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Monday 7 October 2019 | 8 Safar 1441 www.thepeninsula.qa Volume 24 | Number 8037 | 2 Riyals

Amir to patronise QU graduation ceremony today QNA/THE PENINSULA Events Complex this morning. Qatar University graduates. It has University President, VPs, deans, graduates. The ceremony will 2019 will be graduating from all DOHA H H Sheikha Jawaher bint become a customary event ever faculty, graduates and their fam- recognize and honour QU grad- colleges. Hamad bin Suhaim Al Thani, wife since the University’s founding ilies, as well as VIP guests, the uates of the whole academic year QU’s new strategy places an Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin of H H the Amir, will patronise in 1977. Graduates who have suc- graduation ceremony of this year (including Fall 2018, Winter 2019, emphasis on elevating the Hamad Al Thani will patronise the graduation ceremony of cessfully completed the Bachelor will take place over two consec- Spring 2019, and Summer 2019). student experience by placing the graduation ceremony of the Qatar University’s female stu- and the Master’s Degree require- utive days. This year, around 3220 stu- QU as a pioneer and a leading 42nd batch of Qatar University dents tomorrow morning. ments will be recognized and The first day is dedicated to dents (2468 females and 752 educational institution in the students, which will be held at The graduation ceremony is honoured. men graduates, and the second male) from fall 2018, winter higher education sector in Qatar Qatar University’s Sports and an annual event celebrating In the presence of Qatar day to women distinguished 2019, spring 2019 and summer and abroad. OPINION ITUC praises Qatar's labour rights protection system

QNA/DOHA

Prime Minister and Interior Minister H E Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani met yesterday with a delegation from the World Bank. They reviewed cooperation relations between the State of Qatar and the World Bank in the fields of supporting the investment and business envi- ronment, and supporting the private sector in addition to topics of mutual interest. H E the Prime Minister and Interior Minister also met yesterday morning with Secretary- General of the International Trade Union Con- Dr. Khalid Al-Shafi federation (ITUC) Sharon Barrow, on the occasion Editor-in-Chief of her visit to the country. The ITUC Secretary General praised the ongoing legislative and executive measures Golden jump and amazing being undertaken by the State of Qatar in the development of labour rights protection systems accomplishment in accordance with the highest international standards. rganising the 2019 World Athletics Championships in H E the Prime Minister and Interior Minister Doha, an oasis of world of sports, for the first time in the reiterated Qatar's keenness and commitment to OArab region and the Middle East, is a historic and quali- international standards of labour and workers Prime Minister and Interior Minister H E Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani during a tative achievement that confirms that nothing is impossible and the development of its mechanisms. meeting with the World Bank delegation, yesterday. `P2 for Qatar, especially when it comes to hosting mega sports, cultural, political and economic events. Nearly 2,000 players from all over the world gathered in Doha to compete in different forms of races and athletic games. The international media and press did not lose sight to After successful Doha Worlds, Qatar express their admiration for the success achieved by Qatar in hosting many global championships including IAAF 2019. This confirms the strong will of Qatar and far-sighted plans promises more exciting sports events to make Qatar one of top centers in the world for sports having world-class infrastructure and ability to host global events FAWAD HUSSAIN 10-day event, Dahlan said Qatar people and the government,” he successfully. THE PENINSULA achieved various objectives from the said. Amir honoured The Organizing Committee of the championship did not World Championships, which will “If we go back to 1997 when leave any stone unturned to make this event a big success and The biggest track and field show on leave a lasting impact on the sport athletics was just about the national with IAAF Golden accorded special attention to all the requirements, including earth came to a spectacular close in the region. “We are really happy team, and now we can see the fans logistical and technical facilities for the distinguished guests last night with hosts Qatar prom- to host the World Championships,” in athletics are really increasing. Order of Merit of Qatar. All this was accomplished under the follow-up and ising to host more sports event in Dahlan, accompanied by IAAF Pres- Also we are happy because in direct supervision of H E Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani, the future. ident Sebastian Coe, said yesterday Qatar, we have more than 100 QNA President of the QOC and Chairman of the Organizing Com- The 2019 IAAF World Athletics at the press conference. “The cham- communities, our duty is to make DOHA mittee of the championship. Championships The success of Qatar in hosting this World Championship ended at the iconic Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin is the biggest response to the sceptics who doubted our capa- Khalifa Interna- Hamad Al Thani was awarded bility and aspiration for a bright and prosperous future. The tional Stadium yesterday the International siege which has been imposed on our beloved country would where 1972 athletes Association of Athletics Feder- not hinder our national journey or discourage us from making comprising 1054 ations (IAAF) Golden Order of our way towards the future we want for our future men and 918 Merit, in appreciation of His generations. women from 208 Highness’ support and to the Lord Sebastian Coe, President of the (IAAF), praised the countries took State of Qatar’s hosting of the efforts of the organizing committee and the available facilities centre-stage under 17th World Athletics Champi- to make the event a success. The number of journalists cov- lights for most part onships. ering the event reached more than 700 who represented several of the hugely fol- On behalf of H H the Amir, lowed event. President of Qatar Olympic international news agencies, sports channels and the press, in The 10-day Committee (QOC), and addition to more than 5,000 volunteers representing more event also wit- Chairman of the World Ath- than 100 countries. nessed the first letics Championships Organ- The excellent organization of many tournaments has helped ever midnight izing Committee, H E Sheikh our beloved country occupy a distinguished position, and the marathons held at Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani first in the region, in hosting international sporting event, and Corniche. Qatar received the order of merit the FIFA Club World Cup in coming December is not the last. now is the first and from the President of the Inter- Qatar not only hosted the event, but thanks to Allah, Qatar only country in the national Association of Ath- also won the gold medal in the final jumping event, with Qatar’s Middle East to host letics Federations, Lord Moataz Barsham scoring first place in the high jump. the World Cham- Sebastian Coe, on the sidelines Barshim is the fruit of Qatar’s Aspire International Academy, pionships of track of the closing ceremony of the which contributes effectively and strongly to the graduation and field. championships hosted by of Qatari sports talents. This institution has also provided us a With the rapid Doha. On behalf of H H the Amir, President of Qatar Olympic Committee, and Chairman of the strong football team, which won the 2019 Asian Cup. progress in terms World Athletics Championships Organising Committee, H E Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al All these were achieved only with the help of Allah, and of performances then with the wise leadership and its sound planning. by their athletes, Thani, receiving the IAAF Golden Order of Merit from the President of the International are really going on the right This has been achieved as we are preparing and looking and organisation Association of Athletics Federations, Lord Sebastian Coe, yesterday. direction. The fans are increasing forward to the largest and most prominent event in the world, of top level events and they are excited about the the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, which will be an exceptional over the years, Qatar will not stop pionships witnessed many good per- those communities to celebrate and sport,” said Dahlan. tournament by all standards in terms of capabilities, stadiums here and will continue to promote formances including a world record. see their athletes,” he said. To a query, Dahlan said the IAAF and organization. the popular sport in the region, Athletes were happy to be in Doha Dahlan added the event was a Doha Worlds will help Qatar in For this event, Qatar has been working on for quite a long Dahlan Al Hamad, Vice-Chairman and we hope they will leave Qatar part of Qatar’s National Vision 2030, organising mega sports events in a time to be a ray that would illuminate the paths for the Arab of the Organising Committee and with a lot of memories. in which sports is one of the pillars. more efficient manner. region, and as H H the Amir said: it will be a championship of Director General of the IAAF World “We are really thrilled to “Our legacy here (World Cham- “We don’t say that we are perfect. all Arabs. Athletics Championships Doha 2019, partner with the IAAF to expand pionships) is to make new gener- There is nothing perfect in the world. Welcome everyone in Qatar; castle for the oppressed, said yesterday. the horizon of athletics in the ation, those kids sports people. This There are many lessons (to be learnt) and the country of love, purity and magnanimity. Speaking at a crowded press Middle East and the MENA region. is what we want, and we will keep and we will review them after the conference on the final day of It is a collective effort of our promoting the sport until we see we championships,” he said. `P2 02 HOME MONDAY 7 OCTOBER 2019

Qatar’s ports handle PM meets Secretary-General of ITUC OFFICIAL NEWS over 1m containers Amir issues Decree Law on in 9 months this year regulating strategic stock SACHIN KUMAR The ports have of food and THE PENINSULA handled 1,002,908 Twenty-Foot consumer goods The container traffic at Hamad Port, Ruwais Port and Doha Port Equivalent Units DOHA: Amir H H Sheikh has crossed 1 million mark in the containers in January- Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani first nine of this year, showing that September period. issued Decree Law No. 24 Qatar’s maritime sector remains of 2019 regulating and strong. The ports have handled managing the strategic 1,002,908 Twenty-Foot Equiv- terminal that handles cars and stock of food and consumer alent Units (TEUs) containers in other vehicles, heavy equipment goods. The Decree Law January-September period, which and livestock, and other areas shall be effective starting is around two percent more than which is called offshore-supply from the date of its issu- compared to container traffic in services terminal to support the ance and shall be published same period in 2018. oil and gas industry. in the official gazette. QNA These ports also witnessed The container traffic expected impressive growth in building to rise further in future as Hamad The Prime Minister and Interior Minister, H E Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani, with Amir issues materials and vehicles handling. Port is undergoing expansion. the Secretary-General of the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC), Sharon Barrow, on the During the first nine months, The development works of Phase decisions these ports handled 307,511 II of the Hamad Port, which occasion of her visit to the country, yesterday morning. appointing envoys tonnes of general cargo, recording consist of second container ter- to Kazakhstan, 23 percent growth compared to minal (CT-2), has already begun. same period in previous year. The In August this year, Hamad After successful Doha Worlds, Qatar promises more Senegal, Oman ports handled 54,555 vehicles in Port was placed at number 114 in FROM PAGE 1 January- September period, reg- top 120 container ports ranking and AAA, so this is something we championships, national and DOHA: Amir H H Sheikh istering a growth of 7 percent of 2018. The port was ranked About the low turnout in the want to enhance, for the time area records besides the per- Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani compared to corresponding number 114 globally in the list of first couple of days during the being we have good results from sonal bests from the competing also issued Amiri Decision period in 2018, said Qatar Ports top 120 ports released annually championships, Dahlan said yes- Asian countries like China Qatar athletes. Qatari athletes also No. 37 of 2019, appoint- Management Company (Mwani by Container Management mag- terday: “Filling stadiums is the and Japan,” he added. sent the home crowd into rap- ing Abdulaziz Sultan Jassim Qatar) in tweet yesterday. azine. Qatari ports have seen tre- challenge. This wasn’t the chal- Doha Worlds proved to be a tures as Mutaz Essa Barshim Al Rumaihi as Ambassador The ports also handled mendous growth in a short lenge in these world champion- blockbuster and witnessed many retained his crown to become Extraordinary and Plenipo- 556,780 tonnes of general cargo duration and they are further ships only, it is a challenge in thrilling performances by the the first high jumper to win tentiary to the Republic of in first nine months and 582,598 cementing Qatar’s position as a every championships. track and field stars at Khalifa back-to-back titles at worlds. Kazakhstan. H H the Amir heads of livestock. regional maritime hub. They are “First two days were hectic International Stadium, which Star hurdler Abderrahman also issued the Amiri Decision In September this year, 371 playing a major role in securing but if you see the last 3 days, the remained packed on most days Samba was the other Al Anabi No. 38 of 2019, appointing ships docked at Hamad Port, the needs of local markets and stadium was filled because of the competition. athlete to clinch medal, claiming Mohamed Kurdi Talib Al Marri Ruwais Port and Doha Port com- projects implemented by Qatar. people started to appreciate the American hurdler Dalilah a bronze medal in men’s 400m as Ambassador Extraordi- pared to 319 ships in August 2019. Ports in Qatar registered results of the athletes.” Muhammad will return with a hurdles. nary and Plenipotentiary to Hamad Port has lion’s share impressive growth in cargo han- Dahlan, who is also the Pres- new world record from Doha as Qatar has been the centre of the Republic of Senegal. H in container traffic because of its dling in the first half of this year. ident of Asian Athletics Associ- she clocked 52.16m in the athletics events since the 2006 H the Amir issued the Amiri state-of-the-art container ter- The ports handled 218,330 tonnes ation (AAA), overall was pleased women’s 400m hurdles to win Asian Games and has been Decision No. 39 of 2019, minal. QTerminals at the moment of building materials in January- with the participation from the gold medal. Netherlands’ Sefan hosting the Diamond League appointing Sheikh Abdul- operates Phase-I of the Hamad June period of this year, compared continent. “I am happy that Hassan also clinched a unique since years. It also played host rahman bin Mohamed Al Port which consist of several facil- to 177,000 tonnes in the same Asian countries are progressing. 10000m-1,500m double to to the Asian Athletics Champi- Abdulrahman Al Thani, as ities, including a container ter- period last year, showing a growth Things are going good. We have make history in Doha. The event onships last April at the same Ambassador Extraordinary minal (CT-1), a general cargo of around 24 percent. good cooperation with the IAAF also saw various new venue. and Plenipotentiary to the Sultanate of Oman. The decisions are effective starting from their date of Qatar takes part in IACA’s issue and are to be published Assembly of Parties in the official gazette. QNA Amir issues an in Kazakhstan instrument of THE PENINSULA ACTA held a number of bilateral ratification DOHA meetings, which participated in the conference, to strengthen DOHA: Amir H H Sheikh The State of Qatar participated bilateral relations and promote Tamim bin Hamad Al recently with a delegation from international awareness of the Thani yesterday issued an the Administrative Control and State of Qatar’s efforts in the instrument of ratification Transparency Authority (ACTA) areas of transparency, integrity approving an agreement in the eighth session of the and anti-corruption. between the Government IACA’s Assembly of Parties, held In his speech at the opening of the State of Qatar and in the city of Nur-Sultan in Kaza- of the conference, the represent- The United Nations Chil- khstan. ative of ACTA, Ibrahim Ali dren’s Fund (Unicef), signed The participation comes in Abdullah, presented a compre- in Doha on December 16 The Minister of Education and Higher Education, H E Dr. Mohammed Abdul Wahed Al Hammadi, at the light of the keenness of ACTA hensive proposal by ACTA to 2018. QNA the 16th Science and Technology in Society Forum in Japan. to effectively represent the State develop the work of the of Qatar in all international academy, which aims to pre- Shura Council to efforts to promote transparency, serve and build on the achieve- participate in Qatar takes part in STS Forum in Japan integrity and anti-corruption. ments of the academy, to meet High-level representatives the challenges faced by the WTO’s Public QNA and innovation) are participating The Science and Technology from anti-corruption authorities, academy, both in terms of Forum in Geneva KYOTO in the two-day STS Forum, in Society (STS) forum aims to specialised law enforcement Internal work systems and pro- which will be held at the Kyoto provide a new mechanism for authorities and international grams, or in relation to the Acad- DOHA: The Shura Council The State of Qatar is partici- International Conference Center. open discussions on an informal organisations of the academy emy’s partnerships with the will participate in the Public pating in the 16th Science and On the sidelines of the STS basis, and to build a human also participated in the session. Parties and in general, benefi- Forum of the World Trade Technology in Society Forum Forum, H E the Minister of Edu- network that would, in time, The conference discussed ciaries of its services and pro- Organization (WTO) which (STS Forum) in Japan. cation and Higher Education resolve the new types of the work that was accomplished grams. Also, ACTA presented a is scheduled to be held in The Minister of Education participated in the round-table problems stemming from the in the previous year of the acad- working paper during the dis- Geneva, Switzerland, from and Higher Education, H E Dr. for the Ministers, where they dis- application of science and tech- emy’s work programme, the cussion session on “Protecting October 8 to 11 under the Mohammed Abdul Wahed Al cussed the role of international nology. The forum community ways of developing the acad- Whistleblowers: Implementing theme “Trading Forward: Hammadi, is heading Qatar’s cooperation in easing the chal- will also explore the opportu- emy’s future work and ways to National Legislation and Pol- Adapting to a Changing delegation to the Forum. lenges to research and devel- nities arising from science and strengthen the role of the icies”, which was held on World”. The Shura Coun- Over 1,400 participants from opment in order to activate the technology, and address how to academy as an internationally October 3, in which ACTA’s cil will be represented by its 80 countries, in addition to over role of science, technology and remove the barriers to using leading institution in research expert presented Qatar’s expe- Member, Mohammed bin 25 ministers (of education, innovation in achieving sus- science and technology to solve and training in the areas of anti- riences, best practices and future Khalid Al Maadeed. QNA higher education, technology tainable development goals. the problems facing humankind. corruption. The delegation of projects in this field. HMC only facility in region to offer last-resort treatment for Moyamoya patients

THE PENINSULA Moyamoya disease. form to compensate for the is considered a possible cause Ali Ayyad, Senior Consultant, offering this complex surgery,” DOHA “Moyamoya is a progressive blockage. As the normal blood because the incidence of the Neurosurgery, was the lead said Dr Ayyad. disease that does not improve vessels narrow and become disease is more common in Asian surgeon for the recently com- Dr. Ayyad said that the The neurosurgery team from without treatment. It develops blocked, the condition predis- countries, underscoring the sig- pleted milestone tenth operation. surgery, which involves taking Hamad Medical Corporation’s over months or years and is poses affected patients to nificance of HMC’s programme. He said surgery is generally rec- blood vessels from the scalp of (HMC) Hamad General Hospital caused by blocked arteries at the stroke,” said Dr. Belkhair. “We are still trying to under- ommended for Moyamoya a patient and then completing a has recently performed a brain base of the brain. The rare con- “While Moyamoya itself is stand the mechanism of devel- patients with recurrent or pro- craniotomy (making an opening bypass surgery on a 30-year-old dition, which is more common not curable, surgery to provide oping Moyamoya disease. Some gressive TIAs or strokes to in the skull) and connecting patient from the Philippines, in the childhood age group, alternative blood flow to the researchers believe it could be prevent further strokes by blood vessels from the scalp to marking the tenth procedure affects only about one in a brain prevents related symptoms due to an inherited defect of cer- restoring (re-vascularizing) blood vessels on the patient’s performed since the introduction million people,” said Dr. Sira- and can significantly reduce ebral blood vessels. blood flow to the affected areas brain, has been successful in of the Brain Re-Vascularization jeddin Belkhair, Senior Con- stroke risk. As the arteries The cause may also be of the brain. improving the symptoms of Program two years ago. sultant, Neurosurgery and Head become narrower, the brain related to associated conditions “HMC introduced the Brain patients and increasing blood HMC is currently the only of the Neurosurgery Department forms tiny blood vessels to create such as Down syndrome and Re-Vascularization Program in going to their brains. healthcare provider in the region at Hamad General Hospital. new pathways for blood to flow,” sickle cell disease. This disease Qatar as a last resort for patients The overall prognosis for to offer the surgery, which is a “The name ‘Moyamoya’ added Dr. Belkhair. primarily affects children, but it suffering from symptoms of patients with Moyamoya disease last-resort treatment for patients means ‘puff of smoke’ in Jap- He said that while the exact can also occur in adults, with the decreased blood flow to the depends on how rapidly vascular suffering from symptoms of anese and describes the cause of Moyamoya disease is not first symptom often being a brain. We are the only healthcare blockage occurs, and to what decreased blood flow due to appearance of tiny vessels that known, multifactorial inheritance stroke,” added Dr Belkhair. Dr. provider in the Middle East extent. MONDAY 7 OCTOBER 2019 HOME 03 04 HOME MONDAY 7 OCTOBER 2019 Al Khulaifi highlights importance Labour Minister meets ITUC Secretary-General of awareness in crime prevention

