BUSINESS | Page 1 SPORT | Page 1 Al Sadd, holders Barcelona Changing LNG market reach Super dynamics require Qatar to adjust its strategy Globe semis published in QATAR since 1978

WEDNESDAY Vol. XXXIX No. 10974 October 17, 2018 Safar 8, 1440 AH

GULF TIMES www. gulf-times.com 2 Riyals

Defence minister meets Pakistan army chief Up to 14mn In brief

QATAR | Offi cial Yemenis Amir condoles with Moroccan king His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani and His Highness the Deputy Amir Sheikh now at risk Abdullah bin Hamad al-Thani sent yesterday cables of condolences to King Mohamed VI of Morocco on the victims of the train derailment accident between Rabat and Kenitra, wishing the injured a speedy recovery. HE the Prime Minister and of famine Interior Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa al-Thani Scale of Yemen caused food prices to increase, while sent a similar cable President of HE the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Defence Aff airs Dr Khalid bin Mohamed al-Attiyah met with General the soaring cost of fuel has made trans- the Government of Morocco Dr Qamar Javed Bajwa, Chief of Army Staff of Pakistan, in Rome yesterday during their visit to Italy. During the meeting, they famine was ‘initially port more expensive. Saadeddine Othmani. discussed relations between the two friendly countries and ways to enhance them, in addition to the latest developments in underestimated’ by In addition, importers of basics such the region. The meeting was attended by the Qatari Military Attache to Italy Rear Admiral Hilal Ali al-Mohannadi. as cooking oil, rice, sugar and butter SPORT | Athletics aid agencies have been prevented from entering the country due to restrictions imposed by Qatar’s Abdelaziz and Yemen’s central bank based in Aden, Barrow win gold medals By Hannah Summers Guardian News and Media territory controlled by its exiled gov- Qatar’s Mohamed Abdelaziz and ernment. Owaab Barrow clinched gold medals “Tens of thousands of destitute fam- in the 200m and 110m hurdles Top US senators vow action he sheer magnitude of the fam- ilies, who were barely able to buy what respectively at the Youth Olympics in ine facing Yemen was initially they needed just a few weeks ago, can Buenos Aires, Argentina, yesterday. Tunderestimated by the aid sec- no longer aff ord to feed themselves at Abdelaziz and Barrow both were tor, leaving food security experts rush- all,” Grande told the Guardian. leading after stage one, and over Khashoggi debacle ing to update projections made at the About 8.5mn people in the Middle yesterday they also won the stage UN General Assembly a fortnight ago, East’s poorest country already rely on two to bag gold medals. Abdelaziz’s sources have told the Guardian. the World Food Programme to survive, combined time after two races was Agencies who is jeopardising relations with me and the president in this box after The speed at which the Yemeni cur- including 1mn who receive cash assist- 41.78 seconds, ahead of Jamaica’s Washington the US. all the president has done?” Graham rency plunged in early September, forc- ance. Antonio Watson (42.41) and Brazil’s Graham planned to share his views fumed. “This guy has got to go.” ing food prices to soar, is being blamed But if the current trend continues, Lucas Vilar Conceicao (42.61). Barrow with the president and advocate sus- “Well this is not rogue killers, this for miscalculations that mean between as many as 5.6mn more Yemenis may topped the timesheet in 26.50 n infl uential US Senate ally pending arms sales. is a rogue crown prince,” he said in a 1.5mn and 2mn more people than ini- need assistance to survive. seconds. Kenny Fletcher of France of President Donald Trump “Nothing happens in Saudi Ara- separate interview with Fox News Ra- tially thought are now at risk of famine. Grande said: “Things are deteriorat- took silver, while the bronze went to Apledged yesterday that Con- bia without MbS knowing it,” he told dio. “I would suspend arms sales as Humanitarians warn children will be ing very, very quickly. The implications Lok Hei Addis Wong of Hong Kong. gress would take decisive action Fox. “I was on the (Senate) fl oor every long as he is in charge.” He said that worst hit in what is being forecast as of this are enormous, and, truthfully, against Saudi Arabia over a missing time defending Saudi Arabia because while King Salman is revered in Saudi the world’s most lethal famine for 100 frightening. The reality is that time BRITAIN | Literature writer, calling for the ouster of Crown they’re a good ally,” he told Fox. “This Arabia, the crown prince “is pulling years with up to 14mn people at risk, may be running out.” Prince Mohamed bin Salman. guy is a wrecking ball. He had this guy the levers there”. according to the UN. The UN’s humanitarian lead, who Northern Irish writer “This guy is a wrecking ball. He murdered in a consulate in Turkey As for the steps Trump should “The crisis in Yemen is so huge met with key donors on Monday, said wins Booker prize had this guy murdered in a consulate and to expect me to ignore it. I feel take, Graham said it was “up to the and of such magnitude, we have to be the agency was now scrambling to raise Author Anna Burns yesterday in Turkey,” Republican Senator Lind- used and abused. president” but pledged that Congress frank about whether we can together funds for emergency cash assistance. became the first Northern Irish sey Graham told ‘Fox and Friends’, “There is a diff erence between a would “sanction the hell out of Saudi deal with what is facing us,” said Lise To Page 8 writer, and the first woman since one of the president’s favourite news country and an individual,” he added. Arabia”. Grande, the UN’s humanitarian co- 2013, to win Britain’s renowned Man broadcasts. “The MbS fi gure is to me toxic. He can US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo ordinator for Yemen. “We are liter- Booker Prize for her novel Milkman. Graham, discussing the feared kill- never be a world leader on the world met the Saudi king and crown prince ally looking at hundreds of thousands, Judges of the annual award praised ing of Saudi journalist and US resi- stage.” yesterday to discuss the disappear- maybe even millions of people who the work, an exploration of Northern dent Jamal Khashoggi, a critic of the He questioned why the crown ance of Khashoggi. may not survive.” Ireland’s three decades of sectarian monarchy, was backed by Marco Ru- prince would put Saudi Arabia’s Meanwhile, Rubio swatted away Britain announced yesterday it violence told through the voice bio, another of the top Republicans in strong backers, especially Trump, in a Trump’s reservations about sanctions would provide further aid to tackle of a young woman, as “utterly the upper house, who described the bad spot and said he felt “personally that might freeze tens of billions of malnutrition among Yemen’s children, distinctive”. crown prince as “young and aggres- off ended” by the kingdom’s leader- dollars worth of Saudi arms sales. with funding secured to help screen sive”. ship. “There are other countries we 2.2mn under-fi ves. The US president yesterday said “They have nothing but contempt could sell that to,” he told CNN. But the news was met with cynicism he had spoken with the Saudi crown for us. Why would you put a guy like To Page 15, Business Page 3 from one humanitarian organisation, prince, who is known by his initials which criticised the UK for providing MbS, and been assured that a “full” aid with one hand and arms to the Sau- probe into the disappearance was un- Other key developments di-led coalition with the other. der way. Yemen was plunged into civil war in On Monday, after speaking by tel- Turkish President Recep Tayyip meets with the top leadership of 2015 after Houthi rebels seized con- ephone with King Salman, Trump Erdogan raises the possibility that Saudi Arabia in Riyadh, will now hold trol of much of the country, including suggested that the October 2 dis- parts of the Saudi consulate in talks with Turkish off icials in Ankara the capital, Sanaa. A Saudi-led coali- appearance of Khashoggi, who had Istanbul have been repainted since Saudi Arabia denies killing Jamal tion launched an air campaign aimed been working with The Washington Jamal Khashoggi’s disappearance Khashoggi but backs a “thorough at restoring President Hadi’s govern- Post, could have been at the hands of ‘Davos in Desert’ unravels: the probe”, says US ment, with support from the US, UK “rogue killers”. investment conference scheduled to Saudi consul-general in Istanbul and France. But Graham, who has recently take place in Riyadh next week sees Mohamed al-Otaibi leaves Turkey for The famine is being driven by eco- ingratiated himself with Trump, more withdrawals and cancellations Riyadh, according to reports, before nomic factors caused by confl ict, rather A Yemeni woman carries food aid launched a tirade against Riyadh. He US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo off icials search his residence than a lack of food, experts say. The de- received in the country’s third-city of called MbS a “rogue crown prince” preciation of the Yemeni currency has Taiz yesterday. New law on exit permits to come into eff ect on Oct 28

ILO off icial praises laws The MADLSA has also called upon sued Law No 13 of 2018, amending cer- The International Labour Organi- grant workers in Qatar”. related to work and labourers. and regulations adopted employers and establishments sub- tain provisions of Law No 21 of 2015 sation (ILO) and International Trade Meanwhile, ILO inspectorate offi cial QC second vice-chairman Rashid ject to the provisions of Labour Law regulating the entry, exit and residency Union Confederation (ITUC) had both Joaquim Pintado praised the package bin Hamad al-Athba affirmed the by Qatar in recent years No 14 of 2004 to identify the employ- of expatriates, which allows expatriate welcomed the new legislation allowing of laws and regulations adopted by commitment of private sector com- ees whose work nature requires prior workers covered under the Labour Law expatriate workers covered under the Qatar in recent years to promote fun- panies in Qatar to apply international he new legislation on exit per- approval for leaving the country, and to leave the country temporarily or for Labour Law to leave the country with- damental principles and rights related best practices in the field of work and mits - Law No 13 of 2018, submit them through the ministry’s good without any exit permit within out an exit permit. to work and labourers, QNA said yes- labourers, and abide by all laws and Tamending certain provisions of website, QNA reported yesterday. The the work contract duration. The new law “marks a significant terday. regulations governing the relation- Law No 21 of 2015 regulating the en- percentage of such workers shall not However, employers may submit a step in upholding the fundamental The offi ce said the opening of the ILO ship between the employer and em- try, exit and residency of expatriates exceed 5% of the total number of em- prior and reasoned application to the rights of migrant workers in Qatar”, offi ce in Doha last April was an impor- ployees. - will come into eff ect on October 28, ployees. MADLSA with the names of employees the ILO Project Office for Qatar had tant step in taking care of this group. He pointed to QC’s participation in the joint committee for co-ordination These announcements were made that they deem necessary to obtain pre- said in a statement. Sharan Burrow, This came during a meeting held by the framing of some draft laws related between the Ministry of Interior (MoI) through a notice posted on the Twitter approval before leaving the country due general secretary of ITUC, also lauded Qatar Chamber (QC) with a delega- to the private sector, while organis- and Ministry of Administrative De- page of MADLSA. to the nature of their work. Such work- the new legislation and said it marked tion from the ILO, during which they ing workshops and seminars on the velopment, Labour and Social Aff airs His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim ers shall not account for more than 5% “a huge step for workers’ rights and discussed means of enhancing co-op- introduction of these laws and raising (MADLSA) has announced. bin Hamad al-Thani had last month is- of the total number of employees. the end of the kafala system for mi- eration on common issues and matters awareness about them. Gulf Times 2 Wednesday, October 17, 2018 QATAR

US Congress Deputy PM sends message to Greece Rouhani receives envoy’s credentials delegation on Doha visit

HE the Deputy Speaker of Advisory Council Mohamed bin Abdullah al-Sulaiti met a delegation of senior off icials from the US Congress, who are visiting Qatar. During the meeting, they discussed parliamentary relations between the Council and the US Congress along ways of supporting and developing them, and a number of issues of mutual interest. Real estate transactions

The volume of real estate transactions in the sales contracts registered with the Department of Real Estate Registration at the Ministry of HE the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Defence Aff airs Dr Khalid bin Mohamed Iranian President Dr Hassan Rouhani received the credentials of Qatar’s ambassador to Iran, Justice from 7 to 11 October al-Attiyah has sent a message to Greek Minister of National Defence, Panos Kammenos, Mohamed bin Hamad al-Hajri, in Tehran yesterday. The ambassador conveyed greetings of His is QR217, 91,394. According pertaining to bilateral relations between Qatar and Greece and ways of boosting them. The Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani to President Rouhani. The Iranian president to the weekly bulletin issued message was handed over by Qatar’s ambassador to Greece Abdulaziz Ali al-Nema, during a reciprocated Amir’s greetings, wishing the people of Qatar further development and progress. The by the department, the list of meeting with the Director of the Diplomatic Off ice of the Greek Minister of Defence, Karayiannis, in Iranian president wished the Qatari ambassador success in his duties to further promote relations real estate sold includes land, Athens yesterday. of friendship and co-operation between Qatar and Iran. housing, residential buildings and residential complexes. Kuwaiti deputy FM meets Qatar’s envoy ‘Qatar regional leader’ in workers’ welfare reforms

QNA Doha

atar has taken a lead- ership role in terms of Qworkers’ welfare re- forms across the region, Sec- retary-General of the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Leg- acy (SC) Hassan al-Thawadi has said Speaking during the FT Live: Deputy Foreign Minister of Kuwait, Khaled Suleiman al-Jarallah, met Qatar’s ambassador Bandar Future of Football 2018 confer- bin Mohamed al-Attiyah yesterday. The meeting discussed bilateral relations and ways of ence in Doha, al-Thawadi said supporting and developing them, in addition to issues of common concern. Qatar’s legacy projects are al- ready making a major impact - more than four years before the 2022 FIFA World Cup kicks off . Taking part in a panel discus- sion alongside Alexey Sorokin, Chief Executive Offi cer of the Qatar, Albania sign grant agreement Russia 2018 Local Organising Committee, al-Thawadi said: “The way Qatar has taken lead- Secretary-General of the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy (SC) Hassan al-Thawadi taking part in atar Fund For Development (QFFD) and the Ambassador al-Marri said that the project rep- ership in terms of workers’ wel- a panel discussion alongside Alexey Sorokin, Chief Executive Off icer of the Russia 2018 Local Organising government of Albania have signed a Grant resents a new phase of co-operation between Qatar fare reforms across the region is Committee, in Doha. QAgreement worth $1.35mn to fi nance the and Albania. He noted that the project aims at se- a perfect example of how major reconstruction project of the “Jeronim De Rada” curing a new and modern learning environment in sporting events can leave a lega- think there are people in the Al-Thawadi continued: “Ac- ing Russia 2018, al-Thawadi said school in Tirana. the capital Tirana. cy even before the event is held,” region who might not enjoy the commodation-wise, we are Qatar was considering its own The agreement was signed by Qatar’s ambassa- For his part, the Mayor of Tirana praised the sup- he said. first World Cup in the Middle continuing to work with Qa- version of the FIFA Fan ID. dor to Albania Ali bin Hamad al-Marri, on behalf of port provided by Qatar which, he said, will con- “In Qatar, we have utilised the East is very disappointing. We tar Tourism Authority. We are “Fan ID was a great success QFFD, and Mayor of Tirana Erion Veliaj, on behalf tribute to promoting the relations between the two World Cup to accelerate reforms. look forward to this matter be- looking at various options, in- and its something we’re look- of the Albanian government. countries in various fi elds. - QNA Even our most ardent critics are ing sorted out. Football is for cluding hotel rooms, serviced ing to emulate in Qatar,” said impressed at the progress being the people - and we want this apartments and cruise ships. al-Thawadi. “We’re looking for- made. I’m personally very proud tournament to reach the people We are carefully considering ward to evolving the system and of the steps we have taken in re- of the region.” capacity as we don’t want to making it work for our tourna- lation to workers’ rights, includ- Al-Thawadi also touched on introduce rooms which are not ment.” ing the provision of standards, Qatar’s transportation and ac- required beyond 2022.” Sorokin said his main advice accommodation and health and commodation plans. The recent World Cup in Rus- to Qatar was to ensure all the safety. The World Cup has al- “We have developed signifi - sia was a source of inspiration for infrastructure projects are com- ready started paying dividends cant transportation infrastruc- Qatar, said al-Thawadi. pleted as early as possible. for Qatar.” ture, including the metro, ex- “Russia hosted a fantastic “Build everything on time and Al-Thawadi reiterated Qatar’s pressways and walkways. The World Cup and set a high bench- as far out from the tournament commitment to hosting a tour- metro will be fully operational by mark for us. We sent more than as possible,” he advised. “You nament that will benefi t the en- 2019, which is very impressive in 100 people to Russia and gained need enough time to test the tire region - despite the ongoing terms of the size of the project. valuable experience in a range of stadiums and facilities. Never political blockade. I experienced my fi rst ride yes- areas, including security, venue underestimate the importance “This World Cup has always terday, between Lusail and Al management, transportation of test matches at new stadiums. been a Middle East and Arab Wakrah, which took about 35 and others.” The test matches helped us im- World Cup,” he continued. “To minutes.” As a result of its success dur- mensely.”

Al-Mahmoud: Peace and sustainable development are inseparable

QNA tions, he stressed. Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani’s jectives, the Advisory Council Speaker holds meetings in Geneva Geneva HE al-Mahmoud added that address to the 73rd session of the has been discussing and delib- despite the fact that eff orts to United Nations General Assem- erating throughout its succes- HE the Speaker of the Advisory The meetings took place on achieve sustainable develop- bly last September, where the sive sessions the legislations for Council Ahmed bin Abdullah the sidelines of the meetings of E the Speaker of the Ad- ment have led to a rapid mod- Amir proposed an international knowledge-based sustainable bin Zaid al-Mahmoud held 139th General Assembly of the visory Council Ahmed ernisation of science and tech- conference to regulate the use of development and linking it to separate meetings in Geneva Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU). Hbin Abdullah bin Zaid al- nology and the progress of digital and information technol- peace and stability and to pro- yesterday with the Speaker The meetings discussed the Mahmoud affi rmed that Qatar human society, they have also ogy in accordance with an inter- tecting human rights and dignity of the African Parliamentary relations between Qatar and believes that peace and sustain- had negative eff ects, including national law governing this area, not only in Qatar but also in the Union (UPA), Cipriano Cassama, the UPA, the Latin American able development are interde- non-traditional cyber secu- and expressed Qatar’s readiness world”, al-Mahmoud pointed president of the Latin American and Caribbean Group and pendent and inseparable, which rity threats and interrelatedness to work with United Nations out. and Caribbean Group, Rodolfo Chile and ways to support, requires United Nations agen- with traditional security threats, agencies to organise it legally For this purpose, Qatar has Urtubey, and Ivan Flores develop and strengthen them, cies and regional and interna- which pose a danger to interna- as well as its willingness to host launched numerous initiatives Garcia, member of the Chilean in addition to discussing tional organisations, including tional peace and security. this conference. HE al-Mahmoud addressing the locally and abroad to support Parliament and head of the important topics on the agenda the Inter-Parliamentary Union In this context, he noted that In this regard, he called on 139th IPU General Assembly in education, foster innovations Qatari-Chilean Friendship of the 139th IPU General (IPU), to work together to ad- some of those who have been de- the parliaments’ meeting in Ge- Geneva. and inventions such as the Qa- Committee. Assembly. dress them together. vising intrigues against human neva to link the call for the use tar Innovation Community, In his speech before the 139th gains have used modern tech- of modern technology to the conference on this issue, which Education above All, and Pro- IPU General Assembly being nology to violate the sovereignty promotion of peace and devel- Qatar is willing to host. tect Education in Insecurity and Al-Mahmoud said: “In our security and stability. held in Geneva under the title of countries and destabilise their opment, provided that inter- HE the Speaker of the Ad- Confl ict, he said, pointing to Arab region there are many is- He added that there is no so- “Parliamentary Leadership in security and economy through national peace and security are visory Council said: “We, in Qatar’s pledge to provide qual- sues from which we continue to lution to the problems except Promoting Peace and Develop- spreading lies and spying on not harmed, which requires to Qatar under the leadership of ity education for 1mn girls by suff er, primarily the Palestinian with justice and respect for the ment in an Era of Innovation countries and tempering with criminalise cybercrime against His Highness the Amir Sheikh 2021 announced by the Amir cause. We and the Palestinian dignity and rights of the human and Technological Change”, HE their currencies. In this regard, the sovereignty of States and the Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, at the UN headquarters in New people in particular are suff er- being, which is what the Pales- al-Mahmoud said that confl icts, he pointed to the damage infl ict- threat to their security and sta- consider that human develop- York, in addition to its pledge to ing as a result of Israeli occupa- tinian people are denied in their wars, displacement and migra- ed on Qatar and other countries bility. ment is our national capital and educate 10mn children, provide tion and aggression, as a result own homeland. tions to which human popula- as a result of hacking and digital Due to the importance of this, our renewable wealth, and we the economic empowerment of Israel’s failure to comply with He added, in this sense an tion is exposed to are a result of espionage and the abuse of tech- he said, the third meeting of the consider the education and par- for half a million young people international resolutions and as additional item was proposed the failure to achieve economic nology and modern science by heads of parliaments of Europe ticipation of youth as the fi rst in the region, sponsor Unesco a result of its rejection of a two- on the agenda of the meeting development and the absence of some countries, stressing that and Asia, which took place last line of defence for the collective projects and co-operate with the state solution and the establish- to support the United Nations stability and justice. From this those who misuse cyber tech- week in Antalya, Turkey, wel- security system, a matter which United Nations in implement- ment of a Palestinian state on Relief and Works Agency for perspective, Qatar has always nology everywhere must be held comed the call made by the Amir makes us attach great impor- ing projects to promote youth 1967 border with East Jerusalem Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), been calling for addressing the accountable. to regulate the freedom of use of tance to education, research and employment through capac- as its capital, leading to instabil- to which Qatar has recently root causes of global problems Al-Mahmoud pointed to digital and information technol- technology. ity building and launching pro- ity in the region, the succession provided $50mn supporting its and not only their manifesta- His Highness the Amir Sheikh ogy, and to hold an international “In order to achieve these ob- grammes to prevent extremism. of wars and the destabilisation of budget. Gulf Times Wednesday, October 17, 2018 3 QATAR

Chief of Staff meets US military officials Qatar-Sudan defence ties reviewed

HE the Chief of Staff of the Qatari Armed Forces Lieutenant-General (Pilot) Ghanem bin Shaheen al-Ghanem met the Chief of Staff of the HE the Chief of Staff of the Qatar Armed Forces Lieutenant-General (Pilot) Ghanem bin Shaheen Sudanese Armed Forces Lieutenant-General Kamal Abdel Marouf al-Mahi, at the military attache off ice of the of Qatar in Washington al-Ghanem held separate meetings with the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff of the US Army yesterday. They discussed bilateral relations in defence and military fields and means of enhancing them. HE al-Ghanem also met the General Joseph Dunford, Chief of Naval Operations Admiral John Richardson, and the US Chief of Staff of the Turkish Armed Forces General Yasar Guler on the sidelines of the conference on violence and extremist Undersecretary of Defence for Policy John Rood in Washington yesterday. The meetings discussed organisations, held yesterday, in Washington DC. Discussions during the meeting dealt with relations of mutual interest between Qatar relations between Qatar and the US in defence and military sectors, and ways of enhancing them. and Turkey in all defence and military fields and means of enhancing and developing them. Civic ministry marks World Food Day QNA Doha Qatar attends FAO meeting atar, represented by the Ministry of Municipal- atar, represented by the as well as consciousness that Qity and the Environment Ministry of Municipal- helps to produce large quan- (MME), celebrated World Food Qity and Environment, tities of food with less con- Day yesterday. participated in the celebration sumption of water and energy, On the occasion, the minis- of the World Food Day held at noting that the national strat- try held a number of events in the headquarters of the Food egy for food security which had co-operation with the relevant and Agriculture Organisation been prepared by the commis- departments of the ministry (FAO) of the United Nations in sion, taking into account all of and other authorities and local Rome yesterday. these challenges and provide farms in the state. The ministry Director of Research De- solutions and initiatives to organised activities for students partment at the Ministry of overcome them over the next of diff erent age groups with Municipality and Environment fi ve years. the aim of spreading awareness Massoud Jarallah al-Marri, World Food Day, which falls HE the Minister of Municipality and Environment, Mohamed about the importance of food said during the ceremony that Massoud Jarallah al-Marri on October 16 each year, marks bin Abdullah al-Rumaihi, addressing the conference in Rabat and methods to combat hunger. HE the Minister of Municipality it focused on the importance of attending the FAO meeting in the anniversary of the found- yesterday. On the occasion, HE the Min- and Environment Mohamed bin uniting eff orts among govern- Rome yesterday. ing of the United Nations’ Food ister of Municipality and En- Abdullah al-Rumaihi ments, peoples and the private and Agriculture Organisation vironment, Mohamed bin Ab- sector to achieve the goal of its that lead to waste of large (FAO) in 1945. dullah al-Rumaihi said in his the allocation of QR70mn in an- eliminating hunger by 2030, quantities of food, and the According to UN agencies, speech on Monday that Qatar’s nual support over the next fi ve such as reducing post-harvest importance of attention to the the number of hungry people Qatar stresses celebration of World Food Day years to stimulate agricultural, loss, correcting erroneous be- type of food so that it is healthy in the world reached 821mn is an affi rmation of the impor- livestock and fi sh production haviours related to food hab- and does not lead to obesity, this year. tance of food and the necessity and marketing them in line with importance of ties of providing it to every individ- the agricultural strategy, which ual in line with the interest of the focuses on the expansion of ag- the production of agricultural this year. The area of unregulated expected to reach 90% within country’s leadership in develop- ricultural products such as veg- items, such as vegetables, red greenhouses increased from 200 two years, with plans to increase between Arab world ing resources and wealth espe- etables, dates, red meat, poultry, meat, poultry, eggs and fi sh, hectares in 2017 to 220 this year, production as well as aquacul- cially in agriculture. eggs, fi sh, milk and green fod- taking into account the optimal leading to an increase in pro- ture projects, including fl oating He said Qatar is working to- der, taking into consideration utilisation of natural resources. duction from 17,000 to 20,000 cages projects. and Latin America wards achieving self-suffi ciency the preservation of natural re- Ambitious steps were taken by tonnes, while the production Assistant Undersecretary for in many of these commodities sources in the country and work the Qatari agricultural sector to of vegetables in open land in- Agriculture and Fisheries Aff airs and products, pointing out that to make good use of them. meet the requirements of the lo- creased from 33,000 tonnes in at the Ministry of Municipal- QNA world and Latin America, and the country has harnessed all its In line with the National Vi- cal market and raising the self- 2017 to 36,000 tonnes in 2018. ity and Environment, Sheikh Dr Rabat for forming joint committees energies to work towards build- sion 2030, and the plans and suffi ciency in the plant, animal According to the latest statis- Faleh bin Nasser al-Thani, told in order to follow up the deci- ing food security. projects of the Food Security and fi sh sectors. tics, this year’s dairy products QNA that there are ambitious sions of summits and ministe- In this context, the agricul- Programme, the Ministry of The most recent statistics reached more than 500 tonnes plans to increase production in atar has underlined rial councils. tural sector in Qatar, under the Municipality and Environment show the signifi cant develop- per day, covering 83% of domes- these agricultural sectors and the importance of co- The Minister of Municipal- directives of His Highness the is responsible for food security ment in agricultural production. tic consumption, compared to food commodities, thus increas- Qoperation between the ity and Environment also ad- Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad and natural resource develop- The self-suffi ciency in local veg- 154 tonnes a day in 2017, with a ing self-suffi ciency within the Arab world and Latin America, dressed issues related to trade al-Thani, is of great importance ment to increase production and etables was 24%, dates about self-suffi ciency rate of 24%. strategy of the agricultural sec- highlighting His Highness the exchange of food, energy, and as the sector is entrusted with reduce the gap between produc- 87%, and green fodder about For fresh poultry, produc- tor in the ministry. Amir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim raw materials. achieving food security, and as tion and consumption and to 50%. tion before the blockade reached The ministry is also keen to bin Hamad al-Thani’s recent In this context, he called for one of the most important pri- increase self-suffi ciency in veg- In 2018, the total area of pro- 30 tonnes per day with a self- establish and organise local ag- visits to Ecuador, Peru, Para- more serious support for food orities of the State in the short, etables, fi sh, and preserving and tected greenhouses increased suffi ciency of 50%, while cur- ricultural events and participate guay and Argentina, and the security issues and more atten- medium and long term. sustaining the national environ- from 49 hectares in 2007 to rently it has reached more than in regional and international Arab-South American Summit tion to contributing to interna- This sector has made remark- ment and sustaining it for future 73 hectares in 2018. Thus, the 59 tonnes, covering 98% of the ones, including Qatar Interna- hosted by Doha in 2009. tional trade and investments. able achievements on the path generations. quantities of vegetables pro- domestic consumption. For fi sh tional Agricultural Exhibition, This came in a speech de- He underlined that both of sustainable development and The agricultural strategy of duced increased from 4,814 production, the current self- the sixth edition of which was livered by Qatar’s Minister of sides share the responsibility self-suffi ciency, especially after Qatar focuses on increasing tonnes last year to 6,500 tonnes suffi ciency rate is 80%, and is held last March. Municipality and Environ- to achieve common interests, ment, HE Mohamed bin Ab- stressing the importance of dullah al-Rumaihi, to an in- co-operation and planning be- ternational conference about tween the two sides. the partnership between the He reviewed the relations Arab world and Latin America, between the Arab world and Qatar, Sudan discuss Thundershowers forecast organised by the Institute for Latin America, noting the cru- Spanish and Portuguese Stud- cial challenges facing these ies in Rabat. countries and their peoples, boosting co-operation Minister al-Rumaihi the most important of which today in parts of Qatar stressed the need for interac- are the challenges of food and tion between the Arab world water security and education. in health sector and Latin American countries The international confer- hundershowers are ex- Doha and other parts of the coun- bility of rain in these areas, too, which, when combined, ac- ence on the partnership be- pected in parts of the try witnessed severe dusty condi- which may be thundery in some count for 30% of the UN mem- tween the Arab world and QNA change of expertise and expe- Tcountry today along with tions, poor visibility, strong winds places at times. ber-states. Latin America discusses a Khartoum riences, improve capabilities strong winds at times, the Qatar and lightning on Monday, while A warning was also issued The minister urged commit- number of topics related to and taking advantage of the Met department has said. moderate to heavy rain was also re- online, advising people who ment to the decisions issued at the political and diplomatic Qatari role during the coming Off shore areas, too, are likely to ported from certain places that day. venture into the sea to exercise the summits held between the dynamics, trade and invest- udanese Minister of period to enhance stability in experience thundery rain, windy Monday also marked the be- caution – especially during the two sides, especially in terms ment as drivers of bilateral Health Dr Mohamed bin Sudan. conditions and high seas today, ginning of the 52-day Wasmi afternoon and evening when of visit exchange, and called relations, regional economic SZaid Mustafa yesterday In remarks to Qatar News according to the weather report. season in Qatar. thunderstorms are likely to form for holding periodic meetings integration and its role in met the Assistant Minister of Agency (QNA) following the Earlier this week, the Met Today, the wind speed may – in view of the unstable weather every year and a half at the lev- partnership, common chal- Public Health for Health Af- meeting, the Sudanese health department had said unstable go up to 25 knots in inshore ar- conditions expected from today el of ministers concerned with lenges in the areas of food fairs Dr Saleh Ali al-Marri, minister said that the meet- weather, marked by rain as well eas and 30 knots off shore during until Monday, October 22. trade and industry and cham- security, energy and border who is chairing the delegation ing focused on strengthening as winds and dust in some plac- thundershowers, with the sea The maximum temperature ex- bers of commerce in the Arab protection and others. of Qatar at the 65th session of the co-operation and activat- es, was expected in the country level rising to 9ft at times. pected today is 36C in Abu Samra, the Regional Committee of the ing the executive programme from today until the beginning The detailed forecast says rela- followed by 35C in Wakrah and World Health Organisation for of the agreements signed be- of next week. tively hot conditions will prevail in Mesaieed and 34C in Doha. 1,621 winter camp bookings registered the Eastern Mediterranean, tween the two countries to In view of the expected con- the country during the day. Yesterday, the maximum tem- hosted by Khartoum. accelerate the achievement of ditions, the Met department Scattered clouds are also ex- perature was 37C in Abu Hamour, The Ministry of Municipality and Environment’s (MME) Information The meeting discussed their desired outcome. had urged people to be cautious, pected and there is a chance of Mesaieed, Batna, Turayna and Systems Department received 604 reservations for winter camping the bilateral relations, health He noted that the two check the weather before ven- rain in some places, which may Karana, while in Doha it was 36C until 1.30pm yesterday through online channels. agenda and mutual concerns sides agreed to compile all turing into the sea and follow the become thundery occasionally. along with Sheehaniyah, Abu A total of 1,621 registered bookings were received until 1.30pm of both countries, in addition health agreements in one latest updates through its offi cial Cloudy conditions are likely Samra, Al Khor, the Qatar Univer- yesterday, since the process started on Monday. In addition, the to ways of promoting the ex- agreement . social media accounts. off shore, and there is a possi- sity area and Jumayliyah. designated hotline received more than 200 calls. Gulf Times 4 Wednesday, October 17, 2018 QATAR Projects to be Ashghal inks contracts to completed by Sept next year ost of the infra- projects, on a war footing. develop residential plots structure devel- He said his company was Mopment works awarded works exceeding By Ramesh Mathew being carried out as part QR650mn to develop infra- Staff Reporter of Ashghal’s citizens’ sub- structure of citizens’ plots of divisions projects would land in Al Ebb and Al Leabib. be completed latest by Central Municipal Coun- he Public Works Author- September next year. cil member from Muaither ity (Ashghal) has signed fi ve While informing this Mohamed Ali al-Athba Tcontracts worth QR2.7bn yesterday at the signing thanked Ashghal president with Qatari companies for devel- ceremony of the fi ve new and his team of offi cials for oping infrastructure facilities for projects, Fatima Salat from the developmental activi- 5,192 plots of land in diff erent ar- Ashghal’s roads projects ties being carried out in his eas under the citizens residential department said works constituency. scheme. were being carried out in Similarly, Mubarak At the signing ceremony yes- Bani Hajer North, Rawdat Furaish, Central Munici- terday, Ashghal authorities also Egdaim and Ezghawa, Al pal Council member for Al announced that at least eight Foroush and Al Kharaitiyat, Gharrafa, South of Kharaiti- more new contracts for facilitating Al Nassiriya North, Al Wu- yat and Izgawa constitu- similar developments would be kair South, Muaither West, ency said his constituents awarded before the end of the year. and Al Shamal City. are happy at the works be- The eight projects for citizens’ These projects will serve ing executed in the two ar- sub-divisions will be tendered a total of more than 11,000 eas. “We are confi dent that before the end of the year in Al plots of land. “A number of Ashghal will complete these Kharaitiyyat, Ezghawa, Al Ebb the projects would be com- new projects to the highest and Leabib, Al Mashaf South and Ashghal president Saad bin Ahmed al-Muhannadi and other off icials with representatives of the companies who were awarded contracts for building pleted before the end of this standards.” Jeryan Njeima. infrastructure in the citizens’ sub-divisions projects. PICTURE: Noushad Thekkayil year itself,” said Salat. Meshal al-Nuaimi, Cen- Speaking at the meeting, Ash- A representative of one tral Municipal Council ghal president Saad bin Ahmed al- expected to touch QR20bn by the zens sub-divisions, the Ashghal Ashghal’s roads projects depart- areas that lack drainage networks.” of the companies which member for Al Kheesa, Al Muhannadi recalled that at least end of the year,” he stated. president said adequate funds have ment manager Saoud al-Tamimi Infrastructure aff airs direc- was awarded contracts for Ebb and Leabib constitu- 75 projects worth QR12bn were While thanking HE the Prime been allotted for the projects. said, “The authority is giving tor Mohamed Masoud al-Marri, a major project yesterday ency lauded the continuous awarded for building infrastruc- Minister and Interior Minister “We also thank HE the Prime Min- prominence to infrastructure a number of senior offi cials from said the government and co-operation between Ash- ture facilities, including drainage, Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin ister for his support to Ashghal’s plans projects in citizens’ sub-divisions Ashghal, representatives of the Ashghal are carrying out ghal and the members and and also public buildings since the Khalifa al-Thani for his support post-2030 which aim to provide in- in the coming months and prior- companies that bagged the con- projects involving the pri- committees of the Central beginning of 2018. and according top priority to the tegrated infrastructure and drainage ity will be given to areas where tracts and a number of CMC vate sector in the imple- Municipal Council. “The value of such projects is infrastructure projects for the citi- networks for all areas in Qatar.” groundwater levels are high and members were present. mentation of infrastructure Projects cover roads, parking bays, pedestrian, bicycle lanes f the fi ve citizens’ cludes implementing 26km of 733 plots of land, and includes sub-divisions projects roads, 3,400 parking bays and implementing 22km of roads. Oawarded yesterday by the 49km of pedestrian and cyclist Pedestrian and bicycle lanes of Public Works Authority (Ash- lanes. 90km would also be laid. This is ghal), the Package 3 to cover ap- Also to be taken up there in- in addition to providing sewage, proximately 1,355 plots of land in clude the works for sewage, wa- storm water drainage, and TSE Al Kharaitiyat and Ezghawa, is ter drainage, and TSE networks. networks. worth QR671mn. The third contract worth A contract for QR356mn was It includes 40km of roads, QR551mn was awarded for de- also awarded for building in- 4,200 parking bays, and 69km veloping citizens’ sub-divisions frastructure for the citizens’ of pedestrian and bicycle lanes. in Muaither West – Al Manaseer sub-divisions in Al Mearaad This is in addition to build- (Package 2). The project will serve and South West of Muaither ing sewage, storm water drain- 1,548 plots of land, and includes (Package 1). age and treated sewage effl uent implementing 30km of roads, The project will serve 509 (TSE) works. 11,000 parking bays and 120km of plots of land, and includes im- A contract worth QR645mn pedestrian and cyclist lanes. plementing around 18km of was awarded for developing in- For developing infrastructure roads, and providing over 3,100 frastructure for the citizens’ for citizens’ sub-divisions in parking bays and around 35km sub-divisions in Al Ebb and Muaither West – Al Manaseer of pedestrian and cyclist lanes. Leabib (Package 1). (Package 3), a contract worth This is in addition to providing The project is expected to QR489mn was also awarded sewage, storm water drainage, serve 1,007 plots of land and in- yesterday. The project covers and TSE networks.

