BUSINESS | Page 1 SPORT | Page 1 Almoez strikes in Qatar’s INDEX DOW JONES QE NYMEX QATAR 2-4, 20 COMMENT 18, 19 QP chief heading REGION 5 BUSINESS 1-8, 14-16 to China for talks winning start 25,404.64 9,002.46 62.90 ARAB WORLD 5 CLASSIFIED 9-13 +121.64 +26.64 +1.17 INTERNATIONAL 6-17 SPORTS 1-8 on energy deals +0.48% +0.30% +1.90% over Uzbeks Latest Figures published in QATAR since 1978

WEDNESDAY Vol. XXXVIII No. 10694 January 10, 2018 Rabia Il 23, 1439 AH

GULF TIMES www. gulf-times.com 2 Riyals 90% of Metro In brief work to be

QATAR | Offi cial Justice minister meets completed QLA board of directors HE Dr Hassan Lahdan Saqr al- Mohannadi, the Minister of Justice and Acting Minister of State for Cabinet Aff airs, met yesterday with the board of directors of the Qatar by year-end Lawyers Association (QLA) chaired by Rashid Muhanna al-Nuaimi. O The minister appreciated the role PM inspects Economic Zone Station played by the legal profession and Qatari lawyers’ eff orts to provide By Peter Alagos Located at the F-Ring Road and Al assistance to the judiciary and legal Business Reporter Wakrah Road intersection, the Eco- and legislative bodies to achieve nomic Zone Station will be able to ac- and consolidate justice. The meeting commodate up to 15,000 passengers discussed ways to improve the legal atar Rail’s multi-billion dol- per hour once completed, and will profession in Qatar and to enhance lar Doha Metro project crossed serve as the focal point and main trans- co-operation in all legal fields in light Qa major landmark yesterday port hub for the Ras Bufontas Special of Law No 1 of 2018 amending certain when HE the Prime Minister and In- Economic Zone, which is near the Ha- provisions of the Law Practice Act No terior Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin mad International Airport. 23 of 2006. HE the Prime Minister and Interior Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa al-Thani in the cockpit of one of the trains Nasser bin Khalifa al-Thani boarded a The design of the station is represent- plying the Doha Metro project’s Red Line during a test ride yesterday. train that made its inaugural run along ative of the Doha Metro, Qatar Rail said. REGION | Media the tunnels of the metro’s Red Line. Traditional Qatari themes and motifs HE Sheikh Abdullah was at the Eco- are blended with modern architecture to Al Jazeera condemns nomic Zone Station of the Doha Metro achieve a look and feel with a uniquely closure of its Taiz offi ce project to inspect ongoing work and Qatari aesthetic “while also being safe, Al Jazeera Media Network yesterday progress at the site. He also reviewed sustainable, functional, and modern.” condemned the closure of its key achievements made by Qatar Rail Passengers travelling through the off ice in Taiz, Yemen. “The Yemeni Supreme Committee board in 2017, including other plans. Economic Zone Station will enjoy “the military force belonging to the HE the Prime Minister was accom- very best” in station design – wide Higher Security Command in Taiz, panied by HE the Minister of Trans- internal spaces, natural lighting, and southern Yemen, stormed Al Jazeera port and Communications Jassim Seif smooth passenger fl ows – all of which Media Network’s off ices in the city Ahmed al-Sulaiti, HE the Minister of “will contribute to a positive experi- and forcefully ordered its closure of directors restructured Municipality and Environment Mo- ence for the customer.” on Tuesday, 9 January 2018,” the hamed bin Abdullah al-Rumaihi, Qa- Qatar Rail has set ambitious goals network said in a statement. “Al QNA Sheikh Mohamed bin Hamad al-Thani His Highness the Emir also issued tar Rail managing director and CEO for 2018, which focus on delivering Jazeera Media Network condemns Doha as managing director, HE the Minister Decree No 6 of 2018 amending some Abdulla al-Subaie, Ashghal president projects “on time and within budget,” this atrocious and unwarranted of Finance, HE the Minister of Culture provisions of Decree No 27 of 2001, Dr Saad bin Ahmed al-Muhannadi and according to al-Subaie. action.” The network has called on and Sports, HE the Minister of Devel- approving the accession of Qatar to the other key offi cials. All remaining MEP and architectural the authorities in Taiz to reverse its is Highness the Emir Sheikh opment Planning and Statistics, HE United Nations Convention against During a tour of the state-of-the-art fi t-out works for the Doha Metro will decision. Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani the Minister of Transport and Com- Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or metro station, HE the Prime Minister be completed this year, with overall Hyesterday issued Decree No 4 munications, HE the Minister of Mu- Degrading Treatment or Punishment. boarded one of the trains, which, “for Metro progress to reach 90%, he said, ASIA | Diplomacy of 2018, allowing Qatar Development nicipality and Environment and HE The decrees are eff ective starting the fi rst time,” according to al-Sulaiti, adding that this will see completion of Bank (QDB) to use the land required the president of Qatar Football Asso- from their date of publication in the entered the tunnels between the Eco- the Red Line up to Al Qassar and the North Korea to attend for construction of the second phase ciation. offi cial gazette. nomic Zone Station and Oqba bin Nafi e start of trial operations. Olympics in rival South of Al Furjan markets and other related The decision also stipulates that the O Ratifi cation: His Highness the Station, passing along the viaduct to Al Qatar Rail is also looking forward to North Korea will send its athletes to services. term of board membership shall be Emir yesterday ratifi ed Cabinet De- Wakrah Station. the arrival of the fi rst batch of trains for the Winter Olympics in the South, His Highness also issued Emiri four years, which may be renewed for cision No 4 of 2014 on conducting a The new fully-driverless trains are the Lusail Tram, al-Subaie said. the rivals said yesterday, after their Decision No 2 for 2018 restructuring one or more similar tenures. general population, housing and es- among the fastest in the region, capa- He added that Qatar Rail will con- first formal talks in more than two the board of directors of the Supreme The decision will come into force on tablishment census for 2020. ble of speeds up to 100km/h, and will tinue to build its brand and develop years following high tensions over Committee for Delivery & Legacy (SC). the date of issuance and shall be pub- The decision stipulates that the deliver “a safe, reliable, and fast com- its customer base in anticipation of Pyongyang’s nuclear weapons The decision stipulates that the lished in the offi cial gazette. Ministry of Development Planning muter service for passengers,” Qatar the start of passenger services on the programme. At the meeting in SC board of directors is to be chaired Meanwhile, His Highness the Emir and Statistics shall conduct the gen- Rail said in a statement. Doha Metro. Communication with the Panmunjom — the truce village in by His Highness the Emir, with His issued Decree No 5 of 2018 allocating eral census of the population, hous- Some of the ultra-modern features public will begin with the launch of the Demilitarised Zone that splits Highness the Personal Representative some plots of land to the Qatar Gen- ing and establishments in the State for of the trains include digital media and focused community awareness cam- the peninsula — the two sides also of the Emir as the Vice-Chairman and eral Electricity and Water Corporation 2020. signage, integrated journey planning, paigns, aiming not only to educate and decided to hold military talks and with the membership of HE the Prime (Kahramaa) for the establishment of The decision is eff ective from the self-service machines ticketing, intel- inform the public but also to highlight to restore a military hotline closed Minister and Minister of Interior, HE an electricity and water production day following its date of issuance and ligent air-conditioning, and full Wi-Fi the benefi ts of the new transport sys- since February 2016. Page 8 Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad al-Thani, HE plant. is to published in the offi cial gazette. coverage across the entire network. tem. Page 20 Minister calls for enhancing Islamic fi nance initiatives

By Santhosh V Perumal risks and increase the effi ciency of the brought with it new and growing chal- Business Reporter Islamic fi nancial services. This will lenges to the Islamic fi nancial transac- serve to ensure the growth and expan- tions requiring further co-operation, sion of Shariah-compliant fi nancial co-ordination and discussion to fi nd atar’s Islamic lenders, which transactions and contribute to build- appropriate solutions in dealing with are the third largest contribu- ing a diversifi ed knowledge-based these challenges and to achieve further Qtor to the global growth in economy,” he told the forum, which growth in the sector. Shariah banking, ought to enhance its was organised by Bait Al-Mashura Fi- Qatar Chamber chairman Sheikh fi nance initiatives and work towards nance Consultations, in collaboration Khalifa bin Jassim al-Thani said Is- activating international partnerships with the Qatar Financial Centre (QFC), lamic banks are playing a key role in to further cement its position in the Hamad Bin Khalifa University and The fi nancing the private sector projects global arena, according to a top gov- College of Business and Economics of which increased its contribution in the ernment offi cial. Qatar University. local market. “In order to promote this growth, “There is scope for further growth we must work together to develop “In order to sustain this global in the Islamic banking sector, par- our Islamic finance initiatives, and growth in Islamic fi nance, ticularly in light with the Islamic work towards activating interna- we must work together to trade growth worldwide and the tional partnerships and exchanging address fi nancial risks and economic expansion plans and in- knowledge and expertise,” HE the increase the effi ciency of the clusive development Qatar witness- Finance Minister Ali Sherif al-Emadi Islamic fi nancial services” ing, besides the increase of con- told the fourth Doha Islamic Finance struction projects and business in Forum in the presence of HE the Quoting the International Monetary the country,” he said. Prime Minister and Interior Minister Fund data, which showed the growth QFC chief executive Yousuf Mo- Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Kha- of the assets of Islamic banks from hamed al-Jaida said Islamic fi nance is lifa al-Thani. $200bn in 2003 to $1.9tn in 2016; al- a key and growing sector and one that Highlighting that the Islamic bank- Emadi said the latest estimates reveal is very relevant for both QFC and for ing accounts for about 25% of the total that Islamic fi nance accounts for 50% the country. banking sector in Qatar; he said the of banking services in the Gulf Co-op- “At the QFC, there are currently country has demonstrated its ability eration Council. many eff orts underway to promote to continue in its journey to help the The fi nance minister said that the Islamic fi nance. Some of these eff orts Islamic fi nance sector grow and devel- recent developments in the world, include collaborating with the Col- op by working with the international especially with regard to the rapid lege of Islamic Studies and Hamad Bin community. growth of electronic fi nancial transac- HE the Prime Minister and Interior Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa al-Thani with HE the Finance Minister Ali Khalifa University on Shariah govern- “In order to sustain this global tions, whether banking or investment Sherif al-Emadi, HE Qatar Central Bank governor Sheikh Abdulla bin Saoud al-Thani, Qatar Chamber chairman Sheikh Khalifa ance and other Islamic fi nance re- growth in Islamic fi nance, we must in the fi nancial markets, or the rapid bin Jassim al-Thani and Aamal Company chairman Sheikh Faisal bin Qassim al-Thani at the fourth Doha Islamic Finance search activities,” he said. work together to address fi nancial spread of electronic currencies, have Forum. PICTURE: Nasar T K Business Page 1 Gulf Times 2 Wednesday, January 10, 2018 QATAR

Deputy premier Qatar-Turkey trade ties reviewed Minister meets Iraqi official sends message to El Salvador’s FM

HE the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohamed bin Abdulrahman al- Thani has sent a written message to Minister of Foreign Aff airs of El Salvador Hugo Martinez, pertaining to bilateral relations and means of developing them. Acting charge d’aff aires at Qatar’s embassy to El Salvador, Ahmed bin Mohamed al-Horr, handed the message when he met the Salvadorian foreign minister. Qatar-EU trade ties discussed

HE the Minister of Economy and Commerce Sheikh Ahmed bin HE the Minister of Economy and Commerce Sheikh Ahmed bin Jassim bin Mohamed al-Thani met Jassim bin Mohamed al-Thani the Deputy Minister of Economy of Turkey, Fatih Metin, and the delegation accompanying him, in HE the Minister of State for Foreign Aff airs Sultan bin Saad al-Muraikhi meeting the President of yesterday met ambassador Doha yesterday. The meeting reviewed relations between Qatar and Turkey and discussed aspects Iraqi Scholars Group and Adviser at the Iraqi Presidency Dr Khaled Abdulwahab al-Mulla in Doha Michele Cervone D’urso, the of co-operation, particularly in the economic, commercial and investment fields, and means of yesterday. The meeting discussed bilateral relations and ways of developing them, as well as non-resident head of the EU del- developing them. Qatar and Turkey enjoy strong economic and trade ties. The volume of trade enhancing prospects for co-operation. The meeting was attended by a number of off icials at the egation to Qatar. They discussed exchange stood nearly at QR2bn ($547mn) in the first half of 2017. Foreign Ministry. ways to enhance Qatar’s trade ties with EU countries. Qatari designers Jewellery and watches expo to showcase to feature over 400 brands their collections

By Joey Aguilar By Joey Aguilar continue being in the market.” Staff Reporter Other features Staff Reporter Rabbo noted that the YQD initiative will shine a spot- zDJWE 2018 will also hold include David Webb, light on six new and return- he 15th Doha Jewellery a charity auction for pieces Suzanne Kalan and Bellina atari designers will re- ing designers: Nada al-Sulaiti and Watches Exhibition designed by young Qatari Collections from the United turn to the 15th edition (Hairaat/returning), Nouf T(DJWE) will feature more designers. States; Santosh Jewellers Qof Doha Jewellery and al-Meer (Nouf Jewellery/re- than 400 brands from over 10 zOrganisers will set up a and Bellina Collections from Watches Exhibition (DJWE) to turning), Ghada al-Buainain countries at the Doha Exhibition children’s nursery/playground India; Veschetti from Italy; showcase their collections from (Ghada al-Buainain Jewellery/ and Convention Centre from aimed at giving parents an Charles Oudin and Djula from February 21 to 26 at a dedicated returning), Leila Abu Issa (Lei- February 21 to 26, it was an- opportunity to visit each stall at France; Armanor Jewellery pavilion at the Doha Exhibition la Issam Fine Jewellery/new), nounced yesterday. the event. from Lebanon; Al-Zain from and Convention Centre. Sheikha Mohamed (Al Ghala Under the patronage of HE (From left) Ahmed al-Obaidli and Mazen Abd Rabbo announcing zValet parking. Bahrain; and Expert Expo As part of the ‘Young Qatari Jewellery/new), and Jawaher the Prime Minister and Inte- details of the 15th Doha Jewellery and Watches Exhibition yesterday. zInternational exhibitors from Turkey. Designers (YQD)’ initiative, local & Hissa Mohamed al-Mannai rior Minister Sheikh Abdullah PICTURE: Jayaram designers will have the oppor- (Ghand Jewellery/new). bin Nasser bin Khalifa al-Thani, tunity to promote and sell their Al-Meer said she takes inspi- the event is presented by Qatar tions and various infrastructures ing platform for companies and art of their craftsmanship by al- jewellery enthusiasts, organis- pieces at the prestigious exhibi- ration from the surroundings: Tourism Authority (QTA) and providing local and international visitors in Qatar and beyond. lowing watch connoisseurs to ers said. It will also off er market tion, which is presented by Qa- nature, environment as well as delivered by Auditoire. expertise in this sector. He expressed optimism that new participate in a master workshop insights and options for industry tar Tourism Authority (QTA) and social interaction with people. According to the organisers, The six-day event will also visa measures, especially the visa- – complete with accredited di- networking and potential new delivered by Auditoire. DJWE will witness a wide range witness 28 exhibitors from Qa- free entry for citizens of 80 coun- plomas for each participant. partnerships. “Nurturing young creativ- “Nurturing young creativity of classic and contemporary tar and 13 international exhibi- tries, will attract a large number of Rabbo added that the event Qatar’s premier and histori- ity has always been a key pillar has always been a key pillar luxury collections by interna- tors, which will display exclusive foreign visitors to the event. this year will also introduce a cal jewellery patrons, credited of DJWE, under the patronage of DJWE” tionally-recognised brands and pieces from the world’s most Visitors, watch enthusiasts variety of new experiences for for initiating the DJWE 15 years of HE Qatar’s Prime Minister designers at a 29,000sq m area. prestigious jewellery and watch and collectors will also have the both exhibitors and visitors such ago, returns to the 15th edition: and Interior Minister Sheikh “Even periodical occasions “The exhibition showcases brands. chance to take part in the con- as a one-day forum, daily indus- Alfardan Jewellery Company, Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa such as the Qatar National Day Qatar as an attractive destina- “This year’s edition is be- sultations and valuations about try talks and “bespoke jewellery Al Majed Jewellery, Ali Bin Ali al-Thani,” Auditoire’s Middle can be a source of inspiration. To tion for luxury seekers around ing held for the 15th consecu- the industry conducted by the workshops.” Group, Amiri Gems WLL and East vice-president Mazen Abd celebrate this latest occasion, I the world,” QTA’s exhibitions tive year and the large number iconic French auction house Art- The DJWE Forum will provide Fifthy One East. Rabbo told a press conference have produced a wonderful cre- director Ahmed al-Obaidli told a of participants from diff erent curial, according to Auditoire’s unique networking opportuni- “As an exhibition bucking in- yesterday. ation, “Qatar”, which consisted press conference. countries shows the confi dence Middle East vice-president Ma- ties and will bring together for ternational trends, the DJWE As one of the fastest growing of bracelets and rings bearing As one of the oldest exhibi- that international, regional and zen Abd Rabbo. the fi rst time global watchmak- continues to build on its legacy of global luxury events, he noted the colours of the Qatari,” she tions in the country, he stressed local brands have for the exhibi- He said French watchmaking ers and jewellery communities, representing this beautiful coun- that DJWE provides a platform pointed out. that DJWE serves as a testimony tion,” al-Obaidli noted, adding experts Objectif Horlogerie will who will share their expertise try’s commitment to off ering best for Qatari designers to showcase Another young Qatari de- to the development of exhibi- that DJWE provides a network- return to DJWE to showcase the and vision with all watches and of the best,” Rabbo pointed out. their creativity, along with in- signer, Abu Issa, said her talent ternationally-renowned brands. in art became apparent from a Rabbo said Qatari designers tender age when she began to ex- will have their own touch and periment with diff erent painting focus in designing their works in techniques. this year’s edition of DJWE. After obtaining her Baccalau- Over 9,400 food outlet inspections conducted in Rayyan last year Last year, local designers were reate in French Literature and inspired on creating pieces in- Philosophy, she moved to Paris spired by Qatar’s rich heritage to study art and design. Over l Rayyan Municipal- ous breaches of the law with and culture. several years she experimented ity conducted as many some of them resolved through “When people visit the exhi- over a diverse spectrum of the Aas 9,405 inspection tours reconciliation after paying the bition, they will see it by them- design world and the fi lm indus- on the food facilities within its set fines. The food destroyed selves. The important part is to try. jurisdiction during 2017. It also for being unfit for human con- provide our young designers the According to Abu Issa, she conducted 1,077 reviews of com- sumption last year included opportunity to stand shoulder found inspiration in Florence mercial facilities to issue new 552 full carcasses of sheep, to shoulder with international when she began a quest for an commercial licences, and imple- mainly for not complying with brands that have been in this art form she would take on as her mented 37 joint sudden inspec- the standard health regula- sector for hundreds of years,” own. tion campaigns during the same tions. Rabbo stressed. In 2011, she returned to the period. Similarly, 25 commercial out- He noted that many young Middle East and joined the fam- In addition, 132 temporary lets were temporarily closed for Qatari designers do not have ily business. She became ac- commercial licences were is- not complying with the laws and galleries or showrooms in quainted with precious stones sued. The municipality also regulations. The total amounts Doha, a facility which “will and metals. Her passion for jew- issued a considerable number for the fi nes collected last year give them the chance to be in els built up from there and they of violations notices for vari- was QR1.31mn. An inspection in progress at the meat section of an outlet in Al Rayyan Municipality’s jurisdiction. touch with the market and were never to leave her sight. QC launches second edition of ‘Competitors’ programme

atar Charity (QC) has launched the second edi- Qtion of the ‘Competitors’ programme, produced in collab- oration with Al Quran Al Kareem Radio. The programme off ers various community institutions the op- portunity to take part in charita- ble, humanitarian, developmen- tal and creative works, as well as community marketing with new and innovative ways. In the fi rst edition, the com- petition was held between Al Sadd Sports Club and Al Arabi Sports Club aimed at enriching the country’s sports. The two competing teams Qatar Charity awards winners of the ‘Competitors’ programme. Qatar Charity launches the second edition of the ‘Competitors’ programme. managed to implement hu- manitarian projects and drew a the social media engagement. a certifi cate for funding a multi- competition between Al Wakrah Bouzouir, Abdullah Jasim and ments of the community to do hu- pists in Qatar,” he added. smile on the faces of thousands The team fi nanced a project service project, which involved Sports Club and Al Ahli Sports Abdullah Saad. manitarian works and volunteering. Ezzeddin al-Sada, assistant of benefi ciaries in Albania and titled “Al Arabi Sports Club the construction of a fully fur- Club. Ahmed al-Ali, assistant ex- “‘Competitors’, in its fi rst sea- monitor of Al Quran Al Kareem Kyrgyzstan. Heath Centre” in Albania, which nished building with facilities in Sheikh Ahmed al-Buainain, ecutive director of the Executive son, contributed to promoting Radio, said the charitable work An award was given to Al Arabi costs about QR1.5mn, off ering Kyrgyzstan pegged at QR1.5mn. Mohsen Jasim, Yousif Ahmed Management of Media and Com- various humanitarian projects is one of the signifi cant features Sports Club, who bested Al Sadd medical services to more than 60 Meanwhile, the launch of and Jassim al-Tamimi form Al munication at Qatar Charity, said that benefi ted millions of needy of civilized nations, which know Sports Club based on excellence patients daily. Competitors’ second edition Wakrah while Al Ahli consists of the programme achieved tangible people worldwide because of the their symbiotic role and appre- in creative idea, teamwork and Al Sadd Sports Club received marked the beginning of the Sheikh Abdullah al-Sada, Fahd success by investing in various seg- generous support of philanthro- ciate its importance. Gulf Times Wednesday, January 10, 2018 3 QATAR Qatar Airways brings its Qsuite to US capital atar Airways’ revolution- “The introduction of Qsuite features the industry’s demonstrates our continued ary and award-winning Qsuite to Washington, fi rst-ever double bed in Busi- commitment to providing the QQsuite offi cially landed a city we have served ness Class, as well as privacy utmost quality and service to at Washington, DC’s Washing- for the past 10 years, panels that stow away, allowing our valued customers,” Qatar ton Dulles International Airport demonstrates our passengers in adjoining seats to Airways Group chief executive on January 6, making the capi- continued commitment create their own private room, a Akbar al-Baker said. Qsuite, a patented Qatar Airways product, is already fast collecting awards for bringing a First Class expe- tal city the second US destina- to providing the utmost fi rst of its kind in the industry. “Since our launch a decade rience to the Business Class cabin. tion to off er the innovative new quality and service to our Qatar Airways proudly ago, Washington Dulles has Business Class product. valued customers” launched Qsuite at ITB Berlin in seen some of the highest de- to and from the US capital.” Qatar Airways celebrated sengers from Washington, DC to The groundbreaking Qsuite March 2017 to outstanding glo- mand for our Business Class Qatar Airways was recognised 10 years of fl ying to the United destinations across Asia, Africa, was fi rst introduced on fl ights Kennedy International Airport. bal acclaim, and has set a new service across any of our other for its launch of Qsuite by receiv- States capital in 2017, with its the Pacifi c, and the Middle East. to London Heathrow Airport Qsuite, a patented Qatar Air- standard for luxury travel with US gateways, so bringing Qsuite ing the ‘Best Airline Innovation fi rst fl ight to Washington Dulles Qatar Airways also remains and Paris Charles de Gaulle Air- ways product, is already fast this innovative product. to Washington was a natural of the Year’ award at the 2017 International Airport from Doha the preferred carrier for people port and, most recently, made collecting awards for bringing “The introduction of Qsuite choice,” he noted. “We look ULTRAS (Ultimate Luxury Travel on July 19, 2007. travelling from Washington, DC its highly-anticipated US debut a First Class experience to the to Washington, a city we have forward to continuing to revo- Related Awards) held in London In the past year, the airline has to the airline’s 13 destinations in last month at New York’s John F Business Class cabin. served for the past 10 years, lutionise the way people travel last year. carried more than 185,000 pas- India. QA to fl y in top runners Ooredoo names Doha

atar Airways is fl ying in scores of the world’s Qtop runners to take part Marathon sponsors in the prestigious sixth annual Ooredoo Doha Marathon. Thousands of runners of all oined under the slogan ‘To- to be associated with this ini- ages and abilities are expected to gether we run’, a host of or- tiative as it shares the same en- participate in the hugely popular Jganisations in Qatar have deavours as ours at Sheraton race as Qatar Airways contin- pledged to support the 2018 — bringing people together, en- ues its sponsorship of the event, Ooredoo Doha Marathon, an health related initiatives, for the couraging a better lifestyle, and in association with the event’s annual event aimed at inspiring greater good of the community,” giving back to the community,” sports tourism partner, Qatar more people in the country to Qatar Airways Group chief ex- he added. Tourism Authority (QTA). get active. ecutive Akbar al-Baker said. Earlier this month, Qatar The inspiring British multiple “It’s so inspiring to see so Aura Hospitality & Food Serv- Tourism Authority (QTA) also World, Olympic and European many of Qatar’s organisations ices CEO Charbel Mhanna said: announced its partnership with champion, Sir Mo Farah, leads come together to create a truly “We are pleased to collaborate Ooredoo to support the mara- the pack of the top 18 world’s The sixth Ooredoo Doha Marathon will begin at 6.30am on January 12 outside MIA. unique and community focused with Ooredoo by sponsoring the thon, including introducing best male and female runners event for Qatar,” Ooredoo chief Ooredoo Doha Marathon.” a new ‘Invitational Elite Half taking part in the Elite Half- to sponsor the Ooredoo Doha “The elite athletes’ involve- and more active lifestyle, as she executive offi cer Waleed al- “As one of the country’s lead- Marathon’ category for some of Marathon. Marathon, which every year at- ment helps us to echo Qatar’s thanked Qatar Airways for “once Sayed said. ing hospitality players, Aura the world’s top athletes. Other world-famous runners tracts some of the best athletes message of welcoming the world, again helping us achieve this “Anyone can run in the Oore- Hospitality & Food Services QTA acting chairman Hassan competing with the Olympic from around the world,” Qatar and shines a spotlight on a fast- goal.” doo Marathon, and as well as Group is committed to encour- al-Ibrahim said: “The Qatar Na- athlete and top-medal win- Airways’ marketing and corpo- growing sports tourism desti- All runners, both new and raising money for a great cause. aging active living and healthy tional Tourism sector strategy ner include Chris Thompson rate communications senior vice nation,” he stressed. “We look experienced, are invited to par- This year people will be able to eating practices in the commu- identifi es sports tourism among of Britain, Eyob Faniel of Italy, president Salam al-Shawa said. forward to hosting them with the ticipate in one of four courses run alongside a host of inter- nity,” Mhanna noted. four key focus areas in the devel- Melina Wolf of Germany, Azu- “It also promises to be a fun- traditional Arabian hospitality for diff erent abilities: a full 42km national athletes depending on “As part of our participa- opment of the sector.” cena Diaz of Spain and Monica fi lled day for runners of all ages where Qatar is renowned for, as marathon for experienced run- their fi tness levels and ability,” tion, we are delighted to provide “At QTA, we work to leverage Silva of Portugal. and helps promote a healthy life- well as hosting them on visits to ners, a half-marathon of 21km, he noted. breakfast boxes, fresh fruits, the remarkable development The highly-anticipated mara- style for locals and visitors alike.” some of our world-class sports as well as a 10km route and 5km “We look forward to seeing protein bars, water and juices to the tourism industry has seen thon will begin at 6:30am on “With our belief in the power facilities.” course. Children can also take more people than ever take part all the runners and guests at- to reinforce Qatar’s position as January 12 outside the Museum of sport to bring people together, Ooredoo’s public relations part in the fun, with a special in the 2018 Ooredoo Doha Mara- tending the event to support a sports tourism hub, and a des- of Islamic Art (MIA), with the run we are delighted that 2018 has and corporate communications children’s marathon of 3km and thon and come along to cheer their fi tness routine while edu- tination that can attract sports taking place against the backdrop kicked off with this long-running director Manar Khalifa al-Mu- 1km. on their loved ones,” al-Sayed cating the community about the enthusiasts whether they are of Doha’s iconic skyline. sponsorship, which has quickly raikhi said Ooredoo is thrilled to Over the past fi ve years, the added. importance of consuming fresh athletes, amateurs or profes- The event will see thousands become a fi rm fi xture in Qatar’s welcome runners of all ages and marathon has grown to become Meanwhile, beIN Sports has products,” the CEO added. sionals in various sports-related of local and international run- sporting calendar,” she noted. abilities to this highly-anticipat- one of the most popular sporting been announced as the offi cial Sheraton Grand Doha Resort fi elds,” he said. ners, both young and old, pacing “We wish all the runners well ed event. events in Qatar, attracting thou- media partner; Qatar Airways, & Convention Hotel general “We are grateful to Ooredoo themselves across several dif- and look forward to congratulat- “We have no doubt that this sands of runners of from coun- Qatar Olympic Committee manager Saeid Heidari said: “It and all the Ooredoo Doha Mara- ferent running courses starting ing everyone who participates.” will be Ooredoo’s biggest mara- tries all over the world. and Aura as silver sponsors; is with great pride and pleas- thon partners for making this from Doha’s Corniche. QTA”s chief marketing and thon to date with the help and Supporting many world-class and Discover Qatar and the ure we are hosting this group of event the popular success that Organisers hope that the fun promotion offi cer Rashed al- participation of the local com- local sports initiatives, Qa- Sheraton Hotel Doha as bronze elite athletes from all around the it has become over the past fi ve event will also help to promote a Qurese said they are delighted munity and our sponsors,” she tar Airways, the Offi cial Airline sponsors. world.” years,” al-Ibrahim said. healthier lifestyle. Funds raised to have such an accomplished said. partner of FIFA, is also a leading “Qatar Airways is proud to be “We look forward to wel- Now in its sixth year, the from the run will go to charities fi eld of international champions Khalifa al-Muraikhi pointed supporter of major global sport- the silver sponsor for the 2018 coming them this year and in Ooredoo Doha Marathon is set in Qatar to give back to the local coming to Qatar to participate in out that Ooredoo Doha Mara- ing events, including the 2018 Ooredoo Doha Marathon. The the coming years. As the Oore- to be the biggest yet and 100% of community. the country’s largest mass par- thon’s aim is to inspire Qatar’s FIFA World Cup Russia and the national carrier has always been doo Doha Marathon grows to a this year’s registration fees will “Qatar Airways is pleased ticipation event. communities to live a healthier FIFA Club World Cup. keen on supporting sports and world-class level, we are happy be donated to charity. ‘Siege on Qatar HMC committed to procure has no moral or medicines globally: offi cial

