BUSINESS | Page 1 SPORT | Page 1 Hamilton wins Formula INDEX DOW JONES QE NYMEX QATAR 2-7, 24 COMMENT 22, 23 One REGION 8 BUSINESS 1-7, 14-16 Ooredoo Group posts 23,372.00 8,134.46 53.90 ARAB WORLD 9 CLASSIFIED 8-13 +23.00 +6.21 +1.26 INTERNATIONAL 10-21 SPORTS 1-8 net profi t of QR1.6bn world title +0.10% +0.08% +2.39% Latest Figures published in QATAR since 1978

MONDAY Vol. XXXVIII No. 10622 October 30, 2017 Safar 10, 1439 AH

GULF TIMES www. gulf-times.com 2 Riyals South American In brief football chief

QATAR | Offi cial Emir issues new law ‘fully’ supports on food control His Highness the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani issued yesterday Law No 20 of 2017 amending some Qatar FIFA 2022 provisions of Law No 8 of 1990 on the regulation of human food control. Under the amendment, the closure of QNA a violating shop shall be complete if its Doha condition does not allow the closure of the part where the violation took place. The violator shall be required to pay he South American Football the closing costs. A sign is to be placed Confederation (CONMEBOL) on the shop’s front reading: “Closed TPresident Alejandro Dominguez for violation of the law regulating the confi rmed his full support for Qatar in control of human food”. The closure hosting the 2022 FIFA World Cup. decision is to be published on the This came during his meeting yes- website of the issuing agency and in HE the Minister of Municipality and Environment Mohamed bin Abdullah al-Rumaihi, HE the Minister of Energy and Industry terday with Qatar Football Association two local newspapers that are widely Dr Mohamed bin Saleh al-Sada, Qatar Foundation vice chairperson and CEO HE Sheikha Hind bint Hamad al-Thani, Al-Attiyah (QFA) President HE Sheikh Hamad bin circulated at the violator’s expense. International Foundation for Energy and Sustainable Development chairman HE Abdullah bin Hamad al-Attiyah, Kahramaa Khalifa bin Ahmed al-Thani. The law stipulates that it shall be president Essa bin Hilal al-Kuwari, QGBC chairman Issa bin Mohamed al-Mohannadi, director Meshal al-Shamari and other The meeting dealt with ways to implemented and published in the off icials are seen visiting the exhibition stalls at the QGBC conference yesterday. (supplied picture) strengthen relations between QFA and Off icial Gazette. CONMEBOL. Dominguez expressed his pleasure Alejandro Dominguez QATAR | Reaction to visit Qatar, which is part of future plans for the development of interna- general Fatma Samoura has said, ex- Qatar condemns Israel’s tional football. He pointed out that the pressing confi dence that the current new settlement move relationship between QFA and CON- geopolitical situation in the region will Qatar condemned yesterday the Israeli MEBOL is progressing according to the be resolved by then. government’s decision to establish vision through which both parties seek In an exclusive interview with the a new settlement unit in the area of New energy use to develop football at all levels. Supreme Committee for Delivery & Qalandia Airport, in the northwest Dominguez said that the results of Legacy website (www.sc.qa), Samoura of occupied Jerusalem. The Foreign this cooperation will be visible in the spoke about Qatar’s preparations for Ministry said in a statement that the near future at all CONMEBOL associa- the 2022 FIFA World Cup and the re- step is a violation of the rights of tions. gional geopolitical situation, while the Palestinian people to establish The CONMEBOL president was also also praising the ‘spectacular’ progress their independent state on the 1967 briefed on Qatar’s latest preparations made on workers’ welfare. borders with Jerusalem as its capital. rules for home for the World Cup, where he witnessed The Senegalese former United Na- The implementation of the decision the models that simulate the stadi- tions offi cial also pointed out that Qa- would undermine international eff orts ums, facilities and grounds of the 2022 tar 2022 could help inspire future bid- for the two-state solution, it said. The World Cup and listened to a detailed ders for the world’s greatest football statement called on the international explanation of all the projects related to tournament to place a key focus on community to assume their the World Cup and various initiatives legacy planning. responsibility towards Israel by ending launched by the Supreme Committee “I think that in terms of infrastruc- its settlement policy in occupied appliances soon for Delivery & Legacy (SC). ture, the projects are really unfolding Palestinian territories. During his visit to the Aspire Acad- as planned. One of the main stadiums emy, the President of CONMEBOL at Khalifa International Stadium was QATAR | Banking By Joseph Varghese Green Building Council (QGBC). been reduced by 20% in 2016 and we expressed his admiration for the giant inaugurated in May, and from the visits Staff reporter Al-Kuwari also took part in a panel aim to reach 35% reduction by 2022.” edifi ce, which is one of the most prom- we are undertaking, and the meetings 90-day grace period discussion at the opening session of Taking part in the panel discussion, inent academies and sports centres in with the local organising committee for bank transactions Qatar Green Building Conference 2017. HE al-Attiyah highlighted the global the world. (LOC), we have no reason to doubt that lose on the heels of implement- Dignitaries at the event included HE sustainability eff orts and how Qatar is Dominguez also visited Aspetar and it will be a fantastic event,” she said in Residents with expired Qatar IDs can ing a new regulation for energy the Minister of Municipality and En- moving forward in its sustainable ef- the centre of the National Clubs which reply to a query on how satisfi ed FIFA continue to transact business with Ceffi cient air conditioners, Qatar vironment Mohamed bin Abdullah al- forts. will be opened soon. is with the progress on the ground, now financial institutions in Qatar for 90 will introduce new directives in 2018 to Rumaihi, HE the Minister of Energy “Sustainable development is very The 2022 World Cup in Qatar will that kick-off for Qatar 2022 is just over days after the expiry date of their regulate several other household appli- and Industry Dr Mohamed bin Saleh important for the progress of the coun- be a “fantastic event”, FIFA secretary- fi ve years away. residence permits, according to a new ances, a top offi cial has disclosed. al-Sada, Qatar Foundation (QF) vice try and every person has to fi nd ways policy issued recently by Qatar Central “Many appliances such as wash- chairperson and CEO HE Sheikha Hind for sustainable development. We also Bank (QCB). The QCB policy applies ing machine, dish washer, fl ush tanks bint Hamad al-Thani, Al-Attiyah In- have to seek new ways of sustainable Community College of Qatar to be reorganised to all banks and exchange houses in and other household appliances will ternational Foundation for Energy and energy and renewable energy such as Qatar, and institutions licensed by be brought under the new regulation,” Sustainable Development chairman HE solar energy,” he said. His Highness the Emir Sheikh Tamim and introduce new specialities that the QCB to transact exchange works, Kahramaa president Essa bin Hilal al- Abdullah bin Hamad al-Attiyah, and Other panellists at the session bin Hamad al-Thani yesterday issued serve the labour market. money transfer and related activities. Kuwari told Gulf Times yesterday. QGBC chairman Issa bin Mohamed al- were QGBC chairman al-Mohannadi, Emiri Decision No 19 of 2017 on The Emiri Decision introduced the CCQ, QCB said the new procedure aims “All the formalities have been com- Mohannadi. Msheireb Properties CEO Abdulla al- reorganising the Community College of with its headquarters in Doha, as an to ease the banking transactions pleted to introduce a new law in this According to al-Kuwari, per capita Mehshadi, and Tadmur Holding Group Qatar (CCQ). independent academic institution for of expatriates in the country and regard and it is only a matter of proce- electricity consumption in 2016 has CEO Dafer Mustafa Hallawa. The ses- The Emiri Decision aims to bring the university, academic, technical and guarantee sound financial dealings. dures to be fi nalised,” he explained on been reduced by 18%. “We are targeting sion was moderated by QGBC member CCQ on par with the other higher applied education, and as a legal entity In addition, the policy would ease the sidelines of the Qatar Green Build- to reduce it by 25% by 2022. Similarly, and Arab Engineering Bureau GCEO educational institutions in the country. with a budget annexed to the general procedures of financial institutions in ing Conference, organised by Qatar the per capita water consumption has Ibrahim Mohamed Jaidah. Page 24 The CCQ will grant bachelor’s degree budget of the State. Page 2 the country. Page 7

ARAB WORLD | Politics Barzani to step down as Kurdish leader in Iraq National Day celebrations to refl ect spirit of solidarity, unity Massud Barzani, the president of Iraq’s autonomous Kurdish region, told a closed-door session of the By Ayman Adly immense focus on creativity and enhancing local regional parliament yesterday he Staff Reporter heritage and history themes. was stepping down amid the fallout “Some events companies at the start suggested from a controversial independence a motto such “I am Qatari and I am proud” but we referendum. Page 9 nder the motto ‘Promise of Prosperity and never favoured such approaches because it may Glory’, this year’s National Day celebra- exclude others, which has never been the case in Utions will be held on December 18 with Qatar, where all the inhabitants from all nation- events starting on December 9 for 10 days in Darb alities take part side by side in developing the Al Saai and other venues around the country. country they consider their beloved homeland,” HE the Minister of Culture and Sports Salah stressed HE al-Ali. bin Ghanem bin Nasser al-Ali unveiled yesterday He pointed out that creativity, inspiration, at Qatar National Theater the motto which has participation and transparency are the values been taken from a quote of His Highness the Emir which the National Day Celebrations Organis- Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani. ing Committee want to convey and emphasise as The minister stressed that the National Day’s part of this occasion. Besides, the National Day celebrations this year come in very special cir- should infl uence the young generations to con- cumstances and would refl ect the solidarity and tinue adopting the deeply rooted values of the unity experienced throughout the country dur- Qatari society, introducing them to the great and ing the time of the crisis, where both Qataris and bright lessons of the past generations who over- expatriates showed steadfast support to Qatar and come more diffi cult times to make the country its leadership. what it is now. The ongoing blockade imposed on Qatar by The minister, however, emphasised that the or- Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain and Egypt, would ganising committee is open to new ideas and sug- give this year’s celebrations special fl avour as the gestions. “The celebrations are not meant to daz- minister considered that over the past months of zle people and create magnifi cent scenes through the siege, Qataris and expatriates became more various technical eff ects and theatrical perform- united and attached to this good land. HE the Minister of Culture and Sports Salah bin Ghanem bin Nasser al-Ali announces the details of this ances but rather aimed at displaying the national He pointed out that since fi rst starting the cel- year’s National Day celebrations as organising committee member and general supervisor Hassan bin identity and refl ecting the diversity of the coun- ebration of the National Day, there has been an Rashid al-Ajami looks on yesterday. try’s people.” Gulf Times 2 Monday, October 30, 2017 QATAR

Emir issues Port market planned decrees Community College His Highness the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani yesterday issued the following decrees: 1. Decree No 78 of 2017, ratifying a to be reorganised Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in the field of culture between the governments of QNA general budget of the State. of the public and private sectors. Qatar and Azerbaijan, signed in Doha Other branches of the college A board of trustees will man- Doha on 08/02/2017. may be established with a deci- age the college. It will comprise 2. Decree No 79 of 2017, sion from the board of trustees of a head, a deputy head who ratifying a Memorandum of is Highness the Emir and based on a recommendation shall replace the head in his ab- Understanding on co-operation Sheikh Tamim bin Ha- from the college’s president. sence or in case of a vacancy, not in the field of youth and sports Hmad al-Thani yesterday The CCQ aims to prepare less than fi ve or more than seven between the governments of issued Emiri Decision No 19 of technically specialised person- members. Qatar and Azerbaijan, signed in 2017 on reorganising the Com- nel that are academically and A decision by the Prime Min- Doha on 08/02/2017. munity College of Qatar (CCQ). scientifi cally trained in special- ister shall be issued upon the 3. Decree No 80 of 2017, ratifying The Emiri Decision aims to ties that meet the society and the proposal of the Minister of Edu- an agreement of co-operation bring the CCQ on par with the labour market’s needs. cation and Higher Education for in the fields of Standardisation, other higher educational insti- The college also aims to pre- assigning the members and their metrology, certification and tutions in the country. The CCQ pare its graduates with associate salaries. accreditation between the will grant bachelor’s degree and diploma degrees to be qualifi ed The college will have a presi- governments of Qatar and introduce new specialties that to undertake bachelor’s degree dent, board of academic staff Turkmenistan signed in Doha on serve the labour market. at the college or at diff erent members, an academic council 15/3/2017. The Emiri Decision introduced universities, as well as prepare headed by the dean of the college, Ruwais Port, which acts as Qatar’s northern trade gateway, has been witnessing a lot of 4. Decree No 81 of 2017 approving the CCQ, with its headquarters graduates with bachelor’s de- assistant deans, members, heads activity and ship movements, Qatar Ports Management Company (Mwani Qatar) has said. Early the amended protocol to the in Doha, as an independent aca- grees to enter the labour market. of departments and programmes this month, Mwani Qatar had announced that a ‘port market’ would be opened at Ruwais Port. Marrakesh Agreement for the demic institution for university, The college also aims to in- of the faculty and a number of The market will serve as a facility from where one can buy a “wide range of international products Establishment of the World academic, technical and applied troduce continuing education professors, as well as student from commercial ships calling on the port”. Picture courtesy of Mwani Qatar Twitter page. Trade Organisation and its Annex education, and as a legal entity programmes and applied pro- representatives chosen according (Trade Facilitation Agreement), with a budget annexed to the grammes depending on the needs to the rules of the college. which is annexed to this decree and has the force of law in accordance with Article 68 of the Constitution. 5. Decree No 82 of 2017 ratifying the Air service agreement Qatar granted full membership of QFCA event to highlight between the governments of Qatar and Burkina Faso, signed in Doha on 22/03/2016. ‘Global Public Diplomacy Network’ 6. Decree No 83 of 2017 ratifying women’s role in business an MoU between Qatar Central Bank and Bangladesh central atar has been granted tries received Associate Mem- public and cultural institutions bank, signed in Doha on the full membership of bership. of nine countries (Philippines, he Qatar Financial Centre up to the day, with the QFC also chairperson, Trio Investment; 08/05/2017. QGlobal Public Diplomacy Katara took part in the confer- Sweden, Korea, Taiwan, Niger- Authority (QFCA) will to- taking part, a QFC spokesman Aysha al-Mudahka, chief execu- Network (GPDNet), Katara – the ence upon an invitation from the ia, Poland, Portugal, Singapore Tmorrow host an inaugural said. tive, Qatar Business Incubation FM reviews Qatar, Cultural Village has said. chairman of Yunus Emre Insti- and Turkey), including Yunus ladies breakfast event, under the A panel, consisting of top fe- Centre and Fatma al-Nuaimi, EU relations The recognition was an- tution (Yunus Emre Enstitüsü) Emre Enstitü, in Seoul, the capi- theme “Empowering Women in male business minds in Qatar, Communications Director, Su- nounced at an international and chairman of GPDNet under tal of South Korea in 2014. The Business”. would present thought-leading preme Committee for Delivery conference in Istanbul, Turkey the Turkish presidency, profes- number of countries reached 10 The event, open through ex- discussions surrounding busi- and Legacy. HE the Minister of Foreign on October 19 to 22, participated sor Dr Seref Ates. as Hungary joined the network clusive invitations only, has been ness matters, including how to “The QFC continues to sup- Aff airs Sheikh Mohamed bin by Katara. Katara general manager Dr recently. organised in partnership with be an entrepreneur and the im- port the growing role of women Abdulrahman al-Thani yesterday Titled “The Role of Cul- Khalid bin Ibrahim al-Sulaiti GPDNet was established Women’s Entrepreneurship Day, portance of reputation manage- in the workplace as an avenue met Michele Alliot-Marie, Member ture in bringing Polarised and presented a conference paper on October 23, 2014 aimed which is internationally recog- ment. for corporate excellence and di- of the European Parliament Conflicting Societies together stating Katara’s role in rendering at enabling the knowledge nised and celebrated globally Speakers at the event include versity. We are proud to be host- and chairperson of the EU through Public Diplomacy,” culture into the language of so- exchange in theoretical and every year on November 10. Sheikha Alanoud bint Hamad al- ing and leading our own event in delegation for relations with the the event feted Qatar, now the cieties as it is the best means of practical fields and carry Global ambassadors and Thani, Managing Director, Busi- recognition of Women’s Entre- Arab Peninsula. They reviewed only Arab country having a communication and aids in the out bilateral or multilateral educational institutions from ness Development, QFCA; Dr preneurship Day and I look for- relations between Qatar and the full membership in GPDNet, rapprochement between coun- projects between cultural and around the world represent the Hessa al-Jaber, former minister ward to hearing the discussions European Union, in addition to for its significant role in the tries. public diplomatic institutions day by hosting events and con- of information and communi- by our panel and guests on the the latest developments of the conference. Other Arab coun- GPDNet was founded by all over the world. ferences worldwide in the lead cations technology and current day,” Sheikha Alanoud said. Gulf crisis. Gulf Times Monday, October 30, 2017 3 QATAR

Qatar-Syria bilateral ties reviewed

HE the Minister of State for Foreign Aff airs Sultan bin Saad al-Muraikhi met the Syrian ambassador to Qatar Nizar al-Haraki yesterday. Talks during the meeting dealt with bilateral relations and ways of enhancing them, as well as issues of mutual concern.

Oman’s SalamAir to start fl ights to QRC provides medical help to Doha in November Mogadishu bombing victims

alamAir, Oman’s fi rst QNA hospitals, where he provid- noted the projects carried budget airline, will Doha ed support for the wounded, out by the QRC in Sudan, Sstart fl ying to Doha on wishing them quick recov- based on the historic re- November 22, operating fi ve ery, and expressed hope that lations between the two weekly fl ights from Mus- he Qatar Red Cres- Somalia would return to countries. He also expressed cat International Airport to cent (QRC) has pro- stability soon, the QRC said his thanks and appreciation Hamad International Air- Tvided support to the in a statement yesterday. to the government of the port. victims of the Mogadishu The wounded expressed Sudan for its role in host- Oman News Agency bombings, which took place their thanks and gratitude ing and treating wounded (ONA) quoted CEO of about two weeks ago, and to the QRC. Somalis. SalamAir Captain Mo- they are currently being Al-Hammadi said in a For his part, Sudan Red hamed Ahmed as saying treated in hospitals in the press statement that the ef- Crescent Secretary-General that the launch of Sala- Sudanese capital of Khar- forts of Qatar will continue Dr Othman Jafar Abdul- mAir’s eighth destination toum. to provide assistance to the lah praised the role played (Doha) is one step closer QRC Secretary-General wounded, pointing to the by the Qatari Red Crescent towards achieving its ob- Ali bin Hassan al-Hammadi close co-operation between in supporting humanitar- jectives, which will benefit visited the victims of the re- the Qatari Red Crescent and ian and charitable work the country by linking it cent terrorist bombings in its Sudanese counterpart throughout the world, add- to many thriving tourism, the Somali capital Mogad- in all areas of humanitarian ing that the initiative to host commercial and economic ishu, who were transferred work. the wounded Somalis came hubs in the region. for treatment in Sudanese QRC secretary-general from Qatar. Gulf Times 4 Monday, October 30, 2017 QATAR

Mercedes-Benz S-Class model of 2017 recalled

The Ministry of Economy and Commerce to protect consumers and ensure that car UNAOC delegation in Doha (MEC), in collaboration with Nasser Bin dealers follow up on vehicles’ defects and Khaled Automobiles, has announced the repair them. recall of Mercedes-Benz S-Class model of The MEC has urged all customers to report 2017 because the park control unit does not any violations to its Consumer Protection correspond to the current series production and Anti-Commercial Fraud Department and the majority of the power supply for the through the following channels: Call vehicle interior is switched off in case of a centre: 16001, e-mail: [email protected], crash. Twitter: @MEC_Qatar, Instagram: MEC_ The MEC said the recall campaign comes Qatar, MEC mobile app for Android and within the framework of its ongoing eff orts IOS: MEC_Qatar

A delegation of the United Nations Alliance of Civilisations (UNAOC) yesterday visited the Doha International Center for Interfaith Dialogue (DICID), where they were welcomed by Chairman of the DICID, Dr Ibrahim Saleh al-Nuaimi. During the visit, the delegation learned about the various sections of the DICID, including the centre’s library, which contains more than 2,000 books. The delegation was briefed on the importance of dialogue, understanding of civilisations, spreading a culture of trust and constructive dialogue between religions and civilisations.

Education Ministry holds meeting for psychologists in public schools

The Ministry of Education and and environments, especially since from the community, being supported Higher Education held a meeting for such development cannot be achieved by various educational services. psychologists in public schools. The through mere technological solutions. During the meeting, a presentation aim was to discuss the guidelines of The meeting included a presentation on of the therapeutic aspect of the work psychological service, and the work the developmental aspect in the work of the psychological specialist for all of psychological specialists for the of the psychologist, and a presentation grades was presented as an application academic year 2017- 2018. The meeting on the preventive role in this regard, of strategies and methods of treatment emphasised the need to change in view of the consideration that the in many basic theories of counselling the way of thinking and working, school is the primary social institution, and psychotherapy, especially in the which necessitate the provision of in which students spend most of their behavioural and cognitive behavioural quality education and learning for day. And also its an important social trend, with the aim of promoting positive sustainable development at all levels body that enjoys suff icient support behaviours against the negative ones. Gulf Times Monday, October 30, 2017 5 QATAR Bedaya Centre holds breast cancer awareness session

he Bedaya Centre for Entrepreneurship Tand Career Devel- opment (Bedaya Centre), a joint initiative by Qatar Development Bank (QDB) and Silatech, recently held a session to raise awareness on breast cancer. The event was held in the presence of cancer survivor Asma Bu Jassoom, in collab- oration with TV anchor and ambassador of Qatar Cancer Society Asmaa al-Hammadi, Bedaya Centre general manager Reem al-Suwaidi along with other dignitaries after the at the Market Café. breast cancer awareness session. The session, titled ‘Pre- vention … A Small Step that she added that the support friends,” Jassoom added. awareness campaigns are Goes a Long Way’, was mod- of family and friends “is of She said that with psy- held globally, especially in erated by al-Hammadi. Jas- paramount importance,” chological support, opti- October to push the com- soom spoke about her jour- as they are the ones who mism, and following the munity for screening and ney with the disease and the raise the morale of cancer guidance of a specialised examination for early de- methods of treatment that patients. She said the avail- medical team, cancer treat- tection of the disease and were followed to fi ght her ability of therapy and an ex- ment was possible and the ways to prevent it. battle. cellent medical team helped ability to lead a natural life “Therefore, we held a Jassoom said her success her fi ght and overcome after recovery. discussion session on this encouraged her to share her breast cancer. “The experience has taught subject due to its impor- experience with the par- “Despite the health and me to look at life in a bet- tance and our keenness to ticipants, spread the spirit of psychological state I ex- ter perspective and given me contribute in spreading and hope, and create awareness perienced, I found anoth- the understanding of life in a raising awareness among about the importance of ear- er aspect of the disease deeper meaning,” she said. the community about breast ly examination and screening and that was the passion Reem al-Suwaidi, general cancer and to support the to avoid the disease. and compassion that I manager, Bedaya Centre, eff orts led by our wise During the discussion, felt from my family and said: “Many breast cancer government in this regard.”

Education Above All organises workshop for school teachers Education Above All foundation find solutions to global issues, Since the launch of the programme in organised, through its Reach Out to contributes to awareness of 2008, more than 700 teachers from Asia (Rota) programme, a workshop sustainable development goals and 100 schools have taken part in iEarn- in collaboration with the International provides professional development Qatar workshops, as well as many of Network for Education and Resources for teachers, which in turn improves the programme’s projects with their (iEARN) for school teachers at Qatar student learning outcomes. students. University. Project-based learning helps students iEARN is the world’s largest non-profit The two-day workshop trained acquire critical thinking skills and network that enables teachers and teachers on project based learning increase awareness of diff erent young people to use the Internet and methodologies and prepared them cultures, making learning an enjoyable other technologies to collaborate on to launch an iEARN project aimed at and exciting experience at the same projects that promote active learning improving the health and well-being of time. The programme also provides and make a positive diff erence in the the population. teachers with the opportunity to join world. iEARN-Qatar, which includes a the Rota knowledge network, helping The global education network is made global network of teachers and them to build a webpage on the project up of over 50,000 teachers and 2 students, off ers a collaborative and integrate project-based learning million students in more than 140 platform that helps schools into their lessons. countries. (QNA) Gulf Times 6 Monday, October 30, 2017 QATAR HMC experts set milestone in stem cell transplantation n expert multi-disciplinary Doctors at NCCCR identifi ed al- team from the National Centre logeneic stem cell transplantation as Afor Cancer Care and Research the best treatment option. (NCCCR), part of the Hamad Medical However, as the stem cells used in Corporation (HMC), has performed the procedure need to come from a Qatar’s fi rst allogeneic haematopoi- healthy person, a close blood relative etic stem cell transplantation on a was needed as a donor. 32-year-old female patient diag- Two of the patient’s brothers vol- nosed with acute myeloid leukaemia. unteered and were tested for suit- Acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) is ability. The eldest brother was found an aggressive form of blood cancer. to be the most suitable donor and was Allogeneic stem cell transplanta- prepared for the procedure. tion involves the transfer of stem The patient is now recovering well cells from a genetically-similar and will be discharged soon. healthy person to a patient follow- HE the Minister of Public Health ing high-intensity chemotherapy or Dr Hanan Mohamed al-Kuwari, radiation. along with HMC acting chief medical It is used to eliminate cancer and offi cer Dr Abdulla al-Ansari and oth- restore a patient’s blood and immune er senior leaders from HMC, visited systems. the patient after the transplantation. Due to the time it takes to build The minister said: “Allogeneic the immune system back up after the stem cell transplantation represents transplant, several months of close a new milestone in our eff orts to pro- expert monitoring is needed to pre- vide the very best cancer care and vent complications following the treatment in Qatar.” procedure. “The procedure’s success under- The patient, a mother of four, was lines our ongoing journey to combat diagnosed with acute myeloid leu- cancers of the blood with the most kaemia earlier this year after noticing advanced treatment modalities,” she unexplained bruising on her upper added. “Signifi cant advances have and lower limbs. been made throughout Qatar.” HE the Minister of Public Health Dr Hanan Mohamed al-Kuwari with the NC- She visited her doctor and under- “We now take on the challenge of CCR team. went blood tests which revealed hy- making further advances in devel- per leukocytosis – an indication of oping our knowledge and expertise ease,’’ the minister added. bility of stem cell transplantation for AML. in cancer prevention and treatment NCCCR medical director Prof Karl the treatment of malignant diseases Emotional health important She was quickly admitted to NC- to decrease the incidence of cancer Alexander Knuth said: “This is a ma- of the blood and bone marrow today CCR where she underwent a bone in Qatar and increase survival rates, jor step in HMC’s ongoing success in means that our patients can now re- marrow exam which confi rmed the ultimately aiming to free our popula- developing advanced treatment op- ceive their treatment here in Qatar too in treatment of cancer diagnosis. tion from this often-devastating dis- tions for cancer patients. The availa- (instead of having) to travel abroad.”

