BUSINESS | Page 1 SPORT | Page 1 Al-Attiyah confi dent as Dakar Rally Oman off ers Qatari businessmen looms investment projects in agri sector published in QATAR since 1978

WEDNESDAY Vol. XXXIX No. 11023 December 5, 2018 Rabia I 27, 1440 AH

GULF TIMES www. gulf-times.com 2 Riyals

‘QMC Now’ Amir visits Doha International Book Fair app launched

atar Media Corporation Amir’s visit (QMC) has launched a new Qapplication programme (app) for smart devices - QMC Now. The app is available in the App Store for iOS devices. to Malaysia will enhance The QMC Now app includes the live streaming and transmission schedules and programme details for the following television channels and radio channels: Qatar Televi- bilateral ties sion, Alkass Television, Qatar Ra- dio, Quran Radio, Urdu Radio, QBS he visit of His Highness the exchange of visits at diff erent levels. Radio, Sout Al Khaleej Radio, 88FM Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad “This is the second visit of His High- Sout Al Khaleej and Oryx Radio. Tal-Thani to Malaysia is a clear ness the Amir, and it is a clear expres- Available for free, the app re- expression of the depth of the relation- sion of the depth of the relationship quires “iOS version 11.4 or later, and His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani yesterday visited the 29th Doha International Book Fair, which is ship between the two countries, Qa- between the two countries. The rela- is compatible with iPhone, iPad and being held under the theme “Doha, A City of Knowledge and Conscience” at Doha Exhibition and Convention Centre. The tar’s ambassador to Malaysia Fahad bin tionship is based on the principles of iPod touch”. Page 3 Amir toured the pavilions of the exhibition where he was briefed on the participation of the various government organisations Mohamed Kafood has said. mutual respect for the sovereignty of and cultural institutions, as well as Arab, Qatari and international publishing houses. The Amir was also briefed on the latest The Amir will hold discussions with states, non-interference in internal af- publications, books and manuscripts displayed at the exhibition. Page 2 Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir fairs and the establishment of the best Mohamed tomorrow and honour the relations between them,” he said. winners of Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad The envoy expressed the hope that al-Thani International Anti-Corrup- this important visit will have posi- tion Excellence Award at a ceremony in tive repercussions on the excellent No doubt MbS behind Khashoggi murder: US senators Kuala Lumpur on Friday. relations between the two countries, “The visit of His Highness the Amir which will benefi t the people of Qatar to Malaysia is of particular importance and Malaysia. wo key US Republican sena- ald Trump’s party run counter to the situation all the way through it,” in the light of Qatar’s policy to expand “The in-depth offi cial talks between tors , Bob Corker and Lindsey the White House narrative down- Senate Foreign Relations Committee its relations with sisterly and friendly His Highness the Amir and Malaysian TGraham, said yesterday after playing possible links between the chairman Bob Corker told reporters countries in all political, economic and Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamed on a briefi ng by the CIA’s director they crown prince and the October kill- after CIA director Gina Haspel briefed cultural spheres,” Kafood explained Thursday, will be of great importance have “zero” doubt Saudi Arabia’s ing of journalist and palace critic a small group of senators. in a statement to Qatar News Agency in laying solid foundations for enhanc- crown prince Mohamed bin Salman Khashoggi at the kingdom’s Istanbul Fellow Republican Senator Lind- (QNA). ing bilateral relations in the framework (MbS) directed the murder of journal- consulate. sey Graham, who has urged Trump to “Qatar’s relationship with Malaysia of seeking opportunities to develop po- ist Jamal Khashoggi. “I have zero question in my mind take a far tougher stance against Riy- dates back to decades and it is one of litical co-ordination and co-operation The explosive new declarations that the crown prince directed the adh over the killing, also attended the the distinguished relations that have and economic relations between the two by members of President Don- murder and was kept appraised of hour-long briefi ng. Page 16 covered many sectors and witnessed countries. To Page 22 Gulf Times 2 Wednesday, December 5, 2018 QATAR

Amir visits Doha International Book Fair

His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani visiting the 29th Doha International Book Fair at Doha Exhibition and Convention Centre yesterday. The Amir toured the pavilions of the exhibition where he was briefed on the participation of the various government organisations, cultural institutions, and Arab, Qatari and international publishing houses. He was also briefed on the latest publications, books and manuscripts displayed at the exhibition.

Amir receives message from Bouteflika In brief New book discusses vision of

Amir for Qatar’s development Amir sends cable of condolences to new book written by of the Amir on diff erent issues ture in the society. Kuwaiti leader Mariam Yassin al-Hamadi such as the Palestinian cause, Qatari novelist Abdullah Fa- Adiscusses the main aspects helping the poor and confl ict- khroo published his fi fth novel of the vision of His Highness the stricken countries around the entitled Refused Heart Syn- His Highness the Amir Sheikh Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad world through donations and drome. Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani sent al-Thani in building Qatar’s in- developmental projects. In addition, a number of Qa- yesterday a cable of condolences stitutions and achieving sustain- The Doha International Book tari writers and media profes- to the Amir of Kuwait Sheikh able development in the country. Fair also witnessed a cultural sionals and residents of Qatar Sabah al-Ahmed al-Jaber al-Sabah Addressing a seminar held as symposium on the Arab novel signed a number of cultural pub- on the death of Sheikha Bazza part of The Doha International and challenges facing the Arab lications. Mohamed al-Ali al-Malek al- Book Fair yesterday, al-Hamadi world, presented by Dr Ahmed In this year’s edition of the Sabah. Separately, His Highness stressed that the Amir’s recent Abdul Malik and Qatari novelist Doha International Book Fair 427 His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani has received a verbal message from the the Deputy Amir Sheikh Abdullah speeches at the Advisory Coun- Mohamed Ali Abdullah. publishing houses, representing Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika, pertaining to bilateral relations and ways of developing bin Hamad al-Thani and HE the cil and at the UN refl ect a clear Meanwhile, at the book-sign- 30 Arab and foreign countries them. The message was conveyed by the Algerian Vice-Minister for National Defence and Chief Prime Minister and Minister of understanding of sustainable ing ceremony at the pavilion of are participating. About 122,000 of Staff of the People’s National Army, Lt General Ahmed Gaid Salah, when the Amir met him and Interior Sheikh Abdullah bin development through Qatar Na- the Qatar Forum for Authors, Dr titles are being exhibited. the accompanying delegation at the Amiri Diwan off ice yesterday. Lt General Ahmed Gaid Salah Nasser bin Khalifa al-Thani also tional Vision 2030, which calls Hassan Abdul Rahim al-Sayed The exhibition also includes conveyed the greetings of President Bouteflika to the Amir, wishing him good health and happiness sent cables of condolences to the on citizens and residents to in- signed his book Constitutional several ministries and state in- and Qatar progress and prosperity. The Amir reciprocated the greetings and wishes of the Algerian Amir of Kuwait on the death of novate through developmental Waqf which includes various le- stitutions, cultural and artistic president. The meeting also reviewed the fraternal relations between Qatar and Algeria and means Sheikha Bazza Mohamed al-Ali and industrial initiatives. gal articles to raise awareness of events and a special training of supporting and developing them, in addition to the latest developments in the region. al-Malek al-Sabah. She also discussed the views the legal and constitutional cul- workshop. - QNA Qatar participates in meeting of Arab health ministers Qatar takes part in meeting Qatar participated yesterday UK fi rms signing deals worth in a joint meeting of Arab ministers of social aff airs and of Council of Europe panel health in Cairo, with a delegation headed by ambassador Ibrahim £1.5bn with Qatar for World Cup bin Abdulaziz al-Sahlawi, the QNA road map which was adopted in Permanent Representative of Strasbourg preparation for the membership Qatar to the Arab League. of Qatar to the Council of Europe By Anthony Harwood worth of trade which British fi rms to see British business winning British Prime Minister There- The meeting discussed the Convention on Integrated Safety, Gulf Times Correspondent made in Brazil around the World contracts and making these fan- sa May had talks with His High- development of an Arab strategy Security and Service Approach London Cup there in 2014 – where UK fi rm tastic events the spectacle they ness the Amir of Qatar Sheikh to promote the rights of older delegation from Qatar is at Football Matches and Other Blue Cube provided the seating in are. Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani at persons in the Arab countries and participating in the meet- Sports Events known as St Denis the stadiums. Downing Street in July, during ensure decent living for them in Aing of the Standing Com- Convention. This replaces the ritish fi rms are signing The World Cup deals between “Our world class which they discussed how the recognition of their role in Arab mittee of the Council of Europe Convention on Spectator Vio- £1.5bn worth of contracts Britain and Qatar are part of a construction companies UK could help deliver the World societies. on Spectator Violence. lence by the end of this year. Thus, Bwith Qatar for work on rise in trade between the two have some of the best Cup. It will also discuss all social, The delegation to the meet- Qatar is expected to become a the next World Cup – more than countries which totalled £3.39bn safety records in the world The Football Association has health, legal and developmental ing, which began yesterday an member of the Council of Europe. ten times what they made at the in 2017, an increase of 70% over and they will play an also signed a Memorandum aspects related to older persons. runs till December 7, is headed Through this partnership, Qa- tournament in Brazil four years the last fi ve years. important role in delivering of Understanding with Doha, The meeting will also discuss by Brigadier Ibrahim Khalil al- tar seeks to develop measures in ago. In a post-Brexit world, good a safe and successful World which involve football develop- a number of resolutions of Mohannadi, Member of Security line with international standards The huge trade bonanza was trade relations between the UK Cup” ment projects and friendlies to the Arab summits related to Committee of Supreme Com- relating to security and safety as announced by the government and the Middle East will be of help the British teams acclima- supporting the social, health mittee for Delivery & Legacy, well as accompanying services on the back of deals with Doha great importance. “Our world class construc- tise to the heat in the run-up to and humanitarian conditions Head of Advisory Offi ce Unit of during its hosting of the World to build new stadiums, cut the Minister for International tion companies have some of 2022. in the Arab countries that are Security Committee and repre- Cup 2022. Through this part- grass and provide pitch-side se- Trade George Hollingbery vis- the best safety records in the The DIT is also targeting the facing challenges and diff iculties sentative of Qatar. nership Qatar also aims to join curity guards. ited Qatar this week for the sec- world and they will play an im- 2019 Pan American and Para- and witnessing waves of The delegation will hold a the European Council’s Conven- The Department for Interna- ond meeting of the Joint Min- portant role in delivering a safe Pan Games, the Rugby World displacement. meeting on the sidelines of the tions against Doping in Sport. tional Trade said UK companies isterial Economic Commercial and successful World Cup. Cup 2019 and Tokyo 2020 Ol- meeting of the Standing Com- This partnership comes as have already signed deals for and Technical Committee. “If our nations have as much ympics and Paralympics as Ministry honours mittee with the special team for part of the Council of Europe’s £940mn in the Qatar and a fur- He said: “With our football success in Qatar 2022 as UK further opportunities for UK managing the Qatar bid of the eff orts to create partnerships ther £500mn is lined up before teams enjoying success this sum- businesses are having support- business if, as expected, the winners of Qur’an European Council. with the countries that will host the tournament kicks off in 2022. mer and fantastic support com- ing it, we are in for another great UK leaves the EU on March 29, competition The meeting will discuss the major sporting events. This compares with just £150mn ing from all four nations, it’s great tournament.” 2019. The Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Aff airs honoured yesterday the winners of the Sheikh Jassim Bin Muhammad Al-Thani Qur’an Competition, with HE the Minister of Awqaf and Islamic Aff airs Dr Industry experts attend global conference on Awqaf Ghaith bin Mubarak al-Kuwari attending. The first place went to Ama Al QNA Awqaf and Islamic Aff airs and their legal protection condi- velop the Waqf and its fi elds, Rahman Abdulraheem in the Doha the Qatar Central Bank. tions are applied, and their gov- and to improve the required legal citizens category for memorising The event will also witness ernance, administration, and frameworks to take advantage of the entire Qur’an. Islam Mohamed notable participation from aca- investment approaches are en- the endowments, which are no Ali won the first place. First prize he Global Conference on demic partners, including Bait forced according to the require- longer limited to material as- is worth QR100,000. The second Awqaf, organised by the Al-Mashura Finance Consulta- ments of their donors. pect, but include new areas. and third places are awarded TCollege of Islamic Stud- tions, the College of Shariah and HBKU President, Dr Ahmad Executive director at QNRF Dr QR85,000 and QR70,000. ies (CIS) at Hamad Bin Khalifa Islamic Studies at Qatar Univer- M Hasnah, said that the en- Abdul Sattar al-Taei said: “QNRF Head of the organising University (HBKU), kicked off in sity, Sabahattin Zaim University, dowments were one of the most is very pleased to sponsor this committee, Nasser Youssef Doha yesterday. Ibn Haldun University, as well as important elements of develop- unique conference. Waqf has both al-Sulaiti, said that honouring The CIS conference is being the University of East London’s ment and civilisational building historical and contemporary im- those who memorise the Qur’an held under the key themes of Evo- Centre for Islamic Finance Law in Muslim history, surpassing portance for Muslims across the reflects the commitment of lution, Socio-economic Impact, and Communities. the role of charitable fi eld to have world. The conference off ers a rare the wise leadership in serving Management Strategies, Legal and In his speech, HE the Minister a developmental and education- opportunity for Islamic scholars the book of Allah. He noted Governance Issues, Cash Waqf and of Awqaf and Islamic Aff airs Dr al role in the sustainability and and specialists in diff erent fi elds, that all 5,000 participants in Country-wise Case Studies. Ghaith bin Mubarak al-Kuwari HE the Minister of Awqaf and Islamic Aff airs Dr Ghaith bin Mubarak development of many scientifi c such as in economics and busi- this year’s diff erent categories The sponsors of the confer- addressed the importance of al-Kuwari addressing the conference. and research institutions. ness, to come together and discuss were honoured. He announced ence are the Qatar Financial endowments and the ability to It also contributed to the proc- diff erent aspects of endowments that the 2019 edition of the top Centre (QFC) and the Qatar Na- fulfi l its purpose if the donors’ to achieve peace and support fi nanced by the ministry. ess of civilisational advancement with the focus of widening and im- memorisers will initially see tional Research Fund (QNRF). requirements are met. the harmony of diverse socie- He added that endowments and sustainability, he said. proving the eff ectiveness and the 45 people participating from Strategic partners for the Al-Kuwari also spoke about ties, citing the example of Patani off er great wealth potential that He called for benefi ting from impact of how Waqf can respond to 22 countries, with the winner conference are the Ministry of the potential of endowments University Hospital in Thailand may yield fruitful results when the modern technology to de- the challenges of the 21st Century.” earning QR1mn. Gulf Times Wednesday, December 5, 2018 3 QATAR

Defence minister holds extensive ‘QMC Now’ app launched talks with Algerian delegation

atar Media Corporation (QMC) has radio station was created. It was broad- launched a new application pro- cast on Fridays and relayed the Qur’an, re- Qgramme (app) for smart devices - ligious programmes and news. This paved QMC Now. The app is available in the App the way for the offi cial formation of Qa- Store for iOS devices. tar Radio on June 25 , 1968. Transmission The QMC Now app includes the live hours were gradually increased over the streaming and transmission schedules and years, with Qatar Radio beginning non-stop programme details for the following tel- transmission in 2002. evision channels and radio channels: Qatar Sout Al Khaleej was launched on February Television, Alkass Television, Qatar Radio, 2, 2002 with a vision to provide prominence to Quran Radio, Urdu Radio, QBS Radio, Sout GCC music and show its deep historical roots Al Khaleej Radio, 88FM Sout Al Khaleej and spread it among all Arab listeners. It fur- and Oryx Radio. ther documents the progress of the GCC mu- Available for free, the app requires “iOS sic and its distinctive features throughout its version 11.4 or later, and is compatible with various stages of development. iPhone, iPad and iPod touch”. Oryx Radio was launched on Janu- HE the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Defence Aff airs Dr Khalid bin Mohamed QMC is the offi cial broadcasting author- ary 16, 2011 and broadcasts its various al-Attiyah met yesterday with Deputy Minister of Defence and Chief of Staff of the Algerian army Lt ity for Qatar. Established in 2009 to over- programmes in French. It is the outcome General Ahmed Gaid Salah, and his accompanying delegation. The two sides held extensive talks during see media services across diff erent TV and of co-operation between QMC and Ra- which they discussed aspects of joint co-operation and means of enhancing and developing them in radio channels, it “vigorously pursues the dio France Internationale. It is consid- various fields between the two brotherly countries. Qatar Armed Forces Chief of Staff Lt-General (Pilot) latest developments in media updates and ered the meeting platform of the Arab and Ghanem bin Shaheen al-Ghanem and a number of senior off icers of the Qatar Armed Forces attended technologies with media content that ac- Francophone cultures. the meeting. commodates development and preserves Quran Radio was launched on De- the culture and identity of the state and its cember 25, 1992 and mainly broadcasts community”. recitations of the Holy Qur’an in ad- Launched in 1970, Qatar Television is a dition to a variety of Islamic religious national TV channel that broadcasts vari- programmes. ous programmes, including news, economy- Urdu Radio, launched more than 38 years related bulletins, documentaries, religious ago, is meant to keep expatriates coming New bus routes to be launched soon programmes and entertainment shows. from South Asia informed about the laws Alkass is a group of eight sport chan- and traditions of Qatar and provide a suitable ew bus routes integrated asalat also informed that bus fi ce, Tornado Tower, City Center nels broadcast 24/7 from Qatar. It was atmosphere to Urdu-speaking expatriates with Phase 1 of Doha route No 74 in West Bay will be Doha, Al Bidda Tower and oth- launched in June 2006 as the second away from their home countries. NMetro will be introduced cancelled from December 7 “due ers. sport channel from Qatar after the then QBS Radio is Qatar’s fi rst English radio sta- this month, transport provider to low ridership”. Mowasalat has requested pas- Al Jazeera Sports. tion and broadcasts a variety of programmes Mowasalat has said. Route 74 covers a number sengers to regularly check its Qatar Radio is the national radio sta- in English, in addition to various pop music In a service advisory posted on of areas in West Bay, including website (www.mowasalat.com) tion of the country. In 1965, Qatar’s fi rst from around the world in English. its Twitter page yesterday, Mow- QSC Stadium, General Post Of- for details of new services. HMC marks World Aids Day, urges people to get tested

amad Medical Corporation’s and how to get tested. Human immu- community about risks, how the virus “Under the national programme, (HMC) Communicable Dis- no-defi ciency virus (HIV) infection is transmitted, and how they can be anyone living in Qatar who is diag- Hease Center (CDC) is mark- and acquired immune defi ciency syn- tested. The earlier HIV is diagnosed, nosed with HIV is given appropriate ing World Aids Day 2018 by urging drome (Aids) is a spectrum of condi- the better the outcome of the treat- counselling and the most advanced people to ‘know their status’ and get tions caused by infection with the HIV. ment. Through education and aware- treatment available. They are also as- tested for the virus and other sexually Dr Abdullatif al-Khal, head of Infec- ness we can help end the epidemic.” sured of confi dentiality and support. transmitted infections (STIs). tious Diseases at HMC, said, “We have Dr al-Khal says Qatar has put in People who are receiving treatment are World Aids Day is marked annually seen an increase in the number of new place a National Aids Programme very unlikely to transmit the virus. In on December 1 and this week HMC is infections this year and this is mainly through the Ministry of Public Health addition, those who are at risk of HIV holding a range of educational events among young people. Each year in Qa- that is focused on raising awareness of infection can protect themselves by across the organisation, as well as in tar between 15 and 25 new HIV cases the virus as well as providing compre- taking preventive treatment which is the community, to raise awareness are diagnosed. This means we need hensive care to aff ected individuals liv- available at the Communicable Disease HMC is holding a range of educational events to mark World Aids Day. about the HIV infection, its prevention, to enhance our eff orts to educate the ing in the country. Center,” added Dr al-Khal. Gulf Times 4 Wednesday, December 5, 2018 QATAR Amir invited to GCC summit QNBC formally launches is Highness the Amir Sheikh mit of the Supreme Council of the GCC Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani re- that will be hosted by the Kingdom on Hceived yesterday a written mes- December 9. sage from Custodian of the Two Holy The message was delivered by GCC Sec- Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz retary-General Dr Abdullatif bin Rashid networks operating centre al-Saud of the brotherly Kingdom of al-Zayani, during a reception yesterday by Saudi Arabia, that invites His High- HE the Minister of State for Foreign Aff airs ness the Amir to attend the 39th Sum- Sultan bin Saad al-Muraikhi. (QNA) atar National Broad- ments, would provide all kinds band Network’s of networking assistance to Q(QNBN) Networks their operations, particularly Operating Centre (NOC) in case of any emergencies, it was formally launched by is understood. HE the Minister of Trans- The QNBN, a govern- port and Communica- ment initiative, has been tions Jassim Seif Ahmed established to build a uni- al-Sulaiti yesterday. fi ed communications net- Dr Ahmed Salman al-Su- work to avoid duplication laiti, chief executive offi cer, in telecommunication in- QNBN, said that the formal frastructure and ensure that launch of the NOC, which is only reasonable tariff s are taking care of the network- charged by the country’s ing requirements of more communications’ service than 3,000km of fi bre op- providers. It would also en- tic broadband width across sure high standards in qual- the country, would accel- ity, safety and continuity. HE the Minister of Transport and Communications Jassim Seif Ahmed al-Sulaiti along with erate the communication The QNBN network cov- QNBN CEO Dr Ahmed Salman al-Sulaiti and other off icials at the formal launch of the NOC network activities. erage has reached diff er- yesterday. PICTURE: Shaji Kayamkulam The NOC, considered to be ent regions of the country the main monitoring centre of to cover almost 95% of to eff ectively meet the re- hours of receiving requests of national income by 3 to the communication networks the area and 100% of the quirements of all customers from the customers. 5% per annum, allowing all of almost all major ministries, populated areas, it was told. in the country by connecting In support to the national companies to benefi t from government’s strategic insti- Through the coverage, the fi bre network to build- economy, the QNBN has the infrastructure that it has tutions, entities and depart- the company has been able ings concerned within 48 contributed to the growth provided.

QRCS’s Warm Winter campaign to benefit hundreds of thousands in nine countries HBKU showcases programmes Qatar Red Crescent Society (QRCS) help more and more poor, displaced, has launched its Warm Winter and homeless people to withstand campaign, under which it plans to the heavy-handed winter”. at University Expo Qatar 2018 distribute QR14mn winterisation “Let’s show the best in humanity aid for more than 225,000 and bring happiness into the beneficiaries in nine countries. hearts of kids, women, and elderly amad Bin Khalifa University Under the theme ‘Journey of people desperate for warmth and (HBKU) showcased its various Giving’, this is the 13th edition of the food in the coldest months of the Hmultidisciplinary programmes annual campaign, which has over year. It is an inalienable right for at the University Expo Qatar 2018, held the past few years reached out to those deprived of warmth and under the patronage of HE the Minister millions of aff ected populations security or aff licted by lack of food of Education and Higher Education Dr across Asia and Africa. and shelter. We are there for them, Mohamed Abdul Wahed Ali al-Ham- The new drive was announced inspired heart and soul by our madi, at Qatar National Convention in a press conference attended central value of “saving lives and Centre (QNCC) from November 28-29. by executive director Ibrahim preserving dignity,” he added. As an academic sponsor of the event, Abdullah al-Maliki, executive Dr Ibrahim explained, “This year, HBKU was one of more than 65 exhibi- director of relief and international some 225,000 needy people are tors off ering prospective students, par- HBKU was the academic sponsor of development Dr Mohamed bound to find succour and support, ents and teachers detailed information University Expo Qatar. Salah Ibrahim, and director of thanks to the support from donors about their programmes, campus life communication Abdullah Hamed to QRCS’s winterisation programmes and the enrolment process. a presentation was given which high- al-Mulla. planned in nine countries: Lebanon, This year, the expo welcomed more lighted the unique learning environ- Al-Maliki said, “The winter of 2019 Turkey, Yemen, Syria, Jordan, than 3,000 visitors. As part of the ment, research opportunities and is here, and we are geared up for Afghanistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, expo’s University Showcase segment, programmes off ered at HBKU. giving! This is a tradition that aims to and Bangladesh. (QNA)

Gulf Times 6 Wednesday, December 5, 2018 QATAR

Qatar takes part in UN climate talks QF’s National QNA Environment Abdullah bin Ab- The Qatari delegation, compris- Warsaw dulaziz bin Turki al-Subaie, will ing the Ministry of Municipal- participate in the meetings with ity and Environment and other Reading Campaign the aim of strengthening co-ordi- national entities, will participate in atar is participating in the nation with other countries during the side events of the conference, 24th Conference of the the negotiations. which will include presentations QParties (COP) to the UN On the sidelines of the confer- of the most important projects takes part in DIBF Framework Convention on Climate ence, HE al-Subaie held meetings that refl ect the country’s eff orts in Change (UNFCCC), being held in with a number of ministers of en- dealing with the issue of climate Katowice, Poland. vironment, climate aff airs, energy, change, and affi rm its commitment HE the Minister of Municipality and Environment Abdullah bin rtworks commissioned illusionistic work with the The Qatari delegation, led by HE minerals and sustainable develop- to addressing the phenomenon. - Abdulaziz bin Turki al-Subaie attending the 24th Conference of by Qatar Foundation’s endless repetition of the word the Minister of Municipality and ment in the Arab countries. Page 16 the Parties (COP) in Katowice, Poland. A(QF) National Reading ‘imagination’. Campaign are being show- Khalifa al-Marri has created cased at the ongoing 29th an abstract animation of the Doha International Book Fair mental voyages a person takes (DIBF). while reading; Paul Valentine The community-focused has carved actual books; and QF campaign – designed Sebastian Betancur-Montoya to foster a love of literature has performed a journey in the among people of all ages in middle of the sea while reading Ministry launches Cancer Qatar – invited local artists a book. to produce works that capture During DIBF, the National the essence of reading. Reading Campaign has also The fi ve commissioned been encouraging members pieces are currently on display of the community to place on DIBF, one of the region’s their favourite book on its largest international book ‘Community Shelves’ and Awareness Calendar 2019 fairs, which is taking place at leave a note explaining why Doha Exhibition and Conven- they like it for others to fi nd. By Joseph Varghese He was joined by Sheikh Dr tion Centre until December 8. Interactive activities featur- Staff Reporter Khalid bin Jabor al-Thani, chair- The works of art include ing characters from children’s man, Qatar Cancer Society; Dr the blueprint photographs of books and a ‘fi nd the miss- Mohammed Ussama al-Homsi, Khalifa al-Obaidly, inspired ing character’ game have al- n order to fi ght cancer and chairman, Medical Oncology and by manuscripts of the indigo lowed young visitors to the boost collaborative eff orts at Hematology, Hamad Medical trade between the Gulf and In- fair to discover how much fun Ipreventing the disease, the Corporation (HMC); Dr Shaikha dia, and Maryam al-Homaid’s reading can be. Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) Abu Shaikha, cancer programme along with major public health- manager, Primary Health Care care entities, has launched ‘Can- Corporation (PHCC); and Cath- cer Awareness Calendar 2019.’ erine Gillespie, director, Nation- The initiative aims to raise al Cancer Programme. awareness about cancer and en- All through 2019, each month is courage people to face the chal- set apart for raising awareness on lenge associated with the disease diff erent types of cancer and De- Off icials with the cancer awareness calendar at the launch ceremony. PICTURE: Noushad Thekkayil confi dently. cember 2019 has been designed Launching the calendar that as the month of cancer awareness MoPh, PHCC, and HMC. Creat- save lives,” highlighted Dr Homsi national cancer awareness days,” is set to mark diff erent types achievements to take stock of ing a unifi ed calendar for raising “The calendar refl ects the col- explained Dr Shaikha, PHCC. of cancer at specifi ed months, the awareness programmes and awareness about various types laborative eff orts of health part- Gillespei said, “We know that Sheikh Dr Mohamed bin Hamad their impact. Altogether, about of cancers will contribute greatly ners towards achieving the vision many cancers can be prevent- al-Thani, director, public health 24 types of cancers will be high- to raise people awareness level of of the National Cancer Frame- ed with changes to lifestyle or at MoPH, said that cancer is not lighted throughout the year and this disease in Qatar and will help work 2017-2022 and provides an through making healthy choices something that people should awareness programmes will be us to clarify ways of preventing opportunity for uniting eff orts by which is why raising awareness be afraid of. “This initiative will conducted accordingly. it,” said Sheikh Dr Khalid. stakeholders within Qatar to join and helping individuals under- help people learn more about “We, at Qatar Cancer Soci- “The aim of these activities is forces to raise the awareness of stand how they can reduce their cancer and how they can over- ety, stress the need to unite ef- to raise awareness of all types of cancer and reduce the local can- risk has been our primary fo- come the challenges. Modifying forts to raise awareness about cancer in Qatar, highlighting the cer burden. The calendar identi- cus. Equally important is raising lifestyle and following a healthy cancer in general in Qatar as signs and symptoms of the dis- fi es dedicated cancer awareness awareness of possible signs or food habit, is one of the impor- well as to educate the commu- ease and increasing public un- months based on evidence- symptoms of cancer and we know tant steps towards fi ghting can- nity towards diff erent types of derstanding of the importance of based incidence data published that cancers identifi ed at an early Machaille al-Naimi, president of Community Development, QF, cer successfully,” noted Sheikh cancer. We also look forward to prevention, early detection and by the Qatar National Cancer stage have the best chance of be- attending the National Reading Campaign activities at the Doha Dr Mohamed. doing that by collaborating with maintaining a healthy lifestyle to Registry. It also recognises inter- ing successfully treated.” International Book Fair.

