BUSINESS | Page 1 SPORT | Page 1 World Cup will meet high standards: Football offi cials QFC focusing on driving FDI infl ow to Qatar: Al-Jaida published in QATAR since 1978

THURSDAY Vol. XXXIX No. 11031 December 13, 2018 Rabia II 6, 1440 AH

GULF TIMES www. gulf-times.com 2 Riyals

Amir chairs meeting of SC board of directors His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani yesterday chaired the fourth meeting for 2018 of the Board of Directors of the Supreme Blockade made Qatar Committee for Delivery & Legacy at the Amiri Diwan. The meeting was attended by His Highness the Deputy Amir Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad al-Thani; His Highness Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad stronger on all fronts: al-Thani, Personal Representative of His Highness the Amir and Deputy Chairman of the Board of Directors; HE Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa al-Thani, Prime Minister, Minister of Argentinean FM Interior and board member; and the other board members. z End the Gulf crisis through dialogue: Faurie Amir condoles with French president QNA between the two countries, refl ected communications, renewable energy, oil His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim Doha in the fl ow of high-level mutual visits, and gas and tourism, adding that this is bin Hamad al-Thani sent a cable of pointing out that there are many areas the perfect time for Qatari companies condolences to French President where bilateral relations can be deep- to take advantage of these opportuni- Emmanuel Macron expressing he Gulf crisis that followed the ened mainly through receiving Qatari ties and invest in his country which is his condolences for the victims of siege of Qatar has in fact made investments and increasing exports to a global leader and well known for its the attack that targeted a market Tthe country stronger economi- the Qatari market. food market and is able to contribute to in the city of Strasbourg in east of Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, Chairperson of Qatar Foundation for Education, cally and politically, Argentinean For- The minister expressed hope that new Qatar’s food security. Qatar is a big im- France, wishing the injured a speedy Science and Community Development (QF), met yesterday with Argentine Minister of eign Minister Jorge Faurie has said. agreements will be reached during his porter of food, making it a very attrac- recovery. The Amir expressed his Foreign Aff airs and Worship Jorge Faurie. HE Sheikha Hind bint Hamad al-Thani, According to him, the crisis pushed current visit to Qatar, which will benefi t tive market for Argentina, he added. strong condemnation for the attack, Vice-Chairperson and CEO of Qatar Foundation, joined the meeting as they discussed Qatar forward to expand its strategic re- Argentine companies and Qatar Invest- The minister expressed his country’s confirming Qatar’s solidarity with potential strategic collaboration between Qatar Foundation and Argentina in education, lations with many countries in the world, ment Authority, noting that the details desire to strengthen bilateral relations France in facing violence. Pages, 2, 20 natural sciences and research. PICTURE: AR Al-Baker/HHOPL strengthen its international standing of two important agreements are being with Qatar by increasing exports of and its participation in all international fi nalised in the fi eld of youth and national agro-industries and diversifying them forums and implement ambitious plans libraries between the two countries, and into other strategic sectors such as to increase self-suffi ciency and achieve that 14 agreements and memorandums software, knowledge-based services, economic independence. of understanding are in their fi nal stages. technology and nuclear research reac- The minister, addressing a press He said that the Argentine delegation tors for the peaceful uses of nuclear en- conference, also stressed the impor- accompanying him includes offi cials ergy in health, among others. National Day celebrations tance of putting an end to the current from public and private sectors who On co-operation with the Hamad Gulf crisis and the need for the parties will discuss promising opportunities Port, the Argentinean Foreign Minister to sit at the dialogue table, pointing for co-operation and investment in the said his country is open to exchange ex- out that his country has good relations sectors of oil and gas, agro-industries, periences with Qatar. On issues related begin at Darb Al Saai with all countries in the region. real estate, infrastructure and tourism. to transport, which is the main sector In an interview with local Arabic Regarding Qataris’ investment in in the development of the economies daily Arrayah, the Argentine minister Argentina, the minister said there are of the two countries, the experience of By Ayman Adly Dr Mohamed Abdullah al-Mahna described his country’s relations with great opportunities for foreign invest- Hamad Port will certainly be useful to Staff Reporter al-Marri, several civilian and mili- Qatar as “excellent” and that there is ments in Argentina, especially in areas strengthen bilateral ties in this area, he tary fi gures and a large number of increasing dialogue and co-operation such as infrastructure, mining, tele- pointed out. To Page 10 citizens and residents. he Qatar National Day The opening ceremony started 2018 celebrations at Darb with the hoisting of the Qatari TAl Saai started yesterday fl ag and a performance by a police with the participation of a large music band, followed by a parade. number of public and private en- A large number of people from tities, off ering diverse activities diff erent nationalities attended and programmes. the ceremony and enjoyed the HE the Deputy Prime Minister various activities on off er, which and Minister of State for Defence have a special focus on children to Aff airs Dr Khalid bin Mohamed engage them in diff erent educa- al-Attiyah launched the activi- tional and fun exercises. ties alongside a number of senior Many children were seen offi cials and dignitaries. dressed in military uniforms The opening ceremony was to refl ect their patriotism and attended by Commander of the love for the country. Several ac- Joint Special Forces Major Gen- tivities at Darb Al Saai also help eral Hamad bin Abdullah al-Fetais foster the patriotic spirit among al-Marri, Director-General of the all visitors in general and young- HE the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State Police College Brigadier General sters in particular. To Page 11 for Defence Aff airs at Darb Al Saai yesterday. Qatar and China hold fi rst round of strategic dialogue

QNA hamed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani, nerships in various fi elds, as well as Beijing while the Chinese side was headed by strengthening opportunities to fur- State Councillor and Foreign Minister ther co-operation in the fi nancial Wang Yi. services sector, including banking and he fi rst round of strategic dia- Both sides stressed the importance insurance and capital markets. logue between the govern- of strengthening the partnership, co- During the talks, an operational plan Tments of Qatar and China was ordinating positions on regional is- for co-operation between Qatar and held yesterday in Beijing, where the sues and increasing co-operation in China was announced in the frame- two sides held comprehensive talks on international organisations. work of the implementation of the “Belt bilateral relations in economic, secu- They discussed exchanging infor- and Road” initiative, in addition to an- rity, cultural and tourism fi elds. mation on available investment op- nouncing the entry of agreement on ex- The Qatari side was chaired by HE portunities, signing agreements in the empting citizens of both countries from the Deputy Prime Minister and Min- fi eld of investment, attracting capital visa requirements into force on Decem- ister of Foreign Aff airs Sheikh Mo- by entering into Qatari-Chinese part- ber 21, 2018. To Page 2

HE the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Aff airs Sheikh Mohamed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani, and Chinese State Councillor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi chairing the talks in Beijing yesterday. Gulf Times 2 Thursday, December 13, 2018 QATAR

Sheikh Jassim attends ceremony honouring winners of Sheikh Cabinet welcomes Hamad Award for Translation outcome of Amir’s visit to Malaysia

QNA prime minister of Malaysia and The notary public shall verify determining the fees for licences Doha UN secretary-general’s repre- the identity, eligibility of the of similar commercial, indus- sentative. person submitting the request trial, public stores and street The Council of Ministers af- and the identity and relation of vendors. he Cabinet’s regular fi rmed that the award and the whom they represent, using of- The Cabinet also approved meeting, chaired by HE Amir’s honouring of the win- fi cial papers. the suggestion of the Ministry Tthe Prime Minister Sheikh ners are part of Qatar’s eff orts to This must be shown on the of Commerce and Industry on Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa combat corruption in the world document needed for attesta- extending the period for those al-Thani yesterday, praised the and respect the values of integ- tion. concerned to meet requirements outcome of the working visit rity, good governance and rule of The notary must also ensure under the provisions of Law No paid by His Highness the Amir law and to harness the resources that the document does not vio- 20 of 2014 amending certain Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al- and wealth of countries to serve late the provisions of the law and provisions of Law No 25 of 2005 Thani to Malaysia from Decem- the welfare of their people and regulations and does not lack of regarding the Commercial Reg- ber 5 to 7. develop their economies and se- public order or ethics. istry, and Law No 5 of 2015 on Following the meeting, HE cure the life of their future gen- The notary shall ratify the sig- similar commercial, industrial, the Minister of Justice and Act- erations. natures in the customary docu- public shops and street vendors ing Minister of State for Cabi- Then, the Cabinet considered ments, at the request of the ones and Law No 11 of 2015 issuing the net Aff airs Dr Issa Saad al-Jafali the topics on the agenda. submitting the requests, this commercial companies law. al-Nuaimi said that the Cabinet It approved a draft law on shall be proven in the records The Cabinet approved ap- considers the Amir’s visit to Ma- documentation and referred it to and a attestation certifi cate is pointing HE the Minister of laysia as having special impor- the Advisory Council. to be given based on the request Commerce and Industry as tance for the ties between the The preparation of the draft of the person submitting the re- deputy chairman of the Qatar two countries, which are based law to replace the law No 9 of quest. Financial Centre. on the credibility and eff ective- 1979 is part of the modernisation The notary public shall prove The Cabinet also approved ness of their policies and their of legislation. the date validation on the cus- draft memorandum of under- positive role towards the issues The draft law defi nes docu- tomary documents submitted to standing on co-operating in the of development and peace. mentation as a procedure by a him for this reason, by stamping cultural fi eld between the gov- The Cabinet affi rmed that notary public or by those del- the time and date of the pro- ernments of Qatar and Ecuador. the talks between the Amir and egated by the Minister, by which cedure completion, after it has The Cabinet also reviewed and Prime Minister of Malaysia Dr the will of the concerned par- been proven in the records pre- took the necessary measures on Mahathir Mohamed would open ties is documented in an offi cial pared for this purpose. the letter of HE the Minister of new prospects in the relations record, and the notary is the offi - Certifi cates shall be given Municipality and Environment between the two countries and cial responsible for documenta- once date validation of the doc- on the outcome of the 21st meet- enhance co-operation in vari- tion, validation and the proving uments are given based on the ing of GCC ministers of munici- ous fi elds for the benefi t of their of date, in accordance with the request of the person submitting pal aff airs (Kuwait-November citizens and the people of the provisions of the law. the request. 2018). On behalf of His Highness the Father Amir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani, His Highness Sheikh region. Under the provisions of the The Cabinet also approved The Cabinet reviewed and Jassim bin Hamad al-Thani, the Personal Representative of His Highness the Amir, attended the The weekly meeting also com- draft, records are documented draft law on organising peace- took the necessary measures on ceremony honouring the winners of the Fourth Sheikh Hamad Award for Translation and mended the Amir’s honouring of in Arabic, if a contractor does ful uses of nuclear energy in the the letter from National Com- International Understanding, held at The Ritz-Carlton hotel yesterday. The ceremony was attended the winners of Sheikh Tamim not know this language, he must State of Qatar. mittee for Prohibition of Weap- by a number of ministers, members of diplomatic missions accredited to Qatar, and guests, bin Hamad Al-Thani Interna- use a translator accredited by the The Cabinet approved the ons on the 41st report of the including writers, translators and researchers. HE Sheikh Thani bin Hamad al-Thani honoured the tional Anti-Corruption Excel- Ministry to sign the record with draft resolution of the Minister committee for the period be- winners of the award. lence Award, along with the the contractors. of Commerce and Industry on tween May 1 and August 31, 2018.

Official

Amir sends cable of congratulations to Kenyan leader

His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani and His Highness the Deputy Amir Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad al-Thani have sent cables of congratulations to Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta on HE the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Aff airs Sheikh Mohamed bin the anniversary of his country’s Abdulrahman al-Thani met Yang Jiechi, member of the Political Bureau and director Independence Day. HE the Prime of the Foreign Aff airs Committee of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Minister and Minister of Interior China, in Beijing, yesterday. Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa al-Thani has also sent a cable of congratulations to Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta on the anniversary of Qatar and China hold fi rst his country’s Independence Day. Qatar condemns round of strategic dialogue Strasbourg attack Qatar expressed its strong From Page 1 to serve common interests, military co-operation.” condemnation and denunciation and consult on regional In this context, HE of the attack that targeted a The two sides wel- and international situa- Sheikh Mohamed praised market in the city of Strasbourg comed co-operation in tions and issues of com- China’s positive stance in northeastern France and led to civil aviation and eff orts mon concern. towards Qatar during the deaths and injuries. to look into increasing the HE Sheikh Mohamed current Gulf crisis and the In a statement yesterday, the number of fl ights between bin Abdulrahman al- continued call for all par- Ministry of Foreign Aff airs the two countries. Thani explained that the ties to sit at the negotiating reiterated Qatar’s firm stance They also welcomed dialogue will strengthen table to maintain security rejecting violence and terrorism, the strategic co-operation co-operation between the and stability in the Gulf. regardless of their motives and in the fi eld of energy and two countries and widen He stressed that Qatar reasons. called for discussion of prospects for strengthen- supports China in defend- The statement aff irmed Qatar’s new projects. ing relations and co-oper- ing its territorial integrity full solidarity with the French The two sides stressed ation in all fi elds. and enhancing its security government, and its full support the importance of devel- “This year marks the and stability against any- for all measures taken to oping co-operation in the 30th anniversary of the one who tries to tamper maintain security and stability. fi eld of tourism and cul- establishment of diplo- with it. The statement also expressed ture as a means of increas- matic relations between He also referred to the the condolences of Qatar to ing communication be- our two friendly countries, two countries’ partnership the victims’ families as well as tween the citizens of both during which the two at the Asian level in the the government and people of countries. countries have entered Conference on Interaction France, wishing the injured a At the end of the fi rst into true partnership and and Confi dence-Building speedy recovery. Page 20 round of strategic dia- co-operation at the bilat- Measures in Asia (CICA) logue, the two govern- eral, regional and interna- and the Asian Dialogue, Qatar attends Arab ments agreed to hold the tional levels,” he said. and their membership second round of strategic HE the Foreign Minister of the Asian Investment police chiefs’ meet dialogue in Doha next year. pointed to the partnership Bank in infrastructure. In his speech during and co-operation with On the sidelines of the Qatar participated yesterday the fi rst round of strategic China on the “Belt and dialogue, HE Sheikh Mo- in the 42nd Arab Police and dialogue, HE Sheikh Mo- Road” initiative, adding: hamed met Yang Jiechi, Security Chiefs meeting currently hamed bin Abdulrahman “We have set up a com- member of the Political in session at the headquarters al-Thani said that this di- mittee representing the Bureau and director of the of the General Secretariat of the alogue reveals the strength relevant State bodies to Foreign Aff airs Commit- Council of Arab Ministers of the and depth of relations be- co-ordinate with the Chi- tee of the Central Com- Interior in Tunisia. The delegation tween Qatar and China. nese side, besides the stra- mittee of the Communist of the Ministry of Interior to the He stressed that this tegic partnership in the Party of China, yesterday. conference is led by Director dialogue will give the two fi eld of energy and trading During the meeting, they General of Information Systems countries an annual op- the Chinese currency (the discussed bilateral rela- Major General Saleh Khamis portunity to exchange yuan) for which we opened tions and ways of boosting al-Kubaisi. The two-day meeting views, promote bilateral a clearing centre, in addi- them, in addition to issues is to discuss a number of security relations in various fi elds tion to good security and of common concern. issues.

Gulf Times 4 Thursday, December 13, 2018 QATAR

PM meets FIFA president

HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa al-Thani met the President of FIFA, Gianni Infantino, and the accompanying delegation, on the occasion of their visit to the country to participate in the FIFA Executive Football Summit, currently being held in Doha. During the meeting, they reviewed areas of co-operation between Qatar and the FIFA, especially regarding the preparations for hosting the World Cup 2022 and achievements in this regard, besides a number of issues related to football.

QNL exhibition to explore Qatar’s history through family collections

collection of histori- the families who have lent cal photos, artefacts their valuable collections Aand documents from to the library for this occa- the private collections of sion,” said Maryam al-Mu- several Qatari families will tawa, Information Services be showcased at a Qatar Na- Librarian at Qatar National tional Library (QNL) exhi- Library. “The exhibition bition from December 16 to will arouse the curiosity of January, 31, 2019. attendees, youth and histo- Entitled ‘Qatar Through rians in particular, to learn Private Collections,’ the new aspects of the nation’s exhibition represents a col- history.” lective memory of the na- The Library will host an tion’s past, and celebrates opening ceremony on the its traditional way of life. fi rst day of the exhibition at The previously unseen pri- 4pm, and visitors are wel- vate collections bring to QNL exhibition to explore Qatar’s history through family come to attend the event. life the contributions that collections. The exhibition is a part of local people have made in the Library’s month-long preserving Qatar’s identity, “Family collections pro- Qatar’s history and we are celebration of Qatar Na- history and heritage. vide a unique insight into grateful for the generosity of tional Day.

Gulf Times 6 Thursday, December 13, 2018 QATAR

Sheikha Moza attends QF schools’ National Day celebrations

Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, Chairperson of Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development (QF), and HE Sheikha Hind bint Hamad al-Thani, Vice-Chairperson and CEO of QF, attended a Qatar National Day ceremony organised by QF’s schools at Qatar National Convention Centre yesterday. The ceremony, hosted under the umbrella of QF’s Pre-University Education (PUE), was attended by more than 1,000 parents and educators, and senior QF off icials. The event featured a variety of activities staged by 300 QF students, designed to commemorate Qatar’s unity and showcase QF’s commitment to preserving the nation’s rich heritage. Additional highlights included an operetta featuring a number of national performances, a poetry reading, a film highlighting sporting achievements in Qatar, and a military show. PICTURES: AR al-Baker/HHOPL

Gulf Times Thursday, December 13, 2018 9 QATAR

Ford Expedition 2018 model recalled

The Ministry of Commerce and Industry, in collaboration with Almana Motors Co, has announced the recall of Ford Expedition Ecuador president Moreno set model of 2018 because the second-row centre seat frame may not have been properly fixed. The Ministry said the recall cam- paign comes within the framework of its eff orts to protect con- sumers and ensure that car dealers follow up on vehicle defects. The Ministry said that it will co-ordinate with the dealer to follow to begin three-day visit to Qatar up on the maintenance and repair works and will communicate with customers to ensure that the necessary repairs are carried out. The Ministry urges all customers to report violations to its By Ramesh Mathew egation, including the Chief of service would facilitate conven- Consumer Protection and Anti-Commercial Fraud Department, Staff Reporter Staff of his Offi ce and Ministers ient travel for passengers from at which processes complaints/ suggestions through the following of Foreign Aff airs, and Trade and least three other South Ameri- channels: Call Centre: 16001, e-mail: [email protected], Twitter: @ Investment. can countries, she felt. MOCIQATAR, Instagram: MOCIQATAR, Ministry of Commerce resident of Ecuador Lenin The delegation is expected to The ambassador said Ecua- and Industry mobile app for Android and IOS: MEC_QATAR Boltaire Moreno Garces is sign two major MoUs with Qatar dor President Moreno who is Parriving in Qatar today on to strengthen relations in culture expected to address the Doha a three-day visit, ambassador and also for the management of Forum on Saturday, will visit the Ivonne A-Baki said in Doha yes- seaports in both Qatar and Ec- Qatar Foundation and Shafallah terday. uador. Centre. “President Garces’ visit is in The ambassador also in- Moreno, who is a wheelchair- response to an invitation from formed that Qatar Airways has bound paraplegic, has earned a His Highness the Amir Sheikh proposed to increase the fre- lot of respect across the world Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani who quency of cargo fl ights between for his commitment to help peo- visited the Ecuadorian capital Quito and Doha from twice a ple with disabilities, and has also Quito two months ago as part of week to daily. Approximately ensured job reservation for them his four-nation offi cial tour of half a million roses are carried to in both private and government South America,” she explained. Qatar from Ecuador a week, it is sectors. Acknowledging the continu- learnt. Moreno who is reaching Doha ous support extended by Qatar While welcoming the Qatar after an offi cial visit of China, to her country at diff erent levels, Airways proposal for increasing had to reschedule his visit here A-Baki said the leaderships of the frequency of cargo fl ights, owing to his compelling offi cial Ecuador and Qatar have enor- A-Baki reiterated her demand duties back home, said the am- mous mutual respect and under- for introducing direct air con- bassador. Earlier the Ecuador standing for several years now, nectivity between Doha and president was supposed to at- and she has been able to build Quito. “Such a fl ight would help tend the Qatar National Day cel- remarkably good relations ever ferry passengers from the Latin ebrations on December 18. since she took over as ambassa- American continent to the Mid- The 65-year-old Moreno, who dor a year ago. dle East more eff ectively,” she became president in May 2017 The envoy said the Ecuado- said, while observing that it is was nominated for the 2012 No- A-Baki speaks about Qatar-Ecuador relations at her off icial residence. rian president would be accom- easier as Ecuador is centrally bel Peace Prize for his advocacy PICTURE: Ram Chand panied by an eight-member del- and strategically located. Such a for people with disabilities.

Temporary closure on Al Amir Street Ashghal will eff ect a temporary clo- 5am on Saturday (December 15). During the closure, traff ic heading sure of all lanes on Al Amir Street en- Ashghal is implementing the closure from the north towards southern route from the north (after Al Rayyan in co-ordination with the General areas shall be diverted temporarily Interchange) to Al Asiri Interchange Directorate of Traff ic with the aim to through the service road and alterna- from 1am to 8am tomorrow (Friday, complete installation of road signs on tive routes (as shown on the December 14) and from midnight and this vital route. map on right).