atar University Col- the achievement of economic lege of Health Sciences independence and food self- legal grounds’ Q(QU-CHS) has hosted suffi ciency. a seminar on “The Impact of She pointed to the role of the Blockade on the Labora- the private sector in facilitat- The siege on Qatar has no tory Sector, Food and Medicine ing the procedures of new do- moral or legal grounds, Doha Safety.” mestic investments and the resident Sarfaraz Jahangir told The seminar is part of QU’s emergence of integrated initia- Qatar Urdu Radio’s live show series of events addressing Qa- tives to promote food industry Haqeeqat yesterday. tar’s blockade. It was delivered and agricultural projects in line He discussed the report issued by Hamad Medical Corpora- with the goals of Qatar National by the Off ice of the United tion’s (HMC) assistant direc- Vision 2030. Nations High Commissioner tor of medical supplies Dr Za- Al-Baker also indicated that for Human Rights on the kia Mohammed al-Baloushi, due to the emergency plan im- impact of the Gulf crisis on medical laboratories supervisor plemented on June 5, the block- human rights. Mona Sultan, and Ministry of ade did not have any negative “The report has asked for an Public Health’s Food Safety and impact on the food sector. immediate explanation of the Sarfaraz Jahangir Environmental Health division Prof Asma al-Thani said, one-sided siege because of all manager Wasan al-Baker. “The health sector in Qatar the human rights violations. as well as migrant workers in Haqeeqat is a joint venture Attendees included CHS has a great impact on the lives The committee has also called the entire region,” explained of the Gulf Times and Qatar dean and Biomedical Research of the individuals, the society on the blockading countries Jahangir, an architect by Media Corp Urdu Radio. Centre director Prof Asma al- and the academic fi eld. During to allow them to meet people profession. The show, hosted by Saif-ur- Thani and CHS associate dean Panellists at the seminar. the blockade, CHS continued in in their countries and see how “The report compares the Rehman, aims to engage and for academic aff airs Dr Ahmad its eff orts to support the com- it’s aff ecting them,” he said. siege to an economic war interact with the large South Malki as well as CHS depart- across HMC hospitals. strategic plan to address cases munity and show its students “The report details diff erent imposed on Qatar. It was clear Asian expatriate community ment heads, faculty, staff and She also underlined the im- of crisis and emergency, adding the impact of the blockade on categories to show how that the blockading countries in Qatar. students. portance of securing a higher that laboratories were supplied the laboratory sector, phar- people were aff ected by the wanted to target the business Log on to Qatar Urdu Dr al-Baloushi discussed the stock for several months and with the necessary equipment maceutical supplies and food siege. This includes Qatari and finance sector in Qatar. Radio on Facebook and ‘@ impact of the blockade on med- of manufacturing medicines through supportive countries. safety. This seminar demon- citizens; students; diff erent This was a kind of extreme QatarUrduRadio’ on Twitter for icine safety. She highlighted the locally in line with the highest On food safety, al-Baker not- strates how the country faced GCC nationals who were told common punishment for an feedback and comments about commitment of HMC to pur- quality standards. ed that the blockade contrib- the crises through its wise lead- to immediately leave Qatar; entire nation,” he added. the show. chase medicines from around Sultan noted that HMC es- uted to accelerating the plans ership and the hard work of its the world and their distribution tablished and implemented a and strategies that support citizens.” Gulf Times 4 Wednesday, January 10, 2018 QATAR Top track stars for Mall of Qatar ‘meet & greet’ today evening ir Mo Farah and a line-up of international elite athletes, Sparticipating in the Oore- doo Doha Marathon 2018, will be heading to Mall of Qatar to- day for a meet-and-greet session with their fans from 7pm, Qatar Tourism Authority (QTA), sports tourism partner for marathon, has announced. Local sports fans, athletes and communities are invited to get posters autographed and take selfi es with 10 sports heros from Australia, Germany, Italy, the UK, Spain, Portugal, and Turkey. The special event, hosted by Qa- tari comedian Hamad al-Amari, will take place on the Oasis Stage. Fans are encouraged to arrive Sara Dossena of Italy. PICTURE: Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno/Getty early to get a chance for an auto- Images Michael Shelley of Australia. graph and join in offi cial pictures and fi lming. Steel of Britain, Melina Wolf and 83 nationalities participating in 3km and 1km events for children. The inspiring British multiple Arne Gabius of Germany; Ayad the prestigious race. The highly- The event can be followed on World, Olympic and European Lamdassem of Spain; Monica anticipated event will begin at Facebook, Instagram and Twitter champion, Sir Mo Farah, will be Silva of Portugal; Bekir Karayel 6.30am on January 12 outside the on; Facebook: Ooredoo Qatar, Vis- joined by nine of the world’s best of Turkey; Allison Kieff er of the Museum of Islamic Art, with the itQatar & MallofQatar Instagram: male and female runners taking US; Sara Dossena of Italy and run taking place against the back- Ooredoo Qatar, VisitQatar & Mal- part in the Elite Half-Marathon. Michael Shelley of Australia. drop of Doha’s iconic skyline. lofQatar Twitter: Ooredoo Qatar, Some of the world-famous The Ooredoo Doha Marathon It includes a full marathon, half VisitQatar & MallofQatar #Oore- runners participating in the 2018 is expected to witness 2,400 marathon, 10km and 5km events dooMarathon2018 #OoredooDo- Mohamed Farah of Great Britain. PICTURE: Christian Petersen/Getty Images for IAAF ‘meet & greet’ include Gemma runners and enthusiasts from for adults and youth as well as haMarathon2018 #VisitQatar.

PM visits assaulted school principal Ahlibank announces winner of savings promotion

E the Prime Minister taken the necessary meas- ployees”, it was observed. hlibank has announced the name of its Al and Interior Minis- ures in the assault case in Al-Derham said that the Rabeh Savings Scheme QR1mn prize draw Hter, Sheikh Abdul- co-operation with the com- Minister of Education and Awinner for Q4 2017. Robina Shaheen A lah bin Nasser bin Khalifa petent authorities. Higher Education directed Aziz’s name was selected during a draw, which al-Thani, visited the school He stressed that the min- the competent authorities in was conducted under the presence of a repre- principal who was assaulted istry “stands by the victims the departments of Schools sentative of the Ministry of Economy and Com- by a student and his fam- and that it shall not tolerate and Legal Aff airs to investi- merce. Naeem Aziz, the winner’s son, said: “We ily members on Sunday, in any behaviour that leads to gate and follow up the issue. were extremely happy when we received a call from hospital to enquire about his physical and psychological A committee from the Ahlibank informing us that my mother won the health and recovery. damage to any stakeholder Ministry of Education was quarterly QR1mn prize. We’ve been dealing with HE the Minister of Educa- in the educational process, also set up to manage the Ahlibank since 2012 and their products and serv- tion and Higher Education, whether principals, vice- school and it reported that ices are truly innovative and personalised. “The Dr Mohamed Abdul Wahed principals, teachers and all the incident had no impact plan is to re-invest the money in Al Rabeh Savings Ali al-Hammadi, who was personnel in schools”. on the progress of tests. Scheme and in a new business venture we are plan- also present during the visit He noted that the incident ning to do in Doha.” along with other offi cials, The incident is alien to is a rare and isolated act, and Ahlibank deputy CEO Retail and Private Banking tweeted about it yesterday. Qatari society, where is alien to the conservative Hassan AlEfrangi, who delivered the cheque to the Hassan Ajran al-Buain- everyone respects Qatari society, where eve- winner, said: “At Ahlibank, our aim is to provide ain, principal of Omar Bin members of the ryone respects and appreci- the most personal banking experience by provid- Al-Khattab Secondary education community ates members of the educa- ing the right products and services to our clients. School for Boys, and the tion community. Students Ahlibank’s Al Rabeh Savings Scheme is a great vice-principal for adminis- Al-Derham said the prin- in public schools are known product, as eligible customers have a chance to win trative aff airs were assaulted cipal was carrying out his du- for their competence, good cash prizes every month and quarter. “In 2018, Al on Sunday morning. ties and enforcing regulations character and manners. Rabeh’s prize draw are two cash prizes of QR1mn, “We praise God for the set by the ministry in dealing Following the assault on two cash prizes of QR500,000, 10 monthly cash safety of our brother, the with any violation during the the principal and vice-prin- prizes of QR25,000 each, and 10 monthly cash Ahlibank deputy CEO Retail and Private Banking Hassan AlEfrangi with the ceremonial QR1mn educator Hassan al-Buain- ongoing examinations. cipal of Omar Bin Al-Khattab prizes of QR10,000 each.” cheque for the Al Rabeh Savings Scheme. ain, and his colleague, after The ministry, across all its Secondary School for Boys on the assault. We thank our departments and affi liated in- Sunday morning by a student wise leadership and HE the stitutions, “is a sanctuary that and his family, the security Prime Minister and Interior must be preserved for its im- authorities took the necessary Minister for the special care portant role in upbringing and action against the aggressors, they give to employees in the preparing the human resourc- the statement added. Ford model recalled over transmission safety fears education sector,” HE Dr al- es of the State”, he observed. The Minister of Educa- Hammadi tweeted in Arabic. The Ministry of Educa- tion and Higher Education Earlier, Khalifa Saad al- tion and Higher Education followed up on the incident he Ministry of Economy and may come out. The MEC said the nate with the dealer to follow up on sumer Protection and Anti-Com- Derham, director of the is following up on the mat- with the relevant authorities Commerce (MEC), in collab- recall campaign comes within the the maintenance and repair works mercial Fraud Department through Public Schools Department ter with the competent se- and visited the victims to Toration with Almana Motors framework of its ongoing eff orts to and will communicate with custom- the following channels: Call centre: at the Ministry of Education curity authorities and will enquire about their condi- Company, has announced the recall protect consumers and ensure that ers to ensure that the necessary re- 16001, e-mail: [email protected], and Higher Education, said “not waive the recovery of tion at Hamad Medical Cor- of Ford F-150 model of 2017 because car dealers follow up on vehicles’ pairs are carried out. Twitter: @MEC_Qatar, Instagram: in a statement that they had its right and that of its em- poration. the roll pin attaching the transmis- defects and repair them. The MEC has urged all customers MEC_Qatar, MEC mobile app for sion shift linkage to the transmission The MEC said that it will co-ordi- to report any violations to its Con- Android and IOS: MEC_Qatar Al Wakra Hospital opens specialised centre for urinary stone treatment

l Wakra Hospital, part of Hamad Medical Corporation’s (HMC) network of com- Amunity-based hospitals, has announced the establishment of a specialised Urinary Stone Center. The fi rst of its kind in the Middle East, the Urinary Stone Center provides patients with the latest developments in the diagnosis and treat- ment of urinary stones and related urological conditions. The new centre will receive patients from 7am to 7pm, with three morning clinics and two after- noon clinics. It is staff ed by 13 doctors specialising in urology as well as nurses and trained techni- cians. Patients will be referred from emergency departments, HMC outpatient departments as well as the PHCC and private hospital clinics. Urinary stones begin to form in the kidney. De- pending on where a stone is located, it may be called a kidney stone, ureteral stone, or bladder stone. Each year, thousands of patients across the region are hospitalised for stones in their urinary tract. Dr Ahmad Shamsodini, senior consultant and chairman of Al Wakra Hospital’s Surgical Divi- Al Wakra Hospital has established a specialised Urinary Stone Center. sions said the Urinary Stone Centre has been es- tablished to provide the highest quality patient edge technology to provide personalised, patient- scope) to successfully treat a number of urological care for urologic cases and to meet the needs of centred care for men and women with a variety of conditions. patients with urinary stones. urological conditions,” said Dr Shamsodini. A laser is used to fragment stones in the urinary “Around 78% of the operations performed He said that the centre will provide patients system,” added Dr Shamsodini. by the urology division are because of urinary with the most advanced techniques in the diag- In addition to providing care for patients with a stones. The establishment of the new clinics will nosis and treatment of urinary stones, including variety of urological problems, including follow- relieve stress on emergency departments as well minimally invasive robotic-assisted surgery. up treatment, the Centre’s staff will also educate as health centres. Our new centre will off er an in- “At the new centre, we will introduce robot-as- patients about the importance of lifestyle modifi - tegrated treatment programme for patients. Our sisted urological surgery — an emerging and safe cation, specifi cally related to diet and exercise, as team of specially trained clinicians use cutting- technology that uses a fl exible telescope (uretero- a strategy to prevent future urinary stones. Gulf Times Wednesday, January 10, 2018 5 REGION/ARAB WORLD

OPINION CONTROVERSY JUDICIARY POLITICS WARNING Iran has foiled plot to use Israel to approve hundreds Guatemala legal challenge Ankara changes embassy Tunisia government vows protests to overthrow govt of new settler homes to embassy move street name after spat firmness after agitation

Iran has foiled attempts by its foreign enemies Israel will approve construction of hundreds of new A Guatemalan lawyer is challenging his country’s Ankara yesterday renamed the street in the Turkish Tunisian Prime Minister Youssef Chahed yesterday to turn legitimate protests into an insurgency to settlement homes in the occupied West Bank, Israeli controversial decision to move its embassy in Israel capital where the United Arab Emirates’ embassy accused those involved in overnight protests against overthrow the Islamic Republic, supreme leader Defence Minister Avigdor Lieberman said yesterday. to Jerusalem, arguing it violates international law. is located after an Ottoman governor, in a symbolic recent price rises of looting and violence, vowing to Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said yesterday. Com- Settlements are one of the most heated issues in Marco Vinicio Mejia lodged the complaint with riposte to Abu Dhabi. UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh apply the law to off enders. “What some Tunisian areas ments on his Twitter feed and in Iranian media eff orts to restart Israeli-Palestinian peace talks, frozen the Constitutional Court on Monday, saying the Abdullah bin Zayed al-Nahyan retweeted a post on saw overnight could not be considered a way of pro- underscored the establishment’s confidence since 2014. Palestinians want the West Bank for a December 24 announcement of the embassy move Twitter last month which made accusations against test, but acts of theft, looting and attacks on Tunisians’ that it has extinguished the unrest that spread to future state, along with East Jerusalem and the Gaza went against the principles, rules and practices of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Ankara properties,” Chahed said, according to the off icial more than 80 cities in which at least 22 people Strip. Most countries consider as illegal the Israeli set- international law with regard to the Israeli-Palestinian mayor Mustafa Tuna said late Monday that 613 news agency TAP. “The only solution for confronting died since late December. “Once again, the nation tlements built in the territory which Israel captured in peace process. Such a change of policy should have Street would be renamed “Fahreddin Pasha” while those involved in looting and attacks on Tunisians and tells the US, Britain, and those who seek to over- the 1967 Middle East war. Israeli authorities were due been put to a referendum, he argued. He also said the nearby avenue would be renamed “Madinah their properties is applying the law.” Anti-government throw the Islamic Republic of Iran from abroad to approve today the construction of 1,285 housing President Jimmy Morales flouted government stand- Defender” instead of 609 Avenue. The decision, demonstrations erupted this week in several locations that ‘you’ve failed, and you will fail in the future, units to be built in 2018 and advance planning for ards by making the announcement on his Facebook mooted last month, was approved by the Ankara in Tunisia in protest against increases in the prices of too.’” Khamenei tweeted. 2,500 others in about 20 diff erent settlements. page rather than leaving it to the foreign ministry. municipality assembly on Monday. some goods and a levy of new taxes. Deadly Syria attacks leave at least 22 dead

AFP Beirut

ombardments of a Syria rebel enclave and Damascus yester- Bday left at least 22 people dead, a monitor and state media said, as the Qatar’s Speaker of the Advisory Council HE Ahmed bin Abdullah bin Zaid al-Mahmoud (left) is seen during the parliament UN’s humanitarian chief paid his fi rst session in Kuwait City, yesterday, on the sidelines of the Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC) meetings. visit to the country. At least 18 civilians, including three children, were killed in rebel-held Eastern Ghouta near Damascus by ar- tillery fi re and air strikes from either regime or Russian aircraft, said the Kuwait speaker expresses Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. Rebels bombarded two districts of A volunteer from the Syrian Civil Defence (known as the White Helmets) carries the capital in retaliation, with Syr- an infant after digging him out of the rubble following an air strike on Hamouria, ian state media reporting four people in the besieged rebel-held Eastern Ghouta area near Damascus, yesterday. optimism on Gulf unity were killed. Eastern Ghouta has been under government siege since 2013 child in their arms, as a man trapped Minister Walid Muallem as the UN and its estimated 400,000 inhabit- up to his waist waited for people to dig seeks greater access to besieged popu- QNA councils and national assemblies who the heads took a tour of the headquar- ants are suff ering severe shortages of him out. lations. Kuwait attended the session, and pointed out ters of the Kuwaiti national assembly, food and medicine. The latest bloodshed in Syria’s war The United Nations has said some to the social, geographic and family where they were briefed on the various The deadliest strikes hit the Ham- — which is estimated to have claimed 500 people are in critical condition ties that unite the GCC citizens. facilities and equipment. muriyeh district, while more than 80 the lives of 340,000 people since 2011 inside Eastern Ghouta and need to be peaker of the Advisory Council Al-Ghanim expressed optimism Later, Qatar’s Advisory Council people were wounded in the bom- — came as UN humanitarian boss evacuated for urgent medical treat- HE Ahmed bin Abdullah bin Zaid about Gulf re-cohesion and said the Speaker and his accompanying del- bardments of the rebel territory, said Mark Lowcock discussed getting aid ment. Sal-Mahmoud and his accompa- promises of the reunion began before egation left Kuwait for Doha in the the Observatory, which relies on a to civilians. Syrian state news agency SANA also nying delegation of Advisory Council the end of the year when the Gulf sum- afternoon. The Speaker and the ac- network of sources inside Syria. Lowcock, who took over as under- reported that Israeli jets and missiles members, attended yesterday the Ku- mit and the Gulf Cup were held, and companying delegation were seen off An AFP correspondent saw a res- secretary-general for humanitarian struck regime positions overnight waiti National Assembly second ordi- now with the 11th meeting of Chair- upon departure at Kuwait Interna- cuer emerge from the rubble with a aff airs in September, met with Foreign northeast of Damascus. nary session. persons and Speakers of Shura, Rep- tional Airport by Speaker of the Ku- The Kuwaiti Speaker of the Ku- resentative Councils and National waiti National Assembly Marzouq bin waiti National Assembly Marzouq bin Assemblies of the GCC, which are all Ali al-Ghanim, Charge d’Aff aires at the Ali al-Ghanim in his opening speech optimistic steps. Qatari embassy in Kuwait Ali Jabir al- welcomed the GCC chairpersons and At the outset of the meeting, Their Marri and members of the Qatari em- speakers of Shura, representative Highnesses and Their Excellencies bassy in the State of Kuwait.

Sweden Journalist gets seven years warns in jail for insulting Qatar against Kuwaiti court yesterday sen- Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Mohamed bin tenced writer Fouad al-Hashem Zayed,” the Middle East Monitor said. Ato seven years in jail for insult- In September, the Kuwaiti criminal US aid cut ing the State of Qatar, the Middle East court ordered the arrest of al-Hashem Monitor reported. and the editor-in-chief of a local news- Authorities had fi led a lawsuit paper for insulting the State of Qatar. AFP against al-Hashem for “insulting the The Kuwaiti Misdemeanour Court United Nations Emir of Qatar, his mother and father recently fi ned al-Hashem 3,000 dinars on Twitter” in violation of the Elec- ($9,947) for insulting the Kuwaiti In- tronic Media Act. “Al-Hashem tweeted terior Ministry’s Assistant Undersec- weden, a big donor country hours before the issuance of the ruling retary for Citizenship and Residency that has recognised Pal- that he had arrived in the United Arab Aff airs, Major General Mazen al-Jarrah, Sestine as a state, warned Emirates and enjoyed the protection of on Twitter. yesterday that any US decision to withdraw funds to the UN agency for Palestinians would be desta- bilising for the Middle East. Sweden’s UN ambassador Olof Skoog said he had raised his con- Hamas offi cial critical cerns with US ambassador Nikki Haley following reports that the US administration had withheld $125mn in funds due on January after shooting incident 1 for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) for Palestinians.“My concern is that AFP as we talk about regional sta- Gaza City bility, withdrawing funding for UNRWA would be very negative, both in terms of humanitarian senior fi gure in Palestinian needs of over 5mn people but also group Hamas was hospitalised in of course it would be destabilis- Acritical condition yesterday after ing for the region,” Skoog told re- suff ering a gunshot wound to the head porters at UN headquarters. in what offi cials said was an accident. The Swedish ambassador said Imad al-Alami, a founding member he did not rule out raising the is- of Hamas and former member of its sue at the Security Council, which highest political body, was wounded is scheduled to hold its regular while “inspecting his personal weapon meeting on the Israeli-Palestinian in his home and is in critical condition”, confl ict on January 25. Hamas spokesman Fawzy Barhoum US President Donald Trump said in a statement. earlier this month threatened to There was no independent confi rma- cut US aid to the Palestinians, tion of that account. saying on Twitter that Wash- Alami was rushed to hospital in Gaza File photo shows Imad al-Alami, talking ington gets “no appreciation or City, where he was visited by Hamas to journalists at a press conference respect” from the Palestinians. leader Ismail Haniya, Gaza chief Yahya held in the southern suburbs of Beirut. In Washington, a senior State Sinwar and his deputy Khalil al-Hayya, Department offi cial said on Mon- an AFP photographer said. Israel has previously assassinated day that “contrary to reports that Hayya told journalists the version of senior Hamas leaders, including the we have halted funding to UN- events described in the statement was group’s wheelchair-bound founder RWA, the decision is under review.” based on “testimony of family and wit- Ahmed Yassin. “There are still deliberations nesses at home”. However, radical groups have target- taking place, and we have missed He said doctors had operated on him ed Hamas, with an Islamic State affi li- no deadline,” said the offi cial, who but he remained in critical condition. ate recently calling for attacks against spoke on condition of anonymity. Alami has for decades been a senior them. Sweden was the fi rst EU coun- member of Hamas, which runs the Gaza In October 2017 the head of security try to recognise Palestine as a Strip. in Gaza was injured in an apparent as- state in 2014 and is among the He lived in exile for more than 20 sassination attempt, with a small ex- top 10 donors to UNRWA along years but returned to Gaza in 2012. plosion in his car. with the United States, the Eu- His home in Gaza was bombed by In March a senior party leader, Mazen ropean Union, Saudi Arabia, Israel during the most recent war be- Faqha, was shot dead inside Gaza, with Germany and Britain. tween the two sides in 2014. Hamas accusing Israel of responsibility. Gulf Times 6 Wednesday, January 10, 2018 AFRICA

EMPLOYMENT SECURITY JUSTICE PLEDGE Schools closed in Zambia Regional force targets ICC judges are ‘prejudiced’, Equatorial Guinea gains UN as cholera toll rises to 61 Boko Haram leadership lash out Bemba lawyers support after ‘coup’ plot

The start of Zambia’s school year has been Troops from Nigeria and neighbouring countries Lawyers for former Congolese vice-president Jean- A United Nations special envoy has assured oil- postponed and all public gatherings banned have launched major off ensives against the two Pierre Bemba yesterday slammed his conviction rich Equatorial Guinea it will be supported in its to contain a cholera outbreak that has killed 61 Boko Haram factions and their leaders, the military for war crimes, accusing judges of “prejudice” and “stabilisation eff orts” following a “coup attempt” people, off icials said yesterday. Church services said yesterday. Soldiers from Cameroon, Chad, calling for the judgement to be scrapped. Bemba, against President Teodoro Obiang, Africa’s longest- were cancelled on Sunday and a night-time Niger and Nigeria are targeting Abubakar Shekau 55, is appealing an 18-year jail term handed down serving leader. Francois Lounceny Fall, a former curfew has been imposed to limit movement in the Sambisa Forest, and Mamman Nur, on and by the International Criminal Court in June 2016 prime minister of Guinea, arrived in Equatorial in Lusaka’s densely-populated slum district of around Lake Chad, both in Borno state, northeast after judges found him guilty on five charges of war Guinea over the weekend to meet Obiang and Kanyama, one of the worst aff ected areas. “The Nigeria. Top brass in Abuja have claimed that crimes and crimes against humanity for his role in to “gather more information” on the putsch that country has recorded 114 new cases in the last 24 Nur had been injured and one of his wives killed atrocities committed by his troops in the Central Malabo said was mounted by foreign mercenaries hours bringing the total to 2,672 since the disease in an aerial bombardment, and that Shekau was African Republic. Bemba’s lawyer Peter Haynes told on December 24. “We are leaving here comforted broke out. The cumulative death toll is 61,” Health “a spent horse, waiting for his Waterloo”. Army a hearing at the Hague-based ICC that trial judges by the assurances from the President, and I can say Medical personnel wait at the Cholera Minister Chitalu Chilufya told journalists yesterday. spokesman Brigadier General Sani Usman said chose to ignore much of the evidence presented that the United Nations will continue to support Treatment Center in National Heroes Stadium The school year was due to start on Monday and yesterday the operation, codenamed ‘Deep Punch by the defence. “A hatchet was simply taken to the Equatorial Guinea,” Fall said on Monday in a speech in Lusaka. no date has been set for term to begin. 2’, had been making “tremendous progress”. defence case,” Haynes told the five appeals judges. broadcast on state television at the end of his visit. Nigeria communal strife toll tops 80