Gulf Times 8 Wednesday, December 5, 2018 QATAR Cruise ship on second visit Alfardan’s Mall of Qatar outlet hosts Italian jewellery festival

By Ramesh Mathew Staff Reporter

fi ve-day festival of Italian jewellery and ornaments Astarted yesterday at Alfardan Jewellery at Mall of Qatar . Italian ambassador to Qatar Pas- Cruise ship Celebrity Constellation sailed into Doha Port on its second visit during the quale Salzano opened the event ongoing 2018/19 season, carrying a total of 1,754 passengers and 957 crew members, in the presence of Alfardan Group Mwani Qatar tweeted yesterday. The ship had made its first visit late last month. chairman and prominent Qatari entrepreneur Hussain Alfardan and Alfardan Jewellery vice chairman and president Ali Alfardan. While expressing happiness at the growing participation of Italian jewel- lers in the events happening in Qatar, Woqod hosts open induction Hussain Alfardan said the simplifi ed and liberalised business conditions prevailing in the country would help day to boost Qatarisation attract many jewellers in festivals to be held in the coming years. He pointed out that Italy and Qatar atar Fuel Company and to engage them in the in developing the Qatari hu- have all along shared very good busi- Italian ambassador Pasquale (Woqod) yester- work of a fuel company. man capital with skilled and ness relations, especially in the area of Salzano inaugurating the Italian Qday hosted an open The initiative was also qualifi ed Qatari men and jewellery and their company has close jewellery festival at Alfardan induction day in Doha as aimed at supporting the re- women to have the best op- association with a large number of Ital- Jewellery at Mall of Qatar yesterday part of its Qatarisation pro- alisation of Qatar National portunities to join the Wo- ian jewellers for more than six decades. as Hussain Alfardan and Ali Alfardan gramme. Vision 2030 goals in terms qod workforce with diff erent Hussain Alfardan said Italian jew- look on: PICTURES: Jayan Orma The induction was sched- the development of human backgrounds. ellers are renowned for their innova- uled in two phases – morn- capital and the enhancement “This endeavour off ered tion, creativity and aesthetic sense at an expo and they could also be dis- ing and evening – to receive of national competencies, us the opportunity to meet and many universally acclaimed played at the next edition of the Doha applications for vocational through this programme, with graduate students and jewellers from the Mediterranean Jewellery and Watches Exhibition to training and the develop- the statement noted. showcase them the tremen- country have been doing business be held at the Doha Exhibition and ment programme as well as On this occasion, Woqod dous opportunity that Wo- with their Qatari counterparts. Convention Centre in January 2019. to off er easy access to stu- chief executive offi cer Saad qod off ers. “Italian craftsmen are among the Such brands as Giloro, Paolo Pio- dents for the induction pro- Rashid al-Muhannadi said: As part of Woqod’s re- best in the world and they have an van Gioielli, Mimi, Mattia Cielo, gramme, the company said “Under the leadership of His sponsibility towards the illustrious tradition of hundreds of Xpandable Picchiotti are participat- in a statement. Highness the Amir, Sheikh community, we will train years in jewellery making,” he said. ing in the festival. The purpose of the event Tamim bin Hamad al-Tha- and develop Qatari compe- Ali Alfardan said though their Ambassador Salzano said he is was to attract Qatari gradu- ni, and through Qatar Na- tencies across various tech- company have had a colourful track happy to fi nd that jewellery from ates to provide training and tional Vision 2030, Woqod nical fi elds of the organisa- record in hosting exhibitions, this is his country has enjoyed remarkably development opportunities is committed to participate tion.” the fi rst exclusive Italian jewellery good patronage in Qatar. show to be held in Qatar. He also appreciated the owners Many of those creations exhibited of Alfardan Jewellery for holding an Hussain Alfardan presents a memento to Italian ambassador Pasquale at the festival are making their debut exclusive festival of Italian jewellery. Salzano as Ali Alfardan looks on. Minor fire at Metro station Ooredoo testing its 5G network reach in the desert oredoo has announced that networks and can achieve speeds of in a moving vehicle at The Pearl- customers will be able to up to 2Gbps, 20 times the speeds of Qatar, as well as the use of an ‘aerial Oenjoy the “life-changing Ooredoo’s 100Mbps fi bre. taxi’ drone powered by the compa- speeds” of 5G across Qatar’s desert, Hardware manufacturers are ny’s live 5G network. as soon as commercial devices are working closely together with Oore- As well as announcing the test- available in Qatar. doo to ensure that the performance ing, Ooredoo has stated that by The company said it has deployed in Qatar is seamless in various use- the end of the desert camping and begun testing its newly upgrad- cases before being made available to season in 2019, a host of the most ed 5G towers in desert areas such as “Camping is an important part of customers. popular desert locations will be Sealine and will be off ering trials to Qatar’s culture and so ensuring that Since Ooredoo announced it was connected with 5G Home Broad- selected VIP customers via 5G home our network is 5G-ready in popular the fi rst operator in the world to band devices. broadband devices. areas of the desert is a priority for launch a 5G network commercially Due to worldwide manufacturing “The company has invested heav- us. 5G will enable our customers to in May, the company has rolled out limitations, Ooredoo’s 5G Super- ily in the launch of the 5G desert download movies, stream VR gam- the next-generation technology to net network is not yet accessible by project to ensure the best coverage ing experiences, even when sur- more than 85 network towers to en- smartphones; however, the com- during the camping season for Qa- round by dunes, and most impor- sure that Qatar is at the forefront of pany has said it is working to rapidly tar’s people when 5G devices be- tantly give users peace of mind of 5G developments and the 5G ecosys- roll out its state-of-the-art network A minor fire incident was reported at entrance No 5 of Doha Metro’s Al Sadd station come available,” Ooredoo said in a that they can always stay connected tem, the statement notes. so that consumers and businesses and it was completely controlled, Qatar Rail said in a tweet yesterday afternoon. The statement. when away from home.” To demonstrate the power of 5G, across Qatar can instantly benefi t as Ministry of Interior, too, tweeted about the incident, stating that the Civil Defence Waleed al-Sayed, chief execu- 5G home broadband devices work Ooredoo recently showcased real- soon as compatible devices are made brought the minor fire under control at the site and there were no injuries. Later, in tive offi cer of Ooredoo Qatar, said: on both the Ooredoo 4G and 5G life 5G speeds exceeding 2,617Mbps available, the statement adds. the evening, Qatar Rail informed on Twitter that the contractor had resumed normal operations at Al Sadd station, which is still under construction. “Eng Abdulla al-Kaabi confirmed the continuity of work after controlling the heavy smoke,” it said. (Picture 5-hour closure on part of service road to courtesy: Qatar Rail Twitter page) Gharrafa Roundabout, says Ashghal

he Public Works Author- During this period, traffi c will ity (Ashghal) has an- be diverted to Al Luqta Street Tnounced the implemen- through Abdul Rahman Bin Awf tation of a temporary closure Street, as shown on the attached on part of the service road of map. Al Shamal Road leading to Al Motorists who wish to turn left Gharrafa Roundabout (Immi- or make a U-turn at the rounda- gration R/A). bout are advised to drive through The closure starts on Thursday, Al Luqta Street and make a U- from midnight until 5am, and will turn, Ashghal has said in a state- be carried out over a total of four ment. nights – the other dates being De- The diversion aims to enable cember 7, 8 and 14 — in co-ordi- asphalt works as part of Phase 1 nation with the General Directo- of an Ashghal project, aiming to rate of Traffi c. convert the Immigration R/A into The service road will be com- an intersection and develop parts pletely open to traffi c during the of service roads on 22 February day, except on December 7, when Road, in order to improve traffi c two of the three lanes of the serv- movement and increase the inter- ice road will be opened to traffi c. section’s capacity. Permanent change of access to Dukhan South service road: Ashghal

he Public Works Authority Umm Al Afaei Interchange in- (Ashghal) has announced stead of the existing at Al Jah- Ta permanent change to haniya Interchange, Ashghal has Dukhan South service road ac- said in a statement. cess and adjacent areas, which As shown on the attached map, will be implemented tomor- road users travelling southbound row to allow for the completion on Dukhan Road will be required of Orbital Road construction to exit 2km before Umm Al Afaei works at Umm Al Juwashin In- Interchange onto the South serv- terchange. ice road to access Umm Al Afaei The proposed change has been south-west ramp connecting designed in co-ordination with Dukhan Road to Salwa Road, the General Directorate of Traffi c Umm Al Juwashin exit loops and will remain in place perma- connecting Dukhan Road to Lu- nently. sail and Salwa Road, Amiri Guard The new access to Dukhan Compound and Al Jahhaniya In- South Service Road and adjacent terchange to reach Mall of Qatar, areas will be located approxi- Al Rufaa Street and Celebration mately 2km prior to reaching Complex. Jeep Grand Cherokee, Mitsubishi truck models recalled over safety concerns he Ministry of Commerce label on some vehicles is not in line up on vehicle defects and repairs. defect in the drive shaft nut. and Industry, in collaboration with GCC specifi cations. The Ministry of Commerce and In- The ministry said the recall cam- Twith United Cars Almana (af- The ministry said the recall cam- dustry, in collaboration with Al Wajba paign comes within the framework of ter sales), has announced the recall paign comes within the framework of Establishment, has also announced its ongoing eff orts to protect consum- of Jeep Grand Cherokee model of its ongoing eff orts to protect consum- the recall of Mitsubishi Truck Fuso FA ers and ensure that car dealers follow 2018 because the fuel consumption ers and ensure that car dealers follow models of 2015, 2016 and 2018 over a up on vehicle defects and repairs. Gulf Times Wednesday, December 5, 2018 9 QATAR QNL marks Qatar-Russia Year of Culture

s Qatar and Russia cel- ebrate their bilateral rela- Ations, the 2018 Year of Cul- ture between the two nations has been supported by Qatar National Library ( QNL) through a series of activities. Dr Sohair Wastawy, executive director of QNL, recently par- ticipated at the seventh Saint Pe- tersburg International Cultural Forum, and delivered a talk on the importance of traditional librar- ies in the changing technological landscape. During a visit to the Boris Yeltsin Presidential Library, one of the national libraries in Russia, Dr Wastawy met with its acting director-general Valentin Sidorin. They discussed joint cultural, sci- entifi c and technical projects, and several digital documents from QNL’s collections were handed over to the Presidential Library to add to their Qatar collection. Both institutions recently signed an agreement to collaborate on areas Guests attend a performance by Russian singers at the event organised by QNL. of mutual interest in the future. “We are delighted to mark the Sciences. During their meeting, a week-long training course and a Year of Culture, a historic occa- she illustrated the progress in de- conference that took place in Rus- sion between both nations, and an veloping Qatar’s library culture, sia. opportunity for us to expand our and the Library’s approach to the In collaboration with the In- relationship with libraries in Rus- digitisation and preservation of ternational Centre for Music in sia. Our discussions with partner history. Doha, the Library organised an institutions in Russia will result in IFLA Preservation and Conser- evening of Russian music last important historical research and vation Centre at QNL and IFLA week. The event featured a re- cultural exchange programmes,” PAC Centre in Russia organised cital by renowned Russian pianist said Dr Wastawy. a learning exchange programme Nina Ivanova, with her repertoire Dr Wastawy also met with Dr to provide vocational training for including pieces by Tchaikovsky, Efi m Rezvan, deputy director, Pe- a member of the Library’s pres- Scriabin and Rachmaninoff . The ter the Great Museum of Anthro- ervation and conservation team. Kamerton choir – conducted by pology and Ethnography (Kun- Chanaka Perera, conservation Olga Protopopova – performed stkamera), Russian Academy of technician at QNL, participated in Russian folk songs. Russian pianist Nina Ivanova performing at QNL. Indians eye Doha as top weddings destination

By Joey Aguilar weddings, events and MICE. crime rates and the absence of ter- less experience attract visitors Staff Reporter In an e-mail interview, Shirod- rorism, among other factors. from all over the world. kar cited Qatar’s growing popular- Shirodkar announced that they Shirodkar described such move ity as a tourism destination due to will be involved in a number of big as a huge step to bridge all bor- oha will be “a force to reck- its bespoke off erings, especially weddings in Doha this season be- ders that will result in exponential on with” as a destination for Indian weddings. fore March next year, with small footfalls into the country. Dfor Meetings, Incentives, He noted that the country “ticks and large guest lists coming from “Qatar’s National Tourism Conferences, and Exhibitions all the essential boxes” when all over the world. Council, I am sure, has been (MICE); weddings; and shopping looking at a destination for Indian “The hotels we are looking at formed with a lot of thought and by 2023, a senior offi cial of a fo- weddings: short-haul fl ights, ac- are Ritz-Cartlon, St Regis, Sharq going forward, the management cused destination and event man- cessibility, free visa on arrival, Village and Marsa Malaz Kempin- who heads the Board will surely agement company has said. great winter weather and world- ski, to name a few,” he added. “I be progressive and proactive in “People are always willing to class infrastructure with a variety also believe there are plans to have ensuring they work closely with explore new destinations and Qa- of wedding-friendly hotels. more big hotels under the Katara the stakeholders wanting to have a tar is going to be that new jewel in Shirodkar added that the lo- Shirodkar: ‘Qatar a new jewel in Hospitality opening in the near liaison to promote Doha as a desti- the region’s crown going forward,” cal people’s friendliness will also the region’s crown’ future, which could be wedding- nation,” he added. Tamarind Global managing direc- continue to attract more visitors, friendly.” “The wedding segment espe- tor Mahesh Shirodkar told Gulf apart from being a unique desti- us, considering the cultural sensi- Shirodkar said these hotels have cially in India is recession-free Times. nation “from a wedding point of tivities.” remarkable infrastructure, fl ex- and hence this is something no The India-based company ex- view.” Indian families also count safety ibility in attitude, world-class tourism sector can ignore,” Shi- tends highly customised travel “We see it as a promising desti- as among the key factors in iden- service and a desire to be associ- rodkar said. “I have had several services to the B2B (business-to- nation for Indian celebrations and tifying a destination to hold such ated with a wedding segment. meetings with representatives of business) and ‘B2C’ (business-to- envisage bringing in a lot more special occasions, according to About granting visa-free entry the NTC and with their blessings consumer) market segments across business in the coming years,” he Shirodkar. to nationalities from 80 countries, and support I am sure whatever the globe and provides seamless said. “There is also a large Indian Qatar ranks among the safest he stressed that breaking down challenges exist to facilitate this logistics on a turnkey basis for diaspora which makes it easier for countries in the world due to low such barriers and providing seam- segment will surely be resolved.”

Vodafone launches new business brand campaign

Vodafone Qatar has launched Vodafone the ideal partner in a “This campaign makes clear to relationships and customer- a new campaign for Vodafone digital world. businesses that we’re so much centric approach, we’re ideally Business, which highlights how Developing world-class business more than mobile. From providing placed to provide the support the company off ers businesses in solutions is a major component innovative solutions, bringing that the country’s dynamic the country so much more than of the company’s commitment delivered. Such technology is set the latest technologies including business sector relies on to mobile services and shifts the to accelerating Qatar towards to transform everything, enabling IoT to market, through to rolling succeed and grow.” communication focus to business becoming one of the most people to access information more out a fixed network for business In the past nine years, Vodafone outcomes. connected and technologically quickly day-to-day, enhancing the customers to develop their Qatar has established a strong The campaign emphasises advanced countries in the world. services and mobile technologies operations on – our track record track record for providing Vodafone’s full range of Internet of Vodafone is also committed to that are available to us in our speaks for itself,” Vodafone Qatar innovative solutions, bringing the Things (IoT) and fixed connectivity delivering the transformative personal and professional lives and chief business off icer Mahmud latest technologies to market and services and how these services potential of 5G on which these increasing businesses’ eff iciency Awad said. developing tailor-made and smart help business succeed, making solutions will increasingly be and productivity. “Thanks to the strength of our solutions for businesses. Gulf Times 10 Wednesday, December 5, 2018 REGION/ARAB WORLD

Palestinian killed during West Bank clash Kuwait Amir holds talks with French minister

AFP fi re to disperse protesters. Nablus “During the night there was an IDF (army) opera- tional activity in Tulkarm Palestinian was during which a violent killed during a riot was instigated,” an Aclash with Israeli army spokeswoman said. forces in the occupied Protesters hurled rocks West Bank early yester- at the soldiers, with forc- day, Palestinian offi cial es “responding with riot media and a medical dispersal means and later source said. with live fi re”, she said. Mohamed Habali, 22, Israel regularly carries was shot after Israeli forc- out raids inside the West es carried out an over- Bank that it says are nec- night raid in the city of essary to detain violent Tulkarm in the northern criminals and potential West Bank, offi cial Pales- attackers. The Palestin- tinian news agency Wafa ian Authority, which has said. A medical source in limited autonomy in parts the area said Habali was of the West Bank, says hit in the head. such raids are a breach A handout picture released by the Amiri Diwan in Kuwait yesterday, shows Amir of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah A relative of Palestinian man Mohamed Habali mourns during his funeral in The Israeli army con- of agreements Israel has al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah receiving French Defence Minister Florence Parly at Bayan Palace. Tulkarm refugee camp in the occupied West Bank, yesterday. fi rmed it had used live signed up to.

Nearly 150,000 migrants arrived in war-torn nation in 2018: UN A growing number of migrants are flocking to Yemen, even as its Yemen rebels head to dire humanitarian crisis deepens, with nearly 150,000 expected to arrive in the war-ravaged country in 2018, the UN said yesterday. Yemen remains a major stop on the route for migrants from Africa to wealthy Gulf states, and smugglers are taking advantage Sweden for peace talks of the chaos of the war to evade security checks, the International AFP Organisation for Migration said. Sanaa It forecast that migrant arrivals to Yemen would swell 50% this year compared to the some 100,000 rebel delegation fl ew out people who arrived in the devas- of the Yemeni capital tated country in 2017. Ayesterday accompanied “We are confident in forecasting by a UN peace envoy, heading migration arrivals to Yemen, a for high-stakes talks in Sweden country at war, will reach about with the government aimed at 150,000 people this year,” IOM ending the country’s devastat- spokesman Joel Millman told ing war. reporters in Geneva. The departure of the Houthi He described it as “extraordinary rebels on a Kuwaiti plane fol- and alarming” that so many peo- lowed a prisoner swap deal and ple were “crossing a dangerous the evacuation of 50 wounded war zone.” Yemen’s conflict, which insurgents for treatment in erupted in late 2014, has brought Oman in a major boost to peace the impoverished country to the eff orts. brink of famine, and the UN has The delegation for the fi rst described Yemen as the world’s peace talks since 2016 was ac- worst humanitarian disaster. companied by UN envoy Martin But the country remains on an Griffi ths. established route for migrants, A government team, headed who typically first travel by land by Foreign Minister Khaled al- through Djibouti before eventually Yamani, was expected in Swe- undergoing perilous boat jour- den today. neys across the Gulf of Aden to Mohamed Abdelsalam, head- Yemen. From there, they usually ing the 12-member rebel team, try to make their way to other Gulf tweeted that the Houthis “will nations, often in search of work. spare no eff ort to make a success IOM estimated that around 92% of the talks to restore peace and Abdul Majid Hanash, a member of Houthi delegation participating in the negotiations in Sweden, speaks to the media before his departure from Sanaa airport, yesterday. of the migrants who have entered end the aggression”. At the same Right: UN envoy to Yemen Martin Griff iths is seen during his departure at Sanaa airport. Yemen this year are Ethiopian, time he called on rebel fi ghters while the rest are from Somalia. to remain “vigilant against any welcomed by the International lapsed in Switzerland in Sep- Nasser, a general and former aid is set to jump by 4mn. the brink of catastrophe. This About 20% of the migrants are attempt at a military escalation Committee of the Red Cross, tember. senior intelligence offi cial. Overall, 24mn people in Yem- is a country that is in a catas- minors, “and many of them are on the ground”. Although no which will oversee the swap The United Arab Emirates Rebel offi cial Abdel Kader al- en — roughly 75% of the popu- trophe,” said World Food Pro- unaccompanied,” Millman said. date has been announced for the after the fi rst round of planned (UAE), another key backer of the Murtadha confi rmed the deal, lation — will need humanitarian gramme chief David Beasley. Asked why there would be such start of the talks, Yemeni gov- peace talks in Sweden. government, said the planned adding he hoped it would be assistance in 2019, UN humani- A coalition-backed govern- a big jump in numbers at a time ernment sources say they could “This is one step in the right talks off ered a “critical oppor- “implemented without prob- tarian chief Mark Lowcock told ment off ensive on the rebel- when Yemen is spiralling ever begin tomorrow. direction towards the building tunity” to end nearly four years lem”. reporters in Geneva. held Red Sea port of Hodeidah deeper into despair, he said it ap- The United Nations said it of mutual trust among Yemeni of war. HUMANITARIAN CRISIS If the negotiations in Swe- has threatened to cut virtually peared smugglers were actually was confi dent the talks would communities,” ICRC spokes- Yemeni government offi cial Thousands of prisoners have den show results, “it is possible the only gateway for UN-super- using the conflict and violence “as go ahead this week with Grif- woman Mirella Hodeib said. Hadi Haig said between 1,500 been captured by both sides in that we could fi nd by the second vised aid. marketing points”. fi ths due to arrive in Stockholm. The deal was struck by Grif- and 2,000 members of pro- the grinding war of attrition half of the year that the extreme According to UN and Yemeni Smugglers, he said, promise “Preparations are ongoing to fi ths, who was in the rebel-held government forces and between that has devastated Yemen at edge could get taken off the suf- sources, the reopening of Sanaa migrants an easy passage since convene the political consulta- capital Sanaa for meetings al- 1,000 and 1,500 rebels would be a cost of around 10,000 lives fering of those people who have international airport, which has the authorities are “way too pre- tions,” UN spokesman Farhan ready buoyed by the evacuation released in the prisoner swap. since the Saudi-led military in- no form of income,” he said. been under coalition blockade, occupied with the civil unrest...to Haq told reporters at UN head- of the wounded insurgents — a On the government side, they tervention launched in March International support for the is among the confi dence-build- properly monitor the borders.” quarters in New York. key rebel precondition for the include former defence minis- 2015. new peace bid has been spurred ing measures up for discussion “Of course once they get there, it “We are confi dent that the talks. ter Mahmoud al-Subaihi, who The resulting humanitarian by UN warnings that 14mn in Sweden. The coalition has is a very diff erent situation. There two parties will meet this week A previous UN-brokered at- has been held by the rebels ever crisis, already the world’s worst, Yemenis are at risk of famine as largely suspended its off ensive are minefields to cross, there are in Sweden.” tempt to bring the Houthis and since they overran the capital in will deteriorate in 2019, the UN the humanitarian situation de- on Hodeidah in the face of US- exchanges of gunfire,” he said. The agreement to exchange the Saudi-backed government late 2014, and President Abd- said yesterday, warning that the teriorates. led calls for a ceasefi re and new hundreds of detainees was to the negotiating table col- Rabbu Mansour Hadi’s brother number of people needing food “This is not a country on peace talks.

TRAGEDY 15 migrants die in boat off Libya: survivor US made 11 attempts to negotiate Amendment to let Fifteen migrants have died in a boat off the Libyan coast after spending 12 days at sea without food or water, an Egyptian survivor said yesterday. Only 10 migrants from the capsized boat survived, all of whom were suff ering with Iran in last two years: Rouhani Bashir stand again from severe dehydration, Othman Belbeisi, head of the UN migration agency IOM in Libya, said on Twitter. The owner of a beach chalet found the migrants washing up on the shore near the city of Misrata and called authorities, who Reuters Reuters randum from 33 parties rep- brought them to the Red Crescent relief service and hospitals, residents said. Geneva Cairo resenting 294 deputies to “We were 25 migrants on a boat... We set off from (the western Libyan town of) amend the constitution with Sabratah and we were at sea for 12 days without food and water,” the survivor regard to the number of times said.”Fifteen have died.” The survivors had been brought to a detention centre he United States has made 11 attempts to udan’s long-serving the president’s candidacy is and doctors and emergency teams are on the way, Belbeisi said. No more details begin negotiations with Iran in the last President Omar Bashir allowed,” he told reporters. from authorities were immediately available. Libya’s western coast is a departure Ttwo years, all rejected by Tehran, Iranian Scame closer yesterday to “I will abide by the consti- point for mainly sub-Saharan African migrants fleeing wars and poverty and President Hassan Rouhani was quoted as saying another term in offi ce after a tutional and legal steps and hoping to build new lives in Europe. But the number of migrants reaching Italy yesterday. majority of lawmakers backed the regulations necessary to has fallen sharply since last year as smuggling networks inside Libya have been Tensions have escalated between the two a constitutional amendment to discuss these amendments in disrupted and the European Union has stepped up eff orts to increase Libyan countries after US President Donald Trump Iranian President Hassan Rouhani waves as extend term limits that would parliament for it to take any coastguard patrols. withdrew from a multilateral nuclear agreement he gives a public speech during a trip to the have required him to step down decision on them.” with Iran in May and reimposed sanctions in a bid northern city of Shahroud, yesterday. in 2020. Sudan’s ruling National to curb the Islamic Republic’s missile programme Unless the constitution Congress Party announced POLITICS and regional infl uence.“If you think America is in July he would be willing to meet Rouhani with- is changed, Bashir, in power earlier this year it was nomi- Iraqi MPs halt session to vote on government victorious, know that today Iran is victorious and out preconditions to discuss how to improve ties since 1989, is not permit- nating Bashir for president in Trump has been defeated,” Rouhani said in com- after he pulled the United States out of the 2015 ted to stand again when his 2020. Angry Iraqi lawmakers halted an attempt by Prime Minister Adel Abdul ments reported by the Islamic Republic of Iran nuclear deal, saying, “If they want to meet, we’ll present term ends, having “We agreed to amend the Mahdi to appoint the remainder of his government yesterday, disrupting Broadcasting (IRIB) news agency. meet”. won two elections since a articles after we collected a parliamentary session meant to include a vote on his candidates for key “Last year America requested negotiations WARNING ON OIL EXPORT 2005 constitutional amend- 294 deputies’ signatures,” ministries. The deadlock over forming a cabinet has raised the prospect of eight times directly and this year three times in- Iranian President Hassan Rouhani made an ment took effect imposing a said party head Abdurrahman further unrest in the country. MPs banged on tables shouting “illegitimate”, directly which we did not accept on the basis of apparent threat yesterday to disrupt other coun- two-term limit. Mohamed Ali. eventually forcing and end to the session as Abdul Mahdi and his proposed the dignity of the people.” tries’ oil shipments through the Gulf if Washing- Parliament speaker Ibra- “The parties saw that Pres- ministers left parliament, one lawmaker said, showing Reuters a video of the The US State Department did not immediately ton presses ahead with eff orts to halt Iranian oil him Ahmed Omar said he had ident Omar al-Bashir is the session taken on his mobile phone. The MPs were mostly from a grouping respond to a request for comment. exports. received a letter signed by a protector of the people of Su- led by populist cleric Moqtada al-Sadr and allies on the list of former premier Rouhani did not say which subjects the United The United States has imposed sanctions on Iran majority of lawmakers back- dan in the coming period.” Haider al-Abadi, who opposed his picks for the interior and defence minis- States wanted to negotiate about and nor did he and US offi cials say they aim to reduce Iran’s oil ex- ing an amendment that would Bashir, a former army of- tries. Abdul Mahdi later said he would let parliament propose a date for the specify whether he was referring to the Iranian ports to zero in a bid to curb the Islamic Republic’s extend the limit. ficer, came to power via a vote, eff ectively throwing the ball in their court to choose suitable names for calendar year, which begins in March. Trump said missile programme and regional infl uence. “Today I received a memo- military coup. the eight portfolios still empty. Gulf Times Wednesday, December 5, 2018 11 AFRICA

JUSTICE DAMP SQUIB ‘ARBITRARY’ POLITICS IMAGE WOES 11 SA troops convicted of Togo opposition shutdown Mozambique accused of Cameroon frees 52 Foreign lawyer for Kenya’s abusing boy in DR Congo fails to rally strong support abusing rights of Islamists opposition activists high-profile graft cases