Geminid meteor shower to peak over Qatar from Friday evening: QCH

The Geminid meteor shower will reach its peak over Qatar Dr Beshir Marzouk explained. Geminid meteor showers can from Friday evening until Saturday dawn, Qatar Calendar be seen on the northeast horizon with the naked eye from House announced. places without light and environment pollution, and darker Observing Geminid meteor showers this year will be very places. The Ursid meteor shower will peak over Qatar from special, because the sky will be darker, astronomy expert the evening of December 22 until the dawn of December 23. Gulf Times 10 Thursday, December 13, 2018 QATAR Minister for bolstering trade ties with Argentina E the Minister of Com- well as several memoranda of un- ‘Blockade made Qatar merce and Industry Ali derstanding in the fi elds of sports, stronger on all fronts’ Hbin Ahmed al-Kuwari has tourism, scientifi c research and highlighted the deep relations be- culture, he noted. From Page 1 tween Qatar and Argentina, which The minister urged the explora- began in the 1970s and are char- tion of new areas of cooperation On Qatar’s hosting of the acterised by a regular exchange of to promote bilateral trade and in- 2022 World Cup as the fi rst Arab offi cial visits. vestments, while highlighting the country to host such an event, “These visits refl ect a keenness important outcomes of the Qatar- Faurie said he really believes to strengthen cooperation across Argentina Joint Commission for that sport makes strong links numerous fi elds, particularly on Trade and Economic Co-opera- between countries, and “we are the trade and investment levels,” tion in December 2017. a football-loving country and the minister said in his opening He said the roundtable confer- highly appreciate the social role speech at the Qatari-Argentinean ence comes at a time of consid- sport plays in our societies.” roundtable conference organised erable geopolitical uncertainty, On the sidelines of the re- by the Ministry of Commerce and noting that Qatar has managed to cently concluded G20 sum- Industry (MoCI) in co-operation overcome challenges and is well- mit, Argentina hosted FIFA with the Ministry of Foreign Af- positioned to present Argentinean President Gianni Infantino to fairs. investors and businessmen with present a programme for so- Jorge Marcelo Faurie, Argenti- promising opportunities across HE the Minister of Commerce and Industry Ali bin Ahmed al-Kuwari met cial development worldwide. na’s minister of foreign aff airs and various industries. yesterday with Jorge Marcelo Faurie, Argentina’s Minister of Foreign In this regard, Argentina is worship, attended the roundtable Thanks to its strategic location Aff airs and Worship, who is currently visiting Doha. ready to establish ties with discussions. between east and west, Qatar of- Qatar, he added. HE al-Kuwari emphasised the fers Argentinian investors the op- and speed up the renewal of exist- along with CEOs of leading Ar- importance of the roundtable, portunity to engage in regional ing ones. gentinian companies also attend- noting that discussions built on trade and contribute to ambitious These new regulations will fur- ed the conference. ernments to strengthen bilateral the outcomes of previous meet- Qatari infrastructure projects ther solidify Qatar’s position as a HE al-Kuwari and Faurie also held co-operation mechanisms. Faurie ings in Doha and Buenos Aires, the in preparation for the 2022 FIFA regional trade, he stressed. a meeting to discuss the promotion also called on Qatari investors and MoCI said in a statement. World Cup, he explained. HE al-Kuwari concluded his of bilateral ties and partnerships. HE businessmen to tap investment He said Qatar seeks to further He added that Argentinean in- remarks by emphasising the al-Kuwari emphasised the impor- opportunities in Argentina across bolster bilateral trade, which has vestors looking to operate in Qatar promising prospects for Qatari- tance of activating bilateral agree- various sectors, including food grown to QR1.2bn in the last 10 will benefi t from numerous incen- Argentinean private sector co- ments, particularly the agreements and agricultural production and months of this year - a 62% in- tives within the framework of the operation, noting that Qatar’s on the promotion and protection of smart systems. crease compared to 2016, the country’s business-friendly envi- business-friendly investment mutual investment and the avoid- The Argentine delegation de- statement noted. He also voiced ronment. environment will serve as an ad- ance of double taxation, which will livered a presentation on their hope regarding the promotion of Further, the minister highlight- vanced platform for Argentinian contribute to promoting trade and country’s economic incentives. joint investments across an ar- ed Qatar’s advanced ranking in the businesses looking to invest in the encouraging businessmen from both The presentation touched on ma- ray of sectors, in line with exist- latest World Economic Forum’s region. sides to establish joint investment jor economic reforms and initia- ing, mutually benefi cial Qatari- Global Competitiveness Report The meeting brought together projects that serve the economic in- tives adopted by the government, Argentinean collaboration. These 2018. Mohamed bin Ahmed Towar al- terests of both countries. Argentina’s national production include a 2016 agreement on the He emphasised the key amend- Kuwari, Qatar Chamber’s fi rst For his part, Argentina’s minis- strategy, the growth of its GDP promotion and protection of mu- ments that Qatar introduced to a vice-chairman, along with repre- ter of foreign aff airs and worship and investment sector, the advan- tual investment and a 2018 agree- number of existing business leg- sentatives of the Qatari Business- praised the progress in terms of tages of agricultural production, ment on the avoidance of double islations, as well as initiatives to men Association and a number of the development of bilateral trade the government’s new fi nancial taxation, an agreement on eco- streamline the issuance of com- senior offi cials. Carlos Hernandez, and investment relations, and programme, the growth of foreign nomic and trade co-operation, as mercial and industrial licences Argentina’s ambassador to Qatar, commended eff orts by both gov- trade and Argentinian exports. Argentina eyes co-operation in science and technology By Joseph Varghese ties,” Faurie stated. “Potential ar- Momentum for BAPA+40 in Bue- Staff Reporter eas for collaboration will be dis- nos Aires in March under the aus- cussed during his interaction with pices of the United Nations. It is a various offi cials in Qatar.” large conference attended by some rgentina is exploring the Faurie met Her Highness of leading personalities across the possibilities of collabora- Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, Chair- world,” he said. Ation in science and tech- person of Qatar Foundation, and “The areas of co-operation that nology with Qatar, South Ameri- discussed the prospects of co-op- we are exploring with Qatar Foun- Argentina’s Foreign Minister Jorge Faurie speaking at the press confer- can nation’s foreign minister has eration in science and technology dation are very important as it will ence in Doha yesterday. said. areas. improve the level of education and “Argentina is also looking for “We hope for collaboration in technology advancements. We are co-operating in the energy sector, crisis for the benefi t and larger in- Qatari investment in several sec- diff erent areas of education, tech- looking at the areas of research, including renewable energy. Qatar terest of the region.” tors, especially infrastructure,” nology and research development. biotechnology related to agricul- can also invest in tourism in which He also expressed his country’s Jorge Faurie told a press confer- We also discussed the mechanism ture, Artifi cial Intelligence among we have many projects,” the minis- readiness to help Qatar organise ence in Doha yesterday. of exchange of expertise in the others,” he added. ter added. the FIFA 2022 World Cup. “Argen- “Following the visit of His areas of scientifi c research and “We would like the participa- The Argentinean minister also tina will benefi t greatly from Qatar Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim technology. We have also extend- tion of Qatar in our transformation stressed the need for dialogue to World Cup as the country together bin Hamad al-Thani two months ed an invitation to Her Highness in general and in particular many end the ongoing blockade against with Uruguay and Paraguay is in ago, we are working on strength- Sheikha Moza to attend the South- areas especially in infrastructure. Qatar. “All the parties should sit at a bid to host the FIFA 2030 World ening the already robust bilateral South Co-operation Expo Builds We are also looking forward to the dialogue table and resolve the Cup.” Doha Forum set to begin on Dec 15 oha Forum, a leading Minister of Iran; TaroKono, For- global policy forum held eign Minister of Japan; Teodor- Dunder the patronage of Viorel Melescanu, Foreign Min- His Highness the Amir Sheikh ister of Romania; Berat Albayrak, Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, is Minister of Treasury and Finance set to begin on December 15 at of Turkey; and Maria Fernanda Sheraton Grand Doha Resort & Espinosa, President of the Unit- Convention Hotel. ed Nations General Assembly. Zubarah Cultural Fair activities will be held at the Al Zubarah Unesco World Heritage Site. The two-day annual policy Nadia Murad, 2018 Nobel gathering will see the participa- Peace Prize Laureate, will par- tion of high-level speakers and ticipate in a newsmaker session attendees who will convene in moderated by Al Jazeera’s Qatar to discuss “Shaping Poli- Rawaa Augé. Qatar Museums to host cultural cy in an Interconnected World” The 18th edition of Doha through four themes: Security, Forum “is pioneering partner- Economic Development, Peace ships with leading global insti- and Mediation, and Trends and tutions to curate and execute programme at heritage sites Transitions, the organisers have high-level panels, workshops said in a statement. and plenaries, showcasing the HE the Deputy Prime Minister forum’s new model and vision atar Museums (QM) is set educate the local community about during excavations at nearby sites and Minister of Foreign Aff airs in becoming a leading global to launch a series of engag- the traditional crafts and materi- and encourages visitors to explore Sheikh Mohamed bin Abdulrah- policy conference”, the state- Qing and educational cultural als that played a signifi cant role in historical buildings in the neigh- man al-Thani, HE the Minister ment notes. The 2018 forum’s activities at Al Zubarah Unesco the country’s history, which will bourhood, such as the recently re- of Finance Ali Sherif al-Emadi, overarching strategic partners World Heritage Site and the newly help participants appreciate their stored, oldest mosque in Qatar. HE the Minister of Commerce are the Munich Security Con- restored Al Ruwais police station. ancestors’ skills, wisdom and her- The exhibition will open on De- and Industry Ali bin Ahmed ference, International Crisis The Zubarah Cultural Fair will itage. cember 15 at 11am with free tra- al-Kuwari and HE the Minister Group and European Council off er participants hands-on ex- The activities will take place at ditional Qatari food, which will of State for Energy Aff airs and on Foreign Relations. perience of traditional practices, the newly re-opened Museum and also be served on Qatar National president & CEO of Qatar Petro- This edition’s institutional while the “Window to the Past” Archaeological Site at Al Zubarah Day. The onsite café will operate leum, Saad bin Sherida al-Kaabi, partners include Qatar’s Min- exhibition at Ruwais is designed to from 9am to 5pm and entrance is on weekends from 10am to 5pm will participate in high-level istry of Finance, Ministry of inform visitors about traditional free. through March, while the museum plenary sessions throughout the Commerce and Industry, the Su- life in Qatar. The old Police Station at Al Ru- will be open all year 9am to 5pm, course of the forum. preme Committee for Delivery & Starting December 15 and run- wais, located only a 15-minutes free for visitors. Additional distinguished Legacy, National Tourism Coun- ning until March, QM said visitors drive north of Al Zubarah, has been This initiative comes as part of speakers and attendees include cil, Qatar Fund for Development can admire traditional craft exhib- restored and now serves as a per- QM’s continued eff orts to increase António Guterres, Secretary- and Qatar Foundation. its in a series of tents, participate manent exhibition space with an awareness of Qatar’s history, devel- General of the United Nations; Qatar Petroleum and QNB in a number of exciting hands-on onsite café. op youth appreciation and respect Hassan Ali Khayre, Prime Minis- are the offi cial sponsors of Doha workshops, enjoy camel rides and The “Window to the Past” ex- for heritage, and put local commu- ter of Somalia, Mevlut Cavusog- Forum 2018, while Ooredoo is sample food and refreshments. hibition, on show at the police nities, young and old, in touch with lu, Foreign Minister of Turkey; the offi cial telecommunication The aim of the workshops is to station, will feature objects found their past. Mohamed Javad Zarif, Foreign sponsor. Gulf Times Thursday, December 13, 2018 11 QATAR Minister opens health Somalia PM arrives in Doha centre for expat workers E the Minister of Public of QRCS said that the inaugu- Health Dr Hanan Mo- ration of the Fareej Abdulaziz Hhamed al-Kuwari inau- Health Centre marks the on- gurated yesterday the Fareej Ab- going strategic partnership dulaziz Health Centre for male between MoPH and QRCS expatriate workers. that has been established for The event was attended by a over eight years in the fi eld of number of offi cials from Min- healthcare services, adding istry of Public Health (MoPH) that QRCS is currently oper- and Qatar Red Crescent Society ating four health centres and (QRCS). three medical commission The facility, the fourth expa- units across the country. triate workers’ health centre to He noted that the new cen- be operated by QRCS under an tre off ers healthcare services Somalia Prime Minister Hassan Ali Khayre and his accompanying agreement with MoPH, has a ca- round-the-clock in the gen- delegation arrived in Doha yesterday, on a visit to Qatar. Upon pacity to handle 20,000 visiting eral clinics, while the special- his arrival at Hamad International Airport, the Somalia prime patients per month. ised clinics are available on minister was welcomed by HE the Minister of Administrative Speaking at the event, HE morning and evening shifts Development, Labour and Social Aff airs Yousef bin Mohamed Dr al-Kuwari asserted that the with highly trained medi- al-Othman Fakhro, ambassador of Qatar to Somalia Hassan bin ministry is keen on providing cal and administration staff Hamza Asad Hashim, and Somali ambassador to Qatar Abdul residents with comprehensive according to world-class Razzaq Farah Ali. health services of the highest standards. standards. Fareej Abdulaziz Health Cen- The minister said that the tre off ers an array of integrated inauguration of the Fareej HE the Minister of Public Health Dr Hanan Mohamed al-Kuwari tours the new health centre with senior healthcare services, including Abdulaziz Health Centre off icials after the inauguration. six general clinics as well as spe- comes as part of the govern- cialised clinics for cardiology, ment’s plan to expand health 2018 witnessed the inaugura- several other Hamad Medical Health Centres of the Primary dermatology, ophthalmology, AZF’s National projects and medical serv- tion of Sidra Medicine, Hazm Corporation health centres Health Care Corporation. ENT, internal medicine, dentist- ices to meet Qatar’s health Mebaireek General Hospi- and medical services, as well Dr Mohamed bin Ghanim ry, as well as pharmacy, radiology needs. She pointed out that tal in the Industrial Area and as the Al Waab and Al Wajbah al-Ali al-Maadheed, chairman and laboratory services. Day events get National Day celebrations begin at Darb Al Saai underway today spire Zone Foundation see one of the largest fi re- From Page 1 There also some self-defence (AZF) will commence its works in Qatar, which can be exercises conducted by special- Aweek-long Qatar Nation- viewed across Aspire Park be- This year, the National Day cel- ist coaches. al Day celebration from today tween 8.30pm and 9pm on ebrations are being held under the The venue of the event, which until December 18 with a series December 17. motto ‘As long as it is proven by is located opposite Al Sadd po- of events and activities, it was Other events, which will in- our deeds ... Qatar remains free’. lice station, has a number of en- announced. volve AZF employees, will in- The motto blends a verse taken try and exit points with police The festivities will begin with clude a range of cultural activi- from one of the poems by the and security personnel ensuring the arrival of Al-Adaam Flag ties such as the traditional Ardha Founder, Sheikh Jassim bin Mo- the easy and smooth fl ow of the Relay, organised by the Qatar dance by Aspire Academy stu- hamed bin Thani, with a phrase visitors in and out of the place. Olympic Committee in collabo- dent-athletes on December 17 from the National Anthem. Besides, there are a number of ration with AZF. The relay will from 9am to 11am. Major General Hamad bin Ab- ambulance services, with some culminate in a Grand Finale at The celebration will also fea- dullah al-Fetais al-Marri said personnel going around the Aspire Park from 6pm to 7.30pm ture 16 booths at Aspire Park, the opening of Darb Al Saai is a venue on bikes and in golf carts. in the presence of VIPs and off ering citizens and expatriates special occasion for all and sends Every participating entity at the dignitaries. the chance to try a wide array of a clear message that Qatar will event off ers special activities to Visitors will also have the food options and activities. remain free and independent. engage children and teach them chance to witness the military Festival-goers will be treated He stressed that the upcom- diff erent skills. While some of the parade by members of the Qatar for live cooking demonstrations, ing National Day is the second participating entities off er the Armed Forces’ National Service pop up photo studios, and henna in row after the unjust blockade latest innovations and the most at the Aspire Lake from 6pm to designs from 2pm to 10pm, all was imposed on the country by technologically advanced prod- 9pm beginning today until the delivered in collaboration with Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain ucts, there are sites and exhibi- grand celebration on Tuesday the Ministry of Administrative and Egypt, and the celebrations tions that celebrate the old ways next week. Development, Labour and Social convey a strong message that of life and the local natural life Another highlight will be an Aff airs. Qatar has overcome the crisis scenery. These include horse and intricate parasailing perform- AZF allocated an exclusive and looks forward to further camel rides, falcon and wildlife ance conducted by the Inter- corner for children to enjoy a achievements and progress. exhibitions, traditional Arabic nal Security Force (Lekhwiya), variety of games and workshops Major General Issa Ibrahim al- tents with coff ee prepared the who will descend from the sky in collaboration with 7th Heaven Sada of the Qatar National Serv- traditional way, local handicrafts, in diff erent formations into the Arts Centre from today (3pm to ice Academy said the academy and folk chants and dance. park behind the lake near Al- 5.30pm). has prepared a number of activi- The visitors to Darb Al Saai Furousiya Street. The fi nal date On the side-lines of the event ties and exercises that will en- can enjoy around 252 activities, HE the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Defence Aff airs Dr Khalid bin Mohamed al-Attiyah and timing will be announced and in collaboration with Doha gage young visitors in simulated in addition to other featured opened yesterday the Ministry of Defence (MoD) pavilion as part of the Qatar National Day activities in on @Aspirezone social media Film Institute, fi lms produced battlefi eld situations that will programmes and activities that Darb Al Saai. The MoD and the Qatari Armed Forces are participating for the second time in this event. He channels. by Qatari fi lm makers will also be enhance their spirit of national give more focus on the history of inaugurated the flag of Qatar and gave the name “Guardians of the Homeland” to the pavilion and then This year’s National Day cel- screened for audiences to enjoy solidarity, which is already high. Qatar, its culture and traditions. toured it accompanied by senior commanders of the armed forces. ebrations at Aspire will also throughout the week. Interior Ministry to hold cultural and sports events for Asian communities he Organising Commit- tee of the Associated Ac- Ttivities of Qatar National Day-2018 (QND) Celebrations will host mega cultural, musical and sports events on December 18, at eight venues in collabora- tion with Asian communities, companies and schools. This was announced at a press conference at the headquarters of Traffi c in Madinat Khalifa yesterday by First Lt Abdul Hadi al-Dosari, vice president of Se- Ministry of Interior off icials with community leaders and schools representatives. curity Committee for Associated Qatari Armed Forces members prepare for parade on National Day. Activities of Qatar National Day performances of orchestra team. event is from 5pm to 9pm. and musical events by Asian school Celebrations 2018 and Lt Ha- About 2,000 members of Indian The Barwa Workers Recrea- students in Qatar. As many as 7,200 mad Ali al-Jahweel, offi cer of the and Bangladeshi community tion Complex in Al Khor will host students from 18 Asian schools will Public Relations Department at teams will participate in the the- cultural and folklore shows and join the mega cultural fi esta along Ministry of Interior. matic parades. musical performances of Bang- with more than 1,500 teachers and Attorney-general meets Turkish minister Representatives of Indian, Pa- The Wakrah Sports Club will ladeshi, Nepalese and Indian other support staff . Ideal, Bangla- kistani, Bangladeshi, Sri Lankan, host a cultural parade of 3,000 community teams and Al Khor desh MHM, Bhavan’s, Birla, Doha Indonesian and Nepalese com- members from the Indian com- community teams. The orchestra Modern Indian, DPS MIS, MES, munities and participating munity and special events by also will join the celebration. Noble, Olive, Pak Shamaa, Paki- schools were also present. Keralite teams in Qatar. Kerala Barwa Al Baraha (Doha Indus- stan International, Philippines In- A range of cultural events and Muslim Cultural Centre will trial Area) will host cultural per- ternational, Philippines Doha, Ra- musical performances will be or- present popular shows and formances and traditional shows jagiri, Scholars’, Shantiniketan and ganised in Wakrah Sports Club, events along with other commu- by Indian, Sri Lankan, Nepalese Staff ord Sri Lankan Schools are the Barwa Al Baraha in Industrial nity teams. The event will be held and Bangladeshi community participants. The Qatar Institute Area, Asian Accommodation from 2pm to 4.30pm in the foot- teams and musical performance for Speech and Hearing will hold City in Doha Industrial Area, ball stadium and will continue by Asian orchestra team from a special show of their students in Asian Town, Sheehaniya Indus- from 5.15pm to 9pm at Wakrah 3.30pm to 9pm. the event. trial Area, Lusail Sports Com- Indoor Stadium. Asian Accommodation City The Organising Committee plex and Al Khor Barwa Workers’ The Wakrah stadium will host (Near Karwa HQ in Industrial will host a mega international Recreation Complex along with a music gala by famous artists Area) will host a parade by com- cricket tournament on December HE the Attorney-General Dr Ali bin Fetais al-Marri met Turkish Minister of Justice Abdulhamit Gul, cricket championship at Asian from Pakistan. Qazi Aref, Khalid pany teams, cultural perform- 18, with participation of famous Turkish Attorney-General Irfan Fidan, and several of their assistants in Ankara yesterday. The two sides Town Cricket Stadium. Malik, Wisal Khayal, Dr Irfan, ances and traditional shows by cricket players from India, Paki- discussed a number of topics and issues of common concern, in addition to ways of consolidating and Indian, Sri Lankan, Bangla- Amin Iqbal, Sajid, Afshan Zaibi, Indian, Sri Lankan, Nepalese and stan, Sri Lankan and Bangladesh. strengthening legal and judicial co-operation and exchanging experiences between the Institute of deshi and Nepali community Dil Raj, Laila Nihal, Deeba Kiran, Bangladeshi community teams The events are open for all with Criminal Studies in the Qatari Public Prosecution and the Turkish Judicial Institute. The meeting was teams and artists will give cul- Rani and Wisal Khiyal are among along with musical performance special places for families in Al attended by Qatar’s ambassador to Turkey Salem bin Mubarak al-Shafi, and the accompanying tural performances and thematic the artists who will perform in by Asian orchestra. Wakra Club, Asian City, Cricket delegation of the attorney-general. shows at Asian Town in Indus- the Pakistan community event The Lusail sports Arena will Ground, Lusail Sports Complex trial Area along with musical at Wakrah football stadium. The host an array of thematic shows and Barwa Al Khor. Gulf Times 12 Thursday, December 13, 2018 QATAR Katara Hospitality to launch ‘Local’ initiative

atara Hospitality will and Sharq Village & Spa. it places “high importance on in- a part of Qatar’s identity in the portunity that enables the prop- The hotel will also host a varie- for guests through the fi ve-day launch the ‘Go Local. Buy In a press statement, Katara itiatives that enhance combined past 36 years, making it as an erty to continue incorporating ty of activities for all ages to mark event. KLocal. Eat Local’ initiative Hospitality said it wants to pro- product off erings while high- iconic property that is commit- social and environmental initia- the National Day. The focal point Aura has grown to become one on December 14, aimed at pro- vide its guests with unique and lighting the passion for creating ted to the nation and its people tives to support and strengthen will be a gingerbread “Dhow”, a of the foremost names in Qatar’s moting Qatari homegrown prod- diversifi ed experiences that are ultimate guest experiences.” who have been instrumental to the long-term social and envi- traditional boat that embraces fast-growing, entertainment and ucts on the occasion of Qatar Na- reminiscent of the authenticity Sharq Village & Spa will be its success and evolution. ronmental sustainability in to- the country’s history and tradi- hospitality sector. tional Day. of Qatari heritage and Arabic cul- opening its doors from December “The hotel has been part of day’s Qatar’s supply chain and tions. Katara Hospitality, Aura, and The products will be offered ture. Such move supports “the 14 to 18 with a specially curated Qatar’s growth story and it holds society,” the company added. Katara Hospitality hotels part- Baladna share a common goal of until December 18 in three social and environmental sus- ‘Arabian Souq’ experience. a special place in the hearts of the Meanwhile, The Ritz-Carlton nered with local farmers, suppli- supporting this great nation and locations: The Ritz-Carlton tainability defi ning the National According to Katara Hospital- local community,” Katara Hospi- Doha will showcase the works of ers and artists, including Aura promoting healthy, responsible Doha, Sheraton Grand Doha Vision 2030.” ity, Sheraton Grand Doha Resort tality said. Qatari artists and various local prod- Hospitality & Food Services, living by focusing on domestic Resort & Convention Hotel, Katara Hospitality noted that & Convention Hotel has been “This initiative is a great op- ucts during the annual celebration. to curate a defi ned experience production and fresh produce.

Ooredoo, Qatar First Bank sign deal on data security

oredoo, the region’s lead- ing enabler of digital Obusiness innovation, has announced a digital transforma- tion partnership with Qatar First Bank to enable business continu- ity and high service availability. Qatar First Bank becomes the fi rst Ooredoo customer from the banking sector to have its vir- tual disaster recovery site host- ed, managed and monitored in Ooredoo’s industry-leading and highly secure Qatar Data Centre. Qatar Airways and Swedish off icials with the airline staff . As a result, the bank can ensure data security, sovereignty and Yousuf Abdulla al-Kubaisi and Mohamed al-Sahli shake hands after sign- business continuity. ing the partnership. Cloud-based disaster recov- ery ensures that Qatar First Bank tomers, and support diversifi ed regulatory needs. Qatar First can protect critical data and ap- economic growth.” Bank’s digital transformation plications, while also minimising Ooredoo’s Qatar Data Centre with Ooredoo is ensuring our downtime in case of power out- has state-of-the-art IT and net- backup and disaster recovery is ages or disruptions. work infrastructure for the high- faster and more secure, our digit- Gothenburg a key Yousuf Abdulla al-Kubaisi, est levels of security, availability, al budgets are optimised, and our chief operating offi cer, Ooredoo, and reliability. Ooredoo, with the IT staff are freed up to focus on said: “Our digital transforma- Qatar Data Centre, aims to meet our client banking innovations.” tion partnership ensures that business requirements across Business customers can lev- Qatar First Bank is Qatar’s bank- hosted and cloud-based applica- erage the Ooredoo Advantage, ing leader in protecting customer tions and services. making Ooredoo “Best for Busi- data on the cloud via our Qatar Mohamed al-Sahli, chief op- ness”, thanks to its breadth and gateway: al-Baker Data Centre. We are serving as erating offi cer, Qatar First Bank, depth of talent, best fi xed and the trusted partner of choice for said: “As a pillar of Qatar’s mobile networks, broadest port- Qatar Airways’ inaugural flight to Sweden’s second-largest city touches down Qatar’s banking and fi nance sec- economy, banking and fi nancial folio of ICT services and solu- tor to safeguard mission-critical institutions need to operate in tions, and trusted partner for 60 atar Airways’ fi rst non- via the carrier’s state-of-the- applications, ensure happy cus- real-time to meet customer and years. stop fl ight from Doha to art hub in Doha,” the airline said QGothenburg in Sweden in a statement. landed at Gothenburg Landvet- Gothenburg, Sweden’s sec- ter Airport yesterday, the airline ond-largest city, off ers a rich announced. array of activities for visitors to This marks the airline’s sec- enjoy, from taking a boat cruise ond gateway into Sweden. along one of the port city’s Qatar Airways fl ight 177, many canals, to visiting the operated by the Boeing B787 nearby Bohuslan islands, a vast Dreamliner, departed Hamad archipelago featuring pine for- International Airport (HIA) at ests framing fj ord-like lakes and 8.20am yesterday and arrived at inlets. Gothenburg Landvetter Airport To sample Gothenburg’s sea- at 1pm. food specialities, one can head Present on board the inau- Qatar Airways flight 177 arriving at Gothenburg Landvetter Airport to Feskekorka, the city’s famed gural fl ight to Gothenburg was yesterday. fi sh market that showcases a va- Qatar Airways senior vice-pres- riety of shrimp, oysters, mussels, ident - Commercial Strategy, important contributing factor as presented to Qatar Airways by crawfi sh and lobster. Or wander Simon Newton Smith. improved market connectivity Henrik Einarsson, director of the streets of the Haga neigh- Qatar Airways Group chief is crucial for Sweden’s tourism Business Establishment and bourhood, where one will fi nd executive Akbar al-Baker said: industry, business community, Investment, Business Region well-preserved quaint wooden “We are tremendously excited and for attracting investment Goteborg AB. houses, a variety of boutiques, to launch direct services to the and know-how to the region. As one of the world’s leading galleries and dozens of charming beautiful city of Gothenburg, a We are very pleased that we at international air cargo carriers, cafes and restaurants. Mirqab Mall will celebrate Qatar National Day from December 16 to 18. key new addition to our Europe- Swedavia, together with our re- Qatar Airways Cargo already has Qatar Airways currently op- an network. This important new gional partners, have been able a large presence in the Nord- erates a fl eet of more than 200 Nordic gateway will provide to present to Qatar Airways the ics region, operating belly-hold aircraft via its hub, HIA, to more enhanced connectivity to both large market potential in the fl ights to and from Helsinki, than 160 destinations world- business and leisure travellers, west of Sweden, resulting in Oslo, Copenhagen and Stock- wide. Mirqab Mall to celebrate QND and will help connect the Swed- the new direct route between holm, along with four week- The fl ight schedule is as fol- ish people to our extensive glo- Gothenburg and Doha. It is with ly freighters from Oslo. The lows: Doha to Gothenburg - bal network of more than 1,650 great pleasure that we welcome fi ve-time-a-week wide-body QR173 departing at 1.55am and irqab Mall will celebrate 50% to 90% will be off ered at Rony Mourani, general man- destinations worldwide. We this top-of-the-line global air- belly-hold fl ights to and from arriving at 6.35am (Monday, Qatar National Day most stores starting from De- ager of Al Mana Malls, stated: look forward to bringing visitors line to Gothenburg Landvetter Gothenburg will increase the Thursday and Sunday); Gothen- M(QND) from December cember 15. “Qatar National Day has been to Gothenburg, where they can Airport.” overall tonnage to 1,000 tonnes burg to Doha - QR174 depart- 16 to 18 with an array of activities Special Qatar National Day mer- special and the most important experience for themselves the At the aircraft arrival cer- per week from the Nordic re- ing at 8.05am and arriving at including stilt walker and givea- chandise will also be available at holiday for all the Qatari nation- delights this charming city has emony, Qatar Airways was gion. 4.10pm (Monday, Thursday and way parades, a mascot show, Is- several outlets, including Mala- als and expat residents; to add to off er.” presented with the “Key to the “Direct fl ights from Gothen- Sunday); Doha to Gothenburg lamic art workshops and an Ar- bar Gold and Jewellery, Damas, to the spirit of patriotism in the Jonaas Abrahamsson, CEO of City of Gothenburg” award, in burg will greatly benefi t the - QR177 departing at 8.20am dha show. Madeleine and Al Jazeera Perfumes. country, we have planned various Swedavia, the airport operator, recognition of the benefi t the automotive, pharma, high-tech and arriving at 1pm (Wednesday In connection with the Na- Various food and beverage engaging activities for the entire added: “Sweden is Scandina- direct service will bring to west and general industries in Swe- and Saturday); and Gothenburg tional Day Trade Festival mark- outlets such as Caff e Concerto, family. We are all set to celebrate via’s biggest economy and one Swedish companies by provid- den, and off er effi cient connec- to Doha - QR178 departing at ing the start of Shop Qatar’s third Segafredo and Paul Café will the National Day holiday and of Europe’s strongest econo- ing increased connectivity to tions to Middle East, Africa, 3.10pm and arriving at 11.15pm edition and celebrating QND, be serving special National Day hope the public will celebrate mies. New direct routes are an Africa and Asia. The award was Asia, Australia and New Zealand (Wednesday and Saturday). special discounts ranging from menu items. alongside us.”

QIB relocates branch within Al Jazeera Media Network

he Qatar Islamic positing money. Bank (QIB) has re- QIB general manager - Tlocated its branch Personal Banking Group, within Al Jazeera Media D Anand said: “We con- Network to Al Jazeera Sup- sider the new location to port Services Building. be a valued addition to The opening ceremony our branch network and a was attended by senior milestone for the branch members from Al Jazeera itself which started oper- Network and QIB. The ating in 2008. We are very branch working hours will happy to serve Al Jazeera be from Sunday to Thurs- Media Network and its day, 7.30am to 1pm. employees and proud of Customers will be able this long-term partner- to open bank accounts, ap- ship.” ply for financing and credit Hamad M al-Dosari, cards, and consult on all director of finance at Al Islamic banking products Jazeera Media Network, and services with the spe- said: “The new branch cialised and experienced within Al Jazeera’s network QIB staff. The branch will offers convenience and incorporate an ATM/CDM timely service to Al Jazeera machine that can be used employees who banks with for withdrawing and de- QIB.” Gulf Times Thursday, December 13, 2018 13 QATAR German mega ship AIDA Prima in maiden call Dignitaries and off icials at the opening ceremony. at Doha Port Top collections on show at Ship’s arrival marks first fruits of agreement between National Tourism Council and AIDA Cruises, one of the first cruise Muscat’s largest jewellery fair lines to operate in the Arabian Gulf By Joey Aguilar he ninth Muscat Interna- of jewellery materials, includ- brands, antique jewellery and Staff Reporter tional Jewellery Exhibi- ing exquisite diamonds, precious new designer brands”, the state- Ttion (Mijex), organised by and semi-precious stones as well ment added. Oman Convention & Exhibition as pearls, to both local and inter- In addition, two winners will erman mega ship AIDA Prima, which Centre (OCEC) in partnership national buyers, the organisers have a chance to win a diamond can carry 4,250 passengers and crew, with Vega Intertrade & Exhibi- have said in a statement. watch from Salem Al Shue- Gmade its fi rst of eight calls at Doha tion, was opened on Tuesday. The premier trade fair is wit- ibi Jewellery in a draw that will Port yesterday, further boosting Qatar’s The opening ceremony was nessing the participation of com- be conducted on the last day cruise tourism sector. graced by Sheikha Aisha al- panies from around the world, of the fair. The organisers have Offi cials of the National Tourism Council Sayabiya, president of the Public including Oman, Qatar, Lebanon, said they expect more than (NTC) and Mwani Qatar welcomed the ar- Authority for Craft Industries. India, Italy, Thailand, Malaysia, 10,000 visitors during the event, rival of the 300m long vessel – the largest of The event runs until Decem- Singapore, Turkey and others. which is being held on an area AIDA Cruises’ fl eet. It is expected to bring ber 15 in Hall 5 at Oman Conven- Mijex features a broad spec- of 4,000sqm at the convention about 26,000 passengers to the country’s tion & Exhibition Centre. trum of fi nished jewellery prod- centre. shores until April 2019. This year’s show exhibitors ucts, including “exceptional The exhibition is open to all “We are pleased to have one of the most are showcasing an assortment jewellery collections, premier companies and the public. established cruise lines operating in the Arabian Gulf add Qatar to its itinerary,” Rashed al-Qurese from NTC said in a press statement. In addition to attracting more mega ships to Qatar, he noted that NTC’s collaboration Local performers welcome cruise passengers at the Doha Port with traditional performances. Air India Express commences with AIDA Cruises is helping expedite the development of the cruise industry in the country through joint promotion eff orts. service from Doha to Kannur The cruise ship’s arrival forms part of an agreement signed between NTC and AIDA Cruises earlier this year on the sidelines of ir India Express com- the Qatar-Germany Business and Invest- menced its services from ment Forum. ADoha to Kannur in the The two entities partnered to build at- state of Kerala, India, on Decem- tractive packages and special services dedi- ber 10. cated to AIDA Cruises’ guests, in addition Flight IX 774 departed Doha to joint communications, co-marketing ac- with a load of 187 passengers on tivities and familiarisation trips. board, the airline said in a state- Dr Saleh Fetais al-Marri, general super- ment. visor of Maritime Transport Aff airs at the To mark the occasion, Air In- Ministry of Transportation and Communi- dia Express held a brief ceremo- cations (MoTC), said the ongoing major re- ny at the Hamad International development projects at Doha Port “paved German mega ship AIDA Prima docked at the Doha Port. Airport (HIA) passenger check- the way for it to become one of the leading in area. Indian ambassador to cruise tourism ports in the region and help “Doha Port has an important role to play fering in German-speaking markets. Qatar P Kumaran graced the position Doha as an attractive cruise tour- in promoting tourism in Qatar and remains NTC noted that its partnership with occasion by cutting the ribbon, Dignitaries and guests at the cake-cutting ceremony. ism destination.” committed to collaborating with various AIDA Cruises is the second successful col- which was followed by a cake- “The Ministry supports the govern- stakeholders to provide visitors with the laboration with a German cruise line after cutting ceremony. Wednesday and Saturday – at and on-time performance”. The ment’s steps to improve the country’s rank- best services that meet their needs effi - TUI Cruises, which brought its mega ship The envoy also handed over “convenient timings” . airline also distributed the tradi- ing as an attractive tourism destination as a ciently, in accordance with MoTC’s plans,” Mein Schiff 5 eight times to Doha last sea- the boarding card to the fi rst Flight IX 773 leaves Kannur at tional Kannur ladoo to all board- key pillar for achieving economic diversi- he noted. son. At 40%, Germans formed the majority checked-in passenger, Abdulla, 8.20pm and arrives in Doha at ing passengers as a goodwill fi cation in line with Qatar National Vision According to NTC, AIDA Cruises is one of cruise passengers disembarking in Doha and a small gift. He wished the 10pm, and IX 774 departs Doha gesture and best wishes for the 2030,” he added. of the fi rst cruise lines globally to off er in the 2017/18 season. fl ight success, helping meet the at 11pm and arrives in Kannur at inaugural fl ight. An ongoing development project, mainly trips around the Arabian Gulf, including Qatar’s cruise industry is set to grow aspirations of the large commu- 5.45am the next day. Jan Metsovitis, V-P of Op- dredging and expanding Doha Port’s wa- week-long winter cruises (since 2006) to its continuously in the coming years, with nity and expatriates from the re- Negi said there has been an erations at HIA, and his team; J tercourse, is aimed at boosting its capacity mostly German clientele. 200,000 passengers projected to visit the gion, the statement noted. “encouraging response from the Kovacs, V-P at Qatar Aviation to accommodate larger cruise ships, MoTC This makes it an ideal partner for NTC, country by 2020. Air India country manager community” as both the inaugu- Services; and Nasser Darwish, said. which places the German-speaking market Close co-ordination between NTC, Veena Negi said Air India/Air ral fl ights from Kannur and Doha V-P and director at Darwish Mwani Qatar’s public relations and com- among its priority markets as it pursues its Mwani Qatar, Ministry of Interior, Qatar India Express was pleased to were fully booked. Travel Bureau, general sales munications manager Hamad Ali al-Ansari goals for 2023. In 2015, NTC opened a rep- Customs Authority, Mowasalat and Des- commence the new Kannur-Do- She thanked the community agent for Air India/Air India Ex- stressed that AIDA Prima’s maiden voyage resentative offi ce in Germany, and has since tination Management Companies ushered ha-Kannur service, which will and stressed that Air India Ex- press at Doha, and his sales team to Doha Port “is testament to the confi - regularly organised numerous campaigns to the smooth docking and disembarking of have a weekly frequency of four press was “committed to serve were also present at the dence that it has gained among the world’s raise awareness among travellers and tour cruise ships, easing the entry and exit of fl ights – on Monday, Tuesday, passengers with good service function. cruise ship operators.” operators about Qatar’s unique tourism of- passengers.