Doha Institute for Graduate Studies signs pact with University of Jordan Doha Institute for Graduate Studies acting president Dr accommodation and housing, in For his part, Dr al-Qudah said VW Teramont 2018 model recalled Studies has signed an Yasser Maali and University addition to health coverage and that the agreement will enable agreement with the University of Jordan president Dr Abdel- flight tickets. distinguished students who he Ministry of Economy work of its ongoing eff orts to pro- essary repairs are carried out. of Jordan to strengthen Karim al-Qudah. The beneficiaries of the have a bachelor’s degree to and Commerce (MEC), in tect consumers and ensure that The MEC urges customers academic ties, promote Under the agreement, the scholarships, which will be pursue their higher education Tcollaboration with Q-Au- automobile dealers follow up on to report any violations to its scientific research and establish institute will off er scholarships announced at the beginning of in the institute in various fields, to, has announced the recall of vehicles’ defects and repair them. Consumer Protection and Anti- a scientific partnership aimed at to the university’s students the fall of each year, are students such as social and human Volkswagen Teramont model of The MEC said that it will co- Commercial Fraud Department finding mechanisms to establish in various fields of study with a “very good” grade and sciences, public administration, 2018 over the incorrect tighten- ordinate with the dealer to follow through the following channels: an eff ective programme for and research, Dr Maali said, above in the bachelor’s degree economics of development, ing of brake bolt. up on the maintenance and repair Call centre: 16001, e-mail: info@ academic co-operation. adding that the grants will who have obtained a score of psychology, social work, conflict The MEC said the recall cam- works and will communicate with mec.gov.qa, Twitter: @MEC_ The agreement was signed by not exceed two years, and will 520 in the TOEFL or 5.5 in the management and humanitarian paign comes within the frame- customers to ensure that the nec- Qatar, Instagram: MEC_Qatar. Doha Institute for Graduate cover the expenses of study, ILETS. work. (QNA) MoI calls on water scooter users to adhere to maritime safety rules

study conducted The MoI has asked users of getting out of water the water scooter should by the Ministry to be careful and to adhere scooters after sunset, know how to operate the A of Interior (MoI), to the maritime safety, and and not setting their own scooter as it may malfunc- represented by the Gen- follow the instructions that registration numbers, tion if water infi ltrate into eral Administration of the preserve their lives and the not being familiar with the machine. Coast Guard and Border, lives of others, especially the principles and basics The Ministry urged us- has called on scooter us- near beaches. of how to ride a water ers to leave a safe distance ers to adhere to rules and The MoI explained that scooters, driving be- between water scooters in requirements of maritime the rescue patrols are tween two fi xed or mo- the marine area to avoid safety. present continuously in bile marine platforms, collision or fatal injuries. The study revealed that various Qatari beaches ignoring the General Ad- If large water scooters are most accidents of water in order to maintain the ministration of the Coast used, the engine must scooters are due to sev- safety of swimmers, and to Guard and Border on the be switched off before eral violations, including provide assistance to the safe use of scooters, lack reaching the coast. high speed, reckless driv- needy, stressing the sea of swimming skills, ig- The Ministry added that ing, lack of caution and users to co-operate and noring tidal waves, the water scooters users are failure to follow the offi cial comply with instructions direction and strength advised to communicate instructions. and guidelines for public of sea and wind, lack of immediately with emer- The study showed that safety. knowledge of the nature gency or coastal security the use of water scooters The MoI pointed to sev- of the marine area in if the water scooter sud- has increased over the past eral reasons why the use of which the hobby of wa- denly stops and not swim- years, requiring users to en- water scooters is danger- ter bikes is practised, and ming with a water scooter sure the safety conditions ous and sometimes fatal, the lack of safe distance to the beach “because for these scooters before including the lack of use between scooters at sea. that could endanger the use. of safety tools and equip- The MoI stressed the person’s life.” The study stressed the ment in general, and the need to abide by the in- The General Administra- importance that water misuse of driving for wa- structions issued by the tion of the Coast Guard and scooter users put safety ter scooters, speed, and General Administration of Border warned that the mis- in their mind, and not failure to adhere to the the Coast Guard and Bor- use of scooters could lead to to divert sites to enjoy legal age for driving, and der, and not to carry chil- undesirable consequences, water bikes to the race- the absence of lights when dren during the practice of citing some penalties ap- tracks and the galloping driving in the cases of fog the hobby and make sure plied to violators, including leading to serious inju- or at low vision. that the fuel in the scooter seizure of the scooter for a ries, and sometimes to The ministry also is enough to avoid stopping period not exceeding three death. pointed to the dangers at sea, and that the user of months. (QNA) Gulf Times Wednesday, October 17, 2018 5 QATAR

Malaysian PM meets al-Marri Qatari envoy presents papers

Ghana President Nana Akufo-Addo received yesterday the credentials of Mohammed bin Ahmad al-Homaid as ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary of Qatar to the country. During the meeting, the ambassador conveyed the greetings of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani to the Ghana President of good health and happiness and to the government and people Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamed met with HE the Attorney-General and UN Special Advocate against Corruption Dr Ali bin of Ghana further progress and prosperity. For his part, the Ghana president conveyed his greetings Fetais al-Marri, in Kuala Lumpur yesterday. The meeting dealt with a number of issues of common concern and means of enhancing to His Highness the Amir and wished the Qatari people more prosperity and progress. The Ghana and developing them. It was attended by Qatar’s ambassador to Malaysia, Fahad Mohamed Kafood, and the delegation accompanying president wished the ambassador success in his new duties and to work to strengthen the friendly the attorney-general. relations and co-operation between Qatar and Ghana.

Winners of Katara Prize for Arabic Novel with dignitaries and off icials. 20 novelists and critics awarded at Katara fest he fourth Katara Fes- derlined the relation be- Five winners in the un- Five young Arab novel- tival of Arabic Novels tween novel and sports published novels category ists won $10,000 each in Tconcluded at Katara by launching the initia- won cash prizes worth the category dedicated for Cultural Village yesterday tive #mishwar_wariwaya, $30,000 each. They are: them. They are: Hassan with a grand ceremony for an electronic application Tha’ira Ghazi Qassim Hus- Sabri Mohamed Abdul- awarding winners of the that allows users to listen sain (Jordan), Hassan Mo- latheef Abussa’n (Egypt), prestigious Katara Prize for to audio version of Arabic hamed Ba’eeti (Syria), Za- Dr Sana Kamil Ahmed Arabic Novel 2018. novels, while walking. We karia Ibrahim Mohamed Sha’alan (Jordan), Dr Atif Twenty novelists and have also opened the Katara Abdul Jawad (Egypt), Ab- Talal Ibrahim Abu Saif critics won cash prizes Library for Arabic Novels, dul Kareem Shanan Mo- (Palestine), Maria Mo- worth a total of $575,000 the fi rst of its kind in the re- hamed al-Obaidi (Iraq) and hamed Nasooh Da’doush in four diff erent catego- gion dedicated exclusively Haya Saleh Aouda Ibrahim (Syria) and Wa’am bint Rida ries. The ceremony was for Arabic novels,” said (Jordan). Ghadas (Tunisia). attended by ministers, dip- al-Sulaiti. Five Arab writers bagged As many as 1,283 entries lomats and other dignitar- Five Arab novelists won $15,000 each for the best had been received for the ies, along with a galaxy of the top prize of $60,000 critical studies on Arabic latest edition of the prize – Arab writers, novelists and each in the published nov- novels. The winners are: 596 participants in the cat- intellectuals. els category. The winners Dr Abdul Raheem Wahabi egory of unpublished nov- Katara general manager are: Ibrahim Ahmed Ibrahim (Morocco), Dr Mohamed els, 562 in published novels Dr Khaled bin Ibrahim al- Ahmed (Egypt), Thoura Ib- bin al-Sadiq Kahlawi (Tu- category, 47 in unpublished Sulaiti in his opening ad- rahim Hussain Hawamida nisia), Dr Mohamed Mah- critical studies, in addition dress said the festival had (Palestine), Omar Ahmed moud Hussain Mohamed ( to 78 participants in the gained a distinguished Fadlullah al-Fahl (Sudan), Egypt), Dr Mohamed Mish- category of unpublished position in the history of Qassim Mohamed Thoufeeq bal (Morocco), and Dr Wal- novels by young writers. Arabic fi ction. (Jordan) and Najat Hussain ad Matali Ahmed Mahmadu The participants included “This time we have un- Abdussamad (Syria). (Mauritania). 322 women and 961 men. Teachers begin hands-on robotics training at CNA-Q 10-part series of bot Olympiad to showcase robotics training their newly-learned STEM Asessions for Qatar’s skills. teaching community be- As Qatar’s premier tech- gan last week at College of nical institution, CNA-Q is the North Atlantic-Qatar dedicated to continuing the (CNA-Q), it was announced provision of robotics train- yesterday. ing and hosting of the high- The free sessions, off ered ly-anticipated National Ro- in both English and Arabic, bot Olympiad in April 2019. will continue throughout “Robotics competitions the remainder of the fall are part of a worldwide semester and into the early movement to encourage winter, according to a Robotics teacher training at CNA-Q. hands-on skills training statement. and immersion in technol- The training takes place ematics) in the nation’s to 30 hours of instruction ogy for youth,” said Samah in partnership with the classrooms. The Ministry in robotics programming Gamar, vice president – ac- Ministry of Education and also provides instructional at CNA-Q. These teachers ademic at CNA-Q. Higher Education, who expertise from Gassan Sab- then bring their training CNA-Q has been a pro- have been instrumental in saby, head of IT Educational back into the classroom to vider of robotics training to ensuring teachers take part Guidance at the Ministry, teach students how to build the education community for in robotics training, to en- and Salah Heikal who is re- and programme robots. several years, in addition to courage students’ interest sponsible for off ering the Annually, students in Qa- being the national organiser in STEM (Science, Tech- robotics training in Arabic. tar compete against each and host to the World Robot nology, Engineering, Math- Teachers are off ered up other at the National Ro- Olympiad in Qatar in 2015.

QNL forum discusses role of science he role of scientists in creating a path to peace in times of hostility was ex- Tplored at the inaugural session of the Science Book Forum, which took place at Qa- tar National Library (QNL) yesterday. The reading initiative established by QNL is to encourage young people to develop a last- ing interest in scientifi c literature. The forum will hold monthly discussions to explore top- ics that are key to Qatar’s sustainability and development, such as climate change, water security, desertifi cation, space exploration, renewable energy and food security. The guest speaker was Dr Richard O’Kennedy, Qatar Foundation’s vice presi- dent for research, development and inno- vation. He highlighted the role that science can play in shaping a national identity and achieving the ambition of a knowledge- Guest speaker Dr Richard O’Kennedy at the QNL forum. based, tolerant and diverse society. Gulf Times 6 Wednesday, October 17, 2018 QATAR

Eff orts to conserve ghaf trees bear fruit

he eff orts to grow and mul- the number of ghaf trees. Around 150 tiply the endangered ghaf ghaf and related wild tree saplings Ttrees at Rawdat al-Ghafat, were planted at Rawdat al-Ghafat. near Rawdat Rashid has been very At the start of the project, the area successful, the Ministry of Mu- had only eight ghaf trees that were nicipality and Environment (MME) more than 100 years old with some announced yesterday. The eff orts of them more than 12m high. exerted by the Agriculture Aff airs The ghaf tree is considered impor- Department in co-operation with tant for Qatari wild plant life as it has the Department of Environmental been there for many years but due to Protection, Natural Reserves, and human intervention and unregulated Wildlife at the MME, as part of the grazing the number of trees in the programme to restore Qatari deserts, desert went down to almost 30 trees produced good results in increasing at various open areas.

Some old ghaf trees can be seen in the background as workers are engaged in the conservation project. Before and after (top) satellite images of the area under ghaf plantation, showing the success of the initiative. Al Khor Mall launches QDF reveals ‘Believe in your Luck’ podium by Guerlain at HIA Musical Piano stairs atar Duty Free (QDF) vision of creating interactive Toilette will be available for has announced the experiences for passengers purchase at the Guerlain l Khor Mall has Qopening of ‘Believe shopping at Qatar Duty Free podium. The Rouge G col- launched the Grand in your Luck’, Guerlain’s fi rst to enjoy. lection has sold more than AMusical Piano stairs Mon Guerlain Eau de Toilette Guerlain Travel Retail 1,500 pieces at QDF since the in a bid to promote an ac- podium in the Middle East, Middle East & India direc- beginning of 2018, the state- tive and healthy lifestyle at Hamad International Air- tor Jenny Dumoulin added, ment adds. among its shoppers and port (HIA). “We are pleased to introduce QDF boasts of more than visitors. The installation will in- passengers shopping at Qa- 90 boutiques and luxury, The Grand Musical Pi- clude products from the new tar Duty Free to the world high-end stores, as well as ano, which has been set Mon Guerlain fragrance col- of Guerlain. ‘Believe in your more than 30 restaurants up on the stairs linking lection, as well as a station Luck’ is the fi rst Mon Guer- and cafes covering an area of the ground fl oor to the dedicated to the Rouge G lain Eau de Toilette duty- 40,000sqm at HIA. Luxury fi rst fl oor, plays melodious customisable lipstick collec- free podium in the Middle brands also available at the notes when people walk on tion. At the dedicated Rouge East featuring two of our airport include Tiff any & them. G station, passengers will be best-performing perfumes Co, Gucci, Bulgari, Hermès, Through this initia- able to select one of 30 avail- and cosmetics lines, the Mon Burberry, Moncler, Rolex tive, people are being en- able shades of Rouge G lip- Guerlain and Rouge G.” and Harrods. In addition, couraged to take the stairs stick and match it with their Inspired by Angelina Jolie, the duty-free retailer regu- instead of the escalator Off icials stand in front of the Grand Musical Piano stairs. choice of case available from Mon Guerlain is a tribute to larly showcases podiums and just next to it – thereby a selection of various prints today’s femininity: strong, pop-up stores, including the promoting an active life- hand”, the statement notes. manager of the advertising and colours to create their free and sensual. Express- Maison Christian Dior bou- style. Rather than being An offi cial spokesman department, Al Khor and own custom-made lipstick. ing three facets of feminin- tique, a TUMI pop-up store, just decorative pieces, the of LuLu Hypermarkets Al Thakhira Municipality, In the Eau de Toilette ity, Mon Guerlain Eau de the L’Oreal Grand Hotel po- ‘keys’ of the installation Qatar, which operates Al and other invitees included area, customers will be able Parfum, Parfum Florale and dium and the Prada Voyage work like real piano keys Khor Mall, said: “The el- Nord Anglia International to directly interact with the the newly-launched Eau de podium. and with each step that a ement of fun can bring a School, Al Khor. “This is brand, testing their luck for person takes, a note is pro- change in the lifestyle of the fi rst time that a mall a chance to either win a gift duced. Sensors located by people; the idea is to show in the country has created or a sample. In addition, the side of the stairs de- that walking stairs can be such an interactive attrac- customers will be able to tect any movement on the a fun and healthy thing to tion to bring more excite- discover the raw materials steps and send signals to do. We hope that by add- ment among shoppers and of the Mon Guerlain Eau de a computer, which analy- ing an idea of fun to a mun- visitors, as well to promote Toilette perfume in vials, to ses them and produces a dane act like walking up a healthy and active life- better understand its com- corresponding sound that or down the stairs, we can style,” the statement adds. position, a press statement is broadcast from hidden subtly inspire our shoppers The mall management notes. speakers, a press statement and visitors into having a has also lined up several QDF vice-president (Op- explains. healthier lifestyle.” mini events and activi- erations) Thabet Musleh The piano stair is ex- The Grand Musical Pi- ties to attract the general said, “With its most popu- pected to attract more ano was inaugurated by public at large, including lar collections and engaging families to “visit the mall chief guest Saleh Moham- an invitation to various display, the podium fi ts per- ‘Believe in your Luck’, Guerlain’s first Mon Guerlain Eau de and experience the fun fi rst ed Abdullah al-Kubaisi, schools. fectly with Qatar Duty Free’s Toilette podium in the Middle East, at HIA. Gulf Times Wednesday, October 17, 2018 7 QATAR Lexus set to promote latest vehicles

bdullah Abdulghani and reflects the brand’s personal- Bros (Lexus) is partici- ity and design. Apating in the 8th Qatar “At Lexus, the engineers are Motor Show which begins at constantly striving to achieve Doha Exhibition and Conven- amazing design, engineering, tion Centre today, it was an- performance and state-of- nounced in a statement. the-art technology to ensure Lexus will be promoting its the car is in sync with the latest vehicles at the five-day driver. With numerous models event. The Lexus display will featuring Lexus Hybrid Drive include the brand’s full line- catering to all segments, Lex- up of hybrid vehicles such as us is the luxury hybrid leader LS500h, GS450h, ES300h, with the largest hybrid line- CT200h, RX450h and LC up in the world and is dedicat- 500h. ed to developing vehicles that The Lexus Booth Design, are environment friendly. which debuted last year in “Lexus range of models in- conjunction with the launch cludes sedans, coupes, hy- of Lexus Global Brand Prom- brids, performance vehicles ise of “Experience Amazing”, and SUVs.” The Lexus showroom in Doha.

Toyota will present its best-selling SUV and sedan range at the five-day event. Ooredoo in new off er Malabar Gold launches Toyota to reveal top for camping season Diwali promotion oredoo has announced to QR578, and a free subscrip- alabar Gold & Dia- jewellery. This off er is valid until the launch of a new of- tion to Starz Play, which off ers monds, one of the larg- November 10. Ofer with the Ministry over 10,000 hours of the best Mest jewellery retailers Custom- SUV, sedan range of Municipality and Environ- Hollywood and Bollywood globally with a strong retail net- ers can buy 8 ment to celebrate the start of movies, documentaries, chil- work of 250 outlets spread across gm gold coins the 2018-2019 camping sea- dren’s entertainment, same- 10 countries, has announced its with no mak- son. day-as-the-US TV series, and Diwali promotion. ing charges The new promotion is dedicated Arabic content – all Malabar Gold & Diamonds is from any of at Qatar Motor Show designed to enable Oore- in full HD. also celebrating its 25th anniver- the Mala- doo customers to share their sary during this festive season. bar Gold & memories with friends and The customers get chances to Diamonds bdullah Abdulghani and Bros (Toyota) is asserting its pride yet again in its fl agship status. loved ones online, as well as be win a total of 250,000 gold coins outlets in participating in the eighth edition of the The new Avalon is powered by 3.5 litre V6 engine connected 24/7. Thanks to the across their showrooms globally, Qatar during AQatar Motor Show which begins at the Doha that simultaneously achieves powerful accelera- off er, all customers who sign- The Ministry of Municipal- it was explained in a statement this period. They can also avail Exhibition and Convention Centre today. tion. up or upgrade to an Unlimited ity and Environment praised yesterday. the zero deduction off er on 22K Toyota will present its best-selling SUV and Endless Internet Standalone Ooredoo’s initiative to help Customers can win a guaran- (GCC) gold jewellery exchange sedan range at the fi ve-day event, according to a On show will be the latest versions Pack (mobile broadband) campers stay connected and teed gold coin or up to 100 gold as well until November 10. statement issued yesterday. of the all-new Avalon, Land Cruiser, starting from October 16, 2018 entertained during the camp- coins instantly on purchase of The festive collection of jew- On show will be the latest versions of the all-new Camry, Camry Hybrid, Rush and Yaris until November 16, 2018 will ing season 2018-2019, which gold jewellery worth QR2,500 ellery in gold, diamonds and Avalon, Land Cruiser, Camry, Camry Hybrid, Rush enjoy 20% off their pack costs kicks off on November 1. via ‘Scratch & Win’ coupons. precious gems have been incor- and Yaris. Toyota hybrid vehicles on display are Prius and for four months, bringing the To take advantage of the of- They get two gram gold coin on porated as part of various brands The stand creates an immersive environment Camry which top their class. Visitors to the Toyo- monthly subscription to just fer, new customers can sim- diamond jewellery purchase of presented at Malabar Gold & that guides the visitors on a journey through state- ta booth can explore the latest models on display QR400. ply visit the Ooredoo Shop, QR5,000 and a one gram gold Diamonds namely Ethnix – of-the-art technology: from the large, impressive – Yaris, Corolla and Camry in the sedan sections New and existing custom- and existing customers can coin on purchase of diamond Handcrafted Designer Jewellery, staging to the small playful design details on to a while the SUV section has the Land Cruiser which ers that upgrade their End- upgrade via the Ooredoo App jewellery worth QR3,000. Era – Uncut Diamond Jewellery, tangible experience of the product itself. is called as the “King of SUVs” by its fans. Also the less Internet Standalone Pack or by contacting the Ooredoo Also, customers can get pro- Mine – Diamonds Unlimited, The all-new Avalon will be launched at the Qatar visitors can explore the Fortuner with TRD Package can also enjoy a discounted call centre on 111. tection from the increasing gold Divine – Indian Heritage Jewel- Motor Show. Avalon is a premium sedan that ex- and Rush, which is a new entrant to the Toyota SUV My-Fi for QR720 and cradle To fi nd out more, visit rate by paying 10% of the entire lery, Precia – Gem Jewellery and udes presence with power, beauty and aggression line-up that was introduced in June this year. device for QR100 saving up www.ooredoo.qa amount on the selected gold Starlet – Kids jewellery. Gulf Times 8 Wednesday, October 17, 2018 REGION/ARAB WORLD

Up to 14mn Yemenis now at risk of famine IS defeat in east Syria taking

From Page 1 last year we warned that 8.4mn Grande said: “One of the people were already on the brink fastest and most eff ective ways of famine. The images now of helping destitute families is speak for themselves.” ‘longer than expected’ to give them cash. This allows She added: “There is direct them to buy what they need, violence but equally we are see- AFP when they need it. Humani- ing slow systematic steps by Beirut tarians are looking at ways to both sides to undermine the expand cash programmes as economy. It means food is more quickly as possible.” expensive, it’s double the price it he fi ght to wrest a desert Her comments came as a rep- was even a few weeks ago.” area in eastern Syria from resentative from the Norwegian Since the off ensive on Hodei- Tthe Islamic State group Refugee Council criticised Brit- dah began in June, the Norwe- will take “much longer than ex- ain for supplying arms to Saudi gian Refugee Council has seen pected”, US-backed forces bat- Arabia. Suze van Meegen, a pro- the nature of its work change. tling the militants said yester- tection and advocacy adviser Where previously it was trying day. for the council based in Sana’a, to help Yemenis through assist- The reassessment came as the said: “I anticipate the calls will ance with education and liveli- United Nations warned that the come for international govern- hoods, the focus has shifted to fi ght for Hajin in Syria’s eastern ment to inject more cash into survival. province of Deir Ezzor was hav- solving the crisis. Van Meegen said: “Our fo- ing a “devastating” eff ect on “But the crisis doesn’t lie cus is helping those people who thousands of civilians. with money. It lies in stopping have left home with nothing but The Syrian Democratic Forces the war. There is a duplicity in a few items in a plastic bag with has been locked in clashes for the UK, for example, where the food and cash. The other thing just over a month with IS hold- British government is providing we are doing is trucking water outs in Hajin and surround- a lot of money to help us reach which is hard to come by and ing villages, but they have been people with aid but it could get very expensive.” slowed down by harsh weather more bang for its buck if it just Announcing yesterday’s aid conditions and a ferocious ji- stopped selling weapons to Sau- package the minister for the hadist fi ghtback di Arabia.” Middle East, Alistair Burt, said “The military operations in She said the worst of the vio- the money would help screen Hajin will take much longer lence is concentrated around 2.2mn children under the age than expected,” said Redur Hodeidah city. “In the last few of fi ve and provide urgent treat- Khalil, a top SDF commander. months we have seen half a mil- ment for 70,000 of the most “Daesh is benefiting a lot lion people fl ee the region. We vulnerable youngsters. from weather factors, including are also very concerned about “The UK is extremely con- sandstorms. They’ve helped it the safety of the port there, cerned at the deepening hu- take cover from reconnaissance which is depended on for 70% of manitarian crisis … Children aircraft and other monitoring Syrians cross from the city of Raqqa to the countryside villages south of the city on ferries, due to the destruction of the bridge connecting the the food and fuel Yemen needs.” are suff ering the most and are mechanisms,” he said, using an two areas. Van Meegen said people are 12 times more likely to die from Arabic acronym for IS. already starving to death in diseases. Today’s aid package Khalil said the landscape with fighting experience,” he ing on Hajin since September ilies”, including relatives of 7,000 people had been dis- “very large numbers”. will help identify cases of mal- around Hajin was vast and arid, added. 10 but IS launched a bloody IS defectors and of militants placed by fighting over the “From our perspective we nourishment earlier and provide “larger than just a pocket”. Hajin, which lies in a small fightback last week. killed in fighting. The UN past month to SDF-control- may as well consider ourselves life-saving care for those most The SDF estimates some stretch east of the winding The ensuing clashes have yesterday warned the recent led camps, and that another already in famine. This time in need,” he said. 3,000 militants are defending Euphrates River, is one of IS’ killed more than 70 SDF fight- fighting was endangering ci- 10,000 people were at risk. the area. final holdouts in Syria. ers and dozens of IS militants, vilians. Accessing civilians in need They have laid a massive net- The militant group lost its according to the Syrian Ob- “The ongoing violence in of aid was extremely difficult. work of trenches, barriers, and de facto Syrian capital Raqqa servatory for Human Rights the Hajin area in the eastern “The UN calls on all parties explosives that were “hinder- one year ago this week to the war monitor. governorate of Deir Ezzor is involved to protect civilians ing” the SDF’s advance, Khalil SDF, which has chased it out The Britain-based Observ- having a devastating impact and to support greater access Iran says its missiles said. of swathes of the country’s atory said IS had even raided on civilians,” the UN’s office to the area as required under “Most of the fighters in the north and east. a nearby displacement camp in Syria said yesterday. International Humanitarian can now travel 700km Hajin region are foreigners The SDF has been advanc- and took “more than 100 fam- It estimated that around Law,” it said.

Reuters development of ballistic mis- London siles or its support for proxies in Syria, Yemen, Lebanon and Iraq. Iran, which says its missile Moscow, Ankara say buff er going ran has extended the range programme is purely defensive, of its land-to-sea ballistic has threatened to disrupt oil Imissiles to 700km, a sen- shipments through the Strait of ior Iranian military offi cial said Hormuz in the Gulf if the United yesterday amid rising tensions States tries to strangle Iranian ahead despite missed deadline with the United States over oil exports. Tehran’s missile programme. “We have managed to make US President Donald Trump land-to-sea ballistic, not cruise, AFP averting an assault by Moscow- eas in Idlib and the neighbouring licly pledged to continue fi ght- sights for months. World powers pulled out of an international missiles that can hit any vessel Beirut backed Syrian regime troops. provinces of Latakia, Hama, and ing but has not taken an explicit and aid agencies had expressed agreement on Iran’s nuclear or ship from 700 km,” Amirali “The memorandum is being Aleppo. stance on the Turkey-Russia relief after the buff er zone deal, programme in May and reim- Hajizadeh, head of the Iranian implemented and the military It gave until October 10 for the deal. hoping it would help stave off a posed sanctions on Tehran, say- Revolutionary Guards’ air space ussia and Turkey said yes- are satisfi ed with the way the zone to be cleared of any heavy “We have to wait for the Rus- military assault that could have ing the deal was fl awed because division, was quoted as saying terday their deal to set up Turkish side is working in this weapons, a deadline opposition sian reaction. Russia is monitor- caused a humanitarian catastro- it did not include curbs on Iran’s by Fars news agency. Ra buff er zone for the last regard,” Kremlin spokesman backer Turkey, the Observatory, ing and following the situation,” phe. major Syrian rebel bastion of Dmitry Peskov said yesterday. and rebels said had been met. foreign minister Walid Muallem Nawar Oliver, an analyst at the Idlib was still on course, despite “Of course one cannot expect But the second deadline for told reporters in Damascus. Turkey-based Omran Center, militant missing a deadline to everything to go smoothly with the withdrawal of “radical” But he said Idlib would inevi- said the deal may still reach frui- French hostage freed by Omani mediation withdraw. absolutely no glitches, but the fi ghters — taken to mean heavy- tably return to government con- tion. The agreement, reached by work is being carried out.” weight Hayat Tahrir al-Sham trol, implying a military assault “Although the time frame has The Omani Foreign Ministry announced yesterday the release of a key powerbrokers Moscow and Soon after, Turkish Foreign (HTS) and other hardliners — was still on the table. nominally expired, there are French citizen held in Yemen by Omani mediation in response to a Ankara last month, gave “radical Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said was seen as the accord’s real test. “We have to wait, but at the continuing eff orts to implement request by the French government, QNA reported. fi ghters” until Monday to leave a the process of implementation Under the deal, the militants’ same time, our troops are still the deal,” he said. A statement issued by the Omani Foreign Ministry, which was horseshoe-shaped area around was “ongoing.” departure would pave the way ready around Idlib,” Muallem Oliver said all stakeholders in reported by the Omani News Agency (ONA) yesterday, said that Idlib intended to separate gov- “There are no concerns about for patrols of the zone by its Rus- said. the deal, even local actors, real- the competent authorities in the Sultanate co-ordinated with the ernment from opposition forces. the withdrawal of heavy arms, sian and Turkey sponsors. After a string of battlefi eld ised that the time frame granted Yemeni authorities in Sanaa about the French citizen, where he was But militants have held their and there don’t seem to be “We did not monitor on Tues- wins this year, troops loyal to in the public agreement would released and transferred to Oman this evening in preparation for his ground, with a monitoring group concerns about certain radical day any withdrawal or patrols in President Bashar al-Assad hold not be enough. return to his country. French President Emmanuel Macron thanked saying yesterday there were still groups withdrawing from this the buff er area,” said Rami Abdel around two-thirds of Syria. “That’s why it needs more Sultan Qaboos, and the Omani authorities for the eff orts in releasing “no signs” of an evacuation. region,” he said. Rahman, head of the Syrian Ob- The Idlib region, home to time,” he said. the French hostage Alain Goma, who was held for over than four Neither Turkey nor Rus- The deal provides for a 15-20 servatory for Human Rights. around 3mn people, is the coun- One possible hurdle is the in- and a half months in Yemen. sia seemed fazed by the appar- kilometre buff er zone semi- HTS, dominated by Al Qaeda’s try’s last major opposition bas- ternal divide within HTS over ent breach of the plan aimed at circling opposition-held ar- former Syrian branch, has pub- tion, and had been in Assad’s the deal.