Eleven South African soldiers have been convicted A Togo opposition appeal for an economic Human Rights Watch yesterday accused The prosecution of 52 opposition activists who Kenya said yesterday it has hired a foreign attorney of mistreating a teenage boy during a UN shutdown yesterday to protest upcoming Mozambique’s security forces of carrying out protested against the re-election of 85-year- to prosecute high-profile state corruption cases in peacekeeping deployment to the Democratic parliamentary elections failed to muster abuses in their fight against a shadowy Islamist old Paul Biya as Cameroon president has been an apparent bid by the government of President Republic of Congo, the military said in a statement. support, with many businesses ignoring the group in the country’s north. “Since August 2018, abandoned, their lawyer said yesterday. The Uhuru Kenyatta to make its eff ort to fight graft more The men, who were convicted of common law call and staying open as usual. The West the security forces have allegedly arbitrarily activists were arrested at the end of October in credible. The government has appointed Khawar assault by a military court, dragged the 17-year-old African nation’s main opposition has vowed detained, ill-treated, and summarily executed Douala, the economic capital, on the sidelines Qureshi, a British attorney and legal scholar, said a into their base in southern Kasai province after he to boycott elections this month over alleged dozens of people they suspected of belonging to of a demonstration against the election of Biya, statement from the public prosecutor’s off ice. “The was caught allegedly stealing buckets in January, fraud and had called on workers to stay at an armed Islamist group,” the US-based watchdog who had won a seventh consecutive term. stakes in such cases are very high and therefore, the military said late on Monday. “The chief of the home yesterday at the start of campaigning. said. HRW reported that soldiers have beaten, They have now been released. Biya, who has it is necessary that the proceedings are insulated South African National Defence Force (SANDF), But in the main markets in the capital Lome’s tortured and even killed suspected Islamists. In ruled the West African country for 36 years, from public perceptions of political interferences,” General Solly Shoke, welcomed the speedy trial Adawlato and Hedzranawoe districts, most October 2017, about 20 people were killed in an won the October 7 election with 71% of the the Off ice of the Director of Public Prosecutions and the successful conviction of those guilty of shops were open with plenty of activity during attack in Cabo Delgado province linked to militants vote, according to disputed results. “The justice said in a statement. Many Kenyans say government assault and tarnishing the good name of the SANDF the morning. Some stores were closed in the Be and “since then, the insurgents have carried out ministry has ordered the end of the prosecution corruption is a pressing national problem that drains peacekeepers in the DRC,” said the statement. neighbourhood, an opposition stronghold. more than 60 attacks in six districts,” HRW said. of our activists,” said lawyer Emmanuel Sim. state coff ers and distorts business and political life. Toll rises in Boko hit on Nigeria base

AFP Six more bodies of soldiers were Sources said air support and Kano later recovered and moved to reinforcements from a military Damaturu,” a military offi cer, base in the nearby town of Buni who did not want to be named, Yadi helped push out the mili- he number of soldiers told AFP. tants from the base. killed in a Boko Haram at- A civilian militia fi ghting the Buni Yadi district is a known Ttack on a military base in militants in the area confi rmed ISWAP stronghold. northeast Nigeria’s Yobe state the recovery of six more bodies The Boko Haram faction has has risen to eight, security sourc- of soldiers. in recent months intensifi ed at- es said yesterday. “All the eight dead soldiers are tacks on military targets in Borno Gunmen from Boko Haram now in the morgue at the Spe- and Yobe states. faction the Islamic State West cialist Hospital in Damaturu,” The two regions, along with Africa Province (ISWAP) at- said a spokesperson for the mi- nearby Adamawa state, have tacked the base on Saturday in litia, who asked not to be identi- borne the brunt of nine years Shamila Batohi is congratulated by President Cyril Ramaphosa after being named South Africa’s new chief prosecutor, at the Union Buni Gari village, 60km from fi ed for fear of being sanctioned of militancy that has claimed building in Pretoria. Damaturu, the state capital. by senior offi cials. 27,000 lives and forced 1.8mn Two soldiers and six insur- Military authorities were not people to fl ee their homes. gents were initially said to have immediately available to com- Since July, AFP has reported been killed in the attack. ment on the new toll. 19 attacks on military bases in But sources said yesterday The insurgents destroyed an Borno and Yobe and ISWAP has eight soldiers were killed. armoured vehicle and stole a claimed responsibility for most “The death toll is now eight. truck during the attack. of them. South Africa names fi rst female top prosecutor Ghana rubber tapper shows AFP Parliament endorses report on disputed land reform Johannesburg South Africa’s main opposition party said yes- President Cyril Ramaphosa, who replaced dilemma of child labour terday it could go to court to stop proposed Jacob Zuma in February, has prioritised land resident Cyril Ramaphosa yester- land reforms after parliament approved a redistribution as he seeks to unite the frac- day named a respected female lawyer report endorsing a constitutional amend- tured ruling African National Congress (ANC) By Tim Cocks, Reuters Pto head South Africa’s prosecuting ment that would allow expropriations without and win public support ahead of an election Nsuaem, Ghana authority which had been accused of im- compensation. next year. properly protecting former president Jacob Land is a hot-button issue in South Africa But the main opposition Democratic Zuma. where racial inequality remains entrenched more Alliance (DA) and some rights groups are hen Kojo Muzala’s His appointment of Shamila Batohi fur- than two decades after the end of apartheid when critical of the government’s plans, saying it family were struggling ther distances him from Zuma’s scandal- millions among the black majority were dispos- will jeopardise property rights and scare off Wto put food on the table tainted rule during which several top jobs, sessed of their land by a white minority. investors. in northern Ghana two years ago, including head of the National Prosecuting A parliamentary team last month recom- Ahead of yesterday’s debate, John Steen- an uncle brought the 15-year-old Authority (NPA), were fi lled with loyalists. mended a constitutional amendment to make huisen, the main opposition’s chief whip, to the more prosperous south to “I am confi dent that the advocate pos- it possible for the state to expropriate land said “the DA will not hesitate to approach the work on a rubber plantation. sesses all the attributes of a capable Nation- without compensation in the public interest. courts” should the report backing the expro- Kojo, now 17, is one of more al Director of Public Prosecutions...she has The team’s report was debated in parlia- priation of land be adopted. than 70mn child labourers that shown herself to be a fi t and proper person,” ment yesterday and approved by a majority Following yesterday’s vote, a new bill the International Labour Organi- Ramaphosa told reporters in Pretoria. of the members present. proposing the change to Section 25 of the sation (ILO) says are active in Batohi’s predecessor Shaun Abrahams However, adopting the report is just one constitution to allow for expropriation of Africa, many of them supporting Kojo Muzala, 17, stands beside a rubber’s tree at a plantation in was dubbed “Shaun the sheep” for his slav- step in a long process to change the constitu- land without compensation would need to be large families or keeping key sec- Nsuaem, Ghana. ish loyalty to Zuma and repeatedly manoeu- tion to allow for land reforms. drafted. tors of the economy going. vred to protect him from facing a slew of Child rights organisations Ghana, with a population of ends or early in the morning be- corruption charges linked to a 1990s arms take a tough line, saying the kids 30mn and exports of oil, gold and fore school starts, and inevitably deal. cans are most concerned about — such as Criminal Court (ICC) since 2009. should be in school. agricultural goods such as cocoa misses the odd school day. It was in the dying days of his tenure that state capture, corruption and widespread In 1995, she was part of a high-level team Paradoxically, taking jobs is and rubber, is one of West Africa’s “It’s very tiring,” he says. Abrahams decided to reinstate the graft crime — our country needs a National Pros- appointed by Nelson Mandela to investigate exactly how many of them pay more successful economies, but He earns 600 Ghana cedis — charges which Zuma is now seeking to have ecuting Authority that is above reproach,” apartheid-era hit squads. their school fees. poverty remains high. In 2016 about $125 — a month, which is dropped. added Ramaphosa. “This is not just a political appointment. “I don’t like it, but I need it for the UN children’s fund (Unicef) not a bad wage in rural Ghana. Abrahams was forced out after a court Batohi, the fi rst female to occupy the role, Perhaps it’s a sign that maybe we, as South my education,” Muzala said of estimated that 3.65mn Ghanaian He sends half of that to his ruled that his initial appointment to the job is a former prosecutions chief in KwaZulu- Africa, appreciate the ICC and are rethink- his job. “I can’t aff ord to stay in children were living in poverty. mother in the north, and the rest was invalid. Natal province and has served as senior ad- ing our position on the ICC,” political ana- school unless I do this work.” Muzala usually works at week- pays his fees and living expenses. “As we address matters that South Afri- viser to the prosecutor at the International lyst Ralph Mathekga told AFP. S Leone’s ‘peace diamond’ dividend slow in coming

By Mihaela Biliovschi Smith, AFP With no qualified teachers in The auction was originally But there is still no sign of the we continue with the work, that Koryardu, Sierra Leone the village, parents rely on their scheduled to be held at the Cen- money promised to the village. will change. We are aware of the children being taught by some tral Bank in Freetown, but as the People need to see tangi- responsibility to maintain that of the better-educated local government thought the best ble benefi ts, said Victor Topoi, trust, that’s why we’ve been hey were promised a people who can read and write, off er made there — more than a teacher from Kono province, very careful on how the money is “peace diamond” dividend like Bamoi who finished high $7mn — was not high enough, “not only on paper or in the news, spent on the project,” he added. Tin the Sierra Leone village school. they took the sale abroad. but physically on the ground”. In the meantime, the Rapaport of Koryardu after the stone they They do it voluntarily, the pas- The subsequent auction in The Koroma administration Group, the auction house that handed over for auction fetched tor said. New York netted $6.5mn. did sign a million-dollar contract handled the New York sale, has $6.5mn a year ago. The government had promised Under the sale agreement, 60% with a Chinese company to build stepped in to help, installing 50 But they are still waiting to see that 15% of the total sale price — of the proceeds went straight to a new school and a clinic in the solar panels in the village in No- the benefi ts. nearly $1mn — would go into a the government, out of which the village. vember. “Absolutely nothing hap- fund for Koryardu to develop wa- village was to get its share, and But that deal was frozen when It also has plans to bring in wa- pened,” said Pastor Emmanuel ter, electricity, health and educa- 40% to Momoh, he said. the new president, Julius Maada ter fi ltration systems. Momoh, who manages the tion. After sharing his proceeds Bio, took offi ce in April. “We want to make sure that team of diggers that found the A year on, Koryardu still has with the fi ve miners who found Ibrahim Satti Kamara, spokes- (the villagers) see something tan- 709-carat diamond in March no electricity and no clinic — the stone, the village chief and man for the National Minerals gible as the government gets its 2017, in eastern Kono prov- and the nearest state school is in the land owner, as well as do- Agency, said there had been some act together,” the group’s owner ince. Koidu, about 14km away. nating 30% to charity and help- design issues that had now been Martin Rapaport told AFP during The idea of handing the dia- The hamlet lies 10km from the A December 4, 2017, file photo of the Peace Diamond on display at ing villagers, Momoh had about sorted out. a visit to Koryardu. mond over to the government main highway — and the road the Rapaport Group in New York. $1mn net, he added. Work on the project should be- But the money from the dia- to sell was that it would gener- into the village is still impassable Declaring the fi nd to the gov- gin before the end of the year, he mond sale also needs to materi- ate money to be ploughed back for six months of the year, during fered a devastating civil war be- mond was the largest found in ernment was the only legal op- told AFP. alise, said Momoh. into developing the local com- the rainy season. tween 1991 and 2002. Sierra Leone in almost half a cen- tion. “The good news is that the “If the government doesn’t munity. Sierra Leone, like some other The international community tury. The only other alternative money is still available and ready fulfi l its promises, I think that it But at the village school, Pe- African countries, is struggling set up the Kimberley certifi ca- Momoh entrusted it to the would have been to sell to smug- to use for that project,” he said. will break the trust and people ter Baimoi, who helps teach its to overcome the legacy of so- tion system in 2003 to eliminate administration of the country’s glers on the black market. The authorities understand will not take their diamonds to about 190 pupils, said there was called “blood diamonds”, sold by the problem, regulating the sale then president, Ernest Bai Ko- Momoh also wanted the com- the community’s frustration, he the government any longer,” he no sign of the promised govern- warlords to fi nance confl icts. and export of diamonds. roma, who dubbed it the “peace munity to benefi t from the pro- added. said. “Not only the people in Ko- ment funding. The west African country suf- Experts said Koryardu’s dia- diamond”. ceeds. “We expect that by the time ryardu, but all over Kono.” Gulf Times 12 Wednesday, December 5, 2018 AMERICAS

POLITICS JUSTICE GENERAL-SPEAK AUTOPSY POLICY Emails of top Republicans Trial in Toronto van attack Lower defence budget Man slain at mall by police Subsidies for electric cars, stolen in major 2018 hack set for February 2020 would ‘increase risk’ was shot from behind renewables may end

The House of Representatives’ Republican campaign A Canadian man accused in a van attack that The Pentagon’s pick to be the next commander of The man gunned down by police who mistook White House economic adviser Larry Kudlow organization was the target of a major hack during killed 10 people in Toronto will face trial in early US Central Command said yesterday that a budget him for the suspect in an Alabama shopping mall said on Monday the Trump administration the 2018 election that exposed thousands of 2020, a judge ordered yesterday. Alek Minassian, below $733bn for fiscal year 2020 would increase shooting on Thanksgiving night died after being wants to end subsidies for electric cars and sensitive emails, Politico reported yesterday. The 26, was charged with 10 counts of premeditated risk to the military. “Anything below $733 (bn) would struck by three bullets, all fired from behind him, other items, including renewable energy email accounts of four top aides at the National murder and 16 counts of attempted murder for increase risk and that risk would be manifested a lawyer for his family said on Monday. The off icial sources. Asked about plans after General Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) were allegedly plowing a rented van into pedestrians across the force,” Lieutenant General Kenneth autopsy of Emantic ‘EJ’ Bradford, 21, has yet to Motors Co announced US plant closings and compromised for months in an intrusion detected in on a crowded Toronto sidewalk in April. He McKenzie said during his confirmation hearing be released, but an independent review from a layoff s last week, Kudlow pointed to the $2,500- April, Politico reported, citing three unidentified senior was arrested near the scene shortly afterward, before the Senate Armed Services Committee. pathologist commissioned by his family indicates to-$7,500 tax credit for consumers who buy party off icials. A NRCC vendor alerted the committee standing by the van with its front end mangled, “We are in the process now, very carefully across Bradford had his back to police when he was shot, plug-in electric vehicles, including those made and its cybersecurity contractor, an internal behaving erratically, video footage of the scene the department, examining the details of what the civil rights attorney Ben Crump told reporters. by GM, under federal law. “As a matter of our investigation was started and the FBI was alerted. showed. He is believed to have acted out of an nature of that risk would be.” President Donald “It clearly demonstrates that EJ posed no threat policy, we want to end all of those subsidies,” However, senior House leaders, including Speaker apparent grudge against women, expressed in Trump, has told his Cabinet to come up with to the off -duty Hoover Police Department off icer Kudlow said. Asked about a timeline, he said: Paul Ryan and Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy, posts on social media just prior to the attack. The proposals to cut spending by their agencies by 5%, who killed him at Riverchase Galleria mall, since “It’s just all going to end in the near future. I were not informed until contacted by the news site. victims of the attack were mostly women. but suggested the military would be largely spared. EJ was moving away from him,” Crump said. don’t know whether it will end in 2020 or 2021.” US Congress to delay fi ght over govt shutdown

DPA The federal government is closed In 2017, Schumer and Pelosi suc- Washington today for a national day of mourning. cessfully negotiated a spending deal Congress passed bills earlier this with Trump that left some in his own year to fund about 75% of the gov- party frustrated. onsumed by the funeral of ernment, including defence, educa- It’s unclear whether moving the former US president George H tion and other areas, but it still hasn’t deadline so close to the holiday will CW Bush and still divided over agreed on funding for the depart- prompt compromise as members be- funding for border security, Congress ments of Homeland Security, Interior, come more eager to escape Washing- is moving to push back Friday’s gov- State, Justice and others. ton. ernment shutdown deadline until De- The largest dispute is whether “I think everybody would like at cember 21. Congress should include $5bn for the some point to go home for Christmas Former US president George H W Bush’s service dog Sully sits as Bush’s body lies in state in the Rotunda at the US Capitol The delay could provide more time to border wall, the president’s signature and not be here Christmas Eve,” Sen- in Washington. reach a compromise over the key stick- issue, approve the previously nego- ate Majority Whip John Cornyn, said ing point — funding for President Don- tiated $1.6bn for border security, or on Monday. ald Trump’s border wall with Mexico. make some compromise between the Cornyn said a two-week extension But it also raises the stakes for all two. just keeps lawmakers in Washington sides, creating the possibility of a Trump had previously promised longer. partial government shutdown right that Mexico would pay for the wall, “I don’t know why we’d want a Americans pay respects to before Christmas, something few in but now he is asking US taxpayers to (continuing resolution) going up to Washington would want to risk. foot the bill, insisting that Mexico will December 21. We know what we have The stopgap measure, fi led on be forced to reimburse the US for the to do. Let’s just get it done in a shorter Monday in the House of Representa- cost. period of time so we can enjoy the tives, will probably be approved this Mexico has said it will never pay for holidays,” Cornyn said. Bush Senior at US Capitol week by Congress, and Trump has the wall. But Marc Short, who served as said he would likely sign it. Trump has said repeatedly in recent Trump’s legislative aff airs direc- “If they (lawmakers) come, which weeks that he might veto the spending tor until July, said that because the Reuters “The elegance & precision of the lems, including a sluggish economy. they have, to talk about an extension bill and allow the government to shut shutdown would aff ect only a limited Washington last two days have been remarkable!” When he ran for re-election in 1992, because of President Bush’s passing,” down if Congress passes it without part of the federal government and Trump wrote in a tweet of the Bush me- he was pilloried by Democrats and Trump said on Sunday. the $5bn for the wall. wouldn’t directly aff ect many Ameri- morial events. many Republicans for violating his fa- “I would absolutely consider it and But that may be more diffi cult for cans, there is little pressure on either rdinary Americans, gener- Bush’s service dog, a young Labrador mous 1988 campaign promise: “Read probably give it.” Trump if he is blamed for an unpop- side to cave. als and former cabinet mem- retriever named Sully, also walked past my lips, no new taxes.” The two-week stopgap measure ular government shutdown just as “After this two-week extension, I Obers yesterday paid respects at the casket and sat near it briefl y. Democrat Bill Clinton coasted to vic- would also extend the National Flood Americans are focused on celebrating don’t really see a way out. I think that the US Capitol Rotunda to the late US Bush, father of the 43rd president, tory, ending Bush’s presidency. Insurance program until December 21. the holiday. in previous shutdowns you had a lot of president George H W Bush, who died George W Bush, will be buried tomor- A Connecticut Yankee from a The House has cancelled all votes for A planned meeting yesterday at the pressure points to bring them to reso- last week at the age of 94 after a life of row in Texas. wealthy family who moved to Texas to the week and many members are not White House between Trump, House lution,” Short said. service as a World War II hero, head of Mourners lined up to enter the Capi- be an oilman, Bush has been eulogised making the trip to Washington, but the Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi and Democrats don’t see a reason to the CIA and wartime president. tol beginning on Monday evening for as a president with a keen sense of ci- chamber can pass the stopgap measure Senate Minority Leader Charles E give in on funding the wall and Trump Under the soaring Capitol dome, offi ce the public viewing. vility and duty. by voice vote tomorrow or Friday, as Schumer was postponed because of feels fulfi lling that campaign promise workers and tourists walked silently past Senate Majority Leader Mitch Mc- “His character speaks most, because long as no representative objects. the funeral arrangements, according is important, Short said. a fl ag-draped casket that bore Bush’s Connell opened a session of the Sen- of his character, how he handled so The Senate will resume votes today to a senior Democratic aide. “It’s going to be more a battle that’s body. They were joined by former sec- ate on Monday heralding the “daring” many important points in our history. afternoon after Bush’s casket leaves Schumer and Pelosi have requested fought on the media on messaging.” retary of state Colin Powell, who led the former naval aviator, former direc- The Iraq war, the falling of the Berlin the Capitol. it be rescheduled for next Tuesday. Short said. US military during the 1991 Gulf War, as tor of the Central Intelligence Agency Wall, he wasn’t (saying) that’s all about well as US generals from that campaign and president who won the Gulf War me,” Theresa Murphy, 64, a retired New against Iraq and former Homeland Secu- against the forces of Iraq’s President York high school history teacher, said rity secretary Tom Ridge. Saddam Hussain. on Monday. SpaceX launches biggest ‘rideshare’ mission with 64 satellites Bush, the 41st US president, was “Year after year, post after post, “Can you imagine what it would look remembered as a patrician fi gure who George Bush stayed the course,” Mc- like if our president today did that?” Elon Musk’s SpaceX launched a that arranged passage for each represents a bygone era of bipartisan Connell said. Bush is the 12th US president to lie in Falcon 9 rocket from California satellite maker. civility in American politics. Bush was elected president in 1988 state in the Capitol Rotunda. on Monday carrying 64 small After the launch, the Falcon National fl ags fl ew at half-staff on after serving two terms as president The fi rst was Abraham Lincoln fol- satellites into low orbit around 9’s first-stage booster returned many foreign diplomatic buildings Ronald Reagan’s vice president. lowing his assassination in 1865. the Earth, which the company to earth as planned, landing on on Washington’s ‘Embassy Row’, past During his four years in the White Early in his political career, Bush called the largest-ever “ride- a ship off the coast of southern which Bush’s coffi n will be transported House, Bush ended the Iraqi occu- served in the US House of Representa- share” mission by a US-based California, according to a live on its way to the Washington National pation of Kuwait, steered the United tives from 1967-1971. rocket. video of the flight. Cathedral for a memorial service today. States through the end of the Cold War He lost bids in 1964 and 1970 for a US The mission, dubbed SSO-A, However, the Falcon 9’s pay- President Donald Trump, a fellow and condemned China’s 1989 crack- Senate seat from Texas. also marked the third voyage load fairing — an enclosure that Republican, yesterday visited with the down on pro-democracy demonstra- The federal government and some fi - to space for the same Falcon 9 protected the satellites during mourning family at Blair House, near tors in Beijing’s Tiananmen Square. nancial exchanges will be closed today rocket — another milestone for launch — missed a landing net the White House. But he was dogged by domestic prob- for a day of mourning. SpaceX’s cost-cutting reusable on the barge and ended up in rocket technology. the ocean. The Falcon 9 blasted off from “Falcon fairing halves missed Number of dead, missing in California’s deadliest wildfire drops Vandenberg Air Force Base in the net, but touched down softly California at 10.34am carrying in the water,” Musk, SpaceX’s he death toll in California’s evised press conference. Of the remains started November 8, has all but obliter- satellites from 34 diff erent com- chief executive off icer, said on deadliest wildfi re was revised of the dead found, 43 people have been ated the mountain community of Para- panies, government agencies, Twitter. Tdownward to 85 and the number positively identifi ed, the sheriff ’s de- dise, home to more than 27,000 people and universities, including the He said the boat was moving of people believed missing dropped partment said in a release. about 300km north of San Francisco. University of Illinois. to pick them up. again to 11, down from a high of more No new human remains have been The fi re was fully contained Novem- SpaceX said the mission “Plan is to dry them out & than 1,200 about two weeks ago, offi - found since last week, Honea said, but ber 25, but the cause is still being inves- was “one of the most complex launch again. Nothing wrong cials said on Monday. the search for remains is expected to tigated. A November 15, 2018, file photo of a SpaceX Falcon and intricate endeavors” for with a little swim,” Musk, who is The number of dead was revised from continue, he said. The electric utility PG&E Corp re- 9 rocket launching from the Kennedy Space Center Seattle-based startup Space- also the CEO of Tesla Inc, said 88 after DNA tests on remains by the If residents fi nd remains, they are ported equipment problems near the in Cape Canaveral, Florida. flight, the ride-share company on Twitter. coroner’s offi ce, Butte County Sheriff asked to call the sheriff ’s department. origin of the fi re around the time it be- Kory Honea said late Monday in a tel- The so-called Camp Fire, which gan. Nasa probe reaches asteroid deemed ‘threat’ to Earth

By Joey Roulette, AFP vey of the asteroid Bennu, col- oids and comets crashing into Osiris-Rex will help scientists sion spokeswoman Erin Morton From that stage, the spacecraft other asteroid found to be on Los Angeles lect a sample from its surface and early Earth delivered organic understand how heat radiated said. will begin gradually tightening its a collision course with Earth, return that material to Earth for compounds and water that from the sun is gently steering Scientists have estimated that orbit around the asteroid, spiral- by use of a special spacecraft study. seeded the planet for life, and Bennu on an increasingly men- in 2135 Bennu could pass closer ling to within just 2m of its sur- to slam into the object hard asa’s deep space explorer Bennu, a rocky mass roughly a atomic-level analysis of samples acing course through the solar to Earth than the moon, which face. enough to nudge it onto a safer Osiris-Rex fl ew on Mon- third of a mile wide and shaped from Bennu could help prove that system. orbits at a distance of about Osiris-Rex will then extend path, said Lindley Johnson, a Nday to within a dozen like a giant acorn, orbits the sun theory. That solar energy is believed 250,000 miles, and possibly its robot arm to snatch a sample planetary defence officer with miles of its destination, a sky- at roughly the same distance as But there is another, more ex- to be nudging the asteroid ever come closer still some time be- of Bennu’s terrain in a “touch- Nasa’s Science Mission Direc- scraper-sized asteroid believed Earth and is thought to be rich in istential reason to study Bennu. closer toward Earth’s path each tween 2175 and 2195. and-go” manoeuvre set for July torate. to hold organic compounds fun- carbon-based organic molecules Scientists estimate there is a time the asteroid makes its clos- Osiris-Rex reached the “pre- 2020. “But this is all dependent on damental to life as well as the dating back to the earliest days of one-in-2,700 chance of the as- est approach to our planet every liminary survey” phase of its Osiris-Rex will later fl y back to the outcome of a very close ap- potential to collide with Earth in the solar system. teroid slamming catastrophically six years. mission on Monday, soaring to Earth, jettisoning a capsule bear- proach that Bennu has with about 150 years. Water, another vital compo- into Earth 166 years from now. “By the time we collect the within 12 miles of the asteroid. ing the asteroid specimen for a Earth in September 2135,” John- Launched in September 2016, nent to the evolution of life, may That probability ranks Bennu sample in 2020 we will have a The spacecraft will pass just parachute descent in the Utah son said. Osiris-Rex embarked on Nasa’s also be trapped in the asteroid’s No 2 on Nasa’s catalogue of 72 much better idea of the prob- 1.2 miles from Bennu in late De- desert in September 2023. “We’ll just need to wait and unprecedented seven-year mis- minerals. near-Earth objects potentially ability that Bennu would impact cember, where it will enter the Nasa is developing a strat- see. Rather, our great-great- sion to conduct a close-up sur- Scientists believe that aster- capable of hitting the planet. Earth in the next 150 years,” mis- object’s gravitational pull. egy for deflecting Bennu, or any grandchildren will need to see.” Gulf Times Wednesday, December 5, 2018 13 ASIA Vietnam launches Boat carrying Rohingya hotline amid graft crackdown men lands in Indonesia Reuters “Reports will be Hanoi discounted if providers Reuters “Their boat is still working do not declare their Banda Aceh, Indonesia and they have fuel, so we don’t full name, address and know why they entered our ietnam has set up a tele- telephone number, or area,” said Razali, who goes by phone hotline for people supply insuffi cient, ndonesian authorities said one name, in Kuala Idi on the Vto report accusations of vague or unsubstantiated a boat carrying 20 men be- eastern coast of Aceh where the police corruption, state media information” Ilieved to be Rohingya Mus- boat landed. said yesterday, amid a crack- lims landed on the northeastern The men were mostly in their down on graft in the Southeast of public offi cials accused of shore of Indonesia’s Sumatra 20s, he said. Asian country that has jailed mismanagement. island yesterday. It was not immediately dozens of offi cials. Several executives at state- It is the latest in a series of clear if the boat had originated A court last Friday sen- owned enterprises, including one boat departures from Myanmar in Myanmar or Bangladesh. tenced two senior police offi - former politburo member, have and Bangladesh, from where Ro- Thousands of Rohingya landed cials to up to 10 years in prison been jailed for mismanagement hingya Muslims have attempted in Indonesia and Malaysia in for running an underground or embezzlement. to fl ee to Malaysia in recent 2015 after they were left strand- online gambling ring which Beyond those high-profi le weeks, raising fears of a fresh ed in the Andaman Sea in the illegally raised hundreds of cases, petty corruption in Vi- wave of such dangerous voy- wake of a crackdown on people millions of dollars. etnam is commonplace, and ages after a 2015 crackdown on smugglers. “Reports will be discounted road users are often forced to people smugglers. Authorities in Myanmar if providers do not declare pay on-the-spot cash bribes The disaster mitigation agen- seized a boat carrying 93 people their full name, address and to traffi c police for minor cy in East Aceh said men they fl eeing from Rohingya camps in telephone number, or supply off ences. described as Rohingya refugees Rakhine state last month, one insuffi cient, vague or unsub- An offi cial who answered the landed in the town of Kuala Idi of several boats attempting the stantiated information,” the hotline’s phone number yes- and were being given food and journey to Malaysia. offi cial Vietnam News Agency terday told Reuters it had been water. Myanmar regards Rohingya as (VNA) said, citing a Ministry previously used to report traffi c Immigration authorities said illegal migrants from the Indian of Public Security statement. police only, but now accepted they were on their way to the re- subcontinent and has confi ned “They will also be discount- complaints about corruption in gion to question the group. tens of thousands to sprawling Suspected Rohingya people sit on the ground as they arrive in Idi Rayeuk, East Aceh, yesterday. ed if callers insult the offi cers the entire police force. The chief of a fi shing com- camps in Rakhine state since on duty,” VNA said. The offi cial, who was not munity in the area said the group violence swept the area in 2012. in the north of Rakhine State, of the refugees back after agree- from Rohingya, who say they will Vietnam’s graft crackdown authorised to speak to the me- was bound for Malaysia and it More than 700,000 Rohingya according to UN agencies. ing with Bangladesh to start not return without guarantees of has seen the Communist- dia, declined to say how many was unclear why it had landed in crossed into Bangladesh last The latest departures come as repatriations on November 15, basic rights, including citizen- ruled government launch in- calls a day were made to the Indonesia. year fl eeing an army crackdown Myanmar prepares to take some despite widespread opposition ship and freedom of movement. vestigations into hundreds hotline.

