BUSINESS | Page 1 SPORT | Page 1 Ruthless Hamilton roars to INDEX DOW JONES QE NYMEX QATAR 2-8, 24 COMMENT 22, 23 REGION 9 BUSINESS 1-7, 14-16 Japan win 22,694.00 8,137.57 49.29 ARAB WORLD 9 CLASSIFIED 8-13 Qatar Airways Cargo -46.00 +5.52 -1.50 INTERNATIONAL 10-21 SPORTS 1-8 -0.20% +0.07% -2.95% now has 22 freighters Latest Figures published in QATAR since 1978

MONDAY Vol. XXXVIII No. 10601 October 9, 2017 Muharram 19, 1439 AH

GULF TIMES www. gulf-times.com 2 Riyals Emir meets Georgia envoy Metro station In brief set to open for

QATAR | Offi cial public viewing Emir condoles with Tunisian president Doha Metro station will be lic transport and its importance within His Highness the Emir Sheikh Tamim opened this month for pub- the community. bin Hamad al-Thani and His Highness Alic viewing, HE the Minister of Stressing that Qatar has overcome the Deputy Emir Sheikh Abdullah bin Transport and Communications Jassim the impacts of the ongoing siege, HE al- Hamad al-Thani sent yesterday cables Seif Ahmed al-Sulaiti has said. Sulaiti said the MoTC plans to build an of condolences to Tunisian President The public can also view a Metro train integrated transport system involving Beji Caid Essebsi on the death of the as part of this initiative, the offi cial Qa- Qatar and neighbouring countries with Minister of Health, Slim Chaker. HE the tar News Agency (QNA) reports. which there are bilateral agreements. Prime Minister and Interior Minister Speaking yesterday on the sidelines of The transport and communica- Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa a signing ceremony for a memorandum tions sector has seen signifi cant de- al-Thani also sent a similar cable to of understanding between Qatar Foun- velopments, whether in air, land or sea Tunisia Prime Minister Youssef Chahed. dation for Social Work and the Minis- transportation, and what the MoTC has try of Transport and Communications achieved in co-operation with other (MoTC), as well as the inauguration of ministries to open maritime and air QATAR | Reaction the call centre and hotline of the Pro- routes represents a positive step and Jeddah security post tection and Social Rehabilitation Centre quick response to the requirements of (Aman), HE the Minister informed that the times, QNA adds. attack condemned the second batch of Metro trains has ar- Major ports in Oman, India, China, Qatar has strongly condemned the rived in Doha while the third is on its way. Pakistan and other destinations have attack on a security checkpost of the He also informed that a centre would been targeted, HE the Minister noted, Royal Guard in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, be opened to introduce children to pub- adding that latest technologies have which resulted in the death of two been adopted and steps taken to con- security off icers and injuring three nect Hamad Port with 57 ports in the others. In a statement issued yesterday, region and beyond. the Foreign Ministry reiterated Qatar’s The $7.4bn Hamad Port, which was firm position rejecting violence and offi cially inaugurated last month, is terrorism regardless of their motives expected to take more than 35% of the or reasons. The statement expressed region’s trade in the next two years, HE Qatar’s condolences to the families of the Minister had earlier said, adding the victims, wishing speedy recovery that the port had taken 27% of the re- for the injured. His Highness the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani met at the Emiri Diwan yesterday with the outgoing ambassador of gion’s trade since its initial operations in Georgia Ekaterine Meiering-Mikadze. During the meeting, the Emir granted the ambassador the Decoration of Al Wajbah in December 2015. recognition of her role in enhancing ties between Qatar and Georgia, wishing her every success in her future assignment and for Meanwhile, Qatar Railways Company ARAB WORLD | Confl ict the relations between Qatar and Georgia further progress and prosperity. For her part, the ambassador expressed thanks and HE the Minister of Transport and received the fi rst batch of Doha Metro Anti-IS force near ‘fi nal’ appreciation to the Emir and the State off icials for the co-operation she received which contributed to the success of her mission. Communications Jassim Seif Ahmed trains in August, two months ahead of week of Raqqa fi ght Page 2 al-Sulaiti. schedule. US-backed fighters battling to oust the Islamic State group from Syria’s Raqqa were nearing the “final week” of their assault, the campaign’s commander said yesterday. The Syrian Democratic Warning against blocking Forces have captured around 90 % of IS’s one-time bastion and are closing in Qatar off ers business on the militants in a pocket of territory yellow box at junctions near Raqqa city centre. Captured by IS in 2014, the northern Syrian city was the de facto capital of the militants’ ore than 400 violations involv- the offi cial Qatar News Agency (QNA) self-styled “caliphate” until the US- opportunities in sports ing motorists blocking the yel- reported yesterday. backed assault. Page 9 Mlow box at intersections have The yellow area in question consists of been recorded since August this year, an intersecting yellow lines that occupy the ast growing Qatar, which is host- World Cup, Qatar has witnessed a huge offi cial of the General Directorate of Traf- common cross-section at signallised in- EUROPE | Politics ing 2022 FIFA World Cup, has boom in the construction sector result- fi c has said. tersections, and motorists are prevented Merkel ‘nears refugee Foff ered abundant opportunities ing in a large number of infrastructure Article 72 of the Traffi c Law, which from stopping on them in order to facili- deal’ in coalition talks to companies in the sports and events projects, including a $20bn investment was introduced two months ago, states tate the fl ow of traffi c. sectors, according to a top offi cial of its in roads; $40bn in stadiums and an that “despite having priority or if the Traffi c rules stipulate that a driver Two weeks after winning elections with fi nancial centre. $8bn in a deep-water seaport. traffi c light indicates green, a motorist cannot stop on the yellow box even if the a reduced majority, German Chancellor “With the 2022 FIFA World Cup The QFC – which is an onshore busi- may not move the vehicle if such (an) act signal is green if the direction in which Angela Merkel neared a deal yesterday preparations in full swing, there is an ness and fi nancial centre, providing a will disrupt or hinder traffi c, and who- s/he is moving is crowded in such a way to unite her conservative camp on abundance of business opportunities platform for regulated and non-regu- ever has priority may waive such priority that prevents him/her from crossing the the flashpoint issue of refugee policy in the sports and events sectors,” Qatar lated fi rms to do business in Qatar and if traffi c conditions so require”, according junction. as she seeks to build a new coalition Financial Centre (QFC) chief executive in the Middle East and North Africa re- to the Al Meezan portal. In order to curb this practice, which government, a party source said. Yousuf Mohamed al-Jaida said. gion – is eyeing to triple the assets (for- The penalty for this off ence is QR500 is causing harm to road users as well as Merkel’s team huddled for closed-door Addressing some of the most infl u- eign direct investments) of more than as well as three points, said First Lieuten- confusion at intersections and on main talks with her Bavarian CSU allies led ential international fi gures in football 300 QFC registered, which now stands ant Ahmed Ali al-Kuwari, traffi c control roads, the General Directorate of Traffi c by Horst Seehofer, who blames her and leading members of the scientifi c QFC chief executive Yousuf Mohamed at QR75bn, to more than QR200bn. offi cer at the security monitoring de- began monitoring yellow box violations decision to allow in over 1mn asylum community in London at the ‘ASPIRE- al-Jaida The platform allows fi nancial serv- partment, stressing that the monitoring in accordance with Article 72 of Traffi c seekers since 2015 for the rise of the 4SPORT’, he said the National Vision ices activities such as banking, asset of yellow box violations through security Law No 19 of 2007. far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) 2030 places investment in sports as Qatar is already home to triathlon management, and insurance, reinsur- surveillance cameras was being activated First Lieutenant al-Kuwari said block- party. Beleaguered Seehofer - who part of a multi-faceted strategy to en- company ‘TriDoha’, sports organisa- ance, and investment services. The at all intersections. ing the yellow box at intersections was a after a vote drubbing faces internal sure that Qatar’s economic develop- tions including Qatar 2022 Local Or- QFC also off ers its own legal, regula- As the directorate warned motorists big concern because it caused congestion. challengers, and state elections next ment is diverse and sustainable. ganising Committee and ‘FansWorld tory, tax and business environment, against blocking the yellow box at signal- In the event of traffi c congestion and year - had revived his calls to cap the The event, which is organised by As- 12’ and events companies such as ‘DMG which allows 100% foreign ownership, lised junctions as it causes accidents and even if the signal allows to proceed, he national refugee intake at 200,000 pire Zone and sponsored by QFC, dis- Events’, ‘SwissOpen Air International’ 100% repatriation of profi ts, and levies traffi c jams, First Lieutenant al-Kuwari said, drivers should not move until the a year, a demand Merkel has so far cussed the challenges and updates of and ‘AMCASIA’. a competitive rate of 10% corporate tax said they started monitoring such viola- cars ahead of them move in order to avoid rejected as unconstitutional. Page 15 sports training methodology worldwide. In preparation for the 2022 FIFA on locally sourced profi ts. tions through cameras two months ago, jams. QFSW launches call centre for social protection services

QNA foundation, developing and activating and Chairperson of Qatar foundation the mechanisms to deal with incoming psychological and material support af- Qatar’s National Vision, noting that Ih- Doha its role in the society, facilitating the for Social Work Munira bint Nasser al- communications and support, and re- ter imposing the siege. san and Shafallah centres will witness exchange of information between the Misnad. porting complaints of cases of domes- Al-Mannai noted that the number of similar events in the near future. foundation and the ministry, and the The call centre and hotline will pro- tic violence against the target groups of aff ected citizens of the four siege coun- In press statements, al-Khulaifi said atar Foundation for Social Work implementation of joint projects. vide an advanced service for receiving women and children. tries reached 421 cases. the launch of the call centre and hotline (QFSW) inaugurated yesterday The MoU was signed by CEO of Qa- social protection applications or legal In addition, the call centre represents They have been supported by vari- refl ects the co-operation between the Qthe call centre and hotline of tar Foundation for Social Work Amal and psychological counselling services. the link between Aman clients and the ous means, including psychological QFSW and the Ministry of Interior rep- its the Protection and Social Rehabili- Abdullatif al-Mannai and Assistant It aims to meet the needs of target social, psychological or legal special- and family counselling, rehabilitation, resented by the Community Police De- tation Centre (Aman) to receive social Undersecretary for Information Tech- groups of women and children, ensure ists. housing and material aid, in co-op- partment and the Central Operations protection calls or advisory, legal and nology at the Ministry of Transport and the operation of hotlines and support It receives dozens of calls daily and eration with the relevant authorities, Department at the National Command psychological services. Communications Hassan Jassim al- in professional ways, and enhance the sometimes reaches hundreds per day, stressing that the centres of the foun- Centre. QFSW also signed a memorandum Sayyed, in the presence of HE the Min- skills of specialised and highly skilled ranging from requests for protection, dation continue to provide services The call centre will receive com- of understanding with the Ministry ister of Transport and Communication personnel in monitoring the initial in- counselling and guidance. without change, discrimination or in- plaints from citizens and residents re- of Transport and Communications Jassim Seif Ahmed al-Sulaiti, HE the dicators of diagnosis, monitoring sta- In a press conference held on the terruption. garding domestic violence on the target for three years aims at enhancing co- Minister of Public Health Dr Hanan tistics accurately, recording the neces- sidelines of signing the MoU, al-Man- She praised the active and construc- groups of women and children, which operation between the two sides, sup- Mohamed al-Kuwari, HE the Director- sary data and answering inquiries. nai said that the foundation has formed tive partnership with the public and was previously received by the Central porting the civil society organisations General of Public Security Staff Major The centre will receive all calls on a team for crisis communication to deal private sectors to enhance the com- Operations Department through emer- working under the umbrella of the General Saad bin Jassim al-Khulaifi the hotline (919) by qualifi ed cadres on with the aff ected cases and provide plementary relationship that achieves gency service (999). Gulf Times 2 Monday, October 9, 2017 QATAR

Emir receives credentials of three new ambassadors

His Highness the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani received at the Emiri Diwan off ice yesterday morning the credentials of three new ambassadors to Qatar. He received the credentials of Tajikistan ambassador Khisrav Sohibzoda, Belgium ambassador Bart De Groof and Liberia ambassador John Ballout. The ambassadors conveyed the greetings of leaders of their countries to His Highness the Emir and their best wishes for the Qatari people of further progress and prosperity. His Highness the Emir welcomed the new ambassadors and wished them success in their missions and for the relations between Qatar and their respective countries further progress and prosperity. Earlier, the ambassadors were accorded off icial reception ceremonies at Emiri Diwan.

Emir sends Emir meets Vietnamese envoy condolences to Tajikistan Doha to host Global Dryland president His Highness the Emir Sheikh Alliance founding conference Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani and His Highness the Deputy Emir Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad nder the auspices of environmental and economic implement programmes and al-Thani sent yesterday cables His Highness the Emir impacts associated with climate projects of the member states of condolences to Tajikistan USheikh Tamim bin Ha- change. in diff erent fi elds related to food President Emomali Rahmon on mad al-Thani, Qatar will host Ambassador Bader al-Dafa, security. the death of his brother Nuriddin the Global Dryland Alliance executive director of the Global Drylands have become a criti- Rahmon. (GDA) Founding Conference Dryland Alliance, said: “The Al- cal issue given the space they from October 14 to 16 at the liance is an international organi- occupy across the globe. Ac- Sheraton Grand Doha Resort and sation that will contribute to cording to a United Nations Emir condoles Convention Hotel. stability and peace in the world classifi cation, drylands exist in Delegations from 25 coun- by ensuring food security in 51 countries that are home to a with president tries in the Middle East, North dryland countries.” third of the world’s population. of Kyrgyz Africa, Sahel, Central Africa, The GDA aims to combat food Ambassador al-Dafa high- Central and East Asia, and South insecurity, develop solutions for lighted the importance of in- His Highness the Emir Sheikh America, as well as interna- shared food security problems ternational co-operation as Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, tional organisations, will attend and exchange expertise in times “the best way to develop new His Highness the Deputy Emir the conference, according to a of crises. It seeks to work with solutions based on research and Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad statement. local, regional and international technological innovations, and al-Thani and HE the Prime The conference will witness partners to identify, dissemi- improve policies and successful Minister and Interior Minister the signing of the foundation nate and implement solutions applications in the fi eld of food His Highness the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani met at the Emiri Diwan yesterday with Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin treaty of the new organisation for agricultural, water and en- security”. Vietnamese ambassador Nguyen Hoang, who called on His Highness the Emir to greet him on Khalifa al-Thani sent yesterday headquartered in Doha. ergy challenges faced in dryland He added, “The GDA will the occasion of the end of his tenure in the country. During the meeting, His Highness the Emir cables to Kyrgyz President The GDA is an initiative by His countries. complement the eff orts of exist- granted the outgoing ambassador the Decoration of Al Wajbah in recognition of his role in Almazbek Atambayev, off ering Highness Sheikh Tamim to es- According to the statement, ing international organisations enhancing ties between Qatar and Vietnam, wishing him every success in his future assignment condolences on the death of tablish an international organi- the GDA will promote part- and will not duplicate their work and for the relations between the two countries further progress and prosperity. The Temir Dzhumakadyrov, Deputy sation to face food insecurity nerships with both the public or compete in the fi eld of food ambassador expressed thanks and appreciation to His Highness the Emir and off icials in the Prime Minister for Security consequences and the negative and private sectors to fund and security.” State for the co-operation he received. Aff airs, following a traff ic accident. Speaker meets US senators Unesco board elects new director-general today

HE Dr Hamad bin Abdulaziz Azoulay from France and Mou- cultural reforms in order to in- secure the world cultural and al-Kuwari is among seven shira Khattab from Egypt – are crease universal respect for jus- natural heritage (World Herit- candidates contesting for the competing for the post. tice, the rule of law, and human age Sites) and to preserve hu- director-general’s post The winner will be announced rights along with fundamental man rights, and attempts to on October 13. Then the general freedom proclaimed in the UN bridge the worldwide digital conference will elect the execu- Charter. It is the successor of the divide. It is also a member of he UN Educational, Sci- tive board at its 39th session on League of Nations’ International the UN Development Group. entifi c and Cultural Or- November 10, with the partici- Committee on Intellectual Co- The executive board ensures Tganisation (Unesco) pation of the 195 member states. operation. the overall management of headquarters in Paris will see to- The new director-general will Unesco has 195 member Unesco. It prepares the work of day the election for the organi- assume offi ce on November 15. states and 10 associate mem- the general conference and sees sation’s 11th director-general, The Unesco director-general bers. Most of its fi eld offi ces are that its decisions are properly with seven candidates compet- is appointed for a period of four “cluster” offi ces covering three carried out. The functions and ing to succeed the Bulgarian years, and may be appointed or more countries; national and responsibilities of the Executive Irina Bokova. for a further term of four years, regional offi ces also exist. Board are derived primarily from HE the Speaker of the Advisory Council Mohammed bin Mubarak al-Khulaifi met yesterday with a Fifty-eight members of the but shall not be eligible for re- Unesco pursues its objec- the Constitution and from rules delegation of US Senators. During the meeting, they discussed parliamentary relations between Unesco executive board are appointment for a subsequent tives through fi ve major pro- or directives laid down by the Qatar and the US and means of strengthening and developing them. The meeting was attended by holding its 202nd session in term. grammes: education, natural general conference. HE the Deputy Speaker of the Advisory Council Issa bin Rabia al-Kuwari and Secretary-General of Paris under the chairmanship The 10th director-general, sciences, social/human sci- The general conference con- the Advisory Council Fahad bin Mubarak al-Khayareen. of Germany’s ambassador to Irina Bokova, was the fi rst wom- ences, culture and communi- sists of the representatives of Unesco Michael Worbs to choose an to occupy the post after win- cation/information. Projects Unesco’s member states. It the candidate. The person to ning the elections of 2009 with sponsored by Unesco include meets every two years, and is be nominated by the executive 31 votes ahead of the runner-up, literacy, technical, and teacher- attended by member states and board will be chosen by secret Egypt’s former culture minister training programmes, interna- associate members, together ballot. Farouk Hosni, by three votes. tional science programmes, the with observers for non-member Seven candidates – HE Dr Ha- Unesco is a specialised agen- promotion of independent me- states, intergovernmental or- mad bin Abdulaziz al-Kuwari cy of the United Nations (UN) dia and freedom of the press, ganisations and non-govern- Dlala Brokerage, QU from Qatar, Polad Bulbuloglu based in Paris. Its declared pur- regional and cultural history mental organisations (NGOs). from Azerbaijan, Pham Sanh pose is to contribute to peace projects, the promotion of cul- Each country has one vote, irre- Chau from Vietnam, Qian Tang and security by promoting inter- tural diversity, translations of spective of its size or the extent from China, Vera El-Khoury La- national collaboration through world literature, international of its contribution to the budget. coeuilhe from Lebanon, Audrey educational, scientifi c, and co-operation agreements on (QNA) sign education MoU

atar University (QU) has Commenting on the MoU, Dr sity off ers a wide range of aca- signed a memorandum al-Ansari said that QU is com- demic programmes especially Qof understanding (MoU) mitted to strengthen links with designed to shape a generation with Dlala Brokerage and In- institutions from the wider of professionals who are well Qatar taking part in WHO vestment to establish collabo- community and various sec- equipped with the necessary ration in the fi eld of education, tors through the exchange of skills and knowledge to realise research and training. expertise, which contributes the goals of Qatar National Vi- The MoU was signed by QU to Qatar’s socio-economic sion 2030,” he added. regional committee meet Vice President for Academic development. For his part, Dr al-Hammadi Aff airs Dr Omar al-Ansari, and He underlined that university said, “It is a great honour to sign Dlala Brokerage and Investment places the economic sector and an agreement with QU. This atar will take part in the regional strategy on health and of non-communicable diseases, chief executive offi cer Dr Ab- the labour market at the heart aligns with our goal to exchange 64th session of the WHO the environment 2014-19, the scaling up mental healthcare, dulaziz Ali al-Hammadi. of its strategy. The university best practices and experiences QRegional Committee regional plan of action for im- implementation of the Interna- The terms of the MoU include launched new academic pro- with the leading institutions in for the Eastern Mediterranean, plementation of the roadmap for tional Health Regulations, the collaboration between institu- grammes, especially tailored to Qatar”. which kicks off in the Pakistan an enhanced global response to report of the Regional Assess- framework for action on cancer tions in the fi eld of education, fulfi l the national aspirations Dr Khalid al-Abdulqader, capital Islamabad today. the adverse health eff ects of air ment Commission on the status prevention and control, Climate research and training, as well as towards a knowledge-based dean, College of Business and A delegation from the Minis- pollution, implementation of of implementation of the In- change and health (framework the exchange of scientists and economy. Economics, said that the MoU try of Public Health will repre- the Eastern Mediterranean vac- ternational Health Regulations, for action), operationalisation researchers for various instruc- Dr al-Ansari said that the MoU aims to establish collaboration sent Qatar in the meetings. cine action plan 2016-20, re- and the implementation of the of the adolescent health com- tional and training initiatives in will contribute to the exchange of in the fi eld of research and train- The four-day programme will gional strategy for the improve- regional malaria action plan ponent of the global strategy for the fi eld of business, fi nance and knowledge and expertise, which ing and to provide students with include the election of offi cers, ment of civil registration and 2016-20. women’s, children’s and adoles- information technology. is of the benefi t of the students. It the opportunity to get hands- the annual report of the regional vital statistics systems 2014-19. Several technical papers will cent’s health 2016-30, and anti- Other areas of collaboration in- also underlines QU’s pivotal role on experience, which is of the director, progress reports on the The meetings will also dis- also be reviewed during the microbial resistance in the East- clude the organisation of joint con- in the fi eld of education. benefi t of both the students and eradication of poliomyelitis, the cuss the prevention and control meeting, including the regional ern Mediterranean Region. ferences, seminars and workshops. “In this context, the univer- faculty members.

Gulf Times 4 Monday, October 9, 2017 QATAR SC partners up with Commercial Bank to

A Commercial Bank staff explaining to workers the benefits of aid staff remittances remitting through the app. he Supreme Committee for mobile app in a simple, fast and two hours every time they choose “We are proud to partner with Delivery and Legacy (SC), safe way without having to travel to wire money to their families – Commercial Bank on this ini- Tthe organisation respon- to traditional currency exchange invariably on rest days. tiative and have been impressed sible for delivering the stadiums houses. Over the past few weeks, with the work carried out so far. for the 2022 FIFA World Cup, has With 8,000 SC workers cur- Commercial Bank offi cials have The training that has been car- partnered with Commercial Bank rently registered as Commer- worked with the SC to determine ried out has allowed our workers to help workers send money back cial Bank customers, as much as the workers’ accommodations to learn about the benefi ts of this their home countries through the QR16mn – more than $4mn – is that do not have easy access to service and put them into prac- latter’s digital platforms, provid- being transferred to India, Nepal, ATMs or exchange houses, and tice immediately,” said Khalid al- ing secure international money Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and the conducted training sessions for Kubaisi, the chief of the SC Ad- transfers at a low cost. Philippines every month from workers that will see those prac- visory Unit and Special Projects. The agreement with Com- workers on projects directly re- tices become a thing of the past. “Time and money is precious for mercial Bank – Qatar’s fi rst pri- lated to the 2022 FIFA World Cup, A dedicated call centre has also everyone and we hope this serv- vate bank – off ers workers on a statement from the bank said. been set up to handle any queries ice gives our workers more of SC projects the chance to trans- Between travel time and queu- related to registration or usage of both.” fer wages home using the bank’s ing, workers lose an average of the remittance solution. Commercial Bank executive general manager of Consumer Banking Amit Sah said: “We are continuously investing in tech- nologies that will improve the way we work for the benefi t of our customers and Qatar. We want to be the leading bank for innovation, and initiatives like this one are key to achieving our goal.” He said that the way consum- ers fulfi ll their banking needs is changing, as customers want to SC project workers with their cellphones after downloading the Commercial Bank app. bank and transact on the go. Off ering this feature, Sah said, the people of Qatar for many 150 countries worldwide, thanks change their PIN (personal iden- utilises the latest technology to years to come,” said Commer- to an agreement with one of the tifi cation number), block lost respond to this ever increasing cial Bank AGM Roya Khajeh, the leading global remittance solu- or stolen cards, check daily ex- demand. head of Cards and Payments at tion providers. change rates, and send money “Our strategic partnership the bank. The new service off ers com- instantly. with SC means we can extend our After downloading the app and petitive exchange rates and low The sender and the benefi ciary services and reach more people. adding their selected benefi ci- transaction fees, providing sig- will both receive an instant SMS We hope that the relationships aries, Commercial Bank off ers nifi cant savings to the customers. as soon as the money is delivered built between the Supreme Com- customers the chance to trans- The app also lets the customer to ensure peace of mind for both Workers being briefed about features of Commercial Bank mobile banking. mittee and the Bank will support fer money safely and securely to view balances, check statements, the sender and the receiver.

Gulf Times 6 Monday, October 9, 2017 QATAR Doha South project sets benchmark by clocking 1.5mn injury-free hours

shghal has achieved 1.5mn hancement comes as a result of Ash- man-hours without loss ghal’s comprehensive and stringent Atime injury (LTI) since it health and safety measures which started implementing the works of are included in the pre-qualifi ca- Doha South Sewage Infrastructure tion process for contractors apply- Project in December 2016, it was ing to work on any of the authority’s announced yesterday. projects.” The achievement was celebrated The Doha South Sewage Infra- in the presence of Drainage Net- structure Project works started with works Projects Department man- excavation works for the main trunk ager engineer Khalid Saif al-Khay- sewer in December 2016. More than areen along with representatives two-third of the project works are from CH2M, the project manage- completed. ment consultant. The project comprises the con- Certifi cates of appreciation struction of a 16km main trunk sew- were presented to the project con- er, divided into three segments, east- tractor, joint venture ‘Bouygues ern, northern and western. This is in Travaux Publics’ and ‘UCC’, rep- addition to the design and construc- resented by Daniel Clert. On the tion of 11 shafts that will be used to occasion, al-Khayareen said, excavate the main tunnel. The main A view of a section of the main trunk sewer which is “This important achievement in trunk sewer will convey the sewage completed. the fi eld of workplace safety en- fl ows through pumping stations to the existing Doha south treatment works. The project also includes the con- struction of seven lateral interceptor sewers with a length of about 24km, which will convey fl ows from areas in the centre of Doha to the main tun- nel. Ashghal’s engineer Khalid Saif al-Khayareen is seen with consultants after presenting a certificate of appreciation. The Doha South Sewage Infra- structure Project is designed to serve trunk sewer that will link a number age flows exceed its capacity. The Infrastructure Project is the fi rst areas in the south of Doha and the of areas in the south of Doha to the main trunk sewer will be excavated project in the region to implement expected population growth. The sewage network. using two tunnel-boring machines the ‘Ceequal’ an international evi- project can be linked to future infra- As a result, it will reduce the en- designed specifically for the geo- dence-based sustainability assess- structure projects and when com- vironmental impacts through the logical features encountered in ment, rating and awards scheme pleted, it will enable the decommis- full control of odours in sewage Doha. for civil engineering, infrastruc- sioning of more than 20 old pumping treatment works and conveying To minimise the footprint with- ture, landscaping and works in stations currently located in the resi- system, and reduce other envi- in the city of Doha, fi ve shafts public spaces. The joint venture dential and commercial areas in the ronmental problems arising from will be excavated using a vertical ‘Bouygues Travaux Publics’ and south of Doha. sewage overflow due to excess shaft machine. The project will ‘UCC’ is the project contractor and One of the important benefi ts of hydraulic pressure on the exist- be completed by the fi rst quarter ‘CH2M’ is the project management the project is the gravity-based main ing drainage network, where sew- of 2019. The Doha South Sewage consultant. Doha Bank launches Qatar’s fi rst ‘Green Mortgage’ scheme

oha Bank has launched Qatar’s earn an interest of 1.25% per annum on first ‘Green Mortgage’ home loan minimum balance held in the account Dprogramme as part of efforts during the month, up to a maximum cap aimed at rewarding environmentally- of QR2mn deposit. conscious new homeowners, it was an- Doha Bank Group CEO Dr R Seethara- nounced in a statement. man said: “With environmental sustain- The offer features discounts on loan ability being among our top priorities at fees or interest rates on homes that are Doha Bank, we are proud to introduce our certified as energy-efficient. In addition most innovative mortgage offer yet in the to huge savings on utility costs, the Green Qatari property market, which is a key Mortgage programme offers an interest sector for the Qatari economy. rate of up to 3.99% and repayment option “As Qatar’s first mortgage programme of up to 20 years. of its kind, Green Mortgage encourages Other benefits provided by Doha Bank our customers to seriously consider the include zero management and mortgage many benefits of investing in sustain- fees, complimentary property fire insur- able homes that are energy-efficient and ance for one year, and a free-for-life Visa also come with lower utility costs while Infinite or Platinum credit card with the enjoying attractive interest rates on their option to receive two additional supple- mortgages.” mentary cards. For more information or to speak to a Doha Bank will also provide to its customer service representative about ‘Green Mortgage’ customers an optional Doha Bank Green Mortgage, call +974 free mortgage interest saver account, 4445 6000 or visit any Doha Bank branch which comes with additional unique or log on to the bank’s website www.do- benefits, including the opportunity to habank.com.qa.