THE PENINSULA Al Khulaifi said that cooperation between the security DOHA the Ministry is keen to services and the public is the first barrier to prevention the crime. The Director of Public Security, communicate with the He stressed that the General Staff Major General Saad bin concerned authorities Directorate of Criminal Investi- Jassim Al Khulaifi, stressed the to spread awareness gations plays an awareness role importance of awareness aspects about all facts related in cooperation with the Public to face crime before it happens. Relations Department at the Min- Al Khulaifi said, on the side- to criminal methods. istry of Interior and other bodies lines of the awareness sym- through various media outlets, in posium organised by the General to take caution and provide nec- order to make the community Directorate of Criminal Investi- essary awareness to all aware of the causes and methods gations at the Ministry of Interior, employees and those concerned used in some common crimes. that the Ministry of Interior is with economic affairs,” he said. The symposium dealt with a keen to communicate with the Brigadier General Jamal number of topics, including a various concerned authorities in Mohammed Al Kaabi, Director working paper on the Criminal this context in order to spread General of Criminal Investigation, Investigation Department, which awareness about all facts related said that this awareness sym- was reviewed by Major Nawaf to criminal methods, including posium comes within the Mohammed AlOtaibi, in which economic crimes, especially in framework of the activities of the he referred to incidents of theft light of the rapid technological General Directorate of Criminal of bank customers, and gave a The Minister of Administrative Development, Labour and Social Affairs, H E Yousuf bin Mohamed development. Investigation, in order to reduce number of tips and guidance, Al Othman Fakhroo, met yesterday with the Secretary-General of the International Trade Union “The economic crime occurs the spread of crime and try to which enhance security and Confederation (ITUC), Sharon Barrow, on the occasion of her visit to the country. They discussed aspects all over the world and our role is avoid it before it occurs, where reduce this crime. of cooperation in the field of protecting workers’ rights and ways of supporting and developing them. QRCS opens Global Innovation Meeting in Humanitarian Action SANAULLAH ATAULLAH The opening ceremony was under a great deal of pressure, humanitarian action,” he the need to make things differ- THE PENINSULA attended by the Director- which creates a clash between added. ently.” He said that the world General of Qatar Fund for management and activists. He said that now, humani- is rapidly changing. “We live in With the participation of 96 Development (QFFD), Khalifa “Innovation is part of the tarian organizations are under a world that is dynamic and people, Qatar Red Crescent bin Jassim Al Kuwari; President business. It is understood that a lot of pressure, so those in the changing very rapidly. This is Society (QRCS) opened of QRCS, Dr. Mohamed bin you can take risks by intro- management clash with the the biggest humanitarian yesterday the Global Innovation Ghanem Al Ali Al Maadheed; ducing new technology that activists, it is a very difficult network in the world, with Meeting in Humanitarian Action Secretary-General, Ali bin may work and may not, and issue how to make the balance 450,000 staff, some 13-14 at Qatar National Convention Hassan Al Hammadi, and Chief that can be later developed. between empowerment and million volunteers, and 160 Center (QNCC) to discuss with Executive Director at QRCS, What about the humanitarian governance. branches,” said Hazeldine. stockholders the innovations Eng. Ibrahim Abdullah Al Malik. dimensions. I have been in Shaun Hazeldine, Head of “We are here because we which help to enhance the Addressing the opening cer- Qatar Red Crescent for around Innovation at IFRC said: This is have to decide on what to operation of humanitarian and emony, the President of QRCS 20 years,” said Al Maadheed. the fourth time we hold a global change. I hope the coming charity works. said that one of the objectives He said that the problem innovation meeting. We held couple of days will be a chance The meeting, a three-day of the meeting was to exchange with activists is discipline. “You the first one three years ago in to talk to each other, to share event, is being organised by ideas and insights on inno- want to go to the field and do Denmark. With only 20 people your experiences, and to tell QRCS in collaboration with the vation in humanitarian work, many things. They have the attending. So, it has grown people what is going well as The President of QRCS, Dr. International Federation of the and reviewed the challenges in spirit, which is a good thing. It largely over the years. This well as what is not going well. Mohamed bin Ghanem Al Ali Red Cross and Red Crescent this area, pointing out in a is part of learning. Some of it reflects a kind of shift within We are all in trouble. We all Al Maadheed. PIC: BAHER AMIN Societies (IFRC) and Solferino related context that humani- will be useful, but it is not a sys- the Red Cross Red Crescent have troubles, just as we all / THE PENINSULA Academy. tarian institutions are currently tematic kind of approach to Movement and recognition of have successes,” he added. Qatari student delegation to participate Achieving self-sufficiency, Qatar to in 3rd Gulf Physics Olympiad in Muscat QNA/MUSCAT of thinking in various fields of physics export dairy and poultry products (mechanics, solid-state mechanics, A Qatari student team will participate in hydraulic mechanics, thermodynamics and the third Gulf Physics Olympiad 2019, molecular physics, vibrations and waves, THE PENINSULA DOHA which is scheduled to start in Muscat today electric charge and electric field, current and continues until October 10. and magnetic field, electromagnetic waves, The participation of the Qatari dele- quantum mechanics and relativity, the After achieving self-sufficiency in gation of four students is the third in such physical properties of matter). The other dairy and poultry products, Qatar is competition. The competition is composed is a practical test that measures students’ planning to export the surplus stock of two tests in physics. The first is a theo- skills in dealing with practical of these food products in near future. retical test that measures the higher levels experiences. Sheikh Dr. Faleh bin Nasser Al Thani, Assistant Under-Secretary for Agriculture and Fisheries Affairs at the Ministry of Municipality and Envi- ronment (MME), has said that the local poultry products covered the 100 percent demand of fresh chicken in the market within two years since blockade. He said in a statement that local Sheikh Dr. Faleh bin Nasser Al Thani, Assistant Under-Secretary for Agriculture poultry products got popular in the and Fisheries Affairs at the Ministry of Municipality and Environment, with local market within a short period of time, and plans are afoot to export other officials during his visit to Mazzraty, yesterday. the surplus stock. “We currently have a surplus of Sheikh Dr. Faleh bin Nasser Al Thani said that there dairy products, where local pro- are some farms which are planning to export, some duction reached 109 percent, egg of which have already started exporting in small production also rose to 40 percent quantities, stressing that there is a possibility to export which will increase with the joining of other farms in the coming period,” poultry and dairy products, in addition to fish and said Sheikh Dr. Faleh bin Nasser Al shrimp through farms, where they can be exported in Thani during his visit to National future as products and not in fresh form. Group for Agriculture and Animal Products (Mazzraty) yesterday. The delegation of MME to Maz- zraty also included Yousef Khaled Al by the government sector to support greenhouses, which will help to con- Khulaifi, Director of Agricultural agricultural production through the tinue the production throughout the Affairs Department and Abdulaziz Al provision of greenhouses, production year, in addition to high quality and Ziyara, Director of Animal Resources inputs, feed, fertilizers, pesticides, low water consumption. Department. irrigation systems, vaccination and He said that the largest future Sheikh Dr. Faleh bin Nasser Al medicines. plans for the agricultural sector focus Thani said that there are some farms Sheikh Faleh bin Nasser Al Thani on sustainable production, and to which are planning to export, some said that the production of local farms maintain the quality of the product of which have already started reached 10,000 tonnes per year, and its development, focusing on exporting in small quantities, which is expected to reach a products with less water con- stressing that there is a possibility to whopping 90,000 tonnes by next sumption and those that Qatari export poultry and dairy products, in year with the help of 10 modern market needs. addition to fish and shrimp through farms equipped with greenhouse Sheikh Dr Faleh bin Nasser Al farms, where they can be exported technologies. Thani lauded the Mazzraty for its in the future as products and not in The new farms which started achievement in a short period of time. fresh form. operation will be an added value to “Mazzraty managed to establish The Assistant Undersecretary for the market in coordination with itself as a strong and competitive Agriculture and Fisheries Affairs Mahaseel, the marketing arm of Qatari producer because of its high praised all investors in the agricul- Hassad Food which will market the quality poultry and feed products, tural and livestock sector who have local products. He said that the starting with the production of worked sincerely since the imposition number of productive farms in Qatar excellent quality feeds through its of the blockade to keep the pro- reached 1,300 farms, which are fixed modern plant which adopts the latest duction continue round the clock. farms. The work begins to utilise the international technologies as well as He said that a plan was developed free spaces for the construction of the latest in Qatar,” said Al Thani. MONDAY 7 OCTOBER 2019 HOME 05 NHRC and US Congress delegation hold talks THE PENINSULA The meeting dealt the Committee explained the DOHA with a number composition of the committee, which is made up of 13 members, The National Human Rights of human rights 9 of whom were representatives Committee (NHRC) received at issues, including of civil society and 4 representing its headquarters yesterday a the efforts of the government ministries who can delegation of senior members of not vote in decisions taken by the US Congress. NHRC to protect members. The delegation was received the workers’ rights, The Chairman and Vice- by Vice-Chairman of the National and cooperation Chairman of the Committee shall Human Rights Committee with United Nations be selected among the members Dr Mohammed Saif Al Kuwari, Vice-Chairman of the National Human Rights Committee (NHRC), during (NHRC), Dr Mohammed Saif Al representing civil society. a meeting with delegation of senior members of the US Congress, at NHRC headquarters. Kuwari, along with a number of bodies, international The delegation inquired directors and legal experts. and civil society about the role of the Committee The meeting dealt with a organisations. in spreading the culture of programs targeting workers and Committee to facilitate the reception and registration number of human rights issues, human rights in the country. employers, and organizes in a processing of complaints and a section of the Department of including the efforts of the NHRC Nations bodies, international and The Committee has a five- number of places where workers hotline that operates 24 hours a Legal Affairs, which provides free to protect the workers’ rights, civil society organisations. year strategic plan which are present. It also has estab- day, seven days a week. In legal advice to received and cooperation with United The members of includes organizing lectures and lished community offices in the addition to the role played by the complaints. QSTP inspires innovation through creative collaboration THE PENINSULA – listening is something that is rience than myself. DOHA fundamentally important to “The unique interaction of all innovative thinking. It’s about these diverse personalities, with Qatar Science & Technology Park being open, flexible, and all their professional experiences (QSTP), through its Arab Inno- accepting of the ideas of others, seemed to exemplify the idea of vation Academy (AIA), has even though they may be dif- the ‘whole being greater than the created a unique learning envi- ferent or come from a completely sum.’ And you felt that this critical ronment that equips young different cultural point of view. mass of knowledge, experience, people with the confidence and The key thing is to embrace the personalities, and energy was ability to turn their innovative notion that knowledge is organic exactly what you, as a participant, startup ideas into a reality. and innate to us all, and genu- needed to hear,” she added. AIA, a two-week entrepre- inely effective solutions will only AlSubaey majored in neurship bootcamp launched by really materialize when we work accounting – not an area that QSTP, part of Qatar Foundation together to improve our world anyone would immediately asso- Research, Development, and through innovation, creativity, ciate with innovation or crea- Innovation, in collaboration with and original thinking.” tivity – but as an accomplished the European Innovation Intrinsic to the AIA phi- artist illustrator, and as a direct Academy – takes place every losophy is mentoring, with result of her involvement in the year, and provides participants Participants at the Arab Innovation Academy 2019. experts on-hand to share their program, she is now volun- with hands-on experience, men- experiences and advice. teering with the AIA’s marketing torship opportunities, and access in AIA 2019 with their project experience allowed her to they only exist in your head; and AlSubaey felt the mentoring that team, to work on their 2020 to investors in order to help take ‘EyeTalk’ – a software-hardware develop and grow as an indi- developing the self-confidence was available throughout the AIA marketing campaign, where they their startup concepts from ide- system that aims to people with vidual and as an innovator, to articulate your thoughts and program was an essential part of are using her illustrations, and ation to commercialized products. disabilities completely paralyzed AlSubaey said, “One of the most challenge others’ thinking, espe- the whole experience and one her experiences, to encourage Shaikha AlSubaey, a people communicate using just important things I learned during cially within groups of strangers, that allowed her to be in the next year’s young innovators to graduate of Qatar University, and their eyes, by blinking. my AIA experience was to speak is a skill we all should possess.” right place to learn from those step up, speak up and get her team won joint third place Talking about how the AIA up. Great ideas are irrelevant if “But it’s not just about talking with more knowledge and expe- involved. Mazzraty to launch marinated chicken

THE PENINSULA/DOHA ronment to Mazzraty yesterday. especially as it is a sector that “The consumers prefer the requires continuous follow-up The National Group for Agriculture local product because it is fresh and coordination between all and Animal Products (Mazzraty) has and of high quality, especially with ministries. announced to launch new products the strict control by the concerned “The Ministry has a qualified including Omega 3, baby chicken authorities in the country, which team and quick procedures and and marinated chicken, which will is an encouraging factor for the facilitates the import of materials be ready to roast directly. demand for the Qatari product, and for the field such as vaccinations The announcement was made the local product was able to prove and medicines, and conduct pre- by Abdul Rahman Hamad Al Mana, itself, and became a competitor to ventive measures,” said Al Mana Chairman of the National Group foreign products,” said Al Mana. He said that Mazzraty is an for Agriculture and Animal He said that the visit by the environmentally-friendly project Products (Mazzraty) while briefing officials of Ministry of Municipality that meets all environmental about the products and future plan and Environment is a support for standards, and is equipped with a of the Group during the visit of a the project which plays an mechanism that allows recycling of high level delegation from the Min- important role in promoting live- all products in the farm, without the istry of Municipality and Envi- stock and food production, need to take out any waste outside. Award-winning photographer to engage local community in Qatar THE PENINSULA Duley said, “For me the core DOHA of my work is the story. The tech- nical aspects of photography are The World Innovation Summit for always secondary when it comes Health (WISH) – an initiative of to producing a photograph, most Qatar Foundation – is bringing important is building a rela- award-winning British photog- tionship with the subject of the rapher Giles Duley (pictured), to image. At the end of the day, it is Doha as part of a WISH-curated their story and my work must be art exhibition currently on display honest to them. at the Fire Station. “This will be the first time I’ve The exhibition – titled Artistic done a talk and workshop in Doha Dimensions to a Healthier World and I’m thrilled at the opportunity – explores the relationship to share the stories of those I’ve between art and health, particu- high-profile musicians, to serious photographed and my own expe- larly in the context of conflict set- photo-documenter of people riences over 25 years working as tings. And it features work by dealing with the long-term impact a photographer. Photography is Duley, who – through his photo- of war. Duley, who lost both legs my life and it’s always a joy to talk graphs – documents the chal- and one arm while reporting on with those who share my passion.” lenges faced by people whose conflict in Afghanistan in 2011, will Mahmoud El Achi, Research health is affected by war and those also detail the importance to him and Policy Development Officer, that strive to help them. of not letting his own disability WISH, and photographer, said: As part of the visit, Duley will overshadow his work, or the people “The community of photography deliver a public talk at the Fire on whom he focuses his lens. enthusiasts in Qatar has been Station tomorrow and a photog- At his workshop on October growing recently, so we are raphy workshop on October 10. 10, Duley aims to engage those pleased to host a world-renowned Each event will run from 6pm. interested in gaining a deeper photographer who can inspire the During his talk tomorrow, understanding of the intricacies local community to use their Duley will share his personal reflec- of reportage photography and passion for a good cause.” The tions on his life and work, including photo-journalism. In particular, talk, workshop, and exhibition are the reasons that motivated his he will explore ways to get open to the public and are free of change of career from successful impactful images that respect charge, with the exhibition portrait photographer of those being photographed. running until October 25. 06 HOME MONDAY 7 OCTOBER 2019 ICBF opens legal clinic to support expats Qatar Charity implements The free consultation 11 major development service will be projects in Indonesia provided every third Thursday from 5pm THE PENINSULA society, pointing out that many onwards at ICBF office DOHA donors direct their donations to at IICC, Thumama. social projects. Qatar Charity, with the generous For his part, Hendra Hadi, support of the people in Qatar, project officer at Qatar Char- THE PENINSULA/DOHA has implemented 11 major ity’s office in Jakarta, said the development projects in Indo- projects implemented in Indian Community Benevolent nesia at total cost of over QR13m various Indonesian regions, Forum (ICBF), under the during the past two years. included centers for the care patronage of Embassy of India, The projects, which were and rehabilitation of orphans Qatar has opened a legal clinic implemented in the fields of in Banten, 20 social housing at the Integrated Indian education, health and social units as well as multiple Community Centre (IICC), Al welfare to support thousands of service center in Subang, and Thumama. The clinic was inau- orphans and low-income fam- a residential complex with 25 gurated by Ambassador of India, Ambassador of India, P Kumaran, with members of ICBF during the opening of the legal clinic. ilies, will be inaugurated in the houses in East Lombok, in P Kumaran. near future. addition to building many hos- The legal clinic is aimed at sup- signed the memorandum of the inauguration ceremony. be able to provide initial legal “Qatar Charity exerts its pitals and clinics across the porting the Indian expats who are understanding in the presence of Dr Nizar Kochery explained help for people in need for all utmost efforts continuously in country. in need of legal assistance, espe- P Kumaran. The free consultation about the intention as this is part types of cases where community the field of development and Since its inception in Indo- cially for the workers who don’t service will be provided every of humanitarian service he has members are involved. social welfare to protect the nesia in 2006, Qatar Charity has have means to receive proper third Thursday from 5pm been doing for many years as he ICBF shall as part of the Legal most vulnerable and help been active in channeling legal help or hire a lawyer. The onwards at ICBF office at IICC, provide such assistance to many Clinic shall provide legal awareness those most in need,” said humanitarian assistance to legal clinic is being operated by Thumama. Any Indian national other communities too. sessions to community members, Karam Zeinhom Aly, director those in need. It has provided Kocheri & Partners Legal Con- in need of legal assistance can P Kumaran applauded the so they are aware of the law of the of Qatar Charity’s office in urgent relief aid to tsunami sultants, who are providing legal walk in to have the legal efforts of ICBF to start the legal land and prevent themselves from Indonesia. victims in 2007, and urgent consultancy in Qatar for past guidance. clinic and expressed that this is landing in troubles. Community He pointed out that the assistance to those affected by many years. S.R.H. Fahmi, the First Sec- the need of the hour as many leaders and members of com- implementation of the projects, the West Sumatra earthquake Representing Kocheri & retary at the Embassy of India and people are in need of legal munity who were present which will be opened soon, in 2009. Partners, its Chairman Nizar Coordinating officer, ICBF, Sona assistance, which is a costly affair applauded the efforts of ICBF in began in 2017 and ended in Besides, it delivered Kocheri, and representing ICBF, Soman, the 3rd Secretary at the that many cannot afford. He starting such a new initiative to 2019, noting that they would assistance to Rohingya refugees its President P N Baburajan, Embassy of India also attended hoped that the legal clinic would support the needy. contribute significantly to the in 2009 and 2015, and assisted development of communities the Garut flood victims in 20016. and provide the necessary It has also built 126 housing units services in the areas of health, including six schools and a Students of PISQ participate in Maker Majlis education and social welfare. mosque. Furthermore, Qatar He added that all these Charity has provided aid to the THE PENINSULA International School namely Munyb Jamal, the work in progress for Qatar’s 2030 vision. projects have been implemented victims of the 2018 Lombok DOHA Muhammad Moosa, Mauzzah Naseem, Maheen To make the task a little more challenging with the support from the people earthquake and constructed a Malik, Alyna Arshad, Aruba Atif, Eiman Iftikhar, the students were then asked to choose the in Qatar, who always respond social housing for the poor in A group of the students of Pakistan Interna- Umme Haani Ali and Sarah Akbar attended issue that needed serious attention and which to the needs of the Indonesian Aceh. tional School-Qatar (PISQ) participated in this program. had to be solved at first hand. On the second Maker Majlis, a Youth Development Program In the program, students learned a lot about day the students were asked to relate the by United Nations Development Programme the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in problems to Qatar and find solutions to solve (UNDP), a great platform for the young minds. a fun way. On the very first day the students the problem they had chosen the previous day. The event was hosted by Hammad Bin were tested about their knowledge of the SDGs All the students worked hard to come up Khalifa University at the Education City and later they watched a video about Qatar’s with ideas to solve them. On the third day the Mosque. Nine students from Pakistan development for the FIFA World Cup 2022 and students were given a new challenge to make a prototype of a business idea that they market as well as solve the problem and earn a rea- sonable profit. The winning team had two stu- dents, Munyb Jamal and Umme Haani Ali, from Pakistan International School. Their team were given SDG 8 which aimed at decent work and economic growth and the issue, the team chose was ‘to overcome the problems faced by the workers due to extreme heat in Qatar’ and they came up with a bril- liant idea of ‘ultra cool’ which would be a uniform comprising of a cooling device, powered by the belt, in the shirt and a jump suit made of reflective material, made of alu- minium, to save the workers from heat and A beneficiary family of the relief project implemented by Qatar provide them a sustainable environment to Charity in Indonesia. PISQ students during their participation in Maker Majlis, a Youth Development Program. work on very hot days. CMU-Q lecture explores national food security

THE PENINSULA/DOHA discuss the possible for Qatar to make giant pressing strides toward food security. “Baladna At a lecture at Carnegie Mellon issues that and the Qatar government have worked University in Qatar (CMU-Q), Kamel affect Qatar together in many areas, including devel- Abdallah (pictured), Group Chief Exec- and the oping advanced technologies in livestock utive Officer of Baladna Food Industries, world. During breeding and agricultural production. Before discussed the challenges and opportu- his talk, the blockade, we were importing 100 nities for sustainable food security in Abdallah percent of our milk. Today, 100 percent of Qatar. highlighted Qatar’s dairy products are from Qatar.” He was speaking at the Dean’s the crucial partnership between the Michael Trick, the dean of Carnegie Lecture Series, a CMU-Q forum for private and public sectors, stressing Mellon University in Qatar, noted: “Food leaders in business and government to that this collaboration has made it security is not just a policy question, it involves business, tech- nology, science and sustaina- bility. At CMU-Q, we encourage our students to think beyond their main area of study, and I thank Dr. Abdallah for outlining how we can tackle food security by integrating these areas of expertise.” Abdallah said that education is vital for the next generation to understand the connections between fresh food, proper nutrition and sustainable packaging and a healthy community. MONDAY 7 OCTOBER 2019 HOME 07