Nepalese women train to join Nepal vows British army Gurhka forces to protect IANS Training Centre, told Efe news. three-mile race uphill carrying rights of Kathmandu “Currently, we are training 25kg of sand in a wicker basket around 30 women and the num- (known as a “doko” in Nepali) bers are expected to rise,” he said. strapped across their head in persons with ozens of young Nepali The British army has been under 48 minutes. women who hope to recruiting 250 men every year, Asked whether the Brit- Djoin the Gurkha regi- with hundreds of hopefuls ish government will set the disabilities ment of the British army took competing to join the ranks. same criteria for the selec- part in a rigorous training and The fi rst women recruits will tion of female candidates, Sri Lanka’s ousted PM Ranil Wickremesinghe, centre, arrives at a news conference after a court issued exercise session in Kathmandu arrive in Britain for training in Pandey said that the centre IANS an order preventing newly appointed prime minister Mahinda Rajapakse from acting as prime minister on Monday. 2020. The decision to recruit had not yet been advised of Kathmandu and holding cabinet meetings in Colombo, yesterday. Until last summer, such a female aspirants from Nepal for any changes. sight would have been impos- the Brigade of Gurkhas’ infan- “It could be diff erent, as sible, due to a ban on women try regiment followed the Brit- there are two criteria for se- epal marked the 27th In- serving with Gurkha regiments. ish army’s plans to expand the lecting men and women cadets ternational Day of Per- But since British Defence ranks of 3,000 troops by 800. all over the world,” he said. Nsons with Disabilities Secretary Gavin Williamson The rigorous recruitment “That’s why many women with a commitment to making Ousted PM likens announced in July 2017 that process will begin in Pokhara aspiring to join the elite army the country more inclusive for training centres would start in central Nepal next year and have started joining the train- persons with disabilities. welcoming female applicants, training programmes will last ing programmes two years pri- Though the global theme for hundreds of young women had up to eight months. or to the selection,” he added. this year is “Empowering per- signed up in the hopes of serv- Each male hopeful must be “They know it’s diffi cult and sons with disabilities and ensur- president to Hitler ing in the Gurkha squads. able to perform 14 heaves to the are preparing themselves to ing inclusiveness and equality,” “Since then, we have been high beam, 75 bench jumps in become stronger to compete Nepal marked the celebrations receiving a signifi cant number one minute and 70 sit-ups in with the men.” with “Count me, include me.” AFP inghe’s supporters still con- week is also expected to rule of young women in our train- two minutes. At present, there are around A special gathering including Colombo trolling a majority in parlia- on whether Sirisena’s deci- ing centre,” Ramesh Pandey, The toughest task is “doko”, 3,000 Gurkhas in the British rally was organised by ministry ment – which has witnessed sion to dissolve parliament in manager of Salute Gorkha in which candidates must run a army, mostly in the infantry. of women, children and sen- brawls between MPs in recent November – a move already ior citizen in Kathmandu with ri Lanka’s toppled pre- weeks – Rajapakse has lost two suspended by the court – was the participation of over 500 mier likened the presi- votes of confi dence. constitutional. people with diff erent forms of Sdent to Hitler yesterday On Monday, the Court of Rajapakse’s lawyers yester- disabilities. as he demanded to be rein- Appeal denied Rajapakse the day fi led an appeal with the Addressing the function, stated, almost six weeks into a authority to act as prime min- Court of Appeal, but it was Protest by kin of missing people Minister for Women, Children paralysing political crisis in the ister and stripped his cabinet of not immediately taken up for and Senior Citizen Tham Maya Indian Ocean nation. their powers, giving Rajapakse hearing. Thapa said that the government Ranil Wickremesinghe made until December 12 to prove Rajapakse in the statement was committed to ensuring all the comments – his strong- his legitimacy and that of his said he and his party did not the rights were protected for est yet directed at the head of government. agree with an interim stay people with disabilities. state – at the prime minister’s Sirisena, a former opponent order issued by the Court of “Our constitution has treated offi cial residence, which he of Rajapakse, told a group of Appeal on Monday, which the persons with disabilities as has refused to vacate since his legislators on Monday that prevented him and his party equal to other people with an aim dismissal in October. he would not reinstate Wick- members from holding public to respect them and their contri- “The president has to ap- remesinghe even if the lat- offi ce till the case is heard on butions. We have been formulat- point me prime minister as ter had the support of all 225 December 12. ing acts and best policies for the I command a majority in members of the legislature. “We wish to emphasise the eff ective implementation,” the parliament,” he said. Rajapakse urged his sup- fact that the interpretation of minister said “I am telling the president porters on Monday night to the constitution and making Noting that the government is not to act like Hitler who by- remain calm and join his strug- fi nal determinations in that forming a special mechanism to passed the constitution... We gle to press for a general elec- regard is exclusively vested address the demands of persons are not going to allow him to tion nearly two years ahead of in the Supreme Court by the with disabilities, she said that do that.” schedule. constitution,” Rajapakse was discussions are also going on to President Maithripala Sirisena meanwhile told mi- quoted as saying by Xinhua change the name of ministry to Sirisena sacked Wickremes- nority Tamil legislators who news agency. make it more inclusive. inghe and replaced him with held talks with him on Monday “The struggle to establish In 2017, the Nepal parliament Mahinda Rajapakse, the larg- evening that he would resolve political stability in this coun- endorsed the disability rights er-than-life former president the political vacuum “within try through the holding of a Bangladeshi relatives hold photos of disappeared persons during a press meeting in Dhaka yesterday. bill, adopting a human rights- credited with ending Sri Lan- 24 hours”. However, there were parliamentary election needs Hundreds of relatives of people who went missing in Bangladesh in the last few years join a protest based approach to disability. ka’s bloody civil war with Tamil no signs of a settlement by the support of the people more yesterday, demanding justice for the victims. Rights groups said hundreds of people have allegedly The new law incorporates some separatists in 2009. yesterday afternoon. than ever at this moment,” he been abducted by security forces as part of a crackdown on pro-opposition activists. crucial features to safeguard However with Wickremes- The Supreme Court this added. rights of persons with dis- abilities, though it remains to be implemented. Sudarshan Subedi, chairman, National Federation of the Disa- bled, a national umbrella body Separated, Bangladeshi conjoined twins go home after over a year of persons with disabilities, said, “We need to identify the ne- AFP late Monday after their conditions live a healthy life. But thanks to Al- ried early. But I want them to learn Is- cessities of disabled people in Dhaka improved,” Shahnoor Islam, a pae- lah, we are now returning home with lam and be very good human beings,” various sectors like education, diatric surgeon who led the ground- Tofa and Tahura no longer conjoined,” she said. health and employment fi rst. breaking surgery, said. Begum said. Conjoined twins are rare and about Then, we need to address their angladeshi twins conjoined at “They can walk and also play like The parents almost gave up hope of half are stillborn. Almost all Bangla- demands to support their overall birth have gone home nearly any other normal babies. They are separating the twins after local doc- deshi conjoined twins fail to survive development.” Ba year and a half after being on their way back home. But we’ll tors told them there were no experts their infant years, surgeons have said. As per the census 2011, 1.94% separated in the country’s fi rst such observe them from time to time,” in Bangladesh who could perform In 2016, twin boys, who were joined of total population of Nepal has successful operation, a doctor said she said. the operation and surgery in other at the torso and had been abandoned some kind of disability. yesterday. Born to poor farmers, Tofa and countries would cost too much. by their parents at the same hospi- According to National Fed- Two-year-old sisters Tofa and Tahura – who do not use a surname However, the surgical team which tal, died due to severe infections and eration of the Disabled, there Tahura, joined at the spine and at – were brought to Dhaka from north- separated the twins was in fact complications. are more than 300 member the rectum, underwent a gruelling ern Gaibandha district, 260km (160 Bangladeshi. In November 2015, conjoined twin organisations working against A file photo taken on August 2017 shows nine-hour operation in August 2017 miles) from the capital. Begum had earlier vowed to send girls born with two heads and two all kinds of discriminations, conjoined Bangladeshi twins Tofa and Tahura conducted by a team of two dozen Their mother, Shahida Begum, said her daughters to Islamic seminaries if hearts and a single body attracted marginalisation, isolation and after surgery to separate them at Dhaka doctors. how happy she was. “I have never they grew up healthy. crowds of thousands. They died when barriers against persons with Medical College Hospital. “They were released from hospital thought they would be separated and “I didn’t go to school as I got mar- they were just a week old. disabilities. Gulf Times 14 Wednesday, December 5, 2018 ASIA/AUSTRALASIA

Three killed in Malaysia shopping mall explosion Three people were killed and 24 injured yesterday when a powerful explosion rocked a shopping mall in the Malaysian state of Sarawak, but a fire off icial said it was not caused by a bomb. The off icial Bernama news agency said the blast could have been caused by a leaking gas tank. Wan Abdul Mubin, head of the fire rescue department in the state capital Kuching, told AFP his off ice received an emergency call at around 0737 GMT. “We scrambled 39 off icers to the scene. We are investigating the cause of the explosion. It is one of the worst tragedies in the state in years. But it is not a bomb,” he said. “We recovered the bodies of three men. And we have helped in the evacuation of 24 people injured to the nearby public hospital,” he added. Wan Abdul said the explosion happened near a store on the ground floor of the shopping mall that was undergoing renovation. A video clip of the aftermath showed the facade of the store torn apart, with some people screaming for help. “I was purchasing a pizza in front of the shop when suddenly a strong explosion occurred,” George Sting, 39, told Bernama. “The workers in the shop immediately ran out,” he said, adding that some were seriously injured. Wina Simion, 46, who was sitting near the store with her family members said the explosion caused their Members of a Malaysian rescue team evacuate an injured woman after an explosion at the City Malaysian security personnel inspect the site after an explosion at the City One Megamall in table to flip. One Megamall in Kuching, the capital city of Sarawak state, yesterday. Kuching. Malaysia seeks return Indonesia probes of airspace control amid dispute with Singapore reports dozens Reuters Singapore lodges “strong protest” Kuala Lumpur with Malaysia over port extension

alaysia has told Sin- Singapore has lodged a declined to comment. The gapore it intends to “strong protest” with Malaysia Singapore ministry said Mtake back control of over its plan to extend the Malaysian vessels had also of workers shot airspace that the city-state limits of a port in Malaysia’s repeatedly intruded into has managed since 1974 amid southern-most state, saying it Singapore’s territorial waters a dispute over a fl ight path to a encroached into the territorial over the past two weeks off secondary airport in Singapore, waters of the city-state. Tuas, in the city-state’s west. Malaysia’s transport minister The protest is the latest “Singapore has protested the said yesterday. development in a series unauthorised movements of Singapore has put in place a of spats between the and purported assertions of dead in Papua new instrument landing system neighbouring countries over sovereignty by these vessels, at its small Seletar airport to be parts of the Singapore Strait, which are inconsistent with AFP structure in the impoverished Foreign media need permis- Indonesia took control of the re- used by turboprops and busi- one of the world’s busiest international law,” Wamena region. All construction work sion to report from Papua and gion by force in 1963. It offi cially ness jets that involves a fl ight shipping lanes. it said. in the area would be temporar- obtaining reliable information annexed Papua in 1969 with a path over Malaysian airspace Singapore’s Transport Ministry Singapore will not hesitate ily suspended, the public works is diffi cult. Authorities would UN-backed vote, widely seen as without its permission, Malay- said yesterday it has asked to take firm action against n Indonesian soldier was ministry said. “chase these criminals wherever a sham. sian Transport Minister Antho- Malaysia to reverse the steps intrusions and unauthorised killed while investigating More than a dozen coffi ns they are”, said national police Jakarta keeps a tight grip on ny Loke told parliament. it had taken on the port limits activities in our waters, it said, Areports that more than were being readied in Wamena, spokesman Muhammad Iqbal. the resource-rich region, which He said the fl ight path would “to reflect the sovereignty of adding it was ready to engage two dozen construction work- the nearest major town to where “But we need to check whether it experienced several spasms of lead to height limits on building Singapore over the waters in with Malaysia to resolve the ers were shot dead by separatist the alleged killings happened. was really (the rebels) or not,” he violence this summer including development and aff ect ship- question, and that Malaysia matters amicably, in accordance rebels in restive Papua province, “Some media are saying 31 added. the killing of three local people, ping operations in the state of refrain from taking any with international law. offi cials said yesterday. If con- workers are dead, some 24, so we The suspected killings could allegedly by rebels. The deaths Johor on the south of the Ma- further unilateral action”. The two countries had fi rmed, the killings would mark really need to check ourselves,” be the worst outbreak of vio- followed a gunfi ght that saw a laysian peninsula that borders “We note with grave concern previously engaged in a the deadliest bout of violence said Papua military spokesman lence in a “very, very long time”, small plane carrying police of- the relatively tiny island of Sin- that Malaysia has recently territorial dispute over remote in years to hit a region wracked Muhammad Aidi. said Sidney Jones, director of the fi cers — sent to oversee the local gapore. Malaysia refused to ap- purported to extend the rocky outcrops off Malaysia’s for decades by a low-level inde- A team of about 150 personnel Jakarta-based Institute for Pol- elections — shot at as it landed at prove the fl ight path on Nov 28 Johor Bahru port limits in a southeastern shores that led pendence insurgency. would delay its operation until icy Analysis of Confl ict (IPAC). Nduga. and 29, Loke said, and on Nov 29 manner which encroaches to the International Court of Citing local police, Indonesian today, fearing a confrontation “Every time we have had a signif- Some of the violence has been informed Singapore it planned into Singapore Territorial Justice awarding rights to a media reported late Monday that with rebels at night, the military icant incident that has involved centred on protests against a to take back airspace over Jo- Waters (“STW”) off Tuas,” the formation to each party in the workers were shot dead on said later yesterday. “We think military deaths, even though the huge gold and copper mine oper- hor, that it had delegated for ministry said in a statement. 2008. Sunday in Nduga, a district in the they’ll be expecting us,” local main victims here were civilians, ated by US-based fi rm Freeport management by the city-state “In response, Singapore has Singapore was once part of centre of the far-fl ung region on military chief Jonathan Binsar it is followed by massive retalia- McMoRan — a frequent fl ash- since 1974, in phases, with the lodged strong protest with Malaysia but they separated the western half of New Guinea Sianipar told AFP. tory response,” she added. point in the local struggle for in- fi rst expected around the end of the Malaysian Government,” acrimoniously in 1965, island, just north of Australia. A group of workers reportedly The suspected killings came dependence and a bigger share of 2019 and the next phase in 2023. it said. clouding diplomatic and Police and military teams were managed to escape the shootings, as more than 500 activists — in- the region’s resources. In April, “We feel that it is now the Malaysia’s transport ministry economic dealings for years. sent to the area on Monday when which were allegedly sparked by cluding an Australian — were an Indonesian soldier and at least time that we regained the con- they came under rebel gunfi re separatists angry at some work- arrested in a nationwide police one rebel were killed near the trol of our very own airspace with one soldier killed and an- ers taking pictures of pro-Papua crackdown that coincided with mine. because over the years, we been tremendous… Hence, any ings for years. Ties were par- other wounded in the fi refi ght, independence activities. The vi- rallies on December 1, a date In August, authorities arrested have also upgraded our air traf- proposed changes will impact ticularly frosty during Malay- authorities said. olence was reportedly carried out many Papuans consider their an- Pole Jakub Skrzypski in Papua for fi c control and we think we are many stakeholders,” it added. sian Prime Minister Mahathir The employees of state- by rebels who have long fought niversary of independence from alleged links to separatists and he capable of doing so,” he said. Singapore’s far larger and Mohamad’s previous tenure as owned contractor Istaka Karya against Jakarta’s rule. Indonesia the Dutch. Papua declared itself could face life in prison if con- “So we want to begin the proc- newer Changi Airport, one of prime minister, between 1981 were building bridges and roads routinely blames separatists for an independent nation on that victed. His trial date has not yet ess of negotiations with our the biggest hubs in Asia, uses a and 2003. Since returning to of- as part of eff orts to boost infra- violence in Papua. date in 1961, but neighbouring been set. Singapore counterpart.” Loke portion of that airspace for de- fi ce after an election this year, did not provide details of what partures and approaches and Mahathir has deferred a rail airspace Malaysia intended to would not want to be reliant project with Singapore and has regain in each phase. The Singa- on Malaysian management of said he wants to renegotiate the pore transport ministry said in a it, said an industry source who terms of a water-sharing agree- statement in response to Loke’s expected they would settle the ment struck in 1962. Just hours comments that Singapore “re- dispute before it got to that after Loke’s comments, Singa- Australian sheep exporters to spects Malaysia’s sovereignty”. stage. pore hit back with its own ter- “Airspace in this region is Singapore was once part of ritorial protest against Malaysia one of the most complex in the Malaysia but they separated ac- over Kuala Lumpur’s plan to world… The benefi ts to both our rimoniously in 1965, clouding extend the limits of a port in its curtail Middle East shipments economies and our people have diplomatic and economic deal- southern-most state.

Reuters The Australian Livestock Ex- ited. “This is about maintain- Scott Morrison’s Cabinet have Moon on NZ tour Sydney porters Council (ALEC) said its ing and growing a strong, viable backed calls to ban the entire live members had voluntary agreed nine-month-a-year live sheep sheep exporting industry, a move to halt shipments of live sheep trade and, more broadly, securing that threatened to fracture the ustralia’s livestock ex- to the Middle East during the the future of Australia’s livestock government. porters will stop shipping northern hemisphere summer. export industry,” Simon Crean, Australia’s chief commodity Alive sheep to the Middle The move comes amid wide- ALEC’s chairman, said in an e- forecaster in September said it East for three months each year spread public anger after footage mailed statement. expected 1.9mn live sheep to be from 2019, an industry body said emerged showing the death of The move by ALEC could ease sold this year, worth A$250mn. yesterday, amid rising public an- 2,400 sheep on a ship bound for some of the strain on the ruling Around of a fi fth of all live ger over the trade worth around the Middle East, prompting calls conservative government. Sev- sheep are forecast to be sold to A$55mn ($40mn) annually. for the entire trade to be prohib- eral members of Prime Minister Middle Eastern countries.

Thailand to detain Australian refugee footballer for 12 more days

Thai authorities said yesterday International Airport last week Red Notice flagged by Bahrain. authorities, under ‘Operation they have extended the detention for a 2014 conviction in Bahrain, We are obligated to inspect the X-ray’. Thailand, which has not of an Australian refugee Immigration Police Chief Surachet case thoroughly,” the policeman ratified the United Nation’s 1951 football player at a Bangkok Hakpal told reporters. Originally added. Allegedly tortured by the Refugee Convention, does not immigration detention centre scheduled to be deported Bahraini authorities, the 25-year- recognise the status of refugees by 12 more days to investigate back to Australia by yesterday, old footballer fled the country and asylum-seekers, who are his case. Hakeem Ali Mohamed Hakeem is being held longer so in 2015 and was sentenced to 10 treated as illegal immigrants and Ali al-Araib, a Bahraini football that documents submitted by years in prison in absentia, the incarcerated. Hakeem’s extended player granted refugee status in the Bahraini authorities could group said. Hakeem’s detention detention has raised fear among South Korean President Moon Jae-in shakes hands with New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Australia last year, was arrested be examined properly, Surachet comes amid a crackdown on rights groups of his deportation to Ardern before the start of a media conference in Auckland, New Zealand. at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi said. “There was an Interpol illegal immigrants by Thai Bahrain to face a repeat of torture. Gulf Times Wednesday, December 5, 2018 15 BRITAIN Landscape gardener gets 17 years jail for woman’s murder

Daily Mail Stirling taped his victim’s body court heard. These gave her fam- ling went on to send two texts to Peake described how he had ob- ed by birthday cards he had sent wife Katie, 32, arranging dinner London up in a duvet cover, binding her ily false comfort that she was Eastwood’s phone, begging her tained a spare key for Eastwood’s her and her engagement ring. with his parents. After dinner, eyes and nose with masking tape, alive and simply in need of “some to come home. home in Baddeley Green, Stoke- The railway engineer said the couple drove back to their then bundled her corpse into the time for me”. The gardener had been having on-Trent, from Stirling – who he believed the items had been house in Northwood, Stoke-on- landscape gardener “bru- back of his van and drove to his Stirling, 32, also brazenly a three-year relationship with kept his work tools in her garage placed there to “point the blame Trent. tally” murdered a midwife parents’ home for a family meal. hugged Gemma just hours after Eastwood which had already led – after the midwife’s colleagues in my direction”, adding that the The court heard he received a Ahe was having an aff air Over the next 24 hours, the burying Eastwood in a shallow in part to the end of her engage- raised the alarm on July 27 when body found in undergrowth at a text from Gemma after 9pm say- with before creating a false trail married father-of-one told East- grave. ment to his wife Katie’s brother she failed to report for a night disused quarry near Caverswall, ing Eastwood was missing. by sending texts from her phone wood’s friends and family that He caused further distress by John Peake, Staff ord Crown shift. Staff ordshire, eight miles away, Stirling went out to “search” and laying her wedding dress she had been upset about prob- pretending in a fi nal few texts Court heard. Peake said he had hoped to was also close to his workplace. for her, with her body still in his on her bed. Police compared lems at work when he had last from the midwife’s phone that Peake, 34, stared at Stirling rekindle his seven-year rela- Prosecutor Jonas Hankin QC van. He told his wife he was going Michael Stirling’s duplicity after seen her. she was being “driven to the mo- during the hearing which ended tionship with her and start a described how, after killing East- out to search at local pubs, but his he strangled Samantha Eastwood He then sent a series of texts to torway” by a “mad man” she had with the emotionless defend- family. wood at her home and loading van was caught on CCTV driving to that of Soham child killer Ian his victim’s sister Gemma from met online. ant being handed a life sentence He described fi nding her wed- her body into his Vauxhall Com- to the burial site at 10.30pm, re- Huntley. the midwife’s mobile phone, a The court heard that Stir- with a minimum of 17 years. ding dress on her bed, surround- bo van, Stirling sent a text to his turning 40 minutes later. Children of obese parents ‘more likely to be obese’

Guardian News and Media lose weight before conception, London and we need services in place to continue this support through- out pregnancy and childhood.” hildren of obese parents Prof Linda Bauld, Cancer Re- are more likely to be obese search UK’s prevention expert, Cthan other children, an said the fi gures were incredibly NHS survey has found. worrying “as obese children are The Health Survey for England around fi ve times more likely to 2017, an annual report conducted be obese adults and overweight by NHS Digital on the state of the adults have an increased risk of 13 nation’s health, surveyed 8,000 diff erent types of cancer. adults and 2,000 children about “The government needs to topics including obesity, smok- help end this cycle of obesity by ing and drinking. restricting junk food market- Brexit supporters hold a placard during a protest opposite the Houses of Parliament, London yesterday. For the fi rst time, the report ing promotions and introducing analysed the link between par- calorie labelling so families can ent and child weight. It found make the healthier choice, the that 28% of children of an obese easier choice,” she said. mother were also obese, com- The report covers adults aged pared with 8% of other children, 16 and over, and children aged 0 to while 24% of children of an obese 15, living in private households in father were obese, compared England. Researchers conducted with 9% of other children. interviews and many of these were May loses contempt vote About half of parents (47% of followed by a visit from a nurse mothers and 52% of fathers) of who took measurements and obese children thought their child samples. In total, 7,997 adults and was about the right weight. 1,985 children were interviewed The survey found that 64% of and 5,196 adults and 1,195 children adults – 67% of men and 62% received a visit from a nurse. of women – were overweight or The researchers continued to over Brexit legal advice obese. More men were overweight see a steady decline in the propor- but not obese (40% against 31%) tion of adults who smoke ciga- Reuters found the government in con- tice opened yet another front in pro-EU lawmakers from May’s red lines.” But May’s spokesman and more women were obese rettes, which has fallen from 27% London tempt of parliament for refusing May’s battle to win the approval Conservative Party are moving told reporters: “It does nothing (30% against 27%). The survey in 1993 to 17% in 2017. The trend to release its full legal advice on of parliament. to make sure parliament gets in any event to change the clear found 2% of men and 5% of wom- for e-cigarettes has continued, Britain’s exit. So far, however, May is stand- more power to dictate any next position of the government that en were morbidly obese. with 6% of all adults now using rime Minister Theresa The government said it would ing fi rm. steps the government takes if Article 50 is not going to be re- Approximately a third (30%) of them; 15% of cigarette smokers May suff ered a damaging now comply. “The people want us to get on her exit plan fails. voked.” children aged two to 15 in England use e-cigarettes, while 38% of Psetback yesterday when After the vote, sterling fell with a deal that honours the ref- For them, there may be an- The crucial December 11 vote were overweight or obese, with smokers have never used them. her government lost a vote and to its lowest against the dollar erendum and allows us to come other way out. The formal ad- is likely to decide the shape of boys and girls equally likely to be so. The proportion of children aged was found in contempt of par- since mid-August. together again as a country, vice from a European Court of Brexit. If, against the odds, May Dr Max Davie, an offi cer for eight to 15 who have smoked at some liament at the start of fi ve days The debates and fi nal vote whichever way we voted,” she Justice advocate general — not wins, Britain will leave the EU on health promotion for the Royal point has decreased, from 19% in of debate over her plans to leave on December 11 are crucial in told lawmakers yesterday. “This binding but usually heeded by March 29 on the terms she nego- College of Paediatrics and Child 1997 to 5% in 2017. The proportion the European Union. determining how, and possibly is the deal that delivers for the the court — suggested to some tiated with Brussels — its biggest Health (RCPCH), said the data of children in that age group who May wants to secure parlia- even if, Britain leaves the EU British people.” lawmakers that revoking the shift in trade and foreign policy linking obesity in parents to that had ever consumed a whole alco- ment’s approval for her deal to as planned on March 29, in the If lawmakers do not back her “Article 50” divorce notice was for more than 40 years. of their children came as no sur- holic drink, as opposed to just a sip, keep close ties with the EU after country’s biggest shift in foreign deal, May says, they could open an option. If she loses, May could call for prise. “It’s a cycle of life that can fell from 45% in 2003 to 14% in 2017. leaving in March, but opposition and trade policy in more than 40 the door either to Britain falling “It’s a false choice to say it’s a second vote on the deal. have terrible consequences to the The proportion of adults drink- from lawmakers is fi erce, with years. out of the EU without measures the PM’s deal or chaos,” said But defeat would increase health of entire families for gen- ing “at increased or higher risk of Brexit supporters and critics May’s plans are vulnerable to to soften the transition, or to the Conservative lawmaker Sam the chances of a “no-deal” exit, erations,” he said. “We need spe- harm” (more than 14 units a week) alike wanting to thwart her plan. more change over the fi ve-day possibility that Brexit does not Gyimah, who quit as a minister which could mean chaos for cialist weight management serv- fell between 2011 and 2017 from The strength of that opposi- debate, and advice from a senior happen. on Friday over May’s deal. “We Britain’s economy and busi- ices for overweight and obese 34% to 28% of men and from 18% tion was felt before the debate EU legal aide that Britain had the Anxious to prevent a “no- should look at all the options nesses, and put May under fi erce families, supporting parents to to 14% of women. even began, when lawmakers right to withdraw its Brexit no- deal” Brexit, a group of mainly and not be boxed in by our own pressure to resign. Avocados off menus amid Royal party ‘Cheating’ gorillas show environment concerns clever puzzle-solving Reuters have probably not been wit- Bristol nessed before,” she added. Thomson Reuters Foundation emissions by its very nature & fruit include Meghan Markle who Since first being introduced London places pressure on local water sup- revealed in her cookbook that a to the prototype device earlier plies.” green chilli and avocado dip was a orillas at a zoo in England this year, the scientists say the The announcement received favourite recipe she made at home, have demonstrated a dis- game has proved a hit with the vocados, the soft, green su- mixed reviews, with some call- while US singer Miley Cyrus got an Gtinctly human trait while troop of endangered western perfood may be falling out ing for restaurants to go further image of an avocado tattooed on attempting to solve a new puzzle lowland gorillas, who regularly Aof favour with some restau- and ban ingredients such as meat, her arm in 2015. game — cheating. returned to play with the game rants in Britain as they move to ban matcha and almonds, while oth- In Kenya, Africa’s second-larg- The gorillas were presented even when there were no more the trendy food from their menus, ers suggested that the move was a est producer of avocados — behind with a wall-mounted device nuts to win. amid environmental and land con- cynical marketing ploy. South Africa, thousands of coff ee where the aim is to guide a pea- The ‘Gorilla Game Lab’ project cerns. Smashed on toast or artfully “I don’t think we should get too farmers are turning to planting av- nut through a series of obstacles from the University of Bristol decorating plates, the fruit has distracted by some cafes that may ocado trees known as ‘green gold,’ by poking a stick through various and Bristol Zoological Society gained popularity in Britain, be- be banning it,” said Dan Crossley, with 7,500 hectares under cultiva- holes to move it along. developed the game to encour- coming synonymous with hipster executive director of Food Ethics tion. In the US, annual per capita Eventually the peanut reaches age the gorillas’ cognitive and hangouts and millennials. Council, an English charity. consumption of avocado doubled the bottom of the device and puzzle-solving abilities. The Now, some cafes in Britain “It does raise interesting and in the decade to 2006, and doubled drops out. prototype device had to be strong are ditching avocados on ethical important questions on where again to 3.2kg in 2016, according to Some gorillas, however, fi g- enough to withstand a frustrated grounds, claiming that the water- we get our food from...but I don’t data from the US department of ured out an easier way to retrieve gorilla, which can be seven times intensive fruit is harming farmers think a wide-scale ban of any par- agriculture. the nut. stronger than humans. and land in regions such as South ticular product will solve the prob- “We are encouraged to see that “We’ve seen a lot of cheating It also had to be engaging America where is it grown. lems we have,” he said. cafes and restaurants in the UK are behaviour where they’ve been enough to keep them coming “The Western world’s obsession Similar avocado bans have been becoming more aware of the global putting their lips up against the back for more. with avocado has been placing un- undertaken by restaurants in Bris- environmental impact of the food device and sucking the nut out “With each of the modules precedented demand on avocado tol and south London, with man- they serve,” said Chris Redston, which was not how we intend- in the game, they’re removable farmers,” wrote Wild Strawberry agers predicting that the trend to executive director of Rainforest ed the device to be used. But it so we can take the modules out, Cafe on its Instagram page, stat- boycott avocados could soon be- Trust UK. just shows you that they’re very re-designed them and put in an ing that serving the fruit no longer come as popular as the fruit itself. The desire to make way for cat- flexible, they’re capable of cre- additional module or change the aligned with its ethos. Avocados’ popularity has soared tle ranches, palm oil and single Catherine, the Duchess of Cambridge, takes part in a ating new solving strategies to actual structure. So it creates an “Forests are being thinned out around the world in recent years, crops such as avocados and pine- Christmas party for the families of service personnel access the food,” Dr Fay Clark endless stream of new and novel to make way for avocado planta- driven by increased awareness of apples is a key reason for the de- from RAF Marnham and RAF Coningsby deployed in from Bristol Zoo Gardens said. puzzles for them to solve,” said tions. Intensive farming on this their health benefi ts, experts say. struction of about 70,000 acres of Cyprus, at Kensington Palace in London yesterday. “They have some fascinating engineer Dr Stuart Gray of the scale contributes to greenhouse Celebrity fans of the buttery rainforest a day, said Redston. problem-solving abilities that University of Bristol. Gulf Times 16 Wednesday, December 5, 2018 EUROPE French PM suspends planned fuel tax rises

