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Sweden exploring business Wayside Flower leads opportunities in Qatar Ghazali sweep in feature published in QATAR since 1978

FRIDAY Vol. XXXX No. 11346 October 25, 2019 Safar 26, 1441 AH

GULF TIMES www. gulf-times.com 2 Riyals

In brief Sheikh Thani opens art expo New steps make PM approves changing land doing business in use in Lusail HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser Qatar easier: WB bin Khalifa al-Thani has approved changing the land use at the Marina O Qatar tops the world in ‘registration of property’ index and Energy City in Lusail, from administrative to mixed residential atar has been placed fi rst in the and administrative use, in accordance global property registration ‘Reforms have paid off ’ with the conditions and controls set Qprocedure index of the World by Qatari Diar Real Estate Investment Bank’s Ease of Doing Business 2020 The Ministry of Finance has Company, the off icial Qatar News report. aff irmed that Qatar’s reform Agency (QNA) reported yesterday. The World Bank had announced last policies and its eff orts to improve Page 16 month that Qatar was among the top 20 its trade regulations have enabled countries that have undertaken busi- it to be among the top 20 countries QATAR | Sport ness environment reforms for 2020. As that have undertaken business Qatar rise to 57th a result the country was ranked 77th environment reforms for 2020, globally on the Ease of Doing Business as announced by the World Bank in FIFA rankings 2020 index. Group. The Ministry of Finance noted Asian champions Qatar climbed five The World Bank’s Ease of Doing in a statement yesterday that this places to 57th in the world in the HE Sheikh Thani bin Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani touring the ‘Kaws: He Eats Alone’ exhibition at the Doha Fire Station yesterday Business 2020 report is based on 10 improvement is due to the eff orts latest FIFA world rankings, released along with the featured artist Brian Donnelly, known professionally as Kaws, and other dignitaries. Earlier, HE Sheikh Thani indicators and Qatar’s global valuation of the Ministerial Group for the yesterday. Qatar is placed fifth among inaugurated the exhibition. The American artist’s first museum exhibition in the Middle East, will run until January 25, 2020. On rose in three key indicators includ- Encouragement and Participation of Asian teams, with Iran occupying the show are 40 artworks representing Kaws’ studio practice. A 40m-long inflatable sculpture by the artist is also to be installed at ing the ease of registration of property the Private Sector in the Economic top spot at No 27. Belgium continued the Dhow Harbour. Page 16 ownership, where Qatar ranked fi rst in Development Projects, which signed to lead the FIFA rankings with 1,755 the world. earlier this year an agreement with points, followed by world champions According to the report, Qatar made the World Bank Group to support and France with 1,276 points. Brazil were signifi cant improvements in three develop the investment climate and third with 7,155 points, while England business areas last year, namely get- business environment in Qatar, with were in the fourth place with 1,651 ting electricity connection, registering the aim of promoting and expanding points. Ashghal taking slew of measures to property and access to credit, measures private sector-driven growth. Page 3 which refl ected in the country improv- SPORT | Football ing its rankings in the WB index for re- spective groups. fortify the national economy to ensure FIFA: $1bn for prevent rainwater accumulation The Ease of Doing Business report is the lead in international development women’s game an annual report issued by the World indexes, and upgrade the level of services FIFA is doubling its investment into By Shafeeq Alingal tunnels” (for vehicles), Ashghal said in interim solutions until the permanent Bank’s Business Unit, assessing 190 provided to the public to keep up with the women’s game to $1bn until 2022, Staff Reporter response to a query by Gulf Times. network is implemented and fully op- economies on multiple indicators. the sectoral plans and visions of Qatar’s and has named China host of the The tunnel project will also de- erated. Twenty temporary solutions World Bank regional director for the strategic plans and the goals of Qatar e- revamped Club World Cup in 2021. crease the surface water level and re- have been completed to help reduce GCC Essam Abu Sulaiman said: “We Government 2020”. Football’s ruling body said yesterday he Public Works Authority duce pumping costs in construction rainwater accumulation in the most look forward to Qatar continuing this Saud al-Attiyah, Deputy Undersec- that its council agreed at a meeting (Ashghal) is taking a number of projects across the country. Besides, vulnerable areas in Doha in order to reform momentum and we are commit- retary for Economic Aff airs at the Min- in Shanghai to make an additional Tmeasures to ensure that there it will help preserve the foundations enhance operational readiness. ted to supporting them in their national istry of Finance, said.“The improve- $500mn available from its reserves is no rainwater accumulation on roads of buildings by reducing waterlogging. These include the installation of sustainable development strategy.” ment in Qatar’s ranking resulted from to the $500mn already approved around Qatar, it is learnt. In addition, there are many inte- overland pipes with pumps to clear The Ministry of Justice welcomed the several important reform policies un- for the development of the women’s Among the major projects being un- grated infrastructure projects cur- water from streets and drain it into WB’s Ease of Doing Business 2020 re- dertaken and enhanced co-operation game between 2019 and 2022. dertaken is the Mesaimeer Surface and rently under way in various areas, ac- lagoons away from residential areas. port, which raised Qatar’s assessment in with many ministries, public entities, Sport Page 1 Groundwater Drainage Tunnel Project. cording to Ashghal. “Contracts have The recently completed solutions per- three indexes, including the global prop- and the private sector with the aim to Upon completion, it will ensure the been signed to provide infrastructure tain to Education City, Umm Ebairiya, erty registration procedure index, from position Qatar as the region’s preferred BRITAIN | Brexit proper discharge of surface water and in new areas. All these projects, upon Al Wakrah, Al Wukair, Arabian Gulf the 20th place last year to the fi rst place business and fi nancial hub.” rainwater. completion, will have a positive im- Street and University Street. These ar- globally in the 2020 classifi cation. Earlier this year, the ministerial Johnson calls for The main tunnel at Mesaimeer will pact and make a big contribution in re- eas were heavily impacted by rainwater HE the Minister of Justice and Minis- group for stimulating and co-operating Dec 12 election connect the existing and future drain- ducing rainwater catchments. Ashghal accumulation last year. ter of State for the Council of Ministers with the private sector in the economic British Prime Minister Boris Johnson age networks. The tunnel will “operate has also prepared operational plans for Annual preventive measures to Aff airs Dr Issa Saad al-Jafali al-Nuaimi, development projects signed an agree- yesterday called for a general to drain surface water from sub-net- areas that are not yet served with in- eliminate the eff ect of rainwater accu- said the top rating of Qatar “refl ects the ment with the World Bank Group to election on December 12 to break works located in diff erent areas, spread frastructure,” it added. mulation include the implementation solid national will of various government conduct an investment climate assess- Britain’s Brexit impasse, conceding over an estimated 170sqkm area, and Regarding preparations for the of an operations and maintenance plan agencies to implement the directives of ment and an evaluation on the business for the first time he will not meet minimise rainwater catchments, es- coming rainy season, Ashghal has for the rainwater drainage network His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim regulation environment in Qatar aimed his “do or die” deadline to leave the pecially in tunnels, as it’s connected identifi ed rainwater catchment points during August and September. bin Hamad al-Thani to work on the com- at promoting and expanding growth European Union next week. Page 8 with rainwater drainage networks in 22 (hotspots) and started implementing To Page 16 pletion of development projects, and driven by the private sector. US presidential candidate makes a promise Russia, Turkey agree to quickly stabilise situation in NE Syria

QNA Turkish presidents signed a memo- visa to the commander, General Maz- Moscow randum on joint actions in northeast- loum Kobani, so he can visit the United ern Syria. Under the arrangement the States to discuss the situation in Syria. Russian military police and Syrian Ankara views Mazloum as a terrorist ussian and Turkish foreign min- military were to be moved into the ar- closely linked to the outlawed Kurdis- isters, Sergey Lavrov and Mevlut eas bordering the zone of Turkey’s op- tan Workers Party (PKK), which has RCavusoglu, have agreed to con- eration in Syria as of noon of October waged a decades-long insurgency in tinue co-ordination of eff orts towards 23. Turkey. the soonest stabilisation of the situa- The Kurdish forces will have 150 “We are deeply concerned about the tion in northeastern Syria, the Russian hours to vacate the 30-km wide strip treatment (of Mazloum).... This in- foreign ministry said yesterday after of land along the Turkish border. After dividual is a senior leader of the PKK, their telephone conversation. that Russian and Turkish forces will which the United States and others Lavrov and Cavusoglu discussed the begin joint patrols. consider a terrorist organisation, and implementation of the memorandum Reuters adds from Ankara: Tur- a fugitive from justice,” said Fahrettin of understanding signed after Sochi key has criticised the United States Altun, director of communications for talks between Presidents Vladimir for treating the commander of the President Tayyip Erdogan. Putin of Russia and Recep Tayyip Er- Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces “He is the subject of an outstanding dogan of Turkey on October 22. (SDF) as a “legitimate political fi gure,” Interpol red notice. He is wanted for “It was agreed to continue co-ordi- underlining continued tensions with multiple terror attacks targeting the nation of eff orts in the interests of the Washington despite the end of its of- Turkish security forces, a Nato army, soonest stabilisation of the situation fensive in Syria. as well as civilians,” Altun told Reuters. in northeastern Syria,” Tass quoted the Republican and Democratic US Turkey will start paperwork for ex- ministry as saying. senators urged the State Department tradition of Kobani from Washington, Democratic 2020 US presidential candidate and Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) does a pinkie promise with six-year-old Nora On October 22, the Russian and on Wednesday to quickly provide a Erdogan said. Showalter after a campaign town hall meeting at Dartmouth College in Hanover, New Hampshire, US, yesterday. Gulf Times 2 Friday, October 25, 2019 QATAR

Amir congratulates Zambian president His Highness the Amir Sheikh Alkhater meets Ethiopian ministers, offi cials Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani and His Highness the Deputy Amir Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad al-Thani yesterday sent cables of congratula- tions to Zambian President Edgar Chagwa Lungu on the occasion of the anniversary of his country’s Independence Day. HE the Prime Minister and Interior Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa al- Thani also sent a similar cable.

Qatar participates in environment meeting

The Council of Arab Environment Ministers, chaired by Libya and with the participation of Ministers of member states and the General Secretariat of the Arab League, started its 31st session in Cairo yesterday. Qatar’s delegation is headed by Qatar’s Permanent Representative to the Arab League Ambassador Ibrahim bin Abdulaziz al-Sahlawi. The meeting will discuss the implementation of the resolutions of Arab Economic and Social Development Summits, especially those related to moni- toring of radioactive pollution and integrated waste management in the Arab region. Museum closure The National Museum of Qatar (NMoQ) will close at 7pm on October 28 and reopen at 9am on October 30, it was announced on QNA Alkhater reiterated Qatar’s this collaboration to advance HE the spokesperson of the Qatar-AU ties reviewed Twitter yesterday. Addis Ababa support for the positive reforms professionalism and ethics in the Ministry of Foreign Aff airs Ethiopia is taking and called for media industry of the region. Lolwah Alkhater yesterday promoting bilateral relations. Al Khater visited the head- met in Addis Ababa with Afri- Embassy holiday E the spokesperson of Kamil expressed Ethiopia’s in- quarters of the Ethiopian Broad- can Union (AU) Social Aff airs The Indian embassy has an- the Ministry of Foreign terest to work with Qatar in the casting Company (EBC), Ethio- Commissioner Amira Al Fadil. nounced that it will remain closed HAff airs Lolwah Alkhater areas of education, culture, me- pia’s leading media network, The meeting discussed the on Sunday, October 27, on the yesterday met separately with dia and economic development. where she met with its CEO Dr partnership between Qatar occasion of Diwali. Ethiopia’s Minister of Peace Meanwhile the Ethiopian Nigussie Mitiku and witnessed and the AU on a number of Muferiat Kamil and Trade and trade and industry minister told fi rsthand the revamp the network social development projects Industry Minister Misganu Arega Alkhater the prospect of increas- has undergone with the support in addition to ideas to scale Tanzania meeting in Addis Ababa. ing the investments and trade of Qatar. up this partnership. Alkhater Qatar is participating in the 58th Alkhater is visiting the capi- ties between the two friendly She also met Nebiat Getachew, also conveyed Qatar’s com- session of the Asian-African tal of Ethiopia at the invitation states is promising. the spokesperson of the Ministry mitment to work with the Legal Consultative Organisation of Director General of Ethio- The spokesperson for the of Foreign Aff airs in Ethiopia. African Union, which, she said (ALCO), being held in Dar es pian Broadcasting Authority Ministry of Foreign Aff airs met During the meeting, they ex- has proven to be a success- Salaam, Tanzania. Qatar’s del- Getachew Dinku. also with Dinku to discuss the changed views on regional and ful model in the multilateral egation is headed by Assistant The meetings reviewed bilat- ongoing media development col- international issues, and dis- arena, noting the role it has Undersecretary of the Ministry eral ties in addition to topics of laboration between Qatar and cussed further collaboration be- played to establish peace in of Justice for Legal Affairs Salim mutual interest. Ethiopia, and ways to enhance tween the two friendly nations. the Republic of the Sudan. Rashid al-Muraikhi.

Envoy presents credentials Cosmoprof to take part in Heya fashion show he 2020 edition of Cos- gramme, in collaboration with country with high GDP per cap- veloping expertise in the fi eld, tion, in the presence of Carlotta moprof Worldwide Bo- Cosmetica Italia, Italian Per- ita: the presence of local brands, yearly presented in Cosmoprof Colli, deputy head of mission Tlogna, described as the sonal Care Association, high- importers, distributors and re- Worldwide Bologna 2020, the of the Italian embassy in Doha, HE the Secretary-General of the Ministry of Foreign Aff airs Dr world’s biggest international lighting the role of Cosmoprof, a tailers at Cosmoprof is certainly top level Italian Beauty Trade,” and Rigano will be the main fea- Ahmed bin Hassan al-Hammadi yesterday received a copy of trade show for beauty industry, format born in Italy 53 years ago, a strong attraction for many he said. “The presentation by tures of Cosmoprof Worldwide the credentials of Francois Nkulikiyimfura as ambassador of has chosen Qatar as the launch as a reference event for the glo- international operators. It is Cosmoprof in the context of Bologna, the news and themes the Republic of Rwanda. Al-Hammadi wished the ambassador point for scouting and business bal beauty sector. therefore important for Cosmo- Heya will help bridge Italian and of the next edition and the in- success in his duties, and assured him all support to promote activities in the region. To support the initiative, the prof to strengthen the synergies local operators in the growing ternational developments of the bilateral relations in various fields. Cosmoprof will make a pres- Italian Ministry of Economic with local productive associa- sector of cosmetics industry”. network. entation at the 16th Heya Ara- Development and Italian Trade tions and districts, to contribute “Fashion and beauty have al- In this way, interested opera- bian Fashion Exhibition today Agency joined hands in promot- to the development of the glo- ways been linked together, and tors will receive indications and at 5.30pm at the Doha Exhibi- ing the excellence of the Made in bal cosmetic market,” Calzolari the presentation of Cosmo- suggestions to take the maxi- tion and Convention Centre, the Italy in the world. added. prof Worldwide Bologna, the mum advantage from their pres- Italian Trade Agency announced “Every year, Cosmoprof “The Heya exhibition has be- main Italian beauty trade show ence at Cosmoprof 2020. in a statement. Worldwide Bologna hosts com- come an increasingly dynamic internationally renowned as On the occasion, Ashraf Abu ‘Disarmament key The Cosmoprof network will panies and operators from over and interesting platform in the well, during Heya Exhibition Issa, chairman of Abu Issa Hold- meet at the event companies, 150 countries in the world,” said Gulf region and we are proud that represents a special opportu- ing, managing both local and associations, distributors, re- Gianpiero Calzolari, president of this edition will host prestig- nity to promote once again the international companies and to achieving peace’ tailers and key players in the BolognaFiere Group. “The event ious and exclusive Made in Italy relevance of the Italian cos- groups, will present a report on cosmetics industry, to promote is an important showcase for brands, including in the cosmetic metic industry in a challenging the market situation in Qatar. the initiatives of the next edi- fast-developing markets, and and beauty sector,” Italian ambas- and fl ourishing market as Qa- Zhan Temerkhanov, business QNA tion, scheduled from March 12 to the Gulf area certainly repre- sador Pasquale Salzano said. tar doubtless is,” Italian Trade partner of Aldo Coppola Qatar, New York 16, 2020 in Bologna. sents an interesting opportunity “Italy is a worldwide leader in Commissioner Giosafat Rigano will focus on the importance of The presentations are part of for beauty companies.” the cosmetic industry thanks to said. Italian beauty brands in the Qa- the Cosmoprof roadshow pro- “In particular, Qatar is a its continuous research and de- The subject of the presenta- tari market. atar has reiterated its commitment to continue Qeff orts towards elimi- nation of nuclear weapons and non-proliferation to achieve se- curity and stability in the region and the world. Qatar calls for peaceful This came in a statement by Ab- the only region in the world that dulrahman Salim al-Ali (pictured), has not made progress on denu- a member of Qatar’s delegation par- clearisation. ticipating in the First Committee of He stressed that complete and resolution of confl icts the 74th session of the United Na- comprehensive nuclear disar- tions General Assembly. mament would not be possible Al-Ali noted the international without the Middle East being community’s eff orts to elimi- free of nuclear weapons. QNA participating in the 74th session The international commu- nate the threat posed by nuclear He renewed Qatar’s support New York of the UN General Assembly, nity’s rejection of these ter- weapons since the adoption of for holding a UN conference next said. rible crimes was refl ected in the fi rst General Assembly reso- November under the chairman- The use of chemical weapons the establishment by the Gen- lution on disarmament. ship of Jordan on establishing atar has underlined that poses a serious threat to the non- eral Assembly of an impartial Rawda Fahad Kamal speaks at the conference. “Given the inability to estab- a zone free of weapons of mass resolving armed con- proliferation regime, exposes mil- and independent international lish a specifi c time frame for nu- destruction in the Middle East, Qfl icts through peaceful lions to death and suff ering and mechanism to assist in the in- She said Qatar continues to the parties to the United Nations clear disarmament and the im- in accordance with UN General means is the best and most ef- undermines international peace vestigation and prosecution develop and modernise national Convention on the Prohibition plementation of article VI of the Assembly Resolution 546/73. fective way to maintain interna- and security, she said. of persons responsible for the legislation related to weapons of of Chemical Weapons. Treaty as a result of the insist- He stressed the importance tional peace and security. The international commu- most serious crimes committed mass destruction in line with its It was attended by 25 states ence on the possession of nuclear of implementing the legal ob- “The proliferation and use nity has therefore rejected and in Syria since March 2011, she obligations under the agreements parties to the convention as well weapons, the strict and full com- ligations of international con- of weapons of mass destruc- condemned the use of chemical added. to which Qatar has acceded. as international experts and rep- pliance with all the obligations ventions in the fi eld of nuclear tion and their terrible eff ects on weapons, she added. The international community Qatar is also sponsoring all ef- resentatives of several organisa- contained in the international disarmament, the importance humanity must bring together “The Convention on the Pro- reiterated its rejection and con- forts that contribute to the pro- tions. instruments on nuclear disarma- of responsible development of the international community to hibition of Chemical Weapons demnation of the use of chemi- motion and implementation of The Doha Regional Centre ment and non-proliferation is a peaceful nuclear energy pro- prevent the possession of such has established the obligation to cal weapons in Syria, according those international conventions. for Training on Conventions on non-negotiable international le- grammes and adherence to com- weapons, to ensure that their use prohibit its use and possession to UN reports, she said, adding On October 16, Qatar, in co- Weapons of Mass Destruction gal obligation,” he said. prehensive safeguards measures is prohibited under any justifi - because of its fl agrant violation that accountability for those operation with the Organisation had trained specialists from 87 Qatar’s statement said that the in co-operation with the Inter- cation, and to strictly abide by of international law and interna- atrocities would help prevent for the Prohibition of Chemical countries and international or- proliferation of nuclear weapons national Atomic Energy Agency, the legal obligations contained tional humanitarian law and those such crimes from recurring, do Weapons (OPCW), hosted the ganisations, 702 trainees from in the Middle East contributes in order to ensure the highest in the relevant international responsible for their use must be justice to the victims and send sixth annual meeting of repre- the GCC and Arab countries and to the increased risks arising standards of safety and security treaties,” Rawda Fahad Kamal, held accountable and their impu- a strong message of preventing sentatives of the chemical in- representatives of the fi ve conti- from tensions and confl icts in in a world where nuclear prolif- member of Qatar’s delegation nity prevented,” Kamal said. impunity. dustry and national bodies of nents, through 34 programmes. the region, noting that it is still eration is a big concern for all. Gulf Times Friday, October 25, 2019 3 QATAR/ARAB WORLD

