BUSINESS | Page 1 SPORT | Page 1 Doha Bank successfully Agarwal, closes Vihari QR525mn to open syndicated term loan for facility India published in QATAR since 1978

WEDNESDAY Vol. XXXIX No. 11044 December 26, 2018 Rabia II 19, 1440 AH

GULF TIMES www. gulf-times.com 2 Riyals

Deputy Amir meets Moroccan envoy In brief Qatar emerges

ARAB WORLD | Violence Three killed in attack on Libyan ministry as attractive Three people were killed and 10 others were injured in an attack targeting Libyan Foreign Ministry headquarters, in Tripoli, Libya, destination yesterday. Libya news agency (LANA) quoted informed sources as saying that a “terrorist” attack targeted the Libyan Foreign Ministry headquarters in the capital Tripoli for weddings yesterday, killing three people and injuring 10 others. The sources added that 3 of the 4 assailants were also killed. According to the sources z Six Indian marriages have so two of the attackers detonated explosive vests, while the third was killed in a shootout with the security far been confirmed for 2019 personnel at the building. The attack triggered fire on the second floor z Doha will host the World of the ministry and fire engines and ambulances were seen rushing to the scene. The ministry employees Corporate Games next year were evacuated from the building. Pages 2, 3 z Since QNTSS launch, over ARAB WORLD | Confl ict Turkey: No setback 10mn visitors have arrived in fi ghting IS Turkey “has the strength to atar is emerging as an attrac- City Destinations worldwide. neutralise” Islamic State (IS) tive wedding destination for In November 2018, QNTC launched fighters in Syria after a planned His Highness the Deputy Amir Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad al-Thani met the outgoing ambassador of Morocco to Qatar Nabil Qcouples looking to tie the knot Qatar’s fi rst global destination cam- US withdrawal from the country, Zniber at his Amiri Diwan off ice yesterday. The Deputy Amir granted the outgoing ambassador the Decoration of Al Wajbah abroad and six Indian weddings have paign. Under the tagline ‘Qatar. Qurat- Turkey’s top diplomat said in recognition of his role in enhancing bilateral relations, and wished him success in his future assignments and further so far been confi rmed for 2019, Qatar ed for you.’, the campaign brings to life yesterday. Ankara and Washington progress and prosperity for relations between Qatar and Morocco. The ambassador thanked the Deputy Amir and the State National Tourism Council (QNTC) an- Qatar’s focus on tailored visitor expe- will be “in close co-ordination” off icials for the co-operation he received during his tenure. Page 2 nounced yesterday. riences that celebrate its heritage, and to avoid problems during the US “This has become possible due to is being rolled out in eight languages pullout from Syria, Foreign Minister Doha’s hassle-free locations with across 15 existing and targeted prior- Mevlut Cavusoglu said, according to magnifi cent ballrooms and manicured ity markets targeting 250mn travellers state news agency Anadolu. There is vistas that regularly cater to clients around the world. “no setback, weakness or slowdown” who have an appetite for modern lux- Thanks to the numerous steps Qa- in the fight against Islamic State,” ury, grand entertainment and mouth- tar has taken to ease visitor access, the President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s Security forces disperse watering delights,” it was explained. UNWTO ranked Qatar as the most open spokesman Ibrahim Kalin said late The growth in this area has been country in the Middle East and the 8th on Monday. Cavusoglu warned made possible thanks to the close col- most open country in the world. yesterday against US troops in Syria laboration between the hospitality And, according to the latest Guest being replaced by other Western sector, the Ministry of Interior, Qatar Experience in the Middle East Report, powers. Page 3 Sudanese demonstrators Airways and the General Authority of released by hospitality and travel data Customs. providers Olery, Qatar’s hospitality AMERICA | Politics In a statement, QNTC pointed out sector has further improved its guest Trump: Shutdown won’t Agencies ers in a “civilised manner”. support to the protesters, said three that a number of milestone develop- experience ranking from fi rst place Khartoum Offi cials and witnesses have previ- people were wounded by bullets. ments made 2018 a turning point for among the GCC to fi rst place in the end without wall fund ously said at least 12 people have been “Three guys were shot next to me. One tourism in the country. Middle East. President Donald Trump argued killed in the unrest so far. in the neck, one in the chest, and one in Qatar’s leadership has identifi ed The year 2018 witnessed the launch yesterday that federal workers t least three Sudanese protest- Amnesty International said on the head,” one of the witnesses said by tourism as one of fi ve priority sectors of Al Enna project which covers an support his position in the fight with ers were wounded by gunshots Tuesday at least 37 people had died. telephone, asking not to identifi ed. for achieving economic diversifi cation. area of 6mn sq m in Sealine and Khor Democrats over billions of dollars Ayesterday when security forces Rising prices, shortages of basic A troika of countries — Britain, Among the most important devel- AlAdaid and aims to enhance the visi- in funding for the border wall, four dispersed rallies in the capital, wit- commodities and a cash crisis have Norway and the United States — along opments was the Amiri decree to es- tor’s coastal and desert experience – a days into a partial government nesses said, after a week of demon- driven protesters to the streets across with Canada voiced “concern” over tablish QNTC under the chairmanship key objective of the Next Chapter of shutdown with no clear end in sight. strations against President Omar al- Sudan to demonstrate against Bashir, the violence in Sudan, the British em- of HE the Prime Minister and Interior QNTSS 2018-2023. “Many of those workers have said Bashir’s three-decade rule. who came to power in 1989. bassy in Sudan said on Twitter. Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser Al Enna project is an initial phase to me and communicated, stay A Reuters witness said security Protesters, who had gathered at Since the demonstrations started bin Khalifa al-Thani, eff ectively fast- of a comprehensive plan to develop out until you get the funding for forces barred protesters at one loca- several locations across Khartoum spreading on December 19, police tracking the development initiatives the region over a fi ve-year period. The the wall,” he said, when asked for tion in Khartoum from marching on yesterday to march on the palace, have dispersed protesters with tear outlined in the Qatar National Tourism plan entails the development of roads, his message to the hundreds of the presidential palace by fi ring tear- have previously targeted offi ces of the gas and sometimes used live ammuni- Sector Strategy (QNTSS). beaches, camp infrastructure and the thousands of federal workers either gas and shots in the air. ruling party, torching several of them. tion, residents say. QNTC has made signifi cant eff orts in region in general. furloughed or working without Three witnesses told Reuters that Bashir, one of the longest serving rul- The authorities have shuttered diversifying visitor source markets and This year, Doha Port welcomed two pay. “These federal workers want three protesters were wounded by ers in Africa and the Middle East, told a schools and declared curfews and a promoting Qatar as an attractive tour- mega ships on the same day, mark- the wall,” he added. Trump said he gunshots, one of them in the head. rally in central Jazeera state yesterday state of emergency in several regions. ism destination. In 2018, six represent- ing a major step in the development of didn’t know when the government A police spokesman was not imme- that people who had destroyed institu- Journalists at the daily Al-Sudani ative offi ces were opened in three of the the tourism sub-sector. 2018 also wit- would be reopened. “I can’t tell you diately available to comment. tions and burned public property were said one of their colleagues was beat- world’s largest visitor source markets nessed the signing of MoUs with two when the government is going to be Officials have previously said “traitors” and “mercenaries”. en by security forces after protesters - China, India and Russia. of Europe’s leading cruise operators open,” he said. “It’s not going to be the security forces exercised re- Three witnesses, one of them a passed next to the independent news- According to Euromonitor 2018, which will help in further developing open until we have a wall.” Page 5 straint and dealt with the protest- doctor who has been off ering medical paper’s offi ces. Page 3 Doha was ranked among the Top 100 Qatar’s cruise tourism. To Page 16 Ministry launches tobacco control law awareness drive

QNA said, “Smoking is a significant pub- Doha lic health concern in the State of Qatar, therefore it is vital that we increase our efforts to combat to- he Ministry of Public Health bacco use. (MoPH) has launched a cam- “The National Health Strategy Tpaign to raise awareness about 2018-2022 sets a target of reduc- Law Number 10 of 2016 on the control ing the prevalence of smoking, and of tobacco and its derivatives. achieving this includes enforce- The law prohibits smoking in ment of our law on tobacco control; closed public spaces and in cars car- which is not only designed to reduce rying minors, and can lead to a fine of tobacco consumption in Qatar, but Head of Health Promotion and ond-hand smoke is a major health up to QR3,000. also to protect non-smokers, such as Non-Communicable Diseases at risk in particular to children and The campaign aims to encourage children, who are exposed to harmful MoPH, Dr Kholood al-Mutawa, said: young people being exposed to it. residents to adhere by the tobacco second-hand smoke.” “By informing the public of the to- “Tobacco smoke contains over 4,000 control laws, and to emphasise the Shops that allow indoor tobacco bacco control law and the conse- chemicals and it is important people are penalties for any violations of these use or the sale of tobacco products to quences of violating it, we better protected from the harms of second hand laws to business, and promotes the minors can face steep fines and up to equip the population to understand smoke. Everyone has the right to live in a Tobacco Violations Hotline Number, Sheikh Dr Mohamed bin Hamad al-Thani three months’ closure. Dr Kholood al-Mutawa the rules and the importance of en- smoke-free environment away from the where the public can call the Tobacco The law also prohibits advertising forcing the law to create a tobacco- harms caused by tobacco and by discour- Inspection Team to report violations Director of Public Health, Sheikh or promotions of tobacco products, tobacco products, and bans the sales free environment.” aging smoking in public we can work to- of the Tobacco Law. Dr Mohamed bin Hamad al-Thani, the use of Sweika and other chewing of electronic cigarettes. Dr Kholood also stressed that sec- wards this goal of a healthier nation”. Gulf Times 2 Wednesday, December 26, 2018 QATAR

Venezuela grants PM meets Moroccan ambassador Deputy Amir meets Turkish official on-arrival visa facility for Qatari citizens

An off icial from the Department of Consular Aff airs at the Ministry of Foreign Aff airs stated that Venezuelan authorities decided to grant citizens of Qatar, who enter Venezuela for tourism or treatment, visas on arrival valid for 90 days, renewable once only for the same validity period. — QNA Al Khandaq 2018 ends in Turkey

The Joint Warfare Training Center announced the conclusion of military exercise (Al Khandaq 2018) in Turkey between December 10-21. Brigadier General (Pilot) Ali Abdulaziz al-Mohannadi said that the Joint Warfare HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa al-Thani Training Center was carrying met yesterday with outgoing ambassador of Morocco Nabil Zniber. During the meeting, the His Highness the Deputy Amir Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad al-Thani yesterday met the President out a training mission, which is prime minister wished the ambassador success in his future assignments, further progress of the Turkish Court of Accounts, Seyit Ahmet BAS, who called on the Deputy Amir to greet him a command and control centre and prosperity for relations between the two countries. The ambassador extended thanks and on the occasion of his visit to Qatar.— QNA exercise using simulations. All appreciation to the PM and to the state off icials for the co-operation he received during his commands, units and authorities tenure in the country.— QNA of the Qatar Armed Forces took part in the exercise. — QNA Qatar condemns attack on Libyan foreign ministry Qatar has strongly condemned the terrorist attack that targeted the headquarters of the Libyan foreign Kabul attack ministry in Tripoli yesterday. In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Aff airs said that systematic attempts Minister meets Moroccan envoy to undermine state institutions in Libya are behind such attacks. The statement said that the attack’s denounced coincidence with the anniversary of independence emphasises that those who behind it attach no value to the national dimension. The statement stressed that such an attack is a blatant challenge to the resolutions Qatar has expressed its strong of international legitimacy, and undermines the eff orts of the United Nations in this regard. — QNA condemnation and denunciation of the attack that took place in the Afghan capital Kabul, which Military high school conducts exercise in the UK resulted in deaths and injuries. In a statement yesterday, the Ministry The first batch of students from the military high school yesterday carried out exercise (adventures of Foreign Aff airs reiterated training/1) in the United Kingdom. The students travelled for their training using the C-17, which belongs Qatar’s firm stance rejecting to the Amiri Air Forces. The exercise aims to develop the skills and abilities of leadership and support of violence and terrorism, regardless others. — QNA of their motives and reasons. — QNA Aspire, Wega sign

HE the Minister of Transport and Communications Jassim Seif Ahmed al-Sulaiti met with ambassador of Morocco Nabil Zniber at theOffi ministry cial off ices yesterday, on the occasion of the end of his post in the country. The transport minister wished him more success, development pact for multi-game and progress for the relations between the two countries.— QNA

Ooredoo to telecast AFC Asian Cup eSports World Cup QNA Doha oredoo announced that the 2019 AFC Asian OCup, set to be held from spire Zone has announced January 5 to February 1, 2019, the signing of a collabo- will be shown on Ooredoo tv via Aration agreement with beIN Sports channels. were determined by a qualify- viewers in Qatar, and are look- Wega, one of the world’s leading This year’s AFC Asian Cup, ing competition held between ing forward to some exciting e-payment systems, to organ- organised by the Asian Foot- March 2015 and March 2018 in matches at the 2019 AFC Asian ise the fi rst multi-game eSports ball Confederation (AFC), will which the fi rst two rounds also Cup. We hope viewers will en- World Cup tournament ever in feature 24 teams – including served as part of the 2018 FIFA joy our excellent picture quality the Middle East, the Aspire Wega Qatar – for the first time in World Cup qualifi cation proc- and reliable service during this World Cup. its 17-edition history, having ess for the AFC. popular event.” Starting in 2019, with online been expanded from the 16- Australia are the defend- Ooredoo tv will be off ering and offl ine qualifying rounds team format used from 2004 ing champions, having won the viewers in Qatar full coverage of running all over the world, the until 2015. 2015 tournament on home soil. the event via a standalone sub- fi rst edition of the eSports World In this new format, the The winner of the 2019 event scription package, available to Cup will lead to a live fi nal com- tournament finalists will con- will earn the right to participate all new and existing customers petition in Doha in 2022, on the test a group stage consisting of in the 2021 FIFA Confederations for QR91. threshold of the offi cial FIFA six groups of four teams, fol- Cup. Existing Ooredoo tv custom- World Cup kick-off . lowed by a knockout stage of Manar Khalifa al-Muraikhi, ers can subscribe to this package This alliance between two ma- 16 teams. director PR and Corporate by going to channel nunmber 0 jor companies from sports and A group picture from the signing of Aspire-Wega agreement. The host nation automati- Communications at Ooredoo (zero), by calling 111 or visiting new technology industries will cally qualifi ed for the group said: “We are proud of our im- any Ooredoo Shop. beIN is the off er a unique opportunity to we can highlight Qatar’s ability Commenting on the signing form, we believe that investing stages of the competition, pressive reputation for bringing exclusive host broadcaster of the actual 2.3bn eSports players to organise international events,” of the agreement with Aspire in a market where the number of while the remaining 23 places the best live sporting events to the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019. across the globe to compete in a Aspire Zone’s Chief Marketing Zone, Patrick Moyner, Presi- players is expected to reach 6bn four-year competition on an in- Offi cer Mohammed Mubarak al- dent of Wega expressed pride to players over the next 10 years is a ternational scale. Kuwari said, adding, “We are ex- launch this e-gaming tourna- strategic decision. Generous special off ers on Ooredoo Shahry packs “We are always looking for new cited to connect with more than ment in partnership with Aspire “We hope that our technology concepts and supporting innova- 2.3bn players from all over the Zone. and services will signifi cantly tive events, and we believe that world to participate in a tourna- He said, “As a specialist in enhance the overall experience of Ooredoo announced that new 3GB data and three hours local Manar Khalifa al-Muraikhi, this partnership will be an ad- ment expected to be the largest in fi nancial technology that pro- the players and increase the rev- customers who subscribe to calls with Shahry 150, extra 4GB director PR and Corporate ditional platform through which the world at the level of sports.” vides an innovative digital plat- enues of this industry.” Shahry packs will be rewarded data and four hours local calls Communications at Ooredoo, with generous special off ers with with Shahry 200, and extra said: “We are confident these plenty of data and calls. 10GB data with Shahry 250. off ers represent great value and The new promotion feature Customers will get the free extra our customers will appreciate free data and local calls for six allowances on a monthly basis the extra free data and calls. months, with a free subscription for the first six months, and, And, of course, having access AAB holds product workshop for customers to Starz Play on top. Off ers will on top of that, a free Starz Play to prime entertainment is an be available on Shahry 100 to subscribtion, valid until June added bonus we know they will Shahry 250. 30, 2019. Starz Play provides enjoy.” Customers can subscribe bdullah Abdulghani & Bros Co (AAB), Customers getting a new line access to thousands of hours to the new Shahry plans via all sole agents for Toyota vehicles in Qatar, with a Shahry Pack will get: of Hollywood and Bollywood Ooredoo’s channels; online at Aorganised a product workshop for their Extra 2GB data and two hours movies, original TV shows and ooredoo.qa, via any Ooredoo top fl eet customers at Banana Island recently. local calls with Shahry 100, extra children’s programmes. store and via the Ooredoo app. Welcoming the guests, AAB acting CEO R K Murugan, thanked the customers for their loy- alty and trust shown on AAB and Toyota vehi- cles. Qatar Chamber ends customs clearance training programme Fleet Sales manager K S Ravikumar started his presentation with a video about the his- Qatar Chamber of Commerce clearance. It also seeks to training programme dealt with tory of Toyota Motor Corporation and gave a and Industry (QCCI) concluded promote the profession of a number of issues concerning detailed explanation on Toyota Hybrid Electric the 15th session of the training customs clearance, provides customs procedures and Vehicles and their advantages to the business programme for customs the trainees with the necessary exemptions, customs owners in terms of savings on fuel, total cost of brokers and delegates. It was skills to raise their eff iciency clearance, outstanding fees, ownership as well as driving comfort. organised in co-operation in order to boost a distinct rules of origin, prevention and AAB Fleet Executives also explained the Toy- with the General Authority of customs services and ease restriction. It also focused on ota product line-up and key features available Customs, with the participation congestion on the customs commercial and customs terms in their 2019 year model vehicles. The guests of 58 trainees. ports. The 15-day training and international agreements, thanked the AAB management for the support The training programme aims programme presented training the harmonised system and and shared their feedback on the products and at qualifying participants materials linked to the core the protection of intellectual services off ered. The product workshop con- in the customs clearance work of the customs broker, as property. Since its launch in cluded with a bowling competition which was field and help them to know well as practical training and 2015, QCCI’s programme has more of a team building activity. the regulations, laws and an explanation of all modern trained 716 customs agents AAB Fleet caters to organisations of all sizes. procedures of customs laws related to customs. The and delegates so far. — QNA Toyota with its largest line-up of 20 models ca- ters to all segments. AAB’s acting CEO R K Murugan (fourth left) with fleet representatives and AAB team. Gulf Times Wednesday, December 26, 2018 3 REGION/ARAB WORLD

Anti-government protest Lebanese bakers with special needs master German rye and Stollen

Reuters director of the Mosan centre, Burj Al Shamali, Lebanon which currently has 175 special needs students. But the bakery has become hen Ali Kerdi, who popular among locals and ex- has impaired speech patriates — even including Wand hearing, was a some UN peacekeepers — and teenager, he would look on cu- its bread and biscuit products riously as his mother kneaded are neatly stacked outside for and baked their homemade sale. The bakery provides a bread. taste of home for Maria, a for- Years later, he would do the eigner who has been living in same as he worked as a cleaner Lebanon for seven years. at a centre in southern Leba- “This bread is baked in my non where people with special country, it tastes like from my needs were being taught how to home. It’s very nice,” she said, make German bread. Ali Kerdi (left), 35, trains special needs students at a bakery in the adding that she will not be go- Now, at 35, Kerdi is in charge, southern city of Tyre, Lebanon. ing home to Belarus for Christ- running the bakery with two mas this year. other special needs employees. fruits and nuts that is a Christ- staff how to operate the equip- Kerdi says his journey to- “First, they wanted to teach mas staple in Germany. ment and the principles of wards running the bakery has me sewing, then carpentry, The bakery, on the ground making bread the German way. been a special source of pride then I was running errands. But fl oor of the Mosan centre for Kerdi now trains a group of because his income supports I would watch them as I worked. special needs students, began students on how to make a vari- his family. “People were sur- If I touched the dough, they operating in 2003 after a Ger- ety of German breads that were prised that I was baking. It was would tell me to go away,” said man charity — Bread Against previously alien to their area of the fi rst time they saw this kind Kerdi, who never gave up on his Misery — donated second- southern Lebanon. of bread. Now they know me as dream of learning to bake. hand baking equipment from “The main aim of the project the one who learned here and Sudanese demonstrators chant slogans as they march along the street during anti-government On a rainy day in December, Germany. was to train them how to make then became the boss,” he said protests in Khartoum, yesterday. Kerdi and his team were busy Three German bakers came bread, it was not to open a busi- as he showed a student how to making Stollen, rye bread with for three months to teach the ness,” said Ali Charafeddine, fold a pretzel.

