QATAR | Page 16 SPORT | Page 1 Qatar’s Fares Ibrahim sweeps Torba Market pitches in for sustainability 96kg class published in QATAR since 1978

SATURDAY Vol. XXXIX No. 11040 December 22, 2018 Rabia II 15, 1440 AH

GULF TIMES www. gulf-times.com 2 Riyals In brief Spring Festival opens at Souq Waqif

ARAB WORLD | Confl ict Erdogan: Three Palestinians killed by Israeli fi re Three Palestinians, including a 16-year-old, were killed yesterday by Israeli fire during protests and clashes along the Gaza border, health off icials said. Teenager Turkey to Mohamed al-Jahjuh was “hit in the neck by a bullet (fired) by Israeli soldiers”, ministry spokesman Ashraf al-Qudra said. Abdelaziz Abu Sharia, 28, and Naher Yasin, 40, died from their wounds after being delay Syria shot in separate incidents along the heavily fortified frontier with Israel, Qudra and a hospital off icial said. Page 3 AMERICA | Confl ict operation US to withdraw part of troops from Afghanistan QNA/AFP “In the coming months we will see The White House administration is Istanbul an operation aimed at removing the preparing to withdraw part of the YPG and Daesh (Islamic State) ele- US troops deployed in Afghanistan. Entertainers are back in Souq Waqif Doha where the Spring Festival opened yesterday. Running until January 4, the Spring ments on the ground in Syria,” he said. According to US news reports, Festival off ers a wide variety of entertainment options for all age groups. PICTURE: Shemeer Rasheed Page 16 nkara will delay a possible coun- Erdogan welcomed Trump’s with- President Donald Trump ordered the ter-terrorism operation east drawal decision but said he remained withdrawal of a large part of the US Aof the Euphrates River, Syria, “cautious” because of “past negative troops from Afghanistan, pointing Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdog- experiences”, referring to Ankara’s out that he is putting pressure on an said yesterday. continued disappointment over the US National Security Adviser John “The phone call we made with US administration’s failure to stop provid- Bolton to carry out these moves, President Donald Trump, as well as the ing military support to the YPG. but the latter is still resisting this Gatwick resumes fl ights contacts of our diplomatic and security Later yesterday, Turkish Foreign trend. “Other US off icials are still units, and the statements made by the Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said in an trying to change Trump’s mind,” American side led us to wait for a while interview with state television that the one of Trump’s advisers told The for an operation east of the Euphra- delay was to avoid “friendly fi re”. Washington Post. tes River. Of course this is not an open But, he added, “this does not mean after new drone sighting ended waiting process,” Erdogan said at we will turn back from any future op- AMERICA | Politics an award ceremony in Istanbul. erations. No one should be lulled into Exit of Mattis sparks Erdogan’s remarks came after Trump a false sense of security. We are deter- AFP they are safe to fly,” Transport Sec- been spotted at around 10pm (2200 on Wednesday ordered US forces to mined on this issue.” concern among allies London retary Chris Grayling told the BBC GMT) on Thursday. withdraw from Syria, saying IS had But two leaders of the political wing Key allies of Washington expressed yesterday. Some 10,000 passengers were af- been defeated. of the Syrian Democratic Council, the concern yesterday about the Government offi cials held an emer- fected on Wednesday night, and a The Turkish president reiterated that political arm of the US-backed and resignation of US lights resumed again yesterday gency meeting to discuss the situa- further 110,000 who had been due to Turkey has “no eyes” on Syria’s terri- Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces Defence Secretary Jim Mattis and at London Gatwick Airport after tion. either take off or land at the airport on tory, adding: “But, our position against (SDF), warned the battle against the IS the policies of President Donald Fa new drone sighting, in a third There have been more than 50 760 fl ights Thursday. terrorist attacks targeting us from Syria could be brought to a halt if there was a Trump that prompted it, praising day of Christmas getaway misery that sightings of the device or devices The drama dominated Britain’s is clear.” Turkish attack. Mattis as a committed partner. has left tens of thousands of passen- since the fi rst at 9pm (2100 GMT) on newspapers yesterday, with specula- A mission east of the Euphrates, Trump’s move has also sparked tur- Mattis said on Thursday he would gers stranded. Wednesday and shooting down the tion that an eco-activist was respon- which Turkey’s leadership has been moil in his own administration. quit after falling out with Trump Flights were briefl y halted yester- drone is now an option, said Jason sible. suggesting for months, would follow US Defence Secretary Jim Mattis re- over the latter’s foreign policies, day evening following what a Gatwick Tingley of Sussex Police. Gatwick, around 30 miles (50km) two successful cross-border Turkish signed on Thursday, refl ecting his disa- including the surprise decision to spokeswoman said was a “confi rmed “We will do what we can to take south of the British capital, is the operations into Syria since 2016 — Op- greement with the White House’s new pull troops out of Syria and plans for sighting of a drone” — but resumed that drone out of the sky and remove eighth-busiest airport in Europe and erations Euphrates Shield and Olive strategy in Syria. a drawdown in Afghanistan. Page 5 quickly afterwards. that disruption,” he said. sits behind Mumbai as the world’s Branch — both meant to eradicate the The co-chairs of the Syrian Demo- “While we investigated, airfi eld Justin Burtenshaw, head of armed busiest single runway air hub. presence of YPG/PKK and IS militants cratic Council were in Paris yesterday EUROPE | Accident movements were suspended. This policing for Sussex and Surrey said Inbound fl ights were diverted to near Turkey’s borders. for talks about the planned US military was a precautionary measure as safety on Thursday: “Each time we believe other airports, including Paris, while “The regional security is vital for us. pullout. Five killed as Serbian remains our main priority,” the air- we get close to the operator, the drone passengers waiting to take off faced The steps that we have taken in the re- Ilham Ahmad, one of the co-chairs, train and bus collide port said in a statement. disappears. When we look to reopen gruelling delays. gion together with Russia and Iran aim said they would be “forced to withdraw Five people have been killed and “The military measures we have in the airfi eld the drone reappears”. Under a new British law, drones to ensure regional security,” Erdogan from the frontlines in Deir Ezzor to take more than two dozen injured after place at the airport have provided us Sussex Police Assistant Chief Con- cannot be fl own near aircraft or with- said. up positions on the border with Turkey a train ploughed through a bus with the reassurance necessary that it stable Steve Barry said offi cers were in a kilometre of an airport, or at an The president said that Turkey was to counter any attack” by Ankara. in southern Serbia, police said is safe to reopen our airfi eld.” working on the theory there was more altitude of over 400ft (122m). obliged to take over the peacemaker Ahmad said the forces feared they yesterday. The bus, which was Drones were fi rst sighted hovering than one drone. Violators face up to fi ve years in role in Syria. could “lose control” over detained for- carrying passengers including around Britain’s second-busiest air Before yesterday’s sighting at prison for endangering an aircraft. Erdogan also asserted that Turkey eign jihadists if IS used the US pullout school pupils, was cut in half after hub on Wednesday, grinding the run- 5:10pm (1710 GMT), a drone had last Page 8 will continue its actions in the upcom- to regroup, or if Turkey pushed ahead being hit on a railroad crossing. way to a standstill and causing chaos ing months to remove both PKK/PYD with an attack. for more than 120,000 people. and IS elements from Syria. Riad Darar, the council’s other co- QATAR | Weather Police are still hunting for the mys- He suggested Turkey could launch an chair, said the forces would not release tery drone operator or operators. operation against the Kurdish People’s hundreds of foreign IS fi ghters held in Scattered light rain At the start of the day, a Gatwick Protection Units (YPG) militia, which Syrian Kurdish prisons. forecast for today spokesman said that 91 of yesterday’s Ankara says is a “terrorist off shoot” of Turkey conducted an operation A chance of scattered light rain 412 scheduled arrivals had been can- the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party against IS in 2016 which also aimed at places inshore at first has been celled, while 64 of 371 scheduled de- (PKK) which has been waging an insur- to block the YPG from joining up the forecast for today in Qatar. The partures had also been scrapped. gency against the Turkish state since territory it held in northern Syria and off shore forecast is thundery rain, Passengers, many trying to get 1984. staged an off ensive against the militia strong wind and high sea, according home for Christmas or to start their The PKK is blacklisted as a terror in its northwestern enclave of Afrin in to the Met off ice. The maximum holidays, were advised to check the group by Turkey and its Western allies. January this year. Page 3 temperature of 25C is expected status of their fl ights before travelling in Doha and at Mesaieed, Wakrah, to the airport. and Al Khor, followed by 24C at Abu The army was called in on Thurs- Samra, 23C at Dukhan and 22C at day to off er support, with the defence Ruwais. The minimum temperature ministry deploying what was de- of 13C is expected at Abu Samra, scribed only as specialist equipment. UN council approves followed by 15C at Al Khor, 17C at “There are a range of measures Mesaieed, Wakrah and Dukhan, 18C which are there today which should An airplane takes off at Gatwick Airport, after the airport reopened to flights following its forced at Ruwais and 19C in Doha. give passengers confidence that closure because of drone activity yesterday. Yemen truce monitors

Reuters deploy — for an initial 30 days — an ad- United Nations vance monitoring team. That team, led by retired Dutch Gen- 3 new health centres of excellence planned eral Patrick Cammaert, is due to arrive he United Nations Security in Yemen shortly, said a UN spokes- Council yesterday unanimously man, adding that the personnel will not he Ministry of Public Health the existing Bone and Joints Centre, demand for IVF procedure is on the The source pointed out that the Tapproved the deployment of a be uniformed or armed. plans to create three new health reducing the waiting time for appoint- rise and the waiting list concerned National Health Strategy 2018-2022 UN advance team to monitor a ceasefi re The council also asked Guterres to Tcentres of excellence in select ments,” the source explained. runs into thousands, according to the focuses on fi ve priorities across the in Yemen’s Hodeidah region after days submit proposals by the end of the specialities, a source from the medi- However, the treatment of joints source, as reported by Arrayah. Hence health system in Qatar: integration of wrangling that pitted the United month on substantive monitoring op- cal sector has told local Arabic daily and bone fractures will continue at the initiative to set up a dedicated fa- model of high quality care and serv- States against ally Britain. erations for the ceasefi re and rede- Arrayah. the current centre at New Slata area in cility for infertility treatment. ice delivery, enhanced health promo- After a week of UN-sponsored ployment of forces; support for the The proposed centres for spinal surger- Doha as it receives tens of thousands The third proposed centre of excel- tion and disease prevention, enhanced peace talks in Sweden, the Iranian- management of and inspections at the ies and treatment, In Vitro Fertilisation of cases. lence would also focus on treatment of health protection, health in all poli- aligned Houthi group and Saudi- ports of Hodeidah, Salif and Ras Issa; (IVF), and men’s health are intended to “An area outside of Doha would be prostate disorders in addition to men’s cies, and eff ective system of govern- backed Yemen government foes and strengthening of the UN presence provide enhanced health care in the re- considered for the proposed centre health issues in general. ance and leadership. agreed last week to stop fighting in in the Hodeidah region. spective fi elds, it has been explained. to better distribute the workload and “Establish such centres constitute a “Accordingly, the establishment of the Red Sea port city of Hodeidah and Guterres is also required to report “The centre for spinal surgeries mostly it could be set up either at Al quantum leap in the health services of- health centres of excellence helps in withdraw forces. weekly to the Security Council on im- and treatment, which is expected to Wakrah or Al Khor,” the source said. fered in the country, and would provide implementing these priorities, espe- The truce began on Tuesday. plementation of the resolution, which engage a number of local and interna- The IVF centre would help cou- highly sophisticated treatment options cially in the areas of high demand,” the The Security Council authorised UN endorses the ceasefi re deal agreed in tional experts, would ease the load on ples facing infertility problems. The for all residents in Qatar,” it was stated. source added. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to Sweden. Page 3 Gulf Times 2 Saturday, December 22, 2018 QATAR Top dignitaries attend National Day events at Qatari embassies

QNA Doha

he embassy of Qatar in Panama held a reception Ton the occasion of Qa- tar National Day. The ceremony was attended by a large number of government offi cials, senior state offi cials, members of the Arab community, and commu- nity fi gures. In Brasilia, ambassador of Qa- tar to Brazil Ahmed bin Ibrahim al-Abdullah held a reception on the occasion of Qatar National Day. The event was attended by the Minister of Justice of Brazil Torquato Jardim, Chairman of the Senate Committee of Foreign Aff airs and National Defense and former Brazil president Senator Fernando Collor, Senator Helio Jose, Member of the Senate For- eign Relations Committee; and Director of the Middle East De- In Brasilia, ambassador of Qatar to Brazil Ahmed bin Ibrahim al-Abdullah held a reception on the occasion partment of Brazilian Foreign of Qatar National Day. The event was attended by the Minister of Justice of Brazil Torquato Jardim, Ministry Ligia Scherer, in ad- Chairman of the Senate Committee of Foreign Aff airs and National Defense and former Brazil president dition to heads and a number In Houston, the Consul General of Qatar Dr Khamis bin Rashid al-Kaabi held a reception. It was attended Senator Fernando Collor, Senator Helio Jose, Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee; and of members of the diplomatic by senior off icials, a number of diplomatic corps accredited to Houston, Qatari nationals in Houston, a Director of the Middle East Department of Brazilian Foreign Ministry Ligia Scherer, in addition to heads corps accredited to Brazil. number of members of the Arab community, and community figures. and a number of members of the diplomatic corps accredited to Brazil. In his speech, the ambassa- dor outlined the achievements of Qatar at various levels, es- pecially economic and sports, and highlighted the unjust siege imposed on Qatar by neighbour- ing countries and their unilat- eral and coercive measures that fl agrantly violate international treaties and conventions. Ambassador al-Abdullah stressed that the position of Qatar vis-a-vis this crisis is the unconditional dialogue in order to end it and its resulting proce- dures. The ambassador reviewed bi- lateral relations between the two friendly countries, saying that Qatar looks forward to celebrat- ing the 45th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic re- lations between Qatar and Brazil next year, and what happened during these years of high-level visits and the signing of several In Colombo, Qatar’s ambassador to Sri Lanka Dr Rashid bin Shafea al-Marri, held a reception on the agreements covering all areas of In Buenos Aires, ambassador of Qatar to Argentina Fahad bin Ibrahim al-Hamad al-Mana held a reception occasion of Qatar National Day. The ceremony was attended by Rauff Hakeem, representative of bilateral co-operation. on the occasion of Qatar National Day. The event was attended by senior government off icials, senators the Government of Sri Lanka, Speaker of the Parliament Karu Jayasuriya, a number of ministers and It looks forward to seeing and deputies, heads of Arab and foreign diplomatic missions accredited to Argentina, and community government off icials, members of parliament, heads of Arab and foreign diplomatic missions accredited more high-level visits to take figures. to Sri Lanka and community figures. these relations to a strategic level, he added. For her part, arising from international and bin Rashid al-Kaabi held a re- nity and national independence. of community fi gures. In Bue- appreciated the eff orts of the Jayasuriya, a number of minis- director of the Middle East De- regional contexts, stressing ception on the occasion of the In Tunis, ambassador of Qatar nos Aires, ambassador of Qatar wise leadership of Qatar in con- ters and government offi cials, partment of Brazilian Foreign Qatar’s ability to defend its na- National Day. to Tunisia Saad bin Nasser al- to Argentina Fahad bin Ibrahim solidating relations between the members of parliament, heads Ministry praised the bilateral tional interests in international The reception was attended Humaidi held a reception on the al-Hamad al-Mana held a re- Qatar and the Argentine Repub- of Arab and foreign diplomatic relations between the two coun- forums and its eff ective role in by senior offi cials, a number of occasion of Qatar National Day. ception on the occasion of Qatar lic. In Colombo, Qatar’s ambas- missions accredited to Sri Lanka tries and the achievements of the these forums. diplomatic corps accredited to The ceremony was attended National Day. sador to Sri Lanka Dr Rashid bin and community fi gures. Qatari people and the progress Scherer expressed the Brazil- Houston, Qatari nationals in by the Minister of Vocational The event was attended by Shafea al-Marri, held a recep- The reception saw a presen- achieved by them in prosper- ian side’s desire to strengthen Houston, a number of mem- Training and Employment Saida senior government offi cials, tion on the occasion of Qatar tation on the most important ity, dynamism and openness to the bilateral relations between bers of the Arab community, Lounisi, and the Hatem Ferjani, senators and deputies, heads National Day. achievements and the develop- the world. She pointed to the the two countries in view of the and community fi gures. In his Secretary of State for Economic of Arab and foreign diplomatic The ceremony was attended ment progress witnessed by Qa- strength of the Qatari economy, positive results achieved in re- speech, the Consul affi rmed that Diplomacy to the Ministry of missions accredited to Argen- by Rauff Hakeem, representative tar and highlighted the state’s which has shown remarkable re- cent years. In Houston, the Con- Qataris regards the National Day Foreign Aff airs of the Republic of tina, and community fi gures. of the Government of Sri Lanka, economic, political and social silience in the face of challenges sul General of Qatar Dr Khamis as a symbol of sovereignty, dig- Tunisia, in addition to a number In his speech, the ambassador Speaker of the Parliament Karu status.

WISE participates Cold weather could worsen in ‘Belt and Road chronic allergies and asthma Dialogue’ in China he World Innovation and Road. I have realised that we By Staff Reporter lergens. The most common can live in mattresses, pillows, Summit for Education share a lot in common regardless Doha symptoms of these conditions bed linens, carpets, and furni- T(WISE), an initiative of of the diff erences among the in- include coughing, headaches, ture. Qatar Foundation (QF), recently dividual countries. We all seek sore throat, watery red eyes, and While most allergies are not participated in the second ‘Belt better education for our children he onset of winter can a runny or blocked nose. life-threatening, they often and Road Education Dialogue’ which will ensure a better future be a challenging time for “Individuals who have an al- cause discomfort and stress for in Beijing, China. The event ex- for our societies.” Tthose with chronic aller- lergy to dust mites may experi- many patients. The fi rst step in plored research, policy and op- The panel was moderated by gies and asthma, an associate ence a worsening of symptoms managing an allergy is a proper portunities for the co-operation Jin Xin, president of Tianjin Ed- consultant with Hamad Medi- during the autumn and winter. diagnosis, which begins with of countries along the historical ucation Research, and included cal Corporation’s (HMC) Pul- This will be especially true for talking to your doctor about belt and road route stretching Chu Hongqi, chancellor of Bei- monary, Allergy, and Immunol- those who spend a lot of time your symptoms as well as your across Europe, Africa, and Asia. jing Open University; Shi Gen- ogy Department has said. “The inside. family and medical history,” Dr Ahmed Baghdady, manager dong, executive director of the winter months bring the annual “Dust allergies can make it says Dr Taha. of Research and Content Devel- Sustainable Development Edu- fl u season and cooler and drier diffi cult to breathe and may To treat seasonal allergies, opment, WISE, presented and cation Committee; and Orkhon weather, both of which can ex- trigger asthma symptoms, such Dr Taha recommends taking participated in a panel discus- Gantogtokh, executive director acerbate asthma symptoms,” as wheezing, coughing, chest medications such as oral anti- sion on research, innovation, and of the Mongolian Academy for according to Dr Salma Ahmed tightness, and shortness of histamines, nasal decongestant sustainability, discussing relevant Education Development. Taha. breath. sprays, eye drops, and a saline local education insights he has In the fi rst Belt and Road con- “Many people do not think Dr Salma Ahmed Taha Symptoms vary from person nasal rinse. gathered. “Qatar has made sig- ference in 2017, WISE gave a of the autumn and winter as to person and are determined She also recommends wash- nifi cant eff orts to modernise its presentation on the topic of stu- being a season for allergies and asthma does not increase a per- substances, causing nasal in- by which area of the respira- ing bedding frequently in hot education system over the past dent mobility and higher educa- asthma, but depending on an son’s risk of getting the fl u, the fl ammation and resulting in ex- tory system is aff ected; whether water, which helps kill dust two decades, but these globalisa- tion, an area of signifi cant inter- individual’s allergy and asthma consequences of infl uenza are cessive mucus production, na- it aff ects the upper respiratory mites and remove allergens. It is tion eff orts face societal calls for est in China. This research was triggers, the winter months can far greater. sal congestion, and post-nasal tract, such as the nose or phar- also recommended to get the fl u localisation and the preservation continued after the conference be one of the most challeng- The seasonal fl u causes res- drip. It is important for individ- ynx or the lower respiratory vaccination. of the Arabic language and herit- by a joint publication on teacher ing times of the year. Dry air piratory infl ammation that not uals with allergies to be aware of tract, such as the lungs. According to the World age,” he said. “Therefore, educa- development and training, titled can be a respiratory irritant and only triggers the symptoms of what triggers their symptoms. “Dust mites are insects, not Health Organisation (WHO), tion in Qatar combines aspects ‘A Multi-Country Study on the this can contribute to the wors- asthma but can also make them “Allergic asthma symptoms able to be seen with the naked short-term medications used to of globalisation with aspects of Education of Migrant Children’, ening of allergy and asthma worse. Getting the fl u vaccina- can come and go at any time of eye. They live in bedding, car- relieve symptoms and medica- localisation that address contex- with WISE sharing Qatar-based symptoms,”she said. tion is recommended for those the year. Winter presents some pets, fabric furniture, old cloth- tions such as inhaled corticos- tual needs of the society.” research on this topic. Dr Taha explains that the fl u with asthma. unique challenges in that both ing, and stuff ed toys. They sur- teroids are the most eff ective Discussing opportunities WISE also participated in oth- and asthma can be a deadly mix, “Winter allergens or irritants indoor and outdoor triggers vive primarily by feeding on the method for controlling the pro- for collaboration, Dr Baghdady er aspects of the conference, in- placing an individual with asth- can result in allergic rhinitis can set off symptoms. Common external layer of human skin. gression of severe asthma. added, “This gathering is very cluding Elyas Felfoul, director of ma at an increased risk for com- or hay fever as it is more com- indoor allergens that are espe- “For many individuals, re- More information about in- important for sharing knowledge Policy and Partnerships, who was plications and exposing their monly known. Allergic rhinitis cially active during the winter ducing the amount of dust in fl uenza and where to get the and views on education reform invited to judge the Belt and Road lungs to severe and even per- occurs when the body’s immune months include dust mites, the home will help to improve vaccine for free in Qatar, can be and improvement among coun- Global Startup competition, manent damage. “While having system overreacts to specifi c indoor moulds, and insect al- allergy symptoms. Dust mites had from www.stopthefl u.qa tries on the historical Silk Belt ‘YES! Startup Chengdu 2018.’ Gulf Times Saturday, December 22, 2018 3 REGION/ARAB WORLD UN unanimously approves Yemen truce monitors

Reuters agreed last week to stop fi ghting forces; support for the manage- its own version on Thursday. poverished Yemen to the verge breaching an arms embargo on The United Nations and United Nations in the Red Sea port city of Ho- ment of and inspections at the Traditionally countries pro- of famine with millions relying Yemen, but Russia objected, Western countries have criti- deidah and withdraw forces. ports of Hodeidah, Salif and Ras pose amendments to a draft on food aid. More than 80% of diplomats said. cised the coalition for killing a The truce began on Tuesday. Issa; and strengthening of the rather than coming up with Yemen’s imports used to come Iran has repeatedly denied high number of civilians, in- he United Nations Se- The 15-member Security UN presence in the Hodeidah their own text. through Hodeidah port, but accusations that it has supplied cluding children. curity Council yesterday Council authorised UN Secre- region. Guterres is also required The US text, which was seen that has slowed to a trickle. weapons to Yemen’s Houthis. Western countries, including Tunanimously approved tary-General Antonio Guterres to report weekly to the Security by Reuters, mirrored the British The resolution “calls on the In order to reach a consensus the United States and Britain, the deployment of a UN ad- to deploy — for an initial 30 Council on implementation of language focused on the cease- Government of Yemen and the Britain had to cut language on have provided arms and intelli- vance team to monitor a cease- days — an advance team to be- the resolution, which endorses fi re deal and authorising UN Houthis to remove bureaucratic the “need for transparent, cred- gence to coalition members. fi re in Yemen’s Hodeidah region gin monitoring and to support the ceasefi re deal agreed in support. impediments to fl ows of com- ible and timely investigations “Several permanent Council after days of wrangling that pit- and facilitate the deal between Sweden. However, Washington had mercial and humanitarian sup- into alleged violations of inter- members have helped shield the ted the United States against the warring parties. The Security Council has stripped out language on the plies, including fuel, and on the national humanitarian law” and Saudi-led coalition from pres- ally Britain. It also asked Guterres to sub- been wrangling over the Brit- humanitarian crisis. The reso- parties to ensure eff ective and for those responsible to be held sure and still sell them weap- After a week of UN-spon- mit proposals by the end of the ish-drafted text since Monday lution adopted yesterday re- sustained functioning of all of accountable. ons. That should stop immedi- sored peace talks in Sweden, month on substantive monitor- and in an unusual move the tained some of the British lan- Yemen’s ports.” A Saudi-led military coali- ately,” said Louis Charbonneau, the Houthi group and Saudi- ing operations for the ceasefi re United States, unhappy with guage on the aid crisis. The United States had also tion intervened in Yemen in UN director at Human Rights backed Yemen government foes and mutual redeployment of Britain’s eff orts, came up with The confl ict has pushed im- wanted to condemn Iran for 2015 to back government forces. Watch.