PHCC urges Youth have fun women to repeat breast cancer with robotics, screening THE PENINSULA coding at QNL DOHA The Primary Health Care Corpo- THE PENINSULA The program is ration (PHCC) is urging women DOHA designed to enable across Qatar to ensure they are young students to screened for breast cancer every A group of young adults enjoyed eventually address three years. an interactive session of Fun The call comes as the Cor- Robotics at Qatar National Library other real-time poration, which runs ‘Screen For on Saturday. A hands-on intro- problems using Life’, Qatar’s National Breast and duction to robotics, the Internet of the same strategy, Bowel Cancer Screening Things, and coding let enthusiastic applying collaboration, program, has already completed participants do robotic coding with three years of operation, and is the aid of drag-and-drop func- creativity, critical now identifying women who tionality. After this brief intro- thinking and complex undertook mammograms in duction, the group solved a daily 2016 and are now eligible to problem-solving. Young adults during an interactive session of Fun Robotics at Qatar National Library. life issue using robotics. screen again. As per the national The program is designed to guidelines, breast cancer enable young students to even- competitions in Qatar and the practicing coding and robotics for complexity of programming used especially for those with an screening should be done every tually address other real-time region, said: “This event is brilliant. the last two years, and I’m thankful to solve them will increase. A interest in computer science and three years. problems using the same strategy, It introduces new concepts in to have been part of a major mini-challenge day will be held in information technology. Robotics “We always make sure to applying collaboration, creativity, robotics and provides incredible robotics competition that brought November, when participants will teaches students how to solve explain to women that the critical thinking and complex learning materials to participants. the first cup to Jordan.” exhibit their creations. complex problems and work screening must be repeated problem-solving. The world of robotics is advancing Sessions continue every Sat- Zakariya Muhamed, who also together with other students. The every three years,” said Dr A participant at the workshop, very quickly, so it is always val- urday throughout October. As the took part, said: “I am happy that lecture today helped me under- Shaikha Abu Shaikha, Manager Sanad Joudeh, a robotics enthu- uable to learn something new course progresses, the level of the Library is organizing inform- stand the different types of robot of Screening Programs at PHCC. siast who regularly attends about this field. I have been problems identified and the ative events for youth, and sensors and how they function.” “Being screened once is not the end of the preventative care. Circumstances change and if we are to be successful, we must CEO of WISE receives Centennial Medal by IIE reinforce the message that women must repeat the THE PENINSULA academic exchange and global WISE offers a range of pro- grow the education movement our brain and how we learn, screening at the three-year DOHA mobility, philanthropic excel- grams that go beyond its flagship with 35,000 active contacts in global citizenship for sustainable interval.” lence, and corporate support for summit in Doha, including the community database, and development, and leveraging Dr Shaikha said the repeat Stavros Yiannouka, CEO of the advancement of international annual action-oriented initia- 150,000 social media technology for positive learning screening message will be part World Innovation Summit for education and relations. The tives such as the Learners’ Voice, followers. outcomes. of this month’s ‘Put Yourself Education (WISE) – an initiative Centennial Medal acknowledges WISE Awards, WISE Prize for The flagship global summit The summit will be preceded First’ campaign which ‘Screen of Qatar Foundation – has been the world’s most prestigious and Education, and the WISE Accel- this year, taking place from by Doha Learning Days, a week- For Life’ is running as part of awarded the Centennial Medal innovative programs in interna- erator. This also includes over 23 November 19 – 21, aims to long celebration of education, on International breast cancer by the Institute of International tional education and exchange. original research reports on a address pressing issues affected November 14-19. In partnership awareness month. Education (IIE). Yiannouka said, “I am broad range of topics such as by rapid transformations in tech- with Exxon Mobil Qatar, WISE is “The good news is that this In honour of 100 years of grateful to be receiving this pres- agile leadership and global lan- nology and the environment showcasing local initiatives and month women will have more academic and cultural exchange, tigious award, and can only guage policies. Since 2009, WISE through the theme: ‘UnLearn, encouraging the public to par- access than ever to free mam- the IIE award individuals and accept it on behalf of all of the has welcomed over 12,000 par- Relearn: What it means to be ticipate in the activities. The mogram testing as we are taking organisations who have con- work that WISE and the local and ticipants from 150 countries at Human’. This will drive discus- events will be centered in QF’s the opportunity to sites tributed to the field of interna- international community do to its events, engaging with 5,400 sions and debates on topics such ceremonial court and will feature throughout Qatar. Our mobile tional education through gov- make education a priority organizations, and over 950 as integrating holistic learning local and regional initiatives in screening unit will tour the ernment service, leadership in around the world.” speakers. WISE continues to for well-being, understanding education. country, we will have sign-up opportunities in malls and at public and private sector gath- MOCI recalls select erings nationwide to com- Genomic approaches to cancer pliment free screening at our Apple 15-inch three main screening suites. treatment discussed at WCM-Q Screening is not a one-off task MacBook Pro sales – it is a lifelong undertaking, THE PENINSULA hence our campaign being DOHA THE PENINSULA named ‘Screen For Life,’” she DOHA explained. The growing role of genomics in cancer ‘Screen For Life’ is urging treatment was examined at the latest Dr. El Akiki said: “What Due to potential overheating of the battery women of 45 years and above Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar (WCM-Q) cancers all have in common that may pose a fire safety risk in a limited to take up the ‘Put Yourself First’ Grand Rounds. is that they are due to number of older generation units, Ministry free mammogram opportunity. Dr. Susanna El Akiki, consultant changes in the genome, to of Commerce and Industry (MOCI) has “No-one should be reluctant to clinical scientist in the diagnostic announced the recall of Apple 15-inch use the mobile unit as it operates genomic division at Hamad Medical Cor- mutations in the DNA, and MacBook Pro sales of September 2015 and to the same high standard as our poration (HMC), gave a presentation that it’s these mutations that February 2017. permanent screening suites in explained the difference between genetic disrupt the regulation of the The Ministry of Commerce and Al Wakra, Leabaib and Rawdat and genomic analysis, described the Industry, in cooperation with Redington Al Khail health centres. Our staff Dr. Susanna El Akiki technologies used to detect genomic cell cycle.” and Apple, announced a free of charge are highly-trained and women changes, and discussed the impact of recall of Apple 15-inch MacBook Pro units benefit from a high level of genomic reporting on therapeutic Dr. El Akiki said that new genetic key milestones in the treatment of CML sold between September 2015 and Feb- privacy,” said Dr Shaikha. decision making. sequencing technologies allow physi- over the past 60 years, all of them have ruary 2017, due to the fire safety risk that During October ‘Screen For Dr. El Akiki, who is an affiliate faculty cians to look at very large numbers of been based on our improved under- the battery may pose if overheated. Life’ will conduct lectures, member at WCM-Q, also explained how genes simultaneously, radically standing of the underlying genomics. The recall campaign comes within the undertake training for physi- genomics has become central to pre- enhancing their ability to diagnose, “Genomic medicine is really framework of the Ministry’s continuous cians, operate a mobile cision cancer medicine. monitor and target treatments at cancers. reshaping the delivery of pathology efforts to ensure that suppliers follow up screening unit and mount infor- Dr. El Akiki said, “What cancers all For example, targeted treatment of services as we go into this new era of on product defects and recall defective mation booths in malls and have in common is that they are due to chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), a cancer precision medicine, so it’s a very items in a bid to protect consumers. health centers while imple- changes in the genome, to mutations in cancer of the white blood cells, with a exciting time and a huge era of The Ministry said that it will coor- menting social media contests the DNA, and it’s these mutations that therapy called tyrosine kinase inhibitors, change.” dinate with the suppliers to follow up on and an advertising campaign to disrupt the regulation of the cell cycle. had led to dramatic improvements in sur- The lecture, titled ‘The Role of the maintenance and repair works and promote the early screening My role as a diagnostic scientist is to use vival rates, she said. Furthermore, by Genomics in Cancer Treatment, was will communicate with customers to message. “Quite simply early genetic technologies identify these muta- analyzing the mutations in the patient’s accredited locally by the Qatar Council ensure that the necessary repairs are screening can save lives and tions. We do this to confirm a diagnosis, genome the physician can make an for Healthcare Practitioners-Accredi- carried out. The Ministry has urges all cus- women who adopt the repeat to determine the prognosis of the patient, informed decision about which of the tation Department (QCHP-AD) and inter- tomers to report any violations to its Con- screening cycle are setting a to risk stratify for treatment, to measure several tyrosine kinase inhibitors would nationally by the Accreditation Council sumer Protection and Anti-Commercial very positive example to response to treatment, to monitor disease be most effective. for Continuing Medical Education Fraud Department, which processes com- younger generations,” added Dr progression.” Dr. El Akiki added, “If you look at the (ACCME). plaints, inquires and suggestions. Shaikha. Permanent closure on service road linking Al Shamal Road

THE PENINSULA can use the entrance near Al DOHA Gharrafa Complex after “Al Ittihad New Bridge” then head to Abdul- The Public Works Authority rahman Bin Ouf Street to use the ‘Ashghal’ has announced a U-turn on Thani bin Jassim Street permanent closure of the entrance to reach Q Mall, Gharrafa Market from Al Shamal Road south bound and commercial areas. to the service road before Thani Road users can also use the Bin Jassim Street (Al Ittihad new Etihad Bridge in the direction Street). to Gharrafa to reach the inter- The permanent closure will be section known as “Al Ittihad Inter- implemented tomorrow in coor- section” and make a U-turn to dination with Traffic Department, Thani bin Jassim Street and then to facilitate construction of two make another U-turn under the of new bridges at Umm Lekhba bridge to reach Q Mall and com- Interchange and new roads mercial areas. scheme in the area as part of Ashghal will install road signs Sabah Al Ahmad Corridor. to guide road users through the Road users on Al Shamal Road new road layout. 08 VIEWS MONDAY 7 OCTOBER 2019 Anger grows at civilian ESTABLISHED IN 1996 deaths by US, Afghan forces CHAIRMAN SHEIKH THANI BIN ABDULLAH AL THANI

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF DR. KHALID BIN MUBARAK AL-SHAFI [email protected]

KATHY GANNON ACTING MANAGING EDITOR AP MOHAMMED SALIM MOHAMED [email protected] he workers were sleeping on the mountainside where they had spent a long day har- DEPUTY MANAGING EDITOR Tvesting pine nuts in eastern MOHAMMED OSMAN ALI Afghanistan. Some were in tents, [email protected] others lay outside under the stars, when the US airstrike tore into them. Only hours before the Sept. 19 strike, the businessman who hired them had heard there was a drone over the mountain and called Afghanistan’s intelligence agency to remind an EDITORIAL official his workers were there - as he’d notified the agency days earlier. “He laughed and said, ‘Don’t worry they are not going to bomb you,’” the Combating cyber crimes businessman, Aziz Rahman, recalled. Twenty workers were killed in the espite international efforts, cyber crimes are growing strike, including seven members of and posing a serious threat to the safety and security one family. A relative, Mohammed Dof global social, political and economic orders. In this Hasan, angrily described body parts context, Qatar’s efforts in fighting cyber crimes have attained they found scattered on the ground, global attention and the nation is leaving no stone unturned gesturing at his arm, his leg, his head. in its fight to curb the emerging phenomenon of cyber crimes. “This is not their (Americans’) first Qatar was also a victim of this heinous crime as imme- mistake,” said Hasan. “They say ‘sorry’. diately before the start of unjust blockade on Qatar, the siege What are we supposed to do with nations went to the extent of using cyber tools to tarnish the ‘sorry?’ ... People now are angry. They image of Qatar. The cyber crime committed against Qatar are so angry with the foreigners, with was not an isolated incident as hundreds of reports on cyber this government.” crimes surface from around the world on daily basis. Increasing civilian deaths in According to the report of the Center for Strategic and stepped-up US airstrikes and opera- International Studies, around $600bn, nearly one percent tions by Afghan forces highlight the of global GDP, is lost to cyber crime each year. This figure conundrum the US military and its alone is enough to understand the gravity of this global threat. Afghan allies face, 18 years into the Qatar’s efforts to fight cyber crimes are really the need war: How to of the hour and deserve big round of applause. The country hunt down since 2012. But civilian deaths caused Central Command, the US conducted always raises voice for enhanced international cooperation their Islamic by US and Afghan government forces more bombings and drone strikes in to curb the cyber crime and works in close coordination State group are rising, surpassing for the first time Afghanistan in August than in any pre- with global agencies to formulate policies and execute and Taliban those caused by the Taliban and other vious month this year - 783, compared measures against this global A UN report found enemies, insurgents, according to a UN report . to 613 in July and 441 in June. threat. that US and Afghan while It found that US and Afghan forces Dropping more bombs doesn’t Qatar’s commitment and keeping killed 717 civilians and injured 680 in appear to be working. The Taliban are vision to fight cyber crimes are forces killed 717 civilians safe the first six months of the year, up 31% stronger than they have been since reflected in Amir H H Sheikh civilians and injured and on their from the same period in 2018. The their ouster in 2001, and IS is Qatar’s vision Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani’s 680 in the first side. Com- Taliban and IS killed 531 and wounded expanding its footprint, moving into to establish and invitation for holding an inter- six months of the plaints have 1,437, down 43%. Michael Kugelman, the mountains of the northeast, national conference to discuss also grown deputy director of the Asia Program at according to a US Department of maintain a secure year, up 31% from cyberspace to ways to tackle it and in His over abuses the Washington-based Wilson Center, Defense intelligence agent. He spoke Highness’ assertion that Qatar the same period in and killings said that is because US President on condition of anonymity because of safeguard the is ready to host this conference 2018. The Taliban by a CIA- Donald Trump has sought to ramp up the sensitivity of his work. national and under the auspices of the United and IS killed 531 trained pressure on the battlefield amid nego- In an interview with The Asso- Nations and to exert all efforts Afghan tiations with the Taliban and has ciated Press, Afghan Defense Minister international and wounded 1,437, interests and with international partners to special intel- loosened rules of engagement for US Asadullah Khaled disputed the UN make it a success. down 43%. ligence force forces. “In effect, the Trump adminis- report, saying “we do not have a lot of preserve the Well cognizant of the conse- known as tration has given its blessing to US civilian casualties.” He accused the fundamental rights quences of the threat, Qatar also Unit 02. In the same province, Nan- forces to use a more gloves-off Taliban and their sympathizers of and values of the seeks to strengthen its cooper- garhar, members of the Unit killed approach on the battlefield that raises inflating numbers. “I cannot say there ation with the United Nations four brothers during a raid on their the risk of civilian casualties,” he said. are no civilian casualties from the society has won Office on Drugs and Crime to home. The brothers’ hands were In early September when Trump Afghan side but there is a big dif- wide acclaim. build national capacities of bound and they were shot in the head. declared as “dead” a deal with the ference. Taliban is killing people in the states to enhance the security of Former President Hamid Karzai, in Taliban that had seemed imminent, he mosque, in the school, in the street, computer networks and support a recent interview with The Associated boasted the US had “been hitting our and we are trying our best,” to avoid regional and international cooperation to provide a safe Press, said he didn’t want the US troops enemy harder than at any time in the civilian casualties, said Khaled. and robust cyber environment. for “one more minute” if deaths of last ten years.” Last week, Defense Khaled seemed to put some blame With determination and willpower, Qatar has been civilians continued. Some 16,000 Secretary Mark Esper said: “We did for the deaths in the Sept. 19 strike on making use of all available means to fight cyber threats. The civilians have been killed since 2009 in step up our attacks on the Taliban the farmers. He said they were Ministry of Transport and Communications will organise the war, according to the UN Overall, since the talks broke down. . . we did working on a mountain where IS is the 5th Qatar IT Conference and Exhibition under the theme civilian deaths are down so far this pick up the pace considerably.” known to have bases, without “Safe Smart Cities” between October 29 and November 1. year, on track to the lowest number According to the US Air Forces informing the authorities. Taking into account the gravity of cyber crimes, Qatar has enhanced its information security within country and is ready to always move an extra mile to extend support to the United Nations efforts to combat cyber crimes by France has a way out of the US-Iran impasse addressing the root causes. Qatar’s vision to establish and maintain a secure cyber- consistent message: If we can’t the impasse, both sides have freeing Iran to once again sell space to safeguard the national and international interests sell oil, we’ll make sure nobody been looking for an opportunity its oil and spend money. and preserve the fundamental rights and values of the society can. Generating a crisis is Iran’s to resume dialogue, but nei- It’s not as easy as all that. has won wide acclaim. Undoubtedly, Qatar’s far-sighted chosen strategy to restart diplo- ther has been willing to make Rouhani reportedly backed moves will inspire the world to work for a cyber crime free macy. But Tehran doesn’t want opening concessions. out of the phone call after globe. a war, knowing it will surely At the G7 meeting in Biarritz demanding that the US lift all HUSSEIN IBISH lose. Trump has made it clear in August, the French presi- new sanctions before any talks. BLOOMBERG he doesn’t want a conflict either. dent came close to persuading Hardliners in Tehran will resist But who will blink first? Trump to meet Iran’s foreign any new dialogue. Iran hawks The US and Iran are both look- For more than a year, each minister, Javad Zarif. At the in Washington, like Secretary ing for diplomatic off-ramp side was convinced it had the UN General Assembly in New of State Mike Pompeo, will like- QUOTE OF THE DAY from their intensifying confron- upper hand, overvaluing its York last month, he came even wise argue against any outreach tation. France may have found own leverage while underes- closer to arranging a phone call until the Islamic Republic shows way out. President Emmanuel timating the endurance of the between Trump and Rouhani. it is mending its behavior. The European Union Macron has developed a four- other side. Iran believed it could Those failures belie the real Some sweeteners will be now will have to react point framework that looks like wait out the Trump presidency progress Macron has achieved required. As an initial induce- to US tariffs and, after a plausible basis for a resump- in hope that a more concili- in creating a framework that ment, France proposed giving obtaining the approval tion of US-Iranian dialog. atory administration would Washington and Tehran might Iran a $15 billion line of credit; It is clear that, without talks, follow. The American strat- be able to accept as a basis for Trump seems open to the idea. of the World Trade the Islamic Republic will not egy, since Trump abrogated the resumed negotiations. Can the US also lift some sanc- Organisation, probably stop with its calibrated program 2015 nuclear agreement, has Iran would again agree tions in order to resume talks, impose punitive tariffs of military provocations, which been to exert pressure through never to build nuclear weap- on the understanding others culminated in the strikes on economic sanctions and force ons, and forswear other forms will be removed only after an as well. Saudi oil facilities on Sept 14 the Iranians to negotiate a new of aggression in its neighbor- agreement is reached? Or would that temporarily halved that and better deal. The sanctions hood. The latter may imply a promise to ease the pres- Heiko Maas country’s oil production. As have severely damaged the Ira- restricting some aspects of its sure suffice? And what steps German Foreign Minister with previous attacks on energy nian economy, but the regime missile-development. In return, might Iran be willing to take shipping in the Persian Gulf, the in Tehran has not shown any the US would agree to lift all on nuclear or regional issues to latest strikes restate Tehran’s signs of bending. Recognizing sanctions imposed since 2017, demonstrate its own good faith? MONDAY 7 OCTOBER 2019 OPINION 09 Palestinians need to learn from South Africa’s mistakes

oday, the comparison are being made. One, Palestinians Na’eem Jeenah and Salim Vally Vally told me that “the fault lines between Israeli and South often misconstrue and romanticise the explained in their essay, Beyond of the present system of inequality African apartheid is as per- path of the South African anti- Ethnic Nationalism: Lessons from in South Africa can be traced to the vasive as it is obvious. Just as apartheid struggle. Two, there is a South Africa, a common future for the nature of the negotiated settlement T colonialists and the colonised can only South Africa and many other settler widely-shared belief, among Pales- between the erstwhile, dominant colonies did in the past, Israel is now tinians and their supporters, that the be built “when there is agreement that liberation movement and the RAMZY BAROUD utilising policies of racial segregation official scrapping of apartheid laws a new nation needs to be forged apartheid regime”. AL JAZEERA and ethnic cleansing to advance and automatically ushered in a new age of within a new state”. “While it might be As a result, the end of apartheid preserve the interests of the coloni- democracy and equality in S Africa. tempting to talk about the new state law did not change the class for- alists while suppressing and margin- Such perceptions lead to the erro- now and leave the question of the new mation and power relations in South alising the basic human rights of the neous assumption that a similar legal nation for some post-liberation phase, Africa, as the post-apartheid period colonised population. victory in Israel can solve all of Pales- this would be a huge mistake. It was witnessed “the continuation of the Naturally, the Palestinian liber- tine’s problems and pave the way for postponed in South Africa and South class character of the state [despite ation discourse has adopted refer- the coveted one-state solution. Africans are now living with the con- the discourse of human rights, ences to the popular struggle against This issue occupied my mind sequences,” Jeenah and Vally wrote. liberal bourgeois democracy and South Africa’s apartheid, while the during a recent visit to South Africa. Indeed, while post-apartheid gov- development] and the incorporation Palestinian Boycott, Divestment and While giving lectures on Palestine and ernments in South Africa emphasised of South Africa into a global market Sanctions (BDS) movement is also the shared struggle of the two nations, symbols of unity and celebrated economy”. “In a sense, while the largely modelled around the boycott I had the opportunity to meet and diversity - such as the rainbow flag - scaffolding [racially-based discrimi- movement of South Africa. discuss the South African experience symbolism was not enough to stitch natory laws] was removed, the The relentless resistance and with a number of intellectuals, former together a nation. foundation and the house of ine- overwhelming sacrifices of South anti-apartheid fighters and human As Enver Motala, associate of the quality remains even stronger than Palestinians must Africans which were made to ulti- rights activists who are part of today’s Chair for Community, Adult and it did prior to 1994. Traditional hear and examine mately overturn hundreds of years of South African struggle for equality. Worker Education at the University of white capitalists, global capital, a closely the views of Dutch and British colonialism and In my opinion, Palestinians must Johannesburg pointed out: the layer of the black middle class and a racial apartheid are exceptional and hear and examine closely the views of “approach to the constitution of few black capitalists are, today, the South Africans who praiseworthy. Challenging and offi- South Africans who have fought and nationhood in has often favoured the beneficiaries, at the expense of the have fought and cially defeating the powerful and sin- continue to fight for true equality and liberal democratic, aspirational claims vast majority,” Vally said. continue to fight for ister forces that upheld such historic meaningful democracy, so that they of human and legal rights enshrined in This persisting inequality mani- true equality and injustice is a tremendous feat. It can better understand post-apartheid a constitution, its symbols, flags and fests itself in a myriad of ways, most underscores the unsurmountable South Africa and draw important anthems for unification, while leaving starkly in the issue of land rights and meaningful democracy, power of popular movements and lessons for our own struggle. untouched the structural arrange- redistribution. As in the case of Pal- so that they can better presents a positive example for Nationhood, democracy and mar- ments and enduring characteristics of estinians, South Africans perceive understand post- Palestinians. ginalisation One of the main chal- historically entrenched power, and land as having much deeper value apartheid South Africa However, in the rush to emphasise lenges that post-apartheid South social fragmentation”. than its market price; it is closely the similarities between the two expe- Africa has faced is building a nation on Motala added that the formation tied to identity and cultural roots. and draw important riences - which itself stems from the the ashes of a regime which was pred- of a truly unified state and nationhood Mahlatse Mpya, a researcher at lessons for our own burning and justifiable desire of Pal- icated on racial division, marginali- can only be possible through “the the Afro-Middle East Centre, told struggle. estinians to achieve their own “South sation and oppression. demobilisation of every conceivable me that the South African gov- Africa moment” - two major mistakes As South African academics form of social privilege”. ernment is still unable to “com- There has been the expectation prehend what land meant to black that dismantling apartheid political people”. For black South Africans, structures and introducing democracy “land is part of their identity, her- would facilitate the nation-building itage, a way for many of them to process. But as Karima Brown, a connect with their roots and prominent journalist and political ancestors”, she explained. analyst, told me, the democratic breakthrough of 1994 was only “the start of deepening democracy and building a more equal, non-sexist and anti-racist order”. She emphasised the importance of not allowing apartheid colonialism to D-RING ROAD be replaced with a neo-colonial POST BOX: 3488 project that would continue to mar- DOHA - QATAR ginalise various groups and [email protected] undermine the nation-building effort. Inequality and land rights According to a recent World Bank EDITOR-IN-CHIEF OFFICE study, South Africa “remains the most TEL: 4455 7741 / 767 economically unequal country in the FAX: +974 4455 7758 world”, a sad reality which has much to do with the neoliberal economic MANAGING EDITOR model which the democratically TEL: 4462 7505 elected South African government adopted after 1994 and which is DEPUTY MANAGING EDITOR closely associated with the powerful, TEL: 4455 7769 A file photo of Palestinians posing for a picture with a sculpture of the first democratically elected South African neo-colonial forces that remain at President Nelson Mandela, in the West Bank city of Ramallah. work in South Africa. LOCAL NEWS SECTION TEL: 4455 7743