he Hamad Medical Corporation ily, understand that they are on a journey,” (HMC) has highlighted the impor- said Dr Lemaux. Ttance of emotional health alongside NCCCR clinical psychologist Dr Ai- physical treatment in cancer care. sha Ali Abd El Karim added that the main Indian embassy In 2007, HMC established the psycho- factor contributing to the success of any therapy unit at its National Centre for Can- psychological treatment is the degree of cer Care and Research (NCCCR). confi dence between the patient and their held four consular Thought to be the fi rst of its kind in the therapist. region, the unit provides psychological She said that some cancer patients may services to patients with cancer as part of experience denial after diagnosis, adding camps this month an integrated treatment experience. that an important part of supporting them “Improving the quality of life for patients through the various stages of acceptance is living with cancer is as much about the working together to develop a comprehen- he Indian embassy held four consular camps this physical aspects of treating the disease as it sive treatment plan. month for residents of Salwa, Mesaieed, Al Khor, is about caring for the emotional health of In 2015, HMC established a 10-bed sup- Tand Dukhan/Zikreet areas, the monthly commu- patients,” HMC said in a statement. portive and palliative care unit at the NC- nity house was informed last week. Dr Alain Lemaux, head of the psycho- CCR. Twenty-nine consular services were rendered at the therapy unit at NCCCR and consultant in Palliative care takes a holistic approach sittings held in the four places. clinical psychologyand family therapy, said to ensure the best possible quality of life, The monthly session was held at the embassy on Octo- the establishment of the unit highlights the supporting patients and their family in a ber 26 to address urgent consular and labour issues/cases importance that HMC places on providing dedicated, specialised environment, the experienced by Indian expatriates in Qatar. a holistic care programme. statement notes. Some of the grievances brought to the attention of the “We recognise that in treating cancer, it The unit also has an activity room that embassy related to issues of delayed payment of wages is equally as important to cater to the men- focuses on helping patients de-stress and violations of contract terms and conditions. tal and psychological needs of the patient through discovering their creativity. Besides Indian ambassador P Kumaran, third secretary as it is to treat their physical symptoms,” he Social activity supervisor Maryam al- (Labour and Community Welfare) M Aleem and other of- said. “The mental strength and psychologi- Doseri manages the activity room and says fi cials met the complainants, discussed their problems in cal stability of the patient plays a signifi - painting, embroidery, calligraphy, and detail and assured them of the embassy’s active follow up cant role in achieving a positive outcome to writing can provide a patient with a sense of their cases with the relevant authorities. the physical treatment provided.” of achievement and increase their psy- The house was informed that an embassy team visit- “Our team works with the patient to in- chological and moral balance during their ed the Central Prison and Deportation Centre to inquire stil real hope and help them, and their fam- treatment journey. about the welfare of detainees from India. The total number of Indian nationals in the Central Prison and the Deportation Centre currently is 215 and 77, respectively. Since the start of the year, 10 community house ses- sions have been held, including the latest session. A total of 52 complaints were received during these ses- sions. Out of these, 40 complaints have been resolved, while the remainder (12) are under the active follow-up by the embassy. The embassy has issued 31 Emergency Certifi cates this month to Indian nationals for their repatriation. The mission also issued 18 air tickets to Indian nation- als for their return home this month. Indian Community Benevolent Forum (ICBF) presi- dent Davis Edakulathur, vice-president P N Baburajan, and members of the organisation’s managing committee were also present. The ICBF supports the eff orts of the embassy and helps Indian workers through various welfare measures, in- cluding the supply of foodstuff , transport support, and medical assistance. The ICBF organised a programme under the “clean- liness is service” campaign to coincide with Mahatma Gandhi’s birth anniversary on October 2. Around 100 workers took part in the event. Gulf Times Monday, October 30, 2017 7 QATAR QC expands Rufaqaa Initiative to help more orphans

QNA ute to sustainable development have been possible without the ess of paying their donations.” plan aims to provide comprehen- month, in addition to the Sudan, a presentation about the Rufaqaa Doha projects. comprehensive care provided He also stated that the Rufaqaa sive care for additional 50,000 Indonesia, Pakistan and Tunisia Initiative that displayed its most In less than four years, the Ru- for orphans at the educational, Initiative continues its mission orphans around the world, as well projects where the monthly aid important achievements so far, faqaa initiative has made Qatar health and social levels. confi dently under the slogan as launching additional services for each individual amounts to the prizes it received, the projects atar Charity (QC) has Charity the largest orphan care “These services also included “Rufaqaa continue to Give” by for the current benefi ciaries in 200 Riyals. it implemented and the services launched the second organisation worldwide, spon- entertainment and training ac- launching the second phase of various fi elds and expanding ma- Once a new sponsorship is es- it off ers for both donors and ben- Qstage of the strategic plan soring 106,000 orphans includ- tivities and programmes directly its strategic plan which aims to jor orphan care projects. tablished, the sponsor receives a efi ciaries. for the Rufaqaa Orphan Care Ini- ing the sponsorship of 73,000 supervised buy our fi eld offi ces extend its aid to about 50,000 Statistics indicate that three detailed report of the sponsored The presentation also referred tiative under the slogan “Rufaqaa orphans over the past four years around the world. This success new orphans in several countries children lose one or both parents orphan’s status (twice a year). to the Sheikha Aisha model Continues to Give”, targeting to alone. is also due to the completion of with the sponsored orphans to every three minutes around the The sponsor will also be able village for orphans in Sudan, sponsor 150,000 orphans by the This was achieved thanks to a number of huge projects serv- 150,000 by the end of 2018. world. to communicate directly with the showed a video clip depicting the end of next year 2018. charitable people’s collaboration ing orphans such as the Sheikha The charity wants to fi ll the Qatar Charity, thought its Ru- sponsored orphan through voice success story of a sponsored or- Qatar Charity began its orphan with the organisation in its ef- Aisha bint Hamad Al-Attiya city gap in this fi eld, especially with faqaa Initiative, is proud to spon- and video calls. phan, as well as the statement of sponsorship projects more than forts to include cases in need. in Sudan which serves 5,000 or- the continuing crises and disas- sor more than 50 orphans every Moreover, the sponsor will an offi cial from Al-Arqam Acad- three decades ago as part of its In his speech at the press phans, as well as orphan homes ters, the latest of which is the Ro- 24 hours which means 15,000 have an electronic account ena- emy for girls who has partici- social welfare services. conference that announced the and institutions in Bangladesh hingya crisis. orphans every year. bling him to manage his dona- pated in the Sponsoring School At the end of 2013, the Char- launch of the second stage of which benefi t 2,000 orphans. Al-Fuhaida expressed hope The upcoming sponsorship tions, track the transfers and project that was implemented by ity launched the Rufaqaa initia- the Rufaqaa Initiative’s strategic “Moreover, we build excellent that charitable people will re- projects will target orphans in review reports as well as have the initiative. tive that focuses exclusively on plan, Faisal al-Fuhaida, execu- relationship with the sponsors, spond to this campaign. Palestine, Turkey (Syrian Refu- access to video and photographic The presentation also showed children and orphans around the tive director of the Charity’s op- enabling them to follow up and He also thanked sponsors, do- gees), Lebanon, Albania, Bos- reports and will be able to go on two pupils studying at school and world, aiming to take the lead in erations department, said that check on their sponsored or- nors and supporters of the pro- nia and Herzegovina and Kos- fi eld trips to meet the sponsored who have participated in this ini- establishing social solidarity, to the success achieved in the fi rst phans in various easy methods, grams and projects. ovo where each orphan receives orphans. tiative as a model for the young- serve humanity and to contrib- phase of the initiative would not and we also facilitate the proc- The Rufaqaa initiative’s 2018 aid equivalent to 250 Riyals per The press conference included est sponsors. Grace period QNCC to host IELTS exams after deal with British Council he British Council and Qa- facilities, will create an enduring tar National Convention partnership in delivering high TCentre (QNCC) have joined quality exams for IELTS candi- for banking hands to embark on a new venture dates. with the launch of QNCC as the The new centre, located in new venue for IELTS (Interna- Gharafat Al Rayyan, on the tional English Language Testing Dukhan Highway in Doha, is one System) in Qatar. The centre of- of the largest and technologically transactions fi cially opens on November 4 for advanced IELTS test venues in IELTS test candidates. the Middle East. The signing ceremony was Dr Frank Fitzpatrick, country hosted at QNCC last week to director at the British Council, mark the beginning of a new Qatar said: “I would like to con- after expiry venture for British Council Qatar gratulate both the teams from to enhance customer experience. the British Council and QNCC on The launch event was repre- making this happen. This won- sented by the network of mem- derful and inspiring venue will bers from the British Council and surely create a memorable expe- of Qatar ID QNCC, who have contributed to- rience for our candidates in de- wards achieving this milestone. livering IELTS exams, the world’s The state-of-the-art ambi- most popular English language esidents Qatar National Convention Centre and British Council officials at the signing ceremony. ence, all equipped with modern test, in Qatar.” can con- Rtinue to transact busi- Technology playing key ‘role ness with fi nan- cial institutions in development’ of Qatar in Qatar for 90 Administrators made aware of legalities days after the elecom- expiry date of their residence permits, according to a new pol- munica- icy issued recently by Qatar Central Bank (QCB). he Qatar Finance and Business Ttion and The QCB policy applies to all banks and exchange Academy (QFBA), in co-opera- digital tech- houses in Qatar, and institutions licensed by the QCB to Ttion with the Qatar International nology are at transact exchange works, money transfer and related ac- Court and Dispute Resolution Centre the core of the tivities. (QICDRC), has recently organised a free infrastructural QCB said the new procedure aims to ease the banking trans- legal course for all administrative offi - development actions of expatriates in the country and guarantee sound cials in Qatar titled ‘Legal for non-legal of Qatar, senior fi nancial dealings. In addition, the policy would ease proce- professionals’. telecommuni- dures of fi nancial institutions in the country. The course, which was delivered by cation engineer Also, QCB affi rmed that the 90-day period from the expiry Dr Zain al-Abdin Sharar, senior legal Mohamed date of an expatriate’s Qatari ID is the period determined by counsel at QICDRC, aims to introduce Idrees Waqas the Ministry of Interior’s Passports Department. laws and their importance in regulating told Qatar Urdu Mohamed Idrees Waqas Exchange houses in Qatar have welcomed the new QCB the various relations in society, with Radio’s live policy. “It is a good move,” a senior manager of an exchange the aim of helping them understand show Haqeeqat yesterday. house told Gulf Times yesterday. and protect their rights. Referring to a project in this regard, he talked The senior manager said most exchange houses in Qatar The objective of the course is to fa- about the digital inclusion toolkit developed by the have already received a copy of the QCB policy last week. miliarise participants with legal ter- Ministry of Transport and Communications, and “We have to follow these instructions…earlier, we were do- minology, the science of law, as well as explained it emphasises e-learning and people can ing it on an individual basis, especially if it’s a genuine case its sources and functions, in addition Administrative off icials participate in the ‘Legal for non-legal professionals’ course. use the Internet to read and seek relevant informa- and if we are convinced that the company is already process- to helping them understand the nature tion. ing the renewal of the person’s residence permit. and characteristics of the law, diff erent understand and protect their rights. security, and this can only be achieved This includes tools for professionals, people “About two months ago, we received a circular saying that types of laws, and empowering them to “In order to activate the rule of law in through an eff ective law system that with disabilities, housewives as well as the work- all transactions with expired IDs should be stopped, so we understand the diff erent types of con- society, it is important to study it, under- provides justice and protect the inter- ers who generally come from less educated back- complied with the rule, but perhaps they may have reviewed tracts and contractual responsibility. stand its objectives as well as its role in ests of individuals from infringement, grounds and lack necessary skills to use technol- some policies and hence, the new circular. And it’s a good QFBA acting CEO Dr Mohamed Ab- protecting individuals, instilling the sta- hence the need to educate individuals ogy. move because it give more time to all parties involved,” the dullah al-Emadi said: “QFBA and the bility of society and the achievement of about the law so that they can know Haqeeqat, which aims to engage and interact manager pointed out. QICDRC are adopting an innovative its economic objectives, which is the goal their rights in order to protect them with the large South Asian expatriate community Meanwhile, QCB also stressed that all banks in the country approach to introducing the law in we sought to achieve through the ‘Legal and safely conduct their legal aff airs. in Qatar, is a joint venture of the Gulf Times and need to co-operate with companies regarding the Wage Pro- terms of its types, sources, and prin- for non-legal professionals’ course.” This course came within this context Qatar Media Corporation Urdu Radio. It is broad- tection System (WPS), and should abide by the standards and ciples through the launch of a spe- QICDRC CEO Faisal Rashid al- as it highlighted laws and their func- cast from Sunday to Thursday on FM107. regulations of the WPS. cialised legal course, with the aim of Sahouti said: “One of the most im- tions, as well as alternatives to dispute Log on to Qatar Urdu Radio on Facebook and A bank should assign a date in case it is unable to immedi- spreading this culture among members portant foundations of the prosperity settlement, in addition to a number of ‘@QatarUrduRadio’ on Twitter for feedback and ately open accounts for a company’s workers. of the community, so that they can and progress of society is stability and related topics.” comments about the show

Qatar Airways gives social media contest winners tickets to FIFA U-17 World Cup fi nal

atar Airways gave match tickets to two football Qfans to join in the celebra- tions and watch the fi nal of the FIFA U-17 World Cup India 2017 football tournament in Kolkata. The winners won the tickets as part of a social media contest held by Qatar Airways, the offi - cial airline of FIFA. They were selected from thou- sands of spectators who submit- ted pictures using the #Kolk- ataTogether hashtag to enter the contest. Qatar Airways cabin crew par- ticipated in the awards ceremony by presenting medals to play- ers from the England team, who emerged champions following a sensational performance against Spain in the fi nal. England beat Spain 5-2 be- fore a capacity crowd of more A moment from the final in Kolkata. (Photo by Jan Kruger, FIFA via Getty Images) Qatar Airways cabin crew participated in the awards ceremony. than 66,000 people at Kolkata’s Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Kr- of dedicated football fans. said: “The support of our offi cial and contributes to promoting nament to take place in India. fi cial airline of FIFA as part of a marketing and branding rights at irangan stadium. “As a nation, we place great partners is vital to the success of football not only in India but also Qatar Airways fl ies more than sponsorship package lasting un- the next two FIFA World Cups, Qatar Airways Group chief importance on sports as a means all our FIFA events. In that re- around the world.” 100 times a week between Doha til 2022. with an expected audience reach of executive Akbar al-Baker said: of bringing people together. We spect, Qatar Airways have done Twenty-four national teams and 13 destinations in India: Del- Upcoming events sponsored billions of people per tournament. “This fi nal game has capped a at Qatar Airways are excited to a tremendous job in building ex- competed for the top trophy, tak- hi, Nagpur, Ahmedabad, Mum- by Qatar Airways will include the The airline will also have vis- magnifi cent tournament for all of take part in this tournament to citement around the FIFA U-17 ing part in 52 matches over 23 bai, Thiruvananthapuram, Ko- 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia, ibility at competitions such as those who took part in the FIFA help inspire and nurture the next World Cup India 2017 through days in six diff erent Indian cit- chi, Kozhikode, Goa, Hyderabad, the FIFA Club World Cup, the the FIFA U-20 World Cup, the U-17 World Cup India 2017. We generation of young football #KolkataTogether. ies: Mumbai, Delhi, Goa, Kochi, Kolkata, Chennai, Bengaluru and FIFA Women’s World Cup and the FIFA Futsal World Cup and the are delighted to be the offi cial players.” “The use of such innovative Kolkata and Guwahati. Amritsar. 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. FIFA Interactive World Cup, the airline partner of FIFA and join in FIFA director (Marketing digital campaigns creates posi- This year’s FIFA U-17 World Qatar was announced in May As an offi cial partner of FIFA, world’s largest online gaming the celebrations with thousands Services) Jean-François Pathy tive engagement with our fans Cup was the fi rst-ever FIFA tour- as an offi cial partner and the of- Qatar Airways will have extensive tournament. Gulf Times 8 Monday, October 30, 2017 REGION Food a ‘weapon of Tehran will keep producing war’ in Yemen: WFP missiles for defence: Rouhani AFP people at risk of famine and an estimated Riyadh 17mn — 60% of the overall population — Reuters ganisation of Iran Ali Akbar Salehi, food insecure, according to the United Na- Dubai and Foreign Minister Mohamed Ja- tions. Another 2,100 people have died of vad Zarif in Tehran, an IAEA state- eyond air raids, gun battles and port cholera since April as hospitals struggle to ment said. blockades, food is now a “weapon of secure basic supplies amid blockades on ran will continue to produce mis- “Director General Amano reiter- Bwar” in Yemen, the UN’s World Food ports and the country’s main international siles for its defence and does not ated that the nuclear-related com- Programme said yesterday, as millions face airport. Iconsider that a violation of inter- mitments undertaken by Iran are impending famine. The Saudi-led coalition, which controls national accords, President Hassan being implemented, and that the “Yemen is on the brink of famine. Chol- Yemen’s airspace and some ports, was this Rouhani said yesterday in a speech JCPOA represents a clear gain from era is compounding a dramatic food crisis. month added to a UN blacklist for the “kill- broadcast on state television. a verifi cation point of view,” it said, Food is being used as a weapon of war,” ing and maiming of children”. Rouhani spoke days after the US using an abbreviation for the 2015 WFP assistant executive director Elisabeth While the roads inside the Yemeni capital House of Representatives voted for accord. “For the future, he stressed Rasmussen said at a conference on aid to are controlled by the Houthis and former new sanctions against Iran’s bal- the importance of full implementa- Yemen hosted by Saudi Arabia. president Saleh, travel to Sanaa airport is listic missile programme, part of tion by Iran of its nuclear-related The Yemen confl ict has claimed more under the control of the coalition and lim- an eff ort to clamp down on Tehran commitments in order to make the than 8,650 lives since 2015, when a pow- ited to a select few aid fl ights. without immediately moving to un- JCPOA sustainable.” erful military coalition led by Saudi Ara- Aid groups have warned that the closure dermine an international nuclear Trump’s decision not to certify bia joined the government’s fi ght against of Sanaa international airport is hampering agreement. Iranian compliance with the land- Houthi rebels and their ally, strongman Ali the delivery of desperately needed supplies, He also meet the head of the UN mark nuclear deal between Iran and Abdullah Saleh. which now have to go through the Red Sea nuclear watchdog in Tehran, who six world powers means Congress The confl ict in Yemen has left 7mn port of Hodeida. again vouched for Iran’s compliance now has less than 60 days to decide with the 2015 accord that curbed A handout picture shows Iranian President Hassan Rouhani greeting whether to re-impose sanctions on its nuclear programme in return for Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Tehran that were lifted under the sanctions relief, which has drawn fi re Yukiya Amano ahead of their meeting in Tehran. agreement that Amano’s agency is from US President Donald Trump. in charge of policing. “We have built, are building and Iran denies seeking nuclear weap- and expect others to negotiate with Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatol- will continue to build missiles, and ons and says it has no plans to build you?” Rouhani said. “Because of the lah Ali Khamenei has said Tehran this violates no international agree- nuclear-capable missiles. behaviour it has adopted, America will stick to the agreement as long ments,” Rouhani said in a speech in Rouhani also criticised the Unit- should forget any future talks and as the other signatories do, but will parliament. ed States over Trump’s refusal this agreement with other countries,” “shred” the deal if Washington pulls The United States has already im- month to formally certify that Te- Rouhani added, referring to un- out, as Trump has threatened to do. posed unilateral sanctions on Iran, hran is complying with the accord named countries in East Asia, an Asked whether Amano had made saying its missile tests violate a UN on Iran’s nuclear programme, even apparent reference to North Korea. any requests for new inspections, resolution, that calls on Tehran not though international inspectors Yukiya Amano, the director gen- Salehi said after meeting Amano: to undertake activities related to say it is. “You are disregarding past eral of the International Atomic En- “He has no request in this area,” missiles capable of delivering nu- negotiations and agreements ap- ergy Agency (IAEA), met Rouhani, Iran’s state news agency IRNA re- clear weapons. proved by the UN Security council President of the Atomic Energy Or- ported.

Bahrain women detainees end hunger strike: rights group

AFP Town women’s prison after wardens agreed to ees, had been forced to suspend her hunger strike Dubai their demands, according to the Bahrain Institute at the weekend after being hospitalised for low for Human Rights and Democracy (BIRD), which blood sugar levels. Along with Hassan, detainees says they are being held in connection with po- Najah al-Sheikh, Amira al-Qashami, Medina Ali group of detainees at a Bahraini women’s de- litical activity. and Zainab Marhoon last week launched the strike tention centre ended a six-day hunger strike Detainees will now be allowed privacy during in protest against the mistreatment of detainees. Ayesterday after negotiating better prison phone calls to their families and will no longer be In April, parliament gave approval for military conditions with authorities, a rights group said. separated from visitors by glass panes, BIRD said. courts to try civilians charged with “terrorism”, a The fi ve women ended their strike at the Isa Hajar Mansoor Hassan, one of the fi ve detain- vaguely defi ned legal term in the kingdom. Gulf Times Monday, October 30, 2017 9 ARAB WORLD

Call for action over Barzani to step down as church closures Kurdish leader in Iraq in Egypt AFP ignation and a “government of would have been critical to an Reuters Arbil national salvation” opposes the independent Kurdish state, Minya, Egypt redistribution of the presiden- sparked recriminations among cy’s powers. the Kurds. assoud Barzani, the That plan was proposed by Political life in Kurdistan is optic Christians in the president of the au- the major Kurdish parties, Bar- dominated by the KDP and PUK south of Egypt renewed Mtonomous Kurdish re- zani’s Kurdistan Democratic of Iraq’s late president Jalal Ta- Ccalls on local authori- gion in Iraq, told a closed-door Party (KDP) and its rival Kurdish labani. ties for an end to discrimina- session of parliament yesterday Patriotic Union (PUK). Iraq’s current president, Fuad tion, after a number of churches he was stepping down amid the Barzani “symbolises the fail- Masum, is also a PUK mem- have been closed down in recent fallout from a controversial in- ure of Kurdish politics, and the ber and had backed a push for weeks. dependence referendum. only thing left for him to do is to dialogue between the Kurds and Two churches in two sepa- Also yesterday, the Kurds issue a public apology,” Goran Baghdad before the referendum. rate villages in the southern agreed to surrender to Iraqi MP Rabun Maarouf said before After the vote, Masum said province of Minya have been forces the strategic border post the session began. the referendum had triggered shut down by the authorities, a of Fishkhabur, through which KDP deputy Ari Harin spoke the assault on Kirkuk. statement by the Minya diocese pass oil export pipelines to Cey- of an “international plot”. Iraq’s neighbours Turkey said. han in Turkey. Barzani had come under and Iran, also strongly opposed It said worshippers were “After November 1, I will no growing opposition from his the non-binding vote, and An- harassed at both churches and longer exercise my functions, detractors after he organised the kara on Thursday said the Iraqi pelted with rocks at one of and I reject any extension of my referendum on Kurdish inde- Kurdish off er for the referendum them. mandate,” the 71-year-old Bar- pendence that triggered a deep to be frozen was “not enough”, “We have kept quiet for two zani said in a letter read out to crisis with Baghdad. instead urging the Arbil govern- weeks after the closure of one parliament in the Kurdish capi- The federal government ment to cancel it. of the churches, but due to our tal Arbil, a copy of which was deemed the vote unconstitu- French President Emmanuel silence the situation has wors- obtained by AFP. tional, and its forces have since Macron told Prime Minister ened...it is as if prayer is a crime “Changing the law on the seized a swathe of disputed ter- Haider al-Abadi in a phone call the Copts must be punished for,” presidency of Kurdistan or pro- ritory in the north from Kurd- Saturday that “everything pos- the statement, dated Saturday, longing the presidential term is ish fi ghters. Territory reclaimed sible should be done to avoid read. not acceptable,” said the archi- from the Kurds in the sweeping fi ghting between Iraqis”, the A third church was closed fol- tect of the September 25 inde- operation included key oilfi elds presidency in Paris said. lowing rumours of a pending pendence vote, which led to the in and around the disputed Barzani’s move comes with attack, but the diocese said no Kurds losing to Baghdad’s forces Demonstrators gather in the streets in support of Kurdish president Massoud Barzani in Duhok, Iraq. province of Kirkuk. Abadi’s forces engaged in bat- attack has taken place since and disputed territory and oilfi elds Yestgerday, a government tles in the west with holdout the church remains closed. to which they had laid claim. the achievements of the people tial and legislative elections in Dozens of men rushed at the source in Baghdad said that militants of the Islamic State The Minya security direc- “I ask parliament to meet to of Kurdistan”. Barzani’s letter the Kurdish region of northern parliament building late yester- a deal had been reached un- group, assaulting what the pre- torate spokesman declined to fi ll the vacancy in power, to ful- was sent to parliament to decide Iraq, but these were postponed day, hitting out at journalists, der which Baghdad’s forces mier called “the last den of ter- comment. The governor’s offi ce fi l the mission and to assume on the provisional redistribu- in the chaos that followed the media reports and MPs report- would deploy at the disputed rorism in Iraq”, Al-Qaim on the did not immediately respond to a the powers of the presidency of tion of the presidency’s powers referendum — which returned a ed. Fishkhabur border post with border with Syria. request for comment. Kurdistan”, said the letter. until a presidential election, for massive “yes” to independence. Police fi red in the air to dis- Turkey after clashes in the area The mandate of Barzani, the Coptic Christians, who make Barzani said he would “re- which a date has yet to be fi xed. Yesterday’s parliamentary perse them. on Thursday. fi rst and only elected president up 10% of Egypt’s population of main a peshmerga” (Kurdish November 1 had originally session was postponed several The opposition Goran party The loss of the oilfi elds, of the autonomous Kurdish re- nearly 95mn, say they have been fi ghter) and “continue to defend been slated for both presiden- times amid political tensions. which had sought Barzani’s res- which provided income that gion, expired in 2013. persecuted for years. White House opposed vote Winged beauties on Israel ‘annexation’ bill

AFP restart long-stalled Israeli-Pal- must be discussed with US offi - Settlements aff ected are Jerusalem estinian peace talks. cials before it can move forward. Maale Adumim, Beitar Illit, “I think it’s fair to say that the The bill would absorb major Efrat, Givat Zeev, and the Gush US is discouraging actions that it Israeli settlements currently in Etzion settlement bloc. S President Donald believes will unduly distract the the occupied West Bank into Intelligence and Transporta- Trump’s administration principals from focusing on the Jerusalem by enlarging the city tion Minister Yisrael Katz, who Uopposed a planned vote advancement of peace negotia- limits. has pushed for the bill, says it on a controversial Israeli bill that tions,” a US offi cial said on con- Its opponents argue that it is would add an additional 150,000 critics say would amount to de dition of anonymity. a step towards full unilateral an- people to Jerusalem’s popula- facto annexation of Jewish set- “The Jerusalem expansion nexation of the West Bank set- tion, strengthening its Jewish tlements surrounding Jerusa- bill was considered by the ad- tlements aff ected — a move that majority. Barack Obama’s ad- lem, a US offi cial said yesterday. ministration to be one of those would be sure to spark interna- ministration’s was heavily criti- Israeli Prime Minister Ben- actions.” David Bitan, chairman tional outrage. cal of Israeli settlement activity, jamin Netanyahu postponed a of Netanyahu’s governing coali- For the vast majority of the in- but Trump has been far less vo- vote on the bill by a ministerial tion, told Israel’s army radio yes- ternational community, the sta- cal on the issue. committee that was scheduled to terday that “there’s American tus of Israel’s settlements, built His ambassador to Israel, take place yesterday, with an Is- pressure that says that it’s a case on land the Palestinians see as David Friedman, is himself a raeli offi cial saying “diplomatic of annexation.” part of their future state, is to be supporter of Israeli settlements. preparation” was needed. He disputed that the bill decided in peace negotiations. Israeli offi cials say around It was a signal that Netanyahu amounted to “annexation”. The bill has drawn harsh 12,000 settlement housing units was under pressure not to move According to Haaretz news- criticism from Palestinians and will be given various stages of forward from the White House, paper, Netanyahu told cabinet those hoping to salvage the two- approval this year, four times the A breeder holds his blue-and-yellow macaw during a Pet Bird exhibition in Amman. which has been seeking ways to members yesterday that the bill state solution. number in 2016.