AFP “The number (of internally displaced which represents another security con- Lagos people) is 80,000 now because the kill- cern along with Boko Haram Islamists ings have continued, some of the people in the north and Niger Delta militants in other states are running to Benue,” in the south. ighty people have been killed in Shior said from the Benue state capital, Following the meeting, Benue State Nigeria’s central state of Benue Makurdi. “We suspect these people are governor Samuel Ortom said he would Esince December 31 following reacting against the open grazing pro- not back down on the new law. clashes between cattle herders and hibition put in place by the governor of “All cattle breeders or rearers are al- farmers that have forced tens of thou- Benue state.” lowed to be in Benue state, but they must sands from their homes, an emergency The prohibition was meant to en- ranch their livestock,” Ortom said, ac- offi cial said yesterday. courage the herdsmen, who belong to cording to the Premium Times news site. The violence between mostly Muslim the Fulani ethnic group, to shift from Buhari has ramped up security in the An area is flooded in the aftermath of tropical cyclone Ava in Toamasina, Madagascar, in this picture obtained yesterday herders and Christian farmers intensi- nomadic grazing to ranching cattle, region yesterday, ordering the inspec- from social media. fi ed over the New Year, fuelled by a new which would theoretically prevent tor general of police to Benue state to law banning the nomadic cattle rustlers bloody disputes over land with farmers. deploy additional reinforcements. from moving through the state. But when the new law was introduced The International Crisis Group secu- There have been similar tit-for-tat last year, it was instantly condemned by rity think-tank warned last September attacks elsewhere in central states, po- the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Asso- the confl ict was becoming “as poten- 29 dead as cyclone ravages Madagascar larising Nigerians along religious and ciation of Nigeria (MACBAN), the um- tially dangerous as the Boko Haram in- ethnic lines and putting the spotlight brella body of Fulani herders in Nigeria, surgency in the northeast”. on the federal government for failing to who said it threatened their way of life. It also threatens Buhari’s popular- DPA some areas, according to the the is- dents must remain vigilant”. curb the violence. “It is very wrong for a governor to ban ity in the run-up to Nigeria’s 2019 Antananarivo land’s disaster management author- Seventeen of those killed died on “Eighty is the number we can say Fulani from feeding their cows. These presidential election. The 75-year-old ity. Monday in a landslide in Ivory, south for now, the attacks have not stopped,” cows are their living,” said Haruna Usman, former military ruler is himself a Hau- “The red fl ood warning is main- of the capital. Benue State Emergency Management Kaduna state chairman of MACBAN. sa-speaking Fulani. Buhari came into wenty-nine people were killed tained in (the capital) Antananarivo Five major roads have been cut off Agency (SEMA) executive secretary “That is where the government made power in 2015 pledging bring security in a cyclone that hit the African but there is a clear withdrawal of wa- by fl ooding and schools in Antanarivo Emmanuel Shior told AFP by telephone. a big mistake,” Usman said, calling for and stability to Nigeria. Tisland nation of Madagascar, ter. The level of rivers in the capital have been closed since Friday. Shior said the killings had displaced negotiations. But both have been elusive with Boko authorities said yesterday. has also declined,” said Charles Ram- In the last ten years Madagascar thousands of people in the districts of President Muhammadu Buhari’s Haram insurgents launching deadly at- Twenty-two more are missing and bolarison, executive secretary of the has been aff ected by 45 cyclones and Guma and Logo who are now seeking government held a closed-door meet- tacks and an economic recession damp- over 80,000 people have been aff ect- authority. tropical storms. shelter in four camps. ing on Monday to discuss the crisis, ening growth. ed by the cyclone, which saw heavy Cyclone Ava made landfall Friday, In March 2017, Cyclone Enawo rains cause fl ooding and landslides in but Rambolarison warned that “resi- killed 78 people. Opposition faces a rocky road to election as Tsvangirai mulls exit

By MacDonald Dzirutwe, Reuters tling cancer for several years and looked its supporters, the MDC formed a Harare frail at a meeting with Mnangagwa last unity government with ZANU-PF that week, did not explicitly say he would helped stabilise the economy until Ts- stand down and his spokesman said he vangirai was defeated in a 2013 presi- f Zimbabwean opposition leader could not comment further. dential election by Mugabe. Morgan Tsvangirai were to stand Tsvangirai, 65, has three deputies, A senior MDC offi cial said Tsvangirai Idown — as he has hinted — the par- one who was elected and two others he was still considering whether to call for ty he founded would face immediate handpicked in 2016 to help him run the a special leadership congress or have instability and could even split, hand- party, a move that still irks some MDC the party appoint a new presidential ing a gift to new President Emmerson members. candidate who he could help campaign Mnangagwa in an election this year. The MDC has known division twice ahead of elections. The most visible opposition fi gure in before, in 2005 and in 2014 following a “The MDC is at a very critical mo- the southern African nation since in- heavy election defeat to the ZANU-PF. ment and the issue of transitioning to dependence from Britain in 1980, Ts- And, though analysts said it was a new leader has been weighing heav- vangirai said on Monday it was time for good in the long term for Tsvangirai to ily on president Tsvangirai,” the MDC the older generation to make way for relinquish the MDC leadership after executive told Reuters, asking for ano- younger leaders in the party. nearly 20 years in charge, the succes- nymity due to the sensitivity of the is- Mnangagwa, 75, rose to power last sion had to be handled carefully. sue. November after Robert Mugabe stood “Behind the scenes, the three party Tsvangirai, 65, the self-taught son down following a de facto coup, ending vice presidents are gladiating to take of a bricklayer who worked in a rural a 37-year reign marked by economic over from Tsvangirai,” said Eldred mine to support his family, cut his po- mismanagement, corruption and vote Masunungure, a political science lec- litical teeth in the labour movement as rigging allegations. turer at the University of Zimbabwe. a mine foreman, later becoming a top Investors and Western governments “It should be a democratic process trade unionist. who cheered the end of Mugabe’s rule and not an autocratic change of power. In 1999 he was elected founding will be closely watching the election If Tsvangirai takes that route it will tear MDC president and built his political for evidence Mnangagwa can run a free the party asunder. It will be a sad day if career as a one of the only people will- and fair vote and turn a new page in Tsvangirai’s departure means the death ing to stand up to Mugabe, making him Zimbabwe’s history. of the MDC.” diffi cult to replace. It was expected that Tsvangirai’s The MDC has weakened progres- He will have to juggle regional, tribal Movement for Democratic Change sively since 2008, when Tsvangirai and gender considerations in looking (MDC) would pose a robust challenge defeated Mugabe in the fi rst round of for a successor. to Mnangagwa’s ruling ZANU-PF. voting. “Those are salient issues that the But that prospect may now be in After opting out of the run-off al- MDC cannot run away from,” said jeopardy. Tsvangirai, who has been bat- leging violence by the army against Masunungure.

Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa (right) chats with opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai during a visit to his house in Harare last week January 5. Gulf Times Wednesday, January 10, 2018 7 AMERICAS

EVACUATION BORDER WOES RIVER DISPUTE JUSTICE BUST Californians flee homes Canada set for wave of Florida takes on Georgia in Canadian watchdog clears SpaceX rocket ‘worked fine’ ahead of likely mudslides Salvadorans fleeing US Supreme Court over water minister of insider trading as spy satellite reported lost

Thousands of Southern Californians fled their Canada said on Monday it would be prepared for a The US Supreme Court heard arguments on Canada’s ethics watchdog on Monday A SpaceX rocket worked fine in its launch of a homes on Monday as a powerful rain storm that possible wave of Salvadoran asylum seekers crossing Monday in a bitter fight over water pitting Georgia cleared Finance Minister Bill Morneau of secretive government satellite, named Zuma, the could cause flash floods and trigger mudslides its borders after the United States announced it against its southern neighbour, Florida. Florida v accusations that he illegally profited from company said yesterday after reports the payload soaked steep slopes where a series of intense would drop special protections aff ecting some Georgia concerns the Chattahoochee and Flint his own tax policies when he sold shares did not make it into orbit. “For clarity: after review wildfires burned off vegetation last month. 200,000 people. The US government announced rivers, which originate in Georgia, join to become in his family business. Opposition parties of all data to date, Falcon 9 did everything correctly Off icials ordered and advised Ventura, Santa on Monday the end of a special protected status the Apalachicola River and flow downstream into had asked parliament’s independent ethics on Sunday night,” said Gwynne Shotwell, president Barbara and Los Angeles county residents who for the Salvadorans, who were given 18 months Florida and the Gulf of Mexico. Florida is seeking commissioner, Mary Dawson, to probe the and chief operating off icer of California-based live near where wildfires burned to evacuated to find a way to make their US status legal, or face to have restrictions imposed on how much water sale of shares in Morneau Shepell in late 2015, SpaceX. The Wall Street Journal reported late their homes. “Recent burn areas will be deportation. Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale Georgia can use from the rivers, arguing that days before a major tax announcement that on Monday that the billion-dollar payload did not especially vulnerable where dangerous mud and said Ottawa had been planning for contingencies the state’s once-lucrative oyster industry in the sent the company’s stock price spiralling make it into orbit, citing unnamed government debris flows are possible,” the National Weather for months and would hold more meetings. Many Apalachicola Bay is drying up. Georgia argues downward. In a letter to Morneau seen by and industry off icials. The secretive payload Service said in a statement. About 30,000 of those leaving the United States are crossing that the water is needed to provide for farmers AFP, Dawson said: “I am of the view that was “believed to have plummeted back into the residents were under evacuation orders or land borders into Canada in remote areas in the in the “Peach State” and for Atlanta, a thriving (Morneau) did not benefit from insider atmosphere, they said, because it didn’t separate advisories on Monday, ABC news reported. woods of Quebec and frozen plains of Manitoba. metropolis of more than 5mn people. information.” from the upper part of the rocket,” said the report. Trump and Ship-shape! lawmakers search for immigration compromise

Reuters sue from our side,” she said, adding she was not Washington criticising Durbin. A couple on a Cobalt boat talk to a dealer at the 63rd annual Houston International Boat, Sport and Travel Show in Houston. Many of the Dreamers are from Mexico and Central America and have spent most of their S President Donald Trump was yesterday lives in the United States, attending school and to meet Republican and Democratic law- participating in society. Umakers in an uphill search for an election- Trump put their fate in doubt in early Septem- year compromise on protecting thousands of ber when he announced he was ending former young, undocumented immigrants from depor- president Barack Obama’s DACA programme, tation. which allowed them to legally live and work in the Unbreakable encryption ‘urgent Trump and his fellow Republicans, who con- United States temporarily. trol the US Congress, seem far from an agreement US Representative Henry Cuellar, a Texas with Democrats as they gird for midterm con- Democrat who will attend the meeting, said he gressional elections in November. remained “hopeful” that something could be Trump says he wants any immigration deal to worked out but diff erences remained. public safety issue’: FBI chief include funding for a border wall with Mexico and “DACA is very important to us and at the same a tightening of immigration restrictions. time so is border security,” he told CNN. “We are going to build the wall,” Trump said in “But there are some people that feel, some of By Dustin Volz, Reuters “This is an urgent public safety The FBI supports strong en- ed products would weaken cyber a speech on Monday in Nashville, Tennessee. my Republican colleagues along with the presi- New York issue,” Wray added, while saying cryption and information secu- security for everyone. Democrats want a deal to help the estimated dent, feel that the only way you’re going to have that a solution is “not so clear cut.” rity broadly, Wray said, but de- US offi cials have said that de- 700,000 young “Dreamer” immigrants, whose border security is to have a wall.” Technology companies and scribed the current status quo as fault encryption settings on cell- protection from potential deportation under the Trump, under pressure from some conserva- he inability of law enforce- many digital security experts untenable. phones and other devices hinder Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or DACA, tives, has said any DACA deal with Democrats ment authorities to access have said that the FBI’s attempts “We face an enormous and their ability to collect evidence programme ends in early March. must include ending “chain migration,” which Tdata from electronic de- to require that devices allow increasing number of cases that needed to pursue criminals. But, under pressure from immigrant groups, could jeopardise the parents of Dreamers who are vices due to powerful encryption investigators a way to access a rely heavily, if not exclusively, The matter came to a head in they are reluctant to give ground to Trump on the still in the United States illegally, and a visa lot- is an “urgent public safety issue,” criminal suspect’s cellphone on electronic evidence,” Wray 2016 when the Justice Depart- issue of the wall — his central promise from the tery programme. FBI Director Christopher Wray would harm internet security and told an audience of FBI agents, ment tried unsuccessfully to 2016 presidential campaign. Some House Republicans want to use Dreamer said yesterday as he sought to empower malicious hackers. international law enforcement force Apple Inc to break into an “There have been some discussions but our legislation to add more funds for immigration en- renew a contentious debate over US lawmakers, meanwhile, representatives and private sec- iPhone used by a gunman during position is clear and their position is somewhat forcement, which advocacy groups fear would be privacy and security. have expressed little interest in tor cyber professionals. a mass shooting in San Bernardi- clear. We want to drill down and see if there is used to go after the relatives of the young immigrants. The Federal Bureau of Investi- pursuing legislation to require A solution requires “signifi - no, California. some room for negotiations,” a White House of- US Representative Martha McSally, an Arizona gation was unable to access data companies to create products cant innovation,” Wray said, “but The Trump administration at fi cial said. Republican who planned to attend, said Demo- from nearly 7,800 devices in the whose contents are accessible to I just do not buy the claim that it times has taken a tougher stance Top congressional leaders were not expected to crats needed to be “more open” to Republican re- fi scal year that ended September authorities who obtain a warrant. is impossible.” on the issue than former presi- attend the meeting. quests on border security and DACA. 30, 2017, with technical tools de- Wray’s comments at the In- Wray’s remarks echoed those dent Barack Obama’s adminis- Instead, the guest list was to include lawmakers “These are reasonable requests,” she said. “And spite possessing proper legal au- ternational Conference on Cy- of his predecessor, James Comey, tration. from both parties involved in the immigration de- it seems the Democrats are just digging in.” thority to pry them open, a grow- ber Security were his most ex- who before being fi red by Presi- US Deputy Attorney Gen- bate, such as Republican Senators John Cornyn of US Senator Thom Tillis of North Carolina, a ing fi gure that impacts every area tensive yet as FBI director about dent Donald Trump in May fre- eral Rod Rosenstein in October Texas and Tom Cotton of Arkansas, and Senator Republican, said the session would not simply of the agency’s work, Wray said the so-called Going Dark prob- quently spoke about the dangers chastised technology companies Dick Durbin of Illinois, a Democrat. consist of lawmakers presenting Trump with a during a speech at a cyber secu- lem, which his agency and local of unbreakable encryption. for building strongly encrypted Nancy Pelosi, head of the Democratic minority plan for him to reject or accept. rity conference in New York. law enforcement authorities for Tech companies and many products, suggesting Silicon Val- in the House of Representatives, indicated she did “It’s less us coming up with something and The FBI has been unable to ac- years have said bedevils count- cyber security experts have said ley is more willing to comply with not expect much progress from the meeting. getting a yes or no from the president, but having cess data in more than half of the less investigations. that any measure ensuring that foreign government demands for “I would have more faith in the meeting if they the administration actively engaged in it,” Tillis devices that it tried to unlock due Wray took over as FBI chief in law enforcement authorities are data than those made by their would have people going who really knew the is- told Reuters, adding, “and the president is.” to encryption, Wray added. August. able to access data from encrypt- home country. Trump doubts Oprah will run for president in 2020

Reuters Cecil B DeMille award for achieve- two standing ovations from the Holly- Trump benefi ted from his star power Washington ment and lit up Twitter with a surge of wood glitterati and prompted 220,000 to win more free media exposure than tweets carrying “#Oprahforpresident” posts on social media mentioning the his rivals in the Republican primary and “#Oprah2020.” words “Oprah” and “president” in just and was able to run a relatively inex- S President Donald Trump She is actively thinking about a run, 24 hours, said Todd Grossman of social pensive campaign. would gladly face Oprah Win- CNN reported on Monday, citing two media analytics company Talkwalker. His committee spent $343mn in the Ufrey as an opponent in the of her close friends. After Trump won the White House primary and general election cam- 2020 presidential race, a White House CNN did not name the friends, who in 2016 with help from his fame as a paigns with the help of $47.5mn of the spokesman said on Monday after so- it said had spoken on condition of ano- reality TV star, it no longer seems far- real estate developer’s own money, cial media buzz from her speech at an nymity. fetched to consider a similar campaign which he lent to the campaign and later awards show thrust her name into the At least one emphasised that Win- by Winfrey, an actress, movie and tel- forgave. political arena. frey had made no fi rm decision. evision producer, and chief executive Hillary Clinton, his Democratic “We welcome the challenge, wheth- Winfrey has said in the past she is of her OWN cable channel, political opponent, spent $585mn including er it be Oprah Winfrey or anybody not interested in running for presi- analysts said. $1.5mn of her own money. else,” Hogan Gidley told reporters on dent, but the Los Angeles Times quoted Winfrey, long associated with Dem- Winfrey could supplement any Air Force One during a fl ight to Nash- Stedman Graham, Winfrey’s longtime ocratic politics and fundraising, would campaign with her own wealth. ville on Monday. “We welcome all partner in business and life, as saying likely face a crowded fi eld in the Dem- Forbes estimates she is worth $3bn comers.” on Sunday that, “It’s up to the peo- ocratic primaries in the 2020 race. compared to $3.5bn for Trump. Donald Trump yesterday weighed ple...She would absolutely do it.” But given her connections, Winfrey She was raised in poverty by a single in on fevered speculation about Win- Wearing a black gown to show sup- might have a fund-raising advantage mother and went on to host the top- frey’s potential 2020 White House bid, port for victims, she used her platform over her rivals in liberal Hollywood, rated talk show The Oprah Winfrey saying he liked the chat show host, but to promote the ‘Time’s Up’ movement which is often called an automatic tell- Show for 25 years before ending it in she probably would not run against against sexual harassment and assault, er machine for Democratic candidates. 2011. him. throwing her support behind others “She’s certainly a bigger celebrity Jeff e, the USC professor, cautioned “I like Oprah,” Trump said, adding who have exposed sexual misconduct than Trump ever was, especially in against thinking of Hollywood as a that he had appeared on her long-run- in Hollywood and elsewhere in politics terms of connecting with her audi- monolith of liberal Democrats. ning afternoon programme. and the media. ence. Obviously this has given her an Besides the liberal creative talent, “I know her very well,” he said, be- “She had that room in her hands. It opportunity. What does she do next Hollywood money also comes from fore adding: “I don’t think she’s going was like a campaign rally,” said Sherry with it?” said Alan Schroeder, a jour- the more conservative, unionised trade to run.” Bebitch Jeff e, a senior fellow at the nalism professor at Northeastern Uni- and craft workforce as well as from the Winfrey, 63, stole the show at the University of Southern California’s versity in Boston who has written on business interests. Oprah Winfrey poses backstage with her Cecil B DeMille Award at the 75th Golden Golden Globe awards on Sunday night Price School of Public Policy. the intersection of show business and “She has credibility with all of Globe Awards in Beverly Hills, California, on Sunday night. with her speech upon receiving the The nine-minute speech generated politics. them,” Jeff e said. Gulf Times 8 Wednesday, January 10, 2018 ASIA/AUSTRALASIA Bad weather, fl ames keep rescuers off burning oil tanker

Reuters of a spill. That reduces the chances are all Iranian nationals except fi shing boat. The trawler from Beijing of a crude-style oil slick. for two Bangladeshi citizens. Sat- Zhejiang province scoured for Still, condensate is highly ellite imagery of the ship showed survivors on the tanker, but could volatile when exposed to air and the blaze has weakened since the not get close enough because of trong winds, high waves water and concerns were grow- weekend, although the strong the fi re, Xinhua said. and toxic gases are hinder- ing the tanker could explode winds are dragging the tanker “Anyone will go for a rescue in Sing dozens of rescue boats and sink while a fl otilla of 13 away from the Chinese coast, ac- this case,” said the fi shing boat struggling to locate missing sail- search and rescue vessels comb cording to Greenpeace. captain Zheng Lei. “It just hap- ors from a stricken oil tanker in a 900-square-nautical-mile Between Sunday and Mon- pened to be me.” the East China Sea and to extin- (3,100 sq km) area for the crew. day, the fl oating inferno travelled The freighter has been taken guish a fi re that has burned for The tanker Sanchi, run by Iran’s some 50km south east, accord- to a port near Shanghai where the past three days on the ship. top oil shipping operator, Na- ing to Rashid Kang, campaigner investigators will start work on The poor conditions, with rain tional Iranian Tanker Co, collided at Greenpeace East Asia. Another assessing the cause of the disas- and waves as high as 3m, frus- on Saturday with the CF Crystal, major concern is damage to the ter, the government said. China’s trated eff orts to tame the refi and carrying grain from the United region’s rich fi sh reserves. The transport ministry warned toxic search for the 31 remaining tanker States, about 160 nautical miles Zhoushan fi shing ground where gas from the tanker was harm- crew members, China’s Minis- (300km) off China’s coast near the crash occurred is known as one ful to the rescue workers and try of Transport said in a state- Shanghai and the mouth of the of the biggest in the East China that protective clothing and gas ment yesterday. The fl ames were Yangtze River Delta. Sea, particularly for mackerel and testing equipment was being dis- forcing the South Korean Coast The Sanchi was carrying croaker, according to Greenpeace. patched to the emergency teams. Guard’s search and rescue team 136,000 tonnes of condensate to The CF Crystal suff ered limited Trying to contain a spill of to stay as far as 3 miles (4.8km) South Korea, equivalent to about damage and the 21 crew members, condensate, which is extremely away from the tanker, two South 1mn barrels and worth about Smoke is seen from Panama-registered Sanchi tanker carrying Iranian oil that caught ablaze after it all Chinese nationals, were res- low in density, highly toxic and Korean offi cials told Reuters. $60mn. Chinese state media collided with a Chinese freight ship in the East China Sea. cued by a passing fi shing trawler much more explosive than nor- The Chinese government said CCTV showed footage on Mon- on Saturday night, according to mal crude oil, may be diffi cult. late yesterday it had not found a day of boats dousing the fl ames environmental harm were not tamination at this moment. The The body of a crew member a report posted by state-owned “We’re not going to see a slick like “large-scale” oil leak, and the ul- with water as plumes of thick known, but the disaster has the cargo is still on fi re, so it is hard was found on Monday in the wa- Xinhua News to its Twitter ac- with crude, but it’s soluble, toxic tra light oil, known as condensate, dark smoke continued to billow potential to be the worst since to fi gure out if oil is being spilled,” ter near the tanker, China’s trans- count yesterday. and fl ammable, which is why was burning off or evaporating so from the tanker. 1991 when 260,000 tonnes of oil Park Sung-dong, an offi cial from port ministry said. It had been “The fi re was so fi erce. It kept we’re seeing the fi re. A lot of it is quickly it would leave little residue The size of the oil spill from leaked off the Angolan coast. “We South Korea’s Ministry of Oceans handed over to the civil aff airs exploding like bombs. So loud,” burning off or evaporating,” said — less than 1% - within fi ve hours the ship and the extent of the can’t grasp the level of oil con- and Fisheries, told Reuters. bureau. The crew of the Sanchi said Zhu Tingwen, a sailor on the Greenpeace’s Kang.

N Korea will not discuss nukes in talks with South North Korea said after its first Pyongyang’s chief negotiator, Ri talks with South Korea in more Son-gwon, said. than two years that it would not “This is not a matter between discuss its nuclear weapons North and South Korea, and to with Seoul because they were bring up this issue would cause North Korea to attend aimed only at the United States, negative consequences and not its “brethren” in South risks turning all of today’s good Korea. In a joint statement achievement into nothing,” after 11 hours of talks North Ri, chairman of the North’s Korea pledged to send a large Committee for the Peaceful delegation to next month’s Reunification of the Fatherland, Pyeongchang Winter Olympics warned in closing remarks. Olympics in rival South in South Korea but made a US President Donald Trump “strong complaint” after Seoul and North Korean leader Kim AFP Looking businesslike, the proposed talks to denuclearise Jong-un have exchanged Seoul South’s Unifi cation minister Cho the Korean peninsula. threats and insults in the past Myoung-gyon and the North’s Off icials from both sides said year, raising tensions on the chief delegate Ri Son-gwon they agreed to meet again to peninsula. A spokesperson orth Korea will send its shook hands at the entrance to resolve problems and avert for the White House’s national athletes to the the Winter the building, and again across the accidental conflict, amid high Security Council said North NOlympics in the South, negotiating table. tension over North Korea’s Korean participation in the the rivals said yesterday after Ri wore a badge on his left lapel programme to develop nuclear Olympics would be “an their fi rst formal talks in more bearing an image of the coun- missiles capable of hitting the opportunity for the regime than two years following high try’s founding father Kim Il-sung United States, but Pyongyang to see the value of ending tensions over Pyongyang’s nu- and his son and successor Kim said disarmament would not its international isolation by clear weapons programme. Jong-il, while Cho sported one be part of the discussions. “All denuclearising.” The two sides also decided to depicting the South Korean fl ag. our weapons including atomic The White House did not hold military talks to ease tensions “Let’s present the people with a bombs, hydrogen bombs and comment on the United States and to restore a military hotline precious new year’s gift,” said Ri. ballistic missiles are only aimed being the only potential target closed since February 2016. “There is a saying that a journey at the United States, not our of North Korea’s nuclear Seoul and Olympic organisers taken by two lasts longer than the brethren, nor China and Russia,” weapons. have been keen for Pyongyang – one travelled alone.” which boycotted the 1988 Sum- The atmosphere was friendlier mer Games in the South Korean than at past meetings, and Cho un and US President Donald Seoul responded to Kim’s New capital – to take part in what they told Ri: “The people have a strong Trump trade personal insults Year speech with an off er of high- repeatedly proclaimed a “peace desire to see the North and South and threats of war. Pyongyang level dialogue, and last week a ci- Olympics” in Pyeongchang next move toward peace and recon- has defied international pres- vilian hotline was restored after month. ciliation.” sure in recent months and being suspended for almost two But the North had given no Head of the North Korean delegation, Ri Son-gwon shakes hands with South Korean counterpart Cho But there was no mention in launched missiles capable of years. indication it would do so until Myoung-gyon as they exchange documents after their meeting at the truce village of Panmunjom in the the joint statement of a proposal reaching the US mainland, as Only two athletes from the leader Kim Jong-un’s New Year demilitarised zone separating the two Koreas, South Korea, yesterday. by Seoul to resume reunions of well as testing what it said was North have qualifi ed for the address last week, instead pur- families left divided by the Ko- a hydrogen bomb. Games so far, but hundreds of suing its banned weapons pro- “The North Korean side will necessary amenities and facili- The North’s delegation walked rean War, or of an off er by the Seoul has been keen to pro- young female North Korean grammes in defi ance of United dispatch a National Olympic ties,” they said in a joint state- over the Military Demarcation North to send a high-level del- claim the Games in Pyeongchang, cheerleaders have created a buzz Nations sanctions, launching Committee delegation, athletes, ment. Line marking the border to the egation to the Games. just 80km (50 miles) south of the at three previous international missiles capable of reaching the cheerleaders, art performers’ Yesterday’s talks were held in Peace House venue on the south- Even so it was a radically dif- DMZ, a “peace Olympics” but it sporting events in the South. United States and detonating its squad, spectators, a taekwondo Panmunjom, the truce village in ern side, just yards from where ferent tone from the rhetoric of needed Pyongyang to attend to The group may stay on a cruise sixth and most powerful nuclear demonstration team and a press the Demilitarised Zone that splits a defector ran across in a hail of recent months, which have seen make the description meaning- ship in Sokcho, about an hour’s test. corps and the South will provide the peninsula. bullets two months ago. the North’s leader Kim Jong- ful. drive from the Olympic venue. Some N Korean businesses defy China shutdown order

AFP China’s frigid northeast, the hub of The UN resolution shutting North ing... since today,” she told AFP, Dandong North Korean economic activities in Korean joint ventures and co-oper- adding that she did not know why. A the country, some restaurants, travel ative entities does not set a fi rm date day earlier, North Koreans with fl ag agencies and seafood stalls planned to close, but it laid out a 120-day pins on their chests had been tuck- ome North Korean businesses to stay open. “Tourism is about con- timetable from its passage in Sep- ing into breakfast buff ets. Guests in China had closed their doors necting people, it’s a human right,” tember. Despite its own deadline, could watch the North’s state- Syesterday but others remained said North Korean Kim Yongil at the China appears to be taking a slower owned television station in their open, despite Beijing’s deadline to offi ce of North Korean International approach, experts say. “The ninth is rooms. shut down under UN sanctions in- Travel Agency in the Chinese border a key day, the last day for businesses “Shenyang’s Chilbosan hotel is tended to strip the regime of cash. city of Dandong, noting they had re- to split up, and they should close,” North Korea’s largest investment in Fed up with North Korea’s nuclear ceived no notice to close. “Stopping said Lu Chao, director of the Bor- China or abroad,” Lu said. “They in- and missile provocations, Beijing people from freely visiting North der Study Institute at the Liaoning vested $25-$30mn.” has backed a series of UN sanctions Korea is a human rights issue. You Academy of Social Sciences, a gov- Pyongyang operates the hotel against its Cold War-era ally, which are evil,” Kim said in an apparent ernment think tank. in a joint venture with Dandong relies on China for 90% of its foreign reference to Westerners. Foreign ministry spokesman Lu Hongxiang Industrial Machinery, a trade. In a basement stall opposite Chi- Kang said China upholds its UN company that the US says once ac- But the halting progress in shut- na’s customs administration, North obligations and will “seriously pun- counted for a fi fth of trade between ting down the businesses demon- Korean Meng Qingshu had no plans ish” those who violate sanctions. China and the North. The US sanc- strated the uneven enforcement of to stop selling dried walleye pollack The 14-fl oor Chilbosan hotel in the tioned the company and fi led crimi- a commerce ministry directive for for $10 a bag and sea cucumber for heart of Shenyang, capital of the nal charges against its Dandong- them to close by January 9. more than $100 a bag. “We sell salty northeastern province of Liaoning, based owner Ma Xiaohong in 2016, A North Korean hotel in the North Korean seafood,” she said. has been a key source of revenue for accusing her of ties to the North’s northeastern city of Shenyang “It’s from the wild.” Pyongyang. But a woman who an- weapons programme. In Dandong, stopped taking reservations yester- Seafood imports from the North swered the phone at the front desk Hongxiang’s 16th-fl oor offi ce in day. In Beijing a restaurant posted a have been under sanctions since yesterday said they were not taking Fortune Tower, with a view across handwritten note on its door read- August, and Meng did not explain new reservations for its 154 rooms. the Yalu River to the North’s city of ing “off for today”. But elsewhere in how the fi sh was imported. “We are closed for the time be- Sinuiju, was deserted yesterday.