MEC announces recall of Mercedes E-Class models

he Ministry of Economy and Com- and repair them. The MEC said that it will merce (MEC), in collaboration with co-ordinate with the dealer to follow up on TNasser Bin Khaled Automobiles, has the maintenance and repair works and will announced the recall of Mercedes-Benz communicate with customers to ensure E-Class model of 2017 because the tyre- that the necessary repairs are carried out. change tool kit or ‘Tirefi t’ may possibly be The MEC has urged all customers to re- missing and the software for the instru- port any violations to its Consumer Protec- ment cluster may not comply with the tion and Anti-Commercial Fraud Depart- specifi cation. ment through the following channels: Call The MEC said the recall campaign comes centre: 16001, e-mail: [email protected], within the framework of its ongoing ef- Twitter: @MEC_Qatar, Instagram: MEC_ forts to protect consumers and ensure that Qatar, MEC mobile app for Android and car dealers follow up on vehicles’ defects IOS: MEC_Qatar Ooredoo, Urban Point sign partnership deal

oredoo and Urban Point announced yesterday a new partnership agreement that will provide Ooredoo customers with free month-long access to all Urban Point of- Ofers, as well as the option to pay any ongoing subscriptions via their Ooredoo bill. The Urban Point App, which was awarded the ‘Mobile App of 2016’ in Qatar, provides dis- counts to restaurants, cafes, beauty salons, health clubs, and fun activities in Qatar. After the free subscription ends, Ooredoo customers can also pay for their Urban Point app subscription (QR15 per month) via their Shahry bill or directly from Hala users credit. According to Urban Point, an active Urban Point user saves QR278 per month on average, and the hundreds of offers available via the App range from ‘Buy 1 Get 1 Free’ offers to many other promotions that can be used by singles, couples, and families. The Urban Point App is available on Android and iOS now.

Gulf Times 8 Monday, October 9, 2017 QATAR Mowasalat attends Aspire exhibition in London

owasalat (Karwa) has of the Ministry of Transport and and Sports Salah bin Ghanem a legacy for large events,” the participated in the Communications and in accord- bin Nasser al-Ali and Qatar’s statement noted. Meighth ASPIRE4SPORT ance with the national strategy, ambassador to the UK Yousef ASPIRE4SPORT was held at Congress & Exhibition 2017, to “beef up its resources with bin Ali al-Khater were among the home ground of Chelsea the annual B2B and networking respect to fl eet, operation size, the dignitaries who joined the FC, Stamford Bridge, with the event organised by Aspire Zone, drivers, staffi ng and adopting Mowasalat team at the com- participation of more than 70 in London. latest training programmes by pany’ stand and provided them of big companies from around The transport provider’s rep- embracing the latest technology with full support. the world. resentatives attended business and with innovative measures”. Mowasalat, representing the During the two-day event, deliberations held across diff er- The company is expanding in transport industry of Qatar, some of the most influential ent levels as well as B2B meetings phases to attain the projected showcased innovative meas- figures in football along with with prominent UK companies, target for Qatar to successfully ures in “providing transport leading members of the scien- Mowasalat said in a statement. deliver the 2022 FIFA World solutions for large events to tific community met to discuss Mowasalat stressed that it is Cup. contribute to hosting a suc- the challenges facing sports HE the Minister of Culture and Sports Salah bin Ghanem bin Nasser al-Ali, Qatar’s ambassador to the UK gearing up, under the umbrella HE the Minister of Culture cessful World Cup and leave and relevant updates. Yousef bin Ali al-Khater and other dignitaries visited the Mowasalat stand.

DFI seeks volunteers Qatar Airways to launch for Ajyal fi lm festival

s the countdown to the ing, guest registration, guest fi fth edition of the Ajyal relations, hospitality, Geek- AYouth Film Festival be- dom and the Family Weekend gins, the Doha Film Institute among others. fl ights to St Petersburg (DFI) is seeking enthusiastic “The Ajyal Youth Film Fes- volunteers to get involved and tival is more than about show- atar Airways has an- contribute to the smooth run- casing new and acclaimed nounced that it will Airline unveils ning of the annual celebration voices in regional and global Qlaunch fl ights to the cul- ‘two seats, one great of fi lm from November 29 to cinema; it is also about bring- tural capital of Russia, St Peters- off er’ campaign December 4. ing together the community in burg, on December 19. Ajyal is expected to welcome a cultural celebration that adds With this, the Russian routes Qatar Airways’ latest “two seats, thousands of cinema lovers in to the pride of our nation,” DFI operated by the Doha-based one great off er” sales campaign Doha, along with regional and CEO Fatma al-Remaihi, also carrier will double, Qatar Air- is providing First and Business international fi lm industry the Festival director, said in a ways has said in a press state- Class passengers a special dis- guests. statement. ment. count when booking two seats As a unique demonstra- In the previous years, she Qatar Airways fi rst started fl y- together. tion of the community spirit noted that Ajyal volunteers ing to Russia in 2004, and now, Passengers can enjoy up to 50% fostered by DFI, the Ajyal vol- played a leading role in the 13 years later, the airline off ers discounts on all-inclusive pre- unteers will be exposed to the success of the Festival with three daily fl ights between Doha mium fares when booking flights inner workings of a major cul- their tireless eff orts and dedi- and Moscow’s Domodedovo In- on board its award-winning First tural event, interact with Fes- cation in helping make every ternational Airport. and Business Class cabins when tival guests and jurors of many Ajyal memorable. The new daily service will be booking from today until October nationalities, gain valuable in- “This event provides com- operated with an Airbus A320, 16, 2017 with travel validity until dustry experience, and receive munity members with a off ering 12 fl atbed seats in Busi- May 31, 2018. Special discounts a participation certifi cate to unique opportunity to make ness Class and 120 seats in Econ- on individual fares are also honour their involvement. new friends, interact with fi lm omy Class. available. “Family, friends and col- During the week-long industry experts and gain rich Sophisticated St Peters- leagues will now be able to enjoy event, volunteers will be on insights into the functioning burg is the jewel in the Russian our renowned five-star service hand to support diff erent of an international cultural “crown”, and home to the coun- with this special off er to many Festival events and venues event,” al-Remaihi added. try’s incredible art collections, exciting destinations, including located within Katara – the Open to all Qatar residents legendary Hermitage Museum cities recently added to our net- Cultural Village, and help aged 18 and above, interested and internationally-recognised work such as Nice, Prague, and with all aspects of the Fes- candidates can register on the historic buildings. With its el- Dublin,” Qatar Airways’ chief com- tival’s operations including DFI website today onwards at egant canals and rich history to mercial off icer Ehab Amin said. theatre operations, the Ajyal www.dohafilminstitute.com/ explore, St Petersburg is sure to Earlier this year, Qatar Airways Jury, transportation, market- fi lmfestival/volunteer. be an unmissable destination launched its groundbreaking for both visitors and business new Business Class seat, Qsuite, travellers alike, thanks to its dy- featuring the industry’s first-ever namic and growing economy, The new daily service to St Petersburg will be operated with an Airbus A320. double bed available in Business the statement noted. Class, with privacy panels that Qatar Airways Group chief our determination to continue Qatar Airways has received a ness Class and World’s Best First stow away, allowing passengers executive Akbar al-Baker said, expanding with scores of ex- number of major accolades this Class Airline Lounge. in adjoining seats to create their “St Petersburg is a very welcome citing new destinations to at- year, including Airline of the The new daily service will op- own private room. Adjustable addition to the Qatar Airways tract passengers from all over Year at the 2017 Skytrax World erate the following schedule: QR panels and movable TV monitors route map, and clearly shows the world, and welcome them Airline Awards, which was held 279 departing Doha at 7.30am on the centre four seats allow the importance of the Russian on board to enjoy the unrivalled at the Paris Air Show. This is the and arriving in St Petersburg at colleagues, friends or families market to us. There is enormous fi ve-star customer experience fourth time that Qatar Airways 1.50pm (Mon, Tue, Thu, Sat), QR travelling together to transform potential for extending our reach from Qatar Airways.” has been given this global recog- 280 departing St Petersburg at their space into a private suite, in Russia, thanks to its huge The multiple-award-winning nition as the world’s best airline. 5.25pm and arriving in Doha at allowing them to work, dine and population and economic sig- carrier said it has “many more Besides being voted Best Air- 11.30pm (Mon, Tue, Thu, Sat), socialise together. These new nifi cance. It also off ers a truly exciting new destinations” line by travellers from around QR 281 departing Doha at 3.55pm features provide the ultimate cus- unique experience for visitors, planned for the remainder of the world, Qatar’s national fl ag and arriving in St Petersburg at tomisable travel experience that especially to St Petersburg, with this year and in 2018, includ- carrier also won a raft of other 10.10pm (Wed, Fri, Sun), and QR enables passengers to create an its incredible imperial history as ing Canberra, Australia; Chiang major awards at the ceremony, 282 departing St Petersburg at environment that suits their own the former Russian capital. Mai, Thailand; and Cardiff , UK, including Best Airline in the 11.15pm and arriving in Doha at unique needs. “This new route demonstrates to name a few. Middle East, World’s Best Busi- 5.20am (+1) (Wed, Fri, Sun). Ajyal Youth Film Festival 2016 volunteers.

Elan Media in French tie-up for video tech

Qatar’s Elan Media has announced its partnership with Quividi of France to introduce the new Anonymous Video Analytics technology (AVA) which allows the former to measure accurately the audience of their Filipino tops in ‘SeeMyDoha’ contest Digital- Out- of- Home (DOOH) assets in real time and real life. While Elan Media is a leading company specialised in crafting innovative communication and advertising landscapes, Quividi, is described as the By Joey Aguilar industry standard for Audience Analytics in DOOH. Staff Reporter During the launch event that was attended by international creative and media agencies, advertisers of international and local retail brands, Elan Media CEO Jamie Ball and Quividi chief marketing off icer Denis he third and fi nal edition Gaumondie, Chief Marketing Off icer of Quividi, highlighted the benefits of of ‘SeeMyDoha’ pho- Quividi’s Advanced Audience Measurement technology, now fitted across Ttography competition ELAN Media’s digital MUPIs ((a type of advertising panel) deployed at awarded the winners yesterday Doha Festival City (DHFC) and Mall of Qatar (MoQ). during an exhibition at W Do- There was a live demo of an interactive advertising campaign on a digital ha’s Art29. screen similar to the MUPIs at the malls; where the content of the demo Richard Limbo, a Filipino liv- changed depending on the gender and outfit colour of the watcher ing in Doha for 12 years, bested standing in front of the screen. 12 other fi nalists to win the top Ball pointed out that the technology provides numbers and interpreta- prize, which was presented by tions. “For example, April 23, 2017, until date, we have had more than Jaidah Group executive director 50.5mn people walking by our assets at DHFC and MoQ. We can meas- Mohamed Jaidah and “SeeMy- ure their demographics, how much time they spent in front of the screen, City” founder Marianne Hope. and how much engaged they were with the content of each advertise- He received a two-night trip Richard Limbo receiving his prize from Mohamed Jaidah ment”. to Oman for two, with stay in a yesterday at a ceremony, with the first prize winning picture Mohamed Jaidah awards the second prize to Haya al-Thani. Quividi’s anonymous video analytic technology measures 900mn fi ve-star hotel. (centre) in the background. PICTURES: Ram Chand persons every month in more than 60 countries around the globe. Elan Haya al-Thani won the sec- Media, a subsidiary of Elan Group, owns 240 digital screens that include ond place while Iman Heaphy raphy but learned it through raphy enthusiasts in Doha. increased the opportunity of residents are not only capable ‘The Iconics’, two 72sqm digital screens in the MoQr, the ‘Axis’, a giant bagged the third place, with self-study by watching videos “SeeMyDoha started back in discovering new talents. of maintaining unity but have 28sqm rotating screen with 360-degree visibility at DHFC, and the ‘Torch’, each receiving a cash voucher of on Youtube, reading books and 2014, an initiative to promote He added that the result been showing time after time the largest roadside digital screen in Qatar, in addition to many others. QR5,000 at the ceremony. magazines. Qatar all over the world and achieved by the contest is a their love for this country,” Jai- “I didn’t expect to win this ‘SeeMyDoha’ is an off shoot the idea was to take your car, go collection of some of the most dah stressed. competition because all the of ‘SeeMyCity’ and has been around and take pictures, and amazing images showcasing “It is making us a stronger entries were really good,” Lim- adopted by Jaidah Automotive, show the world what Doha is all Qatar to the whole world its nation, and there is no bet- bo told Gulf Times. Using an Chevrolet’s exclusive dealer in about,” Jaidah said, noting that beauty and uniqueness in an ter way to show solidarity than iPhone 5 given by his fi ance, he Qatar, as the way forward to its the competition received tens of outstanding way. through art.” said he preferred the Museum of annual photography contest. thousands of pictures in the last “This year is also special Meanwhile, the exhibition, Islamic Art (in black and white) Participants are required to three years. given that it is the last edition, which will run until October 18, as his main subject for his entry. use camera-enabled smart- “SeeMyDoha” aims to por- but also at a time where we are is showcasing 12 photos from A street photographer but phones in taking pictures, tray Doha in a new and inspira- really proving and showing the this year’s competition. It in- a fi rst time participant in the which are then posted on Insta- tional way, refl ecting people’s world that we stand tall and cludes the winning photos: fi ve competition, Limbo noted that gram. unique experiences. great, and who we are, refl ect- have been chosen from entrants he likes to photograph subjects The competition gained Jaidah stressed that “SeeMy- ing not only our culture but also and displayed as photo of the that put emphasis on symme- popularity since its founda- Doha” “witnessed great success our heritage,” he said. day, as well as the winners from try. tion in 2013-2014, and became over the years” as it discovered “The current crisis in the the previous “SeeMyDoha” He said he does not have one of the most anticipated not only new places all around region has made me confi dent competition in 2015 and 2014 The audience at the launch event. any formal training in photog- events every year for photog- town and the country but also that the people of Qatar and its and select jury photos. Gulf Times Monday, October 9, 2017 9 REGION/ARAB WORLD Turkish army surveys Idlib Anti-IS force nears ‘fi nal’ ahead of week of Raqqa assault

AFP deployment Jazrah, Syria S-backed fi ghters bat- Reuters founded by Osama bin Laden. tling to oust the Islamic Amman/Ankara Nonetheless, the militants UState group from Syria’s and the Turkish military earlier Raqqa were nearing the “fi nal exchanged fi re nearby, under- week” of their assault, the cam- Turkish army recon- scoring the tension as Turkey paign’s commander said yester- naissance team scouted builds up its forces and the rebel day. Aout Syria’s Idlib prov- groups it backs prepare to enter The Syrian Democratic Forces ince yesterday, a senior Syrian Idlib. “We will never allow a ter- have captured around 90% of IS’ rebel said, before an expected ror corridor that begins in Afrin one-time bastion and are closing military operation to impose and goes to the Mediterranean,” in on the militants in a pocket of peace in the bitterly contested Erdogan said, referring to the territory near Raqqa city centre. Syrian northwest. stretch of Turkey’s southern The SDF alliance’s Kurdish “When we don’t go to Syria, border which is controlled on and Arab fi ghters are advancing Syria comes to us,” Turkish the Syrian side by Kurdish fi ght- on IS-held districts from two President Tayyip Erdogan told ers and Tahrir al-Sham. fronts in the city’s north and members of his ruling AK Party. Prime Minister Binali Yildir- east, said Rojda Felat, who heads “If we didn’t take our measures, im stressed the importance of the “Wrath of the Euphrates” bombs would fall on our cities.” ensuring de-escalation near the campaign. Turkey says it will provide border, following an agreement “If the two fronts meet, we assistance to rebels it has long reached in Astana, Kazakhstan can say we have entered the fi nal backed, aiming to implement last month that was backed week of our campaign to liberate a de-escalation agreement de- both by the Turks and by Russia, Raqqa,” Felat said on the western signed to reduce fi ghting with which supports Assad. outskirts of Raqqa yesterday. pro-government forces in the “We will ensure safety in “Within 3-4 days, we will be area, the most populous pocket Idlib, and will co-operate with able to take the decision to begin of Syria still in rebel hands. Russia,” Yildirim said. the fi nal campaign,” she added. Although Turkish offi cials Tahrir al-Sham, spearhead- Felat said fi ghting was still say they are helping the rebels ed by the former Nusra Front, fi erce along the front line, with Members of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), backed by US special forces, make their way through the rubble on the western frontline of from within Turkey, in past in- which was Al Qaeda’s Syrian IS using snipers, suicide bomb- Raqqa yesterday. terventions they have also sent branch until last year when it ers and reinforced positions in troops across the frontier. changed its name and broke al- tunnels to hold up the SDF ad- “We will advance at night on furniture piled in a corner, peer- Any incursion could bring legiance to the global network, vance. foot into new positions around ing out of a melon-sized hole in At least 11 dead in market air strike: monitor them into confl ict with power- has been a formidable military The militants still hold the stadium’s north. It will be the wall, his fi nger on the trigger. ful militants from Al Qaeda’s force since early in the confl ict. Raqqa’s national hospital, the the fi rst time we use this military Another building overlooked At least 11 civilians including two children were killed yesterday in air former Syrian branch, although Idlib and neighbouring parts nearby football stadium and sur- tactic in Raqqa,” Sher said. the stadium’s abandoned en- strikes on a market in northwestern Syria, a monitor said. there were signs yesterday that of northwest Syria are now rounding residential neighbour- As he spoke, Sher fed bullets trance. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the strikes on the they were working to avoid a home to more than 2mn peo- hoods. into a rifl e magazine in one of SDF members said they ex- market in Idlib province’s Maaret al-Numan were probably carried out confrontation. ple, many of them refugees SDF fi ghters have surrounded several bombed-out apartment pected IS fi ghters were holed up by regime forces. Much of Idlib province, including Maaret al-Numan, Local sources said the Turk- from other formerly rebel-held the hospital and were yesterday buildings taken up by his fi ghters in the complex’s seating or un- is controlled by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), a group led by Al Qaeda’s ish military vehicles were es- regions that fell to pro-govern- preparing a fresh push around to monitor diff erent parts of the derground rooms. former Syria aff iliate. Idlib is one of four so-called “de-escalation” zones corted into Idlib by a convoy of ment forces. the stadium further north, said stadium. “The battle is in its fi nal steps. under a deal brokered by Russia, Turkey and Iran in May. fi ghters from the group, which The senior Syrian rebel said Ali Sher, a fi eld commander with One room provided a clear When we fi nish with the area However, the HTS is not party to the agreement. Observatory head has joined a militant alliance the reconnaissance team went the Kurdish People’s Protection view of the fi eld’s edge and sur- north of the stadium, we’ll be Rami Abdel Rahman said “military aircraft” had targeted the market in called Tahrir al-Sham and to Sheikh Barakat. Units (YPG), which make up the rounding buildings. able to attack it and reach Al- Maaret al-Numan, blaming the regime for the strike. disavowed links to the network bulk of the SDF. An anti-IS sniper lay fl at on Naim,” Sher said.

KIDNAP Swiss woman Breast cancer awareness drive abducted in Darfur region

A Swiss woman, reportedly work- ing for an aid organisation, has been abducted in the conflict- torn Darfur region of Sudan, Switzerland’s foreign ministry said yesterday. The Swiss foreign ministry said in an e-mail it was “aware of the case of a Swiss woman kidnapped in Sudan (Darfur).” “Our local representa- tives are in contact with the local authorities,” it said, adding that the case was being investigated. The People gather around a pink ribbon, made up of eight thousand pink footballs, foreign ministry did not provide during an event to raise awareness on breast cancer at the Sport City Stadium any details on the identity of the in Beirut yesterday. The organisers also received a certificate from the World abducted woman or the circum- Record Academy for the Largest Awareness Ribbon made from Footballs. stances surrounding her kidnap- ping. The Sudanese government has not confirmed or off icially commented on the incident. But social media reports indicated she had been working for a Swiss non-governmental organisation Women hold march for providing aid to children, and that she was abducted in the North Darfur capital of El-Fashir. It came Israeli-Palestinian peace despite repeated claims by Suda- nese off icials that the region was safe as the long-running conflict Reuters left, Jews and Arabs, from the cities and there had ended. Just weeks ago, Jordan River, West Bank the periphery and we have decided that the United Nations peace-keeping we will stop the next war,” said Marilyn force began downsizing its pres- Smadja, one of the founders of the or- ence in the region and days ago housands of Israeli and Pales- ganising group, Women Wage Peace. Washington lifted its 20-year-old tinian women trekked through a The organisation was established af- trade embargo against Khartoum. Tdesert landscape yesterday, con- ter the 50-day Gaza war of 2014 when verging on the shores of the Jordan River more than 2,100 Palestinians, mostly in a march for peace. civilians, were killed. Israel put the CONFLICT The women, many of them dressed in number of its dead at 67 soldiers and six Drone kills five white, descended through the arid hills civilians. Some 5,000 women partici- leading to the river, where they erected pated in yesterday’s march, organisers Al Qaeda suspects a “peace tent” named for Hagar and Sa- said. It began last month at several loca- in Yemen province rah. “We are women from the right, the tions across Israel. A drone strike yesterday killed five suspected Al Qaeda militants in the Yemeni province of Marib, east of the capital Sanaa, security off icials said. One off icial said a US Iran warns US against drone had probably carried out the strike, which targeted a car in the province’s Saoud district. imposing further sanctions The United States considers the Yemen-based Al Qaeda in the Ara- bian Peninsula to be the radical Reuters is passed, this country will have to group’s most dangerous branch. Beirut/Dubai move their regional bases outside the AQAP has flourished in the chaos 2,000km range of Iran’s missiles,” of the country’s civil war, which Guards’ commander Mohamed Ali Ja- pits the Saudi-backed government ran warned the United States against fari said, according to state media. of President Abd-Rabbu Mansour designating its Revolutionary Jafari also said that additional sanc- Hadi against the Houthi rebels. A IGuards Corp as a terrorist group and tions would end the chances for future long-running drone war against said US regional military bases would be dialogue with the United States, ac- AQAP has intensified since US at risk if further sanctions were passed. cording to state media, and issued a President Donald Trump took The warning came after the White stark warning to American troops. off ice in January. An air raid he or- House said on Friday that President “If the news is correct about the stu- dered that month killed a US Navy Donald Trump would announce new pidity of the American government in SEAL and several Yemeni civilians US responses to Iran’s missile tests, considering the Revolutionary Guards in Baida province, just south of support for “terrorism” and cyber op- a terrorist group, then the Revolution- Marib. More than 8,000 people erations as part of his new Iran strat- ary Guards will consider the American have been killed since a Saudi-led egy. army to be like Islamic State all around coalition joined the Yemen war on “As we’ve announced in the past, the world particularly in the Middle Hadi’s side in 2015. if America’s new law for sanctions East,” Jafari said. Gulf Times 10 Monday, October 9, 2017 AFRICA S African families battle to uncover apartheid truth

AFP heard that a detainee had died in Since then, Phillip has been man rights activists say 73 people The result could set an impor- Lasch listened attentively to and-a-half pages deal with Mat- Hammanskraal, South Africa unusual circumstances. haunted by a single question: died in police detention, some- tant precedent for other South the hearings from the public gal- thews’ death. “I heard the news report that “How can someone jump from times in circumstances strikingly African families whose loved lery, stunned by what he heard. The document quotes the po- a detainee jumped from the 10th the 10th fl oor when you have similar to those of Matthews’ ones also fell victim to the bru- “There was a modus operandi” lice inquiry into the death which ime is running out for fl oor” of Johannesburg police done nothing bad?” case - for example Ahmed Timol. tal apartheid system but, like the among the police, he said. claimed that Matthews “forced 95-year-old Phillip Ma- headquarters, he told AFP, his “Matthews loved life, he loved In 1971, fellow activist Timol Mabelanes, have been denied the “The Timol inquest gave us the window open” and climbed Tbelane. back upright, his head shaven, jazz, he loved music, he loved also plunged to his death from truth. hope. We never thought that it on to a ledge. For 40 years he has waited to sporting a white goatee. girls, he was a socialite. He could the 10th storey of the same police In the Timol case, witnesses would happen, that the truth “The police were unable to discover the truth of how his son A few hours later, two police- not have committed suicide,” station. described in detail to a Pretoria would come to the surface.” stop him but called to him to died at the hands of police during man were hammering on the said Lasch, 63, his brother. This year, after battling for court the extreme violence met- Since then, the family have come back...he lost his balance South Africa’s apartheid era. door of his modest Soweto home. “Matthews was pushed.” years, Timol’s family convinced ed out against opponents of the pressed on with eff orts to se- and fell to his death,” the police Now the reopening of a simi- The victim was his 23-year-old The Mabelanes never believed prosecutors to reopen the in- regime. cure a proper investigation of investigation said. lar case has given him hope that son Matthews, an anti-apartheid the offi cial version which exon- quest into the death - a legal fi rst Torture at police headquarters Matthews’ death - despite their But the UN found that “it he may fi nally learn what really activist who had been arrested erated the police, as in all similar in South Africa.The court prob- included electric shocks, and modest means. would be absurd to suggest that happened. two weeks earlier as he crossed incidents of the era. ing the case will deliver its long- jaws and skulls fractured by sav- Among their leads is a UN re- he attempted to escape through a In February 1977, Mabelane the Botswana border. Between 1963 and 1990, hu- awaited verdict on October 12. age beatings. port from 1979 of which two- window of the 10th fl oor”. Raucous poll campaign ends with prayers