Off icial

Speaker of Shura Ministry of Justice hails Qatar’s Council arrives in Turkey’s Rize city HE the Speaker of the Shura Council Ahmed bin Abdullah bin Zaid al-Mahmoud arrived ranking in World Bank report yesterday in the Turkish city of Rize, leading a delegation from QNA Finance Ministry lauds improved ranking in international development indi- procedures and the mechanisms for is- the State of Qatar participating Doha ces, and upgrade the level of services suing bonds and agencies were also de- in the first meeting of the The Ministry of Finance has aff irmed In this context, Saud bin Abdullah al- provided to the public to keep up with veloped within a comprehensive system Executive Council of the Asian that the country’s reform policies and Attiyah, Assistant Undersecretary for Eco- the sectoral plans and visions of Qatar of digital transformation of the minis- Parliamentary Assembly (APA) he Ministry of Justice has wel- its eff orts to improve trade regulations nomic Aff airs at the Ministry of Finance, strategic plans and the goals of Qatar e- try’s services. starting today. comed the World Bank’s Ease have enabled it to be among the top 20 said that the improvement in the Qatari Government 2020. Al-Nuaimi said that the ministry is His Excellency and his Tof Doing Business 2020 report, countries global business environment classification resulted from many impor- In this regard, HE the Minister working on an integrated strategic plan accompanying delegation were which raised Qatar’s assessment in ‘improvers’, according to the World Bank tant reform policies implemented and the praised the eff orts of the ease of do- to upgrade all legal and service sec- received at Trabzon International three indexes, including its ranking on Group’s latest report. co-operation that had been strengthened ing business committee, which HE the tors, during which new projects will be Airport, on their way to Rize, the global property registration proce- According to the World Bank’s Ease of with many ministries, public authorities Prime Minister directed to form under launched in these various sectors and by Governor of Trabzon Ismail dure index, increasing its ranking from Doing Business 2020 report, Qatar ranks and the private sector, aimed at making the chairmanship of His Excellency’s are expected to be completed by 2020. Ustaoglu; Rize Mayor Rahmi the 20th place in the 2019 rankings to 77 on this year’s Ease of Doing Business, Qatar the preferred business and finan- Offi ce and the membership of repre- He added that the new projects will Metin; the head of the Turkish the fi rst place globally in the 2020 clas- an improvement from its ranking of 83rd cial centre in the region. sentatives of a number of bodies and include the launch of the second phase delegation to the APA Asuman sifi cation, marking a shift in property in last years study. The Ministry said that these reforms ministries concerned with the ease of of the development of electronic serv- Erdogan; and the State of Qatar’s registration procedures and improving The Ministry of Finance noted in a and improvements came in several doing business indexes, including the ices within SAK project, the develop- ambassador to the Republic the business environment in the coun- statement today that this improvement is business areas during the past year by Ministry of Justice, in obtaining this ment of geographical maps system to of Turkey Salem bin Mubarak try. due to the eff orts of the Ministerial Group simplifying and integrating procedures, global ranking. facilitate the real estate survey proce- al-Shafi. The three-day meeting HE the Minister of Justice and Minis- for the Encouragement and Participation as well as providing regulatory, legislative Al-Nuaimi noted the great eff orts in dures and provide accurate data, and will discuss social and cultural ter of State for the Council of Ministers of the Private Sector in the Economic De- and digital frameworks in business. implementing new procedures and the develop the Absher service for external aff airs, economic and sustainable Aff airs Dr Issa Saad al-Jafali al-Nuaimi velopment Projects, which signed earlier Essam Abu Sulaiman, World Bank improvements made by the ministry on signatures, in addition to other projects development and political aff airs stressed that this great ranking was this year an agreement with the World Regional Director for the Gulf Co-opera- work systems, including restructuring related to the issues of the State and the in addition to budgeting and achieved thanks to the directives of His Bank Group to support and develop the tion Council (GCC), expressed hope for e-services and adapting it to meet the systems of agreements, and models of planning. Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin investment climate and business environ- Qatar’s continued momentum of reform, requirements of the public, and provide electronic contracts. Hamad al-Thani, and his keenness to ment in Qatar, with the aim of promoting stressing the World Bank’s commitment a work environment based on the com- Al-Nuaimi noted the need to keep ensure that the State of Qatar pursues and expanding private sector-driven to support its national development puterisation of all procedures of real pace with the plans and projects of the Qatar condemns scientifi c methods and deliberate plan- growth. strategy. — QNA estate registration and documentation second national development strategy assassination of ning so as to provide the best services to in a way that facilitates to obtain the re- 2018-2022, and the implementation of citizens. quired information and access services these projects in a manner that serves Iraqi off icials This ranking also refl ects the national implement the directives of His High- tion of development projects and fortify in the appropriate time and place. this strategy and achieve the objectives will of various government agencies to ness the Amir to work on the comple- the national economy to ensure the lead The system of ownership registration of Qatar National Vision 2030. The State of Qatar has strongly condemned the assassination of three senior off icials in the Iraqi province of Diyala, in successive armed attacks. In statement yesterday, the Qatari-Turkish Higher Strategic Committee meets in Doha Ministry of Foreign aff airs reiterated the State of Qatar’s firm stance rejecting violence and QNA For his part, the Deputy Director General of the terrorism, whatever the motives Doha Middle East Department in the Ministry of Foreign and causes. The statement Aff airs of Turkey Ismail S Oglu said that Qatar and expressed Qatar’s condolences Turkey share similar views on many regional is- to the victims’ families, the enior offi cials of Qatari-Turkish Higher Stra- sues. government and people of Iraq. tegic Committee held a meeting here yester- He thanked Qatar for its honourable stance re- Sday under the Chairmanship of HE the Sec- jecting the failed coup attempt in Turkey in 2016, retary-General of the Ministry of Foreign Aff airs calling for intensifi ed co-operation to achieve the Weekly outdoor Dr Ahmed bin Hassan al-Hammadi. aspirations and hopes of the leaders and peoples of Friday Souq from At the outset of the meeting, HE al-Hammadi the two countries. commended Turkey’s successful organisation of the Meanwhile, the Turkish ambassador to Qatar, today: ministry 4th session of the Qatari-Turkish Higher Strategic Fikret Ozer, stressed the depth of bilateral rela- Committee in Istanbul on November 26, 2018. tions, noting that relations have been developing The Ministry of Municipality and He praised Turkey’s honourable stance on the and prospering since the fi rst meeting of the High- Environment’s Agriculture Aff airs blockade imposed on Qatar since June 2017. er Strategic Committee between the two countries Department has announced HE Dr al-Hammadi said that the Committee, in 2015. that the outdoor Friday Souq through its four previous sessions, has contributed This is evidenced by the number of agreements will be held at the Oxygen Park to advancing the two countries’ relations to the and memorandums of understanding signed since in Education City every Friday, level of strategic partnership. then, he added. starting today. Referring to the progression of the economic bilat- During the meeting, which was attended by rep- The souq will host a number of eral relations, he said: “The volume of trade exchange Senior off icials of Qatari-Turkish Higher Strategic Committee meeting in Doha. resentatives of the two countries from various gov- local farms selling products such between the two countries last year amounted to ernmental and private sectors, a number of draft as vegetables, mushrooms and USD2.4bn, an increase of (78%) from 2017, and this businessmen and the private sector, as well as the measures to attract foreign capital, which allows agreements and memoranda of understanding be- local honey. The Friday Souq will increase refl ects the strength of trade relations.” exchange of expertise between stakeholders and co- investment of 100% of capital in many sectors, in tween the two sides were fi nalised and are expected be open from 9am to 9pm every He stressed the importance of supporting mutual operation between small and medium enterprises. addition to providing many incentives and benefi ts to be signed during the fi fth session of the Higher week, the MME has said in a post visits of trade delegations, chambers of commerce, He concluded by saying that Qatar has adopted for foreign investors. Strategic Committee. on Twitter. — QNA

Erdogan mocks Aoun off ers to meet Doha Expressway traffic diversion European fears over Lebanon protesters

AFP ment reshuffl e might be need- Syrian refugee fl ows Beirut ed, an option that other leaders have hinted they would consider AFP let’s see how you would do this — but which would fall far short Ankara work,” Erdogan said, address- ebanon’s president yes- of demonstrators’ demand that ing his neighbours in the EU. terday off ered to meet the the entire government quit. “You have money, you are Lprotesters whose week- Prime Minister Saad Har- resident Recep Tayy- strong but when 100, 200 old mobilisation to demand a iri had on Monday presented a ip Erdogan yesterday people go to Greece by sea, complete overhaul of the po- package of reforms, including Pmocked European fears you rush to the phone, saying: litical system has brought the cutting ministerial salaries, but over a possible infl ux of Syrian ‘A hundred people, 200 peo- country to a standstill. the rallies have continued, crip- refugees, repeating his threats ple arrived on the islands’,” he But Michel Aoun’s fi rst pling Beirut and other major to “open the gates” for them added scornfully. speech since the start of the un- cities. to reach Europe. “Look here, there are 4mn precedented protest movement “The reform paper that was “When we say we will open people. You do not say any- was met with disdain by dem- approved will be the fi rst step the gates, they are up in arms. thing about this.” onstrators who see him and the to save Lebanon and remove the Don’t be up in arms, the gates Turkey had launched a mil- entire political class as part of spectre of fi nancial and eco- will be opened when the time itary operation on October 9 the problem, not the solution. nomic collapse,” Aoun said. comes,” Erdogan said in a tel- to push Kurdish fi ghters back Sparked on October 17 by a “It was your fi rst achieve- evised speech in Ankara. from its border with Syria. proposed tax on free calls made ment because you helped re- Turkey agreed to stem the Ankara suspended the of- through messaging apps such move obstacles in front of it and fl ow of migrants to Europe fensive after securing a “safe as WhatsApp, the protests have it was adopted in record speed,” under a 2016 deal but EU zone” stretching 32km into morphed into a cross-sectarian he told the protesters. states are still concerned that Syrian territory in which it street mobilisation against a But dozens of demonstrators the volatile Syrian confl ict intends to settle some of the political system seen as corrupt listening to the speech on loud- will cause further movements refugees currently in Turkey. and broken. speakers outside parliament The Public Works Authority (Ashghal) has implemented a two-month long shifting of traff ic coming of people. Turkey currently Erdogan also said the Turk- In his speech, Aoun told booed it, an AFP reporter said. from the main carriageway of Doha Expressway towards E Ring Road prior to Wholesale Market hosts more than 3.6mn Syrian ish army, together with its protestors he was “ready to Aoun said he respected the Street Signals, to a 300m parallel road. The diversion is in co-ordination with the General Directorate refugees. Syrian partners, was engaged meet your representatives...to right of protesters to speak up of Traff ic. Ashghal will install road signs advising motorists of the traff ic shift and requested all to “Let’s see you host hun- in mine removal in the region hear your demands”. but urged them to open key abide by the speed limit and follow the road signs to ensure safety. dreds of thousands of people, it had secured. He suggested that a govern- roads that they have blocked. Foodstuff ‘expiry date’ manipulation detected Al Rayyan Municipality, in co- The house was raided follow- expired on May 4, and 350kg of operation with Al Khor and Al Tha- ing co-ordination and exchange other sweets that had expired khira Municipality, has detected a of information between the on September 9, the statement violation wherein a house in the Al two municipalities as well as noted. Murra West area was being used intensive surveillance carried out A violation report was issued as a storehouse for expired food at diff erent times of the day by under Law No 8 of 1990 on the products. health inspectors from Al Rayyan regulation of human food control. Inspectors found workers il- Municipality. In addition, the director of Al legally repacking expired foodstuff The food items seized from the Rayyan Municipality issued an ad- and giving them new expiry dates, house included 360kg of roasted ministrative decision to shut down for distribution across the country, super seeds that had expired on the place for 60 days and the vio- the Ministry of Municipality and July 25, 360kg of roasted water- lators were referred to the security Environment (MME) said in a melon seeds that had expired on department concerned for the statement. July 25, 30kg of candies that had necessary legal procedures. Gulf Times 4 Friday, October 25, 2019 AFRICA

CRISIS JUDICIARY VIOLENCE POVERTY CONTROVERSY Zimbabwe to cut power to Tanzania upholds ruling 14 rebels killed in Burundi I Coast, Ghana lift threat Envoy summoned users over unpaid bills to ban child marriage during clash with military to sustainability schemes over media reports

Zimbabwe’s state-owned electricity distributor, A Tanzanian court has upheld a ruling banning Fourteen armed men have been killed in the Top cocoa producers Ivory Coast and Ghana The German ambassador to Eritrea was grappling with drought and ageing equipment, the marriage of girls under the age of 18 and won East African country of Burundi during fighting said that chocolate makers would continue summoned by the East African country’s said yesterday it will disconnect mines, farms and praise from rights activists. The High Court in with military forces, police said on Wednesday. for now to be allowed to run sustainability authorities over reporting by the broadcaster other users as it looks to recover $77mn in unpaid 2016 ruled that laws allowing girls as young as 15 The incident on Tuesday in the north-western schemes in their countries, linking them to the Deutsche Welle, the German Foreign Ministry bills. The southern African nation is experiencing to be married with the permission of their parents, province of Bubanza involved “criminals success of a programme to ease pervasive said on Wednesday. “Press freedom is a daily power cuts lasting up to 18 hours after or even 14 with the permission of a court, were with rifles,” deputy police spokesman Moise farmer poverty. The future of the schemes precious asset and prerequisite for a functioning a severe drought reduced water levels at the unconstitutional and discriminatory. However the Nkurunziza told DPA. “It was a group from the had appeared to be in jeopardy when the two democracy,” the ministry said in a statement, country’s biggest hydro plant. The Zimbabwe state had appealed. “We reject this appeal as it has Democratic Republic of Congo who wanted nations said earlier this month they would be describing the German broadcaster as “an Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company no foundation,” the appeals court judges wrote in to commit killings,” he said. Eleven guns were re-examined as chocolate makers had been independent media outlet that works in line (ZETDC) is also being hampered by ageing their ruling on Wednesday, giving the government seized, according to the Burundian Ministry slow to pay a living income diff erential (LID) high journalistic standards.” It did not provide coal-fired electricity generators which constantly one year to amend the law. In an initial ruling the of Public Security. The RED Tabara rebel for bean purchases. In a bid to ease pervasive more details about the meeting involving break down. ZETDC said in a public notice it was court found the current law discriminatory, as the movement claimed responsibility for the attack. farmer poverty, the West African neighbours, its ambassador. Deutsche Welle declined owed 1.2bn Zimbabwe dollars ($77mn) and it was legal age for men to marry is 18, and said it was Burundi has been unstable for years. which together produce more than 60% of the to comment. Eritrean Information Minister targeting to recover the money from mining, contradictory that a girl considered too young to The country was plunged into civil unrest in world’s cocoa, introduced the $400 LID in July Yemane Meskel had accused Deutsche Welle of agriculture, commercial and domestic users. vote would be allowed to marry. 2015. on all cocoa sales for the 2020/21 season. “unbridled smear campaigns against Eritrea.” Forty of 46 grounded SA planes back in air

Reuters rectly, Khoza said. Johannesburg Other fi ndings included SAA Technical’s failure to implement previous fi ndings and lapses in orty of the 46 airplanes its quality management system. grounded this week owing The SACAA has since accepted Fto faults found at the main- a “corrective action plan” from tenance unit of state-owned SAA Technical, which maintains South African Airways (SAA) aircraft for SAA, its subsidiary have been returned to service, Mango Airlines and British Air- the head of South Africa’s avia- ways franchise partner Comair, tion regulator said yesterday. which also operates under the The faults found at SAA Tech- kulula.com brand. nical have focused attention on Twenty-fi ve SAA planes had the crisis at SAA, which hasn’t been grounded this week, 14 made an annual profi t since 2011 Comair planes and seven Mango or published fi nancial results Airlines planes, Khoza said. since 2017 because of question That led to domestic fl ight marks over its long-term viabil- cancellations and delays on ity as a business. Tuesday. Polling off icers verify ballots from ballot boxes arriving at a counting centre in the Ledumang Senior Secondary school for the Gaborone North constituency, in Gaborone. SAA has fl oundered with an Disruptions had eased by unprofi table route network and Wednesday. a fl eet of ageing and ineffi cient SACAA chairman Ernest Kho- airplanes. sa said South Africans were safe South African Civil Avia- in the skies after the intervention tion Authority (SACAA) Chief by the regulator. Executive Poppy Khoza told a A lack of clarity earlier in news conference the regulator the week over the faults at SAA had made fi ve fi ndings during Technical had led to speculation Counting under way an audit at SAA Technical, after that authorities were covering up which it issued a prohibition or- major infringements. der stopping some aircraft from Tlali said it was too early to fl ying. quantify the fi nancial impact As of Wednesday evening from the grounding of its planes, more than 80% of SAA’s aff ect- dismissing an allegation that the ed aircraft were back in service, faults were linked to SAA’s peril- in Botswana election however, SAA spokesman Tlali ous fi nancial position. Tlali told Reuters. “None of the audit fi ndings AFP Khama stormed out after Ballot papers have been Babusi Community Hall in Ga- “It appears that our great- The audit made two serious made at SAA Technical can rea- Gaborone, Botswana accusing his former deputy of taken from the 2,200 polling borone’s Bontleng neighbour- est fears have become a reality, fi ndings: that inadequately qual- sonably be associated with the autocracy and threw his weight stations to regional district hood, dozens of BDP and UDC that (these) elections will not ifi ed personnel had signed off state of fi nances we are experienc- behind the Umbrella for Demo- centres, where they are being supporters dressed in their be fair,” it said. on maintenance work and that ing at the moment,” Tlali said. ote counting was under cratic Change (UDC), once his counted by hand. party colours staged a vigil The UDC, which won 17 out maintenance checks on fl ight “No case has been made to way yesterday in Bot- fiercest critic. Results sheets will then be outside, singing and dancing. of the 57 seats in the last elec- data recorders and cockpit voice support this claim because none Vswana in a tight election He then endorsed a new po- faxed to the national offices Groups of around one hun- tion five years ago, said it had recorders had not been done cor- exists.” seen as the first real political litical party, the Botswana Pa- of the Independent Electoral dred each side carried placards received complaints “about test for a country ruled by the triotic Front (BPF), which has Commission in Gaborone. and umbrellas, marched to- widespread election irregulari- same party since independ- fielded candidates in only 19 of The winner will be declared wards each and happily made ties”, including “unnecessary ence. the 57 constituencies. once a party attains 29 parlia- way for each other. delays” at various polling sta- Pre-election polling showed After casting his ballot in his mentary seats – the minimum Some even hugged each oth- tions across the country. the Botswana Democratic Party home village of Moshupa, 65km requirement to form a govern- er as they awaited the results. But the electoral commission (BDP), battered by an unprec- west of Gaborone on Wednes- ment. Polling generally proceed- said it had yet to receive any edented internal crisis and new day, Masisi admitted that this “Counting itself is very slow, ed smoothly across the vast, complaints about the voting. political rivals, would win the was “the toughest election we it’s manual and sometimes it sparsely populated country of Complainants have 30 days vote but return to parliament have had to fight.” may even extend depending on 2.2mn people, according to the to lodge petitions after results with a reduced majority. Botswana is seen across the requests for recounts from electoral commission, despite are declared and the chief jus- The BDP, which has ruled southern Africa as a beacon of candidates if at all they are not delays in clearing voters at tice has named the leader of the since Botswana became inde- continuity and democracy. happy,” IEC spokesman Osu- some polling stations. winning party, the state presi- pendent from Britain in 1966, Should the BDP lose the pile Maroba told reporters. But the UDC, which poses dent. suffered a seismic jolt in May vote, it would be the first time “We hope by tomorrow this the first and greatest challenge If none of the parties attain when former president Ian Botswana, a country famed for time we should be having quite so far to BDP dominance, is- the minimum 29 seats, a hung Khama renounced his hand- its diamonds and wildlife, has an informative outcome of our sued a statement overnight parliament convenes and the Passengers board a South African Airways plane at the Port Elizabeth picked successor, Mokgweetsi seen a change of government in counting,” he said. charging that the voting was newly-elected lawmakers vote International Airport in the Eastern Cape province, South Africa. Masisi. 53 years. As counting was underway at flawed. for a president.

Thousands march against Ex-opposition leader Conde’s possible 3rd term bid quits political posts AFP tance themselves from their pre- Johannesburg viously racist past. Reuters The peaceful, albeit heavily Eighty-one-year-old Conde, The Soweto-born Maimane, Conakry policed, protests were held in a whose second and fi nal fi ve-year who has been at the helm of the number of cities across the West term expires next year, has re- he fi rst black leader of DA since 2015, produced a his- African country. fused to rule out running again South Africa’s largest op- toric victory for the party in the housands took to the Guinea, with a population of and asked his government last Tposition party renounced 2016 local elections. streets of Guinea yes- nearly 13mn, is Africa’s biggest month to look into drafting a new his party membership and seat in He then campaigned fiercely Tterday in the largest of bauxite producer and is host to constitution. parliament yesterday, a day after as the first black leader of the a series of protests over a sus- international mining compa- His opponents fear that could quitting as party chief in a race DA in the 2019 national elec- pected effort by President Al- nies. be used as a reset button on his row. tion, trying to convince black pha Conde to seek a third term On Tuesday, 12 FNDC leaders presidency, allowing him to run Mmusi Maimane, 39, stood middle-class voters that the that have led to the jailing of a were sentenced to up to a year again like other African leaders down as head of the Democratic party was no longer a “white” dozen opposition campaigners in prison for organising previous who have amended or changed Alliance (DA) citing “co-ordi- party, but suffered significant and politicians. rallies in which nine people were constitutions in recent years to nated attacks” from parts of his losses instead. Protesters chanted “Amou- killed. stay in power. traditionally white liberal party The party saw a 2% drop in lanfe” – “It will not happen” in Last week, police opened fire Conde’s fi rst election vic- against affi rmative action poli- votes and lost fi ve of their previ- the local Susu language – and on protesters as they ransacked tory in 2010 raised hopes for cies favourable to the black ma- ous 89 seats in parliament fol- “Free the prisoners” on their way military posts and blocked democratic progress in Guinea jority population. lowing the 2014 election. to the capital Conakry’s largest roads. after two years of military rule In a tweet yesterday, he further The conservative and pre- stadium. “We want him (Conde) to free and nearly a quarter of a cen- distanced himself from the DA, dominantly white Freedom Front The march was organised the jailed leaders before any ne- tury under authoritarian Presi- announcing he would leave par- Plus, founded in 1994 during the by the National Front for the gotiation happens. Then Alpha dent Lansana Conte, who died in liament and relinquish the party negotiations to end apartheid, Defence of the Constitution needs to say he will not be a can- 2008. membership that he fi rst gained performed unexpectedly well, (FNDC), a coalition of politicians didate,” Algassimou Diallo, who But his critics accuse him of A woman holds a placard reading “Souls of our children will haunt in 2009. picking up 10 seats – six more and activists opposed to a con- marched in Conakry wearing cracking down on dissent and you all your life. Stop” as Guineans protest against the killings The DA was established than in 2014. stitutional change that could let the rally’s offi cial red colour, told violently repressing protests - of demonstrators and a possible third term for President Alpha in 2000 as a merger of three Tensions have been high ever Conde seek a third term. Reuters. charges he denies. Conde, in Conakry. “white” parties that tried to dis- since the May vote. Gulf Times Friday, October 25, 2019 5 AMERICAS

Justice Ginsburg honoured Republican lawmakers

Reuters New York

S Supreme Court Justice ‘storm’ Trump inquiry Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Uwho has championed AFP more than 40 House Republi- women’s rights on the nation’s Washington cans – among them Vice-Pres- highest court, was awarded a ident Mike Pence’s brother, prestigious prize on Wednesday congressman Greg Pence – are as a “lifelong trailblazer for hu- urious about being left permitted to attend the deposi- man rights and gender equality”. out of the Donald Trump tions and question witnesses. The second woman ever Fimpeachment process, Several of those with full ac- named to the Supreme Court, US congressional Republicans cess to the hearing joined other Ginsburg, 86, was honoured as a stormed a closed-door witness Republicans in the protest, ar- voice for equal justice in battling deposition and refused to leave guing that the impeachment discrimination, said the Berg- for several hours in an escalation process deserves more transpar- gruen Institute in awarding its of the showdown over the inves- ency. annual prize for philosophy and tigation of the president. Republicans opposed to the culture. More than two dozen law- impeachment process have set- She will donate the $1mn prize makers barged into a secure US tled on the new strategy of at- money to charities or non-prof- Capitol meeting room known as tacking the process itself, claim- its of her choosing, the institute a SCIF, delaying the Wednesday ing that it is invalid because the said. testimony of a Pentagon offi cial House has not taken a fl oor vote Ginsburg, who is on the who was the latest witness in to launch an impeachment in- court’s liberal wing, was recently the democrats-led investigation quiry, and that it lacks transpar- treated for pancreatic cancer but of possible abuse of power by ency. has indicated that she had no Trump over his pressure cam- Taylor delivered a wither- plans to step down. paign against Ukraine. ing deposition on Tuesday that “Ginsburg is a lifelong trail- The White House has been some Democrats have described blazer for human rights and gen- confronted with a series of dep- as the most damning testimony der equality,” said the institute, ositions by current or former yet. a Los Angeles-based think tank administration offi cials in re- Number two Senate Republi- that focuses on political and so- cent weeks as Democrats lay out can John Thune acknowledged cial institutions. the most serious case against that the picture painted by the Nicholas Berggruen, the in- the president in his nearly three envoy according to reports was stitute’s founder and chairman, years in offi ce. “not a good one”. said: “Frankly considering the But none appears as explosive In a 15-page opening state- times, I think that it’s an incred- and damning as that of the top ment to lawmakers, Taylor pro- ibly thoughtful choice because US envoy to Ukraine, Bill Taylor, vided extensive details of how it’s all about what democracy is.” who on Tuesday testifi ed to law- US House Republicans speak to reporters after Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defence Laura Cooper arrived to testify at a closed-door Trump sought to withhold US “If you look not just at the US makers. deposition, as part of the US House of Representatives impeachment inquiry into Trump. military aid to exert pressure on but if you look around the world, They said Taylor off ered star- his Ukrainian counterpart, Vo- democratic institutions, the fab- tling details that showed a quid backers sought to bring the con- “BREAKING: I led over 30 tronic devices into the SCIF. “She did so notwithstanding lodymyr Zelenskiy, to launch an ric of what makes a democracy pro quo of military aid for politi- fl ict to a head by marching unin- of my colleagues into the SCIF “As such I am requesting eff orts by the President to stop investigation of his political rival work are under attack,” he told cal assistance was off ered. vited into the deposition room. where (House Intelligence Com- you take action with respect to her, and when those failed, ef- Joe Biden and his son. Reuters. “She has consistently Trump this week demanded It is a violation of US House mittee chairman) Adam Schiff the members involved in the forts by his GOP allies in Con- Taylor said in his statement defended the institutions and Republicans “get tougher and rules to enter SCIFs – secure fa- is holding secret impeachment breach,” Thompson wrote. gress to do the same,” he wrote. that the US ambassador to the the laws that makes democracy fi ght” back. cilities designed to prevent elec- depositions. Still inside – more The sit-in delayed the deposi- Steve Scalise, the number two European Union, Gordon Sond- work.” On Wednesday, he issued a tronic eavesdropping – without details to come,” tweeted con- tion of Laura Cooper, a deputy House Republican who joined land, told him that “’everything’ Since it was fi rst awarded in stern warning to any Republi- permission, and concerns were gressman Matt Gaetz, a fi erce assistant secretary of defence the protest, said lawmakers were was dependent on such an an- 2016, the Berggruen prize has cans who might turn on him, raised that lawmakers were Trump defender. responsible for Ukraine policy, being denied access as Demo- nouncement, including security been given to philosophers and describing so-called Never committing serious security The House Homeland Se- for several hours. crats were “trying to impeach assistance”. scholars from Canada, Britain Trumpers within his own party breaches by entering with their curity Committee chairman, Cooper began testifying later the president of the United “Bill Taylor gave a devastating and the United States. as “human scum”. mobile phones and other de- Bennie Thompson, wrote to the in the afternoon, a staff er told States with a one-sided set of opening statement yesterday, With Trump railing against vices. sergeant at arms complaining AFP, and that evening Schiff rules”. they’re freaked out, (and) they’re process – “Does anybody think Some of the Republican en- that the lawmakers blatantly tweeted she “did her lawful duty All members of the three trying to stop this investigation,” Russian ‘agent’ this is fair?” he raged on Twit- croachers apparently began breached security by “inten- and answered questions from House committees conduct- Democratic congressman Ted Butina to be freed ter – a few dozen conservative tweeting from inside. tionally” bringing their elec- both parties”. ing the investigation, including Lieu told reporters. from US prison Maria Butina, the red-headed gun advocate from Russia who built a network of high-level Republican Hundreds told to fl ee fi res, almost 200,000 without power contacts before being arrested for spying, is expected to return to her country after her release Reuters dering wreckage of destroyed Southern California Edison said. today from a Florida prison. Los Angeles homes. National Weather Serv- The only Russian arrested and Separately, offi cials were re- ice (NWS) meteorologist Marc convicted in the three-year sponding to a vegetation fi re in Chenard said that the worst of investigation of Moscow’s alifornia emergency of- Annadel State Park southeast of the winds would arrive later in interference in US politics, Butina fi cials have ordered hun- Santa Rosa, the local fi re depart- the day and today. parlayed ties with the NRA Cdreds of people to evacu- ment said. “It looks like at its worst, firearms lobby into a network ate a historic wine country town Large parts of California were southern California will see that brought her into contact north of San Francisco, and under red-fl ag alerts this week, wind gusts of 55mph (89kph). with President Donald Trump nearly 200,000 were without suggesting a heightened risk of Down in some of the coastal are- before his 2016 election, as well power in the state, as a grow- fi re, amid high temperatures and as, the winds could reach 75mph as with one of his sons. ing wildfi re spread in Sonoma powerful winds, offi cials said. (121kph) later,” he said. She said she was on a quest County. About 196,000 customers Power lines could be knocked to establish better relations Driven by strong winds, the were without power in the state down, potentially igniting fi res between Russia and the United Kincade fi re engulfed some yesterday morning, according to among arid trees and vegetation, States, and enrolled in university 10,000 acres (4,047 hectares) poweroutage.us. according to earlier forecasts. in Washington while living with a by the day yesterday, according More than 500,000 homes Bankrupt Californian power Republican operative. to the California Department of and businesses in the state could producer PG&E cut off electric- But she was arrested in July 2018 Forestry and Fire Protection. lose power this week as utilities, ity to more than 730,000 homes on allegations she was engaging The Sonoma County Sheriff including Pacifi c Gas & Electric and workplaces in northern in espionage, though she had issued a mandatory evacuation (PG&E) and Southern Califor- California earlier this month to no connection with Russia’s order for the town of Geyserville, nia Edison, cut off electricity try to reduce the risk of wildfi res established spy agencies. home to almost 900 people. as a preventive measure against amid extremely windy and dry In December, Butina, 30, entered An evacuation warning for the wildfi res. weather. a plea deal on a charge that she town of northern Healdsburg re- Nearly 300,000 customers in Chenard added that north- acted as an illegal, unregistered mained in place. seven counties, including Los ern California could experience foreign agent, and was sentenced As crews battled the fast- Angeles, San Bernardino and dangerous wind gusts of up to to 18 months in prison, nearly half burning fi re, footage and images Ventura in southern California, 45mph (72kph). of which was credited as already posted on social media by lo- were under consideration for “This is not going to abate un- served. cal reporters showed the smol- Public Safety Power Shutoff s, til at least this weekend,” he said. Flames approach rolling hills of grape vines during the Kincade fire near Geyserville, California. Trudeau rules out coalition as he forms government