Qatar Rail clarifies on Doha Metro

Qatar Rail yesterday said some news and images that had been circulating recently on the launch of the Doha Metro were inaccurate. “Recently, inaccurate Special edition of Bang and Olufsen’s Beolab news, photos and videos have been circulated on the Doha Metro launch from unauthorised sources,” it said in a clarification posted on its Twitter page, confirm- ing that the project was still in the testing phase. “Project photos and videos should not be released without prior consent from the Qatar Rail Communica- speakers and Beovision OLED TV unveiled tions Department.”

ifty One East, Qatar’s Beovision Eclipse is the best leading department store sounding TV on the market and Fand Bang & Olufsen, have features 4K HDR OLED screen unveiled a special Piano Black technology. Complementing Malabar Gold & Diamonds’ edition of Bang and Olufsen’s the thin black screen is the new Beolab 50 high-end speakers elegantly crafted black front and Beovision Eclipse OLED TV. cover and sound centre, stress- Festival to run until Jan 12 The new additions to the ing that the TV is greater than Bang and Olufsen family are the sum of its parts and de- now available at Bang & Oluf- signed to integrate exquisitely alabar Gold & Diamonds, one of the largest jewellery retail- sen store at Lagoona Mall, fi rst with your lifestyle. ers globally with a strong retail network of 250 retail outlets fl oor, according to a statement. Macross 10 countries, has unveiled the details of their 8th edi- The new models honour the The new additions to tion of ‘Malabar Gold & Diamonds Festival’ in Qatar running until iconic design tradition and the Bang and Olufsen January 12, 2019. craftsmanship of Bang & Oluf- family are now Malabar Gold & Diamonds showcases the latest collection of gold, dia- sen and present a timeless el- available at Bang & mond and precious gems jewellery in their outlets, to celebrate this fes- egance that matches the brand’s Olufsen store at tive period, which brings opportunities to win up to 2kg of gold and up superior sound quality, fl awless Lagoona Mall, fi rst fl oor, to 100% cash back with jewellery purchases. picture and advanced connec- according to a statement With every purchase of gold and diamond jewel- tivity options. lery worth QR500, customers get a chance to en- True to the legacy of Bang & The Beovision Eclipse TV ter raffl e draws to win 100gm of gold bar each in Olufsen, the Piano Black prod- connects wirelessly with up to 10 raffl e draws. They get a Scratch & Win Coupon ucts exude luxury, infi nite so- eight speakers, so for ultimate with every diamond and precious gem jewellery phistication, innovation and surround sound experience, the purchase for guaranteed cash back and a chance a highly ambitious approach high-end active loudspeaker to win up to 100% cash back. Customers also get free gold coins on every to the relationship between Beolab 50 is a great match. purchase of 18k gold jewellery worth QR1,000. They can avail zero deduction sound, image and design. The iconic planet stand off er on 22K (GCC) gold jewellery exchange as well. The above off ers will be The captivating paramount which can turn the screen al- running until January 12, 2019 in all outlets in Qatar. colour signals empowerment, most 90 degrees with the touch Malabar Gold & Diamonds also unveiled the latest collection of jewel- glamour and mystery thus add- of a button and the manual or lery in gold, diamonds and precious gems to suit the tastes of their multi- ing boldness and vogue to the The special Piano Black edition of Bang and Olufsen’s Beolab 50 high-end speakers and Beovision motorised wall mounted solu- cultural and multinational customers. These designs are incorporated as classic Beolab 50 loudspeaker Eclipse OLED TV. tion are also available for the part of various brands presented at Malabar Gold & Diamonds’ namely and Beovision Eclipse TV. Piano Black Beovision Eclipse. Ethnix – Handcrafted Designer Jewellery, Era – Uncut Diamond Jewel- Vibrant sound and aesthet- manship and colours been this Black, Bang & Olufsen con- ic, balanced glossy surface and The two enduring design icons lery, Mine – Diamonds Unlimited, Divine – Indian Heritage Jewellery and ics are combined to perfection gracefully entangled and with tinues the success of the loud- distinct details. come with a new fl oor stand and Precia – Gem Jewellery. and never before have crafts- the launch of Beolab 50 Piano speaker while adding a dynam- The avant-garde futuristic oak lamellas. Gulf Times 14 Thursday, December 13, 2018 QATAR

Qatar a pillar of QFSW at the forefront regional stability: Polish ambassador in empowering civil QNA Doha

mbassador of Poland Ja- nusz Janke said that Qa- Atar is one of the pillars of society organisations regional stability, and one of his country’s most appreciated part- ners in the Middle East. Speak- ing to Qatar News Agency on the occasion of Qatar National Day, he said: “The signing of the long-term contract for the sale of the Qatar’s Liquefi ed Natural Gas (LNG) to Poland in 2009, amended in 2017 to increase the deliveries to the current level of Poland envoy Janusz Janke. 2,17mn tonnes per annum until 2034, shifted our relations to a citizens and residents. strategic level.” While saying that the policy He expressed his country’s of self-reliance and the devel- determination to expand co-op- opment of the national produc- eration in fi elds of energy, trade, tion has been a very important investment, as well as education, strategy for Qatar, he added: “I sport, science and culture, add- believe it will contribute to the ing that bilateral relations have country’s sustainable develop- been founded on the similarity of ment, including many mod- priorities, which provides excel- ern industries. It is signifi cant QNA lent conditions for their further to note that Qatar’s economy Doha development. is developing rapidly and the “I applaud the aspirations of economic indicators are opti- the Qatari leadership to fully mistic.” ince its inception fi ve years ago, realise the Qatar National Vi- Concluding, the ambassa- Qatar Foundation for Social Work sion 2030. This long-term dor of Poland congratulated S(QFSW) have been seeking to sup- strategy of social, human, eco- His Highness the Amir Sheikh port the eff ectiveness and diversity of civil nomic and environmental de- Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, society organisations and become a lead- velopment off ers great rewards the government and people of ing institution in the fi eld of social work centres have enhanced their opportunities and affi liated organisations. The QFSW all eff orts and ward off risks to diff erent for the country,” he said, while Qatar, wishing the leadership that can achieve family and community to integrate all the QFSW’s projects and has worked to refi ne its identity to refl ect groups in the context of the crisis, based highlighting that ambitious and its citizens and residents a cohesion, address the challenges and in- centres, whether awareness-raising or its mission as a platform to enable social on their strategic orientations aimed at modernisation plans are being fruitful and prosperous future, teract with global changes. service projects or institutional and com- action organisations to launch a national sustaining family and community cohe- implemented, important de- while admiring Qataris for their Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser munity capacity-building. campaign and educate the target groups sion and sustainable and safe human de- velopmental goals are achieved unity and perseverance in pur- launched the QFSW in 2013 as a private In this context, it was important for the on the work of the centres and highlight velopment. – improving the life of both suing ambitious goals. organisation for public benefi t. It aims to QFSW to update and develop its strategy the link between the Foundation and the It also focused on providing all that develop civil society organisations work- to meet the requirements and challenges centres under its umbrella. The Founda- serves the society and its stability within ing under its umbrella, enhance their ca- of the next phase as defi ned by the Nation- tion sought to consolidate relations based the framework of clear and deliberate pacities, promote and activate their roles al Development Strategy 2017-2022. The on trust and synergy among all centres plans and strategies, especially in view of in society and develop strategies, policies preparation of the Foundation’s strategy through the annual forum held annually in the ongoing siege on the country. It sought and programmes that contribute to up- began a few months ago and it will be con- March, after linking these centres through to maintain a coherent and cohesive so- National Day enhances grading these organisations so that they cluded soon. The task forces initially be- tasks commensurate with their capabili- ciety capable of standing in the face of all would be able to achieve their objectives. gan with a critical reading of the strategic ties, thus making a great deal of co-op- circumstances and challenges. All these The QFSW oversees a number of or- objectives adopted by the QFSW in 2015 eration and responsiveness among all the eff orts focused on achieving partnership sense of solidarity, says ganisations including Social Develop- in light of the challenges and new com- centres. and combine the role of civil society sec- ment Center (Nama), Al Shafallah Center ponents of the Social Protection Sector It supervised a specialised human rights tor with the government and private sec- for Persons with Disability, Family Coun- Strategy 2017-2022. This was done to de- reporting course held in Doha and Geneva tor towards the service of all members of Japanese ambassador seling Center, The Orphan Care Center velop the objectives and make them more to develop its staff capabilities in this eld.fi society in the country. (Dreama), The Center for Elderly Empow- responsive to the challenges and changes It also participated in the United Nations The QFSW will also continue to play its erment & Care (Ehsan), Social Rehabilita- that have taken place since then. Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) humanitarian role especially after receiv- QNA tion & Protection Center (Aman), and Qa- It is the responsibility of the QFSW to meeting with a delegation in New York in ing the consultative status of the Eco- Doha tar Best Buddies initiative. The year 2018 ensure co-ordination between the various January 2018. The QFSW also attended the nomic and Social Council of the United was an exceptional for the QFSW when strategic plans of the organisations under meetings of the subcommittee in the Fifth Nations. This will enable it to strengthen it comes to its objectives of developing its umbrella to ensure the implementation goal of sustainable development goals its position among international organisa- mbassador of Japan to and empowering civil society organisa- of strategic plans and its commitment to (Gender equality and women’s empower- tions in economic, social and human de- Qatar Seiichi Otsuka said tions operating under its umbrella. The projects and strategic directions. During ment) and presented the fi rst voluntary velopment issues. Athat the celebration of the executive body of the QFSW continued 2018, plans and programmes were put in report of the State of Qatar. The international status obtained by the National Day enhances the sense its work to ensure that its specialisations place to develop the work of the QFSW. In order to identify the actual needs Foundation gives it the opportunity to par- of solidarity among citizens in and focuses are consistent with its stra- Workshops were also organised to build of the QFSW and the centres, and taking ticipate effi ciently and eff ectively in the dia- light of the ongoing unjust siege. tegic objectives of activating its role in the the capacities of the affi liated organisa- into consideration the priorities in terms logue aimed at improving and empowering In a statement to Qatar News Qatari society and ensuring that civil so- tions at diff erent levels. of joint co-operation, it has concluded a groups that needs it. The QFSW mobilises Agency on the occasion of the ciety organisations are contributing to the The Foundation also monitored the re- number of memorandums of understand- its eff orts and employees to mitigate the re- National Day, the Japanese am- realisation of Qatar National Vision 2030 port about the progress in co-operation ing and protocols of joint co-operation percussions of the crisis through the forma- bassador expressed his country’s through establishing best practices for with the Planning and Statistics Author- between the Foundation and the centres tion of crisis management team working to appreciation for Qatar’s active planning, analysis and evaluation of the ity, as well as the follow-up status of the operating under its umbrella with the rel- co-ordinate eff orts and strengthen commu- diplomacy aimed at promoting Japan envoy Seiichi Otsuka work and performance of the QFSW and QFSW projects and centres for 2019. evant external parties. The QFSW signed a nication between the centres of the Foun- better and closer relations with the affi liated organisations. The QFSW established the expertise number of memorandums of understand- dation and other offi cial institutions in the other countries. ambassador noted the country’s Due to its emphasis on the continuous centre to train and improve Qatari person- ing and joint co-operation protocols with State and abroad. He noted that this approach rapid growth towards achieving development and keeping up with local nel and develop administrative and fi nan- government institutions and private sec- Since the beginning of the crisis, a team in dealing with other countries the development goals of the Qa- and international changes and challenges, cial performance of the centres, especially tor. of representatives from the QFSW, Fam- paves the way for more co-op- tar National Vision 2030, as well Qatar Foundation for Social Work worked as the work of the QFSW with the organi- These initiatives are part of the Foun- ily Counseling Center and Social Reha- eration between Qatar and for- as its commitment to preserving on keeping pace with the preparation of sations requires information, regulations dation’s mission to expand eff ective part- bilitation & Protection Center (Aman) was eign partners. Bilateral ties and the dignity, honour and sover- Qatar’s National Development Strategy and standards that help these organisation nerships with government agencies and formed. The team had specialists in the co-operation relations between eignty of its decisions, supported 2017-2022 by taking part in the work of in implementing their programmes and private sector institutions. It is one of fi eld of media and awareness. The team Japan and Qatar will be further by a self-reliant society. its preparation and contributing to the projects and achieve their objectives in an the pillars of the Foundation’s success as provides family and social services to strengthened and deepened, he At the same time, the envoy elaboration of its plan. The QFSW and eff ective and innovative manner. a development institution aimed at em- those aff ected. An example of these serv- added. hailed the state’s development its organisations participated in the eight Additionally, it worked on refi ning its powering civil society organisations and ices are counselling and legal support and He also praised the resilience and good infrastructure prepara- sectoral working groups and contributed identity to refl ect its mission as a plat- strengthening eff orts to promote family social and psychological rehabilitation. and strength of the Qatari econ- tion to host the 2022 FIFA World actively to the preparations of the secto- form for empowering social organisation. and community cohesion and human de- The QFSW will continue its social role omy and its ability to overcome Cup. This is in addition to the ral strategies of the National Development It also launched national campaign aimed velopment in Qatar. The QFSW also had based on its vision and sectoral strategy all the challenges and diffi culties progress made in the construc- Strategy, especially in the social protec- at relevant groups and highlighted the link an active role in addressing the siege. It for the next fi ve years, taking into account it faced despite the siege imposed tion of parks and public trans- tion sector, which the Foundation and its between Qatar Social Work Foundation has worked with affi liated centres to unify all national challenges and entitlements. on the country. The Japanese port. MoI plays stellar role in meeting regional security challenges

QNA ed to the state of peace and secu- maritime violation to relevant even more so than 2017, which world and the 30th globally out of World and the second in the glo- Hukoomi website. It is necessary Doha rity in the world. authorities. witnessed a decline in various in- 163 for 2017. A report issued by the bal annual report of the index of to mention the new approach in These successes can be seen The Ministry of Interior, also, dicators regarding this. World Economic Forum ranked crime, which is issued by The En- the recruitment of workers, as the through the achievements of stepped up security patrols and One of the most important in- Qatar as one of the best countries cyclopedia of World Problems and Ministry began co-operating with he Ministry of Interior 2011-2016 strategy, which aff ect- checkpoints in densely populated dicators is the decrease in deaths in terms of security due to low Human Potential, which is one of concerned authorities in the state (MoI) continues to per- ed the indicators of the last two areas. The patrols were trained related to traffi c accidents to 5.4 rates of crime. the largest and most famous en- to launch a major project that Tform its security and serv- years in the fi eld of security and and equipped with the most ad- per 100,000 inhabitants. This rate According to the report, Qatar cyclopedias in this area online. benefi t works, which is service ice mission successfully and ef- stability. The country witnessed vanced technologies such as sur- is less than the rate placed by the ranked fi rst in the world as it was The report included 110 coun- centres outside the country (Qa- fi ciently. This can be seen by the a signifi cant decline in the statis- veillance cameras, tracking de- National Strategy for Traffi c Safe- the lowest countries in terms of tries and confi rmed that Qatar tar Visa Centers). The fi rst centre local and international security tics of crimes disturbing security vices, and scanners. Furthermore, ty, which is 6 deaths per 100,000 cost of crime and violence, sixth enjoyed the lowest rates of crimes was opened in Colombo, the capi- indicators of the State of Qatar, compared to the global level, es- the Ministry increased night inhabitants until 2022. globally in the indicator against in general. Qatar was also ranked tal of Sri Lanka, last October and which confi rm this extraordinary pecially with regard to the reports searches in commercial streets This rate is also below the glo- organised crime, ninth on the glo- fi rst in the Arab World and the more centres will be opened in success and unique security ex- of major crimes on specialised and vital areas. bal average of 17.4 deaths per bal level of public satisfaction and 40th globally in the fi eld of com- other countries. cellence in a region dominated by and geographical security depart- In the fi eld of combating drugs, 100,000 inhabitants and the rate trust in services provided by the bating money-laundering crimes The centres will operate ac- crises and disturbance from all ments’ levels. the Ministry of Interior continues in high-income countries, which people and twelfth in the index of and terrorism-fi nancing accord- cording to an electronic system sides. According to statistics, the to implement its programmes and is 9.2 deaths. Despite the high countries free from terrorism. ing to Basal indicator 2017, which that will implement the proce- The experience confi rmed the rates of major crimes in Qatar, plans while tightening inspection number of vehicles and drivers Furthermore, Qatar was 25th in is issued by the Swiss government. dures of medical examinations, country’s ability in dealing with compared to global rates, de- procedures at various outlets and in the country, Qatar is leading the Global Competitiveness Index In the service sector, the Ministry fi ngerprinting, vital data and the various circumstances and crises. clined signifi cantly despite the strengthening co-ordination and the Gulf and the region in general 2017-2018 which was also issued of Interior broke a new record in signing of work contracts for ex- Despite the unjust blockade, the increase of population during the co-operation with all concerned safety traffi c. by the World Economic Forum. the number of transactions done patriates outside the state, under many crises aff ecting the region past couple of years. Most of the bodies inside and outside the According to these fi gures, the This advance ranking was due to through its various departments the supervision and follow-up of and the high crime rates in all crimes recorded in the security country. decline rate of traffi c fatalities has the diversity of Qatar’s economy, during the fi rst half of this year. the concerned bodies within Qa- countries around the world, the departments in 2017 were minor Regarding traffi c, the predic- reached about 25% in fi ve years. the development of the infra- The number of transactions were tar. Ministry of Interior has achieved crimes, irregularities and non- tions revealed at the International Thus, earning Prince Michael In- structure, the openness and ef- 49mn, an increase of 4.5% from At the administrative level, the many successes in the security criminal off ence reports. Traffi c Safety Conference held ternational Award (UK) for Traffi c fectiveness of labour market and the same period last year. training and rehabilitation centre and service fi eld. Regarding securing the coasts in late November shows that the Safety Management for 2018. As a the tangible progress in innova- By the end of last year, the Min- remains an important part of the These successes strength- and borders, the Ministry of In- results and traffi c statistics for result of these achievements and tion and technology. All these in- istry had recorded 86.5mn trans- plans of the Ministry of the Inte- ened the confi dence of citizens terior was quite successful last the year 2018 will be promising successes at various levels, Qatar dicators are directly related to the actions through various service rior as it believes in human’s con- and residents in the Ministry and year as it was able to reduce se- and positive, and will refl ect the maintained its rank in the World level of security enjoyed by the centres and outlets, as well as tributions in the success of plans placed Qatar in advanced ranks in curity breaches and transferred progress made in the implemen- Peace Index. State. electronic ports (Metrash 2), the and programmes through highly the international indicators relat- 253 of the domestic and foreign, tation of the road safety strategy, It was ranked fi rst in the Arab Qatar ranked fi rst in the Arab Ministry of Interior website and qualifi ed national personnel. Gulf Times Thursday, December 13, 2018 15 REGION/ARAB WORLD/AFRICA

Turkey Bodies to launch found in operation Yemen peace talks mass graves against near former Kurds go down to the wire IS bastion in Syria Intense talks were AFP continuing on the Sanaa Damascus airport, and for Reuters de-escalation of violence Istanbul in rebel-held Hodeidah even mass graves contain- ing hundreds of unidenti- AFP Sfi ed bodies have been un- urkey will launch a new Rimbo earthed near the former Islamic military operation in State group stronghold of Albu Tnorthern Syria within Kamal in eastern Syria, offi cial days, targeting Kurdish militia alks between Yemen’s news agency SANA said. fi ghters who are supported by government and Houthi Most of the more than 100 US troops east of the Euphrates Tinsurgents focused on bodies recovered so far at the site river, President Tayyip Erdogan the country’s main airport and appear to “have been subjected said yesterday. port went down to the wire to torture and ill-treatment be- Ankara and Washington have yesterday with just hours left fore execution,” it said, accusing long been at odds over Syria, in negotiations. IS of killing the victims. where the United States has Taiz, the southwestern city Work was under way to re- backed the YPG Kurdish militia controlled by the government trieve the rest of the bodies from in the fi ght against Islamic State and surrounded by the rebels, the graves in the eastern prov- insurgents. is no longer under discussion ince of Deir Ezzor, SANA said in Turkey says the YPG is a at the talks, scheduled to close its report published late Tues- terrorist organisation and an today. day. extension of the outlawed The city has been the scene It released a video showing Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), of some of the most intense forensic experts in protective which has waged an insurgency fi ghting in a war that has clothing recovering remains, against the state in southeast- pushed 14mn people to the UN special envoy to Yemen Martin Griff iths (third left) takes part in a working group with member of a Yemeni government’s delegation, and corpses laid out on the ern Turkey for 34 years. brink of famine. Abdulaziz Jabari (right) and with rebel delegation member Salim al-Moughaless (unseen) as part of peace consultations taking place at ground in a row under white Turkey has already inter- Intense talks, however, were Johannesberg Castle in Rimbo, north of Stockholm, Sweden yesterday. sheets. vened to sweep YPG fight- continuing on Sanaa airport, A Syrian Red Crescent of- ers from territory west of the shut down for years in the war Another round of talks has agreement on the reopening be in Aden but will not cause day that the list included ficial said the main focus at Euphrates in military cam- between the Saudi-backed been tentatively scheduled for of Sanaa airport, a paper on harm or trouble. No one will Saudi soldiers. present was identifying the paigns over the past two years, government and northern January, according to UN and addressing the economic situ- be asked to disembark,” Ha- A spokesman for the Saudi- remains already recovered but up until now, it had not rebels linked to Iran. Yemeni offi cials. ation and a draft agreement nash said. led coalition and a UN official which included those of sev- gone east of the river — partly Negotiators are also seeking The Sweden talks, which on Hodeidah, spokeswoman Yemeni ministers Othman did not immediately respond eral women.“Exhumations will to avoid direct confrontation a de-escalation of violence in opened last Thursday, mark Hanan Badawi told reporters. Mujalli and Marwan Dammaj to a request for comment. resume afterwards,” the official with US forces. rebel-held Hodeidah, a port the fi rst meeting in two years “The two parties have offi- told reporters yesterday their The prisoner swap in- said, asking not to be identi- But Erdogan’s patience with city vital to the supply of hu- between Yemen’s Houthi cially received the drafts and camp would hold firm to UN cludes the names of more fied. “The bodies show signs of Washington over Syria — spe- manitarian aid, and a co-op- rebels and the government of we are waiting on a response,” Security Council Resolution than 15,000 detainees and torture and some were blind- cifically a deal to clear the YPG eration deal on the country’s President Abd-Rabbu Man- Badawi said. 2216 — which calls for the disappeared persons taken on folded and handcuffed.” from the town of Manbij, just crumbling economy. sour Hadi, backed since 2015 Members of both delega- Houthis to withdraw from all frontlines since 2015. IS has been held responsible west of the Euphrates — seems UN Secretary-General An- by a behemoth military coali- tions contacted by AFP said areas seized in a 2014 takeo- The deal will be overseen for multiple atrocities during to have worn thin. tonio Guterres was due at the tion led by Saudi Arabia. agreements could be signed ver, including Hodeidah. by the International Commit- its reign of terror, including “We will start the operation talks in Rimbo, Sweden, for Both government and rebel by morning. Abdelmagid Hanash said talks were on- tee of the Red Cross, which mass executions and decapita- to clear the east of the Euphra- today’s closing round of con- representatives have traded al-Hanash, a member of the going. The rebels have thus warns the exchange could tions. In recent months, both tes from separatist terrorists in sultations. accusations of unwillingness Houthi delegation, said an far refused a full withdrawal. take weeks. Syria and Iraq have discovered a few days. Our target is never His arrival comes hours after to negotiate, particularly on agreement on Sanaa airport The two camps signed a The Yemen conflict has a number of mass graves in ar- US soldiers,” Erdogan said at his offi ce said it had evidence rebel-held Hodeidah, the main was close. mass prisoner exchange deal killed nearly 10,000 people eas previously occupied by the a speech at a defence industry the rebel Houthis were using route for 90% of food imports The government has pro- at the Sweden talks, which since the Saudi-led coalition jihadists. summit in Ankara. Iran-made missiles — a charge and nearly 80% of aid deliver- posed flights to and from the two Yemeni government offi- joined the war in 2015, ac- IS proclaimed a “caliphate” “This step will allow for the the Saudi-led alliance levels ies. UN special envoy Martin capital be searched in Sayoun cials confirmed include Saudi cording to the World Health over swathes of the two coun- path to a political solution to against the rebels as grounds Griffi ths, had submitted a pro- or Aden, two cities under the soldiers fighting alongside Organization, triggering what tries in 2014, but has since lost be opened and for healthier co- for restrictions on the Hodei- posal on a political framework control of the state. state troops. the UN calls the world’s worst almost all the territory it once operation.” dah port and Sanaa airport. for the future of Yemen, an “For now, the search will The Houthis had said Tues- humanitarian crisis. held. Four-year-old Gaza boy Nobel laureate urges Iraq to dies after troop fi ring probe fate of abducted Yazidis AFP Baghdad Reuters tres from the fence when Israeli Gaza forces opened fi re. “We did not expect anything obel laureate and former bad would happen as things militant captive Nadia undreds of Gazans yes- were calm,” he said. NMurad called on Iraq terday attended the fu- BABY DIES yesterday to create a special team Hneral of a four-year-old A baby who was delivered to investigate the fate of other boy who died after being hit by prematurely by emergency members of her Yazidi minority Israeli shrapnel at a border pro- Caesarean section to an Israeli kidnapped by the Islamic State test last week, according to Pal- woman wounded in a Palestin- group. estinian medical offi cials. ian drive-by shooting died in The 25-year-old, the fi rst Iraqi Wrapped in a Palestinian hospital yesterday, Prime Min- to receive the Nobel Peace Prize, fl ag, the body of Ahmed Abu ister Benjamin Netanyahu said. made the appeal during a visit to Iraq President Barham Salih meets with Nobel Peace Prize laureate, Abed was carried on people’s Shira Ish-Ran, seven months Baghdad. Yazidi activist Nadia Murad at Salam Palace in Baghdad, yesterday. shoulders as mourners threw pregnant, her husband and fi ve “I’m very happy because three fl owers into the procession in others were injured in Sunday’s years ago I left Iraq physically women and girls, Murad was tants have since lost most of Khan Younis, in southern Gaza. attack at a bus stop outside the and mentally exhausted. Today abducted by IS in 2014 as the their territory to offensives by Reuters footage from the Jewish settlement of Ofra in the I’ve returned with a Nobel Peace militants overran the minority’s multiple forces in both coun- protest last Friday showed the occupied West Bank. Prize hoping it brings peace to stronghold of Sinjar in northern tries, retreating to desert hold- boy being carried by a medic The mother of Palestinian boy Ahmed Abed cries during his Doctors said she was shot in Iraq,” she said during a meeting Iraq, close to the border with outs. Murad said she planned into a fi eld hospital not far from funeral in Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip, yesterday. the abdomen and that her son with President Barham Salih. Syria. to speak to officials in Baghdad the border after being injured. was born in critical condition. She called on Iraqi authorities They were held captive, tor- about the “unknown fate of Gaza health ministry spokes- director of emergency depart- Israel’s military said it did The Palestinian gunman to “build a specialised team to tured, raped and sold as sexual Sinjar and the Yazidi popula- man Ashraf al-Qidra said he ment at Khan Younis hospital, “everything possible to avoid fl ed the scene, Israel said. “My work with the international an- slaves by the militants. tion”, noting that more than “was hit by shrapnel from Is- told Reuters. harming children,” and accused heart, our hearts, are with Shira ti-militant coalition on the fate More than 3,000 Yazidis are 80% of the minority still lived raeli gunfi re”. Gaza’s health ministry, run by Hamas of endangering the lives and Avihai at the death of a of Yazidis kidnapped by IS.” still missing, probably still held in camps and lacked basic ne- “There was one piece of bul- the Hamas, said more than 220 of civilians by orchestrating the four-day-old baby who does Murad was jointly awarded as captives, according to Mu- cessities. let shrapnel in the eye that set- Palestinians have been killed protests. not even have a name,” Netan- the Nobel prize in Oslo on Mon- rad. She said her “fight” today tled at the bottom of the brain, by Israeli troops since March at The boy’s father, Yasser Abu yahu told foreign media and day with Congolese doctor Denis IS captured large swathes of is to make sure the atroci- that was the most serious of all, border protests demanding an Abed, who suff ered a leg injury, diplomats in a speech. Mukwege for her work to high- Iraq and neighbouring Syria in ties committed by IS against and that what most likely killed end to an Israeli-led blockade said they were among a hundred “The security forces are in light the plight of Iraq’s Yazidis. 2014, proclaiming a “caliphate” the Yazidis are recognised as a him,” Mohammad Abu Hilal, of the coastal strip. other protesters nearly 300 me- pursuit of the perpetrator.” Like thousands of other Yazidi in land it controlled. The mili- genocide. At least two killed during Tanzania picks fi rms to build disputed DR Congo opposition rally power plant on world heritage site