AFP several Weah supporters fall off Monrovia a truck and one crack his skull as he tumbled to the ground, leav- ing him bleeding badly from his iberia’s presidential cam- head. paign closed yesterday Elsewhere, Liberty Party Lwith a quiet day of prayer, candidate Charles Brumskine but campaigning in the west Af- told AFP that Weah’s support- rican nation is not for the faint- ers stabbed three of his own, hearted - or those sensitive to though the Weah camp claims noise. Brumskine’s activists blocked Liberians go the polls tomor- roads to stop the footballing row to pick their fi rst new presi- icon from passing through the dent for 12 years as Ellen Johnson provinces. Sirleaf closes the page on two “The police in Nimba (county) terms dominated by post-war apparently were unable to man- reconstruction and the Ebola age the CDC (Weah party) on- crisis. slaught. Up until this point in The calm refl ection that has time we still do not have a report momentarily settled over this from the government’s police,” predominantly Christian nation Brumskine told AFP. is in stark contrast to the exuber- The incident is a scar on an ant rallies that have engulfed the otherwise peaceful campaign capital and provinces this week despite fears that a disputed re- Joseph Nyuma Boakai (left), Liberia’s vice president and presidential candidate of Unity Party (UP), is seen during their party’s presidential campaign rally in Monrovia. as campaigning reached fever sult - which occurred in 2005 pitch. and 2011 - could release latent The biggest crowds, packed tensions in the expected run-off with young men, are usu- round between two candidates ally reserved for footballing triggered if no one wins more superstar-turned politician than 50% of the vote. George Weah and his running The stakes feel higher this mate Jewel Howard-Taylor, the year, one diplomatic source told ex-wife of Liberian warlord AFP. Liberians to elect new Charles Taylor. “It is more of a proper com- Touching down in a helicop- petition this time around”, the ter on Friday in Monrovia fol- source said, referring to the ab- lowing a nationwide tour, Weah sence of a single frontrunner was met by fans who had waited among the 20 candidates. up to six hours on the streets Large rallies in Monrovia are to catch a glimpse of their idol, held at the Antoinette Tubman president tomorrow while others gathered at his par- Stadium, where Liberia’s music, ty headquarters to welcome him dance, and appetite for danger- AFP to follow Africa’s fi rst elected come the focus of the campaign. limited resources we would not have Liberians have praised the na- back. ous stunts are on most dramatic Monrovia female head of state - model- “We are doing everything our- achieved the things we wanted.” tion’s fi rst presidential debates, “Most people are suff ering display. turned-humanitarian MacDella selves to survive,” Emmet Ga- But candidates such as tel- which were held in Weah’s ab- and only a few are enjoying this “Human billboards” - men Cooper - but she has near-zero rokapee, a market trader, said as ecoms tycoon Benoni Urey have sence. country. We want changes and who stand as still as statues on iberians head to the polls chance of winning, diplomats his head was shaved with a single lashed out at what he calls a “de- Some also question his pick for we’re sure when George Weah stage, painted in party colours tomorrow to elect a suc- and analysts told AFP. razor blade at a backstreet barber pendency” on foreign aid. vice president - Jewel Howard- becomes president of this nation - attract admiration and jeers in Lcessor to President Ellen The elections of a president, for lack of electricity. A former executive vice presi- Taylor, the ex-wife of Liberian he’ll do better, he’ll do more than attempts to force them to smile. Johnson Sirleaf, with hopes for vice president and members of Liberia ranks 177 of 188 coun- dent at Coca-Cola, Cummings warlord and former president others can do,” said James Coop- At the Saturday rally in Mon- a leader who will kickstart the the House of Representatives are tries in the UN’s Human Devel- cites handling a budget larger Charles Taylor. er, sporting a Weah-Howard rovia of former Coca-Cola global economy and safeguard a fragile a “crucial test for the democratic opment Index and 174 of 190 na- than that of Liberia’s govern- Charles Taylor is currently Taylor fl ag tucked into his cap as vice-president Alexander Cum- peace. process in Liberia,” Maria Arena, tions in the World Bank’s Ease of ment as evidence of his compe- serving time in Britain for war he waited with hundreds of oth- mings, the dark horse candidate Sirleaf will step down after 12 chief observer of the European Doing Business Index, and every tence to lead, and he is seen as the crimes committed in neighbour- ers at an intersection. some whisper could make it into years at the helm of Africa’s fi rst Union, told journalists in Monro- candidate has laid out their plans dark horse of the campaign. ing Sierra Leone, and rumours Across the nation, beat-up a run-off , the theatrics were republic, whose back-to-back via this week. to change the nation’s gloomy Development, Cummings said swirl he is issuing orders by cars and trucks packed with hair-raising. civil wars (1989-2003) and Eb- “A peaceful transition from outlook. at a rally on Thursday, “is not too phone from his jail cell. supporters blast out popular One man ran around the crowd ola crisis (2014-16) have stunted one elected president to another Vice President Boakai has much to ask of ourselves after Weah denies contact with him. “highlife” and Afrobeat tunes, of thousands of Cummings’ par- growth and left Liberia among is important not only for Liberia made infrastructure, especially 170 years,” in reference to the na- While campaigning has been while mobile rallies of young tisans with a fl amethrower in the world’s poorest nations. but also as an example for the re- road building, central to his cam- tion’s founding by freed African- “largely peaceful” according to people singing and jogging with hand, though few seemed per- Twenty candidates are vy- gion,” she said. paign. American slaves in 1847. the NEC, with just one clash be- their party fl ags for hours at a turbed by the fi re risk. ing to replace Sirleaf, with foot- Such a transition would be the But he faces accusations his Liberia’s most famous son, tween Weah and Brumskine sup- stretch test the stamina of even As the unoffi cial candidate of balling icon George Weah, in- fi rst in living memory after seven government did too little on footballer-turned-senator porters, some Liberians remain of the most devoted political Liberia’s “Hipco” rap scene, rap- cumbent Vice President Joseph decades of coups, assassinations corruption and spent two terms George Weah, attracts huge worried after sparks of violence junkies. per Takun J is running for Libe- Boakai, longtime opposition and exiled dictators. pressing for donor funds abroad crowds and has a faithful youth at the last elections in 2011 that A frequent and perilous sight ria’s House of Representatives fi gure Charles Brumskine and While ordinary Liberians rather than innovate at home. following in a country where a killed two people. is of political activists standing for Cummings ANC party, urban soft drinks millionaire Alexander are grateful that peace has held Sirleaf, in her defence, said in an fi fth of the electorate is aged 18 “We are just praying for free and on the sides or crouching on the music was the order of the day, Cummings considered front- through Sirleaf’s two terms in of- October 2 speech that “if we did to 22, but is blamed for issuing calm elections,” said Tina Davis, a top of these vehicles. along with human towers built runners. fi ce, living standards in Liberia not have those (UN) agencies and vague promises and for his long wigmaker working at a stall in the One witness told AFP she saw from teenage gymnasts. Just one woman is seeking remain dire for most and have be- those programmes here, with our absences from the country. Joe Bar market of Monrovia. Six killed in Ghana fuel Militants ambush, kill station fi re, explosions travellers in Congo Reuters plagued by pockets of lawless- Goma, Democratic Republic of ness where armed groups prey AFP June 2015, when a similar fi re and on Thursday and will likely come Congo on populations and exploit rich Accra explosion at a petrol station in out with a “comprehensive pro- mineral reserves. Accra killed more than 150 people. gramme” and policy to prevent In the latest attack, on Sat- In December last year, a gas future explosions. ilitants ambushed a urday, assailants armed with hana’s government yes- tanker caught fi re in another res- “I would like everybody in- group of about 30 ci- machetes and guns ambushed terday promised action to idential area of Accra, creating a volved in the industry to recog- Mvilians in northeastern travellers on the main road link- Gtighten safety at fuel sta- fi reball that caused fi ve deaths nise we will all have to make ad- Congo and killed many of them ing Beni in North Kivu province tions across the country after six and damaged a nearby school. justments to be able to guarantee before fi ghting a fi erce battle to neighbouring Ituri province, people were killed when a tanker “This is a time for concrete ac- the safety and the security of our with the army, politicians said Boris Maelezo, a member of par- truck carrying natural gas caught tion,” Dodoo was quoted as say- people so these things do not yesterday. liament from the area, told Reu- fi re in the capital Accra, trigger- ing by Citi FM radio after Satur- happen again,” he said. The attack took place near the ters. ing explosions. day’s incident. But the OccupyGhana pres- city of Beni and, if the deaths are He said about 30 civilians were The fi re and blasts in the Legon “Fixing it and making sure that sure group feared nothing would confi rmed, would be the fi rst riding on motorbikes, with sev- area of the city on Saturday gut- it doesn’t happen again is a re- change once the messages of mass-killing this year in that eral people on each vehicle, and ted a liquefi ed gas fi lling sta- sponsible thing to do.” condolences and anger passed. area. that most of them could have tion and a nearby petrol station, Ghana National Fire Service “One would have thought that It has seen relative peace since been killed. sending local residents running spokesman Billy Angalate said the after the June 3 (2015) disaster more than 800 people were killed Albert Baliesima Kadukima, from their homes, as huge fi re- death toll had risen from four to there would have been a mas- in dozens of massacres between another lawmaker from the balls lit up the night sky. six but warned it could increase sive clampdown on how fi lling 2014 and 2016. area, said two women freed by The head of the Ghana Stand- further as more than 30 people stations are sited in residential The spate of attacks raised se- the militants had told local au- ards Authority, Alex Dodoo, said were injured, some seriously. areas,” the group’s spokesman, rious questions about the state’s thorities the assailants had slit there had been eight gas explo- President Nana Akufo-Addo Nana Sarpong Agyeman-Badu, People stand on a bridge as they inspect the damage at the site of ability to impose order over a re- the throats of more than a dozen sions in four years, including in said cabinet ministers will meet told AFP. an explosion at a fuel distribution site in Accra, Ghana, yesterday. gion full of ethnic tensions and people. Gulf Times Monday, October 9, 2017 11 AMERICAS

White nationalists Top senator trades return for protest in Charlottesville

Reuters/DPA insults with Trump Charlottesville AFP was “wasting his time trying to hite nationalists Washington negotiate”. briefl y rallied on A clearly-frustrated Corker WSaturday in Char- told reporters on Wednesday lottesville, Virginia, where S President Donald that Tillerson was not getting the violent clashes in August led to Trump and Republi- support he needed from above. the death of a woman who was Spencer: We came, we Ucan senator Bob Corker He then added: “I think Secre- run down by a car. triggered [reactions], we left. engaged in an extraordinarily tary Tillerson, Secretary (of De- A few dozen white nation- pointed back-and-forth yester- fence James) Mattis and Chief of alists, led by so-called “alt- An August rally organised day, with former saying that the Staff (John) Kelly are those peo- right” activist Richard Spencer by white nationalists to pro- senator lacked “guts” and the ple that help separate our coun- and carrying torches, gathered test the planned removal of the latter replying that the White try from chaos, and I support at Emancipation Park near a Lee statue turned deadly when House had become “an adult them very much.” covered statue of Confederate counter-protester Heather daycare centre”. While he did not mention general Robert E Lee, the re- Heyer, 32, was killed by a car The highly unusual exchange Trump specifi cally, his meaning moval of which was blocked by driven into a crowd. seemed to come out of nowhere Corker: It’s a shame the White seemed clear. a court pending the outcome of The violence stemmed from on a rainy Sunday morning that House has become an adult day Corker had supported Trump’s a legal challenge. a heated national debate about Trump began in the White House care centre. presidential campaign. Spencer posted a video on whether Confederate symbols before skies cleared and he head- He reportedly was considered Twitter showing the protest, of the US Civil War memo- ed to a nearby golf course. ing from a fellow Republican in as a possible vice-presidential in which opponents of the re- rialise past leaders and dead Corker, a respected moderate such a prominent position. running mate to Trump, and later moval of Lee’s statue chanted soldiers or rather invoke white who once supported Trump, has The senator, perhaps feeling as a potential secretary of state. “You will not replace us” and supremacy and the Confeder- emerged in recent months as one liberated by his decision not to But the relationship took a “We will be back”. acy’s acceptance of the slavery of the president’s most outspo- seek re-election, tweeted: “It’s a turn for the worse in August. “We came, we triggered [re- of blacks. ken Republican critics. shame the White House has be- After Trump’s much-criti- actions], we left,” he said. “No In the wake of the rally, other He recently said that only Trump: Corker ‘didn’t have the guts to run (for re-election)’. come an adult day care centre. cised remarks about the violent major confrontations ... we cities have acted to remove the presence of the generals in Someone obviously missed their protests in Charlottesville, Vir- came in peace.” monuments to the Confed- Trump’s inner circle had kept the what Trump considers the deeply sponsible for the horrendous Iran shift this morning”, suggesting ginia, Corker said that Trump Charlottesville’s Mayor eracy. White House from descending fl awed nuclear deal with Iran. Deal!” that presidential caretakers were had “not yet been able to demon- Mike Signer fi red off an angry The incident gained inter- into “chaos”. In a series of tweets, Trump In a fi nal tweet, Trump said he not doing their job. strate the stability, nor some of response on Twitter, telling national attention, and US Trump made no mention of wrote: “Senator Bob Corker expected Corker to be a “nega- The Trump-Corker feud, long the competence, that he needs to Spencer and the protesters to President Donald Trump drew that remark in his tweets yester- ‘begged’ me to endorse him for tive voice”, adding that he “didn’t in the making, fl ared up last week demonstrate”. “go home”. condemnation from across the day, instead attacking Corker for re-election in Tennessee. I said have the guts to run”. after Trump seemed to pull the Without such qualities and a “Another despicable visit by political spectrum, including his recent decision not to seek re- ‘NO’ and he dropped out (said Trump’s tweetstorm was not rug out from Secretary of State better understanding by Trump neo-Nazi cowards. You’re not his own conservative Repub- election and saying that as chair- he could not win without ... my particularly unusual – he has Rex Tillerson as the Texan at- of “what made this nation great”, welcome here!” Signer tweet- lican Party, for his initial fail- man of the Foreign Relations endorsement). He also wanted to rarely been one to calmly endure tempted to open lines of dialogue Corker told reporters, “our na- ed, adding that “we’re looking ure to directly condemn racist Committee, the Tennessee sena- be Secretary of State, I said ‘NO criticism – but Corker’s blunt re- with North Korea. tion is going to go through great at all our legal options. Stay demonstrators while decrying tor bore heavy responsibility for THANKS’. He is also largely re- buttal was strikingly rare, com- Trump tweeted that Tillerson peril”. tuned”. violence on “many sides”. Pence off ers Doctors help 2,000 solace as Las commit Vegas cops suicide AFP Ottawa seek answers early 2,000 people with incurable diseases were Nhelped to die by doctors Reuters age, and the resolve to fi nd ways in the fi rst year since Canada le- Las Vegas to end the gun violence that galised medically-assisted sui- plagues our nation.” cide, according to a report pub- The commemoration came lished on Friday. S Vice-President Mike as Clark County Undersheriff From the time Ottawa passed Pence visited Las Vegas Kevin McMahill said investiga- the legislation in June 2016 to Uon Saturday stressing tors remain largely in the dark June 30, 2017, 1,982 people ended unity and off ering solace as po- about what drove retired real their lives in this way, according lice appealed to the public for estate investor and high-stakes to Health Canada. help in uncovering a wealthy gambler Stephen Paddock to Most had cancer, the agency retiree’s motive for massacring carry out the deadliest mass said. 58 people at an outdoor concert shooting in modern US history. Extrapolating from the data this week. “We have looked at every- collected for the fi rst half of 2017, “We are united in our grief, thing, literally, to include the the number of assisted deaths is in our support for those who suspect’s personal life, any po- White doves – 58 in total – are released in honour of the victims of the mass shooting on October 1, at the culmination of a faith unity walk at expected to rise but remain at have suff ered and united in our litical affi liation, his social be- Las Vegas City Hall on Saturday evening. less than 2% of all deaths na- resolve to end such evil in our haviours, economic situation, tionwide this year, it said. time,” Pence said, joining Las any potential radicalisation,” window to help target victims urging citizens to come forward In addition to the 58 people of guns, ammunition and explo- Doctor-assisted suicide in Vegas Mayor Carolyn Goodman McMahill told reporters late on below, the CBS News show 60 with any information that might who died, nearly 500 were in- sives found in the hotel suite, his Canada is reserved for adults and other local leaders at a City Friday. “We have been down Minutes said in a news release on help investigators. jured, some by gunfi re and some home, his car and a second home with serious health problems Hall commemoration for vic- each and every single one of Saturday ahead of a broadcast The billboards will bear the trampled or otherwise hurt searched in Reno. who want to end their suff ering, tims of the shooting. these paths, trying to determine of interviews with Clark County slogan, “If you know something, while running for cover. Authorities have said that and consists of a lethal injection Participants trod seven miles why, to determine who else may Sheriff ’s offi cers, including one say something”, and carry a toll- Unlike so many other perpe- 12 of the weapons recovered in hospital or at home. (11km) along four separate paths have known of these plans.” who said he saw the paper. free number to an FBI hotline, trators of deadly mass shootings from Paddock’s hotel suite were Days after the law was changed to the event amid tight security. McMahill said investiga- The Sheriff ’s Offi ce could said Aaron Rouse, special agent before him, Paddock left behind equipped with so-called bump- to allow for the practice, it was President Donald Trump paid tors had uncovered “no nexus” not be immediately reached for in charge of the Las Vegas FBI no suicide note, no manifesto, stock devices that enable semi- challenged in court in an attempt a visit to Las Vegas earlier in the between the Islamic State (IS) comment. offi ce. no recordings and no messages automatic rifl es to be operated to expand it to include Canadi- week. group and Paddock, even though Police have stressed that no Paddock, 64, unleashed a tor- on social media pointing to his as if they were fully automatic ans who suff er from a wasting Las Vegas’ Democratic Con- the militant group had repeat- suicide note had been found. rent of gunfi re onto an outdoor intent, according to police. machine-guns. disease but who are not facing gresswoman Dina Titus was the edly claimed responsibility for In an unusual bid to cast a wid- music festival from the windows McMahill said investigators Paddock’s ability to fi re hun- imminent death. only speaker who touched on the the attack. er net for tips, the Federal Bureau of his 32nd-fl oor hotel suite remained certain Paddock acted dreds of rounds per minute over Canadian bishops have in- subject of gun violence and poli- A piece of paper found in Pad- of Investigation (FBI) and police overlooking the concert on the alone in the shooting. the course of his 10-minute structed their clergy to deny tics, saying: “Let us also pray for dock’s room at the Mandalay have arranged with communica- night of October 1, then shot But police have said they sus- shooting spree was a major fac- religious funerals for deceased those who have power that they Bay hotel appeared to calculate tions company Clear Channel to himself to death before police pect he had help before the kill- tor in the high casualty count, persons who chose a doctor-as- will have the wisdom, the cour- the distance and height from his post billboards around Las Vegas stormed his room. ings, based on the large number police said. sisted suicide. Storm Nate rapidly weakens to tropical depression over Alabama

Reuters punch of its recent predecessors. fl ooding remained a danger Mississippi, was counting his ana, Mississippi and Alabama, as sippi River from the central Gulf Saturday that she did not mind Biloxi, Mississippi The fourth major storm to across the region, and the cen- blessings. well as in more than two dozen Coast into the Deep South, in the having to evacuate, Plaquemines strike the United States in less tre said Florida’s Panhandle and Heavy winds left only minor Florida counties. eastern Tennessee Valley, and Parish president Amos Cormier than two months, Nate killed at parts of Alabama and Georgia damage, blowing down part of Florida Governor Rick Scott southern Appalachian moun- said. ropical Storm Nate rap- least 30 people in Central Amer- might feel tropical-storm-force a fence on his rental property in warned of tornadoes springing tains, the NHC said. He attributed her death to the idly weakened to become ica before entering the warm wind gusts. Biloxi. up in the Pandhandle region. Rainfall in the Ohio Valley and stress of the move. Ta tropical depression over waters of the Gulf of Mexico and Nate made its fi rst US landfall “I’m just glad,” he said, digging In Alabama, Governor Kay Ivey into the central Appalachians Major shipping ports across Alabama yesterday, although the bearing down on the US South. on Saturday evening near the fresh holes for fence posts. “I was urged residents in areas facing could be 2” to 5”, with a maximum the central US Gulf Coast were fast-moving former hurricane It has also shut down most oil mouth of the Mississippi river afraid of the water. The water is heavy winds and storm surges to of 7”. closed to inbound and outbound left roads and buildings fl ood- and gas production in the Gulf. and then made a second one early Mother Nature. You can’t stop take precautions. New Orleans Mayor Mitch traffi c on Saturday, as Nate in- ed in Mississippi after coming Nate follows Hurricanes Har- yesterday near Biloxi, Mississip- it.” About 47,000 customers were Landrieu lifted a curfew on Sat- tensifi ed. ashore there. vey, Irma and Maria, which have pi, whose 46,000 residents were Water fl owed through Ursula without power in Mississippi, urday evening that was originally The storm curtailed 92% of Nate’s maximum sustained devastated areas of the Carib- warned that the highest storm Staten’s yard in Biloxi, pushing while more than 1,000 people scheduled to last until morning daily oil production and 77% of winds dropped to 35mph (55kph) bean and southern United States surge could reach 12’ (3.7m). over part of her fence and scat- had arrived at shelters, the state yesterday. daily natural gas output in the as it moved northeast into Ala- in the last two months. Flood waters swept over streets tering debris, but did not breach Emergency Management Agency He said in a statement on so- Gulf of Mexico, more than three bama, prompting the National The storm system’s centre will in communities across Alabama her house. said. cial media however, that there times the amount aff ected by Hurricane Centre (NHC) to end move inland over Mississippi and and Mississippi, including over “I have a mess,” the retired Utility Alabama Power said was still a serious threat of storm Harvey. its tropical storm warnings for across the Deep South, Tennes- Highway 90 and to ocean-side massage therapist said. “If we some 82,000 customers were surge outside levee areas. Workers were evacuated from the region yesterday morning. see Valley and Central Appala- casinos in Biloxi, according to re- had got Irma, I would have lost without electricity. Meanwhile, Bernice Barthele- 301 platforms and 13 rigs as of Only a few hours earlier, it had chian Mountains throughout the ports on social media. everything.” Rainfall of 3” to 6” (7.6cm to my, a 70-year-old Louisiana Saturday, said the US Bureau of been blowing at 70mph but ap- day today, the NHC said. Jeff Pickich, a 46-year-old On Saturday, states of emer- 15.2cm), with a maximum of 10”, resident, died from cardiac arrest Safety and Environmental En- peared to lack the devastating Heavy rainfall and storm surge wine salesman from D’Iberville, gency were declared in Louisi- were expected east of the Missis- overnight after telling Reuters on forcement. Gulf Times 12 Monday, October 9, 2017 ASIA/AUSTRALASIA Abe vows to tackle N Korea threat ahead of Japan poll

AFP as tensions with North Korea and other policies. Former TV and the growth strategy, terrible Tokyo rise, with Pyongyang in recent anchorwoman Koike has shaken things would have happened,” months conducting what it de- up Japan’s usually sleepy po- he said. But Koike pointed that scribed as a hydrogen bomb test litical scene by launching her consumer spending — account- apanese Prime Minister and fi ring two missiles over Ja- “Party of Hope”, vowing a break ing for more than half of Japan’s Shinzo Abe vowed yester- pan. with the old school represented GDP — remained weak under Jday to impose “all possible His Liberal Democratic Party by Abe’s LDP. Abenomics, saying: “We are yet pressure” on North Korea over (LDP), which has ruled the coun- “We off er an alternative to to be in a position to pull out of its nuclear and missile pro- try for most of the post-war era, voters in order to correct the the defl ation economy.” Her par- grammes, promising to secure is on course to secure a majority. Abe-dominated politics,” Koike ty is attempting to fi eld enough national security in a televised But it is unclear whether it can told the live debate. candidates to win a majority in debate before a snap election. again capture some two-thirds “Our big goal is to aim to the lower house, but Koike has Offi cial campaigning begins of the 465 seats in the powerful take power,” the media-savvy repeatedly stressed that she her- tomorrow for the October 22 lower house, the margin neces- Koike said without elaborating. self will not stand. election in the world’s third larg- sary to approve changes to the Abe defended his growth plan More than half the candidates est economy. pacifi st constitution which Abe dubbed Abenomics — a mixture named by Koike so far have been “Stepping up all possible has been pushing. of aggressive monetary easing former members of the DP. The pressure, we need to create a The Democratic Party (DP) — and huge government spending election is now eff ectively a situation in which North Ko- previously the main opposition along with reforms to the econ- three-horse race between the rea wants talks as it will change party — imploded last week but omy intended to pull the country LDP, Koike’s party and a new policy,” Abe told the debate. “We Abe faces a new challenge from out of decades of defl ation and centre-left grouping of former will protect our country under popular Tokyo governor Yuriko downturn. DP members that did not jump Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who is also ruling Liberal Democratic Party leader, and Head of Japan’s stable politics.” Koike. The pair clashed during “If we had not carried out the on the Tokyo governor’s band- Party of Hope and Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike attend a debate session ahead of October 22 lower house Abe is seeking a fresh term the TV debate over economic monetary policy, the fi scal policy wagon. election at the Japan National Press Club in Tokyo, Japan. Kim Jong-un promotes

New Zealand’s Deputy Prime Minister Bill English (left), leader sister to power centre of the Labour Party Jacinda Ardern and former New Zealand Minister of Foreign Affairs Winston Peters. Populist lawmaker Reuters Winston Peters is set to pick a winner in New Zealand’s Seoul deadlocked general election after again finding himself cast as kingmaker thanks to the country’s quirky electoral system. orth Korea’s leader Kim Jong-un said his nuclear Nweapons were a “power- ful deterrent” that guaranteed its sovereignty, state media reported NZ parties hold yesterday, hours after US Presi- dent Donald Trump said “only one thing will work” in dealing with the isolated country. talks to form Trump did not make clear to what he was referring, but his comments seemed to be a further suggestion that military action coalition govt was on his mind. In a speech to a meeting of the powerful Cen- tral Committee of the ruling Reuters ruling National’s 56. New Zea- Workers’ Party on Saturday, a Wellington land First holds the nine seats day before Trump’s most recent needed to meet the 61 seat ma- comments, state media said Kim jority in parliament. had addressed the “complicated ew Zealand’s small na- A fi nal vote count on Satur- international situation”. tionalist party which day showed National lost some North Korea’s nuclear weap- Nholds the balance of ground to the Labour-Green ons are a “powerful deterrent power after an inconclusive bloc from a preliminary tally, fi rmly safeguarding the peace election held talks yesterday even though it still held the and security in the Korean pe- with Prime Minister Bill Eng- largest number of seats in par- ninsula and Northeast Asia,” Kim lish and separately with the op- liament. said, referring to the “protracted North Korean leader Kim Jong-un visits the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun during the Second Plenum of the 7th Central Committee of the position Labour leader as both “It did pay to wait, didn’t nuclear threats of the US impe- Workers’ Party of Korea (WPK) in Pyongyang. try to form a coalition govern- it?,” Peters said, referring to the rialists.” ment. fi nal vote count. Peters has pre- In recent weeks, North Ko- rity Council resolutions put in expert at Johns Hopkins Univer- New Zealand First leader viously served in both National rea has launched two missiles place to curb Pyongyang’s nucle- sity’s 38 North website. Winston Peters has said he and Labour governments. over Japan and conducted its ar and missile programmes. The In January, the US Treasury would only make a decision English said on Saturday that sixth nuclear test, and may be meeting also handled some per- blacklisted Kim Yo-jong along on which party to back after negotiations would now likely fast advancing toward its goal sonnel changes inside North Ko- with other North Korean offi cials the results of the September 23 focus on the economy. of developing a nuclear-tipped rea’s secretive and opaque ruling over “severe human rights abus- election become offi cial next Both Labour and New Zea- missile capable of hitting the centre of power, state media said. es”. Kim Jong-sik and Ri Pyong- Thursday. land First have said they want US mainland. North Korea is Kim Jong-un’s sister, Kim chol, two of the three men behind Peters remained tight-lipped to curb immigration, renego- preparing to test-launch such a Yo-jong, was made an alternate Kim’s banned rocket programme, after talks with the prime min- tiate certain trade deals and missile, a Russian lawmaker who member of the politburo — the were also promoted. ister, saying the meeting was adjust the role of the central had just returned from a visit to top decision-making body over State media announced that “fi ne”, and later met Labour bank albeit in diff erent ways. Pyongyang was quoted as saying which Kim Jong-un presides. several other high ranking cad- Party leader Jacinda Ardern. Analysts expected the political on Friday. Alongside Kim Jong-un himself, res were promoted to the Central “I can say that we’ve had an uncertainty to have little im- Donald Trump has previously the promotion makes Kim Yo- Committee in what the South excellent, productive meet- pact on fi nancial markets and said the United States would jong the only other millennial Korean unifi cation ministry said ing,” Ardern told reporters af- the New Zealand dollar. “totally destroy” North Korea if member of the infl uential body. could be an attempt by North ter coming out of the two-hour “I think on Monday the mar- necessary to protect itself and Her new position indicates Korea to navigate a way through meeting. “Negotiations will ket is going to be a little bit sub- its allies. The situation proved the 28-year-old has become a its increasing isolation. continue for Labour with the dued because basically nothing that North Korea’s policy of “by- replacement for Kim Jong-un’s “The large-scale personnel parties that we are looking to has changed,” said Stuart Ive, ungjin”, meaning the parallel de- aunt, Kim Kyong-hui, who had reshuffl e refl ects that Kim Jong- form a stable, durable, coali- private client manager at OM velopment of nuclear weapons been a key decision maker when un is taking the current situation Kim Yo-jong tion government with.” Financial. and the economy was “absolutely former leader Kim Jong-il was seriously, and that he’s looking Ardern has brought La- “You could say that the poli- right”, Kim Jong-un said in the alive. “It shows that her portfo- for a breakthrough by promoting in a bombastic speech to the UN makers,” said Madden. “Even if bour within reach of forming cies are probably more aligned speech. lio and writ is far more substan- a new generation of politicians,” General Assembly last month, he has informal or off the record government since becoming to a Labour-Green-NZ First “The national economy has tive than previously believed the ministry said in a statement. was promoted to full vote-carry- meetings, Ri’s interlocutors can party leader in August, with a partnership but a three-way grown on their strength this year, and it is a further consolidation North Korea’s foreign min- ing member of the politburo. “Ri be assured that whatever pro- Labour-Green bloc winning coalition is a lot harder to man- despite the escalating sanctions,” of the Kim family’s power,” said ister Ri Yong-ho, who named can now be safely identifi ed as posals they proff er will be taken 54 seats, two seats short of the age than a two-way coalition.” said Kim, referring to UN Secu- Michael Madden, a North Korea Donald Trump “President Evil” one of North Korea’s top policy directly to the top,” he said.

