BUSINESS | Page 1 SPORT | Page 1 Expect amazing as Rublev Better connectivity and takes on infrastructure help Qatar Moutet residential market expand in fi nal published in QATAR since 1978

SATURDAY Vol. XXXX No. 11424 January 11, 2020 Jumada I 16, 1441 AH

GULF TIMES www. gulf-times.com 2 Riyals

In brief

QATAR | Phone call Deputy PM holds talk with Pakistan minister Iran denies HE the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Defence Aff airs Dr Khalid bin Mohamed al-Attiyah held yesterday morning a telephone conversation with Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Defence Pervez Khattak. its missile During the call, they discussed the latest developments in the region, and the necessity of reducing escalation, emphasising the importance of stability in Iraq. QATAR downed | Reaction Qatar slams blast at mosque in Pakistan Qatar has strongly condemned A group of children releasing balloons at the show yesterday. PICTURE: Shaji Kayamkulam the explosion which targeted a Ukraine jet mosque in Quetta in southwestern Pakistan, killing a number of people and wounding others. It AFP day: “Our team has now access to the also condemned the attack on a Tehran black boxes”. military base in northern Mali and The Ukrainian team also had ac- a military base in Niger. In separate Aspire Lake Festival cess to the radio exchanges between statements yesterday, the Ministry ran’s civil aviation chief denied the UIA pilots and air traffi c control of Foreign Aff airs reiterated Qatar’s yesterday that a missile downed a and were receiving “full co-operation” firm position on rejecting violence IUkrainian airliner which crashed from Iran, said Prystaiko. and terrorism, regardless of the killing all 176 on board, rejecting West- The team, granted access to plane motives and reasons. It stressed mesmerises spectators ern claims of a catastrophic mistake by fragments and the crash site, will start Qatar’s rejection of targeting places Tehran’s air defences. analysing the contents of the black of worship and intimidating peaceful By Joseph Varghese lowed. The festival featured musical happening place. The performers Ukraine said its experts had been boxes and their conclusions will be people. Staff Reporter and artistic entertainment performed also made a formation with the word granted access to the black box fl ight made public, he added. on the Aspire Lake. The world-class ‘DOHA.’ The backdrop also showed recorders, as US Secretary of State Pompeo, echoing several world lead- BRITAIN | Royals show took the audience on a magical the changing face of Doha and high- Mike Pompeo repeated it was “likely” ers including Canadian Prime Minis- Harry’s wife Meghan he spectators at the third As- journey fi lled with surprises, fun, and lighted the skyscrapers at Doha Cor- an Iranian missile had downed the ter Justin Trudeau and British Prime returns to Canada pire Lake Festival were treated excitement. niche and West Bay. plane. Minister Boris, said “we do believe it’s Tto a fantastic light show yes- The scintillating show started with The beautifully synchronised per- Iran’s latest denial came as Tehran likely the plane was shot down by an Prince Harry’s wife Meghan has terday with the theme ‘Tree of Life’ a group of children playing to sooth- formance made the spectators clap faced mounting international pressure Iranian missile”. returned to Canada following the that culminated with spectacular ing music with the lyrics, ‘light the again and again and enjoy the per- to allow a “credible” investigation into “We are going to let the investigation couple’s bombshell announcement fi reworks at Aspire Tower. candle for peace; light the candle for formance thoroughly. They, time and the crash, which several Western gov- play out before we make a fi nal deter- that they were quitting their The galleries around Aspire Lake love’ and released white balloons to- again, cheered the performers and sa- ernments have blamed on an acciden- mination,” he added yesterday. frontline royal duties, it emerged were fully packed with hundreds of wards the end. voured the show. tal missile strike. Trudeau said intelligence sources yesterday, as the monarch held spectators who had gathered at the At the backdrop of the perform- An audience member said it was a “One thing is for certain, this air- indicated an Iranian surface-to-air urgent talks with her family to venue well ahead of the show. Meant ance, scenes kept changing, showing great treat for the eyes. “I had come plane was not hit by a missile,” Iran’s missile downed the aircraft after it resolve the crisis. The Duke and for all ages, the event entertained how the tree of life nurtured the living very early with my family so that I civil aviation chief Ali Abedzadeh said, took off from Tehran. Duchess of Sussex spent an the crowd with various formations of the people and contributed to the could get a convenient seat to watch after Tehran invited the US, Ukraine, “We know this may have been unin- extended Christmas holiday in of light at the centre of the lake and development of Doha. the show. My children had a great Canada and others to join the investi- tentional. Canadians have questions, Canada with their son before showcasing the growth of Doha as a The subsequent segments of the time enjoying the surprises in the gation. and they deserve answers,” he said. returning to break the news this thriving city. show described the growth of the show and the fi reworks that followed The Boeing 737 crashed on Wednes- Abedzadeh rejected the claim.”Any week that they would “step back” A mesmerising fi reworks in dif- city and the last one showed how the the show, was a greater treat after a day shortly after Iran launched mis- remarks made before the data is ex- their royal roles. Page 8 ferent colours and formations fol- city has emerged as a dynamic and fantastic show,” he noted. Page 16 siles at US forces in Iraq in response tracted (from the plane’s black box to the killing of top Iranian general fl ight recorders) is not an expert opin- Qassem Soleimani in a US drone strike ion,” he said.” in Baghdad. Video footage, verifi ed by The New It is Iran’s worst civil aviation dis- York Times, emerged that appeared to aster since 1988 when the US military show the moment the airliner was hit. Thousands join Ooredoo Doha Marathon 2020 said it shot down an Iran Air plane over It shows a fast-moving object rising the Gulf by mistake, killing all 290 at an angle into the sky before a bright people on board. fl ash is seen, which dims and then con- By Peter Alagos that more than 5,000 runners partici- provided a pleasant run for all partici- “We always look forward to this The majority of the passengers on tinues moving forward. Business Reporter pated in the event, which was attend- pants, making it all the more enjoyable, marathon, which it is obviously Ukraine International Airlines (UIA) Several seconds later an explosion is ed by Ooredoo Group CEO Sheikh especially for the children who ap- marked in our calendar. Not only is Flight PS752 were dual national Ira- heard and the sky lit up. Saud bin Nasser al-Thani and Oore- peared to had the most fun, according it a time to get fi t but an opportunity nian-Canadians but also included Iran said a 10-member Canadian arly morning showers greeted doo Qatar CEO Waleed al-Sayed, as to Carlos, a European national who had to bond with my family, especially Ukrainians, Afghans, Britons and delegation was on its way to help with participants of the 2020 Oore- well as other special guests. two of his kids joining the run. my children and for us to forge new Swedes. the probe, a rarity since the two coun- Edoo Doha Marathon yesterday The event kicked-off with the 42.2km The annual sporting event delivered friendships with other runners and Vadym Prystaiko, the foreign min- tries cut diplomatic relations in 2012. but the rains failed to dampen their full marathon followed by the 21km, an exciting and festive mood; with a marathon lovers,” explained Ahmad, ister of Ukraine which has sent around Tehran also invited US plane maker spirits as thousands of runners fl ocked 10km, 5km, and 3km races. The 2020 long stretch of the Doha Corniche who has been joining the marathon 50 experts to Tehran to take part in the Boeing to “participate” in the investi- to the Museum of Islamic Arts (MIA) to instalment of the marathon culminated closed to vehicular traffi c, many of the for the past three years. Iran-led inquiry, told reporters yester- gation. participate in the annual event. with the 1km children’s fun run. participants even took the time to take Aside from the corniche, the MIA Despite the rains, it was estimated Cloudy skies, though rainy at times, selfi es during and after the marathon. Park, where the start and fi nish lines were located, was also jam-packed with post-marathon activities for Snow in Lebanon both kids and adults alike. It was also a venue for the participants to take group pictures and selfi es beside life- size numbers representing the kilo- metre they fi nished. “We’re not professional runners but my friends and I managed to join and complete the 3km marathon. It is a feat considering we are not that ac- tive in sports, but I commend events such as this because it promotes an active lifestyle and being healthy, and most importantly, it serves as an op- portunity for people to get together and be one family,” said Michelle, a fi rst time participant of the Ooredoo Doha Marathon. In an earlier statement, Ooredoo stated that the marathon is poised to be an “incredible event” due to its record number of participants. The telecommunications company also welcomed the international athletes, as well as the many citizens and resi- dents that competed in the marathon, which is part of Ooredoo’s corporate Snow covers the national reserve of the cedar forest near the village of Becharre Runners of the Ooredoo Doha Marathon 2020 amid yesterday’s heavy downpour. PICTURE: Ram Chand social responsibility strategy. in northern Lebanon yesterday. Gulf Times 2 Saturday, January 11, 2020 QATAR Ashghal completes 70% works of Sabah Al Ahmad Corridor ith works progressing in full swing, the Pub- Wlic Works Authority (Ashghal) has completed more than 70% of the prestigious Sabah Al Ahmad Corridor. Marking a giant leap towards The cable-stayed bridge will span 1,200m. the completion, Ashghal recent- ly opened two bridges at Umm Izghawa and Al Gharrafa areas where Al Shamal Road inter- on Doha Expressway. Works as Lekhba Interchange, a vital part towards Doha without the need sects with the Doha Expressway, part of the corridor include up- of the corridor. to use Al Shamal Road and avoid Al Markhiya Street and Sabah Al grading E-Ring, F-Ring, Me- Al Watiyatt Interchange, as the current construction works Ahmad Corridor. saimeer, Al Bustan, Bu Erayyen well as Al Rayyan Tunnel, which in the area. The interchange will ease the and Lebday roads and sections is considered the longest, deep- The second bridge with a traffi c congestion on Doha Ex- of Al Markhiya Street. In addi- est bi-directional bridge in Qa- length of 537m directly con- pressway especially at the Al tion, Ashghal will enhance 12km tar, were completed last year. nects Al Markhiya with Doha Gharrafa Interchange known as of local and peripheral roads in- Ashghal is also working and improves traffi c in the area Immigration and Al Duhail in- tersecting with the Corridor. The round-the-clock on the cable- by providing free fl ow from Al tersections. It will also ensure total road works of the project is stayed bridge and the conver- Markhiya towards Doha. It ac- smooth traffi c fl ow for those approximately 37km. sion of Haloul Roundabout into commodates around 4,000 coming from Doha Corniche, Sabah Al Ahmad Corridor has a two-level interchange as part vehicles per hour. Markhiya, Madinat Khalifa and the longest bridge, deepest and of the corridor. Artist’s impression of the bridge at Al Luqta. With four levels and nine Duhail in the direction of Al longest bi-directional tunnel. The works of the corridor bridges, the 11km-long Umm Shamal Road, Sabah Al Ahmad With a length of 1,200m, the ca- commenced on February 24, This is the fi rst project in Qatar at Umm Lekhba Interchange in the direction of Doha with 22 Lekhba Interchange is the largest Corridor, Al Gharrafa and Ghar- ble-stayed bridge on the corridor 2019 in appreciation of Kuwait to be termed a corridor instead of provides free traffi c fl ow from February Street and Al Ghar- of its kind and second highest in rafat Al Rayyan areas to Al Luqta extends from Mesaimeer Road to Amir Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad road due to its great importance Al Gharrafa towards Doha and rafa Interchange (Passport Inter- Qatar. Once completed in the last and Al Rayyan. Al Bustan Street and crosses over al-Jaber al-Sabah in order to and specifi cations of unique a parallel route to 22 February change), reducing travel time. quarter of 2020, the interchange Sabah Al Ahmad Corridor ex- Halul Intersection on Mesaimeer make the brotherly relation- construction. Street. The new fl yover bridge The bridge accommodates will function as the northern tends for approximately 25km Road and Faleh Bin Nasser In- ship between the two countries The 820m-long fi rst fl yover connects traffi c from the new around 1,500 vehicles per hour gate of Doha due to its strategic from Hamad International Air- tersection on Salwa Road. The stronger. bridge, opened in October 2019 Al Hateem Street to Al Gharrafa to serve those coming from location, at an important spot port to Umm Lekhba Interchange works will be completed in 2021. Forum for Municipality conducts inspection tours New clinic at Al Khor Authors launches Hospital serves high- new identity atari Forum for Authors risk pregnant women has launched its new Qidentity at the 30th Doha International Book Fair, which is amad Medical Cor- being held at the Doha Exhibition poration’s (HMC) Al and Convention Center (DECC) HKhor Hospital has in- and will continue until January troduced a new clinic to help 18 with the participation of 335 Al Shamal Municipality’s Health Control Section conducted a number of inspection tours at women who have had a previ- publishing houses from 31 Arab food establishments in the area last month to ensure that they complied with regulations for ous caesarean section deliver and foreign countries. handling food products. The campaign resulted in the issuance of six reports for violation of their next child normally, it was Hamad Mohamed al-Zakee- Law No 8 of 1990 on the regulation of human food control, the Ministry of Municipality and announced yesterday. ba, director, Culture and Arts Environment (MME) said in a statement. Also, veterinarians from the Health Section supervised After having a caesarean, or Department at the Ministry of the slaughter of 361 heads of livestock and ordered the destruction of three whole carcasses of C-section, many women may Culture and Sports, said that slaughtered sheep for being unfit for human consumption. Fines collected for these violations want a vaginal birth after ce- the establishment of the Qatari amounted to QR26,250, the MME added. sarean or VBAC procedure for Forum for Authors came within their next baby as they wish to the ministry’s priorities to cre- avoid major surgery, have a re- ate an umbrella for the authors ligious or personal preference, and provide the appropriate en- or have had a negative C-sec- vironment for intellectual and tion experience in the past. Mohamed al-Jusaiman, chief Mariama Feika, director, literary creativity in the coun- While a VBAC isn’t medi- executive off icer, Al Khor Nursing and Midwifery, Al try, noting that the ministry cally appropriate for all wom- Hospital. Khor Hospital. worked to create an appropriate en, the new clinic at Al Khor environment for the authors and Hospital is helping to make it In some cases, C-sections take a more active role in the give space for private publishing possible for women who have are medically necessary, even decision making around the houses to practise their role in been deemed good candidates. life-saving, but the proce- birth of their children. She ex- printing the authors’ books. Since the clinic opened, over dure can come with health plained that women who at- He explained that the Minis- 60 women have benefi ted, with risks, such as a higher chance tend the clinic are provided try of Culture was in charge of more than 10 successfully hav- of blood loss, infection, issues with detailed counselling and printing and already produced ing VBACs in September alone. with the placenta, longer re- education. a lot of valuable books, “but it is Mohamed al-Jusaiman, covery times, and other risks. “There is a lot of misinfor- time to open the door for the pri- HMC’s deputy chief of the The midwife-led VBAC mation about vaginal birth vate sector to perform its task of General Hospitals Group and Clinic at Al Khor Hospital after C-section and there is assuming publishing and print- chief executive offi cer of Al was opened last March as a lot of evidence that sup- ing, and this resulted in sev- Khor Hospital, says the hos- part of ongoing eff orts to ports VBAC as an option for eral publishing houses emerging pital is looking to expand its boost antenatal services and women who have previously distinctively during the current services to better serve the improve the support off ered given birth through a C-sec- version of the exhibition.” population within the northern to pregnant women. The tion. We are aware that many Maryam Yassin al-Hammadi, Motorists booked for reckless and stunt driving region of the country. opening of the clinic is also women might be sceptical director-general, Qatari Fo- “We are constantly review- aligned with the National about trying a vaginal birth rum for Authors, reviewed the The Traff ic Department of the violations that could risk the stunt and reckless driving, and ing our existing services and Health Strategy objective for fear of complications that “new identity” of the forum Ministry of Interior yesterday lives and properties of road five for hidden number plates. introducing new ones, such as of reducing the rate of cae- could arise, such as the rup- during an introductory pres- spotted a number of motorists users. The errant motorists Five road accidents were the VBAC clinic, in our quest sarean sections performed turing of their C-section scar. entation depicting its strategic committing some serious will be referred to the Public registered in the Sealine area to off er the best care possible across hospitals in Qatar. However, this is why we off er goals and plan and reviews the traff ic violations at the Sealine Persecution and all relevant yesterday, with one case of to our patients. This clinic is Mariama Feika, director, counselling and education. most important activities that Area and took action, it was legal procedures taken serious injury. The Traffic especially signifi cant because Nursing and Midwifery – Although there are risks of she supervised since the forum announced in a statement. according to the type of the Department stressed that it it is serving high-risk preg- Women and Newborn Services complications during VBAC, was established by the decision The off ences include reckless violation. A total of 85 vehicles will strictly enforce the law nant women in need of focused at Al Khor Hospital, runs the we are very prepared to han- of the Minister of Culture and and stunt driving, hiding were booked for loud noise, 15 and urged road users to drive and specialised care,” said clinic and says it was devel- dle any emergency that could Sports in 2018. (QNA) number plates, and other for illegally tinted glass, nine for safely. al-Jusaiman. oped to empower women to arise,” added Feika.

Cleanliness campaign in Al Shamal Kahramaa organises workshop for contractors Al Shamal Municipality, represented by the he Qatar General Electric- Cleaning Division (Pest ity and Water Corporation and Rodent Control T(Kahramaa) organised an Unit) of the Department awareness workshop for its accred- of General Services ited contractors to make them ac- Aff airs, recently carried quainted with the latest facilities in out a comprehensive project implementation. cleanliness drive to Afaf Omar al-Shirawi, senior en- control insects and gineer of permits services at Kah- mosquitoes. The ramaa Customer Services Depart- campaign covered Al ment, said the workshop was aimed Mazroua Market, Mina at making the companies aware Market, fish Market, about the upcoming changes in the sewerage containers, procedures for providing electricity garbage containers and water service. and garbage collecting The Kahramaa offi cial stated vehicles. that the new facilities will be ap- plied later this month to serve the investment sector. Afaf Omar al-Shirawi Representatives of various companies attending the workshop. Gulf Times Saturday, January 11, 2020 3 REGION/ARAB WORLD Turkey says Falcon-hunting contest in Kuwait ceasefi re will be implemented in Idlib tomorrow

Reuters/DPA to the United Nations, but a Istanbul six-year-long United Nations operation delivering supplies expired at midnight yesterday. urkey’s Defence Minis- Syrian President Bashar try said yesterday that it al-Assad, backed by Russia Thad agreed with Russia and Iran, has vowed to recap- that a ceasefi re will be imple- ture Idlib, the last rebel-held mented tomorrow in north- swathe of territory. western Syria’s Idlib region to Turkey has for years backed stem the fl ow of civilians up- Syrian rebels fi ghting to oust rooted by the violence. Assad. Hundreds of thousands EIGHT KILLED of people have fl ed attacks Meanwhile, at least eight in Idlib province toward the people were killed in air strikes Turkish border in recent by unidentifi ed aircraft target- weeks, as towns and villages ing a militia in Syria near the have been pounded by Russian Iraqi border, a war monitor said jets and Syrian artillery since yesterday. a renewed government assault The Syrian Observatory for last month. Human Rights added that the Turkey’s defence ministry overnight strikes targeted arms said attacks by air and land depots and military vehicles would halt at one minute past belonging to the Iraqi militia, midnight on Jan 12 under the the Popular Mobilisation Forc- ceasefi re, which Ankara has es, in the border area of Al-Bu been seeking for several weeks. Kamal in eastern Syria. The announcement came The fatalities were non-Syr- a day after a Russian defence ia militiamen, according to the ministry offi cial was quoted Britain-based watchdog. as saying that a ceasefi re had So far, there has been no already been implemented at word from the Syrian or Iraqi 1100 GMT on Thursday, in line authorities. with agreements with Turkey. The reported attack comes Some 3.6mn Syrians have amid regional tensions be- A falcon performs during a hunting competition at the Sabah al-Ahmad heritage village, about 140km northwest of Kuwait City, yesterday. sought shelter in Turkey from tween Iran and the United their country’s nearly nine States. year-old civil war. Lebanese television Al- President Tayyip Erdogan Mayadeen, citing an unnamed has said Turkey cannot carry security source in the area, said the burden of more refugees Israeli warplanes had carried from Idlib, where up to 3mn out the overnight air strikes. people live. An Israeli army spokes- Many Syrians still in Idlib woman said: “We are not com- are completely dependent on menting on reports in foreign Washington rejects Iraqi cross-border aid, according media.”