AFP In his fi rst national address politics in his fi rst term, but faced path forward for every part of the the Alberta oil sands to the Pa- Ottawa since Monday’s election, Tru- a bruising 40-day campaign, country”. cifi c coast, for shipping overseas. deau said he would speak with which he has described as one of The prime minister said he The construction project was leaders of the Conservatives, the “dirtiest and nastiest” in Ca- recognised that Alberta and Sas- nationalised last year to prevent anadian Prime Minister Bloc Quebecois, New Democratic nadian history. katchewan have fallen behind the its collapse under legal challeng- Justin Trudeau has ruled Party (NDP) and Green Party to The nation emerged deeply di- rest of Canada. es and protests. Cout forming a coalition sort out a path forward. vided, marked by a resurgence of Canada is the world’s fourth “We need to get our (oil) re- government despite an election “I intend to sit down with Quebec nationalism and a grow- largest oil exporter and the two sources to markets other than victory that left his Liberals short all party leaders in the coming ing sense in the western provinc- provinces account for most of the United States,” Trudeau said. of a majority. weeks to talk about their priori- es of Alberta and Saskatchewan that output, but their economies “And then we will be able to in- Trudeau said he would consult ties, about how we can work to- of alienation within the federa- are struggling with low prices vest all profi ts and revenues into with leaders of Canada’s other gether to respond to the preoc- tion. and a lack of pipeline capacity. green energy and fi ghting climate parties on their priorities, and cupations that Canadians have “Canadians gave me a lot to This has fed discontent in the change.” how they might work together. Trudeau: Canadians gave me a lot to think about. I think many of us from one end of this country to think about,” said Trudeau. “I region over Liberal environmen- Trudeau will face pushback “They will be varied conversa- regret the tone and the divisiveness and the disinformation that were the other,” Trudeau said. think many of us regret the tone tal protections and a recent car- from the NDP, which cam- tions, but I can tell you it is not in all too present features of this past election campaign. He laid out a few priorities, in- and the divisiveness and the bon tax to discourage the use of paigned against the pipeline, and our plans at all to form any sort of cluding tougher climate actions, disinformation that were all too large amounts of fossil fuels. Green Party leader Elizabeth May formal or informal coalition,” he their comfortable majority in ing young fans, led the Liberals to “a better partnership with indig- present features of this past elec- As a result, not a single Liberal whose protest against it in 2018 said. parliament after a close race with a landslide win in the last elec- enous people”, and middle class tion campaign.” MP was elected from Winnipeg got her arrested for civil con- His new cabinet will be sworn the Tories. tions. tax cuts. “A lot of issues weren’t proper- to Vancouver. tempt. in on November 20. Offi cial results give the Liberal But his star power has dimmed He vowed also to continue to ly addressed” and “big, substan- “There’s a lot of thinking to He will also have to contend Like his fi rst in 2015, Trudeau Party 157 seats in the 338-mem- amid a major ethics scandal and a work with international partners tive ideas weren’t fully debated”, do on that and a lot of listening,” with the back-from-the-dead said it would be made up of an ber House of Commons, down “blackface” controversy. on global warming, economic he lamented. “I regret that.” said Trudeau. separatist Bloc Quebecois, and equal number of women and from 177 at its dissolution. The Conservatives won 121 development, strengthening de- Going forward, Trudeau said Off ering an olive branch, new rumblings of fed-up Alberta men. Four years ago, Trudeau, then seats but beat the Liberals in the mocracies and other “big issues it was important for lawmak- Trudeau vowed to press ahead splitting from the federation. The Liberals emerged the win- a rookie leader who waded into popular vote, taking 34.4% to that matter to everyone”. ers to “work together, to listen to with the expansion of the Trans “The unity of this country will ners in Monday’s ballot, but lost crowds to take selfi es with ador- their 33.1%. Trudeau dominated Canadian each other, to fi gure out the right Mountain pipeline connecting always be a priority,” he said. Gulf Times 6 Friday, October 25, 2019 ASIA

Bangladesh sentences 16 to death for killing teenager in harassment case

Reuters osene over Nusrat Jahan, 18, and that Jahan had committed sui- Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina rin Akhtar said as she burst into in the number of rape cases in culture of impunity, moral deca- Dhaka set her on fi re on the roof of her cide. Defence lawyer Giasuddin had met her family and vowed to tears at her home following the recent months, with 217 women dence, and people of infl uence madrasa in April in the south- Nannu said all the convicts will bring the killers to justice. Two verdict. and children raped in Septem- protecting suspected rapists for eastern district of Feni. Police challenge the verdict in the High female classmates and two local Jahan’s brother, Mahmudul ber, the highest in any single political reasons. Even when he principal of a religious said in their charge-sheet the Court. Jahan’s death sparked leaders of her party were among Hasan Noman, demanded that month since 2010, according to a survivors fi le a complaint, pros- school in Bangladesh was murder was carried out on the public outrage and mass dem- those convicted. the death sentences be carried report published by Bangladesh ecution is very rare and takes Tamong 16 people sen- orders of the principal. onstrations calling for her killers After the murder, the govern- out swiftly and sought protec- Mahila Parishad, a women’s years to conclude. tenced to death yesterday for “The judgment proves that to be punished. ment instructed some 27,000 tion for his family against re- rights group. “This verdict has set an exam- the murder of a teenage girl who no one is above the law,” public She had faced pressure to educational institutions to form prisals. Many more cases go unre- ple. It shows that with utmost refused to withdraw a complaint prosecutor Hafez Ahmed told withdraw a complaint to police committees to prevent sexual “We live in fear. We were ported because women fear be- sincerity we can ensure justice of sexual harassment against reporters after the court verdict. in March accusing the school assaults. “I can’t forget her for a threatened even today in the ing stigmatised. Rights activists within our existing system,” said him, the public prosecutor said. He said the defence lawyers had principal of attempted rape, her moment. I still feel the pain that courtroom,” Noman said. Bang- attribute the increasing number the group’s head, Ayesha Khan- The perpetrators poured ker- tried unsuccessfully to establish family said. she went through,” mother Shi- ladesh has seen a dramatic rise of rapes to a lack of awareness, a am. Chinese ship leaves Vietnam’s waters after disputed South China Sea surveys

Reuters escorts of violating Vietnam’s with common security chal- its recent drilling could upset Hanoi sovereignty and has demanded lenges. China. China remove its ships from the Ha Hoang Hop at the Inter- Vietnamese President and area. national Institute for Strategic Communist Party chief Nguyen Chinese oil survey vessel The ministry did not im- Studies said China only with- Phu Trong called last week for that has been embroiled mediately respond to a Reuters drew the vessel shortly after the restraint in the South China Sea, Ain a tense standoff with e-mail seeking comment yes- oil rig Hakuryu-5 completed saying Vietnam should “never Vietnamese vessels in the South terday. Police broke up a brief drilling at Vietnam’s Block 06.1, compromise” on its sovereignty China Sea left Vietnamese- protest in August outside the which is operated by Russian and territorial integrity. Chinese controlled waters yesterday Chinese embassy in Hanoi over state oil fi rm Rosneft. “China defence minister Wei Fenghe after more than three months, the vessel. doesn’t want any non-Asean said on Monday the South Chi- marine data showed. Asked about the Chinese companies to drill for oil in the na Sea is an inalienable part of The Chinese vessel, the Hai- ship, Chinese Foreign Ministry South China Sea,” said Hop, China’s territory. “We will not yang Dizhi 8, was speeding spokeswoman Hua Chunying who is also a visiting senior fel- allow even an inch of territory away from Vietnam’s exclusive said it had “started its scientifi c low at the ISEAS-Yusof Ishak that our ancestors have left to us economic zone towards China survey in Chinese-controlled Institute in Singapore. to be taken away,” Wei said. Myanmar prisoners Zaw Lin and Win Zaw Tun leave the court in Nonthaburi after the verdict regarding yesterday under the escort of at waters in early July”. “According “China is determined to pres- A US think-tank said the their conviction for murdering two British backpackers on the holiday island of Koh Tao. least two Chinese ships, accord- to our understanding the work sure Vietnam to end joint oil ex- Chinese vessel left Vietnam’s ing to data from Marine Traffi c, is presently complete,” she told ploration and production with waters in early August for Fiery a website that tracks vessels. a daily news briefi ng in Beijing. foreign partners in the area.” Cross Reef, but it returned China claims almost all the The vice chairman of China’s Chinese coastguard ships shortly after. Fiery Cross Reef is energy-rich waters of the South Central Military Commission, have also been operating within a man-made island controlled China Sea but neighbours Bru- Xu Qiliang, called for dialogue the oil block since the standoff by China and built on a disputed nei, Malaysia, the Philippines, this week at a meeting with Vi- began, the Marine Traffi c data South China Sea reef. Vietnam Taiwan and Vietnam also have etnam’s Defence Minister Ngo showed. and the Philippines have com- claims. Tension between Ha- Xuan Lich in Beijing to address Rosneft did not immediately peting claims on the reef. Myanmar men noi and Beijing escalated when the complex global and regional respond to an e-mail request- “It’s very likely that China China sent the vessel to conduct situation, the offi cial Vietnam- ing comment. PetroVietnam will send an oil rig to drill in the seismic surveys in waters off Vi- ese News Agency reported on told Spanish energy fi rm Repsol area where the Haiyang Dizhi 8 etnam in early July. The foreign Wednesday. It quoted Lich as last year to halt an off shore oil had conducted seismic surveys ministry in Hanoi has repeat- saying that the joint eff orts of project, while a subsidiary of in Vietnam’s exclusive econom- facing death for edly accused the vessel and its all countries could help to cope Rosneft expressed concern that ic zone,” Hop said. Seven suspected militants killed Thailand’s $7bn airport in firefight in Brit murders Philippines rail project off the ground Seven suspected militants have been killed in a shoot- out with security forces in Reuters private sector will invest 117bn richest man, Dhanin Cheara- the southern Philippines, Bangkok baht. After the 50-year project vanont, criticised the govern- military and police off icials period, all assets will be trans- ment’s approach to the project said yesterday. seek clemency ferred to the government. in a dispute with Anutin over the The firefight erupted on hailand’s plans for a new Other terms of the agree- delay in signing the agreement. Wednesday when a joint AFP $7.4bn high-speed rail ment were not made public. CP However, as the deadline team of soldiers and police Bangkok Tlink from Bangkok to the Group and 12 other companies closed in CP announced it would off icers swooped down on a tourist town of Pattaya got the were selected for the project sign the agreement a day early house of Mama Macalimbol, go ahead yesterday after months by Thailand’s former military on Oct 24. a suspected bomber, in he mothers of two My- of negotiations that spilled over government. They have been in The project will link Bang- Midsayap town in North anmar men sentenced to into public acrimony. negotiations with state agencies kok’s main airport Suvarna- Cotabato province, 915km Tdeath for the murder of The Thai government said it since a new government came to bhumi to Don Muang airport south of Manila. a pair of British backpackers in had signed an agreement yester- power after elections in March – another airport in Bangkok Macalimbol and the six other Thailand submitted a plea for day to begin construction with a but there have been disputes used by low-cost carriers – and fatalities were believed to be clemency from the Thai king consortium led by conglomerate about land transfers and the dis- Pattaya’s U-Tapao airport, ena- members of the Bangsamoro yesterday, in a case tainted by Charoen Pokphand (CP) Group tribution of risks. bling trains to travel at up to Islamic Freedom Fighters claims of irregularities. and including China Railway In early October, Deputy 250km per hour, according to (BIFF) group, which has Myanmar migrant work- Construction Corporation. Prime Minister Anutin Charnvi- the project’s website. pledged allegiance to the ers Zaw Lin and Win Zaw Tun Some Japanese banks have rankul, whose party is in charge “This project will have in- militant group Islamic State, were sentenced to death by Thai also agreed to provide part of the of the transport portfolio, set a vestments and employment said Major Arvin Encinas, a courts for the rape and murder of fi nancing for the link, which will deadline for signing the agree- with a total value of more than regional military spokesman. Hannah Witheridge, 23, and the span 220km and is scheduled to ment to start construction, 200bn baht,” Anutin wrote on Troops recovered various killing of David Miller, 24. start operating in 2023. The gov- threatening to blacklist the CP Facebook adding that it would high-powered firearms and Their battered bodies were Phyu Shwe Nu (right), the mother of Zaw Lin who is currently on ernment approved 119bn baht consortium if they failed to so. attract more investment to ammunition from the house, found on a beach in the diving re- death row in Thailand for the alleged murder of two young British for the investment, while the CP Chairman and Thailand’s Thailand. Encinas said. sort island of Koh Tao in Septem- tourists, sitting in front of her home in Michaung Yaythauk, a village ber 2014. Defence lawyers have in Myanmar’s western Rakhine state. said the evidence used to convict the two men were unreliable as In the request Zaw Lin and tention. Zaw Lin’s brother who authorities had mishandled DNA Win Zaw Tun have pleaded for was working alongside him in Tak Bai vigil and did not allow independent “compassion from the king,” Thailand at the time of the mur- analysis of the samples. Andy Hall, advisor to the legal der said earlier this month that They also say confessions by defence team, added. the two were simply used as the pair were obtained under The original verdicts on the “scapegoats” to save Thailand’s duress. Defence appeals were 2014 double killing divided image. exhausted in August and a royal relatives of the victims. Mill- “Hearing the judge give him pardon or commutation of the er’s parents backed the court’s (Zaw Lin) the death sentence death sentence by the Thai king decision, but the family of was horrifi c,” Maung Zaw Win is the last chance of a reprieve. Witheridge were more cau- told AFP at their family home in “We are not challenging the tious, with her sister saying she western Rakhine State — one of judgement. We are saying that... believed the investigation had Myanmar’s most impoverished. by giving them the death penalty, been “bungled”. “I ask the Thai King to show they will lose the opportunity to The case has triggered a strong kindness to them, to show them do something good with their reaction from Myanmar, where humanity,” he added. lives,” lawyer Nadthasiri Berg- many felt the two men had been It is unclear when the sen- man said. given an unfair trial as low-paid tence will be carried out, with She joined the mothers of the migrant workers — an integral hundreds remaining on death two men, and Myanmar embassy part of Thailand’s workforce — row. But last year Thailand car- offi cials, to submit the request are often regarded with contempt ried out its fi rst execution since at the sprawling Bangkok prison by its public. 2009, prompting criticism by where they are being held. “They The police were accused of rights groups who had hoped deserve a second chance,” she buckling under pressure to solve the country was moving towards added. a crime that attracted global at- abolishing the practice.

Anger at Singapore restaurant ‘grab-a-crab’ machine

A Singapore restaurant yesterday people pick up soft toys, the game online. “This is too much,” Joseph suspended a bizarre promotional sees customers pay S$5 to use Soh wrote on Facebook. “Why are stunt where customers use an a joystick to move the claw over you making their remaining life arcade-style machine with a the creatures before lowering it to even more diff icult... Absolutely mechanical claw to catch live try to grab one. If successful, the disgusting.” The Society for crabs after it sparked uproar customer can have the Sri Lankan the Prevention of Cruelty to online. A video of the pink crab cooked on the spot free of Animals said the machine “causes machine, containing the creatures charge, choose to take it home, or unnecessary harm to the animals and emblazoned with a picture leave it at the House of Seafood and it also encourages people A Royal Thai Army soldier patrols the Tak Bai riverside market in Thailand’s restive southern province of Narathiwat across the of a smiling red crab under the restaurant to eat another time. to see animals as nothing more Malaysian border, seen in the background, yesterday ahead of the 15th anniversary of Tak Bai incident. The anti-government rally phrase “Come and catch me”, But Internet users condemned the than objects to play with”. “Crabs left 85 protesters dead on October 25, 2004 at Tak Bai, a tragedy rights groups say is fuelling a violent insurgency in Thailand’s went viral after being posted this game as cruel after the specially are living creatures, not toys,” it south. week. Similar to machines where produced video promoting it went added. Gulf Times Friday, October 25, 2019 7 ASIA/AUSTRALASIA

Jailed Uighur Tohti wins European Parliament Sakharov rights award

AFP sion of parliament. “By awarding this experts say more than 1mn Uighurs government documents last year Strasbourg prize, we strongly urge the Chinese and other mostly Muslim ethnic mi- found that the camps were run more government to release Tohti and we norities have been rounded up in in- like jails than schools, with tasers and call for the respect of minority rights ternment camps in Xinjiang. tear gas among the equipment sup- he European Parliament yes- in China”, added the top MEP from Authorities in the northwestern plied to the camps. terday awarded the Sakharov Italy. region have also rolled out an exten- China had slammed the Council TPrize for human rights to Ui- Tohti, who turns 50 today, in Sep- sive surveillance system combining of Europe after it nominated Tohti ghur intellectual Ilham Tohti, who has tember won another of Europe’s top methods including high-tech facial in August for the Vaclav Havel prize, been sentenced to life imprisonment human rights awards, the Vaclav recognition cameras, WiFi sniff ers which was also awarded to a rights in China for “separatism”. Havel prize, for “giving the entire Ui- and home visits, according to Human group from the Balkans. The outspoken former professor of ghur people a voice”. He “has worked Rights Watch. Tohti’s website was China’s foreign ministry called economics at a Beijing university was for over 20 years on the situation of shut down when he was arrested, ac- Tohti a “separatist who supports ex- sentenced in 2014 by Chinese courts the Uighur minority and on foster- cording to the Committee to Protect treme terrorism”. in a trial that provoked an outcry ing inter-ethnic dialogue and under- Journalists, a New York-based watch- He has also been nominated by US from foreign governments and human standing in China,” the Council of dog. lawmakers for the Nobel Peace Prize, rights organisations. Europe, Europe’s leading rights body, Tohti had previously been detained amid growing scrutiny of China’s European Parliament head David said after nominating Tohti for the in 2009 amid ethnic violence in Xin- treatment of the Uighurs. The United Sassoli urged China to immediately Vaclav Havel prize. jiang, after he wrote about Uighurs States announced this month that it release Ilham Tohti as he announced Before his arrest in January 2014, detained and killed during the unrest, was blacklisting 28 Chinese entities the award, which was certain to sow Tohti founded and ran the UighurOn- according to Amnesty International. connected to repressive policies in diplomatic tensions with Beijing. line website, which wrote in Uighur China initially denied the existence of Xinjiang, and that it would curb visas “Despite being a voice of moderation and Chinese about social issues. He the camps, but now says they are “vo- for Chinese offi cials involved in the and reconciliation, he was sentenced gained prominence as a moderate cational training schools” necessary “detention or abuse” of Uighurs, Ka- to life in prison following a show trial voice drawing attention to ethnic ten- to combat terrorism. zakhs or members of other minorities in 2014,” Sassoli told a plenary ses- sions in the region. Rights groups and An AFP investigation of over 1,500 in the region. Ilham Tohti lectures in a classroom in Beijing in a file picture. China’s leaders to Hong Kong protesters call hold key conclave

AFP least once per year, next week’s Beijing long-awaited conclave will end a signifi cant delay between sessions. for Catalan independence hina’s ruling Commu- Experts at the Center for nist Party will hold a Strategic and International Reuters they are not listened to.” In 1997, Clong-delayed leadership Studies (CSIS) said holding the Hong Kong Hong Kong was allowed to retain meeting next week, state media plenum in October would rep- extensive freedoms not enjoyed said yesterday, as Beijing bat- resent the longest hiatus since in mainland China under a “one tles unrest in Hong Kong, a lin- 1977. Their analysis in August undreds of Hong Kong country, two systems” formula, gering trade war, and a slowing concluded that most plenums protesters, some waving including an independent judici- economy. The Fourth Plenum occur every 300 to 400 days, HCatalan fl ags and ban- ary and right to protest. of the party’s Central Commit- but this one would mark a delay ners urging “a fi ght for freedom But many Hong Kong residents tee is a closed-door meeting of of at least 580 days. together”, rallied in support of are angry at what they see as a re- high-ranking offi cials where While the long wait has a separate Catalonia yesterday, lentless march towards mainland the country’s roadmap and fu- sparked speculation that Xi is broaching an issue that is anath- control. “I come because I think ture direction is discussed. facing power struggles or op- ema to Hong Kong’s rulers in Bei- Catalonia needs support, just like Next week’s meet will run position within the CCP lead- jing. Hong Kong,” said Jason Chan, 22, from October 28 to 31 in Bei- ership, the CSIS said a simpler In Hong Kong’s pro-democra- a clerk. “Pursuing democracy is a jing, and will be the fi rst since explanation is possible – that cy demonstrations, millions have universal value.” February 2018. State news the delay marks a balancing out taken to the streets in sometimes China denies meddling in Hong agency Xinhua said the dates after the last two plenums were violent clashes over what they see Kong and accuses the United were confi rmed at a meet- held very close together, in Jan- as China’s tightening grip. Most States and Britain of fomenting ing yesterday of the Central uary and February 2018. protesters in the former British the unrest. Chinese President Committee presided over by “Since the Third Plenum, colony want greater democracy, Xi Jinping warned that any at- President Xi Jinping. State-run Xi has convened two extraor- among other demands, although tempt to divide China would end Global Times said on Twitter dinary meetings of all the top a small minority is calling for in- in “crushed bodies and shattered that the Central Committee Party, State and Military lead- dependence. bones”. Independence is a highly Political Bureau will consider ers,” wrote China-watcher Bill In that sense, they share some divisive issue in Catalonia, a re- issues such as “upholding and Bishop on Monday on his Si- common ground with separatist gion of more than 7mn inhabit- improvement of the socialist nocism blog. The ability to call demonstrators in Spain’s wealthy ants that has its own language, system with Chinese charac- such high-profi le meetings re- northeast region of Catalonia, Pro-democracy demonstrators hold Esteladas (Catalan separatist flag) and flashlights during a protest in Hong parliament and fl ag. teristics, including modernis- fl ect Xi’s power and authority, which was rocked by protests af- Kong’s Chater Garden yesterday to show their solidarity with the Catalonian independence movement in Protests erupted in the region ing the country’s governance he added. ter nine separatist leaders were Spain, in Hong Kong. after the separatist leaders were system and capacity”. Beijing marked the 70th year sentenced this month to long sentenced on October 14 over the Many of the country’s of Communist rule in China prison terms for a failed inde- ternational support for their own Hong Kong authorities for- ready enjoys a degree of political 2017 independence bid, which in- most signifi cant policies have earlier this month with an pendence bid in 2017. Yesterday’s cause. Most banners called for mally banned a group promot- autonomy and control over part cluded holding a referendum that been announced after plenum enormous military parade that rally in Hong Kong was held in Catalan freedom or denounced ing independence from China in of its budget. Ricard Bosom, 36, had been banned by the courts meetings, with the last one in showed off the country’s mili- a downtown garden, home to perceived police brutality in September last year, the fi rst time a tourist from Barcelona, said he and then making a unilateral dec- February 2018 focused on a tary strength. a cricket club in colonial days, clashes with Hong Kong protest- a political organisation has been supported the Hong Kong pro- laration of independence. Stu- reform plan for state institu- But central government has one of the few to have obtained a ers over fi ve months of unrest. outlawed since the 1997 hando- testers. “The context (of Cata- dents have boycotted classes and tions, giving even more power also been shaken by months of permit from authorities in recent But there were a couple of large ver to Chinese rule. In Spain, all lonia and Hong Kong) is diff er- protesters have focused on stra- to the party. The one before anti-Beijing unrest in semi- weeks. fl ags calling for Hong Kong’s in- but one of the main political par- ent,” he told Reuters. “Both are tegic targets to cause maximum that approved the scrapping of autonomous Hong Kong, a Some Hong Kong protesters dependence and a brief, muted ties have consistently opposed diff erent stories, but in general disruption, including the airport presidential term limits, allow- slowing domestic economy, went online to urge people not chant along the same lines. That an independence referendum for terms... it is about a state against serving Barcelona — similar to ing Xi to stay in offi ce for life. and the impact of a protracted to attend, saying it was too pro- is a red line for the Communist Catalonia, but separatist parties a group of people that are try- strategies used by Hong Kong ac- While the CCP’s constitution trade impasse with the United vocative and risked denting in- Party rulers in Beijing. are not banned and the region al- ing to do something diff erent and tivists. says there must be a plenum at States.

