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FRIDAY Vol. XXXX No. 11388 December 6, 2019 Rabia II 9, 1441 AH

GULF TIMES www. gulf-times.com 2 Riyals

Amir to honour Dhow Festival makes waves anti-corruption excellence award winners on Dec 9 Metro His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani will honour the winners of the fourth edition of Inter- to open on December 10 national Anti-Corruption Excellence Award during a ceremony which will take place on Monday December 9 z Preview service also was opened on May 8 this year. FIFA Club World Cup as well as the in the capital of Rwanda, Kigali, in co- includes opening of The Green Line runs from Al Man- upcoming FIFA Club World Cup. operation with the United Nations, soura to Al Riff a and comprises a total The stadium is set to be inaugurat- and in the presence of President of Hamad International of 11 stations. The other stations are ed on Qatar National Day (December Rwanda, Paul Kagame. Airport, Katara, Qatar Msheireb (interchange), (in- 18), hosting UEFA Champions League His Highness the Amir and the University and Lusail terchange), The White Palace, Hamad winners Liverpool FC in one of the president of Rwanda will honour Hospital, , Al semi-fi nals of the Club World Cup the winners of four awards: The stations on Red Line Qadeem, Al Shaqab, Qatar National that evening. The stadium will also Award for Academic Research and z All three lines to Library and . host the third-place play-off and the Education, The Award for Youth become operational Like the Red and Gold lines, the fi nal of the tournament, both on De- The ninth edition of the Traditional Dhow Festival continued to draw crowds Creativity and Engagement, The Green Line will operate from 6am to cember 21. yesterday at Katara – the Cultural Village yesterday. The festival features a Award for Innovation, and The 11pm from Saturday to Thursday, and People in Qatar can already ac- wide range of activities, events and exhibitions, competitions, and cultural and Award for Lifetime/Outstanding By Joey Aguilar from 2pm to 11pm on Fridays. cess two other 2022 World Cup ven- recreational shows with a special focus on the marine heritage of Qatar and the Achievement. – QNA Page 3 Staff Reporter Metrolink feeder bus services will ues, Khalifa International Stadium in other participating countries. Image courtesy of Katara Twitter page. Page 16 be available during these timings to Doha and Al Janoub Stadium in Wak- transport passengers between the rah, by using ’s Gold and PM’s mother atar Rail is set to start the Metro stations and areas near them, Red lines, respectively. preview service of the Doha according to the MoTC. The routes Besides stadiums, the opening of passes away QMetro Green Line for the pub- can be found on the appli- all three lines also allows Qatar resi- Saudi Arabia to play lic on December 10, Qatar’s Ministry cation and the company’s website. dents and visitors to easily access Sheikha Mariam bint Abdullah of Transport and Communications Passengers using the Green Line major malls such as City Center Doha al-Attiyah, mother of HE the Prime (MoTC) has announced. can use any of the two interchange (DECC station, Red Line), Villaggio (Al in Gulf Cup fi nal Minister and Minister of Interior The preview service of the Green stations, Msheireb and Al Bidda, to Aziziyah station, ) and Mall Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Line will also include the opening of switch over to another line. While of Qatar (Al Riff a station, Green Line), Khalifa al-Thani, has passed away four more stations on the Red Line – Msheireb serves as an interchange among other popular destinations. By Sahan Bidappa Asian champions were unlucky to in London. The funeral prayer will Hamad International Airport, Katara, station for all three lines (Red, Gold A Day Pass for all lines costs QR6, Doha bow out of the competition despite be performed today after Jumu’ah Qatar University and Lusail, accord- and Green), Al Bidda is an interchange while a single trip costs QR2 in the putting on a brave show in front of a (Friday) prayer at Imam Muhammad ing to Qatar Rail. station for the Red and Green lines. standard and family class, and QR10 packed crowd. ibn Abd al-Wahhab Mosque, and the With this, “test operations on all With the opening of the Green in the gold class. Metro passengers t was heartbreak for Qatar as the Abdullah al-Hamdan’s 28th minute burial will be at cemetery. three Doha Metro lines will have been Line, Metro passengers – especially will not be required to tap in and out hosts went down fi ghting to Saudi header turned out to be the winner for Condolences can be off ered at the conducted”, the MoTC said. Earlier, football enthusiasts – will have easy when interchanging between lines IArabia 0-1 in the semi-fi nals of the Saudis, who will face Bahrain in Sun- Majlis of the late Sheikh Khalifa bin Qatar Rail had started services on the access to the new Education City Sta- as long as they remain within the yesterday. day’s fi nal at the Khalifa International Ahmed al-Thani in Muraikh. – QNA Gold Line on November 21, while the dium – one of the venues of the 2022 paid area. At the Al Janoub Stadium, the Stadium.To Page 3 Sport Pages 1,2 Gulf Times 2 Friday, December 6, 2019 QATAR

Labour Minister meets Unicef official Al-Hammadi meets Libyan official Official Amir sends condolences to French president

His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, His Highness the Deputy Amir Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad al-Thani sent yesterday cables of condolences to French President Emmanuel Macron on the victims of the two helicopter crash in Mali. Also, HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa al- Thani sent a cable of condolences to French PM Edouard Philippe on the victims of the two HE the Minister of Administrative Development, Labour and Social Aff airs Yousef bin Mohamed helicopter crash in Mali. al-Othman Fakhro met yesterday with Unicef Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa Ted Shiban and the accompanying delegation. During the meeting, they reviewed areas of joint co-operation between the two sides. Meanwhile, HE the Secretary-General of the Ministry of Foreign Amir sends Aff airs Dr Ahmed bin Hassan al-Hammadi also met with Unicef Regional Director for the Middle HE the Secretary-General of the Ministry of Foreign Aff airs Dr Ahmed bin Hassan al-Hammadi met congratulations East and North Africa Ted Shiban, who is currently visiting the country. During the meeting, they yesterday with Libyan Foreign Minister Undersecretary for Technical Aff airs Mahmoud Khalifa discussed relations between Qatar and Unicef and the prospects for co-operation, in addition to al-Telisi who is recently visiting the country. During the meeting, they viewed bilateral relations to Thailand king matters of common concern. between the two countries as well as issues of common concern. His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, His Highness the Deputy Amir Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad al-Thani sent yesterday cables Chief of Staff meets president of FM receives written letter from of congratulations to King Maha Vajiralongkorn of Thailand on the International Military Sports Council Indian minister of external affairs occasion of his country’s National Day. Also, HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa al-Thani sent a cable of congratulations to Thailand PM Prayut Chan-o-cha on the occasion of his country’s National Day.

Shura Council committee approves state’s budget for fiscal year 2020

The Financial and Economic Aff airs Committee of the Shura Council held yesterday a meet- ing under the chairmanship of HE the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Aff airs Sheikh Mohamed bin Abdulrahman its rapporteur Ali bin Abdullatif al-Thani received a written letter from Indian Minister of External Aff airs Dr Subrahmanyam al-Misnad al-Mohannadi. The HE the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces Lieutenant General (Pilot) Ghanem bin Shaheen Jaishankar, concerning bilateral relations. HE the Secretary-General of the Ministry of Foreign committee discussed the state’s al-Ghanem met the President of International Military Sports Council (CISM) Herve Piccirillo, Aff airs Dr Ahmed bin Hassan al-Hammadi received the written letter during his meeting with public budget for the fiscal year who is currently visiting Qatar. The meeting discussed areas related to military sports activity. Indian ambassador P Kumaran. of 2020 in the attendance of Ministry of Finance Under- secretary Khalaf bin Ahmed al-Mannai, President of the Public Works Authority Saad bin Ahmad al-Muhannadi, Assistant 48-hour closure for traffic coming Undersecretary for Monetary Policy Aff airs for the Ministry from towards Al Rayyan of Finance Abdulrahman al- Mudahka, Assistant Undersec- retary for Fiscal Policy Aff airs Ashghal to for the Ministry of Finance Abdulrahman Jolo, as well as the Head of Budget Aff airs for the Ministry of Finance Salman al-Mahmoud, in addition to Head of Public Budget follow-up department for the Ministry open second of Finance Maryam al-Obaidli, and assistant director of the Buildings Projects Department for the Public Works Authority Jarallah Mohammed al-Marri. The committee decided to ap- prove the state’s public budget underpass at project for fiscal year of 2022 and its recommendations to the Shura Council. The Legal and Legislative Aff airs Committee of the Shura Council held a meet- ing yesterday under the chair- manship of rapporteur of the committee Nasser bin Rashid al-Kaabi. The committee con- The Public Works Authority (Ashghal) has announced a 48-hour closure for traff ic coming from Al tinued the study of a draft law Waab towards Al Rayyan via Sabah Al Ahmad Corridor from today. The closure in co-ordination with amending some provisions of the General Directorate of Traff ic is to facilitate the completion of some works on Sabah Al Ahmad Law No. (15) of 2014 regarding Corridor. Ashghal will install road signs advising motorists of the temporary closure and requested organising charitable works and road users to abide by the specified speed limit of the alternate routes and follow road signs to decided to complete its study at Interchange ensure safety. its next meeting. — QNA he Public Works Author- ity (Ashghal) has an- Tnounced that the second underpass within Mesaimeer Interchange will open today. Temporary closure on 100m of Sheraouh Street The opening is in co-ordination with the General Directorate of Traffi c, a statement said. The one-km-long interchange will ensure free fl ow traffi c from E-Ring Road to Road. The new underpass consists of one-way traffi c with two lanes and an emergency lane connecting the E-Ring Road with the Industrial Area Road with a capacity of around 4,000 vehicles per hour. Last month, There are two main bridges the fi rst underpass linking traf- with one connecting Rawdat Al fi c between E- Ring Road and Khail Street and the Industrial Street was Area Road and vice versa. The opened. Ashghal has completed other one connects E-Ring Road construction of the two of nine with Doha Expressway South in tunnels at the interchange. one direction ensuring free fl ow Engineer Hassan al-Ghanim traffi c in all directions and con- said the newly opened under- necting the main strategic roads pass is the second achievement together. at Messaimer Interchange after Engineer Hassan al-Ghanim The project includes 6.1km the opening of the fi rst under- length of construction works pass in November. “Works of ers’ access from and can take 20,000 vehicles the fi rst interchange were com- and areas without per hour in both directions on pleted six months ahead of the using the existing diversion re- completion. The Interchange, schedule,” he said while adding sulting in less travel time and scheduled to be fully opera- that 76% of total works have free traffi c fl ow. The newly tional by the second quarter of The Public Works Authority (Ashghal) has announced a temporary closure on 100m of Sheraouh Street in both directions from today for a been completed so far. constructed Mesaimeer Inter- 2020, will play a major role in month. The closure, in co-ordination with the General Directorate of Traff ic, is to allow completion of expansion works. Bahr Al Arab Street The new underpass connects change consists of three levels improving the traffi c movement and Ali Bin Amur Al Attiya Street could be used as alternate roads. Ashghal will install road signs advising motorists of the temporary the E-Ring road with the Indus- with nine underpasses provid- and saving more than 60% of closure and has requested road users to abide by the specified speed limit on the alternate routes and follow road signs to ensure safety. trial Area Road easing commut- ing free fl ow of traffi c. travel time. Gulf Times Friday, December 6, 2019 3 QATAR Stage set for Sheikh Tamim Anti-Corruption Award ceremony in Rwanda

heikh Tamim Bin Hamad This year the fourth edition support of the anti-corruption organisations, groups and in- projects designed and led by tributions made to support the ruption-free society. Al Thani International of the award will be presented at mandate of The United Nations dividuals who demonstrate a young people and, where appli- global fi ght against corruption. The award hopes that SAnti-Corruption Excel- a ceremony in Rwanda on De- Offi ce on Drugs and Crime (UN- commitment towards the pre- cable, supported by civil society The greater purpose of the through its public image, the lence Award is presented an- cember 9. ODC), the initiative promotes vention and control of corrup- organisations; award is to serve as a tool that visibility of those whom are nually on International Anti- Established in 2016, the In- the importance of tackling cor- tion are given across four cat- 3. The Anti-Corruption In- highlights exemplary and note- fi ghting corruption is not only Corruption Day (December ternational Anti-Corruption ruption and encourages the egories: novation Award, intending to worthy actions and good prac- enhanced but also celebrated 9) and in recognition and ap- Excellence Award is designed implementation of the United off er recognition and apprecia- tices on a global scale, to rec- across the world and hopes to preciation to those whom have to showcase creative and out- Nations Convention against 1. The Anti-Corruption tion to innovative approaches ognise, promote, collect and motivate governments, aca- contributed to the global cam- standing achievements of anti- Corruption. Academic Research and Educa- and prominent contributions disseminate anti-corruption demic institutions, the media paign against corruption. The corruption projects from across The awards honour those tion Award, looking at academic to the prevention of and fi ght models from around the world; and civil society to adopt and award recognises individuals the globe and publicly acknowl- who have shown dedication to research in the area of anti-cor- against corruption; and to raise awareness, support and understand the principles of and organisations who have edge these exceptional eff orts. tackling corruption, and aim to ruption; 4. The Anti-Corruption solidarity to the fi ght against the United Nations Convention dedicated themselves to com- Awarded by the Rule Of Law inspire others to replicate simi- 2. The Anti-Corruption Lifetime/Outstanding Achieve- corruption; as well as to en- Against Corruption (UNCAC) bat corruption in some capac- and Anti-Corruption Centre lar eff orts. Submissions from Youth Creativity and Engage- ment Award, recognising note- courage and inspire similar and and collaborate towards its im- ity. (ROLACC), and presented in across the globe to nominate ment Award, focussing on worthy and outstanding con- new initiatives towards a cor- plementation.

Sheikha Moza to attend Doha International Conference on Disability and Development Qatar attaches great

QNA ers, including Amina Moham- tional reference point for Doha ed, deputy secretary-general policy development and the of the UN; Xavier Torres, advancement of human rights adviser of the Presidential and sustainable social devel- importance to building er Highness Sheikha Government of Ecuador; and opment for persons with dis- Moza bint Nasser, Edward Ndopu, as well as a abilities. Hfounder of Qatar Foun- number of senior officials, Qatar is leading a global dation for Social Work (QFSW), with the participation of more initiative to bring about the will attend the inaugural Doha than 40 speakers and more desired change at the level of International Conference on than 1,000 people from Qatar the living conditions of about a ‘comprehensive state’ Disability and Development and the world. 15% of the world’s popula- (DICDD) tomorrow, at the Qatar The aim of the DICDD is to tion, in addition to enhancing QNA National Convention Centre. highlight and address the issues their capabilities and provid- Bali The two-day DICDD, organ- and challenges faced by people ing opportunities for them ised by the QFSW in collabora- with disabilities, which aff ect to exercise their full rights in tion with local and international more than 1. 5bn people world- fulfilment of its obligations E the Minister of State partners, will take place under wide. towards the Sustainable De- for Foreign Aff airs Sultan the theme “Leaving no one be- The DICDD will culminate velopment Goals 2030 and the Hbin Saad al-Muraikhi has hind”. in the announcement of the United Nations Convention said that Qatar pays great atten- The conference will feature “Doha Declaration,” which on the Rights of Persons with tion to building a comprehensive several distinguished speak- will become a key interna- Disabilities. state by working hard to develop its educational, economic, so- cial and cultural policies and di- recting them towards building a country based on rights for all its Philippine president meets al-Muraikhi citizens and non-discrimination among them. Speaking during a panel dis- cussion titled “Moving Towards Inclusive State Building” at the Bali Democracy Forum (BDF), HE al-Muraikhi said Qatar is HE the Minister of State for Foreign Aff airs Sultan bin Saad al-Muraikhi taking part in the panel discussion. also pushing for strengthening the bonds of social integration concept of inclusion is based on the material and moral authority exclusion” as a tool of govern- among all members of society the need to involve all members that it has. ance by a dominant political and its diff erent groups. of society in the process of na- He said that public policies and economic elite, working to He said that all of this was tion building and including the work to achieve the goals of in- dismantle society and its ties, strengthened following the im- integration of persons who may clusion through a number of isolate groups of the popula- position of the unjust blockade be excluded or marginalised for tools available to the country, tion, systematically discriminate on Qatar, and the united stand of various reasons, such as wom- such as education, media, polit- between citizens using politi- Qatari people in facing the chal- en, minorities and persons with ical participation, social welfare cal sectarianism based on race, lenges posed by the crisis. special needs. and cultural programmes, eco- religion, or language as a tool of He added that it is well known HE al-Muraikhi stressed the nomic and development policies governance and domination. President of the Philippines Rodrigo Duterte met HE the Minister of State for Foreign Aff airs Sultan that the country plays a major importance of public policies in and other areas that enable the Meanwhile, on the sidelines bin Saad al-Muraikhi in Manila yesterday. HE al-Muraikhi conveyed the greetings of His Highness and important role in achieving the building of a comprehen- country to empower the society. of the Bali Democracy Forum the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani to the Philippine president and his wishes on more the concept of inclusion in so- sive state, social integration and HE al-Muraihki pointed out HE al-Muraikhi met the Deputy progress and prosperity for the Philippine people. The Philippine president reciprocated the Amir’s cieties, whether in the fi elds of citizenship, as the state is the that a pattern has been estab- Minister of Foreign Aff airs of greetings and wishes. During the meeting, they discussed bilateral relations and issues of common economy and development or in most important actor in society lished during the past decades Venezuela Ruben Dario Molina, concern. HE al-Muraikhi also met the Foreign Aff airs Undersecretary for Policy in the Philippines the fi eld of political participation and the most capable of play- in a large number of the Third During the meeting, they re- Enrique A Manalo. They reviewed bilateral relations, as well as issues of common concern. and decision-making, point- ing a pivotal role in this process World countries in particular, viewed bilateral relations and is- ing out that the basic idea of the through the great potential and based on “discrimination and sues of common concern. Qatar Indian School Youth Saudi Arabia to play Festival to be held next week Bahrain in Gulf Cup fi nal From Page 1 Hassan and Pedro Miguel con- half as the hosts went all out in he Qatar Indian School ries in 13 items. event in a bid to provide students tives from the ministry. Prizes tinuing to play as wingers. And attack in search for an equal- Youth Festival, Kalanjali, “The festival will turn out to with a common and offi cial plat- for individual performances will Bahrain had earlier knocked it almost gave Qatar success as iser. But it took them the 60th Twill be held on Decem- be an ideal platform for students form to showcase their cultural be distributed while a rolling out Iraq in the fi rst semi-fi nal early as in the seventh minute. minute to create a goal-scoring ber 12-13 at Ideal Indian School to express their talents,” Dr Has- skills,” said Binukumar G, pro- trophy will be given to the cham- at the Abdullah Bin Khalifa Sta- Pedro burst into the right side opportunity, with both Hassan in , featuring more san Kunhi, president, Ideal In- gramme general convenor and pion school. A best performer dium after winning via penalty and fi red a cross into the box, but and Hatim shooting wide. In than 1,200 students from 10 dian School, told a press confer- general manager of Mediapen. boy (Kalaprathibha) and best shootout, with both sides locked could only get a tiny the meantime, Saudi players had schools, organisers announced ence. The festival is organised by A fl ag hoisting will mark the performer girl (Kalathilakam) at 2-2 after extra time. touch as the ball went out. Cap- dropped back to guard their goal yesterday. Mediapen in co-operation with formal start of the event at 8am will be also selected. While Saudi will be looking for tain Nawaf al-Abed had a chance but were a threat on the counter. Described as a fi rst in the Malayalam 98.6FM. on December 12 while the com- Malayalam 98.6FM CEO An- their fourth Gulf Cup title – their to put Saudi in front in the 16th In the 62nd minute, the Green country, the festival has the ap- Syed Shoukathali, principal, petitions will continue up to var Hussain, Mediapen market- fi rst since 2003 – Bahrain will fi - minute but hit straight to goal- Falcons had a chance to dou- proval of the Ministry of Edu- Ideal Indian School, said the pro- 10pm. The valedictory ceremony ing head Anu Tressa and pro- nally hope to end their drought, keeper Saad al-Sheeb. ble the lead when al-Hamdan cation and Higher Education. gramme is aimed at helping the stu- will be held at 5pm on December gramme co-ordinator Mohamed after having fi nished runners-up There were no clear cut was clear on goal, but Boualem Participants will contest in sub- dents achieve overall development. 13. Organisers said the function Ibrahim also attended the press four times in the competition. chances for both sides until an Khoukhi’s timely intervention junior, junior and senior catego- “The festival will be an annual will be attended by representa- conference. On the eve of the tourna- al-Sheeb mistake provided the blocked the 20-year-old’s shot. ment, Saudi coach Herve Renard breakthrough for the Saudis Thereafter, desperate Qatar had picked out defence as the in the 28th minute. Sultan al- players continued to pound the backbone of his team. And the Ghanam played, what looked Saudi defence. While Almoez Frenchman proved to be right, like an innocuous ball into the was late to latch onto a fi ne pass as his defenders stood like a rock Qatar box, but al-Sheeb reacted from Afi f, Hatem’s ferocious even as Qatar players fi red in 21 slowly to clear the aerial ball by corner that bounced off the post attempts on the night. Saudi had which time al-Hamdan got a indicated it was not meant to be only four shots but three of them slight touch on the ball. Salem Qatar’s night. were on target, to hosts just two. al-Hajri made a last ditch eff ort Saudi had their own misfor- Qatar came close to scoring but the ball had already gone in. tune in the 83rd minute, when many times with their best chance Two minutes later the hosts Mohamed Kanu’s shot struck the Organisers announce the event yesterday. coming off Abdulaziz Hatem in could have equalised after al- post. The rebound fell into Yasir the 63rd minute. The midfi elder’s Qarni fumbled to collect the ball, al-Shahrani, whose shot was audacious attempt from the cor- but Qatar players were nowhere tipped off by al-Sheeb. ner slammed into top of the post near the ball to take advantage. With time running out for Qa- before it hit Saudi goalkeeper Fa- While their defence looked vul- tar, Afi f had the best chance in the waz al-Qarni’s head. nerable, the hosts’ sheer potency 85th minute but his header fl ew Al Khor Petrol Station adds to Woqod’s network Qatar’s head coach Felix in attack kept them in the game. well off the target. The Al Annabi Sanchez followed his blueprint But the Asian player of the Year had more than 70 percent of the which has given him much suc- Akram Afi f had an off day, while possession in the last 20 minutes, atar Fuel (Woqod) wash, oil change and tyre repair, cess this year, employing a 3-4- Pedro, Almoez Ali and Hatim but despite a sustained pressure opened Al Khor Petrol and sale of Shafaf LPG cylinders, 2-1 formation. It was an ag- spurned their chances. they could not take the game into QStation yesterday, tak- in addition to sale of petrol and gressive one, with Abdelkarim It was all Qatar in the second extra time. ing the strength of its network diesel products for light vehicles. of various petrol stations to 94, Al-Muhannadi explained that managing director and CEO Woqod is currently overseeing Moldova prime minister Qatar’s ambassador to Saad Rashid al-Muhannadi said. the implementation of 18 new Al Khor Petrol Station is spread petrol stations, with most to be meets Qatar’s ambassador Cuba presents credentials over an area of 15,000sqm, with completed before the end of the four lanes and 12 dispensers for year. “As part of its strategic ex- Prime Minister of Moldova Ion Chicu met the Deputy Minister of Foreign Aff airs of Cuba, light vehicles. The new petrol pansion plan, Woqod is targeting Acting Charge d’Aff aires at the embassy of Qatar Ana Teresita Gonzalez Fraga, has received the station off er round-the-clock the achievement of a total of 114 to Moldova, Hamad bin Rashid al-Athba yesterday. credentials of Qatar’s ambassador Abdullah bin services, including a Sidra con- fuel stations by the end of 2020,” During the meeting, they reviewed bilateral Mohamed al-Derbasti. She wished the ambassador venience store, manual car the offi cial added. A view of Al Khor Petrol Station, opened yesterday by Woqod. relations, as well as issues of common concern. success in his duties. – QNA Gulf Times 4 Friday, December 6, 2019 REGION/ARAB WORLD/AFRICA