BUSINESS NEWS SECTION ew and scary diseases have become the global pandemic some people to worry about the exploding TEL: 4462 7535 always made good head- feared. popularity of vaping among young lines, but if they are very Today the big scare in some US people. It’s highly addictive, and the SPORT NEWS SECTION rare, is it ever justified to tell states is eastern equine encephalitis long-term effects remain unknown. TEL: 4455 7745 N But for older people who are already people to be afraid? Exaggerators in (EEE). It’s exceedingly rare, but can be public health fields or in the media deadly. There are usually about seven addicted to nicotine, is this disease ONLINE SECTION may not think they can do any harm cases a year in the US, but this year enough of a threat to warn smokers TEL: 4462 7501 FAYE FLAM by issuing alarming warnings about there have been 28 cases and nine against switching to vaping? Is it [email protected] BLOOMBERG things like mosquito-borne illnesses, deaths. better for someone who has The important question is whether switched to vaping to go back to PUBLIC RELATIONS this is just a bump, or whether there’s cigarettes? TEL: 4455 7613 reason to think something has More than 480,000 people die [email protected] changed that has made this disease every year from smoking in the US, more easily spread. That question many from lung cancer. There is good ADVERTISING DEPARTMENT When it’s ok for health reason to think vaping won’t cause remains unanswered, though the TEL: 4455 7837 / 780 cancer because users don’t inhale the answer is critical in deciding how to FAX: 4455 7870 talk about the threat. carcinogenic tar that comes from the [email protected] officials to panic, and Stoking fear can lead to responses combustion of tobacco. Which opens that are, at best, a misallocation of up the possibility that scaring people CLASSIFIED DEPARTMENT resources. In 2016, the mosquito- over this rare new disease could have when it’s not TEL: 4455 7857 borne disease that had people scared the unintended consequence of [email protected] was Zika virus, and this was used, said increasing the incidence of something vaping or eating meat. But there can Sandman, to justify spraying in New much more common - and known to SUBSCRIPTION & be costs to such tunnel vision. York, though there were never any be deadly. DISTRIBUTION It’s OK to make a big deal about cases attributed to local mosquitoes Similar unintended consequences TEL: 4455 7809 / 839 something that’s small when there’s a there. have come from scaring people away FAX: 44557819 reasonable chance it might become a By far the biggest scare story of from certain foods, like meat and [email protected] lot bigger, said risk communication 2019 has been the small rash of acute dairy. Last week, a new paper in pub- consultant Peter Sandman. Think of lung illnesses associated with vaping. lished in the Annals of Internal Med- the H5N1 bird flu scare of the last The media reported that cases were icine reported that the available evi- Today the big scare decade, he said. The disease was “surging” when they reached a pos- dence points to no statistically signif- much more likely to kill those who got sible 450 incidents with five deaths. icant risk from eating red meat. All thoughts and views in some US states infected than was the 1918 pandemic The numbers have now edged over Some nutrition researchers expressed in these columns is eastern equine flu, which killed about 50 million 1,000, with at least 18 deaths, but objected, but the scientific evidence are those of the writers, encephalitis (EEE). people. The new bird flu hadn’t there’s no mechanism by which this never pointed to more than a small not of the newspaper. It’s exceedingly rare, evolved the ability to spread from will likely explode into a pandemic. risk associated with eating meat. A person to person, but in the very real And it’s not a big number compared to few years ago researchers claimed to but can be deadly. possibility it did, it could have been the number of people who have been find a link between cancer and proc- All correspondence There are usually the worst pandemic ever. vaping without incident. Although the essed meats, such as ham, sausage regarding Views and about seven cases a That never happened, but it was exact cause has yet to be pinned and bacon. People who ate a lot of Opinion pages should be still good public health procedure to down, which is worrisome, from the these had an elevated risk of colon sent to editor-in-chief year in the US, but warn people, said Sandman, because start the evidence has pointed to THC cancer, but the risk was small - a 5.3% this year there have it genuinely looked like it was the tip (the active ingredient in marijuana), lifetime risk for those who ate con- office or mailed to the been 28 cases and of an iceberg. The same goes for SARS, flavoring or other additives as the sumer processed meat every day, as [email protected] nine deaths. a viral disease that broke out in 2003 primary risk. opposed to a 4.5% risk for the general and was contained before it could There are lots of reasons for population. 10 MIDDLE EAST MONDAY 7 OCTOBER 2019 Iraq PM vows reforms; eight dead in new clashes

AGENCIES Confronted by its biggest challenge since BAGHDAD coming to power just under a year ago, Prime Minister Adel Abdel Mahdi’s cabinet The Iraqi government announced a series of reforms early yesterday issued a decree including 17 planned after an “extraordinary” session reforms, such as land distributions and overnight in response to sweeping anti-government rallies that have increased welfare stipends for needy left nearly 100 dead in less than a families. week. At least eight people were killed and 25 wounded in new Minister Adel Abdel Mahdi’s despair after authorities seized clashes between protesters and cabinet issued a decree including his mobile kiosk. police in eastern Baghdad yes- 17 planned reforms, such as land The government has offi- terday, police and medical distributions and increased cially designated those killed as sources said. welfare stipends for needy “martyrs,” granting their families The clashes were in Sadr city, families. a special set of benefits. a sprawling residential district of The decree ordered con- The majority of protesters the Iraqi capital, and added to a struction of 100,000 new killed were struck by bullets, death toll of more than 100 housing units. In September, local according to medical sources, people killed in less than a week authorities launched demolitions who said on Friday that six police of protests over corruption and of houses in informal settlements, officers have also been killed. unemployment. Police, backed home to three million Iraqis The authorities have accused by the army, used live rounds and across the country. “saboteurs” and unidentified tear gas to disperse the crowds In response to staggering snipers of targeting protesters. at two separate locations in Sadr youth unemployment, which has Last morning, the situation City, police said. reached around 25 percent was calm in Baghdad, though The Interior Ministry according to the World Bank, the with lighter traffic than usual. The spokesman said 112 anti- government said it would create capital’s iconic Tahrir Square An Iraqi protester waves the national flag during a demonstration against state corruption, failing government protesters and eight large market complexes and remained blocked off by security public services, and unemployment, in the capital Baghdad, yesterday. security members have been boost benefits for those without forces. killed during protests in Baghdad work. The public sector remains Parliament speaker corruption, unemployment and Islamic State group at the end of crowds say they are not backed and the south. Spokesman Saad the largest employer in Iraq, a Mohammed Al Halbusi pledged the decay of public services in a 2017 — after nearly four decades by any political or religious Maan said that 6,107 protesters country of 40 million people, but a range of reforms in a meeting country chronically short of of conflict. establishment and have attacked and more than 1,200 security it has struggled to absorb new with lawmakers on Saturday, but electricity and drinking water. Starting Tuesday, protesters a broad range of political party personnel have been wounded university graduates in recent did not hold his planned legis- Iraq is the 12th most corrupt gathered in Baghdad and spread offices. in the unrest. years. lative session as the body failed country in the world, according to the country’s Shiite-majority “We don’t want parties Confronted by its biggest In the southern city of Kut to reach quorum. to Transparency International. south, defying an internet anymore. We don’t want anyone challenge since coming to power last month, a young Iraqi man Born of calls on social media, The protests follow Iraq’s blackout, tear gas and even live to speak in our name,” one pro- just under a year ago, Prime died after he set himself alight in the protest movement denounced declaration of victory over the rounds. The mainly male, young tester said on Friday. Turkey summons US charge Turkey reiterates importance of safe zone formation

d’affaires over Twitter ‘like’ ANATOLIA Later, Trump agreed with stretching from the Euphrates the idea of terrorist-free safe ANKARA Turkey and the US brought up River to the Iraqi border, zones in Syria. It has stressed AFP Last month Bahceli, 71, was the idea of withdrawal from east including Manbij. ridding the area of the terrorist ANKARA taken to hospital after suffering The Turkish president of the Euphrates River in On August 7, Turkish and US YPG, as well as resettling Syrian nausea but was released shortly yesterday said his country northern Syria, Erdogan said, military officials agreed to set up migrants currently sheltered in Turkey yesterday summoned after. Despite assurances, there offered to set up safe zone in adding that the people around a safe zone in northern Syria and Turkey. the US charge d’affaires after the have been concerns recently northern Syria to the US as it Trump have not followed these develop a peace corridor to facil- Meanwhile, Turkey has embassy’s Twitter account over his health. was presented to former US instructions yet. “Unfortunately, itate the movement of displaced boosted troop numbers on its ‘liked’ a tweet about a nation- The US ambassador, David President Barack Obama. terrorist organisations such as Syrians who want to return border with northern Syria, local alist politician who was recently Satterfield, arrived in Turkey Speaking on last day of the PKK, PYD and YPG teem here home. media reported, after President in hospital, the Turkish foreign earlier this year after a period ruling Justice and Development (safe zone),” Erdogan said. They also agreed to establish Recep Tayyip Erdogan ministry said. of nearly two years without an (AK) Party’s consultation and Erdogan said it is Turkey’s a joint operations center. The threatened to launch a military “Today the US charge American ambassador to Ankara assessment meeting in Kizilca- right to question the delivery of agreement also envisaged setting operation in the area against a d’affaires was summoned to the following John Bass’ departure hamam, a retreat town of capital 30,000 trucks loaded with up necessary security measures US-backed Syrian Kurdish ministry to give an open and in 2017. Ankara, Recep Tayyip Erdogan weapons and ammunition from to address Turkey’s security con- militia. clear explanation of the social The US embassy late on Sat- said the setting up of safe zone Iraq to the safe zone area. cerns, including clearing the The number of Turkish mil- media posting,” the ministry urday apologised in a tweet, in northern Syria was offered by “Because we share a 911km zone of the terrorist YPG/PKK, a itary patrols on the frontier with said. It added that the United saying the posting had been Turkey to the US President border line,” he said. group the US has sometimes armoured vehicles “increased” States’ ambassador was not in “liked by accident”. Donald Trump as it was also Turkey plans to resettle 2 been allied with, over Turkey’s in the border town of Akcakale, Ankara yesterday. Relations between Turkey offered to the Obama million Syrians in a 30km-wide objections. the private DHA news agency The embassy’s official and the United States have been administration. safe zone to be set up in Syria, Turkey has long championed said. Twitter account had liked a strained in recent years over tweet on Saturday in which an multiple issues including US individual said Turkey should support for a Syrian Kurdish Iran arrests be ready for a political period militia viewed by Ankara as US conducts patrol in Syria’s Tal Abyad without Devlet Bahceli. terrorists. Instagram Bahceli leads the Nationalist Erdogan on Saturday ANATOLIA forcibly mobilized a group of terror campaign against Turkey, Movement Party (MHP), the renewed his threat to launch an TAL ABYAD, SYRIA Arab-origin fighters held by the the PKK -- listed as a terrorist celebrity junior partner of President air and ground operation against group to Tal Abyad and Ras organization by Turkey, the U.S. Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s ruling the Kurdish militia in north- US troops conducted a ground al-Ayn regions near Syria’s border and the European Union -- has AFP/TEHRAN Justice and Development Party eastern Syria despite US patrol in the town of Tal Abyad with Turkey. Also, the YPG/PKK been responsible for the deaths (AKP) since their formal alliance opposition. in Syria’s northern city of Raqqah. dispatched reinforcements con- of 40,000 people, including Iran has arrested an Instagram in 2018. Turkish and American offi- According to local sources, a sisting of snipers and improvised women, children and infants. celebrity famous for drastically The MHP also backed the cials in August agreed a deal to convoy of seven US armored explosive devices (IED) with two However, the US has been altering her appearance AKP in a 2017 referendum on set up a buffer zone on Turkey’s vehicles conducted a ground convoys of military vehicles to the providing support to the YPG/ through cosmetic surgery, changing the Turkish consti- border, and Turkey has been patrol in the town controlled by Tal Abyad and Ras al-Ayn regions. PKK since 2015, citing the fight Tasnim news agency has tution to transform the country’s pushing for a “safe zone” but has the YPG/PKK terror group. Vehicles also carried military against Daesh, and has 18 mil- reported. system into an executive accused the US of stalling over The YPG/PKK terrorist ammunition. itary bases with 2,000 personnel The social media star presidency. its establishment. organization late Saturday In its more than 30-year in Syria. known as Sahar Tabar was detained on the orders of Tehran’s guidance court, which deals with “cultural crimes and Jordan teachers end strike after pay deal with govt social and moral corruption”, Tasnim said. AFP/AMMAN a raise of 24 to 31 dinars ($34-$44) She faces charges including instead. blasphemy, inciting violence, Jordanian teachers ended a month- Monthly salaries for public gaining income through inap- long strike yesterday after reaching school teachers in Jordan range propriate means and encour- an agreement with the government between $500 and $1,000. Prime aging youths to corruption, the for a rise in wages. The strike, Minister Omar Al Razzaz claimed the news agency added. Tabar shot which began on September 8 just a increase was all the government to prominence on Instagram week into the school year, paralysed could afford “given the current eco- last year after posting a series some 4,000 public schools in the nomic circumstances”. of images of her face altered kingdom where more than 1.4 Cash-strapped Jordan is highly through plastic surgery. Most of million students are enrolled. dependent on foreign aid and has the photos and videos shared The teachers had demanded a struggled to curb its debt since with her 26,800 followers have 50-percent hike in their salaries, “the securing a major loan from the also been heavily edited so that lowest among state employees,” International Monetary Fund in she seemingly resembles Hol- according to the union. Union leader 2016. Unemployment in the lywood star Angelina Jolie. Nasir Al Nawasra said the “historic” resource-poor kingdom remains at The account features strike was halted after a deal was 19 percent and the poverty rate images of her with a gaunt face, reached with the government on hovers at more than 15 percent, pouting lips and sharply turned- “raises and an apology”. according to official figures. up nose. In some, she can be The union, which represents Jordan has blamed its economic seen wearing a loosely fitting 100,000 teachers, obtained a revalu- woes on instability wracking the hijab over her hair and a white ation of its members’ salaries ranging region and the burden of hosting bandage on her nose commonly from 35 to 75 percent, he told an hundreds of thousands of Syrian seen on Tehran’s streets. Cos- Amman press conference. The gov- refugees without adequate interna- metic surgery is hugely popular ernment had previously refused to tional support. More than 650,000 in the Islamic republic, with Students line up to enter their classrooms at one of the public schools during the first day after meet the union’s demands, proposing Syrian refugees are registered with tens of thousands of operations the end of teachers’ one-month strike in Amman, Jordan, yesterday. in late September it grant the teachers the UN refugee agency in Jordan. taking place each year. MONDAY 7 OCTOBER 2019 MIDDLE EAST / AFRICA 11 Tunisian Islamist party says it won parliamentary polls

REUTERS & AP An exit poll by Sigma TUNIS Conseil broadcast by state Tunisia’s moderate Islamist Ennahda came television showed Ennahda first in yesterday’s parliamentary election, with 17.5% of the vote and one of its spokesman said in a news briefing broadcast online, citing what he called its main rival, the Heart of preliminary results. Tunisia party of detained An exit poll by Sigma Conseil broadcast by state television showed Ennahda with media mogul Nabil Karoui 17.5% of the vote and its main rival, the Heart with 15.6% of the vote. LEFT: Kais Saied, presidential candidate for the run-off election, casts his ballot in the legislative elections in Tunisia of Tunisia party of detained media mogul at a polling station in the capital Tunis, yesterday. CENTRE: Leader of Ennahda Movement Rachid Al Ghannouchi, Nabil Karoui with 15.6% of the vote. Security was tight for the vote, with soldiers patrolling 4,500 polling stations, who is a candidate in the legislative polls, is seen casting his vote at a polling station in Ben Arous. RIGHT: Salwa around 100,000 police officers and notably along the sensitive borders with Smaoui, the wife of detained Tunisian media mogul and presidential candidate in the run-off polls, Nabil Karoui, gestures after casting her ballot in Tunis.

Algeria and Libya. 200 parties to fill the 217 seats on the politically targeted. The detained Tunisian presi- Assembly of People’s Representatives. The legislative election has dential candidate Nabil Karoui said Preliminary results are expected by aroused little public interest, which earlier in a statement that his Heart Thursday. is more focused on the presidential of Tunisia party had come first in the It will be tough for a single party race. Electoral commission chief Nabil parliamentary election, without to win a majority for the five-year Baffoun said turnout at 2:30 p.m. was saying where the information came term, although the Islamist party just 15%. from. Ennahdha and the Qalb Tounes party The commission also reported His statement was emailed to of jailed media magnate Nabil Karoui scattered voting infractions, though Reuters at 6.35 pm, 35 minutes after are expected to do well. in general international observers polls closed, with early indications The parliamentary election is have praised Tunisia’s voting prac- from the electoral commission having sandwiched between rounds of a tices as free and fair. shown that turnout across the country bizarre presidential race that will see Despite low public interest and was low. Karoui face independent law pro- the confusingly huge number of Economic concerns are para- fessor Kais Saied in a presidential parties and candidates, political ana- mount to voters in this North African run-off on October 13. lysts say Sunday’s vote will have nation on the Mediterranean Sea, The Islamist party Ennahdha, the lasting impact. which kicked off the Arab Spring biggest party in the outgoing legis- “These elections are of paramount uprisings in 2011 and built a lature, is hoping to hold on to its lead importance, because it is the winners democracy, but is struggling with high by campaigning against corruption who will decide the future of our unemployment and attacks by and against Karoui. The busi- country and our major political, eco- extremists. nessman is accused of tax evasion nomic and social choices,” said Staff members of Tunisia’s Independent Higher Authority for Elections (ISIE) sort through Voters are choosing among nearly and money laundering, but denies analyst and former government min- ballots in the capital Tunis, yesterday. 16,000 candidates from more than wrongdoing and says he’s being ister Hakim Ben Hammouda.

