BUSINESS | Page 1 SPORT | Page 1 Advani storms to another INDEX DOW JONES QE NYMEX QATAR 2-4, 24 COMMENT 22, 23 Qatar banks witness world title in REGION 5 BUSINESS 1-8, 13-16 double-digit growth 23,580.78 7,767.70 57.92 ARAB WORLD 6 CLASSIFIED 9-12 Doha +22.79 +9.62 -1.03 INTERNATIONAL 7-21 SPORTS 1-8 +0.10% +0.12% -1.75% despite blockade Latest Figures published in QATAR since 1978

TUESDAY Vol. XXXVIII No. 10651 November 28, 2017 Rabia I 10, 1439 AH

GULF TIMES www. gulf-times.com 2 Riyals Patriotic theme Asian football In brief body pleased with 2022

QATAR | Assistance QRC’s humanitarian preparations work ‘above politics’ Qatar Red Crescent has called for the dissociation of humanitarian action QNA the ongoing Qatar Stars League. from political matters, stressing at the Bangkok On Sunday, the Supreme Committee same time that the accusations against for Delivery & Legacy (SC) unveiled the one of its employees are baseless. design of Ras Abu Aboud Stadium, the In a statement yesterday it stressed As Qatar National Day preparations gain momentum, shops at Doha’s Souq Waqif are off ering a wide range of products inspired he Asian Football Confederation seventh 2022 FIFA World Cup stadium that it is a neutral and independent by the theme of patriotism as well as the ‘Tamim Al Majd’ portrait of His Highness the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani. (AFC) is fully satisfi ed with Qa- announced for the tournament. humanitarian organisation operating PICTURE: Jayan Orma Ttar’s preparations for the 2022 Due for completion in 2020, Ras Abu in Qatar and internationally. It provides FIFA World Cup, it’s vice president Aboud Stadium has a bold and inno- disaster relief assistance, healthcare Saoud al-Mohannadi said in Bangkok vative design concept, never seen in a services and other services to those yesterday. FIFA World Cup venue before as it will aff ected by humanitarian crises. Al-Mohannadi, who is also the vice- be fully dismountable after the event is The statement pointed out that QRC president of the Qatar Football Asso- over. pays special attention to obliging ciation, is in the Thai capital to attend The modular building blocks Ras its employees and volunteers to the various meetings to be held during the Abu Aboud Stadium consists of are highest professional standards in ‘Bid to hurt Qatar’s riyal course of the prestigious AFC Annual modifi ed shipping containers, each humanitarian work, especially with Awards. containing fundamental stadium ele- regard to its impartiality, independence His comments came yesterday at a ments that can be quickly assembled and integrity. meeting of the Organising Committee and disassembled at various locations of the 2019 Asian Cup to be held in the as required, all in pursuit of the SC’s QATAR | Aviation may backfi re on region’ UAE, of which the Qatari is the chair- mission to ensure the 2022 FIFA World man. Cup Qatar leaves a lasting legacy for the Qatar Airways travel During the meeting, al-Mohannadi country, the region and the world. alert for Bali fl ights zAny instability could hit other dollar-linked currencies, says Khalid al-Khater talked about the progress of Qatar’s The meeting of the Organising Com- Due to volcanic ash activity, flights World Cup plans, saying that the AFC mittee for the 2019 Asian Cup conclud- to Bali Denpasar Airport (DPS) are By Andrew Torchia riyal involved trading Qatar government state reserves and the holdings of Qa- is fully aware of Qatar’s commitment to ed by emphasising on the separation subject to either delay or cancellation, Reuters bonds at artifi cially low prices to suggest tar’s sovereign wealth fund. host a spectacular tournament in fi ve of sport from politics when one AFC Qatar Airways has said in a travel the economy was in trouble. Al-Khater said Qatar, the world’s top years’ time. He said the AFC is confi - member talked about the impact of the alert. Passengers travelling to Bali This failed because the market in Qa- liquefi ed natural gas (LNG) exporter, dent of Qatar’s abilities as the host of Gulf crisis on the tournament. Denpasar are requested to check the ome Arab states are trying to tari bonds was illiquid so trading in high could in future consider other steps to the mega event. The committee also launched the ‘Flight Status’ tab on the Qatar Airways destabilise Qatar’s riyal but ef- volumes was diffi cult and because Qa- bolster the riyal if needed, such as tak- Al-Mohannadi noted at the meeting ‘vision and mission’ framework for home page for the latest flight status Sforts to drive down its value could tar had taken precautionary steps, said ing payments for LNG exports in riyals that Qatar announced the readiness of the tournament, which will take place information. Passengers may also backfi re by hurting other dollar-linked al-Khater, on sabbatical leave doing rather than dollars, which would create the reconstructed Khalifa International from January 5 to February 1, 2019 in contact their nearest Qatar Airways currencies in the region, a Qatari cen- research at Britain’s University of Cam- global demand for its currency. Stadium in May and will shortly an- the UAE. off ice: https://www.qatarairways.com/ tral banker said. bridge. He did not identify the measures. But he said there was a risk that ef- nounce the completion of two other Al-Mohannadi said that the tourna- en/worldwide-off ices.html, booking Khalid al-Khater, currently in Brit- Al-Khater blamed low quotes for Qa- forts to undermine the riyal could shake venues. ment has been expanded from 16 to 24 agent or Customer Care line on (+974) ain on leave from the central bank, was tar’s riyal in the off shore market on some confi dence in dollar-linked currencies The Khalifa International Stadium teams, and the 2019 edition in the UAE 4022 0072. commenting on moves by Saudi Arabia, banks - which he said were from nations of other oil-reliant Gulf Arab states. played host to the Emir Cup fi nal earlier will be the largest and best ever in the the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and boycotting Qatar, without naming the “It could spark contagion across a this year and is also hosting matches in history of the event. QATAR | Weather Egypt to isolate Qatar. Doha’s rivals say institutions - seeking to manipulate the region which is tied to the US through it supports terrorism, which it denies. market by exchanging the currency at dollar pegs, and which is already suf- Strong winds and dust “It’s deliberate economic warfare, a weaker levels than on the onshore mar- fering from fi nancial distress and eco- expected today strategy to cause fear or panic among ket. He did not provide evidence. nomic diffi culties due to low oil prices,” Strong winds and dusty conditions the public and investors to destabilise The riyal changed hands onshore last he said, calling attacks on Qatar’s riyal are expected in the country today, the the economy,” al-Khater told Reuters week very close to its offi cial peg of 3.64 “a weapon of mutual destruction”. Qatar among the safest Qatar Met department has said. in a telephone interview, saying he was to the US dollar. Any increase of pressure on the cur- The weather off ice has issued a giving his personal views. Equity index compiler MSCI said last rency of Bahrain, whose debt is rated warning for strong winds in off shore Saudi Arabia, the United Emirates, week it might use off shore foreign ex- junk, could cause Manama to seek sup- areas, too, along with high seas. The Bahrain and Egypt cut diplomatic and change rates to value Qatar’s stock market. port from Saudi Arabia, whose own countries in the world marine warning will be in place until trade ties with Qatar in June. Most in- Qatar’s central bank responded by economy is battling a big state budget Sunday, December 3. In a post on social dependent analysts think its economy, saying it would provide currency needs defi cit due to three years of weak oil QNA crime statistics, in which he pointed out media yesterday, the Met department with huge gas and fi nancial reserves, to all investors and was working with prices, al-Khater said. Doha that Qatar has become a prominent centre said fresh to strong northwesterly can weather the storm and do not see banks to ensure transactions could be He added that the boycott was forc- in the world security indicators. winds are expected today, which may any serious risk of a devaluation of the conducted normally. ing Qatar to be more self-suffi cient in He noted Qatar has the lowest crime lead to blowing dust and low visibility riyal, whose dollar peg of 3.64 riyals has Central bank governor HE Sheikh agriculture, food processing and light he Ministry of Development rate in the Middle East and the sev- in some areas. In addition, the sea state been enshrined in law since 2001. Abdullah bin Saud al-Thani, in offi ce manufacturing, accelerating a long- Planning and Statistics said enth-lowest crime rate globally in the will not be suitable for any marine Al-Khater, architect of Qatar’s monetary since 2006, said last month that the term goal to diversify the economy. TQatar ranks among the world’s same index, according to the latest an- activities, it said, urging people to be policy in the 2008 global fi nancial crisis, government and the central bank could “Now Qatar has to expedite it out of lowest in terms of crime rates, refl ect- nual Global Crime Index (Numbeo), cautious. said part of the strategy to undermine the support the banking system with both necessity.” ing the country’s global security status, one of the largest and most popular en- which goes in line with the Qatar Na- cyclopedias on the Internet. REGION | Yemen ‘war crimes’ tional Vision 2030 that aims at creating Al-Muhannadi pointed out that Britain’s Prince Harry to marry American actress Markle next year a society of security, justice, and eco- Qatar topped the list of Middle East Rights organisation nomic prosperity. and North Africa nations in the Global taking UAE to ICC Britain’s Prince Harry said yesterday he was “thrilled” to be Hollywood stardust into Britain’s centuries-old royal family - Mohamed al-Muhannadi, director of Peace Index for the ninth year in a row, A rights organisation is taking marrying his American girlfriend Meghan Markle early next “the very first time we met”. population and social statistics department and ranked 30th among the 163 coun- the United Arab Emirates to the year, confirming months of speculation about the royal and However, the 33-year-old admitted that his proposal was not at the ministry, made the remarks during a tries included in the report of the Lon- International Criminal Court over the glamorous actress. entirely glamorous, taking place over a meal of roast chicken presentation at the opening of a workshop don Institute for Economics and Peace. allegations of war crimes in Yemen, The prince revealed he fell for Markle - who will inject a little at his cottage in the grounds of Kensington Palace. Page 13 organised by the ministry yesterday on To Page 24 the group’s lawyer said yesterday. The Arab Organisation for Human Rights in the UK accuses the UAE government, part of a Saudi-led coalition fighting Houthi rebels in Yemen, of “indiscriminate attacks against Discover Qatar in deal with major tour operators civilians”, lawyer Joseph Breham said. The case filed at the international court in The Hague also charges the iscover Qatar, the destination welcoming and historic country, and erator JoinUp, Aleksandr Alba, said. the same views saying that with re- UAE with using banned weapons in management company arm of we are committed to presenting the “Thanks to the recent change in visa cent changes to visa regulations, direct the conflict and hiring mercenaries to DQatar Airways, has signed ex- very best of Arabian hospitality to our regulations, Ukrainians now do not fl ights and proximity of destination, he carry out torture. clusive partnership agreements with visitors, giving them a positive and need a visa to enter Qatar, and this is a sees the potential of Qatar, an exciting four of the world’s major tour opera- lasting impression of Qatar,” he added. great opportunity for us to bring thou- destination for “sun-seeking clientele.” PAKISTAN | Politics tors in Russia, Italy, Czech Republic The four tour operators that Discover sands of Ukrainians to experience this Brand manager of Italian tour op- and Ukraine to promote the country as Qatar has partnered with are: Viag- beautiful country,” he stressed. erator, Viaggidea, Alpitour SpA, Palolo Protest called off a major tourist destination. gidea, Alpitour SpA from Italy, Fischer Chief executive of Russian tour op- Guariento said the beach properties of- aft er minister resigns The agreement with outbound tour Group from Czech Republic, Space erator Space Travel, Artur Muradyan, fer customers a great value for a winter Pakistan’s law minister resigned operators is expected to signifi cantly Travel from Russia and JoinUp from said: “Given the short fl ying distance sun break in warm and luxurious sur- yesterday after the embattled boost Qatar’s tourism, as nationals of Ukraine. and high quality and comfort of Qatar roundings. government bowed to demands from the four countries can take advantage Qatar Airways currently operates 42 Qatar off ers something special for every Airways, we see huge potential in Qa- “Qatar also has amazing landscapes a small Islamist group, striking a deal of visa-free entry into Qatar. fl ights from Italy, 14 fl ights from Rus- traveller. tar.” and a pristine desert for our clients to with the help of the military to end a “We currently serve the people sia, seven fl ights from Czech Repub- “Alongside lovely winter weather, enjoy,” he noted. “Its Souq’s are au- weeks-long anti-blasphemy protest. of Russia, Italy, Czech Republic and lic and seven fl ights from Ukraine per launch of services to these popular des- there are some superb beach hotels to thentic and its museums are of the At the site of the sit-in which had Ukraine by fl ying to these destinations week. The award-winning airline will tinations. cater for the Russian sun seeker. Addi- highest quality.” blocked a major road into Islamabad, through our global network,” Qatar also launch direct fl ights to Russia’s St “Qatar has so much to off er its visi- tionally there are many unique cultural In August, Qatar’s Ministry of Inte- demonstrators were slowly packing Airways Group chief executive Akbar Petersburg in December. tors. From beaches to amazing land- experiences to enjoy. We believe the rior, Qatar Tourism Authority and Qa- up tents and walking to bus stops as al-Baker said. The number of fl ights to Kyiv, scapes, cultural landmarks, heritage destination will be a great attraction for tar Airways announced that nationals shops and markets reopened for the “Through this initiative, we will pro- Ukraine and Prague will be doubled sites and pristine deserts, the country Russian visitors,” he added. from more than 80 countries can take first time since the protest began. vide further opportunity to welcome by mid-December due to passenger off ers something special for every trav- Chief Executive of Czech tour opera- advantage of visa-free entry into Qatar Page 19 more people to Qatar, our beautiful, demand, just a few months after the eller,” Owner of the Ukrainian tour op- tor, Fischer Group, Jiri Jelinek shared upon arrival. Gulf Times 2 Tuesday, November 28, 2017 QATAR Advisory Council reaffi rms Qatar’s rejection of terrorism

QNA the council reviewed Decree No combat terrorism, noting that the fi ght against terrorism, ex- pressed its appreciation for the randum of understanding signed The Advisory Council re- Doha 11 of 2017 on the amendment of when the State of Qatar combats pressing confi dence that this government’s eff orts in clarify- with the United States, the fi rst viewed Decree Law No 21 of 2017 some provisions of Law No 3 of terrorism, it does so out of its campaign will not achieve any ing the principled positions of of its kind in the region. on the amendment of some pro- 2004 on combating terrorism, sound faith, established princi- of its objectives because it is Qatar in rejecting terrorism and The council stressed that visions of Law No he Advisory Council yes- which His Highness the Emir ples, fi rm policy, and adherence based on lies. implementing the international Qatar will continue to combat 34 of 2005 on investment free terday held its third regu- Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al- to human values. It stressed that the major commitments issued by the Se- terrorism with determination zones. Tlar meeting at its 46th or- Thani had issued in July 2017. The council deplored the countries and the international curity Council in relation to the and will work with the interna- The council decided to refer dinary session chaired by HE the The council reaffi rmed that unjust campaign that seeks, community know the reality of fi ght against terrorism and its tional community to rid the re- the decree law to the Financial Speaker Ahmed bin Abdullah bin the decree was clear and com- through allegations and fab- Qatar’s stand on the phenom- fi nancing as well as the bilateral gion and the world of its evils, and Economic Aff airs Commit- Zaid al-Mahmoud. prehensive and goes in line with rications, to distort Qatar’s enon of terrorism. agreements in this regard, the calling for addressing its roots tee for review and to submit a At the outset of the meeting, Qatar’s relentless eff orts to principled and fi rm stance in In addition, the council ex- latest of which was the memo- and causes. report on it to the council.

Zakat Fund gave QR18mn Sustainability Summit focuses aid in October

QNA Doha on climate mitigation projects he total assistance pro- vided by the Zakat Fund rojects worth trillions of tors as well various categories of Tat the Ministry of En- dollars are either under GSAS CGPs and GSAS Service dowments (Awqaf) and Islamic Pconstruction or in plan- Providers for their contribution Aff airs for needy families in Qa- ning stage across the GCC that and performance in sustainabil- tar last October totalled nearly follow the sustainable develop- ity excellence during implemen- QR18mn. ment model, a report at Sustain- tation of GSAS. The assistance was distributed ability Summit 2017 revealed. This year’s event was at- among 2,000 eligible registered According to Zawya Projects tended by international sus- families. data, “As much as $ 2.87tn worth tainability stalwarts represent- The assistance included of projects are in the design, bid ing organisations such as KEO monthly aid or one-time aid or construction stage in the GCC Intl., OiER, UNFCCC, IETA, to be paid as needed in ac- up to 2025, with $ 1.53tn worth of Iberdrola, KNPC, Ecofys, Int. cordance with specific needs real-estate projects already un- Energy Agency and Int. Atomic and emergency conditions of der construction,” Energy Agency as well as local the beneficiaries, the Zakat On the second day of Sustain- organisations including Kah- Fund said in a statement yes- ability Summit 2017, organised ramaa, FIFA Qatar Local Organ- terday. by Gulf Organisation for Re- ising Committee, SC, Tarsheed, The Zakat Fund said that the search and Development (Gord) Arab Union of Electricity, Arab assistance is provided to ben- there were four sessions which Engineering Bureau, Ministry efi ciaries in accordance with the featured discussions on Carbon of Development, Planning and Shariah rules and after neces- and Climate Change and Sus- A panel discussion during the summit Statistics, Ministry of Munici- sary research for those request- tainable Built Environment. The pality and Environment, QNRF, ing fi nancial help. summit concluded yesterday at ‘Climate Mitigation Projects for ity Summit speakers visited the organisations were among ious stakeholders and contribu- Qatar Airways, Qatar Rail, Dar It pointed out that the fi les Ritz-Carlton Doha. GCC’; ‘Technologies, Solutions Kahramaa Awareness Park in the exhibitors of Sustainabil- tors were recognised through al Handasah and Marafeq and of applicants for assistance The sessions deliberated a and Opportunities’ and ‘Sus- Doha which is an ambitious ini- ity Summit 2017 including Kah- certifi cates of appreciation also academia representatives are presented to the compe- number of important topics such tainable Building Design and tiative to promote the culture of ramaa, Nakheel Landscapes, Al and recognition by Dr Yousef from Hamad Bin Khalifa Univer- tent committees to assess their as ‘Operational Performance Construction’. conservation of electricity and Waab Plastics, embassy of Can- al-Horr, founding chairman of sity, Qatar University, University conditions, so as to ensure that of Built Environments for Hu- At the end of the fi rst day of water among children. ada as well as Zoysia Al Khalij. Gord including the conference of Wolverhampton, and Texas the Zakat reaches the deserving man Wellbeing and Resources’; the summit, all the Sustainabil- A number of companies and At the end of the summit, var- speakers, sponsors and exhibi- A&M University Qatar. benefi ciaries. WISH announces dates of 2018 conference

By Joseph Varghese ommendations in these reports Al-Kuwari said, “Qatar Foun- Staff Reporter have had signifi cant impacts on dation is dedicated to making a number of healthcare systems Qatar a leading global centre across the globe”, said Lord Darzi. for excellence and innovation. he World Innovation Sum- “When, back in 2012, Her We seek to foster collaboration mit for Health (WISH) an Highness Sheikha Moza bint across our mission areas, and Tinitiative of Qatar Founda- Nasser, chairperson of Qatar WISH is a prime example of our tion for Education, Science and Foundation, announced her in- approach in creating multi-dis- Community Development (QF), tention to create WISH, she of- ciplinary synergies in research will hold its 2018 conference at fered global healthcare leaders and development.” the Qatar National Convention an exciting opportunity to come WISH 2018 will focus on nine Gord and Kuwait National Petroleum Company off icials exchange Centre on November 13–14. to Qatar and use WISH as a base topics that highlight and ad- documents after signing the MoU. The announcement was made from which to capture and dis- Professor the Lord Darzi of Denham, Omran Hamad al-Kuwari and dress some of the world’s most by professor the Lord Darzi of seminate the best new evidence- Khalifa al-Kubaisi at the press conference yesterday. pressing healthcare challenges. Denham, executive chair of based, healthcare-focused ideas,” PICTURE: Shemeer Rasheed Groups of experts from around WISH at a press conference yes- he said. the world will work together to terday at QF headquarters. Om- For the fourth time, WISH will that applications are open for the main summit. build evidence-based research Gord signs MoU ran Hamad al-Kuwari, executive convene its meeting of global WISH 2018 Innovation Showcase WISH 2018 will also see the in- on the topics in the months lead- director, CEO Offi ce, QF; and leaders, policy-makers, and in- competition – a competition that auguration of ‘The WISH Hub’, ing up to the summit. They will Khalifa al-Kubaisi, head of Press novators in healthcare, charging off ers entrepreneurs and health- which will provide interactive present their fi ndings in a series Offi ce, QF, were also present on them with exploring new ways to care innovators from around the demonstrations in health-related of reports that will be published with Kuwait National the occasion. build a healthier world through world an opportunity to display technologies – such as robotic prior to the summit and ex- “WISH is making a great posi- collaborative eff orts and the their innovative projects or prod- devices, artifi cial intelligence, and plored during panel discussions tive impact on several healthcare sharing of novel ideas. The bien- ucts at next year’s summit. Suc- virtual reality – and will off er a at WISH 2018. The topics will systems across the world. Many nial summit will feature keynote cessful applicants, not less than place for summit attendees to net- be announced over the coming Petroleum Company of the WISH research reports speakers drawn from both inside 20, will be invited to Doha to be work, take part in informal group months and will focus on a range have been presented in several and outside the healthcare sector. part of an Innovation Showcase discussion sessions, and meet the of medical, social, humanitar- countries and some of the rec- Lord Darzi also announced gallery that will run alongside the authors of WISH’s latest reports. ian, and policy-driven areas. ulf Organisation for Re- expect that recognition and search and Development carbon credit finance support G(Gord) signed a memo- to KNPC project will generate randum of understanding with interest among regional players Kuwait National Petroleum to come forward with carbon Company (KNPC) to establish emission reduction projects QTA aims to attract more events to Qatar at IBTM collaboration for recognition of and catalyse climate actions in carbon reduction projects and the region.” issuance of carbon credits. KNPC is the national oil re- atar Tourism Authority showcase Qatar as a welcoming The MoU was signed by Dr fi ning company of Kuwait. (QTA) is leading a del- and easily-accessible meeting Yousef al-Horr, founding chair- Established in 1960, KNPC Qegation of 10 industry point where professionals with man, Gord and Shukri A al- handles the responsibility of partners to IBTM (Institute of shared interests, can learn and Mahrous, consultant to the CEO oil refi ning, gas liquefaction, Business Travel Management) share knowledge while experi- of KNPC, on the concluding day and distribution of petroleum Barcelona later this month. encing the country’s unique cul- of the sustainability summit. goods within the local market. The delegation will showcase tural off erings,” QTA’s Exhibi- Dr al-Horr said, “We are KNPC will implement two grid- a full range of hotels, destination tions director Ahmed al-Obaidli proud of our long-standing connected solar photovoltaic management companies, event said. partnership with KNPC and the projects of total capacity of management companies, and “Qatar’s authentic tourism Qatari industry representatives with their German counterparts in a discussion exploring what the sustainability milestones we 24.5 MW, one at 45 locations in state-of-the-art venues that off erings, combined with world- destination off ers to German visitors. have achieved together in im- KNPC premises, and second in make for an attractive business class venues, an expanded trans- plementing GSAS and we hope local market depots and 10 pet- events destination in the region. port network, and exceptional QTA hosts 40 German-speaking travel agents to boost visitor market growth to achieve similar best prac- rol stations. These projects are Following a series of winning accessibility via the national tices in the field of carbon neu- expected to reduce signifi cant bids to host international events carrier, Qatar Airways have al- trality through GCT. We also carbon emissions. in Qatar, QTA and its partners ready proven Qatar to be a highly Qatar Tourism Authority (QTA) a discussion that explored what the 2017 were from German-speaking are aiming to build on buyers’ attractive business event desti- hosted 40 travel agents and tour destination off ers to German visi- markets, according to QTA. interest and draw more event nation,” he noted. operators hailing from German tors. “This is the biggest German- “We expect this portion to grow planners to the destination. During the three-day global speaking markets – Germany, speaking delegation we welcome further over Qatar’s cruise tour- At least 12 international con- trade event, QTA will hold a net- Austria and Switzerland – in a new in Qatar to date, a testament to the ism season, during which we are ferences are already planned to working lunch where buyers are drive to generate visitor growth shared belief everyone present has welcoming numerous German and Minister holds talks with be held in Doha in 2018, QTA invited to learn more about the from those markets. in the uniqueness of our country’s European cruise liners,” al-Qurese noted. Among those confi rmed country’s unique tourism prod- The familiarisation trip included tourism off ering, and its relevance added. are: the fi rst Middle East edi- ucts and services, which make a workshop, organised by FVW, to the German market,” QTA’s chief FVW editor-in-chief Klaus Macedonian delegation tion of International Conference for memorable and authentic a leading travel magazine in marketing and promotion off icer Hildebrandt said members of the for Entrepreneurship, Innova- experiences. Germany. Rashed al-Qurese said. delegation were deeply impressed tion and Regional Development, Additionally, QTA and part- The workshop brought Qatari Visitor arrival figures indicate that with the development of the QNA Forestry and Water Economy of and International Air Transport ner delegates from Qatar are industry representatives together nearly 11% of Qatar’s European visi- destination and the quality of the Doha Macedonia Ljupcho Nikolovski Association’s ‘International also set to attend match-making with their German counterparts in tors in the first three quarters of hotels visited. and the accompanying del- Ground Handling Conference.’ sessions with relevant industry egation in Doha yesterday.Talks “Event planners and organ- representatives from across the E the Minister of State during the meeting dealt with isers are always looking for world. Hotel Doha - MGallery by Ac- Tours & Travels, Marriott Mar- & Spa (a Ritz-Carlton Hotel), for Foreign Aff airs Sul- bilateral relations and ways of new destinations to host their The following QTA partners corHotels, Arabian Adventures quis City Centre Doha, Qatar Sheraton Grand Doha Resort Htan bin Saad al-Muraikhi supporting them, in addition to events. IBTM Barcelona presents will be exhibiting at the Qatar Qatar, Doha Exhibition and International Adventures, Qatar & Convention Hotel, and The met the Minister of Agriculture, matters of common concern. a unique opportunity for us to Business Events stand: Alwadi Convention Centre, Labbaik Airways (QMICE), Sharq Village Torch Doha. Gulf Times Tuesday, November 28, 2017 3 QATAR ‘Qatar has always initiated Study identifi es ‘halal’ innovation, unique projects’

Qatar always engages in unique projects that distinguish it from other countries and the latest lifestyle defi nition of these is the Ras Abu Aboud Stadium for the he term ‘halal’ is no ences included subtopics around The data highlights Instagram 2022 FIFA World Cup, longer exclusively de- fashion and technology. posts that received thousands of Doha resident Binod Tfi ned in a religious con- The data follows a global likes for promoting halal fashion Prasad Bhattarai told Qatar text, but has transformed into conversation surrounding the shows, halal fi tness culture, halal Urdu Radio’s live show a lifestyle term associated with concept of halal, particularly by movies and other lifestyle posts Haqeeqat yesterday. worldwide health and fash- ‘Generation M’. The term was depicting clothes and stylish The stadium will be the ion industries, according to a coined in 2016 by author She- surroundings. What is also sur- first ever demountable and study conducted by a research- lina Jannmohamed, describing prising is that posts mentioning reusable stadium in the er from the Qatar Computing young Muslims that embrace some halal certifi cation are likely history of FIFA World Cup. Research Institute (QCRI), one modernity as well as faith. The to get fewer likes than those that “We feel proud of the of Hamad Bin Khalifa Univer- research found that young peo- don’t.” innovation and unique sity’s (HBKU) three national ple are now embracing halal Dr Mejova noticed the number projects Qatar always Binod Prasad Bhattarai research institutes. products, with style-conscious of posts mentioning the word initiates. They are once The study into mentions of and health-conscious Muslims, halal was not strictly correlated again creating history in situated southeast of Doha large South Asian expatriate the word halal on social media and even non-Muslims, closely with the population demograph- FIFA with the Ras Abu Aboud and 1.5km from the Hamad community in Qatar, is a joint was done by Dr Yelena Mejova, associating the word with con- ics of Muslims living in diff erent Stadium,” he said. International Airport. It venture of the Gulf Times and lead author at QCRI, in partner- cepts such as vegan, vegetarian countries, including the UK and The venue will be will be connected to the Qatar Media Corp Urdu Radio. ship with the École Nationale Dr Yelena Mejova and organic. the US. “When we are seeing ha- constructed using shipping rest of country via Qatar It is broadcast from Sunday to Superieure d’Informatique in Traditionally, halal defi nes Is- lal used alongside local culture containers, removable seats Rail’s Gold Line and a water Thursday on FM107. Algeria and The University of tions. Dr Mejova found that, in lamically permissible items, and and habits, we know that the un- and other modular building taxi stop, host of the show Log on to Qatar Urdu Indonesia. English, mentions of halal were applies to products including derstanding of halal is changing blocks and it will be entirely Saif-ur-Rehman informed Radio on Facebook and ‘@ She analysed more than 1.3mn often associated with food and foods, drinks and food additives. in all of these places. On social dismantled and repurposed listeners. QatarUrduRadio’ on Twitter recent posts on Instagram and health concepts; in Indonesian, Dr Mejova noted, “Halal is be- media, it appears to have broad- after the World Cup. Haqeeqat, which aims to for feedback and comments focused on English, Arabic and they focused more on cosmetics coming a cool, lifestyle defi ni- ened to incorporate lifestyle The 40,000-seat venue is engage and interact with the about the show. Indonesian-speaking popula- and health, while Arabic refer- tion amongst social media users. elements,” she added. Stroke Programme at Hamad

Off icials after signing the deal. Hospital gets JCI recertifi cation

amad Medical Cor- “Due to the high treated at HGH’s dedicated tients, including HMC’s ambu- than driving themselves to hos- poration’s (HMC) prevalence in Qatar’s stroke ward has increased year lance, emergency, radiology and pital – rising from 50% in 2014 HStroke Programme at population of many on year since 2014. rehabilitation teams. to 66% at present. QFC signs pact Hamad General Hospital, has risk factors for stroke Dr Naveed Akhtar, director, HMC’s Stroke Programme It has also reduced average become the fi rst of its kind in – including diabetes, HMC’s Stroke Ward, said, “Due team has continued to improve length of stay in hospital for the Middle East to be recerti- obesity, high cholesterol, to the high prevalence in Qatar’s care outcomes for patients, stroke patients. Time of stay fi ed by the Joint Commission hypertension, and population of many risk factors despite increasing volumes. has steadily decreased from 8.9 International (JCI). This latest inactivity – the incidence for stroke – including diabetes, There have been several re- days in 2013 to 5.9 days in 2017. with Ministry of achievement was confi rmed of stroke is high; in obesity, high cholesterol, hy- cent improvements in care out- This demonstrates the eff ective following an extensive review 2014, we treated around pertension, and inactivity – the comes. There is an increased nature of care being provided by under JCI’s Clinical Care Pro- 900 stroke patients, a incidence of stroke is high. In public knowledge of stroke, the service. gramme Certifi cation Third number that has risen 2014, we treated around 900 boosted by HMC’s national In addition to thrombolysis Edition. to 1,390 in 2017 and stroke patients, a number that stroke awareness campaign. – internationally recognised Justice’s centre “JCI certifi cation is based ongoing” has risen to 1,390 in 2017 and The campaign’s key objective as a very eff ective treatment in on quality and safety across all ongoing.” was to educate people on how to acute ischemic stroke, which clinical and management func- Programme is a signifi cant To receive the recertifi cation, recognise the signs and symp- must be given within 4.5 hours he Qatar Financial Centre Bilal, director, CLJS, said the tions and is considered the gold achievement for HMC. It inde- HMC’s Stroke Programme team toms of stroke and the correct of the onset of symptoms – the (QFC) has signed a mem- co-operation with the QFCA to standard in global healthcare,” pendently endorses the quality successfully met the JCI in- action to take if they suspect a HMC stroke team now regu- Torandum of understand- implement such programmes is said Prof Ashfaq Shuaib, di- of care the service has consist- spection’s strict criteria, which stroke. The campaign has con- larly utilises interventional ing (MoU) with the Centre for of utmost importance and fur- rector, HMC’s Neurosciences ently delivered since fi rst gain- assessed the quality and safety tributed to an increase in the thrombectomies, the retrieval Legal and Judicial Studies (CLJS) ther serves “our national duty Institute. ing JCI certifi cation in 2014. of the full spectrum of services number of stroke patients call- of blocked vessel clots through at the Ministry of Justice (MoJ). to strengthen and support local Recertifi cation of the Stroke The number of stroke patients involved in caring for stroke pa- ing for an ambulance, rather a catheter. The agreement looks to estab- bodies working in the fi eld of lish and develop continuous and training”. mutual co-operation between both “This MoU will allow us to parties in the fi elds of legal educa- further develop and grow the tion and training, development of legal training sector, and it also legal skills and dissemination emphasises the importance de- of legal knowledge. veloping the fi nancial and bank- QLC’s leaders programme “This agreement helps bring ing sectors in Qatar,” she said. together two important enti- The CLJS, which collaborates ties to ensure the continued with worldwide training and le- development of Qatar. The co- gal development institutions, operation between the QFC and seeks to provide the best train- hosts Ashghal president the MoJ on a number of fi elds is ing and practical programmes in a vital step in providing a unique Qatar. and world-class legal environ- The QFC’s legal department atar Leadership Cen- of major infrastructure projects al-Mohannadi advised the served as the chief executive ment for businesses in Qatar,” provides a comprehensive set of tre’s (QLC) Government in Qatar. Established in 2004, participants to challenge their offi cer of Qatar Railways Co said Nasser al-Taweel, chief legal in-house legal services and is at QLeaders Programme or- the authority has handled the peers and employees to break where he employed his exten- offi cer, the QFC Authority. the centre of the strategic devel- ganised an exclusive seminar construction and maintenance out of their comfort zones, and sive experience in project man- He said organising joint sym- opment, enhancement and ad- for its participants at the QLC of local roads, expressways, the to engage them in a unifi ed vi- agement to enhance the overall posia, debates, seminars, visits vocacy of the QFC’s legal headquarters in Al Bidda Tower. national drainage system and sion for better outcomes at their performance of the company. and workshops is, and would environment. For the event, QLC invited public buildings. respective institutions. In 2017, and following an Emiri continue to be central to the suc- The QFC’s legal environment Dr Saad bin Ahmed al-Mohan- Al-Mohannadi emphasised Al-Mohannadi earned his Decree, he was appointed Dr Saad bin Ahmed al-Mohannadi cess of the QFC and to the con- provides an internationally rec- nadi, president, Public Works the importance of creating a undergraduate degree and MBA president of Ashghal. speaking at the event. tinued development of Qatar’s ognised platform for leading Qa- Authority (Ashghal), to be the dynamic culture of leading by from Qatar University and a The QLC seminar is part of business, legal and regulatory tari and international companies guest speaker. example. The speaker led the doctorate from France, and has the centre’s “commitment to Programme is one of three QLC environment. to expand in Qatar or overseas The seminar explored best participants through his expe- constantly challenged himself partner with other leading en- national programmes designed Stressing that the MoJ’s legal from the QFC. This in turn sup- practices of senior management riences in creating a successful over the course of his career. He tities in the country to support for outstanding Qatari men and and judicial studies centre re- ports Qatar’s economic develop- and leadership and covered working culture that is based has held several managerial po- the creation of knowledge and women. The programme pro- mains committed to supporting ment and diversifi cation eff orts Ashghal’s contribution to Qa- on engagement and informed sitions in Qatar and is included further the goals of Qatar Na- vides its participants with cus- the enhancement and develop- and contributes to knowledge tar’s development. decision-making. in the membership of several tional Vision 2030”, according tomised leadership education, ment of legal and judicial train- and expertise sharing in Qatar Ashghal is responsible for Focusing on both personal committees. to a statement. enhancing their personal and ings in Qatar, Fatma Abdulaziz and beyond. the management and delivery and professional development, From 2011, al-Mohannadi The Government Leaders professional development.