IS claims Suicide attack on Libyan deadly Iraq strike

AFP ministry kills at least three Tal Afar

AFP he Islamic State group Tripoli yesterday claimed re- Tsponsibility for a car bomb attack that rocked the former uicide attackers stormed militant stronghold of Tal Afar the Libyan foreign min- in northern Iraq and killed two Sistry in the capital Tripoli people. yesterday, killing at least three “A car bomb exploded near a people including a senior civil cafe in the Ras al-Jadah district servant, the authorities said. in the centre of Tal Afar,” said Twenty-one other people Abed Alaal Abbas, an offi cial in were wounded in what authori- the city some 70 kilometres west ties said was a suicide attack of Mosul. carried out by “terrorists”. The blast “killed two and A car bomb exploded near the wounded 11 other civilians”, he ministry, prompting security said. forces to rush to the scene, said Iraq’s joint operations com- special forces spokesman Tarak mand confi rmed the toll. IS al-Dawass, accusing the Islamic claimed responsibility for the State group (IS) of responsibil- Foreign Minister Mohamed Tahar Siala speaks during a joint news attack on the Telegram messag- ity. conference with Interior Minister Fathi Ali Bashagha in Tripoli. ing application, saying the blast A suicide bomber then blew killed three. himself up on the second fl oor curity breakdown” allowed bassador to Libya, also de- of the building while a second yesterday’s attackers to storm nounced an “appalling terrorist ESPIONAGE attacker died when the suitcase the foreign ministry and carry attack” and tweeted his con- he was carrying exploded, he out their attack, Bach Agha said. dolences to the families of the Iran releases said. The foreign minister called on victims. A third assailant, who was the UN to lift an arms embargo In September, IS claimed re- academic unarmed and wearing a bul- on Libya that has been put in sponsibility for a suicide attack A British-Iranian scientist detained letproof vest, was killed by se- A picture taken yesterday shows a firetruck and security off icers at the scene of an attack outside the place since the 2011 uprising. on the headquarters of Libya’s in Tehran in April for his alleged curity forces outside, Dawass Libyan foreign ministry headquarters in the capital Tripoli. “Stability cannot be re- National Oil Company in the role in an “infiltration network” has added. stored... without a partial lifting heart of Tripoli which left two returned to London, the Foreign At least three people were Interior Minister Fathi Bash a haven for militants since the the city in December 2016 after of the embargo. It is needed to dead and 10 wounded. Off ice said yesterday. “We can killed and 21 wounded, accord- Agha admitted during a news ouster and killing of Muammar eight months of deadly fi ghting. guarantee security and combat Four months earlier, it confirm that a British-Iranian dual ing to the health ministry. conference that “security cha- Gaddafi in 2011. Since then, some militants terrorism,” Siala told the news claimed an attack on the elec- national who was detained in Te- Foreign Minister Tahar Siala os” reigned in Libya and was Two competing administra- have returned to the desert in conference. toral commission’s headquar- hran has returned to the UK,” the said one of the dead was sen- “out of our control”. As a result, tions, rival militias, tribes and an attempt to regroup and re- The head of the UN mission in ters which left 14 dead. Foreign Off ice said in a statement, ior diplomat Ibrahim al-Shaibi he said, the situation was cre- militants have been competing organise. The interior minister Libya (UNSMIL) denounced the In April, the GNA launched when asked about Abbas Edalat. who headed a department in his ating a “fertile ground” for IS for control of territory and the said his department lacked the “cowardly terrorist attack” in a an operation to track down IS Edalat, a professor of computer ministry. to operate in the North African country’s vast oil wealth. equipment necessary to restore statement. fi ghters operating in areas of science and mathematics at Impe- Plumes of smoke were seen country, although he did not IS took advantage of the law and order in Libya. Ghassan Salame also pledged western Libya under its control. rial College London, was arrested rising from the building as am- blame the militants for the “ter- chaos to gain a foothold in the He said that when he took to work with Libyan people “to Last month, IS claimed re- by Iran’s Revolutionary Guards, bulances, paramedics and secu- rorist” attack. coastal city of Sirte in 2015. up his job in October he found prevent terrorist groups from sponsibility for an attack on mi- which raided his home and con- rity forces gathered outside. Torn apart by power strug- Forces loyal to the UN-backed “zero weapons and zero vehi- turning Libya into a haven... litia forces in southeastern Lib- fiscated his computer, according There was no immediate gles and undermined by chronic Government of National Ac- cles” in the ministry’s ware- for their crimes”. ya in which at least nine people to the New York-based Center for claim of responsibility. insecurity, Libya has become cord (GNA) regained control of houses. “Weakness and a se- Frank Baker, the British am- were killed. Human Rights in Iran.

Syrian army reinforced close to front with Turkish-backed forces

Reuters Beirut France warned against supporting Kurd militia Turkey yesterday warned France against protecting Donald Trump last week ordered the withdrawal of yrian government troops a US-backed Kurdish militia in Syria and said Ankara’s US ground forces deployed in Syria to provide training backed by Russian forces military power was enough to defeat the Islamic State to the YPG under the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Shave sent extra troops to- after US troops withdraw. Forces (SDF) alliance battling the Islamic State. Cavu- wards the city of Manbij in co- Washington’s decision to pull out all 2,000 ground soglu told Turkish media during a briefing that Ankara ordination with the militia that forces from Syria has stunned most allies, including has “the power to neutralise (IS) alone” amid fears that controls it, a militia spokesman France, but was greeted with approval by Turkey. a US pull-out will hurt the fight against Islamic State. said, as Turkish-backed Syrian Ankara believes its forces supporting Syrian opposi- The US presence has also been seen by analysts as rebels said they were preparing tion fighters will now have a freer rein to target Kurd- key to pushing against Iranian and Russian influence. to attack it. ish fighters from the US-backed People’s Protection Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan yesterday The deployment was co- Units (YPG). “If France is staying to contribute to Syria’s said a Turkish delegation would head to Moscow ordinated with the US-backed future, great, but if they are doing this to protect the “today, tomorrow” to discuss the US pull-out, TRT state militia in Manbij, the spokesman (militia), this will bring no benefit to anyone,” Foreign broadcaster reported. Erdogan added he expected to for the Manbij Military Council Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said, according to Hurriyet meet Russian President Vladimir Putin for face-to-face said. daily. Turkey views the YPG militia as a sister “terrorist” talks about the issue. It is part of the wider buildup organisation of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party He had already invited Trump to visit Turkey in 2019, of forces in the area. (PKK), which has waged an insurgency inside Turkey the White House said on Monday, as ties improve “The battle will soon start,” since 1984. The PKK is blacklisted as a terror group between the Nato allies amid past strains over US Major Youssef Hamoud, spokes- Turkish-backed Syrian fighters raise the opposition flag as they arrive in the border rebel-held town of Qirata, by Ankara, the US and the European Union. President support to the YPG. man for the National Army, the after leaving their barracks in the town of Jarabulus on their way to the northern town of Manbij, yesterday. main Turkish-backed rebel force in the area, told Reuters. Syria has triggered alarm among launch a long-threatened attack a while ago,” said Sharfan Dar- Syria. Its capture was a mile- from the town, but Turkey says in northern Syria as soon as pos- “What we see on the front the largely Kurdish-led Syrian against them. wish, the spokesman for the stone in the US-backed cam- its implementation has been sible, Ankara’s foreign minister now is reinforcements to all Democratic Forces (SDF). They “The Russian army has re- Manbij Military Council. paign against Islamic State. delayed. In November, Turkish was quoted as saying yesterday. forces to reach full preparedness have partnered with Washing- stored the Syrian-Russian co- Manbij was seized in 2016 In June, the United States and US troops began joint pa- Ankara regards the YPG as ter- for the battle.” ton in the war against Islamic ordination centre to Arima vil- from Islamic State by Syrian and Turkey reached an agree- trols in the region. rorists and has been infuriated President Donald Trump’s State and now fear the US move lage to the west of Manbij city, militia allied to the SDF, which ment that would see the Syr- Turkey is determined to cross by US support for the group in plan to withdraw US troops from will open the way for Turkey to after its withdrawal from there control roughly a quarter of ian Kurdish YPG militia ousted to the east of the Euphrates river the fi ght against Islamic State. Gulf Times 4 Wednesday, December 26, 2018 AFRICA

Nigeria Kabila, ex-rivals cast shadow resolves $8bn row over crucial Congo elections with MTN AFP By Samir Tounsi/ AFP Lagos Kinshasa igeria said it has resolved a lections in Democratic dispute with Africa’s larg- Republic of Congo will Nest mobile operator over Eostensibly bring the cur- $8.13bn which it accused MTN of tain down on the era of Presi- illegally repatriating to South Af- dent Joseph Kabila, in charge of rica. the vast resource-rich nation for Africa’s biggest telecoms mar- nearly 18 turbulent years. ket Nigeria shocked MTN and If elections successfully take foreign investors in August when place on Sunday, it would mark it ordered it to refund the money, the fi rst peaceful transition of and fi ned four commercial banks power in the DRC’s post-coloni- involved in the transfer. al history. The Central Bank of Nigeria But many analysts strongly (CBN) claimed the South Afri- doubt that Kabila will quit poli- can company had not obtained tics. approval before transferring the Instead, they predict he will funds between 2007 and 2015. simply wield infl uence behind The row forced MTN’s shares to the scenes – a tactic likely to be slump drastically. emulated by two rivals, ex-rebel But in a statement late Monday, Jean-Pierre Bemba and Moise the CBN said the telecoms group Katumbi, exiled former governor had provided additional informa- of Katanga province. tion and documents, clarifying its Kabila took power at the age remittances. of 29 after his president father, Local media said MTN had Laurent-Desire, was assassinat- paid $53mn as a penalty to settle ed in 2001 by a bodyguard. the matter with the CBN, while If Sunday’s thrice-postponed further talks will be held with the vote goes according to plan, Ka- banks that were penalised on how bila will step down, taking up the One of the main opposition candidates in the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s presidential elections to be held on December 30, Martin Fayulu (centre), gestures as he waits to deal with their sanctions. senator-for-life position off ered to address the press in Kinshasa yesterday. Following the agreements be- to former presidents. tween the two parties, all court cas- Kabila has been vague about Emmanuel Ramazani Shadary, A Bloomberg investigation ment for the Liberation of the In 2016, the ICC found him guilty legislator and former oil execu- es pertaining to the matter would his future but, aged only 47, one of the front-runners in the two years ago found the Kabila Congo (MLC) militia in armed of war crimes and crimes against tive, as a rival candidate to the now be resolved, the bank added. seems to have no plans to shuffl e election. family had built up a huge busi- opposition to Kabila senior. humanity but this year overturned pro-Kabila Shadary. MTN management was not im- off into retirement. After nearly 18 years in power, ness network with interests He became vice president in the decision on appeal. Millionaire businessman mediately available for comment. “In life, as in politics, I do not Kabila has also built up a web of across the DRC. an interim government in 2003, But another ICC charge of wit- Moise Katumbi has also been The sanction was the latest to rule anything out,” he told for- supporters in the military and Former militia leader Jean- but in 2006 was defeated by Ka- ness bribery meant he was legally barred from contesting Sunday’s hit MTN since it began operations eign media ahead of the polls. security apparatus, as well as a Pierre Bemba, 56, has been a bila junior in an election bid. banned from an election bid. election. in Nigeria 17 years ago. He said his political future loyal political vehicle, the Com- fi xture in DRC’s political land- He was elected to the Senate Bemba has a major power But the 53-year-old can still It was fi ned $5.2bn in 2015 by might be clearer in 2023 – the mon Front for Congo (FCC), scape, and a rival to the Kabila the following year. base, especially in the north- count on wielding infl uence on Nigeria’s telecoms regulator NCC year the country is set to hold its which earlier this year declared clan, for years. In 2008, Bemba was arrested in western DRC, and tens of thou- the DRC’s future through his for failing to disconnect unregis- next presidential polls. him to be its “moral authority.” He was once an assistant to Brussels on charges of war crimes sands of cheering supporters backing for Fulyani. tered SIM cards on its network. Critics say Kabila plans to Kabila also reputedly has ma- Mobutu Sese Seko, but left the in the International Criminal turned out for his return in Au- His stronghold is the mineral- The fi ne was later reduced to have the seat kept warm for him jor stakes in the economy, which country after Kabila’s father Court over atrocities committed gust. rich southeastern province of $1.7bn after a series of negotiations by his hand-picked successor, would also extend his potential overthrew the dictator in 1997. by his militia in the neighbouring Like Katumbi, he has backed Katanga where he was once gov- with the Nigerian government. hardline former interior minister infl uence. In 1998 he formed his Move- Central African Republic. Martin Fulyani, a little-known ernor.

27 killed as bus, lorry collide in western Congo

Agencies for the Congolese health Kinshasa ministry. Seventeen people were also injured in the collision, t least 27 people were which appeared to have killed in a collision been caused by speeding, Abetween a lorry and according to local police a bus in western Congo, au- chief Seguin Singuela. thorities said yesterday. On Monday, 38 eight The accident happened people, mostly Congolese overnight in the town soldiers, were hurt when of Kisantu, about 11km an Antonov transport south-west of the capi- plane missed its landing at tal Kinshasa, said Syl- Beni in eastern DR Congo, vain Yuma, a spokesman military officials said.

Boko Haram kills two near Chibok Boko Haram militants killed two people in a village near the northeast Nigerian town of Chibok, where more than 200 schoolgirls were kid- napped four years ago, residents said on Monday. They said gunmen loyal to longtime Boko Haram faction leader Abubakar Shekau invaded the vil- lage of Sulima Kalama late Sunday and shot dead two people before setting homes on fire. “They burnt four houses and looted a drug store before leaving the village,” Ayuba Alamson, a commu- nity leader in Chibok, said. Resident Samson Damina said many fled to nearby villages and Chibok, 25km away. He said the militants came from the group’s Sambisa forest stronghold. Since the April 2014 ab- duction of the schoolgirls, insurgents have repeat- edly attacked Chibok and nearby villages. In October the militants attacked Mifah village, 7km from Chibok, killing two residents and burning the entire village after looting food and livestock. The nine-year Boko Haram insurgency has killed 27,000 people and displaced 2mn more, cre- ating a dire humanitarian crisis. The conflict has spilled over into Nigeria’s north- ern neighbours Chad, Niger and Cameroon. Gulf Times Wednesday, December 26, 2018 5 AMERICAS

Former Disney Channel star charged with underage sex Kevin Spacey charged with groping young man in 2016

Former Disney Channel actor Stoney Westmoreland has been to the Salt Lake County District Attorney, Sim Gill. US actor Kevin Spacey has been charged in Massachusetts after buying him alcohol, although he was below the state’s charged with six felony counts after authorities said he tried The counts were filed after the 48-year-old allegedly used the over allegations that he groped an 18-year-old man in 2016. legal drinking age of 21. to have sex with a 13-year-old boy. app Grindr to meet the minor, who in reality was a Salt Lake He is facing indecent assault and battery charges over the Spacey on Monday posted a bizarre clip of himself on The Andi Mack actor, who played the titular character’s City police off icer posing as a 13-year-old boy, according to incident that allegedly occurred in a restaurant on the island YouTube, entitled Let Me Be Frank, in which he spoke using grandfather on the celebrated series, was fired from the charging documents. of Nantucket in July 2016, district attorney Michael O’Keefe of the voice of his character Frank Underwood from the show earlier this month after he was arrested during a sting In a written declaration, the off icer stated that Westmoreland said in a statement. TV series House of Cards and seemingly addressed the operation near where the series films in Utah. also sent four sexually explicit photos. Spacey will appear in court on the island on January 7. allegations. Westmoreland was charged on Friday with enticing a minor, Westmoreland acknowledged to the police that he had sent In a press conference in November 2017, former TV news “I’m certainly not going to pay the price for the things I didn’t attempted sexual exploitation of a minor, and four counts of nude photos and that he knew the person he was speaking anchor Heather Unruh alleged that Spacey sexually assaulted do,” the 59-year-old said while standing in a kitchen wearing a dealing in material harmful to a minor by an adult, according with said he was 13, authorities said. her then 18-year-old son in a Nantucket restaurant in 2016 Christmas-themed apron. You still believe in ‘No end to shutdown Santa? Trump sets off Twitter storm

Reuters ished fantasy of childhood. Washington “It’s just too freaking fantastic until wall is funded’ that Trump spent his Christmas Eve calling seven year olds and AFP for the construction of 115 miles stemmed from frustration over resident Donald Trump set telling them believing in Santa Washington (185km) of wall in Texas, al- the federal investigation into off a Christmas social me- at their age is ‘marginal’,” Demo- though the White House has not possible ties between the Trump Pdia storm when he asked cratic Senator Chris Murphy said off ered any details on the project. campaign Russian interference in whether a seven-year-old was on his Twitter account. S President Donald He said he would visit that the 2016 US vote. too old to believe in Santa Claus, “Actually there is no heaven,” Trump has vowed that stretch of the border “at the end Yesterday the president capping a week of plunging tweeted Dan Amira, head writer Uhe would not reopen the of January for the start of con- marked Christmas with a re- stocks, a government shutdown for The Daily Show with Trevor government until he gets $5bn struction”. newed attack on the central bank and the US defence chief’s un- Noah comedy show. “When you to fund his border wall, as the “It’s going to be built, hope- over plunging stocks, as he aired ceremonious departure. die you just rot in the ground and partial government shutdown fully rapidly,” he said. a catalogue of grievances in a Twitter lit up like a Christmas get eaten by worms. Okay Merry dragged into a fourth day. The president said he aimed to downbeat gathering at the Oval tree after Trump made his re- Christmas, Timmy.” Trump’s demand for a physical have a barrier stretching across Offi ce. mark during a holiday event with Others defended the US presi- barrier on the US-Mexico border 500 to 550 miles of the 2,000- “It’s a disgrace what’s happen- First Lady Melania Trump, tak- dent. – a pillar of his election platform mile border, and “to have it either ing in our country. But other than ing calls from children calling the “Trump does a lot of things – has been rejected by Democrats renovated or brand new by elec- that, I wish everybody a very North American Aerospace De- wrong, but suggesting to a sev- and some Republicans. tion time”. Merry Christmas,” the president fence Command (NORAD) Santa en-year-old that Santa doesn’t In retaliation, Trump refused “It’s going to all work out,” said. tracker. exist is probably the one right last week to sign a wider spend- he said, adding that some fur- With the US stock market on A Christmas tradition, the thing he’s done while in offi ce,” ing bill, temporarily stripping loughed federal workers also fa- track for its worst December since tracker delights children with said a man identifi ed on his funding from swaths of the gov- vour the construction of border the Great Depression, Trump Trump: I can tell you (the government is) not going to be open until “real-time” updates on Saint Twitter account as Irtiza Sheikh. ernment. wall that Trump says will dis- berated the Federal Reserve for we have a wall, a fence, whatever they’d like to call it. Nick’s Christmas Eve journey. “Someone’s gotta do it.” “I can’t tell you when the gov- courage illegal immigration. its stewardship of the economy, a In one of the Christmas Eve The White House had no im- ernment is going to be open,” the Top Senate Democrat Chuck regular recent complaint. saw US stocks sink for a fourth by weekend news reports that calls, Trump chatted with a sev- mediate comment on the social Republican president told re- Schumer said at the weekend “They’re raising interest rates straight session. Trump had asked about the pos- en-year-old. media response to the presi- porters at the White House after that the president “must aban- too fast because they think the Markets have been roiled by sibility of fi ring Federal Reserve “Are you still a believer in dent’s Santa comments. his annual Christmas teleconfer- don the wall, plain and simple” to economy is so good but I think ongoing uncertainty in the US, Chairman Jerome Powell, ac- Santa?” Trump asked the child. In 2017, Trump spent the holi- ence with US troops. “I can tell reopen the government. that they will get it pretty soon, I with Treasury Secretary Stephen counts that Mnuchin said Trump “Because at seven, it’s marginal, days at his Florida estate, Mar- you it’s not going to be open until Trump ended the session by really do,” Trump said. Mnuchin berated for holding a has denied. right?” a-Lago, with his family, but for we have a wall, a fence, whatever railing against the Democrats His comments came after call with the six biggest US banks Asked by reporters whether In a twinkling, Twitter was his second Christmas as presi- they’d like to call it.” and former Federal Bureau of In- Asian markets suff ered a holiday and then reporting on Twitter he had confi dence in Mnuchin, bombarded with messages rail- dent, Trump opted to cancel his Trump reaffi rmed a claim vestigation (FBI) director James rout, with Tokyo suff ering its that the six chief executives have Trump answered “yes I do”, call- ing against the president for holiday getaway because of the made on Twitter on Monday Comey, whom he sacked in May worst fi nish since April 2017 after “ample liquidity” available. ing the treasury chief a “very tal- what sounded to some as if he partial federal government shut- that he had approved a contract 2017 in a move that he later said a brutal run on Wall Street that Investors were also unnerved ented, very smart person”. was casting doubts on a cher- down (see lead report).