At least 23 dead Abbas says to discuss elections with Hamas, factions in Burkina Faso AGENCIES the internationally recognised month from revenues of some RAMALLAH Palestinian government based $190m per month it collects on militant attack in the West Bank. the behalf of the PA, triggering Palestinian President Mahmoud No parliamentary elections Abbas’s fury. ANATOLIA Abbas said yesterday he would have been held since 2006, with The money comes from OUAGADOUGOU discuss plans for new parlia- the two sides trading blame. customs duties levied on goods mentary elections with all Multiple attempts at recon- destined for Palestinian markets At least 23 people were killed factions, including longtime ciliation have failed and analysts that transit through Israeli ports in an attack at a gold mining site rivals Hamas. say new elections are impossible and constitutes more than 50 in northern Burkina Faso in a Meeting with senior Pales- without improved relations. percent of the PA’s revenues. latest violence by the militants tinian leaders in Ramallah in the Hamas said in a statement on Israel had said the money it linked to Al Qaeda, security occupied West Bank, Abbas Saturday it didn’t “know what was withholding corresponds to source said. renewed a pledge to hold the Abu Mazen means by general what the PA pays Palestinian “Armed individuals polls —the first since 2006 — but election”, using the common prisoners in Israeli jails, or their attacked the gold mining site at without giving a timeframe. nickname for Abbas. The families. Dolmane, leaving around 23 He announced they had movement said it had already A report compiled by the Pal- people dead,” local media formed committees to “commu- committed itself to elections. estinian News and Information Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas chairs a meeting of the reported, quoting a security nicate with the election com- Abbas has previously pledged on Agency (WAFA) said yesterday Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) Executive Committee at source. The attack took place mission and factions such as multiple occasions to hold elec- that Israeli occupation forces the Palestinian Authority headquarters in the West Bank city of in Soum province on Friday, the Hamas and all factions, as well tions but without any results. committed eight violations Ramallah. report said. as with the Israeli authorities”. Meanwhile, Abbas also con- against Palestinian journalists in The victims were mainly He said any elections should firmed the Palestinian Authority September, In its monthly report Palestinian territories, while parts of the West Bank. gold miners, and several others take place in “the West Bank, (PA) had received yesterday on Israeli treatment of Pales- the number of arrests, deten- The Israeli occupation forces were injured, it said. At least 29 Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip”. $1.5bn shekels ($430m) from tinian journalists and media, tions, cards withdrawals and arrested five Palestinians from people were killed in two sep- Hamas and Fatah have been Israel — representing taxes that WAFA said that six journalists shootings that resulted in no several towns in Hebron and arate attacks in northern at loggerheads since 2007, when had been withheld from the were injured from rubber injuries was two. The Israeli three others from Azzoun village Burkina Faso on September 8, the Islamists seized Gaza and Jewish state. bullets, tear gas inhalation or occupation forces arrested yes- east of Qalqilya, Palestinian according to the government. threw out Abbas’s forces, which Israel in February decided to beating by Israeli soldiers while terday nine Palestinians, News Agency reported citing the The first attack took place retained control of withhold around $10m per covering events in the occupied including a boy, from different Prisoners Club. in the Barsalogho area when a vehicle loaded with passengers and goods rode over an impro- vised explosive device (IED), Jordan summons Israeli Rwandan security forces kill 19 ‘terrorists’ leaving at least 15 passengers dead --most of the victims were AFP/KIGALI following the attack overnight been targeted by Rwandan businesspeople. diplomat in Amman Friday in northern Rwanda. rebels operating from the DRC. The second attack targeted Rwandan security forces killed Tourism officials insisted on One such group is the Dem- food vans driving in convoy, QNA embassy will pay a fourth visit 19 “terrorists” blamed for a Saturday that all visitors to the ocratic Forces for the Liberation leaving 14 people dead. AMMAN to Abdel-Baqi and a second to weekend attack that left 14 dead park were safe after the attack of Rwanda, created by Rwandan Burkina Faso has been bat- Marei at their detention, once the near the Volcanoes National in Musanze district, near the Hutu refugees in eastern DRC tling militants and inter-ethnic Jordan’s Ministry of Foreign procedures are completed. Park, famous for its mountain border with the DR Congo. after the 1994 genocide of Tutsis violence since 2015. Affairs and Expatriates yesterday Meanwhile, King Abdullah gorilla sanctuary, police said The death toll from the by majority Hutus in Rwanda. In August, suspected mili- summoned the Charge d’Affaires II of Jordan met yesterday with yesterday. attack, carried out with knives, The last attack by rebels in tants killed 24 soldiers in the of the Israeli Embassy in Amman a delegation from the US House “The security forces were machetes and stones, according this region happened in deadliest attack on the coun- and handed him a protest note of Representatives currently vis- able to follow these terrorists, to to the police statement, was ini- December and resulted in the try’s military base. over the detention of Jordanian iting Jordan, headed by US Rep- kill 19 of them and arrest five,” tially set at eight. deaths of two Rwandan Three key militant groups citizens. resentative Jason Crow. the police said in a statement, The area has repeatedly soldiers. have been raking havoc in north Foreign ministry spokes- The meeting touched on the and east. But even the capital person, Ambassador, Sufian relations of cooperation and Ouagadougou has not been Qudah said today that Amman strategic partnership between spared. A March 2018 attack on reiterated its demand for the Jordan and the United States, the Mali President dismisses coup speculation the military headquarters left immediate release of the latest regional developments, AFP/BAMAKO he added. “We are at war,” the president said after eight dead. detained Jordanians, and called and the war on terrorism. the attacks last Monday and Tuesday in the towns Reports indicate hundreds for improving their detention The meeting dealt with the Malian President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita yesterday of Boulkessy and Mondoro, which evoked memories of people have been killed so conditions until their release and Palestinian-Israeli conflict, rejected as speculation talk of a military coup after of a 2012 army coup in the former French colony. far this year and more than for Israel to respect the due where the Jordanian King recent jihadist attacks left dozens of soldiers dead. “What happened at Boulkessy could unfortu- 150,000 fled their homes due process in line with the interna- stressed the need to intensify Keita said lessons would be learned after 38 nately happen again,” Keita said. The assailants to attacks which spill across the tional law and human rights, international efforts to end the soldiers were killed in two attacks last week near used heavily armed vehicles in the raids on the Sahel region. Jordan (Petra) news agency conflict based on a two-state the border with Burkina Faso, a death toll that two military camps, during which the government Last December, a state of reported. solution, to ensure the estab- observers say is probably an underestimate. said troops killed 15 militants. The militants made emergency was declared in Qudah said that the ministry lishment of an independent Pal- “No military coup will prevail in Mali, let it be off with a large quantity of arms, ammunition and several northern regions, and the Jordanian Embassy in estinian state on the lines of June said,” the president said in remarks recorded Sat- equipment -- local media said about 20 vehicles allowing security forces extra Tel Aviv are closely following up 4, 1967, with East Jerusalem as urday and released yesterday. “And I don’t think were captured, including some mounted with powers to search homes and on the case, adding that the its capital. this is on the agenda at all and cannot worry us,” machine guns. restrict freedom of movement. 12 ASIA MONDAY 7 OCTOBER 2019

Sonia accepts NC team meets Hasina’s invite to visit Farooq, Omar Bangladesh

Abdullah; seek IANS NEW DELHI

Congress interim President Sonia leaders’ release Gandhi yesterday accepted visiting Bangladesh Prime A 15-member delegation of National Conference Minister Sheikh Hasina’s invi- met party President Farooq Abdullah and tation to visit her country for Vice-President Omar Abdullah, who were under commemoration of the 50th anni- versary of Bangladesh’s liberation, house arrest since August 5, here yesterday, a Congress statement said. and sought their release. Sheikh Hasina also extended her invitation to Con- IANS about Farooq Abdullah’s health and gress leader Rahul Gandhi and SRINAGAR discussed the situation after the party’s General Secretary Pri- revocation of Article 370 with him yanka Gandhi Vadra. A National Conference dele- and Omar Abdullah,” sources said. A Congress delegation com- gation met detained party Pres- The delegation had earlier prising Sonia Gandhi, former Former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister and leader of regional National Conference, Farooq ident Farooq Abdullah and Vice- met Omar Abdullah, who is prime minister Manmohan Abdullah, and his wife Molly Abdullah gesture before a meeting with party colleagues at his residence, President Omar Abdullah here detained at the Hari Niwas here. Singh, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra yesterday, and sought their It was the first such meeting in Srinagar yesterday. and Rajya Sabha MP Anand release. The 15-member dele- between Omar Abdullah and Sharma met the Bangladesh gation was led by party’s party leaders ever since he has groups without any criminal record “Both father and son are in would be restricted to the pre- Prime Minister here yesterday provincial President for Jammu, been put under detention since should be released to initiate the good spirits,” Justice (retd) vailing situation in Kashmir, fol- morning, a day after she met Devender Singh Rana. August 5 when the Central gov- political process and win the hearts Masoodi said. “We discussed lowing the abrogation of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Farooq Abdullah, flanked by ernment abrogated Article 370. and the minds of the people”. their detention and the future Constitution’s Article 370, which Sonia Gandhi’s meeting his wife Molly, came out of the Later, Rana told reporters About his participation in the course of action that the party is gave special rights to Kashmir, with Hasina came “especially Gupkar Road house to greet the that for any political process to Block Development elections, Rana going to take.” The permission on August 5, but it was widely considering the bond of delegation. begin, the political leadership of said: “See, there is a complete for yesterday’s meeting was speculated that the upcoming friendship between the two The senior leader, who is the state must be released. lockdown... Let them (the leaders) granted by the Jammu and BDC polls could come up during families”, said the statement. under house arrest under the “There is anger about the be released, then the working com- Kashmir administration, days the meeting. Sheikh Hasina was accom- draconian Public Safety Act lockdown,” he said. mittee of the party will meet and after it was sought from Gov- After the Abdullahs, sources panied by Bangladesh Foreign (PSA), waved to the reporters Rana said that his party appeals discuss and formulate a strategy ernor Satya Pal Malik. said a PDP delegation will be Minister Abdul Momen, senior outside his residence, flashing that for the revival of democracy for the future.” Party MPs Hasnain The delegation had officially allowed today to meet Mehbooba ministers and her advisers. victory signs. in Jammu and Kashmir, “all leaders Masoodi and Akbar Lone were also maintained before the meeting Mufti who has been lodged at In the meeting, she recalled “The delegation enquired from mainstream and others part of the delegation. that the point of discussion Chashma Shahi after detention. with gratitude India’s support for Bangladesh’s liberation and the special bond of friendship that her father and Banga- PMC Bank’s Singh sent to police custody till October 9 bandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman shared with Prime Minister IANS The police said that he will be Krishna added that Waryam Mahim where he was in hiding, the losses worth Rs 4,355 crore to the Indira Gandhi, the statement MUMBAI interrogated for his prima facie Singh had no role to play in the police said on Saturday. bank between 2008 and 2019 in said, adding she also revisited involvement in the alleged Rs4,355 day-to-day affairs of the bank Waryam Singh is the fourth the Bhandup branch. the period after his assassination A Mumbai magistrate yesterday crore fraud case concerning the which were managed by its important arrest in the PMC Bank The Mumbai Police FIR has when she lived in exile in Delhi. remanded the arrested Housing Development & Infra- arrested former Managing case after Thomas, who was named Thomas, Waryam Singh, Sonia Gandhi congratulated ex-Chairman of the crisis-hit structure Ltd (HDIL). Director Joy Thomas and was arrested on Friday. Earlier on the Wadhwans and other offi- Sheikh Hasina on winning the Punjab & Maharashtra Cooper- The police informed the court merely signing documents. Thursday, the police nabbed HDIL cials and a Special Investigation 3rd consecutive term as Prime ative (PMC) Bank Ltd, S Waryam that they wanted to confront him “My client only used to sign the Chairman and Managing Director Team (SIT) has been formed to Minister with the people of Bang- Singh, to police custody till with the other accused in the case documents. He had no role in the Rakesh Kumar Wadhawan and probe the case. ladesh reaffirming their trust in October 9, officials said. since he was the PMC Bank loans sanctioned. All the documents Sarang Wadhawan, respectively, On September 24, the RBI her leadership and vision, while Waryam Singh, who was Chairman and also the Executive are in the custody of the EOW and and their assets worth Rs3,500 slapped six-month sanctions on Manmohan Singh complimented nabbed by the Economic Offences Director of HDIL simultaneously. the administrator appointed by the crore were frozen, including PMC Bank, restraining it from car- here for the impressive economic Wing (EOW) of the Mumbai Police Waryam Singh’s lawyer V RBI,” Krishna contended. official and personal accounts. rying out a majority of its routine growth made by the country and from his hiding place in Mahim Krishna argued that his client had Waryam Singh, 68, was missing The arrests came after the businesses, sparking huge panic her initiatives that have led to late on Saturday, was produced surrendered on his own will and since the irregularities in the PMC EOW registered a case last among the depositors and stunning commendable improvement of before the Esplanade Magistrate it was being falsely propagated Bank tumbled out two weeks ago, Monday against the PMC Bank the banking and corporate circles social indicators, particularly Court yesterday. that he was arrested by the police. and was traced to a location in and the HDIL for causing alleged ahead of the festival season. health and education. Fear of dengue BSF, BGB discuss steps to outbreak in waterlogged curb trans-border crime IANS the head of the Bangladesh team. Bihar capital KOLKATA “The aim of this conference was to improve mutual co-oper- IANS Measures to curb trans-border ation and understanding PATNA crime including unwanted loss between both the border of life, smuggling of cattle, drugs guarding forces of India and Fear of a dengue outbreak is and narcotics were among Bangladesh for better border looming large in waterlogged major issues discussed at a management and to resolve Patna with 640 patients being four-day meeting between the various issues related to border tested positive mostly in the last Border Security Force (BSF) and in the mutual interests of both four days according to official data. Border Guards Bangladesh (BGB) the countries,” said Khurania. Unofficially, however, the that ended here yesterday. “During the conference, number of dengue patients may Smuggling of arms and various issues for effective border be as high as 800. ammunition and gold were also management were discussed According to health offi- deliberated upon during the which included measures to curb cials, dengue is spreading fast Border Co-ordination Conference trans-border crime including in the worst waterlogged resi- between Inspectors’ General of unwanted loss of life, smuggling dential localities in Patna. BSF and Region Commanders’ of of cattle, drugs and narcotics, con- What worries health offi- the BGB, officials told the media. traband items,” he added. cials is the stagnant, stinking The BSF delegation was led They also discussed about water that still remains a by Yogesh Bahadur Khurania, effective measures to check illegal problem in the posh residential Air Force Day rehearsal Inspector General, South Bengal movement across the International localities of Rajendra Nagar, Frontier, while Md Jalal Ghani Boundary, smuggling of Fake Indian Patliputra and Gola Road fol- Chinook helicopters fly past as people watch during a full-dress rehearsal for the Indian Air Force Khan, Additional Director Currency Notes, breach of fence and lowing so many days of heavy Day at Hindon Air Force Station in Ghaziabad on the outskirts of New Delhi, yesterday. The Air Force General, Region Commander, safety and security of border popu- rain. Day will be celebrated at Hindon Air Force Station on October 8. South West Region, Jashore, was lation of both the countries. Bihar Health Department Principal Secretary Sanjay Kumar has, however, ruled out a dengue outbreak in the state capital. “There is no indication of an India’s citizenship drive hits women hardest outbreak of a vector-borne disease in Patna as per the views REUTERS When the register was pub- of that matters any more.” Lawyers and campaigners region where family names are of experts”, he said, admitting, GUWAHATI lished at the end of August, the Resentment against illegal dealing with such cases say they markers of ethnic and religious however, that chances are high names of nearly two million of immigrants has simmered for present particular challenges for affiliation. of an epidemic. According to him, Abanti Deka had no idea when the state’s about 33 million years in Assam, one of India’s women. “The women have had to pay 24 teams are spraying ‘Temefos’ she married her husband that people were missing, plunging poorest states, with residents About one in three women a higher price,” said Tanya in Patna to kill mosquitoes. taking his name would jeop- them into a bureaucratic blaming outsiders for taking their in Assam is illiterate — a higher Laskar, a lawyer working on Till now, 900 cases of ardise her Indian citizenship. nightmare that human rights jobs and land. proportion than for men - and such cases. dengue have been reported That was before authorities experts fear could render some To be included on the reg- many marry young, moving “They have struggled the from across the state, including in the northeast Indian state of stateless. ister, residents had to produce away from home and losing hardest to get relevant docu- 640 cases in Patna alone. Assam, where she has lived all Abanti was one of the documents proving their fam- access to any documents that ments and many failed because The Patna Medical College her life, launched a vast and unlucky ones. “The notice came ilies lived in India before March might prove their origins. they were child brides or the and Hospital (PMCH) Deputy highly contentious exercise to suddenly,” she said at her law- 24, 1971, when hundreds of thou- They also take their hus- family did not put their names Superintendent Ranjit Kumar register all its citizens as part of yer’s office. “I don’t understand. sands of people began fleeing bands’ names, a move that has on a land document because Jaimiar said the number of a campaign against illegal I was born here, I have voted conflict across the border in what complicated things further for women are not entitled to dengue patients is on the rise. immigration. here before, but suddenly none is now Bangladesh. many married women in a property in many homes.” MONDAY 7 OCTOBER 2019 ASIA 13 Pakistan rejects Indian remarks on Kashmir; hundreds march to LoC

INTERNEWS US Senator Chris well-advised to keep its lectures ISLAMABAD, on diplomacy and normality to Hollen has said his itself. Pakistan has rejected Indian country is supporting Meanwhile, US Senator Chris Ministry of External Affairs Pakistan’s demand to Hollen has said his country is Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar’s resolve the Kashmir supporting Pakistan’s demand remarks on Prime Minister to resolve the Kashmir issue Imran Khan’s statements and on issue according to the according to the wishes of other Kashmir and Pakistan- wishes of Kashmiri Kashmiri people. related issues. people. He stated this at a meeting Kumar in a statement had with Foreign Minister Shah termed Imran’s statements Mahmood Qureshi, along with a regarding the abrogation of “Equally reprehensible are delegation of other US senators Article 370 of the Indian consti- India’s pretentions of casting in Multan. Policemen block a road with containers on the second day of march towards the Line of Control tution as “provocative”. itself as a ‘normal’ country. The Hollen said the world is well (LoC), around 5km from Chakothi, a border village in the Hattian Bala District of Pakistan-controlled Foreign Office in a international community would aware of the situation in Kashmir statement said: “Exposing like to ask as to what normal and President Trump has offered Kashmir, yesterday. India’s egregious behaviour and country cages eight million to play his role in resolving the state-terrorism in Indian people in an inhuman lockdown issue. passed but the curfew is still con- move to scrap the special status Indian occupied Kashmir. occupied Jammu and Kashmir for over two months and He said politicians and jour- tinuing in occupied Kashmir of Indian occupied Kashmir and The participants of the march is part of our international obli- deceives the world by claiming nalists should be allowed to visit where people are facing severe the imposition of curfew in the reached Garhi Dupatta, a small gations and our moral respon- that “everything is fine.” the Indian occupied Kashmir to difficulties. territory since August 05. The town in Muzaffarabad. sibility to the Kashmiri victims Similarly, what normal get first-hand information about Hundreds of Kashmiris on march has been organised by A day earlier, Prime Min- of Indian repression.” country provides space and the situation there. the call of Jammu and Kashmir JKLF, a group led by pro-inde- ister Imran Khan had said It added if India feels pro- political patronage to the perpe- Foreign Minister on the Liberation Front (JKLF) yesterday pendence leader Yasin Malik, anyone crossing the LoC from voked, it is only because India is trators of mob lynchings by cow occasion said Prime Minister are marching towards the Line who is currently in detention in Azad Jammu and Kashmir to unwilling to face the truth about vigilantes and repugnant Imran has raised his voice of Control (LoC), the de facto IoK. provide humanitarian aid or its indefensible actions that are schemes like gharwapsi and love against the Indian brutalities in border between Pakistan and The marchers who gathered support for the Kashmiri driven by the toxic mix of Jihad?” it said. occupied Kashmir at each and India. in Muzaffarabad, the capital of struggle against aggression will extremist ideology and hege- The Foreign Office further every forum in the world. The rally billed as “Freedom Azad Kashmir, plan to cross the play into the hands of the monic ambitions.” said that India would be He said sixty two days have March” is protesting New Delhi’s LoC to Srinagar, the capital of Indian narrative. Imran Khan to offer Pakistan US, Taliban seek path to restart Afghan peace talks ANATOLIA Zalmay Khalilzad, the declined to be identified as he the official said, had sought a Trump declared the peace Steel Mills KARACHI special US envoy for Afghan rec- was not authorised to publicly “guarantee from the highest talks with the Taliban “dead” fol- onciliation, along with his team speak on the matter. level” in Washington on imple- lowing a recent attack in Afghan- to China As both sides have brought new had already arrived in Islamabad “Another meeting is mentation of the talks’ istan’s capital Kabul which killed demands to closed-door on Tuesday before the Taliban expected in a day or two after outcome. a dozen people, including a US INTERNEWS meetings, the US and the Taliban delegation. both sides complete their “The Taliban have refused service member. ISLAMABAD are struggling to find ways to A senior Pakistani Foreign homework on different formulas to accept the two US demands, Following the US move, the resume peace talks to end the Ministry official confirmed “at discussed in the first meeting” and want the process to be Taliban opened new battle fronts Pakistani Prime Minister Imran war in Afghanistan, say both offi- least one meeting” between Kha- on Friday, he added. resumed from right where it across the war-torn nation, as Khan has decided to hand over cials and local analysts. lilzad and the Taliban delegation The two sides, he asserted, broke off,” he said, “while Wash- Afghan security forces — suf- Pakistan Steel Mills (PSM) to A 12-member delegation of led by the militia’s deputy chief, had come up with new demands, ington wants a fresh start, par- fering casualties and desertions China for its revival through the Afghan Taliban political office Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, “to with Washington demanding a ticularly with respect to its two — struggle to beat back a revi- government to government in Doha arrived in Pakistan’s discuss different ways to resume “total” ceasefire in the war- demands.” talized insurgency. deal and exploring options to capital Islamabad on Wednesday the talks.” wracked country, and inclusion On September 9, US Pres- Meeting last month on the finance multi-billion-dollar at the invitation of the gov- “The two sides haven’t of the fragile Kabul government ident Donald Trump abruptly sidelines of the UN General railways Mainline (ML-1) during ernment, the first-ever visit of a reached any decision. The in the peace process — both con- cancelled a meeting with repre- Assembly in New York, Pakistani his upcoming visit to Beijing. Taliban delegation there since the deadlock is still there, but both ditions the Taliban has time and sentatives of the Afghan gov- Prime Minister Imran Khan Pakistan’s top leadership insurgents established their [sides] have vowed to break the again rejected. ernment and the Taliban at the asked Trump to resume peace will give assurances to the political office in Qatar in 2013. deadlock,” the official said but The Taliban, for their part, US Camp David retreat. talks with the Taliban. Chinese side that China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) would not slow down, but its next phase would be Prominent Bangladesh pursued with zeal and vigour despite passing through under the IMF programme. politician snared in According to his upcoming scheduled visit of China on October 7, the prime minister anti-graft crackdown has decided to take up five issues for enhancing economic AFP nabbed 260 others — including cooperation under CPEC. DHAKA at least three ruling party Pakistan will offer China to get officials. Pakistan Steel Mills, finalise A prominent Bangladesh ruling As part of the drive, security deal on modernisation of ML-1, party politician with alleged forces have also sealed off financing of Bunji hydropower links to the capital’s underworld nearly a dozen illegal casinos in project, agriculture and social was arrested yesterday in a the capital. sectors-related projects in and sweeping anti-graft drive cham- Gambling is illegal in the outside the ambit of CPEC. pioned by the prime minister, Muslim majority country, but “Yes, the government will amid corruption accusations gangsters are accused of intro- seek assistance for construction against her government. ducing casino equipment such of Bunji dam,” top official Prime Minister Sheikh as gaming tables in some well- sources said. Hasina last month launched the known sports clubs. The Chinese side wants to crackdown, saying it was nec- Immediately after his arrest, see progress for establishment essary to prevent a repeat of the the youth wing of the ruling of CPEC Authority, which the January 2007 coup by the pow- party expelled him for anti- government intends to go erful military, which said social activities and breaching ahead with promulgation of Heavy rain in Kabul tackling corruption was one of party discipline. presidential ordinance anytime its key goals. The government banned around PM Imran’s upcoming Vehicles drive on a road under heavy rain in Kabul, Afghanistan, yesterday. The high-profile head of the him from travel last month. visit to China. Dhaka youth wing of Hasina’s Last month, Hasina sacked On the other side, parlia- Awami League party, Ismail two senior members of the pow- mentarians have asked the gov- Hossain Samrat, was arrested erful student wing of her party ernment to avoid the path of Sirisena to not contest Sri Lanka polls with one of his associates, Bang- after they were accused of promulgation of ordinance as ladesh’s elite security force said. extorting large sums from a it would undermine the AFP cutting short his five-year term Sajith Premadasa, the deputy “Samrat was arrested over state-run university. Parliament. COLOMBO by 52 days. A spokesman for leader of Wickremesinghe’s concrete charges,” the Rapid Since coming to power for Now it is yet to be seen how Sirisena’s Sri Lanka Freedom United National Party. Action Battalion spokesman the second time in 2009, Hasina the government finally decides Sri Lankan President Maithripala Party (SLFP) confirmed he was Gotabhaya, a former secretary Mizanur Rahman Bhuiyan said, has run the country with an iron to move ahead on CPEC Sirisena has decided not to stand not seeking re-election. to the Ministry of Defence during but did not reveal what he was fist, cracking down on oppo- Authority as the Chinese side for re-election in November Sirisena caused a constitu- his brother’s decade in power, is accused of. “He has been linked sition parties and jailing her does not want to make things polls as the politically influential tional crisis last year when he the front-runner, but faces several with operating casinos in sports main rival Khaleda Zia, who has related to CPEC controversial. Rajapaksa family nominated two sacked Prime Minister Ranil court cases over corruption alle- clubs in Dhaka,” a senior RAB led Bangladesh twice. Another ordinance is also candidates by final registration Wickremesinghe and replaced gations and the validity of his Sri officer said, speaking on con- Her government has also on the cards where Gwadar yesterday. him with former president Lankan citizenship. dition of anonymity. tried and executed top Islamist Port will become enabled to Sirisena’s name was not on a Mahinder Rajapaksa. He says he has renounced Local media allege Samrat leaders over war crimes. deal transit trade. list of 41 candidates who paid The Supreme Court later the US citizenship he obtained is an underworld kingpin who But in recent months, oppo- The Federal Board of deposits by yesterday’s noon ruled against Sirisena’s action and in 2003. uses his political influence to run sition parties have accused Revenue (FBR) has agreed to deadline to contest the November reinstated Wickremesinghe. However, with doubts over a network of illegal casinos and Hasina’s administration and ruling grant taxation concessions to 16 presidential poll, according to Two of Rajapaksa’s brothers, his eligibility, the family is also extortion rackets. party of unbridled corruption and Gwadar Port and presidential Election Commission records. younger sibling Gotabhaya and fielding elder brother Chamal, a He is the most senior poli- of extorting money from gov- ordinance will be issued It means Sirisena will leave elder Chamal, have paid deposits former speaker of parliament, tician to be caught in the new ernment projects and laundering anytime. office the day after the election, to be candidates and challenge as a backup. graft dragnet, which has also billions to offshore accounts. 14 ASIA MONDAY 7 OCTOBER 2019 N Korea: No more talks until US ends hostile policy