100,000 more Rohingya wait for Solar cars begin race across Australian desert crossing border into Bangladesh

An estimated 100,000 more border open on humanitarian Rohingya Muslims have been grounds. waiting on the border to cross “They arrive exhausted, hungry into Bangladesh after more and usually with nothing more than half a million others fled than the clothes on their back, unrest in Myanmar’s Rakhine having walked for days and state, the International then braved a dangerous river Organization for Migration or sea crossing. Many show (IOM) said yesterday. signs of malnutrition,” the IOM “Observers believe that as statement said. many as 100,000 more people A senior Bangladeshi minister may be waiting to cross said yesterday the government into Cox’s Bazar (in south- would allow more Rohingya eastern Bangladesh) from to cross the border on North Rakhine’s Buthidaung humanitarian grounds. “We Township (in Myanmar),” the will not close our door forcibly migration agency said in a without the consent of the statement. United Nations and other The agency estimated 515,000 international communities,” Rohingya Muslims entered Obaidul Quader, who is also Bangladesh after the Myanmar the second in command in the army launched a crackdown ruling Awami League party, slightly over six weeks ago told reporters in Dhaka. in troubled Rakhine state. Bangladesh and Myanmar An average 2,000 people, have begun bilateral talks for persecuted allegedly by the repatriation of the Rohingya, The World Solar Challenge began yesterday with 42 solar cars crossing Australia’s tropical north to its southern shores, a gruelling 3,000km race through the outback. The Myanmar army, are crossing the Muslim minority group race from the northern city of Darwin to the southern city of Adelaide is expected to take a week for most cars, with speeds of 90-100 kmph powered only by the sun. the border every day to safety driven away from their homes as Bangladesh keeps its in Buddhist majority Myanmar. Gulf Times Monday, October 9, 2017 13 BRITAIN

Scottish independence case helped by Brexit chaos: Sturgeon

Reuters Scotland rejected independence “People watch the chaos that becoming greater and stronger by ern Ireland voted to remain while choice over the shape of its future Brexit credentials. Sturgeon said Edinburgh by a 10 percentage point margin in is engulfi ng the UK right now and the day.” Wales and the larger England voted trading relations, Sturgeon argued. the pledge, to be set out in her a 2014 vote, and polls indicate that people look ahead and see the Sturgeon, who heads the de- to leave. Britain’s main parties are “I believe so, so strongly, not for speech at the Scottish National support for it has not shifted sig- damage that is likely to be done by volved Scottish government, saw fi ghting over what new relation- ideological reasons but for hard party conference tomorrow, was ritain’s struggles to chart nifi cantly since then. this unfolding disaster that is not her party lose more than one third ship is needed with the bloc after practical reasons, it would be an designed to protect EU nation- a way out of the European “We will consider the (inde- just Brexit but this incompetent of its seats in Britain’s June election 40 years of shared trade and poli- act of monumental folly for the UK als from the “looming threat” of BUnion are boosting the pendence referendum) timing and chaotic approach to Brexit be- after it mistimed a push for anoth- tics. to come out of the single market.” Brexit. case for Scottish independence, again when we have more clarity ing presided over by (Conservative er vote on secession. May has seen her authority over Earlier Sturgeon off ered to pay The SNP estimates that First Minister Nicola Sturgeon on what we face,” Sturgeon said, Prime Minister) Theresa May,” she It subsequently put the plan on the Conservatives erode since a the residency fees for EU citizens 20,000 citizens from other EU said yesterday, but she shied speaking as her Scottish National told the BBC. hold. Brexit has put the union of June’s snap election in which she who currently work in the Scot- countries work in Scottish pub- away from committing to a date Party (SNP) began a three-day “I think the case for Scotland’s the UK’s four nations under strain lost her parliamentary majority. tish public sector, in an eff ort to lic services, such as hospitals, for another referendum vote. conference in Glasgow. future in Scotland’s hands (...) is because Scotland and North- That means Britain still has a reinforce her government’s anti- schools and universities.

Two Tory MEPs May signals suspended

Reuters Brussels possible ritain’s ruling Conserva- tives barred two of their Bown lawmakers in the European Parliament after they broke the party whip and voted for a motion demanding London demotion do more to meet EU demands in Brexit talks. “Julie Girling and...Richard Ashworth were suspended from the Conservative Party after sup- porting a resolution...to block Brexit talks moving forward,” the of Johnson party said yesterday in a state- ment that highlighted divisions Guardian News and Media idson claimed colleagues had for- prime minister, and their own gov- over Britain’s move to quit the Eu- London gotten that they were lucky to be ernment. It is profoundly unbe- ropean Union in 18 months. serving the country. “It is not and coming and it must stop,” he wrote Prime Minister Theresa May should never be about private am- in the Mail on Sunday, claiming supported the move. heresa May has suggested bition.” the public were desperate for the A government source said the she is prepared to demote She added that “lying in wait government to speak for them. two had behaved “totally irre- TBoris Johnson in a signal (is Jeremy Corbyn’s) neo-Marxist “The British people are sick and sponsibly”. of strength after Downing Street government ready to take over”. tired of the navel-gazing that has “They left the party no choice successfully defl ected an at- In further signs of angst within dominated the news headlines, all but to act,” Ashley Fox, leader of tempted coup by a former Con- the party between the most ardent of which has been deeply unedify- the 20-strong group, said in the servative chair. Brexit supporters and those who ing to behold.” statement, describing the deci- The prime minster said she campaigned for remain, the Tory May’s comments, in an inter- sion of Ashworth and Girling, a would not “hide from the chal- MP Nadine Dorries told ITV’s Pe- view with the Sunday Times, are former group leader and chief lenge” when asked about the for- ston on Sunday she believed it was part of an eff ort to get on to the whip respectively, as “extremely eign secretary, who has infuriated wrong to focus on Johnson. front foot as MPs return to parlia- regrettable”. colleagues by interventions on She said May should sack her ment this week after a damaging Girling, who like Ashworth and Brexit that triggered questions of Chancellor, Philip Hammond, ar- conference season. Fox opposed Brexit during last leadership. guing that any attempt to put the After days of Johnson domi- year’s referendum, defended her Her comments, after a night- brakes on Brexit would not be for- nating the headlines, the prime decision to vote with the over- mare conference speech that she given by voters. minister fi nished the week with whelming majority in Strasbourg admitted was “uncomfortable”, Davidson disagreed, telling a speech that was overshadowed on Tuesday on a non-binding were backed up by the Conserva- Robert Peston that May should by a prankster handing her a P45, resolution which urged EU leaders tive leader in Scotland, Ruth Dav- “absolutely not” remove her chan- an incessant cough and a problem not to accept London’s request for idson, who warned: “People serve cellor, and arguing that it was his with the staging. talks on post-Brexit trade without in Cabinet entirely at the pleasure job to set out how diff erent Brexit Asked if she could move the further concessions. of the prime minister.” outcomes would aff ect the British foreign secretary in an expected “I did not vote to prevent trade Davidson stressed that Johnson economy. reshuffl e, after claims that he was talks,” she said, noting she called had made a public show of loyalty, Davidson refused to say whether unsackable, she said: “It has never for such negotiations. but urged May to ensure that the she would want to run to become a been my style to hide from a chal- However, she said in a state- foreign secretary was true to his Tory MP in 2022, opening the door lenge and I’m not going to start ment that it was “patently obvi- word. to the possibility of becoming a now. ous” that the EU’s test of “suf- “He has come out this week to future leader. Asked about the is- “I’m the PM, and part of my fi cient progress” on key divorce say he is fully behind every dot, sue, she said: “I’ve got a job at the job is to make sure I always have issues were not yet met. comma, and word of the Florence moment. I’m not looking beyond the best people in my Cabinet, Her vote, she said, put the inter- speech,” Davidson told the BBC’s 2021.” Davidson argued that she to make the most of the wealth ests of her constituents over party Andrew Marr Show. “I want to see was focused on making the party of talent available to me in the discipline and referred to support the prime minister hold him to in Scotland a credible alternative party.” on the far-right for Britain to walk that.” government, insisting: “This is my The prime minister denied that out without a deal. “I have never Davidson described Johnson as job right now.” she had cried after the speech agreed to silently acquiesce as a “big intellect and big fi gure in Meanwhile, the former Tory and hit out at some of the media our country heads towards a cliff the party”, adding that the prime prime minister John Major portrayals of her. “One minute edge,” she said, describing that as minister had her support if she be- launched a blistering attack on the journalists are accusing me of “wanton economic self-harm”. lieved he was the best person to be “self-absorbed and, frankly, dis- being an ice maiden or a robot, May, who also opposed Brexit, foreign secretary. loyal behaviour” within his party then they claim I’m a weeping is battling to contain in-fi ghting But in a warning that appeared over recent weeks. woman in dire need of a good over approaches to Brexit and to be aimed both at Cabinet mem- He strongly criticised those who night’s sleep,” she told the news- threats to her leadership after an bers and Grant Shapps – whose had tried to manoeuvre against paper. “The truth is, my feelings uncertain party conference per- Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson collects his baggage at London Stansted Airport, north of London, attempted coup fi zzled out after a May. “Their conduct has under- can be hurt, like everyone else, formance last week. yesterday. backlash from colleagues – Dav- mined their own party, their own but I am pretty resilient.”

Tribute Harry to guest edit Man jailed for forging dead partner’s will

Today programme London Evening Standard signed by Webb’s brother and London a friend after her death - was dated during a rocky spell for the Guardian News and Media the IAAF. Last year the BBC put of the London Evening Standard couple. London together an all-female group to become Today editor in Janu- he former partner of The court also heard Webb had of guest editors that included ary. A recent piece on London an antiques dealer who previously been told to leave the Nicola Adams, the Olympic fashion week prompted claims Twas found bludgeoned property and that Mercer asked rince Harry is to guest gold medal-winning boxer, that Sands was trying to take to death outside her home has her solicitors to draft a non-mo- edit Today, BBC radio’s Carey Mulligan, the actor, and the programme in a new direc- been jailed for forging her will. lestation and an exclusion order Pfl agship news and current the business executive Helena tion. Robert Webb, 54, who was against the defendant the month aff airs programme. Morrissey. Today dedicated eight slots ruled out as a suspect in the before her death, only to de- The programme’s editor, Sa- The BBC has used guest edi- and around 45 minutes of one murder investigation of his long- instruct them a fortnight before rah Sands, said Harry would tors at Christmas for the past 13 programme to fashion week, on term partner Robyn Mercer, was she died. edit one of the Christmas spe- years. They are responsible for the day that North Korea fi red a sentenced to eight months in The 50-year-old antiques cials, when a range of guest edi- about half of each programme’s missile over Japan. prison at Kingston Crown Court. dealer’s killer remains on the tors are traditionally deployed. content, typically choosing is- Sands said Today wanted to He was facing eviction from loose, police said. Asked on Radio 4’s Feed- sues that mean a lot to them, highlight how important the the Surrey home he shared with Sentencing Webb to eight back whether rumours that with the regular editors ensur- fashion industry was to the her and her two children, now months in jail for one charge of the prince was going to guest ing the programme meets BBC British economy. “The point aged 17 and 21, shortly after he making a false instrument with edit Today were correct, Sands guidelines. of doing that item was really was absolved of any role in hack- intent, Recorder Ian Peddie QC said: “That is indeed true, he Sands defended the Today treating it I hope as Evan Davis ing the antiques expert to death said: “This mean and callous of- is going to be one of the guest programme against criticism or something might have done. on their driveway in March 2016. fence had the eff ect of greatly editors at Christmas. As al- that it had softened its ap- Our business team were de- Communications worker exacerbating the eff ects and the ways it is about trying to bring proach to news since she be- lighted that we were addressing Webb said he faked Mercer’s emotional distress Mercer’s chil- the best that we can to Radio came editor. In the interview on an industry that we hadn’t done will only because he wanted to dren have suff ered following the 4 and the Today programme, Feedback, a show that involves before,” she said. “If you decide “smoke out” the real one - a untimely and brutal death. so I think you will find Prince the BBC responding to com- to do a themed programme you missing document which the “Not only have they had to Harry’s programme very, very ments from listeners, she said: are a hostage to events.” court heard apparently allowed contend with her death and the interesting.” “The fact-based journalism and She described her team of Well-wishers, friends and family members of slain French him to continue living there in- continuing investigation into her Previous guest editors of To- analysis is still there. It is three presenters – which includes au-pair Sophie Lionnet march in her honour in Wimbledon defi nitely, rather than have it sold death - an investigation that is day have included the physicist hours long, this wonderful pro- John Humphrys, Nick Robin- yesterday. The charred body found in a London garden last and her portion of the proceeds not yet complete - they also had Stephen Hawking, the lawyer gramme, so that you can pack it son and Mishal Husain – as a month was identified as that of 21-year-old French woman split between her children. to face ... your dishonesty. Miriam Gonzalez-Durantez and all in.” “terrifi c team” and said she was Sophie Lionnet who worked as an au-pair, police said. Suspicions were raised be- “It is shameful behaviour on Sebastian Coe, the president of She left her position as editor “very, very happy with them”. cause the forged document - your part.” Gulf Times 14 Monday, October 9, 2017 BRITAIN Up to 400 refugee children stuck in France, lawyers claim

Guardian News and Media warns that as many as 400 chil- children were allowed into the based in many cases on physical Children refused asylum at the reported that even children who in emergency accommodation London dren are trapped in France and UK from Europe in 2016, accord- appearance alone,” the report by time were not given an oppor- had identity documents were such as hotels or schools with are still vulnerable to traffi cking, ing to the Home Offi ce, which in- Kirsty Brimelow QC and Jelia Sane, tunity to challenge age assess- being expelled from the queue if no reliable access to food, water, abuse and disease. sists that it works closely with EU who were in the camp, says. “The ments which put them over the their appearance did not fi t,” ac- sanitation, offi cial information undreds of unaccompa- The allegations that asylum states on applications. methods employed by offi cials age of 18, the barristers maintain, cording to the barristers. or any form of legal advice. nied children claiming applications are not being prop- Barristers from the commit- were arbitrary and discriminatory.” a failure compounded by restric- “The delegation heard reports “Others sleep in car parks, Hto have relatives in Brit- erly considered is disputed by the tee were among a small number “(The committee) has learned tions imposed by French offi cials that guidelines which should train stations, hospital waiting ain are stranded in France where Home Offi ce, which points to six of legal observers present when that family reunion cases under on lawyers giving advice. have been followed were severely rooms or on the streets. At bor- their asylum cases are not being alternative legal routes by which shacks and temporary accommo- Dublin III (EU asylum regula- Two offi cials from the or- curtailed or ignored due to lack ders, in ‘hotspots’ and in camps, actively considered, senior hu- children can still enter the UK. dation on the site were disman- tions) were poorly handled such ganisation France Terre D’Asile, of time.” children regularly witness vio- man rights lawyers have said. These include the Syrian vul- tled by the French authorities at that an estimated 400 unac- which conducted assessments Unaccompanied migrant chil- lence or are subjected to violence A study by the human rights nerable persons resettlement the end of October last year. companied minors claiming to on teenage migrants in Calais, dren are living in overcrowded themselves. An increase in num- committee of the bar (BHRC), scheme and refugee family reun- “Children were subjected to a have relatives in the UK are now resigned in protest and were and squalid conditions across bers has meant that any child- released a year after the demoli- ion programmes. More than 900 chaotic and unlawful age verifi - stranded in France having had no “appalled at what they had wit- the EU, Brimelow and Sane point specifi c facilities that do exist tion of the Calais refugee camp, unaccompanied, asylum-seeking cation and registration process, proper decisions on their cases.” nessed”, the report says. “They out. “Children are often found now are overstretched.” Man held over Mental health campaign museum car crash released

Guardian News and Media tacks in the capital that have London used vehicles to target pedes- trians. The ambulance service sent multiple resources to the man who was arrested scene, including its hazardous after a car struck pedes- area response team, ambulance Atrians outside the Natural crews, paramedics in fast re- History Museum in west London sponse cars and incident re- has been released under investi- sponse officers. gation, police have said. Vehicles have been deployed The incident in Exhibition as weapons in terrorist attacks Road, south Kensington, which in Westminster, London Bridge occurred at about 2.20pm on and Finsbury Park, north London Saturday, left 11 people injured this year. and prompted a major security The crash took place on a busy alert, although the Met later said day in London’s museum dis- it was not terrorist-related. trict, which is also home to the The Duke of Cambridge visited the Imperial College’s Data Science Institute (DSI) to see the impact of the Heads Together Campaign displayed in the data observatory A 47-year-old man was ar- Science Museum and the Vic- (DO) – the largest facility of its kind in Europe. Heads Together is a mental health initiative spearheaded by The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry. It aims rested at the scene on suspicion toria and Albert Museum. The to tackle the stigma associated with mental health and inspire people to talk more openly about mental well-being. of dangerous driving and was Natural History Museum alone taken to hospital for treatment, had 4.6mn visitors last year, along with eight other people. equivalent to around 12,600 on The London ambulance service an average day. said they had mostly suff ered leg A waitress from a restaurant and head injuries. on Exhibition Road, which was The Met said the suspect was evacuated and cordoned off , subsequently taken to a north said: “I was serving some cus- London police station for ques- tomers when the police came and tioning but was released yester- just told everyone to run.” day while inquiries continued. Some people said they were Tories must review unfair Detective constable Darren ushered into the neighbouring Case from the roads and trans- Science Museum. port policing command said: Lesley Carter said passersby “Because of where this collision held the man down before police occurred and the number of pe- arrived. “I saw the man pinned destrians involved, I fully appre- down by about six people. It ciate the concern and alarm this looked like the car had smashed universal credit: Major incident caused. Inquiries have into the wall between two other established that this incident is cars and the guy got out to run Guardian News and Media Major claimed that universal ning the next election,” Major and south, east and west – and in train. It is more a question of not terrorist-related and I’d like before being pinned down. Loads London credit, which simplifi es the ben- wrote in an article for the Mail on this can never be achieved while whether it refl ects what we heard to thank those who came to as- of people were running away and efi t system and aims to remove Sunday. He said the alternative we restrict ourselves only to the prime minister say when she sist the injured. Thankfully there within minutes the police had cliff edges as people move into was a “Labour government led the drumbeat of ‘Brexit, Brexit, fi rst became PM on the steps of are no serious injuries with the turned up. It was a very quick re- ir John Major has called for work, was “theoretically impec- by two convinced neo-Marxists”. Brexit,’” said Major. No 10,” the Tory MP told BBC majority now discharged from sponse.” an urgent change of tone cable”. He said he remembered the “Our party’s support is age- Radio 4’s Today programme. hospital. The Prime Minister, Theresa Sfrom the Conservative However, he suggested the “far-left infl uence” of the 1960s ing. Our policies are not at- “She showed to me a really “We are grateful for the pa- May, thanked the first respond- government, including a review implementation of the policy, and 1970s, which he said had re- tracting enough of the young, clear understanding of people tience of those in and around ers and the public for their help of universal credit, which he de- which has led some claimants to sulted in “over-mighty unions, millions of whom believe the who are struggling to make ends the area following the disruption and said her thoughts were with scribed as “operationally messy, turn to foodbanks as they wait the strikes, the winter of discon- decision to leave Europe has meet. So to me, it doesn’t fi t caused. We would ask anybody the injured. The mayor of Lon- socially unfair and unforgiving”. up to six weeks for payments, re- tent, the sky-high taxes”. damaged their future, for which with that belief in a moral com- who saw what happened, or who don, Sadiq Khan, said he had The former prime minister quired a rethink. He argued that a tilt to the left they blame us.” pass. These are the vulnerable have any pictures or moving been in close contact with the said his party needed to “show He also called for radical ac- or right was always in the nature Theresa May is also facing people with no recourse to sav- footage that could help us gain assistant Met commissioner its heart again, which is all too tion across domestic policy in- of politics, “but I recoil from the pressure on universal credit from ings. We should be supporting a greater understanding of what Mark Rowley, who is also head often concealed by its fi nancial cluding schools and housing, prospect of a Corbyn-led gov- MPs on her backbenches, after them, because universal credit happened, to get in touch with of national counter-terrorism prudence”, if it hoped to fi ght off warning that failure to act would ernment”. Heidi Allen said she and 14 col- is about supporting people in us.” policing. a Labour resurgence in the next open the door to “the return of a However, he underlined the leagues wanted the rollout to be work and helping them move Dozens of armed officers Temporary road closures have general election. nightmare”. scale of the challenge facing the paused. up the working ladder and take responded to the incident, re- been lifted and the museum was “We are not living in normal “It is apparent – even four Tories. “The Conservative party “My understanding is there on more hours. That is who we flecting the fear that it was the open as normal yesterday morn- times and must challenge innate years out – that the Conserva- has to regain the aff ection and isn’t any legislation that might should, as Conservatives, be latest in a string of terrorist at- ing. Conservative caution,” he said. tives face a real challenge in win- support of young and old, north stop or start this, it is already supporting.” Pole who threatened Paraclimbing Cup Attenborough ‘tops list to be face of £20 note’

to kill MP spared jail London Evening Standard wanted to feature on the new London bank note from a list of 15 “ethi- cal champions” who would “re- London Evening Standard him but instead banned him from zek ranted “I could attack you, I mind the public to be ethical in London the UK for two years and de- could kill you” when he went to ir David Attenborough has how they spend their money”. manded he should be deported as Barwell’s constituency surgery in topped a list of “ethical A new version of the £20 note soon as possible. Croydon on June 3 last year. Schampions” Britons want is due to come into circulation in Polish man who threat- The court heard Barwell, ap- “He was pacing up and down to feature on the next £20 note, a 2020. Artist J M W Rurner, one ened to kill May’s chief pointed to the PM’s Downing making wild allegations,” said survey has revealed. of Britain’s greatest painters, will Aof staff while armed with Street team shortly after he lost prosecutor Graeme Molloy, add- The research, conducted by actually be the face of the note a kitchen knife has been spared his seat in the 2017 general elec- ing that Gajowniczek was asked YouGov on behalf of Good Mon- following a nationwide vote last jail. tion, stopped walking to work as to leave after making claims ey Week, showed that 40% of the year. Andrzej Gajowniczek, 25, is- a result of the threats and had about corruption and pay-off s. 2,128 people asked said Sir David Good Money Week runs be- sued the death threat to Gavin new locks and a panic alarm in- He told police: “I want to kill was their fi rst choice. tween October 8-14 and pro- Barwell, who was then Croydon stalled at his home. an MP. Yes, I will come back and He was ahead of other “ethi- motes making “ethical money Central MP, at an “open-door” Sentencing Gajowniczek to 18 kill that MP.” Offi cers discovered cally minded” fi gureheads, in- choices” in their daily spending. constituency surgery last year. months in prison suspended for the knife in his bag when he was cluding Richard Branson, Stella Charlene Cranny, programme Gajowniczek shouted “I want two years, Recorder David Brock searched later at the police sta- McCartney and Jamie Oliver. manager at the UK Sustainable to kill an MP. Yes, I will come said: “MPs going about their tion. The veteran broadcaster out- Investment and Finance Asso- back and kill that MP” as he was public duties should be protected Gajowniczek was sectioned stripped his next closest rival, ciation (UKSIF), said: “It’s no hauled away by police, who later from the likes of you. and then sent to a Polish mental Prince Charles, who came in surprise that Sir David Attenbor- found a newly bought knife in his “Those who work in public of- hospital for treatment, but es- second place with just 7%of sup- ough came out top in this poll. rucksack. fi ce must be safe to go about their caped and evaded UK border se- port. “With his endless conservation He was sectioned after the in- duties and meet members of the curity as he slipped back into the Harry Potter novelist J K work, he would act as a constant cident and sent back to Poland public one-on-one without fear country on March 27. Competitor Lucie Jarrige of France takes part in the Rowling earned the approval of reminder to the public to make for mental health treatment, but of being abused and threatened “Later that day he tried to gain English stage of the IFSC (International Federation of 4% of those asked, while human ‘ethical’ money choices, which is escaped and slipped back into with attack in this way.” entry to the Houses of Parliament Sport Climbing) Paraclimbing Cup at the Awesome rights activist Anita Roddick and what Good Money Week - now in the UK through Luton airport in He imposed a two-year exclu- and was stopped,” said Molloy. Walls climbing centre in Sheff ield. Paraclimbers archbishop of Canterbury Justin its 10th year - aims to do. March this year. sion order on him, adding: “I’m Gajowniczek pleaded guilty to from all over the world gathered in Sheff ield to Welby earned 3% respectively. “It’s particularly important Gajowniczek headed straight fi rmly of the view you should be racially aggravated harassment compete in the English stage of the Paraclimbing Cup Nearly a third (27%) said they this year as the workplace pension to Parliament where he was deported as soon as reasonably of Barwell and also admitted circuit alongside competitors in the British Speed did not know who to choose. comes into full force and millions stopped by Commons secu- practicable, but that’s out of my possession of a knife. Climbing Championships and British Lead Climbing The poll, conducted in Sep- of pounds could be chosen to be rity staff , Croydon crown court control.” Barwell has been approached Championships at the event in Sheff ield. tember 2017, asked participants invested ethically if people were heard. A judge agreed not to jail The court heard Gajownic- by the Standard for comment. to name an individual they most aware of their choices.” Gulf Times Monday, October 9, 2017 15 EUROPE