Storm kills three in Oman, Yemen Two dead after clashes in refugee camp DPA day and another person was wounded. Palestin- AFP Beirut ian sources said that violence fl ared up again in the Aden morning and the sound of heavy machine gunfi re and rocket-propelled grenades were heard across lashes have erupted for a second day be- the camp, which is located at the outksirts of the t least three people have tween rival groups in a Palestinian refugee southern city of Sidon. been killed and 33 in- Ccamp in southern Lebanon, killing at least The sources also said the clashes have wounded at Ajured by fl ash fl ooding in two people, Lebanese offi cial news agency NNA least six people, most of whom were from the Fatah Yemen and neighbouring Oman and Palestinian sources said. movement. The clashes broke out after a personal caused by Tropical Storm Lu- According to Palestinian sources, the clashes dispute between a member of the Fatah movement ban, the UN and local authori- started on Monday night in the Palestinian refu- and another from Jundallah, the sources added, but ties have said. gee camp of Mieh Mieh, between members of the eff orts were under way to contain the fighting. Mahra province in the far mainstream Fatah and others who belong to Jun- There are some 400,000 Palestinian refugees east of Yemen and the neigh- dallah, which has close links with Hezbollah. living in 12 camps scattered across Lebanon. Se- bouring Dhofar region of Oman NNA reported that two members of the Fatah curity inside the camps is usually in the hands of are the only parts of the Arabian movement were killed in renewed clashes yester- Palestinian groups. Peninsula that have a monsoon climate governed by the tropi- cal weather systems of the In- A picture shows flooded streets in the Adonab valley near Salalah, in the southern Omani province of dian Ocean. Dhofar, during the tropical storm Luban. Mountains rising to 1,300 metres separate a fertile coastal jeh Bakrit said on Monday the for dismissing prime minister smashed into southern Oman At least seven killed in Morocco train crash strip from the infamous Empty province had been devastated Ahmed bin Dagher late on Mon- and the Yemeni island of Socotra, Quarter in the vast desert inte- by the storm. day. killing at least 11 people. rior. Most of the Luban’s casu- “The situation is catastrophic UNOCHA said more than Residents of Mahra and So- AFP Abdelmoula Boulamizat told the A short statement from the alties were reported in coastal in the province and beyond the 2,000 families had been sig- cotra have long complained of Rabat offi cial MAP news agency. ONCF national railway company districts of Mahra, where two capabilities of the local authori- nifi cantly aff ected by the fl ood- being left to fend for themselves National railway company said “an investigation has been people were killed and 33 in- ties,” he said, according to the ing in Mahra with many fi nding as Hadi’s beleaguered govern- boss Mohamed Rabie Khlie earli- opened to determine the causes jured by widespread fl ooding, government-run Saba news emergency shelter in displaced to ment focuses on wars against passenger train derailed er gave a death toll of six, includ- of the accident” and pledged to the UN Offi ce for the Coordi- agency. public buildings. Houthi rebels, who have con- yesterday near the Moroc- ing the driver and his assistant, provide more information when nation of Humanitarian Aff airs Yemen President Abd-Rabbu It warned there were expected trolled the capital Sanaa and Acan capital Rabat killing and said 86 people were injured. it had it. (UNOCHA) said. Mansour Hadi cited the “fail- to be more casualties and homes much of the north since 2014, at least seven people and injuring Seven seriously injured people The crash occurred some 20 In Oman, the civil defence ure” of the government’s eff orts washed away in areas that had and against militants, who have a over 80 others, offi cials said. were receiving treatment in Ra- kilometres north of Rabat be- said one man was found dead to respond to the “catastroph- yet to be reached by emergency major presence in neighbouring “Regrettably, seven people bat military hospital, with four tween the towns of Kenitra in Dhofar. Mahra governor Ra- ic” storm as one of the reasons teams. In May, Cyclone Mekunu Hadramawt province. died,” regional health director in intensive care, MAP reported. and Sale. Gulf Times Wednesday, October 17, 2018 9 AFRICA

Report urges Boko Haram kills second aid Ramaphosa to fi re suspended worker in Nigeria: Red Cross tax body head Reuters AFP Johannesburg Abuja n inquiry reviewing evidence slamic State-allied Boko Haram on Tom Moyane, the suspended extremists have killed another kid- Ahead of South Africa’s Revenue Inapped female Red Cross worker in Service (SARS), issued an interim re- northeast Nigeria in a “despicable act port yesterday urging President Cyril of cruelty”, the agency said yesterday, a Ramaphosa to fi re the tax offi cial. month after militants murdered one of The agency has been plagued by her colleagues. infi ghting over the last three years Three female health workers were and is subject to ongoing government kidnapped on March 1 during a Boko investigations. Haram raid on the remote town of Judge Robert Nugent, who is head- Rann, in Borno state, that killed three ing the inquiry into Moyane, says the other aid workers and eight Nigerian suspended tax chief should be removed soldiers. from offi ce for the “reckless misman- Two of the kidnapped women, agement of SARS” under his tenure. Hauwa Liman and Saifura Khorsa, “We consider it imperative that worked for the International Commit- a new commissioner be appointed tee of the Red Cross (ICRC), while the without delay to remove the uncer- third, Alice Loksha, worked for the UN tainty at SARS and enable it to be set children’s agency, Unicef. on a fi rm course of recovery so as to The ICRC said yesterday it had re- arrest ongoing loss of revenue,” Nu- ceived information that Liman had gent said in the report. been killed by her captors, without In March, Ramaphosa suspended giving further details. Moyane, saying he had failed as com- The government had also earlier an- missioner of the revenue service and nounced news of the second killing. had lost the confi dence of taxpayers. “The news of Hauwa’s death has Moyane was not available for com- broken our hearts,” ICRC’s Regional ment yesterday. Director for Africa, Patricia Danzi said The president’s offi ce said Ram- in a statement. aphosa was weighing up the contents “We appealed for mercy and an end of the interim report and its recom- to such senseless murders. How can it mendations. be that two female health care workers were killed back-to-back?” Amnesty International called her 30 killed over two killing a “war crime” and said: “Under international humanitarian law, all aid months in fighting workers must be protected from at- in Central Africa tack.” UN Secretary-General Antonio Gu- diamond hub: UN terres “strongly condemns” the killing, his spokesman said. t least 30 civilians were killed Guterres also called for the immedi- in August and September by ate release of the other hostages and for Aarmed groups in and around all sides to protect aid workers. Bria, the diamond hub of the restive Dozens of people gathered in the Central African Republic, the UN capital Abuja to mourn Liman. Members of the Bring Back Our Girls (BBOG) advocacy group take part in a protest in the Nigerian capital Abuja yesterday following the killing of a kidnapped female said yesterday, adding that some of There had been no news of the trio Red Cross worker by Islamic State-allied Boko Haram extremists. the killings could constitute crimes until last month when the ICRC said it against humanity. had received footage of Khorsa’s killing Nigerian Information Minister Lai federal government did everything any from the IS-backed faction have con- line takeover of the IS-backed faction. “These crimes, many of which could from the IS-backed Boko Haram fac- Mohamed announced the latest death responsible government should do to ducted repeated raids on military bases Boko Haram has used kidnapping as constitute war crimes and crimes tion Islamic State West Africa Province as a deadline expired and said the gov- save the aid worker,” he said. in recent months. a weapon of war during the confl ict, against humanity can be attributed to (ISWAP). ernment was “shocked and saddened” He said offi cials continued to work ISWAP split from the faction led by abducting thousands of women and the former (majority-Muslim) Seleka ISWAP then threatened to kill Liman at the killing, calling it “dastardly, in- to free the others from captivity. long-time Boko Haram leader Abu- girls, and forcing young men and boys coalition...and the (Christian-domi- and Loksha, as well as a 15-year-old human and ungodly”. More than 27,000 people have been bakar Shekau in August 2016 in protest to fi ght in their ranks. nated) Antibalaka,” said the UN state- Christian schoolgirl Leah Sharibu who He did not initially identify the killed in northeast Nigeria since the at the latter’s indiscriminate targeting The mass abduction of more than ment seen by AFP yesterday. was kidnapped from the town of Dap- victim but later added in a tweet that Boko Haram insurgency began in 2009, of civilians in raids and suicide bomb- 200 schoolgirls from the Borno state In a report at the start of this chi, in Yobe state, in February. he “commiserated with the family of while nearly 2mn others remain home- ings. town of Chibok in April 2014 brought month, Human Rights Watch blamed The ICRC last weekend appealed for Hauwa Liman”. less due to the confl ict. Analysts say they believe the switch global attention to the insurgency and the FPRC rebel group for killing on their release, underscoring that they “It is very unfortunate that it has Nigeria’s military and government by militants from attacking “hard” was widely condemned. August 25 at least 11 civilians who fl ed were “doing nothing but helping com- come to this. Before and after the maintain the Islamist rebels are weak- government and military targets to Some 107 girls have since been re- Bria after clashes between the FDRC munities” in the confl ict-riven region. deadline issued by her abductors, the ened to the point of defeat but fi ghters killing hostages is the result of a hard- leased or found. and the Antibalaka.

Ethiopian PM hands half of cabinet to women, including defence portfolio

AFP tries of Peace, Trade and Industry, and The shakeup is the latest in a series Addis Ababa Defence,” he tweeted. of dramatic reforms implemented by The new Minister of National De- Abiy since he took offi ce in April after fence, Aisha Mohamed, is the fi rst more than two years of anti-govern- thiopian Prime Minister Abiy woman to hold the post. Aisha was ear- ment unrest that contributed to his Ahmed yesterday unveiled a lier construction minister and before predecessor’s sudden resignation. Edownsized cabinet where, in a that in charge of the tourism ministry. The prime minister’s measures have fi rst, half the members are women, a She is from the drought-prone and included ending two decades of con- top offi cial said. poor Afar region, where she had once fl ict with neighbouring Eritrea, re- Women occupy key positions in headed the disaster prevention offi ce. leasing jailed dissidents, welcoming the 20-member cabinet that includes Minister of Peace Muferiat Kamil is formerly banned groups back into the a newly created Ministry of Peace to a former speaker of parliament. country and announcing plans to pri- oversee the federal police and intel- The previous cabinet had 28 minis- vatise major state-owned industries. ligence agencies, Abiy’s Chief of Staff ters, of which only fi ve were women. Abiy, 42, took offi ce after anti- Fitsum Arega said. Kenya currently also has a female government protests began in late Ethiopia is now the second African na- defence minister, Raychelle Omamo, 2015 by Ethiopia’s two largest ethnic tion after Rwanda to achieve gender par- while South Africa, Guinea-Bissau, groups against the heavy-handed rule ity in its cabinet, and one of only a hand- Cape Verde, Madagascar, Sao Tome of the Ethiopian People’s Revolution- ful of nations to achieve this worldwide. and Principe, Gabon, Nigeria and ary Democratic Front, which controls “Women are assigned to run key Central African Republic have all in the every seat in parliament together with ministerial portfolios including minis- past appointed women to the job. its allies. Gulf Times 10 Wednesday, October 17, 2018 AMERICAS

RARE OCCURRENCE ‘NEXT-YEAR ISSUE’ JUSTICE SCANDAL ELECTION First shooting-free weekend US Senate will not vote on Judge tosses out Stormy Catholic diocese names 31 Ryan in campaign push for in 25 years for New York new trade pact in 2018 Daniels defamation suit ex-clergy accused of abuse imperilled Republicans

New York has marked its first weekend without The US Senate’s top Republican said yesterday President Donald Trump scored a legal victory The Catholic archdiocese of Washington Retiring US House Speaker Paul Ryan on a shooting in 25 years, police said Monday. that senators will not vote to approve a revised Monday against adult actress Stormy Daniels divulged on Monday the names of 31 former Monday launched a whirlwind tour of a “We went Friday, Saturday, Sunday without any North American trade pact in 2018, leaving the when a federal US judge rejected her defamation clergy involved in the abuse of minors over the dozen states, where he aims to pump up shootings and homicides,” New York Police issue to the next Congress. Senate Majority suit against him. Daniels — whose real name is past 70 years, days after archbishop Donald the campaigns of 25 embattled Republican Department chief James O’Neill told reporters. Leader Mitch McConnell told Bloomberg Stephanie Cliff ord — still has a separate lawsuit Wuerl resigned over the scandal. Many of the members of Congress as the party fights to “That’s the first time in decades, and that’s Television that the Senate will not have time to against the president linked to $130,000 in hush cases appear to have been known, with 16 of keep control of Congress. Ryan will begin something not just the NYPD, but all New take up the new United States-Mexico-Canada money she was paid by Trump’s lawyer shortly the priests and one deacon already exposed campaigning in the northeast, where he will Yorkers can be proud of.” The last time the Agreement trade deal before 2019. “That will before the November 2016 presidential election publicly, arrested and convicted in courts. All appear with Representatives John Faso in New most populous US city of 8.5mn had a weekend be a next-year issue because the process we to keep quiet about an alleged aff air. US District 31 have been expelled from the church and York and Leonard Lance in New Jersey, then without shootings was in 1993, according to have to go through doesn’t allow that to come Judge S James Otero in Los Angeles tossed out the 17 have died, according to the Archdiocese of go on to the Midwest next week to back Erik police. But there have been intermittent spikes. up before the end of this year,” McConnell said. defamation suit Daniels filed earlier this year after Washington. The list was assembled by Cardinal Paulsen in Minnesota and Rod Blum of Iowa and The weekend of October 6-7, for example, was Last week, the Senate’s No 2 Republican, John Trump claimed on Twitter that the adult film actress Wuerl, 77, ahead of his resignation on Friday later return to the East Coast to campaign with “terrible,” with several shootings in Brooklyn and Cornyn, had said it was “unlikely” the Senate had invented threats to silence her over her claims accused of not having done enough to deal with Dave Brat of Virginia and Ted Budd of North the Bronx, authorities said. would be able to vote in the final weeks of 2018. the pair slept together more than a decade ago. paedophile priests. Carolina. Restored phone service helps rescuers California cuts power fi nd missing after Florida hurricane to dampen

Reuters out of a tent and broken-down minivan. threat of Miami “This is everything we own right here,” he said, standing over a heap of clothes, books, furniture and other fall wildfi res escue workers and volunteers belongings. searched yesterday for scores Downed trees across highways and Rof people still unaccounted for dirt roads hampered access to those By Peter Szekely, Reuters in the Florida Panhandle as residents stranded by the storm. Los Angeles rejoiced at restored phone services “Everyone needs help,” said Gabriel and portable toilets after Hurricane Schaw, 40, gesturing to a handful of Michael devastated the area last week. neighbours surrounding his own de- alifornia’s largest public util- At least 19 deaths in four states have molished mobile home in Fountain, ity cut off electric power to about been blamed on Michael which made Florida. “We’re devastated out here. C60,000 customers to prevent landfall last Wednesday as one of the We’re wiped off the map.” wildfi res such as those that erupted in most powerful storms on record to hit The state government is distribut- the state’s wine country last fall, as high the continental United States. ing ice, water and about 3mn ready- winds threatened to topple trees and Teams from the volunteer rescue to-eat meals, according to Governor power lines this week. organisation CrowdSource Rescue Rick Scott’s offi ce. With gusty winds and low humidity were steadily making contact with Water supply was restored to some in the forecast this week, Pacifi c Gas & people fl agged by friends and relatives residents in Panama City on Monday Electric has warned customers that their in the disaster zone in the Panhandle, but Bay County offi cials said it was power would be cut. according to Matthew Marchetti, co- not yet safe to drink. The company initially said the black- founder of the Houston-based group. Michael slammed into the Florida out would last for sometime, and some Volunteers still had not reached Panhandle last Wednesday with top schools canceled classes in the six af- more than 1,135 people volunteers sustained winds of 250kph. fected northern California counties. yesterday morning, down from about The winds and storm surge caused But by Monday afternoon, the com- 1,300 the day before and over 2,100 at $6bn to $10bn in insured losses, risk pany said it expected to restore power to one point. modeler AIR Worldwide said. 70% of aff ected customers by midnight. As cellphone service returned, the Those fi gures exclude uninsured “This is the fi rst time that we have number of people unaccounted for in property or losses paid out by the Na- proactively turned off the power due Mexico Beach, one of the hardest-hit tional Flood Insurance Program, AIR to fi re threat conditions,” said Melissa towns, dropped to three, Rex Putnal, Locals try to recover belongings from their house, destroyed by Hurricane Michael in Mexico Beach, Florida. Worldwide said. Subbotin, spokeswoman for the util- a city councillor, said in a telephone US President Donald Trump and ity, which is owned by PG&E Corp. The interview. ing only peanut butter and jelly sand- More than 200,000 people re- Countless residents in the region’s First Lady Melania Trump visited the power outage, which started on Sunday, A day earlier, it was more than 30. wiches.” mained without power in the US backcountry have struggled for days storm-aff ected areas on Monday, ar- came just days after California’s De- “Hopefully, they left and we’ll fi nd The mayor of the town of about Southeast, with residents of battered without electricity, running water or riving by helicopter from Eglin Air partment of Forestry and Fire Protec- them safe somewhere,” he said, before 1,200 residents, which took a direct coastal towns such as Port St Joe, sanitation, awaiting help from au- Force Base about 160km to the west. tion found that last year’s Cascade Fire heading to a clean-up eff ort where hit from the hurricane, said a second Florida forced to cook on fi res and thorities. They distributed bottles of water at in Yuba County, which burned nearly workers awaited the arrival of some person, a woman, was found dead on barbecue grills. Some have been camping in tents an aid centre in Lynn Haven, a city of 10,000 acres and killed four people, was overdue portable toilets. Monday afternoon. At least 80% of customers in three with the belongings they were able to about 18,500 people near Panama City started by “sagging power lines coming “This type of living wears on you,” Rescue workers had already mainly rural Panhandle counties were salvage. in northwestern Florida. into contact during heavy winds.” Putnal said. searched most Mexico Beach homes without electricity yesterday. “I’m staying out here to try to keep “To see this personally is very tough One of the lines was owned by PG&E. “This is about my fi fth day and I’m for survivors, and were using dogs to Offi cials said it could be weeks be- away looters, to try to save what I can — total devastation,” said Trump, who With PG&E facing billions of dollars in just not used to washing clothes in a fi nd any bodies that might be buried fore power returns to the areas that save,” said Bernard Sutton, a 64-year- later travelled to neighbouring Geor- potential payouts from lawsuits, Califor- tub with no washer and dryer and eat- under the debris. sustained the most damage. old cancer patient, who has been living gia to see storm damage there. nia lawmakers in September passed a bill that could help the utility avoid poten- tially crippling liabilities. Two smaller California utilities, San Diego Gas & Electric and Southern Cali- fornia Edison also announced power cuts Trump hangs painting of self at bar with Republican presidents to some communities because the sea- sonal Santa Ana winds blowing off the deserts of southeastern California pre- By Olivia Hampton, AFP has a foot propped up on a chair as he leans in sented an extreme danger. Washington intently, hand on one knee. Gerald Ford is lean- PG&E’s move prompted many cus- ing against a pillar. Reagan and Nixon are trading tomers to complain on Twitter that the glances, and George H W Bush looks on. Eisen- outage was spoiling food, disabling traf- t could be any Republican president’s fan- hower leans in next to Trump. fi c lights and keeping them from doing tasy: hanging out at a bar with fellow con- The fantasy creation was mercilessly mocked their jobs. Iservative American leaders of years, decades, on social media. Due to the disruption to customers, the and even centuries past. For President Donald One Twitter user wrote: “Neither Lincoln nor power cutoff was a “last resort” measure Trump, that fi ctional “happy hour” exists, in the Teddy would be caught dead at this table.” as part of a programme that includes a form of a painting hanging at the White House “Like, you could borrow stuff from the Smithso- team monitoring weather and other con- that caused a huge uproar on social media when nian or the National Gallery of Art but, nope, you’re ditions in several high-risk counties, es- it was revealed over the weekend. gonna decorate the White House with crap from the pecially during wildfi re season, typically The president’s critics say the scene is as real Things Remembered kiosk at the mall,” wrote jour- late summer and fall, Subbotin said. as some of the claims Trump made during his nalist Benjamin Freed in another comment. “We take into consideration climate interview on 60 Minutes that aired on Sunday Indeed, the Trump White House has a strained change here as the new normal,” she where a glimpse of the painting could be seen relationship with the art world. It has no cura- added. “That has unfortunately in- in the background. Trump’s likeness has been tor — William Allman, who long held the post, creased the risk of wildfi res.” ruthlessly disfi gured by “high” and “low” artists retired last year and has yet to be replaced. Customers were warned of the cutoff alike, who have made no secret of their dislike of And when the Trumps asked the Guggenheim by telephone, text message and e-mail, the Republican president. Museum to borrow a Vincent van Gogh painting, Subbotin said. But in ‘The Republican Club’, a painting by they were instead off ered a solid gold toilet by The Konocti Unifi ed School District in Andy Thomas, an uncharacteristically brawny Maurizio Cattelan, a satirical, if fully function- Lower Lake, California, which includes Trump sports an aff able, if slightly pinched smile ing sculpture called ‘America’. 3,500 students, was one of four Lake as he is joined by the likes of Abraham Lincoln, Thomas, who specialises in fi gurative paint- An editor looks at the Twitter feed of Josh Billinson showing a painting by Andy Thomas entitled County districts that closed, Superin- Richard Nixon, Ronald Reagan, Teddy Roosevelt ings of cowboys, also made a Democratic presi- “The Republican Club”, alongside a screenshot of the painting hanging at the White House during a tendent Donna Becnel said. and George W Bush. The whole group is chat- dents’ version of the image. 60 Minutes interview with US President Donald Trump, in Los Angeles, California. “I always hate to cancel school,” Bec- ting around a table and seems to be having a jolly In both the Republican and Democratic ver- nel said by telephone. good time while sharing drinks, apart perhaps sions, there’s a vague rendering of a woman in read a comment by Twitter user Emily Colucci. Thomas said Trump gave him some positive “But with the number of power out- for Calvin Coolidge, who hovers in the back- the background, a nod to a potential fi rst female Others digitally altered images of other pro- feedback about the painting. “He basically said, ages and not knowing how long it was ground a short distance away. American president. “Even in Trump’s thrift tagonists like North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, ‘Most portraits of me I really don’t like,’” Tho- going to last, there was no way to have Trump, who does not drink alcohol, appears store trash painting, a woman is coming to end or Russian President Vladimir Putin onto some mas told Time magazine. “And he’s right. He’s classes without heat, lights and the abil- to be having a soda. Instead of sitting, Roosevelt the crap when they aren’t paying any attention,” of the other presidents’ heads. hard to paint. There’s some bad ones out there.” ity to provide food for students.” Miami man freed after 12 years behind bars for murder

By David Ovalle fence lawyer Philip Reizenstein said “Brown presented credible, ad- Andre Gonzalez. Defense lawyers wearing the cap in the mind of the Miami Herald yesterday morning. “And we are missible evidence demonstrating said Miami-Dade police homicide eyewitness. Judge de la O agreed, grateful our client will now be free.” that the crimes of which he was detectives mishandled the photo saying Morris never mentioned Brown’s freedom came thanks convicted may very well have been lineup when interviewing the sur- the gunman wore a cap until nine ne month after a judge to students from the Medill Jus- committed by another,” De la O viving victim. months after the shooting. ordered a new trial and tice Project at Northwestern Uni- wrote in his order. Other key evidence was Brown’s Jurors in 2010 originally found Ocast doubt on the evidence versity, who interviewed a prison At Brown’s original trial, pros- DNA, which was discovered on Gonzalez guilty of second-degree against him for murder, Tony Brown inmate that admitted Brown was ecutors maintained that he was a black skull cap discarded near murder, attempted murder and is about to be a free man. not the killer. The inmate, Arnold the one who shot and killed Ni- Whatley’s body, a cap Morris later armed robbery. He was sentenced to Prosecutors yesterday dropped Clark, later testifi ed in court that his gel Whatley during a robbery and claimed the gunman wore dur- life in prison. Afterward, a Miami- the case against Brown, who spent friend, a DJ at the club that night, scuffl e outside the Players Club in ing the robbery. During the trial, Dade judge granted a request for a 12 years behind bars for a murder was the actual killer, not Brown. October 2005. A surviving victim, Gonzalez’s girlfriend testifi ed she new trial, but the decision later was outside a North Miami-Dade night- In September, Miami-Dade Cir- Michael Morris, who was wounded was with him at the club that night, overturned by an appeals court. club, a killing his defence lawyers cuit Judge Miguel de la O agreed in the robbery, identifi ed Brown as but took no part in the killing. As for Clark, he said he initially said he did not commit. Brown was with the defense, casting doubt on the attacker. His defense lawyers suggested refused to testify at the time of the Inside the courtroom in Miami yesterday, Tony Brown, left, to be released later yesterday. the state’s key eyewitness and the But Morris told police he was only that Brown dropped his cap in the crime for fear of reprisals from the drops his head back in relief as his attorneys, Philip Reizenstien, “It took a long time, but the jus- signifi cance of DNA found on a cap “60%” certain the attacker was parking lot that night, and detec- nightclub, or the real killer. - Trib- centre, and Kristen Kawass, right, stand by his side after Miami- tice system worked in this case,” de- found at the crime scene. Brown, who also went by the name tives planted the idea of the gunman une News Service Dade prosecutors dropped his murder case. Gulf Times Wednesday, October 17, 2018 11 AMERICA

GORY SPECTACLE GENERAL-SPEAK GLITCH INVESTIGATION ON THE ROAD Idaho off icial resigns over ‘Conditions for Islamist New dating app for Trump Senior FBI off icial accepted killing of baboon family extremism still linger’ fans leaks data: report gifts from reporter

An Idaho wildlife off icial was forced to resign on The top US general said yesterday that little New dating app DonaldDaters was supposed An unnamed senior off icial at the FBI improperly Monday after photographs of him posing with progress had been made in dealing with the to help lonely conservatives find each other accepted tickets to professional sporting events a family of baboons and other wild creatures he underlying conditions that have given rise discreetly. But the app leaked its database of and later misled investigators when confronted killed in September during a hunting trip in Africa to armed Islamist militants, even as military users on launch day, a report said Monday. about it, the Justice Department’s internal went viral online, igniting a firestorm of criticism. gains have been made against groups like With the slogan ‘Make America Date Again’, watchdog said yesterday. The FBI off icial, who In a resignation letter to Idaho Governor C L Islamic State in Iraq and Syria. “Little progress the app targets the “American-based singles resigned from the agency during the probe, “Butch” Otter, state Fish and Game Commissioner has been made in addressing the underlying community connecting lovers, friends, and initially told the inspector general’s off ice Blake Fischer cited poor judgment in posting the conditions that lead to violent extremism,” said Trump supporters alike,” its website says. The under oath that the tickets had been paid for, images. “I recently made some poor judgments Marine General Joseph Dunford, chairman of app had just over 1,600 users on its first day of but later admitted they were not. The reporter that resulted in sharing photos of a hunt in the Joint Chiefs of Staff . “Challenges remain operations, technology news site TechCrunch who off ered the tickets to the FBI off icial is a which I did not display an appropriate level of in our political, our military, our intelligence, reported. TechCrunch said it learned the figure television news correspondent who regularly Drummer Morgan Rose of Sevendust performs sportsmanship and respect for the animals I and our law enforcement co-operation, clearly because a French security researcher found covers the Justice Department and the FBI, at the Marquee Theatre as the band tours in harvested,” he wrote. Otter said he asked for and there is much more to be done,” Dunford told a “issues” with the app, making it possible to the report said. The report did not name the support of the album All I See is War in Tempe, received Fischer’s resignation on Monday. conference on countering violent extremism. download the entire user database. correspondent. Arizona late on Monday.

