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MONDAY Vol. XXXX No. 11301 September 9, 2019 Muharram 10, 1441 AH

GULF TIMES www. gulf-times.com 2 Riyals

Qatar-Brazil relations reviewed

His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani met at the Amiri Diwan off ice yesterday with the President of the Chamber of Deputies of Brazil, Rodrigo Felinto Ibarra, and his accompanying delegation. During the meeting, they reviewed relations of friendship and co-operation between Qatar and Brazil. The meeting was attended by HE the Shura Council Speaker, Ahmed bin Abdullah bin Zaid al-Mahmoud. Page 2 His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani and Angolan President Joao Manuel Lourenco witness the signing of an agreement between Qatar and Angola at the Amiri Diwan yesterday. Amir condoles with Kuwaiti leader His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim Ministry to issue daily bin Hamad al-Thani, His Highness the Deputy Amir Sheikh Abdullah bin Qatar, Angola usher Hamad al-Thani and HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Interior bulletin for fi sh prices Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa al-Thani sent yesterday cables of condolences to the Amir of Kuwait z Initiative is aimed at tionship between consumers and suppli- in new phase of ties Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Jaber preventing unjustified ers or merchants in order to protect the al-Sabah on the death of Sheikh Talal commercial and economic environment. new and important phase of bi- honour of the Angola president and Naser al-Athbi al-Sabah. increases in fish and “The ministry will issue the daily lateral relations between Qatar Angola seeks Qatari his accompanying delegation at the seafood prices bulletin that sets the maximum sale Aand Angola has been ushered investments Amiri Diwan. A number of ministers Kuwait Amir in hospital, prices of fi sh and seafood. The prices in with His Highness the Amir Sheikh attended the banquet. Trump meeting delayed he Ministry of Commerce and outlined in the bulletin issued on the Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani and An- President of Angola Joao Manuel As pointed out by QNA, the Angola Industry (MoCI) has announced last business day will apply to offi cial golan President Joao Manuel Lourenco Lourenco reviewed yesterday the president’s visit is expected to outline Kuwaiti Amir Sheikh Sabah al- Tthe launch of an initiative that holidays,” the statement points out. yesterday witnessing the signing of a investment opportunities in his coun- the prospects for co-operation and Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah has been sets the maximum prices of fi sh and The initiative requires retailers to number of agreements and a memo- try and the benefit it provides to for- economic partnerships that serve the admitted to a hospital in the US for seafood and regulates their sale based place a label in a prominent place indi- randum of understanding (MoU). eign investors. During a meeting held interests of the two friendly countries medical tests, and thus rescheduled on a mandatory bulletin. cating the type and selling price of each The Angolan president arrived in yesterday with a number of business- and peoples in various fi elds. a meeting with President Donald In a statement yesterday, the min- type of fi sh and seafood. Doha on Saturday on a three-day of- men from Qatar Chamber, he called Today, Angola is an African suc- Trump, Minister of Amiri Diwan istry said the initiative is aimed at Retailers shall not charge prices fi cial visit. His Highness the Amir and on them to invest in his country and cess story and an example of how a Sheikh Ali Jarrah al-Sabah said preventing unjustifi ed price increases, higher than those set in the daily price Lourenco witnessed the signing of a benefit from the opportunities it war-torn nation is rebuilding itself yesterday. He said a date would cracking down on monopolistic prac- bulletin and shall only sell healthy and protocol on political consultations, an off ers in various sectors in light of through peace. Angola has a thriv- be set later for the meeting with tices and ensuring consumers’ right to consumable fi sh. agreement on the abolition of visa re- the attractive investment climate it ing and promising economy in vari- Trump which was scheduled for purchase goods at reasonable prices. Traders shall also refrain from taking quirements for holders of diplomatic off ers. He highlighted in particular ous sectors, with growing diplomatic September 12. The prices will be published daily fol- any measures or actions aimed at rais- and special passports, and a maritime tourism, infrastructure, and industry relations at the regional and interna- lowing an auction that will take place ing the prices of fi sh under any pretext transport agreement. as having very attractive investment tional levels, and is characterised by ‘Saudi statement on under the supervision of the MoCI. The while committing to providing any ad- They also witnessed the signing of opportunities. Page 24 signifi cant natural resources. It is the violations misleading’ daily fi sh and seafood price bulletin will ditional service in line with the prices an MoU for co-operation in the fi eld of second-largest oil exporter and dia- be introduced from tomorrow morning. outlined in the mandatory bulletin. ports, and agreements on the promo- mond exporter in sub-Saharan Africa, The National Human Rights The initiative comes within the The initiative emphasises the im- tion and protection of mutual invest- the Amiri Diwan. Later His Highness as well as huge mineral reserves and Committee (NHRC) has slammed the framework of the ministry’s role in portance of abiding by the maximum ments; and on economic, commercial the Amir held offi cial talks with him. hydropower potential and vast areas statement issued on Saturday by the overseeing and regulating markets in prices outlined in the daily bulletin, and technical co-operation, offi cial They discussed bilateral relations and of rich agricultural land. Saudi authorities, which claims the line with its jurisdiction and taking the displaying the bulletin in a prominent Qatar News Agency (QNA) reported. ways to enhance them in various fi elds, Under the leadership of President kingdom addressed the violations necessary measures to protect consum- and clear place and providing the buy- A number of ministers and the especially in energy, investment, and Lourenco, who took offi ce in Septem- resulting from the blockade, calling ers, combat commercial fraud, promote er with a detailed invoice. It also com- members of the offi cial delegation ac- air and maritime transport. Also, the ber 2017, Angola began writing a new it an attempt to mislead the public competition and prevent monopolistic pels merchants to comply with the companying the president of Angola two sides discussed several issues of chapter in its history, implementing a and provide false pretexts to justify practices, the statement notes. storage conditions of fi sh and seafood attended the signing ceremony. common concern. series of structural political, econom- abuses, sanctions and arbitrary Through the initiative, the MoCI said in accordance with applicable health Earlier yesterday, President Louren- His Highness the Amir also host- ic and social reforms and providing unilateral measures. Page 5 it aims to maintain a balance in the rela- and safety standards. To Page 5 co was accorded an offi cial reception at ed yesterday a luncheon banquet in economic incentives. Page 24 Nod for index to measure extremism leading to violence zFirst international RI), the two-day conference witnessed policy makers in disseminating knowl- ness of existing strategies to combat conference on “studying the participation of several interna- edge and best practices related to vio- extremism and to develop and imple- tional experts, scientists, researchers lent extremism, concerning its drivers, ment better risk assessment tools and the causes of extremism” and decision makers from 20 countries risk factors, methods of monitoring methodologies. concludes in Doha around the world, in addition to the and measurement within communities The recommendations also called z participation of the Counter-Terror- as well as the means to address it. for a gender-sensitive approach in line Violent extremism ism Executive Directorate at the Secu- The recommendations noted the with United Nations Security Council one of the most serious rity Council. importance of the relevant Security resolution 2242 (2015) on the various challenges facing the A statement issued by the organ- Council resolutions, in particular the roles women can play in eff orts to pre- isers said the participants agreed to two resolutions, which required closer vent and combat violent extremism. world today take steps towards the development co-operation between the research Director of SESRI Dr Hassan al- and implementation of a global index community and the United Nations Sayed said the agreement to launch the QNA of extremism that uses data collected Counter-Terrorism Committee , call- index was an important achievement Doha from representative surveys to meas- ing on member states to develop and for the conference. SESRI is seeking to ure violent extremism in all countries implement risk assessment tools to launch a survey-based index in many and at diff erent times. identify individuals showing signs of countries to measure the phenomenon he fi rst international conference The statement included several rec- violent extremism. of violent extremism, he added. on “studying the causes of ex- ommendations, the most important of Participants in the conference on “studying the causes of extremism” agree to Participants cautioned that many During the two-day conference, Ttremism” concluded yesterday which is the need for member states to launch the index of measuring extremism leading to violence to make data on member states face challenges in ac- participants sought further explora- in Doha, with participants agreeing to exchange research fi ndings on regional this phenomenon available to researchers and policymakers. curately assessing progress against tion of variables at the individual and launch an index for measuring extrem- and national trends on extremism and violent extremism at the national and community levels, which could serve ism that leads to violence. violent extremism, regularly. today and poses a great danger to the stressing the importance of evidence- international levels, in part due to a as indicators of the phenomenon of Such an index is expected to make Participants condemned all forms lives of young people in particular. based policy and interventions in com- lack of reliable data. extremism, to fully assess the eff ec- data on this phenomenon available to and manifestations of extremism, re- They pointed out that violent ex- bating violent extremism. They stressed the need for further tiveness of existing counter-radical- researchers and policymakers. gardless of its motives, stressing that tremism and terrorism are global The recommendations also em- study of individual and social factors isation strategies and to develop and Organised by the Social and Eco- violent extremism is one of the most challenges that are not limited to spe- phasised the need for collaboration that serve as indicators of violent ex- implement risk assessment tools and nomic Survey Research Institute (SES- serious challenges facing the world cifi c countries, ideologies or religions, between researchers, academics and tremism, to better assess the eff ective- methodologies. Page 2 Gulf Times 2 Monday, September 9, 2019 QATAR

Amir greets UN offi cial: Qatar backs global Macedonian president is Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Ha- Hmad al-Thani and His eff orts in ghtfi against terrorism Highness the Deputy Amir Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad al- xecutive director of the national community to work motives of extremism may vary Thani sent yesterday cables of Counter-Terrorism Com- together and to bring the terror- from country to country and congratulations to the president Emittee Executive Directo- ists to justice through legal pro- region to region. of the Republic of North Mac- rate at the UN Michele Coninsx cedures, stressing that terrorism On the issues and themes of edonia, Stevo Pendarovski, on affi rmed that Qatar is showing and violent extremism can never the conference, Coninsx said the occasion of his country’s In- the international community be defeated by military means that the topics under discussion dependence Day. (QNA) that it is an active player in sup- alone. were relevant to the current de- HE the Prime Minister and porting global eff orts to iden- She added that there are velopment of the global terrorist Minister of Interior Sheikh tify solutions to the challenge other factors that can address threat, including the challenges Abdullah bin Nasser bin Kha- of combating extremism and the phenomenon, including posed by the return of foreign lifa al-Thani also sent a cable terrorism. addressing the conditions con- terrorist fi ghters and return- of congratulations to the prime In an interview with a local ducive to the spread of terror- ees from confl ict zones to their minister of the Republic of newspaper on the sidelines of ism, preventing extremism and countries, in particular, the way North Macedonia, Zoran Zaev, the International Conference on terrorism, combating incite- in which the causes of extrem- on the occasion of his country’s Studying the Causes of Extrem- ment to commit terrorist acts, ism work helps feed many of the Independence Day. ism, Coninsx said that the con- respecting human rights and current threats. ference focuses on the motives fundamental freedoms, pro- “The conference’s focus on of extremism and discusses the moting political and religious the motives of extremism is rel- causes of the phenomenon and tolerance, good governance, evant to our collective eff orts to HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa al-Thani met yesterday ways to deal with it. economic development and eff ectively counter the threats Assistant Secretary-General and Executive Director of the Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate “The fi ght against terrorism social cohesion. posed by terrorism, including at the UN, Michele Coninsx, on the occasion of her participation in the International Conference on Studying Qatar is closely linked to collective ef- Coninsx noted that the in- the return of foreign terrorist the Causes of Extremism, being held in Doha. During the meeting, they discussed aspects of co-operation forts at the global level, which volvement and exchange of in- fi ghters,” she noted. between Qatar and the UN and ways of supporting and developing them in various fields. made it eff ective and crucial to formation and lessons learned The UN offi cial stressed attends address the threats posed by ter- on the motives of extremism is that understanding, discov- response and on this basis. Saturday and is being organ- ence of international experts, rorism,” Al-Sharq quoted her as important for member states ering and addressing the driv- The two-day International ised by Qatar University’s Social scientists and decision-makers saying. given the complexity of this ers of extremism in violence Conference on Studying the and Economic Survey Research from 20 countries around the Arab Coninsx called on the inter- challenge and the fact that the is a critical element in this Causes of Extremism began on Institute (SESRI) in the pres- world. (QNA ) League PM meets Brazil’s Chamber Council Shura Council signs MoU with of Deputies president session

QNA Brazil’s Chamber of Deputies Cairo atar participated in the 152nd ordinary session of memorandum of un- issues of mutual interest and on supporting and developing them. parliamentary relations. Qthe Council of the Arab derstanding (MoU) was all parliamentary issues within The Shura Council Speaker He pointed out that the sign- League at the level of Permanent Asigned between the Shura the competence of the parties. affi rmed the common desire to ing of the MoU between the Shu- Delegates, which started yester- Council and Brazil’s Chamber of Also, the MoU provides for co- develop the Qatari-Brazilian ra Council and the Latin Ameri- day at the headquarters of the Deputies in Doha yesterday. ordination in international confer- relations, especially in the par- can and Caribbean Parliament General Secretariat of the Arab HE the Speaker of the Shura ences, meetings, and forums and to liamentary fi eld and upgrading last June, in which Qatar became League. Council Ahmed bin Abdullah bin work towards unifying positions. It them to serve the interests of the an observer member of the Latin Qatar’s Permanent Represent- Zaid al-Mahmoud and Brazil’s provides for the exchange of expe- peoples of the two countries. American and Caribbean Parlia- ative to the Arab League, am- Chamber of Deputies President riences between the Shura Council For his part, Brazil’s Chamber ment, has given Qatar’s relations bassador Ibrahim bin Abdulaziz Rodrigo Maia signed the MoU. and Chamber of Deputies in vari- of Deputies president expressed with Latin America and the Car- HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Abdullah al-Sahlawi, headed Qatar’s dele- Under the MoU, the two par- ous fi elds such as legislative work his happiness to visit Qatar and ibbean a new dimension and bin Nasser bin Khalifa al-Thani met yesterday Brazil’s Chamber of gation to the preparatory session ties agreed to establish a part- and internal organisation. to see the renaissance witnessed opened wider horizons for it. Deputies President Rodrigo Felinto Ibarra and his accompanying for the meeting of Arab foreign nership and strengthen rela- During a meeting between in various fi elds, praising Qatar’s The meeting was attended by delegation, who are currently visiting Qatar. During the meeting, ministers scheduled for today. tions based on the principles HE the Speaker of the Shura distinguished role at the regional Qatari Friendship Committee they discussed aspects of co-operation between the two countries The agenda of this session of equality, mutual trust and Council and Brazil’s Chamber and international levels. chairman with Latin American and ways of supporting and developing them in various fields. includes several topics, includ- common interests. The MoU of Deputies president and the He affi rmed his keenness to and Caribbean Countries Kha- The meeting was attended by HE the Speaker of the Shura Council ing the Palestinian issue and the aims to strengthen, and develop accompanying delegation, they work to strengthen bilateral lid bin Abdullah al-Buainain, Ahmed bin Abdullah bin Zaid al-Mahmoud. Arab-Israeli confl ict, support- parliamentary relations through discussed the relations between co-operation between the two and Brazil ambassador to Qatar ing the Palestine budget and the the exchange of information on the two councils and ways of countries and develop their Roberto Abdalla. (QNA) steadfastness of the Palestinian people, the report and recom- mendations of the Conference of Supervisors of Palestinian Af- King of Jordan receives fairs in the Arab host countries at its 102nd session. credentials of Qatar envoy It will also review a report on the work of the main offi ce and the regional offi ce on the boycott of the Israeli entity, and another topic on Arab water security and theft of water by the Israeli entity in the occupied Arab territories and the occupied Syrian Arab Golan. The agenda also includes items on solidarity with Lebanon, de- velopments in Syria, Libya, and Yemen, the security of naviga- tion and energy supplies in the Persian Gulf, the dangers of Is- raeli armaments to Arab security Jordan King Abdullah II Ibn al-Hussein received yesterday the and international peace, and the credentials of HE Sheikh Saud bin Nasser al-Thani, as ambassador establishment of a nuclear weap- of Qatar to Jordan. The ambassador conveyed greetings of His on-free zone. Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani to the Topics such as Arab relations King of Jordan, wishing him good health and happiness and with international and regional the government and people of the kingdom further progress groupings, supporting internally and prosperity. For his part, King Abdullah II entrusted the displaced persons in Arab coun- ambassador to convey his greetings to His Highness the Amir, tries and Iraq in particular, in- wishing the Qatari people further prosperity and progress. The ternational terrorism and ways king also wished the ambassador success in his new duties to to combat it, maintaining Arab boost the brotherly relations and co-operation between Qatar national security, and developing and the Kingdom of Jordan. the Arab anti-terrorism system HE Ahmed bin Abdullah bin Zaid al-Mahmoud and Rodrigo Maia signing the MoU as others look on. will also be discussed. HMC teams perform six kidney, one liver transplants over fi ve days

amad Medical Corpora- “This team includes doctors, outcomes of transplant surgeries tion’s (HMC) transplant transplant co-ordinators, nurs- performed in the country en- Hand organ donation es, and support staff from dif- courages us to advise the public teams performed six lifesaving ferent specialities across HMC,” to have their surgeries and fol- kidney transplants and one liver Dr al-Maslamani said, adding, low-up care here in Qatar. Here transplant over fi ve days. “The result was six success- they will receive safe, eff ective, The organs for the record ful kidney transplants and one and compassionate care and can number of transplant opera- liver transplant, all life-chang- avoid going abroad for the un- tions came from four live, re- ing procedures for our patients. known,” said Dr al-Malki. lated donors and one deceased We wish them all good health, Dr Riadh Fadhil, director, donor. The seven transplant and for the deceased donor, a Qatar Organ Donation Cent- patients represent residents blessing in heaven – whoever er (Hiba), added that Qatar from seven diff erent nation- saves one, it is as if he had saved has a successful and world- alities – Qatari, Syrian, Bang- mankind entirely.” recognised organ donation ladeshi, Tunisian, Yemeni, Dr Abdulla al-Ansari, acting programme. Filipino, and Egyptian. chief medical offi cer, expressed “We are so glad that the Dr Yousuf al-Maslamani, his pride in the high standard, number of donated organs so far medical director, Hamad Gen- quality, and safety of care pro- in 2019 has outnumbered that eral Hospital, and director, Qatar vided by the teams involved. of last year. Our model of organ Center for Organ Transplanta- For his part, Dr Hassan al- donation with a single unifi ed tion (QCOT), said the success- Malki, head, nephrology depart- waiting list – has become known ful outcome of the 12 procedures ment, said patients requiring for its effi ciency, equity, and re- is a testimony to the teamwork, transplant surgeries no longer spect of human dignity. We are resourcefulness and exper- need to look outside Qatar. proud that it has become a model tise of the organ donation and “HMC off ers an excellent emulated by other nations,” said transplant teams. standard of care and the positive Dr Fadhil. (QNA) The achievement was marked by a special event held at HMC last week, gathering together the clinical and support teams and their families. Gulf Times Monday, September 9, 2019 3 QATAR Qatar Airways inducts 60 into its Al Darb Qatarisation programme atar Airways has in- line-managers. They began to that by 2030, the nation will be- ‘World’s Best Airline’ award fi ve troduced more than 60 understand the many aspects of come an advanced society capa- times, demonstrating the air- Qnationals to its Al Darb the company and the broad vari- ble of sustaining its development line’s consistency in providing Qatarisation programme. The ety of services it provides. and providing a high standard of the best for its passengers. airline welcomed the new ‘grad- Graduate developees can join living for its people. The award was presented at uate developees’ by hosting a various departments within To reach that vision, Qatar has the 2019 World Airline Awards, ‘Jossor’ event recently, which Qatar Airways Group, aff ording established fi ve long-term chal- managed by international air was an opportunity for nationals them the opportunity to work lenges, including modernisation transport rating organisa- to gain knowledge of the avia- across the organisation. Each and preservation of traditions, the tion Skytrax. It was also named tion industry from inspiring and function within the aviation in- needs of the current generation ‘World’s Best Business Class’ innovative leaders. dustry is uniquely complex, and and future generations, managed for the fourth successive year, Jossor is part of Al Darb Qa- will allow the future new nation- growth and uncontrolled expansion, ‘Best Airline in the Middle East’ tarisation Programme, an ini- al joiners to obtain a customised the size and quality of the expatri- for the third successive year, and tiative that introduces new development plan. ate labour force and the selected with Qsuite the ‘World’s Best graduates to the world of avia- Qatar Airways Group chief ex- path of development, and economic Business Class Seats’. tion, enabling them to become ecutive Akbar al-Baker said: “It growth, social development, and Qatar Airways currently oper- future leaders of the airline. The is a pleasure to have more than environmental management. ates a modern fl eet of more than programme provides outstand- 60 young Qataris join the air- The Al Darb Qatarisation team 250 aircraft via its hub, Hamad ing opportunities for graduates line this year. We expect the best strives to provide its nationals International Airport (HIA), to gain signifi cant and relevant from all our employees and are with world-class learning and to more than 160 destinations experience through working in always on the lookout for fresh development opportunities to worldwide. Qatar Airways has various departments within the graduates with potential to be experience and operate in vari- recently launched an array of ex- Qatar Airways Group, allow- future leaders in our industry. ous work environments. citing new destinations, includ- ing them to meet colleagues and “I look forward to receiving Jossor, which means “bridges”, ing Rabat, Morocco; Izmir, Tur- nationals that will help them in our new joiners into Qatar Air- will connect the new employees key; Malta; Davao, Philippines; their future development. ways. They are an important to Qatar Airways by allowing Lisbon, Portugal; and Mogad- Over the course of two days, pillar as we further establish them to be aware of the compa- ishu, Somalia, among others. the nationals were able to learn our eff orts to support the Qatar ny’s policies, regulations, work The airline will add Langkawi, about their own development National Vision 2030 towards a environment, and expectations. Malaysia and Gaborone, Bot- plans, while meeting and asking sustainable Qatar.” In 2019, Qatar Airways be- swana to its extensive route net- questions to their colleagues and Qatar’s national vision aims came the fi rst airline to win the work in the second half of 2019. The new ‘graduate developees’ with Qatar Airways off icials. QIB ‘Misk account’ awards over 200 winners atar Islamic Bank (QIB) grand prize worth QR1mn. fi nancial habits. To enhance ing and accommodating cus- of QR5,000 for new custom- tain a minimum saving amount has awarded cash prizes The two winners for this customer experience, QIB has tomers’ digital needs. It is the ers and QR2,000 for existing of QR10,000 during each of Qto more than 200 ‘Misk month are Abdulaziz al-Mo- enabled prospective and ex- fi rst Islamic bank in Qatar and customers is required to open these months. Every additional account’ holders in the past 41 hannadi and Rashid al-Obaid. isting clients to open a Misk the region to off er potential the account. Customers will QR10,000 earns the customer weeks. The draw was held in the pres- account through the QIB Mo- and existing customers a ful- need to maintain a minimum one more chance in the draw. Each of the weekly winners ence of an offi cial representa- bile App. Through its digi- ly-integrated and digitalised monthly balance of QR10,000 When opening a Misk ac- received QR10,000, while the tive from the Ministry of Com- talisation approach, QIB is banking experience. to be eligible for the weekly and count, customers will also re- monthly winners won QR50,000 merce and Industry and QIB empowering customers to get All citizens and residents monthly draws. ceive a free debit card, a free e- each. There are still 66 savers representatives. instant access to their fi nanc- of Qatar are eligible to open a To qualify for the grand prize statement, and access to QIB’s due to win monthly and weekly Misk is an innovative Sha- es from anywhere at any time. Misk account for themselves draw, the customer must open recently updated mobile bank- cash prizes, and one lucky win- riah-compliant savings ac- Over the past few years, QIB and their children who have not the account three months prior ing app and the Internet banking ner who will be receiving the count, which rewards positive has taken strides in facilitat- reached legal age. A minimum to the fi nal draw and main- platform. Gulf Times 4 Monday, September 9, 2019 QATAR

24-hour urgent care services launched at Abu Bakr Al Siddiq Health Center Primary Health Care Corporation off ers a range of family medicines Fifth Qatar Patient Safety Week (PHCC) has launched 24-hour services such as general urgent care services at Abu Bakr medicine, well-baby, and periodic Al Siddiq Health Centre. immunisation, non-communicable The health centre, one of 27 across disease, antenatal and postnatal the country, will provide care for care, well women services and set to begin on September 15 patients between 11pm and 7am, school health. for non-threatening medical needs, Dr Eiman Awad AlSaadi AlYafei, he Ministry of Public Qatar Patient Safety Week is activities to achieve the primary of emergencies and adversity Al-Kathiri added that the such as minor burns, sprains, severe manager, Abu Baker Siddiq Health Health (MoPH) is organ- an annual event organised by the objective of making healthcare as a prerequisite for achieving week will also discuss the safety headache or earache, dehydration Center, commented, “Our urgent Tising the 5th Qatar Patient MoPH at the national-level as an safer. universal health coverage and of the healthcare workforce as and dizziness. care service will help connect Safety Week from September initiative and an educational and “The week is widely sup- its impact on providing health a priority and ways to protect The urgent care centre will be led more people in Al Ghanim Al 15-21, with the participation of awareness campaign aimed at ported by health and education- services, and eff orts on regional their safety, and the importance by a doctor and a team of nurses, Jadeed, Bu Sidra and Fareej Al more than 1,000 health prac- spreading the concept of patient al institutions in the country. and international levels. of developing a national patient supported by pharmacy and X-ray Murra, with the healthcare they titioners from various medical safety among the workforce in Among the main themes of this It will also discuss the prac- safety reporting and learning service. need. We will provide patients institutions across Qatar. healthcare institutions and their year’s events are understanding tice of medicine in the context of system. In addition to quality Dr Hayam Ali al-Sada, director, with a comprehensive service, Patient Safety Week coincides employees and to keep up with the challenges that can hinder Qatari law, identifying defi cien- and safety initiatives related to western region of PHCC, said, delivered by a team specialised with the fi rst-ever World Patient the international developments talking about patient safety cies and opportunities for im- mental health in Qatar and the “People want the security of in handling a range of urgent Safety Day, which the World in this fi eld. to patients, their families and provement to achieve the safety role of national clinical guide- knowing the consistent healthcare healthcare issues.” Health Organisation (WHO) has Huda Amer al-Kathiri, acting healthcare practitioners, pro- of patients and the health work- lines in creating a safer health is available in their community, PHCC also provides 24-hour called for to be celebrated on director, Healthcare Quality and posing strategies, models, and force. Also, it will discuss local system, highlighting the impor- and the urgent care service in Abu urgent care service at Rawdat Al September 17 to raise awareness Patient Safety at the MoPH, said initiatives that can improve pa- programs to encourage health tance of patient participation Baker Siddiq Health Center will play Khail, Al Gharafa, Al Kaaban, Al of patient safety and urged peo- that in light of the outstanding tient speaking behavior,” said al- personnel and patients to speak in the development of national a critical role in delivering that care, Shahaniyah, and Al Shamal health ple concerned to demonstrate success of the event in its pre- Kathiri, adding that it will also for the safety of patients and to clinical guidelines and an update as and when patients need it.” centres. Other 24-hour urgent care their commitment to making vious sessions, the ministry is explore the concept of patient identify opportunities for partic- on e-health and its impact on The health centre currently serves health centres are expected to live healthcare safer. keen to continuously develop its safety and quality in the face ipatory and reciprocal learning. patient safety. (QNA) a population of 78,000 patients. It in the next 12 months. (QNA) QRCS, QFFD provide emergency aid to victims of Nepal fl oods atar Red Crescent Society paulins, ropes, blanket, family-size (QRCS) has immediately re- hygiene kit, and mosquito nets to Qsponded to the devastat- reduce infection risks. ing fl ash fl oods in southeastern QFFD has already supported pre- and central Nepal. With funding vious humanitarian assistance inter- from Qatar Fund for Development ventions in Nepal. In 2017, it was one (QFFD), QRCS launched a humani- of the fi rst to proceed with funding tarian response plan to alleviate the emergency response intervention to impact of the fl oods and landslides. reduce the damage caused by natural As the disaster occurred, QRCS disasters in the country. activated its Disaster Information QRCS has been operating in Ne- Management Center (DIMC) to co- pal since 2013, with many water, ordinate with other partners. A fi eld sanitation, health, and food security team from QRCS representation projects. In April 2015, a representa- mission in Nepal took part in the as- tion mission was established to re- sessment done by Nepal Red Cross spond to a massive earthquake, by Society (NRCS), government op- deploying the mobile medical clinic, erations teams, and National Crisis installing the Kit 5 water system, Management Committee (NCNC). distributing food and non-food aid, According to the assessment re- and providing power generators for ports, the most aff ected areas were public facilities. The mission also Mahottari and Rautahat districts. contributed to the response to the QFFD-funded emergency shel- 2016, 2017, and 2018 fl oods. ter solutions and hygiene kits were Over the period 2013-2019, distributed by QRCS and NRCS QRCS implemented $3mn worth to 2,000 aff ected families (10,000 of projects, benefi ting up to 1.5mn persons). Each parcel contained tar- persons. (QNA) QRCS volunteers hand over relief material to flood-hit people.