Lebanon sets deadline plea to withdraw troops Reuters adding without elaborating that threatening more attacks. mid-ranking Iranian cleric Mo- Mohsen Rezaie, wrote on Twit- Baghdad/Washington the forces used in the killing had Iraq’s top cleric yesterday hamed Javad Haj Aliakbari said ter that the new curbs were for Ghosn’s travel ban entered Iraq or used its airspace condemned the US-Iranian con- US interests across the world “symbolic... without permission. frontation taking place on Iraqi were now exposed to threat. and will not bring respect for ashington yesterday The US State Department said soil, saying it risked plunging Since Soleimani’s killing, Te- Washington.” Reuters agreement with Japan. Serhan rebuff ed an Iraqi re- any US delegation would not an already war-ravaged country hran has stepped up its calls for As part of his most recent Beirut said in the statement that he had Wquest to prepare to discuss the withdrawal of US and the wider Middle East into US forces to leave Iraq. activities in Iraq, Soleimani met with the Japanese ambas- pull out its troops, amid height- troops as their presence in Iraq deeper confl ict. Iranian Supreme Leader Ali had encouraged Iraqi militias sador to Lebanon and reaffi rmed ened US-Iranian tensions after was “appropriate.” Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani Khamenei has said the retali- to quash months of protests by ebanon may lift a travel the importance of the relation- the US killing of an Iranian com- “There does, however, need said it was Iraqis who stood to atory strikes were not enough Iraqis opposed to the infl uence ban on ousted Nissan ship between the two countries. mander in Baghdad. to be a conversation between suff er most from the US-Iranian and that ending the US military in their country of foreign pow- Lboss Carlos Ghosn if fi les He also said that Ghosn’s wife Seeking to tighten pressure the US and Iraqi governments confl ict. presence in the region was Te- ers such as Iran and the United pertaining to his case do not Carole will also be questioned on its arch foe, the United States not just regarding security, but In a message delivered hran’s main goal. States. arrive from Japan within 40 by Lebanese prosecutors when meanwhile imposed more sanc- about our fi nancial, economic, through a representative at Trump, who is seeking re- In Iraqi cities, demonstrators days, caretaker justice minister authorities receive an Interpol tions on Iran. and diplomatic partnership,” prayers yesterday in the holy city election this year, told a rally in took to the streets again yester- Albert Serhan said in a state- notice for her. Iraq looks set to bear the brunt spokeswoman Morgan Ortagus of Kerbala, Sistani said no for- Ohio that Soleimani was killed day, determined to keep up the ment yesterday. “Carole will be subject to of any further violence between said in a statement. eign powers should be allowed to because he had planned to blow momentum of their protests Ghosn fl ed Japan to Leba- the same procedures that were its neighbour Iran and the Unit- The State Department later decide Iraq’s fate. up a US embassy. despite attention turning to the non, his childhood home, last followed for (Carlos) when the ed States, its leaders caught in a said Pompeo had discussed the “The latest dangerous aggres- Trump off ered no hard evi- threat of a US-Iran confl ict. month as he awaited trial on red notice was received from bind as Washington and Tehran possibility of an expanded Nato sive acts, which are repeated vi- dence of what drove the decision Gunmen killed a local journal- charges of under-reporting Interpol.” are also the Iraqi government’s presence in Iraq in a call with his olations of Iraqi sovereignty, are to kill Soleimani, which critics ist who was covering protests in earnings, breach of trust and Tokyo prosecutors on Tues- main allies and vie for infl uence Canadian counterpart. a part of the deteriorating situa- have called a reckless action. the southern city of Basra, se- misappropriation of company day issued an arrest warrant there. The latest fl are-up in the long tion” in the region, Sistani said, Pompeo said yesterday Wash- curity sources and state media funds, all of which he denies. for Carole for alleged perjury Prime Minister Adel Abdul covert war between Iran and the who wields huge infl uence over ington had specifi c informa- said. His dramatic escape has related to the misappropria- Mahdi made his request in a United States began with the US Iraqi public opinion. tion about an imminent Iranian Ahmed Abdulsamad was Bas- raised tensions between Japan tion charge against her hus- phone call with US Secretary killing of Soleimani, Iran’s top “Iraq must govern itself and threat including to US embas- ra correspondent of Dijla TV sta- and Lebanon, where Ghosn band. A spokeswoman for of State Mike Pompeo late on general, in a drone strike on Jan. there must be no role for outsid- sies, adding: “American lives tion, owned by senior politician slammed the Japanese justice Carole said that she had vol- Thursday in line with a vote by 3.Iran responded on Wednes- ers in its decision-making,” Sis- were at risk.” Mohamed al-Karbouli. system at a two-hour news con- untarily returned to Japan nine Iraq’s parliament last week, his day by fi ring missiles at US forc- tani said. He said new sanctions, on “Politicians and clerics...are ference on Wednesday, prompt- months ago to answer pros- offi ce said in a statement. es in Iraq. Iraq has suff ered decades of manufacturing, textiles and either with Iran, the US or other ing Japan’s Justice Minister to ecutors’ questions and was Abdul Mahdi asked Pom- In the aftermath, both sides war, sanctions and sectarian mining, hit at the heart of Iran’s countries. Our allegiance is to launch a rare and forceful public free to go without any charges, peo to “send delegates to put in backed off from intensifying the confl ict, including two US-led security apparatus. Iraq only, not to factions and response. adding that the warrant was place the tools to carry out the confl ict but the region remains invasions. A sanctioned commander of politicians,” said Essam Faraj, 54, Lebanon has no extradition “pathetic”. parliament’s decision,” it said, tense, with Iranian commanders At prayers yesterday in Tehran, Iran’s Revolutionary Guards, a demonstrator in Baghdad.

Thousands march in US imposes additional Algerian capital sanctions on Iran

AFP Algiers chanting anti-regime Reuters all-out confl ict. President Donald Algiers slogans. Police had been de- Washington Trump vowed on Wednesday to ployed in force in the centre of impose the additional sanctions, the capital and several protesters the most concrete US response yet housands of protesters were arrested, witnesses said. he United States imposed to the attacks. marched in Algiers yes- “The Hirak (protest move- more sanctions on Iran The measures target eight sen- Tterday against the regime, ment) must continue until the Tyesterday in retaliation for ior Iranian offi cials who US Sec- vowing to keep up the move- complete removal of the ‘gang’ its missile attack on US forces in retary of State Mike Pompeo said ment that has rocked Algeria for — these traitors who sold out Iraq this week and vowed to tight- are responsible for both the gov- nearly a year. the country and hurt the future en the economic screws if Tehran ernment’s violence abroad and The unprecedented pro- of our youth,” protester Farida continued “dangerous” acts or crackdown on protesters at home. test movement that erupted in Loukam said after she was vio- pursued a nuclear bomb. “We’re striking at the heart of February 2019 has continued lently shoved as police tried to The targets of the sanctions the Islamic Republic’s inner se- to demand the dismantling of tear away her anti-government included Iran’s manufacturing, curity apparatus. These sanctions the political system and its rep- banner. Despite the initial dis- A Palestinian woman bakes bread outside her destroyed house, on a winter cold day in the southern mining and textile sectors as well targets include the secretary of the resentatives who have been in persal, the march went ahead Gaza Strip, yesterday. as senior Iranian offi cials who Supreme National Council and power for several decades. and ended amid calm around Washington said were involved in the commander of the Basij forc- While protesters joined the 1700 GMT.Thought exact num- the Jan 8 attack on military bases es,” Pompeo said. march in large numbers, the bers are diffi cult to ascertain and housing US troops. A commander of Iran’s elite crowd was markedly smaller there are no offi cial fi gures, sim- Fears that the United States and Revolutionary Guards who was than the massive demonstra- ilar marches drew large crowds Troops arrest four Palestinians Iran were heading for war fl ared one of those sanctioned on Fri- tions in early 2019 that forced in at least 15 other Algerian cit- over the past week after a US day brushed of the new US move the resignation of former presi- ies, according to local journalists drone strike killed Iranian com- as “symbolic.” “Imposing sanc- dent Abdelaziz Boutefl ika, or and social media. QNA in Jenin in the West Bank, in- homes of their families, Pales- mander Qassem Soleimani, spur- tions is symbolic for America and those ahead of the December In Algiers, protesters march- Jenin cluding two released prisoners. tinian sources said. Also, the ring Iran’s retaliatory strike on for me because this measure will presidential poll rejected by the ing in a winter drizzle shouted The occupation forces ar- occupation forces, detained facilities in Iraq hosting US forces. have no economic impact and will movement. “civil state, not military state” rested three young men, includ- released prisoner Fadi Smoudi No one was harmed in the not compensate for (Iran’s) missile Ahead of the march, baton- or “generals in the trash”, refer- he Israeli occupation ing the liberated prisoner Ahmed after storming the town of Al Iranian ballistic missile attacks barrage and will not bring respect wielding police broke up a crowd ring to the military establish- forces arrested yesterday al-Sabah, after they raided the Yamoun, west of Jenin, and and the two sides seem to have for Washington,” tweeted Mohsen of demonstrators in the heart of ment that holds sway. Tfour Palestinian youths city of Jenin and stormed the raiding his family’s house. stepped back from the brink of Rezaie. Gulf Times 4 Saturday, January 11, 2020 AFRICA

Protest against fossil fuels Gunmen kidnap four students from Nigeria seminary school

AFP them to an “unknown destina- Kano tion”. School head Joel Usman said the students were “confi rmed unmen disguised as sol- missing” after teachers con- diers have abducted four ducted a headcount with secu- Gstudents from their dor- rity personnel. mitory at a Catholic seminary The kidnappers were yet to in northern Nigeria, police said, make contact with the school or the latest incident targeting families of the hostages, Usman schools in the region. said. The attackers raided the Good The seminary is situated along Shepherd Catholic Major Semi- the highway linking Kaduna nary outside the city of Kaduna with Nigeria’s capital Abuja in in the early hours of Thursday, an area notorious for criminal the regional police force said in a gangs kidnapping travellers for statement. ransom. “The (police) command re- In October last year, gunmen ceived a distress call...that some seized six schoolgirls and two armed men in military cam- staff members from a privately- oufl age gained entry into the run boarding school close to the Good Shepherd Major Seminary same highway. Days later the school and started shooting spo- head of a public boarding college radically,” the statement released was kidnapped from his resi- on Thursday said. dence by an armed gang. All the Extinction Rebellion South Africa members demonstrate outside the Australia High Commission in Pretoria, yesterday. They are demanding that the Australian Police said offi cers deployed to hostages were later released but government should pay all firefighters and give the force full funding, provide genuine relief and aid for aff ected communities, begin a rapid transition from fossil fuels, the school to protect the roughly it was not clear whether the ran- implement a transition for workers in fossil fuel industries with job guarantees and exercise justice for First Nations communities including land and water sovereignty. 270 students there but the as- som demands of their kidnap- sailants managed to take four of pers were met.

Zimbabwe Violence in DR Congo’s Ituri may VP’s wife sues over be crimes against humanity: UN access to

AFP Human Rights Offi ce (UNJRHO) associated resources,” UNJRHO of school children and looting said. There were also acts of re- The report names a Lendu Kinshasa said.“In addition, at least 142 said in a press release. and burning of villages. prisal by some members of the militia called Codeco, for Co- children, people have been subjected to Tensions between the Lendu, It added: “The barbarity that Hema community between 2017 operative for the Development acts of sexual violence. who are sedentary farmers, and characterises these attacks and 2018, including the burning of the Congo, and its suspected undreds of people have “Most of the victims are the Hema, who are predomi- — including the beheading of of villages and isolated attacks leader, who goes by the name of house been killed or raped in members of the Hema commu- nantly cattle herders and trad- women and children with ma- targeting the Lendu, it added. Ngudjolo. Hattacks on the Hema nity.” Since February last year, ers, have a long history. chetes, the dismemberment The report also pointed the In July, the DRC’s new presi- ethnic group in eastern DR nearly 57,000 people have taken Confl ict between the two and removal of body parts of the fi nger at the Democratic Repub- dent, Felix Tshisekedi, said AFP Congo’s Ituri province, in what refuge in Uganda and more than groups between 1999 and 2003 victims as trophies of war — re- lic of Congo’s security forces. there had been an “attempted Harare “may amount to crimes against 556,000 have fl ed to neighbour- caused tens of thousands of fl ects the desire of the attackers Army and police deployed to genocide” in Ituri and vowed to humanity” or even genocide, ing regions, according to UN deaths, ending only with the to infl ict lasting trauma to the the region since February have crack down. the UN said yesterday. fi gures. dispatch of a European force Hema communities and to force failed to stem the violence — The army began an off ensive he wife of Zimbabwe’s “At least 701 people have been The investigation said armed called Artemis — the fi rst rapid- them to fl ee and not return to and security forces themselves against Codeco on January 3. vice president, who faces killed and 168 injured during in- Lendu groups became more or- reaction military mission by the their villages.” had carried out abuses, includ- On Monday, it said it had Tcharges of attempting to ter-ethnic tensions between the ganised from September 2018 European Union outside Eu- Documented cases of vio- ing extrajudicial killings, sexual killed 16 militiamen in two vil- murder her husband, has sued Hema and Lendu communities, and escalated their attacks. rope. lence in Djugu and Mahagi violence and arbitrary arrest. lages — Ngongo in Djugu and over access to their children and in the territories of Djugu and “Among their objectives is to The UN report documented “may present at least some of Two policemen and two sol- Lipri in Irumu territory, both lo- home, court papers showed yes- Mahagi, from December 2017 to take control of the land of the a range of atrocities, including the constitutive elements of the diers have been convicted by cated about 40 kilometres from terday. September 2019,” the UN Joint Hema communities and their the abuses of women, the killing crime of genocide,” the report DRC courts. the provincial capital Bunia. Marry Mubaiwa, 38, who is the wife of Vice President Con- stantino Chiwenga, 63, was ar- rested last month on allegations of attempted murder, fraud and contravening currency laws by Portugal investigating Central Africa leader returns after six-year exile transferring about $1mn abroad. She was freed on bail on Mon- day after three weeks in jail. billionaire daughter of AFP nusca, a 14,700-person UN According to an affi davit fi led Bangui peacekeeping force. But most on Thursday, she has not seen of the country lies in the her children, and troops have Angola former president hands of armed groups, who barred her from their matrimo- ormer Central African often fight over the country’s nial home. The businesswoman Republic (CAR) rebel mineral resources. and former model wants the AFP graft campaign amid allegations Fleader and president The long conflict has courts to urgently order the vice Lisbon of nepotism under the 38-year Michel Djotodia returned to forced nearly a quarter of the president to hand over their chil- rule of rule of her father Jose Bangui yesterday, exactly six country’s 4.7mn people to dren, aged eight, seven and fi ve. Eduardo dos Santos, who left of- years after quitting as head of flee their homes. She said the children “have ortuguese is investigat- fi ce in 2017. state, and pledged to support The United Nations esti- unlawfully (been) taken away ing embezzlement claims According to the Angolan peace in the troubled country. mates that two thirds of the from my custody”. Pagainst Isabel dos Santos, prosecutor general, Isabel dos Djotodia, 71, who resigned population depends on hu- “I’m not aware of their loca- the billionaire daughter Angola’s Santos and her Congolese hus- 10 months after seizing the manitarian aid to survive. tion nor have I been allowed to former president, the prosecutor band Sindika Dokolo are sus- presidency at the head of a re- The country is ranked see them. Not only is this an act general’s offi ce said yesterday. pected of laundering a billion bellion in March 2013, landed next-to-last after Niger on of unconscionable cruelty, it is The investigation comes after dollars worth of foreign cur- on board a Royal Air Maroc the 2018 UNDP’s Human also brazenly illegal,” she said. judicial authorities confi rmed rency during Dos Santos sen- fl ight from Casablanca via Development Index, which The attempted murder charg- receipt of a complaint from Ana ior’s 38-year rule, which ended Douala in Cameroon. Former Central African Republic president Michel Djotodia compares longevity, educa- es against her arose from a trip Gomes, a former Socialist law- in 2017. He had been living in exile speaks to the press in Bangui, yesterday. tion, and income per capita. last year when she accompanied maker in the European parlia- Isabel dos Santos was ap- in Benin. He was welcomed at Life expectancy is just her husband who was airlifted ment against Dos Santos. pointed head of Angola’s na- a hotel in the capital by about “There is a peace agree- ment, known as the Seleka, 52.9 years. There have been for medical attention to neigh- Financial daily Jornal Eco- tional oil company Sonangol in 30 of his supporters and given ment which has been signed. plunged the CAR into vio- repeated peace agreements bouring South Africa. nomico reported last Friday that 2016, but was forced out by her a security escort by police and It is time for all of us, fight- lence in 2013. between the government In Pretoria she allegedly took Gomes had passed to the Por- father’s successor President Joao army personnel, an AFP re- ers and all Central Africans, Sectarian fighting sparked and armed groups. The most the ailing Chiwenga to a hotel, tuguese authorities “elements” Lourenco shortly after he came porter saw. to stand up to pacify the military intervention by recent, signed on February refusing to take him to hospital she says cast doubt on the na- to power. “2020 will be a year of country.” He met later with France, the former colonial 6 last year, has lessened the until his aides forced their way ture of funds which Dos Santos, The corruption probe — tar- peace. I am no longer a man of President Faustin-Archange power, to stem the blood- intensity of the violence but and took him to a clinic. nicknamed Africa’s wealthiest geting several members of the war, I am a man of peace,” Djo- Touadera, saying as he went shed. Djotodia quit as presi- not ended it. Prosecutors alleged that Mu- woman, invested in former co- former ruling family — is looking todia told journalists. into the meeting, “It’s my dent under international Former president Francois baiwa went to Chiwenga’s hos- lonial power Portugal. at alleged irregularities involv- “I urge all the rebels to be duty to support the Central pressure on January 10 2013. Bozize, who was ousted in a pital ward and asked his security Last month, an Angolan court ing Sonangol and also Sodiam, patient,” Djotodia said sepa- African people and its gov- His successor, Touadera, 2013 coup, returned home on aides to leave saying she wanted said it was freezing the assets of a national diamond-marketing rately in a brief interview with ernment.” was elected in 2016. He gov- December 16 to be hailed by to have a private conversation Dos Santos as part of an anti- fi rm. AFP. Djotodia’s rebel move- erns with the support of Mi- thousands of supporters. with her husband. Swarms of locusts threaten food security in Kenya: govt

AFP still threatening South Sudan and spray teargas at the critters, while organisation in December said some Nairobi Uganda. residents clap their hands, whistle 173,000 acres of land had been in- Kenyan Agriculture Minister and bang bottles and cans together fested in Ethiopia and Somalia. Mwangi Kiunjuri told a press confer- to try chase away the thick clouds of “Insecurity and a lack of national arge swarms of desert locusts ence that the swarms had crossed the locusts, according to images obtained capacity have so far not allowed con- are spreading through Kenya, border from Somalia on December by AFP. trol operations in Somalia,” the FAO Lafter wreaking havoc in Soma- 28, and had now spread to northern However Kiunjuri said the govern- said in a statement this week. lia and Ethiopia, posing a signifi cant Mandera and Marsabit, eastern Wajir ment had obtained pesticides and Desert locusts — whose destruc- threat to food security, the agricul- and Garissa, as well as central Isiolo two aircraft to spray aff ected areas, tive infestations cause major crop ture minister said yesterday. and Samburu. and hopes to soon have a third. damage and hunger — are a species The locusts — part of the grass- “We recognise that the pest inva- The FAO estimated that there was of grasshopper that live largely soli- hopper family — have led to what the sion and potential to spread rapidly low risk of breeding in Kenya, howev- tary lives until a combination of con- Food and Agriculture Organisation to other counties pose (an) unprec- er said a “potentially threatening sit- ditions promote breeding and lead (FAO) has termed the “worst situa- edented threat to food security and uation” was developing on both sides them to form massive swarms. tion in 25 years” in the Horn of Africa. livelihoods in the country,” said of the Red Sea, with growing popula- According to the FAO, swarms can Swarms formed in eastern Ethio- Kiunjuri. tions on the coasts of Egypt, Sudan, travel up to 130km per day — a kilo- pia and northern Somalia and have Desperate measures have seen po- Eritrea, Saudi Arabia and Yemen. metre-wide swarm can contain up to File photo shows desert locusts in a grazing land on the outskirts of Dusamareb in moved through the region, possibly lice deployed to shoot in the air and The United Nations agricultural 80mn locusts. Galmudug region, Somalia. Gulf Times Saturday, January 11, 2020 5 AMERICAS

Texas becomes fi rst Democrats to send state to refuse refugees under Trump order

Reuters issue and Georgia declined to New York comment. impeachment articles Cutting immigration has been a centrepiece of Trump’s overnor Greg Abbott of presidency and 2020 re-election Texas yesterday became campaign. Gthe fi rst governor in the One of his fi rst acts after as- country to refuse to accept ref- suming offi ce in January 2017 ugees after President Donald was to issue an order capping the to Senate next week Trump signed an executive order maximum number of refugees empowering local jurisdictions that year at 50,000. AFP Getting McConnell to al- to consent to the federal pro- Since then, the cap has been Washington low witnesses later in the trial gramme. slashed every year. would require support from at “At this time, the state and Trump set a ceiling of 18,000 least four Republicans. non-profi t organisations have a refugee admissions for this year, S House Speaker Nancy “In an impeachment trial, responsibility to dedicate avail- the lowest level since the modern Pelosi said yesterday she every senator takes an oath to able resources to those who are refugee program began in 1980. Uintends to transmit ar- ‘do impartial justice according already here, including refugees, By contrast, former Demo- ticles of impeachment against to the Constitution and laws,’” migrants and the homeless,” Ab- cratic President Barack Obama Donald Trump to the Senate Pelosi said. “Every Senator now bott, a Republican, said in his proposed resettling 110,000 ref- next week, moving to end a taut faces a choice: to be loyal to the letter to the US State Depart- ugees in fi scal 2017. standoff with Republicans over president or the Constitution.” ment. “As a result, Texas cannot The administration has said terms of the president’s trial. Some Republicans saw Pelo- consent,” to refugee resettle- the consent requirement, signed The top Democrat’s an- si’s announcement as a sign she ment this fi scal year, he said. in September, aimed to ensure nouncement virtually assures had backed down in the staring The decision is a major blow to receiving communities have the that a historic trial of Trump on contest with McConnell. the US refugee programme since resources to integrate refugees. charges of abuse of power and “There is no way to spin it,” Texas is the largest recipient of But refugee resettlement obstruction of Congress begins added conservative congress- refugees in the country. groups have argued that giv- this month, as anticipated. man Mark Meadows.”Speaker The State Department did not ing local governors and mayors But she declined to provide Pelosi and her Democrat Cau- immediately respond to a re- a veto over whom they accept is a specifi c timeline for the next cus spent weeks playing games quest for comment. unconstitutional and would dis- steps and did not announce with what is eff ectively their at- So far, 41 governors — 18 of rupt the way they work. which House Democrats she tempt at overturning an Ameri- them Republican — and at least Three of the nine national re- will ask to spearhead the case US Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (centre) leaves the House floor on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, can election.” seven dozen local offi cials have settlement agencies sued the in the Senate, saying lawmakers yesterday. The Senate is expected to consented to resettlement, ac- Trump administration in federal should be ready to vote to ap- start its trial this month before cording to a tally by the resettle- court in an eff ort to block the or- point the managers some time structed the subsequent con- poker face, leaving Democrats to set initial trial parameters the political temperature quick- ment agency Lutheran Immigra- der from being implemented. next week. gressional probe. and Republicans alike guessing fi rst, then address possible wit- ly rises as the nation turns to the tion and Refugee Service. Arguments in the case were “I have asked Judiciary Com- The top Democrat in Con- what and when her next move nesses once the procedure has 2020 presidential race. Florida and Georgia, other held this week, and US District mittee Chairman Jerry Nadler gress had hoped Senate Leader would be. begun. The fi rst vote of the Demo- major recipients of refugees, Judge Peter Messitte in Green- to be prepared to bring to the Mitch McConnell, of Trump’s On Thursday she revealed only Pelosi wanted such assur- cratic nomination process, in have so far remained silent on belt, Maryland, appointed by fl oor next week a resolution to Republican Party, would pro- a sliver, saying she could “soon” ances up front. Iowa, is just weeks away, on their stance. former Democratic President appoint managers and transmit vide assurances of what she de- send the articles to McConnell. “Clearly, Leader McConnell February 3. The governor’s offi ce in Flori- Bill Clinton, could rule on the articles of impeachment to the scribed as a “fair” trial in which Democrats argue that her does not want to present wit- Five of the candidates — da said it was still reviewing the case soon. Senate,” Pelosi said in a letter to Democrats can subpoena wit- delay allowed dramatic new in- nesses and documents to sena- Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth War- her Democratic caucus. nesses and documents. formation to emerge before the tors and the American people so ren, Amy Klobuchar, Cory “I will be consulting with you But McConnell — who, like trial, including Trump’s former they can make an independent Booker and Michael Bennet — at our Tuesday House Demo- Pelosi, is seen as a wily political national security adviser John judgment about the president’s are US senators, and their con- cratic Caucus meeting on how strategist — refused to budge, Bolton announcing on Monday actions,” Pelosi said in her let- stitutional duty requires them we proceed further.” announcing this week he had that he was prepared to testify ter. to be seated in the chamber Virginia governor vows Pelosi has withheld the ar- suffi cient Republican votes to before the Senate if subpoe- Democrats want to hear from serving as jurors during the im- ticles since Trump was im- conduct a trial without acced- naed. four current or former ad- peachment trial. peached by the House of Repre- ing to Democratic demands. But as Democrats mulled ministration offi cials, includ- That will curtail their cam- new gun control push sentatives on December 18 over “There will be no haggling what benefi ts, if any, there were ing Bolton, Secretary of State paigning in the run-up to Iowa, allegations that he improperly with the House over Senate to further postponing the trial, Mike Pompeo and White House handing an advantage to former pressured Ukraine to investi- procedure,” he said on Wednes- Pelosi came under increasing chief of staff Mick Mulvaney, vice president Joe Biden, who Reuters passing “red fl ag” laws that gate his potential 2020 election day. pressure to act. who have direct knowledge of is the Democratic frontrunner, Richmond would allow courts and local rival Joe Biden, and that he ob- For weeks Pelosi had worn a McConnell has said he wants Trump’s Ukraine dealings. and others in the race. law enforcement to remove guns from people deemed a risk to acked by Virginia’s fi rst communities. Democratic-controlled It is not Northam’s fi rst ef- Blegislature in over 20 fort at tightening the state’s gun years, Governor Ralph Northam laws. Buttigieg pledges $1tn in infrastructure spending if elected vowed this week to push through He called a special legislative new gun-control laws, angering session last summer after the gun-rights advocates who plan massacre of 12 people in Virginia Reuters projects, including updating into disrepair, water systems poi- vying for the Democratic nomi- In April, Trump and Demo- to respond with a rally of thou- Beach, but the Republicans who Detroit and fi xing by 2030 at least half son our children, and our fl ood nation to take on Trump in No- cratic leaders agreed to spend sands of armed citizens. then controlled it refused to vote of roads and bridges deemed in protection systems fail as climate vember’s presidential election. $2tn on infrastructure, without It is unclear how many people on his proposals. poor condition, it said. change accelerates,” it said. He enjoys high polling num- hashing out a way to pay for it. will attend the Jan. 20 rally in “The measures I proposed did S Democratic presiden- The campaign told Reuters The plan includes $80bn for bers in the early voting states of Weeks later, Trump abruptly Richmond. not receive a hearing,” Northam tial candidate Pete Butti- it would pay for the projects expanding broadband inter- Iowa and New Hampshire, but cancelled a follow-up meeting State police are already mak- said in an address when newly Ugieg yesterday pledged by reforming the capital gains net access, another $80bn for a opinion polls suggest he faces after criticising Democratic-led ing security plans, aiming to elected lawmakers fi rst con- $1tn in infrastructure spending tax and repealing US President school repair programme that is challenges in states with more congressional investigations. avoid a repeat of the chaos seen vened on Wednesday. “Virgin- over a decade if elected, saying Donald Trump’s tax cuts. based on poverty levels. diverse electorates. Other Democratic hopefuls in Charlottesville in 2017, when ians watched. They saw what the Trump administration had “The current administration The plan overlaps with Butti- While the need for US in- have made infrastructure spend- a march by white nationalists happened, and they were ap- failed to rebuild the country’s has been incapable of keeping gieg’s proposals to address cli- frastructure investment is re- ing pillars of their candidacies as erupted in violence that led to palled. So they changed the leg- roads, bridges, schools, and wa- its promise to pass major infra- mate change by investing in a garded as a point of bipartisan well, including former Vice Presi- the death of a counter-protest- islature.” ter systems. structure legislation, and criti- network of electric vehicle charg- consensus, Trump and con- dent Joe Biden, a leading candi- er. The change in legislative con- As part of a plan released by cal projects around the country ing stations across the country. gressional leaders have failed date in many polls who in Novem- The legislative bills that trol has made Virginia a key tar- his campaign, Buttigieg aims to are stalled because of it,” the Buttigieg, the former may- to agree on a major bill to repair ber promised to invest $1.3tn over Northam’s administration is get for people on both sides of create 6mn “well-paying jobs campaign said. or of South Bend, Indiana, is and replace ageing and dan- a decade on electric car charging backing include universal back- the gun-rights debate, one of with strong labour protections” “Meanwhile, our roads and among top contenders in a gerous bridges, airports, water stations, high-speed railroads and ground checks on gun sales, a America’s most polarising is- by investing in infrastructure bridges crumble, our schools fall crowded fi eld of 14 candidates pipes and schoolhouses. clean-energy research. ban on assault-style rifl es, and sues. Amid power cuts, Puerto Ricans seek safety under stars