Boko Haram More than 260 killed as kidnap 17 youths in rains batter East Africa Cameroon AFP hunger as crops are destroyed. indicated that the current rains fl ash fl oods in the northeast in fected, with 22 people dying in than usual, resulting in higher AFP Nairobi In Burundi, 38 people died on are not expected to cease until October, 15 whose car was swept a landslide in the south of the evaporation and moist air fl ow- Yaounde Wednesday night after heavy the end of December 2019”, the away by fl oodwaters in the town country in October. ing inwards over the continent rains triggered landslides that statement said. of Tanga, and 10 who drowned Djibouti has also experienced as rain: the hallmarks of a “posi- wo months of relentless swept through hillside commu- In South Sudan, the UN refu- last month in northern Mwanza. unusually heavy rains, with a tive” dipole. oko Haram militants have rains have submerged nities in the northwest of the gee agency UNHCR said nearly In Uganda, eight people have joint government and United Scientists say the strength of kidnapped 17 children and Tvillages and farms and country, according to a provi- 1mn people have been aff ected died and over 80,000 have Nations press statement report- this dipole is of a magnitude not Byouths, some as young sent rivers of mud crashing into sional police toll on Thursday. by fl oodwaters which submerged been displaced by fl ooding and ing that some areas received “the seen in years, perhaps even dec- as 11, in the north of Cameroon houses across East Africa, with “It happened in the night, whole towns, compounding an mudslides this week, Disaster equivalent of 2 years of rainfall ades. near the Nigerian frontier, police at least 265 killed, according to when everyone was at home, already dire humanitarian situa- Preparedness Minister Musa occurred in one day” in heavy These waters around East and local offi cials said yesterday. an AFP tally, as meteorologists and landslides hit three very tion after six years of war. Ecweru said in a statement. downpours two weeks ago. Africa have been about two de- Since it began a decade ago, warn of more to come. steep hills and buried everything Flooding has also aff ected Days of heavy rainfall on “Some 10 people (7 children) grees warmer than those of the Nigeria’s Boko Haram insurgen- The extreme downpours have in their path,” a witness told 570,000 people in Somalia, ac- Mount Elgon on Tuesday caused have reportedly been killed,” eastern Indian Ocean near Aus- cy has killed more than 27,000 aff ected close to two million AFP. “Whole families were bur- cording to the UN Offi ce for the “multiple landslides in ... Budu- said the statement, adding that tralia – an imbalance well be- people, displaced some two mil- people and washed away tens of ied alive in their homes or in the Co-ordination of Humanitarian da district killing four people, 250,000 were aff ected country- yond the norm. lion, but has increasingly spilled thousands of livestock in Kenya, fi elds. It was terrifying.” Aff airs (OCHA). injuring fi ve and displacing more wide. The heavy rains have also over into neighbouring Cam- Somalia, Burundi, Tanzania, Kenya has been hard hit with The European humanitar- than 6,000 people”. The extreme weather is wrought destruction in cen- eroon, Chad and Niger. South Sudan, Uganda, Djibouti, 132 killed and 17,000 displaced, ian agency ECHO meanwhile In Sironko district, also on blamed on the Indian Ocean Di- tral Africa, with scores killed in “Boko Haram attacked around and Ethiopia. schools, roads, and health cen- warned of a tropical storm due Mount Elgon, “two adults and pole – a climate system defi ned the Democratic Republic of the 2300 (22:00 GMT) in Mbreche With a tropical storm headed tres fl ooded, and water systems to hit northeastern Somalia to- two children were killed” and by the diff erence in sea surface Congo, including 41 in the capi- district, about 30km (20 miles) for Somalia and more rain fore- clogged across the country, day, bringing the threat of more over 4,000 people aff ected. temperature between the west- tal Kinshasa last week. from the Nigeria border. They cast across the region in the government spokesman Cyrus fl ash fl oods. “The risk of more fl ooding ern and eastern areas of the In the Central African Re- kidnapped 21 people, but four coming weeks, fears are rising Oguna said in a statement on In Tanzania, 55 people have and landslides is real,” the min- ocean. public, OCHA says that around managed to escape,” a local of- over the spread of waterborne Tuesday. died, according to an AFP tally ister warned. At the moment, the ocean 100,000 people have been dis- fi cial said. diseases and the prospect of The “weather forecast has of police fi gures, including 30 in Ethiopia has also been af- around East Africa is far warmer placed. A police offi cial confi rmed the kidnapping of the 17 young peo- ple, both male and female, who range from ages 11 to 20. “The army has launched a res- cue operation. Among the four Dozens drown people who got away, one says he recognised the kidnappers as Mbreche inhabitants who were recruited by Boko Haram,” the as boat sinks off offi cial said. Since 2014, Cameroon says militant attacks on its territory have caused “several thousand” Mauritania coast deaths. The insurgency has forced more than 250,000 people to fl ee AFP along the so-called western their homes as well as trigger an Nouakchott route this year, and the sixth infl ux of 60,000 Nigerian refu- deadliest migrant capsize glo- gees. bally, according to IOM data. Boko Haram has since split t least 62 migrants trav- Some 158 people are known in two, with the emergence of a elling on a makeshift to have died trying to reach the branch that has sworn allegiance Aboat have drowned off Canary Islands so far this year, to the Islamic State (IS) group, the coast of Mauritania, in according to the IOM, against known as Islamic State Group in the worst loss of life this year 43 last year. West Africa or ISWAP. along the increasingly trav- Survivors of Wednesday’s The other faction, loyal to elled western Atlantic migra- sinking told the IOM that the movement’s historic leader, tion route to Europe. there were at least 150 people Abubakar Shekau, is known for Eighty-three survivors aboard, including women and targeting civilians, including vil- managed to swim to shore after children. lage attacks and suicide attacks. their boat, which was head- Mauritania’s interior min- The ISWAP, which has about ing for Spain’s Canary Islands, istry also said the vessel was 3,000 men grouped at Lake capsized when it hit a rock. carrying between 150 and 180 Chad, has been building its ca- The migrants “were mostly people, adding that most of the pacity and mainly targets the clandestine immigrants try- passengers were between the Firefighters and safety off icers are seen in the Lagos swamp of Baruwa, where a burst oil pipeline is burning. army. ing to reach Spain, coming ages of 20 and 30. Militants often make incur- from Banjul in Gambia”, Mau- It said 10 of the survivors sions into Cameroon in search of ritania’s interior ministry said needed emergency medical food reserves, such as livestock, in a statement released on treatment. and to kidnap women and chil- Wednesday night. Eighty-fi ve survivors had Man burnt to death in freak accident dren for ransom or to be forcibly An original death toll of 58 been taken in line with “hu- recruited. given by the International Or- man solidarity” and “African Boko Haram also targets the ganisation for Migration (IOM) hospitality”, it said. AFP “The pastor picked a keg be- engulfed both of them,” Farin- yond recognition, while another soldiers of the Cameroonian rose to at least 62 yesterday, Those in need of treatment Lagos lieving it contained water not loye told AFP. person (the pastor) was severely army. as more dead bodies washed were transported to a hospital knowing it was fi lled with pet- The church fi re in the Baruwa burnt,” Farinloye said. The country also faces a seri- ashore during the day. in Nouadhibou, where a doctor rol,” said Ibrahim Farinloye of area in the north of the sprawl- The head of Lagos state emer- ous crisis in its English-speaking The migrant vessel sank said they arrived “exhausted, man was burnt to death the National Emergency Man- ing city then spread to nearby gency service LASEMA, Femi areas, the Northwest and South- some 25km (15 miles) north of starving, their morale at zero”. yesterday after a pastor agement Agency. oil pipelines, which burst into Oke-Osanyintolu, confi rmed west regions, where for two the town of Nouadhibou, near Laura Lungarotti, the head Amistook petrol for water “In the process of emptying fl ames, he added. the accident, adding that op- years separatists and the army the border with Western Sa- of the IOM mission in Mauri- during a healing service in La- the contents on the man, a lit “We have recovered the body erations were under way to ex- have fought a confl ict, killing hara, a Mauritanian security tania, said the priority is now gos. candle nearby sparked fi re that of a man. He was burned be- tinguish the pipeline blaze. more than 3,000 people. offi cial told AFP. caring for the survivors. “The craft hit a rock in the Mauritanian authorities middle of the sea, it started have contacted their Gambian taking on water and the engine counterparts, and the coun- fell apart,” the offi cial said. try’s ambassador is expected to “They weren’t far from the visit Nouadhibou. Turkey to host new summit EU powers’ letter to shore, but a large swell stopped Kim, the IOM spokes- them from reaching the coast woman, said that the reasons by boat.” behind migration from places UN shows ‘miserable The offi cial added that there such as The Gambia were com- to tackle Syrian confl ict was nothing aboard and that plex, and not only economic. the migrants were hungry and “Migration isn’t just an in- incompetence’: Zarif cold so they jumped into the dividual decision, it’s a family AFP of the three leaders on when signal the end of a period of sea and started swimming. one. Ankara Turkey would leave northern turbulence and uncertainty The IOM said survivors had “It’s also a sort of initiation Syria. surrounding the US military ran said yesterday a letter hood to cover up their miserable been trying to reach the Ca- rite. You become a man once “We said to them, ‘What is presence in Syria after Presi- from three European powers incompetence in fulfi lling bare nary Islands and that the boat you’ve migrated,” she said. urkey will host a sum- your business there? Do you dent Donald Trump’s initial Ito the UN Security Council minimum of their own #JCPOA left The Gambia on November Mauritania’s interior min- mit on Syria in Febru- have a border?’ No.’ Are you withdrawal order in October. accusing Tehran of having nu- obligations,” Foreign Minister 27. istry said the tragedy of “the Tary with the leaders of harassed by any fi re?’ No.’ Are Since then, troop levels in clear-capable ballistic missiles Mohamed Javad Zarif tweeted, Attempts to reach the Ca- phenomenon of clandestine France, Germany and Britain there attacks?’ No.” Syria have fallen about 40% showed their “miserable incom- referring to the deal by its formal nary Islands from West African immigration which is decimat- amid ongoing tensions over Russian President Vladimir from around 1,000. petence” in fulfi lling their com- acronym. countries have increased in re- ing the African youth”. the confl ict, President Recep Putin is also due to visit Is- Esper stressed he retained mitments to a 2015 nuclear deal. He urged Britain, France and cent years as authorities have Dia Alpha Sonoko, a Sen- Tayyip Erdogan said in com- tanbul on January 8, with the ability to move in and out “Latest E3 letter to UNSG on Germany not to bow to “US bul- clamped down on crossings to egalese man who survived the ments published yesterday. Syria and energy issues on the smaller numbers of forces as missiles is a desperate false- lying”. – Reuters Europe from Libya. sinking, told Mauritanian TV It follows their meeting on agenda. needed into Syria. Florence Kim, an IOM that the smugglers had aban- Tuesday in London on the Meanwhile, US Defence Sec- But he suggested the number Gaza raid victims’ families to appeal ICC decision spokeswoman, said that there doned the migrants at sea. sidelines of the Nato summit. retary Mark Esper said America of troops will fl uctuate around has been a “semi deviation of “We were (migrating) to “We agreed that we would has completed its military pull- the 600-level for the foreseea- Families of those killed aboard an aid flotilla to Gaza in 2010 will ap- the migration route”. try to support our parents,” do this four-way summit at back in northeastern Syria, set- ble future. “It will be relatively peal the International Criminal Court’s decision not to press charges The sinking in Mauritania is he said. “There is not enough least once a year. The second tling into a more stable posture static around that number. But against Israel, their lawyers announced yesterday. the largest known loss of life work in our countries.” summit will be in Istanbul in of about 600 troops in the rest of if we see things happen...I can The ICC’s chief prosecutor Fatou Bensouda said on Monday there February,” Erdogan said, ac- the country after repositioning dial up a little bit,” Esper said was “no reasonable basis to proceed with an investigation”. cording to state news agency and reducing forces. late on Wednesday during a Nine Turkish citizens lost their lives when Israeli commandos South Africa hit by power cuts Anadolu. Esper’s remarks in an in- fl ight back from the Nato sum- stormed the Mavi Marmara ship, which was trying to breach the He criticised the insistence terview with Reuters could mit on the outskirts of London. embargo on Gaza and deliver humanitarian aid. - AFP South Africa was hit by power cuts yesterday after a number of generating units broke down, forcing the struggling state power utility Eskom to cut up to 2,000MW of power from the national grid on a rotational basis. Eskom’s troubles have become one of the biggest challenges for President Cyril Ramaphosa, who is trying to revive growth in the Erekat: Establishment of a Palestinian state is inevitable country’s economy. The company produces more than 90% of South Africa’s power but has struggled to keep up with demand, leading to nationwide aeb Erekat, Secretary- tories recognised by the United armed with the national will he stressed is totally rejected by Meanwhile, the UN General power cuts that have deterred investment. General of the Executive Nations is the viable and feasi- based on historical right and the Palestinian leadership and Assembly has overwhelmingly Earlier yesterday Eskom said there were unplanned breakdowns of SCommittee of the Pales- ble solution. international law, Palestinian international community. “This adopted four resolutions in fa- generating units with 12,300MW capacity. tine Liberation Organisation Erekat stressed that the US WAFA news agency reported. will never force us to surrender vour of the State of Palestine. It has now experienced a loss of additional generation. (PLO) stressed during a meet- decisions and Israeli policy Erekat slammed the US deci- no matter what the pressures The General Assembly ap- The utility has a total of around 45,000MW of generating capacity. ing with US lawmakers from of dictations are futile for the sions as trying to legalise theft, are, and the establishment of a proved the resolution on “the The power cuts would occur from 4pm to 11pm in order to protect California that ending the Israeli Palestinian people and their piracy, and taking the rights of Palestinian state is inevitable, peaceful settlement of the ques- the power system from a total collapse, it said. occupation of Palestinian terri- national leadership, which is others by force of arms, which doubt not.” tion of Palestine” – QNA Gulf Times Friday, December 6, 2019 5 AMERICAS

CRACKDOWN COMMENT DECISION PEOPLE LEGAL Russian hackers charged Would consider Harris for Guards suspended over Ex-president Carter Ex-Nazi interpreter loses over digital crime spree vice presidential slot: Biden inmate’s near suicide released from hospital fight for Canada citizenship

US authorities yesterday took aim at a Russian A day after senator Kamala Harris ended her Four prison guards have been suspended after an Former president Jimmy Carter was released from Canada’s top court yesterday declined to review cybercriminal group known as Evil Corporation, 2020 presidential bid, former vice president Joe 18-year-old inmate was found unresponsive at New hospital, his off ice said, after the latest in a series of a decision to strip the citizenship of a Ukrainian indicting its Lamborghini-driving alleged leader Biden, a leading contender for the Democratic York’s notorious Rikers Island jail last Thursday, health issues that have raised concerns about the immigrant for alleged ties to a Nazi killing squad in and ordering asset freezes against 17 of his nomination, said he would consider her as a according to the city’s department of correction. 95-year-old. The Carter Centre said the Democrat, World War II. The Supreme Court decision paves associates over a digital crime spree that has potential running mate. Biden, with whom Harris Correction commissioner Cynthia Brann said in a who was president from 1977 to 1981, was the way to begin anew proceedings to deport netted more than $100mn from companies across clashed during a Democratic debate earlier statement that an inquiry was underway by the discharged from Phoebe Sumter Medical Centre Helmut Oberlander, after three previous attempts the world. The action against Evil Corporation this year, praised her after a campaign event in department of investigation. “Three off icers and in Americus, Georgia after treatment for a urinary to revoke his citizenship failed. The 95-year-old comes with a $5mn bounty issued for information Ames, Iowa. “Senator Harris has the capacity one captain have been suspended without pay, tract infection. Carter entered the facility last has been fighting to stay in Canada since federal leading to the arrest of its alleged leader, Maksim to be anything she wants to be,” Biden told and if the outcome of the investigation warrants weekend, only days after having been discharged police in 1995 launched an investigation into his Yakubets. British authorities described the reporters, according to a video posted by CBS we will take appropriate disciplinary action up to after undergoing successful surgery to relieve links to atrocities. A federal court found that he 32-year-old Yakubets as a supercar-lover who News. “I talked to her yesterday. She’s solid. She and including termination,” Brann said. Brann’s pressure on his brain caused by multiple falls. had “significantly misrepresented his wartime customised his Lamborghini license plate to read can be the president one day herself. She can statement comes after a report in the New York Carter “looks forward to further rest and recovery activities to Canadian immigration and citizenship “Thief” in Russian and ran his operation from the be the vice president. She can go on to be a Times said off icers failed to act for seven minutes at home in Plains, Georgia,” Deanna Congileo, a off icials when he applied to enter Canada” in 1952, basements of Moscow cafes. Supreme Court justice.” as a teenage detainee tried to hang himself. spokesperson for the centre, said in a statement. according to a legal summary of the case. Melania wades into fi ght to defend teen son

AFP “I want to apologise for what I Washington said earlier about the president’s son,” she told the panel. “It was wrong of me to do S First Lady Melania that” she said, before adding Trump publicly rebuked that she also wished “the presi- Ua scholar who used her dent would apologise, obviously, 13-year-old son’s name to make for the things that he’s done a point during a hearing as part that’s wrong.” of the impeachment inquiry into For years, members of both the president. political parties have agreed that Constitutional law professor the minor children of US politi- Pamela Karlan invoked Barron cians, particularly presidents, Trump, the son of Donald and are off limits. Melania Trump, to demonstrate During the hearing, Repub- how the Constitution imposes lican congressman Matt Ga- distinctions between a monarch’s etz snapped at Karlan, telling her power and that of a president. that invoking Trump’s son “does “The constitution says there not lend credibility to your argu- can be no titles of nobility,” Kar- ment. lan told lawmakers during the It makes you look mean.” House Judiciary Committee’s The incident quickly brought House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) points at Sinclair Broadcast Group reporter James Rosen and responds “I don’t hate anybody” after he asked her “Do you hate the President?” as fi rst hearing on impeachment, an onslaught of criticism from she departed at the conclusion of a news conference about the House impeachment inquiry into President Donald Trump on Capitol Hill in Washington yesterday. which featured four constitu- corners far beyond the hear- tional scholars. ing room, as Republicans and members of Trump’s re-election campaign voiced grave disap- proval. “Democrats have disgraced themselves by giving a platform to this unhinged, petty kook,” Trump impeachment push the campaign wrote on Twit- ter, while its deputy director of communications, Matt Wolk- ing, called Karlan an “unhinged liberal professor” over the com- “Pamela Karlan, you should ments. be ashamed of your very Lawmakers and Trump ad- about law, not hate: Pelosi angry and obviously biased ministration offi cials followed public pandering, and suit, echoing scathing assess- Reuters “I don’t hate anybody,” Pelosi But Pelosi said those were is- President.’ I don’t believe her, mittee’s authority to subpoena using a child to do it” ments of Karlan’s words. Washington said. “I was raised in a Catholic sues to be settled in an election, not even close. Help the home- the records from Mazars LLP, “Democrats are so desper- house. We don’t hate anybody. while the impeachment inquiry less in your district Nancy,” Trump’s longtime accounting “So while the president can ate that one of their biased wit- Not anybody in the world. So was aimed at preventing abuses Trump wrote, adding “USM- fi rm. name his son ‘Barron,’ he can’t nesses is now attacking the S House of Representa- don’t you accuse me,” she said, of presidential power as outlined CA?” — a reference to a pending The Supreme Court on No- make him a baron.” president’s 13-year-old son. tives Speaker Nancy pointing at the reporter. in the US Constitution. trade agreement with the United vember 25 put that ruling on The pun led to chuckles in the Absolutely disgraceful,” House UPelosi yesterday said she Earlier yesterday Pelosi said “This is about the Constitu- States and Canada that Pelosi hold, giving Trump until yester- congressional hearing room, but minority leader Kevin McCarthy does not hate President Donald she directed the House Judici- tion of the US and the facts that has not brought to the House day to fi le his appeal. Melania Trump made clear it wrote on Twitter. Trump, but called him a coward ary Committee to draft arti- led to the president’s violation of fl oor for a vote. “This is a case of fi rsts. It is was no laughing matter. Republican Congressman and cruel on certain policies and cles of impeachment — formal his oath of offi ce,” she said, tap- Trump yesterday fi led court the fi rst time that Congress has “A minor child deserves pri- Markwayne Mullin, meanwhile, asserted “don’t mess with me” charges — against Trump over ping the podium for emphasis. papers asking the Supreme subpoenaed personal records vacy and should be kept out of called the episode “reprehensi- during a testy news conference his effort to pressure Ukraine She also said that she contin- Court to block a lower court rul- of a sitting president,” Trump’s politics,” the fi rst lady tweeted ble” while Trump senior coun- as she moved ahead with an im- to investigate a political rival, a ued to pray for the president. ing directing an accounting fi rm lawyers wrote. shortly afterwards. sellor Kellyanne Conway ques- peachment process that could historic step that sets up a fight Trump responded to Pelosi’s to hand over his fi nancial records The Republican president’s “Pamela Karlan, you should tioned why “Hunter Biden is remove him from offi ce. over whether to oust him from comments with a Twitter post, to a Democratic-led congres- lawyers have called the Over- be ashamed of your very angry off -limits but Barron Trump is At the close of the news con- office. saying, “Nancy Pelosi just had sional panel, setting up a major sight Committee’s subpoena to and obviously biased public not?” ference, an indignant Pelosi, the Responding to the question a nervous fi t,” adding that she clash between branches of gov- Mazars illegitimate. pandering, and using a child to The Trump impeachment in- top Democrat in the US Con- about hating Trump, Pelosi hated his accomplishments un- ernment. The lower court ruling, if left do it.” vestigation is looking into pres- gress, took strong exception to a criticised the president on pol- der his administration. Trump turned to the justices intact, would bring House Dem- President Trump retweeted sure Trump placed on Ukraine’s reporter’s question as to whether icy, calling him a “coward” on “She hates that we will soon after the US Court of Appeals for ocrats closer to shedding light on his wife’s message to his 67mn president to investigate 2020 she hated Trump, a Republican. failing to take steps against gun have 182 great new judges and the District of Columbia Circuit the inner workings of Trump’s followers. election rival Democrat Joe Bi- The reporter explained he was violence, “cruel” for seeking to sooo much more. Stock Mar- decided on November 13 that business interests even as they As the row snowballed, Karlan den and his son, Hunter, who asking because some Republi- remove protections for “Dream- ket and employment records,” it would not revisit its October pursue an impeachment inquiry quickly tried to stem the damage served on the board of a Ukrain- cans have said a dislike of Trump ers” immigrants and “in denial” Trump added. decision backing the House of against him focusing on his deal- by expressing her regret. ian gas company. is driving impeachment. about climate change. “She says she ‘prays for the Representatives Oversight Com- ings with Ukraine. Teen’s killer sues victim’s Speaker’s election Navy sailor shoots family for $100mn two dead, kills self Reuters (victims) are deceased,” said the New York regional commander, Rear Ad- Tribune News Service rented for the screening, Coral Jordan in the Miami Gardens area. miral Robert Chadwick. Miami Gables Art Cinema, announced Ben Crump, a lawyer who rep- The gunman “has tentative- it was cancelling the event. resented the Martin family and US Navy sailor shot ly been identifi ed as an active- “Coral Gables Art Cinema is listed as a defendant as well, dead two civilians duty sailor assigned to USS eorge Zimmerman, the was not aware of all of the de- issued a statement that said in Aworking at Hawaii’s Columbia SSN 771,” he said. neighbourhood watch tails surrounding this event,” the part: “I have every confi dence historic military base of Pearl The base, a combined US Air Gvolunteer acquitted of theatre posted on Twitter. that this unfounded and reckless Harbor and wounded a third Force and Navy installation lo- homicide charges in the 2012 fa- The suit seeks $100mn in civil lawsuit will be revealed for what before turning his gun on him- cated 13kms from the state cap- tal shooting of unarmed 17-year- damages, alleging defamation, it is – another failed attempt to self, military offi cials said. ital of Honolulu, was placed on old Trayvon Martin in Sanford, is abuse of civil process and con- defend the indefensible and a Authorities did not identify lockdown for about two hours suing Martin’s family, prosecu- spiracy. A copy of the suit was shameless attempt to profi t off the victims or the gunman, de- after the incident at about tors and others involved in the distributed to media by the mov- the lives and grief of others.” scribed by a witness as wearing a 2.30pm Hawaii Standard Time. case he claims rested on false ies’ director, Joe Gilbert. The case Martin lived with Fulton, then US Navy uniform, but local me- “We have no indication yet evidence, according to a copy of does not yet appear on the online a county employee, in Miami dia reported they were all men. whether they (the victims) were the suit sent to the media. docket of the Polk court system. Gardens, and was visiting his fa- Base offi cials said the vic- targeted or if it was a random Zimmerman is represented by The court papers say the suit ther, Tracy Martin, in Sanford on tims were civilians working for shooting,” Chadwick said. Larry Klayman, a high-profi le was fi led in Polk because Zimmer- February 26, 2012, when he died the department of defence. He said he also did not know legal activist tied to conservative man lives there. It states all de- in a gated community where his It was not immediately clear the type of weapon used by the causes and the founder of Judi- fendants “have worked in concert father’s fi ancee lived. Martin was what the gunman’s motive was attacker and that bringing per- cial Watch before splitting with to deprive Zimmerman of his con- returning from a store with candy. for the shooting, three days sonal weapons on the base was the group. stitutional and other legal rights.” Zimmerman, 28 at the time, re- before the 78th anniversary of not authorised. The Polk County Circuit Court The lead defendant in the suit is ported Martin as suspicious to the December 7, 1941, attack Emergency services sent suit cites information in a docu- Sybrina Fulton, Martin’s mother police in a recorded call after 7pm. on the naval base that led the ambulances and fi refi ghters to mentary about the case titled The who became a national fi gure in The details that followed re- US to declare war on Japan and the scene, which was secured Trayvon Hoax that accuses the the wake of her son’s death as a main in dispute, with Zimmerman enter World War II. and the base reopened. Martin family of engineering false campaign surrogate for Hillary claiming he was attacked by Mar- The gunman died of “an ap- An unidentifi ed witness told testimony, and the director has Clinton and a national advocate tin and defended himself. Police parent self-infl icted gunshot Hawaii News Now he had heard scheduled a news conference this for social justice and reducing and prosecutors described an un- Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau casts his ballot for wound”, and the third victim gunfi re near Drydock 2 of the week in Coral Gables to coincide gun deaths. She’s running for the justifi ed shooting of a teenager in Speaker of the House of Commons as parliament prepares was in stable condition in hos- base and looked up from his desk with a fi lm screening there. District 1 seat on the Miami-Dade a hoodie with Skittles and a drink. to resume for the first time since the election in Ottawa, pital, military offi cials told a to see the gunman, wearing an As news of the lawsuit became County Commission being va- A jury acquitted Zimmerman of all Ontario, Canada, yesterday. news briefi ng. US Navy uniform, put the weap- widely reported, the theatre cated by a term-limited Barbara charges in 2013. “We have confi rmed that two on to his head and shoot himself. Gulf Times 6 Friday, December 6, 2019 ASIA