CONFLICT Bodies of 36 ‘militants’ found in Libya Syrian army, allies step up attacks in Deir Ezzor city The bodies of 36 people shot dead have been found near Beng- Reuters hazi, in eastern Libya, a security Amman off icial said yesterday. The bodies, found in Al-Abyar, around 70 kilometres east of Benghazi, were he Syrian army, support- of suspected militants including 19 ed by Russian jets and foreigners, the off icial said. Tother militias, escalated The United Nations mission in bombing yesterday of areas of Libya said it “condemns in the the Syrian city of Deir Ezzor still strongest terms the heinous crime held by Islamic State. resulting in the killing of at least Former residents and the 36” people. It called for an immedi- Syrian Observatory for Human ate investigation to bring the per- Rights said there were heavy petrators to justice. Controversial aerial strikes on eastern Syria’s strongman Khalifa Haftar, whose largest city as troops pushed self-proclaimed Libyan National towards the Hay Al Umal area, Army controls the region, ordered which overlooks some of the an enquiry to find their killers, the remaining militant-held neigh- pro-Haftar LANA news agency bourhoods where an estimated reported. 1,500 civilians are trapped. The Syrian army has gradu- ally tightened the noose around CRIME the militants after it opened a Three Lebanese land route into the city in Sep- A Syrian man from the recently retaken desert town of Al-Qaryatain is greeted by tember with the help of Russian relatives yesterday, after the army reportedly freed him from Islamic State (IS) A fighter of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) walking through an empty rubble-filled kidnapped in Iraq air strikes and militias, break- group detention. street surrounded by damaged buildings in the city of Raqqa. freed: ministry ing a siege that had lasted nearly three years. Fighting and relentless air carrying families fl eeing the than six-year long civil war. der post on the Syrian Iraqi bor- pushed back the army to the Three Lebanese nationals “The situation is catastroph- strikes in Deir Ezzor province, western banks of the Euphrates. They are racing with US- der still in militant hands. city of Mayadeen, further north kidnapped in the Iraqi capital ic, there are families under the the last stronghold of the Is- Moscow denies it targets ci- backed forces to grab territory The Syrian Observatory for along the Euphrates river that Baghdad last week have been rubble and others who fl ed have lamic State, have prompted tens vilians in its military operations from Islamic State. While the Human Rights and former resi- the militants lost earlier this freed and were expected to arrive no shelter,” said Sheikh Awad of thousands of civilians to fl ee, in Syria and says it hits only Syrian army appeared to make dents said the militants recap- month. in Beirut later yesterday, Lebanon’s al-Hajr, a tribal leader, referring former residents and aid work- militant hideouts and facilities. more gains inside Deir Ezzor tured the strategic towns of Al “The Islamic State was able interior ministry said. The three to the plight of those remain- ers say. Russia has thrown its military city, the militants made a sur- Qwaira and Makhan on Satur- to push back the regime and its men, named as Imad al-Khatib, ing inside the city and in cities, Relatives of some civilians weight behind the Syrian army prise off ensive in the last 24 day in several deadly ambushes militias to the heart of the city of Nader Hmadeh and George Ba- towns and farms in the fertile and Syrian opposition fi gures campaign to regain the strategic hours that pushed back pro- that infl icted heavy casualties Mayadeen,” said Amer Huweidi, trouni, were kidnapped on arrival strip along the Euphrates bor- accuse the Russian army of oil-rich province which has be- government and other militias on pro-government and mili- an activist from the city in touch in Baghdad on October 22. dering Iraq. bombing boats and dinghies come the focus of Syria’s more from Albu Kamal, the last bor- tias. The latest militant assault with locals and residents. Gulf Times 10 Monday, October 30, 2017 AFRICA

Horror at how S Africa let 141 Kenyan killed with arrows in mentally-ill patients die

By Philippe Alfroy, AFP village on edge over elections Johannesburg Weeks of gruelling testimonies at an Reuters ing meetings now and they are both inquiry in South Africa have tried to Kisumu, Kenya armed.” answer an unfathomable question — Reuters was unable to speak with how authorities allowed 141 mentally- the Kalenjin community in Mau, but ill patients to die after being moved he body of a man was found saw a group of young men from the vil- out of a hospital. yesterday in a sugarcane fi eld lage gathered under a tree. Most were The evidence presented has been Tin rural western Kenya, one day armed with bows and arrows. a litany of neglect, incompetence and after high-level offi cials visited the Odinga withdrew from the rerun cruelty that lawyer Dirk Groenewald area aiming to calm ethnic tensions election, saying it would not be fair. described as “the greatest human infl amed by the country’s repeated In his strongholds in the west, an rights violation since the dawn of presidential election. area that has long felt excluded from democracy” in South Africa. The Luo community largely boy- political and economic power, protest- Every day, families of the victims cotted Thursday’s election, which was ers prevented polling stations from have told shocking stories of how supposed to again pit opposition lead- opening in four counties. their loved ones were taken from the er Raila Odinga, a Luo, against Presi- Across Kenya, about 10% of polling hospital, badly mistreated at unli- dent Uhuru Kenyatta, a Kikuyu with a stations were unable to open, although censed health facilities and then died. Kalenjin deputy president. there were no problems in Kenyatta’s Starting last February, more than The Supreme Court ordered a re- areas. 1,700 patients were rapidly relocated peat after it nullifi ed Kenyatta’s win Turnout plummeted to about 35% from the Life Esidimeni hospital in in an August election on procedural from 80% in August, undercutting Johannesburg to 27 privately run grounds. Kenyata’s hopes for a decisive mandate clinics that were unable to care for The motive and perpetrators for the for a second term. them. killing in western Kenya were unclear, In some parts of the country, such The Gauteng provincial health de- but it came a day after villagers from as Koguta in Kisumu county, protests partment cancelled its contract with the Luo and Kalenjin communities damaged relations with other commu- Esidimeni as a cost-cutting measure. armed themselves against each other. nities who wanted to vote for Kenyatta. “One day my sister went to go see The body of 64-year-old George That anger risks igniting ethnic vio- our mother, but was told she was Odumbe, a Luo labourer at the local lence, which killed around 1,200 peo- moved. Nobody contacted us,” Boitu- sugar company, was found with three ple after a disputed 2007 presidential melo Mangena, 24, told the inquiry in arrows in the back and severe head vote, but which has been largely absent just one of many harrowing personal wounds, a Reuters witness in the vil- from this election. accounts. lage of Koguta said. At least 51 people have been killed Kenyan opposition leader Raila Odinga addresses supporters in the Nairobi slum of Kawangware after a service at “My brother found her (at a clinic). It was found in a fi eld between in political violence since August, but the Gatina Church. She lost a lot of weight. She hadn’t Koguta and the nearby Kalenjin village most deaths have occurred in clashes been bathed for a while, I could tell it of Mau. between protesters and police. But Julius Genga, a county legisla- Chepkwony told Reuters that he hoped party from Odinga’s movement three from the smell. Locals warned the death of the Luo Police, although stationed only 400 tor, said by phone while he was driving the death would be “an isolated one”. years into his term, Homa Bay police “All the patients were getting the man could spark tit-for-tat violence. metres from where the body was dis- to the scene: “We want the police to be Not all recent attacks were ethni- commander Marius Tum told Reu- same medication but my mom’s “There’s a desire for revenge by the covered, declined to visit the scene for deployed to try to restore calm because cally based. ters. meds were very specific to her Luo community, I’m trying to tell them several hours until reinforcements ar- after the death of this man, tension is On Friday, police shot dead a man Both Rege and his attackers were condition.” to stay calm, but they are so bitter and rived. boiling up and we don’t want it to es- who was part of a group that stormed Luo, Tum said, and police were inves- Mangena’s mother, who suff ered angry,” Gordon Onyango, 32, a Luo, Police did not answer calls from calate it to unmanageable levels.” the home of former lawmaker James tigating whether other lawmakers had dementia, died three weeks after said. “The two sides are both hav- Reuters. Kericho county governor Paul Rege, who defected to the ruling organised the attack. being moved from Esidimeni to one clinic and then another in Soweto. “The cause of death was cardiac arrest and epileptic fit. My mother was never epileptic. We discovered she had been starved and dehydrat- Ruling party backs ed to death,” she said. “These people were sent to their death and they died in the most challenge to Liberia horrible way possible, they were tortured to death. “I was thinking we could get some election results answers so we can heal, but that didn’t happen. Nobody wants to be held liable.” By Zoom Dosso, AFP An earlier off icial investigation, Monrovia which sparked uproar in South Africa, detailed how confused patients were hurriedly removed from the hospital iberia’s ruling party yesterday announced a formal com- and taken to care centres that were plaint against the electoral commission over the outcome often overcrowded and unheated. Lof the October 10 presidential poll, days before a runoff Staff were untrained, the facilities involving its candidate, Vice-President Joseph Boakai. were ill-equipped, and patients were The election was hailed as largely credible by domestic left far from their families, who didn’t and international observers, despite recorded irregularities know where they were. and long delays in voting. Joseph Maboe, a pastor, told the The ruling Unity Party said it would join two other parties inquiry that he went to Esidimeni to in seeking “a logical legal conclusion as quickly as permis- visit his son Billy, who was epilep- sible under Liberian law,” following the Liberty Party and All tic, but found he had already been Liberian Party (ALP) in lodging complaints with the Nation- transferred. al Elections Commission (NEC). Instead Maboe watched other A statement released by the three parties said the election, patients being moved in “big trucks”. which saw former international footballer George Weah take “They were just like goats and the most votes among 20 candidates, was “characterised by sheep taken to an auction,” he said. massive systematic irregularities and fraud”. Maboe said that “Billy was very The statement also accused the outgoing President Ellen happy to be there (Esidimeni)” but Johnson Sirleaf, also of the Unity Party, of “interfering” with later he found his son at a clinic the vote by meeting polling offi cials at her residence. outside Pretoria looking “frail, filthy, That gathering, which took place before the October 10 hungry and disorientated”. election, “clearly amounted to interference with the elector- “He asked for water and they said al process and has no legal basis or justifi cation whatsoever,” they couldn’t give it to him because Local residents look at the scene of Saturday’s car bomb blasts in Mogadishu yesterday. the parties said, without specifying what they believed was he wets himself,” he said. Billy, 53, discussed. The statement was timed for release with Sirleaf’s died less than a week later. birthday, as Africa’s fi rst elected female leader turned 79 “When we are shattered like this, yesterday. what can we say to the government? Vice-President Boakai has publicly questioned Sirleaf’s They don’t care,” Maboe said. commitment to his campaign and his supporters have In another distressing testimony, claimed she backs Weah for president, despite the former AC Sandra de Villiers said that “not even Mogadishu sacks security Milan ace belonging to a diff erent political party. an animal would be treated” like her Boakai and Weah are due to go head-to-head in the run- brother Jaco Stols was at the clinic he off presidential vote on November 7. was taken to. The parties’ statement detailed fraud allegations focused She said she believed he was on voter registration cards printed without serial numbers to sleeping on the floor in thin clothes. chiefs as attack toll hits 27 track them which were given out to ineligible voters, as well “He was very dehydrated. He was as accusations against Sirleaf’s personal staff . badly underfed,” she said. AFP civilians although a senior police offi cial and to provide ‘technical assistance’ but...the Their announcement will come as a blow to the interna- “I would take him a pair of slippers, Mogadishu a former MP were among them. evidence gathered from bombing scenes is tional community, which had urged all sides to ensure Libe- and the next time I went to visit, they The Shebaab claimed responsibility for handled and removed by foreign ‘mentors’ ria’s fi rst democratic transition in more than seven decades would be gone.” the attack in a statement on its Andalus who treat intelligence as a commodity rather went smoothly and to accept the election’s results. Adila Hassim, a lawyer represent- he death toll from a deadly attack on a radio station, saying it was a hotel where than as a shared asset in our battle against a ing the families, summed up the hotel in Mogadishu rose yesterday to “apostate offi cials” were staying. common enemy,” he wrote. tragedy as “a sorry tale of extreme T27, prompting the Somali government The latest toll was given by Security Min- “We appealed to our international part- Clashes erupt at Niamey protest neglect, insuff icient or rotten food, to sack its police and intelligence chiefs. ister Mohamed Abukar Islow at a cabinet ners to share all information and evidence exposure to cold, lack of medication, The move came after Al Qaeda aligned meeting at which ministers approved the that they gathered from bombings in Soma- against Niger financial reforms overcrowding, abuse, death and late Shebaab gunmen staged co-ordinated bomb dismissal of intelligence agency boss Abdil- lia with the national authorities. The silence notifications of death”. attacks Saturday outside the Nasa Hablod lahi Mohamed Sanbalooshe and police chief was deafening,” he added. ngry protesters and police clashed yesterday in Niger’s She said some families had even Hotel 2 before storming the building. Abdihakim Dahir Said. In yesterday’s statement, the information capital Niamey as a demonstration against fi nancial told of searching through bodies Two weeks ago, Mogadishu was hit by a The two were “fi red for the purpose of minister said fi ve people had so far been arrest- Areforms in the West African nation turned violent. Lo- stacked on one another at the mortu- massive truck bombing that killed 358 peo- serious accountability,” said a statement, ed in connection with the October 14 attack. cal civil society organisations have for weeks been denouncing ary to find their lost loved ones. ple in the troubled country’s worst-ever at- which also said police were interrogating the To date, no group has claimed responsi- the 2018 budget for one of the poorest countries on the planet. Faced with the torrent of grim sto- tack. three captured gunmen. bility for that truck bombing, though She- More than 1,000 demonstrators rallied near the city cen- ries, the provincial health authorities Saturday’s carnage was unleashed when The removal of the offi cials comes soon baab militants have been widely blamed. tre to protest against the government’s fi nancial plan that apologised at the ongoing compen- a car bomb exploded outside the hotel en- after the abrupt resignation of Somalia’s de- The Nasa Hablod 2 is a popular hotel lo- they branded “anti-social” and said created new taxes. The sation inquest in Johannesburg. trance followed by a minibus loaded with fence minister and army chief on October 12, cated in the north of the city whose sister protest began quietly but quickly degenerated when a group “It was all irrational, it was rushed explosives going off at a nearby intersection. both of whom quit without explanation just hotel, the Nasa Hablod, was hit by Shebaab of people defi ed a ban and headed to a square opposite the and not necessary. It was not urgent, The gunmen then rushed into the popular two days before the massive truck bombing. militants in June 2016, in an attack that country’s parliament. Police used tear gas to stop the group but we did it,” Levy Mosenogi, chief hotel, launching a siege that lasted several Although a new army chief was named the killed 11 people, including a junior minister. from reaching parliament, an AFP correspondent said. The planning director for the Gauteng hours. same day, General Abdi Jama Warsame, the The Shebaab has made attacks on hotels protesters responded by throwing stones and bricks, build- health department, said, tears rolling “Five gunmen stormed the building, two defence portfolio remains vacant. — commonly beginning with a suicide car ing barricades and lighting tyres on fi re. down his face. of them were killed and the rest captured The intelligence chief’s dismissal came bombing followed by an invasion by gunmen “The new budget is going to squeeze the poor,” said Nouhou Many off icials have pointed to alive,” security ministry spokesman Abdia- just three days after he published an op-ed — a regular strategy in its decade-long bat- Arzika, a prominent activist and one of the protest leaders. former Gauteng health minister Qed- siz Ali Ibrahim told reporters. in the New York Times criticising interna- tle to overthrow successive internationally- Instead of creating new taxes, Arzika suggested that the au- ani Mahlangu as the chief architect of Sporadic gunfi re could be heard inside the tional partners for not responding to Somali backed governments in Mogadishu. thorities “start by reducing their prestigious lifestyle” or their the botched relocation plan. building where the gunmen had holed up, requests for technical and training expertise The Shebaab lost its foothold in Mogad- “many offi cial trips” to reduce the size of the government. Mahlangu has promised to testify but several people managed to escape, of- to analyse forensic evidence after attacks ishu in 2011 but has continued its fi ght, Finance Minister Hassoumi Massoudou told parliament at the commission but has not yet fi cials said. like the October 14 bombing. launching regular attacks on military, gov- on Wednesday that the new measures “do not aff ect the been available, saying she is cur- Offi cials had initially given a toll of 14 “We have been operating almost com- ernment and civilian targets in the capital poor” but the “richest” and that the tax burden will be be- rently studying in London. dead, saying “most” of the casualties were pletely blind. International partners off ered and elsewhere. tween 13% and 16%, its level in 2015. Gulf Times Monday, October 30, 2017 11 AMERICA First arrest Toppled in Russia probe said to be near

AFP State Department, approved Washington the sale, though Clinton says she was “not personally in- volved”. ffi cial Washington As Mueller’s inquiry ad- was abuzz this week- vances, there have been calls Oend over reports that a from some Republicans — and grand jury has charged at least from the conservative editorial one person stemming from the board of the Wall Street Journal US probe of Russia’s attempts — for him to resign. to tilt the 2016 presidential Christie cautioned on Sun- elections in Donald Trump’s day that the former FBI chief favour. should be “very, very careful.” There was no indication, in Democrats meantime have reporting by CNN that oth- warned that if Trump were er media later confi rmed, of to fi re Mueller — or issue who might be charged or what preemptive pardons to anyone crimes might be alleged in the caught in his net — it would be ongoing inquiry led by former crossing a line. FBI chief Robert Mueller. Special counsels like Muel- But Trump, in a rapid burst ler are super sleuths with more of tweets yesterday, again de- power and independence than nounced the investigation as a regular American investiga- “witch hunt” and repeated his tors. A replica equestrian statue of King Edward VII is nudged into position allowing it to float down the Don River during a performance in Toronto, Canada. denials of any collusion with Unlike a US attorney, a spe- Russia. cial counsel has more leeway in Mueller’s team has remained carrying out a probe. mum about reports that a fi rst They are appointed when arrest was imminent. an investigation by a US at- He is empowered to pursue torney would present a confl ict not only Russian interference of interest or when, “under the but any other crimes his large circumstances, it would be in team of prosecutors should un- the public interest to appoint cover. an outside Special Counsel to But Chris Christie, a Repub- assume responsibility for the Focus on poor defence lican governor close to Trump, matter”, says the relevant law. said yesterday on ABC that For instance, in 1999 At- “the important thing about torney General Janet Reno ap- today for the American people pointed Senator John Danforth to know is the president is not to oversee a probe into the role under investigation. of the FBI in a deadly assault in And no one has told him that 1993 against the Branch Dav- in death penalty case he is”. idian sect in Waco, Texas — an Typically, such an inquiry assault that Reno had ordered. The death penalty ‘is imposed for the His view was echoed by Brandon Ga- would fi rst target lower-level A special counsel does not worst lawyer not the crime’, counsel rett, professor at the University of Virginia people while building a case have to keep his or her superi- stated School of Law. against those higher up. ors briefed on each step of the “The main job of a defence lawyer in a Representative Adam Schiff probe they are carrying out — AFP death penalty case is to give the jury a rea- of California, the ranking even though the counsel does Washington son not to sentence someone to death,” he Democrat on the House intel- still answer to the Justice De- said. ligence committee, demurred partment and thus, ultimately, For Ayestas, he added, it was “no sur- Sunday when asked whether to the president. he US Supreme Court hears argu- prise that the jury took 12 minutes to de- Trump was under investiga- The attorney general or his ments yesterday in a death penalty cide whether to sentence him to death.” tion. “I can’t answer that one or her deputy does not have Tcase that focuses on a key inequity “They had no reason to consider not to way or the other,” he told ABC. to explain the criteria used in the US legal system: the fairness of con- sentence him to death.” But he mentioned two pos- in choosing someone to be a demning to death someone who has had a In order to challenge a person’s deten- sible targets on whom much special counsel, who can even poor legal defence. tion following poor legal defense in the speculation has focused: come from outside govern- The death penalty in the US is imposed United States, a petition for habeas corpus former national security ad- ment. “not for the worst crime, but for the worst can be fi led — arguing the person was de- viser Michael Flynn and former That is the case with Muel- lawyer”, says Stephen Bright, president tained against their constitutional rights. Trump campaign director Paul ler, who resigned from the law and senior counsel at the Southern Center But in Texas, the law complicates things Manafort, both of them once fi rm where he worked to take for Human Rights. for prisoners — requiring lawyers to prove involved in undeclared lobby- on this investigation. The Supreme Court’s nine justices the sentence would have been diff erent if ing for foreign interests. Mueller was named by depu- will weigh the implications of a poor the defendant had been better represent- It was not clear that Christie ty attorney general Rod Rosen- defence as they address the sentenc- ed. would know whether Trump stein, to whom he will report. ing of Carlos Ayestas — a man of Hon- “You need a team to do capital defense. is in fact being investigated. Attorney General Jeff Ses- duran origin condemned to death for, A lawyer alone is not enough,” says Emily He may have been referring sions has recused himself from along with two accomplices, tying up a Olson-Gault — director and chief counsel to a remark in May by former the Russia probe because he 67-year-old woman and beating her to at the American Bar Association’s Death FBI chief James Comey, who failed to state during his con- death after they broke into her home in Penalty Representation Project. told a Senate panel in May that fi rmation hearings that he had 1995. Such a team should include social work- Trump was not a target of the met with Russian offi cials. According to the defence, there were The US Supreme Court in Washington. ers, as well as investigators and funding for inquiry. A special counsel can issue several mitigating factors — Ayestas was medical experts — all of which were denied As the Mueller investigation subpoenas and ask for extra an alcoholic before adolescence, an addict, “When you have three outlier practices is arguing the case before the Supreme to Ayestas by the state of Texas. nears a dramatic new phase, resources for a probe but must and had suff ered brain trauma and severe in one jurisdiction in one year, it begins to Court. These lawyers hope the Supreme Court Republican offi cials and right- warn the attorney general or mental health problems. look like a renegade county as opposed to “A reasonable lawyer is supposed to will back the defence’s argument that leaning media have stepped up the deputy of important moves He was tried in Harris County, Texas, just an outlier county.” look into this person’s social history, get a Ayestas was denied “reasonable neces- their attacks on Democrats, they plan to make in the inves- which encompasses the city of Houston The American penal code stipulates a mental health profi le and fi gure out what sary” means to investigate possible miti- above all on Trump’s rival in tigation. The attorney general and where more people have been sen- defendant has the right to counsel and the most eff ective mitigation case will be. gating evidence. last year’s election, Hillary can oppose a procedural act tenced to death than anywhere else in the “reasonable necessary” means for his or None of that happens here.” Juries in the past have been receptive to Clinton — attacks that Demo- that the special counsel wants United States. her defence — in particular to fund inves- Once Ayestas’ guilt was established, he arguments related to mental health, even crats dismiss as blatant at- to make. It is the third time a case from the coun- tigations likely to establish mitigating cir- added, it should have been asked whether when faced with the most barbaric crimes. tempts to divert attention. And he or she can dismiss ty has arrived before the Supreme Court cumstances. someone like him belongs “in the category In the case of James Holmes — who Trump, in his tweets yester- the counsel if that individual this year. “That tells you that there is a But in the case of Ayestas, the “trial of the worst of the worst”. opened fi re in a Colorado movie theatre day, again complained of Clin- appears to have made a serious problem,” said Robert Dunham, Executive counsel didn’t do anything for almost a “Do they deserve the death penalty in 2012, killing 12 and wounding 70 — evi- ton’s handling of e-mails while mistake or is in a situation of Director of the Death Penalty Information year and a half, until about a month be- light of the circumstances in which they dence of dementia persuaded a jury to secretary of state, of Demo- confl ict of interest. Center. fore trial”, according to Lee Kovarksy, who lived their life?” Kovarsky said. forego the the death penalty. cratic Party funding of what One of the best known spe- he said was a “fake” dossier on cial prosecutors was Archibald Trump’s background, and of a Cox, named to lead the Water- US sale during the Obama ad- gate investigation that led to ministration of uranium rights Richard Nixon’s resignation in to Russia. 1974. “There is so much GUILT by Nixon wanted Cox fi red af- Democrats/Clinton, and now ter he issued subpoenas for GoP senator wants Democrats the facts are pouring out. DO copies of taped conversations SOMETHING!” Trump tweet- Nixon made in the Oval Offi ce. ed. Attorney General Elliot Rich- In the uranium case, Rus- ardson refused to fi re Cox, and sian energy company Rosatom resigned. sought in 2010 to buy a share in His deputy William Ruck- to testify on Trump dossier Toronto-based UraniumOne. elshaus did the same in what A panel of nine US govern- came to be known as the “Sat- Reuters John Podesta, who was Clinton’s cam- here. But certainly, it’s worth additional Christopher Steele, the document iden- ment agencies, including the urday Night Massacre”. Washington paign chairman, and US questioning of those two witnesses. And tified Russian businessmen and others Representative Debbie Wasserman the lawyer; absolutely, he more than any- who US intelligence analysts have con- Schultz, who was the head of the Demo- one.” cluded are Russian intelligence officers S Senator Susan Collins, a Re- cratic National Committee at the time, It has been widely reported that sup- or working on behalf of the Russian gov- publican member of the Intelli- as well as Elias “absolutely need to be re- porters of Republican Jeb Bush, a primary ernment. Ugence Committee, said Democrats called” to testify,” Collins said in an ap- opponent of Trump, initially paid for the Representative Trey Gowdy, a Republi- should be called again to testify about pearance on CBS’ Face the Nation. fi rm’s research. can who runs the House Oversight Com- reports that their party and Hillary Clin- Perkins Coie, Elias’ law fi rm, confi rmed mittee, said in an appearance on “Fox ton’s presidential campaign paid for parts The Washington Post reported last on Tuesday that it had hired Fusion GPS in News Sunday” that he was more inter- of a dossier that detailed accusations week that Marc Elias, a lawyer April 2016. ested in whether the Federal Bureau of about President Donald Trump’s ties to for 2016 Democratic presidential The Washington Free Beacon, a con- Investigation or the Department of Justice Russia. candidate Clinton, used campaign servative online publication backed by used the dossier in conducting their own The Washington Post reported last week funds to hire Fusion GPS, the fi rm billionaire Republican megadonor Paul probes. that Marc Elias, a lawyer for 2016 Demo- behind the dossier Singer, said on Friday it was the original “I don’t expect the (Democratic Na- cratic presidential candidate Clinton, used funder of the Fusion GPS project to com- tional Committee) to be objective,” Gowdy campaign funds to hire Fusion GPS, the “It’s diffi cult to imagine that a campaign pile opposition research on multiple Re- said. “Almost by defi nition, opposition re- fi rm behind the dossier. chairman, that the head of the DNC would publican presidential candidates, includ- search is not objective. Committees in both chambers of Con- not know of an expenditure of this magni- ing Trump. “The next thing that House Intel is try- gress have been investigating the origin tude and signifi cance,” Collins said. “But Known as the Steele dossier because ing to fi nd out is whether or not the US Robert Mueller and contents of the document. perhaps there’s something more going on it was compiled by former MI6 officer government relied on it.” Gulf Times 12 Monday, October 30, 2017 ASIA/AUSTRALASIA Taiwan president arrives in Hawaii despite Chinese objections

Reuters transit stops by Taiwanese presi- Tsai, who China believes view that there is only one Chi- two weeks. He angered Beijing Honolulu dents. China has not renounced is seeking formal na, and Taiwan is part of it. last December by taking a tele- the possible use of force to bring independence for Taiwan, Tsai, accompanied by her phone call from Tsai shortly after the island under its control. is on a week-long trip to entourage and members of the he won the presidential election. aiwanese President Tsai Tsai, who China believes is three Pacifi c island allies media, left on a short boat ride The trip to the United States is Ing-wen landed in Hono- seeking formal independence — Tuvalu, the Solomon for the USS Arizona Memorial, Tsai’s second this year. Tlulu on Saturday en route for Taiwan, left on Saturday on Islands and the Marshall which is built over the remains of In January she stopped over to the island’s diplomatic allies a week-long trip to three Pacifi c Islands — via Honolulu and the battleship sunk in Pearl Har- in Houston and San Francisco among Pacifi c nations and set off island allies — Tuvalu, the Solo- the US territory of Guam bor in the World War II, on Sat- on her way to and from Latin for a visit to a Pearl Harbor me- mon Islands and the Marshall Is- urday afternoon. The memorial, America, visiting the headquar- morial, despite strong objections lands — via Honolulu and the US through US soil would be “pri- where Tsai was expected to lay a ters of Twitter , which is blocked to the visit from China. territory of Guam. For her part, vate and unoffi cial” and were wreath, now forms a centrepiece in China. China regards self-ruled Tai- Tsai says she wants to maintain based on long-standing US of the World War II Valor in the China has claimed sovereignty wan as sovereign territory and peace with China but will defend practice consistent with “our Pacifi c National Monument, a over Taiwan since 1949, when regularly calls it the most sensi- Taiwan’s democracy and secu- unoffi cial relations with Taiwan”. site administered by the Nation- Mao Zedong’s Communist forc- tive and important issue between rity. It noted there was “no change to al Park Service. es won the Chinese civil war and it and the United States, com- Earlier this week, the US State the US one-China policy” which US President Donald Trump Chiang Kai-shek’s Nationalists Tsai Ing-wen plaining to Washington about Department said Tsai’s transits recognises that Beijing takes the is due to visit China in less than fl ed to the island. Thai king’s remains laid to rest at end of ceremony