DPA crashing down, and, as a perk, tion Council of Puerto Rico, said was stressful, the after-eff ects Guayanilla, Puerto Rico it’s across from the city’s only in a statement. “As a result, most of the earthquake have been far operational bakery. of the island’s schools are not in milder than Hurricane Maria, Within hours of their arrival, compliance, yet the government which knocked out power to the t “Campamento Estrella,” family and friends had joined regularly uses these buildings as island for months in some areas. all three dozen people them. places of refuge in emergencies. “During Maria we lost mobile Aand four dogs have a tent By Thursday, the site looked That creates a serious plan- phone service, the roads were or car to sleep in, a generator to like a tiny music festival — tents, ning issue.” impassable, I spent two weeks keep their mobile phones juiced, trucks, blankets, babies, dogs While the seismic activity has without water or electricity,” he and coff ee — served hot and and lawn chairs scattered about, been focused along Puerto Rico’s said. sweet at the break of dawn. beer and coff ee making the southern coast, the eff ects have This time, Guanica has only As Puerto Rico’s south- rounds. been island-wide. been without power for three ern coast continues to recover Mattei said the camp came to- Tuesday’s twin quakes severe- days, and there were hopes that from Tuesday’s 6.4-magnitude gether organically. ly damaged the Costa Sur power it could come back soon.”This is earthquake that left one dead, “One person brought a gen- plant complex. like practice for us,” he said. damaged hundreds of build- erator, another person brought Puerto Rico Electric Pow- At Campamento Estrella, ings and knocked out power to a grill, another person brought er Authority chief executive Mattei woke up Thursday tired much of the island, hundreds, if a tarp,” she said.”Here we can all Jorge Ortiz told local media on and groggy after sleeping in the not thousands, have been seek- keep an eye on each other, you Wednesday that it could take front seat of the pickup truck, ing safety outdoors, in municipal don’t have to wonder where your months, perhaps a year, for the waking repeatedly due to after- and makeshift camps. brother or cousin is, they’re all complex to be fully repaired. shocks. At Campamento Estrella, or here.” Even so, the company said it Despite the discomfort, she Star Camp, an impromptu tent It’s unclear how many people hoped to restore power to most said she was more peaceful amid city in hard-hit Guayanilla, have been left homeless by the Rachael Peet, 17, and her younger brother Phillip lay on top of a Jeep in a parking lot in Guanica, Puerto Puerto Ricans over the weekend the crowds and hubbub of the some are here because they were spate of earthquakes that began Rico, after a powerful earthquake hit the island. — even as large swaths of the US camp. left homeless by the earthquake, December 28, but several hun- territory remained without elec- While tremors come all day others are simply too scared to dred — if not more — are psycho- While the damage done by the their emotional health.” And in Guanica, a three-sto- tricity on Thursday. and night, they seem stronger, sleep indoors amid continu- logically homeless: too spooked earthquake might be minimal Asked how long the munici- rey middle school was destroyed. Hector Caraballo, 32, and his more menacing after sunset, she ous aftershocks that have made to sleep indoors. compared to Hurricane Maria pality would allow residents to The government has said it girlfriend had parked their car said. walls, ceilings and refrigerators Municipal governments have in 2017, Torres said earthquakes sleep on the street, he shrugged: will inspect all of the island’s by Campamento Estrella on “It’s like I’m becoming scared objects that can no longer be also set up mass shelters at sta- seemed more sinister because “Until it quits shaking, but no- more than 800 educational Wednesday night, soaking up of the dark again,” she said. “It’s trusted to stay still or standing. diums in Guanica, Guayanilla and they hit without warning. body knows when that’s going to centers before children are al- some of the ambient light in a like you’re dreading nightfall Just a few minutes after Tues- Ponce, but there are also hun- “We’ve never lived through happen.” lowed to return to school from city that was otherwise eerily because you’re anticipating the day’s predawn earthquake, San- dreds of impromptu villages pop- something like this, there’s no Adding to the anxiety is that Christmas break. dark. earthquakes.” dra Mattei, 55, and her husband ping up in parks and dusty lots. way to plan for it,” he said, as some structures long considered “Construction codes in Puer- Caraballo said he was still Asked how long she would be parked their pickup on the grassy Nelson Torres, the mayor of he supervised a mobile soup safe were hammered. to Rico have included seismic re- sleeping at his home, but in the a resident of Campamento Es- vacant lot. Guanica, said there were more kitchen that had fed more than In Guayanilla, the Catholic quirements since 1987, but much living room by his front door, trella, she said it was out of her The site was perfect: on high than 250 people camped out at 500 people on Wednesday. “We church, built in the 1900s and of the buildings were completed ready to bolt at the slightest hands. ground (no tsunami threat), no the local stadium and more were can get people meals and deliv- often used as a hurricane shelter, before then,” Ricardo Alvarez- shake. “While it’s still shaking,” she utility poles that might come arriving by the hour. er water, but what worries me is collapsed. Diaz, a member of the Construc- While he said the uncertainty said, “we can’t go home.” Gulf Times 6 Saturday, January 11, 2020 ASIA

3 killed in Thailand opposition leader Thailand robbery two-year-old boy was among three people Akilled in Thailand when a ‘charged’ over protest rally masked gunman robbed a jewel- lery shop, police said yesterday. Reuters stop us, distract us from what archy that is central to many Four others were seriously injured Bangkok we’re doing.” Thais’ cultural identity. when the assailant began shooting The law on public gather- The charges yesterday were indiscriminately with a handgun in ings requires organisers to the latest in a string of legal central Lopburi province on Thursday hai opposition party formally notify authorities at cases against the upstart party, night, before fl eeing with jewellery leader Thanathorn Juan- least 24 hours before an event is which came third in last year’s worth 500,000 baht ($16,500). Tgroongruangkit has been scheduled to take place. elections. The other people killed were a charged over an anti-govern- Future Forward’s spokes- Thailand’s constitutional security guard and salesperson, ment rally he staged last month, woman said they did not notify court is due to rule later this provincial police said. he said yesterday after meeting authorities because the rally month whether to dissolve Fu- Shocking CCTV footage shows the with police. was based on basic rights, while ture Forward based on a com- attacker storming into the shop, open- The December 15 rally that police said that the failure to do plaint that includes allegations ing fi re and leaping over the counter as Thanathorn called was the so was a breach of the law. the party’s triangle logo resem- victims writhed in agony on the ground. largest since a 2014 coup when Police told Reuters they will bles a symbol of the Illuminati, Deputy commander Sumeth then-army chief Prayut Chan- summon Thanathorn and the a secret society that conspiracy Punsri said the deadly attack o-cha seized power from a others to hear whether they theorists believe seeks world lasted only a minute before the civilian government. will forward the case to a public domination. gunman fl ed on a motorcycle. Thanathorn, who founded prosecutor early next month. In another case, the party Authorities have off ered the progressive Future For- The 41-year-old billionaire faces allegations that it has 100,000 baht for any informa- ward Party, said he and seven has emerged as the most out- violated laws governing politi- tion leading to his arrest. others were charged with spoken opponent of the new cal parties and accepting loans Thailand has a high rate of gun breaching a law on public civilian government headed by from its party leader. ownership and the incident is the gatherings that was imposed Prayut, 65, since an election In November, the court latest crime involving fi rearms to under Prayuth’s former in March that the opposition disqualifi ed Thanathorn as grab headlines in recent months. military government. said was manipulated to favour a member of parliament for Several shootings at court- He said he has denied the Prayut’s pro-army party. violating election law. houses late last year renewed charges, which he described as The government and the Thanathorn said he remained concern about gun violence. politically motivated. army have accused Thanathorn undaunted. “The will of the In one high-profi le case, two law- “We reiterate the basic and his party them of trying to people to fi ght for democracy yers were shot dead by a clerk at a rights to peaceful assembly,” he incite unrest and even over- is stronger. This will not stop us Thai Future Forward Party leader Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit shakes hands with a supporter court in the east of the country during told reporters. “They want to throw the constitutional mon- whatsoever,” he said. outside Pathum Wan police station in Bangkok yesterday. a hearing over a land dispute. (AFP) Thailand urges Malaysia to help Myanmar leader visits China fi nd Rohingya traffi cking victims border state as Reuters Thai-Malaysian border, early the remaining 17 who might Myanmar regards the Ro- Malaysia, and Indonesia, many Bangkok on Wednesday, using a piece of have escaped into the border ar- hingya as illegal migrants, drowning in unsafe and over- cloth to climb down from a third eas,” Pairat Pookcharoen, deputy though many trace their roots loaded boats. fl oor window, police said. commander of an immigration in the country back for genera- More than 700,000 Rohingya Xi visit looms hailand has asked Malay- They were part of some 40 police unit in the south, said. tions, and has confi ned tens of have fl ed to Bangladesh since a sia to help fi nd a group of Rohingya Muslims, identifi ed Thailand has long been a des- thousands to sprawling camps in 2017 crackdown by the Myanmar TRohingya Muslim traf- as victims of human traffi ckers, tination and transit country Rakhine state in the west, segre- army, according to UN agencies. AFP She urges a crowd of fi cking victims who absconded who were intercepted by Thai for men, women and children gated from the Buddhist Rakhine UN investigators concluded the Myitkyina thousands to “focus on from a detention centre in the authorities on their way to Ma- smuggled and traffi cked from population since violence swept crackdown was conducted with the present” and calls south of the country, Thai police laysia and had been detained at poorer, neighbouring countries, the area in 2012. “genocidal intent”, an accusa- for peace in the remote said yesterday. the centre to await repatriation including Cambodia, Laos and The unrest prompted tens of tion that Myanmar rejects. yanmar leader Aung region, where insurgents Nineteen Rohingya Muslims to Myanmar, police said. Two Myanmar. The United States thousands of Rohingya to fl ee Although Myanmar authori- San Suu Kyi made a have clashed with the from Myanmar escaped from the were found later on Wednesday, and rights groups have criticised Myanmar by sea, an exodus that ties say they are ready to receive Mrare trip to a region army over autonomy and detention centre in Thailand’s police said. Thai authorities for not doing peaked in 2015 when an esti- any who Rohingya who return, bordering China days before resources southern Songkhla province, “We’ve coordinated with Ma- enough to protect victims of mated 25,000 people crossed refugees have refused to go back President Xi Jinping is expect- around 5km (3 miles) from the laysian authorities to help fi nd traffi cking. the Andaman Sea for Thailand, for fear of further violence. ed to push for controversial her party swept to power in port and dam projects during a 2015 elections, but in March visit to the country. last year she called on people Wearing traditional ethnic to consider it “from a wider attire Suu Kyi danced with a perspective”. Prayers at Bangladesh congregation street procession yesterday in An environmental as- Bangladesh northern Kachin state’s capi- sessment commissioned by tal Myitkyina, a day after sup- the government fi ve years porters cheered her arrival at ago advised against the PM unveils the airport. dam’s construction, saying She urged a crowd of it could alter the fl ow of the thousands to “focus on the Irrawaddy River. logo for present” and called for peace Myitsone is one of several in the remote region, where Beijing-backed projects in insurgents have clashed with Myanmar, including a deep- Mujib Year the army over autonomy and sea port in Rakhine state’s resources. Kyaukphyu that will serve as She did not mention the China’s gateway to the Indian DPA China-backed Myitsone dam, Ocean. Dhaka a $3.6bn project halted in Northern Rakhine was the 2011 in the face of widespread site of brutal military opera- opposition. tions against Rohingya Mus- angladesh’s prime minis- A proposal to reinstate the lims in 2017 but Kyaukphyu ter kicked off a countdown dam drew thousands of protest- was largely unscathed. Byesterday to the start of ers onto the streets last year. Analysts say Myanmar has the celebrations for the birth- Myanmar is a vital piece of drifted closer to Beijing thanks day centenary of Sheikh Mujibur China’s Belt and Road Initia- to the Asian giant’s backing of Rahman, the slain leader who tive, Xi’s $1tn vision for mari- Suu Kyi over the crisis, which founded the country and hap- time, rail and road projects shattered her reputation in pens to be her father. across Asia, Africa and the west even as she remains Mujibur - known as Banga- Europe. popular at home. bandhu, which translates in During his two-day visit to Xi is also expected to meet English as friend of Bengal - led the country starting January army chief Min Aung Hla- a war against Pakistan to liberate 17, Xi and top Myanmar politi- ing, who has been accused the country in 1971. cal and military leaders are ex- of overseeing the crackdown Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina pected to discuss the initiative, against the Muslim minority opened the nationwide count- according to a Friday brief- that drove more than 740,000 down ceremony 66 days ahead ing by China’s Vice Foreign people into neighbouring of her father’s 100th birthday Minister Luo Zhaohui. Bangladesh. at Dhaka’s old airport, the site Asked about the dam in Suu Kyi defended her coun- where Mujibur landed in the Kachin, Luo said the two sides try against allegations of gen- newly liberated country on Jan- “are still maintaining close ocide at the UN’s top court uary 10, 1972, upon his release Muslims pray as they attend the World Muslim Congregation, also known as Biswa Ijtema, during noon prayers at Tongi, on the outskirts communication on this”. in The Hague last month in from Pakistani jail. of Dhaka yesterday. Suu Kyi was an oppo- a case that is expected to last Hasina also unveiled the logo nent of the project before years. for the Mujib Year, which will run from March 17, 2020, to March 26, 2021. Mujibur, who was born on March 17, 1920, declared Bang- 7 skeletons found in Vietnam house ladesh’s independence on March Jakarta set to ban single-use plastic bags 26, 1971, hours before he was ar- rested by the Pakistani military Reuters ban last year in despair over the tally-friendly carrier bags in Authorities in Vietnam’s Mekong They soon uncovered a further Highlands to buy skeletons. in Dhaka, the then provincial Jakarta trash washed up on its beaches. future and the penalties for vio- Delta region have discovered seven human skeletons, all of When Van’s husband brought capital of East Pakistan. Nowhere, apart from China, ac- lations would range from written seven skeletons inside a woman’s which were found in the house the bones back to their home, He, along with most of his cording to a Science journal report warnings, to fi nes of anywhere home, state media said yesterday. of Cao Thi Cam Van, 63, who the aforementioned buyer family, was assassinated by a he capital of Indonesia, in 2015, dumps more plastic waste between $360 and $1,800, and The case came to light on lives next door to Phong. That never appeared, so he kept group of disgruntled army offi c- a country listed as the in the sea than Indonesia, an archi- fi nally suspension or termina- Thursday when Dinh Van brought the total number of them in the house. ers on August 15, 1975. Tsecond worst off ender pelago nation of 260mn people. tion of trading permits. Phong, a resident in Tay Ninh skeletons to nine. After her husband died, Van Hasina, Mujibur’s eldest for polluting the world’s oceans Unable to cope with the The forms of plastic banned province, told authorities he Van, a widow, told police that threw two skeletons into daughter, survived along with with plastic, will ban single-use amount of solid waste generated in the regulation include latex, found two human skeletons her husband, who died from Phong’s pond. her sister, Sheikh Rehana, as plastic bags from its street mar- by a metropolitan area that is thermoplastic and polyethylene. wrapped in a cloth bag beneath disease 11 months earlier, told She said she didn’t know her they lived aboard at that time. kets and shopping malls from home to 30mn people, Jakarta’s Tutum Rahanta, who repre- a shallow pond behind his her five years ago that someone husband had hidden seven “Bangabandhu had handed us the middle of this year. environmental agency says the sents an association of shopping house, Viet Nam News reported. was willing to buy human other skeletons in their house the victory torch and we want to Jakarta Governor Anies Bas- city’s landfi lls are near capacity, centre tenants, said the govern- After being notified of the skeletons for $4,300 each. until the recent discovery. move forward with it,” Hasina wedan signed the regulation on according to media reports. ment has failed to think through remains, local police sealed Recognising the chance to The police investigation and told a gathering of more than December 27, following the steps The new regulation stipulates the alternatives. off the scene before searching profit from selling the bones, identification process remain 10,000 people at the old airport taken by the Indonesian holiday that shopkeepers and stallhold- “Consumers should not be surrounding areas. he went to Vietnam’s Central ongoing. (DPA) in central Dhaka. island of Bali, which enforced a ers should provide environmen- sacrifi ced,” Rahanta said. Gulf Times Saturday, January 11, 2020 7 ASIA/AUSTRALASIA

Envy, solidarity from Hong Kong activists as Taiwan prepares to vote

Reuters Kong people as they struggle on Cheng, a veteran pro-democra- mocracy activist Joshua Wong, but President Tsai Ing-wen’s China, wins the election. Han build his life in Taiwan by setting Taipei their democratic road in the fu- cy activist and one of the leaders who has been barred from leav- broadly sympathetic govern- has said he fully supports the up a new bookstore, set to open ture,” said Raymond Tang, a dis- of the delegation. ing Hong Kong during an ongo- ment has allowed about 60 of Hong Kong protesters and their in March. He said he was opti- trict councillor who attended an “Democracy has taken root in ing court case, also appealed to them to temporarily extend their struggle for democracy. mistic because of the burgeon- ong Kong activists and evening seminar in Taipei with Taiwan and it refutes the basic the youth of Taiwan to “protect stay. Around 6,200 immigrants China’s President Xi Jinping ing intellectual and political ties budding pro-democ- fellow delegates on countering argument that democracy is for Taiwan’s democracy”. from Hong Kong and Macau are early last year threatened to use between Taiwan and his home. Hracy politicians have fake news. the West, that it doesn’t apply to “I hope our Taiwan friends eligible to vote in Taiwan. force to take back Taiwan while “What we’re seeing in Taiwan is fl ocked to Taiwan to observe The links between the two Chinese people, which is the ar- really go for it, and with their “We will fi ght against the reiterating a call for unifi cation a country facing a military threat its elections, aiming to bolster places has never been deeper: gument propagated by Beijing,” votes show the Taiwan people’s Communist Party with our with the island under the “one and economic encroachments exchanges and galvanise an al- Hong Kong has been convulsed he added. determination to refuse to bow vote,” said Edward Leung, a country, two systems” model from China. liance against China’s infl uence. by more than seven months of In a Facebook video late and scrape before Beijing. This 58-year-old Hong Kong emigre used in Hong Kong. But the This is not a good combina- One delegation of about 50, anti-China protests, and Tai- Thursday, 15 district council- is the greatest support you can who now lives in the southern political crisis in Hong Kong, tion and it perpetuates uncer- including a batch of young dis- wan’s elections come amid lors from Hong Kong, including give Hong Kong,” he wrote on city of Kaohsiung and plans to fuelled by public anger against tainty,” he said, standing in an trict councillors who stormed heightened fears of an increas- former student leader Lester Facebook. vote for Tsai. He says she can Beijing’s tightening grip on the empty store space he plans to to a landslide electoral victory ingly assertive China under Shum, urged the people of Tai- Taiwan has become home to better defend Taiwan against city, has hardened public senti- fi ll with thousands of books fo- in November, arrived this week President Xi Jinping. wan to treasure their unfettered a small but growing number of China. ment in Taiwan, including both cused on politics in Hong Kong, and has been networking with “There’s an acute sense of democracy and to vote. Hong Kong protesters who have Some Hong Kong protest- major political parties, against Taiwan and China. key Taiwan civil society leaders, threat from China. What’s hap- “This time it’s over to you,” fl ed there fearing politically mo- ers fear Taiwan’s support will such a system. “I hope my bookshop can academics and offi cials. pened in Hong Kong has made they said in a montage. “Hong tivated charges against them in vanish if Han Kuo-yu of the Lam Wing-kee, a Hong Kong make a little diff erence, to in- “We want to learn and gain everyone reassess its rela- Kong and Taiwan, let’s go for it Hong Kong. They have no legal Kuomintang opposition party, bookseller once abducted by fl uence Taiwan, and raise their more experience, to help Hong tionship with Beijing,” Joseph together.” Prominent pro-de- way to gain permanent asylum, which favours close ties with Chinese agents, is trying to re- awareness.” Taiwan goes to polls today