AFP as Fayulu arrived in Kalemie. Speaking to AFP, Reuters on a river that runs through the Tanzania Electric Supply Co, ministration, he said. Kalemie, DR Congo Rogardien Myumba, head of a federation of local Dar Es Salaam Tanzania’s Selous Game Re- El Sewedy and Arab Contrac- “When we asked for fi nanc- NGOs, said two Fayulu supporters had been killed serve, known for its elephants, tors signed the agreement in ing for this project, the lenders as they headed to greet him at the airport. black rhinos and giraff es, as well the presence of President John refused to give us money but t least two people were killed yesterday “Two opposition activists were shot dead as they anzania has signed a deal as many other species, could af- Magufuli and Egyptian Prime thanks to improved tax col- in clashes with police on the sidelines of were heading to the airport to welcome Mr Fayulu,” with Egypt’s El Sewedy fect the wildlife and their habi- Minister Mostafa Madbouly, TV lection, we are able to fi nance Aan opposition rally in eastern DR Congo he said, explaining that the police had opened fi re at TElectric Co and Arab Con- tats. broadcasts showed. this project using our own re- ahead of this month’s presidential elections, sev- a barricade “to break up a crowd of Fayulu support- tractors to build a $3bn hydroe- Energy Minister Medard Kale- Magufuli said the project will sources,” he said. Arab Contrac- eral sources said. ers.” A local doctor said there were three bodies at lectric plant on a World Heritage mani, said in comments broad- be wholly funded from taxes. tors will have a 55% stake in the The violence erupted in Kalemie, a town on the hospital morgue, while an emergency responder site in the country, that will more cast on state television yesterday Monthly tax revenue collec- project and El Sewedy 45%, El Lake Tanganyika as opposition candidate Martin said his team had picked up four bodies. than double Tanzania’s power that the plant would have an tion has increased from 850bn Sewedy said on Tuesday. Fayulu was campaigning there.It came a day after Fayulu, 62, a little-known lawmaker and former generation capacity. installed capacity of 2,115 mega- shillings ($370.37mn) per month El Sewedy said the Egyptian two of his supporters were killed and 43 hurt in oil executive, has made a late surge after being The project has faced opposi- watts, calling it “a very huge dam before he came to power in late stock market had halted trading clashes at a rally in Lubumbashi, DR Congo’s sec- named the joint candidate for several opposition tion from conservationists, who project.” 2015, to an average of 1.3tn shil- of its shares pending details on ond city. A witness said “live rounds” were fi red parties. say the construction of a dam Representatives of state-run lings ($566.45mn) under his ad- the deal it had signed. Gulf Times 16 Thursday, December 13, 2018 AMERICAS

CRIME DECISION DATA COMMITMENT LAW AND ORDER Cop seeks protection after US expels Taiwanese Fentanyl surpasses heroin McDonald’s vows to cut New York police drop releasing assault video student for shooting threat as deadliest drug in US antibiotics in beef supply charges over mum’s arrest

A Miami Beach cop is asking the city for The US yesterday expelled a Taiwanese exchange The synthetic drug, fentanyl, has surpassed McDonald’s has announced steps to reduce Police in New York City have dropped charges whistleblower protection after releasing a student who had allegedly threatened to “shoot heroin as the deadliest drug in the US, taking the use of antibiotics in its global beef supply, against a woman after video of her being arrested cellphone video that shows another cop knock- up” his school. An-Tso “Edward” Sun, 18, was arrest- more than 18,000 lives in 2016, federal health a major commitment from the largest US beef while clinging to her baby brought widespread criti- ing out an unarmed black man with a vicious ed last March after another student reported that off icials said yesterday. In 2016, the latest year purchaser to address concerns about a rise in cism. Jazmine Headley, 23, faced charges of resisting right-handed punch. Miami Beach police officer he told him he planned to open fire in the school for which full data is available, “29 % of all drug drug-resistant infections. The Chicago-based arrest and acting in a manner injurious to a child Frederick Dominguez released a video of the in Upper Darby, on the edge of Philadelphia. overdose deaths mentioned involvement of fast-food giant said it is partnering with beef following the incident in Brooklyn. A widely shared incident that took place at the Pelican Hotel “Hey, don’t come to school on May 1.. I’m going to fentanyl,” said the report from the National Center producers in its top 10 beef-sourcing markets to video showed off icers trying to wrestle her baby on Miami Beach on December 3. Frederick come here armed and shoot up the school. Just for Health Statistics, part of the US Centers for measure current antibiotic use, and by the end from her as she shouted: “They’re hurting my son.” Dominguez did not take the video. He obtained kidding,” Sun told the other student, according Disease Control and Prevention. Fentanyl is a of 2020 will establish reduction targets in those City off icials condemned the scenes and demanded a copy taken from a cellphone. “I’ve never seen to prosecutors. When police searched the room powerful, synthetic narcotic that has been blamed markets. The markets, which represent 85% answers from police. Brooklyn district attorney Eric anything like it,” said attorney Michael Pizzi, that Sun had been occupying with his host family, for the deaths of rock stars including Prince and of McDonald’s beef supply chain, will report Gonzalez said in a statement that continuing to who is representing Frederick Dominguez, who they found a semi-automatic pistol and 20 rounds Tom Petty. It works on the brain like morphine or progress starting in 2022, the company said. pursue the case would “not serve any purpose and asked the city for whistleblower protection after of ammunition, as well a crossbow, arrows, and a heroin, but is 50 to 100 times more potent, and Public health advocates hailed the announce- I therefore moved to dismiss it immediately in the releasing the video. bullet-proof vest, helmet and pants. can easily lead to overdose. ment from McDonald’s interest of justice”.

Pentagon argument Ex-Trump for bigger budget lawyer Cohen attacked

Reuters Washington sentenced to

he Pentagon is being “a little bit disingenu- Tous” when it says that Congress would be putting the armed forces at risk if it did not three years jail approve an increased defence budget, a key US congressman Reuters gust to charges including tax lawfully sought to obstruct the said yesterday. New York evasion, bank fraud and cam- probe, has secured guilty pleas The Pentagon’s pick to be the paign fi nance violations in a case from several former Trump aides next commander of US Central brought by federal prosecutors in including his former campaign Command said last week that a resident Donald Trump’s New York. chairman and national security budget below $733bn for fi scal former personal lawyer Cohen was sentenced on a adviser, as well as a series of Rus- year 2020 would increase the PMichael Cohen was sen- separate charge of lying to Con- sia individuals and entities. risk to the military. tenced to three years in prison gress brought by special counsel “He came forward to off er evi- “I think that the department yesterday for fi nancial crimes Robert Mueller, who is investi- dence against the most powerful of defence is being a little bit dis- and orchestrating hush pay- gating Russia’s role in the 2016 person in the country,” one of ingenuous,” Congressman Adam ments to women before the 2016 election and possible co-ordina- Cohen’s lawyers, Guy Petrillo, Smith, a Democrat who is ex- election, telling the judge his tion between Trump’s campaign told the court yesterday, arguing pected to head the House Armed “blind loyalty” led him to cover and Moscow. for leniency. Services Committee next year, up for Trump. Cohen pleaded guilty to that Cohen co-operated knowing told reporters. The sentencing by US district charge last month. “the president might shut down” He said lawmakers will have judge William Pauley in Man- Cohen, 52, walked into court Mueller’s investigation, Petrillo to balance military needs with hattan capped a stunning about- yesterday morning with his wife, said. other priorities. face by a lawyer who once said he son and daughter amid a crowd Cohen is a former member of “What is the magic of $733bn, would “take a bullet” for Trump of photographers and reporters. Trump’s inner circle who in the can you explain that to me? I’ve but has now implicated the Re- His family members cried in the past called himself the presi- asked that question of several publican president in criminal courtroom following the sen- dent’s “fi xer.” Pentagon offi cials, thus far I have conduct. tencing. After Cohen pleaded guilty to not been satisfi ed with the an- Cohen said in his guilty plea in “While Cohen pledges to help the Mueller charges on Novem- swer,” Smith said. August he was directed by Trump in further investigations that ber 29, Trump called his former The Pentagon has been ex- to make hush money payments is not something the court can lawyer a liar, “a weak person and pected to ask Congress for a to two women who said they had consider now,” Pauley said. not a very smart person.” budget of $733bn for fi scal year sexual aff airs with Trump in the Federal prosecutors in New Trump last month submit- 2020, higher than a $700bn fi g- past. York charged that Cohen, just ted written answers to questions ure cited by President Donald Trump has denied the aff airs before the November 2016 elec- posed in Mueller’s investigation. Trump in October and signal- and any involvement in the pay- tion, paid adult fi lm actress Michael Avenatti, Daniels’ ling a military spending hike at a ments. Stormy Daniels $130,000 and lawyer, attended the sentencing time of potential belt-tightening The three-year sentence was helped arrange a $150,000 pay- and told reporters outside the elsewhere in the government. a modest reduction from the ment to former Playboy model courthouse, “Michael Cohen is Earlier this week, a US offi - four to five years recommended Karen McDougal so the women neither a hero nor a patriot. He cial told Reuters that Trump in under federal guidelines, but would keep quiet. lied for months about his con- fact had backed plans to request still underscored the serious- Federal law requires that the duct.... Michael Cohen was sen- $750bn for defence spending ness of the charges of violat- contribution of “anything of tenced today, President Trump is next year. ing campaign finance laws and value” to a campaign must be next.” US Defense Secretary Jim seeking to influence the out- disclosed, and an individual do- Trump has denied any collu- Mattis has often said that come of an election. nation cannot exceed $2,700. sion with Russia and has accused “America can aff ord survival” Pauley sentenced Cohen to 36 “It was my own weakness and Mueller’s team of pressuring his when making an argument for months for the payments and a blind loyalty to this man that former aides to lie about him, his higher defence spending. to two months for Cohen’s lies led me to choose a path of dark- campaign and his business deal- “If you want to talk about we to Congress about a proposed ness over light,” Cohen told the ings. can aff ord survival, how many Trump Tower project in Russia. judge during the sentencing Russia has denied US allega- people in this country have died The two terms will run simulta- hearing. tions of interfering in the elec- on collapsing bridges,” Smith said. neously. “I felt it was my duty to cover tion to help Trump. “I think what they want to do The judge set March 6 for Co- up his own dirty deeds,” Cohen In his guilty plea to Mueller’s to you in the military-industrial hen’s voluntary surrender. said, referring to Trump. charge, Cohen admitted he lied complex is they want to con- As part of the sentence, the The ongoing Mueller inves- to Congress about the timeline vince you that if you don’t spend judge ordered Cohen to forfeit tigation represents a threat to for discussions about plans for the money, you are fundamen- $500,000 and pay restitution of Trump’s presidency. real estate businessman Trump’s tally killing people. It’s not quite nearly $1.4mn. Mueller, who also is examining proposed skyscraper in Moscow. that simple a formulation.” Michael Cohen exits the court house after his sentencing in New York yesterday. Cohen pleaded guilty in Au- whether the president has un- The project never went ahead. US offi cials ‘feel China Funding decried Canada to cap linked Marriott hack’ pilot flight hours Reuters fatigue as a contributing factor Montreal in a July 2017 incident when an AFP an executive of China’s lead- data may have been stolen. Air Canada fl ight from Toronto Washington ing Huawei telecommunica- “For approximately 327mn of overfl ew other aircraft at close tions company at the request of these guests, the information in- anada is introducing new range on a San Francisco Inter- the US, which plans to charge cludes some combination of name, regulations to limit the national Airport taxiway, nearly S investigators believe her with fraud charges related mailing address, phone number, Cmaximum number of causing a potentially “cata- that Chinese intelligence to sanctions-breaking business e-mail address, passport number, hours that commercial pilots can strophic” incident. Uwas behind the massive dealings with Iran. Starwood Preferred Guest (“SPG”) fl y and cap the time they remain “For too long, Canada has hack of data on some 500mn In addition, Washington is ex- account information, date of birth, on duty, Transport Minister lagged far behind the rest of the guests of hotel giant Marriott, pected this week to unveil new gender, arrival and departure in- Marc Garneau said yesterday. world when it comes to ensuring the New York Times reported charges against Chinese military formation, reservation date, and The new rules, which large its pilots are well-rested when yesterday. and intelligence hackers as it seeks communication preferences,” the airlines would have two years to they fl y,” Dan Adamus, president The hackers are believed to to counter what is seen as a broad- company said. apply, are similar to proposals of the Air Line Pilots Association have been working for the min- based, sustained cyber threat “For some, the informa- weighed by regulator Transport in Canada, said in an e-mail. istry of state security and were against US government and cor- tion also includes payment card Canada (TC) in 2017 and come “The new regulations will part of an espionage eff ort that porate targets from Beijing. numbers and payment card expi- after years of studies on ways to without a doubt improve our has seen US health insurers and The world’s largest hotel chain ration dates,” it said. reduce fatigue in the cockpit. safety and the safety of those we the civil service employment revealed on November 30 that The company said that the The rules would lower the fl y.” database penetrated as well, the cyber-thieves had been in the credit card data was protected by number of fl ight hours to 1,000 Canada’s large airlines will Times said. systems of its Starwood brand two decryption components, but from 1,200 over 365 days and set have two years to implement the The newspaper cited two un- since 2014, which Marriott took added: “at this point, Marriott a maximum work day anywhere new regulations while its smaller named offi cials who had been over two years later. has not been able to rule out the from nine to 13 hours, depending carriers will have four years. briefed on the hack of Marriott It uncovered the breach in Sep- possibility that both were taken.” on start time, TC said in a state- Air Canada spokeswoman Isa- International Hotels. tember and the Federal Bureau of Separately, a new report from ment. belle Arthur said by e-mail that The news came amid height- Investigation is understood to be computer security company Demonstrators protest against funding for the Trump A commercial airline pilot’s the airline, the country’s largest ened tensions between Beijing investigating the matter. McAfee said their researchers had administration’s immigration policies at a rally organised fl ight duty period was previously carrier, is “currently reviewing and Washington that encom- In the past week Marriott uncovered a new global eff ort by by Families Belong Together Coalition, the Center for capped at 13 hours and 45 min- the new regulations,” and “has passes geopolitics, trade, tech- has sent out e-mails to cus- hackers to infi ltrate the computer Popular Democracy, CASA, Make the Road New York and utes. always met or exceeded Trans- nology rivalry and espionage. tomers who had used its sys- systems of nuclear, defence, en- United We Dream in Washington, DC yesterday. The US National Transporta- port Canada standards regarding Last week Canada arrested tems alerting them that their ergy and fi nancial companies. tion Safety Board (NTSB) cited fl ight duty times.” Gulf Times Thursday, December 13, 2018 17 ASIA

Death toll Activists stage rally to mark one from fl ash fl oods in year of Reuters reporters’ arrest Vietnam Reuters rises to 14 Yangon not commit calls into question Myanmar’s commitment to de- mocracy, freedom of expression DPA ore than 100 Myanmar and rule of law.” Hanoi activists marked the The journalists have appealed Manniversary yester- against their conviction, cit- day of the arrest of two Reuters ing evidence of a police set-up he death toll from fl ood- journalists sentenced to seven and lack of proof of a crime. An ing in central Vietnam has years in jail in a landmark free appeal hearing is scheduled for Trisen to 14, state media re- speech case by releasing bal- December 24. ported yesterday. loons at a rally in the country’s During eight months of hear- Towns across central Vietnam largest city Yangon. ings, Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe began reporting rapid fl ooding Wa Lone, 32, and Kyaw Soe Oo testifi ed that two police- beginning Saturday as the region Oo, 28, were found guilty in men they had not met before was hit by an unseasonal mon- September of violating the handed them papers rolled up soon, reported the Vnexpress country’s Offi cial Secrets Act, in in a newspaper during a meet- news site. a case that has raised questions ing at a Yangon restaurant on Offi cials in Binh Dinh prov- about Myanmar’s progress to- December. Almost immedi- ince reported six deaths as of wards democracy and sparked ately afterwards, they said, yesterday, while fi ve bodies have an outcry from human rights they were bundled into a car by been found in Quang Nam, two advocates. plainclothes offi cers. in Quang Tri and one in Thua Students, journalists and On February 1, a police wit- Thien-Hue. writers sporting t-shirts that ness said under cross-exami- Floods put much of the port read “Journalism is not a crime” nation that information in the city of Da Nang underwater ear- and “Free Wa Lone and Kyaw documents had already been lier this week after 635mm of rain Soe Oo” lit candles and held published in newspapers. In fell in a 24-hour period between a minute’s silence for the two April, a prosecution witness Saturday and Sunday. reporters. testifi ed that a senior offi cer Authorities in the country’s Some held copies of the lat- had ordered subordinates to fourth largest city reported 2,550 est cover of Time magazine fea- plant documents on Wa Lone to houses were underwater on turing the journalists and their “trap” the reporter. Monday at the peak of the fl oods. families after they were named Myanmar leader Aung San Rain is forecast to continue among a group of reporters as Suu Kyi said in September in the region for the rest of the the publication’s “Person of the that the jailing of the report- Candles burn, as activists gather at a rally, calling for the release of imprisoned Reuters journalists Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo, one year week, although the fl oodwaters Year”. ers had nothing to do with after they were arrested, in Yangon, yesterday. have begun receding. “A year ago, Reuters report- freedom of expression. In ers Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo comments made the week af- ment could not interfere in the Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo to go Reuters journalists, have posted killing of 10 Rohingya Mus- were arrested in a set-up by po- ter their conviction, she said case as Myanmar’s courts were home to their families,” said the photographs on social media lim men and boys by security lice, intended to interfere with they had been sentenced for independent. He could not be country’s embassy in Yangon in featuring Wa Lone’s signature forces and local Buddhists in their reporting on a massacre in handling offi cial secrets and reached for comment. a statement. “thumbs up” gesture, which western Myanmar’s Rakhine Myanmar,” said Reuters editor- “were not jailed because they The United States called on Several media organisations he displayed to supporters state during an army crack- in-chief Stephen J Adler in a were journalists”. the Myanmar government to and journalists’ clubs, includ- throughout the trial. down that began in August last French statement yesterday. Government spokesman Zaw release the journalists. “After ing the Foreign Correspondents’ Before their arrest, the re- year. The operation sent more “The fact that they remain Htay said at a news conference spending a year in prison, it is Club of Hong Kong and the BBC porters had been working on a than 730,000 people fl eeing to in prison for a crime they did last month that the govern- past time for journalists Wa World Service, as well as many Reuters investigation into the Bangladesh. tourist shot dead 2 dead, dozens injured Lanka parliament demands in Bangkok in Bangladesh clashes by cop

AFP Reuters Sharif, superintendent of ousted PM is restored Bangkok Dhaka police in Noakhali. Awami League spokesman Hasan Mahmud accused the AFP French tourist was gunned olitical clashes in Bang- BNP of trying to “foil a peace- Colombo down early yesterday by ladesh left two cam- ful environment and for that Aan off -duty Thai cop af- Ppaign workers dead they are attacking our people”. ter a drunken bar fi ght in a seedy and injured dozens more, The BNP denied the accu- ri Lanka’s legislature Bangkok district, police said. police said yesterday, as ten- sation and said at least 200 of voted overwhelmingly The 41-year-old Parisian was sions soared before a general its supporters were injured. It Syesterday to demand the shot dead at a downtown apart- election on December 30. also accused Awami League reinstatement of prime minis- ment block after an altercation Prime Minister Sheikh workers of attacking the mo- ter Ranil Wickremesinghe, as with the police sergeant major Hasina of the ruling Awami torcade of the BNP general a bitter power struggle headed who had approached the tourist’s League is seeking a third secretary, a charge denied by for a government shut down Thai girlfriend. straight term as formal Hasan. within weeks. “They were drunk... they election campaigning got Elections in Bangladesh are Members of Wickremes- started to argue and then had underway on Monday. typically marred by violence, inghe’s party and their allies a fi st fi ght but the policeman Her old rival, Khaleda Zia, but tensions are particularly voted 117-0 asking President couldn’t fi ght back,” Thailand’s who leads the main opposi- high during this campaign Maithripala Sirisena to restore Immigration Police chief Sura- tion Bangladesh Nationalist season. The BNP says scores of the status quo prior to Octo- chate Hakpan said. Party (BNP), is in jail after its workers have been detained ber 26 when he dismissed his “The policeman followed him being convicted on charg- in recent months on fi ctitious former ally. back to his place and shot him es she says were politically charges. “This resolution expressing twice,” he said, adding the victim motivated. Hasina and Khaleda, who confi dence in me is a vote to had been in Thailand for several The BNP boycotted the between them have ruled defeat the coup of October 26,” months. last election, in 2014, as un- Bangladesh for over two dec- Wickremesinghe told parlia- The offi cer has been arrested fair, but has said it will take ades, are bitter rivals, and the ment referring to his contro- and “will be fi red... and pros- part this time, though it is BNP says its leader has been versial sacking by Sirisena six ecuted on a murder charge”, Su- seeking international moni- jailed on trumped-up charges weeks ago. rachate added. tors of polls it believes will be to keep her out of politics. Sri Lanka has been trapped Police are hunting a second fl awed. While the BNP has joined in a bitter power feud since Members of parliament shake hands with ousted prime minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, centre, during suspect seen on CCTV. Workers from the two par- smaller opposition parties the president replaced Wick- a parliament session in Colombo yesterday. Gruesome pictures circulated ties clashed on Tuesday in two to form the United National remesinghe with Mahinda Ra- on Thai media showed the victim districts outside the capital Front, the alliance does not japakse, a controversial former be accepted by Sirisena who complete stand still from Janu- have already been cut. lying in a pool of blood in front Dhaka, leaving two Awami have a clear candidate for strongman leader who has has vowed he will not give the ary 1 in the absence of a budget Parliament, dominated by of a doughnut shop at his apart- League campaigners dead, prime minister. BNP lawyers failed to secure parliamentary job back to Wickremesinghe. for the New Year. Wickremesinghe and his al- ment block. police said. are still working for Khaleda’s support. Courts have prevented Ra- “Unless this parliament ap- lies, has also blocked the offi ce Bangkok is one of the world’s Police in the Noakhali and release before the December Parliament has twice voted japakse and his disputed cabi- proves a budget for 2019, the of prime minister spending any most visited cities, famed for its Faridpur districts said cases 30 vote. against Rajapakse but he has net exercising the powers they government will not be able to funds. food and racy nightlife, much of had been opened against 45 Awami League “supporters refused to step down. Instead, claim until they can prove their spend even one cent from Janu- The parliament chamber has it around Nana district where the people and more arrests were and workers are desperate to Rajapakse and his allies are legitimacy. A hearing by the ary 1,” Karunanayake told par- witnessed violence in recent murder took place. expected. keep us away from the elec- boycotting parliament since Court of Appeal yesterday was liament. weeks as the power struggle Thailand has a grim reputation “The returning offi cer has tion as they are contemplating they do not have a majority in put off till January 16. Offi cials have expressed dragged on, with Rajapakse for its gun culture, with drunken convened a meeting of both a massive defeat,” said Ruhul the 225-member assembly. Former fi nance minister Ravi similar fears and urged Sirisena loyalists throwing chilli pow- arguments, business disputes parties to avoid such an in- Kabir Rizvi, the BNP’s senior It was not immediately clear Karunanayake said the entire to resolve the crisis at the ear- der at rivals and smashing and soured romances frequently cident in future,” said Elias joint secretary general. if yesterday’s resolution would public sector will come to a liest. Sri Lanka’s credit ratings furniture. resolved by violence. Anguished search for Vietnam’s kidnapped brides By Jenny Vaughan and Tran a stone’s throw from China. kidnapped cousins. Husbands book, spending months courting Quynh Lan from the NGO Plan traffi cked as a bride, we don’t drunk, when she grabbed her son Thi Minh Ha, AFP Their mothers fear they were recall wives who disappeared their victims before luring them International in Vietnam. know where she is now,” said My. and headed to the border. Meo Vac, Vietnam sold in China on one of the in the night. And mothers, like into China. Vietnam registered some Her worst fear is the teenag- She went with a neighbour who world’s most well-trodden bride Dinh, fear they may never see It is a sinister departure from 3,000 human traffi cking cases ers are now child brides or have promised her good work in China, traffi cking circuits. their daughters again. the traditional Hmong custom between 2012 and 2017. been forced to work in brothels but she fell prey to traffi ckers. u Thi Dinh spent weeks “I wish she would just call The victims come from poor of ‘zij poj niam’, or ‘marriage by But the actual number is “for in China where there are 33mn My was separated from her scouring the rugged Viet- home to say she is safe, to say communities and are tricked by capture’, where a boyfriend kid- sure higher”, said Lan, as the more men than women due to a son and sold three times to dif- Vnamese borderland near Chi- ‘please don’t worry about me, I’m boyfriends and sold, kidnapped naps his young bride-to-be from border is largely unregulated. long-entrenched preference for ferent brokers before a Chinese na after her teenage daughter van- gone but I’m safe,’” said Dinh. against their will or move across her family home – sometimes Ly Thi My never dreamed her male heirs. man bought her as a wife for ished with her best friend, clutching She is among countless moth- the border by choice for mar- with her consent, sometimes not. daughter would be kidnapped, The trip across the 1,300km about $2,800. a photo of the round-faced girls now ers whose daughters have dis- riage or the promise of work. Others are enticed by the since the shy Di rarely went to (800-mile) border is an easy “He locked me up several feared sold as child brides. appeared into China where a Like many of the missing, Dua promise of a future brighter than the market or showed much in- one, said Trieu Phi Cuong, an times, I hated him,” said My, who The anguished mother massive gender imbalance has and Di are from the Hmong eth- that which awaits most girls who terest in boys. offi cer with Meo Vac’s criminal fl ed after 10 years. showed everyone she met the fuelled an unregulated buy-a- nic minority, one of the coun- stay in Ha Giang: drop out of Just two weeks after that pho- investigations unit. She is now back with her Viet- snap of the 16-year-old friends bride trade. try’s poorest and most margin- school, marry early and work the to shoot with Dua, the giggling Many victims don’t even namese husband. But she’s des- Dua and Di. Most people in this part of Vi- alised groups. fi elds. girls went for a walk in the rocky know they’ve crossed into China perate for word from her son. They went missing in Febru- etnam have a story about bride Traffi ckers target girls at the “They go across the border to fi elds near their homes. - or that they’ve been traffi cked. “I came back totally broken... ary during an outing in Meo Vac, traffi cking. busy weekend market. earn a living but may fall into the They never came back. Lau Thi My was 35 and fed up and my son is still in China, I a poor mountainous border zone High school students talk of Or they fi nd them on Face- trap of the traffi cking,” said Le “We think she was tricked and with her husband, an abusive miss him a lot,” she said. Gulf Times 18 Thursday, December 13, 2018 ASIA/AUSTRALASIA Papuan rebels refuse Indonesia’s call to surrender over massacre

AFP marked escalation in decades came to Papua as a thief — do you vote that was widely seen as a Indonesians goes by one name, the 16 victims’ hands were tied confi rmed. Indonesia has denied Jakarta of mostly sporadic skirmishes think it’s right for a homeowner sham. The rebels’ refusal to sur- told reporters Tuesday in Jakar- together with some suff ering the claim. Human Rights Watch between poorly armed and dis- to surrender to thieves?” rebel render comes after Indonesia’s ta. “Whatever they say is a lie. gunshot or knife wounds and called for a probe into the jungle organised guerrillas and an In- spokesman Sebby Sambom told chief security minister Wiranto They’ve committed inhumane blunt-force injuries. One worker camp massacre and allegations of eparatist Papuan rebels donesian military long accused AFP yesterday. The former Dutch ruled out any discussions with crimes.” The victims, employ- was almost decapitated. subsequent civilian deaths. who killed at least 16 con- of gross human rights abuses colony declared itself independ- the National Liberation Army of ees of a state-owned contractor, At least four more workers re- “A Papua militant group’s at- Sstruction workers at a re- against civilians. ent in 1961, but neighbouring West Papua (TPNPB). were building bridges and roads main missing, while a soldier was tack on a work site raises grave mote jungle camp refused In- The rebels said they would Indonesia took control of the re- The group is an armed wing in a major infrastructure push for also killed by rebels, authorities concerns that require a full in- donesia’s demand to surrender continue their insurgency and to gion two years later on the con- of the independence movement Indonesia’s most impoverished said. Meanwhile, a local Papuan vestigation,” HRW’s Elaine Pear- yesterday, as claims surfaced fi ght for an independent Papua, dition it hold an independence which claimed responsibility region. The rebels claimed the has alleged that security forces son said in a statement. “Mili- that the military murdered civil- which shares a border with island referendum. for the jungle camp massacre. “I project was military controlled killed at least four civilians as it tants and responding security ians after the massacre. The work nation Papua New Guinea, just Jakarta annexed mineral-rich won’t hold talks with crimi- and the workers were legitimate hunted for the rebels. The re- forces should not infl ict harm on camp killings last week were a north of Australia. “Indonesia Papua in 1969 with a UN-backed nals,” Wiranto, who like many targets. Indonesia said most of ports could not be independently ordinary Papuans,” she added. Huawei executive granted bail