Reuters/DPA/AFP a possible increase to the mini- ing to take the country in. But the scale of the protests Paris mum wage, but Philippe made no Over the past two days, ambu- against his policies made it al- such commitment. lance drivers and students have most impossible to plough ahead He warned citizens, however, joined in and launched their own as he had hoped. rance’s prime minister has that they could not expect better protests. While the “yellow vest” move- suspended planned in- public services and lower taxes. After three weeks of rising ment was mostly peaceful to be- Fcreases to fuel taxes for at “If the events of recent days frustration, there was scant indi- gin with, the past two weekends least six months in response to have shown us one thing, it’s cation Philippe’s measures would have seen outpourings of vio- weeks of sometimes violent pro- that the French want neither an placate the “yellow vests”, who lence and rioting in Paris, with tests, the fi rst major U-turn by increase in taxes or new taxes. If themselves are struggling to fi nd extreme far-right and far-left President Emmanuel Macron’s the tax-take falls, then spending a unifi ed position. factions joining the demos and A cyclist rides past a ‘fuel shortage’ sign at a closed gas station in administration after 18 months must fall, because we don’t want “The French don’t want spurring chaos. Montpelier yesterday, following blockade of the Frontignan oil depot in offi ce. to pass our debts on to our chil- crumbs, they want a baguette,” On Saturday, the Arc de Tri- by ‘yellow vest’ protesters. In announcing the decision, dren. And those debts are already “yellow vest” spokesman Ben- omphe national monument was Prime Minister Edouard Philippe sizeable,” he said. jamin Cauchy told BFM, add- defaced and avenues off the Discontent has steadily risen The concessions yesterday said that anyone would have The so-called “yellow vest” ing that the movement wanted a Champs-Elysees were damaged. among blue-collar workers and could have implications for oth- “to be deaf or blind” not to see movement, which started on No- cancellation of the taxes. Cars, buildings and some cafes others who feel he represents an er planned reforms, including or hear the roiling anger on the vember 17 as a social-media pro- Another one, Christophe Cha- were torched. urban “elite”. changes to the civil service and streets over a policy that Macron test group named for the high- lencon, was blunter. “We’re be- The unrest is estimated to have For Macron, who is sharply a major and highly controversial has defended as critical to com- Philippe: If the tax-take falls, then visibility jackets all motorists in ing taken for idiots,” he told Reu- cost the economy millions, with down in the polls and struggling shake-up of the pensions system. bating climate change. spending must fall, because we France carry in their cars, began ters, using a stronger expletive. large-scale disruption to retail- to regain the initiative, a further A new poll by the Ifop-Fiducial “The French who have donned don’t want to pass our debts on with the aim of highlighting the “Six months is nothing: They ers, wholesalers, the restaurant risk is how opposition parties survey group yesterday showed yellow vests want taxes to drop, to our children. squeeze on household spending hope we’ll now go home but and hotel trades. leverage the anger and the deci- the former investment banker’s and work to pay. That’s also what brought about by Macron’s taxes we’re not going to move,” said Li- In some areas, manufactur- sion to shift course. approval rating at a record low of we want. If I didn’t manage to ary, Philippe said the time would on fuel. onel Rambeaux, 41, a welder at a ing has been hit in the run up to Ahead of European Parliament 23%. explain it, if the ruling majority be used to discuss other meas- However, over the past three blockade halting access to a fuel Christmas. elections next May, support for “Eventually he backed down, didn’t manage to convince the ures to help the working poor and weeks the movement has evolved depot outside Le Mans in western Macron, a former investment the far-right under Marine Le which is going to divide the (yel- French, then something must squeezed middle-class who rely into a wider, broadbrush anti- France. “We want Macron and his banker and economy minis- Pen and the far-left of Jean-Luc low vest) movement, but it also change,” said Philippe. “No tax on vehicles to get to work and go Macron uprising, with many entire government to resign.” ter, came to offi ce in mid-2017 Melenchon has been rising. risks dividing his own political is worth jeopardising the unity of shopping. criticising the president for pur- The timing of the tax U-turn is promising to overhaul the French Macron has cast those elec- base,” said Jerome Sainte-Marie the nation.” Rescinding the January in- suing policies they say favour the uncomfortable for Macron. economy, revitalise growth and tions as a battle between his of the PollingVox survey group. “These decisions, with imme- crease – three euro cents for rich and do nothing to help the It comes as governments meet draw foreign investment by mak- “progressive” ideas and what he Macron has not spoken pub- diate eff ect, should return calm unleaded and six cents for diesel poor. in Poland to try to agree measures ing the nation a more attractive sees as their promotion of na- licly about Saturday’s destruc- to the country,” he said, calling – was a core demand of the dem- Despite having no leader and to avert the most damaging con- place to do business. tionalist or anti-EU agendas. tion in Paris since his return from for a “real dialogue on all the onstrators, alongside a higher sometimes unclear goals, the sequences of global warming, an In the process, he earned the Le Pen was quick to point out a G20 summit in Argentina on concerns expressed in these last minimum wage and the return movement has drawn people of issue Macron has made a central tag “president of the rich” for that the six-month postpone- Sunday, and his offi ce said yes- weeks”. of a wealth tax on high-earners all ages and backgrounds and part of his agenda. seeming to do more to court big ment of the fuel-tax increases terday that the president would Along with the delay to the tax which was abolished last year. tapped into a growing malaise His carbon taxes were de- business and ease the tax burden took the decision beyond the Eu- not comment “for the time be- increases that were set for Janu- Earlier, offi cials had hinted at over the direction Macron is try- signed to address the issue. on the wealthy. ropean elections. ing”.

US senators briefed by CIA blame Anarchists and butchers in court over riots

Saudi prince for Khashoggi death AFP master’s student earns €2,500 Paris a month working part-time in the fi nance department of the Reuters/AFP/DPA national postal service. Washington ometimes bruised or with He was accused of building black eyes, demonstra- barricades in the street, at- Stors arrested during anti- tempting to harm police offi cers eading US senators said government rioting in central and possessing cannabis. yesterday that they were Paris on Saturday have appeared His lawyer urged magistrates Lmore certain than ever in court, showcasing the diverse not to impose a restraining or- that Saudi Crown Prince Mo- backgrounds of the people on der that would have banned him hamed bin Salman was culpable the streets. from the capital, because he had in the killing of journalist Jamal Police detained a total of 412 studies to pursue at the Paris Khashoggi after receiving a Cen- people during the worst clashes School of Business. tral Intelligence Agency (CIA) in decades in the centre of the This picture taken on Sunday shows a man looking at a burned car The strain on police and the briefi ng on the matter. French capital which saw secu- in a street in Paris, a day after clashes during a protest of ‘yellow justice system caused by so “The views that I had be- rity forces pelted with stones, vests’ (Gilets jaunes) against rising oil prices and living costs. many cases was also evident at fore have only solidifi ed,” said more than 200 vehicles torched the recently opened new Paris Senator Bob Menendez, the top and numerous shops vandal- Lequitte, a 27-year-old with vest protests on November 17. city court complex, designed Democrat on the Senate Foreign ised. a history of alcohol addiction, Others in court had no crimi- by star Italian architect Renzo Relations Committee, who has The fi rst 57 suspects who who had more than a dozen nal past and seemingly no radi- Piano. called for a strong US reaction to joined the so-called “yellow previous criminal convictions cal political views, but were “The conditions for the de- Khashoggi’s death and backs leg- Corker: I have zero question in my mind that the crown prince vest” protests appeared in fast- including for resisting arrest, instead the sort of frustrated fence are completely unaccept- islation to end all US support for directed the murder and was kept appraised of the situation all the track courts on Monday, with drink-driving and abusing po- low-income workers who have able,” one lawyer complained, the Saudi coalition waging war in way through it. dozens of others set to go before lice offi cers. joined the “yellow vest” move- adding that she had six clients Yemen. magistrates yesterday. The mechanic from the town ment in droves. and had spent only a few min- Menendez spoke to reporters Khashoggi was a US resident “Why shouldn’t every sena- The overwhelmingly male of Dreux, an hour’s drive west What started out as protests utes with each of them. as he left a closed-door briefi ng who wrote for the Washington tor know what is going on?” he cast of characters, some sport- of Paris, was accused of joining against the introduction of new Many suspects opted to have for some Senate committee lead- Post. tweeted. ing visible injuries, included crowds who threw stones at po- fuel taxes has spiralled into a their trials deferred to prepare ers and Senate leaders by CIA Di- Saudi Arabia has said that 21 If given the chance, he would many low-income people from lice and was seen giving security broad opposition front to Ma- their defence, with hearings set rector Gina Haspel. people are in custody and vowed ask Haspel about media reports provincial France who came to forces the middle-fi nger. cron and his pro-business eco- to resume next year. Senator Bob Corker, the chair- to keep probing the killing of that the CIA has concluded that the capital to express their an- “I don’t want to go back to nomic reforms since he took In most cases, magistrates or- man of the Senate Foreign Rela- Khashoggi, who was killed and Prince Mohamed “was involved ger. prison. I’ve got a job, an apart- power in May 2017. dered the suspects to report to tions Committee, shook his head dismembered after visiting the and directed” the killing, he said “With everything that has ment,” he pleaded in court, add- Stephane, a 45-year-old police regularly until their trials, no, when asked if he thought the kingdom’s Istanbul consulate in in an interview on Fox News. happened to me in the last 48 ing that he was trying to change butcher from the Hautes Alpes starting on Saturday morning briefi ng had changed any minds. October to handle paperwork for Several senators complained hours, I don’t want to ever come but that “alcohol ruins every- area of eastern France, said it when another day of protests “I have zero question in my his planned wedding. last week when Haspel did not back,” 20-year-old Martial Pis- thing”. was the fi rst time he had joined has been announced. mind that the crown prince di- Haspel’s briefi ng had been join the Senate along with Sec- sonier, dressed in a leather jack- Michael, a 30-year-old un- a demonstration like the one on There were also numerous rected the murder and was kept criticised for only allowing a lim- retary of State Mike Pompeo and et, said in one of the fi ve court employed man from the Rhone the Champs-Elysees on Satur- cases of instant acquittals due to appraised of the situation all the ited number of US senators to at- Secretary of Defence James Mat- rooms hearing cases on Monday. region of southeast France, was day. the fl imsiness of evidence pro- way through it,” Corker said. tend. tis at a classifi ed briefi ng held The truck driver from the described by prosecutors as He was accused of charging vided by police. “You have to be wilfully blind The decision to limit the last week. town of Roubaix in northeast an anarchist after being found head-fi rst into a line of riot po- A 50-year-old nurse from not to come to the conclusion number of senators attending the Their testimony before the France was found to be carrying wearing a black sweatshirt with lice, known as CRS. Nice walked free saying he had that this was orchestrated and closed-door hearing to only in- full Senate came ahead of a vote an extendable metal baton when ACAB on it, which stands for “I would have liked the CRS to been randomly arrested while organised by people under the clude the leaders of key national on a resolution that that seeks to arrested, something the pros- “All Cops are Bastards”. come and shake us by the hand, walking in the Bastille area of command of MbS,” Republican security committees came under end US military support to Saudi ecutor described as troubling. The French government has to put themselves on the peo- Paris. Senator Lindsey Graham told fi re even before the meeting got Arabia in its campaign in Yemen. “You don’t come to a demon- repeatedly blamed far-right and ple’s side,” he told the court. “Violence is not part of my reporters, also after the briefi ng, under way. The resolution later advanced stration with an extendable ba- far-left thugs for the violence in Jeremy Onselaer, a 22-year- thinking,” he said, adding that referring to the crown prince by Senator Rand Paul called the in the Senate allowing for further ton to defend yourself,” he said. Paris on two successive week- old from the Parisian suburbs, he was a regular practitioner of his initials. decision “ridiculous”. debate and a possible vote. Others included Valentin ends since the start of the yellow defi ed any stereotyping: the yoga and meditation.

Sweden PM given more time for govt bid

Sweden’s parliamentary speaker has granted Stefan Lofven, the Leaders urged to inject momentum at climate summit leader of the Social Democrats, more time in his eff ort to form a new government, citing pending talks. “I have been informed that several parties are to commence talks on Reuters raise more funding to ensure sius above pre-industrial times. their pencils” and consult with tries with fewer resources. government issues,” Speaker Andreas Norlen said. Katowice wealthy governments keep a There has already been an in- government authorities, busi- There are also complex dis- Therefore it is “reasonable” to give those negotiations time, he added. 2020 promise to deliver $100 crease of about 1°C, and current nesses and civil society back cussions on how rich states Lofven is due to report to the speaker on Friday, and to present a follow- billion annually to help poor pledges to reduce emissions are home to work out how to achieve should track the funding they up report on Monday. he UN secretary general countries develop cleanly and still likely to lead to warming of that, said Alden Meyer, director have provided and indicate the Sweden’s general elections on September 9 resulted in a political has urged world leaders adapt to a hotter planet, the UN about 3°C this century, scien- of strategy and policy for the amount they will contribute in stalemate between the two main political alliances. Tto use a climate change chief added. tists have said. Union of Concerned Scientists. future years – a touchy subject Lofven has headed a caretaker government comprising the Social summit that he will host in “We all know the massive In the coming year, UN agen- The world has seen “a tech- with some governments reluc- Democrats and the Greens since he lost a mandatory confidence vote 2019 to explain how they plan to scale of the climate challenge cies will work with governments nology revolution since Paris”, tant to make promises. held in late September. ratchet up their eff orts to reverse we face,” he told reporters at cli- to strengthen their climate ac- he said, with renewable energy Guterres said a central objec- worsening global warming that mate talks in Poland. “And we all tion plans covering the decade generation and storage now far tive of his 2019 summit would is leading to a “very dramatic know we are not on track.” to 2030, as well as their long- cheaper – something countries be to provide a “transparent ap- Birth rate hits Finland’s welfare system situation”. In 2020, countries are due to term strategies, Guterres said. must make the most of in revis- proach” to delivering $100bn to Antonio Guterres said the submit to the United Nations Climate experts said yester- ing their 2020 plans to cut emis- vulnerable countries each year A rapid decline in the birth rate is threatening Finland’s welfare system gathering at the United Nations updated national climate action day that they expected countries sions. from 2020-2025, when a new and public finances, the Nordic country’s finance minister Petteri Orpo in New York in September would plans that are the lynchpin of to issue a political declaration In Katowice, government of- target is due to kick in. told Reuters. be an “essential piece” in raising the Paris Agreement adopted in at the end of the December 2-14 fi cials are hammering out rules He urged donors to replenish Finland’s birth rate, or expected number of babies per woman, is ambition to cut heat-trapping 2015. climate talks in Katowice that on how to measure and track the coff ers of the flagship Green forecast to fall to an all-time-low level of 1.43 this year from 1.87 as emissions, and helping coun- Under that accord, nearly 200 would fi rmly signal their inten- emissions reductions under the Climate Fund by the time of the recently as in 2010, according to Statistics Finland. tries cope better with wilder governments have committed to tion to do more to cut emissions Paris deal, seeking a formula to summit, a process the fund’s “(It invokes) major concern over the sustainability of our welfare state,” weather and rising seas. limit the rise in global tempera- from 2020. achieve widespread and ambi- board has said it aims to com- Orpo said, referring to a declining number of future taxpayers to The summit also will seek to tures to between 1.5° and 2° Cel- They should then “sharpen tious cuts that is fair to coun- plete by October 2019. finance generous public services for an ageing population. Gulf Times Wednesday, December 5, 2018 17 INDIA AgustaWestland middleman Michel extradited to India

IANS for taking a flight to Delhi. The extradition is undertaken rants had been issued against the undertaken 300 trips to country IAF vice chief J S Gujral and law- On January 1, 2014, India can- Dubai Offi cial sources in Delhi said in co-ordination with the In- accused. between 1997 and 2013. yer Gautam Khaitan as the four celled the contract with Fin- that Michel would land in India terpol and the CID. Last year, a Red Corner notice ED officials earlier had said Indians involved in the scam. meccanica’s British subsidiary late in the night. Michel is one of three middle- was issued against Michel by the that bribes to Michel were paid The charge-sheet mentioned AgustaWestland for supplying hristian James Michel, The action comes after the men being probed in the case by Interpol on a request by the CBI. through a web of companies Khaitan as the “brain” behind 12 AW-101 VVIP helicopters a British national and a Court of Cassation in Dubai in the Central Bureau of Investiga- RCNs were also issued against located abroad and in India on the deal. to the IAF over alleged breach Cmiddleman, has been ex- November upheld a lower court tion (CBI) and the Enforcement two Italians involved in the scam the pretext of payment for con- Others named in the charge- of contractual obligations and tradited to India, a development order which said that Michel Directorate (ED) in connection - Carlo Gerosa and Guido Has- sultancy work. Michel also used sheet included Giuseppe Orsi, on charges of paying kickbacks that comes as a boost to Indian could be extradited to India. with the scam. chke. his Dubai-based firm Global the former chief of Italian amounting to Rs4.23bn. agencies investigating the Rs- According to the report, In January, the ED had lodged a According to Indian investi- Services FZE as a conduit for defence and aerospace ma- The CBI, which registered an 36bn AgustaWestland VVIP heli- Michel was kept under de- request with the UAE authorities gative agencies, Michel received money. jor Finmeccanica, and Bruno FIR in the case on March 12, 2013, copter deal case. tention at the Dubai Police’s for extraditing Michel. Both the at least Rs2.35bn for ensuring In its charge-sheet, the CBI Spagnolini, former CEO of had alleged that Tyagi and the The Khaleej Times reported Criminal Investigation De- ED and the CBI had fi led charge- that the chopper contract went had named former Indian Air AgustaWestland, apart from other accused received kickbacks that he had been taken to the partment (CID) as per the In- sheets in bribery cases in Indian to AgustaWestland. He was a Force chief S P Tyagi, his cousin middlemen Michel, Haschke from AgustaWestland to help it Dubai International Airport dian government’s request. courts and non-bailable war- frequent visitor to India, having Sanjeev Tyagi alias Julie, then and Gerosa. win the contract. What was the need to arrest Revanth, court asks police

IANS had also issued a notice to Hyderabad Reddy over his threat. A police officer said a case was booked against Reddy on a complaint he Hyderabad High Court by the Electoral Officer. yesterday voiced unhap- The Congress Party strongly Tpiness over the manner condemned the arrest of its leader in which Telangana police ar- and lodged a complaint with the rested state Congress working Election Commission. It said with president Revanth Reddy from just a day for the campaigning to his house in the dead of night. end, their leader was denied an The court asked the state opportunity to campaign. government what was the need Congress president Rahul for taking the Congress leader Gandhi tweeted that Reddy’s into custody. It heard thrice a arrest is a proof of Rao’s auto- habeas corpus petition filed by cratic rule. In the comments in Congress leader V Narender Telugu on his Twitter handle, Veteran Bollywood actor Ranjeet (right) campaigns for a Bahujan Samaj Party candidate ahead of Rajasthan assembly elections in Ajmer yesterday. Reddy and in the evening sum- the Congress chief said the ar- moned Advocate General B S rest cannot stop the party’s Prasad to record his statement. march. He wrote that the time Prasad sought time till today has come for the end of anti- to submit evidence to justify people rule of the TRS. Reddy’s arrest. Earlier, the police told the The Congress leader court that they took Reddy into alleged that the custody as his call for a shut- Telangana Rashtra Vote for party that can down in Kodangal to protest Samithi (TRS) had Chief Minister K Chandrashek- hatched a plan to har Rao’s visit could have cre- create disturbances in ated law and order problems. Kodangal in the next The court observed that 48 hours there was nothing wrong in Reddy calling for a shutdown Senior Congress leader S give better future: PM and asked the police to provide Jaipal Reddy condemned the evidence to justify their action. manner in which police ar- IANS community should get more “However, during the last four “Their next lie was that BJP “It was surprising to fi nd that Reddy was arrested from his rested the party leader. He said Jaipur votes should not be the basis to years, 12 crore (120mn) gas con- can’t win elections. I have seen 6.5 crore benefi ciaries never ex- home at 3am ahead of Rao’s the fear of election defeat has vote. Your concern should be the nections were distributed, out of the mood of the people and their isted,” Modi said, adding that election rally at Kosgi in Ko- gripped Rao. party that can give better future which 6 crore were given to the response. Rajasthan will become they were ‘benaami’ (dummies). dangal constituency, which was State’s Chief Electoral Of- rime Minister Narendra for your children,” the prime poor free of cost,” he said. a case study, where the BJP will “The question is: where was this represented by the Congress ficer Rajat Kumar, however, Modi yesterday said the minister said. Recalling the Congress tenure, snatch victory from the hands of money going? Soon after the leader in the dissolved assem- denied the allegations that they PBharatiya Janata Party will Modi said in the last 65 years, Modi said India was counted one the Congress,” he said. formation of the Modi govern- bly. are biased. He said they treat all snatch victory from Congress’ the Congress could set up only among the “Fragile Five” econo- The prime minister said that ment, we saved Rs90,000 crore After Rao’s rally in the political parties equally. hands in the Rajasthan elec- 11 medical colleges while Chief mies. “Rajasthan was frequently during Congress rule, one would from such subsidies, which were evening, police released Reddy. Earlier, tension prevailed in tions. Minister Vasundhara Raje es- counted among the BIMARU frequently read news mention- distributed in the form of pen- The Congress leader alleged Kodangal following Reddy’s Addressing his fi nal rally in tablished 11 medical colleges in states. Vasundhara Raje brought ing scam running into billions of sions, scholarships, schemes for that the Telangana Rashtra detention. Reddy’s wife con- Jaipur before Rajasthan goes to four-and-a-half years. “Now the state out of this grip and now, rupees. “But, have you seen such widows and suchlike,” he said. Samithi (TRS) had hatched a demned police’s high-hand- the polls on December 7, Modi you should decide if you want a Rajasthan is among the top fi ve headlines making news during “Now all such shops from plan to create disturbances in edness and wanted to know his referred to various scandals government which works in 65 states. The credit for this change Modi’s working? Now all that where Congress could have mint- Kodangal in the next 48 hours. whereabouts. made under the Congress-led years, or the one that works in goes to ‘Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas’ you read is the Congress attack- ed money have been stopped. He claimed that Rao was using Congress workers at Jadcher- rule, and listed the accomplish- four years,” he said. policy of the BJP,” he added. ing Modi on his caste and his fa- They are not getting a chance to police to suppress the opposi- la in Mahabubnagar district ments made under the BJP ten- The prime minister said that He accused the opposition of ther’s name.” do something wrong and hence tion and using money to influ- staged a protest, demanding ure and asked people to vote a under the ‘namdar’ (alluding to spreading lies in the state that He challenged the Congress to are cursing and abusing me.” ence the voters. the immediate release of Reddy. party that can give a promising Congress government), people power switches hands in Rajas- speak on “real issues”. The prime minister also ac- Reddy had called for a shut- One of the protestors attempt- future to their children. stood in long queues in front of than in every alternate election. Modi accused the Congress of cused the Congress of loot- down in Kodangal to protest ed self-immolation. “Before you go to vote, you LPG agencies to get one cooking “However, they never men- grabbing a major chunk of sub- ing banks from 2008 to 2014 against police raids at his house Elections to the 119-mem- need to think. Questions such gas cylinder. Within 65 years of tioned that Bhairon Singh Shek- sidies distributed for the handi- and said that loans disbursed last week. ber Telangana Assembly will be as who should be voted, which independence, around 130mn hawat became chief minister capped, old-age pension, midday in these six years were equal to The Election Commission held on December 7. candidate can win or which gas connections were given. twice in the state,” he said. meal and other such schemes. loans given in last 60 years. India’s expected AC boom to make world hotter still