AFP Taipei

aiwan’s presidential rivals held mass rallies yester- Tday in a fi nal push to con- vince voters ahead of a closely watched election that looks set to infuriate China and send rip- A combination photo shows presidential candidate Tsai Ing-wen (left) ples far beyond its borders. and her main competitor Han Kuo-yu from Kuomintang (KMT) party. Some 19mn people are eligible to vote today to choose between two leaders with very diff erent visions for Taiwan’s future – in particular how close the self- ruled island should tack to its gi- ant neighbour. Beijing views Taiwan as part of its territory and has vowed to one day retake the island, by force if necessary. But China is also Taiwan’s largest trade partner. President Tsai Ing-wen, who is seeking a second term, has pitched herself as a defender of Taiwan’s liberal values against the increasingly authoritarian shadow cast by Beijing under President Xi Jin- ping. Supporters of Taiwan’s President Tsai Ing-Wen, from the ruling “Choosing Tsai Ing-wen... Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), wave campaign flags during means we choose our future and a rally in Taipei yesterday. choose to stand with democracy and stand with freedom,” Tsai, ingly presented herself as the was too cosy with Beijing. “Han 63, told reporters on Friday dur- Taiwan’s President Tsai Ing-wen from the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) waves to supporters as she campaigns in the Banqiao best person to defend Taiwan’s Kuo-yu was a bad choice for the ing a campaign stop. district in New Taipei City yesterday ahead of the January 11 presidential and parliamentary elections. sovereignty,” Bonnie Glaser, an KMT,” said Glaser. “He has made Her main competitor Han expert at the Centre for Strategic many gaff es and provided little Kuo-yu, 62, favours much day night as they try to mop up North Carolina’s Davidson Col- tary pressure. It also poached mocracy protests in neighbour- and International Studies, told details about his policies.” warmer ties with China — say- swing voters for both the presi- lege. Beijing has made no secret seven of Taiwan’s few remaining ing Hong Kong and the mass AFP. Her rival Han, from the Still, the KMT are not going ing it would boost the island’s dency and the unicameral par- of its desire to see Tsai ousted. diplomatic allies, hopeful that a internment of Uighur Muslims opposition Kuomintang (KMT), down without a fi ght – portray- fortunes — and accuses the cur- liament. Her Democratic Progressive stick approach would convince in Xinjiang. A year ago Tsai has struggled on the campaign ing Tsai as a dangerous leader rent administration of needless- Taiwan bans the publishing Party leans towards independ- voters to punish Tsai at the ballot looked a lame-duck president, trail. pushing Taiwan towards con- ly antagonising Beijing. polls within 10 days of elections ence, and Tsai rejects Beijing’s box. But the campaign appears languishing in the polls after the A plain-speaking populist, he fl ict. The results of Saturday’s “We want change, we want to but Tsai has led comfortably view that Taiwan is part of “one to have backfi red, especially in DPP received a thumping at lo- stormed onto the political scene vote will also be closely watched rediscover happiness, prosperity throughout the campaign. Her China”. the last year after Xi gave a par- cal mid-term elections. But an- in 2018 when he won the mayor- by regional powers and in Wash- and pride for Taiwanese people,” party currently has a parliamen- In the four years since Tsai ticularly bellicose speech stat- alysts say Tsai’s ability to seize alty of the usually staunch DPP ington, especially given the par- Han told a huge rally in the capi- tary majority, which analysts won a landslide victory, Beijing ing Taiwan’s absorption into the on the protests in Hong Kong, city Kaohsiung. But his political lous state of US-China relations. tal on Thursday night, the crowd expect them to retain. “It would has tightened the screw, sev- mainland was “inevitable”. as well as Taiwan’s successful momentum slowed once he be- Taiwan has long been a potential in front a sea of swaying red and take a huge shift from the fi nal ering offi cial communications Taiwanese voters were in- economic navigation of the US- came the opposition candidate fl ashpoint between Beijing and blue national fl ags. Both candi- polls for Han to win,” said Shel- with her administration while creasingly rattled by China’s China trade war, have boosted as he fought to shake off accusa- Washington, which remains the dates held fi nal rallies yester- ley Rigger, a Taiwan expert at ramping up economic and mili- hardline response to pro-de- her fortunes. “Tsai has convinc- tions he lacked experience and island’s main military ally.

Strong winds create Australian ‘megablaze’

AFP that arson is largely to blame, Eden rather than climate change, drought or record high temper- atures. Timothy Graham, a dig- ale-force winds in ital media expert at the Queens- Australia merged two land University of Technology, Genormous fi res into a told AFP his research showed Trump and Kim in a file picture. megablaze spanning an area four half of the Twitter users deploy- times the size of Greater London ing the hashtag displayed bot- yesterday, while tens of thou- and troll-like behaviour. sands rallied to again demand “Our fi ndings show a con- action on climate change. “The certed eff ort aimed to misin- Trump sends birthday conditions are diffi cult today,” form the public about the cause said Shane Fitzsimmons, rural of the bushfi res,” Graham said. fi re service commissioner for “The campaign is nothing on wishes to Kim Jong-un New South Wales state, after the scale of what we have been days of relative calm. seeing in other countries, such “It’s the hot, dry winds that as the 2016 US election, but Reuters Kim’s birthday is believed to will prove once again to be the this amount of disinformation Seoul be Jan 8, though his secretive real challenge.” in Australia is unprecedented.” regime has never confi rmed the Temperatures soared above Prime Minister Scott Morrison date. The US government lists 40C in parts of New South yesterday tried to parry journal- S President Donald Kim’s birth year as 1984, making Wales and neighbouring Victo- ists’ questions about whether Trump sent a happy him 36 years old this year. ria, where attention was focused climate change would make hor- Ubirthday message to On Wednesday, Chung also on the two fi res that linked to rifi c bushfi re seasons the norm. North Korean leader Kim Jong- met the US special envoy for form yet another monster blaze “Look, we have covered that un, South Korea’s national se- North Korea, Stephen Biegun, of more than 600,000 hectares. Smoke rises from the Eden Woodchip Mill, from a fire that has been blazing for days, after bushfires on a number of occasions now,” curity adviser Chung Eui-Yong and “reaffi rmed close US-ROK Fire service spokesman Antho- came close the previous week to Eden, Australia, yesterday. Morrison said testily, adding said yesterday. co-ordination on North Korea,” ny Bradstreet told AFP it is be- that reviews will take place once Chung, who met Trump in State Department spokeswoman lieved the blaze was sparked by infernos, forcing some residents drought and worsened by cli- “Change the politics not the the bushfi re season is over. Washington this week, told re- Morgan Ortagus said, using the dry lightning. to fl ee to the local jetty. mate change, with experts climate,” read one sign, refl ect- Towamba volunteer fi re- porters that he was given a mes- initials for South Korea’s offi cial A “state of disaster” was ex- The catastrophic bushfi res warning that such massive ing an increasingly charged ar- fi ghter Tony Larkings, 65, said sage to pass to North Korea and name the Republic of Korea. tended 48 hours ahead of yes- have killed at least 26 people, blazes were becoming more fre- gument over the cause of the battling the fi res in recent weeks it was delivered on Thursday. The two also discussed recent terday’s forecast of scorching destroyed more than 2,000 quent and intense. Australia ex- fi res. Researchers say the bush- had been a “hot, dirty and dan- Chung said on arriving back in events in the Middle East and temperatures, and evacuation homes and scorched some 10mn perienced its driest and hottest fi re emergency has sparked an gerous” task. South Korea that Trump had re- their co-ordination on global orders were issued for areas hectares – an area larger than year on record in 2019, with its online disinformation campaign “It’s been horrendous. It’s membered the day they met was security issues. around the New South Wales- South Korea or Portugal. Uni- highest average maximum tem- “unprecedented” in the coun- never been like this before,” he Kim Jong-un’s birthday and had South Korean Foreign Minis- Victoria border. versity of Sydney scientists es- perature of 41.9C recorded in try’s history, with bots deployed told AFP. He was deeply criti- sent him birthday greetings. ter Kang Kyung-wha will meet New South Wales Premier timate 1bn mammals, birds and mid-December. to shift blame for the blazes cal of Morrison’s response to “President Trump asked US Secretary of State Mike Gladys Berejiklian said there reptiles have been killed in the In Sydney and Melbourne, away from climate change. the bushfi res, calling it mere President Moon to deliver his Pompeo in California next week, were more than 130 fi res burn- fi res. The Insurance Council of thousands of people again took One hashtag in particular, “lip service” and slamming the message to Chairman Kim,” said along with their Japanese coun- ing in the state, with just over 50 Australia estimated losses from to the streets to demand Aus- #arsonemergency, has gained leader’s response to public criti- Chung, without elaborating terpart, Toshimitsu Motegi, and not yet under control. On Kan- the fi res have so far totalled tralia’s conservative govern- traction rapidly and conserva- cism. “His great statement was whether it was a written mes- North Korea and South Korea- garoo Island off South Australia, A$939 (US$645) mn. ment do more to tackle global tive-leaning newspapers, web- ‘I don’t take this personally’,” sage or whether it included any- Japan relations will be on the top the largest town was cut off as The severe conditions have warming and reduce coal ex- sites and politicians across the Larkings said. “Scott, take it thing beyond the greeting. of the agenda. fi refi ghters battled dangerous been fuelled by a prolonged ports. globe have promoted the theory personally.” Gulf Times 8 Saturday, January 11, 2020 BRITAIN/IRELAND North Ireland to get

Sinn Fein party leader McDonald (centre) with other colleagues devolved govt again during a media conference. Reuters/AFP/DPA to end the devolved assembly’s absolutely no doubt that there which we recognise are the prod- remain in or close to the EU and snap election, another stumbling the 1998 peace deal to protect Belfast suspension. are serious challenges ahead but uct of long negotiations and rep- unionists fearing such alignment block in the talks with Sinn Fein minority rights. London had taken on greater the most signifi cant challenge resent compromise outcomes,” could undermine the province its that British Prime Minister Boris The draft agreement off ers a administrative responsibility for will be ensuring we have genuine Foster said, adding that “there place in the United Kingdom and Johnson’s emphatic victory re- new cultural framework to “pro- he main Irish nationalist the British province as the two power-sharing, based on equal- will always need to be give and pave the way to a united island of moved. tect and enhance” the Irish lan- and pro-British unionist parties blamed each other for the ity.” take”. Ireland. The two big Northern Irish guage as well as the related Ulster Tparties in Northern Ire- failure of successive attempts to DUP leader Arlene Foster ear- The importance of the de- Northern Ireland, which suf- parties’ share of the vote fell in Scots language, while meaningful land agreed yesterday to return break the deadlock. lier called the draft agreement volved administration has in- fered through three decades of those elections while budget is- reform of the so-called ‘petition to a power-sharing government They had faced the threat of “fair and balanced”. creased because a provision in sectarian violence before the sues in the health service, culmi- of concern’ mechanism would after a three-year hiatus, ending fresh elections if a deadline on “This is a deal that recognises Britain’s European Union with- 1998 Good Friday Agreement, is nating in a strike by local nurses mean that it would no longer a stand-off that had threatened Monday passed. that we live in a shared society, drawal deal will give the assem- the only part of the UK to have a this week, also raised pressure on constitute a veto for one party. a key part of the province’s 1998 “We now have a basis for pow- this is a deal that recognises that bly the right every four years to land border with an EU nation, them to cut a deal. The infl uential Orange Order, peace settlement. er sharing and we’re up for that,” no one identity should be placed consider whether to maintain and the divorce deal ensures Sinn Fein had been seeking a pro-British society that holds Sinn Fein, the largest nation- Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou Mc- over another,” she told BBC radio. alignment with European Union its border with Ireland remains increased rights for Irish speak- large annual parades and counts alist party, followed its rival, the Donald said, almost three years “We are ready to go back into the market rules. open. ers and a reform of the system of DUP politicians among its mem- Democratic Unionist Party, in to the day after her party walked Assembly.” The tortuous Brexit process The DUP propped up a minor- governance to prevent the DUP, bers, said that it opposed the deal backing a draft deal brokered by out, saying that the DUP was not “This is not a perfect deal had complicated talks in Belfast, ity British government for more the largest party, from blocking due to the “far reaching” Irish the Irish and British governments treating it as an equal. “There is and there are elements within it with Irish nationalists wanting to than two years until last month’s legislation using a clause from language provisions.

Assault on prison Flagged staff treated as Zaghari-Ratcliff e terrorist attack British police said yesterday that an assault on five prison staff at a ‘having panic maximum security jail in England is being treated as a terrorist attack. A prison off icer sustained injuries attacks’: husband to his head and neck during the incident on Thursday morning which took place at Whitemoor Fallout from US airstrike prison in eastern England. taking toll on British- Two prisoners were detained by Iranian woman jailed in other staff and are thought to Tehran, says husband have used “improvised bladed weapons”, according to London’s By Frances Perraudin Metropolitan Police. Guardian News & Media Both attackers were also wearing belts with various items crudely attached, they added. British-Iranian woman The BBC reported that one of the jailed in Iran has had two inmates was in fact serving Apanic attacks since ten- a prison sentence for terrorism sions between the country and off ences. the US escalated, her husband Zaghari-Ratcliff e: has been “The matter is being treated has said. detained since 2016 as a terrorist attack and the Richard Ratcliff e said the investigation continues at pace,” fallout from US President prisoners,” said Ratcliff e, who police said in a statement. Donald Trump’s assassination was due to meet Foreign and Five staff members were of the Iranian general Qassem Commonwealth Offi ce offi cials hospitalised in the aftermath of Suleimani was taking a toll on yesterday. the incident but have since been the mental health of his wife, “There’s certainly concerns. released. Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliff e. I think it’s a very tough time, In 2016, Britain announced plans Zaghari-Ratcliff e has been and you have heard on the to isolate radical Islamists in detained since 2016 after she news this morning about other special units in high security jails was arrested on espionage events in Iran, it’s just really to limit their ability to influence charges and jailed for fi ve years. sad,” he said, referring to re- A protester waves a flag during a demonstration outside the Australian embassy in London against the Australian government’s other inmates amid concerns that She is among up to fi ve peo- ports that a Ukrainian passen- inaction over climate change despite the bushfire crisis. prisons were breeding grounds ple with dual British-Iranian ger jet that crashed in Tehran for extremists. nationality, or with UK con- on Wednesday. nections, believed to be in This week Ratcliff e criticised prison in Iran. the killing of Suleimani, saying Their families have said they that it was hard to demand that are being held as collateral and Iran complies with the rule of that the heightened tensions law if its adversaries play fast Female BBC presenter wins equal pay claim have made it harder to secure and loose with the same law. their release. He said the near-collapse in Speaking on BBC Breakfast relations between the West and AFP The BBC is regularly scruti- However, it defended its ac- urday breakfast show “to fi ll out have been paid a near-identical yesterday morning, Ratcliff e Iran made it diffi cult to con- London nised over the amounts it pays tions. the programme”, the corporation amount. said: “This is a situation where vince his wife that her release top stars and has also faced sev- “We have always believed that said. Vine took over on Points of there is a lot of anger in Iran from Evrin jail in Tehran may eral major stories about female the pay of Samira and Jeremy The 15-minute weekly Points View in 2008 on £3,000 – £500 and a lot of vulnerability, and be imminent. British female news pre- staff being paid less than their Vine was not determined by their of View show started in 1961 and less than his predecessor Terry it’s very stressful for the people Speaking yesterday, Ratcliff e senter who was paid one- male equivalents. gender,” it said. “Presenters – fe- features viewers’ praise and criti- Wogan. involved. urged Boris Johnson to pay Asixth of the fee earned by a Ahmed, who argued she was male as well as male – had always cisms across the whole spectrum In 2018, journalist Carrie “I mean, Nazanin was taken a £400mn debt that Britain male presenter on a similar show owed almost £700,000 ($914, been paid more on Points of View of BBC programmes in a dry, hu- Gracie resigned as BBC’s China down to the clinic overnight owes Iran, as his wife now fears won her discrimination case 000, €825,000) in back pay, wel- than Newswatch.” morous style. editor over what she called an two nights ago, through palpi- receiving a second jail sentence against the BBC yesterday. comed the ruling. The BBC said Points of View Newswatch, a 10-minute “indefensible pay gap” with tations and panic attacks. as Iran seeks revenge on the An employment tribunal ruled “No woman wants to have to requires the presenter to deal weekly programme, started in other international editors at “So I think it’s important for West. the corporation failed to prove take action against their own with issues “in a light-hearted 2004 in an attempt to make the the publicly funded media behe- the government to just do what The sum has been outstand- the disparity in pay between employer. I love working for the way”, so its presenters have tend- corporation’s news output more moth. they can.” ing since pre-revolutionary Samira Ahmed and Jeremy Vine BBC,” she said in a statement re- ed to be “well-known fi gures in accountable, and gives viewers The previous year it published He said that his wife had Iran paid the UK for 1,500 was “because of a material factor leased through the National Un- the world of light entertainment” the right of reply on news cover- for the fi rst time the salaries of been given beta blockers to tanks in the 1970s. which did not involve subjecting ion of Journalists (NUJ). meriting a higher market fee. age. its highest-paid stars, following help calm her down. The deal was cancelled after the claimant to sex discrimina- The BBC responded that Newswatch “deals with mat- Ahmed started fronting News- pressure from parliament. “We usually expect things to the shah of Iran was deposed tion”. Ahmed was “an excellent jour- ters seriously” on the “relatively watch in 2012 on £440 – the The BBC’s disclosures revealed happen a week or 10 days later, in 1979, but, while Iran has de- Both journalists present shows nalist and presenter, and we re- niche” BBC News Channel. same as her male predecessor 12 of the top 14 were men, as were so there is a sense of forebod- manded the money back, Brit- where the viewers are given a gret that this case ever had to go It is only repeated on the main Ray Snoddy. two-thirds earning more than ing which is aff ecting all the ain has so far refused. chance to air their opinions. to tribunal”. BBC One channel during the Sat- Her occasional male stand-ins £150,000. Meghan fl ies to Canada amid criticism Fraudster jailed for selling of couple’s plans to reduce royal role useless scanners to navy

DPA Elizabeth II, or other senior AFP nar imaging devices and safety emitted lasers potentially harm- London royals before making their an- London equipment worth around £1.4mn ful to eyesight. nouncement. ($1.85mn, €1.65mn). The fraud unravelled in Janu- Harry and Meghan returned The deception started in May ary 2018 after the MoD was eghan, the Duchess earlier this week from a six- man who sold useless un- 2017 when he made presenta- warned by a third party. of Sussex and wife week break in Canada, a mem- derwater scanning tech- tions about what the scanning Tiltman admitted fraud by Mof Prince Harry, has ber of the Commonwealth, with Anology to Britain’s minis- equipment could do, using fabri- false representation and fraud by returned to Canada, Bucking- their eight-month-old son Ar- try of defence (MoD) in a planned cated results. abuse of position in November ham Palace said yesterday amid chie. fraud was jailed yesterday for The LIDAR (Light Detection last year. fi erce media criticism of the Former actress Meghan had three years and four months. and Ranging) technology used “Your off ending was clear- couple’s plans to step back from lived in Toronto while fi ling the Company boss Carl Tiltman, lasers to detect and scan items ly very serious indeed,” judge their royal duties. popular television drama Suits. 56, used fake test results to trick like ships and underwater pipe- Christopher Hehir told him. Meghan, 38, and Harry, 35, She became close to the lead- the Royal Navy about its capa- lines to produce images for anal- “The off ending was protracted in announced on Wednesday that ing political families of former bilities, Southwark Crown Court ysis. time and caused or contributed they will seek a lower profi le, Royal memorabilia featuring Harry and Meghan is displayed for Canadian prime minister Brian in south London was told. The LIDAR produced pictures to very substantial fi nancial loss build fi nancial independence sale in a store near Buckingham Palace in London. Mulroney and current premier Navy personnel were put at which Tiltman used “as the basis and damage ... as well as causing and divide their time between Justin Trudeau. risk by carrying out “completely for his own, more detailed fabri- some risk to the life and limb of Britain and North America as The surprise announcement whose mother is black. The couple’s lavish royal futile” live training operations to cation” to fool offi cials, prosecu- service personnel. they “carve out a progressive came after they had denounced Buckingham Palace said dis- wedding at Windsor Castle in test the laser-emitting kit which tor John Greany said. “I’m entirely satisfi ed you new role”. intrusive and inaccurate media cussions were ongoing with the May 2018 was attended by sev- “produced no meaningful results The court was told service per- caused a loss of half a million The couple said they plan to reporting, as well as the vitriol couple, while the BBC quoted eral of Meghan’s Suits co-stars whatsoever”, it heard. sonnel were exposed to unneces- pounds of actual fi nancial loss- restrict media access and with- directed toward them on so- palace sources as saying Harry and celebrities including Oprah Tiltman, a former MoD em- sary risk after training for up to es. It is likely that the losses you draw from a rota system for me- cial media, including racist at- and Meghan did not consult Winfrey, Serena Williams, and ployee, persuaded the ministry eight months to carry out live actually caused were far higher dia coverage of the royal family. tacks against US-born Meghan, Harry’s grandmother, Queen George and Amal Clooney. to place orders for specialist so- exercises with machinery which than that.” Gulf Times Saturday, January 11, 2020 9 EUROPE