Typhoon Kammuri’s aftermath Philippines refuses to pay $200mn to water suppliers

DPA Manila

he Philippine government will not pay over 10bn pe- Tsos ($200mn) in compen- sation for alleged revenue losses to two water distributors as or- dered by an international arbi- tration court in Singapore, offi - cials said yesterday. Presidential Residents collect wood for home use on a flooded rice field caused by Typhoon Kammuri in Ilagan spokesman Salvador Panelo said yesterday. The number of people killed by Typhoon Kammuri’s pounding of the Philippines this week Residents walk on a rice field with washed up debris caused by Typhoon Kammuri in Ilagan the basis of the court’s decision has touched 17, off icials said yesterday, as authorities confirmed reports of storm-related deaths. yesterday. — the concession agreements with Manila Water Company Inc and Maynilad Water Services Inc — were found to be “onerous” in a review by the Department of Justice. “No, because the contracts are onerous,” he said, when asked if the government would pay the compensation. “The (concession agreements) are very disadvanta- Hong Kong gives protesters geous against the government.” The Permanent Court of Ar- bitration in Singapore ordered the Philippine government last month to pay Manila Water Company Inc 7.39bn pesos as compensation for income losses green signal for Sunday rally suff ered between June 2015 and November 2019. The same court Reuters said the offi cer involved was un- the Hong Kong government ordered the government in July Hong Kong der serious threat and acted in said in a statement. He is due to 2017 to reimburse Maynilad Wa- self-defence. return early on Sunday morn- ter Services Inc 3.4bn pesos in Police say they have exercised ing, according to police, hours revenue losses after it was not ong Kong authorities restraint in the face of escalat- before the afternoon rally. Tang allowed to increase prices from granted protesters per- ing violence, but they are facing took offi ce in November with a 2013 to 2017. Hmission to march this accusations of excessive use of warning that “fake news” was President Rodrigo Duterte weekend, organisers said yes- force. undermining the reputation of slammed the decision, and di- terday, giving the green light to a A rally has been planned for his police force. rected criminal charges be fi led rally seen as a gauge of the pro- today evening to protest the use He replaced Stephen Lo amid against the two companies, democracy movement’s support of tear gas by police. Demon- an police siege of anti-govern- stressing that they should con- following its sweeping victory in strators have repeatedly called ment protesters at a university sider their concession a public local elections. for an independent inquiry into that saw some of the shocking service and not a business they The Civil Human Right Front, police use of force as one of their scenes of violence. can profi t from. Justice Sec- the group that organised mil- “fi ve demands” on government. Tang has called for people retary Menardo Guevarra said lion-strong marches in the Chi- The United Nations High Com- across Hong Kong to end the the department was preparing na-ruled city in June, said it had missioner for Human Rights has unrest that has plunged the city a “serious amendment, if not a received permission from police also called for an investigation into its biggest political crisis total overhaul” of the conces- for a planned Human Rights Day into allegations of excessive po- in decades. The protests were sion agreements between the rally on Sunday. lice force. sparked by a controversial and government and the two water During the past six months of Hong Kong’s Commissioner since-withdrawn extradition distributors. “If the parties will increasingly violent anti-Beijing of Police Chris Tang will visit bill and have swelled into broad- not voluntarily agree by con- demonstrations, authorities Beijing on Friday to discuss the er calls for greater democratic tract, we’ll take legal action,” he had denied requests from the security situation, his fi rst such freedoms. told Manila radio station DZMM. group to hold rallies. Some calm Tsang Chi-Kin (centre), who was shot by a police off icer during a protest, arrives for a court hearing in visit since his appointment last Protesters accuse China Manila Water and Maynilad were has descended since the Nov 24 Hong Kong, China, yesterday. month. of increasingly interfering awarded the concession agree- district elections, when pro-de- Tang will pay a “courtesy vis- in freedoms promised to the ments in 1997 as the government mocracy candidates won nearly altercation two months ago ap- Chi-kin, who had been hospi- hour later after his case was ad- it” to Beijing, where he will call former British colony when it then decided to privatise water 90% of the seats. peared in court for the fi rst time talised after the October shoot- journed until February. on the Ministry of Public Secu- was returned to Chinese rule in treatment, water distribution, Also yesterday, a protester to face charges of rioting and as- ing incident, walked into a Hong An offi cer shot Tsang in the rity, meet with counterparts and 1997. China denies interfering in sewerage and sanitation services who was shot by police in an saulting a police offi cer. Tsang Kong court and left about an chest with a live round. Police discuss the security situation, Hong Kong’s aff airs. to the sprawling capital.

Police retrieve fresh trove of petrol bombs from university

Police in Hong Kong this week the debris and stowed in locked riot police in days of violent former British colony when it was China too distracted to worry re-entered the campus of areas. Between Nov 26 and Dec clashes that marked a significant returned to Chinese rule in 1997. a university it besieged for 2 authorities seized 4,296 petrol escalation in the political unrest Pro-democracy parties won more than 10 days last month, bombs, 671 bottles of chemicals that has roiled the former British a resounding victory in local gathering newly discovered and 622 weapons, police said colony for six months. About district council elections late last about Taiwan: Taipei mayor chemicals and petrol bombs in a statement late on Tuesday. 1,100 people were arrested in month. Hong Kong leader Carrie hoarded by anti-government Off icers first entered the connection with the campus Lam has appealed for peace protesters in the Chinese-ruled Polytechnic campus on Nov 29, siege. Sparked by a controversial in the city but has not off ered Reuters opprobrium for locking up a formed a new political party, city. Following the dramatic when they collected thousands and since-withdrawn extradition any concessions. Sustained Taipei million or more Muslims in the the Taiwan People’s Party, said saga – where riot police and of petrol bombs, which they bill, the protests have swelled demonstrations, scheduled to western region of Xinjiang as it was still too early for him to more than 1,000 demonstrators dusted for fingerprints, as well as into broader calls for greater continue this week and expected part of what it calls a de-radi- say if he would run in 2024, transformed Hong Kong’s bows and arrows and bottles of democratic freedoms. Those who to draw thousands to the streets hina has too many other calisation programme. adding he would decide when Polytechnic University campus chemicals. have joined the pro-democracy this weekend, show few signs issues to worry about at In any case, Ko said, the his mayoral term runs out in into a battleground – off icers The campus conflict began in demonstrations accuse China of abating and are taking an Cthe moment, from pro- United States – Taiwan’s most three years time. “Do what you were called to retrieve additional mid-November when protesters of increasingly interfering in economic toll on the global tests in Hong Kong to a slowing important international backer should do now and let God de- dangerous items found among barricaded themselves against freedoms promised to the financial hub. economy, to give much thought even in the absence of dip- cide,” he said. to Taiwan, the mayor of Taipei, lomatic ties – would not let A surgeon turned politician, sometimes seen as a potential Taiwan become formally in- Ko is known for his colour- future president, said yester- dependent or be taken over by ful personal style. Last year day. China. he made a rap video for his 12th Bali Democracy Forum China claims self-ruled and mayoral re-election campaign democratic Taiwan as its own Taipei Mayor called “Do the right thing”, territory, to be brought under Be- Ko Wen-je, who which quickly went viral. Ko ijing’s control by force if neces- has sought his own path be- sary. It regularly calls Taiwan the has advocated tween Taiwan’s two main par- most sensitive issue in China-US for better rela- ties, Tsai’s pro-independence ties, Washington being Taiwan’s Democratic Progressive Party main arms supplier. tions with China, and the Kuomintang, which fa- But Taipei Mayor Ko Wen- told Reuters that vours close ties with China. je, who has advocated for bet- Visiting the United States ter relations with China, told while Taiwan earlier this year, Ko told the Reuters that while Taiwan was was important conservative Heritage Founda- important to China, it was not tion that Taiwan can be close currently the “core issue” that to China, it was to the United States but also Beijing likes to portray. “They not currently the friendly with China. say that Taiwan is a core issue, In July, Ko also went to Shang- but I’m very clear that it isn’t. “core issue” that hai to meet the city’s mayor, Taiwan is not China’s core is- Beijing likes to Ying Yong. While there, he reit- sue,” he said. “In comparison to erated previous comments that Hong Kong, to Xinjiang, Taiwan portray the two sides of the Taiwan Strait is not on the top of the priority “are one family”. Ko said he had list. For mainland China, there While the 60-year-old Ko no plans so far to go to China are their economic problems, decided not to run for the pres- next year. Senior Chinese lead- their GDP has already fallen to idency for elections scheduled ers are always on their guard in below 7%,” Ko added in an in- for Jan 11, the position he holds such meetings, as if you make terview, where he switched be- is traditionally a stepping stone a mistake in China “you will be tween Mandarin and English. to the presidency. The three disappeared from the world”, he Chinese-ruled Hong Kong presidents preceding current added, with a laugh. has been rocked by anti-gov- leader President Tsai Ing-wen “They were very, very nerv- ernment protests for nearly six all served as Taipei mayor. ous when they talked with me. months, the biggest challenge If Tsai wins re-election – Because I’m very unpredict- to President Xi Jinping since and polling is on her side – she able. We’re very easy. We say Delegates pose for a group photo during the 12th Bali Democracy Forum in Nusa Dua on Indonesia’s resort island of Bali yesterday. he took charge in 2012. China cannot then stand for a third what we think. They can’t. has come under international term in 2024. Ko, who this year They’re very rigid.” Gulf Times Friday, December 6, 2019 7 ASIA/AUSTRALASIA

South Korean president hears reassurances from senior Chinese diplomat

Reuters Councillor Wang Yi, who is also erly so we can earnestly respect ing to South Korea’s Yonhap sula” as tensions with North Denuclearisation negotiations and create a new meeting on Seoul China’s foreign minister, met each other’s core interests,” Hua news agency. A “Cold War way Korea rise. “A close dialogue and between North Korea and the maritime aff airs, South Korea’s with Moon on the fi nal day of a Chunying, spokeswoman for of thinking” is out of date and co-operation between the two United States reached stalemate foreign ministry said in a state- two-day visit to Seoul, his fi rst the Chinese foreign ministry, “hegemony cannot win people’s countries will help to stabilise after a working-level meeting in ment. senior China diplomat in four years. said during a briefi ng in Beijing. hearts”, he said. Northeast Asia’s security and Stockholm broke down in Octo- Kang and Wang also agreed to off ered conciliatory re- Relations between the two But Wang sharply criticised the “China’s revival is inevitable overcome the uncertainty the ber. co-operate to facilitate negotia- A marks to South Korean countries have been strained by United States over THAAD in in history and no one can stop global economy is facing,” Moon On Wednesday, Wang met tions with North Korea based on President Moon Jae-in yester- South Korea’s installation of a remarks to a lunchtime gather- it,” he said at the lunch, which said. South Korean Foreign Minister the shared view that its nuclear day amid eff orts to repair ties US Terminal High Altitude Area ing of South Korean business- was organised by the Chinese South Korea sees China as in- Kang Kyung-wha and agreed programmes cannot be accept- strained by a US anti-missile Defence (THAAD) system in people and former government embassy in Seoul. strumental in reviving the stale- to hold the fi rst gathering of a ed, peace should be maintained system, while levelling sharp 2017. offi cials in Seoul. Moon, meanwhile, asked mated nuclear talks between the planned joint vice-ministerial and there must not be war again, criticism at the United States “We agree to deal with “The US made it to target Wang for Beijing’s help to “reach United States and North Korea, a panel on people-to-people ex- a South Korean foreign ministry for “Cold War” thinking. State THAAD and other issues prop- China,” Wang said, accord- a nuclear-free, peaceful penin- longtime ally of Beijing. changes “in the near future” offi cial told reporters.

N Korea warns UN Security Council against discussing country’s human Very dangerous if Trump calls rights

North Korea told the United Nations Security Council that it would consider any discussion of the country’s human rights situation a “serious provocation” Kim ‘Rocket Man’ again: N Korea and Pyongyang would “respond strongly”. North Korea’s UN Reuters ambassador Kim Song delivered Seoul the warning in a letter, which was seen by Reuters. Diplomats said several members of the 15-mem- hould US President Don- ber council planned to request a ald Trump call North Ko- meeting this month on human Srean leader Kim Jong-un rights abuses in North Korea. “Rocket Man” again, that would North Korean leader Kim Jong-un represent a “very dangerous and US President Donald Trump challenge” reminiscent of two have met three times since June years ago, a senior North Korean last year in a bid to broker a deal offi cial warned yesterday. that Washington hopes will lead Choe Son Hui, who was quoted to North Korea dismantling its by state-run KCNA news agency, nuclear and missile programmes. was referring to a time when ten- But no progress had been made sions between when Washington and Pyongyang has carried out and Pyongyang ran high. a series of short range ballistic Trump said on Tuesday he still missile tests. had confi dence in the North Ko- The United States is president of rean leader but noted that Kim the Security Council for Decem- “likes sending rockets up”. North Korean leader Kim Jong-un riding a horse as he visits battle ber. Kim Song wrote that any “...That’s why I call him Rock- sites at Mount Paektu, Ryanggang. meeting on human rights would et Man,” Trump told reporters at be an “act of conniving at and a Nato meeting in London. and Germany said in a statement, and that it will keep charging on siding with the US’ hostile policy, North Korea said it would take urging Pyongyang to engage in despite the diffi culties.” Kim has which will lead to undermining “prompt corresponding actions” meaningful talks with the United often visited Mt Paektu around rather than helping reduction of if the United States resorts to US President Donald Trump meets with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un at the demilitarised zone States on denuclearisation. the time of major developments tensions on the Korean Peninsula military force, state media re- separating the two Koreas, in Panmunjom, South Korea, earlier this year. North Korea announced that in North Korea, including missile and resolution of the nuclear is- ported, as tensions rise ahead of a Plenary Meeting of the Central launches. sue.” Pyongyang’s year-end deadline “I clearly state here that if the ary spirit” in the people, KCNA nity” for North Korea to take any Committee of the ruling Work- Kim said there was a need to A minimum nine council mem- for stalled denuclearisation talks. US uses any armed forces against reported. Kim has warned the provocative steps. ers’ Party of Korea would meet prepare for “the harshness and bers need to support a request The statement came just hours the DPRK, we will also take United States it has until the end But North Korean state me- sometime in late December. protracted character of our revo- for the meeting in order to defeat after North Korea announced prompt corresponding actions of the year to off er more conces- dia have carried a steady chorus KCNA said the plenum would lution,” according to KCNA. Lee any attempt to block it. Between it would convene a rare gather- at any level,” Pak said, using the sions or North Korea will pur- of statements in recent weeks, discuss and decide on “crucial said the fact that Kim was ac- 2014 and 2017 China failed to stop ing of top ruling-party offi cials initials of North Korea’s offi cial sue an unspecifi ed “new path”. saying Washington should not issues” in light of the “changed companied by senior army of- the annual discussion. Last year later this month, and state me- name, the Democratic People’s Analysts say that may include a ignore the warning and dismiss- situation at home and abroad”. fi cers rather than party offi cials, the United States dropped a push dia showed photos of leader Kim Republic of Korea. “The use of resumption of intercontinental ing US calls for talks as a stalling The timing of this plenum is un- combined with other recent for the council to meet on human Jong-un taking a second sym- armed forces against the DPRK ballistic missile launches or nu- tactic. usual because it comes before the military-related announcements rights because it did not have bolic horse ride on the country’s will be a horrible thing for the clear tests. The 15-member United Na- year-end deadline, as well as be- by state media, suggests North enough support, diplomats said. sacred Mt Paektu. US.” Washington has urged North tions Security Council met be- fore Kim’s expected New Year’s Korea “will likely transition to a They could have tried again in US President Donald Trump, North Korea and the United Korea to give up signifi cant por- hind closed doors on Wednesday address, said Rachel Minyoung more militaristic line”. January when five new members in Britain for a Nato summit, States are still technically at war tions of its nuclear arsenal before over missile launches conducted Lee, an analyst with NK News, a While Kim’s plans are still rotated onto the council, but they said on Tuesday that Washington and the state of truce could turn punishing international sanc- by North Korea last week. Fol- website that monitors North Ko- unclear, the signals suggest the did not. could use military force against into an “all-out armed confl ict tions are eased, while Pyongyang lowing the meeting, the council’s rea. window for diplomacy is clos- North Korea has repeatedly North Korea “if we have to”, any moment” even by accident, has accused the United States fi ve European members con- “That Pyongyang is opting to ing fast, if it is not already shut, rejected accusations of human though he added he still hoped Pak said. of “gangster-like” demands for demned Pyongyang’s “provoca- hold this meeting before the end said John Delury of Seoul’s Yon- rights abuses and blames sanc- for talks. Kim was “displeased to For the second time in two unilateral disarmament. tive actions”. of the year indicates its strong re- sei University. “The message is tions for a dire humanitarian situa- hear” those comments, Pak Jong- months, Kim visited Mt Paektu US offi cials have called for “The DPRK has conducted 13 solve,” she said. “Taking the party ‘buckle up, it’s going to be a big tion. It demands they be removed. chon, chief of the General Staff of on horseback, this time accom- more talks, while playing down sets of ballistic missile launches plenum announcement and the year for us next year’”, he said. Pyongyang has been under the Korean People’s Army, said panied by senior military offi cers, the deadline as “artifi cial” and since May and continued to op- Mount Paektu visit together, the “And not a year of diplomacy and UN sanctions since 2006 over in a statement carried by North aimed at instilling the moun- warning that it would be a “huge erate its nuclear programme”, ‘resolve’ seems to be that North summitry, but rather of national its ballistic missiles and nuclear Korea’s state news agency KCNA. tain’s “indefatigable revolution- mistake and a missed opportu- Britain, France, Poland, Belgium Korea will not cave in to the US, strength”. programmes. Online anti-vaccination Sydney smoke crisis ‘longest on record’ AFP posts fuelling Samoa Sydney ustralian bushfi res have caused un- precedented pollution in Sydney and measles deaths: UN Aalong the country’s east coast, of- fi cials said yesterday, with smoke and dust burning residents’ eyes and prompting a AFP are very loud people on social described as “a perfect formula” spike in respiratory complaints. Hundreds Wellington media making very false claims for an uncontrollable epidemic. of bushfi res have burned out of control about vaccines,” he said. “Un- The activists have also hindered since September up and down the eastern fortunately it’s found a ready eff orts to control the outbreak, seaboard, blanketing cities from Sydney to ocial media giants must audience in Samoa, where some with one prominent Australian- Brisbane in smoke for weeks on end. crack down on anti-vacci- people are suspicious about the based blogger last week compar- The extent of the crisis was made clear Snation posts that are fuel- quality of healthcare and may ing compulsory vaccinations to yesterday, with the New South Wales de- ling Samoa’s deadly measles epi- have issues with local (vaccine) Nazi Germany and saying “fas- partment of environment declaring bush- demic from afar, Unicef’s Pacifi c providers.” cism is well and truly alive in Sa- fi res and dust had caused “some of the islands chief said yesterday. He said activists posting anti- moa”. highest air pollution ever seen” in Australia. Sheldon Yett, the regional vaccine material from wealthy Others have promoted quick The region “has experienced other periods representative for the UN chil- developed countries such as remedies such as “kangen water”, of poor air quality that lasted several weeks, dren’s agency, said “incredibly the United States and Australia an alkaline water which support- including the 1994 Sydney bushfi res and A ferry makes its way from Taronga Zoo to Circular Quay, with the CBD skyline barely visible in irresponsible” online material needed to realise the impact of ers say can cure measles, despite the Black Christmas bushfi res of Dec 2001- the background through smoke haze from bushfires, in Sydney Harbour, Australia, yesterday. on platforms such as Twitter, their actions in developing na- no scientifi c evidence. Yett said Jan 2002,” a spokeswoman told AFP. “This Facebook and Instagram had tions. health authorities’ focus at the event, however, is the longest and the most New South Wales health offi cials said considered to be safe. Local newspapers and exacerbated the Samoa measles “It’s devastating, it can be a moment was containing an epi- widespread in our records.” more people with asthma were turning up television have posted advice about how to outbreak – which has claimed death sentence for a child here demic that was still raging, re- New South Wales Rural Fire Service said at hospitals, and ambulance call-outs for limit the impact of the smoke — off ering tips 62 lives since mid-October – by where there’s low immunisation sulting in fresh infections and more than a dozen fi res were burning near breathing problems were up 24 percent in on what masks to buy and what activities are discouraging immunisation. and possibly other health issues child deaths every day. Sydney yesterday, including three that car- the week to December 1. safest. “It’s quite clear that they have going on in the background,” he But he said once it was over ried an emergency warning. For three weeks Meanwhile, tourists and residents took The smoke caused golfers at the Austral- a corporate responsibility to step said from the capital Apia. there had to be discussion with the city has seen almost daily air quality measures to combat the smoke, buying face- ian Open — one of the world’s oldest na- up to the plate and make sure that Yett said suspicion of vaccines platforms such as Facebook, warnings. Bushfi res are common in Aus- masks and staying indoors as much as pos- tional opens — to complain about condi- populations, particularly vulner- in Samoa stemmed from a case Twitter and Instagram about tralia, but scientists say this year’s season sible. Yesterday, Sydney’s air quality index tions. “It’s tough to see your golf ball when able populations, get accurate last year when two babies died their approach to anti-vaccine has come earlier and with more intensity registered fi ne particulate pollution — small you’re out there playing, where it fi nishes. information that’s going to keep after receiving measles shots, material. due to a prolonged drought fuelled by cli- enough to penetrate deep inside the lungs — Your eyes do burn,” said 2015 champion children alive,” Yett told AFP. leading to an eight-month sus- He said informed debate was mate change. at over 160 parts per million, far above levels Matt Jones. Immunisation rates in Samoa pension of the country’s immu- important but it was wrong to al- dropped to just over 30% before nisation programme. low online activists to question the outbreak, well below accept- Subsequent investigations the eff ectiveness of vaccines, Australia to probe foreign interference through social media platforms ed best practice of around 90%, found there was no problem with which the WHO estimates have making the island nation ex- the vaccine itself, but the nurses saved the lives of 21 million chil- Australia yesterday established China is seeking to interfere was established after the ruling the globe,” Labor lawmaker tremely vulnerable to infection. administering it accidentally dren over the past 20 years. “It’s an investigation into potential in Canberra’s aff airs, and after coalition government backed Penny Wong said. “We must The World Health Organisation mixed it with anaesthetic, in- not easy, nobody wants to be a foreign political interference US intelligence analysts found the opposition Labor Party’s protect our democracy from blamed an anti-vaccine messag- stead of water. However, trust censor,” he said. “Companies through social media platforms Russia had used social media to proposal. “The rise of ‘fake malicious foreign actors.” The ing campaign, which Yett said in the immunisation programme have a responsibility to do it, but such as Facebook, Twitter and try and influence the outcome news’ and misinformation cam- investigation will need to report was carried out largely online by was dented and anti-vaxxers we also have to be honest and say WeChat. of the 2016 US presidential elec- paigns present a very real and its findings by May 2022, around overseas-based activists. stepped up eff orts to push their there’s no easy fi x where they can The review comes amid height- tion. The bipartisan parliamen- present danger to democracy the time Australia will hold its “It’s quite obvious that there agenda online, creating what Yett fl ick a switch.” ened Australian concerns that tary Senate select committee not only in Australia, but across next general election. Gulf Times 8 Friday, December 6, 2019 BRITAIN Labour looks to defend Corbyn ‘lie’ over Queen’s speech