AFP 48-year-old laundryman earn- ing by the World Health Organ- In June the Indian govern- Behror, Rajasthan ing Rs16,000 a month who this isation and UN-Habitat - show ment issued an “advisory” to year installed an AC unit in his that the heat-generating mo- AC makers to keep the default two-room house in the town of tors inside AC units can them- setting at 24 degrees Celsius to atan Kumar once battled Behror in the baking-hot desert selves push up temperatures in save billions of units of elec- India’s brutal summers state of Rajasthan. urban areas, where the appli- tricity and reduce emissions. Rwith damp bedsheets and “Sleeping for few hours is ances are widely used, by a de- But for now the measure is midnight baths. a struggle after a day’s hard gree or more. not mandatory, and with many Now he is among millions work,” the father-of-two told As demand grows, the amount people expressing outrage it is upon millions of Indians using AFP, running a hot iron over of energy consumed globally by unclear how effective it will air conditioning - helping make crumpled clothes. AC units could triple by 2050, be. the world hotter still. “I am not rich but we all as- requiring new electricity capac- As the latest international With India’s AC market ex- pire to a comfortable life.” ity equivalent to the combined climate change powwow COP24 pected to explode from 30mn Vast swathes of India endure current capacity of the US, the gets under way in Poland this to a billion units by 2050, the a gruelling four-month long EU and Japan, the International week, Behror electronics store world’s second-most popu- summer, and the mercury has Energy Agency says. owner Ram Vikas Yadav says his lous country could become the been inching ever higher in re- India currently generates customers have bigger worries planet’s top user of electricity cent years. about two-thirds of its electric- than global warming. for cooling. In 2016, the Earth’s hottest ity with coal and gas, and despite “People want ACs to keep India is already the number- on record, temperatures in the ambitious plans for renewable their homes cool,” Yadav, who three spewer of greenhouse town of Phalodi soared to 51 energy the country is set to re- says his sales have rocket 150% gases, burning through 800mn degrees Celsius, the highest re- main highly dependent on hy- every year, told AFP. tonnes of coal every year - and corded in India. drocarbons for decades to come. “This year I sold 300 ACs.” the predicted AC boom could The brutal heat can melt One possible source of hope is Yadav said rural families in mean the country would have to tarmac on the roads and puts A worker seen on the production line in the Daikin air conditioning plant in Neemrana, about 120km if Indians buy more energy-ef- particular, attracted by aggres- triple its electricity production millions of people at risk, with southwest of New Delhi. ficient AC units, and manufac- sive marketing by manufac- to meet demand, experts say. nearly 2,500 victims perishing turers like Daikin are promoting turers, are ditching traditional But for the hundreds of mil- from sunstroke in 2015. But India’s AC market is Jeet Jawa, India head of Japanese The irony is that as humans these over older technologies. ways to cool their homes. lions of Indians enduring Currently just 5% of Indian catching up fast, seeing double- manufacturer Daikin, whose try to stay cool, the refrigerants But they are pricier, and Indi- These include ceiling fans or scorching, even deadly, sum- households are equipped with digit growth in the last decade factory in Rajasthan churns out inside AC units and the gen- an consumers that have AC are air coolers - a fan-run device mers, the air conditioners are a AC compared to 90% in the as incomes rise and electricity 1.2mn AC units per year. eration of electricity needed to slow to upgrade, partly due to that blows cool air off water- godsend. United States and 60% in Chi- supplies become more reliable. “ACs increase productivity power the appliances are exac- an ingrained culture of repair- soaked pads, which are often “Summers make our life na, up from virtually zero 30 “It’s no longer a luxury prod- and life expectancy. Everyone erbating global warming. ing devices rather than buying a haven for disease-carrying miserable,” said Kumar, a years ago. uct but a necessity,” said Kanwal deserves an AC,” he told AFP. In addition, studies - includ- new ones. mosquitoes. Gulf Times 18 Wednesday, December 5, 2018 INDIA

JUDICIARY RELIGION INVESTIGATION POLITICS APPEAL Ex-SGPC chief acquitted in Sabarimala sees sharp ED seizes firm’s property After Sushma, Uma Bharti CBI probe sought into daughter’s murder case increase in pilgrims in coal scam probe not to contest 2019 polls attacks on women’s activists

In a major relief to Akali Dal leader and former For the first time since the Sabarimala temple The Enforcement Directorate has seized Close on the heels of External Aff airs Minister The family members of two prominent women’s Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee opened on November 16, there has been a sharp Rs117.09-crore movable and immovable Sushma Swaraj announcing her decision not to rights activists, who were injured in a mob attack in (SGPC) president Jagir Kaur, the Punjab and increase in the number of pilgrims. One reason properties of Prakash Industries in connection contest the next Lok Sabha polls, her colleague Meghalaya, yesterday urged Chief Minister Conrad Haryana High Court yesterday acquitted her in attributed for this is that protests by right-wing with its ongoing probe in the allocation of and central minister Uma Bharti yesterday Sangma to seek a Central Bureau of Investigation a case involving the mysterious death of her groups against a Supreme Court ruling allowing Fatehpur coal block in Chhattisgarh in 2008, said she too would not join the 2019 election (CBI) probe into the incident. Frontline women’s daughter Harpreet Kaur. The high court set women of all ages to enter the temple and the off icials said yesterday. The ED said the fray. Bharti told reports that although she had rights activists Agnes Kharshiing and Amita aside the order of a CBI special court which arrest of its senior leader K Surendran has shifted proceeds of the crime had been “generated decided not to contest the elections, she was Sangma, fighting against illegal mining and convicted Kaur and sentenced her to five to the state Secretariat in Thiruvananthapuram. and used in the continuous expansion related not leaving active politics yet. “I’ll start work for transportation of coal in the state, were brutally years in jail and imposed a fine of Rs5,000 in According to off icial figures, a record 79,098 to manufacturing activities.” Therefore the the construction of Ram mandir in Ayodhya and attacked after they photographed coal-laden March 2012. Kaur was president of the SGPC, pilgrims arrived on Monday at the temple while properties were attached under Prevention of for the cause of holy Ganga from January 1,” trucks on November 8 at Tuber Sohshrieh the mini-parliament of Sikh religious affairs, in till 1pm yesterday 40,000 pilgrims has made Money Laundering Act (PMLA).” The ED said she said. Bharti now represents Jhansi-Lalitpur area in East Jaintia Hills district. The National 1999-2000. She was the first woman to head it to the hilltop shrine. Still, the pilgrim flow is the company “filed false declaration with the constituency in parliament and is the federal Green Tribunal had ordered an interim ban on the cash-rich Sikh organisation. She was also a much less than what the temple town normally Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) on November Minister for Drinking Water and Sanitation. Prior “rat-hole” coal mining in Meghalaya from April cabinet minister in the Akali Dal government sees during the festival season. In the previous 17, 2007 intimating the allocation of coal to that, she was the chief minister of Madhya 17, 2014. Welcoming the government decision headed by Punjab chief minister Parkash Singh season, the average number of pilgrims visiting block. The coal block was actually allocated on Pradesh. Swaraj, an MP from Vidisha in Madhya for an independent probe, the family members Badal before being forced to resign following the shrine was around 100,000 during the two- February 6, 2008 jointly to Prakash Industries Pradesh, has already declared she would not be requested the chief minister to allow and her conviction. month pilgrimage season. and SKS Ispat Power Ltd.” contesting the upcoming Lok Sabha election. facilitate an independent investigation.

Delhi launches special drive to implement Police probe minimum wage

IANS New Delhi if UP violence o ensure minimum wage to all workers in the na- Ttional capital, the Delhi government yesterday launched a 10-day ‘Operation Mini- mum Wage’ drive and a helpline was result of number for people to register their complaints. Under the campaign, 10 teams of fi ve offi cials each have been formed which will conduct raids at diff erent locations across the city and will keep a check on the conspiracy wages paid to the labourers ac- cording to their skills, Delhi La- Agencies “Every action has a reaction,” On allegations that police- bour Minister Gopal Rai said. Lucknow he said, however, while adding men fl ed the scene leaving the “The labourers who are not that the group did not believe in slain inspector alone, Kumar paid as per the Minimum Wage unprovoked violence. said the circumstances in which Act can call 155214 and register olice are investigating Bhola Singh, the Bharatiya the police left the place would be their complaints,” Rai said. whether a deadly protest Janata Party lawmaker from the analysed and till then no action Under this plan, the govern- Pover the alleged slaughter district, told reporters the pro- would be taken against anyone. ment will form enforcement of a cow in Uttar Pradesh was tests escalated because people He said the inspector was fi rst teams, which will consist of as- aimed at sparking religious ten- were agitated over two recent in- injured by a stone. sistant labour commissioner, sion during a Muslim gathering. cidents of cow slaughter. “He fell unconscious and was labour offi cer, inspection offi cer, Monday’s violence in the state’s The dead police inspector, Su- taken in a vehicle which was at- company inspector and labour Bulandshahr district which killed bodh Kumar Singh, had helped tacked by a mob with stones and inspector, he said. two people, brings back to the lead an investigation into the gunfi re,” he added. “These teams will conduct in- national spotlight a trend of cow 2015 murder by a Hindu mob Videos which went viral spections of various laboratories, vigilantism by hardline Hindu of a Muslim man rumoured to showed the inspector dead with companies, factories, workshops groups ahead of a general election have slaughtered a cow in a vil- a bullet wound near the vehicle and industrial setups,” Rai said. due in less than six months. lage that is about an hour’s travel and several activists running The government has fi xed Police have arrested four of 27 away by road from the district. around in circles. wages of various categories on men named in a complaint after The family of the man, a A.32 bore bullet was found the basis of skills. The minimum a police offi cer and a man were blacksmith, denied the accusa- lodged in the head of Singh. wage for the unskilled labour- killed as tens of thousands of tion that they secretly ate beef, Shops and schools were closed ers is Rs14,000 per month while Muslims gathered for a religious which is banned in many states yesterday in Bulandshahr, where that for semi-skilled is Rs15,400 event. including Uttar Pradesh, which additional police were deployed and for skilled Rs16,962. Police would try to determine is ruled by the BJP. to prevent further violence. “The teams will raid and check the age of the cow carcass, police Police offi cer Kumar declined Kumar said the dead offi cer records of the organisations or offi cial Anand Kumar said when to say why Singh was transferred was being treated as a “martyr” employers from December 10,” asked if there had been a con- from the area and the murder and full state honours would be he said. spiracy to vitiate the atmosphere case handed to another offi cer. given to him in Meerut in the Rai said violations or non- by using a dead cow brought in “Those arrested have been presence of the police brass. compliance will attract strict ac- from elsewhere. found to be leading the crowd The body was taken to his vil- tion as per the Minimum Wages “If there was anything like after being identifi ed in a video. lage in Etah where he would be Act, 2017. that, then the details will come About 40-50 others who are cremated with full honours. “In case of a violation, a case out,” Kumar, the state’s second unidentifi ed were involved in In his village, his family under the Minimum Wage Act highest police offi cial, told a the incident and police are con- broke down on seeing the mor- will be registered. The punish- news conference. fi dent of identifying them with tal remains. His wife said he ment for not paying minimum “There’s an intelligence in- the video evidence,” the police had sought leave but it was not wages can be Rs50,000 fi ne or a vestigation and all these aspects offi cer said. granted. jail term for three years or both,” will be looked into.” He parried questions about “If he had been given leave, he Rai added. The Muslim religious event the political links of the three would have been alive,” she said. This operation, he said, will ended peacefully and the situ- key accused who are also said to His two teenage sons paid run for 10 days. Rai also urged ation had returned to normal, include an activist each from the glowing tributes to their father, people to help the government in Kumar added. Police have yet to Bharatiya Janata Party and the saying he never discriminated the initiative. arrest the main suspect, Yogesh Vishwa Hindu Parishad. people on the basis of religion. “Getting Rs14,000 is also not Raj who belongs to the hardline “Yes, Yogesh Raj is the main The uncle of the dead inspec- enough if a person is living in Hindu group Bajrang Dal. conspirator,” he said, adding that tor said the family won’t accept Delhi and has a family to run. Bholendra, a leader of the he was yet to be arrested. the compensation of Rs4mn an- Help the government in imple- group who goes by one name, He said six teams have been nounced by the government and menting the minimum wage by said only an investigation would formed to probe the incident and instead wanted the presence of paying the mandated wages to Congress workers participate in a candle light vigil over the killing of inspector Subodh Kumar Singh reveal if members of the group a special investigation team has Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath the labourers,” he said. and a young man in Bulandshahr in Uttar Pradesh, in Lucknow yesterday. were guilty. been set up to investigate the case. in the village. Dialogue best solution to India can be global Ayodhya issue: Sri Sri aviation hub: Naidu IANS market in the next 10-15 years. Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh “Investments to the tune of IANS of-court settlement, which could government that the religious Rs1 lakh crore are expected Gandhinagar work out to be a win-win situa- leader could pose a serious threat in the next fi ve years,” Naidu tion for Hindus and Muslims. to peace in the temple town. ice President M said. “We believe in dialogue and Also yesterday, Shiv Sena Venkaiah Naidu yes- He said the passenger traf- piritual leader Sri Sri Ravi we hope the issue will be sorted upped its demand for the con- Vterday said India has fi c which witnessed a 14.1% Shankar said yesterday out peacefully,” he said. struction of the temple in Ayod- the potential to become a growth over the last fi ve years Sthat a constructive dia- Meanwhile, a court in Ayo- hya, and party president Uddhav global aviation hub for Main- is likely to touch about 400mn logue between opposing par- dhya sent a religious leader to Thackeray announced a religious tenance Repair and Overhaul by the year 2020. ties was the best solution to the 14-day judicial custody, offi cials convention in the temple town of (MRO) following a growing Naidu said in spite of the Ayodhya temple-mosque con- said. Pandharpur in Maharashtra on aviation business, a huge pool growth in passenger traffi c, troversy. Paramhans had threatened to December 24. of engineering talent and low some of the airlines were fac- “I believe in dialogue,” the set himself ablaze on December The ‘Dharma Sabha’ is in- labour costs. ing problems and hoped that spiritual guru said on the side- 6, the anniversary of the Babri tended to push its ruling ally, the Naidu was speaking after things would improve soon for lines of the fi rst convocation mosque demolition, if the date Bharatiya Janata Party, to imme- inaugurating the fi rst inter- them. ceremony of the Karnavati Uni- for construction of a temple was diately declare the date for the national fl ight from Vijaya- The vice president said the versity on the outskirts of the not announced, police said. construction of the temple. wada to Singapore and laying international fl ight from Vi- Gujarat capital. Paramhans was picked up by “Through the Dharma Sabha, the foundation stone for the jayawada to Singapore would Ravi Shankar, who has been the police in the morning and we want to wake up the Narendra integrated passenger terminal further enhance the con- mediating between the All India presented before the Chief Judi- Modi government from its Kumb- building at Vijayawada Air- nectivity as well as Andhra Muslim Personal Law Board and cial Magistrate (CJM) court. hakaran-like slumber and take up port. Pradesh’s business and tour- Hindu groups in the Ramjan- He had gone on an indefi nite the temple construction immedi- The Indian civil aviation ism potential. mabhoomi-Babri Masjid issue, hunger strike last month too, but ately,” Thackeray told reporters. industry is growing at a rapid He said the new state-of- reiterated his view that “the best was persuaded to end it after he His remarks came 10 days af- pace and is considered the the-art terminal spread across solution to the issue can come was taken by police to the Sanjay ter his high-profi le visit to Ayo- third largest domestic civil 35,000sqm is being developed only by dialogue”. Gandhi Post-Graduate Institute dhya and after a meeting with aviation market in the world. with Rs611 crore to handle The spiritual guru has been of Medical Sciences (SGPGI). the party’s district heads at Sena Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu takes part in a religious ceremony According to projections, it is 1,200 passengers a day with 24 maintaining that the parties to This time, sources said, intelli- Bhavan in Mumbai yesterday af- after laying the foundation stone for the integrated passenger poised to become the world’s check-in counters and eight the dispute should seek an out- gence inputs forewarned the state ternoon. terminal building at Vijayawada Airport, yesterday. largest domestic civil aviation gates. Gulf Times Wednesday, December 5, 2018 19 LATIN AMERICA

LEGAL DECISION CRIME POLICY WEATHER Top court approves probe Costa Rica clears fiscal Six policemen shot Lopez Obrador eliminates El Nino may cut Colombia’s into Bolsonaro chief of staff reform despite protests dead in Mexican state presidential immunity rainfall by 80%: minister

Brazil’s Supreme Court yesterday said it Costa Rica’s parliament has approved a Six Mexican police were shot dead in the Mexico’s new President Andres Manuel Lopez The El Nino weather phenomenon could reduce had authorised a federal investigation into controversial fiscal reform aimed at reducing western state of Jalisco, authorities said, in one Obrador yesterday announced a constitutional rainfall in Colombia by 80% in the first quarter allegations that the incoming chief of staff the country’s long-running deficit, which of the bloodiest attacks on security forces in reform to eliminate presidential immunity. “The of 2019, the country’s environment minister for far-right President-elect Jair Bolsonaro sparked one of the biggest strike movements recent months. Jalisco state prosecutors said impunity established by the constitution is warned yesterday. El Nino is a warming of ocean had taken illegal campaign donations. Brazil’s in the country’s recent history. “Costa Rica has on Twitter that six state police were killed and ending. It will be possible to try the president, like surface temperatures in the Pacific. In Colombia prosecutor general Raquel Dodge asked taken a brave decision which creates certainty one was injured in a shootout in the municipality any other citizen, for any crime,” Lopez Obrador it is associated with crop damage and flash the top court to allow an investigation into about its economic stability,” President Carlos of La Huerta on the Pacific coast, just days said at a press conference. “He may certainly floods, while in other countries it can cause whether Onyx Lorenzoni, who will serve as Alvarado tweeted yesterday, after the reform after an attack on a US consulate in the local be tried for the crime of corruption while still intense rain. The South American country, where Bolsonaro’s chief of staff and longtime federal passed in the legislative assembly with 34 capital Guadalajara. A spokeswoman for state in off ice,” he added. Lopez Obrador said he the majority of electricity is generated with congressman, took illegal campaign donations votes in favour and 17 against. The reform prosecutors said it was not clear who was was sending a “first initiative” to the senate to hydropower, suff ered nearly a year of drought from the world’s largest meatpacker JBS SA. replaces a 13% sales tax with a 13% value responsible for the killings, but that the area change the constitution, which currently allows conditions between 2015 and 2016 which almost Executives of JBS said they made 200,000 added tax, extends it to more products, and was known to be the territory of the Jalisco presidents to be tried only on treason charges. led to energy rationing. “El Nino is maturing and reais ($52,290) worth of such payments to eliminates salary and other bonuses of public New Generation Cartel (CJNG), one of the most “This is a promise I made during my campaign in its maturity is impacting 90% of the country,” Onyx between 2012 and 2014. sector employees. powerful drug gangs in Mexico. and I’m keeping it,” said the leftist president. Environment Minister Ricardo Lozano said. Erdogan slams curbs on Caracas

Reuters While Erdogan did not di- Caracas rectly mention the US or Trump, he said his “friend” Maduro was facing “manipulative attacks urkish President Recep from certain countries and acts Tayyip Erdogan has criti- of sabotage from economic as- Tcised sanctions on Ven- sassins.” ezuela during a visit to Caracas, In response, Erdogan said he while President Nicolas Maduro was willing to strengthen trade defended the country’s right to ties. export gold after US sanctions Trade between the two coun- last month targeted its ship- tries have been growing, with ments of the metal. Turkish data showing the coun- Washington has imposed try imported $900mn in gold sanctions on Venezuelan of- from Venezuela in the fi rst nine fi cials it accuses of corruption, months of the year. and on certain fi nancial transac- Without naming the US, Ma- tions with the Maduro govern- duro decried sanctions and said ment, which it accuses of violat- Venezuela had the right to sell ing human rights and triggering gold. an economic meltdown. “It is very petty to try to use Ties between Turkey and the an illegal sanction to prevent US, two Nato allies, have also Venezuela from selling its gold been strained. to the world,” Maduro said dur- US President Donald Trump ing a joint press conference with last month signed an executive Erdogan, who also visited Para- Turkish President RecepTayyip Erdogan and Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro attend a news conference after an agreement-signing ceremony between Turkey and order banning anyone in the US guay after attending the Group Venezuela at Miraflores Palace in Caracas, Venezuela. from dealing with entities and of 20 summit in Argentina last people involved in “corrupt or weekend. deceptive” gold sales from the Earlier, Erdogan laid a wreath South American country. at the tomb of Venezuela’s Turkey this year has become founding father Simon Bolivar, the largest importer of non- and Maduro also presented him monetary gold from Venezuela. with a replica of the revolution- “Trade restrictions and sanc- ary leader’s sword. tions are wrong,” Erdogan said, With oil production in a tail- UN seeks $738mn aid for warning that such measures spin Maduro has invited Turkish would only deepen “instabili- businesses to invest in exploiting ties.” a vast mining reserve known as “Political problems cannot be the Arco del Orinoco in the south resolved by punishing an entire of the country, an area with con- nation,” Erdogan said, with Ma- siderable gold, diamond and col- duro by his side at a forum at- tan reserves. Venezuela’s neighbours tended by business people from Maduro said Turkish busi- both countries. “We do not ap- nesses intend to invest some Reuters have fl ed the political and eco- by Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador meet with his Russian counter- led to a small UN emergency prove of these measures that 4.5bn euros in its Opec partner. Geneva nomic crisis in the Andean and Peru. part Vladimir Putin in Moscow. appeal of $9mn announced last ignore the rules of global trade.” The South American coun- country, most since 2015, ac- “In 2019, an estimated 3.6mn “I’m leaving for Moscow, for a week for health and nutrition “We are going to cover the try has suff ered from economic cording to the UN refugee agen- people will be in need of assist- work meeting ... with President projects inside Venezuela. majority of Venezuela’s needs, woes since 2014, when a crash he United Nations yes- cy UNHCR. ance and protection, with no Vladimir Putin,” he said in a brief Lowcock, asked about Ven- we have that strength, I would in the price of crude prompted a terday said it was seeking “There is one crisis for which prospects for return in the short speech in front of the presiden- ezuelan government acceptance like to highlight this fact,” Er- crisis that has sparked an exodus T$738mn in 2019 to help we for the fi rst time have a re- to medium term,” the UN appeal tial plane. of aid inside the country, said: “I dogan told business leaders. of some 2mn people. neighbouring countries cope sponse plan, which is to help the said. The meeting with Putin will think there is a shared agreement Venezuela is suff ering a bout “I want my visit to be consid- with the infl ow of millions of countries neighbouring Vene- Colombia, which has taken let Maduro “close the year 2018 that more UN help in those sorts of hyperinfl ation and a fi fth ered as a symbol of collaboration Venezuelan refugees and mi- zuela deal with the consequenc- in 1mn Venezuelans, is “bearing with a fl ourish, in terms of stra- of areas would be a very helpful year of recession that has led to of the Turkish people with the grants, who have “no prospect es of large numbers of Venezue- the biggest burden of all”, Low- tegic relations that Venezuela is thing in reducing the suff ering of shortages of food and medicine. people of Venezuela,” said Er- for return in the short to medium lans leaving the country,” UN cock said. building with the world,” he said. people inside Venezuela. Maduro frequently blames dogan. term”. It was the fi rst time that emergency relief co-ordinator President Nicolas Maduro Maduro is to meet Russian “What we have agreed with a US “economic war” for the Erdogan’s trip had been an- the crisis was included in the UN Mark Lowcock told a Geneva blames the country’s economic President Vladimir Putin in the government of Venezuela is country’s woes, but critics say nounced, though without a spe- annual global humanitarian ap- news briefi ng. problems on US fi nancial sanc- Moscow today. that we should strengthen our the crisis is proof socialist poli- cifi c date, during a September peal which is $21.9bn for 2019 The majority of Venezuelans tions and an “economic war” led The exodus, driven by vio- collaborative work and support cies started under his predeces- 21 visit to Caracas by his foreign without Syria. have fl ed to 16 countries in Latin by political adversaries. lence, hyperinfl ation and major for example in area of health sor Hugo Chavez have failed. minister Mevlut Cavusoglu. Three million Venezuelans America and the Caribbean, led Maduro set off late Monday to shortages of food and medicine, services and nutrition,” he said.

Moise in Cuba Cuba detains artists ahead Farm ministry ‘may head of protest over decree Brazil indigenous aff airs’ Reuters killings of 71 activists and indig- Brasilia enous people in 2017, according Reuters herself wearing a T-shirt with paign with a demonstration all to the Pastoral Land Commis- Havana the words “No to the Decree week on the steps of the culture sion (CPT), a watchdog linked to 349”. “If they detain me, I will ministry that would include po- razil’s right-wing presi- the Catholic Church. be on hunger and thirst strike.” etry readings and performances. dent-elect Jair Bolsonaro It was the bloodiest year since ania Bruguera and sev- Bruguera was reportedly de- Ruiz said her husband, the Bis considering placing in- 2003. eral other Cuban artists tained again later, according to poet Amaury Pacheco, and an- digenous aff airs under the min- Six of those killed last year Twere detained in Havana Iris Ruiz, an actress and the co- other artist were detained after istry of agriculture, his future were members of indigenous after trying to stage a protest ordinator of what has been a arriving together at the culture chief of staff said, a move that tribes trying to protect their re- against a new decree that they rare campaign in recent months ministry on Monday morning. could give ranchers an upper serves, according to the CPT’s fear will hamper creativity and against Decree 349, one of the Three other artists who also hand in land confl icts. annual report on rural violence, increase censorship of Cuban fi rst pieces of legislation to be headed there, including cam- Bolsonaro’s top aide Onyx most of which takes place in the culture. signed by Miguel Diaz-Canel paign leader Luis Manuel Otero Lorenzoni told reporters the move Amazon rainforest region. Bruguera, the most high- since he succeeded Raul Castro Alcantara, could not be located, has not been decided yet, but said Bolsonaro last week repeated profi le of the detainees, was ar- as president in April. suggesting they had also been Bolsonaro believes that native his vow to stop creating new res- rested shortly after leaving her Fernandez said she had no detained, Ruiz said. tribes should be able to integrate ervations and compared the in- home g and before reaching the means of locating her daugh- Otero Alcantara’s phone ap- to improve their living standards. digenous peoples living on them ministry of culture where the ter because her cellphone ap- peared to be turned off . The plan refl ects Bolsonaro’s to animals trapped in a zoo. He artists intended to hold their peared to have been blocked by Few Cuban artists have view that Brazil’s indigenous has said the tribes should be al- protest, her mother, Argelia state security. chosen to protest against the people should not be kept apart lowed to charge royalties for the Fernandez, said. Brief detentions are the decree publicly but unease is from society on reservations and extraction of minerals on their The performance artist, who standard response to opposi- widespread in the island’s cre- their lands should be opened to lands. “The natives want doc- has been arrested before for tion street protests in a country ative community and among commercial activities that are tors, dentists, television, inter- publicly protesting against the that frowns on public dissent Western diplomats in Havana. currently banned. net. We will give them the means Communist government, was and views dissidents as mer- Amnesty International has In Brazil, killings over land are to be like us,” Bolsonaro, who released in the evening, Fern- cenaries in the pay of the US to called it a “dystopian prospect”. common and seldom punished, takes offi ce January 1, said at a andez said, but immediately subvert the government. Cuban authorities, however, as powerful landowners, who military academy graduation went to the ministry to dem- Cuban offi cials do not typi- have insisted it merely aims often wield infl uence over local ceremony. onstrate against the arrests of cally comment on such police to prevent tax evasion and the police and government offi cials, Some 517,000 natives, about other artists. activity. spread of bad, pseudo-culture, Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel greets Haiti’s President clash with farmers and others for two-thirds of Brazil’s indig- “All I can do is show solidar- With Decree 349 due to come and say that the issue is being Jovenel Moise during a ceremony at the Revolution Palace control of lucrative agricultural enous population, live on reser- ity,” Bruguera wrote on her Fa- into force on Friday, protesters manipulated by counter-revo- in Havana. and logging land. vations that represent 12.5% of cebook page, posting a photo of decided to step up their cam- lutionaries. Fights over land resulted in the the country’s territory. Gulf Times 20 Wednesday, December 5, 2018 PAKISTAN