Research symposium gets underway Qatar University (QU) yesterday skills and abilities while enabling launched the Research researchers to meet socio- QU to host launch of National CSR Report Collaboration Symposium 2017 economic needs. with a view to discuss and explore “Additionally, QU established a its research potential and the state-of-the-art Research Complex, atar University (QU) will QU in partnership with Qatar opportunities it off ers to achieve which includes specialised research host the launch ceremo- CSR Network and Qatar Media the projects of governmental and centres and contemporary Qny of the sixth edition of Corporation (media partner). private institutions. research equipment. It has also the National Corporate Social It is sponsored by the Ministry The three-day event is organised by accomplished, in record time, Responsibility (CSR) Report in of Foreign Aff airs – distribu- the Off ice of the Vice President for significant achievements 2018 fi rst quarter, under the pa- tion partner to Qatari embassies Research and Graduate Studies. through the implementation of tronage of HE the Prime Minis- around the world. The programme features a research roadmap listing four ter and Interior Minister Sheikh The report has achieved an presentations and panel priority research areas – Energy, Abdullah bin Nasser bin Kha- unsurpassed success and has be- discussions focused on four main Environment and Resource lifa al-Thani, it was announced come the Annual National CSR themes: energy and environment, Sustainability; Social Change and yesterday. Book. The ceremony will feature information and communications Identity; Population, Health and Themed “Citizenship”, the re- the honouring of the CSR Person technology (ICT), biomedical Wellness; and ICT.” port is part of QU’s partnership of the Year. and health sciences, and social Also present at the first session with Qatar CSR Network. It fo- QU president Dr Hassan al- sciences, arts and humanities. were QU vice president for cuses on the social responsibil- Derham said, “The achieve- In his remarks, QU president Dr Research and Graduate Studies ity of Qatari institutions and its ments monitored by the report Dr Hassan al-Derham Dr Bader Abdullah al-Esmael Khalifa al-Mohannadi Hassan al-Derham said: “Since Prof Mariam al-Maadeed, College of success in defeating the block- over the years, have contrib- its inception, QU is committed Arts and Sciences dean Dr Rashid ade imposed on Qatar. It also uted to its development to about the added value of CSR prosperity, health, security and sustainable development as ad- to tackling issues that are of the al-Kuwari, College of Business and monitors the contributions and become a distinguished aca- and social responsibility to the peaceful approach. The report dressed in Qatar National Vision interest of the community. QU Economics dean Dr Khalid Shams achievements of local institu- demic and national platform society.” confi rms that citizenship is a 2030. The CSR report this year is always strives to incorporate M A al-Abdulqader, College of tions in serving the country, and that reviews the contribution Qatar CSR Network CEO national value based on peo- taking the citizenship theme as innovation and research within Law dean Dr Mohamed Abdulaziz highlights their progress in 2017 of the local institutions to- Khalifa al-Mohannadi ple’s will to participate in all the part of this strategy, which be- the educational process. al-Khulaifi, College of Sharia and in relation to their commitment wards achieving a nationwide noted,“CSR and citizenship political, social and economic came an example of the success- “In this context, the organisation Islamic Studies dean Dr Yousuf to the four pillars of Qatar Na- development. Qatar Univer- are not just a lifestyle; with aspects in their society.” ful academic interaction with established research centres and sl-Siddiqi, and Social and Economic tional Vision 2030 and sustain- sity, like many other national its transparent government, “Qatar University has contrib- other sectors,” added Dr Bader programmes that contribute to Survey Research Institute director able development. institutions, sensed the need economy and society, Qatar uted in developing the national Abdullah al-Esmael, head of QU providing applicable learning Dr Hassan al-Sayed, as well as other The report is published by to inform the public opinion is booming and developing its CSR strategy aimed at achieving CSR Committee. and to developing the students’ QU off icials, faculty and staff . Gulf Times 4 Tuesday, November 28, 2017 QATAR Ooredoo announces new fi bre home plans

oredoo has announced that new plans have Obeen added to its pop- Ooredoo Fibre Home cus- ular Home Broadband serv- tomers choosing a 30 Mbps The Qatar Charity board members at the meeting. ice to cater to the increasing or above plan will also enjoy needs of its customers with a free beIN Full Package sub- regards to bandwidth speeds scription, which include 58 and entertainment content. channels and covers live and This announcement comes exclusive sports channels, as on the back of a recent ‘Aka- well as premium and exclu- mai – State of the Internet’ re- sive content, including pro- port, which ranked Qatar fi rst grammes for kids, lifestyle, in the Mena region and sev- factual, the latest movies, Qatar Charity board enth worldwide for broadband music and more. Existing cus- connection speeds. tomers on Home Broadband New customers on fi bre can upgrade to the new any will now have a choice of ‘Fi- Fibre Home plans from today bre Home’ plans starting at by visiting an Ooredoo Shop 15Mbps to 10Gbps. or by calling 111. The new plans have been Ooredoo Qatar director of reviews performance designed to off er custom- PR and Corporate Commu- ers more bandwidth in their nications Manar Khalifa al- he board of directors of Qatar The board of directors also reviewed the institutional structure and mana- The board reviewed and com- home to cater to the growing Muraikhi said: “The new Fibre Charity (QC) has held its peri- the fi nancial statements of QC up to gerial development, the statement mended the plan for the governance trend of multiple device ac- Home Entertainment service is Todic meeting under the presi- the end of the third quarter of this year, noted. and risk management system pre- cess. Ooredoo’s starter plan perfect for our customers who dency of Sheikh Hamad bin Nasser comparing them with previous years’ All these helped the charity co- sented to it by the senior executive now begins at 15Mbps, a 50% want to make the most of their bin Jassim al-Thani, chairman of the results for the same period. operate “permanently and uniquely” management. It also underscored increase on the popular old fi bre speeds and enjoy the latest board. All fi nancial statements were re- with government bodies, the Regular- the importance of adopting the high- home broadband starter plan. movies, TV shows, and content The meeting sought to evaluate viewed against the approved budg- ity Authority for Charitable Activities, est standards of internal auditing. A Not only will new cus- from around the world.” performance of the charity until the ets, and an analytical statement of the the Ministry of Foreign Aff airs, donors committee was formed to follow up tomers benefi t from the new The Ooredoo Fibre network end of the third quarter of this year variables in the approved budget and as well as local and international part- on this issue. plans but Ooredoo’s exist- is available across Qatar with and come up with necessary recom- achievements until the end of the third ners, it was observed. Members of the QC board of direc- ing 240,000 customers on its more than 260,000 homes and mendations, QC said in a press state- quarter was issued. The board stressed the need for tors include Sheikh Hamad, Ahmed Home Broadband plans can businesses currently benefi t- ment yesterday. Further, the board took stock of lat- promoting QC’s future strategic plan, Abdullah Ghorab al-Marri, HE Dr now seamlessly upgrade to the ing from super-fast internet The meeting reviewed a report on est updates on QC’s activities and de- which is based on its vision to con- Hassan Lahdan Saqr al-Mohannadi, new Fibre Home plans. and next generation services. QC’s performance and achievements velopments related to the projects and tinue its growth, and enhance the size HE Dr Mohamed Abdul Wahed Ali All new Ooredoo ‘Fibre Customers who want to join at the administrative and fi nancial lev- sponsorships referred to it by other and quality of the implemented pro- al-Hammadi, Faisal Abdullah Zaid Home’ plans will include the the ‘Fibre revolution’ can view els, resources, local achievements and charitable institutions and the proce- grammes and projects. al-Mahmoud, Mohamed Abdullatif Starzplay service, a subscrip- the fi bre availability map on international partnerships. It also as- dures required for their accommoda- Meanwhile, the board issued direc- al-Mana, Mohamed Nasser al-Fuhaid tion video on demand service Ooredoo’s website. The map sessed performance indicators of all tion and follow-up. tives for more partnerships and agree- al-Hajri, Abdulrahman Abduljalil al- that off ers more than 6,500 allows customers to check executive departments of Qatar Char- The board praised Qatar Charity for ments, with international and regional Abdulghani and Sheikh Mohamed hours of TV series, block- if they are in a fi bre-ready ity, and the development plans expect- its steady growth at all levels, both do- organisations, which would strengthen Hassan al-Muraikhi. The meeting was buster Hollywood movies, ‘green’ area and shows cus- ed to be implemented in the upcoming mestically and internationally and at QC’s international philanthropic sta- also attended by Yousef Ahmed al-Ku- documentaries, and kids’ en- tomers how to apply for a fi bre plan. the organisational level, as well as for tus. wari, CEO of QC. tertainment. upgrade. Ajyal unveils ‘Special Screenings’ programme

he 2017 Ajyal Youth Film tion and Interpreting Institute “We believe this edition of Festival will present an of the College of Humanities Ajyal is set to be our strongest Texciting showcase of and Social Sciences at Hamad yet, as the festival’s reputation cinematic experiences in the Bin Khalifa University (HBKU). continues to grow each year,” Special Screenings programme The inclusive presentation al-Remaihi stressed. which could inspire people of will provide visually impaired Honouring Ajyal’s history all abilities, Doha Film Insti- A scene from Al Johara by audiences with descriptive of animation, director Su- tute (DFI) said yesterday. Nora al-Subai audio, and hearing impaired nao Katabuchi’s international The programme will feature viewers. Those with limited award-winning anime fi lm, In a screening of acclaimed fi lm- convention with her uniquely speech processing and com- This Corner of the World (Ja- maker and visual artist Shirin intimate exploration of an icon prehension will benefi t from pan), narrates the experiences Neshat’s latest fi lm with the of modern Arab culture, mov- descriptive subtitles, enriched of 18-year-old Suzu among the director in attendance and a ing artfully beyond biopic in a with information about sound cruel chaos of World War II. trans-adapted screening in movie-within-a-movie. eff ects and music. Ajyal’s popular Sony Cin- honour of United Nations (UN) Through the simultane- “We at DFI are committed ema Under the Stars returns International Day of Persons ous exploration of three main to bringing the magic of cin- to present audience favourites with Disabilities (PWDs). female characters, the narra- ema to all audiences, and strive from previous Made in Qatar To be screened open-air is tive reveals how women face towards pushing ourselves Programmes: 10% by Yousef The Smurfs, the popular anime the same predicaments of towards that goal each year at al-Moadhadi; Charlie by Ali fi lm which marks the 60th an- sacrifi ce, despite the glory of Ajyal,” festival director and DFI Ali; dRAIN by Papanapattu niversary of everyone’s favour- achieving fame and success. CEO Fatma al-Remaihi said. Ganesh and Imad Hachem; ite blue friends. Ajyal 2017 also presents the “It is deeply inspiring to Immortalizing Memories by Ajyal presents visual story screening of Ajyal 2016 Award have each and every one of us Mostafa Sheshtawy; Kashta master Shirin Neshat’s Look- Winners, Al-Johara by Nora al- experience the power of fi lm, by AJ al-Thani; Al-Kora by ing for Oum Kulthum, in col- Subai and Kashta by AJ al-Thani. regardless of physical obstacles Amal al-Muftah; Light Sounds laboration with Shoja Azari The screening will mark the presented in front of us,” she by Karem Kamel; Makh’bz by (Germany/ Austria/ Italy/ Qa- UN International Day of PWDs added, as she thanked students Aisha R al-Muhannadi; My tar/ Lebanon/2017) with the in a special trans-adapted at HBKU “for their painstaking Hero by Nora al-Subai; and director in attendance. screening, presented in col- commitment in adapting the The Palm Tree by Jassim al- Neshat once again breaks laboration with the Transla- fi lms for all audiences”. Rumaihi.

Doha Bank CEO Dr R Seetharaman joins the latest recipients of the monthly ‘Employee Recognition Awards’ programme. Doha Bank honours outstanding staff

oha Bank recently held its monthly Mostafa, Ramez Bayoumi, and Dana al- Functional Team’ consisting of 21 employ- ‘Employee Recognition Awards’ Ghafri were acknowledged for their sig- ees from Retail Banking, Operations, IT, Dceremony to recognise outstanding nifi cant recovery eff orts. Finance, Operational Risk, Legal, Internal employees. The ‘Best Relationship Manager’ Audit, Compliance, and Administration. Doha Bank CEO Dr R Seetharaman con- awards went to Don Denuwan and Fe- “Once again, Doha Bank is very proud gratulated the employees during the cer- bin Titus, while Adam Suleiman was ac- to celebrate our staff members who de- emony held in the presence of senior man- knowledged as ‘Best Dealer’ and Riyasmon liver top-notch services and products on agement at Doha Bank Tower’s auditorium Chalil was the ‘Best Personal Financial a daily basis on behalf of our organisation. in West Bay. Executive’. We strongly believe in the growth of our The awardees included Asad Akhtar, For Team Awards, City Center Branch employees and it is our duty and pleas- Ashraf Abougary, and Randy Garcia as was awarded the ‘Best Branch’ and Doha ure to recognise the exceptional job that ‘Most Committed Employees’; Catherine Festival City Branch bagged the award of all of you do through our monthly ‘Em- Pulayan and Sweeni Somaratne as ‘Best ‘Best Branch for Retail Liabilities’. A spe- ployee Recognition Awards’ programme,” Call-Centre Agents’; while Mohamed cial award was given to the ‘Best Cross Seetharaman said. Gulf Times Tuesday, November 28, 2017 5 REGION

A ship carrying 5,500 tonnes of flour is docked at the Red Sea port of Hodeidah, Yemen on Sunday. UN urges coalition to allow more aid ships

AFP it...but much more needs to be done,” lation “relies solely on the commercial Sanaa Jamie McGoldrick, the UN’s humani- sector”. tarian co-ordinator in Yemen, said. “If the goods don’t come in through He singled out Hodeidah. the normal channels there will be he Saudi-led coalition should do “We need the ports to be opened problems in terms of price rises,” he “much more” to ease a blockade fully — especially Hodeidah — for said. Ton Yemen impeding shipments commercial and humanitarian goods “The actual amount of goods com- of aid and fully reopen the key port of so that people can get food cheaper. ing in Hodeidah is not suffi cient. We Hodeidah, the UN said yesterday. Otherwise, more and more people will need the port opened fully. We cannot Earlier this month, the coalition bat- suff er,” he said. rely on other ports.” tling Houthi rebels imposed a blockade “What we need to do is to keep UN offi cials say Yemen could face on Yemeni ports and airports in re- those ports opened and to expand the the world’s largest famine in decades sponse to a missile fi red by the Houthis number of ships coming in to Hodeidah unless the crippling blockade is lifted. that was intercepted near Riyadh air- port,” added McGoldrick. The Saudi-led coalition, which in- port. A vessel carrying the fi rst shipment tervened to prop up Yemen’s govern- It eased the blockade allowing a UN of food aid in three weeks — 25,000 ment after the Houthis drove it from plane carrying vaccines to land Satur- tonnes of wheat — docked Sunday at Sanaa, has demanded tighter inspec- day in rebel-held Sanaa and on Sun- Saleef in western Yemen, a spokesman tions of Hodeidah port. day a vessel carrying wheat docked for the World Food Programme said. “We replied to the Saudi-led coali- at Saleef Red Sea port, also in the Saleef port is around 70 kilometres tion request. We have two teams ready Houthis’ hands. north of Hodeidah. to go to Riyadh,” said McGoldrick, add- But little aid has entered through the Also on Sunday a ship docked at Ho- ing however that the UN is still waiting Red Sea port of Hodeidah, the main deidah, with the deputy head of the for the Saudis to grant them entry visas conduit for UN-supervised deliveries port saying it was a “commercial” ves- to the kingdom. of food and medicine and vital to UN sel not linked to WFP aid. More than 2,000 people have died of eff orts as it is closest to the majority of McGoldrick stressed yesterday that cholera in Yemen this year, adding to people in need. the UN was trying to address the needs the 8,600 who have died in the confl ict “Obviously we welcome the easing of 7mn people in dire need of assist- between the Saudi-backed govern- of the blockade, the partial lifting of ance, while the rest of Yemen’s popu- ment and the rebels since 2015. Gulf Times 6 Tuesday, November 28, 2017 ARAB WORLD Syria under pressure at chemical weapons organisation

AFP hibition of Chemical Weapons against chemical weapons re- Faisal Mekdad hit back at what world and encouraged them to Joint Investigative Mechanism ist group) ISIL.” “There can be The Hague (OPCW) has issued three reports mains strong and the perpe- he said were “false accusations” use chemical weapons and toxic (JIM), in its latest report blamed no impunity and those respon- showing the use of chemicals trators are held accountable,” of the regime’s alleged involve- chemical against civilians and the Syrian air force for a sarin gas sible for such acts must be held weapons in the country in re- Uzumcu said. ment in attacks, saying the “po- the Syrian army,” he claimed. attack on the opposition-held accountable,” he said, calling yria came under pres- cent years, OPCW chief Ahmet The 1993 arms treaty binds liticised fi ndings” of the OPCW He insisted the fact-fi nding village of Khan Sheikhun in April on Damascus to work with the sure yesterday to fi ll in Uzumcu said. all member states to help rid the fact-fi nding mission aimed to team should carry out a new in- that left scores dead. OPCW to complete an accurate Sgaps in its declaration to “It’s very disturbing that yet world of chemical weapons. “smear the image of Syria” and vestigation. The debate in The Speaking on behalf of the Eu- picture of its chemical weapons the world’s chemical weapons again we are confronted with Syria under President Bashar destabilise his country. Hague came on the eve of fresh ropean Union, Estonia’s repre- stockpile. watchdog amid reports of toxic the use of chemical weapons,” al-Assad fi nally joined in 2013, He insisted that 100% of talks in Geneva with the United sentative for non-proliferation, The OPCW has declared that arms use during its six-year civil Uzumcu told the annual con- admitting under US-Russian Syria’s chemical weapons stock- Nations aiming to revitalise fl ag- Jacek Bylica, said EU countries 100 % of the Syrian regime’s war, triggering angry Syrian de- ference of countries belonging pressure to having a toxic arms pile had been destroyed by the ging eff orts to end the six-year were “appalled by the recur- stocks have been destroyed, but nials. to the Chemical Weapons Con- stockpile, and thus staving off OPCW. confl ict in which more than ring systematic use of chemical has increasingly voiced con- A fact-fi nding mission from vention. It was “vital... that the threatened US air strikes. Countries had “sent their 340,000 people have been killed. weapons in Syria by the Syrian cerns that not everything was the Organisation for the Pro- long-held international norm Syrian deputy foreign minister mercenaries from all over the A joint UN-OPCW body, the government and by (the jihad- declared.

CONFLICT Iraq faces tough Top Darfur battle against IS desert hideouts militia chief Iraqi forces said yesterday they Russia seeks ceasefi re face a tough battle against the Islamic State group in deep gorges arrested and other natural hideouts in the western desert along the Syrian border, their last bastion in Iraq. AFP “Our units have cleared 50% of the Khartoum total area of the desert of around in Damascus suburb 29,000 square kilometres.The first phase is over,” General Yahya udan’s counter-insurgen- Reuters/AFP Rassoul, spokesman of the Joint cy forces have arrested a Beirut Opposition aims for Operations Command, said. “Now Spowerful militia chief from Assad’s removal our units will proceed to clear- Darfur accused by the United ing the rest of the desert zones, Nations of human rights abuses ussia proposed a two- The Syrian opposition delega- including Wadi (valley) Hauran,” in the war-torn region, offi cials day ceasefi re yesterday tion at peace talks in Geneva he said. “The valley is deep and said yesterday. Rin the last major rebel is aiming for the removal of reaches Syrian territory. The mis- The Rapid Support Forces stronghold near the Syrian President Bashar al-Assad but sion is to destroy all the hideouts (RSF) arrested Musa Hilal, near capital Damascus, where war- plans to engage his negotiators in the desert and valleys to secure his home town of Mustariaha in planes killed at least 41 peo- in serious and direct talks, the western Iraq’s border with Syria” the state of North Darfur, State ple in two days of air strikes as head of the opposition delega- before soldiers are posted along Minister of Defence Lieutenant Russian-backed government tion Nasr Hariri said yesterday. the frontier, he said. Wadi Hauran, General Ali Mohamed Salem told forces tried to capture the area. “We stress that political transi- with 200-metre-deep gorges, is parliament. The Syrian Observatory for tion which achieves the ousting the longest valley in Iraq, stretch- Mohamed Salem said Hilal’s Human Rights, a war monitor- of Assad at beginning is our ing 350 kilometres from the Saudi son Habeeb was also detained. ing body, said 18 people were goal,” Hariri told reporters after border to the Euphrates River, also They were arrested on Sun- killed by bombing yesterday arriving in Geneva for a round reaching the frontier with Jordan. day. “They were arrested after and 23 on Sunday. of UN-led talks that is sched- clashes in the area but the secu- At least 147 have been killed uled to start today. rity situation there is now sta- by air strikes and shelling since MASSACRE ble,” Mohamed Salem said in a the Syrian army, with Russian Turkey mourns statement carried by the offi cial air power, began the off ensive ians now live in regime-held SUNA news agency. to take the besieged rebel-held areas that make up 55% of the Egypt victims On Sunday, fi erce fi ghting Eastern Ghouta nearly two country. erupted between fi ghters loyal to weeks ago. Syrians walk through the rubble down a street filled with destroyed buildings, in the aftermath of British Ambassador Mat- Turkey yesterday began a day of Hilal and an RSF unit near Mus- The area of densely-popu- reported bombardment by government forces in the rebel-held besieged town of Arbin, in the thew Rycroft urged the Syrian mourning for 305 people killed tariaha, in which the RSF said it lated agricultural land is the Eastern Ghouta region on the outskirts of Damascus, during an air strike yesterday. government to go to Geneva, in the Sinai mosque massacre lost 10 members including a com- last major territory near the saying: “It’s very important despite strained tries with Egypt. mander. Mustariaha is a bastion of capital still held by rebels fi ght- ceasefi re monitoring centre in begin today are seen as an op- he was “ready for dialogue.” that they demonstrate that The Turkish prime minister’s Hilal, whose fi ghters from a tribe ing against President Bashar al- Syria, was quoted as saying. portunity to achieve progress “Naturally we know and they are prepared to talk...and office also condemned the “hei- have regularly clashed with RSF Assad’s government. The enclave has been be- toward ending the devastating indeed expect that the gov- get on with it, and that means nous terror attack” at the North troops in Darfur in recent months. Across Syria, fi ghters have sieged by Assad forces since six-year war after the opposi- ernment will be on its way turning up to Geneva.” Sinai Rawdah mosque which RSF said that Hilal had been been driven out of most towns 2012, but the siege has become tion sent a united delegation to shortly, particularly in light of On a separate track from the no group has yet claimed. Flags arrested with several of his fi ght- and cities in the past two years far worse in recent months Geneva. President Assad’s commitment Geneva talks, Russia has pro- are being flown at half-mast in ers and three sons, and that they since Russia joined the war on since routes used to smuggle in UN envoy Staff an de Mis- to President Putin when they posed holding a “congress” government buildings inside and were all brought to Khartoum Assad’s behalf. food were shut. tura however told the Security met in Sochi,” he added. to bring together the govern- outside Turkey until sunset. Ties yesterday. “Hilal has been hand- Eastern Ghouta is also one of Yesterday, 13 shells hit gov- Council that during weekend After a meeting in Riyadh ment and opposition in Sochi, between Turkey and Egypt have ed over to military intelligence several “de-escalation zones” ernment-held Damascus and talks with his deputy, “the gov- last week, Syria’s disparate op- but has not yet set a date for been tense since the Egyptian for questioning,” RSF spokes- across western Syria where its surrounding areas, Syrian ernment did not yet confi rm its position groups agreed to send that gathering. military ousted president Mo- man Abdulrahman al-Jaali said. Russia has brokered deals to state media SANA reported. participation in Geneva but in- a united delegation to Geneva, a Moscow is seeking UN sup- hamed Mursi in 2013. RSF chief Mohamed Hamiditi ease fi ghting. GOVT REFUSES dicated that we would be hear- move that was seen as a boost to port for that meeting, but De Erdogan denounced the move said in a separate statement to Russia proposed imposing a TO CONFIRM ing from them soon.” prospects for a breakthrough. Mistura told the council that it and called Mursi’s ouster a SUNA that his troops confi s- ceasefi re in the de-escalation Syrian peace talks set to open “Last night, we received a Despite the united opposi- was “premature for me to say “coup”. Mursi’s Muslim Brother- cated “sophisticated communi- zone for today and tomorrow, in Geneva this week hit a road- message that the government tion front, Assad’s delegation anything regarding this initia- hood is outlawed in Egypt but cations equipment” from Hilal’s Interfax news agency reported, block when President Bashar would not travel to Geneva to- would arrive at the talks with tive.” members of the group have fi ghters. quoting the Defence Ministry. al-Assad’s government refused day,” De Mistura said via video- the upper hand after govern- Western powers are con- sought refuge in Turkey. Turkish “A foreign national is among “Such measures will ease to confi rm it was attending and conference from the Swiss city. ment forces regained con- cerned that Russia is seeking to officials were quick to offer con- those arrested, which confi rms tension in the western part instead told the United Nations The envoy stressed that As- trol of territory in offensives take a leading role in the peace dolences and support following the participation of foreign par- of the de-escalation zone,” that no delegation would be sad had said following a meet- backed by Russia’s military process and will carve out a the assault, including Erdogan ties in destabilising the security General-Lieutenant Sergei Ku- arriving yesterday. The eighth ing with Russian President might. settlement that will largely fa- who put the blame on IS for the in Darfur,” he said. ralenko, in charge of Russia’s round of talks scheduled to Vladimir Putin last week that Around two-thirds of Syr- vour its ally, Assad. “treacherous attack”.