Daily Mail sage in “the morning”, despite its sisted the Labour leader had ac- on Christmas Day, he said he YouTube or whatever. But Etchingham challenges ingham to once again point out London fi rst airing at 3pm. tually said he catches up with the watched it in the morning. That’s “So it can be confusing about him, pointing out the speech fi rst that the speech fi rst airs in the In an attempt to undo some of speech on Boxing Day morning, semantics.” which times people watch some- airs in the afternoon, causing him afternoon. the damage caused by the Labour causing host Susanna Reid to The shadow cabinet minis- thing at because you don’t have to to incorrectly suggest that the The interviewer fi nally asks he row over whether or not leader, Rayner appeared on Good challenge her. ter then suggested it was now watch it like we used to do when I 3pm airing is a repeat. “You don’t watch it do you, Mr Jeremy Corbyn watches Morning Britain yesterday and hit She said: “‘Sorry to inter- “confusing” to know what time was a kid going by the TV guide.” Etchingham asks “So you don’t Corbyn?” causing him to suggest Tthe Queen’s speech on back at claims that Corbyn was rupt Rayner, but Corbyn did programmes aired due to on- During yesterday’s cringe- sit down as a family to watch the there is “lots to do” on the day, Christmas Day rumbled on yes- being “dishonest” by appearing to not say he watched the Queen’s demand services such as iPlayer. worthy exchange with ITV’s Julie Queen’s speech?” forcing the La- including a visit to a local home- terday after Angela Rayner re- pretend he watches the speech. speech on catch up the following “What I’m saying is from my Etchingham, the presenter asks bour leader to protests that his less centre. peatedly insisted he could have She claimed: “He might watch it morning, he said he watched the own experience, I watch pro- if he sits down with his family at family “doesn’t watch television Rayner attempted to undo “watched it on catch up”. on catch up, some of us do, some of Queen’s message in the morning grammes sometimes, some- Christmas to watch the annual very much on the day”. some of the damage during an The shadow education sec- us have dinner at diff erent times. I on Christmas Day.” times I watch them on catch up, 3pm address. He then claims that he likes “to appearance on Good Morning retary defended Corbyn by bi- don’t necessarily think that means A defi ant Rayner replied: “He sometimes I watch it at the time He firstly claims: ‘It’s on the do a bit of exercise on Christmas Britain yesterday, but wrongly zarrely repeating his suggestion that he has lied.” didn’t say that, he did not say it’s at, most kids these days morning, usually we have it on morning”, explicitly referring to suggested that Corbyn had been that he watched the annual mes- Rayner then vehemently in- he watched it in the morning including my kids watch it on some of the time.” Christmas Day, leading to Etch- referring to Boxing Day morning. Javid refuses to rule out possibility of no-deal Brexit

Guardian News and Media Despite leaving open the pos- London sibility of the UK crashing out of the EU, Javid stressed the UK would secure a trade deal with ajid Javid has refused to the bloc by the end of next year rule out a no-deal Brexit as and said a zero-tariff deal had She reiterated the Conserva- been agreed in principle, though tives’ plans to bring the UK out of he admitted there was still “some the EU in March 2020. detail” to discuss. The chancellor was repeatedly “Nobody wants a no-deal asked yesterday whether there Brexit,” he told BBC Radio 4’s To- was a possibility the UK could day programme. “Every business I leave with no-deal at the end of speak to, their fears are the uncer- 2020. He said the chances of that tainty around Brexit. They want were “extremely remote” but that to end. They want the deal dodged several opportunities to to go through.” He added: “We Prime Minister Boris Johnson visits the John Smedley Mill in Matlock, Derbyshire yesterday. rule it out. are getting on with Brexit. We are He claimed the outline of a delivering our exit from the EU. free trade agreement had already We’ve agreed a fantastic new trade been worked out, saying: “By the deal with the EU. Businesses are end of 2020, we will have agreed also absolutely petrifi ed of a Jer- and fi nalised the trade deal, a emy Corbyn government.” very ambitious, deep, compre- Tory ambitions to pass a tax- hensive free trade agreement. cutting, post-Brexit budget with- And we will get that done also by in 100 days of taking offi ce have Premier’s 100-day plan the end of 2020. been dismissed by opposition par- “In the time that we’ve been ties, who cast doubt on the feasi- negotiating over the last 100 bility of the timetable. The Liberal days or so, it wasn’t just the exit Democrats described the plan as agreement ... we have also ne- “pure fantasy” and accused Boris gotiated and worked and agreed Johnson of lying to the public. the outline of the ambitious free It was put to Javid that John- pledges Brexit, tax cuts trade agreement. son had only managed to secure “There is not a single doubt a new Brexit deal by agreeing AFP Britain out of the European Un- toughen sentencing laws, as well servatives for months, threat- for for decades,” she told report- in my mind that it can be agreed to a customs border in the Irish London ion on January 31, after years of as beginning moves to shake up ening to take EU referendum ers. within months, and we can get it Sea – which had previously been turmoil sparked by the 2016 ref- the immigration system. “Leave” voters from Johnson With Labour backing a sec- through parliament by 2020.” a major red line – but he did not erendum vote for Brexit. Labour is off ering a fresh refer- with its promise of a clean break ond referendum, she added that Asked what tariff s the car in- respond to that point. ne week before Britain’s But he says this would only endum on Brexit, but has sought with Brussels. “Boris’s deal is the only Leave dustry would pay under such a Javid, a former Deutsche Bank election, Prime Minister be possible if he wins a majority to focus on a radical agenda to But the party has suff ered a option we have”. Jacob Rees- deal, Javid said: “Because it’s a director, was also asked whether the OBoris Johnson was con- of MPs in the December 12 elec- address inequality, from nation- series of setbacks and four of its Mogg has been absent from the deep, comprehensive free trade Conservatives were ashamed of ris- fi dent enough to publish a plan tion, allowing him to get his EU alising key industries to borrow- MEPs — elected on a huge show election campaign since sug- agreement, it’s zero tariff s, zero ing homelessness under the party. yesterday for his fi rst 100 days divorce deal through parliament. ing heavily to fund a huge invest- of support for the party in May’s gesting the victims of the deadly quotas, not just for the car in- He sought to defl ect blame towards in offi ce, boosted by an endorse- “If there is a Conservative ment drive. European elections — announced 2017 Grenfell Tower blaze lacked dustry, an agreement on services, Labour, which had claimed govern- ment from Brexit Party MEPs. majority next week, we will get It challenged Johnson’s claim they were backing the Conserva- common sense in heeding offi cial having equivalents on fi nancial ment policies had been “directly Jeremy Corbyn’s main op- Brexit done by the end of Janu- to represent change, given the tives. advice to stay in their homes. services, we’ve set all this out.” responsible” for people living and position Labour party is strug- ary. 2020 will then be the year Conservatives have been in Among them is Annunziata The departures are another Painting a stark choice be- dying on the streets. gling to close the gap in opinion we fi nally put behind us the ar- power since 2010 and introduced Rees-Mogg, the sister of Jacob blow for Farage, who began the tween a Tory majority govern- “I care deeply about the worst polls with Johnson’s governing guments and uncertainty over huge public spending cuts. Rees-Mogg who is a leading campaign threatening to stand ment and a “chaotic” coalition off in our society,” Javid told Sky. Conservatives, which remains at Brexit,” he said. “The Tories have had 3,494 Brexit supporter and member of against the Conservatives in eve- following a hung parliament, the “Homelessness reached its peak around 10 points. He also announced an unspec- days in offi ce, and in those days Johnson’s Cabinet. ry seat, only to back down. chancellor restated his party’s in 2008 under the last Labour Meanwhile the electoral threat ifi ed tax cut for “hard-working we’ve seen child poverty soar, She said the premier’s EU di- He said he was “disappointed” key pledges to increase spending government, since then it’s down posed by Nigel Farage’s Brexit families”, which he said would be rising homelessness, rising food vorce deal, which Farage has re- they were leaving. on the NHS and schools, recruit by almost a half. There’s still a Party receded further with the unveiled in a post-Brexit budget bank use, and violent crime is jected as “Brexit in name only”, But he noted the Brexit Party more police offi cers and raise the long way to go, we’ve still got decision of four of its European in February. up too,” said Labour MP Andrew would get Britain out of the EU was winning over voters in many threshold at which people begin work to do, but it’s Labour that Parliament MPs to endorse the Within 100 days of taking of- Gwynne. and return its sovereignty. traditional Labour areas of Eng- making national insurance con- was responsible for the massive prime minister. fi ce, he also vowed to pass laws The Brexit Party has been “That is what most Brexiteers land, making it easier for the tributions. rise in homelessness.” Johnson has promised to get to increase school funding and nipping at the heels of the Con- I’ve ever met have been fi ghting Conservatives to win there. Hospital admissions Poll campaign Cocaine seizures at soar as fl u arrives early highest level since 1973 Guardian News and Media Wallace, warned earlier this year London that the UK “is fast becoming the Daily Mail recent fi gures on A&E waiting pass it on to pregnant mothers or biggest consumer of cocaine in London times and bed occupancy rates grandparents. A PHE spokesman Europe” and deaths from mis- are at their worst on record. stressed that the early arrival of he amount of cocaine use have doubled since 2015. It The latest weekly data from the fl u season would not neces- seized annually by law is believed that the illicit cocaine lu has arrived early this Public Health England show the sarily have a bearing on its dura- Tenforcement authorities market across England, Wales, year with hospital admis- hospitalisation rate from fl u is tion or intensity. in the UK has reached its high- Scotland and Northern Ireland is Fsions doubling in a week. already at “moderate intensity” But one NHS source said the est level since records began in worth £5bn. Health offi cials confi rmed the – 2.8 admissions per 100,000. virus had arrived signifi cantly 1973, according to Home Offi ce Scientists at King’s Col- virus was starting to circulate, This is twice as high as the pre- earlier than last year and was ap- statistics. lege London estimated this with rates particularly high in the vious week and 10 times higher parently more severe. Almost 10,000kg of cocaine year that 23kg of the class A north of England. than this time last year. One clinician told the Health was confi scated in 2018-19, up drug is consumed every day in Thousands of vulnerable pa- Yet just 21.1% of two-year- Service Journal that fl u had come from 3,338kg the previous year, London, more than Europe’s tients have not yet been vacci- olds and 20.4% of three-year- earlier than 2017-18, itself the and the vast majority of seizures next three biggest cocaine- nated including 80% of nursery olds have so far received their worst outbreak in eight years. were made by Border Force offi c- consuming cities combined. children and primary school pu- nasal spray vaccine. The fi gures Miriam Deakin of NHS Pro- ers as rising demand for the class Their waste-water analysis pils. are even lower for primary school viders, which represents hospi- A drug in the UK appeared to fuel also found cocaine purity is at Many GP surgeries and pharma- pupils and just 17.6% in Year 1 tal, ambulance and community increased imports. record levels. cies have only just received deliver- have been immunised alongside trusts, said: “If it is the case that The quantity of crack cocaine Police sources said there was ies of the children’s nasal spray in- 15.2% of those in Year 6. we are already beginning to see seized in 2018-19 also reached a widespread acceptance of a oculations following a supply glitch The low uptake is largely due high levels of fl u in parts of the its highest level since 2004, with greater quantity of drugs in the with the manufacturers. Health ex- to a temporary supply prob- country, this is a worrying sign 63kg of the highly addictive sub- UK than ever before, and that perts are worried that the early ar- lem with AstraZeneca, the nasal that the predictions of a diffi cult stance confi scated by authorities authorities were placing in- rival of the fl u season is a sign that it spray’s manufacturer. winter may already be a reality. – a 73% annual rise. creased focus on higher level or- will be severe and protracted, caus- Although these issues have “The health and care system Despite efforts to eradi- ganised crime. ing chaos for the NHS. since been resolved and stocks is already under severe demand cate coca crops, global co- Last year, a yacht registered Rates of the winter vomiting are being delivered to GP sur- pressure for services, and patients caine production remains at in Holland was intercepted bug norovirus are also at their geries and pharmacies, the huge coming into hospital are requir- its highest levels since records off the coast of Cornwall car- highest in fi ve years and two numbers of unvaccinated young- ing more complex levels of care. began and the UK is one of the rying 2,100kg of cocaine and schools in Leicester and Liver- sters is a cause for concern. Alongside high levels of staff va- Scottish National Party (SNP) leader Nicola Sturgeon main eventual destinations in October two lorry drivers pool have been forced to close. Children are known as “super- cancies, an outbreak of fl u or no- attends a general election campaign event in Edinburgh, for exports of the drug from were jailed for 20 years for at- The NHS is already under spreaders” because they tend to rovirus could have a serious eff ect Scotland, yesterday. Latin America. tempting to smuggle 30kg into severe pressure and the most catch fl u at school or nursery and on the delivery of services.” The Security Minister, Ben the UK. Gulf Times Friday, December 6, 2019 9 EUROPE WHO slams ‘collective failure’ as measles kills 140,000

Reuters under fi ve years old who had not reported its highest number of Globally, measles vaccination It can linger in the air or on showed that measles infection cases and 124,000 deaths in 2017. London been vaccinated. measles cases in 25 years in 2019, rates have stagnated for almost a surfaces for several hours after not only carries a risk of death In 2018, measles hit hardest in “The fact that any child dies while four countries in Europe decade, the WHO said. an infected person has been and or severe complications includ- Liberia, the Democratic Repub- from a vaccine-preventable dis- – Albania, the Czech Republic, It and the Unicef children’s gone – putting anyone not vac- ing pneumonia, brain damage, lic of the Congo, Madagascar, easles infected nearly ease like measles is frankly an Greece and Britain – lost their fund say that in 2018, around cinated at risk. blindness and deafness, but can Somalia and Ukraine, the WHO 10mn people in 2018 outrage and a collective failure to WHO “measles-free” status in 86% of children got a fi rst dose In some wealthier nations, also damage the victim’s immune said, with these fi ve nations ac- Mand killed 140,000, protect the world’s most vulner- 2018 after suff ering large out- of measles vaccine through their vaccination rates have been hit memory for months or years – counting for nearly half of global mostly children, as devastat- able children,” said Tedros Adh- breaks. country’s routine vaccination by some parents shunning them leaving those who survive mea- cases. ing outbreaks of the viral disease anom Ghebreysus. An ongoing outbreak of mea- services, and fewer than 70% got for what they say are religious or sles vulnerable to other danger- Robert Linkins, a specialist at hit every region of the world, The picture for 2019 is even sles in South Pacifi c nation of the second dose recommended to philosophical reasons. ous diseases such as fl u or severe the US Centres for Disease Con- the World Health Organisation worse, the WHO said, with pro- Samoa has infected more than fully protect them from measles Mistrust of authority and de- diarrhoea. trol and Prevention, said the data (WHO) said yesterday. visional data up to November 4,200 people and killed more infection. bunked myths about links to The WHO data showed there were worrying: “Without im- In fi gures described by its di- showing a three-fold increase than 60, mostly babies and chil- Measles is one of the most autism also weaken vaccine con- were an estimated 9,769,400 proving measles vaccine cover- rector-general as “an outrage”, compared with the same period dren, in a battle complicated by contagious known diseases – fi dence and lead some parents to cases of measles and 142,300 re- age we’re going to continue to see the WHO said most of last year’s in 2018. a vocal anti-vaccination move- more so than Ebola, tuberculosis delay protecting their children. lated deaths globally in 2018. these needless deaths. We must measles deaths were in children The United States has already ment. or fl u. Research published in October This compares to 7,585,900 turn this trend around.”