Coalition Turkey says it will take over fi ght strikes leave against IS after US withdrawal 27 dead IS launches fresh attack America’s decision to withdraw in southeast Syria from Syria.” France assures AFP Erdogan said, however, that support for SDF Beirut Reuters this was not an “open-ended Istanbul/Beirut waiting period” and that, due to French presidency off icials met past “negative experiences”, An- representatives of the Kurdish-dom- ir strikes by the US-led kara welcomed the United States’ inated Syrian Democratic Forces coalition killed 13 militant urkey will take over the statements with an equal amount (SDF) in Paris yesterday and assured Afi ghters and 14 of their fi ght against Islamic State of pleasure and caution.Turkey them of French support, an Elysee relatives yesterday in eastern Tmilitants in Syria as the has repeatedly voiced frustra- palace off icial said. Off icials from the Syria, a war monitor said. United States withdraws its tion over what it says is the slow US-backed SDF met with advisers The strikes came two days troops, President Tayyip Erdog- implementation of a deal with to French President Emmanuel after US President Donald an said yesterday, in the latest Washington to pull YPG fi ghters Macron yesterday following US Trump’s decision to pull troops upheaval wrought by Washing- out of Manbij, a town in mainly President Donald Trump’s decision out of Syria raised fears the Is- ton’s abrupt policy shift. Arab territory west of the Euphra- to withdraw US forces. The SDF lamic State group would use the The surprise announcement tes in northern Syria. off icials included Ilham Ahmed and vacuum to regroup. by US President Donald Trump The United States will prob- Riad Darrar. “The advisers passed on “At least 27 people were killed this week that he would with- ably end its air campaign against a message of support and solidarity this morning in Al-Shaafa,” draw roughly 2,000 troops has IS in Syria when it pulls out and explained to them the talks Rami Abdel Rahman, the head felled a pillar of American policy troops, US offi cials have said. France had with US authorities to of the Britain-based Syrian Ob- in the Middle East. Critics say Erdogan’s foreign minister continue the fight against Daesh servatory for Human Rights, told Trump’s decision will make it said the withdrawal plan would (Islamic State),” an Elysee off icial said. AFP. He said eight children were harder to fi nd a diplomatic so- be discussed by the two coun- among the 14 civilian victims lution to Syria’s seven-year-old tries in Washington in Janu- and added several people were confl ict. ary. Trump maintained that IS Washington was creating dis- seriously wounded in the strikes. For Turkey, the step removes had been wiped out, a view not comfort in international aff airs. The raids targeted IS positions a source of friction with the shared by key allies, that Wash- Several of Trump’s fellow Re- in Al-Shaafa. United States. Erdogan has long ington had been doing the work publicans in Congress, joined castigated his Nato ally over its US Marine Corps tactical vehicles are seen driving along a road near the town of Tal Baydar in the of other countries and it was by opposition Democrats, urged support for Syrian Kurdish YPG countryside of Syria’s northeastern Hasakeh province, yesterday. “time for others to fi nally fi ght”. the president to reverse course, TREMOR fi ghters against Islamic State. His defence secretary, Jim saying the withdrawal would Quake hits Iran Turkey considers the YPG a for other US allies. Both France tack in Syria’s southeast against area that it largely controls. Mattis, opposed the decision strengthen the hand of Russia terrorist group and an off shoot and Germany warned that the the US-backed SDF militia, em- This week, he said the cam- and abruptly announced on and Iran in Syria and enable a An earthquake, measuring 4 on of the armed Kurdistan Work- US change of course risked ploying car bombs and dozens of paign could come at any mo- Thursday he was resigning after resurgence of Islamic State. the Richter scale struck in Iran’s ers’ Party (PKK), fi ghting for damaging the campaign against militants. ment. But yesterday, he cited meeting with the president. Trump has given no sign of southwestern province of Fars, an Kurdish autonomy across the Islamic State, the militants who “We will be working on our the talk with Trump as a reason In a candid letter to Trump, changing his mind. He promised off icial said, QNA reported . border on Turkish soil. seized big swathes of Iraq and operational plans to eliminate to wait. the retired Marine general em- to remove forces from Syria dur- According to the Seismological In a speech in Istanbul, Er- Syria in 2014-15 but have now ISIS (Islamic State) elements, “Our phone call with Presi- phasised the importance of ing his 2016 election campaign. Center of the Geophysics Institute dogan said Turkey would mo- been beaten back to a sliver of which are said to remain intact dent Trump, along with con- “showing respect” to allies that The roughly 2,000 US troops of Tehran University, the tremor bilise to fi ght remaining Islamic Syrian territory. in Syria, in line with our conver- tacts between our diplomats and have voiced surprise and con- in Syria, many of them special occurred at 22:45 hours local time State forces in Syria and tem- Likewise, the US-backed mi- sation with President Trump,” security offi cials and statements cern about the president’s deci- forces, were ostensibly helping on Thursday at the depth of 19km porarily delay plans to attack litia spearheaded by the YPG Erdogan said. by the United States, have led us sion. to combat Islamic State but were underground.The epicentre of Kurdish fi ghters in the northeast said a Turkish attack would The Turkish president had to wait a little longer,” he said. Russia said yesterday it did also seen as a possible bulwark the quake was located at 27.04 of Syria — shifts both precipi- force it to divert fi ghters from announced plans last week to “We have postponed our mil- not understand what the United against Syrian President Bashar degrees longitude and 53.90 tated by the American decision the battle against Islamic State start an operation east of the itary operation against the east States’ next steps in Syria would al-Assad, who has retaken much degrees latitude. Ahel is a town in to withdraw. to protect its territory. Euphrates River in northern of the Euphrates river until we be, adding that chaotic and un- of the country from his foes in Eshkanan District, Lamerd County The news was less welcome Islamic State launched an at- Syria to oust the YPG from the see on the ground the result of predictable decision-making in the multi-sided civil war. in Fars Province. Dozens of bodies ‘found Gunfi re kills three Gazans in IS mass grave’ in Iraq during border protest AFP covery was made on Thursday fi ce said last month they had doc- Hawija, Iraq in the Hawija district of Kirkuk umented a total of 202 mass graves Agencies province, Adel Ismail, a lieuten- in parts of western and northern Gaza ant-colonel in the Iraqi federal Iraq held by IS between 2014 and raqi authorities said they police force, said. 2017. Of them, just 28 had been uncovered a new mass grave He said the grave contained excavated and 1,258 bodies ex- sraeli forces shot and killed Icontaining the remains of the remains of “innocent Iraqi humed by Iraqi authorities, the three Palestinians, includ- dozens of people in an area of civilians” who “were abducted report said. Even more sites could Iing a teenager, in the Gaza northern Kirkuk province once and then killed” by the militants. be uncovered in the months to Strip during the latest of weekly held by the Islamic State group. It was found in what appears to come, it warned, urging Iraqi au- protests along the border with Security forces have discovered be a deep well in the Al-Abbassi thorities to properly preserve and Israel yesterday, Palestinian dozens of mass graves since they area of Hawija. excavate them to provide closure health offi cials said. drove out IS in 2017 after three “This is a mass grave used by for victims’ families IS, which About 8,000 Palestinians years of occupation of swathes of Daesh,” said Wani Firas, a resident proclaimed a “caliphate” over gathered near the border fence, northern and western Iraq. of the area, using an Arabic-lan- swathes of Syria and Iraq in 2014, the Israeli military said. Most The United Nations said in guage acronym for IS. “They used has now lost almost all the land it kept their distance, while some November that more than 200 to come here, execute and throw once controlled. burned tires and tried to throw mass graves containing up to (the victims) inside, and we used The militants have been held an explosive device into Israel, 12,000 victims had been found to watch and observe from near- responsible for multiple atroci- though it did not land across in Iraq that could hold vital evi- by,” he said. ties during their reign of terror, the border, the military said. dence of war crimes by the mili- The United Nations in Iraq including mass executions and A military spokeswoman said Palestinian demonstrators run for cover from Israeli gunfire and teargas during a protest near the tants. The latest macabre dis- (UNAMI) and its human rights of- decapitations. the troops responded with “riot Israel-Gaza border fence, in the southern Gaza Strip, yesterday. dispersal means” and fi red in accordance with Israeli pro- war of Israel’s founding. cluding two journalists and from east Jerusalem, was shot TENSION cedure. Gaza’s health ministry Israel has ruled out any such four fi rst aid responders — were dead by Israeli troops on Thurs- Troops deployed after fresh protests over bread price said 16-year-old Mohamed al- right, concerned that the coun- wounded. Palestinians in the day near the city of Ramallah. Jahjuh was fatally shot in the try would lose its Jewish major- Gaza strip have held often vio- “The military police have Protests over the rising cost of bread broke out in Dozens also demonstrated on Road 60, a main artery neck, while 25 others, including ity. Alarmed at the bloodshed, lent protests backed by its rul- opened an investigation into Khartoum and its twin city Omdurman yesterday, in eastern Khartoum that links the city centre to the a local journalist, were wound- Egypt, the United Nations and ers Hamas since March 30. the death of the passenger,” an witnesses said, as Sudanese troops deployed after south of the capital, another witness said. ed by Israeli gunfi re. It later said some Gulf nations have sought Two Israeli soldiers have been army spokeswoman said, with- two days of deadly clashes between riot police and They also demanded the government’s ouster, the two men, aged 28 and 40, died ways to improve conditions in killed over the same period, one out giving any more details on demonstrators left eight protesters dead. witness said on condition of anonymity, adding that of injuries they sustained at the enclave. by a Palestinian sniper and an- the deceased. A government decision to raise the price of a loaf of the protesters were dispersed by riot police. protests in two separate loca- Israel withdrew settlers and other during an aborted special Soldiers fi red warning shots bread this week from one Sudanese pound to three Protests were also reported in other cities, including tions along the fence with Israel soldiers from Gaza in 2005 but forces operation inside Gaza. into the air after the vehicle (from about two to six US cents) sparked protests in El Obeid, southwest of Khartoum. earlier in the day. maintains tight control of its PROBE OVER failed to stop a roadblock, she across the country on Wednesday. The protests first erupted in the eastern city of Atbara Health offi cials in Gaza, land, air and sea borders. The FATAL SHOOTING said. In Omdurman, a witness – who declined to be before spreading to Al-Qadarif, also in eastern Sudan, which is run by the Hamas wider Israeli-Palestinian peace Meanwhile, the Israeli army When the vehicle tried to named – said demonstrations erupted as worshippers and then to the capital. movement, say more than 220 process has been stalled for said it had opened a probe after break though a second road- emerged from a mosque frequented by followers of Two demonstrators were killed in Atbara and six oth- Palestinians have been killed several years. troops shot dead the passen- block nearby, soldiers again the Al-Ansar sect, which is linked to the Umma Party, ers in Al-Qadarif, off icials said on Thursday. since they began weekly border Earlier, Israel’s military said ger of a car that tried to break fi red into the air “before aim- Sudan’s main opposition group. Government spokesman Bashar Jumaa warned that protests on March 30 to demand it had opened fi re “according through two checkpoints in the ing at the car, killing one of The Umma Party overnight Thursday issued a the government “will not be lenient” with those who the easing of Israel’s blockade to operational procedures” in occupied West Bank. The Pal- the occupants and injur- statement calling on its members to join the protest have set state buildings on fire or caused other dam- on the territory and the right to place, without elaborating. estinian health ministry said ing another passenger”, the movement. age to public property. return to land lost in the 1948 Forty six Palestinians — in- 17-year-old Qassem al-Abbasi, spokeswoman said. Gulf Times 4 Saturday, December 22, 2018 - AFRICA

Felix Tshisekedi, leader of Congolese main opposition party the Union for Democracy and Social Progress (UDPS) and presidential candidate, arrives at an election event in Kinshasa, yesterday. DR Congo opposition hits at delay in problem-strewn poll

AFP onboard — fi ve crew and one pas- But in a country that has never However, there was no report of tion-limited two terms in office. Kinshasa senger — had died. experienced a peaceful handover any violence in the aftermath of But he stayed on, invoking a But in Moscow, Ria Novosti of government since the end of CENI’s announcement. caretaker clause in the constitu- news agency, quoting Russia’s Belgian colonial rule in 1960, sus- Dozens of people have been tion that enables a president to pposition leaders in DR ambassador to the DRC, Alexei picions of foul play run deep. killed by the security forces in an- stay in office until his or her suc- Congo lashed the third Senteboff , said there were “un- “Joseph Kabila does not want to ti-Kabila protests in the past two cessor is elected. Opostponement in the confi rmed fi gures” of 23 aboard, leave power or organise elections,” years. The elections were postponed country’s presidential elections including three Russian fl ight an alliance of parties backing op- A long history of political tur- until the end of 2017 under a deal yesterday as a deadly plane crash crew. position candidate Felix Tshiseke- moil, bloodshed and dictatorship brokered by the powerful Catho- added to the ballot’s woes. Presidential, legislative and di declared yesterday. explains the tension behind the lic church — and then again un- An Antonov 26 chartered by the provincial elections were due to “Any further postponement, elections. Since 1996, the Dem- til 2018, when Kabila eventu- national electoral commission to have been held in the vast, vola- even a single day” beyond the new ocratic Republic of Congo has ally confirmed he would not run deliver election material crashed tile country tomorrow, defusing date of December 30 “will not be suffered two major wars that left again. on Thursday near Kinshasa, offi - a two-year-old crisis over the fu- accepted,” the coalition, CACH, millions of dead, and two ongo- The delay sparked protests cials said. ture of President Joseph Kabila. warned. ing conflicts in the centre and that were bloodily suppressed, The plane, operated by the But on Thursday, CENI ordered Martin Fayulu, another opposi- east of the country that have causing dozens of deaths and company Gomair, was about to a week-long postponement, say- tion frontrunner, said: “No delay caused hundreds of thousands to sparking an outcry from western land at the capital’s airport after ing a fi re at a warehouse last week can be justifi ed.” flee their homes. nations and the UN. fl ying to the central city of Tshika- had destroyed electronic voting Kabila and Nangaa will bear In 2016, the spectre of insta- One of the figures behind the pa where it delivered “election re- machines and ballot papers ear- “full responsibility for this cha- bility rose once more as Kabila crackdown is Kabila’s hand- sults forms,” a spokesman at the marked for the capital. rade,” he said on Thursday. kept the nation guessing about picked successor, Emmanuel Independent National Election The delay will enable CENI to His statement was also signed his future. Ramazani Shadary, a hardline Commission (CENI) said. get replacement ballot papers by two major fi gures who have Kabila took office in 2001 af- former interior minister. Accounts of the numbers on- from the South Korean fi rm sup- been barred from contesting the ter succeeding his assassinated Critics of the president say board and the casualty toll varied. plying the equipment, the panel’s election — the exiled former gov- father. Shadary will be manipulated An offi cial with air traffi c con- chief, Corneille Nangaa, said. ernor of Katanga province, Moise Kabila, 47, was due to step from behind the scenes or set the trol in Tshikapa, the capital of “The electoral process contin- Katumbi, and former warlord down at the end of 2016 after stage for Kabila to make a come- Kasai district, said all six people ues,” he promised. Jean-Pierre Bemba. reaching the end of his constitu- back.

Zimbabwe says will not extradite Grace Mugabe Gunmen

AFP were staying. “We will not smile harm”. South African police say generals stepped in to ensure that kill 25 in Harare at something like that, for her they hope to arrest her, without his wife was not in line to succeed to be harassed, embarrassed or giving further details. him. ill-treated,” deputy information Engels, now 21, suff ered cuts to President Emmerson Mnan- northern imbabwe yesterday said it minister Energy Mutodi said. her forehead and the back of her gagwa, his former deputy, re- would not extradite Grace “This incident happened when head in the incident. cently revealed Mugabe had been ZMugabe, wife of former she was in offi ce and she was At the time, the government in Singapore for medical care and Nigeria president Robert Mugabe, after granted diplomatic immunity. granted Grace Mugabe diplomatic was now unable to walk because an arrest warrant was issued in They can’t now come back now immunity, allowing her to hur- of ill health and old age. South Africa for her alleged as- and say they want to prosecute riedly leave South Africa. The couple’s whereabouts are AFP sault of a model in 2017. her. We are not going to support A court scrapped the immunity unknown. Kano The 53-year-old reportedly any extradition.” in July, labelling the decision by Grace, a regular visitor to South attacked Gabrielle Engels using The Randburg Magistrates the foreign ministry as “incon- Africa, earned the nickname an electrical extension cord at Court in Gauteng province is- sistent with the constitution”. “Gucci Grace” for her lavish life- t least 25 people were an upmarket hotel in Johannes- sued the warrant of arrest on De- Robert Mugabe, 94, was ousted style as Zimbabwe’s economy killed when armed men burg’s business district of Sand- cember 13, charging Mugabe with as president in November 2017 collapsed under her husband’s Araided two villages ton where the Mugabes’ two sons “assault causing grievous bodily after a military takeover when authoritarian rule. in a northern Nigerian state wracked by cattle rustling and kidnapping for ransom, wit- nesses and the police said yes- terday. Gunmen on motorcycles on Rajoelina ahead in Madagascar election Wednesday invaded the vil- lages of Gidan Halilu and Gidan Kaka in Birnin Magaji district AFP campaign staff nonetheless re- of Zamfara state, they said. Antananarivo sponded with their own accusa- “We lost 25 people in the at- tions, saying they had detected tacks, which were carried out “fraud” and “manipulation”. by cattle thieves who have been ormer president Andry “We took a big step towards terrorising us for years,” said Rajoelina yesterday took a victory, the ballot boxes spoke Usman Wadatau, a community Fclear lead in Madagascar’s once and for all,” former minister leader in Gidan Halilu. election, according to partial of- Hajo Andrianainarivelo said. “We lost 16 people in Gidan fi cial results, as his rival Marc “If they say they have found Halilu and nine in Gidan Kaka,” Ravalomanana claimed to be the fraud, I urge them to use the rem- he said. victim of “massive fraud”. edies provided by law.” Four of those killed in Gidan With more than 2mn of about The two candidates were both Halilu were volunteers from 5mn ballots counted, Rajoelina banned from running in the 2013 nearby Nassarawa Godel who had 54.68% of the vote and Rav- election as part of an agreement had mobilised to help fight off alomanana was on 45.32% after to end recurring crises that have the attackers, Gidan Kaka resi- Wednesday’s head-to-head elec- rocked Madagascar since inde- dent Bube Mada said. tion. A Malagasy Independent Electoral Commission officer starts the pendence from France in 1960. In the first attack, which oc- As the count progressed, turn- counting operation during the presidential election in Antananarivo. Ravalomanana, 69, was fi rst curred around 1:00pm (1200 out was put at 48% — lower than elected president in 2002 but GMT), the bandits opened fire the 54% in the fi rst-round ballot. “Even before the fi rst round, after they came a close fi rst and was forced to resign seven years on farmers harvesting sweet Both camps have claimed vic- the candidates talked about mas- second in the preliminary elec- later by violent demonstrations potatoes outside Gidan Halilu, tory and alleged fraud, raising sive fraud. We did not see it in the tion in November. supported by Rajoelina, the then killing nine, Mada said. fears of a disputed result and the fi eld...I hope that calm will come “I have noticed massive fraud. mayor of the capital Antanan- “The gunmen left after the risk of a new political crisis in the once the results are very clear.” There are electoral cards that arivo. attack on the farm but returned Indian Ocean island which has a In the same vein, the African are fake,” Ravalomanana said on Rajoelina, now 44, was in- around 5:00pm when we were history of coups and unrest. Union (AU) congratulated the Thursday at his campaign head- stalled by the army and ruled un- preparing the bodies of the vic- But EU election observers said “two candidates, the entire po- quarters in the capital Antanan- til 2014. tims for burial and opened fire yesterday they had not seen evi- litical class and the Madagascan arivo. Ravalomanana is a former on the mourners, killing three dence of malpractice. people who, despite the diff er- “If the results follow the rules milkman from a peasant family people,” Wadatau said. “The Madagascans voted in a ences, (...) have shown restraint.” and take into account our com- who went on to build a business “Some people from our peaceful atmosphere in a trans- Rajoelina and Ravalomanana, plaints then yes, I agree (with the empire. Rajoelina is a former par- neighbours in Nassawa Godel parent and well-organised poll,” both former presidents and long- results), but if they don’t follow ty planner and successful entre- mobilised to help but the at- mission head Cristian Preda told time rivals, have been locked in a the democratic process, no.” preneur with slick communica- tackers opened fire on them reporters. fi ercely personal duel for power Sensing victory, Rajoelina’s tion skills. and killed four,” he said. Gulf Times Saturday, December 22, 2018 5 AMERICA Mattis resigns over diff erences with president