President lashes Defence chief Mattis says out at Warren claim to Native Trump ‘100%’ with him American heritage By Gretel Johnston, DPA By Thomas Watkins, AFP we just continue doing our job...no Washington Ho Chi Minh City problem.” He added that he had never reg- istered with any political party, S President Donald Trump yesterday de- S Defense Secretary Jim Mat- and that those in the military are rided Senator Elizabeth Warren for re- tis said President Donald “proudly apolitical”. Uleasing a DNA test she says supports her UTrump has assured him of Mattis’s fate has been the subject claim to Native American heritage just weeks his full support, one day after Trump of intense speculation for months. ahead of midterm elections. appeared to cast doubt over the Pen- It reached fever pitch in Septem- Trump tweeted that a DNA test released by tagon chief’s fate. ber, when veteran journalist Bob Warren showing she is 1/1,024th Native Ameri- Speaking to reporters as he fl ew Woodward published a book giv- can only proves that her claim is a “scam and a from Washington to Ho Chi Minh ing an inside glimpse into a chaotic lie,” and said she should apologise. City at the start of a diplomatic tour White House and said Mattis had The president also referred to Warren as ‘Poc- that will take him to Vietnam and questioned Trump’s judgment, lik- ahontas’ in his tweets and pointed to a Native Singapore, Mattis said he had spo- ening his understanding to that of a American group’s rejection of her claim. ken directly to Trump by phone late 10- or 11-year-old child. “She took a bogus DNA test and it showed Monday morning Washington time. Mattis, a buttoned-up former that she may be 1/1024, far less than the average “He said, ‘I’m 100% with you’,” Marine Corps general, is loath to American,” Trump said. “Now Cherokee Nation Mattis said. discuss politics or his relationship denies her, ‘DNA test is useless.’ Even they don’t His remark comes after US broad- with Trump, and the president is want her. Phony!” caster CBS on Sunday aired an inter- widely reported to bristle at unfa- Trump nicknamed Warren ‘Pocahontas’, a view with Trump, in which he sug- vourable comparisons to Mattis, moniker that some consider racist, during the gested Mattis may be headed out the who has broad bipartisan support. 2016 presidential race after she campaigned with Pentagon door. The Woodward book details a his opponent, Hillary Clinton. “It could be that he is. I think he’s number of times Mattis or Trump of- Warren is currently running for re-election to sort of a Democrat, if you want to fi cials are said to have slow-walked the Senate in the November 6 midterm elections know the truth,” Trump said. orders from the president, such as in and is considered a potential presidential candi- “But General Mattis is a good the aftermath of Trump’s tweets last date in 2020. guy. We get along very well. He may year that said all transgender person- Warren’s self-proclaimed Native American leave. I mean, at some point, every- nel would be banned from the military. heritage had been challenged previously by her body leaves.” Trump is looking to reshape his Trump and Mattis ... on the same team 2012 Republican opponent in the senate race in Earlier on in the 20-hour fl ight cabinet after the mid-term elec- Massachusetts, who accused her of using it to to Vietnam — before he’d spoken tions, which will determine whether national security advisor. to be dominated by escalating ten- ond to the country after his visit to gain an unfair advantage in getting prestigious to Trump, who himself was fl ying the Democrats can regain some de- Last week, his ambassador to the sions between Washington and Bei- Hanoi in January. jobs as a professor at Harvard University and the on Air Force One to Florida — Mat- gree of power after a total and hu- United Nations, Nikki Haley, an- jing over a roster of issues. Such visits by US defense secre- University of Pennsylvania. tis was asked what he’d made of miliating defeat in 2016. nounced her resignation, eff ective at The defence chief’s Asia trip ini- taries have until now been exceed- Warren has denied that she used her ethnicity Trump’s comments. The president has already cast off the end of the year. tially included a leg in Beijing, but ingly rare, and Mattis’s presence to help her get hired for those jobs. “Nothing at all,” Mattis said. “I’m many of his original top-level picks, Speculation of Mattis’s future in that fell through after China de- strongly signals the importance Warren submitted a DNA sample this year for on his team. We have never talked including former secretary of state the Trump administration loomed clined to make Mattis’s counterpart Washington sees in further enhanc- analysis by Carlos Bustamante, a professor of about me leaving. And as you can Rex Tillerson and Lieutenant Gen- over his arrival yesterday in Ho Chi available for him to meet. ing ties with a former foe amid rising biomedical data science, genetics and biology at see right here, we are on our way, eral H R McMaster, who had been Minh City for a week-long trip likely Mattis’s trip to Vietnam is his sec- tensions with China. Stanford University. Bustamante’s report con- cludes that there is “strong evidence” of her Na- tive American ancestry. Cherokee Nation Secretary of State Chuck Hoskin Jr responded to the claim Monday, saying ‘Moon Puzzle’ a DNA test is “useless to determine tribal citizen- Scientists plead for Pacifi c Northwest killer whales ship,” and adding that sovereign tribal nations set their own legal requirements for citizenship. By Laura Zuckerman, Reuters researchers wrote to the Southern ate action to replenish Chinook “While DNA tests can be used to determine Salmon, Idaho Resident Killer Whale Task Force salmon runs in the Columbia Ba- lineage, such as paternity to an individual, (they and to Washington state Governor sin, particularly the Snake River are) not evidence for tribal affi liation,” Hoskin Jay Inslee. spring run that mostly spawns in said in a news release. small group of killer whales The task force that Inslee cre- Idaho streams. He said later told broadcaster CNN that Native in the Pacifi c Northwest ated in March is fi nishing a report They called for dismantling four Americans need leaders in Washington who un- Afaces extinction unless US spelling out measures needed to hydropower dams in the lower derstand their issues, “not who get in a back and government fi sheries managers recover the famed whale popula- Snake River, which they say ham- forth of name calling.” reverse a decline in their main food tion, which spends the greater per Chinooks’ seasonal migrations Warren asked Trump in a tweet about the $1mn source, Chinook salmon, scientists part of each year pursuing salmon to and from the Pacifi c Ocean. he promised to donate to charity if she proved her said on Monday. along the Pacifi c Coast off Wash- The scientists said salmon Native American ancestry. The orcas there made headlines ington state. restoration is crucial to save “By the way, @realDonaldTrump: Remember this year when one of the group’s The orcas there now number the three pods that make up the saying on 7/5 that you’d give $1M to a charity of last remaining reproductive fe- just 74, a 35-year low. southern resident killer whale my choice if my DNA showed Native American males towed her dead calf for 17 In his executive order estab- population. ancestry? I remember — and here’s the verdict. days in a show of mourning. lishing the task force, Inslee said “Indeed, we believe that sur- Please send the check to the National Indigenous Their population might re- threats to these orcas include a vival and recovery may be impos- Women’s Resource Center,” Warren tweeted. bound if Chinooks are restored in lack of prey — orcas feed mainly on sible to achieve without it,” they In a speech in July, Trump promised War- the Columbia River Basin, the sci- Chinook — waters polluted by tox- wrote. ren the money “if you take the test and it shows entists said in a letter on Monday ins, and disturbance and noise tied A spokeswoman for Inslee said you’re an Indian.” Geoff Notkin, CEO of Aerolite Meteorites Inc, poses with a lunar to a panel tasked with saving the to ship and boat traffi c. he appreciated the input, adding: After initially saying “who cares?” when asked meteorite known as NWA 11789, unoff icially known as ‘Buagaba’ or ‘The so-called southern resident killer In their letter, University of “We will weigh in on the aspects on Monday about Warren’s DNA test results, he Moon Puzzle’, and comprising six fragments that fit together, puzzle- whales. Washington scientist and orca of the recommendations once we said he would only pay her the money if he could like, ahead of the auction of the meteorite by RR Auctions in New York. Dams and habitat destruction activist Dr Deborah Giles and fi ve receive them from the task force.” administer the test himself. have severely cut their numbers co-authors urged the task force The panel’s fi nal report is ex- “That will not be something I enjoy doing ei- in the area, orca advocates and to advise Inslee to take immedi- pected next month. ther,” he added. Women hold key to fi rst major vote of Trump era

By Elodie Cuzin, AFP head to the polls next month. “Female voters are more fl uid, Several charismatic fi gures The term largely describes and mother of four, is determined conservatives to the high court — Washington The ‘Call Your Sister’ initiative more available for either party,” have burst onto the national mostly white, educated, middle- to vote Democratic. where they may have a deciding was launched by organisers of the explained Steven Schier, a politi- scene, including socialist-lean- class women. “With Trump it’s not just that vote on issues like abortion — may women’s march, in which more cal science professor at Carleton ing Democrat Alexandria Oca- While in recent years they of- we diff er in our political views but in turn feel more motivated to obilised for or against than a million people nationwide College in Minnesota. sio-Cortez, a New York congres- ten voted Republican, there are it’s more of a moral, ethical thing,” vote, to give them a better chance Donald Trump, driven took to the streets after Trump’s Strategists from both parties sional candidate. signs suburban moms are aban- said the brunette surrounded by at confi rmation by the Senate. Mby the #MeToo move- January 2017 inauguration. are going all in to draw women For the moment, the over- doning the Grand Old Party and friends. “I just don’t think that Democratic Senator Mazie ment or infuriated by a recent The midterms, the fi rst na- voters to their cause. whelming enthusiasm of the the brash president, leaving sev- he’s a good role model.” Hirono, 70, sat on the panel that divisive Supreme Court confi r- tionwide vote since the bil- Scientists, war veterans, law- female electorate is benefi ting eral Republican-held suburban Democratic congressional heard Blasey Ford’s testimony mation, women voters will play a lionaire businessman won the yers, business leaders, mothers: Democrats. districts in peril. candidates in general hold a sev- and said she anticipates the surge crucial role in upcoming US mid- White House, are “very crucial,” voters have never had as many Alisha Johnson and Nicole Ar- This is not the case for John- en-point advantage over their among women voters will be term elections featuring a record Bearden said. female candidates to choose from chambeau do not know one an- son, a 52-year-old credit un- Republican counterparts, ac- stronger in her camp. number of female candidates. Americans on November 6 until now. other, but live in a district where ion executive with an engaging cording to an October 11 poll ag- “My hope is that the women “Maybe three years ago, I was will pick all 435 members of A record number of women — their votes could prove decisive: smile, who said she identifi es as gregation by website RealClear- in this country are going to stay just a voter. Now I am a voter the House of Representatives 198 Democrats and 59 Republi- a Republican stronghold south Republican and will vote for the Politics. mobilised, they’re going to take who also gives ‘get out the vote’ and just over one third of the cans, according to the Center for of St Paul, Minnesota, where a party come November. The fi erce anger provoked by their anger and be very deter- calls” and canvasses door to door, 100-member Senate. American Women and Politics Democratic challenger is neck Trump “talked about change,” Brett Kavanaugh’s confi rmation mined and focus on the elections Democrat Barbra Bearden, 37, Washington’s full balance of — are on the ballot for seats in and neck with the Republican in- Johnson said. to the Supreme Court this month coming up,” Hirono, the fi rst told AFP. “These are not things power is at stake, as Democrats Congress, whose membership is cumbent. “I’ve seen a positive impact” after personal and compelling woman to represent Hawaii in the that I did prior to Trump.” aim to reclaim the majority in currently about 20% female. Participating in the annual home- on the economy and education, testimony by Christine Blasey Senate, told AFP. The international development Congress and act as a bulwark Women in record numbers are coming parades for their childrens’ she added. Ford, who accused him of sexual “There’s huge energy, huge ex- consultant gathered friends and against the Republican presi- also running for governorships schools in the Mendota Heights “So while I’m not always hap- assault, could play a key role in citement,” added another trail- volunteers at her Washington home dent’s political agenda. and seats in state legislatures. neighbourhood, they belong to an py with the way he says things, I the midterms. blazing female senator, Michi- to make campaign phone calls urg- But such a revolution is impos- Minorities are well represent- ultra-coveted group of persuadable am happy with that outcome.” But Republican women who gan’s Debbie Stabenow. “Women ing women across the country to sible without women ed on the ballot. voters: “suburban moms.” Archambeau, at 48 a teacher support nominating additional are tired of the divisiveness.” Gulf Times 12 Wednesday, October 17, 2018 ASIA

Suspected Mattis says US is alarmed by militants killed in Bangladesh China’s ‘predatory’ practices police raid AFP toes, so we’re going to have to yards of an American destroyer Hanoi fi nd a way to productively man- forcing it to change course. age our relationship,” he said. Mattis also singled out DPA But he highlighted key stick- what he described as “preda- Dhaka he United States is ing points with Beijing, remark- tory economic behaviour” by alarmed by China’s in- ing that the same issues have Beijing “where massive debt Tcreasingly muscular mil- also rattled some of China’s is piled on countries that fi s- wo suspected militants itary presence and “predatory neighbours. cal analysis would say they died during a raid by se- economic practices” towards “We remain highly concerned are going to have diffi culty, at Tcurity forces in a central smaller countries in Asia, de- with continued militarisation best, repaying in the smaller Bangladeshi district, police said fence chief James Mattis has of features in the South China countries”. yesterday. said on his way to the region. Sea,” Mattis said on a fl ight to Sri Lanka famously gave Bei- The chief of police for Bang- Speaking as he fl ew out for Ho Chi Minh City, the former jing a 99-year lease to a deep ladesh’s counterterrorism unit, a diplomatic tour that will capital of the US-backed south- sea port after it was unable to Monirul Islam, said the suspects take him to Vietnam and Sin- ern regime. pay back Chinese loans for the - a man and a woman - are be- gapore, the US Defence Sec- China claims nearly all of the $1.4bn project. lieved to have killed themselves retary said Washington was South China Sea - building a Mattis’s visit comes amid es- by exploding bombs after se- not trying to hold back its growing roster of military in- calating tensions between the US Secretary of Defence Jim Mattis, left, meets Vietnam communist party chief Nguyen Thien Nhan in curity forces cordoned off their Pacifi c rival. stallations on reefs and artifi - two superpowers over trade, Ho Chi Minh City yesterday. hideout in Narsingdi district, “Obviously, we’re not out to cial islands there - even though Beijing’s growing military nearly 50km southeast of the contain China,” he told report- Taiwan, the Philippines, Brunei, might and allegations by the US of dollars in tariff s on Chinese military ties with the United show of strength and a veiled capital Dhaka. ers. “We’d have taken an alto- Malaysia and Vietnam all claim that China is interfering in the imports as he presses Beijing to States amid its ongoing dispute message to Beijing. Islam said the militants are gether diff erent stance had that parts of strategic waterway. American electoral process. change restrictive trade prac- with Beijing in the South China This is Mattis’s second trip to members of a faction of Jamaatul been considered.” Washington regularly con- His visit to China scheduled tices that he says unfairly hurt Sea, which Hanoi says it has his- Vietnam this year after a visit to Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB), a “We’re two large powers, or ducts freedom of navigation ex- for later this month was can- American businesses, prompt- toric rights to. Hanoi in January, and the de- radical Islamist group responsi- two Pacifi c powers, two eco- ercises in the sea and earlier this celled because of those ten- ing fears of a shock to the global In March Vietnam hosted a fence chief is slated to go to a ble for the deadly cafe attack in nomic powers. There’s going to month US defence offi cials said sions. trade system. US aircraft carrier in Danang in former US air base as part of a Dhaka that killed 22 civilians, be times we step on each other’s a Chinese warship sailed within Trump has levied billions Vietnam is eager to bolster what analysts said was a clear dioxin remediation programme. mostly foreign nationals, in July 2016. Acting on information, the police cordoned off the hideout on Monday night and asked the UN special envoy visits Myanmar suspects to surrender, Inspector General of Police Javed Patwary Verdict in graft case told reporters. The security forces entered the militants’ den fi ring gunshots and found two people dead in- side, more than 16 hours after the against Zia on Oct 29 operation began, Patwary said. Police also found a gun and explosives inside the JMB hide- IANS Nationalist Party (BNP) chief involving the Zia Orphan- out, he added. Dhaka by the Anti-Corruption age Trust. In this case, Zia The JMB, blamed for a series Commission (ACC) eight and fi ve others, including her of terrorist attacks in recent years ago. The ACC had ac- elder son Tarique Rahman, years, was banned after syn- Dhaka court will an- cused Zia and three others were accused of embezzling chronized bomb attacks hit 63 nounce its verdict on of embezzling 31.54mn taka over 20mn taka ($253,164) locations in Bangladesh in Au- Aformer prime minister ($397,435) from the Zia Char- from the orphanage trust gust 2005. Khaleda Zia in the Zia Chari- itable Trust. during her 2001-2006 prime Bangladesh launched a se- table Trust corruption case In 2010, the trial began minister term. ries of anti-militant raids in re- on October 29. at a makeshift court inside Zia has reportedly been sponse to the 2016 cafe attack, Judge Md Akhtaruzza- the Old Dhaka jailhouse. facing dozens of cases, in- killing more than 100 suspected man of the Special Court-5 However, Zia skipped cluding fi ve on corruption Islamists in more than two years. in Dhaka fi xed the date after court appearances citing charges and 15 for master- Earlier, at night, the district rejecting the petition fi led her illness, prompting the minding violence during their administration imposed section UN Special Envoy for Myanmar Christine Schraner Burgener, left, accompanied by local off icials by Zia’s lawyer seeking ad- judge to proceed with the anti-government movement 144 in the area surrounding both meets with people confined at the Thet Kel Pyin, internal displacement camps in Sittwe, Rakhine journment of the hearing of trial in the absence of the since 2014. of the buildings. state of Myanmar, yesterday. Tens of thousands of people from Rakhine’s Rohingya Muslims and the graft case, bdnews24.com key suspect. Zia has often said that The police also detained Md Buddhist communities ended up in internal displacement camps after sectarian violence ripped reported. She was sentenced to fi ve political vendettas were to Nazmul for allegedly renting his the impoverished region apart five years ago. The case was fi led against years in prison on Febru- blame for the cases against Bhogiratpur apartment to a sus- the opposition Bangladesh ary 8 in a separate graft case her and her son. pected militant. Nepal to repatriate S Koreans killed on remote mountain

AFP the expedition - scattered over triggered an avalanche that will be able to piece together Kathmandu 500m (1,640ft). killed 18 people at Mount Ever- why the freak accident was so All nine bodies were retrieved est’s base camp. deadly, claiming the lives of from the remote location in the Mount Gurja, a rarely- everyone at the base camp. he bodies of fi ve South Dhaulagiri mountain range on climbed peak last summited Dan Richards of US-based Korean climbers killed Sunday, more than 24 hours in 1996, lacks the level of in- Global Rescue, which helped Tin one of the deadliest after the only surviving team frastructure on Mount Ever- to retrieve the bodies, said mountaineering accidents to member - who was in a village est, which sees hundreds of it was unlike anything he hit Nepal in recent years were a day’s walk away - raised the climbers reach the top each had seen in 14 years assist- due to be fl own home yesterday, alarm. year. ing with mountain rescue an offi cial said. “The remains of the fi ve The isolated location of the operations. The South Koreans, led by foreign climbers will be fl own 7,193m peak complicated the “We are still scratching our record-holding climber Kim home from Nepal this evening,” retrieval mission. heads trying to fi gure out what Chang-ho, were on remote said Shiv Pokharel, an offi cial But it was also likely a draw happened to these experienced Mount Gurja when their camp with South Korea’s embassy in for Kim. The veteran moun- mountain climbers,” he said. was hit by a sudden, power- Kathmandu. taineer had turned his sights Thousands of climbers fl ock ful gust most likely caused by “The postmortem has been to climbing lesser-known to Nepal each year - home to a powerful downblast from an completed... but the results will peaks after summiting all 14 eight of the world’s 14 high- avalanche. take about a week,” he added. of the world’s highest moun- est peaks - creating a lucrative The massive impact left the It was Nepal’s worst moun- tains - the fi rst South Korean to mountain tourism industry bodies of the climbers - and taineering accident since 2015, achieve the feat. that is a vital source of cash for People look at the wreckage of a crashed military plane at a field in Magway yesterday. those of four Nepali guides with when a powerful earthquake It is unclear if investigators the impoverished country. Thailand leader defends social Two Myanmar jet media presence after backlash pilots, girl killed AFP A 10-year-old girl, who was a delegation of lawmakers paid DPA his pages with comments, advantage of its position in months due to the repeated Yangon studying at home, was hit by a their respects to the girl’s family, Bangkok most of which are negative. power to gain support for the election delays and various piece of the plane after it struck Kyaw Swan Yee said. “It’s normal for people to upcoming general elections, corruption allegations. the tower, lawmaker Kyaw Swan The crashes are the latest avi- both commend me and tentatively set for February A nationwide vote is required wo Myanmar fi ghter pi- Yee from nearby Min Buu town ation catastrophes to blight the Thai Prime Minister and junta criticise me,” Prayut told a 2019, while other parties are to take place by May and senior lots were killed in sepa- said. country’s air force. leader Prayut Chan-o-cha weekly press conference still barred from campaigning. military leaders have floated a Trate crashes due to heavy “She died after arriving at In April, an F-7 pilot died after yesterday defended his new at Government House in Promising to rid the country February 24 election date. fog yesterday, offi cials said, with hospital,” he said. his jet crashed due to a technical social media presence ahead Bangkok yesterday right after of corruption and restore However, a new constitution the debris from one of the planes In the other incident - which failure. of the 2019 general elections, posting a selfie with the cave political stability following written by the generals will killing a young girl in her home. occurred just 16km away - the In June last year, a Chinese- despite backlash. boys, who had just come back months of massive street see it asserting a strong Poor visibility caused one F-7 pilot managed to eject from his built Shaanxi Y8 carrying mili- Just two days after Prayut from their first overseas trips demonstrations against the influence over any future jet to fl y into a telecommunica- plane but was killed when he tary personnel and their families launched his off icial Facebook, to Argentina and the United last administration, the junta civilian governments with tions tower near Magway air hit the ground according to the plunged into the Andaman sea Twitter and Instagram States. has postponed the election at a junta-appointed upper force base more than 500km offi cial. after taking off , killing 122 people, accounts for the first time Prayut’s remarks come least four times, saying it has house and a provision that northwest of Yangon, an air The pilots were named as 15 of whom were children. since coming to power in a amid increasing outcry from yet to complete its reforms. administrations must stick to force offi cial said. Captain Hein Thu Aung and The F-7 is a Cold War-era May 2014 coup, more than political parties and dissenters The junta’s popularity has their “national strategy” for “He had no time to eject,” said Captain Phyo Maung Maung, fi ghter jet - a Chinese made 100,000 people have flooded that the junta is unfairly taking been in sharp decline in recent the next 20 years. the offi cial, who did not want to both in their thirties. variant of the Soviet Union’s be named. Magway’s chief minister and MiG-21. Gulf Times Wednesday, October 17, 2018 13 ASIA/AUSTRALASIA Indonesia arrests nine in Lippo Group corruption investigation

Reuters day, the Corruption Eradication project to date and is meant to after detained Lippo employees been intended as bribe money, corruption principles, we will government agencies in the issu- Jakarta Commission (KPK) arrested two be a centre for the automotive said they had been acting on his Syarif said. Neither Sindoro not hesitate to strictly sanction ance of its permits, made it more Lippo Group consultants and and electronic industries, while instructions to bribe a top dis- nor Yasin could immediately be anyone found guilty according to vulnerable to corruption and the an employee accused of trying including fi ve-star hotels, shop- trict government offi cial. Syarif reached for comment through employment law,” counsel Denny KPK suspected there have been ndonesia’s anti-corruption to pay off city offi cials to obtain ping malls and universities. identifi ed that offi cial as Neneng their lawyers. Indrayana said in yesterday’s other instances of bribery, Syarif agency has arrested nine property permits for Meikarta, Shares in Lippo Group’s Lippo Hasanah Yasin, who is the regent A lawyer for Meikarta said statement. said. Sindoro was convicted in Ipeople, including a top dis- KPK chairman Laode Muham- Cikarang, a parent company for for West Java’s Bekasi area where there was no tolerance for cor- The anti-graft agency has 2009 for bribing an offi cial at the trict government offi cial and a mad Syarif told a news confer- Meikarta, dropped almost 15% the Meikarta project is located, ruption and pledged to col- given limited details of the others anti-monopoly agency to obtain company director, in a bribery ence late on Monday. after the news and ended down saying he was also arrested. laborate with KPK investigators. arrested in connection with the broadcasting rights for the Eng- investigation linked to the Lippo Costing $21bn and billed 13.36% yesterday. Syarif told re- Through the sting opera- Meikarta would also conduct investigation but four of them are lish Premier League. Group’s $21bn Meikarta real es- as the “Shenzhen of Indone- porters that Lippo director Billy tion, investigators had confi s- its own internal investigation. civil servants, the agency said. He was then president of First tate project near Jakarta. sia”, after the booming Chinese Sindoro was arrested and named cated 513mn rupiah ($33,772) “In the event we fi nd that there The complexity of the Meikarta Media, another unit of the Lippo In a sting operation on Sun- city, Meikarta is Lippo’s largest as the prime suspect in the case and S$90,000 ($65,378) that had was deviation from our anti- project, involving numerous Group.

Mongolia invites Koreas hold discussions Kim on state visit

AFP Mongolia had offered to Ulaanbaatar host Trump and Kim for their landmark summit in June, but they ended up picking Singa- ongolia has invited Kim pore, where they agreed to a on demilitarising border Jong-un to visit the na- vaguely-worded statement on Mtion’s capital, which denuclearisation of the Korean AFP once hoped to host the historic peninsula. Seoul summit between the North Ko- Trump said last week that rean leader and US President three or four unspecifi ed loca- Donald Trump, an offi cial said tions have been short-listed for he two Koreas and the US- yesterday. their next meeting, but it would led United Nations Com- The invitation comes amid ex- “probably” not be in Singapore Tmand held talks yesterday pectations that Kim and Trump, again, and he did not give a date. on demilitarising a section of the who met in Singapore in June, Kim’s only other known for- heavily fortifi ed border dividing will hold a second summit – a eign trips since taking power in the peninsula, as a diplomatic time and location for which have 2011 was three visits to China thaw gathers pace. yet to be determined. this year. He has also met South “The three parties examined According to Mongolian Pres- Korean President Moon Jae-in the progress in removing land- ident Khaltmaa Battulga’s offi ce, at the Demilitarized Zone sepa- mines at the Joint Security Area the invitation was sent to Kim on rating their countries, where (JSA) ... and discussed other October 10, though no specifi c he momentarily crossed into practical matters regarding steps date was proposed. Pyongyang’s southern neigh- toward disarming the area,” The North Korean leader can bour. Seoul’s defence ministry said in a visit “whenever he feels conven- Mongolia, a democratic na- statement. ient”, an offi cial from the presi- tion wedged between China and The JSA, also known as the dent’s offi ce told AFP, confi rm- Russia, is one of the few coun- truce village of Panmunjom, is ing a report published Monday tries that has normal relations the only spot along the tense, by North Korea’s KCNA state with the authoritarian regime in 250-km frontier where troops news service. North Korea. from the two countries stand face to face. North releases South Korean It was a designated neutral zone until the “axe murder inci- North Korea released a South Korean who illegally crossed the border dent” in 1976, when North Kore- into the North, South Korea’s Unification Ministry said yesterday, as an soldiers attacked a work party relations between the two sides show a steady thaw. A 60-year-old trying to chop down a tree inside United Nations Command, South Korean and North Korean military off icers attend a meeting at the Truce Village of Panmunjom in the Demili- man who entered North Korea last month was repatriated through the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), tarized Zone, South Korea. the truce village of Panmunjom in the demilitarised zone, the ministry leaving two US army offi cers said. All South Korean nationals are required to seek approval from the dead. South and North Korea — which is now often used for talks ment takes hold on the peninsula. ber. Yesterday’s talks were the he supported initiatives that ministry before contacting North Koreans or travelling to the North. which are technically still at war between the two Koreas — as part Moon has advocated engagement fi rst meeting of a trilateral JSA could reduce military tensions. The ministry said it was investigating how and why the man reached — agreed to take measures to ease of the deal, and are due to with- with the isolated North to nudge commission made up of the two But he added that as commander the North, thanking Pyongyang for returning him “from a humanitarian military tensions on their border draw “unnecessary” surveillance it toward denuclearisation. During Koreas and the UN Command, of the combined US-South Kore- standpoint”. North and South Korea are technically still at war because at a meeting in Pyongyang last equipment once the landmine his summit with Kim last month, which is included as it retains ju- an forces —one of his other roles their 1950-53 conflict ended in a truce, not a peace treaty, but relations month between President Moon work is completed. the two men also agreed to remove risdiction over the southern half — he felt there was a “reasonable have warmed with a third summit last month and North Korea’s pledge Jae-in and Kim Jong-un. Earlier The September summit was the some guard posts at the border by of the JSA. Its chief, US general degree of risk” in Seoul’s plans to to denuclearise. The two sides held their first three-way talks with the this month, the two sides began third this year between the lead- the end of the year and to halt mili- Vincent Brooks, told reporters in dismantle guard posts near the United Nations Command yesterday to discuss ways to demilitarise the removing landmines at the JSA — ers as a remarkable rapproche- tary drills in the area from Novem- August that as UN commander DMZ. border as they push for peace. China rolls out PR push Australia govt blames admin on Muslim internments error for ‘okay to be white’ vote AFP rily for “vocational education” fending China’s actions in Xin- Beijing in a bid to halt separatist senti- jiang, where riots and attacks ments and religious extremism. led to hundreds of deaths in re- AFP by populist fi rebrand Pauline ators’ actions in the Senate this motion opposing racism”. Treas- In a rare interview with cent years. Sydney Hanson and railed against what it afternoon confi rm that the Gov- urer Mathias Cormann, who is hina yesterday issued an China’s offi cial Xinhua news Op-eds by Chinese diplo- described as “the deplorable rise ernment deplores racism of any the head of government business ardent defence of the al- service published yesterday, mats have appeared in newspa- of anti-white racism.” The mo- kind.” The vote in favour of what in the Senate, also tried to walk Cleged mass internment the chairman of Xinjiang’s gov- pers around the world, arguing mbarrassed offi cials tion was narrowly defeated 31-28, many see as a white supremacist back the move. of minorities in its far west ernment, Shohrat Zakir, de- that the programme is an eff ec- scrambled yesterday to with several government minis- slogan sparked a furious backlash “Yesterday, as a result of an Xinjiang region, with a regional fended the use of the centres, tive means of eliminating the Eexplain how members of ters voting in favour, including its and demands for the resignations administrative process failure, offi cial insisting that authori- saying that the region was now threat posed to the region by Australia’s conservative govern- top offi cial for indigenous airs.aff of ministers who backed the mo- the government senators in the ties are preventing terrorism “safe and stable”. The offi cial religious extremism. ment backed a parliamentary It emerged yesterday that Attor- tion. chamber ended up, on advice, through “vocational educa- did not say how many people An editorial in the nation- motion declaring “it is okay to be ney General Christian Porter had Yesterday, Porter issued a voting in support of the motion,” tion” centres. were being held in the centres. alist tabloid the Global Times white”, blaming the decision on issued instructions to senators statement saying he had not been he said. Beijing has sought to counter “Through vocational training, warned foreign governments an “administrative process fail- from the governing Liberal party aware of an e-mail sent by his of- “I’m sorry that happened. a global outcry against the fa- most trainees have been able to yesterday not to meddle in Xin- ure”. to back Hanson’s motion. fi ce advising senators to back the This is indeed regrettable... It cilities with a series of op-eds refl ect on their mistakes and see jiang’s aff airs. “Obviously vo- The resolution, tabled in the Following the vote, Porter motion, which he said had been slipped through. It shouldn’t and interviews and a roll out of clearly the essence and harm of cational education is a periodic Senate on Monday, was drafted tweeted, “The Government Sen- “interpreted in my offi ce as a have,” he said. new regulations that retroac- terrorism and religious extrem- and temporary plan aimed at tively codify the use of a system ism,” he said. eradicating extremism,” it said, of extra-judicial “reeducation” Zakir said the facilities were adding that criticism was “just Harry, Meghan get camps in Xinjiang. intended to improve job skills messing up the whole thing Up to 1mn ethnic Uighurs and Mandarin abilities among and creating a narrative against baby gifts in Sydney and other mostly Muslim Tur- minorities with “a limited com- China.” kic minorities are believed to be mand of the country’s common Taking to Twitter — a social British royals Harry and Meghan held in such centres, according language and a limited sense media platform that is blocked received copious baby gifts, met to estimates cited by a United and knowledge of the law.” in China — the paper’s editor- a koala couple and posed in front Nations panel. Former inmates Those who struggled to fi nd in-chief Hu Xijin said offi cials of Sydney’s dazzling Opera House have said they found them- work as a result, he added, were had told him the fi gures for the yesterday, on their first public outing selves incarcerated for trans- “vulnerable to the instigation number of people in “voca- since announcing they are to become gressions such as wearing long and coercion of terrorism and tional education” were “much parents. The happy prince and his beards and face veils or shar- extremism.” He said that the fewer than the ‘1 million or US-born wife laughed and smiled as ing Islamic holiday greetings “free” programmes were lim- so’ speculated by the outside they were inundated with gifts – a on social media, a process that ited in duration, and “trainees” world.” pair of Australian baby Ugg boots, echoes the decades of brutal signed a contract with the cen- “Chinese offi cials didn’t re- baby blankets, toy kangaroos and thought reform under Mao Ze- tres that laid out a clear plan of veal the true number to avoid joeys – watched eucalyptus-munching dong. study and included a stipend. falling into the stats trap, giving koalas at the zoo and took a boat ride The programme has come Asked about the future of the Western media another excuse across Sydney Harbour at the start of under increasing fi re from the programmes, Zakir said “some to hype up the issue,” he added. a lengthy tour of the Pacific. “We genu- international community, re- trainees” were “expected to The positive image of the inely couldn’t think of a better place ceiving particular censure from complete their courses suc- centres portrayed in the PR to announce the, err, upcoming baby... the United States and the UN cessfully by the end of this drive is belied by testimonies a boy or a girl,” said a hesitant Harry, Committee on the Elimination year.” from former detainees who de- as he toasted his Sydney “mates” and of Racial Discrimination. Zakir’s claims “fl y in the face scribe harsh treatment in the lauded an afternoon reception for Chinese authorities initially of all available evidence and are facilities. serving both tea and beer “in true Aus- denied the existence of the fa- an insult to both those suff ering Large numbers of families sie style”. Meghan wore a tight white cilities. But they have changed in the camps and the families of outside of China say their rela- dress by Australian designer Karen their tune as satellite imagery those missing,” said Amnesty tives in Xinjiang were spirited Gee and showed few signs of having and documents issued by their International China researcher away by police never to be heard a baby bump, to the mild disappoint- own government have made Patrick Poon. “No amount of from again. ment of onlooking fans. This couple that position untenable. spin can hide the fact that the Critics have warned that are on a 16-day tour of Australia, In recent weeks the story has Chinese authorities are under- mass incarcerations and forced New Zealand, Fiji and Tonga that had shifted from outright dismissal taking a campaign of systematic cultural assimilation of China’s already been keenly watched but is to acknowledgement that the repression.” western Muslim minorities risk now set to be a media frenzy that may Britain’s Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, and his wife Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, are seen camps exist, with the caveat Chinese offi cials and state further infl aming and perpetu- test Australia’s large contingent of meeting Ruby, a mother koala who gave birth to koala joey Meghan, named after the Duchess, with a that they are being used prima- media have spent weeks de- ating separatist anger. royal-sceptic republicans. second joey named Harry, during a visit to Taronga Zoo in Sydney, Australia. Gulf Times 14 Wednesday, October 17, 2018 BRITAIN/IRELAND May calls for unity on Brexit Reuters sels for a summit, May is keen fallback plan to prevent a return stand fi rm we can achieve this.” London/Luxembourg to show that she has her cabi- to a hard border between North- He said that ministers had net’s support after facing pres- ern Ireland and EU-member Ire- shared their concerns over the sure from some members of her land. backstop, playing down a “pizza ritish Prime Minister Conservative Party and the EU to German Chancellor Angela summit” attended by eight of Theresa May told her min- change tack on Brexit, Britain’s Merkel said the eff orts to find them late on Monday to discuss Bisters yesterday that they biggest policy shift in more than agreement were like “squaring Brexit and whether to back May’s would secure a Brexit deal if they 40 years. the circle”. strategy. stood together, calling for a show However, she will face de- Less than six months before The meeting had prompted of unity to silence those press- mands in the Belgian capital to Britain is due to leave, the im- some reports of possible resigna- ing her to rethink her strategy for come up with new ideas to break passe has increased the possibili- tions. leaving the European Union. a deadlock in the Brexit talks over ty of a “no deal” Brexit that could Asked whether any minister A day before heading to Brus- the so-called Irish backstop, a potentially disrupt trade, delay indicated they might be consid- movement of goods and starve ering resigning, he replied: “They the world’s fi fth largest economy did not.” of investment. Both sides say much of the May’s spokesman said the withdrawal agreement, which cabinet had held “a very detailed sets the divorce terms for Brit- and thorough discussion” on ain’s departure, has been agreed, the border issue, with the team but there are still outstanding is- united in rejecting any deal that sues, mostly on the backstop. would split the United Kingdom The EU has stuck to its position and might “trap” Britain in the – a backstop to prevent a return An Anti EU, pro-Brexit mobile billboard, criticising May’s ‘Chequers’ deal, is driven around the streets of backstop indefi nitely. to a hard border between North- Westminster in London. “The PM said there will no ern Ireland and Ireland cannot be doubt be challenging moments time-limited and cannot include on Brexit, but that she is looking nism to clearly defi ne how that ment with Britain had to be “or- ahead, that is in the nature of the whole of the United Kingdom forward to meeting Tusk. backstop will end”. derly for everyone and all the negotiations. She said she is remaining in the customs union. Under pressure from lawmak- But while many in the EU were subjects, including Ireland”. committed to securing a Brexit European Council President ers in her Conservative Party and nervous about the lack of any In Dublin, Irish Prime Min- that delivers on the referendum Donald Tusk said he would ask from her parliamentary partners, deal yet, others said progress ister Leo Varadkar said that he result, safeguards jobs and se- May at today’s summit whether Northern Ireland’s Democratic could still be made. still believed a positive outcome curity, and which preserves our she had any new proposals to Unionist Party (DUP), to hold The EU’s chief negotiator was possible, but added: “I am union,” her spokesman told re- break the impasse. fi rm, May must try to convince Michel Barnier said both sides disappointed and concerned ... it porters. “For a breakthrough to take her critics that she can deliver on would work “calmly and seri- has not been possible to make the Quoting May directly, he said place, besides goodwill, we need the backstop. ously” in the coming weeks to try decisive progress we so urgently the premier told her ministers: new facts,” he said. Her spokesman said ministers to reach agreement on the back- need. The gaps between the po- May: I am convinced that if we as a government stand together and “I am convinced that if we as a May’s spokesman said she had discussed one possible way stop. sitions are signifi cant and time is stand firm we can achieve this. government stand together and had already set out her position out of the stand-off – “a mecha- He said the withdrawal agree- running out.”