Ukraine, Russia Strike against pension leaders meeting reform paralyses France next week AFP Reuters Paris Paris/Kyiv

nationwide strike krainian and Russian brought much of France leaders will try to seal Ato a standstill yesterday as Ua ceasefi re in eastern tens of thousands hit the streets Ukraine and agree on prisoner to protest a pension overhaul by swaps when they meet next President Emmanuel Macron, week, but with Kyiv politically which unions say will force mil- constrained and Moscow un- lions of people to work longer or likely to bend, the prospects for face curtailed benefi ts. peace are bleak, diplomats said. Trains, metros and buses, as Volodymyr Zelenskiy and well as some fl ights, were can- Vladimir Putin hold their fi rst celled while most schools were face-to-face talks on December closed or only assuring daycare 9 in Paris with the French and services, forcing many parents German leaders more than three to fi nd alternatives or stay home years since the countries’ heads from work. of state last met. Authorities said around It comes after a slight easing 285,000 people had taken part of tensions. in rallies across the country by More than 13,000 people have midday, a fi gure that did not in- been killed in the more than fi ve- clude the several thousand at a year-old confl ict in east Ukraine Paris march that began at 2pm. between pro-Russian separa- “We haven’t seen such a turn- tists and Ukrainian government out in a very long time,” said forces. Yves Veyrier, head of the Force French gendarmes stand in a There has been little sign of Ouvriere union at the begin- cloud of tear gas during a a peaceful solution despite a ning of the Paris rally toward the protest in Nantes against ceasefi re agreement signed in Place de la Nation. “We now ex- pension reform. February 2015 in Minsk. pect the government to take the Zelenskiy won a landslide measure of this mobilisation, Left: Protesters, some wearing election victory in April prom- and understand that its univer- yellow vests, stand on the ising to end the simmering con- sal system is a bad idea.” ‘Triomphe de la Republique’ fl ict, but facing pressure from his Although the Paris march be- statue in Paris. The sign placed opposition, he is wary of con- gan peacefully, black-clad pro- on the hand of one of the ceding too much to Moscow. testers later set fi re to a storage statues reads ‘pension before “If we start discussing the real trailer and broke storefront win- death’. political, military and security dows, prompting police to fi re issues, namely, withdrawal of tear gas to try to halt the vandal- some troops on the line of con- ism. tact, the question of local elec- Police also fi red tear gas in the tions and the status of Donbass western city of Nantes, where region, you see that the two some protesters scuffl ed with leaders don’t have a lot of room fi refi ghters and security forces. for manoeuvre,” said a senior Public transport unions said French diplomat. they would extend until at least Relations between Ukraine Monday their open-ended and Russia collapsed follow- strike, which saw 90% of TGV ing Moscow’s annexation of and regional trains cancelled the Crimean peninsula in 2014, and nearly all lines on the Paris which prompted Western sanc- metro aff ected. tions. Rush-hour traffi c was lighter Key to the accords are elec- than usual in the French capi- tions in Donbass, but both sides tal as many people simply took accuse each other of failing to the day off to avoid the travel stick to the deal, which also in- chaos, with several stores and cludes restoring Kyiv’s control restaurants shuttered because over the whole border with Rus- employees could not get to work. sia and the withdrawal of heavy Bike paths were packed as weaponry from the confl ict zone. commuters turned to bicycles “Our main expectation for and electric scooters, while #NormandySummit and any several ride-hailing companies other formats is what I call were off ering special strike pro- #RUxit – we want Russi and motions. Russian forces to leave Ukraine,” National newspapers were Ukraine’s Foreign Minister unable to publish their print Protesters run to avoid tear gas smoke during a demonstration in Bordeaux against the government’s A sign is seen in front of the Eiff el Tower in Paris, as the monument is Vadym Prystaiko said on Twitter editions, and the CGT union pension reform. closed to the public due to a nationwide strike. on Tuesday. said workers had blocked seven Vladimir Frolov, a former of the country’s eight oil refi ner- “yellow vest” movement de- former investment banker who er pensions or early retirement. “Nobody can imagine hav- The Eiff el Tower and the Or- senior Russian diplomat, said ies, raising the prospect of fuel manding improved living stand- came to power on the back of Critics say the changes would ing to work until you’re 70 years say museum were shut because he saw little chance of a major shortages if the strike continues. ards to more recent protests a promise to transform France, eff ectively require millions of old,” he said. of staff shortages, while the breakthrough in Paris describing The SNCF rail operator said from police, fi refi ghters, teach- has largely succeeded in pushing workers in both the public and Travellers are facing the pros- Louvre, the Pompidou Centre the positions as irreconcilable. 90% of TGV trains would again ers, hospital workers and law- through a series of controversial private sectors to work beyond pect of days of chaos, with the and other museums warned that “Zelenskiy is going to hit two be cancelled today, while warn- yers. reforms, including loosening la- the legal retirement age of 62 if SNCF already halting all train some wings and exhibits were walls, one in Paris and one af- ing of “very severe disruptions” “I’m not just here about pen- bour laws and cutting taxes for they want to receive the full pen- ticket sales until Monday. closed. terwards – the wall of Russian for the Eurostar and Thalys sions – the health service is our businesses. sion they had been promised. “I’m a bridesmaid for the And “yellow vest” protesters, intransigence and the wall of trains serving London and Brus- business, public services and Union leaders are demanding “This is going to concern wedding of my childhood friend, who have staged weekly dem- Ukrainian public unwillingness sels. also the general drift of the gov- that Macron scrap his plan for a everybody, not just part of the in Cologne (Germany) tomorrow onstrations since last year de- to endorse humiliating compro- Air France said it would again ernment to the right in general,” “universal” system that would population,” said Franck, a afternoon, so obviously I can’t manding improved living stand- mises with Russia,” Frolov said. cancel 30% of its domestic said Pierre Malige, a 42-year-old do away with 42 “special re- 46-year-old worker at the au- cancel my trip but this is making ards, blocked roads in several “Moscow does not care about fl ights, and 10% of its short- professor of mechanics at the gimes” for sectors ranging from tomaker PSA, makers of Peugeot me really nervous,” said Nicole cities including Le Havre on the sanctions relief, it cares about haul international routes. University of Nantes, at a protest rail and energy workers to law- and Citroen vehicles, during a Schafhausen, who was waiting Atlantic coast, where the heavily meeting its strategic objectives Macron has faced a wave of in the city. yers and Paris Opera employees, demonstration in Rennes, west- at the Gard du Nord station in used port was also shut accord- in Ukraine ... and a confederate opposition this year, from the However, so far Macron, a which often grant workers high- ern France. the capital. ing to the CGT. Ukrainian state that Kiev does not fully control,” he said. Calling it a test barometer Migrant centre evacuated over bomb Migrant rescue ship changes flag from Dutch to German to see where both sides stood, another French diplomat said A residential centre housing immigrant minors was evacuated The Sea-Watch 3, a charity rescue ship that complained that it never got any support in which Sea-Watch captain Carola Rackete progress on a ceasefi re and pris- yesterday after Madrid police found a hand grenade in the grounds. has been impounded in Italy since July for from Dutch authorities. forced her way into port. oner swaps would be a good basis “A practice grenade containing a reduced explosive charge” was breach of migration laws, has changed its The charity also accused the Dutch transport In the process, she had a collision with an to move forward. found in the morning within the grounds of the reception centre, a flag from Dutch to German, its organisation ministry of introducing “ad hoc” legislation Italian customs police vessel, and was placed The summit also comes with- police spokesman told AFP, saying it was inside a plastic bag. said yesterday. against the Sea-Watch 3, making it “more under house arrest, but was released later. in the wider context of Europe’s “It looks like it might have been thrown in from outside,” he said, The Sea-Watch charity, which is German, said diff icult and expensive” to register NGO “We hope to soon return at sea, under a relations with Russia. indicating the centre was evacuated and anti-explosive experts in a statement that the decision was due to assets in the Netherlands. German flag, to spare lives from death at French President Emmanuel brought in to detonate the grenade in a controlled explosion. the “stubbornly non-co-operative stance” of The Sea-Watch 3 is currently blocked in the sea or from forced returns to Libya”, and Macron has sought a reset with Located in the northeastern Hortaleza neighbourhood, the centre is Dutch authorities. Sicilian port of Licata. denounce “the lethal consequences of Moscow, something that has un- home to scores of youngsters, most of them immigrants, with locals Sea-Watch said it always contacted its Italian authorities impounded the vessel after current European migration policies”, Sea- nerved eastern European Union expressing concerns about it being overcrowded. flag nation after rescue operations, but a confrontation at the island of Lampedusa, Watch said. partners. Gulf Times 10 Friday, December 6, 2019 INDIA

PLAN LEGAL PANIC POLITICS CONTROVERSY Social media platforms ‘set Nirav declared ‘fugitive Firms shun Rs2,000 notes All eyes on Kerala CM as Press Club off icial to face new regulations’ economic off ender’ amid ban rumours changes in Cabinet likely held for ‘moral policing’

The proposed new privacy bill may require large A special court has proclaimed absconding Amid rumours about demonetisation of Rs2,000 The state secretariat meeting of the CPI-M, The Kerala police yesterday arrested the social media platforms to off er an identity- diamantaire Nirav Modi, one of the prime accused bank notes, some companies have advised scheduled for today, is going to be crucial as Trivandrum Press Club secretary M Radhakrishnan verification option, a potentially precedent- in the Rs135bn Punjab National Bank scam of their cashiers to not accept the high-value pink Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan will discuss the after a woman colleague complained of moral setting eff ort to rein in the spread of “fake news”, 2017, a ‘fugitive economic off ender’. “With this, he notes. They have also directed their accountants possible changes to be made in the party and policing by him. According to the complainant, two government sources said. The requirement becomes only the second accused so far under to deposit cash balances of Rs2,000 notes in state cabinet. In the secretariat meeting, it is on Saturday night Radhakrishnan arrived at the would likely raise a host of technical and policy the Fugitive Economic Off enders Act to have banks. An internal advisory by a Karnataka-based expected that present state secretary Kodiyeri house of his woman colleague, allegedly after issues for companies including Facebook and been declared a ‘fugitive economic off ender’ after logistics firm on the possible demonetisation has Balakrishnan will be granted leave and in he was told that another male friend had arrived its WhatsApp and Instagram units, Twitter and another accused, Vijay Mallya,” special counsel for been making the rounds on social media but its place a ‘caretaker’ secretary will be appointed. at her house and was stopped by locals. The Chinese app TikTok, all of which have millions the enforcement directorate Hiten Venegaonkar authenticity could not be ascertained immediately. Balakrishnan, who recently returned from the US complainant said Radhakrishnan misbehaved with of users in India. Companies would have to off er said. The order came a day after his uncle and co- While the market has been abuzz with imminent after a complete medical checkup, has started her and locked her as well as her two children a mechanism for users to prove their identities accused in the PNB scam – Mehul Choksi – suff ered ban of the Rs2,000 denomination it got fresh fuel treatment for a critical ailment (though this is still in a room. The police have registered charges and display that verification publicly, akin to the a setback when the Bombay High Court rejected a after former economic aff airs secretary S C Garg being kept under wraps). The CPI-M secretariat under non-bailable sections. Since the incident blue check-mark that Twitter has used to confirm plea to stay proceedings where the ED is seeking to wrote in a policy prescription that people may have in its statement yesterday refuted media reports took place, women journalists in the state capital the authenticity of some high-profile accounts. declare him ‘fugitive economic off ender’. hoarded black money in the new currency. about Balakrishnan was being replaced. have been demanding his arrest. BJP accuses Heavy turnout in Karnataka by-polls Chidambaram of violating bail conditions

IANS ence at the party headquarters, New Delhi Chidambaram, however, had refused to comment on his case, only saying that the order would oon after senior Congress clear the “many layers of dust” leader P Chidmbaram yes- that have settled on the under- Sterday held his fi rst press standing of criminal law and the conference after spending 106 manner in which it had been ad- days in jail, the Centre hit out ministered by the courts. at the former Union minister, Hitting out at Modi over his claiming that he violated court silence on the economic slow- orders on the very fi rst day after down, the senior Congress getting bail. leader said: “The prime minis- Speaking to the media, Un- ter has been unusually silent on ion Minister Prakash Javadekar the economy. He has left it to his said, “The allegation against ministers to indulge in bluff and Chidambaram is that he in- bluster.” People stand in the queue at Yeshwantha Pura constituency to cast their vote in the Karnataka by-polls in Bengaluru yesterday. An estimated 62.18% average voting was dulged in corruption when he He also charged the govern- registered in the crucial by-elections to 15 Karnataka Assembly constituencies. The results will have a key bearing on the state’s political future. was a minister. Now he himself is ment with making mistakes, say- giving a self-certifi cation that he ing it believed that the problems is innocent. This is a violation of faced by the economy were “cy- the conditions imposed on him clical” even after seven months by the court.” While granting into the current fi nancial year. bail to the former fi nance min- “It is wrong. Let me repeat, ister, the apex court on Wednes- the government is wrong and day gagged him from speaking they are wrong because they are on the case. He was booked for clueless,” he said, adding that the alleged money laundering in the government was unable to look for the obvious clues because Rape victim set ablaze by INX-Media case. Replying to allegations of it is “stubborn and mulish” in “man-made” economic slow- “defending its catastrophic down levelled by Chidambaram, mistakes like demonetisation, Javadekar termed the economy a fl awed GST, tax terrorism, under Congress-led UPA as “high regulatory overkill, protection- infl ation, low growth economy”. ism, and centralised control of accused in Uttar Pradesh He reminded the ex-minister of decision-making in the prime the skyrocketing prices during minister’s offi ce”. IANS In a letter sent to Uttar Pradesh action being taken in the case vention of a local court. charges were registered only in the UPA era, adding that the cur- According to the Congress Unnao director general of police O P and submit their report to him. Yesterday morning, when March this year. rent onion price hike was a “tem- leader, the previous UPA dispen- Singh, NCW chairperson Rekha The Samajwadi Party has de- the victim was on her way to S K Bhagat, inspector general, porary diffi culty”. sation had lifted 140mn people Sharma has sought a detailed manded the resignation of the Rae Bareli district court for the Lucknow Zone, said: “In her Chidambaram yesterday had out of poverty between 2004- ays after the rape and report of the incident and the Yogi government over moral hearing of her case, she was at- charge-sheet, the woman said trained his guns at Prime Min- 2014, while the NDA had pushed murder of a veterinary action taken. responsibility for the Unnao in- tacked by the accused and set one of the accused was in a re- ister Narendra Modi over his millions of people below the Ddoctor in Hyderabad She has also sought to know cident. ablaze. lationship with her in 2018 but silence on economic slowdown poverty line since 2016. that led to national outrage, a what action has been taken Samajwadi Party president In Lucknow, the victim gave a he physically exploited her after and termed the government an Stressing that every number woman was set ablaze, alleg- against offi cials who failed to Akhilesh Yadav also asked the statement to the sub-divisional luring her with a marriage pro- “incompetent manager of the pointed in the direction of a fl oun- edly by the same accused who provide protection to the vic- judiciary to take suo moto cog- magistrate Dayashankar Pathak posal. Later, he refused to get economy”. He also described the dering economy, he said that the had raped her earlier, in Uttar tim. nisance of the incident and ini- saying that Hari Shankar Dwi- married and raped the woman disinvestment of Bharat Petro- economy can be brought out of Pradesh’s Unnao yesterday. The NCW has also wanted tiate action. “The government wedi, Shubham Dwiwedi, Shi- with another friend.” leum Corporation (BPCL) as a the slowdown but this govern- The victim has been admitted to know the number of heinous has lost the moral authority to vam Dwiwedi, Ram Kishore Congress general secretary “scandal”. ment was incapable of doing it. to the Civil Hospital in Lucknow crime cases against women in UP remain in power,” he said. Trivedi and Umesh Bajpai had Priyanka Gandhi Vadra hit out Chidambaram also said that “We will be lucky to end with over 90% burns. and the number of cases in which SP legislator Sunil Kumar attacked her and set her afi re. at Union Home Minister Amit the Congress will oppose the the year if growth touches 5%. The woman was set on fi re the accused had been granted bail Sajan alleged that the accused After she was set on fi re, she Shah and the chief minister for Citizenship Amendment Bill and Please remember (former chief by the two rape accused, out on in the last three years. enjoyed the patronage of BJP tried to run and some villagers lying regarding the law and or- that he supports the protests of economic adviser) Arvind Sub- bail, along with their three as- UP Chief Minister Yogi Adi- leaders. saw her and came to her aid, the der situation in Uttar Pradesh. the students of the Jawaharlal ramanian’s caution that 5% un- sociates. All fi ve accused have tyanath, meanwhile, directed The victim had been gang police said. In a tweet, she said, “Seeing Nehru University, the IIMC and der this government, because of been arrested. that the cost of the treatment of raped by the accused in Decem- She further alleged that Shi- such incidents occur on a daily other institutions over the pro- suspect methodology, is not re- The National Commission for the victim be borne by the state ber last year but charges were vam and Shubham Dwiwedi basis saddens one’s heart. BJP posed fee hike. ally 5% but less by about 1.5%,” Women (NCW) has taken suo government. He directed top registered in Rae Bareli only in had abducted and raped her in leaders should now come out of Addressing a press confer- Chidambaram said. motu cognisance of the case. police offi cials to monitor the March this year on the inter- December 2018. However, the their false propaganda.” 4mn slum dwellers win Anger at Bill Mamata steps up property rights in Delhi attack on governor IANS will fi ght it out. Let us fi ght the Kolkata battle,” she said. Thomson Reuters Foundation had no choice,” tweeted Hous- but many lack basic facilities In an unprecedented deci- New Delhi ing Minister Hardeep Singh Puri and residents face the constant sion, Speaker Biman Baner- yesterday. “(The bill) will bring a threat of eviction, according to ignalling an all-out war jee on Tuesday adjourned the wave of change.” housing rights activists. against governor Jag- House for two days saying he government yester- Parliament passed the bill on Many are migrant workers Sdeep Dhankhar, West Bills scheduled to be placed day said it had ushered Wednesday. from other parts of the country Bengal Chief Minister Mamata before the members were yet Tin “a wave of change” for However it excludes nearly 70 who cannot aff ord regular hous- Banerjee yesterday accused to get the green signal from millions of slum dwellers — of- slums in protected areas, such ing, drawn to the cities for jobs him of running a parallel ad- Dhankhar. fering them the prize of home as forests, or near monuments, and the promise of a better life. ministration in her state, and In a hard-hitting response ownership — but it barred thou- fl ood plains and rich enclaves, They are among the 65mn In- withholding permission be- soon after the Speaker’s an- sands more whose slums sit near said Rajeev Kumar Jain, a spokes- dians who live in slums, accord- fore even introduction of bills nouncement, the Raj Bhavan temples, beauty spots and rich man for the housing ministry. ing to the national 2011 census, in the assembly. She said her denied any delay and said the neighbourhoods. “A few thousands of people with numbers expected to reach government would “fi ght the bills were pending on account of It is landmark move for more will be left out. But it’s a small nearly 600mn by 2030 as cities battle”. “lack of input or response” from than 4mn people in the cramped number. The vast majority are continue to boom. “There is a parallel govern- the respective departments. capital of over 18mn, enshrin- being covered,” he said. Under the new bill, residents ment administration in Bengal Hours before the chief min- ing for the fi rst time their right Worldwide, about a billion will have to provide basic docu- too. You have seen Maharash- ister’s outburst, Dhankhar to own the shacks and dwellings people live in slums and informal mentation and pay a nominal tra. If you see my state, you will made a pre-announced visit they call home. settlements. charge to register their property see what is going on is 100% to the assembly, found the gate The plan to regularise Delhi’s By 2030, 3bn people will lack and receive a title. more than Maharashtra. earmarked for his movements unauthorised settlements had access to adequate and aff ord- Shivani Chaudhry, execu- “I am sorry to say my House locked, and entered through been fl oated for more than a able housing, according to UN- tive director of the Housing and is adjourned, because the bills another gate. Neither the decade. Habitat, the United Nations’ Land Rights Network, welcomed are not being signed. It is not Speaker, not senior assembly Now it is fi nally law, opening settlements agency. the bill but worried it might not the fi nal bill, just introduction offi cials were present to wel- the door to better services and The bill seeks to stem that guard against all evictions, given of the bill,” she said at a func- come him. security for millions of migrant tide, giving more than 4mn resi- all the hurdles to be jumped. tion here. Coming out, he took on the workers living in hundreds of dents of about 1,700 settlements The registration process must “These bills were not being Mamata Banerjee government, ramshackle settlements. in Delhi the right to own, devel- be an inclusive one that does discussed even. All we need is saying a “deathly silence” “Citizens did not live in un- op and sell their property and to not exclude people on account People carrying torches shout slogans during a protest permission to introduce a bill greeted him in the Assembly, authorised colonies of Delhi be- take out loans. of faulty surveys, minor techni- against the Citizenship Amendment Bill in Guwahati in the House for discussion. and said the entire chain of cause they wanted to. They lived Authorities have built roads calities, or their inability to pay or yesterday. “In that too we are facing a events was a “threat to democ- in urban squalor because they and drains in some settlements, provide documentation, she said. problem. We don’t mind, we racy” and a “shame”. Gulf Times Friday, December 6, 2019 11 LATIN AMERICA

AUDIT FALLOUT FORECAST ANNOUNCEMENT CRIME ‘Malicious manipulation’ Argentina central bank Brazil agriculture to see China signs on for ‘gigantic’ French engineer killed found in Bolivia polls: OAS chief to step down 3% growth: farm lobby investment in El Salvador in Colombian capital

The Organisation of American States has released Argentina central bank chief Guido Sandleris re- Brazilian agricultural production will grow 3% in China will help build several major infrastruc- An engineer working for French aerospace and its final report into the October election in Bolivia, signed as Latin America’s third-largest economy 2020, three times faster than this year, driven ture projects in El Salvador including a stadium defence company Thales has been shot dead concluding that “malicious manipulation” had transitions to Peronism next week under newly by rapidly expanding meat exports and another and water treatment plant, the two countries in the Colombian capital Bogota in an apparent aff ected the vote, which has tipped the country elected President Alberto Fernandez. Sandleris record grain harvest in the 2019-2020 season, said, signalling China’s growing role in the targeted assassination, off icials said. The 45-year- into turmoil. Incumbent president Evo Morales, said in a letter to president Mauricio Macri the CNA farm lobby said. China, Brazil’s biggest region after El Salvador cut ties with Taiwan. old victim was shot as he left a restaurant with a who had been seeking a fourth term after ruling that he would leave his position on December market for food exports, this year increased Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele, who French colleague in the city’s upscale northern for nearly 14 years, claimed a narrow victory, but 9, one day before Fernandez will be sworn imports of Brazilian chicken and beef. Brazilian met with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping district of Chapinero, the police and Thales said. opposition groups accused him of rigging the into office. Sandleris said he was honoured to beef production is expected to grow by 22% in in China, said the investment represented a “We reject the hypothesis of a robbery. According results. Isolated and abandoned by the police have served, but worried Argentina’s tradition value terms next year, the CNA said. Soy, the top “gigantic, non-refundable co-operation” for the to the evidence we have, this is an assassination and military, Morales resigned on November 10 of overhauling central bank leadership with crop of Brazilian agribusiness, accounted for 28% small Central American nation. He did not dis- perpetrated by a hitman,” police Major Robert and fled to Mexico, where he was granted politi- every election contributed to a “lack of basic of its exports valued at $23.2bn this year and will close the planned investment amount. Under Mendez told reporters. The killing occurred in a cal asylum. “The audit team detected malicious consensus around the importance of building continue to grow in 2020. With no El Nino or La the agreement, China will help build a large street close to the French embassy. The embassy manipulation of the elections,” the OAS said in its a healthy currency, and, especially, how to go Nina weather phenomena forecast, Brazil will sports stadium, multi-storey library and water said the victim was on a work assignment for report. about it.” have a bumper grain crop, CNA off icials said. treatment plant. Thales in Bogota. Protests wane Mercosur trade summit in Haiti but crisis far from over