AFP cost-eff ectiveness has been ish 68-year-old who has disa- “makes it abundantly clear that interested in deploying troops Washington questioned by the businessman greed with the president behind we are headed towards a series at home to carry out his key do- turned president. the scenes on issues from Russia of grave policy errors which will mestic goal of cracking down on “My views on treating al- to Iran to accepting transgender endanger our nation, damage our unauthorised immigration. S Defence Secretary Jim lies with respect and also being soldiers. alliances and empower our ad- “Does the USA want to be the Mattis resigned on Thurs- clear-eyed about both malign ac- He hinted at Mattis’s depar- versaries”. Policeman of the Middle East, Uday, leading a chorus of tors and strategic competitors are ture as far back as October, tell- Democratic Senator Mark getting NOTHING but spend- protests at home and abroad after strongly held and informed by ing CBS: “It could be that he is Warner called Mattis “an island ing precious lives and trillions of President Donald Trump ordered over four decades of immersion (leaving).I think he’s sort of a of stability amidst the chaos of dollars protecting others who, in a troop pullout from Syria and a in these issues,” Mattis wrote. Democrat, if you want to know the Trump administration” and almost all cases, do not appre- signifi cant withdrawal from Af- One day after the surprise an- the truth ... he may leave. I mean, voiced fears of policy driven by ciate what we are doing? Do we ghanistan. nouncement on Syria, a US of- at some point, everybody leaves.” “the president’s erratic whims”. want to be there forever? Time Trump steadfastly defended fi cial told AFP that Trump had On Twitter on Thursday, how- Meanwhile, Senate Major- for others to fi nally fi ght,” he his sudden push for retrench- also decided on a “signifi cant ever, Trump had only praise for ity Leader Mitch McConnell was tweeted. ment, vowing that the United withdrawal” in a much larger US his defence secretary, who will unusually pointed, calling for The US withdrawal will make States would no longer be the operation – Afghanistan. serve until the end of February, the US to “maintain a clear-eyed Russia, which has deployed its “policeman of the Middle East”, Some 14,000 troops are fi ght- crediting him with achieving understanding of our friends and air power in support of President and saying that the 2,000-strong ing the Taliban in Afghanistan as “tremendous progress”. foes, and recognise that nations Bashar al-Assad, the pre-emi- US force in Syria was no longer This picture taken on April 24 last year shows Mattis looking out over part of the longest-ever US war, US lawmakers across the po- like Russia are among the latter”. nent global power in the Syrian needed as the Islamic State (IS) Kabul as he arrives via helicopter at the Resolute Support launched in response to the Sep- litical spectrum voiced concern He said that he was “particu- confl ict. group had been defeated. headquarters. tember 11, 2001 attacks. over a rebirth of the Islamic State larly distressed that (Mattis) is “The fact that the US has de- Mattis, a battle-hardened re- The Wall Street Journal report- group in Syria and sounded an resigning due to sharp diff er- cided to withdraw its troops is tired four-star general seen as to have a secretary of defence Mattis hailed the coalition to ed that more than half would be alarm as Mattis unmoors from ences with the president on these right,” President Vladimir Putin a moderating force on the often whose views are better aligned defeat Islamic State as well as the returning. the unpredictable administra- and other key aspects of Ameri- said during an annual year-end impulsive president, made lit- with yours,” Mattis said in a let- North Atlantic Treaty Organisa- Trump has surrounded himself tion. ca’s global leadership”. press conference, saying that tle attempt to hide his disagree- ter to Trump, “I believe it is right tion (Nato), the nearly 70-year- with former military men and Senator Marco Rubio, a mem- Trump was quick to note “on the whole I agree with the US ments with Trump. for me to step down from my po- old alliance between North shown an uncharacteristic public ber of Trump’s Republican Par- that he has ramped up military president” on the level of damage “Because you have the right sition.” America and Europe whose deference toward Mattis, a book- ty, said that Mattis in his letter spending, but he has been most infl icted on Islamic State. Trump shifts blame over Justice Ginsburg Justice Ginsburg imminent govt shutdown Reuters with the House bill as they began Three-quarters of govern- Washington procedural votes on whether to ment programmes are fully- undergoes even consider it. funded through the end of the Republican Senator Bob federal fi scal year next Septem- resident Donald Trump Corker bluntly said: “The $5bn ber 30, including those in the cancer op conceded yesterday that is not going to pass.” Defence Department, Labour Pthere is a good chance the The Senate, where Republi- Department, and Health and Senate would not approve his cans have only a 51-49 majority, Human Services. DPA demand for $5bn toward funding already had approved funds for However, funding for other Washington his border wall project and that the government through Febru- agencies, including the Depart- there probably would be a gov- ary 8 in hopes of avoiding a par- ment of Homeland Security, the ernment shutdown beginning at tial government shutdown, but Justice Department and the Ag- S Supreme Court Justice midnight. without money for the wall. riculture Department, is set to Ruth Bader Ginsburg un- Before meeting Senate Re- On Thursday Trump pushed expire at midnight yesterday. Uderwent an operation to publicans at the White House, fellow Republicans in the House If the House measure is put to remove cancerous growths in her Trump had written on Twit- to use the short-term funding a vote in the Senate, Democrats left lung yesterday and is now ter that “Democrats now own bill as leverage to force through have pledged to deny it passage. in recovery, with no additional the shutdown”, despite having the border wall money despite It remained unclear what signs of the disease, according to said last week that he would be Democratic objections. would happen if the House a statement from the judiciary. “proud” to shut down the gov- In a series of early-morn- measure fails there. Ginsburg, 85, is resting in hos- ernment over the issue of border ing tweets yesterday, Trump A partial government shut- pital where she will remain for “a security and “I’ll be the one to urged McConnell to take up the down could begin, with aff ected few days”, the statement said. shut it down”. amended bill from the House. agencies limiting staff to those “Post-surgery, there was no “If the Dems vote no, there He also called on McConnell deemed “essential” to public evidence of any remaining dis- will be a shutdown that will last to use the “nuclear option” to safety. ease. Scans performed before for a very long time,” he said in force a Senate vote on legislation Such critical workers, includ- surgery indicated no evidence another tweet before meeting with a simple majority, rather ing US border agents, and non- of disease elsewhere in the body. with Republican senators. than the standard “supermajor- essential employees would not Currently, no further treatment Senate Democratic Leader ity” of 60 votes. get paid until the dispute ends. is planned,” the statement noted. Chuck Schumer refused to take But there is not enough sup- National parks also would A man walks next to a Ginsburg is admired by left- the blame. port among Republican senators close unless the government de- reinforced section of the leaning Democrat voters as a lib- “President Trump, you own to do so. clares them essential. US-Mexico border fence, as eral voice in the top US court. the shutdown,” he said on the The threat of a US government Alternatively, lawmakers seen yesterday from Tijuana in She has had a number of Senate fl oor. “You said so in your shutdown, which would leave could seek a solution that Trump Mexico’s Baja California state. health scares over the years but own words.” thousands of federal workers fi nds acceptable, although it was continues to serve on the bench. After the White House meet- idled at Christmas, continued to unclear what that would be. be paid for by Mexico, and sees Appointment to the Supreme ing, Trump said there is a good fuel investor anxieties yesterday White House spokeswoman it as a winning issue for his 2020 Court is a lifelong honour that chance a bill with wall funding over the trajectory of global eco- Sarah Sanders said Trump was re-election campaign. generally only ends when the would be defeated in the Senate nomic growth as world stocks “not going to back down on this Democratic US Senator Chris judge dies or decides to retire. and that a shutdown is likely. extended a steep sell-off . fi ght” and would stay in Wash- Coons said yesterday that he President Donald Trump has Senate Majority Leader Mitch The showdown added to ten- ington rather than go to his Mar- hoped Trump would change appointed two staunch con- McConnell urged the Senate to sions in Washington as lawmak- a-Lago resort in Florida for the course and support the Sen- servatives to the nine-member pass the bill approved by the ers also grappled with Trump’s holidays as planned. ate-passed bill, which includes court, swinging the balance to House of Representatives on sudden move to pull troops from Asked how long any potential funds for border security but not the right. Thursday that would give Trump Syria, which prompted Defence shutdown would last, Sand- specifi cally for the wall. Centre-left Democrats are $5bn toward building the wall on Secretary Jim Mattis to resign, ers said: “Let’s hope that that “This is a fi ght more over concerned another appointment the Mexican border – one of the and furthered concerns over the doesn’t have to happen.” message and the president try- by the current president would major themes of his presidency. investigation of Russian med- Trump’s border wall was a key ing to fulfi l a campaign promise cement a fundamental shift in There still appeared to be little dling in the 2016 election that campaign promise in the 2016 rather than substance,” Coons Trump: If the Democrats vote no, there will be a shutdown that the court’s make-up. chance senators would go along Trump won. election, when he said it would told CNN in an interview. will last for a very long time.

Americans fatter, shorter since 1999: US data With bipartisan support, criminal

AFP Average weight, waist cir- year for which data is available, American men today are justice reform is signed into law Washington cumference, and body mass 2015-2016. generally slightly shorter than index (BMI) in adults have in- That’s up eight pounds from two decades ago: 69.2” (5’ creased over the past 18 years, 1999-2000, when the average 9.2”, 175.6cm) then, and 69.1” By Jamiles Lartey volvement of his son-in-law and For all of us, this fi ght was deeply mericans have grown said the report by the National male body weight was 189lbs (175.4cm) now. Guardian News & Media top adviser Jared Kushner. personal.” fatter in the past two Centre for Health Statistics. (86kg). Women’s average height also At the signing ceremony, he Early critics of the bill, such as Adecades, adding girth to “A signifi cant linear increase Women have packed on the fell one-tenth of an inch since thanked Kushner personally. New Jersey senator Corey Booker their bellies and in some cases, in body weight was seen over pounds too, going from an av- 1999, but not enough to be sta- onald Trump has signed Of prisoners who could not and the ACLU, who felt that the even growing shorter, according time for both men and women,” erage of 164lbs (74kg) in 1999- tistically signifi cant. into law the First Step Act, advocate for themselves from legislation did not go far enough, to federal health data released said the report, based on data 2000 to 171lb (77kg) in 2015- BMI, a key health indicator Da prison and sentencing behind bars, Kushner said: “We came around in large part due on Thursday. from physical exams on more 2016. which is calculated as ratio of reform bill with strong bipartisan were their lobbyists.” to major additions to the House The report gave no specifi c than 47,000 people nationwide Men’s average waist size has height and weight, showed rises support, having passed the Sen- The act expands rehabilitative version of the bill by the Senate, reasons for the trends, which over the age of 20. crept from 39” to 40” (99cm to men climbed from an average of ate earlier this week and in the opportunities, increases “good which added language on sen- come as no surprise as the na- The average American man 102cm), while women’s waists 27.8 in 1999 to 29.1 in 2015. House yesterday. time”-served credits for most tencing reform. tion battles with an ongoing weighs 197.9 pounds (89.8kg), grew 3” – 36” to 39” (92cm to Women went from 27.8 on av- “The First Step Act will make federal prisoners, reduces man- The fi rst House version only obesity epidemic. according to the most recent 98cm) – in that time span. erage to 28.2. communities SAFER and SAVE datory minimum sentences for a contained reforms on the way in- tremendous taxpayers dollars,” number of drug-related crimes mates are treated in prison. the president said in a statement. and formally bans some correc- In exchange, progressive re- US arrested 10,000 ‘transnational’ gang members in 2018: immigration agency “It brings much-needed hope to tional practices including the formers had to accept a number many families during the holiday shackling of pregnant women. of changes to which prisoners The US this year arrested more than 10,000 over 820 firearms and more than 2.7 tonnes of so-called “Northern Triangle” of Guatemala, season.” “This bill could have died a will be eligible for benefi ts under members of “transnational gangs”, its immigra- illegal drugs, the ICE added in its statement. Honduras and El Salvador. The result of coalition-build- dozen diff erent deaths,” said Van the act, based on the crime for tion enforcement agency announced on Thurs- Of those deported, more than 1,300 were aff ili- It remains active in the US – but its approxi- ing in a partisan political climate, Jones of advocacy group #cut50, which they were convicted. day – including more than 2,000 members of ated with MS-13, which operates in the US and mately 10,000 members make up a fraction First Step earned support from which was integral in the bill’s The sentencing reforms were MS-13, regularly cited as a threat by President Central America. of the country’s 1.4mn active gang members, politicians as ideologically di- design. “But the broad coalition also mostly not made retroactive. Donald Trump. Fighting the gang – full name Mara Salvatrucha according to Jose Miguel Cruz, a research di- verse as senators Kamala Harris that came together to pass it re- “The First Step Act is by no The US Immigration and Customs Enforce- – became a top priority for the US Justice rector at Florida International University’s Latin and Ted Cruz, and from advocacy fused to give up.” means perfect,” said Jesselyn ment (ICE) said that it also deported more Department last year. American and Caribbean Centre. groups including the American Jones, a frequent outspo- McCurdy, deputy director of than 5,800 suspected gang members, up 9% Established among Salvadorans who fled war “Trump is overstating the danger the gang Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and ken critic of Trump on his CNN the Washington legislative of- compared to 2017. at home for Los Angeles in the 1980s, it is one poses here in the United States,” he wrote in a the Fraternal Order of Police. show, added: “Many have seen fi ce at the ACLU. “But we are in Immigration authorities have also confiscated of several gangs behind brutal violence in the Washington Post column in January. Trump’s strong support was their loved ones sent to prison the midst of a mass incarceration largely seen as a result of the in- or were incarcerated themselves. crisis, and the time to act is now.” Gulf Times 6 Saturday, December 22, 2018 ASIA

Air quality dips in Bangkok

A general view of the skyline as the air quality worsened in Bangkok, Thailand. People wear masks on a day with poor air quality in Bangkok, Thailand, yesterday. Myanmar army Facebook, Twitter remove fake news announces truce sites in Bangladesh

Reuters Facebook under our misrep- by making clones of popular Dhaka resentation policy because we news websites. Facebook’s don’t want people or organisa- move comes as Prime Minister tions creating networks of ac- Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League against armed acebook and Twitter said counts to mislead others about is seeking to win a third straight yesterday they had re- who they are, or what they’re term in power amid accusations Fmoved accounts and fake doing,” Gleicher said. of carrying out attacks on op- news pages linked to the Bang- Twitter said it had identi- position party candidates. ladesh government that had fi ed and suspended 15 accounts The opposition National posted anti-opposition con- originating from Bangladesh Unity Front alliance said on tent, days ahead of an election for “engaging in co-ordinated Wednesday that 14 of its can- rebel groups in the South Asian nation. platform manipulation”. didates had been arrested and Facebook, Bangladesh’s most “Based on our initial analy- 1,500 injured in attacks this AFP popular social network with sis, it appears that some of month by ruling party workers. Yangon an estimated 30mn users, said these accounts may have ties The Awami League has denied it had removed nine fake news to state-sponsored actors,” it the allegations and accused the pages “linked to individuals as- added. The accounts had fewer opposition of trying to disrupt a yanmar’s military an- sociated with the Bangladesh than 50 followers, it said. peaceful election environment. nounced yesterday it government” which mimicked Facebook and other tech gi- Hasina said on Wednesday her Mwould suspend “all those of independent news ants are under pressure to in- party would not use “unfair military movements” in the outlets. crease eff orts to remove mis- means” to win. troubled northern and eastern It also took down six ac- leading or illegal content, and Under Hasina’s decade-long regions for four months, an un- counts as they, along with the ensure fake news is not upload- rule several people have been precedented step observers say pages, were found “engaging in ed and disseminated. Although arrested for putting up Face- could coax ethnic rebel groups co-ordinated inauthentic be- Facebook has stepped up fact- book posts critical of the gov- into the country’s fractious haviour”. One of the accounts checking, it still faces criticism ernment, including a promi- peace process. had 11,900 followers. Bangla- that it is too slow to close rogue nent photographer released last Confl icts have been festering desh’s interior minister, As- accounts. month after more than 100 days in the border areas since inde- saduzzaman Khan, said action Mufti Mahmud Khan, a in prison. The government has pendence from Britain 70 years would be taken against people spokesman for the Rapid Ac- taken steps to improve Bang- ago, with various armed groups behind the fake accounts. tion Battalion security force, ladesh’s digital infrastructure, fi ghting for autonomy, identity, “Even if someone has a link which has been given the job of including making the Internet resources and territory. Tens with the ruling party, he will monitoring online content in more aff ordable, but it has kept of thousands of people living not be spared,” Khan told Reu- the run-up to the Dec 30 polls, tight control. within the confl ict areas have ters. did not comment on the Face- During mass student protests been forced — often repeatedly Facebook’s Head of Cyberse- book statement. this August, the police’s cyber — from their homes. curity Policy Nathaniel Gleich- But he said his team had ar- crime unit said it had scoured So far 10 ethnic rebel groups er said in a statement Facebook rested 30 people in recent Facebook posts to crack down have signed up to a peace process did not want accounts created weeks, some linked to the op- on what it called “fake news” led by civilian leader Aung San Myanmar army soldiers patrolling a village in Maungdaw located in Rakhine State. to mislead anyone. “This kind position, who posted “anti- being spread to provoke pro- Suu Kyi, but several others have of behaviour is not allowed on government propaganda” tests. held out. state, where an army crackdown Kyaw told AFP by phone. “But it some signatories of the govern- One key demand has been forced some 720,000 persecuted would have been better if they ment’s peace deal. Neighbouring for the powerful military to lay Rohingya Muslims into Bangla- had announced a ceasefi re for China has recently mediated in down its weapons fi rst, a con- desh last year, in violence UN in- the whole country,” he said, add- several rounds of talks. cession it has staunchly refused vestigators concluded warranted ing that his group had called for Min Zaw Oo, executive direc- – until now. charges of genocide. “restraint” from its troops. tor of the Myanmar Institute for Yesterday, the commander- The military is now locked in The peace process has been Peace and Security, told AFP the in-chief’s offi ce announced on a confl ict with Rakhine Buddhist Suu Kyi’s stated priority since move by the army had surprised its website the military would rebels, violence that has driven her party swept to power in many observers. “suspend all military move- hundreds from their homes in landmark elections in 2015, as “The Tatmadaw has never ments” in the northern and recent days. the country opened up following done this. It’s the fi rst time in eastern regions. The unilateral Yesterday’s announcement half a century of military rule. Myanmar’s history,” he said, ceasefi re will take immediate was welcomed by the Taaung Na- But she has had no say over secu- adding he thought the halt in eff ect and last until April 30 tional Liberation Army (TNLA), rity policy, with the still-mighty fi ghting could lure some groups “to enable negotiations to take one of the larger ethnic armed military retaining key govern- into the fl edgling peace process. place”, the statement said, add- groups that has been fi ghting ment posts in a delicate power- UN resident and humanitarian ing that the army reserved the the military in the northeast. sharing arrangement. co-ordinator in Myanmar An- right to re-engage in confl ict “if “We see this as a positive step by The process has moved in fi ts drew Kirkwood welcomed the needed”. the Myanmar Tatmadaw (armed and starts, with fi ghting contin- measure, encouraging all sides to One notable exception to the forces),” TNLA general secre- uing in many restive border ar- “take advantage of this moment Supporters of the ruling party Bangladesh Awami League join in a campaign ahead of the 11th ceasefi re was western Rakhine tary Brigadier General Tar Phone eas – even between the army and to cease hostilities”. general election in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Cambodia’s surrogate mothers risk jail for Chinese couples