AFP tions with Canada and the Unit- North East Asia senior advis- ers patrolled outside Canada’s Vancouver ed States, and raised concerns er, former Canadian diplomat embassy yesterday but they re- that it could derail a US-China Michael Kovrig, was detained by fused to explain their presence. trade war truce. US offi cials have Chinese state security in Beijing Kovrig, a Mandarin speaker, Canadian court has grant- said the arrest was unrelated to on Monday and has had no infor- was a political offi cer at the em- ed bail to a top Chinese the trade talks, but President mation about him since then. bassy from 2014-2016 who met A telecom company execu- Donald Trump told Reuters he Canadian Prime Minister Jus- with dissidents and travelled to tive wanted in the United States, “would certainly intervene” in tin Trudeau voiced concern over China’s restive far west Xinjiang as diplomatic tensions turned to the case if it can help strike a deal the detention. “This has our at- region, Saint-Jacques said. He the detention of a former Cana- with China. tention at the very highest level took an unpaid leave from the dian diplomat in Beijing. Meng “If US offi cials and the US of our government,” said Ca- embassy because he “loves Chi- Wanzhou, the chief fi nancial government want to make posi- nadian Foreign Aff airs Minister na” and wanted to continue to offi cer of Huawei, was released tive eff orts towards the right Chrystia Freeland. work in the country, the former on C$10mn (US$7.5mn) bail direction about the issue, we China had warned Canada ambassador said. in a case that has rattled rela- welcome them,” Chinese foreign of “grave consequences” over “It’s easy to concoct espio- tions between China, the United ministry spokesman Lu Kang Meng’s arrest as it demanded her nage accusations against some- States and Canada. said Wednesday at a regular release, although Canada said no one in China,” he said. “When I Meng, who faces a US extra- briefi ng. link between the two cases had learned the news this morning dition bid on charges related to Huawei is a strategically key been established. it deeply saddened me because alleged violations of Iran sanc- company for China’s global But a former Canadian am- Michael was a good political of- tions, was also ordered to sur- high-tech ambitions but some of bassador to Beijing, Guy Saint- fi cer, but he is not a spy at all.” render her passport and will be its services have been blocked in Jacques, said Kovrig’s detention The US State Department subjected to electronic moni- the United States, Australia, New was likely linked to Meng’s case. called on China to “end all forms toring. “The risk of (Meng’s) Zealand and Britain over security “There is no coincidence in Chi- of arbitrary detentions.” Brus- non-attendance in court can be concerns. na,” Saint-Jacques told AFP. “In sels-based ICG said in a state- reduced to an acceptable level Meng, who is the daughter of this case it is clear the Chinese ment that it has received no in- by imposing the bail conditions Huawei’s founder, is accused of government wants to put maxi- formation about Kovrig since proposed by her counsel,” a judge lying to bankers about the use of mum pressure on the Canadian his detention and is concerned in Vancouver said, prompting a covert subsidiary to sell to Iran government.” about his health and safety. the courtroom packed with her in breach of sanctions. If con- Huawei Technologies Chief Financial Off icer Meng Wanzhou exits the court registry following the bail Lu, the Chinese foreign min- “Michael did not engage in ille- supporters to erupt in cheers. victed, she faces more than 30 hearing at British Columbia Superior Courts in Vancouver, British Columbia. istry spokesman, said ICG was gal activities nor did he do any- Meng, who later left in a black years in prison. The extradition not legally registered in the thing that endangered Chinese SUV, will be allowed to stay at a process, scheduled to start on erwise “embarrass China itself”. family, reading novels and just conclusion” in the case and country and its employees would national security,” ICG president luxury home owned by her hus- February 6, could take months, She had also cited health reasons maybe applying to a doctorate stressed that the company com- be “in violation” of the law if Robert Malley told AFP. band, Liu Xiaozong, in Vancou- even years, if appeals are made in for requesting bail. programme while the extradi- plies with all laws and sanctions. they were engaged in activities “He was doing what all Crisis ver. the case. Her lawyer, David Mar- During a pause in proceed- tion case plays out. Huawei said While Meng secured her re- in the country. Lu did not off er Group analysts do: undertak- Her December 1 arrest in Van- tin, argued that she was not a ings, Martin said Meng looked in a statement it was confi dent lease, the International Crisis more details about the case. ing objective and impartial re- couver has shaken China’s rela- fl ight risk because it would oth- forward to spending time with that the courts would “reach a Group (ICG) think tank said its Some 20 Chinese police offi c- search.” New Zealand holds candlelight vigils for murdered British backpacker

Reuters Wellington

housands of people held candlelight vigils in New TZealand yesterday to mourn a 22-year-old British woman who was killed while she was on a backpacking tour, as the national outpouring of grief focused attention on violence against women. Events were held in towns and cities across the country to mourn Grace Millane and other female victims of violence, four days after a man was charged with her murder. Auckland’s iconic Sky Tower was bathed in white light to commemorate the backpacker, who went missing in New Zea- land’s largest city on Dec. 1 A woman comforts her friend at a vigil for murdered British backpacker Grace Millane in Wellington. while on a world tour after fi n- ishing university. In the capital outskirts of Auckland on Sunday troduced a law this year requir- to suppress his name in media Wellington, the city’s mayor and has fuelled a national debate over ing companies to give paid leave coverage. But the man cannot be New Zealand’s justice minister the country’s high rates of vio- for employees who faced do- named while his lawyer appeals joined about 500 people who lit lence against women. mestic violence. It also imposed that decision. candles, sang and prayed in the New Zealand has some of tougher penalties for strangu- The case has sparked a debate indigenous Te Reo Maori lan- worst rates of family and inti- lation, which can lead to more on social media about whether guage. They demanded action mate partner violence among serious violence such as death. New Zealand was still safe for on gender-related violence. the 37 member countries in the Prime Minister Jacinda Ard- female backpackers and wheth- “I’ve been Grace. I’ve been Organization for Economic Co- ern, holding back tears, publicly er the killing would discourage Irene O’Shea during her skydive tandem jump in the South Australia town of Wellington. around the world, I’ve gone on operation and Development apologised to Millane’s fam- women from travelling alone. dates ... it really shook me,” said (OECD), a government report ily on Monday, describing the David Millane said he would Katie Brown, who attended the said this week. Police in the na- country’s “sense of collective return to the United Kingdom 102-year-old great-granny becomes ‘oldest’ skydiver vigil in Wellington. “It also re- tion of 4.5mn people are called shame”. Police have declined with his daughter’s body on minded me of women that have out to an incident of domes- to say whether Millane knew the weekend. “We would like to had their lives taken, have been tic violence roughly every four the man charged with her mur- thank the people of New Zea- A 102-year-old great-grandmother is believed to have become the world’s oldest skydiver after plunging murdered by men and I wanted minutes, the report said, and at der, but he had been seen with land for their outpouring of 14,000ft (4,300m) through the South Australian sky. Centenarian adrenaline junkie Irene O’Shea said she “felt to honour them too,” she said. least a third of woman have been her in several places before she love, numerous messages, trib- normal” after a 220km per hour (140mph) dive that sent her cheeks flapping wildly. She completed her first The shock triggered by the dis- subjected to sexual or physical went missing. A judge refused utes and compassion,” Millane skydive to mark her 100th birthday in 2016, but organisers claimed it was Sunday’s successful tandem dive covery of Millane’s body on the violence. The government in- the 26-year-old man’s request said in a statement. at the age of 102 years and 194 days that earned her a place in the history books. “It was very clear up there, and the weather was good but it was very cold,” said O’Shea, according to Australian media. O’Shea took the plunge to raise funds for a motor neurone disease charity, after her daughter died from the illness. North, South Korean soldiers enter each other’s territory

Soldiers from North and South armistice in 1953, leaving the two guard posts on the North’s side guard posts had once stood, Korea crossed into each other’s technically still in a state of war, yesterday to make sure they soldiers from both sides taking Singaporean in megachurch fraud guilty of trying to fl ee territory peacefully for the but a rapid reconciliation has had been dismantled and all photos and filming the process first time yesterday, Seoul said, taken place this year. firearms and troops removed, as they chatted. “This marks the A Singaporean man convicted to promote the pop career of Singapore attempting to flee to as they began checking the The South’s President Moon Seoul’s defence ministry said. first time since the division that over a multi-million-dollar the pastor’s wife. Among them Malaysia. Chew was hit with new dismantlement of guard posts Jae-in and Kim Jong-un, leader of North Korean inspectors carried the soldiers of the North and fraud at a megachurch was was investment manager Chew charges over the escape bid, in the Demilitarized Zone. The the nuclear-armed North, agreed out the same process at the South ... are peacefully crossing found guilty yesterday of trying Eng Han, who was sentenced to with the prosecution arguing North invaded the South in to remove a limited number of South’s bunkers in the afternoon, the military demarcation line,” the to flee by boat a day before three years and four months but that it was “undisputed that 1950, triggering the Korean War, guard posts along their heavily- it added. Video footage showed ministry said in a statement. his sentence was to start. In had his imprisonment delayed the accused’s intention was and Seoul went on to change fortified frontier at a September armed South Korean soldiers The North is known to have more a case that gripped the city- by appeals. After losing his to entirely avoid serving his hands four times as Pyongyang’s summit in Pyongyang, among shaking hands with North guard posts – which include state with a mix of religion final challenge, the 58-year-old sentence,” according to court. Chinese-backed forces and the other measures. North Korea Korean personnel at the military both surface structures and and lavish spending, six City was meant to start serving his However a judge rejected these US-led UN troops supporting the blew up 10 of its facilities in demarcation line in the centre underground elements – and Harvest Church leaders were sentence on February 22. But arguments and convicted him of South fought their way up and November, while the South of the DMZ, before crossing to according to Yonhap news convicted in 2015 of pilfering a day before he was due to go attempting to defeat the course down the peninsula and back tore 10 down on its own side the other side. Led by the North agency it now has around 150 in tens of millions of dollars from to jail, police caught him in a of justice. Chew will be sentenced again. using excavators. South Korean Koreans, the Southerners walked the DMZ, with the South having the Christian place of worship small fishing boat off eastern in January. The conflict ended in an inspectors visited each of the along a path where the North’s about 50. Gulf Times Thursday, December 13, 2018 19 BRITAIN Grenfell ‘fi re could have been put out with simple extinguisher’

Guardian News and Media panels which were fi lled with ACM panels were being the rest of the building were ef- the 2016, £10mn refurbishment, before the fi re even reached the “The PIR insulation en- London plastic that burned with an in- stripped from 457 high-rise fectively responsible for spread- singling out the plastic window cladding system.” sured the fire would spread tensity that has been compared buildings across England, where ing the fi re, he said. frames through which the fi re Referring to Behailu Kebede, to new portions of the build- to petrol, made a combative they have been found to be in The fi re rose 20 storeys in was believed to have fi rst spread the resident of fl at 16, he claimed: ing.” he manufacturer of the closing statement, claiming that use. But Stephen Hockman QC, just 35 minutes to engulf the from fl at 16 into the cladding “A simple fi re extinguisher in He said this “meant that combustible panels it was possible no one would counsel for the US industrial full height of the tower on June system. his hands would have made a not only did the fire exit from Twrapped around Grenfell have died if other aspects of the fi rm, said it was “impossible to 14, 2017. The inquiry has heard Hockman told the inquiry big diff erence to the outcome.” the flat much more quickly Tower has claimed other materi- refurbishment had been diff er- argue that ACM PE was non- expert evidence that the fl ames chairman, Sir Martin-Moore Hockman said: “The external than anyone would have ex- als were responsible for spread- ent. compliant” with building regu- spread through the cladding sys- Bick: “If the refurbishment of spread of fl ame was substan- pected, but it contributed to ing the fi re that claimed 72 lives From next Friday, use of com- lations. tem and had been fuelled by the the interior window surrounds tially exacerbated by combining an increase in temp within the and said it could have been put bustible ACM panels such as the The performance of the uPVC highly combustible panels. and the external envelope of the ACM PE with combustible PIR cladding system cavity.” If the out with a handheld fi re extin- Reynobond PE 55 material that windows in the fourth fl oor fl at Arconic argued that the trag- building had been carried out (polyisocyanurate) insulation insulation foam had been non- guisher. was used on Grenfell Tower will be where the fi re started, the syn- edy at Grenfell was not the re- in a diff erent way, it would have without any horizontal or verti- combustible, the London fire Arconic, which made the Rey- banned on residential and school thetic insulation and other dec- sult of its panels, but the com- been possible for the fi refi ghters cal bands of non-combustible brigade might have been able to nobond aluminium composite buildings above 18 metres high. orative cladding panels across bination of materials used in to extinguish the fi re in fl at 16 material to limit spread. put it out, he said. Court jails New Brexit vote urged woman Govt trying who faked her own kidnap to force two

Guardian News and Media London disabled kids woman has been jailed after carrying out a pro- Alonged campaign of cy- berstalking her ex-boyfriend, culminating in the faking of her own kidnap and assault. Jessica Nordquist, a US national to leave UK who sent pictures of herself bound and undressed to her former part- Guardian News and Media Offi ce also said the father’s earn- Home Offi ce has repeatedly ner Mark Weeks, claimed to have London ings were “false and fabricated”, asked the father for information been raped and defended herself despite having previously as- he has given many times before. by saying she had been abducted sessed and approved them. He has been sent the same ques- by an MI5 agent, faces deportation he Home Offi ce is trying In addition, the Home Of- tionnaire four times. at the end of her four-and-a-half- to force two British-born fi ce said the father had failed to “It’s like they’re trying to year jail sentence. Tchildren with lifelong make them aware of his chil- starve us out,” he said. “They As well as sending scores of text and complex physical and men- dren’s health problems. Not only just take us round in endless cir- messages and e-mails to Weeks, tal disabilities out of Britain in a is it the statutory responsibility cles but I can’t aff ord any more the 26-year-old created about 20 move which experts say breach- of the Home Offi ce to ensure its legal help to take them back to Instagram accounts to harass him, es UK and UN law. decisions are in the best interests court to uphold the judge’s deci- made false allegations against him Doctors and social care pro- of any children involved but the sion for them to review my case.” and sent malicious communica- fessionals agree that leaving the father’s barrister submitted evi- In his judgement, Perkins criti- tions to the company where they UK will put the young children, dence to the court proving the cised the Home Offi ce for attempt- had worked together, the video one of whom was born with only evidence was provided with his ing to force the father to leave the advertising company Unruly. half a brain, at signifi cant risk of original application. UK without addressing the health Nordquist was yesterday sen- ill-treatment, educational ne- “The refusal is unlawful and issues of his children. “(It) is not tenced at Snaresbrook crown glect and physical, emotional irrational,” said Parminder Saini, good enough in a case involving a court in north-east London, and sexual abuse. a barrister and deputy judge of child with severe developmental where she was found guilty The children, aged fi ve and six the upper tribunal who is de- problems, characterised fairly if on October 11 of two counts of years old, are currently thriving fending the family. “It is crystal somewhat roughly as being born stalking involving serious alarm/ and making good progress un- clear that the Home Offi ce case- with only half a brain,” he said. distress, two counts of malicious der the care of specialist health worker had not put these mat- The Home Offi ce had claimed communications and perverting services in the UK. ters to the father at all prior to that the father hadn’t sent any the course of public justice. But the Home Offi ce has said drafting its refusal letter.” When evidence of his children’s dis- Police said they hoped that the the children, who only speak the father appealed the refusal, abilities to them. This was severity of the sentence imposed English, must move to Pakistan, the Home Offi ce began drop- proved to be untrue in a Home on Nordquist would encourage a country they have never visited ping its objections: fi rstly, they Offi ce document the father ob- male victims who were tradi- where multiple experts believe abandoned their claim that he tained through a subject access tionally reluctant to report do- they are highly likely to suff er ir- was not earning enough money request, which confi rmed he had mestic abuse to come forward. reversible harm and suff ering. to satisfy the immigration rules. sent documents detailing his Nordquist had been issued a The children’s father, who has Then, just hours before the ap- children’s acute needs. fi rst instance harassment warning asked to remain anonymous, came peal was to be heard, the Home Saini said the Home Offi ce’s on January 24 and had been due to to the UK 11 years ago to complete Offi ce were forced to admit they arguments were “vague, ambig- appear in court on May 4 after be- his masters degree. As part of his had concealed from the court the uous and perverse” and reveal ing charged in February with one application for indefi nite leave to fact their own interviewing offi cer “classic public law errors”. count of stalking and two counts remain in 2016, he was interviewed said the father should be believed. “Following a credible inter- of malicious communications. by a Home Offi ce caseworker, who They continue to insist, however, view, it is hard to understand However, on April 19 members found all his evidence credible and that the family must leave the UK. how the Home Offi ce could ra- of her family, friends, colleagues said he should be believed. Judge Perkins of the upper tionally reverse (then-home and Weeks received an e-mail Nevertheless, when the Home tribunal of the immigration and secretary Amber Rudd’s) deci- purporting to be from an alleged Offi ce decision was returned, the asylum chamber agreed there sion and conclude otherwise crime group, claiming they had father’s application was refused should be a judicial review into without any forewarning to the raped and kidnapped her. Photo- on the basis that his answers in the Home Offi ce’s decision. But father, and without taking (the) graphs of her naked, bound and a Home Offi ce interview lacked the Home Offi ce promised to previous credible view of him gagged were attached, while fur- A group of young people hold up placards during a demonstration to demand a second credibility, despite the case of- review the case within 90 days into account,” said Saini. “The ther e-mails claimed her fi ngers referendum on Brexit outside the Houses of Parliament in London, Britain, yesterday. fi cer’s own notes stating that they of the decision, by July 12, 2018. father’s employment history is had been broken. did fi nd him credible. The Home Since the deadline passed, the fl awless and unchallenged.” Driver charged over girl’s Charity event Missing woman found dead at hospital death 9 years after crash ily and friends at this time.” Guardian News and Media London Jim Crombie, the deputy chief Daily Mail welcomed the decision to Attorney general Geoff rey executive of NHS Lothian, London charge Boparan, and said he had Cox gave police the green light said the health authority was shown no remorse. “I promised to summons Boparan. new mother was found assisting police with their in- Cerys justice and that’s hope- Edwards separated from dead at a Scottish hos- quiries. tycoon’s son who left a fully what we are going to get,” Cerys’s mother, Tracey, 52, in Apital hours after going “My thoughts and sympa- toddler brain-damaged said the 54-year-old builder 2014 as a result of the pressure missing. thies are with the family of Ain a 70mph crash is to from Lichfi eld in Staff ordshire. of looking after their daughter. Amanda Cox, 34, from Pee- Amanda Cox at this sad time,” be prosecuted over her death – “This has been going on for He said after her death: bles, in the Scottish Borders he said. which came nine years after the 12 years and we have never had “Cerys was left on a ventilator region, did not return to the A family friend said Cox collision. closure. The police have been after the crash, she caught a vi- maternity ward at Edinburgh had been suff ering headaches Cerys Edwards was hor- fantastic and have worked rus and that has killed her. She Royal Infi rmary on Monday since before the birth of her rifi cally injured when Antonio their socks off on this case and wouldn’t have been in that po- following a visit to see her son last Thursday. “Appar- Boparan smashed his 2.5-tonne I would like to thank them for sition if it wasn’t for the crash.” son at the neonatal unit. That ently she was going back to her Range Rover into her family’s keeping at it, even though it has Outrage at Boparan’s short night she was found collapsed room for medication but took car when overtaking on a sub- taken so long.” sentence sparked a nation- after a fi ve-hour search. a wrong turning and came out urban street in 2006. The crash in Sutton Cold- wide campaign that resulted Police, who are investigat- of the neonatal ward into a She had just turned one but fi eld, West Midlands, left Cerys in a change in the law to ensure ing, described her death as disused ward,” the friend told had to spend the rest of her life unable to speak and in need of anyone convicted of causing “unexplained, but not suspi- the BBC. on a ventilator before dying in round-the-clock care. She died serious injury by dangerous cious”. Cox had mistakenly Tributes have been posted 2015. in October 2015 at Birmingham driving could be jailed for up to entered a rarely-used stairwell on social media. “There are It is understood that a sum- Children’s Hospital after con- fi ve years. in the hospital, according to no words that will ever explain mons has been served on tracting a virus. Cerys was awarded £5mn reports. how I feel a great friend, team Boparan – heir to an £800mn West Midlands Police passed compensation in 2012, along In a statement Police Scot- mate taken way too early in food manufacturing fortune – a fi le to the Crown Prosecution with an annual payout of land said: “We can confi rm our hearts you will remain for- to appear in court next month Service after a post-mortem £450,000 to help pay for her that missing woman Amanda ever R I P Amanda Cox until we on a charge of causing death examination found Cerys died annual care bill. Following his Cox was discovered collapsed meet again, look after the boys by dangerous driving. The ‘as a result of the collision’. release from prison on curfew Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, poses with Ollie the Donkey and within the Edinburgh Royal from the rainbow bridge,” said 31-year-old was convicted of The CPS said it would be re- conditions, Boparan, who is Harry the Mini Shetland Pony at a charity event at the Guards Infi rmary around 10pm on David Wallace on Facebook. dangerous driving 18 months viewed by a specialist prosecu- married with two children, Chapel in central London yesterday. The Duchess of Cornwall December 10. She sadly passed Another person said: “A after the smash and jailed for tor. A source with knowledge set up a trust for disadvan- attended a service for the animal welfare charity Brooke Action away a short time later.” team mate, a class opponent, 21 months. He served only six of the case said four paediatric taged youngsters. His father for Working Horses and Donkeys at the Guards chapel in The statement continued: a true friend, I have no words months. specialists were asked to exam- donated £200,000 toward Westminster. “Our thoughts and sympa- in my tank, miss you but will Cerys’s father, Gareth, has ine the medical evidence. Cerys’s care. thies are with Amanda’s fam- never forget you.” Gulf Times 20 Thursday, December 13, 2018 EUROPE Strasbourg attack: Manhunt launched for gunman on run

AFP Strasbourg

gunman killed at least three people and wound- Aed a dozen others at the famed Christmas market in the French city of Strasbourg on Tuesday before fl eeing the scene, authorities said. A manhunt was under way after the killer opened fi re at around 8pm on one of the city’s busiest streets, sending crowds of evening shoppers fl eeing for safety. Soldiers patrolling the area as part of regular anti-terror opera- tions exchanged fi re with the sus- pect and wounded him, but could not stop him escaping, police sources said. Interior Minister Christophe Castaner said early yesterday the The Strasbourg’s BRI (Research and Intervention Brigade) patrols the streets searching for the gunman gunman had killed three people who opened fire near a Christmas market in Strasbourg. and wounded 12. Earlier Mayor Roland Ries had given a toll of ing, lines of police vehicles and “four dead and a dozen wound- ambulances streamed into the ed”. Castaner also said France market area, under festive lights had raised its security alert level declaring the city the “capital of to “emergency attack” with “the Christmas.” “We heard several implementation of reinforced shots, three perhaps, and we saw border controls and tightened people running,” one witness told controls on all Christmas mar- AFP, asking not to be named. French soldiers stand guard at the Christmas market in front of the Strasbourg Cathedral, eastern France. kets in France to avoid the risk of “One of them fell down, I don’t a copycat” attack. know whether it was because she for trying to reach jihadist groups Brempt told AFP. “Now we just ling among the 300 wooden The gunman has been iden- was tripped up or if she was hit,” in Syria, or have been arrested wait.” Christmas market chalets. Three tifi ed and was on a watchlist of the witness said. upon their return. “Shocked and The Christmas market in years after groups of militants suspected extremists, a state- President Emmanuel Macron saddened by the terrible attack Strasbourg and the city’s illumi- gunned down and blew up 130 ment from local security services held a crisis meeting with cabi- in Strasbourg. My thoughts are nations are an annual attraction people in Paris on November 13, said. France’s security forces, al- net offi cials in Paris shortly after with all of those aff ected and with that draws hundreds of thou- 2015, French counter-terror of- ready on high alert after a series of midnight. the French people,” British Prime sands of people. Security has fi cials say their focus has shifted. terror attacks since 2015, are par- Two separate security sources Minister Theresa May wrote on been stepped up in recent years Rather than coordinated attacks, ticularly stretched at the moment told AFP on condition of ano- Twitter. after a series of attacks in France their main concern is attacks by due to anti-government protests nymity that the shooter was be- A man lights a candle in tribute to the victims of a deadly shooting in The Strasbourg-based Eu- by Islamist gunmen and the “lone wolves” – self-radicalised that have swept the country. lieved to be a 29-year-old from central Strasbourg, yesterday. ropean Parliament was also on Strasbourg market was long con- individuals acting without links “I heard shooting and then the city, whose name was given lockdown, with MEPs, staff and sidered a possible target. In 2016, to terror groups such as Islamic there was pandemonium,” one as Cherif, and who was set to be local restaurants and bars which the suspect was thought to be journalists unable to leave the a 23-year-old Tunisian killed 12 State. witness, who gave his name as arrested on Tuesday morning. pulled down their shutters. “We hiding. The source did not give building. In a parliament bar usu- and injured 48 others when he Most recently a 20-year-old Fatih, told AFP. “People were He was being investigated over let everyone inside, down into the address and it was unclear ally reserved for MEPs, EU com- ploughed a truck into a Christ- Chechnya-born man went on a running everywhere.” an attempted murder, one of the the wine cellar. They’re locked if the shooter had been located. missioners, powerful legislators mas market in Berlin in an at- knife rampage in central Paris last He said he had seen three peo- sources said. Several areas neigh- in there,” local restaurant owner Specialist anti-terror prosecutors and staff ers huddled in small tack claimed by the Islamic State May, killing one man and injuring ple injured on the ground only a bouring the Christmas market Mouad, 33, told AFP. have opened an investigation into groups waiting for developments. group. four other people on a Saturday few metres (feet) from the giant were sealed off on Tuesday night A police source, again speak- the incident in Strasbourg, which “Our fi rst thought was for col- Special anti-terror army units night. A total of 246 people have Christmas tree in the centre of and residents were being told to ing on condition of anonymity, lies on the border with Germany. leagues who had already made have been deployed in Stras- been killed in terror attacks in the city. stay indoors. said security forces had opened Several residents of the city it to the centre of town, who are bourg, and soldiers and armed France since 2015, according to an Shortly after the shoot- Many people took refuge in fi re in an area of the city where have been detained in recent years safe,” Belgian MEP Kathleen Van police are regularly seen patrol- AFP toll. Spanish PM hardens Catalonia stance 40 Years for Integration

Reuters The Socialists control fewer also said that national police ening its stance, it seems it has Madrid than a quarter of seats in the could be sent to Catalonia if understood that its position Madrid parliament and need local authorities did not do on territorial issues has cost it the support of smaller parties, more against protests like one votes,” said Pablo Simon, a po- panish Prime Minister including Catalan nationalists, that shut down highways at litical science professor at Ma- Pedro Sanchez said yes- to pass legislation, in particular the weekend. Sanchez’s speech drid’s Carlos III university. Sterday he would stand the 2019 budget. drew unfavourable initial reac- The issue may well come to a fi rm against what he called “in- Yesterday’s speech was tions from across the political head in January, when Sanchez fl ammatory” Catalan separatist closely watched for signs of spectrum. puts the 2019 budget proposal rhetoric, hardening his stance whether Sanchez would make Catalan separatist lawmaker to parliament. If that fails to towards the region and upping concessions to Catalan separa- Carles Campuzano called it pass, he could be forced to call the stakes in a broader political tists to secure their backing for “a big mistake,” adding: “You an early election, though he game. the budget and help him stay in can’t govern Spain ignoring the would be able to do so while Sanchez has adopted a more offi ce for the rest of a parlia- demands of Catalonia.” saying he has not yielded to open approach towards Catalo- mentary term due to run until The conservative Partido separatists’ demands, analysts nia’s pro-independence leaders 2020. But he took no such step. Popular (PP) and centre-right say. than his conservative predeces- “Over the past few days we Ciudadanos said the speech “The question (for an early sor Mariano Rajoy, ousted in a have heard, from some of the was too soft. election) is not so much when as no-confi dence vote in June and leaders of the independence “You have said absolutely why. It can be a good argument whose government took control movement, an unacceptable in- nothing on Catalonia,” PP chief to say they wanted to push the of the region for several months fl ammatory rhetoric,” Sanchez Pablo Casado said. “You can’t budget through to implement after it unilaterally declared in- told lawmakers. say anything as you depend on their policies but couldn’t for dependence in October 2017. Speaking in Brussels on Sat- their votes (for the government) lack of support,” Simon said. But a deepening polarisa- urday, the head of Catalonia’s to survive.” Sanchez said he was still will- tion within Spain over matters pro-independence govern- Analysts said the Social- ing to talk with Catalan leaders, of regional autonomy on Dec 2 ment Quim Torra praised what ists’ fi asco in Andalusia, where but that they must fi rst come cost Sanchez’s Socialists votes he called “the Slovenian way” the far-right Vox also made up with proposals representing in an election in Andalusia, to independence. Slovenia de- an unexpected breakthrough, all of the region and not just its one of its traditional regional clared independence in June was partly due to anger with separatists. His government’s strongholds, that in turn high- 1991, prompting a 10-day war Sanchez’s overtures to Catalo- economic policies would help lighted the risk of an early na- against the Yugoslav army in nia. heavily-indebted Catalonia, he tional election. which 64 people died. Sanchez “The government is tough- added.