Reuters Bangkok

he bones and ashes of Thailand’s late King Bhu- Tmibol Adulyadej were brought to their fi nal resting places yesterday, the fi fth and last day of an elaborate funeral ceremony that drew hundreds of thousands of mourners to the streets of Bangkok. King Bhumibol, the world’s longest reigning monarch when he died last year at the age of 88, ruled Thailand from shortly af- ter World War II and was revered as a stabilising fi gure through coups, protests and natural dis- asters. The $90mn royal funeral drew mourners clad in black from across the country to Bangkok, where King Bhumibol was cre- mated on Thursday in an elabo- rate gold crematorium built for the ceremony outside the Grand A mourner watches the ceremony on a mobile phone during the procession transferring the relics and ashes of the late Thai King Bhumibol A mourner prays for the late Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej during Palace. Adulyadej from the Grand Palace to a local temple in Bangkok yesterday. A year of off icial mourning for Thailand’s late King Bhumibol the procession transferring the relics and his ashes from the Grand Over 19mn Thais — more than Adulyadej was to end after a lavish five-day funeral full of pageantry and religious ritual. Palace to a local temple in Bangkok. a quarter of the 69mn popu- lation — participated in cer- Throne Hall, where royal relics Sirivannavari Nariratana led the Mourners, some in tears, were Wat Rajabopidh was built by at Wat Bovoranives, the temple of Thai Buddhism founded by emonies by presenting symbolic are kept within the Grand Palace fi nal royal procession on horse- gathered outside the temples. the late king’s grandfather, King where he entered the monkhood the late king’s great grandfather, sandalwood fl owers to be burned in a ceremony that involved sen- back to the Wat Rajabopidh “I will always have him stored in Chualalongkorn, and houses the in 1956 after his grandmother’s King Mongkut. Many Thais have at temples and crematorium ior monks from temples across and Wat Bovoranives temples my heart. Whether as pictures, remains of other royals includ- death, a custom for Buddhist worn black for the past year. The replicas across the country, ac- the country. His son, new King where her grandfather’s ashes however old and torn, the mem- ing the late king’s father, Prince males after the death of a rela- military government has told cording to the government. Maha Vajiralongkorn, led the re- were placed in keeping with ory of him will always be kept in Mahidol and the princess moth- tive. people to wear bright clothes Yesterday, the late king’s ligious rite. a ceremony steeped in reli- my heart,” said Chalermporm er, Srinagarindra. Some of the Wat Bovoranives is also the from today, when the mourning bones were moved to the Chakri Yesterday evening, Princess gious symbolism and tradition. Prabutr, 72. late king’s ashes were also be laid centre of the more austere strain period formally ends. Myanmar’s tourism dreams Tensions rise as food, water cut at Australian-run refugee camp pierced by Rohingya crisis DPA Behrouz Boochani, a refugee cation. The safety of refugees Sydney at the Manus camp, told DPA. and government staff “is not He said the locals were wor- to be taken for granted given AFP ried about having 600 foreign the tension that is now be- Yangon ensions were rising yes- men in their small island com- ing expressed by the locals on terday after food and munity. “They are planning to Manus Island,” police com- Twater supplies were cut block the road and do a protest missioner Gari Baki said yes- nly a few years ago Be- at the Australia-run refugee tomorrow. Last night, two lo- terday. yonce and Jay-Z were detention camp on Papua New cal young drunk men threw A “small disgruntled fac- Oposing for photos among Guinea’s Manus Island, where stones into the detention cen- tion among the refugees... is Myanmar’s famed temples, her- hundreds of asylum-seekers tre,” he said. creating uncertainty,” he said alding the former junta-run are due to be relocated to a lo- Yesterday, authorities had in a statement. He also asked country’s rise as one of the hot- cal town. shut the camp’s dining room the locals “not to create any test new tourist destinations on The refugees have been and cut off water supplies, uncertainty and let the trans- the map. asked to relocate from the Boochani said, giving the fer of the refugees be done as But that dream is cracking camp — which is scheduled refugees food parcels and wa- smoothly as possible.” as images of burnt villages and to shut down tomorrow after ter bottles to last two days. Last week, Charlie Ben- Muslim Rohingya fl eeing army- PNG’s Supreme Court deemed Tomorrow, the electricity is jamin, the governor of Manus led violence in western Rakhine it illegal — to temporary resi- due to be cut off . The deten- Island, warned that many lo- shock the globe, sparking out- dential facilities in the island’s tion centre was set up by the cals feared they would be in rage over a staggering scale of main town of Lorengau. Australian government to hold danger from the refugees and human suff ering that has fes- But the refugees, who have asylum-seekers trying to enter were threatening to arm them- tered along the border. been held since 2014, have the country by boat for off - selves to stop the men from Ever since the bloodshed refused to move and say they shore processing. moving in. Daniel Webb, an broke out in late August, tourism are afraid of being attacked by The practice has been criti- advocate with the Melbourne- operators have witnessed a cas- locals. cised by the United Nations based Human Rights Law cade of cancellations, rippling “The local people are very and rights groups. Center, told dpa the situation fear through a nascent industry angry with the Australian Papua New Guinea authori- on Manus was “like a powder that was gearing up for its high government and are prepar- ties have deployed extra po- keg.” “Locals are angry at the season in October. ing [with] weapons, knives... lice, including a paramilitary Australian government. “Almost all the trips sched- They are determined to pre- force, to the island after re- The refugees are frightened. uled for October and November vent the [local] government ports of locals threatening to The situation is a disaster have been cancelled due to in- Tourists walking in front of City Hall in the downtown area of Yangon. from relocating the refugees,” use violence to stop the relo- waiting to happen,” he said. stability in the country, because of the situation in Rakhine state,” But they admitted that the on- said Tun Tun Naing from New going crisis is an awkward back- Myanmar police charge reporters over drone use Authorities lower Bali volcano alert status Fantastic Asia Travels and Tour, drop for their holiday. an agency that leads trips to “It’s very sad to see what the Myanmar police have charged and two Burmese. They will be the pristine beaches and mist- country is becoming, our guide two foreign journalists working held on remand until November The alert level for a rumbling further than 6km from the sparking fears it could erupt shrouded lakes that dot the lush told us that Muslims were dan- for Turkish state media —along 10,” deputy police colonel Kyaw volcano on the Indonesian crater could return home but for the first time since 1963 and country. “Most groups in Japan, gerous and that they were not with two Burmese locals — for Moe told AFP. resort island of Bali that forced warned that the mountain, triggering the highest possible Australia and other Asian coun- Burmese,” said French tourist allegedly breaching import laws The foreigners, Lau Hon Meng more than 100,000 to flee has which has been shaking for alert level in September. More tries cited security reasons and Christine, who declined to give after they flew a drone over the from Singapore and Mok been lowered, authorities said months, had not quite come than 133,000 people have been some Europeans have clearly said her surname, of a crisis that has country’s parliament. The men Choy Lin from Malaysia, were yesterday, but there is still a to a standstill. “The volcanic living in shelters for more than they boycotted because of the spiked religious tensions in the will be held in custody until their arrested on Friday in Myanmar’s chance it could erupt. Volcanic activities have not completely a month in fear of an eruption, humanitarian situation,” he told Buddhist majority country. first court hearing on charges capital Naypyidaw while they activity in Mount Agung is calmed down and there is still even though more than half AFP. Some distinguished guests are that carry up to three years in were on assignment for Turkish slowing and the volcano’s a potential for an eruption,” the of the refugees actually live In Yangon, a bustling city also keeping their distance, with jail or a fine for the import and state broadcaster TRT. The pair status has been lowered from agency’s head Kasbani, who like outside the danger zone. known for its crumbling colonial Prince Charles, heir to the British export of “restricted or banned was working with well-known level four “danger” to level many Indonesians goes by one Off icials estimated Mount architecture, some foreign tour- throne, and his wife Camilla de- goods” without obtaining a Myanmar journalist Aung Naing three “alert” by Indonesia’s name, said in a statement. Agung’s increasing activity had ists could still be seen circling the ciding to skip a stop in the former licence. “We have opened a case Soe and a local driver Hla Tin. volcanology centre. Mount Agung, 75km from cost Bali at least $110mn from gilded Shwedagon Pagoda that colony during an autumn tour of against all four – two foreigners The agency said villagers the tourist hub of Kuta, has the hit to the tourism sector and looms over the former capital. Asia. whose homes are located been rumbling since August, loss of productivity. Gulf Times Monday, October 30, 2017 13 BRITAIN

LAW AND ORDER PEOPLE DECISION TRAVEL DATA Crackdown on ‘dangerous’ Missing Scottish woman Child maintenance bank Power failure shuts Tyne Cyber off ences motorbike stunts found in Glasgow account loophole plugged and Wear Metro system see shocking rise

The police have revealed plans to crack A missing woman whose husband travelled to Parents will no longer be able to use a legal The entire Tyne and Wear Metro network was An online crime is committed every 10 minutes down on those taking part in “reckless” the London toy shop where she was last seen loophole to avoid paying child maintenance, brought to a standstill by a major power failure. in England and Wales, shocking new figures Halloween motorcycle events, claiming they has been found in Glasgow. Karen Brown, 47, under new laws to be brought in within months. The outage happened at about 5.30GMT show. Official stats revealing the dangers of put “themselves and members of the public at went missing from her home in Clydebank If a parent owes maintenance, payment can yesterday when a fault developed at an electricity cyber space show police logged more than great risk”. The Met Police said that in the past earlier this month. Her husband, Jock, had currently be taken only from a bank account held sub-station at a depot in the Gosforth area of 55,000 Internet-related offences in the space two years, off icers have responded to “ride out” appealed for her to contact the family. On solely by them. A “small minority” are avoiding Newcastle. Operator Nexus said it was unlikely of a year, working out to an average of 150 a events in which large numbers of motorcyclists Saturday he went to Hamleys toy store in payments by having a joint account with a services would resume until today. A spokesman day. The crimes recorded include child sex gather across diff erent locations in London. Last Regent Street after CCTV images showed her partner, the government says. It says new rules said: “We are not running trains to any part of the abuse allegations, harassment and blackmail. year’s event saw hundreds of masked bikers there. Police Scotland said she had been traced mean money can be taken from joint accounts, system. Engineers are on site and are working to Fraud and computer misuse are not included take the streets of London with bikers reportedly safe and well in Glasgow city centre yesterday which could mean an extra £390,000 being repair the power fault so that trains can be moved in the statistics. In April 2015, it became throwing firecrackers at police and people’s afternoon. Inspector John McMillan from collected. Unpaid child maintenance backlog out from the depot as soon as possible.” Nexus mandatory for police to return quarterly windows in scenes of “utter carnage”. Police said Dumbarton Police Station said: “It is great news in UK is £3.8bn. Safeguards will be put in place said passengers were also unable to use valid information on the number of crimes flagged the intent and action of these groups is to cause that Karen has come back to Glasgow and she over deducting money from joint accounts, the tickets on local bus services, as would normally as being either fully or partially committed disruption and anti-social behaviour. is now heading home to her family.” department for work and pensions said. be the case, because of “capacity issues”. online. Muslim woman All in a day’s work hit by car was hate crime victim: police

Guardian News and Media was killed after a man drove a London van into worshippers near to the Finsbury Park mosque in north London. Muslim woman who suf- In that case the Metropolitan fered serious injuries police classed it as a terrorist in- A after being struck by a cident. A man has been charged car was the alleged victim of a with murder over the Finsbury hate crime, the Guardian has Park attack. learned. The attack has shocked lo- The woman, Zaynab Hussein, cal communities in Leicester. 47, is still in hospital more than Dr Shazad Amin, of Mend, a fi ve weeks after the attack. Police Muslim campaigning group, allege the car driver intended to said: “The whole community is kill her, and also struck a child in shocked by this senseless, un- the area. provoked attack. Our thoughts It is one of the worst crimes and prayers are with her family in the recent upsurge of attacks and we hope she makes a full re- suffered by Britain’s Muslim covery”. Workmen abseil down the clock face of the Royal Liver Buildings in Liverpool, Britain, yesterday. and ethnic minority communi- A Leicester man faces criminal ties. charges over the attacks. He was The incident happened in detained shortly after the at- Leicester on September 20 as tacks and charged the next day. Hussein returned from taking He cannot be named for legal her children to school. reasons. A man has been charged with Leicestershire police declined attempted murder over the inci- further comment on the basis dent and with attempted griev- that strict contempt of court ous bodily harm for an incident rules apply which limit the de- where a car was driven that same tails they can release. Govt ‘may allow some morning at a 12-year-old girl. In a statement announcing the The child was struck by the car charges, Leicestershire police but police say she did not suff er said: “A man has been charged any visible injuries. following two road traffi c colli- Police say both incidents are sions in Leicester. being treated as hate crimes and “(The suspect) has been as deliberate acts. charged with attempted murder, prisoners right to vote’ Diis Barre, Hussein’s hus- attempted grievous bodily harm band, praised paramedics and with intent, dangerous driving Guardian News and Media home to vote, according to the left open the possibility of pris- prime minister, said the idea of impose a voting ban on prisoners medical staff for saving his and driving with alcohol above London Sunday Times. The newspaper oners on day release being al- prisoners being given the right convicted of serious crimes. wife’s life but said: “Why would the limit.” said the decision had been made lowed to vote. to vote made him feel “physi- The European Union’s high- anybody attack my innocent “The attempted murder charge by David Lidington, the justice A spokeswoman said: “We do cally sick”. est court ruled that the ban on wife who was going about her relates to an incident on Septem- he government is report- secretary, who circulated plans not comment on speculation. Our The ban on prisoners’ vot- French convicted murderer daily business?” ber 20 when a vehicle collided edly planning to scrap its to ministers last week. policy on prisoner voting is well ing was challenged John Hirst, Thierry Delvigne taking part in Hussein suff ered broken with a pedestrian, a woman in Tblanket ban on prisoners The paper said it would aff ect established: it remains a matter who, in 2005, while serving a the European elections did not limbs, extensive cuts and has her forties, on Acer Close at the being allowed to vote, 12 years hundreds of prisoners and quot- for the UK to determine, and of- life sentence for manslaughter, represent a breach of the EU required skin grafts. The attack junction with Butterwick Drive. after the European court of hu- ed a senior government source fenders in prison cannot vote.” won a case in the grand cham- charter of fundamental rights happened in the Beaumont Leys She remains in hospital in a seri- man rights ruled that it was un- as saying: “This will only apply Any weakening of the blanket ber of the ECHR in Strasbourg but was proportionate “in so far area of Leicester. ous condition. lawful. to a small number of people who ban is likely to leave many MPs with a ruling that a blanket ban as it takes into account the na- Leicestershire police and the “The GBH charge relates to Britain has ignored a series of remain on the electoral roll and dismayed. When the govern- on voting was contrary to Arti- ture and gravity of the criminal Crown Prosecution Service say a separate collision which hap- judgments by European courts are let out on day release. These ment proposed legislation to cle 3, protocol 1 of the European off ence committed and the du- they are treating both incidents pened in Butterwick Drive when since 2005, maintaining that are not murderers and rapists restrict the voting ban in 2011 Convention on Human Rights, ration of the penalty”. as hate crimes on religious and a vehicle collided with a pedes- it is a matter for parliament to but prisoners who are serving MPs voted overwhelmingly by which guarantees the right to The same year, the ECHR racial grounds. They are being trian, a 12-year-old girl. She decide. But the government is less than a year who remain on 234 to 22 in favour of a cross- free and fair elections. ruled that the blanket ban linked and were allegedly delib- didn’t receive any visible inju- planning to end its long-run- the electoral roll. No one will be party motion that said parlia- The exact parameters of what breached the rights of 1,015 erate. ries.” ning defi ance by allowing pris- allowed to register to vote if they ment should decide on such an would be deemed acceptable Britons behind bars who had It is the second alleged vehicle The suspect is due to next ap- oners serving a sentence of less are still behind bars.” important issue. remain unclear, but, in 2015, the brought claims but said that attack directed against Muslims pear at Leicester crown court on than a year who are let out on Responding to the report, the David Cameron, who defi ed European court of justice ruled they were not entitled to com- this year in Britain. In June a man November 10. day release to be allowed to go ministry of justice’s statement the European judgements as that it was lawful for countries to pensation or their legal costs. BBC suspends presenter Hunt interview UK pensions ‘among over harassment claims worst in the world’ Guardian News and Media modelled on the Australian one, London compels British employers to pay Guardian News and Media in a story headlined ‘Top BBC former Metropolitan police de- just 1% of salary, rising to 3% in London women expose sex pests’. tective. 2019. “It is an inaccurate portrayal of The BBC has encouraged staff ritish workers can expect The payouts from the Austral- conversations women at the BBC to come forward with complaints among the worst pensions ian “super” scheme, on top of he BBC Radio 5 Live sports have been having since the pay since the Harvey Weinstein Bin the developed world, ac- the country’s basic state pension, presenter George Riley gaps were identifi ed in July. Our scandal began. Weinstein faces cording to a report from invest- mean that a 50-year-old female in Thas been suspended by group acts as a forum for female numerous allegations of sexual ment bank UBS, which compared Sydney today can expect to retire the broadcaster following com- colleagues to come together, assault and harassment. the retirement outlook for a at age 67 with an income of 72% of plaints of sexual harassment. which many of us wish had ex- This week the BBC’s deputy 50-year-old woman in major cit- her current salary, compared with Riley was due to be present- isted earlier in our careers and director general, Anne Bul- ies across the globe. 41% in London. ing covering of the rugby league which discusses a wide range of ford, wrote to all staff , saying: UBS calculated how much a Singapore came top of the table, World Cup for 5 Live but was ab- issues, off ering support and ad- “There’s been a lot of press country’s basic state pension, just ahead of Sydney, helped by sent from the coverage of Satur- vice where necessary. coverage and comment recently plus “mandated” pensions such its giant $346bn (£262bn) Central day’s match between Wales and about bullying and harassment as the UK’s automatic enrolment Provident Fund. However, UBS Papua New Guinea. It is understood that BBC’s in the entertainment industry, scheme and Australia’s “superan- said Jane in Zurich was the best The allegations against Riley internal corporate security and more broadly. Tony Hall nuation” scheme, would pay out off , measured by the amount of were fi rst reported by the Sunday and investigations team (the director general) and I have as a proportion of the income of additional savings she would have Times, which said that a “secret is handling multiple written to you a number of times a 50-year-old “average Jane” liv- to put aside to fi nance her lifestyle group of the BBC’s top female allegations of sexual on this. ing in the capital city. It found that in retirement. presenters”, including Mishal harassment “We have a duty of care to pro- Jane in London can expect just Private pension arrangements Husain and Victoria Derbyshire, tect you – one we take extremely 41% of her current income in re- were not included in the study, had uncovered suspected cas- “It is wrong to portray it as seriously. I just want to remind tirement, on a par with Hong Kong which looked purely at manda- es of sexual harassment at the being focused on sexual har- you what to do if you want to and just one place above the low- tory arrangements in each country broadcaster. assment or targeting individu- raise any concerns. Please be as- est-ranked city, Taipei in Taiwan. – in other words, the compulsory Yesterday Husain hit back als.” sured that we will continue to Singapore, Sydney, Paris and amounts that employers must set at the article, which included It is understood that the BBC’s handle any issues raised sensi- Milan topped the table. UBS found aside, plus the payouts from state a photo of the Radio 4 Today internal corporate security and tively.” Australia’s pension system was pensions. UBS said Jane in Lon- programme presenter on the investigations team is handling A BBC spokesman said: “We one of the most sustainable, with don would have to save 47% of her front page of the newspaper. She multiple allegations of sexual can’t comment on individuals, companies compelled to put aside income every month at age 50 if posted a statement on Twitter harassment, including the alle- but treat any allegations seri- Health Minister Jeremy Hunt is seen speaking on the 9.5% of a worker’s salary in a pen- she hoped to fi nance a basic urban that said: “Today the Sunday gations against Riley. The team is ously and have processes in place BBC’s Andrew Marr Show in London yesterday. sion scheme. The UK’s auto-en- lifestyle, assuming she had saved Times used my name and image led by Carol Ann Kinley-Smith, a for investigating them.” rolment scheme, which is loosely nothing yet privately. Gulf Times 14 Monday, October 30, 2017 BRITAIN Households struggle with problem debts as rate hike looms

Guardian News and Media of managing personal debt – debts have risen to levels unseen debt relief orders – available to vencies up again ... Some people fl ation, real wages fell by 0.4% rate to 0.5% – the level it stood London reached their highest level since since the fi nancial crisis, reach- those who have a low income, have trouble paying for basics, in the three months to August, at before the Bank’s emergency they were introduced in 1987. ing more than £200bn. low assets and less than £20,000 like food or housing, let alone the sixth consecutive month of rate cut in the wake of the Brexit The spike in their usage comes There were 15,523 IVAs re- of debt – from June to 6,274. paying for luxuries.” negative earnings. That’s de- vote. ritish households are in- amid a 10.6% increase in wider corded in England and Wales However, the number of out- The fi gures come as the Bank spite the lowest levels of unem- The government fi gures show creasingly struggling with insolvencies since the end of in the third quarter, rising from right bankruptcies – whereby an of England prepares to increase ployment in the UK since the that in the 12 months ending Bproblem debts, according June. 13,290 in the same period a year individual’s assets may be sold to the cost of borrowing with the mid-1970s. in September in England and to alarming offi cial fi gures, in the The fi gures paint a worrying ago. The voluntary means of re- pay for their debts – fell slightly fi rst interest rate hike in a dec- An interest rate hike could Wales, one in 477 adults – or starkest indication yet of the UK picture of Britain in the red, and paying an individual’s creditor to 3,682. ade from as early as next week. It exacerbate problems for indi- 0.21% of the adult population slipping into the red. comes as the growth of personal some or all of the money they Adrian Hyde, of insolvency also comes amid worrying signs viduals with problem debt, as – became insolvent. This was Government statistics for loans, credit cards and car fi - are owed, with the help of an in- and restructuring trade body for the economy, as consumers they may see an increase in their slightly up from one in 489 at England and Wales show appli- nance outstrips the rise in earn- solvency practitioner, made up R3, said: “Falling real wages and rein in spending amid infl ation borrowing costs. However, the the end of June, although was cations for individual voluntary ings by almost fi ve times. Bank two-thirds of all insolvencies. exhausted credit limits may have outstripping wages. increase is only expected to be the highest rate since the end of arrangements (IVAs) – a means of England data shows personal There was a 2.1% increase in helped to push personal insol- When taking account of in- a modest 0.25%, returning the December 2014.

Heathrow Picturesque Scotland security Million more fi les found dumped in street to face longer

AFP London waiting times eathrow Airport yester- day said it has launched Han internal investigation after a memory stick containing extensive security information was found on a London street by a member of the public. on NHS wards The USB drive contained doz- ens of folders with maps, videos Analysis by the BMA predicts of the challenge facing the NHS. 400,000 by 2020, meaning more and documents — some marked that more than 4mn patients As demand increases and wait- than a fi fth of patients attending confi dential or restricted — de- could be waiting more than ing times rise, many more pa- emergency wards waiting more tailing security at Europe’s busi- four hours to be seen by 2020 tients are left waiting longer for than four hours. The highest est airport, according to the Sun- care. It is clear from this analy- monthly fi gure in 2016-17 was day Mirror newspaper, which Guardian News and Media sis that we need urgent action 281,612, in January. fi rst reported the incident. London to close the gap between invest- The problems are being A man discovered the un- ment and rising demand on the partly driven by an expected encrypted device discarded on NHS.” surge in attendances, predicted a west London pavement, and million more patients The union also predicts that to hit 23.8mn over the next 12 handed it into the paper, which could face waits of more “trolley waits”, where patients months, up 345,000 on 2016-17, said it reviewed the contents and Athan four hours in NHS are left waiting more than four and 24.5mn – more than 2mn a passed it on to Heathrow offi cials. A&E wards in England by 2019- hours for a hospital bed after month – in 2019-20. The airport said the breach led 20 in the absence of urgent ac- a decision to admit, will more Nagpaul said: “With the to an immediate review of all se- tion to address rising demand, than triple by 2019-20, from budget less than a month away, curity plans and it was “confi dent the British Medical Association 566,000 last year to 1.78mn. It the government needs to address that Heathrow remains secure”. has said. says there could be an average of the fact we spend about £10bn A spokeswoman added: “We Analysis by the doctors’ un- 5.2mn patients on the elective less per year on health that other have also launched an internal ion, shared exclusively with treatment waiting list by then – leading European economies. investigation to understand how the Guardian, projects that the up from 3.9mn – for operations Plugging this gap could fund, this happened and are taking number of people attending such as cataract removal, hernia for example, another 35,000 steps to prevent a similar occur- emergency wards and wait- repair or hip or knee replace- hospital beds or 10,000 doctors, rence in future.” ing more than four hours to ment. which could transform patient She declined to detail the con- be treated could reach 3.7mn Signifi cant increases are fore- care.” tents on the USB and when the in three years’ time, up from cast over the next 12 months, A department of health security lapse occurred. 2.6mn in the year ending Sep- with the number of people spokeswoman described the The device reportedly con- tember 2017. waiting more than four hours research as “rudimentary” and tained 174 documents, some ref- The forecast assumes num- at A&E predicted to hit 2.95mn said that it oversimplifi ed the erencing measures used to protect bers increase at the same rate in by September 2018, and the trajectory of waiting lists. Queen Elizabeth II, and others as the average over the past number of trolley waits expected “Doing nothing was never an outlining the types of IDs needed fi ve years and a “do-nothing to rise 44% to 816,000. option for the NHS – we have for diff erent areas of the airport. scenario”, in which funding re- Leading doctors have said that given an extra £8bn investment It also included timetables mains at its current level and already overstretched emergen- by 2022, including £2bn for so- of security patrols, and maps the proposed measures to ad- cy departments in England could cial care and £100mn for A&E pointing to the positions of dress pressures have little or no struggle to cope in the event of a and last year, the NHS treated CCTV cameras, the Sunday Mir- eff ect. major fl u outbreak, such as that 2.2mn more people in A&E with- ror said. If accurate, it would mean seen in recent weeks in Australia in four hours than it did a decade The incident comes as Brit- 84.8% of patients being seen and New Zealand. They have ago,” she said. ain’s threat level remains at se- within four hours between Oc- cited high bed occupancy rates “The BMA is wrong to say we vere following a series of deadly tober 2019 and September 2020, caused by lack of funding, es- spend less per year on health terrorism attacks this year. down from 89% in 2016-17 and pecially in social care, and staff than other leading countries; in Heathrow, Britain’s biggest signifi cantly short of the 95% shortages as contributing pres- fact spending on the NHS is in airport which handled nearly target, which was eff ectively sures. line with other European coun- 76mn passengers last year, is scrapped by Jeremy Hunt, the There could be as many as tries and our health service has, considered a prime target for health secretary, in January. 300,000 people a month waiting once again, been independently terrorists. The airport spokes- The BMA chair of council, Dr more than four hours at A&Es judged to be the best and most woman said safety and security People walk across a bridge over the river Garry near Pitlochry, Scotland, yesterday. Chaand Nagpaul, said: “These by December, according to the effi cient health system in the were its “top priority”. alarming fi gures show the scale BMA analysis. This could exceed world.” Councils failing to crack Prince exhibition Iraq WMD inspector down on rogue landlords Kelly’s body exhumed Guardian News and Media four-and-a-half years,” said Guardian News and Media sponded to a survey on inspec- should also be able to check London Gerrard Jonas, of the campaign London tions of private rented housing whether their landlords have group. “We did put placards, and prosecutions. previously broken the rules one placard, asking for a coro- The London borough of through a public database. he body of Dr David Kelly, ner’s inquest. There has been ouncils across Britain Newham stood out, having Rogue landlords have been the government chemi- no desecration. About three have been accused of prosecuted 331 landlords. The allowed to exploit the hous- Tcal weapons expert who years ago Janice Kelly sent the Cletting rogue landlords council has a mandatory li- ing crisis for too long. It’s killed himself in 2003 after be- police round to me one Satur- off the hook, after new fi gures censing scheme for landlords, time the government stopped ing outed as the source of a BBC day night. They started ques- revealed that most have failed which it is currently waiting for dragging its feet and clamped story, has been exhumed, police tioning me.” to secure a single prosecution. the government to renew. down on them.” have confi rmed. He told the Sunday Times: Almost six in 10 councils had Brent council was next with Martin Tett, a Conserva- The scientist’s family report- “Dr Kelly’s body was ... re- not prosecuted any landlords 65 prosecutions, followed by tive councillor and the housing edly had his remains cremated moved in the last week of July, in the last year, with more than Waltham Forest with 58, Don- spokesman for the Local Gov- after asking for the grave to be headstone and all. They dug it 80% prosecuting fewer than fi ve. caster with 49, Barking and Da- ernment Association (LGA), dug up because they were up- up overnight. It was all done in The fi gures, released under genham with 35, and Wirral with said the majority of tenants are set it was being “desecrated” by haste. What looked like pieces of the Freedom of Information 29. However, most reported that happy with their accommoda- conspiracy theorists who believe the coffi n were left behind.” Act, have prompted suggestions they had not secured any. tion. He added that councils Kelly was murdered. Kelly’s body was found on July that private renters face a “post- Wera Hobhouse, the Liberal had a number of tools at their According to the Sunday 18, 2003, a day after he had gone code lottery” when it comes to Democrat MP for Bath who un- disposal short of prosecuting, Times, a source close to the sci- for a walk near his home. He had having their rights upheld. covered the information, said: designed to ensure any dis- entist’s relatives claimed the been exposed as the source of the It comes with councils “These fi gures expose a stark putes “are settled in a way that Justice for Kelly campaign group report alleging that the govern- complaining that the unprec- postcode lottery when it comes is satisfactory to both sides”. placed placards and notes by the ment’s dossier on Iraq’s weapons edented budget pressures they to tackling rogue landlords. “Enforcement would usu- grave and held vigils there, up- of mass destruction, presented are facing mean that they are Thousands of tenants across the ally be a last resort for councils, setting Janice Kelly, his widow. as central to the case for war, struggling to cope. country are having to endure who have to weigh up whether “(She) hated it, she felt it was a had been “sexed up”. The Hut- Nearly 30% said they had horrendous and unsafe living or not the fi nes available would desecration, and asked the po- ton inquiry found he had killed carried out fewer than 100 in- conditions, while unscrupulous be a signifi cant deterrent to lice to get them to stop,” a family himself, though there has been spections in their area in the landlords are breaking the rules rogue landlords, or whether source told the newspaper. no inquest into his death. last year. It has led to calls for with impunity. expensive prosecutions are a The campaigners admitted to A spokesman for Thames Val- councils to be handed more “Cash-strapped councils cost-eff ective use of taxpayers’ putting a placard calling for an ley police said: “The body of Dr power and resources to tackle need more funding to inspect money, at a time when councils Tyka Nelson, Prince’s sister, poses for pictures by a display at inquest by the grave but insisted David Kelly was exhumed a few the problem. rented homes and bring rogue face a £5.8bn shortfall in fund- the “My Name Is Prince” exhibition, at the O2, London. they had not desecrated it. months ago at the request of his More than 180 councils re- landlords to justice. Tenants ing by 2020,” he said. “We have been at this for family.” Gulf Times Monday, October 30, 2017 15 EUROPE Strong winds batter central Europe, killing at least fi ve

Reuters/DPA The storm dubbed “Herwart” tor Deutsche Bahn cited what it fl ooding in the inner city area, in- the website of newspaper Mlada Prague/Berlin also knocked out power to thou- called “signifi cant damage” on cluding the area around the new Fronta Dnes reported. sands of Czechs and Poles. main routes, and said rail traffi c Elbphilharmonie symphony hall. Prague Zoo closed because of Winds reached more than on many routes in northern and The winds felled trees in the the winds, but Prague Airport trong winds battered 100kph in several parts of the central Germany would remain Czech Republic, with one man was running without problems, northern and central Eu- Czech Republic and topped out suspended until today. dying after being hit on a side- newspaper Lidove Noviny’s web- Srope yesterday, killing two at 180kph on Snezka, at 1,602m The decision left thousands walk in a town in the north of the site reported. people in Poland, two in the the country’s highest mountain, stranded and cut rail access to country and one woman killed by The winds also hit Poland, Czech Republic, and one in Ger- Czech Television reported. cities such as Bremen, Hamburg, a tree in a wooded area, media re- damaging a pipeline at Poland’s many, with rail traffi c in large Bild newspaper reported that Berlin, Hanover and Kiel. ported. liquefi ed natural gas terminal in sections of Germany to remain a 63-year-old German man The closures also aff ect popu- The weather delayed or halted the port of Swinoujscie. suspended until today. drowned at a campsite in Lower lar routes such as from Frankfurt traffi c on several railway lines and They caused a small leak but The victims in Poland and the Saxony as a result of a storm to Berlin and Dortmund to Ham- slowed road traffi c, with a fallen no greater damage, according to a A child plays yesterday at the Fish Market, flooded during stormy Czech Republic were killed by surge. burg. tree blocking one highway just spokesman for the state gas pipe- weather caused by a storm called ‘Herwart’, in Hamburg. falling trees. In Germany, railway opera- Hamburg saw widespread outside of the capital, Prague, line operator, Gaz-System.