AFP Cambodia banned commer- women who underwent the same banned it a year later, worried that Kukunashvili had a surrogacy than 40 surrogate mothers in two adding that hospital staff in China Phnom Penh cial surrogacy in 2016 but still process. China — with more than women in fi nancial straits could agency in Cambodia before the diff erent cases were arrested in can be bribed to issue a birth cer- has brokers — and eligible young 90mn women eligible for a second face exploitation. ban, and said there are more than Phnom Penh and charged with tifi cate in the name of the intend- women — skirting the ban for a off spring after the one-child pol- Industry watchers eagerly wait 100 Chinese or other Asian agen- human traffi cking. ed mother. price. Yin, 24, was off ered $9,000 icy was eased — forbids commer- for legislation in Cambodia that cies still operating. She said more In one case, 32 pregnant wom- Authorities are working to raise regnant and scared, Yin by a Cambodian intermediary to cial surrogacy, driving couples could eventually regulate surro- regulation, not outright bans, is en were allowed bail once they awareness about the ban and its hides in a house on the out- carry a Chinese couple’s baby, a yearning for a biological child to gacy and protect the women and needed. “Banning allows (the) promised under threat of impris- repercussions, especially among Pskirts of Phnom Penh — one fortune for her rice-farming fam- Southeast Asian countries where children from becoming victims industry to run under the table,” onment “not to give up” the ba- vulnerable garment workers in of an untold number of Cambo- ily in rural Kampong Thom prov- the practice is poorly regulated. of traffi cking. Meanwhile, a net- Kukunashvili, director of Geor- bies. “These women are victims of factories throughout Cambodia, dian surrogate mothers risking jail ince, three hours from the capital. But a string of high-profi le work of Cambodian and inter- gia-based New Life Global Net- unethical agents and if illiterate, said Chou Bun Eng, vice presi- time for lucrative payouts from “I hesitated at fi rst because I was controversies in Thailand, in- national intermediaries persists work, told AFP. She added that are unlikely to even understand dent of the national anti-human Chinese clients. afraid of how the girls in my vil- cluding custody tussles and a case in the shadows, with raids and the Cambodian and Thai govern- the ban in place in Cambodia,” traffi cking committee. “We are The end of China’s one-child lage would look at me,” Yin, who of a couple accused of abandon- arrests revealing the scale of the ments were putting the young said Sam Everingham, director worried the movement (to re- policy has driven desperate cou- did not want to give her real name ing their baby after it was born demand. surrogates’ fate in the hands of of Australian non-profi t Families cruit them) from factories could ples too old to bring a baby to term for fear of being discovered, told with Down Syndrome, prompted Experts say couples are will- “complete strangers”. Through Surrogacy. be spread if there is no preven- to poorer countries in the Mekong AFP. the country’s junta to ban it in ing to pay between $40,000 and Critics also say that authori- For women able to carry ba- tion,” she told AFP, explaining region, where a “womb-for-rent” With money scarce, she agreed 2015. Parents immediately looked $100,000 to have a child, while ties unfairly place blame on the bies without detection, they are that women who were caught as industry is brushing up against and was moved to a house in across the border to Cambo- the surrogate mother typically women instead of recruiters when moved to either Thailand or Chi- surrogate mothers in the past had legal barriers. Phnom Penh to live with other dia, but the government swiftly gets $10,000 to $15,000. Mariam they are caught. This year, more na to give birth, Everingham said, been factory workers. Gulf Times Saturday, December 22, 2018 7 ASIA/AUSTRALASIA Canadian held in China faces harsh measures: sources

Reuters President Robert Malley has also for Canadian Foreign Minister news briefi ng. Canada has been Beijing called for Kovrig’s release. Chrystia Freeland, when asked provided “necessary help” to get The sources familiar with Ko- about Kovrig. consular access, she said. vrig’s case said he was taken The comments on Kovrig from “I don’t know whether you former Canadian diplo- away at around 10pm on Monday the sources were made in recent paid attention to the treatment German tech entrepreneur Kim Dotcom. mat detained in China is last week while on a street in Bei- days. All the sources requested or the human rights of the Chi- Abeing denied legal repre- jing. anonymity citing the sensitivity nese citizen who was illegally de- sentation and is not allowed to China formally notifi ed the of the situation. tained in Canada at the request turn the lights off at night, peo- Canadian government of Ko- Under Chinese criminal pro- of the United States?” Hua said, ple familiar with the situation vrig’s detention two days later, at cedure law, special forms of de- referring to Huawei’s Meng. A New Zealand top court lets Kim said, off ering new details on the 4pm on Wednesday last week. tention and interrogation can be Canadian court last week granted closely watched case. Canada only gained consular used for state security suspects. Meng bail. Among conditions of China last week detained access to him at a police station Rights groups say conditions in her bail, the 46-year-old execu- Dotcom appeal US extradition two Canadians – Michael Ko- on Friday last week, when he was Chinese detention facilities are tive must wear an ankle monitor vrig, a former diplomat and an visited for half an hour by the often basic and can be harsh, and stay at home from 11pm to adviser with the International Canadian ambassador and two with lack of legal representation 6am. AFP the proposed appeals,” they They allege the fi le-shar- Crisis Group (ICG) think-tank, other Canadian diplomats, the and due process compounding The Canadian government has Wellington said in a written judgement. ing service netted more than and businessman Michael Spa- sources said. worries about treatment. said several times it saw no ex- The Supreme Court is Dot- US$175mn in criminal proceeds vor – after Canadian police ar- “He’s not allowed to apply In 2015, a British corporate in- plicit link between the arrest of com’s last avenue of legal ap- and cost copyright owners rested Huawei Technologies Co for bail and not allowed to see a vestigator accused Chinese offi - Meng, the daughter of Huawei’s ew Zealand’s top court peal in New Zealand and had US$500mn-plus by off ering Ltd’s chief fi nancial offi cer, Meng lawyer,” said one source, adding cials of deliberately withholding founder, and the detentions of will hear Megaupload the judges accepted the US pirated content, including fi lms Wanzhou, on Dec 1. Kovrig was being held at an un- medical treatment while he was Kovrig and Spavor. But Beijing- Nfounder Kim Dotcom’s argument, he would have been and music. Canada arrested Meng at the disclosed location, questioned in jail to try to force him to con- based Western diplomats and fi nal appeal against extradition out of options. Dotcom and his co-accused request of the United States, every morning, afternoon and fess to a role in a scandal involv- former Canadian diplomats have to the United States on fraud But the decision means he — Finn Batato, Mathias Ort- which is engaged in a trade war evening and not allowed to turn ing drugmaker GlaxoSmithKline said they believed the detention and online piracy charges, has one more chance to over- mann, Bram van der Kolk — with China. Meng faces extradi- the lights off at night. He is also Plc. of the Canadians were a “tit-for- judges said. turn a court ruling that he have denied any wrongdoing tion to the United States to face only allowed one consular visit a Foreign Ministry spokeswom- tat” reprisal by China. The German national, who should be sent to the United and say Megaupload was tar- fraud charges which carry a max- month and is not allowed to see an Hua Chunying said the details If a Canadian judge rules is accused of netting millions States to face charges. geted because established in- imum sentence of 30 years jail for family or loved ones. of Kovrig’s detention and treat- the case against Meng is strong from his fi le-sharing empire, The extradition order has terests were threatened by on- each charge. “He is physically all right but ment needed to be checked, and enough, Canada’s justice minis- faces charges of racketeering, already been upheld by two ap- line innovation. China has given only vague tired and stressed,” the source referred specifi c questions to the ter must next decide whether to fraud and money laundering peal courts in a marathon case The website was an early details of why they have detained said. “Physically he does not ap- “relevant authorities”. extradite her to the United States. in the US, carrying jail terms of that began when armed po- example of cloud computing, the two Canadians, saying they pear mistreated.” The Ministry of State Security, If so, Meng would face US up to 20 years. A panel of fi ve lice raided Dotcom’s Auckland allowing users to upload large are suspected of engaging in ac- Two other people familiar which is leading the investiga- charges of conspiracy to defraud Supreme Court judges unani- mansion in January 2012. No fi les onto a server so others tivities that endangered China’s with the case corroborated the tion into Kovrig, has no publicly multiple fi nancial institutions. mously rejected an argument date has yet been set for the could easily download them security, and has not drawn a details. A third person said Ko- available contact details. China on Thursday said a third, from lawyers representing the Supreme Court appeal hearing. without clogging up their e- direct link to Meng’s arrest. Can- vrig was being confi ned to a sin- “We have already said that female Canadian was undergoing United States that they did not The FBI-led case accuses mail systems. At its height in ada has said the detentions are gle room, but despite the stress China has in accordance with the “administrative punishment” for have the power to hear appeals Dotcom of industrial-scale 2011, Megaupload claimed to unacceptable and US Secretary remained lucid. “Our previous law guaranteed Michael Kovrig’s working illegally, after Canada’s from Dotcom and his three co- online piracy via Megaupload, have 50mn daily users and ac- of State Mike Pompeo has said comments on this case stand,” lawful rights and humanitar- government confi rmed the de- accused. “We conclude that we which US authorities shut count for four percent of the China should free the men. ICG said Adam Austen, a spokesman ian treatment,” Hua told a daily tention. have jurisdiction to entertain down when the raid took place. world’s Internet traffi c.

Rally in Kuala Lumpur US to help S Korea get fl u drugs to North despite stalled talks

Reuters Seoul

he United States has agreed to help South Ko- Trea send fl u medication to North Korea, a South Korean offi cial said yesterday, after the United States said it would help deliver aid to the North despite stalled nuclear talks. North Korean leader Kim Jong-un vowed to work towards denuclearisation at a landmark summit with US President Don- ald Trump in Singapore in June but the two sides have made lit- tle progress. North Korea raised new doubts about a nuclear agree- ment on Thursday when its US special representative on North Korea Stephen Biegun (left) state media said any deal on it speaks to reporters as his South Korean counterpart Lee Do-hoon giving up its nuclear arsenal had (centre) looks on after their “working group” meeting handling to include the complete elimi- North Korean issues at the Foreign Ministry in Seoul yesterday. nation of US “nuclear threats”. While the United States and was resolved,” Lee told reporters. United Nations Command. North Korea joust over a nu- South Korea provided 500,000 Biegun said while the United clear deal, South Korea is keen doses of Tamifl u to the North in States had no intention of eas- to improve ties with its old ri- 2009 following an outbreak of ing sanctions, such co-opera- val and has been taking steps H1N1 infl uenza. The Red Cross tion could help advance the nu- to establish links in various said in January this year that clear diplomacy. A group of demonstrators rally outside the Australian embassy in Kuala Lumpur following a Friday prayer to protest against Australia’s areas including transport and more than 81,000 North Koreans “Of course, all of this is in- decision to recognise west Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. humanitarian assistance. There were aff ected by the same virus tended to advance what we’re has been some US concern that also known as swine fl u. trying to do with North Korea,” the South may be moving too Humanitarian aid is not sub- Biegun told reporters. quickly on building such links, ject to tough sanctions on North “Now that work begins with given the scant progress on de- Korea aimed at pressing it to denuclearisation but also in- nuclearisation. give up its nuclear weapons and cludes the strong commit- Despite that, Stephen Biegun, ballistic missile programmes. ments by both of our countries Rare albino orangutan released into the wild the US special representative for But offi cials at UN agencies to transform relations and build North Korea, said on Wednes- and aid groups have told Reu- a permanent peace regime on day as he arrived in South Korea ters that their operations have the Korean peninsula,” he said. AFP Kika and Alba – who is six years old for talks that he would be look- nearly ground to a halt because Trump has said a second sum- Jakarta and now 28kg – will be monitored by ing with aid groups at how to of the strict interpretation of mit with Kim was likely in conservation teams at Bukit Baka Bukit deliver “appropriate assistance” UN curbs on banking and ship- January or February, though he Raya National Park. to the North, particularly in ping to North Korea, as well as a wrote on Twitter last week that he world’s only known albino or- The rescue is a rare spot of bright news the winter. South Korea’s spe- travel ban for US citizens. he was “in no hurry”. angutan has been released back for the critically endangered species, which cial representative for Korean Lee said he had secured US Biegun said the United States Tinto the jungle more than a year has seen its habitat shrink drastically over peace and security aff airs, Lee sanctions exemptions over a and North Korea had yet to agree after she was found emaciated and the past few decades largely due to the de- Do-hoon, said after talks with plan to reconnect rail and road on a date or venue for a second bloody in a remote corner of Borneo, an struction of forests for logging, paper, palm Biegun on Thursday the United links, as well as the joint excava- summit, but would work for an Indonesian NGO said yesterday. oil and mining. The population of orangu- States agreed to help supply the tion of remains of soldiers killed “agreeable outcome”. “We’re Environmentalists rescued “Alba” tans in Borneo has plummeted from about North with the fl u drug Tamifl u. in the 1950-53 Korean War in eager to move to the next stage from a cage where she was being kept as 288,500 in 1973 to about 100,000 today, “The issue of providing Tami- the Demilitarised Zone, which of discussions with our North a pet by villagers in Central Kalimantan according to the International Union for fl u to the North Korean people is administered by the US-led Korean partners,” he said. in April last year. She was found with dry Conservation of Nature. blood smeared around her nose – the re- A string of fatal attacks on the great sult of her violent capture – and weighed apes this year have been blamed on farm- Sydney pummelled by hail the size of tennis balls just 8kg, the Borneo Orangutan Survival ers and hunters. Foundation (BOSF) said. Four Indonesian men were arrested Australia’s largest city was 6:30am we are at 15,000 claims refuge under roofed petrol The blue-eyed primate, covered in over the killing of an orangutan shot picking up the pieces yesterday and AUS$80mn (US$57mn) stations and a few brave surfers fuzzy white hair, was on Wednesday re- some 130 times with an air rifl e in Febru- after a series of lightning and in damages,” the Insurance in the water at the city’s famed turned to the wild with her best friend, ary. Borneo police have also arrested two hailstorms pummelled cars with Council of Australia told AFP. Bondi Beach hid under their Kika, after leaving their rehabilitation rubber plantation workers and accused ice blocks the size of tennis When the storms hit, Sydney- boards. Hailstorms are fairly centre. “So far she’s showing good signs them of shooting an orangutan multiple balls. siders looked on in despera- common in New South Wales of adapting,” Nico Hermanu, a BOSF times before decapitating it. The authorities issued a severe tion as cauliflower-shaped hail in the antipodean summer, spokesman, told AFP. Plantation workers and villagers are Alba, the only albino orangutan ever recorded in the storm warning, but that was smashed through car wind- although one on this scale has “She’s been climbing trees as high as sometimes known to attack the animal world, has now been released in the forest of Bukit not enough to prevent damage shields and turned the Harbour not been seen since 1999, when 35m (about 115ft) and has been eating because they see it as a pest, while poach- Baka Bukit Raya National Park in Katingan Regency, that is already running into the into a bubbling and splashing hailstones caused an estimated fruit from the forest.” ers also capture them to sell as pets. Central Kalimantan. tens of millions of dollars. “As of cauldron. Many drivers sought AUS$1.7bn in damage. Gulf Times 8 Saturday, December 22, 2018 BRITAIN

INDUSTRIAL ACTION LEGAL CRIME DATA WINDFALL Centrica to fight household Banker who murdered Homeless people’s deaths Builder finds £76mn energy price cap woman with pestle jailed ‘up 24%’ over five years lottery ticket in van

Centrica, owner of Britain’s largest energy supplier A City banker who bludgeoned a woman to death Nearly 600 homeless people died in England A builder who stockpiled lottery tickets British Gas, said it is seeking a judicial review of with a pestle has been jailed. Zahid Naseem, 48, and Wales last year, off icial figures show, with in his van realised he had won £76mn on the way regulator Ofgem has calculated part of its killed Christina Abbotts at a flat in Crawley, West the toll up by a quarter in five years. The average EuroMillions six weeks after the draw. price cap. Ofgem is due to impose a price cap from Sussex, in May, after paying for her services as victim’s age was 44, with men accounting for Andrew Clark, 51, from Boston in Lincolnshire, January 1 on the most commonly used default a high-class escort. Judge Christine Laing said 84% of the total. A third of the deaths were down discovered the winning ticket in the visor of tariff s as the government seeks to limit household Abbotts would have experienced “unimaginable to drugs but cold weather was rarely to blame, his Peugeot Expert. Clark claimed the prize utility bills. The cap is expected to save households terror” during the attack. Naseem was convicted the Off ice for National Statistics said in its first last week after his partner, Trisha Fairhurst, 51, Royal palaces staff hold placards on a picket around £1bn a year. Centrica said it sought to of murder after a trial at Lewes Crown Court estimate of the number of fatalities among suggested he check the collection of lottery during a strike over pay organised by the challenge the way Ofgem treated suppliers’ and jailed for life with a minimum of 19 years. rough sleepers and those living in homeless tickets stashed in his van. The winning ticket Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS) ability to recover wholesale energy costs when Jurors heard Abbotts had suff ered more than hostels. It speculated that the homeless are was purchased from Eastwood Road Post outside the Tower of London yesterday. calculating the cap. Ofgem set the cap at £1,138 a 13 wounds to her head. Naseem, of Amersham, helped in winter by the opening of seasonal Office in Boston and is the 12th biggest win Staff at the Tower of London and other royal year for a typical use customer, £68 lower than Buckinghamshire, stayed in the flat for 12 hours shelters and charity operations. Its report states in the UK. Clark announced his win at a press palaces held a strike over proposed changes to British Gas’s standard variable tariff , and well below after killing Abbotts, 29, and pretended to be last year’s death toll was 597, and estimates this conference in Grantham, referring to himself pension provision. the average prices of all of the big six energy firms. unconscious when police arrived, the court heard. is up by 24% over five years. as “the man who nearly lost £76mn”. Met gangs matrix may be discriminatory, review fi nds

Guardian News and Media and other public services, with London which the data about who is on the gangs list is shared. Few complain if that is against he gangs matrix oper- violent gangsters, but the re- ated by the Metropolitan view found 38% of those on the Tpolice has been found to matrix are assessed as posing no be potentially discriminatory risk of committing violence. against black people. The gangs matrix was launched A review of the database for after the 2011 riots, which the the mayor of London, Sadiq Conservative government ini- Khan, found too many black tially blamed on gangs, but later people were on it compared with reviews found the causes to be their likelihood of off ending or much wider. There has been con- their chances of being a victim. troversy about how people came The Met is overseen by Khan, to be included on the matrix, how which gives the fi ndings more they could be removed and the weight. The matrix contains the way in which data is stored se- names and details of thousands curely and applied consistently. of people whom the Met says About 7,000 people have been pose a risk of committing gang on it since 2011, with around violence or being victims. 3,800 on the list now. More are The force has been ordered to from an African-Caribbean radically reform the matrix and background than the percentage been given a year to do so. of African-Caribbeans in Lon- A passenger rolls away a sleeping aid as she sits with her luggage in the south terminal building at London Gatwick Airport, south of London, yesterday. The review, which was re- don’s population. leased yesterday morning, said: The review said this level of “The review does recognise that disproportionality cannot be a gangs matrix is a necessary law wholly explained by African- enforcement tool for reducing Caribbean levels of off ending or violent crime in London. How- being a victim. ever, the review also identifi es Discussing potential racial dis- that the representation of young crimination, the review said: “We black males on the matrix is dis- must acknowledge the possibil- Police identify ‘persons of proportionate to their likelihood ity of conscious or unconscious of criminality and victimisation, bias against young black males in and recognises that communities London – whether the term ‘gang’ in London have deep reservations is now heavily racially loaded and about how the matrix operates.” that this perception that a gang is The fi ndings follow criticism often comprised of young black interest’ over Gatwick chaos from Amnesty International, males, and ergo that young black which called the matrix a racial- males are often in a gang, either Guardian News and Media mental protest was “a possibil- high-end criminal behaviour all signal jamming machines had Chris Grayling, who on Thurs- ised war on gangs that has stig- directly or unconsciously infl u- London ity”. the way down to just individuals been brought in. day said “substantial drones” matised black youngsters and ences the enforcement focus of But police were not link- trying to be malicious.” The pilots’ union Balpa said it had caused the chaos, yesterday left Britain breaking its human the police and subsequent actions ing the drone or drones to ter- Speaking outside Gatwick, understood that detection and said it was uncertain whether rights obligations. of the justice service. olice said they were in- rorism. The airport’s runway he said measures to tackle the tracking equipment had been there was more than one. In In May, the Guardian revealed “However, proving or disprov- vestigating “persons of was fi rst closed after sightings threat included “technical, so- installed around the airport the face of mounting criticism the matrix appeared to have caught ing this point in the case of the Pinterest” as authorities at about 9pm on Wednesday, phisticated options to detect perimeter, but it remained con- from Labour, he denied he had up a signifi cant number of individ- matrix is extremely diffi cult and struggled to identify who op- which ran until 10pm on Thurs- and mitigate drone incursions, cerned about the risks. ignored warnings, and said he uals who, according to secret police would require analysis of the proc- erated the drone or drones that day – disrupting or ending the all the way down to less sophis- Brian Strutton, the Balpa was planning to hold talks with assessments, did not pose a danger ess and drivers behind every single caused Gatwick to shut for more travel plans of 110,000 passen- ticated options – even shotguns general secretary, said: “We re- airports soon to discuss the les- of committing violence. action and decision leading to an than 36 hours. gers scheduled to fl y that day. would be available to offi cers main extremely concerned at sons from Gatwick and try to An investigation by the infor- individual’s addition, including The airport said “additional Assistant chief constable should the opportunity present the risk of a drone collision. It prevent similar disruption. mation commissioner led to the embedded intelligence processes mitigating measures” had been Steve Barry said police were itself”. is possible that the rogue drones Pilots’ unions, aviation bod- issuing of enforcement notices far wider than the matrix.” The put in place by the police and working on the theory there Police and government would may go undetected around the ies and opposition politicians against the Met for multiple and review found the matrix helped military. was more than one drone, but not confi rm what equipment perimeter or could obstruct the have called for tougher meas- serious data protection breaches. reduce off ending and three-quar- Sussex police said several added: “In terms of motiva- was being used but photos from fl ight paths outside the imme- ures and immediate action, in- Those on the matrix can face ters of those on it were under the signifi cant lines of inquiry were tion there is a whole spectrum Gatwick suggested that mili- diate detection zone.” cluding wider exclusion zones sanctions relating to housing age of 25, and 80% were black. being pursued and an environ- of possibilities, from the really tary-grade drone tracking and The Transport Secretary, around airports. Khan denies being told Lockerbie bombing of Crossrail delays earlier anniversary marked Agencies wishes to all those who will be Lockerbie, Scotland marking this solemn anniver- Guardian News and Media the mayor’s claim that he did changes at the London as- sary,” she said. London not know of the delay until sembly, Khan and Mike Local MP David Mundell said shortly before the postpone- Brown, the commissioner for simple wreath-laying and victims had still not received full ment was announced on Au- Transport for London, said prayer service in Locker- justice. “It has not been easy, nor adiq Khan, the mayor gust 31. Morgan had insisted in July Abie yesterday marked have we been able to achieve the of London, has said the Speaking to the Guardian the December deadline was 30 years since a jumbo jet was closure we would have wanted, Sformer chair of Cross- following Khan’s appearance achievable. Khan, a former blown up over the small Scottish even after 30 years,” he said. rail was “misremembering” yesterday, Morgan said he Labour MP, also denied there town, killing 270 people. “However, throughout, the whether he had been given was “not backing off one jot” had been “collusion” be- Pan Am fl ight 103 exploded people in Lockerbie have retained warnings about delays to the from his earlier assertion that tween members of his team on its way from London to New their dignity and stoicism, and London railway project. Khan was told of the delay on to conceal their knowledge of York a few days before Christ- off ered friendship and support to Speaking at the London as- July 26. He pointed to a docu- the delays. mas in 1988, killing all 259 peo- those who lost loved ones.” sembly, Khan denied he was ment from the July 26 meet- However, Khan and Brown ple on board and another 11 on Of the victims, 35 were from told in a meeting with Sir ing, published by the mayor’s admitted they had concerns the ground. Syracuse University in New York Terry Morgan on July 26 that office, in which a December about delays and that they were It is the deadliest ever militant State, where a memorial was the infrastructure project opening was described as “not not “fully reassured” follow- attack in Britain. Lockerbie, near held yesterday. would be delayed. Khan feasible”. ing the meeting. TfL and the the English border, with a popu- Other US services were held told the assembly’s trans- The railway, running from department for transport com- lation of just 4,000 people, has at Arlington National Cemetery port committee there was no east to west across London, was missioned an external report been synonymous with the trag- and FBI headquarters. “smoking gun”. due to be opened in December into the project. edy ever since. Libya admitted responsibility “Either the previous chair but has been dogged by delays Khan said: “It was only af- “Let us fi nd hope and peace for the bombing in 2003 and the (Morgan) is misremember- and cost overruns. The esti- ter these pieces of work were for all those who lost loved ones regime of slain dictator Muam- ing that meeting or for other mated fi nal cost of Crossrail done that the former chairman and who still carry the scars of mar Gaddafi eventually paid reasons he’s decided not to re- has risen sharply this year by (Morgan) changed his view on this atrocity,” Jeff Brown, who $2.7bn in compensation to vic- member what was told,” Khan £600mn to £15.4bn, forcing the opening.” directed the religious service, tims’ families as part of a raft of said. Transport for London (TfL) to The assembly’s transport told those assembled. measures aimed at a rapproche- Morgan, who resigned as borrow £350mn. committee chair, Caroline The memorial service at Dry- ment with the West. chairman of Crossrail this The railway, to be named the Pidgeon, said: “Someone be- fesdale Cemetery was attended Libyan intelligence offi cer Ab- month after nine years, said Elizabeth Line after the Queen, tween these two parties is not by Lord Lieutenant Fiona Arm- del Basset al-Megrahi was found Khan knew as early as late is not expected to open until giving a full account and we A piper plays as people attend a service to mark the 30th anniversary strong, who conveyed a personal guilty of the bombing, along with July that it would not be ready autumn 2019. will stop at nothing to get to the of the Lockerbie air disaster, at the Memorial Garden, Dryfesdale message from Queen Elizabeth. others who were never identifi ed, on time. This is contrary to In sometimes-heated ex- bottom of this.” Cemetery, Lockerbie, southwestern Scotland, yesterday. “I send my prayers and good and was jailed for life in 2001. Gulf Times Saturday, December 22, 2018 9 EUROPE

