did not believe the Military experts believe the United peans. Russian threat would lead to new de- States would be better off modernis- “It is another headache for the secre- ployments of US missiles in Europe. ing its long-range missile deterrent tary general because there is no agree- The Nato allies are due to meet today and ensuring that it could penetrate ment in Nato about what to do,” said Football fans hurt in Rome escalator collapse to hear Washington explain the think- sophisticated Russian air defences, Lukasz Kulesa, an arms control expert ing behind President Donald Trump’s rather than developing a new class of at the European Leadership Network move to quit the 1987 Intermediate- medium-range rockets. think-tank. AFP families,” Rome mayor Virginia Raggi cidents around the stadium hosting range Nuclear Forces Treaty, which rid “It’s an extremely dangerous in- “European allies are not really sure Rome told journalists at the scene. the match. Europe of land-based nuclear missiles. tention,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry where the US strategy is going,” he said. Some of the victims were seen One Russian fan was stabbed with European allies see the INF treaty Peskov said of Trump’s comments The treaty requires the United States wrapped in blankets and some wore a knife, and two others were hurt in as a pillar of arms control and, while when asked about them by reporters and Russia “not to possess, produce, ore than 20 people, mainly neck braces as they were taken away clashes with other supporters. accepting that Moscow is violating it on a conference call. “It will make the or fl ight-test” a ground-launched Russian football fans, were from the scene on stretchers by emer- Roma won the group stage match by developing new weapons, are con- world more dangerous.” cruise missile with a range capability Minjured on Tuesday night gency crews. 3-0, tweeting after the match that: cerned its collapse could lead to a new The INF treaty, negotiated by then- of 500km to 5,500km, “or to possess or when an escalator in a metro station Several investigations have been “The thoughts of everyone at #AS- arms race with possibly a new genera- president Ronald Reagan and Soviet produce launchers of such missiles.” in central Rome collapsed, fi refi ght- opened, and the metro station near Roma are with the supporters injured tion of US nuclear missiles stationed on leader Mikhail Gorbachev and rati- At a Nato summit in July all 29 allies, ers said. Rome’s Termini train station was prior to tonight’s game. The club will the continent. fi ed by the US Senate, eliminated the including the United States, said they Most of those hurt, one seriously, closed. do everything it can to provide the In his fi rst remarks since Washing- medium-range missile arsenals of the were “fully committed to the preser- suff ered leg injuries after getting en- The horrifi c events took place right support and assistance to those ton announced on Saturday that it world’s two biggest nuclear powers and vation of this landmark arms control tangled in the escalator’s mangled around 1730 GMT, just over an hour in need.” planned to pull out of the INF Treaty, reduced their ability to launch a nuclear treaty.” mechanics, Italian media added. before the kickoff of a Champions Red-Blue World, a CSKA fan group, Nato Secretary-General Jens Stolten- strike at short notice. Nato envoys are due to be briefed A video of the drama shows the de- League match between Italy’s Roma set up a collection fund for those in- berg lay blame on Russia for violating US Cruise and Pershing missiles de- today by a US arms control offi cial in scending escalator at Repubblica sta- and Russian club CSKA Moscow. jured, as well as fans hurt in violence the treaty by developing the SSC-8, a ployed in Britain and West Germany Brussels. tion suddenly and dramatically pick The Russian fans were headed for near the stadium. land-based, intermediate-range Cruise were removed as a result while the So- They are concerned about the fate up speed with dozens of people on it, the metro that would have linked Rome’s public transport is often missile which also has the name of No- viet Union pulled back its SS-20s out of of other arms control and safety pacts many screaming as they piled on top them to the train to the stadium. criticised as running on obsolete vator 9M729. European range. with Russia, including the 2010 New of one another at the foot of the mov- There was heightened security in equipment. But he said he did not think this But since 2014, the United States ac- START nuclear treaty which can be ex- ing stairway. Rome for some 1,500 Russian sup- In recent years, more than a dozen would lead to reciprocal deployment of cuses Russia of breaching the INF by tended beyond 2021 by mutual agree- Media reports said witnesses spoke porters, notoriously rowdy, expected municipal buses have caught fi re US missiles in Europe as happened in developing the SSC-8 though Moscow ment. of football fans, seemingly drunk, to watch the game. while in service, with several reports the 1980s. denies it is in violation and says the Stoltenberg said he still hoped the jumping and dancing on the escalator One Russian supporter, the subject of metro passengers injured by mal- “We will assess the implications for planned US withdrawal from the INF United States and Russia could agree just before its collapse, but supporters of a stadium ban, had already been functioning hardware. Nato allies, for our security, of the new pact is dangerous. to extend the New START treaty, which denied this ever happened. stopped at the airport as he tried to And a massive bridge collapse in Russian missile...but I don’t foresee “All allies agree that the United also limits deployed land- and sub- “In any event, we are here to un- enter. Genoa in August — which killed 43 that allies will station more nuclear States is in full compliance...the prob- marine-based missiles and nuclear- derstand what happened and to off er But according to Italian media, this people — also raised safety questions weapons in Europe as a response to the lem, the threat, the challenge is Russian capable bombers, although Trump has our support to the wounded and their did not prevent an assortment of in- about transport infrastructure in Italy. new Russian missile,” Stoltenberg said. behaviour,” Stoltenberg said. described it as a bad deal.

Child bride refugees spur Sweden to tighten marriage law Paying tribute

By Emma Batha, Reuters “We need to protect these girls, provides guidance to social services, really expressing their own will. London and we need Sweden to show the said there were probably more cases The board has produced a fact world that child marriage is not OK.” as young married girls who arrive sheet on child marriage for new ar- The debate in Sweden comes as with their parents may go undetec- rivals. mong the tens of thousands global leaders are pushing to end ted. This states that sex with a child of child refugees who have child marriage by 2030. Steps to tighten the law in Swe- under 15 is a crime even if the child Afl ed to Sweden from war- Advocacy group Girls Not Brides den follow similar moves in Ger- is reported to be married, that non- torn countries is a group of young says 12mn girls under 18 marry each many, which has taken in more than consensual sex — even within mar- girls who have presented the Nordic year worldwide, depriving them of 1.6mn asylum seekers, mainly from riage — is rape, and that any mar- country with a major dilemma — education and increasing their risk the Middle East and Africa, since ried person can divorce even if their they are married. of domestic and sexual violence. 2014. spouse is opposed. The predicament is this — should Sara Mohamed arrived in Swe- Germany reported in 2016 that But child marriage is nothing new the country accept such unions den in 1993 having fl ed Iraq where nearly 1,500 foreign children living in Sweden. even though they would be illegal her brother tried to shoot her with a in the country were listed as “mar- Zinat Pirzadeh, a school ca- under Swedish law and could expose Kalashnikov after she ran away from ried” on their paperwork. reers counsellor in Stockholm, said girls to lifelong abuse? Or should it her own child marriage on her wed- Last year it outlawed all mar- Swedish girls from ethnic minority separate couples, potentially com- ding day. riages and engagements under the backgrounds vanished every year pounding their trauma and isola- “If Sweden shows that these mar- age of 18. to be married off in their parents’ tion? riages are not allowed, most girls in Swedish authorities have faced home countries. It is a conundrum that has also forced marriages will not choose to many diffi culties knowing how to Pirzadeh, who suff ered years of vexed Germany, Denmark and the go back to their husbands,” she told support married girls, with social violence after she was married at 16 Netherlands, which have re-exam- the Thomson Reuters Foundation. workers complaining of a lack of in her native Iran, said politicians ined their laws and policies since “The government must show these guidance, according to an investiga- and offi cials were often too scared to the European refugee crisis began girls that it will protect them.” tion by the National Board of Health speak out for fear of being branded in 2015. Sweden has been one of the most and Welfare. racist or Islamaphobic. Sweden bans marriage under 18. generous countries during Europe’s Trygg said most of the girls had But she said turning a blind eye But foreign underage marriages migrant crisis. children, which meant social serv- was itself racist because it meant are recognised if legal in the coun- Some 400,000 people have ices had to balance the welfare of the children were not being equally tries where they were carried out. sought asylum there since 2012. young mother, who might be bet- protected regardless of their back- That is set to change. But there is no comprehensive ter off separated from her spouse, ground. Under a law, expected to come data on how many married children against her children’s confl icting “It’s so wrong that we even use into force in January, Sweden will are among the arrivals. need to be with both parents. the term ‘child marriage’,” she add- invalidate all underage marriages. In 2016, Sweden’s Migration One offi cial quoted in the board’s ed. “It’s child abuse.” If the couple want to stay together Agency said it had identifi ed 132 report also highlighted the risk of Pirzadeh believes the new law is they will have to remarry when both married children, 129 of them girls. subjecting a girl to further trauma if crucial. reach 18. Most came from Syria, Iraq and she is “taken against her will when “A child should be a child. A child Rights activists are delighted. Afghanistan. she has just arrived in Sweden and has to have a chance to grow up,” she “We hear about these cases all the Mohamed said the real number what she thought was a safe haven”. said. “I know from my heart how time,” said Sara Mohamed, founder was “much bigger”. In many cases, Trygg said, girls hard it is to be with some guy you of GAPF, an organisation which Tina Trygg, an expert on the issue asked to remain with their husbands don’t know, don’t love, don’t want Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte attends a wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb campaigns against “honour” related at Sweden’s governmental National but social workers often found it to share a roof with. I wouldn’t wish of the Unknown Soldier by the Kremlin wall in Moscow yesterday. abuse, including child marriage. Board of Health and Welfare, which hard to assess whether the girls were it on my worst enemy.” Gulf Times 20 Thursday, October 25, 2018 EUROPE

Twitter storm after Khashoggi’s son meets Turkey will ‘not allow Saudi crown prince