Gonzalez: to be foreign minister. Talks to break deadlock Women experts, over pension reform fail French PM Philippe to leftists to off er unions compromise proposals on pensions dominate Reuters/DPA Spain govt Paris egotiations yesterday between the French AFP Ngovernment and trade Madrid unions failed to break the dead- lock over pension reform as both sides stood fi rm ahead of a fi fth omen experts and rad- day of nationwide protests. ical leftists looked set With a public transport strike Wto play a dominant role into its 37th day, President Em- in Spain’s new coalition govern- manuel Macron’s centrist gov- ment as Pedro Sanchez named a ernment defi ed unions yesterday senior global trade expert as his with a draft pension reform bill top diplomat yesterday. that included a contested clause Following nearly a year of po- on raising the retirement age by litical deadlock, Sanchez was two years to 64. confi rmed as prime minister on Prime Minister Edouard Tuesday, freeing him up to piece Philippe says the reform must together his new government, result in a balanced pension a minority coalition compris- budget and that raising the re- ing his Socialists and the radical tirement age is the best way to Demonstrators burn tyres yesterday as they block the entry of the industrial area of Le Havre’s harbour, left-wing Podemos. achieve this. in northwestern France, to protest the government’s pensions overhaul. Nearly all of the ministers He did, however, say that he in the new line-up have been would send trade unions new “I would say we have made tirement on a full pension from tions for businesses, Martinez named, with the list to be pre- proposals today. good progress in the search for 62 to 64. argued. sented to King Felipe VI tomor- Speaking after a day of talks the compromise that we want On Thursday some 452,000 Paris lawyers meanwhile row and the government to take with trade unions representa- ... but there is still work to do,” people – by offi cial estimates – staged a protest in the lobby the oath of offi ce the following tives, Philippe said in a brief press took to the streets around France of the city’s Court of Appeals, day. Philippe said the government statement after yesterday’s in the fourth day of mass pro- where they lay down on the fl oor In yesterday’s surprise an- is still determined to push its talks. tests against the reform. in their black robes. nouncement, Sanchez’s offi ce planned single national pension Laurent Berger, head of The CGT union and other Lawyers in several cities have said the foreign aff airs portfo- system through parliament be- France’s biggest union, said he hardliners have called a fi fth day protested, in one case fl inging lio would be held by Arancha fore the summer. had sensed an “opening” in his of protests for today. their robes to the ground dur- Gonzalez, head of the Interna- The prime minister is facing talks with Philippe but needed a CGT chief Philippe Martinez, ing a speech by Justice Minister tional Trade Centre (ITC), in a pushback from moderate unions concrete response quickly. who wants the entire reform Nicole Belloubet, against the clear indication that for the new on several aspects of Macron’s “I hope that it is really very project off the table, dismissed amalgamation of their retire- government, “economic diplo- keynote reform, especially a quick, because this has gone the retirement age question as a ment scheme with the new na- macy will be the priority”. planned increase in the age for on long enough,” the head of “fake row”. tional scheme. Lawyers attend a demonstration yesterday to protest pension A polyglot who also speaks retirement on a full pension. the moderate CFDT union said, Many workers already have to France spends the equivalent reforms inside the Justice Palace in Paris, in this screen grab English, French, German, Ital- Hardliners opposed to the re- criticising what he described as work past 62 to get a full pen- of 14% of GDP on pension pay- obtained from social media. ian and Basque, Gonzalez spent form outright have taken to the a “logic of confrontation” in re- sion, he noted. ments. eight years as chief-of-staff at streets in mass demonstrations cent weeks. Any shortfall in pension funds Macron has already stared holding his ground once again. “yellow vest” protests against the World Trade Organisation and have shut down much of Berger has insisted the gov- could be made up by measures down the unions over reform of However, early last year, he the high cost of living and elit- (WTO) before moving in 2013 to Paris’s metro system since early ernment must cancel the such as pay rises and ending the state-run SNCF railways and made concessions worth €17bn ism that posed the severest chal- the ITC, a UN and World Trade December. planned raise in the age for re- social security payment exemp- French labour laws and is now to quell months of often violent lenge yet to his authority. Organisation agency. Known internationally, the 50-year-old will take up her post on Monday alongside 22 other ministers, fi ve of them from the far-left, in a cabinet in which Sanchez has four deputies. European Parliament strips jailed MEP of seat One is Podemos’s pony-tailed leader Pablo Iglesias, 41, who will handle the social rights AFP his part in a banned 2017 inde- European Parliament protects the removal of Junqueras’s sta- portfolio, while the other three Brussels pendence referendum in Cata- the rights of its members and its tus. are women ministers from the lonia. own independence and work,” “Justice is served,” declared previous government. His plea came after the EU’s MEP Diana Riba wrote to Sas- conservative Dolors Monserrat, Sanchez’s current deputy, he European Parliament European Court of Justice last soli. who represents a Catalan seat Carmen Calvo, 62, will con- declared yesterday that month ruled that Junqueras – But Spain has also now asked but is loyal to Madrid. tinue in the role and handle ties Tjailed Catalan separatist along with exiled Catalan leader for their immunity to be lifted, She branded the EU parlia- with the deeply-fragmented Oriol Junqueras is no longer a Carles Puigdemont, living in meaning they could be subject to ment’s decision “a new victory parliament, where the govern- member of the European Par- exile in Belgium – should enjoy European arrest warrants. for democrats and a defeat for ment only holds a minority of 155 liament (MEP), stripping him immunity from prosecution as “We will work to ensure that those who moved against de- within the 350-seat chamber. of the immunity his supporters MEPs. the European Parliament grants mocracy and tried to use the For the other two – Economy hoped would see him freed. By extension, the Catalan in- the request as quickly as possi- European institutions to lie and Minister Nadia Calviño and En- Junqueras was elected to the dependence movement hoped ble,” Spanish Liberal MEP Luis harm Spain”. vironment Minister Teresa Rib- European parliament in May but that Junqueras, who was elected Garicano said, warning that par- Some MEPs were dismayed. era – the post is a promotion. his term “ended with eff ect from despite being in pre-trial deten- liament “will not be a refuge for French leftist Manon Aubry Ribera, 50, is a recognised January 3, 2020” after a decision tion, could have been freed, de- those who have escaped justice”. accused Sassoli of “bowing to climate expert who headed the by the Spanish electoral com- spite his conviction for sedition The European Commission, Spain’s political justice”. Paris-based Institute for Sus- mission backed by a top court, since May’s election. the EU executive and guarantor The political situation in tainable Development and In- speaker David Sassoli said. But on Thursday, Spain’s Su- This file photo taken on May 20 shows Junqueras inside the of its legal treaties, is also study- Catalonia remains in fl ux fol- ternational Relations. The jailed pro-independence preme Court ruled that Jun- parliament building in Madrid. ing the situation. lowing the 2017 independence Calviño, 51, is a former top leader had just written to Sassoli queras’s conviction “implies the “The preliminary ruling of the referendum which Madrid de- EU offi cial who joined Sanchez’s yesterday to ask him to confi rm suspension of his status as a Eu- Also yesterday, a Spanish attend its plenary session in European Court of Justice (ECJ) clared unconstitutional. fi rst government in an appar- his status as an MEP and thus to ropean parliamentarian”. Supreme Court judge said that Strasbourg next week, despite raises novel and complex legal The region, Spain’s richest, ent bid to reassure Brussels the pressure Spain to keep him out “It follows from the case-law Spain would retain its European Spain’s extradition demand. issues which are in the fi rst place was rocked by days of mass, Socialist administration would of prison and allow him to take of the Court of Justice that the arrest warrants issued for Pu- The decision to grant the pair for the European Parliament and sometimes violent, pro-inde- respect eurozone budget rules. up his seat. European Parliament is obliged igdemont and another Catalan their accreditation had given the national courts to assess,” pendence rallies after Spain’s The new coalition has pledged The letter urged the parlia- to take note without delay of the MEP, Toni Comin. their supporters hope that Sas- spokeswoman Dana Spinant Supreme Court on October 14 to raise the minimum wage and ment not to declare Junqueras’s fi nal decisions of the competent Comin and Puigdemont have soli might also push for Jun- said. handed down jail terms to nine hike taxes on high earners and seat vacant simply because he judicial authorities of the mem- received credentials for the Eu- queras’s freedom. Spanish MEPs opposed to politicians and activists for their large businesses, while also re- has begun a 13-year sentence for ber states,” Sassoli said. ropean Parliament and plan to “It is fundamental that the Catalonia’s independence hailed role. pealing elements of the contro- versial 2012 labour market re- forms. Such a proposal has raised alarm with industry fi gures fear- ing it could harm job creation. Thunberg urges world leaders to end fossil fuel ‘madness’ The entry of Podemos, which emerged from the anti-austerity “Indignados” movement, into By Damian Carrington made rapidly, but global emissions are But their investments in green en- and industries not moving towards government for the fi rst time has Guardian News & Media still rising. ergy are tiny compared with those in zero-carbon emissions would be pun- raised concerns among business “Young people are being let down by fossil fuels. ished by investors and go bankrupt. leaders. older generations and those in power,” Subsidies for fossil fuels also remain “It ought to be in every company and But the coalition has pledged reta Thunberg and fellow youth the climate strikers said. “To some it high despite a G20 pledge in 2009 to stakeholder’s interest to make sure that to “respect the mechanisms of climate campaigners are de- may seem like we are asking for a lot. eliminate them. the planet they live on will thrive,” said budget discipline”, with Iglesias Gmanding that global leaders But this is just the very minimum ef- The International Monetary Fund the climate strikers, who come from speaking of “a very moderate immediately end the “madness” of fort needed to start the rapid sustain- (IMF) estimates such subsidies run at nations across the world, including the programme” and saying that it huge ongoing investments in fossil fuel able transition.” $10mn a minute, or $5.2tn a year. US, Australia, Brazil, Russia, India and would focus on helping “ordi- exploration and enormous subsidies Much of the world’s existing coal, “The fact that [ending investment Nigeria. “But history has not shown nary people with modest means”. for coal, oil and gas use. oil and gas reserves must be kept in the and subsidies] hasn’t been done al- the corporate world’s willingness to Next week, Iglesias will be The 21 young activists are also call- ground to avoid the worst impacts of ready is, quite frankly, a disgrace,” said hold themselves accountable. So it joined in government by four ing on the political and business lead- global heating. Thunberg and colleagues. falls on us, the children, to do that.” other left-wing ministers, one ers who will be attending the World However, investment in fossil fuel Investors managing funds totalling The agenda for the 50th annual of whom is Irene Montero, his Economic Forum in Davos to ensure exploration and extraction remains $12tn have already divested from coal, meeting of the World Economic Fo- partner in life, who has been investment funds dump their holdings high. oil and gas, but the climate activists rum, which begins on January 20 in named minister of equality. in fossil fuel companies. Since the Paris climate agreement demand that “all companies, banks, Switzerland, lists four “urgent and im- Yolanda Diaz will serve as la- “Anything less would be a betrayal in 2015, the world’s largest invest- institutions and governments im- portant” global issues. bour minister and communist against life itself,” said Thunberg and ment banks have provided more than mediately and completely divest from The fi rst is “how to address the ur- MP Alberto Garzon will take the colleagues in an article in the Guard- $700bn (£535bn) to fossil fuel compa- fossil fuels”. gent climate and environmental chal- consumer aff airs portfolio. ian. “Today’s business as usual is turn- nies to develop new projects, with the Mark Carney, the governor of the lenges that are harming our ecology Both are from the far-left Uni- ing into a crime against humanity. We total investment estimated to be tril- Bank of England, said in December and economy”. das Podemos coalition. demand that you play your part in lions of dollars. that the fi nancial sector was not cut- The climate strikers said: “The And sociologist Manuel Cas- putting an end to this madness.” Fossil fuel companies argue that ting investments in oil and gas com- world’s leaders should invest their tells, who is close to Podemos, The burning of fossil fuels is the big- their products will be used for many panies rapidly enough and warned money in existing sustainable technol- will head the universities min- Thunberg holds a placard reading ‘School gest driver of the climate emergency. years to come and that they have a piv- that assets in the sector could end up ogies, research and in restoring nature. istry. strike for climate’ in front of the Swedish Scientists predict catastrophic im- otal role in shifting the energy system “worthless”. Short-term profi t should not trump „ See also page 15 Parliament yesterday. pacts unless deep cuts in emissions are to zero emissions. He said in October that companies long-term stability of life.” Gulf Times 10 Saturday, Januray 11, 2020 INDIA Top court orders review Andhra CM appears in of all curbs in Kashmir CBI court in DPA cuts have since been eased, but freedoms cannot be an arbitrary Kashmir has crossed 150 days, She said the orders did not New Delhi Internet remains suspended and exercise of power,” the court reportedly the longest ever in a mean immediate relief, adding hundreds of politicians remain said, and it further asserted that democracy, which activists say the authorities were left to de- in detention in the Kashmir “mere expression of dissent or is aimed at silencing dissent. cide on relaxing the curbs. assets case ndia’s Supreme Court yes- valley, which has a population disagreement against a gov- Senior government lawyer Bhasin, however, hoped for terday ordered a review of of 7mn. ernment decision cannot be a Tushar Mehta said the restric- “full relief,” possibly by the next Iall restrictions including A three-judge bench led by reason for Internet suspension.” tions were preventive steps nec- hearing in court in the coming IANS In what is known as suspension of Internet services Justice B V Ramana ordered the The court also held that Sec- essary to contain any outbreak of week. Hyderabad “quid-pro-quo’’ cases, in Kashmir as it excoriated the Kashmir administration to re- tion 144 of the Criminal Pro- violence. The ruling came as envoys Jagan was accused of government, saying such curbs view all restrictive orders within cedure Code – which prohibits Government agencies said from 15 countries were on a two- getting investments were unwarranted and an abuse one week, said lawyer Vrinda the gathering of people to avoid they had prevented loss of life day trip to Kashmir. ndhra Pradesh Chief into his businesses by of power. Grover, who moved a petition protests – cannot be used indef- despite eff orts by militants The trip was organised by the Minister Y S Jagan Mo- fi rms and individuals New Delhi stripped the region challenging the curbs on behalf initely by authorities to oppress and radical groups using so- Indian government and is being Ahan Reddy yesterday in return for the of its semi-autonomous status of journalist Anuradha Bhasin. people’s democratic rights. cial media to spread infl amma- seen as a diplomatic outreach appeared before a CBI special undue favours by the on August 5 and imposed re- She said the judges held that Internet curbs have not only im- tory material and fake videos to amid international criticism of court in the disproportionate government headed strictions on communications as the Internet shutdown impacted pinged on the freedom of the press destabilise the situation. the violation of the civil rights assets case. by his father Y.S. well as the movement and gath- the freedom of press which is but also disrupted business and Bhasin termed the orders as and liberties of Kashmiris. Reddy, who landed at Be- Rajasekhara Reddy ering of people to prevent any part of freedom of speech and essential services such as health- signifi cant, saying it would put Himalayan Kashmir has seen gumpet Airport in a special between 2004 and backlash. expression. care and education resulting in a check on state clampdowns in a separatist insurgency since aircraft from Vijayawada, 2009 Many curbs including road- “Suspension of free move- hardships for the local people. future, subjecting them to judi- the 1980s in which tens of thou- reached the special court at blocks and telephone service ment, Internet and basic The Internet shutdown in cial review. sands of people have been killed. Nampally Court Complex sought the exemption from amid tight security. personal appearance in the This is the fi rst time Reddy court on the ground that has personally appeared in the he is holding a constitu- court as the chief minister in tional post and needs to Rally against new citizenship law the case registered against him attend several important Union chief in 2011. programmes. Reddy, who took over as the However, the CBI had op- chief minister in May last year, posed the plea on the ground among 9 has been seeking exemptions that there is a change only in from personal appearance personal capacity of the pe- every Friday. titioner and not in the cir- suspects However, the special court, cumstances of the case. The hearing Central Bureau of In- federal agency had also argued vestigation (CBI) cases, last that Jagan may infl uence the in JNU week took exception to the witnesses. YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) In what is known as “quid- chief seeking exemptions pro-quo’’ cases, Jagan was violence every week. accused of getting invest- Along with the chief min- ments into his businesses IANS ister, his close aide and YSR by fi rms and individuals in New Delhi Congress lawmaker V Vi- return for the undue favours jaya Sai Reddy, who is ac- by the government headed cused number two in the case, by his father Y.S. Rajasekhara ive days after the violence former minister and party Reddy between 2004 and that rocked the JNU cam- leader Dharmana Prasad Rao, 2009. The CBI has fi led 11 Fpus, the Delhi Police yester- IAS offi cer Sri Laxmi, indus- chargesheets against Jagan day released pictures of nine sus- trialist Shyamaprasad Reddy, and others. pects, whom they said included retired bureaucrat Samuel and However, the YSRCP leader JNUSU president Aishe Ghosh. other accused appeared before denied all the charges and Addressing a press conference, the court. termed them as political Joy Tirkey, Deputy Commission- The court on November 1 last vendetta. er of Police (crime branch) said year had dismissed Jagan’s pe- The CBI arrested Jagan and that four of the nine suspects be- tition for exemption from per- sent him to jail on May 27, long to the JNU. Protesters hold national flags and shout slogans during a demonstration against new citizenship law in Hyderabad yesterday. sonal appearance in the case. 2012. After 16 months in jail, The police claimed that they The chief minister had he was granted bail. zeroed in on the suspects after analysing footage obtained from several videos of the violent in- cident that resulted in injuries to more than 30 students and teaching staff . Fissures widen in UP IPS cadre over SSP removal Punjab to Tirkey, who is heading the Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe into the incident, said that IANS those accused of corruption. Vaibhav Krishna was sus- “transfers and postings” in ex- leaked to tarnish his image. send team members of Left-affi liated stu- Lucknow “The viral video issue is just pended after a forensic lab in change for money. He also alleged that he was dents wing AISA, AISF, SFI and an excuse to suspend Vaibhav Gujarat confi rmed the authen- UP DGP O P Singh had said being targeted because he had DSF had tried to obstruct stu- Krishna. The real reason is the ticity of the video chat with a last week that this amounted to begun a probe to expose the to MP over dent registrations for the winter he suspension of Gau- powerful lobby of IPS offi cers woman that had gone viral on a violation of service rules. nexus between the IPS offi cers, semester. tam Buddha Nagar SSP who do not want any investiga- the social media a few days ago. Krishna, a 2000 batch IPS journalists and builders. They started creating hurdles TVaibhav Krishna by the tion in corruption matters. The Krishna had termed the viral offi cer, had accused an ASP- Meanwhile, the state gov- eviction of in the registration process from Uttar Pradesh government has three-member committee set video as fake but the forensic rank offi cer, a Provincial Civil ernment transferred 13 IPS January 1 and continued to do so deepened fi ssures in the state’s up to probe charges against fi ve report says that “No sign of Services (PCS) offi cer, four in- offi cers including the police till January 5, which ultimately IPS cadre. IPS offi cers, named by Vaibhav edit, alteration, medication, spectors, a sub-inspector and chiefs of Banda, Sultanpur, 500 Sikhs led to the violence, he added. According to sources, an Krishna, who have been ac- morphing was observed in this three constables in his letter Rampur and Ghaziabad who Meanwhile, Ghosh and her as- ADG rank offi cer has report- cused of having a nexus with video.” of extending favours to these had been accused of corrup- IANS sociates, named by the Delhi Po- edly written a letter to Chief journalists on corruption issues Vaibhav Krishna had himself middlemen. tion by Vaibhav Krishna. All Chandigarh lice, have denied the charges. Minister Yogi Adityanath, ask- is just an eye wash,” he said. lodged an FIR in the case of the He had also provided DGP these offi cers have been given Ever since January 5, when a ing him to take action against He cited the example of an- viral video. Singh with video recordings non-district postings. group of masked people assault- corrupt offi cers and investigate other senior IPS offi cer who Vaibhav Krishna also re- and clips in support of his al- These offi cers include Ajay oncerned over reports ed students and some teaching charges against them. has spent a large part of his portedly leaked a confi dential legations. An investigation Pal Sharma (Rampur), Sudhir of eviction faced by 500 staff on campus, JNU has seen The ADG, who spoke on career in suspension and said letter that he had written to into his allegations is being Singh (Ghaziabad), Ganesh CSikhs from a scheduled claims and counter-claims by condition of anonymity, said that if the offi cer was so inef- the state government accusing conducted by IG, Meerut, Alok Prasad Saha (Banda), Himan- tribal block in Madhya Pradesh, Left and the ruling BJP-affi liated that in Vaibhav Krishna’s case fi cient, he should have been fi ve offi cers of conniving with Singh. shu (Sultanpur) and Rajiv Punjab Chief Minister Ama- ABVP over who started the vio- it was the whistleblower who terminated instead of remain- certain builders, extortionists The IPS offi cer had claimed Narain Misra, who was posted rinder Singh yesterday decided lence on campus. had been penalised instead of ing suspended. and local journalists to ensure that the “morphed” video was as SP STF in Lucknow. to send a fact-fi nding delega- tion and ensure that the evacu- ees are not rendered homeless or otherwise harassed. Amarinder Singh conveyed his decision to his Madhya Pradesh Kerala town braces for counterpart Kamal Nath when he Big broadcasters warn new spoke on the telephone to discuss the issue. Maradu fl ats demolition During his talk with Kamal Nath, the Punjab chief minister IANS remains is a skeleton structure. requested for alternate arrange- Kochi The apex court had on tariff rules could hit services ments to be made for the settle- September 6 ordered its ment of these 500 Sikhs. demolition by September 20 for Reuters home and cable operators to If it was not possible to reha- Four months after the Supreme violating the Coastal Regulation Mumbai double the number of chan- bilitate them in the same area Court ordered the demolition Zone rules, but Kerala nels they off er by charging a where they had been living for of four multi-storey illegal government dilly-dallied it. basic “network capacity fee” the past two decades, due to apartment complexes at It was only after the court went ome of the biggest tel- to 200, and capped the charges tribal land protections and laws, Maradu, near Kochi, experts and hammer and tongs against evision broadcasters for additional channels. It also then alternate land should be authorities yesterday engaged Chief Secretary Tom Jose, did Soperating in India joined reduced the price ceilings for provided for their resettlement, in last minute checks for the first the Kerala government finally forces yesterday to criticise some channel off erings. Amarinder Singh said. round of demolition today and decide that there was no other new government regulations TRAI’s decision, which comes Kamal Nath assured Amarinder another tomorrow. way out but to get ready for the that impose restrictions on in force from March 1, will re- Singh that his government would A mock drill was carried out to demolition. pay-TV charges, saying the duce customers’ monthly bills From left: Punit Misra, CEO of Zee Entertainment Enterprises; K do everything possible to ensure ensure safety of citizens. After various rounds of move could put some channels but adversely hit the revenues Madhavan, managing director of Star and Disney India; Punit Goenka, that the Sikhs get their due and Everything was enacted except discussions the date was out of business. and profi tability of broadcasters, managing director & CEO of Zee Entertainment Enterprises; N P Singh, are not subjected to any harass- for the pressing of the button, finalised and through an open Senior executives from India’s according to the research arm of MD & CEO of Sony Pictures Networks India; Uday Shankar, chairman ment, said the spokesperson. which will trigger the collapse. tender process, the demolition Zee Entertainment, Viacom18 ratings agency ICRA. of Star India; Aroon Purie, chairman of TV Today Network; Sudhanshu The problem has occurred The demolition will be around was handed over to companies Media, Sony Corp’s local unit, During yesterday’s event, in- Vats, Group CEO of Viacom18 Media; Megha Tata, managing director – as a result of the Madhya 11am, when the first building will who have done similar Walt Disney and its TV network dustry executives also said the South Asia of Discovery Communications India; and I.Venkat, director of Pradesh government’s cur- be razed to the ground within operations in the past. Star India, got together to brief regulations will further squeeze Eenadu TV, pose after a news conference in Mumbai yesterday. rent drive against mafi a and seconds, followed by the second Inspector General Vijay Sakhare the media in Mumbai and said India’s paid television industry encroachments. demolition. told the media that everything excessive regulation will also which was already battling in- TRAI’s new tariff regulations TRAI chairman R S Sharma The state government says The final round of demolition is ready and Section 144 of the crimp their ability to keep up tense competition from video come less than a year after it has said the new revised regu- these Sikhs had been illegal oc- will take place tomorrow. CrPC will be enforced on land, with technological advances. streaming fi rms such as Netfl ix fi rst asked broadcasters to price lations announced this month cupants of land in the notifi ed The Maradu complex comprises air and water. “We’re evaluating how we and Amazon’s Prime Video. channels individually, rather were merely “fi ne-tuning” of tribal block in Karahal tehsil of 356 flats in four buildings and “Around 800 police off icials will can challenge this,” said N P “The long term eff ects of this than grouping them into pack- the previous ones, and the reg- Sheopur district, but the Sikhs, had housed 240 families. be keeping close watch when Singh, managing director and are going to be extremely de- ages, so as to allow customers to ulator was open to hearing the originally hailing from Punjab After all the occupants moved the demolition process begins, CEO for Sony Pictures Net- structive. I don’t see a case of better make selections. industry’s grievances. and Haryana, have denied the out, authorities had removed all in the waterfront area of the flat, works India. existence for the smaller chan- The move, however, was A government offi cial said charges of illegally occupying the the windows and other things there would be no movement of The Telecom Regulatory nels... most of them will have to marred by confusion around TRAI will review the indus- land and say that they had pur- from the building and all what boats allowed,” said Sakhare. Authority of India (TRAI) this shut shop,” said Uday Shankar, implementation and forced the try’s remarks made yesterday chased the land, including agri- month ordered direct-to- Star India’s chairman. TRAI to review the regulations. before commenting further. cultural plots, back in the 1990s. Gulf Times Saturday, January 11, 2020 11 LATIN AMERICA