Reuters was tense, as shots were heard in Port-au-Prince the distance. “We don’t want to increase the number of pupils yet because nti-government protests of the political situation,” said in Haiti are waning, with Mackenson Bonhomme, an ad- Aschools and businesses ministrative staff member. “We trying to re-open in the face of cannot guarantee the safety of political gridlock and heightened the children.” violence in the western hemi- “We’re afraid of missing a year sphere’s poorest country. of school,” said Kerlange Augustin, Demonstrations began in Sep- 16, disappointed that her class was tember against President Jovenel not returning. Several school di- Moise over allegations of cor- rectors said they hoped all classes ruption and mismanagement, would restart in January. paralysing the Caribbean island Almost all Haitian schools are nation of 11mn. private, and some parents say Protesters have barricaded they lack money for fees because roads and the electrical grid has the crisis has prevented them broken down, plunging much of from working. Brazil’s President Jair Bolsonaro, Argentina’s President Mauricio Macri, Uruguay’s Vice President Lucia Topolansky, Paraguay’s President Mario Abdo Benitez, Bolivia’s Foreign the island into darkness. So far, police have only been Minister Karen Longaric and Chile’s Foreign Minister Teodoro Ribera attend a Mercosur trade bloc summit, in Bento Goncalves, Brazil, yesterday. Gangs have profi ted from the able to unblock highways tempo- chaos to expand their territory. rarily. Barricades have been re- Haitians have wearied of dis- erected leaving provinces cut off . ruptions, and crowds at recent Some opposition factions are protests are down to the hun- calling for a march today in the dreds from tens of thousands at capital to the US embassy to de- the height of the crisis. mand Washington stop propping The political opposition in- up the government. sists that the government has “I do not understand why the lost control of the country. international community con- Trump ‘set to label Mexico Yet many question whether tinues to back a head of state who the opposition can dislodge cannot guarantee the stability of the president. Washington has his country and who is rejected pledged Haiti more aid, and US by his people,” top opposition undersecretary of state for polit- leader Andre Michel claimed ical aff airs David Hale is expected Moise, whose election came with cartels as terrorist groups’ to arrive today. fraud allegations and a voter turnout Attempts to return to normal- of just 21%, has vowed to serve until Tribune News Service Under the plan, the state de- host Bill O’Reilly last week that Kingpin Act; however, the ter- porters, Hugo Rodriguez, depu- cy have been tentative and pre- his mandate ends in 2021. Washington partment would be allowed to he had already off ered assistance rorist designation gives justice ty assistant secretary of state for carious. Hawkers are returning Fuel shortages sparked this designate cartels as Foreign Ter- to Mexican President Andres department prosecutors more Central America, did not off er to sell wares on town sidewalks. latest wave of protests, the worst rorist Organisations, putting Manuel Lopez Obrador but that leeway in criminal proceedings. specifi cs on the next steps but Schools are re-starting some by far since demonstrations be- he Trump administration them in the same category as US his counterpart had declined the The terrorist designation “is a said the US agencies have been classes, mostly at reduced hours. gan in mid-2018. is moving forward on calls enemies including Islamic State. off er. “I’ve actually off ered him symbolic and moral condemna- looking at this issue for months. With the sound of gunfi re still Haitians are frustrated with Tto classify Mexican drug Key administration offi cials to let us go in and clean it out,” tion of drug cartels,” said Peter “What we are looking to do is common, pupils have been urged frequent blackouts, while infl a- cartels as terrorist organisations are in favour of allowing such Trump said in the interview. Harrell, a fellow at the Centre put at the service of the govern- not to wear uniforms that would tion has surged to around 20%, after the killing last month of designations for drug traffi ck- Trump appeared to refer to for New American Security, a ment of Mexico any and all tools aggravate protesters. leaving foodstuff s and other nine US citizens in Mexico, with ers, said the people. At least nine Mexico’s drug cartels during a Washington-based research we have at our disposal to co- “We are afraid of reprisals,” goods out of reach for many. top offi cials seeking to reach a members of a Mormon family news conference on Tuesday in group. “You’re sending a mes- operate on the shared security said Rosette Romelus, director at The opposition rejected Moi- decision this week, according were killed in northern Mexico London, where he was attending sage that these are bad guys but challenge that the drug traffi ck- a primary and secondary school se’s off er of a unity government, to three people familiar with the last month in an apparent at- a Nato summit. also that these are terrorist or- ing organisations pose,” he said. in Port-au-Prince. “Parents are and has blocked appointment of matter. tack by drug cartels, prompting “We’ll be looking at other ganisations.” “We have to work with them stressed as well as the pupils... a prime minister, leaving Haiti President Donald Trump is Trump to say the US would help forms of terror. We’ll be look- Earlier the US state depart- (Mexico) to fi nd the tools that When parents heard shots this unable to unlock needed funds scheduled to meet today with wipe traffi ckers “off the face of ing at other countries. We’ll be ment said it was working with are going to be appropriate in morning they left with their from the International Monetary top advisers at the White House the earth.” looking at countries that are ag- Mexico’s government to identify the context,” he said. “If we have children.” Fund and other sources. to discuss whether to proceed Trump later tweeted that an gressive, and not just one par- the “appropriate tools” to help it tools at our disposal that we can A nearby high-school for girls Authorities have failed to or- with the move, said the people army may be needed to fi ght the ticular part of this world.” tackle the threats that drug car- use that help contribute to ad- re-opened only for two classes ganise new parliamentary elec- who spoke on condition of ano- gangs. Narcotics traffi ckers can al- tels pose. dressing the DTO challenge, studying for exams. The mood tions. nymity. Trump told former Fox News ready be sanctioned under the Speaking at a briefi ng with re- we’re looking at it.” Mexico upbeat on talks Maduro defiant Chile central bank to revise US trade deal holds rate steady Reuters year contraction in a decade, Santiago according to bank data released Reuters “But there are things we can’t grant 10 years of data exclusivity Monday, as riots over inequality Washington accept,” he said. for makers of biologic medicines, overtook the country. At the heart of discussions saying it will lead to higher prices hile’s central bank said Forecasts for quarterly growth are US eff orts to subject Mexico for consumers. it would hold its bench- and unemployment are equally exico’s government to tougher controls of its labour Kenneth Smith, who was Cmark interest rate steady dire. said progress was being standards. Mexico’s principal USMCA ne- at 1.75%, and would likely keep it The bank said the worsening Mmade toward revising a Democrats have pressed to gotiator from 2017 to 2018, said there for the next several months, outlook had given way to an “in- new North American trade pact get stricter enforcement of new Democrats were pressing to even as weeks of protests begin to crease in uncertainty,” and had that will sharply reduce protec- Mexican labour rules enshrined eliminate biologic protections hammer the country’s economy. soured business and consumer tions for biologic drugs, in what in the deal by proposing that in- for drug makers. The bank said recently an- confi dence. will be a setback for US pharma- spectors supervise their imple- If the USMCA provision were nounced fi scal stimulus meas- “Activity and demand have ceutical companies. mentation. simply cut, rules could revert to ures and a depreciating peso, been negatively aff ected, and Mexico approved the United Mexico has fi rmly rejected that the considerably thinner protec- which hit a historic low last expectations for growth for this States-Mexico-Canada Agree- proposal, although President tions of the 1994 North Ameri- week, could help push long- year and the next have deterio- ment (USMCA) this year, but US Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador can Free Trade Agreement (Naf- lagging infl ation in the South rated,” the bank said. ratifi cation has been held up by said it could accept panels drawn ta), he said. American nation to its target, The most violent, widespread Democratic lawmakers pressing from the US, Mexico and a third Or, new language could be prompting its decision. protests to hit Chile since its re- the Trump administration for country reviewing standards agreed as a compromise, Smith “In line with reaching our turn to democracy in 1990 have changes including steps on the over an extended period. added. infl ation goal, and in a context left at least 26 dead. drug protections. Separately, in a column for Mexican business groups have of greater fi scal stimulus...the The chaos has spooked inves- After nearly four hours of talks Mexican newspaper El Universal, bristled at the Democratic labour board believes that the inter- tors and tourists, hobbled ports, with US Trade Representative Rob- Seade said “very high protec- market plan as a bid to make the est rate will maintain its current highways and public transporta- ert Lighthizer in Washington, Mex- tion” for biologic drugs would country less attractive to invest- level during the coming months,” tion and caused billions in losses ico’s top USMCA negotiator, deputy be “eased drastically” in changes ment, which Lopez Obrador said the bank said in a statement. to business. foreign minister Jesus Seade, said he being discussed for the USMCA. Mexico would not accept. The unanimous decision Rating agency Fitch on believed a deal was closer. Seade said he could not pro- In the column, Seade said Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro greets supporters to hold rates, which upended Wednesday said the impact of He told reporters two or three vide more details on the modifi - there would be no inspectors. during a political gathering in Caracas. Maduro ridiculed market expectations, comes as protests may push the Chilean tough questions still needed to cations for now. The USMCA is due to replace the Inter-American Treaty of Reciprocal Assistance (TIAR) Chile´s economy takes a sharp economy into a technical reces- be resolved, fl oating the possi- But US Democratic lawmakers Nafta, which US President Don- regional defence agreement, which agreed on sanctions turn for the worse. sion, expecting a contraction bility of thrashing out an accord have described as a “giveaway” ald Trump threatened to scrap if against members of his government. Economic activity in October in the current quarter and the in the coming days. a USMCA provision that would it was not overhauled. marked the biggest year-on- next. Gulf Times 12 Friday, December 6, 2019 PAKISTAN

Special court Court sets deadline for adjourns Musharraf resolving ECP deadlock hearing Internews deadlock between the opposi- in the wake of an impasse in par- to do it,” the IHC chief justice sensus over the names, Presi- parliament, headed by Human Internews Islamabad tion and the government.” liament on the appointment of said. dent Dr Arif Alvi on August 22 Rights Minister Shireen Mazari, Islamabad The additional attorney- the CEC and ECP members from Justice Minallah also observed appointed the ruling Pakistan have held meetings to consider general had requested the court Sindh and Baluchistan. that the CEC position is an im- Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)’s nomi- names of ECP members from he Islamabad High Court for more time, saying that the “[I] don’t understand why portant one and that the gov- nees as ECP members, giving Sindh and Baluchistan that have special court in Islama- (IHC) has issued direc- seventh meeting of the Par- you have gone to court when ernment and opposition should way to controversy. been recommended by Prime bad hearing the high trea- Ttions for parliament to liamentary Committee on the the matter is moving towards a come together to end the im- Matters worsened when in- Minister Imran Khan and Leader Ason case against former resolve the deadlock over the Appointment of Chief Elec- solution,” the judge remarked. passe on his appointment. cumbent CEC Justice (retired) of the Opposition in the Nation- president General (retired) Per- appointment of members of tion Commissioner (CEC) and “Why do you bring such matters The hearing of the case was Sardar Mohamed Raza refused al Assembly, Shehbaz Sharif. vez Musharraf has said that it Election Commission of Paki- Members of the Election Com- in court? adjourned until December 17. to administer the oath of offi ce Both Sharif and Khan have will announce the verdict on stan (ECP) within 10 days. mission of Pakistan was held on “It is beyond understanding; The positions of ECP mem- to the members appointed by the separately recommended three December 17, even if arguments During the hearing of a peti- Wednesday. everything is in your hands, you bers from Sindh and Baluchistan president. names for the positions of the from both sides were not com- tion challenging the appoint- During the proceedings, Jus- are an elected representative, have been lying vacant, owing to A case against the appoint- members. pleted by then. ments, IHC Chief Justice Athar tice Minallah asked Pakistan solve matters yourself.” a deadlock between the govern- ments was also fi led in the IHC. A deadlock, however, has The statement was made by a Minallah appreciated the eff orts Muslim League – Nawaz (PML- Justice Minallah further said ment and the opposition over The high court, in October, persisted, with contradictory three-member bench of the spe- made by National Assembly N) Mohsin Shahnawaz Ranjha if that while it was “easy to hear the appointment of the mem- ordered that the matter be re- claims from both the govern- cial court, headed by Peshawar Speaker Asad Qaiser and Senate a petition in this regard had been the case”, the court wanted to bers, since the retirement of solved in the parliament, follow- ment and the opposition. High Court Chief Justice Waqar Chairman Sadiq Sanjrani to re- fi led in the Supreme Court. “see a strong parliament”. Abdul Ghaff ar Soomro and Jus- ing which Qaiser and Sanjrani The government and opposi- Ahmed Seth. solve the deadlock. Members of opposition par- “You shouldn’t come to us tice (retired) Shakeel Baloch in held meetings to fi nd a way to tion have also not been able to Lawyers present from the new He said: “National Assembly ties had fi led a petition in the top … instead resolve all confl icts January. end the deadlock. reach a consensus over the next prosecution team informed the speaker and Senate chairman court on Wednesday, requesting in parliament. We want to see a After the government and op- Furthermore, the bicameral CEC, ahead of Raza’s retirement court that they needed more are neutral, and they can end the it to “pass an appropriate order” strong parliament, and you have position failed to reach a con- and bipartisan committee of today (December 6). time to prepare for the case. In response, Justice Seth said they needed to put other cases aside to work on this one. Kids just wanna have fun Justice Nazar Akbar added that four days were more than Pakistan’s ranking enough to prepare the case. Prosecutor Ali Zia Bajwa, after taking the stand, said that there worsens on Global was a lot of pressure on them. “What kind of pressure can there be on a lawyer?” Justice Climate Risk Index Akbar asked Bajwa, adding that a lawyer’s job is to assist the court. Bajwa said that they should be Internews fl oodings as a result”. given 15 days to prepare the case. Karachi While commenting on Pa- Rejecting the prosecutor’s kistan’s ranking in the 2020 plea, Justice Seth said no post- report, Adviser to the Prime ponement will be given and he Global Climate Risk Minister on Climate Change that an order in writing should Index’s latest report has Malik Amin Aslam Khan said: be submitted stating that argu- Tplaced Pakistan on the “Our ranking over the long- ments would be completed by fi fth spot on the list of coun- term index went up from eight December 17. tries, which remained most af- to fi fth because the period used He added: “Hearing of the fected by climate change dur- amplifi es our most climate cat- case will be adjourned till De- ing the past two decades. astrophic events in 2010/2011 cember 17. Written arguments to According to the Global Cli- when the super fl oods hit [the be submitted two days before the mate Risk Index annual report country]. aforementioned date.” for 2020, which was released by “In terms of economic costs It is pertinent to mention here think tank Germanwatch, Pa- at $3.8bn, we are number three the special court had said on kistan lost 9,989 lives, suff ered over a 20-year period. November 19 that the verdict in economic losses worth $3.8bn, “What this means is that our the case would be announced on and witnessed 152 extreme economy is constantly at risk November 28, before the Islam- weather events from 1999 to from climate catastrophes and abad High Court (IHC) barred it 2018. this is not just an environmen- from doing so. Based on this data, the think tal challenge but an issue im- Last week, the special court tank concluded that Pakistan’s pacting our economy, human had said it will allow Mushar- vulnerability to climate change health, agriculture and ecosys- raf until December 5 to make his is increasing. tem.” statement in the high treason The data also indicates that Dean of Pardee School of case, but noted that it was not the government, as well as the Global Studies at Boston Uni- Children having fun riding a merry-go-round in Lahore. bound to follow IHC’s order to world, are not taking enough versity, Dr Adil Najam, blames not announce the verdict. measures to cope with the the lack of action taken to com- challenges and risks that cli- bat climate change risks. mate change poses to Pakistan, “The Global Climate Risk experts say, according to a re- Index report clearly indicates port. that the world hasn’t acted, so The Global Climate Risk In- the vulnerability of the whole dex report mentioned Pakistan world is increasing, and since Govt’s precious assets among the countries that were Pakistan hasn’t acted, things “recurrently aff ected by ca- are worsening for us too,” he tastrophes [and] continuously said. rank among the most aff ected About the threat of rapidly countries both in the long- melting glaciers that resulted to be sold: PM Imran term index and in the index for into Glacial Lake Outburst the respective year”. Floods (GLOFs) in Pakistan, The 10 countries most af- Najam said: “If we don’t do Internews Prime Minister Khan, during ment departments and their pos- fected by climate change men- anything, we should not expect Islamabad a meeting over the utilisation of sible privatisation. tioned in the list are: Puerto anything to change or become numerous properties owned by He said that under the de- Rico, Myanmar, Haiti, the Phil- better. diff erent ministries and federal cisions of the federal cabinet, ippines, Pakistan, Vietnam, “The glaciers won’t stop rime Minister Imran Khan departments, directed the as- during the months of February Bangladesh, Thailand, Nepal, melting because there was a has said that “precious” set management committee, the to March, every ministry was and Dominica. beautiful speech.” Pgovernment properties will relevant federal ministries, and tasked to identify at least three One of the reasons for Paki- He was referring to a recent be sold for better utilisation of the provincial governments to such properties. Prime Minister Khan: The non-utilisation of government assets in an stan to be continuously ranked speech by Prime Minister Im- funds on public welfare projects. resolve all matters pertaining to In the fi rst phase, diff erent eff ective manner in the past had manifest criminal negligence. high in the long-term index of ran Khan at the seventh Inter- He warned that stern action the identifi ed properties within a ministries had identifi ed 32 such the report is mainly due to its national Union for Conserva- would be initiated against offi c- week, so that decision over their properties. the Dubai Expo to invite overseas provision of basic facilities like geographical location. tion of Nature Asia Regional ers found to be creating hurdles proper utilisation could be im- The secretary added that serv- Pakistanis and other investors. schools, colleges, and hospitals, According to David Eckstein, Conservation Forum, where in the identifi cation of non-uti- plemented. ices of a fi nancial adviser were The prime minister said that are the signifi cant part of the one of the co-authors of the re- the premier had highlighted lised government-owned prop- Privatisation Commission hired in October to assess the the proper utilisation of these government’s policy. port, “the entire region where the dangers Pakistan faced erties. Secretary Rizwan Malik apprised value of these properties, and properties and lands, worth bil- He observed that diff erent Pakistan is located is prone due to climate change, while “The non-utilisation of gov- the meeting about the progress give a fi nal shape to the future lions of rupees, which had been federal departments and institu- to extreme weather events, in recounting measures that his ernment assets in an eff ective made in the proper utilisation mechanism in this regard. kept unused for years and spend- tions had been running into an- particular, heavy rainfalls e.g. government had taken to curb manner in the past had manifest of properties owned by diff erent He said that marketing for ing of income generated from nual losses despite having such during monsoon season, and the impact. criminal negligence,” he said. ministries and federal govern- these properties would be held at their use for public welfare and precious assets.

PM forms panel for fresh legislation

Prime Minister Imran Khan has constituted an eight-member Senior PML-N aides head to London to consult Sharifs committee, headed by Law Minister Farogh Naseem, apparently to make fresh legislation/amendments to the Constitution regarding the appointment of the army chief and extension in his tenure, as Internews Ayaz Sadiq, as wells as Senator Prime Minister Imran Khan have directed by the Supreme Court. Islamabad Pervez Rashid, have already left sent their recommendations for The Committee for Disposal of Legislative Cases (CCLC) was for London while party’s secre- the post to the relevant parlia- constituted in terms of rule 17(2) of the Rules of Business 1973. tary-general Ahsan Iqbal is ex- mentary committee, an agree- “The committee shall examine the cases of fresh legislation as well embers of the Pakistan pected to leave today. ment has not been reached. as amendments to the existing laws and give its recommendations Muslim League – Nawaz The sources added that the On Wednesday members of whether they are to be introduced in the parliament or otherwise, M(PML-N) parliamen- group will discuss the law re- the opposition approached the subject to ratification by the cabinet,” the committee’s terms of tary group departed for London garding an extension in the army Supreme Court, requesting that reference stated. yesterday, party spokesperson chief’s tenure, the appointment it to “pass an appropriate order” Secretarial support to the committee will be provided by the Marriyum Aurangzeb confi rmed, of Election Commission of Pa- in the wake of an impasse in par- cabinet division. saying that the delegation is go- kistan (ECP) members as well as liament on the appointment of Other members of the new committee would be Attorney-General ing to meet ailing former prime politics in the country. the Chief Election Commission- Anwar Mansoor, Minister for Parliamentary Aff airs Azam Khan minister Nawaz Sharif and to The fi nal decision on the par- er (CEC) and two ECP members Swati, the federal minister concerned [by special invitation], Special consult party president Shehbaz Nawaz Sharif: will make the final decision on the party’s stance ty’s stance regarding the law for from Sindh and Baluchistan. Assistant to the Prime Minister on Accountability Mirza Shahzad Sharif on important issues. regarding the law for extending the army chief’s tenure. extending the army chief’s ten- On November 28, the apex Akbar, the law and justice secretary, a joint secretary [Prime She said the delegation will ure will be made by Nawaz Sharif, court in its short order an- Minister Off ice], and the cabinet secretary as secretary of the seek the leadership’s guidance on Khyber Pakhtunkhwa president fi rmed that the parliamentary the sources said. nounced that General Qamar committee. parliamentary matters. Ameer Muqam said the leader advisory group for the party was The opposition and govern- Javed Bajwa would remain the The Supreme Court had in a recent verdict allowed the extension/ According to party sources, left for London in the morning. heading to London. ment are facing a deadlock over Chief of Army Staff for six reappointment of General Qamar Javed Bajwa as the Chief of the a meeting of the senior PML-N However, he added that Mu- According to party members, the appointments of ECP mem- months, during which the parlia- Army Staff for six months. leadership, headed by Shehbaz, qam had gone on his own, sepa- Aurangzeb, members of the Na- bers, as both sides have failed to ment will legislate on the exten- At the same time, the apex court directed the government to will take place today. rate from the PML-N delegation. tional Assembly (MNAs) Khawa- reach a consensus on the matter. sion/reappointment of an army determine the tenure, terms and conditions of service of the army A spokesman for the PML-N’s Other PML-N workers con- ja Asif, Rana Tanvir, and Sardar Though both Shehbaz and chief. chief through legislation within this period. Gulf Times Friday, December 6, 2019 13 THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH

llah subhanahu wa ta’aala is lawful (Halal) and good, to nurture On the other hand, the Qur’an things (al-Khabaa’ith)...” (Surah Al- following three conditions: sent Prophet Muhammad, their bodies and enjoy good health forbids Muslims from eating unlawful A’raf 7:157) 1. It is not one of the animals or sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa both physically and spiritually. (Haram) and bad foods to protect General Rulings on Halal meats that are Haram (unlawful) for Halal or Asallam, with a message The Qur’an says: “Say: Who has them from physical and spiritual Slaughtering the Muslim to consume. detailing specifi c principles, ways and forbidden the beautiful (gifts) of Allah, harm. The Qur’an describes the All scholars are in agreement that 2. No name other than that of Allah procedures for his followers to live by which He has produced for His servants, Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam a slaughtered animal can be Halal is invoked or mentioned over it at the with regard to eating and food. Allah and the things, pure and clean (at- as one who “... allows them as lawful (lawful) with respect to both the time of slaughtering. subhanahu wa ta’aala wanted His Tayyibaat) (which He has provided) for good things (at-Tayyibaat) and use of its meat for food, and the use 3. The slaughtering has met specifi c Haram? servants to enjoy life and eat all that sustenance? ...” (Surah Al-A’raf 7:32) prohibits as unlawful bad and evil of its by-products, if it meets the Islamic requirements. Slaughtering the Halal way