Al Jazeera businessmen and investors Doha have dropped out of a headline investment conference this culprits to escape justice’ week in Riyadh. undits on Twitter reacted Crown Prince bin Salman swiftly and sharply to has come under mounting in- z ‘All evidence’ shared with CIA chief over Khashoggi murder: report Pa photo released by the ternational pressure with crit- Saudi government showing ics suspecting he ordered the Jamal Khashoggi’s son with a high-profi le assassination, or z Turkish police get permission to search well in consul’s residence: NTV pained expression as he shook at least knew about it. the hand of Crown Prince Mo- “They brought him to the Agencies & Al Jazeera try shortly after Khashoggi was The state-run Anadolu news hamed bin Salman. royal court to accept condo- Ankara/Istanbul killed. agency initially said Saudi offi - King Salman and the crown lences. The look on his face. The Al Jazeera report said the cials had refused to allow police prince received Khashoggi’s This photo makes me want to Turkish leader was reiterating to search the well in the garden of son, Salah, and his brother, scream and throw up,” wrote resident Recep Tayyip Er- points he had raised during a the consul’s residence. NTV later Sahel, at the Yamama Palace Manal al-Sharif, author of Dar- dogan yesterday vowed speech to members of his Jus- said they had been given permis- in Riyadh on Tuesday, where ing to Drive: a Saudi Woman’s Pthat Turkey would not al- tice and Development Party (AK sion and were to begin conduct- the two royals expressed their Awakening. low the culprits to get away with Party) on Tuesday, when he said ing inspections yesterday. condolences, according to the Fadi al-Qadi, a Middle East the “savage murder” of Saudi the murder was meticulously The whereabouts of Khashog- state-run Saudi Press Agency, human rights advocate and journalist Jamal Khashoggi. planned and demanded that all gi’s corpse still remain unknown. which ran the handshake photo. commentator, also denounced “We are determined not to al- those involved be brought to jus- Erdogan had said on Tuesday A friend of the Khashoggi the photo-op as “ruthless”. low any cover-up of this murder tice. that a 15-person team came from family told The Associated Chris Doyle, from the Coun- and for all those responsible - Khashoggi, 59, vanished on Riyadh to kill Khashoggi, includ- Press that Khashoggi’s son, cil of Arab-British Under- from those who gave the com- October 2 after entering the Sau- ing by carrying out reconnais- Salah has been under a travel standing, told Al Jazeera the mand to those who executed it - di mission to obtain documents sance outside Istanbul and deac- ban since his father began writ- meeting between Khashoggi’s not to escape justice,” he said at a for his wedding. tivating security cameras at the ing critically about the prince family members and the Saudi meeting in Ankara. Pro-government media re- consulate. in columns for The Washington leadership was designed to help “We are not implicating any- ported yesterday that Turkish Turkish police have already Post. The individual spoke on its reputation, but the reaction one,” he added, saying that An- intelligence has shared “all the searched the kingdom’s Istanbul condition of anonymity, fear- on social media indicates it was kara would be transparent as it evidence” over the murder of consulate and the consul-gen- ing reprisal. yet another communications gathers more evidence that shed Khashoggi with the CIA chief eral’s residence as well as looked New York Times quoted Ni- failure surrounding the murder. light on the “dark sides” of the during a visit. for evidence in an Istanbul forest. had Awad, the national execu- “They were seen being murder. CIA director Gina Haspel vis- On Tuesday, the police tive director of the Council on generous towards the family, “It is not over yet,” he said. ited Turkish capital Ankara on searched an abandoned car be- American-Islamic Relations but we see an image here that “We are unravelling, dismantling Tuesday for talks with offi cials longing to the Saudi consulate in as tweeting: “Sickening to see speaks 1,000 words. Really it (the case) and the world is closely about the killing of Khashoggi, a an underground car park in the #Khashoggi’s oldest son Salah tells such a story of the pain following.” Washington Post contributor. Sultangazi district of Istanbul. summoned to receive condo- of Salah, Jamal Khashoggi’s Erdogan said some are “un- Video images and audio tapes In another development, Er- lences from the person sus- son, in meeting King Salman comfortable” with Ankara as well as evidence gathered from dogan yesterday spoke on the pected of murdering his father. - and particularly the crown sharing evidence concerning the consulate and the consul’s phone with Saudi Arabia’s Crown Jamal told me months ago that prince,” said Doyle. the ongoing investigation into residence were shared with Haspel Prince Mohamed bin Salman for the Saudi government is not “I think many people online Khashoggi’s killing, without during the briefi ng at the Turkish the fi rst time since the murder of allowing his son to leave Saudi looking at this on social me- elaborating on who, according to Intelligence Organisation (MIT), Khashoggi, a Turkish presiden- Arabia. He is being held against dia are saying, you know, this Al Jazeera. Sabah newspaper reported. tial source said. his will.” is the face of a son who thinks Also yesterday, Turkey’s Jus- Yesterday, broadcaster NTV Recep Tayyip Erdogan speaks during a meeting in Ankara yesterday. The two discussed “the is- The images were released as he’s shaking the hand of the tice Minister Abdulhamit Gul said Turkish investigators were sue of joint eff orts and the steps Saudi Arabia was struggling to man who killed his father. It’s said Turkish prosecutors could due to begin the search of a well refused to allow them to search. who have appeared reluctant to that need to be taken in order to push back against the interna- another example in this situ- send a request for the extradi- in the garden of the Saudi con- Turkey’s investigation into the grant the authorities permission shed light on the Jamal Khashog- tional uproar over Khashoggi’s ation where some of the Saudi tion of the Saudi consul-general sul-general’s residence in Istan- killing of Khashoggi has been at to search places considered Saudi gi murder in all its aspects”, the killing inside the Saudi consulate attempts to win the public rela- to Turkey, who left the coun- bul. Saudi offi cials had earlier times delayed by Saudi offi cials, territory. source added. in Istanbul on October 2. Turk- tions war is failing.” ish offi cials have said he was met Saudi authorities say they there by a 15-man hit squad who have arrested 18 suspects and killed him and dismembered his dismissed senior offi cials, but body with a bone saw. the crown prince has so far es- US wants perfect clarity on Khashoggi case, says Pompeo After nearly three week of caped blame. He has repeatedly denials, Saudi Arabia acknowl- denied any involvement in the edged last week that the team murder. Agencies & Al Jazeera fl icting accounts about Khashog- for questioning at a “safe house”. time then panicked and made had killed Khashoggi, but said Saudi Energy Minister Khalid gi’s killing, fi rst denying his death Speaking on condition of ano- plans with a local Turkish “col- that it had been acting without al-Falih on Tuesday described and later saying the journalist nymity, two Saudi authorities laborator” to remove the body. the knowledge of the kingdom’s Khashoggi’s killing as “abhor- he United States wants had died inside the consulate said a team was sent to Turkey One offi cial said the body was leadership and had acciden- rent”, saying “these are diffi cult perfect clarity on what after a fi ght, an explanation that on an old directive issued by King rolled up in some sort of material tally strangled Khashoggi after days for us in the kingdom of Thappened in the death of has drawn international skepti- Salman’s predecessor, King Ab- and taken from the consulate by a fi stfi ght. Saudi Arabia”. prominent Saudi journalist Jamal cism. dullah, to bring Saudi dissidents the collaborator. But that story has failed to “Nobody in the kingdom can Khashoggi, US Secretary of State On Sunday, Riyadh called the abroad back to the kingdom so Neither offi cial could account stop the damage to the king- justify it or explain it. From the Mike Pompeo has said in an in- killing a “huge and grave mis- they could participate in a “na- for Turkish claims that Khashog- dom’s reputation as the coun- leadership on down, we’re very ternal email sent widely to State take,” but sought to shield the tional dialogue” over the coun- gi’s body was dismembered with try’s allies have called for upset at what has happened,” Department employees. crown prince from the widening try’s future. a bone saw inside the building. further explanation and as said Falih. “We are already seeing steps crisis, saying the prince had not Asked why such a team would Saudi Crown Prince Mohamed from Saudi Arabia refl ecting been aware. include a forensics expert and a bin Salman vowed yesterday that serious accountability, but we However, an adviser to Turkish body double, the Saudi offi cials the killers of Khashoggi would won’t be satisfi ed until we get President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said had the safe house option be brought to justice, in his fi rst perfect clarity on exactly what yesterday said Saudi Arabia’s been used, the plan was for the public comments since the jour- Demonstration transpired,” Pompeo said in a crown prince had “blood on his forensic expert to wipe clean evi- nalist’s murder sparked global ‘Miles with Mike’ email sent to hands” over Khashoggi’s killing. dence that the 59-year-old had condemnation. department employees on Tues- This is the bluntest com- been at the consulate and for the He told international investors day evening and reviewed by Re- ments yet from someone linked Jamal Khashoggi body double to leave the facility at a conference in Riyadh that the uters yesterday. to Erdogan about Riyadh’s de to give the false impression that furore over Khashoggi’s killing at In the email, which described facto ruler in connection with the advisers and not a prominent Khashoggi had left on his own. the Saudi consulate in Istanbul his trip to Saudi Arabia and death. one. It was not immediately clear Instead, the two offi cials said, would not derail the kingdom’s Turkey last week, Pompeo said Saudi authorities did not im- whether the views of the column the operation with Khashoggi reform drive. the purpose of his visit to the mediately respond to a Reuters refl ected those of Erdogan, who turned violent after the writer His comments came hours af- oil-exporting Gulf state was “to request for comment about the in speeches on Tuesday and yes- yelled for help upon being told he ter US President Donald Trump impress upon Saudi Arabia’s remarks. terday highlighted the need for would be taken to a safe house, was quoted by the Wall Street leadership the importance of “It is a disgrace that reaches all of those responsible - “from according to the Al Jazeera re- Journal as saying that as Saudi determining what happened to all the way to Crown Prince (Mo- those who ordered it to those port. Arabia’s de facto ruler, the crown Jamal Khashoggi”. hamed bin) Salman. At least fi ve who carried it out” - to face jus- That’s when an unidenti- prince bore ultimate responsibil- Khashoggi, a Washington Post members of the execution team tice. fi ed person on the team applied ity for the operation that led to columnist who lived in the US are (Mohamed bin) Salman’s Meanwhile, Al Jazeera said - a chokehold, which the offi cials Khashoggi’s death. and was a critic of Saudi Crown right hands and are people that citing an AP news agency report said was intended only to keep “We will prove to the world President of Human Right Association (IHD) Eren Keskin (right) Prince Mohamed bin Salman, wouldn’t act without his knowl- - that Saudi offi cials have ac- Khashoggi quiet - but ended up that the two governments (Saudi speaks to journalists during a demonstration in front of the disappeared after visiting the edge,” Ilnur Cevik, an adviser to knowledged a body double was killing him instead. and Turkish) are co-operating to Saudi Arabian consulate in Istanbul, in support of missing Saudi consulate in Istanbul on Erdogan, wrote in a column in the part of an operation aimed at The offi cials said nine mem- punish any criminal, any culprit journalist and Riyadh critic Jamal Khashoggi, in this file photo October 2. Yeni Birlik newspaper. extracting Khashoggi from the bers of the 15-strong team who and at the end justice will pre- taken on October 9. Saudi Arabia has given con- Cevik is one of many Erdogan kingdom’s consulate in Istanbul were inside the consulate at the vail,” Prince Mohamed said. Apple boss takes aim at ‘weaponisation’ of customer data

By Foo Yun Chee vals Google and Facebook this were aware of the trade-off be- and control for our users, and we Brussels year. tween a free service and adver- appreciate the input and part- “The desire to put profi ts over tisements. nership from data protection au- privacy is nothing new,” Cook “Instead of charging peo- thorities.” pple chief executive Tim told a packed audience of privacy ple, we charge advertisers to Cook also warned about gov- Cook said yesterday cus- regulators, corporate executives show ads. People consistently ernments abusing users’ data and Atomer data was being and other participants. tell us that they want a free their trust, a concern for many “weaponised with military effi - Issues over how data is used service and that if they going with elections coming up in sev- ciency” by companies to increase and how consumers can pro- to see ads to get it, then they eral countries. profi t and called for a federal pri- tect their personal information want those ads to be relevant,” “Rogue actors and even gov- vacy law in the United States. are under the spotlight after big he said. ernments have taken advantage But Facebook CEO Mark Zuck- breaches of data privacy involv- Facebook was investing heav- of user trust to deepen divisions, erberg defended his company’s ing millions of internet and social ily in both security and privacy incite violence, and even under- ad-based business model said media users in Europe and the even as this impacts on its profi t- mine our shared sense of what is users were aware of a trade-off United States. ability, Zuckerberg said. true and what is false.” for free services. Cook in his speech cited former Google chief executive Sun- Cook said Apple fully backed Cook, speaking at the Inter- US Supreme Court Justice Louis dar Pichai welcomed the glo- a federal privacy law in the national Conference of Data Brandeis, who, in a Harvard Law bal focus on privacy, saying United States, something Eu- Protection and Privacy Commis- Review article in 1890, warned that the company was doing rope has already introduced sioners, said Apple would sup- that gossip was no longer the re- its part by taking measures to via its General Data Protection port a US privacy law and also source of the idle and the vicious allow users more control over Regulation. touted the iPhone maker’s com- but had become a trade. their data. “Users should always know mitment to protect users’ data “Today that trade has exploded “User trust is the foundation what data is being collected and and privacy. into a data industrial complex. Our Tim Cook, CEO of Apple Inc, talks at the Debating Ethics event at the European Parliament in Brussels yesterday. for everything we do, and privacy what it is being collected for,” he Apple, which designs many own information, from the every- and security are fundamental said. of its products so that it can- day to the deeply personal, is being one harmless enough on its “We shouldn’t sugarcoat the rich the companies that collect tenets of that,” he said by video “This is the only way to em- not see users’ data, has largely weaponised against us with mili- own...are carefully assembled, consequences. This is surveil- them,” he said. message. power users to decide what col- avoided the data privacy scan- tary effi ciency,” Cook said. synthesised, traded, and sold,” lance. And these stockpiles of Zuckerberg, speaking via video “We’ve been working for years lection is legitimate and what dals that have enmeshed its ri- “These scraps of data...each Cook said. personal data serve only to en- message, said Facebook users to provide more transparency isn’t. Anything less is a sham.” Gulf Times Thursday, October 25, 2018 21 INDIA

India to buy $777mn CBI chief, deputy ‘sacked’ missile system as agency hit by infi ghting from Israel