Nine more held over Morocco Spain cabinet meeting in tourist murders Catalonia triggers unrest

Reuters AFP Some held signs reading: of rebellion or misuse of public Oslo/Rabat Barcelona “Occupying forces, out”. funds, and prosecutors are seek- Sanchez and the head of Cata- ing jail terms of up to 25 years. lonia’s separatist government, Sanchez took offi ce as prime oroccan police have ar- atalan pro-independ- Quim Torra, have expressed a minister eight months later after rested nine more people ence groups blocked commitment to an “eff ective di- winning a surprise vote of no- Min an investigation into Croads and clashed with alogue” to try to resolve the dis- confi dence against the previous the murder of two Scandinavian baton-wielding police in pro- pute over the wealthy region’s conservative government with female tourists by suspected tests yesterday against a Spanish status within Spain. the support of Catalan separa- Islamic State (IS) militants, au- government cabinet meeting in At the cabinet meeting itself, tist parties. thorities said yesterday. Barcelona branded a provoca- the government approved a 22% He initially adopted a more Four suspects were already tion by separatists. increase in the minimum wage, conciliatory tone towards Cata- under arrest over the killing of The weekly cabinet meeting a pay hike for public workers lonia than his conservative Louisa Vesterager Jespersen, usually takes place in Madrid but and announced investments in predecessor, but eff orts to ease 24, from Denmark, and Maren Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez’s infrastructure projects in Cata- tensions with the region have hit Ueland, 28, from Norway, whose Socialist government decided lonia. a wall. bodies were found on Monday in to hold it in the Catalan capital “We came here to show (our) Sanchez and Torra were the Atlas Mountains with knife as part of eff orts to reduce ten- aff ection, (our) attachment to photographed holding talks in wounds to the neck. sions. Catalonia,” government spokes- Barcelona on Thursday night, The North African country’s It appeared to have the op- woman Isabel Celaa said after- drawing fi re from both the con- Central Bureau for Judicial In- posite eff ect in some streets of wards. servative right and radical sepa- vestigations said that nine fur- the capital of the northeastern “We are working for the well- ratists. ther arrests were made in various region, which last year made being of all our fellow citizens.” Members of the Catalan regional police force Mossos d’Esquadra try to keep protesters behind crowd The leader of the conserva- Moroccan cities over suspected a failed attempt to break away But the timing of the meeting control barricades during scuff les at a Catalan pro-independence demonstration yesterday in Barcelona tive opposition Popular Party in links to the killers. from Spain. – a year to the day after Madrid as the Spanish cabinet held a meeting in the city. parliament, Dolors Montserrat, It said that electronic devices, AFP reporters saw baton- held snap elections in the re- branded the meeting “shame- an unauthorised hunting rifl e, wielding riot police charge ac- gion after blocking its move for A radical separatist group, the to block the streets of Barcelona protests to be peaceful. ful” and “a betrayal of Spain”. knives and materials that could tivists throwing stones and independence – off ended some Committees for the Defence of with their vehicles. The regional police force said “Dialogue seems like a step be used for bomb-making were street barriers three times. Catalans. the Republic (CDR), blocked a About 20 pro-independence eight people had been arrested. backwards to me,” said sepa- discovered in the course of the Protesters threw metal bar- “This is a provocation. They dozen main roads from around groups, including the ANC, Catalonia declared inde- ratist demonstrator Mariona raids. riers and stones at offi cers and have come here to provoke us,” dawn yesterday, regional trans- called on their supporters to pendence in October 2017 after Godia, 35. “That just looks like Moroccan authorities have tried to breach a police barrier a said one demonstrator, textile port authorities said. march through the streets of pushing ahead with a banned a photo aimed at calming people said the four suspects fi rst ar- few hundred metres from where worker Carles Serra, 45. “We will be ungovernable on Barcelona. independence referendum, but down.” rested over the murder had the meeting was taking place. Spain’s wealthiest region, December 21,” the group repeat- The Spanish government sent Spanish authorities stifl ed the While Sanchez has proposed pledged allegiance to Islamic Several thousand demonstra- Catalonia is home to some 7.5mn edly tweeted. police reinforcements to Barce- attempt. giving Catalonia more powers, State in a video posted on social tors gathered peacefully near the people, and has its own lan- A grassroots separatist organ- lona and Catalan political lead- Several Catalan independence Torra wants a legally binding media before the killings. city’s Franca rail station. guage. isation, ANC, urged supporters ers repeated their call for the leaders were detained on charges referendum on independence. In Norway, police authorities said that a separate video, pur- portedly showing the killings of Drug kingpin the two tourists, was probably authentic. sentenced to Further technical analysis of 22 years in jail the video was needed, Norway’s Germany closes last black coal mine National Crime Investigation A Briton accused of being one of Service said earlier yesterday. Europe’s biggest drug traff ickers “We still believe, however, AFP “This is more than a piece of 2018 – giving the workers of was jailed for 22 years yesterday that we have grounds to say that Bottrop, Germany coal, this is history,” Steimeier Prosper-Haniel 11 years’ notice. for smuggling 1.3 tonnes of so far, there is nothing concrete told the crowd, several of whom The long preparation has cocaine into France on an Air to show that this video is not wiped away tears. “This is a day been credited with avoiding France flight. real,” it said in a statement. ermany closed its last of mourning for you but I assure large-scale upheaval or angry The court said Robert Dawes, 46, Danish counterparts said that black coal mine yes- you this day has moved many protests, with many opting for would have to serve at least 15 they were still analysing the Gterday, paying an emo- people across Germany.” early retirement schemes. years with no possibility of parole video, while Moroccan authori- tional tribute to a 200-year-old A mining choir then sang the Some pitmen will continue over the 2013 drugs shipment ties said on Thursday that they industry that once fuelled the miners’ anthem “Steigerlied” working at the Prosper-Haniel from Venezuela to Paris. working on authenticating it. country’s economic growth but while across the region local site for now, carrying out dis- Dawes, who had denied the Jespersen and Ueland were lost the battle against cheaper churches marked the occasion mantling tasks. charges, was arrested at his killed on the way to Toubkal, foreign competitors. with special services. The company in charge of the luxury villa on the Spanish Costa North Africa’s highest peak and After the remaining 1,500 Although the closure comes clean-up will also need people del Sol in 2015 following a lengthy a popular hiking destination. workers of the Prosper-Haniel amid a growing environmental in the years ahead to pump out investigation by authorities in A source from Imlil, the vil- mine in Bottrop clocked off outcry against coal, the dirtiest dirty mine water to prevent it Britain, France, Spain and South lage near where the two friends from their fi nal shift, a group of fossil fuel, it was not pollution from mixing with groundwa- America. were killed, said one of them seven workers exited the mine’s concerns but cheaper imports ter and possibly contaminating “I continue to claim my was found dead inside their tent elevator carrying the symbolic from abroad that sounded the drinking water resources. innocence,” he said yesterday while the body of the other was last chunk of “black gold”. mine’s death knell. Germany’s goodbye to black- morning in his final statement to found outside. Veteran pitman Juergen Ja- With its own vernacular, Miners and Steinmeier hold the last piece of black coal at the coal mining is by no means an the special non-jury court. Compared to other countries kubeit, wearing faded overalls songs, football clubs and mass- Prosper-Haniel colliery in Bottrop. exit from coal altogether: the The case was tried by five judges in North Africa, Morocco has and a black-sooted hard hat, es dedicated to the miners’ pa- fossil fuel still accounts for al- who ordered Dawes and four seen relatively few Islamist at- then handed the block of coal to tron saint Barbara, mining is And 13 miners were killed in nance in the black coal market most 40% of its energy mix accomplices – three Italians and tacks. German President Frank-Wal- woven deeply into the fabric of a methane explosion in a coal started to wane in the 1960s as – partly because of Merkel’s one Briton – to pay a €30mn The last major one was in April ter Steinmeier, who accepted daily life in the Ruhr region. mine in the Czech Republic on foreign rivals made it cheaper to decision to ditch nuclear power. ($34.2mn) fine. 2011, when 17 people were killed it with the traditional min- Today players from the Bun- Thursday. import the raw material. To the dismay of environ- The court also passed jail terms in the bombing of a restaurant in ers’ greeting of “Glueck auf” desliga club Borussia Dortmund At yesterday’s ceremony, Today most of the black coal, mentalists, Germany still has ranging from five to 13 years on Marrakech. (“Good luck”). will pay homage by wearing the guests held two moments of also known as hard coal, used numerous open-pit mines that the four accomplices: Britain’s Norwegians have planned “A diffi cult day, isn’t it?” said message “Danke, Kumpel” on silence to mourn the dead com- in Germany’s coal-fi red power extract lignite or brown coal, Nathan Wheat, and Vincenzo to march with torches through Steinmeier. their shirts, which means both rades. plants comes from Russia, the which is softer, cheaper and Aprea, Carmine Russo and Marco Bryne, the coastal hometown of “A very diffi cult day,” replied “thanks, buddy” and “thanks, Dating back to the 19th cen- United States, Australia, and more polluting than black coal. Panetta of Italy. Maren Ueland, to express soli- Jakubeit. miner”. tury, the mines, plants and steel Colombia. But it’s an industry increas- darity with her family. In a ceremony carried live on In a reminder of the dangers mills that once dotted the Ruhr The domestic industry ingly under threat as countries Today a gathering will be held television and attended by 500 of the job, a 29-year-old man basin were long the beating has been kept on life support around the world look for ways More ‘yellow vest’ outside the Norwegian embassy people, including European died in a recently shuttered heart of Germany’s industrial through massive subsidies, to phase out fossil fuels to com- in the Moroccan capital Rabat Commission chief Jean-Claude mine in the same state of North prowess, powering its “eco- costing the German taxpayer bat climate change. protests planned in support of the families of the Juncker, Steinmeier said the Rhine-Westphalia on Monday, nomic miracle” after World over €40bn ($45bn) between A government-appointed victims and to condemn terror- closure of the 150-year-old where dismantling work is on- War II. 1989 and 2017. commission will in February French “yellow vests” are ism. deep-shaft colliery marked going. At its peak, the mining in- Chancellor Angela Merkel’s announce a roadmap for exiting gearing up for a sixth Saturday Thousands of people have said “the end of an era” in west- The industrial mechanic died dustry employed 600,000 peo- government decided in 2007 coal as part of eff orts to make of nation-wide demonstrations, on Facebook that they would at- ern Germany’s industrial Ruhr from injuries suff ered after get- ple. to phase out the aid and shut- Germany carbon-neutral by but numbers on the streets are tend. heartland. ting trapped by a heavy door. However, Germany’s domi- ter the last black coal mines by 2050. falling fast as the police clear protest camps in the run-up to the Christmas holidays in the coming week. The protesters appeared split yesterday on whether to stage Thirteen killed, 10 injured after gas fi re in Czech mine another large rally in Paris, or in the nearby town of Versailles, once home to King Louis XVI who AFP not in danger,” she told AFP. step in if OKD does not fi nd a lost his head to the revolutionary Prague One miner with lighter inju- way. guillotine. ries was taken to a hospital in Bohuslav Machek, an inspec- Fearing possible unrest, Karvina and seven were treated tor at the Czech Mining Author- authorities said they were closing hirteen miners died and on the spot, Czech media said. ity, told AFP that the cause of the the Palace of Versailles and its 10 were injured after a “Thirteen miners have not fi re was uncertain. gardens, a top tourist venue, Tmethane gas fi re erupted made it to the surface. It’s im- “There must have been some today. in a coal mine in the east of the possible for any of them to sur- source, some spark, which ignit- Czech Republic, the worst ac- vive,” Polish Prime Minister Ma- ed the methane,” he said. “There cident of its kind there in nearly teusz Morawiecki told reporters are more possibilities, but at this Orban derides three decades. after visiting the site yesterday. point it is pure speculation.” The fi re broke out at a depth “I’m terribly sad,” Morawiecki Celechovsky said on Thursday wave of protests of 880m (2,800’) at the CSM said, adding that Poland would that the dead Polish miners were mine in the city of Karvina, take care of the bereaved families from the Poland-based Alpex Hungarian right-wing Prime about 300km (190 miles) east and of those who have survived. mining company. Minister Viktor Orban has of Prague and close to the Polish He said Poland had sent in a “We’re one big family, it’s a described a wave of protests border, on Thursday afternoon. rescue team but that the opera- terrible tragedy,” a Czech miner against his government as “In total, we have 13 dead min- tion had stopped because of high told the local Polar TV. “hysteric screaming”. ers, 12 Polish and one Czech,” Ivo temperatures in the mine and “I was supposed to be there, “It hasn’t surprised me, we’ve Celechovsky, spokesman for the the danger of further explosions. I work with these teams every heard the same hysteric OKD mining company, told AFP. Poland’s President Andrzej day. They sent me to work some- screaming before, as when we Nada Chattova, a spokes- Duda declared Sunday a day of A man lights candles yesterday at a makeshift memorial at the coal mine at Stonava, near Karvina in the where else today,” said a Polish introduced mandatory work (for woman for the hospital in the national mourning. Czech Republic, a day after 13 miners died in a fire. miner. receivers of welfare),” Orban said nearby city of Ostrava, said OKD spokesman Celechovsky “I feel like crying,” he added. in his regular Friday interview two men had been treated at said the fi re was still burning the site and a black fl ag hung op- European Union President dent Milos Zeman said he was OKD, which runs the mine, is with state radio. its burns centre, including one and barriers were being put up posite the mine entrance. Donald Tusk, who is Polish, “immensely saddened” by the controlled by the Czech state. Nationwide demonstrations fi ghting for his life. to stop it from spreading, with “It is with great sadness that I tweeted that “our thoughts and accident. The accident is the most seri- were triggered last week by a “One was brought in by heli- work expected to continue at learned of the tragic incident in hearts are with you today”. Babis also called on OKD to ous at a Czech mine since 1990 law increasing the volume of copter, he is still in a critical least until tomorrow. a coal mine in Czechia,” said Eu- Czech Prime Minister Andrej come up with a compensation when 30 miners died after a overtime work from 250 to 400 condition. The other one is in a Sympathy poured in as miners ropean Commission chief Jean- Babis called the blast a “huge plan for the aff ected miners’ methane explosion at another hours annually, dubbed as the stable condition and his life is lit candles for dead colleagues at Claude Juncker. tragedy” in a tweet, while Presi- families, adding the state would mine in Karvina. “slave law”. Gulf Times 10 Saturday, December 22, 2018 INDIA

SETBACK CONTROVERSY ORDER OBITUARY LEGAL Court quashes approval for Priest in custody over ‘Tandoor’ murder Tamil writer Prabhanjan Sajjan’s plea seeking more BJP rallies in West Bengal Kerala church row case killer to be freed dies of cancer aged 83 time to surrender rejected

The BJP’s plans for ‘Rath Yatra’ rallies in West The stand-off between the warring Orthodox and Former youth Congress leader Sushil Sharma, a Noted Tamil writer and Sahitya Akademi Award The Delhi High Court yesterday rejected a plea Bengal again hit a roadblock, with a Calcutta high Jacobite factions over control of the Kothaman- who made headlines for one of the most chilling winner Prabhanjan died in Puducherry yester- seeking more time to surrender by former court division bench yesterday quashing the galam Mar Thoma Cheriya Palli Church entered murders Delhi has ever witnessed, was yesterday day. Prabhanjan, 83, had been suff ering from Congress leader Sajjan Kumar, who was given order of a single bench that gave conditional go- its second day. The police yesterday forcefully ordered to be freed immediately by the Delhi High cancer. He began his career as a Tamil teacher life imprisonment in an anti-Sikh riot case earlier ahead to the programme. The court sent the case took into custody Orthodox priest Father Thomas Court. Sharma had on the night of July 2, 1995, in Thanjavur in Tamil Nadu. His historical novel this week. Sajjan Kumar had sought more time to back to the single bench with a directive that the Paul Ramban, who armed with a high court order, in a fit of anger, murdered his wife Naina Sahni, Vaanam Vasapadum was awarded the prestig- surrender so he could settle some family matters, latter consider the intelligence inputs provided by waited outside the church since Thursday to gain chopped her body to pieces and dumped them ious Sahitya Akademi Award in 1995. Dravida as the court ordered him behind bars for the rest the state agencies. The Mamata Banerjee govern- entry into the church. The priest told the media into the tandoor of a popular restaurant. The court Munnetra Kazhagam president M K Stalin in his of his life. The court asked Sajjan Kumar to sur- ment had moved an appeal against the single that the police, while taking him into custody, said he should be released because he had served condolence message said in the death of Prab- render by December 31. Claiming his innocence, bench order. The ‘Rath Yatra’, which was originally informed him that the Ernakulam district collector the maximum sentence for his crime, in what came hanjan, Tamil literary world has suff ered a great Sajjan Kumar had requested the court to grant scheduled to start on December 7 but was denied has issued the order for his arrest. On Thursday, to be known as the ‘Tandoor Murder Case’. Before loss. In his condolence message, Pattali Makkal him 30 more days so that he could settle certain permission by the state government, has become Father Thomas was prevented by hundreds of committing the crime, Sharma was enraged after Katchi founder S Ramadoss said Prabhanjan property matter and meet close relatives. He the latest political flashpoint between the saff ron Jacobite parishioners from entering the Kotha- learning of his wife’s friendship with another man stamped his mark in the Tamil literary world with also told the court he needed time to appeal the party and the state’s ruling Trinamool Congress. mangalam Church. and suspected them of having an aff air. his unique style. verdict in the Supreme Court.