Scientifi c Excellence Award committee holds meeting

he organising com- the culture of creativity positive attitudes towards energies towards scientifi c During the meeting, the mittee of the Sci- and excellence in the Qatari knowledge and scientifi c excellence in the areas that attendees were introduced Tentifi c Excellence society. research, and spread the serve the achievement of to the nine categories of the Award has held the induc- Al-Sulaiti also addressed spirit of innovation among the State’s developmental award, namely the Scientifi c tion meeting of 13th edi- the award’s mission of students, researchers and orientations. Excellence Award for pri- tion of the award. The cat- deepening the concepts educational institutions,” Al-Sulaiti also talked mary students, preparatory egories of the award, their of excellence and creativ- she said. about the activities of the stage students, secondary objectives, terms, dead- ity through the adoption of She pointed out that it award, including intro- school students, university lines, and other relevant international standards, the also fosters the spirit of ductory meetings, training graduates, holders of mas- matters were reviewed at implementation of qual- competition between indi- workshops and the condi- ter’s and doctorate degrees, the meeting. ity programmes and the viduals and educational in- tions and procedures for the distinguished Teacher, Dr Hamda Hassan al-Su- integration of individual stitutions in the fi eld of sci- submitting applications the distinguished school laiti, CEO, Scientifi c Excel- and institutional eff orts to entifi c excellence, and direct during the period from Oc- and distinguished scientifi c lence Award, said that the improve the outcomes of individual and institutional tober 1 to October 31. research. (QNA) award is the most impor- the educational process in tant annual competition to Qatar. be held at the national level, “The award aims to to honour the distinguished appreciate, honour and scientifi c people of Qatar celebrate Qatar’s distin- in various fi elds to spread guished students, promote Gulf Times Monday, September 9, 2019 5 QATAR Saudi statement Stars of Science returns for on ‘addressing 11th season on Sept 13 atar Foundation’s (QF) Stars of Science returns Qfor its 11th season on September 13 with a brand-new violations’ totally format, introducing a host of changes that refl ect an added emphasis on sustainability and collaboration, as it continues to provide a platform for Arab in- novators to develop technologi- misleading: NHRC cal solutions that address the region’s challenges. QNA violations against citizens and man rights treaties and conven- Since it fi rst aired in 2009, Doha residents of Qatar, warning that tions. Stars of Science, the premier attempts to conceal facts would Most of the violations com- pan-Arab ‘edutainment reality’ not work for the Saudi authori- mitted by the Saudi authorities TV show, has invited Arab in- he National Human ties. are documented by the United ventors between the ages of 18- Rights Committee NHRC noted that since the Nations, international organi- 35 from around the world to de- Stars of Science jury, Professor Abdelhamid El-Zoheiry, Dr Khalid al-Ali, and Professor Fouad Mrad. T(NHRC) has slammed the beginning of the blockade it has sations and specialised interna- sign technologies that have an statement issued on Saturday reached out to the relevant hu- tional agencies. In this context, impact on their communities. have the opportunity, through The show will also host lead- alumni network will return to by the Saudi authorities, which man rights bodies in Saudi Ara- NHRC confi rmed that it was This year, contestants will be Stars of Science and QF’s com- ers of science, technology, en- help with casting as well as to claims the kingdom addressed bia to address damages aff ect- continuing to provide these or- encouraged to create sustaina- mitment to off ering pathways gineering, and mathematic co-host alongside long-time the violations resulting from the ing the rights and remedies of ganisations with all the required ble technological solutions that for transforming ideas into im- (STEM) institutions in Qatar, host, Khaled al-Jumaily, in the blockade, calling it an attempt to victims, without receiving any data and documents, and de- aim to benefi t people’s health, pact, to make a diff erence in their who will provide the contest- evaluation episodes. mislead the public and provide response from them. manded Saudi Arabia to allow make their daily lives easier, and home country and throughout ants with realistic opportunities The Stars of Science com- false pretexts to justify abuses, Also, in November 2017, the the technical mission of the Of- protect the environment. the region,” al-Kubaisi noted. and challenges. munity has been making a sub- sanctions and arbitrary unilat- Saudi authorities did not allow fi ce of the High Commissioner “The world needs sustainable The nine-episode series will The familiar Stars of Science stantial impact throughout the eral measures. the visit of UN High Commis- for Human Rights to visit the technologies now more than follow the path of eight contest- jury, Professor Fouad Mrad, world. This growing innovation In statement yesterday, sioner for Human Rights techni- kingdom to assess violations re- ever,” said Khalifa E al-Kubaisi, ants and their projects, as they Professor Abdelhamid El- family, which now comprises NHRC said that, “At a time cal mission to assess the impact sulting from coercive measures manager of Media Relations & compete in an innovation mara- Zoheiry, and Dr Khalid al-Ali, 139 members across 18 coun- when the National Human of these measures on human taken by the Saudi authorities. Press Offi ce at QF. “Stars of Sci- thon including several rounds of are returning to judge projects tries are generating more than Rights Committee and inter- rights. This is in addition to the de- ence recognises that address- conceptualisation and proto- and provide the contestants $14mn in revenues, crowdfund- national organisations were There was also lack of re- mand of a fact-fi nding commit- ing the challenges of our time typing, and a decisive round of with constructive criticism and ing, and research funds, while hoping that Saudi Arabia sponsiveness to the letters of tee, established by the Council means developing solutions testing, before the fi nal episode. guidance throughout Season 11. winning an array of regional in- would resolve the humanitar- private rapporteurs and in- Human Rights, to visit Saudi that meet the demands of the In small groups, the jury will Innovators from past Stars of novation awards. ian crisis, lift violations and ternational organisations. But Arabia. communities they serve. competitively assess the partic- Science seasons have mentored The season premiere will be compensate victims of the the report submitted to the NHRC also called on Riyadh “Under the supervision of our ipants and eliminate the weak- several contestants, and this telecast on September 13, on blockade, the Saudi authori- Human Rights Council at its to recognise the competence of expert judges, Arab innovators est project in every episode. year, members of the show’s Qatar Television at 10pm. ties have attempted to mislead 42nd session (from September the International Court of Jus- the public by providing false 9-27, 2019) issued by the Spe- tice in accordance with article pretexts to justify violations, cial Rapporteur on the negative 22 of the International Con- sanctions and arbitrary uni- impact of unilateral coercive vention on the Elimination of lateral measures, and also went measures on the enjoyment of All Forms of Racial Discrimina- on to claim that they addressed human rights, paragraph 38, tion to consider its allegations Ministry to issue daily bulletin for fi sh prices the violations resulting from states that “coercive measures of human rights violations as a the blockade. imposed by various groups of result of the blockade, consid- From Page 1 those set in the daily price bulletin. the maximum price of fi sh and seafood The NHRC noted that the Gulf countries on Qatar remain ering that respect for human Further, the consumer must request an The MoCI, which urges all customers Saudi authorities, in a statement in force.” rights should begin with the The MoCI has provided a set of tips and invoice from the seller and refrain from to report any violations, processes com- carried by Saudi Press Agency on NHRC stressed that the uni- recognition of the role of in- guidance, advising consumers to tour the buying fi sh and seafood from unauthorised plaints, inquiries and suggestions through September 7, are making a failed lateral measures and sanctions ternational protection and ac- market for suffi cient time to purchase the street vendors. the call centre: 16001; email: info@moci. attempt to deceive the public imposed on Qatar are a complete countability mechanisms and appropriate goods at the right price. It has The ministry has stressed that it will in- gov.qa; Twitter: @MOCI_Qatar; Instagram: and the international commu- blockade against its citizens and not just claim through state- also urged consumers to examine the quality tensify its inspection campaigns to ensure MOCI_Qatar; and the ministry’s mobile app nity by giving misleading statis- residents, and this is a fl agrant ments to distort and mislead of fi sh and seafood on sale, as well as to re- suppliers’ compliance with their obliga- for Android and iOS: tics and fi gures to cover up their violation of all international hu- international public opinion. frain from buying fi sh at prices higher than tions and the daily price bulletin that sets MOCI_Qatar. Gulf Times 6 Monday, September 9, 2019 QATAR

ExxonMobil Qatar fetes female students

xxonMobil Qatar recently Lecture mulls key held an annual recognition Eceremony for more than 40 female students who have taken part in its sponsorship and in- ternship programmes this year. They are currently enrolled in Qatar University (QU) and Com- Islamic text in the munity College Qatar (CCQ). More than 370 students have benefi ted from these pro- grammes since they were fi rst established in 2006. ExxonMobil’s initiative is part of its commitment to achieving Eurasian context the objectives of the Qatar Na- tional Vision 2030, particularly he College of Islamic tem of university-level teaching its Human Development Pillar. Studies (CIS) at Hamad in related fi elds, Doha is fast be- These unique experiences al- TBin Khalifa University coming an international centre low students to link what they (HBKU) recently hosted ‘The Blue for the study of Islamic art. Our are learning in their courses to Qur’an in its Eurasian Context’, a collaboration with these institu- real life situations and the work- public event that considered the tions is a valued part of the activ- place, build on and develop soft importance of this key manu- ities of the Khalili Research Cen- skills that are essential for work- script beyond the Islamic world. tre at the University of Oxford. ing eff ectively in their chosen The lecture was presented Those interested might also get careers, and help them navigate by Dr Alain Fouad George, I M the chance, in coming months, challenges that may arise in their Pei Professor of Islamic Art and to see in person folios from the future professions. Architecture, University of Ox- famous Blue Qur’an displayed in They also play an instrumen- ford, who explored the date and the collections of the MIA and tal role in pointing students in origin of the Blue Qur’an within Qatar National Library.” the right direction, encouraging the context of other Qur’anic CIS regularly hosts public them to either continue on their manuscripts and Muslim reli- lectures and conferences to pro- educational paths or explore al- gious architecture. mote a deeper understanding ternative study tracks. Dr George also expanded the of the various aspects of Islam ExxonMobil Qatar Human Re- scope of his discussion by con- among the wider community. sources manager Abdullatif al- sidering the manuscript’s syn- As part of the college’s ongo- Naemi hosted the event. ergies with Byzantine Bibles and Dr Alain Fouad George delivering the lecture. ing collaboration with the Mu- “What we’re eff ectively doing Chinese Buddhist sutras. seum of Islamic Art in Doha, is helping students understand Shefa Ali delivering a special presentation during the event. Speaking after the event, Dr M script. Dr George’s presence at the programme’s collabora- Dr Swelim will deliver a series Qatar’s energy industry – how Tarek Swelim, programme co- HBKU demonstrates that CIS tion with the University of Ox- of lectures at the MIA on ‘Lost it is driving Qatar’s economy capacities, in line with the Qatar nity development programmes ordinator for CIS’s MSc in Islamic aims at contemporary discus- ford, which facilitates faculty Ancient and Islamic Cities’ on and how it contributes to the National Vision 2030,” said al- are created in partnership with Art, Architecture and Urbanism sions and other intellectual de- exchange in an eff ort to enrich September 11, October 2 and global energy mix as well. As Naemi. local organisations. programme, said: “While the bates regarding Islam through a student learning in this fi eld. October 9, examining cities a committed and active mem- Shefa Ali, a coach and moti- They are designed to foster a Blue Qur’an has been the subject cross-examination of the history, Dr George said: “With the such as Alexandria, Antinopolis ber of the community, our local vational speaker, took part in the generation of skilled profession- of extensive scholarly debate, geography and visual identity of Museum of Islamic Art (MIA), and the Lost City of Fustat. programmes, including our in- event, and provided the group als across the public and private there is still much to be learned one of the most iconic records of Qatar National Library and this Details on CIS’ upcoming ternship and scholarship pro- with a special presentation and sectors that can build a sustain- regarding the extraordinary sig- the Qur’an we have to date.” specialised programme at HBKU, events are available online at cis. grammes, aim to support learn- spoke about her own experience. able future for Qatar and its peo- nifi cance of this Islamic manu- Dr George’s visit is a part of which plugs into a local ecosys- hbku.edu.qa. ing objectives and build human ExxonMobil Qatar’s commu- ple.

HEC Paris in Qatar to host ‘HR Knowledge Lab’

EC Paris has announced that it will Qatar’s HR professionals to garner, fi rst- welcome HR professionals to attend hand, keen insights into executive decision- Ha dedicated HR Knowledge Lab ses- making from one of the most qualifi ed ex- sion on ‘Judgement in Strategic Decisions’ perts in the sector, HEC Paris in Qatar has led by Professor Olivier Sibony. said in a statement. The HR Knowledge Lab session, held in Professor Sibony’s research interests cen- collaboration with the Qatar HR Forum and tre on the eff ect of biases and heuristics – The OD Company, will take place on Septem- mental shortcuts that allow people to solve ber 25 from 5.30pm-7pm on the HEC Paris in problems and make strategic judgments Qatar campus, Tornado Tower, Doha. quickly and effi ciently. It will examine the impact of decision “These are essential attributes for Qa- theory and behavioural sciences into execu- theory and science behind the process,” ex- tar’s HR professionals as they strive to assist tive strategic decision-making. plained Professor Sibony. their organisations in meeting the human Professor Sibony is a renowned consult- “Decision theory and behavioural scienc- development goals of Qatar National Vision ant and writer specialising in strategy, stra- es shed some light on this question. In this 2030,” added Professor Sibony. A view of the new lanes opened at the Tilted Interchange tunnel. tegic decision-making and the organisation session, we will explore some of the insights HR professionals wishing to register of decision processes. they provide, and their implications for de- for the ‘Judgement in Strategic Decisions’ “Making strategic decisions is a key ex- cision makers.” Knowledge Lab session can contact vpinto@ Tilted Interchange tunnel opened ecutive role but we need to understand the The Knowledge Lab session will enable hec-q.qf.org.qa.

he Public Works Authority (Ashghal) yester- day opened two more lanes of the Tilted In- Khamees Al Obaidly interchange work over 62% complete Tterchange tunnel which is part of the Khalifa Avenue project. he Public Works Author- areas of Nuaija, Al Thumama, The 2.7km long tunnel was opened for traffi c in ity (Ashghal) has com- Abu Hamour, Al Mamoura and both directions providing free traffi c fl ow between Tpleted more than 62% Mesaimeer will be connected Duhail, Al Gharrafa and Al Rayyan. of the development works of while easy access to Al Wakrah The tunnel was opened to the traffi c in one di- the Khamees Al Obaidly Inter- and Al Wukair will be ensured. rection and two lanes were made available for road change on the E Ring Road, lo- The interchange, according users coming from Al Gharrafa towards Al Rayyan cal Arabic daily Arrayah recently to al-Ghanim, is located in a from September 1. reported. residential area that has many The new Tilted Interchange tunnel has four lanes Once the project is complet- vital facilities like Al Thumama in each direction and it can accommodate more ed, the interchange will ensure Stadium, one of the FIFA 2022 than 16,000 vehicles per hour after once it’s fully a smooth traffi c fl ow on all sides World Cup stadiums, schools, opened by the third quarter of 2020. of the road. “With three to four A view of the under construction Khamees Al Obaidly interchange. health centres and shopping The tunnel has four intersections serving all fa- Gharrafa heading towards Al Rayyan by providing tracks, the interchange can ac- PICTURE: Nasar K Moidheen malls. Three pedestrian bridges cilities such as Sidra Hospital, Qatar Foundation direct connectivity between the areas as well as re- commodate around 20,000 have been set up with the inter- and Qatar National Library. ducing travel time between the neighbouring areas. vehicles per hour in both direc- 2020 while some parts of the nal shape and will link E Ring change in order to provide easy The new opening will remarkably reduce traffi c Ashghal has so far completed more than 90% of tions,” Ashghal project manager project will be opened in the Road, Doha Expressway, Sabah access to Al Thumama stadium congestion in the area, especially on the Tilted In- construction works of the prestigious Khalifa Av- Hassan al-Ghanim said. fi rst quarter itself. Al Ahmad Corridor, Industrial on foot. These are in addition to tersection. The new tunnel will provide a free traf- enue project, scheduled to be completed in the third The project completion is ex- The interchange has a dis- Area Road and Rawdat Al Khail the exclusive bicycle paths that fi c fl ow for road users coming from Al Duhail and Al quarter of 2020. pected in the second quarter of tinctive design with a pentago- Street. Besides, the residential will increase road safety. Student learns secret to successful startups with QSTP scholarship

ntrepreneurship, many will He was one of only three re- mitted to a business idea for a solution is if you can’t convince say, is an idea or product cipients of Qatar Science & mobile payment app for the Qa- someone to buy it.” Ethat provides a solution to Technology Park’s (QSTP) schol- tar market, but he quickly real- The team made it to the semi- a problem. And with the world’s arships for the EIA programme ised that the team format of the fi nal round, but failed to clinch problems accelerating at an un- this year. programme would require fl ex- the top prize. sustainable pace — from climate Georgetown also awarded him ibility. “We may not have launched a change to education access to a travel grant through a univer- “As an entrepreneur, it’s not multi-million-dollar company poverty — startups have been sity fund that supports students’ always easy to put your big idea that day, but we found the gift hailed worldwide as the answer co-curricular development aside to make room for other of each other, and learned how to many of them. through participation in mean- opinions. But GU-Q taught me unique perspectives and com- But what Georgetown Univer- ingful conferences, workshops, how much community matters, munity in diversity, a founda- sity in Qatar (GU-Q) senior Ab- and training opportunities. and that you can’t do everything tional Georgetown value, play a dulqudus Sanni will tell you, en- Abdulqudus, like two of his by yourself.” substantial role in the success of trepreneurship is also a mindset, brothers, left his home in Nigeria Working together, Abdulqudus any endeavour.” an unshakable attitude that can to enrol in one of the top-tier and his four teammates came up With plans to pursue a Mas- turn any obstacle into a learning universities off ered at Education with an idea for a mental health ter’s degree in business after opportunity, and a launchpad for City. and wellness workplace manage- college, Abdulqudus says he’s future success. “I realised that a solid foun- ment app and spent the next 15 learned that experiential learn- This was one of the lessons the dation in economic principles days refi ning their business plan. ing often teaches the strongest International Economics major would give me a unique advan- “The intensive research prac- lesson. took away from his recent partic- tage in the business career I tice I’ve had in my studies really “One of the investors we ipation in the European Innova- wanted, and help me understand helped us when it came to data pitched to wasn’t just interested tion Academy (EIA) in Portugal, what drives human behaviour in and data analytics. GU-Q also in the app for his business, he one of the largest entrepreneur- the global marketplace. When I helped hone my public speaking liked our energy and how we ship study abroad programmes read about the EIA programme skills. That came into play with worked together. He told us that in Europe, and which opened this on the QSTP website, I knew the customer validation proc- the team is more important than year with an address from Portu- right away I wanted to apply.” ess, where we had to pitch our the idea. Ideas change, but peo- gal’s President, Marcelo Rebelo Abdulqudus fl ew to the con- product to working businesses. ple remain. I’ll always remember GU-Q senior Abdulqudus Sanni. de Sousa. ference in Portugal, already com- It doesn’t matter how good your that.” Gulf Times Monday, September 9, 2019 7 QATAR Severely hurt athlete Researcher hails QNRF contribution in lauds HMC teams shaping STEM careers

research associate at Qatar Environment and AEnergy Research Insti- after full recovery tute (Qeeri) made signifi cant advancements in develop- Qatari triathlon athlete ing a sustainable mechanism who sustained severe in- for wastewater treatment and Ajuries as a result of a traffi c reuse, as part of her work at accident has made a full recovery the research institute’s Water and praised Hamad Medical Cor- Centre. poration’s (HMC) Qatar Rehabil- Qeeri is part of Hamad Bin itation Institute (QRI) for the care Khalifa University (HBKU), he received after undergoing two which is a member of Qatar extensive surgeries to repair his Foundation (QF). spine and shoulder. Muath al-Qasimi Bassam Abdelmaged Esmail Manoj Kumar Ranabhat Dr Deema al-Masri was a Dr Deema al-Masri Last year, Muath al-Qasimi, a recipient of the prestigious 30-year-old Qatari national, was accomplish my hopes and dreams. covered and that I did not choose “His positive attitude and his Women in Science (WIS) fel- for water purifi cation and poses, along with increasing preparing to participate in Iron- Thankfully, with the support of my to have my treatment abroad. young age helped him recover lowship, off ered by Qatar Na- wastewater treatments suit- Qatar’s freshwater storage ca- man Austria, an annual event family and friends and the medical The care I received at HMC here quickly,” added Esmail. tional Research Fund (QNRF), able for Qatar. pacity. that attracts 3,000 athletes from teams at HMC, I regained my con- in Qatar was wonderful,” con- Manoj Kumar Ranabhat, occu- also a member of QF – in col- During this time, she was QNRF executive director Dr over 60 countries and consists of fi dence and my health,” he said. cluded al-Qasimi. pational therapy specialist at QRI, laboration with CRDF Global. able to gain experience in the Abdul Sattar al-Taie said: “We a 3.8km swim, a 180km bicycle “After undergoing surgery at Bassam Abdelmaged Esmail, a said al-Qasimi’s rehabilitation “The WIS fellowship opened fabrication of ceramic discs are very pleased to observe an ride and a 42km run. Hamad General Hospital, I was physiotherapy specialist at QRI, programme consisted of physio- many doors for me, and was a for water fi ltration, resulting increasing interest to study While riding his bike in prep- transferred to QRI. This was a said the rehabilitation facility uses therapy, which focused on improv- game changer in my profes- in developing a low-cost, eco- STEM subjects among local aration for the event, he was major milestone in my treatment a model that is “patient-centred, ing mobility and function, and oc- sional life. I am grateful for friendly, and eff ective adsorb- female students. This is highly struck by a car. journey. The fi rst week was very team-based and multifaceted”. cupational therapy, which focused the wonderful opportunities ent for water purifi cation. inspiring for the development Al-Qasimi was rushed to the hard, as I could not walk or stand. “When Muath came to QRI’s in- on helping him live as independ- that QNRF has provided me, Building on this innovation, of Qatar’s local research ca- Hamad General Hospital by am- My therapists supported me patient rehabilitation care unit, he ently as possible. His care team and the strong role it perpetu- the research by Dr al-Masri pacity, and therefore we en- bulance and diagnosed with a se- with easy exercises that helped was experiencing severe pain that also used hydrotherapy to improve ally plays in inspiring female and her colleagues at Qeeri courage our female students vere spinal fracture and complete me relearn how to walk. One of restricted his range of motion and muscle strength and endurance. researchers to pursue careers now focuses on developing to pursue scientifi c research in dislocation of his right shoulder. my therapists recommended I overall function. We started the Ranabhat explained that the within STEM (science, tech- membranes to treat wastewa- their fi eld of study.” A team of surgeons, led by Dr wear my training outfi ts while physiotherapy programme by in- rehabilitation programme be- nology, engineering and math- ter, which will not only act as “The achievements of Dr al- Abdulaziz al-Kuwari, performed completing my rehabilitation troducing simple manual physical gan with practising simple tasks ematics) fi elds,” Dr al-Masri adsorption agents, but will also Masri and the importance of her urgent surgery on his spine, fol- exercises because he knew how therapy exercises that are designed designed to help the patient per- said. have a sieving eff ect to purify research for water scarcity in lowed by a second surgery to re- much I loved my sport. I think to promote movement in the joints form the activities of daily liv- The fellowship aimed to fos- water from any contaminants. Qatar is a vivid testament to how pair his shoulder. he knew that seeing myself as an and improve overall fl exibility. ing, such as eating, bathing and ter a research culture in Qatar According to QNRF, water successful the programme was, Al-Qasimi remained in hospital athlete again would help create a “As his condition improved, getting dressed. with a focus on building a new scarcity and water pollution and makes her the perfect role for a month before being trans- more positive, mindful experi- we incorporated resistant bands, He said within four weeks generation of talented local fe- is a serious challenge for Qa- model for our budding future ferred to QRI where he began an ence,” said al-Qasimi. exercise balls and other forms of al-Qasimi’s condition had im- male researchers. tar and has been identifi ed as female scientists, researchers, intensive two-month, inpatient “Slowly, the exercises became rehabilitation equipment,” said proved by around 70%. While pursuing her Doctor a priority for environmental and engineers,” he noted. rehabilitation programme. more advanced and my health Esmail, who was al-Qasimi’s Today, al-Qasimi is fully recov- of Philosophy at HBKU, Dr al- development in the Qatar Na- QNRF off ers several fund- A member of the QTRI Triath- progressed. Soon, I was able to case supervisor. ered and has resumed training for Masri was selected as one of tional Vision 2030. ing and capacity development lon Club since 2017, al-Qasimi said walk short distances and eventu- “Muath was a committed, co- his favourite sport – the triathlon. the two recipients of the WIS Dr al-Masri’s research programmes to increase the the support of care teams at HMC ally run. Two months after be- operative and enthusiastic pa- He has competed in several local fellowship. project carries a lot of sig- number of researchers and and the encouragement of family ginning my rehab programme at tient. No matter how simple or races and currently trains fi ve days As part of the award, QNRF nifi cance as it focuses on de- professionals applying their and friends got him through what QRI, I had recovered enough to be repetitive the exercise, he dem- a week. He still dreams of com- funded her PhD research and veloping a sustainable and knowledge and skills to con- was a diffi cult recovery. discharged and was able to com- onstrated a positive attitude. peting in an Ironman triathlon stay at the University of Texas innovative mechanism for tribute to the development of “I was so confused. I felt devas- plete my rehabilitation in outpa- He was determined to regain his and says he will realise this dream at Austin during 2017, where preservation of water and its Qatar, while increasing Qa- tated at the thought of losing my tient clinics,” added al-Qasimi. physical fi tness and independ- and will be proud to represent Qa- she further explored her re- recycling for industrial, sani- tar’s research and development ability to practice my sport and “I thank God that I have re- ence and to master each task. tar on the international stage. search on developing solutions tation, and agricultural pur- profi le. Gulf Times 8 Monday, September 9, 2019 QATAR

HBKU Press, Art Omi to sponsor Arabic writer for residency programme

or the fi rst time, Hamad seasons at the Art Omi residenc- event refl ects the spirit of cul- and introductions to some of its ner for helping us identify some dustry professionals.” a writing sample (5,000 words) Bin Khalifa University es located in Ghent, New York, tural exchange that is essential to key professionals. of the most exciting writers and HBKU Press has opened its that can be in Arabic. F(HBKU) Press has part- on 300 acres of rolling farmland both HBKU Press’ and Art Omi’s “Art Omi is thrilled to be we look forward to welcoming application for the residency Only completed applications nered with New York-based Art with spectacular views of the mission.” working with HBKU Press to them to New York and promot- programme online on its web- emailed to hbkupcomms@hbku. Omi to sponsor one aspiring Catskills and Hudson River Val- Residents are encouraged to bring an Arab writer to our beau- ing their work in the US.” site. This opportunity is open to edu.qa will be considered. Arabic writer to participate in ley. select one written piece to focus tiful campus in the Hudson Val- “This may very well be once- all writers, though preference is For more details on the re- the 2020 Art Omi Writers’ Resi- “HBKU Press is committed to on during the residency. Day- ley,” says DW Gibson, director in-a-lifetime opportunity for given to mid-career writers. quirements, terms and condi- dency Programme. serving the wider community time is reserved for writing and of Art Omi: Writers. “With our writers in Qatar and the Middle Applicants must have an in- tions, and to apply for the resi- The annual residency provides by sponsoring opportunities quiet activities, while evenings primary goal of supporting the East,” said Ismail. termediate grasp of the English dency, visit hbkupress.com. writers with the space and time like the 2020 Art Omi Writers’ are more communal. work of writers working outside “Not only are all of the living language as the residency and The deadline for the applica- away from daily pressures to Residency Programme that al- Noted editors, agents and the US, this partnership helps expenses for the selected resi- its workshops are all in English. tion is September 30. create, and brings experts in the low for the exposure of local lit- book scouts are invited to share us ensure that we will be able to dent covered for a month, but A full application package in- HBKU Press will announce fi eld to have a dialogue with the erary voices on a global stage,” dinner and conversation on both include this important region of the chosen resident will also re- cludes the application (found on the shortlist of fi nalists on Oc- residents. explains Rima Ismail, Outreach creative and practical subjects, the world in our international ceive invaluable guidance and hbkupress.com), statement of tober 15, and one fi nalist who The retreat is held over four and Special Project manager at off ering insight into the work- cohort. feedback on their work from purpose (1,000 words) and CV will attend the retreat will be an- weeks in either the spring or fall HBKU Press. “This inaugural ings of the publishing industry, “HBKU Press is the ideal part- noted American publishing in- to be submitted in English; and nounced on November 25. VCUarts Qatar events to explore role of printmaking in contemporary culture

irginia Commonwealth University explore the role of print in contemporary School of the Arts in Qatar (VCUarts culture. Altogether the works of 20 artists, VQatar) in Education City has an- including sculptor Ranjani Shettar, Syrian nounced that it will host a series of events graphic designer and artist Fares Cachoux, Trenton Doyle Hancock from September 11 until October 26 on print- Pakistani-American visual artist Shahzia making, titled ‘Fanoon: Highlights 2012- Sikander and African-American mixed- 2019’. media artist Trenton Doyle Hancock will An exhibition at the university’s Gallery be on display. will focus on the first seven years of the The Fanoon Center aims to expand the university’s Fanoon Center For Printmedia possibilities of print in the 21st century by Research, the “only print publishing pro- selecting artists who can engage with print- gramme in the Gulf”, VCUarts Qatar has making from a variety of perspectives, disci- said in a statement. plines and approaches, the statement noted. The exhibition will include selected The works will be by Bryan Graf, Bryan works by the Fanoon Center’s many and Jabs, Chloe Lum & Yannick Desranleau, renowned visiting artists who created Achjadi, Cachoux, Jenny Schmid, John D original print works during their stays. Freyer, Katie Vida, Koichi Yamamoto, Las The exhibition is curated by VCUarts Qatar Hermanas Iglesias, Mary Laube, Michael Painting and Printmaking (PAPR) profes- Perrone, Shettar, Sean Kuhnke, Sikander, sors Fleming Jeffries, Zachary Stensen and Shaurya Kumar, Sonya Clark, Susan Chrys- Rhys Himsworth. ler White and Hancock. ‘Fanoon: Highlights 2012-2019’ will also The workshops and tours will take place include a programme of workshops, panel on September 12 at 12.30pm - Qatar Foun- discussions and tours, as well as a lecture dation Art Trail Tour visit to the Gallery; and demonstration by master printmaker September 17 at 12.30pm - workshop with Koichi Yamamoto. the PAPR department at the university’s The workshops, which will take place A work by Susan Chrysler White. Gallery; September 20 at 1pm - civic en- every Tuesday from 12.30pm-2pm at gagement workshop for Nepali workers VCUarts Qatar until October 22, will focus by Fanoon co-founder Himsworth, who at the Gallery; September 24 at 12.30pm on different kinds of printmaking tech- was the chair of the university’s Painting - workshop with the PAPR department at niques, and will be conducted by faculty and Printmaking department from 2011 to the Gallery; October 1 at 12.30pm - work- Diyan Achjadi and students from the university. 2018. shop with the PAPR department at the Gal- The opening reception for ‘Fanoon: Qatar Foundation’s Art Trail tours will lery; October 5 at 10am - Qatar Foundation Highlights 2012-2019’ will take place on be visiting the exhibition on two occa- Art Trail Tour at the Gallery; October 8 at September 11 at 6pm at the university’s sions. The first tour will take place on 12.30pm - workshop with the PAPR de- Gallery. All are welcome, VCUarts Qatar September 12 from 12.30pm-1.30pm in the partment at the Gallery; October 20 at 1pm has said. presence of the curators and guest artist - demonstration by Yamamoto at the Gal- Customs foils drug smuggling bid It will include a panel discussion on the Achjadi, while the second tour will take lery; and October 22 at 12.30pm - lecture art of printmaking, artist career paths and place on October 5 at 10am with curators by Yamamoto at the university’s Atrium. the artists’ Fanoon experiences, and will Jeffries and Stensen. For more information on the workshops, he General Authority of in two packages belonging to a (HIA), the GAC tweeted yes- feature 2014 Fanoon artist Diyan Achjadi The Fanoon Center, which is part of the contact [email protected] Customs (GAC) has foiled passenger from an Asian coun- terday. as well as university alumna and Fall 2019 Painting and Printmaking department The Gallery opening hours are from Sat- Tan attempt to smuggle in try, after they raised the sus- The illicit drugs were found Fanoon artist Bouthayna al-Muftah. at VCUarts Qatar, collaborates with lo- urday to Thursday, between 9am and 5pm. 2kg and 80gm of hashish. picion of a Customs offi cer at following a thorough search of The panel discussion will be moderated cal, regional and international artists to It is closed on Fridays. The contraband was found Hamad International Airport the packages. Abandoned vehicles PSG draws on Aspetar’s removed from Wakrah expertise in sports dentistry l Wakrah Municipality’s health control section, spetar’s Dental Emer- topics related to the use of tools Ain co-operation with the gency kit attracts the in the kit were discussed. mechanical equipment depart- Aattention of the world’s “I would like to thank the As- ment, has conducted a campaign top sports clubs, and French petar team involved in organis- to remove abandoned vehicles football club Paris Saint-Ger- ing the workshop as well as all from the area. main (PSG) is the latest to have the staff of Paris Saint-Ger- The campaign resulted in benefi ted from this “cutting- main on this delightful organi- the detection and removal of 23 edge” product. sation,” he continued, hoping abandoned vehicles and would A two-day workshop was that the initiative will benefi t continue for two consecutive conducted on September 2 and everyone concerned and the weeks this month, the Ministry 3 in Paris, France, to make them Aspetar dental emergency kit of Municipality and Environ- familiar with the kit. The event becomes more popular among ment (MME) said in a statement. was supervised by Aspetar’s the sports community. Separately, the Umm Salal team of sports dental experts Aspetar is the “fi rst hospital Municipality’s technical control Removal of abandoned vehicles in Al Wakrah. and attended by doctors and in the Middle East” to launch a section has demolished an old nurses of the French club who fi rst-aid dental kit, a “unique building in the area, the state- learnt in detail how to use each Dr Mohamed al-Saey with others at the workshop. initiative that enables compe- ment noted. item in the kit. tent pain relief and treatment This came in enforcement of a Each element was carefully Aspetar experts also covered methods of preventing such in- of oral injuries for athletes on decision of the building demo- selected to address the many a range of topics on how to deal juries. and off the field”, the statement lition and maintenance com- problems related to oral injuries with various oral and facial Dr Mohamed al-Saey, con- explains. mittee (No 548) regarding the as well as other oral health is- injuries during sports com- sultant in oral surgery and di- The kit contains a step-by- demolition of an old commercial sues that can occur at any time, petitions by following certain rector of sports dentistry, led step guide on how to use each market in Umm Al Amad area. such as tooth pain sensitivity or protocols that would reduce the team of Aspetar experts. tool, as well as an emergency The decision was issued be- tooth avulsion due to trauma, the impact of these injuries for Dr al-Saey said, “We are on-call contact number at Asp- cause the building’s condition Aspetar said in a press state- better outcomes, the statement happy with the great attention etar’s Sports Dentistry Depart- had deteriorated, thus posing a ment. noted. received by the Aspetar dental ment for any oral emergency risk to passersby and also dis- Demolition of old building in Umm Salal. This Dental Emergency Kit The workshop introduced kit from many international situations/questions. torting the general landscape of aims to provide optimal fi rst the importance of sports den- clubs, and we are here at Paris All Qatari club doctors and the area. were initiated against the viola- on the boat and necessary ac- aid to athletes during sports tistry and discussed the role of Saint-Germain to hold a work- federations have been trained in In another development, the tors. tion was initiated. The authori- tournaments or training camps, the team in dealing with oral shop for the kit in order to train advance to use this kit through MME’s wildlife protection sec- Also, the ministry said its ties concerned appealed to boat especially in cases where there injuries, how to move the in- the medical staff of the club on workshops organised by the tion detected 20 violations of the beaches and islands section lift- owners to monitor the vessels is no dentist. A team doctor or jured patient safely from the how to deal with mouth and Sports Dentistry Department decision to ban camel grazing in ed a sunken boat at the Al Khor periodically and maintain the medical specialist would be fi eld, how diff erent types of oral teeth injuries on the fi eld.” at Aspetar over the past two open lawns during the month of harbour and moved it to the des- cleanliness and beauty of ports able to use the kit to treat emer- injuries and dental problems He noted that the workshop years. Another workshop will August, the statement added. ignated spot. as well as the safety of the ma- gencies until a dentist can be may aff ect the performance of was “interactive and produc- be held at the Aspetar hospital Necessary legal procedures A warning sticker was pasted rine environment. seen. athletes, their career and the tive” from both sides and many on September 19. Gulf Times Monday, September 9, 2019 9 REGION/ARAB WORLD Tehran says it could release UK-fl agged tanker soon

AFP Foreign ministry spokesman tails. The seizure of the Stena 1 — on August 18 after receiv- Adrian Darya “has reached its and that the owner will decide Impero on July 19 in the Strait of Tehran Abbas Mousavi told state televi- Impero was seen as a tit-for-tat ing written assurances from Iran destination and the oil has been the destination, but it did not Hormuz with 23 crew members sion the “necessary steps” to set move after British authorities that it would not head to coun- sold”, without providing further identify the buyer. on board, claiming it broke “in- the Swedish-owned ship free detained an Iranian tanker off tries under EU sanctions. details. Mousavi did not specify Maritime tracking service ternational maritime rules”. ran yesterday hinted that it were “underway”. Gibraltar in July on suspicion Tehran denied it had made any if the Adrian Darya had unloaded TankerTrackers said that as of On Wednesday, the Swedish could release “within days” a “The fi nal steps of the legal it was shipping oil to Syria in promises about the destination its cargo. “It is in the Mediterra- yesterday night the Adrian Darya foreign ministry said that some IUK-fl agged oil tanker it had procedure are underway and, breach of EU sanctions. of the ship laden with 2.1 mn nean,” he said, facing the coast of was off the coast of Syria’s Tar- of the crew had been released, seized in July in sensitive Gulf wa- God willing, the boat will be re- Gibraltar released the ship — barrels of oil, which had been a country he did not name. tus but had not unloaded the oil. after the vessel’s owners said ters amid rising hostilities with leased in the coming days,” he formerly called the Grace 1 but elusive since leaving Gibraltar. Iran last month said it had Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary they expected seven to be set free Britain’s ally the United States. said, without giving further de- since renamed the Adrian Darya Yesterday, Mousavi said the “sold the oil” aboard the tanker Guard Corps seized the Stena on that day.