Agencies z Govt orders probe into bribery charges against Verma, Asthana Jerusalem z Nageswar Rao is named interim director after midnight drama srael Aerospace Industries (IAI) said yesterday it had Iwon a $777mn order from Agencies missal in the Supreme Court, India to buy defence systems for New Delhi which will hear it tomorrow. its navy. The government said in a The deal with India’s state- statement the action against owned Bharat Electronics Lim- rime Minister Narendra Verma and Asthana was taken ited to supply the marine version Modi’s government yes- on the recommendation of the of the Barak 8 air and missile Pterday removed the chief Central Vigilance Commission, defence system for seven more of India’s federal investigation which met on Tuesday evening warships follows a $630mn or- agency and his deputy after and divested the two offi cials of der placed last year. months of infi ghting that saw their functions and powers in re- State-owned IAI, Israel’s larg- the pair accusing each other of spect of cases already registered est defence fi rm, said worldwide corruption. and/or required to be probed sales of the Barak 8 system now In a dramatic midnight de- under the Prevention of Corrup- totalled more than $6bn. velopment, Alok Verma, the tion Act. Israel is among the world’s top director of the Central Bureau “The environment of faction arms dealers, with nearly 60% of of Investigation (CBI), and his feud has reached its peak in the its defence exports going to the second-in-command Rakesh CBI leading to a potential loss of Asia-Pacifi c region, according to Asthana were relieved of duty credibility and reputation of the Israeli defence ministry fi gures. pending inquiry, the govern- premier investigating agency of Russia is still by far India’s ment said in a statement. the government. It also vitiated largest arms supplier. Both men had levelled “grave the working environment of the During a visit last week, Presi- allegations of corruption” organisation which has deep dent Vladimir Putin won an order against one another, risking a and visible impact on the overall for the S-400 surface-to-air mis- “potential loss of credibility and governance,” the statement said, sile defence system, worth $5.2bn reputation” to the agency. adding that it was an interim according to an Indian source. The government took the measure which will subsist till But as the United States has unusual step of intervening be- CVC concludes its inquiry and imposed sanctions on countries cause of “extraordinary and appropriate decision is taken in buying Russian military hard- unprecedented circumstances” the light of the probe. A man walks past the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) headquarters building in New Delhi. India’s premier investigative agency is ware, India has sought to diver- at the CBI, including Verma re- The Supreme Court has in facing its worst crisis. sify its suppliers. fusing to hand over documents the past described the CBI as a Washington and New Delhi as part of a government inquiry “caged parrot”, one constrained lawyer Abhishek Singhvi said the Vineet Naryan case. Delhi Chief Minister and ment had acted in self interest. announced plans last month for into misconduct. in its inquiries by the ruling par- the government’s decision strip- He asserted that the CVC had Arvind Kejriwal said: “What are “The CBI is our premier in- joint military exercises in 2019 Verma last week launched ty of the day. ping Verma of his duties was in no power to either recommend the reasons for sending CBI di- vestigative agency. And the and the United States is now In- a bribery investigation into The agency has the authority violation of the Lokpal Act and the removal of Verma or ap- rector on leave? Under which law maintenance of its institutional dia’s second-biggest supplier. Asthana, accusing him of tak- to pursue high-profi le individu- the Supreme Court judgment in pointment of a new director. did the Modi government get the integrity is absolutely essential,” In April last year, Israel won ing Rs30mn from meat exporter als or cases deemed outside the authority to initiate action against he told reporters in New Delhi. 1.6bn euros of orders from India, Moin Qureshi to settle a money reach of local police. the chief of an investigating agen- The government appointed which it hailed as its largest ever laundering case. The CBI is leading several high cy appointed as per the Lokpal Asthana to the CBI deputy post arms export deal. Asthana denied the charges profi le investigations such as the Act? What is the Modi govern- last year. “It constitutes further proof and told the government that $2bn fraud at Punjab National ment trying to hide?” Before that, he spent decades that security is an investment it was his boss who had taken a Bank involving fugitive diamond Communist Party of India as a high-ranking police offi cial not an expense,” Israeli Defence bribe of Rs20mn rupees from the billionaire Nirav Modi, and loan chief Sitaram Yechury said the in Gujarat, including during Mo- Minister Avigdor Lieberman said same businessman. defaults by liquor baron Vijay “illegal removal” of CBI chief di’s more than decade-long ten- of yesterday’s deal. The government, in standing Mallya. by the Modi government “to ure as chief minister of the state. “Israel Aerospace Industries down both men, also quashed M Nageswar Rao, another CBI protect their own handpicked The latest problems are a new is a pillar of the nation that we Verma’s inquiry into alleged cor- offi cer, was appointed interim offi cer, against whom serious low for India’s elite police force, must conserve and strengthen,” ruption involving his deputy and CBI director. charges of corruption are being media commentators said. he added, recalling his opposi- ordered investigators to stand Opposition parties, includ- investigated, points to attempts The “infi ghting points to a tion to proposals for partial pri- down. ing the Congress accused Modi’s at a serious cover-up to protect deep rot in the organisation,” the vatisation of the fi rm. The head of that unit was Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of his direct links to the BJP’s top Business Standard newspaper Prime Minister Narendra transferred to a post in the An- overreach and trying to control political leadership”. said. Modi made a “groundbreaking” daman Islands. the agency. Finance Minister Arun Jaitley “Even by the CBI’s standards, fi rst-ever visit by an Indian pre- Verma has appealed his dis- Congress leader and senior Verma (left) and Asthana: corruption charges rebuff ed suggestions the govern- this must count as a low point”. mier to Israel in July last year to cement growing defence ties. z Punjab Chief Minister Am- Sinha, Shourie go to arinder Singh yesterday sought SC over fi ghter jet deal Israel’s co-operation for sewer- Former Bharatiya Janata Party age water treatment in fi ve major ministers Yashwant Sinha and Congress: mess because cities, as the state looks to tackle Arun Shourie and lawyer-activist pollution and boost irrigation. Prashant Bhushan yesterday The chief minister, who is on an moved the Supreme Court seek- offi cial visit to Israel, held talks in ing investigation by the Central of PM’s Rafale cover-up Jerusalem with Israel’s Minister of Bureau of Investigation into the Energy and Water Resources Yuval Rafale deal. Contending that the Steinitz, a spokesman for Singh’s there was “prima facie evidence IANS sion, the National Investigation an accused, this ‘Godhra-SIT offi ce said in Chandigarh. of off ences under the Preven- Mumbai Agency, Enforcement Directorate, fame’ and ‘Vijay Mallya hand- tion of Corruption Act by public Income Tax, Central Board of Di- shake famed’ person is the only servants occupying the highest rect Taxes or Serious Frausd In- accused in this case. The No 1 was of public off ices in the country”, he Congress Party yes- vestigation Offi ce – the Modi gov- probing the allegations against they also sought court direction terday launched a sharp ernment has undermined each the No 2. Now, No 2 wakes up and Tension brews refraining the government from Tattack on Prime Minister institution and surreptitiously makes counter-allegations in ca- “influencing or intimidating” of- Narendra Modi accusing him of infi ltrated his ‘yes men’. hoots with the Modi government ficials who would investigate the “a desperate cover-up attempt” “But facts have a habit to cut and CVC,” Surjewala said. after killing off ences. over the Rafale jet deal and push- through the fog. The only fact is “Will the self-professed legal ea- The petitioners moved the court ing the country’s premier inves- that PM Modi is petrifi ed that the gles – Arun Jaitley and Ravi Shankar of militant after the CBI “under pressure tigative agency into complete No 1 in the CBI was about to take Prasad – give an apology of a weak from the government” did not disarray. steps that might have hurt him in defence of cleaning the system to register an FIR on their com- Party spokesman Randeep the Rafale scam,” Surjewala said. justify the PM’s panic reaction on IANS plaint. The three on October 4 Singh Surjewala said: “A scared Questioning the need to re- Rafale Scam?” he asked. Srinagar had handed over a complaint to and panic-stricken PMO forced move the CBI chief in a “tearing The Congress spokesman was CBI Director Alok Kumar Verma, the CBI director to go on leave hurry” without the approval of accompanied by Mumbai Con- demanding registration of an FIR at 2am and transferred a dozen the Selection Committee and gress president Sanjay Nirupam lashes broke out in against Prime Minister Narendra offi cers, to frantically bury the by violating the Supreme Court and other senior leaders during Anantnag yesterday after Modi for alleged abuse of public corruption track. This is the judgment, Surjewala demanded: the media briefi ng. Creports of a militant be- off ice causing undue benefit infamous ‘Modi Made Gujarat “Why was an interim (CBI) chief Earlier in the day, Congress ing killed in a shootout as the au- worth “tens of thousands of Model’ for cloak-and-dagger appointed at 2am? Does it not president Rahul Gandhi said Modi thorities continued to face sepa- crores” to a crony capitalist in the mugging of CBI to stifl e, subju- tantamount to complete trashing shunted out the CBI director be- ratist protests against Sunday’s Rafale jet fighter deal. “It is clear gate and suppress India’s premier of constitutional norms?” cause he was “pointing fi ngers” at civilian deaths in Kulgam. that there is enormous pressure investigative agency.” The Congress leader also the controversial Rafale deal. Sabzar Sofi , a PhD scholar, was on the CBI because of the nature He was referring to the gov- charged Finance Minister Arun “Do you know what the killed along with his associate of the persons involved not to ernment’s decision to send Cen- Jaitley and Law Minister Ravis- ‘chowkidar’ did last night? He Asif Ahmed in Nowgam earlier undertake this investigation,” tral Bureau of Investigation Di- hankar Prasad with attempting (Modi) removed the CBI direc- in the day. they said and sought a court- rector Alok Verma and his deputy to cover up the entire issue that tor because he had called for the Skirmishes broke out im- monitored probe by specially Rakesh Asthana on leave. has shaken the political estab- fi les of Rafale deal,” Gandhi said in mediately in the city outskirts designated CBI off icers. Surjewala said that the judiciary, lishment. Jhalawar, Rajasthan, the home turf Congress president Rahul Gandhi waves to supporters during a as youths attacked the security the Central Vigilance Commis- “The No 2 in the CBI is clearly of Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje. public rally in Jhalawar, Rajasthan, yesterday. forces forcing schools and col- leges to shut down in the Srina- gar district. In New Delhi, Jamia Milia Is- lamia refuted news reports that Sabzar Sofi had ever registered as a student with the university. Modi wins Seoul Peace Prize, congratulations pour in It also said that there was no Botany department in the uni- versity as was reported by media. IANS his leadership skills. Through the development of democracy and Minister of Information being conferred the 2018 Seoul tween haves and have nots. A Clashes also broke out in San- New Delhi ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas’, Modi through anti-corruption and and Broadcasting Rajyarvardhan Peace Prize. The Award Com- wonderful accolade for Hon’ble gam area of Anantnag district, is at the forefront of building a social integration eff orts, the Rathore took to Twitter to con- mittee recognised his contribu- PM and all of us!.” Sofi ’s hometown. better tomorrow for the world,” award committee noted. gratulate Modi. tions to the growth of the Indian Madhya Pradesh Chief Minis- People were outraged at the haratiya Janata Party pres- Shah said. Shah said that he was glad that “Congratulations to Prime & global economies, crediting ter Shivraj Singh Chouhan said killing of the man who was seen ident Amit Shah yesterday Modi was awarded the Seoul the award committee took note Minister Modi for being con- Modinomics for reducing social that the award was a recognition preparing for the civil service Bjoined several ministers Peace Prize in recognition of his of ‘Modinomics’, which aims to ferred the 2018 Seoul Peace & economic disparity between of Modi’s all-inclusive growth exams before joining militancy and chief ministers in hailing dedication to improving inter- further a spirit of equality and Prize, affirming the effective- the rich and the poor,” Javadekar model, visionary approach and in October 2016. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, national co-operation, raising empowerment for all sections of ness of Modinomics in creating said. tireless eff orts towards regional Kulgam town saw heavy de- who was named the recipient of global economic growth, ac- society. high economic growth and his Rathore said: “Congratula- and global peace. ployment of security personnel the 2018 Seoul Peace Prize. celerating the human develop- Several ministers including dedication to improving hu- tions to India! Our PM Modi ji “On behalf of 37 lakh people as the authorities continued re- “The world is taking note of ment of the people of India by Railway Minister Piyush Goyal, man development and further- has been awarded 2018 Seoul of Tripura, I congratulate Modi strictions to prevent separatist- Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s fostering economic growth in Human Resource Development ing democracy in India,” Goyal Peace Prize. Modinomics has ji on being awarded the prize,” called protest march against sev- leadership on key issues that face the world’s fastest-growing Minister Prakash Javadekar, said. been credited with enhancing Tripura Chief Minister Biplab en civilian deaths in an explosion humanity and are appreciating large economy and furthering Textile Minister Smriti Irani “Congratulations to Modi ji on growth while reducing gap be- Deb said. on Sunday. Gulf Times 22 Thursday, October 25, 2018 INDIA

INVESTIGATION THREAT CRIME MYSTERY TRAGEDY Sister of Paytm accused Military contractors ask Class 4 student killed SIM box, 300 mobile 77 died in cyclone doubts fair deal by police govt to clear dues in fight with senior SIM cards recovered Titli, says Odisha