TLP faces desertions Imran orders secretariat following crackdown

DPA for South Punjab by July Islamabad Internews Prime minister approves tabling of anti-money laundering bill to parliament Lahore and okays the setting up of a task force on tech-based knowledge economy massive wave of deser- tions has hit an infl uential Prime Minister Imran Khan has approved submitting principle, the constitution of a task force on technolo- APakistani Islamic party rime Minister Imran Khan the Anti-Money Laundering (AML) Bill to parliament gy-driven knowledge economy. as the government launched a has instructed the Punjab for amendment in a bid to comply with the require- The task force is being established with an aim to crackdown to punish the group Pchief minister to estab- ments of the Financial Action Task Force carry out exercises at regular intervals in order to con- for violent protests last month. lish and make operational the (FATF). stantly re-evaluate national priorities and put in place The Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pa- Administrative Secretariat for Finance Minister Asad Umar said that the AML Bill strategies and action plans, with delineated timelines, kistan (TLP) party was at the South Punjab by 2019. would be tabled before parliament to increase penal- to build a powerful knowledge economy. forefront of rioting against the He also sought measures for ties under the proposed law. The “PM’s Task Force on Technology Driven Knowl- quashing of a death sentence allocation of extra resources to The finance ministry said in a statement that Minister edge Economy” would comprise of leading scientists handed down to a woman con- end disparity in the region and a Umar chaired a meeting with the National Counter and engineers as well as representatives from the victed of blasphemy. sense of deprivation among the Terrorism Authority (NACTA) and the Federal Investi- private sector and the federal and provincial govern- The Supreme Court over- area people. gation Agency (FIA) to review progress on the FATF’s ments. turned the conviction of Asia The instructions were issued Action Plan. The decision was taken during a meeting at Prime Bibi, who had been on death row by the prime minister at a brief- The minister of state for interior, the secretaries for Minister’s Off ice. for eight years, for allegedly in- ing given by Federal Minister finance and interior, the director general and legal Former science and technology minister Dr Atta-ur- sulting the Prophet Muhammad for Planning, Development and adviser of the Financial Monitoring Unit (FMU), the FIA Rehman briefed the prime minister on progress on (PBUH). Reforms Makhdoom Khusro Ba- director general, the director general of the Nacta’s construction of Pak Austrian Fachhochschule, Haripur. Prime Minister Khan: sought measures for allocation of extra The TLP-led protests and khtiar, along with Punjab Chief countering financing of terrorism (CFT) unit, and other Prime Minister Khan said that building the intellectual resources to end disparity in the region. blockade of several cities forced Minister Usman Buzdar and senior off icials attended the meeting. capital of the country, industrialisation, and develop- the government to abandon a Provincial Finance Minister Ma- The CFT director general gave a detailed presentation ment of human capital, enhancement of value-added school education, higher educa- ties and deprivations. plan to send Bibi abroad due to khdoom Jawan Bakhat Hashim, on the actions taken by the Nacta in implementation produce along with quality management for optimisa- tion, primary health, special- The funds should be allocated threats to her life. the three empowered elected of the FATF Action Plan. tion of productivity are among the government’s ised health, forest, livestock and 50% each from the Annual De- More than 3,000 members representatives of South Punjab. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Khan has also approved, in priorities. dairy development, commu- velopment Programme of Pun- and leaders of the party, includ- The briefi ng was delayed as nication and works, irrigation, jab and Public Sector Develop- ing its chief Khadim Rizvi are in the Punjab leadership was un- urban development, and pub- ment Programme (PSDP) of the custody, Information Minister able to complete work on South The federal minister pointed Prime Minister Khan should an- of an administrative secretariat lic health engineering depart- federal government. Fawad Chaudhry said yesterday. Punjab province, due to which out in the presentation that the nounce a special development in South Punjab, the Punjab ments. Additionally, the prime min- Rizvi and some of his close as- it was not announced in the fi rst government would require two- package to initiate equalisation Police headquarters in South In addition, a provincial de- ister should also announce sec- sociates are being charged with 100-day accomplishments of thirds majority in the National of South Punjab with North Punjab, and the offi ce of ACS velopment working party for tor-specifi c interventions for sedition, which carries up to a the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e- Assembly, Senate, and Punjab Punjab for fi ve years. (additional chief secretary) for South Punjab and a South Pun- health, education, transport, life term, for “challenging the Insaf (PTI) party. Assembly in order to pass the Similarly, key administrative supervision, implementation jab Public Service Commission production, and other sectors of writ of the state”, the minister The Punjab government pre- constitutional amendment bill departments and special insti- and co-ordination. should also be established by South Punjab. told DPA. pared the presentation on South for the creation of the new prov- tutions are to be relocated to It is proposed that fully pow- July 1, 2019. They also suggested giving Rizvi had advised his followers Punjab, which was presented by ince. South Punjab from July 1, 2019. ered special secretaries would The three empowered elected special incentives to govern- to kill all three judges who ac- Bakhtiar. The elected representatives Additionally, an increase in be appointed to the administra- representatives of South Punjab ment offi cials posted to South quitted Bibi. The issue of required number of South Punjab have termed job quota for South Punjab to tive secretariat of South Pun- suggested that Prime Minister Punjab, based on key perform- The headquarters of the party of votes in both houses of the the creation of administrative 35% at the provincial level for all jab: planning and development, Khan announce a special as- ance indicators (KPIs). inside a mosque compound in parliament – the National As- secretariat a transition towards positions was proposed. fi nance, home, agriculture, lo- sistance package for regional Currently, the government of- the eastern city of Lahore has sembly and the Senate – was Naya Pakistan (New Pakistan). The proposed plan of the ad- cal government and community equalisation with allocation for fi cials hailing from South Punjab been under police siege for more also discussed in the meeting. It was further proposed that ministrative set-up is creation development, Board of Revenue, south Punjab to address dispari- did not want to be posted there. than a week, the group’s spokes- man Qari Raza Sialvi said. At least 5,000 members have resigned since the start of the crackdown last week, Sialvi said. All in a day’s work “Our people are leaving us PML-N emerges as for fear of being arrested,” Sialvi added. “No activity is taking place as our entire leadership is richest political party in jail.”

Internews and State Minister for Interior 100 Hindu pilgrims Islamabad Shehryar Afridi Rs10.59mn. PML-N chairman Raja Za- to arrive today farul Haq has assets worth he Election Commission Rs40mn, Mushahidullah Khan A delegation of 100 Hindu of Pakistan (ECP) has is- Rs30mn, and Birjees Tahir pilgrims will arrive in Pakistan’s Tsued details of the assets Rs2.78mn. Lahore today through the Wagha of the parliamentarians for the The son in-law of former Border on foot to attend their year 2016-17, which reveals the prime minister Nawaz Sharif, rituals in Sindh’s Shadani Darbar richest political party to be the Captain (retired) Safdar has as- Mirpur Mathelo. Pakistan Muslim League – Na- sets worth Rs870.488mn. The pilgrims would go to Mirpur waz (PML-N). Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) by train the same day. The ECP released asset de- leader Senator Sherry Reh- Evacuee Trust Property Board tails of senators and mem- man has assets worth more (ETPB) secretary Mohamed Tariq bers of the National Assembly than Rs770mn, Raza Rabbani Wazir and other board off icials (MNAs) and provincial assem- Rs100mn, while Awami Na- would welcome the Hindu blies (MPAs). tional Party (ANP) leader Ghu- pilgrims at the Wagha Border. According to details, Prime lam Ahmed Bilour has assets Deputy secretary Faraz Abbad Minister Imran Khan has assets worth Rs200.97mn. told the media that about 200 worth more than Rs30.86mn. PML-N is the richest po- Hindu pilgrims will arrive here The prime minister has litical party, with assets on December 9 via the Wagha Rs20.94mn in his bank ac- worth over Rs220.21mn, the Border, and after one day’s stay, count, while in his foreign ac- Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf will go to Katas Raj Chakwal. counts he has $379.78 and £7, (PTI) comes in second with Farmers gather at a fruit market in Lahore. The central ceremony of worship respectively. Rs110.64mn, the PPP third will be held here on December 11. Opposition Leader in the with Rs160.52mn, the PPP- National Assembly Sheh- Parliamentarians Rs70.92mn, baz Sharif’s assets amount to the Pakistan Muslim League Rs270.34mn. – Quaid-e-Azam (PML-Q) Opposition Leader in the Rs50.81mn, Sheikh Rashid’s Punjab Assembly Hamza Awami Muslim League (AML) Punjab to showcase wide-ranging healthcare initiatives Shehbaz has assets worth Rs288,268, and the Pak Sar- Rs410.154mn, including zameen Party Rs3.56mn. non-agricultural land worth The Tehreek-e-Lab- Internews als in 26 districts of the province are being posted in hospitals. Less than one specialist doctor for 1,000 Pakistanis Rs130.64mn and agricultural baik (TLP) has assets worth Lahore by the end of this fi nancial year. By the end of this fi scal year, land worth more than Rs30mn. Rs30,250, the ANP Rs40.17mn, For now, the health depart- the department expects avail- College of Physicians and Surgeons Pakistan (CPSP) president Professor He has Rs4.73mn in his bank the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam ment has decided to issue health ability of 555 teaching cadre doc- Zafarullah Chaudhry has said that on average, for every 1,000 people in account. – Fazlur (JUI-F) Rs20.82mn, he Punjab health depart- cards by the end of this month to tors through departmental and Pakistan, there is less than one specialist doctor. Senate Deputy Chairman the Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) ment is planning to show- vulnerable members of the pop- provincial selection boards as Speaking at a press conference, he said by international standards, there Saleem Mandviwala owns as- Rs10.16mn, and the Pakistan Tcase its mega initiatives, ulation in four South Punjab dis- well as 961 teachers through the should be 20 specialist doctors for every 1,000 people. sets worth Rs30mn, Law Min- Awami Tehreek Rs1.91mn. such as health cards and plans tricts: Dera Ghazi Khan, Multan, PPSC. Chaudhry said that the CPSP had produced around 17,000 gynaecologists, ister Farogh Naseem Rs170mn, to hire doctors and nurses, look Muzaff argarh, and Rajanpur. Rashid said that her depart- 17,000 surgeons, and 1,000 anaesthetists. after malnourished children and The federal health ministry ment has requisitioned the re- He said that college is meeting 90% of the required specialist doctors in women, grant autonomy to med- is looking for a centralised pro- cruitment of 583 pharmacists Pakistan. ical teaching institutions, in its curement of an insurance service through the PPSC, while 14,000 Chaudhry said that the college is holding as many as 250 exams every 100-day agenda and beyond. provider at the federal level. In more offi cials would be recruited year, and has started co-operation with China to increase the number of It will also explain targets for the meantime, the Punjab gov- through the National Testing quality specialists. the current fi nancial year, as well ernment has agreed to pay the Service. as mid- and long-term initia- total premium of health cards in The health department has set tives. the 26 selected districts. a target of revamping hospitals’ Later, this strategy will be The Punjab Health Foundation In line with the vision of Prime Health cards in 10 districts emergencies units with existing translated into Action Plan for has held roadshows in Lahore, Minister Imran Khan, the Pun- have already been issued by resources. the Punjab health department. Rawalpindi, Multan and Faisal- jab Specialised Healthcare and the previous Pakistan Muslim At the tertiary healthcare Governance and accountabil- abad to better disseminate new Medical Education Department League – Nawaz (PML-N) gov- level, the department plans ity mechanism in the form of a health entrepreneur initiatives to is set to present the health card ernment. the revamping of 13 specialised dashboard will be established the health professionals. initiative, which is meant to mit- Punjab Health Minister Rashid healthcare emergencies units by the health department’s Pol- With a Rs1.5bn budget, the igate the suff ering of millions of said that her department has at teaching hospitals, including icy and Strategic Planning Unit foundation has plans to off er Shehbaz Sharif: has assets Sherry Rehman: has assets underprivileged individuals by surveyed around 70mn women four in Lahore, incorporating six (PSPU). Rs2mn to Rs2.5mn interest-free amounting to Rs270.34mn. worth more than Rs770mn. empowering them to seek decent and children across the province, interventions, human resources, Under the Health Reform Bill, loan to entrepreneurs in 45 iden- healthcare services. and identifi ed 350,000 malnour- infrastructural upgradation, the department will formulate a tifi ed areas. “Access to universal health ished children, including 88,000 medical equipment upgradation, strategy and legislate to give au- This initiative is expected to Islamabad to have two shelter homes coverage through the health card who are acutely malnourished. introduction of IT systems, and tonomy to the medical institu- create 100,000 new jobs. will go a long way in achieving the Similarly, 150,000 women outsourcing of services. tions. “The road show attracted three The Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) administration has identified Sustainable Development Goals have been identifi ed as malnour- At the policy level, the Punjab This initiative will lead to au- times more applications for the two spots for setting up temporary shelter homes for the homeless. (SDGs) with regard to decrease ished. government plans to develop a tonomy for the medical teaching interest-free loan,” says Rashid. According to a spokesman, the shelter homes will be constructed in mother mortality rate (MMR) Since there has been serious health policy aligned with the institutions. The health department will in I-11/4 and rural area of Tarlai, as daily wage and very low income and infant mortality rate (IMR) defi ciency of health professionals National Vision 2025. In order to increase outreach in also take a proposal to the Punjab people concentrate in both the areas due to business activities by 2030 as well as alleviating in public hospitals, Rashid said The department will hold ex- peripheral areas, the department cabinet to bring about uniform- there. poverty and nourishing the mal- that some 10,000 doctors and tensive consultations, compile has plans to construct 200-bed ity in the rates of 300 diagnostic In I-11/4, the home will be set up on two kanal for the homeless, nourished,” says Punjab Health nurses, including 6,366 medi- concrete recommendations by mother and child hospitals in At- tests across the province. especially for those working in the fruit and vegetable market, as Minister Dr Yasmin Rashid. cal offi cers recommended by the stakeholders, and translate it into tock, Mianwali, Layyah, and Ba- It will continue vaccination well as working at Pir Wadhai bus stand, while the second one will The department plans to reach Punjab Public Service Commis- a policy document for the Punjab hawalnagar, at an estimated cost against measles and polio till the be set up in the rural area of Tarlai. out and help 20.797mn individu- sion (PPSC), have been hired and Health Sector Strategy. of Rs4bn. eradication of diseases. Gulf Times Wednesday, December 5, 2018 21 PHILIPPINES Martial law essential ‘to check foreign terrorists’

By Dempsey Reyes province to another. “I don’t Manila Times think that would work because these areas are contiguous…We want the whole Mindanao under nother one-year exten- martial law, so we can run after sion of martial law is (the terrorists),” Lorenzana said. Aneeded to hunt down for- He said President Duterte eign terrorists who have entered would lead the activation of a the country through the south- new Philippine Army anti-terror ern backdoor, Defence Secretary division in Sulu on December 17. Delfi n Lorenzana said yesterday. Lorenzana said the 11th Infan- Lorenzana made the state- try Division (ID) would be com- ment in defending Armed Forces posed of three brigades, three chief General Carlito Galvez battalions, an armour contin- Jr, who announced on Monday gent, an artillery contingent and Rodrigo Duterte: facing criticism that the military would request air assets. another year of military rule on “This is to eradicate the Abu the whole island of Mindanao to Sayyaf Group. The problem crush terrorists. there is that units are only tem- The Defence chief said there porarily assigned there. There is was no formal recommendation no 100% support,” he said in the Duterte draws from Galvez yet. But he said the CNN Philippines interview. military chief had verbally noti- Most of the troops to be as- fi ed him of the recommendation. signed in the 11th ID will come President Rodrigo Duterte from Zamboanga del Sur, he placed the entire Mindanao un- added.At present, the Army has fl ak for joking der martial law in May 2017 to 10 divisions stationed nation- crush the Maute group that took wide. The fi rst ID is in Lanao del over Marawi City. This led to ur- Sur, second in Rizal, third ID in ban warfare that lasted for fi ve Capiz, fourth ID in Cagayan de about drug use months. Congress later voted to Oro, fi fth ID in Isabela, sixth ID extend martial law until the end in Maguindanao, seventh ID in of 2017, and then up to the end of Lorenzana: concern over incursions Nueva Ecija, eighth ID in Samar, DPA for his statements. Presi- 2018. ninth ID in Camarines Sur, and Manila dential spokesman Salvador Lorenzana said the remnants rorists from Malaysia, Indonesia in Sulu, maybe somewhere in perts in bombmaking and other the 10th ID in Compostela Valley. Panelo defended Duterte’s of the Islamic State-inspired and the Middle East. Southern Mindanao and Basi- terroristic activities,” he noted. Sulu is considered one of the remark. Maute group were still present “Although we cannot confi rm lan,” Lorenzana added. Lorenzana noted that some provinces in the southern back- hilippine President Ro- “Everybody is entitled to in Mindanao, with some being it on the ground yet, there are The information pertaining groups in Mindanao had sug- door, the gateway for some for- drigo Duterte was under a joke,” he told reporters.”He “protected” by the Bangsamoro incursions of terrorists coming to the entry of foreign terrorists gested imposing localised martial eign terrorists into the Philip- Pfi re yesterday for joking does it because usually Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) from neighbouring countries, came from an agency based in law, wherein military rule would pines. about using marijuana amid a events are boring....First, in Central Mindanao. from Malaysia, Indonesia, but Singapore, he said. only be imposed on isolated or The backdoor is said to be deadly government campaign marijuana is not a stimulant Lorenzana cited the “very we are still validating this news,” Lorenzana said the presence specifi c areas of the island. among the entry points used by against illegal drugs. to make you awake. It’s the poor” southern border that the he said in an interview over CNN of foreign terrorists should be a But the Defence chief rejected some of the foreign terrorists Duterte said he was joking opposite, so obviously there Philippines shares with neigh- Philippines’ “The Source.” cause for concern for the public. the idea, arguing that those areas who participated in the fi ve- when he told government of- was no logic there, so he was bouring countries, which re- “We cannot fi nd them, maybe “These terrorists, coming were “contiguous” and terror- month Marawi City siege last fi cials in a speech on Monday joking.” Panelo also reject- sulted in the entry of foreign ter- a handful of them (are) scattered from the Middle East, are ex- ists would just jump from one year. that he uses marijuana to stay ed concerns the president awake during international was setting a bad example conferences. for young Filipinos, saying, But critics noted that the “One joke does not make him quip was a “callous and cruel a bad leader.” joke.” In a speech on Monday Stricter “Can poor people crack night, Duterte complained Senators seek details from the same joke without fear about the gruelling schedules of being included in the gov- in international conferences, vetting ernment’s (crackdown) list, and how some leaders often harmed by state security per- fall asleep in meetings. “Me, sonnel and becoming victims (I don’t fall asleep) so much of police armed forces over plan of extrajudicial killings?” because I was taking mari- asked opposition Senator Risa juana to stay awake,” he said. Hontiveros. Marijuana is illegal in the applicants By Javier J Ismael “His latest remark once Philippines, where Duterte’s Manila Times again exposes how the presi- administration has been dent is operating at an un- waging an aggressive cam- sought paralleled level of impunity,” paign against drugs, which enators are waiting for a she said, adding that Duterte has left nearly 5,000 people security briefi ng from the should be held accountable dead since 2016. Manila Times SArmed Forces of the Phil- Manila ippines (AFP) on its plan to rec- ommend a one-year extension of martial law in Mindanao. hilippine National Police Senator Francis Pangilinan, (PNP) chief Director Gen- president of the Liberal Party, Govt cautioned against Peral Oscar Albayalde called yesterday said they are calling for a stricter background inves- on the military to match its re- tigation on PNP Academy appli- quest for martial law extension secret deals with China cants as he admitted the vetting with hard and justifi able facts. of cadets needs improvement. For instance, he added, the He made the admission after AFP should answer the ques- By Bernadette E Tamayo Philippine Sea) as well as the a plebe was charged with rape in tion: “How big and wide is the Manila Times agreements entered into with Palawan. threat in the region that ne- President Rodrigo Duterte “I said over and over again cessitates it to be placed under during the recent visit of Chi- that they should strengthen their such declaration?” enator Paolo Benigno nese President Xi Jinping. background investigation on ap- Pangilinan said what was be- “Bam” Aquino yester- “Which of the Build, Build, plicants as there are some even in ing heard and seen were facts Sday cautioned the Ro- Build projects have pushed the National Capital Region who and records from people’s or- drigo Duterte administration through? How much is the in- became a policeman despite fac- ganisations of intimidation and against entering into secret terest rate for each project?” ing charges. That is what we’re harassment by state forces and Groups of workers, peasants, Lumads, and human rights advocates from Mindanao protested at deals with China. Aquino asked, referring to the avoiding,” Albayalde said. He paramilitary groups. Camp Aguinaldo yesterday, to call for the termination of martial law and to end ‘state fascism’ under The government, accord- Duterte administration’s cen- clarifi ed that the plebe allegedly “The extension itself is a President Rodrigo Duterte. ing to the senator, must ensure trepiece infrastructure pro- raped someone before he applied manifestation of martial law’s that the welfare of Filipinos is gramme. for a cadetship in the PNPA. failure in the region. This is Martial law, he noted, is an fi nd out the good that martial law. He added that he was in made a priority in a joint oil “How many Chinese work- He was arrested on Novem- so because the military might extreme measure to be imposed law has brought to the people of favour of the extension of mili- exploration in the South China ers are here exactly? All of ber 5 inside the PNPA in Camp never solve the people’s woes only in exceptional cases when Mindanao since Congress voted tary rule for the very reason that Sea and other agreements with these are not clear to us,” he Castañeda, Silang, Cavite af- deeply rooted in poverty, lack of there is actual rebellion or in- to concur with the president’s it limits movements of private Beijing. added. ter the Palawan Regional Trial jobs, absence of basic services,” vasion and only for a very lim- proclamation of martial law armies and the proliferation of “There must be no secret Over 3.12mn Chinese tour- Court issued a warrant of arrest he pointed out. ited period. Such an extension, and its subsequent extension. loose fi rearms in Mindanao. deals. That should be clear ists have arrived in the country against him for attempted rape. Pangilinan said Mindanao Pangilinan said, violates the This time around, Lacson “As long as there is no viola- when it comes to territory, since 2016. Albayalde said the plebe post- under the control of the mili- fundamental law. added, the AFP should expect tion of human rights recorded, economy and job opportuni- The Department of Labour ed bail but is now isolated in the tary could aff ect the campaign- Sen. Panfi lo Lacson, chair- harder questions than before. then I am in favour because ties,” Aquino said in a forum. and Employment said it had camp. He can face dismissal for ing of opposition candidates man of the Senate Commit- Senator Joseph Victor Ejer- most Mindanaoans I talked to He cited the government’s issued 115,652 alien employ- lying that he was not facing any and those not allied with the tee on Public Order and Illegal cito said the military was in a are happy and contented with “unclear policy” regarding its ment permits from 2015 to criminal charges prior to his ap- administration in the 2019 Drugs, said a military briefi ng better position to say if there martial law in Mindanao,” Ejer- territorial dispute with China 2017, almost 50% of which plication. mid-term elections. might enable the senators to was a need to extend martial cito said. in the South China Sea (West were issued to Chinese. Survey shows rise in Filipinos using Internet

By Catherine S Valente The SWS said the number “It reached its peak at 42% In Mindanao, Internet use Manila Times of Filipino Internet users “has in March 2018, one point high- also fell to 27% from 29% per- been steadily increasing” since er than the 41% in September cent, the survey said. The SWS the pollster fi rst conducted the 2018,” it added. said 42% of Internet users were he number of Internet same survey in June 2006, which Based on the survey, Internet women, 40% were men. users in the country in- showed 8% of the respondents use in urban areas was at 54% Internet use was “high- Tcreased in the third quar- were Internet users. compared to 31% in rural areas. est” among classes ABC at 55% ter of 2018, according to the “It initially ranged from 11% Internet use increased in Met- in September, while usage for latest Social Weather Stations to 19% from September 2007 to ro Manila to 64%t from 60%. classes D and E were at 43% and (SWS) survey released yesterday. December 2011, then from 23% In Luzon, the survey showed 28%, respectively. The poll, conducted from Sep- to 32% from March 2012 to De- a record high of 47% in Septem- According to SWS, Internet tember 15 to 23 among 1,500 re- cember 2015,” the polling fi rm ber from 42% in June, up by fi ve use was highest among 18 to spondents nationwide, showed said. points. 24-year olds at 81%, followed that nearly half or 41% of adult By April 2016, SWS noted that On the other hand, Internet by 25 to 34 year olds (65%), 35 Filipinos used the Internet, a tad the proportion of Internet us- use in the Visayas fell to 28% in to 44 year olds (44%), 45 to 54 higher than the 40% recorded in ers was consistently at 34% or September from a record high year olds (27%) and 55 and above June 2018. above. 37% in June. (12%). The number of Internet users in the country has increased in the third quarter of this year. Gulf Times 22 Wednesday, December 5, 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 Lessons from the boom-and-bust wild run of bitcoin For all the euphoria of 2017, the great crypto crash of 2018 is plunging deeper. Bitcoin has registered its biggest monthly decline in more than seven years as investors re-evaluate the prospects of digital money. The biggest cryptocurrency dropped 6.1% to $3,930 on Friday, bringing its monthly loss to 37%. Other leading digital currencies have extended their slide, too. Ether declined about 3% to $111, bringing its monthly loss to 43%. XRP slumped 4.1%, pushing its monthly loss to 21%. Qatar-Malaysia relations Bitcoin surged to a record $19,511 in December 2017; now it’s nosedived around 82%. The initial hyper-libertarian vision for bitcoin was to create a form of money free from government or corporate oversight. But bitcoin and its peers suff er from “a range of shortcomings” that would prevent cryptocurrencies marked by shared vision from ever fulfi lling the lofty expectations that prompted an explosion of interest – and investment – in the would- QNA During the visit, the Amir is expected Qatar News Agency and Malaysia News QR3bn. Many Malaysian companies are be asset class, according to the Bank for International Doha to hold discussions with the Malaysian Agency. active in the Qatari market, including prime minister on ways to promote In addition, a number of memoranda 29 Qatari-Malaysian joint ventures, Settlements. bilateral relations and a number of of understanding have been signed on 9 Malaysian companies with 100% An area of excitement about bitcoin is blockchain — the ithin Qatar’s unique regional and international issues of co-operating in the fi eld of training of capital. They are active in various fi elds technology used for verifying and recording transactions and eff ective role on common interest. diplomats, co-operation in the higher including engineering, construction, that’s at the heart of bitcoin. While blockchain does the global scene, His Qatar and Malaysia have been education fi eld and legal and judicial oil and gas services, decoration, provide some benefi ts for the global fi nancial system, the WHighness the Amir enjoying strong relations in political, sector. exhibitions, conferences, technology Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani will economic and trade fi elds for 44 years. On the political track, Qatar and and others. BIS said in one of its most withering caveat in June that as honour the winners of Sheikh Tamim The diplomatic relations between both Malaysia share identical positions, Malaysia has a population of about the size of blockchain ledgers swell, it would eventually bin Hamad Al-Thani International countries started in 1974 with non- which is confi rmed by the convergence 30mn and an area of more than 320,000 overwhelm everything from individual smartphones to Anti-Corruption Excellence Award, resident ambassadors. The Kingdom of of views on various regional and sq km. It is a modern industrialised high-tech servers, ultimately bringing the Internet to a during a ceremony that will take place Malaysia offi cially opened its embassy international issues and the joint country that pursues a free economy halt. on Friday December 7 in Malaysia, in in Doha in 2004 and months later Qatar determination to enhance their co- policy, in which the State plays an co-operation with the United Nations. opened its embassy in Kuala Lumpur. operation in international forums and important role in strategic planning and Bitcoin is down 82% The fi nancial world, for The ceremony will be attended by the Since then the relations between to contribute to the eff orts of the global in following up the implementation of sure, is growing warier of Prime Minister of Malaysia Dr Mahathir Doha and Kuala Lumpur, based on community to maintain international economic programmes. from its record of the highly volatile digital Mohamed where the Amir and Prime similarities in faith and shared visions peace and security, combat terrorism The Malaysian economy ranks third currencies. Minister Mahathir Mohamed will on unity and solidarity between Muslim and protect human rights, and resolve among Southeast Asia countries after $19,511 in December The Qatar Central Bank honour the winners of the four awards states, have continuously developed disputes through dialogue and Indonesia and Thailand, and 29th in the world. In the 1970s, Malaysia began to (QCB) in February issued – Lifetime/Outstanding Achievement, and deepened. peaceful means in accordance with the 2017 Innovation, Youth Creativity and The relations have been marked by provisions of international law and imitate the four Asian tiger economies circulars to fi nancial Engagement and Academic Research several visits and sessions of offi cial legitimacy. and committed itself to moving from institutions in the country and Education. talks between state leaders, ministers, During the visit of His Highness the being dependent on mining and warning of the risk of trading in bitcoin and other digital The award is presented annually, government and private sector offi cials. Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al- agriculture to a more industrialised currencies, and asking them not to open any accounts for on the occasion of the International The most prominent was the visit of Thani to Malaysia in October last year, economy. Anti-Corruption Day which falls His Highness the Father Amir Sheikh the Qatari-Malaysian Economic Forum With foreign investments, a booming trading in cryptos. on December 9, to honour those Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani to Malaysia was held in Kuala Lumpur with the aim heavy industries has developed within Banks in Britain and the US have banned the use of who contribute to the international in 2009, and in 2011 the visit of Al- of enhancing the trade, economic and years, and their exports became the credit cards to buy bitcoin and other cryptos fearing a campaign against corruption. The Wathiqu Billah Tuanku Mizan Zainal investment relations between Qatar and main growth engine. The electronics plunge in their value will leave customers unable to repay award honours individuals and Abidin, the King of Malaysia at the Malaysia and to provide an opportunity and electrical appliances industry their debts. institutions that have dedicated time. to establish solid partnerships in all has become of the leading industries, themselves to fi ght corruption, The Qatari-Malaysian relations were areas between the private sector of both contributed about 24.5% of the India’s top court in July refused to overturn a central according to certain standards. then culminated by the visits of His sides. country’s GDP, and has consistently bank ban on digital currencies, eff ectively outlawing such The award’s mission is to highlight Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin The forum was attended by 300 achieved a GDP rate of more than 7% tokens in Asia’s third-largest economy. exemplary models that are worthy Hamad al-Thani to Malaysia in 2015 leading businessmen, investors, with low infl ation. Support from fi nancial institutions and pension funds of recognition and the good global and 2017, which promoted the relations government offi cials from both Malaysia’s economy is the fastest are seen key to increasing the digital currency’s price. But practices. between both countries and pushed it countries, and heads of companies, growing in Southeast Asia and has the In addition to honouring models for to a more strategic level, especially in economic bodies and experts to third largest Islamic banking industry regulators around the world have stepped up scrutiny combating corruption from around the economic, trade exchange, investment explore investment opportunities and it has achieved a renaissance that of cryptocurrencies on concern that they’re a breeding world and promoting them, the award opportunities and human and social in various sectors, especially the has made it an important investment ground for illicit activity, including money laundering, seeks to raise awareness to encourage development. trade, agriculture, tourism, energy front especially in the fi elds of food, market manipulation and fraud. similar initiatives for a society free of Both countries have signed a set and other economic fi elds. It also electronics, health and current and After an epic rally last year that exceeded many of corruption. of agreements and memoranda of witnessed bilateral meetings between future strategic investment projects. The award not only hopes to promote understanding that regulate their businessmen from both sides, during Malaysia has natural resources in history’s most notorious bubbles, cryptocurrencies have the image of those who fi ght corruption, relations in many areas. These include which the investment opportunities agriculture, forestry and minerals. It is become mired in a nearly $700bn rout that shows few but also to celebrate them around an agreement on the avoidance of available in Qatar and Malaysia were one of the major exporters of natural signs of abating. the world. It also hopes to motivate double taxation and prevention of reviewed. rubber and palm oil, along with timber, In 2017, Bitcoin led a motley pack of cryptocurrencies in governments, educational institutions, fi nancial evasion; an economic, Malaysia is an important investment cocoa, pepper, pineapple and tobacco. one of the great booms in market history, soaring 1,400%. media and civil society to adopt the technical, cultural and media co- destination for Qatar, and its 20th In Malaysia, there are many hospitals In 2018, it’s led an epic bust that rivals the dot-com era principles of the UN Convention against operation agreement; an agreement commercial partner. The volume that off er treatment services according Corruption, understand them and co- on establishing joint Qatari-Malaysian of trade exchange between the two to the highest international standards stock market collapse. operate to implement them. committee and an agreement between countries is estimated at more than in healthcare. And the crypto rout this year is showing up how investors can bleed to death if they bet on a concept with no intrinsic value. Amid concerns over transparency, bitcoin’s boom-and- bust wild ride off ers yet another historical lesson to a Amir’s visit to Malaysia will enhance bilateral ties discerning investor: Any short-term windfall return that defi es fundamental market wisdom is bound to end up in a crash. From Page 1 “The event will be attended by His relations between both countries. recent offi cial visit of the Deputy Prime Highness the Amir and the Prime In a statement to QNA, the envoy Minister Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail to “The visit also comes as part of Minister of Malaysia, in addition to a said Malaysia is once again looking Doha last month,” he recalled. meeting Malaysia’s new leadership, number of senior Malaysian offi cials forward to welcoming His High- “I am also pleased to express Ma- which took power after the last elec- and representatives of the United Na- ness the Amir for the official visit laysia’s satisfaction on the successful To Advertise tions in May 2018. tions. and in conjunction with the third state visit to Malaysia by His Highness “Malaysia was selected to present “His Highness the Amir’s visit to Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani the Amir in October 2017. I also believe [email protected] the third edition of the Sheikh Tamim Malaysia follows the Qatar visit of International Anti-Corruption that frequent exchanges of visits at all Display bin Hamad Al-Thani International Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister and Excellence in Putrajaya. Malaysia levels should be maintained for further Anti-Corruption Excellence Award in Minister of Women, Family and Com- is deeply honoured to be chosen as strengthen the bilateral relations be- 44466621 44418811 recognition of the eff orts of the Ma- munity Development of Malaysia Dr the third venue for the award after tween the two countries. laysian government that launched an Wan Azizah Wan Ismail last month, Vienna and Geneva in 2016 and 2017, “I wish to extend our appreciation on Classified extensive anti-corruption campaign in which resulted in constructive talks respectively, he said. the opportunities and confi dence given 44466609 44418811 the country since it took offi ce. and constituted an important step “I foresee that under the new Gov- by the Qatari government to a number The award will be given to four in promoting bilateral relations,” the ernment of Malaysia, there is a strong of Malaysian companies participating Subscription people from diff erent countries who envoy added. political will on both sides to bring the in various Qatari development projects. have presented outstanding work in Meanwhile the Malaysian ambas- existing relations to a greater height,” Malaysia hopes to participate in more [email protected] the fi elds of Lifetime/Outstanding sador to Qatar, Ahmad Fadil bin Shamsuddin observed. development projects in Qatar. Both Achievement, Innovation, Youth Crea- Shamsuddin, said the official visit of “The bilateral relations between countries should intensify eff orts to in- tivity and Engagement and Academic His Highness the Amir to Malaysia Malaysia and Qatar have been described crease the volume of trade and invest- © 2018 Gulf Times. All rights reserved Research and Education. today will strengthen the standing as the best in history following the ment,” the ambassador added. Gulf Times Wednesday, December 5, 2018 23 COMMENT China deserves its economic success