US sharply Protests in Brazil reduces flights to Cuba

The United States yesterday sharply reduced flights al- lowed to go to Cuba in a bid to reduce tourism revenue to the communist island. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said that charter flights would only be allowed to fly to Havana, not other airports - a step already taken with commercial flights. The restrictions “will further restrict the Cuban regime’s ability to obtain revenue, which it uses to finance its ongoing repres- sion of the Cuban people and its unconscionable support for dictator Nicolas Maduro in Venezuela,” Pompeo said in a statement. “In suspending public charter flights to these nine Cuban airports, the United States further impedes the Cuban regime from gaining ac- cess to hard currency from US travellers,” he said. President Donald Trump has drastically reversed the course on Cuba set by his predecessor Barack Protesters clash with riot policemen during an agitation against fare hikes for city buses in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Obama, who had launched an opening with the island. US throws support behind Venezuela talks to end crisis

AFP Washington Juan Guaido, president of Venezuela’s National Assembly, poses for a picture after an interview with he United States threw its Reuters in Caracas, Venezuela. support behind negotia- Ttions in Venezuela, saying talks could establish a transi- tional government, lead to fresh elections and bring an end to the Guaido calls for EU ‘blood gold’ country’s long-running political crisis. The statement came as op- position leader Juan Guaido, who designation for informal mining this week survived attempts to remove him as head of the Na- tional Assembly, called new Reuters Europe... and to clearly label it has not specifi cally prohibited protests in hopes of rekindling Caracas ‘blood gold,’” Guaido said. trade of Venezuelan gold. The momentum in his quest to topple “What is it used for in Ven- Reuters interview was Guaido’s leftist President Nicolas Maduro. ezuela? To fi nance irregular fi rst with foreign media since The United States has not op- enezuelan opposition (armed) groups,” he said, re- Maduro’s security forces tried posed past talks among Venezue- leader Juan Guaido yes- ferring to Colombian guerril- unsuccessfully to prevent him lans but had taken a hard line, Venezuela’s Foreign Minister Jorge Arreaza and Vice-Minister for North America Carlos Ron attend a news Vterday urged the European las that are increasingly present from getting re-elected as the saying they should only discuss conference in Caracas, Venezuela. Union to offi cially label as “blood near gold mining operations. head of the opposition earlier Maduro’s exit. gold” the precious metal infor- The United States, along with this week. But nearly a year after de- Millions of Venezuelans have a new term in 2018 in elections National Assembly elections to mally mined in the country’s the EU and more than 50 other On Sunday, Maduro’s allies claring Maduro illegitimate and fl ed a collapsing economy, in that were widely criticised inter- choose their leadership and be- southern jungles as he seeks to countries, recognises Guaido as tried to install a rival opposition recognising Guaido as interim which they are no longer able to nationally as fraudulent, and new gin the long process of renewal,” increase pressure on the govern- Venezuela’s legitimate president. head and group of legislators af- president, Secretary of State fi nd or aff ord basic staples. But presidential polls are not due un- he said. A State Department ment of President Nicolas Ma- In 2019, Washington broadened ter security forces moved to block Mike Pompeo indicated a greater despite the humanitarian catas- til 2024. spokesperson said that US policy duro. its sanctions programme against Guaido and his supporters from openness to diplomacy. “A swift trophe and biting US sanctions, But elections must take place on Venezuela remained “consist- Maduro’s government since Maduro in the hopes of pushing entering parliament. “We will do negotiated transition to democ- Maduro maintains power with within 2020 for the National ent.” 2016 has supported artesanal his government from power. everything possible to continue racy is the most eff ective and the support of the military as Assembly, the only institution While Pompeo’s statement did mining in the Venezuelan Ama- But Maduro has hung on, doing our jobs,” Guaido said in sustainable route to peace and well as Russia, China and Cuba. controlled by the opposition - not reiterate US demands that zon to bring in revenue amid an skirting sanctions on the nation’s reference to parliament. Guaido prosperity in Venezuela,” Pom- Crowds at opposition rallies and which the United States and Maduro quit, the spokesperson economic crisis, an eff ort that oil industry with the help of al- also said legislators were aban- peo said in a statement. have dwindled from the height more than 50 other countries see said that the strongman should expanded as Washington in- lied Russia and through the sale doning eff orts to nancefi elec- “Negotiations could open the of Guaido’s popularity a year as bringing legitimacy to Guaido. not lead the proposed transition- creased sanctions meant to force of gold produced by the artesanal tricity infrastructure through a path out of the crisis through a ago, when thousands packed the In Caracas, Foreign Minister al government. Maduro’s recent the ruling Socialist Party from miners, who are often linked to loan from regional development transitional government that will streets of Caracas and other ma- Jorge Arreaza accused the United actions against Guaido “proved power. organised crime. Trump admin- bank CAF, with lawmakers now organise free and fair elections,” jor cities. Guaido nonetheless States of trying to drum up in- without a shadow of a doubt that The initiative has been criti- istration sanctions already pro- seeking diff erent mechanisms to he said. called for “citizen assemblies” ternational support over the Na- he is incapable of overseeing free cised by environmental activists hibit US individuals and com- ease the country’s chronic power Norway has mediated talks in the past two days followed by tional Assembly elections. and fair elections,” the spokes- and rights groups for contami- panies from trading Venezuelan outages. between Maduro’s and Guaido’s a march to the parliament build- “We will not allow the United person said. nating watersheds with mercury gold. A Guaido representative in The proposal had involved representatives, but the meetings ing today. States to intervene,” he told re- This week, Guaido won a new and fuelling massacres as gangs September said Maduro’s gov- CAF providing $350mn in funds broke down in August. President “We need the support of eve- porters, voicing hope that “all one-year term this week after battle for territory. ernment was selling gold in Eu- that would be overseen by the Donald Trump, questioned by ryone to reach the objectives that opposition parties will partici- chaotic scenes when troops ini- In an interview with Reuters, rope to bypass sanctions. United Nations. The plan was reporters, insisted that he had we have fi xed to achieve a free pate” in the election. Pompeo tially barred him from entering Guaido said the EU should use The EU as a matter of policy broadly criticised as expensive never expected a quick change of Venezuela,” said Manuela Bolivar, in his statement called for both Congress and a rival lawmaker a label to limit the trade of Ven- does not comment, a spokesper- and impractical, and generated power in Venezuela. “I never ex- a member of Guaido’s Popular presidential and legislative elec- claimed to have won the post. ezuelan gold, the way the “blood son said in an e-mailed response concerns that Maduro’s govern- pected anything to go smoothly,” Will party, on Instagram. Polling tions by the end of the year. A contact group of 12 European diamond” campaign of the 1990s to a request for comment, adding ment would ultimately have in- he said. He ruled out a change in fi rm Datanalisis said that Guaido “2020 presents the opportu- and Latin American countries in targeted diamond sales that fi - that it fully supports Guaido as fl uence over the use of the funds. tactics, saying “I think we’re do- had started 2019 with 63% sup- nity to provide the Venezuelan a statement Thursday recognised nanced armed confl ict in Africa. president of the legislature and “There are alternative mecha- ing a good job.” port among Venezuelans but that people with what they have been Guaido as speaker, rejecting a bid “I think Europe can take steps has enacted a travel ban on 25 of- nisms that don’t involve adding “We’ll see what happens. Stay his backing dropped to 39% by demanding for years: genuinely by Luis Parra who the opposition in this direction by not allowing fi cials as well as an embargo on to the country’s debt, and at a tuned,” he said. the end of the year. Maduro won free and fair Presidential and charges is backed by Maduro. the trade of (Venezuelan) gold in arms sales to Venezuela. The EU lower cost,” said Guaido.

Chile activists blast Senate for ‘Colombia eradicates record acres of coca fi elds’

Reuters its goal to reduce by 50% the area rejecting water status change Bogota that is planted with illegal crops by the end of 2022 or 2023,” Du- que said in a televised statement, AFP drought due to a decade of scarce say the use of water for agricul- olombia, a top source of adding the 100,000-hectare fi g- Santiago rainfall. tural and mining production has coca, the base ingredi- ure was a record and that army The bill’s rejection on Tues- contributed to this scarcity and Cent in cocaine, eradicated manual eradication units had day “demonstrates that business left more than 600,000 people more than 100,000 hectares ripped up 94,000 hectares of nvironmental organisa- interests, mainly mining, agri- without running water in their (247,000 acres) of the crop last the crop. “We always have to be tions hit out at Chile’s Sen- culture (and) hydroelectric busi- homes. year, President Ivan Duque said. speeding up our steps.” Eate for rejecting a measure nesses prevail,” Alexander Panez, The constitutional status of The Andean country has come More than 434 tonnes of that would have made water of- spokesman for the Movement for water is one of the main top- under repeated pressure from cocaine were confi scated last fi cially a resource for public use. the Defense of Water, the Earth ics that social movements want the United States, an important year, Duque said, adding that Activists also called on the and Environmental Protection, addressed in any eventual new destination for cocaine ship- his government has increased public to vote in April to change told AFP. constitution. Chile will hold on ments, to reduce coca cultiva- In a file photo, a peasant holds up coca leaves collected from his the number of eradication units the dictatorship-era constitu- Greenpeace Chile said the April 26 a referendum on wheth- tion, especially as crop fi gures crops in Cauca, Colombia. from 23 to more than 150 during tion so that new rules can be ap- Senate’s move is “a national dis- er - and how - to change the con- shot up in recent years. his 17 months in offi ce. Duque is proved around the exploitation grace” while the country is “in stitution that was enacted under The administration of US eradication eff orts. The Colom- “From now on we will without pushing to restart aerial fumiga- of natural resources. The centre the middle of the worst water former dictator Augusto Pinoc- President Donald Trump has bian government set out to erad- a doubt face the challenge of re- tion of coca — which is more ef- of Chile has been hit by a major crisis in our history.” Activists het, who ruled from 1973-90. praised Duque’s stepped-up icate 80,000 hectares last year. planting, but Colombia has clear fi cient than manual eradication. Gulf Times 12 Saturday, January 11, 2020 PAKISTAN

Imran starts Diplomacy, information using PM House for policy overhaul ordered meetings Internews and national narrative abroad, be a one-window operation training module for new press with Islamabad both proactive or in response to responding to foreign policy- offi cers before sending them events, was limited and messag- related queries by overseas mis- abroad to let them understand ing was unco-ordinated and re- sions and other government basics of diplomacy and modern dignitaries rime Minister Imran Khan active and sometimes even con- counterparts. communication skills. has ordered the overhaul tradictory, Khan observed. The SCD will be staff ed with Ambassadors would be re- Pof the country’s public di- He underpinned defi cien- senior offi cers well-versed in quired to make engagement with Internews plomacy and information policy cies like the lack of information new media and interest in pub- the host country media a prior- Islamabad for eff ective projection of the fl ow and co-ordination among lic diplomacy for a fi xed term of ity, and dedicate a stipulated national narrative abroad, by key ministries and stakeholders’ three years. minimum amount of time for improving the skill set and ori- responsibility for public diplo- An inter-ministerial spokes- press offi cers to arrange their he Prime Minister’s entation of ambassadors and macy, capacity constraints and persons’ committee would be host country media interactions. House is nowadays being their subordinate diplomatic outdated standard operating and created with representatives – Also, ambassadors and the Tused instead of the Prime and media staff at all the mis- approval procedures. particularly from the ministries Foreign Offi ce headquarters Minister’s Offi ce situated at the sions abroad. Under the plan, the proposed of foreign aff airs, information, would devolve authority to a Constitutional Avenue. As part of the initiative, the SCD would act as the nerve cen- commerce, tourism, national greater number of offi cers. Previously, the government prime minister has ordered the tre for co-ordinating foreign security division and others – to In the meantime, the spokes- had offi cially announced that the creation of a fully-empowered policy and national narrative meet at least fortnightly to dis- persons’ committee would cre- Prime Minister’s House would strategic communications divi- projection abroad. cuss Pakistan’s narrative and its ate and regularly update talking be converted into a world-class sion (SCD) within the ministry The SCD would also subsume projection, future priorities, as- points for media engagement to university. of foreign aff airs, comprising the spokespersons’ offi ce and sign tasks and co-ordinate mes- assist foreign missions. According to offi cial sources, senior offi cers not only from the almost-dormant public di- saging back and forth. The ministry of foreign aff airs, all important meetings, includ- the foreign ministry and exter- plomacy wing of the informa- The deliberations of this com- according to the Prime Minis- ing one-on-one interactions, nal publicity wing of the infor- tion ministry. mittee would be shared with the ter’s Offi ce, has extremely weak involving Khan are held in the mation ministry, but also from The foreign ministry has been secretaries’ committee so that co-ordination with the external Prime Minister’s House these commerce, national security, directed to upgrade its projec- they are fully in the picture and publicity wing of the informa- days. tourism and other key minis- tion and public diplomacy ca- there is eff ective congruence be- tion ministry that is tasked with However, cabinet meetings tries, as well as the Prime Min- pacity. tween lower levels and heads of projecting the country’s point of are being conducted in the Prime ister’s Offi ce. Currently, it banks on the the ministries. view internationally. Minister’s Secretariat, also Documents suggest that Khan spokespersons’ offi ce, whose Press offi cers posted abroad Currently, the interaction is known as the Prime Minister’s had expressed displeasure dur- functions are reactive. would be reoriented in a manner limited to arranging engage- Offi ce. ing the course of a recent meet- Offi cers of external publicity that their focus is on the host ments with foreign journalists Prime Minister Khan: The (public diplomacy) system still works in The premier’s key staff mem- ing, saying that “we have not would be placed in the SCD to country and not the Pakistani visiting or staying in Pakistan. archaic ways and lacks agility and initiative while major turf issues bers, including the secretary embraced the public diplomacy co-ordinate the fl ow of infor- media. For all foreign postings of hold inter-ministerial co-ordination back. to the prime minister and the and information revolution”. mation from the Foreign Offi ce They would be restricted from press offi cers, strict criteria of military secretary also sit in the “The system still works in ar- and other ministries and press placing no more than fi ve stories command in the English lan- vendors for those going abroad. information, with the involve- Prime Minister’s House, as has chaic ways and lacks agility and offi cers abroad. a month in the Pakistani media. guage would be a must, and Press offi cers must, at the very ment of the ambassador of the been the case before. initiative while major turf issues Only the prime minister, the They would be trained to fore- candidates would be processed least, have basic knowledge of country where the offi cer would The Prime Minister’s Adviser hold inter-ministerial co-ordi- foreign ministry and other des- cast upcoming developments through additional written and the host country’s working lan- be posted. for Information Dr Firdous Awan nation back,” the prime minister ignated offi cials would have the and future media trends that spoken tests. guage. Where suitable candidates are said that the government policy stated. authority to speak publicly on could aff ect Pakistan. The information ministry The recruitment interviews unavailable, private sector can- regarding the Prime Minister’s Therefore, Pakistan’s abil- foreign policy from the civil- The Foreign Service Acad- would immediately start lan- would be jointly led by the min- didates would be hired competi- House will not change. ity to project its foreign policy ian side, while the SCD would emy would create a one-month guage training through private isters for foreign aff airs and tively for a fi xed, one-time term. She said that routine meet- ings are being conducted in the Prime Minister’s Secretariat, but National Assembly passes legislation for recovery of missing children Khan’s meetings with important foreign dignitaries are held in The National Assembly has passed the Zainab Alert It also envisions the setting up of a nationwide tel- his offi ce in the Prime Minister’s At least 15 killed in suicide Bill 2019, which will introduce a response and recov- ephonic toll-free hotline number where any person House. ery mechanism for missing children. may report a missing or abducted child. The minister explained that The lower house of parliament’s Standing Commit- It also calls for the maintenance of an online data- because of limited space in the tee on Human Rights had unanimously passed the base both in the National Commission of the Rights Prime Minister’s Secretariat, bombing at Quetta mosque Zainab Alert Bill on October 8, 2019. of the Child and the division concerned of every important meetings are taking The bill was presented in the National Assembly yes- reported incident of a missing or abducted child. place in the Prime Minister’s terday by Minister for Human Rights Shireen Mazari Zainab, to whom the bill is dedicated, was taken on House. AFP/Reuters/DPA to mark the second death anniversary of seven- January 4, 2018, from near her aunt’s house in Kasur. She disclosed that the Prime Quetta/Islamabad year-old Zainab Fatima, who was brutally raped and Five days later, she was found dead in a garbage Minister’s Offi ce, situated in the murdered in January 2018. heap. Prime Minister’s House, will be Addressing the floor of the House, Mazari thanked On January 23, authorities had apprehended Imran retained even after it is convert- suicide bomber targeted Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Ali – a serial killer involved in other similar crimes – ed into a university. a mosque in south- Reforms Asad Umar and Pakistan Peoples Party through a DNA match. In the third week of Decem- Awestern Pakistan dur- legislator Mahreen Bhutto for expediting the bill’s Ali’s DNA had matched samples taken from seven ber 2018, the authorities had ing evening prayers yesterday, passage. other minor girls who were abused and murdered announced plans to convert the killing at least 15 people and The bill will pave the way for the setting up of the Za- earlier in Kasur. palatial Prime Minister’s House wounding 19 others, offi cials inab Alert, Response and Recovery Agency (ZARRA), The suspect had also confessed to his crimes follow- into an international university said. where missing child cases will be reported. ing his arrest. – to be named the Islamabad The blast took place in a The powers and functions of the ZARRA include the On February 17, an anti-terrorism court hearing the National University (INU). satellite town of Quetta, Balu- activation of alerts at the federal level whenever case sentenced Imran to death on four counts. While inaugurating the Is- chistan’s main city. there is a report about a missing or abducted child. Appealing the verdict, Ali had claimed innocence lamabad National University at a Debris and shattered glass The proposed authority will co-ordinate with the before the Lahore High Court and pleaded for the two-day conference on “Emerg- littered the scene. Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) for verdict to be declared null and void. ing Challenges and Opportu- Fida Mohamed, who was at- issuance of Zainab Alert SMSes and MMSes, and with On June 12, the Lahore High Court had dismissed nities for Pakistan”, it was an- tending evening prayers, said the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority Ali’s appeal against the death sentence. nounced that the INU would be that about 60 people were (PEMRA) to run tickers on television channels or any On October 17, 2018, Ali was executed at the Kot an autonomous entity and would present at the time of the attack other available medium. Lakhpat Central Jail in Lahore. function without any govern- on the mosque, which is located ment intervention. in a densely populated area. The explosion ripped through the front row of worshippers seconds after the prayer began, he told AFP. “It was a powerful blast, peo- ple were screaming and running Senate clears bills on terms here and there – many people were injured because of the stampede,” Mohamed said. Local offi cial Alam Baloch said that the bomb exploded of military services chiefs when dozens of people were leaving the hall after the prayer in the evening. Internews kistan Navy Act (Amendment) Force Act 1953, and the Pakistan The bills will come into force Mohamed Waseem, a doctor Islamabad Bill 2020, and the Pakistan Air Navy Ordinance 1961, allow- immediately after the president’s at Quetta’s Sandeman hospital, Force (Amendment) Bill 2020 in ing the extension in the tenures assent, but take eff ect from No- confi rmed that 15 victims had the Senate. of three services chiefs and the vember 27, 2019. died. he Senate wasted no time The house defence panel had chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Usually, the president ap- The police chief of Balu- on Wednesday to say aye vetted and approved the pro- Staff Committee. points the services chiefs on the chistan province, Mohsin Has- Tto three amendment bills posed laws a day earlier. The bills were then sent to the advice of the prime minister for san Butt, also confi rmed the pertaining to the appointment When the house convened on President Dr Arif Alvi for his as- three years, but now these terms death toll, telling AFP: “Nine- and tenure of the military servic- Wednesday, Leader of the House sent before their enactment. could be extendable to three teen people are still taking es chiefs and the chairman of the Shibli Faraz requested the chair The Pakistan Army Amend- more years. medical treatment ... the con- Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee. to suspend Question Hour. ment Bill 2020 amends the Paki- The bills say that the retire- dition of three to four is criti- With the two major opposition Senate Chairman Sadiq San- stan Army Act 1952 to empower ment age and service limits pre- cal.” parties – the Pakistan Muslim jrani allowed Faraz’s motion, and the president, on the advice of scribed for an army general, air A police offi cer was among League – Nawaz (PML-N) and permitted Senator Waleed Iqbal the prime minister, to specify chief marshal, and admiral shall the dead, he added. the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) to present the house defence the tenure and terms and con- not be applicable to the army Provincial Home Minister Zia – already on board, the oppo- committee report on the bills. ditions of service of the chief of chief, air chief and the naval Ullah Langu told reporters that A security off icial is seen at the mosque in Quetta following a sition-dominated upper house Later, Defence Minister Khat- army staff or the chairman of the chief, during the tenure of ap- investigations by bomb dis- bomb blast. passed the bills with majority tak moved the bills for approval. Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, pointment, reappointment or posal offi cers indicated that a vote during a 20-minute session. The chair put them up for a including the grant of extension extension, subject to a maximum suicide bomber carried out the Inter-Services Public Relations dropped elsewhere in Pakistan. The National Assembly – the voice vote after a clause by clause and re-appointment. age of 64 years. attack. (ISPR) director-general Major- Militants still retain the abil- lower house of parliament – has reading of the amendments. The legislation also ensures Throughout such tenure, the A spokesman for the pro- General Asif Ghafoor. ity to carry out attacks, includ- already passed the proposed In a rare show of unity, opposi- that future term extensions army chief shall continue to vincial government, Liaqat The attack comes two days ing on major urban centres and laws. tion senators set aside their dif- would not be challenged before serve as a general in the Pakistan Shahwani, confi rmed that a after a motorcycle bomb target- tightly-guarded targets, and The passage of the bills capped ferences with the ruling Pakistan any court. army, the air chief will continue suicide bomber was to blame. ing a paramilitary force vehicle analysts have long warned that the long-debated issue which Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party and “The appointment, reappoint- to serve as an air chief marshal in The Islamic State (IS) killed two people and wounded Pakistan has not yet tackled the arose in November last year when overwhelmingly said “aye” to the ment or extension of the Chief of the Pakistan Air Force (PAF), and claimed responsibility for the 14 others at a busy market in root causes of extremism. the Supreme Court gave the gov- treasury-backed bills. the Army Staff , or the exercise of the navy chief shall continue to attack, according to the SITE Quetta. Baluchistan is key to the Chi- ernment six months to set the After the passage of the bills, discretion by the appointing au- serve as an admiral in the Paki- intelligence group. Baluchistan is Pakistan’s na-Pakistan Economic Cor- service terms, including tenure, the chairman adjourned the ses- thority in this regard, shall not be stan navy, the bills said. A Pakistani military spokes- largest and poorest province, ridor (CPEC), part of Beijing’s of a chief of army staff , through sion. called into question before any “The president may on the man said on Twitter that para- bordering Afghanistan and Belt and Road initiative. an act of parliament. Wednesday’s sitting lasted court on any ground whatsoev- advice of the prime minister ap- military personnel has reached Iran. The CPEC seeks to connect The government has chal- for 20 minutes only, as no other er,” the bill categorically stated. point a chairman of the Joint the mosque and cordoned off It is rife with Islamist, sepa- China’s western Xinjiang re- lenged the verdict, but decided to agenda item, barring the presen- Similar wording has been used Chiefs of Staff Committee from the area. ratist and sectarian insurgen- gion with the Pakistani port legislate nonetheless. tation of a few reports, was taken if the civilian leadership decides amongst generals in the army, “A joint search operation with cies and attacks are frequent, of Gwadar, giving the world’s Defence Minister Pervez Khat- up. to give an extension to the chair- admirals in the navy, or air chief police is in progress, injured be- even as the number of violent second-largest economy access tak tabled the Pakistan Army Act The bills amend the Pakistan man of the Joint Chiefs of Staff marshals in the air force for a ing evacuated to hospitals,” said incidents has signifi cantly to the Arabian Sea. (Amendment) Bill 2020, the Pa- Army Act 1952, the Pakistan Air Committee. tenure of three years,” it states. Gulf Times Saturday, January 11, 2020 13 PHILIPPINES