US ‘will Iran criticises European sanction buyers powers as N-deal unravels of Iran oil’ Reuters AFP done this so far.” The head of meant to give Iran relief from Abu Dhabi Tehran Iran’s Atomic Energy Organi- sanctions in return for curbs sation said the JCPOA was on its nuclear programme. now just a “one-way street”. Iran has taken a series of re- he United States will con- ran’s atomic agency chief hit “The street was supposed taliatory steps to reduce com- tinue to impose sanctions out yesterday at European to be two-way. If it’s going to pliance with the deal since the Ton whoever purchases Ipowers, saying their broken be one-way, the Islamic Re- US withdrawal in May 2018. Iran’s oil or conducts busi- promises gave the Islamic re- public of Iran will definitely On July 1, it said it had in- ness with Iran’s Revolutionary public little choice but to scale make the right decisions at creased its stockpile of en- Guards and no oil waivers will be back its commitments under a the right time like it has done riched uranium to beyond the re-issued, a US offi cial said yes- nuclear deal. with these three steps,” said 300-kilogram limit set by the terday. Ali Akbar Salehi was speaking Salehi. agreement. Iran’s crude oil exports were to reporters alongside Cornel During his visit, Feruta was A week later, the Islamic slashed by more than 80% due Feruta, the acting head of the informed about Iran’s “an- republic announced it had ex- to re-imposed sanctions by the International Atomic Energy nounced activities related to ceeded the deal’s uranium en- United States after President Agency who was on a one-day its centrifuge research and richment level of 3.67%. On Donald Trump exited last year visit to Tehran. development”, according to a Saturday, Iran’s Atomic En- Iran’s 2015 nuclear deal with The IAEA official’s visit statement from the Vienna- ergy Organisation said it had world powers. came less than 24 hours after based IAEA. taken another step by starting “We will continue to put pres- Iran said it was firing up ad- The UN nuclear watchdog up 20 IR-4 and 20 IR-6 ad- sure on Iran and as President vanced centrifuges that enrich said “ongoing interactions... vanced centrifuges. (Trump) said there will be no uranium at a faster rate — the require full and timely coop- Under the Joint Compre- waivers of any kind for Iran’s oil,” latest blow to the landmark eration by Iran,” which diplo- hensive Plan of Action, Iran Sigal Mandelker, US Treasury 2015 nuclear deal. mats said may hint at worries was allowed to enrich uranium Under Secretary for Terrorism It was the third step in a about information sharing. using only first generation — and Financial Intelligence, told strategy Iran implemented In a report on August 30, or IR-1 — centrifuges. reporters. in May, reducing its nuclear the IAEA said it was con- Despite the latest move, the Mandelker added that Iranian commitments in a bid to force tinuing to verify compliance agency said Iran would allow oil sales have taken a “serious the deal’s remaining parties to through cameras and on-site the IAEA to continue monitor- nose dive” because of US pres- deliver on promises of relief inspections. ing its nuclear facilities in ac- sure. Since ditching the nuclear from crippling US sanctions. France, which has been cordance with the 2015 agree- deal, calling it skewed to Iran’s Britain, France and Ger- leading the European efforts ment. advantage, Trump has reim- many have been trying to save to rescue the nuclear deal, Feruta also held talks yes- posed sanctions to strangle its the nuclear deal, which began The acting head of the UN nuclear watchdog (IAEA), Cornel Feruta, meets with Iran’s Foreign Minister yesterday urged Iran to halt its terday with Iran’s top diplo- vital oil trade and force Tehran unravelling last year when Mohamed Javad Zarif in Tehran, yesterday. steps away from the accord. mat Mohamed Javad Zarif. The to accept stricter limits on its US President Donald Trump “The channels for dialogue watchdog said he would report nuclear activity, curb its ballistic withdrew from it and began ment of the US but, unfortu- be committed to the JCPOA as “I am wondering. Are they are still open, including to- the findings from his visit to missile programme and end its reimposing the punitive meas- nately, they failed to act on long as Iran is,” he said, refer- committed to non-adher- day...(but) Iran must give up Iran to the agency’s board of support for proxy forces around ures against Iran. their promises,” Salehi told ring to the deal by its formal ence? Are they committed to such actions,” said Foreign governors when it convenes the Middle East. “The European Union was reporters. “We heard the EU name, the Joint Comprehen- breaking promises? Unfor- Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian. for a quarterly meeting in Vi- In retaliation, Iran has been re- supposed to be the replace- spokesperson say they would sive Plan of Action. tunately, the Europeans have The crumbling accord was enna today. ducing its commitments under the deal since May, pressuring European countries to the pact to protect Tehran’s interests and its economy. France has proposed of- Rafah zoo welcomes newborn lion cubs fering Iran about $15bn in credit IAEA found uranium traces at lines until year-end if Tehran comes fully back into compliance with its 2015 nuclear deal, a move ‘atomic warehouse’: diplomats that hinges on Washington not blocking it, Western and Iranian sources said. Reuters sanctions have slashed Iranian turned up traces of radioactive In addition to saving the deal, Vienna oil sales and Iran has responded material or matter — the same Tehran wants to restart selling by breaching its 2015 nuclear vague language used by Netan- its oil. Two Iranian offi cials and deal with world powers. yahu. Those traces were, how- one diplomat told Reuters on amples taken by the In a speech a year ago Is- ever, of uranium, the diplomats Aug 25 that Iran wants to export UN nuclear watchdog raeli Prime Minister Benjamin said — the same element Iran is a minimum of 700,000 barrels Sat what Israel’s prime Netanyahu, who vehemently enriching and one of only two per day of its oil and ideally up minister called a “secret opposed the deal, called on the fi ssile elements with which one to 1.5mn bpd if the West wants to atomic warehouse” in Tehran IAEA to visit the site immedi- can make the core of a nuclear negotiate with Tehran to save the showed traces of uranium ately, saying it had housed 15kg bomb. nuclear deal. Yesterday, Iran said that Iran has yet to explain, (33lb) of unspecifi ed radioac- One diplomat said the ura- that its oil tanker Adrian Darya two diplomats who follow the tive material that had since nium was not highly enriched, 1, which was detained by Britain agency’s inspections work been removed. meaning it was not purifi ed to off Gibraltar in July for allegedly closely say. Reuters fi rst reported in April a level anywhere close to that breaking EU sanctions on Syria The International Atomic that the IAEA, which is policing needed for weapons. and was released in mid-August, Energy Agency (IAEA) is in- the nuclear deal, had inspected But since Iran has not yet had unloaded its oil after dock- vestigating the particles’ origin the site — a step it had said it given any to the IAEA it is hard ing somewhere in the Mediter- and has asked Iran to explain takes “only when necessary” to verify the particles’ origin, ranean region. the traces. — and environmental samples and it is also not clear whether Last month, the US Treasury But Tehran has not done so, taken there were sent off for the traces are remnants of ma- blacklisted the tanker, which according to the diplomats, analysis. terial or activities that predate went dark off Syria last week and An employee lifts three recently born lion cubs at a zoo in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip, yesterday. stoking tensions between Israeli and US media have the landmark 2015 deal or more had been photographed by satel- Washington and Tehran. US since reported that the samples recent, diplomats say. lite off the Syrian port of Tartus.

UNREST CONFLICT Joint call issued Army targets Hamas positions in Gaza to end south Sudan’s fi rst post-Bashir cabinet sworn in The Israeli army targeted Hamas positions in the Gaza Strip over- Yemen fighting night in response to a drone attack from the Palestinian enclave, the military said. The Israeli strikes late Saturday came after two days of Saudi Arabia and the UAE yesterday AFP cross-border exchanges of fire in which two Palestinian teenagers sought to dispel any notion of a rift Khartoum were killed. An Egyptian delegation meanwhile arrived in the Gaza over fighting in southern Yemen, re- Strip yesterday as part of efforts to keep alive a fragile truce between newing a call for dialogue between Hamas and Israel, a Hamas source said. The truce was negotiated to the warring sides. udan’s fi rst cabinet since end several severe flare-ups of violence in recent months. Follow- Yemen’s Saudi-backed government the ouster of president ing a Saturday drone attack, Israeli fighter jets and a drone “struck a was ousted last month from key SOmar al-Bashir was number of Hamas military targets, including offensive naval equip- areas in the south by United Arab sworn in yesterday as the Af- ment and two military compounds,” the army said. It said it “holds Ha- Emirates-supported southern sepa- rican country transitions to a mas responsible for all that transpires in the Gaza Strip and emanates ratists, exposing simmering divi- civilian rule following nation- from it.” sions that analysts say undermines wide protests that overthrew the joint campaign against Houthi the ruler. rebels. But in a joint statement The 18-member cabinet Members of the Sudanese cabinet pose for a photograph, with the new Prime Minister Abdalla CO-OPERATION released by both countries’ state led by Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok (fifth left) and General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, the head of Sudan’s ruling military council Turkey, US set to begin ‘safe zone’ patrol media, the Gulf powers sought to Hamdok, which includes four (fifth right), after taking oath at the presidential palace in Khartoum, yesterday. appear united, as they “reaff irmed women, took oath at the presi- Armed Turkish military vehicles crossed into war-stricken Syria yesterday continued support for the legitimate dential palace in Khartoum, an sition. The 18 ministers were told reporters after the swear- has the country’s fi rst female to begin joint patrols with US counterparts to establish a high-stakes “safe government of Yemen”. AFP correspondent reported. seen greeting members of the ing in ceremony. “The world is foreign aff airs minister, is ex- zone” along a border region controlled by Kurdish forces. Vehicles with The two countries called on the It is expected to steer the sovereign council, including watching us. It is waiting to see pected to lead Sudan through Turkish flags joined those in Syria with US flags some 15 kilometres east of warring parties to immediately daily aff airs of the country its chief General Abdel Fattah how we can solve our issues.” formidable challenges that the Turkish border town of Akcakale, near Syria’s Tel Abyad. With two military cease “all military operations” and during a transition period of 39 al-Burhan, in images broad- The sovereign council itself also include ending internal helicopters briefly overhead, they headed south for several hours before “stop media propaganda” that fuels months. cast by state television from is the result of a power-shar- confl icts in three regions. returning to Turkey. The land patrol, which Damascus condemned, marks hostilities, the statement added. The line-up was formed af- the palace. ing deal between the protesters Rebel groups from margin- the latest sign of co-operation between the Nato allies east of the Euphrates Last month, fighting between the ter Sudan last month swore in “We have to put in a lot of and generals who had seized alised regions of Darfur, Blue even while thorny questions remain over the size and oversight of the safe separatists and supporters of the a “sovereign council” — a joint eff orts to meet our people’s power after the army ousted Nile and South Kordofan states zone. Erdogan is anxious to push back from Turkey’s borders the Kurdish government opened a new front in civilian-military ruling body demands,” Information Min- Bashir in April. had waged long wars against YPG forces which, with US backing over the last four years, have taken con- Yemen’s complex war. that aims to oversee the tran- ister Faisal Mohamed Saleh Hamdok’s cabinet, which Bashir’s forces. trol of much of northeastern Syria from Islamic State militants. Gulf Times 10 Monday, September 9, 2019 AFRICA

1mn attend Pope’s Zimbabwe plans Mugabe’s Madagascar mass

AFP tananarivo’s Andravoahangy Antananarivo church, pastor Jean-Yves Ra- voajanahary had briefed 5,000 funeral, burial next weekend people on the two-hour trek they n estimated 1mn peo- would have to make to get to Soa- Reuters ily and traditional chiefs from Mugabe’s ple gathered yesterday at mandrakizay. Harare Zvimba district would receive the body at AMadagascar’s Soamand- “We are going to divide wor- Harare’s Robert Gabriel Mugabe Interna- rakizay stadium in the capital to shippers into groups of 1,000 tional Airport. hear Pope Francis say mass on because the road is very danger- imbabwe will hold a state funeral The body would then be taken to Zvim- the second leg of his three-na- ous. At this time pickpockets and for former president Robert Mu- ba before being moved to the National tion African tour. bandits are out to mug people,” Zgabe on Saturday, September 14, Sports Stadium, the newspaper added. The massive crowd had waited he told AFP. before a burial ceremony on Sunday, Leo Mugabe, Mugabe’s nephew, told patiently, stretching into the dis- One by one the groups started September 15, according to a government Reuters that Mugabe’s family and tradi- tance from the early hours, to see the journey, huddled together in memo sent to diplomatic missions and tional chiefs had fi nalised their preferred the fi rst Pontiff to visit the Indian the cold and singing prayers. seen by Reuters. programme for Mugabe’s burial but that Ocean island nation in 30 years. Traffi c was gridlocked. The funeral will be in Harare’s National it was yet to be approved by the govern- “Organisers estimate there are Rado Niaina, 29, told AFP he Sports Stadium, the memo said, without ment. He said he would give details later. around 1mn people,” a Vatican left early, at 2am, for fear “of not specifying where the burial would be. At the packed Sacred Heart Cathedral spokesman said. fi nding space”. Mugabe, who died aged 95 in a Singa- in downtown Harare where Mugabe used Some described it as the big- Many had already set up tents pore hospital on Friday after a long ill- to attend Catholic Mass with his fi rst gest public gathering in Mada- on the outskirts of the city on ness, dominated Zimbabwean politics for wife Sally and second wife Grace, peo- gascar’s history. Friday, festooned with posters of almost four decades from independence ple prayed yesterday for their departed Many people wore pope-em- the Pontiff . in 1980 until he was removed by his own former leader. blazoned white and yellow caps Prospere Ralitason, a 70-year- army in November 2017. “We are praying for our relatives who — the colours of the Vatican, and old farm worker, arrived with Revered by many as a liberator who have died. Without forgetting to pray for they cheered as the Pope-mobile 5,000 fellow pilgrims from the freed his people from white minority rule, our former president, Comrade Robert made its way through wind- central eastern town of Ambat- he was vilifi ed by others for wrecking one Mugabe, we bring him forward to God, we swept clouds of red dust picked ondrazaka, 200km away. of Africa’s most promising economies are asking God if there is anything that he up from the stadium fl oor. “We are tired, but it’s worth and ruthlessly crushing his opponents. did wrong in his life that he be forgiven,” During the homily, the Argen- making all these sacrifices to President Emmerson Mnangagwa, who the priest told the congregation, speaking tina-born Pontiff urged them “to see the pope with our own eyes worked closely with Mugabe for decades in the local Shona language. build history in fraternity and and receive his blessing,” he before helping to oust him, granted Mu- Chris Sambo, a former soccer admin- solidarity” and “in complete re- said. gabe the status of national hero on Friday istrator who used to arrange matches for spect for the earth and its gifts, Thousands of young people but did not give details about when or Mugabe in his home village of Kutama, as opposed to any form of ex- — mainly scouts — had gathered where the burial would happen. said the southern African country’s ploitation”. for a vigil at Soamandrakizay on Mnangagwa’s spokesman George Catholic community had lost one of its He spoke out against “practic- Saturday, waiting hours in the Charamba said in comments to The Sun- most important members. es that lead to the culture of priv- heat for Francis to arrive. day Mail newspaper that current plans Tsitsi Samukange, another church- ilege and exclusion” and criti- “All this gives me hope for were for Mugabe to be buried at the Na- goer, said Mugabe was a devout man who cised those who consider family change in my country,” said stu- tional Heroes Acre monument in Harare fought for his country. “the decisive criterion for what dent, Antony Christian Tovonal- next Sunday but that those arrangements “I think everyone can admit that with- we consider right and good”. intsoa, who lives on the outskirts were subject to change. out the work he did we would not be as In Madagascar — home to of the capital. “It is the timeline that we are work- independent as we are,” she said. 25mn people — the vast majority During the vigil, Pope Francis ing with,” Charamba said, denying there “You know when you fi ght, in a fi ght live in poverty on an income of lauded the “joy and enthusiasm” was a diff erence of opinion between gov- sometimes you lose your teeth, (right)? less than $2 a day. of the singing crowd. ernment and Mugabe’s family over the And we became poorer. But that’s a fi ght More than half its young peo- He encouraged the youth not burial. and he did it, and we should give him that.” ple are jobless. to fall into “bitterness” or to lose Local newspaper the Zimbabwe Inde- Many Harare residents said at the The country ranks 152 out of hope, even when they lacked the pendent reported last month that Mugabe weekend that they were saddened by 180 nations on Transparency In- “necessary minimum” to get by didn’t want to be buried at National He- Mugabe’s death and that it marked the ternational’s Corruption Percep- and when “educational opportu- roes Acre — a site reserved for the coun- end of an era. But his ousting in 2017 was tions Index in 2018. nities were insuffi cient”. try’s heroes — because he felt humiliated accompanied by celebrations across the President Andry Rajoelina, On Saturday, Francis made at the way he was removed from power. country of 13mn, and critics at home and who attended the mass with his an impassioned plea to Mada- The Sunday Mail said Mugabe’s body abroad viewed him as a power-obsessed wife, welcomed the Pope’s re- gascans to protect the Indian is expected to be brought back from Sin- autocrat who unleashed death squads, marks. Ocean’s unique environment A street vendor sells newspapers in the streets of Harare, carrying a picture of late gapore on Wednesday afternoon and that rigged elections and ruined the economy “As a Christian and a man of from “excessive deforestation”. former president Robert Mugabe. Mnangagwa, members of Mugabe’s fam- to keep control. the state, I am fi ghting relent- Weeks after a spike in fires lessly against corruption, pover- in the Amazon, the Pontiff told ty and the ills that plague Mada- his hosts they should “create gascar,” Rajoelina tweeted. “We jobs and money-making activi- act fi rst for the weak.” ties which respect the environ- After mass the Pontiff was to ment and help people escape Can DR Congo leaders keep their pledge of free school? visit Akamasoa, a city founded poverty”. by Argentian priest Father Pedro, The last Pope to visit Mada- who has lifted thousands of Mala- gascar was John Paul II 30 years By Marthe Bosuandole pledge had been carried out across sub- Africa since the 1990s, while ongoing “This was an enormous burden be- gasy waste-pickers out of poverty. ago. and Ange Makadi, AFP Saharan Africa’s biggest nation. violence divides communities and con- cause of our feeble income,” she added. “The mass was well done, de- Francis visited Mozambique Kinshasa “This will be a measure that will be tributes to an unstable climate where “The pupils aren’t going to pay any- spite the dust,” said Randria No- earlier in the week and is due to truly defi nitive and universal in a few corruption can fl ourish, notably in the thing,” said Jean-Claude Katemboue, mena, one of those attending. travel to the island of Mauritius months,” the president later told AFP on mining business. head of the EPA 2 school in Gombe, a Yesterday morning, in An- today. hile youngsters began a new the sidelines of talks with UN Secretary- In 2018, government debt accounted wealthier residential district. primary school year in DR General Antonio Guterres. for 14.47% of a gross domestic product of “I paid nothing and we weren’t asked,” WCongo this week, many parents “We took things as they came. We had $72.2bn, according to an estimate by the mother Mami Minga said, her children, were left to wonder whether authorities no government, no budget. This will be International Monetary Fund, while an- aged six and 10, in tow. will keep a costly vow to make tuition done. It’s my primordial goal,” added nual GDP per capita was put at $814. A father in Banalia near the northeast- free. Tshisekedi, who in August named a coa- Some 73% of the population live in ex- ern city of Kisangani was cautious. President Felix Tshisekedi, who took lition government including allies of his treme poverty, the World Bank said, the “I’m going to fi nd out if free educa- offi ce in the Democratic Republic of Con- predecessor Joseph Kabila. second worst rate south of the Sahara. tion is for real before sending my kids to go in January, pledged to allocate $2.6bn “The Congo is capable of raising such a In Kinshasa, the capital city of approx- school,” he said. to primary education, or 40% of the vast sum. And we will do it.” imately 10mn people, two state schools The primary education ministry has country’s annual budget. The stakes are high when half of the visited by AFP appeared to have turned announced that classes will be free in the His promise concerns more than 80mn Congolese are aged under 20, but free education into a reality. schools where budgets have been drawn 50,000 state primary schools and will af- the World Bank has justifi ed some opti- “Dear parents, learning is free,” a poster up, totalling 30,773 out of 51,574, accord- fect millions of children so far deprived of mism on growth and fi nance. announced at the entrance to the 1 Ngaba ing to offi cial fi gures. education because their families cannot “With 80mn hectares of arable land and primary school in a working-class district. Headmaster Kitemboue was gratifi ed aff ord the fees. over 1,100 listed minerals and precious “Last year, the parents paid 104,000 Con- at the prospect of being paid by the state The sums paid by parents include not metals, the DRC has the potential to be- golese francs ($63) three times,” the head- rather than parents. only the costs of admission and facilities, come one of the richest economies on the master said, adding that with free school- “It will raise standard of education and but also teachers’ wages. continent and a driver of African growth ing attendance has doubled. give worth to the teacher.” Can the government cover these costs? — if it can overcome its political instability “A down payment of 20,000 Congolese “When parents support teachers, it Though he cut the symbolic ribbon to and improve governance,” the bank wrote francs I had to pay has been returned to can happen that we favour the children inaugurate a new primary school in cen- in an overview updated in April 2019. me,” said Isabel Kyese, a seamstress who of those who pay well,” said a technology tral Kinshasa last Monday, Tshisekedi ac- But the former Belgian colony has been came with three children, delighted at the teacher, Ados Nsimba. “Meritocracy is knowledged that he could not say that his plagued by the most deadly confl icts in refund. going to take charge.” Pope Francis arrives to celebrate Mass in Antananarivo yesterday. Chess off ers Nigeria slum kids new winning moves

By Emmanuel Akinwotu, AFP often feel cut off from the bustle Other board games are more “I felt it would be powerful to April, an impressed donor part- Lagos and business of the vibrant meg- popular. help children here because many nered with Chess in Slums to pay acity around it. Nigeria is a superpower in of them are really talented. If for his secondary education. The goal of the club is to pro- Scrabble, winning multiple they could master a game that “Chess is helping me to be a rowds of children bustle vide a space to play and learn the championships and boast- people wouldn’t expect them to mechanical engineer by send- around chessboards in game for the young inhabitants ing 29 of the top 100 players in even know, it could really show ing me to school,” he tells AFP, CNigeria’s Lagos, fi guring of the slum, many of whom are the world, more than any other them their potential and give proudly wearing the medal he out their next moves as part of a not in school and work to support country. them confi dence.” won. project aimed at bringing hope their families. Onakoya says that chess has The club already boasts several The attention that the project in one of the city’s impoverished Held beneath a makeshift tent lagged behind in part due to an success stories. has generated has helped shine a slums. in the courtyard of a local shop, image problem. Ten-year-old Odunayo Olu- spotlight on more of these mar- Dozens of matches are played in less than a year the programme “There’s this perception of it koya joined Chess in Slums in ginalised children. simultaneously as participants has already drawn an enthusias- as being a really diffi cult game, January. Videos of the budding chess as young as three master a game tic following. not as accessible, like for people Four months later, she came masters shared on Instagram also often considered out of reach for As elderly men sip beer and of a diff erent class,” he says. fi rst in the national chess cham- showcase some of their other tal- the masses in Africa’s most pop- watch football nearby, a dozen Onakoya took chess in primary pionship for her age group. ents that have often been over- ulous country. volunteers divide the pupils into school and works with private For Jamiu Ninilowo, 14, taking looked in the struggle to survive. “Sometimes you win, some- groups. schools as a consultant to add it part has also been transforma- One 11-year-old boy even got times you lose,” 24-year-old While some turn their fi gures to their curricula. tive. a mentorship from a leading Ni- teacher Tunde Onakoya tells his into battling action heroes, most “I believe in the game because The skinny boy worked as a gerian architect after he was seen young charges after getting their are focused and intent on win- it helps your cognition, your cre- mechanic fi xing cars at a garage building models out of card- attention. “But it’s how you re- ning. ativity, your focus. It’s like food in Ikorodu instead of attending board. spond that makes you a cham- The youngest children sing Children sit under a canopy as they play chess in the Ikorodu district for your brain,” he said. school. “At fi rst it was about teaching pion. Don’t get down when you rhymes about chess to help them of the Nigerian commercial capital, Lagos. Last year, he started the club in He had to earn money for his the kids a game that can impact lose, don’t feel like you can’t do master the rules, as the older Ikorodu specifi cally to reach dis- family after his mother’s leg was the way they think and boost it, just concentrate and do your ones settle down into intense “I want to be a Grandmaster,” The West African nation advantaged children. mangled in an accident as she their confi dence, but actually it’s best.” games. one of the children tells AFP, ranks 88th out of 186 countries, “Ikorodu is the kind of place picked scrap at a local refuse site become much more. It’s become Seasoned player Onakoya They use mobile phone apps to laughing. according to the FIDE World where there’s a lot of troubles to sell on for a meagre profi t. a gateway to other opportuni- started the Chess in Slums time their moves and record the Chess — a board game famous Chess Federation’s rating of top and poverty. It is a tough place In February, Ninilowo joined ties,” says Onakoya. project last September in the matches in notepads to review for its reliance on strategy — has players across the globe, but to get to, if you tell someone to the club and is now its best play- “It is helping us show them sprawling neighbourhood of their mistakes and successes a tiny but avid following in Ni- still does not have any Grand- come to Ikorodu they will laugh,” er. that their lives can go far beyond Ikorodu, a place where residents later. geria. masters. he says. After he won a tournament in Ikorodu.” Gulf Times Monday, September 9, 2019 11 AMERICAS

Biden leads opinion Bahamians race to leave polls as Democratic Party front-runner