Belgium ‘could off er Catalan leader asylum’ Belgium could off er asylum to Catalan separatist leader Carles Puigdemont, the country’s immigration minister has suggested, as the Spanish politi- cal crisis rages. Hundreds of thousands Puigdemont was off icially deposed by Madrid as president of the Catalan region on Friday after its parliament unilaterally declared independence from Spain, and now faces possible criminal charges of rebellion. Belgian Immigration Minister Theo Francken, a member of the Flemish march for Spanish unity separatist N-VA party, questioned whether Puigdemont could be sure of By Marie Giff ard, AFP “There can’t be a Catalan re- versation, it would lead to a con- a fair trial and said he could be given Barcelona public,” said Oscar Torres, an frontation,” he added. asylum in Belgium if he asked for it. 83-year-old pensioner. Many in the crowd called for “It’s not unrealistic (that Belgium Demands for independence Catalan leader Carles Puigde- could protect Puigdemont), looking at hanting “Don’t be fooled, have sparked Spain’s biggest po- mont to be jailed. the current situation,” Francken told Catalonia is Spain!” and litical crisis in decades. Spain’s public prosecutor’s Flemish-language broadcaster VTM Cwaving Catalan, Spanish Catalans are divided over in- offi ce will fi le rebellion charges on Saturday. “Looking at the repres- and European Union fl ags, hun- dependence. against Puigdemont this week, a sion by Madrid and the jail sentences dreds of thousands of people ral- Although 2mn people voted spokesman for the offi ce said on that are being proposed, the question lied in the Catalan capital Barce- in a banned independence ref- Friday. can be asked whether he still has the lona yesterday, furious at a move erendum on October 1, “there “The separatists took de- chance for an honest court hearing.” by the region’s dismissed leaders are 7.5mn Catalans”, Torres said. mocracy like a blank cheque to The spokesman for Spain’s ruling con- to break away from Spain. “We have to fi nd a solution that do whatever they wanted,” said servative Popular Party (PP), Esteban The crowd, which included can satisfy the ego of the se- Santiago Cortes Perez, 72, who Gonzalez Pons, described Francken’s parents with young children, re- cessionists as well as the ego of used to run a plastering fi rm. comments as “unacceptable”. tired couples and large groups of Spanish authorities.” He was born in Andalusia but These are “serious accusations youths, made its way along the The separatists “are very well brought to Catalonia by his par- against Spain’s legal system” which city’s Paseig de Gracia avenue organised, visible”, he added. ents when he was six months should be “corrected immediately”, under a bright blue sky as a po- But he insisted those who old. he said in a statement. lice helicopter fl ew overhead. want Catalonia to remain a part He said he voted for Prime Francken has “violated the principles Carmen Gutierrez, 60, an in- of Spain are “much more nu- Minister Mariano Rajoy’s con- of solidarity and loyal co-operation surance worker, waved a giant merous”. servative Popular Party (PP) in between EU member states”, Pons red and yellow Spanish fl ag and The crowd cheered and ap- the last general election in 2016. added. danced to Spanish singer Mano- plauded a national police heli- But he is aware that the party So far there has been no indication lo Escobar’s Y viva Espana (And copter whenever it fl ew low is not very popular in Catalonia that Puidgemont will seek to leave Long Live Spain) as the song overhead, unlike at separatist because it is seen as a “refer- Catalonia. blared from speakers. rallies where it is jeered. ence” for supporters of former Yesterday his deputy insisted that he She said she was at work on Protesters wave Spanish and Catalan Senyera flags during the pro-unity demonstration in Barcelona. The separatists “can’t change dictator General Francisco Fran- “is and will remain” the president of Friday when Catalonia’s regional the course of history like that, co. the regional government. parliament voted to declare in- dividing us, guilty of putting Municipal police said the mos, a doctor and the vice-pres- illegally. We are not going to let That 1939-75 regime re- Belgian Prime Minister Charles dependence. our pensions in danger, guilty of crowd numbered about 300,000. ident of Societat Civil Catalana, ourselves be dominated”, said pressed Catalan language and Michel said an asylum request from “I said to herself: ‘This won’t causing our banks to leave”. Organisers said 1.3 million a group opposed to independ- Jose Cosano, a 34-year-old culture. Puigdemont was “absolutely not on go far’. I feel sorry for the people That was a reference to the turned out and the central gov- ence that organised the rally. nurse. “It must be said that the PP the agenda”. who believed it,” Gutierrez said. decision by Catalonia’s two big- ernment’s representative in “Together” and “Catalonia is “They call us ‘fascists’ be- did not concern itself enough He reiterated his earlier call for Gutierrez, who was born in gest banks to move their legal Catalonia put the fi gure at 1mn. my land, Spain is my country” cause we carry the Spanish fl ag with Catalonia,” said Perez. dialogue between the Spanish and Andalusia, said Catalonia’s headquarters to other parts of “The streets don’t belong just were among the signs on display ... we have lost friends because “Order is needed, but also ten- Catalan authorities. separatist leaders are “guilty of Spain in recent weeks. to the separatists,” said Alex Ra- at the rally. we could not have a normal con- derness.”

Germany’s AfD party Republic Day Missing Russian copter drops bid for private found on Arctic seabed data of journalists AFP “The wreck of the Russian Oslo helicopter has been located ... northeast of Heerodden, at a Reuters can use the offi cial registra- depth of 209m (686’),” the res- Berlin tion form on our website,” AfD Russian helicopter that cue services said in a statement. spokesman Christian Lueth went down off the coast “The search has now concluded, wrote on Twitter. Aof Norway’s Svalbard ar- and has moved into a search he far-right Alternative The initial media version chipelago in the Arctic this week phase for the presumed dead.” for Germany (AfD) has had asked journalists to check has been found and the eight A sea patrol plane, a Danish Tdropped a controver- a box in which they agreed to Russians on board are presumed aircraft, two Norwegian helicop- sial bid for data on the ethnic the collection, storage and use dead, Norwegian rescue crews ters and several vessels had been backgrounds and private views of personal data provided, such said yesterday. searching the area. of journalists after concerns as name, medium and press The Mil Mi-8 chopper, car- No contact had been made surfaced about its registration pass number, as well as “spe- rying fi ve crew and three scien- with the chopper before or after form for a party congress. cial data”. tists, went missing on Thursday it went down. The party’s initial registra- The form referenced a sec- as it was fl ying to Barentsburg A small robot submarine lo- tion form had sparked sharp tion in Germany’s data protec- from Pyramiden, a former min- cated the wreck after investigat- criticism on Friday from the tion law, which lists such “spe- ing community in Svalbard that ing an area where an oil patch and German Journalists Associa- cial data” as including racial Turkish soldiers carry a wreath of flowers at the Anitkabir, the mausoleum of the founder of the is now a tourist site. bubbles were observed, rescue tion, and prompted an inves- and ethnic background, po- Turkish Republic Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, during a ceremony in Ankara yesterday marking the It went down near Barents- services said. tigation by the Berlin data pro- litical views, religious or philo- 94th anniversary of Republic Day. burg, a Russian mining commu- The cause of the crash was not tection offi ce. sophical convictions, union nity in the archipelago. immediately known. The party, which rails against membership, health or sexual what it calls the “Islamisation orientation. of Europe” and “fake news” Other parties require basic coverage by news outlets, be- information for registration of came the third largest force journalists, but do not ask for in the German Bundestag, or such personal details. Iceland’s scandal-hit prime minister wins re-election lower house of parliament, in “This is an unacceptable in- September 24 elections. trusion into the private aff airs AfD offi cials had declined of journalists,” said Hendrik AFP It could take months before anti-establishment parties. to comment to the Stuttgarter Zoerner, spokesman for the Reykjavik Iceland has a new government in They have splintered the po- Zeitung newspaper, which fi rst German Journalists Associa- place as thorny coalition nego- litical landscape and made it in- reported the issue on Friday, tion. tiations await. creasingly diffi cult to form a sta- and did not respond to a re- The AfD won nearly 13% of celand’s conservative prime Benediktsson fended off a ble government. quest for comment by Reuters. vote on September 24, making minister won a snap election challenge from the Left-Green Eight parties won seats in par- However, the party’s spokes- it the third largest party in the Idespite a string of scandals, Movement and its potential al- liament. man downplayed controversy Bundestag, or lower house of fi nal results confi rmed yesterday, lies, the Social Democratic Alli- Benediktsson’s main rival, the about the issue in a posting on parliament, and the fi rst far- but it remained unclear whether ance and the anti-establishment Left-Green Movement won few- Twitter on Saturday. right group to move into the he could form a viable coalition. Pirate Party. er votes than expected. “Test version deleted. Start- legislature in more than half a Bjarni Benediktsson, 47, was The Left-Green Movement It will need at least fi ve allies ing immediately journalists century. accused named last year in the came in second with 11 seats, the to form a 32-seat majority to de- “Panama Papers” worldwide Social Democratic Alliance with throne the conservatives. tax-evasion leaks. seven seats, and the Pirates with If it managed to do so, it would Suspected killer of toddler arrested He has also been accused of six seats. form only the second left-lean- wrongdoing during Iceland’s fi - Under the Icelandic system, ing government in Iceland since A man suspected of murdering his two-year-old daughter in the nancial collapse in 2008. the president tasks the leader of Benidiktsson: I am optimistic that we can form a government. the country’s proclamation as a northern German city of Hamburg last week has been arrested in Nevertheless his Independ- the biggest party with forming a republic in 1944. northern Spain, police said yesterday. ence Party beat its rivals in Sat- government. ous allegations of wrongdoing, thriving economy, fuelled by a “I’m worried that we may The 33-year-old Pakistani national, who is thought to have fled urday’s election, according to “I am optimistic that we can which he denied. fl ourishing tourism sector. have to face up to the likelihood Germany via France, was arrested near the Basque city of San fi nal results published yesterday. form a government,” Benedikts- The Independence Party lost The party has been involved in of long, drawn-out discussions Sebastian, police said in a statement. It won 16 seats in the 63-seat son told AFP after early results on fi ve seats in parliament, accord- almost every government in Ice- and attempts to form a govern- The toddler was found dead in the man’s Hamburg apartment parliament. Saturday showed him in the lead. ing to yesterday’s results. land since 1980. ment,” Arnar Thor Jonsson, a law on Monday with neck injuries after the girl’s 32-year-old mother Turnout was 81%. No party The prime minister called the But it still came out on top – But growing public distrust professor at Reykjavik University, reported him to the police for threatening her. won a majority. snap election in response to vari- apparently helped by Iceland’s of the elite has spawned several told AFP. Gulf Times 16 Monday, October 30, 2017 INDIA

Tamil Nadu Roundup Wireless devices can be harmful, warns expert By Umaima Shafiq IANS ones, who come up with com- “There are certain medical vention from a child of necessity Many institutions have awareness about the harmful ef- Chandigarh plex symptoms. These symp- problems which we ourselves to a mother of greed”. looked at electromagnetic fi elds fects of EM radiation. toms were not so common ear- had also not seen earlier. We Explaining what science tells (EMF) and have not painted the Nehru said that to strengthen Customers feel lier. I have been in the medical had no diagnosis and treatment. us about the web of radiation, dire predictions that the doc- the network of mobiles and Wi- 39-year-old acoustic en- fi eld since 1985. I am talking I researched a lot in this fi eld. Nehru said: “We are seeing more tor says could be the outcome. A Fi, mobile towers are being in- cheated as gineer who worked in a about things (symptoms) of the These problems are related to brain tumours, higher inci- UN body cautioned against too creased and boosters are being leading jewellery Atelevision studio for eight last 10 years, which I did not see things that happened particu- dences of infertility, more cases much use of mobile phones, but installed to ensure that signals hours a day, six days a week for in my last 20 years before that,” larly in the last 10 years, though of electro-hypersensitivity, and defi nitive studies on adverse ef- reach all corners. chain shuts down eight years went to see a doc- Dr Vikas Nehru, an ENT sur- it started in the later part of the numerous other disorders. Even fect of EMF are not available. “A new layer has been added tor after he felt the ground turn geon, said here. 20th century,” Nehru said. more concerning, radiation is Nehru says the “invisible to our atmosphere by human ac- The 80-year-old jewellery brand under his feet. He was also con- Nehru, who is now based in “We are increasingly ex- damaging the human DNA.” waves are becoming denser and tivity. Starting from 1G and 2G Nathella Jewellers closed down stantly ill at ease. Dubai and worked as an Associ- posed to an invisible web of ra- “Huge corporations continue denser by the day. This is not which mostly used wired tech- its five branches in Chennai and The symptoms did not have ate Professor at the Post-Grad- diation all around us through to fund their own studies of- good. Nobody is even talking nology, we are now using 3G and two in Vellore and Hosur on a pattern and the doctor was uate Institute of Medical Edu- the wireless devices we love so fering a false counter-narrative about the bad eff ects of this ra- 4G technologies which carry October 23. not able to pinpoint a diagno- cation and Research (PGIMER) much. With the advent of cloud to make people feel safe. They diation. People only talk about signals into space. The 5G tech- Hundreds of customers who had sis. The engineer was asked to here, has highlighted the grow- computing and the Internet of also employ lobbyists to defl ect air pollution. There is not even nology, which we are looking invested in the stores’ monthly go on a month-long vacation in ing instances of health issues Things set to launch more than a attention from public health a mention of electromagnetic forward to, can be very harmful,” gold investment plans panicked the countryside – without most related to the use of technology, trillion smart devices, the radia- to what’s in their own best in- pollution.” he said. and lodged online complaints of the technology around him. especially the electromagnetic tion is only going to get worse,” terests. The governments are Bollywood actress Juhi Chaw- Mobile phones have come on the National Consumer When he returned, the symp- (EM) radiation coming from the he warned. letting the usage of wireless la, who has read Nehru’s re- under attack from many NGOs Complaints Forum. Disgruntled toms had disappeared. devices, in his recently released In his book, Nehru breaks technology to be implemented search and recently launched and activists, but several stud- customers complained of “In my area (of work), I see a book Global Wireless Spider- down the implications of a para- without realising the health his book in Mumbai, is involved ies have pointed to only mild ef- bounced cheques, non-payment lot of patients, especially young web. digm shift that has changed “in- consequences of it,” he said. with a NGO that is creating fects. of maturity amounts and losing money on gold exchange rates. They claimed they had lost millions of rupees. Meanwhile Nathella’s managing director Parapanna Kumar said in a statement that they “are selling Air pollution our ancestral property to settle customers’ dues, particularly those who invested in the gold Italian PM arrives, saving schemes. We are also planning to reach out through can cause mails. We hope to settle dues in a couple of weeks. We apologise for the inconvenience caused.” The firm was founded by Sriman Nathella Sampathu Chetty Garu to meet Modi today stroke, say in 1928 at Mylapore in Chennai. Its retail operations began in 1998. In 2007, it became a zTies to get a boost after row over marines partnership firm titled Nathella Anjaneyalu Sampathu Jewellery neurologists Agencies Private Ltd. New Delhi Unconfirmed reports suggested IANS the stroke burden in the society. that the firm lost money after New Delhi On average, the internal air investing in films, television and talian Prime Minister Paolo pollution in Indian rural homes social media and due to bank Gentiloni arrived in New exceeds the World Health Or- loans and recent taxes like the IDelhi on a state visit aimed s pollution levels dete- ganisation (WHO) norms by 20 GST. at boosting ties after a lull fol- riorate in Delhi and Na- times. lowing a face-off over two Ital- Ational Capital Region, “Women inhaling the house- ian marines. health experts have warned that hold fumes are at a 40% higher School under This is the fi rst visit to India continuous exposure to pollut- risk of getting a stroke. The scanner for in a decade by an Italian prime ed air has the potential to cause reason being the carbon mon- minister since Romano Prodi a stroke among adults. oxide and particulate matter student suicide visited in 2007. Although it was earlier be- from burning solid fuels tend Gentiloni, who is accompa- lieved that pollution only in- to reduce the levels of HDL A private school in Chennai is nied by a large business delega- creased the risk of heart prob- (high density lipoprotein). This under police scanner after a Class tion, is to be given a ceremonial lems, it also possesses the in turn prevents the removal XII student committed suicide reception at the presidential capability to damage inner lin- of LDL (low density lipopro- at her home in Chromepet last palace today followed by talks ings of veins and arteries. tein) from the body leading to week. with Prime Minister Narendra “In the current scenario, hardening of the arteries,” said The parents of the student Modi. the situation is getting worse. Jaideep Bansal, head neurolo- Brinda complained that she took “Coming after a gap of more Many young patients in the 30- gist at Saroj Super Speciality the extreme step after being than a decade, the visit is aimed 40 age group suff er from stroke. Hospital. reprimanded by her teacher at strengthening bilateral, po- We get around 2-3 patients al- He added that the rise in the for poor academic record. litical and economic relations,” most every month. The number levels of LDL, or harmful fat, Many of Brinda’s classmates the External Aff airs Ministry of young stroke patients has thereby raises the risk of a clot, corroborated the incident and said in a statement. almost doubled as compared to blocking blood supply to the the management suspended the Italian marines Salvatore Gi- the last few years. Studies sug- brain and causing stroke. teacher. rone and Massimiliano Latorre gest major risk factors include More than 90% of the global In a separate incident, an 18-year- were arrested in India in Febru- soaring air pollution,” said stroke burden is linked to modi- old student of the Government ary 2012. Praveen Gupta, director of neu- fi able risk factors, of which in- Arts College in Chennai Both were suspected of ac- rology at Fortis Memorial Re- ternal air pollution tops the list. committed suicide by hanging. cidentally shooting dead two search Institute in Gurugram. Other preventable factors in- Prakash, a final year student, left Indian fi shermen off the coast Research bodies estimate clude hypertension, a diet low behind a suicide note blaming his of Kerala during anti-piracy du- that the number of fragments in fresh fruits and whole grain, professor. His classmates have ties on an Italian tanker passing of dead cells in the bloodstream outdoor air pollution, high BMI begun a sit-in protest demanding through the Indian Ocean. increased with higher levels of and smoking. justice. They were later released on Italian Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni and his wife Emanuela Gentiloni arrive at Palam Air Force station pollution. Polluted environ- The WHO states that 4.3mn In a third incident, the Tamil Nadu bail and allowed to return to in New Delhi yesterday. ment promote stroke inci- people a year in India die from Commission of Child Rights has Italy but their arrest and subse- dences more pervasively and at the exposure to household air begun interrogating a private quent legal action in India led to tween the European Union and European Union with bilateral that attract Italian investments an earlier stage than previously pollution, which is among the Christian school in Tiruchi for a near freeze of diplomatic rela- India. trade at $8.79bn in 2016-17. are automotive industry, trad- thought. highest in the world. punishing Hindu students who tions. Gentiloni’s trip is expected to India’s exports to Italy total ing, service sector, industrial Nearly 15mn people annu- According to surveys, over burst firecrackers during the Italy maintained the incident bring fresh momentum to bi- $4.90bn and imports $3.89bn, machinery and food processing ally suff er a stroke worldwide, 300mn people in India use the October 18 Diwali festival. took place in international wa- lateral relations including trade resulting in a trade balance of industry. of which around 6mn die and traditional stoves or open fi res ters and that India was acting and investment. $1bn in favour of India. There are over 600 Italian 5mn are left with permanent to cook or heat their homes outside its jurisdiction. Indo-Italian ties got a breath- In the fi rst four months of fi s- companies active in India cov- disabilities such as loss of sight with solid fuels (coal, wood, ED seizes firm’s The two countries are cur- er when External Aff airs Minis- cal year 2017-18, bilateral trade ering various sectors such as and speech, paralysis and con- charcoal, crop waste). properties rently fi ghting a legal battle on ter Sushma Swaraj visited the has reached $3.22bn. fashion, garments, textile and fusion. Poor ventilation and such the issue at the International Vatican in September last year Italy is the 13th largest inves- textile machinery, automotive, On the occasion of World ineffi cient practices, especially The Enforcement Directorate Tribunal for the Law of the Seas for the canonisation of Mother tor in India with cumulative in- automotive components indus- Stroke Day which was observed in rural India, mean the smoke (ED) has seized the properties at The Hague. Teresa. vestments worth $2.41bn from try, infrastructure, chemicals, yesterday, the experts empha- and ambient air in households of Chennai-based export The stand-off aff ected he Italy is among India’s fi ve April 2000 to June 2017. energy, confectionery and in- sised that indoor air pollution exceeds the acceptable levels conglomerate VLS Group for talks for a free trade pact be- largest trading partners in the The top fi ve sectors in India surance. caused by combustion of solid of fi ne particles by at least 100- money laundering and other fuels is equally contributing to fold. fraudulent activities. Acting on the complaint of UCO bank, the ED found that the group owner L Srinivasan had borrowed Rs2.72bn as export loans, but routed this money to Dubai via Goa may ban fi sh exports Mumbai and later made fixed deposits. He then used overdraft facilities and loans against these deposits, to control rising prices besides purchasing properties in Chennai. The fraud came to IANS The state is known for its sea- waters off Goa, driving prices light during a UCO bank audit. Panaji food, which is sought after by of locally consumed staple fi sh The ED is also investigating the the 6mn-plus tourists who visit through the roof. connivance of bank off icials. the state every year. Several marine experts have aced with a shrinking Palienkar has also said his been warning the Goa govern- Natarajan to leave catch and high prices, ministry doles out Rs1.08bn ment about how pollution near Fthe Goa government may every year in subsidies to fi sh- Goa’s river mouths and in the hospital soon temporarily ban fi sh export to ing trawler owners, but most of waters off the state’s coastline stabilise prices, Fisheries Min- the fi sh caught is being diverted as well as over-fi shing could The health of V Natarajan, the ister Vinod Palienkar has said. for exports. create a fi sh famine in the state, ailing husband of jailed AIADMK Speaking to IANS during the “Most of the fi sh catch is be- which is as popular for tourism party leader V K Sasikala, inspection of the Chapora Fort, ing exported. How can we tol- as it is for seafood. has improved after a recent 20km from Panaji, Palienkar erate this when local Goans are According to fi sheries depart- dual organ transplant at the also said that subsidies for the not getting fi sh to eat and they ment statistics, while 80,849 Gleneagles Global Health hospital fi shing industry were not really have to shell out large sums of tonnes of sardines were caught in Chennai. helping to keep prices within money to eat their fi sh thali at in 2014, the catch dropped to Natarajan, 73, who had been the common man’s reach and a home,” he said. 57,270 tonnes in 2015 - and to a unwell since February, had a liver majority of the haul was being “This government is think- mere 6,481 tonnes in 2016. and kidney transplant on October exported. ing of cutting down the subsidy The same is the case with an- 3. Sasikala, who is serving a “We are looking to ban ex- for large trawlers and the money other staple - mackerel. In 2013, jail sentence for corruption in ports. Goans do not get much saved will be diverted towards 12,994 tonnes were caught; the Karnataka, visited him on a five- fi sh to eat here. There is a need formation of a fi sheries corpo- fi gure dropped to 10,308 tonnes day parole. for a ban,” Palienkar said. ration,” Palienkar said. in 2014 and further slipped to “He has recovered well. Last Availability of cheap fi sh had Overkill of fi sh for exports 10,876 tonnes in 2015. In 2016, week, we moved him to the ward. been the poll plank of several and to cater to the hospital- just 3,908 tonnes were har- He is off the ventilator and is political parties like the Con- ity industry in the tourism- vested. breathing normally. We will be gress, Aam Aadmi Party and the oriented state as well as rising Other species like the cuttle discharging him in a few days,” Goa Forward ahead of the Feb- sea temperatures has resulted fi sh or the silver belly have also People participate in a walkathon organised by a private hospital to raise awareness about strokes in doctors said. ruary 4 assembly polls. in a fi sh famine of sorts in the shown a sharp drop in haul. New Delhi yesterday. Gulf Times Monday, October 30, 2017 17 INDIA

RULES PROTEST CONFERENCE BIOPIC DEFENCE NRIs can’t invest in Candlelight march for JUH’s event vows Hrithik to play lead role India, Japan begin post off ice schemes dead student disallowed to establish peace in film on Anand Kumar warfare exercise