Hawking’s fi nal book off ers brief answers to big questions ‘Too easy’ to groom

AFP „ Will we survive on Earth? their infl uence and genes. children as drug London „ Is there other intelligent life He says that in the next 50 in the universe? years, we will come to under- „ Should we colonise space? stand how life began and possibly mules: ex-gangster tephen Hawking’s fi nal „ Will artifi cial intelligence discover whether life exists else- work, which tackles issues outsmart us? where in the universe. Sfrom the existence of God „ How do we shape the future? “He was deeply worried that By Kieran Guilbert, Reuters lice bosses announced yester- to the potential for time travel, In his book, Hawking says hu- at a time when the challenges London day. was launched on Monday by his mans have no option but to leave are global, we were becoming in- And in a landmark case this children, who helped complete Earth, risking being “annihilat- creasingly local in our thinking,” month, 21-year-old Zaka- the book after the British astro- ed” if they do not. Lucy Hawking said. “It’s a call to former gang leader who ria Mohamed was jailed for 14 physics giant’s death. He says computers will over- unity, to humanity, to bring our- once recruited teenag- years under Britain’s world- Hawking was forever be- take humans in intelligence dur- selves back together and really Aers as drug mules has leading anti-slavery legislation ing asked the same things and ing the next 100 years, but “we face up to the challenges in front said that it is “too easy” for for using three children to deal started work on Brief Answers to will need to ensure that the com- of us.” criminals to groom children drugs. the Big Questions last year – but puters have goals aligned with In his fi nal academic paper, into the trade, a growing form In Britain, 2,118 children did not fi nish it before he died in ours”. Hawking shed new light on black of modern-day slavery in Brit- suspected to have been traf- March, aged 76. The son and daughter of late scientist Stephen Hawking, Timothy Hawking says the human race holes and the information para- ain. fi cked were referred to the gov- It has been completed by the (left) and Lucy Hawking (second left), watch a presentation at the had to improve its mental and dox, with new work calculating The promise of quick cash, ernment last year, up 66% on theoretical physicist’s family and global launch of Hawking’s final book Brief Answers to the Brief physical qualities, but a geneti- the entropy of black holes. the lure of gangster life, and a 2016 and the highest annual academic colleagues, with mate- Questions at the Science Museum in London. cally-modifi ed race of superhu- Turned into an animation lack of alternatives leave many number on record. rial drawn from his vast personal mans, say with greater memory narrated by Hawking’s artifi cial children prey to criminals who About one-third were Brit- archive. Hawking, who was wheelchair trophysics and prompted people and disease resistance, would voice, it was shown at the book traffi c them to transport drugs ish and many were used as drug “He was regularly asked a set bound due to motor neurone dis- into asking the mastermind his imperil the others. launch. around the country, said Mat- runners, offi cial data shows. of questions,” his daughter Lucy ease, dedicated his life’s work to thoughts on broader topics, an- He says that by the time people “It was very emotional. I thew Norford, who was jailed “Some children are selling Hawking said at the Science Mu- unravelling the mysteries of the swered in his fi nal work. realise what is happening with turned away because I had tears several times for serious drug drugs because their parents are seum in London. universe. The 10 questions Hawking climate change, it may be too forming,” Lucy Hawking told off ences. in debt,” Norford said. The book was an attempt to The cosmologist was propelled tackles are: late. AFP on hearing her father’s voice “Many want to be gangsters “Neither their families or the “bring together the most defi ni- to stardom by his 1988 book A „ Is there a God? Hawking says the simplest again. “It feels sometimes like ... you give them attention and government are doing enough tive, clearest, most authentic an- Brief History of Time, an unlikely „ How did it all begin? explanation is that God does he’s still here because we talk a nickname, tell them school is to stop this,” he added, calling swers that he gave”. worldwide bestseller. „ What is inside a black hole? not exist and there is no reliable about him and hear his voice – crap, and brag about the mon- for more education and after- “We all just wish he has here to It won over fans from far be- „ Can we predict the future? evidence for an afterlife, though and then we have the reminder ey you make and how much school opportunities including see it.” yond the rarefi ed world of as- „ Is time travel possible? people could live on through that he’s left us.” they could earn,” said Norford, sports. who turned his back on crime Police chiefs said that the in 2011 after his brother was “concerning” number of young stabbed to death. people involved in county lines “The kids know who you are, meant the trade could not be they look up to you and wor- stopped by law enforcement Convicted paedophile on trial for 1986 Brighton murders ship you,” the 35-year-old told alone, and that community- the Thomson Reuters Founda- wide eff orts were key. tion ahead of Britain’s Anti- “We work with schools, By Ben Quinn Bishop, who was 20 at the time Altman warned that jurors Slavery Day on October 18. charities and community Guardian News & Media of the killings, denies murder would hear from “a variety of “It’s all too easy.” schemes to educate young charges. people who witnessed tiny as- Norford now runs 1 Message, people and explain why dealing A major part of the investiga- pects of an otherwise unevent- a youth mentoring programme drugs is never the right choice,” paedophile who was ac- tion has involved re-evaluating ful Thursday evening in October that aims to help young peo- a National Police Chiefs’ quitted of killing two scientifi c work performed for the 1986, who did not know then that ple escape gang life and runs Council spokesman said. “This Anine-year-old girls more 1987 trial using modern tech- they would be asked about it in a community projects and work- early intervention plays a vi- than three decades ago is on trial niques. criminal proceedings then, let shops in schools educating pu- tally important role in stopping again due to scientifi c advances DNA profi ling was available alone over 30 years later”. pils about crime. young people from turning to a in forensics and evidence from then but was in its infancy. Jurors will be shown images Thousands of children – life of crime.” the 1987 court case, the Old Bai- The court of appeal has of the girls’ bodies as they were some as young as 12 – are es- Britain recently announced ley has been told. quashed the acquittals due to discovered in a clearing in the timated to be used by gangs to a £2mn ($2.6mn) scheme to The court heard that Rus- fresh evidence, meaning that woods. carry drugs between cities and help authorities save vulner- sell Bishop sexually assaulted Bishop can be prosecuted again. The images will show that rural areas in Britain, according able children from gangs and and strangled Nicola Fellows Brian Altman QC, for the pros- Karen Hadaway and Nicola Fellows, who were killed in October, 1986. Bishop knew important details to the National Crime Agency traffi ckers who rape them and and Karen Hadaway to death on ecution, said the case against about the situation and condi- (NCA). force them to transport drugs. October 9, 1986 in woods near Bishop did not rely solely on the Whitehawk area of the city. that the defendant was responsi- tion of the girls at the scene that Police forces have seen a Norford said that the best where they lived in Brighton. scientifi c evidence, but on his She survived and identifi ed ble also for the murders of Nicola only the killer could have known, rise in the exploitation of and way to prevent children falling The girls’ families, including movements and actions and what Bishop as her attacker, the jury and Karen a few years earlier.” Altman said. violence towards children, and into the drug trade is to ham- Karen’s mother, Michelle Hada- he said to police. was told. The jury, which will visit Nicola and Karen were friends say they have identifi ed about mer home the harsh reality of way, were in court for the start of This included telling “signifi - This, with scientifi c and other Moulsecoomb, East Sussex, were despite attending diff erent 1,500 criminal operations in crime. the trial. cant lies” to police at the time, evidence, led to his conviction in warned about the challenges schools, and had gone out to play the so-called “county lines” “I tell kids to read my name, The court was told that Bishop he said. December 1990. of hearing evidence relating to after school on October 9. drug trade – a number which look me up online and see what was arrested in 1986, charged and Bishop returned to live in the Altman said: “We say that the events 30 years ago. They lived on the same street has more than doubled over the I did,” he said. “I keep chipping tried for the murders in 1987 but Brighton area after his acquittal, similarities between the events The crime scene and sur- in Moulsecoomb, on the north- last year. away at them – I tell them I was was acquitted. but less than three years later, in of which he was convicted in rounding areas have changed ern outskirts of the city. More than 200 people have a muppet who hurt too many The case was never closed and February 1990, committed of- 1990 and those in 1986 are such considerably, not least as a result Their bodies were found in been arrested and 58 rescued – people ... that it wasn’t cool.” has become the largest and long- fences involving the attempted that, together with all the other of the great storm that tore across dense woodland half a mile from including a number of children “Gangs destroy young lives est inquiry in the history of Sus- murder, kidnapping and indecent evidence in the case, they can the south coast a year after the their homes. – in a week-long nationwide by dragging them into vio- sex police. assault of a seven-year-old girl in lead you to the sure conclusion murders. The trial continues. crackdown on drug gangs, po- lence.”

UK food establishments throw away 320mn fresh meals a year, data shows

By Rebecca Smithers restaurants, cafes and other ea- ingly aware of the food wasted ers to “rescue” surplus meals at shops or our own homes, we group Love Food Hate Waste cited as a major cause of waste. Guardian News & Media teries. in their homes and by supermar- a discounted price – is calling on don’t think twice about throwing comes as a new survey revealed That includes 290mn litres of This means that more than kets, waste by restaurants is still more food businesses and con- away perfectly good food.” that half the UK population milk poured down the sink every 320mn meals are thrown away by largely overlooked. sumers to join forces to help cut Separately, Britons are being do not realise that their fridge day. lmost 900,000 perfectly British food establishments eve- Figures from the government’s waste. urged to help cut their food waste should be set at below 5° Celsius In a fridge set at the right tem- edible, freshly-prepared ry year – enough meals for eve- food waste advisory body Wrap “No one leaves the lights on at home by setting their fridges to maximise its effi ciency. perature, milk – the country’s Ameals end up in the bin in ryone in the UK fi ve times over, state that the problem costs UK when they leave the house,” said to a colder temperature to make According to offi cial fi gures third most wasted food product the United Kingdom every day, according to food waste app Too businesses over £2.5mn every Hayley Conick, UK managing di- fresh milk and other chilled foods from Wrap, £15bn worth of edible after bread and potatoes – and new fi gures reveal, because they Good To Go. week. rector at Too Good To Go. “Yet, last longer. food is binned by UK households other fresh foods can last three have not been sold in time by While consumers are increas- The app – which allows us- whether it’s in restaurants, food The advice from campaign every year, with incorrect storage days longer. Gulf Times Wednesday, October 17, 2018 15 EUROPE

Top US senators Investigators searched for vow action over ‘toxic materials’: Erdogan Khashoggi debacle From Page 1 Saudi Arabia at this time, nor will z Pompeo meets Saudi leaders, to hold talks with Turkish off icials today “I don’t care how much money I support US assistance for the it is, there isn’t enough money in Saudi-led war in Yemen.” z Call for lifting of immunity of off icials who might be involved in writer’s disappearance the world to purchase back our “The United States must send credibility on human rights and a message that this killing will z Turkish FM says investigators could interview Saudi consulate off icials the way nations should conduct not go unpunished,” she said in a themselves,” he added. statement. Agencies tigation into Khashoggi’s disap- “This is a fear we’ve had for Any initiative taken by the Istanbul/Riyadh pearance to include the residence a long time... that the crown US Congress would have to wait of the Saudi consul and some ve- prince is a young and aggressive until the November 6 elections, hicles. guy that would overestimate how however, as both chambers are urkish President Recep However, offi cers later said much room he had to do things.” on recess until then. Tayyip Erdogan indicated Turkish police would not search Congress “will act” in a Last week, top senators - in- Tthat parts of the Saudi con- the consul’s residence yesterday. way that will likely alter the cluding Rubio and Graham - sent sulate in Istanbul had been re- The search was called off for the US-Saudi relationship for the a letter compelling the White painted since Jamal Khashoggi’s day because Saudi offi cials were foreseeable future, Rubio as- House to report to Congress disappearance. not able to join, the police said. serted. within 120 days with a deter- “The investigation is looking Cavusoglu also said offi cials “What those specifi c meas- mination about whether human into many things such as toxic ma- investigating the Khashoggi case ures are obviously is going to be rights abuses had occurred, and terials and those materials being might ask for testimony from staff up for debate, but they will be whether sanctions should be ap- removed by painting them over,” at the Saudi consulate in Istan- strong and meaningful,” he add- plied. Erdogan told reporters. bul if deemed necessary but that ed, saying he expected the ad- Congress has the power to A Turkish security source said no restrictions on travel had been ministration would “follow suit”. temporarily block major arms the search of the consulate pro- placed on the kingdom’s diplomats Dianne Feinstein, a Democrat deals, and several senators sig- vided “strong evidence” but no in Turkey. from California, vowed to “not nalled they would consider do- conclusive proof that Khashoggi He told reporters at a press con- vote to support any arms sale to ing so. was killed there. “However, there Turkish forensic police off icers arriving for investigation at the residence of the Saudi consul in Istanbul, ference in Ankara that US coun- are some fi ndings and they are be- yesterday, the day after Turkish police and prosecutors searched the Saudi embassy after Riyadh gave the terpart Pompeo would share any ing worked on,” he said. green-light amid global uproar over the disappearance of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi since October 2. information gathered regarding The source also confi rmed that Khashoggi’s disappearance with Saudi consul-general Mohamed backed a “thorough probe”, as Sec- tweeted that he had telephoned gation of Jamal Khashoggi’s dis- Turkish offi cials. al-Otaibi left Istanbul yesterday, retary of State Mike Pompeo paid a and that the 33-year-old heir ap- appearance”, State Department Meanwhile, Dutch Finance returning to Riyadh, before his trip to the Gulf state. parent denied any knowledge of spokeswoman Heather Nauert Minister Wopke Hoekstra said residence was set to be searched. President Donald Trump dis- what took place in the consulate. said. yesterday that he would most like- The source added that the Turk- patched the top US diplomat on an The crown prince “told me that On the other hand, there have ly not attend the upcoming invest- ish authorities had not asked him urgent mission to Riyadh to defuse he has already started, and will been sharp words targeting the ment conference in Saudi Arabia. to go. “He wanted to leave”. the crisis over Khashoggi. rapidly expand, a full and complete crown prince,from US senators on Hoekstra told the Dutch parlia- The UN human rights chief Turkish offi cials say Khashoggi, investigation into this matter. An- both the Republican and Demo- ment that if there is no clarifi ca- called yesterday for the lifting who lived in the US and contrib- swers will be forthcoming shortly,” cratic sides, amid calls for Congress tion from Riyadh about what hap- of the immunity of offi cials who uted to The Washington Post, was Trump wrote. to halt US arms sales to the kingdom. pened to Khashoggi. “it is unlikely might be involved in Khashoggi’s killed inside the consulate. Trump’s remarks contradict re- The Turkish authorities I will go.” He added, “I will follow disappearance. Pompeo will speak to Turkish ports by CNN and The Wall Street stepped up their investigation into developments and take a decision Due to the seriousness of the leaders in Ankara today, the two Journal that Saudi Arabia was Khashoggi’s disappearance, with at the end of this week.” case, the immunity generally ac- countries said. weighing admitting the killing but police searching the Saudi consu- The conference, dubbed “Davos corded to diplomats “should be Pompeo met in Riyadh with the characterising the death as an un- late for eight hours into yesterday in the Desert” and scheduled to waived immediately”, Michelle top leadership of Saudi Arabia, in- intended mistake. morning, taking a sample of the take place in Riyadh next week, has Bachelet said. cluding King Salman and Crown Meeting King Salman, Pompeo garden soil. been hit by a string of prominent Meanwhile, the US yesterday Prince Mohamed bin Salman. “thanked the king for his commit- Turkish Foreign Minister Mev- cancellations and withdrawals. Senator Lindsey Graham pledged yesterday that Congress would take said Saudi Arabia denied that the As Pompeo yesterday met the ment to supporting a thorough, lut Cavusoglu said his country’s Comment Page 23, Business decisive action against Saudi Arabia over a missing writer, calling for the kingdom killed the journalist but crown prince over dinner, Trump transparent and timely investi- offi cials would extend their inves- Page 3 ouster of Crown Prince Mohamed bin Salman. French far-left ‘I knew it was a trap’: exiled Saudi prince

By Benno Schwinghammer, so that he could remarry. also looked into his case. also indications of kidnap- the Saudis over the years. DPA He has been missing ever The disappearance of pings, the BBC said. “I met 10 times with the leader, party since, and Turkish investiga- Khashoggi has thrown the Such accounts correspond to Saudi ambassador in Berlin, Dusseldorf/Riyadh tors believe that the prominent spotlight on how the wealthy information that the *Wash- but always in a café,” Khaled Washington Post columnist oil kingdom deals with its dis- ington Post recently reported bin Farhan said. n a dry, dusty day in was murdered by a Saudi ex- sidents. in connection with Khashog- The diplomat offered several targeted in raids Cairo in late September, ecution squad. According to observers of gi’s case. times to fly him back home to Oa meeting took place in Prince Khaled is certain that the kingdom, ever since Saudi Intercepted conversations of discuss matters with the Saudi a hotel in the Egyptian capital. the same fate would have be- monarch Salman bin Abdulaziz Saudi officials showed that the king – offers he rejected. Reuters politicised police”. Saudi embassy staffers fallen him had he allowed him- al-Saud came to power in early Riyadh government wanted to “If I had done that, you Paris A source close to the raids, walked into the lobby with a self to be lured into the Saudi 2015, repressions have reached lure him from his exile in the wouldn’t now be talking with which targeted 15 locations and cheque worth “several million”, embassy in Cairo. new heights. US back to the kingdom and me,” he said. included another left-wing par- according to Saudi Prince Kha- “They would have killed me The king made his son Mo- arrest him there. Now the worries for the dis- nti-corruption investi- ty, said they were being carried led bin Farhan al-Saud. in some inhuman way in order hamed bin Salman the most Prince Khaled believes that sidents have increased in the gators raided the home out by a specialist anti-corrup- In an interview with DPA, to scare off others,” said the powerful man in the state. he, too, is high on the list of wake of the Khashoggi affair. Aand party headquarters of tion unit that focuses on fi nancial Prince Khaled – who lives in 41-year-old, who says he has That he will not put up with Saudi targets. “Of course we’re all afraid. French far-left leader Jean-Luc and tax irregularities. Germany in exile and is a critic been living in exile in Ger- any resistance is something He says that he fell into dis- The government in Riyadh will Melenchon yesterday, part of a Two investigations are under- of the Saudi regime – said that many since 2004, and in the that clerics, businessmen and favour in Saudi Arabia when he stop at nothing,” Prince Khaled long-running investigation into way, one looking into the alleged the embassy workers met with meantime has German citi- women’s rights activists have accused the current King Sal- said. the alleged misuse of European misuse of European Parliament one of his relatives and made an zenship. come to feel. man – at the time he was still In the past, the Saudi king- Parliament funds to pay party funds to pay party employees in off er. Saudi Arabia keeps a close The BBC has documented the emir of Riyadh – of corrup- dom has vehemently dismissed employees. France, and the other examining “They told my relative that watch on its princes. three cases in which monar- tion. allegations of kidnapping – The raids took place at the of- funding of Melenchon’s French they wanted to help me be- According to information chy-critical Saudi princes liv- The young prince, who in the much less killing – its critics. fi ces of La France Insoumise presidential campaign last year. cause I have no more money,” DPA has gathered, the kingdom ing abroad have vanished. past had been a Saudi diplomat Requests by DPA for a re- (France Unbowed) in central Par- Several French parties have he said. “I only needed to go to approached German officials Prince Sultan bin Turki dis- in Cairo, among other places, sponse to Prince Khaled’s ac- is and Melenchon’s private resi- been targeted over their use of the Saudi embassy in Cairo to last year in Prince Khaled’s appeared when he wanted to had to leave the country. count have so far gone unan- dence, where hundreds of sup- European Parliament funds, in- pick up the cheque. But I knew case to discuss the possibilities visit his father in Cairo from However, even in his German swered. porters gathered at his urging to cluding Marine Le Pen’s far-right it was a trap.” for extraditing him. Paris in January, 2016. exile he is not safe from Riya- Khaled bin Farhan al-Saud protest against the police action. National Rally (formerly called A few days later, on October The German side did not an- The Saudi consulate provid- dh’s long reach. says he feels safe in Dusseldorf. “This is a politically-motivated the National Front) and the cen- 2, in a Saudi consulate in Is- swer the query. ed a private jet for him, but in- Initially he was followed “I keep saying, thank God I live act, it’s an act of political aggres- trist Modem party. tanbul, Saudi journalist Jamal Prince Khaled said that stead of Cairo it flew to Riyadh. around, but this has improved in Germany.” sion,” Melenchon said in a video Lawmakers elected to the Eu- Khashoggi went missing. State Protection Office of- Two further princes – Turki in the meantime, even though But even in his new home posted on his Facebook page. ropean Parliament are allocated Shortly after noon, the critic ficials in Dusseldorf, where bin Bandar and Saud bin Saif he still receives many anony- the prince is ever-vigilant. His Later, standing outside the funds to cover expenses, but they of the Saudi regime – who lives he lives, have been in contact al-Nasr – have vanished in Eu- mous murder threats. lawyer is staying in constant party headquarters, he called the cannot use the money to pay for in Washington DC – went to with him for years, and the rope. In addition, he has been con- touch with the police. raids an “enormous operation by party staff at home. the embassy to get documents German Federal Police have In these cases, there were tacted more than 50 times by Just in case. War drills on the school curriculum in eastern Ukraine

By Yuliya Silina, AFP pupil, told AFP. “We often have here is still far from normal. and his parents initially protect- in May last year, just a day after Sartana, Ukraine this kind of training, so that we “They are constantly shelling ed him from the reality of war by the end of term. will not panic when a real bom- near us, we hear it day and night,” describing the shelling as “fi re- The three-storey 1930s build- bardment begins.” pupil Lyskonog said. works”. ing has remained empty since. uddled in a basement, The children go through the According to the UN chil- Now the boy can easily tell the “I woke up and I saw that dozens of children cover drill once a month. dren’s agency Unicef, nearly diff erence between anti-person- our school was gone,” said Illya Htheir heads with their Each class has its own un- 750 schools were damaged or nel and anti-tank mines, but says Dolgikh, a 17-year-old former hands, practising what to do if derground room equipped with destroyed in eastern Ukraine he hopes he will never have to use pupil. their school comes under attack emergency supplies. over the more than four years of this skill in real life. He said he slept through the in eastern Ukraine’s war. Truce agreements have re- the conflict. “After training like this, people raid that destroyed the building In a confl ict that has claimed duced fi ghting in Ukraine’s war, Some 200,000 children must have an idea of what the mines and only found out the following more than 10,000 lives since which started in 2014 following still attend school in areas at look like,” he said. morning. 2014, war drills and bomb shel- Russia’s annexation of Crimea. risk of clashes, according to the Around 100km (62 miles) to “When I was told what hap- ters have become part of daily life Kyiv and its Western allies ac- Unicef statement released in the north of Sartana, the Kyiv- pened, I felt dizzy,” the teenager for hundreds of schools near the cuse Russia of funnelling troops May. controlled town of Krasnogorivka said. frontline. and arms across the border. Lyskonog’s school gives regu- lies directly on the frontline. In Krasnogorivka, local au- At School Number Eight in Moscow has denied the claims, Schoolchildren cover their heads with their hands as they take part in lar lessons on how to deal with Two-thirds of the town’s pop- thorities have started work to Sartana village, only 10km (six despite substantial evidence of security exercises in the School No 8 in the Kiev-controlled village of landmines scattered across the ulation fl ed because of the fi ght- restore School Number Two but miles) from the fi ghting, an alarm its involvement. Sartana. region since the start of hostili- ing, and three of its fi ve schools there is no projected date for the signals children to make their Clashes still erupt. ties. have closed. children to return to their school. way calmly underground follow- Rockets and shelling remain been repeatedly bombed. fell on a funeral procession kill- Posters lining the halls read: Two of the shuttered facilities The sound of fi ghting can still ing blue arrows to a bunker. threats for towns like Sartana, However, school principal ing seven people and injuring an- “If you see a mine, do not touch were heavily damaged by bomb- be heard from the town almost “We have special signals – which is in a Kyiv-controlled area Lyudmyla Korona described the other 13. it, do not come close to it, call ing and the third no longer has every night. three short bells for a fi re, one but close to regions run by Mos- school basement as “the safest The small town has not been fi refi ghters.” heating as a result of the fi ghting. “Life goes on,” said head long one for a bombardment,” cow-backed separatists. place in Sartana”. bombed for the past two years Pupil Vadym Kononov was 12 School Number Two’s roof was teacher Olena Mykhatko. “But Olena Lyskonog, a 14-year-old The Donetsk-region town has In October 2014, Grad rockets thanks to the truce deals, but life years old when the confl ict began ripped off by three Grad missiles you cannot get used to it.” Gulf Times 16 Wednesday, October 17, 2018 EUROPE Children drowning in ‘digital diet of pizza and sweets’

AFP Public service broadcasters ing to slash the PBS budget and that with many children eff ec- panding educational content,” he Wild Wild West”, said the BBC’s have a toy associated with them,” Cannes, France like Britain’s BBC and PBS in the the France 4 children’s channel tively being “babysat in front of said, citing Rai’s ground-break- children’s animation chief Jackie she added. US are some of the last ramparts is being controversially forced screens”, the tech and entertain- ing new miniseries Jams – the Edwards. The BBC is planning to spend “looking out for kids and par- online by the French government ment industries needed to take fi rst kids show to tackle sexual Her boss Webb insisted that as a quarter of its children’s budget hildren are being ents” in an industry where In- despite research showing eight a hard look at their impact on harassment – and its animated well setting standards for qual- on digital, she said, including swamped by the visual ternet giants and toy and games out of 10 children still mostly young minds. drama Andra and Tati, about two ity, public broadcasters “provide its new mobile app CBBC Buzz, Cequivalent of “pizza and makers increasingly hold sway, watch TV. “We need to have this con- sisters who survive Auschwitz. some sort of balance to the echo which she compared to a “mod- sweets” in “a digital Wild Wild a gathering of top executives at Alice Webb, the head of the versation now because we don’t Tiphaine de Raguenel, of chambers we see in the digital ern version of loo roll and a paint West”, some of the world’s top Cannes on the French Riviera BBC’s network of children chan- want to be saying to ourselves in France 4, said public broadcast- world”. brush, encouraging them to get kids television programme mak- heard this weekend. nels and online content, said that 10 years’ time, ‘What did we do to ers are battling a tsunami of “When you search for one creative”. ers have warned. Several speakers at the MIP- YouTube’s “incredible popularity our children?’” commercial junk. thing, you fi nd more and more of However, Webb said the With YouTube replacing Dis- Junior, the world’s top children’s with children raised a huge de- Luca Milano, of Italy’s Rai “If you want children to love the same thing ... so we are there broadcaster was going to produce ney as the most-loved brand entertainment market, warned bate which is only just beginning Kids network, said public service vegetables, it is very diffi cult to to keep the breadth, the space, fewer shows but “do them bigger among young children in the that kids’ welfare is being risked about screen time and how safe broadcasters are key in holding do so if all they are surrounded by the possibility and the original- so they can cut through and make United States, and streaming gi- by their exposure to unsuitable or appropriate diff erent plat- the line to keep children safe and is pizza and sweets,” she said. ity,” she said. a greater impact” in the cluttered ants encouraging binge viewing, content and “algorithms run for forms are”. ensure they are not exploited. Never has it been more im- “It is not my job to point fi n- digital world. a whole generation risk being maximum profi t”. YouTube, she declared, “is not “Without them, children portant to have a “safe space for gers, but there are many shows “It is about making sure re- brought up on cultural junk food, The debate comes as US Presi- a platform for the under 13s”. would not be exposed to anything wholesome content” in an envi- that will never get made (com- ally important shows are seen by they say. dent Donald Trump is threaten- Last year, Webb told AFP like as much original or world ex- ronment that “feels like a digital mercially) because they do not children,” she said.

Salvini hits out after France is caught Macron ‘migrant dumping’

AFP tive,” an offi cial in the French Rome president’s offi ce told jour- nalists yesterday. “It was a mistake, the authorities have reshuffl es taly’s far-right Interior admitted that. There was an Minister Matteo Salvini has incursion, not planned or ac- Ihit out at President Em- cording to procedure, into Ital- manuel Macron after French ian territory, where two people police were caught committing were dropped off .” the “unprecedented off ence” Thousands of migrants are of dumping migrants in Italian caught each year trying to en- Macron, seen in this pre-recorded message, speaks to the nation on prime time woods. ter France and returned to the cabinet television from the Elysee Palace in Paris. Salvini, also deputy prime Italian border. minister and head of the anti- Last year AFP journalists AFP Presenting a “renewed, dy- Macron’s delay in carrying out tional security issues but vowed that have caused deep discontent immigrant League party, on saw French police dropping off Paris namic team with a second wind”, the reshuffl e, caused partly by his yesterday to be “at your service, among rural mayors. Monday demanded a “clear re- migrants in front of Bardonec- the presidency said it would con- diffi culty in convincing people to ladies and gentlemen, 24 hours a Analysts say many ministers sponse” after French authori- chia train station, in Italy. tinue on the same track of re- join his team, was seen as further day”. and members of Macron’s party ties admitted to returning mi- A source close to Macron rench President Emmanuel forms. evidence of his weakened posi- Castaner resigned his leader- have struggled to emerge from grants to Italy in “error”. slammed Salvini’s “essentially Macron reshuffl ed his cabi- “We will not change direc- tion. ship of the ruling party to take up his shadow since he won elec- A French police van was seen individual political exploita- Fnet yesterday, appointing tion,” Prime Minister Edouard Yesterday the opposition the job. tions in May 2017 at the head of a on Friday driving into Italy to tion” of the incident. new interior, agriculture and cul- Philippe vowed. slammed his hotly anticipated The current head of France’s newly formed pro-EU, pro-busi- return recently-arrived mi- Italian Prime Minister ture ministers after a weeks-long But analysts expressed doubt new picks as underwhelming. domestic intelligence agency, ness party. grants to the town of Claviere. “Giuseppe Conte hasn’t turned search for new talent to try to that the reshuffl e would signifi - The parliamentary leader of Laurent Nunez, was named as his His polling numbers have “It was an error to enter this incident into proof of a revive his government’s fl agging cantly change perceptions of the the centre-right Republicans, deputy at the interior ministry. slumped to their lowest level Italian territory without the crisis”, the French presidency fortunes. government. Christian Jacob, said it was Macron’s choices refl ected his since his electoral victory in 2017. authorisation of the Italian said. “We manage our shared Two weeks after political vet- “It’s a very technical reshuffl e “more like a balloon bursting continuing attempt to appeal to Surveys show that only around police,” said Cecile Bigot- border together and there are eran Gerard Collomb abruptly ... which means it is unlikely to than a second wind”. both sides of the political divide, 30% of French voters have a pos- Dekeyzer, the top offi cial in the occasional small regrettable resigned as interior minister, stir French passions,” said Chloe Christophe Castaner, a gre- but there were few household itive view of his presidency. Hautes-Alpes region. incidents on both sides.” Macron appointed the ultra-loyal Morin, an analyst at Ipsos polling garious 52-year-old former So- names in the new line-up. He suff ered the first major “The police had no right to Relations between Rome and head of his Republic on the Move company. cialist from southern France, had Didier Guillaume, a former scandal of his presidency in July enter Italian territory,” the pre- Paris have been increasingly party, Christophe Castaner, to Collomb’s departure on Octo- been widely tipped to replace Socialist, was named agriculture when footage emerged of one of fect said. tense in recent months, with replace him. ber 2 was a blow to Macron, coin- Collomb, who is returning to his minister, replacing Stephane his most trusted security aides An outraged Salvini batted Italy’s populist government The centrist president also ciding with a slump in his popu- home town of Lyon to serve as Travert, while centre-right hitting a protester while appar- away that explanation, while accusing France and others of dismissed his agriculture and larity after a scandal involving a mayor. former Republicans lawmaker ently posing as a policeman at a France said the incident should failing to share the burden of culture ministers, seen as weak close aide, several verbal gaff es A member of the president’s Franck Riester took over from May Day rally. be “kept in perspective”. the 700,000 migrants and asy- links in his cabinet, which is a and a raft of disappointing eco- inner circle, Castaner was a re- publisher Francoise Nyssen in Slowing economic growth – “Abandoning migrants in lum seekers that have crossed blend of experts in their fi eld and nomic data. bellious youth who has spoken culture. expected to fall to 1.6% this year an Italian wood can’t be just a the Mediterranean to come to experienced politicians from the Collomb’s resignation fol- of how he rubbed shoulders with There were also changes in the from 2.3% in 2017 – and a series mistake or an incident,” Salvini Italy since 2013. left and right. lowed that of star environment Marseille gang members at poker ministry for relations with lo- of public gaff es that fueled a per- said on social media. “What French police in March The prime minister, foreign minister Nicolas Hulot in Au- games before entering politics, cal government, with Jacqueline ception of arrogance have also happened in Claviere is an un- sparked outrage by carrying and economy ministers all kept gust, creating a sense of a gov- fi rst as a mayor than an MP. Gourault taking over the tricky served to undermine Macron’s precedented off ence towards out identity checks at Bar- their jobs, however. ernment in disarray. He has little experience of na- portfolio at a time of budget cuts popularity. our country.” donecchia station, with the “Does Paris, which claims to Italian foreign ministry sum- be civil, fi nd it normal to throw moning the French ambassa- people into the woods? We’re dor to protest. dealing with an international In June, Macron criticised shame, and Mr Macron can’t Salvini for closing Italian ports Armenian PM resigns to trigger snap election pretend he doesn’t know. We to the Aquarius migrant rescue won’t accept any excuses,” Sal- boat, prompting a fresh sum- vini wrote. moning of the French ambas- AFP are allied with ex-president stabbing him in the back, saying “Let’s keep this in perspec- sador. Yerevan Sarkisian and have stood in the that the adoption of the bill was way of Pashinyan’s reform drive. nothing short of a “counter-rev- Pashinyan, a 43-year-old olution”. rmenia’s reformist Prime former journalist, aims to hold He then fi red six ministers Minister Nikol Pashinyan snap polls before the end of the from the Prosperous Armenia Aannounced his resigna- year in an attempt to weaken the and Dashnaktsutyun parties 70-year-old sorry for tion on television yesterday, pav- infl uence of Sarkisian who was who backed the controversial bill ing the way for snap elections to ousted after a 10-year stint as which was sponsored by Sarki- be called. president. sian’s Republican Party. attack on refugees “My dear and proud people, Parliamentary elections are The Republican Party has said today I tendered my resignation,” not scheduled until 2022. it is not against holding snap Pashinyan said, pledging to “en- Pashinyan’s resignation could polls but wants them to be called DPA ruary 17 and that he could not sure the free expression of (the) trigger snap polls – but only if no earlier than in May or June so Heilbronn, Germany recall his actions. people’s will during snap parlia- MPs twice fail to select a new the parties have time to prepare According to the charge mentary elections”. prime minister over the next two for the campaign. sheet, he stabbed at four men His resignation is seen as a weeks, resulting in the dissolu- Analysts said that Pashinyan, 70-year-old German with a kitchen knife believing manoeuvre to return ultimately tion of parliament. who has campaigned against man on trial for a knife them to be asylum-seekers. as prime minister and with con- During a meeting with his par- corruption and for economic re- Aattack on four refugees In his initial statements fol- trol of parliament. ty members yesterday, Pashinyan Pashinyan: Today I tendered my resignation ... ensure the free form, is seeking new elections admitted his guilt and apolo- lowing the attack, he had said He came to power in May af- said that he planned to put for- expression of (the) people’s will during snap parliamentary elections. while he is at the peak of his pop- gised, saying that he had been that he wanted to send out a ter spearheading weeks of mass ward his candidacy for the prime ularity. extremely drunk at the time, a signal “against Germany’s ref- anti-government rallies which minister’s post – but “with the which he needs to complete the 30 and 45 days after parliament is “He is in a hurry because he court in the German city of in ugee policy”, according to the toppled veteran leader Serzh aim not to get elected” so as to revolutionary process,” political dissolved. knows that his popularity – Heilbronn heard yesterday. charge sheet. Sarkisian. spark the snap poll. analyst Arman Boshyan told AFP. In a move that triggered new which is at its peak right now – “I’m not a xenophobe, not a An Afghan, who was 17 at the Pashinyan has since reshaped All the opposition factions in Pashinyan and his ministers street protests by Pashinyan’s might dwindle,” said Boshyan. right-wing extremist,” the man time, was seriously injured in the Caucasus nation’s political the parliament have agreed that will continue as an acting cabi- supporters, the Armenian parlia- On September 24, Pashinyan’s wrote in letters to the victims the attack, while a 25-year-old landscape, ousting many of the they will not nominate their own net until a new prime minister is ment passed on October 3 a bill bloc won a landslide victory in and read out in court. Iraqi and 19-year-old Syrian old elites from power. candidates for prime minister. elected. making it harder to dissolve the municipal elections, getting over The man wrote that he had suff ered slight injuries. The new government quickly “Pashinyan’s resignation is According to the Armenian assembly and hold snap elec- 80% of the vote in the capital been “terribly drunk” at the A fourth person evaded the found itself at loggerheads with aimed at artifi cially creating a constitution, snap legislative tions. Yerevan where nearly 40% of the time of the incident on Heil- man’s stabbing and was able to the majority of lawmakers who situation leading to snap polls, elections must be held between Pashinyan accused MPs of country’s population lives. bronn’s market square on Feb- fl ee unharmed. German CSU leader Seehofer wants Merkel coalition to work