NZ convention Aid in the time of sanctions centre blaze Abe renews call on S Korea to under control: SkyCity keep promises to mend ties A massive fire that ripped through a convention centre under construction in Auck- Reuters ministry. “Our two nations are peror Naruhito’s enthronement land has been brought under Tokyo important neighbours for each ceremony this week, delivered to control after nearly two days, other, and keeping in contact Abe a personal letter from South owner SkyCity Entertainment over North Korea, bilateral rela- Korean President Moon Jae-in in Group said yesterday. The apanese Prime Minister tions and our ties with the United which Moon called for attempts blaze began on Tuesday at the Shinzo Abe and South Korean States are quite important,” Abe to resolve the pending bilateral construction site of the New JPrime Minister Lee Nak-yon was quoted as telling Lee. issues, South Korea’s Yonhap Zealand International Conven- agreed yesterday on the impor- “Relations are currently in news agency reported. tion Centre (NZICC), being tance of co-operating on North quite a severe state but should Moon and Abe have not held a built by the country’s largest Korea and other issues, seeking not be left that way. If South Ko- summit in more than a year and construction firm, Fletcher to rebuild relations amid a bitter rea can keep bilateral promises, the statements made no mention Building Ltd. feud over history and trade. that could be a chance to return of any meeting planned between SkyCity said fire and emer- But there was scant sign of real to a healthy relationship,” Abe the two. gency service teams will stay progress and Abe reiterated that added. A Japanese government of- on site at the NZ$703mn (US South Korea would need to keep The statement also quoted Lee fi cial questioned whether yes- $452mn) project until the fire is its promises for ties between the as saying he shared the view that terday’s meeting would lead to successfully extinguished and two Asian allies of Washington to dialogue was important, while a breakthrough. “It depends on the site can be handed back improve. a parallel statement from South their (South Korea’s) deeds, not This photo released by the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies to Fletcher. It planned later yes- Relations between Tokyo and Korea’s foreign ministry said words,” the offi cial told Reuters. (IFRC) shows midwife Yun Jong Ok, and doctor Kang Kyong Suk, posing for a photo in a clinic terday to reopen some parts of Seoul have deteriorated to their Lee agreed relations should not The animosity between Japan supported by the Finnish Red Cross in North Korea’s South Hamgyong province. North Korea the SkyCity Auckland precinct lowest in decades since South be left in their current diffi cult and South Korea is linked to the is under multiple sanctions imposed over its nuclear and ballistic missile programmes, but UN that had been evacuated and Korea’s top court last October state. history of Japan’s 1910-45 colo- resolutions specify that these should not aff ect humanitarian aid. Several NGO’s have been would resume normal busi- ordered some Japanese fi rms Abe also repeated Tokyo’s nisation of the Korean peninsula, granted exemptions by a UN this year for humanitarian projects. ness operations in a phased to compensate Koreans forced stance that the South Korean the mobilisation of forced labour approach. to work in their wartime mines court ruling overturned the ba- at companies and women in war- and factories. Japan, which says sis of two-way ties. “Abe said the time military brothels, and a row the matter was settled by a 1965 South Korean top court ruling is over the ownership of islets in the treaty, calls the decision a viola- in clear violation of international sea between the two nations. tion of international law, and the law and ... fundamentally breaks Earlier this year, the dispute feud has spilled over into trade down the legal framework for escalated when Japan tightened Aussie ex-intel boss charged with secrecy breach and security matters. Japan-South Korea relations,” export controls on materials vital About 100 journalists were Japanese Deputy Chief Cabinet for South Korean chipmakers. It present at the start of talks in Secretary Naoki Okada told re- then dropped Seoul from a list of AFP an investigation into Chinese main domestic spy agency — ambassador to China. Around Tokyo, the highest-level meet- porters. countries eligible for fast-track Sydney infl uence operations. Police and raided Uren’s Canberra home the time of the raid his Chinese- ing between the two sides since In a sign that gaps remain exports, steps angrily denounced government offi cials said Roger in October 2015 and uncovered Australian wife Sheri Yan, a the row fl ared. The meeting be- wide, Lee told Abe: “South Korea by South Korea. Uren had appeared in court on a stash of classifi ed fi les. Uren fi xer and lobbyist, was arrested gan with a handshake but no has also respected and complied The spat has prompted pro- former top Australian Wednesday over mishandling had been the deputy head of in the United States on bribery smiles. Abe urged Seoul to keep with the 1965 Treaty on Basic tests in South Korea, where Japa- intelligence offi cial has sensitive intelligence. He is be- the now-defunct Offi ce of Na- charges. its promises – a reference to the Relations and Claims, and will nese companies and products Abeen charged with mis- lieved to be facing around 30 tional Assessments, which pro- She pleaded guilty and was 1965 treaty – in order to restore continue to do so,” according to have been boycotted, and trade handling classifi ed documents, charges. vided intelligence analysis to jailed in 2016 for conspiring to relations, according to state- Seoul’s statement. Lee, who was between the two countries has offi cials said yesterday, years af- The Australian Security In- Australia’s prime minister, and bribe former UN General As- ment issued by Japan’s foreign in Tokyo to attend Japanese Em- slowed sharply. ter his home was raided during telligence Organisation — the was once considered a possible sembly president John Ashe. Gulf Times 8 Friday, October 25, 2019 BRITAIN

Johnson to ask parliament for December 12 general election

Reuters/Guardian News deal by November 6 and would islation, did not ratify the deal public would have to draw their Radio 4’s Today programme. that he would at some point keep In a written reply, Wollaston and Media make available “all possible by November 6, the issue would own conclusions as to why John- “So I think that’s the point a previous promise to appear be- said: “Our role as select com- London time” to do so.” have to be resolved in the elec- son did not appear. here. He knows that he’s been fore the committee, but saying he mittee chairs is to ask you de- This would mean Brexit could tion, Johnson said. It is the third time he has re- prime minister for months now, could not do so on Thursday. tailed questions on behalf of the be completed before a December Meanwhile Johnson’s decision fused to appear before the com- he’s only had two appearances at “I am afraid I must now focus public and we planned to do so rime Minister Boris John- 12 election. to cancel at short notice another mittee, which is comprised of the prime minister’s questions, and on delivering Brexit in the diffi - on Brexit, climate change, health son yesterday said he was “The way to get Brexit done is, scheduled appearance before chairs of select committees. again not facing this kind of de- cult circumstances in which we and social care. It is unacceptable Pasking parliament to ap- I think, to be reasonable to parlia- senior MPs has been described as He has appeared only twice at tailed scrutiny, I don’t think it’s now fi nd ourselves,” he said in a that you are refusing to be held to prove a national election to take ment,” Johnson said in a televised an “extraordinary” move to avoid prime minister’s questions dur- good enough. scrawled note. account.” place on December 12 as part of statement. “If they genuinely detailed scrutiny. ing his time in No 10. “I do think it’s extraordinary “I believe I would be of great- Johnson’s original appearance his eff orts to ensure Britain leaves want more time to study this ex- The prime minister sent a let- “This is the only select com- to have now cancelled on three er value if I could postpone for before the committee on Sep- the European Union. cellent deal, they can have it, but ter on Wednesday night saying mittee that can call the prime occasions, and last time he can- a fi xed date nearer fi ve or six tember 11 was cancelled after Johnson said in a letter to op- they have to agree to a general he would miss a Thursday morn- minister, and this is now the third celled, he submitted himself to 14 months after I became PM, so parliament was suspended in the position Labour leader Jeremy election on December 12. That’s ing appearance before the House time that he’s cancelled, despite minutes of Facebook live ques- that my appearance took place early hours of the day before. Corbyn that if the European Un- the way forward.” of Commons liaison committee having given a clear reassurance tions with pre-submitted ques- after roughly the same period in The Supreme Court later ion off ers Britain a Brexit delay to If parliament, which earlier so he could concentrate on “de- during the leadership campaign tions.” offi ce as Gordon Brown, David ruled prorogation was unlaw- January 31 then he would seek to this week rejected Johnson’s ac- livering Brexit”. The committee’s that he would come at an early Johnson wrote to Wollaston Cameron and Theresa May. I do ful, meaning the session did not pass legislation to ratify his exit celerated timetable for the leg- chair, Sarah Wollaston, said the opportunity,” Wollaston told BBC on Wednesday night promising hope you understand.” technically end at all. Number of stop Extinction Rebellion begins legal challenge and searches up in England and Wales

Guardian News and Media in comparison with 29,662 the London year before. Under the act, an officer can remove someone suffering he number of stop and from mental ill health from a searches carried out by public place to a place of safety Tpolice officers in Eng- if in their judgement the per- land and Wales has increased son requires immediate care or by 32% in a year, official figures control in the interests of their have shown. safety or others. In the 12 months to March Although the most com- 2019 there were 370,454 stop mon reason for carrying out a and searches conducted by Pace stop and search was on forces under Section 1 of the suspicion of drug possession Green Party peer Jenny Jones, Baroness Jones of Moulsecoomb (centre), pose with lawyers acting for climate action group Extinction Rebellion and supporters as they arrive to Police and Criminal Evidence – accounting for 61% of all in- attend a hearing in their legal challenge at the high court in London yesterday against a protest ban. The Metropolitan Police imposed a blanket ban across the capital last week, Act (Pace). stances – the number of people making any assembly of more than two people linked to XR’s Autumn Uprising action – which ended on October 19 – illegal. The rise follows a downward searched on suspicion of car- trend in the use of the power rying knives or other weapons between 2010 and 2018, al- also rose to 59,272. though only 15%, or 58,251, of A further 13,175 stop and people who were stopped and searches were carried out un- searched were arrested. der Section 60 of the Crimi- White people made up the nal Justice and Public Order largest ethnicity group searched Act in anticipation of vio- under police powers, at 187,761, lence – more than five times followed by black people, who the number of searches made were stopped 70,648 times. under this power this year be- 39 found dead in truck However, black, Asian and mi- fore. nority ethnic (BAME) people In March this year Sajid Jav- were still over four times more id, the then home secretary, likely to be stopped than white enhanced Section 60 powers, people. giving police officers more For those who identified as scope to stop and search peo- black or black British, the dis- ple without reasonable suspi- were Chinese: police parity was even greater – they cion. were 9.7 times more likely to be The move came after official AFP nable tragedy”. The local police ince, who was arrested at the killed 52 people. Prosecutors in Belgium have stopped and searched by an of- statistics showed fatal stab- Grays, UK force said in a statement that scene in Grays, east of London. Forensic investigators could launched their own probe and ficer than a white person. bings were at their highest level eight of the dead were women “We arrested a man on sus- be seen working by the truck confi rmed yesterday that the After the Home Office rolled since records began. and 31 were men. picion of murder, who remains throughout Wednesday. container had passed through back restrictions to the con- Then in August, the Prime olice yesterday said that “All are believed to be Chinese in custody,” police said, adding Police said it was later moved Zeebrugge, one of the world’s troversial tactic in August as Minister, Boris Johnson, and 39 people found dead in a nationals,” Essex Police said. that they were not identifying to a “secure location” at the biggest and busiest ports, on part of an attempt to curb knife the current Home Secretary, Ptruck near London were all China’s foreign ministry said him. nearby Tilbury docks, “to give Tuesday. crime, an equality impact as- Priti Patel, loosened restric- believed to be Chinese nationals, its embassy staff in London were Police said a coroner would the utmost dignity to those “It is not yet clear when sessment warned that more tions on the use of the tactic as offi cers conduct the country’s heading to the scene “to verify try to establish the cause of within the trailer as we prepare the victims were placed in the people from BAME were likely even further. largest murder probe in more this situation”. The grim dis- death of the 39 victims, before for a coroner’s post-mortem ex- container and whether this to be targeted despite not hav- Writing in the Mail on Sun- than a decade. covery has drawn attention to investigators then attempt to amination”. happened in Belgium,” the ing committed crimes. day, Johnson said the time had Emergency workers made the shadowy people traffi cking identify each individual. The container section came Belgian federal prosecutor’s The government report also arrived to “come down hard on the grisly discovery early business and eff orts to stem the “This will be a substantial by ferry from the Belgian port of office said. warned that relaxed conditions crime”, while Patel told the Sun Wednesday inside the refrig- fl ow of illegal migrants to Brit- operation and, at this stage, we Zeebrugge into Purfl eet on the It added that its investigation could create “broader issues” on Sunday she would ensure erated container of a truck ain. cannot estimate how long these River Thames estuary — a cross- “will focus on the organisers of among the public in terms of police had “the resources and parked in an industrial area Police also confi rmed that of- procedures will take,” Essex Po- ing that takes nine to 12 hours. and all other parties involved” their trust in the police. the powers they need” to pro- east of London, shortly after fi cers had searched three prop- lice said. The vessel docked there at and be carried out in close co- The statistics, published by tect people. it had arrived on a ferry from erties in Northern Ireland over- With the help of immigration around 12.30am on Wednesday operation with Britain. the Home Office, also revealed Of the overall 383,629 stop Belgium. night in connection with the offi cials and the National Crime and the truck left the port area Essex Police revealed the trac- that the number of people be- and searches carried out by The case has triggered shock investigation. Agency (NCA), Essex Police about half an hour later. tor unit of the truck entered ing detained under the Mental forces in England and Wales, and outrage in Britain, with The addresses are believed to are leading the biggest murder Emergency services were then Britain on Sunday on a ferry Health Act rose by 12% in the 73% or 279,601 resulted in no Prime Minister Boris Johnson be linked to the truck driver, a probe in Britain since the 2005 called to the Waterglade Indus- from Dublin to the Welsh port of same year – a total of 33,238 further action. describing it as an “unimagi- 25-year-old man from the prov- terror attacks in London that trial Park at around 1.40am. Holyhead.

Ripe for the picking Harry, Meghan ‘have love Cystic fi brosis drug given green light unlike Charles and Diana’ Reuters Two other Vertex cystic fi bro- London sis treatments — Symkevi and Reuters vorced in 1996 after 15 years of Harry is sixth in line, behind Kalydeco — are included in the New York largely unhappy marriage, and William’s children. deal, Vertex said. his mother was killed in a 1997 The two brothers are often ystic fi brosis patients in “This important agreement, road accident while being chased called “the heir and the spare,” England will have access reached in collaboration and rince Harry and wife Meg- by paparazzi. which Harry hates, Burrell said, Cto life-extending drugs partnership with NHS England han Markle are well placed Burrell, 61, has become a fre- and Harry also admitted to ITV after the state-funded health and (funding watchdog) NICE, Pto ride out the media storm quent commentator on Diana that some distance had grown service said it had agreed a pric- will allow more than 5,000 eli- around them and avoid the pit- and the royal family since leaving between them. ing deal with manufacturer Ver- gible cystic fi brosis patients in falls that tore apart his parents, the palace after Diana’s death, “Harry said that (he and Wil- tex Pharmaceuticals. England to have access to CFTR Charles and Diana, for the sim- and was in New York promoting liam) are on diff erent paths. I The National Health Service modulators to treat the under- plest of reasons, Diana’s former a documentary at a contentious know what he means by that. (NHS) has been negotiating with lying cause of their disease,” butler said: They love each other. time for Prince Harry. William and Kate have a map in Vertex for years about supplying said Ludovic Fenaux, senior vice Paul Burrell, a longtime royal Harry, 35, said in a recent- front of them. They’re headed for Orkambi, a combination drug president, Vertex International. servant who became Princess ly aired ITV interview that he monarchy,” Burrell said, adding that improves lung function. More than 10,000 people in Diana’s personal assistant and would “not be bullied into play- that the Queen and Charles have The US company had wanted Britain have cystic fi brosis, a de- confi dante, has watched as Har- ing a game that killed my mum.” left Harry to fi nd his way. to charge around £100,000 a bilitating, life-shortening inher- ry has pushed back against media He and Meghan are also taking “There’s no guidance. There’s year for a course of Orkambi, ac- ited condition. Vertex said it had intrusion and sought to protect legal action against media groups no support. There’s no rule- cording to reports. also recently announced reim- his wife, the American-born, bi- to protect their privacy. book,” Burrell said. The terms agreed yesterday bursement agreements in Scot- racial Duchess of Sussex. Prince William and his wife To escape the glare, Harry and were not disclosed. Prime Min- land, Australia and Spain. “They (Charles and Diana) didn’t Kate Middleton have enjoyed a Meghan are considering buying a ister Boris Johnson said it was Trikafta, a three-drug com- have what Harry and Meghan have,” smoother ride from the palace home in California, British media “fantastic news for those suff er- bination developed by Vertex, Burrell said. “They didn’t have love. and the press because their fu- have said. ing from this terrible disease.” which greatly expands the per- And they (Harry and Meghan) love ture is largely predetermined, “I hope we don’t lose Harry “I pay tribute to those who centage of patients that can be each other. It’s quite obvious when Burrell said. and Meghan (to California) be- have campaigned so passion- treated, was approved by the you see them together.” Prince William, 37, is second in cause they are a tremendous Pumpkins sit on a field ready to be picked at the ately and tirelessly on this issue US regulator on Monday, fi ve Harry’s parents, Charles, the line, after Prince Charles, 70, to asset to the royal family, and to Colchester Pumpkin Patch in Aldham, Britain, yesterday. — your eff orts have made all the months ahead of its previously Prince of Wales, and Diana, di- the throne of Queen Elizabeth, 93. Britain,” Burrell said. diff erence,” he said. announced decision date. Gulf Times Friday, October 25, 2019 9 EUROPE French media take copyright battle to Google

AFP and chief executive of the De- The new rules create so-called Google,” said Pierre Louette, “publishers have never had so More than 1,000 journalists, The presidents of the Europe- Paris peche du Midi newspaper in neighbouring rights to ensure chief executive (CEO) of Les many choices about how their photographers, fi lmmakers and an Alliance of News Agencies and southern France. a form of copyright protection Echos-Le Parisien media group, content is displayed on Google” media chief executives signed an the European Newspaper Pub- “Nobody can fl out the law, for media fi rms when their con- accusing the company of trying and reiterated that it would “not open letter published in news- lishers’ Association also signed rench media fi rms said yes- but that’s what Google is doing,” tent is used on websites such as to “circumvent” the law. remove them from the search papers across Europe this week the letter. terday that they would drag Baylet said. “The future of the search engines or social media “Google is off ering us a choice engine nor change the way it as- urging governments to ensure French President Emmanuel FGoogle before the country’s French and European press is at platforms. between amputating our (Inter- sesses the relevance” of search that Google and other Internet or Macron has said Google must competition regulator over its stake.” However, Google says that ar- net) traffi c, which will prevent results. social media fi rms comply with comply with the law, which EU refusal to pay for displaying their International news agency ticles, pictures and videos will readers from fi nding us or ac- “The law does not impose a fee the new EU rule. member states are obliged to content in search results, setting Agence France-Presse, which be shown in search results only cessing our sites via its search for posting links, and European Their letter described Google’s translate into domestic legisla- up a legal fi ght over a new EU is not a member of the alliance, if media companies consent to engine, and amputating our news publishers already derive move as an insult to national and tion by June 2021. copyright law. said it was preparing a separate let the technology giant use them rights,” he told AFP. signifi cant value from the 8bn European sovereignty. “Google is making a big mis- The APIG press alliance, which complaint. for free. The company rejected the visits they receive each month “The existing situation, in take,” digital aff airs minister Ce- groups dozens of national and re- France in July became the fi rst If they refuse, only a headline claims in a statement to AFP, from Internet users who do which Google enjoys most of the dric O said yesterday. gional newspapers, said it would country to ratify an EU copyright and a bare link to the content will saying: “Google helps Internet searches on Google,” it said. advertising revenue generated by “It is not up to companies to also press the French government law which was passed this year appear, Google said, almost cer- users fi nd news content from News publishers have said the news that it rakes in without decide the law and spirit of the to take action against the US In- and came into force yesterday to tainly resulting in a loss of vis- many sources and the results are these links do not help them cope any payment, is untenable and law,” he added. ternet giant. ensure publishers are compen- ibility and potential ad revenue always based on relevance, not with plummeting revenues as has plunged the media into a cri- Google said it would be avail- “We are outraged,” said Jean- sated when their work is dis- for the publisher. trade agreements.” readers migrate online from tra- sis that is deepening each year,” it able to answer any questions to Michel Baylet, APIG president played online. “This is an act of force from The company insisted that ditional media outlets. said. the competition authority.