AP North Korea’s Foreign Ministry issued a of plotting an invasion of the North Korea would completely agreed to restart diplomacy. SEOUL statement yesterday night accusing the US of country and maintained that abandon a nuclear program that State Department spokeswoman US-led sanctions against the it has built after decades of Morgan Ortagus said the chief North Korea said yesterday that trying to mislead the public and “spreading a North are stifling its economy. struggle. Before the Singapore North Korean negotiator’s com- it won’t meet with the United completely ungrounded story that both sides Kim Myong Gil, the main talks, North Korea had long said ments about Saturday’s talks did States for more “sickening nego- are open to meet” again. North Korean negotiator at the it would denuclearise only if the “not reflect the content or the tiations” unless it abandons its Stockholm talks, said that since US withdraws its 28,500 troops spirit” of the “good discussions” “hostile policy” against the North, the first summit between Pres- from South Korea, ends military that took place over 8 ½ hours. as the two countries offered it intends to build on with more bilateral relations for their own ident Donald Trump and North drills with the South and takes She said the US delegation “pre- different takes on their weekend talks in two weeks. partisan interests” at home. Korean leader Kim Jong Un in other steps to guarantee the viewed a number of new initia- nuclear talks in Sweden. North Korea’s Foreign Min- It said North Korea isn’t Singapore in June 2018, the US North’s security. tives that would allow us to make After their first talks in more istry issued a statement yes- willing to hold “such sickening has been threatening his country Saturday’s talks were the first progress in each of the four than seven months in Stockholm terday night accusing the US of negotiations” as those in with fresh unilateral sanctions between the sides since the pillars” of a joint statement on Saturday, the chief North trying to mislead the public and Stockholm until the US takes “a and military exercises with South second Trump-Kim summit in issued after Trump and Kim’s Korean nuclear negotiator said “spreading a completely substantial step to make com- Korea. Vietnam in February collapsed first summit in Singapore in June the discussions broke down ungrounded story that both sides plete and irreversible withdrawal When it entered talks with due to squabbling over how 2018. Ortagus also said the US “entirely because the US has not are open to meet” again. of the hostile policy toward” the the US last year, North Korea said much sanctions relief should be accepted an invitation from discarded its old stance and The statement said the North. it was willing to deal away its given to North Korea in return Sweden to return to Stockholm attitude” and came to the nego- Stockholm talks “made us think The statement didn’t say advancing nuclear arsenal in for dismantling its main nuclear in two weeks to continue talks. tiating table with an “empty they have no political will to which US policies it was referring return for outside political and complex. The two leaders held a Because the US does not have hand.” But the US said the two improve (North Korea)-US rela- to. But North Korea has previ- economic benefits. But many brief, impromptu meeting at the official diplomatic relations with sides had “good discussions” that tions and may be abusing the ously accused the United States foreign experts doubt whether Korean border in late June and North Korea, China’s research Philippines’ Duterte reveals new health problem vessel sets sail AFP I got it from my grandfather,” he discussed his ailments in his fre- for western MANILA added. quent, rambling speeches. In The condition causes muscle October 2018 he told an audience Pacific Ocean Philippine President Rodrigo weakness, and can result in how he was awaiting the results Duterte has disclosed that he drooping of eyelids, blurred of a cancer screening. QNA suffers from an autoimmune vision as well as weakness in His comments sparked BEIJING disease that can potentially have one’s extremities, according to immediate concern and specu- serious complications, the latest the US National Institutes of lation, but days later he said the China’s research vessel KEXUE, condition for a leader whose Health. The condition can gen- tests had come back negative. or Science, departed for the health has been subject to spec- erally be managed with Duterte has also said previ- western Pacific Ocean from a ulation. treatment, but up to 20 percent ously that he suffers from daily pier of east China’s coastal city Duterte, 74, was the oldest of people who have the disease migraines and ailments including of Qingdao on a research person to be elected president of experience at least one “crisis” Buerger’s disease, an illness that mission of the National Natural the country and questions about that requires them to use a ven- affects the veins and the arteries Science Foundation of China his health have swirled since tilator to help breathe, the NIH of the limbs, and is usually due (NSFC) During the expected taking office in 2016. said. Duterte gave no indication to smoking. He has cited his ill 80-day voyage, 44 scientists His occasional skipping of as to whether he has had any health as the reason for skipping This file picture shows Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte from 12 research institutes and events and meetings, as well as serious incidents as a result of events during summits abroad. speaking with an official at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in universities aboard the vessel he discussing his ailments, has the disease. The president, known for his will conduct 40 research only added to the speculation. Beijing, China. His administration gives out deadly crackdown on drugs, also projects in various fields such Duterte revealed the condition, very little information about his revealed in 2016 that he used to as marine physics and marine myasthenia gravis, at an during a visit to Russia. “One of transcript released yesterday by health and consistently says the take fentanyl, a powerful pain- geomatics. appearance before the Philippine my eyes is smaller. It roams on his office. “That’s myasthenia president is in good shape. killer, because of a spinal injury This will be the first time for community late on Saturday its own,” he said, according to a gravis. It’s a nerve malfunction. Duterte himself, however, has from motorcycle accidents. the NSFC research mission to expand to the central Pacific. The mission will research the Duterte says turbulence of the western Australia denies extradition of Iranian academic to US Pacific Ocean, the multi-scale police chief to variations of the Western REUTERS/MELBOURNE Christian Porter said in a attorney-general under our law,” related. “The Australian Gov- maintain post Pacific Warm Pool and its statement that “in all the circum- Porter said. The statement came ernment does not comment on influence on the environment. Australia will not extradite an stances of this particular case” hours after Iran had agreed to the details behind its consider- while under probe The western Pacific, a gateway Iranian academic to the United the academic, Reza Dehbashi free an Australian couple from ation of particular cases,” Porter to vast oceans, is an ideal States, Australia’s attorney- Kivi, should not be extradited. a Tehran prison who were held said in his e-mailed statement. AGENCIES region to carry out earth system general said over the weekend, “My decision was made in on spying charges. Later on Sat- The US sought to extradite MANILA science and related research following a 13-month detention accordance with the require- urday, Iranian media reported him on six charges, including into the environment due to its of the researcher for allegedly ments of Australian domestic that Dehbashi Kivi had already conspiring to export special The President of the Philip- complicated and changeable exporting American-made legal processes and is completely returned to Iran. amplifiers classified as “defence pines, Rodrigo Duterte, said ocean current and immense military equipment to Iran. consistent with the powers pro- Porter would not say articles” under the US munitions yesterday that Philippine warm pool. The Attorney-General vided to the commonwealth whether the two cases were list, according to ABC News. National Police Chief Oscar Albayalde will be given due process in an investigation over allegations he protected officers Xi and Kim hail ‘immortal’ China-North Korea relationship who recycled illegal drugs. The Department of Interior AFP relations. North Korean leader People’s Republic of China after leader to visit the reclusive North words from Beijing follow its and Local Government is BEIJING Kim Jong Un also sent a message it was founded in 1949. in 14 years when he made a huge military parade on Tuesday looking into accusations that to Xi saying their countries’ Xi said the relationship highly symbolic trip to the to mark the 70th anniversary of Albayalde intervened to The Chinese President Xi Jinping “invincible friendship will be between the Asian neighbours nuclear-armed state in June. the founding a Communist prevent the dismissal of officers has promised to promote a immortal on the road of accom- had played an “important and Kim said the two countries China, and come a day after the involved in a controversial 2013 “long-term, sound and stable” plishing the cause of socialism,” positive role in maintaining would “steadily defend the cause latest round of nuclear talks drug raid in Pampanga, which relationship with North Korea, said Pyongyang’s state news regional peace and stability,” of socialism and preserve peace between the US and North Korea happened when he was the state news agency Xinhua said agency KCNA yesterday. said Xinhua. Since March 2018, and stability of the Korean ended in Sweden. Pyongyang province’s chief of police. yesterday, as the two countries North Korea was among the Xi and Kim have met five times. peninsula and the world,” said the talks broke down as the The probe comes on the mark 70 years of diplomatic first countries to recognise the Xi was the first Chinese according to KCNA. The warm US “disappointed us greatly”. heels of a similar Senate inquiry. Albayalde has denied interfering in the case. “He’s still there, otherwise I would have told him — just go Chinese soldiers out,” Duterte said in his arrival speech in Davao City yesterday, when asked if Albayalde still in Hong Kong has his trust. “You have to hear before you condemn.” In the meantime, there warn protesters were reports that Duterte rejected millions of dollars in REUTERS faces in defiance of colonial-era aid to defend drug war. The HONG KONG emergency laws invoked by the President of the Philippines, authorities on Friday, which Rodrigo Duterte said the Phil- Chinese soldiers issued a banned face masks. Protesters ippine National Police Chief warning to Hong Kong protesters face a maximum of one year in Oscar Albayalde must be given yesterday who shone lasers at jail for breaking the mask ban. “due process and allow him their barracks in the city, in the Police made their first arrests time to answer, the right to be first direct interaction with under the new rules, detaining heard,” adding that he’ll await mainland military forces in four scores of people. Officers tied the Interior Department’s probe months of anti-government their wrists with cable and before deciding on the case demonstrations. unmasked their faces before “with finality.” Duterte said he The stand-off with the Peo- placing them on buses. Some has yet to find a replacement ple’s Liberation Army (PLA) protesters lay in foetal positions for Albayalde, who is set to came after rallies attended by on the ground, their wrists tied retire in November. Anti-government protesters run away from tear gas during a demonstration in Wan Chai district in tens of thousands of protesters behind their backs, after being Duterte, 74, was the oldest Hong Kong, China, yesterday. earlier yesterday ended in subdued with pepper spray and person to be elected president violent clashes in several loca- batons. of the country and questions tions. Police fired tear gas and “The anti-mask law just fuels “We are not afraid of the new military garrison warned a the PLA and protesters. In about his health have swirled baton-charged the crowds, while our anger and more will people law, we will continue fighting. crowd of a few hundred pro- August, Beijing moved thousands since taking office in 2016. His some demonstrators threw come on to the street,” Lee, a We will fight for righteousness. testers they could be arrested for of troops into Hong Kong in an drug war hit international bricks and petrol bombs at police university student wearing a blue I put on the mask to tell the gov- targeting its barracks walls in the operation state news agency headlines and also there was a as night fell. mask, said yesterday, as he ernment that I’m not afraid of city with laser lights. It was the Xinhua described at the time as growing ire among rights Protesters concealed their marched on Hong Kong island. tyranny.” China’s Hong Kong first direct interaction between a routine “rotation”. organisations against it. MONDAY 7 OCTOBER 2019 EUROPE 15 Costa leads Portugal vote but may need allies: Exit polls AFP The incumbent Socialist Party (PS) garnered LISBON 34-40 percent of the vote, according to the exit Portugal’s incumbent Socialist polls. That would give the Socialists between Prime Minister Antonio Costa’s 100 to 117 seats in the 230-seat parliament, Socialists took the lead in a up from 86. A party needs at least 116 seats to general election yesterday after have an absolute majority. presiding over a period of solid economic growth following years of austerity, exit polls showed. After the last general partner as the exit polls indicate The Socialist Party (PS) gar- election in 2015 in which the PS the upstart People-Animals- nered 34-40 percent of the vote finished second, Costa con- Nature party (PAN) won two to followed by the centre-right vinced two smaller hard-left six seats, up from just one when Social Democrats (PSD) with parties — the Communists and it first entered parliament in the 24-31 percent, according to the the Left Bloc — to support a last election in 2015. exit polls for television stations minority Socialist government, After coming to power in RTP, TVI and SIC. an unprecedented alliance that 2015, Costa undid some of the That would give the foes nicknamed the “gerin- unpopular austerity measures Socialists between 100 to 117 gonca”, or odd contraption. introduced by the previous seats in the 230-seat parliament, The Left Bloc won 17 to 26 PSD-led government in return up from 86, compared with 68 seats while the Communists won for a ¤78bn ($85 billion) inter- Portugal’s Prime Minister and Socialist Party (PS) candidate, Antonio Costa, casts his ballot at a polling to 82 seats for the PSD, which seven to 14, according to the exit national bailout that kept station during the general election in Lisbon, Portugal, yesterday. has been riddled by internal polls, meaning Costa could ally finances afloat after Portugal divisions. with the two parties again to was clobbered by the eurozone A party needs at least 116 pass legislation. debt crisis. the European Union average in parties shrunk in the final made a misstep on Friday seats to have an absolute But reaching an agreement Taking advantage of the recent years — 2.4 percent in stretch of the campaign, espe- during the last day of the majority. this time around will likely be global economic recovery, he 2018 — while the jobless rate fell cially after a scandal concerning campaign. If confirmed the results buck more difficult as the hard-left reversed cuts to public sector to 6.4 percent, the level before former defence minister Jose When an elderly voter chal- the trend of declining centre- parties are demanding more wages and pensions while still the debt crisis, but critics com- Azeredo Lopes resurged. lenged him during a final cam- left fortunes and the rise of far- public spending which Costa, managing to bring the budget plain of low salaries, job pre- Lopes was charged last paign appearance on Friday in right populist forces seen else- who has presented himself as deficit down to nearly zero this carity and soaring property week with abuse of power and Lisbon over the government’s where in Europe. the guardian of sound pubic year — the lowest level since prices amid a tourism boom. denial of justice over his role in handling of wildfires in central Former Lisbon mayor Costa, finances, has up until now Portugal’s return to democracy The PS had enjoyed a the alleged cover-up of an arms Portugal in June 2017 that killed a shrewd strategist, will most opposed. in 1974. double-digit lead over the PSD theft from a military depot in more than 60 people, Costa lost likely need the support of other The election gives Costa, 58, On his watch Portugal’s eco- for many months but the gap June 2017. his temper in images that formations to govern. another potential governing nomic growth was higher than between Portugal’s two main The normally affable Costa quickly went viral.