Bats’ brains boil in Australia heatwave

Hundreds of bats have died in thousands, of the animals fell from as a “vulnerable” species nationally Rescuers were able to save the sweltering conditions in Australia, trees after succumbing to the heat. with its survival ranked as a “critical lives of more than a hundred of the with many dropping from “They basically boil,” Campbelltown priority” under local laws. Sydney animals, but many scattered across their perches as the scorching flying fox colony manager Kate Ryan recorded its hottest day since 1939 on the ground perished. “In extremely temperatures “fried their brains”, told the local Camden Advertiser. “It Sunday when the suburb of Penrith trying conditions volunteers worked wildlife off icials said yesterday. A aff ects their brain – their brain just reached 47.3C. New South Wales tirelessly to provide subcutaneous record-breaking heatwave saw the fries and they become incoherent. It Wildlife Information, Rescue and fluids to the pups that could be mercury rise to 45C in Sydney’s would be like standing in the middle Education Service (WIRES) said the reached and many lives were saved western suburb of Campbelltown of a sandpit with no shade.” The flying loss of bats to the brutal conditions but sadly many were lost too,” WIRES on Sunday where hundreds, if not fox, Australia’s largest bat, is listed could run into the thousands. said on Facebook. Gulf Times Wednesday, January 10, 2018 9 BRITAIN Brexit minister complains about EU’s planning for no-deal

Reuters had sought legal advice over minated in the event of a ‘no deal’ spite still being a member of the Citing May’s statements last prepare for every eventuality.” tain compliance with regulatory London whether Brussels was breaching scenario and/or would require EU, have not acted in good faith,” year that Britain would prefer Examples given by Davis in- rules. Britain’s rights as a member state UK companies to relocate to an- an aide in the department said, “no deal” to a “bad deal”, the cluded EU agencies advising Britain and the EU struck a by advising companies of the risk other member state,” the letter confi rming the letter. commission’s chief spokesman business that the UK would be- divorce deal in December that rexit minister David Davis to trading in the event of a “no said. “It should be no surprise that if Margaritis Schinas told report- come a third country when it paved the way for talks on the fu- has complained in a letter deal”. Davis heads the department the commission attempt to stoke ers: “We are somehow surprised leaves the EU in March 2019 ture trade ties. Bto the prime minister that It was fi rst published by the for exiting the EU, set up to im- fears about worst-case scenarios that the United Kingdom is sur- without referring to Britain’s aim May’s government has said Brussels is damaging British in- Financial Times and confi rmed as plement Britain’s 2016 vote to we will correct them and reassure prised that we are preparing for to agree a transition period and it is preparing for any outcome, terests by talking up the threat genuine by an aide from Davis’s leave the bloc. our fi rms.” a scenario announced by the UK future trading deal fi rst. including the chance that Brit- to companies if the UK leaves department. “It’s clear there have been a The European Commission government itself. We take these The advice, Davis said, also ain could crash out of the bloc the European Union without a “The EU has adopted a number number of instances where the rejected suggestions there was words by the prime minister very implied companies would need without a deal, and has set aside deal. of measures that put agreements (European Commission), by any breach of EU law in its ap- seriously. It is therefore only to be based in the EU or European an extra £3bn to prepare for all The letter showed that Davis or contracts at risk of being ter- treating the UK diff erently de- proach. natural that in this house we also Economic Area in order to main- eventualities.

Young quits Harry, Markle visit radio station education May appoints regulator post after more women backlash

Guardian News and Media London but leadership

oby Young has stepped down from the Offi ce for TStudents less than 24 hours after the universities minister is- sued a robust defence of his posi- rumblings grow tion in the Commons, amid a huge backlash over the free schools champion’s appointment. London Evening Standard bloody shambles. At the crucial A number of young MPs, from In a statement posted on the London time, she failed to reassert her au- more diverse backgrounds and Spectator website yesterday thority. from the 2015 and 2017 intakes morning, Young said: “My ap- “We need some new, young, were expected to join the ministe- pointment has become a distrac- heresa May faced fresh strong talent in ministerial ranks rial ranks, following promotions tion from its vital work of broad- stirrings over her leader- as a matter of urgency. This is her to Cabinet on Monday which in- ening access to higher education Tship yesterday after her last change to salvage anything.” cluded Damian Hinds replacing and defending academic freedom.” “shambolic” reshuffl e. Another senior Tory MP said: Justine Greening as education Angela Rayner, the shadow One senior Tory MP branded “It was a complete disaster. It’s a secretary. Putney MP Greening education secretary, had strongly her “pathetically weak” while an- reminder how pathetically weak turned down work and pensions criticised Young’s appointment in other claimed she had “failed to she is. It just reminds Tory MPs secretary, which was given instead a letter to the prime minister last reassert her authority”. that diffi cult as it is, there is an to Esther McVey. Friday. A third senior backbencher said alternative, which is to change David Lidington moved from “The Young saga has cast great she had missed the chance to use leader.” justice to replace Damian Green doubt on the judgment of the pre- her new-found political strength A third senior backbencher as minister for the Cabinet Offi ce, mier who failed to sack him in the to push through a radical overhaul stressed: “ May’s position is much but was not awarded the title of fi rst place. Then on Monday we of her Cabinet by moving senior stronger than she appears to real- fi rst secretary of state enjoyed by had the spectacle of government ministers. ise. She could have made signifi - his predecessor. universities minister defending Few MPs were voicing their cant moves at a senior level and The “night of the blunt knives” his appointment in parliament, criticism in public. However, the parliamentary party would spun off course when Health Sec- he had to go. Tory cronyism could former Tory leader Iain Dun- have fallen in line. Her problem retary Jeremy Hunt successfully not save his job,” Rayner wrote on can Smith told the Standard: “If is she won’t quickly get the op- argued against a move to business Twitter. there were problems about the portunity again.” However, many in a meeting with May, leading On Monday afternoon, just reshuffl e, they lie in the expecta- Tory MPs were defending May as to Business Secretary Greg Clark hours before Young announced his tions that were built up prior to it. she started a reshuffl e of junior staying in his post. decision to resign, the Universities “That comes down to managing ministers yesterday, with Interna- In another mishap, Tory HQ Minister, Jo Johnson, defended media, and I suspect that is where tional Trade Minister Mark Gar- tweeted the wrong name of the him in the Commons. the faultline exists and needs to be nier one of the fi rst to be axed. new party chairman. However, The following morning, hav- resolved behind the scenes.” He tweeted: “Very sad to have Tory MP Alec Shelbrooke, who ing learned of the resignation, he Former Tory chairman Grant lost my job at @tradegovuk but represents Elmet and Rothwell, said: “Young’s track record setting Shapps, who was accused of try- looking forward to supporting @ said: “It’s not gone backwards. up and supporting free schools ing to oust May after last June’s theresa_may Government from There are more women attending speaks for itself. His decision to disastrous election for the Con- the backbenches.” Cabinet. If you look at diversity stand down from the OfS board servatives, told BBC Newsnight: Philip Dunne also left his job as in the party, that’s mainly within and repeat unreserved apologies “Clearly, to be blunt, it wasn’t a defence minister, saying: “I have the newer intakes. From talking for inappropriate past remarks brilliantly executed performance been very proud to have been a to colleagues, the PM has made a refl ects his character better than with the reshuffl e.” defence and health minister for good decision. A lot of people are the one-sided caricature from his Prince Harry and his fiancee US actress Meghan Markle leave after their visit to Reprezent Other MPs were far more out- fi ve-and-a-half years. I wish the very happy about Hunt and with armchair critics.” 107.3FM community radio station in Brixton, south west London, yesterday. spoken in private. One former government well and will support social care moving into the health Dawn Butler, the shadow wom- minister said: “It’s a complete, it from the backbenches.” department.” en and equalities minister and a co-signatory of the letter sent on Friday, said: “The Young saga has further exposed Theresa May’s New rules for ministers after sleaze scandal total lack of judgment in appoint- ing him and her weakness in re- Agencies minister in November after being his computer a decade ago. fusing to sack him. She should London accused of groping a journalist Numerous other MPs were have removed him from his post, several years previously, saying his investigated for inappropriate not personally backed him at the behaviour had “fallen below the high behaviour, and leaders of all the weekend and sent a minister out Ministers will be subject to new rules main political parties agreed to to defend him in parliament on governing “inappropriate, bullying introduce new safeguards for Monday.” Labour colleagues also or harassing behaviour” following parliamentary staff . criticised the government’s stance a sleaze scandal at Westminster, The ministerial code has also been over Young. Prime Minister Theresa May’s amended to take account of a Young’s appointment to the spokesman said yesterday. scandal that felled a third minister in board of the OfS, which is meant May informed her Cabinet that May’s Cabinet late last year. to help uphold standards at uni- the ministerial code of conduct International aid minister Priti versities, caused a storm after a had been updated as they met for Damian Green was accused Patel was forced to resign after string of off ensive tweets directed the first time following Monday’s of inappropriate behaviour conducting unauthorised meetings at women, and controversial writ- reshuff le, her off icial spokesman by a young activist with Israeli off icials, including Prime ing about working-class students, said. Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, while were highlighted by critics. “There are a number of changes. It standards” required of his role. on holiday in the country. Young, whose professional life will include new wording to ensure May’s deputy Damian Green was “There’s also new wording has increasingly turned from his that the code properly covers also accused of inappropriate to specifically address the work as a journalist to the fi eld of inappropriate, bullying or harassing behaviour by a young activist, which requirements on ministers to report education, has cast his previous behaviour,” he told a regular press he strongly denied. off icial meetings, domestically and comments as remnants of a former briefing. He was sacked in December for especially overseas,” the spokesman life, for which he should not be Michael Fallon resigned as defence lying about pornography found on said. judged too harshly now. BBC fl ayed over editors’ pay issue

Guardian News and Media Hancock, who was announced as emy Bowen in the Middle East. when the BBC foreign editors can earn London Karen Bradley’s successor on Mon- Sopel was paid between £200,000 more than UK ambassadors in the day, said the BBC needed to do “much to £249,999 last year while Sir Kim same jurisdiction more” to ensure than men and women Darroch, the British ambassador “The director-general has com- att Hancock, the new cul- were being paid the same for work and to the US, collected £180,000 to mendably committed to sorting this ture secretary, has criticised that it should be a “beacon for the £185,000. issue out by 2020 and we will hold Mthe BBC for paying some of British values of fairness”. Hancock said: “This isn’t just a him to that. I understand their report its international journalists more than Hancock was responding to an ur- matter of levelling women’s pay up on on-air presenter salaries will be the British ambassadors in the same gent question in Commons about the – it is a matter of pay equality. Work- published in the next few weeks. country. resignation of Carrie Gracie as the ing for the BBC is public service and a “But we expect the BBC to ob- Hancock said the BBC should not BBC’s China editor. In an open let- great privilege, yet some men at the serve pay restraint and deliver value just respond to allegations of pay ine- ter Gracie accused the BBC of having BBC are paid far more than equivalent for money for licence fee payers. We quality by increasing the pay of wom- a “secretive and illegal” pay culture public servants. will watch closely. The BBC must act en but also consider the pay of men and said she was paid far less than the “The BBC have begun to act, and I because the brilliant women work- “who are paid far more than equiva- BBC’s two male international editors welcome that, but more action, much ing at all levels of the BBC deserve lent public servants”. – Jon Sopel in North America and Jer- more action, is needed – especially better.” Gulf Times 10 Wednesday, January 10, 2018 BRITAIN

LAW AND ORDER CRIME ENTERTAINMENT BLUNDER STUDY Nine arrested in raids Father-to-be knifed to Blue Peter named best Police fail to tell family of Khan’s air alerts ‘failing to on human traff ickers death on way from hospital children’s TV show in poll inquest into son’s death protect against pollution’

Nine people have been arrested in raids on An expectant father was stabbed to death as Blue Peter has been chosen by a Radio Times Detectives have apologised to the family of Air quality alerts of the kind deployed by properties in northern England in a crackdown he walked home from a hospital check-up for panel of experts as the best children’s television a teenager shot dead at an ice rink disco in Sadiq Khan in the capital are “inadequate” on people-traff icking and serious sexual off ences. his pregnant partner, his family said yesterday. programme of all time. The show, which south London after they were not told of an at protecting public health, researchers said More than 100 off icers were involved in the A murder hunt has been launched after the celebrates its 60th anniversary this year, beat inquest hearing 10 years on from the murder. yesterday. The study also found that filthy air simultaneous searches in Middlesbrough, Stockton victim was ambushed in an alley near a children’s Grange Hill to the top spot, with Newsround in James Andre Smartt-Ford, 17, was gunned down was best addressed by enforceable laws on and Sheff ield. Off icers arrested eight men in playground in Stoke Newington on Monday third, Tiswas fourth and Multi-Coloured Swap as more than 300 young people attended a cleaner emissions and by targeting polluting Stockton and one after a raid in the Callow Mount night. The man, believed to be 34, was attacked Shop fifth. Mark Frith, the editor of the Radio birthday party at the Streatham rink in February industries rather than leaving Londoners to area of Sheff ield. The searches were carried out by a group of young men who fled in a vehicle, Times, said: “British TV produces the best 2007. A “wall of silence” has meant no one has protect themselves. Lead author Dr Hong Chen after a woman told police she had been subjected according to witnesses. He is said to have lived programmes for children in the world. Reading ever been charged, despite a £20,000 reward for said: “Air pollution is a societal problem that to sexual off ences including rape. The investigation yards from where he was attacked at 6pm. He died our list produces the most wonderful, warm information. An inquest into Andre’s death was can be addressed most effectively through was based on intelligence that an unknown in hospital shortly before midnight. His younger memories.” The magazine asked 30 experts listed at Southwark coroners’ court last week. enforceable measures that reduce pollutants number of young women had been traff icked brother, who did not want to be named, told the to each name their five favourite children’s But when the Standard contacted his mother, in the air we breathe every day, not just on in Cleveland over a number of months for the Standard: “He was so excited to become a father programmes, and then tallied their votes to Tracey Ford, she expressed her shock that no days when air pollution is at its highest.” purposes of sex, a police spokeswoman said. and had just been to hospital to check on his child.” create a top 50. one had told her about it.

Sturgeon visits ambulance control centre Hospital bans sugar from its meals to tackle staff obesity

Guardian News and Media people are used to. We looked London to introduce certain specialised dishes, such as wild and mixed mushroom stroganoff , served hospital in Manchester with light couscous. These dishes has become the fi rst in have proved very popular and they ABritain to ban sugar from are low in carbohydrates and high its restaurant in an attempt to in protein. What we are trying to tackle growing concerns about promote is better, healthy eating.” obesity among NHS staff . Tameside’s move comes after Tameside hospital has removed an NHS England consultation in all added sugar from the meals it November last year found wide- prepares for visitors and health spread support for a ban on sug- service workers, and taken sug- ary drinks in hospitals and clinics. ary snacks and fi zzy drinks off its Simon Stevens, chief executive menu. The only drinks visitors can of NHS England, said: “It’s im- buy are tea, coff ee, milk and water. portant the NHS practises what The move has been welcomed it preaches on healthy food and Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, meets with Scottish Ambulance Service call handlers and NHS 24 staff at an ambulance control centre in Glasgow, Scotland, by campaigners, who are urging drink. We want 2018 to be the year yesterday. other hospitals to follow suit. when the tasty, aff ordable and “This is long overdue and I be- easy option for patients, staff and lieve it just takes one hospital to visitors is the healthy option.” make this move and all the oth- Tameside hospital introduced ers should follow, and I hope they its ban following the success of will. The department of health … trial in which 100 staff mem- seems to be really slow on the up- bers signed up for a weight loss take and are only just now think- scheme which changed their ing about banning sugary drinks attitude towards food. The 12- from hospitals. But it’s sugar in week Slimpod programme was food that is so important. I just commissioned by the trust’s Call for in-depth probe into think (Tameside’s plan) is excel- chief executive, Karen James, lent and I wish them well,” said because of her concerns about Tam Fry, chair of the National the health of staff . Obesity Forum. James said: “My staff work Steve Morton, from Public very hard. Long hours and shift Health England North West, said: patterns often make it very dif- rapist release case rejected “It’s fantastic to see one of our fi cult for people to make healthy local hospital trusts taking such choices, so they opt for the in- Guardian News and Media his release because she believes he had done nothing wrong. How limited to how far the Parole Gauke said: “While it appears encouraging steps to tackle the stant sweet fi xes, which until London knows where she and other vic- on earth can this man now be Board can go in explaining its de- that the correct procedures country’s obesity problem. Large now have been readily available. tims live. deemed safe? I was assured by cisions about individual off enders were followed (by the Parole employers can set a great example “These are dedicated health- Responding to Gauke’s com- the police that Worboys would and improving its relationship Board), the fact that some vic- by encouraging their staff to think care professionals who believe he new Justice Secretary, ments, she said: “Worboys knows never be released from prison with victims. He said he doubted tims learned of the decision (to about their health by opting for they should be role models for David Gauke, has rejected where I live. How do I know he’s as he would always pose a seri- whether retrospective changes free Worboys) from the media healthier food and restricting less their patients, but the food envi- Tcalls for an “end-to-end not going to come after me? I’m ous threat to women. What has could be made. suggests that there is a need to healthy options such as sugary ronment has been working against inquiry” into the case of the se- terrifi ed. Why wouldn’t I be? The changed?” He said one victim who had review these procedures and snacks and fi zzy drinks.” them.” rial sex attacker John Worboys, most important thing now is that She added: “The justice sec- asked to be kept informed of examine whether lessons can be The hospital restaurant’s chef, The project included a survey of who is about to be released from the Parole Board tells us how they retary has now suggested that Worboys’ release had not received learned and improvements can Simon Smith, is one of the few staff and 90% said that the biggest prison. came to this decision before he is the law could be changed retro- an e-mail that was sent out. He be made. dietetically-trained chefs in the problem at work was snacking. But he backed proposals for released. spectively, which would allow us defended the board’s work, refer- “There is a strong case to NHS. He also provides low-car- One employee lost 13kg (28lbs) greater transparency from the “This man was a prolifi c sex victims to be told why the Parole ring to the hundreds of pages of review the case for transpar- bohydrate healthy main courses. during the 12-week programme. Parole Board in explaining why attacker for 5-10 years, probably Board has made this decision. evidence it had considered in the ency in the process for parole “He is preparing a lot of stuff – Luan Walton, 38, an urgent care off enders are freed and how as- more. Some reports suggest he That must now happen as soon Worboys case. He said Worboys’ decisions and how victims are and it’s a large hospital, not a small nurse, said: “So far I’ve lost 20lbs sessments of future risks are con- might have had hundreds of vic- as possible. Until it does, we can crimes were “horrifi c”. appropriately engaged in that one,” said Fry. (9kg) in 12 weeks. I’ve already ducted. tims, while he dismissed his ac- have zero confi dence that he The former black-cab driver process, and consider the case Smith said: “I started here in dropped a dress size and a half. Meanwhile, one of Worboys’ tions as ‘banter’. He showed no won’t reoff end.” was convicted in 2009 of one for changes in policy, practice or May and the menu at that point I’m wearing a smaller uniform and victims, who testifi ed against him remorse. Gauke said in a Commons count of rape, fi ve sexual assaults, the Parole Board rules, or other was standard northern fare, so pie soon will have to replace it with an in his criminal trial, has said she “Reports also suggest that just statement that a review to be one attempted assault and 12 guidance or procedures includ- and chips, comfort food – what even smaller one.” feels “terrifi ed” at the prospect of two years ago he still believed he completed by Easter would be drugging charges. ing the victims’ code.”

Fire at paint factory Daily Mail accuses Virgin Boy, 16, arrested over Trains of ‘censorship’ shop worker’s killing Guardian News and Media rette papers. They allegedly turned London violent and threatened to vandal- Guardian News and Media newspapers it off ers to passen- papers it off ers to passengers. ise the shop when they were told London gers” when the taxpayer was be- “For the record, Virgin used to they were too young to buy the ing forced to bail out Virgin’s East sell only 70 Daily Mails a day. They 16-year-old boy who is papers. Coast franchise. informed us last November that alleged to have attacked a A police spokesman said: “The irgin Trains and the Daily Virgin Trains is a separate rail to save space, they were restrict- Ashop worker who refused shopkeeper and victim went out- Mail have become em- franchise to Virgin Trains East ing sales to just three newspapers: to sell him cigarette papers has side after them to ensure no dam- Vbroiled in a row after the Coast. However both are joint the Mirror, FT and Times. They been arrested on suspicion of age was done to the shop. The vic- rail company announced it had ventures backed by the transport gave no other reason, but it may murder. tim was struck once by one of the stopped selling the newspaper company Stagecoach and Sir Ri- be no coincidence that all those ti- The victim, named as 49-year- teenagers, causing him to fall to on its services because it was chard Branson’s Virgin. tles, like Virgin owner Sir Richard old father Vijay Patel, was criti- the fl oor.” The shop’s owner suf- “not compatible” with its brand Stagecoach and Virgin are ter- Branson, are pro-Remain.” cally injured with a single blow fered minor injuries when he was or beliefs. Virgin Trains operates minating their agreement to run The internal memo from Vir- on Saturday after refusing to sell punched by the teenagers, who the west coast mainline, which the east coast line early, potentially gin Trains was fi rst reported by the papers to three teenage boys fl ed from the scene. includes trains from London to saving the companies as much as the trade magazine PR Week. The at a north London shop because of Members of the public tried Manchester, Liverpool, Birming- £2bn in payments to the govern- memo said: “Diff erent viewpoints their age. to help Patel, giving him fi rst aid ham and Scotland. ment. Branson defended the move are often valuable, and it’s certain- After he died from his injuries before the arrival of police and The Daily Mail was one of a lim- last week, saying Virgin and Stage- ly true that we choose to take our on Monday afternoon, Scotland paramedics. When police arrived ited collection of newspapers and coach had lost more than £100mn news from diff erent sources de- Yard said a 16-year-old had been just before midnight they found magazines that the train operator running the route and upgrades to pending on our view of the world. arrested on suspicion of murder. him lying on the pavement outside sold in its on-board shop and gave the line promised by the govern- “Thousands of people choose to Detective inspector Ian Lott, the shop. Detectives appealed for away to passengers in fi rst class. ment had been delayed. read the Daily Mail every day. But who is leading the investigation, help identifying the suspects and But in an internal memo, it told A spokesperson for the Daily they will no longer be reading it said: “We believe this to be an un- for anyone who may have mobile staff that it would stop stocking Mail said: “It is disgraceful that, courtesy of VT (Virgin Trains). provoked spontaneous incident phone footage or images of the in- the title, saying its employees had at a time of massive customer dis- “There’s been considerable con- sparked entirely by refusal to let cident to contact them. raised concerns “about the Mail’s satisfaction over ever-increasing cern raised by colleagues about the the suspects buy what they want- The suspects were described as editorial position on issues such rail fares, and after the taxpayer Mail’s editorial position on issues ed. A man has lost his life for no three black males, with one wear- as immigration, LGBT rights and was forced to bail out Virgin’s East such as immigration, LGBT rights, reason other than trying to uphold ing a red sweatshirt, black jeans and unemployment”. Coast mainline franchise – a deci- and unemployment. We’ve decided the law.” white trainers, another wearing a The Daily Mail hit back at Virgin sion strongly criticised by the Mail that this paper is not compatible Smoke rises from a fire at a paint factory in Brent Cross, The boys went to the conven- dark-grey or black tracksuit and Trains, saying it was “disgraceful” – that Virgin Trains should now with the VT brand and our beliefs. London. At least 15 fire engines and more than 90 ience shop on The Broadway in black trainers and the third a dark- that the company had announced announce that for political reasons We won’t be stocking the Daily firefighters were sent to battle the blaze in Staples Corner. Mill Hill late on Saturday to buy coloured hooded sweatshirt and it was “censoring the choice of it is censoring the choice of news- Mail for sale or as a giveaway.” several items, including the ciga- black jeans. Gulf Times Wednesday, January 10, 2018 11 EUROPE Nearly 170 arrested in anti-mafi a operation in Italy and Germany

Reuters early afternoon, were carried out the same operation, on suspicion food, garbage collection and fu- “agro-mafi a” business, includ- gerous crossing of the Mediterra- front companies to launder il- Rome in the southern Italian region of of blackmail, attempted murder, neral services. ing harvesting and distribution, nean from North Africa to Europe licit profi ts made through other Calabria, base of the ‘Ndrangheta money laundering and other or- At least three Italian may- is worth about €21.8bn a year. land fi rst in Sicily but many are criminal activities. crime group. ganised crime off ences. ors were arrested, including the The clans also took control of later moved to shelters on the There are believed to be about early 170 people, includ- More could be apprehended, Police searched six apartments mayor of Ciro Marina, as well as a some private garbage collection mainland, including Calabria. 100 ‘Ndrangheta families in Ca- ing mayors, businessmen they said. and four restaurants in Germany number of city councillors. and recycling companies as well Arrests were also made in sev- labria, and they have become Nand local administrators, In recent years the ‘Ndrang- and confi scated cash, mobile The clan members forced res- as funeral services, forcing peo- eral regions of central and north- more successful than their Sicil- were arrested yesterday in a large heta has overtaken the Cosa Nos- phones, documents and storage taurants to buy meat, fi sh, wine ple to use them instead of others. ern Italy. ian counterparts because their anti-mafi a blitz in Italy and Ger- tra, or Sicilian mob, in drugs and devices, they said. and other produce from com- In at least one case, investi- Eurojust, the Netherlands- family ties are closer. many against clan members who arms traffi cking and extortion Investigators said the clans of plicit retailers or wholesalers as- gators found links between the based group that helps co-or- The ‘Ngrangheta’s more hori- controlled restaurants, garbage rackets, extending its tentacles the Farao and Marincola families, sociated with the mob. ‘Ndrangheta and managers of a dinate investigations and pros- zontal structure has made it collection and funeral services. into northern Europe, the United based in the Calabrian city of The farmers’ group Coldiretti government-fi nanced migrant ecutions of cross-border crime harder for investigators to crack Police and investigators told States and Canada. Ciro Marina, had infi ltrated busi- estimates that at least 5,000 shelter on the Calabrian coast. in the European Union, said in a than the Sicilian mob, which is a news conference that most of In Germany, police also arrest- nesses in both countries, par- restaurants in Italy are in crimi- Most of the thousands of mi- statement that some of the Ital- based on a hierarchical structure the arrests, which totalled 169 by ed about a dozen men, as part of ticularly fi rms involved in wine, nal hands and that the so-called grants who have made the dan- ian food producers were used as with fewer top bosses.