Hezbollah must remain neutral Hamas in regional confl icts: Hariri says will not disarm Reuters Paris AFP Gaza City ebanese Prime Minister Saad al-Hariri said yesterday that Lthe political and militant alestinian movement Ha- group Hezbollah must stop in- mas again refused to disarm terfering in regional conflicts and Pyesterday ahead of a key accept a neutral policy to bring an reconciliation deadline, instead end to Lebanon’s political crisis. threatening to carry out attacks The Hezbollah, which forms part against Israel in the West Bank. of the Lebanese government, is By Friday, the Islamists are fighting alongside Syrian President due to hand over control of the Bashar al-Assad in Syria and in Iraq Gaza Strip to the internationally against Islamic State militants. recognised Palestinian govern- ment, based in the West Bank. “I think in the interest But the future of their armed of Lebanon, Hezbollah wing, the Ezzedine al-Qassam is carrying out a positive Brigades, remains unclear. dialogue. They know “The weapons of the resist- we have to remain ance are a red line that is non- neutral in the region” debatable,” Khalil al-Hayya, Lebanese President Michel Aoun meets with Prime Minister Saad al-Hariri, deputy head of Hamas in Gaza, Hezbollah denies any activity in and Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri at the presidential palace in told a press conference, referring Yemen or Bahrain. Baabda,yesterday. to the Qassam Brigades. Hariri’s main patron is Saudi “These weapons will be moved Arabia, which has also intervened been accepted. President Michel of staying out of regional conflicts. to the West Bank to fi ght the oc- in regional conflicts. Aoun held talks yesterday with However, he said he would resign cupation.It is our right to resist “I don’t want a political party other Lebanese political leaders if Hezbollah did not keep to that, the occupation until it ends.” in my government that interferes over the future of Hariri’s govern- although consultations so far had Around 400,000 Israelis live in Arab countries against other ment but gave no sign whether been positive. in the West Bank, in settlements Arab countries,” Hariri said in an they discussed Hariri’s demand “I think in the interest of Leba- considered illegal under interna- interview recorded yesterday with that the country steer clear of re- non, Hezbollah is carrying out a tional law, alongside around 3mn French broadcaster CNews. gional turmoil. positive dialogue. They know we Palestinians. In Gaza, which Ha- “I am waiting for the neutrality “Lebanon cannot resolve a ques- have to remain neutral in the re- mas has ruled since seizing it in which we agreed on in the govern- tion like Hezbollah which is in Syr- gion.” 2007, there are no settlers after ment,” he said. “One can’t say one ia, Iraq and everywhere. It is a re- He said that if this week’s con- Israel withdrew in 2005. thing and do something else.” gional political solution that needs sultations ended positively he The US and Israel have said Hariri shocked Lebanon on Nov to be done,” Hariri said. would possibly modify the make- they will reject any reconcilia- 4 by resigning from his post in a He said he was ready to stay on up of the government and added tion agreement leading to a unity statement from Saudi Arabia. His as prime minister if Hezbollah ac- that he was open to elections be- government including Hamas resignation, however, has not yet cepted to stick by the state policy fore next year. unless it disarms. Gulf Times Tuesday, November 28, 2017 7 AFRICA Migrant slavery casts shadow over EU-Africa summit

AFP 55 AU and 28 EU leaders could “Our partnership is an in- Abidjan take “joint action” on the mi- vestment in our shared future,” grants even if she stressed its aim he added in a statement. is to build a broader partnership. Ahmed Reda Chami, Moroc- furore over migrant slave Acknowledging how the co’s ambassador to the EU who markets in Libya casts a slavery revelations were “un- will attend the summit, said Ashadow over an AU-EU bearable for both sides”, Mogh- Europe had a vested long-term summit this week that aims to erini said the Europeans and interest in Africa whose popu- promote Africa’s long-term Africans will push the UN- lation is set to double by 2050 to economic growth and stability, backed government in Libya to around 2.4bn people. spurred by European fears of prosecute the slave traders. “If there is no economic de- terrorism and mass migration. They will also press Libya to velopment, you will have hun- The two-day African Union give UN humanitarian agencies dreds of millions of young peo- and European Union summit greater access to migrant deten- ple who have no future, who opening tomorrow in the Ivory tion centres, where she said their will (try to) come to Europe to Coast economic capital Abidjan work in the last year has im- fi nd work,” Chami told AFP at is focused mainly on the need to proved conditions and led to the his Brussels mission. create jobs for Africa’s rapidly voluntary return of some 10,000 Like other leading Africans, growing population. migrants to their home countries. Chami called for a “Marshall The summit marks what Eu- But rights activists have asked Plan” for Africa, but linked to rope sees as a potential turning why it took so long for African anti-corruption measures and point for broader and deeper and European leaders to con- tailored to African needs. The Miss South Africa 2017 Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters is congratulated by fellow contestants after being crowned Miss Universe in Las Vegas on ties with a continent it once demn abuses that had been multi-billion dollar Marshall Sunday night. colonised widely — while Chi- known long before US network Plan launched by the United na, Japan, India and Gulf states CNN aired footage two weeks States after World War II is Chombo to be held in custody also compete for infl uence. ago of slave markets near Tripoli. widely credited for helping Eu- However, outrage over the The EU has been desperate rope achieve its current pros- Ousted Zimbabwe finance minister Ignatius Chombo, slave trade in Libya looms over to stem the migrant infl ux via perity and stability. Develop- charged with three counts of corruption in off ences that Self-defence trainer the talks in Abidjan, with the Libya and Turkey, the two main ments in Zimbabwe will be a key allegedly took place two decades ago, was yesterday denied scandal having sparked protests routes, as more than 1.5mn mi- part of such discussions. bail and will be detained in custody until his case is heard on in Dakar as well as in Brussels grants have reached Europe A senior EU offi cial said December 8. crowned Miss Universe and other European capitals. since 2015. EU offi cials said the “there is a real opportunity for Chombo, who faces charges including trying to defraud the AU Commission chairperson infl ux, which sparked politi- Africa to grasp” and implement central bank, was detained after the military seized power Moussa Faki Mahamat called cal divisions across the EU, and political and economic reforms in ‘Operation Restore Legacy’, which it said was meant to Reuters Her passion for self-defence was for “urgent measures” to stop frequent militant attacks in Eu- in Zimbabwe following the remove “criminals” around former president Robert Mugabe. Las Vegas reinforced when she was hijacked the abuses of black Africans in rope have been a wake-up call forced resignation of dictator His lawyer, Lovemore Madhuku, told reporters that he would and held at gunpoint about a month Libya, which critics say have to tackle the root causes. Robert Mugabe. appeal the magistrate’s ruling in the High Court. after winning her title as Miss South been fuelled by EU-Libyan The EU has already set up EU offi cials argued that the “We are hopeful that the High Court will show South African woman who Africa, she said in a video on the co-operation to curb migrant multi-billion euro funds to pro- EU, China, Japan, and India can independence,” Madhuku said. helps train women in self- Miss Universe website. crossings to Europe. mote Africa’s economic devel- all help Africa but the Europe- The magistrate who detained Chombo said the former Adefence was crowned Miss Miss Colombia, Laura González, “We face an emergency,” a opment while deepening coun- ans were most engaged because minister could abscond, influence state witnesses or be the Universe on Sunday night at the 22, was the fi rst runner-up. She has grim-faced Faki told report- ter-terrorism co-operation they shared a common fate target of a mob attack over the allegations that he abused his pageant held in Las Vegas, with Miss been preparing to be an actress since ers in Brussels last week dur- with African countries where through proximity. position. Colombia and Miss Jamaica also the age of 16. After graduating from ing summit preparations with militant groups are spreading. But an AU offi cial wondered Chombo, who was appointed finance minister in October, making it to the fi nal three. a performing arts school, she moved EU foreign policy chief Federica “What happens in Africa mat- whether the Europeans were was among members of the G40 political faction allied to Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters, 22, who to Bogotá to build her career. Mogherini. Faki called for co- ters for Europe, and what happens aiming to see an opportunity or Mugabe and his wife, Grace, who were also expelled from the unleashed a big smile when she The second runner-up was Miss ordination with Libya, the AU, in Europe matters for Africa,” rather to contain a threat. “We ruling ZANU-PF party. won, hails from Western Cape Prov- Jamaica, Davina Bennett, 21. She is EU and United Nations to tackle European Commission President do not feel an African vision,” Two ousted ZANU-PF Youth League leaders, Kudzanai ince and recently earned a business a model pursuing a degree in mar- the problem. Jean-Claude Juncker said before the offi cial said on condition of Chipanga and Innocent Hamandishe, who were both allied to management degree from North- keting at the University of the West Mogherini said the summit of leaving for the summit. anonymity. G-40, were also ordered to be detained until December 8. West University. Indies.

Inauguration celebration

Performers of Maasai tribe wait to rehearse for the inauguration ceremony of the president at the Moi International Sports Center’s Kasarani Stadium in Nairobi. Uhuru Kenyatta will be sworn in today for a second term as president.

Zuma calls for action after S&P downgrade

Reuters budget defi cit estimates and rising African debt as “junk”, and affi rmed Johannesburg government debt. the rating on Thursday. Both S&P and Moody’s cited dete- If nothing changes, the country will rioration in South Africa’s economic be downgraded to “junk” by all ratings outh African President Jacob growth prospects and public fi nances. agencies and the WGBI dream will be Zuma yesterday called for con- “The market is fi nding some relief no more, at least for many a year, said Screte measures to boost growth in the fact that Moody’s has chosen Standard Bank chief trader Warrick after S&P Global Ratings downgraded to give us basically till February be- Butler in a note. “What this means, in the local currency debt to sub-invest- fore they change our rating, if they do terms of the currency, will be increased ment grade, while foreign currency change our rating,” said Shaun Muri- volatility.” debt was pushed deeper into “junk” son, currency strategist at IG Markets. Falling out of the WGBI could have territory. In fi xed income, the yield for the led to a larger sell-off in bonds, even The rand recovered from steep falls benchmark government bond was though rising yields could present a suff ered late on Friday after the down- down nine basis points to 9.245 %, also buying opportunity for some yield- grade, taking some relief from Moody’s recovering after rising as much as 11 hungry investors. decision to only place South Africa on basis points earlier in the session. “If you look at some of the metrics review for downgrade. Moody’s said the review will allow it the real yields are among the highest A cut to “junk” on the local currency to assess the South African authorities’ in EM, the domestic curve is extremely debt by both S&P and Moody’s could willingness and ability to respond to steep, the current account is in better have seen South African debt lose its the rising pressures through growth- place than it was three to four years place in Citi’s World Government Bond supportive fi scal adjustments that ago and the rand is quite competi- Index (WGBI), the biggest of the global raise revenues and contain expendi- tive against likes of (Russia’s) rouble benchmarks and tracked by about $2tn tures. or Brazilian real,” said London-based $3tn of funds. “The review period may not con- Paul Greer, senior trader at Fidelity In- Zuma directed Finance Minister clude until the size and the composi- ternational. “On the local side the real Malusi Gigaba on Monday to fi nal- tion of the 2018 budget is known next yield and steepness of curve look at- ise proposals for expenditure cuts February,” Moody’s senior analyst for tractive from tactical perspective.” amounting to 25bn rand and revenue South Africa, Zuzana Brixiova, said in Analysts said an exclusion from the boosting measures totalling 15bn rand a statement. Barclays index would lead to outfl ows — including through taxes. Moody’s rates South Africa’s foreign of about $2bn, compared with more A proposal by a presidential com- and local currency debt on their lowest than $10bn if South Africa was to fall mission to introduce free higher edu- investment grade rung of Baa3. out of Citi’s WGBI. cation should also be implemented in S&P’s decision will see South Africa South African debt was dropped a “fi scally-sustainable manner”, the excluded from the Barclays Global Ag- from one the widely used global bond statement from Zuma’s offi ce said. gregate index, whose inclusion criteria indexes, the JPMorgan Emerging Mar- Gigaba in October unveiled a gloomy requires investment grade rating on its ket Bond Index Global in April after S&P outlook for the economy as he fl agged local currency debt from any two rat- and Fitch downgraded foreign currency weaker growth expectations, wider ings agencies. Fitch already rates South debt to sub-investment grade. Gulf Times 8 Tuesday, November 28, 2017 AMERICA

Holiday shootings leave eight people dead in Chicago

AFP by authorities appear to have Chicago reduced the bloodshed from record levels. While 621 people have been ight people were killed and killed so far this year in Chica- dozens injured in Chicago go, that is 100 fewer than at the Ein the US city’s second same point last year, according most violent Thanksgiving holi- to the Tribune. day weekend in recent years as it President Donald Trump has continues to struggle with gun repeatedly singled out the vio- violence. lence in Chicago and accused Forty-four people were shot local leaders of failing to contain during the period from Wednes- it. day afternoon to early Monday, Earlier this year, federal au- according to statistics main- thorities deployed additional tained by the Chicago Tribune. law enforcement offi cers to work That is fewer than the 70 shot with local police. during the same holiday period The city has also been bol- last year, but higher than the to- stering police recruitment and tals of recent years — 28 in 2015 expanding the use of gunshot and 19 in 2014 — when violent detection devices and data- crime in Chicago and the rest of driven crime prediction tech- the US was trending down. nologies to help police respond The de facto Midwestern more quickly to crimes. capital has grappled with an The city claims the predictive alarming rise in gun-related technologies have helped reduce murders, many of them tied to shootings 23 % in areas where gang and drug activity, with they have been implemented. 2016 setting a record for the Nationwide, violent crime First Lady Melania Trump hugs school children as she tours the holiday decorations with reporters at the White House in Washington. past decade. increased in 2016 for the second Shootings in the third-largest consecutive year, with murders US city have far outpaced those up 8.6%, according to Federal in its two bigger rivals, New York Bureau of Investigation statis- and Los Angeles. But steps taken tics. President proposes Challenge to assault rifl es ban rejected ‘fake news trophy’ Reuters Sandy Hook Elementary School Washington in Newtown, Connecticut, which The president said the contest should Warner, which owns CNN, calling it last had sexually harassed staff members and leader, said that Conyers deserved “due prompted Maryland’s law. not include Fox week “a deal that’s not good for the coun- used offi cial resources “for impermissible process” in the coming inquiry, calling Assault weapons are popular try”. The Justice Department is suing to personal purposes.” him “an icon” who had done much to ad- he US Supreme Court, among gun enthusiasts. Agencies block the merger. Some leading Republicans have sug- vance women’s causes. which has avoided major The challengers, who had sued Washington zPresident Trump yesterday redou- gested that Moore, if elected, should not But she later tweeted, in a statement Tgun cases for seven years, Maryland’s governor and other bled his support for embattled Senate be allowed to take his Senate seat. about Conyers’s decision, that “no matter yesterday declined to hear a chal- offi cials in 2013, appealed a Feb- candidate Roy Moore, ignoring the sexual Most prominently, Senate Republican how great an individual’s legacy, it is not a lenge backed by the National Rifl e ruary ruling by the 4th US Circuit S media outlets should compete harassment allegations plaguing the ex- leader Mitch McConnell has called for license for harassment”. Association to Maryland’s 2013 Court of Appeals in Richmond, for a “fake news trophy,” argued US Alabama judge’s campaign, as Democrats Moore to drop out of the race altogether, Pelosi suggested that separate allega- state ban on assault weapons en- Virginia that upheld the state’s UPresident Donald Trump yester- moved to address harassment concerns af- saying: “I believe the women.” tions against Democrat Al Franken — in- acted after a Connecticut school law. day, fi ring another salvo at the news media fl icting their own party. McConnell reportedly has pleaded with cluding that the Minnesota senator once massacre. The 4th Circuit, ruling 10-4, for what he perceives as negative coverage Trump said that Moore’s rival in the Trump to stay out of the Alabama race, lest kissed a woman against her will — were The court turned away an ap- said it had no power to extend of his presidency. Alabama race for a Senate seat, Democrat Moore’s election damage the party ahead less serious than those against Moore. peal by several Maryland resi- constitutional protections to “We should have a contest as to which of Doug Jones, was weak on crime, the mili- of next year’s midterm elections. Asked if she would be satisfi ed were dents, fi rearms dealers and the “weapons of war”. the networks, plus CNN and not including tary and immigration. Republican senator, Lindsey Graham of Franken to apologise, Pelosi told Meet the state NRA association, who ar- Maryland’s ban outlaws “as- Fox, is the most dishonest, corrupt and/or For Alabamians to support him in next South Carolina, said that having Moore on Press on NBC: “Right. gued that the ban violated their sault long guns”, mostly semi- distorted in its political coverage of your month’s special election, the president the ballot was a losing proposition. Also, his accusers have to accept an right to keep and bear arms un- automatic rifl es such as the AR-15 favourite president (me),” Trump wrote on said, “would be a disaster!” “If he wins... it becomes a story every apology. The victims have some say.” der the US Constitution’s Second and AK-47, as well as large-ca- Twitter, making a point to exempt his pre- Democrat John Conyers, a celebrated day about whether or not you believe the In his latest comments on the uproar, Amendment. pacity magazines. ferred cable network, Fox, from criticism. civil rights leader who is the longest-serv- women or Roy Moore.If you lose, you give Franken called the photograph that ap- The justices sidestepped the The plaintiff s said in a court “They are all bad. Winner to receive the ing member of Congress, announced he the Senate seat” to a Democrat, he told peared to show him groping a fellow comic roiling national debate over the fi ling that semi-automatic rifl es FAKE NEWS TROPHY!” was stepping down from a leadership po- CNN. in 2006, before he was a politician, “inex- availability of military-style guns are in common use and that law- It’s not clear if a specifi c report prompt- sition as he battles similar claims. But Trump shrugged off such appeals. cusable”. to the public. abiding citizens should not be de- ed this latest outburst. Even while denying the allegations, the He tweeted that “the last thing” Repub- “I am ashamed of that photo,” Franken The case focused on weapons prived of them. Trump has made regular criticism of 88-year-old said he was leaving his post licans need in the closely divided Senate is told Minnesota Public Radio. “You know that have become a recurring “The sands are always shifting the media central to his online persona as ranking member of the powerful House a Democrat like Jones “who is WEAK on she didn’t have any ability to consent. feature in US mass shootings in- with the Supreme Court,” Demo- for years. He routinely attacked broad- Judiciary Committee — but remaining in Crime, WEAK on the Border. Bad for our She had every right to feel violated by that cluding the November 5 attack at cratic Maryland Attorney General casters, newspapers and even individual Congress — while he seeks vindication be- Military” and who “WANTS TO RAISES photo.” a Texas church that killed 26 peo- Brian Frosh said. “I hope that this journalists during his campaign rallies fore the House Ethics Committee. (sic) TAXES TO THE SKY.” “I’m going to take responsibility. I’m ple, the October 1 attack at a Las means they have reached a con- last year. Ethics Committee leaders said they “He says it didn’t happen,” the presi- going to be held accountable and I’m going Vegas concert that killed 58 peo- clusion that they are not going to Trump has also been critical of the planned to investigate allegations that dent told reporters. “You have to listen to to try to be productive in the way I speak ple, and the 2012 massacre of 20 fi ddle with assault weapons bans proposed merger of telecommunications Conyers, a 27-term legislator who co- him, also.” about this,” he added, vowing to return to schoolchildren and six adults at across the country.” giant AT&T and media company Time founded the Congressional Black Caucus, Nancy Pelosi, the House Democratic work. “This has been a shock to me.” Duelling directors creating chaos at consumer watchdog

Reuters sued the Trump administration seeking to block Washington Mulvaney’s appointment. The move means a federal court will decide which law applies when fi lling a temporary lead- ith doughnuts in hand, President Don- ership vacancy at the relatively new agency. It ald Trump’s pick to head the US gov- was not clear when the court would rule. Wernment consumer watchdog agency The CFPB confl ict began when Cordray for- turned up for work yesterday, challenging the mally resigned from the bureau, which was es- acting appointee of the Obama-era leader in an tablished in 2011 in the wake of the 2007-2009 partisan showdown over how the US fi nancial fi nancial crisis to protect consumers from preda- system should be regulated. tory and deceptive mortgage and lending prac- Mick Mulvaney, the White House budget chief, Mick Mulvaney leaves the Consumer Financial tices, and named English, his chief of staff , as was named acting director of the Consumer Fi- Protection Bureau building. temporary director. nancial Protection Bureau (CFPB) by Trump last Hours later, Trump sought to overrule that week. Mulvaney also signed off as “acting director” move by naming Mulvaney acting director until But Mulvaney, who tried to dismantle the and invited staff to pop by his offi ce on the fourth he can get a permanent successor confi rmed by agency when he served in the US House of Rep- fl oor to “grab a donut”. the US Senate, a process that could take months. resentatives, faced a challenge from Leandra The Republican Trump campaigned for presi- The CFPB is hated by Republicans who think English, who had been named temporary head of dent saying Wall Street “gets away with murder”, it wields too much power and burdens banks and CFPB by outgoing director Richard Cordray. but at the same time promised to defang or abol- other lenders with unnecessary red tape. Mulvaney and English both issued statements ish the CFPB, the brainchild of progressive US About 20 protesters rallied at CFPB headquar- yesterday morning indicating they were in charge Senator Elizabeth Warren that was championed ters to demonstrate support for the agency. of the 1,600-employee CFPB. by President Barack Obama. Obama appointed Cordray, a Democrat, as The battle over the small agency will lay bare Since taking offi ce, Trump has tried to undo a the CFPB’s fi rst director and he developed a deep divisions between Republicans and Demo- number of his Democratic predecessor’s initia- reputation for drafting aggressive rules curb- crats over how tightly to control a banking indus- tives, mostly famously the 2010 Aff ordable Care ing products such as payday loans while issuing try that taxpayers had to bail out to the tune of Act that the Republican-controlled Congress has multimillion-dollar fi nes against large fi nancial $700bn less than a decade ago. been unable to repeal and replace. institutions such as Wells Fargo. English sent an e-mail in which she welcomed Mulvaney’s communications director tweeted In a weekend tweet that did not mention spe- staff back from the Thanksgiving holiday and a picture of him “hard at work as acting director” cifi cs, Trump called the agency a “total disaster” signed off as “acting director”, according to a with the bureau’s transition briefi ng handbook that had “devastated” fi nancial institutions. He source. on his desk. It was not clear if English was in the has pledged to roll back many Obama-era fi nan- But Mulvaney quickly installed himself in building.She was due to meet later with Warren, cial regulations. Cordray’s former offi ce and stood his ground, an aide to the lawmaker said. As acting director, Mulvaney would have the writing in a staff email an hour later: “Please dis- As Mulvaney was getting settled in, the source power to make far-reaching decisions on en- regard any instructions you receive from Ms Eng- told Reuters, CFPB general counsel Mary McLeod forcement and supervision of fi nancial fi rms. lish in her presumed capacity as Acting Director,” sent a memo to the CFPB’s legal division agree- Trump administration offi cials say the presi- he said in a memo seen by Reuters. “If you receive ing with the US Justice Department that Trump dent has the power to appoint an acting director additional communications from her today... had the power to appoint Mulvaney as temporary under the 1998 Federal Vacancies Reform Act and please inform the General Counsel.” leader of the watchdog. Late on Sunday, English McLeod’s November 25 memo agreed. Gulf Times Tuesday, November 28, 2017 9 ASEAN

A view of Mount Agung volcano erupting from Culik village in Karangasem, Bali, Indonesia. Bali raises volcano alert

to highest, thousands fl ee Cooled lava is seen near the base of Mount Agung.

AFP from the beachside tourist hub tain is spewing thicker smoke the immigration offi ce,” he said. ity “may escalate with little or Karangasem, Indonesia of Kuta, has also been widened to than before.” Dewa Gede Subagia While there was dismay from no notice”. “Past eruptions of 10km. Makeshift tents and com- was a teenager when Agung last some tourists who were unable Mount Agung have shown this munity centres fi lled up yester- roared. to return to their homes and jobs, volcano’s potential to cause sig- rumbling volcano on Bali day as nearly two dozen villages “I am very worried because others took events in their stride. nifi cant impacts,” it added. Doz- could erupt at any mo- were emptied of their inhabit- I have experienced this before,” “What can I say? We have to ens of Balinese Hindus took part Ament, authorities warned ants, including farmers reluctant the now 67-year-old told AFP cooperate because this is a natu- in ceremonies near the volcano yesterday, as they raised alert to leave precious livestock be- from one evacuation centre. “I ral disaster,” said Indian visitor on Sunday, off ering prayers in the levels to maximum, accelerated hind. hope this time I won’t have to Krisna Mustafa. Many were told hope of preventing an eruption. a mass evacuation and closed the “Continuous ash puff s are evacuate for too long. In 1963, I that it could be several days be- Offi cials have said the activity main airport, leaving thousands sometimes accompanied by ex- left for four months.” fore they could leave. could be a magmatic eruption — of tourists stranded on the Indo- plosive eruptions and a weak Mt Agung last went off in “My 7am fl ight this morning one which involves the decom- nesian resort island. booming sound,” the National 1963, killing around 1,600 people got cancelled, just when we were pression of gas and results in the Massive columns of thick grey Board for Disaster Management in one of the deadliest eruptions about to board,” said 23-year- spewing of ash — and advised smoke that have been belching said earlier yesterday. ever seen in a country with nearly old Indonesian tourist Merry people near the mountain to wear from Mount Agung since last “The rays of fi re are increas- 130 active volcanoes. The airport Handayani Tumanggor. “Now masks. week have now begun shoot- ingly observed at night. This in- in Bali’s capital Denpasar, a top we have to stay in Bali again — Indonesia is the world’s most ing more than 3km into the sky, dicates the potential for a larger Balinese people ride on an open car past Mount Agung erupting holiday destination that attracts the earliest we can go is on Friday, active volcanic region. The ar- forcing hundreds of fl ights to be eruption is imminent.” seen from Kubu sub-district in Karangasem Regency, on Indonesia’s millions of foreign tourists every they say.” chipelago nation with over grounded. Agung rumbled back to life in resort island of Bali. year, has been closed. The airport on nearby Lombok 17,000 islands lies on the Pacifi c Some 40,000 frightened September, forcing the evacu- Some 445 fl ights were can- island — also a popular tourist “Ring of Fire” where tectonic people have fl ed their homes ation of 140,000 people living ologists call a phreatic eruption eruptions. “I’m very concerned celled, aff ecting more than destination east of Bali -- closed plates collide, causing frequent around the volcano but as many nearby. Its activity decreased in – caused by the heating and ex- because I left my house behind 59,000 passengers, offi cials said. on Sunday as ash from Mount volcanic and seismic activities. as 100,000 will likely be forced late October and many returned pansion of groundwater. Then on and I’m also worried about fam- Colin Cavy, a French dive- Agung headed in that direction, Last year, seven were killed after to leave, disaster agency offi cials to their homes. However, on Sat- Monday so-called cold lava fl ows ily,” said 36-year-old farmer master who has been in Indone- but reopened early yesterday. Mt Sinabung on the western is- said, after raising the alert to its urday, the mountain sent smoke appeared – similar to mud fl ows Putu Suyasa, who fl ed with some sia for a couple of months, was The Australian government land of Sumatra erupted, while highest level. The exclusion zone up into the air for the second and often a prelude to the blazing relatives from a village 8km away nervously looking at his now-ex- put out a travel advisory on Sun- 16 were left dead by a Sinabung around Agung, which is 75km time in a week in what volcan- orange lava seen in many volcanic from the volcano. “The moun- pired visitor visa. “I need to go to day, warning that volcanic activ- eruption in 2014.

US bomb from Pope in Myanmar Vietnam War Cambodia crackdown: found near Unelected politicians take Hanoi bridge The Vietnamese military has verified that an object found 6m vacant seats in parliament underwater near a historic Hanoi bridge was a US bomb from the Vietnam War, state media DPA had received less than 5% of votes reported yesterday. Phnom Penh in the last election. The bomb was first discovered by The royalist Funcinpec party, fishers on November 16 near the which fi led one of the complaints Long Bien bridge spanning the orty-four unelected politi- that led to the CNRP’s dissolu- Red River, the online newspaper cians entered Cambodia’s tion, took up 41 of those, seats Dan Tri reported. Fparliament yesterday, ac- while two smaller parties shared Military engineers examined cording to local media, tak- the other three places between the 2.5m-long object on Sunday, ing seats vacated by opposition them, the Phnom Penh Post re- which was found just 5m away lawmakers when their party was ported. Funcinpec spokesman from one of the bridge’s piers, forcibly disbanded by the gov- Nheb Bun Chhin dismissed criti- and determined it to be a bomb ernment earlier this month. In cism outside the National As- dropped at some point during the mid-November, the Supreme sembly and was quoted by the Vietnam War. Court ruled to dissolve the Cam- newspaper as saying that the seat The detonator was still intact. bodia National Rescue Party redistribution had been “demo- Authorities have cleared the (CNRP) in connection with an cratic.” The remaining 11 seats bridge, which is used by trains and alleged US-backed plot to over- have yet to be allocated after two motorbikes, and are scheduled to throw the government. other minor parties rejected the remove the bomb Tuesday. As part of the same decision, off er to sit in the assembly. The historic crossing was built be- the party’s 55 lawmakers were re- Cambodia is in the midst of a tween 1899 and 1902 by the firm moved from the National Assem- government crackdown on dis- Dayde & Pille of Paris and opened bly and banned from politics for senting voices, which has seen to traff ic in 1903, initially named fi ve years. The government then independent media outlets shut- Pope Francis is welcomed as he arrives at Yangon International Airport, Myanmar. Pope Francis met Myanmar’s powerful army chief the Paul-Doumer Bridge after the announced that it would redis- tered, NGOs closed or threatened yesterday at the start of a highly sensitive trip. The 80-year-old pontiff , the first to travel to Myanmar, received Senior General Min Aung then Governor General of French tribute 44 of those parliamentary with closure, and journalists ar- Hlaing for a 15-minute meeting at the archbishop’s residence in Yangon, where the pontiff is staying during his visit. Indochina and later President of seats to three minor parties that rested. France. Vietnam jails activist for seven years over toxic leak protests

AFP country, with at least 15 activ- coast, which poisoned fi sh and images with negative content activist demonstrating against fi re for a spate of arrests this rights has freed authoritarian Hanoi ists and dissidents having been decimated the incomes of fi sh- on his Facebook (page)” while Formosa. year and in the lead-up to US leaders across Southeast Asia arrested and several others jailed ing communities. The plant be- spreading “spreading reaction- She was charged under a sep- President Donald Trump’s visit and beyond to launch crack- so far this year. Nguyen Van came the focal point for anger at ary propaganda against the party arate part of the criminal code to the Asia-Pacifi c Economic downs without fear of censure. Vietnamese court yes- Hoa, 22, an environmental ac- environmental damage wrought and state’s policies”. Some of the that carries a possible death Cooperation summit in Danang In Vietnam’s most infamous terday jailed a blogger for tivist, was accused of instigating by big business. posts in question date back to sentence for attempting to over- earlier in the month. During the recent case, 37-year-old Viet- A seven years for dissemi- protests against authorities via Protests against the Taiwan- 2013. throw the government. trip artist Mai Khoi was locked namese blogger Nguyen Ngoc nating anti-state “propaganda” his Facebook account, mainly ese company were met with He was convicted after a Vietnam routinely imprisons inside her house after holding Nhu Quynh, better known by her including articles which sup- following the 2016 toxic leak at crackdowns by authorities. speedy trial in Ha Tinh prov- activists, bloggers and lawyers, up a sign that said “&&** on you pen name “Mother Mushroom”, ported protests against a Tai- a steel factory operated by Tai- Hoa was also accused of tak- ince, a clerk told AFP without but its poor rights record wors- Trump” as the president’s mo- was sentenced to 10 years in June wanese fi rm responsible for a wan’s Formosa. ing part in the protest, according giving details. The conviction ened further after a new con- torcade passed through town in under the same charge as Hoa. toxic leak. Formosa was fi ned $500mn to a state media report quoting comes more than one month servative leadership assumed Hanoi. US First Lady Melania Trump Space for free expression is after being blamed for dumping the indictment, which said he after authorities detained Tran power last year. Observers say Trump’s bestowed a “Woman of Courage shrinking in the Communist waste along Vietnam’s central had “posted articles, videos and Thi Xuan, another Vietnamese Authorities have come under hands-off approach to human Award” on Quynh in March.

Gulf Times Tuesday, November 28, 2017 11 AUSTRALASIA/EAST ASIA

Ousted Hong Kong lawmakers ordered to pay expense bills

Reuters makers each pay up to HK$3.1mn cover the funds, backdated to who was jailed in August on an High Court expelled the four if they changed the wording of Nearly 100 democracy activ- Hong Kong (US $397,400) in operating when the lawmakers fi rst took unlawful assembly charge linked from the 70-member legislature their oath or if they failed to take ists are facing court cases in con- expenses and staff wages, the offi ce in October last year, as to Hong Kong’s pro-democracy in July after judging their oaths it in a sincere and solemn man- nection with their campaigning legislative council’s president, public money was involved. “Occupy” protests in 2014, but of offi ce void for various reasons ner. and several including student our Hong Kong pro-de- Andrew Leung, said. Critics say The former lawmakers — who is out on bail pending an including speaking too slowly, The ruling was considered protest leader Joshua Wong have mocracy lawmakers who the demand for money is an at- Nathan Law, veteran activist appeal. “It’s preposterous,” Law adding extra words, or using a Beijing’s most direct interven- recently been jailed. Fwere ousted from the leg- tempt to bankrupt the four and Leung Kwok-hung otherwise added at a news conference held tone of voice suggesting disre- tion in Hong Kong’s legal sys- A former British colony, Hong islature this year condemned pile pressure on the city’s pro- known as “long hair”, lecturer with the other three. spect towards China. tem since the 1997 handover of Kong reverted to China 20 years yesterday as “political persecu- democracy camp that has tried Lau Siu-lai, and surveyor Ed- Another of the expelled law- The disqualifi cations came af- the city from Britain to China. ago under a “one country, two tion” a demand that they pay to challenge what it sees as in- ward Yiu — would be given four makers, Yiu, said the four had ter China’s parliament last No- The disqualifi cations eroded the systems” formula that guaran- back hundreds of thousands of creasing interference by Beijing weeks to respond, after which worked hard as lawmakers over vember judged that lawmakers infl uence of the opposition pro- tees a range of freedoms not en- dollars in expenses. despite a promise of autonomy the legislature would decide nine months, and they should be must swear allegiance to Hong democracy camp that had held joyed in China, including a direct A special legislative commis- in the fi nancial hub. Leung said what to do. “This is raw politi- compensated for that, and not Kong as part of China, and that a slender one-third veto bloc in vote for half of the legislative as- sion demanded that the law- the legislature had a duty to re- cal persecution,” said Law, 24, punished unjustly. Hong Kong’s candidates would be disqualifi ed the legislative council. sembly.