AFP Dorian-ravaged islands Washington

By Cyril Julien, AFP ormer vice president Joe Biden continues to hold Marsh Harbour a lead among Democratic presidential aspirants, a Fnew poll showed yesterday, despite recent ques- tions about his age and mental clarity. ahamians scrambled to es- Biden’s lead among Democratic voters has remained cape the islands hardest-hit relatively steady, as he and senators Bernie Sanders and Bby Dorian, which has killed Elizabeth Warren increasingly emerge as a distinct top at least 43 people, while the storm tier in the large fi eld, according to the Washington Post/ wreaked “havoc” farther north in ABC News poll. The poll showed Biden favoured by 29% Canada after making landfall near of registered Democrats or Democratic-leaning inde- Halifax late on Saturday. pendents, with Sanders at 19% and Warren, who has Even as some Bahamians began been surging, at 18%. to reunite with their loved ones, the The survey of registered voters was conducted for death toll — 35 so far in the Abaco four days through Thursday — the day when Biden’s age Islands and eight in Grand Bahama and energy levels came under their most direct attack — was likely to climb “signifi cant- yet from any of his Democratic rivals. ly,” according to Prime Minister “I just think Biden is declining,” Ohio congressman Hubert Minnis. Tim Ryan told a Bloomberg News reporter in a phone A loosely coordinated armada of call. “I don’t think he has the energy. You see it almost passenger planes, helicopters and daily. And I love the guy.” both private and government boats Ryan later said he thought he was on a fund-raising call, and ships — including redirected not speaking to a reporter, and in subsequent comments cruise liners — converged in the Ba- he backed away — partly — from his original remarks. hamas on the horribly battered Aba- Concerns about Biden’s mental clarity were some- cos to help with evacuations, both to thing “you’re hearing from a lot of people in the coun- Nassau and to the US mainland. try,” he said. Evacuees began fl owing out of Age has been an unavoidable issue in the Democrats’ the region as a cruise ship carry- campaign to unseat the 73-year-old Donald Trump. Biden ing 1,400 people docked Saturday is 76, with a longtime reputation for frequent verbal gaff es. in Riviera Beach, Florida, CNN re- He recently told an anecdote about pinning a medal on an ported. All had documents to enter Afghan war hero that got several points wrong. Sanders the United States. turned 78 a few days ago, and Warren is 70. The Coast Guard said all Baha- Locals push shopping carts past debris in the Mudd neighbourhood of Marsh Harbor, Great Abaco, on Saturday in the aftermath of Hurricane Dorian. And many of their Democratic rivals are of much mian ports had now reopened and younger generations. Senator Kamala Harris (fourth in it had deployed nine cutters to the tracking across Nova Scotia. Tel- all the Abaco victims. For now, he home that we were in fell on us,” tia, southeastern New Brunswick the Post poll, at 7%) is 54; Pete Buttigieg (fi fth, at 4%), islands. Six of its MH-60 Jayhawk evision images showed a downpour said, supplies of food and water she said. “We had to crawl — got and western Prince Edward Island. is a mere 37. And Ryan, who at less than 1% has been helicopters had so far rescued 290 and howling winds in the empty were adequate, although several out crawling. By the grace of God Prime Minister Justin Trudeau struggling for attention, is 46. people. streets of downtown Halifax where witnesses from Abaco contested we are alive.” was briefed on the storm. For the most part, the younger candidates have drawn And more than 260 Abacos resi- a crane collapsed onto a semi-con- that. She described the increasingly “The safety of Canadians is our only indirect contrasts between themselves and the dents arrived on Friday in Nassau structed building and a roof was While the prime minister called desperate plight of those left be- number one priority and we’re older Biden, who has visibly grayed since he stepped on a government-chartered ferry, torn off another apartment. the loss of life “catastrophic and hind. “People have no food. People ready to help Atlantic Canada down as vice president to Barack Obama in 2017. part of the fi rst wave of people to There were “countless reports devastating,” Health Minister Du- have no water, and it’s not right. through this storm,” he said on One former Democratic candidate, 38-year-old Eric be evacuated off the archipelago’s of downed or uprooted trees” and ane Sands said the fi nal death toll They should have been gone. Twitter. Swalwell of California, was more blunt, however, not- most decimated islands. storm surge fl ooding in several At- “will be staggering.” “Dead bodies are still around and Canada was sending up to 700 ing during a Democratic debate that he was six years old Thousands of miles north, Do- lantic coastal areas including Hali- UN relief offi cials said more than it’s not sanitary.” troops to Atlantic provinces to as- when Biden, then a senator, said that “it’s time to pass rian, now classifi ed as a post-trop- fax Harbour, the Canadian Hurri- 70,000 people on Grand Bahama Dorian, a monstrous Category sist “with the restoration of power the torch to a new generation.” ical cyclone, was “wreaking havoc cane Centre said. and Abaco were in need of assist- 5 hurricane when it raked through services, clearing main roadways Other Democrats have been loath to directly criticise over the Canadian Maritimes,” No serious injuries or fatalities ance. The WFP was sending food the Bahamas, was buff eting east- and evacuating residents in fl ooded the well-liked Biden. the US-based National Hurricane have been reported, CTV said. and supplies. A UN World Food ern Canada over the weekend with or severely damaged areas,” Public Asked yesterday about Ryan’s comment, Senator Center said. Bahamas residents said condi- Program team estimated that 90% winds equivalent to those of a Cat- Safety Minister Ralph Goodale said Amy Klobuchar demurred, telling a CNN interviewer, More than 500,000 power out- tions on the devastated islands of buildings in Marsh Harbour were egory 1 hurricane. in a statement. “I’m running my own campaign.” ages were reported according to the were brutal and that the smell of damaged. Although it was packing hurri- Defense Minister Harjit Sajjan But the 59-year-old Klobuchar quickly added: “I have Canadian Hurricane Centre, which unrecovered bodies, along with The US Coast Guard, Britain’s cane-force maximum sustained assured Canadians on Twitter that a lot of energy. I’m someone who never stops working.” said the problem extended across mounting piles of garbage, was op- Royal Navy and private organiza- winds of 130kph, Dorian was at “our Armed Forces will be there to Ironically, the favoured candidate among voters aged the Maritimes, a three-province pressive and unsanitary. tions have been helping evacuate sea heading across the Gulf of St aid you in this challenging time. 18-49 was the oldest Democrat, Sanders, at 26%. But region in east Canada comprising Hundreds or even thousands of island residents to Nassau, ham- Lawrence, the Canadian Hurricane Stay safe and listen to your local Biden was not far behind, at 22%. Among Democrats Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and people were still missing, offi cials pered by damaged piers and airport Centre said its advisory at 0900 fi rst responders.” polled, 58% said it does not matter whether their nomi- Prince Edward Island. said, as search-and-rescue teams runways. GMT yesterday. Earlier, Dorian brought fl ooding nee is older or younger than 70. But 40% believed a Dorina made landfall south of continued their grim retrievals. Chamika Durosier was waiting Storm surges were causing wide- and power outages but no major younger candidate would fare better against Trump. the port city of Halifax but was Meanwhile, Minnis said Nassau Saturday at the Abaco airport. The spread fl ooding and 7.5cm to 12.5cm damage to the coastal Carolinas The poll’s margin of error is six percentage points. back out at sea early yesterday after “cannot possibly accommodate” island, she said, was unsafe. “The of rain were reported over Nova Sco- and Virginia in the United States. Trump has another GOP challenger Former Republican governor Mark Sanford yesterday announced he is entering the race for his party’s presi- dential nomination, in a long-shot challenge to President As climate debate heats up, Canada minister gets security detail Donald Trump. Sanford, who would be the third Repub- lican to mount a primary bid against Trump, said he had decided to run because of the “astounding” debt and AFP ment Minister Catherine McK- by 2030 under the Paris Agree- to her and her children outside a unstable,” before walking back his deficits piled up during his presidency. Ottawa enna, ranging from online vitriol ment, has been wished dead and movie theatre and hurled exple- comments. “I think as a Republican party we have lost our way,” to chilling confrontations, has been subjected to hateful insults. tive-laced insults from an open car Climate is expected to be a ma- he said in an interview with Fox News Sunday. so harsh that she now sometimes She has been called disparag- window. jor ballot issue during the upcom- “The president has called himself the king of debt, s the climate debate heats up requires security — although de- ingly ‘Climate Barbie’, garbage and Several environmental activists ing Canadian election in October, has a familiarity and comfort level with debt that I think ahead of Canada’s elections, tails about the new measure were an enemy of the people. have also raised concerns about with the two main political parties, ultimately is leading us in the wrong direction.” Aits environment minister has not released. Political rhetoric and public their safety, citing threats from which are running neck-and-neck Sanford’s decision comes amid reports that Repub- been assigned a security detail, she “The vocal sexism and hateful discourse has reached such a diz- oil industry proponents critical of in the latest polls, taking opposite lican off icials in some states, including his home state said on Saturday, a move practically comments that are directed to peo- zying low in Canada that a senior stronger environmental assess- sides on the matter. of South Carolina as well as Nevada and Arizona, are unheard of in a capital where top of- ple who work on climate change is bureaucrat had warned lawmakers ments for pipelines and a federal Liberal Prime Minister Justin considering cancelling their 2020 primaries. fi cials mingle with common folk. unacceptable,” McKenna said in a in February that “the rising tide of carbon tax. Trudeau, seeking a second term, Asked whether he really thought he could defeat It is not unusual in Ottawa and statement to AFP, explaining that incitements to violence” could lead The rattling is not only directed has cast himself as a champion in Trump, Sanford replied: “I’m saying, you never know.” other Canadian cities to spot the it makes it harder to do her job and to somebody being “shot in this at Canadians. the fi ght against warming, while Also running against Trump for the Republican foreign minister cycling to a news engage with people. country during the political cam- A former foreign minister, his main rival, Conservative leader nomination are Joe Walsh, a former Tea Party firebrand conference or the fi nance minister McKenna, who was responsible paign.” Maxime Bernier, this week called Andrew Scheer has vowed to roll who served a single term in Congress, and William Weld, in line at a grocery store. for charting Canada’s CO2 emis- Recently, according to McK- 16-year-old Swedish climate ac- back the carbon tax as his fi rst act a former Massachusetts governor. However abuse against Environ- sions cuts by 30% from 2005 levels enna’s offi ce, a man rolled up next tivist Greta Thunberg “mentally in offi ce, if elected. Meat-free champions lick their lips as market booms

By Juliette Michel, AFP kansas-based Tyson, which on success to new technology that the problem of simply getting San Francisco Thursday announced it had taken produces texture and fl avour far products into stores and onto a stake in New Wave Foods, a San closer to real meat — pushing restaurant menus. Francisco start-up developing aside often-derided vegetarian Another major obstacle is crit- eef-free burgers, egg-free a shrimp substitute made from alternatives such as nut cutlets icism that plant-based burgers omelettes and milk-free seaweed and soy protein — with and soy sausages that have been are not actually a healthy option Bice cream — meat and dairy crab and lobster next on the tar- around for decades. as they are highly “processed” — alternatives have shot to the top get list. Kellogg’s Morningstar Farms often containing more than 20 of the menu, and producers are Kroger, the second largest vegetarian brand this week an- ingredients — and can have high facing up to the challenges of go- supermarket chain in the Unit- nounced a new product range to levels of salt. ing mainstream. ed States, also announced on keep up with the latest advances. Several US states have also “Progress has been stunning,” Thursday that it was launching “Consumers want meat,” said passed laws to stop retailers of said Bruce Friedrich, director of a new line of meat-free products Friedrich. animal protein alternatives from the Good Food Institute, which to be sold under the brand name “Screaming ‘eat lentils’ is not using labels like “meat” or even hosted a conference last week ‘Simple Truth’ ranging from going to be eff ective. But chang- “sausage” — a push often driven in San Francisco for an industry burgers to Bolognese sauce. ing the way meat is made can be.” by local farmers. abuzz with ambition and tech- Beyond Meat, the best-known The latest innovations in the “Many eff orts come from nological advances. of the new plant-based ventures, race to mimic meat were show- grassroot producers, not the A new generation of vegetar- made a major splash when shares cased at the conference, includ- meat industry,” said US former ian products has re-invigorated soared on its fi rst day of trading ing a 3D printer, ground-break- agriculture minister Ann Vene- the sector, with fast-food giant on Wall Street in May. ing mushroom cultivation and a man. Burger King now off ering the Globally, the sector has also new method to ferment tempeh, For Tom Mastrobuoni, the meat-free ‘Impossible Whopper’ attracted government interest, a traditional Indonesian soy chief fi nancial offi cer of Tyson’s and McDonald’s working with with India now funding scientifi c product. investment subsidiary, the key Nestle on its own plant-based research into products created The sector is still in its infancy to propelling further global con- burgers. from meat cells. in the US, at less than 1% of the sumption of meat alternatives Eyeing the booming market, At the three-day Good Food conventional meat sector, but is to promote them in parallel to major meat processors such as Conference in San Francisco, of- the potential for growth looks traditional products. Smithfi eld, JBS and Perdue have fi cials from Japan and Singapore strong. “It’s not a ‘binary’ choice,” he all launched new brands using were among government repre- Conference speakers ham- said. “The population continue plants and are investing heavily sentatives mixing with produc- mered home the message that to grow — in some cultures a sign to tap into changing consumer ers, scientists, entrepreneurs and products had to become even of wealth is eating meat. Con- Amadeus Driando Ahnan, co-founder of the start up company Better Nature, displays some of his prod- demand. investors. closer to real meat, while other sumers want options so you are ucts at the Good Food Institute’s conference promoting plant-based and cell-based meat in San Francisco. The latest example is Ar- Delegates credited recent challenges include pricing and going to have to supply both.” Gulf Times 12 Monday, September 9, 2019 ASIA/AUSTRALASIA Bangladesh university suspends student for being Rohingya

AFP Bangladesh after a military to our university, because they selves by now. But ... I am trying 25, several days after the repa- saying it had “made matters camps are. Khushi said her Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh crackdown in Myanmar’s Ra- are refugees,” the institution’s my best to face the situation,” triation attempt. Bangladeshi worse.” parents arrived in Bangladesh khine state in August 2017, join- head Abul Kashem said. “For- she said. The decision follows authorities have since ordered “The authorities should from Rakhine in the 1990s and ing 200,000 Rohingya already eigners can study here, but they the latest repatriation attempt operators to shut down mo- take a level-headed approach she was born and raised in Cox’s Bangladesh university there. must follow a procedure.” by Bangladesh and Myanmar, bile phone services in the refu- instead of overreacting to ten- Bazar. has suspended a student Formal education in Bangla- He said the young woman which failed with not a single gee camps, which have seen an sions and protests by isolating “I wanted to go further. But A for being Rohingya, of- desh is forbidden for refugees. had supplied documents show- refugee volunteering to cross the outbreak of violence in recent Rohingya refugees in camps,” I don’t know how I would do fi cials said yesterday, as impa- Cox’s Bazar International Uni- ing she completed high-school border back home. weeks, while high-speed Inter- HRW Asia director Brad Adams it,” Khushi told AFP. Brisbane- tience with the refugees grows versity said it had suspended studies in Bangladesh’s port city Dhaka also recalled or re-as- net has also been suspended at said in a statement. News web- based Rohingya leader Mojib following a second failed at- Rahima Akter Khushi, 20, and of Chittagong. Khushi, who was signed senior government offi - night. site Rohingya Post said Khushi Ullah said suspending Khushi tempt to repatriate them to My- would investigate her case after studying law, told AFP the pri- cials who allowed some 200,000 Rights group Human Rights was targeted after a 2018 inter- would do “nothing but kill po- anmar. local media said she hid her Ro- vate university’s decision had Rohingya to take part in a rally Watch on Saturday urged the view with international news tential” in the community, who Some 740,000 of the Mus- hingya identity to enrol. “mentally shattered” her. “Any to mark the second anniversary government to end the com- agency Associated Press went had limited opportunities to lim minority fl ed to southeast “Rohingya can’t be admitted other girl may have killed them- of the mass exodus on August munications clampdown, viral in Cox’s Bazar, where the study in Rakhine. Hong Kong protesters stage rally outside US consulate

AFP Hong Kong A riot police off icer fires tear gas against protesters in Hong Kong. huge crowd of pro- democracy activists for the democratic goals of the Amarched to the United protesters, the Trump admin- States consulate in Hong Kong istration has maintained a more yesterday in a bid to ramp up in- hands-off approach as it locks ternational pressure on Beijing horns with China over trade. following three months of huge Trump has called for a peace- and sometimes violent protests. ful resolution to the political Millions have taken to Hong crisis and urged China against Kong’s streets over the last 14 escalating with a violent crack- weeks in the biggest challenge down. But he has also said it is to China’s rule since the city’s up to Beijing to handle the pro- handover from Britain in 1997. tests. Washington has rejected The protests were lit by a China’s allegations that it is now scrapped plan to allow ex- backing the demonstrators and traditions to the authoritarian Beijing has shown little evidence mainland, seen by opponents as to back its claims beyond sup- the latest move by China to chip Paramedics carry away an injured man, after police fired tear gas portive statements from some away at the international fi nance near Causeway Bay station in Hong Kong. politicians. hub’s unique freedoms. The ongoing protests show no But after Beijing and city lead- speeches they called on the US to and set makeshift barricades on signs of abating. The city’s un- ers took a hard line the movement pressure Beijing to meet their de- fi re. Hong Kong is a major in- elected pro-Beijing leader Carrie snowballed into a broader cam- mands and for Congress to pass ternational business hub thanks Lam has struck an uncompro- paign calling for greater democ- a recently proposed bill that ex- to freedoms unheard of on the mising tone for much of the last racy, police accountability and an presses support for the protest. mainland under a 50-year deal three months. amnesty for those arrested. “More than 1,000 protesters signed between China and Brit- But on Wednesday she made a Yesterday’s protest featured have been arrested. We can’t do ain. surprise concession, announc- another massive turnout for a anything but come out onto the But Beijing baulks at any criti- ing the full withdrawal of the movement that has gripped the streets, I feel hopeless,” 30-year- cism from foreign governments proposed extradition bill which semi-autonomous territory and old protester Jenny Chan, told over its handling of the city, sparked the demonstrations. plunged it into a political crisis. AFP. “I think aside from foreign which it insists is a purely inter- Protesters across the spectrum A fire is seen at the entrance of MTR Central Station in Hong Kong. Dense crowds of protesters spent countries, no one can really help nal issue. dismissed the gesture as too lit- hours slowly fi ling past Washing- us,” she added. Authorities and state media tle, too late, saying their move- in a wheelchair who gave his out with renewed ferocity. But anniversary of the founding of ton’s consulate in the thick tropi- In what has become a now fa- have portrayed the protests as ment would only end once the surname as Ho told AFP yester- a move such as sending troops the People’s Republic of China cal heat. miliar pattern, the main daytime a separatist movement backed remainder of their core demands day. Analysts say it is diffi cult into Hong Kong would have huge on October 1, with huge cel- Many waved US fl ags, some rally passed off peacefully. But by foreign “black hands”, pri- were met. to predict what Beijing’s next economic and diplomatic con- ebrations planned. Protesters in sang the ‘Star Spangled Ban- as evening set in, riot police were marily aiming their ire at the US “Our government continu- move might be. Under presi- sequences at a time when Bei- Hong Kong are seeking permis- ner’, others held signs calling on chasing groups of hardcore pro- and Britain. While some Ameri- ously takes away our freedoms dent Xi Jinping, China has be- jing is already facing headwinds sion for a large rally next Sunday President Donald Trump to “lib- testers who blocked roads, van- can politicians on both sides of and that’s why people are com- come increasingly authoritar- from the US trade war. Offi cials and are also looking to get out a erate” Hong Kong. In chants and dalised nearby subway stations the aisle have expressed support ing out,” a 30-year-old protester ian and dissent is being stamped are also gearing up for the 70th large crowd on October 1.

Bushfires raging for third day in eastern Australia

Bushfires raged for a third day Sturgess of Queensland Fire forested land have gone up in Typhoon Faxai pummels Tokyo region in eastern Australia yesterday Emergency Service told reporters flames in northern New South destroying more than 20 homes in Brisbane. Queensland’s deputy Wales, areas left bone dry by a and a popular historic eco-lodge premier Jackie Trad said scientists severe drought that is dragging AFP about landslides, fl oods and closed west of the capital in 20km per hour and already pro- inland from the Gold Coast. had warned more frequent into its fourth year as summer Tokyo swollen rivers,” the agency said Kanagawa due to the storm, ac- ducing high waves. Japan is well The heritage-listed Binna Burra and more ferocious fires were approaches. Close to a thousand in a statement. cording to local media. There used to severe tropical storms Lodge burned to the ground as coming with climate change, and firefighters have battled almost Faxai was likely to cause hav- were no immediate reports of and typhoons during late sum- surrounding rainforest turned described the early fire season a hundred bushfires in southern yphoon Faxai, upgraded oc with the Monday morning injuries or signifi cant damage mer and autumn. into an inferno. “We have never as “unprecedented and historic.” Queensland and northern New to a “very strong” storm commute in Tokyo with train but eight surfers were rescued Powerful typhoon Krosa seen fire danger like this so early More than 105,000 hectares of South Wales since they started Twith potentially record operators forced to suspend amid high waves off Shizuoka lashed western Japan in mid- after winter,” Inspector Andrew normally lush green farming and spreading under strong winds. winds and rain, battered the major lines until at least 8am. in central Japan after they were August, bringing strong winds Tokyo region late yesterday, “We need to inspect tracks swept out to sea, local offi cials and torrential rain that claimed sparking evacuation warnings and check if there is any dam- said. one life. And in late August, to tens of thousands and trans- age as the typhoon is expected “Two helicopters were dis- heavy rains left three people port disruption. to pass through the region over- patched while special rescuers dead as massive fl oods also hit Wang Yi in Nepal Faxai, packing winds of up night,” a train company spokes- rushed out to sea,” a fi re depart- western Japan. to 216km per hour, was bearing man told AFP. ment spokesman told AFP. “We Typhoon Faxai comes just down on the Japanese capital The typhoon already caused sent two of them to hospital but as teams begin arriving for and was expected to pass right some travel disruption on its no one was in danger of dying,” the Rugby World Cup, which over the megacity in the early approach with some 100 bullet he added. kicks off on September 20. The hours of Monday. trains connecting Tokyo with Some department stores and French team managed to sneak Authorities issued non- central and western Japanese amusement parks, including in just ahead of the typhoon and compulsory evacuation warn- cities scrapped yesterday, along Tokyo Disneyland, closed ear- reach their training camp near ings to more than 110,000 peo- with ferries services in Tokyo lier than scheduled due to the Mount Fuji. ple, as forecasters cautioned bay. approaching storm. However, the Australian Wal- the rain and wind could reach Airlines have already can- Faxai was churning near Izu- labies squad found their prepa- “record” proportions. “Please celled more than 100 fl ights oshima island, south of Tokyo in rations disrupted as the ty- be on full alert against gusts scheduled on Monday while the Pacifi c, at 10pm yesterday, phoon delayed their scheduled and high waves and be vigilant some coastal highways were travelling north at a speed of arrival.

Japan former empress Michiko undergoes breast cancer surgery

Japan’s former empress Michiko morning “as scheduled” at the to see Michiko before the Sacred Heart School before “safely” underwent surgery University of Tokyo Hospital, the operation. Akihito and Michiko studying English literature at yesterday after the 84-year-old agency off icial said. are known for dramatically its university. She gave birth to was diagnosed with early-stage “It ended safely and (she) modernising the tradition-bound now-Emperor Naruhito in 1960 breast cancer, the Imperial went back to her room,” the monarchy, bringing themselves and her second son, Prince Household Agency said. off icial told AFP, adding that closer to the public and boosting Akishino, was born in 1965. Michiko’s husband Akihito further details would be popular support for the Michiko and her husband also formally stepped down as announced later. Akihito and household. came to be known for their emperor in April, the first daughter Sayako Kuroda, a The first commoner to marry an presence at the side of survivors abdication for 200 years in the former princess who left the imperial heir, Michiko was born of disasters, especially after the Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi arrives at the Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, world’s oldest monarchy. Her royal household to marry a in 1934 in Tokyo and attended 2011 tsunami that wrecked large Nepal, yesterday. operation began yesterday commoner, visited the hospital the exclusive all-girls Christian parts of eastern Japan. Gulf Times Monday, September 9, 2019 13

BRITAIN/IRELAND Rail industry reaches key political junction

AFP party. At the same time, Prime added that “better transport links industry that once helped to drive Blunt said. “UK trains are crowd- tive of British Airways. them back into public ownership”. London Minister Boris Johnson is awaiting across the country will be a cru- the Industrial Revolution “is un- ed, expensive, often delayed, and Presenting an interim update, Another headache lying ahead the conclusions of a passenger-fo- cial part” of rebalancing Britain’s doubtedly a vote winner for Cor- of extremely old stock. Voters are Williams noted that customer sat- is HS2. The department for trans- cused review of the entire rail sec- London-centric economy. byn and Labour”, said Gwilym angry at receiving little value for isfaction with Britain’s train serv- port last week said that the cost of he rail industry is destined tor described by the Conservative Johnson has meanwhile ordered David Blunt, lecturer in interna- money.” ices is at a decade-low. Williams’ the project was set to soar by more for the biggest shakeup in government as “the most signifi - a separate review into the High tional politics at City, University of Rail passenger journeys in Brit- review “could be used to bolster than £20bn to up to £88bn ow- Tdecades that could end in cant” since the Tories privatised Speed 2 (HS2) railway linking Lon- London. ain have hit a record annual high the case for taking the railways ing to the complexity of building renationalisation and signifi cant British Rail in the mid-1990s. don with other major cities, but While Britain’s rail tracks re- at almost 1.76bn, fuelled by com- back into public hands”, said Blunt. works. investment to vastly improve serv- “It isn’t good enough that so which has been beset by soaring main in state hands, the trains are muters who have no choice but to “However, if the review is pro- The initial phase of HS2 — Brit- ices amid costly fares and delays. many commuters spend their build costs and massive delays. run by mostly private companies take the train to work. private ownership it won’t neces- ain’s fi rst new railway north of Full state-control of the indus- mornings staring at a delayed sign Both reviews will deliver their enjoying large government sub- The government’s “root and sarily stop renationalisation.” London in 150 years — plans to try is a distinct possibility should a at their train platform,” Finance fi ndings by the end of the year, by sidies. “The railways were once branch” review of the rail sec- He added that “the most plausi- connect the capital in southeast looming general election triggered Minister Sajid Javid said last week. which time Labour leader Jeremy a point of pride in this country tor, including improvements to ble strategy” for Corbyn would be England with the country’s second by Brexit turmoil result in victory Delivering government spend- Corbyn could be prime minister. and now they are absolutely dire freight travel, is chaired by Keith to wait for the franchises running biggest city Birmingham in the for the main opposition Labour ing plans for the next year, Javid Full nationalisation of the rail compared to the rest of Europe,” Williams, a former chief execu- the train routes “to expire and take Midlands.

Varadkar tours Dublin Port Travellers slam border control systems for repeated delays

Guardian News and Media because his name was linked to London criminals with similar names on a Home Offi ce database. Heslop has no convictions. rustrated travellers have hit The case of Prof David Baker out at Home Offi ce systems whose passport has been rejected Fthat led to them repeatedly at eGates a hundred times in the being held up at airports even past seven years by Border Force though they have done nothing offi cials was also highlighted. wrong, as a charity and users Baker branded the biometric sys- said the system was not fi t for tem “useless”. purpose. Since then more people have The innocent travellers, who come forward and have reported are apparently linked to criminals identical problems to the Guard- with the same or similar names ian. There is even a TripAdvisor on Home Offi ce databases, are forum devoted to problems peo- calling on the government to sort ple have experienced after being out the problems that delay their stopped over cases of mistaken journeys and separate them from identity. Ireland’s Taoiseach, Prime Minister, Leo Varadkar tours Dublin Port in Ireland yesterday to view its infrastructure and facilities. travel companions when they go Prof Peter Dawson contacted through passport control. the Guardian after he experi- Their passports are rejected enced problems for more than at eGates and they then are sub- three years. When his MP con- jected to further scrutiny by tacted Theresa May when she Border Force offi cials who check was home secretary he was told them out on Home Offi ce com- that nothing could be done about puter systems. The rejection of this. One Border Force offi cial their passports at eGates and the told him that the system “wasn’t further checks they face cause very clever”. GPs told to cut specialist inconvenience as well as frustra- Another professor, David Wil- tion. son of the Open University, was Edin Omanovic, Surveillance told by a Border Force offi cial: Programme Lead at Privacy In- “Nothing wrong with your pass- ternational, said: “Clearly the port. I’m not supposed to tell you system is not fi t for purpose. It’s a this, but your name will be on a hangover from years of misman- list and that’s why you need to be referrals in new NHS plan agement and waste of taxpayers’ checked every time.” He added money, now leading to consider- that even if Wilson obtained a Guardian News and Media mediately, will aff ect essential der two weeks ago – on the same • New scrutiny – described judgment, simply on the basis able distress to untold people. new passport: “Your name will London hospital care rather than treat- day the prime minister rein- as “demand management” – of of cost. The very least the department still be on the list”. Another Bor- ments sometimes considered forced his commitment to fund- GPs who refer patients for acute Dr Gary Marlowe, BMA Lon- can do is be honest with people der Force offi cial told him: “Your more peripheral. They include ing the NHS while announcing treatment, with GPs being asked don regional council chair and who understandably want simple name coincides with people we Ps will be urged against signifi cantly reducing referrals he was suspending parliament. to look at “alternative ways” of London GP, said that while the answers.” want to talk to.” Wilson said the referring patients to to consultants, axing some out- It refers to a fi nancial recov- dealing with patients’ needs. fi nancial pressures that clinical There are 264 eGates in place system was “not fi t for purpose”. Ghospital specialists and patient appointments and re- ery plan and admits that “some • Reduction in intravenous commissioning groups (CCGs) at 15 airports and other entry A Border Force offi cial sug- consultants, and some outpa- placing them with a phone con- ideas, especially those aff ecting feeds through “better prescrib- were under was appreciated, ports. The Home Offi ce insists gested to one person that chang- tient appointments will be axed versation and urging GPs to fi nd patients, will generate strong ing”. “cost-cutting must not come at that their monitoring systems ing their name was the only way as part of a controversial pro- “alternative ways” of dealing views and we will need to make Hammersmith MP Andy the expense of quality patient do not rely on names alone but to solve the problem. Another gramme of NHS “rationing” to with patients who need hospital some diffi cult choices”. Slaughter described the news care or increased bureaucracy also use other identifying infor- was told that the person who be introduced in London. referrals. The new cuts list includes: of major cuts to essential NHS and workload for doctors.” mation when checking people at shared their name was “a par- Health chiefs hope the pro- The changes were communi- • Patients currently receiving services as a crisis. He added: “All clinicians – borders. ticularly nasty individual”. A gramme, which will aff ect mil- cated in a letter from the North treatment from more than one Gareth Thomas, the Harrow whether in GP practices or in The Guardian previously third Border Force offi cial told lions of Londoners, will plug a West London Collaboration of consultant may no longer be able West MP, said the new plans hospitals – must be able to make highlighted the case of Antonio a traveller that this would keep gaping hole in healthcare budg- clinical commissioning groups to access treatment from both or amounted to rationing. decisions over what is best for the Heslop, a Jamaican man wrongly happening, but she wasn’t al- ets by saving more than £60mn (NWLCCCG), which funds NHS all of the specialists. Medical experts warned it patient in front of them, based on accused of being a convicted lowed to say why and that there in the next few months. health services for more than • “Repatriation” of some was important GPs did not feel their own clinical evidence base, drug dealer when he applied for was nothing the traveller could The sweeping changes, some 2mn Londoners, to key individu- acute treatment from various pressurised not to refer patients and not be blocked by arbitrary a biometric residence permit do about it. of which will take eff ect im- als including local MPs just un- specialist hospitals to local ones. to hospital against their expert money-saving restrictions.” Amazon suggests student Chuka Umunna switches poll seat buy knife with schoolbag Guardian News and Media a by-election but the rest refu- London gees from Labour – Umunna and Daily Mail mal Amazon are making it look. to start focusing on people. They Berger – and the Conservatives, London As a special constable that sees need to think about how their of- in Sarah Wollaston and Phillip how knife crime is impacting fers are aff ecting the social issues huka Umunna is to vacate Lee. communities in Northampton- and the next generation. Have his existing south London Umunna, who quit Labour in police special constable shire, I’m even more shocked. some integrity and don’t just fo- Cseat to fi ght the Cities of February and joined the LibDems told of his ‘shock’ after “Alister was as shocked as I cus on revenue, think about the London and Westminster con- three months later, will move AAmazon off ered his son a was, that’s why he came running impact that your decisions have.” stituency for the Liberal Demo- from his current Streatham seat deal to buy a large kitchen knife to me to show me. I have had a The controversy involving crats, as the party risks angering to take on Mark Field, the former with his new schoolbag. chat with him about knife crime Amazon comes after a leading local activists by shuffl ing can- Foreign Offi ce minister who es- Wiz Bonafi a said 14-year-old and what he should do if faced doctor slammed retailers and didates to accommodate high- caped punishment after being Alister was shopping online for a with a knife, so he knows the websites for continuing to sell il- profi le arrivals. fi lmed grabbing a climate pro- rucksack before the start of term. gravity of knife crime.” legal knives to children. The announcement of Umun- tester by the neck. He chose a grey Mancro Bonafi a, who works for an IT NHS trauma surgeon Dr Martin na’s move from Streatham comes In the 2017 election Field se- anti-theft backpack, which is company in Kettering, added: Griffi ths told the NHS Expo con- as party sources said another cured a 3,000-plus majority over described as being a ‘college “I’ve been to stabbings and rob- ference in Manchester that retail- ex-Labour MP, Luciana Berg- Labour, with the LibDems a dis- schoolbag’ costing £22.99. beries at knifepoint before – the ers should not sell so-called zombie er, could be parachuted into a tant third. But the party believes But he was then off ered a spe- eff ects on the victims and wider knives because they have ‘no use north London seat, Finchley and a better indicator is May’s Eu- cial deal to buy the bag and the communities are horrendous. other than to cause serious harm’. Golders Green. ropean elections, where in both knife with an 8-inch blade for We all have to play our part in re- The sale of such knives, which The proposed move for Berger, parts of the constituency the £43.98, under Amazon’s ‘fre- ducing knife crime, and Amazon have serrated edges and can be up who currently represents Liver- LibDems won more votes than quently bought together’ option. is no exception.” An anti-knife to 2ft long, was banned in Brit- pool Wavertree, has upset some the Conservatives and Labour Bonafi a, who volunteers with crime campaigner accused web- ain in 2016 but there is evidence local LibDems, with the existing combined. Northamptonshire Police, said sites such as Amazon of ‘putting people have been able to buy candidate saying she still expect- The constituency, which in- he had previously talked to Al- money before people’. them illegally online. There is ed to fi ght it. cludes parliament, the West End ister about the dangers of knife Dr Mark Prince set up the no indication customers can buy One LibDem activist said: and the fi nancial centre of the crime, and the shocked teenager Kiyan Prince Foundation to zombie knives on Amazon. “People are fed up with celeb- City, was heavily pro-Remain in rushed to tell his father what he turn youngsters away from Amazon said it had changed rity MP entryism. Hardworking the 2016 referendum. He told the had been off ered on the website. knife crime after his son Kiyan the off er so the kitchen knife no candidates are being yanked out Guardian: “It’s absolutely clear Bonafi a, 42, said: “As a parent, was stabbed to death outside a longer appeared with the back- of their seats or pressured not to that if you want to stop Brexit I was shocked and worried how school in north London in 2006. pack. A spokesman said it also stand.” with no fudge or ambiguity, easy it looks for my 14-year-old He said: ‘Websites are putting had checks to stop people aged The LibDems have gained fi ve residents in this area are already son to buy a knife and how nor- money before people, so we need under 25 buying knives. Chuka Umunna: trading places new MPs in recent weeks, one via picking the Liberal Democrats.” Gulf Times 14 Monday, September 9, 2019 BRITAIN/IRELAND