Eight-year-old migrant dies in US custody

Reuters/DPA Washington

n eight-year-old Guatemalan migrant boy died shortly after Amidnight yesterday after be- ing detained by US border agents, US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) said in a statement, the second mi- grant child this month to die in US de- tention. The boy and his father were in CBP custody on December 24 when a Bor- der Patrol agent noticed the child showing signs of illness, the CBP said. The father and son were taken to the Gerald Champion Regional Medical A local resident takes a picture of the coff in of Jakelin Caal during a service at Center in Alamogordo, New Mexico, her home village of San Antonio Secortez, in Guatemala. where the boy was diagnosed with a common cold and fever, and eventu- Jakelin Caal, also from Guatemala, danger of her journey and the family’s ally released by hospital staff . died after being detained along with decision to cross the border illegally. However, later that evening, the boy her father by US border agents in a re- Homeland Security Secretary began vomiting and was transferred mote part of New Mexico. Kirstjen Nielsen went before lawmak- back to the hospital. The Trump administration has tried ers this month to give testimony and He died at the hospital shortly af- to deter people from crossing the bor- faced a grilling when she was unable to ter midnight, the CBP said, adding der between ports of entry illegally to say how many people have died in cus- that the offi cial cause of death is not seek asylum, while at the same time tody near the border. known. restricting legal access to offi cial ports Caal’s death is being investigated by The father and son were not identi- of entry. the Department of Homeland Secu- fi ed, and the agency said it will release That has created a months-long rity’s Inspector General, which looks details “as available and appropriate”. wait for asylum applicants, including into accusations of misconduct by the Guatemalan offi cials have been no- those who came as part of a large “car- agency’s employees. tifi ed of the death, the CBP said. avan” of Central Americans this year. CBP said yesterday that the Guate- The Guatemalan government did Caal’s wake was held on Monday, malan boy’s death is being reviewed not immediately respond to a request Christmas Eve, in her family’s village. by the agency’s Offi ce of Professional for comment. Her death fuelled criticism of Presi- Responsibility, and that the Inspector It is the second instance this month dent Donald Trump’s immigration General has been notifi ed of the death. of a migrant child dying after being de- policies from Democrats and migrant It was not immediately known if the tained by US border agents. advocates, while the Trump adminis- watchdog would open an investigation Earlier this month, seven-year-old tration said Caal’s death showed the into the boy’s death.

Border wall no match for Santa wish list

Reuters and drawing supplies and slime. at the radio station, Heiss and his wife Washington Heiss suspected the balloon had said they were “Santa’s helpers” and drifted from the Mexican border city handed over the presents, to the girls’ of Nogales, Sonora. delight, video posted by XENY’s Bar- balloon launched by a Mexi- He took to social media and con- ron showed. can girl and carrying her Santa tacted popular Nogales radio station Heiss’s only son died nine years ago Apresent list fl oated over the US XENY via Facebook, according to and sharing Christmas with children border wall and was found by an Ari- Nogales International, a newspaper in was something he and his wife had zona man who granted the eight-year- the city in Arizona that has the same been missing, he told local NBC televi- old’s Christmas wishes. name. sion station KPNX in Arizona. Randy Heiss, 60, was out walking XENY reporter Cesar Barron be- “There’s a 20’ wall along the border, his dog in Patagonia, Arizona, about gan broadcasting Heiss’s story on we’ve got concertina wire stretched 20 miles northeast of the border, on Wednesday and within an hour Daya- across it now, but nothing is going to December 16 when he found the de- mi’s family got in touch. stop the faith of a child and her Christ- fl ated red balloon and the present list XENY suggested that Heiss and his mas wishes,” Heiss told the TV station. attached with a red ribbon. wife meet the girl. On Monday, the rest of Dayami’s On the outside of the note was the The couple bought most of the Christmas wishes came true. name “Dayami”, and inside were the presents on her wish list, although A lawyer in Los Angeles, California, girl’s top-10 present choices, written the Enchantimals doll house was sent her the Enchantimals doll house in Spanish. sold out, plus gifts for the girl’s four- after he read in the Washington Post Top of the list was “Enchantimals” – year-old sister, Ximena, and made the that she did not get one, Barron said animated human-animal fi gures – and 45-minute drive to Nogales, Mexico. in a video post on Facebook showing a house for them, followed by painting When they met Dayami and Ximena Dayami and her latest gifts. Gulf Times 6 Wednesday, December 26, 2018 ASIA/AUSTRALASIA 10,500 arrests ahead of Bangla poll: opposition

AFP tions but has candidates tak- lim-majority majority country ing dissent and muzzling the Dhaka ing part as individuals with the of 165mn. “The Awami League press through a strict digital-se- BNP. “Every day 80 to 90 of activists along with the law en- curity law. The US State Depart- our activists have been arrested forcing agencies attacked our ment has also raised concerns angladesh police have ar- nationwide. These arrests have candidates at 28 constituencies about Sunday’s vote after it can- rested more than 10,500 created a climate of fear,” Jamaat (in the last 24 hours). Nineteen celled a planned observer mis- Bopposition activists in a secretary general Shafi qur Rah- of our candidates and over 100 sion by the Asian Network for crackdown ahead of elections man told AFP. activists were injured in the at- Free Elections, which is funded this week, opposition parties Police spokesman Sohel Rana tack,” Ahmed told a press brief- by the US government, because said yesterday. The fi gures were did not confi rm any fi gure for ar- ing. He said that since the elec- Bangladesh held up visas and released after the United States rests, but said they did not make tion campaign started at least credentials. urged Prime Minister Sheikh “unnecessary arrests” without 152 BNP candidates were at- State Department spokesman Hasina’s government to do more warrants. tacked and hundreds of activists Robert Palladino said democrat- to ensure free polls on Sun- “We never target any indi- were injured in clashes. ic elections must have “space for day when she is aiming to win a vidual unless they break the law. Police spokesman Rana de- peaceful expression and assem- record fourth term. These people have specifi c war- nied police had attacked any bly, for independent media to Opposition parties said the rants against them,” he told AFP. opposition activists, acknowl- do its job covering electoral de- arrests since the election was Rizvi Ahmed, a BNP spokes- edging only that “isolated inci- velopments, for participants to called on November 8 were in- man, said the charges laid dents” were possible. have access to information and tended to create a “climate of against party activists were “fi c- “If we receive any clear and for all individuals to be able to fear”. The main opposition titious” and “ghost” cases” aim- evident allegation against any partake in the electoral process Bangladesh Nationalist Party ing for “a lopsided election” in police member, we will surely without harassment, intimida- (BNP), whose leader Khaleda Zia favour of Hasina. take stern action,” Rana said. tion or violence.” is serving a 17-year jail term, said Hasina and Zia have been po- Hasina won a 2008 poll by a “We encourage the govern- 7,021 of its activists had been de- litical foes since the introduc- A Bangladeshi youth works in a shop as posters of election candidates hanging over a street during the landslide and the BNP boycotted ment of Bangladesh to uphold tained. tion of democracy in 1991. They general election campaign in Dhaka yesterday. the 2014 election— saying it was its commitment to a democratic Its ally, Jamaat-e-Islami, said have traditionally alternated in not free and fair — gifting her a process by ensuring all Bang- more than 3,500 followers were power but Hasina’s current rule from taking part in the election. Awami League party activists the deployment of 30,000 return to power. Civil society ladeshis are free to peacefully in custody. Jamaat-e-Islami is has lasted since 2009 and Zia’s The BNP and its allies have of attacking their activists and troops on Monday would im- and rights groups have accused express themselves and partici- banned from contesting elec- jail term this year prevented her also accused police and ruling candidates. The BNP had hoped prove security across the Mus- Hasina’s government of silenc- pate,” he added in a statement.

Festive cheer

A woman poses for a photo with Christmas ornaments as she celebrates Christmas in Bangkok, Thailand.

Eight killed in China as hijacked bus crashes into pedestrians

Eight people were killed and 22 injured after a hijacked bus crashed into pedestrians in east China’s Fujian province yesterday afternoon, state media reported. A hijacker carrying a knife has been detained and is being investigated by local police, state television CGTN said. The incident happened at about 3:20pm in the city of Longyan, the local Minxi Ribao newspaper reported. A policeman was among the five confirmed dead. In a video posted by Duowei news, a Chinese media outlet based in the US, several injured people were shown lying on the street near a crashed bus, its front badly damaged. It also showed police wrestling a person to the ground. The state-run Xinhua news agency reported the suspect was a 48-year- old local man. Blood could also be seen on the steps of the bus, which had been stopped in the middle of a road. The hijacker had attacked a female passenger before taking control of the bus, Duowei reported. Longyan public security bureau declined to comment when contacted by AFP. China has suff ered a spate of similar incidents this year. In late November, a car ploughed into a group of children crossing a street in front of an elementary school in the northeastern Liaoning province, killing five people and injuring at least 19. Christmas dashed for residents of Sydney’s ‘cracking’ tower Some residents of a recently completed Sydney high-rise apartment block were yesterday spending their Christmas in makeshift camps, after they were evacuated by authorities when “cracking noises” in the building were heard. Hundreds of people in the 38-storey Opal Tower in the Sydney Olympic Park and other nearby buildings were told to leave their homes on Monday after reports of “cracking noises”. Some two-thirds of the units were declared safe to return to yesterday morning, but 51 others were declared “structurally unsafe”, New South Wales state police said. “Residents of these units have been escorted back to gather their belongings and have made their own arrangements for accommodation,” police added in a statement. “Engineers and building managers remain on scene.” No one was injured during the evacuation. The building moved “one to two millimetres” during the incident and authorities said they found a crack on the 10th floor. But firefighters said they were confident of the building’s integrity, apart from the aff ected units. “No, there is no risk that the building can collapse. It’s just the local structure has been compromised,” Superintendent Adam Dewberry of NSW Fire and Rescue told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Gulf Times Wednesday, December 26, 2018 7 ASIA Prayers, fears in tsunami-struck Indonesia towns, toll crosses 400

AFP Carita, Indonesia

small Christmas service was held near a stretch Aof Indonesia’s tsunami- struck coastline yesterday, as panicked residents in one coastal town tried to fl ee after rumours spread that another deadly wave was about to smash into the coast. It turned out to be a false alarm, but widespread fears about a re- peat disaster – and warnings that clean water and medicine sup- plies were running low – rippled across the region as the death toll from Saturday’s volcano-trig- gered disaster topped 400. Thousands more have been displaced, with many left home- less after houses were fl attened by the killer wave. “A lot of the children are sick with fevers, headaches and they haven’t had Family members visit a tsunami survivor at a hospital ward in Kalianda, Lampung province yesterday. Tsunami-aff ected children receive food items in Rajabasa in Lampung province. enough water,” said Rizal Alimin, a doctor working for NGO Aksi ed a sombre service at the Rah- Authorities are using sniff er panicked Ahok fought to reach my money,” said the 60-year- tially said there was no tsunami six months, following a series Cepat Tanggap, at a local school mat Carita Pentecostal church dogs to try to fi nd any survivors his sleeping 70-year-old mother old, who like many Indonesians threat at all, even as the killer of powerful earthquakes on the that was turned into a temporary near one of the worst-hit areas. and victims’ bodies, while they and one-year-old son but then goes by one name. Offi cials say wave crashed ashore. It was later island of Lombok in July and shelter. “We have less medicine “This Christmas is diff erent have turned to drones to survey he saw his wife about to drown in the evidence suggested that an forced to issue a correction and August and a quake-tsunami in than usual ... It’s not healthy here because we’re celebrating it dur- the devastated coastlines. Abu the swirling waters. He plucked eruption of the rumbling Anak an apology as it pointed to a lack September that killed around for evacuees.” ing a disaster,” congregant Eliza Salim, with volunteer disaster her to safety. His mother and Krakatoa volcano, which sits in of early warning systems for the 2,200 people in Palu on Sulawe- The powerful tsunami struck told AFP. “For me, it’s a chance aid group Tagana, said aid work- baby were found dead under the middle of the Strait, caused high death toll. si island, with thousands more at night and without warning, to contemplate.” ers were scrambling to stabilise mountains of debris. “I didn’t a section of the crater to collapse “The lack of a tsunami early missing and presumed dead. sweeping over popular beaches Experts have warned that the situation by setting up pub- have time to save my mother and and slide into the ocean, trigger- warning system caused a lot It also came less than a week on southern Sumatra and the more deadly waves could slam lic kitchens and tents for shelter. son,” the weeping 46-year-old ing the tsunami. of victims because people did before the 14th anniversary of the western edge of Java and inun- the stricken region now covered “(People) still don’t have access told AFP from a shelter in one of Anak Krakatoa is an island that not have the time to evacuate,” 2004 Boxing Day tsunami, one of dating tourist hotels and coastal by mountains of overturned cars, to running water,” he told AFP. the stricken region’s hardest-hit emerged around 1928 in the cra- agency spokesman Sutopo Pur- the deadliest disasters in history settlements. The latest death boats, furniture and other debris. “There are many evacuees who areas. “I regret it so much. I can ter left by Krakatoa, whose mas- wo Nugroho said Monday. The that killed some 220,000 people toll stood at 429, with 1,485 peo- Many evacuees are too afraid to fl ed to higher ground and we still only hope they’ve been given a sive 1883 eruption killed at least Krakatoa Observatory, which is in countries around the Indian ple injured and another 154 still go home. can’t reach them.” place in God’s hands.” 36,000 people. monitoring the crater, warned Ocean, including some 168,000 missing. “I’ve been here three days,” In shattered Way Muli vil- Across the Sunda Strait in Unlike those caused by earth- that volcanic activity was still Indonesians. Indonesia is a Muslim major- said Neng Sumarni, 40, who was lage on Sumatra, Udin Ahok was Java island, Saki stood amid the quakes, which usually trigger high. The vast archipelago nation ity nation but has a Christian sleeping with her three children coming to grips with the hor- rubble of what was once Sum- alert systems, volcano-triggered “There is still a strong chance is one of the most disaster-hit minority, with services held yes- and husband on the school’s fl oor rible choice he was forced to ber Jaya village and wondered tsunamis give authorities very of an eruption,” said observatory nations on Earth due to its posi- terday to celebrate Christmas – with some three dozen others. make: save his wife or his mother aloud how he would get his life little time to warn residents offi cial Kristianto. tion straddling the so-called Pa- and pray for those aff ected by the “I’m scared because my home is and baby. When the tsunami back on track. “I can’t rebuild, of the impending threat. In- The tsunami was Indonesia’s cifi c Ring of Fire, where tectonic deadly tsunami. Dozens attend- right near the beach.” slammed into his house, the everything is gone – my clothes, donesia’s disaster agency ini- third major natural disaster in plates collide. Page 14 US judge orders N Korea to pay $501mn over dead American

AFP Washington

US judge ordered North Korea to pay A$501mn over the death of American Otto Warmbier, concluding that the university student likely suff ered torture. The penalties, which North Korea is highly un- likely to pay willingly, come in the midst of a diplomatic drive by President Donald Trump, who is eager to reach a potentially landmark deal with leader Kim Jong-un. The parents of Warmbier Otto Frederick Warmbier, a University of Virginia student who was detained in North Korea sued North Korea in a US since early January, is taken to North Korea’s top court in Pyongyang, in this file photo. court after the 22-year-old was fl own back to the United Otto Warmbier, and the in- imposed over its nuclear promising young man, I’m States last year in a coma, juries to his mother and fa- programme. An accord with glad that North Korea has unrecognisable to his fam- ther, Fred and Cindy Warm- Trump raises the possibil- been rightly held account- ily and dying within days of bier,” she added. ity of future US assistance, able for his death,” he tweet- his return. Beryl Howell, the Howell said North Korea which could become entan- ed. chief judge of the US District did not submit any response gled by the court-ordered Warmbier, an Ohio na- Court for Washington, DC, to the lawsuit, which the damages. tive who studied at the Uni- awarded $501,134,683.80 to family fi led under the For- Trump, who held a histor- versity of Virginia, travelled the family, most of it in pu- eign Sovereign Immunities ic summit in June with North to North Korea on a tour nitive damages. Act, a US law that allows Korea, posted on Twitter but did not return home. “An American family, the lawsuits against foreign gov- that he had a briefi ng Mon- He was pulled away at the Warmbiers, experienced ernments over off ences not day on diplomatic eff orts Pyongyang airport and North Korea’s brutality considered to be covered by and is “looking forward to charged with crimes against fi rst-hand when North Ko- diplomatic immunity. my next summit with Chair- the state for allegedly tak- rea seized their son to use as As one of the world’s most man Kim!” Senator Robert ing down a poster in support a pawn in that totalitarian isolated countries, North Portman of Ohio, who had of Kim. The ruling said the state’s global shenanigans Korea is believed to have few secretly met North Korean family was continually ad- and face-off with the United assets in the United States offi cials as he pushed for vised by the State Depart- States,” she wrote. that could be seized to meet Warmbier’s release, hailed ment to stay quiet, believing “North Korea is liable for the judgment. the court verdict. “While North Korea would make a the torture, hostage-taking, But North Korea is seeking nothing will bring back Otto demand in return for Warm- and extrajudicial killing of to end economic sanctions Warmbier, who was such a bier’s safe release.

N Korea blasts UN resolution on rights abuse

North Korea yesterday hit back at a abuses in the country and labelled the separately sought to organise a Security latest UN resolution that condemned UN criticisms as smear campaigns Council meeting on human rights in the Pyongyang’s rights abuses, calling it a aimed at undermining its leadership. North but gave up on the option earlier “serious... provocation” that would under- The North’s state-run Rodong newspa- this month because it was unsure of the mine peace eff orts on the Korean penin- per slammed the latest resolution as a support it would get from partners. sula. The UN General Assembly adopted “serious political provocation against the But the US hopes to hold the meet- last week a resolution – which passed by (North) and a vicious move to tarnish its ing next month with the arrival of new consensus without a vote – condemning international image”. “The wicked inten- non-permanent council members that the “systematic, widespread and gross” tion of the US ... in getting vocal about could be more favourable to doing so. human rights violations in the isolated the non-existent ‘human rights issue’ The South’s President Moon Jae-in has North. of the DPRK is to broaden the scope of advocated dialogue with the North to The impoverished but nuclear-armed the sanctions and pressure and escalate nudge it to denuclearisation negotiations nation, ruled by the Kim family through them,” it said in an editorial, using the and has met with its leader Kim Jong-un three generations, has been accused North’s off icial name. three times this year. of state-sanctioned abuses including The editorial also lashed out at a Kim also met with US President Donald torture, rape and extrajudicial killings. It “thoughtless” South Korea for back- Trump in a historic summit in June but marked the 14th consecutive year the ing the UN bill – a move that would be progress has stalled with both sides ac- UN has passed such a document. The “tarnishing the atmosphere of improving cusing each other of dragging their feet North has constantly denied any rights the north-south ties”. Washington had and acting in bad faith. Gulf Times 8 Wednesday, December 26, 2018 BRITAIN

Royals attend service

Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, Meghan, Duchess of Sussex and Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex arrive for the royal family’s traditional Christmas Day service at St Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham, Norfolk, eastern England, yesterday. Prince Philip, Queen Elizabeth’s husband, missed the church service. A royal source added the 97-year-old was in good health and just wanted to spend the day in private.