he Shar’ee term of Halal point that a lamb was dying. When she Dhabeehah of the Murtadd (one who the Name of Allah.’ The Prophet, slaughtering is Dhakat. Dhakat told me, I broke a stone and slaughtered has chosen to give up Islam) is not sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, told me: in Arabic comes from the root it, but I told them not to eat of it until considered Halal. ‘If you send your dog mentioning the Tidea of making something I asked the Prophet, who told them to Name of Allah and he killed, you eat; become good in smell and taste, and eat it.” (The full version is narrated by Invocation of Allah’s name over but if he eats from it, do not eat. He making it complete. Dhakat thus al-Bukhari). the animal has caught it for himself.’ I said: ‘I send means: “to slaughter an animal in such And in the Hadith reported by Rafa ibn Scholars agree regarding the my dog, and then I fi nd another dog a way as to make to smell and taste Khadeej, radhiallahu ‘anhu, the Prophet, legitimacy (Mashru’yah) of invoking with him, and I do not know which good, because slaughtering releases the sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, told the the Name of Allah over the Dhabeehah, one caught for me.’ The Prophet said: blood, enabling the meat to dry faster.” Companions to use “anything that but they diff er on whether it is ‘Do not eat, because you only invoked (Al Qurtubi V6/P52). As an Islamic releases the blood, and mention the Name obligatory (Waajib) or recommended the Name on your dog, and not on the technical term, it means releasing the of Allah over it, but do not use a tooth or a (Mustahabb). In other words, is it other’.” (Reported by al-Bukhari and blood of animals by means of a sharp nail, for a tooth is bone, and nails are the considered a requirement, in order Muslim, among other similar Ahadith). object from a specifi c place in a specifi c knives of the Ethiopians.” (Reported by for the Dhabeehah to be Halal, or not? If the invocation is dropped manner, doing it for the sake of Allah al-Bukhari, Muslim and others). It is said Three major opinions of scholars have deliberately, the Dhabeehah is Alone, and mentioning His Name over that Ethiopians at that time used to kill been mentioned by Ibn Katheer in his considered to be “dead,” and it is Haram the animal. their animals in that fashion to show their Tafseer (V2/P169) in explaining Ayah to eat. But if one forgot to mention it, Scholars have agreed that the best courage and strength. 121 of Surah al-An’aam. The Ayah says: then his slaughter is lawful and the and most complete way to slaughter In a lengthy discussion of all possible “Eat not of (meats) on which Allah’s Dhabeehah is Halal. is to cut the windpipe (trachea), objects for slaughter, Ibn Rushd said: name has not been pronounced: That Second: That invocation is not a the gullet (esophagus) and the two “It does not make sense to diff erentiate would be impiety. But the evil ones requirement, and that if one has not jugular veins in the neck. Slaughtering between teeth and bones for he (the ever inspire their friends to contend made it (on purpose or just forgot to do must be performed on the front of Prophet) explained that a tooth is not with you. If you were to obey them, you so), the slaughter would be lawful, and the neck without cutting the spinal a good tool by the fact that it is made would indeed be Pagans.” The following the Dhabeehah Halal. This is basically cord. Scholars, however, have diff ered of bone. And it is well agreed upon in is a brief summary of these opinions: the Shafi ’ee School’s opinion, but is also regarding what constitutes the our Madh-hab that anything other First: That the invocation is a one of the opinions reported on behalf minimum amount of cutting, and the than iron is disliked (that is, when condition for lawfulness. This opinion of Malik and Ahmad. exact point on the neck where it should iron objects are available) because is held by the majority of scholars, Third: That it is a condition for the take place. the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa including Abu Hanifah, Malik, Ahmad, lawfulness of the Dhabeehah, and that Those who understood the Prophet’s sallam, has said: ‘If you slaughter, then Thawree, Ibn Abbas and many others. if the Muslim does not invoke the Name Ahadith to mean “kill” the animal slaughter in the best way. One should They say that in the above Ayah: of Allah, his Dhabeehah is not Halal. think that cutting the throat and the sharpen his edge and comfort gently his 1. The order not to eat implies an This opinion does not diff erentiate windpipe is good enough to achieve animal.’” (Bidaiatul Mujtahid VII/p433) absolute prohibition because nothing in between those who forget to make the the killing; and those who understood the Ayah or elsewhere negates it or says invocation from those who deliberately them to mean “release the blood” Who should slaughter otherwise. omit it: the Dhabeehah in either case is insisted that in addition to that, the Scholars agree that the person 2. The absence of the invocation not Halal. This opinion was adopted by jugular veins, or at least one of them, conducting the slaughtering can be is considered to be Fisq (impiety) or Abdullah ibn Umar, Dawood Ad-dhahiri must also be cut. The important point is a Muslim or one of the People of the disobedience. That classifi cation and Ibn Sereen. that some scholars recommended that Book. If the person has not reached is given only to actions that are Forgetfulness, however, is a valid slaughtering performed from the back puberty yet, or is drunk or insane, considered to be Haram. excuse for not applying or associating of the neck be avoided, because that scholars have diff ering opinions. 3. The prohibition is a general one consequences of actions to the doer. results in cutting the spinal cord, and The Shaafi ’ee School says that their and should not be construed to only Rulings and conditions cannot be thereby killing the animal, before the Dhabeehah is Halal, while the Hanbali mean dead animals killed by Mushriks, applied to the person who did or did not actual slaughtering. School says it is not. The Hanafi School as some scholars have claimed. The do something because of forgeting. The says that the insane person’s, and the reasoning behind this is that nothing same concept also applies to cases in The actual slaughtering tool boy’s, Dhabeehah is Halal if they are in the Ayah indicates such a restriction which the person is under duress or has The basic tool to be used in aware of what they are doing. The or specifi cation, and the fact that done something wrong by mistake. slaughtering is, of course, a knife. Any Malikites say the boy’s Dhabeehah prohibition of dead animals and animals In conclusion, the correct ruling sharp edge, however, can be used except is Halal, but not the drunks or the killed by Mushriks has been clearly and regarding the requirement of invoking teeth, nails, or bone. Examples of insane person’s because (under the specifi cally mentioned elsewhere in the the Name of Allah over slaughtered materials givinig a sharp edge are: steel, circumstances) they cannot reason. The Qur’an more than once. animals is that the invocation is iron, copper, gold, glass, stone, and main issue behind these diff erences is These scholars also used the obligatory (Waajib) for the slaughter to be wood, if it is sharp enough. Kaab ibn that of Niyyah (intention). Those who following Hadith to support their Halal, and that if one deliberately omits Malik, radhiallahu ‘anhu, reported that: consider it to be a requirement, do not opinion: Aadee ibn Hatem, radhiallaahu it, his Dhabeehah is Haram to eat. All “They had sheep that were shepherded accept their Dhabeehah as Halal, and ‘anhu, said: “I said: ‘O Prophet of Allah, this relates to cases in which the person by a young woman who noticed at one vice versa. All scholars agree that the I send my [hunting] dog and mention performing the slaughtering is a Muslim. Types of Haram Slaughtering by the meats and animals People of the Book he fi rst thing Muslims 1. Dead meat 4. Slaughtering in other than he basic rule regarding the food considered to be part of the Daar-ul-Harb the Name of Allah had been spoken over it or are supposed to know Dead animals here denotes Allah’s name and meat of the People of the Book (at war with Muslims) or Daar-us-Salaam not. The Prophet said: ‘Speak the Name of about food is what types those which die without man’s Animals over which names is that it is Halal. A Muslim can eat (at peace with Muslims). Imam Nawawee Allah over it and eat’.” (Reported by al-Bukhari Tof animals and meats are involvement by slaughtering. other than that of Allah Ttheir food and marry their women, has reported on the consensus of scholars and Abu Dawood). This Hadith shows that Haram for consumption. Some Any part cut from a live animal is were invoked at the time of as stated in the following Ayah: “This day on this matter (al Majmuu’a, V9/P68). non-Muslims were not used to invoking the Haram items are mentioned also considered dead and is not slaughter. All scholars agree are (all) Tayyibat (good and pure things) Name of Allah during the time of the Prophet, in the Qur’an, and some in the permissible to eat. One exception that if a Muslim invokes the made lawful unto you. The food the People Haram food is always haram sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, and that the authentic Sunnah of the Prophet, to this is seafood. Even though name of other than Allah over a of the Book is lawful unto you and yours All scholars have understood food in the invocation was required of Muslims because sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam. we consider sea creatures dead Dhabeehah then it is Haram to is lawful unto them. (Lawful unto you in above Ayah to refer to meat or Dhabeehah the Prophet had told them to invoke Allah’s The Qur’an says: “Forbidden once they are out of the water, consume. marriage) are (not only) chaste women who of the People of the Book. One should now Name before eating. That can be interpreted to you (for food) are: dead meat, the Qur’an clearly states that 5. Suff ocated or strangled are believers but chaste women among the ask the question: Are all the types of food to mean: because their meat is permitted for blood, the fl esh of swine, and seafood is Halal: “Lawful to you animals People of the Book when you give them their and meat used by them Halal for us? The you, you can eat it, just by mentioning Allah’s that on which has been invoked is the pursuit of water-game and As a general rule, for the due dowers and desire chastity not lewdness answer to that can be summarised by stating Name over it, and it does not really matter the name of other than Allah; its use for food – for the benefi t following fi ve types, if the animal nor secret intrigues. If any one rejects faith, that what our Deen has shown us to be whether or not they had invoked Allah’s Name that which has been killed by of yourselves and those who is reached before death, and is fruitless is his work, and in the Hereafter he Haram will always be Haram. Therefore, over it because it is not required of them. strangling, or by a violent blow, travel.” (Surah al-Ma’idah 5:96) then slaughtered, then it is Halal will be in the ranks of those who have lost all the rulings discussed above apply to zAllah subhanahu wa ta’aala has or by a headlong fall, or by being There is evidence for this to eat. (all spiritual good).” (Surah Al-Ma’idah 5:5) their Dhabeehah with one exception – the permitted us to marry women of the People gored to death; that which has exemption also in a Hadith 6. Animals killed by violent People of the Book specifi cally means invocation of the Name of Allah over the of the Book, and it is well established that been (partly) eaten by a wild narrated by Jaber, radhiallaahu blows or severely beaten. Christians and Jews. Scholars have slaughtered animal. The same conditions the husband cannot force his wife to be animal; unless you are able to ‘anhu, in which he told of a whale 7. Animals that fall from discussed in great detail exactly what is for the Halal requirement of Dhabeehah, are a Muslim or to practise Islamic worship. slaughter it (in due form); and they found dead on a beach heights and die. Whether to the meant by the expression “People of the considered again, this time with the People Similarly, we cannot ask the People of that which is sacrifi ced on stone during one of their expeditions. ground or into water. Book” and whether or not that meaning of the Book in mind: the Book to invoke Allah’s Name over an (altars); (forbidden) also is the The Hadith indicated that they 8. Animals killed by being would change with time. The majority of 1. According to Ayah 5:5 mentioned animal they slaughter, because they are not division (of meat) by raffl ing with ate from it and brought some gored. scholars say that the meaning of People of Muslims can only eat good and pure meats. required to do so. arrows: that is impiety. This day back with them for the Prophet, As well as being gutted. the Book has not changed and should not Therefore, the fl esh of swine, blood, zIf one considers Ayah 7:121 of Surah those who reject Faith have given sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, to 9. Animals partly eaten by wild change with time, even if the Christians and dead animals, etc are not permissible for al-An’aam: “Eat not of (meats) on which up all hope of your religion: so taste. beasts. Jews deviate more in their path from the the Muslim to eat – even items (eg pork) Allah’s name has not been pronounced” fear them not, but fear Me. This 2. Blood 10. Animals slaughtered on True Path and regardless of how much they currently eaten by the People of the Book. together with the fact that the People of the day I have perfected your religion The blood meant here is the stone (altars) practise of their religion. 2. No names other than that of Allah Book do not invoke Allah’s Name, one may for you, completed My favour Masfooh, or that which fl ows In his famous book of Tafseer, The reasons for this understanding subhanahu wa ta’aala should be invoked over get confused. But the paradox is answered upon you, and have chosen for out of the animal when it is Al Qurtubi said: “... this type are very simple. First, all or most of these the animal. If such is done, the Dhabeehah by considering the following: The meat of you Islam as your religion. But slaughtered or wounded. It is is in the slaughtering to other deviations existed even before the revelation becomes Haram according to Abu Hanifah, the People of the Book is exempted from the if any is forced by hunger, with considered to be Najass (impure than Allah category, but because of the Qur’an to our Prophet, sallallaahu Shafi ee and Ibn Hanbal. That is the ruling if restriction. The Qur’an prohibits Muslims no inclination to transgression, and unclean), and is Haram to eat many people would be practising ‘alaihi wa sallam, yet Allah subhanahu wa we actually hear these names invoked at the from marrying Mushrik women but at the Allah is indeed Oft-forgiving, or use in any form. The United this kind of slaughter, it was ta’aala called them the People of the Book. time of slaughtering. If we do not actually same time has exempted women of the Most Merciful.” (Surah al- States Department of Agriculture important to have it as a separate Second, Allah subhanahu wa ta’aala did not hear them, scholars have said that the ruling People of the Book from the prohibition, as Ma’idah 5:3) (USDA) has strict laws that type.” (V6/P57) This is very mention it in the Qur’an – and He surely is not to ask about it. This ruling is supported mentioned in the same Ayah. By analogy, a This Ayah is a further require the blood of cows and true, and even today, this type knows that they are going to change. We by the majority of scholars. similar exemption applies to the case of their explanation of a previous Ayah sheep to be thoroughly drained of slaughter is still being widely should not, therefore, pay attention to these 3. According to Abu Hanifah and Ibn Dhabeehah. in the same Surah, which says: after slaughter, before the meat practised by non-Muslims and changes, and should treat them, in every Hanbal, the Dhabeehah of the People of the Based on this discussion and other “Lawful unto you (for food) are can be sold to the public. by a few ignorant Muslims. way in which we deal with them, as who Book is not Halal unless they invoke the evidences, the following conclusions have all four-footed animals, with 3. Pig meat The above are the major they are – the People of the Book. Name of Allah over it. According to Malik and been drawn: the exceptions named: But game All scholars are in agreement kinds of prohibited meat. Other Rasheed Ridhaa, a respected scholar Shafi ee, however, invoking the Name of Allah 1. All meats prohibited in Islam are always animals are forbidden while you that the meat, fat and every part types are also mentioned in who lived at the turn of the century, said subhanahu wa ta’aala is not a requirement, prohibited, even if the People of the Book are in the Sacred Precincts or of the pig are Haram for the the authentic Sunnah of the in his book of Tafseer: “Allah prohibited and the Dhabeehah is Halal. This latter eat them. in pilgrim garb: for Allah does Muslim to consume. It should Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi us from marrying Mushrik women, yet He opinion is supported by the following: 2. If a Muslim hears a Christian or a Jew command according to His Will be pointed out, however, that wa sallam. Today in the West, subhanahu wa ta’aala also permitted us – in zThe fact that the above Ayah declares invoking the names of other than Allah and Plan.” (Surah al-Ma’idah scholars have diff ered regarding where all kinds of animals are a clear and direct manner in the same Ayah their meat to be Halal without imposing any subhanahu wa ta’aala, he should not eat 5:1) It is cited here with reference the impurity of the pig, and thus, being consumed and where – to marry the women of the People of the restrictions such as the invocation of the from that Dhabeehah. But if he does not hear to a main issue in Usoolul Fiqh, on the usability of their by- many people practise animal Book. Since marriage is more important Name of Allah over the animal. Therefore, them, he should not ask about it, either. namely, “The default nature of products (eg, skin and fat) in non- slaughtering in diff erent ways than eating, we should not, therefore, put their meat is Halal for us as long as it does 3. We cannot force the People of the Book things: Halal or Haram,” a topic edible products such as soap. and for diff erent purposes, it any restriction on the rulings derived from not belong to one or more of the 10 Haram to invoke Allah’s Name when slaughtering. that Muslims should be aware The discussion of this subject is is highly recommended that the Ayah regarding their food or who they categories discussed here (see box). Hence, their Dhabeehah is Halal even of, since it is the foundation beyond the scope of this article, Muslims learn the Islamic are.” (Tafseer al-Manar, VI/p353). zIn a Hadith narrated by Aa’isha, without the invocation. for a good understanding of all and further information can be Ahkaam (rulings) regarding foods It should be pointed out that the radhiallaahu ‘anha, she said: “Some people 4. The slaughtering procedure used by the the rulings relating to food and obtained by consulting scholars and meat in as much detail as Dhabeehah of the People of the Book is told the Prophet that some people brought People of the Book should not kill the animal eating. or any major Fiqh book. possible. Halal regardless of whether their country is them meat and they did not know whether before slaughtering it. Gulf Times 14 Friday, December 6, 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 Long focused on Russia, Nato widens gaze toward China

Seventy years since its Cold War-era founding as a transatlantic alliance focused on Moscow, Nato is expanding its gaze toward the increasingly muscular challenge posed by China. But it’s unclear, even to diplomats within the 29-member military alliance, whether Nato is up to the task — especially at a time of intense internal divisions and acrimony that were on full display at this week’s summit. The United States is leading the charge for a greater focus on China and is confi dent in a receptive audience in much Kamala Harris’s withdrawal of Europe, where concerns are mounting about Beijing’s growing economic leverage, in particular. US Defence Secretary Mark Esper, in an interview with Reuters, said there was an increasing understanding in Europe about the challenges posed by China’s rapidly expanding military might, which includes everything shows that winnowing works from hypersonic weaponry to aircraft carriers. “China is a strategic challenge for us and we need to get ahead of that,” Esper said. By Jonathan Bernstein December is very good news. of why her campaign ended now. campaign about the process is a Bloomberg News Harris is probably the most This doesn’t mean candidates can point that the authors of “The Party “That doesn’t mean that China right now is an enemy. But prominent Democrat to leave the skip those early states, as Michael Decides” have been making: Things we need to help shape that together as an alliance. And we presidential nomination contest Bloomberg is trying to do. Doing so are happening earlier and earlier in need to be prepared in case things do turn out in a way we f a few candidates entering late before Iowa and New Hampshire in the still risks dropping out of the national the nomination process. Now, entire prefer they not.” raised the possibility that winnow- modern history of the process, which picture right before the bulk of the major campaigns can begin, surge In a sign of the Nato push, the allies will approve at the ing wasn’t working properly in the dates back to 1972. I don’t think there’s voters go to the polls on Super Tuesday. and fail long before anyone casts a It just means that the particular biases vote. summit a new strategy to monitor China’s growing military IDemocratic presidential contest, been another conventionally qualifi ed the end of Kamala Harris’s campaign candidate with orthodox policy of those states are relatively less That didn’t happen in the 1980s; activity. on Tuesday shows that the pressure to positions who ran a full-out campaign important, especially since both party now it’s standard. It means that the Nato Secretary-General Jens end losing campaigns is, if anything, and had considerable support of party actors and the media will likely assess process is more national, and that Iowa “China is the Stoltenberg noted in London that stronger than ever. actors who couldn’t make it up to the the results of those states based on their and New Hampshire are relatively less China was the world’s second- Harris is the fi rst candidate to quit calendar year of the election. That’s demographic peculiarities. important. But, as always, changes in rising power despite having considerable support happened on the Republican side, with The one note of caution is that no one the process risk weakening the ability of largest defence spender, after the from Democratic Party actors. She Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty in 2012 should assume that the order in which party actors to compete and coordinate of the 21st United States. is also the fi rst to quit without being and Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker candidates drop out is a good indication over the nomination, and in doing so The United States, in particular, nudged out by failing to qualify for in 2016, but not really for Democrats of how close they would have come make it more likely that media decisions century” wants European allies to ban debates. She wasn’t even without some before this year. to winning the nomination. Fifteen or just plain luck will aff ect who gets equipment from Chinese telecoms fi nancial resources; she had cancelled One thing that these early exits candidates remain, but that hardly nominated. What’s less clear so far a big fundraiser in New York scheduled tell us is that the unrepresentative means that those 15 are the most likely is how party actors are responding to equipment maker Huawei, saying its gear could be used by for Monday night, and was about to nature of Iowa and New Hampshire winners. Marianne Williamson can stay important things happening earlier Beijing for spying. receive support from a new super PAC. is simply not a major problem. an active candidate until the convention and on a more national level. Whether Huawei, which denies Washington’s allegations, said in Yet she apparently decided it was better Whatever went wrong with the Harris if she chooses to do so, but that the early dropouts are a consequence October that half of the 65 commercial deals that it had to leave gracefully now rather than risk campaign happened nationally. wouldn’t mean she was closer to being of the party’s resilience in the face of signed were with European customers building 5G mobile being an asterisk in the Iowa caucuses Yes, it’s possible that as a black the nominee than Harris, Steve Bullock, changes in the process or a sign of party phone networks. on Feb. 3, 2020. candidate, the California senator Jay Inslee, Kirsten Gillibrand or John weakness is one of the biggest questions First, the immediate eff ects: With might have been helped had the first Hickenlooper. Certainly, the ability and to ask right now about the 2020 One Nato diplomat said there was broad agreement Harris out, only six candidates remain state on the calendar had a more will to keep going against the odds is an nomination. – Tribune News Service that China was “part of our strategic environment” but who have qualifi ed for the Dec. 19 diverse Democratic electorate. But asset to any campaign. It’s what makes cautioned about the limits of European unity on the debate. They are Joe Biden, Pete she wasn’t doing much better in the Bernie Sanders a plausible nominee z Jonathan Bernstein is a Bloomberg push. Buttigieg, Amy Klobuchar, Bernie polls in South Carolina. Nor was she despite being a factional candidate with Opinion columnist covering politics and “Some allies would be tempted to please Trump and Sanders, Tom Steyer and Elizabeth polling well among black Democrats little broad party appeal. But carrying policy. He taught political science at the Warren. Of those, Steyer – with nationally. Indeed, it’s likely that her on without any realistic chance isn’t a University of Texas at San Antonio and present China as Nato’s next adversary, but most Europeans negligible support from party actors – failure to attract those voters in South sign of much of anything. DePauw University and wrote A Plain know this does not represent their national interest,” the isn’t really a plausible nominee; neither Carolina and nationally was a big part The biggest lesson from the Harris Blog About Politics. diplomat said, speaking on condition of anonymity. are Tulsi Gabbard or Andrew Yang, both Another diplomat cautioned that China would not become of whom need just one more good poll Nato’s adversary. to join the December debate. Cory Booker and Julian Castro would “China is not the new Russia. This is not about declaring count as plausible nominees if they China as the new enemy,” the diplomat said. were still in the debates. But neither “China is the rising power of the 21st century.” has even a single qualifying poll for Derek Chollet, a former senior Pentagon offi cial during the December, and there’s very little time Obama administration, said European offi cials increasingly remaining and little sign that they will have one by the Dec. 12 deadline. Since share the US view of China as a strategic challenge but he exclusion from the debates has been a questioned the extent to which Beijing would become a Nato death sentence for candidates so far, focus. that would mean there are probably only “No question there is an opportunity,” said Chollet, who is fi ve plausible nominees going forward. now at the German Marshall Fund think-tank. “It is unlikely, Harris was at only about 4% in national polls and faring even worse however, to ever be a core Nato task.” in Iowa, so there aren’t a lot of voters Part of the China plan at Nato is based around seven committed to her to help any other baseline requirements on which Nato allies must asses the candidate. She did, however, have a risks. lot of support from Democratic Party These include the risks of consequences of Chinese actors. Endorsements aren’t a perfect measure of that, but they’ll do, and ownership of communications and Nato plans to restore Harris leaves while being second overall communications in case of disruption. in the FiveThirtyEight tracker. If this It also includes ensuring Nato has ownership of strategic support was transferred en masse, weapons and infrastructure and what Nato’s maritime it would be a huge boost for anyone. posture should be vis-à-vis China. That’s unlikely, but even a fraction of her endorsements could help one or two candidates quite a bit. Each remaining Democratic To Advertise candidate will be able to spin the case that Harris’s exit is a win for them. [email protected] My guess is that the candidate whose Display chances are helped the most is Sen. Klobuchar. She had picked up a bit of 44466621 44418811 momentum in October, but may have stalled recently, in part because the Classified late entrance of Michael Bloomberg 44466609 44418811 took up valuable media space for any candidate still seeking attention. Subscription (Bloomberg is the founder and majority owner of Bloomberg LP, the parent [email protected] company of Bloomberg News and Bloomberg Opinion.) For Klobuchar, the opportunity to be one of only eight, © 2019 Gulf Times. All rights reserved seven or six on the debate stage in Kamala Harris. Gulf Times Friday, December 6, 2019 15 COMMENT The calm after Britain’s Brexit election