Johnson has reneged on Good Friday agreement vows, says EU

Guardian News and Media ish prime minister is backsliding Barnier, told diplomats this week out of past commitments, when swathe of policies such as trans- ferent starting point to May,” agreement neither depends London on promises to protect the tightly that the UK had reneged on com- he tweeted that the government port, agriculture, health, educa- one EU offi cial said. “They want upon, nor requires a particular knit economic and social links on mitments to protect north-south was “committed to no infra- tion, environment and tourism. something completely diff erent.” customs or regulatory regime. the island of Ireland. co-operation on the island of structure on the NI border”. The vast web of co-operation A UK government spokesper- The broader commitments in the uropean offi cials have ac- “The commitment to all as- Ireland, a key pillar of the Good Such comments were seen in means, for example, that patients son fi rmly rejected suggestions Belfast/Good Friday agreement cused Boris Johnson of re- pects and all the provisions of Friday agreement. Brussels as “meaningless” words and ambulances can cross the bor- the government was not com- include parity of esteem, part- Eneging on pledges to uphold the letter and spirit of the Good Alarm bells were set off by that marked a signifi cant dilu- der, freshwater loughs are jointly mitted to the Good Friday agree- nership, democracy and a peace- the Good Friday agreement, ahead Friday agreement recently seems Johnson’s recent letter to the Eu- tion of the promise to uphold an protected and Ireland’s single elec- ment. “We are committed to the ful means of resolving diff er- of the prime minister’s fi rst meet- to be taken more lightly than be- ropean council president, Donald open border. The May govern- tricity powers millions of homes. common travel area, to upholding ences. This would be best met if ing with his Irish counterpart. fore,” a senior diplomat from a Tusk, which declared his govern- ment pledged to protect “north- Since coming to offi ce, John- the rights of citizens of Northern we could explore solutions other Johnson will meet the Irish taoi- continental member state told ment could not endorse a com- south cooperation” on the island son has vowed to get rid of the Ireland, to ongoing north-south than the backstop. seach, Leo Varadkar, in Dublin to- the Guardian. “This avoidance mitment made by Theresa May of Ireland in the 2017 joint report, backstop, a fallback plan to avoid co-operation, to retaining the “We have been clear that we day at a tumultuous moment in the of the hard border, it is not just a in a December 2017 EU-UK joint widely seen in Brussels as a land- a hard border that would see benefi ts of the single electricity are happy to accept a legally Brexit process, with only 52 days desire, it is not just about prefer- report. mark in Brexit talks. Northern Ireland maintain many market. We remain fi rmly com- binding commitment not to until the UK’s departure. Talks ences, it is legal obligation.” The Brexit Secretary, Stephen North-south co-operation EU rules, and the whole UK stay mitted to peace in Northern Ire- put infrastructure, controls or are set to be tense as fears grow in A senior offi cial working for Barclay, fuelled concerns that the was a pillar of the 1998 Good Fri- in a customs union with the EU. land and the Belfast agreement. checks at the border. We hope the Dublin and Brussels that the Brit- the EU’s chief negotiator, Michel government was seeking to back day peace agreement and covers a “They seem to be taking a dif- “The Belfast/Good Friday EU do likewise.” France threatens PM sticking to to veto further Brexit plan, will extension

Guardian News and Media not seek delay, London

he French government has threatened to veto a further TBrexit extension due to the say ministers “worrying” lack of progress in the recent talks, as EU diplomats ex- Reuters lying over its eff orts to negotiate ish province of Northern Ireland pressed their frustration at being London a Brexit deal, saying she was just and EU member Ireland. caught up in game-playing by the reporting what she had seen. The EU says the backstop British government. “I am saying that 80% to 90% must stand. “First of all, the In a sign of rising exasperation, rime Minister Boris John- of the work that I can see going prime minister will go to the the French foreign minister, Jean- son is sticking to his Brexit on the EU relationship is about council meeting on October 17 Yves Le Drian, highlighted the lack Pplan and will not seek a preparation for no-deal. It’s and 18, he’ll be trying to strike of realistic proposals being put delay to Britain’s departure from about disproportion,” she told a deal. He absolutely will not be forward by Downing Street as an the European Union at a summit the BBC’s Andrew Marr show. asking for an extension in that alternative to the Irish backstop. next month, two ministers said “The purpose of this resigna- meeting,” Javid told the BBC. “It’s very worrying. The Brit- yesterday despite the latest res- tion is to make the point that the Britain’s political crisis es- ish must tell us what they want,” ignation from his government. Conservative Party at its best calated last week when parlia- Le Drian said. When asked if an After work and pensions min- should be a moderate party that ment passed legislation to try to extension beyond October 31 was ister Amber Rudd’s quit late on embraces people with diff erent force Johnson to secure a Brexit possible, Le Drian said the EU’s pa- Saturday over his Brexit policy, views of the EU.” extension if parliament has not tience was waning. “We are not go- But Foreign Minister Do- approved either a deal or con- ing to do this (extend the deadline) the ministers said Johnson was every three months,” the French determined to “keep to the minic Raab rebutted her view, sented to leaving without agree- minister added. The Benn bill, due plan” to leave the EU by October describing continuing “intense ment by October 19. to receive royal assent this week, 31 with or without a deal to ease negotiations” in Brussels, and Queen Elizabeth is today ex- would extend the UK’s member- the transition. emphasised that Johnson’s gov- pected to sign it into law, but ship until January 31, 2020. Johnson’s strategy to leave ernment would not be deterred Johnson said on Friday he would The government wants to re- “do or die” by that deadline has from what some describe as a rather be “dead in a ditch” than move the Irish backstop, which been shaken by the events of re- hardline strategy on Brexit. request such a delay — some- would keep Northern Ireland in cent days, which have prompted “I do also think that on some thing opposition parties say the single market and the UK in critics to describe him as a “tin of these key issues, people could mean seeing the prime a customs union to avoid a hard pot dictator” and deepened need to understand, and the minister breaking the law. border on the island of Ireland. uncertainty over how Britain’s voters get it, that we’ve got to Raab said the government But sources in Brussels, where 2016 vote to leave the EU will keep to the plan,” Raab told Sky would examine the Brexit delay Boris Johnson’s envoy, David play out. News. bill “to test to the limit what it Frost, has been in twice-weekly He has lost his Conservative Both he and Finance Minis- does actually lawfully require”. talks with the European commis- government’s majority in par- ter Sajid Javid also contradicted Johnson instead wants a new sion’s Brexit taskforce, said the liament, expelled 21 rebels from EU offi cials who have said Brit- election on October 15, but op- process of fi nding a ready alterna- the party and failed to force ain has yet to come up with position parties, led by the La- tive was proving to be “a farce”. through a new election. new suggestions for changes to bour Party, said they could not “There have been no substan- Then his own brother quit, the Withdrawal Deal agreed by trust him to stick to his word tive proposals on how to replace saying he was torn between Johnson’s predecessor Theresa by holding the new vote before the backstop and the British are family loyalty and the national May. Britain is due to leave the EU. pretending otherwise – we are be- interest. Johnson, Javid said, would go “Until we’ve ruled a no-deal ing instrumentalised for domestic to an EU summit on October 17 off the agenda, I can’t risk, with purposes,” said one diplomat. Saturday’s resignation of EU sources have said there is no Rudd — who backed remaining to try to secure the new deal. Boris Johnson being in power, evidence the British government in the EU in the 2016 referendum May failed in three attempts that he wouldn’t somehow im- is even working on “concrete pro- when Britain voted 52%-48% to to get her deal ratifi ed by parlia- pose that on the country,” La- posals” to strike a Brexit deal, and leave — over what she called the ment, where many lawmakers bour’s fi nance policy chief, John the latest resignations from the government’s disproportionate baulked at the so-called North- McDonnell, told the BBC. government, recent reports of focus on preparing for a no-deal ern Irish backstop. Johnson’s “So we can get no-deal off the “sham negotiations” and constant Brexit has only heightened the government has promised to get agenda, then I’d like a general election talk have all contributed sense of crisis. rid of the backstop, an insurance election and part of that would to the impression that the govern- Rudd yesterday denied she policy to prevent the return of a be saying let’s have a (second) ment is not serious about fi nding was accusing the government of hard border between the Brit- referendum.” an agreement. Amber Rudd leaves her home in London yesterday. Javid refuses to rule out Tories extend lead over Labour to 10 points

Guardian News and Media points to 13%. The Liberal Dem- Tory deal with Farage ocrats are up two points to 17%, London with Labour down one point to Guardian News and Media The Conservatives currently lands. He believes this deal could 25%. London have no majority in the Com- enable the government to return a he Conservatives have Opinium said there was a con- mons and there are concerns majority of more than 100. extended their lead over siderable amount of voter churn, they may struggle to win a snap Javid said an election was nec- TLabour as pro-Brexit vot- with only the LibDems retaining he Chancellor, Sajid Javid, election despite polling showing essary because parliament was ers return to the party, according an overwhelming proportion of has failed to rule out a a large lead over Labour. trying to “kneecap” the govern- to the latest Opinium poll for the their vote from the last election TConservative alliance with Pressed by Marr, Javid replied: ment’s Brexit negotiations. Observer. (83% of 2017 LibDems would Nigel Farage’s Brexit party at a “The picture our opponents are He denied the party was off er- Despite a week of political vote for the party again). Both general election. painting of us … and of course ing nothing to the 48% of voters chaos that has seen Boris John- the Conservatives and Labour He told the BBC that the Tories they would paint a false picture who voted Remain in 2016. He son purge the party of 21 MPs are on track to lose votes to the did not need an electoral alliance … we are a proud centre-right, said the public liked “all the oth- who oppose his plans, the Tories LibDems among their Remainer but did not categorically deny moderate, one nation party. er things” they have been talking recorded a 10-point lead over wing and lose votes to the Brexit that they might need to work There is nothing extremist about about such as “keeping the econ- Labour. For the fi rst time since party from their Leave wing. with Farage, whose party took wanting to meet the will of the omy strong”. March, more than half (53%) of For the fi rst time since the 2017 close to half of the UK’s seats at British people on a simple ques- With a general election looming, Leave voters now intend to vote general election, Opinium said the European elections in May. tion, which was: do you want to both parties have been scrambling Conservative. Almost half of all it was recording a direct shift Javid said: “We don’t need an leave the EU or not?” to show they have something to voters (46%) now think the Con- in votes between the two major electoral alliance with anyone. Marr said: “I’m asking you off er both Leavers and Remainers. servative party has in eff ect be- parties. Just over a fi fth (22%) of We can stand on our own two one question, can you rule out an The shadow foreign secretary, come the Brexit party. Labour leave voters are now in- feet.” However, pushed three agreement with the Brexit party, Emily Thornberry, found herself The polling will be used by tending to vote Conservative. times during his interview on yes or no?” mocked last week after setting out Johnson’s team as evidence that Johnson’s personal ratings BBC One’s The Andrew Marr Javid said: “We’re not in an Labour’s current stance, which their ruthless strategy to push have been dented after his bruis- Show, he failed to rule out a spe- election yet. When we get there is to negotiate a fresh Brexit deal hard to secure Brexit and hold an ing week in the Commons. Now cifi c deal being struck. Farage has I’m clear we don’t need an alliance with the EU27 before putting that election can work. However, the only just over a third (36%) think said he is prepared not to stand with anyone. I think our message to the public in a referendum. She strategy has run aground as op- he would be the best prime min- candidates in Tory areas where will resonate across the country.” and several other senior fi gures, position parties are blocking an ister, down from 41% last month. he could end up splitting Leave Farage’s off er to help the Tories by including Keir Starmer, the shad- election from taking place. However, Jeremy Corbyn is not voters and told the Tories they standing aside in key Leave seats is ow Brexit secretary, have said they The Conservatives are up three benefi ting from Johnson’s trou- will not win an election without dependent on his party being al- would then campaign for Remain Chancellor of the Exchequer Sajid Javid appears on BBC TV’s The points to 35% of the vote, while bles. Only 16% say he would be his support. lowed a clear shot in Labour heart- in that vote. Andrew Marr Show in London, yesterday. the Brexit party is down three the best prime minister. Gulf Times Monday, September 9, 2019 15 EUROPE

‘Reichstag babies’ meet up Russians vote in polls

DPA Berlin

round 15 people who were in test for Putin allies born inside Germany’s Aparliament building, the AFP Reichstag, in the fi nal years of Moscow World War II were received by Bundestag President Wolfgang Schaeuble for a reunion yester- ussians voted in local day. elections yesterday that It is not clear how many ba- Rwill test the popularity of bies were born in the Reichstag President Vladimir Putin and his between 1943 and 1945 – but it allies after a crackdown on op- is understood that the nearby position protests in Moscow. Charite hospital installed a ma- Elections for municipal coun- ternity unit in the cellar of the cils and regional governors took building during that time, in or- place across the country, but der to ensure safe deliveries dur- most attention was focused on ing bombings. Moscow, where tens of thou- “We do not know how many sands took to the streets this were born here – all the docu- summer after potential oppo- ments were destroyed,” said sition candidates were barred Schaeuble, who is the oldest from the vote. Navalny casts his vote at a polling station in Moscow. member of the German parlia- Police detained hundreds of ment at the age of 76. the protesters and while most Navalny’s allies were excluded The atmosphere in the capi- He invited the so-called Re- were quickly released some from the election over alleged tal was festive, as the city this ichstag babies for a special tour faced serious charges. irregularities so he has put for- weekend celebrated the annual of the building and a discussion In the week before the elec- ward a “Smart Voting” plan. Moscow City Day with street round. tion, fi ve were sentenced to jail It calls for voters to back the parties, balloons and mass dance Around 15 of them are expect- time ranging from two to four politician, whatever their affi lia- routines. ed to attend. years. tion, who has the highest chance But for some voters the mood Schaeuble said earlier this The opposition has called for of beating pro-Kremlin candi- was grim. week that the children “gave voters to punish the Kremlin and dates. Alyona Prokhorova, a hope to our country in a dark the ruling United Russia party at Most of them are Commu- 46-year-old mother of four, President Vladimir Putin is seen at a polling station in Moscow during the city parliament election. time”. the ballot box. nists. said she was so disgusted by the One of the people born inside “Today we are fi ghting to Analysts say the vote is a test summer crackdown that she Fund who was barred from he said, but he was also sceptical Far Eastern city of Khabarovsk, the Reichstag is Mareile Van der destroy United Russia’s mo- run ahead of parliamentary elec- signed up to be an election ob- running, said yesterday’s vote about Navalny. and the Siberian cities of Irkutsk Wyst, nopoly,” the country’s main op- tions due in 2021 – both of the server for the opposition. showed authorities had given United Russia, formed in 2001 and Novosibirsk. 74, who was born in Septem- position leader, Alexei Navalny, opposition’s ability to mobilise “Moscow is against this hid- up pretending that elections in to support Putin, has seen its “Politics in Russia today is ber 15, 1944. told reporters after voting in the support and the authorities’ eousness,” Prokhorova told AFP Russia were democratic. popularity collapse in recent about big cities,” Rogov said. “My very pregnant mother capital. willingness to tolerate dissent. at a polling station in the city’s “This is the funeral for even years as incomes have fallen un- The race for the governor’s travelled to the bunker in the Re- southwest. “I still can’t get over the semblance of democratic der Western sanctions. seat in Saint Petersburg will be ichstag every evening and back it.” elections,” the 31-year-old – In Moscow, none of the pro- closely watched, as acting city home every morning. I have no Prokhorova said she backed who emerged as a key protest Kremlin candidates are running chief Alexander Beglov tries to idea how she managed to do Navalny’s strategic voting plan leader – said after voting. under its banner. at least avoid a potential second that, in the heavily-destroyed and her 18-year-old daughter Tatyana Stanovaya, head of Some 7.3mn people were eligi- round run-off . city, where there were constant would also cast a ballot for the the R.Politik analysis fi rm, said ble to elect 45 lawmakers in the Beglov is another close ally of alarms and bombings,” Van der candidate he suggested. the Moscow campaign exposed a Moscow parliament. Putin but is ridiculed by many Wyst told DPA. Putin voted at his usual poll- growing rift between authorities The city’s mayor, Putin loy- in the city as gaff e-prone for his Mareile Van der Wyst has life- ing station at the Russian Acad- bent on preserving the status alist Sergei Sobyanin, was re- embarrassing jokes and mis- long permission to visit the Re- emy of Sciences, where he quo and Russians wanting po- elected last year. steps. ichstag whenever she chooses. appeared to dismiss the opposi- litical change. Elsewhere in the country, vot- Thirty-year-old Anna Topi- “I was told I can come when- tion’s concerns about the barred “The Moscow parliament ers elected 16 governors along- lova said she voted for the op- ever and with whomever I want,” candidates. elections have become a litmus side local assemblies. position in the Saint Petersburg she said. “In some countries you have test of the authorities’ ability to Political observer Kirill Rogov municipal elections but skipped Another person born in the 30, 50, or 100” candidates, he accept this new reality,” Stano- said the vote in Moscow was the governorship vote. building, Michael Turnes, said told reporters. “This doesn’t vaya said. signifi cant but that the “main “It’s useless, I don’t want to be that people are “dumbfounded” change the quality of their work. Muscovite Alexander May- event” was voting in the regions. part of it,” she told AFP. when they see his birth certifi - It’s quality, not quantity, that’s orov, 69, said he traditionally “Will we see a protest vote Results in Moscow are expect- cate, on which “born in the Re- important.” voted for Communists. there or not? On what scale?” he ed to start trickling in after polls ichstag” is hand-written. Lyubov Sobol, a lawyer for Most United Russia members said, stressing the importance of close at 8pm (1700 GMT), with Monika Eiser said her birth Sobol using her cellphone as she leaves her polling station. Navalny’s Anti-Corruption only “look out for themselves”, elections in Saint Petersburg, the full fi gures due today. certifi cate had the same inscrip- tion, but type-written. “[Coming to} Berlin and the Reichtstag is always special to me – the history is palpable,” she City Day said. Zelenskiy, Right: A girl plays near flowerbed yesterday during the celebrations Exploding frying of the City Day in central Moscow. Putin eye pan at baking Below: A tourist walks through an event injures 14 arch yesterday during City Day in new peace central Moscow. Fourteen people were injured yesterday in an explosion that talks after occurred during a traditional baking festival in the western German region of Siegerland, a prisoner police spokesman said. Six of those injured are in serious condition and were exchange flown to specialist hospitals in the Ruhr region and Cologne by emergency helicopter, he said. AFP Police suspect that fat exploding Moscow in a pan caused the accident. Though it is unclear exactly what caused the explosion, ussian President Vladimir police ruled out a gas explosion Putin and Ukrainian and said that rainfall may have RPresident Volodymyr Ze- interacted with boiling fat in one lenskiy have discussed holding of the pans used in the festival. new peace talks after a landmark Police have launched an prisoner exchange. investigation into the incident. Their offi ces said Putin and A large team of rescue workers Zelensky spoke by phone late on and members of the fire brigade Saturday after the long-awaited were deployed to the scene. swap of 70 prisoners. Police could not confirm how Zelensky’s offi ce said both many people had been attending leaders were “satisfi ed with the the festival in the town of result of the implementation Freudenberg. of the agreements” on the ex- change. “The presidents of the two countries also agreed to dis- cuss in the near future the date of holding a summit within the Georgian MPs approve controversial new prime minister framework of the Normandy format” which also includes France and Germany. AFP Riot police used tear gas and and European and Euro-Atlan- oligarchic rule is incompat- economy and perceived demo- The Kremlin said the prisoner Tbilisi rubber bullets against the dem- tic integration,” Gakharia said. ible with democracy, and all of cratic backsliding. exchange had “major signifi - onstrations and dozens of pro- “The United States is our main Georgia’s democratic and pro- Before his appointment as cance” for the improvement of testers were hurt, including sev- strategic partner and there are Western parties will be uniting Georgia’s deputy prime minis- bilateral ties. eorgia’s parliament has eral people who lost eyes. no limits in our co-operation.” forces to defeat him in the par- ter and interior minister in 2017, Putin stressed the importance confi rmed a former in- Opposition supporters have Billionaire Bidzina Ivanishvili liamentary elections next year.” Gakharia worked in Russia as of conducting preparations for a Gterior minister – accused dubbed Gakharia “Moscow’s – who leads the ruling Georgian Several dozen anti-govern- a regional director for German new summit. of cracking down on protesters man” in Tbilisi and accused him Dream party and is widely be- ment protesters rallied outside aviation company Lufthansa. Eff orts have intensifi ed to ease – as the country’s new prime of taking orders from Russia, lieved to be the man in charge parliament yesterday against He is a graduate at Moscow’s tensions between Moscow and minister, fuelling political ten- which supports two breakaway in the country – put Gakharia Gakharia’s appointment, some Lomonosov University. Kyiv since Zelenskiy’s election sions in the ex-Soviet nation. regions of Georgia and fought a forward last Monday following with sheep to symbolise the Yesterday lawmakers also ap- in April. Lawmakers voted 98-0 to war with the country in 2008. the resignation of Mamuka Ba- ruling party’s subservience to proved ex-prime minister Irakli French President Emmanuel confi rm Giorgi Gakharia as pre- He rejected those claims in a khtadze after just over a year in Ivanishvili. Garibashvili as defence min- Macron has called for a summit mier in a vote boycotted by the speech before his approval, say- offi ce. The demonstrations in July ister and the head of Georgia’s of the leaders of Ukraine, Russia, opposition. ing that Georgia remained on its “Gakharia will be Ivanishvili’s saw protesters chanting for Ga- state security service, Vakhtang France and Germany this month. Gakharia, 44, is deeply hat- path towards closer ties with the last stooge in a prime minister’s kharia’s resignation. Gomelauri, as interior minister. Among the prisoners swapped ed by Georgia’s opposition for EU and the Nato. seat,” Nika Melia, one of the Though directed at Russia, President Salome Zurabishvili were 24 Ukrainian sailors, overseeing a security operation “The most important compo- leaders of the opposition Unit- the rallies were fuelled by dis- will have to sign off on the bill Ukrainian fi lmmaker Oleg New Georgian Prime Minister against anti-Russia protests in nent of our security is the coun- ed National Movement party content at the government’s confi rming the new prime min- Sentsov and Russian-Ukrainian Giorgi Gakharia. June. try’s pro-Western orientation, (UNM), told AFP. “Ivanishvili’s failure to revive a stagnant ister and his cabinet line-up. journalist Kyrylo Vyshynsky. Gulf Times 16 Monday, September 9, 2019 EUROPE

Merkel opens Outrage over neo-Nazi’s Bauhaus museum

DPA election in German town Dessau, Germany AFP On his Facebook page, Jagsch SPD chairman for Altenstadt “It must be reversed responsible election decision Federal Constitutional Court, Berlin said he will “support the inter- admitted to local paper Merkur. immediately.#noNPD.” cannot be accepted in the CDU,” pursues anti-constitutional ermany opened a new ests of our district” to “work Jagsch’s main task will be to The CDU’s general secretary Tauber tweeted on Saturday. goals is incomprehensible and Bauhaus museum yes- constructively with everyone lead the council in all important Paul Ziemiak also demanded the “The election of an NPD intolerable for the CDU,” wrote Gterday, with a large po- he unanimous election and across parties”, adding matters concerning the local decision be overturned. politician as local leader in Al- Sven Mueller-Winter, party lice presence underscoring how of a neo-Nazi politician “from the people, for the peo- district. “I’m shocked. The election of tenstadt with assistance from chairman for Altenstadt, and re- the cutting edge art and design Tin Germany as the head ple!” By the weekend, there were a member of a party which pur- CDU” members “horrifi es me,” gional chair Lucia Puttrich in a school remains a target of the of a town council has sparked Local reports say he was ap- outraged calls from across Ger- sues anti-constitutional goals is he added. joint statement. nation’s right-wing more than outrage among senior political pointed by seven council mem- many for the decision to be re- a disgrace,” Ziemiak told today’s The FDP’s parliamentary chief They called for the repre- 80 years after it was shut down fi gures and calls to have the de- bers including representatives versed. edition of Bild newspaper. “I Marco Buschmann described sentatives who elected Jagsch by Hitler. cision reversed. from German Chancellor An- “The SPD has a very clear expect this decision to be cor- Jagsch’s election as “doubly bad: to “reconsider, understand and Presiding over the opening of A political storm is brewing gela Merkel’s Christian Demo- position: we do not co-operate rected.” fi rstly that democrats voted for correct their wrong decision”. the €28.5mn ($32mn) museum after Stefan Jagsch of the far cratic Union (CDU), plus junior with Nazis! Never!” the party’s Peter Tauber, a CDU member someone like him and secondly, Lisa Gnadl, the district’s SPD in the eastern German town of right-wing extremist National coalition member Social Demo- general secretary Lars Klingbeil of Germany’s lower parliament that no democratic candidate chief was “completely stunned” Dessau, Chancellor Angela Mar- Democratic Party (NDP) became cratic Party (SPD) and business- tweeted on Saturday. for Hesse, the state in which was ready to take on the task” of that Jagsch was “unanimously kel said “we still sense a fascina- council leader for the small town friendly Free Democratic Party “That applies to federal gov- Waldsiedlung is located, threat- leader. elected” with votes from the tion with the (Bauhaus) project” of Waldsiedlung, in the district (FDP). ernment, the state and munici- ened action against those who Regional CDU and SPD lead- CDU, SPD and FDP representa- a hundred years after it was of Altenstadt, 30km northeast Jagsch was elected because palities. elected Jagsch. ers in Altenstadt also con- tives. founded in the nearby town of of Frankfurt, on Thursday. there was no alternative candi- “The decision in Altenstadt is “Whoever lacks the politi- demned the decision. “We will therefore have to ex- Weimar. Around 2,500 people live in date, “the NPD candidate fi lled incomprehensible and cannot be cal and moral compass and, as “The election of a member amine all the consequences,” she The museum’s opening was Waldsiedlung. the vacuum”, Markus Brando, justifi ed. a democrat, makes such an ir- of a party that, according to the added. “a highlight of the Bauhaus cel- ebrations”, said Merkel, adding that many of its products from chairs, lamps through to kitch- en utensils and textiles are now “classics of modern design”. Thousands fl ock to stadium to watch a forest grow Hundreds of events have been taking place around the world to celebrate the anniversary. DPA birches, poplars, oaks, larches, This includes the opening in Minister Buzyn Vienna fi rs and other trees are set to April of a new Bauhaus museum be planted at a nearby plot as a in Weimar. permanent living sculpture. Bauhaus moved from Weimar he exact opposite of a The arresting installation, to Dessau in 1925 before it shift- fast-paced game drew entitled For Forest, was un- ed to Berlin in 1932. 1,500 died Tseveral thousand visitors veiled to the media on Thurs- One year later and shortly af- to the football stadium in the day. ter he seized power, Hitler shut Austrian town of Klagenfurt At the preview Littmann told the school down with the Nazis in France’s yesterday, where an art instal- reporters that he wanted to cre- labelling the movement “degen- lation consisting of 300 trees ate the image of “a forest that erate art”. was opened to the public. we have put in a totally new The closure of the Bauhaus in summer The project is the brain child context”. Germany after just 14 years re- of Swiss curator Klaus Litt- “The contrast between the sulted in many of its leading fi g- mann, who planted the 15m- trees and the steel, concrete ures, including its founder, the heatwaves high trees as a visual reminder and glass – you can’t get better architect Walter Gropius joining of the danger that nature faces. than that,” he said. those fl eeing the nation in the German cultural historian Logistical challenges meant face of the rise of the Hitler. AFP/DPA/Reuters Philip Blom said in his open- that bringing the vision into The result was to spread and Paris ing speech that rain forests 30 being was a “long and stony draw on the Bauhaus building times the size of the stadium path”, Littmann said, adding ideas in new cities around the fl oor are being destroyed every that he had fi rst suggested the world, including in the United wo heatwaves that hit minute around the world. project to city authorities six States, Russia and Israel. France this summer Humanity was still trying to years ago. The ambassadors of many of Tclaimed more than 1,500 conquer nature, “but we are “The moment that we’re do- those nations were also present more lives, Health Minister not the masters of creation. We ing this in is uncanny,” he said, This picture taken on September 5 during a preview shows the temporary art intervention For Forest at yesterday’s opening. Agnes Buzyn said yesterday. are a tiny part of a gigantic net- pointing to the prominence at the Woerthsee football stadium in Klagenfurt, Austria. Home to one of the largest However, that toll was signifi - work”, he said. that the climate crisis and the ensembles of Bauhaus architec- cantly lower than the disastrous The forest in the 30,000- fi res in the Amazon rainforest ing by the artist Max Peintner ignated areas only, for example supported by Klagenfurt’s mu- ture, Dessau’s Bauhaus heritage summer of 2003, when an esti- seat stadium will be open to the have gained in the media in re- “who in 1970 had the vision in a crater architecture such as nicipality and has been criti- has in the past been the target of mated 15,000 people died during public for free until October 27. cent months. that one day, it could happen a stadium”. cised by some as an extrava- right-wing with more than 120 an August heatwave. After the art project ends, the Littmann referenced a draw- that we look at nature in des- The installation has been gance. radical right-wingers marching “We have 1,500 more deaths on one of the town’s iconic Bau- than the average for these haus buildings about two years months, so that’s 10 times fewer ago. deaths than the 2003 heatwave,” Since then, Germany’s popu- Buzyn told French radio. list Alternative for Germany In around half of the cases, the Istanbul mayor says car exhibit an eff ort to ‘stop waste’ (AfD) has also made consider- victims were aged 75 or older, she able ground in elections, includ- told news channel Franceinfo. ing in Dessau and other parts of Ten people died while working DPA President Recep Tayyip Erdog- the nation’s east. in the heat. Istanbul an’s ruling Justice and Devel- Spread across 1,500sq metres, Children had also been af- opment Party (AKP), but have the new Dessau museum will fected by the weather, she added. been sitting idle. hold one of the world’s largest A total of 1,465 more people stanbul Mayor Ekrem Ima- Imamoglu, from the main Bauhaus collections. than usual died during the hot moglu told journalists yes- opposition Republican People’s spells in June and July, up 9.1% Iterday that his exhibit in the Party (CHP), ended the 25-year on the average for the period, neighbourhood of Yenikapi of tenure of Islamic conservatives Police trainees health ministry data shows. hundreds of leased cars that sat in Turkey’s largest city Istanbul “The 2003 heatwave lasted idle under his predecessor was after elections on June 23. under probe 20 days. We had 18 days in two an eff ort to “stop the waste” of During his campaign, Ima- waves and we managed to cut resources in the city. moglu pledged to reveal details Prosecutors in the German city mortality by a factor of 10 thanks Hundreds of leased cars, in- of the Istanbul municipality’s of Frankfurt have launched an to preventative measures,” cluding some luxury brands, alleged “wasteful spending” investigation into six trainee Buzyn said. were lined up at a public square and “corruption” under the police off icers accused of This year’s heatwaves hit in Istanbul earlier this in order AKP. exchanging racist text messages, France in June and July, with a to expose “previous squander- Interior Minister Suleyman a local off icial said yesterday. new record temperature of 46° ing of municipal resources”, ac- Soylu slammed the mayor’s The trainees were part of a Celsius (114.8° Fahrenheit) re- cording to his offi ce. exhibit on Friday, saying that WhatsApp group in which corded in the south on June 28. Cars that the Istanbul municipality says were rented by previous administrations and that represent The cars were allegedly rent- the “municipal business is not they exchanged images that Temperatures of up to 45C wasted public funds, are parked at Yenikapi square in Istanbul. ed by the previous mayor from show business”. were “misanthropic at the very were measured also in several least, but actually for the most other locations. part racist and anti-Semitic”, The authorities’ preventive a spokesman for the interior measures helped keep the death ministry in Hesse state said. rate well below the high numbers Aside from being fired from their experienced in 2003, she added. Germany plans to ban single-use plastic bags next year positions, the trainees will now In the Paris metro, for exam- be precluded from ever working ple, announcements in several for the police or becoming civil languages reminded people to AFP global pollution, the environ- made from renewable sources of next year, would threaten found at supermarket fruit and servants, the spokesman said. drink enough water and pay par- Berlin ment minister said on Friday. instead of petroleum. businesses with fi nes of up to vegetable counters. There have been several cases of ticular attention to children and Supermarkets and other re- “The vast majority of Ger- €100,000 ($110,000), accord- The fear is that banning racism in the Hesse police force. senior citizens. tailers will be barred from of- mans want this ban,” said En- ing to a report by Bild newspa- them would lead growers to The prosecutor’s off ice is already The 2003 heatwave was the ermany plans to ban fering lightweight plastic car- vironment Minister Svenja per. pre-package fruits and greens investigation a separate case deadliest recorded in France, single-use plastic bags rier bags at their checkouts, Schulze. The planned ban in 2020 in bulk in plastic, which could in which off icers allegedly with the central and Paris re- Gfrom next year, joining including those now marketed Breaches of the ban, set does not cover the very thin ultimately lead to more food exchanged racist content on a gions hardest hit. a growing movement to fi ght as being biodegradable or being to take eff ect in the fi rst half tear-off plastic bags commonly wastage, the ministry said. group chat. Greek PM urges talks, rejects Turkish refugee ‘threats’