Staging a protest Queensland Septic tank at result leaves Australian PM closer centre of huge to edge

Reuters China blast Sydney he loss of a state elec- AFP severely injured and 15 others sweeping up piles of debris and tion in Queensland has Ningbo, China had minor wounds. Public se- glass at the blast site where Tstepped up pressure on curity offi cials “have confi rmed rubble was strewn across an Australian Prime Minister Mal- that the blast’s epicentre is a area several hundred metres colm Turnbull, who risks losing septic tank was at the septic tank in an empty fi eld”, (yards) wide. The city govern- control of parliament at a by- centre of an explosion the statement said. Methane ment described the site of the election next month. A that ripped through the and hydrogen sulphide — both blast as a vacant lot. Three Australian prime min- Chinese megaport of Ningbo highly fl ammable substances — State media had identifi ed isters have been ousted by their at the weekend, killing at least can build up in septic tanks. it as an abandoned factory. An own parties since 2010, and a two people and injuring 20 Authorities had thrown up AFP reporter said the site ap- splintering of the conservative Five Christian community leaders, with chains around their necks that are attached to the main more, authorities have said. a cordon around the collapsed peared to be a very rundown base in Queensland has raised gate of Kirribilli House, stage a protest in support of asylum-seekers being held in transit centres The blast, which erupted in a buildings and were still inves- former light industrial area. questions over how long Turn- on Manus Island in Papua New Guinea and Nauru, in Sydney, Australia. vacant lot, was so powerful that tigating the cause of the explo- Residents said some people bull’s premiership can survive. it was heard several kilometres sion in Ningbo, a city just south from outside Ningbo had been Opinion polls already show his (miles) away, toppling nearby of Shanghai and one of China’s squatting in the area, but oth- popularity at a record low. disused buildings, shattering largest ports. An elderly woman ers disputed that. Queensland’s Liberal Nation- windows in residential towers said one of her children had “Most people had left here al Party (LNP), which replicates and mangling cars. been in the area at the time of a long time ago. It was just a the federal coalition made up of Li pushes ‘New Silk Road’ at “We were having tea and the blast. wasteland lot,” Wu said. Turnbull’s Liberal Party and its bwaaaah! It knocked my moth- “Yes we live here and one of She said most structures partner the National Party, was er off her stool. It was incred- my children is still inside (the in the blast area had already hurt by voters, particularly in re- ibly loud,” said a local woman exclusion zone) and hasn’t been been crumbling for some time, gional and rural areas, defecting European regional summit who gave only her surname, found yet,” she said, declining so not all the rubble seen was to Pauline Hanson’s right-wing, Wu. to give details about the per- caused by the explosion. populist One Nation party. The local government said son’s age or sex. She dabbed Another local man, who de- Vote counting is still under- DPA on one of its social media ac- tears with a tissue and dialled clined to give his name, said: way, but the conservative divide Budapest counts late Sunday that two her phone. Asked who she was “It’s lucky that more people did has left the Labor Party on track people were missing following calling, she said, “my child”. not die but no one was living to form the government in the the explosion. Four people were Early Monday, locals were here anymore.” coal-rich northeastern state. hinese Prime Minister Li Smarting from this latest set- Keqiang yesterday met back, Turnbull reminded voters Cleaders from 16 eastern that if they backed One Nation and central European countries at the next federal election it for discussions on economy and could play into the hands of the trade as part of its drive into the New Zealand warned of centre-left opposition. European market. “Everyone is entitled to cast The event focussed on infra- their vote as they see fi t but the structure projects of Beijing’s voting for One Nation in the “New Silk Road,” a massive plan ‘megathrust’ earthquakes Queensland election has only to improve land and sea infra- assisted the Labor Party,” Turn- structure for easier trade routes DPA it would be a magnitude-9 been thought dormant before bull told reporters in the city of between China and Europe. Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and Hungarian PM Viktor Orban attend Wellington earthquake,” geologist Ursula the 7.8 tremor near Kaikoura in Wollongong, south of Sydney. “Co-operation between the China-CEEC Economic and Trade Forum in Budapest, Hungary. Cochran of the Earth and geo- November 2016. The next federal election is countries of central and eastern science research company GNS “One thing about refl ecting due either in late 2018 or early Europe is based on mutual ben- sea connections between China ency. Beijing’s push has caused New Zealand scientist Science, told the Marlborough on from the Kaikoura earth- 2019. But fi rst up is the Benne- efi t. It is based on rationality, and Europe, with eastern and concern within the EU over has warned that a pre- Express in a report published quake is we don’t want people long by-election on December because it is in harmony with central European countries as other issues, as well. Aviously dormant fault yesterday. to think this is the big one,” Co- 16. trends of globalisation,” Li said the gateway. However some A Western diplomat in Bei- could generate “megathrust” The Hikurangi plate bound- chran said. Should the Liberals lose the ahead of the conference. China regional projects announced jing told DPA on condition of earthquakes of up to magnitude ary, located off the East Coast Subduction zones are a type seat in Sydney’s north, Turnbull formed the “16+1” group fi ve under the scheme, such as the anonymity that smaller Eu- 9.0 in the Pacifi c country and of New Zealand’s North Island, of fault and are responsible for would have to negotiate with years ago and unveiled the ini- Belgrade-Budapest railway re- ropean countries have lim- trigger giant tsunamis. is where the Pacifi c tectonic the most destructive earth- independents and small parties tiative to revive the ancient silk construction, have been halted ited power to counterbalance “We need to think Japan plate dives underneath the quakes and tsunamis in the to retain control of the House of trade route in 2013. The plan is after coming under EU scrutiny against the world’s second- 2011 basically, because if our Australian tectonic plate. The world, such as Sumatra in 2004, Representatives, where the gov- to develop road, railroad and because of a lack of transpar- largest economy. whole plate boundary ruptured so-called subduction zone had Chile in 2010, and Japan in 2011. ernment is formed. Gulf Times 12 Tuesday, November 28, 2017 BRITAIN/IRELAND

BLUNDER CRIME SCANDAL CRACKDOWN TRAGEDY Khan mocked for asking if Woman in court for pushing Weinstein faces civil Police to be given powers Police probe location of UK ever had female premier constable on to rail line claim over alleged assault to ground drones five killed in car crash

Amir Khan has been ridiculed after asking whether A woman who shoved an off -duty police off icer The first civil claim against Harvey Weinstein in The government is planning to create a raft of Police off icers are trying to determine how three or not there had been a female prime minister. The onto a railway line after a night drinking and taking England and Wales has been lodged by lawyers new police powers as part of a crackdown on the children and two adults died in a car crash in Leeds boxer was mercilessly mocked by TV viewers when drugs could face jail. Paris Valeta Bregazzi, 30, representing a woman who alleges she was sexually civilian use of drones, the department for transport that has left the community shaken. Residents he asked if a woman had ever led the UK during pushed constable Sam Chegwin off the platform at assaulted by the disgraced Hollywood producer. said. The new drone bill to be published in 2018 will living close to where a stolen Renault Clio hit a tree Sunday night’s I’m A Celebrity … Get Me Out of Hanger Lane station after he intervened to stop her The woman, who worked in the film industry and allow police off icers to order drone operators to in the Meanwood area of the city have described Here! After Georgia Toff olo, 23, was appointed the shouting at other passengers, the Old Bailey heard. who wishes to remain anonymous, is represented ground their devices where necessary, alongside a nightmarish scene in which the vehicle was jungle’s deputy prime minister, Khan asked: “Has a The off icer told Bregazzi to calm down but she by a prominent London lawyer, Jill Greenfield, who a series of new changes that will create a registry reduced to a crumpled mess of metal. The five woman ever become prime minister?” His camp- continued to be abusive. He then pushed her away has previously won significant damages for a client for larger unmanned aerial vehicles. It could people who died, have now been named locally mates quickly reminded him of Margaret Thatcher to make a “safe space”, the court heard. In response in a civil rape claim. Greenfield, who specialises in also include a ban on drones flying near airports as brothers Ellis and Elliott Thornton, aged 12 and current Prime Minister, Theresa May. “Oh, Bregazzi, who was on drugs and had drunk four personal injury, expects the claim to escalate into or above 400 feet, the government says, and a and 15; Darnell Harte, 15; Anthoney Armour, 28; Thatcher,” the boxer said. “Oh, and Theresa May.” bottles of alcohol, shoved him across the platform a group action as Weinstein is facing multiple requirement for drone owners to use apps, rather and Robbie Meerun, 24. Questions remain over Apparently forgetting that the entire conversation and on to the tracks. The off icer escaped serious sexual assault accusations from women on both than simple remote controls, to fly their aircraft, in whether the dead and injured had been in the car was being broadcast live on television, Khan, 30, injury in the incident. Judge Jeremy Dein said sides of the Atlantic. He denies any allegations of order to ensure that the rules are always readily or walking along the street at the time of the crash added: “Guys, don’t tell no one that.” deferred sentencing until February. non-consensual sex. accessible and incorporated into the flight plan. on Saturday night.

Sailors perform Changing the Guard Tory revolt ‘could prompt compromise on defence cuts’

Guardian News and Media Whitehall sources said they did London not recognise the personnel pro- posal as an option on the table, pointing to the government’s stat- compromise deal could ed objective to increase the size of soon be reached with the army to 82,000 from 78,000. AConservative MPs an- Fox said it was an “ongoing gered by further defence cuts, discussion … I’m afraid it’s not as the chair of the Commons unknown for some of these ten- defence committee warned sions to spill over into the pub- that spending had dangerously lic domain. I think we should downgraded the place of defence wait and see exactly what sort in national priorities. of compromise we reach – be- The International Trade Sec- cause that’s what it will be – and retary, Liam Fox, acknowledged remember that the UK is the there were tensions over the po- fourth biggest military budget Forty-eight sailors from across the Royal Navy assembled on the forecourt of Buckingham Palace in London to perform the Changing of the Guard ceremony. It is the first tential cuts after several MPs in the world and is one of the time in more than 400 years that sailors have replaced soldiers at the palace. “The last time the navy had an operational role guarding the Queen was with Elizabeth the spoke openly about their con- very few Nato countries actually first, when Sir Walter Raleigh was appointed Captain of the Queen’s Guard in 1587,” said lieutenant commander Steve Elliot, Sir Walter Raleigh’s successor in the role. cerns, including former army of- fulfi lling promises to spend and fi cers Johnny Mercer and Tom help protect our partners,” he Tugendhat. told Sky News. On Sunday, Julian Lewis, the Fox said there had been simi- defence select committee chair, lar tensions during his time as became the latest senior Tory to defence secretary. add his own warning about the “There’s always a lot of ten- impact of the cuts. “We now spend sion, not just between the min- six times on welfare, two-and- istry of defence and the Treas- a-half times on education and ury, but also inside the ministry UK, Ireland split on border nearly four times on health, what between the diff erent parts of we spend on defence,” he wrote in the armed forces, and naturally a letter to the Guardian, saying the there are concerns about the fu- UK was now “barely achieving” ture shape of that,” he said. the Nato target of spending 2% of Mercer, a member of the de- GDP on defence. fence select committee, tweeted as Brexit deadline looms Lewis argued that spending that there was signifi cant unease needed to be increased to 3%. across the party. “It’s a cam- Reuters good on its commitment that gle market and customs union backing of all other EU states. Irish border, we will not be mov- “Setting ourselves a spending paign, not a silver bullet, to get Dublin/London the 500km border will remain as but Irish Foreign Minister Simon “We don’t need to use a veto ing onto phase two in December target of 3% of GDP for defence defence back where it needs to seamless post-Brexit as it is to- Coveney said it seemed impos- because we have complete soli- and that was reinforced to me as would not by itself guarantee our be,” he said. “Also worth noting day. sible to Dublin that some form of darity on this issue. It is clear to us late as last Friday by very senior security, but without such an this is not ‘my’ campaign or any- reland and Britain yesterday Dublin and EU offi cials say the hard border could be avoided if that if there is not progress on the EU leaders,” he said. increase there is no prospect of one else’s. It is the Conservative remained at odds on how to best way to avoid a “hard border” there are diverging regulatory re- recruiting personnel and buying party as a team making sure we Iprogress talks on the Irish is to keep regulations the same gimes north and south. Varadkar eyes compromise to avert Irish election equipment on a scale suffi cient to do the right thing for defence as border with a week to go be- north and south and that this “It’s simply not credible to say avoid the ‘hollowing-out’ of our a whole.” fore London could face failure needs to be agreed in phase one, on the one hand that we are going Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar plans to move a motion of no con- armed forces,” he wrote. Sir Nicholas Soames, the in persuading European Union but a spokesman for May reiter- to have a frictionless border and at said he and opposition leader fidence on her today. Varadkar The new Defence Secretary, grandson of Sir Winston leaders to open trade talks at a ated yesterday that a solution can the same time that all of Britain, Micheal Martin will do everything has said if the motion is not with- Gavin Williamson, is said to have Churchill, tweeted: “The Con- December Brexit summit. only be concluded in the second including Northern Ireland, is they can to find a compromise drawn, he would be forced to hold asked for more time to respond to servative parliamentary party The EU handed Prime Minister phase of talks. going to leave the customs union, that would avoid a snap election an election before Christmas, a a security review scheduled to be has a duty now to unite against Theresa May a 10-day “absolute “We remain fi rmly commit- the single market without giving with implications for a Brexit sum- prospect EU off icials say would announced early next year in order further defence cuts to capabil- deadline” on Friday to improve ted to avoiding any physical in- any reassurance on the avoidance mit next month. Varadkar and complicate the EU summit on to get up to speed with work done ity.” her divorce terms and meet three frastructure but the secretary of of regulatory divergence,” he told the head of the main opposition December 14-15 on Brexit. “We’re under his predecessor, Michael Soames and 24 other Tory MPs key conditions, including on the state (Brexit minister David Davis) national broadcaster RTE. party propping up his minority doing everything we can. We’re Fallon. have signed a letter to William- border between EU-member was also clear that we will only be With the possibility of Ireland government hope to resolve a trying to find a middle way that al- Tobias Ellwood, the defence son, warning about the potential Ireland and Britain’s province of able to conclude them fi nally in vetoing progress on the talks crisis is over Deputy Prime Minister lows the government to continue. minister, has signalled he may be loss of amphibious assault ships Northern Ireland. the context of the future relation- dominating some newspaper Frances Fitzgerald’s handling of Certainly I don’t want there to be prepared to quit over the reported HMS Albion and HMS Bulwark, Before it can sign off on the first ship,” he told reporters. front pages in Britain, Coveney a legal case involving a police an election, particularly at such proposals that could lead to a re- saying it would “dangerously phase of talks, the Irish govern- May’s spokesman repeated added that Dublin would not whistleblower. an important time for the coun- duction in the number of army limit the array of options” avail- ment wants Britain to spell out that the whole of the United need to use its veto if it remained Martin, the leader of Fianna Fail, try,” Varadkar said. personnel to 70,000. able to the forces. in writing how it intends to make Kingdom will leave the EU’s sin- dissatisfi ed since it has the

Turkey premier arrives Number of young Property unaff ordable ‘money mules’ soars for 100,000 households Guardian News and Media first nine months of this year, London a 75% increase in the last 12 months. That is double the Guardian News and Media market rate, either to buy or rent, 8,900 homes being delivered. number in 2013 when there London Savills said, with the vast major- Although the post-budget ecord numbers of were 4,315 cases. ity in London and the south. It said headlines were dominated by young people are let- Experts say one fraud asks varying approaches were needed Hammond’s decision to scrap Rting their bank ac- people to reply to job adverts lmost 100,000 house- to address the shortfall in diff er- stamp duty for the majority of counts be used by criminals or social media posts that holds in England are being ent parts of the country: low-cost fi rst-time buyers, his announce- engaged in terrorism and promise big sums of money Apriced out of the property rented homes were needed more ment included more money for other serious offences, it has way in excess of the work that market each year because of a in markets in which incomes were building and rule changes to help been claimed. will be needed. shortage of aff ordable homes to smaller, while a mixture of homes, councils provide housing. The past year saw a 105% Katy Worobec, head of rent or buy, according to a report. including shared ownership, A speech by the Prime Minis- increase in cases of “money fraud and financial crime Research by the estate agent would help in more expensive ar- ter, Theresa May, at the Conserv- muling” for those aged 21 prevention, at UK finance, Savills, shared with the Guardian, eas. ative party conference in October years or under, to 6,484 cas- which represents banking found the number of priced-out In London, 20% of the house- made a commitment of £2bn over es, where seemingly innocent and financial companies, households had risen from its pre- holds aff ected have incomes above four years to fund social hous- bank accounts are used to said: “Money muling is mon- vious projection in 2015 of 70,000 £35,000, Savills said, while the ing. However, to house 100,000 launder criminal proceeds. ey laundering and criminals a year. This was in part because of a same proportion earn less than emerging households over this Simon Dukes, chief execu- are using young people as change in how housing need is as- £10,000. period would need funding of tive of Cifas, the UK’s fraud mules in increasing num- sessed, but also due to rising prices Over the past three years, 55,000 £7bn a year, Savills said. prevention service, said: bers. We know that students and stagnant wage growth. fewer aff ordable homes have been Paying for the new homes “The criminals behind mon- are particularly vulnerable as On Wednesday, the Chancel- built each year than were needed, would reduce the housing benefi t ey mules often use the cash to they are often short of cash. lor, Philip Hammond, reiterated the research found. Although bill by £430mn a year. fund major crime, like terror- “When you’re caught, your a pledge to build 300,000 homes 42,500 households in the capital Helen Collins, the head of ism and people-trafficking. bank account will be closed, a year by the mid-2020s and un- required below market rate hous- housing consultancy at Savills, We want to educate young making it diffi cult to access veiled a package of measures to ing, only 8,800 aff ordable homes said the budget had off ered many people about how serious this cash and credit. You could support housebuilding. Savills a year had been delivered. In the positives for the housing sector, fraud is in the hope that they even face up to 14 years in jail. said one-third of those would south outside London, 15,500 af- but expressed some concerns. will think twice before get- We’re urging people not to give need to be off ered at below market fordable homes a year were being “While the chancellor had ting involved.” their bank account details to prices to meet the growing need built while 34,100 were needed. plenty of good news, we feel Prime Minister Theresa May and Turkey’s Prime Minister Cifas says there were 8,652 anyone unless they know and for aff ordable homes. Meanwhile, in the north of Eng- there are still some important is- Binali Yildirim pose on the steps of 10 Downing Street in cases of bank accounts be- trust them. If an off er of easy About 96,000 households are land, low incomes were locking sues missing from housing poli- central London yesterday, ahead of their meeting. longing to 18- to 24-year- money sounds too good to be unable to aff ord homes at the out 9,600 households a year, with cy,” she said. olds being misused in the true, it probably is.” Gulf Times Tuesday, November 28, 2017 13 BRITAIN

Congratulations! the world off ers best wishes to couple

Agencies The Archbishop of Canter- Cameron wrote: “Wonderful while they were visiting even wishes to you both,” Trudeau along by a widespread failure of it difficult for the couple to get London bury, Justin Welby, wrote on news and I wish them a long and though it meant they could not wrote on Twitter in English and good journalism. The royals have married within the Church of Twitter: “I’m absolutely de- happy life together.” go inside the palace. Majken Kl- French, also posting pictures of lots of hard questions to answer, England. lighted to hear the news that Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn itsgaard said: “It is nice some- the Canadian and British fl ags about misuse of public funds, in- The abbey is where the Queen orld leaders, celebri- Prince Harry and Meghan Mar- said: “My congratulations to thing joyful is happening while side by side. appropriate lobbying and abuse and Prince Philip got married ties and members of kle are now engaged. Harry and Meghan. I wish them we are here.” Markle has appeared on Ca- of privilege. They’re on the pub- in 1947 and William and Kate in Wthe public all rushed “I wish them many years of well. I hope they have a great time Clive Woolley, 67, from Lon- nadian television alongside the lic payroll to do a public service, 2011. However, Harry also at- to congratulate the happy couple love, happiness and fulfi lment together.” don, said: “I’m absolutely de- prime minister and is reportedly they need to be treated as we treat tended his mother’s funeral there as the royal engagement became — and ask that God blesses them Comedian David Walliams lighted. I think she will be bril- close to both the Trudeaus and politicians.” in 1997, and it holds some painful headline news around the globe. throughout their married life to- joked: “And I thought #Prince- liant, just like Diana. She has the the family of former prime min- The couple could get married memories for the prince. Prince Harry and Meghan gether. I have met Prince Harry Harry was going to propose to right background and I think she ister Brian Mulroney, together at Westminster Abbey after the A spokesman for Westminster Markle were trending on Twit- on a number of occasions and me.” looks like she would be a princess seen as Canada’s leading political church confirmed the actress’s Abbey said: “The Abbey fol- ter within moments of the an- have always been struck by his Outside Kensington Palace, of the people.” families. divorce would not bar her. Mar- lows the General Synod Ruling nouncement as crowds began to commitment and passion for his Majken Klitsgaard, 40, and her Canadian Prime Minister Jus- Pressure group Republic said: kle was married to US film and of 2002. Since then it has been gather outside Kensington Palace charities, and his immense love daughter Amalie, 16, from Den- tin Trudeau too congratulated “What is happy news for the TV producer Trevor Engelson possible for divorced people to where the royal and his wife will for his family.” mark said they were happy the the couple on their engagement. royal couple is going to turn into from 2011 to 2013 and it was be married in the Church of Eng- live after they tie the knot. Former prime minister David announcement had been made “Congratulations and best another royal PR exercise, helped thought this could have made land.” Prince Harry

WHEN HARRY MET MEGHAN Prince Harry and Meghan to marry US Markle are believed to have first met in May last year when he launched the 2017 Invictus Games in Toronto — the city where her TV show Suits is filmed. What began as a relatively low- actress Markle key friendship rapidly blossomed into full-scale romance over the summer after the pair were reintroduced in London by the fashion designer Misha Nonoo. As well as being the ex-wife of one of Harry’s closest Eton next spring school-mates, she is also one of Markle’s best friends. Reuters while Harry also received the wonderful getting to know Meg- Rumours of their relationship London blessing of Markle’s parents. han and to see how happy she and immediately set off a frenzy of “We’re thrilled. I hope they Harry are together.” media speculation and were will be very happy indeed,” In his offi ce’s warning to the confirmed when Kensington rince Harry said he was his father, heir-to-the-throne media, Harry referred to the sex- Palace issued an unprecedented thrilled after he and US Prince Charles said. ism and racism directed at Mar- statement in November last Pactress Meghan Markle Harry and Markle, who is a kle, whose father is white and her year condemning the “wave of yesterday announced they were divorcee, met in July 2016 after mother African-American. abuse and harassment” directed engaged with the couple to tie the they were introduced through “We are incredibly happy for at “his girlfriend”. After the off icial knot in the spring of next year. friends. The prince, the younger Meghan and Harry. Our daughter “outing” the couple were increas- Harry, 33, Queen Elizabeth’s son of Charles and his fi rst wife has always been a kind and loving ingly seen in public together. grandson and fi fth-in-line to Diana, publicly confi rmed their person,” Markle’s parents Tho- Following a successful tour of the British throne, and Markle, relationship months later in a re- mas Markle and Doria Ragland the Caribbean, Harry flew 1,700 36, best known for her role in the buke to the media over its alleged said in a statement. miles to see Markle in Toronto in US TV legal drama Suits, got en- intrusion into Markle’s private “To see her union with Harry, December last year. gaged this month in London. life. who shares the same qualities, They were later spotted in “Thrilled, over the moon,” But it was not until September is a source of great joy for us as London buying a Christmas said Harry as he posed for pho- that they made their fi rst public parents. We wish them a lifetime tree at Pines and Needles in tographs with his fi ancee in the appearance together at the In- of happiness and are very excited Battersea and photographed in grounds of Kensington Palace in victus Games in Toronto, a sports for their future together.” the West End on their way to central London where the couple event for wounded veterans. Harry’s previous girlfriends the Gielgud Theatre to see The will live in a cottage. “We’re in love,” Markle told included Zimbabwe-born Chelsy Curious Incident Of The Dog In Asked when he knew Markle Vanity Fair magazine that month. Davy and actress Cressida Bonas. The Night-Time. was “the one”, he replied: “The “I’m sure there will be a time Educated at the exclusive Eton A series of introductions to sen- very fi rst time we met.” when we will have to come for- College, Harry’s teenage years ior members of the royal family Markle, who wore a white coat, ward and present ourselves and were overshadowed by nega- began as early as last autumn, said she was “so very happy” have stories to tell, but I hope tive press headlines, fostering an when she met Prince Charles as she clutched her future hus- what people will understand is intense dislike which he and his for the first time. band’s arm tightly during their that this is our time. brother harboured because of the They continued this year when brief appearance. “This is a time of huge cel- way papers hounded their mother. Harry arranged for his girlfriend They left with their arms ebration and excitement for two She died in a Paris car crash in to get to know the Duchess of around each other. people in love and, on behalf of 1997 while being chased by pa- Cambridge at a private meet- She showed off a dazzling myself, the government and the parazzi. ing in Kensington Palace. three-stone ring, designed by country, I wish them great hap- Harry was portrayed as a royal Meanwhile, the public ap- Harry himself with at its cen- piness for the future,” Prime wild child and playboy prince, pearances were getting more tre a diamond from Botswana, Minister Theresa May said on and in 2002 he admitted smoking frequent and relaxed. which his offi ce said was a place Twitter. cannabis and getting drunk when The couple spent Valentine’s Day special to the couple, surrounded The wedding is likely to attract underage in a pub near the royal together in London and were by two diamonds taken from the huge attention across the world, family’s country estate amid spotted at the private members’ personal collection of his late as did the marriage of Harry’s suggestions he had fallen in with club Soho House, and the follow- mother Princess Diana. elder brother William to Kate a bad crowd. ing month Markle joined Harry The Queen, who had to give Middleton in 2011. He later scuffl ed with paparaz- in Jamaica at the wedding of her assent for the union, and her “We are very excited for Harry zi outside a London nightclub his friend Tom ‘Skippy’ Instep to husband Prince Philip were de- and Meghan,” William and Kate and drew outrage by dressing as a Lara Hughes-Young. lighted, Buckingham Palace said, said in a statement. “It has been Nazi offi cer at a party. Prince Harry poses with Meghan Markle in the Sunken Garden of Kensington Palace, London, yesterday. Rail service hit Fast-food outlets near Govt appoints fi rst female schools to be banned ambassador to the UN London Evening Standard existing or proposed primary or London secondary school. The mayor is also bringing in Guardian News and Media cil, with some claiming the UK’s the UK as permanent secretary to a new health standard so new London status looks anachronistic, es- the department for international ast-food takeaways will takeaways have to agree to make pecially since France will eff ec- development. Rycroft will replace be banned from open- food healthier by grilling or bak- tively become the voice of the EU Mark Lowcock, who has taken up Fing within 400 metres of ing instead of frying and adding aren Pierce, the Foreign among the group. a senior humanitarian co-ordinat- schools in a bid to tackle the cap- less salt. Offi ce (FCO) political di- Pierce is well suited to the task ing role at the UN. ital’s child obesity epidemic. He said: “Takeaway res- Krector, has been appointed as she is a former UK deputy With the advent of the live In addition, all new chicken, taurants are a vibrant part of UK ambassador to the United permanent representative at the broadcasting of Security Coun- fi sh and chip and pizza outlets London life, but it’s important Nations, the fi rst woman to be UN in New York. She also rep- cil meetings, the advocacy role will have to sign up to minimum that they are not encouraging given the most prestigious post resented the UK at the UN and in the UN chamber has become healthy food standards before our children to make poor food in the British diplomatic service the World Trade Organisation in more important, even if the heart getting planning permission. choices. I am using all of my since the UN’s formation in 1945. Geneva. of the job is to be at the centre of Sadiq Khan will announce the powers through my new Lon- Seen as a trailblazer for women Unfazed in the company of convening political alliances. policy in his draft London Plan, don Plan to prevent new takea- in the FCO, she will take over in journalists, and informal in her The UK’s recent failure to re- the capital’s “planning guide”, ways from being built just down January, and succeeds 18 diff er- manner, she joined the FCO in tain a seat for a UK judge on the due to be published later this the road from schools as part of ent male postwar UK permanent 1981. She has had a varied career international criminal court was week. a package of measures to tackle representatives at the UN in New in Washington, the Balkans, Af- seen as a UK diplomatic setback, Almost 40% of children in the ticking time bomb of child- York. ghanistan and briefl y as head of due either to Brexit or the emer- London are obese or overweight hood obesity.” The high-profi le UN posting news in the FCO under the tur- gence of powerful new diplomat- by the time they fi nish primary Overweight children are more comes at a critical time for the bulent foreign secretaryship of ic forces such as India. school, the highest proportion in likely to miss school due to ill- FCO as the UK battles to prove Robin Cook between 1999 and The UN has also become more England. ness and to have diabetes, heart its departure from the European 2001. Most recently as political important to the UK as it at- Several boroughs, including disease and strokes as adults. Union will not diminish British director she has been visiting the tempts to retain a “special rela- Islington, Barking and Dagen- Dr Yvonne Doyle, London re- infl uence on the international US advocating the retention of tionship” with the US, since the ham and Waltham Forest, al- gional director at Public Health stage, especially at the UN. the Iran nuclear deal. US permanent representative, ready have measures to control England, said: “This plan will Many have questioned the She is leading a relatively new Nikki Haley, is seen as a more chicken shops, chip shops and encourage a healthier food en- long-term viability of the UK’s team since her deputy, Jonathan dynamic and infl uential fi gure People crowd on a Central Line tube underground train takeaways near schools. vironment around our schools continued place as one of the Allen, has only been in New York in Donald Trump’s administra- after a points failure caused severe delays to the service Khan’s plan states that new so that junk food is no longer the permanent fi ve veto-wielding since April. She is to succeed Mat- tion than the current secretary of during morning rush hour commute in London yesterday. takeaways should not be per- option for children nearest the members of the Security Coun- thew Rycroft, who is to return to state, Rex Tillerson. mitted within 400 metres of an school gates.” Gulf Times 14 Tuesday, November 28, 2017 EUROPE Germany may need constitutional change to help deal with hackers

By Andrea Shalal, Reuters and refl ects growing concern be needed since this is such a ier to enact the legal changes un- changing threats and new modes to launch cyber attacks that par- we should do it here as well.” Berlin about the frequency and inten- critical issue,” Vitt said on the der a right-centre-left coalition, of attack required diff erent re- alyse the IT (information tech- Andreas Ebert, head of se- sity of such attacks. sidelines of a cyber conference which has ruled for the past four sponses from government agen- nology) of hospitals or utilities, curity for German carmaker Industry is also raising pres- organised by the Handelsblatt years, than under a three-way cies including more “off ensive” aff ecting hundreds of thousands Volkswagen, said that any off en- ermany may need to sure on government to respond newspaper. “The goal is to get it coalition with smaller parties capabilities. of people?” sive action should be taken by the change its constitution to to the barrage, which ultimately done by the end of next year at that Chancellor Angela Merkel “We must assume that purely Andreas Jambor, chief infor- government. Gallow it to strike back at could hurt Europe’s leading the latest.” initially tried to forge. preventative measures will not mation security offi cer for RWE Arne Schoenbohm, president hackers who target private com- economy. Vitt said that much would Top German intelligence offi - be suffi cient to counter future at- Generation SE, a unit of German of Germany’s BSI federal cyber puter networks and it hopes to State Secretary Klaus Vitt told depend on the outcome of gov- cials told parliament last month tacks,” Vitt said. energy giant RWE, welcomed the protection agency, declined to complete any legal reforms next Reuters that the government be- ernment coalition talks in Ger- that they needed greater legal He said no one would ques- moves. give details about the legal con- year, a top interior ministry offi - lieved “signifi cant legal changes many of which cyber capabilities authority to strike back in the tion the need for police to enter a “There’s a war underway on cepts being developed. cial said yesterday. would be needed” to allow such formed a part (see lead report on event of cyber attacks from for- house and disarm a sniper shoot- the Internet ... we want things He said the need to target serv- The plan could include dis- “hack back” actions. facing page). eign powers. ing at innocent people. “But to be sorted out,” Jambor said. ers would likely make up just arming servers used in attacks “A constitutional change may Experts say that it may be eas- Vitt told the conference that what about servers that are used “Other countries are doing it and “0.01% of all cases”.