By Anatole Kaletsky policies that other parties would Brexiteers in Parliament to sustain him, London support. and the key to his electoral strategy has What about the election’s more been to outfl ank Nigel Farage’s Brexit likely outcome, that Johnson will Party. To achieve both these goals ith less than two weeks win? The fears now are about a new required him to reject any possibility of to go before the British kind of “no deal” crisis, stemming extending the post-Brexit transition. election that will fi nally from concerns about the post-Brexit But these political calculations will Wsettle the question of transition period, when the UK will soon reverse. European Union membership, anxiety retain the benefi ts and obligations of In terms of public opinion, is rising on both sides of the English EU membership, but will be formally outmanoeuvring the Brexit party will Channel. With opinion polls pointing outside the EU. become irrelevant once the election to a clear win for Boris Johnson’s Con- The withdrawal agreement signed is over. Moreover, many pro-Brexit servatives, many fi nanciers and media in October stipulates a transition voters will be satisfi ed once Britain commentators have started worrying period until the end of 2020, with leaves the EU’s political institutions, again about a chaotic no-deal Brexit. a possible extension for a further without worrying about the trade and This would damage not only the United two years. Reacting to hardline market negotiations that continue at Kingdom, but also the rest of Europe, denunciations of “Brexit in name tedious length. which exports almost twice as much only” Johnson has stated in his The parliamentary leverage of to the UK as it does to China. Others election manifesto that “we will not hardline Brexiteers will also diminish still fear an electoral upset that could extend the implementation period after the election. Johnson needed make Jeremy Corbyn, an unrepentant beyond December 2020” and instead his party’s hardline Brexiteers to elect Marxist, prime minister in a Labour promised to negotiate a full UK-EU him as leader and keep him in offi ce government bent on re-nationalising trade agreement within 12 months. without a majority in Parliament. But industries, reviving the class warfare of That won’t happen: no two major all Tory MPs have now committed in the 1970s, and undermining Nato. economies have ever negotiated a trade writing to vote unconditionally for Both these anxieties are unjustifi ed. agreement in less than 3-4 years. To Johnson’s withdrawal agreement. If The possibility of an EU-UK economic make matters worse, the withdrawal they win a majority, the Tories will pass rupture of the kind that caused agreement requires that the decision the withdrawal agreement. And once understandable anxiety when Johnson on whether to extend the transition that has happened, future negotiations was elected Tory leader in the summer, be taken in June, fuelling concern on EU trade, including the transition has become negligible. And, in the (sometimes bordering on panic) about arrangements, will no longer be subject unlikely event that Corbyn wins out, a new “no deal” deadline on July 1. to parliamentary approval until a deal there is literally zero probability that Such fears are groundless. Why take is completed, whether in 2020, 2021, any of the radical policies in the Labour Johnson’s promise not to extend the or beyond. manifesto will be implemented, transition at face value – or any value The upshot is that UK-EU because the only conceivable at all? Johnson promised repeatedly to economic relations will remain almost alternative to a Tory victory is another leave the EU by October 31 “with no unchanged for a long period, whatever hung parliament, in which Labour falls ifs or buts, come what may.” And after happens in this month’s election. If far short of a majority and must rely on parliament passed a law requiring this Britain’s Prime Minister Boris Johnson reacts as he speaks with workers during a Conservative Party general election Johnson loses, Brexit will be delayed other parties to govern. deadline to be extended, he promised campaign visit to John Smedley Mill in Matlock, central England, yesterday. and probably cancelled. In the likelier Moreover, this government to “die in a ditch” rather than obey event that Johnson wins, Brexit will would exist solely for the purpose of it. But when October 31 arrived, all ordinary voters are even aware? If Johnson is re-elected, what will in trade if, as is almost certain, an EU go ahead and cause Britain long-term negotiating a new “soft” Brexit deal, Johnson’s “secret strategies” to evade From a strictly economic standpoint, be in his economic interest? His top trade agreement cannot be completed damage. But for the next year or two, similar to Norway’s membership of the law turned out to be illusions, and it is reassuring that “Johnson’s career priority will be to demonstrate that in just 12 months. Johnson’s clear the worrywarts really should calm the European Economic Area, and he secured the extension without much rests on casual mendacity,” to quote his “fantastic Brexit deal” has made economic interest will therefore be down. – Project Syndicate then holding a referendum to endorse fuss. If Johnson now wins re-election, the chief political commentator of the leaving the EU a painless process and to extend the post-Brexit transition the new agreement or cancel Brexit after breaking one of the fi rmest normally understated Financial Times. miraculously stimulated economic beyond December 2020, probably z Anatole Kaletsky is Chief altogether. Once this “fi nal say” pledges ever made by a UK politician In trying to predict how leaders like growth. To risk a fi nancial crisis during taking the full three years. Economist and Co-Chairman of referendum was completed, another to voters, why would he face adverse Johnson make tough decisions, it is often his fi rst year in offi ce would be crazy, What about political interests? So Gavekal Dragonomics and the author election would become inevitable, consequences from breaking another, wise to ignore promises and focus on whether by ruling out an extended far in his brief career as prime minister, of Capitalism 4.0: The Birth of a New because there are no other Labour less important promise, of which few economic and political interests. transition or by accepting a breakdown Johnson has relied on hardline Economy in the Aftermath of Crisis.

Don’t let tariff s break the Internet Three-day forecast TODAY Maximum Temperature : 270c Minimum Temperature : 190c By John WH Denton Proponents of ending the Consider video streaming: the moment But, more to the point, digital tariff Paris moratorium argue that the you begin watching content on your barriers are simply unnecessary. SATURDAY digitalisation of previously physical smartphone app – whether in Jakarta, Governments already have other Maximum Temperature : 270c goods – books to e-books, CDs to Paris, or Mumbai – your device begins ways to address potential losses in Minimum Temperature : 210c ost people have never Spotify, DVDs to Netfl ix – has resulted receiving packets of data from servers fi scal revenue from digitalisation. SUNDAY heard of the World Trade in a loss of tariff revenues. Viewed in nearby countries. While viewing a Australia, for example, has successfully Maximum Temperature : 270c Organisation’s morato- through this narrow lens, the notion of single movie, your device could receive implemented a non-resident digital Minimum Temperature : 210c rium on customs duties applying duties to digital transactions as many as 5mn data packets from goods and services tax. After just M Fisherman's forecast on electronic transmissions. And yet it may seem appealing to politicians nine separate jurisdictions. It would one year, revenue from the tax may be one of the most important trade seeking to protect domestic revenue be prohibitively expensive for customs has surpassed expectations, and offi cials to track these millions of compliance is high. Moreover, the WARNING deals in recent history, given the outsize bases, and who are increasingly feeling Inshore : Nil eff ect it has had on the growth of the public pressure to tax the global tech electronic transmissions and determine OECD is making steady progress on Offshore : Nil Internet. giants. But applying tariff s to data owsfl their origin, and it would be nearly developing a consensus solution to The moratorium – which has been would be a chimerical answer to a very impossible to quantify their value. the tax challenges arising from the WEATHER Inshore : Misty at places at first renewed by WTO member states real challenge. Not only would such How, then, would countries digital economy. A practical and becomes moderate every two years since 1998 – has a move add to a damaging pattern of accurately (and impartially) calculate robust conclusion to this work must be temperature daytime enabled the digital economy to fl ourish escalating tariff s; it would also wreak the tariff on a single viewing session, reached (indeed, it cannot come soon with scattered clouds, relatively cold by night by prohibiting governments from potential havoc in the online economy. byte of data, or fi le size, let alone on the enough). Offshore : Fine to scattered applying tariff s to international data Move over Kim Kardashian: tariff s endless stream of data and messages At a time when new tariff s are clouds fl ows. It has thus shielded the Internet really could “break the Internet.” that enable modern business-to- already placing a signifi cant drag on WIND from distortions induced by levies at Tariff s on data would cause economic business transactions? And how would global growth, the last thing we need Inshore : Northwesterly-North national borders. As such, the online harm to the very countries that imposed they do so at a speed congruent with is for the WTO’s digital moratorium to easterly 05-15 KT sphere has been a virtual utopia, the them. As a study by the European Centre that of the digital economy? There are lapse, opening up a vast new front for Offshore : Northwesterly-North- likes of which trade economists can for International Political Economy no clear answers to these questions. protectionists and anxious politicians easterly 03-13 KT only dream when it comes to real-world shows, tariff s on digital goods and Complicating matters further is the to exploit. The real answer to the Visibility : 4-8/3 KM commerce. services would lead to higher prices and fact that around 60 existing bilateral conundrum of how best to tax the Offshore : 1-3 FT But this paradise will soon be lost reduced consumption – slowing GDP and regional trade agreements – digital economy ultimately lies outside covering some 80 countries – contain the WTO, and well beyond the remit of unless cool heads prevail. A handful of growth and shrinking tax revenues. The Around the region countries – most notably India, South OECD has also recently entered the fray, independent provisions prohibiting the national customs agencies. We can only Weather Africa, and Sri Lanka – have signalled fi nding that the opportunity cost in terms application of customs duties on cross- hope common sense will prevail, and Weather tomorrow Max/min their intention to let the moratorium of lost revenue due to the moratorium is border data. Were the moratorium to that the most important trade deal you today Max/min Showers 17/08 lapse at the end of this year. That low, and far outweighed by the increase lapse, these provisions would still be (probably) never heard of will be renewed Baghdad S Showers 18/11 Showers 23/18 would leave governments free to begin in consumer welfare brought about by in eff ect, leading to an exceedingly this December. – Project Syndicate Kuwait City S Showers 23/18 Sunny 26/20 experimenting with unilateral tariff s on digitalisation. complex digital trade environment and Manama Sunny 26/20 M Sunny 27/22 everything from software, e-books, and Moreover, no customs authority has the creation of distortionary incentives zJohn WH Denton is Secretary Muscat Sunny 27/20 S Showers 11/07 cloud services to the data underlying been able to demonstrate how a digital to re-route data through duty-free General of the International Chamber of Tehran S Showers 11/07 popular streaming services. tariff system would work in practice. jurisdictions. Commerce.

Live issues Kids who snack may have better-quality diets

Around the world By Lisa Rapaport in the current study, snacking was servings of vegetables, 4.26 servings of 62.7 for Somali youth; and from 56.7 to Reuters Health found to contribute positively to protein, and 2.15 servings of dairy each 58.6 for white children. Weather Weather overall diet quality,” lead study day, the study found. The study wasn’t a controlled today Max/min tomorrow Max/min author Katie Loth of the University Counting only meals, they averaged experiment designed to prove Athens Sunny 16/08 M Sunny 18/10 hildren who eat between of Minnesota and colleagues write barely two-thirds of a serving of fruit whether or how snacking might Beirut M Sunny 18/13 Sunny 18/14 meals may be getting fruits in the Journal of the Academy of daily, 3.88 servings of protein, and directly improve diet quality or health Bangkok Sunny 28/17 Sunny 28/17 and other elements of a Nutrition and Dietetics. 0.59 servings of vegetables, suggesting outcomes for children. Berlin Showers 05/04 Showers 08/06 Chealthy diet that they would “However, snacking was also found that snacks can help kids get more of Beyond its small size, another Cairo P Cloudy 23/14 M Sunny 23/13 not otherwise eat, a small study of to contribute to children’s mean the healthy foods they need, the study limitation of the study is the potential Cape Town P Cloudy 24/17 Cloudy 24/18 kids’ diet quality suggests. consumption of refi ned grains and team writes. for parents to provide inaccurate or Colombo S T Storms 30/24 S T Storm 30/24 Researchers examined data on sugar sweetened beverages,” Loth and Snacking appeared to make a bigger incomplete information about kids’ Dhaka M Sunny 30/18 M Sunny 30/18 eating habits among 150 families in colleagues write. diff erence in overall diet quality for eating habits in dietary surveys, the Hong Kong Sunny 19/11 Sunny 17/13 Minneapolis-St Paul, Minnesota, With only meals counted, children boys than for girls. Excluding snacks study team notes. It’s also possible Istanbul Sunny 12/04 P Cloudy 12/09 with children 5 to 7 years old. The averaged 3.9 servings of refi ned grains from diet analysis contributed to a results would be diff erent elsewhere, Jakarta T Storm 32/25 T Storm 30/24 study team surveyed participants on like white bread and 0.4 servings of 2.5-point drop in diet quality scores or for other racial or ethnic groups. Karachi Cloudy 28/17 Sunny 28/15 three separate occasions about what sugary beverages like sodas and fruit for boys but just a 1-point dip for girls. “Future research should seek to London Showers 13/06 P Cloudy 10/09 they ate and drank over the previous drinks, the study found. The impact of snacking on diet better understand infl uences on Manila M Sunny 31/24 P Cloudy 31/24 24 hours. Including snacks, kids got 5 daily quality also appeared to vary for children’s food choices at snack times Moscow Cloudy 01/-1 Cloudy 01/-2 When researchers only looked at servings of refi ned grains and 0.54 diff erent racial and ethnic groups. and barriers to serving more healthful New Delhi P Cloudy 23/11 Sunny 23/11 meals kids ate, children had an average daily servings of sugary drinks. Diet scores with and without snacks foods as snacks that are faced by New York M Cloudy 10/00 Sunny 04/-2 so-called Healthy Eating Index (HEI) Children in the study got an average were similar for African-American ethnically or racially diverse families,” Paris Rain 08/07 M Cloudy 10/07 score of 55.3 out of a possible 100 of 1,215 calories a day from meals children, at about 49, the study found. the study team concludes. Sao Paulo S Showers 21/15 M Sunny 25/13 points for an optimal diet, the study alone, and an average of 1,581 daily Average diet scores rose from 59.1 with “Long term, the development of Seoul Sunny 00/-10 P Cloudy 06/-7 found. But when researchers also calories when researchers looked at meals only to 61.1 including snacks interventions that aim to improve Singapore T Storm 31/26 S T Storms 30/25 looked at snacks, kids’ average scores both meals and snacks. for Hispanic kids; from 53.4 to 54.7 for children’s consumption of healthful Sydney P Cloudy 28/18 P Cloudy 24/18 rose to 57.1. Including snacks, children got an Hmong children; from 53.4 to 56 for foods at snack times should be Tokyo Clear 10/05 Rain 06/04 “Among the children included average of 1.08 servings of fruit, 1.29 Native American kids; from 60.2 to pursued,” the researchers add. Gulf Times 16 Friday, December 6, 2019 QATAR

Al-Thawadi meets ambassadors Yara, Dashti wow crowds at Qatar Live wo of the most popular Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy (SC) secretary-general Hassan al-Thawadi has met with the ambassadors of Mexico and the singers in the Middle East UK, and the charge d’aff aires of Brazil, to discuss plans for the upcoming FIFA Club World Cup in Qatar and ensuring a smooth T– Yara and Ibrahim Dashti experience for teams and fans. Teams participating in the event include CF Monterrey (of Mexico), Liverpool FC (of the UK), and – kicked off the Qatar Live series Flamengo (of Brazil). Image courtesy of SC Twitter page. of concerts on Wednesday night with “spectacular performanc- es” at the Katara Amphitheatre. They wowed a crowd of hun- dreds of residents, visitors and football fans from countries across the Arabian Gulf who were Qatar Museums in Doha to support their coun- tries’ national football teams for the ongoing 24th Arabian Gulf hosts 4th public art Cup, a press statement noted. Qatar Live is a series of special Dashti wowing the audience at Qatar Live. music concerts and festivals or- talk of the season ganised by Qatar Airways and the The Ritz-Carlton, Doha. “The fantastic live perform- Qatar National Tourism Council The world-renowned festival ances on off er in Qatar, along- (QNTC), and supported by Oore- takes place each year at diff er- side the football, make Qatar the Final session to take place and Suki Seokyeong Kang. doo as Platinum Sponsor. ent locations around the world, place to be this December. on December 9 at the Fire Ansarinia has a practice that The events have been organ- bringing together the best DJs in “I hope that residents and vis- Station poetically investigates everyday ised to align with the 24th Ara- dance and electronic music. itors alike take the opportunity to life. bian Gulf Cup (November 26 to On December 12, the line-up enjoy such a unique mix of sport atar Museums (QM) Her work seeks out the most December 8) and the FIFA Club of DJs includes Dimitri Vegas & and music.” hosted its 4th Public Art mundane aspects of life in her World Cup (December 11 to 21) to Like Mike, Robin Schulz, Sam For visitors travelling from QTalks session at the Fire home city of Tehran, isolating provide world-class entertain- Feldt, Matt Sochon, and Wan- Kuwait and Oman, Qatar Air- Station with renowned artist Ji- and reassembling found objects ment for football fans, visitors kelmut. ways is off ering “amazing fares” tish Kallat. to highlight their evocative di- and local residents. On December 20, Afrojack, on Economy and Business Class The session was moderated mensions. Tomorrow, Rahma Riad, Fahad Lost Frequencies, Mark Knight, tickets, while Qatar Airways by Tom Eccles, special adviser of The artist’s background in al-Kubaisi and Omar al-Abdallat Steff Da Campo, and Matt So- Holidays is off ering “special Public Art at QM, and discussed design informs her practice, will perform at the Doha Exhi- chon will perform at the festival. packages” that will cover fl ights, Kallat’s inspirations and prac- which employs a variety of me- bition and Convention Centre, Tickets for all events can be hotels and concert tickets when tice at his work, which reveals a dia such as video, sculpture and followed by Cheb Khaled and purchased at qatarlive.qa travelling to Qatar, the statement continued engagement with the drawing. Hatim Ammor (December 13), Qatar Airways Group Chief notes. ideas of time, sustenance, re- Johnson has a multidiscipli- Katy Perry (December 15), Ma- Executive and QNTC Secretary- In addition, stopover packages cursion and historical recall. nary practice that incorporates luma (December 16) and Maroon General HE Akbar al-Baker said: for passengers travelling from He has exhibited his work diverse materials rich with sym- 5 (December 19). “The performances by Yara and the rest of the world are available widely across the world in con- bolism and personal history. For fans of electronic music, Ibrahim Dashti were a fantastic through Discover Qatar. texts such as galleries, museums He embeds a range of every- Qatar Airways and the QNTC are way to kick off Qatar Live. It was To learn more about the off ers and biennials. day materials and objects in his bringing in Daydream Festival to our honour to have them perform and packages, one can visit qa- In 2017, the National Gal- work that are often associated Qatar, on December 12 and 20 at here in Doha. tarairways.com/QatarLive lery of Modern Art (New Delhi) with his childhood and collec- Qatar Airways currently oper- presented a mid-career retro- tive aspects of African American ates a fl eet of more than 250 air- spective of his work titled Here intellectual history and cultural craft via its hub, Hamad Interna- After Here 1992-2017, curated by identity. tional Airport, to more than 160 Catherine David. Neto explores constructions destinations worldwide. In 2014 he served as the cura- of social space and the natural Neto’s Gaia Mother Tree (2017-2018) installation at Zurich Main It has added several new des- tor and artistic director of the world by inviting physical inter- Station, Switzerland. tinations to its growing net- second edition of Kochi-Muz- action and sensory experience. work this year, including Rabat, iris Biennale, India. He incorporates organic Her sculptural objects in “We have had a thought- Morocco; Izmir, Turkey; Malta; Kallat was born in Mumbai in shapes and materials such as powder coated steel and wood provoking season of public art Davao, the Philippines; Lisbon, 1974, the city where he contin- spices, sand and shells in his are softened by fl uid textiles and talks by some of the most im- Portugal; Mogadishu, Somalia; ues to live and work. work to renegotiate boundaries fabrics that are draped or tied on portant artists of our time,” said and Langkawi, Malaysia. The fi nal session of the series, between the organic and man- the static structures. Abdulrahman al-Ishaq, head of The airline will add Gaborone, on December 9 at the Fire Sta- made, the natural, spiritual and Kang’s work explores systems Public Art at QM. “We hope that Botswana, this year to its exten- tion at 7pm, which will also be social worlds. of movement and rhythmic audiences in Qatar have enjoyed sive route network along with moderated by Eccles, will bring Kang works in sculpture, practices, often looking to per- these sessions and we look for- Luanda (Angola), and Osaka (Ja- together Nazgol Ansarinia, video and performance instal- sonal stories and South Korean ward to hosting more in the fu- Yara performing at Qatar Live. pan) in 2020. Rashid Johnson, Ernesto Neto, lations. histories of dance or music. ture.” Civil Defence launches 13 new fi refi ghting vehicles

he General Directorate of the function, revealed that the The designated offi cers at Civil Defence launched new vehicles are from the fi rst Civil Defence have been trained T13 modern fi re engines batch, and said that more such to handle the latest type of ve- yesterday. fi re engines will be launched in hicles. The vehicles were unveiled due course to keep pace with the Captain Abdullah Saqr al- at a function at Civil Defence requirements and latest devel- Jassem, transport offi cer at Civil headquarters at , opments in Civil Defence and Defence, said the new vehicles in the presence of Director- fi refi ghting. have been introduced in line General Brigadier Hamad Os- “These vehicles will be ready with the urban development man al-Duhaimi and directors to serve the requirements of the and expansion taking place in of various departments. 2022 FIFA World Cup,” he ex- the country and to cover all ar- Al-Duhaimi, while attending plained. eas. Civil Defence off icials with newly-launched firefighting vehicles. Dhow festival continues to be a big draw

he ninth edition of the showcases Qatar’s rich maritime Traditional Dhow Festival heritage and the deep-rooted Tcontinued to draw crowds marine life traditions in the re- yesterday at Katara – the Cul- gion. tural Village. Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, Iraq, A wide range of traditional Turkey, India, Greece, Italy, handicrafts from the maritime Spain, Iran, and Zanzibar are the heritage of Qatar and from the participants. participating Arab and foreign The Traditional Dhow Festival countries were among the high- features activities, events and lights. exhibitions, traditional art, in The festival also highlights the addition to competitions, cul- The Dhow Festival showcases handicrafts. legacy of the pearl trade and ma- tural and recreational activities rine transportation. that give special focus on the tra- today be treated to a feast of op- legacy of Qatar and its history of 7pm and 9pm at the festival site The event, open to the public ditional marine history of these erettas, according to a statement the time when pearl fi shing was a will shed light into the long voy- until December 16, from 9am to countries. from Katara. basic source of livelihood. ages of the ships to transport A traditional cultural performance at the venue. 12 noon and then 3pm to 10pm, Spectators at the festival will The operettas will feature the The operettas to be staged at goods.