Reuters/AFP tle some 1mn refugees there, and curity zone” in Syria to which that he cannot threaten Greece Greece, which shares a long in March 2016 to cut off the fl ow, eight-year-old civil war. Thessaloniki may reopen the route for mi- refugees could return. and Europe in an attempt to se- sea border with Turkey, was one but there has been a recent up- Mitsotakis said he could not grants into Europe if it does not Failing an increase in aid, “we cure more resources to handle the of the frontline countries taking tick in arrivals on Greek outlying rule out a discussion in the “spir- receive adequate international may be forced” to allow refu- refugee (issue),” Mitsotakis told a in many thousands of refugees islands close to Turkey. it of goodwill” at a European level reek Prime Minister Kyri- support for the plan, President gees greater access to Greece and news conference in the northern and migrants at the peak of the The number of monthly arriv- with Turkey on how to extend akos Mitsotakis said yes- Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on other European Union countries, Greek city of Thessaloniki. migration crisis. als to Greece jumped in August to the fi nancial benefi ts of the 2016 Gterday Turkey should not Thursday. Erdogan had warned. “Europe has given a lot of In 2015, thousands of people about 7,000, the highest in three deal. try to coerce either Greece or Turkey fears a fresh infl ux of “Either you help us or you money, €6bn in recent years, were arriving on Greek shores years. However, this would not hap- Europe in its attempts to get sup- refugees as the Syrian govern- don’t, but I’m sorry, there are within the framework of an every day. Turkey itself has nearly 4mn pen, the Greek premier said, port for a plan to resettle Syrian ment advances into the last rebel limits to what we can put up agreement between Europe and The numbers dropped dramat- Syrians – by far the biggest group while Greece was on the receiv- refugees in northern Syria. stronghold of Idlib. with,” he said. Turkey and which was mutually ically after the European Union of refugees who have spilled over ing end of “threats” and “bully- Turkey is planning to reset- Ankara wants to create a “se- “Mr Erdogan must understand benefi cial,” he said. and Ankara implemented a deal Syria’s borders to fl ee a more than ing” behaviour. Gulf Times Monday, September 9, 2019 17 INDIA Veteran criminal lawyer Jethmalani dies aged 96

IANS His health deteriorated over Minister Rajnath Singh, Bharati- the minister of Urban Develop- in the Vajpayee government. Jethmalani has also writ- New Delhi the last two weeks. He was bed- ya Janata Party chief Amit Shah, ment in the Atal Bihari Vajpay- A noted criminal lawyer, Jeth- ten various books including the ridden for a week and had lost a former prime minister Manmo- ee-led government. In 2010, he malani has been part of legen- Confl ict of Laws, Justice: So- lot of weight, sources close to the han Singh and senior BJP leader was elected as president of the dary cases including the famous viet Style and Big Egos and Small eteran criminal lawyer family told IANS. Subraminan Swamy. Supreme Court Bar Associa- multi-crore 2G allocation case. Men. and former law minister He was famously known as Marxist party leader Sitaram tion. He had appeared for Satwant Specialist in criminal and VRam Jethmalani died yes- the doyen of criminal law in the Yechury, Rashtriya Janata Dal Born on September 14, 1923 Singh and Kehar Singh, convict- constitutional law, he was also a terday morning at his residence country. His tryst with the subject leaders Manoj Jha and Prem- in Sindh province of Pakistan, ed for the assassination of prime part-time professor in Govern- at the age of 96. started at the young age of 18 and chandra Gupta, former judge Jethmalani completed his mas- minister Indira Gandhi; Rajiv ment Law College, Mumbai, Ja- He was cremated at the Lodhi he practised it for nearly 60 years. Kurian Joseph, senior advocates ter’s in law from the S C Shahani Gandhi assassination case con- waharlal Nehru University, New Road crematorium in the evening. Politicians and senior lawyers Gopal Subramanium, Soli Sora- Jethmalani: the doyen of Law College in Karachi. vict V Sriharan alias Murugan; Delhi and Wayne State Univer- Jethmalani was under treat- were among those who visited bji and senior Congress leader criminal law He was first elected to the Harshad Mehta in the stock mar- sity in the US. ment for age-related problems. Jethmalani’s residence. Ghulam Nabi Azad also paid Lok Sabha in 1977. He took ket scam; underworld don Haji He also was made chairman of A full-time nurse was there to They included Vice President their last respect to Jethmalani. US-based daughter. His other charge as the minister of Law, Mastan in smuggling cases; and the Bar Council of India in 1970 take care of him at his 2, Akbar M Venkaiah Naidu, Prime Min- He is survived by his son daughter died earlier. Justice and Company Affairs in had argued for senior BJP leader and a member of International Road residence. ister Narendra Modi, Defence Mahesh Jethmalani and his Jethmalini had also served as October 1999 until July 2000 L K Advani in the hawala case. Bar Association in 1966. Family seeks punishment for teen’s killers

Guardian News and Media region’s special status on Au- New Delhi gust 5, when strict curfews were imposed, apparently to prevent unrest. he father of a teenager Human rights group Amnesty killed in Kashmir has de- International India has raised Tmanded justice for his serious concerns about the con- son, after witnesses said he was tinued communication blackout fi red at with pellets and teargas in Kashmir, warning that it has in an unprovoked attack by In- given the government “a near- dian security forces. total control of all information Asrar Ahmad Khan, described coming out of Kashmir”. as a shy and studious teenager, “This raises grave concerns died last week 11 days before his of human rights violations that 18th birthday. He had spent al- may occur yet remain unreport- most a month in hospital, where ed,” the group said. he was being treated for injuries Asrar had been playing car- sustained during the incident on rom, and then cricket, at a park August 6. near his home in Elahi Bagh on On Wednesday, offi cials said the outskirts of Srinagar, on Au- Paramilitary troopers stop motorcyclists during a strict curfew in Lal Chowk area of Srinagar yesterday. the boy had been hit by a stone gust 6, according to his family. thrown by protesters. Asrar’s Asrar’s best friend Muqeet, cousin, who was present at the and his cousin Adil – said a con- time, said there had been no voy of eight paramilitary vehi- stone pelting in the area. The cles had entered the neighbour- family produced records that hood. Two of them had stopped described pellet, shell and blast near the corner of the park. injuries as the cause of death. The paramilitaries inside the National Security Adviser Ajit two vehicles then fi red a tear- Lockdown tightened in Doval said on Saturday that As- gas smoke shell into the park, rar’s death was unfortunate but they said. “The shell tossed As- demonstrated that the situation rar in the head and then they was largely peaceful. “If there’s fi red a burst of pellets towards one incident that has taken him,” Adil, who had played the place, that’s good,” he said, ac- last carrom game with his teen- cording to the Associated Press. age cousin, told the Guardian. Kashmir after clashes “Zero would be better, but one is “There was no stone-pelting in good.” the area,” he said. Agencies tors,” they added. Police were also seen hitting Authorities had loosened Kashmir despite the widespread Media outlets have document- Adil and a neighbourhood Srinagar Suhail Ahmed, a local resi- themmourners with bamboo the curfew in parts of Srinagar curbs. ed accounts from several other friend rushed Asrar on a bike to dent, said that there have been sticks. gradually in recent weeks but The drive that started on families who allege their relatives the Sher-e-Kashmir Institute of frequent clashes in the area for Witnesses said they saw at began to enforce it again from September 3 is being held on the died due to the actions of security Medical Sciences. It is near-im- uthorities yesterday last three to four days as troops least six more similar protests, Friday. outskirts of Reasi town. It will forces. It is not clear if the Indian possible to call for an ambulance tightened a month-long have been trying to block the with police also detaining the Yesterday’s clampdown was end today. authorities have changed their because of the communications Asecurity lockdown in procession. participants. one of the tightest since August According to army sources, position regarding the circum- blackout. The Guardian has not Jammu and Kashmir’s main city “We hear deafening sounds Locals said the processions 5. more than 29,000 men have stances in which Asrar died. been able to independently con- of Srinagar after breaking up of tear gas being fi red for last have taken on a political aspect While barricades had been registered for the recruitment His death, the fi rst to be con- fi rm the account. religious processions by Shias few evenings. We mostly stay this year after India’s contro- manned by up to three paramil- drive. fi rmed by the authorities, has A hospital registration card who defi ed a ban. indoors but the gas comes into versial autonomy decision. itary troopers, there were now The men are aged between intensifi ed scrutiny of Indian said Asrar had presented with A military clampdown was our homes making it diffi cult to On Saturday, four local jour- up to 10. 17 and 21 years and have been offi cials, who have maintained “shell/blast/pellets injury”, add- imposed in Kashmir from Au- sleep,” Ahmed said. nalists were injured while cov- The tightened security meas- travelling to the selection venue that the situation in Kashmir is ing that he had “multiple pellets gust 5 to prevent unrest as New Shia processions and rallies ering a protest involving up to ures came a day after National from various districts of the returning to normal. on head, eye, brain”. Delhi revoked the region’s au- during Muharram have been 5,000 demonstrators, one of Security Adviser Ajit Doval state. His father, Firdaus Ahmad Asrar immediately underwent tonomy, with mobile phone banned in Kashmir since the out- the biggest gatherings since the said the lifting of communica- Offi cials said the candidates Khan, said he wanted punish- an operation and was transferred networks and the Internet still break of insurgency against New lockdown was imposed. tion restrictions in Kashmir appearing in the drive were not ment for his son’s killers. to the surgical intensive care cut off in all but a few pockets. Delhi’s rule in 1989, on grounds One journalist said his camera depended on Pakistan stopping only driven by passion but have “The government is a liar. He unit. Under the advice of doc- Police drove around the city that the rituals could be used to lens was broken and another had fomenting unrest there. expressed desire to selfl essly was not hit by a stone but they tors, Asrar’s family played him from early yesterday, announc- stoke anti-India sentiment. visible marks on his body after he “Reasonable restrictions are serve their motherland. killed him,” he told the Guardian his favourite music, a collection ing through loudhailers that At least two small protests was allegedly hit with bamboo necessary for peace and protec- “It was a passion, dream and last week. of Sufi mystic songs, as he lay “residents are informed not to were seen yesterday morning by sticks by security personnel. tion of life,” Doval had said. goal since my childhood to join Tens of thousands of extra unconscious. venture out of their homes”. between eight to 10 Shias, who Security forces also fi red tear Meanwhile thousands of the armed forces. That’s the troops were deployed to Kashmir He died at 8.15pm on Septem- “Strict action under law were quickly detained and taken gas and live ammunition in the young men have turned up for reason I am here,” said a candi- ahead of the revocation of the ber 3, a hospital certifi cate said. would be taken against viola- away in police vehicles. air. an army recruitment drive in date. Modi sounds poll bugle in Buddhadeb conscious election-bound Haryana and alert, say doctors IANS An eight-member medical Kolkata board reviewed Bhattacharjeee’s IANS projects worth Rs2,000 crore. har’. I want to tell them that both condition at 9am yesterday. The Rohtak The projects included Shri are equally correct, they are one patient’s family members were Sheetla Mata Devi Medical Col- and the same.” ormer West Bengal chief also present during the review. lege in Gurugram, a mega food Modi hoped that people would minister Buddhadeb Bhat- “Budddhadeb Bhattacharjee ounding a poll bugle in park and an industrial model support Khattar in the upcoming Ftacharjee, hospitalised is now conscious, alert and talk- poll-bound Haryana, township in Rohtak and the In- assembly elections just like the following acute respiratory dis- ing. His vital parameters are sta- SPrime Minister Narendra tegrated Command and Control way they supported him in the tress, is now conscious, alert and ble. He is tolerating oral food and Modi yesterday not only pre- Centre in Karnal. Lok Sabha elections. talking, and continues to be sta- had ice cream, tea and papaya sented his government’s report He thanked the people of the Praising his government, Modi ble, doctors said yesterday. this morning. card in the fi rst 100 days of state for making the BJP win all said: “Be it the matter of Jammu, They added his pneumonia and “He is tolerating non-invasive governance but also praised the 10 parliamentary seats in general Kashmir and Ladakh or of wors- blood pressure were improving. ventilation (bipap) so far. He Manohar Lal Khattar-led gov- elections. ening water crisis, 130 crore citi- Bhattacharjee was admitted took bipap for nearly six hours ernment in the state for fi ghting He said several measures have zens of India have started looking to the Intensive Care Unit of the last (Saturday) night,” a doctor corruption and nepotism. been taken by the state in the in- for new solutions to the problems. Woodlands Hospital on Friday said. He also appealed to the public terest of farmers and the poor. The past 100 days were the days of night with severe shortness of Bhattacharjee’s chest X-ray to help conserve water by adopt- Praising Chief Minister Khat- change, determination, improve- breath, low oxygen saturation showed signs of resolution and ing rainwater harvesting tech- tar, Modi said the state has been ment, and good intention.” and high carbon dioxide levels in improvement of pneumonitis. niques. He also promised to dou- declared open defecation free The prime minister said he was the blood. His haemoglobin level has ris- ble the farmers’ income by 2022. (ODF) and kerosene free and is lucky to have visited Haryana on The doctors diagnosed his con- en and carbon dioxide level has “In the last five years, the contributing signifi cantly to the the day when the central govern- dition as acute exacerbation of come down, though he will con- game of corruption on the country’s growth. ment was completing 100 days. chronic obstructive pulmonary tinue to need oxygen, they said. land of farmers in Haryana has He said that families in Har- The 100 days of the govern- disease (COPD) with pneumonitis Asked if the doctors were stopped. On the basis of such yana have become ‘manohar’ ment were of development, be- in both lungs, and anaemia. He is planning a CT scan, one of the an excellent track record of (charming) today, a reference to lief and change. “Many historic on non-invasive ventilation (bi- doctors said: “We are consider- five years, the whole of Hary- the chief minister’s name. decisions were taken in these pap), intravenous antibiotics and ing that, but no fi nal decision ana has stood in favour of the “People of Haryana often face 100 days. The number of bills nebulisation and is undergoing has been taken.” Bhattacharjee BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) diffi culty in understanding their passed during this session was chest physiotherapy to clear the has been suff ering from the pro- today,” said Modi, who earlier CM’s name. They get confused greater than the record of past Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses a rally in Rohtak, congestion. He was also given a gressive lung problem for years. inaugurated developmental between ‘Manohar’ and ‘NaMo- 60 years.” Haryana yesterday. blood transfusion. He also has diabetes. Gulf Times 18 Monday, September 9, 2019 INDIA

ALLEGATIONS PUNISHMENT TRAGEDY INVESTIGATION ACCIDENT University VC sacked Odisha legislator fined Cement trader commits SIT begins probe in Rag picker killed on ‘corruption charges’ for illegal parking suicide in Jharkhand Chinmayanand case after bag explodes

The government has removed Tripura University An Odisha legislator was fined Rs500 for A cement trader allegedly committed suicide A Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the A rag picker was killed when a bag he tried to Vice-Chancellor Vijaykumar Laxmikantrao violating traffic rule. Bhubaneswar MLA in the Koderma district of Jharkhand yesterday, sexual harassment allegations against former open exploded on a street in Hyderabad yesterday, Dharurkar on alleged ‘corruption charges.’ Ananta Narayan Jena was fined for parking his reportedly due to financial stress. According to minister Swami Chinmayanand yesterday began police said. The man identified as Ali, 35, sustained Dharurkar left Agartala yesterday for his hometown car illegally at a no-parking zone. Interestingly, police, Vinod Singh’s body was found hanging from questioning the father of the victim in Shahjahanpur. critical injuries. He died at the government-run Aurangabad in Maharashtra. Last week, Dharurkar the legislator had gone to sensitise people a ceiling fan at his rented apartment in Mahatma On Saturday evening, the Delhi Police handed over Osmania Hospital. The explosion on a footpath was reportedly “caught on camera allegedly about the new traffic rules under which fines Gandhi Nagar. He was alone in the house as his the victim to the Uttar Pradesh Police for protection, under PVNR Expressway triggered panic and accepting bribes from a Kolkata-based printing have been sharply increased. The police wife had gone to Bengaluru to meet their daughter. Rajesh Kumar Pandey, deputy inspector general police cordoned off the area. Cyberabad Police firm in exchange for a bid of a contract worth Rs60 slapped a fine of Rs500 to Jena. “The fine The incident was reported to the police by Singh’s of police of Bareilly, told IANS. “We are responsible Commissioner V C Sajjanar visited the blast scene. lakh”. A video, clandestinely taken by local news was imposed as my driver had parked the car landlord Ramanuj Pandey. The body has been for the security of the victim and her family and He told reporters that it was suspected to be channel News Vanguard appears to show Dharukar illegally on the road. Law is equal for everyone sent for postmortem. No suicide note was found. we have made arrangements for it. Two armed chemical explosion. “We are probing it from all negotiating a “cut money” (bribe) of 10% the and we should abide by the traffic norms,” said However, Singh’s elder brother Vijay Singh said he policemen will be with the victim while two others angles. We are trying to find out details like where contract for a printing job. The university however, Jena. Meanwhile, a truck driver in Sambalpur was under tremendous pressure due to financial will protect her family at their home and outside. the man found the bag,” he said. A team from the denied the allegations and claimed the video had district was fined Rs86,500 for violating stress as his business was not picking up. The The family will also be guarded 24 hours by another Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) has collected been doctored. Dharukar has also been accused several traffic rules. Even though Ashok Jadav company he was dealing with had stopped giving team of four armed policemen,” Pandey said. SIT samples from the scene of the explosion. Off icials of siphoning of Tripura University funds for non- was fined on September 3, the matter came to him cement due to which he was under stress, said Inspector General Navin Arora said: “We can’t reveal of the anti-terror unit Organisation for Counter- academic purposes including purchase of lands and light yesterday. However, the fine was settled his brother. “The economic slowdown might have anything more at this stage as the probe is being Terrorist Operations (Octopus) also visited the area. recruitment of a huge number of guest teachers. at Rs70,000, he added. prompted him to commit suicide,” Vijay said. monitored by the Allahabad High Court.” Bomb and dog squads too rushed to the scene. Chandrayaan-2 lander found on lunar surface: ISRO offi cial

Agencies ISRO has said it had achieved was descending from 400m Chennai 90 to 95% of its mission objec- height and the central engine tives. had not maintained the thrust The offi cial also said there is a to decelerate its speed for soft ndia’s Moon mission Chan- possibility of the lander getting landing on a rocky surface in a drayaan-2’s lander module broken on impact. hostile environment. Ihas been located on the lunar A space expert said its hard “If the four engines or thrust- surface a day after it lost contact landing at a tilted angle could ers, which were moving the with the ground station while have snapped the communica- lander downwards, did not stop Telangana Governor Tamilisai Soundararajan administers the oath of off ice to T Harish Rao as a cabinet minister as Chief Minister K attempting to land on the Moon, tion link with the mission con- burning during the fi ne braking Chandrashekar Rao and others look on in Hyderabad yesterday. a space agency offi cial said yes- trol. and the fi fth or central engine terday. “The contact has been lost did not generate enough thrust It is not yet clear what the because Vikram would have hit to reduce its speed, a hard land- condition of the lander is and the Moon’s surface hard at high ing would have been a body blow communications with it have speed and tumbled over rather to Vikram,” Narasimha said. not yet been established, the In- than landing softly on its four Although the space agency Son, nephew inducted into dian Space Research Organisa- legs as intended,” former Space claimed to have found the loca- tion (ISRO) offi cial said. Commission member Roddam tion where Vikram had landed ISRO’s ground station lost Narasimha said. or crashed, its health and the contact with the Vikram lander Though the ISRO is yet to af- fate of its sensitive devices minutes before its scheduled soft fi rm what could have snapped would be known only after ana- Telangana CM’s cabinet landing early Saturday in a pre- the contact between Vikram lysing the data and scanning the viously unexplored region near and its Telemetry, Tracking image. the Moon’s South Pole. and Command Network Cen- The space agency did not con- IANS was sworn in as the governor. trusted with the portfolio of Ali also took oath with him. The lander was located with tre (Istrac), the 86-year-old fi rm reports in a section of the Hyderabad Chandrasekhar Rao, who tribal welfare, women and child He expanded his cabinet on the help of the Chandrayaan-2 veteran space scientist said the media that the communication had no woman minister in his welfare. February 19 by inducting 10 orbiter, which was successfully link would have been lost as the link between the lander and the cabinet during the fi rst term, Ajay Kumar will handle ministers. placed in an orbit around the lander hit the lunar surface hard, orbiter was intact but not with elangana Chief Minis- inducted two women - Sab- the transport department. Earlier, Soundararajan was Moon and has been transmitting damaging its half-a-dozen sen- Istrac through its Deep Space ter K Chandrashekhar ita Indra Reddy and Satyavati Kamalakar has been entrusted sworn in as the new governor images to ISRO’s tracking centre sitive devices such as laser de- Network (DSN) at Bylalu. TRao’s son K T Rama Rao Rathod. with the portfolio of backward by Telangana High Court Chief in Bengaluru. tection cameras, ka band and “Even if the link between and nephew T Harish Rao were Three of the newly-induct- class welfare, civil supplies and Justice R S Chauhan. The orbiter has sent a thermal laser altimeters, and other vital Vikram and the orbiter was in- among six ministers who were ed ministers were earlier also consumer aff airs. The chief minister, his image of the lander, ISRO chair- sensors. tact, the space agency has to inducted into the state cabinet members of the cabinet. Jagdish Reddy, who was cabinet colleagues, assembly man Kailasavadivoo Sivan said. Sivan had announced in a tell if the latter (orbiter) has re- yesterday. Rama Rao and Harish Rao handling education portfolio, Speaker P Srinivas Reddy, Chief The Chandrayaan-2 Moon tense mission control room that layed to the ground station the The new ministers were were in the cabinet during the will now be the minister for Secretary S K Joshi, Director mission - which included an the communication link was lost lander’s condition and what it administered the oath of of- TRS’ fi rst term in power. energy. General of Police M Mahender orbiter, the lander and a rover when Vikram was 2.1km above has been relaying since it hard fi ce and secrecy by Governor Meanwhile, Chandrasekhar Sabita Indra Reddy was one Reddy and other senior offi cials contained in the lander - was the lunar surface on descent landed because they both have Tamilisai Soundararajan at a Rao has distributed portfolios of the 12 Congress MLAs who attended the ceremony. launched on a GSLV-Mark 3 mode as planned, and its per- been programmed to trans- ceremony held at Raj Bhavan at among the new ministers and defected to the TRS after the Soundararajan, a Bharatiya rocket from southern India on formance was normal till then. mit and receive telemetry sig- 4.14pm. changed the portfolio of one party retained power. She had Janata Party leader from Tamil July 22. Narasimha said: “As the nals through electromagnetic The four other ministers who minister. earlier served as minister in un- Nadu, is the second governor of The launch and other phases telemetry signals showed waves to perform the specific took oath are P Sabita Indra Harish Rao will handle the divided Andhra Pradesh. Telangana. of the mission, including the Vikram descending angularly tasks as per the mission’s ob- Reddy, Gangula Kamalakar, Pu- key portfolio of fi nance. He was This is the second expansion She succeeded E S L Nar- separation of the orbiter and as planned, going through the jectives,” said Narasimha, who vvada Ajay Kumar and Satya- irrigation minister in the earlier in the state cabinet since TRS asimhan, who had nearly a dec- lander on September 2, were rough and fi ne braking phases served the space agency for the vati Rathod. cabinet. retained power in elections held ade long stint as the governor of carried out successfully but the with its four engines on, the longest period of 18 years from The chief minister, his Like in the previous cabinet, in December last year. undivided Andhra Pradesh and attempt to touch down, a fi rst lander deviated to the right for a 1994-2012. ministers, leaders of the Te- Rama Rao will look after urban With this expansion, the as governor of both Telangana exercise of its kind for ISRO, while before getting back to the z “As the fi nal descent is langana Rashtra Samithi development, municipal ad- strength of the cabinet has gone and Andhra Pradesh. went awry due to the loss of sig- intended path. This could have on an autonomous mode and in (TRS), MPs, state legislators ministration, industry, infor- up to 18, the maximum permit- Earlier, the chief minister, his nals. delayed Vikram’s positioning accordance with the required and senior officials attended mation technology and com- ted by the constitution. cabinet colleagues and senior The lander and the rover were in a vertical mode for soft land- lunar conditions, the scope for the ceremony. munication. Chandrasekhar Rao took offi cials welcomed Soundarara- supposed to carry out 14 days of ing.” manoeuvres at the last minute or Interestingly, Soundararajan Sabita Indra Reddy will be the oath as the chief minister for jan on her arrival from Chennai. experiments to map the lunar The hard landing would have in unforeseen circumstances in administered oath to the new minister for education while the second term on December She received a guard of honour surface, analyse its composition also occurred if the four engines unmanned missions are limited,” ministers a few hours after she Satyavati Rathod has been en- 13. Home Minister Mehmood from a police contingent. and search for water. had not shut off when the lander he added. Northeast states not to Plus-size actors lose special status: Shah defy stereotypes AFP you know, not considering our New Delhi size, then we wouldn’t have IANS The home minister’s remark dia’s development. They don’t the need for the Big Fat com- Guwahati came during his fi rst visit to As- want the peace to prevail in the pany,” she said. sam after the release of fi nal Na- region.” group of Indian plus- Their play, “Head2Head”, tional Register of Citizens (NRC). Ever since the central govern- size actors and their includes parts of a well-known ome Minister Amit Shah Recalling the moment when ment moved a presidential order Atheatre troupe, the Big southern Indian play about yesterday assured the he tabled in parliament last on August 5, scrapping Arti- Fat Company, are confront- two characters - one athletic, Hpeople of northeast that month the bill to scrap Article cle 370 and divided Jammu and ing stereotypes head on with one not - who swap heads, there would be no change in the 370, Shah said it was unfortu- Kashmir into two Union Terri- their own brand of provocative challenging notions about Article 371 as it was a “special” nate that it was turned into “to- tories, Article 371 has invited at- drama, which includes gorging identity and appearance. provision. day 370, tomorrow 371”. tention as it allows special pro- on cake onstage. This is interspersed with Shah said there was diff erence “I don’t have any problem if visions for the northeast states. The troupe, formed in 2017 modern episodes depicting between Article 371 and Article opposition parties express their Most states that have been ac- in Bengaluru and which re- thinness-obsessed Bolly- 370, which was revoked by the objections to the government corded special provisions under cently performed in Delhi for wood and the arts, sexual- government on August 5 ending decision. But there was an at- Article 371 are in the northeast the fi rst time, wants to fi ght ised dancing and a lengthy a special status for Jammu and tempt to spread a message that and the special status aims to prejudice - not just in the fi lm scene involving the eating Kashmir. Article 371 will also be scrapped preserve their tribal culture. Ar- industry but in society as a of a large, creamy cake while “Article 370 was a temporary like Article 370,” he said. ticle 371B deals with special pro- whole. provocatively eyeballing the provision. But Article 371 is a spe- Stating that he had clarifi ed it vision with respect to Assam. “The future of the Big Fat audience. cial provision. I want to clarify on the fl oor of parliament, Shah Allaying apprehensions, Na- Company is to become obso- “You know discrimination that the Bharatiya Janata Party said, “I want to clarify it (here galand Governor R N Ravi who lete because we shouldn’t ex- is very common. If I go out, if I (BJP)-led Narendra Modi govern- too).” was the central government’s ist,” founder Anuradha H R, am in a family function, people ment is committed to Article 371. Shah said it was necessary to interlocutor for the Naga peace 41, told AFP at the Old World would say ‘how much are you There is no question of any al- clarify the point because “some process, last month said the peo- Festival at the Indian Habitat eating?’” said actress Krithi teration to it,” Shah said while ad- people do not want the people of ple need not worry about Article Centre. Bettadh, 34. dressing the 68th plenary session the northeast to join the main- 371 (A) following developments Home Minister Amit Shah addresses the plenary session of the North “I mean if we were given op- “I actually eat less than they of the North Eastern Council. stream and become a part of In- related to Jammu and Kashmir. Eastern Council in Guwahati yesterday. portunities everywhere else, eat so it’s very irritating.” Gulf Times Monday, September 9, 2019 19 LATIN AMERICA