Sweden may grant Germans happy but wary reprieve to some as holiday markets open migrant Reuters/AFP than usual security measures. hour before Tunisian militant minors Berlin The markets are beloved by Anis Amri drove a hijacked truck Germans and a major tourist at- into the crowd on the Breitschei- traction for visitors this time of dplatz, came out for the opening Reuters ermany’s Christmas year. this year to enjoy the festivities. Stockholm markets opened yester- In the city of Bochum in West- The extra security was “a bit Gday at the start of the ern Germany, organisers deco- oppressive”, she said. “And it holiday season, with security rate concrete bollards, wrapping is awful, this violence that you weden will let some mi- staff on hand and concrete bar- them up as Christmas presents can’t do anything about. But grants who arrived as un- riers to protect shoppers, nearly with bows to make them appear Berliners are on good form and Saccompanied minors and a year after an Islamist militant festive. they carry on anyway. What else turned 18 during the process of killed 12 people by driving a The German city of Magde- can one do?” applying for asylum stay even if truck into crowds. burg invested €40,000 “We are happy that the market their applications are rejected, a Some 2,600 markets, known ($48,000) in concrete blocks is starting up again,” said Martin rare relaxation of rules imposed for their sparkling Christmas made to look like Lego pieces, Gelmer, the pastor for the Kai- at the height of the 2015 migra- trees and wooden stalls serving according to Bild newspaper. ser Wilhelm Memorial Church, tion crisis. candied nuts, sausages, mulled In Berlin, Petra Henne, who which overlooks Breitschei- More than 160,000 people wine and handicrafts, opened had been at the market in De- dplatz. sought asylum in Sweden in 2015, across Germany under tighter cember last year just half an “But at the same time we more than 30,000 of them unac- know what happened here: that companied minors, swamping people died here and that other the authority and leading to a people must now live with seri- huge backlog of cases. ous injuries,” he told AFP, short- Yesterday’s agreement be- ly after leading a service for the tween the Social Democrats and vendors. Greens to relax some rules irons Organiser AG City, which has out a rift in the minority govern- also deployed teams of private ment. security guards in orange vests, People walk past concrete bar- “These young people have expects up to one million visitors riers erected for the security of become a part of Sweden. They by the time the market winds the Christmas market at Berlin’s should not be hurt by the ex- down on January 7. Breitscheidplatz square. tremely long processing times,” It will close on the attack an- Deputy Prime Minister Isabella niversary, when a memorial in “You think about it ... I don’t Lovin of the Green Party told a the form of a gold-coloured feel so at ease,” said Christa news conference. crack in the ground with the Okunick, 67, visiting from the Sweden tightened asylum names of the victims will be in- western city of Dortmund. rules late in 2015, saying that it A concrete barricade with graff iti reading ‘Thank you, Merkel’ blocks augurated. Last year, she came to the could no longer provide housing the entrance to the Christmas market prior to its off icial opening in Last year’s horror weighed Christmas market a week before for all those who had arrived. Frankfurt. heavily on many present. the attack, an experience she Asylum-seeker numbers fell couldn’t put out of her mind on to less than 30,000 last year, of this visit. “It is an unsafe place, which only about 2,000 were un- and you can’t protect it at all ... accompanied minors, although I’m indeed a bit scared.” the fall is also due to the closing Others such as Noreen Moore, of the main route from Turkey to 73, visiting from the US state of the EU through Greece. Colorado, were unfazed. The November 2015 tighten- “It’s part of the German ing of Sweden’s asylum policies custom,” she said, describing was a blow to the Green Party, how she came to Berlin for the which has also had to accept the Christmas markets and hoped A sign reading ‘I stand here for your security’ is seen on concrete sale of state-energy company to visit as many as she could on barricades at the entrance of the Christmas market in Regensburg, Vattenfall’s lignite mines in Ger- her trip. southeast Germany. many, which it wanted decom- She felt “very comfortable” missioned. walking around, she said. share the cost of extra security more than one million asylum- The new rules will apply to An interior ministry spokes- measures. seekers. asylum-seekers who were reg- man said that the risk of an at- “What could be done was The AfD blames Merkel’s im- istered as minors before the new tack in Europe and Germany is done,” said Berlin’s mayor, migration policy for what it says tighter laws were announced, “continuously high”. Michael Mueller, noting that is a rise in crime and extremist provided the processing time Interior Minister Thomas de those measures still could not attacks. had been longer than 15 months. Maiziere urged Germans not to guarantee absolute security. Klaus Schultheis, an expert in They would be given tempo- be afraid to enjoy their time- The Alternative for Germa- German Christmas markets who rary residency permits to fi nish honoured holiday markets. ny (AfD) far-right party asked collects annual national data on high school, which could be- People should be “mind- members of the public to share the subject, said that he knew of come permanent if they found ful but not fearful”, he told Bild. pictures showing extra security only two markets that were can- employment. “Christmas markets are part of measures at their local markets celled over security concerns. The Social Democrats and our life and culture.” and post them on social media “Christmas markets are a Greens will still need backing Organisers and business own- in protest against Chancellor piece of the German culture that from parties outside government Concrete barriers decorated as presents can be seen at the entrance of the Christmas market in ers had complained that the Angela Merkel’s decision in 2015 shouldn’t disappear no matter to get the agreement signed into Luebeck, northern Germany. government was reluctant to to open Germany’s borders to what,” he said. “It goes on.” law.

Driver due in court for ramming revellers Cultural

DPA/AFP people outside a nightclub over The intoxicated driver then said on its Facebook page that centre Berlin the weekend, police said. crashed into a bollard and was there had been no dispute on its A police spokesman said yes- held down by passersby until premises. terday that the man – registered police arrived at the scene. Six people were injured in targeted 29-year-old asylum- as an asylum-seeker from Syria German authorities said in a the incident, but fi ve have since seeker was due to appear – intentionally drove into the statement on Sunday that a dis- been released from hospital. Ayesterday before a mag- crowd in the northern German pute in the club may have been Those injured are all German AFP istrate, who will decide whether town of Cuxhaven on Sunday, the reason for the incident, but nationals aged between 19 and Warsaw Kaczynski: campaigned on a staunchly anti-refugee platform. to remand him in custody for but investigators have no evi- the club – 29. The sixth person is not in a driving his car into a crowd of dence of a political motive. “Diskothek Flair” – later critical condition. The vandals also damaged the “The only response we have andals smashed a dozen frame of a large tent erected in received from the Polish authori- windows at the Muslim the centre’s garden. ties was from the Senate Chan- VCultural Centre in War- Police were called to the build- cellor saying that it understood saw, which houses one of the two ing in the early hours of yester- our fear but that our worries were mosques in the Polish capital, day. unfounded,” he added. Teenager jailed for planned school bombings police said yesterday. Centre co-ordinator Ahmad At a massive far-right march “We didn’t fi nd any writing on Alattal said anti-Muslim hate earlier this month in Warsaw the building and for now the case speech has been on the rise in some of the participants chanted DPA Medical professionals had ad- State (IS) militant group from to stage an attack on her own is being treated as property dam- Poland in recent years, especially “Pure Poland, white Poland” and Copenhagen vised the court that the girl was her room in the Danish city of school as well as a Jewish school age,” said police spokeswoman since the start of Europe’s mi- “Refugees get out”. so dangerous that she should be Kundby when she was 15. in Copenhagen. Edyta Wisowska. grant crisis. The leader of the ruling Law incarcerated for the foreseeable From then on, it was not long She was arrested in January The incident comes after pre- “We receive threats all the time and Justice (PiS) party, Jaroslaw teenage Danish convert future. until she was radicalised. 2016. vious threats and a prior act of by e-mail, on social media and Kaczynski, campaigned on a to the Islamic faith faces However, the court opted for a Investigators found various During her initial detention, vandalism on the building, amid also by telephone,” Alattal added. staunchly anti-refugee platform Aeight years in prison be- time-limited sentence. chemicals and descriptions for she brutally attacked a youth an atmosphere of intolerance “A month and a half ago we had in 2015, claiming that refugees cause she planned to bomb a The court said that the girl building explosives when they warden, stabbing him repeat- that has grown since Poland’s a similar, but smaller incident. A were bringing “cholera to the pair of schools, a high court in had made contact with rep- searched her room. edly with a shard of a smashed right-wing government took glass bottle was broken against a Greek islands, dysentery to Vi- Copenhagen ruled yesterday. resentatives of the Islamic The teenager had planned mirror. power in 2015. window on the front door.” enna, various types of parasite”. Gulf Times Tuesday, November 28, 2017 15 EUROPE

Man drove with no licence for 56 years: police A man who came into contact with police after a minor road accident last week was found to have been driving without Merkel presses cautious a licence for 56 years, German police said yesterday. The 74-year-old was caught up in a minor road accident in Germany’s Hochsauerland region last week, causing police to arrive at the scene and demand his driver’s licence. SPD over new coalition The man admitted that driving lessons he had taken as a young Reuters/DPA David McAllister, an executive porting or at least agreeing not man had been interrupted when Berlin committee member of Merkel’s to vote against certain measures. he joined the army, and that he Christian Democrats (CDU), A poll for RTL and NTV tel- never got around to getting a echoed her views in comments evision showed that 48% of licence. hancellor Angela Merkel to Reuters, adding that Germany SPD members were in favour He insisted that he had only piled pressure yesterday needed to iron out its stance on of toleration, an inherently less driven in emergency situations Con the Social Democrats key EU issues ahead of European stable form of government, and throughout his life. (SPD) to rejoin a “grand coali- Parliament elections in 2019. only 36% in favour of a renewed Police have opened an tion” with her conservatives, “Diligence defi nitely comes grand coalition. investigation. arguing that the European Un- before speed (in forming a coali- Merkel herself has said she ion and the wider world urgently tion) but the government should would prefer a fresh election to needed a stable German govern- be formed in time for Germany presiding over a minority gov- Russian jailed for ment in place. to be capable of acting if deci- ernment. More than two months after sions need to be made (in Eu- Schulz has promised to allow two years over its September 24 national elec- rope) in 2018,” McAllister said. SPD members a vote on any deal social media post tion, Europe’s economic and The conservatives should sig- his party reaches with Merkel. political powerhouse is still nal willingness to compromise Meanwhile, a senior member A court in Russia’s second city without a government and offi - and avoid drawing red lines as of Merkel’s party said that talks Saint Petersburg sentenced cials say coalition talks may now they prepare for talks with the on forming a new grand coali- a man to two years in a penal properly begin only in the new SPD, he said. tion are unlikely to begin before colony yesterday for insulting year. Preliminary talks are due to the new year. high-ranking state off icials on “There are European elections begin on Thursday. Julia Kloeckner, the deputy social media. in 2019 ... so there is a big expec- While the conservatives and head of the CDU, told public Vladimir Timoshenko, 43, was tation that we take positions,” SPD have diff erent opinions on broadcaster ARD that talks to found guilty of writing a post on she told reporters, referring to Europe, they managed to work form a government would not popular Russian social network proposals by European Com- together in a 2013-2017 govern- start in earnest until after the Vkontakte that “contained text of mission President Jean-Claude ing coalition and all major par- winter break and that it was im- humiliating and insulting nature Juncker and by French President ties in Germany agree on funda- Merkel leaves after giving a press conference in Berlin, following a meeting yesterday with her portant to focus on “thorough- towards high-placed off icials”, the Emmanuel Macron on the future mental issues relating to the EU, conservative Christian Democratic Union (CDU) party leadership. ness”. court said in a statement. governance of the EU’s currency McAllister added. She said that the SPD’s U- Timoshenko wrote the post in and economic union. Merkel’s initial eff orts to forge after suff ering its worst election ruled nothing out ahead of the fi le membership shares Schulz’s turn on the party’s initial stand 2015 while serving a six-year Merkel also cited confl icts in a three-way coalition with the result in German postwar his- preliminary talks. reticence about joining a new to go into opposition would have prison sentence, the statement the Middle East, tensions with pro-business Free Democrats tory. Stung by their previous ex- coalition. to be discussed at the SPD’s added. Russia and relations with the (FDP) and the Greens collapsed SPD leader Martin Schulz, perience of serving as junior Many SPD members favour a party conference in two weeks, The statement did not clarify United States as factors that re- on November 19, forcing her to who has previously been strong- partner in Merkel-led govern- looser arrangement whereby the which would mean that coalition what his previous conviction was. quired a Germany “capable of approach the SPD, which had ly opposed to another “grand ments – in 2005-09 and again SPD agrees to tolerate a Merkel- talks could not begin until the In the post, which has since acting”. wanted to go into opposition coalition”, said yesterday that he in 2013-17 – the SPD rank-and- led minority government, sup- new year. disappeared from Vkontakte, Timoshenko called on Russians to rise up against an “unpopular regime”. Prison terms for social media posts are not uncommon in Russia. Trains mow In December 2016, an Internet user was sentenced to two years in a penal colony for publishing an article criticising Russia’s bombing campaign in Syria down more online. In May 2016, a Russian engineer was given two years and three months in a camp for sharing pro-Ukrainian articles on social than 100 media.

Fur coats worth $650,000 stolen reindeer

A thief made away with 200 fur DPA/AFP the broadcaster that reindeer coats, worth about $650,000, Oslo keepers will be compensated after robbing a woman’s for their losses. apartment in the far-eastern He blamed the recent deaths Russian city of Komsomolsk-on- ore than 100 reindeer on a technical fault in forward- Amur, police said yesterday. have been struck and ing the message to drivers. Authorities discovered the coats Mkilled by freight trains An attempt to advise them of in a garage used by a 42-year-old in Norway in recent days, in the herd’s location at the last man, who is suspected of having what has been described by ra- minute apparently came too broken into the apartment at dio broadcaster NRK as a “kil- late. night by sawing through the ometre-long blood bath”. Norway is home to around door when the woman was out of One train killed 65 rein- 250,000 semi-domestic rein- town, police said in a statement. deer on a track on Saturday deer and most of them live in The suspect, previously alone, while 41 died between the nation’s far north. convicted of similar crimes, Wednesday and Friday, NRK At this time of the year, faces a charge of grand theft, the reported late on Sunday. herders take the reindeer to statement said. The owner of the 65 dead the winter pastures in search Grand theft in Russia is reindeer had contacted the for grazing grounds, a perilous punishable by up to a decade in This picture, taken from video shot on November 25, shows a train driving past dead reindeer near Mosjoen in northern Norway. More than railway company several times journey as many animals are prison. 100 reindeer have been hit by trains and were killed in several incidents in the area over the past week. and been assured that the hit by cars and trains. trains would travel more slowly Some also drown. past the animals, NRK report- Photos taken by documen- ed. tary fi lmmaker Jon Erling Utsi However, it seems that the showed dead reindeer lying in train drivers failed to receive the blood-stained snow. French international schools stage strike over budget cuts the instruction, in a case that Some were shot because has shocked the nation. they were wounded after Sat- “I’m so angry that I’m urday’s incident. AFP at government plans to slash Franck Pajot, a teacher in Bei- nearly 10% of the current budget, schools, refused to say how many dizzy,” owner of the 65 dead “It was a nightmare to Paris €33mn ($39mn) from the net- jing, said he and his colleagues and would result in 500 teachers’ teachers globally were taking reindeer, Ole Henrik Kappfj ell, watch,” he told NRK. “The work’s annual budget as Presi- feel “abandoned”. jobs being axed over three years. part in the strike. told NRK. “It’s a senseless ani- worst thing was the animals dent Emmanuel Macron seeks to “France’s network of high Counting 60% of their stu- It said it was “doing its part” mal tragedy ... a psychological that were not killed in the ac- eachers at many of France’s trim the defi cit. schools abroad is ‘excellence a la dents as foreign, international for government cost-cutting ef- nightmare.” cident, they were lying there, international schools, AFP correspondents reported francaise’,” he added, arguing that schools are seen as a key means forts and stressed that job cuts Reindeer more of less roam suff ering, it was a bloodbath Ta symbol of French soft strikes at schools from Beijing the cash was needed to maintain by which France exports its lan- would not aff ect those hired. free in Norway, with own- over several kilometres.” power around the world, went and New Delhi to Vienna, Ath- their international reputation. guage and culture. The schools are “a public serv- ers guiding the deer towards More than 2,000 reindeer on strike yesterday over planned ens, Nairobi and Tokyo. Participation varied around Fees are often steep, and ice to our compatriots abroad, certain areas in winter to help were mowed down along the cuts to budgets and staffi ng. Others were unaff ected, in- the world, with more than three- the worldwide network makes and a valuable tool of infl uence them fi nd food. same northern railway line be- Paris has 492 schools in 137 cluding Lagos – where teachers quarters of teachers downing France’s “lycees” or high schools for our country”, the AEFE added. Due to diffi culties in keeping tween 2013 and 2016. foreign countries, catering to said they had been unaware of their chalk in Beijing, 80% in a favoured choice among high- Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le the herd together, the keepers The herders are demand- some 350,000 students includ- the co-ordinated strike action Athens, and one-third in Nairo- fl ying international parents who Drian has guaranteed the agen- often alert train companies of ing that the railway operator ing the children of elite business – and Hong Kong, where most bi, according to staff and unions. frequently move around. cy’s loans in 2018, while Macron their movements to avoid col- install a fence along the track leaders and diplomats. teachers are hired locally rather Unions have blasted the cut- France’s Foreign Education has promised the credit will con- lisions. but there has been no funding Teachers’ unions are angry than on expat contracts. backs as “drastic”, representing Agency (AEFE), which runs the tinue in 2019, the agency said. A railway spokesman told for it yet.

Barely a quarter of Catalans want to push split from Spain

Reeters litical crisis in decades. an agreement based on Catalonia 1,800 Catalans between Novem- forecast to win 46% of the vote, Madrid It eased after the sacking of the staying part of Spain. ber 20 and November 22. down slightly from 47.7% in a secessionist Catalan authorities Pro-independence parties Failure to capture a majority in previous election in 2015. by the Madrid government elic- may fail to retain an absolute ma- the regional parliament would be Unionist parties combined arely a quarter of Catalans ited little resistance. jority of seats in the Catalan par- a heavy blow for Catalan separa- would account for another 46% want to continue with a But uncertainty could return liament in next month’s election, tists who have billed the election of votes, up from less than 40% Bplan to claim independ- if the pro-independence camp the fi rst part of the poll published as a plebiscite on Madrid’s deci- last time, according to the Met- ence from Spain in the wake of wins in the December 21 vote. on Sunday showed. sion to impose direct rule on the roscopia poll. December 21 regional elections, Just 24% of those polled by However, the survey’s margin region last month. Turnout for the election, according to a poll published in Metroscopia said they would of error at 2.4% and the fact that The October referendum pro- which former Catalan leader El Pais newspaper yesterday. like to continue with the inde- support was evenly split between duced a large majority in favour Carles Puigdemont said on Sat- This picture taken on September 30 shows protesters with Spanish An illegal Catalan independ- pendence process after the elec- the two sides makes reading con- of independence, but turnout urday would be the most im- flags during a demonstration in Barcelona against independence in ence referendum on October 1 tions, whereas 71% said they clusions from polls diffi cult. was only 43%. portant in the region’s history, is Catalonia. The illegal referendum was held the next day. plunged Spain into its worst po- would prefer politicians to fi nd The telephone poll surveyed Catalan separatist parties are predicted to reach a record 80%. Gulf Times 16 Tuesday, November 28, 2017 INDIA

TRAGEDY BUSINESS EDUCATION FARMING CONTROVERSY Woman commits ‘suicide’, Amazon launches Students to answer Odisha to boost fresh Tejashwi slams PM over family alleges murder startup challenge roll-call with ‘Jai Hind’ water aquaculture security for Lalu Prasad

A woman allegedly committed suicide by Amazon India yesterday collaborated with Days after Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister The Odisha government yesterday introduced a A day after the NSG (national security guard) hanging herself after a quarrel with her hardware accelerator HAX and crowd-funding Shivraj Singh Chouhan said that people in India new scheme to provide additional 2,200 hectares cover for former federal minister Lalu Prasad was husband and in-laws in Kolkata yesterday. community Kickstarter to announce “Startup should call parents ‘Mata’ (mother) and ‘Pita’ of fresh water aquaculture farming with 50% withdrawn, his son Tejashwi Yadav said yesterday The body of Soma Dasgupta, 23, was found C-Cube” – a multi-level challenge for startups (father), a state minister has announced that financial assistance to farmers. “The scheme Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be held hanging from the ceiling of her in-laws’ house that will start in Bengaluru on December 5. students will now have to answer their roll-call has been introduced with a budget provision of responsible if anything untoward happened to the in Baguiati. Her husband and in-laws said she “We are happy to bring Kickstarter and HAX with “Jai Hind”. While addressing cadets on the Rs96 crore,” Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik said. Rashtriya Janata Dal chief. “If anything happens to committed suicide following an argument, to give Indian startups an opportunity to National Cadet Corps Day on Sunday, School “Various services in the fisheries sector are also Lalu Prasadji, Modi will be responsible and blamed an off icer from Baguiati police station said. get their ideas noticed at the global stage Education Minister Vijay Shah announced being made online today. We are also dedicating for it,” Tejashwi Yadav, Leader of Opposition in the According to the husband, the couple had and arm them with resources to convert that students now says ‘Jai Hind’ instead of Animal Ambulance Service in Berhampur and Bihar assembly, said. Tejashwi said his father was a fight in the morning over their daughter’s these into real business opportunities,” ‘yes sir’ and ‘yes ma’am.’ He said this would be Cuttack urban areas with a budgetary provision on the hit list of some vested interests who could school. However, the family of the woman Manish Tiwary, vice president of Amazon enforced in all 122,000 government schools, of Rs1 crore to provide emergency assistance to murder him. He said while small-time leaders filed a police complaint claiming the in-laws India said in a statement. The move is and an advisory would also be issued to all sick and injured animals,” he added. Patnaik said of the National Democratic Alliance have been killed and hanged her, making it appear expected to bring companies together to private schools. On Friday, the chief minister Odisha was the only state in the country to have provided security, that of Lalu Prasad has been like a suicide. “Our daughter had a strained work towards building the product startup had said that parents should be called Mata doubled farmers’ income in real terms over a pared down. “It is a dangerous trend,” the former relationship with her in-laws as she was not ecosystem. The announcement marks the and Pita in India, instead of mom and dad, decade. He said the contribution from fisheries and Bihar deputy chief minister said. Tejashwi said Lalu allowed to call us or come to stay with us,” the first anniversary of Amazon’s flagship which he said was more prevalent these livestock sectors was reported to have increased Prasad had been visiting diff erent parts of Bihar father of the woman said. programme ‘Launchpad’. days. significantly. and was surrounded by hundreds of people. PM responds to Congress jibe: I sold tea, not the nation

IANS about a son of Gujarat. Earlier Modi suff ered from an “un- Bhuj, Gujarat they did that with Sardar Patel healthy mentality” and accused also. Gujarat will never accept him of making irresponsible this. No Gujarati will accept the statements. es, I sold tea but not the lies that they are spreading,” he “The prime minister suff ers nation,” Prime Minister said. from an unhealthy mentality, YNarendra Modi told Con- Modi began his speech in the which is an issue of national con- gress yesterday, in response to local Kutchi language, saying cern,” party spokesman Anand Policemen guide elephants to demolish huts which forest off icials claimed were illegally built at the Amchang Wildlife Sanctuary in Guwa- the opposition party’s “chaiwa- that the BJP does not believe in Sharma said in New Delhi. hati, yesterday. la” (tea vendor) jibe. politics of visiting only during “He feels that nothing hap- “The Congress dislikes me be- times of elections but in devel- pened in Gujarat and the country cause of my poor origins. Can a opment. He said when he fi rst before he came,” he said, adding party stoop so low? Yes, a person visited Kutch in 2002 it was all that he was making his com- belonging to a poor family has ruins due to a devastating earth- ments with “respect” to Modi’s become the prime minister. They quake, and now after the devel- offi ce. Many injured in drive to demolish do not fail to hide their contempt opment works there is no trace of “Unhealthy mentality is when for this fact. Yes, I sold tea but I the quake destruction. a person says the universe was did not commit the sin of selling Modi hit back at the Congress not created before me; India illegal houses in wildlife sanctuary the nation,” Modi a rally here. over the ‘hugplomacy’ jibe by did not have an identity before “They (Congress) have insult- party vice president Rahul Gan- I came... He (Modi) always says ed poverty...they have insulted dhi, saying, “When the Indian this is happening for the fi rst IANS ing to the illegal encroachers. land must be cleared and we are Porin Kebang (TMPK), called for the mother... I am the son of this army was standing eye-to-eye time. Guwahati “Amchang wildlife sanctuary bound to follow the court order,” a 12-hour dawn-to-dusk Assam soil and have been your friend of with Chinese at Doklam for “He needs to be told that India eviction is being carried out as per Brahma added. shutdown to oppose the eviction good and bad days,” Modi added. 70 days, you were hugging the became a nuclear power in 1974, Guwahati High Court direction. Local people tried to resist the drive. Modi is in election-bound Gu- ambassador of China. When we went to space, Chandrayaan, everal people were injured In addition to Forest Department eviction drive forcing the admin- Protests were held in Ma- jarat to campaign for his Bharati- the Indian soldier stood for the Mangalyaan had already been and hundreds of houses personnel, Kamrup (Metro) dis- istration to use tear gas to disperse juli, Bihpuria, Jagun, Sivsagar, ya Janata Party. country, you were hugging the launched... India was recognised Sdemolished after the As- trict administration engaged 20 the crowd, offi cials said. Lakhimpur, Gohpur and many The prime minister’s remarks Chinese ambassador. For whom? worldwide. sam government yesterday executive magistrates and 1,500 “Five people including three other places where hundreds come after a Youth Congress I am asking you a question.” “If he feels nothing happened carried out an eviction drive police personnel in the drive,” women and one photographer of agitators came out to the magazine published a meme call- He said the Congress cannot before he came, it is the respon- against illegal encroachers in ar- state Forest Minister Pramila Rani of the Assam Forest Department streets to condemn the eviction ing Modi a “chaiwala”. think beyond one family. “How sibility of the opposition to cor- eas under the Amchang wildlife Brahma said. were injured during the chaos by blocking roads and imposing Modi has himself said that he many remember Kamaraj or De- rect him,” Sharma said. sanctuary near here. “Besides, the security force that followed after the fi ring of shutdowns. used to sell tea along with his bharbhai (U N Dhebar), who were Sharma countered the BJP Hundreds of protesters took personnel, 10 elephants and ten tear gas shells,” said a Forest De- “The people living in Am- father at their small tea stall in presidents of Congress nation- charge of dynastic politics in the to the streets in diff erent parts of JCBs have also been engaged partment offi cial. chang wildlife sanctuary are all Gujarat before he joined politics. ally. Many in the party would not Congress, saying the last mem- the state, demanding an imme- in the eviction drive,” she said, Locals, however, alleged displaced people due to fl oods Accusing the Congress of even know that Debharbhai was ber of the Nehru-Gandhi family diate halt to the eviction drive. adding that the drive will con- that they had not received and erosion from diff erent spreading lies, Modi said the op- a Gujarati. The party that does to take oath of an important post Armed with the eviction or- tinue till tomorrow. A total of prior notice about the evic- places of the state. These peo- position party has been engaged not go beyond one family, what was when Rajiv Gandhi became der issued by the Guwahati High 408 houses have been demol- tion drives. ple have been living there since in creating an atmosphere of do you expect from them?” he the prime minister in 1984. Court, police and civil admin- ished so far, she said. Meanwhile, hundreds of peo- before 2004 when Amchang was pessimism. added. “It means 32-33 years have istration entered the Nabajyoti “The evictions are being done ple and diff erent social organi- declared a wildlife sanctuary,” “Gujarat is my atma (soul). Modi expressed his confi dence gone... For 10 years, Congress Nagar and Kankan Nagar ar- at the instruction of the Guwa- sations took to the streets op- said a TMPK leader, and ap- This land of Gujarat has cared that the BJP will win 151 seats in was in power and I need to re- eas under the Amchang wild- hati High Court and we cannot posing the eviction drive against pealed to the government to be for me; Gujarat has given me the 182-member Gujarat assem- mind him (Modi) that Rahul life sanctuary and demolished stop. The encroachment of for- indigenous people. The Mishing sympathetic towards the state’s strength... They are coming bly. Gandhi is an elected member of houses and properties belong- est areas and other government organisation, Takam Mishing indigenous people. to Gujarat and spreading lies However, the Congress said parliament,” Sharma added. AAP hits out at BJP govt Award for Indologist Dileep collects passport, over Rs300mn tax notice set to travel to Dubai IANS However, the actor’s lawyer IANS its total taxable income was Rs680mn Kochi has denied the charge. New Delhi for 2014-15 and 2015-16. It also said the The high court approval came money received as donation in its bank a day before the police fi led the account had not been recorded in the ac- alayalam superstar fi nal charge-sheet in the case Rs300mn Income Tax department count books. The notice also said that AAP Dileep, who is on bail naming Dileep as the eighth ac- notice to the Aam Aadmi Party yes- had not recorded full details of 461 donors Min a case involving the cused. Aterday triggered a political row with who had given a total of Rs60mn, each do- alleged kidnapping and sexual While allowing him to travel, Delhi’s ruling party terming the move as nation amount exceeding Rs20,000. assault of an actress in February, the court asked him to furnish “bogus” and “political vendetta” by agen- The AAP was also accused of not dis- yesterday collected his passport details of his whereabouts after cies of the central government. closing the donations on its website. from the Angamaly magistrate reaching Dubai and said no at- The Congress and the Bharatiya Janata “The latest notice to the party was served court for his travel to Dubai. tempts should be made to infl u- Party, however, asked the AAP to come on November 23,” a senior IT offi cial, who Accompanying Dileep on ence the case. clean on the issue and alleged that the party spoke on condition of anonymity, said. his Dubai trip is his actress According to sources, the had failed to live up to its self-proclaimed The offi cial also said that the notice was wife Kavya Madhavan and his police are trying to get enough standards of transparency and probity. sent after assessing all the tax records of daughter from his earlier mar- evidence to get his bail can- Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal the party and was part of routine tax as- riage to actress Manju War- celled. said the action of the IT department was sessment and not a vindictive action. rier. Dileep was arrested on July 10 the “height of political vendetta”. The offi cial said that the AAP has been Last week the Kerala High after the police found evidence “For the fi rst time in the history of India, asked to fi le its reply to the latest notice by Court permitted Dileep to travel to link him to the conspiracy an- all donations to a political party have been December 7 and added that the party had to Dubai to take part in the in- gle in the kidnap case. declared illegal. All these were accounted been given 34 chances earlier to explain al- auguration of a branch of Dhe After 85 days in jail, he got for and shown in books of accounts. This legations that it had concealed details of Puttu, a restaurant that he co- conditional bail and has been on is the height of political vendetta,” Kejriwal some of its overseas donations. owns with friend and actor Nadir a religious sojourn. said in a tweet. Bajpai said AAP had been keeping books Shah. The abduction of the popular At a press conference later, AAP leaders of accounts and other documents of con- The high court asked the trial actress took place in February said the party had maintained a record of tribution in excess of Rs20,000 under Sec- court to hand over his passport when she was on her way from every donation. tion 13A of the Income Tax Act. for six days and gave him per- Thrissur to Kochi. “The IT Department has declared the “We have been submitting reports to the mission to be in Dubai for four She was forcibly driven around complete amount of donations we received Election Commission about the donations days. in her car for about two hours as illegal and has put it under the cat- received as per the law,” he said. The court gave the nod for his and allegedly molested before egory of taxable income although we have “The whole country knows how other travel despite stiff opposition being dumped near an actor-di- maintained the records of each paisa that parties fi nance themselves through black President Ramnath Kovind presents the Distinguished Indologist Award from prosecution and police who rector’s home. we received from donors,” AAP treasurer money, yet it is AAP which is being tar- 2017 to Hiroshi Marui of Japan at Rashtrapati Bhavan yesterday. Kovind alleged that Dileep, after being The key accused, Pulsar Suni Deepak Bajpai said. geted using diff erent agencies. This shows congratulated Marui who has spent over 40 years working on Indian released on bail, had been trying and his accomplices involved in The IT notice said the AAP had not that the IT notice is nothing but a vindic- philosophy and Buddhist studies. to infl uence crucial witnesses in the actual abduction, were ar- disclosed income of Rs130mn and that tive action,” he said. the case. rested a week later. Gulf Times Tuesday, November 28, 2017 17 INDIA

Court acquits 35 from anti-piracy ship of weapons charges

Agencies cepted the privately run MV Sea- after the court order reaches the The MV Seaman Guard Ohio ordered their trial which led to British Prime Minister Theresa Association news agency that she Chennai man Guard Ohio off the coast of prison offi cials on Tuesday”. was chartered to protect ships the prison terms. May said: “The government, from was “over the moon”. Tuticorin in Tamil Nadu in Octo- But Indian authorities are still crossing the Indian Ocean at a US maritime security fi rm Ad- the prime minister down, has “We are just waiting to hear ber 2013. able to appeal, which could pre- time of increased risk from pirate vanFort, which owns the Seaman worked hard for over four years to how soon they’ll be home,” she court yesterday acquitted Semi-automatic weapons and vent the foreigners from leaving attacks. Guard Ohio vessel, denied the support the men and their families said. 35 men, including several thousands of rounds of ammuni- India. The six Britons were former charges, saying all fi rearms on and we share their happiness at the “I won’t be able to speak to him Afrom Britain, Estonia and tion were found. “The prosecution failed to soldiers working as guards on the board were legally purchased and court’s decision to give a full ac- until he’s out of prison, we just Ukraine, of illegal possession of The crew were charged with not prove its charges and hence the vessels. properly documented. quittal to each of the men.” want them home as soon as pos- arms while they were on a US- having proper paperwork to carry court has now set them free,” P The 35, except the Ukrainian The Estonian government in Britain was “working with the sible. I’m absolutely ecstatic and operated anti-piracy boat. weapons in Indian waters, but In- Muthusamy, a lawyer for the In- captain and one Briton, were re- October summoned the Indian Indian authorities to discuss the feel proud we’ve managed to do The six Britons, three Ukrain- dia has faced intense diplomatic dian crew said. leased on bail in 2014 on condi- ambassador in Tallinn to com- next steps. We will continue to this after four years.” ians, 14 Estonians and 12 Indians pressure over the case ever since. Twenty-three of the men are tion that they stayed in Chennai. plain about the slow pace of the off er the men and their families The southern tip of India is were given fi ve-year jail terms by R Subramaniya Adityan, a lawyer detained in Chennai’s Puzhal A court quashed the charges case. consular assistance for as long as close to major trading routes a lower court in Tamil Nadu in for 19 of the crew, said after yester- prison, while the remaining 12 are against the crew in July 2014, but Britain had also made ap- it is needed”, they added. from Asia to Europe and many January 2016. day’s hearing at the Madras High at Palayamkottai Central Prison the Supreme Court overturned proaches to India over the case. Yvonne McHugh, partner of cargo ships have armed guards The Indian Coast Guard inter- Court that the men “will be released in Tirunelveli. that ruling the following year and In London, a spokesman for Billy Irving, told Britain’s Press and vessels to deter pirates.