Deneuve Protesters storm Deneuve criticises Greek ministry Supporters of the Reuters prised open metal shutters of the leading to her offi ce damaged or Communist-aff iliated PAME ‘anti-men’ Athens labour ministry in central Ath- overturned. group break into the ministry of ens, racing up to the eighth fl oor Earlier, about 500 protesters labour building in Athens during of the building where about 50 of had rallied outside the labour a protest against a law submit- backlash reek demonstrators them came face to face with La- ministry, putting up a banner ted to the parliament, which stormed the country’s bour Minister Effi e Achtsioglou. reading “Ministry of EU and includes strike restrictions as Glabour ministry and con- The 32-year-old minister is IMF!” and chanting “We won’t part of the Greek austerity Reuters fronted its chief yesterday in a staunch leftist in the govern- yield to plutocracy!” measures. Paris protest at moves to restrict the ment of Prime Minister Alexis The European Union and right to strike, a condition set Tsipras. International Monetary Fund Left: Protesters argue with by international creditors in ex- Visibly disturbed, Achtsi- (IMF) have bailed Greece out Labour Minister Eff ie ctress Catherine Deneuve change for bailout funds. oglou was silent as demonstra- from becoming bankrupt due to Achtsioglou after storming the and 99 other French Athens is set to introduce leg- tors shouted “shame on you” oppressive debt, but demanded labour ministry. Awomen have denounced islation which could limit the over legislation due to go to par- severe austerity in exchange. a backlash against men follow- frequency of strikes in the coun- liament this week. Part of that has been changes The Greek lawmakers are ex- ing the Harvey Weinstein scan- try, infuriating labour unions “Take it back,” they shouted. to the labour law. pected to vote on the reforms dal, saying the #Metoo cam- which regard industrial action as “I will not take it back,” she More protesters arrived as a before a meeting of eurozone paign against sexual harassment sacrosanct. responded. group unfurled a huge banner street in central Athens. reforms to parliament. fi nance ministers, scheduled for amounted to “puritanism” and Using crowbars, about 500 Her offi ce was undamaged, that read “Hands off strikes, it’s Greece’s leftist-led govern- The government has agreed to January 22, which will assess was fuelled by a “hatred of men”. demonstrators with Greek Com- but a Reuters witness saw two a labour right!”, hanging it from ment was yesterday due to sub- increase the quorum for unions the country’s bailout progress as In the aftermath of accusa- munist-affi liated group PAME to three desks in the corridor the roof of the ministry on a busy mit a bill with bailout-mandated to vote on a strike. part of a review by its lenders. tions against the US movie pro- ducer, millions of women took to social media to share their sto- ries of being sexually harassed or assaulted. “This urge to send men to the German industrial workers widen strikes Polish PM replaces slaughterhouse, instead of help- ing women be more autono- mous, helps the enemies of sex- Reuters companies including engineer- key ministers in bid ual freedom,” the 100 women, Frankfurt ing group Siemens, carmaker including 74-year old Deneuve, BMW, automotive suppliers one of France’s most famous Schaeffl er and farm equipment to mend ties with EU screen stars, said in a column erman industrial work- maker John Deere were aff ected. published by Le Monde daily. ers widened industrial Since the start of last week, The man’s right to “pester” a Gaction yesterday, with a total of around 80,000 work- AFP Interior Minister Mariusz woman was an essential part of nearly 60,000 staff at 280 met- ers have taken action across the Warsaw Blaszczak took over the de- sexual freedom, they said, de- als and engineering companies nation, including yesterday’s fence portfolio, while Jacek scribing the campaign as “puri- downing their tools in support walkouts, the union said. Czaputowicz, a deputy foreign tanism”. of wage claims by union IG Met- IG Metall has announced fur- oland’s new Prime Min- minister with centrist views, Marlene Schiappa, the French all. ther walkouts for today. ister Mateusz Moraw- will serve as foreign minister. minister tasked with crack- With the economy in robust Such industrial action is Piecki has sacked his de- “We don’t want to be a dog- ing down on violence against health and unemployment at common in Germany before fence and foreign ministers in matic, doctrinaire or extremist women, said in a comment to record lows, the country’s big- sector-wide pay negotiations, a cabinet reshuffl e, as he seeks government; we want to be a Reuters that the Weinstein scan- gest union is demanding an in- and similar walkouts took place to mend strained ties with the government that draws togeth- dal forced a rethink of attitudes fl ation-busting 6% pay hike this in 2016 and 2015. An employee of the Aluminium Norf GmbH company holds a flag country’s EU partners. er the economy and society, as towards sexual harassment in year for about 3.9mn workers. The union has made it clear it with the logo of IG Metall as he and his colleagues stage a warning The prime minister was due well as the European and global France, a country that cherishes It is also making a push for is drawing a line in the sand re- strike yesterday in Neuss, western Germany. in Brussels yesterday for talks dimensions with the local lev- its self-image as the land of se- shorter hours, more than two garding shorter working hours with European Commission el,” Morawiecki, who himself duction and romance. decades after it won the 35-hour and has threatened to move be- ers who shorten their hours. tions will resume on January 15, President Jean-Claude Junck- took offi ce just last month, said Schiappa kicked off nation- work week for Germans. yond walkouts lasting only a few Talks between unions and and to the north in North Rhine- er, focused on the EU’s un- as he greeted member of his wide consultations on a law that Ahead of a round of regional hours to all-out strikes across employers’ associations are Westphalia on January 18. precedented disciplinary pro- new cabinet. is due to include steps to fi ght negotiations due to begin to- the sector. set for tomorrow in the south- The labour dispute follows cedure against Warsaw over its Warsaw-based political sexual harassment on the streets morrow, employers have so far The union has called for high- western state of Baden-Wuert- a strong year of growth in Eu- controversial judicial reforms, analyst Eryk Mystewicz de- as well as extend the statute of off ered 2% plus a one-off €200 er wages as well as a right to re- temberg, where Volkswagen’s rope’s largest economy, driven which Brussels says threaten scribed the reshuffl e as “a new limitation for rape of minors. ($240) payment in the fi rst duce weekly hours to 28 from 35 Porsche, Mercedes-Benz maker by domestic demand from the rule of law. opening with the EU that gives But for Deneuve and the other quarter and rejected demands and return to full-time employ- Daimler and automotive suppli- record numbers of German Ahead of his departure, it a strong signal to Europe”. signatories of the letter, includ- for shorter hours. ment after two years for shift ers including Bosch are based. workers while borrowing costs was announced that defence “Morawiecki, Czaputowicz ing writers and journalists, this In the state of North Rhine- workers and those who need to “If we do not see any willing- and infl ation remain low and minister Antoni Macierewicz are not people who can be ac- went too far: “This vigilante Westphalia alone, the industrial care for children or elderly rela- ness to even discuss the topic exporters benefi t from a global and foreign minister Witold cused of wanting a Polexit,” (online) justice has punished heartland of Germany, workers tives. seriously on Thursday, the situ- recovery. Waszczykowski lost their jobs Mystewicz said, adding that men in their jobs, forced some at 140 companies including Sie- Employers have so far rejected ation will escalate further,” Ro- That pattern should extend along with environment min- Czaputowicz as foreign min- to resign, when all they did was mens and Thyssenkrupp staged the demand because it includes man Zitzelsberger, head of IG through 2018, with the Ifo eco- ister Jan Szyszko, among oth- ister “is a man from the centre touch a knee, try to steal a kiss, walkouts and marched outside a provision under which com- Metall in Baden-Wuerttemberg, nomic institute last month fore- ers, at an offi cial ceremony who can give a new impetus to talk about ‘intimate’ matters in a factory gates carrying banners. panies would help make up for told daily Handelsblatt. casting growth of 2.6% for the held at the presidential palace relations between Warsaw and work dinner.” In other parts of the country, the pay shortfall for some work- Next door in Bavaria negotia- year. in Warsaw. Brussels”. Heavy snowfall and power cut strand 13,000 tourists in Swiss Alps

Reuters/AFP been closed since early on Mon- in the village is relaxed and com- forced the evacuation of around Heavy snowfall has blocked Zurich day, while the train was halted on fortable.” 20 people from Eyholz village and access to some Italian resorts and Monday evening, she said. Helicopters fl ew for about two with the nearby hamlet of Mot- villages, among them Cervinia in Zermatt is home to some 5,500 hours yesterday afternoon, she tec also emptied as a precaution, the Valle d’Aosta region. he Swiss Alpine resort of inhabitants and has the capacity said. Swiss media reports said. But with the school holidays Zermatt airlifted guests by to accommodate 13,400 tourists Guests seeking to leave the Further to the north, snow and now over, the number of tour- Thelicopter yesterday af- spread across hotels and rental car-free village at the foot of high winds prompted the cancel- ists and residents cut off by the ter heavy snow and a power cut apartments. the Matterhorn were fl own to lation of Tuesday’s fi rst men’s snowfall was around 5,000, stranded thousands of visitors. But the stranded tourists will Taesch, about 5km (three miles) World Cup downhill training run sharply down on the 11,000 peo- An estimated 13,000 people not be able to take advantage of away. in Wengen, in the canton of Bern, ple in the area last week, Italian were stuck in Zermatt after snow the abundant snow for the time From there, Zermatt had en- organisers said. media reports said. closed mountain lifts, ski runs, being due to an avalanche risk, listed buses in place of rail serv- Although the piste itself was On the French side, where Me- walking paths and train services which is at its highest level. ice to take people further down unaff ected, overnight winds of teo France said yesterday that the to the village. “It is not possible to do down- the valley following the opening up to 200kph (125mph) caused avalanche threat has diminished, With the onset of the wintery hill or cross country (skiing), but of the road. signifi cant damage to infrastruc- rescuers were able to start look- weather, avalanche danger in the that’s ok. It’s a bit romantic,” Im- Helicopters were also used to ture on the course, notably at the ing for a British skier missing for rugged Swiss canton of Valais esch said, adding that “there is transport people seeking to reach fi nish where tents and the stands the past two days, with a heli- (Wallis in German) that includes no panic”. Zermatt, offi cials said. were hit. copter searching the area where a Zermatt near the Italian border In the town of Visp, about The heavy snowfall also caused In the Italian Alpine resort signal from his mobile phone was is now rated as “very great”, the 30km (20 miles) down the val- power outages in some areas of of Sestrieres, where more than last picked up. highest level, according to the ley from Zermatt, 20 people were the canton, and a number of oth- 2m of snow fell in 48 hours, an The 39-year-old went missing Swiss Institute for Snow and Av- evacuated from their homes after er villages were also cut off , with avalanche struck a fi ve-storey in the resort of Tignes on Sunday alanche Research. a mud- and snowslide sent de- People walk down a blocked street in Zermatt yesterday after heavy the Simplon region of Valais hit building late on Monday, send- after saying he wanted to com- Snow has blocked transporta- bris into a portion of the village, snowfall and avalanches trapped more than 13,000 tourists at one of by 2m (6.6’) of snow in a 24-hour ing a mass of snow and broken plete “one last run”, police said. tion links by road and rail to Zer- Swiss broadcaster SRG reported Switzerland’s most popular ski stations. period, the ATS news agency re- branches into its corridors and Parts of the Savoie area of the matt, station head Janine Imesch yesterday. ported. even into several apartments, Alps have seen up to 1.8m of snow told AFP. Nobody was injured. Town offi cials say the airlift still the chance that it could go Mud and rockslides, as well media reports said. in just 36 hours in what French There are currently “around The tourist offi ce said there service was just arranged for out ... but at this time things look as fl ooding, closed a number of But the 29 people staying there forecasters described as snow- 13,000 tourists at Zermatt” was no reason for concern in Zer- those wishing to leave. good,” a tourist offi ce spokes- roads across Valais. managed to escape the building fall only seen “once in every 30 where the main access road has matt. “Power has returned, there’s woman said. “The atmosphere At lower altitudes, heavy rains unharmed through the garage. years”. Gulf Times 12 Wednesday, January 10, 2018 INDIA Cities look to bike sharing to put brakes on congestion

Reuters the central city of Bhopal, both cated lanes and a system that is has nearly tripled in the last dec- Mysuru, close to the technol- The city now has 11km of ity bikes and a mobile app to reg- Mumbai launched last June, have met with a effi cient,” said Chandramauli ade, government data shows. ogy hub of Bengaluru, was the dedicated bike lanes, according ister and unlock bikes,” he said. tremendous response, offi cials say. Shukla, chief executive of Bhopal Gridlock has become common fi rst to introduce a bike-sharing to WRI, which provided techni- “But the main priority is safe- About half-a-dozen more cit- Smart City Corporation. and transit systems struggle to programme, with the state’s chief cal expertise to the Bhopal Mu- ty, with dedicated bike lanes. handful of Indian cities ies, including Bengaluru, Pune The corporation implements keep pace. minister riding a yellow Trin Trin nicipal Corporation on the bike- That has encouraged people to are gearing up to launch and Bhubaneswar, are now draw- the federally-funded Smart Cit- Vehicle emissions account for bike at the launch. sharing system. give it a go,” he told the Thomson Abike-sharing systems to ing up similar plans, according ies programme to improve serv- almost a third of air pollution in Registered users can borrow More than 25,000 people regis- Reuters Foundation. ease traffi c congestion and dead- to the World Resources Institute ices like Internet connectivity India, which has nearly half the any of 450 bikes from 48 docking tered in the fi rst few months, half Offi cials must be careful not ly air pollution, as urban popula- (WRI), a Washington, DC-based and public transport in 100 cities world’s 20 most polluted cities, stations for a nominal fee. of them women, said Amit Bhatt, to repeat the mistakes of China, tions surge and vehicles clog the research organisation. across India. according to the World Health In Bhopal, users can register director of transport at WRI India. where unchecked growth of streets. “Bike sharing is a viable op- With rising incomes and a Organisation. on their smartphones and unlock “In India, people look down bike-sharing fi rms led to piles Bike sharing systems in the tion for Indian cities - we just large young population, passen- Some 2.5mn people in the coun- one of 500 bikes from 60 docking on those who bike. So we had to of discarded bikes clogging side- southern city of Mysuru and need good quality bikes, dedi- ger vehicle ownership in India try die every year due to pollution. stations. show this is cool, with good qual- walks, Bhatt added. Indian from Warm-up session New Jersey stripped of US citizenship

Agencies that Washington was consider- New York ing new regulations to prevent the extension of H-1B visas, largely used by Indian IT fi rms. naturalised Ameri- “The USCIS is not consid- can from India has been ering a regulatory change that Astripped of his US citi- would force H-1B visa holders zenship, the fi rst case under a to leave the US by changing our government initiative designed interpretation of section 104(c) to clamp down on fraudulent of AC-21, which provides for immigration, widened under the H-1B extensions beyond the Trump administration. 6 year limit,” said Jonathan Baljinder Singh, 43, from Car- Withington, chief of media re- teret, New Jersey became a natu- lations for USCIS. ralised citizen in 2006 after mar- “Even if it were, such a change rying an American woman. would not likely result in these But he arrived in the Untied H-1B visa holders having to States in 1991, fl ying into San leave the US because employ- Francisco without travel docu- ers could request extensions in ments or proof of identity, giving one-year increments under sec- his name as Davinder Singh, the tion 106(a)-(b) of AC21 instead,” Justice Department said. Withington was quoted as saying He dodged a subsequent court by Kansas City Star. hearing and was ordered to be “The agency is considering deported in January 1992. a number of policy and regula- People warm themselves by a bonfire on a foggy winter morning in Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh yesterday. After a brief respite, the weather turned extremely cold in most A month later he fi led for asy- tory changes to carry out the parts of the northern state yesterday. More than 12 people have died due to cold and fog-related accidents in the last 24 hours in Uttar Pradesh. Delhi too experienced a lum under the name Baljinder President’s Buy American, Hire cold and foggy day. At least seven flights were delayed due to low visibility. At least 22 trains too were cancelled due to the weather. Singh, which he then abandoned American Executive Order, in- after getting married. cluding a thorough review of Last Friday, a federal judge in employment based visa pro- New Jersey revoked his natu- grammes,” he said. ralisation, reverting him to law- Earlier reports said the Trump ful permanent resident, which administration was considering means that he can be subject to tightening H-1B visa rules that removal proceedings. could lead to the deportation of “I hope this case, and those to 750,000 Indians. follow, send a loud message that Withington said that USCIS attempting to fraudulently ob- was never considering such a National anthem not tain US citizenship will not be policy change and that “any sug- tolerated,” said US Citizenship gestion that USCIS changed its and Immigration Services direc- position because of pressure is tor Francis Cissna, a Trump ad- absolutely false”. ministration appointee. Representatives Kevin Yo- The Justice Department said der, a Kansas Republican, and it was the fi rst denaturalisation Tulsi Gabbard, a Democrat from must in cinemas: SC under Operation Janus, a long- Hawaii, sent a letter to Trump, running Department of Home- obtained by McClatchy, urging Agencies October asked the federal home NDTV news channel reported faded away in most states. “Over the last year there have land Security initiative against him “not to deport H-1B holders New Delhi ministry to look into the matter. that exhibitors and cinema hall Local media reported that been many unfortunate inci- fraudulent immigration. awaiting permanent residency “The court accepted submis- associations in Mumbai would yesterday’s developments re- dents where people have been Last September the initiative processing.” sions in a government affi davit meet shortly to take a decision vealed that the BJP had changed abused, insulted and humili- identifi ed 315,000 cases where “We strongly believe this action ndian cinemas will no longer fi led on Monday that suggested in the wake of the new ruling. its position on the issue. ated. The atmosphere created is fi ngerprint data was missing, would be harmful to the American be required to play the na- that playing of the anthem in In the initial ruling, the court The party had praised the that of fear. A national anthem raising concerns that at least economy, credibility and relations Itional anthem before each halls should not be made com- had said the theatre audience 2016 order with its spokesman is something that should spread some may have tried to circum- with India and the Indian-Ameri- fi lm screening, the Supreme pulsory,” said lawyer Abhinav must stand and all exits of the Nalin Kohli saying the ruling love, not fear”. vent criminal record and other can community,” wrote Yoder and Court ruled yesterday. Shrivastava, who fi led a peti- hall would be closed. was a “reminder to people that Muslim politician and Majlis- background checks in the natu- Gabbard last week. A previous ruling from No- tion on the alleged misuse of the This would “instil within one, we have to have our aff ection e-Ittehadul Muslimeen chief ralisation process. Both are members of the Con- vember 2016 said that cinemas anthem on behalf of a non-gov- a sense of committed patriotism and our duty to our national in- Asaduddin Owaisi welcomed The USCIS has plans to refer gressional Caucus on India and must play the anthem and the ernmental organisation. and nationalism,” the court had stitutions and our national sym- the court verdict, saying the 1,600 other cases for prosecution. Indian Americans. audience “must stand up in re- “The previous order is thus said. bols.” central government had taken a In another development that The US Chamber of Commerce spect” till the anthem ended. modifi ed,” he said, adding that There was a widespread criti- The ruling has been welcomed wrong decision. will bring cheer to Indian techies, had warned it would be “tremen- The order came amid a debate the government would now cism about the ruling at the by people on social media as well The Hyderabad MP said he the Trump administration said it dously bad policy” to tell highly in the country about the rise of frame guidelines on the matter. time, with many remarking on as fi lm industry professionals. was in full agreement with the was not considering any regula- skilled people they were not wel- aggressive nationalism under The court however clarifi ed social media that one goes to the “The whole idea of thrust- Supreme Court. tory change that will force H1-B come to stay in the US. the Bharatiya Janata Party gov- that if cinema halls did want to cinemas to relax and not display ing down the national anthem “Under previous order, many visa holders to leave the country. Indians get most of the H1-B ernment. play the national anthem, the patriotism. and forced patriotism, I don’t people especially those from The announcement by the US- visas, although there are no na- Several people were arrested audience must stand up. It was mandatory for cin- believe in it...We don’t need to minority community were tar- CIS came on Monday after last tional quotas for the facility nor even as some disabled people It also said that an exemption emas in India to play the na- prove how much we love our geted and even physically hand- week’s report by US-based news is it specifi cally designed for In- were attacked for not stand- for disabled people will contin- tional anthem after the movies country at the theatres,” fi lm- icapped were harassed by so- agency McClatchy DC Bureau dians. ing up, after which the court in ue to remain in force. in the 1960s, but the practice maker Onir told NDTV. called vigilantes,” Owaisi said.

Air hostess arrested for trying to smuggle out $508,000

A flight attendant and an drafted her into the money- accomplice have been ar- laundering network was also rested for allegedly trying to arrested later. smuggle $508,000 in foreign The scheme involved col- exchange out of India, of- lecting money from bullion ficials said yesterday. dealers in Delhi and getting The 25-year old Deveshi airline workers to take the Kulshreshtha of the Jet money abroad, which was Airways was on a flight from then brought back to India in New Delhi to Hong Kong the form of gold, a DRI off icial when she was caught by said. off icials from the Directorate Jet Airways was caught up of Revenue Intelligence, the in another controversy last airline said. week when two of its pilots “Based on the investigations were involved in a scuff le and inputs from law enforce- on a flight from London to ment agencies, the airline will Mumbai. take further action,” it said in Both pilots have been sacked a statement. as the country’s aviation The money seized after her regulator ordered a probe arrest early Monday was into the incident. mostly in $100 bills and was The incident involved the wrapped in aluminium foil male co-pilot slapping his fe- to escape detection by the male commander inside the airport scanners, NDTV news cockpit of the aircraft which channel reported. had 324 passengers, and 14 Amit Malhotra who allegedly crew on board. Gulf Times Wednesday, January 10, 2018 13 INDIA

PEOPLE JUDICIARY PILGRIMAGE ASSURANCE POLITICS Jailed don-cum-legislator, Tejpal rape case trial Saudi Arabia raises India’s Goa beef traders Minister favours putting wife suff er heart attack to begin next month Haj quota by 5,000 call off their strike off assembly elections

Mafia don and sitting legislator Mukhtar Ansari, After years of delay, former Tehelka editor-in-chief More pilgrims can now go for Haj this year as Beef traders in Goa called off their four-day-old A Nagaland minister said yesterday he supported who is lodged in the Banda jail, suff ered a heart Tarun Tejpal will finally face trial from February in India’s quota of pilgrims has been hiked by 5,000 strike yesterday as the Bharatiya Janata Party-led the demand of various Naga groups to defer attack yesterday, off icials said. He was rushed an alleged rape case involving a junior colleague, by Saudi Arabia, the government announced coalition government assured them that the meat assembly elections in order to facilitate a solution to a medical facility in Kanpur but owing to his a Goa court said yesterday. Additional District and yesterday. The decision by Riyadh came days would be imported from Karnataka under police to the seven-decade-old Naga insurgency. The critical state, he shifted to Lucknow, off icials Sessions judge Vijaya Pol ruled that the in-camera after Minority Aff airs Minister Mukhtar Abbas protection, a traders’ association said. “In light of term of the 60-member assembly expires on said. His wife Afsa Ansari, who went to see trial will commence on February 26 and hearings Naqvi signed a bilateral annual agreement for the assurance given to us by senior police off icials, March 13, 2019. “I strongly feel that the assembly him at the prison, also suff ered a heart attack. will continue for four days during which the victim Haj 2018 with Saudi Minister for Haj and Umrah that our beef consignments would be given police elections should be deferred. Moreover, Police said that Ansari’s condition was serious. will depose and will be examined. “If a further Mohamed Saleh bin Taher Benten. Now, a total of protection, we are withdrawing the strike. Beef government interlocutor R N Ravi had said that The five-time legislator, who faces 16 cases date is required then the court will consider. We 175,000 Indian citizens can go for Haj. Last year, will be available in Goa from tomorrow,” Quraishi political negotiations are at its final stage,” Health of murder and attempted murder, has been are quite confident that there is no case,” Tejpal’s Saudi Arabia increased India’s Haj quota by 35,000, Meat Traders Association of Goa president Manna and Family Welfare Minister Imkong Imchen said. in prison for the last 12 years. He is currently lawyer Pramod Dubey said. In 2013, when he was the Minority Aff airs Ministry said. Giving credit Bepari said in Panaji. Beef traders in the coastal “Election is not a big deal compared to Naga the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) legislator from the editor-in-chief of Tehelka magazine, Tejpal to the hike to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s state were on strike from January 6, alleging political issue,” he added. He said the Nagaland Mau. Ansari is also a prime accused in murder was accused of rape by a female colleague, who “growing popularity” and India’s strengthened harassment by vigilante groups, who they say have Assembly last year had unanimously adopted of BJP legislator Krishnanand Rai. An off icial in her complaint to the police alleged that she was relations with Saudi Arabia, Naqvi said three ‘raided’ their beef consignments imported from a resolution urging the central government to said the government has sought details of the sexually assaulted by him in the elevator of a five- years ago the quota was 136,000. Saudi Arabia Karnataka, disrupting the business and harassment take emergent and extraordinary steps for an incident from the District Magistrate and Senior star resort in Goa where the magazine was hosting has also given a nod to India’s decision to revive by government off icials who create obstacles in “honourable and acceptable solution” before the Superintendent of Police in Banda. an international conclave. the option of sending pilgrims by sea. transportation of the meat. assembly election. World looks at India now with renewed

Employees eat in the greenhouse cafeteria at the Paharpur Business Centre in New Delhi. focus: Modi