The government has notified that post off ice Authorities yesterday refused to grant permission A multi-religious conference organised by the Filmmaker Vikas Bahl, who is making a biopic The Indian and Japanese navies yesterday savings schemes like the National Savings for a candlelight march at the India Gate in Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind (JUH) in New Delhi yesterday on Patna-based mathematician Anand Kumar, started an intensive air anti-submarine warfare Certificates (NSC) and Public Provident Fund New Delhi to demand justice for seven-year-old Sunday vowed to establish peace and communal met Canada-based psychiatrist Biju Mathew – exercise in the Indian Ocean, a defence off icial (PPF) would be closed before maturity if the Pradhuman Thakur, who was found dead inside harmony in the country and adopted a declaration the writer of Super 30 – in Mumbai and took said. The exercise will conclude on October 31, holders become non-resident Indians (NRIs). The his Gurugram school last month. In view of the underlining that any kind of violence against inputs for his film. Featuring actor Hrithik Indian Navy spokesperson Captain D K Sharma amendment to the PPF Scheme, 1968, says: “If order passed by the National Green Tribunal innocent people is anti-Islamic. The conference Roshan in the lead role, the film will showcase said in a tweet. A P-8 I Long Range Maritime a resident who opened an account under this court and for security reasons, permission for the saw participation from top religious leaders of the life of Anand Kumar, who trains 30 Reconnaissance Anti-Submarine Warfare aircraft scheme subsequently becomes a non-resident march can’t be accorded, Deputy Commissioner various faiths and sects besides several thousand deserving, economically backward students of the Indian Navy and two P-3 Orion Anti- during the currency of the maturity period, the of Police B K Singh said in a letter to the organiser Islamic clerics from across the country. The for IIT-JEE, the entrance exam of IIT, each year Submarine Warfare aircraft of Japan Maritime account shall be deemed to be closed with eff ect of the newly-formed Pradhuman Foundation. conference was presided over by JUH president with a commendable success rate. “It was Self-Defence Force (JMDSF) will participate in from the day he becomes non-resident.” The Following the order, the foundation has shifted Maulana Syed Mohamed Usman Mansoorpuri. It good on the part of Mathew to come and share the exercise. The P-3 Orion aircraft reached the interest payable would be up to the date of the the venue of protest to Ramlila Maidan where was attended by Swami Chidanand Saraswati of inputs about Anand Kumar. It will certainly be Naval Air Station INS Hansa in Goa yesterday account closure, it said. A separate notification it will be held at 5pm. Pradhuman’s father Parmarth Niketan Ashram of Rishikesh, Akal Takht a great help, as we are doing a lot of research for the exercise, as China has been posturing on NSCs said if the certificate holder becomes an Barun Chandra Thakur criticised the authorities Amritsar Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh, Jain for the film,” Bahl said in a statement. Super aggressively in the South China Sea. Maritime NRI before the maturity period, “the certificate for prohibiting them from expressing their guru Acharya Lokesh Muni and head of Drikung 30, a biography of Kumar, was launched last security and freedom of navigation has also will be encashed, or deemed to be encashed on sentiments at the historic site, accusing them of Kagyu order of Tibetan Buddhism Drikung year. Mathew said it was a privilege for him to figured prominently in India’s recent bilateral the day he becomes non-resident.” not being serious about the safety of children. Kyabgon Chetsang Rinpoche among others. be part of the film on Kumar. and multi-lateral defence dialogues. Rahul’s dog ‘declares’ it tweets for him, BJP pokes fun

IANS “Pidi lao, Congress bachao...” New Delhi The movie poster-like meme had “PIDIMAN: The story of a dog who is smarter than his ongress vice president master – written and directed Rahul Gandhi yester- by Congress” splashed over it in Cday took on his detrac- bold. tors who have been wondering National Conference leader whether his tweets are his own Omar Abdullah came to Gan- through a video of his pet dog. dhi’s rescue. “People have been asking who “Anyone can make fun of oth- tweets for this guy (Rahul Gan- ers so it’s refreshing to have na- dhi). I’m coming clean, it is me tional leaders who aren’t afraid Pidi... I’m way cooler than him,” to be funny at their own ex- said a post which shows a video pense,” Abdullah wrote while Prime Minister Narendra Modi flags off the first train on the new line from Bidar station to Kalaburgi in Karnataka yesterday. of the dog Pidi doing some antics re-tweeting Gandhi’s tweet and and gobbling a biscuit after bal- video. ancing it on his muzzle. Meanwhile, Congress Lok “Look what I can do with a Sabha MP Sushmita Dev took tweet... oops... treat,” says the on Sarma by digging out an old tweet. tweet by him where he pledged However, a Twitter war erupt- allegiance to Congress leaders ed soon after with the Bharatiya Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi. Janata Party poking fun at Gan- Dev shared Sarma’s tweet Congress speaking for dhi while some defended the dated June 19, 2013 that read: “I Congress leader. am and will be loyal to My leader First, Assam Minister Himan- Soniaji and Rahul ji and Con- ta Biswa Sarma, a Congress gress party. Whatever may be the rebel, took a jibe. provocation.” “Sir @Offi ceOfRG,who knows “Waqt badal jata hai, insaan him (Pidi) better than me. Still badal jate hain/ waqt, waqt pe separatists, says Modi remember you busy feeding bis- rishto ke andaaz badal jate hain cuits to him while we wanted to (Time changes, so do persons/ IANS motherland, to protect the in- language shamelessly which is now it looks like the Congress for lasting peace and prosperity discuss urgent Assam issues,” Relations’ equations change Bengaluru nocent residents of Kashmir. used by the separatists in Kash- does not want to learn from its in Kashmir lies solely within the Sarma posted in response. along with times)...why blame There is no state in the country mir,” Modi asked, adding that mistakes. People usually learn framework of the Constitution. BJP’s IT cell head Amit Malvi- Pidi,” Dev wrote while re-tweet- from where brave soldiers have the language was also used by from their mistakes,” Modi said Modi dedicated the ya was more scathing in his re- ing Sarma’s old tweet. rime Minister Naren- not laid down their lives for sympathisers of Pakistan. at the BJP rally outside the Hin- 110km railway track from Bi- sponse. Sharing a meme akin “We also know you (Sarma) dra Modi yesterday tore Kashmir. And suddenly, those “This is the land of Sardar dustan Aeronautics Limited dar to Kalaburgi in Karnataka, to a movie poster with Gandhi better now,” Dev wrote in anoth- Pinto the Congress over who were in power till yesterday Vallabhbhai Patel and we will (HAL) Airport in the city. which will reduce the distance riding pillion on a bicycle be- er tweet in response to his tweet its leader P Chidambaram’s re- are taking a U-turn today,” Modi not allow any compromise with Speaking at an event in Ra- from Bengaluru to New Delhi ing run by Pidi, Malviya wrote: targeting Gandhi. marks on autonomy for Jammu said. the unity and integrity of the jkote on Saturday, Chidambar- and upcountry destinations by and Kashmir, which he said, was “They are lending their voice country.” am said when people in Kashmir 380km and save six-eight hours an “insult to our soldiers” and to those demanding `azadi’ Referring to the surgical ask for “azadi” most of them of travelling time. Minister in Iraq over missing Indians lends voice to separatist forces (freedom). I want to ask the strikes, Modi said Indian sol- want greater autonomy and “I The prime minister also in the state. residents of Bengaluru, can diers gave a befi tting reply to think we should seriously ex- fl agged off the fi rst train on the Minister of State for External Punjab, went missing in Mosul Addressing Bharatiya Janata such people, who play politics Pakistan for sending terrorists amine that question and con- new line from Bidar station to Aff airs V K Singh yesterday met city when it was overrun by the Party workers here, Modi ac- on the sacrifi ces of the brave to India. sider on what areas we can give Kalaburgi in the presence of Iraqi Foreign Minister Ibrahim Islamic State terrorist group. cused the Congress of play- soldiers, do good for the coun- “The whole country was autonomy to” the state. Railway Minister Piyush Goel, al-Eshaiker al-Jaafari in Baghdad, After Mosul was freed from the ing politics over the sacrifi ces try... And they are not feeling proud. The Congress could not “It is very much within the Governor Vajubhai R Vala, Chief amid lack of any concrete group in July this year, there was of soldiers and asked the party ashamed in saying this. The digest this. Now after listening Constitution. Jammu and Minister Siddaramaiah and information about the fate of 39 hope that the missing Indians to answer for Chidambaram’s Congress Party will have to to the remarks of the Congress Kashmir will remain an integral federal ministers from the state Indians who went missing in Iraq will be found. However, al-Jaafari, comments. He also linked the give an answer for this remark,” leader yesterday, I can imagine part of India with some amount Ananth Kumar and Sadananda three years ago. External Aff airs during his India visit in July, said remark to last year’s surgical Modi said. why they were unhappy with of autonomy,” the former fi - Gowda. Ministry spokesman Raveesh he was not sure if the missing strikes against terror launch The prime minister said the the surgical strikes,” Modi nance minister said. The diesel-electric multiple Kumar tweeted Singh also held Indians were alive or not. pads in Pakistan. mothers, sisters and children of said. The Congress, however, dis- train (DEMU) local service will meetings with Iraq’ national External Aff airs Minister Sushma “Thousands of soldiers have those who laid down their lives “It seemed that after repeated tanced itself from Chidambar- cover the 110km between Bi- security adviser and the army’s Swaraj had earlier assured the sacrifi ced their lives for Kash- were seeking an answer from defeats some intellectual people am’s remark and said while dar and Kalaburgi in two hours chief of staff . It was in June 2014 families that all eff orts were mir. They have been making the Congress. in the party would put the Con- individuals may have diff erent with brief halts at 12 stations en that the 39 Indians, mostly from being made to trace them. sacrifi ces for protecting the “Should the Congress use the gress back on the right path. But personal opinions, the solution route. Gujarat to probe infant Over 50 arrested after deaths in govt hospital attack on Swiss couple IANS tyanath, who was in Agra three Agra days ago, expressed unhappi- IANS Of the nine children who died, tion.” The hospital’s medical su- ness at the unlawful activities Ahmedabad four were born in the hospital, perintendent Dr M M Prabhakar of unauthorised canvassers while the others were referred to told reporters late Saturday cting fi rmly after a and vendors at the historical the civil hospital from towns of evening that all the nine infants Swiss couple was as- monuments. he Gujarat government fi ve districts with “extremely low were under-weight. Asaulted by fi ve men in With three world herit- yesterday set up a three- birth weight” complications. Offi cial sources said these nine Fatehpur Sikri near here, the age monuments and several Tmember committee to in- Some suff ered from life-threat- were among the 18 infants who Uttar Pradesh government has architectural marvels, Agra quire into death of nine infants in ening diseases and were in a criti- died in the last three days at the ordered the rounding up of an- is annually visited by nearly 24 hours at the Ahmedabad Civil cal condition, the government 100-bed neonatal care facility, ti-social elements around the 10mn Indian and foreign tour- Hospital. said in a statement yesterday. while the daily average of deaths historical monuments in and ists. They were among 18 children Five infants, referred from of newborns at the Ahmedabad near Agra. On October 22, the Swiss who died at the government Lunawada (Mahisagar district), Civil Hospital is fi ve to six. In the last 24 hours, more couple, both aged 24, walk- hospital in the last three days. Surendranagar (a town in Sau- The Congress demanded ju- than 50 ‘lapkas’ or touts ing along a railway track were “This is a very sad incident rashtra), Mansa (Gandhinagar dicial probe into the deaths and who target foreign visitors at brutally set upon by fi ve young and we have already appointed district), Viramgam (Ahmeda- asked why the issue did not fi g- Fatehpur Sikri, Agra Fort and men at Fatehpur Sikri. The a committee to look into the bad district) and Himmatna- ure in Prime Minister Naren- Taj Mahal have been rounded man suff ered fractures. Both reasons,” Chief Minister Vijay gar (Sabarkantha district), were dra Modi’s monthly radio pro- up. They have been booked were admitted to the Apollo Rupani told reporters here. The brought with severe life threaten- gramme. for harassment and disturb- Hospital in Delhi. committee is expected to to sub- ing conditions such as extremely Congress spokesman Jaiveer ing public peace and sent to Hotel owners are worried mit its report in a day. low birth weight (around 1.1kg), Shergill claimed the infants died jail. about the impact of the inci- “We will initiate immediate hyaline membrane disease, early “due to the non-availability of Senior Superintendent of dent on tourism. measures to overcome any neg- onset of septicaemia and dis- doctors” and demanded the res- Police Amit Pathak said in- “True, ‘lapkas’ bring a bad ligence or lacunae in the treat- seminated intra-vascular coagu- ignation of the chief minister formation centres were being name to the city. But generalis- ment found by the panel,” the lation, the statement added. “due to gross criminal negli- planned at the monuments ing the negative features dents chief minister said, but quickly The four newborns at the gence of the state administra- where tourists will get help the fair and positive image of added: “But, prima facie, it ap- civil hospital were stated to tion” and an independent in- Congress Party supporters shout anti-government slogans inside a from Tourism Police. A book- Agra as a whole and the tour- pears that the case is not about have “died due to lethal com- quiry under the supervision of police vehicle after they were removed by police while protesting let will be published giving full ism industry in particular,” lack of availability of medicines plications such as severe birth either the Supreme Court or the outside the Government Civil Hospital medical superintendent’s details of distances and fares. said Raj Kumar, owner of Hotel or medical facilities.” asphyxia and meconium aspira- high court. off ice in Ahmedabad yesterday. Chief Minister Yogi Adi- Alleviate. Gulf Times 18 Monday, October 30, 2017 LATIN AMERICA Havana to Fashion revival ease visit rules for diaspora

Reuters tionality and allowing Cuban Washington Americans to travel to the country on cruise ships that embark at two ports on Cuba. uba will make it easier Havana will also allow for its US-based citi- some Cubans who left the Czens to travel to the is- country illegally to return, he land, Foreign Minister Bruno said. Rodriguez said on Saturday, There are roughly 2mn Cu- in a gesture to win support bans or Americans of Cuban from Cuban Americans dur- origin in the United States. ing a diplomatic crisis over One attendee at the event, allegations of mysterious Andres Pertierra, a US-born health attacks. citizen with a Cuban father, “The US government clos- said he was excited he now es, and Cuba opens,” Rod- qualifi ed for a Cuban pass- riguez told a meeting of pro- port. Havana Cuban Americans in “These changes inspire Washington. gratitude and bring Cubans He said Cuban citizens in abroad closer to Cuban gov- the United States would no ernment,” said the legal as- longer need to have a special sistant. review of their Cuban pass- “The Cuban government ports to rehabilitate them be- is making sure that it is clear fore travelling to the island. that the weight of responsi- Rodriguez said that proce- bility for failure to normalise dure had become more dif- falls squarely on the shoul- fi cult due to staff shortages at ders of the Trump adminis- A woman looks at clothes at a market in Havana. Almost drowned by the crisis of the 90s, the emerging Cuban fashion begins to thrive, boosted by small private projects the Cuban embassy after the tration.” and an utilitarian orientation, which must overcome even economic limitations, bureaucratic obstacles and a kitsch social tendency. US government expelled 15 zTropical Storm Philippe Cuban diplomats this month formed over Cuban skies due to the dispute over the Saturday and is on a path to mystery attacks on USperson- strike south Florida, Cuban nel in Cuba. and US metrologists said “It’s unacceptable and im- Saturday. moral, from the point of view The Miami-based National of the Cuban government, Hurricane Center (NHC) said for people to be harmed by a the storm was about 80km diff erence between govern- north of Havana at 0001 GMT ments,” he said. yesterday, moving north at Some Cuban Americans 52kph with maximum sus- Sonic attack charges said Havana was simply ac- tained winds of 70kph. ceding to demands that it On the forecast track, should have acceded to long Philippe’s centre will swiftly ago, like allowing them home cross the Straits of Florida, without a special procedure. “and move across the Florida While the United States has Keys or the southern tip of the not formally accused Cuba Florida peninsula overnight, of carrying out what it says and across the northwestern a ‘bid to damage ties’ are attacks that have caused Bahamas Sunday morning”, hearing loss and cognitive is- the NHC said. At least 24 American diplomats have Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rod- Following the spate of illnesses, in late Cuban state TV aired a documentary sues in its diplomats, Presi- The Hurricane Center also suff ered mysterious health issues riguez said early yesterday it was “unac- September the US withdrew more than late Thursday rejecting any responsibility dent Donald Trump said last warned that brief tornadoes ceptable and immoral” that any political half of its diplomatic staff in Cuba and for the attacks and accusing the Ameri- week Havana was responsi- were possible across portions AFP diff erences between the two countries expelled 15 Cuban diplomats from Wash- cans of failing to co-operate. ble. of South Florida. Washington would translate into measures aff ecting ington. A doctor on the investigative team, Cuban government offi cials Rain-soaked Florida was their nationals. Cuba insists it has shown good will by Manuel Villar, said Washington has refused accused Trump this week of pummelled by Hurricane “The so-called sonic attacks...are total- letting FBI investigators visit the island to share the medical records of those af- slandering their country. Irma in August, and Tropical uba has hit out at allegations that ly false,” he said in a surprise appearance at three times this year to investigate. fected or let US doctors talk to Cuban ones. Tension over the alleged at- Storm Emily in July. mysterious sonic attacks made a meeting of Cubans living in the United For a month now US offi cials have “There was zero co-operation and we tacks, some of which involved Cuban Civil Defence earlier CAmerican diplomats ill in the coun- States, held in Washington. stopped issuing visas for Cubans to travel have had only communications about high-pitched sounds, came warned citizens of a storm — try, dismissing them as “political manipu- He slammed the allegations as “political to the United States, a move Havana deems these events that, in our opinion, were not after Trump said in June he at the time a tropical depres- lation” aimed at undermining relations. manipulation aimed at damaging bilateral unjustifi ed. The State Department said expert-level,” said Villar. wanted to partially roll back sion — bringing strong wind At least 24 diplomats in Cuba suff ered relations.” that Cubans can process their immigrant Those who came down ill reported the historic detente between and heavy rain, and causing health problems from November 2016 to Ties with Havana were only fully re- visas at the US embassy in Colombia, and physical symptoms including hearing loss, the United States and Cuba, large ocean swells. August 2017, in what US offi cials say may stored in 2015 after a half-century Cold that other visas could be requested in oth- headaches, nausea, cognitive issues, and ordering tighter restrictions “Since it is a weak system have been a result of attacks carried out War breakdown, but have been strained er countries. diffi culty sleeping. on travel and trade. These its centre is not important,” with some kind of covert acoustic device. since President Donald Trump took offi ce This procedure “will make the already The Cuban documentary said there is no have yet to be unveiled. the Institute of Meteorology Washington has not formally blamed in January. discriminatory requirement” for obtaining evidence to confi rm what may have caused Rodriguez said Cuba was (Insmet) said, but warned of Havana, but in mid-October Trump said Rodriguez said that given the allega- visas “impossible,” Rodriguez said. these symptoms.Cuba says its experts had making it easier for the chil- heavy rain from the western that he holds Cuba responsible — and the tions “there has been a serious deteriora- He decried having to travel abroad to considered the possibility of causes like dren of Cubans in the United state of Matanzas to central White House has said it believes the coun- tion in the relationship between both gov- “perform painful face-to-face interviews toxins, electromagnetic waves or even in- States to attain Cuban na- Cuba. try could bring the attacks to a halt. ernments and both countries.” in the era of digital communications”. sects.

Carnival in Mexico Dissatisfaction in Brazil over democratic crisis

DPA interviews conducted in 18 Rio de Janeiro diff erent countries. In Brazil, there are currently many proponents of mili- nly 13% of Brazil- tary intervention, especially ians and Venezuelans among the upper and middle Ohave a positive view of classes, many of whom view the current situation in their the military dictatorship of home countries, a new report 1964-1985 as a phase of sta- has found, as a series of po- bility and economic develop- litical crises take their toll on ment. public confi dence across Latin In terms of political and America. economic progress, people in The 2017 edition of the Lati- Nicaragua and Bolivia were nobarometro study found that the most confi dent, while Bra- continued instability in Ven- zil was again in last place, with ezuela — including 120 deaths only 6% of respondents see- in street protests and the dis- ing their country on the right solution of the country’s par- path. liament — has led to an 11-per- Brazil is only slowly emerg- cent drop among citizens with ing from its deepest-ever a positive view of their coun- recession, with over 13mn try, as compared to 2016. unemployed and numerous The highest approval num- corruption allegations dog- bers were in Uruguay, with ging political offi cials, right up 57% seeing their country in to President Michel Temer. a positive light, followed by Temer’s approval rating is Nicaragua (52%), Ecuador languishing at just under 5%, (51%) and Costa Rica (45%). just one year ahead of the next The Latinobarometro is an an- presidential election. nual public opinion survey of In general, the 2017 Lati- Latin American countries, and nobarometro points to strong has been published each year fears of globalisation, while since 1995. the political infl uence of right- The data for this year’s wing populists and evangelical People take part in a carnival in Mexico City. Latinobarometro report were sects is increasing in several drawn from roughly 20,000 Latin American countries. Gulf Times Monday, October 30, 2017 19 PAKISTAN PTI vote bank decreases despite by-poll victory

Internews while ANP’s Khushdil Khan as The Jamaatud Dawa (JuD) and Peshawar the runner-up polled 24,875 Milli Muslim League supported votes. candidate Liaqat Ali Khan re- PML-N candidate, Nasir ceived 3,789 votes and was hough the candidate of Musazai was placed third with placed seventh in the contest. the Pakistan Tehreek-i- 24,790 votes. The other independent can- TInsaf (PTI), Arbab Amir He was involved in a neck- didates fared poorly with Mo- Ayub, won the NA-4 by-election and-neck contest for the second hamed Tanveer getting 366 by a margin of 20,860 votes from position with ANP’s Khushdil votes, Maulana Waheed Alam the runner-up, the party’s vote- Khan for hours before losing to bagging 280 votes, Ziaur Reh- bank deceased by about 9,500 him by just 85 votes. man polling 197 votes and Dr compared to the 2013 general Until Thursday night, the Mubashir Khan receiving 143, election. PML-N candidate was placed Samiullah 153 and Farhan Qadir As per the unoffi cial result of second, but he was overtaken 82 votes. the National Assembly constitu- by the ANP nominee when the As per the Election Commis- ency, NA-4 Peshawar by- elec- results of the last 10 polling sta- sion of Pakistan, a total 133,960 tion released on Saturday, it was tions came in. votes were polled in the by- notable that the votes of the PTI Questions were being asked election, which is 33.67 per cent were reduced compared to its whether the JUI-F members of the total registered 397,904 performance in the last general had voted in full strength for votes. Indian fishermen released from Malir jail arrive at a railway station in Karachi yesterday. election. the PML-N candidate after the Out of the polled votes, the Both the Pakistan Muslim party’s decision to withdraw its Election Commission said that League-Nawaz (PML-N) and candidate in favour of the PML- 131,298 votes were found valid the Awami National Party (ANP) N. and 2,662 votes were rejected. managed to increase their share Pakistan People’s Party The NA-4 constituency in ru- of the vote in comparison to their (PPP)’s Asad Gulzar Khan re- ral Peshawar was a very tough Pakistan frees 68 Indian fi shermen tally in 2013. mained fourth in the by-elec- area which was once badly hit by In the 2013 general election, tion. militancy. the PTI candidate had secured He obtained 13,200 votes. It is surrounding on three AFP and many boats lack the tech- between the two neighbours which New Delhi blamed on 55,134 votes and the PML- N’s Asad Gulzar’s father had won sides by the tribal areas of Khy- Karachi nology to fi x their precise loca- mean fulfilling bureaucratic Jaish-e-Mohamed. Nasir Khan Musazai had ob- the NA-4 seat in the last general ber Agency, Darra Adamkhel in tion. requirements can take a long There have since been re- tained 20,412 votes. election. Frontier Region Kohat and the “The fi shermen were re- time. peated incidents of cross-bor- ANP’s Arbab Ayub Jan had ob- The candidate of Tehreek- Frontier Region Peshawar. akistan yesterday re- leased from Karachi’s Malir In July Pakistan released der fi ring, with both sides re- tained more than 15,000 votes. e-Labaik Pakistan Allama Dr The by-election was held leased 68 Indian fi sher- jail,” Afaq Rizvi, a senior offi cial 78 Indian fishermen held for porting deaths and injuries. Arbab Ayub Jan has now died Mohamed Shafi q Ameeni was peacefully and this showed that Pmen held for trespassing from the prison, said. trespassing into its territorial Kashmir has been divided while his son, Arbab Usman, has placed a surprising fi fth in the the militants have lost both in into its territorial waters, offi - He said 380 Indian fi shermen waters. between India and Pakistan joined the PPP. by-election. terms of numbers and vitality. cials said. remained behind bars in the Ties between India and Pa- since the end of British colonial The NA-4 seat had fallen va- He obtained 9,935 votes, out- The turnout wasn’t bad for Indian and Pakistani fi sher- country. kistan have remained strained rule seven decades ago. cant after the recent death of voting Jamaat-e-Islami’s (JI) a bye-election in which lesser men are frequently detained for Fishermen often languish since an attack on an Indian Both claim the Himalayan PTI’s dissident MNA Gulzar Wasil Farooq Jan who polled number of voters make an eff ort illegal fi shing since the Arabian in jail even after serving their army base in the disputed territory in full and have fought Khan. 7,668 votes. to vote. Sea border is not clearly defi ned terms, as poor diplomatic ties region of Kashmir last year, two wars over the region. According to the results of As expected the independent The participation of women all 269 polling stations, the PTI candidates failed to do well in the voters with great enthusiasm candidate bagged 45,734 votes by-election. also came as a pleasant surprise. Baluchistan can earn Pakistan up to $1bn a year

Punjab to launch infrastructure bond Internews completed a consultative proc- The PFVA is gathering support facilities, Ahmed said. Karachi ess with stakeholders in Balo- throughout the country for its Pakistan suff ers due to low chistan to develop a road map upcoming “National conference volume of exports overall, ag- Internews hore. She deplored that although Pakistan were limited to 4-5 per for the sector. on Horticulture” which will be gravating economic issues like a Lahore the capital market of Pakistan year. aluchistan alone has the “The PFVA’s vision would organised in February 2018. widening trade and current ac- was performing exceptionally In fact, she added the worri- potential to earn Pakistan provide long-lasting solutions The association briefed the count defi cit. well, in the past few years the some trend in recent years has Bup to $1bn a year from of problems like food security,” governor and held consultative Experts have time and again akistani province of Pun- number of listed companies was been the delisting of compa- fruit and vegetable exports, ac- a press release quoted former meetings at the Quetta Cham- highlighted the need to increase jab’s fi nance minister only 500. nies. cording to initial fi ndings of All PFVA chairman Waheed Ahmed ber of Commerce to increase exports and tap sectors other PAyesha Ghaus Pasha on “This is pathetic as the She put the blame of this low Pakistan Fruit and Vegetable as saying. the participation of farmers than textile to address econom- Saturday said the province gov- number of registered corpo- listing on SECO, investment Exporters, Importers and Mer- A PFVA delegation recently and other stakeholders in high- ic issues. ernment would soon launch in- rate entities in Pakistan is over banks, and stock brokers who chants Association (PFVA). met Baluchistan Governor Mo- lighting issues of the sector. The PFVA says that the estab- frastructure bond to raise funds 100,000, and the number of list- failed to motivate entities to get But this will happen if in- hamed Khan Achakzai, grow- The current share of export vol- lishment of grading, processing for accelerated development in ed companies in India exceeds listed. ternational good practices are ers and trade organisations and ume of fruits and vegetables from and packing plants as common Punjab. 20,000,” she added. She said entrepreneurs should adopted, added the representa- briefed them about the vision the province is $45mn, which can facilities in various parts of Bal- She was addressing the 7th The fi nance minister said the use capital market to raise funds tive organisation of fresh food of the association to develop a be enhanced to $1bn by establish- uchistan is imminent to achieve Safe-PSX IPO Summit at La- new initial public off erings in for growth. exporters that has recently national policy of horticulture. ing Research and Development this objective Brexit hastens Kashmir’s economic break with Britain