Puppy, kitten sales Traffi cked by pet shops banned Britain is forbidding puppies and kittens from being sold kids ‘going by pet shops in a bid to crack Thousands of down on animal exploitation and abuse. missing The government said it will roll out the legislation next year after holding public consulta- from care tions that showed 95% support ‘well’ elderly for the ban. “This will mean that anyone homes’ looking to buy or adopt a puppy or kitten under six months must either deal directly with the Reuters breeder or with an animal re- London patients stuck homing centre,” the department of environment food and rural aff airs (Defra) said as part of its growing number of traffi cked Christmas animal welfare push. children in Britain are going The measure is commonly Amissing from care homes, with called Lucy’s Law in honour of some feared to be returning to their traf- a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel fi ckers after being treated like criminals in hospitals who was rescued from a puppy or illegal immigrants by authorities, two farm in Wales in 2013. charities said. Daily Mail will be forever infamous for having record She had spent most of her life A quarter of the 1,015 identifi ed or London numbers of delayed transfers of care on their in a cage and was no longer suspected child traffi cking victims in watch – and now as many as 5,000 beds will able to breed because her hips the care of local authorities went miss- be occupied unnecessarily over the festive pe- had fused together from lack of ing at least once last year — 246 children housands of elderly patients could be riod, causing misery to people who should be movement. compared to 167 in 2015 — according to stranded in hospital over the festive at home with families. A woman named Lisa Garner research by ECPAT UK and Missing Peo- Tperiod when they have no need to be “The toxic combination of cuts to our NHS took her home and launched ple. there. and the budgets of councils who deliver social a social media awareness The child victims reported as missing A report has found the equivalent of more care mean that vital care packages and further campaign that changed the way from care disappeared seven times on than 4,600 hospital beds will have been occu- treatment, like rehabilitation and physiothera- Britons get their pets. average. pied unnecessarily over December. py in the community, just isn’t available.’ Cuts The government said the new Their reasons for running away in- Despite having no medical reason to remain to council budgets over the past seven years law will help “end the terrible cluded poor accommodation, fear of on the wards, elderly people can end up stuck have forced many town halls to slash social welfare conditions found in authorities and the ongoing control of there due to NHS delays or because the failing care services such as home helps. puppy farming and solve a human traffi ckers, the charities said in social care system cannot fi nd anywhere else to Without these, hospitals cannot send many range of existing animal welfare a report. look after them. elderly people back home, as they cannot be issues”. The fi ndings raise doubts about Brit- Critics said the fi gures showed the eff ects certain they will be looked after. Lucy died in 2016. ain’s ability to care for vulnerable chil- of years of disastrous cuts to health and social There is also a shortage of care home places The government believes the dren at a time when a record number of services budgets. – meaning hospitals cannot send them there ban will keep “high volume suspected child slaves are being referred Labour social care spokesman Barbara Kee- either. low welfare breeders” — both to the government — 2,118 last year and ley said the government’s failure to reform so- This has meant fewer hospital beds are licensed and unlicensed — from up two-thirds on 2016 — campaigners cial care was keeping vulnerable elderly people available for new patients, which has pushed flooding pet shops with puppies said. from their families over Christmas. NHS waiting times to record levels. and kittens raised in unethical “Traffi cked and unaccompanied chil- Hospital ‘bed blocking’ hit a high of 5,103 in Despite the problems, the government’s conditions. dren continue to be failed by the system February this year, but the fi gures have fallen long-awaited social care green paper has re- Shops will only be allowed to which should be safeguarding and pro- slowly since. peatedly been delayed. deal with animal welfare shel- tecting them,” said Jane Hunter, senior In its analysis, Labour predicts the Decem- Evidence shows that, for older people, 10 ters or the primary breeders of research manager at Missing People. ber fi gure will be around 4,615. This includes days in a hospital bed leads to the equivalent of the pet. “(They) are particularly vulnerable, 2,931 stuck in hospital because of delays else- 10 years of muscle ageing. Defra released no figures esti- and may go back into a highly exploita- where in the NHS, and 1,343 over delays in so- Last month Theresa May announced an ini- mating how many sales the new tive situation to those they were traf- cial care. tiative to tackle the scandal, saying crack med- legislation will aff ect. fi cked by.” Another 341 will remain in a hospital bed be- ical teams would be sent in to the community But London’s Battersea Dogs Children and Families Minister Na- cause of delays to both. to keep the elderly out of hospital and in their Home chief Claire Horton said dhim Zahawi said that any missing child The fi gures are calculated by adding togeth- own homes. the rules will “make sure the na- was cause for “serious concern”. er all the nights patients spend unnecessarily A department of health spokesman said it tion’s much-loved pets get the “We require all care placements to in hospital over the course of the month. had freed up 2,000 beds a day since February right start in life”. have clear procedures in place to prevent Keeley said: “This shambolic government last year. children from going missing,” he said in a statement. About a fi fth of the 975 traffi cked or unaccompanied children reported as missing from care in Britain last year have not yet been found, ac- cording to the charities’ data. Princess Anne named “I can see why young people run away to their traffi cker,” one child who went missing from care was quoted anony- hardest working royal mously as saying in the report. “It is ‘better the devil you know’.” Despite being hailed as a global leader Agencies number is expected to rise signif- in the anti-slavery drive, Britain said in London icantly next year. Kate had several July it would review its landmark 2015 months off on maternity leave law amid criticism that it is not being and Meghan was not added to the used fully to jail traffi ckers, drive fi rms to he Queen’s four children circular until her wedding in May. stop forced labour, or help victims. carried out the most offi cial While the Queen’s children Many child victims of traffi cking are Troyal duties this year, with have been regularly helping her convicted of crimes they are forced to Princess Anne the hardest work- with the more traditional du- commit in captivity — such as drug of- ing for the third year in a row. ties such as charity visits and fences on cannabis farms where many Analysis of palace statistics plaque unveilings, the younger Vietnamese teenagers are found — and reveals that Charles, Andrew, generation have tended to focus are later refused asylum, lawyers and Edward and Anne undertook on fewer projects that they have campaigners have said. 675 days of engagements – more initiated, including their Heads Between 2015 and 2017, the govern- than double the number carried Together mental health project. ment denied asylum to 183 people traf- out by the younger royals. And although William and fi cked as children from nations such Anne was the busiest, work- Harry worked fewer days than as Vietnam — double the total for the ing 180 separate days, accord- their father, aunt and uncles, the previous three years — government data ing to examination of the Court number was up a fi fth on 2017. obtained exclusively by the Thomson Circular, the offi cial list of royal The Queen herself worked for Reuters Foundation revealed in July. engagements. more than 120 days, often wel- “Too often these children are treated Anne also came out on top in coming heads of state. Prince as criminals or immigration off end- 2017, racking up 455 offi cial ap- Philip has scaled back his duties, ers, rather than vulnerable children re- pearances at events, dinners, and but the 97-year-old still man- quiring support,” said Catherine Baker, receptions at home, with an ad- aged six offi cial engagements. ECPAT’s senior research offi cer. ditional 85 engagements overseas. Much of his work has been Britain is home to at least 136,000 In contrast, Prince William taken over by Edward, who was modern slaves, according to the Global worked for 120 days, with Prince the second hardest working royal Slavery Index by rights group Walk Free Harry completing 98. Both their on 170 days, followed by Charles Foundation — a fi gure 10 times higher wives carried out around 50 days on more than 160 days and An- than a government estimate from 2013. Princess Anne: busiest member of royal family of engagements, although that drew on more than 140. Gulf Times Wednesday, December 26, 2018 9 BRITAIN

Care fi rm urged to scrap charge for workers who call in sick

Guardian News and Media called to say they were unwell atives, going way beyond the call tains a system of due diligence in pre-tax profi t and paid directors Newcross allegedly charged him ed that it was unfair the company London without giving 24 hours’ notice. of duty. These £50 fi nes should for all our donors”. Pattrick, who £17mn in dividends in 2017, denied £50 by mistake for cancelling a charged workers for cancelling The company, which provides be ended now.” Meanwhile, it has posted pictures on Facebook of it imposed the charge when work- shift on another occasion when shifts when it routinely did the thousands of agency nurses emerged that Newcross’s found- him smoking cigars and shooting, ers were “genuinely ill”, but the he gave more than 24 hours’ no- same to workers’ shifts at short care company exposed and care workers for homes and er and chief executive may be a is based in the tax haven of Gibral- Guardian found dozens of exam- tice. He ended up “chasing” the notice. by the Guardian for fi n- hospitals across the country, Conservative party donor. tar and is also chief executive of ples that suggested otherwise. company for two months before A 10-year veteran of the care Aing staff £50 when they announced the charge would According to Electoral Com- the motorsports team Bullitt Rac- Former and current New- it refunded the money, the former industry, who has worked as a phone in sick should scrap the be “phased out” by April 2019, mission records, a Stephen Pat- ing, for which he has driven. cross workers have contacted the employee said. healthcare assistant for New- “absolutely disgusting” charge but Ashworth called for it to be trick has given a total of £15,000 The team’s website said his Guardian to speak out about the “Newcross have been ripping cross for more than two years, immediately, the shadow health ditched without hesitation. to the Conservatives, making one success in business had enabled charge. They include an ex-em- workers off of this £50 for so criticised the charge and said secretary has said. “Bosses at this company should donation of £7,500 in November him to “indulge in his motor rac- ployee who claimed he had been long. I had so many arguments staff were “disgruntled”. He said The intervention by Jonathan scrap these £50 fi nes now, today, 2008 and another of £7,500 in ing hobby”. However, after the fi ned £50 for cancelling a shift he with Newcross about it. I’m say- he had to pay £25 for his uniform Ashworth came after an in- not ‘by April 2019’,” he tweeted. December 2009. Guardian published its investi- could not make because of a fam- ing, ‘Why can’t you be reasonable and regularly had to pay up to vestigation revealed Newcross Ashworth later said: “Every Newcross declined to com- gation, Pattrick’s Facebook page ily emergency. and listen to people’s reasons why £30 a time for training. “I’ve just Healthcare Solutions, which decent-minded person will be ment. A Conservative spokes- was deleted and Bullitt’s website The individual, who worked for they cancel the shifts?’” he said. had enough, it’s a joke really,” the made millions of pounds in absolutely disgusted at the way woman would not confi rm the was cleared of content about its the company for four years until “They will not listen to any ex- worker added. profit last year, was impos- this fi rm treats its staff . Care donor was the same Stephen Pat- founder. 2016, accused it of “ripping work- planation, or any reasoning, and Newcross declined to com- ing the charge on workers who workers look after our elderly rel- trick, but said the party “main- Newcross, which made £21mn ers off ”, saying he quit because they will take their £50.” He add- ment.

Prisons Birds of a feather ban cards Victim sues with glitter over drugs epidemic police for

Guardian News and Media London failing to stop risons and young off ender institutions in England Pand Wales have banned Christmas cards with glitter or “sticky stuff ” because of the drugs epidemic in jails. The latest smuggling method acid attack is spraying post with drugs, par- ticularly psychoactive substanc- Guardian News and Media acid, but they just closed the fi le after the attack, I’m still on the es such as spice. The drug dis- London and did nothing.” hospital corridors every week.” solves into the paper and is then Cummings told his probation He says it is important to sue smoked as a joint. offi cer before the attack that the police to hold them to ac- Last year, prison governors man mutilated for life in Leong wanted to buy acid and count, and he is crowdfund- introduced a policy of only pro- an acid attack is suing use it on someone. He also told ing his action because he is not viding inmates with photocop- Apolice, alleging that they a medical professional that he eligible for legal aid. “When it ies of original letters as a pre- failed to act on information that had bought the acid for Leong, comes to public safety, it’s im- cautionary measure, after it was should have stopped his ordeal who had a restraining order portant for everybody to high- revealed books and letters were before it began. against him over alleged do- light mistakes like this, so in the being soaked with LSD-like hal- Daniel Rotariu, 33, was at- mestic abuse. future people don’t get hurt,” he lucinogens. tacked in July 2016 by his then Both the probation offi cer and said. Now, as part of their “robust partner, Katie Leong, who medical professional passed the Rotariu, who used to work drug strategy”, many prisons poured sulphuric acid over him information on to police. in manufacturing, added: “My have banned cards containing as he slept at their home in duty was to be sure my ma- glitter, concealed panels, sticky Leicester in an attempt to kill “The police have a duty chines were safe to operate, so bits, organic material and cloth. him. of prevention, protection none of my colleagues could The Guardian contacted a Two professionals had passed and to investigate. get hurt. If somebody could get number of jails to ask about their police information fi ve months Unfortunately they missed injured because of my mistake, policy. before the attack that Leong out all these in my case. If I was the one who was going to HMP Manchester said: “Shop- was acquiring potentially lethal they were doing their job be held responsible and pros- bought cards without glitter are acid and possibly intended to properly, this attack could ecuted. The same applies to OK. No handmade cards.” throw it on someone, but offi c- have been avoided” everybody, including the police. HMP Liverpool said it would ers took no action. “The police have a duty of allow “bog standard, shop- Leong used her former part- In February 2016, fi ve months prevention, protection and bought cards without glitter”, ner, Mark Cummings, to buy before the attack, Cummings to investigate. Unfortunate- while HMP Leeds said: “Plain the acid. also told an alcohol nurse that ly they missed out all these Christmas cards, no glitter or She poured half a litre of 96% Leong wanted him to buy acid, in my case. If they were do- sticky stuff . If handmade, it pure sulphuric acid over Rota- which he would probably do the ing their job properly, this at- must be on plain white paper.” riu for six seconds, leaving him following week. He said Leong tack could have been avoided.” HMP Birmingham said “noth- screaming in agony and fi ghting had previously talked of throw- Leicestershire police declined ing must be stuck to cards” and for his life as his skin burned. ing acid in someone’s face. to discuss any aspect of the HMP Belmarsh said: “Plain Rotariu was in a coma for Cummings’s probation offi c- case, but said: “We are aware of cards. No sticky bits, no glitter – six weeks, in hospital for six er phoned police a few days lat- legal proceedings taken by Dan- for security reasons.” months and left blind, with fa- er to say the acid had been or- iel Rotariu against the force. Feltham young off ender in- cial disfi gurement and burns on dered and that it was a “recipe Due to the ongoing nature of stitution said its rule was “plain his body. He still requires medi- for disaster”. There was no spe- this we cannot comment fur- cards, no glitter, nothing stuck cal treatment. cifi c mention of Rotariu as the ther at this stage.” on it”, while an institution in Leong was convicted of at- target, but he says police had An IOPC investigation found Aylesbury stipulated “no glitter, tempted murder and sentenced information from two credible failings but said they did not and nothing raised”. to a minimum of 17 years in jail. sources that she was acquiring amount to a need for discipli- In her annual report, pub- Cummings was acquitted. the means to kill someone and nary action against any offi cer lished in October, the acting The evidence that police had fantasising about using it, but or civilian staff . prisons and probation ombuds- been warned Leong was obtain- failed to act. Craig Court, Rotariu’s solici- man, Elizabeth Moody, said the ing acid is contained in a report Rotariu, who still requires tor, said: “It seems clear that the use of psychoactive substances by the police watchdog, the frequent medical treatment, police had more than enough was “completely out of control” Independent Offi ce for Police said: “I’m living in a prison of information to take action that in prisons because they were Conduct. darkness. It took away my inde- would have avoided the cata- readily available. Rotariu said: “The police pendence, my ability to work. It strophic consequences for this “Prisons are struggling with deny they had any legal obliga- took away my sight. I will never man’s life. It’s very much in the the consequences of bad batch- tion to protect me or any other see my fi ancee and my baby’s public interest that the courts es of psychoactive substances, Thousands of starlings fly in a ‘murmuration’ as they return to roost at dusk near Ely in potential victims of Katie’s face. I will never be able to walk rule on this matter, but we need which can result in simultaneous Cambridgeshire, Britain. madness. They received infor- freely. I will always depend on public support in order to bring multiple collapses of prisoners, mation that Katie was acquiring somebody. More than two years the case.” unsustainable demand on prison resources, ambulances queuing up at the prison gate and, all too often, death,” she said. “This destructive epidemic has become the ‘new normal’.” ‘Pineapple leather’ a While acknowledging the scale of the drugs crisis in pris- ons, watchdogs have argued new fashion alternative banning Christmas cards is dehumanising and may have a damaging impact on prisoners. Reuters was what if I make a mesh with Carolyne Willow, whose London these fi bres, not unlike what charity Article 39 fi ghts for the leather is,” Hijosa said. rights of children in institution- “And that was the begin- al settings, said: “It’s shame- ineapples aren’t just good ning of this new material.” Hi- ful enough that children wake to eat. josa, who founded the company up in locked cells on Christmas P A Spanish business- Ananas Anam to market Pinatex, morning, let alone withholding woman is on a mission to con- works with pineapple farmers in cards from family and friends. vince us they’re also good to the Philippines who harvest and This is yet another kneejerk wear. Carmen Hijosa has created strip the fi bres, which are fi n- government response to under- Pinatex, a textile woven from the ished into Pinatex in Spain. staffi ng.” long fi bres in the fruit’s discard- To make one square metre of Frances Crook, the chief ex- ed leaves that she hopes will give Pinatex takes 460 leaves — but ecutive of the Howard League the fashion industry a sustain- there’s no shortage of raw ma- for Penal Reform, said: “Christ- able alternative to leather. terial. Global pineapple pro- mas is a particularly hard time A clothes designer by trade duction topped 25mn tonnes for people in custody and any- and having abandoned leather in 2016, according to statistics thing that can alleviate the dis- on environmental grounds, she portal Statistica. tress should be done. Drugs and spent eight years developing her Ananas Anam says the waste consequent debt are real chal- alternative textile. from the top 10 producer coun- lenges, but it is humanity that “Because of their character- tries could theoretically replace will reduce demand, not just istics — they’re very fi ne and over 50% of global leather out- Models wear bike-style jackets by fashion brand Altiir made with Pinatex, a security.” strong and fl exible — my idea put. leather-like textile made from pineapples in London. Gulf Times 10 Wednesday, December 26, 2018 EUROPE

Police detain Pope Francis urges peace, grieving father, fraternity among peoples activists