Pope removes scandal-hit cardinals from inner circle German Chancellor Angela Merkel gives a speech during a function titled ‘40 Years for Integration’ yesterday in Berlin. The off ice of the Federal Government Commissioner for Migration, Refugees, Pope Francis has removed two Pell, who faces charges in leaders of bishops’ conferences as possible, while Africans don’t and Integration was created 40 years ago. prominent cardinals from his Australia related to historical from around the world dealing want any measures taken,” said inner circle months after they child sexual off ences, were both with the “protection of minors”, a source close to the pope. were tainted by paedophile absent, and the council said it to which victims of priest sex “A code of silence has been scandals and ahead of a was considering restructuring. abuse have been invited. our culture for too long, Swedish political crisis deepens as opposition gets budget passed Church-wide meeting on the Despite being removed from The meeting of bishops from February’s meeting should “protection of minors” next year. the C9, Pell, 77, remains in around the world will also have mark a new beginning for Sweden’s political crisis deepened hung parliament. Neither Lofven’s something dramatic happens, the Australian Cardinal George Pell charge of Vatican finances, the to deal with some Asian and bishops’ responsibility, or even yesterday as parliament rejected centre-left nor the centre-right question of a new government is and Chilean Cardinal Francisco third most powerful position African bishops conferences for a new control system,” the caretaker government’s have a majority and both blocs not going to be solved on Friday Javier Errazuriz were both in the Roman Catholic Church. who say they are not concerned the source said. Allegations in budget in favour of a tax-cutting refuse to deal with the anti- either,” he told reporters. The removed from the so-called The Church has been hit by a by the “Western” abuse August from a conservative one from the opposition. The immigration Sweden Democrats country must hold fresh elections C9 Council of Cardinals, an series of child abuse scandals in problem. “February’s meeting archbishop that the pope had vote is a blow for acting Prime who hold the balance of power. if parliament fails four times international advice body set up recent years, with widespread can’t resolve all the problems, ignored abuse suspicions Minister Stefan Lofven who has The speaker told parliament to vote for a government. The by Francis himself, the Vatican allegations of cover-ups, because there’s too much world concerning a prominent US already lost one attempt to win to vote on Friday for a second Sweden Democrats, who want to said yesterday. The last time the including against the pope diversity in the Church. The cardinal have triggered an parliament’s approval to form a time on a Lofven government, turn away asylum seekers and C9 met in September, Errazuriz, himself. The pope clarified the American (US) episcopacy is internal investigation into government and faces another hoping to force the two blocs hold a vote on EU membership, who is accused of ignoring composition of the C9 ahead panicking, they want to be as Vatican archives ordered by on Friday that he looks unlikely to into a compromise. But the won 17.5% of the vote in reports of abuse in Chile, and of a February meeting with radical (against sexual abuse) Pope Francis. win. Sweden has been in deadlock Social Democrat leader admitted September and could increase since a September produced a his chances are slim. “Unless that at a snap election, polls show. Gulf Times Thursday, December 13, 2018 21 INDIA Election losses in the Hindi heartland worry BJP in UP

IANS years of political exile, the stun- “There is a lot of corruption all lacklustre performance of the tion and PWD departments. The many innocents have died, crim- anti-farmer but was also fan- Lucknow ning 2017 assembly victory is be- round. Offi cials are not even lis- BJP government. minister moaned that party lead- inals continue to have a free run. ning communal passions which ginning to look like history. tening to the chief minister’s di- “The government is direc- ers failed to understand the pub- An Apple executive was shot he says was not in the interest of Barely a year-and-a-half later, rectives,” said Om Prakash Rajb- tionless and has failed to inspire lic mood. dead by a policeman in cold the state. ith three major states the popularity ratings of the state har, who heads BJP ally Suheldev confi dence,” says a party veteran Samajwadi Party spokesper- blood. And now a police offi cer The BJP’s defeats in Rajasthan, in the Hindi heart- government, specially Chief Bharatiya Samaj Party (SBSP) who taunts the party leadership son Abdul Hafi z Gandhi for once too was shot dead during mob Madhya Pradesh and Chhattis- Wland slipping out of its Minister Yogi Adityanath, are and is a cabinet minister. for not meeting the people’s as- agrees with the BJP leaders’ as- violence in Bulandshahr. Many garh show that the time for the hands, the Bharatiya Janata Party worryingly down. A perpetual rebel who has of- pirations. sessment and points out that children have died in poorly- party and Prime Minister Naren- (BJP) is worried in Uttar Pradesh Many of the chief minister’s ten broken ranks with the ruling “We are bogged down by a except for “hatred and rumour managed state-run hospitals. dra Modi was “fast running out”, where even party insiders com- decisions, like renaming Faiza- party, Rajbhar’s disillusionment, haughty bureaucracy which mongering”, the BJP government “So what has changed?” asks a he added. plain about poor governance and bad to Ayodhya and Allahabad unlike that of others, is out in the refuses to fall in line. As a result, has failed to achieve anything in senior BJP leader, speaking on the Another minister, also not growing lawlessness. to Prayagraj and his use of acidic open. our party workers and supporters one-and-a-half years. condition of anonymity. wishing to be named, told IANS “What if this repeats here language, have soured his appeal, There are, however, many sen- are disgruntled,” he added. Lawlessness, he adds, con- Former minister and Praga- that after initial bravado Adi- too?” is a question that is haunt- even among BJP supporters. The ior ministers in the ruling party A BJP general secretary is ac- tinues in the state. And despite tisheel Samajwadi Party (PSP) tyanath had failed to control the ing many in the BJP. For a party BJP’s allies too are openly speaking who complain in private over cused by a minister of trying to lofty claims and reckless police president Shivpal Yadav says bureaucracy and was dependent that stormed to power after 16 against the way the state is run. what they feel is the poor and corner major tenders in irriga- “encounters”, in which critics say the government was not only on a small coterie of offi cers. As Modi takes a beating at polls, small parties see big chance

Reuters could put together a coalition, as New Delhi it seeks to respect the aspirations of its alliance partners. Many of the regional leaders fter suff ering an electoral are highly ambitious with years thrashing at the hands of of experience in offi ce. APrime Minister Narendra The Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party in said yesterday it would support 2014, India’s small regional par- Congress in forming govern- ties are back in the reckoning ments in the big states of Madhya months ahead of the next general Pradesh and Rajasthan, where it election. fell just short of a majority. Losses for the BJP announced Congress has the numbers to in three key states on Tuesday - form a government on its own in blamed mainly on rural anger at the central state of Chhattisgarh, weak farm prices and sluggish while regional parties won two other job creation - have opened the states that also went to the polls. door for new and old alliances “We fought these state elec- between the main opposition tions mainly to dethrone the BJP. Congress and smaller parties Unfortunately we were not able bitterly opposed to Modi. to do that on our own,” BSP chief Congress leaders Kamal Nath and Jyotiraditya Scindia arrive to meet Most political strategists still Mayawati told reporters. Ashok Gehlot, Sachin Pilot, C P Joshi and others attend a Congress Legislature Party meeting in Jaipur yesterday. Madhya Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel in Bhopal yesterday. expect the BJP to cling on to na- “Despite having some diff er- tional power, albeit with a small- ences with the Congress, we have er majority, in an election due by decided to support them to keep May next year. the BJP out. Our people should But they also acknowledge this give their best, starting now, for week’s results in three big heart- a good showing in the next gen- land states have opened up the eral election.” outside possibility that Congress Another BSP leader, M H Khan, Kamal Nath, Gehlot, Baghel could stitch together enough told Reuters the party hoped to support from smaller parties to fi ght the 2019 general election form the next government. alongside Congress and other “At the central level, Prime parties, and then see Mayawati Minister Modi maintains over- become the next prime minister. whelming popularity over his In the 2014 general election, front-runners for CM posts competitors, and anecdotal the BJP won 282, or nearly 53%, evidence suggests BJP has more of the 543 seats in the Lok Sabha, IANS Delhi and brief Gandhi of their fell short of securing an absolute In Rajasthan, Gehlot, a former Earlier, accompanied by Scin- boots on the ground than other the lower house, the biggest ma- Bhopal/Jaipur/Raipur assessment, which included majority by just two seats while two-time chief minister, was pit- dia, Kamal Nath met Madhya parties to mobilise during its re- jority an Indian government has consultations with individual in Chhattisgarh it scored a land- ted in the electoral fray with Pi- Pradesh Governor Anandiben election campaign,” Nomura said had in three decades. legislators. slide victory by securing 68 of lot at the last minute and both of Patel and staked his party’s claim in a research note. Meanwhile, the BSP drew a eteran Congress lead- Party leaders and contend- the 90 seats. them have won their seats. Pilot’s to form the next government in “However, we do expect talks blank, after winning as many as ers Kamal Nath, Ashok ers for chief ministership Kamal Senior party leader Mallikarjun claim to chief ministership rests the state. of a grand (opposition) coalition 21 seats in 2009. VGehlot and Bhupesh Nath and Jyotiradtiya Scindia in Kharge told reporters in Raipur on the work he had done to gal- “We have staked claim,” he to raise political uncertainty into Many other small parties, such as Baghel appear to have emerged Madhya Pradesh and Gehlot and that the legislators would meet vanise the party in the last more told reporters after the meeting the 2019 general elections.” the Samajwadi Party (SP) and Na- as the frontrunners in the race Sachin Pilot in Rajasthan, met and follow the Congress proce- than four years as state party at Raj Bhavan. Asked who would A Congress-led coalition in- tionalist Congress Party, also fared for chief ministership in Madhya the governors of their states and dure of electing a new leader in chief. Both of them met Gover- be the chief minister, Kamal volving multiple smaller parties poorly as a Modi’s development- Pradesh, Rajasthan and Chhat- staked claim to form the govern- which they will be consulted. nor Kalyan Singh yesterday along Nath shot back: “I don’t know.” could fi nd it diffi cult to govern, for-all pitch swept the country. tisgarh respectively as the party ment. In Jaipur, outside the ven- Amidst pressures and counter- with several other Congress Late on Tuesday, Kamal Nath and make economic reforms par- SP spokesman Ghanshyam put in motion the process of ue of Congress legislature party pressures, the Congress presi- leaders. wrote to the governor urging ticularly contentious. Tiwari said the party hoped to government formation in the meeting, Pilot’s young support- dent could be weighing the op- Chhattisgarh may not pose her to give him an appointment That is because almost all of easily surpass its tally of fi ve three states where it dislodged ers raised slogans hailing his tion of preferring experience to much of a challenge for Gandhi so that he could stake claim as the smaller parties have their parliamentary seats next year by the Bharatiya Janata Party from leadership. youth in view of the nature of the as Baghel is widely credited with the Congress had emerged as own local or community-based forming a “formidable alliance power in the just-concluded as- Their claim to form the next verdict in which the party could organising the party, especially the single largest party in the agendas that may not fi t with to ensure that we have a better sembly elections. government was made easy with only manage to barely defeat the after the assassination of its top Assembly with “majority sup- many national policies. agenda to work on”. The newly-elected members the Bahujan Samaj Party and the BJP which requires deft handling leaders, including Vidya Charan port”. For investors that could mean On Monday, a day before the in Madhya Pradesh and Rajas- Samajwadi Party extending the of the political situation. Shukla, Nand Kumar Patel and The Congress won 114 seats, dealing with more policy uncer- election results were announced, than met in the presence of high support of three of their legisla- While Kamal Nath, a nine- Mahendra Karma, by Maoists two short of a majority in the tainty or even gridlock over some Congress led a meeting of nearly command observers and passed tors to the Congress in Madhya time MP, was appointed the more than fi ve years ago. 230-member house. critical issues. two dozen opposition parties a unanimous resolution leaving Pradesh to keep the BJP out. BSP Madhya Pradesh unit chief early The other names doing the After the meeting with the Adding to that uncertainty, who pledged to oust the BJP gov- it to Congress president Rahul chief Mayawati also announced this year, the other aspirant, rounds are T S Singh Deo, leader Governor, Scindia said “of Congress says it will not an- ernment and “confront and de- Gandhi to take the final call on that her six legislators in Rajas- Scindia, was later made the cam- of opposition in the outgoing as- course it would be a privilege” nounce that its president, Rahul feat the forces that are subvert- who will be the chief minister than would support Congress if paign committee chief. Both are sembly, party MP Tamradhwaj when he was asked whether he Gandhi, would be its prime min- ing our constitution and making in their states. The central ob- necessary. MPs and did not contest the as- Sahu and former federal minister would like to be the chief min- isterial candidate in the event it a mockery of our democracy”. servers are expected to reach In both states, the Congress sembly polls. Charan Das Mahant. ister. Voters rejected BJP’s vicious People voted for Congress poll campaign, says Pawar with ‘heavy heart’: Mayawati IANS own and even the BJP fl ourished Lucknow due to the wrong policies of the IANS sonal attacks on these personali- The Maratha strongman and a Congress. Mumbai ties and wiped out the BJP in all three-time chief minister of Ma- She admitted that despite the the states,” Pawar said. harashtra and who has also been ahujan Samaj Party chief best eff orts and hard work of its He added that the central gov- a central minister many times, Mayawati yesterday said cadres, the elections in the three ationalist Congress Party ernment has attempted to under- Pawar is now a Rajya Sabha Bpeople voted for the Con- states were not that positive to (NCP) president Sharad mine various institutions in the member. He has not lost a single gress much against their wishes her party. NPawar yesterday said the country and did not spare even the election since 1967. because they saw it as the prime But she said the voters in Ra- Bharatiya Janata Party’s attacks Reserve Bank of India (RBI). He started his political career challenger to the Bharatiya Ja- jasthan, Chhattisgarh and Mad- on the Nehru-Gandhi family and “It is indeed a matter of seri- as a youth leader with the Con- nata Party in Madhya Pradesh, hya Pradesh had given “a befi t- subverting national institutions ous concern… The people have gress in the early 1960s, but left Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan. ting reply to the anti-people did not go down well with voters adopted the ballot box method to the party in 1999 and launched Mayawati told reporters this policies” pursued by the BJP who rejected the party. choose Congress and express their the NCP, which is allied with the was unfortunate as the poor, governments, she said in a state- Speaking to reporters on his unhappiness with Prime Minister UPA, both in Maharashtra and at Dalits, marginalised and reli- ment. 78th birthday, Pawar said the Narendra Modi.” In view of these the national level. gious minorities had suff ered To prevent the BJP from stick- BJP indulged in “a very vicious developments, he urged the Sa- Meanwhile, former Jammu and during the past governments of ing to power, she said her party campaign” in the fi ve states, even majwadi Party and Bahujan Samaj Kashmir Chief Minister Omar the Congress. was extending support to the making personal attacks on the Party to join the opposition United Abdullah said the BJP should “So much against their wish- Congress in government forma- Nehru-Gandhi family. Progressive Alliance (UPA). hold Modi responsible for the es, they voted for the Congress tion in Rajasthan and Madhya “This was not approved by Dodging a question on whether party’s electoral defeats. after seeing it as the main con- Pradesh. the electorate… The modern Congress president Rahul Gandhi The National Conference leader tender for power.” In Mumbai, the Shiv Sena said generation has never seen Ja- would become the prime minis- greeted Gandhi for his party’s suc- Charging the Congress with the BJP’s dreams of making In- waharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi ter if the opposition won the 2019 cess in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh ignoring the path shown by Dalit dia “Congress-mukt” (free of or Rajiv Gandhi. They have only election, Pawar countered: “When and Chhattisgarh where BJP gov- icon B R Aambedkar, Mayawati Congress) have bit the dust in witnessed what happened in the Rahul himself has indicated he is ernments were ousted in what was Nationalist Congress Party president Sharad Pawar is seen with party said it was because of this that the three crucial states, and has past 10 years. This is the reason not in the race for the PM’s post, seen as a “semi-fi nal” leading up leader Chhagan Bhujbal during his birthday celebrations, in Mumbai people from the Dalit commu- been decimated in the other two they rejected outright such per- why is the media so concerned?” to the 2019 Lok Sabha polls. yesterday. nity had to fl oat parties of their states. Gulf Times 22 Thursday, December 13, 2018 INDIA

CONFERENCE CELEBRATIONS TECHNOLOGY COMMUNICATION TRIBUTES Meet on sexual exploitation Blood donation camp to be IISc asked to design data India to launch satellite Manipur honours women of children to be held held on Parrikar birthday site for smart cities for Indian Air Force who revolted against British

The first international conference on “Sexual Ailing Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar The federal Ministry of Housing and Urban India will launch GSAT 7A, a military The Manipur government yesterday paid floral Exploitation of Children in Digital Era” will turns 63 today. The state Bharatiya Janata Aff airs has asked the Indian Institute of Science communication satellite for the Indian tributes to the intrepid women crusaders be held in Kolkata on December 14 and 15 to Party will mark the occasion in the state (IISc) to design a data site for information Air Force (IAF), on December 19 with its who had revolted against the British rule in spread awareness among people, off icials said capital Panaji with a blood donation camp exchange among smart cities. “The ministry Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle 1939, officials said. The women had raised yesterday. The meeting comes close on the heels at the party headquarters. “His absence will has asked IISc to lead the eff ort to create (GSLV Mk II) rocket, India’s space agency said their voice against unpaid forced labour and of reports that India accounted for around 2.4mn definitely be felt. But we are going to do a data exchange platform for smart cities yesterday. The GSLV rocket will launch the free export of the Manipuri rice which left cases of online child sexual abuse last year. Among everything which we otherwise used to do on through collaboration with industry, NGOs and 2,250kg communication satellite GSAT-7A the people on the verge of starvation. They those who will participate are off icials from West his birthday like organising a blood donation government agencies,” the institute said in a from the second launch pad of the Satish were also vocal about other oppression. On Bengal Commission for the Protection of Child camp,” former legislator and Parrikar’s statement. The ‘Smart Cities Mission’ started by Dhawan Space Centre SHAR in Sriharikota, December 12, 1939, they had protested against Rights (WBCPCR), International Justice Mission aide Sidharth Kuncalienkar said yesterday. Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2015 aims to the Indian Space Research Organisation some British officers in the Imphal Telegraph (IJM), and chairpersons of women commissions Kuncalienkar, who resigned from the assembly develop 100 citizen-friendly and sustainable cities (ISRO) said. The space agency said just over office. In retaliation, the Assam Rifles troopers across the country, senior police off icials from in 2017 to facilitate the election of Parrikar, using technological solutions across the country. 19 minutes after GSLV rocket’s lift-off, GSAT bayoneted several women. Since the women six countries, government representatives, then the defence minister, has also appealed “The city administrators and off icials are looking at 7A will be injected into a geosynchronous could not be dispersed, the British government prosecutors and judges from 15 countries to the chief minister’s followers to attend the leveraging the volume of data being generated by transfer orbit from where it would be lifted banned rice export. Speaking at the event, including Germany, Uganda, Canada, Kenya, the birthday celebration in large numbers. Parrikar smart sensors deployed in their cities to improve to its final geostationary orbit. The satellite Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh said US, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and India. Off icials from is suffering from advanced pancreatic cancer their operational excellence,” the statement with a maximum life of eight years will be for “Manipuri women are actively associated with social media giant Facebook and major consulting and has been in and out of hospitals in Goa, noted. The data exchange framework will enable the use of IAF. The satellite is built to provide the panchayat level elections and works. Men firms Deloitte and PriceWaterhouseCoopers are Mumbai, New York and Delhi for nearly nine easy exchange of data between various city communication capability to the users in Ku- should also encourage them to take active also expected to be present. months. departments and organisations. band over the Indian region. part in the law making bodies.” SC extends Assam NRC

A delegation of TRS leaders meet Governor E S L Narasimhan to present a resolution passed at the Legislature Party meeting, unanimously electing K Chandrashekhar Rao as its leader. deadline by Welfare schemes help Telangana leader storm back to power two weeks IANS worked. Hundreds of thou- Rs1 lakh each for their marriage investment support, ‘Rythu Hyderabad sands of benefi ciaries appeared helped KCR to endear himself to Beema’ launched recently to Agencies ple so that they can either seek certifi cate and refugee certifi cate to have voted for the TRS as re- various sections. provide Rs5 lakh life insurance New Delhi inclusion or object to wrongful issued by competent authority fl ected in its massive win, bag- Residential schools for poor were the initiatives hailed by inclusions in the register. (up to March 24, 1971 midnight). he welfare schemes im- ging 88 seats in the 119-mem- students from backward class- farmers in a state notorious for The judges took note of sub- The other two legacy docu- plemented during the ber assembly with nearly 47% es and minorities with annual farmers’ suicides. he Supreme Court yes- mission of senior advocate Kapil ments include certifi ed copies of Tlast four-and-a-half vote share. expenditure of Rs1.20 lakh on The TRS also claimed to have terday extended by two Sibal that NRC authorities were pre-1971 electoral roll, particu- years appear to have helped K The gamble of advancing each child, overseas scholar- made progress in the construc- Tweeks a deadline for mil- not considering legally valid doc- larly, those issued from Tripura Chandrashekhar Rao lead his elections also paid off for KCR ships and distribution of sheep tion of re-designed irrigation lions of people left off a citizens uments, which have come into be- and the ration card. Telangana Rashtra Samithi as he feared that going for as- on subsidy among shepherd projects to achieve its goal of register in Assam to provide the ing after August 31, 2015, for veri- The court had also accepted (TRS) to a resounding victory in sembly polls along with Lok communities helped him to ce- bringing one crore acres under necessary documents to be in- fying claims for inclusion. the Standard Operating Proce- India’s youngest state. Sabha elections next year may ment his position further. irrigation. cluded. August 31, 2015 was the dead- dures (SOP) prepared by cen- Unlike in 2014 when KCR, as overshadow his welfare and de- During the election cam- There were also some areas A new draft National Register line for registration of names in tral government and had fi xed the TRS chief is called, man- velopment narrative. paign, KCR projected 24x7 where the implementation was of Citizens (NRC) in the north- the draft NRC. the time line for various stages aged to scrape through despite Making a beginning with just electricity supply as his single partial or unsatisfactory. The eastern state announced in July “We direct the NRC authori- in publication of the draft fi nal the strong Telangana senti- 63 seats in 2014, KCR politi- biggest achievement and re- government could not complete left off 4mn people, leaving them ties to accept such documents NRC. ment, this time people have cally cemented his position by called how the state was reeling Mission Bhagiratha aimed at potentially stateless and facing which are legally valid and per- The court on September 5 had given a clear mandate for the encouraging defections of over under severe power crunch at providing drinking water sup- an uncertain future. missible regardless of the date the allowed use any one of the 10 64-year-old, now one of the two dozen legislators and sev- the time of its formation. ply to every household. It also With many of these lack- of issuance of such documents,” of a total 15 documents provided most powerful regional leaders eral seniors from the Congress Farm loan waiver with an came under criticism for fail- ing the necessary papers, only the court said. in List-A of the claim form to be in the country who is eyeing a and TDP. expenditure of Rs17,000 crore, ing to provide double bed room around 1.5mn people have fi led Earlier, the court had allowed used by the claimants for prov- role in national politics. A weakened opposition uninterrupted round-the- houses to all the benefi ciaries. claims for inclusion in the last the use of fi ve more documents ing legacy. After achieving his goal of and TDP president and And- clock free power supply to KCR himself admitted that two weeks, according to the state by claimants for the draft NRC, The ten legacy documents statehood to Telangana, KCR hra Pradesh Chief Minister N farmers, ‘Rythu Bandhu’ un- the results were not to the de- government. saying the premise “better to which were made admissible in- had taken upon himself the task Chandrababu Naidu shifting der which each farmer gets sired level in providing jobs to But it appealed to the Supreme exclude genuine person than to clude land documents like regis- of building ‘Bangaru (golden) base to Vijayawada in the wake Rs4,000 per acre per crop as youth. Court seeking more time, saying include a wrongful person” can’t tered sale deed, permanent resi- Telangana’ and satisfi ed with of ‘cash for vote’ scam in 2015 it could not process all the claims be accepted. dential certifi cate issued from the progress made so far people made KCR’s task easy. before the previous deadline of It had over-ruled the objec- outside the state, passport and have given him another term to Launching various welfare KCR to take oath as CM today December 15. tions of state NRC co-ordinator LIC insurance policy of the rel- lead the state. schemes targeting diff erent The new deadline is December Prateek Hajela that the docu- evant period. Initially, KCR’s campaign was sections of the society, KCR K Chandrashekhar Rao, who of TRS yesterday elected 31. ments to be relied upon to stake The NRC policy was intro- about Telangana self-respect strengthened his vote base. led the Telangana Rashtra KCR their leader at a meeting The court also said the dead- claim such as refugee registra- duced by the Assam govern- and focused more on hitting out He claims that by spending Samithi (TRS) to a massive win held at the Telangana Bhavan, line for verifying the claims for tion certifi cate and ration card ment, which is controlled by at ‘anti-Telangana’ Congress Rs40,000 crore on welfare in the Telangana assembly the party headquarters. The inclusion in the NRC would be can be forged. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s and Telugu Desam Party (TDP). schemes annually, Telangana is elections, will take oath as TRS chief told reporters after now February 15, instead of Feb- The claimants for draft NRC Bharatiya Janata Party. Subsequently, the orator par number one in providing wel- the chief minister of India’s the meeting that since the ruary 1. can now stake claim with the Critics say it is the latest move excellence changed his tactic fare to people among all states. youngest state for a second Election Commission has to The current register includes help of a total 15 documents by the BJP to bolster India’s and at every election meeting The social security pensions consecutive term today. issue a gazette notification, the only those who were able to provided in List-A of the claim Hindu majority at the expense of appealed to people to compare to widows, old age people, dif- He will take the oath at a constitution of a full-fledged prove they were in the state be- form. minorities. the four-and-a-half year rule ferently abled, single women, fi - ceremony to be held at 1.30pm cabinet may take a few days. KCR fore 1971, when millions fl ed The fi ve new documents al- India will hold Lok Sabha of TRS with 60 years of Con- nancial assistance to weavers and at Raj Bhavan. Governor E S also sent his resignation to the Bangladesh’s war of independ- lowed by the court to prove the elections next year. gress and TDP rule. He urged beedi workers and schemes like L Narasimhan will administer governor to facilitate formation ence into the state, and their de- legacy for the claimants include Assam, a state of 33mn people them to ponder after returning ‘Kalyana Lakshmi’ and ‘Shadi the oath of off ice and secrecy. of the new government and his scendants. extract of names in NRC, 1951; known for its lush tea estates, home and then decide. Mubarak’ under which girls are The newly-elected legislators swearing-in. The court also ordered that extract/certifi ed copy of elec- has for decades been racked by This strategy seems to have provided with an assistance of copies of the draft NRC be made toral rolls up to the midnight of violence between indigenous available for inspection by peo- March 24, 1971 and citizenship tribes and settlers.

Ambani home decked I’m not running away up for Isha’s wedding from country: Vadra

DPA The Piramals run indus- Mumbai tries ranging from real estate to IANS out searches at the premises of healthcare. New Delhi people linked to Vadra in Delhi, Television channels showed National Capital Region and ne of the world’s most long shots of the brightly lit Bengaluru in connection with expensive private resi- 27-storey Ambani home where obert Vadra, Congress some defence deals. It also ques- Odences, Antilia in Mum- the nuptials are to be held. president Rahul Gandhi’s tioned four people, including bai, was extravagantly deco- The guest list was a “small Rbrother-in-law, yesterday a Congress worker and two of rated with lamps and red fl owers 600,” comprising family, friends asserted that he was not scared Vadra’s employees. yesterday for the wedding of and close associates, media re- and was not running away from The Congress has attacked billionaire Mukesh Ambani’s ports said. the country because he knows the government over the raids, daughter Isha Ambani. Bollywood stars Shah Rukh that he was not wrong. alleging that Prime Minister Isha Ambani is marrying Khan, Amitabh Bachchan, Aish- Talking to reporters about Narendra Modi was misusing the Anand Piramal, the scion of an- warya Rai, Priyanka Chopra and raids by Enforcement Direc- probe agencies. other Mumbai-based business singer Nick Jonas were seen en- torate (ED) on people linked to Vadra said he will respond to family, in events that began with tering the venue, the Indian Ex- him, Vadra said he would “han- questions which are asked in a an engagement at Lake Como in press newspaper reported. dle all the pressure”. legal way, adding “why should I Italy in September, followed by a The weekend bash at the City “This is not something new, talk on a sub judice matter?” “pre-wedding” weekend bash at Palace in Udaipur was a bigger this is seven to eight years old. “We are not above the law, we which Beyonce performed in the aff air, the paper reported. But the issue has intensifi ed in are very much with the law. I am Rajasthan city of Udaipur, and Former US secretaries of the past fi ve years. We respond- an Indian citizen and I am not fi nally the wedding with Hindu state Hillary Clinton and John ed to all ED notices in the correct running away anywhere.” rituals in Mumbai. Kerry were seen shaking a leg way. I am here in the country, Demanding that the matter Mukesh Ambani ranks 19th to Hindi songs, but the top at- not running away. Whenever be investigated in a “fair” man- in Forbes’ 2018 list of world bil- traction was a performance by we were asked questions, I and ner, he said the “charges against lionaires and has a net worth of Beyonce who posted pictures of my team gave correct responses. me are totally false and politi- $40.1bn. herself in the palace in a red- When I have not done anything cally motivated. I will not allow Ambani’s Reliance group’s and-gold India-themed outfit wrong, why should I be scared,” my name to be used for political main businesses are in petro- on Instagram, without naming he asked. blackmail and have always main- chemicals and oil and gas. the event. Antilia is decorated during Isha Ambani’s wedding yesterday. On December 7, the ED carried tained that we will co-operate”. Gulf Times Thursday, December 13, 2018 23 LATIN AMERICA Chile drives electric vehicle rollout in Latin America Reuters rollout of electric scooters, cars fl eet and 100% of public trans- Enthusiasts of the new tech- Sebastian Pinera said at the start the case in Santiago. eration fi rm Engie Energia Chile Santiago and taxis, as well as lorries for portation on the roads by 2050. nology prefer to focus on the of November, when the govern- The Chilean capital will have SA and manufactured by China’s use in the mining industry. The initiative puts Chile at pluses of clean motoring, such ment took delivery of six BMW i3 200 in total, the government Zhengzhou Yutong Bus Co Ltd Mineral-rich Chile — which is the forefront of clean mobility in as the reduction in noise and air electric cars destined for minis- said. Other Latin American countries massive cargo ship not only the world’s largest cop- Latin America as well as among pollution as well as lower fuel terial use. The 100 that recently arrived are catching on. docked in the Chilean per producer but also the sec- developing countries worldwide. costs. Studies by McKinsey and were manufactured by Chinese Mexico City has a booming Aport of San Antonio at the ond-largest producer of lithium, But it represents a signifi cant The operation and mainte- Bloomberg bear his claims out fi rm BYD Electronic Interna- market in electric scooters and end of November, carrying it its a key component in electric ve- challenge given the persistently nance costs of an electric bus are — of the 385,000 electric buses tional Co, fi nanced by the local bicycles. It also plans to intro- belly the fi rst 100 electric buses hicle batteries — aims to increase high price of electric vehicles also around 70% less than those on the road worldwide last year, subsidiary of the Italian power duce between 300 and 500 elec- from China that Chileans hope the number of electric vehicles and the paucity of charging of a diesel engine, according to 99% are in China. utility Enel Generacion Chile SA tric buses. will revolutionise their public tenfold by 2022. points in the country. Chile’s ministry of transport. The Netherlands and Brit- and will be operated by Metbus, Peru has slashed the import transport system. Energy minister Susana Jimen- Chile has just 40 public “Chile will be second only to ain have more than 300 electric a private Chilean company. tax on electric vehicles to zero Chile’s ambitious plan to face ez told Reuters the government charging stations — half of them China as a nation with the great- buses each but they are spread Another 100 due to be added while Colombia is converting down its capital Santiago’s noto- wanted electric vehicles to ac- in Santiago, according to the en- est quantity of electric buses in among several cities rather than to the Santiago fl eet are being public diesel buses to unspeci- rious smog problem includes the count for 40% of Chile’s private ergy ministry. the world,” Chilean President concentrated in one, as will be fi nanced by French energy gen- fi ed, cleaner engines.