Greek villagers stone Spain reburies Franco Reuters migrant Madrid ries of “long live Franco!” buses accompanied the laurel Cwreath-draped coffi n of General Francisco Franco yes- AFP terday as Spain removed the re- Athens mains of its former dictator from the state mausoleum where he was buried in 1975. he International Or- Hailed by acting Prime Min- ganisation for Migration ister Pedro Sanchez as a step T(IOM) voiced concern towards national reconcilia- yesterday following an attack tion, the exhumation was the in northern Greece on migrant most signifi cant move in years buses carrying 380 people in by Spanish authorities to lay what the agency said was an iso- the ghost of the general whose Sanchez: Modern Spain is the product of forgiveness, but it can’t be lated incident. legacy still divides the country the product of forgetfulness. Despite a police presence, he ruled as an autocrat for nearly nine buses taking families and four decades. his legacy still run. “The bones of a dictator who vulnerable migrants to hotels Sanchez said that the un- Shortly after his death, in an died 44 years ago should not be in Nea Vrasna were forced to earthing of the coffi n and its eff ort to ease the transition to a government’s priority in my turn back as dozens of villagers reburial in a private grave – a democracy, Spain passed a pact opinion. The only silver lining blocked the road, hurled stones transfer that Franco’s fam- pardoning political crimes com- is that (acting Socialist Prime and chanted “close the border” ily had sought to block through mitted under Franco. Minister) Pedro Sanchez will and “throw out illegal migrants”, the courts – would strengthen A pro-Franco protester holds a placard reading ‘PSOE destroys temples again’ during a protest against It was not until 2007 that stop talking about Franco’s according to images broadcast Spain’s democratic credentials. Spanish dictator Franco’s exhumation, outside the ruling Spanish Socialist Party PSOE headquarters in the then Socialist government bones,” he said. by public television Ert. “Modern Spain is the prod- Madrid. promulgated a law seeking to But the dictator’s burial The migrants were fi nally uct of forgiveness, but it can’t recognise those who suff ered alongside his victims in the Val- taken to hotels on the island of be the product of forgetfulness,” between Franco’s national- rubio cemetery north of Madrid. But in a gesture of solidar- under his dictatorship. ley of the Fallen had long raised Eubee, 400km (250 miles) to the Sanchez said in a televised ad- ist rebels, backed by Hitler and There, to a backdrop of sup- ity with his ancestor, his eldest A poll in El Mundo this month critical questions among his- south. dress. “A public tribute to a dic- Mussolini, and left-wing Re- porters chanting his name, grandson and namesake Fran- showed 43% of Spaniards fa- torians and campaigners, in- An IOM statement expressed tator was more than an anach- publicans. Franco’s remains were taken into cisco Franco carried a Franco- voured the transfer of Franco’s cluding 93-year-old Nicolas concern “about the violent inci- ronism. It was an aff ront to our Tens of thousands more were the family vault for reburial next era nationalist fl ag into the remains while 32.5% opposed it. Sanchez-Albornoz. dents that took place in the area democracy.” killed or imprisoned in the ensu- to his wife in a second private valley mausoleum, Reuters TV In an interview with Reuters “It was time (to move him). of Vrasna”, calling it “an isolated His Socialist Party, which ing dictatorship that lasted until ceremony. footage showed. on Wednesday, the dictator’s It was overdue,” said Sanchez- incident”. faces a national election next his death decades later. The exhumation is “intensely Relatives then decorated the grandson accused the govern- Albornoz, who as a prisoner The IOM urged government month, has long sought to strip In yesterday’s ceremony, rich symbolic for Spain”, said politi- coffi n with a victor’s crown ment of engineering the exhu- of Franco’s Fascist regime was and non-government groups “to the huge monument in the Val- with symbolism of a bygone age cal scientist Pablo Simon, “be- of laurel leaves, a woven cloth mation “as propaganda and po- forced to help build the Valley of work together in order to pre- ley of the Fallen of its status as a and witnessed only by relatives cause the (Franco) monument bearing the insignia of the fam- litical publicity to win a handful the Fallen. vent” similar situations. memorial to Franco. and a small group of offi cials, has always been connected to ily’s ducal coat of arms and fi ve of votes before an election”. “We’ve waited many decades Greece has once again become It was built on the dictator’s Franco’s coffi n was taken from those who miss the old regime”. roses representing the Falange Albert Rivera, whose centre- for (him) to disappear from this the main point of entry for peo- orders and contains the remains its tomb as crowds of media and Seeking to play down its re- party that formed the core of right Ciudadanos party ab- monument, which ... was the ple seeking asylum in Europe, of combatants from both sides onlookers gathered outside. percussions, the government Franco’s nationalist govern- stained in the parliamentary shame of Spain. All the dicta- posing a challenge for the con- of the civil war he unleashed in Family members carried the had enforced a media blackout ment. vote to ratify the coffi n’s trans- tors of Franco’s ilk have vanished servative government of Kyri- 1936. coffi n to a waiting hearse which and forbidden Franco’s family The ceremony and its symbols fer, said yesterday that almost from Europe – Hitler, Mussolini akos Mitsotakis which took over Around 500,000 people were transferred it to a helicopter for from draping his coffi n with the highlighted how deeply the po- two-thirds of Spaniards had not – and were not honoured with in July. killed in three years of confl ict the short fl ight to the Mingor- Spanish fl ag. litical and social divisions over lived or suff ered under Franco. such tombs,” he said. To clear a huge backlog of over 70,000 asylum claims, the gov- ernment has drafted a new law toughening requirement and speeding up asylum decisions. But yesterday the UN refugee Louvre show spotlights Leonardo da Vinci 500 years on agency voiced concern that the changes “weaken refugee pro- tection in the country”. By Gina Doggett, AFP The exhibition in the Hall Na- Two standout works are miss- that became the most expen- “The draft law puts an exces- Paris poleon, which runs until Febru- ing from the show, starting with sive painting ever sold when it sive burden on asylum seek- ary 24, features 10 of the fewer the Mona Lisa. fetched $450mn (€400mn) at a ers and focuses on punitive than 20 paintings defi nitively at- Organisers decided the world’s Christie’s auction in 2017. measures. It introduces tough eonardo da Vinci was the tributed to the Renaissance mas- most famous painting should Mystery now surrounds the requirements that an asylum star in a blockbuster retro- ter, as well as drawings, manu- remain in the Louvre’s Salle des painting – whose authenticity is seeker could not reasonably be Lspective opening yesterday scripts, sculptures and other Etats – its normal home – to help disputed by some experts – as it expected to fulfi l,” the agency at the Louvre museum in Paris, to objets d’art. avoid overcrowding. has not been seen in public ever said. mark 500 years since the death of Visitors follow a timeline of By itself, the masterpiece at- since the record-shattering sale. One provision criticised by the the Renaissance master. the master’s peripatetic career tracts nearly 30,000 people a day. The Louvre has said the muse- UNHCR excludes families es- Some 240,000 people have under the tutelage of dukes, The Mona Lisa’s ineff able um’s request to borrow the work tablished after people left their already reserved their place in princes and kings, from Florence smile however beguiles visitors is still pending, but a last-minute country of origin. line for the exhibition, the big- to Milan, Venice and Rome, and in a virtual reality experience at appearance would be a stunning In addition, the maximum al- gest ever organised to showcase fi nally France, where he spent the the end of the show. surprise. lowed detention for infractions the Tuscan polymath’s indel- last three years of his life. “It’s a pretty extraordinary ex- The fi nal act in the row be- has been extended from three ible contributions to humanity He died in the historic town of perience,” said Lorenz Baumer, tween Paris and Rome over Italy’s months to 18, while refugees – with an emphasis on his paint- Amboise in the Loire Valley on removing his headset after view- contributions to the show came are called to leave subsidised ing. May 2, 1519. ing the fi lm. with a legal eff ort to halt the accommodation within two A decade in the planning, the The exhibition curated by the “You have the impression of loan of the iconic Vitruvian Man months, instead of six currently. show simply titled Leonardo da Louvre’s Vincent Delieuvin and being inside the head of this man drawing. Athens wants to swiftly relo- Vinci groups 162 works, includ- Louis Frank, the heads of the ... and encountering Mona Lisa The Vitruvian Man – which cate to the mainland 20,000 mi- ing 24 drawings loaned by Queen museum’s painting and graphic through what she has to tell us,” Italian media say is insured for grants who are saturating small Elizabeth II of Britain from the arts departments, includes infra- said Baumer, a jeweller. at least €1bn – joined the Louvre Greek islands in the Aegean Sea. Royal Collection. red refl ectographs that off er an The experience ends with a show with just days to spare be- Local offi cials have started to The British Museum, the Her- insight into the master painter’s dreamlike 360° sequence that fore the opening. push back against the govern- mitage of Saint Petersburg and techniques. take the spectator up in a wooden It will stay only eight weeks ment’s plans however, with the the Vatican have also contrib- “Nearly everything is achieved fl ying machine imagined by Le- rather than the full four months. suburb of Penteli in the northern Visitors walk near a poster for the exhibition Leonardo da Vinci uted, as well as, of course, Italy with very fi ne layers of paint – onardo, soaring over the moun- “The Vitruvian Man, such a outskirts of Athens refusing to at the Louvre Museum in Paris. Da Vinci is the star in a – after a sometimes acrimonious glazing,” Delieuvin told AFP. tains and valleys of the painting. discreet drawing on paper, but so take in a group of unaccompa- retrospective opening at the Louvre museum in Paris to mark tug-of-war between Rome and “That allowed him ... to give The other notable no-show revolutionary,” said Susan Prion, nied minors. 500 years since the death of the Renaissance master. Paris over the loans. the painting a vibration,” he said. is the Salvator Mundi, the work 63, a professor of medicine.

Woman stands trial for stealing millions from Danish welfare agency Putin urged to pardon Norwegian retiree jailed for spying

A woman went on trial yesterday, Nielsen’s lawyer, Nima Nabipour, said The board – a government agency A Russian commission has Lithuanian Baltic News Service report decided by Russia’s president. charged with stealing millions from a his 65-year-old client has had heart under the ministry for children and recommended that President Vladimir earlier this month, Russia and Lithuania “Berg’s request has been examined, a Danish state welfare agency. problems and that she felt very dizzy. social aff airs – supports local authorities Putin pardon a Norwegian man jailed are negotiating a spy exchange that will pardon was recommended,” Tatyana Britta Nielsen admitted to some of the Proceedings continued without Nielsen and funds programmes for vulnerable for spying, spurring hopes in Norway secure the return of several captured Potyaeva, a member of the commission, crimes, but her lawyer said Nielsen present at the Copenhagen City Court. groups including children and youth. that he may be released as part of a spy agents, including a Norwegian national, was quoted as saying. could not recall all the transactions Prosecutors said she cheated the The scam was detected at the end of swap brokered behind closed doors. to their home countries. “We interpret this as yet another covered in the charges, which were National Board of Social Services September 2018 during an audit. Frode Berg, a retired guard on the Russia and Norway’s foreign ministers confirmation that what has been said from the period 1993 to 2018. and transferred at least 116mn kroner “The partial confession [by Nielsen] Norwegian-Russian border, was are due to meet in Berg’s hometown of out of Vilnius over the last week is The court room drama was further ($17mn) to her own accounts. means that some witnesses may not detained in December 2017 and jailed Kirkenes today. correct, and that there really is a three- heightened when the Dane Nielsen Some of the funds were used to buy have to be summoned,” prosecutor for 14 years after being convicted of On Thursday, an off icial Moscow way deal between Russia, Lithuania, complained of feeling unwell during the property in South Africa and cars. Lisbeth Jorgensen told the Copenhagen gathering intelligence about nuclear commission that deals with prison and Norway, and that Frode Berg is part lunch recess and had to be driven to Nielsen was extradited to Denmark City Court, news agency Ritzau submarines. pardons said it had recommended Berg of this exchange,” Berg’s Norwegian hospital, news reports said. from South Africa in November 2018. reported. According to an unconfirmed be pardoned, something that is usually lawyer Brynjulf Risnes told Reuters. Gulf Times 10 Friday, October 25, 2019 INDIA

POLITICS SETBACK LEGAL INITIATIVE WEATHER AIADMK wrests two Rajasthan by-poll results Top court seeks report on Delhi off ers laser shows Struck by storm, tanker seats in Tamil Nadu ring warning bells for BJP vacancies in lower judiciary to stop burning crackers drifts towards Panaji

The ruling parties in Tamil Nadu – AIADMK With the BJP losing its crucial Mandava seat to The Supreme Court yesterday directed all 24 Delhi authorities are offering residents An unmanned tanker believed to be carrying a – and Puducherry – Congress – emerged the Congress by a massive margin of 33,704 high courts, states and Union Territories to laser light shows to mark the festival cargo of naphtha, anchored at the Mormugao victors in the Assembly by-polls held on votes, the Rajasthan by-poll results are ringing submit fresh status report identifying progress of Diwali this weekend and wean them Port Trust in south Goa, has begun to drift October 21. The AIADMK candidates won warning bells for the party in wake of civic on filling judicial vacancies in district courts and away from bursting tens of thousands of towards the shores of the state capital, after the Vikravandi and Nanguneri Assembly polls approaching next month in the state. The infrastructure for judicial off icers since August firecrackers that cause a deadly spike in strong winds and a rough current caused seats while the Congress party won defeat in Mandava exposes a rift in the party. 1. In October last year, the court had taken note air pollution. The air quality in the capital its anchor line to break yesterday. Naphtha the Kamaraj Nagar seat in Puducherry. BJP’s Sushila Seegda, defeated by Congress’ Rita of more than 5,000 vacancies at district court has already worsened with levels of PM is a flammable liquid hydrocarbon mixture. AIADMK’s R Muthamilselvan won from Choudhary in Mandava, was earlier a Congress level in addition with inadequate infrastructure 2.5, tiny particulate matter that goes deep According to the Indian Coast Guard, the port Vikravandi, polling 113,428 votes while his worker who was inducted into BJP a few days for judges, litigants and advocates in these court into the lungs, already twice that of safe trust authorities are in the process of stopping DMK rival N Pugazhenthi had polled 68,646 before the election. She was given a party ticket complexes. The court had asked senior advocates limits because of crop stubble fires in the the 3,000 tonne capacity tanker, before it votes. In Nanguneri, AIADMK candidate the day she was inducted into the part. The Shyam Divan, K V Vishwanathan, Vijay Hansaria surrounding farm states. “Let’s celebrate a drifts further towards Panaji, and tow it back V Narayanan polled 94,802 votes while disastrous result now definitely raises questions and lawyer Gaurav Agrawal, appointed amicus smoke-free Diwali with this laser show and to its berth at the major port. “Mormugao his Congress rival Ruby R Manohar polled on why Sushila was given a ticket at a time when curiae, to assist it in monitoring the developments do our bit in making this festival pollution Port is handling the incident. We are closely 61,991 votes. A total of 35 candidates were there were other workers who were awaiting on the issues connected with vacancies and the free,” Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal monitoring the situation,” Indian Coast Guard in the fray in the two seats. their turn to serve the party. infrastructure. said in front page ads yesterday. spokesperson said. Congress and CPI-M win two seats each in Kerala by-polls

IANS just 57.90%, Congress’ T J Vinod Thiruvananthapuram won but with a reduced margin of 3,750 votes. Vinod later said: “I dedicate t’s even-steven for traditional this victory to my voters. The political rivals CPI-M and margin has to do with the heavy ICongress, which won two rains on polling day.” seats each in the Kerala Assembly UDF’’s second biggest ally by-polls yesterday, while IUML Indian Union Muslim League retained its Manjeswaram seat. (IUML) candidate M C Kamur- The ruling CPI-M-led Left deen won the Manjeswaram As- Democratic Front wrested the sembly constituency by 7,923 Vatiyoorkavu and Konni seats votes. from the Congress, but lost This is an improvement on stronghold Aroor for the fi rst IUML’’s 2016 performance. Its time in half a century. Abdul Razack had defeated his And on expected lines, the nearest BJP rival K Surendran Congress-led United Democrat- by a slender margin of 89 votes. ic Front (UDF) retained Ernaku- The by-poll was necessitated by lam and its ally Indian Union Razack’’s death last year. Supporters of the BJP celebrate outside the party off ice after learning the poll results in Mumbai yesterday. Muslim League (IUML) retained The BJP has no reason for cheer Manjesweram. in Kerala. Not only did it lose its In the 140-member Kerala As- number two position in Vati- sembly, the CPI-M-led LDF has yoorkavu, but in Thiruvanan- 93 seats, the Congress-led UDF thapuram its candidate and dis- has 45 seats and the BJP has one trict President S Suresh garnered seat. a mere 27,453 votes down from The outcome is a shocker for 43,700 that Kummanem Rajas- the Congress as it lost two pres- ekheran got in 2016. BJP wins in Maharashtra, tigious seats. In Vatiyoorkavu, Thanking the voters, Chief Thiruvananthapuram mayor V K Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, who Prasanth of the CPI-M, trounced led the Left campaign, said they former Congress legislator K have rejected the politics of hate Mohankumar by a margin of this time too. 14,465 votes. And in Konni, CPI- Opposition leader Ramesh scouts for ally in Haryana M’’s K U Jenish defeated P Mo- Chennithala, who led the UDF hanraj by 9,953 votes. campaign, said the results are a Reuters sewed up a comfortable win in Home Aff airs Amit Shah indicat- say in the formation of the state’s also were concerned about rising The Congress’ lose in Konni is proof that the voters have reject- Mumbai Maharashtra, cornering 160 of the ed he was confi dent of coming to new administration. unemployment, rural distress and being blamed on party MP Adoor ed both the Left and the BJP. state assembly’s 288 seats, accord- power in Haryana, congratulating Sanjay Jha, spokesman of the poor roads, said Mumbai-based Prakash who has represented “The victory at Aroor for the ing to the Election Commission of cadre and voters in a tweet. main opposition Congress, said political analyst Pratap Asbe. the seat since 1996. The party Congress comes after almost rime Minister Narendra India. “I congratulate the public for that voters were unhappy with Maharashtra and Haryana are had shot down Adoor Prakash’’s fi ve decades. The BJP has been Modi’s ruling party retained That’s more than the simple making BJP the largest party and the BJP’s inability to resuscitate a both home to manufacturing units candidate to fi eld P Mohanraj in- routed and we, the UDF, will in- Pits control over Maharashtra majority required to rule one of In- giving it a chance to serve again,” stagnant economy, address record of major automobile companies, stead. However, the strongman trospect on what happened in and was left scouting for an ally dia’s richest states. said Shah. joblessness and cut corruption, including Maruti Suzuki, Tata Mo- ensured Mohanraj didn’t win Vatiyoorkavu and Konni,” said to keep hold of Haryana after the In Haryana, the BJP had either Still, the results fell below ex- and were not swayed by the ruling tors, Mahindra and Mahindra, that either. Chennithala. two election races turned out to be won or was ahead in 38 seats, with pectations after pollsters had party’s campaign. have hit a rough patch because of The silver lining for the Con- State Congress president Mul- closer than forecast. the main opposition Congress predicted Modi would romp to “People are seeing through it,” falling sales. gress is its candidate Shanimol lapally Ramachandran said the Political leaders and analysts party close behind at 31 seats. victory, as did the BJP, which was he said. “Basically, hyper-nation- Passenger vehicle sales slumped Usman wresting Aroor Assembly results clearly show there was a said the broad trends from Mahar- The state has a 90-member as- confi dent of a better showing, par- alism, which is based on a very 23.7% in September, the elev- constituency from the CPI-M tacit understanding between the ashtra and Haryana showed that sembly, meaning either party will ticularly in Haryana. false foundation, has a limited enth straight month of declines, after almost fi ve decades. Aroor Left and the BJP. while Modi remained the most need an ally to form a government. “We are disappointed with shelf-life and I think they can’t prompting an industry body to was represented by CPI-M’s A M “If not for that, how do you popular leader, there were pock- Jannayak Janta Party, a regional our performance in Haryana. We repeat that story again and again.” fl ag more job cuts on top of some Ariff since 2001. In her fi rst elec- explain the BJP candidate getting ets of resistance emerging to his party that has emerged king-mak- were expecting a clear majority,” a BJP leaders campaigned on Mo- 350,000 workers the sector has tion win, Usman defeated Manu less than 15,000 votes as com- dominance. er in the state, has not announced party offi cial said, declining to be di’s decision to strike down Jammu already laid off this year if sales did C Pulickal by 2,079 votes to be- pared to the last polls in Vati- The state elections were the fi rst who it will side with. named. and Kashmir’s autonomy in Au- not to pick up soon. come the fi rst woman MLA from yoorkavu. And where have those since he swept to power in the na- “The keys to the Haryana as- And in Maharashtra, BJP’s gust in order to integrate it fully Overall, the economy grew be- the UDF in the present Assembly. votes gone? The Congress will sit tional polls over the summer rid- sembly will be with the Jannayak weaker performance compared into India as a sign of his toughness tween April and June at its weakest In Ernakulam, where a heavy down on October 27 to discuss ing a wave of nationalism. Janta Party,” party leader Dushyant with the last poll has led to de- and willingness to take on Paki- pace since 2013, as consumer de- downpour on polling day re- where we lost out,” said Ram- Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party Chautala told reporters yesterday. mands from its ally Shiv Sena that stan. Voters applauded a tough na- mand and government spending sulted in a low voter turnout of achandran. (BJP) and regional ally Shiv Sena But BJP chief and Minister of the regional party have a greater tional security position, but they slowed amid global trade frictions. BJP top brass attacked Close call Airbnb bets on women hosts for India growth

Reuters on women in India to give them over Mhadei water row an equal chance at participating New Delhi in the economy. IANS the Kalasa-Banduri water diver- The former RSS leader, who While Lehane did not share Panaji sion project on Wednesday. heads Goa Suraksha Manch, a ome rental company Air- details on growth expectations Goa has objected to the project regional political party, has de- bnb is betting on women in the country, he said the com- in the Supreme Court, while ac- manded the summoning of a spe- Hin India opening up their pany was encouraged by its per- laming an “idiotic” BJP- cusing Karnataka of using the cial session of the state assembly homes to travellers, especially formance so far — with listings led coalition dispensation project to unfairly tap water from to discuss the fallout of the envi- millennials, to fuel its growth in growing 150% to 54,000 since Bfor its “meek surrender” to the Mhadei basin. ronment clearance to the Kalasa- the country, a senior company 2016 and growth in the number the diktats of the BJP high com- “The Goa government is will- Banduri project. executive said. of nights booked doubling. mand on the Mhadei water diver- ing to consider the request to work Opposition leaders have at- India is one of Airbnb’s top The company’s growth in In- sion issue, former Goa Rashtriya out an amicable settlement strictly tacked Chief Minister Pramod three target markets over the dia has not been limited to the Swayamsevak Sangh chief Sub- restricted to drinking water only to Sawant for not effi ciently pressing long term and it needs to have a top cities or tourist destina- hash Velingkar yesterday said, that the drought prone areas,” Parrikar Goa’s case with the Centre, vis a signifi cant presence in the coun- tions but is percolating down the fi rst signs of the central BJP’s had said in his letter to Yediyurap- vis the controversial project. try, Chris Lehane, global head of to smaller cities and even some interference in the interstate water pa in 2017 ahead of the assembly The Mhadei, or Mandovi, river, public policy and communica- rural towns, said Amanpreet dispute with Karnataka was evi- elections in the southern state. is known as a lifeline in the north- tions, said in an interview in New Singh Bajaj, Airbnb’s country dent when Manohar Parrikar was Velingkar now claims, that the ern parts of Goa. It originates in Delhi. manager. the chief minister. letter was the handiwork of the BJP Karnataka and meets the Arabian “With India having the larg- Bajaj said women in rural In- “Ahead of assembly elections in high command, who wants to use Sea in Panaji in Goa, while briefl y est number of millennials, it will dia have opened up their homes, Karnataka, then chief minister, the the Mhadei water sharing issue for fl owing through Maharashtra. eventually have the largest pop- taken lessons on hospitality and late Parrikar, had written to then gains in the larger and politically The tribunal hearing the over ulation in the world, a fast grow- now welcome guests from all state Karnataka BJP president B more signifi cant state. two-decade old dispute between ing middle class and will be a fast over the world, helping them S Yediyurappa, about the Mhadei “It is clear that the BJP is only Goa, Karnataka and Maharashtra growing global economic player,” earn a secondary livelihood. issue creating scope for an out-of- following the high command line over Mhadei river water sharing said Lehane, referring to those Valued at $31bn in its most court settlement. This was when on Mhadei, whether it is during had, in its award in August 2018, al- A Dhruv helicopter with northern army commander born between the mid -980s and recent private fundraising the case was still pending before Parrikar’s regime or now,” Veling- lotted 13.42 thousand million cubic lieutenant general Ranbir Singh and six others on board early 2000s. round, Airbnb said last month the tribunal,” Velingkar said yes- kar said. “This is an idiotic govern- feet (TMC) from the Mhadei river made a ‘forced landing’ in Poonchh, Kashmir. The army said While 55% of Airbnb’s hosts it planned to become a publicly terday. ment which has meekly surren- basin (including 3.9 TMC for diver- all seven persons on board are safe. Singh escaped without globally are women, in India that listed company in 2020, marking He was reacting to the Union dered to the BJP high command at sion into the depleted Malaprabha any injuries. An army statement said the pilot landed it after number is more than a third and it out as one of the biggest names ministry of environment and for- the cost of the interest of Goa and river basin) to Karnataka. Mahar- it developed technical snags. is growing, said Lehane, adding considering a stock market fl oat est’s decision to grant clearance to Goans,” he added. ashtra has been allotted 1.33 TMC. that the company was focusing next year. Gulf Times Friday, October 25, 2019 11 LATIN AMERICA