AFP Mirpur, Pakistan

he tiled palaces beside Pa- kistan’s Mangla reservoir Tand dozens of exchange offi ces testify to the prosper- ity enjoyed by Kashmir’s Mirpur thanks to vast sums of cash sent back by tens of thousands of em- igrants living in Britain. With few jobs and little indus- try, the residents of Pakistan’s “Little England” overwhelming- ly rely on family members based in the country for their econom- ic livelihood. But decades after the fi rst wave of migration, the fraying of fi lial ties between the communities along with economic woes fol- lowing the Brexit vote have raised concerns that the once-plentiful funds may dry up for good. “Our family used to send us money every month — now it’s only every two-three months,” This photograph taken on October 19, 2017 shows a visiting dual Pakistani Kashmiri and British citizenship says Javed Mushtaq, who like holder (left) exchanging British pounds at a remittance shop in the Pakistani Kashmir city of Mirpur, which This photograph taken on October 19, 2017 shows a Pakistani Kashmiri man riding a motorcycle past many Mirpur residents is count- is known as “Little England.” With few jobs and little industry, the residents of Pakistan’s “Little England” British-style homes at Valley Homes, a housing scheme for dual nationality holders in Mirpur, which is ing less and less on support from overwhelmingly rely on family members based in Britain for their economic livelihood. known as “Little England.” his relatives in Britain. “The value of the pound has economy. the 1950s when the inhabitants “The Mirpuri British (holi- ardised the country’s foreign ex- colorful outfi ts and local ingre- communities will likely fade into decreased and that creates prob- And with Kashmir lacking any of Mirpur were displaced by the daying here) are worried about change reserves. dients. oblivion within a generation or lems for us,” says Mushtaq, an major resources while unem- construction of a dam that en- the fi nancial situation, people But beyond Brexit, the erosion “I don’t have that much holi- two. offi cial whose brothers and un- ployment soars, the prospects in gulfed large swathes of the town. are not spending as much as they of ties to Mirpur over the gen- days, so I tend to choose closer, His family serves as a textbook cles live in northern England, Mirpur are dim. In Britain, more than a mil- used to,” said Raafay Nafees, erations has also taken a toll. cheaper destination.” example of the fraying relations. working as taxi drivers and in “There is no large land hold- lion residents are of Pakistani whose father founded Nafees “People only come for short Even among the second gen- Twenty years ago, his father construction to support more ing, no industrial base, we origin with the majority believed and Kashmir Crown Bakeries, stays now, and not with all the eration who continue to visit the built a home in Kashmir and than a dozen people back in Pa- are not on a good route,” said to be from Mirpur — where they two food companies based in the family. The tickets are expen- city, few send money back to Pa- bought land hoping to retire kistan. businessman and local offi cial have long built family homes and British city of Bradford. sive, and the youngsters prefer kistan. back in Mirpur. “Our life is not as easy as be- Choudhery Mohamed Saeed, spent holidays. Remittances have fallen al- to spend holidays in Turkey or And apart from the arranged But now his father has aban- fore,” says Javed. who estimates that about As a result the city has largely most 10% since the referendum, Morocco,” says Nafees. marriages between British and doned those plans. Since Britain’s decision to $200mn in remittances are sent feasted on the highs and survived according to the Central Bank of “When I was younger, we Pakistani Mirpuris, emigrant “Pakistan has changed, it is leave the EU, sterling has tum- back to Mirpur a year. the lows of the British economy. Pakistan. would come every year, but this families are not returning as of- too complicated to come back,” bled, sending infl ation surg- “If it was not for remittances, At Nafees Bakers, a local This decline, after years of is the fi rst time after four years,” ten to celebrate their weddings in he explains while sharing a ing and raising the cost of liv- we would all be slaving in brick branch of the British franchise in steady growth, has worried au- says Alisha Iqbal, a young Bir- Kashmir. dessert with his two-year-old ing, while uncertainty over the kilns,” he quips. Mirpur, sales have plunged 30% thorities as an increase in im- mingham fi nancial analyst who For Nadeem Hussain, a fast daughter. “I don’t think my post-Brexit outlook has fuelled The fi rst and largest wave of since the Brexit referendum in ports and repatriations of profi ts is enjoying her last day in Mir- food manager in Stoke-on- daughter’s children will retain concerns about the country’s migration to the UK began in June 2016. by foreign companies have jeop- pur, fi lling her luggage with Trent, the ties that bind the that many links with Mirpur.” Gulf Times 20 Monday, October 30, 2017 PHILIPPINES Transport fi rm mulls solution to protect drivers against criminals

Manila Times any payment for the trip. Manila The incident with Maqui- dato comes more than a month after another Grab driver lost transport network his SUV to robbers. company (TNC) has Edgar Luciapao Jr, 34, lost A taken steps to ensure his vehicle on September 4, the safety of its drivers after 2017, to thieves who posed as one of them lost his vehicle passengers from Pasig City. and his life to unidentifi ed car Luciapao, a seaman, told thieves. police he received a book- “We mourn for the need- ing through his Grab app and less and untimely death of one picked up the passengers along of our best driver-partners, Quezon Avenue at around Gerardo Amolato Maquidato 1.45am. The passengers told Jr. He was killed by still uni- Luciapao to bring them to dentifi ed suspects who booked Marcos Highway in Pasig, and rode as regular passengers where they beat him up. He before shooting him and fl ee- escaped, however, and man- ing in his vehicle,” Grab said in aged to call for help. a statement over the weekend. He was covered with According to Grab, a police bruises when he reported the report cited that a witness loss of his white Mitsubishi Residents who stayed at evacuation centres, due to the assault of government troops against pro-Islamic State militant groups, walk after they were allowed to return to their heard a gunshot about 7.50pm Montero. homes in Basak, Malutlut district in Marawi city, southern Philippines yesterday. on October 26, then saw a On July 5, 2016, Eduardo dead man being pushed out of Palacay, 39, did not lose his a silver Toyota Innova along vehicle but his personal ef- Bonanza Street in Pasay. Grab fects to a robber who posed as records show that the regis- a passenger bound for Pasig tered driver of the car, was City. Maquidato. Palacay said he picked “Grab has taken steps in up the unidentified thief in Losses and looting as war’s working on a tech solution that Quezon City. would decrease, if not com- Palacay said that on reach- pletely hamper, the chances of ing his destination, the pas- carnapping incidents involv- senger invited him to a Spa ing Transport Network Vehicle and Parlour. Services that have apparently As Palacay let his guard fortunate few return home been the latest target of law- down, his passenger took the less elements,” according to chance to grab his bag with Reuters the TNC. two cellular phones, P3,000 Marawi City Six carnapping incidents in cash, three ATM cards, involving Grab vehicles have Grab G-cash card and vari- been reported to authorities in ous identification cards. haliluddin Ismail re- 2017. There were other incidents turned home yesterday Maquidato was an awardee involving Grab drivers, some Kafter fi ve months of war in of Grab in 2016 after he gave a being used unknowingly as the southern Philippines to fi nd free ride to a sick passenger. drug couriers or to deliver his house ransacked. Divine Ornum booked a dangerous material such as But he’s still smiling. Grab car for her sister, Prima, explosives as in the case of a “At least we have something who was on her way to Quezon GrabExpress rider who, along left,” he said, standing in a room City to pick up bags of blood with the recipient of the with clothes, toys, ornaments for her dialysis. Maquidato package, died when the pack- and damaged pictures strewn picked her up but did not take age exploded. across the fl oor. “Others have nothing. They lost their homes, they lost their lives.” Ismail, 44, the cleric of a nearby mosque, considers him- DFA opens seven centres self one of the luckiest people in Marawi. The city was devastated by for overseas voters more than 150 days of battles between government forces and pro-Islamic State militants that Residents staying at evacuation centres, due to the assault of Manila Times overseas voting period for the killed more than 1,100 people government troops against pro-Islamic State militant groups, wait for Residents who stayed at evacuation centres, due to the assault of Manila 2019 elections, at least 18 years and displaced some 350,000. their names to be called before being allowed to return home, at an government troops against pro-Islamic State militant groups, start old on May 13, 2019, and not His house is in Marawi’s safe open gym in Basak, Malutlut district in Marawi city, yesterday. cleaning their house after they were allowed to return to Basak. otherwise disqualifi ed by law, zone, an area long abandoned he Department of For- may register as an overseas by residents but untouched by rious militant leader Isnilon Ha- pictures of each passengers from camps or nearby towns. who said they understood that eign Aff airs (DFA) has voter,” the DFA announcement unrelenting shelling and mili- pilon, Islamic State’s anointed the 712 families, to guard against Many face a lengthy wait for the military had to destroy the Tadvised Filipino citizens said. tary air strikes that have all but “chief” in Southeast Asia. possible infi ltration by militants. vast swathes of Marawi to be re- city to save it. who would be abroad during Those who want to register fl attened the city’s commercial Hapilon escaped, then issued Babies cried as offi cials at a built. Norida Manna’s three-storey the 2019 mid-term elections can go to the DFA Satellite Of- heart, destroying thousands of a call to arms to hundreds of in- public hall shouted on mega- Retired government employ- house was levelled by an air to register as overseas voters, fi ces at Robinson’s Galleria and homes, shops and vehicles. surgents to initiate their planned phones to try to establish order ee Mitormar Goling, 72, came strike, but she’s thankful she’s for them to qualify to vote even SM Manila and Alabang Town Six days after troops killed the takeover of Marawi. as hundreds jostled to register home to fi nd jewellery, money, alive. if they are not in the Philip- Centre; Commission on Fili- last remaining rebels, Ismail was It sparked the Philippines’ for the sack of rice and 5,000 furniture and antiques had been The offi ce clerk and single pines. pinos Overseas, 1345 President among about 4,000 people al- biggest urban battle in recent pesos ($97) allocated to each stolen. mother of six will now live at The announcement came as Quirino Avenue and Osmena lowed to return to their homes history, and fears that Islamic household. He said he feared he would her sister’s home, from which the DFA started the operation Highway, Manila; OWWA yesterday in Marawi’s Basak State’s extremist agenda had With a stern face, the district’s have starved or been killed had she fl ed in May as troops outside of seven overseas voter regis- Training Centre, Victoria and Malutlot area. gained a foothold in the south of elderly chairwoman, Jamellah he stayed behind. battled hooded, black-clad gun- tration centres in Metro Ma- Solana Streets, Intramuros, Many like him have discovered the mainly Catholic country. Indol Saro, yelled in the local “We felt the ground trembling men who helped the escape of nila. Among those who may Manila; Philippine Overseas their houses were looted and left There were scenes of joy and Maranao dialect at anxious resi- from the air strikes. We didn’t Hapilon. register are overseas Filipino Employment Administration in disarray. “I opened the door chaos as a convoy of return- dents to calm down. know if the army could protect The rebel commander was workers (OFWs), immigrants, (POEA), Edsa and Ortigas Av- and I was shocked, but I’m still ing residents poured in to Ma- “I told them we have to thank us,” said Goling, wearing sun- subsequently killed in a military seafarers and students who are enue, Mandaluyong City; and happy to be home,” he said. rawi to a cacophony of horns and God we’re still alive,” she said, glasses and a white skull cap. operation 13 days ago. about to leave abroad, and who Maritime Industry Authority Ismail fl ed with his family on whistles, jamming what only a smiling. “If you don’t believe in their “My home was destroyed, but are not yet registered as over- (Marina), Parkview Plaza, Taft May 24 during a fi erce three-day few hours earlier were deserted Some 6,500 families are due ideology, ISIS sees you as the I don’t blame the military. They seas voters. Avenue and TM Kalaw Street, fi refi ght that erupted just 50 me- streets. to return this week in a phased enemy,” he said, referring to Is- had a job to do,” she said. “All Filipino citizens who Manila. tres away, when security forces Armed police at checkpoints repatriation, a fraction of the lamic State. “I have nothing left, but to us, expect to be abroad from 13 The registration will last tried to raid the hideout of noto- cross-checked documents and 77,000 that fl ed to evacuation He was among many people every day is a happy one now.” April-13 May 2019 during the until September 30, 2018.

Pledge ‘to limit mouth’ in Japan emperor meet Philippine President Rodrigo fore he abdicates,” Duterte added, Duterte names former rights lawyer as spokesman Duterte yesterday pledged to referring to Akihito’s plan to retire “limit my mouth” in a meeting after nearly three decades on the with Japan’s revered Emperor throne. The acid-tongued Duterte AFP Duterte did not give a reason embellishment of the presi- Akihito this week following often curses critics, including Manila for replacing Abella, but said dent’s crude and unfounded previous concerns in Tokyo the former US President Barack Roque was the right person for pronouncements,” said con- profanity-prone leader would Obama, and is known to shun the job. gressman Edcel Lagman. spark diplomatic tensions. Duterte formal protocols. Since winning tough-talking ex-human “To get your message clear, I Duterte this month threat- said he would have an audience elections last year, Duterte has rights lawyer has been said Harry would fi t the (post) ened to expel European en- with the 83-year-old Akihito — a sought to boost the Philippines’ Anamed Philippine Presi- because we both have naughty voys as he accused their gov- popular and respected figure in ties with Japan, its top foreign aid dent Rodrigo Duterte’s new mouths,” the president said ernments of plotting to have Japan — during his two-day visit donor and second largest trad- spokesman, replacing a former during Roque’s birthday cel- Manila “excluded” from the to Tokyo. A scheduled meeting ing partner in 2016 after China. pastor who had been one of ebration on Friday night. United Nations, without citing last year was cancelled following That comes as he loosens the the most vocal defenders of his The announcement came evidence. a death in the imperial family. country’s 70-year alliance with the deadly drug war. weeks after the president suf- Roque’s predecessor Abella That meeting had put Japanese US in favour of closer relations Duterte, whose narcotics fered his fi rst major drop in later said no such orders were off icials on faux pas alert after a with China and Russia. On his crackdown has killed thousands popularity, according to an in- made. video of Duterte with President second trip to Tokyo, Duterte said of people and drawn interna- dependent pollster, following Abella, described by local Xi Jinping in China showed he would ask for Japanese aid tional criticism, said he would the deaths of two Manila teen- Harry Roque: new role media as “mild mannered”, ad- him apparently chewing gum in rebuilding Marawi following a appoint congressman and agers in his anti-crime crack- vised journalists last year to use — considered rude in Japan on five-month battle against militants former university law professor down. personalities”. and journalists sued for defa- their “creative imagination” such an occasion. “I suppose that loyal to the Islamic State group Harry Roque as his spokesman. However subsequent surveys Another 2,290 people have mation, before representing to interpret Duterte’s remarks I have to limit my mouth there which left the city in ruins. Duterte Roque takes the place of Er- by other polling agencies found died in unsolved “drug-related” farmers and other poor citizens on wanting to cut ties with the except maybe to bring the warm will meet Japanese Prime Minister nesto Abella, who has often that Duterte and his drug war killings, government data show, in the lower house. United States, a defence treaty greetings of the Filipino nation, a Shinzo Abe before hosting a downplayed Duterte’s profani- remained largely popular. leading rights groups to warn of Opposition lawmakers criti- ally. grateful nation to Japan,” Duterte regional summit in Manila next ty-laced speeches and contro- Duterte, 72, won elections a crime against humanity. cised Roque for supporting He also said last year that Du- said before departing for Tokyo month to be attended by Asia- versial remarks as “rhetoric” or last year after campaigning on Roque had acted in various Duterte. “To be the commu- terte’s remarks about wanting yesterday night. “It’s a kind of a Pacific leaders and US President “hyperbole” and has tempered a law-and-order platform and high-profi le cases, defending nications czar of Duterte, one to rape a murdered Australian homage to see the emperor be- Donald Trump. the president’s pronounce- since then police have reported families of victims of the na- has to be an expert mortician missionary were “a very rough ments. killing more than 3,900 “drug tion’s worst political massacre undertaking the post-mortem kind of humour”. Gulf Times Monday, October 30, 2017 21 SRI LANKA/BANGLADESH/NEPAL Three JMB Lanka scraps medical militants college amid protests arrested Government doctors and in state-run colleges are scarce students who did not make for medical studies every year battle against SAITM by various students at state-run and fi ercely competitive, and the strict quota for state-run but just a small percentage gain parties and individuals. It is clear AFP over a kilo of explosive pow- medical colleges have been Sri Lanka’s medical fraternity facilities. a coveted spot. that the government has accept- Dhaka der and jihadi books in their striking over allegedly feared the island’s only private It was closely associated with Private colleges for students ed our stance on the SAITM with possession.” subpar standards at South college was undermining the Mahinda Rajapakse, the strong- keen to study in other profes- this decision,” he said. Since the cafe attack in July Asia Institute of Technology profession. man president who oversaw the sional fi elds exist in Sri Lanka He said that it was doubtful angladesh police yester- 2016, Bangladesh has killed and Medicine “The government hopes that fi nal days of Sri Lanka’s 37-year without controversy. what kind of authority would day arrested three sus- nearly 70 accused militants in this decision will end the SAITM civil war which ended in 2009. The Government Medical Of- govern the SAITM with this Bpected Islamist extrem- raids and shootouts aimed at Agencies controversy,” the government’s After he was defeated at the fi cers’ Association (GMOA) yes- new announcement. “It was ists and seized weapons and decapitating the JMB and its Colombo information department said in ballot box in 2015, Sri Lanka’s terday remained skeptical about also questionable as to what explosives in a raid targeting leadership. a statement. largest doctors union started the latest stand taken by the extent the required standards a homegrown group accused But the group remains “It is hoped that all stakehold- calling for the college to be government over SAITM also in medical education would be of orchestrating a string of active, with police warn- ri Lanka announced yes- ers will abide by this decision.” closed, claiming teaching stand- known as the Malabe private met. There is no clarity as to deadly attacks. ing of new cells and plots terday the closure of a pri- Uniform standards for state- ards were poor. medical college. how clinical training would be The trio were detained in for attacks in Bangladesh, a Svate medical college at the run medical colleges will be There was no immediate com- GMOA offi ce-bearer Dr provided to students through a pre-dawn raid at a mango Muslim-majority nation of centre of a long-running contro- rolled out within the month ment from the Government Naveen De Soyza said that the the institution that had been plantation in the north- 160mn. versy over teaching standards. by the health ministry, the Medical Offi cers Association on association welcomed the deci- proposed.” western district of Chapai The JMB rose to notoriety in Government doctors and statement said. the government’s decision to sion to abolish the SAITM. How- He said that a reasonable so- Nawabganj. the early 2000s with a string students at state-run medical Hundreds of students already dissolve the college. ever, he added that the GMOA lution should be found to facili- Commander Abdullah al of bomb attacks. Five sen- colleges had for months been enrolled in the private college Students in state-run medical need further clarifi cation on the tate the students who studied Murad, from the Rapid Ac- ior fi gures were executed on striking over allegedly sub- will be transferred to a new fa- universities had also been boy- proposed step to make it a not for at SAITM and those who passed tion Battalion, said the men charges of murder, genocide, par standards at the South Asia cility and eligible to graduate as cotting classes for more than a profi t institute. out from it. “We need further a were from the Jamayetul Mu- torture and rape related to Institute of Technology and doctors. year in opposition to the private “The government’s decision space for discussion in regard jahideen Bangladesh (JMB), a those attacks. Medicine (SAITM). The private college was es- college. to abolish the SAITM can be re- to the next steps that need to be group blamed for a cafe siege In recent years Prime Min- Places for aspiring doctors tablished in 2008 to cater for Thousands of students apply garded as a positive step in the taken,” he said. in Dhaka last year that left ister Sheikh Hasina’s secular 22 people dead, including 18 government has blamed the foreigners. JMB for a series of attacks on “We had information that foreigners, atheist bloggers, around 14 to 15 JMB men rights activists and religious Hasina meets outgoing envoy were having a secret meeting minorities. 11 jailed deep inside the plantation. The most prominent of We conducted a raid early in these, the massacre of hos- the morning and managed to tages at the upmarket Holey for 20 round up three of them,” he cafe, was claimed by the Is- said, adding the men would lamic State group. But Hasina be charged with terrorism blamed the JMB for the car- years off ences. nage and denied the global ex- “We have recovered a semi- tremist group had a foothold for 1989 automatic pistol, bullets, in Bangladesh. attack on Hasina Doctors in dock

By Mizan Rahman Dhaka over botched leven persons have been sentenced to 20 Eyears in jail each for attempting to assassinate up operation Awami League president Sheikh Hasina in 1989. The Fourth Addition- By Mizan Rahman Hosne Ara conducted Caesar- al Metropolitan Sessions Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina exchanging views with outgoing Sri Lankan High Commissioner to Bangladesh Yasoja Gunasekera Dhaka ean section on Khadiza Akter, Judge’s Court delivered the at her off icial residence Ganobhaban in Dhaka yesterday. 22, who was admitted to the verdict yesterday in pres- clinic on September 18. ence of nine accused out he High Court (HC) The doctor stitched up of 12. of Bangladesh yester- Khadiza’a womb right after Expressing satisfaction Tday summoned three bringing out one of her twin over the judgement, the persons, including Comilla fetus, saying the surgery is prosecutor said the attack civil surgeon, over a botched done. She even declared the was carried out in continu- Govt to provide training for foreign employment up Caesarean section, where other fetus as tumour in her ation of the brutal crime doctor stitched a woman’s report. that took place on August 15, womb leaving one of the twin Khadiza suff ered from se- 1975. IANS The training entitled ‘foreign During this period, 208 indi- istered their complaints at the fetus inside. vere pain in her abdomen for “They wanted to make Kathmandu employment skills develop- vidual complaints and 210 in- DoFE. “A majority of complaints A High Court division one long month after going to the Awami League lead- ment training’ will be run by the stitutional complaints were reg- were related to the migrant bench comprising Justice home from the clinic. erless by killing Sheikh FEPB with the fi nancial support istered at the DoFE. Out of the workers not getting the salary Salma Masud Chowdhury and Later, she was admitted to Hasina. The court today he Nepal government will from the Safer Migration Project grievances received, DoFE has and job as mentioned in their Justice Zahirul Hoque passed Dhaka Medical College Hos- ensured their punishment provide free training to (SaMi). fi led 47 cases in the court and contract paper,” Pandey said. the order, asking Comilla civil pital (DMCH) on October 25, and we are happy for that,” T10,000 youths aspiring to Of those who express inter- 239 cases have been settled out He also said that the DoFE surgeon, owner of Life Hos- where doctors brought out Abu added. go for foreign employment. est in running the training ses- of court. is planning to settle the griev- pital and Digital Diagnostic her another fetus in lifeless The eleven convicts in- As part of the scheme, eli- sions, some will be shortlisted in “Among the cases fi led in the ances as soon as possible. “We Centre in Gouripur, Comilla condition. clude Mizanur Rahman, gible fi rms, organisations or the fi rst phase, and the bidding court, some have been settled are mulling over ways to ensure and Dr Sheikh Hosne Ara Salma Rouf, head of ob- Khandokar Amirul Islam, companies have been asked to would be called thereafter, said and victims received Rs45.5mn early settlement of the griev- Begum, who conducted the stetrics and gynaecology at Md Shahjahan alias Balu, register for running the train- Kafl e. in compensation,” said Bishow ances. However, the process surgery, to appear before the DMCH, told The Daily Star Gazi Imam Hossain, Za- ing sessions, said Raghu Raj DoFE receives 418 com- Raj Pandey, director general, is being delayed due to lack of court on November 7 and sub- that Khadija had experienced far Ahmed, Humayun Kafl e, executive director, For- plaints: Migrant workers have DoFE, adding that DoFE itself human resources and other mit their explanations. a very rare phenomenon where Kabir alias Humayun, Lt eign Employment Promotion registered 418 complaints with fi ned some manpower agencies technical reasons,” he said. The court issued the or- one of the twins develops Col (retd) Khandaker Ab- Board. the Department of Foreign Em- around Rs37.6mn during this Similarly, the DoFE and the der as Supreme Court law- within the uterus and another dur Rashid, Sohel alias The training will be conduct- ployment (DoFE) in the fi rst two period. FEPB have directed the man- yer Mahfuzur Rahman Milon outside of it. Freedom Sohel, Golam ed on diff erent job categories months of the current fi scal year Migrant workers, who had power agencies to implement drew the court’s attention to This led Gouripur physician Sarwar Mamun, Joj Miah including construction, ho- – mid-July to mid-September been duped by the manpower the direction related to settle- the newspaper reports over Hosne Ara to assume that the and Syed Nazmul Maksud tel management, tailoring and – seeking a total of Rs182mn in agencies and job providers at the ment of grievances without the matter. baby outside the uterus was a Murad. security guard. compensation. destination country, had reg- delay. According to the reports, Dr tumour. Of them, one accused – Humayun Kabir alias Ka- bir – was acquitted of the attempt to murder charge. Three of the convicts – Open fishing Zafar Ahmed, Humayun Nepal poll panel decides to Kabir Humayun and Lt Col (retd) Rashid – have been on the run. According to the case print separate ballot papers statement, a group of 10-12 Freedom Party men, led by Kajol and Kabir, fi red gun- Agencies that the upcoming elections will and parliamentary polls will be shots and hurled grenades Kathmandu be held on stipulated dates. held on December 7. at Hasina’s residence at As per the constitutional re- Candidates wishing to con- Road 32 in Dhanmondi area quirement, all level of elections test the second phase of par- of the city on August 10, he Election Commission should be held by January 21 for the liamentary and provincial polls 1989. (EC) of Nepal yesterday implementation of constitution will have to fi le their nomination They left the spot chant- Tdecided to print separate and federalism in the country. papers on November 2. ing the slogan ‘Farukh- ballot papers for fi rst-past-the- Left alliance fails to fi nalise Alliance leaders said it would Rashid Zindabad’ (Long live post elections of the House of seat sharing: Top leaders of the be easy for them to manage dis- Farukh-Rashid). Representatives and State As- left alliance, comprising the satisfi ed candidates as they Zahurul Islam, security semblies slated for November 26 CPN-UML and the CPN-Maoist would have fi ve-day time. They guard at the residence, fi led and December 7 respectively. Centre, held discussion on the said they had faced diffi culty in two cases in this connec- The EC was preparing to print division of fi rst-past-the-post managing the dissatisfi ed candi- tion with Dhanmondi police a single ballot paper for the (FPTP) provincial and parlia- dates during the nomination for station. House of Representatives and mentary constituencies of 45 the fi rst phase of provincial and Four accused of the cases State Assemblies elections. districts but failed to reach a parliamentary polls. – Sohel alias Freedom So- Earlier, Rastriya Janata Party conclusion yesterday. UML chair K P Sharma Oli, hel, Golam Sarwar Mamun, Nepal leader Sarbendra Sukhla The alliance has fi nalised senior leaders Madhav Kumar Joj Miah and Syed Nazmul had fi led a writ petition against FPTP seats division among them Nepal,Jhala Nath Khanal, Bamdev Maksud Murad – are cur- EC’s decision of printing a single for the 32 district where the fi rst Gautam, Ishwar Pokharel,Surendra rently in jail and Humayun ballot paper for elections to the phase of provincial and parlia- Pandey, Shankar Pokharel and Kabir, Mizanur Rahman, House of Representatives and State mentary polls will be held on CPN-MC chair Pushpa Kamal Khandokar Amirul Islam, Assemblies at the Supreme Court. November 26 but has failed to Dahal, senior leaders Narayan Kaji Tourists walk along the Galle Face promenade as fishing boats operate near the entrance to the Md Shahjahan alias Balu and Despite changes in EC’s deci- allocate FPTP seats in a few dis- Shrestha, Ram Bahadur Thapa, international harbour in Colombo yesterday. Sri Lankan authorities have relaxed fishing restrictions Gazi Imam Hossain were sion of printing separate ballot tricts out of 45 districts where Barshaman Pun and Matrika Yadav along Colombo’s coastline maintained during and for several years. granted bail. papers yesterday, it has clarifi ed the second phase of provincial were present in the meeting. Gulf Times 22 Monday, October 30, 2017 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] Telephone 44350478 (news), 44466404 (sport), 44466636 (home delivery) Fax 44350474 GULF TIMES Our understanding of climate change might be ‘fl awed’