Blow for Sasikala as three MPs switch loyalties to CM’s faction

IANS But Madhusudhanan’s chanc- Chennai es of getting renominated appear to have hit a roadblock with the supporters of Chief Minister ailed All India Anna Dravida Palaniswamy opposing him. Munnetra Kazhagam leader Fisheries Minister D Jayaku- JV K Sasikala and her nephew mar, an MLA from a neighbour- T T V Dinakaran yesterday suf- ing constituency, is said to be fered a major setback as three lobbying for one of his support- MPs of their faction switched ers to be the candidate in R K loyalties to the ruling side led by Nagar. Chief Minister K Palaniswami The seat in Chennai fell vacant and Deputy Chief Minister O following the death of chief min- Panneerselvam. ister J Jayalalithaa on December According to AIADMK, the 5, 2016. three Rajya Sabha members – Meanwhile, the DMK, which A Navaneethakrishnan, Vijila has renominated Marudhu Hadiya comes out of the Supreme Court in New Delhi yesterday. Satyanand (Tamil Nadu) and N Ganesh as its candidate, got Gokulakrishnan (Puducherry) more support yesterday – from – met Palaniswami at his home the Communist Party of India and extended their support. and Dravida Kazhagam. The setback comes days after It has already secured the the Election Commission award- support of Congress and Mus- ed the popular ‘two leaves’ sym- lim League as well as parties bol and the party name AIADMK such as Viduthalai Chiruttaigal to the ruling faction. Katchi (VCK), All India Forward SC releases Hadiya With the switching of loyal- Bloc and Manithaneya Makkal ties, the number of AIADMK Munnetra Kazhagam. members in the upper house of The PMK has said it won’t parliament supporting the ruling contest because it feels the elec- party has now gone up to 11, out tion won’t be held in a “fair man- of the total 13. ner”. But Jayalalithaa’s niece In other developments, appar- Deepa has decided to plunge into from parents’ custody ent diff erences over candidate the fray. So has the Bharatiya selection forced the AIADMK Janata Party, which will pick its Agencies Supreme Court. Malayalam, which was translat- Chandrachud, interacted with reporters outside the court. yesterday to defer a decision on candidate soon. New Delhi “I want my freedom, re- ed for the court by a lawyer. her for about 25 minutes during He said he would seek legal its nominee in the R K Nagar as- zThe Supreme Court yester- lease,” said Hadiya, whose She had to wait for about two which she expressed her desire advice on whether he could visit sembly by-election. day declined to entertain a peti- name before converting and hours before the bench decided to complete her internship and her. Meanwhile the rival DMK got tion by Amrutha, who claimed to woman confi ned to her marrying in December last year to interact with her. pursue her career as a homoeo- The National Investigation more support from political par- be a biological daughter of Jay- parents’ home because was Akhila. In arguments that were pathic doctor. Agency is probing several inter- ties in Tamil Nadu. alalithaa, to exhume the AIAD- Ashe married a Muslim “I must be given considera- spread over nearly two hours, When the court asked with faith marriages in Kerala where After a meeting of office MK leader’s body for a DNA test should be removed from her fa- tion as a human being. I desire to the clincher came as her lawyer whom she would be leaving after young couples allegedly have bearers, legislators and MPs, to establish her parentage. ther’s custody and allowed to see my husband. I have been in Kapil Sibal told the court that she is freed from the care of her links with terror organisations, the AIADMK announced that Justice Madan B Lokur and fi nish her studies, the Supreme unlawful custody.” he was not arguing on Hadiya’s parents, Hadiya said she would NDTV reported. its Governing Council had been Justice Deepak Gupta, however, Court ruled yesterday. The panel of Supreme Court marriage with Shafi n Jahan or stay with her husband. Hadiya Jahan’s case is among authorised to select its candi- said she could go to the Madras The Kerala High Court an- judges ordered she return to on her conversion to Islam or The question asked by Justice those being probed. date for the December 21 con- High Court. nulled the marriage of Had- complete her studies at a ho- anything else but on how she Chandrachud centred around The NIA told the court that it test. The decision was taken Amrutha said her foster par- iya Jahan in May, saying the moeopathy college in Salem could be kept in the custody of qualifi cation, interest in studies, should fi rst look at the “compel- unanimously, the party said in ents – the sister and brother-in- 25-year-old would be in the in Tamil Nadu and appointed her father. perception of life and what she ling material” that the agency a statement. law of Jayalalithaa – had adopted custody of her parents while in- the campus dean her guardian, Sibal cited Article 21 of the intends to do. has collected before interacting E Madhusudhanan, the her in 1982. She claimed she was vestigations were carried out on which she rejected. Constitution saying that no per- She told the court that she with Hadiya. 84-year-old AIADMK presidium the biological daughter of Jay- whether she was forced to con- She studies at Salem’s Sivaraj son could be deprived of his life wants to complete her intern- The court said the NIA can chairman, contested the by- alalithaa and this was conveyed vert to Islam. Homoeopathic Medical Colleges and liberty without due process ship and intends to become a continue with its investigation. election earlier this year before to her by her foster father before Hadiya Jahan has maintained and Research Institute. of law. full-fl edged doctor. Hadiya was asked to be it was postponed by the Election he died. that she converted and married When the woman asked if her The court ordered that she be The court deferred a decision present in the court yesterday to Commission on charges of at- She urged the court to order her husband, Shafi n Jahan, of husband could act as her guard- allowed to meet people as per on the legality of their annulled get her views on her marriage to tempts to bribe the voters with the exhumation of the body of her own free will. ian, the bench did not answer, the medical college hostel rules. marriage. Shafi n Jahan. money power. He was a can- her “mother” so that the family Shafi n Jahan and women’s replying: “You will live as per the The court order came after the “This is a victory as the Su- Her parents have alleged it didate on behalf of the faction could perform her funeral in a rights groups challenged the hostel rules”. bench, also comprising Justice A preme Court set Hadiya free from was a case of “forced conver- headed by Panneerselvam. traditional manner. Kerala court’s decision in the Diminutive Hadiya spoke in M Khanwilkar and Justice D Y illegal custody,” Shafi n Jahan told sion”.

Hyderabad prepares for Ivanka tour with rainbows and lookalikes

By Michael Safi Hundreds of Hyderabadis have as a noticeable makeover of their ries circulated, and not to be re- the states through agriculture,” Hyderabad fl ocked to the store for selfi es city. Roads have been relaid, mu- started until December 1. one man, Udaykumar, off ered. alongside the Ivanka mannequin rals touched up, and lights strewn The Guardian has visited the What will matter most to In- and one of her father, Donald, along the paths that Ivanka will facility where the homeless dia is the symbolic power of her f she happens to glance from and even next to one with the face take to various venues. people have been taken, a cop- presence, a sign of healthy rela- the window of her motorcade of her husband, Jared Kushner. Rumours about the zealous- per coloured building adjoin- tions between the Modi govern- Ias it courses through Hydera- “He is famous,” said Mohamed ness of the cleanup have stirred ing a city prison in the southern ment and Donald Trump’s ad- bad, Ivanka Trump will see little Ilyas Bukhari, the shop owner. tension. A news report last week districts of the city. About 262 ministration. dirt, no dogs, and a formerly drab “Who does not know about the alleged stray dogs were being people were picked up in the “People have tried diff erent bridge painted the colour of a son-in-law of Trump?” carted off to a government facil- month before the program was ways to engage (with Trump), rainbow in her honour. One student, Faisal, pos- ity and culled. suspended, said K Subhash, an whether it is the Chinese govern- The White House adviser, ing between the Ivanka model The charge is strongly denied officer on duty. ment, or playing golf with Shinzo businesswoman and presiden- dressed in a modest felt dress by J D Wilson, the assistant di- About 50 men remained and Abe and eating burgers at the tial daughter will descend on the and the US president wearing a rector of the city’s veterinary the rest have been placed back in club,” said Dhruva Jaishankar, a southern city today for an an- characteristic red tie over a bulg- department. “Being a Christian the care of relatives in Telangana foreign policy fellow at Brookings nual summit to connect entre- ing stomach, said: “I am excited and a vet I know the importance or surrounding states, Subhash India. “It is part of diplomacy to preneurs with potential funders, about one thing, she is coming, of animals,” he said. “We don’t said. have that personal touch.” which this year focuses on em- and so the government is clean- kill animals, we are just catching The men appeared at ease For Indians, said Jaishankar, powering women. ing the roads. We are happy for them for sake of their welfare.” in the facility: clean, fed and it is not usual for politics to be a The guest list is long and in- this reason only.” The dogs are being sterilised dressed in fresh clothing. “I family business. Sanjay Gandhi, cludes top Indian government Ivanka will deliver a keynote at “animal birth control centres” don’t know who Ivanka is, but I the son of the former prime min- offi cials, although the real star of address today, and a dinner with and will be released back into am happy she has come to Hy- ister Indira Gandhi, was notori- the show is beyond doubt. Ivanka Modi is scheduled for the same their street habitats after three Police check vehicles ahead of the visit of Prime Minister Narendra derabad,” one said. “I have been ous for administering a national is everywhere in Hyderabad this day at the Taj Falaknuma, a re- or four days, he insists. “It is our Modi and US President Donald Trump’s daughter and adviser Ivanka shifted to this ashram and get tea mass sterilisation programme; week: in televised clips played splendent palace turned luxury regular practice.” Trump, in Hyderabad yesterday. and food on time.” her grandson, Rahul, is preparing on loop by news channels; on hotel. Workers and police also Still, no one denies the dog- All those questioned in the city to become the fourth member of billboards beside Prime Minister descended on Golkonda Fort, catchers have been hard at work: out of the city so as to be out of drive against the menace of beg- agreed that Ivanka was a welcome the family to inherit the Congress Narendra Modi; and as the beam- an archaeological wonder over- nine strays have been removed Ivanka’s sight, attracted an ap- gary three months back.” guest, though her precise duties Party leadership next month. ing face of a mannequin outside looking the city, where a lunch is from around Ivanka’s hotel, local propriate response. “This is fake In fact, says Singh, to prove the in the White House appeared as “It doesn’t raise as many eye- Mohamed Cap Mart, a bustling likely to take place in her honour. media reported. news,” said Vinoy Kumar Singh, homeless drive had nothing to do unclear to Indians as they are to brows in India as it does in the store near the medieval-era For most Hyderabadis, the Another rumour, that Hydera- the director general of Telengana with Ivanka’s arrival, he ordered most Americans. “She is working US,” he said. — Guardian News Charminar. summit will be experienced only bad’s homeless have been driven state prisons. “We started our it to be suspended after the sto- hard to develop the centre and and Media Gulf Times 18 Tuesday, November 28, 2017 LATIN AMERICA

VISIT OBITUARY VIOLENCE PEOPLE SEARCH Cuban revolutionary figure Seven killed as drug Temer leaves hospital Four hikers rescued off Armando Hart dies at 87 dealers clash in Rio port after heart procedure volcano, one missing

Armando Hart Davalos, a key figure of the Seven people have been found dead in Rio Brazilian President Michel Temer, 77, was The Mexican military and high-altitude alpine Cuban revolution and close friend of Fidel de Janeiro’s port after what police said was a released from hospital yesterday after experts rescued four of five American hikers Castro, has died in Havana at the age of 87. deadly clash among suspected drug dealers. undergoing angioplasty in three blocked injured while climbing the tallest volcano in Cuban state media reported that the elderly Military Police arrested 13 people and seized coronary arteries, doctors said. “President North America, off icials said. Initial reports revolutionary — who spearheaded the country’s 14 guns, grenades and ammunition, they Temer was discharged and can return to his said that eight people had gone missing on the huge literacy drive — died of respiratory failure. said. Suspects were taken to a detention normal activities,” the Sirio-Libanes Hospital country’s highest peak, an inactive volcano Hart, who suff ered from health problems and centre while police rolled out in force in the in Sao Paulo said in a statement. Temer, who known as Citlaltepetl, but the figure was later was wheelchair-bound in his later years, was a area where it happened, called Complexo polls show is Brazil’s most unpopular leader on lowered to five. The Mexican Navy, Puebla lawyer by training but soon became caught up do Caju. The suspects were involved in record, was admitted late Friday. He underwent state medical services and a Mexican alpine in the political fervour that swept through Cuba a shootout among themselves, military the procedure to widen obstructed arteries rescue group participated in the search. A navy People pose next to a cutout of Pope Francis in the 1950s. He joined Castro in 1953 following police said, adding that city police would and to have at least one stent implanted. helicopter searched for the climbers on Saturday while members of the National Commission the late communist leader’s botched raid on the determine who was firing on whom. Doctors said the procedure was a success. before a ground operation took over on Sunday, of Pope’s visit announce 15 environmentally Moncada military barracks, which planted the Violent crime is a major issue in Brazil, and Temer’s latest health problems meant he as weather took a turn for the worse. Two of the sustainable measures during his visit to Chile seed of the revolution that eventually triumphed especially in Rio, the former Olympic and put off a planned visit yesterday by Bolivia’s travellers were rescued by land overnight and in January, in Santiago yesterday. in 1959. World Cup host city. President Evo Morales. were taken to Mexico City. Families of Desert marathon participants line up Chapecoense players struggle to survive

AFP this year, Barcelona played a Sao Paulo charity match against the club. But as time went on, divi- sions emerged in the town, abienne Belle had already with survivors feeling left out been fl oored by the news as the club dramatically rebuilt Fthat her husband was and returned to winning ways. killed in the air crash that wiped “The club restored itself, out Brazil’s Chapecoense foot- getting all the necessary help. ball team. It mobilised, marketing itself Then one day, without on the tragedy and relaunching warning, she received his old itself, while all these lives were suitcase in the mail. pushed to the side,” Belle said. Once again, she felt the bot- She and Mara Paiva, widow of tom drop out of her life, just as ex-player-turned-commenta- she had on November 29, 2016 tor Mario Sergio Pontes de Paiva, when the plane went down. started the Association of Rela- “I had the sensation that my tives and Friends of the Victims husband was being sent back to of the Chapecoense Flight to Competitors gather at the camp on the eve of the start of the first edition of the Marathon des Sables Peru in Cahuachi, in the Ica desert, yesterday. Competitors compete in me — in pieces,” said Belle, 47. press for compensation. the approximately 250km race divided into six stages through the Ica Desert at a free pace and in self-suff iciency conditions from today to December 4, 2017. For the former schoolteach- “The tragedy was not about er, whose husband Cezinha the Chapecoense club, it was was a physiotherapist for the about the families,” says Paiva, southern Brazilian club, recov- also pushing for more support ery a year later feels fragile. from media companies whose This time 12 months ago, the staff were killed in the plane. long unfavoured Chapecoense Paiva, 51, has spent the last had a surprisingly good show- 12 months trying to rediscover ing that landed them at the fi - meaning to her life and to fi ght for nals of the regional Copa Suda- someone to be held responsible. Venezuela ‘to bring more mericana tournament to be Although she has been paid played in Colombia. a life insurance policy, as have But the euphoric group that the other families, she rejected boarded its connecting LaMia a $200,000 settlement from fl ight 2933 out of Bolivia never the insurers of LaMia airline, reached its destination. off ered on condition that any future claims be dropped. army offi cials into PDVSA’ Running out of fuel over the mountains outside Medellin, the With investigations ongoing plane crashed, killing 71 of the 77 in Bolivia and Colombia, it’s too Reuters dals, Quevedo will have to tackle and deepen its control of the in- sor Hugo Chavez, Maduro does experience, is not a heavyweight people aboard, including 19 play- early to draw a line under the Caracas an attempted debt restructur- dustry, which accounts for over not hail from the military. The in Venezuela’s political scene, al- ers, 14 coaching staff , nine man- aff air, she says. “We want eve- ing, within the context of a deep 90% of export revenue. opposition says he has been though two sources close to the agement staff and 20 journalists. rything to be left clear so that recession and debilitating US “The order given is to milita- forced to buy the loyalty of the military said he was a Maduro The tragedy also caused hav- this sloppiness, this lack of care, general appointed at the sanctions. rise PDVSA in key areas,” said a army, historically a power bro- ally. oc in the lives of hundreds more doesn’t happen again. Everyone weekend to run Vene- Sources in the sector said PDVSA employee, asking to re- ker in Venezuela, giving them Opposition lawmaker Angel back home. knew that the airline had a bad Azuela’s energy sector will Quevedo’s appointment could main anonymous because he was top posts and juicy business Alvarado predicted the appoint- Generally these were young reputation and was in a terrible name more military offi cers to quicken a white-collar exodus not authorised to speak to the contracts while turning a blind ment would worsen PDVSA’s op- families just making their way fi nancial state,” she said. senior management posts at state from PDVSA and worsen opera- media. eye to corruption. erations. “They’re getting rid of in a sporting world where in- While the investigations oil company PDVSA as part of a tional problems at a time when A second source said he was PDVSA did not immediately the old executives, who although juries or turns in club fortunes drag on, the club has set up a shakeup the government says is production has already tumbled told military offi cials would take respond to a request for com- socialist and working under cat- can suddenly undermine bank group to boost dialogue. “From aimed at fi ghting corruption, two to near 30-year lows of under over key production divisions in ment, but an internal com- astrophic management, at least balances and dreams. the start, Ch2apecoense has company sources said yesterday. 2mn barrels per day. Venezuela’s east and west. pany message called on work- knew about oil,” he said. “Now Those left behind were un- sought to give all possible help In a surprise move, leftist About 50 offi cials at state oil Venezuela’s president, a ers to come to Caracas today for we’re going to have totally inex- prepared. At fi rst, there was to the families, but it in addi- President Nicolas Maduro on company PDVSA have been ar- former bus driver and union Quevedo’s swearing in. perienced hands.” intense mourning and unity in tion to rebuilding as a football Sunday tapped Major General rested since August in what the leader whose popularity has “Let’s all go to Caracas to con- Although military appointees Chapeco, which has been in- club, it is restructuring the ad- Manuel Quevedo to lead PDVSA state prosecutor says is a fi ght plummeted during the economic solidate the deepening of so- had been on the rise within the undated by support from the ministrative side,” said spokes- and the oil ministry, giving the against corruption. crisis, has gradually handed the cialism and the total, absolute oil industry too, Quevedo’s ap- footballing world. man Fernando Mattos, noting already powerful military control Sources within PDVSA and the military more power in his Cabi- transformation of PDVSA,” the pointment is the fi rst time in a Many other clubs wore the that the club chairman and of the Opec nation’s dominant oil industry said Maduro’s ad- net and in key sectors such as message read. decade and a half that a military Chapecoense colours in hon- part of the management were industry. ministration was using corrup- mining. Quevedo, a former housing offi cial has taken the helm of the our of the dead and in August also lost that day. Besides the corruption scan- tion allegations to sideline rivals Unlike his popular predeces- minister with no known energy oil industry. Mexico’s fi nance Water in sub snorkel minister resigns

Reuters Carstens, who leaves that post ‘caused short circuit’ Mexico City this week. Pena Nieto called on Gonzal- ez Anaya to defend Mexico’s Reuters Enrique Balbi told a news con- those who refuse to give up exico’s Finance Min- macroeconomic stability, con- Buenos Aires ference. hope and those who say it ister, Jose Antonio solidate fi nances, and execute “They had to isolate the is time to accept that their MMeade, stepped down the budget in a transparent battery and continue to sail loved ones will not come yesterday amid speculation the manner. ater entered the underwater toward Mar del back alive. veteran technocrat will run for Meade, 48, is widely seen as snorkel of the Ar- Plata, using another battery,” Some relatives have said president in next year’s elec- a strong contender to head the Wgentine submarine Balbi said. they are focusing on the lack tion under the ruling Insti- PRI campaign to keep power and ARA San Juan, causing its bat- After contact with the San of physical evidence of an tutional Revolutionary Party fend off left-wing rival Andres tery to short-circuit before it Juan was lost, the Vienna- implosion and the possibil- (PRI) banner. Manuel Lopez Obrador in the went missing on November 15, based Comprehensive Nuclear ity that the submarine might President Enrique Pena Ni- July election, but will probably a navy spokesman said yester- Test-Ban Treaty Organisation, have risen close enough to the eto said another close ally, not be formally anointed as can- day as hope dwindled among an international body that runs ocean surface to replenish its Harvard-educated former didate until next year. some families of the 44-mem- a global network of listening oxygen supply after it went World Bank offi cial Jose An- Corruption scandals, slug- ber crew. posts designed to check for se- missing. tonio Gonzalez Anaya, would gish growth, failure to curb The San Juan had only a sev- cret atomic blasts, detected a But Itati Leguizamon said leave state oil company Pemex violence and allegations of en-day oxygen supply when it noise the navy said could have she believed her husband, crew to replace Meade in the fi nance electoral fraud have seriously lost contact, and a sudden noise been the submarine’s implo- member German Suarez, had ministry. eroded the centrist party’s al- was detected that the navy says sion. died. “I thank (Meade) for his ready rocky reputation. could have been the implosion The search for the 65-metre “There is no way they are dedication and commitment Meade, a fi xture in the Cabi- of the vessel. diesel-electric submarine is alive,” she told reporters, her and I wish him success in the net across two rival administra- Ships with rescue equipment concentrated in an area some voice shaking and eyes welling project he has decided to un- tions, has no formal party af- from countries including the 430km off Argentina’s southern with tears. “It is not that I want dertake,” Pena Nieto said in fi liation and has distinguished US and Russia were nonetheless coast. this. I love him. I adore him. brief address at his Los Pinos himself as a discreet and dip- rushing to join the search. The eff ort includes ships and He left his mother and sister residence. “Many congratula- lomatic public servant with a Before its disappearance, planes manned by 4,000 per- behind, but there is no sense in tions, Pepe, and best of luck,” grasp of fi nance and economics the submarine had been or- sonnel from 13 countries, in- being stubborn. he said, referring to Meade. matched by few in Mexico. dered back to its Mar del Plata cluding Brazil, Chile and Great “The other families are at- Pena Nieto did not mention He has avoided the damag- base after it reported water Britain. tacking me for what I am say- Mexican Finance Minister Jose Antonio Meade (left) is welcomed by the campaign. ing scandals that have engulfed had entered the vessel through Among the crew’s fam- ing,” she said, “but why have President Enrique Pena Nieto as he arrives for the ceremony to present The president also did not the PRI under Pena Nieto, who its snorkel, causing a battery ily members, fissures started they not found it yet? Why his resignation, at Los Pinos Presidential Residence in Mexico City reveal his plans for replacing cannot seek a second six-year short circuit, navy spokesman appearing yesterday between don’t they tell us the truth?” yesterday. central bank governor Agustin term. Gulf Times Tuesday, November 28, 2017 19 PAKISTAN Report rules out nuclear war between neighbours

Internews ity of a nuclear war between India ing international order, and are The report, however, warned lead to “truly horrendous” con- and India’s investments in bal- countries’ drives toward trigger- Washington and Pakistan. committed to an open economic that the greatest threat to sta- sequences that would prove true listic missile defences and multi- ready, destabilising, operational The council based these fi nd- order and multilateral institu- bility in the region “comes not the “worst-case assumptions of ple re-entry vehicle technology, nuclear postures that lean toward ings on a series of seminars it tionalism”. from the development of large, the nuclear pessimists”. which gives New Delhi a fi rst- splendid fi rst-strike options,” it outh Asian experts reject held recently in New Delhi, Is- The experts also noted that all sophisticated and diversifi ed The report noted that until strike option against Pakistan. added. the nuclear pessimism in lamabad, and Beijing, noting that three countries were embedded nuclear arsenals, but from the recently, the threat of a nuclear The report noted that China, The report noted that “Paki- SWestern capitals about South Asian experts who par- in a global order that’s vastly dif- continued stability of the insti- war was thought most likely in India, and Pakistan also share stan has developed tactical nu- their region, noting that the ticipated in these meetings were ferent from the pre-World War I tutions guarding them”. South Asia, where India and Pa- a common institutional legacy clear weapons, although it does West’s nuclear “sky is falling in more optimistic than the nuclear era or the “fi rst nuclear age” that The experts highlighted the kistan are involved in a festering of civilian dominated nuclear not appear to have operational- South Asia” argument does not “sky is falling” arguments often manifested during the Cold War. consequences of “aggressive na- low-intensity confl ict fostered decision-making structures, in ised tactical nuclear warfare”. hold when seen in proper con- aired in the mass media, and pol- “The nuclear ‘sky is falling’ tionalism” in China and India, by deep confl icts about identity which the military is only one On a positive note, the report text. icy conferences in general. argument is simply not sup- and the potential for the “the fi rst and territory. partner, and a relatively junior added, neither India nor Paki- This is the conclusion of a re- The experts argued that China, ported by the evidence, at least three decades of the post-Cold The report underlined two one, among a host of others. stan is conducting nuclear tests port by a prestigious Washington India, and Pakistan, despite be- when evidence is embedded in War era” to become merely “a specifi c dangers: Pakistan de- “All three factors – the struc- to develop or improve designs for think-tank, the Atlantic Council, ing enmeshed in a complex rival- its proper context,” the experts temporary hiatus in their onward ploying tactical nuclear weapons tural, the normative, and the nuclear warheads. which also rules out the possibil- ry, “are stakeholders in the exist- maintain. nuclear journey”, which could in a conventional war with India, institutional – dampen both The same holds for China.