The sister of a woman accused in the Military contractors yesterday threatened A Class 4 student died in a fight with a Class 10 Ranchi police yesterday seized a SIM box and The Odisha government yesterday said they Paytm extortion case yesterday doubted if to stall all defence construction work if their student at a hostel in Telangana’s Khammam more than 300 mobile SIM cards from an have received reports that 77 people died she would get a fair deal by investigators, dues totalling Rs1,600 crore were not cleared. district, police said yesterday. Nine-year-old apartment. Police said three men have been in the cyclonic storm Titli and the resultant alleging the company was implicating Sonia They said they would stage a protest on D Joseph was found dead with injuries on detained. The raid was conducted based on flood. “Fifty-eight out of the 77 deceased have Dhawan in a false case. Rupali Dhawan October 29 and October 30, if the Ministry Tuesday evening at the government-run tribal inputs from the state’s Special Branch. The raids been identified, while verification of 19 others said Sonia’s salary package was Rs80 lakhs of Defence did not clear the dues by October welfare residential school in Khammam town, were jointly conducted by the Ranchi police and is underway,” said Joint Relief Commissioner per annum and that she has shares worth 28. Military Engineer Services Builders about 200km from Hyderabad. Preliminary the Jharkhand Anti-Terror Squad. A SIM box can Pravat Mohapatra. A central team will soon Rs10-15 crore in the company. “How can she Association of India (MESBAI) said that the investigations by the police revealed that have SIM cards of diff erent mobile operators visit the aff ected areas to assess the damage, demand Rs10 crore, that too in her bank dues have been pending for the last one-and- the boy died during a fight with the senior installed, permitting it to operate with several he said. Preliminary reports suggest 2.73 account,” Rupali asked. She said Sonia’s a-half years. “Our association members are student, aged 15. The accused allegedly hit GSM gateways located in diff erent places. “The lakh hectares of crop was damaged due to husband, Rupak Jain, had filed a police facing a lot of problems as they failed to get Joseph with a trunk box on his head and other connection of the SIM box is linked to some the twin calamities in the state. Special Relief complaint in September that an anonymous the payment. The issue has been raised with parts, resulting in his instant death. Since the foreign countries. The SIM box is used to spread Commissioner Bishnupada Sethi yesterday caller had demanded a hefty extortion the Off icer Engineer-in-Chief, Minister of State residential school runs classes up to fourth, the wrong messages in bulk to create social and reviewed the relief and restoration measures from him. “The police had recorded his for Defence, Defence Minister, and the PMO,” accused was studying in a private school but communal disharmony. This is also used in in the cyclone-aff ected Gajapati district. complaint. The investigation is being done president of the MES Builders Association of was staying at the same premises. The incident cybercrimes. We are trying to find out how the Restoration work in the most aff ected districts by the Noida police,” said Rupali, asserting India Praveen Mahana said in a statement. triggered tension in the area as relatives of SIM box and SIM cards were brought to Ranchi of Ganjam, Gajapati and Rayagada would be that the case against her sister was “However, the government has not given us the victim and leaders of students’ groups and what was the purpose. The SIM cards were completed soon, said an off icial. Titli aff ected fabricated. any relief till date,” he said. ransacked the premises. issued from Patna,” said a police source. 17 districts of the state.

One missing as boat with 40 people Delhi braces capsizes off Mumbai for ‘deadly

IANS Mumbai

ne person was missing as a speed boat carrying cocktail’ of Oaround 40 people hit an underwater rock and capsized while on a trip for ceremony at the proposed Chhatrapati Shiv- aji Maharaj Memorial in the Ara- bian Sea off Mumbai yesterday. The accident happened pollution around 4.15pm when the boat’s hull got ruptured after hitting Reuters large part of northern India the pollution levels,” said Ma- the rock and water quickly start- New Delhi were covered in a toxic smog hesh Palawat, director of pri- ed fl ooding inside. It tilted dan- from burning crop waste and vate weather forecasting agency gerously, triggering panic among the countless fi recrackers let Skymet. the passengers. ndia’s capital is set for a off for Diwali, forcing authori- Meanwhile, Mundaka in Owned by the Maharashtra “deadly cocktail” of pol- ties to shut power stations, ban Outer Delhi was most polluted. government, the boat was car- Ilution in coming weeks, construction and clamp down Among other areas with severe rying several people including a senior government offi cial on garbage burning. air quality were Dwarka sub- journalists and activists of the said, as air quality in the New Despite pressure from health city, Rohini, Bawana, Anand Vi- Shiv Sangram party, said Shiv Delhi area plummeted yester- experts, the government this har, Jahangirpuri, Narela, Ne- Smarak Samiti chairman Vinay- day, alarming doctors and en- year held off on a wholesale hru Nagar, Sonia Vihar, Vivek ak Mete. vironmentalists. ban on fi reworks and has faced Vihar, Wazirpur, Mathur Raod The boat was proceeding The federal government of- criticism for failing to prevent and Noida sector-125. to the underwater site of the ficial blamed the deterioration farmers in states neighbouring Dr J C Suri, a consultant in proposed memorial complex, in air quality to a “very poor” Delhi from burning stubble. respiratory medicine at Me- around 3.5km off Marine Drive, level across much of the city To curb pollution levels jeedia Hospital, said he was ex- when it hit the underwater rock on a fall in temperature and around Diwali, the Supreme pecting a spike in admissions of near a lighthouse. lighter wind, as both seasonal Court on Tuesday only al- patients with pollution-related Chief Minister Devendra Fad- changes allow pollution to ac- lowed the use of “green” fire- health issues. navis has ordered an investiga- cumulate. crackers, but it was unclear “Right now, the patient load tion. A search operation contin- The offi cial - speaking on how the rule will be enforced is similar to usual, but as the air ues for the missing person. condition of anonymity due to or whether there was such a quality deteriorates it is going to Mete said around 200 people the sensitivity of the situation - thing as an environmentally increase in the coming weeks,” including journalists, govern- said air quality would continue safe firework. he said. ment offi cials and political ac- to worsen around Diwali, which Despite a government plan to The World Health Organi- tivists had departed on several falls on November 7. discourage the burning of crop sation said this year India was boats from the Gateway of India Pollution levels will be ex- residue by off ering to pay up to home to the world’s 14 most jetty for the memorial function. acerbated as farmers in areas 80% of the cost of certain farm polluted cities, with Delhi “I have visited that site over a close to Delhi burn crop residue equipment, many farmers are ranked sixth. dozen times, but such a thing has in preparation for new planting still burning their waste. “The government has no po- never happened. The authorities and people let off fi reworks to Yesterday at two monitoring litical will and year after year had taken all safety precautions mark the festival of lights. stations in Delhi, the air quality we get into a narrative around and the boats were not overload- “We are heading into a deadly index, an international stand- pollution only in the month of ed,” Mete said after returning to cocktail with Diwali and peak ard measure of several kinds of October when the situation is the jetty. stubble burning time,” the of- poisonous particulate matter, really, really bad,” said Vim- The Indian Navy, Indian Coast fi cial said. exceeded 600, according to the lendu Jha, an environmentalist Guard, Marine Police and other “If we come back into the Delhi Pollution Control Com- who founded the activist group agencies launched an operation ‘poor’ category of pollution, it mittee. Swechha. with three helicopters, a hov- will be a very big achievement.” That is a dozen times more “Almost 320 days out of the ercraft and boats to search for a Yesterday, air quality in Del- than a healthy level of 50. Sev- 365, Delhi’s air quality is in poor political activist, identifi ed as hi hit the “very poor” level at eral other stations reported condition but there is no con- Siddhesh Pawar, reported miss- more than half of its monitor- readings above 500. versation around it.” ing, an offi cial said. ing stations, according to the “Delhi may see north-west- Meanwhile, the System of Air A second boat which was in government’s Central Pollution erly winds in the next two days. Quality and Weather Forecast- the vicinity managed to reach Control Board - the worst set of Currently, the humidity is low. ing And Research (SAFAR) is- the tragedy site within minutes readings since a dust storm hit Lower morning temperatures sued advisory to avoid strenu- and helped rescue all the people A Delhi Metro train runs on an elevated track as motorists drive on road with smog covering the the city in June. mixed with pollutants form ous outdoor physical activity who were on board the vessel. skyline in New Delhi yesterday.| Late last year, Delhi and a haze is resulting in a spike in early morning and after sunset.

Indigenously-designed Coast Pandalam family hits Guard training ship launched back at Kerala CM IANS Varma’s statement was meant Thiruvananthapuram to emphasise that whenever IANS plement of 242 offi cers and sail- and two large shipyards in the the Marxist-led front comes to Pipavav,Gujarat ors. It is powered by twin diesel private sector. The total order power it takes a position con- engines and can reach speeds of book of the PSU shipyards is he Pandalam royal family trary to the Congress-led front’s, 20 knots. Rs2 lakh crore, whereas their yesterday hit back at Kera- which has maintained that it is CGS Varuna, an indigenous- “The vessel is a fi rst-of-its combined turnover was just Tla Chief Minister Pinarayi the ‘tantri’ (chief priest) and the ly-designed training vessel kind, next-generation training about Rs8,000 crore per an- Vijayan a day after he slammed royal family whose views matter Ibuilt by Reliance Naval and ship and has been entirely de- num.” the family for claiming rights about Sabarimala. Engineering Limited for the In- signed by the design bureau of “In comparison, the two pri- and powers over the Sabarimala “The events that occurred at dian Coast Guard, was launched RNEL,” he said. vate shipyards have an order temple. the temple since it opened on Oc- yesterday. Bir said that the vessel is book of only Rs6,000 crore,” he Vijayan on Tuesday said the tober 16 and closed on Monday The vessel was formally equipped with ultra-modern said. temple was the property of the appear to have gone according to launched at a function held in navigation and communication Asked why the RNEL needs Travancore Devasom Board (TDB) a perfectly written script by vest- the presence of Coast Guard Di- systems. more orders from the govern- and that none else has any rights ed interests. What happened at rector General Rajendra Singh at He said that the RNEL works ment, the CEO said: “If we look over it. He said that according to the temple town was something the Pipavav Shipyard. on the modern 3D technology, at public sector shipyards, they the 1949 covenant, the temple avoidable. The temple turned Speaking at the launch, Singh which is based on virtual reality have a 25 year-order book. I ownership was handed over to the into a confl ict zone. We are deeply said: “Currently, the ICGS has a and the entire vessel has been don’t see any reason for that as TDB after the royal family had se- pained at the manner in which fl eet of 138 vessels, while anoth- designed on 3D platform instead in 25 years, the ship technology rious fi nancial crisis. Vijayan spoke with absolute con- er 71 vessels are under various of drawing books. is going to be obsolete.” But the royal family’s spokes- tempt,” said Varma. phases of construction.” According to RNEL, apart “So you take an order and man Varma said yesterday that “We wish to make it very clear: He also asked the RNEL to from ICGS Varuna, the company deliver it after 25 years doesn’t the TDB has only administrative we are not at all interested in the deliver the vessels to the Coast is constructing 19 other vessels - make any sense to me but I am control over the temple. wealth of the temple and maybe Guard as per schedule. fi ve off shore patrol vessel and 14 not going to criticise the gov- “The real owners of the temple there will be some, who have an RNEL CEO Debashis Bir said fast patrol vessels. ernment. So, in our case, we are the devotees and the TDB has eye on its wealth and we have to that the vessels would be deliv- The company plans to deliver have a very very weak order only administrative control. The fi nd out who they are. We have ered to the Indian Coast Guard the 14 SPVs in 26 months before book. So we need to develop Indian Coast Guard Director General Rajendra Singh (left) and relation that the family has with the not asked for a single rupee from by the end of May 2019 after ex- the scheduled delivery. that kind of confi dence with the Reliance Naval and Engineering Ltd (RNEL) CEO Debashis Bir shake Sabarimala temple does not change the TDB. Our only concern and tensive tests and trials. Appealing for a level playing Coast Guard and Navy so that hands during the ceremonial ship launching of the new Indian every fi ve years,” said Varma, in- worry is that there should be Bir said that ICGS Varuna is field, Bir said: “There are five we get much bigger orders,” he Coast Guard’s Cadets Training ship named Varuna, at Pipavav, some directly referring to the change of no breach of traditions,” added a 105m-long vessel with a com- shipyards in the public sector said. 340kms from Ahmedabad yesterday. government every fi ve years. Varma. Gulf Times Thursday, October 25, 2018 23 LATIN AMERICA

INVESTIGATION LEGAL TRADE ECONOMY BACKING Colombia arrests soldiers Kirchner’s son slams Ecuador to rally banana Argentina posts first trade UN envoy voices support over farmer’s killing court for summons exporters over price issue surplus since December ’16 for Venezuelan refugees