Moscow warns it Hundreds of thousands may restrict rally for Spanish unity US media AFP/DPA/Reuters has caused the most ravages in Reuters Barcelona history, is nationalist passion,” Moscow he added. The 81-year-old writer and undreds of thousands of journalist, born in Peru but a ussia is within its rights fl ag-waving demonstra- nationalised Spaniard who lived to restrict the operations Htors packed central Bar- in Barcelona in the 1970s, said Rof US media organisa- celona yesterday to rally against it would “take more than a coup tions in Russia in retaliation for plans by separatist leaders to plot to destroy what has been what Moscow calls US pressure declare Catalonia independent built in 500 years of history”. on a Kremlin-backed TV sta- following a banned secession The Catalan government on tion, a Russian foreign ministry referendum. Friday published fi nal results spokeswoman said yesterday. Catalans calling themselves from the referendum indicat- Russian offi cials have accused a “silent majority” opposed to ing that 90% of voters backed Washington of putting unwar- leaving Spain broke their silence the proposal to break away from ranted pressure on the US opera- after a week of mounting anxiety Spain. tions of RT, a Kremlin-funded over the country’s worst politi- Turnout was 43% as Catalans broadcaster accused by some cal crisis in a generation. who reject independence largely in Washington of interfering in The crowd waved both Span- A protester has the Spanish flag painted on her face before the boycotted the polls. domestic US politics, which it ish and Catalan fl ags and chant- pro-unity rally in Barcelona. The vote was not held accord- denies. ed “Viva Espana! Viva Catalo- ing to offi cial electoral standards The foreign ministry spokes- nia!” as they made their way ing that is allowed for under the cultural traditions, demands for as there were not regular voter woman, Maria Zakharova, said through the streets of Barcelona law,” Rajoy said in an interview independence in Catalonia date lists, electoral commission or the full weight of the US author- under a clear blue sky. with El Pais newspaper. back centuries but have surged observers. ities was being brought to bear From the morning, people “The ideal would be not to during recent years of economic Protesters piled off the morn- against RT’s operations in the draped with Spanish and anti- have to take drastic measures,” hardship. ing train from Madrid at Barce- United States, and that Moscow independence Catalan fl ags – he said. “I would like this threat The latest crisis has raised lona’s Sants station to join the had the right to respond. which lack the white star that is of a declaration of independence fears of unrest in Catalonia, a protests yesterday. “We have never used Russian present on the secessionist Cat- to be withdrawn as quickly as northeastern region about the “I’m tired of being quiet,” said law in relation to foreign corre- alan fl ag – could be heard sing- possible.” size of Belgium that is home to Susana Cerezal, 41, who came spondents as a lever of pressure, ing “We are all Catalans”, “Only Tensions soared after police 7.5mn people and accounts for to the demonstration from the or censorship, or some kind of one nation”, and “Puigdemont in cracked down on voters during one-fi fth of Spain’s economy. town of Figueras near the border political infl uence, never,” Za- prison”. the banned October 1 independ- Spanish police caused inter- with France. kharova said in an interview with “We have perhaps been silent ence referendum, prompting national shock by beating voters The protesters were backed by Russia’s NTV broadcaster. “But too long,” Alejandro Marcos, 44, separatist leaders to warn they in the October 1 referendum. the ruling People’s Party (PP), this is a particular case.” told AFP. “It seems that the one would unilaterally declare inde- At Sunday’s rally, demon- the pro-government Catalan She cited a 1991 Russian law who yells the most wins the ar- pendence. strators cheered and applauded Ciudadanos party, and, at the which, she said, stated that if a gument. So we have to raise our Tentative signs emerged on when a national police helicop- last minute, by the opposition Russian media outlet is subject voices and say loud and clear People hold up a no ‘Catxit’ banner, in the style of Brexit, during the Friday that the two sides may be ter fl ew over and some people Socialist Party. to restrictions in a foreign coun- that we do not want independ- rally in Barcelona. seeking to defuse the crisis after shook the hands of national po- Several businesses, including try, then Moscow has the right ence.” Madrid off ered a fi rst apology to lice offi cers to thank them for major banks, have started mov- to impose proportionate restric- “I’m a leftist but I do not want timate of 350,000 people. pendence, though leaders said Catalans injured by police dur- their eff orts to stop the referen- ing their legal headquarters out tions on media outlets from that independence. I want Spain to Some protesters called for police violence during the refer- ing the vote. dum. of Catalonia, casting doubt on country operating inside Russia. become a federal state,” Angel, the region’s separatist president endum turned many against the But uncertainty still stalks the But protesters jeered members whether one of Spain’s wealthi- “Correspondingly, everything a 50-year-old teacher and sup- Carles Puigdemont to go to jail state authorities. country as Catalan leaders have of Catalonia’s regional police est regions would risk a major that Russian journalists and the porter of the leftist Podemos for holding a vote on independ- City police said 700,000 peo- not backed off from plans to de- force, the Mossos d’Esquadra, capital fl ight if it broke off from RT station are subject to on US party, told DPA. ence in defi ance of the Spanish ple joined a pro-independence clare the region independent. which had largely ignored a Madrid. soil, after we qualifi ed it as re- “We feel both Catalan and government and courts. protest in Barcelona two days Puigdemont is scheduled to court order to close polling sta- Concern is growing in EU striction of their activities, we Spanish,” Araceli Ponze, 72, told “The unity of Spain cannot be after the vote. address the regional parliament tions and seize ballot boxes. capitals about the impact of the can apply similar measures to Reuters. “We are facing a tre- voted on or negotiated – it must On the eve of the rally, Spain’s tomorrow evening. Dozens of protesters sur- crisis on the Spanish economy, American journalists, American mendous unknown. We will see be defended,” read one sign in Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy It remains unclear what he rounded two Mossos vans and the fourth largest in the euro- media here, on Russian terri- what happens this week but we the crowd. issued a stern warning to Cata- plans to say, although some sep- called the offi cers standing on zone, and on possible spillovers tory,” Zakharova said. have to speak out very loudly so Others called for dialogue. lan leaders who have said they aratist leaders hope he will use guard in front of them “traitors”. to other economies. She did not identify any spe- they know what we want.” The slogan for the demonstra- could declare independence this the opportunity to declare inde- Nobel Literature Prize winner Some European offi cials are cifi c US media outlets that would According to the Catalan Civil tion – organised by the Societat week. pendence. Mario Vargas Llosa warned in an also worried that any soften- be targeted. Society (SCC), which organised Civil Catalana, the main anti- He did not rule out moving to Rajoy assured Catalan lead- address to the crowd at the end ing in Spain’s stance towards She said it made no diff erence the “Enough! Let’s go back to independence group in Catalo- stop that by suspending Cata- ers that there “is still time” to of the rally that “passion can be Catalan independence could from the Russian government’s reason” march, more than 1mn nia – was: “Enough, let’s recover lonia’s regional autonomy – a backtrack and avoid triggering a destructive and ferocious when fuel secessionist feelings among point of view if those outlets people took part. good sense!” move that could risk sparking tough response from the central it is fueled by fanaticism and other groups in Europe such as were backed by the US state, or Barcelona’s municipal police, Recent polls had indicated unrest. government in Madrid. racism”. Belgium’s Flemings and Italy’s privately-funded. the Guardia Urbana, gave an es- that Catalans are split on inde- “I rule out absolutely noth- With its own language and “The worst of all, the one that Lombards. Late last month, Russia’s state communications regula- tor accused US TV channel CNN International of violating its licence to broadcast in Russia and said it had summoned the Drained of cash and riven by rivalries, broadcaster’s representatives in connection with the matter. The watchdog did not publicly disclose the nature of the viola- Unesco seeks leader to revive fortunes tion. The head of the regulator said it was a technical matter and de- By John Irish, Reuters But in a sign of how toxic rela- though, are only part of a mine- a decision to grant the Palestin- nied that politics was involved. Paris tions have become, Israeli Prime fi eld of contentious issues on ians full membership. Minister Benjamin Netanyahu which the UN body has to hand Unesco has been forced to cut told world leaders at the UN down rulings. its programmes and freeze hir- 1,000km of track hen Israel’s envoy told General Assembly last month Japan, for example, threat- ing. Unesco delegates last that Unesco was promoting ened to withhold its 2016 dues “It’s an organisation that has aff ected by storm WJuly that fi xing the “fake history”. after Unesco included docu- been swept away from its man- plumbing in his toilet was more Like Israel’s plain-speaking ments submitted by China on date to become a sounding board Germany’s national rail important than their latest rul- envoy Carmel Shama Haco- the 1937 Nanjing Massacre in for clashes that happen else- corporation Deutsche Bahn says ing, it highlighted how fractious hen, Netanyahu was referring to its “Memory of the World” pro- where, and that translates into that more than 1,000km of train geopolitics are paralysing the Unesco’s designation of Hebron gramme. political and fi nancial hijacking,” track were aff ected by a storm workings of the agency. and the two adjoined shrines at The Paris-based organisa- said a former European Unesco which hit the north of the country Whoever wins the race to re- its heart – the Jewish Tomb of tion, which also promotes global ambassador. The Paris headquarters of the United Nations Educational, Scientific this week, and that the clean-up place Irina Bokova as head of the Patriarchs and the Muslim education and supports press All the candidates have and Cultural Organisation (Unesco). could still take days. the UN’s cultural and education Ibrahimi Mosque – as a “Pal- freedom, convenes its executive vowed a grassroots overhaul Damage occurred at more body next week will have to try estinian World Heritage Site in council today to begin voting on and pledged independence from soft power diplomacy, though believe it should be their turn. than 500 separate points on to restore the relevance of an Danger”. seven candidates. their home nations. Western capitals fret about The Arab states face their own the country’s railway network, agency born from the ashes of Jews believe the Cave of the Azerbaijan, China, Egypt, France and China, both per- China controlling an agency political tests. a company spokesman said World War II but increasingly Patriarchs is where Abraham, France, Lebanon, Qatar, and Vi- manent members of the UN that shapes Internet and media Their three entries underscore early yesterday after high hobbled by regional rivalries and Isaac and Jacob and their wives, etnam have put forward candi- Security Council, argue that the policy. their own disunity, something winds brought down trees and a lack of money. are buried. dates. agency needs “strong leader- Former French culture min- the Egyptian hopeful Moushira overhead wiring. The UN agency’s triumphs Muslims, who, like Christians, So far there is no clear front- ship, which can only come with ister Audrey Azoulay carries the Khattab has indicated stymie the Train traff ic in northern Germany include designating world herit- also revere Abraham, built the runner. the backing of a major power. support of France’s new young Arab bid. was brought to a standstill on age sites such as the Galapagos Ibrahimi mosque, also known Unesco’s struggles worsened Chinese candidate Qian Tang president, Emmanuel Macron. Voting takes place over a max- Thursday as a result. Islands and the historic tombs of as the Sanctuary of Abraham, in in 2011, when the United States has almost 25 years’ experience But the last-minute French imum fi ve rounds. The spokesman added that clean- Timbuktu – re-built by Unesco the 14th century. cancelled its substantial budg- at Unesco. candidacy has drawn the ire of If the two fi nalists are level, up operations are due to take after extremists destroyed them. Israeli-Palestinian hostilities, etary contribution in protest at His bid fi ts into Beijing’s Arab states, notably Egypt, who they draw lots. until the start of the week.

Merkel, Bavaria allies agree on migrant policy: sources

Reuters/AFP tween her conservative bloc, the by Horst Seehofer, who blames centre-right alliance, and a com- servative camp, charged that the Berlin pro-business Free Democrats her open-door policy that has mitment to “healthy patriotism”. “madhouse” CDU-CSU dispute (FDP) and Greens after winning brought more than 1mn asylum- “We must fi ght the AfD head- showed that “in reality, they are a fourth term as chancellor in a seekers since 2015 for the rise of on – and fi ght to get their voters enemy parties”. erman Chancellor Angela September 24 election but losing the far-right Alternative for Ger- back,” said the text published in The emergence of the anti- Merkel’s Christian Dem- much support to the far-right. many (AfD) party. mass-circulation Bild am Son- immigration AfD, which scored Gocrats (CDU) have agreed Such a power pact – dubbed a Beleaguered Seehofer – who ntag, which suggested that “con- 12.6%, has stunned Germany by on the divisive issue of a refugee “Jamaica coalition” because the after a vote drubbing faces inter- servatism is sexy again”. breaking a long-standing taboo cap with her conservative Ba- three party colours match those nal challengers, and state elec- The CDU is also nervous ahead on hard-right parties sitting in varian allies, two conservative of the Caribbean nation’s fl ag – tions next year – has revived his of a Lower Saxony state poll the Bundestag. Media cameras lined up in front of the CDU headquarters in Berlin are sources told Reuters, removing would be a fi rst at the national calls to cap the national refugee next Sunday, where it is running Its success came at the expense reflected in a window of the building during talks between top CDU a hurdle to coalition talks with level in Germany. intake at 200,000 a year, a de- neck-and-neck with the centre- of the mainstream parties, mak- and CSU off icials yesterday. other parties. The meeting between CDU mand Merkel has consistently left Social Democrats (SPD) – a ing it harder for Merkel to form a The agreement came last night and CSU was the fi rst step by rejected as unconstitutional. party badly in need of a win after working majority. All must give a little to reach a to avoid the fate of Merkel’s pre- after leading members of the Merkel toward forming a govern- In an opening salvo yesterday, their bruising defeat in Septem- In the talks to come, likely to compromise – but not too much, vious junior coalition partners: CDU held talks with the Chris- ment by trying to unite her con- the CSU published a 10-point list ber 24 elections. take weeks, all players will fi ght to avoid charges from their own both the FDP and SPD have suf- tian Social Union (CSU). servative camp which is bitterly of demands, including a refu- SPD leader Martin Schulz, for ministerial posts and issues party bases that they are selling fered stunning losses after gov- Merkel aims to build a na- divided over refugee policy. gee “upper limit”, a broad return gleefully watching the fam- from EU relations to climate out in a grab for power. erning in the veteran chancellor’s tionally untested coalition be- She met her CSU allies led to the conservative roots of the ily squabbles in Merkel’s con- policy. The smaller parties will seek shadow. Gulf Times 16 Monday, October 9, 2017 INDIA

Tamil Nadu Roundup NIA headquarters to be inaugurated tomorrow

By Umaima Shafiq IANS the Urban Development Minis- cember 24, 2014. The MoU for activities, initially began opera- am, Ahmedabad, Bharuch, Jag- and Union Territories. New Delhi try in December, 2013, the new its construction was signed tions from Hotel Centaur here. dalpur, Patna, Siliguri, Malda, “Out of the 166 cases, 63 cas- NIA headquarters comprises with the National Building Thereafter, the agency shifted Ranchi, Vijaywada and Imphal. es pertain to terrorism, 25 to ter- Couple insist nine fl oors and two basements. Construction Corporation Ltd its headquarters to the NDCC- The NIA, which started func- rorist acts by insurgents in the lmost nine years after its “The new NIA headquarters on December 29, 2014. II Building on Jai Singh Road in tioning on January 19, 2009, in- northeast, 41 to cases of terror Dhanush is inception following the will be inaugurated by Home “The foundation stone of the Delhi in June 2013. vestigates crimes with national fi nancing and fake currency, 13 their son ANovember 2008 Mum- Minister Rajanth Singh on NIA headquarters was laid by The agency has since ex- and international ramifi cations to cases involving leftwing ex- bai terror attack, the National Tuesday. Ministers of State for Rajnath Singh on September panded its geographical out- and has all-India jurisdiction. tremism and the remaining 24 Investigation Agency (NIA) Home Hansraj Gangaram Ahir 10, 2015, and the work com- reach through a network of The first case was assigned to other miscellaneous terrorist An aged couple from Malampatti will finally have its headquar- and Kiren Rijiju will also be pleted within stipulated 24 branch offices in Lucknow, to NIA in June 2009 and by the acts,” the statement said. village who lost a November ters housed in its own building, present. The building has cost months.” Hyderabad, Kochi, Guwahati, end of July 2017, a total 166 cas- The NIA investigations have 2016 paternity suit claiming that which will be inaugurated in Rs35.13 crore,” a Home Minis- The NIA, which came into ex- Mumbai, Kolkata, Raipur and es covering the entire spectrum helped unearth an entire range actor Dhanush was their son, New Delhi tomorrow. try statement said. istence on December 31, 2008, Jammu. of terrorism-related challenges of illegal activities involving have re-appealed to the police to Spread over 4,191 sq m of land, The building’s construction in pursuance to the enactment Its camp offices are located relevant to India have been as- funding to specific incidents of investigate ID proofs submitted opposite CGO Complex in south was started following approval of the NIA Act of 2008 with a in Chandigarh, Srinagar, Chen- signed to it. It is involved in in- terror involving killing of inno- by the actor in the Madurai bench Delhi’s Lodhi Road allotted by by the Home Ministry on De- mandate to investigate terrorist nai, Bengaluru, Visakhapatan- vestigative efforts in 26 states cent persons, it added. of the Madras High Court. Kathiresan, and his wife Meenakshi, 54, said Dhanush’s birth certificate, government ID card (Aadhaar) and school leaving certificate were fake. Kathiresan said the birth certificate has recorded Krisnamoorthy and Vijaylakshmi as Dhanush’s parents and that he IAF ready to was born at the Egmore hospital in Chennai. However Kathiresan claimed that the hospital did not have copies of the records. The couple insisted that they only wanted a monthly retainer from Dhanush as they were very poor. fi ght at short Dhanush appeared in the case several times and was even subjected to a physical examination by a medical team for birth marks. They gave a negative report, but Kathiresan insisted that the marks had been notice, says cosmetically altered. Dhanush is known as the son of Krishnamoorthy alias Kasthuriraja, a film producer, and is married to film star Rajnikanth’s daughter. He debuted in the 2002 film Thulluvadho Illamai and has air force chief since acted in 25 films. He has won several national awards. IANS confl ict in the present geopoliti- He also paid tribute to Marshal He also owns a film production Hindon Air Force Base cal environment may require us of Air Force Arjan Singh, who company, composes music, does to fi ght a short and swift war for passed away on September 16. playback and is a director. which we need to be alert and The Air Force Day commemo- he Indian Air Force (IAF) prepared to fi ght at short notice,” rates the establishment of the Dengue cases is prepared to fi ght at Dhanoa said. armed force on October 8, 1932. Tany time, Chief of the Air “We also face the daunting The glittering event at Hindon on the rise Staff , Air Chief Marshal B S Dh- challenge of sub-conventional Air Force Base saw a colourful anoa, said yesterday. threats on our assets by terror- fl ypast and display which show- A Chennai Corporation survey He also warned of the possibil- ists. To counter such threats our cased all leading aircraft of the revealed that nearly 10,000 ity of a “short and swift” confl ict Coot Camp at Naliya and Young IAF, including its latest induc- cases of dengue fever have been in the present geopolitical sce- Offi cers Courses at Bhatinda tion, the indigenous fi ghter Tejas. reported in the western and nario. and procurement of state-of-art With vertical climbs, loops, southern districts of Tamil Nadu “Notwithstanding the pace of equipment have bolstered the se- turns and more, Tejas left spec- in the past few months. State ongoing acquisition, modernisa- curity of our bases,” he said. tators spellbound. health secretary J Radhakrishnan tion, indigenisation eff orts and The IAF chief also said losses Poor visibility failed to play said dozens of people had died of our desire for peace, we are pre- during peacetime are a cause of spoilsport as the indigenous the fever. pared to fi ght at a short notice concern. fi ghter took off right in front of The fever is caused by should the need arise,” Dhanoa Asked about the Mi-17 V5 the area where the parade was mosquitoes, which breed in said in his address on the occa- chopper crash of Friday in which held, with a vertical climb fol- stagnant water, garbage dumps sion of the 85th Air Force Day fi ve IAF and two army personnel lowed by a loop. and other unhygienic areas. at the Hindon Air Force base in were killed, Dhanoa said the tail The fi ghter jet was fl own by Its symptoms are high fever, Ghaziabad. rotor of the helicopter appeared Group Captain Madhav Ranga- headaches, eye ache, joint pain, “It’s the duty of each one of to have fl own off . chari, an ace pilot of the IAF who nausea and vomiting. us to remain combat worthy, “It appears that the tail rotor has been involved with the LCA The government has appointed whether on ground or in the air, has fl own off , the cause of why it since its test fl ights. special medical teams to tackle and also maintain our combat has fl own off will be determined The colourful fl ypast also saw the problem and distributed free system operational for any con- in the court of inquiry. It is not a Surya Kiran Aerobatic team medicines. Schools, colleges and tingency at short notice.” correct for me to speculate at fl ying in diff erent formations, public institutions have launched The IAF chief said the air force this stage,” Dhanoa said adding though they did not carry out awareness programmes is confi dent of taking on any his comments may infl uence the vertical manoeuvres due to poor appealing for early treatment. threat and is fully prepared to Court of Inquiry that is already visibility. Besides allopathic medicines, undertake the full spectrum of probing the accident. The Surya Kiran team, which herbal cures are also being given air operations and respond to any “Notwithstanding our high fl ies Hawk jets, dedicated their in hospitals. challenge in a befi tting manner. intensity of fl ying, we cannot af- display to Arjan Singh. The aff ected districts have In his message on Air Force ford to have accidents and lose The other formations included also launched cleaning and Day, published in the booklet valuable life and assets. Our loss- Sukhoi, Rafale and Hunter. fumigating programmes in public that contained citations of those es during peace time are a cause More colours to the display areas. who were awarded gallantry and of concern and we are making were added by the Sarang team, service medals yesterday, Dh- concentrated eff orts to prevent with their indigenous Dhruv anoa also warned of the possibil- accidents and preserve our as- helicopters painted with peacock 5 of family die ity of “short and swift” confl icts. sets,” he added. feathers. in house crash “The uncertainties in the Dhanoa also stressed on mod- The other aircraft that fl ew in present geopolitical environ- ernisation and indigenisation of the fl ypast included vintage Ti- Five members of a family ment may require IAF to act in weapons and equipment with ger Moth and Harvard aircraft, including three children died varied challenging situations. the force, and added that several transport aircraft C-130, C-17, when the mud walls of their Our foremost responsibility is steps were being taken to aug- Embraer aircraft with AWACS, home collapsed due to heavy Indian Air Force jets flying during the Air Force Day parade at Air Force Station Hindon in Ghaziabad to protect our country from for- ment the strength of the fi ghter fi ghter jets Sukhoi-30, Jaguar rains at Thandekuppam village in on the outskirts of New Delhi yesterday. eign aggression. The nature of fl eet. and Mirage 2000. Krishnagiri district, about 200km from Chennai. The victims were sleeping when their hut gave way and buried them in the rubble. The neighbours recovered their bodies. In another incident, a tailor, Kovind visits Kerala, hails his wife and two school-going children were washed away by flash floods while returning from their hometown in Chittoor state’s religious amity on their bike at Tiruttani near Chennai. Police were able to IANS Kovind arrived in Thiru- The president also launched recover only three bodies while Kollam, Kerala vananthapuram from Delhi in the Rs1bn clean water initiative the tailor’s body is still missing. the morning, fl ew to a place for rural India and also distrib- In a third incident, two men fell near Alappuzha on a helicopter, uted certifi cates for ‘open def- into a trench being dug for a resident Ram Nath Ko- and then drove to the Mutt at ecation free’ status achieved by sewage treatment plant that was vind yesterday paid glow- Kollam. 10 villages adopted by the Mutt. submerged in heavy rains at Ping tributes to the manner He said Kerala has done so Kovind returned to Delhi via Namakkal town. in which diff erent faiths and re- much to defend “our ethos and Thiruvananthapuram after the They were rescued by passersby. ligious communities live peace- our culture”. function. fully in Kerala. “I refer to Kerala’s role as one Earlier Kovind took the salute “It is remarkable to note the of the leading spiritual homes at the guard of honour given Gangster kills self mutual accommodation and of our country and of our com- to him at the Thiruvanantham in Cambodia understanding of diff erent posite society. The bravery of airport amid pouring rain, and faiths and religious communi- our soldiers and the compas- preferred to stand without any Fugitive gangster Sridhar ties in Kerala’s history. This is sion and wisdom of our spir- umbrella. Dhanapalan, a native of coastal a state where one community itual leaders are twin pillars on He was received by Kerala Kancheepuram district in Tamil has willingly given space to an- which we rest our hopes. Governor P Sathasivam and Nadu, committed suicide last other,” Kovind said on his fi rst “These keep our civilisation Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan week at his home in Cambodia visit to Kerala after becoming secure. The fl ame of spiritual- besides others. where he had been living since president. ism shines brightly in Kerala As it was raining heavily, 2013. “This is a history that we and has done so for thousands the security offi cials were seen Sridhar, 44, was wanted in cannot forget and must learn of years. providing a cover to the presi- 43 criminal cases including from. And this is an accommo- “I refer to such revered peo- dent, who, however, refused seven murders and had fled dation and understanding that ple as Adi Shankaracharya, Sri and stood on the dais to take the India leaving his wife and three is at the essence of spiritual- Narayana Guru and Ayyankali. salute. daughters. His son is studying in ism,” he said at the 64th birth- They did so much to unite our He then inspected the guard London. Tamil Nadu police were day celebrations of Mata Amri- country with a common sense of honour with all other dig- unable to extradite him despite tanandamayi at Kollam, about of spiritualism, as well as to nitaries present watching him an Interpol alert and a tab on all 85km from the state capital push for much needed social from under the cover of a ‘sha- President Ram Nath Kovind attends a programme organised to unveil Amrita clean water initiatives by the his relatives. Thiruvananthapuram. reform,” he said. miana.’ Mata Amritanandamayi Math in Kollam yesterday. Gulf Times Monday, October 9, 2017 17 INDIA Congress needs to select leaders with calibre: Jaitley

IANS out of sync with the ground re- being a more structured party from implementing GST. a young and aspirational popu- “In the three months, all the dia’s fi rst federal institution.” Washington/New Delhi alities and aspirations of India. which selects its leaders based “The obvious challenge to lation wants change and reforms check points in states disap- On the demonetisation of Just weeks back Congress on calibre and potential...I do the country is to grow and grow at a fast pace, and is impatient to peared, you have a clear fl ow of high value currency, he said the vice president Rahul Gandhi not think it will be able to sub- fast. It has to grow at a much see results. goods and services which has Indian normal was to live with a n yet another rap on the addressed students at the Uni- stantially expand its position,” higher rate than we have been “Time therefore is running started all over the country,” he high-cash economy and not pay Congress Party’s dynastic versity of California in Berkeley he added. growing in recent history,” Jait- against us,” Jaitley said. said. taxes. Ileadership, Finance Minister where while fi elding a question Jaitley is set to leave on an offi - ley said. Pulled down by sluggish Acknowledging issues related “You buy a property, you Arun Jaitley has said the party over dynasty in the Congress, he cial visit to the US early today to “I do hope that India is able to manufacturing, growth in the to compliance, Jaitley said the transact partly in cash, and in is not likely to expand itself un- said that not only Congress but participate in the annual meet- retain its growth rate once again Indian economy during the GST Council had noted these business you maintain two sets less it selects its leaders based on most political parties are dynas- ings of the World Bank and the and live up to the aspirations of first quarter (April-June) fell to challenges and is taking steps to of accounts,” he said. “calibre and potential”. tic. Responding to a question, International Monetary Fund its people because we must not 5.7%, clocking the lowest GDP address them. “How can a country, which The minister’s observation Jaitley said: “The (Congress) (IMF). forget that we not only have a growth rate under the Modi GST has been a “reasonable aims to be the fastest growing came while responding to ques- party’s whole process of leader- He also said India needs to large population to service, we government. smooth transformation,” but major economy in the world, tions after delivering his keynote ship creation within the party... grow at a faster pace, asserting have a very young population to On reforms, the fi nance min- there is scope for improvement, which aspires to grow from a de- address via video conference to does not just get on with the rest that there was public support for service,” he said. ister said the Goods and Services he said. veloping to a developed econo- Berkeley India Conference. of aspirational India.” the government’s reform initia- “We have to grow at a much Tax (GST) has resulted in crea- “I think in GST Council we my, continue with the normal of He said the Congress Party is “So, unless it goes back to tives despite diffi culties arising faster pace,” he said, adding that tion of a national tax structure. have succeeded in creating In- this type,” he asked. PM launches Modi tea stall to become tourist spot immunisation drive in his hometown

IANS “Coming back to one’s Vadnagar, Gujarat hometown and receiving such a warm welcome is special. I go back with your blessings rime Minister Narendra and assure you that I will work Modi yesterday visited even harder for the nation,” Phis hometown Vadnagar said Modi, who is on a two- and was greeted by enthusias- day visit to Gujarat. tic crowds. “Whatever I am today is due Modi, who also paid a nos- to values I have learnt on this talgic visit to his school, soil, among you all in Vadna- launched the ‘Intensifi ed Mis- gar,” he said. Pankajbhai Modi, brother of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, poses in front of the former tea stall of Damodardas Mulchand Modi, their father, at the railway station in sion Indradhanush’ immuni- “I am happy that I have got Vadnagar, some 110km from Ahmedabad. The tea stall where Narendra Modi once sold tea during his childhood is all set to become a tourist spot with the government sation drive and hit out at the to inaugurate projects relating deciding to give it a face-lift. Converting the stall into a tourist spot is part of a larger project of putting Modi’s birthplace on the world tourism map. previous Congress over the to the health sector, particu- state of the healthcare sector. larly Intensifi ed Mission In- “The last health policy was dradhanush,” Modi said. announced during Atalji’s “Work is constantly being (former prime minister Atal done to make healthcare af- Bihari Vajpayee) regime around fordable for the poor.” 15 years back. After that, the “I was shocked to fi nd that government that came to pow- the stent for the heart cost er had some hatred for people’s Rs1.5 lakh to Rs2 lakh. The cost development,” Modi said. itself could give a heart attack “We brought a new health to people. I called in experts, Opposition seeks probe policy after almost 15 years doctors and got it studied to from that,” Modi said, ad- know why it was so expensive. dressing a large enthusiastic I am happy to tell you that gathering, after inaugurating there is a reduction of 30% to a medical college in Vadnagar. 40% in it now.” It was his fi rst visit to his The prime minister cited hometown after becoming the the Jan Aushadhi Scheme, into BJP chief son’s fi rm prime minister in 2014. “through which we started Modi said his government generic medicine stores in IANS impression “that my business president’s son need investiga- The Congress leader also al- Shah’s companies, Goyal said was committed to making government civil hospitals to New Delhi owes its success to my father Sri tion. BJP presidents eg Advani, leged that Indian Renewable Shah carries out “fully legiti- healthcare aff ordable to the sell cheaper drugs. Medicines Amit Bhai Shah’s political posi- Laxman had resigned on lesser Energy Development Agency, mate and lawful business”. poor and accused the earlier which used to be available in tion”. charges.” a company under Ministry of On the sudden rise in Tem- governments of not having the market for Rs1,000 are pposition parties yes- Opposition Congress leader Congress vice president Rahul New and Renewable Energy, had ple Enterprise’s turnover to cared to evolve a comprehen- now sold at Rs18 to Rs20 at terday sought an inquiry Kapil Sibal said at a press confer- Gandhi also hit out at the gov- given a loan of Rs100mn to Ku- Rs800mn, Goyal said the fi rm sive health policy and were these stores.” Ointo allegations that the ence that information obtained ernment. “We fi nally found the sum Finserv, a limited liability was dealing in agri-commod- not being concerned about in- He said he had appealed to turnover of a company linked from the Registrar of Compa- only benefi ciary of demonetisa- partnership, in which Jay Shah ities in which there is “high creasing the number of seats in doctors in the country to treat to the son of Bharatiya Janata nies had revealed that Temple tion. It’s not the RBI, the poor had a 60% stake, even though volume and high value but low medical colleges in the country. poor pregnant women com- Party chief Amit Shah, increased Enterprises Pvt Ltd, a company or the farmers. It’s the Shah-in- this company had no prior expe- profi t margin”. The ‘Intensifi ed Mission In- pletely free on the 9th of every 16,000 times after the party in which Jay Shah was a director Shah of Demo. Jai Amit,” he said rience of operating in the power “So even if you do just a few dradhanush’ is aimed to accel- month. “I am happy to inform came to power in 2014. and which had a turnover of just in a tweet. sector. transactions, the volume be- erate progress towards the goal you that as many as 80 lakh to The BJP rubbished the allega- Rs50,000 in 2014-15, suddenly Sibal said Temple Enter- “We are only saying that prad- comes very high. Rs80 crore is of full immunisation coverage 85 lakh women got free treat- tions by the news website Wire saw a spike of 16,000 times in its prises had recorded losses in han sevak should probe because not a large turnover in commod- to reach out to still unattended ment like this. But I wish this and Shah’s son Jay Shah issued a turnover in a year. 2012-2013 and 2013-2014 of this is excellent example of crony ity business,” he said. regions. to become a norm, giving free statement saying the article had Aam Aadmi Party leader Rs6,230 and Rs1,724, respec- capitalism.” On loans taken from KIFS The prime minister received treatment for 12 days in a year made “false, derogatory and de- Ashutosh also held a press con- tively, but showed a profi t of The BJP fi elded Railway Min- Financial Services owned by a tumultuous welcome from is not diffi cult at all,” Modi famatory imputations” against ference and made similar alle- about Rs18,000 in 2014-15. The siter Piyush Goyal to counter Rajesh Khandwala, Goyal said thousands gathered to greet said. him. gations, saying the fortunes of following year (2015-16), its the allegations that he termed as normally banks do not extend him as he entered Vadnagar. The prime minister said the Jay Shah said his businesses Amit Shah’s son rose after the turnover jumped to a whopping “malicious and defamatory”. loans to new and small com- Every corner of the north Gu- maternal mortality rate and were fully legitimate and he had BJP came to power and he be- Rs800mn, he said. “The article through mali- panies and hence the loan was jarat town was crowded with infant mortality rate had come decided to “prosecute the au- came the party chief. The AAP The change in fortunes of the cious imputations is trying to taken from KIFS, a registered people even as Modi hung out down during the last three thor, editor and owner of the demanded a probe. company came after it received damage the reputation of our non-banking financial com- of his Range Rover SUV to years after his government aforesaid news website for crim- Communist Party of In- an unsecured loan of Rs157.8mn leader Amit Shah,” he said. pany, on “commercial rates and greet them. The crowds fol- took over in 2014, but added inal defamation and sue them for dia (Marxist) leader Sitaram from KIFS Financial Services He termed Congress’ allega- commercial considerations” lowed his cavalcade wherever “a lot more still needed to be an amount of Rs100 crore”. Yechury said in a tweet: “Serious owned by a relative of a BJP Rajya tions as “old Congress style”. and has been repaid with inter- he went. done”. He said the article creates an corruption charges against BJP Sabha member, Sibal claimed. Clarifying the dealings of Jay est. Minister teaches ‘namaste’ to Chinese troops