4,800 stranded Johnson renews vow to leave EU by October 31 Thomas Cook AP whether Brussels cheerily waves minister to ask for a delay if President Emmanuel Macron, office said. Macron said they will LONDON us off with a mutually agreeable there’s no deal with the EU in who said EU negotiators will determine at the end of the week tourists to fly deal or whether we will be place by October 19. determine in the coming days “whether an accord is possible British Prime Minister yesterday forced to head off on our own.” It’s not clear how the gov- whether an amiable divorce deal in the respect of European Union home to Britain renewed his vow to take the Johnson’s comments are in ernment will resolve the dif- is possible. principles” of the single market country out of the European line with his past repeated asser- ference between Johnson’s The two leaders spoke about and stability in Ireland. REUTERS / LONDON Union by the Brexit deadline, in tions on the key question of public stance and the position Johnson’s proposals for an Johnson’s proposals focus on an apparent contradiction of a whether Britain, if it can’t finalize taken in court. accord to soften the blow of Brit- maintaining an open border The final contingent of holiday- government pledge in court days a divorce deal with the bloc, Johnson’s op-ed appeared ain’s pending exit from the EU, between the UK’s Northern makers stranded overseas after earlier to ask for an extension if would leave without an aimed at adding pressure on the Macron’s office said in a Ireland and EU member Ireland, the collapse of tour company there’s no withdrawal deal. agreement. EU to agree to his latest Brexit statement. which has been the key sticking Thomas Cook last month will “We will be packing our bags But they’re at odds with a UK proposals as the deadline nears. Macron, who has resisted a point to a Brexit deal. return to Britain on flights and walking out on” October 31, government document quoted He urged EU negotiators to join potential extension, told the The UK proposes to do that departing yesterday, bringing Boris Johnson wrote in The Sun in a Scottish court on Friday indi- the British side to agree on a deal British prime minister “negotia- by keeping Northern Ireland to an end the country’s biggest on Sunday and Sunday Express cating Johnson intends to comply the UK Parliament can support. tions should pursue quickly in closely aligned to EU rules for ever peacetime repatriation. newspapers. with a law Parliament passed Also yesterday, Johnson pre- the coming days” with EU Brexit trade in goods, possibly for an The UK Civil Aviation “The only question is this month requiring the prime sented his proposals to French negotiator Michel Barnier, his extended period. Authority (CAA) launched “Operation Matterhorn” on September 23 to bring home Spain poll shows Climate activists occupy Paris 150,000 people, just hours after the world’s oldest travel Socialists company failed to secure the mall as global protests begin creditor deal it needed to keep falling short of flying. AFP around the world from today in The CAA said 4,800 people majority again PARIS a fortnight of civil disobedience, were due to return on 24 flights from Extinction Rebellion (XR), soon, with the final flight in the BLOOMBERG Hundreds of climate activists which is warning of an environ- operation — a service from MADRID barricaded themselves into a mental “apocalypse”. Orlando, Florida to Manchester Paris shopping centre for hours As the centre tried to close — due to land in the morning Spain’s Socialists would once ahead of a planned series of up on Saturday evening, security today. more be the most voted party protests around the world by the forces ordered the protesters to CAA Chief Executive in an electoral rerun but would Extinction Rebellion movement. leave the area, activists said. Richard Moriarty said: “In the still fall short of a majority, Campaigners faced off The demonstrators said they first 13 days we have made according to an IMOP Insights against police and some incon- eventually chose to leave at arrangements for around poll published by El Confi- venienced shoppers as they around 4am (0200 GMT). 140,000 passengers to return dencial. occupied part of the Italie 2 mall Non-violent protests are to the UK and we are pleased The Socialists have almost in southeast Paris all day on Sat- chiefly planned by XR from that 94% of holiday-makers exactly the same support they urday, staying put into the early today in Europe, North America, have arrived home on the day garnered in April’s vote, with hours yesterday. Australia, but events are also set of their original departure.” the survey giving them 28.3 They unfurled banners with to take place in India, Buenos British Transport Minister percent versus the 28.7 percent slogans like “Burn capitalism not Aires, Cape Town and Grant Shapps has said the gov- at the time. petrol” above restaurants and Wellington. ernment will try to recoup some Their traditional rivals, the the window displays of fashion Another protest was held in of the costs of the repatriation, conservative People’s Party, boutiques. Berlin on Saturday, with cam- both from third parties such as People set up a banner with the Extinction Rebellion (XR) symbol at stand to gain the most from The protest comes ahead of paigners setting up camp near insurers and from the failed a makeshift camp of climate activists in Berlin, Germany, yesterday. fresh elections, rising to 20.1% planned disruption to 60 cities the parliament building. company’s assets. from 16.7%. Ciudadanos would plunge to 10.7% from 15.9% while Podemos would fall to 12%, the survey found. France admits ‘failings’ over Paris police attacker’s radicalisation Spain is set for elections on Nov. 10 after acting Prime Min- AFP computer expert at the Paris official charged with investi- were,” Cambon said. custody after officials found ister Pedro Sanchez failed to PARIS police headquarters, had never gating suspected radicalisation Ricard, the prosecutor, also they had exchanged 33 text secure enough support in par- given the “slightest reason for among the force questioned the revealed on Saturday that messages shortly before the liament to form a new France’s interior minister alarm” ahead of Thursday’s colleagues, none of them wanted Harpon had begun wearing tra- attack, ending the conversation government. acknowledged yesterday that attack. Investigators later to file an official complaint. ditional Islamic garments for with “Allahu Akbar” (“God is He won April’s vote but fell officials should have kept a revealed that Harpon had in fact “Apparently they decided not mosque visits, and had started greatest”). well short of an overall closer eye on the Paris police been in contact some to make a report,” Castaner said. refusing “certain kinds of contact Harpon was shot dead after majority, and his effort to form employee who stabbed four ultra-conservatives. “The failure occurred at this with women”. killing four people with a an alliance with anti-austerity colleagues to death last week, He had defended “atrocities moment. It also emerged that Har- 33-centimetre kitchen knife group Podemos ultimately after investigators found committed in the name of that “There was nothing in his pon’s personal life had been and an oyster knife during the failed due to disagreements evidence he showed signs of religion,” anti-terror prosecutor personnel file that indicated he subject to an extensive back- lunchtime attack. over ministerial posts. radicalisation. Jean-Francois Ricard said on might be radicalised... If there ground check early in his career, French police have often The new elections will be “Obviously, there were Saturday. had been a sign, maybe we could since he worked with classified been targets of militant groups the fourth Spain holds in as failings,” Christophe Castaner Castaner said yesterday that have avoided this,” he said. information as part of the Paris such as the Islamic State since many years. told TF1 television, but he said Harpon had caused alarm among Castaner will face ques- police’s intelligence division. 2015, from large, synchronised The nationwide poll of 1,277 he would not resign over the his colleagues as far back as tioning by parliament’s intelli- And while he did not have assaults to isolated knife and computer-assisted telephone matter as some right-wing oppo- 2015, when he defended the gence commission on Tuesday a criminal record, he was given gun attacks. In June, a parlia- interviews was carried out from nents have said he should. massacre of 12 people at the over the attack, its president an official sanction in 2012 over mentary report on radicali- October 1 to October 3 and has Castaner has come under fire Charlie Hebdo newspaper by two Christian Cambon said yes- a case of domestic violence sation within the public a margin of error of 2.9 per- after initially claiming that brothers vowing allegiance to Al- terday. “We’re going to try to three years earlier. Harpon’s services spoke of 30 suspected centage points. Mickael Harpon, a 45-year-old Qaeda. But even though a police find out what these failings wife has been taken into cases. 16 EUROPE MONDAY 7 OCTOBER 2019 Protesters in Ukraine rally against election in rebel east AFP Ukrainian President is KIEV “We are against a betrayal,” gearing up to hold his protester Sergiy Lezvinsky, 58, About 10,000 people including first summit with the said. “We want to put an end to Ukraine’s former president Petro Russian President in the occupation, to the decisions Poroshenko gathered in central that are being fast-tracked.” Kiev yesterday to protest a plan an effort to revive a The provisional agreement for broader autonomy for sepa- stalled peace process of a roadmap was a key con- ratist territories ahead of a high- to end the five-year dition set by Moscow for a stakes summit with Russian separatist conflict in meeting that will be hosted by leader Vladimir Putin. French President Emmanuel The protesters, who eastern Ukraine. Macron and also involve German descended on Kiev’s Inde- Chancellor Angela Merkel. pendence Square known locally The plan has been dubbed as Maidan, chanted “No to sur- in an effort to revive a stalled “the Steinmeier formula”, after render!”, with some holding peace process to end the five- the former German foreign min- placards critical of President year separatist conflict in eastern ister, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, Volodymyr Zelensky. Ukraine. who proposed it. Zelensky’s predecessor Poro- Ahead of the meeting, But many critics say the pro- shenko, who was trounced in an Ukrainian, Russian and sepa- posal favours Russia. April election, joined the crowd ratist negotiators agreed this Zelensky’s predecessor Poro- towards the end of the rally and week on a roadmap that shenko has called it “Putin’s several thousand demonstrators envisages special status for sep- formula,” claiming it will endorse later marched towards the pres- aratist territories if they conduct the Russian annexation of idential administration and the free and fair elections under the Crimea and Moscow’s de-facto parliament building. Ukrainian constitution. control of eastern Ukraine. Demonstrators wave Ukraine national flags as they gather in central Kiev, yesterday, to protest broader “Together we will win!” said Zelensky’s critics fear that “The Steinmeier formula is a autonomy for separatist territories, part of a plan to end a war with Russian-backed fighters. the 54-year-old former pres- Putin will push the 41-year-old Putin project,” said protester ident, who was accompanied by comedian-turned-politician to Mykola Chepiga. his wife Maryna. He thanked make damaging concessions in He said elections could take threatened to set up barricades In an address to the nation this were killed during a 2014 revo- Ukrainians for taking to the order to retain Moscow’s de- place in eastern Ukraine only if in the Ukrainian capital if Zel- week Zelensky said he respected lution that toppled a pro-Russian streets as some supporters facto control of separatist regions Kiev restores control of the ensky submits legislation the right of Ukrainians to protest president and saw protests hugged and kissed him. in eastern Ukraine. country’s borders in the east. offering concessions to Putin. but called on people not to “give descend into street battles. After Writing on Twitter, Poro- Protesters in Independence Some of the demonstrators “Friends, do we know how in to provocations”. the uprising Russia annexed shenko thanked “tens of thou- Square said that agreeing to give later marched towards the pres- to erect barricades? Yes, we do! He pledged not to betray the Crimea and supported a separatist sands” of Ukrainians who he said broader autonomy to the self- idential administration where Do we know how to fight? Yes, country’s interests. insurgency in Ukraine’s industrial gathered in Kiev and more than proclaimed Donetsk People’s they chanted “Get out!” and we do!” he said. The ex-Soviet country of 45 east. The conflict has become the 20 other cities to protest. Republic and Lugansk People’s “Monica”. The crowd then “There are enough of us and million people has gone through worst East-West crisis since the Zelensky is gearing up to Republic would mean surren- reached the parliament building we all want one thing -- to kick two popular uprisings in two end of the Cold War and has hold his first summit with Putin dering Ukraine’s interests. where a protest coordinator out the occupiers from our land!” decades. More than 100 people claimed some 13,000 lives. Bulgarian TV Kosovo votes amid pressure star vows to to reboot talks with Serbia take on the AFP 30-something voter in the poll, according to a coalition of establishment PRISTINA capital. NGOs monitoring the poll. For the past decade Kosovo Kosovo has been recognised BLOOMBERG Kosovo voted yesterday for new has been dominated by members by around 100 countries but it SOFIA leaders who will be under of the guerrilla forces who waged needs Serbia — and its allies pressure to tackle corruption at an insurgency against Serbian Russia and China — to accept its Hot on the heels of Ukraine’s home and resolve lingering repression in the late 1990s — a statehood so it can get a seat in comic-turned-president, tensions with former war foe war that cost 13,000 lives, mostly the United Nations. another showman wants to take Serbia, a nagging source of insta- Kosovo Albanians. Serbia is also under pressure on the political establishment bility in Europe. The snap poll was called to make peace with Kosovo in — this time in nearby Bulgaria, A decade after it declared after then-Prime Minister order to move forward with its the European Union’s poorest independence from Serbia, Ramush Haradinaj, a former EU accession process. member-state. former province Kosovo is still guerilla commander, resigned in Yet their EU-led dialogue has Stanislav Trifonov, whose struggling for full recognition on July to face questioning by a been at a standstill for more than satirical TV shows are the the world stage. special court in The Hague inves- a year, with frequent diplomatic eastern European country’s Belgrade denies its inde- tigating war crimes from that era. provocations, souring efforts to Kosovo Albanians vote for the parliamentary election at a polling most popular, held his political pendence and Brussels has been Opposition parties hope to build goodwill. station in Pristina, yesterday. party’s founding congress on unable to get the neighbours to block him and other ex-fighters One of the core obstacles to Saturday. He vows to fight make progress in talks to resolve from regaining power by har- resuming talks is the 100- Vjosa Osmani, from the LDK, and The dominant Serb party is against the “thick line dividing their conflict. nessing frustration with the graft percent tariff that Haradinaj Albin Kurti, from Vetevendosje, Srpska Lista, which considers the party aristocracy and the The West is hoping Sunday’s and poverty that have blighted slapped on Serbian goods a year also seem willing to lift the trade itself an extension of Belgrade. Bulgarian people.” poll will offer a chance to re- Kosovo’s first decade of ago. barrier to resume talks. Serbian President Ale- Called “There’s No Such energise the deadlocked independence. Having resisted heavy If the dialogue with Belgrade ksandar Vucic has been urging State,” his movement has dialogue. Analysts say two opposition Western pressure to remove the does resume, one of the most Kosovo Serbs to vote for the enough support to enter par- But Kosovo’s 1.9 million elec- camps — the centre-right LDK tariff, the former commander is sensitive issues will be settling party, leading critics to decry an liament as the fourth-largest torate is far more concerned with and the leftist, nationalist Vetev- hoping voters will reward his what powers to grant Serb- atmosphere of intimidation. party, according to a survey by issues like high unemployment, endosje — have a shot at coming tough stance with re-election. majority administrations in For the first time Pristina has the Alpha Research pollster last widespread graft and poor out on top. All the other top candidates, Kosovo. required voters there to show month. But he’ll have to wait — healthcare. But they would likely need however, have shown a will- There are approximately Kosovo documents, causing the next elections are planned “We need freedom, a state to join forces to oust the PDK, ingness to reconsider the tariff 40,000 Serbs living in the north some tensions in the afternoon in early 2021. governed by the rule of law, which has been in power since for the sake of dialogue. and 80,000 scattered in and but no serious incidents. Prime Minister Boyko prosperity,” voter Mentor 2007. Kadri Veseli, leader of the around a dozen enclaves in other Many there are also weary Borissov is serving his third Nimani, 47, said in Pristina With no party expected to PDK, which was part of the coa- parts of Kosovo, whose popu- of the so-called “frozen term since 2009 and is pushing shortly after casting his ballot. carve out an absolute majority, lition with now-rival Haradinaj, lation is overwhelmingly ethnic conflict”. for the Balkan nation to adopt “I would like to have more coalition talks could last for days has condemned the tariff move Albanian. “Let them negotiate, but I the euro. But not enough has social stability, employment,” or weeks. as “amateur”, and said he would Serbs have 10 reserved seats don’t believe in it. Nothing will been done to fight corruption, and better “basic primary At noon turnout was 19 honour Washington’s calls to in parliament, a bloc that could come of it,” Jokic Svetomir, a prompting workers to leave and services like healthcare and edu- percent, up from the 13 percent remove it. be decisive in 70-year-old Serb in the north, making the population one of cation,” added Fat Limani, a seen at that time in the last 2017 Opposition party candidates coalition-building. remarked. the world’s fastest shrinking. Five murdered EU powers push for uptake of in Austria town REUTERS migrant relocation pilot scheme ZURICH AFP with Turkey and Libya to hinder It makes no mention of LUXEMBOURG migrants’ onward travel — no intake quotas, for instance, or Austrian police are investigating progress has been made in three punishment for EU states that do the suspected murder of five EU powers France, Germany and years of efforts to reform the not participate, or how economic people in the ski town of Kitz- Italy, along with smaller member EU’s refugee policy. migrants with no right to asylum buehel, police said yesterday. Malta, will tomorrow (Tuesday) The Malta declaration is an might be weeded out and The murders had occurred seek to rally the rest of the attempt at a stop-gap measure returned to their country of overnight, a spokesman for the European bloc to a joint scheme pending efforts by the incoming origin. The mechanism has just regional Tirol police said. they have come up with to European Commission taking a six-month period lifespan, The suspected perpetrator had distribute migrants saved at sea. charge next month to unblock renewable if there’s sufficient been detained, Austrian press But it was unclear, ahead of the refugee policy impasse under support. agency APA reported, citing police. the meeting of EU interior min- a vice president specifically “The beauty of this text is that Local media, citing police isters in Luxembourg, how many tasked with “Protecting the you can’t be against it. But also you information, reported the perpe- other states would sign on to the European Way of Life”. can maybe not be totally in favour trator was a 25-year-old man who so-called Malta declaration The text urges EU countries of it. Because there are things had entered the family home of his reached two weeks earlier. to take a share of the asylum- lacking,” one European diplomat former girlfriend and shot five Migration remains a hot- seekers crossing the Mediter- said. “There’s hardly anything in people — the young woman and a button issue in the EU in the ranean, who are arriving mostly there that describes the disembar- man, as well as her parents and wake of a massive 2015 influx of in Italy and Malta either in over- kation, the disembarkation pro- brother. mostly Syrian refugees fleeing crowded boats or rescued by cedure and the relocation scheme He later turned himself over war. ships run by NGOs. afterwards.” Since the start of this to the police and confessed to the While the numbers have However the document’s year, 13 percent of irregular Police officers stand in front of a house where, according to police, murders, media reported. The fallen to just a fraction since — language is deliberately vague migrants have arrived in Europe five people were found dead in Kitzbuehel, Austria, yesterday. spokesman declined comment. under contentious EU deals done to avoid raising hackles. through Italy or Malta. MONDAY 7 OCTOBER 2019 AMERICAS 17 Second whistle-blower in Trump inquiry emerges AFP The existence of quoting anchor Jake Tapper, “the WASHINGTON a whistle-blower White House did not offer a guest, the President’s personal A second whistle-blower has claiming first-hand lawyers and Congressional GOP come forward, this one with knowledge would leaders either declined to be on first-hand information of the make it harder for the the show or did not respond.” events that triggered an President to dismiss But one Republican senator, impeachment investigation of Ron Johnson, who serves on the President Donald Trump for the original complaint Foreign Relations Committee, alleged abuse of power, the as hearsay. appeared on NBC’s “Meet the informant’s lawyer said Press” and rejected the sug- yesterday. gestion that Trump had withheld “I can confirm this report of have repeatedly done. Trump military aid to pressure Ukraine a second whistleblower being pushed back at the allegations to investigate the Bidens. represented by our legal team,” in two tweets early yesterday, “When I asked the president Mark Zaid said on Twitter. “They though he made no mention of about that,” he said, “he com- also made a protected disclosure the second whistle-blower. pletely adamantly, vehemently, under the law and cannot be He repeated his assertion angrily denied it.” retaliated against. This WBer has that Hunter Biden had been The House committees US Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo, and his wife Susan enjoy a walk in the Plaka neighbourhood first-hand knowledge.” “handed $100,000 a month issued subpoenas on Friday — in Athens, Greece, yesterday. Earlier yesterday, Zaid’s co- (Plus,Plus) from a Ukrainian including to the White House — counsel, Andrew Bakaj, said his based company, even though he as evidence mounted that Trump firm and team “represent mul- had no experience in energy... attempted to withhold US mil- Pompeo: State Department will follow law tiple whistleblowers” in the case and separately got 1.5 Billion itary aid to pressure Zelensky accusing Trump of using the Dollars from China despite no into seeking damaging infor- AP Pompeo, speaking on Sat- considered “evidence of powers of his office to pressure experience and for no apparent mation on Biden. WASHINGTON urday in Greece, said the State obstruction” and a potentially Ukrainian president Volodymyr reason.” The impeachment investi- Department sent a letter to Con- impeachable offense. Zelensky in a phone call to He added that as president, gation saga began after the Secretary of State Mike Pompeo gress on Friday night as its initial Pompeo has become a key investigate political rival Joe “I have an OBLIGATION to look original whistleblower — an said the State Department response to the document figure in the Democrats’ inves- Biden and his son Hunter. into possible, or probable, intelligence official — filed a intends to follow the law in the request and added, “We’ll obvi- tigation. He was on the line It was unclear whether Bakaj CORRUPTION!” formal complaint to the intelli- House impeachment investi- ously do all the things that we’re during the July phone call. was using “multiple” to refer to Other reports have said gence community inspector gation and vigorously defended required to do by law.” Pompeo had initially tried to more than two whistle-blowers. Hunter Biden was paid up to general about Trump’s alleged President Donald Trump, He has allowed Democrats delay a handful of current and Typically, several officials would $50,000 a month as a member pressuring of Zelensky. dismissing questions about the to interview a series of witnesses former officials from cooper- listen in on a call between the of the board of a Ukrainian gas A rough transcript of the president’s attempts to push next week. Among them is ating with the inquiry and president and a foreign leader, company, Burisma. phone call later released by the Ukraine and China to investigate Gordon Sondland, the US accused Democrats trying to while others would have access No evidence has been found White House, as well as a series a Democratic political rival. Ambassador to the European “bully” his staffers. Pompeo did to a written transcript or that either Biden did anything of text messages between US The Trump administration Union, another key figure in the not back off his defense of summary. illegal. A bit unusually for a diplomats, appeared to corrob- and House Democrats often dis- probe. Trump’s call with Ukraine. The existence of a whistle- Sunday, Trump was staying in orate the original complaint. agree about what the law The administration has “There has been some sug- blower claiming first-hand the White House rather than Zaid recently told the Wash- requires, leaving open the struggled to come up with a gestion somehow that it would knowledge would make it harder traveling or playing golf. ingtonian magazine that he question of how Pompeo may unified response to the quickly be inappropriate for the United for the president and his sup- “On one of the most critical hoped the identity of the original interpret Democrats’ demands progressing investigation. Dem- States government to engage in porters to dismiss the original news weeks of the last three whistleblower would never for key information about ocrats have warned that defying that activity and I see it just pre- complaint as hearsay, as they years,” CNN said in a tweet become public. Trump’s handling of Ukraine. their demands will in itself be cisely the opposite,” he said. Suspect in New Aide: Perry pushed Trump for Ukraine call, for energy issues York homeless AP development,” Perry’s Energy to a person familiar with Trump’s and his agency say his answer questions yesterday men’s murder WASHINGTON Department spokeswoman, new comments who was granted involvement with Ukraine was about whether Perry had dis- Shaylyn Hynes, said in an email. anonymity to discuss the private part of US policy, predating the cussed the Trump administra- charged Energy Secretary Rick Perry Hynes’ remark comes as conference call. Trump administration, to tion’s push for help investigating encouraged President Donald Perry becomes the latest admin- But Trump did not suggest increase US natural gas, coal and Trump’s Democratic rivals in his REUTERS/AP Trump to speak to Ukraine’s istration official drawn into that Perry had anything to do other supplies to Eastern Europe meetings with Ukraine. NEW YORK president — but on energy and inquiries in a House with the pressure on Ukraine to to lessen Russia’s control of the But Perry told CBN News, in economic issues, Perry’s spokes- impeachment probe of Trump. investigate the Bidens, or a US region’s energy market. an interview aired on Friday that New York police have charged woman said yesterday, Trump pressed Ukrainian Pres- holdup in military aid to the “He continues to believe that he had never heard anyone in a man with murder for using addressing Perry’s role in a tele- ident Volodymyr Zelenskiy in the country, the person said. Trump’s there is significant need for the administration bring up a metal pipe to beat four phone call that’s at the center of July 25 call to investigate former remarks on the late Friday call improved regional energy Biden or Biden’s son, who served fellow homeless men to death a congressional impeachment Vice President Joe Biden and his was first reported by Axios. security,” Hynes said. Perry was on a board of a Ukraine natural as they slept in the city’s probe for Trump. son, Hunter — sparking a Perry, the former governor heading to Lithuania again yes- gas business, in dealings with Chinatown district, authorities “Secretary Perry absolutely whistle-blower complaint and of Texas and up to now a lower- terday night, where he was to Ukrainian officials. said yesterday. supported and encouraged the now the impeachment inquiry. profile but active member of meet with nearly two dozen “Not once, as God as my Randy Santos, 24, was president to speak to the new Trump on Friday evening Trump’s Cabinet, has made European energy officials, witness, not once was a Biden charged with four counts of president of Ukraine to discuss told House Republicans that it repeated trips to Ukraine and including those from Ukraine, name — not the former vice murder, one count of matters related to their energy was Perry who had teed up the met often with Ukranian offi- she said. president, not his son — ever attempted murder and one security and economic July call with Ukraine, according cials, including Zelenskiy. Perry Hynes did not immediately mentioned,” Perry told the outlet. count of unlawful possession of marijuana, said New York City Police Department US top court to review Kansas’ spokesman Martin Brown. Santos was taken into custody on Saturday after lack of insanity defense officers responded to a report AP mental illness in criminal trials, of an attack and found the TOPEKA, KANSAS allowing five states, including bodies of four victims in Man- Kansas, to abolish the traditional hattan’s Chinatown The US Supreme Court is insanity defense. neighborhood. preparing to consider how far Kahler’s appeal raises the The suspect’s mother, Fio- states can go toward eliminating question of whether doing so raliza Rodriguez, told The New the insanity defense in criminal denies defendants their guar- York Daily News that she had trials as it reviews the case of a anteed right to due legal process. kicked her son out of her Kansas man sentenced to die for “Maybe they will establish house three years ago because killing four relatives. some ground rules,” said Jeffrey he was addicted to drugs, The high court planned to Jackson, a law professor at assaulted her and his grand- hear arguments today in James Washburn University in Topeka. father and stole from the Kraig Kahler’s case. He went to “They’ve been vague about what family. the home of his estranged wife’s the standard is, and maybe now “I never thought he would grandmother about 20 miles they’re going to tell us.” kill someone,” Rodriguez told south of Topeka the weekend Until 1996, Kansas followed the newspaper. after Thanksgiving 2009 and a rule first outlined in 1840s “I was afraid of him, fatally shot the two women and England, requiring defendants though, because he punched his two teenage daughters. pursuing an insanity defense to me. That’s when I told him to Planting trees on campaign trail Not even Kahler’s attorneys show that they were so impaired get out of my house.” have disputed that he killed by a mental illness or defect that Liberal leader and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau attends a tree planting event with his The police department’s them. They’ve argued that he they couldn’t understand that sons Xavier and Hadrien during an election campaign visit to Plainfield, Ontario, Canada, yesterday. chief of detectives for Man- was in the grips of a depression their conduct was criminal. hattan South, Michael Bald- so severe that he experienced Now Kansas permits assano, told reporters on Sat- an extreme emotional distur- defendants to only cite “mental urday that the victims had bance that disassociated him disease or defect” as a partial appeared to be sleeping and a Four dead, 5 injured in Kansas shooting from reality. defense, and they must prove fifth victim was in the hospital. In seeking a not guilty they didn’t intend to commit the The condition of the fifth REUTERS suspects had been involved in a hospitalized and are in stable verdict due to his mental state, specific crime. Karen Kahler and victim was not immediately NEW YORK dispute at Tequila KC Bar, a condition, police spokesman his defense at his 2011 trial faced their three children were known yesterday. private club, earlier in the night Thomas Tomasic told reporters. what critics see as an impossible spending the Thanksgiving 2009 Santos’ relatives told The Four people were killed and five and left before returning around Police arrived at a scene of legal standard. His attorneys weekend at the home of Karen’s New York Daily News he had wounded in Kansas early 1:30am and opening fire with chaos when they were alerted now argue that Kansas violated grandmother, Dorothy Wight, a history of drug use since his yesterday when one or two handguns, the Kansas City Police to the incident, as the few dozen the US Constitution by denying in Burlingame. James Kahler arrival to the United States suspects opened fire inside a Department said in a statement. people who had been in the bar him the right to pursue an shot the women, then found his from the Dominican Republic Kansas City bar, and police were The four people killed were were running out, the suspects insanity defense. daughters and killed them. His a handful of years ago. hunting for the shooters, local all Hispanic men and ranged had fled and there was blood on The nation’s highest court young son, Sean, fled to a neigh- It was unclear if he had an authorities said. from their mid 20s to late 50s. the street, he said. Authorities previously has given states boring house and later testified attorney to speak for him. Authorities believe the The five people injured were have not identified the victims. broad latitude in how they treat at his father’s trial. 18 AMERICAS MONDAY 7 OCTOBER 2019