AFP “Historical data and more Reuters Vatican City than 60 years of NORAD track- Sarajevo ing information lead us to be- lieve Santa Claus is alive and well ope Francis called for in the hearts of people through- olice dispersed activists peace and “fraternity” out the world,” the Pentagon’s gathered at the central Pamong peoples, as mil- handbook read. Psquare in the northwest- lions across the world celebrated This year in Bethlehem, visi- ern Bosnian city of Banja Luka Christmas yesterday while US tors were also able to view the yesterday, following the arrest of President Donald Trump caused Church of the Nativity’s newly a man who had been leading pro- a festive furore by asking a child restored mosaics dating to the tests demanding the truth about whether he still believed in Santa Crusader era. the murder of his son. Claus. Visitors from across the world Davor Dragicevic, who ac- Some 50,000 worshippers gathered in the “little town” cused authorities in Bosnia’s gathered at the Vatican to hear on Christmas Eve for midnight Serb Republic of concealing the the Pontiff ’s sixth “Urbi et Orbi” mass, queueing to see the grotto murder of his son David for po- (To the City and the World) where Jesus is believed to have litical reasons, was arrested early message appealing for peace in been born. yesterday after he failed to show confl ict zones such as Syria and While for many who celebrate up for questioning. Yemen, whose populations face the festival Christmas is a time The police, who later raided some of the world’s most des- to gather with loved ones, many his house, said he had been ar- perate humanitarian crises. were struggling with unforeseen rested for security reasons. “My wish for a happy Christ- events and hardships. They also briefl y detained his mas is a wish for fraternity,” he At a little church just outside former wife, several other pro- told pilgrims in Saint Peter’s Indonesia’s tsunami disaster testers, including opposition Square yesterday, when Chris- zone, a few dozen congregants politicians, and a journalist tak- tians celebrate the birth of Jesus gathered on Christmas day to ing photographs of Dragicevic Christ. “Fraternity among indi- pray for the victims. travelling to hospital. viduals of every nation and cul- The tsunami, triggered by Hospital authorities said ture. Fraternity among people a volcanic eruption, left more Dragicevic was not suff ering with diff erent ideas ... fraternity than 400 dead when it smashed from any injuries. among persons of diff erent reli- into popular beaches on south- One policeman was injured in gions.” ern Sumatra and the western scuffl es with protesters. Francis, the head of the edge of Java, inundating tourist Dragicevic said his 21-year- world’s 1.3bn Catholics, had ear- hotels and coastal settlements. old son, who was found dead in lier used his mass on Monday “This Christmas is diff erent March in a creek in Banja Luka, night to urge people to curb “in- because we’re celebrating it dur- was captured, tortured and bru- satiable greed”. ing a disaster,” Rahmat Carita tally murdered. The Pontiff said that he hoped congregant Eliza told AFP. “For The prosecution completed its a truce in confl ict-ravaged Yem- This handout picture released by the Vatican press off ice yesterday shows Pope Francis delivering the ‘Urbi et Orbi’ (to the city and to the me, it’s a chance to contemplate. case but no one was found guilty en would end a devastating war world) message from the balcony of St Peter’s basilica. God’s love is real, we must not of murder. that has killed around 10,000 forget that.” The European Union delega- people since 2015 and pushed lution” to the confl ict “so that Israel’s separation barrier, has Beyond Bethlehem, Chris- space Defence Command (NO- Spain’s second-largest city tion and the offi ce of Bosnia’s 14mn Yemenis to the brink of the Syrian people, especially all seen an increase in visitors this tians worldwide were marking RAD) delivering live updates on Barcelona was meanwhile on international peace overseer famine. those who were forced to leave season after several down years Christmas, with services held his international gift delivery alert after the US State Depart- expressed concerns about the “My thoughts turn to Yemen, their own lands and seek refuge because of the Israeli-Palestin- from Indonesia to Iraq. route. ment warned of the risk of a ter- arrests and urged all sides to re- in the hope that the truce bro- elsewhere, can return to live in ian confl ict. This year’s celebrations come Fielding calls from children rorist attack during the Christ- frain from violence. kered by the international com- peace in their own country”. “This year is much more calm, after a year of tumult, much of anxious to know if their presents mas holidays. “We have asked the Republika munity may fi nally bring relief Francis also said he hoped for much better than last year,” said which has come from Washing- would arrive on time, Trump And in France, groups of “yel- Srpska Ministry of Interior for to all those children and people renewed peace talks between the Abeer Nasser, a Palestinian from ton, where the festive spirit was risked a spell on Santa’s naughty low vest” anti-government an immediate explanation of the exhausted by war and famine,” Israelis and Palestinians “that the nearby town of Beit Sahour dampened when the national list by telling one young boy that demonstrators are spending ongoing arrests of diff erent per- he said. can put an end to a confl ict that celebrating in Bethlehem with Christmas tree went dark on the believing in the jolly man in red Christmas day at makeshift sons associated with the ‘Justice The Pope also spoke of the for over 70 years has rent the her son and daughter. third day of a US government at age seven was “marginal” (see protest camps on roundabouts for David’ movement,” they said war in Syria, which has forced land chosen by the Lord to show “Every year I feel more in the shutdown. report on Page 5). across the country, eating dev- in a joint statement. millions from their homes and his face of love”. mood to celebrate despite the One festive service not af- However, his scepticism is illed eggs and foie gras with new The association of Bosnia’s reduced swathes of the country Bethlehem in the occupied political situation,” the 37-year- fected was the military’s annual unlikely to have dampened the friends they have made in weeks journalists and the Transpar- to rubble. West Bank, located near Jerusa- old added, referring to the Israeli Santa Claus “tracker”, which enthusiasm of many excited of rallies against the policies of ency International corruption He called for a “political so- lem but cut off from the city by occupation. sees the North American Aero- youngsters. President Emmanuel Macron. watchdog also condemned the arrests, saying that they repre- sented “political persecution” by the regime. Police in combat gear re- moved an improvised memorial for David Dragicevic from the Queen warns of ‘tribalism’ square and pushed back protest- ers who moved to a park in Banja Luka. In Sarajevo, where another father is demanding the truth in her Christmas address about his son’s murder, a protest in solidarity for Dragicevic was scheduled for the evening. AFP played simultaneously on Brit- Union – or Brexit – is in danger “Even with the most deeply Sources said police were or- London ain’s main TV stations. of falling apart at the fi nish line. held diff erences, treating the dered to clear the square of ac- “Some cultures believe a long The prime minister this other person with respect and as tivists and prepare it for public life brings wisdom. I’d like to month pulled a scheduled vote a fellow human being is always New Year celebrations which ueen Elizabeth II warned think so. Perhaps part of that on a deal that she had reached a good fi rst step towards greater Dragicevic had threatened to ob- of religious “tribalism” wisdom is to recognise some of with the EU in November after understanding,” the queen said. struct. Qin a Christmas message, life’s baffl ing paradoxes, such admitting that it would over- She concluded by noting that delivered against a backdrop of as the way human beings have whelmingly lose. the message of peace carried by A picture released on Monday shows Queen Elizabeth II posing for a Britain bickering over its im- a huge propensity for good, and London’s split from Brus- the birth of Jesus in the Christ- photograph after she recorded her annual Christmas Day Work begins on pending exit from the EU. yet a capacity for evil,” the queen sels without a trade agreement mas story is as relevant as ever. message, in the White Drawing Room of Buckingham Palace in The 92-year-old monarch’s said while seated in front of a would threaten to unleash eco- “I believe his message of peace central London. cemetery in Italy tone refl ected a sombre mood fi replace and Christmas tree. nomic doom over the short term. on earth and goodwill to all is for dead migrants sweeping the island nation as it “Even the power of faith, Those who back Brexit say it is never out of date,” she said. “It demands forced several senior And the queen herself in- ponders the perils of leaving the which frequently inspires great a price worth paying for regain- can be heeded by everyone; it’s courtiers to quit. dicated that she was enjoying Work has begun on building a European project after 46 years generosity and self-sacrifi ce, ing sovereignty from offi cials in needed as much as ever.” The widely-read Daily Mail the recent spate of royal wed- cemetery in Italy for migrants in March. can fall victim to tribalism,” the Brussels who they say subject The queen’s speech was re- even asked whether Markle – the dings and the babies – including who died while trying to make British royalty traditionally queen said. London to their own rules. corded around the time last wife of Prince Harry whose for- Meghan and Harry’s fi rst in the the dangerous crossing over steer well clear of politics – a The queen’s address crowns The debate over the whole week when newly-minted royal mal title is the Duchess of Sussex spring – that they produce. the Mediterranean Sea to reach unifying position that puts them a stormy month that saw Prime process is as emotional and per- Meghan Markle’s honeymoon – was being “Duchess Diffi cult”. “Closer to home, it’s been a Europe, Vatican News reported above the daily fray of Westmin- Minister Theresa May survive a sonal for many as it was the day with the British tabloids ap- But top members of the royal busy year for my family, with on Monday. ster and Downing Street. leadership challenge staged by Brexit was backed by a 52-48 peared to be coming to an end. family smiled for the cameras two weddings and two babies, The site in the southern Italian However, the queen came her party’s most hardened op- majority in a 2016 vote. The former US actress has while attending a traditional and another child expected community of Tarsia is expected close to breaking that mould ponents of Brussels. The queen appeared to be come under almost daily criti- Christmas Day church service soon,” the queen said. “It helps to be completed next year, the during a fi ve-minute appearance May’s entire strategy for a ne- scolding both sides of the wid- cism from the papers for alleg- near one of their residences in to keep a grandmother well oc- Vatican’s news platform reported. recorded earlier this month and gotiated exit from the European ening political divide. edly being a tough boss whose the northeast of England. cupied.” According to the Calabria region, cenotaphs and memorials remembering the thousands of Would-be car thief calls police in Norway aft er getting trapped men, women and children who have lost their lives will be placed Christmas came early for police in Trond- Kimo added that although the youth was in the 30,000sq m site. heim when a would-be car thief called well known to the station for a series of Bulgaria expands supervision of religion the local station to confess he was locked petty crimes, including car thefts, he was inside the vehicle he was trying to steal. “perhaps not the most knowledgeable car Police in Cyprus “He called us just before 8am on Christmas thief. On his previous attempts, he was at AFP country’s two largest religious com- UP MPs walked out of the parlia- Eve from inside the car he had just broken least able to get out of the car”. Sofia munities, the Orthodox Christians ment sitting in protest at the ban not detain 19 migrants into,” said Ebbe Kimo, the operations Kimo told VG newspaper that a police and Muslims, which will see them passing. manager for the Tr ndelag force in mid- patrol was “on the spot very rapidly” to re- receive 10 leva (€5) for every worship- Nationalist MPs also wanted to set Police have apprehended Norway, in an interview with the state lease the youth, who would be questioned ulgarian lawmakers have ap- per. a minimum of 300 worshippers for 19 migrants who had been broadcaster NRK. before being sent home “to a hopefully proved changes to the law on This measure is seen an attempt to registering a denomination, but this smuggled to northwestern “He couldn’t open the doors. He knows us warm Christmas celebration … It’s nice Breligious denominations in a make Bulgaria’s Muslims more reliant proposal was met with protests from Cyprus by boat from Turkey, local quite well and clearly thought it would be to be able to call the police when you’re move to better regulate places of wor- on state funding as opposed to money smaller churches and was also reject- media reported yesterday. OK to call us for help. A bit like calling a stuck”. ship and limit the spread of illegal from abroad. ed by parliament. The migrants had been brought friend, really.” The bungled theft came days after an preachers. However, members of parliament Bulgaria’s last census in 2011 to the town of Polis, reported Kimo said the 17-year-old thief had armed man committed the first bank All places of worship will now have (MPs) refrained from approving other showed that more than 4.3mn of the public broadcaster RIK, citing managed to open the doors of a Volvo robbery in living memory in the world’s to be registered, in an attempt to limit controversial measures that were put country’s 7.36mn population declared Cypriot security forces, after the parked outside a dealership in Norway’s northernmost settlement, Longyearbyen illegal preaching in homes, garages forward by nationalist lawmakers, themselves to be Orthodox Chris- smuggler escaped a patrol boat. third-largest city, not far from the prison, on Norway’s Svalbard Arctic archipelago, and cafeterias. who wanted to ban foreign preachers tians, while more than 570,000 said Tens of thousands of legal without doing any noticeable damage to but was caught a matter of minutes later. The legislation is seen as an at- and all foreign donations for religious they were Muslim. migrants live on the island of the car, but subsequently found himself Police said the suspected robber was not tempt to crack down on Islamist ex- establishments. Smaller groups listed their religion about 1mn inhabitants, as well trapped by its centralised locking system. a native of the town, which lies 1,000km tremism in particular, especially after The nationalist United Patriots as Catholic, Protestant or other. as about 10,000 whose status is “He sounded quite stressed and desper- from the North Pole and whose 2,000-odd an imam who was educated in Saudi (UP) party, a junior partner in the rul- However, because the question on unconfirmed. ate when he called us, and I think he was inhabitants, most of whom know each oth- Arabia was jailed in 2015 for promot- ing coalition, had pushed for a total religion is voluntary, the true propor- The temporary migrant camp relieved when we arrived,” the off icer told er by sight, are outnumbered by the area’s ing radical ideology. ban on foreign preachers to prevent tion of both Orthodox Christians and at Kokkinotrimithia, west of the TV2. polar bears. – Guardian News & Media The new measures will also see an imams coming to Bulgaria from Tur- Muslims in Bulgaria’s population is capital, Nicosia, is overcrowded, increase in public subsidies for the key. thought to be higher. according to media reports. Gulf Times Wednesday, December 26, 2018 11 INDIA Greenpeace, Amnesty accuse govt of ‘smear campaign’

By Michael Safi employees, with many senior ship organisation, which has eign donations, Amnesty has set investigation were leaked last rule out”, said Nandikesh Sivalin- More than 19,000 NGOs have New Delhi leaders now working on a volun- been in India since 1966, has cut up a private company which sells month to Times Now, a stri- gam, the group’s campaign man- been blocked from receiving tary basis. its workforce by 68 people since the group’s human rights educa- dently nationalist news channel, ager for climate and energy. funds from overseas for viola- Greenpeace India has also been late October when its Indian tion toolkit to Amnesty branches which ran an hour-long “super He said Greenpeace and Am- tions ranging from not fi ling lobal charities have said targeted for investigation by au- headquarters in Bengaluru were overseas, part of which is then exclusive” report detailing the nesty were visible targets be- the appropriate paperwork to their operations in In- thorities in past weeks and could raided by tax authorities. used to fund Indian advocacy, ED’s allegations. cause they were international engaging in “activities not con- Gdia are in danger after the leave the country altogether. Ac- India’s Enforcement Directo- alongside dues from local mem- Amnesty has said the leak was and urban-based, but that the ducive to the national interest” government froze their bank ac- tivists say it is an extension of a rate (ED) has claimed Amnesty’s bers. part of a “smear campaign” and scrutiny on them was part of a under the government of Prime counts, forcing them to shed staff . wider campaign against human Indian branch is illegally receiv- Amnesty says the arrange- has organised protests across wider campaign against NGOs, Minister Narendra Modi. Amnesty International and rights groups in India that has ing foreign money. ment, which is common in several Indian cities as well as activists and critical journalists In 2014, an intelligence report Greenpeace have accused In- seen nearly 20,000 local NGOs Amnesty has been denied a countries where foreign funding outside India’s high commission in a country that boasts it is the was leaked to the media accusing dia of launching a “smear cam- deregistered since 2014. licence to bring in money from is closely scrutinised, has been in London. world’s largest democracy. NGOs of reducing India’s GDP paign” against NGOs, activists “We’ve had to downsize sub- overseas under India’s stringent disclosed on its website for years Greenpeace India had its li- “It’s about how the govern- by 2-3% each year by campaign- and journalists critical of the stantially,” said Smriti Singh, the Foreign Contribution (Regu- and is “fully compliant with In- cence to bring foreign donations ment perceives dissent in our ing against mining and other government. media and advocacy manager at lation) Act, established in the dian laws and regulations”. into India cancelled in 2015, and country,” Sivalingam said. projects. Amnesty’s Indian operation Amnesty International India. 1970s when leaders feared the Its bank accounts were frozen had to shrink its organisation by Foreign funding of charities is One of India’s largest foreign is in the midst of a sustained “Senior management are going US Central Intelligence Agency after the ED raid and a judge has 30%. In October, it also had some a highly sensitive issue in India charities, the Christian aid group crackdown by the country’s through an exercise to see how and other groups might try to permitted access only to funds bank accounts frozen, limiting and often cast in sinister terms Compassion International, end- home ministry that has cut the we can operate with the mini- fund civil society groups to fo- donated by members since Oc- access even to its Indian funds. as a tool of overseas governments ed its 40-year operations in the group off from its bank accounts mum we have.” ment dissent in the country. tober 26. Closing Greenpeace’s India of- to stifl e India’s economic growth country last year because it could and forced it to shed nearly 70 The London-based member- Though it cannot receive for- Sensitive details about the fi ce was now “a scenario we can’t or stoke social instability. no longer use overseas funds. Rajiv’s statute vandalised in Ludhiana; CM warns Akalis

IANS condemnable actions will not Chandigarh absolve you or your family of the many sins of omission and com- mission against the Guru Granth statute of former prime Sahib and the Sikh community,” minister Rajiv Gandhi Singh said in a statement. Awas vandalised in the in- The chief minister asked the dustrial city of Ludhiana in Pun- district police to immediately jab yesterday allegedly by Shiro- identify the culprits responsible mani Akali Dal worker. for the violence and take strict Chief Minister Amarinder action against them. Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurates the country’s longest rail-road bridge in Bogibeel over the Brahmaputra river in Assam yesterday. Singh ordered strict action by Lashing out at the Akalis, the district police against the Singh said that “in their des- perpetrators. peration to win public support, The statute of the Congress which the SAD had completely Party leader was allegedly van- lost due to its criminal acts of dalised by Youth Akali Dal commission and omission in workers in Salem Tibri area of the 10 years of SAD-BJP rule, Ludhiana, around 120km from the Badals and their supporters Chandigarh. were stooping to abominable PM inaugurates India’s Blaming Gandhi and the Con- levels”. gress for the killings of hundreds “They are well aware of the of Sikhs in the 1984 anti-Sikh fact that the Gandhis were never riots, the Youth Akali Dal activ- named or implicated in the 1984 ists used spray paint to blacken riots, yet they continued to drag the face of the slain prime min- the family into the case to fur- ister and painted his hands in red ther their own political agenda,” longest rail-road bridge colour. said the chief minister. The activists then announced Singh reiterated that only Agencies and other parts of the nation,” rail and road travel time by be- in the last four years, after Modi “Another fi ve are in progress. that they were doing it to show a few Congress, BJP and RSS Guwahati Modi told a public rally at the tween three and four hours, ac- assumed offi ce, the government Once completed, all these their anger against the role of workers were involved in the site. cording to offi cials. claimed. bridges would enhance con- Gandhi, father of Congress pres- violence against the Sikh com- The bridge, which features Frontier disputes between “The dedication of the his- nectivity between the northern ident Rahul Gandhi, in the anti- munity in 1984 and the judiciary rime Minister Narendra a three-lane road on top and the Asian giants are a legacy of a toric Bogibeel rail-road bridge and southern banks of the Brah- Sikh riots in Delhi in 1984 in the was proceeding to act against Modi yesterday inaugu- a double-line rail track below, border war in 1962 and have not is a symbol of good governance. maputra,” he said, adding that aftermath of the assassination of them. Prated India’s longest road- holds huge signifi cance for In- been resolved despite numerous This bridge is a marvel of engi- the pace of development will then prime minister Indira Gan- “Sajjan Kumar had already rail bridge, which will cut travel dia’s defence, as it has been rounds of talks. neering and technology, and is transform the northeast. dhi by her two bodyguards. been sentenced to life and others time and give a boost to defence built strong enough to facilitate Bogibeel is the second ma- of immense strategic signifi - The bridge’s inauguration Strongly condemning the involved in the perpetration of logistics along the northeastern the movement of battle tanks jor bridge in the region, after cance,” he said. was timed to mark the birth an- vandalism, Amarinder Singh the riots would also face legal ac- border with China. and even support fi ghter jet the 9.15kme Dhola-Sadiya road “It would greatly enhance niversary of late prime minister yesterday asked Akali Dal chief tion,” he added. “Had the Gan- The 4.9km Bogibeel Bridge landings. bridge, which provides a con- ease of living in this region,” Atal Bihari Vajpayee – like Modi, Sukhbir Singh Badal to stop in- dhis been involved in any way, over the Brahmaputra River in China claims Arunachal nection to Arunachal Pradesh, Modi said adding that this also from the Bharatiya Janata dulging in petty politics. they would have been named by Assam connects Dibrugarh and Pradesh is part of southern Ti- was opened last year. bridge had been a dream for the Party – who led the country be- Warning him that “such acts at least some of the victims in Dhemaji districts, which border bet and thus Chinese territory. Bogibeel is also Asia’s sec- people of this region for genera- tween 1999 and 2004. would backfi re on his party in the wake of the riots,” he said, Arunachal Pradesh state, a ter- It has protested India’s deci- ond-longest rail-and-road tions. Media reports said Bo- the coming Lok Sabha elections”, adding that while he had person- ritory claimed by China. sion to allow Tibetan spiritual connector and has a lifespan of The prime minister said while gibeel Bridge was designed the chief minister asked Badal to ally visited the refugee camps to “Bogibeel is not merely a leader Dalai Lama to visit the around 120 years, offi cials said. only three bridges were built like a bridge that links Sweden immediately “apologise for the meet the victims, Sukhbir had bridge, but a lifeline for hun- region and the development of The foundation stone of the over the Brahmaputra in the last and Denmark, and is India’s obnoxious act of his party work- packed his bags and left for the dreds of thousands of people infrastructure there. bridge was laid in 1997. 60-70 years, three bridges have only fully-welded bridge that ers”. US and was totally unaware of in the region. It has enhanced The bridge, built at a cost of Work remained pending for been completed in the last four- matches European codes and “Indulgence in such petty and the developments at that time. connectivity between Assam Rs59bn ($840mn), will reduce 16 years and was taken up only and-a-half years alone. welding standards.