Massacre Customs chief enjoys ‘full case fugitive confi dence’ of president arrested By Darwin Pesco By Catherine S Valente collection, he said. It also inten- reau’s organisation. New offi ces Manila Times Manila Times sifi ed its campaign against ille- and positions will be created, gal drugs. More than P3.590bn while redundant or overlap- worth of smuggled illegal drugs ping functions will be merged ne of the fugitives in the ustoms Commissioner were seized in 2019. in the interest of streamlining Ampatuan massacre was Rey Leonardo Guerrero Under Guerrero, Customs and upgrading the organisa- Oarrested while his cohort C“has the full confi dence” made marked improvements in tion; enhancement of Customs was killed in a police operation in of President Rodrigo Duterte its campaign against graft and facilities; Shariff Aguak, Maguindanao. and will remain at his post, Ma- corruption. A total of 147 show- enhancement of Cargo Clear- Bangsamoro Autonomous nila Times has learned from a cause orders were issued against ance and Examination Capa- Region in Muslim Mindanao source in Malacanang. bureau personnel for violating bilities; (BARMM) police chief Brig. Gen. Yesterday, Manila Times ban- regulations. enhancement of Intelligence Marni Marcos identifi ed the nered a story quoting an earlier A total of 152 employees and Enforcement Capabilities suspect as Gambayan Kasim, 47, source that the president of- were administratively charged, to ensure the bureau can con- alias “Lori Alip.” fered Guerrero’s job to Davao 20 dismissed, and eight sus- tribute to the border security Seized from the suspect was a City businessman William de pended. A total of 120 cases are and economic development. hand grenade. His cohort named Jesus Lima, and that Lima ac- pending with the Department In addition, the programme Edsrail Guiomla, alias “Nas,” was cepted. The Palace source clari- of Justice and the Offi ce of the includes codifi cation and har- shot in the operation. fi ed to The Times that Duterte Ombudsman. monisation of IRRs, admin- Recovered from Kasim were a made the off er “in jest” during a To set the tone and defi ne istrative orders and memo- calibre 45 handgun and 13 plas- casual conversation. the way forward, Guerrero also randum orders; creation of a tic heat-sealed sachets of crystal “I don’t think the president came out with a 10-point pri- Quality Management System & meth or shabu. will replace him. Guerrero is ority programme which in- Integrity System and pursuing Guiomla was declared dead doing a good job at the Bureau clude enhancement of the the passage of Customs-related on arrival by attending hospital of Customs. The president is Bureau of Customs Informa- legislative measures. doctors. more than satisfi ed with Guer- Customs Commissioner Rey Leonardo Guerrero: enjoying president’s trust tion and Technology System; Guerrero said priorities were A report sent to Camp Crame rero’s performance,” the source implementing automation to anchored on improving organi- said Kasim was arrested in added. no replacement for Guerrero moment,” he said. stay focused on their job. improve the Bureau’s processes sational effi ciency, upgrading Barangay Timbangan at 11.10 am Duterte supposedly off ered has been named. Lima, 63, is a presidential On Monday, Guerrero report- and to integrate its systems for individual profi ciencies and on Thursday. Marcos said Kasim Guerrero’s post to Lima during a “There’s no specifi c instruc- special envoy to China and ed that for 2019, the Bureau of more effi cient and eff ective op- strengthening institutional ca- was also a member of private dinner in Malacanang Wednes- tions yet. There’s no such spe- holds a business administra- Customs collected P630.571bn, erations; fi lling up of vacant pabilities. armed groups. day night for Chinese ambas- cifi c orders yet,” Nograles told tion degree from the Ateneo de which is 6.3% more than the plantilla positions; provision “We are taking the lessons After the arrest, Kasim was sador to the Philippines Huang reporters when asked about Davao University. P593bn collection in 2018. of incentives for Customs em- learned and putting them to placed in the custody of Police Xilian. Lima’s supposed appointment. Following Nograles’ clarifi ca- The bureau has also launched ployees to improve morale and work, for the development of Regional Offi ce of BARMM for Cabinet Secretary Karlo “We wait for orders but no tion, Guerrero called on offi cials projects that enhanced trade fa- motivate people to perform the bureau in the short-term documentation and proper dis- Alexei Nograles confi rmed that orders have been issued as of the and employees of the bureau to cilitation and improved revenue better; restructuring of the bu- and over the long haul,” he said. position. Foreign secretary in Tough life face off with protesters

By Bernadette Tamayo pine soldiers to Iraq to help in would help migrant workers get Manila Times bringing home Filipino workers back home. in the Middle East. On Twitter later, Locsin said: Locsin came out of his offi ce “I brought along a lectern, so oreign Secretary Teodoro to meet the group at the gates of people won’t say I don’t like a Locsin Jr yesterday was the DFA. Cabinet member and diplomat.” Fcaught on video daring The secretary had a lively ex- “US President Donald Trump protesters in front of the Depart- change with a militant leader, is asking since when was I the US ment of Foreign Aff airs (DFA) but as the debate heated, Locsin commander-in-chief who can building on Roxas Boulevard to was shown taunting the protest- stop a war,” Locsin said. beat him up. ers to beat him up. Sought for reaction to the The demonstrators were de- The tension was somehow confrontation between Locsin nouncing the plan of the Duterte defused and Locsin assured and the protesters, Foreign Af- administration to send Philip- the protesters the government fairs Assistant Secretary Edu- ardo Menez said, “I don’t think a formal DFA statement is need- ed.” “Freedom of impassioned speech is guaranteed and I think the full video shows both sides airing their views. As SFA’s (sec- retary of Foreign Aff airs) tweet on the matter shows — no hard feelings,” Menez said in a text message. “My opinion from the foot- age…it appears that after the refusal by the protesters to share the microphone, SFA Locsin re- turned to engage on the issues. Seems to me from the signs and hashtags they were at the wrong address on Roxas (Boulevard),” A street vendor selling tofu waits for customers in front of a closed McDonald’s restaurant in Manila, yesterday. Teodoro Locsin Jr: clash with protesters he added. China off ers help to fl y home OFWs in distress

By Bernadette Tamayo the mandatory evacuation of “That’s why we have opened (OWWA) should encourage and Manila Times Filipino workers in Iraq would our communications with Ja- assist repatriated Filipinos to set continue despite the apparent pan, Canada, Germany, China up their own micro, small or me- stand-down by the US and Iran. and Russia to hopefully accom- dium-sized enterprises through hina is ready to help the The tension heightened after modate our OFWs. The priority OWWA’s OFW Enterprise De- Philippines bring home top Iranian military commander will be those repatriated from velopment and Loan Program. Coverseas Filipino work- Qassem Soleimani was killed in a the Middle East, from Iraq,” he The programme entitles ac- ers (OFWs) in the Middle East to US drone attack in Baghdad, Iraq added. tive and non-active OWWA help them escape in the event of on January 3. As a major airlift of Filipi- members to up to P2mn worth a confl ict. The Department of Foreign nos looms, three major airlines of loans. The Chinese embassy has Aff airs recently raised the alert pledged to help in the repatria- House Ways and Means com- confi rmed the information re- level in Iraq to Level 4. tion eff ort. mittee Chairman Joey Salceda is ceived by Manila Times that There are 1,640 Filipinos in Civil Aviation Authority of the optimistic the Middle East con- Chinese ambassador Huang Xil- Iraq. Philippines Director General Jim fl ict will have little impact on ian granted President Rodrigo Yesterday, Defence Secretary Sydiongco said Philippine Air- the Philippine economy, but still Duterte’s request for assistance Delfi n Lorenzana said Duterte’s lines, Cebu Pacifi c Air and AirA- pushed for contingency plans in repatriating OFWs if it be- request for assistance from Chi- sia had “agreed to accommodate and long-term measures to ad- comes necessary. na was only a “fallback.” free of charge stranded Filipi- dress the situation. “President Rodrigo Duterte “The request is a fallback only nos in a Gulf state or in any of In an aide memoire addressed requested assistance from China should there be massive repa- its available Middle East fl ights, to President Duterte, House in evacuating Filipino workers triation. If this happens, we will once the plans for the repatria- Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano from the Middle East in case of need a lot of aircraft and vessels,” tion has been outlined. and Majority Leader Ferdinand further deterioration of the situ- Lorenzana told Manila Times in a AirAsia, on the other hand, Martin Romualdez, which was ation,” said Liu Yiqun, chief of message. Protesters take part in a rally in front of a mosque in Manila yesterday, demonstrating against the US off ered free accommodation in shared to the media yesterday, the Media and Public Relations The president assigned strike that killed Iranian commander Qasem Soleimani in Iraq. its domestic fl ights to repatriat- Salceda said a “full-scale re- Department of the Chinese em- Lorenzana to head the special ed Filipinos that need to go back gional war between the United bassy to the Philippines. committee that will oversee the China as a close ally, despite the stressed the government’s “pri- confl ict in the Middle East. to their provinces.” States and Iran remains unlikely, “Ambassador Huang Xilian possible repatriation of OFWs. unresolved dispute in the South mary objective” right now was “Once they arrive in the Phil- Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian but the president is correct in re- said that as a close friend of the National Security Adviser Her- China (West Philippine) Sea. to get all OFWs out of Iraq and ippines, we will off er livelihood urged the government to help questing for contingency meas- Philippines, China will, as al- mogenes Esperon Jr is the vice Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nog- bring them to a safe haven. packages, Technical Education turn displaced and returning ures.” ways provide necessary assist- chairman of the panel with the rales said the mandatory repa- Nograles said the government and Skills Development Author- OFWs into local “entrepinoys.” “The House must be prepared ance to the Philippines in times chiefs of Foreign Aff airs, Labour, triation of Filipinos from Iraq was eyeing Japan, Canada, Chi- ity (Tesda) training. We will also Gatchalian, chairman of the to accommodate a request for of need,” Liu said in an e-mail to Transportation and Environ- would continue even after the na, Russia, Germany and other off er redeployment if they want Senate Economic Aff airs com- a standby fund for repatriating this newspaper. ment are its members. government downgrades alert “friendly” countries as alternate to work again overseas but no mittee, said the Department of overseas Filipino workers,” Sal- Foreign Aff airs Secretary Teo- Since 2016, the Duterte ad- levels in the Middle East. job markets for Filipino work- longer in the Middle East,” he Trade and Industry and Overseas ceda said, noting that the safety doro Locsin on Thursday said ministration has embraced Speaking to reporters, he ers who will be displaced by the continued. Workers Welfare Administration of OFWs is a priority. Gulf Times 14 Saturday, January 11, 2020 COMMENT

CHAIRMAN Abdullah bin Khalifa al-Attiyah EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Central banks face a year Faisal Abdulhameed al-Mudahka Deputy Managing Editor K T Chacko Production Editor of mounting challenges Amjad Khan

By Mohamed A. El-Erian P.O.Box 2888, Doha, Qatar Seattle [email protected] 44350478 (News), fter a year that involved one of the biggest U-turns in recent 44466404 (Sport), monetary-policy history, 44466636 (Home delivery) Acentral banks are now hoping for peace and quiet in 2020. This is par- 44350474 ticularly true for the European Central facebook.com/gulftimes Bank and the US Federal Reserve, the world’s two most powerful monetary twitter.com/gulftimes_Qatar institutions. But the realisation of peace and quiet is increasingly out of their direct control; and their hopes would easily be dashed if markets were to suc- cumb to any number of medium-term GULF TIMES uncertainties, many of which extend well beyond economics and fi nance to the realms of geopolitics, institutions, and domestic social and political condi- tions. Harry and Meghan: Just over a year ago, the ECB and the Fed were on the path of gradually reducing their massively expanded balance sheets, and the Fed was Sussex shock leaves increasing interest rates from levels fi rst adopted in the midst of the global fi nancial crisis. Both institutions were British royals reeling attempting to normalise their monetary policies after years of relying on ultra- low or negative interest rates and large- Prince Harry and his wife Meghan’s unilateral decision to scale asset purchases. The Fed had walk away from front-line royal duties has rocked the British raised interest rates four times in 2018, monarchy, just as it was preparing a younger generation to signalled further hikes for 2019, and set take on more of the burden of representing the centuries-old the unwinding of its balance sheet on The US Federal Reserve building in Washington, DC. “autopilot.” And the ECB had ended its institution. balance-sheet expansion and begun to By most estimates, growth in 2019 was record high to another, regardless of the temporarily alleviated by a “phase one” At 35 and 38 respectively, Harry and Meghan were set steer away from further stimulus. around 3% – compared to 3.6% the underlying economic fundamentals, deal, the underlying sources of confl ict to become an increasingly important cornerstone of the A year later, all of these measures previous year – and many observers are because traders and investors have have hardly been resolved. And the monarchy in the decades to come. have been reversed. Rather than hiking expecting a quick rebound in 2020. been conditioned to believe that central world is suddenly on tenterhooks as But their shock decision to step back from being senior rates further, the Fed cut them three Rather than acting on clear economic banks are their BFFs (“best friends tensions between the US and Iran have times in 2019. Instead of reducing its signals, the major central banks once forever”). Time and again, central banks escalated, with Iran vowing further royals throws all that up in the air, and places even more of balance sheet, the Fed expanded it by again succumbed to pressure from have proved willing and able to step in retaliation for America’s targeted killing the burden on Harry’s brother Prince William, 37, and his a greater magnitude during the last fi nancial markets. Examples include to suppress volatility and keep prices of Iran’s top military leader. 38-year-old wife Kate. four months of the year than at any the fourth quarter of 2018, when the of both stocks and bonds elevated. As a For long-term economic well-being Queen Elizabeth II is 93 and it has long been signalled that comparable period since the crisis. Fed reacted to a sharp stock-market result, the right approach for investors and fi nancial stability, this litany when her eldest son Prince Charles inherits the throne, he And far from signalling an eventual selloff that seemed to threaten the has been to buy whenever the market of uncertainties demands a policy normalisation of its rate structure, the functioning of some markets around the dips, and to do so more and more response that extends well beyond wants a slimmed-down monarchy tightly focused on him, his Fed moved forcefully into a “lower-for- world. Another occurred in September rapidly. central banks’ traditional remit. It wife Camilla, his sons William and Harry and their children. longer” paradigm. The ECB, too, pushed 2019, when the Fed responded to a Yet, given mounting medium-term calls for comprehensive multiyear Harry’s role was meant to be as a rock of support to William its interest-rate structure further sudden, unanticipated disruption in uncertainties, central bankers cannot engagement using structural, fi scal, as he in turn becomes heir to the throne, prince of Wales and into negative territory and restarted the wholesale funding (repo) market – a assume tranquil conditions in 2020. and cross-border tools. Without that, eventually king. its asset-purchase programme. As a sophisticated and highly specialised While ample and predictable liquidity fi nancial markets will continue to result, the Fed and the ECB cleared a market segment that involves close can help calm markets, it does not expect central-bank interventions that The two brothers were exceptionally close growing up, path for many interest-rate cuts around interaction between the Fed and the remove existing barriers to sustained a growing body of evidence indicates together coming through the death of their mother Diana, the world, producing some of the banking system. and inclusive growth. The eurozone are not just increasingly ineff ective princess of Wales, in a 1997 car crash when William was 15 most accommodative global monetary This is not to suggest that central economy in particular is currently for the economy but also potentially and Harry 12. conditions on record. banks’ objectives weren’t at risk on each saddled with structural impediments counterproductive. Whether or not But Harry’s determination to go his own way with Meghan This dramatic policy turnaround occasion. In both cases, generalised that are eroding productivity growth. central banks avoid the spotlight in was particularly curious in two ways. fi nancial-market dislocations could And there are deep long-term structural 2020, they are likely to face even greater has seen the brothers — at Harry’s own admission — drift First, it materialised despite growing have undermined economic growth and uncertainties stemming from climate challenges to the political autonomy apart. discomfort – both within and outside stable infl ation, creating the conditions change, technological disruptions, and and policy credibility that are so While William is a central banks – about the collateral for an even more acute monetary-policy demographic trends. crucial to their eff ectiveness. – Project Harry’s role was cautious character, Harry is damage and unintended consequences intervention down the road. That is why Moreover, around the world, there Syndicate combustible and prone to of prolonged reliance on ultra-loose the Fed, in particular, couched its policy has been a generalised loss of trust in monetary policy. If anything, this U-turn in terms of “insurance.” institutions and expert opinion, as well  Mohamed A. El-Erian, Chief meant to be as a impulse. discomfort had grown throughout But the challenges facing central as a deep sense of marginalisation and Economic Adviser at Allianz, was Harry’s announcement the year, owing to the negative impact bankers do not stop there. By allowing alienation among signifi cant segments Chairman of US President Barack rock of support that he and Meghan will of ultra-low and negative rates on fi nancial markets again to dictate of society. Political polarisation is more Obama’s Global Development Council. to his brother step back, rip up relations economic dynamism and fi nancial monetary-policy changes, both the ECB intense, and many democracies are He is the author, most recently, of The with the media, partially stability. Second, the dramatic reversal and the Fed poured more fuel on a fi re undergoing uncertain transitions. Also, Only Game in Town: Central Banks, was not a response to a collapse in that has been raging for years. Financial although the trade tensions between Instability, and Avoiding the Next Prince William relocate to North America global growth, let alone a recession. markets have been driven from one the United States and China have been Collapse. and seek a private income — without having consulted Queen Elizabeth or Charles fi rst — will have done little to diminish his hothead reputation. And the monarchy has traditionally been ruthless in cutting loose rogue royals to ensure the institution’s survival. King Edward VIII chose to abdicate in 1936 in order to Voter suppression comes to Europe marry twice-divorced US socialite Wallis Simpson. They lived the rest of their lives in exile in France. By Federico Fubini Serbian-born ethnic Hungarians – Italian diaspora in Germany, France, lost, but its electoral calculus had been In 1996, Diana was stripped of the title “her royal highness” Rome many of whom have never resided in and Spain. correct: its support was signifi cantly when she divorced Charles, as was Sarah when she divorced Hungary – were granted citizenship and The problem is that few Italians lower among the diaspora. suff rage, whereas so-called Western abroad actually vote. In Italy’s 2018 To be sure, not all intra-EU migrants Prince Andrew, Queen Elizabeth’s second son. oter suppression fi rst emerged Hungarians have been barred from general election, expat voter turnout are Europhiles; nor do their votes Andrew himself was forced to cut all royal duties for the in the United States between voting by mail, and must instead go to across the top fi ve host countries was always go missing. Latvians in the for the foreseeable future in November last year, following 1885 and 1908, when 11 an embassy or consulate. Hungary’s roughly 30%, compared to 73% for London area tend to be more liberal than a bungled television interview on his relationship with Vsouthern states enacted expats account for over 4% of its Italian voters generally. And in the Latvians living in the British periphery. convicted US sex off ender Jeff rey Epstein. laws designed to discourage or hinder electorate, but fewer than 15% of them EU election, just 7% of Italy’s 1.6mn And in 2014, Romanian expats actually former slaves and their descendants voted in the last general election. eligible expats voted, compared to mobilised en masse to hand victory to During Queen Elizabeth’s long reign, she ran aff airs of state from voting. Since then, similar The simple reason is that there 54% of Italians overall. Hence, if Klaus Iohannis of the Liberal Party in a while her husband Prince Philip, the royal patriarch, ran the strategies have been tried in Canada, were too few available voting stations. expat turnout had been the same as presidential election run-off , bucking family. Australia, and Israel. And now, electoral Orban’s government provides just domestic turnout (assuming the same the trend of low turnout. But he retired in 2017 and at 98 now spends most of his time discrimination may be coming to four in Germany, three in the United distribution of votes), the right-wing But this exception merely proves at Sandringham, the sovereign’s secluded estate in eastern Europe, with several European Union Kingdom, two each in Italy and France, nationalist parties (the League and the rule: as the number of intra-EU member states exploring ways to block and just one in Ireland, where there Brothers of Italy) still would have migrants grows, expats’ votes will England. or discourage key constituents from are 9,000 Hungarian citizens. Many received the most votes in aggregate, become increasingly important in A naval offi cer, Prince Philip liked to run a tight ship and voting. potential expat voters cannot or will but their lead over progressive pro-EU national and EU-level elections. For the Windsors might be missing his pragmatic, no-nonsense Offi cially, there are around 17mn EU not travel hundreds of miles and wait in parties would have been 1.5 percentage illiberal leaders like Orban, the exodus approach to ironing out the family’s problems. citizens living and working in another line for hours to cast a ballot. As Róbert points smaller. of more liberal-minded voters has Talking of “complicated issues”, Buckingham Palace’s EU country (the actual tally of intra- Laszlo of the Political Capital Institute Something similar would have hitherto been seen as a safety valve. European migrants is surely higher). in Budapest observes, “Given the happened in Poland in its October 2019 Under economist Albert O. Hirschman’s rushed brief statement on their shock announcement hinted Most of these intra-EU migrants are [Orban] government’s stubborn resolve general election. There, the Eurosceptic classic model of political engagement, at sympathy for their position. younger and more educated than in keeping the voting discrimination ruling party, Law and Justice (PiS), won populists would tell us that these voters But it remains to be seen whether the Sussexes’ attempt to the European average, and hail from between diff erent groups of nationals 43.6% of the Sejm, and the pro-EU have opted for “exit” instead of “voice” be half-in, half-out of the royal family will last long. economically weaker countries that are abroad, we can assume decision- coalition followed with 27.4%. But these or “loyalty.” The track record of royals trying to earn money outside the more prone to populist jingoism. In fact, makers are aware that making voting shares were inverted among the Polish With awareness of the voter- many have emigrated precisely because procedures easier for migrants in diaspora, where the pro-EU parties suppression threat only now taking family fi rm is not good. they have more pro-EU, cosmopolitan Western Europe would be benefi cial to beat out PiS by 38.95% to 24.9%. But hold, populists will continue to Harry and Meghan might eventually fi nd their predestined leanings. Nonetheless, their voices are the opposition.” just one in seven eligible Polish expats exploit an outdated system to their life inside the royal circle much easier than going it alone. rarely heard. This assessment seems accurate. In actually voted. Had expat and domestic advantage. In the meantime, civic That is no accident. Voting the 2019 European Parliament election, turnout been the same (and assuming associations could do more to help patterns in Italy, Hungary, Poland, Momentum, a pro-European centrist the same distribution of votes), expats register and vote, such as by To Advertise and Greece show the extent to which movement, accounted for 9.9% of the PiS’s lead would have shrunk by 1.2 providing transportation to polling EU expatriates’ political rights have Hungarian national tally but 29% of the percentage points. stations and arranging systems for [email protected] been eroded. Illiberal ruling parties diaspora vote. Likewise, Fidesz’s result These electoral dynamics have taking turns waiting in line. But in the Display know that these diaspora groups among the diaspora was 11 points below become even more visible in Greece, longer term, EU countries will need to could hurt them electorally, and avoid its national count. following the exodus of almost a half- co-operate more in guaranteeing all 44466621 44418811 encouraging, or have taken steps The data for Italy reveal similar million people (5% of the population) eligible Europeans the ability to vote. actively to discourage, their political trends. In last year’s EU election, the during the country’s prolonged debt That means not only, say, making public Classified participation. pro-EU Democratic Party’s support crisis. In early 2019, there was a fi erce facilities available for voting, but also 44466609 44418811 Consider Hungary, where Prime among Italians living in the UK was debate over how to ease voting for making it clear that they are taking such Minister Viktor Orban has made voting almost twice that of Italians living this “brain-drain generation,” but the steps to uphold democratic principles Subscription more cumbersome for the Hungarian at home. At the same time, the then-ruling party, Syriza, ultimately more generally. – Project Syndicate migrants in Western Europe who right-wing nationalist League party opposed reform. In the event, just 2.9% [email protected] are more likely to oppose his Fidesz commanded just 11.6% of the vote of eligible expat voters turned out for  Federico Fubini, an economics party, but easier for Fidesz-leaning among Italians in the UK, far below the European Parliament election, and journalist and editor-at-large at Hungarians elsewhere. After Fidesz its nationwide tally of 34.3%. And a only slightly more participated in the Corriere della Sera, is the author, most © 2020 Gulf Times. All rights reserved came to power in 2010, Romanian- and similar pattern is visible among the country’s general election in July. Syriza recently, of Per amor proprio. Gulf Times Saturday, January 11, 2020 15 COMMENT The Spanish left takes centre stage