Brazil President Russia’s Deputy PM in Venezuela to support Maduro orders police REUTERS With dozens of CARACAS/MOSCOW and navy to Western and Latin Russian Deputy Prime Minister American nations probe oil spills Yuri Borisov met Venezuela’s regarding Maduro as President Nicolas Maduro on illegitimate, due to AP Saturday to underline Moscow’s RIO DE JANEIRO support for the leftist leader that allegations he rigged has helped him stay in power a 2018 election, the Brazilian President Jair despite intense Western pressure support of Russia has Bolsonaro has instructed to quit. been crucial for his federal police and the navy to Moscow has acted as a lender join an investigation of oil spills of last resort for Venezuela, with government. that have contaminated parts the government and oil giant of the northeast coast in recent Rosneft providing at least $17bn weeks. in loans and credit lines since suffers,” he said. Borisov reit- The order, published in an 2006. erated Moscow’s support for official gazette on Saturday, With dozens of Western and Maduro, even though many other escalates a probe into the pol- Latin American nations nations regard him as an lution that environmental offi- regarding Maduro as illegitimate, autocrat and have recognised cials say has affected coastal due to allegations he rigged a opposition leader Juan Guaido waters and dozens of beaches. 2018 election, the support of as Venezuela’s president. Authorities say they have Russia and China has been Increasing bilateral trade “is not determined the origin of the crucial. a demonstration that President oil, which has killed some Presiding over a meeting of Nicolas Maduro’s government is turtles and forced bathers and the Russian-Venezuelan inter- legitimate,” Borisov was quoted fishermen to stay away from governmental commission in as saying by Venezuelan state contaminated areas. Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro (foreground, right) walking with Russia’s Deputy Prime Minister Caracas with Borisov, Vene- media. After later meeting State oil company Petrobras for Defence and Space Industry, Yury Ivanovich Borisov (left), after holding a meeting at Miraflores zuelan Vice President Tareck El Borisov at the Miraflores presi- has conducted an analysis and Aissami thanked Moscow, espe- dential palace in Caracas, Presidential Palace in Caracas, yesterday. says the spilled oil isn’t the type cially for facilitating oil ship- Maduro said it had been “an that it produces. ments despite US sanctions. extraordinary day” revising blos- equilibrium and price stability month. The meeting between A flotilla of shipments from Bolsonaro is urging security “Russian-Venezuelan rela- soming bilateral relations, espe- despite the recent attacks on Maduro and the Russian official Venezuela gave Cuba some forces involved in the investi- tions are at their best moment cially in the oil, agriculture and Saudi Arabia’s oil infrastructure, happened days after Russian respite this week. But the support gation to provide a preliminary and we’ve shown that in the military sectors. Maduro added in comments Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev from two of its closest allies looks assessment early next week. middle of difficulties we can Russia’s agreements with the carried by state TV. visited Cuba, an ally of unlikely to resolve Cuba’s advance together, with efficient Organization of the Petroleum The Venezuelan leader and Venezuela. pressing fuel problems, which political and diplomatic coordi- Exporting Countries (OPEC) to Russian President Vladimir Putin Medvedev said Moscow have seen the government Domingo nation between both govern- regulate the global energy had briefly discussed Caracas’s would find ways to help Cuba extend many of the energy- ments against the imperial siege market “are going perfectly” and debt obligations to Russia during secure supplies of oil and saving measures it has intro- and aggression which Russia also have promoted market Maduro’s visit to Moscow last petroleum products. duced over the past month. absent for Mexico music Officials at Chile’s prize event

AFP ENAP to face charges MEXICO CITY

Placido Domingo was honored over toxic fumes on Saturday with Mexico’s REUTERS that is the result of many activ- Batuta prize but the Spanish SANTIAGO ities taking place on the Bay.” tenor was absent from the Environmental activists have ceremony amid a flood of Chilean prosecutors will press long labeled the town of harassment accusations. charges against six executives Quintero and its surroundings a The opera superstar has of state energy company ENAP “sacrifice zone” for the suc- been accused by 20 women in in relation to noxious fumes that cessive pollution episodes that incidents going back to at least caused hundreds to seek have caused public health the 1980s. hospital treatment in 2018, the emergencies. He was chosen in May to prosecutors’ office said on The coastal port city is home receive the first edition of the Saturday. to coal-burning power plants, prize along with 15 other hon- The highest profile incident an oil refinery and a copper orees, but two days before the took place in August of last year smelter, some of which operate award ceremony, organizers in the industrial port city of very near to residential areas. said they had decided to Quintero, where a strong smell Chilean prosecutors in late withhold the award until the in the air caused local residents 2018 investigated a potential scandal was “clarified.” They to complain of nausea, head- link between the noxious fumes reversed course on Friday but Colombians show support to Uribe aches and vomiting. and ENAP’s transfer of Iranian announced Domingo would not The local prosecutor’s office crude oil between the ports of appear in person, instead Supporters of former Colombian President Alvaro Uribe attend a rally in Medellin, Antioquia department, said it would soon press charges Talcahuano and Quintero. addressing the gala in a Colombia, yesterday. Hundreds marched in different parts of Colombia and in Miami yesterday in against officials from ENAP’s The prosecutors office did recorded video. support of Uribe, summoned at the Supreme Court of Justice for alleged witness tampering on Tuesday. refineries and port facilities for not comment on the conclusion “I am very sorry I cannot be violating a Chilean law that pro- of that investigation. ENAP has present with you tonight, but I tects human health. denied any connection between send this greeting with all my Mexican judge defends honour for Jared Kushner Local prosecutors said they the delivery of the Iranian crude love, and I thank the organizing would also pursue charges and the toxic fallout. committee,” said Domingo, AP Mexico, the Center Against Dis- new free trade agreement against an ENAP contractor. Activists have ramped up without refering to the allega- MEXICO CITY crimination, said on Saturday between Mexico, the US and Cristian Muga, an attorney pressure on the government to tions against him. that the judge rejected its Canada. The award is the highest who represents ENAP workers, find the culprit and resolve The award comes after A Mexican judge has said it was argument that Mexico should honor that Mexico gives to said the prosecutor´s decision issues at Quintero and at other Domingo, 78, resigned on OK for Jared Kushner to get a top recall the award given to foreigners. was expected, but unjustified. so-called “sacrifice zones” Wednesday as general director national award despite derog- Kushner. Trump is widely disliked in “The ENAP executives and ahead of the COP25 United of the Los Angeles Opera, effec- atory comments about Mexican In 2018, Mexico’s previous Mexico for references to Mexican workers are innocent of the Nations climate change summit tively ending his career in the migrants that were made by his government gave the Order of migrants as rapists and crim- charges against them,” Muga in December, when tens of thou- United States. father-in-law, President Donald the Aztec Eagle to Kushner, a inals, as well as promises to build said. “It´s not fair to hold them sands of environmentalists are He also withdrew last week Trump. White House adviser, for contri- a border wall between the responsible for a situation that expected to visit the Andean from all performances at New A non-profit group in butions toward negotiating a countries. has been going on for years and nation. York’s Metropolitan Opera. Protests continue in Ecuador against govt’s austerity measures REUTERS Indigenous groups, however, subsidies, the government is United Front umbrella union. QUITO, ECUADOR continued on Saturday to block reducing the state workforce and Despite such militancy in some roads around the Andean planning some privatizations. other sectors, transport services Ecuadorean indigenous and nation of 17 million people. Bar- Moreno says the fuel subsidies, were gradually returning on Sat- union organizations kept protests ricades of burning tires, rocks in place for four decades, had urday, with taxis back on the going on Saturday and promised and branches were erected in distorted the economy and cost streets of Quito though there no let-up in their push to some places, witnesses said, as $60 billion. were still no buses. overturn austerity measures by police urged demonstrators to “These are tough but indis- It was unclear why the President Lenin Moreno’s disperse. pensable decisions which the transport unions called off their government that have convulsed “The indigenous movement government thinks will have a strike, though leaders said they the nation for three days. is mobilizing indefinitely in the positive impact in the medium were satisfied the government Demonstrations had turned whole country,” Jaime Vargas, and long term,” Foreign Minister had heard their complaints. Offi- violent and were shaping into a president of the CONAIE Jose Valencia told reporters, cials have promised a revision major challenge for Moreno, who umbrella indigenous group, told saying benefits for the poor had of fare tariffs to compensate for won election in 2017 and has set Reuters. been raised. fuel price rises. his oil-producing nation on a “With or without jail, our With rising food prices Moreno’s popularity has sunk centrist track after years of resolve is firm.” Moreno, 66, has adding to the social pressure, to below 30% compared with People block a road during protests after Ecuador’s President Lenin socialist rule under predecessor declared a two-month state of protesters have called for a above 70% after his 2017 Moreno’s government ended four-decade-old fuel subsidies, in Rafael Correa. emergency and authorities have national strike on Wednesday. election, but he has the support But he got a reprieve on arrested 379 people after pro- Lasso, Ecuador, yesterday. “The Ecuadorean people are of the business elite, the military Friday night when transport testers hurled stones and battled indignant at this package, which appears loyal, and the political unions called off their strike after police on Thursday and Friday foreign debt and fiscal deficit, Monetary Fund (IMF), contingent is a prize for businessmen and opposition is weak. paralyzing roads for two days in during Ecuador’s worst unrest Moreno’s government recently on belt-tightening economic bankers, to comply with the Protests toppled three pres- opposition to the end of fuel for years. reached a three-year, $4.2bn reforms. IMF’s recipe,” said Mesias idents in the decade before subsidies. Struggling with a large loan deal with the International As well as ending fuel Tatamuez, head of the Workers’ Correa took power in 2007. 24 MORNING BREAK MONDAY 7 OCTOBER 2019

PRAYER TIMINGS FAJR 04. 12 AM FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022: SC signs MoU SHOROOK 05. 28 AM

ZUHR 11. 22 AM MAGHRIB 05. 17 PM with Arab Federation for Voluntary Activities ASR 02.44 PM ISHA 06. 47 PM THE PENINSULA/DOHA

WEATHER TODAY The Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy (SC) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Arab Federation for Voluntary Activities (AFVA) to support the development and engagement of volunteers on the road to hosting the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022. The MoU was signed by Nasser Al Khater, CEO, FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 LLC, and Dr Yousef Ali Al Kathim, President of the AFVA, and reflects the vision of both organisations to provide vol- unteering opportunities for people across the region in preparation for Qatar 2022, the SC said on its website. Al Khater said the Nasser Al Khater (centre), CEO, FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 LLC, and Dr Yousef Ali Al Kathim (second right), President of the agreement underlined the SC’s Arab Federation for Voluntary Activities (AFVA), with other officials after signing the MoU. commitment to engaging with volunteers and helping them SC’s Volunteering Programme, skills, such as planning, part of this momentous global skills to support VIP hospi- develop key skills. “We rec- which was launched in Sep- teamwork and management.” event, the FIFA World Cup tality services, crisis man- o o ognise the vital role volunteers tember last year and has Al Khater also said 400 SC Qatar, which His Highness, agement, relief, field work and 33 C 35 C will play in organising suc- attracted more than 250,000 volunteers supported the AR The Amir, Sheikh Tamim bin many others.” Minimum Maximum cessful events in the lead-up applications. “We were over- Rahman concert at Khalifa Hamad Al Thani, said was a The AFVA, which was to Qatar 2022 and also the whelmed by the response of International Stadium, while tournament for everyone.” launched in 2003 and has also Relatively hot daytime with scattered tournament itself. Our volun- people from all over the world 350 worked during the CAF Al Kathim continued: “The struck up a partnership with clouds and chance of rain at places, rela- teers will be engaged in crowd and are happy to have already Super Cup final, which was AFVA has an abundance of the United Nations Volunteers tively humid by night. management, safety and engaged with some of those recently held in Qatar for the experience in voluntary activ- programme, will support the

security, ticketing, hospitality, applicants. During the launch first time. Al Kathim said AFVA ities for event and tournament SC in the delivery of work-

HIGH TIDE 01:07 – 12:38 LOW TIDE 04:28 – 21:16 marketing and communica- of Al Janoub Stadium in May, was delighted to join hands organisation. We also have shops and ensuring volunteers Courtesy: Qatar Meteorology Department tions, media services and more than 1,000 volunteers with the SC to support prepa- two training hubs, one in Asia are prepared to help Qatar many other areas.” helped us deliver the event rations for Qatar 2022. and another in Africa, to equip deliver the biggest single-sport Al Khater highlighted the while developing their own “The AFVA is excited to be volunteers with the necessary event in the world.

Ginger Baker, drummer with rock legends Cream, dies at 80

AFP/LONDON

Legendary British drummer Ginger Baker, a founding member of British psychedelic band Cream, died yesterday aged 80, it was announced on his Twitter account. “We are very sad to say that Ginger has passed away peacefully in hospital this morning,” a message posted on his page on the social media website stated. “Thank you to everyone for your kind words over the past weeks.” Baker was admitted to hospital several weeks ago after becoming “critically ill”, according to posts on his Twitter account. He had previously been Harvest festival known to suffer from breathing A woman walks past a grain harvester combine during the Golden Autumn festival at Red Square in downtown Moscow, problems. Baker helped to found yesterday. the supergroup Cream in 1966 alongside guitarist Eric Clapton and bassist and vocalist Jack Bruce. ‘Joker’ laughs its way to October box office record He emerged in the 1960s at the same time as other leg- AP/LOS ANGELES played by Joaquin Phoenix. The Monday. Although the film got a and “Logan,” which launched will be released today. endary rock drummers Charlie film from director and co-writer B+ CinemaScore from opening with $88.4m. 1.”Joker,” $93.5m ($140.5m Watts of the Rolling Stones and The filmmakers and studio Todd Phillips was always seen night audiences, the studio is “Joker” was the only new international). Mitch Mitchell of the Jimi behind “Joker” have reason to put as a bit of a gamble with one of optimistic about its long-term wide release this weekend, 2.”Abominable,” $12 million Hendrix Experience. on a happy face. Despite concerns the studios’ most valuable pieces playability. which is down from last year ($24.6 million international). Described by the BBC as “a over its violent themes and of intellectual property, hence “Sixty-six percent of the when both “Venom” and “A Star 3.”Downton Abbey,” $8m temperamental and argumen- ramped up theater security, audi- its modest-for-a-comic-book- audience was under the age of is Born” opened. Holdovers ($6.6m international). tative figure, whose behaviour ences flocked to the multiplex to film $55m budget. 35,” Goldstein said. “That tells populated the top 10: The more 4.”Hustlers,” $6.3 million frequently led to on-stage check out the R-rated film this But in the weeks leading up you that the audience will family friendly “Abominable” ($1.9 million international). punch-ups”, Baker was con- weekend resulting in a record to its release, hype and uneas- expand out with that younger landed in second place with 5.”It Chapter Two,” $5.4 m sidered one of the most inno- October opening. iness intensified beyond how group as time goes on.” The $12 million in its second ($5.6m international). vative and influential Warner Bros. said yesterday audiences would react to placing younger audience also gave the weekend and “Downton Abbey” 6.”Ad Astra,” $4.6m ($7.3m drummers of his generation. that “Joker” grossed an estimated this character in a realistic and film a more favorable A- Cin- took third in its third weekend international). Born Peter Edward Baker $93.5m in ticket sales from 4,374 unambiguously adult setting emaScore. Paul Dergarabedian, with $8 million. With awards 7.”Judy,” $4.4m ($1.9m in southeast London in 1939, he screens in North America. The with “Taxi Driver” undertones. the senior media analyst for buzz behind it, the Judy Garland international). adopted the nickname Ginger previous October record-holder Responding to anxiety that the box office tracker Comscore, biopic “Judy,” starring Renee 8.”Rambo: Last Blood,” $3.6 due to the flaming red hair of was the Spider-Man spinoff film might have the potential said that the convergence of Zellweger, added nearly 1,000 million ($4.3m international). his youth. He embraced a “Venom” which opened to $80m to inspire violence, multiple critical acclaim and contro- screens this weekend and placed 9.”War,” $1.5m ($2.9m career in music after initially last year. Internationally, “Joker” theater chains banned cos- versy actually helped the film seventh with $4.5m from 1,458 international). trying to become a professional earned $140.5m from 73 tumes or reaffirmed earlier pol- become bigger than expected locations. 10.”Good Boys,” $900,000. cyclist, hoping to compete in markets, resulting in a stunning icies regarding masks and at the box office. And in limited release, Pedro Estimated ticket sales for the Tour de France, but aban- $234m global debut. authorities in numerous cities “It’s the ultimate water- Almodóvar’s critically acclaimed Friday through Sunday at inter- doned the plan after an “This was a much larger said they were stepping police cooler movie right now,” Derga- “Pain and Glory” launched on national theaters (excluding the accident. He first emerged in result at the box office than we patrols around theaters. Some rabedian said. He added that it four screens to a solid $160,087. US and Canada), according to the burgeoning blues scene of had ever anticipated globally,” relatives of the 2012 Aurora was important that “Joker” was Less fortunate was the Natalie Comscore: early 1960s London, before said Jeff Goldstein, Warner Bros.’ movie theater shooting even always marketed as a “very dark, Portman-led astronaut drama 1. “Joker,” $140.5m. helping to create Cream. president of domestic distri- asked Warner Bros. to commit to R-rated film.” “Lucy in the Sky” which earned 2. “My People, My Country,” Baker soon stood out for his bution. “Putting records aside, gun control causes - the studio “It always had an element only $55,000 from 37 theaters $100.7m. endless solo rifts and his unique we’re just thrilled that audiences said it always has. of mystery and danger sur- resulting in a dismal $1,500 per 3. “The Captain,” $100.4m. style, which merged the mel- are embracing the movie as While some worried this rounding it,” Dergarabedian screen average. 4. “The Climbers,” $30.1m. lifluence of jazz with the harder strong as they are.” would impact the box office, it said. “If it were a G-rated film, Estimated ticket sales for 5. “Abominable,” $24.6m. edge of rock. After the band’s Since debuting at the Venice did not ultimately detract audi- controversy like this would not Friday through Sunday at US and 6. “Ad Astra,” $7.3m. break-up in 1968, he joined Film Festival where it won the ences from turning out opening be a good thing.” In the land- Canadian theaters, according to 7. “Gemini Man,” $7m. another mythical, ephemeral prestigious Golden Lion last weekend; the box office sur- scape of R-rated comic book Comscore. Where available, the 8. “Downton Abbey,” $6.6m. group, Blind Faith, alongside month, “Joker” has been both passed industry expectations and films, “Joker” is nestled between latest international numbers for 9. “The Most Ordinary Clapton and Steve Winwood, praised and criticized for its dark may rise even higher when “Deadpool” and its sequel, both Friday through Sunday are also Romance,” $6.6m. before founding the 10-piece spin on the classic Batman villain weekend actuals are reported of which opened over $125m, included. Final domestic figures 10. “It Chapter Two,” $5.6m. Ginger Baker’s Air Force.