IANS As he responded: “We just say ‘ni The visit, which is part of her New Delhi hao’”, she said: “So, I say namaste.” familiarisation with all the for- The Chinese soldiers replied say- mations of the army and the IAF, ing ‘ni hao’ with folded hands. comes close on the heels of her hen Defence Minister The soldier who was translat- visit to Northern Command re- Nirmala Sitharaman vis- ing then explained his name meant cently and her visit to Sikkim on Wited the India-China bor- ‘king’ in English, at which Sithara- Saturday. der on Saturday, she did not just re- man quipped: “And to have a king An offi cial statement said the view security there but also taught do the translation...” minister extended her good wishes Chinese soldiers how to greet with Amid laughter from both sides, to the air warriors on the occasion a ‘namaste’. the soldier explained his English of 85th Air Force Day as she inter- A video clipping of the visit was good. acted with them at the strategi- shows a Chinese soldier introduc- Sitharaman was at the Nathu La cally important Tezpur airbase and ing one of his colleagues to the pass on Saturday when she met the reviewed its operational readiness, minister, after which Sitharaman Chinese soldier. while seeing the Sukhoi fi ghter gave the traditional salutation of The defence minister was on a aircraft and other IAF assets fi rst- “namaste”. tour to Sikkim after a recent India- hand. “You know what namaste is?” China stand-off . Sitharaman also visited the Sitharman is seen asking the Chi- Yesterday, Sitharaman visited Gajraj Corps headquarters where nese soldier who speaks in English. Tezpur as part of her maiden visit she was briefed by Lt Gen Bedi on While some on the Indian side to the Eastern Command as defence the overall security situation in As- tried to explain what namaste minister. sam and the Kameng Sector of Aru- was, Sitharaman asked them to let Accompanied by Army Vice nachal Pradesh and the operational the Chinese soldier tell what he Chief Lt Gen Sarath Chand and preparedness of the corps. thought it meant. “He knows; let Eastern Command chief Lt Gen Ab- She subsequently visited Solma- him say,” said Sitharaman. hay Krishna, she was received at the ra Military Station, Tezpur where “Does that mean nice to meet Tezpur Air Force Station by Gajraj she interacted with the offi cers and you,” the Chinese soldier asked. At Corps commander Lt Gen A S Bedi soldiers over a cup of tea and appre- Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman sits inside the cockpit of a Sukhoi 30 MKI fighter jet during her visit to the Air Force Station this, she asked: “What would you and other senior dignitaries of the ciated their high standards of mili- in Tezpur, Assam yesterday. say in Chinese”. army and the Indian Air Force. tary discipline and preparedness. Gulf Times 18 Monday, October 9, 2017 LATIN AMERICA

Legislators promise more help for hurricane-hit Puerto Rico

Tribune News Service “The scope of the devastation Senator Richard Blumenthal, “We have a moral obligation power after the September 20 the island of 3.4mn US citizens. ple lost their wooden homes in San Juan, Puerto Rico was really sobering,” said Rep. D-Conn., said he was told by the as Americans, and my fear very hurricane. “If you’re a utility CEO and Puerto Rico’s interior. Lloyd Smucker, R-Pa., whose head of Puerto Rico’s National simply is that America will fail “We are fully aware of your you’re listening to this right “I have never seen anything of district has a signifi cant Puerto Guard that the Pentagon would Puerto Rico,” Blumenthal said. plight, your suff ering,” said sen- now, I hope you will contact the the magnitude of this,” senator bipartisan group of US Rican population. soon boost its post-hurricane But Republican and Demo- ator Ron Johnson, R-Pa, chair- Puerto Rico power authority,” Tim Kaine, D-Va., said after the legislators fl ew over the The legislators voiced broad deployment to 17,000 mili- cratic legislators in the del- man of the Senate Homeland Se- Gardner said. “Come into Puerto fl yover the 10 legislators made. Adevastated interior of support for a robust relief pack- tary personnel. It is now about egation said they would try to curity committee. “You will not Rico. Contact them. Let’s make Kaine said the storm knocked Puerto Rico on Saturday and age, saying that Puerto Rico, a US 12,000 troops. ensure that doesn’t happen, be forgotten.” sure we get this grid built.” down two pillars of the island’s returned to the island’s capital territory, should be treated like “That’s a tremendous ramp starting with emergency help Johnson and a fellow Repub- Earlier in the day, the chief of economy, agriculture and tour- voicing astonishment at the level the Gulf Coast after Hurricane up,” Blumenthal said, adding to get the island’s power grid lican, senator Cory Gardner of staff to Gov. Ricardo Rossello, ism, and that Congress cannot of destruction caused by Hurri- Katrina in 2005 and the Northeast that his “heart broke” on seeing back into shape. About 90% of Colorado, said their fi rst prior- William Villafane, said he be- deal with the disaster “on the cane Maria. after Superstorm Sandy in 2012. the island’s devastation. Puerto Rico remains without ity would be to restore power to lieves as many as 100,000 peo- nickel and dime.”

Likely successor Cubans pay to Castro snubs US demands tribute to

Reuters Havana ‘Che’ on 50th he man forecast to replace Cuban President Raul Cas- Ttro early next year rejected US demands that the Commu- nist-run country change its po- litical and economic system. In a speech yesterday blasting anniversary US pressure on the Venezuelan government and what he termed AFP ceremony to Miguel Diaz-Canel, was necessary to overturn Latin an eff ort to discredit the Cu- Santa Clara, Cuba who is expected to replace him as America’s unjust social order. ban tourism industry, First Vice president next year. His life changed dramati- President Miguel Diaz-Canel Diaz-Canel, 57, denounced cally when he met Fidel Castro said these and other recent ens of thousands of Cu- American “imperialism” in a in Mexico in 1955 and joined his events in the region proved “im- bans turned out yesterday speech and referred to increased guerrilla expedition to Cuba. perialism can never be trusted, Tto pay tribute to Ernesto tension in Cuba-US relations In the early 1960s, Guevara not even a tiny bit, never.” “Che” Guevara, the Argentine- since Donald Trump became worked with Castro to consoli- Diaz-Canel was quoting Er- born Marxist revolutionary and president. date the revolution, supervising nesto Che Guevara at a ceremony guerrilla leader, on the 50th an- Cuba will “never negotiate the repression of counter-revo- commemorating the 50th anniver- niversary of his death. away its principles or give in to lutionaries, and even for a time sary of the death of the revolution- An estimated 70,000 people blackmail,” he said. heading the Central Bank and ary who had helped lead a Bolivian thronged the streets outside a Elena Gonzalez, a 56-year-old industry ministry. uprising modelled after Cuba’s. mausoleum in this town 300kms textile worker, was among those But his key motivation was to “Cuba will not make conces- east of the capital Havana which who turned up at the crack of spread revolution elsewhere. sions to its sovereignty and inde- houses the remains of Guevara dawn to pay her respects to Gue- In 1965, he bid farewell to pendence, nor negotiate its prin- and of some of his former com- vara. Cuba in a letter to Castro in ciples or accept the imposition rades. which he resigned his posts and of conditions,” Diaz-Canel said, President Raul Castro, dressed This year’s ceremony was wrote: “Other nations of the apparently responding to US in his general’s uniform, was the fi rst in the absence of world summon my modest ef- President Donald Trump’s recent among those who attended the Fidel Castro, who died last forts of assistance.” statement at the United Nations ceremony in Santa Clara, which year After leading a group of Cuban that sanctions would not be lifted was the site of a December 1958 revolutionaries fi ghting with until the Caribbean island re- battle that fi nally sent Cuban “Yes, we got up very early but Marxist guerrillas in the Congo, stores democracy and capitalism. dictator Fulgencio Batista into it’s worth it,” she said. “We’re Guevara travelled to Bolivia in “The changes needed in Cuba exile. keeping his example alive and his late 1966. will solely be carried out by the Raul Castro fought alongside legacy of independence and sov- Struggling with asthma, he Cuban people,” Diaz-Canel said. Guevara during the Cuban revo- ereignty for Latin America and led a small clutch of rebels in Castro, 86, has announced he lution led by his brother Fidel the world.” Bolivia for 11 months trying to will step down as president in Castro. “For me, Che is still here — his spread revolution. February. Experts expect Diaz- The 39-year-old Guevara was life, his work, his example,” said But he was tracked, cornered Canel, 57, to become the fi rst captured and executed by a CIA- 79-year-old Luis Monteagudo, and wounded in the mountains head of state since the early 1960s trained unit of the Bolivian army who fought alongside Guevara in a gun battle that wiped out without Castro as a last name. on October 9, 1967. in the Congo and was wearing a most of his remaining forces. There are no direct elections This year’s ceremony was the white T-shirt with his picture. The Bolivian army and two in Cuba for national offi ce. fi rst in the absence of Fidel Cas- Che’s remains were transferred Cuban-American Central Intel- Trump said in June that he tro, who died last year, and an from Bolivia to Cuba in 1997 and ligence Agency agents captured would once more tighten sanc- excerpt from one of his speeches interred in a mausoleum here him. tions on Cuba and seek a bet- honouring Guevara was played which features a large bronze He was executed in a school- ter deal from the country than for the crowd. statue of the guerrilla leader. house in La Higuera the follow- the gradual detente achieved by The anniversary comes amid Born in the Argentine city ing day, October 9, 1967. predecessor Barack Obama. the dying gasps of other Latin of Rosario, Guevara travelled The small revolution he had The Trump administration has American guerrilla movements across Latin America in 1952 and started in Bolivia died with him. drastically reduced staffi ng at its such as the Farc in Colombia, 1953 — a road trip that was im- Guevara remains omnipresent embassy in Cuba and ordered a which last year reached a peace mortalised in the 2004 fi lm “The in Cuba, particularly visible in reciprocal reduction of Cuban deal with the government and Motorcycle Diaries” — and was the iconic image of the bearded diplomats in Washington due to a recently disarmed. shocked to see the economic dis- and beret-clad revolutionary series of alleged “health attacks” People hold pictures of late Cuban revolutionary hero Ernesto “Che” Guevara during a ceremony The 86-year-old Raul Castro parity in the region. that adorns posters and T-shirts on US personnel in Havana. commemorating the 50th anniversary of his death in Santa Clara, Cuba, yesterday. took a back seat at yesterday’s It convinced him that violence the world over.

Maduro address Indigenous woman to run Journalists held over for Mexican presidency Venezuela jail report AFP said its mission “has been follow- Caracas ing from the very beginning the Reuters hopefuls struggling to win sup- his candidacy, further crowd- arrest of Italian national Roberto Mexico City port from as much as a third of ing the pool of anti-establish- Di Matteo, and is in close contact the electorate. ment candidates. n Italian, a Swiss and a with local authorities.” The front-runner in most Independent presidential Venezuelan journalist Di Matteo works as a videog- n indigenous woman polls is former Mexico City aspirants have four months to Ahave been arrested as they rapher for Italian daily newspa- backed by Mexico’s mayor and two-time presiden- gather 866,593 signatures, rep- prepared a report on a prison in per Il Giornale, regularly col- Arebel Zapatista move- tial runner-up Andres Manuel resenting 1% of the electorate, northern Venezuela, human rights laborating with independent ment has registered to run as Lopez Obrador, a leftist with in at least 17 regions of Mexico and press freedom groups said. journalist Rossi, the publication an independent candidate in nationalistic leanings. to qualify as an independent Roberto Di Matteo of Italy, said on its website. next year’s presidential elec- The ruling centrist Insti- candidate ahead of the July Filippo Rossi of Switzerland and Rossi had also worked with tion, adding to a growing list of tutional Revolutionary Party 2018 vote. Jesus Medina of Venezuela were regional Swiss daily Corriere del hopefuls bucking established (PRI) of President Enrique Pena Patricio Martinez, a tradi- arrested on Friday after entering Ticino, while Medina is a photo- political parties. Nieto, who is barred by law tional healer and native Nahua Tocoron prison in northern Ara- journalist for anti-government Maria de Jesus Patricio Mar- from seeking a second term, speaker, is originally from the gua state with a television crew, website DolarToday. tinez is the spokeswoman for has yet to pick a candidate. central Mexican state of Jalisco. according to the rights group The union released a photo- the National Indigenous Con- Already, more than 10 fi rst- Her support from the Za- Foro Penal. graph of the three journalists gress, the political arm of the time independent candidates patistas marks a more visible The national journalists union taken from the back, apparently Zapatista National Liberation have registered to run. turn for the insurgent move- said the trio were conducting a handcuff ed and escorted by two Army (EZLN), and in May was Three of those contenders ment, which has faded in recent “media investigation” when they military personnel. picked to be the group’s 2018 failed to meet initial require- years. were arrested. Critics say Vene- Their cellphones and small presidential candidate. ments, according to the INE. Just after the North American zuelan prisons are overpopulated cameras were confi scated. Local media reported that af- On Saturday, maverick Free Trade Agreement (Nafta) and inmates are malnourished, Union representatives said the ter Patricio Martinez registered Nuevo Leon governor Jaime went into force in 1994, the despite government plans to re- journalists were in good health. with the National Electoral In- Rodriguez, a former PRI mem- EZLN led armed indigenous duce inmate populations. “They are doing well and show stitute (INE), she pledged not ber, expressed his interest to insurgents in a “declaration of The Swiss foreign ministry no signs of mistreatment,” ac- to accept any funding from the register his own independent war” against the government in said the Swiss embassy in Ca- cording to the SNTP union. government to run her cam- run for the presidency. southern Chiapas state. racas “is in contact with the “They had an invitation to en- paign. Last week, Armando Rios A 12-day battle with the appropriate authorities and is ter Tocoron. They had registered Mexico’s major political par- Piter, an independent former army claimed at least 140 lives assisting this Swiss national in to enter when they were barred ties have struggled to gain sup- member of the centre-left Par- and become an early symbol for Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro speaks after his arrival accordance with the consular access and then arrested. It port in recent years, and voter ty of the Democratic Revolu- supporters of the anti-globali- at the Simon Bolivar airport in La Guaira, Venezuela. protections aff orded him.” seems there was a counter-order surveys show all presidential tion (PRD), formally registered sation movement. The Italian foreign ministry to bar them access.” Gulf Times Monday, October 9, 2017 19 PAKISTAN US and Pakistan to hold talks to defuse tensions

Internews - including assistant secretar- without giving any indication that while Tillerson would go ington’s tough talk is not having Islamabad ies and national security staff what it achieved. with a soft, diplomatic message, desired result. would visit Islamabad soon for Addressing a Washington- Secretary Mattis would explain He rejected Washington’s ac- talks on how to re-engage Pa- based think tank the US Institute to Pakistanis that continuing its cusation that Pakistan allows he United States and Pa- kistan in US eff orts to win the of Peace (USIP) on the last day current policies could have ad- terrorist safe havens on its soil kistan are sending two Afghan war. of his visit, Asif said his meet- verse consequences. as “hollow allegations.” “That is Tkey visitors - Secretary And these visits will be fol- ing with Secretary Tillerson on At recent congressional hear- not the way you talk to 70-year- Shehbaz Sharif of State Rex Tillerson and In- lowed by visits by himself and Wednesday was “very good” but ings, Mattis said the US was old friends,” Asif said bitterly. terior Minister Ahsan Iqbal - to Secretary Tillerson, he told the he did not have similar feelings willing to give Pakistan “one “When someone tells us it’s each other’s capitals, as eff orts House Armed Services Commit- about his second meeting, with more chance” but if it fails, the last chance, we do not accept to mend their troubled relations tee. US National Security Adviser Washington could take punitive that. Last chance, fi rst chance, continue. “I would like to think we will H.R. McMaster, whom he met at measures, such as sanctions, second chance, not acceptable The Pakistani interior minis- be successful,” but that the Unit- the White House early Thursday. expanding drone strikes and de- to us. We want to be treated with listing Pakistan as a major non- respect and dignity. We do not Shehbaz ter arrives in Washington on Oc- ed States “has an enormously US-Pakistan relations, al- tober 11, a week after a three-day powerful number of options” if ready tense since 2011, strained Nato ally. want anything else.” visit by Foreign Minister Kha- the talks fail, Mattis said. further on August 21, when “They’ll find themselves Diplomatic observers in Wash- waja Asif, whose candid remarks The talks for salvaging US- President Trump announced his diplomatically isolated, ington say tough remarks from earned him both praise and Pakistan partnership from a pos- new Afghan strategy, accusing they’ll find themselves eco- both sides refl ect their frustration nomically in increasing trou- with the lack of progress in nor- likely to criticism and strongly conveyed sible collapse began in New York Pakistan of allowing terrorist the message that US pressure to late last month, when Prime safe havens on its soil. ble as countries that are dam- malising bilateral relations. force a change in Islamabad is Minister Shahid Abbasi met US He also threatened Pakistan aged by this terrorism coming They also warn that Washing- not working. Vice President Mike Pence on with economic and military out of there say enough is ton may fi nd it diffi cult to con- Secretary Tillerson plans to the sidelines of a session of the sanctions if it does not change enough and take steps,” said vert its tough talk into punitive Mattis while explaining to a actions, as such measures could be PML-N arrive in Islamabad late this United Nations General Assem- its policies and promised a month and he will be followed by bly. greater role for India in Afghani- Congressional panel how Pa- force Pakistan closer to China Secretary of Defence Jim Mattis After the talks, both sides ex- stan, ignoring Islamabad’s secu- kistan can be persuaded to and Russia. early next month. pressed the desire to continue rity concerns. change its strategy. The observers also point out Mattis told a Congressional the normalisation process, lead- Reports in US media on Wash- The Pakistani foreign minis- that Pakistan remains vital for ter’s remarks at the USIP, how- the United States as a route for candidate panel in Washington earlier this ing to Asif’s visit to Washington, ington’s strategy for normalising week that two US delegations which concluded on Thursday relations with Pakistan suggest ever, made it obvious that Wash- sending supplies to Afghanistan. for PM

Body set Internews important responsibilities Maryam may Karachi associated with the PML-N, keeping her health in mind, up to probe alongside being awarded a n case Nawaz Sharif and party ticket for the NA-120 his daughter Maryam Na- constituency. mistake in return for Iwaz are convicted in the However, if Maryam is ac- ongoing corruption cases, quitted, she can be next in the Shehbaz Sharif will be Paki- political line after Nawaz. electoral stan Muslim League Nawaz Meanwhile, Nawaz, if giv- (PML-N) candidate for pre- en bail, hopes to run a mass court hearing miership while his son Hamza contact campaign in Pakistan reforms bill Shehbaz will be vying for the while also organising political Maryam Nawaz speaking during a press conference. post of Punjab chief minister, gatherings. These policies will Internews hammad Safdar for failing to it was learnt on Sunday. be further streamlined in the Internews Islamabad appear in court. In case of non-appearance, London from Pakistan saying However, if Maryam is ac- light of the political atmos- Lahore The judge, however, did not the court may initiate proceed- he needed to spend time with quitted, she can be next in the phere and the court’s verdict. issue non-bailable warrants for ings to declare the accused pro- his wife, Kulsoom, who is re- political line after Nawaz, said It was further learned that aryam Nawaz, the Maryam but repeated the bail- claimed off enders and order at- covering from her third surgery sources privy to a meeting Na- Nawaz also held detailed dis- akistan Muslim daughter of the ousted able arrest warrants after the tachment of their properties. in London. waz held with party members. cussions with his legal team, League-Nawaz (PML- Mprime minister Na- counsel for Nawaz Sharif as- A fi ve-member bench of the His wife’s fi rst surgery, on her The meeting was aimed at pertaining to the cases against PN) president Nawaz waz Sharif, and her husband sured the court that she and her Supreme Court on July 28 di- neck, was for early-stage lym- devising a strategy to ensure him and general party policy. Sharif yesterday formed a have decided to end their stay spouse would join the proceed- rected NAB to fi le references phoma. Doctors then decided that the Sharif family remains The sources also revealed three-member committee to in London and may return to ings on the next date of hearing against Sharif and his children to conduct a second more seri- politically active, despite the that the party helped Nawaz probe the issue of alteration in Pakistan to appear before an set for October 9. in six weeks in the accountabil- ous surgery in order to take out current political scenario and and Shehbaz clear misunder- the Prophethood Declaration accountability court in connec- The former premier and his ity court and directed the trial the diseased lymph nodes from the corruption cases against standings between them. Re- Clause in Electoral Reforms tion with a reference related to sons have been named in all court to decide the references her chest. She then underwent a him and his family. portedly, Nawaz was not paying Bill 2017 and submit a report the London properties owned three NAB references, while within six months. third operation which involved According to the sources, any heed to the advice Shehbaz within 24 hours. by the Sharif family. Maryam and husband Safdar The Supreme Court also as- only a brief stay in hospital. the meeting decided that if off ered, creating a rift between Led by Leader of the House While no one from the rul- have been named only in the signed Justice Ijazul Ahsan a People close to Sharif and his Nawaz or Maryam are unable the brothers. However, it has in Senate Raja Zafarul Haq, ing Pakistan Muslim League- Avenfi eld reference. supervisory role to monitor the wife said the medical interven- to take part in the elections now been decided that all mat- the team comprises Interior Nawaz was willing to speak The trial court judge has al- progress of the accountability tions had been successful. Doc- owing to any convictions over ters pertaining to the party will Minister Ahsan Iqbal and Fed- on record, sources close to the ready decided that in case the court proceedings. tors familiar with her condition the accountability references, be decided mutually. eral Minister Mushahidullah Sharif family in London said children of Sharif do not join Maryam’s latest visit to Lon- have been reported as saying Kulsoom Nawaz, Shehbaz and Shehbaz was said to have Khan. Maryam’s brothers Hasan and the proceedings, the court don began shortly after her ail- her cancer is curable. Hamza will be at the helms of told Nawaz that the future of The Electoral Reforms Bill Hussain would remain in the would indict Sharif alone and ing mother won the September The movements of the vari- aff airs. the party should be decided draft bore a changed clause British capital and wait for the start his trial separately. 17 by-election on a National ous members of the Sharif fam- Kulsoom and Shehbaz will in consultation with experi- concerning the Prophethood outcome of the upcoming hear- However, sources said if Assembly seat in Lahore. ily came amidst rumours of a be heading aff airs in the Na- enced, senior party leaders, (PBUH) declaration when it was ing of the accountability court, Maryam and her husband ap- Maryam played a leading role growing rift between Punjab tional Assembly while Hamza instead of depending on those tabled in the National Assembly Islamabad, where their sister peared before the accountabil- in her mother’s victory by run- Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif will be in the lead role in the with lesser experience. earlier this month to which the might appear. ity court, they would be handed ning her election campaign re- and his elder brother Nawaz. Punjab Assembly. Meanwhile, Chaudhry opposition objected and Speaker Maryam is currently in Lon- over a copy of the reference inforcing the impression that The younger Sharif along Besides, Shehbaz will also Nisar Khan also advised Na- Ayaz Sadiq declared it a ‘clerical don and has been looking after related to London properties she is now committed to a po- with his long-time friend be the PML-N candidate for waz against clashing with the mistake’. her mother Kulsoom Nawaz, along with the relevant details. litical career and determined to former interior minister premiership while Hamza will institutions and focusing on a During a workers’ convention who has been receiving treat- The court may fi x a date be her father’s political heir. Chaudhry Nisar is said to be be running for the Punjab CM mass contact campaign. Na- last week, Punjab Chief Minis- ment for cancer. for indictment of Sharif, his On Wednesday, Sharif - who concerned that Maryam and her seat, said the sources. waz has taken both the advices ter Shehbaz Sharif suggested the On October 2, the account- daughter and son-in-law has been re-elected as the pres- father are adopting an overly If Hasan, Hussain, Mar- seriously while also notifying elder Sharif to kick the person ability court, Islamabad, issued Safdar after supplying them ident of his own faction of PML confrontational stance towards yam and her husband Captain them both that the organi- responsible for the blunder out non-bailable arrest warrants copies of the reference and oth- despite being disqualifi ed by not only the army but also the (retd) Safdar are also convict- sational set-up of the party of the federal cabinet. This opin- for Hussain, Hassan and Mo- er material. the apex court - also arrived in judiciary. ed, Kulsoom will be handed would be changed soon. ion is also shared by several other federal and provincial leaders of the PML-N. Yesterday, Federal Law Min- ister Zahid Hamid, whose Mail order ministry is responsible for the PTI to move court against alteration in the Prophethood (PBUH) oath, met the Punjab CM to discuss details of the probe, according to provincial Iqbal over UAE work permit minister Zaeem Qadri. However, sources in the Pun- jab government were of a dif- Internews Election Commission of Pakistan ried employee of IMECL since ferent view. They said Hamid Lahore when he was running for polls. at least July 2, 2011, and has held was here to persuade the CM to He added there was enough evi- various positions, including le- tone down his demand of kick- dence against Ahsan to have him gal adviser and special adviser. ing out the person responsible fter taking Foreign Minis- disqualifi ed by the court. He has submitted that fi rst ar- for the mistake, adding that ter Khawaja Asif to court Foreign Minister Asif is al- ticle of the employment contract the federal minister wanted to Afor possessing a work ready facing a similar case in the stipulates that Asif must provide pacify the issue before it went permit or iqama of United Arab Islamabad High Court. the services thereunder within out of hand. Emirates (UAE), the Pakistan The petition against the foreign the UAE while the second one It is important to mention Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has de- minister was fi led by Mohammad states that employee shall only that Senator Pervaiz Rashid cided to fi le a petition against Usman Dar - a PTI candidate in the have one rest day per week. had said on Thursday that the Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal 2013 general election in NA-110, As per the contract, he has matter regarding the alteration too - for the same reason. the Sialkot constituency in Pun- claimed, Asif was to receive a would only be discussed after PTI leader Babar Awan vis- jab province from where Asif was monthly basic salary of AED35, 000 the return of Sharif to Pakistan ited Narowal and met local party elected to the National Assembly. along with a monthly allowance of from London. leader Abrarul Haq, Ahsan’s po- In the petition, Dar submit- AED15,000 which brings the total Despite repeated attempts, litical rival in his constituency. ted that in view of the facts and payment to AED50,000 per month. Punjab government spokesper- The two discussed moving the documents appended with the The same is already being re- son Malik Muhammad Ahmad court against the minister for petition, “this is a fi t matter for ceived by and to which the re- Khan and Law Minister Rana possessing a work permit. It was inquisitorial proceedings; and spondent (Asif) is entitled (as Sanaullah were not available for decided that the PTI would fi le a that Asif is not entitled to hold a receivable and asset) whilst comments. petition next week. the offi ce of MNA nor of the acting as the foreign minister of According to an offi cial state- Awan told reporters his party federal minister under the Un- Pakistan and MNA from NA-110. ment from the Punjab govern- would seek Ahsan’s disqualifi cation limited Term Employment Con- Dar has further claimed ment, the CM thanked the law from public offi ce under Article 62 tract (Employment Contract) that the salary and allowances minister for restoring the oath and 63 of the constitution, similar between Asif and Int. Mech and amount to Rs17, 211,816 per an- of the fi nality of Prophethood to the petition fi led against Asif. Elec Co (IMECL), a company lo- num at the prevailing current (PBUH) to its original shape dur- Haq told the media that cated in Abu Dhabi existing un- exchange rate and they have ing the meeting. The CM said the A postal worker pushes a trolley of posts before loading into a train carriage at a railway station though Ahsan had conceded der the laws of the UAE”. never been properly disclosed in PML-N holds unshakeable belief in Lahore yesterday, ahead of World Post Day. World Post Day marks the anniversary of the that he possessed an iqama, he The petitioner has claimed Pakistan, adding that Asif is thus in the fi nality of Prophethood Universal Postal Union’s (UPU) establishment and it is annually held on October 9. had not disclosed this fact in his that Asif has been continuously betraying his dishonest intent (PBUH). nomination papers fi led with the employed as a full time, sala- and non-righteous character. Gulf Times 20 Monday, October 9, 2017 PHILIPPINES