Pakistan, Iran to boost ties Protests end after in health sector minister resigns Zahid Hamid: resigned as law minister. Internews AFP/DPA/Reuters Analysts said that the capitu- Shaukat Aziz Siddiqui said in an during the weekend crackdown. Islamabad Islamabad lation was an unsettling sign of order that was made public as the “Our workers’ release is in the infl uence even marginal re- offi cial silence continued yester- process. Once that is done, we ligious groups wield in Pakistan day. will leave.” akistan and Iran have akistan’s law minister re- and an embarrassment for the “Soldiers who are inclined At nightfall yesterday, the pro- agreed to enhance co-op- signed yesterday after the government before elections due towards politics should turn in testers were still in place. Peration in the public health Pembattled government in 2018. their weapons,” said Siddiqui, Authorities had initially hesi- sector, including medical educa- bowed to demands from a small The demonstrators demanded according to Dawn News. tated to act over the sit-in. tion and drug manufacturing. Islamist group, striking a deal the resignation of law minis- “You are supporting the im- Pakistan’s civilian govern- Besides, both sides stressed with the help of the military to ter Zahid Hamid over a hastily- pression that the army is the cure ment has long pulled its punches the need for vaccination of hu- end a weeks-long anti-blasphe- abandoned amendment to the for all illnesses,” he told Interior in such situations, fearing that a mans and animals crossing the my protest. wording of an oath which elec- Minister Ahsan Iqbal, who had crackdown on a religious group borders between the two coun- At the site of the sit-in which tion candidates must swear. been summoned for a hearing re- would incite blowback, as it has tries, offi cial sources here con- had blocked a major road into The change was small and lated to the sit-in. in the past. fi rmed yesterday. Islamabad, demonstrators were quickly reversed, but the TLYRAP “I know that after these re- Minister Hamid’s ousting is According to an offi cial state- slowly packing up tents and linked it to blasphemy. marks, I will also become a the latest in a series of heavy ment, Minister for National walking to bus stops as shops and The ruling Pakistan Muslim ‘missing person’ or get killed,” blows to the ruling party. Health Services Saira Tarar, who markets reopened for the fi rst League-Nawaz (PML-N) re- the judge was quoted as saying, In July Nawaz Sharif was de- is in Iran, stressed on the bilater- time since the protest began. mained silent yesterday, with no adding: “I am a true lover of the posed as prime minister by the al co-operation during meetings Khadim Hussain Rizvi and offi cial comment on the report Holy Prophet.” courts over graft allegations, with her Iranian counterpart Dr his supporters from the once- by state media that Hamid had Analysts said the government while fi nance minister Ishaq Qazizadeh Hashmi and other of- obscure Tehreek-i-Labaik Ya resigned. had been so undermined that Dar – also accused of corruption fi cials from the health sector. Rasool Allah Pakistan (TLYRAP) But a triumphant Rizvi called it had been left with no option – has taken indefi nite medical Tarar held various meetings group had paralysed the capi- off the sit-in in a statement to but to seek the help of the army, leave. with Iranian offi cials in Tehran, A porter sits on his cart in an empty market in Lahore, which was tal since November 6 with just supporters, saying that the army widely seen as the most powerful Observers had previously according to the ministry of na- closed after the TLYRAP’s call for a national strike. 2,000 demonstrators, enraging had guaranteed their demands institution in Pakistan. warned that capitulation would tional health services in Islama- millions of commuters and the would be met and thanking “They wanted to put the army set a dangerous precedent. bad. Below: TLYRAP supporters watch as a crane removes a container judiciary who blasted the gov- the powerful military chief for against the protesters, and when “Politically, this is a major It said that the minister also blocking the highway to Islamabad from their protest site at ernment for hesitating to act “playing his role”. the military refused ... the gov- embarrassment for the PML-N,” stressed on the need for vacci- Faizabad junction. against them. “Respected army chief General ernment was left with no way analyst Hasan Askari told AFP, nation of humans and animals Qamar Javed Bajwa had sent his out,” analyst Rasul Bukhsh Rais adding that it would undermine crossing borders between the representatives and we signed told AFP. “The government’s their credibility and predicting two countries. the agreement with them,” he capacity is eroded. Nobody was more defections. Among those Tarar held meet- claimed. willing to listen to them.” He also warned it had ings with were Iran Health In- The declaration, as well as a “It was our goal to be martyred strengthened the position of surance Organisation president widely-circulated text of the for the honour of the Prophet,” hardline groups like TLYRAP. Alireza Mohebati and Iran Food agreement signed by Rizvi, the one protester, 19-year-old Me- Askari warned that the deci- and Drug Administration presi- interior minister and Major Gen- hboob Ahmed, told AFP at the sion by TLYRAP and other Is- dent Dr Ismail Asghari, during eral Faiz Hameed, among oth- protest site in Islamabad. “We lamist parties to contest the up- which possibilities of co-opera- ers, spurred the Islamabad High fought fearlessly but I feel sad coming elections could further tion between the two countries Court to demand the govern- and regret that I could not get weaken the PML-N. in the public health sector came ment give a full accounting of the martyrdom.” The party has previously ben- under discussion. army’s role in the deal. “We have won ... no one can efi ted from the right-wing reli- The minister lauded the uni- The government had called on defeat the followers of Prophet gious vote. versal public health coverage of the military to intervene to re- Muhammad,” said Anees Rizvi, a Political analyst Saad Mo- Iran as an example in the region. store law after police and para- protester from Lahore. hammad described yesterday’s She also visited the Tehran militaries bungled an attempt on “It was our struggle which agreement as a “very disappoint- Heart Centre and Endocrinolo- Saturday to dislodge the protest- forced the government to take ing end”. gy, and the Metabolism Research ers. a decision which it had been “The power of the state has Centre in Tehran. The move sparked clashes that resisting,” said Asad Gujjar, a gone to such low levels that left at least seven people dead teacher at an Islamic seminary in 2,000 people can bring it to its and ignited protests across the Murree Hills near Islamabad. knees and dictate the terms for nuclear-armed nation of 207mn “Our main demand has been any settlement,” he said. “It was people. accepted,” Ejaz Ashrafi , a spokes- an unlawful gathering, and they Hameed’s signature on the text man for TLYRAP, told Reuters, should have been dispersed. But Funding agreement was “most alarming” adding that part of the agree- they got away with it. This will and Rizvi’s gratitude to army ment was the release of dozens of have huge ramifi cations for the deadline chief Bajwa was “strange”, Justice party workers who were arrested future.” extended TV channels and social media back online Internews Islamabad Internews Saturday against religious pro- sions was a tough and painful oters continued unabated. dia sites was widely condemned website Bytes For All believed Islamabad testers in Islamabad. decision which had to be taken It led to countrywide protests by journalists and cyber activ- that in the age of technology, he World Bank is likely The decision was taken dur- in the national interest after in favour of protesters, while ists. connectivity and unrestricted to approve Pakistan’s re- ing a meeting between Prime exhaustive deliberations with members of the public from twin “The government fi rmly be- speech were the only appropri- Tquest to extend the dead- elevision and social me- Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi a view to prevent the spread of cities (Rawalpindi and Islama- lieves in the freedom of expres- ate solutions to take the country line till November 2018 for the dia in Pakistan came and Chief of Army Staff General chaos and anarchy in the coun- bad) also started assembling sion. The only objective behind out of the ongoing socio-politi- utilisation of funds given by the Tback fully online across Qamar Javed Bajwa, reports said. try,” the minister said in the around the sit-in venue. this move is to ensure national cal chaos. bank for the major Dasu hydro- the country yesterday after the A similar media blackout had statement. In view of the situation, the security and safety of lives and “Information blackout, sus- power project. government authorities lifted a occurred when Pervez Mushar- Private news channels were government took all the private properties of the citizens,” the pending communication means The World Bank approved two blanket blackout. raf imposed emergency on No- taken off air across the country TV channels off the air, leaving information minister said in the and denying fundamental rights loans – $19.3mn and $398.1mn – On Sunday night the federal vember 3, 2007 that continued on Saturday afternoon follow- the state-run PTV to provide the statement, apparently replying to the citizens can’t be the so- for Pakistan in August 2014 for government allowed the televi- for 88 days, receiving domestic ing the notifi cation of Pakistan public with news and updates. to the criticism. lutions to such problems in a the Dasu hydropower project. sion channels to resume trans- and international condemna- Electronic Media Regulatory Later in the evening, the Pa- After the transmission was democratic society,” it said in a The government wrote a letter mission on the condition that tion. Authority (Pemra) that was is- kistan Telecommunication Au- resumed, the Pemra issued an- statement. to the World Bank on November they will follow the code of con- Minister of State for Informa- sued around 11am, barring them thority announced that it was other set of 20-page guidelines Senator Rehman Malik, 15 seeking extension in the dead- duct. tion Marriyum Aurangzeb said from live coverage of the opera- blocking social media. for TV channels stating that any chairperson for Senate Stand- line till November 20 next year The transmission was shut in a statement that the trans- tion. On Sunday evening access to channel found violating the code ing Committee on Interior, also for the utilisation of the funds down for 28 hours to avoid giv- mission of TV channels was re- Despite the warning, mara- social media sites was gradually of conduct with live coverage or condemned the decision and meant for land acquisition and ing live coverage to the abortive stored in pursuance of the direc- thon coverage of stone pelting, reopened. spot interviews would be taken said it had seriously dented the resettlement of the people. operation launched by the police tives of the prime minister. tear gassing and skirmishes be- The decision to take TV chan- off the air. freedom of press, helping the The two loans became eff ec- and Frontier Constabulary on “Suspending the transmis- tween riot police offi cers and ri- nels off air and block social me- Known for cyber activism, spread of false information. tive in August 2014, with June 30, 2022 as the closing date. Educational institutes stay closed Parliamentary system stays for now Punjab Assembly session postponed The land acquisition proc- ess started late due to delay in As a result of the situation in the country, most public and private After detailed deliberations in the aftermath of frenzied religious Keeping in view the tense situation in Pakistan, the session of the reaching agreement with the educational institutes in the country were closed yesterday. protests against the government, the leadership of Nawaz Sharif’s Punjab Assembly has been postponed for a week. people and departments con- Off icial sources said that educational authorities in Islamabad as ruling Pakistan Muslim League-N (PML-N) has decided that to keep The session has been put off under Rule 25(b) of the Rules of cerned on compensation rates. well as the four provinces had issued notifications on Sunday night the present parliamentary system, meaning that the national and the Procedure of the assembly, off icial sources said here yesterday. According to a World Bank re- informing parents that schools, colleges and universities would remain provincial assemblies will not be dissolved. “In exercise of the powers vested in me under Rules 25(b) of the Rules port, the process of land acqui- closed on Monday. Some also announced closure for today. Sources in the ruling camp said the government will also not announce of Procedure of the Provincial Assembly of the Punjab, 1997, I Rana sition was slow initially because A Punjab University has also postponed examinations scheduled for early elections despite growing pressure from political rivals. Muhammad Iqbal Khan, Speaker, Provincial Assembly of the Punjab of poor co-ordination between Monday and today, with the new date to be announced later. However, if the situation deteriorates, the party leadership will hold order that the next sitting of the 33rd session of Punjab Assembly the Water and Power Develop- The Sindh Education Department also announced that examinations detailed discussions with parliamentary leadership on the option of will now be held on Monday 4th December 2017 at 2pm in Assembly ment Authority, the Khyber- scheduled for November 27 and 28 were postponed. holding early elections, they added. Chambers, Lahore instead of Monday 27th November 2017 at 2pm Pakhtunkhwa government, and Academic activities at all medical and dental colleges in public and If the political pressure continues to mount despite the agreement due to Eid Milad-un-Nabi and the current law and order situation in the the Dasu district administration. private sectors across Pakistan will also will be suspended. with protesters, the cabinet could be reshuff led. province of Punjab,” says a notification by the Assembly Secretariat. Gulf Times 20 Tuesday, November 28, 2017 PHILIPPINES Duterte tells rebels he will Aquino’s kin linked to road correct ‘historical injustice’ scam: Aguirre AFP Sultan Kudarat Manila Times to former Public Works Secre- Manila tary Rogelio Singson. hilippine President Rod- “Attached herewith is a re- rigo Duterte vowed to cor- vised letter request for your Prect “historical injustice” witness in the alleged good offi ce to endorse to the in a speech to Filipino rebels P9bn road right of way Department of Budget and yesterday as his government A(RRW) scam during Management (DBM) in rela- seeks to reignite a stalled peace the previous administration tion to settlement of ROW process in the nation’s troubled has linked the brother-in-law claim in payment of properties south. of former president Benigno aff ected by an infrastructure He made the remarks at a Aquino as an endorser of the in General Santos City,” part mammoth gathering hosted illegal land transaction. of the alleged Cruz letter said. by the country’s main guerrilla Justice Secretary Vitaliano “We trust that you will fi nd group, the Moro Islamic Libera- Aguirre yesterday presented everything in order and have tion Front (MILF), but which has Roberto Catapang Jr, who was taken the liberty of drafting also brought together Chris- admitted to the government’s the document for your con- tians, rival factions and tribal Witness Protection Pro- sideration and signature,” it groups from the southern region gramme (WPP). ended. The letter though has of Mindanao. Catapang claimed that he no printed name of Cruz be- Since the 1970s, rebels have used to be part of the crimi- low his alleged signature. been waging a rebellion seeking nal syndicate that furnished He claimed that he has autonomy or independence in fake titles to secure payments other similar letters, and one the southern areas of the nation in exchange for landholdings of them even has a logo of Ma- that they regard as their ances- that would be used for govern- lacanang, adding that a lawyer tral homeland. ment RRW projects in Region from the DPWH legal depart- The confl ict has claimed more 12, particularly General Santos ment also confi rmed to him than 120,000 lives and left large City. “It’s (the) talk of the town the existence of Cruz’s letter- areas of Mindanao in poverty. in the Department of Public endorsement. Duterte, warned that the re- Works and Highways (DPWH) Catapang also showed a let- gion could see worse violence if Central in Manila. (DPWH)] ter request from Singsong to the issue is not resolved. Central knows during the time Budget Secretary Florencio “What is at stake here is the of president Aquino if he was “Butch” Abad, dated Decem- preservation of the Filipino re- really the backer in General ber 23, 2013, requesting for public and to correct historical President Rodrigo Duterte speaks with Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) vice chairman Ghadzali Jaff ar (centre) as chairman Al-Hajj Murad (right) Santos (of syndicates) in the the release of P500mn for 18 injustice,” he said. applauds during a programme as part of the MILF assembly at their main camp in Sultan Kudarat on the southern island of Mindanao yesterday. road right of way claim,” Cata- pieces of fake land titles, as Duterte said that during the pang added. payment was immediately re- decades when the Philippines Asked to disclose names, leased on December 27, 2013. was under Spanish and then Catapang said: “Sir Eldon The DOJ chief pointed out American colonial rule, the Cruz.” To prove his claim, that the payment was very un- Christian majority had taken Catapang showed a photo- usual, considering the speed control of vast parts of Mindan- copy of an endorsement let- by it was released, and consid- ao, leaving others marginalised. ter, dated January 12, 2011, ering that December 24 and 25 He also warned that the vio- signed by Cruz and addressed were holidays. lence could be exacerbated if Islamic State followers fl ee to the Philippines after losing their bases in the Middle East. Duterte’s warning came just a month after the foreign and lo- Beggar kills teen for cal IS supporters who ravaged Mindanao’s Marawi city were defeated in October, ending a refusing to give alms fi ve-month confl ict which left about 1,100 people dead. The 10,000-strong MILF By Ashley Jose Safari Condo Building 3, with signed a peace deal in 2014 that Manila Times stab wounds in the chest. would give the nation’s minority Vallejo said the victim and self-rule over parts of Mindan- his friends were sleeping in ao, but the proposed law to im- beggar allegedly a parked jeepney when the plement the pact has not man- Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) members and supporters attend a gathering at their main camp in Sultan Kudarat on the southern island stabbed to death a beggar arrived and asked for aged to get through Congress. of Mindanao. A teenager who refused to alms. The immediate objective of give him money in San Andres, But the beggar, after being yesterday’s rally was to build groups in Mindanao, he added. opportunity to be part of the no- tend. Unarmed MILF fi ghters main rival, the Moro National Manila. told by the victims they have support for the proposed law. Speaking at the event, MILF ble endeavour of peace-making”. accompanied by armed govern- Liberation Front. “The impor- Senior Police Officer 4 no money, pointed a knife at Duterte said he would work chairman Murad Ebrahim re- Hundreds of thousands of ment soldiers and policemen tance here is that there is co- Glenzor Vallejo of the Manila them saying he also wanted for the law’s passage, even call- called that many of those at- people attended the gathering secured the event, which was existence between Christians, Police District, Homicide to sleep in the jeepney. ing Congress to a special session tending had fought in the guer- at the main MILF base where a attended by Cardinal Orlando Muslims and Lumads (tribal Section, identified the victim William Shayne Maxilom, where the leaders could explain rilla wars in decades past. festive mood prevailed despite Quevedo — the archbishop of people),” said Carlos Sol, direc- as Gemuel Rebugio, 15, of Ra- one of the victim’s friends, their plans to the legislators. But he said they are now the history of conflict. Cotabato and Mindanao’s high- tor of the government’s co-ordi- dium Compound. claimed they immediately Such an agreement must be pushing for the autonomy law, The MILF previously said half est Catholic Church offi cial — as nating committee overseeing His body was found along left the jeepney, leaving the “inclusive” and acceptable to all stating “it presents us the rare a million had registered to at- well as members of the MILF’s the peace accord. Osmena Highway, in front of victim and the suspect alone. Videos tell another story of Manila cops’ drug killings

Reuters ings attributed to vigilantes, but commander of the station that ID. When she produced it, said Barangay19, Manila authorities deny any involve- conducted the raid, in a state- Gibaga, one officer shouted ment. ment to Reuters. “Positive! Positive!” and then A witness to the Barangay 19 A station investigation the officers fired on Bitas. he police report was clear. killings told Reuters that the showed that his offi cers had fol- “Don’t do that to my hus- Anti-drug offi cers shot three men were executed and lowed correct operational pro- band!” she screamed, as the Tand injured three men in not, as the police claim, shot in cedure, said Pascual, and eye- police shot Bitas.”I will report this poor district of the Philip- self-defence. witness testimony that they had you! There are CCTV cameras pine capital, then “rushed” them Police say they only use deadly opened fi re on unarmed men was here!” to hospital where they were pro- force in self-defence, but a series “untrue and unfounded.” One of the officers then nounced dead on arrival. of investigations by Reuters sug- Police carried out the Oct 11 aimed his gun at Gibaga and But security camera footage gest they are summarily execut- raid a day after Duterte ordered ordered her inside, she said. obtained by Reuters tells a dif- ing people. them to leave anti-drug opera- The footage doesn’t show the ferent story of what happened The security camera footage tions to the state-run Philippine police shooting the three men, just after midday on October 11 not only contradicts the police Drug Enforcement Agency. but does show an officer ap- in Barangay (district) 19. account of the Barangay 19 kill- The October memo marked pearing to open fire on an un- It shows that police took at ings. the second time that Duterte has seen target. least 25 minutes to haul away the It also provides further evi- publicly told police offi cers to Campo then falls backwards men they had shot. dence of another drug-war tac- stop waging his drug war. into the frame, his body hitting The victims show no signs tic: the disabling of surveillance He announced a halt to their the ground. of life; police are seen carrying cameras at crime scenes by the operations in late January af- His arms move for a while them by their arms and legs and police. ter news emerged that police before resting motionless. loading their limp bodies onto In the footage, fi lmed simulta- had kidnapped and murdered a Less than a minute later, the pedicabs to take them to hospi- neously by four security camer- South Korean businessman. File picture taken on Oct 13, 2017 shows relatives of Rolando Arellano Campos and Sherwin Bitas attend camera that captured the scene tal. as, an offi cer is seen turning the He lifted that ban one month their wake in Tondo, Manila. of the shooting is effectively The footage casts new doubts camera that captured the action later, saying drugs were return- put out of action: someone on the offi cial accounts of police away from the scene. ing to the streets. release of video that seemed to Of the 15 officers who appear The police operation doesn’t turns it to face the wall. killings in President Rodrigo Du- The police understand the In his latest order, Duterte said back up eyewitness accounts of clearly on the footage, only one seem to be undercover. A second camera shows a terte’s 17-month war on drugs. dangers posed by such footage, he wanted “to bring order to the how teenager Kian Loyd Delos is wearing a mask. The footage shows mainly police officer reaching up and In June, Reuters revealed that which can expose their actions. operation/campaign against il- Santos was killed that month. The report said Rolando plainclothes officers, most of turning it away. police have shot hundreds of An active-duty commander legal drugs, thus pinpointing Police said they shot the Campo, 60, sold drugs to an them visibly armed and some Station commander Pascual people during anti-drug opera- involved in the drug war told precise accountability.” 17-year-old in self-defence af- undercover officer, who sig- wearing body armour, entering said the camera was averted for tions, then taken them to hospi- Reuters earlier this year that po- The announcement came ter he opened fire. nalled for back-up. the area through the alley on a “valid security reason” and tals where they are declared dead lice collude with local offi cials to amid escalating public criticism Eyewitnesses said police took Campo “sensed the pres- which Campo and Bitas lived. to ensure the operation wasn’t on arrival. unplug security cameras in areas of alleged police atrocities. the unarmed boy to a trash- ence” of the police officers The offi cers pass in full view compromised. Police say they’re trying to where they plan to carry out a Recent surveys by Manila- filled alley in northern Manila and ordered his two associates of the victims’ house seven min- His statement reiterated save lives. drug-war killing. based pollster Social Weather and shot him in the head. — Sherwin Bitas, 34, and Ron- utes before the shooting starts. the police report’s version of Bereaved relatives and other Reuters has obtained footage Stations have shown rising Footage emerged showing nie Cerbito, 18 — to draw their Arlene Gibaga, Bitas’ wife, events — “that the suspects witnesses allege police are send- from all four security cameras, distrust of the police and un- two officers marching a figure guns and open fire on them, the told Reuters that she witnessed first drew firearms and shot the ing corpses to hospitals to dis- each capturing the episode from ease with their brutal methods, toward the spot where Delos report said. the shooting and the three operatives,” who returned fire rupt crime scenes and cover up a diff erent angle. which have been criticised by the Santos’ body was found. The police retaliated, leaving men were unarmed.”We don’t in self-defence. extrajudicial killings. Together, the cameras provide infl uential Catholic Church. His funeral procession the three men “fatally wound- have the money for guns,” said Later that day, at Police Sta- Police have shot dead at least a unique record of a police op- The circulation online of se- turned into the biggest protest ed,” it said. Gibaga, who has three young tion 2, Gibaga said offi cers told 3,900 people in anti-narcotic eration from start to fi nish. curity camera footage of police yet against the drug war. But the footage shows Cam- children with Bitas. her it was useless to complain. operations since Duterte took Some of the Barangay 19 foot- operations and vigilante killings The officers in the Barangay po chatting with people in the She said her husband didn’t “It’s the government you will power in June 2016 — always in age was previously aired by Phil- has spurred public disquiet with 19 footage belong to an anti- neighborhood in the minutes deal drugs. be fi ghting against,” she recalled self-defence, police say. ippine broadcaster GMA. Duterte’s bloody anti-drug cam- drug unit from Police Station 2 before the police arrive, and Police detained the men in one offi cer saying. “Don’t get Human rights activists blame “The operation was legiti- paign. in Manila, according to a police not, as the report said, selling an alley next to her house, she angry at us. We are just follow- police for thousands more kill- mate,” said Santiago Pascual, the Outrage followed the August report of the incident. drugs to an undercover officer. said, and asked her to get Bitas’ ing orders.” Gulf Times Tuesday, November 28, 2017 21 SRI LANKA/BANGLADESH/NEPAL

Asian bank provides Bangladeshi court upholds $300mn to fi nance corridor death penalty for 139 soldiers AFP our history,” he told the Dha- “It was the most control in a country prone to killing spree in the barracks. legiance to the mutineers in Dhaka ka courtroom of the two-day heinous, brutal and military coups. The home of the BDR chief Dhaka before it was quashed by upgrade massacre in which victims barbaric carnage of Hundreds were singled out was also stormed and his wife, the army. were shot, hacked to death our history; nowhere for trial in civilian courts and guests and staff slaughtered An offi cial investigation Bangladesh court up- and burned alive by marauding in the world did handed punishments ranging before the building was razed. into the mutiny blamed years IANS held the death penalty troops. anything happen like from death to a few years. The remains of those butch- of pent-up anger among or- Dhaka Afor 139 soldiers yester- The sentences will be ap- the way those 57 top The high court in Dhaka ered in the carnage were dinary soldiers, who felt their day over their role in a “brutal pealed again in the Supreme army offi cers were yesterday upheld sentences of dumped in sewers or shallow appeals for pay rises and better and barbaric” mutiny in which Court, which by law has the fi - killed” mixed severity to more than 380 graves. treatment were ignored. he Asian Development dozens of top army offi cers were nal say in all capital punishment accused, including 185 life sen- “Nowhere in the world did Rights groups criticised the Bank (ADB) and the gov- massacred. cases. eight others had sentences tences, prosecutor Jahid Sarwar anything happen like the way scale of the punishments meted Ternment of Bangladesh In delivering his verdict Jus- In 2013, a court sentenced commuted to life imprisonment Kazal said. those 57 top army offi cers were out en masse, claiming the trials have signed agreements for tice Md Abu Zafor Siddique de- 152 soldiers to death for the and four were acquitted. “Forty-fi ve people were killed,” Bangladesh Attorney were “an aff ront to international $300mn in loans to help up- scribed the 2009 slaughter of 74 grisly killings in a mass trial Thousands were round- acquitted,” he added. General Mahbubey Alam told legal standards”. grade the Dhaka-Northwest people – including 57 top brass criticised by the United Na- ed up and tried in special The mutineers stole thou- reporters outside the court- Bangladesh defended the international trade corridor in – as an unprecedented atrocity tions rights chief as failing to military courts in the after- sands of weapons in Febru- house. death sentences, insisting those Bangladesh. in Bangladesh’s relatively short meet basic standards of due math of the massacre, as the ary 2009 from the head- The uprising quickly spread convicted would have a chance Kazi Shofi qul Azam, secretary, history. process. newly-elected government quarters of the Bangladesh to other military bases, with to appeal and denying claims Bangladesh’s economic relations “It was the most heinous, One of those handed the of Prime Minister Sheikh Rifl es (BDR) paramilitary thousands of soldiers seiz- that confessions were extracted division (ERD), and Manmohan brutal and barbaric carnage of death penalty died in custody, Hasina wrestled to regain squad before embarking on a ing weapons and pledging al- through torture. Parkash, country director of ADB, signed the loan agreements on behalf of Bangladesh and ADB respectively, at a ceremony in Dhaka last week. On guard The assistance forms the fi rst tranche of $1.2bn multitranche PM plane ADB loans for the Second South Asia Sub-regional Economic Co-operation (SASEC) north- west corridor road project, said the Manila-based lender in a glitch was statement. “This project will help boost trade along the second busi- est road artery in the country, and further strengthen regional man-made: connectivity,” said ADB country director Parkash. “This will also help bring down transport costs, make the sector more competitive, minister and make transportation be- tween Dhaka and north-western By Mizan Rahman Bangladesh more effi cient.” Dhaka ADB has been supporting the Bangladeshi government in im- proving the Dhaka-Northwest n a sensational disclosure, road corridor since approval of Bangladesh’s Civil Avia- the landmark Jamuna bridge Ition and Tourism Minister project in 1994. Rashed Khan Menon yester- The fi rst SASEC northwest day said the problem in the corridor road project was ap- aircraft, which was carrying proved in 2012 to improve 70km Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Joydeypur-Elenga section of the abroad on November 27 last road. It also improved opera- year, might have been a ‘man- tional effi ciency of Burimari and made technical glitch’. Benapole land ports that provide Three probe reports in this gateways to Bhutan and India, regard, already handed over to respectively. the prime minister, suggested The second project continues it to be purposefully created Civil Aviation and Tourism ADB’s support to the corridor fault in the aircraft (Boeing Minister Rashed Khan Menon by improving the 190km section 777-300 ER) of Biman Bangla- from Elenga through Hatikurul A Bangladesh Border Guard off icer sits on a chair overlooking the Naf River, on the outskirts of Shah Porir Dwip, 490km south of desh Airlines, he said. veillance,” he said, adding to Rangpur district, some 304km Dhaka, yesterday. The Hungary-bound plane that aviation security has got off capital Dhaka. had to make an emergency new dimension and Bang- landing in Turkmenistan due ladesh could not improve in to, what the authorities im- all the areas. “It has deprived mediately claimed, technical Bangladesh aviation industry glitch. from many facilities it was The minister was reply- supposed to get.” Lanka local polls seen as key test of president ing to a question from media But in a recent report of about the PM’s recent com- ICAO, the minister said, the ment that it was a deep- HSIA has scored more than AFP ruling alliance together since his The allies have since clashed over rooted conspiracy. the average point – 77.4 – of Colombo election in 2015. economic policy and on stalled inves- “It is not our duty to fi nd airport safety in this region. Rajith Keerthi Tennakoon from the tigations into corruption under the out whether it was a sabotage Also the ongoing joint as- non-profi t Campaign for Free and Fair regime of former president Mahinda or not and a part of an attempt sessment by the UK Depart- ri Lanka yesterday began pre- Elections said voters were no longer Rajapakse, who is also from the SLFP. to murder,” he said. “Rather, ment of Transport and the paring for long-delayed local considering this a small local election. Parliament last week announced it is the home ministry to fi nd Civil Aviation Authority of Selections seen as a key popu- “People felt they were being de- an investigation into the alleged tap- out the actual reason.” Bangladesh (CAAB) has been larity test of embattled President prived of their vote for a long time,” ping of lawmakers’ private phones by Inaugurating a lounge at good so far, he added. “We are Maithripala Sirisena, whose coalition Tennakoon said. “This could be a test a Sirisena-appointed commission, Hazrat Shahjalal International moving towards a favourable government is embroiled in bitter of the president’s popularity.” deepening the acrimony within the Airport (HSIA), Menon said situation gradually.” infi ghting. Sirisena has said the election was coalition. that the country’s civil avia- He pointed out that the Sirisena’s allies say the president delayed by nearly two years because The president’s own party is split tion could not avail various HSIA infrastructure has limi- has deliberately stalled local coun- authorities had to redraw complex between him and predecessor Ra- facilities as it could not de- tation in providing all the fa- cil polls to buy time as he tries to electoral boundaries. japakse, who ruled Sri Lanka for a velop the airport security at an cilities. The expansion process heal rifts within his own party, an The clash over the local polls is the decade and presided over the end of expected level. of HSIA was going on and will accusation he denies. latest in a series of disputes within the the decades-long civil war. “All the airports across be opened in 2019, he added. The local vote, likely to be in ruling coalition, formed after Sirisena Rajapakse remains a threat to the world have been suff er- The annual passenger early February, is seen as a crucial split his own Sri Lanka Freedom Party Sirisena’s leadership of the SLFP, ing from safety hazards and growth at HSIA has been 18% President Maithripala Sirisena ... flak for delaying mid-term test for Sirisena, who (SLFP) and secured support from the wielding considerable infl uence in falling under signifi cant sur- and cargo 10%. local polls has struggled to hold the raucous rival United National Party. Sri Lankan politics.