25ft-high Vajpayee statue Delhi air quality hits to be installed in Lucknow ‘emergency’ level Reuters fl ights were delayed for up to two New Delhi hours due to poor visibility. IANS of the society, Naik said. loved by all. A man who be- Delhi’s air quality index, Lucknow In New Delhi, politicians lieved in the power of democ- which measures the concentra- from across the spectrum, in- racy above all. We honour him any Delhi residents tion of poisonous particulate cluding President Ram Nath today on his birth anniversary,” were forced to spend matter, averaged 420 yesterday 25ft-high statue of Kovind and Prime Minister the Congress tweeted. MChristmas indoors this morning, slightly better than former prime minister Narendra Modi, paid tributes to West Bengal Chief Minis- year as air quality remained at 449-450 the previous two days AAtal Bihari Vajpayee will Vajpayee. ter Mamata Banerjee tweeted: “severe to emergency” levels – the worst this year – data from be installed in Lucknow, capital “Remembering our former “Tribute to Atal Bihari Vajpayee for a fourth day, in the capital’s the government’s Central Pollu- of Uttar Pradesh, Chief Minis- prime minister and a true Indi- ji on his birth anniversary. He worst smog crisis this year. tion Control Board showed. ter Yogi Adityanath announced an statesman, Atal Bihari Vaj- was a statesman who rose above Senior offi cials predicted the A reading above 100 is consid- yesterday. payee, on his birth anniversary. partisan politics for the coun- severe pollution would last an- ered unhealthy. He was speaking at a func- Atal ji will always live on in the try’s good. We miss him a lot.” other three days due to unusu- Delhi is ranked among the tion held to celebrate the 94th hearts and minds of the people The Trinamool Congress ally stagnant and cold air. world’s worst cities in air quality, birth anniversary of the late of our country,” the president party chief once was part of They issued a three-day after years of breakneck growth Bharatiya Janata Party veteran. tweeted. Vajpaee’s cabinet. emergency response on Monday in auto sales and coal-fi red pow- Uttar Pradesh Governor Ram Vice President M Venkaiah Born on December 25, 1924, that included closing area fac- er generation. Naik and the chief minister led Naidu said “the nation is ever Vajpayee was the fi rst prime tories and banning construction Environmentalists say the fed- the state in paying tributes to grateful for the invaluable con- minister who was not a mem- works. eral and city governments, while Vajpayee. Federal Home Minis- tributions made by him.” ber of the Congress to have “We are preferring to stay at focusing on temporary respons- ter Rajnath Singh and assembly Modi, while remembering served a full fi ve-year term in home due to pollution despite es, are side-stepping more ef- Speaker Hriday Narayan Dixit Vajpayee, tweeted a video of offi ce. Christmas celebrations and a fective, long-term measures that were also present. the late leader. Modi’s government in 2014 public holiday,” said Amit Azad, would hit at the sources of pol- Naik said one comes across “Tributes to Atal ji on his declared that Vajpayee’s birth- a fi nancial consultant. lution and promote cleaner fuels. a leader like Vajpayee in a long jayanti. We reiterate our com- day would be marked as Good He bought an air purifi er this “There is a lack of political time and his towering person- mitment towards creating the Governance Day. week after developing a cough will to take required measures ality was respected even by his India he dreamt of,” Modi said. Vajpayee was conferred because of the smog. on a sustained basis to contain opponents. The offi cial twitter handles India’s highest civilian hon- A Delhi government offi cial pollution levels,” said Sunil Da- Despite holding various of- of the BJP, Congress and the our, the Bharat Ratna, by then blamed the pollution for light- hiya, a senior campaigner with fices, Vajpayee always had the Aam Aadmi Party also wished president Pranab Mukherjee in er-than-usual traffi c on already Greenpeace India. warmest regards even for the the veteran leader. 2015. holiday-thinned streets, while a He called for higher car park- most ordinary party worker “Atal Bihari Vajpayee was a He passed away on August 16 Delhi airport offi cial said some ing fees and reduced dependence and the marginalised sections leader who was respected and this year. Commuters travel along a road amid dense fog in New Delhi yesterday. domestic and international on coal-fi red power plants. Gulf Times 12 Wednesday, December 26, 2018 LATIN AMERICA Mexico pledges to end ‘horror’ migrants face

Reuters ico’s government had said it would US authorities about the plan that made Mexico a “safe third of describing the experience of Interior Minister Olga Sanchez the country for cases that may Mexico City on Monday set out its position on both sides unveiled on Thursday. country” — an agreement Mexico the migrants that travel through told the news conference that take years to process. the Trump administration’s radi- Most migrants travelling to says US offi cials have requested our country: It is a horror. Hu- migrants would in future en- Lopez Obrador has sought not to cal policy change, announced last the US are from poor and violent which would oblige migrants miliations, abuses, violations, and ter Mexico in an “orderly” and antagonise Trump by commenting he Mexican government has week, that migrants seeking refuge countries in Central America. who arrive fi rst in Mexico to fi le outrages,” Ebrard said alongside “safe” way, vowing a shift away on the US president’s demands pledged to end the “hor- in the US would be sent to Mexico Caravans of them from the asylum requests there. President Andres Manuel Lopez from what she called a policy of for a southern border wall, and on Tror” migrants face cross- while their cases are pending. region have in recent months Instead, the minister said, Mex- Obrador. “repression and militarisation” Monday he again declined to do so. ing the country en route to the US But for the second time run- fanned tensions between Mexico ico would “drastically” change its Defl ecting attention from at its southern border. “There’s a special situation in border, and pressed Washington ning, Mexican Foreign Minister and US President Donald Trump migration policy to ensure that its Trump’s often pointed criticism, But many questions remain the US and I don’t wish to off er a for more details of its plan to send Marcelo Ebrard told a regular over border security. response to the mass movement of Mexico has tried to take the higher about how Mexico will cope with point of view,” he told reporters. asylum-seekers to Mexico while news conference that he would Ebrard reiterated his govern- people was humanitarian. ground in the debate by promising an infl ux of potentially thou- “I will keep my counsel. There their requests are processed. Mex- seek “more information” from ment would not sign any accord “Today there’s only one way to help migrants get jobs and visas. sands of Central Americans into will be time.” Guatemala mine confl ict alarms industry across Latin America

Reuters fl uence on politicians and when Casillas, Guatemala you go up against some of these groups...you almost can’t win,” said an executive at a Canada- bitter drama playing out based miner with projects across over a Guatemalan silver the Americas, speaking on con- Aproject forced to close dition of anonymity due to the by the courts has shocked min- sensitivity of the matter. ers throughout Latin America, The executive has decades of sounding a warning to fi rms to experience negotiating over in- approach indigenous issues more digenous consultations required cautiously or pay the conse- by the United Nations Interna- quences. tional Labor Organisation’s Con- Work at the Escobal mine, vention 169 (ILO 169), which was where US-based Tahoe Re- invoked in the Guatemalan court sources has invested more than decision. $500mn, was abruptly suspend- ILO 169 requires that compa- ed last year by judges pending nies enter into a dialogue with af- consultation of nearby indig- fected indigenous communities enous Xinca communities, a de- in the early phases of projects, cision upheld by Guatemala’s top something that did not happen Police and rescue personnel stand at the scene where the helicopter transporting Martha Erika Alonso, governor of the state of Puebla, and her husband senator Rafel Moreno Valle court in September. before construction of Escobal, crashed, in Coronango, Puebla Mexico. Leaders of the Xinca, a main- home to the world’s second larg- ly farming community which est silver deposit. claims a 400,000-strong popu- In neighbouring Mexico, around lation, oppose the mine due to 10 mining and energy projects suf- worries it will harm their ances- fered major delays this year alone tral land and water resources. due to problems with indigenous The court ordered the mining consultations, said Gabino Fraga, ministry to “immediately” be- a consultant who has helped fi rms gin consultations, although the including miner Penoles and state Mexico governor, husband process is already bogged down oil company Pemex navigate con- in litigation over which specifi c sultations. Xinca towns should take part. Fraga says more clashes are The slow-burning squab- likely across the region if gov- ble illustrates the pitfalls fi rms ernments and companies do not can face from determined and spend more time and resources killed in helicopter crash increasingly sophisticated op- on consultations. ponents, often a combination of Escobal secured its extrac- Reuters Security Minister Alfon- said, without giving more de- ning a bad-tempered contest in evision he was troubled by the environmental activists and lo- tion licence in 2013 — produc- Mexico City so Durazo said the privately tails. July. timing of the accident after the cal communities, according to ing some 20mn ounces of silver owned helicopter was bound President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador’s leftist Na- electoral dispute. company executives and sector through 2017 — but the court’s for Mexico City and crashed Lopez Obrador said on Twitter tional Regeneration Movement “Every single doubt must be analysts. decision to side with its environ- Mexican governor and after suffering an unspecified that his government would in- (MORENA) accused her of steal- cleared up,” he said. “It’s a reminder that a secure mentalist and Xinca foes was the her senator husband failure in the town of Santa vestigate the accident. ing the election. MORENA and its allies hold mining investment requires ob- fi rst time Guatemalan judges had Awere killed in a helicopter Maria Coronango, about three Durazo said that the authori- Moreno was governor of a majority in the state con- taining a social licence fi rst,” said halted an operational mine over crash near the city of Puebla in nautical miles from Puebla air- ties had been in touch with the Puebla between 2011 and 2017 gress. For now, Puebla’s Inte- Luis Rivera, a Lima-based exec- indigenous consultations. central Mexico, the government port. helicopter and engine manu- and headed the PAN in the rior Minister Jesus Rodriguez utive with South African miner Tahoe Resources’ shares have said, just days after she had “At this point, there’s no evi- facturers, who were at the scene Senate. will be interim governor before Gold Fields. fallen by more than half since last taken offi ce following a bitterly dence that could lead us to con- yesterday. An electoral tribunal vali- elections are held within five The Santiago-based Observa- year, with losses deepening since contested election. clude that the cause was not re- “We will act with total trans- dated the Puebla result only months, the Puebla govern- tory of Mining Confl icts in Latin the September ruling. Martha Erika Alonso, a senior lated to how the (helicopter) was parency,” he said. this month, and opposition ment said. America estimates there are 256 In a new twist, Canadian min- opposition fi gure and governor functioning,” Durazo told a news Television images showed the politicians called for an inde- A number of Mexican politi- active disputes spread across er Pan American Silver Corpo- of the state of Puebla, died with conference. remains of an aircraft in fl ames, pendent investigation into the cians have died in aircraft ac- 20 countries, with the highest ration off ered to buy Tahoe last Rafael Moreno, a senator and Alongside the politicians a plume of smoke and people in- crash due to the charged at- cidents in recent years, includ- number in Mexico, Chile and month, including a conditional former Puebla governor, when were Captain Roberto Cope specting the scene. mosphere. ing federal interior ministers in Peru. payment hinging on the restart their Agusta helicopter came and fi rst offi cer Marco Antonio Alonso, from the centre-right Vicente Fox, a former Mexican 2008 and 2011. “Everywhere in the world, in- of shipping silver concentrate down shortly after take-off , the Tavera, and it is presumed there National Action Party (PAN), president and longtime critic of The latter two were also digenous people have a lot of in- from Escobal. government said. was a fi fth passenger, Durazo took offi ce this month after win- Lopez Obrador, told local tel- members of the PAN. Guyana, Exxon in talks Ortega ‘assaulting freedom of expression’ after Venezuela dispute Reuters former president Violeta Barrios Managua and Pedro Joaquin Chamorro, a journalist murdered when he Reuters vessels with protection if they Ramform Tethys and Delta Mon- ran a major newspaper critical of Caracas continue exploration, he said arch, Stenberg said on Monday. n influential Nicaraguan dictator Anastasio Somoza in the Guyana is “committed to resolv- “A couple hours later we journalist critical of the 1970s. ing territorial disputes by peace- learned that the Venezuelan navy Acountry’s government Representatives from Ortega’s uyana’s government is “in ful means.” had withdrawn from the area,” he said local journalism was liv- government did not respond to a discussion” with Exxon “We will therefore fi rst try to added. ing its worst moment under request for comment. GMobil after two ships explore and exhaust diplomatic Critics of Venezuela’s social- repression by President Daniel Ortega’s administration has searching for oil off the South channels,” Greenidge said in an ist President Nicolas Maduro say Ortega. repeatedly said there is freedom American country’s coast halted e-mailed response to questions he has rekindled tensions with its In recent days, Ortega’s gov- of expression in the country. work following a weekend con- from Reuters. “Guyana is a small eastern neighbour over the Es- ernment shut down a broad- Since April, Nicaragua has frontation with Venezuela’s navy, state of less than a million per- sequibo region, a sparsely popu- caster, arrested two reporters on been experiencing one of its Guyana’s foreign minister said. sons compared with Venezuela’s lated area making up two-thirds terrorism and hate-incitement worst crises since a civil war in Both neighbouring South population of 30mn.” of Guyana’s territory that is also charges, while a judge ordered the 1980s. American countries said the claimed by Venezuela, to distract the arrest of three more and oth- Protests raged for months be- Saturday incident had occurred A century-long border from a severe economic crisis in ers fl ed the country in fear. fore a government clampdown within their territorial waters. dispute has heated up in the Opec-member nation. “They are making up crimes. reined them in. A century-long border dispute recent years as Irving, Venezuela is home to the They are crimes that don’t More than 300 people have has heated up in recent years as Texas-based Exxon has world’s largest crude reserves, exist. In essence they are been killed and more than 500 Irving, Texas-based Exxon has discovered more than 5bn but production is hovering near criminalising the work of the are incarcerated, according to discovered more than 5bn barrels barrels of oil and gas off its lowest levels in 70 years due journalist,” Carlos Fernando the Nicaraguan Centre for Hu- of oil and gas off Guyana’s shores. Guyana’s shores to underinvestment, hyperinfl a- Chamorro, one of Nicaragua’s man Rights, one of the groups Guyana Foreign Aff airs Minis- tion, and mismanagement under most famous journalists, said in the government has blacklisted. ter Carl Greenidge said he could Earlier, Exxon declined to say military control of the company. an interview. Human rights groups say four not “for the moment” say wheth- when the survey would restart, Saturday’s confrontation re- Chamorro has been produc- radio stations and a TV station er the two ships owned by Nor- referring questions to PGS. called an October 2013 incident ing online outlet Confi dencial have closed, while dozens of way’s Petroleum Geo-Services Bard Stenberg, a PGS sen- when Venezuela’s navy seized a almost in hiding since police 10 journalists have been beaten and (PGS) and hired by Exxon would ior vice president, declined to ship carrying out a seabed survey days ago raided his offi ces and threatened. resume their seismic survey, or comment on any resumption of for Texas-based Anadarko Pe- took equipment used to produce Chamorro said he has been if they would return to the area the work or if the company has troleum Corporation in Guyana, two television programmes and targeted with death threats on where the incident occurred, cit- sought to have Guyana provide accusing it of violating its mari- two digital media outlets. social media. ing the ongoing talks with Exxon. protection for its vessels. time territory. “It’s a total assault against the He fears that the government When asked if Guyanese au- There were two PGS ships in- Venezuela freed the vessel a Journalist Carlos Fernando Chamorro speaks during an interview right to freedom of expression,” could trump up charges as an ex- thorities would provide the volved in the confrontation, the week later. with Reuters in Managua, Nicaragua. said Chamorro, who is the son of cuse to throw him in jail. Gulf Times Wednesday, December 26, 2018 13 PAKISTAN

MQM comeback in Karachi’s local govt polls Court issues notice to ECP on plea against Alvi Jinnah’s 142nd birth anniversary celebrated

The Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) has made a comeback in the local The Sindh High Court (SHC) has issued notices to the Election Commission of The nation celebrated the 142nd birth anniversary of Mohamed Ali Jinnah by paying government by-elections as it grabbed 10 out of 22 seats in Karachi, including one Pakistan (ECP) and other respondents on a petition challenging the candidature of tribute to Quaid-e-Azam. chairman, two vice chairmen and six councillors. Dr Arif Alvi for the presidency. The day began with a change of guard ceremony at the Quaid-e-Azam (Father of the The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) has won eight seats, including two chairmen, one Azmat Rehan had filed the petition in August before the presidential election. Nation)’s mausoleum in Karachi early yesterday morning, where a contingent of the member of the district council and five councillors, while the Pakistan Tehreek-e- After hearing arguments, a two-judge SHC bench, headed by Justice Mohamed Pakistan Military Academy Kakul assumed the guard’s duty from Pakistan Air Force. Insaf (PTI) and the Awami National Party (ANP) could get only one seat each in the Ali Mazhar, allowed the urgency application and fixed the petition for hearing on In separate messages, the prime minister and president called for “adhering to the by-elections held on December 23. January 1. vision of Quaid-e-Azam Mohamed Ali Jinnah and following his guiding principles of According to provisional and unoff icial results, the PPP suff ered an upset in Malir on The petitioner, who had lost a decades-long civil case regarding the ownership of unity, faith and discipline in our individual as well as collective lives”. the district council seat vacated by its MNA Jam Abdul Karim Bijar. a salt firm to Alvia Tabligh Trust, contended that Alvi, a co-plaintiff in the suit, was “The best way to pay homage to our Quaid is to adhere to his vision and follow his This seat was won by independent candidate Asad Abdul Rasool, who bagged 2,013 not qualified to be elected president since he had allegedly filed fake and forged guiding principles of Unity, Faith and Discipline, in our individual as well as collective votes against the PPP’s Irfan Ahmad Jokhio. documents in the 1977 civil case. lives,” said Prime Minister Imran Khan.