IANS opment and act as catalysts in its New Delhi economic growth. He said the 21st century was being considered the Asian cen- Alpine air at work? Delhi eyes rime Minister Narendra tury and India would be a major Modi yesterday said the player and “you shall feel proud Pworld was looking at a re- about our growth, hence inspir- formed India with a renewed fo- ing us to work even harder”. cus with global fi nancial agencies Modi said while many peo- novel ways to battle smog and rating agencies viewing the Prime Minister Narendra ple may have left India over the country in a “very positive man- Modi speaks at the first PIO course of hundreds of years, AFP Gulmarg in Kashmir or Davos government, and Meattle says ised on the smoke-belching ma- ner”. Parliamentarian conference in the country continued to have a New Delhi in Switzerland in this building,” people who work there ben- chines that can be heard across Addressing a day-long con- New Delhi yesterday. place in their minds and hearts. 73-year-old Meattle told AFP efi t from improved blood oxygen the city. ference of PIO Parliamentarians It was not surprising that as he looked out at the smog levels, better brain function, and Its Chakr Shield is fi tted to – Indian-origin lawmakers from The prime minister spoke people of Indian origin have in- olitical apathy over the from the protection of the lush fewer asthma and eye irritation generators and converts carbon across the world – here, Modi about new investments the tegrated themselves fully with poisonous smog chok- rooftop nursery. cases. and other fi ne particles, includ- said the country had transformed government was making in the their adopted lands while keep- Ping India’s capital has led “You are actually right now Delhi chokes every winter as ing the most harmful PM0.3 in the past three-four years with country in technology, trans- ing “the Indian-ness alive in many like businessman Kamal sitting in an air tank,” he said, cool air traps a toxic blend of and PM2.5 specks, into lique- hopes and new aspirations. portation and infrastructure de- themselves” despite imbibing Meattle to take matters into referring to the greenhouse pollutants from crop burning, fi ed soot through chemical and This was possible, he said, due velopment “keeping in mind the the language, food and dress of their own hands, with an offi ce where PM2.5 – the most harm- car exhausts, open fi res, con- heat-exchanging processes. to the government’s far-reaching needs of the 21st century”. those countries. building he says pumps air as ful particulates in the air – reg- struction dust and industrial The captured carbon is policy changes with the guiding “More than half the invest- “It appears as if a mini world fresh as from the Swiss Alps. istered nearly zero compared emissions close to the ground. washed down with a solvent and principle of “reform and trans- ment in the last three years till parliament of Indian origin is From the outside, the Paha- with 415 outside, according to The annual scourge has been processed into ink pigment and form” that helped India shun the now has happened in sectors like gathered in Delhi today,” Modi rpur Business Centre looks like Paharpur’s monitoring system. particularly bad this season, and paints. “jaisa pehle tha vaisa chalta rahe- construction, air transport, min- said, noting persons of Indian ori- any modern offi ce block. The outside level is more than short-term measures – such as “What would have otherwise ga, kuch badlega nahi” (Nothing ing, computer software, hard- gin were today prime ministers of But inside it is a virtual jungle 16 times the World Health Or- shutting factories and restrict- been a waste is captured and re- will change) attitude. ware, electrical equipment and Mauritius, Portugal and Ireland. where rooms and corridors are ganisation’s safe limit. ing car use – have failed to have born to be used as a raw material “The global impression about many others”. In an apparent dig at China, lined with more than 7,000 pot- A Massachusetts Institute of a signifi cant impact. again,” said co-founder Arpit India has changed over the last The conference was fi rst of its Modi said India’s development ted plants and creepers. Technology graduate and trus- In November, doctors de- Dhupar, donning a T-shirt that three to four years. The reason for kind event in which 120 parlia- aid was not based on “give and The greenhouse terrace, with tee of Al Gore’s Climate Reality clared a public health emergen- says “black is the new green”. this is that India is transforming mentarians from 23 countries take model” as New Delhi was artifi cial grass and green walls, Project, Meattle began thinking cy and schools were shut across Dhupar was inspired by see- itself. The hopes and aspirations took part at the Pravasi Bharatiya not eyeing foreign territories to houses an “air washing” system about a clean offi ce project years the capital. ing a diesel generator that was of India are at an all-time high. Kendra here. India celebrates exploit anyone’s resources. that moves polluted outside air ago when he rejected doctors’ Fumes from backup genera- running a roadside sugarcane Signs of irreversible change are January 9 as the Pravasi Bhartiya “Our development aid model through a series of cleaning fi l- advice to move away from the tors are a central ingredient in juice stall and turning the wall visible in every sector.” Diwas (PBD) to mark the contri- is not based on give and take. ters. polluted capital for his health. the noxious cocktail, but one behind it black in the process. He said a record $16bn FDI bution of overseas persons with It is done keeping view the ne- It is then pushed through the “I wanted a solution for my- company is turning them into Chakr has fi tted machines at came into the country last year, Indian origin in building India. cessities and priorities of those greenhouse where the plants re- self and I didn’t want to leave ink and paint with technology more than 18 Delhi offi ces, and adding global fi nancial institu- Praising the contribution of countries. Neither do we intend move bacteria, fungus, carbon Delhi,” he said. that can capture up to 90% of 30 other companies have signed tions such as the International overseas Indians in “infl uenc- to exploit their resources nor do dioxide and other toxins, before His centre, whose tenants dangerous pollutants. up for the technology, including Monetary Fund, the World Band ing the geo-politics of where we eye their territories. Our focus the air conditioning pumps it to include Amazon, Samsung and Chakr Innovations, started by US giant Dell Computers, which and credit rating agency Moody’s you live and how you are making is on building our own capacities workers on the fl oors below. Microsoft, is now rated the city’s graduates from the Indian Insti- will be using Chakr’s ink for were viewing India in a very pos- policies”, Modi asked them to be and developing our own resourc- “It would be like working in healthiest building by the Indian tute of Technology, has capital- printing on its cardboard boxes. itive manner now. partners in the country’s devel- es,” Modi said. N Korea’s Kim is Kerala CPM’s last-ditch hero

ubramanian Swamy, Mr Namboodiripad, now there is of their countries and not some being taken care of too. Chandigarh-based newspaper, member of the Rajya Sabha no Soviet Union!” far-fl ung state in the southern The Aadhaar scheme is by far The Tribune, paid a paltry Rs500 Sand an outspoken leader of In fact, not just the Soviet tip of India. Blind belief in their the world’s largest biometric and got a hacker to reveal all the the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Union, there is no China or Delhi Diary ideologies can only lead to grief in database. Apart from your name, information on the billion-plus is fond of narrating the story of Cuba as they existed in those the long run. As it is, communism gender, address, mobile number holders of Aadhaar in 10 minutes his fi rst meeting with the late E days. The ones that go by the By A K B Krishnan in Kerala is on borrowed time. and e-mail ID, the Aadhaar will fl at! And the paper promptly M S Namboodiripad, who headed same names now are a far cry Hero-worship of tyrants like Kim also have biometric information published her report on its front the fi rst communist government from the countries that were led Gulf Times Correspondent Jung-un can only hasten that like ten fi ngerprints, two iris pages last week. in Kerala. respectively by Mao Zedong and grief. scan and facial photograph. It Now, instead of seeking to Those were the days when Fidel Castro. Surely Mao will has helped the government save tie up the loose ends and make the Soviet Union was the oracle fi nd it diffi cult to recognise the has adopted its own version of elsewhere in the state. billions of rupees by exposing the Aadhaar really ‘unhackable’, of all thoughts communist and country where he introduced capitalism. What is at work here is the A unique question hundreds of thousands of bogus UIDAI denied there was any the cold war with the capitalist his famous ‘Great Leap Forward’ That leaves North Korea as ‘enemy of my enemy’ logic. But on data security claimants to various government breach in its security system. West was at its zenith. ‘EMS’, theory which, in the name the only abode of communism both Vijayan and Balakrishnan benefi t schemes. So far so good. Not just that, the agency has as he was known, was waxing of industrialisation, only led in the 21st century. Since EMS forget that Lenin, Mao, Castro, If you can’t beat them, join Trouble started when the gone ahead and fi led a criminal eloquent on the achievements of to severe food shortage and is no more, it is left to his Ho Chi Minh et al were all them. That’s the adage. But what government made it mandatory complaint against the reporter, communism. “You see Swamy, starvation. faithful followers like Kerala inimical to the US during their if they beat you and you can’t join for every citizen to link her the newspaper and the hackers in the Soviet Union there is no Cuba under Castro was no Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan times but the leadership that them? You fi le a police complaint Aadhaar’ card to a large number whose names were also unemployment. There is no different and Fidel’s brother and his party chief Kodiyeri followed in their respective against them! That’s what the of services, from mobile phones mentioned in the report. infl ation. There is no rich-poor Raul, who took over from Balakrishnan to cite North Korea countries did course correction worthies in India’s Unique to bank accounts and all other This was not just an instance divide that is the bane of the the original revolutionary and its authoritarian leader Kim so as to provide a better life for Identifi cation Authority of India fi nancial transactions and of shooting the messenger but a capitalist world. And there is no in 2008, was quick to realise Jong-un as the ideal land and their peoples. (UIDAI) have done. investments. While the purpose blatant display of arrogance on crime worth speaking of,” EMS that friendship with the leader, respectively for their The day after Vijayan spoke in UIDAI is a statutory body of the exercise was to identify the part of authority. The reporter held forth. democratic-capitalist US was party cadres to follow. Kozhikode, reports said Kim had entrusted with the task of illegal transactions and detection was only exposing a lacuna in the Swamy says he did not want the only way to solve Cuba’s “North Korea is a country expressed his willingness to start issuing every bona fi de resident of ‘black’ or slush money, it has system which, if not corrected, to dispute such claims because problems, most of which were that has adopted a strong anti- negotiations with South Korea, of India a unique 12-digit also led to serious issues related could lead to serious frauds and he had no way of verifying anchored on poverty. American stand. Due to this and by extension fi nd meeting identity number on a card called to privacy and security of data consequences. Showing a mirror what was happening within the So, Lenin and Stalin are not policy, America has been exerting ground with the US. If eventually ‘Aadhaar’. Although it has been collected. to the powers that be is the Soviet Union in those days as relevant any more in erstwhile strong pressure on North Korea. the talks succeed – although at in existence since 2009, UIDAI Even this, to an extent, would prime duty of a free press. As it there was nothing called free Soviet Union, Mao is only However, that country could present they do not hold much got its prime status as a statutory have been admissible but what is, the Supreme Court of India is press or freedom of expression a fi gurehead revolutionary eff ectively resist the US pressure,” promise – and the demilitarised agency in July 2016 after the really cooked the goose for UIDAI getting ready to give its verdict in that country. Whatever data in today’s China which has Vijayan told the Communist zone (DMZ) between the two Narendra Modi government is its claim that the Aadhaar on how far the government can was available was what was put embraced capitalism by the Party of India (Marxist) district Koreas blur into insignifi cance, saw the benefi ts of such a card, biometrics cannot be hacked mandate the use of the Aadhaar. out by the offi cial media and, backdoor and Raul Castro’s Cuba conference in Kozhikode last where will that leave Vijayan and especially in the hands of the into. Now this is a challenge for Any possibility of breaching its naturally, everything looked prim is eager to do so on the other side week. Balakrishnan said similar his ilk? economically weaker sections of any hacker, budding or seasoned. security is surely going to aff ect and proper. of the globe. Even tiny (North) things at a meeting in Kottayam. The problem with fi nding the society. Till date more than Turns out that there is no rocket the card’s credibility. And any Swamy met EMS again in late Vietnam, which fought what Several posters eulogising the heroes and ideologues in foreign 1.1bn Aadhaar cards have been science involved in hacking attempt to browbeat a free press 1992 and he did not miss the is considered 20th century’s North Korean dictator were put lands is that they are tuned to the issued, leaving just a few million into the UIDAI database. An will only boomerang on UIDAI or opportunity to tell him: “You see fi ercest war against the US, up at the conference venues and circumstances and conditions Indians without it and these are enterprising lady reporter in the any other authority. Gulf Times 14 Wednesday, January 10, 2018 LATIN AMERICA

PEOPLE LEGAL ECONOMY DATA CRIME Ecuador seeks mediator to New York judge delays Brazil 2017 inflation ‘to Chile registers more than Mexican journalist killed resolve Assange standoff ‘El Chapo’ hearing undershoot target range’ 8,000 tremors in 2017 during armed robbery

Ecuador is seeking a “third country or a A New York judge has delayed for almost a Brazil’s 2017 inflation rate is poised to undershoot Chile recorded more than 8,000 tremors in A journalist was killed during an armed robbery in personality” to mediate a final settlement month the hearing of Mexican drug kingpin the off icial target range for the first time ever, 2017, according to scientists at the University Mexico, the man’s employer and state prosecutors with Britain to resolve the future of WikiLeaks Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman, one of the world’s allowing the central bank to keep interest rates of Chile, though none reached the magnitude confirmed. However his death is not believed to founder Julian Assange, the foreign minister most notorious criminals. Guzman’s attorney at all-time lows as the economy gathers steam, of an earthquake. The university’s National have been linked to his profession. Jose Gerardo said yesterday. Foreign Minister Maria Fernanda Eduardo Balarezo had wanted judge Brian Cogan a Reuters poll showed. The benchmark IPCA Seismological Centre said the number of tremors Martinez Arriaga, an editor at the El Universal Espinosa said the South American country to push back the hearing to April. But Cogan of consumer price index likely rose 2.80% last year, had reached 8,094 last year, a 26% increase over news website, was shot by two unknown people was “considering and exploring the possibility his own accord already delayed it from January according to the median of 26 estimates. That 2016. Of those, 352 were perceptible, while 7,742 while he was shopping late at night near Mexico of mediation” to end the “untenable” five-year 19 to February 15. Balarezo said he needs would be the lowest annual rate since 1998. were less than a magnitude of around 3, the City. According to state prosecutors, the 35-year- impasse. Assange moved into Ecuador’s embassy more time to address the 290,000 pages of Even the highest forecast put inflation below the centre said in a statement. Situated on the Pacific old was still able to tell police that the robbers had in London in 2012 to avoid arrest over now- documents and thousands of other documents bottom end of the government’s target range of “ring of fire,” Chile runs along a seismic zone demanded his valuables, but he later died from dropped Swedish rape charges. He remains over in the case. The 60-year-old kingpin, accused of 4.5% plus or minus 1.5 percentage points. A miss where tectonic plates rub up against each other. It his injuries during emergency surgery. Mexico fears he will be extradited to the US and put on running one of the world’s biggest drug empires, would force policymakers to write an open letter is one of the most earthquake-prone countries in was the most deadly country in the world for trial for WikiLeaks publishing leaked secret US has been held in solitary confinement since explaining their failure, potentially bolstering calls the world, and in 1960 was hit by a 9.5 magnitude journalists in 2017, alongside Syria, according to military documents and diplomatic cables in 2010. being extradited on January 19. for continued loose monetary policy. quake, the strongest in recorded history. media organisation Reporters Without Borders. Tough start Giant water lilies draw crowds to 2018 for Venezuelans

AFP based on the commonly used Caracas black market exchange rate. Bricelo said he pays above minimum wage to his employ- uis Briceno built up a small ees, but he now has to increase bottle branding business the food voucher quotient, Lover the last 25 years but which represents 69% of the to- in the maelstrom of Venezuela’s tal wage. economic crisis he and many like His costs will rise, and so will him are facing closure. costs all along the chain of pro- “This New Year is criminal,” duction, he said. he said refl ecting the anguish of The government says 13mn millions of Venezuelans facing Venezuelan workers earn the acute shortages sparked by fall- minimum wage or receive the ing oil prices, political unrest vouchers, out of a workforce of and corruption. 19.5mn. Socialist President Nicolas Ever-rising infl ation means Maduro last week decreed a 40% the basic income barely buys increase in the minimum wage a basket of staples like kilo of to try to contain the crisis, after meat, 30 eggs, a kilo of sugar and food protests broke out in several a kilo of onions. People turn up to see giant water lilies (Victoria amazonica) — known as Yakare Yrupe in Guarani — which appear every three to four years in great numbers cities. “Every time you go shopping and size (more than a metre-and-a-half in diameter), in the Paraguay River in Piquete Cue just north of Asuncion. Water lilies are seen every year but not in such But Briceno believes it will you buy less and your budget is quantities and size and locals treat them as a national treasure. only complicate things for his limited to food,” 50-year-old and other small businesses. tourism employee David Ascanio “It seems criminal, because said as he shopped in a Caracas ask the workers themselves if market. they want the government to On Saturday, the government increase the minimum wage and forced more than 200 supermar- they say no, because the next day kets in the capital to lower pric- everything increases.” es, causing huge lines to form Although he tries to avoid outside as Venezuelans jumped thinking about it, the 70-year- at the chance to stretch their old businessman knows that the meagre incomes. US to review probe into next few months will be crucial Experts say wage increases are for his small fi rm, which is al- needed to cope with hyperinfl a- ready battling a shortage of sup- tion, but they are useless with- plies and a hyperinfl ationary out other government measures, spiral that the government said such as reducing liquidity. reached 2,616% by the end of Monetary liquidity increased December. 1,100% in 2017, according to the Cuba ‘attacks’ on envoys To make matters worse, two analysts Rendivalores. of his three remaining employ- “The problem is not the pill AFP now say the FBI has been unable Both the state department erson’s state department has ment bureau of medical servic- ees are planning to join the lines that you take, but the one you Washington to confi rm this theory. offi cials and Rubio agreed that insisted that it will protect the es, told senators the symptoms of young emigrants fl eeing the are not taking,” said economist Nevertheless, summoned to Cuba, with its powerful surveil- medical privacy of its personnel were mixed but consistent with crisis. Luis Vicente Leon, adding that appear before a senate panel to lance state, must have either and warned Cuba it will be held brain trauma. Not long ago, his fi rm used to the government needed to free he US is to review how brief perplexed US lawmakers, been behind the attacks itself or responsible. The victims — at least 24 employ 10. up and rationalise the economy the state department has state department offi cials in- at least know who was. Offi cials told Rubio’s panel Americans, a mix of US em- In the business district of and promote private enterprise. Tresponded to alleged at- sisted the evidence still points “The Cuban government that Tillerson decided last bassy personnel and their de- the capital, 53-year-old house- The government said the in- tacks on the health of 24 dip- to some kind of attack. knows who it was, because they month to launch a review into pendants — suff ered headaches, wife Raquel Benarroch said she creases are necessary to counter lomats and family members in “This was not something watch them every day,” Rubio how his department had re- hearing loss, disorientation and was saddened by the closure of the runaway infl ation, which Havana, offi cials said yesterday. conducted by a fl y-by-night told reporters. sponded to the mystery, and some loss of cognitive ability. scores of businesses that “will it has long insisted is part of an The state department had operation,” senator Marco Ru- “They just won’t say who it had planned to inform Congress Some recovered from the most never open again.” “economic war” aimed at over- come under renewed pressure to bio, a Cuban-American Repub- was because it was either rogue in the coming days. acute symptoms, Rosenfarb said, “Before, we saw the bottom throwing Maduro. form an “accountability review lican, told the senate foreign elements in the regime, or a The fi rst suspected attack was but the severity, range and re- of the abyss, now we see things Falling oil prices — in a coun- board” as the mystery surround- relations committee. third party country.” traced back to November 2016, covery time was mixed and it is much blacker than that.” try where oil contributes 96% of ing the brain trauma suff ered by “Whatever happened to these Havana has fi ercely denied and the last two took place in not yet clear whether any have Despite Maduro’s announce- state income — political unrest, the envoys has only deepened. people happened as a result of this, accusing the Americans of mid-August 2017, after Wash- suff ered permanent injury. ment of a minimum wage in- and corruption have decimated Initially offi cials suggested some sophisticated technology withholding information about ington had protested to Havana “They associated the onset of crease, most Venezuelans will the country’s economy under the Americans had been tar- that quite frankly is so sophisti- the victims of the incidents that and withdrawn some staff . these symptoms with unusual still earn only about $7 a month Maduro, leading to chronic food geted by some sort of acoustic cated that we don’t understand would allow it to fully investigate. Charles Rosenfarb, a doctor sounds or auditory sensations,” in salary and food vouchers, and medicine shortages. weapon, although news reports it,” he said. Secretary of State Rex Till- and director of the state depart- Rosenfarb said. Mexico govt withholding Ecuador government funds, claims governor announces debt audit Reuters May 2017 and will present rec- Quito ommendations in April. Reuters news conference in Mexico City. presidential election in July. Comptroller Pablo Celi said Mexico City The fi nance ministry said it Tackling corruption promises Correa and former fi nance had met all the required pay- to be a key campaign issue, and cuador’s comptroller’s ministry offi cials had been no- ments, and that Chihuahua had the PRI faces an uphill struggle offi ce has announced tifi ed about the investigation. Mexican state governor received more funds in 2017 than to hold on to power. Eit will open an audit of Shortly after taking offi ce has accused the fi nance originally budgeted due to high- After noticing the holdup in debt contracted in the last fi ve last May, Moreno said that to- Aministry of withhold- er federal revenue. federal transfers, Corral said, he years of the government of tal public debt was $42bn, plus ing federal funds to punish his and aides held a meeting with former president Rafael Correa additional liabilities including administration for launching an “This is an attempt to top ministry offi cials in Mexico to determine the legality of the some associated with payments investigation into alleged cor- strangle the government of City on the evening of January 4 operations and the use of the to oil services companies. ruption that has embarrassed Chihuahua economically” to discuss the impasse. funds. “I have just learned of a sup- the ruling Institutional Revolu- There, Corral added, the Chi- The move follows a report by posed preliminary report on the tionary Party (PRI). Deputy Finance Minister huahua delegation was told that the comptroller’s offi ce reveal- audit of the debt and a commis- Chihuahua governor Javier Miguel Messmacher rejected his state’s investigation into al- ing that some documentation sion that includes several haters Corral, of the centre-right op- the suggestion the ministry was leged corruption had called “into relating to debt operations had of the (Citizen’s Revolution),” position National Action Party seeking to punish Chihuahua question the mechanism of how been declared secret and that Correa said via Twitter, refer- (PAN), said the ministry was and told Mexican radio that the funds are transferred,” for which offi cial reports on public debt ring to his political movement. pressuring the northern border Chihuahua state government reason the ministry decided to had excluded some of the op- During a later speech in the state because of its probe into had asked for additional “ex- withhold the money. erations. city of Guayaquil he described the administration of his PRI traordinary” funds at the end of Prosecutors in Chihuahua President Lenin Moreno, a the probe as “persecution.” predecessor Cesar Duarte. last year. accuse Gutierrez of participat- former Correa protege, since The former president is lead- Corral said that after he an- Such funds are conditional on ing in a scheme to divert public his election last year has criti- ing a campaign for the “No” nounced last month the arrest the federal government’s budg- funds worth 250mn pesos into cised the ex-president’s han- vote in a February 4 referendum by state and federal authorities etary room for manoeuvre and PRI coff ers during the 2016 elec- dling of the economy and is on constitutional reforms to of Alejandro Gutierrez, a former were ultimately not paid to Chi- tion season, in which Cesar Du- seeking to unwind some Cor- include a measure to prohibit top PRI fi nance offi cial, the huahua, or to a number of other arte’s successor was chosen. rea-era reforms. indefi nite re-election, a meas- ministry failed to transfer to the states, Messmacher said. Gutierrez has denied the Correa says such eff orts con- ure Correa created that allowed state more than 700mn pesos “But they’re not funds they charge. stitute a “coup” by Moreno. him to run for a second term. ($36.5mn) it was due. have a right to,” he said. A Mexican judge issued an A team of economists, law- Correa himself in 2008 “This is an attempt to stran- The dispute risks keeping arrest warrant for Duarte last yers and businessmen will an- commissioned a team of ex- gle the government of Chihua- attention focused on alleged March. Corral says his predeces- Javier Corral Jurado, governor of Chihuahua, speaks during a news alyse debt operations carried perts to study the country’s hua economically,” Corral told a PRI graft in the run-up to a sor is in the US. conference in Mexico City, Mexico. out between January 2012 and prior debt operations. Gulf Times Wednesday, January 10, 2018 15 PAKISTAN

21 INGOs winding up their Baluchistan CM resigns Reuters a motion to demand a vote to important leg of the $57bn Chi- hri’s removal, told Reuters that 1947, denies meddling in civil- Islamabad oust him. na-Pakistan Economic Corri- lawmakers sought to oust Zehri ian politics. activities “I can confi rm CM Balu- dor (CPEC) of energy and infra- because of his “massive cor- A general election is due later chistan tendered resignation structure projects that China ruption” and “ignoring coali- this year. he chief minister of following the spirit of demo- hopes to build as part of its belt tion partners”. The upheaval in Baluchistan Internews Baluchistan resigned cratic principles,” Jan Achak- and road initiative. Zehri, a member of the ruling had led to speculation that the Islamabad Tyesterday to end “insta- zai, Zehri’s spokesman, said on Zehri had vowed to fi ght his Pakistan Muslim League – Na- opposition might use the cri- bility” in the gas-rich prov- Twitter. political opponents to the end, waz (PML-N), rejected accusa- sis to delay a national vote for ince, his spokesman said, amid Resource-rich Baluchistan is but resigned to “bring an end tions of corruption. members of the upper house housands of employees opposition eff orts to remove plagued by violence, perpetrat- to instability” in the province, Some political analysts saw Senate, due in March. affi liated with interna- him through a vote of no con- ed by both Islamist militants which borders both Afghani- the campaign to oust him as Zahid Hussain, a political Ttional non-governmental fi dence. and nationalist insurgents, who stan and Iran, Achakzai said. another example of the military analyst, said in the short term, organisations (INGOs), most of Nawab Sanaullah Zehri quit are fi ghting to keep a greater Mir Abdul Qudoos Bezenjo, interfering in civilian politics. Zehri’s departure was likely to them Pakistani nationals, have shortly before a provincial as- share of the revenues from gas a former deputy speaker of the The military, which has ruled have quelled speculation about been facing threat to lose their sembly session in which law- and minerals in the province. provincial assembly and one of the country for about half its a dissolution of the Baluchistan Zehri: resigned shortly before a jobs as the deadline of 60 days makers were expected to table The province also forms an the main instigators behind Ze- history since independence in assembly. no-confidence vote for winding up their operation was approaching by end of on- going month, it has been learnt. “The deadline of winding up operations for 21 INGOs will be approaching by January 25, so Hindu the higher-ups of these INGOs Prayer leaders’ stipend to cost have started preparation to halt activities in the country,” sourc- temples es at the INGOs said yesterday. According to the offi cial let- ters sent by the interior ministry KP govt $29.54mn every year to be to the 21 INGOs, dated Novem- ber 27, 2017, the online applica- tion for registration as an INGO Internews the prayer leaders should also the provincial assembly for en- international level and regional performance reports of all the restored with ministry had been con- Islamabad be the permanent residents of actment. art. boards under their respective sidered but not approved by the the province. The cabinet also condition- The cabinet also approved jurisdictions. INGO Committee. The statement said the sti- ally approved the upgrade of the policy for issuance of li- It approved legal framework Internews The INGOs are thus requested n a move which will cost pend would be directly trans- Kulachi area in the Dera Ismail cences of weapons of restricted for the regulating of the public Islamabad to wind up operations within 60 the government around ferred to the bank accounts of Khan division and Upper Chi- bore. procurement. days. IRs3.25bn ($29.54mn) annu- eligible imams for which mo- tral in Malakand division to the It said that in order to make The chief minister directed In case of grievance against ally, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa dalities were being worked out. status of the district. the process of issuance of li- the relevant authorities that he Punjab government has the decision of the INGO Com- (KP) cabinet has approved a An offi cial committee will At the same time, it ap- cences transparent, an arms besides e-bidding, e-billing approved Rs20mn for the mittee in terms of clause 7.2 of Rs10,000 monthly stipend for be set up at the district lev- proved the elevation of Miryan committee would be constitut- and e-work order system Trenovation and preserva- the INGO policy, the INGOs may prayer leaders of main mosques el, which will choose main area of Bannu to the tehsil (an ed at district level to be headed should also be introduced in all tion of historical Hindu temples fi le a representation (within 90 in the province. mosques, whose prayer leaders administrative area) level and by deputy commissioners. the departments with the aim in city. days) before Special Committee. The decision will take eff ect are to get the stipend. Khanpur area of Haripur dis- The committee will issue li- to ensure maximum transpar- However, so far the funds for “We have started winding up next month. “The opinion of the masjid trict to the subdivision’s level. cences after seeking approval ency. renovation work of oldest Krish- our offi ce in compliance with the The cabinet met, with Chief committees will also be given However, the statement said from the competent authority The cabinet also approved na Mandir at Kabari Bazaar, letter received from the ministry Minister Pervez Khattak chair- due consideration in the proc- those decisions would take ef- within the monthly allocated the budget strategy paper. Saddar, to begin have not been of interior,” said the sources. ing, to discuss agenda items ess,” it said. fect only after the lifting of the quota. It approved the declaration released. They said the INGOs have and other others. The committee in case of the Election Commission of Paki- Moreover, the cabinet also of deputy commissioners, ad- The Punjab government has gone into appeal before the min- Ministers, chief secretary change of imam will send their stan ban for completion of new approved certain amendments ditional deputy commission- directed local management of isterial committee, and added and administrative secretaries nomination of new prayer lead- delimitations. to the Partnership Rules 1932 ers, assistant commissioners Rawalpindi to protect all temples that licences of the Agha Khan attended the meeting. er to the district committee. The cabinet in the context of whereby necessary changes and additional assistant com- (operational or non-operational) Foundation and some Germany- A statement issued here said The statement put the cost of powers entrusted to the prov- have been proposed in fees of missioners as Inspectors under and bring them into their origi- based foundations were can- the stipend would be given to the initiative at the whopping ince after the 18th Constitu- regular fi rms. Section 10 of the Allopathic nal glory. celled but now restored after the prayer leaders who possess a Rs3.25bn per annum. tional Amendment also ap- The cabinet approved the System (Prevention of Misuse) Evacuee Trust (Rawalpindi) intervention of federal Interior proper degree from any of the The statement said that the proved the new culture policy restructuring of the Khyber Ordinance 1962 to curb dis- Assistant Administrator Mu- Minister Ahsan Iqbal. fi ve recognised boards of semi- cabinet also approved draft bill to promote regional languages, Pakhtunkhwa Board of Invest- honest practices and to ensure hammad Basharat said that in Iqbal is expected to meet am- naries. for regularisation of 4,835 em- literature, culture, sports, tra- ment and Trade and directed the provision of quality health total there are 34 temples (op- bassadors of key countries this It said besides other condi- ployees of 57 projects. ditional heritage, exchange of all relevant administrative services to the people at the erational and non-operational) week to discuss the issue. tions for receiving the stipend, The draft bill will be tabled in cultural delegates at national, secretaries to present detail district level. in the garrison city. “Only two temples – Krish- na Mandir in Saddar and Guru Balmaki Mandir in Chaklala – among the 34 temples are ‘op- erational’ these days, where Hindus perform their religious Seven die, 23 injured in Quetta bomb attack rituals like ‘Holi’ and ‘Diwali’ freely,” he said. Basharat said that the Pun- Reuters/AFP/DPA “This was to avenge the kill- jab government is providing Quetta ing of our fi ghters [by security Rs150,000 per month to every agencies] in staged encounters,” “operational” temple in the gar- Taliban spokesman Mohamed rison city. bomb went off yesterday Khorasani said. Pakistan Hindu-Sikh Council in the centre of Balu- The attack took place hours (Rawalpindi) president Sardar Achistan capital Quetta, after the provincial chief min- Heera Lal said that there are killing seven people and wound- ister, Sanaullah Zehri, resigned, around 350 Hindu and Sikh fam- ing 23, police and hospital offi - although there was no indica- ilies living in garrison city. cials said. tion that the blast was con- “The Punjab government has The blast targeted a police nected to provincial politics (see approved Rs20mn for the bet- truck close to a high security lead report). terment and welfare of temples, area where the provincial as- Zehri quit after some mem- but the funds have not been re- sembly and other government bers of his Pakistan Muslim leased to start renovation work offi ces are located. League – Nawaz (PML-N) party of the oldest Krishna Mandir,” A suicide bomber was be- rebelled against him to back a he said. lieved to have walked up to the no-confi dence motion in the He appealed to higher au- truck and blown himself up, provincial assembly, where he thorities to establish a “gurd- senior police offi cer Abdul Raz- no longer commanded majority wara” (Sikh place of worship) for zaq Cheema told Reuters. support. Rawalpindi’s Sikh community The bodies of fi ve police of- Police and troops have been because there is none in the twin fi cers and two civilians, as well battling Islamist militants and cities of Rawalpindi and Islama- as the wounded victims, were separatist groups in mineral- bad. brought to the Civil Hospital, Dr rich Baluchistan for more than a Most of the non-operational Waseem Baig told Reuters, add- decade. temples are situated in Kris- ing that death toll could climb as Baluchistan, bordering Iran hanpura, Akaal Garh, Mo- some of the injured were in seri- and Afghanistan, is the largest of hanpura, Amarpura, Kartarpura, ous condition. the country’s four provinces but Bagh Sardaraan, Angatpura, and There was no immediate claim its 7mn population have long felt Purana Qila. of responsibility for the attack. that they do not get a fair share Security off icials gather around the damaged police bus and truck at the site of bomb attack in Quetta. Some of the temples and However, in an e-mail to DPA, of the province’s vast gas and gurdwaras that have been con- the Pakistani Taliban claimed mineral wealth. violence, and the separatist in- China-Pakistan Economic Cor- build as part of its “belt and church in southwestern Pakistan verted into schools or colleges, the attack, warning citizens to The province is Pakistan’s surgency. ridor (CPEC) of energy and in- road” initiative. killing nine people and wound- or are being utilised to house stay away from security offi cials most restive region, affl icted Baluchistan province is an frastructure projects that the Last month two suicide ing up to 56, in the latest attack government offi ces, are in good and government installations. by Islamist militancy, sectarian important part of the $57bn Chinese government hopes to bombers stormed a packed claimed by Islamic State. condition. Not ideal anymore: Pakistanis heading home from Saudi Arabia