Nepal identifi es three potential Left alliance trying projects for Chinese assistance to derail democracy, IANS project development and fa- within the next fi ve days. Kathmandu cilitation committee to im- “A consensus reached among plement the memorandum of the offi cials is that the finance understanding (MoU) signed ministry will propose the Nepal PM Sher Bahadur Deuba epalese offi cials have between Nepal and China, offi - projects to the Chinese govern- says Nepal PM identifi ed three po- cials from ministries including ment based on national prior- He said the communist rule Ntential infrastructure fi nance, physical infrastructure ity and necessity of the coun- IANS radaha of Jhapa district, 430km country. has become obsolete across the projects to be implemented and transport, energy, irriga- try,” the ministry said in the Kathmandu south of Kathmandu, yesterday. “People have the right to live, world. with the assistance of China. tion, urban development, agri- statement. He also said that totalitarian- express and speak freely as well Deuba is in eastern Nepal ad- The projects discussed by culture and tourism discussed Also at the meeting, eco- ism is not accepted in the nation as the right to profess a diff erent dressing election rallies prior to offi cials yesterday include a these projects. nomic adviser to Nepal prime epal Prime Minister Sher and urged the voters to restrain ideology and protest in a democ- the second phase of parliament and cross-border railway project “Although we have identifi ed minister Gyan Chandra Ach- Bahadur Deuba has ac- such ideology through their vote. racy. But in a communist dicta- state assemblies on December 7. connecting Chinese bordering these as potential projects to be arya urged the ministries to Ncused left alliance of Deuba reiterated that the left torship the people cannot even The fi rst phase of parliament town Kerung with Nepalese implemented with the Chinese propose projects that could plotting to foil the constitution alliance was formed to foil the walk freely,” he said. and provincial elections was held capital Kathmandu, electricity assistance, we have not fi nalised promote connectivity with implementation and democracy constitution implementation Stating that it was the Nepa- on Sunday in 32 districts. The sec- transmission line connecting them yet,” Yugraj Pandey, un- productivity so as to reap in Nepal. and democracy in the country so li Congress which has been ond phase elections in 45 districts Kerung with Nepalese Dhad- dersecretary at Nepal’s ministry as much as benefi t from the “The left alliance forged be- as to bring totalitarianism rule in protecting the people’s rights are scheduled for December 7. ing district, a neighbouring of fi nance, told Xinhua. projects. tween the UML and CPN Mao- Nepal. and considering the people as As per the constitutional re- district of Kathmandu and the At the meeting, fi nance A cabinet meeting of the Ne- ist Centre was to capture state He said democracy will lose the sovereign since 2007, the quirement, Nepal should hold Sunsari-Marin diversion ir- secretary Shankar Prasad pal government on August 15 power for their personal inter- if the Congress were to lose the NC president alleged that the all level of elections by January rigation project in eastern Ne- Adhikari urged offi cials from also asked the energy ministry ests,” PM and Nepali Congress election which according to him communists were trying to re- 21 for the implementation of pal, according to a statement of other ministries to submit to seek the Chinese support president Deuba said while ad- would pave the way for a single vive the autocracy espoused by constitution and federalism. Nepal’s fi nance ministry. the potential projects which to build reservoir projects and dressing an election rally in Gau- party authoritarianism in the the late king Mahendra Shah. During a meeting of the are ready for implementation transmission lines. Gulf Times 22 Tuesday, November 28, 2017 COMMENT

Chairman: Abdullah bin Khalifa al-Attiyah Editor-in-Chief: Faisal Abdulhameed al-Mudahka Deputy Managing Editor: K T Chacko

P.O.Box 2888 Doha, Qatar [email protected] Telephone 44350478 (news), 44466404 (sport), 44466636 (home delivery) Fax 44350474 GULF TIMES Another false dawn? Eurozone economy is full of surprises

The surprise economic star of 2017, when it wraps up next month, will have been the eurozone: growth looks set to come in at 2.2% compared with a forecast this time last year of just 1.4%. Combine this with four years of falling unemployment and infl ation well out of the defl ation-worry zone, and policymakers and politicians have something to crow about. But is something substantial going on, or this another false dawn for an economy that has managed less than 1.6% average annual growth in its 18-year history? A sceptic might say it is all just cyclical, soon to reverse. Or that it is simply the result of 2.2tn euros in already- being-rolled-back European Central Bank stimulus forcing a Indonesia parliament in famously sclerotic economy to budge. Both have certainly played a role – but although there are risks that does not mean the growth impetus is not diff erent from previous upswings or that it will end quickly. The cyclical argument, for example, stems from the eurozone’s proclivity to lag the US economy, tending to start graft spotlight, again a take-off just as the latter is stalling. Indeed, the current eurozone cycle is four years behind the By Tom Allard and analyst at the Australian Institute speaker negotiated a “discount” called on President Widodo to US one. Fergus Jensen/ Reuters of International Aff airs, said that under which he and Agustinus would protect the KPK against attempts With some signs the long US economic recovery might be Jakarta — the KPK aside — there has never get a 40% share of a contract worth by the legislature to weaken the peaking – recent surveys have been fl at to lower, and bonds been a systemic approach to tackling more than $50mn. commission’s powers. corruption that he says runs through Marliem is also alleged to have said Critics inside and outside the are giving warning signals – the sceptic could claim that in mplicated in fi ve corruption all layers of government and politics. he had brought Novanto a $135,000 parliament say the root problem is typical fashion the eurozone has started just as the Top Gun scandals since the 1990s but “You are not dealing with Richard Mille watch and showed the money politics, which is underpinned has fi nished. never convicted, the speaker of individuals, you are dealing with an agent a photo of Novanto wearing it. by an open-ticket electoral system and But there are diff erences from, say, 2006 when after IIndonesia’s parliament Setya entire structure and culture.” he said. A consummate political operator, campaign fi nancing laws. four years of lagging growth the eurozone surpassed the Novanto is a political survivor. Novanto is accused of orchestrating Novanto is a key link between These laws allow only tiny amounts Last week, Novanto was detained by a scheme to plunder $173mn, or parliament and the government of public funding, and do not require United States only to tumble as the fi nancial crisis hurt both anti-corruption investigators over the almost 40% of the entire budget of President Joko Widodo, who is public disclosure of individual countries. biggest graft scandal to hit Indonesia’s for the project, from a government expected to seek re-election in 2019, donors, which some lawmakers say One, says Paola Subacchi, a senior fellow at Chatham legislature. contract to introduce a national said Hugo Brennan, Asia analyst at perpetuates a system of funding from House, is Europe’s acceptance that growth sometimes needs The 62-year-old political electronic identity card. risk consultancy Verisk Maplecroft. illicit sources and fi nancial patronage help. powerbroker was defi ant, denying any Novanto denies any wrongdoing, He gained a measure of for favours. “There is now an wrongdoing and urging parliament writing a letter to other parliament international prominence in The open-ticket voting system “What keeps and the political party he leads not to leaders after he was detained asking September 2015 when Donald Trump, encourages candidates to spread understanding – even unseat him. them to “give me an opportunity then a US presidential candidate, largesse to voters and community things going are in (fi scally hardline) His lawyer, Fredrich Yunadi, to prove that I wasn’t involved”. hailed him as “an amazing man” at a leaders and then recoup the Germany – that expressed confi dence that Novanto According to an indictment fi led news conference in Trump Tower in expenditure if they reach parliament, employment demand needs to be would be cleared. against Novanto’s alleged bagman, New York. says the PDI-P’s Sundari. supported,” she said. “In every court we always win,” businessman Andi Agustinus, they Two months later he resigned from Lawmaker Aryo Djojohadikusumo gains” Yunadi told Reuters. stood to be personally enriched to the the speaker’s post after a recording of told Reuters that, with members “Unlike 10 years ago, or But the latest allegations against tune of $42mn. a meeting emerged in which he was of parliament holding the power to even fi ve years ago, there is an understanding that you can’t Novanto have reinforced the Agustinus has not yet commented alleged to have attempted to extort micromanage and approve the budgets just sit and wait for growth.” perception among Indonesians that on the allegations or entered any plea. $4bn of shares from the US mining of individual projects, “the temptation It is not that austerity measures introduced after the their parliament, long regarded as He is due to appear in court this giant Freeport McMoRan. to engage in pork-barrel politics is fi nancial collapse have been dumped wholesale, rather that riddled with entrenched corruption, is week to answer the charges. The case got blanket media coverage extremely high”. However, he believes a failing institution. The rest of the money was funnelled and hearings were televised live. that parliament’s reputation as some governments are more willing to add spending to the Politicians and analysts say that to as many as 60 lawmakers, as well as Within a year, however, Novanto corrupt has been magnifi ed by the mix – especially after many voters deserted mainstream is unlikely to change, whatever the offi cials, party chiefs, parliamentary was speaker again after the KPK’s zeal in going after politicians, parties. outcome of the case. staff ers and tenderers, according Constitutional Court ruled the who make more headlines than low- Germany, for example, has increased public spending “Before Setya Novanto, there were to the KPK, which alleges some of recording inadmissible. level bureaucrats. on roads and bridges, faster Internet and social housing many, many MPs who were put in the cash was brazenly divided up in Novanto’s detention last week came Critics say many members of jail and it didn’t have an eff ect,” said parliamentary meeting rooms. after months of declining to answer parliament are so focused on raising – turning state spending into one of the most important Eva Sundari, a member of parliament In August a witness in the probe, summonses for questioning by the money for future campaigns and growth drivers in the eurozone’s economic powerhouse over from the PDI-P party, which sits in the a US-based consultant to a company KPK. personal enrichment that the the past two years. ruling coalition alongside Novanto’s that won a contract to supply The allegations have once more legislature is not doing its job. Some structural reforms have been undertaken after Golkar. biometric technology for the identity gripped Indonesia, with newspaper According to watchdog Concerned years of being called for in vain by central bankers, the A Corruption Eradication cards — ironically aimed, in part, at front pages splashing the story and Citizens for the Indonesian Commission, known by its Indonesian curbing graft — shot himself after a memes mocking Novanto trending on Legislature (Formappi), lawmakers International Monetary Fund and others. initials KPK, was established in 2002 stand-off with police in Los Angeles. social media. in Southeast Asia’s biggest economy More fl exible labour laws – notably in Spain and Ireland – after the demise of authoritarian Before his death, Johannes Indonesia was ranked last year at 90 have ratifi ed just fi ve of 50 priority have helped prompt growth, notes Florian Hense, European president Suharto. Marliem told KPK officers about out of 176 countries on Transparency bills this year. economist at Berenberg bank. Fiercely independent and able to meeting Novanto at his Jakarta home International’s corruption perception “If you want to see Indonesia free “What keeps things going are employment gains,” he said. wiretap suspects without a warrant, in 2011, according to a declaration index. of corruption,” Fahri Hamzah, one it has been a thorn in the side of the to a court in Minnesota by a Federal The watchdog has singled out of parliament’s vice speakers, told The argument here for a continuation of growth is that country’s establishment. Bureau of Investigation special parliament as Indonesia’s most Reuters, “you have to start tackling the there is plenty of spare capacity in the workforce. But Bob Lowry, an Indonesia agent, at which the parliament corrupt institution, and in July political fi nancing.” Although well off its mid-2013 high of 12.1%, the eurozone’s unemployment rate is still 8.9 % — enough, Hense reckons, for two more years before there is any labour shortage. Attempts are also being made to keep such reform coming. In France, President Emmanuel Macron has already signed decrees to cap payouts on unfair dismissals, while also giving companies greater freedom to hire and fi re. The balance for eurozone reformers will be how to achieve their plans against a wave of anti-establishment sentiment among voters angry at being left out of the post-fi nancial crisis recovery.

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2017 Gulf Times. All rights reserved This picture taken on November 19 shows parliament speaker Setya Novanto (in orange) being escorted by off icials from the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) in Jakarta. The speaker in Indonesia’s parliament has been detained as a suspect in a major graft scandal which is estimated to have cost state losses of about $170mn. Gulf Times Tuesday, November 28, 2017 23 COMMENT Right, left, and Emmanuel Macron

By Zaki Laidi to the right than anything France has system, shifting from the reparative Paris known for a very long time. And the approach of the past to a preparatory centre-right has, so far, backed every model that can better address the one of them. (Macron’s co-optation of challenges generated by digital rench President Emmanuel most of the centre-right’s economic technology, globalisation, and Macron, once viewed as the programme has actually compounded rapid innovation. Far from ignoring quintessential centrist, has the challenge it faces, leaving it with inequalities, this approach aims to Flately been labelled a right- little choice but to use identity politics prevent them from taking hold. The wing politician. He has, after all, to stand out.) traditional redistributive logic will eliminated the wealth tax, introduced At the same time, Macron’s social be abandoned in favour of a pre- greater labour-market fl exibility, cut policies aim to produce roughly the distributive approach. housing benefi ts, and introduced same level of redistribution as before. In practice, this means that reforms to higher education – policies So, while his approach challenges the unemployment would be addressed that a majority of right-wing voters left’s political template, it comprises not by expanding the public-sector embrace. But things aren’t quite that what are fundamentally centre-left workforce, but by strengthening cut and dried. policies. training via programmes that The right-left divide remains Of course, it will take some time for refl ect businesses’ real needs. It deeply felt in France. The right has these policies’ eff ects to be felt. But means that educational inequalities traditionally emphasised freedom – it will not be the poor who ultimately would be reduced not simply by breaking down barriers that impede lose out; it will be the relatively increasing resources, but with an individuals’ ability to create. The left affl uent households that were not interdisciplinary approach that has focused on equality, pursuing previously subject to the wealth tax. balances early intervention to support policies that aim to create a level The idea that eliminating a wealth the most vulnerable with greater playing fi eld through redistribution. tax can benefi t an entire economy is institutional autonomy. And it means This division remains particularly diffi cult to defend. The expectation that the healthcare system’s quality acute in economic and social policy, that the benefi ts will “trickle down” will be improved not by throwing more though it also extends to other areas, to the middle and lower classes is money at it, but through a greater like education policy (for example, highly dubious. Yet, in a country emphasis on preventive medicine. extended education versus early where capitalism has historically been Macron’s melding of the left and specialisation). very weak, there is something to be right has created something of an Yet the truth is that the said for the incentive-driven logic existential dilemma for France’s fundamentally redistributive nature of behind the move. In an innovation- traditional political parties, which are the French state has narrowed the gap oriented economy that is now funded now struggling for survival. The 2019 between the two sides considerably by capital rather than debt, the wealth European parliamentary elections may in recent decades. At the same time, tax had become a historical handicap, amount to a kind of reckoning. divergences within the two main thwarting French industry and But that isn’t the point. At a time camps have grown, making it much entrepreneurship. of deepening inequality, the primary more diffi cult to distinguish clearly Emmanuel Macron’s incentive-based economic policies are further to the right than anything France has known for a very The French model, which focuses challenge France faces is to shift its two opposing perspectives. long time. on redressing excessive social focus from damage control to damage For example, the far-right National inequalities through transfers, was prevention. Macron’s policies will Front denounces “handouts,” as is fragmented so much as atomised. to identify what exactly constitutes believe. After all, it was their centre- built at a time when the number of need to be assessed on the basis of typical of the right, and yet embraces There remains a clear distinction “leftist” policies nowadays. In left voters who got Macron elected. losers was relatively small. But, as the that goal, not according to ideological state-led redistribution. That leftist between the “governing left” and its fact, the Socialists have started And they knew what they were voting share of losers has grown alongside labels that have lost signifi cance. – demand, however, is mediated “radical” counterpart. Yet that divide distinguishing themselves not by what for: every policy he has implemented the emergence of a postindustrial Project Syndicate by the Front’s identity politics, runs even through the once-dominant they are, but by what they are not, thus far was included in his campaign economy, this model has reached its particularly its vehement opposition Socialist Party. touting the line, “neither Macron nor platform. This suggests that France’s limits, with the growing amount of zZaki Laidi, Professor of International to immigration. Redistribution, in The left is deeply divided on Melenchon” (a reference to the far-left centre-left largely accepts the current redistribution undermining economic Relations at L’Institut d’etudes other words, is only for “us,” the “real” virtually all issues – Europe, Jean-Luc Melenchon). approach. effi ciency. politiques de Paris (Sciences Po), was French people. secularism, education, business, and Yet that distinction may not be To be sure, Macron’s incentive- What Macron is trying to do is an adviser to former French prime As for the left, it has not become more – making it extremely diffi cult as powerful as the Socialists may based economic policies are further update France’s economic operating minister Manuel Valls. Weather report Democracy beyond the nation-state Three-day forecast TODAY High: 27 C By Kemal Dervis arrangements, partly or fully. But, to EU. Not only does the EU often deal in their identity does not have the get the most out of Rodrik’s concept, with globalisation-related issues like damaging qualities of nationalism. Low : 23 C Washington, DC Inshore: Moderate temperature daytime it is necessary to account for another trade; Europe’s citizens feel that the As the nation-state cedes some with scattered clouds and slight dust to dimension: the many levels of distant and disconnected “Brussels,” of its power to regional, state, or blowing dust at places at times. ccording to the Harvard governance that exist in today’s world. over which they have little infl uence, municipal governments, the trilemma economist Dani Rodrik, The nation-state, managed by is infringing on the sovereignty weakens. Both democracy, with its WEDNESDAY it is impossible to have national government, remains the of nation-states. This sentiment, concomitant sense of belonging, and High: 28 C full national sovereignty, fundamental building block of the exemplifi ed in the Brexit vote, can be globalisation, driven by cosmopolitan Low: 21 C A Sunny democracy, and globalisation international order. But below the observed across Europe. cities open to the world, can thrive, simultaneously. The concept of a nation-state are states (or provinces), The ways in which these dynamics without causing any country to lose “political trilemma of the world cities, and regions, which may have can complicate Rodrik’s political sovereignty. economy,” which Javier Solana also their own governance structures. trilemma have been on stark display in The benefi ts of such an approach THURSDAY recently explored, is useful, but Above, there are supranational blocs Catalonia, where the tension between could be profound. But there High: 28 C incomplete. like the European Union and global local democracy and the nation-state are serious risks. As successful Low: 21 C Rodrik’s argument, elaborated institutions like the United Nations. is even more acute than that with metropolitan areas attract a growing Sunny in his new book, is that too much Any discussion of the trilemma must globalisation. Indeed, many Catalans share of a country’s capital, skilled globalisation erodes the sovereignty take into account these various levels are more frustrated with Spain’s labour, and innovative capacity, of democratic nation-states, by of governance. national government than they are rural areas, in particular, are likely Fishermen’s forecast increasingly subjecting them to It is true that today’s widespread with either globalisation or the EU. to face economic decline: fewer job OFFSHORE DOHA economic and fi nancial forces that disillusionment with government is The same can be said of Scotland vis- opportunities, closure of hospitals Wind: NW 15-25/30 KT may not correspond with the wishes partly a backlash against globalisation, à-vis the United Kingdom. and schools, and deteriorating Waves: 4-8/12 Feet of the domestic majority. By this logic, which has seemed to impose itself In this context, a retreat to the infrastructure. That trend, as we INSHORE DOHA Wind: NW 10-20/22 KT an authoritarian state may function on nation-states. But another reason nation-state that rejects globalisation, have seen, creates fertile ground for Waves: 2-4/5 Feet better in a globalised world, because for the disillusionment may be that as is occurring in the United States populist politicians to off er simplistic it is unconstrained by, say, electoral citizens feel disconnected from their under President Donald Trump, solutions, rooted in extreme ideologies Around the region concerns. national governments. becomes even more problematic, that sow division and undermine Weather Weather With less globalisation, democratic Yet subnational governments are because it threatens to resurrect all of progress. today Max/min tomorrow Max/min decision-making within the nation- not so far away, and citizens often feel the economic and political pathologies That is why it is vital to fi nd ways to Abu Dhabi Sunny 28/24 Sunny 28/22 state would be less constrained by that they can still exert signifi cant that nationalism incited in the past, help, from the start, those who may Baghdad Sunny 21/08 M Sunny 21/10 Dubai Sunny external forces – particularly fi nancial infl uence over them. As a result, the and then some. be left behind by such a system. Here, Sunny 29/24 28/19 Kuwait City Sunny 22/12 Sunny 23/13 markets – meaning that its scope tension between democracy and But what if we adopted a new the nation-state would retain a major Manama M Sunny 26/21 Sunny 26/21 would be wider. Globalisation and globalisation seems to be less acute approach, in which local-level role, though an appropriate balance Muscat Sunny 28/23 Sunny 28/20 democracy, without the nation-state, at, say, the municipal level. It helps democracy and sovereignty were must be struck, in order to prevent Riyadh P Cloudy 26/13 P Cloudy 25/14 is also possible, though Rodrik is that subnational governments tend strengthened instead? the trilemma from reasserting itself. – Tehran Sunny 13/03 Sunny 13/04 skeptical about whether democratic to be focused on more local-level In many countries, if not most, Project Syndicate institutions could function on a global concerns – such as infrastructure, cities are the centres of innovation scale. education, and housing – that are not and progress, as the promise of zKemal Dervis, former minister of Of course, Rodrik does not portray perceived as being strongly infl uenced agglomeration, economies of scale, Economic Aff airs of Turkey and former this trilemma as a hard-and-fast rule. by globalisation. and positive spillovers attract high- administrator for the United Nations Rather, his goal is to highlight the On the opposite end of the performing fi rms. Citizens feel close Development Program (UNDP), challenges associated with fostering or spectrum are supranational to their municipal governments and is Senior Fellow at the Brookings maintaining these three institutional governance structures, such as the proud of their cities, but their pride Institution. Live issues Is ‘mindless entertainment’ dangerous?

By Oliver Burkeman is often mindless, too. So now, on my we incessantly consume: it’s quite activities can be distractions. New York more self-disciplined days, I stay off possible to get addicted to stuff that That’s the logic behind a suggestion Around the world social media, and feel slightly superior seems edifying and intellectual, attributed to the investor Warren Weather Weather about it. And what do I do instead, as well as to brainless nonsense. Buff ett: fi rst, write down your top 25 today Max/min tomorrow Max/min hroughout history, since I’m far too smart to waste my life Indeed, for a certain kind of person, goals for life; then identify the most Athens S Showers 14/08 Sunny 15/11 people who like to think on rubbish. Now, I listen to podcasts. it’s probably easier. You know it’s important fi ve, focus on them, and Beirut M Sunny 21/17 Rain 19/16 Bangkok P Cloudy P Cloudy 33/26 avoid the other 20 like the plague – 33/25 of themselves as high- So, naturally, I was intrigued by a a distraction to compulsively seek Berlin P Cloudy 07/01 P Cloudy 04/01 minded have sneered at the recent essay on New York magazine’s updates on reality shows hosted by because they’re the seductive ones Cairo Sunny 24/13 M Sunny 23/13 T Cape Town Cloudy Cloudy 24/16 masses, frittering their days away on website The Cut, by Sirena Bergman: Ant and Dec. It’s harder to remember most likely to distract you, precisely 22/16 “mindless entertainment”. “I listen to 35 hours of podcasts that political news, or fascinating because they do matter. They just Colombo T Storms 29/25 T Storms 29/25 Sunny 28/17 The defi nition of “mindless” keeps every week. Is that… bad?” Her tales from the frontiers of science, don’t matter most. Dhaka 28/17 Sunny Hong Kong M Cloudy 25/22 P Cloudy 26/22 changing: not so long ago, novels were conclusion: yes, partly. The brain might be serving the same function. From this perspective, “mindless Istanbul P Cloudy 14/08 S Showers 13/11 considered a frivolous indulgence; needs silence, and the trouble with The point is that what makes entertainment” really isn’t the Jakarta S T Storms 31/26 S T Storms 32/25 then broadcasting took their place, audio – like mobile Internet, too – is something a distraction isn’t main danger. Yes, obviously, it’s a Karachi Sunny 29/17 Sunny 29/16 and novel-reading became something that it doesn’t simply replace other necessarily that it’s stupid or silly. waste of time to watch four hours of London P Cloudy 06/02 P Cloudy 06/-1 Manila P Cloudy 32/26 P Cloudy 32/26 that high-minded people did. forms of entertainment; rather, It’s the role it’s playing in your life. (most) television a day. But that very Moscow S Showers -2/-7 P Cloudy -4/-7 For years, I told myself I wasn’t like it seeps into the gaps (commutes, If it’s helping you numb out, or put obviousness means it’s hard to do by New Delhi Sunny 27/12 Sunny 27/11 the Average Person who watched four housework, exercise) that you might off important but scary tasks, or accident. It’s when you catch yourself New York Sunny 13/08 Sunny 15/02 hours of TV a day (my average must be previously have used to be alone with avoid asking tough questions about feeling smug that you’re immune to Paris S Showers 09/0 M Cloudy 07/02 M Cloudy M Sunny 23/14 more like 15 minutes), because I was your thoughts. Podcasts improve how you’re spending your time, it’s that sort of thing that you really need Sao Paulo 22/14 Seoul P Cloudy 09/-4 M Cloudy 02/-7 doing something much more brainy: my daily life immensely and I’ve a problem, whatever the details. to start worrying. - Guardian News Singapore Showers 29/25 M Cloudy 31/26 surfi ng the Internet. Recently, largely zero intention of abandoning them; Seemingly productive work can easily and Media Sydney S T Storms 24/19 P Cloudy 24/19 thanks to social media, it’s become but Bergman draws attention to an be a distraction, if it’s not the work Tokyo Cloudy 14/07 Clear 19/09 impossible to ignore the fact that this important truth about the content that counts. Even deeply meaningful [email protected] Gulf Times 24 Tuesday, November 28, 2017 QATAR

Panama National Day celebrated Innovative contests enable students to make their mark on National Museum

he National Museum of Qatar that defi nes and celebrates Qatar’s past, took a major step forward today in present and future. This competition Tcapturing the imagination of the provides the perfect platform for young country’s population with the launch of minds around the country to help us an innovative schools competition. imagine and express what that future The nation-wide contest, organised in might look like,” National Museum di- partnership with the Ministry of Educa- rector Sheikha Amna bint Abdulaziz bin tion and Higher Education, will create Jassim al-Thani said. the largest crowd-sourced installation “Young people hold the keys to our of its kind. collective future, so it is only right that This installation provides a once-in- their opinions and voices are heard,” a-lifetime chance for students to have Sheikha Amna added. Minister of Education and Higher Education, HE Mohamed Abdul Wahed Ali al-Hammadi, Ministry of Foreign Aff airs’ Chief of Protocol Ibrahim Yousif their work featured in one of the most “We encourage as many schools and Abdullah Fakhro, Panama ambassador Oreste Del Rio Sandoval and other dignitaries take part in Panama National Day celebrations hosted in Doha ambitious museum projects in the world pupils as possible to join us in creating yesterday. PICTURE: Jayan Orma when it opens in December 2018. the largest crowd-sourced installation Participating students will express of its kind and to make their mark in this what ‘Qatar Means to Them’ on a series unique and beautiful space.” of beautiful, personalised postcard de- From this month, some 50 ‘A4’ art signs, refl ecting the country’s diversity, cards that have been specially designed inclusivity and optimism for the future. for the competition are being issued to The students’ creative contributions every school in Qatar. will form the basis of a large-scale digit- Students are requested to either draw al display to be unveiled at the museum’s or write their responses to the question Katara documents history of of ‘What does Qatar mean to you?’, at- offi cial opening in December next year. In addition, 40 lucky students will tach a passport size photo to the card and be given the opportunity to attend the return these to the National Museum. grand opening with their parents and All cards submitted will be electroni- teachers, with those chosen selected as cally scanned and prepared for digital musician Abdulaziz Nasser display on the museum’s opening night. being the most creative, inspiring and unusual responses to the competition The competition requires that indi- temming from its keenness music and singing, not only in Qatar, and highlight the stages, which artists publications available to children and question. vidual schools evenly distribute their to enhance the Qatari artistic but also in the wider Arab region,” Dr passed through during their art career. grandchildren,” Dr al-Sulaiti said. The National Museum tells the story allocation of 50 postcards across various Sscene, Katara – the Cultural al-Sulaiti said. He said publishing the book also “These books and publications of Qatar and its people, giving voice to age-ranges within their school. Village has published a documentary “The musician enriched the Qa- aims to recognise Nasser, his valu- should provide essential reference for the country’s rich heritage and history It is at the discretion of teachers as to book titled The Musician Abdulaziz tari and Arabic music library with able contributions and great artistic researches who study the history of whilst celebrating its future. which classes complete the postcards Nasser, written by Ibrahim Ali al- an extensive collection of melodies performance, which will continue to music and singing in Qatar and the One of the most signifi cant cultural and thereby are part of the competition. Mutawa. inspired from Qatari folklore music be a source of joy for generations to contributors to these fi elds,” he pointed projects in the country, the museum is Postcards should be completed no The launch, held at a press confer- which are going to be sung for genera- come, especially “for the originality out, as he thanked al-Mutawa, “whose an inclusive space that off ers something later than February 28, 2018. ence yesterday at Katara’s Amphithe- tions.” seekers”. work will hopefully enrich the move- for everyone through highlighting the The Ministry of Education and Higher atre, was attended by Katara general The book, Dr al-Sulaiti added, is “This book is a one more step on ment of the Arab artistic heritage.” extensive network of ties between Qatar Education will arrange for the collection of manager Dr Khalid bin Ibrahim al- a documentary reference to honour Katara’s pursuit of publishing docu- The author thanked and appreci- and nations and people from around the postcards from all schools during March Sulaiti and al-Mutawa. a great Qatari artist as Katara seeks mentaries that highlight the history ated Katara for its unceasing eff orts world. 2018 and these will then be delivered to the “The book documents the history to maintain the Qatari artistic herit- and heritage of Qatar and underline and its balanced enhancement to The museum highlights Qatar’s com- offi ces of the National Museum. of an innovative Qatari artist who has age, document the innovative works the innovation and great perform- document renowned composers and mitment to developing cultural spaces The competition is open to every child been placed among the top fi gures in of art made by the pioneering artists ance of its people, and making these musicians. that promote and sustain a thriving cul- in Qatar. tural sector and build a national spirit of The National Museum will look for the participation. best responses to the competition ques- The museum’s opening is widely an- tion and select ten winning students ticipated across the country, providing a from each of the following age-ranges: physical manifestation of Qatar’s proud kindergarten, primary school 1 to 6 years identity and connecting the country’s old, middle school 7 to 9, and high school history with its diverse and cosmopoli- 10 to 12. tan present. Schools will be notifi ed of the winning “The National Museum is a space students no later than September 30.

Dr Khalid bin Ibrahim al-Sulaiti and Ibrahim Ali al-Mutawa led the The Musician Abdulaziz Nasser book launch yesterday.

The Moza Bint Mohamed School takes part in the nationwide innovative schools Demand for traditional swords rises competition.

Shops selling traditional swords have been doing brisk business of late due to a rise in demand among Qataris who are keen to buy them for the National Day celebrations, especially to perform the Ardha dance. Qatar among the safest According to local Arabic daily Arrayah, the shops started receiving orders for diff erent types of decorative countries in the world swords last month as people started gearing up for the December 18 festivi- ties. From Page 1 workshop on crime statistics was in line The volume of orders has been He said Qatar has maintained its fi rst with the requirements of the national de- steadily increasing since then, shop ranking in the Middle East and North Af- velopment strategy and Qatar National operators say. rica over the past years (2009-2017) and it Vision 2030. Besides the National Day celebra- has also achieved advanced positions glo- He pointed out that the workshop would tions, swords are used to perform the bally in the same period by achieving high also be the starting point for the implemen- traditional folk dance at local wedding assessment rates that surpassed many tation of the recommendations of the Unit- ceremonies and many Qataris also use developed countries. ed Nations Statistical Commission (UNSD) them to decorate their homes, espe- He pointed out that Qatar ranked sec- in accordance with the crime statistics cially the majlis (lounge). ond on the list of the safest 24 countries in manual adopted in that fi eld. In addition, for many people the the world, according to the annual report Experts and technicians in the fi eld of sword symbolises the act of defend- issued by the Swiss Golden Visa organi- crime statistics attended the workshop ing the country, a prominent theme in sation in 2016, expressing the ministry’s along with representatives of the main the country’s heritage. appreciation for the performance of of- stakeholders responsible for crime statis- It takes 10 days or more to make a fi cials and components of civil society in tics in the country and a number of spe- specially crafted sword depending on the the fi eld of security. cialists and those interested in this fi eld. specifications, shop owners point out. Al-Muhannadi added that the Ministry The workshop aims at identifying Some of the orders are for expensive of Development Planning and Statistics sources of crime statistics, their impor- swords studded with diamonds and was working in co-ordination with the tance and how to develop them, identify- precious stones on the handle and a data sources in order to standardise the ing indicators of sustainable development sheath made of natural leather. concepts and terminology of the crime of crime statistics, as well as informing Ghanim al-Muraihki, a Qatari, said statistics data between the concerned the participants about the international many Qataris are keen to own swords parties so that each term was defi ned by classifi cation of crime for statistical pur- and keep them in their homes or off ices Shops in Doha sell a wide variety of swords. the clients of those data. poses of the United Nations Offi ce on mostly for celebratory and decorative Meanwhile, Sultan al-Kuwari, assist- Drugs and Crime. purposes, in addition to being a symbol Ali al-Tamimi, another Qatari, said Mohamed al-Ahmed, a shop have ordered swords made of gold, ant undersecretary of statistics aff airs at It also studies how to use the best ad- of defending the nation. some shops sell exquisite custom- manager, said his shop has received silver with ivory handles and contain- the Ministry of Development Planning vanced and modern methods in the fi eld He said swords made locally are usu- made swords to meet the high a number of requests for swords over ing precious stones, which are highly and Statistics, stressed the importance of crime statistics in order to improve the ally of better quality than imported ones, standards of local customers, who the past couple of months and similar expensive. of crime statistics and security informa- quality and dissemination of data and as their makers use high-quality materi- have an expert eye that could easily reports have come from several others Other orders include making inscrip- tion and their role in the development of enhance the concept of frameworks of als. Such swords are shaped according to detect if the product is of genuine stores as well. tions of patriotic and national themes security plans and strategies that help to cooperation and exchange between insti- local requirements, he added. value. He informed that some customers on the body of the sword. protect society and maintain order and tutions and ministries in the country in public safety. He added that the two-day this area.