Colombian authorities have arrested eight The son of Argentine ex-president Cristina Ecuador, the world’s largest banana exporter, Argentina had a trade surplus of $314mn in UN refugee agency special envoy Angelina Jolie soldiers over the murder of a farmer earlier Kirchner has appeared in court to testify as a is urging Latin American producers to fight September, off icial statistics agency Indec said, the has voiced support for Venezuelans forced to this year, one of thousands of such cases suspect in the “corruption notebooks” scandal German supermarket chain Aldi’s bid to pay one first since December 2016 and an early sign the leave their crisis-stricken homeland and thanked involving security forces under investigation in in which his mother is accused of receiving tens euro less per case in 2019. “We must organise devaluation of the peso currency has benefited the the South American countries hosting them. The the conflict-worn south American country. The of millions of dollars in bribes. Maximo Kirchner a front of all producing countries in the region country’s exporters. Economists say September’s Hollywood actress Jolie met with Venezuelan soldiers are accused of killing the campesino appeared before investigating judge Claudio to stop Aldi from applying this unfair measure,” trade balance improvement was driven by refugees in Lima, Peru this week to draw and wounding a second civilian on March 8 in Bonadio and delivered a letter criticising the Ecuadoran banana exporters association chief, significant declines in imports of capital and attention to their plight. The UN has estimated Arauquita, in the northeastern Arauca region, the court. “There is no evidence that even remotely Eduardo Ledesma, said. He argued that Aldi, consumer goods, as well as a more competitive some 2.6mn Venezuelans have left their oil-rich public prosecutor’s off ice announced. The killing justifies my subpoena,” he said. The “corruption which owns supermarkets in Europe and the US, peso currency that has benefited exporters. “The nation, with the majority departing since 2015 was “unrelated to a confrontation,” prosecutors notebooks” case relates to a ministerial intends to implement this “unilateral and unfair” trade surplus in September was the first sign of the amid a crippling economic crisis under President said, but gave no details why the civilians were chauff eur’s records — written in school copybooks decision, which he said would also be a “parallel expected trade and current account adjustment Nicolas Maduro. “After having spoken to so many attacked. The arrested men will be charged with — of his drop-off s of millions of dollars of bribes customs tax” within the European Union. The following the large currency devaluation and sharp people it’s clear to me, very clear, that this is not “aggravated homicide and attempted aggravated paid by businessmen to government off icials to banana crate — weighing 43 pounds — currently slowdown in investment spending,” Goldman a movement by choice,” Jolie told reporters in a homicide,” the prosecutor’s off ice said. win public works contracts. sells for $8. Sachs economist Alberto Ramos said. presentation with Peru’s foreign minister. Bitter taste for Long journey ahead Cuba as nation turns into sugar importer

AFP months this year — June, July and Havana August — that number ballooned to 40,000 tonnes. “This is the fi rst time in history ugar: it’s so quintessentially that Cuba is importing signifi cant Cuban that even a young, amounts of sugar from France,” Smachete-wielding Fidel FranceAgriMer said. Castro used to hack away at the Cuba imports most of the food cane stalks vital to the Caribbean it consumes. Yearly, it imports island’s economy. 400,000 tonnes of wheat. Now, the long-time world lead- These new numbers are humili- er in sugar production is import- ating for Cuba, given its past as the ing the stuff for the fi rst time, and world’s largest producer of sugar in large amounts, from France after and one of the biggest exporters. another bad harvest. Until 1960, the US was one of its Sugar used to account for the main customers. Then came the vast majority of Cuba’s exports. Soviets, who bought Cuban sugar But the fall of its big brother, the at a discounted price. Central American migrants, part of a second wave of migrants heading to the US, walk along a highway as they continue their journey to the Mexican border, in Zacapa, Soviet Union - a key, hungry cus- These days, sugar production Guatemala, yesterday. tomer - changed everything, as here is disappointing. The expect- did a lack of investment in seeds, ed annual amount is 1.6mn tonnes, fertiliser and pesticides. but it is actually just 1.1mn. In the early 1990s, Cuba pro- And it is no surprise that Cuba duced about 8mn tonnes of sugar has to import because it has export a year. A decade later, it stopped contracts with China to fulfi l, said reaching 2mn a year. FranceAgriMer. Back then, sugar accounted for A British farm consultancy almost 75% of Cuban exports. In called FO Licht said it expects Cu- 2015, it was only 13%, with other ban output to improve next season products like nickel and tobacco and reach 1.5mn tonnes - even if No more talks with UK making up some of the diff erence. that is far from the big numbers it The 2017-2018 harvest suff ered used to post in the 1980s. badly after Hurricane Irma rav- Cuba’s government blames the aged the country, followed by a US trade embargo, which since long rainy season. So Cuba is im- 1962 has blocked imports of badly porting sugar from France. needed farm and industrial equip- On the island, residents quickly ment. over Assange: Ecuador caught wind of the somewhat “The main obstacle to the de- counter-intuitive development. velopment of the island is the em- Reuters placed on his asylum in the government to intervene to as- and eventually extradited to the Ecuadorean President Lenin Here, sugar from cane tends bargo imposed by the US,” Cuban Quito London embassy. sist “one of its citizens who US if he leaves the embassy. Moreno has said that asylum is to be brownish. But the French President Miguel Diaz-Canel said “Ecuador has no responsibil- faces real danger.” WikiLeaks, which published not meant to be eternal, but he version comes from beets so it is recently, adding his people were ity to take any further steps,” This position marks a de- US diplomatic and military se- has expressed concern about whiter, and the granules are fi ner. “condemned to die of hunger.” The cuador does not plan to Valencia said. “We are not As- parture from Ecuador’s previ- crets when Assange ran the op- the possibility that Assange And that is what Cubans started island nation lacks resources and intervene with the British sange’s lawyers, nor are we rep- ous practice of maintaining eration, faces a US grand jury may be extradited to the US. receiving with their “libreta” — hard currency, but there are also Egovernment on behalf of resentatives of the British gov- dialogue with British authori- investigation. Valencia said on Tuesday that their ration book. structural and logistical factors at WikiLeaks founder Julian As- ernment. This is a matter to be ties over Assange’s situation Valencia said he was “frus- he has not discussed Assange’s “The sugar we get now is very play, said Cuban economist Omar sange in talks over his situation resolved between Assange and since granting him asylum in trated” by Assange’s decision to situation with the US govern- good. It is very sweet, not very Everleny Perez. as an asylee in the South Ameri- Britain.” 2012, when he took refuge in fi le suit in an Ecuadorean court ment. diff erent. The only diff erence is Cuba has been obsessed with can country’s London embassy, The UK’s Foreign and Com- Ecuador’s London embassy af- last week over new terms of his Last December, Ecuador the colour,” said Felicia Navarro, a diversifying its economy and Ecuador’s foreign minister said. monwealth Offi ce did not im- ter British courts ordered his asylum, which required him to granted Assange Ecuadorean 40-year-old homemaker. making it less dependent on sugar Foreign Minister Jose Valen- mediately respond to e-mails extradition to Sweden to face pay for medical bills and tele- citizenship and sought to name The French government farm exports, he said, but that has led to cia said in an interview with seeking comment. questioning in a sexual moles- phone calls and to clean up after him as a member of the coun- and seafood export agency underinvestment — and the sec- Reuters that Ecuador’s only re- Greg Barns, an Australian tation case. his pet cat. try’s diplomatic mission in FranceAgriMer said that from tor’s worst harvest in a century. sponsibility was looking after lawyer advising Assange, said in That case has since been “There is no obligation in Britain and Russia, which could 2001 to 2017, Cuba had imported “The Golden Age is over be- Assange’s well-being, after the an e-mail that “developments dropped, but friends and sup- international agreements for have assured him safe passage just 3 tonnes of sugar from France. cause production capacity is not Australian national sued the in the case in recent times” porters have said that Assange Ecuador to pay for things like to leave the embassy. But in just three summer what it was,” said Perez. country over new conditions showed the need for Australia’s now fears he could be arrested Assange’s laundry,” he said. Britain denied the request WhatsApp not to lift group Upbeat Bolsonaro messaging limit in Brazil eyes Cabinet picks Agencies election,” he said. Brasilia Bebianno said central bank Reuters would be a violation of electoral without public oversight. president Ilan Goldfajn was a Sao Paulo/Brasilia law. “It is very worrying. We are “good name” to continue in the Advocacy groups concerned walking on ice, because fake news razil’s right-wing presiden- job and that Bolsonaro had not with an explosion in the number is manufactured on an industrial tial front-runner, Jair Bol- ruled him out. acebook’s messaging service of hoaxes and misleading propa- scale, but the monitoring and Bsonaro, has begun work to Bolsonaro and his choice for fi - WhatsApp has no plans to ganda texts and videos on the en- fact checking is a slow and time- choose high-ranking ministers in nance minister, Paulo Guedes, will Fchange its group messag- crypted platform have called on consuming process,” said Thiago his government, underscoring ex- make the ultimate decision, Bebi- ing limits in Brazil, an executive WhatsApp to lower its forwarding Tavares, head of SaferNet Brasil, pectations of a landslide victory in anno said. said, resisting calls from the lead- limit in the country from 20 recip- a non-governmental organisation Sunday’s runoff election. Controversy surrounding the ing presidential candidate to allow ients to fi ve, as is the case in India. that monitors social media for po- The Social Liberal Party (PSL) use of mass online messaging in easier forwarding of viral mes- “We’re pretty comfortable with tential crime. Tavares, a member candidate has already assigned support of Bolsonaro has failed sages. Jair Bolsonaro, the far-right that number 20,” Victoria Grand, of an advisory council to Brazil’s names to several posts, although to derail his substantial lead over lawmaker forecast to clinch the vice president of policy and com- top electoral court on social media appointments depend on Bol- left-wing Workers Party candi- race on Sunday, vowed last week munications at WhatsApp, told and the election, is one of many sonaro’s victory at the polls and date Fernando Haddad. to “fi ght” to let users forward text, journalists in Sao Paulo. calling for WhatsApp to further conversations with top advisers, An Ibope opinion poll released audio and video messages to hun- She called the policy as an “ex- restrict forwarded messages that PSL party chief Gustavo Bebianno late on Tuesday showed that Bol- dreds of contacts on a platform periment” that “could change eff ectively turn the service into a said. A full slate of selections to sonaro had 57% voter support to that has become a key political over time.” With just fi ve days to broadcast platform. head ministries and state-owned Haddad’s 43%, a slightly narrower battleground. go before the vote, she said there Unlike Facebook’s open plat- companies will be announced gap than Bolsonaro’s 59% to 41% With few traditional cam- was no way that WhatsApp could form, which the company moni- within 30 days after the election, lead over Haddad in the polling paign resources and almost no TV change those limits before Brazil- tors for abusive content, messages Bebianno told reporters. fi rm’s previous survey. ads until this month, Bolsonaro ians choose their next president. circulating in WhatsApp groups of The appointments do not re- The new numbers are in line stormed to the front of a crowded She highlighted eff orts to shut up to 256 use end-to-end encryp- quire congressional approval. with other polls that show Bol- presidential race with an outsized down accounts engaged in spam- tion, which keeps them hidden Bolsonaro also intends to make sonaro taking between 57 % social media presence and grass- ming activity, along with a mar- even from the platform’s admin- changes in the leadership of state (CNT/MDA) and 60% (BTG/FSB) roots organising via WhatsApp keting campaign encouraging us- istrators. fi rms including Petroleo Brasileiro of the votes. and other online platforms. ers to be sceptical of rumours. WhatsApp has more than SA (Petrobras) and Centrais Elet- Bolsonaro has denied Haddad’s He denied accusations from his Independent fact checkers and 120mn users in Brazil, a country of ricas Brasileiras SA (Eletrobras), accusations that he asked sup- leftist rival Fernando Haddad last social media experts say that has nearly 210mn people, rivalling the Bebianno added. porters to fund mass messaging on week that he had asked support- not been enough to stop a fl ood of reach of Facebook’s main platform “The menu already has many the mobile messaging application ers to fund secret bulk messaging falsehoods and conspiracy theo- in one of the company’s biggest Brazilian vice-presidential candidate, Manuela D’Avila, speaks during names. To avoid speculation, WhatsApp, which would be a vio- campaigns over WhatsApp, which ries distorting political debate global markets. a campaign rally in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. we will only give them after the lation of campaign laws. Gulf Times 24 Thursday, October 25, 2018 PAKISTAN