Internews This is no more the case. All iqama holders are supposed electricity bills from next month dentist who is also in the import kistanis’ fl ight back, he said that Explaining the Saudi govern- Islamabad The king has imposed heavy to pay the dependents’ fee up- will break even those planning to and export business. enrolment in the Pakistan In- ment’s viewpoint in implement- taxes and fees that cannot be front for the year along with the fi ght the tough economic situa- He says that expatriates such ternational School, Jeddah, has ing the new tax regime, a Saudi borne by even those who were iqama’s renewal. tion, Azhar Maqbool, a Pakistani as him living in Jeddah for dec- decreased from 13,000 to 8,000 national explains that the gov- e are ruined. This until recently being bracketed in Expressing concerns about the picnicking with his family at the ades have no privileges over during the past year. ernment is concerned about the city has become the considerably high-income dependents’ fee, Ali says that it Red Sea city, explains that power those coming to Saudi Arabia just “Those who could not foresee country’s soaring unemploy- “Wimpossible for us groups, says Malik. has become almost impossible bills would be showing as high as recently. the economic crisis and contin- ment rate (which rose to 12.7% in to live on in the wake of new taxes Expatriates say that the Saudi for even a small family with three a 260% increase. Stating that the Saudi govern- ued their children’s education in the fi rst quarter of current fi scal imposed on expats from January government has imposed a heavy children to survive in Jeddah. “The SR50 electricity bill will ment has recently made it man- Jeddah schools are bound to pay year) and plans to fi x it. 1. And Pakistan holds no options, dependency fee on each family “Earlier, even those earning jump to SR180 next month,” he datory to get health insurance at a heavy cost in terms of depend- To begin with, he says, the either,” says Nadeem Malik, who member besides overall increas- around SR5,000 to SR6,000 per expects. the time of the iqama renewal, ents’ annual fee besides all the Saudi government wants to com- is in his early 50s and weigh- ing fuel prices, electricity prices, month were leading contented Hundreds of Pakistanis have he adds that the insurance cost other expenses in the wake of the pel expatriates to leave so that ing options to return from Saudi as well as imposing a 5% value- family lives,” he says. been living in Jeddah for many is now ranging between SR2,000 5% VAT,” he elaborates. Saudi nationals can take over Arabia in any case. added tax (VAT) on all services Rubbing salt into the wound, years. and SR6,000 again, a back- Another Pakistani revealed jobs – Saudi women, too, will be Pakistani expatriates have and products. another Pakistani Sultan Qureshi Having been in Saudi Arabia breaking preposition for expats. that many expatriates took the allowed to drive from June 1 this started withdrawing from Saudi Explaining the increasing costs says, the Saudi government has for the past two or three decades, Various businesses in Jeddah risk of continuing to live as nor- year. Arabia in large numbers. here, Murtaza Ali from Lahore increased petrol prices from over many Pakistanis say they own are letting go of Pakistanis and mal in Jeddah, expecting some Since Saudis will not be hit by The malls are empty, and Paki- says that the Saudi government 200% to 300%. nothing back home except the other expats to meet the 50% kind of amnesty at the time of the the new tax regime and infl ation stani students’ enrolment in the has imposed SR100 per month From January 1, the Super and green passport. “Saudisation” requirement, says implementation of the new tax as the surplus cost is being pack- Pakistani consulate school has per person dependency fee from Hi-Octane per litre prices have “We burned our boats and one man. “No local business- regime, as was the case on many aged back to them in their na- also seen a sharp decline. the current fi scal year and the been increased from SR0.91 and have led a complete family life in man is ready to pay the SR400 occasions in previous years. tional system, the Saudi national There were happy times, when cost will escalate to SR200 in SR0.95 to SR1.37 and SR2.04, re- Jeddah, but the new situation has per month fee for any additional However, the king is set to im- said, for Pakistanis it would be a taxes were almost non-existent the next fi nancial year, SR300 in spectively. placed us between the devil and expat employee.” plement his policies in letter and matter of the survival of the fi t- and earnings could be saved. 2019 and SR400 in 2020. Bewailing that the increased deep blue sea,” laments Salman, a Explaining the volume of Pa- spirit, he believes. test. Gulf Times 16 Wednesday, January 10, 2018 PHILIPPINES Duterte’s nod for police and military pay hike

By Catherine S Valente partment of Interior and Local lent rank will enjoy a 100% in- Manila Times Government, Philippine Coast crease in their monthly base pay Guard, and the National Map- — from P14,834 to P29,668. ping and Resource Information The Department of Budget resident Rodrigo Duterte Authority. estimates that the government has signed Joint Resolu- “There is a need to adjust the will need an additional P63.4bn Devotees raise their hands to honour the statue of the Black Nazarene at the start of the annual procession in Manila, yesterday. Ption 01 increasing the compensation package of MUP to cover the pay increase. The base pay of the military and in order to make it more com- salary adjustment will be im- uniformed personnel in govern- mensurate with their critical role plemented in two tranches — in ment. in maintaining national security 2018 and 2019. The joint resolution, signed and peace and order, taking into The amount needed for this by the president on January 1, consideration their exposure to year shall be sourced from the provides that the modifi ed base high-risk environments in the Miscellaneous Personnel Ben- Millions of devotees take pay shall apply to all military performance of their duties,” the efi ts Fund and other available personnel under the Department resolution read. funds, while the funding re- of National Defence, and uni- Under the resolution, a Police quirements for the succeeding formed personnel under the De- Offi cer 1 and those with equiva- years shall be included in the annual General Appropriations part in annual procession Act. “Pending review of the cur- DPA 22 hours, but organisers said it rent MUP pension system by Manila was moving faster this year. the legislative and executive More than 1,000 people have branches of government, which been treated for high blood is aimed toward ensuring a sus- illions of barefoot dev- pressure, dizziness, fractures tainable and equitable pension otees yesterday joined and other injuries in the fi rst system, the indexation of the Mthe largest religious 11 hours of the procession, ac- pension of retired MUP with procession in the predominant- cording to the Philippine Red base pay of those in the active ly Catholic Philippines. Cross and the Department of service shall be suspended with More than 6,000 police offi c- Health. respect to the base-pay increase ers and soldiers were deployed Authorities imposed bans on authorised in the joint resolu- to secure the feast of the Black liquor sales and carrying of fi re- tion,” the resolution said. Nazarene, which is highlighted arms among civilians in Manila The pension indexation shall by a day-long procession that City, while telecommunication be based on the rates of the base- traverses nearly 7km in down- companies advised customers pay schedule provided under the town Manila. they would temporarily cut off law. Also, the resolution fi xed The devotees, mostly wear- service in the area as part of se- the hazard pay of all military and ing maroon and yellow shirts, curity precautions. uniformed personnel at P540 a jostled their way through a The Black Nazarene, which is month. frenzied crowd to reach the car- Devotees carry the statue of the Black Nazarene to the carriage a wooden statue, is believed to Budget Secretary Benjamin riage carrying the statue. at the start of the annual procession in Manila, yesterday. have been brought from Mexico Diokno earlier said the increase They waved towels or hand- to Manila in 1606 by Spanish in the base pay would “result in kerchiefs and chanted “Viva, sion from Luneta Park to the she started her devotion to the missionaries. increases in other allowances Viva, Viva!” Minor Basilica of the Black Black Nazarene when she was The ship that carried it and bonuses that are comput- More than 2.5mn people were Nazarene in the district of still a teenager and her mother caught fi re, but the charred ed as a percentage of Base Pay estimated to have taken part in Quiapo. brought her to the annual fes- statue survived and was named such as Longevity Pay (or Foggy the procession, including hun- “Let us look at Christ and tival. the Black Nazarene. Pay), Mid-Year Bonus, Year- dreds of thousands who stayed hold on to him as we go through “My mama passed away two The procession commemo- End Bonus, and will eff ectively overnight in a Manila park our own (journey) in life,” he years ago, but my children and rates the transfer of the statue discontinue the grant of provi- where the statue had been dis- said in his homily. “If we lose I are continuing the tradition from Lunet Park to the church sional and offi cers’ allowances, played since Monday. our way, he will be the one to for our family,” she said. “I only in Quiapo in 1787. an interim measure pending the Manila Archbishop Cardinal lead us in the way to the Father.” wish for good health and safety More than 80% of the Philip- modifi cation of the base pay Luis Antonio Tagle led a mass Celeste Santos, a 45-year-old for all my children.” pines’ estimated 100mn popu- Duterte: approval for pay hike schedule.” before the start of the proces- mother of four children, said Last year, the procession took lation are Roman Catholic. US off ers ‘Purge of corrupt’ Army verifying reports $6.6mn aid boost offi cials to continue on foreign terrorists By Dempsey Reyes terrorists entering the south- fence Ministers’ Meeting in to Marawi By Llanesca T Panti Manila Times ern back door of the country, October, Lorenzana confi rmed Manila Times including the provinces of Ta- he had received a list of names wi-tawi and Sulu. of terrorists who went to the DPA he Armed Forces of “(Our monitoring) is ongo- Middle East. Manila resident Rodrigo Duterte has vowed to con- the Philippines (AFP) ing. We are intensifying our But Lt Gen. Carlito Galvez tinue purging the government of corrupt Tis verifying reports monitoring there in the south Jr, commander of the AFP’s Poffi cials and personnel even if the Presi- from neighbouring countries and as of now, we cannot con- Western Mindanao Command he United States an- dential Anti-Corruption Commission has yet to that foreign Islamic State (IS) fi rm the presence of the for- (WestMinCom), downplayed nounced yesterday it was begin operations three months since its creation. terrorists have entered the eign terrorists. But there are the possibility of foreign ter- Tproviding an additional Palace spokesman Harry Roque Jr admitted Harry Roque: war against graft southern part of the Philip- homegrown terrorists there in rorists entering the country. aid packet of $6.6mn to help yesterday that the anti-corruption commission pines, Defence Secretary Delfi n the south, we are sure of that,” “I think they have already rehabilitate the southern Philip- has yet to be constituted but insisted that this did under his offi ce after Ombudsman Conchita Car- Lorenzana said yesterday. Lorenzana explained. seen the result of the Marawi pine city of Marawi after a fi ve- not prevent the president from going after cor- pio Morales approved a request to obtain the Du- “That is what we have been “We are trying to verify that siege. So, it’s a stern warning month siege by Islamic State- rupt offi cials in the government. terte family’s bank transaction records from the fi nding out for now and we are up to now and for now, we can- for them not to go here,” Galvez allied militants last year. “The president stated (during yesterday’s Anti Money Laundering Council “for intelligence trying to confi rm reports that not confi rm it yet. Our intelli- told reporters in a separate in- “This new funding will sup- Cabinet meeting) that he will continue with the purposes.” The president accused the Offi ce of there are foreign terrorists in- gence gathering has been con- terview. port some of the most vulner- process of cleansing the bureaucracy and that the Ombudsman of corruption, claiming that it side the country especially in tinuous,” he added. Galvez’s area of command, able populations aff ected by the he will now turn more of his attention to local accepted bribe money to either prosecute or dis- Mindanao,” Lorenzana said in a The Defence chief came up WestMinCom, was the lead confl ict,” US ambassador to the government units, including the Autonomous miss graft cases. He said his own anti-graft offi ce news conference after the tra- with the statement months unit in the fi ght with the IS- Philippines Sung Kim said in a Region in Muslim Mindanao. I believe the offi ce would probe the Ombudsman. ditional joint defence and mili- after he disclosed that the gov- linked Maute terrorists in Ma- statement. “The United States will still be constituted, but he is not waiting for The Ombudsman’s probe of President Duterte tary New Year’s Call at Camp ernment was closely monitor- rawi City, which lasted for fi ve is deeply committed to support- its constitution before he moves against corrup- and his family stems from the plunder complaint Aguinaldo in Quezon City. ing returning IS fi ghters from months last year. ing our friend and ally in long- tion,” Roque told reporters. fi led by Sen. Antonio Trillanes against then Dav- He revealed that Malaysia Iraq and Syria and preparing It resulted in the deaths of term recovery eff orts to ensure a “He has shown that with or without it, he has ao City Mayor Duterte before the Ombudsman on and Indonesia have been send- for the arrests of the terrorists. more than 1,000 people, in- brighter and more peaceful future a fi rm resolve against corruption,” Roque added. May 5, 2016 — fi ve days before Duterte won the ing reports to the Philippines During the Association of cluding terrorists, soldiers and for the people of (the southern re- The president established the anti-graft body 2016 presidential elections. about the “increase” in foreign Southeast Asian Nations De- civilians. gion of) Mindanao,” he added. The new funding would go to- wards projects that would “pro- vide opportunities for young women and men to enhance job skills and attain livelihoods,” the embassy noted. It brings the total More Filipinos hopeful of better life in new year US contribution to recovery and rehabilitation of Marawi City to $20.9mn, it added. By Llanesca T Panti the score in June 2016 when tember 2017. The lowest opti- leaving Visayas with the least to-face interviews with 1,200 anti-corruption campaign; he More than 1,200 people were Manila Times President Rodrigo Duterte took mism record under the Duterte percentage of optimists at 45%. adults aged 18 years old and has pushed for the fi rst tax re- killed and over half a million peo- his oath as the country’s chief administration was recorded in The same survey also re- above nationwide. form package; and he will push ple displaced when hundreds of executive. The SWS poll, con- March 2017 last year at 36%. vealed that 42% of Filipinos are Palace spokesman Harry for further tax reform measures Islamic State-allied militants laid t least 46% of Filipinos ducted from December 8 to 16, Most of the optimists came optimistic that the Philippine Roque claimed that the Filipi- in Congress,” Roque told re- siege to Marawi City from May to are hopeful that their 2017, also revealed that 41% of from Class ABC at 59%. Op- economy will get better in 2018. nos’ optimism was triggered porters. October 2017. Alife will improve in 2018, Filipino adults said their lives timism in Class D was at 47%, Only nine percent expect the by the changes introduced by “The people know that all the The fi ghting left the municipal- a survey released yesterday by improved while 18% felt their while optimism was at its lowest economy to deteriorate. Duterte. “It’s the fact that the directions taken by the presi- ity in ruins, and prompted Presi- Social Weather Stations (SWS) lives worsened, resulting in a in Class E at 33% or fi ve points The 42% was a 12-point jump president has shown that he has dent are towards the right di- dent Rodrigo Duterte to declare showed. net gainers score of 23%. down from September fi gures. from the 30% of Filipinos who political will to make changes as rection and that they seem to martial law in Mindanao, which The number is four percent The 23% was a four-point The optimism was highest in were optimistic about the econ- he promised in the elections. He be benefi ting from initiatives Congress has voted to keep in higher than the 42% reported improvement from the previous Mindanao at 50%. Optimism in omy in September 2017. has conducted a successful an- undertaken by the president,” place until December 2018. in September 2017 and matches net gainer score of 19% in Sep- Metro Manila remained at 49%, The SWS poll used face- ti-drug campaign; a successful he added. Gulf Times Wednesday, January 10, 2018 17 SRI LANKA/BANGLADESH/NEPAL Young woman Nepal protesters call for found dead in ‘menstruation top judge’s resignation shed’ in Nepal Agencies “He (chief justice) should Kathmandu resign because he has been making mistakes IANS have the autopsy report,” time and again” Kathmandu Neupane said. undreds of people in This is the fourth death by Kathmandu staged a which is directly against the “Chhaupadi” in Nepal in just Hprotest yesterday de- law. The person who is there to young woman died over a year, after two young manding the resignation of Su- maintain and obey the law has while sleeping in a shed women of 15 and 21 years of preme Court Chief Justice Gopal acted against it.” Aas a result of the prac- age died of hypothermia and Parajuli. Nepal which has the tradi- tice of “Chhaupadi”, prevalent an 18-year-old died after she The protest against the chief tion of politically appointing the in western parts of Nepal, in was bitten by a snake while justice comes a day after the chief justice has been facing a which menstruating women sleeping in the hut. dramatic arrest of a senior or- series of problems over a period are forbidden from sleeping Nepal’s parliament passed thopaedic surgeon on the apex of time. in their own houses and are a law last August stipulat- court’s orders late on Monday. Manoj Adhikari, a demonstra- exiled to isolated huts. ing that people who force a Dr Govinda K C who is popu- tor, said, “People who are on run The lifeless body of woman to leave their home lar for his frequent sit in protests and are well-known are roaming 23-year-old Gauri Bayak for “Chhaupadi” will face a on Monday only started an- freely and the government is not Budha was found on Mon- three-month prison sentence other sit-in protest, demanding able to take them in custody, but day in a shed near the family and a fi ne of Rs3,000 rupees the resignation of Chief Justice activists such as Dr Govinda are home in Achham district, (about $30). Parajuli against his decision to caught like criminals and kept in 750km west of Kathmandu, The tradition had also been reinstate Dr Shashi Sharma as jail. This is an insult for all Nepali district police chief Da- banned by the Supreme Court the dean of the Institute of citizens.” dhiram Neupane told Efe in 2005. Medicine. The sit-in protest, which news yesterday. “Twelve years ago the ver- As soon as he announced the started on Monday, is the 14th in “Her relatives said that on dict ordered the end of the sit in protest against the de- a series of protests initiated by Sunday night she went to sleep practice but the necessary cision the Supreme Court on Dr Govinda, which he claims is in the shed after dinner and on steps were not taken to imple- Monday, the court directed the against “medical mafi as”. Monday morning they found ment it,” lawyer and activist home ministry to arrest him Dr Govinda has accused her dead,” Neupane said. Meera Dhungana said, adding and present him before the the chief justice of indulging According to the police that she fears that “the new court. But the social activists in corruption in his list of fi ve chief, the young woman lit law will suff er the same fate”. and supporters of Dr Govinda Protesters holding posters demanding removal of chief justice of Nepal Supreme Court in Kathmandu yesterday. demands. a small fi re inside the hut “There must be awareness along with some political lead- Meanwhile, the apex court has to stay warm so she might campaigns and the parties ers took part in the demonstra- onstrator in the Maitighar and again. A lot of questions cate to the untimely arrest of reinstated Dr Sharma as the dean have died from smoke should include it in their po- tion demanding resignation of Mandala, said, “He (chief jus- have been raised over his deci- Dr Govinda within two hours of Institute of Medicine nearly inhalation. litical agenda to put an end to chief justice. tice) should resign because he sions. There has been a ques- after the order is given without four years after he was removed “But we can only be this malpractice,” Dhungana Prakash Timilsina, a dem- has been making mistakes time tion mark over his SLC certifi - any warning or information, from the post. sure of the cause when we said. Gamblers BNP seeks army for mayoral by-poll

By Mizan Rahman leader Mirza Alamgir also said orders, but also for ensuring a nounced its candidate for the by- paper while scrutiny will be held Dhaka their party will fi nalise its congenial atmosphere.” poll, they will solve this problem on January 21, 22. to be tried candidate for the by-poll on About alliance leaders meet- through discussions. The closing date for the Saturday. ing with BNP chairperson Kha- Alamgir said the BNP hopes withdrawal of nominations is ours after the announce- “We’ll join the by-elec- leda Zia on Monday night, he said that the election commission January 29. ment of its schedule, tion to the DNCC mayoral the alliance leaders entrusted the (EC) will try to hold the by-poll Besides, the EC will arrange Hmajor opposition Bang- post. BNP standing commit- BNP chief with the responsibil- in a credible manner, exerting its polls to 36 councillor posts and in special ladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) tee members will fi nalise the ity to nominate a candidate for power and using the existing law. 12 reserved seats in 36 new wards yesterday demanded deploy- candidate at a meeting on the by-poll. “The alliance lead- Earlier, the EC announced the - 18 each under the DNCC and ment of army a week before the Saturday,” he said. ers will extend their support to schedule for the DNCC by-poll Dhaka South City Corporation by-election to Dhaka North City The BNP leader further said, the candidate to be nominated fi xing the date for balloting on (DSCC) - on the same day. Corporation (DNCC) mayoral “We want army deployment by Khaleda Zia.” February 26. The DNCC mayoral post fell courts post. seven days before the by-poll, The BNP leader also said The EC fi xed January 18 as the vacant with the death of Annisul Talking to reporters, BNP not only for maintaining law and though Jamaat-e-Islami has an- last date for fi ling nomination Huq on November 30 last.

AFP Bangladesh and Sri Dhaka Lanka will play two Test matches and two Twenty20 internationals. Bonfire angladesh will set up Gambling is illegal but ram- Dhaka top cop shifted special courts at its pant during cricket matches Bcricket stadiums to in Bangladesh, where punt- try and convict any punters ers exploit a brief delay be- over torture charge caught gambling during an tween live play and the offi cial upcoming international series, broadcast of results to place an offi cial said yesterday. frantic bets. By Mizan Rahman feud, Rahman instigated arrest Gamblers caught during Authorities threw nearly 80 Dhaka of Morium over a false case. the tri-nation series against spectators out of matches for The matter came into public Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe - placing bets using their mo- following recent media reports starting January 15 - would bile phones during the latest haka Metropolitan Po- on this incident. be hauled from the stands edition of the Bangladesh Pre- lice (DMP) additional The woman has levelled al- and tried on the spot by judg- mier League Twenty20 tour- Dcommissioner, Mizanur legations against the senior es in temporary courtrooms, nament, which concluded last Rahman, was withdrawn from police offi cial of abducting her a cricket board offi cial said. month. the DMP headquarters and at- and later marrying her against “Betting will be treated as At least a dozen of them tached to police headquarters her will. a public nuisance. Anyone were foreigners. yesterday over allegations that Four months into their mar- found involved will be con- Police in November deport- he forcefully married a woman riage, she posted a photo of victed and punished instantly ed at least fi ve Indians caught and tortured her. Rahman on the social media in- in the stadium,” Bangladesh gambling during these short Assistant Inspector General troducing him as her husband, Cricket Board chief executive format matches. of Police Soheli Ferdaus con- when the police offi cer started Nizamuddin Chowdhury said. So-called “mobile courts” fi rmed the matter. torturing her physically and The special courts will con- are popular in Bangladesh. In Home Minister Asaduzza- mentally, according to media tinue to target gamblers dur- October, more than 200 peo- man Khan at a programme at reports quoting the woman. ing Sri Lanka’s tour of Bang- ple accused of abuses against Razarbag area also said that She claimed that Rahman ladesh, which starts at the end Rohingya refugees in Bangla- Rahman has been removed sued her on ‘false charges’, for of January after the tri-nation desh’s southeast were jailed by from his current post for the which she was jailed and was series. special courts there. People gather around a fire during morning in Dhaka yesterday. Bangladesh recorded the lowest temperature sake of a proper investigation. later released on bail. in five decades as mercury dipped to a chilling 2.6 degrees Celsius. According to local media, as many as 12 Rahman allegedly forcefully Rahman denied any wrong- people have so far died in three northern Bangladesh districts due to the cold spell. married Morium Akter. doing and claimed the woman Later following a family was a fraudster. LTTE fi nanciers’ trial begins in Switzerland Gutsy female mahout overcomes gender barriers IANS 34-year-old Gita Danuwar, the tisaar, under the auspices of the “I often have to climb tall trees stand over three metres tall. IANS The 13 people on trial face Chitwan, Nepal only female mahout to participate Chitwan National Park. and it is particularly painful dur- “It’s a 24-hour job with many Bern/Colombo charges of fraud, false docu- in the festival this year. “It’s defi nitely not easy to deal ing certain times of the month challenges. I used to suggest mentation, money laundering “I think work should not be with such giant creatures but I as a woman. I am often teased she do something else, but she and extortion. n a warm winter after- divided on the basis of gender. learned to adjust. Kasaragaj, the by male mahouts. And during refused. She is happy with this he trial of 13 fi nanciers The LTTE has never been de- noon cheers and ap- Work is equal, whether it is done male elephant that I look af- elephant safaris, many tourists work so I am happy too,” her accused of funnelling clared a terror organisation in Oplause rang out as eight by a male or a female. I feel hap- ter, is co-operative and follows don’t trust me just because I am husband Krishna Chaudhary, Tover 15mn Swiss francs Switzerland, so they will not face elephants entered the grounds of py and proud to be a female ma- my instructions well. If we love a female,” Gita said of her job, who has been working as a ma- ($15mn) to the now vanquished charges of funding a terror group. Sauraha during the 14th Chitwan hout,” Gita said after the match. them, they will love back,” Gita traditionally regarded as a “male hout for the past 10 years, said. Sri Lankan rebel group, Lib- “The attorney general Elephant Festival in Nepal. For Gita, it was not easy to explained, holding her three- only” occupation. For many, Gita’s job is not eration Tigers of Tamil Eelam strongly suspects the LTTE It was indeed a rare and spec- break the barriers of her domes- year-old son on her lap, while Gita’s husband has mixed feel- just an inspiration for her fel- (LTTE), has begun at the Federal fraction under investiga- tacular sight for both locals and tic sphere and enter into the pro- her husband stood nearby. ings about his wife continuing low women wanting to become Criminal Court of Switzerland. tion of having collected the overseas visitors as the world’s fession, which is largely domi- She wakes up every morning at the job, which is quite diffi cult mahouts and work in the tour- The accused are from Swit- money in question by means largest land animals got set to nated by male. 4am, cleans the shed, visits the and demands physical strength ism industry in Chitwan, which zerland, Germany and Sri of threats and by creating a re- play football, one of the world’s Gita, a mother of two, could nearby forest for grass fodder, and lots of time and eff ort. is enriched with wildlife includ- Lanka, the Swiss news agency gime of fear to induce them to most popular sports. study only until lower secondary prepares meals for the elephants, He is often worried about ing giant elephants, endangered SDA reported on Monday, and make the payments,” a court Unlike the other seven par- level in a small village in the Chit- goes on safaris or patrols as needs the possibility of one of the el- one-horned rhinos and royal they were caught in a sting document said. ticipating elephants, one of the wan district, but she never lost the dictate and repeats the same rou- ephants going into a rage, as has Bengal tigers, but her story also operation in 2011. The Swiss funds were trans- elephants was being ridden by a will to do something challenging. tine in the evenings as well. happened in the past where el- encourages all women to over- Between 1999 and 2009, ported in cash by couriers to person clad in a red sweater, grey With the support from her Her daily routine is fi lled with ephants have fatally turned on come the gender barrier and they allegedly created a com- Singapore and Dubai, even- trousers and wearing a white husband Krishna Danuwar, she hardships but at the end of the day their mahouts. prove their capabilities, intelli- plex fundraising structure tually reaching the LTTE in scarf around the head. This was decided to become a mahout six she cherishes the role she fought After all, Gita is not dealing gence and understanding. which involved coaxing mem- Sri Lanka who allegedly used the only person to steal the atten- months ago. Today, she is among to play and feels proud that her with human beings but with “I have no regrets about being a bers of the Tamil diaspora to the money to purchase arms. tion of the hundreds of spectators the fi ve female mahouts who monthly salary of Rs16,000 (about the largest living terrestrial mahout. It’s a wonderful experi- obtain loans from banks, re- This funding system collapsed during the 30-minute match. work together at the elephant $160) is equal to that of her male animal, which can weigh up ence and I will continue my work,” ports Xinhua news agency. in 2009. The highlight of the game was centre, known locally as Hat- mahout counterparts. to 5,000kg in weight and can Gita said, beaming proudly. Gulf Times 18 Wednesday, January 10, 2018 COMMENT