Drug addict beheads partner in Cebu

A drug user who recently graduated from a rehabilita- tion programme beheaded his Duterte sees biggest ratings live-in partner during a heated argument in Consolacion town, northern Cebu yesterday morn- ing, Manila Times reported. Police found the headless body of Lovely Jane Quiño, 25, in the kitchen of their house in Sitio dip, but popularity intact Libo, Barangay Tayud at about 7am. It bore hack wounds and Reuters doubts about the validity of tims had violently resisted ar- the legs and hands were frac- Manila official accounts of the 3,800 rest.Casiple said that though tured. Her head was recovered cases where police killed drug the poll still showed Duterte about nine metres away from suspects. had the support of Filipinos, their house which is about one rust and satisfaction in The SWS survey did not ask he should take it seriously. kilometre away from the highway. Philippine leader Rod- respondents to give a reason “This is a real diminution of The suspect, Quiño’s live-in partner Trigo Duterte fell to the for the rating of Duterte, who his popularity and it serves as Dominic Pahugot, 27, escaped but lowest of his presidency in took office in June 2016. a wakeup call for him to stop it responding policemen caught him the third quarter of this year, Duterte’s spokesman did not further going down,” Casiple near Cansaga Bridge, about 500 a survey showed yesterday, immediately respond to a re- said of the poll. metres away from their house. although sentiment about his quest for comment on the sur- “However, this is still a com- Investigators said the beheading leadership remained positive vey results. fortable figure and far from the “was not a clean cut,” as shown by overall. Political analyst Ramon threshold of unpopularity.” several hack wounds on the head. Net satisfaction, used by Casiple, head of the coun- Based on SWS methodology The gruesome incident was wit- pollster Social Weather Sta- try’s Institute for Political and for net trust ratings, a score of ness by their two children, ages tions (SWS) as a rating of the Electoral Reform, said it was 70 and above is considered ex- three and one year old. Supt. Mina president’s performance, was normal for a president’s rating cellent, 50 to 69 is very good, Domingo, Comsolacion police down 18 points from the sec- to fall during his time in of- 30-49 good and 10-29 moder- chief, said Pahugot attempted to ond quarter to 48, classified as fice, but concern over the high ate. hack policemen who pursued “good” in the survey of 1,200 death toll in his signature war While his political oppo- him with a knife prompting the Filipinos conducted in the last on drugs will have weighed on nents chide him for his au- policemen to shoot him. Police re- week of September. sentiment. thoritarian style and intoler- covered from Pahugot two knives Duterte’s net trust rating, Activists accuse Duterte ance of dissent, Duterte enjoys covered with mud. According to which gauges public senti- President Rodrigo Duterte grants a selfie opportunity to participants in the golden jubilee celebration of inciting police to kill drug a cult-like following and sup- their neighbours, the couple had ment about his personality, of Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah’s ascension to the throne at the Istana Nurul Iman in Brunei Darussalam. dealers and users, which he port from millions of Filipinos, an altercation prior to the incident. was “very good” at 60 points, denies. who see him as the best hope They added that the couple used down from “excellent” 75 he just a few days after thousands down and what they called an been killed in the crackdown Police reject allegations they for change in a country with to fight all the time and Quino was achieved in the previous poll. of Filipinos rallied to denounce emerging dictatorship. and other SWS polls con- are executing suspects and say rampant crime and a yawning a victim of domestic violence. The survey was conducted Duterte, his anti-drug crack- Thousands of Filipinos have ducted in September indicated deaths occurred because vic- gap between rich and poor. Cayetano claims 3,000 killed Drop ouster bid against in drug war were ‘dealers’ president: Pimentel By Bernadette E Tamayo Pimentel added: “But don’t the ineff ective war on drugs, and By Jeff erson Antiporda Manila Times have ambition to oust the presi- killings everyday,” he added. Manila Times dent.” Instead of exerting eff orts to The Constitution provides persecute or silence dissenters, he critics of President that the president must fi nish Sen. Paolo Benigno Aquino said oreign Aff airs Secretary Alan Peter Rodrigo Duterte must ac- his or her term, the Senate chief the government should allow Cayetano said that the more than Tcept the reality that the said. “You can criticise the pres- people to take a stand on issues F3,000 individuals who were killed in former Davao City mayor won ident, fi le an impeachment com- and air their criticisms without the drug war of President Rodrigo Duterte the 2016 presidential elections plaint,” he said. fear of retribution. were all dealers. and abandon their “ambition” to Liberal Party (LP) senators on “This is no longer healthy for Cayetano made the claim during an in- oust him. Thursday maintained that the our democracy,” he said. terview on Al Jazeera’s Up Front as he de- Senate President Aquilino erstwhile ruling party was not “We are not involved in any fended the death of 3,850 drug suspects in “Koko” Pimentel stressed this involved in any destabilisation ouster plot. Those allegations the more than one-year-old campaign. on Saturday amid reports that or ouster plot against the presi- are fabricated,” Aquino told re- “So every single one of the three and a the Liberal Party, communist- dent. porters. half thousand people who was killed was led groups, the clergy, some po- They also denounced alleged Aquino also criticised Jus- a drug dealer?” host Mehdi Hasan asked licemen, and some people in the eff orts to silence dissenters and tice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre Cayetano. media were conspiring to unseat critics of the government. for branding “yellowtards” as “Yes,” Cayetano said. Duterte. Sen. Francis Pangilinan, LP enemies of the State during The host then asked him how he could “There are still a lot of people president, said Defence Secre- the launching of a pro-Duterte know when those who were killed did not who cannot accept the result of tary Delfi n Lorenzana himself group. Yellow is the LP colour. undergo trial and were not prosecuted. the elections in 2016. I hope they had dismissed reports there was “This is political persecution,” “You didn’t charge them. You shot accept it,” Pimentel said in a ra- a plot to unseat the president. he said. “This is anti-democrat- them on site! That’s not a democratic way dio interview. “There’s no destabilisation. ic and should be opposed and of solving crime, is it?” Hasan pressed “Somebody won already. The It’s a fake ouster plot,” he said that’s what we are doing,” Pan- Cayetano. term of President Duterte is from during an interview. gilinan said. The foreign aff airs secretary said police 2016 to 2022. We are a democ- “They were looking for issues The minority bloc will contin- offi cers were doing everything they could racy. You can say that the pro- to deviate media and citizens’ ue to work on important matters, but there were some instances when they gramme is wrong. You can say attention from corruption, drug like the 2018 national budget and needed to defend themselves. Cayetano: defending drug war the decision is not right,” he said. smuggling of the Davao group, tax reform, Aquino said. Govt to start extradition process for NY plotter

AFP itary chief said Salic had sent Manila funds to other nations for the IS “terrorist network”. “He is providing fi nancial Filipino suspect in a support to several extremists thwarted militant plot or suspicious terrorists in the Atargeting New York’s Middle East, in the US, Malay- subway and Times Square will sia,” Ano told reporters. face legal proceedings seeking “He was very active on social his extradition to the United media, websites that groups re- States, the Philippine justice lated to ISIS have been using,” secretary said yesterday. Ano said using another name Russell Salic and two oth- for IS. ers have been charged with in- Salic is also under investi- volvement in the plan to stage gation in the Philippines over the attacks in the name of the kidnapping and murder charges Dela Rosa: willing to listen Islamic State group during and those probes will continue the holy month of Ramadan in pending a decision on the ex- 2016. tradition proceedings, the pres- Salic was arrested in the idential palace said. Philippines in April 2017 and “The Philippines shares in- Police chief says willing to Washington had requested his formation and extends full extradition, the US Department co-operation with partners on of Justice said. matters pertaining to terror- “It only means that we have A recent photo shows Russel Salic at a hearing at the Department ism,” presidential spokesman listen to clergy over killings to begin the extradition pro- of Justice (DOJ) in Manila. Ernesto Abella said in a state- ceedings being requested,” ment.The restive south of the Philippine Justice Secretary Vi- cording to US court documents Haroon, a 19-year-old Ameri- mainly Catholic nation is home By RJ Carbonell He called on the Catholic is one with the Catholic Church taliano Aguirre said in a state- released on Friday. can citizen living in Pakistan. to a decades-old separatist in- Manila Times Church to co-ordinate with the in searching for “truth and jus- ment without giving a time- Multiple locations includ- A complaint signed by the surgency and to extremist gangs police in investigating alleged tice.” However, he warned cler- frame. ing New York’s subway, Times agent quoted messages sent by that have declared allegiance to extrajudicial killings commit- gymen against embarking on a “We have a process to be fol- Square and some concert ven- Salic to others involved in the IS. hilippine National Po- ted by supposed members of “fishing expedition” by look- lowed and this has been done ues were identifi ed as targets plot in which he described ter- Armed militants fl ying the lice (PNP) chief Ronald the PNP. He said the police ing for police personnel willing many times in the past.” in the plot that was foiled by an ror laws in the Philippines as black IS fl ag have been besieg- P“Bato” de la Rosa said the would welcome the airing of to testify against extrajudicial The Philippine military chief, undercover FBI agent, US au- “not strict” in comparison to ing the southern city of Marawi police is also “willing to listen” their grievances. killings. General Eduardo Ano, said yes- thorities announced Friday. countries such as Australia and since May, leaving more than to the Catholic Church, in re- “For all we know, maybe “We are all after the truth. terday that Salic was in the cus- The agent posed as an IS the UK. 950 people dead. sponse to the clergy’s vow to there are a lot of things hap- We are only after truth and jus- tody of the country’s National supporter and communicated Salic was an orthopaedic sur- The fi ghting, which is still offer succour to police person- pening. So if they have a prob- tice, not the fishing expedition Bureau of Investigation. with Salic and his two alleged geon associated with a hospital raging despite artillery and air nel who want to testify against lem, then the PNP leadership is done to lure disgruntled po- Salic, a 37-year-old Filipino accomplices: Abdulrahman El in the southern Philippine city strikes and US military assist- extrajudicial killings. ready to help with their com- licemen to go,” Dela Rosa said. doctor, transferred $423 in May Bahnasawy, a 19-year-old Ca- of Cagayan de Oro, the com- ance, has left the once-thriving “We are also willing to lis- plaints and concerns,” Dela “If that is for the truth, then 2016 to the other suspects to nadian who purchased bomb- plaint said. city in ruins and thousands of ten,” Dela Rosa said in a radio Rosa said. we are also after the truth,” help fund the operation, ac- making materials, and Talha Yesterday the Philippine mil- civilians displaced. interview on Saturday. According to Dela Rosa, PNP Dela Rosa added. Gulf Times Monday, October 9, 2017 21 SRI LANKA/BANGLADESH/NEPAL

Nepal Bangladesh was alert against districts reeling under fuel Myanmar’s provocations: PM shortage IANS they must not get confused counter-insurgency off ensive to start the discussion on taking Dhaka with any provocation as long as by Myanmar’s army in the wake back Rohingyas. “I think this is I don’t order them,” Hasina said of militant attacks on security a special aspect. I think there’s Agencies on Saturday, Dhaka Tribune forces in late August. an international pressure (on Kathmandu angladesh Prime Min- reported. The UN has described My- them) … we will be able to solve ister Sheikh Hasina has She was speaking at a re- anmar’s strategy as “ethnic the problem gradually through Bsaid her government ception accorded to her by her cleansing”. discussions.” epal’s western area is was very cautious and did not Awami League party at the During the fi rst few days International aid agencies say reeling under an acute respond to any provocations Hazrat Shahjalal International of the latest infl ux, Bangla- some 515,000 Rohingyas have Nshortage of petroleum by Myanmar, thereby defus- Airport on her return after her desh kept its border closed but fl ed to Bangladesh in six weeks products as Nepal Oil Corpora- ing tensions between the two three-week visit to the US and later decided to open it up to since the end of August. tion (NOC) stopped importing neighbours in the wake of a Britain. Rohingyas. On Friday, the United Nations fuel from India during Dashain mass exodus of Rohingyas Hasina said Myanmar wanted “There are various quarters said that is bracing for a possi- holidays. from Rakhine State. to create a situation to divert who would try to create a situ- ble ‘further exodus’. Petrol pump owners say that “Our nearest neighbour, at global attention. “We are very ation to divert the attention. We An estimated 2,000 Rohing- all districts in the far-west are one point, showed such an at- much alert about that.” were very careful about that,” yas are arriving in Bangladesh coping with fuel shortage. Most titude that there will be a war More than half a million Ro- she said. a day, the International Organi- of the petrol pumps have pulled with us. I alerted our army, bor- hingyas have fl ed across the Hasina, however, thanked sation for Migration (IOM) said Sheikh Hasina: “Our nearest neighbour, at one point, showed such down their shutters for want of der guards and police so that border to Bangladesh since a Myanmar for coming forward on Friday. an attitude that there will be a war with us.” fuel. NOC regional offi ce in Dhangadi does not have ad- equate storage of petroleum products which has led to the acute shortage of fuel in the Lanka expecting region. Police search for man who Shivraj Bhandari, chief at NOC regional offi ce in tourist infl ux during Dhangadi, said lack of ad- equate petroleum storage ca- pacity and almost a week-long married Rohingya refugee shopping festival holidays had caused fuel crisis in the region. According to Bhandari, far- AFP police chief Khandaker Imam fell in love with Rafi za after her An AFP correspondent met IANS “The Colombo Internation- west region requires 100,000 Cox’s Bazar Hossain said. family fl ed the latest bout of a Bangladeshi man at Balukhali Colombo al Shopping Festival has been a litres of petrol on a daily ba- “But we did not fi nd him violence in Myanmar and took makeshift camp who came from roaring success in the past and sis. Petrol scarcity has hit there and his parents don’t refuge at a cleric’s house in a neighbouring village to fi nd a has now begun to attract tour- motorbike riders very hard. angladesh police were know where he has gone,” Singair. bride for his elder brother. ri Lanka is expecting an ists. From next year we hope to Khagendra Bohora of yesterday searching for he said, adding they were In a police crackdown, the “My brother wants to marry infl ux of tourists, includ- hold the festival island wide,” Dhangadi complained that he Ba man who defi ed a ban investigating the case. family was forced to move back a Rohingya woman just to help Sing from China, during Amaratunga said. had not got petrol though he and married a Rohingya refu- In 2014, Dhaka banned mar- to the main refugee camp in the her. He thinks marrying a girl a month-long Colombo In- Leonard Perera, an offi cial visited almost all petrol pumps gee, hundreds of thousands riages between Bangladeshis southeastern district of Cox’s from the distressed Muslim ternational Shopping Festi- with the organisers said that in Dhangadi. of whom have fl ed across the and Myanmar’s Rohingya Mus- Bazar - some 265 miles from community will be treated as an val which began last week, Sri last year an estimated 2.5mn “My two-wheeler is gather- border to escape violence in lim refugees following claims Singair. act of charity,” he said. Lankan Tourism Minister John people had attended the fes- ing dust at home for want of Myanmar. that members of the persecuted A lovestruck Jewel rushed A senior police offi cer said Amaratunga said. tival, of whom 30% were petrol,” Bohora said. More than half a million Ro- community were attempting to to Cox’s Bazar, running from they have stepped up surveil- The international shopping Chinese tourists. Fuel required for the far- hingya refugees have fl ocked wed to gain citizenship in the one camp to another in search lance in the camps to stop any festival, organised by the Sri He said this year the event west is imported from In- to Bangladesh since an army mainly Muslim nation. of Rafi za. He fi nally found her such marriages and to combat Lanka Retailers Association in had partnered with China’s dia’s Banthara depot via crackdown began on August 25 Jewel’s father Babul Hossain and asked her parents for their traffi cking of refugee girls or collaboration with the tour- UnionPay for the benefi t of the Gaurifanta border point. in Myanmar’s Rakhine state, a said citizenship was not the daughter’s hand in marriage. children, many of whom fl ed to ism ministry, will promote Sri Chinese visitors. Bhandari said that fuel process the UN has described motive this time and defended Their wedding in Cox’s Ba- Bangladesh unaccompanied by Lanka as a global shopping hub. A special shopping weekend scarcity would be solved as as ethnic cleansing. his son’s marriage to Rafi za. zar was the fi rst known one parents. Amaratunga said the shop- will also be held from October soon as transporters resume Shoaib Hossain Jewel, 25, and “If Bangladeshis can marry between a Bangladeshi and a “We are taking all preven- ping festival will off er goods 21 to 22, Perera said. importing fuel. his 18-year-old Rohingya bride Christians and people of other Rohingya refugee since the Au- tive actions to ensure there are and items at a discounted rate In order to promote the He added that transporters Rafi za have been on the run religions, what’s wrong in my gust fl are-up, the newspaper no marriages between Bang- at various shopping malls and event, Sri Lanka has launched would resume their work from since marrying last month, said son’s marriage to a Rohingya?” reported. ladeshis and Rohingya,” Cox’s tourists could reap its benefi ts. a special international adver- Wednesday. police in Jewel’s home town of Hossain said. Many Bangladeshi men have Bazar’s deputy police chief Kazi He said the festival will provide tising campaign to promote Except Bajura and Ba- Singair. “He married a Muslim who travelled to the refugee camps Humayun Rashid said. world-class and internation- the country as a “shopping jhang, all districts of the “We heard he married a Ro- took shelter in Bangladesh.” since the infl ux began in hopes He said authorities have ally renowned original brands hub” in South Asia. far-west have fuel stations. hingya woman. We went to The Dhaka Tribune news- of marrying young Rohingya banned any Bangladeshi or at competitive prices. The event The Colombo Interna- There are 15 petrol pumps in his home at Charigram vil- paper said Jewel, a teacher in a women, according to local foreigner from entering the will be held under the theme tional Shopping Festival will Dhangadi sub-metropolitan lage to look for him,” Singair madrassa or religious school, media reports. settlements after 5pm. “One Island, One Big Mall.” conclude on November 15. city alone. Food queue Two Lankans held over Taiwan bank hacking

AFP bank’s computers last week. Taiwanese media quoted the Colombo “We are looking at some bank as saying that it detected $1.3mn that had come into three irregularities in its SWIFT sys- accounts in Sri Lanka,” the of- tem and there were suspicious ri Lankan police have ar- fi cial involved with the inves- transactions starting Thursday rested two men for alleg- tigation said, asking not to be to Sri Lanka, Cambodia and the Sedly helping international named. United States. criminals who hacked into com- “We have taken two people However, Taiwan police have puters at a Taiwan bank and stole into custody and we are looking recovered most of the money millions of dollars, an offi cial for one more person.” with the help of counterparts in said yesterday. Police in Sri Lanka did not other countries, the reports said. The pair were arrested after disclose the name of the aff ected Bank offi cials were not imme- they tried to withdraw large sums bank in Taiwan or the sum said diately available for comment. of money that had been wired to to have been stolen, but a Sri Sri Lankan police investigated their accounts with a Sri Lankan Lankan media report said tens a similar theft in February last bank branch in the capital Co- of millions of dollars had been year when hackers broke into the lombo, the offi cial said. wired out of the island. computer system of the Bang- The police Criminal Inves- In Taipei, the Financial Regu- ladesh central bank and trans- tigation Department (CID) latory Commission confi rmed ferred $20mn of stolen money to Indian Sikh volunteers from KhalsaAid distribute food to Rohingya refugees at the Thangkhali refugee camp in Ukhia district of was working closely with Tai- that the local Far Eastern Inter- a Sri Lankan businesswoman. Bangladesh yesterday. More than half a million Rohingya refugees have flocked to Bangladesh since an army crackdown began on wan counterparts to track national Bank’s SWIFT system The money was recovered August 25 in Myanmar’s Rakhine state, a process the UN has described as ethnic cleansing. down the hackers, who are said had been hacked through a com- and an court investigation is to have breached the Taiwan puter virus but gave no details. pending. Alliance decision not discussed within party: Dahal

IANS Dahal during the party’s politburo forge an alliance with the UML was before the announcement, all Maoist Kathmandu meeting and political training on Sat- a result of “extreme pressure and Centre leaders opined that there had urday admitted that forging the alli- compulsion”. been some problems with the party’s ance without putting the matter for He admitted that the decision of partnership with the Nepali Congress ormer Nepal prime minis- discussion at any of the committees such huge import should have been and that a left alliance was required. ter and CPN (Maoist Centre) of the party, which is a routine proce- taken after holding extensive discus- Dahal’s “pressure and compulsion” Fchairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal dure, was a mistake, the Kathmandu sions at diff erent party committees. argument on Saturday stems from the has admitted that forging a left elec- Post reported. “But that could not happen.” fact that the Maoist Centre, which has toral alliance without fi rst discuss- Leaders, including former fi nance Leaders of both the UML and gone through highs and lows since it ing the matter within the party was minister Barshaman Pun, had ques- Maoist Centre have said the left al- joined the mainstream politics in a mistake. tioned the leadership’s “surprising liance is a precursor to a unifi ed 2006, had of late been fi nding itself He admitted that there were some and abrupt announcement”. “communist force”. cast adrift. “procedural lapses” while taking the “It was obvious on the part of the Dahal told his party members that Despite emerging as the single larg- decision of forging a left electoral al- leaders to express dissatisfaction as he himself had proposed unity be- est party in the fi rst constituent as- liance with the CPN-UML and the the decision that can impact the life of tween the Maoist Centre and the UML sembly elections in 2008, the party Naya Shakti Nepal. the party has come out of nowhere,” when the latter had come up with lost its sheen by the time the second On October 3, the three parties Pun was quoted as saying during the the proposal of forging an electoral elections were held when it faced a announced a left electoral alliance - meeting. alliance. drubbing. sending across a message of bringing The CPN (Maoist Centre) chair- Though a section of leaders ex- The CPN (Maoist Centre) also per- all the communist forces under one man, however, attempted to defend pressed their dissatisfaction at not formed miserably in all the provinces Pushpa Kamal Dahal: “Forging the alliance without putting the matter for discussion umbrella. the move and said the decision to discussing the issue within the party in the recent local level polls. at any of the committees of the party, which is a routine procedure, was a mistake.” Gulf Times 22 Monday, October 9, 2017 COMMENT

Chairman: Abdullah bin Khalifa al-Attiyah Editor-in-Chief: Faisal Abdulhameed al-Mudahka Americans burdened by Deputy Managing Editor: K T Chacko