By Zhang Jun bureaucracy encumbered the Soviet sised that the East Asian economies’ Shanghai economy, China’s economy benefi ts success in sustaining long-term from the decentralization of consid- growth owed much to the “fl exibility erable economic authority to local of policymakers” who consistently n the 1940s, the British historian governments. responded to changing demands. Arnold J Toynbee predicted that Given these important diff erences, “Each decade had its challenges,” the United States and the Soviet China seems unlikely to face anything Ranis wrote, and the government’s IUnion would remain the world’s like the Soviet Union’s fate. But that is policy responses consistently accom- only two great powers. Not even not the only negative comparison that modated, rather than obstructed, the China and India – with their “ancient has been made. Some also suggest needed changes. civilisations” and “vast populations, that China’s economy could follow in Ranis concluded that, “If there is territories, and resources” – would be Japan’s footsteps, facing a “lost dec- one key to developmental success, able to “exert their latent strength” in ade” (or two) of negligible growth. it is avoiding the encrustation of the ensuing decades. Again, however, the prediction ig- ideas.” That is achieved through Toynbee was right about the ensu- nores important diff erences between policymakers’ “ever-increasing reli- ing decades, but wrong about two the two economies in question. Before ance on the responsiveness of large places: the Soviet Union collapsed, Japan fell into stagnation, it had numbers of dispersed decision- and now China has become the reached advanced-economy status, makers.” This description perfectly world’s second-largest economy and with a per capita GDP of $26,000 (in suits China. a leading global player. But, at a time purchasing-power-parity terms) in The response to the global eco- of powerful economic headwinds and 1990 – only slightly below the US nomic crisis is a case in point. When a new cold war with the US, will China level of $31,000. China, by contrast, advanced economies implemented continue its rise, or go the way of the still has a long way to go before catch- unprecedented monetary stimu- Soviet Union? ing up with the advanced economies. lus, Chinese leaders deepened their To answer that question, it is fi rst There is little reason to believe commitment to shifting from an worth noting that China is not an that, as long as China continues to export-led to a domestic-consump- enemy of the US, and the new Sino- pursue market opening and structural tion-driven growth model, even if it American cold war is not rooted in a reforms, its average annual growth meant enduring a diffi cult period of military standoff , much less ideo- rate over the next 15 years will fall structural adjustment, which explains logical confl ict. Rather, it refl ects US below 5%, as some have predicted. the country’s slowing growth over the President Donald Trump’s rejection Subramanian’s own projected average past fi ve years. of China’s economic rise and, more per capita growth rate of 5.5% for the We should not underestimate generally, of open policies. 2010-2030 period is already conserv- China’s capacity to handle both long- But it is not just Trump, with his ative, as it is more than 40% slower, standing and new challenges, includ- populist “America First” agenda, who overall, than growth over the previous ing the trade war that Trump has ini- opposes globalisation and advocates China has become the world’s second-largest economy and a leading global player. 20 years. tiated. In fact, given their past record, protectionism, particularly against To provide some context, Subra- it seems likely that China’s leaders China. Some liberal and highly to a growth model that produced cessful policy of committed structural War. Back then, the Soviet Union’s manian looked at how other countries will only become more determined respected economists, including signifi cant imbalances. But, contrary reform. The country’s economy has vast natural resources, industrial had fared when they had reached to continue calibrating the coun- Larry Summers, also worry about the to the Trump administration’s narra- been much more open than most and military expansion, and state- China’s level of development today try’s growth model, opening up the outcome of globalisation, even if they tive, those imbalances – particular the others during the same period, and its controlled economy caused many (one-quarter of the standard of living economy , and implementing further disagree with Trump’s approach. This trade surplus vis-à-vis the US – were astounding trade success – exports economists to overestimate its lead- in the US during its post-war eco- structural reforms, all in the service of points to rising anxiety about the US not intentionally created through now account for about 60% of GDP ers’ ability to manage risks. nomic heyday). He found that, while their ultimate goal: a China that takes economy’s ability to weather the chal- exchange-rate controls and distor- growth – therefore deserves respect, In reality, the Soviet Union lacked some countries suff ered long periods its place among the world’s advanced lenges ahead. Predictions that China tionary policies. After all, such tactics not reproach. Critics should care key sources of dynamism, such as of decline, others were able to sustain economies. – Project Syndicate could replace the US as the dominant would be most damaging to China about not only China’s exports minus fi nancial incentives for economic rapid growth. In Subramanian’s global economy, like one made by itself. imports, but also about its exports risk-taking, market competition, free words, “a lot will have to go wrong” Zhang Jun is Dean of the School Arvind Subramanian in 2011, have no The reality is that, despite its im- plus imports. trade with developed economies, and for China to fi nd itself in the former of Economics at Fudan University doubt fuelled American angst. balances, China’s economic rise over Moreover, there are serious fl aws decentralised governance systems – category. and Director of the China Center for To be sure, China faces plenty of the last 40 years has been extraor- in comparisons between China today all features of China’s economy today. In 1995, the late Yale University Economic Studies, a Shanghai-based challenges of its own, owing partly dinary, and was achieved by its suc- and the Soviet Union during the Cold Similarly, whereas an ever-expanding economist Gustav Ranis empha- think tank.

The mundane assault on news media Three-day forecast TODAY Maximum Temperature : 260c Minimum Temperature : 200c Alexandra Borchardt Journalism needs people skilled news products, but nobody is good at At a minimum, attacks on jour- Oxford in technology to lead investigative everything. nalists like Khashoggi must be fully THURSDAY reporting projects and to manage the To demand that they are and place investigated, and their perpetrators Maximum Temperature : 280c industry’s digital transition. endless demands on them might must be held to account and con- Minimum Temperature : 210c he brutal torture and murder But at the moment, most computer encourage reporters to leave the pro- demned by the international com- FRIDAY of the US-based Saudi engineers see a brighter future with fession. munity. Maximum Temperature : 270c journalist Jamal Khashoggi platform companies like Facebook and Finally, the relentless rhetorical at- And yet, support for the media must Minimum Temperature : 200c has focused attention on Google, which can off er higher pay, tacks on members of the mainstream go beyond punishing those with the T Fisherman's forecast Saudi Crown Prince Mohamed bin more job security, and better work-life media by leaders like US President audacity to kill a reporter. Salman, who is widely believed to have balance than even the biggest media Donald Trump – whose “fake news” For example, more programmes are WARNING narrative targets the credibility of the needed to help nurture young talent. ordered the killing. outlets. Inshore : Poor visibility expected It also highlights the hazards of the Third, journalism is a lot less glam- profession itself – is having an eff ect. Governments could off er subsidies, at places by early news business. orous than it once was. Although confi dence in the news give tax breaks, and sponsor initiatives morning When the fi nal numbers are tallied, Years ago, weather-beaten foreign media has been rising in recent that off er training in journalism and Offshore : Expected poor visibility at places at first 2018 could be the most dangerous year correspondents on television or the surveys, the constant vilifi cation of new media. WEATHER on record for journalists worldwide. front pages of major newspapers lured journalists’ integrity and intelligence Future journalists need role models, Inshore : Misty to foggy at places But while physical attacks on jour- young reporters to the craft. threatens to erode the profession. but they also need the technical skills by early morning becomes mild daytime nalists have become frighteningly bold And, although most of us who took Together, these fi ve challenges are to become role models themselves. with some clouds, – and Khashoggi’s killing may be the the bait never ventured farther than taking a heavy toll on the news busi- Perhaps most important, media relatively clod by night most audacious yet – most dangers city hall, we were nonetheless driven ness, and this poses a risk to democ- advocates everywhere must work to Offshore : Misty to foggy at places at first with confronting the profession are much by the noble mission of holding the racy itself. Without free and inde- increase the public’s media literacy. some clouds more mundane. powerful to account. pendent media, citizens cannot make News consumers must understand WIND Five stand out. But in today’s distributed social- informed decisions. how journalism works, how journal- Inshore : Northwesterly-North- easterly 04-12 KT First, the number of job opportuni- media environment, foreign cor- In fact, when professional jour- ists do their jobs, and why professional Offshrore : Southeasterly-South- ties is dwindling, and positions are respondents are rare, and media nalism is absent, people can easily media outlets are essential compo- westerly 03-12 KT characterised by low pay, perpetual job “infl uencers” are more likely to be pop become lost in a maze of often-un- nents of a well-functioning democ- Visibility : 4-8/2 KM insecurity, and limited opportunities stars than policy wonks. reliable information, or even fall prey racy. Offshore : 1-3 FT to self-proclaimed, interest-driven Until the public values the output for advancement. Fourth, even as pay and prestige Around the region In the United States, for example, diminish, newsroom pressures are experts and propaganda. that professional journalists produce, Weather newsroom employment has dropped intensifying. Journalism is democracy’s compass; a shortage of talent will be the next big Weather tomorrow Max/min nearly one-quarter in less than ten When a “cub” reporter joins a media we must fi nd a way to recalibrate it. challenge for journalism. today Max/min S T Storms 18/11 years, while enrolment in top journal- organisation today, the ability to write First and foremost, journalists need It could turn out to be its biggest Baghdad Showers 19/13 P Cloudy 24/14 ism schools has tapered off more great copy is no longer suffi cient; protection. yet. – Project Syndicate Kuwait CityP Cloudy 24/18 M Sunny 27/21 recently. young journalists must also possess That means ensuring not only their Manama M Sunny 24/20 Sunny 28/22 Second, “Big Tech” is outcompet- audio and video skills, data journalism safety, but also their ability to access Alexandra Borchardt is Director Muscat Sunny 26/21 M Cloudy 13/08 ing news organisations in the race to capabilities, and social-media savvy. information and report their fi ndings of Leadership Programs at the Reuters Tehran M Cloudy 15/09 attract limited talent. These skills might lead to better without fear of reprisal. Institute for the Study of Journalism.

Live issues Why busy people can be lonely Around the world Weather Weather By Judi Light Hopson, myself emotionally,” says a friend of “What’s interesting is that lonely start a tradition. today Max/min tomorrow Max/min Emma H Hopson, and Ted Hagen ours who recently had a heart attack. people sometimes try to fill more Join a fi tness centre. Even joining Athens M Sunny 16/09 P Cloudy 12/07 Tribune News Service “When you overdo for others, you time gaps,” says a psychologist a local gym means you’ll be visiting Beirut S Showers 19/16 S Showers 19/16 push your own needs to the bottom. friend of ours we’ll call Travis. a familiar place with energy com- Bangkok P Cloudy 36/27 P Cloudy 36/27 This slowly destroys something deep “I’ve seen hurting people try to do ing from other people. It’s better to Berlin Sunny 06/00 S Showers 08/08 re you one of those people inside yourself.” more volunteer work or exercise. sometimes exercise with people, even Cairo S T Storms 20/15 P Cloudy 20/14 who keeps a killer to- Staying super-busy can cost any of But what they likely need is: time strangers, than to ride your exercise Cape Town P Cloudy 22/15 S Showers 21/16 do list? Maybe you have us the following: to listen to music, time to read, bike alone in front of the TV every Colombo S T Storms 30/23 S T Storm 30/23 A100 items you need to A true connection with ourselves. time to think, and time to soak in night. Dhaka M Sunny 28/18 P Cloudy 27/17 accomplish over the next three Having no time to relax will make you the tub. Busyness is not always the Plan a short trip often. Just plan Hong Kong Cloudy 23/20 Showers 23/17 weeks. Just reading it makes you feel neglected. Doing nothing for an answer.” a day to relax and see a diff erent place Istanbul Showers 12/06 Showers 07/05 tired. hour or so every day gives your brain Travis goes on to say that we all need within an hour’s drive of your home. Jakarta T Storm 32/25 S T Storms 31/26 You’re speeding around, trying to time to recharge. to carve out personal time for our- Nice experiences make you feel nur- Karachi Sunny 29/20 P Cloudy 28/18 keep up, but you feel lost, lonely, and A lost connection with our larger selves. “Don’t wait until Sunday night tured and cared for. London Rain 13/11 Showers 13/12 neglected. goals. We can spend so much time to realise you haven’t spent any time Nurturing your inner spirit is key Manila I T Storms 32/26 M Sunny 33/26 You try hard to perform your tasks maintaining our lives, we never have with a friend,” he warns. “Plan a Friday to feeling happy and whole. Keep in Moscow Cloudy 01/-3 Snow -1/-7 in a timely manner. But somehow, time to do what’s important for the night movie date or Sunday morning mind that individuals who are de- New Delhi Fog 25/12 Fog 26/11 you’re personally getting shortch- future. breakfast with a friend several days in pressed didn’t get there in one step. New York M Cloudy 04/-1 M Cloudy 05/00 anged. Time with friends and family. advance. People can’t show up at the Their depression came on over time. Paris Cloudy 12/11 S Showers 14/11 Maybe nothing is radically wrong. Long workdays are absolutely neces- last minute.” If you’re taking good care of your- Sao Paulo T Storm 29/16 P Cloudy 26/16 For instance, no one at your house is sary at times. But, when we skip time These tips to fi ght loneliness can self, you won’t feel too much emo- Seoul M Cloudy 03/-3 P Cloudy 07/-11 sick or going hungry. And, your job is with people we care about, we will feel help: tional emptiness. If you keep dipping Singapore T Storm 30/25 T Storm 30/25 going fi ne. However, you feel empty, lonely and isolated. We need meaning- Keep a running list of activities into your emotional reserves to please Sydney P Cloudy 21/17 P Cloudy 22/17 drained, and anxious. ful conversations and validation from that you enjoy. Write down restau- everyone else, your inner spirit will Tokyo Cloudy 18/15 Rain 12/09 “Busyness was forcing me to neglect others. rants you want to visit. If possible, suff er. Gulf Times 24 Wednesday, December 5, 2018 QATAR

National Day of Sweden celebrated in Doha, embassy hosts Lucia ceremony

he embassy of Sweden and an ancient belief in recalling ship between the two countries. yesterday hosted a magi- the sun. Lucia, and her attend- It will also give tourists from Tcal Midwinter Lucia cel- ants, came with cheerful songs, Qatar and beyond direct access ebration in Doha to celebrate dressed in winter white, wearing to the beautiful Swedish west the National Day of Sweden and a crown of light and Lucia spread coast, while providing Swedish honour its strong relations with her magical midwinter light in tourists access to Qatar and the Qatar. The embassy welcomed Doha for the fi rst time. more than 160 destinations on their partners and friends in Qa- Several notable Swedish com- Qatar Airways’ extensive global tar from government, agency, panies partnered with the em- network.” academia, and the private sec- bassy in the Midwinter Lucia Ambassador Polano lauded tor, to enhance the close bilateral event. The Volvo Group, repre- Qatar’s impressive economic partnerships that have developed senting Volvo cars, buses and performance during the last year during the last few years. trucks, as well as Volvo Con- and noted that it now stands At the celebration, attended by struction Equipment, was one of stronger than ever before. over 800 guests at the St Regis two diamond sponsors. She also praised Qatar’s suc- Doha, Swedish ambassador Ewa Qatar Airways, the other dia- cessful diplomacy which has Polano said, “Sweden aims to mond sponsor and official air- made a great impact globally “I create a sustainable platform line, celebrated the opening of am especially impressed by Qa- for long-standing partnerships its new destination to Sweden’s tar’s great and rapid improve- with Qatar, focused around the second largest city, Gothen- ments in the areas of labour fact that Sweden and Qatar are burg, one of the foremost in- reforms and corporate social both small countries with great dustrial and economic centres responsibility, and Qatar’s fruit- ambitions, leading to a spirit of and home to several Swedish ful co-operation with the UN’s knowledge-sharing for mutual companies and the biggest port International Labour Organisa- benefi t.” in Scandinavia. tion, of which Sweden is a strong Lucia is one of the most belov- Qatar Airways Group chief supporter. ed Swedish folklore traditions. executive, Akbar al-Baker, said, More Swedish companies are HE the Minister of Transport and Communications Jassim Seif Ahmed al-Sulaiti and HE the Minister of Administrative Development, Labour Swedes celebrate Lucia just be- “The new direct fl ight from Doha now eyeing Qatar as an attractive and Social Aff airs Yousef bin Mohamed al-Othman Fakhro join Swedish ambassador Ewa Polano in cutting a cake yesterday at a function fore the winter solstice inspired to Gothenburg will lead to an trading and business partner,” in Doha to celebrate the National Day of Sweden as Ministry of Foreign Aff airs chief of protocol Ibrahim Yousif Abdullah Fakhro and other by people’s yearning for light even closer economic relation- she added. dignitaries look on. PICTURE: Ram Chand National Museum accorded Nine-day festivities planned to mark National Day at Katara top sustainability ratings ore than 45 events and activities over nine Mdays will mark the Qa- n another milestone ahead tar National Day (QND) 2018 at of its opening next year, the Katara – the Cultural Village INational Museum of Qatar from December 11-19, it was an- (NMoQ) became the fi rst nation- nounced. al museum in the world to receive A major highlight of the cele- both a Leadership in Energy and brations is an opera titled ‘Citi- Environmental Design (LEED) zens and expats — we are one’ to Gold and a 4-Star Global Sus- be staged on December 17 and tainability Assessment System 19, with two shows on both days (GSAS) sustainability rating, it at 7pm and 9pm. was announced. A high-tech planetarium, LEED is the most widely the fi rst-of-its-kind in Qatar, used green building rating sys- which is being set up at Katara, tem in the world. Certifi cations will open on National Day (De- from LEED are globally recog- cember 18) as part of the festivi- nised symbols of sustainability ties. Addressing a press confer- achievements while GSAS is the ence yesterday, Katara general Dr Khalid bin Ibrahim al-Sulaiti (right) and Abdul Rahman bin fi rst performance-based system manager Dr Khalid bin Ibrahim Jassim al-Tamimi at the press briefing. in the Mena region developed for al-Sulaiti, said that they pre- rating green buildings and infra- pared an excellent package of its progress and development. pate in a 10-minute fi reworks structure. activities for celebrating the Dr al-Sulaiti thanked all the display on December 17 and The primary aim of GSAS is to Qatar National Day, matching companies and organisations December 19. A band from the create a sustainably built envi- Katara’s track record in organis- supporting the National Day Police Training Institute at the ronment, considering the spe- ing major events and festivals. celebrations at Katara, includ- Ministry of Interior will present cifi c needs and context of the The National Museum of Qatar. PICTURE: Iwan Baan Residents and visitors will ing the Supreme Committee for national music performances. region. have the opportunity to witness Delivery and Legacy, Qatar Air- The Amiri Air Force will also “A national museum is an inte- world’s cultural map,” she noted. Astad, a fully integrated project for Qatar Museums (QM) and fi reworks, opera, musical shows, ways, Vodafone, among others. participate in the activities. gral part of a society. As such, it Set to open in March next year, and asset management services Astad. I would like to thank QM parachuting, cultural shows and Abdul Rahman bin Jassim al- The Bedaya Centre will set up has a responsibility to protect the NMoQ will celebrate Qatar’s provider, covering the design and for entrusting Astad with project other fun-fi lled activities at Ka- Tamimi, head of the organising a cultural bazaar from Decem- environment in which it exists, past, present and future. The construction of complex build- management consultancy as well tara during the festivity. committee, was also present at ber 11 to December 19, featuring which will ultimately impact the iconic building embraces as its ing and infrastructure projects. as LEED and GSAS consultancy “Through the National Day the press conference. a wide range of native products world at large. NMoQ aspires to centrepiece the restored historic Astad’s dual role as project to support the development of celebrations, Katara strives to The activities will take place such as clothes, perfumes and become a global benchmark, not Palace of Sheikh Abdullah bin manager and as sustainability this iconic landmark,” Astad’s promote the spirit of patriotism from 4pm to 10pm at diff erent traditional cuisine. Screening of just in terms of its architectural Jassim al-Thani (1880-1957), son consultant for LEED and GSAS CEO, engineer Ali al-Khalifa among citizens and acquaint the venues, including Katara beach, a documentary fi lm highlight- beauty and immersive off ering, of the founder of modern Qatar. certifi cations enabled eff ective said. new generation with the rich amphitheatre and Katara Cor- ing the co-existence between but also for its sustainability Designed by Jean Nouvel, the integration of sustainability into “Sustainability has been em- history and traditions of our niche. Leading Qatari artiste diff erent expatriate commu- legacy which will impact genera- 40,000sqm building incorpo- the design and construction of bedded into Astad’s operations country,” said Dr al-Sulaiti. Fahad al-Kubaisi and female nities in Qatar will be another tions to come,” NMoQ director rates the Palace while seamlessly the museum. In spite of its com- since our very inception and we He added that the special op- artiste Anwaar will present a highlight of the celebrations. Sheikha Amna bint Abdulaziz bin integrating innovative artworks plex design, the museum’s con- strive to identify eff ective solu- era seeks to strengthen the bond musical show during the cel- The activities will also in- Jassim al-Thani said in a press commissioned from Qatari and struction enables it to reduce tions that sustain through the between Qataris and expatriates ebrations. clude art competitions and statement. international artists, rare and energy consumption by 26% life of projects, creating effi cient, on the occasion of the National Special forces participating workshops for children, exhibi- “We are proud to become the precious objects, documentary when compared to the Ashrae high-performance and climate- Day, considering the attach- in the celebration will display tion of classic cars, art exhibi- fi rst national museum in the materials, and interactive learn- baseline – a minimum require- responsive buildings that are in- ment of the expatriate commu- parachute jump on December tions, traditional Qatari dances world to receive this honour and ing opportunities. ment for energy effi cient designs ternationally recognised through nities to the host country and 17 and December 19 from 4pm. and cultural shows, among oth- look forward to future achieve- The ambitious project is cur- for buildings. green building certifi cations,” he their valuable contributions to Some 500 drones will partici- ers. ments that will put Qatar on the rently being brought to life by “This is a major achievement added.

Burger Festival kicks off at Katara with over 70 restaurants participating

Hussein al-Baker tours the various stalls at the festival. The festival set up a huge inflatable play area for children. Katara’s Services Department manager Hussein al-Baker leads the inaugural ceremony of Burger Fest.

Katara – the Cultural Village The festival also hosts some to the diff erent flavours and has launched Burger Festival of the home micro-businesses options of burgers available yesterday at its south beach involved in food industry, in the markets and to also be area with more than 70 in addition to some cafes updated with the latest recipes restaurants participating. The and sweet shops. Besides in the field of fast foods,” best burger restaurants in Doha entertainment shows, the al-Baker said. He added that are off ering a wide variety of festival also holds up an array of the festival is a chance for flavours and recipes at the five- activities and competitions for families to enjoy the evenings day event, which will conclude children. According to Katara, with the variety of activities on December 8. the Burger Festival features and entertainment facilities Katara’s Services Department the best burger makers in the provided at the fair such as the manager Hussein al-Baker, world with recipes of diff erent large trampolines and diff erent along with Kozzette Solutions countries and orientation competitions, including the (festival’s organising which gives visitors a chance to PlayStation tournament with company) CEO Omar Shamiya, experiment the diff erent types QR30,000 worth of prizes. inaugurated the event on behalf of burgers in one place. “Katara The festival opens its doors for of the general manager, Dr has been keen to host such a the public daily from 12noon to Khalid bin Ibrahim al-Sulaiti. festival to introduce visitors midnight until December 8. More than 70 restaurants are taking part in the festival. Outlets serve diff erent flavours and burger options.