Reuters ion (CSU), has been a thorn in The calls grew louder yester- act as a stable force in her ruling Seehofer as behaving like a “hoo- kel’s fourth and probably fi nal Berlin Merkel’s side since 2015, with day, with a senior member of “grand” coalition. ligan” as interior minister and government – close to collaps- criticism of her decision to open the centre-left Social Democrats “I have no inclination at all for said he was miscast in that role. ing twice, fi rst in an argument German borders to almost 1mil- (SPD), the junior partner in Mer- minority governments, or fresh Seehofer was to blame for the over immigration and then in a hancellor Angela Merkel’s lion migrants and refugees, most kel’s coalition, calling Seehofer elections and everything that can coalition’s poor image, he said. scandal over Germany’s former leading critic in her coali- of them fl eeing war in the Middle “miscast” as interior minister come with them,” he added. CSU honourary chairman Theo domestic spymaster. Ction government said yes- East. and a senior CSU fi gure suggest- “This grand coalition must Waigel also suggested Seehofer The CDU/CSU conservative terday that he wanted the ruling However, the CSU’s disas- ing he should step down. simply get on with reputable should go: “Everyone has to de- alliance only teamed up with the alliance to work, batting away trous performance on Sunday Seehofer dismissed the idea of work and communicate it prop- cide for themselves how to make SPD to form the ruling coalition calls for his own resignation af- – its weakest since 1950 – has resigning, telling a news confer- erly. In the CSU, we will do eve- a graceful, personally responsible in March following an incon- Seehofer: I have no inclination at ter a dismal result for his party in raised questions about whether ence his work in politics “is fun”. rything for the grand coalition to departure from politics,” he told clusive national election and the all for minority governments, or Bavaria’s regional election. he should stand down as party He said that the CSU, sis- stay,” Seehofer said. the Ausburger Allgemeine. collapse of negotiations between fresh elections and everything Horst Seehofer, leader of the leader and interior minister in the ter party to Merkel’s Christian Thomas Oppermann, a senior Before the Bavaria vote, the the conservatives and two small- that can come with them. Bavarian Christian Social Un- national government. Democratic Union (CDU), would member of the SPD, described CSU pushed the coalition – Mer- er parties. Gulf Times Wednesday, October 17, 2018 17 INDIA Congress calls Jaitley a ‘blabber blogger’

IANS “clown prince” and ridiculed him demanding him to answer them. Dassault, as claimed by former of corporates,” the party said in a fuel prices, declining exports, ex- If he came to parliament, as Ra- New Delhi for “building false narratives” on Continuing the attack on the HAL chief T S Raju. statement. tinguished savings and phenom- hul Gandhi claims, then the re- diff erent issues including the Ra- fi ghter jets deal with France, the The party also cited a 2016 Reiterating its accusation of enally high current account defi - ception records will show that. fale jet deal, the Congress called Congress demanded to know Reliance Defence press release, a Modi government “colluding cit are your sad legacy”, it added. Where have I admitted all this Mr he Congress yesterday hit them “hollow rants” of a “des- why Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd presentation made by the com- with bank looters”, the Congress But Jaitley countered Gandhi Gandhi?” asked Jaitley. back at Finance Minister perate court jester” and said In- (HAL) was “superseded” for Rs pany as well as its annual report citing an April 2018 Finance over the Rafale deal, saying Das- He also posted a video clip TArun Jaitley for his ‘clown dia needs a fi nance minister, not 300bn contract to benefi t cro- 2016-17 to substantiate its claims Ministry reply to parliament, sault Aviation has said that only of Gandhi’s Monday addresses prince jibe at party president Ra- a “babble blogger”. nies, why transfer of technol- that the private company bagged asked: “Will you not admit that 3% of off set may come to the in poll-bound Madhya Pradesh hul Gandhi, calling the Bharatiya With Jaitley in his latest blog ogy was “sacrifi ced” and why Rs30bn of off set contract and Rs 241,911 crore were written off business house being named by where the Congress chief alleged Janata Party veteran ‘blabber giving a point-by-point rebut- “national security was compro- Rs100bn of life-cycle contract. in loans to select corporates by the Congress leaders. that absconding liquor baron Vi- blogger and demanding him he tal to Gandhi’s charges including mised” by reducing the number “If all this is wrong and false, Modi government, from fi nancial Jaitley also dismissed the jay Mallya and Nirav Modi had met coherently answer politically- alleged irregularities in the Ra- of aircraft from 126 to 36. we dare you to take action against year 2014-15 to September 2017 charge that he had met abscond- Jaitley before fl eeing the country. relevant issues instead of “hiding fale deal and rising bank debts, It also asked why the gov- Reliance Defence for misleading alone? How much more loan have ing fraudster Nirav Modi. The BJP leader also dismissed behind the cloak of expletives for the Congress posed 10 questions ernment was shying away from the nation, their shareholders you waived of your crony capital- “I do not recollect ever hav- as “absolute lie” Gandhi’s asser- the opposition”. to the minister on the “Rafale making public HAL fi les pertain- and investors. But you won’t do ist friends”. ing even seen Nirav Modi in my tions that Mallya had informed Replying to Jaitley’s blog scam” and fi ve questions on the ing to a “work share agreement it for Modi government no longer “Truth is that the ever depre- life. The question of his meeting him of his plan to escape to Lon- wherein he called Gandhi a NPAs (non-perfomance assets), between HAL and Rafale maker serves the nation but a handful ciating rupee, the ever increasing me in parliament does not arise. don. Reporter says minister in Congress govt molested her

IANS or something like that,” said Kel- New Delhi logg, a survivor of “long-term child sexual abuse.” She said the last time she met he #MeToo movement the MP in his bungalow in early that has singed the en- 2014 when he went “too far.” Ttertainment and media “At that time, I was in-be- industry alike besides engulf- tween jobs. I was sitting across ing federal minister M J Akbar, the table and talking to him. Af- yesterday reached the Congress ter some time, the minister got door with journalist Sonal Kel- up to go to the washroom which logg alleging that she was mo- was on my left, so he walked lested by a “powerful politician” right across the table and while and a minister in the Congress- passing me by, he stretched his Police detain a supporter of the main opposition Congress Party during a protest demanding the resignation of Minister of State for External Aff airs M J Akbar in New Delhi. led government. hand and suddenly touched me. Giving an account of her or- “I was taken aback, not quite deal on website dailyo.in, Kellog expecting this, but I did man- without naming the minister, age to say, ‘Don’t touch me.’ said he would “greet me with a Before entering the washroom, kiss” every time they met. he asked, ‘Why? What is the “During my time, a cabinet problem?’ I told him, ‘Don’t minister, in charge of one of the touch me because I don’t like it’. ministries which I was covering, He went to the washroom and Women journalists would always greet me with a kiss then came back, sat down and when I went to meet him,” wrote resumed the conversation as if Kellog who in February 2006 nothing had happened,” wrote shifted to Delhi from Ahmeda- Kellogg, adding she moved back bad to work with the Asian Age’s to Ahmadabad and never met main edition. the politician. “This minister, quite an “The minister is married and demand Akbar ouster advocate of women’s rights is a father of grown-up daugh- and empowerment, is highly ters, so it is defi nitely not okay. IANS action he plans. You will agree “We hope that your govern- journalist, Tushita Patel came aSpend editor Samar Halarnkar educated. He studied from St So, why didn’t I report the mat- New Delhi that this is highly unethical and ment will rise to the occasion and out with her account of how Ak- in a piece written for Scroll.in Stephen’s College and did his ter? Who was I going to report it improper and will cast a cloud institute an impartial and fair bar allegedly molested her at the said he and his wife had only the masters from one of the top to? I was in-between jobs and as over any investigation,” NWMI inquiry in the interests of gen- workplace in 1993. “truth” as a weapon against the universities in England. He is I said earlier, I didn’t report my s a court listed the crimi- said in its letters. der justice...The continuation of “Stop lying about your ply- “vast resources” a minister can very articulate - but he is also sexual abuse as a child either for nal defamation case fi led It said that all support the minister in his position only wood and glass cabin in the Asian muster. very touchy-feely. more than a decade and a half, in Aby Minister of State for should be extended by the sends out the wrong message Age. Ghazala Wahab is not the “This is not M J Akbar vs Priya “In Gujarat, where I come fact I never reported it. I started External Aff airs M J Akbar against government to women in that the government is apathetic only woman to have been mo- Ramani, this is the Union of India from, politicians don’t greet to speak about it publicly only a a woman journalist for tomor- their struggle for justice, and to the serious concerns and the lested in that cabin. There are vs Priya Ramani. He has access women journalists with hugs and couple of years ago,” she added. row, two associations of women that External Affairs Min- need for a fair and impartial in- other victims who you almost to a battery of powerful lawyers: kisses. But he would hold my face Meanwhile, Bollywood ac- journalists sought his removal ister Sushma Swaraj should quiry.” broke and destroyed with your There are 97 listed in the legal and try to kiss me,” said Kellogg tor Alok Nath has refused to from the government for the sake “take workplace harassment In the letter to Gandhi, the lust and power trip,” Patel wrote notice. She has, thus far, one,” who is now the chief content respond to a notice issued to of a fair and impartial probe. seriously and not encourage IWPC said that it was “dis- in a report on the Scroll.in. Halarnkar said. writer at Vama Communications him by the Indian Film and Tel- The Network of Women in intimidatory tactics against mayed” that despite a “long list “And enough with the legal Ruing the lack of any “expres- in Ahmedabad. evision Directors Association Media in India (NWMI) wrote to women who have complained”. of complaints”, no formal in- intimidation - we can see you in sions of support” from opposi- She said that she didn’t report (IFTDA) about writer-director President Ram Nath Kovind and The Indian Women Press quiry has been launched into the court too,” she added. tion parties, he wrote: “(It is) the matter then as “I was new in Vinta Nanda’s claim that he Prime Minister Narendra Modi Corps (IWPC) wrote to Home complaints of serious charges of Meanwhile, Akbar’s lawyer because they are all complicit Delhi and thought if I said any- sexually violated her 19 years demanding dismissal of Akbar, Minister Rajnath Singh, Women sexual harassment. Sandeep Kapur said that the in maintaining the status quo. thing, it would be viewed as hav- ago. who has been accused by several and Child Development Minis- “We would like your ministry defamation case against jour- India’s patriarchy understands ing a small town mentality”. IFTDA has now decided to take women journalists of sexual har- ter Maneka Gandhi and National to take suo motu cognizance of nalist Priya Ramani will be what is at stake and will not give “I am not able to speak up strong action against the actor. assment. Commission for Women Chair- these complaints and come out heard by a magisterial court in in without a bitter fi ght. If an Ak- against authority and mostly IFTDA had sent a notice to Nath “We are extremely concerned person (NCW) Rekha Sharma, with recommendations within a the Patiala House court com- bar is conceded, there are count- just try to manage to stay clear on October 10 based on a com- that he continues to be a minister seeking a fair inquiry and the time-frame,” it said. plex tomorrow. less others whose careers will be instead of shouting or slapping plaint by Nanda. even as he pursues whatever legal dismissal of the minister. Meanwhile, another woman Ramani’s husband and Indi- in jeopardy.” Allahabad will now be Religious leader, 14 known as Prayagraj others jailed for life Agencies Relatives had alleged the vic- Chandigarh tims were held captive in the By Michael Safi ing the decision, how would you dian leaders has been that the premises by Rampal and his fol- New Delhi feel if the name your parents gave Mughals integrated with the lowers, who were subsequently you was to be changed?” largely Hindu society around aba Rampal, a controver- arrested on charges of murder, The city, about 650km south- them, forging a unique blended sial religious leader, and 14 conspiracy, possessing illegal ttar Pradesh Chief Min- east of New Delhi, is the ances- culture over time. Bfollowers including his son weapons and abetting suicide. ister Yogi Adityanath has tral home of the Nehru-Gandhi In the decades since inde- were sentenced to life in prison Rampal has also been found Uinstigated a programme dynasty, which has produced pendence in 1947, the country for murdering four women and guilty in another murder case of Mughal-era name changes in three prime ministers, including has gradually thrown off Brit- a child in 2014, lawyers said yes- and will be sentenced in that case the state. the country’s fi rst, Jawarharlal ish imperial-era names such as terday. today. The state cabinet announced Nehru. Bombay (now Mumbai), Pon- A court in Hisar in Haryana Many gurus and self-styled yesterday that it had approved It is also the site of one of In- dicherry (now Puducherry) and had on October 11 convicted holy men in India command the renaming of Allahabad as dia’s Kumbh melas – mass Hindu Madras (now Chennai). Rampal, 67, and the others for huge followings and with it wield Prayagraj, which harks back to pilgrimages that are considered Last year, Mughalsarai Junc- the murders, wrongful con- enormous power. the city’s ancient appellation, to be among the world’s largest tion railway station in the state finement and criminal con- The devotees often treat these Prayag, before it was changed by religious festivals. The most re- was renamed Deen Dayal Upad- spiracy. spiritual leaders as incarnations Mughal-era rulers in the late 16th cent was held in the city in 2013 hyay Junction railway station, “Rampal, his son Vijender and of god. century. and attended by an estimated after a Hindu nationalist thinker other followers have been sen- Rampal had worked as an en- Prayag in Sanskrit means place 100mn people. and politician. tenced to life, besides a fi ne of gineer in the Haryana govern- for sacrifi ce, in reference to the Changing Allahabad’s name Uttar Pradesh Energy Min- more than Rs200,000 each. We ment’s irrigation department for Hindu belief that Brahma made has been a longstanding de- ister Shrikant Sharma said will appeal against the verdict in 18 years before becoming a spir- his fi rst off ering at the area in the mand of Hindu nationalist more names were likely to be the high court,” his lawyer A P itual leader. city where the Ganges and Ya- groups in India which regard changed. Singh said. He has a wide following in muna rivers meet. the three centuries in which “It is the right of the govern- The prosecution said the vic- Haryana. Uttar Pradesh Health Minis- huge areas of the subcontinent ment to rename any city,” he said. tims died of suff ocation dur- Rampal heads a sect that wor- ter Siddharth Nath Singh told were ruled by Mughal dynasties “If needed, we will rename more ing a violent stand-off between ships the 15th-century poet and reporters: “The city used to be as a period of foreign occupa- cities and roads. The mistakes his supporters and police at his mystic Kabir, known for a mes- known as Prayagraj since the be- tion. done earlier will be rectifi ed.” – BJP workers celebrate after Allahabad was renamed Prayagraj in the ashram in Hisar in November sage of tolerance that is followed ginning. To those who are oppos- The traditional view of In- Guardian News and Media Uttar Pradesh city yesterday. 2014. by people of varied faiths. Gulf Times 18 Wednesday, October 17, 2018 INDIA

EDUCATION CO-OPERATION FREEDOM ENTERTAINMENT POLITICS Delhi govt, British Council Punjab for tie-up with Israel Bishop Franco walks out Hyderabad gets Nitish appoints Kishor sign MoU for spoken English on agriculture, dairying of jail, to fly to Jalandhar Airport Radio as JD-U vice president

The Delhi government yesterday collaborated Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh yesterday Catholic Bishop Franco Mulakkal, arrested GMR Hyderabad International Airport Ltd Bihar Chief Minister and Janata Dal-United with the British Council of India to strengthen said his government was keen to make use of on September 21 on charges of raping a nun, (GHIAL), the operator of the Rajiv Gandhi president Nitish Kumar yesterday named “spoken English” among students of Israel’s technological advancements in various walked out of the Pala sub-jail near Kottayam International Airport here, has launched Prashant Kishor as the party vice president, a government schools in the city. In the presence fields, including agriculture and internal security. in Kerala yesterday, a day after he was given Airport Radio in collaboration with Radio month after the election strategist joined the of Mayur Vihar’s Sahodaya Kanya Vidyalaya The chief minister expressed these views when bail by the Kerala High Court. “He will fly Mirchi. Mirchi Airport Radio, which is South party. “The JD-U hopes that Kishor’s experience students, Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia Charge de’ Aff airs of Israeli embassy Maya back to Jalandhar in Punjab from Kochi,” said India’s first airport radio, has been launched and expertise will take the party to a new height,” signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) Kadosh called on him in Chandigarh yesterday Mulakkal’s close associate and independent under GHIAL’s signature #PassengerIsPrime JD-U spokesman K C Tyagi said. Kishor said he to strengthen the educational co-operation. morning, ahead of Singh’s five-day visit to Israel legislator P C George. “I escorted him to his programme, GHIAL said in a statement was committed towards the state of Bihar and “The MoU will entail training for spoken English from October 21, an off icial spokesperson said. car, as there were hundreds of people who yesterday. It is a 24x7 custom-produced, Nitish Kumar’s ideology of “development with for class 11th students of all Delhi government Singh said he was confident that his Israel visit came to express their support to the bishop,” exclusive airport radio, adding a melodious justice”. “My heartfelt gratitude to the JD-U and schools. Under the programme 12,000 students will open new vistas of growth and co-operation said George. “There were hundreds of his theme to the travel experience for passengers, its leadership for this responsibility and honour. will receive 160 hours of training of which 11,000 in key areas of mutual interest, particularly supporters, including several nuns and his it said. “Airport Radio concept is one of our I am ever committed towards Nitishji’s ideology students have already completed the training agriculture and dairying. He said India and Israel well-wishers who conducted a small prayer many #PassengerIsPrime initiatives. We hope of ‘development with justice’ and Bihar,” Kishor in two phases,” a Delhi government statement should fully harness their ties through mutual session outside the jail.” The bishop got the that the passengers will enjoy this welcoming said in a tweet. The 41-year-old former UN said. “The British Council will also teach teachers co-operation to ensure overall growth and bail with strict conditions that he should not and melodious feature that the airport off ers off icial, who founded the Indian Political Action of all Delhi government schools so that they prosperity for both sides. Two memorandums enter Kerala, must surrender his passport and during their travel,” said S G K Kishore, CEO of Committee (I-Pac), successfully ran the Nitish could impart quality education to the students,” of understanding in the fields of agriculture and should appear before the police once every GHIAL. Hyderabad airport handles over 55,000 Kumar-led Grand Alliance campaign during the Sisodia said. water conservation are set to be signed. two weeks. passengers daily. 2015 Bihar Assembly election.

Police hunt for ex-BSP Kerala on high MP’s son after hotel brawl alert as temple IANS Lucknow/Delhi

uthorities alerted airports and a Delhi police team ban on women Aarrived in Lucknow yes- terday in search of a former MP’s son who whipped out a pistol during a scuffl e with a man at a luxury hotel in the national capi- tal, offi cials said. entry ends today The three-member squad, led by Inspector Harish Chandra, Agencies the traditions of the temple core Devasom Board (TDB), went to the homes of Ashish Pan- Thiruvananthapuram were screening all vehicles to the custodian of the temple, dey and those of his relatives but see if they had women in the yesterday met the Pandalam could not fi nd him, an offi cer said. age group of 10-50. royal family, representatives Pandey, son of former Bahu- uthorities deployed Two women journalists of the Sabarimala Tantri jan Samaj Party MLA and MP hundreds of police yes- were prevented from pro- family and other Hindu or- Rakesh Pandey, pulled out the Aterday in Kerala where ceeding to the temple town ganisations to see how best weapon during an argument protesters have threatened to where their van was sta- the controversy can be re- with a man at the porch of the stop women from entering the tioned. solved. Hyatt Regency Hotel in south Sabarimala temple, despite a The protesters are camping Women are permitted to Delhi on Sunday around 3.40am, Supreme Court ruling they can at Nilakal, about 20km from enter most Hindu temples police said. pray there. the foothills of the temple, lo- but female devotees are still In a video, Ashish Pandey and The court in September cated at Pampa. barred from entry by some, his friends can be heard abus- overturned a prohibition on “Yes, I have also been despite intensifying cam- ing the man who used the ladies’ women between the ages of told that some people have paigns by rights activists washroom, police said. 10 and 50, from entering a against the bans. Delhi’s Joint Commissioner started screening vehicles. of Police Ajay Chaudhry said: temple. Such a thing cannot be ac- “It is our constitutional “We are afraid he might leave The landmark ruling will cepted. No one can take law right, and we will stand up the country. So, a look-out cir- take eff ect from today and for into their hands. The govern- for it,” said Trupti Desai, an cular has been issued at airports the fi rst time allow all female ment will ensure that nothing activist who planned to visit across the country. pilgrims to enter the temple, of that sort happens. Those the temple despite receiving “He doesn’t live in Delhi. He considered one of the holiest who want to pray cannot be death threats. has his residence in Lucknow... for Hindus and visited by mil- stopped,” said Vijayan. “People are trying to bully We are in co-ordination with the lions of devotees each year. He pointed out that the me but I am not scared.” Uttar Pradesh police and will be But tensions have escalated government had made it very Two years ago, activists able to arrest him soon,” Chaud- in Kerala ahead of the day, clear that it will not fi le a re- successfully campaigned to hry said. with thousands marching view petition against the end a ban on women entering Federal Minister of State for against the court’s decision court’s verdict. the Shani Shingnapur temple Home Kiren Rijiju took to Twit- and warning of bigger disrup- “We have already made this in Maharashtra state. ter to say that “strong and ap- tions if the temple’s traditions very clear that we will abide Women were also permit- propriate action will be taken” were not protected. by whatever the apex court ted to enter Mumbai’s Haji against the culprits including Mobs stopped cars from verdict is. Now that the ver- Ali Dargah after the Supreme the friends of Ashish Pandey. approaching the temple yes- dict has come, we will imple- Court scrapped a ban in 2016. Police took action after a video terday to demand young ment it,” the chief minister Devotees opposed to the recording of the incident went viral on social media. Chaudhry women turn back. said. last month’s court ruling have said the incident wasn’t reported Hundreds of additional po- The temple today opens at argued that it aff ects the core by the hotel authorities or by the lice had been put on high alert 5pm. belief of the decentralised people involved in the fi ght. across the state to protect “We are determined that Hindu temple system, where “It happened during a party devotees, authorities said. come what may we will not deities have certain rights. at the hotel. Ashish had an argu- “Things are under control, allow a single lady in the age Prime Minister Narendra ment with someone who used a and we are closely monitoring group 10 to 50 to reach any- Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party ladies’ washroom and the video the situation,” Kerala police where near the temple. It’s a (BJP) and its allies have sup- that showed him brandishing a spokesman Pramod Kumar matter of life and death and ported marches in diff erent pistol went viral,” he said. said. under no circumstances will parts of Kerala over the last The Uttar Pradesh police are Chief Minister Pinarayi Vi- we allow a breach of tradi- few days. assisting their Delhi counter- jayan said all those who go to tion,” said a middle aged The BJP has historically parts in the hunt for Pandey. pray at the Sabarimala temple woman at Nilakal. been on the margins of state When the police team reached will be protected. The protesters are said to be politics in Kerala, but vowed Pandey’s house in Vaibhav Vijayan said this after pre- mainly locals and others who “a massive agitation plan” in Khand in Lucknow’s Gomti Na- siding over a cabinet meeting have arrived from nearby ar- the state if the ban on women gar area, a domestic help said Hindu devotees take part in a motorcycle rally as part of a protest against the lifting of a ban by Supreme when journalists pointed out eas. entering temple was not re- he visited the place only once or Court that allowed entry of women to the Sabarimala temple, at Nilakkal base camp in Pathanamthitta that those fi ghting to preserve Meanwhile, the Travan- imposed. twice a month. district in Kerala yesterday.

Manvendra set to join Congress 2 Goa legislators ditch Former federal minister and senior Bharartiya Janata Party leader Jaswant Singh’s son Manvendra Singh, who quit the party in September, is likely Congress, join BJP to join the Congress today, Rajasthan Congress chief Sachin IANS The political drama started Reacting to the ‘desertion,’ Pilot said yesterday. Panaji late Monday night after the two Congress MLA Chandrakant Manvendra Singh quit the BJP MLAs, Subhash Shirodkar and Kavlekar said the move proved on September 22. He will join Dayanand Sopte, told reporters that the “BJP could go to any lev- Congress on the auspicious day of wo Congress legislators in at Goa’s Dabolim International els to stay in power”. Maha Durgaashtami in New Delhi Goa yesterday resigned and Airport, that they were heading “We do not know if they were at 10am, Pilot said. Speculation Tjoined the Bharatiya Janata for Delhi for a “reception” and a threatened or bribed or what regarding his joining the Congress Party amid charges that the two “business trip” respectively. pressure they were under,” Kav- was doing the rounds soon after were forced to switch sides. Yesterday, they faxed their res- lekar told a press conference in he quit the BJP during a mammoth The resignations dull the ignations to Speaker Pramod Sa- Panaji. Swabhiman Rally organised at Congress’ strategic advantage want before joining the BJP. Kavlekar said the remaining Pachpadra in Rajasthan’s Barmer. as the single largest party in “I have accepted their resigna- MLAs were fi rmly with the party. However, he did not open his cards the 38-member Goa Assembly, tions. I asked them telephonical- “All our 14 MLAs are together during or after the rally. bringing its strength at par with ly in the presence of the legisla- and are keeping an eye on the Singh is a sitting legislator from the BJP’s 14. ture secretary if they were doing situation. Wait and watch,” the Sheo and is likely to join the Railways Minister Piyush Goyal, it under duress. They said they leader of opposition said. Congress along with his wife. A who formally welcomed the two were resigning of their own will,” Kavlekar said Congress would few other BJP members might Congress renegade lawmakers into Sawant said. insist with Goa Governor Mridula also join the Congress, sources the party in the national capital, Meanwhile, at the formal in- Sinha for an opportunity to prove a said. Singh’s relationship with the said the switch would help give “a duction ceremony in Delhi, Goyal majority on the fl oor of the House BJP turned sour in 2014 when more fi rm and development-ori- said the induction of the two and stake its claim to power. the party refused to give a ticket ented” government in Goa. MLAs would strengthen the BJP- “We have asked the governor to his father and former defence On the other hand, Con- led coalition government in Goa. four times for an opportunity and minister Jaswant Singh. The latter gress leader in charge of Goa, A “Their joining the BJP will she has not responded. We have contested the elections as an Chellakumar claimed the two make Chief Minister Manohar even petitioned the president. independent candidate but lost switched loyalties because of a Parrikar’s government in Goa We’ll keep up our demand,” Kav- Subhash Shirodkar (centre) and Dayanand Sopte (right) are seen with Railways Minister Piyush Goyal to the BJP candidate Sonaram “fear psychosis”. stronger,” Goyal said. lekar said. after they joined the BJP at the party headquarters in New Delhi yesterday. Chaudhary. Gulf Times Wednesday, October 17, 2018 19 LATIN AMERICA

On a bridge between US-Mexico borders, asylum seekers linger in painful limbo

By Patrick Timmons Miguel, a Cuban in his late 20s, criminalised trying to set foot on granted to those heading “It’s not a zoo,” said Jhonny, an “But I’m not a beggar. I don’t ple follow the law? They can’t Guardian News and Media has been waiting on the bridge US territory. through Mexico to the US, ex- athletic twenty-something, ges- agree with Cuba’s politics. I’ve get into the port of entry to make for almost a week. Asylum is a protection granted pires. turing towards the steady stream had to leave my country to try for their claim. It makes it seem like “It makes me stressed to wait to foreign nationals who have Instead they put their name of Mexicans walking past. a better life. I still have my dig- the administration is talking ateway International so long,” he said. fl ed their home countries, fearing and position in the queue down “People stare and take pho- nity.” out of both sides of their mouth Bridge is one of three “We’ve been waiting here for persecution. on a list kept by the Mexican au- tos of us,” he added, noting that Some experts question the at once and it seems incredibly Gbridges across the Rio six days. I’ve caught a cold, too … If asylum is granted, it allows thorities, and camp out on the “some people also off er us food.” government’s logic of making it hypocritical.” Grande between the Mexican city we wait even when it rains.” migrants to stay and work in the bridge until US border agents Barbara, 50, has been waiting so onerous for refugees to request Some experts believe making of Matamoros and Brownsville, Miguel is one of a new class of US and creates a pathway to citi- say they have capacity to process the longest: 12 days. their human right to asylum. asylum seekers wait on bridges Texas, that forms a metropolis asylum seekers who are stuck in zenship. them. “I have hypertension and I had “We are treating asylum seek- has unintended legal conse- spanning two countries. limbo — literally suspended be- Before this summer, asylum- Agustin, Cuban asylum seeker to be hospitalised the other day. I ers with disdain,” said Everard quences. Southbound, cars and people tween two countries, neither of seeking migrants arriving at the Miguel, from Cuba’s Granma don’t like living outside. Fortu- Meade, the director of the Trans- “Instead of waiting, they cross trickle virtually unimpeded into which wants to accept them. border were allowed into the im- province, fl ed his country out of nately, I did not lose my place in Border Institute at the University unlawfully and that exposes Mexico. Their predicament is the re- migration building on the Ameri- fear. the line.” of San Diego in California. them to prosecution,” said the Northbound, cars line up sult of a change in how US bor- can side of the bridge. “I’m not in agreement with After almost 11 days, Jhonny is “The whole architecture of en- lawyer Carlos Spector, who has bumper to bumper while crowds der agents treat asylum seekers, Because the building is on Cuba’s politics. I’ve been beaten getting impatient. forcement is designed to prevent worked on political asylum cases of pedestrians snake along the one that goes hand in hand with US soil, they couldn’t legally be up by the police,” he said. “They give preference to old people who might have a valid for the past 30 years in El Paso, sidewalk to join the queue for the the Trump administration’s zero turned back into Mexico. When the Guardian visited the people or pregnant women,” he asylum claim from being able to Texas. US port of entry. tolerance policy — the subject of Since May, however, border bridge on a single day in mid- said. “Yes we’re frustrated, but make them because the US makes The backlog shows no signs of On this sidewalk, at the Mexico a major Guardian investigation agents have started blocking September, Miguel was sitting what can you do?” it so diffi cult to get here.” easing. end of the bridge, is a cluster of this week. those without a US passport or among a group of 10 Cuban refu- Agustin, who is travelling with The US attorney general, Jeff “Yesterday they took in two visibly frazzled refugees, some The result is a Catch 22 for visa from passing the middle of gees. his 21-year-old daughter, Danay, Sessions, has made it clear that people. The day before that they with folding chairs and tables 21st century refugees who reach the international bridges. Some charged their phones tries to remain optimistic. the government will create “ex- took in three people,” said a Mex- and others lying on thin rugs the doorstep of America and are This means they can’t set foot from an extension cord attached “People off er us money while treme negative incentives” for ican immigration offi cial watch- on the ground, sheltering in the faced with two bad choices: get on US territory, nor can they stay to a Mexican government build- we wait because they see us sat people who try to enter the US ing over the bridge. shadow cast by a nearby customs stuck in no man’s land trying to in Mexico once their two-week ing; others rested as they waited on the ground and think we are unlawfully, Meade said. “Today they haven’t taken in building. enter the US legally, or risk being transit visa, for offi cials to call their turn. beggars,” he said. “And what happens when peo- anybody.” Trump threatens Cause for concern Honduras aid over migrant caravan