Gunmen Khan says govt to seek IMF kill four in NW

AFP bailout despite Saudi rescue Peshawar hree employees of an oil Reuters where he is expected to seek and gas exploration com- Islamabad further assistance from its clos- Tpany and their paramilitary est ally. Beijing has pledged escort were kidnapped and shot about $60bn in infrastructure dead on Tuesday in a Pakistani rime Minister Imran Khan spending inside Pakistan under tribal region near the Afghan said Pakistan still plans its Belt and Road initiative. border, offi cials have said. Pto seek a bailout from the On Tuesday, Pakistan said The killings happened in North International Monetary Fund Saudi Arabia had agreed to pro- Waziristan (NW) where the Paki- (IMF) despite a Saudi Arabian vide $3bn in foreign currency stani military has been engaged off er of a $6bn rescue package, support for a year and a further in a series of off ensives against and is in talks with two other loan worth up to $3bn in de- Taliban and Al Qaeda linked “friendly nations” for more ferred payments for oil imports militants for over a decade. loans. to help stave off a current ac- “The employees and their es- Khan secured the Saudi pack- count crisis. cort, an offi cial of Frontier Corps, age at a high-profi le investment Pakistan’s foreign reserves were heading towards their offi ce conference in Riyadh. have plunged by 42% since the when kidnapped by unknown In the short-term the Saudi start of the year and now stand gunmen,” a senior local adminis- loans will give the economy at about $8bn, or less than two tration offi cial told AFP. breathing room but not be months of import cover. He said their bullet-riddled enough to fully avert a brew- Finance ministry spokes- bodies were found near Spinwam ing balance of payments crisis, man Noor Ahmed said the late in the afternoon. analysts said. Saudi loans would strengthen A local intelligence offi cial Khan said yesterday Pakistan Pakistan’s negotiating hand also confi rmed the incident and would proceed with talks with in talks with the IMF, which is fatalities and said it was unclear the IMF on the country’s second likely to push Pakistan to im- where the gunmen were from as IMF bailout request since 2013 plement painful structural re- no group has so far claimed re- - and Pakistan’s 13th rescue forms linked to the currency, sponsibility for the incident. package from the multilateral energy sector and other ar- Violence in Pakistan has de- lender since the late 1980s. eas where Pakistan’s global clined dramatically in recent Without naming the coun- competitiveness has lagged. years following a series of mili- tries, Khan said Pakistan was Pakistani stocks climbed by tary operations along the north- also touch with two other nearly 4% yesterday, hours after western border with Afghani- “friendly nations” for loans so Saudi Arabia pledged to provide stan, but militant groups are still Islamabad would minimise bor- Islamabad with $6bn in fi nan- able to carry out deadly attacks. rowing from the IMF, which he cial assistance to shore up a Pakistan’s army launched a said would be “harmful” to the widening balance of payments massive operation in 2014 to Pakistani public. crisis. wipe out militant bases in North “Because when the IMF gives The benchmark KSE index People watch the speech of Prime Minister Imran Khan as he addresses the nation after his visit to Saudi Arabia, at a electronic shop in Waziristan and end the near you more loans, they apply of the Pakistan Stock Exchange Karachi yesterday. decade-long insurgency that has more strict conditions, which gained 1,462 points or 3.85% in cost thousands of lives. cause more pain to the public. It intra-day trading to push the Prime Minister Imran Khan’s the Saudi package which has the only foreign brokerage house tries such as China and Saudi But analysts have long warned brings infl ation,” Khan said in a index to 39,176 points. government on plans to ad- eased off the situation Pakistan in the country. Arabia, promised to recover funds that Pakistan is not tackling the televised broadcast. The gains followed a string of dress the country’s deteriorating was faced with of late,” Muzam- Since taking power in August, stolen by corrupt offi cials, and root causes of extremism, and He is due to travel to China losses on the bourse after mixed fi nances. mil Aslam, former chief execu- the former cricketer Khan has embarked on a series of high-pro- that militants retain the ability to in the fi rst week of November, signals from newly-minted “The market has welcomed tive of EFG Hermes Pakistan - sought loans from friendly coun- fi le populist austerity measures. carry out spectacular attacks. Protest against eviction Global Competitiveness Index ranking 9 points up

Internews sented to NAB chairman Javed composite indicator that as- policies and practices to our Islamabad Iqbal by Mishal Pakistan chief sesses a set of factors that de- rapidly evolving context. executive offi cer (CEO) Amir termine an economy’s level A signifi cant portion of the Jahangir. of productivity. It is widely centre’s work focuses on shap- he World Economic Fo- The report indicates that considered the most impor- ing frameworks for fostering rum (WEF) has appreci- global ranking for incidents of tant determinant of long-term growth and inclusion, includ- Tated eff orts of the Na- corruption in Pakistan has been growth. ing an accelerator for industrial tional Accountability Bureau reduced to 99 in 2018 as com- The GCI 4.0 framework is policy and competitiveness in (NAB) for eradication of cor- pared to 102 last year. built around 12 main drivers of the fourth industrial revolution. ruption and ranked Pakistan This change refl ects NAB’s productivity. These pillars are The centre is also support- at 107 among 140 countries proactive approach in reaching institutions, infrastructure, ing developed and emerging on Global Competitiveness out to citizens to create aware- technological readiness, mac- economies in setting up pub- Index (GCI). ness about the negative impacts roeconomic context, health, lic-private collaborations to The WEF, in its Global Com- of corruption. education and skills, product close skills gaps and prepare for petitiveness Report 2018, has NAB’s activities have been market, labour market, fi nan- future of work as part of its hu- redefi ned the competitiveness proven to be more transpar- cial system, market size, busi- man capital agenda. index 4.0. ent and very effi cient across ness dynamism and innovation. Finally, the centre acts as a The new index provides the board. The recent develop- They comprise 98 individual test bed for exploring emerging guidelines for countries to gear ments by NAB have increased indicators. contours of the new economy, up for the fourth industrial public trust in institutions and The report is part of WEF including rethinking economic revolution. hope for a more transparent Centre for New Economy and value, investment strategies for The report indicates that Pa- nation. Society, which aims at build- job creation and new safety nets. kistan has been ranked at 107 The Global Competitive- ing dynamic and inclusive The global competitiveness on the new index and compared ness Index 4.0 methodology economies in an era of acceler- report’s new methodology also to 2017, Pakistan has improved has been built on four decades ated technological and political off ers insights into economies A police off icer stands as residents chant slogans and block the street with vehicles during a nine points and is ranked 106 of experience in benchmarking change, providing leaders with readiness for future, social cap- protest against the operation to evict them from the quarters on the order of the Supreme Court this year as compared to 115 last competitiveness. a platform to understand and ital, endowment of disruptive in Karachi yesterday. year. The WEF’s Global Com- anticipate emerging economic businesses and debt concerns, The report has been pre- petitiveness Index 4.0 is a new and social trends and to adapt among other indicators. Opposition parties set Drums from Sialkot Fun time go to Japanese school usic is said to be a tween the two countries. to meet over alliance global language, so The forum is founded by Mwhat better way to its chairman Khalid Malik, a Internews Talking to the media on Oc- Bukhari said it does not mat- foster better relationships with businessman, with a vision Lahore tober 23, Punjab Assembly op- ter whether the opposition par- the international community to further strengthen ties position leader Hamza Shahbaz ties manage to exert pressure on than manufacturing beats of between Japan and Pakistan. also hinted at joining hands with the rulers or not but that they another culture, in our country. The inauguration ceremony was ormer prime minister Na- Bilawal Bhutto’s Pakistan Peo- play a responsible role. The Japanese ambassador attended by the representatives of waz Sharif’s Pakistan Mus- ple’s Party “for the sake of the “In the MPC, we will talk to Pakistan, Takashi Kurai, re- Pakistani cultural organisations, Flim League - Nawaz (PML- country.” about two main issues: The fi rst cently paid glowing tributes to members of the business com- N) said a multiparty conference He said: “All opposition par- will be the state of governance a former minister of the Pun- munity, former Pakistani alum- (MPC) has been planned for the ties will have to play a joint role.” and the second will be infl ation jab government, for his dedi- ni of Japanese universities and next week to devise a common When contacted, PPP secre- in the country, which is result of cation in promoting Pakistan- other important socio-cultural political strategy against Imran tary general Nayyar Bukhari also the government’s bad policies,” Japan relations and thanked personalities of the capital city. Khan’s Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf confi rmed that an MPC is ex- he said. him for donating Japanese Ambassador Kurai while (PTI) government. pected soon adding that the pur- He said this MPC is the initia- Wadaiko drums to Islamabad speaking at the inaugural cer- “It is time the opposition par- pose of joining forces will be to tive of Rehman of JUI. “Since it Japanese School which were emony congratulated Malik ties united and sat together to pressurise the government into is his initiative therefore a date made in Sialkot. for making tremendous eff orts devise a common course of ac- take the right path and stop it of the conference will also be an- This set the background mu- to establish Pakistan-Japan tion against the scorched-earth from taking the county towards nounced by him,” he said. sic for Pakistan-Japan Friend- Friendship Forum and hoped policies of the government,” a state of deterioration. When asked if political foes ship Forum, the inaugural cer- that this forum will help fur- PML-N chairman Zafarul Haq “Within 60 days of assuming PPP and PML-N have already emony of which took place at ther strengthen the existing said yesterday. the power by the PTI govern- agreed on an alliance, he said it ambassador Kurai’s residence. friendly relations between He said he has Jamiat Ulema ment, infl ation has increased in is the bad policies of the govern- To promote cultural relations Japan and Pakistan. Islam chief Fazlur Rehman in the country. It is not due to the ment that has necessitated the and to further strengthen peo- “People-to-people contacts are connection with the MPC ear- bad governance of the previous MPC. ple-to-people contacts between the very foundation for the whole lier this week. “(Rehman) has governments but due to new PPP and PML-N fi nally man- Japan and Pakistan, Pakistan- relationship between two coun- also discussed the MPC proposal government’s incompetence. aged to join forces in the recently Japan Friendship Forum (PJFF) tries and Pakistan Japan Friend- with Nawaz Sharif, who agrees The government has already lost held by-elections, in which a has been established in Islama- ship Forum has been established A boy with friends, flies a kite along the dry bed of Lyari River with the idea of an opposition confi dence of the people of the seat adjustment formula had bad with an aim to further ce- to further promote these relation- in Karachi yesterday. alliance,” he said. country,” he claimed. been agreed upon. ment friendly relationships be- ships,” he said. (Internews) Gulf Times Thursday, October 25, 2018 25 PHILIPPINES Govt abandons plan to take Trillanes case to appeals court

By Catherine S Valente and Calida had agreed to file tio or void from the beginning Manila Times the motion for partial recon- the amnesty of Trillanes over sideration before the Makati his participation in the 2003 court first. Oakwood mutiny and 2007 alacanang has aban- “If it is denied, that’s the Manila Peninsula siege. doned its plan to go time the solicitor general will The Palace argues that Tril- Mstraight to the Court take over…If the ruling will lanes, a leading Duterte critic, of Appeals to question a not be reversed, go to the did not admit to his guilt. Makati court ruling dismiss- Court of Appeals. That’s it. Also, his amnesty applica- ing the Department of Jus- It’s the same,” he added. tion could not be found at the tice’s motion to arrest Sena- The DoJ plans to file the Department of National De- tor Antonio Trillanes 4th for a motion of partial reconsider- fence. revived coup d’ etat case. ation before the Makati RTC Another court, Makati Palace spokesman Salva- Branch 148 “not later than RTC Branch 150, revived the Men work on a road construction site on the island of Boracay, yesterday. dor Panelo told reporters by Friday (October 26).” rebellion case against Tril- phone Solicitor General Jose On Monday, Judge Andres lanes and ordered his arrest Calida had decided to defer Soriano of Makati RTC Branch on September 25. The senator to the DoJ, which wanted to 148 issued an order deny- was allowed to post bail on the file instead a motion for re- ing the DoJ’s motion seeking same day. Panelo said Duterte consideration (MR) with the the issuance of an alias arrest would not intervene in the next moves of the DoJ and the Govt to reopen ‘cesspool’ Makati Regional Court (RTC). warrant against Trillanes, a Panelo earlier said that former navy officer. Office of Solicitor General on Calida would “very soon” file The DoJ filed the motion the case of Trillanes. a petition before the Court of after President Rodrigo Du- Panelo said Duterte’s mere Appeals.But Justice Secretary terte issued Proclamation 572, directive was to “do what is best.” Boracay after clean up Menardo Guevarra said he which declared as void ab ini-