Bank employees protest merger National Herald publisher asked to vacate Delhi offi ce premises

IANS rary suspension due to fi nancial New Delhi trouble, but the newspaper and its digital media operations have now fully resumed. n a setback for the Congress, The publication of the weekly the Delhi High Court yester- National Herald on Sunday was Iday dismissed a plea of As- resumed on September 24, 2017, sociated Journals (AJL) challeng- and it is published from the Her- ing the government’s October ald House. On October 14, the 30 direction asking the National AJL also resumed its weekly Hin- Herald newspaper’s publisher to di newspaper. vacate the Herald House within The government reportedly two weeks. inspected the premises a few Justice Sunil Gaur said that if months ago and found that the State-run bank employees shout slogans and carry placards during a day-long nationwide strike, in Ahmedabad, yesterday. The United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU), the House was not handed over area allotted to AJL was not being an umbrella body of the top nine bank unions, has decided to go on strike again on December 26, protesting the merger of three public sector banks. to the Land and Development used for the publication of the Offi cer within two week, the newspaper for the past 10 years, government can initiate pro- the court was told. ceeding under the provisions of The court observed that AJL Public Premises Act. has not disclosed as to what is The court noted that by trans- the volume of the publication fer of AJL’s 99% shares to Young of their newspaper and the ex- Indian Company, the benefi cial tent of circulation of petitioners’ interest of AJL’s property worth newspaper, both in print and on- Rs4.13 stands clandestinely line, across the country. Rahul playing politics with transferred to Young Indian “What has been disclosed is Company. In fact, AJL has been that National Herald is a weekly hijacked by Young Indian, the newspaper and as regards the court said. online publication of petitioners’ “This court is conscious of the newspaper, no data is forthcom- fact that Young Indian Company ing,” the court said. national security, says Shah is a charitable organisation, but AJL has claimed that proceed- the modus operandi to acquire ings have been initiated for the IANS The Bharatiya Janata Party The BJP and Congress traded molehill does not exist.” of home aff airs and added “no- 99% of AJL’s shares speaks vol- purposes of scuttling the voices of New Delhi (BJP) chief also attacked the barbs after the ministry of home “On December 20, the same where in the order national se- umes. The manner in which it dissent and the voice of the largest Congress saying that there were aff airs issued an order giving 10 order of authorisation was re- curity has been mentioned”. has been done is also question- opposition party in the country. only “two insecure dictators” in central agencies, including the peated that was existing since Jaitley replied that “It (na- able,” the court said. The court also observed that JP president Amit Shah the history of the country. Central Bureau of Investigation, 2009,” he said referring to the tional security) is mentioned in During the arguments, solici- AJL has not provided any in- yesterday hit back at “There were only two inse- the enforcement directorate and order. Section 69. And you are playing tor general Tushar Mehta told the stance to support its allegations BCongress president Rahul cure dictators in the history of the Delhi Police among others to The minister also responded with the security of the country. court that the transfer of 99% of mala fi de intention adopted by Gandhi on the government order India. One imposed emergency “intercept, monitor and decrypt to remarks of Congress leader That is what you have done just shares of petitioner AJL to Young the ruling dispensation to erase, for monitoring of all computers, and the other wanted unre- any information generated, Anand Sharma made outside the now.” Indian violates Clause III(13) of eff ace and defame the legacy of saying he was “fear-mongering” stricted access to read letters of transmitted, received or stored House in which he had accused Earlier, Sharma had said the the Lease Deed, which justifi es former prime minister Jawahar- and playing with the national common citizens. in any computer”. the government of making the government was creating a sur- cancellation of allotment and lal Nehru. security. “Guess who were they, Rahul The government yesterday country a surveillance state. veillance state and its order was resumption of ‘subject premises’. “To say the least, the allega- “Yet again Rahul (Gandhi) is Gandhi?” he said in an apparent also defended its order saying it “And what you are doing, “an ultimate assault on the fun- The urban development min- tions are preposterous and no indulging in fear-mongering reference to late prime ministers was a mere repetition of an order Sharma is making a mountain damental rights and Right to istry had said the AJL’s 56-year- note of these allegations is re- and playing politics with na- Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi. of authorisation issued under where even a molehill does not Privacy.” old lease on Herald House had quired to be taken,” the court tional security. United Progres- Shah’s remarks came soon af- rules framed during the UPA re- exist.” The Congress leader said that ended and asked it to vacate the said. sive Alliance put no barriers on ter Rahul called Modi an “inse- gime in 2009. Jaitley said the NDA govern- the order was also in direct con- premises by November 15. Earlier, Bharatiya Janata Party unlawful surveillance. When cure dictator”. Intervening in the Rajya Sab- ment has used the same rules fl ict with the Supreme Court The publisher had approached leader Subramanian Swamy had the Modi government puts safe- Earlier, the Congress chief ha amidst protests and slogan which were made by the UPA judgement that “right to privacy the high court on November 12 fi led a complaint about “cheat- guards for citizens, Rahul cries said: “Converting India into a shouting by opposition mem- government in 2009 for agen- is a fundamental right”. challenging the ministry’s Octo- ing” in the acquisition of AJL, conspiracy. police state isn’t going to solve bers on the issue, Finance Min- cies concerning issues of na- “We collectively oppose it ber 30 order. which published the National “Why are you lying so much your problems, Modi. It’s only ister Arun Jaitley accused the tional security. (the government move). This The AJL told the court it has Herald newspaper, by Young In- and what is the fear that you are going to prove to over 1b Indians Congress of playing with the se- To this Congress leader Ghu- gives unlimited powers to all been publishing the newspaper dian, “a fi rm in which Sonia and hiding,” Shah said in a series of what an insecure dictator you curity of the country and mak- lam Nabi Azad said that he has a these agencies to monitor every for decades. There was a tempo- Rahul Gandhi each own a stake.” tweets. really are.” ing “a mountain where even a copy of the order of the ministry information,” Sharma said.

22 accused acquitted in Sohrabuddin killing case 126 held Twelve years after the sensational killing of Sohrabuddin Shaikh, his associate Tulsiram Prajapati and the rape-cum-murder of Kausar Bi, at fake a special Central Bureau of Investigation court here yesterday acquitted all 22 accused in the politically sensitive case, saying “witnesses and call centre proofs were not satisfactory”. “Witnesses and proofs the prosecution put forward AFP were not satisfactory to suggest or establish the New Delhi alleged conspiracy and murder in the 2005 en- counter killing,” said special CBI judge S J Sharma, who also observed that “the documentary and he police yesterday ar- circumstantial evidence was not substantial”. rested 126 people working The much-awaited verdict in the case came Tfor an allegedly fake call more than 12 years after the alleged ‘fake centre making up to $50,000 a encounters’ of Sohrabuddin and his associ- day by duping US citizens, offi - ate Prajapati, besides the rape-and-murder of cials said. Sohrabuddin’s wife, Kausar Bi. India became the global call The 22 accused, including 21 lower police off icials centre capital in the early 2000s of Gujarat-Rajasthan police, who have been as foreign fi rms, drawn by an acquitted are: M L Parmar, Raman Singh, Naray- educated and cheaper English- ansing Dhabi, Shyam Singh, Abdur Rehman, speaking workforce, farmed out Himanshu Singh Rajawat, Balkrishna Choubey, jobs answering customer phone Rajubhai Jeerawala, Ajay Parmar, Shantram enquiries. Sharma, Yudhveer Singh, Kartar Singh, Narayan The suspects arrested in Noida Singh Jat, Vijaykumar Rathod, C P Srinivasa Rao, outside Delhi would tell Ameri- Jethu Solanki, Kiran Singh Chauhan, Vinod Lim- cans there were problems with bachia, Kanjibhai Kutchi, Karan Singh Sishodia, their social security numbers Ashish Pandya, and Naresh Chauhan. and solicit money to fi x it, police According to the prosecution, the Gujarat said. Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) had gunned down So- Another scam was telling peo- hrabuddin on November 26, 2005, in an alleged ple they had committed tax of- staged killing. fences and that they had to pay Prajapati was also killed in a similar fashion on to settle, Noida police offi cial December 28, 2006, while Kausar Bi, who had Ajay Pal Sharma said. witnessed the abduction of her husband (So- “Your warrant is on my desk hrabuddin) was later raped and murdered. and if this issue is not resolved The killings kicked off a major political contro- we will have to freeze your ac- versy in the Bharatiya Janata Party-ruled Gujarat count and put you behind the then, with allegations of the purported involve- bars,” one caller is heard saying ment of several top political bigwigs, Indian Staff arrested at the allegedly fake call centre in Noida, some 25km in a recording made available to Police Service off icers and other off icials. east from New Delhi, yesterday, cover their faces. AFP. Gulf Times Saturday, December 22, 2018 11 LATIN AMERICA

CRIME PALAEONTOLOGY ECONOMY HEALTHCARE ACHIEVEMENT Chilean court to hear case 65mn-year-old dinosaur Brazil Congress passes Brazil doctors fail to report Costa Rica hits renewable of stolen statues, artefacts replica put on display 2019 federal budget for duty to replace Cubans energy target yet again

A Chilean court said it will hear a case against Argentine palaeontologists have unveiled the Brazil’s Congress has approved the 2019 budget Brazil has failed to replace nearly one third of the Costa Rica has generated more than 98% of its a businessman accused of hoarding statues, replica of a 65-million-year-old skeleton of a plesio- for the federal government, with total expenses of thousands of Cuban doctors who exited the coun- power through renewable sources for the fourth historic rifles and indigenous artefacts allegedly saur marine reptile found in a Patagonian lake in 3.382tn reais ($256.57bn). Of that, 758.7bn reais in try after a diplomatic spat, the health ministry said. year in a row, the state energy body said. In stolen from public parks, cemeteries and muse- 2009. “We’ve been working since 2009 until now spending are related to financing public debt. Brazil’s president-elect Jair Bolsonaro had criticised 2018, just 1.44% of the country’s electricity came ums at his estate south of Santiago. Raul Schuler, to liberate the fossil from the rock surrounding it, Brazil is struggling with a gaping public deficit Cuba’s involvement in a healthcare programme, from fossil fuel plants, the Costa Rican Electric- an agricultural entrepreneur from San Francisco making a reproduction and hanging it here in the coming off a deep recession, with many econo- saying Cuban doctors were being used as “slave ity Institute (ICE) said in a statement. ICE power de Mostazal, was charged with violating Chilean museum hall,” palaeontologist Fernando Novas mists saying it must overhaul its pension system labour” because Havana took 75% of their salaries. director Luis Pacheco said Costa Rica’s electricity environmental laws that protect national monu- of the Bernardino Rivadavia Natural Science to shore up state finances. President-elect Jair Cuba in response pulled out of the co-operation generation system had made it “an example for ments as well as regulations governing the pos- Museum in Buenos Aires said. The fossil is of a Bolsonaro’s government is expected to take up agreement, which provided medical care for mil- the region and the world.” River water is the main session of weapons. The stolen loot discovered marine reptile found in Cretaceous period rocks the issue soon after he assumes off ice on Janu- lions, leaving more than 8,000 doctor positions source of energy, providing 73.87% of the coun- at the 74-year-old magnate’s estate included 13 close to the southern town of El Calafate. The ary 1. The budget lays out a vision for the 2019 vacant. While Brazil said last month it had filled try’s needs, followed by wind (15.6%) and geother- pre-Columbian artefacts discovered in the piano remains of this plesiosaur are the most complete economy with gross domestic product growth more than 90% of the vacancies, 2,439 out of 8,411 mal energy from its volcanos (8.38%). Costa Rica room as well as fossils, ceramics and other indig- found in Argentina and were discovered in rocks of 2.5%, inflation of 4.25% and a benchmark Selic new recruits had failed to report to work locations, avoided using its fossil fuels plants in 300 days enous artefacts from various regions of Chile. submerged in Lake Argentino. interest rate of 8%, compared to 6.5% currently. a health ministry spokeswoman said. during 2018; the last instance came on May 17. Ex-president Illegal crossing Kirchner to be tried for corruption

AFP president, Nestor, are suspected Buenos Aires of having received millions of dollars in bribes from business- men in exchange for large-scale ormer Argentina presi- public works contracts. dent Cristina Kirchner, The payments were docu- Fwho has been accused mented by ministerial chauff eur of receiving tens of millions Oscar Centeno in notebooks of dollars in bribes during her seized by investigators. term in office, will go on trial Nestor Kirchner, who died of a for corruption, a federal court heart attack in 2010, was presi- confirmed. dent from 2003-07, with his wife Kirchner is accused of run- then serving consecutive terms ning a criminal network related until 2015. to the infamous “corruption More than a dozen former notebooks” scandal — revealed government offi cials and 30 top through the meticulous records businessman are implicated in of millions of dollars in bribes the case, fi rst reported by La Na- paid by businessmen to govern- cion newspaper on August 1. Migrants from Honduras, part of a caravan of thousands from Central America trying to reach the US, walk next to the border fence as they prepare to cross it illegally, in ment offi cials kept by a ministe- Prosecutor Carlos Stornelli Tijuana, Mexico. rial chauff eur. has said a total of $160mn in The court accepted a request bribes was handed over between by judge Claudio Bonadio that 2005 and 2015. Kirchner, now a senator, be held The scandal has engulfed in pre-trial detention, but her practically the entire construc- partial parliamentary immunity tion industry in Argentina, even prevents that from happening. involving Macri’s family. She is protected by lawmakers’ His father Franco and brother immunity from imprisonment, Gianfranco were called before but not from prosecution. Bonadio last week to answer In August, the senate voted to questions relating to the Au- UN fears silencing of partially lift her immunity so that topistas del Sol company, a sub- investigators could search her sidiary of the Macri Group, in three luxury homes — but unless connection with alleged bribes it is entirely lifted, she cannot be paid to secure highway con- jailed even if found guilty. tracts. Soon after learning the deci- His cousin and businessman, sion, Kirchner hit out against Angelo Calcaterra has also been Nicaragua’s civil society President Mauricio Macri’s gov- caught up in the probe. ernment. The president, who held im- Agencies tary-general Luis Almagro said tega government had already of being shut out altogether, and GIEI of acting outside agreed “I say: where will the verdicts portant roles in the family busi- Geneva the suspension of the Special revoked local human rights international organisations are parameters by directly inter- be written? All at the request of ness started by his father before Follow-up Mechanism for Nica- groups’ permits, raiding their also struggling to keep operat- viewing victims. and custom-made by Macri,” beginning a political career, has ragua (MESENI) and the Inter- headquarters and confi scat- ing,” warned Bachelet, a former GIEI co-ordinator Amerigo she said, also pointing a finger not commented on the case, he UN rights chief yes- disciplinary Group of Independ- ing property, and had clamped Chilean president. Incalcaterra denied the allega- at the centre-right coalition while the government has said terday harshly criticised ent Experts (GIEI) would remain down on independent media. The expulsion order came a tions, but said the mission had Cambiemos and Clarin news- it respects the judiciary’s inde- TNicaragua’s decision to “until conditions of respect for This, followed by the “de facto day before GIEI — created to col- been advised not to present its paper, which has long opposed pendence. expel two international hu- sovereignty and internal aff airs expulsion of the two IACHR or- laborate with authorities to assess report. her. Away from the corruption man rights missions, warning are re-established.” It accused ganisations...means there are Nicaragua’s human rights situa- Bachelet cautioned that the The court also seized $38mn scandal, Macri has his hands full this would complicate eff orts to the two entities of demonstrat- now virtually no functioning in- tion — was due to present fi ndings actions by the Ortega govern- worth of her assets and ordered managing an economic crisis resolve the raging crisis in the ing “an interfering, interven- dependent human rights bodies on human rights during the fi rst ment “make resolution of the former planning minister Julio de that has seen the peso lose 50% country. tionist attitude, echoing US left in Nicaragua,” she said. weeks of anti-government pro- crisis aff ecting the country much Vido to be prosecuted for his role of its value against the dollar this The government of Nicara- government policies against In September, the government tests, which erupted in April. more diffi cult and risk blocking in the illicit association. year, while Argentina entered re- guan President Daniel Ortega Nicaragua.” also expelled a UN human rights Rights groups say at least 320 all dialogue within the country, Several other people, former cession earlier this week. expelled two expert missions The UN high commission- mission, branding a report it people have been killed in Nica- with neighbouring states and junior ministers and business- Macri has secured a $56bn from the Inter-American Com- er for human rights Michelle produced as biased, and it has ragua in a brutal government with the international commu- men, were ordered to be released bailout loan from the Interna- mission on Human Rights on Bachelet voiced outrage at the also now decided that IACHR crackdown launched in response nity at large, with possible wide- from detention but will still be tional Monetary Fund to try to Wednesday, accusing them of decision. itself will no longer be permitted to the escalation in April of ranging consequences.” prosecuted for bribery. drag Argentina out of its prob- meddling and bias. “I am extremely alarmed,” she to visit the country. street protests, initially against “I hope we can fi nd some Both Kirchner, 65, and her lems, while implementing tough A letter to Organisation of said in a statement. “The net result is a country a now-ditched pension reform. common ground with the gov- late husband and predecessor as austerity measures. American States (OAS) secre- She pointed out that the Or- where civil society is in danger But the government accused ernment to reverse this trend.” Macri ends funding for Chile police chief forensic anthropology unit sacked over shooting Reuters sure to remove Hermes Soto, the Guardian News and Media Malvinas, is enshrined in its con- tifi ed 106 of the 122 Argentinian Santiago country’s top-ranking police of- Buenos Aires stitution, so the EAFF project on soldiers who died in the 1982 war fi cer, amid accusations Soto had the island has been caught up in with the UK and were buried at helped cover up problematic de- the spending cut which covers all Darwin cemetery. hilean President Sebastian tails of the incident, or had been ff orts to identify the re- of the group’s work in the coun- The EAAF was founded by Pinera asked the country’s unaware all together. mains of Argentinian sol- try. Fondebrider and a group of fel- Cpolice chief to resign fol- At a news conference at the La Ediers buried in unmarked Projects in other countries, low anthropologists in 1986 to lowing a growing controversy over Moneda presidential palace, Pin- graves on the Falkland Islands will remain unaff ected, as they identify the remains of victims the circumstances surrounding era said he had asked Soto to re- have been suspended indefi nitely are fi nanced by US and European of Argentina’s 1976-83 dictator- the fatal shooting of an indigenous sign and that 10 other top police after the the centre-right ad- NGOs and government institu- ship, who were thrown into the man in southern Chile. generals would depart as well. ministration of President Mau- tions. sea from military planes or bur- Last month, Camilo Catril- “I’ve reached the conclusion ricio Macri froze funding for the “This is the fi rst time this has ied in unmarked graves after be- lanca, the grandson of a local that Chile’s police needs new anthropologists conducting the happened to us in our 32 years of ing made to “disappear” by secu- Mapuche leader, was shot in the leadership to face, with more investigation. existence,” said Luís Fondebri- rity forces. head during a police operation will, eff ectiveness and speed, all The Argentinian forensic an- der, EAAF’s president. More recently, the group has near the town of Ercilla, 773km of today’s problems and the big thropology team, Equipo Ar- Argentina’s government has worked in Mexico where it has south of Santiago in the province challenges of the future,” Pinera gentino de Antropología Forense not explained the fi nance freeze, helped identify thousands of vic- of Araucania. told journalists as he read from a (EAAF), has successfully investi- and Fondebrider refused to spec- tims of the country’s drug vio- Police originally said they had prepared statement. gated cases around the world, in- ulate if it was part of broader lence, and aided in the case of the acted in self-defence when they Pinera, who started his speech cluding the identifi cation of Che funding cuts for human rights 43 student teachers who disap- fi red on Catrillanca, a suspect in by praising the police and ended Guevara’s body in Bolivia, and vic- groups since Macri took offi ce peared after they were attacked a recent car theft and assault, but it by expressing his esteem for tims of the killing fi elds of Kosovo. three years ago. by cartel gunmen and corrupt the government and subsequent Soto, said his government was But the institution is now be- “I would very much like to police offi cers in 2014. police reports found that he was committed to uncovering the ing forced to shut down its op- meet with President Macri for The group has also worked to unarmed. The incident prompt- truth in the “unfortunate death” eration on the Falklands because him to explain what is happen- identify bodies of Central Amer- ed fury among opposition par- of Catrillanca. it has not received any payment ing,” Fondebrider said. ican migrants who have died in ties and human rights activists Soto initially said it was un- from the Argentinian govern- A government spokesman de- the desert while entering the US. and triggered widespread pro- clear who shot Catrillanca be- ment in 2018. clined to comment. In Argentina, it helped the secu- A Mapuche indigenous activist holds up a banner, which reads: tests throughout Chile. cause none of the members of the Argentina’s claim to the Falk- Since the project began in 2017, rity forces in cases of femicide ‘Terrorist State’, outside government house during a protest The Pinera administration special forces unit that handled lands, known in Spanish as Las the EAAF has successfully iden- and slave traffi cking. demanding justice for Camilo Catrillanca in Santiago. had come under increasing pres- the raid had worn body cameras. Gulf Times 12 Saturday, December 22, 2018 PAKISTAN