By Xavier Vives wing parties object to the diff erentiated political Barcelona arrangements vis-a-vis the Spanish state that Catalonia and the Basque country want to have. And Pablo Casado, the current PP leader, has fter enduring two general elections in vowed to pursue legal action against Sanchez if 2019, Spain now has its fi rst coali- the new government does not keep the Catalan tion government since the death of administration in line. AGeneralisimo Francisco Franco. Led by In any case, the new coalition favours a Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez of the Socialists political solution rather than a judicial one, and Pablo Iglesias of the radical left Podemos, and will be pushing for a reinforcement of the coalition was forged with the explicit sup- regional autonomy. Moreover, the agreement port of the Basque Nationalist Party (PNV), and between the Socialists and the ERC calls for with a crucial negotiated abstention on the part bilateral interactions between the Spanish and of the pro-independence Republican Left of Catalan governments, even paving the way for Catalonia (ERC). Following an extremely close a consultation with Catalonia’s citizens once a parliamentary vote – with 167 yeas, 165 nays, political settlement has been reached. and 18 abstentions – the coalition will face This is a striking departure from the previous fi erce opposition from the right-wing People’s positions held by both the Spanish government Party (PP) and a now-diminished Ciudadanos, and Catalan pro-independence parties (including as well as Vox, a rising far-right party. the ERC). In the best-case scenario, the new The coalition’s objective is to “make government will oversee a policy of détente Spain a reference point for the protection toward Catalonia’s pro-independence camp, with of social rights in Europe.” At the centre of the latter taking small steps toward more self- its programme is a plan to reverse the crisis governance, and with both sides rediscovering measures adopted by the previous PP-led the spirit of the 1978 Constitution. Ultimately, government under Mariano Rajoy, which though, no constitutional reform will be possible slashed social spending and introduced labour without the PP’s buy-in. and pension reforms. The new government will thus be a fragile The coalition’s intent is not to breach EU one. In addition to addressing an economic fi scal guidelines or cast doubt on Spain’s This combination of file pictures shows the Spanish new government’s four deputy prime ministers, (left to right) Pablo Iglesias, Nadia Calvino, Teresa slowdown, it will have to build parliamentary eurozone membership. But, now that Spain Ribera and Carmen Calvo, confirmed in an off icial statement from the Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez’s off ice on Thursday. majorities for each of its policy proposals has recovered from the post-2008 recession in a deeply polarised political environment and regained its competitiveness, the new and energy companies), and capital gains, with with the exception of some value-added- Beyond social policies and the economy, that recalls the “two Spains” described by government wants to address the eff ects of the aim of converging to the European average tax rates, Spain’s overall rate of taxation is the new government will have to tackle the twentieth-century Spanish poet Antonio unemployment (which has fallen from 25%, but for revenue as a share of GDP. not low; rather, its tax base is limited, owing “Catalan question,” which dates back at least Machado in the 1910s. remains above 14%) and salary cuts incurred Beyond these measures, the coalition plans to to evasion, the underground economy, and to the seventeenth century, and was one of Still, as Portugal’s positive experience over the past decade. A signifi cant segment allow new rent controls in cities and eliminate various loopholes. As such, simply hiking tax the main factors behind the Spanish Civil War under a left-wing government shows, fi scal of the population has yet to benefi t from the healthcare co-payments. It wants 100% rates could cause distortions without actually of 1936-1939. More recently, the confl ict has sustainability will still be possible, particularly recovery, and is struggling to cope with rising renewable-electricity generation by 2050, addressing the underlying problem. resulted in steep jail sentences for various if the centrist PNV is able to exert a moderating housing prices and rents. gender parity in electoral lists, and an overhaul The same applies to the government’s secessionist leaders and several rebukes of infl uence on the coalition. It will be rough The coalition’s programme – a compromise of education laws. Again, these policies are plan for reducing Spain’s high structural the Spanish judiciary by European courts, going. But with skill and luck, the new between the Socialists and Podemos – is well-intentioned, but they may be diffi cult to unemployment. Again, its proposals would not following a thwarted independence referendum government could both survive and deliver mostly aspirational, with only a few concrete implement. necessarily address the underlying issue, which in October 2017. on some of its promises. If so, it will have proposals. The government wants to increase The question, of course, is how to maintain is that the labour market is divided between Spain’s 1978 constitution allows for both rescued Spain from the political dysfunction social spending, raise the minimum wage to fi scal discipline. Given that Spain already protected and unprotected classes of workers. “nationalities” and “regions” to exist within the gripping other European Union countries, 60% of the average salary, re-index pensions has a structural defi cit that the European Likewise, the government’s intention to rely Spanish state. But, since a failed military coup in and established it as a stabilising force on the to the consumer infl ation rate, and introduce Commission wants reduced by more than on rent controls could prove self-defeating, 1981, there has long been a tendency toward re- continent. – Project Syndicate some form of basic income. This would €9bn ($10bn), it is hard to see how the planned insofar as they discourage the construction of centralisation, which has fed renewed demands (optimistically) all be fi nanced through higher pension reforms and increases in social more housing. And the government has off ered from individual regions for more autonomy.  Xavier Vives is Professor of Economics at taxes on the rich, large fi rms (particularly banks spending will be made sustainable. Moreover, no clear plan to raise productivity. Complicating matters further, Spain’s right- IESE Business School.

Pelosi should let trial of Trump proceed Three-day forecast

TODAY “in total co-ordination with the White serious and urgent, send them over. If aid to Ukraine’s help smearing a Maximum Temperature : 200c By The San Diego Union-Tribune Minimum Temperature : 170c Editorial Board House counsel’s offi ce and the people it isn’t, don’t send it over.” political rival are or were nearly San Diego who are representing the president,” Meanwhile, Senate Republicans who as high-ranking. And none have SUNDAY Pelosi’s concerns are understandable. may actually want to have a trial with Bolton’s stature among Republicans Maximum Temperature : 180c But McConnell has demonstrated integrity — such as Mitt Romney and after decades as a central fi gure in Minimum Temperature : 130c S House Speaker Nancy he has 51 votes to run the Senate trial Mike Lee of Utah, Susan Collins of GOP foreign policy circles. Damning MONDAY Pelosi has characterised her without accepting preconditions Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska testimony from him would make it Maximum Temperature : 210c decision to delay sending sought by Pelosi and Senate Minority — will have the chance to make this more diffi cult for Trump to dismiss Minimum Temperature : 120c the Senate two articles of Leader Chuck Schumer. Recognising clear. Former Trump national security the Ukrainian scandal as a “deep U Fisherman's forecast impeachment the House approved this, at least seven Senate Democrats adviser John Bolton’s surprise off er to state” plot. Bolton has already said last month as an attempt to pres- — Dianne Feinstein of California, testify if subpoenaed by the Senate has his testimony would follow “careful WARNING sure Senate Majority Leader Mitch Joe Manchin of West Virginia, Jon already been rejected by McConnell. consideration and study.” One can Inshore : Strong wind expected at some places McConnell. Like many, she’d prefer Tester of Montana, Chris Coons of But if four Republicans agree with expect him to be honest. Offshore : Expected thunder rain a serious trial on the allegations that Delaware, Doug Jones of Alabama, the Senate’s Democratic caucus on Since Trump is more popular than at north/strong wind President Donald Trump conditioned and Richard Blumenthal and Chris subpoenaing Bolton, that would result any other Republican, it’s nearly and high sea WEATHER the release of $391mn in congression- Murphy of Connecticut — told in a trial of much more substance — at impossible to imagine that there are 67 Inshore : Relatively cold daytime ally approved military aid to Ukraine Politico, CNN and The Washington least if Bolton chose to be forthright votes in the Senate to remove him from and partly cloudy with on the Ukraine government announc- Post that it was time for Pelosi to about his reported view that Trump’s offi ce. Yet it’s fair to hope that 51 US a chance of light rain at some places and cold ing investigations into Democratic send the articles of impeachment to pressure on Ukraine was akin to a senators will take seriously allegations by night presidential candidate Joe Biden and the Senate. “drug deal.” of misconduct by the president — and Offshore : Cloudy to partly his son Hunter. Given that last month, “The longer (the impeachment None of the offi cials who have want to hear from a credible witness cloudy with chance of scattered rain at north McConnell told Fox News host Sean process) goes on, the less urgent it testifi ed that Trump explicitly linked with fi rsthand knowledge of Trump’s thundery at times Hannity that he would handle the trial becomes,” Feinstein said. “So if it’s Ukraine’s receipt of the military actions. - Tribune News Service WIND Inshore : Northwesterly 15-25/30 KT Offshore : Northwesterly 18-25/38 KT Visibility : 4-8 KM Live issues Offshore : 6-8/13 FT Around the region Weather Weather today Max/min tomorrow Max/min Baghdad Sunny 17/05 M Sunny 16/04 Food stirs up interest at Las Vegas tech show Sunny Kuwait City Cloudy 18/09 18/06 Manama Cloudy 18/13 Cloudy 18/14 streamline kitchens by performing Muscat Rain 27/16 Cloudy 22/16 By Rob Lever/AFP Tehran P Cloudy 08/-2 Sunny 07/-1 Las Vegas functions of several appliances. Don’t you hate when you run out of milk? California startup PantryOn hat’s cooking at the introduced a system that can be added Consumer Electronics to any refrigerator or pantry to keep Show? AI meal planning track of foods running low. Wand a robot to chop your Unlike some other systems, onions. PantryOn is based on weight, and “it Food and tech have come together can make a shopping list for you,” said at the annual lifestyle and gadget founder Fadi Shakkour. extravaganza, with blockchain, You can then order foods from artifi cial intelligence, voice within the app. recognition and computer vision technologies keeping things fresh. From bean to cup Here are a few of the innovations on IBM showcased how it uses display in Las Vegas this week: blockchain to ensure integrity of the Around the world food supply at every stage, unveiling an Weather Weather AI in the kitchen app that traces coff ee beans back to the today Max/min tomorrow Max/min Many a family is fl ummoxed by The new Weber Connect smart grilling hub, consisting of a meat thermometer, growers. Athens Sunny 14/06 M Sunny 14/07 getting meals on the table every night wireless transmitter and app, is displayed at the 2020 Consumer Electronics “This is about trust and shared Beirut Sunny 16/12 S Showers 16/13 of a busy week. Show (CES) in Las Vegas. access to data, from the farm to the Bangkok P Cloudy 35/26 M Sunny 34/26 AI may be able to help with that. retailer to the consumer,” said Jason Berlin P Cloudy 06/01 M Cloudy 07/05 Its use in meal planning and to personalise its design in real-time Chopping the onions Kelly, head of blockchain services for Cairo M Sunny 19/10 P Cloudy 19/08 preparations was a hot topic at CES. to accommodate family members A new cooking bot unveiled at CES IBM. Cape Town M Sunny 24/18 Cloudy 24/18 GE Appliances, a division of of diff erent heights, ages or cooking also aims to leverage AI for kitchen- “Now I can see where my coff ee Colombo P Cloudy 32/24 I T Storms 32/23 China’s Haier, unveiled its smart hub abilities. challenged consumers. came from in a very trusted way, I know Dhaka Sunny 24/13 Sunny 24/14 integrated into a microwave which For those cooking outdoors, Weber The appliance from Hong Kong- where it was roasted and the farmer Hong Kong P Cloudy 18/14 P Cloudy 18/16 uses AI to analyse food in a consumer’s unveiled its smart app along with a based CookingPal — named “Julia” than produced it.” Istanbul M Sunny 11/05 Showers 09/05 refrigerator and make recipe new connected grill. — is paired with a smart hub that can The program — carried out Jakarta T Storm 29/24 S T Storms 31/24 suggestions. The system uses AI to get just the suggest recipes based on what’s in the in partnership with producers, Karachi Cloudy 24/13 Rain 24/11 “You can see all the food you right amount of browning and ensure fridge — and then handle much of the distributors and retailers — is part of London Cloudy 11/10 Showers 12/05 have and get a recommendation (for accurate cooking of anything from preparation. IBM’s Food Trust. Manila P Cloudy 31/23 P Cloudy 31/23 recipes), to cut down on waste,” said pizzas to whole turkeys, said Chris Julia, set to launch late this year, can The project uses blockchain to Moscow S Showers -1/-6 Cloudy -1/-1 GE’s Jeremy Miller. Scherzinger, chief executive of Weber- even handle tasks such as weighing, help verify authenticity of consumer New Delhi M Sunny 17/07 M Sunny 18/08 If the unit is paired with a Stephen Products. chopping, kneading, and cooking in products from olive oil to lettuce, and New York Cloudy 17/15 Rain 19/04 compatible cooktop and oven, the “With our 70 years of grilling a single, tabletop device — and then also help food safety by determining Paris M Cloudy 08/03 Cloudy 09/07 system will also keep track of the experience, we have developed clean up after itself, according to the the exact origin of a foodborne Sao Paulo T Storm 30/22 T Storm 28/22 cooking process to help ensure algorithms to know exactly how to company. pathogen Seoul M Sunny 03/-6 P Cloudy 02/-8 adequate, personalised cooking. get the right sear and ensure that the “Everyone hates to chop the Kelly said IBM has been working with Singapore S T Storms 31/25 I T Storms 31/24 GE also announced a new kitchen interior is cooked,” Scherzinger said onions,” said Anna Khomenko, other partners including restaurateurs Sydney S Showers 21/18 Cloudy 21/18 concept dubbed Shift, which will use as grills were fi red up outside the Las marketing manager for CookingPal, on traceability for other products, from Tokyo Cloudy 11/04 Cloudy 09/03 face and voice recognition technology Vegas Convention Center. adding that the new robot can help seafood to fresh fruits and vegetables. Gulf Times 16 Saturday, January 11, 2020 QATAR

All lit up

A captivating moment from the third Aspire Lake Festival held yesterday with the theme ‘Tree of Life’ at Aspire Lake. PICTURE: Shaji Kayamkulam

Heavy rainfall leads to water-logging in low-lying areas

Qatar received heavy rainfall from the early hours of Friday (yesterday). Dafna received the highest volume at 28.7mm between Wednesday morning and Thursday morning, according to a tweet by the Met Department. Water accumulated in low-lying areas was removed by teams from the Ministry of Municipality and Environment. Today, according to Met Department’s daily weather report, thundery rain is expected in some areas inshore. Off shore, the weather will be cloudy to partly cloudy with scattered rain, may be thundery at times in some places, with strong winds and high seas. PICTURES: Jayan Orma, Shaji Kayamkulam, Nasar K Moidheen Amber show turns spotlight on Doha’s business potential

By Ayman Adly range of beads from high-quality Staff Reporter natural amber. Armands from Solving Am- ber Problems (armajet) stressed he second edition of Ka- amber could be sold as carved tara International Amber products or raw material as TExhibition is set to con- well, with the price starting clude today after receiving a large from $3 per gram for the lowest number of visitors, who have quality and goes up according A piece of amber being shaped by a craftsman. enjoyed the event and expressed to the rarity and source. Saleh their appreciation for the good Abdulrazak al-Ishaq, an exhibi- organisation and diversity of ex- tor from Qatar, stressed that the hibits. event is an good opportunity to A considerable number of ex- exchange experiences among hibitors from diff erent countries stakeholders from around the are participating in the event that world. has built an excellent reputation Galyna Synikha from Ukraine from its debut edition last year. hoped to introduce to the Qatari The exhibition is taking place at Prayer beads made from amber. market her special products and Building 12 in Katara. The exhi- designs of amber that focus on bition has the potential to make artefacts, beads, rosaries and “Customers in Doha mostly luxury interior designs of houses Doha a hot destination for amber carvings with prices depending focus on prayer beads made from and hotels. She described the trade and a hub for such business on the quality of the material and amber,” he observed while add- turnout at the event as good. in the region. the craftsmanship of each piece. ing that the exhibition is ideal to Beram from Turkey, displayed Dr Ali Saleh al-Najadah, as- He said that Expo965 team has a attract new customers, display a good number of accessories, sociate professor and member good number of craftsmen who various types of artefacts and bracelets, earrings and necklaces of Expo965 team for culture and can shape the materials accord- establish positive business rela- decorated with amber besides handicraft exhibitions, and also ing to the demand. tions that could endure beyond the beads. He hoped that the a hand weaver and loom designer Rayzard Kulczynski, a Switzer- its duration. event would expand further for in Kuwait, thanked Katara for or- land-based Polish expert in the Serji Rabo from Lithuania, its next edition due to its growing ganising such a high-level event fi eld from Amber-Gallery Poland, who also participated in the de- reputation. that revives the industry and cre- stressed that the exhibition has but event last year, considers the The exhibition also features a ates a new hub for amber trade in placed Doha in the global spot- event as an excellent opportu- good number of craftsmen and the region. light as a very convenient place nity to open new markets in the workshops in addition to a good He said that amber as a mate- for business, sought after by the region. He pointed out that his display of diff erent varieties of rial can be used to produce many various suppliers in amber trade. company manufactures a wide raw amber. Pieces of raw amber of various grades.