El Salvador launches anti-corruption commission

Reuters Guatemala, or CICIG, whose Salvador because democratic Salvadorans are fed up with San Salvador probes brought down institutions have strengthened graft scandals, and many dozens of senior off icials and so much,” said Luis Porto, head welcomed news of the CICIES’ Migrants sent politicians there including Otto of the OAS technical mission. creation. “It’s right that they Salvadoran President Nayib Perez, the prior Guatemalan “We didn’t come to stay; we investigate. We can’t have Bukele has unveiled a new president. came so that we can go.” more people coming to line independent commission “There’s a clamour among the So disruptive was the CICIG their pockets,” said Juan to tackle corruption, taking Salvadoran people to combat in Guatemala that President Lopez, 51, a security guard. “Be inspiration from a UN-backed corruption,” said Bukele as Jimmy Morales, whose term it good or bad, things have to body that toppled the previous he signed an agreement with ends in January, declared its come to light.” back to Mexico president of neighbouring the Organisation of American commissioner persona non Antonio Saca, who was Guatemala. States (OAS) to create the grata and refused to renew Salvadoran president from Bukele, who took off ice in CICIES. the commission’s mandate 2004-2009, is in prison June, has vowed to stamp out “The people aren’t just calling after he too ended up in the for money laundering and corruption that has implicated for corruption to be fought, it crosshairs of its investigators. embezzlement. Mauricio former presidents and said he wants corruption to be fought The CICIG left Guatemala Funes, president from 2009- by US targeted had created the International with a CICIES.” earlier last week. 2014, is accused of money Commission Against Impunity The UN is also considering Bukele said he would also laundering and embezzlement in El Salvador (CICIES) through a request from Bukele to create a special department involving $351mn. presidential decree. join the OAS in backing the in the police and the finance El Salvador is seeking his The body’s name draws commission. ministry to recover money extradition from Nicaragua, heavily on that of the “Our biggest achievement embezzled from taxpayers where Funes has lived since International Commission would be that CICIES isn’t and to investigate businesses 2016 and claims to have by kidnappers Against Impunity in around in 10 years in El that evade taxes. political asylum. TCA/DPA programme was extended in July. of the danger when she boarded Nuevo Laredo, Mexico Mexican authorities provide lit- a Mexican public bus last month tle housing or other aid to the headed for the US border with returnees, who are often left to her son, Robinson Javier Melara, he kidnappers came to fend for themselves. 17. Official visit the shelter near the US- Extortion-minded mobs view The single mother-of-fi ve TMexico border looking vulnerable migrants as walking from the northern Honduran for Cuban migrants, favoured ATMs. They are easy prey, lack- state of Yoro said she was fl eeing targets because relatives in the ing family ties in Mexico and maras, or gangs, that demanded US are known to pay exorbitant known to have US relatives with weekly extortion payments at ransoms to free abducted loved access to dollars. her family’s grocery store. ones. Mob halcones — hawks, or “The maras in Honduras are In cartel-dominated Nuevo lookouts — watch bus stations bad, but here I think they are Laredo, Mexico, a gateway to the and other strategic spots, eyeing even worse,” Ortega said. US, it’s a lucrative racket: Snatch potential quarry. Ortega spoke in a swelter- a migrant from Cuba, Honduras, Though drug traffi cking pro- ing ground-fl oor waiting room El Salvador, Guatemala, Vene- vides the bulk of cartel income, in the concrete compound of zuela or elsewhere; commandeer Mexico’s organised crime groups Mexico’s immigration agency their cellphones; then call US are multibillion-dollar con- in Nuevo Laredo, where she and relatives demanding thousands glomerates that also control others fearful of going outside of dollars. migrant smuggling, kidnapping lingered for hours on plastic No need to spell out the con- and other illicit ventures, work- chairs and mats strewn on the sequences of non-payment ing in cahoots with corrupt po- fl oor. in the lawless Mexican border lice and politicians. On Augst 4, Ortega said, she state of Tamaulipas, known for “There is no protection,” said and her son were on a bus when mass graves and massacres of Father Julio Lopez, a Catholic a group of about 10 men fl agged migrants — including hundreds priest who runs the Casa de Mi- the vehicle down on the out- slain by gunmen of the Zetas grante Nazareth shelter in Nuevo skirts of Nuevo Laredo. The cartel outside the town of San Laredo. gangsters demanded that pas- Fernando in 2010-11. Three Honduran migrant sengers produce identifi cation On August 3, when the Rever- families who returned to Mexico and forced all foreigners off the end Aaron Mendez, an evangeli- under the Migrant Protection vehicle, she said. cal pastor and head of the Amar Protocols recently recounted in Ortega and her son were taken shelter, refused the kidnappers’ interviews with the Los Angeles to a house where about a dozen demands, the thugs took him Times how gangsters kidnapped other migrants were being held, away. The pastor entered the them, obliging relatives in the she said, and the kidnappers twilight world of Mexico’s “dis- US to pay ransoms. grabbed her phone. appeared” — offi cially 37,000 All three said they had alerted They found the number of her The high representative of the Union for Foreign Aff airs and Security Policy and vice-president of the European Commission, Italy’s and growing, with Tamaulipas US immigration offi cials that younger brother, who had ar- Federica Mogherini, is greeted by Cuba’s Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez, in Havana yesterday. state leading Mexico in the grisly they had been abducted in Mex- rived in Atlanta a few months statistic. ico — but were nonetheless sent earlier. Federal and state police are back to Mexico. The captors snapped photos investigating what happened US authorities say multiple of Ortega and her son and dis- to Mendez, said Ivan Moyle, a factors are considered when de- patched the images to her broth- spokesman for the Tamaulipas termining whether apprehended er, demanding $8,000 for their prosecutor’s offi ce, who declined migrants should be sent back to release, she said. to comment further. Mexico, including whether they “If he didn’t pay, they said Venezuela gold reserves drop The case has dramatised the face persecution or torture. they would turn us over to ‘other systematic fashion of abductions Claims by migrants are docu- people,’” Ortega said, trembling and shakedowns faced by mi- mented, authorities said, but as she recalled the ominous grants and others at an especially fear of being kidnapped does not words. sensitive time — when US au- necessarily disqualify detainees “My brother said it would take by $1bn in fi rst half 2019 thorities have been expelling tens from being sent back to Mexico. him time to raise the money, that of thousands of Central Ameri- “One of our main priorities in he had just arrived, but please cans back to Mexico’s crime- the US Border Patrol is the safety not to do anything to us.” Reuters lowest in 75 years, according to fusing to repatriate the gold due traders not to buy Venezuelan ridden border cities under the and the well-being of the people Ortega and her son were held Caracas bank data. to sanctions. The Bank of Eng- gold, more than 16 tonnes of it Trump administration’s Migrant that we apprehend,” said Jose A for two weeks in a room with Opposition leaders have for land has declined to comment, left bank vaults for unknown Protection Protocols, known in- Martinez, acting assistant chief others, sleeping on the fl oor, re- months accused the government citing internal policy. destinations, according to leg- formally as “Remain in Mexico.” Border Patrol agent in Laredo, ceiving two daily meals — mostly old reserves held by of President Nicolas Maduro of Venezuela’s central bank did islators and offi cials of the Ma- Under the programme, rolled Texas. beans and rice — and spend- Venezuela’s central withdrawing gold to sell abroad not immediately respond to a duro government. out in January in the border cit- The state department has ing much of the time bored and Gbank fell by $1bn in the as US fi nancial sanctions have request for comment. Two government sources in- ies of Tijuana and San Diego — slapped its highest security watching a large fl at-screen TV, fi rst half of 2019, offi cial data crippled oil exports and blocked Last year, Maduro’s govern- dicated that the bank has again and later expanded to other US- alert on Tamaulipas, noting that she said. released showed, amid opposi- it from borrowing abroad. ment began exporting gold pro- started taking gold out of cof- Mexico crossings — more than “armed criminal groups target Her jailers did not physically tion accusations that the gov- The drop corresponds to a duced by informal miners in the fers in August, adding that sol- 37,500 US-bound migrants have public and private passenger harm anyone, she said, but an- ernment is selling the precious decline of 26.36 tonnes of gold southern jungles. The value of diers have been posted at the been returned to Mexico to wait buses as well as private automo- grily called the captives’ rela- metal abroad to raise revenue in from reserves, leaving the bank central bank gold had already bank’s headquarters in the last for US court hearings. biles travelling through Tama- tives in the US daily, insisting on the face of US sanctions. with about 102.40 tonnes. fallen by $1bn in the second half two months in an unusual step- Many intend to seek political ulipas, often taking passengers the payments. The value of the gold bars About one-third of that is of 2018, according to bank re- ping of security. asylum in the US. hostage and demanding ransom Her brother in Atlanta was in central bank vaults fell to held by the Bank of England. serves. The sources did not specify More than 3,000 have been payments.” instructed to deposit the funds $4.62bn, down 18.5% from Ruling Socialist Party offi cials Despite Trump administra- the volume of gold that could dispatched across the Rio Beti Suyapa Ortega, 36, said electronically in fi ve diff erent US $5.67bn at the end of 2018 — the accuse the Bank of England of re- tion sanctions and pressure on leave the bank. Grande to Tamaulipas since the she was unaware of the extent bank accounts, Ortega said. El Chapo’s drug wealth Bolivia fi res destroy ‘heritage’ rock art sites

‘should go to Mexico’ damage could only be made once AFP La Paz the fi res had been quenched. Reuters out in the media, that a lawyer eteering and drug traffi cking Authorities declared the Mexico City says Guzman wants his wealth crimes. town, some 1,300km east of the to be given to Mexico’s indig- Lawyer Gonzalez Meza said ildfi res that have raged capital La Paz, a “departmental enous communities, I think it’s that while Guzman, 62, had nev- across forests and capital of rock art” in May 2017. exico’s president has good,” he said. er admitted to having earned the Wgrassland in eastern Bolivia’s culture ministry said welcomed a proposal “Also, we have started a proc- billions, he was of the view that Bolivia for weeks have destroyed the fi res were endangering the Mto give the alleged for- ess because we want everything whatever money the US authori- rare rock art sites, archaeologists Jesuit Missions of the Chiqui- tune of drug kingpin Joaquin “El that’s confi scated in the US from ties were referring to should be announced. tos, six settlements built by the Chapo” Guzman to the coun- criminals or suspected criminals sent back to Mexico and distrib- “We believe that the dam- Catholic religious order in the try’s indigenous people, and said from Mexico is returned to Mex- uted there. age is big and wide in terms of 17th and 18th centuries that were the wealth of Mexican criminals ico,” he added. “He says, well, if that money our heritage of rock art,” said declared World Heritage Sites by in the US should be returned to Lopez Obrador, a veteran left- exists... that money does not Danilo Drakic, chief archaeolo- Unesco. Mexico. ist who took offi ce in December, belong to the US; it belongs to gist in the eastern Santa Cruz Culture and Tourism Minister Jose Luis Gonzalez Meza, a gave few details on the initiative Mexico,” he said, arguing that department. Wilma Alanoca said the Jesuit lawyer for Guzman, said his cli- beyond saying that his govern- because the cultivation and har- Santa Cruz is home to nu- sites closest to the fi res “have ent had proposed that billions ment would undertake “all nec- vesting of the drugs had taken merous rock art sites, including not yet been aff ected” but are in of dollars in revenue that US essary legal actions” to go after place in Mexico, the proceeds paintings and engravings span- danger. authorities had attributed to his such money in the US due to belonged there. ning several millennia, experts “There is no doubt that there business operations should be Mexicans. Guzman, who is being held say. is an impact on the intangible handed to indigenous communi- The initiative may raise eye- in a maximum security prison Drakic said fi res that have heritage of the area, which will ties in Mexico. brows in the administration of in Colorado, put forward the raged since May had caused sig- have to be evaluated once all heat Speaking at his regular morn- US President Donald Trump, idea during phone calls with his nifi cant damage to rock art sites sources are eradicated, which ing news conference, President who ran for offi ce vowing to mother and sisters in August, near the eastern town of Robore. is a priority for the central gov- Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, close the border to criminals and Gonzalez Meza said. The sites contain engravings ernment,” state media quoted who earlier this year announced drugs from Mexico, and accused “And he asks for President dating from 1500 BC. “A dark Alanoca as saying. the creation of a “Robin Hood” the country of taking advantage Lopez Obrador to allocate (the layer of soot has covered all the Fires have so far destroyed institute to return ill-gotten of the US on trade. money) to the indigenous com- paintings,” said Drakic, citing an 3.2mn acres of forest and grass- wealth to the Mexican people, In July, US authorities sought munities,” he added. initial appraisal of the damage. lands in Bolivia this year, the gave his approval to the idea. a court order requiring Guzman Mexico’s indigenous popula- Bolivian President Evo Morales and French ambassador to Heat from the fi res “has government said last week, “I liked the declaration. I to forfeit $12.7bn made from his tion is among the poorest in the Bolivia Denis Gaillard pose with French firefighters and a Bolivian caused stones to break, even to though environmentalists claim don’t know if it’s true, I can’t drug-running career after his country, and a cause close to national flag upon their arrival in Santa Cruz, Bolivia, to combat collapse.” the true fi gure is much greater. verify it, but if it’s as it came conviction this year for rack- Lopez Obrador’s heart. wildfires south of the Amazon basin. He said a full assessment of the Gulf Times 20 Monday, September 9, 2019 PAKISTAN PM gets tough on bureaucrats

Internews Sources in the cabinet division The notice issued by the Prime tasks got critically delayed and for framing or update of the re- Islamabad said that the government step Minister’s Offi ce on Thursday now laying over due at your end,” cruitment rules; provision of the would save millions of rupees said that various tasks were as- it added. list of positions lying vacant at all under the TADA (Travelling Al- signed to relevant ministries and The red letter ordered the levels that could be re-designat- he federal government is lowance & Dearness Allowance). were to be completed in 30 days, concerned ministries and divi- ed, rationalised or deleted; and, tightening the screw on The circular is part of the aus- with eff ect from August 2, 2019. sion to complete the tasks in all provision of the list of offi cers/ Tbureaucracy as the cabi- terity campaign by the prime “To bring clarity and do away respect by today (September 9), offi cials (all type of ex-cadres) net division issues an order to minister, which would also cur- with any confusion in the matter, well before submission of a re- eligible for the promotion but not the federal and additional sec- tail expenses on government two briefi ng sessions were con- port on compliance to the prime being promoted due to various retaries in-charge, according to tours. vened for the focal persons, i.e. minister. reasons. which, they will not be able to The cabinet division has or- one from the main ministry/divi- The letter warned that it will The ministries and division hold meetings on Mondays and dered strict implementation of sion on July 25, 2019, which was factor into performance report of had also been asked for timely Fridays. its orders. prior to assignment of the tasks, the concerned ministry and divi- disposal of disciplinary proceed- All federal secretaries will have A couple of days back, Prime and another on July 30, 2019, for sion. ings initiated against government to obtain permission from Prime Minister Khan took notice of a the focal persons of the attached “Therefore, all other tasks employees pending for more than Minister Imran Khan before leav- “critical delay” in the completion department. whose timelines are not yet ex- three months, and provision of ing Islamabad, while the addi- of tasks assigned to 28 ministries “Keeping in view signifi cance pired shall specifi cally be looked data on “the prescribed format” tional secretaries would require and divisions, and issued them a of the tasks, a yellow letter (re- into, please,” the letter added. regarding record/fi les to be ar- approval from their ministry or “red letter”, conveying that “no minder) was timely issued [on The tasks assigned under the chived, and machinery, vehicles, division’s additional secretary further extension will be grant- August 17] to intimate that half of prime minister’s directive in- equipment to be condemned and Prime Minister Khan: has taken notice of ‘critical delay’ in the in-charge before leaving the fed- ed in the timeline of the instant the timeline had elapsed Despite cluded provision of the list of disposed of as per approved pro- completion of tasks assigned to 28 ministries and divisions, and is- eral capital. tasks”. the above stated situation, the positions lying vacant at all levels cedure. sued them a ‘red-letter’. Chinese Search on to fi nd evidence of corruption foreign Internews Through the chief minister’s fail through the “Special Mes- what he said was $190bn ille- fi nd concrete evidence against It was reported that aside Islamabad directive, the chairman of the senger” for consideration and gally stashed abroad. the Sharifs. from the prime minister, no one minister Punjab Planning and Develop- submission to Chief Minister’s Sources said that the ASU is The reputable Asghar started in the PTI or PML-Q, the rul- ment Board, the senior mem- Offi ce. now keenly digging out cases his work on merit and ended up ing coalition partners, wanted ne year since coming ber of the provincial Board of The eff ort is to find criminal- against the opposition leaders fi ling most of the cases against Asghar to continue in Punjab meets to power, the Pakistan Revenue, and all administrative ity and corruption in these audit in close co-ordination with the PTI and Pakistan Muslim League because of his success in recov- OTehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) secretaries to the government of irregularities against the Paki- Punjab anti-corruption estab- – Quaid-e-Azam (PML-Q) ering state assets. government is still exploring Punjab were directed to provide stan Muslim League – Nawaz lishment (ACE) and the National leaders. During his tenure as ACE di- premier government fi les to fi nd con- the following information: (PML-N) leaders. Accountability Bureau (NAB). Later, because of his across- rector-general, Husain Asghar crete evidence of corruption, „ Irregularities in depart- An informed source said that The sources confi rmed that the-board accountability, As- booked a PTI member of the kickbacks and commissions, ments pointed out but yet to be the Assets Recovery Unit (ASU), at senior level there is a regular ghar started facing resistance Provincial Assembly (MPA) from Internews particularly against the Sharifs fi nalised and being defended by which was established to bring contact between the ASU and from the provincial political Rawalpindi in a corruption case. Islamabad at the Centre and in Punjab. departments at various fora for back $200bn believed to have the ACE director-general and leadership as well as bureauc- A PML-Q provincial lawmak- According to a recent Pun- the fi nancial years 2008 to 2018; been stashed by Pakistanis in top NAB management. racy for his anti-corruption er from Sargodha and an infl u- jab chief minister’s “Top Prior- and banks abroad, is behind this It is said that the new ACE drive that had led to the recovery ential PTI MP from Attock were hinese State Councilor ity” directive, dated August 2, „ Irregularities pointed out move as the Unit has now fo- management is assigned to fi nd Rs58bn assets in the fi rst four also booked in corruption cases and Foreign Minister all provincial departments were and established up to the level cused its attention on the po- corruption cases against the months of his tenure. by the ACE. CWang Yi called on Prime directed to provide – by August of Public Accounts Committee litical opposition after failing to Sharifs and other PML-N lead- He was promised re-employ- Asghar was also targeting an- Minister Imran Khan yesterday. 9 – information on audit ob- (PAC) for fi nancial years 2008 to achieve its original objective. ers. ment as ACE director-general other government MPA, who Vice-Minister for Foreign Af- jections and irregularities from 2018. No less than Federal Board of Prime Minister Imran Khan after his retirement, but that did was alleged to have been in- fairs Luo Zhaohui, China’s am- 2008 to 2018, the period when The directive also enclosed a Revenue (FBR) chairman Shab- initially appointed Hussain As- not happen, and the prime min- volved in using state land for the bassador to Pakistan Yao Jing, Shehbaz Sharif was chief execu- form to furnish the required in- bar Zaidi has already admit- ghar as the Punjab ACE direc- ister decided to appoint him as benefi t of the housing society and senior Chinese offi cials were tive of the province. formation by August 9 without ted that it is hard to bring home tor-general, instructing him to NAB deputy chairman. that he owned through a proxy. also present at the meeting in Is- lamabad. Offi cials sources said here India’s moon that Foreign Minister Shah Me- hmood Qureshi, Minister for mission ‘a wake-up Planning Makhdoom Khusro call for Pakistan’ Bakhtiar, and senior offi cials were also present. Eminent scientist and former The Chinese delegation also minister for science and met President Dr Arif Alvi. technology Dr Atta-ur-Rehman A day earlier, delegation-level has said that India’s moon talks between Pakistan and Chi- mission was a wake-up call for na were held between offi cials Pakistan, requiring it to follow from the two countries on re- suit. gional and bilateral matters, Speaking to local media, he The two delegations had an pointed out: “The Indian moon in-depth exchange of views on mission cannot be termed a the entire spectrum of bilateral failure, as such tests by even big relations and regional matters, and technologically advanced particularly the current situ- countries also fail.” ation in Indian-administered He said that failures and Kashmir. successes are part of such The two sides also exchanged missions but those who stick to views on the Afghan peace proc- them succeed at last. ess. “Half of such missions Qureshi stated that Pakistan undertaken by even the most is grateful for China’s support in advanced and developed the aftermath of India’s unilat- countries fail and only half eral actions on Indian-adminis- succeed.” tered Kashmir. Rehman said the impression that He stressed that Pakistan Yesterday such missions involved a lot of and China would continue their money is not the right approach, close co-ordination and consul- in Pakistan as such endeavours also have tation to ensure that peace and their impact on defence and stability in the region is main- Above: Security personnel industries. tained. march along with a Shia “Hindustan is doing the right job Minister Wang reaffi rmed Muslim religious procession and we should follow it to reach China’s support and reiterated yesterday on the first the Moon and the Mars. opposition to any unilateral ac- Muslim month of “Our attempt to reach the Moon tion as well as the measures that Muharram in Karachi. should not be driven by our ego could further complicate the to be on an equal footing with situation. Right: Security personnel India, but pursuing such missions Qureshi said that Pakistan will A blind Kashmiri student holds a placard during a protest in and youths watch the Shia will improve many technologies continue to support China on all Islamabad in support of the people of Indian-administered religious procession in which will strengthen our issues of its core interest, in- Kashmir. Karachi yesterday. defence and industries,” Rehman cluding on Taiwan, Tibet, Xin- said. jiang, and Hong Kong. He highlighted that the Chi- na-Pakistan Economic Corri- KP govt recruits 20,000 teachers dor has added a new dimension to bilateral ties and contributed The government in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province has recruited immensely to the revitalisation more than 20,000 teachers to overcome the shortage of teaching of Pakistan’s economy. staff in schools. Top lawyers body urged to He reiterated Pakistan’s com- “We have hired the teachers on an emergency basis to ensure mitment to the timely comple- students have the educational instructors in the new education tion of the projects, especially year,” Adviser to the Chief Minister on Education Ziaullah Bangash those in Gwadar. said yesterday. push for female members Pakistan’s Darling Internews for reserving at least two seats council are elected through the cates enrolled by the council as wins Venice award Islamabad for the female members. votes of elected members of the well as reserving at least two There has never been a wom- provincial and Islamabad Bar seats for female lawyers, one Pakistani short film Darling has won an Supreme Court judge or PBC Councils, who have unfortu- each of the larger provinces – an award at the Venice Film Festival. he Pakistan Bar Council member. nately never trusted any female Punjab and Sindh. Directed by Saim Sadiq, Darling (PBC), the apex regula- “it is a matter of shame that practitioner worthy of repre- “This will ensure diverse pro- was selected as the Best Short Film, Ttory body of lawyers, has ever since its establishment, senting them in this apex regu- fessional representation and international media reported. been asked to demand new leg- there has not been a single fe- latory body,” it added. better political accountability Darling premiered at the Venice islation to ensure two reserved male member elected to serve “The results are obvious: of the elected leadership in the International Film Festival in its new seats for female lawyers as as a member of this the council, regulatory activities and policy PBC.” Orizzonti section, making it Pakistan’s council members. including the late Asma Jahangir statements of the PBC seldom Sheikh mentioned that he first short movie that enthralled the PBC executive member Ra- who was envied as a role model refl ect legitimate concerns and had tried to raise both the issues oldest movie gala’s audience. heel Kamran Sheikh has written not only by a clear majority of needs of the female gender in with the last and the present Alina Khan plays the role of Alina in a letter to the other 22 council the females in this profession the society as well as in the legal federal governments, including Darling, a transgirl actor from Lahore members urging them to de- but also a fair number of male profession, let alone prescribing former prime minister Nawaz who makes her acting debut in the mand that parliament make members of the legal fraternity,” any solution.” Sharif and the incumbent Law film. amendments to the Legal Prac- the letter read. Sheikh also stated that since Minister Dr Farogh Naseem as Last year, another short film by titioners and Bar Councils Act “This is primarily attribut- his election to the council, he well as the top leadership of the Sadiq, Nice Talking To You, won the (LPBCA) 1973 for direct elec- able to the indirect electoral has been persistently voicing for council, but to no avail “for the This picture taken on Saturday shows director Saim Sadiq with Best Director Award at the Columbia tions of the council through system prescribed in the LPBCA the direct election of the PBC reason that perhaps status quo the Orizzonti Award for Best Short Film. University Film Festival. votes of enrolled advocates and 1973 whereby members of the through the votes of the advo- suits them better”. Gulf Times Monday, September 9, 2019 21 PHILIPPINES

Suspected woman Singapore president on Philippine visit suicide bomber killed in explosion

Reuters but for the actions of the troops Manila guarding the detachment, re- gional task force commander Major General Corleto Vinluan woman suspected of be- said in a statement, adding that a ing a suicide bomber was detonator had been found at the Akilled in an explosion near scene. There was no immediate a military detachment in the claim of responsibility but the southern Philippines yesterday, army suspects the Abu Sayyaf but there were no other casual- militant group to be responsible. ties, the army said. The Sulu archipelago is a If confi rmed, the incident stronghold of the Abu Sayyaf, a would be the fourth suicide radical faction that has pledged bombing in the restive southern allegiance to Islamic State. Philippines in 14 months, add- The group is notorious for ing to fears about the depth of piracy and kidnap for ransom. Islamic State’s infl uence in the Yesterday’s incident came a day region. after an explosion at a public The military said troops on market elsewhere in the region guard at the detachment in In- wounded eight people. danan town in Sulu alerted fel- Philippine President Rodrigo low soldiers to take cover when Duterte has vowed to wipe out a woman in religious attire was Abu Sayyaf and has intensifi ed seen acting suspiciously. military operations in its strong- Moments later an explosion holds, though bombings target- occurred. The explosion could ing civilians and military have have caused heavy casualties, continued unabated. Singapore’s President Halimah Yacob (centre left) is welcomed by honour guards as she arrives at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Manila, yesterday. Halimah arrived for a five-day state visit to mark the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Singapore and the Philippines. IS claims responsibility for public market blast

Reuters past year authorities said were Manila suicide bombings by militants Manila moves to junk linked to the Islamic State. Video footage showed Satur- he Islamic State mili- day’s blast occurred in a parking tant group has claimed space for motorcycles. Tresponsibility for an ex- A suspected improvised ex- plosion at a public market in plosive device was placed be- the southern Philippines that side a parked motorcycle, Major Sison’s refugee status wounded at least seven people Arvin Encinas, a regional mili- early on Saturday. tary spokesman, told reporters. By Dempsey Reyes with Defence Secretary Delfi n pines, and I have rights as a The group issued a statement In April, a bombing by sus- Manila Times Lorenzana, Armed Forces chief recognised political refugee late on Saturday saying the mo- pected members of a pro-IS Gen. Benjamin Madrigal Jr and under the Geneva Refugee torcycle bombing had wounded militant group injured at least Philippine National Police chief Convention (1951 Refugee seven Filipino Christians at a 18 people in a restaurant in he Philippine govern- Oscar Albayalde. Convention) and the Euro- public market. Sultan Kudarat in Mindanao ment is seeking to revoke The four of them, he add- pean Convention on Human It was the fourth blast in the region. Mindanao is troubled Tthe political refugee sta- ed, agreed that a joint team of Rights,” Sison explained. area in 13 months, according to by banditry and armed rebel- tus of exiled Communist Party military and police should be Sison again maintained his the Philippine military, which lions that keep large parts of of the Philippines (CPP) found- formed to track down the ac- innocence over the Inopa- said a militant group operat- the region mired in poverty and er Jose Maria “Joma” Sison by cused individuals indicated in can massacre, saying from the ing in the city of Isulan in the instability. Militants operate tapping the European Union the warrant of arrest issued by time it happened, he was al- province of Sultan Kudarat was in the south of the predomi- (EU) for help, Interior Secretary the court. On Friday, the Armed ready placed under maximum among the suspects. nantly Roman Catholic nation Eduardo Ano said yesterday. Forces of the Philippines com- security detention in 1985, The latest blast comes at a country and some are known to The move came as Sison, his mitted to exert its eff orts to have which would have disabled time of heightened tensions in have links with groups abroad, wife Juliet and 36 others were Sison and the others nabbed by him to make orders to the CPP the volatile southern Philip- including Al Qaeda and Islamic ordered arrested by the Ma- co-ordinating with the Inter- and its armed wing, the New pines after three incidents in the State. nila City Regional Trial Court national Police to eff ectively People’s Army (NPA). Branch 32 over an alleged mas- enforce the arrest order on He, however, admitted that sacre in Inopacan, Leyte during those outside the Philippines. there were NPA cadres who the 1980s. No bail was recom- In an interview on Saturday steered into the “wrong line of mended.The communist leader, night over an online radio, Si- militarism” during the time- who is on self-exile with his son said he cannot be arrested line of the massacre, mak- Govt to assist Filipinos wife in Utrecht, The Nether- by Philippine authorities since ing the CPP realise in 1992 to lands, has called the murder Manila and Amsterdam did not “straighten” the wrongdo- charges against him and his co- have an extradition treaty. ings of those rebels over their detained in Iran accused as “fake.” The Philippines only has crimes. Sison blamed Presi- Ano, however, said he already extradition treaties with Aus- dent Rodrigo Duterte for the talked with the EU about the Jose Maria Sison: under scrutiny tralia, Canada, China, Hong arrest order issued against him DPA to the local court,” it added. “The possible revocation of Sison’s Kong, India, Indonesia, Spain, and the others. Manila Embassy is seeking further up- status as political refugee in The Philippines and (for him) to an- ances that they were willing to Thailand, South Korea, Swit- “It’s true that Duterte has dates on the seafarers’ condi- Netherlands, a member-state of swer all his cases. This is a won- assist Manila on its appeal for zerland, the United Kingdom raged against me because I often tion, and stands ready to provide the union. derful development so he can be assistance. and the United States. criticise his wrong policies and he Philippine government assistance when needed.” “We are seeking to revoke the put back to jail,” he added. Ano also said in an inter- “There is no extradition moves. He obviously wants to said yesterday it would Illegal oil and gas oil smug- refugee status of Joma Sison so He said offi cials of the EU view over DZBB radio that he treaty existing between The scare off those who are opposed Tprovide assistance to 12 gling from Iran to other states we can extradite him here to the Embassy in Manila gave assur- already discussed the matter Netherlands and the Philip- to his ideas,” he said. Filipino crew members of a tug- is common in the region. While boat seized by Iran for alleged oil some vessels are caught by the smuggling. Iranian authorities, many get The vessel was carrying more through. than 290,000 litres of gas oil, Iran believes organised gangs according to the head of the are behind the activity and has Senate asked to probe military pension programmes coast guard in the southern Ira- had diffi culty in tracking down nian province of Hormozgan. ring leaders. The Philippines is “Coast guard authorities re- one of the world’s largest pro- By Javier J Ismael In fi ling Senate Resolution 117, Recto was needed to reduce the haemorrhaging ernment fi nances and aff ect retirees and layed (to the Philippine Embassy viders of shipping manpower in Manila Times explained that despite the annual ap- of the budget due to ballooning pension new entrants in the uniformed services. in Tehran) that an investiga- the world. propriations, the government still owed payments. The government appropria- The senator stressed that reforms re- tion is ongoing on the alleged Many of the Filipino sailors retired personnel and their qualifi ed de- tions for military and other uniformed per- quire a more stable institutional frame- oil smuggling of the crew,” the man oil tankers, luxury liners, enate President Pro Tempore Ralph pendents billions of pesos. sonnel pension increased by 225% from work responsive not only to veterans and Department of Foreign Aff airs in as well as passenger and fi sh- Recto has urged the Senate to look Recto said a former Budget and Manage- P26.960bn in 2005 to P87.620bn in 2019. pensioners, but also to the fi scal realities Manila said in a statement. ing vessels worldwide, exposing Sinto the viability of the pension ment chief had raised the question on the Recto added that if the pension reform of the times, the limitation of govern- “Once this has been estab- them to piracy attacks and sea programmes of the military and other sustainability of fi nancing the pension pro- programme was not institutionalised, it ment resources and the needs of the uni- lished, the matter will be referred accidents uniformed personnel. gramme and opined that a drastic reform would jeopardise the sustainability of gov- formed services. Nation’s migrant labour ‘dominated by women’