Washington Post backs Cabinet nod for revision Imran’s chicken of Islamabad master plan formula Internews The interior ministry was di- CDA chairman, Afzal Latif, and master plan, which should have tor general of the Pakistan Envi- Although successive govern- against Islamabad rected to start the process to hire its board members, has been in been revised every 20 years, but ronmental Protection Agency. ments have not revised the mas- a new chairman. question. was not by successive govern- While revising the plan, the ter plan except for a few select The CDA is going through sig- The cabinet has now decided ments. commission will also look into changes, the city’s requirements critics he federal cabinet has nifi cant administrative issues, to implement the high court He said that the cabinet had schools and clinics operating in have changed with the increase given the ministry of in- with questions arising over the judgment. directed the CDA not to render residential areas. in population to more than 2mn, Tterior and the Capital De- legitimacy of the incumbent Member of the National As- people homeless in the course of According to existing CDA which has led to the mushroom- Internews velopment Authority (CDA) the chairman and board members sembly (MNA) Ali Awan, the revising the plan. by-laws, schools are not permit- ing of illegal construction and Islamabad go-ahead to revise Islamabad’s of the authority, who are all civil special assistant to the prime Sources said that the inte- ted to operate in residential ar- other planning issues. master plan. servants. minister on CDA aff airs, said: rior ministry’s summary for the eas, although some 400 private Zone III is a classic example of The cabinet also approved the The Islamabad High Court “It has been decided that we will formation of the commission schools are. poor planning. mid criticism by mem- formation of a 12-member com- ruled last year that only non- advertise the post of the CDA carried names that included en- “Since necessary revisions of Although construction was bers of the opposition and mission of experts that will make civil servants could be appointed chairman.” vironmentalist Javed Ali Khan, the master plan were not con- prohibited in this part of the Atheir social media fans recommendations for changes to these positions, but instead of The cabinet’s approved com- town planner and architect ducted in the CDA’s 58-year capital, today Zone III is dotted against the “chicken formula” to the plan. starting the process to hire such mission to review the capital’s Professor Dr Ghulam Abbas, history, today the city has been with thousands of residential introduced by Prime Minister Sources said that the cabinet individuals, the last government master plan will also be made up Professor Javed Hassan, envi- facing several planning issues,” and commercial buildings. Imran Khan, the Washington also decided that from now on, used a presidential ordinance, of professionals. ronmentalist and architect Ayub Awan said. “The Pakistan Te- It is said that while revising Post has come up with a report a professional of high repute – later extended by parliament, as After the cabinet meeting, Qutab, former CDA member for hreek-e-Insaf (PTI) govern- the master plan, the commission highlighting the positive aspects who is not a civil servant – will cover. Information Minister Fawad planning Asad Mehboob Kayani, ment is committed to bringing will look into the future of thou- of the plan, giving hope that the be appointed chairman of the The legal cover of the ordi- Chaudhry informed members of CDA member for planning Eh- improvement in the lives of citi- sands of houses built in the zone anti-poverty plan could make a CDA through a competitive nance expired a few months ago, the media that the cabinet had sanul Haq, master plan director zens and the infrastructure of as well, and these houses will diff erence. process. and the status of the current given the go-ahead to revise the Zafar Iqbal Zafar, and the direc- Islamabad as well.” likely be regularised. Written by Pamela Consta- ble, the foreign correspondent of the US-based daily, the report cites an expert from the Poultry Research Institute as well as the ’Tis a season to be jolly people from low-income work- Christmas ing class who believe that the plan could uplift the living con- dition of the poor. activities in The prime minister had an- nounced the anti-poverty pro- gramme on November 29 that full swing comprised the provision of fi ve hens and one rooster to several million poor families, especially Internews rural women, so that they could Islamabad earn income at home by selling eggs. Though the prime minister’s he preparations for plan drew headlines and pun- Christmas are in full fi lled tweets, Poultry Research Tswing in twin cities of Institute director Abdul Rehman Rawalpindi and Islamabad as fi rmly believed that the project the Christian community living could make a critical diff erence across the country is preparing in the health and livelihood of to celebrate their festival with millions of poor Pakistanis. religious fervour. In Pakistan, 44% of children Stalls carrying Christmas under the age of fi ve have stunt- props and Christmas trees have ed growth due to nutritional de- been set up at various markets in fi ciency, he said. the twin cities while the Chris- Christians attend the candlelight “Our high infant mortality tian community is also visiting service in Lahore. rate is associated with malnutri- markets for shopping on their tion in mothers,” Rehman said. major festival. Left: People are seen at a stall in “These eggs can add a healthy Besides Christmas celebra- Karachi off ering decorations for ingredient to their diets.” tions by the local community, sale. The newborn death rate in the National Institute of Folk Pakistan, about 40 per 1,000 and Traditional Heritage (Lok Right: A man arranges decorations births, is among the highest Virsa), in collaboration with Pur for sale on a stall in Peshawar. in the world, according to the Fazal Kaliseya Pakistan, held World Bank. Christmas celebrations at the Below: Children decorate a tree at The second goal is to provide Pakistan National Museum of their house in Quetta. extra household income for poor Ethnology (Heritage Museum) families who can sell the eggs. on Thursday. Livestock offi cials estimate The objective of the celebra- that fi ve hens, laying several eggs tions was to express a message each per week, can bring in at of solidarity and unity with the least Rs10,000 ($75) a month, Christian community from a more than the typical salary of cultural perspective. a security guard or construction The special features of the worker. event included a congregation By crossing hardy, hand- of members of the Christian raised domestic chickens known community, a Christmas cake- as desi, or native, poultry with cutting ceremony, the erection breeds from Egypt and Australia of a Christmas tree, the distri- and with Rhode Island reds, the bution of sweets among children centre has developed birds with by Santa Claus, and a Christ- the necessary qualities for back- mas choral competition among yard life: tough, omnivorous, church choirs. disease-resistant and agile. The opening ceremony in- They can live in trees, in boxes cluded colourful cultural per- or under people’s stairs, Rehman formances at the Heritage Mu- said. seum. They can eat kitchen scraps A large number of people be- instead of expensive feed, and longing to Christian community they can outrun predators like attended the celebrations. cats and foxes. With a few days left to Christ- In contrast with the sceptics, mas, the members of Christian many poor and working-class community have begun decorat- Pakistanis said that they are ex- ing their Christmas trees – the cited to hear about the project, evergreen coniferous tree, real or and are eager to sign up. artifi cial – using diff erent orna- ments including baubles, small bells painted gold or silver, stars of diff erent shapes and sizes, pine cones, apples, candies, tinsel, and balloons made from Peshawar private schools outperform govt institutions glass, metal, wood and ceramic. An angel and star is often placed at the top of the tree, rep- Internews schools from the government age, 12% obtaining A1, A, and B department appointed 17 teach- while teachers are present on separate cadre for examination resenting the host of angels. Peshawar and private sectors each were grades. ing staff to it for intermediate campus for their guidance until duties on the pattern of the Na- selected for the comparison of However, the private schools’ classes. the summer vacation. tional testing Service, and would the results of the annual FA/FSc students performed far better, They said the daily interme- The academic session of pri- engage retired teachers and rivate schools have out- (faculty of arts/faculty of sci- with 66% obtaining A1, A, and diate classes in the government vate schools is eff ectively eight government offi cers, offi cials of PM House to turn performed the public sec- ence) examination taken by their B grades. higher secondary schools lasted months long. good reputation and young uni- into university Ptor educational institu- students in April. The minutes also declared four hours – six 40-minute pe- After thorough discussion, versity graduates for examina- tions in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa The survey fi ndings were tak- that the public sector higher riods – whereas classes at the the meeting participants de- tion supervision and marking of Prime Minister Imran Khan has (KP)’s Peshawar district, pro- en up in a meeting on October secondary schools did not pro- private schools and colleges cided that there would be seven papers to ensure the teachers’ said that the Prime Minister ducing better results in the last 16, which was chaired by then- duce good exam results despite lasted more than six hours every periods, each 50 minutes long, in presence in schools. House will be converted into a intermediate examination de- education secretary Mukhtiar the huge investment by the gov- day, with eight 50-minute peri- the government higher second- Adviser to the chief minister university. spite the government’s heavy Ahmad and attended by chief ernment. ods. ary schools, including one for on elementary and secondary Addressing a ceremony at the spending on the latter, reveals a planning offi cer of education They added that the results It was revealed that on aver- practical. education Ziaullah Khan Ban- launch of the National University recent survey conducted by the department Idrees Azam, chair- of 12th grade examination con- age, the teaching and learn- The education director was gash was not available for com- in Islamabad, Khan said that elementary and secondary edu- man of the Peshawar Board of ducted by the Peshawar edu- ing process in higher second- directed to issue a standard ments. the reason behind turning cation department. Intermediate and Secondary cational board spoke volumes ary schools was eff ectively not timetable for all government However, an offi cial of the the country’s most expensive The survey found that the Education Fazlur Rehman, then- about the massive failure of more than six months a year, schools in this respect. education department has said estate into a university is to government spent Rs10,770 a director education Farid Khat- the education department and as the students were free for The meeting also decided that the study conducted in the send a message to the nation month on each student enrolled tak, and independent monitor- teachers in improving the learn- home studies in the fi rst week of that like the students of private provincial capital’s urban areas that this government prioritises in the intermediate classes of the ing unit director Adeel Shah. ing and teaching levels in gov- March every year, as the inter- schools, those of the govern- depicted a bleak picture of the education. government higher secondary The meeting’s minutes ernment schools. mediate class teachers joined the ment higher secondary schools performance of the students “When I made Shaukat Khanum schools. showed that from the selected The minutes said that the up- matriculation board examina- would not be free for home stud- from government schools. (cancer hospital), people asked Meanwhile, the private 20 government schools, 1,218 gradation of a high school to the tion duties. ies until 10 days before the start “Situation of the government me, how would the poor be schools charged each student students took the FA/FSc Part- higher secondary level was very However, the intermedi- of the intermediate examina- higher secondary schools locat- treated for free. I had faith between Rs3,000 and Rs7,500 II examination, and 700 were costly aff air, as Rs37mn was re- ate course students of private tion. ed in far-off areas of the prov- that there will be a centre of monthly. declared successful, with 57.4% quired to put up a new block schools are free for home stud- It also decided that all edu- ince is even worse than the urban excellence,” the premier said. Twenty higher secondary achieving the pass percent- and that after upgradation, the ies 10 days before examination, cational boards would design a areas’,” he said. Gulf Times Saturday, December 22, 2018 13 PHILIPPINES

Rules eased for Govt keen to review foreigners in Subic

By Ralph Villanueva defence treaty with US Manila Times Plan to expand 1951 pact’s confrontation that may be miscalculation and since it is coverage to Spratlys in sparked by outside forces in being held at our backyard, we resident Rodrigo Duterte South China Sea the disputed South China Sea may get involved with them,” has signed an executive territories. he said, citing the MDT with Porder (EO) amending the By Dempsey Reyes The nine islands and shoals the US. Lorenzana said he measure that governs the admis- Manila Times occupied by the Philippines wanted to build barracks for sion and stay of foreign nationals in Kalayaan Island Group are troops stationed at the islands as temporary visitors in the Subic Pag-asa (Thitu) Island, Parola within the Spratly archipel- Bay Freeport Zone, giving them he Philippines wants to (Northeast Cay) Island, Kota ago, lamenting that soldiers more fl exibility. review provisions of its (Loaita) Island, Lawak (Nan- were living in nipa huts. Duterte signed EO 72, which Tmutual defence treaty shan) Island, Patag (Flat) Is- “We want to give them a amends EO 271 of former presi- (MDT) with the United States, land, Likas (West York) Island, better home, such as bar- dent Fidel Ramos, on December to expand the 1951 pact’s cov- Panata (Lankiam Cay) Island, racks, especially in Pagasa,” he 18, copies of which were given to erage to the nine islands occu- Ayungin (Second Thomas) noted. members of the media two days pied by Manila at the Kalayaan Shoal and Rizal (Commodore) As for the runway, it is ex- after. Island Group (Spratly Islands) Reef. Ayungin and Scarborough pected to be finished by 2019 Under the EO, foreigners who in the West Philippine Sea (Panatag) Shoald are both with- after repairs due to cracks have no visas may now present (South China Sea), Defence in the Philippines’ EEZ. Panatag found. The completion rate of their marine vessel tickets among Secretary Delfin Lorenzana is occupied by China. the runway is 42%. the other regular requirements to has said. Lorenzana emphasised that He also said BRP Sierra Ma- be able to enter the zone and stay Lorenzana made the state- the Philippine-occupied is- dre, which has served as an for a maximum period of 14 days. ment as he clarified that Ma- lands in the West Philippine outpost at Ayungin Shoal af- The regular requirements are nila and Washington’s MDT Sea is outside the country’s ter running aground in 1999, their passports and certifi cates of only covers “Metropolitan EEZ, which is not included in would be maintained and identity or travel documents valid Philippines,” which includes the so-called Metropolitan troops would be continuously for at least six months beyond the the three main islands — Lu- Philippines. deployed to the area. intended stay in the Zone. zon, Visayas and Mindanao, The US, he added, had stat- Marine troopers based in Before, foreigners were required and territories within the ed that it would keep its hands the vessel, guard Ayungin to present only confi rmed onward country’s exclusive economic off when it comes to the sea Shoal. fl ight tickets to be able to enter the zone (EEZ). dispute, noting Washington Lorenzana said the Philip- free port. It also amended Section Cardozo Luna, Defence un- has been “ambivalent” when pine military would continue 2 of EO 271, opening the Subic Bay dersecretary, was invited to referring to the issue. patrolling in the area and “take Piers and Wharves to foreigners. Hawaii to attend a conference Recalling events that tran- action” if the Chinese would Before, foreigners were only where he raised before US of- spired this year involving the make moves “inconsistent” allowed to leave from the Philip- ficials the possibility of re- dispute in the West Philippine with the country’s national pines through the Subic Bay In- viewing the MDT. Delfin Lorenzana: stronger US ties Sea, Lorenzana said the “con- interest. ternational Airport. “We are going to review cerning” issue was the tension “We will keep on protesting “The Subic Bay Piers and this…We just need to look a news conference at Camp country we have an alliance their military partnership between the US and China in if we will see any actions from Wharves have emerged as new into the provisions and dis- Aguinaldo. with,” he added. which has stretched for dec- the contested waters. China that are not consistent destinations for international cuss with the end of review- “This is also to strengthen The Defence chief also be- ades. “That is very concern- with our national interest. We cruise ships, as shown by the ing it to make it stronger,” our alliance with the United lieves it is high time for both The Philippines wants ing because if they go into a are going to protest to China,” number of cruise ship arrivals in Lorenzana told reporters in States because it is the only nations to tackle once more US support in case of any shooting war, it will cause he said. 2018,” the measure read. Group calls for greater eff orts Lacson claims plan for to save malnourished children federal system on hold

By Bernadette E Tamayo malnutrition.“With the en- years old. Albert Muyot, chief ple funding will be provided By Bernadette E Tamayo Manila Times actment of the law, we are one executive of Save the Children by government to support the Manila Times step closer in making sure that Philippines, said his group many reforms the law intro- millions of Filipino children launched Project Nurture to duces,” she said. “I call on the ave the Children Philip- will have a healthy start in reduce deaths among under- government to build upon this enator Panfi lo Lacson pines called on govern- life,” Parawan said at a news nourished children in eight achievement by giving this has said senators were Sment agencies that will briefing. impoverished villages in Na- law the funding, attention Snot keen on passing any be implementing the First Save the Children said votas City. On Thursday, Sen. and resources it requires,” she measure shifting to federalism, 1,000 Days Law, to give prior- 3.6mn Filipino children are Risa Hontiveros sought ample added. especially now that the House ity to key areas with the most stunted while 800,000 are funding for the implementa- RA 11148 mandates the es- of Representatives is led by Rep. number of undernourished malnourished. It added that tion of the law. tablishment of a comprehen- Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. children and pregnant moth- 17 regions in the country have Hontiveros, who sponsored sive nutrition intervention pro- The senator made the remark ers who have no access to more than 30% stunting rate. and co-authored the measure, gramme to be implemented by when asked to comment on the quality health and nutrition The First 1,000 Days Law said Republic Act 11148 must the Department of Health and earlier move of the House to ap- services. was signed by President Ro- be implemented in full to end the National Nutrition Council prove on third and fi nal reading Amado Parawan, health drigo Duterte on November infant malnutrition. for the benefi t of infants during a resolution adopting a federal and nutrition adviser of the 29. The new law implements “The challenge now is to their fi rst 1,000 days of life as constitution. group, said swift intervention health programmes for moth- ensure that RA 11148 will be well as their mothers, pregnant Just before Congress went is needed because 95 Filipino ers during their pregnancy immediately and effectively women, lactating women and on recess on December 13, the children die daily because of until their baby turns two implemented, and that am- teenage mothers. House approved Resolution of Both Houses (RBH) 15, which proposes an overhaul of the 1987 Constitution to shift to federal- ism. “It’s still dead in the water es- Higher fi nes for illegal parking from Jan 7 pecially so that the House passed Panfilo Lacson: claiming hurdles to plan their own version,” Lacson said. “There’s nothing personal in the proverbial thief in the night, posal, which she authored along Agencies Inquirer reported. Obstructing traffi c by Metro Manila streets. It was supposed to this, but this is the sentiment of was proclaimed winner in the with several of her colleagues, Manila loading or unloading passengers illegally or be implemented this month, but the agency the Senate. When they changed 2004 presidential election,” she had undergone deliberation of disregarding one-way signs entails a fi ne of decided to move it to Jan 7, 2019, due to lack the leader of the House, the ma- said. the 292-member chamber. P1,000. Yellow lane violators must also pay of traffi c personnel and the need for more jority, minority groups closed Under Arroyo’s draft Charter, “It’s part of the democratic tarting January 7, motorists caught P1,000. time to set up ticketing systems. ranks. It’s dead in the water,” the president elected in 2022 will process. There was a debate, it parking their vehicles illegally any- The sharp increases have been approved MMDA spokesperson Celine Pialago ear- he said. Detained Sen. Leila de have a term of four years and will was voted on and we sent it to Swhere in Metro Manila will be slapped by the Metro Manila Council, the policy- lier said part of their enforcement issues Lima noted that “without public be entitled to one re-election — (House members),” Arroyo told with a P2,000 fi ne — or four times the cur- making body of the MMDA, according to was lack of funds for essential equipment scrutiny, RBH 15 passed through just like in the United States. reporters. rent amount — as the Metropolitan Manila MMDA general manager Jojo Garcia. and staff . plenary debates in only three Opposition members of the Shifting to federalism from Development Authority (MMDA) intensi- Speaking to reporters, Garcia said the Illegal parking is among the 10 most session days.” House had decried the rush to a unitary system is among the fi es its road-clearing operations across the new rates apply to all public roads, except in common traffi c violations recorded by the “Obviously, the House leader- pass the measure, which was ap- key campaign promises of Du- capital. subdivisions and roads already covered by MMDA each year. ship’s railroading of the passage proved through voice voting. terte, who promised during the The fi ne for vehicles illegally parked but existing parking ordinances. The MMDA said there were 26,110 ille- of RBH 15 is a typical trademark But Arroyo defended the pas- campaign to spread resourc- with the driver inside will be P1,000, up The increase was also part of the MMDA gally parked vehicles apprehended but were of CGMA (Congresswoman Glo- sage of the resolution early this es and political power to the from the current P200, Philippine Daily short-term traffi c measures to decongest not towed in 2017, up from 20,467 in 2016. ria Macapagal-Arroyo) who, like month, insisting that the pro- countryside. Puyat says crackdown led to cleaner beaches for public

By Neil Jayson Servallos “For me it was very positive The coliform count in beaches 1,000 mpn level is risky. Manila Times not only around the country, but in Panglao and El Nido also went The tourism secretary said abroad. Around the country I down. the government would start ad- noticed when Boracay reopened, Puyat said a quality check by dressing the environmental con- he crackdown on erring the netizens, they are the ones the Department of Environ- cerns on several tourist spots in tourism establishments reporting on garbage issues in ment and Natural Resources La Union, Baguio, Puerto Galera, Thas paid off , the Depart- the places they have visited,” she in October in Panglao’s Alona Coron and Siargao. ment of Tourism (DoT) said. said. Beach yielded a coliform count “We have to broaden the focus Tourism Secretary Bernadette Puyat said the government re- of 16,000 most probable number from a single island — Boracay Romulo-Puyat said the govern- duced the coliform count in Bo- (mpn) while Buena Suerte in El —to the greater vision of the en- ment’s thrust in improving tour- racay from thousands to 50. Nido had 1,300 mpn. tire country. We also have to look ist spots led to the successful “It’s clean and beautiful. I’ve The normal water quality past the pressure to just appeas- rehabilitation of Boracay island noticed that a lot of people, I for beaches is 100 mpn, while ing the present but rather to see and certain areas in El Nido, Pal- don’t know, really want to main- swimming pools usually have to it that the future is even bet- Bernadette Romulo-Puyat: highlighting positives of clean-up drive awan and Panglao, Bohol. tain Boracay,” she said. 400 mpn. Registering above ter,” she said. Gulf Times 14 Saturday, December 22, 2018 COMMENT

CHAIRMAN Abdullah bin Khalifa al-Attiyah EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Faisal Abdulhameed al-Mudahka Deputy Managing Editor K T Chacko Production Editor Amjad Khan