AFP swimming are also banned for Manila the time being, while Boracay’s three casinos have been perma- nently shut down in line with Senators junk proposal he Philippines reopens its Duterte’s wishes. crown jewel resort island Nearly 400 hotels and res- TBoracay to holidaymak- taurants deemed to violate local ers tomorrow, after a six-month environmental laws have already to restrict cell towers clean up aimed at repairing the been ordered closed and airlines damage infl icted by years of un- as well as ferries were told to re- restrained mass tourism. strict service to the area. By Bernadette E Tamayo sue of using a common tower managed by the Philippine President Rodrigo Boozing and smoking are Manila Times government. He said this might create a mo- Duterte ordered the island shut- banned on the beach and the nopoly or oligopoly in the Internet service. tered in April for a major eff ort huge multi-day beach parties Poe said the entry of a third telecommuni- to fortify weak infrastructure dubbed “LaBoracay” that drew enators Grace Poe and Francis Escu- cation fi rm would introduce “fresh competi- and crack down on the rampant tens of thousands of tourists dero have rejected the proposal to allow tion.” overdevelopment that had left it, during the May 1 Labour Day Sonly two telecommunication companies Those who want to compete as the third what he termed, a “cesspool”. weekend will be a thing of the (Telcos) to put up cell site towers in the coun- telco must fulfi l the following requirements: When the government throws past. try. present P1mn for bid documents; put up a open the doors, Boracay will The Boracay Foundation, the Poe described as “stupid” the plan of Presi- P700mn participation security; and provide have fewer hotels and restau- main business industry group on dential Adviser on Information and Commu- at least P14bn in performance security. rants, a cap on the number of the island, did not comment on nications Technology Ramon Jacinto to limit Jacinto allegedly suggested to the president visitors and anti-beach boozing the new rules but welcomed the to two the number of private companies that to mandate two independent tower compa- rules aimed at taming its party- return of tourists. could be allowed to build cell towers. nies registered with the National Telecom- hard reputation. Residents walk along a beach on the island of Boracay. “We are pleased that workers Poe, chairman of the Senate Committee on munications Commission (NTC) to build and All of this is intended to pro- have now got their jobs back and Public Services, conducted a hearing on the share their towers. tect the bruised beauty of the Romulo-Puyat said she has overfl owing sewer system and a will now be able to do what they government’s search for a third telco service Under Jacinto’s suggestion, these same island’s turquoise waters and sent a written “warning” to oth- carnival-like atmosphere. love and provide for their fami- provider on Monday. towers will also be used by other telcos as well expanses of white sand beaches er top Philippine tourist draws Under the new rules, 19,200 lies,” its executive director Pia Information and Communications Tech- as the prospective new major player within which were being loved to death including El Nido and Panglao tourists will be allowed on the Mirafl ores said. nology Acting Secretary Eliseo Rio Jr, said the the fi rst four years of its implementation. by 2mn tourists per year. islands, while others, such as island at any one time, with the “Everyone, big and small, has government might announce a “provisional” However, telcos opposed Jacinto’s proposal. Tourism Secretary Bernadette the whale-shark-feeding site of government aiming to enforce sacrifi ced a lot during the six- third telco on November 7. Globe Telecom and Smart insisted the pro- Romulo-Puyat said she hopes Oslob have cut its tourist arriv- that by controlling the number month (closure),” she added. “With regard to the cell towers, someone posal would violate their congressional fran- the new Boracay will be the start als by half. of available hotel rooms. Other places in the region suggested to the president or to the DICT to chise. China Telecommunications Corp, Phil- of a “culture of sustainable tour- Boracay, which major tourist Fire eaters, masseuses, ven- strained by mass tourism have allow just one or two companies to set up cell ippine Telegraph and Telephone Corp (PT&T), ism” in the Philippines, adding magazines consistently rate as dors, stray dogs, bonfi res and also used closures as a tactic to towers. That’s stupid,” Poe said during the NOW Telecom Inc,Telenor Asa Group, Uden- other tourist destinations will among the world’s best beaches, even the builders of its famous protect the sites from destruc- public hearing. na Corp. (Converge ICT), LCS Group of Com- be next. is a mere 1,000 hectares (2,470 photo-op sandcastles have been tion. Thai authorities announced “Anyone must be allowed to put up cell sites panies and TierOne Communications, and “It means taking account of acres). chased from the beachfront, in October that the glittering bay to prevent monopoly. Our signal will improve Mobitel Holding have expressed interest to the repercussions of our actions Yet it was seeing up to 40,000 while buildings were torn down immortalised in the movie “The if there will be more cell towers,” she said. become the Philippines’ third telecommuni- on current and future situations sun worshippers at peak times, to create a 30-metre easement Beach” will be closed indefi nitely Escudero also expressed concern on the is- cation fi rm. of the environment,” she told re- who left behind $1bn a year but from the waterline. to allow it to recover from the porters yesterday. also mountains of garbage, an All water sports save for impact of hordes of tourists. Uson criticises Facebook move to Subsidy for jeepney drivers ‘may be cut’ delete pages of Duterte supporters By Catherine S Valente programme with the expected P2 Manila Times increase in excise taxes on gaso- line and diesel. By Catherine S Valente had published spam content, implementing that, then that’s “Because the excise tax will Manila Times but said there were also “yel- their own rule,” Panelo told re- he government might cut not increase starting January 1, low” Facebook pages that did porters. “Now if the concern the fuel subsidy for driv- for the period when the increase the same. is that there will be no more Ters of public utility jeep- was suspended, if we annualise ormer Palace commu- Uson’s Facebook page, which avenues, there are so many av- neys (PUJ) if the second tranche it, the computation would be nications assistant sec- has more than 5,000,000 fol- enues, we have Twitter, Insta- of the fuel excise tax is not im- two, instead of quadrupling the Fretary Esther Margaux lowers, is accused by critics as gram and many others where plemented in 2019, the Depart- Pantawid Pasada,” Lambino told “Mocha” Uson on Tuesday de- a purveyor of fake news and advocates can express them- ment of Finance said yesterday. reporters. cried as unfair Facebook’s move propaganda for the benefi t of selves in support of this admin- Finance Assistant Secretary “So it will be half of what’s to take down pages run by sup- the Duterte administration. istration,” he added. Antonio Lambino 2nd admitted in the budget but also it will be porters of President Rodrigo Facebook has over 66mn ac- Facebook said 4.8mn fol- that the fuel subsidy for jeepney double than what was received Duterte. tive Filipino users every month. lowed at least one of the spam- drivers would be aff ected, if the this year (because) the Pantawid Uson, a staunch Duterte sup- Its crackdown on the “spam my pages, which used politics second round of the excise tax on Pasada for 2018 is only for the porter, said Facebook should network” in the Philippines and entertainment to generate oil is suspended. last six months. So instead of also target the pages of the came more than fi ve months traffi c. Jeepney drivers were supposed P5,000, it will be P10,000 Pan- “dilawan” (yellows) to be fair, before the midterm elections in “We don’t want this kind of to receive a subsidy of P20,515 in tawid Pasada grant for 2019,” he referring to the political colour May next year. behaviour on Facebook — and 2019 under the Pantawid Pasada added. of the Liberal Party-led opposi- Facebook said it has more we’re investing heavily in both tion. than 20,000 people monitoring people and technology to keep “I hope it’s fair and it should content posted on its platform bad content off our services,” not just be Duterte supporters. and has invested in advanced Facebook said. Woman held for duping dozens of jobseekers I hope (Facebook) targeted the technologies like machine Last week, the National Pri- other side because that is where learning and artifi cial intelli- vacy Commission (NPC) re- Police arrested a woman who allegedly conned dozens of unsuspecting the trolls started,” Uson told re- gence to hasten detection of bad ported that personal data of victims and promised them jobs at City Hall in exchange for money, porters. behaviour online. 755,973 Filipino Facebook users Manila Times reported. Julie Ann Francisco, 35, was accused of collecting In an October 22 statement, In a news conference, Pal- may have been compromised 1,500 pesos each from about 50 people she duped in diff erent villages Facebook said it removed a Uson: slamming Facebook ace spokesman Salvador Pan- during a recent data breach. here. Francisco told her victims that she could put them at work or provide network of 95 pages and 39 ac- elo said Facebook’s removal The NPC ordered Facebook them jobs in diff erent departments and the money would be used to pay counts, for violating its “spam dent Duterte such as “Duterte Trends,” “Bossing Vic,” “Pili- of spammy accounts of some to provide identity theft and for their uniforms Once Francisco collected the money from her victims, and authenticity policies” by Media,” “Duterte sa Pagbabago pinas Daily News,” “Like and administration supporters did phishing insurance for aff ected she would go to another village to recruit more. Mayor Isabelle “Beng” encouraging people to visit BUKAS,” “DDS,” “Duterte Phe- Win,” “Manang Imee,” and “not necessarily” refl ect the Filipino users or establish a Climaco has repeatedly warned the public to be careful with unscrupulous “low-quality” web content full nomenon” and “DU30 Trend- “Karlo ang Probinsiyano.” kind of supporters that the help desk centre for Filipino people who claim to be recruiting workers for the local government in of disruptive ads. ing News.” Uson admitted that there president have. data subjects on privacy related exchange for money. She said Francisco duped at least 50 people, as she Pages removed included Other pages removed were were indeed some Duterte- “Facebook has had its own matters concerning Facebook urged those victimised by the woman to file criminal charges. those known to support Presi- “Hot Babes,” “News Media leaning Facebook pages that rules and regulations. If they’re within six months. Gulf Times 26 Thursday, October 25, 2018 COMMENT

CHAIRMAN Abdullah bin Khalifa al-Attiyah EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Faisal Abdulhameed al-Mudahka Deputy Managing Editor K T Chacko P.O.Box 2888, Doha, Qatar [email protected] 44350478 (News), 44466404 (Sport), 44466636 (Home delivery) 44350474 facebook.com/gulftimes twitter.com/gulftimes_Qatar GULF TIMES China’s hidden debt with ‘titanic’ risk raises global concerns

Just as China is a key driver of global growth, so the world’s second largest economy’s $34tn pile of public and private debt has for long been a growing concern across the world. China’s local governments may have accumulated 40tn yuan ($5.8tn) of off -balance sheet debt, or even more, suggesting further defaults are in store, according to S&P Global Ratings. “The potential amount of debt is an iceberg with titanic credit risks,” S&P credit analysts said. China is one of the countries most at risk of facing a Why a Sino-American banking crisis, the Bank for International Settlements said in a June report. While China has not published any offi cial data on the size of its outstanding debt, analysts have estimated it at between 200% and 283% gross domestic product at the Cold War won’t happen end of 2017. Bloomberg Economics has estimated it at 266%. Government-led stimulus has been a key driver of By Ngaire Woods No doubt, US tariff s threaten the 18% Alone.” The US now constitutes a with Iran.” Oxford of Chinese exports that go to the US each minority of one within the G7, the G20, Meanwhile, Russia has said that it is China’s economic growth since late 2008. year. But the Trump administration has and the United Nations Framework developing its own system for fi nancial Driven by low interest rates, one major catalyst of China’s more urgent priorities than changing Convention on Climate Change. After transfers, to protect itself from being credit explosion has been household debt, expanding by t is often said that the US and China’s system of government, Trump pulled the US out of the Trans- shut out of the SWIFT system in the an average of 19% a year China – superpowers at economic, notwithstanding the aggressive rhetoric Pacifi c Partnership (TPP), the remaining event of harsher US sanctions. And since 2011. geopolitical, and ideological of US Trade Representative Robert parties moved ahead on their own. China has been pursuing a similar Far from setting the terms of debate project at least since 2015, when the China’s $34tn At $6.7tn, and a record Iloggerheads – are heading toward Lighthizer and White House National a new Cold War. And the rhetoric – at Trade Council Director Peter Navarro. on international issues, the Trump People’s Bank of China launched debt mountain 50% of GDP, private least from one side – has come to Trump desperately wants to bolster US administration has convinced other a system to facilitate cross-border debt is now crimping resemble that of Winston Churchill’s manufacturing by repatriating global countries to reduce their reliance on US transactions in renminbi. seen as an consumer spending 1946 “Iron Curtain” speech, one of supply chains and blocking or curbing leadership. None of these alternative systems power. the inaugural events of the Cold War. imports. “Make America Great Again” is Widespread circumvention of the have yet to match the convenience of explosive Just this month, US Vice-President really about making in America again. US will hasten the emergence of a SWIFT and the dollar system. But if a The trillion dollar Mike Pence accused China of predatory Still, even if today’s US-China new multipolar order. For example, by new system were to take hold, it could threat to global Belt and Road (also economic practices, military aggression standoff does not evolve into a new Cold withdrawing from the Iran nuclear deal, rapidly shift power away from the US. known as Silk Road) against the United States, and attempts War, it could weaken both countries Trump has essentially dared the United Rather than a Cold War, the world economy plan, the centrepiece of to undermine US President Donald and usher in a more multipolar Kingdom, France, Germany, China, may be heading toward an international a soft-power push by Trump. world. Within China, US rhetorical Russia, and the European Union to defy system led by four powers, with the But despite the media hype, a new broadsides, tariff s, and sanctions may US prerogatives. US, China, Russia, and Germany President Xi Jinping, also raises fears. More than $250bn Cold War is not inevitable – or even be empowering Xi’s domestic critics. For now, countries that rely on Iranian dominating their respective regions and in China’s overseas investments failed between 2005 and likely. To be sure, Chinese leaders, And it doesn’t help that China currently oil may have no choice but to go along seeking the upper hand in international 2015, according to the China Global Investment Tracker, a fearing disorder and any weakening has limited options for retaliating. True, with the US. Like most traded goods, oil negotiations. Such a scenario is database maintained by the American Enterprise Institute of the Communist Party of China’s it could start to sell off some of its $1tn exports are paid for in dollars – largely reminiscent of the World War II vision of and the Heritage Foundation. legitimacy, are determined to prevent in US dollar reserves. But that would through the Society for Worldwide US president Franklin D Roosevelt, who the US from forcing changes on China’s weaken the value of the US Treasuries Interbank Financial Telecommunication proposed that the four victorious allies But China’s massive debt pile may fi nally stabilise this political and economic system. China that it continues to hold. (SWIFT) in Belgium – and the US has the – the US, the UK, China, and the Soviet year as Xi prioritises control of fi nancial risks. Total debt will continue to pursue reforms at Within the US, Trump’s decision to power to shut down such transactions. Union – act as “Four Policemen,” each will be 260% of gross domestic product at the end of 2018, its own pace and in its own way. For pursue sweeping import tariff s has been Most companies and countries have patrolling its own sphere of infl uence the same as it was 12 months earlier, according to the Chinese President Xi Jinping, a top described by one industry representative concluded that doing business in Iran is and negotiating with the others on world median estimates of 21 economists surveyed by Bloomberg priority is to merge the CPC with the as “the most self-destructive trade act not worth losing access to the US market peace. machinery of government in order to I’ve ever seen.” And the administration’s and the international dollar-payments Today, approximations of the same in March. reduce corruption and burnish the renegotiation of the North American system. four powers are once again in the lead, In nominal terms, that would mean the growth in debt is state’s ideological credentials. Any Free Trade Agreement – which includes But in the future, they may no only now we have stronger international slowing to roughly the same pace as the economy. attempt to interfere in this process a clause to prevent Canada or Mexico longer have to make such tradeoff s. On institutions to help keep the peace. China’s stricter regulations, curbs on lending between would be crossing a red line. from negotiating with China – has August 21, Germany’s foreign minister, Whether that peace lasts will depend fi nancial institutions, and a gradual increase in borrowing Fortunately for Xi, Trump has no met with similar disdain. Such policies Heiko Maas, urged Europe to establish on the willingness of the four powers to interest in “democratising” other threaten both to destroy US jobs and to payment channels that are independent use and adapt those institutions to the costs over the past year have all contributed to the slowing countries, and he doesn’t seem to alienate America’s allies, many of which of the US. And the following month, emerging international system. - Project pace of credit growth. The campaign has now expanded have been swayed by the US investors, are already distancing themselves. the EU’s foreign policy chief announced Syndicate beyond the fi nancial sector. fi nanciers, and technology titans who Indeed, the Trump administration’s plans to form a “special purpose vehicle” Ngaire Woods is Founding Dean of Communist China has stepped in to champion the cause want his administration to press for “America First” positions have to “assist and reassure economic the Blavatnik School of Government at of globalisation and free trade in the face of US President more access to the Chinese economy. increasingly translated into “America operators pursuing legitimate business the University of Oxford. Donald Trump’s policies of protectionism and inward- looking isolation. But systemic risks in the world’s second largest economy make it the biggest threat to global fi nancial stability, according to a late 2017 QNB report. Beijing has pledged a more proactive fi scal policy to shore up its economy, where growth has eased to its slowest pace since the global fi nancial crisis amid a campaign to tackle debt risks and the trade war with the US. To doomsayers, China’s $34tn debt mountain is an explosive threat to the global economy. Or maybe, it’s just a manageable by-product of the boom that created the world’s second-biggest economy. Either way, the challenge is how to wean the country off its debt drip without intensifying an economic slowdown, not just in the country, but across the world.