Germany Maduro accuses US of assassination plot gets access Mexico govt’s to lithium deposit in Bolivia Pemex plans

Reuters Berlin rattle faith of ermany and Bolivia yes- terday sealed a partner- Gship for the industrial use of lithium, a key raw mate- rial for battery cell production, in an important step to become less dependent on Asian market debt-holders leaders in the dawning age of electric cars. Reuters the fi rm to raise capital. Dorthe Nielsen, an emerging Interest in battery metals such Mexico City Pemex did not respond to re- market debt manager in Zurich as cobalt, nickel and lithium quest for comment. The fi nance at GAM, which manages assets is soaring as the auto industry ministry too declined to com- worth 146bn Swiss francs. scrambles to build more elec- exican President An- ment. Created in 1938 with the expro- tric cars and cut noxious fumes dres Manuel Lopez Ob- The company, which also has priation of foreign oil assets, Pemex from vehicles powered by fossil Mrador’s declaration of $70bn in pension obligations, became a symbol of Mexican inge- fuels in light of stricter emission war on “neo-liberal” economics said in its last quarterly report to nuity at the outset of a golden age of rules. has shaken investors holding Pe- end-September that its negative economic growth and stability that “Germany should become a troleos Mexicanos bonds, fuel- cashfl ow could aff ect its ability lasted into the 1970s. leading location for battery cell ling concern about the future to operate and pay off debts. Corruption, mismanagement production. A large part of pro- of the highly-indebted state oil It acknowledged a downgrade and declining output have all duction costs is linked to raw company he has pledged to re- was a possibility and said exter- since taken a heavy toll on the materials,” German Economy vive. nal auditors raised doubts about company. Minister Peter Altmaier said. Ratings agencies and three the ability of the company to Lopez Obrador, who harked “German industry is therefore managers spoken to by Reuters continue as a business, citing back to the era known as the well advised to secure its needs at funds that either hold Pemex recurrent net losses, negative “Mexican Miracle” in his inau- for lithium early in order to avoid paper or recently sold it said working capital and negative eq- gural speech, has threatened to falling behind and slipping into proposals fl oated by the gov- uity. undo what he calls a neo-liberal dependency,” Altmaier said, ernment to build a new refi nery Energy Minister Rocio Nahle 2013-14 energy overhaul that adding the deal was “an impor- and give the state a bigger role in said Pemex had been driven into opened the oil and gas industry tant building block” to secure the oil industry could put fresh the ground by the policies of to private capital. this supply. strain on the company, which previous governments, and that Pitched by the last govern- With the joint venture, Bo- must pay back almost a third of it would be saved by a new ad- ment as a fi x for falling produc- livian state company YLB is its debt in the next three years. ministration focused on increas- tion, the reform also made it teaming up with Germany’s Fitch and Moody’s have in re- ing output. easier for Pemex to team up with privately-owned ACI Systems cent weeks fl agged concerns “How do we think we will pay other fi rms. to develop its massive Uyuni about Pemex’s $106bn of fi nancial the debt? By increasing produc- However, output is still de- salt flat and build a lithium hy- debt — the highest of any state oil tion,” she said in an interview clining. droxide plant as well as a facto- company in Latin America. with Aristegui Noticias on Tues- On Sunday, Lopez Obrador an- ry for electric vehicle batteries Under threat is the com- day, saying predecessors had nounced tenders in March for the in Bolivia. pany’s investment grade rating, sold assets but kept on increas- new refi nery in the southern state ACI Systems is also in talks to said Shamaila Khan, director of ing Pemex borrowing. of Tabasco. He also plans to upgrade supply companies based in Ger- emerging market debt at Alli- Lopez Obrador, who took offi ce existing refi neries and expand drill- many and elsewhere in Europe anceBernstein, which manages on December 1, is already entan- ing commissioned by Pemex. with lithium from Bolivia. $550bn in assets and invests in gled in a dispute with bondhold- He did not give details of how The joint venture aims to Pemex. ers behind a new $13bn Mexico the projects would be fi nanced, produce up to 40,000 tonnes of “They are moving in that di- City airport that the leftist said but said government spend- lithium hydroxide per year from rection,” Khan said, citing the he would cancel on the grounds it ing on Pemex would increase 2022 over a period of 70 years. plans to build a new refi nery and was tainted by corruption. by $3.7bn in the 2019 national Wolfgang Schmutz, CEO of to make Pemex do more explora- The move sent tremors budget, due to be presented on ACI Group, the parent company tion as risks. through Mexican fi nancial December 15. of ACI Systems, said more than If the rating goes, investors, markets, hitting the peso and Deputy Finance Minister Ar- 80% of the lithium would be ex- including many pension and prompting warnings by ratings turo Herrera has said Pemex ported to Germany. Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro speaks during a news conference at Miraflores Palace sovereign wealth funds whose agency Fitch about Pemex. would have to reassign funds if it ACI Systems is in talks to sup- in Caracas yesterday. Maduro yesterday claimed that the US is seeking to assassinate him mandates stipulate they must “I sold my last holdings in were to pay for the new refi nery. ply a big German carmaker with in order to create a dictatorship in the South American nation. Maduro frequently accuses hold assets of investment grade Pemex a couple of weeks ago due Nielsen at GAM said if Pemex did lithium, according to a person Washington of seeking to overthrow him, which US off icials deny. quality, may have to dump to the whole populistic approach not start selling assets, balance familiar with the project. Pemex debt, making it harder for he had to the airport,” said sheet pressure would intensify. Deadly strand of dengue Moreno in China Brazil healer denies virus returns to Cuba abuse allegations AFP by his followers, who were DPA to go to a doctor immediately closely related viruses that Abadiania all dressed in white. Many of Miami if they have a fever, vomit- cause dengue. them were foreigners. ing, headaches, abdominal All four have been reported He left less than 10 minutes pains, bleeding or other seri- in Cuba, according to the Cinco famous Brazilian “spir- later after a few words to his f you’re planning to spend ous symptoms. Patients with de Septiembre newspaper. itual healer” accused by followers. Christmas in Cuba, take dengue are being treated in Retired biology professor Ahundreds of women of Claudio Jose Pruja, a vol- Iplenty of insect repellent specially created centres, and Armando Veitia told el Nuevo sexual abuse told his followers unteer who has been at the with you and stay away from authorities have stepped up Herald that unlike previous ep- yesterday he is innocent of the centre for 21 years, said Faria areas where the mosquito spraying against the Aedes Ae- idemics, when the government allegations made against him. was too shaken to do any of his Aedes Aegypti may be found. gypti, the same mosquito that has tried to hide them, authori- “I am not guilty,” Joao Teixeira “cures.” A deadly strand of the den- transmits chikungunya, yellow ties have publicly warned about de Faria, 76, declared at his “He’s aff ected. He can’t gue virus, transmitted pri- fever and Zika. dengue’s dangers. healing centre in a small town speak. To do his spiritual work marily by the Aedes Aegypti “All of Cienfuegos is topsy- “People always speculate near the capital Brasilia. he needs to be relaxed,” Pruja mosquito, has returned and is turvy because of the dengue about the number of deaths Police are investigating said. worrying authorities, accord- issue. No one is going to the and people infected, but at complaints by more than 450 Around 40% of the 10,000 ing to Cinco de Septiembre, of- hospitals because they are full least now we know that we’re women who have come for- people who fl ocked to see him fi cial newspaper of Cienfuegos of patients with the disease. It’s facing something serious,” he ward since Globo TV and O each month before the ac- in south central Cuba. something not seen in years. added. Globo newspaper aired claims cusation were foreigners, ac- This type of dengue has not People are very afraid,” said The last cases of this type of last week by a dozen of his cording to the mayor of Aba- been reported in Cuba since Idolidia Velazquez, a janitor at a dengue — which infected more followers that he sexually as- diania, where Faria’s centre is 1977. clinic on the outskirts of Cien- than 500,000 people — were saulted them. located. “A new epidemic of dengue fuegos. reported on the eastern end of It was Faria’s fi rst public Some hailed from as far as has broken out, causing alarm Insect repellent can’t be the island in 1977. appearance since the accusa- the US, Australia and Europe. and clinical developments, found in stores that sell goods Another epidemic in 1981 tions were made. The steady flow of visi- but luckily we have not had to in Cuban pesos, Velazquez said left 344,203 people infected, Wednesday is the day he tors is an important revenue mourn the loss of life up until in a telephone conversation. according to offi cial fi gures. usually receives people to treat source for Abadiania, a tiny now,” the newspaper quoted “It should be sold on the ra- During that outbreak, 158 illnesses ranging from depres- rural town of 15,000 inhab- provincial health director Sal- tion card, at least for those who people died from the most China’s President Xi Jinping (right) and Ecuadorean President sion to cancer. itants, and there were fears vador Tamayo Muniz, speaking don’t have hard currency to buy dangerous variant of dengue, Lenin Moreno listen to the national anthem during a welcome Faria, who arrived in an or- that could dry up if Faria’s to regional leaders. it,” she added. known as haemorrhagic den- ceremony at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing yesterday. dinary white car, was greeted reputation is irredeemably The newspaper urged people There are four distinct but gue. with cries, applause and tears tarnished. Gulf Times 24 Thursday, December 13, 2018 PAKISTAN

Mobile Govt rejects US blacklist for phone tax policy for visitors religious freedom violations announced AFP counsel by any individual coun- as required by “the important her life will be in danger if she treatment of religious minori- stan from alleged safe havens Islamabad try (on) how to protect the national interest of the United remains in Pakistan. ties in Pakistan including Shias along the border between the Internews rights of its minorities,” a state- States”. The foreign ministry state- and the Ahmadis, whom Islam- two countries. Karachi ment from the foreign ministry Blasphemy is an infl amma- ment did not mention Bibi, or abad forbids from identifying as The troubled relation- akistan yesterday rejected said, adding that Islamabad tory charge in Pakistan, and the issue of blasphemy. Muslim. ship hit another snag last Washington’s decision “rejects” the designation. high-profi le vigilante murders “Pakistan is a multi-religious The State Department had month after Trump declared akistani Minister of State Pto place it on a blacklist US Secretary of State Mike and mob lynchings have been and pluralistic society where earlier held off on condemning he had cancelled assistance for Revenue Hammad of countries that violate reli- Pompeo announced the carried out in the past. people of diverse faiths and Pakistan, a vital gateway for US worth hundreds of millions PAzhar has announced the gious freedom, branding the move to blacklist Pakistan in In October, a Pakistani court denominations live together,” forces in Afghanistan. of dollars because Islamabad ‘mobile tax policy’ for foreign move “politically motivated” a congressionally mandated exonerated Asia Bibi, a Chris- it said. But it last year placed Pa- does not do “a damn thing” visitors after the Federal Board and defending its treatment of annual report released on tian woman who had spent It also warned that honesty kistan on a special watch list for the US. of Revenue (FBR) released details minorities. Tuesday. eight years on death row for would have required Washing- – a step short of the designa- Nine countries remained for of duties imposed on imported The US move to designate The measure means the US blasphemy. ton to examine the “exponential tion – and Washington has another year on the US list of handsets. Pakistan “among countries of government is obliged to exert She remains in protective rise in Islamophobia and anti- separately curbed military “countries of particular con- In a series of tweets, Azhar particular concern” comes at pressure, including imposing custody in an unknown location Semitism in the US”. assistance. cern” – China, Eritrea, Iran, said people fl ying into Pakistan a diffi cult time for relations sanctions if necessary, to end after violent protests against Pakistan says around 4% of Relations between Washing- Myanmar, North Korea, Saudi would be allowed to register one between the nations, with the freedom violations. her acquittal, and a hardline its total population comprises ton and Islamabad have soured Arabia, Sudan, Tajikistan and handset without having to pay Trump administration accus- However, a spokesman with cleric has been charged with citizens belonging to Chris- in recent years, with US offi cials Turkmenistan. duty charges. ing Islamabad of failing to act the US embassy in Islamabad terrorism and sedition over the tian, Hindu, Buddhists and Sikh repeatedly accusing Islamabad The United States removed Listing the conditions for for- against Islamist militants on its clarifi ed yesterday that Pompeo demonstrations. faiths. of ignoring or even collaborat- one country from the blacklist eign visitors that will not require soil. had issued a waiver over poten- Bibi is currently seeking asy- Human rights advocates have ing with groups like the Afghan – Uzbekistan – but kept it on registration or duty charges, “Pakistan does not need tial sanctions against Pakistan lum abroad. Her family claims long voiced alarm about the Taliban, which attack Afghani- the watch list. he said: “For benefi t of people travelling into Pakistan from abroad, the mobile tax policy for you is: 1) One phone allowed to be registered as duty free 2) Vaccination campaign no registration/duty needed on Punjab to have any phone(s) using roaming 3) no registration/duty needed if phone(s) to be used in Pakistan for less than 30 days.” fi ve mother and The minister added that no registration or duty was required on any phone that was activated or ever used in Pakistan before child hospitals December 1. He said that visitors could pay duty charges and register Internews Sir Gangaram Hospital. their handsets at airports or in Lahore “The provision of health fa- any customs house across the cilities at the grassroots level country. He clarifi ed that mobile will also be ensured,” Rashid phones would not be confi scated t least fi ve mother and said, adding that the targets during the process of registra- child hospitals will be of the health sector would be tion. Aset up in fi ve districts achieved at the district level Earlier, in order to curb illegal of Punjab province. In order and a special monitoring cell imports of handsets, the FBR and to strengthen health services had been established to moni- Pakistan Telecommunication in the public sector, the gov- tor development schemes at Authority (PTA) had laid out new ernment of Punjab will estab- districts. procedures for regularisation of lish these hospitals with the Rashid said that emergency unregistered mobile devices. fi nancial help of USAID. wards at hospitals were be- Users of illegally imported mo- A delegation, led by USAID ing improved and a strict bile devices have until December director (health) Sangeeta Pa- mechanism would be installed 31 to get their phones regularised tel, called on Punjab Health to check the attendance of with the PTA, without having Minister Yasmin Rashid and health staff . to pay penalty charges. The FBR discussed various ongoing Sangeeta Patel, while ac- also clarifi ed that after the dead- joint projects in the health knowledging the initiatives for line of December 31, no option sector. the improvement of the pub- A health worker administers polio vaccine drops to a child during a polio vaccination campaign in a Christian colony in Islamabad yesterday. would be available to regularise The minister said the Punjab lic health sector, said Punjab illegal mobile devices. government strongly believed was playing a leading role in in taking solid initiatives to strengthening health services. save the lives of mothers and “USAID will enhance its co- children. operation to achieve certain She told the delegation that goals. Mother and Child Hospi- for the fi rst time in the history tals will defi nitely reduce mor- Retirement age to be increased by 3 years in KP of Pakistan, fi ve hospitals, ex- tality rate during deliveries. clusively for mother and child, “We are ready to provide Internews provincial government for paying “In other system, the govern- According to them, follow- When contacted, fi nance sec- would be set up in as many all possible technical and fi - Peshawar huge pension bill of about 30,000 ment deducts certain amount ing the death of pension holder, retary Shakeel Qadir Khan said diff erent districts. This is in nancial support for the estab- employees in fi rst three years. from serving employees and spouse is entitled to receive re- his department had moved a addition to a state-of-the-art lishment of mother and child The budget documents show pays it to the retired personnel,” duced share pension for the life summary about increase in the mother and child centre at hospitals.” hyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) that the province’s pension bill the offi cial said. time. After the mother death, government employees’ retire- province’s fi nance de- had valued Rs2bn in 2002 but it However, Pakistan lacked both unmarried daughter is entitled ment age to the chief minister Kpartment has proposed a currently comes to Rs60bn after the systems and government has for pension for lifetime, while son for approval. three-year increase in govern- a whopping increase of 2,900%. to shoulder the entire pension can receive pension until 24 years. He said after the chief minis- ment employee’s retirement age Offi cials in the fi nance depart- burden, which was ballooning In case a person having a ter’s nod, the summary would to cut down the province’s in- ment fear that if the pension bill with each passing day. Current- widow daughter, the pension be placed before the cabinet for CM to decide transfer, creasing pension liabilities. is allowed to swell at the current ly, the number of KP pensioners amount would be split among approval before it was tabled in Offi cials in the establish- pace, then it will leave the prov- stand at 145,000 with an annual the siblings. The list goes on and the provincial assembly for nec- ment and fi nance department ince without fi nancial space in increase of 10,000. on as wife of deceased son or his essary changes to the Civil Serv- recruitment cases said that the proposed move the next 20 years. However, offi cials pointed out children, father, mother, broth- ants Act, 1973, for action on it. would increase the service They said internationally, that due to liberal pension policy, er, unmarried sisters and widow The secretary said that upper Internews rections regarding the ban on tenure of the provincial gov- there were two types of pension the system didn’t eliminate even sisters are also allowed to draw age limit of 60 years was fi xed Lahore posting and transfer. Howev- ernment’s employees from 60 programmes: one wherein the 500 pensioners every year. the pension after the death of the in 1973 but since then, the life er, the procedure for postings to 63 years. employees and government both The offi cial documents show pensioners. expectancy had increased due and transfers in the schools A senior government offi - contributed monthly to a fund that the provincial government The offi cials said the govern- to developments in medical sci- he Punjab province education department would cial said that every year, around and at the end of their career, the goes on paying pension to 12 rel- ment was working on proposals ences and healthcare and there- government is consoli- continue. 10,000 employees retire on av- employees collected a lump sum atives after the death of original to curtail that long list to reduce fore, increase in upper age limit Tdating certain powers On December 7, the govern- erage and the move will save the amount and went home. pension holder. the burden on exchequer. for retirement was necessary. in the offi ce of the chief min- ment had imposed a ban on all ister against the party’s vision recruitments from BPS-1 to of devolving powers. BPS-16 in all administrative In a letter, the chief minister departments. Sindh decides to decode Mohenjo-daro scripts imposed a ban on all kinds of Offi cial sources say while transfers and postings except a ban had been placed on re- In a first, the Sindh province This decision was taken during a Shah said that before the 18th Urbanisation of hills those against vacant posts. cruitment as well as transfer government has decided to board meeting of the NFM under amendment, the archaeology However, in case any post- and postings, these powers decipher the language inscribed the chairmanship of Education, department was under the ing/transfer was required had been consolidated in the on artefacts discovered from Culture, Tourism and Antiquities domain of federal government, threatens biodiversity on hardship, compassion- chief minister’s offi ce as he Mohenjo-daro, one of the largest Minister Syed Sardar Ali Shah. which completely ignored the ate or extreme administrative would be deciding and ac- settlements of the Indus Valley The board tentatively decided that matter and no attempt was made Internews mountain ecology, natural grounds, and prior approval cording approvals to the same. civilisation. For this, the National the international workshop would to decipher the script. Islamabad habitats and the traditional would have to be sought from Meanwhile, the cabinet’s Fund for Mohenjo-daro (NFM) be held at Mohenjo-daro, Larkana The board meeting also lifestyle of natives. Many gla- the chief minister through a standing committee on fi - will convene an international where experts from around discussed the current condition ciers have disappeared and summary. nance and development will workshop of experts to give it a the world would be invited to of Mohenjo-daro and how to he urbanisation of many more are threatened due All administrative and other take up the matter of relaxa- try to read the script inscribed on decode the script. The date of the save its walls from crumbling. mountain destinations to climate change, he added. departments concerned have tion of the ban on recruitment the artefacts. workshop would be decided soon. (Internews) Tthreatens biodiversity “The fast depleting gla- been ordered to follow the di- on case to case basis. and indigenous cultures in Pa- ciers have caused an immense kistan, said Munir Ahmed, di- shortfall of water for domestic rector Development Commu- use as well as for agriculture. If nication Network and founder mountain ecology is not taken of the Pakistan Mountain care of, the water shortage will Festival. lead to further productivity Offi cials discuss steps to fi ght drug traffi cking Addressing a lecture hosted losses and immigration from by the Pakistan Youth Hostels the mountains will further Internews and balanced approach to im- opium poppy cultivation in Af- The Triangular Initiative fo- lik, the Iranian delegation by Anti- Association (PYHA) in con- stress the urban economy,” he Islamabad prove the regional co-operation ghanistan remained at very high rum is supported by the ‘Paris Narcotics Police chief Brig Gen nection with International said. in countering drug traffi cking, levels despite a 20 per cent de- Pact Initiative’ and its ‘Rainbow Mohamed Masoud Zabetian and the Mountain Day, Ahmed said Indigenous people, youth according to the UN Offi ce on crease compared to 2017. Strategy for Afghanistan’. Afghan delegation by Counter Nar- mountainous areas have a and local products and agri- ounter-narcotic offi cials Drugs and Crime (UNODC). It said that rule of law-related Under the ‘Rainbow Strategy’, cotics Police director general Maj unique culture. culture are marred by the lack from Pakistan, Iran and The ‘Triangular Initiative’ was challenges, such as political insta- new areas of co-operation in- Gen Esmatullah Baluch. “We need to develop cul- of resources, Ahmed said. CAfghanistan have begun brokered in 2007 by UNODC as bility, lack of government control clude addressing the challenge Speaking on the occasion, UN- tural marketing plans by en- Other speakers said high brainstorming sessions to chart out complementary to peace-build- and security, as well as corruption of drug traffi cking at sea through ODC representative in Pakistan gaging young and educated peaks, nature and indigenous measures for eff ectively combating ing eff orts in the region, pro- had been found to be among the maritime co-operation between Cesar Guedes believed that the people in microenterprises,” culture are the main attrac- the traffi cking of Afghan opiates. moting information exchange main drivers of illicit cultivation. Iran and Pakistan, and establish strengthening of regional part- he said, urging that people tion for tourists, trekkers and The 13th ‘Triangular Initia- and encouraging joint fi eld op- The signifi cant levels of opi- and strengthen container control nership against the massive fl ow in the mountains should be mountaineers. The loss of na- tive’ meeting of senior offi cials erations among the three coun- um poppy cultivation and illicit units operating in key sea and dry of illicit drugs in the region, with- protected and that mitigation ture from the highlands will from the three neighbouring tries against drug traffi cking traffi cking of opiates will prob- ports in the three countries. in the framework of this strategic steps should be taken against not only harm the ecology and countries will help fi nd solutions networks and serious operatives. ably further fuel instability, in- The Pakistani delegation was led collaborative process, could serve the impacts of climate change. national economy, it will also to their common challenges by According to the latest survey surgency and increase funding to by Anti-Narcotics Force director as a conduit for saving lives and He said deforestation has lead to loss of livelihood for the adhering to a comprehensive of UNODC, the total area under terrorist groups in Afghanistan. general Maj Gen Mohamed Arif Ma- improving their quality. negatively impacted the local communities. Gulf Times Thursday, December 13, 2018 25 PHILIPPINES

Napoles Congress approves martial transfer to correctional law extension for south suspended By Ma. Reina L Tolentino AFP tator Ferdinand Marcos to re- Manila Times Manila main in power during his two- decade reign, which ended in 1986 with a bloodless upris- he Sandiganbayan’s First he Philippine Congress ing. Division has suspended granted President Rod- Opposition senator Risa Tthe issuance of an order Trigo Duterte’s request to Hontiveros, who voted against that would commit Janet Lim- extend martial law in the coun- the extension, warned the Napoles to the Correctional try’s south until the end of 2019 military and police to protect Institute for Women (CIW) in yesterday, ignoring opposition against “creeping authoritari- Mandaluyong City, pending her warnings of a creep towards au- anism”. plea to reconsider the order for thoritarian rule. “The way our current ad- her transfer from the Bureau of Duterte initially put the ministration treats its critics... Jail Management and Penology Mindanao region under mili- tells us that our president is in Bicutan. The court is seek- tary rule after gunmen flying no different from the deposed ing the prosecution’s comment the black Islamic State flag dictator,” she said. on the plea of Napoles, who was attacked the city of Marawi But Duterte’s chief aide convicted of plunder last week in May 2017, sparking a five- Salvador Medialdea told Con- in connection with the Priority month battle that killed 1,200 gress yesterday that while Development Assistance Fund people. martial rule had been effec- (PDAF) or pork barrel scam. The president said last tive, terrorist groups were still “In the meanwhile, the Court week that while “significant present, posing a grave threat. hereby suspends the issuance of progress” had been made, There is a base of support the mittimus to accused Napoles more time was needed to stop for extending martial law, in- pending resolution of the said armed militants making a cluding among local leaders in motion,” the court said. comeback. the southern region of 20mn Earlier, the Sandiganbayan’s He easily won the vote for who face the ongoing threat of Special First Division acquitted a third extension by 235-28 a decades-old insurgency. former senator Ramon “Bong” — with one abstention — at a Many Filipinos back Du- Revilla Jr of plunder in connec- joint session of the Senate and terte’s tough tactics, includ- tion with the PDAF scam while it House of Representatives yes- Senate President Vicente Sotto (centre-left) and House of Representatives Speaker Gloria Macapagal Arroyo (centre-right) preside over the ing his deadly crackdown on convicted Napoles and Richard terday. joint session at the Philippine Congress in Quezon City, yesterday. narcotics, believing they are Cambe. The backing came despite needed to solve the nation’s Napoles asked the court to al- critics’ concerns prolonging hands of the president. measures like curfews, check- lowed to own firearms. without criminal charges be- deep-rooted problems like the low her to stay at the BJMP de- military rule would concen- Martial law allows the mili- points and gun controls in a Suspects can also be de- ing filed in court. roughly half-century battle tention center while her convic- trate too much power in the tary to establish control with nation where civilians are al- tained for longer periods Martial law was used by dic- against communist rebels. tion has not attained fi nality. From wars to Duterte, Selfie moment Ressa ‘holds the line’

AFP in Manila and Jakarta, Ressa spe- Manila cialised in terrorism where she tracked the links between global networks like Al Qaeda and mili- hilippine journalist Mar- tants in Southeast Asia. ia Ressa, who was named “I’ve been shot at. I almost Pthis week as a Time mag- got thrown out of a country. I’ve azine “Person of the Year”, has been imprisoned for a night,” she extensive experience in confl ict said last week. zones, but is now fi ghting a war However Ressa, who holds to fend off government moves both American and Filipino citi- to put her behind bars. Maria Ressa: honoured zenship, returned to the Philip- Hours after meeting bail pines as news chief of the largest Tuesday on fresh tax fraud and if convicted on one count television network ABS-CBN for charges that the 55-year-old alone she faces up to a decade six years. insists are “manufactured”, behind bars. In 2012, she launched her own Ressa was named to the pres- It caps a tumultuous year for startup, Rappler, in the social tigious award. Ressa, which began with the media-obsessed Philippines. The accolade, also given to government moving to revoke However that website is now murdered Saudi journalist Jamal Rappler’s licence in January. fi ghting for survival as Duterte’s Khashoggi and imprisoned Reu- At the same time she has re- government has accused it of ters reporters Wa Lone and Kyaw ceived a series of global awards violating a constitutional ban on Soe Oo, highlighted those taking from press freedom advocates, foreign ownership in securing “great risks in pursuit of greater including from the Committee funding, as well as libel and tax truth,” Time’s chief editor said. to Protect Journalists. evasion. Ressa’s news site, Rappler, has Ressa has been battling what Reacting to the Time award, taken a critical stand on Philip- she calls disinformation under Duterte’s spokesman Salva- pine President Rodrigo Duterte’s Duterte, who won elections in dor Panelo said yesterday that deadly anti-drug crackdown and mid-2016 on a promise to rid charges against government now says it is the target of attacks society of drugs by killing tens of critics were legitimate and free from authorities. thousands of people. expression remained “robust”. “It is easier to navigate a con- Rappler has been among a Ressa, who denies all the fl ict zone, a war zone than it is to small number of Philippine me- charges, has vowed to fi ght back. navigate the legal weaponisation dia outfi ts producing investi- “We at Rappler decided that of laws in our country. But we gative reports on the killings in when we look back at this mo- will hold the line,” the Princeton Duterte’s anti-crime crackdown ment a decade from now, we will graduate said last week. and is critical of his leadership. A have done everything we could: A man takes a selfie with the Balangiga Bells during a public viewing at the Philippine Air Force Aerospace Museum in Pasay City, south Ressa and the site have been journalist for more than 30 years, we did not duck, we did not of Manila, yesterday. After more than a century, the Balangiga Bells were returned to the Philippines after being taken by United States hit with multiple counts of mis- Ressa is no stranger to threats. hide,” she said while accepting forces from Balangiga, Eastern Samar province as spoils of war in 1901. leading the government on taxes, As CNN’s former bureau chief an award last month.