Reuters Honduran authorities did not immedi- The current group making their way north Washington ately respond to the US messages. plan to seek refugee status in Mexico or pass Pence tweeted that had spoken to Hern- through to the United States, saying they are andez. fl eeing poverty and violence. S President Donald Trump yesterday “Delivered strong message from @PO- The group more than doubled in size from threatened to withdraw funding and TUS: no more aid if caravan is not stopped. Saturday, when some 1,300 people set off Uaid from Honduras if it does not stop Told him US will not tolerate this blatant from northern Honduras in what has been a caravan of migrants that is heading to the disregard for our border & sovereignty,” dubbed “March of the Migrant,” an organ- United States, in his latest eff ort to show his Pence said. iser said. UN High Commissioner for Refugees and International Organization for Migration special administration’s tough stance on immigra- The friction coincides with intensifi ed Reuters could not independently verify representative for Venezuelan refugees and migrants, Guatemalan Eduardo Stein (centre), and tion. eff orts by Beijing to win recognition from the number of participants, but Reuters vid- Colombia’s Migration director, Christian Kruger (left), walk along the Simon Bolivar bridge in Cucuta, The message, driven home by Vice Presi- Central American countries that are cur- eo showed a group carrying backpacks and Colombia, on the border with Venezuela yesterday. Stein is in Cucuta as part of a three-day visit dent Mike Pence who said he spoke to Hon- rently allied with Taiwan. clogging roads near the border with Guate- to Colombia to discuss the Venezuelan migratory crisis which has been described as “the largest duran President Juan Orlando Hernandez, Hernandez said last month that cuts in US mala, some waving the Honduran fl ag. migration crisis” of the Western hemisphere. According to the United Nations, about 2.3mn people could further encourage the Central Ameri- support for Central America would hinder Guatemala said in a statement on Sunday left the oil-producing country since 2014, plunged into an acute economic crisis. can country to move closer to China because eff orts to stem illegal immigration, and wel- that it did not promote or endorse “irregular of what it sees as weak US support. comed China’s growing diplomatic pres- migration.” Up to 3,000 migrants crossed from Hon- ence in the region as an “opportunity.” Guatemalan police initially blocked mi- duras into Guatemala on Monday on a trek In an interview with Reuters, Hernandez grants from reaching a customs booth, Reu- northward, after a standoff with Guatema- lamented that prior US commitments to ters images showed. lan police in riot gear and warnings from step up investment in Honduras, Guatemala The group was ultimately able to cross, Washington that migrants should not try to and El Salvador had been scaled back since said march organizer Bartolo Fuentes, a enter the United States illegally. Trump took offi ce. former Honduran lawmaker. Brazil left divided as “The United States has strongly informed Honduras is one of a dwindling number Trump campaigned for president in 2016 the President of Honduras that if the large of countries that still has formal diplomatic on promises to toughen US immigration Caravan of people heading to the US is not ties with Taiwan. policies and build a wall along the border stopped and brought back to Honduras, no Last week, Pence told Central American with Mexico. more money or aid will be given to Hondu- countries the United States was willing to Illegal immigration is likely to be a top is- Bolsonaro cruises ras, eff ective immediately!” Trump said on help with economic development and in- sue in November 6 US congressional elec- Twitter. vestment if they did more to tackle mass tions, when Democrats are seen as having a It was not clear how Honduras would be migration, corruption and gang violence. good chance of gaining control of the House able to exercise control over people who had Thousands of migrants have left the im- of Representatives from Trump’s fellow Re- already left the country. poverished region in recent years. publicans. towards presidency

Reuters him, compared with 35% reject- tion, and it’s your fault,” Cid Sao Paulo ing Bolsonaro. Gomes shot back. “You morons! Food for thought The bad news for Haddad Lula is in prison!” came as eff orts to attract the The PT held the presidency ff orts to unite the Brazil- voters of Ciro Gomes, who came for 13 of the last 15 years and Lula ian left against right-wing third in the fi rst round of voting remains beloved by many for his Epresidential front-runner on October 7 after a centre-left social policies, credited with eas- Jair Bolsonaro have snagged campaign on the Democratic La- ing the lives of the poor in one of on internal squabbles, making bor Party ticket, devolved into the world’s most unequal coun- it even harder to close a gap in a shouting match at a campaign tries. opinion polls less than two weeks event on Monday night. Haddad, a former PT mayor before the run-off election. At a rally in the northeastern of Sao Paulo, has been unable to The latest poll, released by state of Ceara, which Gomes won distance himself from the dis- Ibope late on Monday, showed in the fi rst vote, his brother and dain many Brazilians harbor for conservative fi rebrand Bolsonaro campaign manager Cid Gomes the party’s role in corruption had a commanding lead over was called upon to formally en- schemes revealed by investiga- leftist rival Fernando Haddad, dorse Haddad. tors in recent years. with 59% of valid votes against But Cid Gomes took the op- Haddad has struggled to both 41% for Haddad. portunity to call for a “mea stand by Lula, whom the PT The poll, details of which ran culpa” over sprawling graft considers an unjustly convicted yesterday in newspaper Estado schemes orchestrated by leaders political prisoner, and also ac- de S Paulo, showed Haddad of the PT. knowledge the party’s errors. with a higher rate of “rejec- The party’s founder, former Bolsonaro, 63, a seven-term tion” among voters ahead of president Luiz Inacio Lula da congressman who openly de- the October 28 run-off, due in Silva, is doing jail time for a cor- fends Brazil’s 1964-1985 military part to dislike of his Workers ruption conviction. dictatorship, is pitching himself People wait for their orders at a fast food stand in downtown Santiago yesterday. The nutritional prospect of the Chilean population Party (PT) even among fellow Videos of the event showed as the anti-establishment candi- is “critical” due to its high levels of obesity and the increase in undernourishment, the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) leftists. Cid Gomes was met with rowdy date and appealing to voters fed warned yesterday, as part of the World Food Day. About 47% of people polled boos. up with political corruption and said they would never vote for “You’re going to lose the elec- violent crime.

Ramp-up for Anglo American’s Minas Rio mine possibly delayed to 2021

Reuters The company halted produc- placement in November. So The London-based company “It would be around 2021. It a nearly $1bn annual contract to issues like volume and quality, in Rio de Janeiro tion at its Minas Rio mine after everything is on track for us to was once counting on Minas-Rio is not a very fi rm date because supply Bahrain Steel with iron addition to the incident. two leaks in March in a pipeline resume operations in the fourth to produce 26.5mn tons of iron it depends on the plant’s per- ore by declaring force majeure in “Without a doubt they are an that channels slurry more than quarter. It could be in Novem- ore by 2016. formance,” Fernandes said, add- April after the spills. excellent client,” he said of the nglo American Plc should 500km from the mine in Minas ber or December,” Brazil chief As the project hit delays, it had ing that production should hit At the time, Anglo American Gulf-based company. restart operations at its Gerais state to a port in Rio de Ja- executive Ruben Fernandes told shifted that output goal for 2020. the target pace by the last few declined to comment. “There is no reason why we ABrazilian Minas Rio iron neiro state. Reuters on the sidelines of a The company clinched two key months of 2020. Fernandes yesterday acknowl- won’t reach a long term deal with ore mine in November or Decem- It has been inspecting the commodities conference in Rio permits to ramp up production Fernandes reiterated Anglo edged that the two companies them.” ber but a planned ramp-up to pipeline from April through Oc- de Janeiro. towards that goal in January, but American’s prior estimate of were already in arbitration to Fernandes said Anglo was also 26.5mn tonnes per year is likely tober, and is working to change Purchased at the height of the now expects to receive the key a $300mn to $400mn impact renegotiate the contract prior to in arbitration with Ferroport, a to be pushed back to 2021 from out about 4km of it out of cau- commodities boom a decade ago operating license in May, 2019. on earnings from the spills this the declaration of force majeure joint venture it has with port op- 2020 as previously expected, the tion after it discovered cracks in for $5.5bn, Minas Rio is Anglo That means production is like- year. following the spills. erator Prumo Logistica SA, after miner’s Brazil chief said yester- the welding. American’s biggest development ly to hit that long-awaited target In June, Reuters reported that He described the talks as declaring force majeure on that day. “We should finish the re- project. of 26.5mn tonnes in 2021. Anglo American had suspended friendly, noting that they include contract as well. Gulf Times 20 Wednesday, October 17, 2018 PAKISTAN

Parliamentary body on alleged election PM Imran displeased rigging is formed

Internews ing its fact-fi nding report, al- Islamabad though the two sides agreed that the committee “will sub- mit a report within such time with by-poll outcome day after the October 14 as is agreeable” by the commit- by-elections on 35 seats tee (members)”. Strengthened PML-Q likely to Salik Hussain (son of Chaud- Wajahad Hussain had earlier Aof national and pro- There are seven members seek another federal ministry hry Shujaat Hussain) won from decided to contest on Chakwal vincial assemblies across the each from the PTI and the Pa- Gujrat (NA-69) and Chakwal and Gujrat seats, respectively (in country, National Assembly kistan Muslim League – Nawaz Internews (NA-65) with a margin of more by-polls and general elections), Speaker Asad Qaiser formally (PML-N) in the committee, Islamabad/Lahore than 50,000 and 65,000 votes, but later withdrew, announcing constituted a 30-member bi- followed by four members from respectively. that it was time their young ones partisan and bicameral parlia- the Pakistan Peoples Party They are joining their third should come forward (in poli- mentary committee to probe (PPP), two members each from akistan Tehreek-e-Insaf cousin Hussain Elahi (son of Wa- tics). allegations of rigging in the the Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal (PTI) chairman Imran jahat Hussain) in parliament. “The Chaudhry brothers have July 25 general elections. (MMA), the Muttahida Qaumi PKhan has reviewed the par- Hussain Elahi is the youngest decided to fi eld their young ones The “Parliamentary Com- Movement – Pakistan (MQM- ty’s performance in by-elections parliamentarian in the National in the political arena and take the mittee on the General Elec- P), and the Baluchistan Awami held on Sunday across the coun- Assembly. party forward. As all three young tions 2018”, which has been Party (BAP), and one member try and expressed dissatisfaction The PML-Q now has fi ve seats cousins are educated and ener- formed on the demand of the each from the Pakistan Mus- over the results. in the National Assembly. getic, the party pins great hope opposition parties, comprises lim League – Quaid-e-Azam The ruling PTI lost two Na- The party’s Tariq Bashir Chee- in them to work for betterment 10 members from the Senate (PML-Q), the Baluchistan tional Assembly (NA) seats won ma is in the federal housing min- of the country and strengthening and 20 from the lower house National Party (BNP), the Pa- in the July 25 general election by istry. the party,” Agha said. of parliament, according to a khtunkhwa Milli Awami Party prime minister (NA-131 Lahore, Now, after winning two more The former senator said that a notifi cation issued by the Na- (PkMAP), the Grand Demo- and NA-35 Bannu), one NA seat NA seats, the PML-Q may lay good number of PML-N mem- tional Assembly secretariat. cratic Alliance (GDA), and the won by Tahir Sadiq (NA-56 At- claim to another ministry at the bers would join the PML-Q in As per an agreement between Awami National Party (ANP), tock), and Punjab Assembly seats Centre. coming days. the government and the op- besides an independent law- won by Fawad Chaudhry (PP- The PTI lost two National Assembly seats won by the prime minister “We are a coalition partner of “Our complete focus is on re- position parties, the commit- maker from the Federally Ad- 12 Jhelum) and Mohamed Khan in the July 25 general elections. the PTI government, and after organisation of the party and the tee comprises equal number ministered Tribal Areas (Fata). (PP-92 Dera Ghazi Khan) and bagging two more NA seats, we response we are getting from the of members from the treasury The opposition alleges that two Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Bannu, Mianwali, Lahore, and leader Awais Khan Leghari won expect to have another minis- people across the country is very and opposition benches, and it the general elections were ma- seats in Swat. Karachi – in the July 25 elections. the Punjab Assembly (PP-3) seat try at the Centre. We will talk to encouraging,” he said, adding will be headed by a government nipulated and rigged to enable Information Minister Fawad He retained the Mianwali seat. by defeating the PTI’s Maqsood the PTI leadership in this regard that the Chaudhrys would visit nominee. the PTI form the government. Chaudhry said that although Pakistan allows candidates to Leghari. as both coalition partners had diff erent districts, especially in While there has been no of- The alleged failure of the PTI had lost some of its seats, it run in multiple constituencies, The KP Assembly (PK-78) seat, also worked out modalities ear- Punjab, in this respect. fi cial announcement from the Result Transmission System bagged the highest number of but keep only one seat. where elections could not take lier without any problem,” said The PML-Q has 10 seats in the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-In- (RTS) during the vote count votes, more than 1.1mn, followed In the by-elections, the Mut- place on July 25 due to the killing PML-Q central information sec- Punjab Assembly and it has been saf (PTI) about the chairman- made the general elections by 800,000 secured by the Pa- tahida Majlis-e-Amal (MMA)’s of Awami National Party (ANP) retary, former senator Kamil Ali given the speaker’s slot by the ship of the committee, which controversial, with both the kistan Muslim League-Nawaz Zahid Akram Durrani, son of leader Haroon Bilour, has been Agha. PTI. includes six federal ministers Election Commission of Paki- (PML-N). Akram Durrani, won the Bannu won by his widow despite the Moonis Elahi, who has been in The PTI leadership has re- and several political heavy- stan (ECP) and National Data- “The PTI and its ally the seat, whereas PML-N leader fact that the National Assembly politics for many years and also portedly asked the Chaudhrys to weights, sources said that base and Registration Author- PML-Q clinched 17 seats of the Khawaja Saad Rafi que clinched seat in the same constituency remained a member of the Pun- create a “silent forward-bloc” in Prime Minister Imran Khan ity (NADRA) offi cials holding National and Provincial Assem- the NA-131 Lahore seat. had been won by the PTI. jab Assembly twice, is expected the opposition PML-N to keep it wanted Defence Minister Per- each other responsible. blies, while the Pakistan Muslim The PML-N upset the PTI by Meanwhile, the strength- to lead his cousins and will be the unsettled. vez Khattak to head it. The parliamentary commit- League – Nawaz (PML-N) won 11 clinching the NA-56 (Attock) ened Pakistan Muslim League – ultimate choice of the party for In the last three polls held The government agreed to tee’s work is expected to re- seats,” he added. seat with a clear margin. Quaid-e-Azam (PML-Q) is likely the ministry if the coalition part- within parliament, more than a set up the special committee to volve around fi nding answers In reply to a question, he said The seat had been vacated by to seek another federal govern- ners reach an understanding. dozen PML-N lawmakers violat- probe rigging allegations after to the two questions – whether that Prime Minister Khan was the PTI’s Tahir Sadiq, who had ment ministry. Salik Hussain and Hussain ed the party policy in the Senate, both sides took a step back on the RTS had actually collapsed, unhappy over the loss of seven also won the other NA seat from In the Sunday by-elections, Elahi contested for the fi rst time speaker and presidential elec- their stated positions over its and if the polling agents were party seats. the district in the general elec- the scions of the Chaudhrys of in the 2018 general elections and tions, either giving votes to the composition on September 19. forcefully expelled from the Khan had won all fi ve NA seats tions. Gujrat, Moonis Elahi (son of won. PTI/PML-Q candidates, or dis- No time frame has been set polling stations after the poll- he had contested in – Islamabad, In Dera Ghazi Khan, PML-N Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi) and Both Chaudhry Shujaat and carded their votes. for the committee for fi nalis- ing.

Internet votes may High-light Border prove decisive: ECP crossing

Internews ducted on Sunday (October 14). shut after Islamabad The ECP had allowed over- seas Pakistanis to vote in the by-elections on an experimen- exchange he Election Commis- tal basis, on the directive of the sion of Pakistan (ECP) Supreme Court. Thas decided to make the While the ECP has not is- of gunfi re votes polled by overseas Paki- sued an offi cial word about the stanis part of the fi nal results turnout in the by-elections on of the October 14 by-elections, 11 National Assembly seats and DPA noting that the iVotes can be 24 provincial assembly seats, Islamabad/Kabul a game changer in at least six an offi cial said that it was be- constituencies. tween 35% and 40%. The decision came after ECP Meanwhile, the ECP has ne of the two major bor- representatives held a meet- sought details of election ex- der crossings between ing with the National Database penditure from the winning OPakistan and Afghani- and Registration Authority candidates within seven days. stan has been closed following (NADRA) offi cials. ROs are required to obtain clashes between their armies, ECP spokesperson Nadeem necessary details from the leaving thousands of people Qasim told the media that the winning candidates and sub- stranded on both sides. details of all iVotes had been mit the same to the ECP. The Chamman border cross- sent to returning offi cers (ROs). The ECP said that victory ing was closed on Sunday fol- “The ROs will add these re- notifi cations of the candidates lowing an intense exchange of sults to their fi nal tallies,” he failing to submit expense de- fi re between Pakistani and Af- added. tails would be withheld. ghan soldiers that lasted for sev- Of the 7,364 registered over- According to the ECP, the eral hours, offi cials on both sides seas Pakistanis voters, 6,233 participation of overseas Paki- told DPA. exercised their right to vote stanis in the election exercise is The clashes erupted after Af- through iVoting software in the a momentous development in A member of the Pakistan Anti-Narcotic Force (ANF) takes a selfie near a burning pile of drugs and liquor during a ceremony yesterday ghan troops opened fi re on Pa- by-elections that were con- the country’s history. at the Kacha Ghari army firing range, on the outskirts of Peshawar, after the contraband was seized in raids across the province. kistani soldiers when they were trying to erect a fence on the disputed border between the two countries. “Our troops came under fi re from Afghan side,” said Khan Complaint against CJP Wasseh, spokesman for Paki- Abbasi may become opposition leader stan’s Frontier Constabulary force, which is responsible for Internews partisan and impartial manner. manning the border. Lahore “He has failed to keep his Internews Former premier Abbasi is re- farul Haq has denied any such Ahmad Zia Durani, a police offi ce free of controversy or Islamabad garded as a trusted aide of PML- development when approached spokesman in Afghanistan’s to discharge the mountainous N supremo Nawaz Sharif, and for comment. Spin Boldak region, confi rmed he Women’s Action Fo- heaps of pending cases that was reportedly granted a party “This is a far-fl ung and hy- the clashes and the closure of the rum and some pro-de- plague the judiciary and pre- ewly-elected Member ticket for NA-124, Lahore in re- pothetical assessment, to pre- border. Tmocracy citizens have vent it from serving as an effi - of the National Assem- cently-concluded by-elections sume that he (Shehbaz Sharif) Both sides, however, blamed fi led a reference against Chief cacious provider of justice and Nbly (MNA) and former on Sharif’s intervention. would face conviction. The par- each other for the closure. Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Saqib due process to the citizens.” prime minister Shahid Khaqan The said seat was won by ty would review options should Thousands of people and Nisar before the Supreme Ju- The petition said that if this Abbasi could be the new Leader Hamza Shehbaz, the PML-N such a time arises. As of now, no hundreds of vehicles, including dicial Council at the Supreme reference was taken up, the in- of the Opposition in case Paki- chief’s son, in the July 25 general such move is under considera- lorries carrying supplies for in- Court in Islamabad. quiry must be instituted by a stan Muslim League – Nawaz elections, who vacated it and tion,” he said. ternational troops in Afghani- Farhatullah Babar, Afrasiab judicial offi cer other than the (PML-N) chief Shehbaz Sharif opted for his Punjab Assembly PML-N MNA Rana Sanaul- stan, were stranded at the bor- Khatak, Nighat Saeed Khan, respondent to ensure the pro- is convicted in a mega-corrup- seat, where he became Leader of lah said that the charges against der, both Wasseh and Durrani Farieha Aziz, Rubina Sehgal, ceedings are fair. tion scam. the Opposition. Shehbaz Sharif are “frivolous” said. and others, who are among 98 Insisting that fi ling of the Shehbaz Sharif was remand- With Khawaja Saad Rafi que and that he could not be con- Reports in Afghan media sug- signatories to the reference reference is in public and na- ed into National Accountability also having won by-elections victed on the basis of these gested at least three Pakistani fi led on October 10, said that tional interest, Aziz said that Bureau’s (NAB’s) custody for 10 from NA-131 Lahore, the PML- charges by the accountability soldiers were killed, but Wasseh the petition accuses the chief “it’s the only lawful avenue days by an accountability court N has a number of leaders who court. said it was not true. justice of misconduct. available to record our protest”. on October 6. are regarded as heavyweights to “There is hardly any chance The sporadic fi re exchanges Seeking an inquiry into com- She said that the petitioners While the PML-N has widely take up Shehbaz Sharif’s posi- that he (Shehbaz) would be con- have been taking place at the plaints against the top judge, were advised against fi ling the dismissed his involvement in tion in the National Assembly, victed on the basis of baseless border between the two coun- the petition read out by Aziz petition to avoid “contempt any kind of foul play in the Ashi- if he is convicted, including charges. Abbasi: former premier, and tries since Pakistan started fenc- alleged that “through his re- proceedings” and “an inqui- ana Housing Scheme, the party Khawaja Asif, Ahsan Iqbal, Ayaz “First, they accused him of potentially Leader of the ing parts of the border, which marks and actions, he has in- sition with harassment”, but leadership is said to be weighing Sadiq, and Rana Sanaullah. corruption in Saaf Paani case Opposition in the National Afghan side considered contro- dulged in conduct unbecoming they decided to take the risk to options in case Sharif is con- However, given that Abbasi but arrested him in another Assembly. versial. of a judge, politicised the judi- “reclaim the balance of powers victed. became prime minister after case. Pakistan said that the fenc- ciary, violated the principles of and restore some semblance Sharif is accused of irregu- Nawaz Sharif’s disqualifi ca- “They are looking for solid party has no reason to believe ing would help curb the cross- the separation of powers, and of a systemic and pro-people, larities in an award of contract tion in the Panamagate case last excuses to frame him but are not Shehbaz would be convicted if border movement of militants demonstrated negligence and democratic method of regular in the housing scheme which al- year, he is said to be an obvious able to fi nd any,” said the former fair trial takes its course. “The believed to be linked to Al Qaeda inability to adjudicate in any dispensation of justice in Pa- legedly caused a loss of Rs193mn choice. Punjab law minister, adding question of a replacement and the extremist Islamic State independent, neutral, non- kistan”. to national exchequer. PML-N chairman Raja Za- that in this kind of situation, the therefore, does not arise.” (IS) group. Gulf Times Wednesday, October 17, 2018 21 PHILIPPINES Senator says Style statement food security ‘not promising’

By Bernadette E Tamayo the other hand, earn P8,300 a month with only 1.3 Manila Times hectares of farmland. “Worse, this measly income of Filipino farmers is diminished by the high prices of commodities,” the enator Francis Pangilinan yesterday deplored senator said. what he called the country’s “not too prom- Filipinos faced an infl ation of 6.7% in September Sising” food security situation, saying hunger 2018, the highest in nine years. stalks millions of Filipinos.| “Given these, we must take up the mission of im- He said the Philippines continues to lag in rice proving and safeguarding our nation’s food basket production with only 18 metric tonnes in 2016 and stabilising prices and supply, while empower- compared to the 27MT of Thailand and 45MT of ing those at the forefront of agriculture — farm- Vietnam. ers, farm workers, fi sher folks, and those engaged He added that Filipinos have been queueing for in trade — with the means to improve their lives,” aff ordable National Food Authority (NFA) rice, Pangilinan said. while some towns in Mindanao saw the price of the “We must also channel resources to policies and staple rise to P70 per kilo. programmes that directly benefi t our undernour- “Hunger stalks an estimated 3.1mn Filipino fam- ished children. Together, we have to demonstrate ilies, who have experienced involuntary hunger at our resolve to liberate Filipinos from malnutrition least once in the last three months, according to and hunger, and give all of us the means to lead pro- latest survey,” Pangilinan said as the country ob- ductive lives, and contribute to a progressive Phil- served World Food Day. ippines,” he added. He said Thai farmers earn about P32,000 a month “If we are to secure our food, we must secure our with 3.2 hectares of farmland. Filipino farmers, on farmers.”

US in $25bn Palace denies special aid plan treatment for Go A model presents a creation of Philippine fashion brand Renz Reyes for the 2019 Spring/Summer collection at Tokyo Fashion for southern in poll registration Week, yesterday.

Philippines By Catherine S Valente is they didn’t anticipate that Manila Times the president was coming so their security was taken by DPA surprise,” Panelo said. Manila alacanang yesterday “The ones who accompa- Police, military prepare said former Special nied Go were the president MAssistant to the Pres- and three Cabinet members he United States an- ident Christopher Lawrence so it was within the limit. The nounced yesterday the “Bong” Go did not receive problem was a lot of other Tlaunch of a $25mn pro- “special treatment” when he people tagged along, so natu- election security measures gramme to improve conditions fi led his candidacy for sena- rally they had a diffi cult time,” for people in war-torn Marawi tor before the Commission on he added. Apart from Duterte, City and neighbouring towns in Elections (Comelec). Go was accompanied by Ex- Manila Times regional directors down to the Galvez said some candidates eas like Mindanao. Aside from southern Philippines. Palace spokesman Salvador ecutive Secretary Salvador Manila station level to strengthen their in Abra and other provinces in preventing attacks from armed “The US government shares Panelo issued the statement Medialdea, Presidential Com- defence plan in order to avoid Mindanao also need additional groups, the police will also help the concern of the Philippine after the Comelec apparently munications Secretary Mar- (any groups) overrunning small security because of the heated in the campaign to stop vote- government for ongoing eco- breached its own rule when tin Andanar, former Foreign he Philippine National police stations nationwide. We electoral contests and election- buying. nomic, social, health, and edu- Go fi led his certifi cate of can- Aff airs secretary Alan Peter Police (PNP) and the mili- did not lack in reminders,” he related violent incidents in the However, Albayalde said it is cation needs of the people of didacy (COC) accompanied Cayetano, former Justice sec- Ttary have started prepar- said. past. Albayalde earlier said Abra, diffi cult to arrest people buying Marawi and neighbouring mu- by President Rodrigo Duterte retary Vitaliano Aguirre 2nd, ing security measures to prevent Armed Forces chief Carlito Masbate, Lanao provinces, and votes because for a case to pros- nicipalities,” US ambassador to and some Cabinet offi cials and presidential security person- rebel groups and other armed Galvez said the Army and the po- Zamboanga provinces are pos- per, suspects should be caught the Philippines Sung Kim said supporters. nel. groups from mounting attacks lice have taken steps to combat sible election hotspots because in the act of giving and receiving during his visit in Marawi City. The Comelec said only four Comelec spokesman James during the election period. political armed groups who may these are “perennial” areas of money. Some 400,000 residents of companions are allowed to ac- Jimenez said they relaxed the PNP Chief Oscar Albayalde cause trouble during the elec- trouble during elections. “In vote-buying, there should Marawi and nearby towns were company a candidate. rules for Go’s companions to said police teams had started tions. The police will release a vali- be the giver and the receiver of displaced when Islamic State- Panelo said the Comelec maintain order. conducting simulations to re- “We see that political armed dated list of election hotspots money and they also need to allied militants attacked Marawi failed to anticipate the attend- “The safety of the president spond to attempts to take over groups and gun-for-hire (can be within the week. testify in order to know who was in May last year. ance of the president in Go’s is paramount. Allowances police stations or sow chaos dur- hired) to eliminate opposition. Meanwhile, the Armed Forces originally giving the money. It’s The fi ve-month battle be- entourage. have to be made,” the Comelec ing the campaign period. That is why we allow security to of the Philippines is expected to really hard sometimes,” tween soldiers and the militants “What may have happened offi cial said. “We have given directives to some candidates,” he said. control situations in confl ict ar- Albayalde said. left more than 900 terrorists, 47 civilians and 165 government troops dead, and turned houses and buildings into rubble. Kim said the three-year Ma- rawi Response Project will off er microloans to address short- Private schools group seeks bureau to safeguard interests term needs and help residents restart businesses in and around Marawi. By Neil Alcober the National Alliance of Private Schools this year’s education advocacy summit Universities (Papscu) and Napsphil in of private education. We want it back He also announced a separate Manila Times Philippines (Napsphil), debunked the held in Pasay City on Monday. partnership with the Private Educa- again, that is one of the advocacies $235,000 programme to train claim of the government that there is The summit, with the theme, tion Assistance Committee and REX we work on again with the help of the teachers in religious education. complementarity between the public “Think Education, Think Advocacy: Group of Companies. lawmakers but the lawmakers now The Philippine government group of private schools is push- and private schools. Advocating Complementarity in De- “The DepEd is more on the public are busy with the public schools,” has moved the groundbreaking ing for the creation of a bureau “There is no such thing as comple- livering Accessible Quality Educa- schools rather than the welfare of the Faustino said. ceremony to mark the rehabili- Aof private education under the mentarity between the private schools tion,” was attended by thousands of private schools that’s why they are He added that there is a wide gap tation of Marawi from October Department of Education (DepEd) that and public schools. They (government) educators and school administrators now clamouring for our own depart- between the public schools and 17 to October 28 to make way for will focus on the welfare of the private always claim for complementarity from various private schools. It was ment. Let there be a private educa- private schools in terms of finan- President Rodrigo Duterte to at- education sector. when in fact there is none,” Faustino organised by the Philippine Associa- tion not under one umbrella because cial subsidy they receive from the tend the events. Dr Reynaldo Faustino, president of told Manila Times on the sidelines of tion of Private Schools, Colleges and before we used to have a department government. Binay refuses mediation in mayor race among children

By Neil Jayson Servallos ety” during the campaign period by ple,” he added in a statement. restore effi ciency, competence, pro- Manila Times focusing on their respective platforms Jejomar Erwin “Junjun” Binay fi rst fessionalism and compassion in gov- and plans for the city and its people. ran for mayor in 2010 and was re- ernance,” Abby said, pointing out that Junjun expressed his gratitude to his elected in 2013, winning over 83% of her father was on her side. ormer Vice President Jejomar father for not taking sides in the may- Makati voters in a 208,748 to 25,791 She turned emotional when she ap- Binay has said he would let his oral race between him and his sister, landslide victory over Rene Bondal. pealed to Junjun to give her a “chance” Fchildren battle each other for even if Abby previously claimed that He was removed from his post in during a televised interview, saying Makati City mayor as he refused to she had the elder Binay’s full support. 2015 over alleged anomalies in the Junjun had his turn and it was her have a hand in deciding who among “The decision of my father to en- P1.3bn Makati Science High School time. them would run. dorse neither myself nor my sister in building and P2.2bn Makati City Hall “Please be man enough to say, ‘I “I respect their decision to run as the 2019 polls shows his respect for Building 2 project. will give my big sister a chance’,” Abby mayor of Makati. Abby as a candidate the people of Makati, and is consistent Last week, the Commission on said during an interview with ANC’s of UNA and Junjun as a candidate of with the character of a public servant Elections clarifi ed that Junjun could “Headstart.” UAM, a local party. It is not for me to who has dedicated his life to Makati run for public offi ce since the courts Whatever the outcome, the elder decide who is more deserving to be and has worked tirelessly for the wel- have not issued a decision that is “fi nal Binay said the family would not be di- mayor. The people of Makati will de- fare of its residents,” he said. and executory.” vided by politics and that he was con- cide that,” Binay said in a statement. Junjun added that he would fi le his Mar-len Abiggail “Abby” Binay who fi dent that elections in the city would According to the Binay patriarch, he certifi cate of candidacy (CoC) soon. is serving her fi rst term, insisted that be free of anomalies. would not impose his own decision on He said he would respect his fami- she was “her father’s candidate.” Binay, who announced that he his children. ly’s wishes that he and his sister would She noted that before her term, would run for 1st District representa- “They are both old enough, and as conduct positive and dignifi ed cam- “dirty politics and shameless politi- tive of Makati, would fi le his CoC soon a parent all I can do is advise them. I paigns. cal patronage” was rampant, depriv- at the Commission on Elections offi ce am not the type of parent who dictates “We have both served as mayors of ing the people of Makati basic social in Intramuros, Manila. on the lives of his children, especially Makati, and its residents have seen our services. Joey Salgado, Binay’s spokes- since they have their own minds,” he diff erent leadership styles. I believe “Together with my trusted team of man, previously said the former vice said. Binay, also a former Makati may- they have a basis for comparison and professionals, I got down to the task president is likely going to clash with or, revealed that Abby and Junjun have can decide who among the two of us of rebuilding our city by taking drastic former vice mayor “Kid” Pena for a Jejomar Binay: declining to take sides agreed to maintain “civility and sobri- can better serve the city and its peo- but necessary measures to promptly seat in the House of Representatives. Gulf Times 22 Wednesday, October 17, 2018 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 Fed hikes and trade wars: EMs need to brace themselves