Pakistan, China discuss PM: JIT reports are case ties, US troop studies on how states fail pullout Internews are case studies in how states submitted in the Supreme ister would also be a member of The project is expected to ful- Islamabad fail getting impoverished & Court held the Zardari and this policy board. fi l the country’s shipping needs drowning in debt. The scale & Omni groups responsible in the The PC1 (planning commis- while also creating job opportu- AFP/Reuters/Internews methods used for siphoning off mega money laundering and sion) document of the Gwadar nities for the local population. Beijing rime Minister Imran Khan public money are incredulous & fake accounts case. ship-breaking yard was pre- The meeting was also briefed has declared the reports mind-boggling,” he tweeted. Meanwhile, Prime Minister sented in 2007, but could not regarding the project comple- Psubmitted by joint in- “I am puzzled & perplexed Khan has approved the estab- proceed due to lack of interest tion and land allocation for the he US decision to pull vestigation teams (JIT) in the by those who, despite having lishing of ship-breaking yard in by successive governments. ship-breaking yard. nearly half its troops from Panama Papers and fake bank read the two reports, are still Gwadar, with a policy board for Now the prime minister has Finance Minister Umar said: Trestive Afghanistan was accounts cases as “case stud- defending the plunderers,” the the same to be formulated. approved the project on a part- “All decisions regarding Balu- high on the agenda at a meeting ies” on how states fail. premier added. This was announced during nership basis with the induc- chistan and Gwadar would be between the Pakistani and Chi- Expressing perplexity at An accountability court on a high-level review meeting tion of manufacturing, training made with the consultation of nese foreign ministers yesterday. those “defending the plunder- Monday sentenced former on the subject, chaired by the workshops, and parking sta- the provincial government.” As China looks to expand its ers”, the prime minister said prime minister Nawaz Sharif Baluchistan chief minister and tions. The meeting unanimously role as a peace broker in South that the scale and methods used to seven years in prison in Al attended by Federal Minister “The government will wel- agreed that approval of the Asia, Foreign Minister Shah Me- to “siphon off public money” Azizia Steel Mills corruption for Defence Production Zubaida come all projects in the better Gwadar master plan and other Prime Minister Khan: I am puzzled hmood Qureshi met his Chinese were “incredulous and mind- reference, while acquitting him Jalal and Finance Minister Asad interests of people of the prov- aff airs would be inked jointly by and perplexed by those who, counterpart Wang Yi during an boggling”. in the Flagship Investment ref- Umar. ince,” the Baluchistan chief federal and provincial govern- despite having read the two (JIT) offi cial visit to Beijing. “The Panama JIT report & erence. The meeting was informed minister said, lauding the cen- ments, as well as by all stake- reports, are still defending the “The two sides agreed that a the Fake Accounts JIT report The same day, a JIT report that the Baluchistan chief min- tre’s initiative. holders. plunderers. military means cannot solve the Afghan issue, and that promot- ing a political solution focused on reconciliation is the only re- alistic and feasible way,” Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said at a regular Fake accounts report press briefi ng. US President Donald Trump’s decision to pull around half of the 14,000 US troops in Afghan- istan has stunned and dismayed reveals Zardari secret diplomats and offi cials in Kabul, and comes during a renewed push for talks with the Taliban to Internews end the 17-year war. Islamabad There was no direct men- tion at the press briefi ng of the planned US troop drawdown. he fake accounts joint in- Hua did not answer a ques- vestigation team (JIT) re- tion on whether the meeting was Tport is made up of 27 vol- connected to the US troop with- umes, 27 investigation reports, drawal. and an executive summary of China has in recent months 135 pages with 95 big annexures. played a more active role in bro- The 25th volume of the JIT kering peace in the region as sta- report carries explosive incrim- bility in Afghanistan is critical to inating evidence against the key its “Belt and Road” policy of ex- accused, whose identity has panding trade links across Asia. been kept confi dential. Earlier this month, offi cials Head of the JIT team Ehsan from Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Sadiq requested the Supreme China met in Kabul to discuss Court not to disclose this vol- Asif Ali Zardari and Bilawal Bhutto Zardari. trade, development and regional ume. security issues. Credible sources revealed district co-ordination offi cers tures from fake accounts. It was the second such meet- that this volume consists of (DCOs) of concerned areas re- Main debtors and creditors ing between the three neigh- three parts – System, Foreign fused to share the land’s origi- included Omni Group, Bahria bours. Christmas Properties in US, UK, France nal record. Town, Zardari Group, Parthe- Beijing has also hosted Taliban and Dubai, and Interior Sindh Further volumes also car- non Pvt Ltd, Zain Malik (son- leaders in an eff ort to bring the services Agricultural Empire. ried important evidence against in-law of Malik Riaz Hussain, warring sides in Afghanistan to The JIT claimed to have un- Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, where the chief executive of Bahria the negotiating table. Above: People attend the earthed a “system of corrup- payment of utility bills of Bila- Town Pvt. Ltd), Arif Habib, and China has not announced an Christmas service at the tion” in Sindh where the key ac- wal House in Karachi, was made a group of contractors/build- offi cial stance on the US troop Sacred Heart Cathedral in cused named in this report were through fake accounts. ers including Mustafa Memon, pullout. Lahore. minting more than Rs40mn Rs1.53mn was paid to the Ka- Sardar Ashraf D Baloch and Pakistan on Saturday wel- monthly, and laundering it rachi Water and Sewerage Board Sher Mohamed Mugheri. comed the decision to slash US Right: A girl leans on her through hawala and hundi (in- in May 2015. The JIT also pointed to the troop numbers calling it “a step father’s shoulder as they formal money transfer systems) The complete details and evi- role of Zardari, when he was towards peace” in its war-torn attend the Christmas through some 120 frontmen, dence pertaining to “Expendi- president of Pakistan, that neighbour. service at the St John’s Ayyan Ali, Younas Kudwai, and tures and Renovation of Bilawal he not only orchestrated this Both Qureshi and Wang also Cathedral in Peshawar. Abdul Jabbar in particular. and Zardari Houses” are also fraudulent misappropriation agreed that the highly success- The KAM Crown Interna- contained in the JIT investiga- but also shareholders in M/s ful visit of Prime Minister Imran tional Company, owned by the tion report no 25. Park Lane where Bilawal Zard- Khan early last month set the Majeed family, was collecting “Expenditure of Bilawal ari has 50% direct benefi cial tone for further expansion of the Army chief thanks Christian community’s contributions all this laundered money, the House”, worth Rs4.14mn, was shares. countries’ time-tested friend- sources further disclosed. paid out of the fake accounts to The JIT recommended that ship. Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar for its progress, the Inter-Services Public Relations About the foreign properties “The Deli Restaurant” (proprie- the NAB be directed to fi le a ref- Qureshi visits Russia next be- Javed Bajwa joined the Christian community said. owned by Zardari and Talpur tor Tina Mehdi) for catering and erence against Zardari and his fore returning to Pakistan today. at Rawalpindi’s Christ Church for Christmas He also appreciated the role of various institutions family, the JIT clubbed relevant event services at Bilawal House. son, and bank offi cials as co- On Monday, the foreign min- celebrations, a statement from the military’s media in the fields of education, health and public welfare addresses and details of some 25 Purchase of air tickets worth accused, in the accountability ister met his Iranian counterpart wing said. being managed by the Christian community across properties directly or indirectly Rs12.82mn was made through court and recover the misap- Mohamed Javad Zarif in Tehran. Bajwa wished Merry Christmas to the entire the country. acquired by former president fake accounts routed through propriated loan (Rs1.5bn), along He also met Afghan President Christian community in Pakistan. The army chief especially acknowledged their Asif Ali Zardari and his sis- M/s Pak Paradise and M/s Fa- with the total outstanding loan Ashraf Ghani at the Presidential He acknowledged the role of Christian brethren, contributions in defence of the motherland as part ter Faryal Talpur in Paris, New zl-e-Rabbi Travels for Bilawal of Rs3.74bn (loss to the public Palace in Kabul not only towards the creation of Pakistan but also of Pakistan Armed Forces, the ISPR statement read. York, London and Dubai, the Zardari, Aseefa Zardari, Mirza exchequer). sources revealed. Arshad Baig, Sharmila Farooqi, The JIT named 24 key ac- Requests generated under the and Asif Ali Zardari. cused (operators, benefi cial Mutual Legal Assistance (MLA) The current JIT explored owners, abettors and bankers) law to these countries have also 11,500 bank accounts of 924 ac- including Anwar Majeed (head been clubbed with this volume. count holders associated with of Omni Group), Abdul Ghani Envoys named for major world capitals The JIT has also initiated the above-mentioned accounts. Majid, Aslam Masood (chief fi - MLA requests with some other Fifty-nine suspicious trans- nancial offi cer of Omni Group), international jurisdictions as action reports (STRs) and Noreen Sultan (then-relation- Internews Pakistan’s ambassador to in Malaysia Nafees Zikria will well. 24,500 cash transaction re- ship manager at Summit Bank), Islamabad China Masood Khalid will con- also participate in the conference About the Interior Sindh Ag- ports (CTRs) associated with Hussain Lawai (then-president tinue as ambassador in Beijing to cover economic ties between ricultural Empire, the sources the above-mentioned accounts of Summit Bank), Asif Zardari, on completion of his contractual Pakistan and Malaysia, and Unit- claimed that there are around were scrutinised, along with the and Bilawal. akistan’s ambassador to period ending on December 31. ed Kingdom. 120 agricultural farmhouses loan profi le of 924 individuals The JIT has also revealed the US Ali Jehangir Siddiq- Highly-placed sources said He has been designated to be- owned by the Zardaris and and entities. details about the receipt of Pui relinquished his charge that no panel has been submitted come high commissioner in the Talpurs, which were not de- The JIT summoned 885 per- Rs10.02bn in kickbacks through in Washington on Monday. to Prime Minister Imran Khan to UK, the sources said. clared by members of the Na- sons; however, only 767 ap- “fake accounts” by Asif Zardari. He assumed the offi ce in May recommend a replacement for Pakistan’s high commission- tional Assembly (MNAs) Asif peared and were examined by Sindh government adviser this year. Khalid. er in the UK Sahibzada Ahmad Ali Zardari and Bilawal Bhutto the JIT. Murtaza Wahab has said of the Pakistan’s ambassador to Ja- Pakistan’s permanent repre- Khan has already moved from Zardari, and member of the The JIT recommended that JIT fi ndings: “It’s a pack of fi c- pan Dr Asad Majeed, who has sentative to the United Nations, the British capital since he has Provincial Assembly (MPA) all these matters be referred to tion based on conjectures and been designated to become new Dr Maleeha Lodhi, is also in Is- been appointed as ambassador to Faryal Talpur. the National Accountability surmises. We will all come out ambassador in Washington, has lamabad for consultations and Cuba. Asif Ali Zardari and Bilawal Bureau (NAB) for a thorough in- and defend all allegations at arrived in Islamabad for two-day the envoy conference. Pakistan’s permanent repre- Bhutto Zardari lead the Pakistan quiry and investigation, and fi l- the trial court. The JIT’s fi nding envoy conference commencing She is likely get extension in sentative to the European Un- Peoples Party (PPP), which runs ing a reference in the accounta- were supposed to be kept con- tomorrow (December 27). the United Nations as her tenure ion and ambassador for Belgium the Sindh government. bility court for prosecution and fi dential as per Supreme Court He will submit briefi ngs on be- will be completed in February, Naghmana Hashmi is among The JIT obtained all the rel- recovery of proceeds of crime of order, but unfortunately infor- half of the country’s missions in the sources said. frontrunners for the ambassa- Lodhi: sources say her term is evant documents, but despite payment of utility bills of Bila- mation was leaked to malign the Tokyo and Washington. Pakistan’s high commissioner dor’s post in China. likely to be extended. repeated requests by the JIT, the wal House and other expendi- PPP leadership.” Gulf Times 14 Wednesday, December 26, 2018 COMMENT

CHAIRMAN Abdullah bin Khalifa al-Attiyah EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Trump’s Syria withdrawal: Faisal Abdulhameed al-Mudahka Deputy Managing Editor K T Chacko ‘right idea, wrong time’ P.O.Box 2888, Doha, Qatar [email protected] By James Dobbins coalitions built, local partners done most of the fi ghting and dying in negotiators, giving the Taliban every 44350478 (News), Reuters recruited. the largely successful and still ongoing incentive to await a comparable move And everything which results rests campaign against Islamic State. by the US president on Afghanistan. 44466404 (Sport), upon the good faith and reliability of The minimum condition for Despite his relative inexperience, 44466636 (Home delivery) resident Donald Trump’s the United States. withdrawal from Syria compatible with Trump has so far avoided the kind of planned withdrawal of In 2011, Obama pulled the plug on the America’s honour and credibility is military blunders that in the light of 44350474 American troops from Syria, American military presence in Iraq. to help its Kurdish allies negotiate an history have marred the performance of facebook.com/gulftimes Pa move that prompted the He thereby abandoned the Sunni arrangement with the Damascus regime many of his predecessors — Presidents resignation of Defence Secretary Jim tribal militias that had helped US forces (and with Turkey) that aff ords them John F Kennedy’s Bay of Pigs, Lyndon twitter.com/gulftimes_Qatar Mattis, was the right decision in the defeat Al Qaeda and drove the survivors some degree of political autonomy and Johnson’s post-Tonkin Gulf escalation wrong way and at the wrong time. into Syria to the mercies of a corrupt allows them to continue to secure the in Vietnam, Bill Clinton’s Black Hawk Unless modifi ed it could have Shia-dominated government. population and suppress Islamic State Down battle in Somalia, George W disastrous consequences. In 2014, when those Al Qaeda in the east of the country. Bush’s invasion of Iraq and Obama’s The American military has been remnants, now reorganised as Islamic Simply walking away and allowing 2011 withdrawal from Iraq. GULF TIMES overextended in the Middle East since State, burst out of Syria, nothing these former partners to be crushed This may be about to change. 2003. appeared to stand between them and between two hostile forces would be Bob Corker, the Republican chair Invading Iraq was a strategic blunder Baghdad. the worst debacle for the United States of the Senate Foreign Relations of the fi rst order, perhaps the most Only the combined eff orts of the since the fall of South Vietnam. Committee, has asserted that Trump’s costly in American history. United States and Iran allowed the Yet American offi cials, operating on withdrawal decision was made for No warning meant Since 2008, fi rst Barack Obama Iraqi government to hold its capital and the assumption that US forces would political purposes. and now Trump have sought to begin eventually retake the rest of its territory. be remaining a while longer, have been If true, this would not be the fi rst extricating the United States from some Trump’s desire to withdraw from dissuading the Kurds from seeking time for this or any other president. of these commitments. Syria is consistent with his and his such an arrangement with the regime in But the apparently impulsive nature no escape from Obama announced a pivot to Asia predecessor’s national strategies, but Damascus. of this decision, heedless of evident and a new concentration on the rising the manner in which the decision has Another collateral victim of this consequences, unco-ordinated with Chinese challenge. been taken is highly counterproductive. decision is likely to be the peace allies or even among the relevant US The Trump administration’s national Surprise as a device to throw one’s negotiations on Afghanistan. agencies should be cause for alarm. Indonesia tsunami security strategy, announced last year, adversaries off balance has utility, but American offi cials are currently in With the arrival of a new Congress in extended this rebalancing in order to this decision has only discomfi ted talks with the Taliban about an end January, American domestic politics are prioritise countering Russia as well as America’s friends. to that war, an intra-Afghan dialogue likely to become even more turbulent. An unpredictable chain of events and an inadequate early China. The United States leads a multi- leading to the inclusion of the Taliban in If this turbulence spills over into the warning system combined to deadly eff ect with the tsunami Actually engineering these shifts has national military coalition in Syria, an expanded national government and realm of national security, we could all that slammed into coastal areas of Indonesia killing nearly proved diffi cult. none of whom were consulted. the withdrawal of American and other be in for a very rough ride. Places like Iraq, Syria and Several of Syria’s neighbours, Nato forces. over 400 people, disaster offi cials and experts say. Afghanistan are sticky. notably Israel and Iraq, are going to be Trump’s decision on Syria, and zJames Dobbins is a senior fellow The killer wave struck tourist beaches and low-lying They are not called quagmires for negatively aff ected. his reported desire to also begin at the nonprofi t, nonpartisan RAND settlements on both sides of the Sunda Strait with nothing. The most immediately impacted will withdrawing troops from Afghanistan, Corporation and a former US assistant devastating force on Saturday night, catching both residents Commitments are made, obligations be America’s partners on the ground, the will pull the rug out from under the secretary of state. The opinions and disaster monitors totally unawares. undertaken, solemn promises off ered, Kurdish-dominated militias that have American and Afghan government expressed here are his own. In a series of tweets later deleted with a stricken apology, the national disaster agency had stated there was “no tsunami threat” even as the wave crashed over parts of southern Sumatra and the western tip of Java. “The lack of an early warning system is why the tsunami was not detected,” acknowledged disaster agency spokesman Sutopo Purwo Nugroho. “Signs that a tsunami was coming weren’t detected and so people did not have time to evacuate,” he added. Indonesia is one of the most disaster-prone nations on Earth due to its position straddling the so-called Pacifi c Ring of Fire, where tectonic plates collide. A quake-tsunami that struck Palu on Sulawesi island in September killed around 2,200 people, with thousands more missing and presumed dead. Tide-monitoring stations and data-modelling are the main tools Indonesia monitoring agencies use to predict tsunamis — usually in the wake of an earthquake. But even if all the country’s stations are working, the network is recognised to be limited and in any case gives people little time to fl ee as they only detect waves once they are close to shore. “The lack of an Eff orts to improve systems have been early warning beset by problems, from a failure to system is why the properly maintain tsunami was not new equipment to bureaucratic bickering. detected” Experts say Saturday’s disaster was most likely caused by a moderate eruption of the Anak Krakatoa volcano in the Sunda Strait that triggered either a large and very fast moving fl ow of molten rock into the sea or a sudden and massive submarine landslide. A US army vehicle in Syria. PICTURE courtesy: Military Times In either case, large volumes of water would have been displaced, resulting in a tsunami. And the fact that Anak Krakatoa had been displaying signifi cant activity for months, meant that Saturday’s minor eruption would have sparked no particular cause for alarm. After the catastrophic Indian Ocean quake-tsunami in 2004, Indonesia deployed a number of early-warning marine buoys to detect tsunamis, but Nugroho said they had A business model for sustainability been out of action for the past six years. “Vandalism, limited budgets and technical issues are By Paul Polman between profi ts and sustainability. people. Such scale enables Unilever The key to addressing the world’s the reasons why we currently don’t have tsunami buoys,” London According to the Ethical Corporation’s to contribute to and benefi t from the social and environmental challenges is he said. “We must rebuild them to strengthen Indonesia’s latest Responsible Business Trends SDGs, which is precisely what we try using the power of markets and building Tsunami Early Warning System.” report, 69% of business executives to do. coalitions to improve eff ectiveness. The n a recent report, the surveyed said they are integrating SDGs In 2009, we introduced the Unilever fi nal SDG, Partnerships for the Goals Such buoys are normally deployed along underwater Intergovernmental Panel on into their strategies. At the same time, Sustainable Living Plan, a blueprint to (SDG 17), recognises this and urges tectonic plate boundaries — the focus again on detecting Climate Change (IPCC) warned the number of companies receiving B bolster our social, environmental, and business leaders to co-operate with earthquake-generated tsunamis rather than those triggered Ithat without “rapid and far- Corp Certifi cation – which measures economic performance. Goals include governments and civil society to deliver by volcanic activity. reaching” changes to how land, a fi rm’s social and environmental strengthening the health and well- on sustainable-development objectives. energy, industry, buildings, transport, performance – has increased in recent being of over a billion people; reducing A good example of SDG 17 in action David Rothery, a professor of planetary geosciences at and cities are managed, the damage years. the environmental footprint associated is the Food and Land Use Coalition, a Britain’s Open University, noted that a blanket deployment to our planet could be irreversible. Global fi nance is also inching with the production and use of our global network of business executives, of buoys would still have a limited warning impact if the The message was clear: we need a toward sustainability. For example, products; and enhancing the livelihoods scientists, policymakers, investors, and tsunami was generated close to the shore. co-operative eff ort on a global scale environmental, social, and governance of millions of workers. This approach farmers that is working to transform “Even if there had been such a buoy right next to Anak to change our current trajectory. assets under management are has allowed us to be more strategic the world’s fragmented and complex And, given that many of the toughest estimated to be as high as $22tn; $82tn in identifying the challenges and food systems. One key area of focus for Krakatau, this is so close to the aff ected shorelines that sustainability challenges the world is committed to the UN Principles opportunities that our business faces. this coalition is the disconnect between warning time would have been minimal given the high faces are linked to how it does business, for Responsible Investment; $32tn is By using our resources and production and consumption. speeds at which tsunami waves travel,” Rothery said. the only prudent way forward is to pegged to carbon pricing; and even the brands, we have also addressed key We need more of this; the future change how business is done. market for “green bonds” is growing development challenges like poor of the global economy is no longer This may sound daunting, but we exponentially. This momentum matters nutrition, sanitation, and hygiene; dependent on whether we act, but already have a framework to guide because fi nancial market support will climate change and deforestation; on how long we take to do so. Despite To Advertise the transition: the United Nations be essential in achieving the sustainable human rights; skills training; and some progress on the SDGs over the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). development agenda. workplace equality. And we have done past three years, we are not moving [email protected] The SDGs, adopted in September And yet, to sustain this progress, all of this with nearly a 300% return fast enough. As Winston Churchill Display 2015 by 193 countries, are designed to businesses must recognise that even over ten years and a 19% return on once said: “I never worry about action, achieve a “more sustainable future for in a global value chain, it is impossible equity, demonstrating that it is possible only inaction.” That wisdom should 44466621 44418811 all” by 2030, which, by extension, will to outsource corporate responsibility. to employ a development-focused shape our approach to business and enable a better business environment. On the contrary, multinational agenda that delivers for shareholders the SDGs today. The world we want Classified The Business and Sustainable corporations must use their market and stakeholders. for our children will arrive only when 44466609 44418811 Development Commission has power to drive social change. Consider I am not suggesting that success has we choose action over indiff erence, estimated that meeting the SDGs could my company, Unilever: 2.5bn times come easily, or that our job is fi nished. courage over comfort, and solidarity Subscription add some $12tn and 380mn jobs to the every day, someone somewhere uses Although I will be retiring from over division. global economy by the end of the next one of our products distributed via Unilever at the end of this month, I am [email protected] decade. a supply chain that includes more confi dent that the company I have led zPaul Polman is CEO of Unilever and With so much to gain – and to lose than 80,000 suppliers and nearly for more than a decade will continue to a member of the Leadership Council of from inaction – the private sector is two million farmers, who in turn improve business processes with an eye the Sustainable Development Solutions © 2018 Gulf Times. All rights reserved beginning to focus on the connection support communities of millions of toward strengthening sustainability. Network (SDSN). Gulf Times Wednesday, December 26, 2018 15 COMMENT Franco-German marriage on the rocks

By Mark Leonard Macron, meanwhile, has sought to the US would retaliate against their Berlin make French renewal synonymous auto industry. with European renewal. Since coming Moreover, there is speculation to power, he has pursued a new grand that the Bundeswehr will replace its he politics of Brexit is bargain with Germany. In exchange outdated Tornado fi ghter planes with descending into chaos. for France fi nally getting a grip on American F-35s instead of a European- The European Union is its fi nances and reforming its public made equivalent. With the German Air Tfragmenting into northern, sector and labour market, Germany Force already indicating that the F-35 is southern, eastern, and western tribes. would back Macron’s proposals to its preferred choice, Airbus CEO Dirk And now the Franco-German marriage deepen EU and eurozone integration, Hoke recently warned that, “As soon at the centre of the European project is including a joint eurozone budget, an as Germany becomes a F-35 nation, all in danger of falling apart. EU fi nance ministry, and more unifi ed cooperation with France on combat jet In May 2017, when German foreign and defence policies. issues will die.” Chancellor Angela Merkel and newly Though Merkel recently agreed to France and Germany are falling out elected French President Emmanuel a joint budget in principle, many in just when anti-European forces are Macron met for the fi rst time, many France now suspect that Macron has coming together. With an eye toward hoped for a renewal of vows. Crowds been duped. Early in his presidency, the European Parliament election in of pro-European well-wishers urged he introduced a series of unpopular May, Orbán and Salvini are actively them on. Macron, the fresh-faced measures, slashing the wealth tax and working to create a populist federation reformer, seemed to have a Midas- cutting social benefi ts. More recently, that includes both the anti-austerity like political touch. And Merkel was he rolled out a fuel-tax increase to left and the anti-immigrant right. at the height of her power on the keep this year’s defi cit below 3% of Their goal is to capture at least a third international stage, having been GDP, in the process unleashing the sea of parliamentary seats, as well as a deemed the new “leader of the free of yellow vests now laying siege to his blocking minority on the European world,” supplanting the “very stable administration. Council. genius” in the White House, Donald In response, Germany has off ered The Euroskeptics’ main opponents Trump. Macron essentially nothing. It has are not politicians in their own Quoting the German author dragged its feet on completing a countries, but rather Macron and Hermann Hesse, Merkel observed that, banking union and introducing Merkel. And the problem for Macron “There is magic in every beginning,” eurozone investment bonds, and and Merkel is that they cannot but added a caveat: “The magic lasts has paid only lip service to the idea necessarily count on French and only when there are results.” Eighteen of a joint budget. Even on defence German voters to support them in months later, the magic most certainly policy, which could serve as a stand- leading EU reforms. Indeed, far from has not lasted. Merkel has now handed in for meaningful economic reforms, seeing Merkel as a brake on deeper over the leadership of the Christian Germany has put up resistance, integration, many Germans regard Democratic Union (CDU) and will not watering down EU proposals for an her as overly pro-European. As for seek another term as chancellor. And “avant-garde” grouping and baulking Macron, he may be the most pro- Macron, far from walking on water, at Macron’s proposed European European French president in decades, has been trying not to drown in a sea of Intervention Initiative (EI2). but he could fi nd himself in the yellow-vested protesters. The next few months will position of having to run against EU As both leaders’ political stars have almost certainly deliver more budget rules that are standing in the waned, so, too, have the prospects for a disappointments for Macron, and way of his domestic reforms. renewed Franco-German relationship. File picture of Angela Merkel and French President Emmanuel Macron shaking hands after a news conference at the possibly even a Franco-German The danger now is that Macron and Just when Macron was placing his Chancellery in Berlin, Germany, on May 15, 2017. bust-up. After all, at a recent Merkel will be lured into singing along hopes in Merkel’s power to lead at the meeting of EU finance ministers, to Salvini and Orbán’s tune. Their task European level, her grip on domestic the remaining opposition parties sister party, the Christian Social Union Chancellor Sebastian Kurz, and Matteo Germany struck yet another blow is to avoid that trap and fi nd a way to power was slipping. After the German didn’t particularly want to govern with (CSU), have attacked Merkel’s decision Salvini, the Italian deputy prime against Macron by watering down his reinvent the political centre, before it federal election in September 2017, her. to welcome Syrian refugees in 2015, minister and interior minister. These proposal for a new digital tax on tech is too late. – Project Syndicate Merkel struggled for six months to But the real damage to Merkel’s and even cozied up to some of her populists and their CSU sympathisers giants such as Google and Facebook. form a government. She did not want power came from within. Leading sworn enemies, not least Hungarian have used immigration as a wedge Though the proposal had broad zMark Leonard is Director of the to form a minority government, and politicians in the CDU’s Bavarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, Austrian issue to attack Merkel. support, the Germans worried that European Council on Foreign Relations.