Comelec chief threatens airport staff Agency to exclude six local offi cials from illegal ‘drug-list’ By William Depasupil gested that a review of the close circuit tel- Manila Times evision (CCTV) be made to really get the true story behind the incident. By Roy Narra drugs… that is just their par- while some are already dead. “I am a PWD. I was using a walking cane Manila Times ticipation that’s why they were Aquino said they would re- ommission on Elections Commis- to travel abroad. I have a PWD card because initially included in the narco- lease the list to the public once sioner Rowena Guanzon was reported I have osteoarthritis. The PWD CR in their list,” he added. President Rodrigo Duterte Cto have run amuck at the Ninoy Aqui- Mabuhay Lounge was open (and) before us- he Philippine Drug Aquino said “if that is what gives them the go-signal. no International Airport Terminal 2 last week ing it, I enquired with the PAL staff of Mabu- Enforcement Agency they only did compared to and threatened to sue airport offi cials. hay Lounge,” she explained. T(PDEA) will remove six other mayors who are really “These mayors would A source who witnessed the incident said She said that while she was inside, some- local chief executives from its drug lords, we’re going to delist just call the police and Guanzon used the restroom reserved for per- one banged on the door three times, to which drug-list as their involvement them.” plead to release their sons with disabilities at the Mabuhay lounge she answered “someone is in here.” with drugs is not grave enough, He, however, reminded the relatives arrested for while waiting for her fl ight on December 6. She said she heard a woman asking: “Why according to Director General six offi cials that they were still drugs… that is just their Because she was inside for a long time, a is she inside? How did she enter?” Aaron Aquino. not off the hook as the PDEA participation...” Philippine Airlines attendant got worried When she went out, Guanzon said she In a news briefi ng yester- could still put them back on and knocked on the door to check if every- saw a Chinese woman with two male body- day morning, Aquino said they the list if ever the agency fi nds Previously, he added, he thing was okay but got no answer. guards. “I told her she was rude and I wanted would strike off fi ve mayors and out that they are involved in would prefer not to publicise Concerned, the attendant got the key and to talk to a PAL employee,” Guanzon said.“So one vice mayor from their nar- illegal-drug activities. the list and fi le charges against tried to open the restroom, but someone said, Rowena Guanzon I asked her name, she refused to say. co-list, decreasing the number PDEA, together with the politicians quietly. “I’m here.” She asked me arrogantly for my name so of suspected narco-politicians Philippine National Police, the The PDEA previously re- The relieved attendant then left and went The manager and other PAL personnel kept I said I am Commissioner Guanzon, I am a from 83 to 77. National Intelligence Coordi- leased their narco-list of back to her post. However, Guanzon was their peace so as not to worsen the situation. government offi cial. Let us talk outside (the He did not disclose the iden- nating Agency and the Armed barangay (village) offi cials in- irked and when she got out, she confronted Guanzon, however, denied running amuck. Mabuhay Lounge),” the commissioner nar- tities of the local chief execu- Forces of the Philippines, are volved in illegal drugs on April the fi rst attendant that she saw. In a phone interview, the Comelec offi cial rated. tives and their locations. still evaluating the narco-list 30 to serve as a guide for voters “Do you know who I am? Don’t you know said she, lawyer Lorna Kapunan and her staff , Guanzon claimed that the woman refused Aquino said these offi cials of local chief executives. for the 2018 village elections. I am a government offi cial? I am going to sue Rose Garcia, were waiting for their fl ight to to heed her appeal and kept on shouting until were not coddlers or pushers Originally, there were 93 lo- The move was met with you all,” she fumed. Hong Kong when she used the restroom for Kapunan and a PAL supervisor, Vanessa, ar- compared to other politicians cal chief executives on the nar- criticism from the Commission It was at this juncture that the manager PWDs. rived and the three of them discussed what on the list. co-list but some of them were on Human Rights and some of- on duty intervened but Guanzon reportedly Guanzon pointed out though that what happened. “These mayors would just eventually removed because fi cials like Senator Panfi lo Lac- continued fuming. happened as indicated in the incident report “Vanessa said, ‘Sorry, ma’am,’” call the police and plead to re- some of them talked to the son, who called the release of “I don’t want to talk to you,” she said. was farthest from the truth, even as she sug- Guanzon said. lease their relatives arrested for PDEA and cleared their names, narco-list as “dumb and cruel.” Gulf Times 26 Thursday, December 13, 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 Modi seen forgiving farm loans as he seeks to win back voters Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government is likely to announce loan waivers worth billions of dollars to woo millions of farmers ahead of a general election, government sources said, after his ruling party suff ered a rural drubbing in state polls. Modi’s Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) lost power to the opposition Congress in three big heartland states, where agriculture is still a mainstay. To claw back support among India’s 263mn farmers and their many millions of dependents, Modi’s administration would soon start working out the details of a plan allocating money to write off farm loans, government sources said. The strengthening With a national election due by May 2019, Modi and the BJP have run out of time to announce other easy, popular measures such as raising the support, or guaranteed, prices for staples such as rice and wheat, farm analysts said. “Elections are round the corner and you know that you’ve failed to fi x the problems being faced by these farmers, so case against Trump you will soon go to town promising agri-loan waivers,” said Ashok Gulati, a farm economist who advised India’s last permission for which had to come from The corruption extends to Trump’s (the two are barely on speaking terms). government on crop prices. By Elizabeth Drew Washington, DC the Kremlin. (Russia also stood to gain immediate circle. His daughter Trump’s ever-stranger behaviour The plan could see as much as Rs4tn in loans written off , signifi cant revenue from the project.) Ivanka was awarded trademarks from of late – including more frequent the government sources and analysts said. Cohen told a congressional committee China for her clothing line (now and more hysterical tweets – has Farm loan waivers would be the biggest help the hough he rarely admits even that Trump’s eff orts to secure the hotel defunct, though she has retained the been widely attributed to his the slightest discontent with deal had ended at the beginning of trademarks and sought new ones). Her growing realisation of what the government has ever provided to farmers, said the offi cials, the job he schemed for in 2016. He later admitted that the talks husband, Kushner, is believed to have Democrats’ takeover of the House who did not wish to be identifi ed in line with government Tunprecedented ways and had continued until June of that year, used his position to try to find funds of Representatives means for his policy. somewhat accidentally fell into (thanks after Trump, who had repeatedly stated to pay off excessive debt incurred presidency. The incoming Democratic The previous Congress party-led coalition government to the vagaries of the Electoral College), since entering the race in June 2015 that by his family’s real-estate business. committee chairs have said that announced farm loan waivers worth nearly Rs720bn in Donald Trump’s presidency hasn’t he had no business with Russia, had And Cohen literally sold his supposed they plan to investigate various been what Americans would call a bowl sewn up the Republican nomination. access to Trump to businesses for a wrongdoings, real and suspected, 2008, helping it return of cherries. Yet no other week of his Cohen’s testimony also highlighted reported $4mn (though how much, by Trump and members of his “Tuesday’s to power with a bigger presidency so far has been fi lled with the likelihood that various aspects of if anything, he delivered is open to administration. And the prospect of mandate in 2009. such problems and so many dark omens US foreign policy, including favourable question). the House Judiciary Committee taking election Economists caution for him. statements about or treatment of It was Cohen who told the New York up the question of impeachment that farm loans waivers Last Friday, Trump was implicated certain autocratic leaders, have been prosecutors that, “at the direction of” has grown stronger with the latest result clearly by his own Justice Department in infl uenced by Trump’s private business Trump (whom the legal documents accusations. would widen a fi scal a felony, on the basis of sentencing interests – existing or desired – in those refer to as “Individual 1”), he arranged It is already clear that the 2016 US demonstrates defi cit the government recommendations for his former countries, which include Turkey, the to pay off two women who had had presidential election was contorted has aimed to cap at 3.3% campaign manager, Paul Manafort, by Philippines, and Saudi Arabia, as well aff airs with the president while he by extraordinary events. Whether it farmers’ of its gross domestic Special Counsel Robert Mueller and as Russia. was married to Melania (including was legitimate is now a legally matter product (GDP), or for his former long-time lawyer and Meanwhile, Trump’s hotels, just after she had given birth to their hanging over the president. And anger against Rs6.24tn. consigliere, Michael Cohen, by the especially his expensive new one near son, Barron). The clear purpose of though Trump has not been offi cially US Attorney’s Offi ce for the Southern the White House, received business the payoff s was to keep the public accused of conspiring – often stated as Modi and his Even without the farm District of New York. The clear from various countries. This is from fi nding out about these aff airs “colluding” – with Russia to interfere loan waiver, some credit implications in both reports were that especially signifi cant because, unlike before the election. That leaves on his behalf in exchange for US administration” rating agencies have Trump himself would eventually be the his predecessors, Trump refused Trump vulnerable to a felony charge of policy positions Putin desires (such estimated the country’s target of serious charges. Moreover, it’s to detach himself from his private violating US campaign fi nance laws. as weakening Nato and the European fi scal defi cit at 6.67tn — or 3.5 % of GDP, on muted tax widely believed that some members of business when he took offi ce (though As Cohen learned the hard way, Union), Mueller’s recent court fi lings his family might well be charged. he turned over its management to his working for Trump is not easy, which is suggest that his investigation is headed collections. Two days earlier Trump had to two adult sons), and therefore stood to why so few – aside from his daughter in that direction. If he reaches that The loan waiver also risks deepening the malaise at public sit alongside three past presidents profi t from these countries’ patronage. and son-in-law – have lasted long in conclusion, still worse weeks lie ahead sector banks saddled with most of India’s $150bn in stressed through the funeral of President This could well constitute a violation his White House. For Trump, loyalty is for Trump. - Project Syndicate loans. George H W Bush. With Bush lauded as of the US Constitution’s emoluments a one-way street, fl owing only to him. If the government fi nds very limited fi scal space, it could almost his exact opposite in style and clause, which forbids a president from Indeed, capping off the week, Trump zElizabeth Drew is a contributing editor manner, Trump looked throughout as accepting gifts from foreign countries. was confronted with the need to fi nd a to The New Republic and the author, go for loan waivers only in a few geographies that have if he wished he were anywhere else. Trump is currently subject to two replacement for his chief of staff , John most recently, of Washington Journal: suff ered extreme weather conditions, sources and analysts Meanwhile, the stock market’s entire lawsuits on the matter, which could also Kelly, who the president announced Reporting Watergate and Richard said. gains for the year were wiped out as constitute grounds for impeaching him. would be leaving at the end of the year Nixon’s Downfall. The results announced were from elections that took place Trump’s supposed trade truce with over the past few weeks in Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh and China fell apart. It also became clear just how badly Madhya Pradesh, three large states in the Hindi-speaking Trump has lost control of Congress. northern belt that is the BJP’s traditional stronghold. The Democrats’ gain in the House The BJP lost power in Madhya Pradesh after holding power of Representatives continued to rise there for 15 years. (the latest number is a stunning 40 “Tuesday’s election result clearly demonstrates seats), as closely fought, undecided races in last month’s midterm election farmers’ anger against Modi and his administration,” said continued to fall the party’s way. And Dharmendra Malik, a farm leader from Uttar Pradesh, India’s some Republican senators are fi nally most populous state that borders all three. breaking ranks with Trump over the The last time a BJP government lost power, in 2004, it was role of Saudi Crown Prince Mohamed largely because rural voters abandoned the party. bin Salman (a pet of both Trump and his son-in-law, Jared Kushner) in the “Farmers very well know that the state governments don’t grisly murder of the dissident journalist have the fi nancial war chest to write off agricultural loans, so Jamal Khashoggi at the Saudi consulate it’s only Modi’s government which can waive loans,” Malik in Istanbul. Unlike Trump, the senators said. refused to subordinate the moral and Although farm loan waivers are a populist move, debt real-world implications of permitting a foreign government to murder a write-off s help only relatively well-off farmers with larger US-based journalist to the president’s plots of land. exaggerated claims about the Kingdom’s future arms purchases and its supposed strategic role in curbing To Advertise Iran’s regional ambitions. Then came the court fi lings by [email protected] Mueller and the US Attorney’s Offi ce Display for the Southern District of New York, which revealed what many had 44466621 44418811 long suspected, though the reality of it still came as a shock: Trump and Classified his family had used, or tried to use, 44466609 44418811 his presidential candidacy, and then his presidency, to enhance their own Subscription wealth. At long last, we learned what embarrassing information Russian [email protected] President Vladimir Putin had on Trump, after Cohen told prosecutors that Trump had long sought to build a US President Donald Trump listens during a phone conversation in the Oval Off ice of the White House in Washington, DC in the © 2018 Gulf Times. All rights reserved grand, highly lucrative hotel in Moscow, August 27 file picture. Gulf Times Thursday, December 13, 2018 27 COMMENT The political roots of falling wage growth

By Jayati Ghosh The real reason workers are getting owned enterprises rose even faster. New Delhi a raw deal is not so much economic At the same time, the government as institutional and political. From has expanded other forms of social country to country, legislation and protections for workers, all while t’s now offi cial: workers around court judgments are increasingly pursuing industrial policies geared the world are falling behind. trampling on long-recognised labour toward boosting innovation and The International Labour rights. productivity growth, thus moving IOrganisation’s (ILO) latest Global For example, governments focused the country up the global value Wage Report fi nds that, excluding solely on improving “labour-market chain. China, real (infl ation-adjusted) wages fl exibility” have pursued policies True, China’s political economy is grew at an annual rate of just 1.1% in that privilege employers’ interests unusual. The government’s concern 2017, down from 1.8% in 2016. That is over those of workers, not least by for workers’ wellbeing could simply the slowest pace since 2008. undercutting workers’ ability to refl ect the Communist Party of China’s In the advanced G20 economies, organise. An obsession with fi scal need to secure its domestic political average real wages grew by a mere consolidation and austerity has position. In that case, it has forged a 0.4% in 2017, compared to 1.7% prevented the kind of social spending Faustian social bargain that is typical growth in 2015. While real wages that could expand public employment of East Asian autocracies. were up by 0.7% in the United States and improve workers’ conditions. And Still, if China can buck the trend (versus 2.2% in 2015), they stagnated the current regulatory environment of declining wage growth, other in Europe, where small increases increasingly allows for large countries can, too. First, though, in some countries were offset by corporations to wield power without economic policymakers around declines in France, Germany, Italy, accountability, resulting in higher the world will have to shake off the and Spain. The slowdown in “success monopoly rents and greater bargaining neoliberal paradigm, which has stories” like Germany and the US power. left them incapable of imagining is particularly surprising, given the In short, neoliberalism’s intellectual alternative policy approaches. As a former’s expanding current-account capture of economic policymaking political project, neoliberalism has surpluses and the latter’s falling across a wide range of countries, is run its course. If workers are going to unemployment and tight labor resulting in the exclusion of most wage partake in the gains of growth once markets. earners from the gains of economic again, governments will need to start In emerging markets, average wage growth. But this was not inevitable. adopting more progressive policy growth in 2017, at 4.3%, was faster China, after all, has achieved rapid alternatives. than in the advanced G20 economies, wage growth, and the share of national Fortunately, the ILO and the United but still slower than the previous year income accruing to labour is rising, Nations Conference on Trade and (4.9%). Asia enjoyed the fastest real despite the country’s pursuit of Development have begun to put more wage growth, owing largely to China trade and rapid labour-displacing sensible policies back on the agenda, and a few smaller countries such as technologies. as have some politicians in the US, Cambodia, Sri Lanka, and Myanmar. China’s success may vindicate a the United Kingdom, and elsewhere. But, overall, wage growth in Asian model advanced by the late Nobel But ensuring that the economy serves economies mostly decelerated in 2017. laureate economist W Arthur Lewis, the bulk of society will require a much And in Latin America and Africa, which explains how employment in bigger push across the board. - Project several countries experienced real- new, more productive sectors can Syndicate wage declines. absorb surplus labour and push up Moreover, the ILO report fi nds that Large labour-surplus economies’ increased reliance on automation and artificial intelligence has weakened workers’ wages over all. But, more to the point, zJayati Ghosh is professor of Economics the gap between wage growth and bargaining power. China has augmented this eff ect at Jawaharlal Nehru University in labour productivity remained wide in through systematic state policies New Delhi, Executive Secretary of 2017. In many countries, labour’s share recent years, why have conditions for To be sure, large labour-surplus workers’ bargaining power and shifted designed to improve labour conditions. International Development Economics of national income is still below the workers in most parts of the world not economies’ deepening integration labour demand into very specifi c and As a result, the average nominal Associates, and a member of the levels of the early 1990s. improved commensurately? into the global market, together with limited sectors. But these factors alone minimum wage in China nearly Independent Commission for the That raises an obvious question: Neither of the usual suspects, trade increased reliance on automation and do not explain the lack of material doubled between 2011 and 2018, Reform of International Corporate Given the global output recovery of and technology, is entirely to blame. artifi cial intelligence, has weakened progress for most workers. and wages for workers in state- Taxation.

Three-day forecast Lies and artifi cial intelligence TODAY Maximum Temperature : 250c Minimum Temperature : 200c Diane Coyle is a rationally calculating, logically greatest number of people. Like it harder to ignore the structural Cambridge consistent, ends-oriented agent modern economists following in sources of societal inequities. In the FRIDAY capable of achieving its desired the footsteps of John Stuart Mill, age of AI, algorithms will force us to Maximum Temperature : 260c outcomes with fi nite computational most of those designing algorithms recognise how the outcomes of past Minimum Temperature : 190c lgorithms are as biased as resources. When it comes to are utilitarians who believe that if social and political confl icts have been SATURDAY the data they feed on. And “maximising utility,” they are far more a “good” is known, then it can be perpetuated into the present through Maximum Temperature : 260c all data are biased. Even eff ective than any human. maximised. our use of data. Minimum Temperature : 190c “offi cial” statistics cannot be “Utility” is to economics what But this assumption can produce Thanks to groups such as the AI A Fisherman's forecast assumed to stand for objective, eternal “phlogiston” once was to chemistry. troubling outcomes. For example, Ethics Initiative and the Partnership “facts.” The fi gures that governments Early chemists hypothesised that consider how algorithms are being on AI, a broader debate about the WARNING used to decide whether prisoners are ethics of AI has begun to emerge. Inshore : Nil publish represent society as it is combustible matter contained a Offshore : Expected Strong wind now, through the lens of what those hidden element – phlogiston – that deserving of parole. An important But AI algorithms are of course just and high sea to the assembling the data consider to be could explain why substances changed 2017 study fi nds that algorithms far doing what they are coded to do. The north at first relevant and important. The categories form when they burned. Yet, try as outperform humans in predicting real issue extends beyond the use WEATHER Inshore : Misty at places by early and classifi cations used to make sense they might, scientists never could recidivism rates, and could be used to of algorithmic decision-making in morning becomes of the data are not neutral. Just as we confi rm the hypothesis. They could reduce the “jailing rate” by more than corporate and political governance, moderate temperature measure what we see, so we tend to see not track down phlogiston for the 40% “with no increase in crime rates.” and strikes at the ethical foundations daytime with some clouds, relatively cold only what we measure. same reason that economists today In the United States, then, AIs could of our societies. by night. As algorithmic decision- cannot off er a measure of actual be used to reduce a prison population While we certainly need to debate making spreads to a wider range of utility. that is disproportionately black. But the practical and philosophical Offshore : Scattered clouds WIND policymaking areas, it is shedding Economists use the concept of what happens when AIs take over the tradeoff s of maximising “utility” Inshore : Northwesterly-North- a harsh light on the social biases utility to explain why people make the parole process and African-Americans through AI, we also need to engage in easterly 05-15 KT that once lurked in the shadows choices they do – what to buy, where are still being jailed at a higher rate self-refl ection. Algorithms are posing Offshrore : Northwesterly 3-12 KT of the data we collect. By taking to invest, how hard to work: everyone than whites? fundamental questions about how Gusting to 22 KT existing structures and processes is trying to maximise utility in Highly effi cient algorithmic we have organised social, political, to their logical extremes, artificial accordance with one’s preferences and decision-making has brought such and economic relations to date. We Visibility : 4-8/3 KM intelligence (AI) is forcing us to beliefs about the world, and within questions to the fore, forcing us to now must decide if we really want to Offshore : 1-4/7 FT decide precisely which outcomes encode current social arrangements confront the kind of society we have the limits posed by scarce income or Around the region created. resources. Despite not existing, utility should be maximised. Do we into the decision-making structures Weather The problem is not just that is a powerful construct. It seems only want merely to reduce the overall of the future. Given the political Weather tomorrow Max/min computers are designed to think like natural to suppose that everyone is prison population, or should we fracturing currently occurring today Max/min Sunny 18/08 corporations, as my University of trying to do as well as they can for also be concerned about fairness? around the world, this seems like a Baghdad Sunny 19/08 M Sunny 23/13 Cambridge colleague Jonnie Penn themselves. Whereas politics allows for fudges good moment to write a new script. - Kuwait CitySunny 22/14 M Sunny 24/21 has argued. It is also that computers Moreover, economists’ notion and compromises to disguise such Project Syndicate Manama M Sunny 23/20 Sunny 27/21 think like economists. An AI, after of utility is born of classical tradeoff s, computer code requires Muscat M Sunny 27/21 M Sunny 14/03 all, is as infallible a version of homo utilitarianism, which aims to secure clarity. zDiane Coyle is Professor of Public Tehran Sunny 16/04 economicus as one can imagine. It the greatest amount of good for the That demand for clarity is making Policy at the University of Cambridge. Live issues Emergency allergy shots less eff ective after heat exposure

For the study, Lacwik and his the touch when retrieved, researchers spokeswoman for the Allergy and By Tamara Mathias Around the world Reuters Health team purchased 12 EpiPen Senior noted. This was because the enclosed Asthma Network, pointed out that injectors from the same lot to ensure space likely reduced the dissipation of the study tested only one brand of Weather Weather consistency. They distributed heat even when ambient temperatures autoinjectors, in only one make and today Max/min tomorrow Max/min he medicine in emergency nine EpiPens between the glove began to drop, they explain in The model of car. Still, she called the Athens Rain 11/07 P Cloudy 16/12 allergy shots like the EpiPen compartment, cabin shelf and trunk Journal of Allergy and Clinical results “concerning,” as many patients Beirut Cloudy 17/14 Sunny 19/14 can deteriorate when exposed of a car parked in a treeless area. The Immunology: In Practice. keep their autoinjectors in their cars Bangkok P Cloudy 31/22 P Cloudy 32/23 Tto heat, so don’t leave them in remaining three were stored in a dark, Paradoxically, epinephrine in for convenience. Berlin Cloudy 02/-3 P Cloudy 0/-3 the car on a hot day, researchers warn. air-conditioned room at a constant low concentrations can worsen “Patients likely are not aware of this Cairo M Sunny 22/11 Sunny 23/12 Patients with serious allergies temperature. anaphylaxis, the authors write, but risk in general and need to be advised,” Cape Town P Cloudy 20/15 Cloudy 22/16 typically carry an emergency After half a day, the researchers Lacwik notes the decreases seen after a Parikh, who was not involved in the Colombo P Cloudy 30/23 S T Storms 29/24 autoinjector - such as the EpiPen retrieved the EpiPens from the car single exposure to heat in the study are study, told Reuters Health. Dhaka Sunny 29/18 Sunny 29/18 made by drugmaker Mylan NV - at all and cooled them to room temperature unlikely to produce that eff ect. “With anaphylaxis, timing of Hong Kong Cloudy 15/12 M Sunny 19/14 times. The devices are used to deliver before testing their contents. A spokeswoman for Mylan said that epinephrine dosing is crucial in Istanbul M Sunny 09/04 P Cloudy 10/06 an emergency dose of the hormone They found that the concentration while the company was not involved in saving lives and so if the epinephrine Jakarta P Cloudy 33/25 I T Storms 33/26 epinephrine to patients who may go of epinephrine in the autoinjectors was the study, “its fi ndings are consistent is ineff ective (it) can be deadly for Karachi Sunny 26/13 Sunny 26/13 into life-threatening anaphylactic reduced by 3.3% in samples placed in with the storage guidelines outlined patients.” London M Sunny 05/-1 P Cloudy 04/-1 shock. the trunk, 13.3% in those placed in the in the FDA-approved label for EpiPen Lacwik too said the results might Manila P Cloudy 32/26 S Showers 31/25 “We work with hundreds of patients cabin and 14.3% in those left in the Auto-Injector.” not translate precisely to other Moscow Snow 0/-4 Snow -3/-7 with histories of anaphylaxis, who glove compartment. “Per the label, EpiPen Auto-Injector formulations of epinephrine in other New Delhi Fog 21/09 Fog 21/08 carry epinephrine on a daily basis,” Most guidelines recommend 0.3mg is to be stored at 20°C to 25°C (68°F to climates or car models. But “while New York Rain&Snow 04/03 M Cloudy 11/08 lead author Piotr Lacwik, who works or 0.5mg as an initial dose for an adult. 77°F),” she said. our study did not check any of those Paris P Cloudy 03/-3 Sunny 02/-4 at the Medical University of Lodz in Because the EpiPen Senior has a total The report notes that although alternatives, we believe that the Sao Paulo M Sunny 33/20 S T Storms 32/21 Poland, said in an email. “I noticed dose of 0.3mg, any deterioration puts prescribing and patient information general conclusion- a warning against Seoul S Showers 03/-10 Sunny 0/-11 that not all of them have their the dose below the recommended available online includes a warning leaving autoinjectors in the heat - Singapore T Storm 29/25 T Storm 28/24 epinephrine on them at all times and, threshold, Lacwik said. against glovebox storage of EpiPens, the can be applied to all formulations of Sydney T Storm 26/20 T Storm 24/19 alarmingly, some leave injectors in the The EpiPens in the glove leafl et enclosed with the devices did not. epinephrine available on the market,” Tokyo Clear 11/05 Clear 11/04 car.” compartment were noticeably warm to Allergist Dr Purvi Parikh, he said. Gulf Times 28 Thursday, December 13, 2018 QATAR CCQ celebrates QND with lineup of cultural activities

he Community College of Qa- which range from time-honoured Qa- all hardships. Today, we are gathered, tar (CCQ) celebrated Qatar Na- tari dishes, sweets and customary spices not only to honour our nation’s proud Ttional Day (QND) 2018 with a rich to national costumes, accessories and roots and participate proactively in the three-day programme that featured an perfumes. preservation of Qatari culture, but also array of cultural activities, recreational CCQ also got together with com- to cherish what we have accomplished shows and creative competitions under munity partners to enrich this year’s through many generations.” the theme ‘Qatar Will Remain Free’. celebrations with a number of exciting “At CCQ, we fi rmly believe that in The commemoration witnessed the events and activities such as the tradi- order to continue our path of progress gathering of students, faculty and staff tional photography show organised in and take our beloved country to greater at specially-erected venues across CCQ collaboration with photography afi cio- heights, we must place the development campuses. Together, they voyaged into nado and keen memorabilia collector of a 21st-century educational and aca- the nation’s past as they sampled its Kamal Naji. The exhibit’s shelves show- demic research system at the forefront national cuisine, participated in tra- cased a wide range of old cameras and of our priorities. ditional performances and exchanged photography equipment that date as far And, while observing our National congratulations, while maroon-themed back as the early 20th century. Day inspirits us to celebrate the Col- scarfs and accessories adorned their Another community partnership lege’s achievements over nearly a dec- costumes and outfi ts. and a welcome addition to CCQ’s QND ade of hard work, it nevertheless in- A centre of interest in the festivities celebrations was a women’s handicraft spires us to continue expanding into was a maritime exhibition organised fair held in association with Quodorat new horizons,” he added. by the student media club. The spec- Centre which promotes the handiwork Other events and activities launched tacle took visitors through a journey of of artisans in sewing, beading and tradi- as part of the College’s QND celebra- seafarers’ lives in old-time Qatar with a tional medicine, to name a few. Both in- tions include Ardah national folkloric variety of on-display sea-related tools itiatives came as part of CCQ’s eff orts to dance performances, traditional ma- and relics, augmented by live demon- enhance community partnerships and jlises, and numerous stalls that depict strations of maritime activities such as empower members of the wider Qatari nuances of Qatari culture and tell of its shellfi sh splitting and traditional net- community to create and innovate. heritage in a variety of forms. making, and accompanied by storytell- CCQ president Dr Mohamed al-Nae- On the sidelines of this year’s festivi- ing of the history of shipbuilding, pearl- mi said, “The rise of Qatar as a modern, ties, a social media photo competition diving and fi shing in Qatar. prosperous, and independent nation is has also been launched, where contest- Meanwhile, Souq Al Fereej (Neigh- rooted in the glorious deeds of our fore- ants mark the occasion by capturing its bourhood Market) off ered students a fathers and the noble values they plant- festive spirit in a photograph of their platform to sell their own products, ed more than a century ago, despite own.

Traditional music and dance at the event.