CAMPAIGN TRAIL POLITICS GANG WAR GROUNDED JUSTICE Bolsonaro confirms Foster Shootout leaves 9 dead Cuba cancels some flights Judges begin voting in tapped as envoy to US in southern Mexico due to US sanctions case that could free Lula

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro yesterday Nine people have been killed in southern Mexico National carrier Cubana de Aviacion said on Supreme Court judges in Brazil began voting confirmed the nomination of Nestor Foster to be in a shootout between two groups using high- Wednesday that it will suspend flights to Mexico, on Wednesday on whether to overturn a law ambassador in Washington after backtracking powered weapons, authorities said yesterday. Venezuela and part of the Caribbean due to new requiring convicted criminals to go to jail after on appointing his son, lawmaker Eduardo Several organised crime groups dedicated US sanctions. The state-owned company said that losing their first appeal, instead of waiting until Bolsonaro. Foster is currently Brazil’s charge to traff icking drugs operate in the area and it was notified by foreign leasing companies of the the end of the legal process. A favourable ruling d’aff aires at the US embassy. “He’s a well-liked often clash over control of supply routes. The “cessation of lease agreements already signed,” could result in the freeing of scores of convicts, person, an exemplary figure, he has everything confrontation occurred on Wednesday on a leading to the cancellations of flights to Mexico, including leftist former president Luiz Inacio to be successful,” Bolsonaro told reporters highway in a rural area in the state of Guerrero, Santo Domingo, Venezuela, Haiti, Martinique and Lula da Silva, who is serving eight years and 10 before he left Tokyo for Beijing, the next stop on the local attorney’s off ice said in a statement. “The Guadeloupe. Cubana added that internal flights months for corruption. The eleven justices are Uruguay’s presidential candidate for the ruling a tour of Asia and the Middle East. In July, the deceased are close to Zenen Nava Sanchez, leader to the eastern provinces of Holguin and Santiago expected to finish voting by early today, in a Frente Amplio party Daniel Martinez waves Brazilian president had said he would appoint his of the criminal group Los Rojos,” it said, adding an de Cuba would also be aff ected by the breaking of closely-watched decision that is being broadcast a national flag during a campaign rally in son to the US embassy, a day after his son turned investigation had been launched into the incident. the leases. The company’s deputy director, Arsenio live. Lula is among scores of high-profile political Montevideo on Wednesday night, ahead of the 35 — the minimum age for the job — before back- Experts at the site retrieved 50 bullets used in Arocha, told local media that the cancellation of and business leaders caught up in the sprawling October 27 general election. pedalling after a political uproar. high-calibre weapons like the AK-47 assault rifle. flights until December will cost Cubana some $10mn. corruption probe known as ‘Operation Car Wash’. Bolivia’s Morales claims victory in vote, then says open to a runoff

Reuters/AFP tions of vote-rigging by the opposition. But hours later Morales said he is open La Paz “I don’t want to think the OAS mission to holding a runoff if necessary, as de- is already taking part in a coup d’etat,” manded by his critics. Morales said, reiterating his accusation “We won in the fi rst round,” Morales olivian President Evo Morales yes- that main rival Carlos Mesa was trying to told a news conference. terday rebuked a regional election steal his victory. He called this “good news.” Bobserver mission for questioning “There’s a coup d’etat (orchestrated) There was no immediate confi rmation the legitimacy of what he again insisted internally and externally. The OAS as a of a Morales victory from the Supreme was an outright win for him in the fi rst whole should evaluate themselves and the Electoral Tribunal. round of a disputed election. mission it sent as well.” But Morales said later that if he does not The leftist leader has edged to a decisive The OAS mission did not immediately obtain a 10-point margin he will respect 10-point lead over his main rival in the count respond to requests for comment. this result. following Sunday’s election, which has Morales, who has governed for almost “If we have to go to a second round, we brought protests and marches in main cities. 14 years, said he would welcome an audit will go,” he said. At a defi ant news conference, Morales of the fi nal count by the OAS but appeared Mesa had said on Wednesday he would said Organization of American States to reject its condition that its conclusions not recognise results tallied by the tribu- (OAS) observers had slandered him by be legally-binding. nal, which he accused of manipulating the raising what it called “serious doubts” Yesterday morning, the count showed count to help the leftist Morales win. about the election. Morales had 46.9% of the vote with nearly Mesa is insisting there be a runoff be- The local OAS team had earlier yester- 99% of ballots counted — putting him 10 tween him and the president, and called day recommended that Bolivia convene a points ahead of Mesa. on supporters to keep protesting in the Demonstrators stand in front of off icers of the Chilean police during a protest against social inequality in second-round vote after an unexpected The winner needs 40% of votes plus a streets of this resource-rich but poor Concepcion, Chile on Wednesday. interruption to the count and a sudden 10-point lead to win outright and avoid a South American country. shift in Morales’ favour triggered allega- December 15 second round. The European Union, Brazil, Argentina and the US also expressed concern over how the votes were tallied. The US State Department updated its Riot-ravaged Chile presses on travel alert for Bolivia, urging “increased caution...due to civil unrest.” Clashes broke out between rival dem- onstrators on Wednesday in the eastern with social equality reforms city of Santa Cruz, the country’s largest and an opposition bastion. By Dave Sherwood, Reuters mand an overhaul in one of the people awoke to relative calm yes- Offi ces in the city housing Bolivia’s Santiago region’s traditionally most stable, terday as vendors peddling orange electoral authority were set on fi re over- and wealthy, nations. juice and fruit cups once again ap- night, and security forces clashed with Over fi ve days of unrest that peared on street corners. demonstrators in La Paz and elsewhere. hile’s president and law- appeared to be dying down on Public markets reopened and On Monday, after the release of the con- makers yesterday prepared Wednesday night, more than thousands of commuters, dressed troversial election results, mobs torched Cto push forward social 6,000 people have been detained in work outfi ts and clutching cof- electoral offi ces in Sucre and Potosi, while equality reforms after the easing and at least 16 killed. fees, made their way to work on the rival supporters clashed in La Paz. of riots in the latest fl ashpoint of Pinera’s proposed reforms in- still hobbled underground trans- A general strike went into force on protests against South American clude a guaranteed minimum port system that has suff ered more Wednesday. leaders. wage, a hike in state pensions and than $300mn worth of damage. The OAS and the Catholic church in Bo- Center-right leader Sebastian reductions in public transporta- Trash, broken glass, graffi ti and livia have called for a runoff election as the Pinera was to ship a bill to Con- tion costs. tear gas lingered in the aftermath best way to end the crisis. gress that would overturn a recent Some, such as a bill to provide of protests that went late into Morales is seeking another term amid hike in electricity rates, one of sev- insurance against catastrophic ill- Wednesday evening, but ended controversy. He obtained Constitutional eral measures he hopes will turn ness, have already been delivered peacefully. Court permission in 2017 to run again de- the violent demonstrations into an to lawmakers. Thousands of striking workers, spite a 2016 referendum in which Boliv- “opportunity” for Chile. Octavio Solis, 43, an unem- including healthcare professionals ians said no to letting him do so. Ecuador’s President Lenin ployed security guard, said he and teachers, banged pots and car- The onetime leftist union leader has led Moreno also repealed the elimina- hoped the government acted ried banners past darkness in San- Bolivia for the past 13 years, though his tion of fuel subsidies this month quickly. tiago and other cities. popularity has waned amid allegations of after protests, while Bolivia’s Evo “We’re tired of all this, the pro- The marches were closely moni- corruption and authoritarianism. Morales faced demonstrations over tests, the looting. It’s a disaster. tored by police and soldiers. The Morales points to a decade of economic an election, and Argentina’s Mau- This isn’t the Santiago we once unrest has included arson attacks stability and considerable industrialisa- ricio Macri has suff ered a backlash knew,” Solis said as he waited in and looting. At least 18 people died, tion as his achievements, while insisting over economic turmoil. line to receive an unemployment according to one offi cial count. he has brought “dignity” to Bolivia’s in- In Chile, anger over inequal- payment. “We need good salaries Chilean prosecutors have since digenous population, the largest in Latin ity and cost of living sent tens of and pensions for our elderly.” clarifi ed that two of the total died in A protester shouts slogans during a demonstration in La Paz on Wednesday night. America. thousands into the streets to de- The capital city of about 6mn a car accident unrelated to the riots. Farmers fear return of the leftists in Argentina

By Sonia Avalos, AFP Farmers like Perez found an culture is one of Argentina’s few Now they fear a return of such He had an insider’s view of the tions, which he said represents “a all costing more. “All costs are Buenos Aires ally in President Mauricio Macri success stories in an economy interventionism against an in- showdown, having been Kirch- terrible unknown” for farmers. subject to infl ation,” said Perez. when he scrapped taxes on ex- beset by crisis since early 2018. dustry which accounts for 6.1% ner’s cabinet chief. “We hope it won’t mean a re- Like many other producers in ports of corn and wheat follow- The sector showed year-on- of GDP. Fernandez has promised he turn to the policy of Cristina Argentina’s “breadbasket” land ecord grain harvests were a ing his election in 2015. year growth of 46% to July, ac- Argentina’s agricultural ex- will continue with tax relief on Kirchner’s second term, and if in Buenos Aires province, Perez much needed boon to Ar- Now they are bracing for a cording to the National Institute ports bring in more than half of production, but Pelegrina is du- retentions are excessive, it will fears Fernandez will boost the Rgentine agribusiness this backlash from Fernandez and his of Statistics, after rebounding the country’s export dollars And bious. become impossible,” he said. foreign exchange market. year, but farmers here see trouble running mate, former president from one of the worst droughts the agribusiness sector, a major A recent survey of agricultural “If that happens, I’m lost be- ahead if leftist Peronist candidate Cristina Kirchner, should the in years. foreign currency earner, doesn’t “We hope it won’t mean producers showed nearly 68% cause my cereal is going to be at Alberto Fernandez wins Sunday’s Peronist duo seal an anticipated But Perez and other grain pro- want to be the well that the left a return to the policy of fear a hike in taxes should the one exchange rate and my costs presidential election. return to power. ducers need no reminding of the will dip into again. Cristina Kirchner’s second left return to power, and 50% say pinned to another.” “They’re coming for us,” De- Perez, 42, has grown disil- restrictions levied by Kirchner in Daniel Pelegrina, president of term, and if retentions they will have to review their in- Across the lush farmland niel Perez says darkly as he gazes lusioned with Macri after the 2008 that led to months of farm- the Rural Society of Argentina, are excessive, it will vestment plans. owned by Daniel Berdini, another across a vast expanse of grain economic turmoil of the last two er protests. says the left should have other become impossible” Macri, in addition to lowering Ramallo producer, the corn ap- fi elds in Ramallo, the lush ag- years that has seen millions of Farmers accused Kirchner of priorities. taxes, boosted exports of Argen- pears in the furrows, the wheat ricultural heartland of Buenos Argentines hit by soaring infl a- saddling the agricultural indus- “Argentina produces more “We have doubts because, in tine wheat and corn and beef ex- crop is looking healthy and soy- Aires province. tion and a plummeting peso. try with an unfair share of the than it consumes, we need to his camp, is Cristina, who had a ports to China. bean seeds are ready to be sown. Peronists “will come for us in But better the devil you know national tax burden, hurting keep our horizons open” for very strong animosity towards The agricultural area given over All is well with the world down on the countryside for sure,” said than the devil you don’t, he says, their international competitive- trade, he said. “We need stability the countryside.” to wheat has doubled in size from his farm, for now. But for Bertini it Perez, “because it’s the only real and his fears over what Peronsim ness. in the economy, to revive the cur- Juan Ouwerkerk, president of 3mn to more than 6mn hectares. could be the calm before the storm. money they can call on” to help can do to farming are worse than She said then that taxes pro- rency and end infl ation.” Alfa, a farmers’ co-operative in But costs to producers, mostly He warns the likely new govern- lift Argentina out of crisis — par- four more years of Macri. posed on soybean exports were Fernandez, the election favour- southern Buenos Aires province, tied to the dollar, have skyrocket- ment that farmers are unlikely to ticularly its growing number of With bumper exports of soy- aimed at redistributing farming ite, has assured farmers what hap- is taking for granted the likelihood ed, with freight costs, seeds, fer- take any taxes lying down: “If they urban poor. bean oil and soybean fl our, agri- wealth to projects for the poor. pened in 2008 is “all in the past.” of a Fernandez triumph in the elec- tilisers, machinery and vehicles come for us, we’ll raise hell.” Gulf Times 12 Friday, October 25, 2019 PAKISTAN Army stands behind me, says PM

JUI-F chief secretly met army Khan said he will never leave quoted as saying. “I don’t under- Khan said he has directed army anchor, claimed that the army chief and refused to call off the country and vowed to bring stand the agenda of the opposi- chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa chief assured the JUI-F chief that march, claims report the country out of its diffi culties. tion.” to be prepared against any mis- he stands by the Constitution The prime minister sees a con- The premier acknowledged adventure by India. and democracy. Internews spiracy behind Rehman’s protest that infl ation and unemployment He said that India might repeat “We have been doing what the Islamabad which he alleged is driven by a remain a big problem, which his a Pulwama-like incident to divert Constitution asks for,” the army certain agenda. government is trying to resolve. the world’s attention from In- chief reportedly said. When asked whether he has When his attention was drawn dia’s alleged atrocities in Indian- He also reminded Rehman rime Minister Imran Khan any proof of a foreign agenda, towards the opposition’s conten- administered Kashmir. that “he is a responsible politi- has expressed his resolve Khan said that while there is no tion that his party – the Pakistan Meanwhile, a news report has cal leader and must be aware that Pnot to cave in to pressure proof, the timing of the march Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) – had also claimed that Rehman had a secret regional situation is critical”, the from opposition leader Maulana and regional situation suggest staged a four-month sit-in, Khan meeting with Bajwa to discuss report said. Fazlur Rehman, who intends to that there is Indian hand behind said his dharna was not staged the “Azadi March”. “The situation on the border mount the “Azadi March” on Is- this. for nothing. The News daily newspaper with India is volatile due to Kash- lamabad later this month. “There is no question of my He said that he had proof of quoted an unnamed television mir development, and likewise Prime Minister Khan: There is no question of my resignation and I will Khan said that the Pakistan resignation and I will not resign. election rigging in four constitu- anchorperson as making the Afghanistan’s situation is also a not resign. army stands behind him and Dharna [siege] is agenda-based, encies when he had staged the claim after coming out of a meet- source of trouble,” it quoted the fully supports the government and it has foreign support,” sen- sit-in in Islamabad in 2014. ing on Wednesday with Prime army chief as adding. the army chief “made it clear to According to the co-host, the agenda, Geo News Tv channel ior journalist Irshad Bhatti quot- Asked about media restric- Minister Khan with a number The army chief reportedly also [Rehman] that they wouldn’t army chief made it also clear reported yesterday. ed the prime minister as saying. tions on Rehman, the prime min- journalists. referred to Iran-Saudi Arabia af- permit destabilisation at this that if Rehman insisted to wage The prime minister said that Khan is of the view that the ister said that there is no ban on According to the version of the fairs and told Rehman that it’s moment.” protest, “then some more minus the civil-military relations are plan of Rehman’s party – the broadcasting the JUI-F chief’s news anchor, the meeting took not proper time for staging the The army chief also ruled out could take place”. based on trust, and both enjoy Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam – Fazlur interviews or press conferences. place a few days back when Reh- protest, since the economy has the possibility of “minus-Imran “For the sake of stability, if this trust on each other, adding (JUI-F) – to protest has sent “a The premier also said that his man had already announced his been brought on the right track concept”, by saying that he is a some causalities take place and that Pakistan will be brought out wave of joy” in India. life and government would be- “Azadi March” to try and force after major eff orts here in the constitutional prime minister: the Constitution provides it, of diffi culties with combined ef- “I don’t understand what come easier if he forgave opposi- Khan to quit. country and abroad. “Neither me nor you could minus such action will be taken without forts. Maulana’s problem is,” he was tion leaders. The News, quoting the news According to the news anchor, him.” hesitation,” the report said.

Anti-terror court acquits accused in Sahiwal encounter An anti-terrorism court in Lahore has acquitted all the suspects involved in the Sahiwal encounter Pakistan, India sign deal on the basis of the benefit of the doubt. The case was being heard by Anti- Terrorism Court Number 1 Judge Arshad Hussain Bhutta. The suspects – Safdar Hussain, Ahsan Khan, Ramzan, Saifullah, Hasnain, and Nasir Nawaz – on Sikh pilgrim corridor appeared before the court. The court dismissed the DPA/AFP/Reuters/Internews The fi rst group of pilgrims statements given by 49 Islamabad from India will arrive on No- witnesses, including the victim vember 9, the day Prime Min- Zeeshan’s brother Ehtisham and ister Imran Khan is scheduled victim’s Khalil’s children. akistan and India have to formally inaugurate the cor- The witnesses refused to identify signed an agreement that ridor. the suspects before the court. Pwould open a corridor to The deal allows for a secure The court issued its verdict after allow Sikh pilgrims to visit one corridor and bridge between the holding hearings for the case for of their holiest shrines, despite two countries, leading directly nine months. a fl are-up in tensions over Kash- to the grave of Sikhism’s found- On January 19, four people, mir. er Guru Nanak, just 4km (two including three of a family, were The project, hailed as a peace miles) from the Indian border. killed in an alleged shootout in corridor, has survived a dete- Pakistan had employed hun- Sahiwal, with Counter-Terrorism rioration in relations between dreds of labourers to spruce up Department (CTD) personnel the nuclear-armed neighbours the shrine, including building a claiming that they had killed since India revoked the special border immigration checkpoint a local commander of militant constitutional status of its part and a bridge, as well as expand- organisation Daesh (the Islamic of Kashmir. ing the grounds comprising the State group) and three others in The corridor is meant to allow shrine itself. the operation. Sikh pilgrims from India to visit The crossing and corridor – Eyewitnesses, however, disputed Kartarpur Sahib in the eastern including a road, bridge over the the claim and said that the Pakistani province of Punjab. Ravi River and immigration of- people in the car did not fire at “Today we have signed the fi ce – will replace a drawn-out off icials, nor were any explosives agreement on Kartarpur with visa process and circuitous jour- recovered from the vehicle. India,” Pakistan Foreign Offi ce ney through Pakistan. A Joint Investigation Team spokesman Mohamed Faisal said India had long been asking formed to probe the killings yesterday. Pakistan for such a corridor, said in its final report submitted Under the agreement, up to but the project’s realisation was last month that the slain family 5,000 pilgrims can visit seven prevented by years of diplomatic members were innocent and that days a week. tensions between the two coun- they were murdered. “Indian pilgrims of all faiths tries that have fought three wars The report also recommended and persons of Indian origin ... since the partition of the sub- strict action against the CTD can use the corridor. The trav- continent in 1947. off icials, who made changes in el will be visa-free,” said SCL Guru Nanak, the founder of the record. Das, a joint secretary in the In- the Sikh religion, spent the last dian ministry of home aff airs, 18 years of his life and died at at a press conference after the Kartarpur Sahib, which is now in 700 new teachers agreement was signed. Pakistan. “Pilgrims from around the The followers of the Sikh faith The Pakistan Passenger for Islamabad world are also welcome,” Faisal live in both countries and often Terminal Building. added. face diffi culties visiting their Even as the education system “Today is a day of celebra- shrines due to tensions between Right: This handout picture in the federal capital struggles tion,” he said at the signing cere- Pakistan and India. released by the ministry of to pay thousands of daily-wage mony in Kartarpur. “It was very, The pair have maintained an foreign aff airs yesterday shows teachers every year, a federal very diffi cult and tough negotia- uneasy calm since tit-for-tat ministry spokesman Mohamed minister has said that the tions with India, because of the cross-border air raids across Faisal (centre-left) and Indian government plans to induct 700 history we have, it is never easy, their disputed Kashmir fron- home ministry joint secretary teachers for Islamabad schools it is never simple.” tier in February sparked fears of SCL Das (centre-right) during an and colleges. The pilgrims can stay from wider war, with each side claim- agreement signing ceremony This was disclosed by Federal dawn to dusk after paying a ing to have shot down a fi ghter on the visa-free India-Pakistan Education Minister Shafqat service charge. jet from the other side. Kartarpur Corridor, in the town Mahmood while addressing an Delhi said that it is still con- Pakistani and Indian soldiers of Kartarpur, near the border. inauguration ceremony of the testing Pakistan’s bid to charge have also continued to fi re over newly-constructed Kashmir Block each pilgrim $20 per visit. the Line of Control (LoC) – the tween India and Pakistan since at Islamabad Model College for Faisal said the $20 was a serv- de facto border dividing the the end of British colonial rule Girls (IMCG) in Sector F-8/1. ice charge, not a fee, and pil- Himalayan territory, killing ci- in 1947. Former finance minister and grims would just have to present vilians on both sides in recent Both claim the Himalayan lawmaker from Prime Minister their passports, which would be days. territory in full and have fought Imran Khan’s ruling Pakistan quickly scanned, to cross in. Kashmir has been divided be- two wars over it. Tehrik-e-Insaf (PTI) from the federal capital, Asad Umar, also attended the ceremony. Mahmood reiterated that reforming and uplifting the education sector remains Ex-premier Sharif’s health condition worries Pakistanis a priority for the federal government and that they are making all possible eff orts in this DPA/AFP/Reuters ernment has been negligent and An advocate for civilian gov- regard. Islamabad waited too long to move him to ernment in a country ruled by As part of this, the minister hospital. generals for decades, Sharif was said that the government has PML-N secretary for infor- removed from offi ce on corrup- prepared a plan worth Rs800mn team of Pakistani doc- mation, Maryam Aurangzeb, tion allegations emanating from to plug missing facilities in the tors is struggling to de- earlier said: “The government the 2016 Panama Papers leak 423 public sector schools of Atermine the cause of the is crossing all limits of political detailing off shore tax evasion Islamabad, including Rs80mn deteriorating health condition victimisation against PML-N schemes. to build additional blocks in of former prime minister Nawaz and the Sharif family.” The Supreme Court has educational institutions. Sharif, who is serving a seven- Sharif’s daughter and politi- barred him from holding any He said that as many as 700 year sentence on corruption cal heir Maryam Nawaz is also in political offi ce. Maryam Nawaz: reportedly teachers are being inducted in charges and has been moved prison and facing trial. Yesterday Prime Minister Im- unwell. the schools and colleges of the from jail to hospital. She was refused permission to ran Khan said that he is off ering federal capital. Sharif, 69, was found to have see her father on Wednesday but “sincere prayers” for Sharif. leadership of the PML-N after Talking about the out-of-school a “critically low platelet count” was admitted to the same hospi- “Political diff erences not- the former premier was jailed, children in the federal capital, and was moved to a hospital in tal late in the evening. withstanding, my sincere tweeted his concerns earlier this he said that of the 11,000 such eastern city of Lahore. Maryam Nawaz was shift- prayers are with Nawaz Sharif week. children identified during a His platelets are depleting de- Sharif: found to have a ‘critically low platelet count’. ed back to jail early yesterday for his health,” Khan tweeted “I am gravely concerned and survey conducted by the Federal spite a number of blood transfu- morning. yesterday, adding that he had worried on his fast deteriorating Directorate of Education (FDE), sions, a close aide of the former still trying to fi nd the cause,” Sharif’s low platelet count might Thousands of people took to ordered the “best possible health condition,” the younger they had enrolled 7,500. premier, Senator Pervaiz Rash- the party’s deputy secretary- have been caused by medication. Twitter to wish Sharif a speedy health care and medical treat- Sharif wrote on Tuesday. “Out-of-school children are being eed, told DPA yesterday. general, Atta Tarar, confi rmed to Sharif’s family and his Paki- recovery and to censure the gov- ment” for him. Nawaz Sharif has previously enrolled in schools with an aim to “He has undergone several Reuters. stan Muslim League – Nawaz ernment, with the hashtag #Na- Sharif’s younger brother suff ered heart problems and has increase the literacy rate across scans and tests and doctors are The government has said that (PML-N) party claim the gov- wazSharif trending in Pakistan. Shehbaz, who took over the diabetes. the country,” he maintained. Gulf Times Friday, October 25, 2019 13 THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH The Sunnah: the second form of revelation llah, Almighty, Says (what question. How do we worship Allah? and no one after them believed and no may explain clearly to men what is sent thing amongst yourselves, refer it to methodology of His Prophet ? means): “This day have I Do we worship Him any way we want? one else will ever believe! This would down to them, and that they may give Allah and His Messenger, if you believe Finally, we would like to conclude perfected your religion for Is there a correct methodology to be grossly limiting the Qur’an. thought.” [Qur’an; 16: 44] in Allah and the Last Day. That is better with a Hadith (narration) from the Mes- Ayou and completed my favour worshipping Allah? Is it suffi cient for Satan is crafty! He may then try In this verse, Allah is exhorting the and more suitable for fi nal determina- senger of Allah that was collected by upon you and have chosen for you us to say and do whatever it is that we to sway your thinking from another Messenger, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sal- tion.” [Qur’an; 4: 59] Imaam Maalik in his book called Mu- Islam as your religion.” [Qur’an; 5: 3] feel is worship and then call it worship angle. He may say that the Qur’an is lam, not merely to recite the Qur’an Once again, if we try to leave off the watta. The Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi Amongst the believers there is no and it will be accepted as such? Let us simple to understand and that it needs but to explain it as well. Obviously, importance of the Sunnah, then how do wa sallam, said: “I have left behind two doubt about this way of life called consider the saying of Allah (which no explanation. For it is true that Allah some explanation is required even to we implement this verse of the Qur’an? matters. Those who hold fast to them Islam. It is a complete way of life. The means): “O you who believe! Obey Al- Says (what means): “We have indeed the most pious of men. Allah orders us to refer our diff erences will never go astray: The Book of Allah Creator of the heavens and the earth has lah and obey the Messenger, and make made the Qur’an easy to understand Furthermore, giving the needed to Him. This means for us to seek our and the Sunnah of His Messenger.” not left anything out of this glorious not vain your deeds!” [Qur’an; 47: 33] and remember” [Qur’an; 54: 32] details to carry out certain commands answers from the Qur’an. He also at- The reason that many of the Mus- religion (way of life) of His. As the above You must know that the Qur’an However, although the Qur’an is given in the Qur’an was another very taches the Messenger, sallallaahu ‘alaihi lims are going astray today is because verse states that this religion is perfect and the Sunnah do not contradict one easy to understand, it does need to vital role played by the Sunnah. For ex- wa sallam, to that particular order when they are not only leaving off the Sun- and complete. However, something another, rather they complement one be explained so that it is properly ample, Allah commands us to establish He stated for us to refer to Him. If we nah but they are leaving the Qur’an as new has come in fairly recent years from another. When Allah Says in this verse understood. Allah Says (what means): the Prayers and to pay the obligatory leave off the Sunnah then this part of the well! If you are not giving the Sunnah Satan, concerning the Sunnah of the that the Messenger is to be obeyed, he “And when We have recited it to you [O charity (Zakaah), saying (what means): verse has no meaning. Allah Says (what its rights, then you are not giving the Messenger of Allah, sallallaahu ‘alaihi is not only talking to that honourable Muhammad through Jibreel (Gabriel)] “And establish the prayers and give means): “Whoever obeys the Messenger, Qur’an its rights. wa sallam. It has been suggested by him group of Muslims that accompanied then follow you its (The Qur’an’s) Zakaah (the obligatory charity) and has obeyed Allah.” [Qur’an; 4: 80] Without the Sunnah then the second to the hearts of some of the Muslims the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sal- recital. Then it is for Us (Allah) to make bow with those who bow [in worship And (what means): “Say (O Muham- statement of your Shahaadah (testi- that the Qur’an, as Glorious as it is, is lam, during his lifetime. He is speaking it clear (to you).” [Qur’an; 75: 18,19] and obedience].” [Qur’an; 2:43] Yet, mad): If you (really) love Allah, then mony of faith) also has no meaning. suffi cient as guidance for mankind. to all of the Muslims that will come up Surely if the Qur’an had to be made nowhere in the Qur’an does Allah give follow me, Allah will love you and Meaning that the Sunnah is something until the Last Day. clear to the Messenger, sallallaahu the required details to implement His forgive you your sins.” [Qur’an; 3: 31] Article source: http://www.islamweb. that can be left off , or abandoned. Similarly, no one is ready to conceive ‘alaihi wa sallam, then how much more command, and it was the Sunnah that How can the Muslims of today net/emainpage/ Surely this is a disease that has no place the notion that when Allah, Says (what so to you and I? gave us all the details of the how, when, follow the Prophet, sallallaahu in this wonderful religion (Islam). means): “O you who believe!” that the Allah Says (what means): “… who of this command. ‘alaihi wa sallam, and not refer to In order to address this issue we only ones who believe are the Muslims And We have sent down unto you (O Additionally, Allah Says (what his Sunnah? How can we say that we must ask ourselves an important who were with the Prophet at that time Muhammad) the Reminder, that you means): “…(And) if you diff er in any- love Allah and not try to follow the The ethics of the men of learning