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

P.O.Box 2888, Doha, Qatar [email protected] 44350478 (News), 44466404 (Sport), 44466636 (Home delivery) 44350474 facebook.com/gulftimes twitter.com/gulftimes_Qatar GULF TIMES Reversal of fortunes: Europe momentum NEWS: to lift rest of the world Newton didn't discover gravity, says Rajasthan Education Minister who once said cows The 19-nation eurozone economy is on a roll, for sure. exhale oxygen. 10 -01-2018 For an area, which has been facing some existential crises just until the start of 2017, the year saw some stunning reversal of fortunes. Confi dence continued its advance at the end of 2017, capping what was probably the strongest year for the economy in a decade. The European Commission’s measure of sentiment touched its highest since late 2000 in December on an improvement in the outlook for industry and services. After slowly emerging from the bank failures, record Qatar Economy in 2018: joblessness and sovereign debt crisis that marred its last decade, the euro-area economy has found its feet. Growth in 2017 was probably the fastest since before the fi nancial crisis and momentum this year is forecast to be almost as impressive. Advanced strategies The tables have turned for Europe, which was seen exporting its political and fi nancial risks to the rest of the world as 2016 was drawing to a close. The International atari economy is entering Nasser bin Khalifa al-Thani, issued a exporter, Qatargas, which is a result of organised last year Made in Qatar Monetary Fund in early November said growth across the 2018 with a clear vision and number of decisions to promote the merging of Qatargas and RasGas. This exhibition to get acquainted with European region – which includes the euro area as well as a new plan that is based on a national economy for all investors makes the company the only company the most prominent industries developing economies in central and Eastern Europe – is Qpromising budget, advanced in the Economic Zones in the south to export LNG to the world with one in the country and the economic strategies supported by a strong will of Qatar for the years 2018 and 2019 vision, one management system and development witnessed by the State having a positive spillover and ambitious projects to strengthen so that the rent fees decreases from one business culture. during the recent period. eff ect on the rest of the and protect the State and to pave the QR40 to 20 per square metre, exempt With the new year starting, capital In addition, the exhibition was held Europe was world. way for further prosperity under the investors in the logistics areas south market experts are optimistic about to open new markets and commercial For the eurozone, leadership of His Highness the Emir of the country of the rental fees of the expected performance of the stock outlets, to promote mutual trade seen exporting Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani and 2018 and 2019, if issuance of building exchange in 2018, confi rming its ability growth with the countries of the economists surveyed the government. permits before January 31, 2018, and to achieve the highest growth rates world, enable manufacturers and its risks as 2016 by Bloomberg raised The new year diff ers from the the issuance of licenses to complete the on average. This comes as a result of a businessmen in Qatar to identify these their growth forecasts previous years for the Qatari economy, construction before 31 January 2019, number of factors that will stimulate markets and giving them opportunities was drawing to a eight times in 2017. which has been strong despite of postponement of payment of the rental the market, such as the 2018 State to share experiences, information Resultantly, the European challenges. It continues the process fees of “productive” factories in the budget and the promising numbers and and techniques that can benefi t the close of building, giving and promoting the small and medium industries for one indicators that provide optimism and business sector in the country. The Central Bank’s more renaissance, prosperity and stability of year, postponement of instalments of enhance confi dence in the performance results of these initial efforts were hawkish policy makers have been pushing for its easing the country, which has been subjected industrial loans for 6 months to owners of the Qatari economy in the next the emergence of new factories and programme not to be extended again in September. to an unjust siege imposed by a number of productive industrial projects, phase. industries in the country and the Here’s an important question: What is at stake for the of brothers for more than seven months. and requiring all ministries and local Hamad Port is also another factor increase in the number of industrial In his fi rst speech after the governmental sectors to buy local that will increase the economy’s establishments existing and registered Gulf? imposition of the siege on Qatar last products 100% of the time, when the strength and robustness in the next in the industrial register at the Ministry The Gulf Co-operation Council sovereign wealth funds June, the Emir said: “We are called upon local product conforms and approved phase, as it is one of the biggest and of Energy and Industry to about have invested heavily in Europe. Gulf SWFs provided to open our economy to initiatives and by country standards. newest ports in the Middle East. 730 industrial establishments with emergency fi nancing for a number of European banks investment so that we can produce In line with the directives of His Its estimated capacity is of 7.5mn investments exceeding QR260bn. after the 2008 crisis. As of data available in 2015, total our food and medicine, diversify our Highness the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin containers, and several agreements have Ongoing economic development sources of income and achieve our Hamad al-Thani, the new draft law been signed with important shipping projects are taking place to fortify assets acquired by GCC private investors and SWFs in economic independence in bilateral aims to attract foreign capital by 100% lines to link this port with international the economy, these include the the European Union are estimated at more than €400bn, relations, from co-operation with other in all activities and sectors, economic ports in Turkey, China, Taiwan, Oman, establishment of storage areas, logistics making them one of the largest foreign investor groups in States, in our geographical environment and trade, which will help the infl ow of Pakistan, Singapore, Kuwait, Australia. areas and the launch of a number of Europe. and throughout the world, and on the foreign capital and add to the country’s In addition, Hamad International food security projects. basis of mutual interests and mutual economic development. Airport, which is considered one of The State has also given special Risks do remain, though. respect”. A comprehensive review of the the biggest airports in the world, has attention to water security by Despite the ECB’s negative interest rates and asset The Emir also stressed that he had economic map shows that the Qatari a planned capacity to handle 50mn establishing new desalination plants purchases worth €2.3tn ($2.8tn) so far, infl ation has been directed several times to follow a policy economy has the highest growth rates travellers yearly. and large reservoirs for the storage of slow to stage a convincing return, remaining below the of economic openness to investment in the region and the highest per capita The Qatari economy starts the new potable water, the largest of its kind in bank’s goal of just below 2% as wages have been slow to rise. and diversifi cation of sources of income in the world according to year with optimistic plans to develop the world and will be launched in the income, as at this stage it is no longer a international institutions. agricultural production to meet the fi rst half of this year. Old wounds run deep, too. Productivity growth in the matter of luxury, but a necessity. Qatar’s economy started with needs of the local market and achieving The Qatari economic scene includes eurozone is nowhere near levels recorded at the start of In his speech, the Emir said that increased foreign investments, self-suffi ciency in agricultural and the Lusail tram project, as well as the millennium; a quarter of young people can’t fi nd a job he had directed the government to do especially after the unjust siege. animal products through the Qatar the Doha Metro project, which is at and unemployment in the region’s periphery still exceeds everything necessary to achieve this The country’s expenditure on major national food security programme and the forefront of projects to provide a 10%. vision, including the required economic projects is expected to reach about the comprehensive food security plan convenient and accessible transport openness, removing barriers of $25bn this year, targeting projects in for the period 2014-2024. The arable network within and around Doha and Support for the single currency has yet to reach its 2007 investment and preventing monopoly in education, health and construction land in Qatar is about 65,000 hectares, its main locations. Work on this project high and eurosceptic political parties have gained ground. the framework of building the national sectors in preparation for hosting the which produces about 567,981.3 tonnes is ongoing around the clock, above and Other political shocks such as Brexit and Catalonia’s economy and investing in development, FIFA World Cup in 2022. of agricultural products, covering the below the ground, where the fi rst phase bid for independence have the potential to cause further especially human development. The State also plans to award needs of the local market by a large of operation is expected to begin in The Emir also instructed to invest gas contracts worth $29bn to the percentage. Offi cials are considering 2020. ruptures. revenues of recent inventions for future private sector in order to encourage the possibility of increasing the area Qatar has an important competitive Eurozone leaders say the common currency is now more generations. diversifi cation, and focus on of agricultural land in the country, position in the energy sector thanks to resilient in the face of shocks. In accordance with the Emir’s supporting food security projects, and is likely to increase the number its rich natural gas and oil resources. The eurozone growth momentum is striking for a region directives to support and encourage small and medium enterprises, and of farms in the coming years to 2,000 It is the world’s leading exporter that plunged from the global fi nancial crisis into its own the private sector and increase the development of infrastructure in farms working on the production of of liquefi ed natural gas, the largest its contribution to the process of economic zones and free trade zones. vegetables, fruits and others and supply source of helium and the fourth largest sovereign debt turmoil, record unemployment and near- sustainable development in the The Qatari economy starts the to the local market. producer of urea in the world. Qatar defl ation that threatened the very survival of the currency country, HE the Prime Minister and new year with an announcement on To support and promote the also has a reserve of $340bn, including union. Interior Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin establishing the world’s largest gas national industrial revival, the state its national sovereignty fund. —QNA Europe is still to make up most of the ground lost in the dark years. But the current upturn at least holds out the hope that some scars have started to heal.

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© 2018 Gulf Times. All rights reserved Work on Doha Metro project is ongoing around the clock. Gulf Times Wednesday, January 10, 2018 19 COMMENT China’s green opportunity

By Adair Turner notes, hydrogen can be produced European and American counterparts London more cheaply as well, via electrolysis to innovate and be globally rather than from methane reforming, competitive. By contrast, it would take creating huge opportunities for the many years to match the expertise any recent visitors decarbonisation of steel, fertiliser, that Western car companies have to Beijing have been and chemical production, and for developed over a century of producing pleasantly surprised by the possible use of green hydrogen in internal combustion engines. So the Mblue skies rather than long-distance trucking and shipping. faster the Chinese economy moves smog. In part, the cleaner air refl ects In a global zero-carbon economy, to electric transport, the better heavy-handed policies: polluting the logical location to base much placed Chinese companies will be. factories have been moved away industrial production will be where The government has stated that it from the capital and other major wind and solar power is cheap. will soon set a date beyond which no cities, and coal-fi red heating systems Chinese companies already fossil-fuel cars may be sold in China. have sometimes been closed down play a major role in all the major A fair bet is that it will shock the world before alternative gas facilities have technologies needed to power by announcing a date far earlier than been put in place. But the change the green economy, including 2040, the deadline set by both France in Beijing also refl ects China’s photovoltaic panels, wind turbines, and the United Kingdom, in order growing understanding that a truly batteries, and the sophisticated to gain not just cleaner air but also a green economy promises not only systems required to manage the competitive advantage. to improve quality of life, but also to interaction of intermittent electricity Accelerated Chinese progress create enormous opportunities for supply and time-varying demand. toward a green economy could deliver technological and political leadership. Support for green technologies also a signifi cant political advantage as In absolute terms, China is now features prominently in the Made in well. President Xi Jinping aspires to the world’s largest greenhouse-gas China 2025 programme, which aims make China an attractive economic emitter, accounting for more than to push Chinese manufacturing to and social model for others to emulate, 25% of the global total. Even in per world-leading scientifi c and technical seizing the opportunity created by US capita terms, it has just overtaken the standards. And the faster that President Donald Trump’s tarnishing European Union average, while still at Chinese policy drives a transition to of the American brand to boost only half the US level. This refl ects an a low-carbon economy, the greater Chinese “soft power.” Many features electricity system based 70% on coal, the technological and economic of China’s political system impede as well as China’s global leadership in opportunity. that goal. But China could become a heavy industries such as steel, cement, Electrifi cation of road transport highly respected and admired leader and chemicals. But China is already will play a crucial role in delivering in the fi ght against global climate by far the biggest investor in wind and improved local air quality, and, when change. solar power, and is now cancelling combined with increasingly green We should not be surprised if, plans for further coal investment. electricity, reducing CO2 emissions. within a decade, Beijing’s bright And as China builds a low-carbon Major Chinese companies already play blue skies prove to be a harbinger economy, it enjoys a massive resource China’s smoke-sucking vacuum tower. Studio Roosegaarde’s smog-sucking vacuum tower may actually be cleaning up the a leading role in the development of of Chinese technological leadership advantage. air in China. electric cars, and Chinese cities are by in all aspects of the green economy. A recent report by the International far the biggest buyers of electric buses. Nor should we be shocked if Xi’s Energy Agency includes a colour- meeting its entire current electricity and wind, are certain that within power by 2020. But, relative to China’s Likewise, Beijing’s increasingly blue commitment to build an “ecological coded map showing which areas of the demand (the wind resource is also the next ten years they could deliver total savings and investments (more skies benefi t from the fact that almost civilisation” turns out to be more world have the most wind and solar massive). renewable power to China’s booming than $5tn per year) and a banking all of its two-wheel motorised vehicles than just empty words. – Project resources. The largest lies in China’s Recent auctions in similarly coastal regions at a price well below system with total assets over $30tn, run on electricity, not gasoline. And Syndicate sparsely populated western provinces favourable locations – such as current prices for coal-generated this level of spending is easily the major Chinese tech companies, of Tibet, Qinghai, Xinxiang, and inner northern Chile and Mexico – have electricity. manageable. like their US rivals, are investing zAdair Turner, Chairman of the Mongolia. In principle, covering just produced bids to supply solar power at Of course, that would require As China builds a low-carbon power heavily in autonomous driving Institute for New Economic Thinking 5% of that total land area in solar a price of less than $0.02 per kilowatt- massive investment: China’s National system, it will reap a major industrial technology and ridesharing systems. and former Chairman of the UK panels could supply China with 6,000 hour, with wind below 2.5 cents. Energy Administration has announced advantage. With lower costs for In electric transport, Chinese Financial Services Authority, is Chair TW hours of electricity per year, Chinese power investors, in both solar a plan to spend $360bn on renewable renewable electricity, the IEA report companies are as well placed as their of the Energy Transitions Commission.

New Year’s resolution not sticking? Here’s why Three-day forecast

TODAY By Angela Silveira lead to exertion of our willpower and between foods while stressing them strengthening your willpower can help ultimately reaching our resolutions. out. The results were that people to achieve your goals. Maximum Temperature : 220c The Baltimore Sun Minimum Temperature : 140c Yet we still submit to our impulses of under stress chose the unhealthy item, The APA advises these techniques to binge eating or shopping. while people with no stress picked the help you strengthen your willpower: THURSDAY ave you vowed that this will Why? Because we are nearsighted healthier item. Focus on a single, clearly defi ned goal Maximum Temperature : 230c be the year you will lose in our vision of self-control. We need Part of this experiment involved instead of a list of goals. Succeeding Minimum Temperature : 140c weight, eat healthier, make to bear witness that self-control is observing brain activity of the at the fi rst goal will strengthen your FRIDAY better fi nancial decisions, not a barrier to obtaining momentary participants. Scientists noted willpower and improve your ability to Maximum Temperature : 230c H Minimum Temperature : 130c quit smoking or simply delve into pleasures, but rather a way for us to alternating spikes in connectivity succeed in the next. self- improvements? And if you made create gains and increased worth for in various areas of the brain Monitor your behaviour toward Fisherman's forecast such a New Year’s resolution, have you our future. We imagine self-control to and also noticed that the stress your goal by keeping consistent track stuck to it now that we’re more than a be like a resistance band, holding us hormone – cortisol – was partially of your progress and developing a WARNING week into 2018? back from that doughnut, holding us responsible for the reduction in this feasible action plan. Inshore : Nil According to the Statistics Brain back from purchasing that expensive connectivity. With reduction in brain Build positive relationships and Offshore : Nil Research Institute, about 58% of car and fi nally holding us back from communication, also came reduced surround yourself with people you Inshore : Scattered clouds to Americans make these resolutions happiness. We see it as a burden willpower. trust and who will be supportive of partly cloudy with scat- with only 9.2% of people saying they inevitably making us miserable. In the most recent Stress in America your goals. tered light rain at places were successful in achieving their Although we may be able to fi rst resist survey, 57% of respondents reported As 2018 begins, take the time to at first becomes mild resolution at the end of the year. Many the urge, our willpower slowly fades, losing weight as a goal for the new refl ect on your emotional well-being daytime, clod by night. WIND of us fall off the bandwagon within the and before we know it, our resolution year, and 50% opted to eat a healthier before delving into your new goals. Inshore : Northwesterly 05-15 KT fi rst week. is long forgotten. diet. The survey further showed that Be grateful and refl ect on what you Offshrore : Northeasterly 05-15/18 Why do we fail to maintain our To add to this, we constantly face less than one in 5 adults reported being have now instead of what you want. Be KT. resolutions throughout the year? The emotional situations leading to stress. successful at making health-related patient with yourself, and be proud of VISIBILITY : 4-9 KM answer is quite simple. Immediate We feel stressed at work and use improvements. all your achievements no matter how results are paramount to us, and their smoking as an outlet. We lose a family There is a continuous battle tiny they are. Achieving your goals is SEA STATE value is far more important than member and decide to get away and with people struggling to have not a race or competition, it is a step Offshore : 2-4 FT future fulfi lments. splurge on a vacation. We give up on enough willpower. The American toward the best you that you can be. Studies have constantly self-control and will power since it Psychological Association (APA) Make this 2018 a celebration of you. - connected the art of self-control to makes you miserable, and death is defi nes willpower as “the ability Tribune News Service success in weight loss, managing eventually inevitable right? to delay gratifi cation, resisting Around the region personal fi nances and overall self- Stress seems to be a major player short-term temptations in order to zAngela Silveira is a physician and Weather Weather improvement. We are well aware in aff ecting willpower and decision meet long-term goals.” Achieving public health specialist from the Johns today Max/min tomorrow Max/min that inducing constraint when faced making. Researchers from the your resolutions through healthy Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Baghdad Sunny 19/06 P Cloudy 18/07 with temptation and suppressing our University of Zurich did a study where behaviours and resisting temptations Health. Her e-mail is Kuwait City Sunny 21/06 M Sunny 21/06 urgency for immediate results will they decided to have people pick can be stressful. However, [email protected] Manama Sunny 22/14 Sunny 21/14 Muscat M Sunny 23/17 Sunny 23/17 Tehran Sunny 10/-1 M Sunny 10/02 Live issues Nutrition helps diabetes

By Barbara Quinn grains, nuts and legumes. And if The Monterey County Herald you think it’s easy to reach current recommendations for fi bre intake, start tracking how much fi bre you get ere’s something to get in a day. (It’s listed on food labels.) The our attention as we head general goal for adult women and men Around the world into a New Year: Half of is 25 and 35 grams a day, respectively. Weather Weather our US population is now Don’t rely too heavily on sugar today Max/min tomorrow Max/min H Athens 16/09 P Cloudy 16/07 estimated to have diabetes or are substitutes. Research shows they M Cloudy headed that way with a condition can safely help us cut extra sugar and Beirut M Sunny 18/14 P Cloudy 21/16 called pre-diabetes. calories from our diets. That still Bangkok P Cloudy 29/19 P Cloudy 28/18 Along with this scary news is the doesn’t mean we should eat a whole Berlin P Cloudy 07/0 M Cloudy 04/02 good news that - because of how we sugar-free pie, however. Cairo P Cloudy 24/12 Sunny 24/10 take care of this disease – diabetes- Eat like your heart depends on it. It Cape Town M Sunny 29/19 Sunny 28/17 related complications have declined does, especially if you have diabetes. Colombo S Showers 29/24 S T Storms 30/24 over the past 20 years. And a big part Heart disease is the main cause of Dhaka Sunny 23/11 Sunny 23/12 of that care has to do with nutrition, Dietary fibre is found in foods of plant origin such as vegetables, fruit, whole death in people with diabetes. Strong Hong Kong P Cloudy 16/11 Sunny 16/13 according to a new review of evidence grains, nuts and legumes. evidence fi nds that eating foods Istanbul M Cloudy 12/07 S Showers 13/09 from the Academy of Nutrition and with more unsaturated fats like fi sh, Jakarta T Storms 32/25 M Cloudy 32/25 Dietetics. the type of diabetes, medications and as fruit, bread, sodas and all those vegetable oils, avocados and nuts and Karachi M Sunny 27/17 M Sunny 28/16 Medical nutrition therapy (MNT) individual health goals. For example, leftover holiday goodies sitting on cutting back on foods high in saturated London Showers 09/02 P Cloudy 06/01 is specialised nutrition treatment a 13-year-old athlete with type 1 your counter. Since too many carbs at fats like heavy meats and butter helps Manila P Cloudy 32/23 M Sunny 29/23 for people with diabetes and other diabetes who requires several shots one time can spike blood sugars into protect hearts and arteries. Moscow P Cloudy -3/-4 S Showers -2/-7 medical conditions. Strong evidence of insulin each day needs a diff erent the danger zone, people with diabetes Move it, move it! Exercise is the New Delhi Sunny 22/08 Sunny 22/09 shows that several visits with a nutrition plan from a 60-year-old bus need to space their carbs throughout most powerful medicine to prevent New York Sunny 05/02 P Cloudy 10/08 registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN) driver with type 2 diabetes. the day. And people with type 1 and control type 2 diabetes. And this Paris Showers 09/03 Fog 07/03 after getting a diabetes diagnosis is That said, these evidence-based diabetes must learn to balance their medicine should be spread over at Sao Paulo S T Storms 28/19 S T Storms 28/19 an essential part of managing this recommendations can be helpful for carb intake with the right amount of least three days a week, say experts. Seoul P Cloudy -4/-13 Sunny -8/-16 condition. any person with diabetes or pre- insulin. For best results, be active at least 150 Singapore T Storms 28/24 Rain 26/23 What’s the best diet for diabetes? diabetes: Set a goal for fi bre intake. Dietary minutes a week and don’t skip the Sydney P Cloudy 23/19 P Cloudy 24/20 No one “diet” is recommended, say Control carbohydrates. Carbs are fi bre is found in foods of plant origin dose for more than two days in a row. - Tokyo Clear 12/03 Clear 10/01 experts. Diet plans must be tailored to sugars and starches in foods such such as vegetables, fruit, whole Tribune News Service Gulf Times 20 Wednesday, January 10, 2018 QATAR

Qatar Rail managing director and CEO Abdulla al-Subaie briefs HE the Prime Minister and Interior Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa al-Thani of the progress on the work done at the Doha Metro project’s Economic Zone Station during an inspection yesterday. Interior of one of the trains of the Doha Metro project. PICTURE: Noushad Thekkayil Qatar Rail ‘successfully mitigates’ impact of unjust economic blockade

By Peter Alagos Business Reporter

atar Rail’s prompt and decisive reaction to the Qillegal economic block- ade imposed on Qatar since June 5, 2017 helped the company “successfully mitigate” its im- pact and overcome challenges, an offi cial said yesterday. “The unprecedented chal- lenges that Qatar Rail faced in 2017 have served only as a cata- lyst for adaptability and change. The resilience and the will to succeed in the face of adversity was evident in every aspect of our operations. “We have introduced a number of initiatives on the project management level, which propelled us not only to succeed but indeed excel and deliver our best performance to date,” said engineer Abdulla al- Workers prepare one of the trains for inspection. PICTURE: Noushad Thekkayil Ongoing work at the Doha Metro project’s Economic Zone Station. Subaie, the managing director and CEO of Qatar Rail. the blockade and that Qatar Rail we look forward to accomplish- and red tape reduced for the in- use of airfreight for critical de- reduced pressure on port, elimi- ciency and resilience – as evi- Al-Subaie was among the key “worked closely” with its supply ing even more in 2018, working creased amount of sea-freight liveries, which was essential for nated shipping risks, and helped denced by Qatar Rail’s achieve- offi cials who accompanied HE chain and all parties involved to to turn the vision of His High- arriving in Doha, he noted. the success of the pilot stations. developed the local industry. ments in the last year and the Prime Minister and Interior overcome the immediate impact ness the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Qatar Rail secured shipping In addition, a number of “Prompt and far-sighted ac- especially in the seven months Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin of the blockade and to identify Hamad al-Thani into a reality,” capacity on these key routes by manufacturing and assembly tion by Qatar Rail means that since the blockade began. This Nasser bin Khalifa al-Thani’s and avoid risks. al-Subaie said. entering into direct charters. activities were moved to Qatar. the impact of the blockade was was achieved with the support inspection of the Doha Metro “We are proud of all the ef- He said Qatar Rail supported Approximately 82,000 tonnes These included the fabrication absorbed. of Qatar Rail’s highly-capable project’s Economic Zone Sta- forts of our staff and partners its supply chain by agreeing to of building components were of glass-fi bre ceiling panels, as- “These challenges could have project partners, including tion yesterday. who worked tirelessly to over- simplifi ed procedures for cus- delivered to Qatar between June sembly of control panels, and negative impact. Instead they leading international and local He said a task force was estab- come these unexpected chal- toms clearance for shipments. 5, 2017 and November 30, 2017. manufacturing of structural have spurred greater eff orts and contractors and consultants,” lished to address issues related to lenges. With renewed resolve, Deliveries are being expedited The project also saw increased steel, among others. This has resulted in increased self-suffi - al-Subaie said. Doha Metro project more than 73% complete: Transport minister

By Peter Alagos Business Reporter

onstruction work at the Doha Metro project is Cmore than 73% com- plete, according to HE the Min- ister of Transport and Com- munications Jassim Seif Ahmed al-Sulaiti, who said the multi- billion Qatari riyal facility would be ready for public use by 2020. Speaking to reporters at the metro’s Economic Zone Station yesterday, al-Sulaiti stressed that 2017 “was a year of signifi - cant milestones” for Qatar Rail. A view of one of the tunnels in the Doha Metro project’s Red Line. “Progress exceeded 73% on the Doha Metro, and 69% on the Lusail Tram project,” he said. Al-Sulaiti, along with other key offi cials, accompanied HE the Prime Minister and Interior Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa al-Thani, who inspected ongoing work at the state-of-the-art station lo- cated at the F-Ring Road and Al Wakrah Road Intersection. According to al-Sulaiti, Qa- HE the Prime Minister and Interior Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa al-Thani, HE the Minister of Transport and tar Rail had already received 20 Communications Jassim Seif Ahmed al-Sulaiti, HE the Minister of Municipality and Environment Mohamed bin Abdullah al-Rumaihi, Qatar trains. Qatar Rail deputy CEO Rail managing director and CEO Abdulla al-Subaie, Ashghal president Eng Saad bin Ahmad al-Muhannadi are joined by dignitaries and key Hamad Ibrahim al-Bishri, who off icials during a test ride of one of the trains of Doha Metro project. Interior of the Doha Metro project’s Economic Zone Station. spoke on the sidelines of the inspection, said of the total 75 Vision 2030. We look forward to guidance of our judicious lead- lated to “key tangible achieve- a fully operational service by evated sections of the Red Line energised and fi rst sections of trains, 55 more trains are to be further progress being made by ership, His Highness the Emir ments.” 2020,” al-Sulaiti emphasised. and internal fi t-out is well pro- the Red Line are now operating received by the company. Qatar Rail in 2018 as a vital con- Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al- “From creating suffi cient Civil engineering works were gressed. for testing and commissioning. On Qatar transport sector’s tributor to the implementation Thani, and the close supervi- capacity at Hamad Port to all completed in 2017. The focus Last year also saw the com- At least 25,000km endurance “unprecedented success” in of the key transport infrastruc- sion of HE the Prime Minister handle the import of materi- has now shifted onto mechani- pletion of track-laying activi- testing of trains has been com- 2017, al-Sulaiti said: “We have ture project. and Interior Minister Sheikh als necessary for the successful cal, electrical and plant (MEP) ties in the depot, with both Sec- pleted, as was medium voltage come by leaps and bounds in “We are on track to deliver Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa completion of the projects to works and architectural fi t-out tion 1 (Red Line up to Al Qassar) cabling for the fi rst section of laying the foundations for our this new and paramount trans- al-Thani made expectations not the relocation of the Building in stations. Progress of MEP and all of the elevated parts of the mainline and depot. Plat- connected nation and the Doha port solution to the nation only being met, but exceeded.” Automation & Control System works reached 56% and fi nal Green Line completed. A total form screen doors, an essential Metro project forms the funda- when the network becomes op- Al-Sulaiti said the guidance (BACS) Centre for the Doha MEP testing and commission- of 106km of track was laid in safety feature of the system, mental backbone of the inte- erational in 2020. The progress of His Highness the Emir “fa- Metro Stations from Dubai to ing has begun on the Red Line 2017. also underwent endurance test- grated public transport system made and challenges overcome cilitated the progress” of Qatar Doha, we can promise the na- up to Al Qassar. Façade instal- Rail in the depot and fi rst ing with more than 1mn cycles supporting Qatar’s National are a testament to the wise Rail projects, which was trans- tion that we are on track for lation was completed in the el- sections of the mainline was performed.