The US Federal Reserve has raised interest rates six times since Donald Trump became president in January 2017. With the target range for the benchmark policy rate now at 2% to 2.25% - still low by historic standards - Fed offi cials have pencilled in another move this year, likely in December, and three more hikes in 2019. For sure, policymakers across emerging markets (EMs), already rattled by an exodus of capital and tumbling cur- rencies, are bracing for a protracted struggle in the face of rising US interest rates and a deepening trade war be- Can Eurozone reform tween the world’s two biggest economies. The Fed’s tightening has caused strains across EMs, most notably in Argentina, Turkey and Indonesia as capital fl ows reverse. Offi cials from developing economies used the International Monetary Fund-World Bank meet- help contain Trump? ings in Bali, Indonesia to call for awareness of the strains they face as the crisis-era monetary reforms across the developed world come to a close. By Jochen Andritzky 80% of its energy import bill – worth to stabilise the global economy, but leave part of its balance sheet exposed Brussels €300bn a year – in US dollars,” even the liquidity also helped to prevent to the fate of non-eurozone countries. The prospect of a deepening rout in EMs was under- though only about 2% of the EU’s domestic disturbances from foreign The ECB has good reason to be scored last week with the IMF cutting its outlook for energy imports come from the US. sales of dollar assets and to stop cautious: it lacks a political coun- world growth for the fi rst time since 2016. S President Donald Trump He then called for the euro to become foreign banks from scrambling to buy terpart akin to the Fed’s US Treasury EMs have for long is using economic warfare “the instrument of a new, more dollars. Secretary. With no eurozone finance been at pains to contain to pursue his foreign-policy sovereign Europe,” and promised to The ECB adopted a much more minister with whom to coordinate restrictive approach. In late 2008, it in times of crisis, a decision by the The issues facing the fi nancial turmoil Uobjectives. In August, his “present initiatives to strengthen the administration announced that it international role of the euro.” began to provide euros to the central ECB to help third countries – even EMs are seen that struck them amid would double tariffs on steel and Juncker is not alone among Euro- banks of Hungary, Latvia, and Poland, EU countries – could be met with the Fed focus on tight- aluminium imports from Turkey, pean leaders in recognising how pow- but required them to put up euro- strong resistance. The ECB’s reluc- persisting ening fi nancial condi- in order to pressure the Turkish erful a tool the single currency can be denominated securities as collateral. tance to establish a swap line with tions. authorities to release an American when it comes to projecting power. The ECB wanted to guard its balance Hungary may be a case in point: pastor detained for two years on German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas sheet against unsecured exposure to Hungary was already distancing Total EM borrowing increased from $21tn (or 145% of espionage charges. At the beginning has proposed that the European Union Hungarian forint or Polish złoty. But itself from the EU. GDP) in 2007 to $63tn (210% of GDP) in 2017. Since 2007, of next month, the United States will establish its own international pay- these countries held too few eligible Eventually, the ECB did resolve to the foreign-currency debt – in dollars, euros and yen – of also ratchet up unilateral sanctions ments system. securities to obtain enough euros do “whatever it takes” to save the these countries doubled to around $9tn. against Iran. But these proposals, while ambi- under the ECB’s initial terms. It took euro. But if European leaders want to In all, EM borrowers need to repay or refi nance around The Trump administration knows tious, may overlook what is really another year for the ECB, under pres- advance Juncker’s vision of strength- that a key source of US economic lev- needed to elevate the euro’s status. If sure from Austria and other countries, ening EU sovereignty by boosting the $1.5tn in debt in 2019 and again in 2020. Many are not erage is the dollar’s role as the world’s the euro’s role in international trade to establish proper swap lines against euro’s international role, they cannot earning enough to meet these commitments. dominant reserve currency. Counter- increased, so would foreign compa- foreign-currency collateral with the rely on the ECB to repeat that ap- Optimists, however, argue that most EMs are far less ing America’s disproportionate power nies’ holdings of euro-denominated Hungarian and Polish central banks. proach, without proper institutional vulnerable than they were in 1997. Foreign currency hold- to destabilise the global economy assets and the total volume of euro- Even now, the ECB will provide euro support. ings among EMs and developing economies are projected thus requires reducing the share of denominated loans. More global trade liquidity only to countries consid- Instead, eurozone leaders should international trade conducted in dol- in euros could lead foreign banking ered systemically relevant for the complete the reforms of the currency to be $144bn higher this year, according to the Interna- lars. Can the euro serve as a credible systems to become heavily exposed to eurozone. This risk-averse approach union’s architecture and provide a tional Monetary Fund. alternative? the currency. contrasts with that of the Fed and, political counterpart to the ECB that EM policymakers are also reacting better than in the The euro is the world’s second- That means that, in the event of more tellingly, with that of the Peo- would support centralised monetary past. Argentina’s move to defend the peso by hiking its leading currency, but it still lags far a crisis, the European Central Bank ple’s Bank of China, which in recent policy. This is the best initial response key interest rate and committing to reducing its fi scal behind the US dollar. Two-thirds would have to take action, much as years has established an extensive to Trump’s economic attacks. Any- of all loans issued by local banks in the US Federal Reserve has done in the network of swap lines to promote the thing else would be putting the cart defi cit exemplifi es that. foreign currencies are denominated past. During the 2008 global finan- renminbi’s use in trade – and thus its before the horse – yet again. - Project The Fed is taking into account the eff ects its policies in dollars, compared to just 20% in cial crisis, the Fed served as de facto standing as an international currency. Syndicate have on EMs, vice chairman for Supervision, Randal euros. Similar proportions apply to global lender of last resort, agreeing If Juncker’s vision is to be realised, Quarles said in Bali, Indonesia, responding to criticism global foreign-exchange reserves. to unsecured swap lines not only with the ECB will have to abandon this pa- Jochen Andritzky, a former secre- that higher US rates are having an unsettling eff ect. European Commission President reserve-currency central banks like rochial mindset and adopt a Fed-style tary-general of the German Council of Jean-Claude Juncker is eager to the ECB and the Swiss National Bank, role as international lender of last Economic Experts, is a visiting fellow “We do consider the implication of our own policy to change this. Last month, he declared but also with emerging economies resort. Yet it remains unclear whether at Bruegel, a Brussels-based think emerging markets,” said Quarles. “The right response is it “absurd” that “Europe pays for like Mexico and Brazil. The goal was the ECB actually would be willing to tank. for us to be as predictable, gradual about our policy as we can.” Hikes to US interest rates, trade protectionism, higher oil prices and China’s slowing growth are among the many headwinds facing EMs. But there is no “one-size- fi ts-all” solution to the country-specifi c fallout from rising US interest rates and a stronger dollar. The issues facing EMs are seen persisting for another 18 months or more. There’s no “magic bullet” for how emerging economies can respond to the volatility that’s shaking them. Gov- ernments, instead, need to look inwards, get the basics right and like building buff ers and bolstering underlying fundamentals. Sure, EMs still aren’t masters of their own destiny, but it’s high time they stopped looking over their shoulders at the Big Brother.

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© 2018 Gulf Times. All rights reserved European Union Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker. Gulf Times Wednesday, October 17, 2018 23 COMMENT The US-Saudi relationship after Khashoggi

By Barak Barfi too focused on Vietnam to contemplate Washington, DC action in another theatre. Instead, Secretary of State Henry Kissinger conceived a policy whereby Iran and he alleged killing of the Saudi Saudi Arabia, backed by unlimited US Arabian dissident journalist military hardware, would police the Jamal Khashoggi, a permanent Gulf. While Iran stopped playing its role Tresident of the United States, following the 1979 Islamic Revolution, in the Kingdom’s consulate in Istanbul the Saudis still do. has unleashed a tidal wave of criti- It is a quandary Trump seems to cism. In the US Congress, Democrats grasp. Though he vowed “severe and Republicans alike have promised to punishment” if the Saudis did end weapons sales to Saudi Arabia and indeed kill Khashoggi, he refused impose sanctions if its government is to countenance cancelling military shown to have murdered Khashoggi. contracts, instead lamenting what their But signifi cant damage to bilateral loss would mean for American jobs. ties, let alone a diplomatic rupture, It is not only defence contractors is not in the cards, even if all the who are going to bat for the Saudis. evidence points to a state-sanctioned Before Khashoggi became Washington’s assassination. Saudi Arabia is simply topic du jour, the Saudis paid about ten too crucial to US interests to allow lobbying fi rms no less than $759,000 a the death of one man to aff ect the month to sing their praises in America’s relationship. And with new allies halls of power. working with old lobbyists to stem the But it may be the Saudis’ new best damage, it is unlikely that the episode friend who will throw them a lifeline. will lead to anything more than a lovers’ As Iran has become the biggest threat quarrel. to Israel, the Jewish State has made Saudi Arabia’s special role in common cause with the Saudis. American foreign policy is a lesson Former Saudi bashers such as Prime that US presidents learn only with Minister Binyamin Netanyahu’s experience. When Bill Clinton assumed confi dant Dore Gold now meet with the presidency, his advisers were bent the Kingdom’s offi cials. Following the on distancing the new administration US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo receives a gift during a visit to the Saudi capital Riyadh yesterday. Pompeo held talks with Saudi King Salman seeking answers about 2013 military coup that toppled Egypt’s from George HW Bush’s policies. the disappearance of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, amid US media reports the kingdom may be mulling an admission he died during a botched interrogation. democratically elected government, Among the changes sought by Clinton’s Israeli leaders urged US offi cials to national security adviser, Anthony Saudi ambassador. from the Kingdom, senior Saudi ratcheting up their rhetoric following military hardware. Intelligence co- embrace the generals. They are likely Lake, was an end to the unfettered Before Donald Trump assumed offi ce, offi cials dismissed the implications. In Khashoggi’s disappearance. Turkey operation is crucial to ferreting out to do the same today if US anti-Saudi White House access that Saudi he frequently bashed the Saudis and a November 2002 interview, the Saudi claims it has audio and video revealing jihadists and thwarting their plots. sentiment imperils their Iran strategy. Arabian ambassador Bandar bin Sultan threatened to cease oil purchases from interior minister simply deemed it his death, and Senator Lindsey Graham But, most important, Saudi Arabia is The US-Saudi relationship has enjoyed during the Reagan and Bush the Kingdom, grouping them with “impossible.” warned, “If it did happen there would the leading Arab bulwark against Iran. been a rocky one, and its setbacks and presidencies. Bandar was to be treated freeloaders who had taken advantage Americans seethed, and it appeared be hell to pay,” while Senator Benjamin The Kingdom has supported proxies scandals have mostly played out away like any other ambassador. of America. But after the Saudis feted that the awkward alliance between Cardin has threatened to target in Lebanon, Syria, and Yemen. Any from the public eye. Yet it has endured But Clinton quickly warmed to him with sword dances and bestowed a secular democracy and a secretive sanctions at senior Saudi offi cials. steps to hold the Saudis responsible for and thrived. This time, too, in the wake Bandar, and Bandar and the royal court on him the highest civilian award when theocracy, cemented by common But Saudi Arabia wears too many Khashoggi’s death would force the US of Khashoggi’s disappearance, common would become crucial to Clinton’s he visited the Kingdom on his fi rst trip interests during the Cold War, was hats for America to abandon it to assume responsibilities it is far more interests and mutual dependence will regional policies, ranging from Arab- abroad as US president, he changed his plunging into the abyss separating easily. Though the US no longer comfortable outsourcing. almost certainly prevail over the desire Israeli peace talks to containing Iraq. tune. their values. But the alliance not only needs Saudi oil, thanks to its shale It is a role America has long sought to to hold the Saudis to the standards In 1993, when Clinton needed a quote Even the terror attacks of September survived; it deepened. Bandar provided reserves, it does need the Kingdom avoid. When the United Kingdom, the expected of other close US allies. – from the Holy Qur’an to go alongside 11, 2001, could not damage the key insights and advice as president to regulate production and thereby region’s colonial master and protector, Project Syndicate those from the Old and New Testament relationship. Though Al Qaeda leader George W Bush planned the 2003 Iraq stabilise markets. American defence decided that it could no longer aff ord for a ceremony marking an Israeli- Osama bin Laden, himself a Saudi invasion. contractors are dependent on the such fi nancial burdens, US leaders ruled Barak Barfi is a research fellow at Palestinian accord, he turned to the national, recruited 15 of the 19 hijackers Today, American politicians are again billions the Kingdom spends on out taking its place. Policymakers were New America.

Funding Africa’s education revolution Three-day forecast TODAY former and prevent the latter, Africa we would still not have enough capital the IFFEd will favor countries that are Maximum Temperature : 340c By Strive Masiyiwa Minimum Temperature : 300c London must invest more in education. to ensure that all children are in school committed to implementing reforms To succeed in the twenty-fi rst- and learning. To achieve this ambitious and monitoring results. THURSDAY century economy, young people goal, we must completely rethink how Moreover, by collaborating with Maximum Temperature : 330c n mid-July, former US president will need to solve problems, think to pay for education reforms. countries that are increasing their Minimum Temperature : 280c Barack Obama used a speech in critically, and persevere in the face For the last several years, I have own investments in education, FRIDAY South Africa to implore the world of challenge and failure. At the served as a commissioner with the Facility will also contribute to Maximum Temperature : 330c Ito invest more in the education moment, however, very few African the International Commission meeting universal education targets. Minimum Temperature : 280c students are learning these skills. on Financing Global Education For example, the fi rst round of IFFEd of Africa’s youth. A month later, UK Fisherman's forecast Prime Minister Theresa May made a This urgent need inspired my wife Opportunity (the Education allocations will fund some 200 million similar plea, predicting that “Africa’s and I to establish the Higherlife Commission). This global group of new school places for children and WARNING leaders from government, business, young people; millions more could Inshore : Thundery rain young people could enrich not only Foundation, which provides tuition expected at places this continent but the world economy and scholarships to some of Africa’s academia, and civil society was follow. associated with sudden and society at large.” most vulnerable populations. brought together to brainstorm new These are not impossible goals; the strong wind at times. Statements like these underscore But philanthropy alone cannot solve funding mechanisms that could IFFEd is already endorsed by the World Offshore : Expected Thundery rain associated with something Africans have known for a Africa’s educational challenges. If leverage existing commitments and Bank, the G20, regional development strong wind and high long time: the continent’s future will current trends continue, Africa will be motivate countries to increase their banks (like the African Development sea be determined by the fate of its young home to one billion young people by own spending on education. And Bank and the Asian Development WEATHER Inshore : Relatively hot daytime people. The question now is whether 2050, and as many as a third of them now, after extensive research and Bank), and the United Nations. and scattered clouds these statements will help spur the will never achieve basic competency analysis, we have arrived at a solution: Last month, during the UN General with chance of rain at educational revolution that Africa so in reading, writing, or math. Closing the International Finance Facility for Assembly in New York, leaders from places. Offshore : Partly cloudy to cloudy desperately needs. Africa’s education gap will take time. It Education (IFFEd). Bangladesh, Canada, Côte d’Ivoire, with chance of rain my Simply put, if Africa’s children are will also take more money than donors By 2020, the Facility will unlock Denmark, Malawi, the Netherlands, be thundery at times. educated, prepared for the modern can provide. some $10bn in grants and loans to help Norway, Pakistan, the United Arab WIND Inshore : Northeasterly-South- workforce, and equipped with the That is why one of the biggest countries strengthen their education Emirates, and the United Kingdom easterly 05-15/25 KT skills to be successful entrepreneurs, obstacles to fi xing education in systems. This will be accomplished by strongly supported the creation of the Offshrore : Northeasterly-South- they will fl ourish and Africa will developing countries is fi nancing. applying innovations in global fi nance Facility. easterly 05-15/30KT prosper. But if our children fall Today, just 10% of offi cial development to help multiply donor funding so I agree with Obama that talent Visibility : 4-8/3 KM exists everywhere in the world. It’s any further behind their peers in assistance from OECD countries is that the money raised goes further, Around the region developing countries, economic allocated to education reform in the creates aff ordable terms for human time to give Africa’s young talent the Weather progress will be slowed, stunted, or Global South. But even if the most capital fi nance, and incentivises opportunity to fl ourish. – Project Weather tomorrow Max/min even thrown into reverse. To ensure the optimistic funding targets were met, government participation. To that end, Syndicate today Max/min Baghdad P Cloudy 36/23 P Cloudy 36/23 Kuwait City Sunny 38/23 Sunny 37/23 Manama Sunny 34/28 Sunny 34/28 Muscat M Sunny 31/27 P Cloudy 31/27 Live issues Tehran P Cloudy 19/11 M Sunny 22/11 Some supplements contain potentially harmful drugs

Linda Carroll current study, 45.5% were marketed a huge amount of really, almost Reuters Health as aids for sexual enhancement, unregulated supplements.” 40.9% for weight loss, and 11.9% Daniel Fabricant, CEO/President for muscle building. They contained of the Natural Products Association, otentially harmful pharmaceuticals such as sildenafi l, argues that most supplements pharmaceuticals not listed which is the active ingredient in are at least as safe as medications on product labels were found Viagra; sibutramine, which is the approved by the FDA. The products in more than 700 over- active ingredient in Meridia, a weight reported in the new study “aren’t P Around the world the-counter dietary supplements, loss drug removed from the market dietary supplements,” Fabricant said. researchers report. because of links to stroke and other “They are drugs masquerading as Weather Weather The pharmaceuticals, which were cardiovascular events; and anabolic supplements. We support prosecution today Max/min tomorrow Max/min found in so-called natural products, steroids or steroid-like substances. of criminal activity whether it’s illegal Athens M Sunny 25/16 P Cloudy 24/14 were most likely to appear in Dr Louis Aronne wasn’t at all Tainted supplements are very hard drugs coming into our country or Beirut S T Storms 26/23 P Cloudy 27/23 supplements marketed as weight loss surprised by the study’s fi ndings. to regulate, Aronne said, because they illegal drugs in supplements.” Bangkok S T Storms 34/27 S T Storms 33/26 aids, muscle builders and male libido “This is something we’ve seen again are often sold and marketed on the Supplement safety is monitored Berlin Sunny 21/07 M Sunny 20/06 enhancers, according to the report and again and again,” said Aronne, a Internet. by the same kind of adverse event Cairo P Cloudy 29/19 Sunny 31/19 published in JAMA Network Open. professor of metabolic research and What the California researchers reporting system that keeps track of Cape Town M Sunny 21/13 P Cloudy 21/14 Data for the study came from the director of the Comprehensive Weight reported “is just the tip of the medications after they are approved Colombo P Cloudy 29/24 P Cloudy 29/24 Food and Drug Administration’s Control Center at Weill Cornell iceberg,” Aronne said. A big part of by the FDA, said Fabricant, who is Dhaka M Sunny 33/22 M Sunny 33/23 Tainted Products Marketed as Dietary Medicine in New York City. the problem, he said, is that US laws a former director of the division of Hong Kong S Showers 27/22 S Showers 26/23 Supplements, Center for Drug “There’s no evidence that over- allow a company “to say anything it dietary supplement programs at the Istanbul S T Storms 20/16 P Cloudy 21/15 Evaluation and Research database. The the-counter products work for weight wants and it’s up to the FDA and the FDA. Jakarta P Cloudy 33/26 T Storm 33/25 researchers, led by Madhur Kumar of loss and the ones that do work seem Federal Trade Commission to stop it Fabricant off ered some advice on Karachi P Cloudy 34/24 Sunny 37/23 the California Department of Public to have a high risk of being what the from saying it. In Canada the rules how to avoid tainted supplements. London P Cloudy 17/11 Cloudy 15/09 Health in Sacramento, identifi ed 776 FDA calls ‘adulterated,’” Aronne said. are diff erent. Health Canada has to “There are some red fl ags,” he Manila S T Storms 33/26 T Storm 32/26 tainted supplements in the database, “They have prescription medications approve the claims that are on the said. “If it sounds too good to be Moscow Sunny 17/04 Sunny 17/08 from 2007 to 2016. in them and that is why they work.” label.” true, it is too good to be true. If it’s New Delhi Sunny 34/20 Sunny 33/20 To put the problem in perspective, Another danger in these When it comes to supplements that promising great weight loss gains, New York M Sunny 17/05 P Cloudy 11/04 the authors point to a study published “adulterated” supplements is “they promise to aid in weight loss, muscle or great strength gains or it says it’s Paris M Sunny 24/12 P Cloudy 22/11 in 2015 in The New England Journal of can have a combination of many gain or libido enhancement, “it’s the comparable to Viagra, that’s a red fl ag. Sao Paulo T Storm 27/20 T Storm 27/19 Medicine. That study found dietary diff erent agents that do similar things Wild West,” said Dr Lawrence Appel, And look out for products that have Seoul Sunny 18/07 Showers 17/06 supplement use was associated with that add up to a pharmacologic eff ect,” director of the Welch Centre for labels in dual languages.” Singapore T Storm 31/25 T Storm 29/26 23,000 emergency department visits Aronne said. Unfortunately, he added, Prevention, Epidemiology and Clinical The California Department of Public Sydney T Storm 21/16 T Storm 22/16 and 2,000 hospitalisations each year. “people want to believe these things Research at the Johns Hopkins Medical Health would not make the authors Tokyo Cloudy 21/16 Cloudy 19/15 Of the tainted products in the work and have no side eff ects.” Institutions in Baltimore. “There’s available for comment. Gulf Times 24 Wednesday, October 17, 2018 QATAR Mathaf celebrates art and history with series of emotive exhibitions

By Joey Aguilar Staff Reporter

athaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art has opened Mfour unique exhibitions yesterday, which discuss an array of thought-provoking themes spanning diff erent generations and contexts. The shows, which form part of Mathaf’s fall programme, will be open to the public from today (October 17) and runs until Feb- ruary 16, 2019. Dubbed as Revolution Genera- tions, the fi rst exhibition show- cases 29 artists from the Arab From left: Abdellah Karroum, Laura Barlow and Hendrik Folkerts The second exhibition showcases drawings that document deeply World, Turkey, Iran and diaspora, showcasing the embroideries made by Mounira al-Solh. personal encounters and conversations between al-Solh and Syrian looking at important moments of PICTURE: Joey Aguilar refugees. PICTURE: Joey Aguilar Abdellah Karroum briefs dignitaries at the event yesterday. change in the history of modern and contemporary art. torical narrative that celebrates a of the exhibition. The exhibition by Hendrik Folkerts (Dittmer cu- gees, as well as other people from “After six years of continu- guest curated by Sara Raza (Inde- The works focus on the 1950s- generation of artists that dared is presented in three parts and rator of Modern and Contempo- the Middle East who were forci- ing this work, I am more aware pendent Curator), and Jassim Za- 1960s post-independence eras; a to go against the status quo and begins by telling the story of the rary Art, the Art Institute of Chi- bly displaced to Lebanon, Europe of how faces tell a story that is as ini: Representation and Abstrac- period between 1970s and 1990s, who were vital actors of cultural region’s fi ght for independence cago) and Laura Barlow (Mathaf and the United States. powerful as each person’s story, tion, curated by Fatma Mostafawi and the 2000s pre-revolutions and social change in their re- in the 1950s, using art to express curator). “I started inviting people over their ideas about life, aspirations, (Mathaf). Al-Moudarres presents decades when underground ar- spective surroundings. It looks new languages and thoughts. The second show features over to my studio, to welcome them in and how we can go on, wherever a posthumous view into the oeu- tistic movements developed in at their lives, thoughts and the Mathaf is also showcasing the 150 drawings and embroideries my own medium, drawing their we have ended up,” she added. vre of this modernist artist’s stu- the region in response to the ab- dreams that shaped their work,” exhibition titled Mounira al-Solh that document deeply personal amazing faces that carried so Mathaf also opened two focus dio practice while Zaini features sence of freedom of expression. said Mathaf director Abdellah exhibition, I strongly believe in encounters and conversations much strength and resilience,” exhibitions, Fateh al-Moudarres: a focused view of the works of a “Revolution Generations is a his- Karroum, who is also the curator our right to be frivolous, curated between al-Solh and Syrian refu- al-Solh said. Colour, Extensity and Sense, pioneering Qatari modernist.

Doha Fire Station hosts Russian designers

By Joey Aguilar of our private meetings,” she Staff Reporter said. Gazinskaya, an internation- ally acclaimed fashion designer, street-style icon and one of the fashion show by Tatyana trendsetters nowadays, is well- Parfi onova, showcasing known for voluminous struc- Aworks of internationally tured designs, whimsical bright acclaimed Russian designers, patterns, hand-stitched details highlighted the Russian Seasons and use of luxurious materials, exhibition at the Doha Fire Sta- sourced from suppliers in Italy tion yesterday. and France. The event forms part of the Her designs can be seen on the Qatar-Russia Year of Culture most infl uential celebrities from 2018, organised by Qatar Mu- around the world, including Le- Some of the paintings from the exhibition. seums, also featured a retro- andra Medine, Veronika Heilb- spective exhibition by Vika runner, Natasha Goldenberg, Elle Gazinskaya and installation by Fanning, Giovanna Battaglia and Krestetskaya Strochka. many others. “Last week we organised A scene from the fashion show. PICTURE: Ram Chand Gazinskaya’s exhibition will Experiments with Truth expo on the very fi rst Qatari designers be open to the public at the fashion event in Moscow, called va, created for the show. She is my native city in a department Doha Fire Station until Octo- ‘Qatari Seasons’ and now we a well-known Russian fashion store. ber 23 while Parfi onova’s col- Mahatma Gandhi begins at Katara presented ‘Russian Seasons’ in designer who established her It was part of celebrating my lection was on show for a day. Doha. It is a big honour to curate own fashion house in 1995, be- brand’s 10th anniversary last Meanwhile, guests also had the both of these projects as part of coming one of the symbols of year,” Gazinskaya told reporters, opportunity to see rare samples xperiments with Truth, a the QM initiative,” project cura- Saint Petersburg, and now it is adding that the curator decided of an authentic folk craft – Stro- fortnight-long exhibition tor Fro Burimsky said. seen as a platform for her vari- to bring this exhibition to Qatar chka – a material manifestation Eto commemorate the 150th “We are delighted to display ous artistic initiatives. as part of QM’s Year of Culture. of the spiritual culture of the birth anniversary celebrations of the works of two incredible de- Alfardan jewellery provided The Russian designer said she Russian people, which has been Father of the Indian Nation Ma- signers in the modern space unique natural pearls pieces is displaying 22 dresses from her representing the Novgorodian hatma Gandhi got off to a good of Doha Fire Station, which is form the private collection ‘fall/winter 18/19’ while the rest land since 1860. start at Building 19 of Katara equally as exquisite, original and of Hussein Ibrahim Alfardan, are from diff erent collections, For more than a hundred Cultural Village yesterday. recognisable as the garments on chairman of Alfardan Group, selecting the more artistic and years, the masterly craftsman- More than 75 paintings, based show,” the curator noted. both from the historical troves unique pieces and being used for ship of this delicate embroidery on the life and teachings of Gan- Dignitaries and guests at- and high-end collections. special occasions. has been passed down the gen- dhi and his messages relevant tending the event had the “I am very happy to be here “I have clients in the Middle erations, carefully maintaining in the contemporary world are chance to see an exclusive demi- and this collection has been ex- East, and I am hoping to be back its traditions while also looking showcased at the exhibition. couture collection by Parfi ono- hibited a year ago in Moscow in here (in this region) after some for new methods. The paintings have been cre- ated by members of the Visual Artists Forum of India-Qatar (VAFI-Qatar) and students of the country’s Indian schools. An artist, whose paintings are among those exhibited at the At the inauguration yes- Experiments with Truth expo at Katara’s Building No 19, is briefing Heya returns to celebrate Arabian fashion terday, Indian ambassador P Katara general manager Khalid al-Sulaiti and Indian ambassador P Kumaran and Katara general Kumaran after the opening. PICTURES: Jayan Orma manager Khalid al-Sulaiti were eya Arabian Fashion Lala Moda from Morocco, Luna present. event would help the Qatar resi- strongly than ever before. The Exhibition will return Italia from Italy and Bocan from While thanking Katara for dents understand the signifi - exhibition is open until October Hfor its 14th edition this Turkey. A host of new brands facilitating the venue for the cance of Gandhi’s teachings of 31. The timing is from 10am to month with a display of more will also participate this year, exhibition, Kumaran said the ahimsa (non-violence), truth ... 10pm. than 230 local, regional and in- including Khemar, Lulu Col- ternational fashion brands, in- lection and Noon Designs from cluding more than 170 brands Qatar, Dar Alamria from Kuwait from Qatar. and Aikeya from India. Under the patronage of HE Heya’s US dedicated pavilion Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad will feature world-renowned Canadian education fair bin Khalifa al-Thani, the show celebrity designer Tosca New will be held at the Doha Exhibi- York. Another highlight at Heya tion and Convention Centre be- this year will be the showcase tween October 26 and 30. of two dedicated pavilions from to build stronger linkages Representing a 65% increase Spain and Belgium. Key design- in local designers from the pre- ers participating from Spain will vious Autumn/Winter 2017 be Antonia Serena, Bouret, Lu- By Joey Aguilar and Qatar already enjoy strong edition, the event is a showcase cia de Miguel and Inunez, while Staff Reporter relations in the area of education of local, pan-Arab and interna- A file picture from a previous edition of Heya. Alter Era will bring their designs and I look forward to expanding tional designers where the lat- straight from Belgium to the them moving forward.’’ est fashions will be on display, with fashion icons are woven Both exhibitors and visitors will heart of Doha. tour of over 30 Canadian Both parents and their children catering to a growing demand through this edition of Heya. also be treated to a conversation Heya is delivered by Design universities and colleges (students) will have the chance for modest and Islamic styles The organisers have an- with Sheikha Asma al-Thani, Creationz with the support of Ain Qatar from October 21 to learn about study options in in a fashion forward market, the nounced partnerships to con- who recently made history by Qatar Tourism Authority as part to 23 is set to build stronger link- Canada and meet with partici- organisers have said in a press tinue the events legacy of bring- becoming the fi rst Qatari to ski of its eff orts to empower the pri- ages in the fi eld of education be- pating institutions during the statement. ing innovative ways to support to the North Pole. Sheikha Asma vate sector to attract and host tween the two countries, the Ca- EduCanada Fair, which will take In this edition, the exhibition entrepreneurs through collabo- will talk about her journey in global events. nadian embassy has announced. place at the College of the North will welcome a 56% increase in rations with Virginia Common- an exclusive forum designed to The 14th edition of Heya will In a press statement, the em- Atlantic Qatar (CNA-Q) Building the number of exhibitors com- wealth University School of the empower Qatari women. also feature a new partnership bassy said that participating in- 1 from 5.30pm to 9.30pm on Oc- pared to the Heya12 Autumn/ Arts in Qatar (VCUarts Qatar) The 14th edition of Heya will with Tajmeel, which will lead a stitutions will meet prospective tober 21, the embassy said. Winter 2017 Exhibition, with 14 and Qatar Business Incuba- off er shoppers and visitors an series of workshops throughout students in Qatar and promote Stefanie McCollum All queries related to the ad- countries confi rmed to attend – tion Centre (QBIC), as well as assortment of collections, from the exhibition on various top- study opportunities in Canada. mission process, programmes including Kuwait and Oman as new partnerships with Discover high-street apparel, couture ics, including a make-up demo, The embassy noted that the last year,” Canadian ambassa- of study and campus life will be well as India, Turkey, Sri Lanka, America Week, Tajmeel (Qatar and luxury, to the latest modest what works and what doesn’t in visit will also explore partner- dor Stefanie McCollum told Gulf discussed during the event. The Italy, Morocco, Hong Kong, International Beauty Academy) fashion evening gowns, leather skincare and a dedicated work- ship opportunities between Ca- Times. tour, supported by Qatar’s Min- Lebanon, China, Spain, Belgium and Instituto di Moda Burgo Qa- accessories as well as perfumery shop on hairstyles. nadian and Qatari education in- “This really represents a re- istry of Education and Higher and the US. tar (Fashion and Arts Academy), and make-up. Heya is open for women only stitutions, connecting with the newed excitement from Cana- Education and in partnership Heya is “Qatar’s most popular participating for the fi rst time. Off ering a fl avour of Arabian except on the opening day (Oc- country’s leading academies, and dian institutions to not only re- with CNA-Q serves as a platform showcase of abayas and tradi- Heya will provide its visitors heritage, the Autumn/Winter tober 26), during which men can public and private organisations. cruit Qatar students to study in for student exchanges between tional Arabian attire”, the state- with expertise in everything – 2018 show will see returning accompany family members. “I am excited that around 30 Ca- Canada but also to explore part- Qatar and Canada, aimed at fur- ment notes. from fashion marketing to fi - brands such as 3 batch by Fatma Children below the age of the 13 nadian educational institutions nerships with Qatari institutions ther strengthening their co-op- Numerous fashion shows, nance and advice in getting a Alahmed, Almotahajiba and years cannot enter the exhibi- are coming to Qatar this year, – whether it be joint research or eration in education, the envoy workshops and conversations fashion business off the ground. QLabel from Qatar; as well as tion. which is four times more than exchanges,” she noted. “Canada added.