By Shaykh Abdul-Aziz Abdullah Ibn calls for something with ignorance is night long, and they prostrate them- “Spend out of (the gifts) We have Baz (rahimahullah) not on the path of the Prophet Muham- selves in adoration. They believe in bestowed for their sustenance, secretly mad’s standard of character and con- Allah and the Last Day. And they enjoin and openly, and turn off evil with good”. duct and not on the path of the people what is right, and forbid what is wrong, [Ar-Ra’ad, Aayah 22] he men of learning (schol- of learning. Rather, he is a criminal with and they hasten in emulation in (all) The meaning here is that they spend ars) are the successors of the great sin because Almighty Allah con- good works: They are in the ranks of to get the forgiveness and redemption prophets. Knowledge is what siders that whoever says something that the righteous.” [Aali ‘Imraan, Aayaat of Allah. They spend openly as they do Tis indicated by the book of Allah did not say is beyond blasphemy 113-114] in Zakat in secret either seen or not seen Almighty Allah and the Sunnah of His and above polytheism. Chaos and dis- These good characteristics, which by people; seeking the grace of Allah. Messenger, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sal- order would result from this. Allah says: were adopted by the best of the People “And turn off evil with good” lam. And in this concern ‘Aa’isha (may “Say: The things that my Lord has of the Book and by those guided by Al- This indicates total patience, their Allah be merciful to her) said, when she indeed forbidden are: Shameful deeds lah from among their scholars, include resilience, their endurance and their was asked about the character (khu- whether open or secret, sins and deep faith in and total submission to subduing of their wrath: luqahu) of the Prophet Muhammad, trespasses against truth or reason, as- Him. And that they would not sell “For such there is the fi nal attain- sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, that “His signing of partners to Allah for which the sign of Allah for a cheap price and ment of the (Eternal) Home”. [Ar-Ra’ad, character was the Qur’an”. (Akhlaaq he hath given no authority, and saying would not show ingratitude and deny Aayah 22] sing. khuluq: has several meanings: things about Allah of which he has no the truth and conceal it as did their men Allah explained that this “Eternal ethics, morals, inborn quality, manners, knowledge”. [Al-’Araaf, Aayah 33] of learning who went astray, when they Home” as: “Gardens of perpetual bliss: natural disposition and shall be used Hence, whoever says things about concealed the story of Muhammad, They shall enter there as well as the here synonymously.) Allah without knowledge and permits sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, and they righteous among their fathers, their This word from ‘Aa’isha tells us that what is forbidden and forbids what is concealed a lot of truths for the sake of spouses, and their off spring”. [Ar- the natural disposition of the Prophet, permissible, deters from the right thing worldly and immediate gain. Ra’ad, Aayah 23] sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, was and calls for the false. But the people of knowledge and To reward them for their good past following the teachings of the Qur’an So it is the duty of the scholars and faith, from the ancient and the latter deeds, Allah includes them together manifested in his following the orders men of learning and their students to times, would state the truth and declare with their fathers, their off spring and and refraining from the interdictions. It be cautious about saying things about it as Allah said: their spouses in His giving. Henceforth, is now worthy of the scholars, preach- Allah without knowledge and pay at- “Is then one who knows that which to be straight in carrying out of the ers, teachers and students to take good tention to stating the legitimate proofs has been revealed unto you from your orders of Allah and fulfi lling the duties; care of the Book of Allah, and to search according to the “Shariah” so that they Lord is the truth, like one who is blind? to call for the good and deter from bad; into it and to assimilate the good ethical can be knowledgeable about what they It is those who are endued with un- and to stand fi rm with the right and be teachings which Allah loves from it. presume, call for or deter from and not derstanding that receive admonition.” resilient on it; and to turn off evil by Almighty Allah says: venture to say false things about Allah [Ar-Ra’ad, Aayah 19] doing good – all these are ways for the “Verily this Qur’an guides to that without any knowledge. Those who And in another verse: servant of Allah to be useful and good which is most just and right” [Bani are knowledgeable about Allah are the “Say: Are those equal, those who and also for his fathers, his spouses and Israeel, Aayah 9] ones who fear Allah the most and never know and those who do not know? It is their off spring and their reunion will be In another verse the Qur’an says: trespass His limits. Allah says: those who are endued with understand- in the home of hospitality and generos- “Nun. By the pen, and by what they “Those truly fear Allah, Among His ing that receive admonition.” [Az-Zu- ity in which the angels are visiting and (angels) write (in the records of men). servants, Who have knowledge”. [Faatir, mar, Aayah 19] welcoming them. You (O Muhammad), by the Grace of Aayah 28] By this Allah explained that it is the One of the great gifts of Allah to his your Lord, are not mad. And verily, for The knowledgeable people who fear people with understanding who really servant is making him to be the reason you will be an endless reward. And ver- Allah are those people who know His think and work their insight and those for the guidance of his father, his ily, you are on an exalted (standard of) religion, and know the Sunnah of His are the people with healthy minds. Al- mother, his spouse and his off spring, character.” [Al-Qalam, Ayaat 1-4] Prophet Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alaihi lah described them as: and so forth. Also it is one of the great The one who would like to attain wa sallam. Those people are headed by “Those who fulfi l the covenant of gifts of Allah is making a woman to this great standard of character should the Prophets and Messengers of Allah Allah and fail not in their plighted word. be the reason for the guidance of her approach the Book of Allah and pay at- because they are the best example. And those who join together those husband, her father, her mother and her tention to it when reciting and studying It befi ts the men of learning, although things which Allah has commanded to children. it; while referring all the questions and they are found in a latter time like the be joined hold their Lord in awe, and It is learned from this holy verse that doubts to the learned people for reliable time we are living in, to follow the foot fear the terrible reckoning.” [Ar-Ra’ad, the admission into Heaven of fathers, answers and guidance to the correct steps of the pious people in their fear Aayaat 20-21] husbands and their off spring together books and references on the explana- of Allah and make it their task to revere They join together the things which with their relatives is not because of this tions of the Qur’an. His orders and His prohibitions Allah has commanded to be joined and kinship and relationship but because of Attention should also be given to the The fear of Allah implies stopping at by straightness in following Allah’s their correctness and their endeavor in Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad, the limits stated by Him and following orders and showing loyalty to Him and the obedience of Allah. This verse is also sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, because it the path of His Messenger Muham- the following of the Sunnah of Prophet similar to the verse which says: also explains the Qur’an and leads to the mad, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam. Any Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sal- “It is not your wealth nor your understanding of it. Almighty Allah said overdoing it would be unnecessary and lam). Hence, their faith is followed by sons that will bring you nearer to Us to His Messenger, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa impermissible. The knowledgeable work and practice shown in kindness to in degree; but only those who believe sallam: person is the one who does not trespass one’s parents and communication with and work righteousness - these are the “Say (O Muhammad): ‘This is my the limits of prohibition and permis- relatives. And the fear of Allah is such as ones for whom there is a multiplied Way; I invite unto Allah with sure sion, and in the doing (following) and in to help them in the obedience of Allah reward for their deeds while secure they knowledge, I and whosoever follows abstention. And besides all that be very and to deter them from committing (reside) in the dwellings on high.” [As- me. Glory to Allah! And never will I join cautious not to say any thing about Al- disobedience. Saba, Aayah 37] gods with Allah.’” [Yusuf, Aayah 108] lah without knowledge, or do contrary Then Allah mentioned the two Likewise the people of knowledge, The abiding by the Book of Allah is to what he learned. characteristics that are the sixth and the faith and righteousness should follow part of the character of the Prophet, Almighty Allah mentioned some seventh and said: this way of high conduct and high sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, and part good characteristics of some of His “Those who patiently persevere, standard of personality so that they of the character of all the scholars and pious worshippers as a reminder to us. seeking the countenance of their Lord, fi nd the happy ending and reward. But the men of learning who are endowed Allah says: “There is, in their stories And they establish regular prayers.” it is very essential that the learner of with knowledge and insight, knowledge instruction for men endued with un- [Ar-Ra’ad, Aayah 22] knowledge should know that resilience and faith, knowledge and piety. How- derstanding.” [Yusuf, Aayah 111) They persevere on the obedience of is very important and that good deeds ever people with knowledge but with no In other verses Allah says: “Not all Allah and they persevere in their ab- and abundant good does not happen faith or any piety have no share of the of them are alike: Of the people of the stention from the interdictions made by simply by wishful thinking and hope- high standard of character. Book are a portion that stand (For the Allah. Allah also mentioned the eighth less expectations, but there should be From this we know that who ever right), they recite the verses of Allah all and the ninth characteristics and said: work and patience. Guard yourself against wasting excessively ave you ever got upset when One enslaved to his desires cannot to further blinding ourselves from our severe punishment and forgiveness injunction to the Muslim Ummah: “Eat, was passing: He valued his humility, you weren’t able to buy freely and truly worship his Lord. It purpose in life, which is to worship from Allah and approval. And what is drink, spend, and dress without ex- the afterlife, and his connection to Al- something that you really is a matter of our Eemaan (faith) that Allah The Almighty. Allah warns us by the worldly life except the enjoyment travagance or arrogance.”[Al-Bukhari] lah over worldly pleasures. Hwanted? Or, have you ever we hold ourselves back from wasteful saying (what means): “Competition in of delusion.” [Qur’an 57:20] We must strive for a balance When we become entangled in the bought something that you could have spending. [worldly] increase diverts you (from the between the extremes of spending superfi cial, our materialistic values done without? If we fi nd diffi culty parting with our more serious things).” [Qur’an 102:1] Guard yourself from greed too much (Israaf) and being stingy. will override our spiritual connection The answer to these two questions money in times of charity, then we We must remind ourselves that As consumers we must be mindful The righteous are “those who, when to our Lord. We must guard ourselves is yes, an unequivocal yes. It is part of know we have become victims of over- worldly desires are mere illusions, of Allah and thank Him for blessing us they spend, do so not excessively or against this and instead spend our our human nature. We want and we consumption, or excessive spending. transitory pleasures, that Allah is with the fi nancial ability to purchase sparingly but are ever, between that, resources and time so that we may desire constantly. When we allow this The Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sal- testing us with. Allah Almighty warns the things we need. Remembering Al- [justly] moderate.” [Qur’an 25:67] increase our spiritual wealth. This is to go unchecked our desire for more lam, said: “Cursed is the slave of gold us of this by saying (what means): lah when shopping will help us humble This verse encourages moderation the struggle against the Nafs which our becomes insatiable and overtakes the and silver.” [Al-Bukhari] When we al- “Know that the life of this world is but our hearts and be grateful for all that he and balance in our spending. Instead of beloved Prophet Muhammad always dictates of our souls. low ourselves to lust after money, then amusement and diversion and adorn- has already given us. This can help pre- succumbing to our habits of spending emphasised. Any kind of addiction or extreme act we know the shackles have tightened. ment and boasting to one another and vent us from becoming upset when we on ourselves, we ought to give more Strive for good deeds that will emanates from our desire. Satan ever Money and power are always competition in increase of wealth and are unable to buy something we want. than we take. When we give for the sole multiply themselves rather than hoard whispers to our Nafs (self) to go after aligned. Like sirens they call out to our children – like the example of a rain We must also seek to instill in spend- purpose of pleasing Allah we purify worldly goods that will perish into the our desires. He encourages us to be desires. Today, the media is their in- whose [resulting] plant growth pleases ing habits of the Islamic practice of our souls. The Prophet was the most earth and become dust. greedy and to overindulge ourselves. famous recruiter. It constantly throws the tillers; then it dries and you see it moderation. I cannot stress enough the generous of men and gave the majority In this way we become slaves to our in our faces more things to desire and turned yellow; then it becomes [scat- importance of the Prophet Muham- of his belongings away. The Prophet Article source: http://www.islamweb. desires instead of in control of them. to get and to admire. This only leads tered] debris. And in the Hereafter is mad’s (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) understood what was real and what net/emainpage/ Gulf Times 14 Friday, October 25, 2019 COMMENT

CHAIRMAN Abdullah bin Khalifa al-Attiyah EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Faisal Abdulhameed al-Mudahka Deputy Managing Editor K T Chacko P.O.Box 2888, Doha, Qatar [email protected] 44350478 (News), 44466404 (Sport), 44466636 (Home delivery) 44350474 facebook.com/gulftimes twitter.com/gulftimes_Qatar GULF TIMES Central African ties highlight Russian strategy in Africa

The Central African Republic is an important plank in Russia’s strategy of boosting its presence in Africa by off ering security for fragile regimes in resource-rich countries, analysts say. President Vladimir Putin last year surprised the West by a string of high-profi le moves that strengthened Russia’s infl uence in the CAR, an extremely poor but strategic country that has traditionally had close ties to France, the former colonial power. Russia sent trainers to the CAR’s beleaguered armed forces, a senior aide to advise its president and mercenaries to provide his security, and off ered to mediate between the government A new approach to and the country’s many rebel groups. On the economic front, the Russian mining company Lobaye was given a licence for several concessions in the CAR, a country rich in gold and diamonds. As Putin on Wednesday hosted African countries at a two- day summit in the Black Sea resort of Sochi, Russia’s presence protecting gig workers in the CAR remains an example of a long-term, quid-pro-quo strategy, say analysts. to defend their interests, in exchange legislation resembling AB5, and many systems. By allowing (or requiring) For African states, “Russia off ers a security package with By Laura Tyson Berkeley for continuing to classify them as Democratic presidential candidates multiple employers to make pro-rated no fi nancial debt, only to be repaid by the granting of certain independent contractors. California have hailed AB5’s passage, signalling contributions to security accounts concessions to private conglomerates,” said Arnaud Kalika, a lawmakers, however, rejected the that they would support its application attached to the individual, rather than former analyst in French military intelligence who specialises in n the United States and other companies’ proposals, which fell nationally. the job, such systems enable workers Russian aff airs. advanced industrial economies, short of the benefi ts and protections President Donald Trump’s to combine benefi ts from the various The trading of security a growing number of workers no that employees enjoy under state and administration, however, opposes companies that purchase their labour. assistance for sought- Ilonger work for a single employer federal law. Similar proposals have been extending traditional employment Because all businesses would have “For a country on a traditional contract. Instead, rejected in New York, New Jersey, and protections to gig workers. The Trump- to make contributions for all of their after resources is a well- they earn income through a variety of Washington. appointed National Labour Relations workers, a portable benefi ts system that in the space rehearsed model that “non-standard” working arrangements, But platform companies will not give Board recently ruled that gig workers would level the playing fi eld among Russia has also already including work mediated by digital plat- up so easily. In response to AB5, Uber’s are independent contractors with no fi rms, while discouraging them from of less than employed in Madagascar forms, or so-called gig work. chief legal offi cer, Tony West, released right to unionise. Amid heated debates misclassifying workers. and Sudan. The distinction between an employee a statement declaring, “We continue on Big Tech’s market power, AB5 and The portable benefi ts concept already three years ago The Russians came to the and a gig worker is not inconsequential. to believe that drivers are properly similar legislation can be expected to has some political momentum in the CAR with the goal of fi lling Under current laws, employees classifi ed as independent,” because spur major legal and political battles in US. Early this year – some three years has managed have rights and access to signifi cant they are “outside the usual course of 2020. after former US President Barack what they believed was “a protections and benefi ts not provided Uber’s business.” That is a bizarre and Meanwhile, assuming AB5 is Obama endorsed the idea – US Senator to wield such geopolitical vacuum,” said to gig workers. A critical question now outrageous claim for a company whose enforced, employers will retain the Mark Warner introduced the Portable Hans de Marie Heungoup, confronting policymakers is whether business model is based on giving rides authority to determine how to distribute Benefi ts for Independent Workers Pilot clout with the a specialist with the gig workers should be classifi ed and making deliveries. Uber, Lyft, and the increased labour costs among their Program Act, which would establish a International Crisis Group as independent contractors or as DoorDash have pledged $90mn to a stakeholders – shareholders, workers, $20mn fund to support experimentation (CAR) presidency (ICG) thinktank. employees of the platform companies 2020 California ballot initiative that and customers. The decisions of in this area. “For a country that in with which they have employment would essentially exempt them from individual companies will be shaped by As Newsom put it, the hollowing out is a low-cost contracts and for whose customers they AB5. both their traditional market power and of the American middle class has been the space of less than provide services. Platform companies are also pursuing their monopsony power – that is, their 40 years in the making. Rather than geopolitical three years ago has California, a US state with more another route to evade AB5. California power in the labour markets where they allowing technology to accelerate this managed to wield such than 2mn independent contractors, allows a ballot initiative’s proponents hire workers. trend, governments at all levels should victory” clout with the (CAR) has attempted to resolve this question to withdraw it, if they believe that the Newsom himself has acknowledged be strengthening worker protections. In presidency is a low-cost with a new law, California Assembly Bill problems it aims to solve have otherwise that AB5 is only a fi rst step. The next is a fast-changing labour market, there is geopolitical victory.” 5, which codifi es the legal criteria for been addressed. So Uber and Lyft are to “create pathways for more workers no time to waste. – Project Syndicate Kalika said a prime factor in Russian strategy in the CAR “is determining how to categorise workers. developing an updated plan that would to form a union, collectively bargain to Applying the three-part “ABC test” that set higher pay standards, provide more earn more, and have a stronger voice at z Laura Tyson, a former chair of the above all a media coup that will bring benefi ts on the home many states already use to determine benefi ts, and create a driver feedback work – all while preserving fl exibility US President’s Council of Economic front.” whether a worker is eligible for mechanism. and innovation.” To that end, he has Advisers, is a professor at the Haas Despite these successes, the Russian vision has been clouded unemployment insurance, AB5 makes The success of this approach is pledged to “convene leaders from the School of Business at the University of by several setbacks. it considerably harder for businesses to far from guaranteed, and not just in legislature, the labour movement, and California, Berkeley, a senior adviser In the CAR, a struggling population faces brutal violence from classify their workers as independent California. Several states – including the business community.” at the Rock Creek Group, and a senior armed groups despite the Khartoum peace pact and promises of contractors rather than employees. New York, Illinois, Oregon, and Such discussions should recognise external adviser to the McKinsey Global security from the Kremlin. To win political support for AB5’s Washington – are considering the potential of portable benefi ts Institute. passage, lawmakers exempted many France, meanwhile, has launched a counter-off ensive by types of independent contractors – promoting its activities in the CAR, notably in development, such as doctors, dentists, and real- which is not “the Russian model of engagement”, said estate agents – on the grounds that Heungoup. they set their own compensation In fact, Western partners including the European Union (EU) rates, communicate directly with their still provide almost all of the fi nancial aid given to the deeply customers, and earn at least twice the poor, landlocked country. minimum wage. But AB5 does cover the more than 400,000 workers who drive “The Russians are more low-key (today), it’s in their for platform companies like the ride- interest,” says Thierry Vircoulon, co-ordinator at the Southern sharing services Uber and Lyft and the and Central African Observatory of the French Institute of food-delivery fi rm DoorDash. International Relations (IFRI), a thinktank based in Paris. Enforcement of AB5 means that Heungoup said the Kremlin was playing the long game, after these companies will have to start the loss of infl uence it suff ered following the end of the Cold providing their drivers with benefi ts War. like minimum wages, overtime pay, sick leave, unemployment insurance, and “Russia wants to regain a solid diplomatic base” in Africa, he employer contributions to Medicare and said. Social Security. Moreover, companies “Apart from competition between Moscow and the West in employing gig workers may have the CAR, Moscow does not want to be overtaken by competing to bargain with unions, which their emerging economies, notably China and Turkey.” workers will now have the right to form. National unions, such as the Transport Workers and the Teamsters, and newer groups, like Rideshare Drivers United, To Advertise are already reaching out to organise such workers. [email protected] As California Governor Gavin Display Newsom noted, AB5 is an important step toward delivering economic 44466621 44418811 security to workers. Yet, as both the law’s supporters and opponents also Classified recognise, the changes could increase 44466609 44418811 labour costs signifi cantly – by an estimated 20-30%. This is the last thing Subscription that platform companies and their investors want. [email protected] Not surprisingly, Uber and Lyft tried to stop AB5, off ering to implement a wage fl oor, create a benefi t fund, and FILE PHOTO: Delivery workers for UberEATS protest over pay and conditions, outside the company’s off ices in London, Britain, © 2019 Gulf Times. All rights reserved allow workers to form organisations in this August 26, 2016 photograph. Gulf Times Friday, October 25, 2019 15 COMMENT Why rich cities have erupted in protests