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

Trump more and more alone as another key adviser departs

As he prepares to begin his third year as the president of the world’s top superpower, Donald Trump fi nds himself increasingly isolated. One by one, quietly or with some noise, the heavyweight advisers and aides who have kept his worst impulses in check are abandoning ship or being kicked out. Belittling and oneupmanship, impulsive decisions taken without consultation and a White House seemingly in constant chaos are fuelling concern among America’s allies about a mercurial president operating largely alone. For climate safety, National Security Adviser H R McMaster, White House chief of staff John Kelly and Defence Secretary Jim Mattis, all former generals, had been seen by many as the steady hands advising a man who took offi ce in January 2017 without any political, diplomatic or military experience. McMaster is gone and Kelly and Mattis are on their way out call in the engineers the door. For Mattis, the four-star Marine general who was often By Jeff rey D Sachs referred to as the last “adult in the room,” Trump’s abrupt New York decision this week to pull US troops out of war-torn Syria was a step too far. his month’s United Nations The tone of his resignation letter was courteous but the Climate Change Conference underlying message of disapproval was clear and it was heard by (COP24) in Katowice, Poland friends and foes of the president alike and in capitals around the Tsucceeded in producing a globe. rulebook to implement the 2015 Paris “This is scary,” said Democratic Senator Mark Warner of climate agreement. Every UN member Virginia. “Secretary Mattis has been an island of stability state signed on. But that will not be enough to head off climate catastrophe. amidst the chaos of the Trump administration.” It’s time to call in the engineers. It wasn’t just Democrats who were expressing concern. The diplomatic success at COP24 “This is a sad day,” was remarkable, given relentless said Republican Senator lobbying and foot-dragging by the “Secretary Mattis Ben Sasse of Nebraska. fossil-fuel industry. The diplomats “Secretary Mattis was have read the science and know the was giving advice giving advice the president truth: without a rapid move to a zero-carbon global energy system the president needs to hear.” by mid-century, humanity will be in For Richard Haass, grave peril. In recent years, millions needs to hear” president of the Council on of people have suff ered the hardships Foreign Relations, “Mattis of extreme heatwaves, droughts, fl ood clearly determined that he could no longer make enough of a surges, powerful hurricanes, and diff erence to justify remaining part of an administration he so devastating forest fi res, because the disagreed with.” Earth’s temperature is already 1.1C (roughly 2F) above the pre-industrial Rex Tillerson, the former ExxonMobil chief executive who average. If warming exceeds 1.5C or was unceremoniously fi red as secretary of state in March after 2C later this century – temperatures a little over a year in the job, recently made his concerns known never experienced in the entire 10,000- after months of silence about his former boss. year history of human civilisation Trump is “pretty undisciplined,” Tillerson said, adding that – the world will become vastly more he “doesn’t like to read, doesn’t read briefi ng reports, doesn’t dangerous. like to get into the details of a lot of things.” The Paris accord commits national governments to keep temperatures To limit warming to 1.5C, the world’s energy system must be decarbonised by mid-century. The stream of departures from the Trump administration has “well below 2C above pre-industrial not been met with concern from everyone — many of his hard- levels and [to pursue] eff orts to limit aircraft manufactured by a few the desired ‘specs’ and the timeline, Energy Interconnection Development core supporters have long felt that some of his advisers were the temperature increase to 1.5C above global companies and share standard and we’ll get the job done.” This is not and Co-operation Organisation, a putting the brakes on a president who prides himself on his pre-industrial levels.” We now have a operating procedures for navigation, bravado. worldwide partnership of engineering instincts and keeping his campaign promises at all costs. rulebook for measuring greenhouse- air traffi c control, airport and airplane Here are the specs. To limit warming companies and institutions launched “Getting out of Syria was no surprise,” Trump tweeted about gas emissions, sharing know-how, and security, maintenance, insurance, to 1.5C, the world’s energy system by the State Grid Corporation of China a move which stunned many members of the coalition battling measuring fi nancial transfers from and other operations. Other global must be decarbonised by mid-century. in 2016. rich to poor countries. Yet we still lack systems are similarly coordinated. This will require the vast mobilisation In a sensible global decarbonisation the Islamic State group. “I’ve been campaigning on it for years.” the plans for shifting the world energy Transfers of US-dollar bank balances of zero-carbon energy sources such plan, many of today’s fossil-fuel But many political and foreign policy analysts expressed system to renewable energy by mid- average a staggering $2.7tn per day, as wind, solar, and hydro power, exporting countries and companies concern about the potential danger of having a president century. yet are routinely settled through implying a power system that can will become tomorrow’s exporters of surrounded only by “yes” men. The diplomats, of course, are not the use of standardised banking and handle intermittent energy sources that zero-carbon energy. The oil-producing Asked yesterday on Fox News about the near-unanimous technical experts. The next stage needs communications protocols. Billions depend on when the sun shines, how Gulf countries should export solar concerned and negative reaction to Mattis’ resignation, the world’s engineering experts on of daily Internet activities and mobile hard the wind blows, and how fast the energy from the vast Arabian Desert White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders brushed aside the power generation and transmission, phone calls are possible because of rivers fl ow. to both Europe and Asia. Coal- electric vehicles, hydrogen fuel cells, shared protocols. Both the scale and This zero-carbon electricity will producing Australia should export solar worry and issued a reminder that it was Trump who won the artifi cial intelligence for energy systems reliability of these globally connected power electric vehicles that replace power from the enormous outback to presidential election. management, urban design for energy high-tech systems are astounding, our internal-combustion engine Southeast Asia via submarine cable. “At the end of the day, the American people elected one effi ciency and public transport, and and depend on solutions implemented cars. It will also be used to produce Canada should increase its exports of person to be the commander-in-chief and to make decisions,” related specialists. Diplomats, rather internationally, not country by country. zero-carbon fuels such as hydrogen zero-carbon hydropower to the US Sanders said. “The president listens to all of his national than engineers, have been at the The transition to renewable energy for ocean shipping and synthetic market and fi nally end its eff orts to security team, which is a big group. He takes their advice.” forefront at UN climate summits for the can be greatly accelerated if the world’s hydrocarbons for airplanes. We will export products from its high-carbon “And at the end of the day, he makes the decision,” she added. past 24 years. The time for engineers to governments fi nally bring the engineers heat our homes and office buildings oil sands. take centre stage has arrived. to the fore. Consider that in May 1961, with zero-carbon electricity rather At the Katowice climate conference, “That’s what he was elected to do.” The Paris accord assumes that each President John F. Kennedy called on than with coal, oil, or natural gas. the diplomats delivered the climate government consults with its own Americans to land a man on the moon And energy-intensive industries rulebook on time and as promised – country’s engineers to devise a national and return him safely to Earth before such as steel and aluminium will also an enormous accomplishment. The To Advertise energy strategy, with each of the 193 UN the end of the decade. Nasa quickly replace fossil fuels with zero-carbon next big act belongs to the engineers. member states essentially producing a mobilised hundreds of thousands electricity and hydrogen. Energy transformation for climate [email protected] separate plan. That approach refl ects of engineers and other experts, and These zero-carbon solutions will safety is our 21st-century moonshot. Display a deep misunderstanding of how the completed the moonshot in July 1969, extend beyond any country’s borders. When heads of state convene at the UN global energy transition must work. We meeting JFK’s remarkably ambitious The lowest-cost and most plentiful next September, the world’s leading 44466621 44418811 need solutions that are agreed and co- timeline. renewable energy is often found far engineers should greet them with a ordinated at the international scale, not I was recently on a panel with three from population centres, in deserts cutting-edge framework for global Classified country by country. economists and a senior business- and mountains, and off shore for wind. action. – Project Syndicate 44466609 44418811 Global engineering systems require sector engineer. After the economists This energy will therefore need to global co-ordination. Consider civil spoke about carbon prices, internalising be transmitted long distances, often z Jeff rey D Sachs, Professor of Subscription aviation, a triumph of globally co- externalities, feed-in tariff s, carbon crossing national boundaries, with the Sustainable Development and Professor ordinated engineering. In 2017, there off sets, and the like, the engineer spoke use of special high-voltage transmission of Health Policy and Management at [email protected] were 41.8mn fl ights without a single succinctly and wisely. “I don’t really lines. The advantages of a long- Columbia University, is Director of fatal passenger jet accident. understand what you economists were distance, internationally connected Columbia’s Center for Sustainable The civil aviation system works just speaking about, but I do have a transmission system have been Development and the UN Sustainable © 2018 Gulf Times. All rights reserved so well because all countries use suggestion,” he said. “Tell us engineers powerfully emphasised by the Global Development Solutions Network. Gulf Times Saturday, December 22, 2018 15 COMMENT The Yellow Vests are here to stay

By Slawomir Sierakowski misunderstood his own success. He Warsaw was wrong to assume that French voters elected him to reform the EU. Though the French yearn for national he terrorist attack on greatness, they abhor economic a Christmas market in pauperisation in equal measure. Strasbourg, France, on Macron should have directed his TDecember 11 came after a attention to the latter issue. Instead, month in which the “Yellow Vest” he launched a series of reforms that protests in Paris and other cities stoked the resentment of the masses. dominated international headlines. Owing to his elitist self-presentation French police have since tracked down and personal background, Macron and killed the attacker in a shootout, already looked like a representative of and an old law of politics holds that the the rich. But he made matters worse by French will now rally behind President leading his reform eff orts with labour- Emmanuel Macron – at least for the market deregulation and a reduction time being. of the wealth tax. When he introduced That is what happened after the a new tax on diesel fuel in the name of attacks on the offices of Charlie reducing carbon-dioxide emissions, Hebdo in 2015, when then-President struggling French commuters saw it as Francois Hollande’s declining a personal aff ront. popularity was momentarily Were we still living in the twentieth reversed. It also helps to explain century, the fact that an ecological fuel how Vladimir Putin, previously tax prompted people to don yellow an unknown entity, cemented his vests (which all motorists in France power in Russia following a series are required to carry in their vehicles) of bombings in 1999. Of course, in and take to the streets would not be that case, investigative journalists particularly remarkable. But in 2018, it have marshalled ample evidence is highly signifi cant. to suggest that the government Both symbolically and practically, orchestrated the attacks to bolster its the widespread backlash against the public support. proposed fuel tax frustrates necessary Although the Yellow Vests’ protests and urgent eff orts to combat global continue, tempers have cooled, warming. But no longer can we assume providing a respite to Macron. But that anyone who opposes green the movement’s socioeconomic roots reforms is a climate-change denier, Protesters wear yellow vests as they demonstrate in Langon, near Bordeaux, France, on December 11. remain. As anyone remotely familiar and therefore greedy, an idiot, or both. with French history knows, the Even if everyone accepted the need to the “precariat” who have no choice Economists estimate that it will compounded by social fragmentation commuting over some distance. competing forces of revolution and reduce greenhouse-gas emissions, that but to accept low-wage positions in cost France €500 ($573) per person and geographic diff usion. As a result That is why the proposed fuel tax Bonapartism have long driven political would not resolve the plight of workers which they are often overworked and per year to meet its emissions- of deindustrialisation, people with hits so close to home, and why the outcomes. Macron owes his presidency who can barely make ends meet. insecure. And because they are not reduction obligations under the similar interests are less concentrated yellow vest has become such a potent to the latter. The French were attracted The Yellow Vests are primarily from unemployed, they and their problems 2015 Paris climate accord. That’s a in large factory communities; and as and visible symbol. Most likely, it will to the young reformer’s European the lower middle and working classes, are easily overlooked by French elites. lot, especially given that disposable a result of globalisation, unskilled be with us for some time to come. – triumphalism, not because they are rather than from the very bottom of In France, unemployment itself is household income grew by just 8% workers have been priced out of large Project Syndicate particularly fond of the European the social ladder. Most are neither high (around 9%), and thus hard to between 2007 and 2017, almost none cities. Almost by defi nition, those Union (they aren’t), but because it unemployed nor climate-change ignore. But when one adds the growing of which accrued to those from which who live in Paris have nothing to fear, zSlawomir Sierakowski, founder of seemed to augur a return of French deniers, but they vehemently oppose precariat, one can see that the country the Yellow Vests draw the bulk of their because they are the high-earning the Krytyka Polityczna movement, is imperial grandeur. a tax that they believe they cannot has a serious problem on its hands. support. benefi ciaries of globalisation. But Director of the Institute for Advanced But it didn’t take long for the spectre aff ord to pay. Many belong to the And France is hardly alone among Moreover, the economic insecurities for everyone else, both work and Study in Warsaw and a fellow at the of revolution to return. Clearly, Macron growing cohort of “working poor” – advanced economies. that gave rise to the Yellow Vests are participation in civic life requires Robert Bosch Academy in Berlin.

LEGAL HELPLINE Three-day forecast TODAY Maximum Temperature : 250c Minimum Temperature : 190c When deal is silent on contract specifi cations SUNDAY Maximum Temperature : 220c Minimum Temperature : 160c By Dr Nizar Kochery some new clauses which are not If the employer proposes to execute internationally and locally. For MONDAY Doha acceptable to the staff. I had a new employment contract with carrying other medicines for Maximum Temperature : 220c discussed the same with the HR revised terms and conditions, the personal uses, the person carrying Minimum Temperature : 160c department and they said the employee may refuse to accept it if it medicines should attach the medical Fisherman's forecast Question: What are the old contract expired as a new is not in line with the present terms prescription in the name of patient obligations of the contractor management has taken over the of employment. and the certificate from the medical WARNING where the specifications are not company. Do we need to sign a practitioner. Inshore : Strong wind expected listed in the contract? We have new contract in such a case? The Article 3 of Law No. 19 of 1993 on some areas. signed a contract but the BoQ is contract may prevent us from Travellers carrying regarding the regulation of the Offshore : Expected thundery rain at places at first/strong silent on this. switching jobs. What is the status medicines to Qatar dealing with psychoactive substances wind and high sea. LK, Doha of the existing employment prohibits the import, export, WEATHER contract? Please advise. production, manufacturing, owning, Inshore : Scattered clouds with chance of scattered Answer: If the agreement is silent OE, Doha Q: I want to carry some possessing, acquiring, trading, buying, light rain at places at on specifications, the contractor medicines with me to Qatar. I selling, transporting, receiving, first and slight dust. must use standard materials set by A: According to Article 52 of the have read many news reports delivering psychoactive substances Offshore : Partly cloudy to current practice. As per Article 684 Labour Law, the employment about problems faced by or serving as an intermediary in any cloudy with chance of scattered rain at places of the Civil Law, if the contractor contract shall not terminate in case travellers while carrying of the above or dealing with it except maybe thundery at first. provides all or any of the materials, of merger of the enterprise with medicines. How can I carry after getting permit for that from the WIND such materials shall be with the another enterprise or transfer of the medicines safely without Department of Pharmacy and Drug Inshore : Northwesterly 10-20/26 KT agreed specifications or shall be its ownership or the right in its any issues? What is the Control at the Ministry of Public Offshrore : Northwesterly-15-25/35 adequate for meeting the intended management to a person other than punishment for illegally carrying Health on the conditions stipulated KT purpose. The contractor shall held the employer for any reason. The psychoactive substances? Please by law. The off ence is punishable with Visibility : 4-8 KM be liable for any defects in such new management shall be liable advise. imprisonment for three years and Offshore : 4-8/13 FT materials in accordance with the for the discharge of any obligations SU, Doha QR10,000 under Article 15. Around the region provisions of liability for defects in resulting from old employment Weather Weather sold goods. contracts. It is not mandatory to A: It is prohibited to carry medicines z Please send your questions to today Max/min tomorrow Max/min issue a new employment contract. and substances which are banned [email protected] Baghdad Sunny 17/07 Sunny 16/06 Judgment based on Kuwait CitySunny 19/11 Sunny 19/10 Manama Cloudy 22/16 Cloudy 21/16 a ‘forged document’ LEGAL SYSTEM IN QATAR Muscat Sunny 26/20 M Sunny 24/19 Tehran P Cloudy 08/01 P Cloudy 08/0 According to Article 105 of Criminal permanent and known place of residence Q: There was a case filed against Procedure Code, if the suspect does not in the State of Qatar and the crime me at the court in Dafna. I did not attend after being summoned without was a misdemeanor punishable by receive any notification of the reasonable excuse, or if it is feared that imprisonment. If the suspect violates the court case and the court issued he may escape, or if he has no known measure issued against him, the Public judgment three months before place of residence in the State of Qatar, Prosecution may order for preventive directing me to pay money. I or the crime is fl agrante delicto, the detention. found that the complainant had Public Prosecution member may issue a As per Article 113, any person arrested submitted some forged document warrant against him to be arrested and or preventive detained shall be informed to get the judgment in his favour. summoned, even if the crime is of the immediately of the reasons of the arrest, Is there any chance to reopen the kind for which the suspect will not be detention and the charge attributed case? Please advise. precautionary detained. JS, Doha The arrest warrants and summons shall thereto, and that person shall be entitled not be executed after a lapse of six months to communicate with any person A: According to Article 165 of the from the date of issuance, unless renewed considered necessary and to seek the Civil and Commercial Procedure by the Public Prosecution for another assistance of an attorney. Around the world Law, if a judgment is issued based similar period or periods. When a suspect is held at the place Weather Weather on fraud made by a party or a forged As per Article 107, the Public specifi ed for preventive detention, a copy today Max/min tomorrow Max/min document or perjury or due to non- Prosecution member shall interrogate of the preventive detention order shall Athens P Cloudy 17/07 Sunny 18/08 production of a conclusive document the arrested suspect without delay. If it is be delivered to the offi cer in charge of Beirut P Cloudy 18/14 P Cloudy 18/14 in the proceedings being kept by the not possible, the suspect shall be held in the suspect, stating the expiry date, after Bangkok P Cloudy 35/27 P Cloudy 33/24 party, the time for appeal shall only custody in a detention centre until being signing the original copy. Berlin Cloudy 08/04 Showers 07/03 start from the day that the fraud was interrogated, for a period not exceeding the crime to him, and the incident is a Unless with a written permission Cairo M Sunny 22/12 M Sunny 22/11 disclosed or from the day on which 24 hours. On expiry of that period, the felony or a misdemeanour punishable by from the Public Prosecution, any public Cape Town P Cloudy 24/18 P Cloudy 24/19 the person who committed perjury detention centre offi cer shall refer the imprisonment for a period exceeding six authority offi cer shall not be allowed, Colombo T Storm 29/23 T Storm 30/23 has admitted his guilt or whose guilt suspect to the Public Prosecution, which months, the Public Prosecution member whether directly or through another Dhaka Sunny 26/14 Sunny 27/14 has been proven upon a judgment or shall interrogate him within 24 hours or may issue an order for the suspect’s person, to communicate with the Hong Kong Showers 21/15 S Showers 19/17 Istanbul M Sunny 10/09 P Cloudy 11/07 from the day the person is adjudged issue an order for his release. preventive detention. preventive detained suspect inside such to have committed perjury, or from If the suspect is arrested outside the The Public Prosecution member may, Jakarta S T Storms 32/24 S T Storms 32/25 place, and shall record in the ad hoc the day the paper that was kept has jurisdiction of Public Prosecution where instead of the preventive detention, Karachi Sunny 26/12 Sunny 26/13 register the name of the permitted person, been produced. the investigation is carried out, he shall be issue an order for one of the following London P Cloudy 11/07 Showers 12/07 the time of the visit and the date and the referred to the Public Prosecution where measures: (1) Prohibit the suspect from Manila P Cloudy 31/25 Rain 27/24 content of the permission. is arrested, which shall verify his identity, leaving his residence or country, (2) Keep Moscow Snow -3/-5 Snow -4/-4 New work contract inform him of the attributed charge, the suspect under police surveillance, In all cases, the Prosecution may New Delhi Fog 22/06 Fog 21/06 with new clauses and record his statements thereon, and (3) Make the suspect appear before the order to prevent the preventive detained New York P Cloudy 11/02 M Sunny 07/03 state this in a written record to be sent police headquarters at specifi c times, suspect from communicating with Paris Cloudy 13/08 Rain 14/10 with the suspect to the competent Public (4) Prohibit the suspect from attending other prisoners and prevent from being Sao Paulo S T Storms 33/22 S T Storms 30/21 Q: I am working in a company for Prosecution. certain places, or (5) Prohibit the suspect visited by anyone, without prejudice to Seoul M Sunny 09/-2 M Sunny 06/-9 past seven years as supervisor According to Article 110, if suffi cient from practicing specifi ed activities. the right of the suspect to the constant Singapore S T Storms 31/25 S T Storms 31/25 and now the company needs all evidence is found, after the suspect’s In all cases, the suspect may be communication with his attorney without Sydney Rain 20/16 P Cloudy 22/15 staff to sign a new employment interrogation or his escape, attributing preventive detained if he has no anyone being present. Tokyo Cloudy 10/07 Cloudy 13/08 contract. The new contract has Gulf Times 16 Saturday, December 22, 2018 QATAR

Spring Festival

Scenes from a circus act at Souq Waqif Doha’s Spring Festival which opened yesterday. Running until January 4, the Spring Festival off ers various entertainment activities. PICTURES: Shemeer Rasheed

Cake festival at Safari outlets Torba Market pitches in for sustainability

By Peter Alagos nesses. It off ers fresh food, nat- waste management, and reduc- Business Reporter ural products, and organic and ing single use plastic. local vegetables, as well as eco- At the entrance of the mar- friendly initiatives, adult and ket, visitors are greeted with he Torba Farmers Mar- kids workshops, and a wellness an overview of the market, its ket not only serves as area. The items off ered at the objectives, what it off ers, and Ta wholesome weekend venue are “consciously-sourced its commitment and curation, destination for families and products,” ranging from organic among others. “Our market residents but also as a platform vegetables from certifi ed farms emphasises sustainability, with to promote sustainability and and products from small fam- a clear focus towards nourish- environment care, and support ily farms. The fresh produce are ing and nurturing our environ- home-based businesses. locally-grown, GMO-free, and ment and ourselves. We want Now on its second season, the pesticide-free. to reconnect people with their market is open every Friday at Also available are sidra hon- food and educate on how we can the Ceremonial Court in Qatar ey; locally-sourced coff ee; aff ect change by buying con- Foundation’s Education City locally-grown fresh seasonal sciously, locally, and handmade. from 7.30am to 11.30am and produce; cruelty-free, ethical- “Torba is a special place 12.30pm to 5pm, and Saturdays ly-sourced dairy; dates that are and we bring together special from 8am to 6pm. 50% locally-farmed; and cage- things: farm fresh produce; spe- The Torba Farmers Market, free, chemical and pesticide- cialty coff ee; gardening – items which will run until April 2019, free eggs. The market’s wellness for the organically-minded gar- positions itself as “the only area is dedicated for sustainable dener; paper straws, wooden Safari Hypermarket Group has launched a cake festival at all their outlets across in Qatar. The festival was jointly inaugurated by Safari marketplace of its kind in Qa- living and features beauty and cutlery, and eco-friendly items; Group of Companies director and general manager Zainul Abidheen at Safari Mall, Abu Hamour, in the presence of management team tar,” celebrating locally-grown home products made locally compost drop-off area; home- members. More than 40 varieties of cakes are available for Christmas and New Year. The cakes include butter cream, icing, fresh cream, produce, and homemade cui- and with minimal impact on made food using local ingre- millennium, choco oreo, cappuccino, caramel, butter scotch, red velvet, tiramisu, rich plum, premium plum, surprise plum, marble, tea, sine. the environment. For its eco- dients; fresh raw juices, refi ll almond, Christmas log, green, ginger house, and Christmas tree, in addition to yule log, Christmas sweets and cookies. Also, it prides itself to be a friendly initiatives, the market drinking water station; locally- community-focused initiative promotes recycling and reusing designed artistic tables; and and a destination for local busi- glass jars and bottles, mindful farm-to-table restaurant.” Sidra Medicine celebrates graduation of extensive leadership programme

idra Medicine has an- nounced the graduation of Snearly 100 managers and directors from an extensive lead- ership programme developed in partnership with Harvard Busi- ness Publishing, the corporate arm of Harvard Business School. Titled iLead, the programme is designed to raise leadership competencies in current and fu- ture leaders at Sidra Medicine. Employees from across clinical, research and administration de- partments took part in the eight- Torba promotes the sale of locally-sourced and locally-made products. PICTURES: Jayan Orma month programme. iLead will enable them to play a key role in employee engage- ment initiatives, developing or- ganisational culture and to posi- tively contribute towards patient experience outcomes. Dr Abdulla al-Kaabi, chief medical offi cer at Sidra Medi- cine, said, “The iLead leadership Employees from across clinical, research and administration departments took part in the programme. programme developed in col- laboration with Harvard Busi- for young national profession- ‘Top Student’ award on the iLead School in the USA and will be ness Publishing is truly unique als, is part of an ongoing strat- senior leadership development sponsored by Sidra Medicine to – it was customised keeping our egy by Sidra Medicine to ensure programme said, “The training attend next year. organisational strategy and goals employees at all levels, are given was valuable in two main ways; Jennifer Ahen, director of Cor- in mind. access to the right training tools, in addition to strengthening the porate Communications, anoth- This is a fantastic achievement mentorship and learning oppor- rapport among staff across all er high-performing graduate of and we are very proud of the fi rst tunities to advance their careers departments at Sidra Medicine, iLead said, “With a strong female batch of our directors and man- in healthcare. it also provided insights into workforce, it is very encouraging agers who have all passed the The strategy is a clear affi rma- tools and methods utilised to to work in an organisation like course. The programme is just tion of support for Qatar’s Na- analyse processes, identify gaps, Sidra Medicine where they are one of the many we have devel- tional Vision 2030 and the coun- suggest solutions and implement creating avenues of professional oped either in-house or in col- try’s National Health Strategy changes.” and personal development that laboration with world-leading 2018-2022. As top student, Abdulla will encourage and inspire more institutions.” Abdulla Jassim Abdulla, di- has won an executive educa- women to consider careers in Many farm produce are organic and pesticide-free. iLead along with Lead Yourself rector of licensure, who won the tion course at Harvard Business healthcare.”