By William Depasupil estimated 2.3mn overseas con- terparts. According to cause- ment requirement for domestic was changed from Household Manila Times tract workers in diff erent OFW oriented group Lilac Center for work trainees, and to stop the de- Services NC 2 to Domestic Work destination countries. Public Interest (Lilac), the rising ployment of those with knowledge, NC 2. “Tesda’s implementation Of the 2.3mn, female OFWs number of young female work- language and skills defi ciency. The of the Domestic Work NC 2 train- he country’s migrant la- comprised 55.8% of the total. ers in elementary occupations, Lilac Center offi cial said this re- ing regulations has become lax bour has become female- Female OFWs were also gen- many of them were not able to quirement must go hand-in-hand to the point that instead of a full, Tdominated, with women erally younger than male OFWs, fi nish their elementary or high with Tesda’s strict implementa- no nonsense two-week training, workers composing 55.8% of with about half or 47.5% of the school education, had led to tion of training before assessment, many domestic workers now re- the 2.299mn overseas Filipino female OFWs belonging to the 25 abuse and maltreatment. particularly for those who are fi rst- ceive the so-called ‘one-day en- workers (OFWs) deployed last to 34 age group. “The data on women domes- time domestic workers, including hancement training’ package in year, according to a survey by the In comparison, male OFWs in tic workers falling into distress the enforcement of the rule that assessment centres, where they Philippine Statistics Authority this age group made up 38.9%. and becoming victims of abuse is a domestic worker trainee must are given a 100% assurance that (PSA). Male OFWs aged 45 years and alarming, given that Filipino mi- present a training certifi cate before they can receive a National Certif- The same survey showed that older accounted for 21.2% of all Women are seen outside the Ninoy Aquino International Airport grant labour is now steadily being assessment. icate 2 on domestic work the next the number of OFWs in elemen- male OFWs, while their female Terminal 3. feminised,” Nicon Fameronag, Li- The requirement that a trainee day,” the centre said. tary occupations — domestic counterparts in this age group lac president, said. must be a high school graduate The culprit, it pointed out, work and related work — has made up 14.5%. Among occupa- ers (18.8%) and plant and ma- largest groups were plant and He urged the Technical Educa- before he or she can be accepted is the high demand for Filipino risen to 37.1%, with women ac- tion groups, elementary occupa- chine operators and assemblers machine operators, and assem- tion and Skills Development Au- to train as domestic worker was domestic workers that many li- counting for 58.7%. The latest tions (37.1%) were the biggest (13.8%). More than half of the blers at 27.8%. Male migrant thority (Tesda) to restore its train- in the Tesda training regulations censed recruitment agencies take PSA survey was done in 2018, group of OFWs. female OFWs, or 58.7%, were in workers used to dominate the ing regulations for the Domestic before, but was stricken out by advantage of, leading them to but released in 2019. Other large occupation groups elementary occupations. fi eld until 2013, when women Work National Certifi cate (NC) 2, the previous administration when short-circuit the training of their It showed that there was an were the service and sales work- Among the male OFWs, the edged out their male coun- to reinforce the educational attain- the title of the training regulations domestic worker applicants. Gulf Times 22 Monday, September 9, 2019 COMMENT

CHAIRMAN Abdullah bin Khalifa al-Attiyah EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Faisal Abdulhameed al-Mudahka Deputy Managing Editor K T Chacko P.O.Box 2888, Doha, Qatar [email protected] 44350478 (News), 44466404 (Sport), 44466636 (Home delivery) 44350474 facebook.com/gulftimes twitter.com/gulftimes_Qatar GULF TIMES Don’t turn a blind eye to dangers of junk food diet

Parents who urge their children to ‘eat your veggies’ have received a big morale boost in the form of a scientifi c paper titled ‘Blindness caused by a junk food diet,’ published last week in the Annals of Internal Medicine and subsequently went viral on news platforms across the world. Popular media have highlighted the risks for poor cardiovascular health, obesity, and cancer associated with junk food, but the fact that poor nutrition can also permanently damage the nervous system, particularly vision, is not well known. Is US Congress fi nally ready to The gist of the story is that a teen in the UK who has eaten nothing but french fries, potato chips and white bread since elementary school is now blind because of vitamin defi ciencies and malnutrition damage. At 14, pass gun control legislation? the boy was diagnosed with macrocytic anaemia and a vitamin B12 defi ciency and prescribed supplements. He neither stuck with the vitamins nor changed his diet By Lauren Gambino and his condition worsened. The teen resorted to his Washington peculiar diet, which could also be described as an eating disorder, as he would not eat certain textures of food. ongress returns to When he was 15, he began noticing hearing loss, which Washington this week after was followed by vision loss two years later. His vision was a summer recess punctured 20/200, which is enough Cby a string of mass shootings under pressure to confront a uniquely “We hear a lot to qualify as legally blind American problem: how to combat the in the US, and fulfi ls one scourge of gun violence? about how our of the requirements to be Though it has been a quarter of certifi ed as “severely sight a century since Congress passed diet infl uences signifi cant gun control legislation, impaired” in the UK. Democrats and advocacy groups are cardiovascular According to the displaying a fresh sense of resolve as BBC, Dr Denize Atan, major American retailers heed public health, cancer, who treated him at the calls for action in response to the recent wave of mass shootings. dementia, hospital, said: “His diet After weeks of deliberation, Walmart was essentially a portion announced it would stop selling mortality, but not of chips from the local ammunition for military-style assault fi sh and chip shop every rifl es and no longer allow customers to vision” openly carry fi rearms in their stores. day.” He also used to In short order, Kroger, Walgreens, snack on crisps, and sometimes slices of white bread, and Wegmans and CVS said they too would not really any fruit and vegetables. discourage shoppers from openly The condition is called nutritional optic neuropathy, carrying guns in their stores. The response from corporate America and it’s more common in war zones or during times followed back-to-back tragedies in El of famine, according to the US National Centre for Paso and Dayton, Ohio, that left 31 people Activists say it’s time for Washington to step up and stop politicians from lagging behind corporate America when it comes to Biotechnology, than in places where it’s possible to eat dead last month and a shooting in Odessa, gun reforms. fries every day for lunch. The teenager’s rare condition Texas, that left seven people dead. Now, activists say, it’s time for choosing inaction or half-measures would only hold votes on measures purchased and a mandatory buyback makes the case even more puzzling, but it drives home the Washington to step up and stop over real, meaningful legislation,” the Trump was prepared to support. programme for assault weapons. connection between diet and vision, Atan says. politicians from lagging behind Senate minority leader, Chuck Schumer, “If the president took a position on a “Democratic presidential candidates “We hear a lot about how our diet infl uences corporate America when it comes to gun wrote in a letter to members ahead of bill so that we knew we would actually have gone from running away from guns cardiovascular health, cancer, dementia, mortality, but reforms. their return. be making a law and not just having to running on guns,” said Kristin Goss, a “When consumer-facing Tomorrow, the House Speaker, Nancy serial votes,” McConnell said, “I’d be Duke University political scientist who not vision,” says Atan. corporations make moves like this, there Pelosi, will join members of the House happy to put it on the fl oor.” has studied gun control activism. Nutritional optic neuropathy occurs because of is no better statement of the shifting Gun Violence Prevention Task Force at a Yet at the congressional level, Goss said this refl ects the party’s damage to the optic nerve (the nerve that transmits opinion of the American public,” said forum to discuss McConnell’s “inaction lawmakers remain intractably divided changing electoral coalitions. visual signals from the eye to the brain) due to lack of key John Feinblatt, president of Everytown on bipartisan House-passed bills to on how to respond, with Democrats In the 1990s, when working- for Gun Safety. prevent gun violence”. advocating for gun control legislation class, rural voters were still a key vitamins. If that damage remains untreated, it leads to “Congress needs to pass a strong Later next week, the House judiciary and Republicans pointing to mental constituency, the party was bitterly permanent blindness over months or years. Typically, the background check law and a strong red committee will prepare a slate of gun health and violent video games. divided over the issue and preferred to condition occurs when people are lacking in B vitamins fl ag law. Anything less and the mood control bills to be brought to the fl oor This is in stark contrast to the downplay it. like thiamine (B1), niacin (B3), pyridoxine (B6), and of the country will be ‘See you at the for a vote. fl urry of activity taking place in state But now Democrats believe guns could polling booth in 2020.’” The committee will consider a legislatures to loosen or tighten gun be a defi ning issue in 2020, as they make folate (B9), as well as minerals like calcium, magnesium, Everytown released new data on suite of measures that would ban regulations. gains with suburban voters, especially and copper. But Atan explains that the defi ciency must Friday indicating overwhelming support high-capacity magazines, establish a In Texas, a day after the state was college-educated women fearful for their be severe to cause vision problems, which is why the for new stricter gun laws. federal grant programme for states that shaken by its second mass shooting in less children’s safety in school. condition is commonly found during famines or in war The poll found that 95% of Americans implement red fl ag laws, and prohibit than a month, a spate of new laws went “For the fi rst time in more than two nationwide backed universal background fi rearm sales to people convicted of into eff ect loosening restrictions on when decades, we believe that guns could zones. checks and 85% favoured the passage certain misdemeanour hate crimes. and where fi rearms could be carried. be an issue that matters in a real and This case illustrates how severe cases of disordered of so-called “red fl ag” laws, which are Meanwhile, the White House is Mitch McConnell, the Senate majority positive way for Democrats,” said Matt eating can usher in vision loss - though if it’s caught early designed to prohibit individuals from engaged in a conversation with Senators leader, has said he will only bring gun Bennett, executive vice-president for it can be prevented. purchasing fi rearms if they are deemed a Chris Murphy, a Democrat from control legislation to the vote if Donald public aff airs at Third Way, a centrist threat to themselves or others. Connecticut; Pat Toomey, a Republican Trump has indicated he backs it. Democratic think-tank. Well, as the saying goes, too much of anything is not A 61% majority of Americans blamed from Pennsylvania, and Joe Manchin, But there are signs the political But Bennett worries Democrats good, as it has once again been proved by this unusual gun violence on easy access to fi rearms. a Democrat from West Virginia, about battle lines are beginning to shift, even risk alienating voters frustrated with case. “This broad public support shouldn’t expanding background checks. if it remains unlikely that the recent Trump’s presidency if they go too far come as any surprise to lawmakers,” Senators Richard Blumenthal, a activism will produce a swift response with measures like licensing and gun Feinblatt said. Democrat of Connecticut, and Lindsey from Congress. buybacks. “Just look back to November 2018 Graham, a Republican of South Carolina, “There is clearly a desire for Congress “The danger is that we’re moving – if the midterms taught us anything, are also working with the White House to do something – anything – to try to away from ideas that have near- To Advertise it’s that suburban voters resoundingly on legislation that would off er grants to make the situation better,” said Whit universal support among voters to chose pro-gun sense candidates. states that pass “red fl ag” laws. Ayres, a Republican strategist. ones that have closer to 50% support,” [email protected] “They’re ready to vote out politicians It is unclear whether Trump supports “Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle Bennett said. Display who don’t take action to keep them any of these eff orts. seem to agree that red fl ag laws and “Congress hasn’t done anything for safe.” The president has repeatedly shifted background checks are among the least 25 years, so maybe we should start with 44466621 44418811 Congressional Democrats hope positions on the issue, at some points diffi cult of the options on the table.” something that’s universally popular.” to create momentum by ramping up expressing support for tightening On the 2020 campaign trail, But many advocates believe the Classified pressure on the Republican Senate background checks only to later Democratic hopefuls are going much moment for bold reform is now. 44466609 44418811 leader, Mitch McConnell, to allow a backtrack and insist current laws are further. “The centre has shifted on this issue,” vote on legislation passed by the House suffi cient. They have almost uniformly said Igor Volsky, executive director and Subscription earlier this year that would strengthen Where Trump lands on the proposals embraced bans on assault-style founder of Guns Down America, which and expand background checks. under consideration will determine the weapons and high-capacity organises for “a future with fewer guns”. [email protected] “President Trump and Senate success of the latest push for gun reform ammunition magazines while some “The approach we’re seeing now Republicans have failed to act on the in Congress. candidates have introduced ambitious refl ects the political reality and the issue of gun violence, bowing repeatedly McConnell told the Hugh Hewitt proposals such as licensing for gun political environment that we’re living © 2019 Gulf Times. All rights reserved to the NRA and the hard right by radio show earlier this week that he owners, registration for all guns in.” - Guardian News and Media Gulf Times Monday, September 9, 2019 23 COMMENT Importance of professional development in education

he notion that a degree or doctorate alone is suffi cient to secure a career as a teacher became obsolete decades Tago. Across the globe, as technology evolved and access to information increased, educators discovered that in order to equip students with the skills necessary to succeed in a rapidly evolving society, they needed to keep up with the latest developments in their respective fi elds. In Qatar, the situation is no diff erent; in fact, for most university faculty and schoolteachers across the country, seminars, workshops, and conferences aimed at professional and personal development are a regular feature in their annual calendar. And, Qatar Foundation (QF), recognising the pivotal role that teachers and faculty play in transforming children and young adults into capable leaders, encourages them to avail themselves of every opportunity for professional development. For Dr Marc Owen Jones, Assistant Professor in Middle East Studies and Digital Humanities, Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU) - a member of QF - and Lulwa Salman J al- Darwish, an educator at Renad Academy - part of QF’s Pre-University Education - exploring professional development opportunities are central to their careers. Dr Jones, who has been in the teaching For most university faculty and schoolteachers across the country, seminars, workshops and conferences aimed at Dr Jones says academics are credible representatives of the capabilities profession for over a decade, views such events professional and personal development are a regular feature in their annual calendar. of a country. as key to ensuring that those who instruct students are exposed to the cutting edge of attend high-level conferences, they are “Last year, when I went to Istanbul, Turkey, As an educator at Renad Academy – a being developed and implemented every day, their relevant fi eld of expertise. demonstrating to the world that Qatar is a for a talk on ‘disinformation’, I connected specialist QF school that helps children who based on the collective experiences of so many “Conferences, workshops, and networking serious contender in the fi eld of education,” he students interested in writing about fake news have been diagnosed with mild to moderate hard-working and dedicated professionals,” opportunities are the lifeblood of academia, explains. with faculty there,” he says. Autism Spectrum Disorder – Lulwa al-Darwish al-Darwish explains. creativity, and knowledge production,” he says. “This is especially relevant if Qatar wishes “Another student of mine is working with faces challenges every day as she works to Today, teachers across the globe need to “Such opportunities – aside from advancing to build a sustainable economy; its knowledge yet another researcher I connected with at the improve the lives of her students, with the juggle an array of outside factors that include one’s knowledge – provide an emotional producers must be seen to be visible in the same conference; together, they are currently aim of enabling them and their families to live digitisation, technology, academics, counselling, impetus too: they humanise academia, global networks of cutting-edge research and conducting research into verifi ed accounts on fulfi lling lives as an integral part of the wider extra-curricular activities – and a generation giving attending teachers the motivation and learning. Additionally, the high standards and social media. Qatari society. of students who, contrary to their parents and inspiration to continue important research back expertise of such faculty also serve to attract “Likewise, a senior academic who I met at To al-Darwish professional development grandparents, do not wholly rely on their teachers in their universities and schools.” and encourage researchers and educators from another conference contacted me to help him edit is an on-going requirement and not only due for either academic or pastoral support. According to Dr Jones, academics are credible other countries, to consider investing their a book. As I was busy, I recommended one of our to pedagogical methods constantly evolving Insofar as she can, al-Darwish sees her future representatives of the capabilities of a country; time and funding in Qatar. research MA students to him. My suggestion was within her specialised fi eld. as being one where, “My continuing personal when they meet other faculty at important and Dr Jones also points out how the conferences accepted and today the student is collaborating “The importance of ensuring the currency development allows me to deliver the very best infl uential institutions, they create strong ties he attends result in him providing new with a number of professors at the University of of my skills is brought home to me every day for my children, and to ultimately get to a place of soft but informed power that can infl uence readings, new ideas, and new contacts for Cologne, Germany. So, it’s a cycle where everyone when I realise that education is a dynamic where I can contribute to training the next global policymakers. students at HBKU – all of which arise from his – teachers, students, the institution, and the and fl uid fi eld - constantly evolving - where generation of Qatari teachers to the same high “When university faculty or schoolteachers meetings with faculty from other universities. country – reap the benefi ts.” new approaches, protocols, and ideas are quality I have received.” E-bike grumbles echo in the Bavarian Alps Three-day forecast

TODAY AFP nature should be powered by muesli worked your muscles, you have to be In Lenggries, a town of 9,000 bars, not the electricity grid, and exhausted. residents, an hour’s drive south of the Maximum Temperature : 410c Lenggries, Germany Minimum Temperature : 340c regard the assisted cycling boom as “Electric mountain bikes make this city of Munich, the Werners opened a another hi-tech intrusion into the notion of eff ort disappear,” added the bicycle rental shop a few months ago TUESDAY obert Werner and his wife great outdoors. hobby sportsman, a fan of walking and next door to the hotel that they run - Maximum Temperature : 400c Ursula usually make time to The presence of e-bikes on Alpine traditional cycling. off ering, of course, e-bikes. Minimum Temperature : 310c say a friendly hello to hikers trails and mountain paths has become Despite similar criticisms from “The demand is huge and the WEDNESDAY as they ride their gently a subject of controversy. other outdoor purists, more and more customers very diverse,” says Robert. Maximum Temperature : 390c R Minimum Temperature : 310c whirring e-bikes up trails in the Complaints by hikers have appeared people in Germany and elsewhere are “Everyone wants to try.” Bavarian Alps. in the German media often accusing using electric mountain bikes to reach Lenggries now off ers three charging Fisherman's forecast But more often than not, their e-bike enthusiasts of whizzing up summits. stations for e-bike batteries. greetings are met with frowns. and down the paths, posing a risk In 2018, Germans bought nearly In a bid to reduce confl ict with WARNING “The fi rst thing they look at when of collision, while others point to 1mn e-bikes, a quarter of them hikers, some Bavarian municipalities Inshore : Strong wind expected they see us are our bikes,” says hotelier environmental concerns. mountain bikes, according to a are considering setting up areas at some places by Robert, 46, of his electric-powered “Electric bicycles allow more people report by Germany’s bicycle industry reserved for cyclists - both e-bikes afternoon Offshore : Expected strong wind bicycle. to access the paths,” including those association, ZIV. and normal mountain bikes. with high sea “If we have an engine, they respect that previously saw little use, said German bike manufacturers such But Robert voices doubts: “How WEATHER us less.” Friedl Kroenauer, 59, of environmental as Haibike, Cube or Prophete, as well would that be regulated? It would be Inshore : Hot daytime with slight impossible.” dust to blowing dust at While the Werners are convinced group BUND Naturschutz. as motor and battery producer Bosch, places at times & some of the virtues of e-bikes which have “This causes soil erosion, for have enjoyed the boom. “It’s just a matter of sharing the clouds pedals but also an electric motor that example.” For Kroenauer, who has “The bicycle industry, and in mountain better by following a few Offshore : Slight dust with some can assist the rider’s pedal power, a breathtaking view of Germany’s particular the electric bicycle rules for living together,” he says, clouds WIND others are less enthusiastic about the highest peaks from his offi ce, those industry, is extremely important for suggesting that hikers always be given Inshore : Northwesterly 10-20/24 new revolution in cycling. who scale the region’s mountains on Germany,” said David Eisenberger, priority over cyclists. KT On their e-bikes, the couple powers e-bikes are cheating themselves. communications manager for the ZIV A similar debate emerged decades Offshore : Northwesterly 10-20/24 KT up the 800m ascent to the summit of “Getting to the top of a mountain association. ago when conventional mountain Visibility : 4-8/3 KM Herzogstand mountain in half-an- is something you have to earn,” he “It creates thousands of jobs - bikes fi rst appeared in the Alps, he Offshore : 3-6/8 FT hour - without breaking a sweat. insisted. directly and indirectly, in tourism for recalls, adding, with a shrug: “Today Many purists believe exploits into “You have to feel that you have example.” no one complains anymore.” Around the region Weather Weather today Max/min tomorrow Max/min Baghdad Sunny 42/31 Sunny 40/31 Kuwait City Sunny 43/29 Sunny 43/29 Live issues Manama Sunny 39/33 Cloudy 39/32 Muscat M Sunny 34/28 Sunny 34/28 Learn Hula dance to lower blood pressure Tehran Sunny 29/18 Sunny 28/19

IANS “The participants said the Hula was New York fun and helped meet their spiritual and cultural needs,” Kaholokula said in preliminary research presented at ot just daily walk or the American Heart Association’s controlling salt in your diet, Hypertension 2019 Scientifi c Sessions. learning some Hula dance Although the study was conducted Nsteps can also help you in Native Hawaiians, results may also lower blood pressure, researchers say. apply to other groups. Native Hawaiians who participated These results reinforce the idea that in a blood pressure-lowering for most people, “the best physical Around the world programme incorporating their activity for your health is one that Weather Weather cultural dance of Hula lowered their makes you breathe a little faster and today Max/min tomorrow Max/min blood pressure more than those who gets your heart beating a little faster”. Athens Sunny 32/21 M Sunny 32/21 received standard education on diet Whether that’s dancing, biking, Beirut M Sunny 29/26 M Sunny 29/26 and exercise. swimming, surfi ng, or hiking, the key Bangkok T Storm 32/27 T Storm 31/26 “Despite treating hypertension, is to move more and more often. Berlin Rain 17/12 S Showers 19/08 many Native Hawaiians have diffi culty “Being active with friends and Cairo Sunny 35/23 Sunny 35/23 controlling their high blood pressure, family can help sustain the healthy fun Cape Town P Cloudy 21/13 P Cloudy 21/13 which increases their risk for coronary over time,” said David Goff , director Colombo M Cloudy 29/27 S T Storms 29/26 heart disease and stroke,” said of the Division of Cardiovascular Dhaka T Storm 32/27 T Storm 32/27 Keawe’aimoku Kaholokula, professor Sciences at the National Heart, Lung, Hong Kong M Sunny 29/26 M Sunny 29/26 and chair of the department of Native Researchers say Hula dance steps can help lower blood pressure. and Blood Institute. Istanbul P Cloudy 27/20 P Cloudy 27/21 Hawaiian health at the University of (Photo via goodfreephotos.com) While the physical benefi ts of Jakarta Sunny 33/24 Sunny 35/23 Hawaii in Honolulu. dancing Hula are clear, other positive Karachi P Cloudy 34/28 M Sunny 34/28 Hula is a Polynesian dance form blood pressure of 130 mmHg or higher were more likely to have lowered their impacts include creating family-like London Rain 14/10 P Cloudy 20/12 accompanied by chant or song. and also had Type 2 diabetes. blood pressure to under 130/80 mmHg social support and increasing self- Manila T Storm 29/26 T Storm 29/26 It was developed in the Hawaiian Participants attended one-hour - the current target for blood pressure confi dence and acceptance of others. Moscow P Cloudy 23/12 P Cloudy 23/12 Islands by the Polynesians who group Hula classes twice a week for treatment for patients without diabetes. Other similar cultural activities, New Delhi P Cloudy 37/28 P Cloudy 38/28 originally settled there. three months, followed by one monthly They also lowered their systolic especially those that include New York P Cloudy 23/18 P Cloudy 24/19 To reach the conclusion, the lesson for three additional months with blood pressure more than 10 mmHg, physical activity that meets national Paris Cloudy 21/11 M Sunny 23/09 researchers recruited more than 250 self-directed practice, as well as group an amount that signifi cantly reduces guidelines,and social and cultural Sao Paulo Sunny 32/18 M Sunny 33/19 Native Hawaiians (average age 58 activities to reinforce hypertension the risk of heart attack, stroke and activities that engage and empower Seoul Cloudy 28/22 T Storm 26/22 years, 80% female) who, although education and healthy behaviours. heart failure. people to make behavioural changes, Singapore M Sunny 33/27 I T Storms 32/27 under medical treatment, still had a After six months, researchers found They were able to sustain their could be used in a similar fashion in Sydney Cloudy 16/09 Cloudy 16/08 systolic (top number) blood pressure of that compared with people in the improvements in blood pressure at other indigenous groups,” Kaholokula Tokyo Rain 36/26 Clear 33/27 140 mmHg or higher or had a systolic control group, those who did Hula one-year follow-up. added. Gulf Times 24 Monday, September 9, 2019 QATAR

Amir meets Angolan president, holds official talks Signing of agreements

His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani and Angola President Joao Manuel Lourenco witness the signing of a memorandum of understanding and agreements between Qatar and Angola at the Amiri Diwan yesterday.

His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani and Angola President Joao Manuel Lourenco held off icial talks at the Amiri Diwan yesterday. During the meeting they discussed bilateral relations and ways of enhancing them in various fields, especially in energy, investment, and air and maritime transport. Also, the two sides discussed several issues of common concern. A number of their excellencies ministers and the members of the off icial delegation accompanying the president attended the talks. President Joao Manuel Lourenco arrived at the Amiri Diwan earlier, where he was accorded an off icial reception ceremony. His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani and President Joao Manuel Lourenco witnessed the signing of a number of agreements and a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the two countries and also a luncheon banquet in honour of President Joao Manuel Lourenco and his accompanying delegation was hosted at the Amiri Diwan yesterday.

PM meets Angolan president

HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa al-Thani met yesterday with Angola President Joao Manuel Lourenco, on the occasion of his visit to the country. During the meeting, they discussed the development of co-operation between the two countries and ways of strengthening it in various fields, in addition to a number of issues of common concern.

Qatar, Angola look Angola president visits QF to strong relations, robust economic partnerships

QNA Angola is one of the fastest-growing and in the past few years has reg- Doha istered an average annual GDP economies in the world, and in the past growth rate of more than 11%, the few years has registered an average oil sector accounts for more than atar and Angola hold 50% of GDP, more than 90% of Qatar Foundation (QF) yesterday welcomed the President of Angola, Joao Manuel Lourenco, to promising relations, GDP growth rate of more than 11% export earnings and 80% of gov- Education City. During the visit, Lourenco and his delegation, accompanied by Dr Ahmad M Hasnah, Qmarked by the visit of ernment revenue. President of Hamad Bin Khalifa University – a member of QF – received an overview of Education Angola President Joao Lourenco which plunged into civil war after country’s economy to the inter- Angola was once a source of City, learning about QF’s various education, science and research, and community development to Doha. The talks of His High- its independence in 1975, lasted national business community, food for the African continent and initiatives. The group also visited the open-air viewing platform on the eighth floor of the 2015 ness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin 27 years until 2002. It is Africa’s providing the best conditions is now returning to that role. Ba- building (QF Headquarters). Hamad al-Thani with the Presi- longest-running military con- for foreign investors and qualify nanas are considered green gold dent Lourenco touched on bilat- fl ict, devastating the country, the country to compete globally. in that country for its commercial eral relations and ways to boost claiming countless lives and dis- The establishment of businesses value and large revenues. The gov- and develop them as well as sev- placing millions. in Angola has become easier for ernment of President Joao Manuel eral issues of common interest. Today, Angola is an African investors thanks to modern laws, Lourenco looks forward to the Qatar is keen to develop its success story and an example especially the new government success of the ongoing economic relations with various countries of how a war-torn nation is re- investment law, which does not and political reforms because it Angola seeking Qatari investments around the world. The visit of building itself through peace. require international investors to will turn the country into one of President Joao Lourenco will Angola has a thriving and prom- obtain an Angolan partner. Africa’s most successful economic establish a new and important ising economy in various sectors, Foreign companies are also al- experiences and a major invest- QNA dustry as having very attractive For his part, Second Vice phase in the bilateral relations with growing diplomatic rela- lowed to repatriate their profi ts ment destination because of its Doha investment opportunities. Chairman of Qatar Chamber between both countries. It is also tions at the regional and interna- and their workers back home and oil reserves, which are among the He also praised bilateral ties Rahsid al-Athaba expressed hope expected to outline the prospects tional levels, and is characterised analysts agree that these policies most promising in the world. with Qatar, noting that the latter that the meeting will be the be- for co-operation and economic by signifi cant natural resources. mean Angola is on track to attract Angola qualifi es it to take its resident of Angola Joao is not just an important country ginning for developing bilateral partnerships that serve the inter- It is the second-largest oil ex- more foreign investment. Trans- place on the map of international Manuel Lourenco reviewed in the Middle-East region, but in ties. ests of the two friendly countries porter and diamond exporter in formations and changes in An- tourism, where it is located at Pyesterday the investment the entire world. He praised the He noted that despite the and peoples in various fi elds. sub-Saharan Africa. gola since the end of the war are the crossroads of the main cruise opportunities in his country and development the country is see- strong relations between the two Angola, located on the west The country has huge mineral described as tremendous. ships to the cities of Durban and the benefi t it provides to foreign ing at the social and economic countries, their trade volume is coast of Africa from the south- reserves and hydropower poten- Industries such as cotton and Cape Town, with 1,600km from investors. fi elds for the welfare of its peo- still weak and doesn’t meet as- ern tip of the continent, covers tial, and vast areas of rich agricul- coff ee have been revived and old the coasts of the Atlantic Ocean. During a meeting held yester- ple. pirations of both sides, point- an area of 1,247,000sq km with a tural land. Under the leadership copper, iron, and gold mines have This territory includes a network day with a number of business- He also noted that the An- ing out that the private sector of population of nearly 30mn. Por- of President Joao Lourenco, who been reopened for exploration, of rivers and one of the highest men from Qatar Chamber, he gola delegation comprises many the two countries should work tuguese is the offi cial language of took offi ce in September 2017, and foreign investors are fl ock- waterfalls in Africa, a vast desert called on them to invest in his ministers, offi cials and private together to help develop their the country, which has more than the nation began writing a new ing into Angola through Luanda extending across the border to country and benefi t from the op- sector representatives, stressing trade. 20 local languages. chapter in its history, implement- Quatro de Fevereiro Internation- neighbouring Namibia and the portunities it off ers in various that his visit saw holding many The meeting touched on ways Luanda is its capital and the ing a series of structural political, al Airport, which receives new oldest desert on earth, as well as sectors in light of the attractive successful meetings with Qatari of enhancing trade relations be- largest city, and is one of the economic and social reforms and fl ights from around the world. oases of freshwater and it is home investment climate it off ers. offi cials and witnessed signing tween both countries and invest- most expensive in the world be- providing economic incentives. Angola is one of the fastest- to a variety of birds, plants and He highlighted in particular many agreements for enhancing ment opportunities available in cause of the oil boom. Angola, These reforms aim to open the growing economies in the world, rare species. tourism, infrastructure, and in- co-operation ties. Angola.