By Jeff rey D Sachs of the public’s perception of personal and compatriots, and about other New York freedom to choose a life course. The dimensions of social life that bear same discrepancy is apparent in France heavily on life quality and therefore (25th in GDP per capita but 69th in on the prospects of social upheaval. hree of the world’s more af- freedom to choose) and Chile (48th That’s the approach taken by Gallup’s fl uent cities have erupted in and 98th, respectively). annual surveys on wellbeing, which my protests and unrest this year. Ironically, both the Heritage colleagues and I report on each year in TParis has faced waves of pro- Foundation and Simon Fraser the World Happiness Report. tests and rioting since November 2018, University rank Hong Kong as having The idea of sustainable soon after French President Emmanuel the most economic freedom in the development, reflected in the 17 Macron raised fuel taxes. Hong Kong entire world, yet Hong Kong residents Sustainable Development Goals has been in upheaval since March, despair of their freedom to choose (SDGs) adopted by the world’s after Chief Executive Carrie Lam what to do with their lives. In all governments in 2015, is to move proposed a law to allow extradition to three countries, urban young people beyond traditional indicators such as the Chinese mainland. And Santiago not born into wealth despair of their GDP growth and per capita income, exploded in rioting this month after chances of fi nding aff ordable housing to a much richer set of objectives, President Sebastian Piñera ordered an and a decent job. In Hong Kong, including social fairness, trust, and increase in metro prices. Each protest property prices relative to average environmental sustainability. The has its distinct local factors, but, taken salaries are among the highest in the SDGs, for example, draw specific together, they tell a larger story of what world. Chile has the highest income attention not only to income can happen when a sense of unfairness inequality in the OECD, the club of inequality (SDG 10), but also to combines with a widespread percep- high-income countries. In France, broader measures of wellbeing (SDG tion of low social mobility. children of elite families have vast 3). By the traditional metric of GDP per advantages in their life course. It behooves every society to take capita, the three cities are paragons of Because of very high housing prices, the pulse of its population and heed economic success. Per capita income most people are pushed away from the well the sources of social unhappiness is around $40,000 in Hong Kong, central business districts and typically and distrust. Economic growth more than $60,000 in Paris, and depend on personal vehicles or public without fairness and environmental around $18,000 in Santiago, one of transport to get to work. Much of the sustainability is a recipe for disorder, the wealthiest cities in Latin America. public may thus be especially sensitive not for wellbeing. We will need far In the 2019 Global Competitiveness to changes in transportation prices, as greater provision of public services, Report issued by the World Economic shown by the explosion of protests in more redistribution of income Forum, Hong Kong ranks third, France Paris and Santiago. from rich to poor, and more public 15th, and Chile 33rd (the best in Latin Hong Kong, France, and Chile investment to achieve environmental America by a wide margin). are hardly alone in facing a crisis sustainability. Even apparently Yet, while these countries are quite of social mobility and grievances sensible policies such as ending fuel rich and competitive by conventional over inequality. The United States is subsidies or raising metro prices standards, their populations are experiencing soaring suicide rates Demonstrators clash with riot police during protests against a now suspended hike in metro ticket prices, in Santiago, on October 21. to cover costs will lead to massive dissatisfi ed with key aspects of their and other signs of social distress, upheavals if carried out under lives. According to the 2019 World such as mass shootings, at a time sentiment, they failed to anticipate an economy’s average income, but University’s measure of Economic conditions of low social trust, high Happiness Report, the citizens of Hong of unprecedented inequality and a that a seemingly modest policy action says nothing about its distribution, Freedom of the World also capture far inequality, and a widely shared sense Kong, France, and Chile feel that their collapse in public trust in government. (Hong Kong’s extradition bill, France’s people’s perceptions of fairness or too little about the public’s subjective of unfairness. – Project Syndicate lives are stuck in important ways. The US will certainly see more social fuel-tax increase, and higher metro injustice, the public’s sense of fi nancial sense of fairness, freedom to make life Each year, the Gallup Poll asks explosions ahead if we continue with prices in Chile) would trigger a massive vulnerability, or other conditions (such choices, the government’s honesty, and z Jeff rey D Sachs, Professor of people all over the world, “Are you politics and economics as usual. social explosion. as trust in the government) that weigh the perceived trustworthiness of fellow Sustainable Development and Professor satisfi ed or dissatisfi ed with your If we are to head off that outcome, Perhaps most important, and least heavily on the overall quality of life. citizens. of Health Policy and Management at freedom to choose what you do with we must draw some lessons from surprising, traditional economic And rankings like the World Economic To learn about such sentiments, it Columbia University, is Director of your life?” While Hong Kong ranks the three recent cases. All three measures of wellbeing are wholly Forum’s Global Competitive Index, is necessary to ask the public directly Columbia’s Center for Sustainable ninth globally in GDP per capita, it governments were blindsided by the insuffi cient to gauge the public’s real the Heritage Foundation’s Index of about their life satisfaction, sense of Development and the UN Sustainable ranks far lower, in 66th place, in terms protests. Having lost touch with public sentiments. GDP per capita measures Economic Freedom, and Simon Fraser personal freedom, trust in government Development Solutions Network.

From hotbed of crime to joggers’ paradise: Nairobi forest thrives Three-day forecast Bald tracts of forest cleared for TODAY AFP Maximum Temperature : 350c Nairobi mansions abut thriving black wattle — a tree whose growth was spurred by fi res Minimum Temperature : 290c from the days protesters burned tractors SATURDAY We would collect dead, dumped in defi ance, Chege said. Maximum Temperature : 360c bodies. Some were decompos- But its tranquility is not assured. Minimum Temperature : 290c ing...others were fresh,” said Other forests, such as Oloolua in SUNDAY John Chege of his early days Nairobi’s south, have suff ered from Maximum Temperature : 350c “ Minimum Temperature : 290c policing Nairobi’s Karura Forest, back rampant encroachment. Even the city’s iconic national wildlife when thieves and murderers outnum- Fisherman's forecast bered joggers and dog walkers in the park is being sliced through with a woods. railway whose construction began last WARNING year in defi ance of a court order. Inshore : Poor visibility expected Karura then was the stuff of urban at some places by early legend, a fearsome place invoked to scare Though Chege worries more about morning misbehaving children. dogs off leashes these days than dealing Chege and his scouts, stumbling on with dead bodies, a road being widened Offshore : Nil WEATHER corpses by day, kept white-knuckled In this file photo taken on April 1, 1999, Kenya’s Wangari Maathai (right) on Karura’s eastern border has raised Inshore : Misty to foggy at places vigils by night as they scanned the challenges hired security people in the Karura Forest, in the Kenyan Capital concerns. at first becomes rela- darkness for intruders. Nairobi, during a Green Belt Movement operation aimed to plant trees. Land grabs are not a distant threat. tively hot daytime and slight dust with local “It was hell,” Chege told of his In July, a court ruled against a private clouds and chance of hair-raising fi rst months as Karura’s group that co-manages the reserve, fi rewood, and as a rubbish tip and open company trying to claim 4.3 hectares of rain by afternoon inaugural chief scout, back in 2009 from 2011 to 2018. toilet. Karura. Offshore : Misty at times with some clouds when eff orts began to reclaim the Shaking its reputation was a Today, they are its custodians, “If everybody who wants to build WIND forest.”But today we celebrate, because challenge, even after an electric fence planting saplings, clearing weeds and keeps chipping away, there will be very Inshore : Southeasterly-North- there is nothing of the sort.” was raised around the perimeter. policing its borders. little left,” Njoroge said. easterly 05-15 KT In the space of 10 years, Karura has “Karura Forest in 2009 was a place Karura narrowly escaped destruction Karura persists as a conservation Offshore : Southeasterly 03-12 KT gone from a dangerous no man’s land to where no one would even want to be in the late 1990s when, crawling triumph. one of Nairobi’s safest and most popular threatened to be taken. with bandits and ravaged by logging, Native trees are taking back the forest Visibility : 1-3 KM destinations, a verdant refuge in a city It meant either you were going to developers gifted parcels of forest to from species introduced by the British that has long carried the unfortunate be killed, or that you were going to be politically connected elites. to fuel their railway to Uganda, notably Around the region moniker “Nairobbery”. punished,” Njoroge said. The upland forest is a developers eucalyptus trees. Weather Karura is also a symbol against Chege and his scouts, who were trained dream: 1,000 hectares of prime land, Before conservation eff orts began, Weather tomorrow Max/min land-grabbing, having been saved by the British army, could not convince straddled by Nairobi’s most exclusive non-native trees, many of them today Max/min M Sunny 29/18 from developers to become the world’s nervous joggers they would be safe, and so suburbs. invasive, made up 60% of the forest. Baghdad P Cloudy 29/18 P Cloudy 31/23 second-largest forest that is fully within ran alongside them in khaki fatigues. Wangari Maathai, the late founder Eucalyptus in particular inhibit the Kuwait City Cloudy 34/24 Sunny 36/28 city limits, conservationists say. “Perhaps a visitor wanted to run of Kenya’s Green Belt Movement, growth of other plants and monopolise Manama M Sunny 36/28 Sunny 34/25 Kenya’s forests are cleared at a rate of 10 kilometres? My guy was to run 10 and the fi rst African woman to win the water supply with their voracious Muscat Sunny 34/26 Rain 16/12 5,000 hectares a year, the environment kilometres,” he said. the Nobel Peace Prize, rallied church thirst. Tehran Showers 18/13 ministry said in 2018. Slowly, visitor numbers grew as the leaders, lawyers and students to Karura’s The forest contains rivers, waterfalls But Karura has survived, even as green criminals were fl ushed out. defence. and caves used by anti-colonial rebels. spaces are being swallowed by concrete A clubhouse, long abandoned because In January 1999, armed thugs Joggers encounter bushbucks, in one of Africa’s fastest-growing cities. patrons kept getting mugged, reopened attacked Maathai as she tried to plant hornbills and Syke’s monkeys. From zero visitors in 2009, its doors. seedlings in an act of protest, landing Maathai’s daughter, Wanjira Mathai, today Karura attracts up to 30,000 Women felt safe enough to run on her in hospital. said her mother would be proud of what nature lovers a month, with 10-year their own, Chege said. The violence made international Karura has become, “and maybe even commemorative events planned Local communities were vital in headlines and outraged a public tired of surprised at just how much people love in October to mark its striking bolstering security. corrupt elites grabbing state land. it”. transformation and storied history. Chege, a former illegal logger, was The protesters won the day: “She had hoped her children’s children For many years, hardly anyone came, recruited from Huruma, a slum on development was halted. — my generation and our children — said Karanja Njoroge, who chaired Karura’s northern fringe. The forest still bears the scars of this would enjoy this forest, and that’s what Friends of Karura Forest, a community The community used the forest for violent past. has come to pass,” Mathai told AFP.

Around the world Weather Weather today Max/min tomorrow Max/min Athens Sunny 27/14 Sunny 27/15 Beirut T Storm 24/22 M Sunny 26/22 Live issues Bangkok M Sunny 34/27 S T Storms 34/26 Berlin P Cloudy 18/12 P Cloudy 17/11 Cairo P Cloudy 26/19 Rain 25/21 Cape Town Cloudy 18/14 Rain 17/13 Study: Steroid injections may lead to more long-term harm Colombo T Storm 28/25 S T Storms 28/25 Dhaka Showers 25/23 Showers 28/24 Hong Kong M Sunny 26/22 P Cloudy 26/22 QNA temporary relief from pain, while some injections are more dangerous than published a report journal of 459 Istanbul P Cloudy 22/15 P Cloudy 22/14 Washington people don’t even get that, revealed by he thought. patients, who were injected on knees Jakarta Sunny 34/25 I T Storms 34/24 the doctors. Now Guermazi and his team are and hips in 2018. Karachi Sunny 34/23 Sunny 35/23 The injections were done at all the showing a red fl ag to other doctors to Some 8% of them had worsened London Rain 13/09 Showers 17/13 teroid injections, one of the major hospitals by Orthopaedists, use it, and warning them about its use. joints condition. Manila S T Storms 33/26 P Cloudy 33/26 most common treatments for Rheumatologists, Anesthesiologists, He also revealed that infl ammation And some patients Arthritis was Moscow Showers 11/06 M Sunny 12/07 joint pain, can lead to long Podiatrists, Spine neurosurgeons, and can result in many injuries and spread rapidly. New Delhi Sunny 32/19 Sunny 31/18 Sterm injuries and diseases, others. diseases, the most common is In other cases, the diff erent New York Sunny 20/11 M Cloudy 18/10 revealed in the new study. But in the new finding by Ali Osteoarthritis. complications were born. Paris P Cloudy 17/09 M Cloudy 18/11 Steroid injections were used Guermazi, the chief of radiology at In which space is created in the Ali Guermazi says, doctors must Sao Paulo S T Storms 27/18 P Cloudy 28/18 to treat a range of conditions by VA Boston Healthcare System and middle of the bone and the bones rub inform their patients about the Seoul M Sunny 24/11 M Sunny 23/07 doctors, such as joint pains, sciatica, also a joint pain specialist, believed upon each other, as a result, surgery possible risk that arises due to steroid Singapore S T Storms 32/26 T Storm 31/26 arthritis. that injections were safe until or joint replacement may also have to injection. Sydney M Sunny 26/18 M Sunny 32/22 Injections used to modulate they were overused but now he be done. However, he and his team still Tokyo Cloudy 20/16 Rain 17/15 the body stress response and give believes that the effect of Steroid Guermazi and his team had fi nding the cause behind it. Gulf Times 16 Friday, October 25, 2019 QATAR

PM approves changing land use in some Lusail City areas First Kaws exhibition E the Prime Minister and sion of HE the Prime Minister Minister of Interior Sheikh and Minister of Interior comes HAbdullah bin Nasser bin within the framework of the sup- Khalifa al-Thani has approved port and attention from the gov- changing the land use at the Mari- ernment to the country’s invest- na and Energy City in Lusail, from ment climate. administrative to mixed residen- The decision will have a major in Middle East opens tial and administrative use, in ac- impact in terms of supporting and cordance with the conditions and attracting investment to Lusail Monumental infl atable controls set by Qatari Diar Real City, al-Attiyah said, explaining sculpture titled Holiday Estate Investment Company, the that it allows owners and inves- offi cial Qatar News Agency (QNA) tors to diversify investments and to be installed at Dhow reported yesterday. increase returns on capital, espe- Harbour The decision “reinforces the cially as Lusail City is one of the government’s orientation in sup- areas covered by the freehold deci- By Joey Aguilar porting investment and comes as sion for non-Qataris, pursuant to Staff Reporter a continuation of previous deci- the Council of Ministers’ decision sions of HE the Prime Minister to identify areas and places where and Minister of Interior in pro- non-Qatari ownership and use of E Sheikh Thani bin Hamad viding the right climate for in- real estate is permitted in accord- bin Khalifa al-Thani yesterday vestment and supporting inves- ance with Law No 16 of 2018 on Hopened the Kaws: He Eats Alone tors in Qatar”, QNA said. the regulation of non-Qatari real exhibition at the Doha Fire Station. Qatari Diar CEO Abdullah bin estate ownership and use, the re- The opening of the fi rst museum show Hamad al-Attiyah said the deci- port adds. in the Middle East dedicated to Ameri- can artist and designer Brian Donnelly, known professionally as Kaws, was at- tended by several VIPs, including Dr Mohamed Abdul Raheem Kafoud, mem- Qatar partnership with ber of the Qatar Museums (QM) board, Ahmed al-Namla, acting CEO of QM, and UN in the spotlight many others. The ‘one-of-its-kind’ exhibition is showcasing 40 artworks representing the artist’s studio practice and a 40m- long infl atable sculpture, titled Holiday (2019), is to be installed at the Dhow Har- bour. “We are pleased to present this im- portant exhibition of the work of inter- HE Sheikh Thani bin Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani touring the Kaws: He Eats Alone exhibition at the Doha Fire Station yesterday nationally-renowned artist Kaws, along along with the featured artist Brian Donnelly, known professionally as Kaws, and other dignitaries (handout photo). with the giant public installation in Dhow Harbour,” QM’s Exhibitions director Sheikha Reem al-Thani said in a press statement. Garage Gallery becomes labyrinth of art spaces “If the public reception of the recent The museum’s Garage Gallery (2000), signature character skateboards produced in the artist’s first characters in installation of Kaws’ Small Lie (2018) at has been transformed into sculpture Chum (2008, black) collaboration with diverse 3D, is likewise the subject of the Doha’s Hamad International Airport, is labyrinth of gallery spaces and Accomplice (2010). companies and brands. large-scale inflatable, Holiday any indication, the artist’s larger than designed by New York-based Across the courtyard, the In the Fire Station’s court- (2019). life sculptures, which evoke questions studio 2x4. Archive features a wide array of yard space, the work Compan- The 40m long figure, in this of humanity and hope, will unquestion- A composition of frag- smaller Kaws objects in a series ion (Passing Through) (2010), iteration in a reclined position, ably resonate with the people of Qatar,” mented art walls and sculpture of intimately scaled, display a 5m-tall matte black figure, was installed earlier this year Sheikha Reem noted. platforms serve to both anchor vitrines. seated with his hands covering on a campground at the base This solo survey, which will run from and frame the works through- The Kaws editions from his eyes, will be installed. of Mount Fuji in Japan. today until January 25, 2020, is curated by out the exhibition, including 1999 to 2019 on view range The Companion figure, Admission to the exhibition acclaimed art historian Germano Celant. the titular piece He Eats Alone from fashion and design which was created by Kaws in is QR50 for adults; QR25 for It explores the artist’s career and vast (2014), an early painting M2 objects to plush toys and 1999 and represented one of Qataris, residents and students. oeuvre, featuring paintings, graphic de- sign, small-scale objects and large-scale sculptures made over the past 20 years. infl ected in the world through a system of “Kaws crystallises a few of these, up- The artist – Donnelly – began his ca- Some 90 examples of products and global communication and distribution. rooting them from their mass profi tabil- reer in street art in the 1990s, becoming commercial collaborations designed by “They are delicate, original forms that ity and making them alternative through synonymous with the name Kaws a tag On the occasion of the United Nations (UN) Day, observed on Kaws such as sneakers, skateboards and graft into every earthly context. They their individuality, in keeping with a hu- that became a staple in his advertise- October 24, Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Aff airs spokesperson toys are displayed in the Archive located bear witness to the cosmopolitan spirit of man perspective connected to the feel- ments and ‘sub-vertisments’ (modifi ca- HE Lolwah Alkhater has tweeted an infograph, highlighting the on the second fl oor of Doha Fire Station’s an art “without place” that is able to con- ings of suff ering and pain, boredom and tions of commercial works). strategic partnership the country shares with the UN. Café building. vey an imaginary universe, always aware sadness, which enable us to resist mass Later, the artist explored industri- “I am grateful for this opportunity to of having to negotiate its presence with fl attening and annihilation. al production with Kaws Companion, show a large group of my works in Doha the already existing market of signs,” Ce- Kaws’ imagery has long possessed a Chum, and Accomplice — large- and for the fi rst time, and in such a complex lant said. sophisticated, dark humour, revealing the small-scale objects translate the noisy and interesting space at the Fire Station,” “It is an acknowledgement of the icon- interplay between art and consumerism, exuberance of graffi ti into 3-D cartoon Kaws said. ic materials in circulation that have led us referencing both art history and pop cul- characters that recall familiar images and The curator said the fi gures by Kaws are to a nomadic, and now virtual, culture. ture. characters in pop culture. Ashghal takes steps to tackle rainwater

From Page 1 facilities across the country. Ashghal has cleaned more At a recently held workshop, than 105,000 gullies in diff erent Ashghal president Dr Saad bin Ah- areas, until September, and the mad al-Muhannadi instructed con- cleaning works will continue un- tractors and offi cials concerned to til the end of the rainy season. take all important precautions and Ashghal, in accordance with measures in order to ensure that the requirements, has also in- highways, main roads and tunnels creased the number of tankers are free from rainwater accumula- and mobile pumps to clear rain- tion, making the safety of road users water. Areas that are vulner- the top priority. able to waterlogging have been Every rainy season, Ashghal de- identifi ed and necessary equip- velops a mechanism to overcome ment and machinery have been rainwater-related issues and in- put in place for quick response tensifi es training for its staff mem- and water removal. Priorities are bers in order to help them improve The first museum show in the Middle East of renowned artist Brian Donnelly, known also defi ned in terms of securing the complaint redress time and Kaws: He Eats Alone features 40 artworks professionally as Kaws, displays paintings, graphic design, small-scale objects, and highways, all tunnels, internal ensure fast response in dealing representing the artist’s studio practice. large-scale sculptures made over the past 20 years. PICTURES: Joey Aguilar Another artwork from the exhibition. roads, schools zones and health with water accumulation. VCU president Michael Rao visits Doha campus

r Michael Rao, president He also reminded them of the in touch with VCUarts Qatar, “so of Virginia Common- importance of service to others in that we can be part of your story, Dwealth University (VCU) their lives. “When you are 90, it and you can be part of ours.” in Richmond, Virginia, recently will matter more what you did for He highlighted Tasmeem visited Virginia Commonwealth others, how you touched them, Doha, the university’s biennial University School of the Arts in than anything else. Every one of international art and design con- Qatar (VCUarts Qatar), the uni- us has great potential to make a ference, as an example. versity’s campus in Education diff erence,” he said. The conference, which was led City. Introducing dean Berbic, who by four alumni — Noha Fouad, He met with faculty, students joined VCUarts Qatar in August, Wajiha Pervez, Hadeer Omar, and staff , including members of Dr Rao explained that the uni- and Yasmeen Sulieman — fo- the Student Government Asso- versity was very particular in its cused on the theme of Hekayat ciation, at a special luncheon. search for candidates for the po- (storytelling), was full of insight- Also present were his wife sition of dean, recognising that it ful conversations, descriptive Monica Rao, VCUarts Qatar dean was important to fi nd someone journeys, inspiring presentations Amir Berbic and his wife Džena who could tap into the powerful and music. Berbic. energy of the country and take it The co-chairs also took Tas- Afterwards, Dr Rao attended to the next level. meem Doha on the road, taking an alumni reception and dinner Berbic highlighted the role part in design conferences in at Education City Golf Club. that VCUarts Qatar is playing London and Amman in Septem- VCU has more 190,000 alumni as a catalyst in art and design in ber and October. worldwide, with VCUarts Qatar’s Qatar and the region by support- Berbic also mentioned alum- alumni numbering more than ing cultural and artistic develop- nus Othman Khunji, who was 750 and representing 50 nation- ment. among the winners of the VCU alities. Noting that there are more Alumni 10 under 10 awards. Dr Rao encouraged the alumni than 750 alumni, he reminded The honour recognises the to make a diff erence by being the attendees that as the number noteworthy accomplishments Dr Rao with Berbic and others during his visit to VCUarts Qatar. leaders, while reminding them of of alumni grows, the country made by VCU alumni who earned their importance to the history “will see and feel the impact that their degree in the past 10 years. outstanding contributions to the VCUarts Qatar graduates, rang- is to be the voice of the alumni, connections and strengthens the and the future of the university, you, the alumni, as a force will The alumni are recognised for community. As part of the event, ing from the most recent class of and to organise any services or ties between the alumni and the adding that the work they were have on Qatar as an emerging their service to the university, the new Alumni Council was also 2019 all the way back to the fi rst events they deem necessary for university. doing in the community was creative nation.” service to VCU alumni, remark- introduced. MFA in Design class. their growth and development. One can fi nd out more about “fulfi lling the vision of VCU”. Berbic urged the alumni to stay able professional success and The council consists of nine The Alumni Council’s purpose The council also maintains the VCUarts Qatar at qatar.vcu.edu