P.O.Box 2888 Obamacare squeezed again Doha, Qatar [email protected] The Aff ordable Care Praeger, a Republican, is among a brick house in one of Denver’s older qualify for nearly free care through Telephone 44350478 (news), bipartisan chorus of state regulators, neighbourhoods. Medicaid. 44466404 (sport), 44466636 (home delivery) Act made life-saving governors and health insurance He budgeted about $100,000 And even many of the people who Fax 44350474 protections available to offi cials urging Congress to take a set for health insurance in the couple’s buy insurance on their own now of relatively simple steps to stabilise retirement plan, calculating that get assistance through subsidies millions, many for the fi rst markets and help consumers like would get him and his wife to age 65, provided by the 2010 law. Those time Hansen. when they would qualify for Medicare, subsidies - available to consumers A group of Republican and the government health plan for the with incomes between 100% and Democratic senators is now racing to elderly. 400% of the federal poverty level, or By Noam N Levey put together legislation. Then the market began to change. between $12,060 and $48,240 - have GULF TIMES The work was derailed in mid- The advent of new consumer protected many from the recent rate Washington September by the recent GOP push protections in 2014, including hike and in many cases mean the to repeal the law. Negotiations in the guaranteed coverage for the sick, difference between a double-digit im Hansen and his wife senate health committee have now brought consumers with untreated rate hike and a rate decrease after considered themselves fortunate resumed, but it’s unclear whether a bill illnesses, many of whom couldn’t subsidies. Methane’s impact on when they retired fi ve years ago. can make it through a bitterly divided previously get insurance, into the But more than 10mn Americans – J The Denver couple, both Congress in time for insurers to scale market. That pushed up insurance some uninsured – don’t fi t into any of electrical engineers, were healthy. back big premium hikes planned for premiums for healthier people. those categories and, as a result, don’t They’d socked away an ample nest 2018. Hansen and his wife kept their get any assistance. global warming far egg. And they found health insurance “They need to act yesterday if premiums in check for a couple years Their diffi culties have been a major that, if not cheap, seemed reasonable not sooner,” said Anthony Wright, by switching to plans with higher focus of Republican calls to repeal for two people in their late 50s. head of Health Access California, a deductibles. the current law and loosen insurance Then, the math started to change. leading consumer advocate in the Then, in 2016, their annual regulations to make coverage more greater than CO2 Since 2015, the couple’s annual state. premium for a plan with a $7,000 aff ordable. premiums have more than tripled and Before the Aff ordable Care Act, the deductible jumped from $4,350 to The changes the GOP has proposed may hit nearly $18,000 next year. so-called individual market survived $13,200. might help some consumers, Though it has been known for quite some time “It just doesn’t make sense,” said largely because insurers were able to It got worse in 2017, forcing the according to independent analyses that greenhouse gases produced by livestock are Hansen, who has had to recalculate his turn away sick consumers, allowing couple to switch plans and switch by the Congressional Budget Offi ce a signifi cant contributor to global warming, the retirement fi nances. health plans to keep premiums in doctors. and others. But looser regulations The Aff ordable Care Act made check for the healthy people they Although the specifi cs of what will would also likely mean higher costs new research, published in Carbon Balance and life-saving protections available to chose to serve. happen to Hansen’s plan haven’t been for people with pre-existing medical Management, shows it is worse. A new Nasa-sponsored millions, many for the fi rst time. But That meant millions of Americans fi nalised, according to a company conditions and for many older study shows that methane produced by livestock in the transformation of the nation’s were locked out of coverage if they spokesman, the 31% increase the consumers nearing retirement, the 2011 was 11% higher than estimates made in 2006 insurance markets has been a bumpy had pre-existing medical conditions company expects on average would budget offi ce and others have warned. ride, particularly for one group – such as cancer or diabetes. Even minor put the couple’s 2018 premium at Other GOP plans also have included by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change people like Hansen who get health ailments such as acne were used to $17,685. proposals to give Americans who buy (IPCC)—a now out-of-date estimate. Since methane insurance on their own, rather than deny coverage. “Needless to say, we’re pretty health coverage on their own the same is a particularly nasty greenhouse gas, the new fi nding through a job, but whose income is too At the same time, health plans angry,” Hansen said. tax break enjoyed by people who get means it is going to be even tougher to combat climate high to qualify for government aid. routinely imposed annual and lifetime “Something just seems way out of coverage through an employer. change than realised earlier. Now, these same consumers, whom caps on how much medical care they whack here,” he said. “It seems like In the short term, most state Republicans have held up as victims of would cover and excluded coverage everything about the way we are being regulators, insurers, consumer There are about 1.5bn cows on the planet, each and the current law, stand to see insurance of prescription drugs, mental health, treated is unfair.” advocates and others say Congress and every one of them expelling upwards of 30 to 50 gallons bills soar even higher unless Congress substance abuse treatment and other The vast majority of Americans the Trump administration could slow of methane each day. Belches are actually the primary acts quickly to stabilise insurance services. receive substantial government rate hikes for people like Hansen with source of cattle-produced methane, accounting for markets that have been weakened by “This was a critical weak link in our assistance to buy health insurance. a few basic steps. the Trump administration. system,” said Karen Pollitz, a market People who get a health plan These include providing funding 95% of the problematic greenhouse gas. Methane is Hansen’s insurer, Cigna, plans to expert at the nonprofi t Kaiser Family through an employer get a tax break to protect insurers from high-cost about 30 times more effi cient at trapping the Sun’s increase premiums for individual Foundation. because health benefi ts aren’t taxable. patients and to off set the cost of radiative heat than carbon dioxide over a timescale insurance plans in Colorado by an But for healthy Americans, plans That tax benefi t is most valuable to consumers who can’t aff ord their of about a century. There may be more CO2 in the average of 31% for 2018 – one of many could be relatively aff ordable, upper-income Americans. deductibles and co-pays. double-digit increases slated to hit especially for consumers willing to Americans older than 65, who It also includes enforcing the law’s atmosphere than methane, but by unit it is the more consumers around the country next buy plans with high deductibles or qualify for Medicare, also get requirement that everyone have destructive greenhouse gas. year. limited benefi ts. help. Although they paid into the insurance and aggressively working to Disturbingly, the new research, which was led by “Many of these people are For the fi rst few years after Hansen programme through payroll taxes, get more people to sign up for health Julie Wolf from the US Department of Agriculture and just normal, middle-class folks,” and his wife retired in 2012, they those payments cover only part plans. The Trump administration is Agricultural Research Service, shows that methane, said former Kansas insurance enrolled in plans that cost less than of the programme’s cost, and the instead making plans to dramatically commissioner Sandy Praeger. “And $5,000 a year. government signifi cantly subsidises scale back advertising and outreach over the course of the next 100 years, will exert a they’re just not going to be able to “That worked for us,” explained the cost of care. eff orts for 2018. – Tribune News “global warming potential” that’s an astounding 28 aff ord coverage.” Hansen, who lives in a modest The poorest Americans typically Service times greater than the one expected from carbon dioxide. Both Nasa’s Carbon Monitoring System research initiative and the Joint Global Change Research Institute (JGCRI) contributed to the study. Wolf’s team re- evaluated the data Methane is 30 used to produce times more the IPCC 2006 methane emissions effi cient at estimates. The prior estimates were trapping the Sun’s based on relatively radiative heat modest rates of methane increases than CO2 from 2000 to 2006, but things changed dramatically afterwards, increasing 10-fold over the course of the next 10 years. The new fi gures factor in an 8.4% increase in methane emissions from digestion (otherwise known as “enteric fermentation”) in dairy cows and other cattle, and a 36.7% increase in methane from manure, compared to previous IPCC- based estimates. The new report shows that methane accounted for about 16% of global greenhouse gas emissions in 2016. Other human activities, such as the production and transport of gas, oil and coal, along with the decay of our organic waste, also contribute to global methane emissions. British Prime Minister Theresa May to announce policy initiatives in a bid to reassert her authority. Importantly, the new estimates are 15% higher than global estimates produced by the US Environmental Protection Agency, and 4% higher than Emissions Database for Global Atmospheric Research. The Thatcher’s ghost haunts PM May new research shows that methane emissions slowed in the US, Canada, and Europe, but they are rising an election to cement her power Newspaper reports yesterday made her combative message barely elsewhere. Very likely, the rest of the world is catching By Dario Thuburn/AFP London backfi red spectacularly and she lost suggested that May is considering a audible. up to fi rst-world standards in terms of meat and dairy her parliamentary majority. reshuffl e of her Cabinet in which she The sense of chaos only heightened consumption. Ghassem Asrar, director of JGCRI and a For many Conservatives, it is now would promote a younger generation when letters from the slogan “Building devastating election and a a question of when, not if, she steps of MPs. a Country that Works for Everyone” co-author of the new study, said it was found that total high-profi le speech strewn down ahead of the next election “Part of my job is to make sure I started falling off the board behind her. livestock methane emissions have increased the most with mishaps have ignited a in 2022 – and the date most often always have the best people in my “The sense that this cannot go in rapidly developing regions of Asia, Latin America, Aleadership crisis for British mentioned is 2019, when Britain is Cabinet, to make the most of the on may now overwhelm her,” wrote and Africa. It is not immediately clear how, or even if, Prime Minister Theresa May at a expected to leave the European Union. wealth of talent available to me Times columnist Philip Collins, one of these revised fi gures will impact livestock production critical time as Brexit negotiators push “Getting rid of her is like going to in the party,” she told the Sunday a growing number of commentators for a deal in Brussels. the dentist,” a government minister Times. saying that the leadership crisis has or public policy, but at the individual level, it suggests A plot by a group of Conservative was quoted by The Sun as saying. “You The paper said Johnson could be fi nally come to a head. we should cut back on our consumption of meat and MPs to oust May was exposed on keep putting it off because it’s going demoted in the reshuffl e, which it said Pro-Brexit MPs do not want another dairy products. Friday, reviving memories of the to be painful but you know you have to was planned for after the European leadership election to slow down the backstabbing that led to Margaret do it eventually.” summit on October 19 and 20. process, and there are fears the lack Thatcher’s ouster in 1990. There have been reports of bitter Britain had hoped EU leaders would of party unity could hand power to Many colleagues publicly divisions for weeks and speculation use that meeting to agree to the next opposition Labour leader Jeremy To Advertise condemned the attempt and backed has swirled over whether Foreign stage of talks on future Britain-EU Corbyn. their leader, but the Sunday Times Secretary Boris Johnson might mount trade ties, but this seems unlikely. But Iain Begg, a politics professor [email protected] reported that at least three Cabinet a leadership bid after his contrary EU offi cials say Britain has so at the London School of Economics, Display ministers had discussed the need to interventions in the Brexit debate. far not made suffi cient progress on said the current climate had “an echo” Telephone 44466621 Fax 44418811 replace her this week. Johnson pledged his loyalty to preliminary negotiations centring on of the 1990 demise of Thatcher at the Parliament returns today and May the prime minister this weekend, the divorce bill, despite May’s push hands of Conservative plotters. Classified is expected to announce a number of but his erratic behaviour has drawn for a breakthrough with her Florence That ouster was in turn followed Telephone 44466609 Fax 44418811 policy initiatives in a bid to reassert widespread criticism and accusations speech last month. by recriminations over Europe in her authority, while there are also of betrayal. Thwarted in Brussels, May had the 1990s under John Major that Subscription rumours of a Cabinet reshuffl e. Other potential successors include hoped to revive her fortunes at last eventually led to Labour’s Tony Blair [email protected] But she will also need some progress Home Secretary Amber Rudd, while week’s party conference. But her taking offi ce in 1997. in the deadlocked Brexit negotiations Brexit Secretary David Davis and First keynote speech was disrupted by a “If the wind goes against Theresa which resume today. Secretary of State Damian Green are serial prankster who handed her an May she could be fi nished by as early 2017 Gulf Times. All rights reserved The prime minister has struggled seen as possible place-holders until end of employment form, and she then as next week. But if the Cabinet is since June when her gamble in calling after Brexit. suff ered a series of coughing fits that behind her, she will survive,” he said. Gulf Times Monday, October 9, 2017 23 COMMENT Republicans’ responsibility for gun violence

The repeated mass Republican colleagues (and four Democrats and independents have Democrats) in the Senate voted to occasionally joined with Republicans shootings in the US over revoke a rule requiring the Social in blocking gun-control legislation. the past few decades have Security Administration to report the But there is a fundamental diff erence: names of mentally-disabled Social Democrats who oppose gun controls all had a Republican stamp Security recipients to the National do so in defi ance of their party’s on them. After every Instant Criminal Background Check offi cial program, whereas Republicans System. After that vote, US President do so in conformity with theirs. As (predictable) tragedy, the Donald Trump repealed the rule, a result, the degree of culpability party mobilises to block allowing mentally ill individuals to between the parties is not even close. purchase deadly fi rearms without For evidence of this, one need only any legislation that might hindrance. follow the money. According to Ryan also neglected to mention the Los Angeles Times, in 2016, the strengthen gun controls that his party’s repeated efforts National Rifle Association (NRA) to repeal the 2010 Affordable donated $52.6mn to electoral By Yasheng Huang Care Act (“Obamacare”) included campaigns, of which just $265 – Boston plans to defund mental-health yes, you read that right – went to programmes, and to eliminate a rule Democratic candidates. McConnell requiring insurance companies and received $1.3mn from the NRA in 2016 fter the mass shooting at Medicaid to provide mental-health alone. a concert in Las Vegas, treatments. After the 2012 massacre at Sandy Nevada, last week, Journalists and pundits tend to be Hook Elementary School in Newtown, ARepublican Senate Majority vague when assessing culpability in Connecticut, where a lone gunman Leader Mitch McConnell told this distinctly American tale. They murdered 26 schoolchildren and reporters that, “It’s particularly blame the failure to address America’s their teachers, Senator Joe Manchin, inappropriate to politicise an event gun-violence problem on Congress, a Democrat, proposed a bill to require like this. It just happened within the the “Washington establishment,” or universal background checks on last day and a half.” the political system as a whole. Such all commercial gun purchases. The With 59 dead and more than 500 manufactured even-handedness is Manchin Amendment failed to gain injured, McConnell insisted that it was tantamount to “fake news.” It is time the 60 votes needed to overcome a “entirely premature to be discussing to call a spade a spade: the Republican Republican fi libuster. Just four of the about legislative solutions” to Party is overwhelmingly responsible. 54 senators who voted in favor of the America’s gun-violence epidemic. His Heat waves ripple in the afternoon sun as investigators work the scene near the Route 91 Harvest country music festival, Consider the issue of “bump bill were Republicans; only fi ve of the party’s legislative priority, he added, two days after a lone gunman opened fire onto the festival, killing 59 and wounding 527 people, on October 3, 2017, in Las stocks,” the gun modifi cation that the 46 senators who voted against it were would continue to be tax cuts. Vegas. perpetrator of the Las Vegas massacre Democrats. McConnell’s response was fully used to be able to fi re faster. Some Mass murderers such as Adam in keeping with the Republican go-to Republican talking point after partisan points, rather than as a policy forced to abstain from conducting any Republican senators have now drawn Lanza at Sandy Hook, Omar Mateen Party’s stance on gun violence. It is every gun massacre for decades now. and public-safety issue. such research. praise for indicating that they will at the Pulse nightclub in Orlando disheartening, however, that none of McConnell and his Republican One could argue that the repeated The response to the Las Vegas support a ban on the device. But when in 2016, Stephen Paddock in Las the reporters assembled in front of colleagues should have to explain mass shootings in the United States shooting from Paul Ryan, the Democratic Senator Diane Feinstein Vegas, and countless others pulled McConnell so much as tried to call him why they will not even discuss policy over the past few decades have all had Republican Speaker of the House of proposed a similar ban in 2013, the trigger. But the Republican Party out on his position. solutions to the scourge of gun a Republican stamp on them. After Representatives, has been to dismiss Republicans overwhelmingly opposed acted as a political accomplice to all It would not have been unreasonable violence in America, instead of being every (predictable) tragedy, the party the issue of guns, and to instead frame her. After decades of such staunch of these murderous acts. – Project to ask the Senate majority leader: “If allowed to continue pursuing their mobilises to block any legislation the tragedy as primarily a mental- opposition to any semblance of gun Syndicate you think it is premature now, then transparent eff orts simply to avoid the that might strengthen gun controls. health issue. Accordingly, Ryan control, the small amount of fl exibility when do you think the right time will issue of gun control. And they must be In 1996, the Republican-controlled has been breathily touting reforms Republicans are showing on banning zYasheng Huang is Professor of Global be? Could you provide a timetable?” held accountable for their positions, Congress went so far as to threaten to the mental-health system that bump stocks – which will just make Economics and Management at the Nor would it be unreasonable to which refl ect an instinct, both telling to defund the Centers for Disease Republicans supposedly worked on in killing with semi-automatic weapons MIT Sloan School of Management question the premise that Democrats and chilling, to view any discussion Control and Prevention if it even tried the past. slightly slower – should not be reason and a visiting scholar at Harvard are “politicising” a tragedy. After all, about gun violence as a political to study gun violence. Until the Sandy But Ryan chose not to mention for high praise. University’s Kennedy School of claiming politicisation has been the issue, off ering an opportunity to score Hook massacre in 2012, the CDC was the fact that, this past February, his To be sure, some congressional Government. Weather report US military ‘in a death spiral’ Three-day forecast TODAY High: 37 C available to immediately deploy to a the end of the Cold War. It now has 1930s, the United States has neglected Low : 28 C By Dakota L Wood Off shore: Expected strong wind and The Heritage Foundation confl ict. the smallest battle fl eet since before to keep its military strong enough high sea to the north by evening. The pace of decline has been World War I. Of its 18 classes of ships, to confront regimes threatening the precipitous. As recently as 2012, there only seven are currently in production. peace and security of the free world. he more Americans hear were 45 BCTs, and nearly the entire The recent spate of ship collisions and Winston Churchill repeatedly warned TUESDAY about growing security Army was involved in the rotational a grounding imply problems in basic his fellow citizens of the dangers of High: 39 C threats worldwide, the base supporting combat operations in ship-handling skills. complacency, misguided priorities Low: 29 C Tmore grateful they must feel Afghanistan and Iraq. And what of those security threats? and weakness of will. He urged them Sunny to have a world-class military. But The US Air Force is 24% short China is now spending more than to take timely action when dangers few know the disturbing truth: Our of the fi ghters it needs and is short six times as much on defence as it was threatened. They didn’t listen, and military, quite frankly, is in a death 1,000 pilots and more than 3,000 in the early 1990s. It’s rapidly building World War II soon followed. WEDNESDAY spiral. “maintainers” who keep its aircraft a blue-water navy and is fi elding a A similar state of aff airs affl icts the High: 39 C It’s too small for its workload, running. Only four of its 32 combat- fi fth-generation stealth fi ghter to United States today. Yet Congress Low: 29 C underfunded to repair and replace coded squadrons are ready to execute compete with America’s F-22. consistently prefers to focus almost Sunny equipment that is rapidly wearing all wartime missions. Prior to 1991, Russia continues to occupy solely on domestic issues, pushing to out, and ill-served by obsolescent the Air Force purchased more than Ukraine and actively support increase spending on everything from infrastructure at its ports, bases, 500 aircraft a year to replace the aging separatist rebels carving out healthcare and education to subsidised Fishermen’s forecast and airfi elds. And it’s increasingly ones it was purging from its inventory; territory in the southeast of crop insurance and alternative energy OFFSHORE DOHA unprepared for the rigours of a major since then, it has averaged fewer than the country. It has salvaged the options. But these have increasingly Wind: W-NW 05-15/22 KT conventional confl ict, the likes of 100 purchases per year. tyrannical regime of Bashar Assad in come at the cost of providing for the Waves: N 2-4/7 Feet which have cropped up every 20 years The Marine Corps “is insuffi ciently Syria and it actively threatens Nato nation’s defence, arguably the pre- INSHORE DOHA Wind: SW-NW 05-15 KT or so with alarming regularity since manned, trained and equipped across members in the north of Europe. eminent responsibility and obligation Waves: 1-2/3 Feet the Civil War. the depth of the force to operate North Korea, meanwhile, has of the federal government. Gen. Daniel B. Allyn, until recently in an ever-evolving operational become a nuclear power and is close The United States stands at Around the region the vice chief of staff of the Army, environment,” according to Gen. to realising its goal of possessing a crossroads. We can’t keep Weather Weather testifi ed that only “one-third of Glenn Walters, assistant commandant missiles capable of delivering nuclear underfunding our defence and expect today Max/min tomorrow Max/min our BCTs (brigade combat teams), of the Marine Corps. Only 41% of warheads to any spot on the planet. to be able to maintain our security and Abu Dhabi Sunny 37/29 Sunny 36/29 one-fourth of our combat aviation the Corps’ aviation platforms are An assortment of odious terror groups economic interests, let alone continue Baghdad Sunny 37/21 Sunny 36/21 Dubai Sunny 37/27 P Cloudy brigades, and half of our division considered fl yable. continues to ravage portions of the to lead the free world as the pre- 36/27 Kuwait City Sunny 38/24 Sunny 38/24 headquarters” are considered ready. At only 276 combatants, the Navy Middle East and Africa. eminent global power. Time is running Manama Sunny 36/29 Sunny 37/29 Of the Army’s 31 BCTs, only three are has two-thirds the ships it did near Yet, like France and Britain in the short. - Tribune News Service Muscat Sunny 34/28 Sunny 34/28 Riyadh Sunny 37/23 Sunny 37/23 Tehran Sunny 27/15 Sunny 28/15 Live issues Video games can boost memory: study

QNA Berlin

laying video games can help boost memory in the young as well as in the elderly, a new PGerman study has revealed. “Our study shows that gamers are better in analysing a situation Around the world quickly, to generate new knowledge, Weather Weather and to categorise facts, especially in today Max/min tomorrow Max/min situations with high uncertainties,” Athens Sunny 23/13 Sunny 24/14 said lead author Sabrina Schenk Beirut Rain 24/21 P Cloudy 25/21 Bangkok T Storms 31/25 S T Storms 32/26 from Ruhr-Universitat, Bochum, Berlin Showers 13/04 M Sunny 14/08 Germany. Cairo Sunny 33/21 M Sunny 28/19 Previous research has also shown Cape Town Cloudy 15/10 Cloudy 16/11 that playing such games can make Colombo T Storms 29/26 S T Storms 29/26 S T Storms 31/26 your brain more effi cient. Dhaka 31/26 S T Storms Hong Kong P Cloudy 32/28 P Cloudy 32/28 During the test of gamers and Istanbul Rain 17/13 P Cloudy 19/13 non-gamers, the gamers performed but also for older people. This is participants via magnetic resonance The combinations were thereby Jakarta S T Storms 32/25 S T Storms 32/25 signifi cantly better and showed an because changes in the hippocampus imaging. linked to higher or lower probabilities Karachi Sunny 34/24 P Cloudy 36/26 increased brain activity in the brain can lead to a decrease in memory The participants were shown a for sun and rain. London P Cloudy 16/11 M Cloudy 17/12 Manila T Storms 31/26 T Storms 29/25 areas relevant to learning. performance. Maybe, we can treat combination of three cue cards with After completing the task, the Moscow M Sunny 13/08 Showers 14/06 This kind of learning is linked to an that with video games in the future,” diff erent symbols. study participants filled out a New Delhi Sunny 36/23 Sunny 35/23 increased activity in the hippocampus, Schenk added. They should estimate whether the questionnaire to sample their New York S Showers 26/22 Rain 24/22 a brain region that plays a key role in Both teams did the so-called card combination predicted sun or rain acquired knowledge about the cue Paris M Cloudy 17/09 P Cloudy 18/12 S T Storms S T Storms 32/20 learning and memory. weather prediction task, a well- and got a feedback if their choice was card combinations. Sao Paulo 27/18 Seoul P Cloudy 26/16 P Cloudy 26/17 “We think that playing video established test to investigate the right or wrong. Also, the gamers were notably better Singapore S T Storms 30/26 S T Storms 30/26 games trains certain brain regions learning of probabilities. They gradually learned, on the basis in combining the cue cards with the Sydney M Cloudy 21/17 S Showers 27/16 like the hippocampus. That is not The researchers simultaneously of the feedback, which card combination weather predictions than the control Tokyo Clear 25/18 Cloudy 24/18 only important for young people, recorded the brain activity of the stands for which weather prediction. group. Gulf Times 24 Monday, October 9, 2017 QATAR Pakistan embassy pays tributes to martyrs on Armed Forces Day

By Mudassir Raja Doha

he brotherly relations between Pakistan and TQatar are getting strong- er and deeper while co-opera- tion in various areas, particu- larly in the field of defence, is increasing day by day, Pakistan ambassador Shahzad Ahmed has said. “The governments of the two countries are keen to take the bilateral ties to new heights,” he stated at a diplomatic reception yesterday in Doha to celebrate Pakistan’s Armed Forces Day. In attendance were Sheikh Ali bin Abdullah Thani al-Thani, Dr Fahad bin Abdul Rehman Abu Hamd al-Thani, and Brigadier General Salim al-Nabit from Qatari Armed Forces, apart Brigadier General Salim al-Nabit, Dr Fahad bin Abdul Rehman Abu Hamd al-Thani, Sheikh Ali bin from diplomats, other dignitar- Abdullah Thani al-Thani, ambassador Shahzad Ahmed and Defence Attaché Commodore Irfan Taj at ies, representatives of Qatari Diplomats and other dignitaries look on as Pakistan Armed Forces personnel perform a guard of honour. the event yesterday. PICTURES: Ram Chand and Pakistani armed forces and a large number of Pakistani ex- In his address, ambassador tional missions or are currently doorsteps through western con- “Pakistan’s eff orts to eradicate albeit at a loss of around 70,000 drives and motivates those who pats. Ahmed highlighted Pakistan’s participating are spread across frontation during the cold war. this menace have proceeded well deaths. In this regard who can would harm others. The event was organised to contribution towards attain- three continents such as Africa, Pakistan has been the biggest over the last several years, with say they could have done more,” “Today’s world order needs pay homage and tributes to the ment of peace around the world Eastern Europe and Southeast victim of terrorism, with hun- the majority of militant areas in he asked. more dialogue, and better diplo- martyrs and ghazis of Pakistan under UN Peacekeeping mission Asia. dreds of billions of dollars lost Pakistan cleared and the number Shahzad further stressed that macy. Countries need to learn Armed Forces who have ren- that dates back to 1947, when “Extremist movements that through destruction of physical of deadly attacks minimised to Pakistan’s resolve stands fi rm, the lessons from unjust wars dered supreme sacrifi ce towards Pakistan achieved independ- threaten peace and stability in infrastructure, and lost oppor- remote localities outside urban and called upon the world to do being fought in various coun- nation-building and attaining ence. The countries where Pa- today’s world were not borne tunities for development,” the areas. Pakistan’s campaign to more to expunge the hatred, the tries around the world. Let us all peace. kistan had completed interna- in Pakistan but exported to our envoy said. eradicate terrorism has come bigotry and the criminality that stand up for peace,” he urged. World Teachers’ Day celebrated at CNA-Q

ollege of the North At- lantic-Qatar (CNA-Q), Cin partnership with the Unesco Doha Offi ce and the Qa- tar National Committee of Sci- ence, Education and Culture, hosted the World Teachers’ Day event recently. Dr Anna Paolini, direc- tor and Unesco representative of the Arab states in the Gulf and Yemen, presented a joint The Brazilian “Aldeia dos Anjos” performs on stage. message on behalf of Unesco, Unicef, International Labour Organisation (ILO), United Na- tions Development Programme and Education International on the occasion. Cultural Diversity Festival She highlighted the impor- tant role of teachers to realise the vision of the Sustainable Development Goals, and ap- CNA-Q celebrates World Teachers’ Day 2017 pealed to partners in govern- continues to wow spectators ments and across the education K-12 teachers from across Qatar place to host a World Teachers’ and private sectors to commit attended a workshop to learn Day event than here at our col- to building a highly skilled, val- more about integrating Science, lege, a centre of excellence in he Cultural Diversity The Brazilian ‘Aldeia dos most renowned folkloric group some British tones compiled ued and empowered education Technology, Engineering and Technical and Vocational Edu- Festival taking place at Anjos’ received loud applause in Brazil, winning 11 times in with unique moves. workforce. Mathematics into the classroom. cation and Training in Qatar. TKatara – the Cultural from the audience as melody of the Enart-Meeting of Arts and The band is an international The keynote address for the The workshop was credited to- CNA-Q is a leader for teacher Village’s Amphitheatre contin- Brazilian tones took the centre- Traditions. The competition is creative union of musicians programme was presented by wards teachers’ professional de- empowerment and student suc- ues to enthral a large number stage, revealing the richness of the biggest competitive festival from European countries who Dr John Fien, professor of prac- velopment hours. cess,” said Dr Ken MacLeod, of spectators especially dur- South American traditions and in South America , which gath- are linked by a common history. tice at RMIT University in Mel- For CNA-Q’s own faculty, the president of CNA-Q. ing the weekend with an array conveying its connection with ers more than 200 dance groups It was established in 2016 to bourne, Australia. His address theme of the afternoon session “I am pleased to say that be- of performances from various various cultural elements rep- annually. perform at the Spasskaya Tower focused on the topic “Why Ex- was ‘Stories of Empowerment: cause of our philosophy regard- countries. resenting diff erent regions in The troupe also participated Festival under the supervision cellent Teachers and Trainers Refl ections from the Classroom’. ing experiential teaching and The event, organised by Ka- Brazil. in several worldwide festivals of the founder and head, David are Essential to Achieve High This was a moderated panel ses- learning, CNA-Q is the offi cial tara in co-operation with the The troupe presented mar- such as in Europe, Turkey, Chi- Johnston, who belongs to the Quality, Relevant and Eff ective sion comprising CNA-Q alumni site of the Unesco-UNEVOC Unesco Offi ce in Doha, had vellous themes, all inspired na, Canada, the US, Argentina, British Army Band. Katara not- Schooling for All”. and faculty members who shared Centre for Qatar, which is dedi- seen audiences enjoying songs by the nature-life in Bra- and South Korea. ed that visitors will also enjoy Following the keynote speak- inspirational stories of real-life cated to enhancing and solidi- and folk dances on stage over zil, and the vivid traditional Following the Brazilian per- other folkloric performances er, a series of panel presenta- experiences as teachers and fying the role of TVET in Qatar; the weekend, representing cul- costumes matched the set of formance, the ‘Celtic Massed from Ethiopia and Iran sched- tions focused on topics relevant learners, followed by an open and we hold the Unesco Research tures from the United Kingdom melodies. Pipes and Drums’ performers uled to take place on October 15 to teachers and educators in Qa- discussion. Chair on TVET and Sustainable and Brazil. The troupe is known as the captivated the audiences with and 16. tar. In the afternoon, nearly 300 “I cannot think of a better Development,” he added.

Ambulatory Center welcomes fi rst outpatients ‘Siege nations using social media

amad Medical Corporation’s (HMC) platforms to spread fake news’ Ambulatory Care Center (ACC) Hyesterday welcomed the fi rst out- patients to its urology clinics, which have ome of the blockading countries have been moved from their previous location at Ha- extensively using social-media platforms mad General Hospital. Ssuch as Twitter to channel propaganda Urology, which focuses on treating pa- against Qatar, radio host Obaid Tahir told Qatar tients with disorders of the male and fe- Urdu Radio’s live show Haqeeqat yesterday. male urinary tract and the male reproduc- “People in Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Egypt tive system, is the third clinical service to have been particularly active in creating hashtags commence outpatient operations at the against Qatar’s government with the intention of ACC. The move follows the start of podia- spreading lies and fake news,” Tahir, who is also an try, digestive, and liver disease outpatient active member of social media said. “Last week, a services, as well as the commencement government channel in the UAE released news that of endoscopy procedures earlier this year. said people in Qatar were out on the streets and Additional outpatient clinic moves are fi ghting with the local police but we know no such scheduled for the coming months and will Senior HMC officials with the urology team at the Ambulatory Care Center. thing ever happened,” he said. see audiology and ENT outpatient services “These social-media trends have so far failed commence at the ACC along with a pre- ACC precedes the offi cial opening of the us to provide our patients with even better miserably because users from Qatar promptly Radio host Obaid Tahir (left) was a guest on Qatar admission anaesthesia clinic and surgical three new Hamad Bin Khalifa Medical City care within the best possible environment.” reveal the truth about what’s happening on the Urdu Radio’s live show Haqeeqat yesterday. services. hospitals and the start of the planned day Dr Khalid al-Jalham, director of the ACC ground. The reality is that everything is normal in When fully operational, the new Urol- surgery service within the ACC. and assistant head of urology at HMC, add- the country and the crisis didn’t disrupt the calm Qatar Media Corporation Urdu Radio. It is broad- ogy Department within the ACC will be Dr Khalid al-Rumaihi, head of Urology ed, “We are confi dent that our outpatients and peace here, and people are very happy with cast from Sunday to Thursday on FM107. The show equipped to the highest international at HMC said, “Both myself and the other will welcome the move to the ACC and we how Qatar’s leadership has been handing the siege.” is hosted by Saif-ur-Rehman. standards, managing both outpatient clin- members of the urology team welcome the look forward to being able to commence Haqeeqat, which aims to engage and interact Log on to Qatar Urdu Radio on Facebook and ics and surgical procedures. The gradual opportunity to relocate to the ACC. It is a surgical procedures within the same con- with the large South Asian expatriate community ‘@QatarUrduRadio’ on Twitter for feedback and introduction of outpatient services at the state-of-the-art facility which will enable venient location in the future.” in Qatar, is a joint venture of the ‘Gulf Times’ and comments about the show.