New frontiers for waste management Three-day forecast

TODAY recent What a Waste 2.0 report projects produced needs to be managed better, boosting private-sector participation Maximum Temperature : 240c By Mahmoud Mohieldin, Sameh Minimum Temperature : 160c Wahba, and Silpa Kaza that annual global waste generation will in order to prevent it from ending up in considerably. Washington, DC increase by as much as 70% by 2050, waterways. Given that larger countries International institutions should also THURSDAY even as the world’s population grows by make the biggest contributions to support the introduction of policies that Maximum Temperature : 230c less than half that. Half of the increase plastic pollution, improving waste create incentives for reducing household Minimum Temperature : 170c he world is mired in a will come from Sub-Saharan Africa, management there will have a major waste. Here, again, there are successful FRIDAY serious, if underreported, where waste generation will more than impact. Where regulations to prevent models to emulate. In Ningbo, China, Maximum Temperature : 240c crisis. Every year, humans triple, and South Asia, where it will dumping are insuffi cient, they should citizens receive a fi nancial incentive to Minimum Temperature : 180c generate about two billion more than double. be strengthened and enforced. separate organic waste and recyclables, T Fisherman's forecast tonnes of household waste, and Confronting the escalating waste There are already numerous reducing the city’s overall cost of much more industrial, hazardous, crisis will be crucial to achieving successful models of waste collection. WARNING management and disposal that may Eff ective waste mitigation requires Inshore : Nil electronic, medical, and construction the United Nations Sustainable Offshore : Expected strong wind waste, much of which is disposed Development Goals. The 2030 Agenda provide a useful starting point for action at all levels of government and high sea at places of inadequately. And, as usual, the for Sustainable Development commits such changes. Forward-thinking and society. This means securing at first consequences – environmental countries to achieving sustainable action will also be critical in countries broad-based behavioural change, WEATHER destruction, damage to health, production and consumption patterns anticipating rapid economic and/ aligning incentives, reducing barriers Inshore : Misty at places by early and impeded development – are (SDG12). It also calls for universal or population growth, such as the to fi nancing, and promoting private- morning becomes disproportionately aff ecting the access to clean water and sanitation Democratic Republic of Congo, India, sector participation. It also means moderate temperature daytime with sctd world’s poor. (SDG6) and the creation of healthy and Nigeria, and Pakistan. providing support to the countries clouds, cold by night As it stands, at least one-third of sustainable cities (SDG11). And SDG14 Of course, such changes cost that need it most, such as those in Offshore : Scattered clouds all global waste is openly dumped or – “conserve and sustainably use the money, which is often in short supply. Sub-Saharan Africa and Asia. WIND burned. In low-income countries, oceans, seas and marine resources for On average, local governments pay A cleaner, healthier future is within Inshore : Northwesterly-Norther- which may already spend as much of sustainable development” – obviously 50% of countries’ costs for solid reach. We must not let it go to waste. – ly 04-14 KT 20% of their municipal budgets on cannot be achieved without major waste management. Though lower- Project Syndicate Offshrore : Northwesterly 03-14 KT waste management, that fi gure can progress in fi ghting marine pollution. income countries spend less on Visibility : 4-8/3 KM rise as high as 93%. Fortunately, the world fi nally seems waste management in absolute terms zMahmoud Mohieldin is World Bank The damage to human health and to be recognising the scale of the (around $35 per tonne), they have a Group Senior vice-president for the Offshore : 2-4 FT the environment is already profound. waste crisis. October’s Our Ocean harder time recovering costs. 2030 Development Agenda, United Given this, international Nations Relations and Partnerships, For example, each year, the world Conference in Bali, Indonesia, focused Around the region generates 242 million tonnes of on generating commitments and institutions should help countries and is a former minister of investment Weather plastic, which comprises as much as formulating measures to maintain ocean – especially lower-income of Egypt. Weather tomorrow Max/min 90% of ocean debris, damaging the sustainability, including by cutting countries – plan and develop state- zSameh Wahba is Global Director for today Max/min Showers 17/09 marine ecosystem and ending up in marine pollution. In particular, there has of-the-art waste-management Urban and Territorial Development, Baghdad Sunny 17/11 M Sunny 23/14 our own bodies. According to Ocean been a surge in bans or taxes imposed on systems, including by providing Disaster Risk Management, and Kuwait CityM Sunny 20/13 P Cloudy 22/17 Conservancy, plastic has been found certain plastics or plastic products. needed fi nancing. In Morocco, Resilience at the World Bank. Manama M Sunny 22/16 Sunny 24/18 in every species of sea turtle and more But addressing the issue of plastic the government, with the help of zSilpa Kaza is an Urban Development Muscat Sunny 25/17 Showers 14/07 than 25% of fi sh sampled from seafood consumption still requires far- international loans, implemented a Specialist in the World Bank’s Social, Tehran Sunny 13/05 markets around the world. reaching behavioural change. At the programme that transformed solid Urban, Rural and Resilience Global And the problem is set to worsen. The same time, the plastic waste that is waste management, including by Practice. Live issues How to dodge catching a cold on a plane?

Around the world By Dr Martin Scurr It’s also why cases of the common Within a few years of doing so, he exhaled by patients, although this Daily Mail, London cold peak around Christmas, at a time seemed constantly to be ill with colds hasn’t stood up to scrutiny, either. Weather Weather when so many of us congregate inside and, once in his 70s, he had endless Apart from inhaling potentially today Max/min tomorrow Max/min together. infections. infecting viruses that are in the air Athens P Cloudy 08/03 Sunny 12/03 uestion:The last time When I was a practising GP, I That will partly have been because exhaled by those who are infected or Beirut Rain 18/14 Rain 16/12 I fl ew on a commercial got a cold so rarely I could never our immunity declines as we age. incubating, viruses may be transferred Bangkok M Sunny 34/23 M Sunny 34/24 airline, I returned with a remember when I’d had my last But he was also heavily exposed, via your eyes, nose or mouth from your Berlin Showers 08/06 Cloudy 07/03 Qcold — I’d tried Vicks First one. Even now, I probably have as my siblings and I constantly hands. Cairo M Sunny 22/12 M Cloudy 17/13 Defence Nasal Spray, as I understand one only every two or three years. visited with children who imported That’s why I’m a stickler for hand Cape Town Showers 22/17 P Cloudy 20/16 the infection is caused by the air being When I do, the acute phase (where respiratory viruses to which he would washing with soap and water after Colombo T Storm 30/23 T Storm 30/22 recycled on the plane. I feel under the weather, with a succumb. touching door handles, rails or any Dhaka Sunny 25/13 Sunny 25/14 As I have chronic obstructive cough and sore throat) may last Obviously, it’s not advisable for surfaces others have used — before Hong Kong Sunny 23/17 P Cloudy 22/16 pulmonary disease (COPD), could you five to seven days, but the sequel someone with chronic obstructive allowing hands to go near the face. Istanbul P Cloudy 04/01 P Cloudy 06/03 recommend anything that might stop of runny nose, congested sinuses pulmonary disease (COPD) to try to Antiseptic gels are no substitute. Jakarta S T Storms 30/24 S T Storm 32/24 me getting colds? and a cough will last only a week acquire immunity to colds by seeking Obsessive, yes, but it is a protection Karachi Sunny 28/12 Sunny 26/11 E L Webb, Letchworth, Herts. or so; for most, this can last longer, exposure to them. and something to remember after London P Cloudy 09/02 Cloudy 07/02 Answer: It’s an interesting question, particularly if it descends on to the So what should someone in your using keyboards, screens or any Manila P Cloudy 31/23 M Cloudy 31/24 but let me fi rst point out that it’s not the chest. position do? More than 100 viruses surface touched by others who may be Moscow Snow -11/-12 Cloudy -9/-12 aircraft or recycled air that’s the problem From which I think we can read can cause sore throats or colds. less particular. New Delhi Fog 20/06 Fog 20/06 — it’s the close confi nement with a lot that my immune response is very Minimising exposure to these is Not convinced? In a recent study, New York Sunny 07/00 P Cloudy 06/03 of people. Indeed, I suspect that merely strong. I have a sense that my apparent important for you so, if possible, avoid four card players had an invisible Paris P Cloudy 05/-2 P Cloudy 05/-1 being in an airport, where multitudes of immunity to colds comes from years of public transport and caution others to tracer introduced into their noses; Sao Paulo M Cloudy 27/17 S T Storms 27/18 people from all over are closely gathered frequent exposure to the viruses that steer clear when they are unwell with a they then played bridge. Seoul P Cloudy 00/-13 Sunny -6/-14 together, is an equal contributor — as cause them. This theory is, I think, respiratory infection. At the end of the game, every one Singapore S T Storms 31/26 T Storm 30/26 is travelling by Tube in London during underlined by the fact that I do not I once heard that dentists would of the playing cards was identifi ed Sydney Sunny 27/18 Cloudy 28/19 rush hour, with passengers packed like recall my father, a hospital doctor, ever suck on lozenges containing zinc as being contaminated with nasal Tokyo Clear 11/03 Clear 11/05 sardines. having a cold until after he retired. to protect themselves from viruses secretions. You have been warned. Gulf Times 16 Wednesday, December 26, 2018 QATAR HBKU researchers Qatar emerges as to develop reservoir an attractive stop for weddings simulator to optimise From Page 1 n the last cruise season which ended in April of this year, IQatar welcomed 22 cruise ships carrying more than 65,000 cruise passengers - a 39% in- oil exploration crease from the 2016/17 season. The ongoing 2018/19 cruise esearchers at Hamad Bin Khalifa season which kicked off in Oc- University (HBKU) are currently de- tober and continues until April Rveloping a reservoir simulator that 2019, is expected to see nearly aims to optimise the oil exploration and ex- double the number of cruise traction process, and tailor it to the specifi c ships that arrived in the previous geological and physical characteristics of oil season and bring 140,000 visi- and gas fi elds in Qatar. tors to Qatar’s shores. Dr Ahmad Sami Abushaikha, assistant In 2018, Qatar won the rights professor at HBKU’s College of Science and to host six major business events Engineering’S (CSE) Sustainability Divi- to be held between 2019 and sion, is spearheading the initiative through 2022 with a prospective number a research grant awarded by Qatar National of participants reaching up to Research Fund (QNRF)’s National Priorities 2,400. Research Programme (NPRP) in June 2018. Local exhibitions continued to The programme aims to build human attract visitors and participants capital in Qatar by funding research that is from Qatar and the world. In this able to positively impact the nation, region regard, more than 1,000 brands and world. took part in the Doha Jewellery As a recipient of Cycle 10 of QNRF’s fl ag- and Watches Exhibition, the Ara- ship funding programme, Dr Abushaikha bian Fashion Exhibition and the and team members from Delft University Qatar Motor Show, attracting and Stanford University are conducting re- more than 65,000 visitors in 2018. search to develop a state-of-the-art reser- HBKU’s College of Science and Engineering’s ongoing research projects aim to address QNTC continued to organ- voir simulator model that accurately mim- national, regional, and global needs. ise new editions of nation-wide ics fl uid fl ow at the subsurface level. festivals such as Qatar Interna- “The majority of hydrocarbons are stored cally designed for the carbonate nature of tional Food Festival, Qatar Sum- deep beneath the earth’s surface, and we Qatar’s hydrocarbon reservoirs,” says Dr mer Festival and Shop Qatar to don’t really have accurate knowledge of Abushaikha. energise tourism-related sec- what is exactly going on down there,” said “Existing simulators lack these capa- tors, such as retail, F&B and hos- Dr Abushaikha. bilities that enable us to predict what would pitality as well as provide plat- such as the Esrar Race, AlAdaid who speak 20 diff erent lan- “One way for us to predict how to extract happen during an enhanced recovery proc- forms for local entrepreneurs Desert Challenge, Doha Tria- guages being offi cially licensed. oil, or to develop an optimum production ess; for example, and how an injected fl uid to showcase their products and thlon and the Qatar Motorcycle A special training and licensing strategy, is to develop a model with the ac- reacts and eff ects the carbonate rock for- services. Grand Prix (MotoGP). programme including modules curate physics and material properties that mations and properties. This simulator will QNTC has been working to In line with the Next Chapter’s on safe four-wheel drive train- would mimic the accurate fl ow of hydro- be able to model these activities and many leverage the country’s state-of- focus on developing and boost- ing and emergency response was carbons at the highly heterogonous subsur- more through various reservoir characteri- the-art sports facilities to bol- ing the sector’s professional launched with more than 200 face” he explained. sation scenarios such as fractured reservoirs ster Qatar’s position as a world- skills and competitiveness, 4x4 safari tour guides participat- “Our goal is to develop a Qatari reservoir and highly complex domains. class sports destination. In 2019, QNTC partnered with the Union ing and being certifi ed. simulator to model these physical phenom- “One of the most important advantages Doha will host the World Corpo- of International Fairs to deliver Since launching QNTSS, Qa- ena and work with the oil and gas industry of our simulator is the capability to run in rate Games, which will be held an event management training tar has welcomed over 10mn in Qatar. One of our end-users is North Oil, super-computers at Education City, so it for the fi rst time in the Middle programme which resulted in the visitors. The economic impact of who manages the Al Shaheen oil fi eld where will be able to do billions of calculation at East and is expected to attract certifi cation of 20 professionals the tourism sector in Qatar is be- approximately 400,000 barrels are pro- high speeds to model precisely how oil can about 8,000 international and in the business events sector. coming increasingly visible with duced per day, accounting for 60 to 80% of be extracted in these situations and deter- local participants. In addition, QNTC launched 2016 estimates showing a total Qatar’s oil production.” mine the fi nancial viability of exploration QNTC is also continuing its its tour guide training programme (direct and indirect) contribu- Dr Abushaikha and his team set about projects.” The CSE assistant professor has support for local sports events which resulted in 137 tour guides tion to Qatar’s GDP of 6.7%. working on a reservoir simulator, using completed the initial phase of testing, and software, physics and advanced numerical development will move towards application Dr Ahmad Sami Abushaikha schemes to predict the fl ow more accurately in the coming months. than the industry is currently able to. Much like other mineral-rich coun- forecast production.” Although all oil companies employ res- tries in the region, there is a shift in Qatar When completed, the simulator will pro- ervoir simulators, the one being developed towards economic diversifi cation, but Dr vide further evidence of the impact being by Dr Abushaikha has a signifi cant number Abushaikha believes that reservoir simula- made by specialists within Qatar’s research, of features that diff erentiates it from exist- tors are key to an eff ective and economically development and innovation ecosystem. Proud moment for ing models. When completed, the simulator viable production output even during this “The project and many others are part of will run thousands of scenarios to ascertain transition period. my research group at CSE-HBKU, QASR- an optimum strategy, to achieve a steady “Reservoir simulators are the crown jewel Qatari Advanced Simulations for Reservoirs and desired output. of each and every oil company – they are (www.qasr.qa), that are contributing to- “The software will have advanced discre- your eyes at the subsurface reservoir. They wards a knowledge based economy for Qa- art contest winners tisation schemes coupled with geo-chemi- are used to justify development strategies to tar through research, development, innova- cal and geo-mechanical modelling specifi - shareholders, apply for bank leverage, and tion and building local capacity and talent.” atar Airways, in partner- ship with Oryx Interna- Qtional School, awarded category winners of a children’s art competition held at the school during November and Diversion at Mesaieed Interchange on Salwa road December. The competition, themed “Happiness in my world,” at- shghal will put in place a tracted an overwhelming re- temporary diversion on sponse of more than 500 sub- ASalwa Road westbound missions across four age groups carriageway at Mesaieed Inter- of: 2-4 years; 5-7 years; 8-12 change (Exit 24) for one week from years; and 13-16 years. tomorrow (December 27), to facil- Children of Qatar Airways itate the completion of roadworks staff , and Oryx School students related to the Orbital Highway and were invited to participate in Truck Route. the many activities designed to During the diversion designed promote greater understanding in co-ordination with the Gen- of ways to support themselves Dr John Roberts presents an award. eral Directorate of Traffi c, vehicles and one another in this impor- heading westbound on Salwa Road tant area. The special award cer- We are delighted that so many launched by Qatar Airways towards Bu Samra will be diverted emony at the school marked the children, teachers and parents Group chief executive Akbar to the parallel service road before culmination of months of work have become actively engaged al-Baker, and was followed by a Mesaieed Interchange (Exit 24) for by children of all ages. in this subject in a positive and series of workplace and school- 3km, and will rejoin Salwa Road An overall winner was also open way.” based events each targeting edu- after the interchange (as shown on awarded with all entries judged The drawing competition was cation and awareness of mental the map). by a panel made up of Qatar Air- part of an integrated programme health issues. The number of lanes will be re- ways staff . initiated by the airline’s Medical Under al-Baker’s leadership, duced from three on Salwa Road to Qatar Airways Group medical Division to mark World Men- the airline has launched a variety two on the service road. director, Dr John Roberts, said: tal Health Day on October 10, in of well-being initiatives through Ashghal has advised motorists “Encouraging an awareness partnership with Hamad Medi- its Medical and Occupational to abide by the speed limit which of potential problems and the cal Corporation. Health and Safety Divisions, to remains at 80km/h along the di- practices that can lead to great- The programme’s launch meaningfully engage with and verted route, and follow the road er emotional well-being is the event was a full-day ‘Mental support staff and their families, signs to ensure safety. main focus of this competition. Health Awareness’ workshop and to enhance quality of life. Doha Festival City to host Shop Qatar closing ceremony again

oha Festival City (DHFC), par- conclude the Shop Qatar festivities on DHFC, “We are honoured to be chosen between six and 12 until January 2 than 400 carefully selected interna- ticipating in Shop Qatar 2018, January 20, according to a statement. to host the Shop Qatar closing ceremo- (2pm-4pm) at the Center Court on the tional and local brands, including the Dis preparing to host the clos- Prizes include a Range Rover, on ny for the third year in a row. We can’t Ground Floor. country’s only Ikea and the largest ing ceremony raffl e draw for the third display from December 18 at the en- wait to see the amazing turnout for the The activities will include Jake’s La- Monoprix in the world. The mall hosts consecutive year, it was announced tertainment node, and QR800,000 in sales off ered by our retailers. We are brynth, Arts & Crafts, The Magic Man’s some of the most admired names, yesterday. cash prizes. happy to welcome everyone to come Head, Iceberg Mountain, a maze, mini many of which have made their debut Shop Qatar organised by the Qatar In addition to a series of all-family and enjoy the fun festivities we have golf, watching TV episodes, a VR expe- in Qatar at DHFC. National Tourism Council is an annual fun activities, shoppers can take ad- planned for them.” rience and lots of photo opportunities. “With more than 100 restaurants event that brings shoppers in Qatar vantage of massive sale and promo- During the closing ceremony of Visitors of Shop Qatar to DHFC can and cafes, as well as exclusive attrac- massive discounts across various re- tions, on clothing, beauty, hair prod- Shop Qatar which will be hosted by ship with one of the most popular also experience roaming parades, face- tions such as the country’s fi rst Vox tailers and the opportunity to win ex- ucts, electronics and many other items DHFC, shoppers can win prizes and kids channels, Cartoon Network with painting and balloon bending during Cinemas 4DX cinema complex and travagant prizes. throughout the duration of the festivi- enjoy live music by a special performer. Adventure Time Activity Zone, which the weekends of this month-long fes- the Angry Birds World Park, DHFC is This year, DHFC has been chosen ties. During Shop Qatar, the kids will will recreate The Land of Ooo featur- tivity. a destination that off ers something for to host the closing ceremony raffl e to Robert Hall, general manager of be enthralled with DHFC’s partner- ing an array of activities for kids aged DHFC is currently home to more everyone,” the statement added.