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© 2018 Gulf Times. All rights reserved Chinese President Xi Jinping and US President Donald Trump. Despite the media hype, a new Cold War is not inevitable – or even likely. Gulf Times Thursday, October 25, 2018 27 QATAR Qatar’s foreign policy based on UN briefed on Qatar siege spirit of co-operation, partnership

QNA has also been emphasised in opment to review the Monterrey and private sectors, giving civil the necessary funding and in- New York Qatar’s National Development Consensus in 2008. society organisations, youth and novation to achieve the goals of Strategy 2018-2022,” said Maha She said that the Sustain- the academic community an op- sustainable development. Yousef al-Baker. “Within this able Development Plan (2030) portunity to play their part in As part of Qatar’s eff orts to atar has reaffi rmed that context, the State of Qatar at- is a milestone in eff orts to en- this fi eld. meet its commitment to im- its foreign policy is based taches great importance to pro- sure that no one is left behind In its statement, Qatar noted plement the 2030 Sustainable Qon the principle of co- moting South-South co-opera- and represents a comprehensive that, given the importance of Development Plan, this year’s operation and partnership to tion as a key factor in achieving framework for eff orts to eradi- the theme addressed, the 2030 voluntary national review was face common challenges, noting the goals of sustainable develop- cate poverty in all its forms and Sustainable Development Plan presented during the High-level that its National Vision 2030 re- ment, where the state voluntar- dimensions and achieve sustain- gave special attention to the is- Political Forum on Sustain- gards international co-operation ily provides development assist- able and inclusive development. sue of global partnerships and able Development, which gave a as an integral part of the national ance to developing countries, She stressed that in light of had a special objective, namely, snapshot of the progress made development process and en- especially the least developed the economic, environmental, the 17th objective, which em- by Qatar in implementing the hancing the regional and global countries, in addition to offi cial humanitarian and social chal- phasised the strengthening of sustainable development goals role of Qatar economically and development assistance”. lenges facing our world today, means of implementation and discussed, including the 17th politically. She added that as part of Qa- the achievement of the ambi- the revitalisation of the global objective. The Permanent Representative of Qatar to the United Nations This came in a statement by tar’s constant commitment to tious and transformational partnership, in order to achieve Qatar expressed its confi dence in Geneva, ambassador Ali Khalfan al-Mansouri, met United Qatar, delivered by Maha Yousef working at the global level in goals of this plan, and ensuring sustainable development. that international partnerships Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle al-Baker, a member of the del- a spirit of partnership to meet that no one is left behind, re- She noted that the emphasis of would invest the opportunity “to Bachelet in Geneva yesterday. The ambassador congratulated egation of Qatar participating common challenges, the country quires the strengthening of the the report of the Secretary-Gen- move forward in translating the Bachelet on her appointment as the United Nations High in the 73rd Session of the Unit- has hosted a number of inter- global partnership for sustain- eral of the United Nations un- goals of the sustainable devel- Commissioner for Human Rights, and discussed with her the ed Nations General Assembly national conferences, including able development, based on a der this item on the importance opment plan into real action in blockade enforced on Qatar for more than 500 days. The before the Second Committee the high-level meeting to pre- spirit of global solidarity, with of the global leadership role of a balanced and integrated man- ambassador also stressed the importance of doing everything (Economic and Finance), item pare for the Economic and Social a particular focus on the needs the United Nations as the focal ner, taking into account diff erent possible to end the arbitrary and unilateral measures against 26 on “Towards global partner- Council Forum on Financing for of the poorest and those living point for co-operation among a circumstances, capacities, needs Qatar. The two sides also reviewed ties between Qatar and the ships”. Development this year, and the in fragile situation, promoting variety of actors and the eff orts and levels of development and UN High Commission, expressing their aspiration for enhancing “The importance of global International Follow-up Con- eff ective partnerships and co- of the United Nations to play a respect for national policies and and developing them further. partnerships for development ference on Financing for Devel- operation between the public more catalytic role in generating priorities.” Qatar voices concern over development of WMD world of security, peace and sta- struction, which were of con- ist terrorist organisations from international community and to any party using such weapons nity’s rejection of these heinous QNA bility and free from the threat of cern to all and placed the entire acquiring such weapons, in ac- implement its international legal as condemned and rejected by crimes was manifested in the New York the use of weapons of mass de- population of the planet in dan- cordance with Security Council obligations related to the non- the international community as establishment by the General struction. ger of using such weapons, par- resolution 1540 (2004), which proliferation of chemical and bio- a whole, requiring criminal ac- Assembly of a neutral and inde- This came in the speech of ticularly in light of the prolifera- recognised that nuclear, chemi- logical weapons, as well as nuclear countability and impunity for pendent international mecha- atar has underlined that Qatar before the First Commit- tion of armed confl icts and the cal and biological weapons weapons, in line with the fact that those responsible. nism to assist in the investiga- the acquisition and de- tee of the United Nations on the possible possession and use of posed a threat to international Qatar is a party to the relevant in- It said that “any use of chemi- tion and prosecution of those Qvelopment of weapons item “Other weapons of mass weapons of mass destruction by peace and security and called on ternational conventions. cal weapons anywhere in the responsible for the most serious of mass destruction (WMD) is destruction” delivered by Talal non-state armed groups. member-states to refrain from Qatar stressed that the Chem- world under any circumstances crimes committed in Syria since a fl agrant violation of collective bin Rashid al-Khalifa, Second Qatar expressed concern supporting non-state actors to ical Weapons Convention (CWC) is a serious threat to the non- March 2011. legal and ethical obligations to Secretary, and member of the about the danger of terrorist or- acquire, manufacture, acquire, had contributed to the fact that proliferation regime that the With regard to nuclear weap- strengthen security and peace, delegation of Qatar to the 73rd ganisations acquiring weapons transfer or use nuclear, chemical the use and possession of chem- international community has ons, Qatar stressed the impor- which is a commitment made session of the General Assembly of mass destruction and the se- and biological weapons. ical weapons constituted a fl a- established for decades”. tance of continuing eff orts to by member-states to eliminate of the United Nations. rious consequences for interna- In line with its policy on the grant violation of international In its statement, Qatar noted rid the Middle East of nuclear weapons of mass destruction In its statement, Qatar noted tional peace and security. elimination of weapons of mass law and of legal and humanitar- that the use of toxic substances weapons and to implement the and achieve a secure and pros- that the international commu- In that regard, he reiterated destruction and the fi ght against ian standards, thus creating the as weapons was a war crime and commitments resulting from the perous world. nity was actively seeking to rid the importance of intensifying terrorism, Qatar has continued binding international legal ba- a crime against humanity. 1995 Review Conference of the This is based on its belief in a itself of weapons of mass de- joint eff orts to prevent extrem- to work with its partners in the sis to consider the conduct of The international commu- NPT. Gulf Times 28 Thursday, October 25, 2018 QATAR

Qatar National Library’s Board of Trustees chair HE Sheikha Hind bint Hamad al-Thani, HE the Minister of State Dr Abdulaziz bin Hamad al-Kuwari, and the British Library Board chair Dame Carol Black at the reception in London yesterday. HE Sheikha Hind touring the digitisation studio of the British Library in London yesterday. Qatar Digital Library set to expand its collection ore additions to Qatar dation for Education, Science and Sheikha Hind said. “This will rush of excitement I always felt learned that a story has many dif- perspectives from which it was mother, Her Highness Sheikha Digital Library are on Community Development, Qatar strengthen cultural, intellectual, when the desk light fl ashed to tell ferent faces. Without libraries, I viewed,” she highlighted. Moza bint Nasser, Chairperson of Mthe cards, Qatar Na- National Library, and the Brit- and scientifi c bridges between me my book was ready for collec- may never have made a discovery “In the four years since the Qa- Qatar Foundation, envisaged this tional Library’s Board of Trustees ish Library to digitise historical the Arab and Islamic world, and tion.” that I will always be grateful for,” tar Digital Library was launched partnership as a way of allowing chair HE Sheikha Hind bint Ha- collections relating to Gulf his- the rest of the world,” she said. “The British Library enabled explained HE Sheikha Hind. through a partnership between people to look at history through mad al-Thani announced yester- tory and Arabic scientifi c manu- Recollecting her student days me to add to the image of my na- “But the biggest reason why Qatar Foundation and the British fresh eyes. The Qatar Digital Li- day. scripts. in London HE Sheikha Hind said: tion’s history that I held in my this library means so much to me Library, we have already seen how brary is an embodiment of that She was speaking at a recep- “The third phase of our part- “While studying for a Master’s mind, not just from documents is because it taught me some- this important resource, man- vision,” she said. tion at the British Library in Lon- nership with the British Library, degree at University College Lon- relating to my own ancestors, but thing I will always remember. We aged by Qatar National Library, According to HE Sheikha Hind, don last night to mark the fourth which begins next year, will add don, I came to the British Library also from accounts by others who learn about our nation’s history has added value to the world’s everyone in the world can now anniversary of the Qatar Digital almost 1mn further pages to the often – not only to carry out re- were in Qatar at pivotal times in through our families, friends, historians and researchers, as access more than 1.5mn digitised Library (www.qdl.qa), which has Qatar Digital Library, while ma- search for my thesis, but because its history – British diplomats, for and teachers. They give a pic- a unifi ed platform for collec- pages, for free, through Qatar Dig- content in both Arabic and Eng- terial from partners in Turkey, it was my favourite place in Lon- example, sending their reports ture its colour. But they cannot tions of material that aid schol- ital Library, bringing the Arab and lish. France, the Netherlands, India, don. I could feel the hand of his- back home. I discovered how they always give us the elements that ars of Qatar and the Gulf, medi- Islamic cultural and intellectual The website is the result of a and the UK will also signifi - tory, and the soul of heritage. Be- saw my country. I could almost complete the picture – the facts, eval Arab science and medicine, legacy to the forefront of people’s partnership between Qatar Foun- cantly expand its collection,” HE ing here tonight brings back the travel into their thoughts. And I the fi gures, and the diff erent and other spheres of study. My studies and understanding.