A new study, which challenges the ways that researchers have worked out sea temperatures until now, could indicate global warming might be far worse than thought. The methodology widely used to understand sea temperatures in the scientifi c community may be based on a mistake, the new study suggests, and so our understanding of climate change might be fundamentally fl awed. It is generally accepted among the scientifi c community that ocean temperatures were around 15C warmer 100mn years ago than they are today, during the Cretaceous period, which saw the highest global temperatures for the last Trump, Assange, Farage 200mn years. This was because of the way the continents were positioned, with ocean circulation preventing the formation of ice sheets. Scientists estimate ancient ocean temperatures using cores of sediment removed from the ocean floor. ...an unholy alliance These contain the fossils of tiny marine organisms that lived at the time. By analysing their calcareous shells, researchers can look at the content of oxygen-18 The WikiLeaks founder’s the news made the headlines in US Donald Trump and then Julian What was Nigel Farage doing in the bulletins across US networks. Assange. Who is friends with Steve Ecuadorian embassy? More to the – a natural, stable isotope of oxygen that provides astonishing admission should But it’s also Cambridge Analytica, Bannon and Robert Mercer. Who point: why has no public offi cial asked information on the temperature at the time. For the prompt MPs fi nally to start the data analytics company, which headed an organisation – Ukip – him? Why is he giving speeches – for last 50 years, scientists have based estimates on asking questions has its headquarters in central which has multiple, public, visible money – in the US? Who’s paying him? paleoclimates using this technique. One of these London and that, following a series but almost entirely unreported I know this because my weirdest new calculations showed ocean temperatures 100mn years of articles about its role in Brexit in Russian connections. Who is paid by hobby of 2017 is to Harry Arron Banks, the Guardian and the Observer, is also the Russian state via the broadcaster the Bristol businessman who was Ukip ago were far warmer than they are today and this By Carole Cadwalladr London being investigated, by the Electoral RT, which was banned last week and Leave. EU’s main funder, and Andy estimate has been used Commission and the Information from Twitter. And who appears Wigmore, Leave. EU’s comms man and as a staple in climate Commissioner’s Offi ce. The company like clockwork on British television Belize’s trade attache to the US, across Oceans change research for ast Wednesday, 11 months that was spun out of a British military without any word of this. the Internet late at night. Wigmore decades. into Donald Trump’s new contractor, is headed by an old Etonian This is a power network that told me about this new US venture – an hundreds of world order, in the fi rst year and that responded to our stories involves WikiLeaks and Farage, and off shore-based political consultancy However, in a study of normalisation, a sudden earlier this year by threatening to sue Cambridge Analytica and Farage, working on Steve Bannon-related published in Nature L millions of years unblurring of lines took place. A shift. us. It’s our Cambridge it’s named after, and Robert Mercer and Farage. Steve projects – in a series of tweets. Is it Communications, a A door of perception swung open. not the American one, and it was here Bannon, former vice-president of true? Who knows? Leave. EU has ago were much team of scientists from Because that was the day that the that it processed the voter fi les of Cambridge Analytica, and Farage. learned from its Trumpian friends that Europe has called into dramatis personae of two separate 240mn US citizens. It’s Nigel Farage and Brexit and black is white and white is black and cooler than we Trump-Russia scandals smashed It’s also here that this “hostile Trump and Cambridge Analytica these half-facts are a convenient way question the validity headlong into one another. A high- intelligence service” – WikiLeaks – and WikiLeaks… and, if the Senate of diff using scandal and obscuring thought of oxygen-18 readings speed news car crash between is based. The Ecuadorian embassy intelligence committee and the House truth. from this time. They Cambridge Analytica and WikiLeaks, is just a few miles, as the crow fl ies, intelligence committee and the FBI are What on earth was Farage doing looked at whether the fossils in the sediment cores the two organisations that arguably from Cambridge Analytica’s head on to anything at all, somewhere in the advancing Calexit – Californian had not remained constant over the millions of years had the most impact on 2016, coming offi ce. Because this is not just about middle of all that, Russia. Brexit? And why did I fi nd a photo together last week in one head- America. It’s about Britain, too. This Try to follow this on a daily basis of him hanging out with Dana they were trapped there. To find out, the team exposed spinning scoop. is transatlantic. It’s not possible to and it’s one long headspin: a spider’s Rohrabacher, the Californian known the organisms to high temperatures in artificial sea That day, we learned that Alexander separate Britain and the US in this web of relationships and networks of in the US press as “Putin’s favourite water containing oxygen-18. They then looked at how Nix, the CEO of Cambridge Analytica, whole sorry mess – and I say this power and patronage and alliances congressman”? The same Dana oxygen-18 was incorporated into their shells. Findings the controversial data fi rm that helped as someone who has spent months that spans the Atlantic and embraces Rohrabacher who’s met with Don showed that the level of oxygen-18 can alter over time Trump to power, had contacted Julian trying. Where we see this most clearly data firms, thinktanks and media Trump Jr’s Russian lawyer and – wait Assange to ask him if he wanted “help” is in that other weird WikiLeaks outlets. It is about complicated for it – also visited Julian Assange in without leaving any trace of this change. In short, with WikiLeaks’s stash of stolen connection: Nigel Farage. Because corporate structures in obscure the Ecuadorian embassy. And who is the new research suggests that the oceans hundreds e-mails. that moment in March when Farage jurisdictions, involving offshore now interceding on his behalf to obtain of millions of years ago were much cooler than we That’s the stash of stolen e-mails was caught tripping down the steps of funds funnelled through the black- a pardon from Don Trump Junior’s thought. If true, that means that the global warming that had such a devastating impact on the Ecuadorian embassy was the last box algorithms of the platform tech dad. we are currently undergoing is unparalleled within the Hillary Clinton in the last months of moment the lines suddenly became monopolists. That it’s eye-wateringly (You got this? Farage visited Trump, the campaign. And this story brought visible. That the ideological overlaps complicated and geographically then Assange, then Rohrabacher. last 100mn years, and far worse than we had previously WikiLeaks, which the head of the CIA between WikiLeaks and Trump and diffuse is not a coincidence. Rohrabacher met Don Trump’s Russian calculated. describes as a “hostile intelligence Brexit were revealed to be not just Confusion is the charlatan’s friend, lawyer, Natalia Veselnitskaya. Then “If we are right, our study challenges decades of service”, directly together with the lines, but a channel of communication. noise its accessory. The babble on Assange. And is now trying to close the paleoclimate research,” said Anders Meibom, the head Trump campaign for which Cambridge Because if there’s one person who’s Twitter is a convenient cloak of circle with Trump.) of EPFL’s Laboratory for Biological Geochemistry and a Analytica worked. This is an amazing in the middle of all of this, but who darkness. In these post-truth times, plot twist for the company, owned by has escaped any proper scrutiny, it’s Yet it’s also quite simple. In a journalists are fi ghting the equivalent professor at the University of Lausanne.” The scientists US billionaire Robert Mercer, which is Nigel Farage. That’s Nigel Farage, well-functioning democracy, a of a fi restorm with a bottle of water behind the study claim that the apparent cooling of the already the subject of investigations by who led the Leave. EU campaign, well-functioning press and a well- and a wet hankie. We desperately oceans was actually just the eff ect of the process they’ve the House intelligence committee, the which is being investigated by the functioning parliament would help need help. We need public pressure. seen. The changes in the amount of oxygen in the shells Senate intelligence committee, the FBI Electoral Commission alongside a well-functioning judiciary do its We need parliament to step up and isn’t a refl ection of changing temperatures – just a and, it was announced late on Friday Cambridge Analytica, about whether job. Britain is not that country. There start asking proper questions. There consequence of the fact that the amount of oxygen seen night, the Senate judiciary committee. the latter made an “impermissible is a vacuum where questions should may be innocent answers to all these So far, so American. These are US donation” of services to the Leave be, the committees, the inquiries, questions. Let’s please just ask them. – changes over time anyway. scandals involving US politics and campaign. Nigel Farage who visited the headlines on the TV bulletins. Guardian News and Media The French and Swiss researchers behind the paper have already got to work trying to understand what the temperatures actually are. The research was conducted by French researchers from the French National Center for Scientifi c Research, Sorbonne University and the University of Strasbourg, and Swiss researchers from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne and the University of Lausanne. Oceans cover 70% of our planet and play a key role in the earth’s climate. Knowing the extent to which their temperatures have varied over geological time is crucial if we are to gain a fuller understanding of how they behave and to predict the consequences of current climate change more accurately.

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2017 Gulf Times. All rights reserved Donald Trump Julian Assange Nigel Farage Gulf Times Monday, October 30, 2017 23 COMMENT Planning better cities

By Christine Auclair and put the public fi rst. Part of this refl ects allocated strategically, equitably, and Mahmoud al-Burai uncertainty about who “owns” a city. according to a common agenda. Nairobi/Dubai Residents might call a city “theirs,” but Too often, cities manage resources in government leaders often act in ways bureaucratic silos, which can increase that suggest otherwise. For example, competition among precisely those ities, the American- a government seeking to attract who must work in concert if the urban Canadian author Jane Jacobs investment might equate economic areas they regulate are to invest wisely once observed, are engines interests with residents’ needs, and and implement policies eff ectively. Cfor national prosperity and thus lower environmental standards Local autonomy can be achieved only economic growth. But in their current or tax burdens for businesses. Such through strong regional co-operation form, modern cities are also catalysts decisions might, however, lead to and co-ordination. of inequality and environmental deurbanisation, with people leaving Urban sprawl is a good example of degradation. Today, the share of cities as they become less liveable. why a regional approach to planning is city dwellers in poverty is growing; The gap between economic viability critical. Limiting sprawl requires a co- 33% live in slums; and 75% of global and environmental responsibility ordinated territorial strategy, so that carbon dioxide emissions originate in can be especially wide. Consider the cities can address common concerns, metropolitan areas. Statistics like these production of traditional, gasoline- like the transportation of goods, should give us pause: Are cities really powered cars. Although this type of clustering of housing and services, the best way to organise human life? industry might power some cities’ and management and placement of They can be, but only with growth today, the public’s growing industrial corridors. Inter-municipal signifi cant adjustments to how they are concern about CO2 emissions from co-operation can also achieve planned, built, and managed. For city- these vehicles is spurring changes in economies of scale by discouraging led growth to empower a sustainable, consumer demand. Businesses that can unnecessary competition. prosperous future, governments and capitalise on such shifts will be better Many urban areas are being developers must reintroduce a user- positioned for long-term growth. designed as “cities for the rich,” centred approach to urbanisation. Unfortunately, for-profi t entities rather than population centres for Today, most cities fail to include typically fail to see future generations all. This is gradually encouraging key stakeholders in the planning as tomorrow’s customers. Their short- social segregation and threatening process, leading to exclusionary term vision not only hurts their bottom the security and safety of residents. development. Consider the ubiquitous line; it also aff ects cities, by trading Planning buzzwords like “smart cities” housing project on the edge of town, a immediate gain for quality of life. and “sustainable urban development” characteristic of many poorly planned So, what can be done to ensure that mean little if the theories behind them cities. Built in the middle of nowhere, urban planning is conducted with benefi t only a few. these multi-unit eyesores are often the interests of cities’ actual users – As Jacobs predicted, the “city” will cut off from public transportation particularly their residents – in mind? remain the world’s engine of economic and other services, compounding Most cities lack a democratic growth and prosperity for many residents’ isolation from the urban planning process, and in many decades to come. But if that engine is core. large metropolitan areas, inequality to run most effi ciently, the mechanism But design fl aws like these, which is sewn into the social fabric. So powering it – the urban planning have both economic and social institutionalising participatory process itself – will need a tune-up. – implications, are just the beginning. planning must be the starting In their current form, modern cities are also catalysts of inequality and environmental degradation. Project Syndicate Even more worrying to urban planning point. Programmes that safeguard professionals like us is that in many local democracy by encouraging that take their views into account With participatory planning as transportation links, but also z Christine Auclair is project leader places, the entire planning process transparency and accountability are produce better design. Because leaders a starting point, governments and about coordinating policies and of the World Urban Campaign at the – the way we think about cities, how critical. Residents who are equipped everywhere, under any type of political residents can move toward building actions across sectors, including United Nation Human Settlements they are used, and by whom – is with the knowledge and means to system, are judged by the livability of cities that are more strategically housing, social services, and Programme (UN-Habitat). Mahmoud fl awed. express their views on issues aff ecting the places they oversee, an inclusive linked to their surrounding banking. In this way, regional roles al-Burai is CEO of the Dubai Real Even the world’s best-intentioned their communities make better planning process should be every city’s regions and areas beyond. This and responsibilities become more Estate Institute, an arm of the Dubai planning departments do not always neighbours. And planning discussions goal. type of growth is not only about clearly defined, with finite resources government. Weather report Three-day forecast

TODAY Why didn’t you speak up? High: 35 C Low : 27 C Inshore: Hazy to misty/foggy at places with Republicans and liberals who was “debasing” the US Like Flake, the Flake voted this year for a by early morning becomes relatively By Albert R Hunt hot daytime with some clouds. Bloomberg View were sympatico with Democrats. Tennessee Republican has decided not Republican healthcare bill that was Today’s anti-Trump Republicans to seek re-election next year. pushed to a vote without hearings aren’t more or less conservative than These Republicans generally and which few supporters even TUESDAY t’s not unprecedented for the rest of their party. Their objection disagree with Trump’s preference for understood; that was indefensible. High: 34 C senators to part ways with to Trump concerns his character and restrictions on trade and immigration, He naively supported the successful Low: 25 C presidents of their own party. But competence, and his leadership of a deplore his race-baiting and want campaign against appropriations Sunny Iwhat’s happening now among party he defi nes largely by rage. Flake more US leadership in solving confl icts earmarks, which had done a lot to Republicans is defi nitely unusual. has one of the most conservative around the world. But disagreements grease the way for constructive Sens. Jeff Flake and Bob Corker have records in the Senate, but was destined on issues aren’t the main thing that compromises. But he is nevertheless WEDNESDAY openly declared President Donald for defeat in a Republican primary motivated them. They believe Trump’s one of the more admirable High: 34 C Trump to be unfi t for the offi ce. Sens. next year by a Trump-supporting positions always are situational, that senators I’ve covered, a principled Low: 25 C John McCain and Ben Sasse are close hatemonger; he said he won’t run for he lacks core beliefs and that he’s conservative with an American Sunny behind. Scores of other Republican re-election. determined to remake the Republicans Conservative Union voting record of members of Congress share their In a remarkable speech delivered in the Trump brand. There is not a more than 93%, one of the highest in contempt for Trump, but stay quiet on Tuesday on the Senate fl oor, the single Republican offi ceholder to the chamber. Fishermen’s forecast The Flake speech may take its either out of fear or a calculation that Arizona lawmaker lamented “the whom he feels any loyalty. OFFSHORE DOHA Republican unity is the path to policy personal attacks, the threats against That makes future fi ssures historical place alongside the 1950 Wind: NE-SE 03-10 KT victories like a big tax cut. principles, freedoms and institutions, inevitable, because if Trump is address by Senator Margaret Chase Waves: 1-3 Feet But defections of mainstream the fl agrant disregard for truth or successful he will destroy the Smith, her “declaration of conscience” INSHORE DOHA Wind: SE-SW 5-15 KT conservatives like Flake and the decency, the reckless provocations, mainstream conservative Republican denouncing Sen. Joseph McCarthy. Waves: 1-2 Feet others foreshadow a splintering of most often for the pettiest and Party. Flake asked his colleagues: “When the Republican Party. Trump wants a most personal reasons.” He added, Some in that mainstream haven’t the next generation asks us, ‘Why Around the region party not committed to principles or “Reckless, outrageous and undignifi ed given up on Trump. House Speaker didn’t you do something, why didn’t Weather Weather policies, but only to the Trump brand, behaviour has become excused and Paul Ryan, Senate Majority Leader you speak up?’ – what are we going to today Max/min tomorrow Max/min however he defi nes it. countenanced as ‘telling it like it Mitch McConnell and Sen. Lindsey say?” Abu Dhabi Sunny 34/26 Sunny 33/25 Defections in the Senate aren’t is’ when it is actually just reckless, Graham, among others, are sticking Were Ryan, McConnell, Graham Baghdad P Cloudy 32/17 Sunny 29/16 Dubai new. Democrats-turned-Republicans outrageous and undignifi ed.” with the president because they fi gure and Senator Rob Portman listening? Sunny 35/23 Sunny 34/23 Kuwait City Sunny 36/21 Sunny 34/21 include Alabama’s Richard Shelby Bob Corker, the chairman of the that if they can pass a tax cut and some Gentlemen, what’s your answer? Manama Sunny 36/26 Sunny 36/25 in 1994 and South Carolina’s Senate Foreign Relations Committee other legislation, it’ll bring more party Muscat Sunny 33/22 Sunny 32/22 Strom Thurmond 30 years earlier. and once a candidate to be Trump’s unity and modify his behaviour. z Albert R Hunt is a Bloomberg View Riyadh Sunny 34/19 Sunny 33/19 Republicans-turned-Democrats secretary of state, had worked hard to They should pay attention to this columnist. He was the executive editor Tehran M Sunny 27/14 Sunny 24/13 include Vermont’s Jim Jeff ords in 2001 develop a constructive relationship line in Flake’s speech: “We have fooled of Bloomberg News, before which he was and Oregon’s Wayne Morse in 1955. But with the president. But in a CNN ourselves for long enough that a pivot a reporter, bureau chief and executive these conversions made ideological interview on Tuesday, he said that to governing is right around the corner, Washington editor at the Wall Street sense, involving conservatives who Trump had “great diffi culty with the a return to civility and stability right Journal. Readers may e-mail him at found themselves more comfortable truth.” He told ABC News that Trump behind it. We know better than that.” [email protected].

Live issues Risk of irregular heart rhythm rises with weight and age

By Lisa Rapaport did had a tripled risk of dying during High cholesterol didn’t appear to and increase the risk of developing Reuters Health the study period, researchers report in increase the risk of atrial fi brillation. atrial fibrillation.” Around the world Circulation. In fact, the opposite held true, Both men and women can reduce Weather Weather Excess weight explained most of the especially for women. their odds of heart problems such as today Max/min tomorrow Max/min he risk of developing an increased risk with atrial fi brillation, The study wasn’t a controlled atrial fi brillation by improving their Athens P Cloudy 22/13 P Cloudy 19/09 irregular heart rhythm said study author Dr Christina experiment designed to prove whether overall health and losing weight, Hsu Beirut Showers 23/21 Rain 23/20 P Cloudy 31/23 increases as people age and Magnussen of the University Heart or how specifi c risk factors like high added. Bangkok 32/22 M Cloudy Berlin M Sunny 08/02 Cloudy 08/07 become overweight or obese, Centre Hamburg in Germany. cholesterol or obesity might increase “Prior studies have shown that Cairo Sunny 27/17 Sunny 28/18 T P Cloudy 28/15 spiking after age 50 for men and age 60 “For each additional 10 pounds, the risk of atrial fi brillation. the lifetime risk of developing Cape Town 30/19 Rain for women, a recent study suggests. the atrial fi brillation rate increases by Some people also might have had atrial fi brillation is one in four, Colombo T Storms 29/26 T Storms 28/26 Researchers examined data on 31% in men and by 18% in women,” undiagnosed atrial fi brillation when with increasing age, elevated blood Dhaka Showers 26/20 Sunny 29/21 Hong Kong P Cloudy 26/19 P Cloudy 25/22 almost 80,000 people, ages 24 to 97, in Magnussen said by e-mail. “As they joined the study. pressure, obesity, smoking and alcohol Istanbul P Cloudy 15/08 M Sunny 12/06 four European studies. (weight) is a modifi able risk factor, Even so, the results add to the consumption being major risk factors, Jakarta S T Storms 33/25 S T Storms 33/24 When they joined the studies, we advise weight reduction for both evidence that the risk of atrial said Dr Gregg Fonarow, a researcher at Karachi Sunny 37/23 Sunny 36/23 none of the participants had atrial women and men.” fibrillation decreases with weight the David Geff en School of Medicine London M Sunny 11/05 P Cloudy 14/07 Manila S T Storms P Cloudy 32/26 fi brillation. In atrial fi brillation, the upper loss, said Dr Jonathan C Hsu, a at the University of California, Los 32/26 Moscow Rain 05/02 Rain&Snow 03/-1 After following half of the chambers of the heart, or atria, quiver researcher at the University of Angeles, who wasn’t involved in the New Delhi Sunny 32/18 Sunny 32/18 participants for at least 13 years – and instead of beating to move blood California, San Diego, who wasn’t study. New York S Showers 14/09 Sunny 14/07 some of them for nearly 28 years – eff ectively. involved in the study. “This study further highlights that Paris M Cloudy 13/02 Sunny 13/03 researchers found that 4.4% of the Few people developed atrial “As the body ages or gains maintaining a healthy body weight Sao Paulo T Storms 24/18 S T Storms 23/14 Seoul Sunny 13/03 P Cloudy 17/11 women and 6.4% of the men had fi brillation before age 50, the study weight, inflammatory molecules and blood pressure, and not smoking, Singapore T Storms 30/24 T Storms 30/26 developed atrial fi brillation. found. may be released into the blood,” can substantially lower the risk of Sydney S T Storms 32/13 Cloudy 19/12 Compared to people who didn’t By age 90, roughly one in four men Hsu said by e-mail.“This type of developing atrial fi brillation,” Fonarow Tokyo Clear 18/11 Clear 17/10 develop atrial fi brillation, those who and women had the condition. inflammation may affect the heart said by e-mail. Gulf Times 24 Monday, October 30, 2017 QATAR ‘Green initiatives key to sustainable society’

By Joseph Varghese Staff Reporter

atar Sustainability Week (QSW) 2017, or- Qganised by Qatar Green Building Council (QGBC) with a number of activities, was launched by HE the Minister of Municipality and Environment Mohamed bin Abdullah al-Ru- maihi yesterday. Held under the patronage of HE the Prime Minister and In- terior Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa al-Thani, QSW 2017 is a week-long event running until November 4. As part of QSW 2017, QGBC yes- terday launched the third edi- tion of the Qatar Green Build- ing Conference held under the patronage of Qatar Foundation (QF) vice-chairperson and CEO HE Sheikha Hind bint Hamad al-Thani, at the Qatar National Convention Centre (QNCC). The opening ceremony of the HE the Minister of Municipality and Environment Mohamed bin conference was attended by a Some of the participants at the conference. Abdullah al-Rumaihi speaking at the event. PICTURES: Thajudheen number of dignitaries includ- ing HE Sheikha Hind, Al-Atti- of Qatar several opportunities Week 2017 is determined by the look forward to welcoming Qa- need for raising awareness on yah International Foundation for nurturing a sustainable so- active participation of the vari- tar’s residents to the variety of sustainable activities. QSW is designed to actively added as partners of the QGBC for Energy and Sustainable De- ciety. “Collective efforts such ous partners from both the pri- events taking place throughout The two-day conference engage Qatar’s public and pri- loyalty programme Green Life velopment chairman HE Ab- as private-public partnerships vate and public sectors. QSW the week,” he added. brings together industry lead- vate sector organisations in a that was launched last year. dullah bin Hamad al-Attiyah, are essential for sustainability 2017 has more than 70 partners QF’s Community Develop- ers and sustainability experts wide range of sustainability- There also an exhibition along HE al-Rumaihi, HE the Minis- in the country. and 150 events.” ment president Machaille al- to address and showcase their oriented activities. with the conference that high- ter of Energy and Industry Dr Sustainable environment and “This initiative plays a cru- Naimi addressed the gather- innovative solutions to Qatar’s The event aims to foster a lights a number of sustainable Mohamed bin Saleh al-Sada, promotion of environmental cial role in raising awareness ing at the opening session and and the region’s most pressing culture of sustainability among activities QGBC chairman Issa bin Mo- activities will lead to achieving among the wider community, highlighted the importance of environmental challenges. residents and visitors, as well QSW 2017 will host a number hamed al-Mohannadi, and the global sustainability goals while showcasing the incredible the Green Building Conference The conference features a as to promote engagement from of activities, including a Kahramaa president Essa bin outlined in Qatar National Vi- milestones Qatar has reached in and the need for partnership range of sessions covering three members of the community. bridge-building competition, a Hilal al-Kuwari. sion 2030,” said HE al-Rumaihi. the areas of sustainability and between academic institutes inclusive themes: ‘Future Sus- During the opening session, photography competition, and Opening the conference, HE QGBC director Meshal al- green buildings. We are hon- and the industry to highlight tainable Cities’, ‘Green Busi- a number of agreements were a beach and desert clean-up, al-Rumaihi said that the green Shamari said, “The effective- oured to have the backing of the importance of sustainabil- ness is Good Business’, and signed between QGBC and and as well as the renowned Qatar initiatives provide the people ness of Qatar Sustainability all the supporting partners and ity. She also spoke about the ‘Sustainability as a Lifestyle’. several organisations that were Sustainability Awards. Al-Attiyah Foundation launches book

he Abdullah Bin Ha- tiyah, chairman of the Al- Goals. The connection be- human development gap. mad Al-Attiyah In- Attiyah Foundation, said in tween a nation’s ability to Oil and gas exploration and Tternational Foun- his foreword, “This publi- achieve each of the 17 sus- production are often the dation for Energy and cation is a demonstration tainable development goals pioneer economic activi- Sustainable Development of the commitment of the and their access to sustain- ties in relatively underde- launched a new book yes- Foundation to its vision to able energy is explored in veloped areas, and can lead terday at the opening ses- provide robust and practi- some detail. to further economic and sion of the Qatar Green cal knowledge and insights In particular, the book social progress or activi- Building Council’s con- on global energy and sus- reflects upon the role of en- ties including migration, ference at Qatar National tainable development top- ergy in relation to the fol- spontaneous settlement, Convention Centre. ics.” lowing five themes: Theme agricultural activities and The book entitled Sus- As a strategic partner One, Energy and Human infrastructure develop- tainable Development and of the Qatar Green Build- Welfare; Theme Two, Ener- ment. Energy Nexus was produced ing Council’s conference, gy and Environmental Con- The challenge to society by the Al-Attiyah Founda- HE al-Attiyah took part in cerns; Theme Three, En- in the coming years will be tion to serve as a concise a keynote panel session. ergy and Socio-Economic to ensure continued de- reference tool for policy He used the opportunity Development; Theme Four, velopment to help the bil- makers, industry practi- to share insights from the Energy and Ethical Issues lions of people now in pov- tioners, academia and any- book which specifically and Principals; and Theme erty, while at the same time one interested in the global examines the role of the Five, Partnerships for De- managing the role of oil and sustainability agenda. energy industry in the glo- velopment. gas in order to mitigate any In addition, the book will bal pursuit of sustainable In conclusion, the world negative impact on the en- be a good educational and development through the has fewer than 15 years to vironment and valuable ec- public awareness tool. HE lens of the United Nations achieve its bold and all-in- osystems on which people Abdullah bin Hamad al-At- Sustainable Development clusive agenda to close the depend. HE Abdullah bin Hamad al-Attiyah at the Qatar Green Building Conference at QNCC. ‘Human ribbon’ at Aspire Park Qatar Airways announces direct fl ights to Pattaya

atar Airways will launch around the world,” he noted. taya. Qatar Airways’ new serv- direct fl ights to Pattaya, Qatar Airways will operate ice to Pattaya will help to rein- Qits fi fth route to Thai- a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, with force the strong ties between land, due to increasing custom- 22 seats in Business Class and Qatar and Thailand. er demand, it was announced. 232 seats in Economy Class on The national carrier cur- The new four-times-a-week fl ights between Doha and U- rently operates fl ights to three service, which starts on Janu- Tapao Rayong Pattaya Inter- destinations in Thailand, with ary 28, 2018, is in addition to national Airport, on its winter services 35 times a week to the airline’s existing fl ights to schedule. It will be the fi rst Bangkok, 14 times a week to Bangkok, Krabi, Phuket and fi ve-star Middle East airline to Phuket and daily to Krabi (com- soon to be launched, Chiang off er fl ights to and from Pat- mencing on December 1). Mai. Located on the popular southeast coast of Thailand, Pattaya and nearby Rayong are major destinations for sun- seekers looking to soak up the local culture or relax and bask on one of the areas extensive beaches. Holiday-makers on the route are expected to come from Qa- tar Airways’ extensive network of destinations across Europe and the Middle East. “Thailand is continuing to grow in popularity with our passengers, who love travelling to this beautiful country to en- joy its incredible culture, cui- sine and natural scenery,” Qatar Airways Group chief executive Akbar al-Baker said. As a reminder of the importance of breast cancer awareness, more than 400 people gathered to form the biggest pink ‘human ribbon’ “Qatar Airways is committed at Aspire Park on Saturday. The initiative was part of Aspire Zone Foundation’s ‘Pink Walk’ breast cancer awareness event, which saw the to responding to customer de- participation of a large number of people. The event was organised in collaboration with Qatar Cancer Society. The participants attended mand by fl ying our passengers an awareness lecture before gathering in formation to create the ‘human ribbon’, followed by a 1km walk around the Park. Picture where they want to go and pro- courtesy of Aspire Zone Twitter page viding them with our unrivalled fi ve-star service to destinations Pattaya is a popular tourist destination in Thailand.